e15085 Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common digestive system tumors and poses a serious threat to human health. More and more studies have shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in the occurrence and development of various tumors. They regulate a variety of cancer biology, such as proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. Abnormally expressed lncRNAs are closely related to colorectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to find lncRNAs associated with the development of colorectal cancer and to explore its function and mechanism. Methods: (1) By analyzing the expression profile of lncRNAs in colorectal cancer-normal tissues in GEO databases, the abnormal expression of lncRNA LINC00525 was screened. Colorectal cancer tissues, adjacent normal colon tissues and colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, DLD1, HT-29, SW480) were detected by qRT-PCR. We analyzed the relationship between expression of LINC00525 and clinical features. (2) The biological functions of LINC00525 in HCT116, DLD1 and SW480 were peformed in vitro by MTT, clone formation assay, EDU and flow cytometry. (3) The effect of LINC00525 on tumorigenesis in vivo was evaluated by nude mice model. (4) The expression of lncRNA LINC00525 was knocked down in colorectal cancer cell lines (HCT116, SW480), and the mRNA expression levels of P15, P21, P27 and KLF2 were detected by qRT-PCR. Results: (1) Microarray data and qRT-PCR verification showed that the expression of lncRNA LINC00525 in colorectal cancer tissues and colorectal cancer cell lines was significantly upregulated. The overexpression of LINC00525 was positively correlated with clinical stage and tumor size. (2) Knockdown of LINC00525 in colorectal cancer cell lines could inhibit cancer cell proliferation and induce apoptosis. In SW480 and HCT116 cell lines, cells were arrested in G0/G1 phase after knocking down LINC00525. (3) Subcutaneous xenograft experiments in nude mice further confirmed that knockdown of LINC00525 could inhibit the tumor growth. (4) After knocking down the expression of LINC00525 in HCT116 and SW480 cell lines, the expression of mRNAs of tumor suppressor genes P15, P21, P27 and KLF2 increased. Conclusions: Our studies suggested that LINC00525 was significantly upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues. Mechanism studies had shown that LINC00525 could regulate the expression of KLF2, P15, P21 and P27 in CRC cell lines, and then affect cell proliferation and apoptosis.


Different diseases such Diabetes mellitus type 2, hypertension, dyslipidemia, among others, are attributed to overweight and obesity, which have become a major health problem worldwide and turn all these factors are the main components of metabolic syndrome (MS). Molecules like L‐carnitine has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of related diseases with SM. Result obtained of this molecule has led to the search for the synthesis of new analogues of L‐carnitine to have new treatment options. Therefore aim of this research was to evaluate the pharmacological effect of different doses of an analogue of L‐carnitine on parameters related to metabolic syndrome in Zucker rats. Animals treated for 5 weeks with L‐carnitine and the doses used were 100 and 250 mg / kg. The results showed that the analogue of L‐carnitine at doses of 100 mg / kg led to the decrease in hepatic glucose, serum triglycerides and liver, hepatic cholesterol and increased liver glycogen levels, populations changed peripheral blood lymphocytes and CD3/CD8 increasing CD3/CD4, CD3 thymus decreased and increased CD3/CD4/CD8 of this population. With doses of 250 mg / kg, only decreased serum triglyceride levels and increased liver glycogen levels, among others effects. In conclusion, the results obtained in this project showed that the analogue of L‐carnitine increased efficacy and potency at a dose of 100 mg / kg. Support from CONACYT 153324.


1. A method for dynamically assigning regional groups and organizations that provide maintenance services for maintenance of equipment, comprising the steps of: determining that the equipment is moved into the selected regional group; ! Equipment designate the selected regional group; ! selected company, providing maintenance services associated with the selected regional group; and! assigned to an organization, which provides maintenance services for equipment maintenance. ! 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of determining comprises receiving a position indicator in a transmission from the equipment, wherein the position indicator indicates that the equipment has moved into the selected regional group. ! 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the destination equipment comprises the step of updating the information in the database. ! 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting step comprises the step of selecting a company, providing maintenance service, from a database that relates one or more organizations that provide maintenance services to the selected regional group. ! 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of administering an organization providing maintenance services, comprising the step of transmitting the information on the appointment of the entity providing the maintenance services over a data network. ! 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step-purpose equipment includes a step in which the database is updated information on liquidity


5020 Background: The HSD3B1(1245A > C) variant allele, whose frequency varies by race, encodes a missense sequence that stabilizes the rate-limiting enzyme responsible for extragonadal androgen synthesis, thus enhancing intratumoral dihydrotestosterone (DHT) synthesis. Multiple retrospective studies have found that men inheriting the HSD3B1(1245C) variant allele exhibit early resistance to ADT. We sought to validate these findings with prospective data from the Chemohormonal Therapy versus Androgen Ablation Randomized Trial for Extensive Disease in Prostate Cancer (CHAARTED). Methods: Men with newly metastatic PCa were randomized to receive either ADT plus docetaxel at a dose of 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks for 6 cycles (arm A) or ADT alone (arm B). We determined germline HSD3B1 genotype in the subset of men with LV disease ( < 4 bone metastases, no visceral metastases). We analyzed freedom from castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and OS according to HSD3B1 genotype using Cox and Kaplan-Meier methods. Results: 197 patients with LV disease had blood samples available and were genotyped, including 97 in arm A and 100 in arm B. Docetaxel did not improve OS of LV men. Of the 197 men, 47% were homozygous wild-type (WT), 43% were heterozygous, and 10% were homozygous variant. When all 197 men were analyzed as one goup, the median time to CRPC was 39.7 mos. in homozygous WT men vs. 25.0 mos. in men with one or more copies of the variant allele (HR 1.27, 95% CI 0.89 to 1.82; p = 0.187). Although OS data are still maturing, at 52 months OS was 83% (95% CI 75% to 91%) in homozygous WT men vs. 64% (95% CI 55% to 74%) in men with one or more variant alleles. There was a suggestion that docetaxel delayed development of CRPC among men with at least 1 variant allele (20.3 vs. 40.7 mos.; HR 0.66, 95% CI 0.40 to 1.04; p = 0.08). Benefit for men with high-volume disease was not evident. Conclusions: Inheritance of the HSD3B1(1245C) allele that augments DHT synthesis may be associated with lower OS in men treated with ADT with or without docetaxel for LV newly metastatic PCa. Additional study is warranted in patients with LV disease. Clinical trial information: NCT00309985.


Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings
This paper investigates how engagement benefits learning, and the relationship between the content, the learner, and the instructor; with a focus on online learning and instructional design. Learners are responsible for their learning, but the instructors' role is essential in enhancing engagement and thus learning via effective teaching and course design.

Practical implications
The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


The investigation began with the reference to the object of study literature review, this information was selected and saved through the signing for the construction of the chapters of the theoretical framework, the problematization allowed develop the problem-objectives and hypothesis system, once operationalized the variables involved in each scenario, a process of gathering information that allowed them show began.


The organization of the finance area is a challenge for companies in any sector. Balancing costs and income is one of the prerequisites for those looking for better profit margins, but it requires the administration of various aspects that do not always fit into a simple financial equation. Different processes and possibilities need to be explored. As you can see, money is the main character in this section. Here you will find articles on the organization of the income and expenses of your business. Working capital (also called working capital), bank credit, cash flow management and taxes are also topics covered in our practical advice. Some recommendations related to accounting are also presented. All this to help you perfectly control the financial operations of your company. And allow you to adapt the equipment and resources so that finances are in order and can consolidate the results and achievements of the rest of your business.


This document describes how integrations with social networks are being developed in ECO platforms. With these new features, participants will be able to share results and other contents through Facebook, Twitter, Google plus.


Learning physics in any context, including undergraduate research experiences, requires learning its concepts and the relational structure between those new concepts with what students already know. We use concept maps, a knowledge elicitation method, for assessing mentees' and mentors' knowledge structures during Research Experience for Undergraduates programs. The study looked at maps from seven mentor-mentee pairs to understand how mentors and mentees use specific knowledge and strategies during the development of their concept maps. A qualitative analysis of the maps showed mentors and mentees differed in their ways of organizing and displaying their knowledge in terms of structure, scale, language, and use of conceptual and procedural knowledge. For instance, mentees used more procedural knowledge. It is perhaps due to their perception of finishing their Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) projects and the fact that they may have only limited and superficial knowledge of specific topics. However, mentors maps were smaller but more significant in using more comprehensive conceptual knowledge and connecting their maps to the broader scientific context.


The present paper has been engaged in a comparative study and analysis of four kinds of dust samples of the emission tubes and obtained the distribution regularity of PAHs in the coking dust. The research work begins with the sample cokes respectively collected from the old factory spot, the new factory spot, the coke bin and the coke oven in the same coking plant. The first three kinds of coke dust samples were removed by using bag dust collectors, while that from the coke oven was unable to get the coking dust removed. Then, the PAHs were analyzed by means of ultrasonic extraction and high performance liquid chromatography, which indicated that all the samples turned out rich and originated from the dust of the emission tube during the coking process. The results of our analysis prove that among the four kinds of dust samples, the PAHs from the coke oven turned out to be the richest with its content getting up to 86.95 μg·m~-3. However, the mass content of PAHs in the new coking plant proved the lowest, whose mass content was only 6.09 μg·m~-3. The paper has also analyzed the single component distribution of PAHs with 14 kinds of PAHs checked in the four dust samples, which were also over the standard stipulated by America EPA. The mass contents of phenanthrene and fluoranthene were also higher and Benzo (k) fluoranthene had extrusive contents in the coke oven. In addition, PAHs with different rings had different distributions in the four dust samples. Comparative analysis shows that the dust prominently contained 2 and 3 rings PAHs in the old factory spot, the new factory spot and in the coke bin. The PAHs of the two ring types exceeded 67% among all the four. And in the three samples, the highest content of 2 and 3 rings PAHs was found in the old factory spot, that is, 80.81% . The dust of coke oven mainly contained 4 and 5 high rings PAHs (86.32 %). When the contamination level is analyzed, the principal contamination source comes from the coke oven, which was worked out as high as 5.95 times in BaP concentration of Grade Ⅲ. The concentration of BaP was counted merely between Grade Ⅰ and Grade Ⅱ. Therefore, coking plant emissions should be regarded as a serious pollution source to the environment with PAHs pollution even more serious.


Abstract Multilayer films with continuously varying indices for each layer have attracted great deal of attention due to their superior optical, mechanical, and thermal properties. However, difficulties in fabrication have limited their application and study in scientific literature compared to multilayer films with fixed index layers. In this work we propose a neural network based inverse design technique enabled by a differentiable analytical solver for realistic design and fabrication of single material variable-index multilayer films. This approach generates multilayer films with excellent performance under ideal conditions. We furthermore address the issue of how to translate these ideal designs into practical useful devices which will naturally suffer from growth imperfections. By integrating simulated systematic and random errors just as a deposition tool would into the optimization process, we demonstrated that the same neural network that produced the ideal device can be retrained to produce designs compensating for systematic deposition errors. Furthermore, the proposed approach corrects for systematic errors even in the presence of random fabrication imperfections. The results outlined in this paper provide a practical and experimentally viable approach for the design of single material multilayer film stacks for an extremely wide variety of practical applications with high performance.


The recumbent northwest limb of the Christiansburg anticline is exposed in the eastern margin of the Christiansburg fenster, through the overlying Pulaski thrust sheet. The Knox Group of this autochthonous Saltville block was deposited in the shallow marine waters of the Appalachian miogeosyncline in Cambro-Ordovician time. A cyclic dolomitization-silicification diagenesis is apparent. The dolomitization was interrupted first by silicification that promoted quartz grain overgrowths. Later, carbonate cement was replaced by the silica, now microcrystalline chert. These relations are clearly demonstrated by zoned dolomite rhombs enveloped by authigenic overgrowths and chert nodules.


writers, and to modern education practitioners. A portion of this section opines that, "The invidious distinction between skill and theoretical knowledge is preserved in the schools and (even more so) in the universities 'Those who know, do: those who don't know, teach' . . . 'And those who don't know how to teach, teach others how to reach'" (p. 190). One wonders why such a cutting indictment of teachers and teacher educators is included in a chapter on the value of knowledge, and how it represents the subtitle of this book, which deals with caring and appreciation. Throughout the book, Jarrett draws upon European and Eastern philosophers, psychologists, and educators, as well as those from the United States. He makes a concerted effort to use masculine and feminine pronouns and examples throughout the work, although a number of the cited examples relating to females are not particularly flattering to that gender. He quotes from or references a variety of sources taken from the fields of literature, psychology, philosophy, and several other social science/humanities disciplines. He has attempted to place the subject matter of each section in its historical perspective, to offer the reader a view of the subject matter in the context of its own development. The brief forays into broad and wide-ranging generalizations based on, or incorporating, historical data might well have been preceded by a statement noting that what is considered the "true" history is often a function of both the time in which it was written, and the time in which it is being read. From the point of view of the historian, however, the well-documented sources in this volume offer a "jumping off point" for further research on values in a historical context.


In a cloud platform, the monitoring service has become a necessary infrastructure to manage resources and deliver desirable quality-of-service (QoS). Although many monitoring solutions have been proposed in recent years, how to mitigate the overhead of monitoring service is still an opening issue. This article presents an adaptive monitoring framework, in which a traffic prediction model is introduced to estimate short-term traffic overhead. Based on this prediction model, a novel algorithm is proposed to dynamically change the sampling frequency of sensors so as to achieve better tradeoffs between monitoring accuracy and overhead. Also, a monitoring topology optimization mechanism is incorporated which enables to make more cost-effective decisions on monitoring management. The proposed framework is tested in a realistic cloud and the results indicate that it can significantly reduce the communication overhead when performing monitoring tasks for multiple tenants.


The heterogenous-chain mechanism of low-threshold initiation of heavy azides metal (HMA) is suggested. The recombination of azides-radicals on a HMA surface leads to generation of electron-hole pairs. Azide radicals are formed at trapping of holes surface levels of azid anions. The computer simulation of this mechanism is carried out. The computing were performed at different length and densities of energy of a laser pulse. The initiation delay depends on the characteristic time within which traps are filled by holes.


ABSTRACT In this study, by using surface ion imprinting technique, Co(II)-imprinted activated carbon was synthesized as a new sorbent in order to use in solid phase extraction method. Several parameters were investigated and optimum experimental conditions were determined. Synthesized sorbent was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis and Brunaer, Emmet, and Teller techniques. The maximum adsorption capacity of imprinted and nonimprinted sorbents were found as 833.3 mg/g and 188.7 mg/g respectively. The limit of detection, the limit of quantification and relative standart deviation were found as 0.066 µg/L, 5.91 µg/L and 5.65% respectively.


There has been growing concern that the market‐dominated practice of colleges of further education in England has led to a situation where colleges compete aggressively to the detriment of current and potential students. A recent report suggested that autonomous colleges could not achieve the widening of participation and equity required of vocational education and training, and recommended regional planning and partnership to balance the negative effects of a market‐driven approach. This article reports on interviews with college principals and on the analysis of a sample of college strategic plans, and concludes that although partnership may be welcomed by some, colleges are unlikely to co‐operate unless the system retains a sufficient degree of autonomy for individual institutions and does not damage the interests of individual colleges by a redistribution of resources. It also argues that the suggested planning framework of the National Training and Education Targets and labour market information may ...


Cyp2E1 is a cytochrome P450 mono-oxygenase that bioactivates over 85 substrates, thereby creating electrophilic metabolites and oxidative stress. Substrates are low molecular weight compounds that include acetone, acetaminophen, ethanol, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, furan and molecular oxygen. Mono-oxygenation of these substrates to their reactive metabolites, and the accompanying oxidative stress produced during metabolism, pose health risks because they lead to hepatotoxicity and, often, to liver cancer. Here we describe the AOP for the chronic activation of Cyp2E1 (MIE) leading to liver cancer (AO). The intervening KEs are oxidative stress (KE1), cytotoxicity (KE2), and regenerative proliferation (KE3). These events occur in the liver, which is the primary site of xenobiotic metabolism in the body. Briefly, the MIE occurs when Cyp2E1 binds a substrate. The Cyp2E1 catalytic cycle is prone to decoupling, which produces oxidative stress (KE1), and monooxidation of substrates produces reactive metabolites. Both reactive oxygen species and metabolites cause cytotoxicity (KE2). However, following injury, the liver is able to regenerate itself through an increase in cellular proliferation (KE3). Under conditions of chronic activation of Cyp2E1, excessive chronic increases in levels of reactive oxygen species and cell death, and subsequent dysregulated cellular proliferation, leads to tumour formation (AO). We evaluate the essentiality of the KEs and the biological plausibility of and empirical support for the KERs and report that most are well supported by a large body of scientific literature. Here, we've focused on data generated in rodent studies using the Cyp2E1 substrates carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, ethanol and furan. These compounds are all liver carcinogens, but generate negative or equivocal results in short-term genotoxicity tests. In fact, they are widely thought to cause cancer through a cytotoxicity and regenerative proliferation mode of action. We expect that the data and information summarized here will be useful to scientists and regulators that are investigating chemical carcinogens that act through this mechanism. Given the importance of oxidative stress and cytotoxicity in a broad array of toxicological effects, the KE(R)s described should be broadly useful for development of other AOPs. Finally, this AOP describes an important widely acknowledged pathway to toxicity and thus should have many regulatory applications. Further development of the quantitative aspects of this AOP will enable the development of more predictive models of effects resulting from oxidative stress.


Qat (Catha edulis) is a species belonging to the plant family Celastraceae. Qat is commonly chewed throughout East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula since the 11 century. The fresh leaves and buds of the plant contain cathinone and cathine as the active substances. Cathinone is an amphetamine like stimulant responsible for most of its pharmacological action. Among them, is enhancing concentration, and this has been used as a reason for the students to consume qat. A cross-sectional study was carried out aimed at determining the prevalence of qat chewing among adolescents followed by a pre-test post-test experimental control design study aimed at evaluating the outcome of mass media educational campaign on the knowledge, beliefs, attitudes and behavior of qat chewing health risk among public secondary school students in Aden city, Yemen. In the first part of the study, the prevalence of qat chewing among secondary school students in Aden city was found to be 19.9%. Friends, male (gender), place of origin, age and beliefs were the predictors of qat chewing. In the second part of the study an anti-qat chewing campaign consisted of audiovisual material such as billboards, posters, brochures, wall magazines, school radio, documentary movie, sticker cards and sketch, as well as lectures and seminars were introduced for three months and evaluated using a pre-test and post-test experiment consisting of control and intervention groups on second grade (11)


This paper addresses the bicriteria scheduling problems with simultaneous consideration of job rejection, controllable processing times and rate-modifying activity on a single machine. A job is either rejected, in which case a rejection penalty will be incurred, or accepted and processed on the machine. The rate-modifying activity is an activity on the machine that changes the processing times of the jobs scheduled after the activity. The processing time of a job scheduled after the rate-modifying activity decreases with a job-dependent factor. The processing time of each job can also be controlled by allocating extra resource which is either a linear or a convex function of the amount of a common continuously divisible resource allocated to the job. The objective is to determine the rejected job set, the accepted job sequence, the time (location) of the rate-modifying activity and the resource allocation that jointly find the trade-off between two criteria, where the first criterion is measured as the sum of total completion time and resource consumption cost while the second criterion is the total rejection cost. We consider four different models for treating the two criteria. The computational complexity status and solution procedures are provided for the problems under consideration.


Dynamic properties of an electron fluid transported through the background positive charge are investigated. The one- dimensional non-stationary equations of quantum hydrodynamics are combined with the divergent Maxwell equation for the electric field. The Cauchy problem is formulated. The numerical solutions for the variables as the functions of the coordinates at the located times are analyzed. The spatial dependences of the variables are oscillating; they are compared with the solutions of the stationary equations.


Optical communication is one of the main drives to the development of communication network. Paying close attention to the research hotspots of optical communication technology is important to the development of research on optical communication technology in our country.


We have experimentally studied the reflection of a weak probe beam from a dense atomic potassium vapor in the presence of a strong laser field tuned to the atomic resonance transition. We have observed an Autler-Townes doublet under hitherto unexplored conditions, namely that the Rabi frequency induced by the strong laser field is much smaller than the self-broadened width of the resonance transition of the unexcited vapor. We attribute our observation to a reduction of the atomic decoherence by the strong drive field. We present a theoretical model of nonlinear processes in a dense atomic gas to explain the observed results.


Reliability simulation test of the aerospace electronic products is guaranteed to improve product reliability.Through collection of information,digital prototype modeling,model updating and verification,analysis of the stress,the expected fault simulation and evaluation of reliability,effective way of reliability simulation test which is to improve reliability design is explained.


The transit industry is managing a lot of data related to the transit itself (journey, financial data,) for the revenue collection system. Additionally, several types of operational data are managed by the staff, such as supervision and signalling. The usage for the advanced analytics solution in the transit industry can help to increase revenue, maximize transit flow in congested areas, understand customers behaviour, map or rank sales methods and devices, run simulations or experiment new tariff zones, etc


Inhaler device counter (20) for displaying the number of remaining doses in an inhaler device (10). The counter (20) comprises a counter mechanism and a display arrangement (60), wherein the display arrangement (60) is of pointer-gauge type with a static display section (90) provided as an integrated part of a transparent display containing part (150, 300) of a counter housing (70). There is alsoprovided a method.


Abstract A photoredox catalytic strategy has been described for the direct C2 trifluoromethylation of quinoline N-oxides. This reaction is compatible with a range of synthetically relevant functional groups for providing efficient synthesis of a variety of C2 trifluoromethyl quinoline N-oxides at room temperature. Mechanistic studies indicated that the reaction proceeds via a radical pathway.


Argues the thesis that where there is hope there is life. Grounds this thesis philosophically and theologically, then reviews it from the medical and nursing literature, and illustrates it in a vignette of hospital ministry. Argues that hope can enhance the quality and even the quantity of life. Proposes that hope helps people to deal with their feelings and to cope with their illness. Hope affects immunity and survival. Challenges chaplains, pastoral counselors, and parish clergy to become more effective "agents of hope."


Attempts to understand gene regulation by global transcription factors (TF) have largely been limited to expression studies under binary conditions of presence and absence of the TF. Studies addressing genome-wide transcriptional responses to changing TF concentration at high resolution are lacking. Here, we create a dataset containing the entire E.coli transcriptome as it responds to 10 different cAMP concentrations spanning the biological range. We use the Hill's model to accurately summarise individual gene responses into 3 intuitively understandable parameters - k, n and Emax reflecting the midpoint of dynamic range, non-linearity and sensitivity of a gene. cAMP-regulated genes show a small dynamic range with midpoints centred around wild-type cAMP concentrations, with genes activating in a switch-like fashion. Using this approach we show that cAMP-CRP affinity at promoters is well correlated to the sensitivity(Emax) of genes but not to the midpoints of dynamic range(k). Finally, genes belonging to different functional classes are tuned to different k, n and Emax. We show phenomenological models to be a better alternative for studying gene expression trends compared to classical clustering methods with the phenomenological constants providing greater insights into how genes are tuned in a regulatory network.


In order to avoid deflagration to detonation transition during the ammunition destruction by high-energy combustion method, the internal pressure of the shell can be controlled by the fused exhaust hole on the mine shell. In this paper, the equilibrium pressure equation for the steady state combustion of the internal explosive in the open-hole shell is derived by the model referring to the zero-dimensional interior ballistic calculation method under the combustion chamber model of the solid rocket engine. According to the size of fused exhaust hole measured by mine destruction experiment, the internal steady combustion equilibrium pressure for TNT charged mine is 0.69 MPa, which is far below the literatures reported deflagration to detonation transition pressure upper limit, the calculated results are in accordance with the experiment data.


Active neutron interrogation is a powerful NDA technique that relies on detecting and analyzing fission neutrons produced in a fuel sample by an interrogating high neutron flux. 4He scintillation gas fast neutron detectors are investigated in this paper for use in a novel fission rate measurement technique The He-4 detectors have excellent gamma rejection, a fast response time, and give significant information on incident neutron energy allowing for energy cuts to be applied to the detected signal. These features are shown in this work to allow for the detection of prompt fission neutrons in-situ during active neutron interrogation of a 238U sample. The energy spectrum from three different neutrons sources (252Cf, AmBe, AmLi) is measured using the 4He detection system and analyzed. An initial response matrix for the detector is determined using these measurements and the kinematic interaction properties of the elastic scattering with the 4He.


The acoustic pressure signals of resource noise and the noise exhausted out of muffler with different diesel rotational velocity have been collected,and the influence of diesel rotational velocity on the double noise has been researched with the signal analysis method of spectrum.Corresponding conclusions have been obtained as following: the resource noise has similar spectrum performances under different diesel rotational velocity;the amplitude of resource noise increases with the diesel rotation rising;the resistance muffler used on the excavator has good noise elimination at different speed of diesel rotational velocity,and the insert loss increases with the diesel rotational velocity rising.


The City of Cape Town has entered an exciting era of public transport. Not only has it successfully launched a Transport Authority, known as Transport for Cape Town (TCT), but its flagship project, the Cape Town MyCiTi Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) System, is growing from strength to strength.


The replacement problem for shock models under additive damage has been studied by many authors. They have considered the replacement problem where a system is replaced at damage, that have been derived the optimal policy for a cumulative damage model. The authors have considered the replacement problem where a system suffers two kinds of damage and is replaced preventively at age T or at the N shock. According to this formula a human system has been considered two types of damages one with cumulative process and another with at that time of stress effect. Hence a part of the system is recouped by a new concept the expected cost per unit time and optimal values in terms of aldosterone have also been obtained. AMS Classification: 60GXX.


A metal-rolling process with chatter is chosen as the case for analysis. An isothermal, full film unsteady lubrication model is developed. The influences of time dependent variables such as back tension stress, variation on lubrication are investigated. By utilizing this model, roll forces and torque variation with respect to time can be successfully predicted. Chatter vibration in cold rolling due to unsteady lubrication phenomena is discussed. The current unsteady lubrication theory indicates that, when the nondimensional frequency of back tension stress variation is in a specific range, the roll force and torque variations can be significantly "amplified".


Abstract
Background and aim: Evaluation of the performance of hospitals of the Social Security Organization in multiple dimensions in improving the quality of services provided by these hospitals and community health is of great importance. The purpose was to evaluate the performance of social security hospitals using (PATH) in 2016.

Material and Method: The present study was descriptive-survey and applied in terms of its purpose. The research tool was a questionnaire for determining the weight of elements of the evaluation model and the information form of the hospital indicators. The statistical sample in the Weighting component of the evaluation model was 13 experts in the performance assessment of the hospital and in the performance evaluation section of eight hospitals of the Social Security Organization. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, AHP and Topsis approach, and using Excel and Expert Choice software.

Results: According to AHP, the priority of PATH performance evaluation criteria in the hospitals of the organization was 1- Safety, 2- Patient-centredness, 3-clinical effectiveness, 4- Reponsive governance, 5- Staff and 6- Efficiency .According to the findings of a comparison of the existing performance assessment of hospitals in the social security organization with the PATH model, only 20% of the PATH approach indicators are evaluated in the current method, and beyond these four indicators assessed in the current assessment method It is related to the clinical performance and clinical efficacy of hospital functioning, and therefore the current methodology does not comprehensively evaluate all aspects of hospital performance and addresses the dimensions of patient safety, patient morbidity, accountability and senior staffing with high priority dimensions The social security organization has not paid any attention.
According to Tapisis, the performance of hospitalized hospitals in order of better performance is: 1- Imam Hossein Hospital, Zanjan 2- Fayazbakhsh Hospital, 3- Lavasani Hospital, 4- Hazrat Masoumeh Hospital, 5- Gorazi Hospital, 6- Shariat Razavi Hospital, 7 Ali nasab Hospital and Shahriyar Social Security Hospital and

Conclusion: The PATH pattern is an evaluation system that reflects the key interests of the hospital, patients, employees and stakeholders and Social security administrators can use this approach to compare the performance of the hospital and its ranking from different perspectives And in the long run, by defining the necessary improvement measures, improves the performance of supervised hospitals and, as a result, promoting community health.

Key Words: Hospital Performance Evaluation, PATH Model


In February 2014, transport officials from the European Union (E.U.) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met on the sidelines of the Singapore Airshow to discuss a possible comprehensive air transport agreement between both sides. At the meeting's conclusion, the ASEAN states invited the European Commission to launch the internal processes necessary to secure a mandate to commence negotiations on an agreement. In particular, ASEAN welcomed Vice President of the European Commission and Commissioner for Transport Siim Kallas' statement that he would propose to the Commission to seek authorization from the Council of the European Union to start negotiations (E.U.-ASEAN Joint Declaration, 2014).


Prenatal occurrence and timing of appearance of associated features in Beckwith‐Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) are unknown. We reviewed our BWS patients with serial fetal imaging and correlated these with postnatal findings.


Distributed applications are difficult to develop and manage due to their inherent dynamics and heterogeneity of component technologies and the possibility of different network protocols. Distributed component-based software applications consist of a collection of software components that communicate via a distributed middleware to provide distributed application services. The distributed middleware, or simply middleware plays a crucial role by providing APIs and support functions to bridge the gap between the network operating system and distributed components. Component and middleware technologies dramatically simplify the development of distributed applications, but it still difficult to assemble and manage such applications at runtime. In order to address this problem, we present the early findings of our work, which is concerned with the development of a middleware-based framework for the "on-demand" software assembly and subsequent management of distributed applications.


Background. The aim of the study is to examine characteristics of aging processes in men of different ages by determining the overall elasticity (R2) and thickness of the epidermis and dermis. Materials and methods. The study involved 150 men volunteers, who were divided into six age groups. The object of the study was the age changes of skin in the following areas: forehead, temporal area, nasolabial area. Using a Cutometer® 580 MPA the authors determined the overall elasticity (R2); the average thickness of epidermis and dermis was measured using a "Dermascan C". Results. The maximum loss of total elasticity in the forehead takes place from 26 to 30 years and is 12,41 % and after 60 years 20,18 %. In the temporal region large losses of elasticity occur at the age of 31-40 years and after the age of 60 and are respectively 7.33 and 19,56 %. More pronounced losses of elasticity in the nasolabial region occur at the age of 51-60 years and after 60 years, and are 22,52; 31,63 %. The most significant involutional processes in the epidermis occur in the age group of 31-40 years and is 18,31 % in the forehead, 16,02 % in the temporal region, 8.11 % in the nasolabial region. Thinning of the dermis in the forehead starts earlier than in the other studied ares and is 0.34 % in the age group of 26-30 years. Conclusions. In all age groups it is noted that the total elasticity is defined in the nasolabial region. The greatest thickness of the epidermis and dermis in men is registered in the forehead. The forehead skin is most vulnerable to pathophysiological processes of aging; involutional processes in this area begin from 26 years. The use of a Cutometer® MPA 580 and a "Dermascan C" allows to estimate the total elasticity and the average thickness of the epidermis and dermis; these options are one of the main parameters in aging processes of skin.


Using sample date from 1985 to 2004 and the Eviews,the conclusion is that the tax-turn of export on the export has strongly promoted export at 99% apparent level;there will be direct effect on our export.


In this research, volume, speed, and density measurements were conducted on a single lane of traffic over a highway section about one-half mile in length. These measurements were acquired from 4 observation points, which permitted a reconstruction of vehicle movements through this section of highway. The observational data has been used to test the theory of continuity by measuring the speed of propagation of density changes in the traffic stream.


This dissertation adopted principal-agent theory of information economics to analyze water right management in our country.Due to separation of ownership,usage right and operation right,the Central Government,all levels of provinces,units,individuals,and environment protective institutions and so on participate in water right transaction.The dissertation reveals the intrinsic connection between the water rights management and the principal-agent theory,and proposes that a multi-level authorization management of water rights can improve the relation of water rights fundamentally.Research every level principal-agent relation in the mode of water rights multi-level authorization management in our country.It has strong practical and guiding significance.


An electronic data management device in which a control program that, once connected to an electronic computer, is automatically installed for controlling data in the electronic computer. The electronic data management device (1) comprises a first memory (6) in which user data is stored, an authentication database (11) in which identification data is registered, an input unit (3) that accepts user authentication information, an authentication module (12) that compares input data received from the input unit (3) with the identification data registered in the authentication database (11) for user authentication, a USB connector (4) connected to the electronic computer for sending and receiving data, and a second memory (7) in which a control program is stored. After user authentication, the control program is installed into the electronic computer and a switch (10) switches the memory from the second memory (7) to the first memory (6) to allow user data to be read from the electronic computer.


This research observes the presence of the inclusive practices in a classroom of a first grade primary school teacher. The objective is to describe and analyze the teacher ́s inclusive practices and her conceptions about inclusion. The qualitative investigation happened in the context of PAMI School in Panajachel, Guatemala. With the dates we got and together with the descriptions of three types of practices that are inclusive, collaborative and competitive, this research analyzes the presence and the absence of the inclusive teaching practices. The results of the investigation show the difficulty of answering research questions clearly because of the context of the country and the complexity of the teaching practice.


With the increasing number of project initiatives, requests for engineering technical assistance are also increased. This raises a problem in the Engineering Services department which is uneven project workloads assigned among engineers, while there are no standard tools yet used to calculate accurate workload. To achieve maximum engineering productivity and performance, this study conducted to calculate engineer's physical and mental workload. To calculate physical workload, the modified Full Time Equivalent (M-FTE) method is used, where engineer's performance rating and allowance factors are also used to combine with the basic FTE calculation method. Estimate hours divided according to project's level of complexity are converted into an index of FTE categories, i.e. underload, normal, and overloaded. The NASA-TLX method is used to get mental workload subjectively based on the average weight rating of six indicators. FTE index result shows adequate number of electrical engineers where half of them can still be assign to new project, while most of the instrument engineers already overloaded. Engineer's mental workload from NASA-TLX result shows an average WWL (Weighted Workload) up to 81.72, which categorized as 'Very High' and corresponds to the nature of projects that always expected to be on schedule with high quality result.


Diffraction imaging is gaining momentum as a possible tool to map discontinuities such as fracture swarms, corridors, and small offset faults in unconventional reservoirs prior to drilling.

The amplitudes of diffracted waves are inherently much weaker than those of the specular reflections and are


Standard economic theory uses mathematics as its main means of understanding, and this brings clarity of reasoning and logical power. But there is a drawback: algebraic mathematics restricts economic modeling to what can be expressed only in quantitative nouns, and this forces theory to leave out matters to do with process, formation, adjustment, and creation—matters to do with nonequilibrium. For these we need a different means of understanding, one that allows verbs as well as nouns. Algorithmic expression is such a means. It allows verbs—processes—as well as nouns—objects and quantities. It allows fuller description in economics, and can include heterogeneity of agents, actions as well as objects, and realistic models of behavior in ill-defined situations. The world that algorithms reveal is action-based as well as object-based, organic, possibly ever-changing, and not fully knowable. But it is strangely and wonderfully alive. Science proceeds as much by its instruments— its technologies—as it does by human thought.2 In early January 1610, when Galileo directed his telescope at the heavens he found to his astonishment that Jupiter had four companion "stars" (which after several nights he realized were moons circling Jupiter), and the Moon itself had mountains and valleys. This went against the long-accepted truths that all heavenly bodies circled the earth (or the sun), and that all were perfect. Instruments in science probe, they reveal, they occasionally surprise, and they illuminate. They become means of understanding. What fascinates me is that different means "see" differently—often they reveal different versions of the same object. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) looks at body parts and reveals soft tissue structure; computerized tomography (CT scanning) looks at the same body parts and reveals bone structure. Similarly, when standard lightspectrum telescopes examine the Sun they see a sphere of radiating energy with some surface phenomena; when X-ray telescopes examine the Sun 1 Santa Fe Institute; Intelligent Systems Lab, PARC; and Stellenbosch Institute of Advanced Studies. This essay draws heavily upon my paper "Algorithms and the Shift in Modern Science" (Arthur, 2020). The idea used here of nouns and verbs draws from a lecture I gave at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, March 4, 2015. 2 See Douglas Robertson (2003) on this point. they see a sphere riven by jagged fissures and far from uniform. There is no "correct" version of internal body parts, or of the Sun for that matter. These things exist in reality but there is no correct way to "see" them. Mathematics I believe is an instrument of understanding, albeit a sublimely mental one. It probes, it reveals, it occasionally surprises, and it illuminates how things follow from the premises we choose. As a method it arrived seriously in economics in the 1870s with the work of Stanley Jevons, Léon Walras, and Francis Edgeworth. And it stirred some degree of contention even then. The economy is very much a creation of humans and a very complicated one, so given the liberty of human choices and the vagaries of people's actions, it is not obvious why algebraic logic and calculus should apply. "Some say human liberty will never allow itself to be cast into equations," said Walras in 1874, speaking of his detractors; then he dismissed them with a shrug, "Those economists who do not know any mathematics, ... let them go their way" (quoted in McCloskey, 2005).


Teacher educators should examine current practices in teacher education and "understand what makes them wise and what makes them flawed" (Falk, 2006, p. 76). This study investigated possible changes in the pedagogical content knowledge of 26 middle-level preservice teachers after teaching a mathematics lesson twice to two groups of peers. Aspects of this study followed the Japanese lesson study design as peers and veteran educators debriefed after the first teaching of the lesson, and then a final debriefing occurred after the second teaching. A qualitative analysis of the preservice teachers' written lesson reflections and comments in field-based notebooks revealed remarks relating to (a) lesson modification, (b) lesson delivery, (c) multiple feedback, and (d) real-world applications. Implications for common practices in teacher education methods courses are discussed.


The paper gives a tentative study on the application of optimal theory in a microcomputer-controlled AC drive. A speed regulating system and the corresponding software are developed. Depending upon the parameters of the motor's equivalent circuit, the optimum rate of frequency variation which is suitable for starting, braking and speed regulating over a wide range has been derived. The feature of the system is, through software, to achieve trigger signal production, information display, diagnosis, overload protection, close-loop regulation etc. This gives the microcomputer full control. The system is of high precision and practical value.


Optical absorption spectra for a series of GaMnN samples with different Mn content grown by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition have been investigated. Compared with GaN, the absorption coefficient of Ga 1- x Mn x N increases in the UV region and an absorption peak can be observed near 144 eV. In addition, the absorption coefficient increases with the increase of the Mn content. The experimental results are in excellent agreement with theoretical data based on density functional theory. Associated with theoretical data, the absorption peak near 144 eV is assigned to 5 T 2 → 5 E internal transition between the e state and the t 2 state of Mn 3+ ion.


The development of Artificial Intelligence or commonly abbreviated (AI) is defined as the intelligence of scientific entities. Artificial Intelligence is one method on a computer controller that is used to take a decision and perform one of the actions. But not all controllers on the computer can see the entire location of the target, even in some games still using the location matrix to find the location of the nearest enemy, so that if there are so many targets it can make a miscalculation on the computer controller. Researchers try to use the A-Start algorithm (A *) as Artificial Intelligence to see the development of the game if there are more than one target that must be killed by the enemy. So that in the future in a Pac-Man game can be given several targets (multiplayer).


We report a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor that consists of noble metal and ferromagnetic material. This hybrid system offers tunable LSPR frequencies by the refractive index change of the surrounding medium as well as the external magnetic field around the nanostructures. We used a gold nanoparticle with Co and Fe. The thin ferromagnetic layers coated on gold nanoparticles have a linear dependence between relative permittivity with an applied magnetic field. The underlying mechanism is the change of the dielectric constant of the ferromagnetic film when it has aligned magnetization in the same direction of the external magnetic field. Consequently, change of the LSPR absorption spectrum of the hybrid nanostructures.


The paper discusses transportation safety boards, bodies responsible for investigating transportation incidents and accidents, and providing recommendations to increase transportation safety. The measures utilized by safety boards are made up of five processes - the beginning phase, identification of facts, investigating deficiencies in safety, offering recommendations, and feedback from the investigated agencies. The paper details the history of transportation safety boards and describes the stages encountered in their history. It then relates the newest phase in the evolution of the Boards - media communications and public information coordinator.


'Staff shortage' is a common phenomenon in our country star-rated hotel.In order to make hotel develop in a right and reasonable way,this article analyzes the current situation of hotel staff and further discusses the reasons of staff shortage in star-rated hotel,then puts forward feasible strategies.


Radiation contamination is the major negative effect of nuclear disaster which has been terribly observed in recent Fukushima case. In such catastrophe, total estimated financial loss is 250 to 500 billion USD apart from human life. This adverse effect has been accelerating horribly when radiation contaminated water. This leads to scarce of drinking as well as daily usage water for mass people. Hence, finally creates massive public disorder leading to national catastrophe and international biohazard. Currently, only available material to cover radiation emission is lead. However, lead function as a radiation blocking material with its heavy mass instead of radiation absorption. Moreover, lead is a heavy metal and not suitable for water treatment. In order to risk mitigation with disaster management, a light weight filter material is severely needed which is capable of absorbing such radiation. Therefore, the aim of the proposed research would be developing a novel light weight alloy which is capable of absorbing nuclear radiation. For initial studies, Gadolinium will be used as base metal for developing new alloy towards nano porous filtration. Caesium 137 will be used as radiation source in laboratory experiments to mimic Fukushima nuclear power plant model. Fresh water will be contaminated through radiation from the source Caesium 137. Radiation contaminated water will be pass through nano porous filter comprising proposed novel Gadolinium based alloy. Radiation contamination will be measured through Geiger-Mueller Counter for performance evaluation since it is the appropriate counting device for radiation induced events. It is expected that such research would greatly helpful for safe usage of nuclear technology in future alongside with solution for controlling sudden nuclear disaster.


The popularity of hand-held mobile devices is growing.Compared with traditional desktop computers,these mobile devices have distinct limitations,including tiny display,low resolution,scarce computing resources,bandwidth fluctuation,ad-hoc communication,voluntary disconnection,etc.,presenting new challenges to mobile human-computer interaction.In this survey paper,we overview some recently developed techniques for diverse information presentation on mobile devices through visual,audio,and tactile channels.


For the realization of the long life span of houses with suitable management, we may grasp the relationship between the life span and social factors to make the effective measures. This study established a stochastic method of houses average life span in the city with statistical data openly available, and identifies the impacts of social factors on average life span. The result made the regression model with 3 variables from Population Census or Housing and Land Survey. In addition to the result identified the impacts of social factors that 'urbanization momentum ' and 'urban maturity' on average life span.


Abstract We consider the class of "localized endomorphisms" of the Cuntz algebras and we make some computations on the index of the associated endomorphisms of type III λ factors.


The relationship between Dionysiac and emerging Christian traditions has long exercised biblical and classical scholars. Dionysianism is complex because of both its constituent mythologies and the fluidity and variety of its rituals. Emerging Christianity similarly defies a single metanarrative. This essay notes the difficulties of comparing Dionysiac tradition with just one early Christian text: the Gospel of John. The variety of Dionysiac material, the particular issues raised by critical readings of the Gospel (content and composition), the difficulty of overarching theological terminology (like "sacramentalism"), intertextuality, and mimesis criticism are all problematic when comparing the two traditions and their texts.


In recent years mathematical modeling has become a valuable tool in the analysis of infectious disease dynamics at both individual and population level. Mathematical models allow us to extrapolate from current information about the natural history of a disease, therapy/intervention outcome, state and progress of an outbreak, to predict the future and, most importantly, to quantify the uncertainty in these predictions, thus, increasingly gaining the ability to perform as a link between basic science, clinical medicine and public health. With the current technological and computational power it is tempting to build very complex models in order to fit the data the most. However, models are only as good as the data they are trained on and supplied with, making predictions based on limited information very difficult and unreliable.1 The study presented by Revell et al. actually manages to overcome lack of information and still provide plausible predictions.2 This does seem very promising for countries with limited resources, such as the case is with Serbia.

The time of the initial identification of the HIV-1 epidemics in Serbia is comparable to that in West European countries, and so is the timeline of introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) use.3 However, the healthcare system and infrastructure in the country have been severely challenged during the last decades, suffering from the lack of financial resources, equipment and supplies, which is particularly reflected in the field of HIV treatment. Thus, supply of drugs was periodically irregular and unreliable, introduction of new ARV drugs rather late and inefficient, as was the access to state of the art laboratory monitoring. HIV-1 epidemics in Serbia is largely caused by subtype B, thus the issue of viral subtype is not as relevant as in Romania, however, important clinical parameters such as CD4 cell count or viral load are lacking.

In Serbia, there are 4 centers for the management and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients. The largest Serbian center where over 915 HIV/AIDS patients (over 85% of the total patient population in Serbia) are being treated is situated at the University Infectious Diseases Hospital in Belgrade. In those centers, especially in the one in Belgrade, doctors are facing with long periods of time with no completely available HAART monitoring tools. 4 Precisely, CD4 cell count has been not available, and less often plasma viral load could not be measured. HIV resistance testing has not become an everyday routine yet. Our prospective follow-up study of all HIV positive, drug-naive individuals who started antiretroviral treatment between January 1st 2003 and June 1st 2011 has shown that among patients with over 9 months of follow-up, the frequency of CD4 monitoring had a median (IQR) of 1 (IQR 1, 2) measurements in the first year of ART with an average of 2 (IQR 1, 3) CD4 tests per year. The frequency of plasma viral load monitoring had a median (IQR) of 1 (IQR 0, 2) measurements in the first year of ART with an average of 1 (IQR 1, 2) plasma viral load tests per year (unpublished data).

For those patients who experience virological failure and when resistance testing is not available, doctors relay on the standard of care practice. That means considering all possible antiretroviral drugs cross-resistance and changing the combination accordingly. Having in mind these circumstances, it would be very useful to test the reliability of HIV Resistance Response Database Initiative (RDI) method to assess the current Serbian practice using only baseline viral load and the viral load after the change of antiviral combination, regardless of the CD4 cell count.


S-box(substitution box) is the only nonlinear component in the block cipher.Cipher strength determines the entire security of the cryptographic.A good S-box is very important to safety system.A method for constructing S-box based on chaotic Lorenz system was proposed.Then the performance indices of S-box were summarized.Five properties,such as bijective property,nonlinearity,strict avalanche criterion,output bits independence criterion and equiprobable input/output XOR distribution,were tested and analyzed.Simulation tests show that a set of S-box with high cryptographic properties can be obtained by using the proposed method,which is very helpful for design block cipher.


Calcium sulfate hemihydrate whiskers were prepared in sulfuric acid-distilled water system by hydrothermal method using calcium sulfate dihydrate as raw materials. The influence mechanism of sulfuric acid concentration on morphology of calcium sulfate hemihydrate crystals was investigated. The results show that the morphology of hydrothermal products is fibrous when the suitable sulfuric acid concentration is from 5.0 × 10−6 mol l−1 to 5.0 × 10−4 mol l−1. The promoting effect of sulfuric acid on the dissolution of calcium sulfate dihydrate increases the amount of Ca2+ in the solution, which is beneficial to the crystallization of calcium sulfate hemihydrate crystals. Meanwhile, the selective adsorption of H+ produced by sulfuric acid ionization on the (310) crystal plane of calcium sulfate hemihydrate crystals can hinder the aggregation of Ca2+ on the crystal plane, which results in preferential growth of the calcium sulfate hemihydrate crystal along the (001) crystal plane. However, when the sulfuric acid concentration is up to 5.0 × 10−3 mol l−1, the HSO4− produced by the interaction of H+ with SO42− can reduce the electronegativity of SO42− and inhibit SO42− adsorption on the crystal surface. So the growth of calcium sulfate hemihydrate crystals along (001) crystal plane is hindered, which leads to the decrease of the fibrous products.


Objective: The aim of this paper was to investigate the communication attitude of Slovenian preschool children who stutter by means of the Communication Attitude Test for Preschool and Kindergarten Children who Stutter (KiddyCAT), and to determine whether differences in communication attitude existed among preschool children who stutter, and their peers who are fluent speakers. In addition, the test's discriminant value, its internal reliability and the factors underpinning the Slovenian version of the KiddyCAT were explored.
Methods and Procedure: Data were gathered on a normative sample of 49 preschool children who stutter and 74 who do not stutter. The children were divided into two subgroups according to age: a ''younger'' (3 to 4,4 years old) and ''older'' (4,5 to 6 years old) group.
Outcomes and Results: Results showed that preschool children who stutter scored statistically significantly higher on the KiddyCAT than preschool children who do not stutter. The effect size was large. A mean increase in scores among the preschool children who stutter was observed, but was not statistically significant. An opposite observation, again not significant, was made for preschool children who do not stutter. Also gender did not affect the test results. The test is internally reliable and has construct validity.
Conclusion and Implications: The KiddyCAT is a useful tool for early detection of negative communication attitude of preschool children who stutter and helps in targeting cognitive-related stuttering intervention goals.


The direct production of Tc-99m with accelerated protons via the {sup 100}Mo(p,2n) and/or {sup 98}Mo(p,{gamma}) reactions has been proposed as an alternative to reactor-based methods. The optimization of yield and purity is affected by the choice of proton bombarding energy, the use of enriched target materials (Mo-100 and/or Mo-98), and the availability of rapid and efficient radiochemical methods. Proton beams of 20 MeV (exit at > 10 MeV) and 40 MeV (exit at > 34MeV) have been shown to provide optimum bombarding conditions. Technetium-99m yields ranging from 12 to 20 mCi/{mu}Ah (with 20 MeV) and 16 to 30 mCi/{mu}Ah (with 40 MeV) have been extrapolated from data from natural Mo targets to the use of enriched Mo targets. Using current radiochemical techniques with computerized automated systems, the development of rapid ( 99% radionuclidic purity are possible. Current research at UC Davis is focusing on developing this approach and determining image quality and patient dosimetry under various conditions.


BACKGROUND
Endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy has been touted as effective therapy for chronic pancreatitis and unexplained abdominal pain resulting from pancreatic sphincter dysfunction. Although short-term data are encouraging, there are no reports on how these patients fare beyond the first few months.

METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of records on all patients who had pancreatic sphincterotomy during a 4-year period between August 1992 and November 1996. Chronic pancreatitis was diagnosed by pancreatography. Patients were evaluated for symptomatic response to pancreatic sphincterotomy and clinical improvement was defined as greater than 50% reduction in the magnitude of pain.

RESULTS
Fifty-five patients had pancreatic sphincterotomy including patients with (n = 40) and without (n = 15) chronic pancreatitis. After a median follow-up of 16 months, 60% of all patients reported improvement of pain scores (3.6 +/- 3.4 vs. 8.8 +/- 1.8; p < 0.01) with the best response in patients without evidence of chronic pancreatitis. Complications of pancreatic sphincterotomy included pancreatitis in 5 patients (9%), bleeding in 2 (3.6%) and early stent occlusion in 5 patients (9%). There were no deaths.

CONCLUSIONS
In a subgroup of patients with pancreatic sphincter dysfunction, endoscopic pancreatic sphincterotomy results in significant sustained clinical improvement.


The influence of residues of mushroom-planted and garden soil ratio on the growth and development of mycelium and the traits and yield of fruiting body of coprinus comatus was studied.Treatments 5 and repeat 8 times were set.The results showed that the treatment P4(15% cotton seed hull,wheat bran 15%,oyster mushroom residues 40%,garden soil 30%) on which the mycelia grew dense and strong,the colony edge was neat and mushroom shape was thick(cap diameter increased 91% and diameter enlarged 84% compared with the control group);fleshy closely and high quality.The fruitbody yield was 175% higher than control group and biological conversion rate was up to 79.5%,50.8 percentage points higher than the control,which suggests that the treatment P4 is the best treatment.


The bioecological characteristics of the genus Juniperus L. on the Absheron Peninsula and its resistance to environmental factors are considered. The juniper, which occupies a very important place in the forests of Azerbaijan, is less demanding on environmental factors. At the Institute of Dendrology of Azerbaijan NAS, research on seed reproduction was carried out. Despite the fact that seed propagation is the only way to create new hybrid forms, the structure of the seeds and the growth characteristics of conifers make it difficult to use this propagation method. In the presented work, the influence of various factors on seed reproduction is considered and a model for the complex application of stratification and scarification for seed germination is proposed.


1Scientist-Emeritus and Director, Central Research Laboratory, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India 2Department of Medicine and Dean, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India 3Professor of Microbiology, Clinical & Diagnostic Microbiologist, Department of Microbiology, Deccan college of Medical Science, Hyderabad, TS, India 4Department of Pharmacology, Gandhi Medical College, Hyderabad, TS, India 5Department of Microbiology, Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, Telangana, India 6Department of Zoology, University college of Sciences, Osmania University, 7Department of Biotechnology, Acharya Nagarjuna University, Guntur, AP, India 8Department of Pulmonology, Apollo Hospitals, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, T S, India


The LHC inner triplet is cooled with pressurized He II at a temperature of around 1.9 K. The total heat load (beam induced heat load plus static heat load for the inner triplet) at nominal luminosity is around 180 W. The beam induced heat load distributed within the magnet coil is carried away by the static pressurized He II filling inside of the cold mass. A heat exchanger is needed to absorb the heat load within the pressurized He II to maintain the low temperature. The heat exchanger is located outside and parallel to the magnet cold mass. The saturated, two-phase He II flows inside the corrugated pipe and the static, pressurized He II surrounds the corrugated pipe. A full-sized Heat Exchanger Test Unit has been designed to simulate the LHC inner triplet cooling scheme. The test will be carried out at CERN in 2000. A small scale corrugated pipe He II heat exchanger was designed, built and tested at Fermilab. The goal of the test was to measure the thermal performance of the same corrugated pipe used for the full-sized He II Heat Exchanger Test Unit. The test sample is a closed test sample and consists of a corrugated pipe, a thick-wall stainless blank flange, detachable stainless steel flange and a matching flange. The corrugated pipe length in contact with the liquid helium is 100 mm. From the experimental data, including heat load to the test sample and temperatures inside and outside, the total heat transfer coefficient of the corrugated pipe can be determined. The test results show that the Kapitza thermal conductance is in good agreement with the results from other experiments. One more test will be carried out in the near future using the same test sample with some treatment of the corrugated pipe surface.


This paper will try to test the plausibility of interweaving a conception of politics with the nature of the conflict which politics is supposed to regulate, by looking at a specific case in the history of Western political thought. I wish to consider the interpretation of modern social relations that sees conflict as arising from the unequal distribution of (relatively) scarce resources. It is my aim to analyse the origins of this conception. But first I would like to note the success of this line of thought, which permeates both everyday conversations and theoretical works. When we argue that the unequal distribution of scarce resources is the main source of conflict, we use �resources� mainly to refer to all goods and commodities that are indispensable to the production of socially desirable items. The term �resources� carries a distinctive economic flavour; and as the main threat to social cohesion is seen to stem from disagreements over the allocation of those �resources�, the solution to the problem is mainly seen in terms of reaching an equilibrium, by relying on the devices of political economy.


For real time applications, simple linear or cubic interpolation and FCBI (Fast Curvature Based Interpolation) algorithms are applied for the task of enlargement of images without changing super resolution (low resolution and high resolution), but the results obtained are not really satisfactory, being affected by relevant artifacts like blurring and jaggies. In this paper we describe a new method (ICBI, Iterative Curvature Based Interpolation) based on a two-step grid filling and an iterative correction of the interpolated pixels obtained by minimizing an objective function depending on the second order directional derivatives of the image intensity. We need to compare ICBI with FCBI in two cases that is PSNR (Peak Signal to Noise Ratio) test and time calculations for ICBI and FCBI. We show that the constraints used to derive the function are related with those applied in another well-known interpolation method providing good results. The high quality of the images enlarged with the new method is demonstrated with objective and subjective tests, and PSNR for ICBI is 30.085 dB (ZF=002), 23.833dB (ZF=004).


Objective To investigate and analyze the clinical effect of cyclosporineA( CsA) in the treatment of refractory nephrotic syndrome in children. Method 208 cases of children with refractory nephrotic syndrome were selected as the research object. They were divided into control group and intervention group randomly. 104 patients of control group used routine treatment method,104 patients of intervention group used ciclosporinA( CsA).At the same time,compared two groups' clinical treatment effect and adverse reactions. Results By comparing the data of the above experimental studies,intervention group' s treatment effect was significantly better than control group,intervention group's complications after treatment was lower than control group,the difference was statistically significant( P 0. 05). Conclusion CiclosporinA( CsA) is safe and reliable in the treatment of children with refractory nephrotic syndrome,and can effectively reduce the incidence of complications,improve the total effective rate of treatment. Therefore,the treatment of children with refractory nephrotic syndrome can be treated with cyclosporineA( CsA),the treatment effect is significantly in the clinic,it can be vigorously promotion and application


The test system local oscillator (LO) set to the initial frequency, then the device under test (DUT) to transmit radio frequency (RF) signal to the test system. By measuring the characteristics of the RF signal test system, and the amplitude and the frequency characteristic for the identification of spurious products. The test system of the LO reset to the initial one or more subsequent frequency offset frequencies. One or more subsequent RF signal from the test system to the DUT, the DUT while maintaining its original setting signal. The testing system with the subsequent measurement of the characteristic RF signal, and for identifying the characteristic amplitude and frequency of the spurious products of each of the subsequent LO frequency is. Then the subsequent identification of each of the LO frequency spurious signal occurs as a product of the frequency shift signal is generated from the product.


This essay is a humble attempt to shed some rays of light on the cultural history of the practice of using ice cubes in drinks, its past, present and to some extent future. Departing from the author's travel documentation from trips to the US and examples from Sweden from the internet, literature, archives and interviews it aims to share reflections on the normalization and translatability to different cultural contexts of the use of ice cubes. It also provides a couple of examples of failed translations and some reflections on the future of ice cubes in an era of environmental crisis. Well aware that there are many stories to be told about ice cubes, the hope is that this essay will arouse interest and curiosity of this tiny object and its possibility to open up perspectives on our society and its history.


The present research study investigates the effects of a humidity controlled warm air treatment with the Thermo Lignum Process on gilded and painted wooden objects. The Thermo Lignum Process is an ecological and object-sensitive technique to combat insect infestations. The method only involves humidified warm air. It is founded on the established principle that most insects are reliably killed in all their life cycle stages at temperatures between 48 – 55°C depending on species. The infested objects are warmed up in a chamber to a maximum temperature of 51-58oC. Throughout this treatment the air humidity is controlled in such a way that the EMC (equilibrium moisture content) in an object remains unchanged throughout the process. The typical chamber treatment cycle takes between 16 – 24 hours. The objects prepared for the study were examined before and after treatment by means of light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and color measurements. Additionally investigations on potential distortion and adhesiveness to the substrates were carried out. In order to achieve the most comprehensive and meaningful result, the trial was carried out with three different groups of objects. Object group 1 consisted exclusively of samples of the binding agents most commonly used in historic finishes. Object group 2 included several newly applied finish layers, whilst Object group 3 comprised historical objects with different finishes belonging to a variety of style periods.


UK-based Sauflon recently announced that it is entering the U.S. contact lens market with clariti 1day (somofilcon A), a daily disposable silicone hydrogel lens.


India has the world's second largest emerging economy. Poultry sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in India. It has an immense scope for obtaining handsome amount of money and hence income generation. India has witnessed, average growth rate of 6 % in egg production and 12 % for broiler production per annum. Total poultry population in India has increased by 16.81% to 851.81 million from 729.21 million in numbers (BAHS, 2019). India stands on 3 rd


Advances in prenatal imaging allow for early diagnosis of possible airway obstruction in fetuses. The ex utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure has been developed to aid in obtaining control of the airway at birth in an anticipated "difficult" airway. The EXIT procedure is a form of utero-placental bypass, allowing added time for the establishment of an airway and for performance of necessary procedures on the fetus prior to clamping of the umbilical cord. This requires a multidisciplinary approach usually involving obstetricians, anesthesiologists, neonatologists, pediatric surgeons, otolaryngologists, and nurses. 1


Abstract
Within the European Union, the IAS-Regulation has harmonized applicable accounting standards for consolidated financial statements of capital market oriented companies by requiring IFRS since 2005. Regarding enforcement of financial reporting, the IAS-Regulation offered only small guidance for EU member states which led to the implementation of different enforcement systems. Currently, harmonization efforts are taken, in particular by the European Securities and Markets Authority, to establish a cross-jurisdictional accounting enforcement regime. This paper contributes to the discussion of standardized EU-wide enforcement mechanisms by assessing the effectiveness of the current German two-tier enforcement system in detecting earnings management. Using a unique data set provided by the German capital market authority, we find that the German enforcement system is effective in detecting earnings management, but shows weak ability in constraining earnings management in years following error releases.


Objective To make a preoperative design for hip replacement by using digitized image data. Methods Preoperative measurement and selection of pattern number of the hip prosthesis were done using digitized image and digital template,which was compared with the prosthesis used in the surgery. Results Compared with the preoperative measurement,the accuracy of acetab and femoral bone was 71.59% and 78.04%,respectively. Conclusion Preoperative design using digitized image for hip replacement is of higher accuracy and reliable.


Seven Cuphea species that are among the most promising for domestication were intercrossed, and nine interspecific hybrids were cytologically characterized


Most fast coronal mass ejections (CMEs) originate from solar active regions (ARs). Non-potentiality of ARs is expected to determine the speed and size of CMEs in the outer corona. Several other unexplored parameters might be important as well. To find out the correlation between the initial speed of CMEs and the non-potentiality of source ARs, we associated over a hundred of CMEs with source ARs via their co-produced flares. The speed of the CMEs are collected from the SOHO LASCO CME catalog. We have used vector magnetograms obtained mainly with HMI/SDO, also with Hinode (SOT/SP) when available within an hour of a CME occurence, to evaluate various magnetic non-potentiality parameters, e.g. magnetic free-energy proxies, computed magnetic free energy, twist, shear angle, signed shear angle etc. We have also included several other parameters e.g. total unsigned flux, net current, magnetic area of ARs, area of sunspots, to investigate their correlation, if any, with the initial speeds of CMEs. Our preliminary results show that the ARs with larger non-potentiality and area mostly produce fast CMEs but they can also produce slower ones. The ARs with lesser non-potentiality and area generally produce only slower CMEs, however,


The article deals with the essence, factors, and patterns of macroeconomic risks mitigation. The purpose of the paper is to summarize and present a classification of systemic risks, to analyse principles and methods of macroeconomic risks evaluation. The methodological basis of the study is general scientific and special methods of cognition. The most extended analysis of systemic risks not only from the perspective of geographical and historical aspects but also in the context of modern economic processes is carried out. Results of the research prove that in the context of formation of a new economy of Ukraine and approval of the practice of timely prevention and mitigation of macroeconomic risks in accordance with imperative of modern time, it is necessary to: 1) give real state priority to the most advanced educational technologies. While providing maximum broad and equal access of youth to education, we should have the program for search and practical support of national intelligence phenomena in place; 2) create conditions for rehabilitation and advanced development of innovative directions of applied and, first and utmost, polytechnic sciences. It is the task of the state to ensure their financial support and direct employment at enterprises. All-round support of introduction of high-yield venture developments into the production; 3) secure efficient state protection of intellectual property, create legislatively the conditions for commercial usage of innovative achievements within the country; 4) encourage with maximum efficiency return of high-level engineers and blue-collar workers to the technological area; breathe new life into the system of professional and technical schools where information and programming professions prevail and which graduators would be engaged with priority into operations in unique productions; 5) create modern information market, allround support of introduction of a unified information field. Learning and striving to satisfy human needs without placing systemic risks on future generation being on the Earth should become the core principle of a civilizational development. Value/originality. We may lay down an essential principle of civilizational regulation of systemic risks when each state, specifically the international community, should set up (subject to all complexities of practical implementation) regulating constants, rules, and bans of such contents and in such direction to have business or entrepreneurial activities carried out ultimately in the risk-related mode, which would cause no detrimental effect on the economy as whole.


BPEL is a Web services composition language. This paper makes research on the conception and feature of the Web services composition, and elaborates on the analysis of the dynamic service composition mechanism of WS-Addressing and BPEL with a specific example.


This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Parasitology, Harold W. Manter Laboratory of at DigitalCommons@University ofNebraska - Lincoln. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications from the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology by an authorizedadministrator of DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln.


The invention discloses a mixed type thermal insulation mortar added with phenolic foam particles. The mixed type thermal insulation mortar is characterized by being prepared from the following raw materials by weight part: 4-6 of Arabic gum, 2-3 of borax, 6-10 of low alkali sulfur aluminum cement, 1-2 of n-octadecane, 15-20 of ordinary Portland cement, 15-19 of vitrified microspheres, 10-13 of alumina hollow balls, 0.4-0.6 of a methyl cellulose ester water retaining agent, 0.5-1 of oleamide, 9-12 of phenolic foam particles, 0.6-0.8 of polyacrylamide, and 8-10 of a synergist. The mixed type thermal insulation mortar provided by the invention has a reasonable formula, the phenolic foam particles, vitrified microspheres and cement, polyacrylamide are combined to prepare the product with the characteristics of light mass, flame retardance, good durability, and difficult pulverization. By adding the methyl cellulose ester water retaining agent, the product has good softening degree. The synergist is added to reach waterproof, moistureproof and mothproof effects, and also cement consumption is reduced. The mixed type thermal insulation mortar added with phenolic foam particles has good comprehensive properties, and is an ideal thermal insulation material.


Emission and heat rejection from automobiles are largely responsible for urban environmental issues. Adsorption systems driven by engine waste heat exhibit huge potential to meet the demand for cabin thermal comfort while improving fuel economy. However, the mechanical vapour compression (MVC) systems are still the undisputed champions in automobile air conditioning. This paper provides a critical review on the development and progress of adsorption heat pumps specifically for automobile air conditioning. In doing so, some of the progress and development in land-based adsorption chillers (heat pump), which are not realistically relevant to automobile adsorption systems, are explicitly excluded. Matching the energy density, durability, and reliability of the MVC systems remain major hurdles. The importance of improving the energy density based on the overall system weight or volume, real-world tests under various driving modes and durability aspects are discussed.


Abstract A problem of constructing stable recursive algorithms to be used within a broad class of identification and learning problems is considered. An approach is presented leading to obtaining strongly consistent algorithms. Both cases of multi and single input/multi and single output (MIMO, MISO, SISO) linear stochastic dynamic systems are involved. Thus obtained, the recursive algorithms do not involve inversion of the performance index Hessian and are stable to sampled data, in contrast to conventional recursive schemes. Simulation examples are presented, which confirm practical efficiency of the approach.


The impact parameter method is applied to high Rydberg atoms for estimating Δn=0 dipole transition cross sections. Values for high-l states are determined in large part by polarization and relativistic fine-structure contributions to energy levels. Computed cross sections for low-l helium atoms show good agreement with angular momentum transfer cross sections from electron impact experiments over the range 20


The Andean Common Market (ANCOM) was created in the Cartagena Agreement,' through which five of the smaller members of the Latin American Free Trade Association (LAFTA)2 agreed to create a subregional common market. The purpose of the Agreement was "to promote a balanced and harmonious development of the Member States .. .through economic integration." 3 Thus, while economic development would be accelerated, the member countries intended to ensure that the benefits of that development would be equitably distributed. 4


Piracy is a crime under international law and some municipal laws. Although it prominently features as a crime under existing Law of the Sea instruments, the advent of Somali piracy has demonstrated that some aspects of it are not properly addressed. The Security Council (SC), the EU and indeed the major powers are actively engaged in stamping out the phenomenon of piracy by various means such as naval patrols, freezing of pirates' assets, and perhaps imposing sanctions on ransom payers. Prosecution of suspected pirates has come with its own bundle of difficulties which need to be ironed out through various means, such as Memoranda of Understanding (MoU). Above all, a comprehensive rather than incremental approach to the roots of the problem in Somalia is most needed.


Objective:To analyze the clinical diagnostic and therapeutic approaches outcomes of aortic dissection(AD),To enhance the level of understanding and reduce the rate of misdiagnosis for aortic dissection.Method:From January 2009 to March 2010,35 cases of patients with AD clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Of the 35 patients,the clinical symptoms were diversiform.Most common initial symptom was severe pain in chest.Definite diagnosis could be speedily made by color Doppler ultrasound and post-enhanced spiral CT scan.Conclusion:Must to enhance the level of understanding for aortic dissection.Asking for details of the history and doing serious medical examination,and timely effective auxiliary examination were especially important for the early diagnosis and treatment of AD,for reducing mortality and improving the prognosis.


G. and J. M. Scurfield, The Hoddle Years: Surveying in Victoria, 1836–1853. Published by The Institution of Surveyors Australia, 1995. 144 pp., illus., $29.95 paperback $49.95 hardback Available fr...


A pseudo three-dimensional laminate theory is incorporated with the three-dimensional bridging model, based on micromechanics formulae, to predict failure under triaxial loads. A lamina failure is considered to occur as long as any of its constituents has failed. A laminate ultimate failure is assumed to take place when the fibres have failed or when the resin has failed in compression. In order to account for the effect of a three-dimensional compression on increasing the load-carrying ability of a resin material, a modified maximum compressive stress failure criterion is introduced. The methodology was used successfully to solve all the 12 challenging test cases of the Second World-Wide Failure Exercise.


In their most timely paper on policy loan interest rates, Professors Wood and Rottman reach the conclusion that the policy loan interest rate should be a variable one, determined at the time of the loan, and that this variable rate should be related in one way or another to the prime rate of interest.' Supporting their analysis in chart form is a contribution by Sandra Illies in the letters column of The Actuary, stating that a correlation coefficient of .89 was calculated between the average prime interest rate during a calendar year and the policy loan cash flow during the same calendar year for each of the six years 1964-1969.2 If quarterly figures had been available, this correlation might well have been even higher. But just what is the prime rate? The authors suggest the possibility of more than one prime rate prevailing at the same time. Indeed that has occurred in the same city. There could be no looseness in the policy contract definition of the prime rate. A very precise statement would be absolutely essential. A very small difference in total indebtedness as of a given date may determine whether a policy is actually in force on the date


ethylene in other plant tissues. Auxin, cytokinin, brassinosteroid and cupric ion were found to highly elevate ethylene show that the synergism between cytokinin and auxin in production in these seedlings, but several other signaling com- Arabidopsis is due to an enhancement of the effects of auxin, pounds, as well as wounding and mechanical stimulation, had but not by increased elevation of ACS4 mRNA levels. These little or no effect. A mutant that disrupts the ACS5 gene results suggest that cytokinin acts post-transcriptionally to (cin5) was partially defective in the induction of ethylene in increase ACS4 function, which, coupled with the observation that auxin elevates ACS4 mRNA levels, accounts for the the presence of brassinosteroids, suggesting a role for this synergistic interaction. isoform in mediating this response. Cytokinin displayed a synergistic interaction with both brassinosteroid and auxin,


Panda is a virtual machine designed to support portable implementations of parallel programming systems. It provides communication primitives and thread support to higher-level layers (such as a runtime system). We have used Panda to implement four parallel programming systems: Orca, data parallel Orca, PVM, and SR. The paper describes our experiences in implementing these systems using Panda and it evaluates the performance of the Panda-based implementations.


Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a treatment method based on donor's fecal solution injection into the patient's gastrointestinal tract. FMT is effectively used in the treatment of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection. There is also growing interest in the therapeutic application of the method to treat metabolic, autoimmune and other disorders that was not previously associated with intestinal microbiota. Despite the promising results of FMT use, the organizational and legal matters and that of the safety FMT application have not yet been resolved in the European and Ukrainian medical community. The purpose of this review was to summarize information on the FMT application and the regulatory aspects of its use. The analysis of the practical instructions provisions of for FMT applying in clinical practice was carried out, and the bioethical problems associated with the FMT use were investigated.


This paper analyzes the consequences of implementing the supervision policy and the reasons of supervision policy have replaced the nonintervention policy to be the dominant in history.


The purpose of this paper is to explain how a rhetoric approach with several dimensions can help to better understand the diffusion of management control innovations. We use a dynamic conception of rhetoric and a rhetorical analysis of graphical representations. We apply a rhetoric framework of analysis to two innovations (activity-based costing and balanced scorecard) and to their description in one review, the Harvard Business Review, with an objective of a wide diffusion of management ideas.


Aims: This cross-sectional study was designed to evaluate effect of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) on semen parameters in infertile couples. Setting: Men attending infertility clinic. Design: prospective, observational study. Methods and material: Participants were assessed the type and frequency of SSB intake in the past month by a previously validated beverage intake questionnaire (BEVQ-15) and provided one semen sample for analysis. The primary outcome were semen parameters; namely volume (in mL), total sperm count (in millions/ejaculate), sperm concentration (in million/mL), sperm motility% (PRM+NPM+IM), progressive motility% (PRM), vitality% and sperm morphology% (per 200 spermatozoa). The main independent variable was SSB intake. Statistical analysis: Multiple linear regression models were used to predict semen parameters based on SSB intake and potential confounders, compared across quartiles using Kruskal-Wallis test. Non-linearity was examined by fitting models with linear and quadratic terms. Results: 385 men were included in the study. A significant decline in crude sperm motility% (P<0.001), progressive motility% (P<0.001), vitality% (P=0.017) and normal sperm morphology (P=0.006) with increasing SSB intake was found, along with a significant decline in volume and sperm concentration in the adjusted model (P<0.05). Significant decrease was noted in sperm motility and progressive motility percentages in both lean (BMI <25) and overweight and obese men (BMI ≥25) with increasing SSB intake. However, in presence of other potential confounders, SSBs lost its impact on semen parameters in the linear and quadratic fitted models, possibly due to interdependence of the confounders. Conclusion: Intake of SSBs negatively affect sperm parameters, except total sperm counts. But with other stronger confounders, its impact needs to further evaluated in larger populations of men.