The increasing amount of sequence data provides new opportunities and challenges to derive mechanistic models that can link sequence variations to phenotypic diversity. Here we introduce a new computational framework to suggest possible consequences of sequence variations on regulatory networks. Our method, called sTRAP (strap.molgen.mpg.de), analyses variations in the DNA sequence and predicts quantitative changes to the binding strength of any transcription factor for which there is a binding model. We have tested the method against a set of known associations between SNPs and their regulatory consequences. Our predictions are robust with respect to different parameters and model assumptions. Importantly we set an objective and quantifiable benchmark against which future improvements can be compared. Given the good performance of our method, we developed a publicly available tool that can serve as an important starting point for routine analysis of disease‐associated sequence regions. Hum Mutat 30:1–7, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


planting fields; second, the plan of the city in 1849, as surveyed by Lieutenant Ord of the United States Army. Argiiello's sketch demonstrates the simple plan of the customary Spanish colony adapted, obviously, to the particular conditions of the Los Angeles site; Ord's map, strikingly similar, shows functions of the city sixty-eight years after establishment of the pueblo. Of great interest today is the fact that the area of parent settlement, the subject of these two early maps, is still nucleus of twentieth-century Los Angeles. The Civic Center now under development contains the parent core, notwithstanding a tremendous enlargement of the city's area in recent years. The pueblo of Los Angeles was one of three civilian settlements founded in


An L-band externally modulated fibre-optic data link consisting of a semiconductor laser source, a LiNbO 3 E-O modulator, and an InGaAs detector with lossless impedance matching networks is operated at 900 MHz with 6.4 dB gain and a dynamic range of 70 dB MHz 2/3 over a 3 dB bandwidth of 50 MHz


AbstractSeismic retrofitting of unreinforced masonry buildings using posttensioning has been the topic of many recent experimental research projects. However, the performance of such retrofit designs in actual design-level earthquakes has previously been poorly documented. In 1984, two stone masonry buildings within The Arts Centre of Christchurch received posttensioned seismic retrofits, which were subsequently subjected to design level seismic loads during the 2010/2011 Canterbury earthquake sequence. These 26-year-old retrofits were part of a global scheme to strengthen and secure the historic building complex and were subject to considerable budgetary constraints. Given the limited resources available at the time of construction and the current degraded state of the steel posttension tendons, the posttensioned retrofits performed well in preventing major damage to the overall structure of the two buildings in the Canterbury earthquakes. When compared to other similar unretrofitted structures within Th...


Abstract The main reasons for using the finite element method (FEM) in the analysis of fluid film bearings are its flexibility in handling complex configurations, and particular boundary conditions, and the ease of its coupling with a structural finite element analysis to produce an elastohydrodynamic (EHD) solution. In this work an approach based on combining separate hydrodynamic and structural analyses is followed by introducing the structural information into a modular code in the form of an externally calculated flexibility matrix. In order to study a wide range of bearing housing and shaft configurations, a semi-automatic numerical procedure has been developed involving the use of commercial and in-house codes making it possible to use different grids for FEM hydrodynamic and elastic analyses, with higher computational efficiency with respect to uniform grids. The final pressure distribution and bearing deformed geometry are then obtained by an iterative calculation. Some results are reported for different bearing configurations.


ABSTRACT This article aims to examine spatiality in research work based on the body, gender and sexuality relations established between research subjects and the researcher in an ethnographic theoretical-empirical study. Taking as our starting point theories about spatiality and materiality, we have developed conceptually the notion of bodies-in-the-field as a possible way to produce knowledge not about, but with specific individual lives. This approach also allows us to understand the body based on organizational practices and to break with processes that silence and hierarchically situate specific bodies and produce theoretical and empirical gaps in research, insofar as it aims to give visibility to and problematize the researcher body in the production of space. In Organizational Studies, this approach is relevant to an ethical and political research agenda concerned with fostering dialogue with and recognition of different bodies, genders, and sexualities, thus expanding the possibilities of organizational practice.


ion may account for Alphaville's longevity among film fans. This is a seductive argument, but it would be a mistake to overstate Alphaville's difference from the rest of Godard's work. After all, other films of the same period echo its generic hybridity (Darke himself notes Godard's description of Une femme est une femme (1961) as a 'neorealist musical') and others bear its predominantly melancholy tone. Godard's early career is divided between energetic, ebullient pictures (A bout de souffle, 1960; Une femme est une femme; Pierrot le fou, 1965) and cold, sombre works (Le Petit Soldat, 1960; Vivre sa vie, 1962; Une femme mariée, 1964). Indeed, Godard was so prolific during the early sixties that it is tempting (if ultimately rather glib) to divide his early career into summer movies (A bout de souffle, Le Mépris (1963), Pierrot le fou) and winter films (Vivre sa vie, Bande à part (1964), Alphaville). Darke's most significant interpretation of Alphaville, following Godard's own cue, is that it is 'a film about light'—since Lemmy Caution brings the light of love and Promethean fire to the future-city plunged into darkness and artificial illumination— and, as such, 'an allegory of cinematic light' (p. 39). This is clearly the case, although the assertion that the film is 'shot mostly at night' (p. 39) is hasty, since around half of 294 H I S T O R I C A L J O U R N A L O F F I L M , R A D I O A N D T E L E V I S I O N


A new practical solution for target tracking in air space with passive infrared (IR) sensors is presented. A suggested filter is based on an interacting multiple models (IMM) algorithm and angle-only measurements from passive missile sensors using point IR detectors.


Splitflow, a Cartesian grid computational fluid dynamics (CFD) code, has been developed for analysis of complex tactical aircraft configurations. Splitflow possesses a single tree-based grid structure that combines the advantages of both binary tree and act-tree grid systems. The omni- tree gridding technique is described, along with an explanation of the numerical methods and various features of the code. Results are included which demonstrate omni-tree Splitflow's ability to automatically capture complex geometries and flow features for Euler analyses. Turbulent analyses have also been performed on specialized cases where boundary layers are fairly well aligned with the Cartesian coordinates.


*Corresponding author (e-mail: email@example.com) **Present address: Atmosphere & Ocean Research Institute, The University of Tokyo, 5-1-5, Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba 277-8564, Japan. †Present address: Institute for Geo-Resources & Environ., National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), 1-11 Higashi, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8567, Japan. ‡Present address: Division of Earth System Science, Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, N10 W5, Sapporo 0600810, Japan.


The invention discloses a data output method and a data output device and relates to the field of terminal applications with an aim to solve the problem about inconvenience for users to acquire entry information due to eye fatigue or light. The data output method includes: generating a first character set and a second character set according to language types of current entries, wherein language in the first character set is first language, language in the second character set is second language, and the second character set is used for explaining the first character set; converting the first character set to a first audio frequency for playing through a first text-to-speech (TTS) engine, wherein the first audio frequency is in the audio format of the first character set; converting the second character set to a second audio frequency for playing through a second TTS engine, wherein the second audio frequency is in the audio format of the second character set. The data output method and the data output device are mainly used during use of mobile equipment.


Taking 'Juchengwuzi No.6','Zhengkangwuzi No.10' and' Yuyuanxin No.1' etc 7 seedless watermelon as the material,plant growth,fruit setting,disease resistance,yield,quality and other aspects of seedless watermelon by 'Yuhualing' No.1 and No.3 were studied.The results showed that the application of 'Yuhualing' No.1 and No.3 increased the rates of female flower and fructifying,promoted the transformation from vegetative growth to reproductive growth.Besides,the ability of photosynthesis and resistance of the plant were also largely enhanced.Compared with the control group,the anthrax incidence dropped by 27.7%;the average output increased by 13.93%;the content center of soluble solids developed by 1.12%;the edge increased by 0.6%.


I have been assigned the task of presenting an overview of antitrust class actions, and many of you may regard that with justification as an enviable position. I must say, however, that my own reaction to the assignment was a bit different: my mind conjured up an image of Faye Wray, wriggling in the grip of King Kong, and I wondered what she would have said had she been asked to give an "overview" of the beast. I am sure she would have found it difficult to be entirely objective, and I may as well tell you now that I have encountered that same difficulty myself. So while I endeavor to concentrate upon what I have observed about antitrust class actions rather than what I think about them, nevertheless I should warn you that you may detect a good bit of the latter in my description of the former.


Delivery of vaccine formulations into the dermis using antigen-coated microneedle patches is a promising and safe approach due to efficient antigen delivery and safety. We have evaluated an intradermal vaccine using HIV-1 p24 Gag peptide-conjugated polypropylene sulfide nanoparticles (PPS-NP) to induce immunity against HIV-1. This PPS-NP formulation did not accelerate the maturation of blood- or skin-derived subsets of dendritic cells (DCs), either generated in vitro or purified ex vivo , despite efficient uptake in the absence of adjuvant. Moreover, DC-mediated capture of particulate antigen in this form induced potent HIV-1-specific CD4 + T cell responses, as well as B cell-mediated antibody production. Nanoparticle-based intradermal antigen delivery may therefore provide a new option in the global effort to develop an effective vaccine against HIV-1. IFN- anti-p24 of the nanoparticle alone could be desirable, immature DC are capable of effective capture and process of the NP-associated antigen. p24NP DC uptake does not induce DC maturation as opposed to LPS or poly(I:C) adjuvants known to induce CD83 maturation marker expression and TNF- α production. This is a critical asset, as it allows the use of any compatible adjuvant without interference from the nanoparticle formulation. Using HIV-1-specific CD4 and CD8+ T cell clones, we have demonstrated that p24NP are efficiently captured, and the derived HIV-1 p24 Gag-derived epitopes processed and presented by DC to T cells. We show that CD4 and CD8 IFN- γ responses can be detected at very low doses of p24NP, and with similar amplitude when comparing to MDDC and dermal-like DC. Both DC subtypes are able to stimulate potent specific helper CD4 and cytotoxic CD8 T cell responses as evidenced by the large amounts of IFN- γ -produced. Additionally, our data shows that p24NP can generate a polyclonal CD4+ T cell response independently of the type of DC used. Similarly, when CD4+ T cells were primed with p24NP-loaded DC, strong IFN- γ and IL-17 responses were observed with HIV-1-infected MDDC or MDLC. As vaccination aims to generate a robust antibody response, our investigation further shows increased IgG1 and IgG2 production upon immunization with p24NP, suggesting that our proposed p24NP formulation could be adapted to induce specific immunity against HIV-1 (Walker et al., 2011).


Purpose: To assess of the effect of local recurrence of uveal melanoma on metastasis using a multicenter international tumor registry. Design: Retrospective study using an online tumor registry. Participants: Patients with uveal melanoma diagnosed between 2001 and 2011. Methods: A committee was formed to create uveal melanoma patient-specific data fields. Ten subspecialty ophthalmic oncology centers from 4 continents shared data. Patient selection criteria included diagnosis of uveal melanoma and adequate records to allow tumor staging by American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) criteria and follow-up for metastatic melanoma. Main Outcome Measures: Local tumor recurrence and metastatic uveal melanoma. Results: Of 3809 total entries, 3217 patients with ciliary body and choroidal (CBC) melanoma and 160 with iris melanoma were evaluated. There was a median follow-up of 3.7 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.5e3.8). One hundred fifty-two patients (4.7%) with CBC melanoma experienced local recurrence, with a cumulative incidence of 11%. Kaplan-Meier point estimates for remaining free of local recurrence were 99% (95% CI, 99e99) at 1 year, 93% (95% CI, 92e94) at 5 years, and 89% (95% CI, 86e91) at 10 years. Fiveand 10-year metastasisfree Kaplan-Meier estimates for the recurrence-free group were 87% (95% CI, 86e89) and 82% (95% CI, 79e84), and those for the local recurrence group were 71% (95% CI, 62e78) and 62% (95% CI, 49e72). The difference between these 2 groups was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Furthermore, local tumor recurrence increased the risk of metastasis by a hazard ratio (HR) of 6.28 (95% CI, 4.4e8.9; P < 0.001). Local recurrence was detected up to 9.8 years after treatment. Extrascleral extension also was associated with local recurrence (HR, 3.2; 95% CI, 1.5e6.7; P 1⁄4 0.003), but higher AJCC T-size category was not (P 1⁄4 0.63). Five patients (n 1⁄4 5/161 [3.1%]) with iris melanoma demonstrated local recurrence and 1 metastasized. Conclusions: International multicenter data sharing was used to evaluate the effect of local tumor recurrence on metastatic rate. In that local tumor recurrence was associated with a significantly higher risk of systemic metastasis, effective initial treatment and long-term surveillance of treated uveal melanoma patients is necessary. Ophthalmology 2016;123:86-91 a 2016 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).


The current bidding and tendering system of construction engineering in China has some insufficient,which cannot effectively prevent against and curb the corruption.Meanwhile,it increases the bidding cost to a certain extent.The article analyzes the related issues about the legal construction of bidding and tendering and its institutional reform,putting forward the related suggestion.


The argument in this article is that privacy's relationship to copyright is that the right to experience intellectual works in private – free from surveillance – is part of the public domain aspect of copyright works (in Boyle's terms) or the creative commons (in Lessig's terms). The development of content-protection technologies (CPT) and digital rights management systems (DRMS), despite their benefits to rights holders, pose many dangers to the protection of privacy, which some have said could mean an end to the privacy of reading. Hong Kong and Australia are two of the earliest jurisdictions in the world with laws implementing the anti-circumvention and rights management information (RMI) protection provisions arising from the WIPO Copyright Treaty 1996 (WCT). They are also two of the few jurisdictions outside Europe with privacy (data protection) laws applying to the private sector. These two jurisdictions, therefore, give two of the best illustrations of the tensions now arising between copyright and privacy: property versus privacy. In this article, the author explores how CPT and DRMS affect privacy, how existing data protection and privacy laws affect the operation of CPT and DRMS, and whether laws against copyright circumvention devices and interference with RMI prevent privacy protection. The author concludes that privacy could now be unduly prejudiced in favour of property, and suggests reforms which may help restore the balance. The first decision on the Australian provisions, Sony v Stevens [2002] FCA 906, also indicates that the Courts may also be interpreting anti-circumvention provisions narrowly, avoiding some of their dangers to privacy.


We demonstrate the feasibility of using high-frequency microwaves for tissue ablation by comparing the performance of a 10 GHz microwave ablation system with that of a 1.9 GHz system. Two floating sleeve antennas operating at these frequencies were designed and fabricated for use in ex vivo experiments with bovine liver. Each ablation experiment was conducted at an RF power level of 50 W for approximately 15 minutes. The 10 GHz and 1.9 GHz experiments resulted in comparable ablation zone dimensions (7.5 cm × 5cm and 9.5 cm × 6cm, respectively). These experiments show that, contrary to prior consensus, high-frequency microwave antennas may be in fact used to create reasonably large ablation zones. Higher frequencies offer the advantage of smaller antenna size, which leads to less intrusive interstitial devices or more compact multi-element arrays with uniform heating patterns.


Provided is a functional additive for an electrolyte, which inhibits the reaction heat generated from side reactions between a cathode and an electrolyte, and thus improves the quality of a battery while maintaining the battery quality. The electrolyte comprises: (a) an electrolyte salt; (b) an organic solvent; and (c) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of the compounds represented by the following formulae (I) and (II). In formulae (I) and (II), each of R1, R2 and R3 represents independently H or a C1-C6 lower alkyl; R4 is a single bond or the formula (a); X is -O- or -OC(O)O-; each of n and m is an integer of 0-1000; each of p and q is an integer of 0-20, with the proviso that p and q cannot represent 0 at the same time; r is an integer of 1-6; each o i and j is an integer of 1-1000; and s is an integer of 1-20.


Nanotechnology has now advanced into a phase where application of nanoparticles in various domains of science and technology is being cited. At the same time employment of biosynthetic methods for synthesizing nanoparticles, have drawn pronounced attention of researchers. And is now, being looked forward as a simple and viable alternative against conventional physical and chemical methods. Under the biological realm range of entities from unicellular microbes to multicellular plant structures are reported to synthesize nanoparticles. This review, attempts to consolidate the substantial data reported and to generalize the methodologies & mechanisms employed for the synthesis of nanoparticles using various microbes and plant extracts; and, highlight key factors that lead to maximum production of size and shape controlled nanoparticles with these bio-reduction processes.


In the United States, the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) is transforming the way the Department of Defense is acquiring new systems and capabilities. Effective test and evaluation is becoming more difficult across the entire acquisition process as individual platforms become part of complex, networked systems of systems that must interoperate and depend upon each other on a battlefield made up of air, land and maritime forces. In the future all programs, regardless of their acquisition category, will be required to demonstrate their joint capability early and through-out their respective development cycles. This new way of doing business presents many challenges to the test and evaluation community. To partially address this problem, the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation, chartered the Joint Test and Evaluation Methodology (JTEM) project in 2006 to develop and validate methods and processes for designing tests in a joint mission environment. Specifically, the JTEM project was directed to develop, test, and evaluate methods and processes for defining and using a distributed environment employing live, virtual, and constructive models and simulations. This paper will discuss the Capability Test Methodology developed by JTEM, along with an underlying analytic framework to determine joint mission effectiveness, as well as the results of applying the CTM to a notional set of network-centric systems during a distributed test event in 2007. Many of the methods, processes, and analytic techniques used by the methodology can be readily extended to incorporate coalition and NATO forces as well. This paper will also include a summary of some of the challenges faced so far in developing these methods and processes, as many of the lessons learned may be applicable to NATO testing as well. 1.0 BACKGROUND Traditional methodologies for developing and testing military systems in the United States have been adequate for (1) verifying specification compliance for individual systems, and (2) determining the operational effectiveness and suitability of a system within a single Service environment. However, the Department of Defense is moving away from traditional "threat-based" approaches, where individual weapon systems were developed to counteract similar threat systems. These new "capability-based" approaches to acquiring future weapons envision multiple systems that act in a networked environment as an overall "system of systems," interacting and interoperating with each other in a complex joint mission environment that includes land, air, and maritime forces operating simultaneously. This new capability-based approach is implemented in the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) [1]. JCIDS also recognizes that, in addition to material aspects of a weapon system, doctrine, organization, training, leadership, personnel, and facility (DOTLPF) contributions to an overall capability must now be taken into RTO-MP-SCI-187 28 1 UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED account much earlier in the development process than in the past. Overall, the department's long-term strategy calls for evaluations of joint system effectiveness throughout all phases of a military system's development and deployment; in short, to "test as we fight." The resulting complex environment -the number of possible system and network combinations and interactions, along with multiple environmental conditions, and DOTLPF aspects -creates an exponential explosion of possible test conditions. It will be very difficult to collect enough test data to try out every possible combination of environmental conditions, modes of operation, and systems operating conditions for a networked system of systems operating in a realistic joint environment. In addition, replicating the realistic joint environment will be very challenging, as the ability to assemble all required assets at a single test location will be nearly impossible due to scheduling constraints and resource availability. A key component of testing new systems in a realistic joint environment is a modern networking infrastructure that connects distributed live systems with virtual (human-in-the-loop and hardware-in-the loop) and constructive (pure computer software) simulations. These environments are referred to as live, virtual, constructive distributed environments (LVC-DE) and are similar to the training environments now employed on a routine basis in the department for joint training. Recognizing the challenges of testing future combat systems in a realistic joint mission environment, the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E), completed a roadmap [2] that outlined challenges in (1) test infrastructure and standards, (2) methods and processes, and (3) policy. Subsequently, in March 2006, DOT&E chartered the Joint Test and Evaluation Methodology (JTEM) Joint Test and Evaluation Project to focus on the Roadmap methods and processes area. Specifically, JTEM was chartered to develop, test and evaluate a methodology for defining and using a LVC-DE for testing to evaluate individual system performance and joint mission effectiveness. 2.0 THE CAPABILITY TEST METHODOLOGY The JTEM project has developed the Capability Test Methodology (CTM), which is a collection of recommended best practices for designing a test of a system or system of system in a complex joint environment. CTM version 2.0 is depicted in Figure 1. The CTM is the foundation for a series of guides, templates, handbooks, and training courses the project will ultimately deliver to test organizations and acquisition program managers. Version 2.0 consists of six steps and fourteen processes. The CTM is designed to augment, not replace, existing test methods and processes, and takes into account the unique aspects of testing joint, networked systems in a LVC-DE. As such, the CTM closely parallels existing test processes used within the US Department of Defense. A detailed explanation of each step is beyond the scope of this paper, but each step is described briefly here. Step 0 focuses on defining an evaluation strategy for the overall test. The key step in this process is describing the overall Joint Operational Context for Test (JOC-T) that will later be used to define the specific elements that make up the LVC-DE. This JOC-T includes a detailed description of the system under test, supporting systems, the expected operating environment, threat forces, and key system interactions and information exchanges required to complete a particular task or mission. In Step 1, the program manager for a system outlines the details of a particular test or set of tests in a Program Introduction Document, which he uses to communicate his requirements to a test range. The test range then uses that document to produce a Statement of Capability, which is the starting point for determining what resources will be used to conduct the Testing Network-Enabled Capabilities in a Realistic Operational Environment 28 2 RTO-MP-SCI-187 UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED test and what data will be collected. Step 2 produces distributed test plans that are compilations of current Figure 1: The Capability Test Methodology, Version 2.0 individual test plans, with the addition of distributed and joint elements. During this test planning phase, early test concepts are developed into more detailed test plans. Test planning processes include test trial/vignette selection, refining the LVC distributed test environment required, and synthesizing these activities into an overall test plan. During CTM steps 3, 4, and 5 joint mission environments are assembled, then used, to support multiple test plans. Step 3 is concerned with technical systems engineering activities for automatic distributed LVC-DE implementation. These processes include the design of distributed configurations, assembly of distributed components, and integration of components into a distributed test range that meets customer requirements. In CTM Step 4, Manage Test Execution, distributed tests are conducted according to local procedures, and data are collected. This phase produces test data for customers and reusable information for future joint mission environments. Though joint mission environments are assembled to support multiple customers, tests do not have to be run concurrently. Sometimes, individual customers may separately schedule only those parts of the joint mission environment they need to meet their own objectives for testing in a joint environment. Other times, multiple customers may share a joint mission environment at the same time for convenience or other reasons. In the final step, Evaluate Capability, data are processed, analyzed, and evaluated. Step 5 includes evaluations of joint mission effectiveness and contributions of individual systems to joint missions. Testing Network-Enabled Capabilities in a Realistic Operational Environment RTO-MP-SCI-187 28 3 UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED UNCLASSIFIED/UNLIMITED 3.0 THE ANALYTIC FRAMEWORK In addition to the CTM, JTEM has developed a supporting measures framework that establishes appropriate measures to support the evaluation of a system or system of systems within a capabilities context. This measures framework is depicted in Figure 2. The measures framework is based on the JCIDS definition of a capability, "the ability to achieve a desired effect under specified standards and conditions through a combination of ways and means to perform a set of tasks." Figure 2: A Capabilities-Based Measures Framework In this framework, measures of effectiveness are established at the mission level, based on the joint mission effects that the combatant commander desires to achieve. These joint mission desired effects (number 1 in the series of steps in Figure 2) are documented through a compilation of products that make up the "Analytic Agenda," a department-wide framework for analyzing force


Abstract The sensitivity of distillation column design [number of stages (N) and reflux ratio (R)] to changes in the mean relative volatility (α) across the column is examined to demonstrate the effect that uncertainties in the required vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) information has on N and R. The results, presented in graphic form for different levels of α, provide the design engineer with a simple method of establishing the required degree of accuracy in the VLE information used for a given separation. The sensitivity increases, as expected, with decreasing values of α, becoming very pronounced for difficult separations, but it is significant even for easier ones. Thus, for α = 1.1, a 2% reduction in α leads to a 80% increase in N or an over 120% increase in R, while for α = 1.5 the corresponding increases are about 20 and 25%, respectively. The dependence of this sensitivity on design parameters, such as the ratio of the key components in the feed, feed thermal condition, etc., is also examined. The e...


— The research trends that are available in the area of image compression for various imaging applications are not adequate for some of the applications. These applications require good visual quality in processing. In general the tradeoff between compression efficiency and picture quality is the most important parameter to validate the work. The existing algorithms for still image compression were developed by considering the compression efficiency parameter by giving least importance to the visual quality in processing. Hence, we proposed a lossless image compression algorithm based on RLE coding which was efficiently suited for various types of digital images. We considered medical images, satellite extracted images, and natural images, cartoon images for the inspection and proposed a technique to increase the visual quality of the reconstructed image.


Beginning from the "Jinan Incident", the ideological and cultural preparation of the Nanjing government for anti-Japanese war had been gradually concretized from "September 18 Incident" to "the North China Incident ", and later spread out in full scale. It included not only the efforts on education, propaganda, literature and art, but also the practice of new-life campaign, the mobilization of national spirit, and some measures for avoiding loss in war, such as the transfer of cultural relic to the south, and the moving of the schools to inter-land. It was characterized by practicing but concealing wisdom, "stabilizing the domestic and expelling foreign enemy", etc. All of these made an important effect on boosting nationalism, enhancing the spiritual defense of nation, and ensuring the victory of anti-Japanese war, though it had some limitations in the political thought.


the evaluation of Section 1115 Medicaid demonstrations and Section 1332 state innovation waivers. This brief includes highlights from the Section 1115 discussions among meeting participants. Panelists included state and federal officials and national and state policy experts from the nonprofit and health services research communities. Funding for the meeting and this brief was provided by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The meeting summary and common themes reflect the assessment of the authors. This summary was reviewed by the panelists but does not necessarily reflect the views of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, AcademyHealth, The Urban Institute, George Washington University, the meeting participants, or the reviewers. For more information about this meeting, including the agenda and presentation slides, visit academyhealth.org/stateflexibility. Genesis of this Brief: Introduction This is an important time in the evolution of Section 1115 of the Social Security Act. Added to the Act in 1962, Section 1115 presaged the enactment of Medicaid and was subsequently modified to enable its use in a Medicaid context. Today Section 1115 Medicaid demonstrations are being used not only to test alterations in Medicaid's basic eligibility and service delivery features but also to expand Medicaid's potential role as a tool for achieving broader social aims such as employment of the poor.


The invention relates to a method, an apparatus, a Graphical User Interface and a computer program product for transforming speech to text. In a speech recognition step (100) a text is provided to which an automatic text modification based on text modification rules is applied (102). Text portions to which the modification applies, are highlighted in the text (106) and at least one suggestion for the modification is displayed to a user (110), being enabled to select one of the suggestions and therefore having control over the automatic text modification process (112). For example the rules identify text portions relating to ambiguous speech or missing text formatting characters that might have been misinterpreted in the speech recognition step.


Objective:To inquire into a different operation opportunity have effecton the postoperative recovery for the atrophy of gluteal muscles.Method:98 cases were performed operations and exercised in the stage of recovery.Result:87 cases of the hip joint were retumed to normally function,no positive sign,7 cases were treated by the massage therapy and the small sword and returned to the satisfaction .3 cases were infection of incisional wound and returned to being drained in 3 months,1 cases has dimidiate luxation of left hip joint.Conclusion:To discover and treat early stage is a key for being reduced the postoperative complication.The postoperative rehabilitation have good for improving function of the hip joint.


In order to reduce the content of residual Si generated in the process of liquid silicon infiltration,B12(C,Si,B)3 modified C/C-SiC composite was prepared by a joint process of slurry impregnation and liquid silicon infiltration.By analyzing the products of B4C-Si system with different B4C/Si molar ratios after sintered at different temperatures,the formation condition of B12(C,Si,B)3 was studied.The results indicate that B4C starts to react with Si at 1300 ℃,leading to the formation of a small amount of B12(C,Si,B)3 and SiC.The amount of B12(C,Si,B)3 generated in the reaction increases with increasing sintering temperature.The sintering product of B4C-Si system with a B4C/Si molar ratio of 3∶1 at 1500 ℃ is composed of B12(C,Si,B)3 and SiC.The C/C-SiC composite fabricated by liquid silicon infiltration is composed of amorphous C,β-SiC and B12(C,Si,B)3,and no residual Si is detected.


The passive localization is paid more attentions to in electronic countermeasures.The passive localization principle based on probability is introduced, and is compared with the conventional geometrical localization,the merit is analyzed.The passive localization algorithm based on probability is deduced,the characteristic of emitter-location error and more reasonable description of error are debated,the emitter-location error of three dimensions is deduced,finally,the Geometrical Dilution of Precision(GDOP) is presented.


AIM To evaluate the evolution, trends in surgical approaches and reconstruction techniques, and important lessons learned from performing 1000 consecutive pancreaticoduodenectomies (PDs) for periampullary tumors. METHODS This is a retrospective review of the data of all patients who underwent PD for periampullary tumor during the period from January 1993 to April 2017. The data were categorized into three periods, including early period (1993-2002), middle period (2003-2012), and late period (2013-2017). RESULTS The frequency showed PD was increasingly performed after the year 2000. With time, elderly, cirrhotic and obese patients, as well as patients with uncinate process carcinoma and borderline tumor were increasingly selected for PD. The median operative time and postoperative hospital stay decreased significantly over the periods. Hospital mortality declined significantly, from 6.6% to 3.1%. Postoperative complications significantly decreased, from 40% to 27.9%. There was significant decrease in postoperative pancreatic fistula in the second 10 years, from 15% to 12.7%. There was a significant improvement in median survival and overall survival among the periods. CONCLUSION Surgical results of PD significantly improved, with mortality rate nearly reaching 3%. Pancreatic reconstruction following PD is still debatable. The survival rate was also improved but the rate of recurrence is still high, at 36.9%.


In his classic paper 'The laws of returns under competitive conditions', Piero Sraffa (1926, p. 535) noted that 'the opening pages of this article contain a summary of the con clusions' of a paper which he wrote in Italian with the title 'Sulle relazioni fra costo e quantite prodotta' (Sraffa, 1925). It is my purpose here to compare the relative contri butions found in these two papers, the first of which, to the best of my knowledge, has not appeared in English translation.1 Sraffa's thesis that the Marshallian partial equi librium analysis of prices and quantities is inadequate in the case of industries subject to variable costs acquires added stature from the clear and detailed exposition it received in his 1925 paper, which also contains a critique of the analyses of variable returns of Turgot, J. S. Mill, Cairnes, Edgeworth, Wicksteed, Pigou, Pantaleoni, Barone, J. N. Keynes and particularly Marshall, among others. It is worthy of note that one of the major students and popularisers of Sraffa's work, A. Roncaglia, holds the view that 'the 1925 article is today of greater interest for it concen trates on criticism of Marshallian theory, as well as providing diverse hints of great interest (such as the analysis of'spurious margins' to which Sraffa refers in the preface to Production of Commodities [by Means of Commodities] ...)' (Roncaglia, 1978, p. 19).2 Roncaglia adds that 'the [1925] article greatly impressed the ageing Edgeworth who as a co-editor decided to invite Sraffa to write a second article in the same vein for the


A nonoverlapping domain decomposition method(DDM) and the finite element method(FEM)/boundary element method(BEM) are combined to analyze transverse electric(TE) wave scattering properties by a two-dimensional open cavity filled with the multilayer anisotropic dielectric.The BEM is used to analyze the electromagnetic field outside the cavity.Each kind of the dielectric in the cavity is regarded as a subdomain and analyzed by the FEM.Coupling of different subdomains is achieved by the transmission condition on the interface.As a verification example,the radar cross section(RCS) by the twodimensional open cavity filled with the isotropic dielectric and the anisotropic dielectric is calculated,respectively.Numerical results demonstrate its accuracy and efficiency.In this way,the required computer memory is greatly reduced.


The Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized innovation to collect and store the information received from physical objects or sensors. The smart devices are linked to a repository that stores intelligent information executed by sensors on IoT-based smart objects. Now, the IoT is shifted from knowledge-based technologies to operational-based technologies. The IoT integrates sensors, smart devices, and a smart grid of implementations to deliver smart strategies. Nowadays, the IoT has been pondered to be an essential technology. The transmission of information to or from the cloud has recently been found to cause many network problems to include latency, power usage, security, privacy, etc. The distributed intelligence enables IoT to help the correct communication available at the correct time and correct place. Distributed Intelligence could strengthen the IoT in a variety of ways, including evaluating the integration of different big data or enhancing efficiency and distribution in huge IoT operations. While evaluating distributed intelligence in the IoT paradigm, the implementation of distributed intelligence services should take into consideration the transmission delay and bandwidth requirements of the network. In this article, the distributed intelligence at the Edge on IoT Networks, applications, opportunities, challenges and future scopes have been presented.


The formation and uplift history of the Tibetan Plateau, driven by the India-Eurasia collision, is the subject of intense research. We analyse the link between climate and tectonics in the central and eastern Tibetan Plateau using geomorphic indices of surface roughness (SR) hypsometric integral (HI) and elevation-relief ratio (ZR) and mean annual precipitation, thermochronology and erosion rate data. Geomorphic indices capture the landscape response to competition between climate and tectonics and reflect the spatial distribution of erosion. This is a region where competing tectonic models suggest either early Cenozoic plateau growth, or a late phase of crustal thickening, surface uplift and plateau growth driven by lower crustal flow ("channel flow"). Swath profiles of rainfall, elevation and the geomorphic indices were constructed, orthogonal to the internal drainage boundary. Each profile was analysed to find the location of maximum change in trend. We identify a broad ̃WSW-ENE trending transition in the landscape where changes in landscape and precipitation are grouped and in alignment. It represents, from east to west, a sharp decline in precipitation (interpreted as the western extent of the East Asian monsoon), a change to a low relief landscape at 4500-5000 m elevation, an increase in ZR and a transition to low HI and SR. This zone cuts across structural boundaries and is not a drainage divide: the main rivers have their headwaters further West, in the interior of the plateau. We argue that this geomorphic-climatic transition zone represents a change from incised to non-incised landscapes, the location of which is controlled by the western extent of the monsoon. Modern erosion rates are lower in the nonincised region, west of the monsoon extent (mean 0.02 mm/yr), than the incised region (mean 0.26 mm/yr). Compiled thermochronology data shows an increase in exhumation from ̃25 Ma in the incised area but no evidence of this increased exhumation in the non-incised area. This pattern supports a model of early Cenozoic growth of the eastern Tibetan Plateau, superimposed by incision driven by Miocene monsoon intensification. Our results do not support the channel flow model, which would predict an eastwards wave of surface uplift and therefore erosion and exhumation during the Miocene, which are not present in the data.


Ranked set sampling (RSS) has been proved to be an efficient sampling design for parametric and non-parametric inference. In this paper, we consider RSS-based estimation for the two-parameter Birnbaum–Saunders (BS) distribution, which is widely used in reliability analysis. The estimation methods considered for comparison purposes were: maximum likelihood (ML), modified method of moments (MMM), maximum product of spacings (MPS), and Anderson–Darling (AD). The performance of the RSS-based estimators was evaluated through Monte Carlo simulations under both perfect and imperfect ranking assumptions. The bias, mean squared error, and mean integrated squared error were used as the criteria for comparison. The results revealed that the RSS-based estimators perform better than their simple random sampling (SRS) counterparts. The ML estimator performed the best under the perfect ranking assumption, while the MMM provided better performance for higher levels of imperfect ranking. Additional simulations based on data from a forest inventory corroborated our findings.


Creep and creep crack growth behavior of alloy 120 (HR120TM) were studied through the time-dependent fracture mechanics characterization at 87 1 "C (1600°F). The material was tested under tensile, creep and creep crack propagation conditions to develop an understanding of time-dependent behavior under variable stresses at elevated temperature. The resulting properties were also compared with those of alloy 333 (RA333TM) and alloy (HR160TM) previously obtained using the same testing and data processing methods. Results show that at elevated temperature, alloy 120 and alloy 333 had little primary creep while alloy 160 demonstrated significant amount of primary creep. Comparison based on creep energy consumption rate indicates that creep crack growth resistance of alloy 120 is greater than that of alloy 333, but a little less than that of alloy 160. INTRODUCTION During long-term service of a high-temperature component creep damage usually occurs in areas of stress concentration and microcracks gradually initiate typically on grain boundaries. As time elapses, these microcracks may grow by a process of coalescence of creep cavities near crack tips. It has been realized that although cracks may pre-exist and initiate in a component during its service at elevated temperatures, a large portion of the component's life may be spent in crack propagation (Jani and Saxena, 1987). The recognition of the time a component spends in creep crack propagation as a portion of the service life HR120 and HR160 are trademarks of Haynes International, Inc., RA333 is a trademark of Rollel Alloys, Inc. obviously brings great economic benefits and is an important consideration in the assessment of "fitness for service" of high temperature components. With this concept, the life of an elevated-temperature-component is considered to depend on its crack growth rate (Liaw et al., 1989a, 1989b). Efforts have been made over years to develop a life prediction methodology to cope with this issue. The life prediction methodology, based on characterizing the stress field, strain-rate field and the stress-power dissipation rate at the tip of a creep crack with different fracture mechanics parameters, is expected to estimate the propagation rate of the crack, and thus, help establish the correct inspection intervals and predict the life of the component. The development of this methodology makes the data pertaining to time-dependent fracture mechanics important parameters for high-temperature life prediction analyses. The present research focuses on studying the time-dependent fracture mechanics properties of alloy 120 and comparing it with two other solid solution alloys: alloy 333 and alloy 160 (Ren et al., 1995) based on the same testing and data processing methods. The research results will benefit materials selection for elevated temperature applications and the development of the life prediction methodology. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES The Material Alloy 120 is a nitrogen strengthened Fe-Ni-Cr-Nb-N alloy with improved mechanical properties and hot workability through the addition of a carefully controlled amount of nitrogen and provision of nitrogen, niobium and carbon within a defined relationship. Chromium is present at a level of 25% to provide superior oxidation resistance and nitrogen stability. The nominal composition of alloy 120 is given in Table 1. For comparison purpose, the compositions of alloy 333 and alloy 160 are also given in Table 2 and Table 3. The alloy 120 material was provided by the Westinghouse Electric Company as solution treated plate 63 mm (2.48 in) thick. Metallographic analysis was conducted to determine its general microstructure. The results revealed that the material had mixed grain sizes, approximately 70% area with a grain size of 10 and 30% with a grain size of 6, average about 8.8, and the structure was uniform in all directions with no texture observed. The results from alloy 333 and alloy 160 used for comparison were also obtained in solution treated condition. The grain size of alloy 333 was 5.3 and that of alloy 160 was 3.0. S , S , S , S , S, Mn


In this paper, we propose a real-time object recognition system that makes use of local image features using Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT). The features are partial changes in illumination and affine, and they are invariant to rotation, image scaling, and translation. Similar characteristics are shared by these features and the inferior temporal cortex neurons involved in object recognition. Features can be efficiently detected using a phased filtering technique in scale space. Image keys generally support the local geometric information representing the blurred image gradient at different scales and orientation planes. An indexing technique called nearest-neighbor search (NSS) uses the keys as input to determine the object matches. Based on the number of descriptors we categorize the object is recognized or not, and the final output is displayed in the microcontroller-based display unit.


Under review is features of specialized filters using, based on discrete wavelet transform what applied in electronic systems. It is shown that using of such filters reduces the computational complexity in digital filtration systems.


D-galactose is aldohexose which occurs naturally in the body, including in the brain which is found in lactose disaccharides in honey, beets and milk products. Needed in the body for lactose formation during the process of lactogenesis. Provision of large amounts of D-galactose can cause oxidative damage to various tissues and organs. The purpose was to see changes in body weight in male rats after being given a D-galactose injection. Samples using male mice aged 8 weeks with a weight of ± 30 grams, the number of samples was 6 mice swiss webster strain. intra-peritoneal injection of D-galactose is given for 6 weeks every day (150 mg / kg / bb). The results of this study indicate that the statistical analysis is significant p <0.05 (p = 0.016). The conclusion after being given injection of D-galactose for 6 weeks every day intra peritoneally was found D-galactose had an effect on the weight gain of male mice.


The exploitation of marine sources is exponentially increasing in past few decades due to fact that the seaweeds have many biological and commercial applications. This study aims in the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles from aqueous extract of seaweed Sargassum polycystum. The surface morphology and optical properties of the zinc oxide nanoparticles were analysed with X- Ray diffraction, Zeta potential and UV spectral changes. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the zinc oxide nano particles were polydispersed with the mean size of 32.5±1.5 nm. The nanoparticles were mostly spherical in crystalline form. The zinc oxide nanoparticles showed the absorption properties in the ultraviolet range. The nanoparticles were assessed for enzymic and non enzymic antioxidant properties and were found to have greater antioxidant potency. The antioxidant activity of S. polycystum may be due to the phytochemicals present which is involved in many biological applications.


Flavones formed from xylem of D.cochinchinensis by co-culture of fungus strain and bacteria strain are separated near the resin part in the stem of D.cochinchinensis,which do not occur in xylem before transformation.The result indicated that there was a kind of primary substances in the xylem that could be transformed by microorganisms into flavone substances.This peculiar resistance mechanism to microorganism of D.cochinchinensis may be related to the formation of Resina draconis.


The article discusses and analyzes the major international and national methodological approaches for determining the country's debt sustainability indicators and their thresholds for debt security and stability repayment of debt. The features of calculating the state debt sustainability indicators in countries with different levels of economic development were identified.


China's growing foreign exchange reserve is estimated to exceed $2 trillion by 2010. The purpose of its paper is to examine its impact on the balance sheet of the Chinese central bank, the money supply and the bond market. The paper will then move on to discuss its social welfare effect by comparing the estimated future return of the foreign exchange reserves with its opportunity costs measured by the potential return of domestic investments.


Abstract : An inverse method was used for analyzing the chemically nonequilibrium flow about a blunt body. This method starts with an assumed form of shock shape. The flow field and the thermodynamics behind the shock is determined by a finite difference mesh scheme. The calculation is continued until the sonic point on the body is exceeded. Mass flow rate is integrated along the curvilinear coordinate normal to the shock to determine locations and shapes of the body and the streamlines. The analysis assumes air to be a five-component reacting gas undergoing six coupled reactions with negligible ionization. Complete rate equations including three-body recombinations are used. Numerical examples are given for frozen and nonequilibrium air flows. Three different kinetic models are used for the reacting cases. The results show that even though the pressure and velocities in the shock layer are not sensitive to the air kinetics, the other thermodynamic properties are significantly influenced by the kinetic models chosen. The nitric oxide concentration is greatly enhanced by its direct formation from molecular oxygen and nitrogen. The extra amount of nitric oxide may cause an appreciable increase in gas cap radiation at high altitudes and superorbital velocities. (Author)


The purpose of this study is to explore the perception of customers in Saudi Arabia towards Saudi quality mark and to identify the customers' evaluation of both Saudi and international quality marks and products. For that purpose, 481 questionnaires were distributed online and 479 questionnaires were found usable for analysis. The largest groups of respondents were males, Saudi nationals, hold bachelor degrees, work for the government and residents of the Western region. The study revealed that the vast majority of customers in Saudi Arabia are uncertain if they have had a positive experience concerning products that have been certified by Saudi quality mark and hence they are uncertain if they would recommend others to purchase products that have been certified by Saudi quality mark and are uncertain if they can recognize Saudi quality mark logo. Customers also do not have high trust to the certification process of SASO and they lack enough information about Saudi quality mark. Moreover, customers' satisfaction about Saudi quality mark is not high as compared to other international quality marks. When performed, T-test indicates a statistically significant variation in the perception of customers related to nationality and gender in terms of awareness and satisfactions where female and non-Saudis respondents were found to be more positive towards Saudi quality mark. ANOVA indicated differences in the levels of awareness about Saudi quality mark in educational, occupation and region of residency. On that regard, it was found that respondents with bachelor or higher degrees along with residents of the Southern region are also more positive than others. Customers in Saudi Arabia evaluated products from Germany, Japan, USA, UK, France and Italy as of excellent quality, respectively; while Switzerland, South Korea and Brazil as of good quality, respectively; nevertheless, UAE, Saudi Arabia, India and China products were evaluated as being of reasonable quality, respectively as well. Finally, the study includes some practical and constructive recommendations.


Attention focuses on the growing building market in Saudi Arabia. This article from the Materials Testing Laboratory in Riyadh on some local building techniques explains the theoretical approach which seems to favour the use of suspended gypsum plasterboard for thermal insulation in the prevailing climatic conditions.


The past six years have seen a controversial debate between advanced and emerging markets about the role and determinants of global capital flows, including in the G20 agenda under several presidencies. After the collapse of Lehman Brothers in September 2008, capital left many emerging markets on a massive scale, fleeing to so-called 'safe-haven' markets, in particular the United States. This was surprising to many, since the global financial crisis was not triggered by emerging markets, but had its origin in the United States. Furthermore, many emerging market economies (EMEs) had little direct exposure to the US subprime market. They were nevertheless strongly affected and experienced deep recessions, in many cases even deeper than those in the United States and in Europe.


With the increase of people's security awareness, people need to distinguish human behavior in videos. In order to avoid manpower consumption, action recognition based on deep learning has been widely studied in recent year.3D convolution is used to improve computing efficiency for action recognition. In this paper, an improved action recognition network based on appearance and relation is proposed. The residual block in the ResNet3D network is redesigned into a new residual block with two branches of appearance and relation. In addition, the separable spatial/temporal convolution is used in the relation branch for more spatio-temporal information and less loss. The proposed architecture achieves comparable results to state-of-the-art methods on UCF101 .


Unlike DC and induction motors, the SR motor is intended to operate in deep magnetic saturation to increase the output power density, scientists in Selangor, Malaysia report. Because of the saturation effect and the variation of magnetic reluctance with respect to rotor position, all the relevant characteristics of the machine are highly non-linear functions of both rotor position and phase current.


In April 1913, while at Melos, I took the opportunity of visiting the two churches of Kepos on the south side of the island at the South-eastern extremity of Mount Elias. The northern of these churches has in recent years been restored, and an account of it with a plan, has been published by Messrs. Fletcher and Kitson in the Annual of 1895–6. This plan, however, was made before the church was restored and before the collapse of the dome which made that restoration necessary. There are therefore certain points which need revision in view of the present condition of the church, and there are others which require an altogether more detailed treatment. The restoration has been carried out comparatively well. The main structure has been retained without serious alteration, but the paintings which were inside the dome are no longer in position and at present lie on the floor of the church in fourteen fragments. In the apse of the church is a cruciform font built up of slabs set on edge, of which separate plans are given in the article referred to above. The plans there given, however, do not correspond in all details with the font; these details can be seen from the plan and section given here (Figs. 1, 2), made from measurements which I took on the spot. Messrs. Fletcher and Kitson say that 'on three sides are seats, on the fourth towards the door of the church, are two steps down, and in the middle a well 2 ft. square.'


Researchers in the fields of sociology, psychology, and education increasingly recognize the profound and far-reaching effects of social class. Social class not only influences people's life circumstances (such as educational attainment and long-term health), but it also has the potential to affect people's perceptions, decisions, and behavior. Despite the documented importance of social class in other fields, this topic has been approached only tentatively by organizational researchers. In this symposium, we bring together papers that address the role of social class in interactions and organizational practices, and the effects of social class on outcomes relevant to organizations. Overall, we aim to increase awareness of this topic for organizational researchers, and to stimulate interest and connections that will motivate future research developments and exploration of social class within organizations. The Impact of Social Class in the Hiring Process Presenter: Nicole C. Jones Young; U. of Connecticut...


The arrival of private televisions in Spain opened the door to new program formats and to a great competition with TVE in the fight for the audience. From the first face-to-face debates in the history of Spain, in 1993, of candidates for the presidency of the government, to the last held at 5 bands in the November 2019 elections, there has been an evolution that determines the production of programs of television desired by the networks for the high audiences they generate. Several of these electoral information spaces are in the rankings of the most watched programs in the history of television in Spain. The research analyzes how the face-to-face debate is born in Spain and compares it with that of other European, American and Latin American countries. A format that has generated audiences between 8'6 and 13 million people.


ISSR(inter-simple sequence repeat) molecular markers were used to differentiate 21 Inonotus obliquus wild-type strains originating from different locations worldwide.A total of 183 bands were amplified using 11 ISSR primers(selected from 60 test primers),of which 169 bands were polymorphic.ISSR similarity coefficients ranged from 0.605-0.880,and a dendrogram based on UPGMA(unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average) cluster analysis revealed that the 21 strains clustered into six groups at a similarity coefficient of 0.763.Cluster analysis further demonstrated that the genetic distance between the different strains was highly correlated to the geographical origin.


Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of Paclitaxel alone in the maintenance treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.Methods Ninety patients who were diagnosed with advanced non-small cell lung cancer were enrolled in this study.After 4 cycles of standard cisplatin and other drugs(Paclitaxel or gemcitabine and Navelbine) chemotherapy,53 patients who did not progress were chosen and then they were randomly divided into treatment group(n=27)and control group(n=26).The patients in treatment group received paclitaxel alone and best supportive care,while the patients in control group received best supportive care.Progression-free survival,total effective rates and drug adverse effects of two groups were compared and analyzed.Results Progression-free survival time(PFS)was 3.63±0.28 months and 2.62±0.18 months(P=0.004)for maintenance therapy group and control group respectively;The total effective rates was 92.56% and 57.69%(P0.01) for maintenance therapy group and control group respectively.Quality of life between groups were not significant difference(P0.05).Conclusions Paclitaxel alone in the maintenance treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer has satisfactory clinical efficacy,high PFS and high safety,and it is one of the best treatment options.


Based on the subcompartment investigation statistical methods,the biomass of Fargesia qinlingensis communities at different altitudes in Taibai Mountain of Qinling examined from the aspects of the main stem above ground,lateral branches and leaves,as well as underground parts.The results were as follows.1).The influence of altitude on the individual plant of F.qinlingensis population and functional construction was significant.The total underground biomass was less than that of the ground.Growth situations of F.qinlingensis population in hardwood-oak forest belt in the warm temperate regions were the best;2).The ground biomass was in the order of main stem lateral branchesleaves.Lateral branch and leaf biomasses were mainly affected by climate factors,and the main reason was that vertical climate zones may lead to the delay of phonological phase of F.qinlingensis.3).The underground biomasses were in the order of creeping underground stemrootsbuds.Stem biomass took up the largest,followed by root biomass,and bud biomass.


Despite the belief that Spanish literature during the Counterreformation functioned as propaganda in service to the traditional idea of the pilgrimage, this article examines a body of texts from the latter half of the sixteenth century, and demonstrates that they functioned in the liminal space between the profane and the sacred. Within this space, the tensions between secularity and spirituality were fought out, leading to complex and often bewildering hybrid texts. Bartholome de Villalba's unpublished Peregrini curioso shows both a secularization of the pilgrimage concept and an ostentatious affirmation of Spain as a harbor of Catholic piety. Jeronimo de Contreras' Selva de Aventuras recasts the pilgrimage idea as a love interest, and presents marriage and the renunciation of marriage as competing suggestions. Fernao Mendes Pinto's Peregrinacao can be read either as the hagiography of St. Francis Xavier, or as criticism of a completely irremediable practice of piratical colonization.


Background: Residual cardiovascular (CV) risk persists despite statin therapy. In REDUCE-IT, icosapent ethyl (IPE) reduced total CV events by 30%, but the mechanisms of benefit are not fully unders...


The postures recognition is the first step for the gestures tracking of an artificial or a natural hand. In this article, we show a visuo-motor tracking of mobile hand configurations, which is based on symbolic representations able of supporting the biomechanical and perceptual information relative to evolving postures. After recognition, we have a virtual skeleton to identify simulated artificial hands. Such postures identification is adapted to an artificial Marcus hand developed as a human prosthesis. Nevertheless, the complex mechatronic device, this symbolic representation allows the visual identification and tracking of hand points of interest, such as tactile sensors and finger joints. In this way, a feedback for the perception-action cycle is obtained to improve the man-machine interaction in Personal Robotics, with special regard to the assistance of disabled people. I.INTRODUCTION The visual servoing problem requires a coordination between visual perception and motor tasks; involving mainly to mechatronic devices of an artificial hand. There are two main approaches: model-based and appearance-based; they would correspond to the classical old distinction between top-down and bottom-up algorithms. The 3D approach is obviously richer than the planar one, and avoids some problems related to the self-occlusion. However, the 3D reconstruction of articulated models is considerably harder, and it depends strongly on the existence of good models and accurate parameter estimation. The choice depends on the goal and the real-time requirements. The identification, tracking, errors correction and optimised learning of postures can be focused to solve non-verbal communication in human-computer interaction [8] or to solve positioning, grasping and handling the objects in Robotics. Non-verbal communication depends on people and cultures, and there is no a universal gestures language [9]. In addition, the highly articulated character, the human hand is deformable, and these troubles are in the issue of lacking good mathematical models for a top-down approach [10], [6], [8], [1] and references therein for meaningful cornerstones). In this paper, the attention is focused on the right positioning for grasping and handling in robotic applications, in the framework of a bottom-up approach. An efficient design of grasping and handling tasks requires a robust identification of the right positioning [4]. These processes can be performed in terms of the (planar or volumetric) pose identification of the current posture or, in more advanced stages, from structure-from-motion algorithms [1]. The second approach for complex articulated objects is not easy. It requires the introduction of biomechanical constraints about a changing geometry …


Muranow, or about land clearing  The article is a review of "Festung Warschau" by Elzbieta Janicka which maps the clash between the recently built monuments celebrating Jewish or Polish places of martyrdom from the times of Second World War. Janicka walks through the streets of the former Jewish neighbourhoods of Warsaw; she photographs and discusses the new plaques, crosses, monuments, and other forms of public marking of history on the buildings, squares and streets. She convincingly shows that the new historical commemorative signs of Polish martyrdom are often placed in the sites that were marked by Jewish resistance or suffering, and that the marks of Polish suffering are rarely linked materially to the site. The new monuments obstruct and hide the past presence of Warsaw Jews and, by submerging their past, create a new vision of ethnically cleansed history of Warsaw, especially in its relation to Second World War. The review applauds the book and rejects some of the criticism against it.


PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of visual control on gait speed and balance in patients with stroke. Static balance and gait speed were investigated with comparison and fixed direction of visual. METHODS: We included twenty-six patients with stroke. Participants were measured static balance while standing on a forceplate with one of 4 different visual direction in front, floor, non-affected side and affected side for 30 seconds. To compare of the gait speed, participants had to walk with one of fixed visual direction. And to compare of gait speed with visual dispersion, gait speed were measured with visual change in left and right, up and down direction every 5m, 2m and 1m intervals. RESULTS: The result of the static balance with fixed visual showed that the affected side and the non-affected side were shown significantly increased sway of total sway length, mediolateral distance, anteroposterior distance, average velocity(p


PERFORATED DUODENAL ULCER bleeding requires rapid and precise treatment because of the high mortality associated with hemorrhagic and septic shock. We report successful hemostasis and closure using an overthe-scope clip (OTSC; Ovesco Endoscopy AG, T€ubingen, Germany) for bleeding from a perforated duodenal ulcer. A 72-year-old woman, hospitalized for severe obesity (BMI 44) and lower extremity thromboembolism (on antithrombotic medication), had syncope, tarry stools, and shock (heart rate, 125/min; blood pressure, 84/49 mmHg).


A certain integration test system is design to a certain testing.The form of I/O serial digital signal of flight control calculator is RS232/422.4 route for RS232 and 16 route for RS422. The intelligent serial-port card with CPU is selected on it.With the intelligent card the use of CPU on processing can economize. Furthermore, the production of Ardence Inc.-RTX is adopted, so the reality of data collection and signal simulate under Windows OS can advance.The RTX supply a real time sub system for the platform of Windows.However the driver of this card must be rebuild.


Plants have evolved costly flowering traits, including the provisioning of rich nectar, to attract and reward their pollinators. Beekeeping (apiculture) locally increases densities of honey bees, which might drive economization of pollinator-attracting traits, but the potential evolutionary consequences of beekeeping on plant–pollinator interactions remain unknown. Here, we present evidence suggesting that intensive apiculture has driven the rapid evolution of plant traits in the alpine lotus (Saussurea nigrescens) on the Tibetan Plateau by allowing reduced nectar volume provisioning without compromising pollination success. This conclusion is supported by measurements of reproductive and vegetative traits, including nectar, at sites of varying distance from apiaries that have housed introduced honey bees (Apis mellifera) since the early 1980s. Nectar volume was more than 60% lower at sites close to apiaries than at more distant sites, while nectar concentration remained consistent. When seedlings from field sites were grown under common garden conditions, trends in nectar volume identical to those in the field were observed, indicating that recently evolved genetic differences likely underlie patterns observed in the field. The adaptive advantage of reduced nectar volume under high pollinator density was clear in both the field and in the common garden. Specifically, plants from sites close to apiaries were taller, had more aboveground biomass, and produced more flowers and seeds compared to those at distant sites, which is consistent with the tradeoffs between nectar volume per flower and flower number per inflorescence within sites. The evolution of reduced nectar volume suggested by our results shows that the widespread practice of beekeeping might be a strong selective agent acting on wild plant populations and illustrates that human activities may indirectly affect evolution by changing critical species interactions.


The current knowledge concerning the association between smoking and risk of rheumatic diseases will be reviewed, especially with regard to rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. The role of smoking as a confounder in the context of rheumatic disease will be discussed. What is the magnitude of bias when not adjusting for smoking when investigating associations between smoking-associated exposures and risk of rheumatic disease? Does it suffice to adjust for ever/never smoking when investigating associations between smoking-associated exposures and risk of rheumatic disease? What is the magnitude of residual confounding in comparison with adjusting for cumulative dose of smoking? Questions like these will be answered during the presentation. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


: Damping is a very important factor for vibration property of structures. In particular, investigation of damping evaluation is urgent work for grasping vibration property about shell and spatial structures. This paper introduces the history about response control and damping evaluation of shell and spatial structures from the dawn through the present age and the near future, and an example of damping evaluation of shell and spatial structures.


In describing "An Interesting Contact-Rock" (Geol. Mag., March and April, 1895) I gave its analysis, showing:— And in this rock also the great relative increase in soda corresponds with the appearance of albite among the new minerals.


Summary Background— Evidence from Europe, Asia, and North America suggests that standard three-drug regimens of a proton pump inhibitor plus amoxicillin and clarithromycin are significantly


International anti-corruption regulations – governing the behavior of firms in a foreign country – seek to lower the supply side of bribes while allowing firms to redeploy those resources towards providing better products and services. This paper examines (1) whether innovative, but non-bribing firms can remain competitive in the product market, and (2) the conditions under which international anti-bribing institutions are effective in combating bribery. Using a simulation based model, I examine the behavior of bribing and non-bribing firms. The results indicate that the majority of the firms in the system must adhere to non-bribing to change the corruption landscape. Further, non-bribers face a competitive disadvantage in the product market, but one that can be overcome by highly innovative firms.


Wave diffractions by a number of (a group of or a row of) vertical cylinders have been investigated in connection with, e.g., multilegged offshore structures (Spring and Monkmeyer(1974), Ohkusu(1974), Chakrabarti(1978), Mciver and Evans(1984), etc.); Wave-Power absorption devices (Miles (1983), Falnes(1984) , Kyllingstad(1984) , etc.); Wave barrier systems (Massel(1976), Kakuno and Oda(1986), etc.). Most of the previous works were, however, mainly aimed at the wave diffractions by cylinders of circular cross section and/or by cylinders of relatively small dimensions compared to wave length.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Primary aldosteronism is a frequent cause of resistant hypertension and is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus. Aldosterone impairs insulin secretion in isolated islets, and insulin secretion is increased in aldosterone synthase–deficient mice. We hypothesized that treatment for primary aldosteronism increases insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity in humans. We conducted a prospective cohort study in patients with primary aldosteronism, with assessment of glucose metabolism before and 3 to 12 months after treatment. Participants underwent treatment for primary aldosteronism with adrenalectomy or a mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist at the discretion of their treating physician. We assessed insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity by hyperglycemic and hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, respectively, on 2 study days after a 5-day standardized diet. After treatment, the C-peptide and insulin response during the hyperglycemic clamp increased compared with pretreatment (ΔC-peptide at 90–120 minutes +530.5±384.1 pmol/L, P=0.004; Δinsulin 90–120 minutes +183.0±122.6, P=0.004). During hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps, insulin sensitivity decreased after treatment (insulin sensitivity index 30.7±6.2 versus 18.5±4.7 nmol·kg−1·min−1·pmol−1·L; P=0.02). Insulin clearance decreased after treatment (872.8±207.6 versus 632.3±178.6 mL/min; P=0.03), and disposition index was unchanged. We conclude that the insulin response to glucose increases and insulin clearance decreases after treatment for primary aldosteronism, and these effects were not due to alterations in creatinine clearance or plasma cortisol. These studies may provide further insight into the mechanism of increased diabetes mellitus risk in primary aldosteronism.


As in previous years, some NICE decisions received a mixed reception, but some important new guidance was published. Many new products that were launched were mainly for hospital use, and some older drugs were linked to a higher risk of suicide. Copyright © 2008 Wiley Interface Ltd


The investigations of effect of long-wave (UVA) and short-wave (UVC) ultraviolet light of extraterrestrial solar irradiance on the nanostructured zinc oxide arrays, which were grown by pulsed electrodeposition, as well as on the ZnO and ZnO:In films produced by Successive Ionic Layer Adsorption and Reaction technique (SILAR) confirmed their suitability as UVA-active photosensitive materials. The crystal structure, surface morphology, chemical composition and optical properties found no obvious significant destructive changes after UVC irradiation. However, we detected some irreversible changes in the nature of point defects under the influence of UVC, which affect the ZnO and ZnO:In resistivity, activation energy, photosensitivity and thermoelectrical properties.


In the first of this series of papers, we show that shifts in the resonant frequencies of a microwave resonator produced by boundary distortions can be used to study surface waves on conducting fluids.Surface waves can easily be studied under conditions where linearity requirements are satisfied. In addition, it is shown that a resonator of rectangular cross section acts as an analogue Fourier analyzer, so that a surface mode of a particular geometry can be observed, even when several modes are present simultaneously on the fluid surface. General results for a cylindrical resonator are first derived for TE and TM electromagnetic modes, and detailed calculations are then presented for resonators of rectangular and circular cross sections, since these are the most important practical examples.


Alternaria blight is one of the most serious diseases of linseed caused by different Alternaria spp. The genus Alternaria Nees ex Fr. is widely distributed all over the world and is represented by a number of species. Thegenus occupies a prime position and is significantly important as its members are well known in causing wide spread diseases of economic plants such as cereals, oilseed crops, spices, vegetables and ornamentals. The studies on host range of Alternaria spp. revealed that the pathogen was unable to infect any of the crop plants taken for study under the pot conditions but showed mycelial growth on all the crops tested through detached leaf technique under laboratory condition. The maximum mycelial growth of Alternaria spp. was noticed on carrot grass (9.56 mm) followed by groundnut (8.82 mm), whereas, minimum mycelial growth was observed on sesame (2.52 mm). Therefore, based on this host range test, it can be concluded that Alternaria spp., infecting linseed may also be pathogenic to other hosts only under controlled and favourable conditions.


Abstract : Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is frequently triggered through the release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Cytosolic cytochrome c then binds to a cytosolic protein known as Apaf-1, which binds to and activates the cell death protease, caspase 9. Many cancers are resistant to apoptosis induced by chemotherapies. During the course of this work we demonstrated that breast cancer cells, while resistant to release of mitochondrial cytochrome c are actually hypersensitive to cytochrome c, once it is released. Our work provides a unique point of sensitivity that might be exploited for the successful treatment of breast cancers.


Many screening tools for detecting cognitive decline require in-person assessment, which is often not cost-effective or feasible for those with physical limitations. The Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status has been used for screening dementia, but little is known about its usefulness in detecting amnestic mild cognitive impairment. Community-dwelling participants (mean age = 74.9, mean education = 16.1 years) were administered the Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status during initial screening and subsequently given a multidomain neuropsychological battery. Participants were classified by consensus panel as cognitively normal older adult (noMCI, N = 54) or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (N = 17) based on neuropsychological performance and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale interview, but independent of Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status score. There was a significant difference between groups in Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status score (t = 8.04, P < .01, noMCI range 32-43, mean [SD] = 37.4 [2.5], amnestic mild cognitive impairment range 25-37, mean [SD] = 31.2 [3.5]). Discriminant function analysis revealed that TICS-M alone correctly classified 85.9% of participants into their respective diagnostic classification (sensitivity = 82.4%, specificity = 87.0%). Receiver operating characteristics analysis resulted in cutoff score of 34 that optimized sensitivity and specificity of amnestic mild cognitive impairment classification. The Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status is a brief, cost-effective screening measure for identifying those with and without amnestic mild cognitive impairment.


HM Treasury issued a call for evidence in connection with employee work-related expenses and tax reliefs on 20 March 2017 which was updated on 5 May 2017.


Despite the widespread interest in the topic and a vast international literature, very little is known about the development of intergenerational mobility in Switzerland. Based on a new harmonized database for Switzerland (comprising various surveys such as different waves of the ISSP, EVS, and the ESS), we provide a systematic account of changes in the link between social origin and destination over time (covering birth cohorts from around 1935 to 1980). We analyze effects of parental education and class on own educational achievement and social class for both men and women, using a refined variant of the methodological approach proposed by Jann and Combet (2012). The approach is based on the concept of proportional reduction of error (PRE) and features a number of advantages over more traditional approaches. For example, it provides smooth estimates of changes in social mobility that have a clear interpretation and it can easily incorporate control variables and multiple dimensions of parental characteristics. To evaluate the validity of our approach, we employ the oft-used log-multiplicative layer effect (a.k.a Unidiff) model (Xie 1992, Erikson and Goldthorpe 1992) as a benchmark. Results indicate that our approach performs well and produces qualitatively similar findings as Xie's model. For both men and women, effects of social origin initially decreased, but then, towards the end of the observation period, increased again. This u-shaped pattern, which can be observed with respect to both education and class, appears to be more pronounced for women than for men.


In major cities across the country, heavy investment in civil law-based crime abatement strategies has encouraged the wholesale administrative reorganization of municipal criminal justice institutions. We argue that the pursuit of broken windows-based policies in Chicago fundamentally altered the relationship between the Office of the Mayor, the police, and the courts. An outcome of bureaucratic reorganization was the formation of an alternative criminal regulatory system that contained new politics of crime control. Criminal justice institutions now work in tandem to pursue the Mayoral agenda; local courts are instruments of, and not a check on, executive power.


To realize accurate and continuous monitoring for river discharge at a low cost, a new monitoring system with H-ADCP (horizontal acoustic Doppler current profiler) measurement and river-flow simulation has been developed. The H-ADCP can measure the velocity profile at a horizontal line. In the numerical simulation, the measured velocities are interpolated and extrapolated in a cross section with a proper physical background. The proposed computational method is therefore referred to as the dynamic interpolation and extrapolation (DIEX) method. To confirm the fundamental performance of the new monitoring system, the H-ADCP measurement was made at the middle reach of the Edo River in Japan and the river discharge was evaluated with this method. The simulated discharge was compared with the results measured with an ADCP and a Price current meter. The results indicate that the simulated discharge shows good agreement with the observed data, demonstrating the fundamental performance of this monitoring system for river discharge.


Traditional yarn tension sensor with regular elastomeric shape has problems of low inherent frequency,easy resonance and poor working stability.This paper proposes an approach to solving above problems by replacing regular-shaped elastomeric spring piece with special-shaped one through cutting edge,digging circular or elliptical holes or spring leaf,to change its weight distribution,so as to improve the inherent frequency of leaf spring.By using ANSYS modal analysis,simulation of leaf spring is carried on and inherent frequency,vibration mode,stress distribution,etc.are obtained.The results prove that the frequencies of the special-shaped spring leaf and the dynamic stability of yarn tension sensor increase a lot.


On the basis of the research of current development of SDI,a tri-rate SDI design is proposed based on FPGA,which is specific to the feasibility that the same physical interface can support the tri-rate(standard definition/high definition/3G) SDI dynamically.The design ideas of the tri-rate SDI are mainly expounded,and the function of the system′s main modules and the basic hardware of the program are analyzed in detail,then the performance and applicability of the design are assessed.


Departing from the opening scene of Roy Andersson's 1991 short Harlig ar jorden/World of Glory, the article gives an overview of the director's political aesthetics outlined in his book Var tids ra ...


AbstractAll medical records are focused on chief complaint in writing. Good writing of medical record for complaints has important implications for other records. The chief complaint comprises main symptoms or reasons of patients. The writer should choose symptoms as a chief complaint, which is from numerous symptoms reported by the patient and can reflex characteristics of the disease. The chief complaint must be written orderly. In special cases, it is more reasonable to consider the main reason of patient as a chief complaint. In the process of writing, it is usual to make language errors. Enhancing the language skills for writing the chief complaints is useful.


In this article we want to argue that mission models of inculturation and contextualization are not apt responses to the enlightenment model of mission or colonial mission and that the 'mission as translation' model is one way forward. We propose this explorative model of mission by engaging mission studies with translation studies in philosophy of language. The realization that mission studies, with its focus on the gospel text, missionary-interpreter and receptor community, shares structural commonalities with the central categories of translation studies inspires this engagement between disciplines. Our proposal is that mission as translation is necessarily a fusion of these three horizons. Finally, we test this model in the Lotha Naga context, ending with broad implications for mission studies.


The computerize numerical control (CNC) system is one of the key factors for the development of micro v-groove machine tools to fabrication micro v-groove structures. Based on the investigation on the machining of micro v-groove structures, a developed software contains five modules: editing, automatic programming, program control, manual control and human machine interface. A3200 software based motion controller integrated with the machine characteristics is used in this study to develop the motion control functions of the micro v-groove machine tool. Meanwhile, a method is proposed to redefine the instructions of M, T and S by setting monitoring points so as to enhance the scalability of CNC system. The results show that the CNC system software is not only stable and reliable, but also satisfies the basic requirements of the ultra-precision machining of micro v-groove structures.


The evaluation to simulation credibility is an obstacle in the way of the development of simulation theory and the application of simulation technology. Different evaluation methods could yield inconsistent results. It is impossible to present an omnipotent method that can be used to evaluate the credibility of all kinds of simulation. In this paper, a fuzzy judgement method of simulation credibility is presented based on the introduction of the fuzzy judgement theory and methods, and an illustration is given as well.


The very limited assemblage of Ostracoda from the uppermost Ladinian of the Sina Formation (Aghdarband Group) in north eastern Iran is primarily composed of instars of Bairdiids and Healdiids. Of the three identified taxa, Judahella (Costahella) hungarica KOZUR was already known from the uppermost Anisian in Hungary. The two other species, Ptychobairdia ruttnen n. sp. and Polycope aghdarbandensis n. sp., are new.


This paper wants to present a critical perspective in reading the discourse that has been played on social media in the last few days. With literature review method, the KPK Taliban is a form of discourse in which ideological values which are basically the principle of a person or group in determining the direction and purpose of how to proceed, are modified in such a way as to be sold or made into public commodities for political interests. The use of the term Taliban which is associated with hardline of Islam, wants to form an Islamic government in accordance with Islamic laws, is considered have a high 'selling power' so that it can be used to reduce the image of KPK as a law enforcement agency. Like a word, every journalist will try to make interesting headline to get a high view of readers. This term can seem to describe that there has been an internal radicalization in KPK that has created a system of eradicating selective corruption based on the ideology of investigator. From this point of view, social media can be said to be an easy facilitator to explore discourses of this kind. Due to the absence of a gate keeper or news editor, anyone who has an interest in them is free to release any statement even if it is not accompanied by valid data. Even rational and critical discussions such as the basic concept of public sphere are transformed into irrational


A sustainability index (SI) is a benchmark for guiding the activities of municipal water and wastewater (W and WS) utilities toward sustainability. The SI has been used in Sweden since 2014 as an internal benchmark management tool facilitating the strategic work of organizations. This study assesses how the SI was applied in practice by eight utilities (Orgs 1–8) from 2015 to 2019. The study was performed using in-depth semi-structured interviews with managers of the utilities and analyzing 32 SI reports and other documents. The utilities generally perform better in all parameters compared with the national average. Three utilities had improved results during the study period, while the other five had unchanged development. Five utilities use the SI index to improve their performance, and three use the SI results to grade the organization. All utilities are concerned with sustainability and wish to improve their performance. The study found that the parameter "Status of W and WS fixed facilities" was the furthest from sustainability. The study also clarifies that the technical committee has the primary responsibility to ensure that the technical office meets the sustainability objectives.


Background: Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) is a nucleotide used as a long-term therapy for chronic hepatitis B (CHB). Low-dose ADV therapy (daily dose of 10 mg) to treat patients with CHB has been reported to be safe. However, there are cumulative reports describing that the long-term use of low-dose ADV triggers proximal renal tubular dysfunction and causes hypophosphatemic osteomalacia. Methods: We reported two CHB cases of low-dose ADV-induced hypophosphatemic osteomalacia who presented initially with bone pain. Literature review revealed other 33 cases of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia induced by low-dose (10 mg daily) ADV and we also performed the literature review of the main characteristics from all the included 35 cases. Results: The first patient was a 46-year-old man with a 3-year history of bone pain involving low back, lumbar spine, rib cage, cervical vertebra, both knees, ankles without antecedent trauma. The patient had been receiving adefovir for 10 years before the confirmation of hypophosphatemia. Bone scintigraphy revealed multiple ribs, cervical vertebra, clavicle, humerus, sacrum, both posterior iliac bones, ankles and calcaneus, which were suggestive of metabolic bone disorder. Laboratory investigations showed hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hypouricemia, increased level of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and decreased 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. After ADV was replaced with entecavir, with supplementation of phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcitriol, bone pain was significantly reduced within 7 months. The second patient was a 62-year-old man who presented with a 4-year history of bone pain of the heel bone, knee and breast bone. The patient had been taking ADV for approximately 24 months before the development of bone pain. Laboratory data revealed hypophosphatemia, hypouricemia, hyperglycemia, increased level of ALP and vitamin D deficiency. Bone scintigraphy showed increased uptake in cervical vertebra, clavicle, sacrum, posterior iliac bones, lateral condyle and upper tibia. The symptoms improved by changing the antiviral agent from adefovir to entecavir within 6 months. Follow-up examination after 14 months showed his serum level of phosphate and bone densitometry to be normal. Conclusion: Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and renal Fanconi syndrome can be induced by long-term low-dose ADV therapies. The symptoms and the hypophosphatemia improved after discontinuation of ADV coupled with supplementation with phosphate in most cases and replacing ADV with entecavir may be a better alternative. CHB patients taking long-term ADV therapy (daily dose of 10 mg) daily should receive regular monitor of the renal function and serum phosphate level. Clinicians prescribing ADV over a long period of time should be aware of the late onset of hypophosphatemic osteomalacia and renal Fanconi syndrome.