Renal diseases remain a burden for Public Health and chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects several millions of individuals worldwide. Diabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the most frequent consequence of diabetes and is characterized by an increase in urinary albumin excretion and progressive loss of renal function associated with glomerular basement membrane thickening, mesangial expansion, nodular glomerular sclerosis and tubulointerstitial fibrosis. To date, there are few treatments that can prevent its progression. Indeed, current therapeutic approaches including RAAS blockers, SGLT2 inhibitors or both approaches combined do not fully abrogate DN progression. A growing body of experimental evidence suggests that modulation of the endocannabinoid system, and in particular its type 1 receptor (CB1R), may be a therapeutic tool in the management of CKD and more particularly DN. CB1R blockade represents a potential therapeutic modality in the fight against obesity, diabetes and their metabolic sequelae. In kidney, CB1R inhibition promotes a reduction in albuminuria, renal fibrosis and preserves renal function in both obesity-induced and diabetic nephropathy in mice mainly through a direct action of CB1R in podocytes and/or proximal tubules. INV-202 is a peripherally acting Cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1r) inverse agonist that is under clinical development for the treatment of diseases associated with diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Here we report the effects of INV-202 on renal function and associated parameters in a preclinical model of diabetic nephropathy.

 Twelve weeks after the initiation of diabetes using streptozotocin, C57BL6/J mice (8 per treatment group) were randomized to receive a daily oral dose of INV-202, 0.3 mg/kg and 3 mg/kg or vehicle for 4 weeks. Five mice not treated with STZ were used as a nondiabetic control. At the end of treatment, animals were sacrificed. Urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), renal matrix remodelling, glomerular filtration and interstitial fibrosis were assessed in addition to glucose levels, body weight and organ weights.

 After 28 days of treatment, there was no significant effect on hyperglycemia or body weight with either dose of INV-202. Renal and hepatic weights were reduced while heart weight was unaffected. This remained true when normalizing for tibial length. Compared with vehicle-treated diabetic mice, INV-202-challenged mice displayed a marked decrease in many clinical features of DN such as albuminuria, albumin-to-creatinine ratio, urinary urea, loss of glomerular filtration rate and renal hypertrophy.
 Interestingly, we also found an improvement in both podocyte and proximal tubular cells morphology and health markers that were likely responsible for the improvement previously mentioned. In addition, INV-202 led to a downregulation of the angiotensin II receptor expression as well as a reduced urinary excretion, suggesting an inhibitory effect of this compound on the angiotensin II-mediated renal dysfunction in the context of DN.
 Furthermore, INV-202 also led to a drastic reduction in renal inflammation and oxidative stress markers that are known to be highly involved in the pathogenesis of DN. Finally, despite the limitation of our model in regard to interstitial fibrosis development, we could observe a marked anti-fibrotic effect of INV-202.

 Treatment with INV-202 reduced the progression of nephropathy in STZ-induced diabetic mice. Improvements in kidney size, function and histology, with corresponding gene expression, were noted with both doses of INV-202. Further work to explore the effect of INV-202 in humans is warranted.


Background: Cyanobacteria use multiple PSII-D1 isoforms to adapt to environmental conditions. Results: D1:2 achieves higher quantum efficiency of water oxidation and biomass accumulation rate at high light versus D1:1; the latter is more efficient at low light due to less charge recombination. Conclusion: A functional advantage for D1:1 is revealed for the first time. Significance: Improved photochemical efficiency at low light suggests an evolutionary advantage to retain D1:1. Photosystem II (PSII) is composed of six core polypeptides that make up the minimal unit capable of performing the primary photochemistry of light-driven charge separation and water oxidation in all oxygenic phototrophs. The D1 subunit of this complex contains most of the ligating amino acid residues for the Mn4CaO5 core of the water-oxidizing complex (WOC). Most cyanobacteria have 3–5 copies of the psbA gene coding for at least two isoforms of D1, whereas algae and plants have only one isoform. Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942 contains two D1 isoforms; D1:1 is expressed under low light conditions, and D1:2 is up-regulated in high light or stress conditions. Using a heterologous psbA expression system in the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, we have measured growth rate, WOC cycle efficiency, and O2 yield as a function of D1:1, D1:2, or the native algal D1 isoform. D1:1-PSII cells outcompete D1:2-PSII cells and accumulate more biomass in light-limiting conditions. However, D1:2-PSII cells easily outcompete D1:1-PSII cells at high light intensities. The native C. reinhardtii-PSII WOC cycles less efficiently at all light intensities and produces less O2 than either cyanobacterial D1 isoform. D1:2-PSII makes more O2 per saturating flash than D1:1-PSII, but it exhibits lower WOC cycling efficiency at low light intensities due to a 40% faster charge recombination rate in the S3 state. These functional advantages of D1:1-PSII and D1:2-PSII at low and high light regimes, respectively, can be explained by differences in predicted redox potentials of PSII electron acceptors that control kinetic performance.


Abstract Although carcinogenic risk assessment is frequently based on animal bioassay data, occupational studies are generally considered the best source of data for quantitative risk estimation. The model selected for use with occupational study data is required to extrapolate on age, exposure level, and temporal exposure pattern. Relative and absolute risk models are examined, as are alternatives for the definition of a dose (exposure) variable. The models express disease incidence as a function of the chosen exposure variable and convert incidence into estimates of lifetime risk. In this form, predictions of the models can be compared. The methods are illustrated using three examples: arsenic exposure and respiratory cancer, leukemia associated with benzene exposure, and asbestos-induced mesothelioma.


A new scheme of reducing the photocurrent of a quantum-confined Stark effect multiple-quantum-well modulator is demonstrated. The GaAs well regions of the 50-period GaAs-Al/sub 0.3/Ga/sub 0.7/As multiple-quantum-well are selectively doped with Er during molecular beam epitaxy to reduce the carrier lifetime to the order of picoseconds. 250-/spl mu/m diameter mesa-shaped devices have been characterized. The photocurrent responsivity is as low as 0.005 A/W and an extinction ratio greater than 1:8 is achieved at a bias voltage of 8 V.


................................................................................................................ iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................... iv List of Tables ...................................................................................................... viii CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................ 1 1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY ............................................................ 1 1.2 PROBLEM STATEMENT .......................................................................... 3 1.3 RESEARCH AIMS AND OBJECTIVES ....................................................... 4 1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION ............................................................................ 4 1.5 ASSUMPTIONS .......................................................................................... 5 1.6 RESEARCH STATEMENT ........................................................................ 5 1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY ............................................................................ 5 1.8 DELIMITATION ......................................................................................... 5 1.9 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ................................................................. 6 1.9.1 Ethical considerations ............................................................................... 6 1.9.2 Structure of the report ............................................................................... 7 CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................ 9 2.


According to long Litsea cubeba seed dormancy period,a difficult nursery stock breeding situation,seeds collected in July and September were used for seed breeding tests.The results showed that: the emergence number and seedling height growth of seeds collected in July were those of seeds collected in September only 20% and 63.3% respectively,very significantly different.If seeds were collected in July,because seed had not yet fully matured,seed germination rate was low,seedling growth was poor;if seeds were collected in September,seeds had fully matured,the seed germination rate was high,seedling growth was good.


Objective To inquire into the dangerous factor to lead to schizophrenia relapse.Method To analyze and compare 226 relapsed schizophrenias and 116 them who had not relapsed using 2 ways,individual factor and multifactor.Result We have found that the main dangerous factors to lead to schizophrenia relapse are drug dependence,social support and seek medical condition.Conclusion The many relapse dangerous factors of schizophrenia could be calculated and prevented.


In this invited autobiography, the author describes the impact that educational gaming and simulation has had on his professional career. He begins by reviewing his early life and education in Aberdeen and his subsequent work as a research scientist, schoolteacher, and physics lecturer. He then shows how he changed disciplines from physics to educational technology in 1973, and almost immediately became heavily involved in the development and promotion of educational games and simulations. He describes the first three projects in which he and his colleagues were involved and shows how these led to a wide range of spin-off exercises, most of which were published and marketed by prestigious external bodies. He then describes the contributions that he and his team made to the general promotion of such exercises as educational and training tools and to the theory of game design. Next, he shows how his work as an educational developer diversified during the latter part of his career, covering such areas as academic staff development, distance learning, academic quality, and embedding the systems approach into curriculum development. He concludes by outlining the various things that he has done since he retired from full-time employment in 2001.


Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most promising renewable energy source available on Earth. Three topologies based on a switched-inductor capacitor and non-isolated high-step-up Cuk converter have been proposed for solar PV. These topologies of the Cuk converter have higher boosting ability than conventional Cuk and boost converters and can reduce the voltage stress of the main switch. A small voltage rating and on-state resistance can give higher efficiency of the converter. The voltage boosting ability of all three topologies was compared to each other and with a conventional Cuk converter. The boosting capability of the third converter was 11 times at 0.75 duty cycle with a solar PV source. These converters do not use a coupled inductor and transformer, which leads to less volume, reducing coupling/core saturation loss, and thus the cost of the converter. A solar PV system of 12 volts was used for boosting with these converters for analysis of the feasibility of use with renewables. The three topologies of the switched-inductor and switched-capacitor (SLSC) Cuk converter were designed and simulated in MATLAB/Simulink to evaluate their effectiveness.


As a difficult problem in theory and technique of GIS,temporal GIS gets more and more attention,and the study emphasizes on the design and implementation of spatio-temporal data model.Based on analyzing Gail Langran's spatio-temporal data models,this paper mainly discusses the new progress of spatio-temporal data model.Finally,aiming at some existed issues of spatio-temporal data model,the corresponding suggestion has been put forward from semantic viewpoint,general viewpoint and practical viewpoint.


Prostate cancer (PCa) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and second leading cause of cancer deaths in United States men. Soy germ has higher levels of daidzein and glycitein, and lower amounts of genistein compared to typical soy products. Genistein has been well studied, but less is known about daidzein and its microbially‐produced metabolite, (‐) equol, in PCa development. The objective of this research is to investigate the effect of feeding 2% soy germ, daidzein, or (‐) equol on the progression of PCa in the transgenic adenocarcinoma of the mouse prostate (TRAMP) model. 3‐week old male C57BL/6 X FVB TRAMP mice were weaned from our breeding colony and immediately acclimated to a custom AIN‐93G control diet for one week. At 4 weeks of age, mice (n=30 per diet group) were randomized to one of four study diets, AIN‐93G control, AIN‐93G + 2% soy germ, AIN‐93G + 92 ppm daidzein, or AIN‐93G + 88 ppm (‐) equol until 18 weeks of age. Levels of daidzein and (‐) equol were matched to daidzein equivalents found in a 2% soy germ diet. Preliminary data shows no differences in food intake or body weight between the groups. Further analyses to be completed include prostate pathology scores, serum inflammatory markers, and epigenetic changes in prostate tissue. At the conclusion of this study, we will determine if a previously observed protective effect of soy germ is associated with the daidzein component or the daidzein metabolite, (‐) equol.


The object of this paper is to study strongly nilpotent radical in the projective product of gamma rings and their deep properties. This also includes some profound results on semi-prime Gamma-ring/prime Gamma-ring/semi-simple Gamma-ring. It is also shown that if the projective product of two Gamma-rings is semi-simple then the component Gamma-rings are also semi-simple and the converse of this result is also investigated.


The properties of nickel-ceramic composite electrodeposits are greatly influenced by the type and amount of ceramic particles in the deposit and the microstructure of the nickel matrix. In the present study, Ni-TiO2 coatings were electroplated in the nickel sulfamate bath containing 50 g l 1 TiO2. Results show that TiO2 codeposited in nickel led to the formation of nanocrystalline nickel grains surrounding the TiO2 particle and the increase in crystalline defects such as twins, dislocations and grain boundaries. These defects, on one hand, enhanced the hardness of the Ni-TiO2 coating and, on the other hand, reduced the recrystallization temperature of nickel. Nevertheless, codeposited TiO2 effectively inhibited the growth of recrystallized nickel grains. And yet, the hardness of the composite coating dropped drastically after annealing at temperatures higher than 600 8C due to the relatively large voids formed by the reaction of TiO2 particles with nickel. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


Background/Aim: Walking and bicycling are health-promoting (e.g., physical activity) and environmentally friendly (e.g., reducing emissions) alternatives to the automobile. Previous studies have us...


In this paper, we present a novel framework for creating cartoon facial animation from multi‐view hand‐drawn sketches. The input sketches are first employed to construct a base mesh model by using a hybrid sketch‐based method. The model is then deformed for each key viewpoint, yielding a set of models that closely match the corresponding sketches. We introduce a view‐dependent facial expression space defined by the key viewpoints and the basic emotions to generate various facial expressions viewed from arbitrary angles. The output facial animation conforms to the input sketches and maintains frame‐to‐frame correspondence. We demonstrate the potential of our approach through an easy‐to‐use system, where the animating of cartoon faces is automated once the user accomplishes sketching and configuration. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Based on a series of tests, the polishing process of serpentine is studied in this paper, and the influence of different polishing conditions on surface glossness is also discussed. Results show that by selecting the suitable polish type, polishing time, per-polishing surface glossness, cooling way and the polishing tool material, the final surface glossness of workpiece can be over 90. This process is simple, economical and efficient.


Oxytocin (OT) is a peptide hormone which is mainly involved during labour and lactation. It has also been found that OT is involved in several social behaviours like bonding and increasing trust and empathy in human. In addition, a possible link between OT and neurological disorders is being investigated (Zhang et al., 2011). This hormone is present in human plasma at extremely low levels of only a few pg/ml. In the pharmaceutical industry the use of lower doses of potent peptide drugs is becoming more and more interesting. Thus, this places higher demands on assays used to measure peptides at low pg/ml and therefore an efficient sample preparation is required. Immunocapture has proven to be an efficient sample clean-up technique for the analysis of proteins and peptides in biological samples using the established tool Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) (Winther et al., 2009).


Dr Anne Williams is Senior Lecturer in Education and Senior Tutor for PGCE courses at the School of Education, University of Birmingham. In 1992 the Government published new criteria for secondary initial training which challenged schools and HE to develop courses which met requirements on teacher involvement and funding within tight time and financial constraints. This paper discusses some of the emerging policy issues using as illustration the views of students, teachers and tutors involved in the implementation of a new course.


Objectives: The main aim of the study is to identify the different risk factors, prescribing patterns of medication and rationality of the prescription by observing the management of stroke patients carefully. Methodology: A prospective and observational study was carried out for a period of 6 months in an in-patient department of a tertiary care hospital. Patients above 18 years of age, patients of either sex and patients who previously had stroke were included. Children below 18 years, pregnant women, AIDS patients, patients unable to respond to verbal questions with no caretakers and patients with head injury were excluded. Results: A total of 100 prescriptions were analyzed during the 6 months study period. This was found to be higher in males (79) and females (21). The higher risk with notable occurrence in the age group of 60-79 years (43%). Out of these study populations, (68%) experienced Ischemic stroke and (32%) experienced Hemorrhagic stroke. The major risk factors were Hypertension (62%), alcoholics (41%). Smoking (33%) and Diabetes (24%). Among the 100 prescriptions, Atorvastatin was highly prescribed (96) followed by Pantoprazole (92), Manni tol (64). Out of 100 prescriptions, (67) were rational and (33%) were irrational. Conclusion: The prescribing patterns of drug should be based on specificity and severity of stroke in order to facilitate rational use of drugs providing optimal care. Early management of hypertension and diabetes may reduce risk of stroke. Cessation of smoking and alc ohol place a key role in prevention of stroke.


The training of the talents must aim at the need of the society.So in the modern time,the training of the high school talents must satisfy the need of the compound application talents.To achieve these aims,we must make some reforms on the present education model,course system,teaching means and methods,and teaching management mechanism and so on,therefore,creating a talent training mode which is adjusting to the training aim.


Brown adipose tissue expresses uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), which dissipates energy as heat, making it a target for treating metabolic disorders. Here, we investigate how purine nucleotides inhibit respiration uncoupling by UCP1. Our molecular simulations predict that GDP and GTP bind UCP1 in the common substrate binding site in an upright orientation, where the base moiety interacts with conserved residues R92 and E191. We identify a triplet of uncharged residues, F88/I187/W281, forming hydrophobic contacts with nucleotides. In yeast spheroplast respiration assays, both I187A and W281A mutants increase the fatty acid-induced uncoupling activity of UCP1 and partially suppress the inhibition of UCP1 activity by nucleotides. The F88A/I187A/W281A triple mutant is overactivated by fatty acids even at high concentrations of purine nucleotides. In simulations, E191 and W281 interact with purine but not pyrimidine bases. These results provide a molecular understanding of the selective inhibition of UCP1 by purine nucleotides. Combining molecular dynamic simulations with in vivo functional assays, Gagelin et al. identified unique molecular features of the mitochondrial carrier uncoupling protein 1 that are crucial to its inhibition by nucleotides


Age‐related macular degeneration (AMD) is a complex and progressive degenerative eye disease resulting in severe loss of central vision. Recent evidence indicates that immune system dysregulation could contribute to the development of AMD. We hypothesize that defective lysosome‐mediated clearance causes accumulation of waste products in the retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE), activating the immune system and leading to retinal tissue injury and AMD. We have generated unique genetically engineered mice in which lysosome‐mediated clearance (both by phagocytosis and autophagy) in RPE cells is compromised, causing the development of features of early AMD. Our recent data indicate a link between lipocalin‐2 (LCN‐2) and the inflammatory responses induced in this mouse model. We show that nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and STAT‐1 may function as a complex in our animal model system, together controlling the upregulation of LCN‐2 expression in the retina and stimulating an inflammatory response. This study revealed increased infiltration of LCN‐2‐positive neutrophils in the choroid and retina of early AMD patients as compared with age‐matched controls. Our results demonstrate that, both in our animal model and in human AMD, the AKT2–NF‐κB–LCN‐2 signalling axis is involved in activating the inflammatory response, making this pathway a potential target for AMD treatment. Copyright © 2016 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Tables are a familiar piece of furniture commonly found in homes, offices, cafes, design centers, show rooms, waiting areas, and entertainment centers. Tables provide a familiar and convenient physical setting for people to meet, chat, look over documents, and carry out tasks that require face-to-face collaboration. Digital documents, on the other hand, are commonly used only on desktop computers and handheld devices. Digital documents are much easier to share remotely than face-to-face, due to a lack of a physical media that contain the necessary computational support for face-to-face around the table applications. For the past two years, our group has studied, designed and built an initial prototype of a digitally augmented tabletop environment called DiamondSpin. Our objectives are to understand what are the new HCI mechanisms, UI metaphors and affordances that can enable fluid collaborative tabletop applications.


Ristagno RL, Biddinger P, Pina EM, Meyer CA(AQ1) uberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurocutaneous syndrome that presents clinically with seizures, mental retardation, and adenoma sebaceum. This classic combination of features (Vogt's triad) is seen in only one-third of patients. TSC is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern with nearly 100% penetrance and is caused by a mutation in the TSC1 or TSC2 gene. The TSC1 gene encodes hamartin and the TSC2 gene encodes tuberin. Hamartin and tuberin are believed to be early regulatory steps in cellular protein synthesis and growth. TSC genes are hypothesized to function as tumor suppressor genes that require a "second hit" at the cellular level, leading to loss of functional hamartin or tuberin with subsequent development of hamartomas [1]. Hamartomas in TSC patients are frequently present in the skin, kidneys, brain, and heart. Less frequently, hamartomas involve the retina, gingiva, bones, gastrointestinal tract, and lungs [1]. Although most patients have renal angiomyolipomas, hamartomas in the lung are rare [2]. The association of pulmonary angiomyolipomas to TSC has not been established [3]. Until recently, lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM), a hamartomatous cystic lung disease, was the only reported pulmonary radiologic manifestation of TSC and was estimated to occur in 1–2.3% of TSC patients [4]. However, two recent studies found 27–39% of TSC patients without previous pulmonary disease to have LAM when screened with high-resolution CT [5, 6]. Multifocal micronodular pneumocyte hyperplasia (MMPH), another hamartomatous pulmonary lesion, has also been recently described in TSC patients [2, 7–13]. We review the imaging findings in a case of MMPH and provide pathologic correlation.


SrZnO2:Eu3+,M+(M=Li,Na,K) red-emitting phosphors were prepared by low-temperature combustion synthesis(LCS).The effect of the sensitizer Li+,Na+ and K+ on the emission spectra of ZnSrO2: Eu3+ phosphor was studied.It was presented that the emission spectrum intensity of SrZnO2:Eu3+ phosphor was enhanced by co-doped with alkali metal ions,and the relative luminescence intensity was the highest while n(Eu3+):n(Li+) was 1:3.The theoretical reason for the above results was analyzed.


We present optical spectrophotometric and near-infrared (NIR) photometric observations of the nova V2676 Oph covering the period from 2012 March 29 through 2015 May 8. The optical spectra and photometry of the nova have been taken from SMARTS and Asiago; the near-infrared photometry was obtained from SMARTS and Mt. Abu. The spectra are dominated by strong H i lines from the Balmer series, Fe ii, N i and [O i] lines in the initial days, typical of an Fe ii type nova. The measured FWHM for the Hβ and Hα lines was 800-1200 km s. There was pronounced dust formation starting 90 days after the outburst. The J −K color was the largest among recent dust forming novae. Subject headings: optical: spectra line : identification stars : novae, cataclysmic variables stars : individual (V2676 Oph) techniques : spectroscopic


A rare case of intestinal muscular layers agenesis is described. Ten other cases were founded in the literature and are briefly reported. Association of ischemia and congenital abnormality of the muscular layers is probably the cause of the perforation. Prognosis is very bad: all the children with clinical symptoms (occlusion or perforation) died.


The article presents the results of a hygienic study conducted in the territory of the Primorsky Territory to assess the primary incidence of digestive system organs among the children of the Primorsky Territory. For the study, data on the recorded primary incidence for 18 years were analyzed. Mapping of the primary morbidity was carried out, the attributive risk of digestive diseases was calculated. The territorial distribution of statistically significant average annual levels of primary morbidity showed that children are more likely to suffer from gastritis and duodenitis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer in the northern part of the region, where the highest incidence rates are recorded — these are rural areas. with an unstable economic situation and areas of the eastern coast of Primorye with the most unfavorable climatic conditions. The results of calculating the attributive risk show that children (0–7 years old) living in rural areas of the Primorsky Territory belong to the risk group for diseases of the digestive system. The identified territories are the least economically developed, with the absence of powerful sources of anthropogenic pollution of the population's habitat. The results obtained in this work should be taken into account when choosing and substantiating the indicators of the regional information fund for social and hygienic monitoring, when developing effective primary prevention measures and making managerial decisions at the regional level in the field of health care for children and children. adolescents in the Primorsky Territory.


4.1 Stand security 4.2 Stand construction permit 4.2.1 Examination and acceptance of structures requiring permits 4.2.2 Vehicles and containers 4.2.3 Alterations to non-regulation stand structures 4.2.4 Extent of liability 4.3 Construction heights 4.4 Fire protection and safety regulations 4.4.1 Fire protection 126.96.36.199 Stand construction and decoration materials 188.8.131.52 Display of motor vehicles 22.214.171.124 Explosive substances/munitions 220.127.116.11 Pyrotechnics 126.96.36.199 Flying objects/Balloons 126.96.36.199 Smoke machines 220.127.116.11 Ashtrays 220.127.116.11 Containers for refuse and for recyclable and residual materials 184.108.40.206 Spray guns, cellulose paints


The main Marxist Women's thoughts contributed by The New Youth are: (1) The idea of 'man is noble and woman is humble' is deeply rooted in women's economic dependence. Therefore, changes in social economic ecosystem and enhancement in women's economic situations will certainly lead to improvement in women's social status; (2) The final solution to achieving women's emancipation is to establish socialism; (3) Widely undertaking employment in society is a prerequisite of women's emancipation. It is emphasized that women's emancipation eventually has to require the awakening of women themselves and their active participation in the movement. The presentation of the above opinions favors changes both in the principal part of the movement of women's rights in post-May 4th China and in the political direction of modern Chinese women's emancipation movement.


Antioxidant capacity and phenolic compounds (phenolic acids and anthocyanins) of four berry fruits (strawberry, Saskatoon berry, raspberry and wild blueberry), chokecherry and seabuckthorn were compared in the present study. Total phenolic content and total anthocyanin content ranged from 22.83 to 131.88 g/kg and 3.51 to 13.13 g/kg, respectively. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picryhydrazyl free radical scavenging activity ranged from 29.97 to 78.86%. Chokecherry had the highest antioxidant capacity when compared with berry fruits and seabuckthorn. The highest caffeic acid, gallic acid and trans-cinnamic acid levels were found in chokecherry (6455 mg/kg), raspberry (1129 mg/kg) and strawberry (566 mg/kg), respectively. Caffeic acid was also the major phenolic acid in Saskatoon berry (2088 mg/kg) and wild blueberry (1473 mg/kg). The findings that chokecherry has very high antioxidant capacity and caffeic acid levels, are useful for developing novel value-added antioxidant products and also provide evidence essential for breeding novel cultivars of fruit plants with strong natural antioxidants.


The binding of [3H]ketanserin and [125I]BE 2254 (β-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethylaminomethyl]tetralone) was characterized in human brain cortex membranes. As observed in saturation experiments, [3H]ketanserin (a reportedly selective serotonin 5-HT2 ligand) and [1251]BE 2254 (a selective α1adrenergic antagonists) labeled, apparently, a homogeneous class of high-affinity recognition sites. Competition experiments performed with [125I]BE 2254 and a series of 20 structurally different compounds resulted in steep and monophasic competition curves. In contrast, competition curves of these compounds for [3H]ketanserin binding were often shallow or biphasic, suggesting a heterogeneity of the sites labeled by [3H]ketanserin. In particular, α1-adrenoceptor-selective ligands (e.g., prazosin, BE 2254, WB 4101, phentolamine) showed clearly biphasic curves displacing about 20% of [3H]ketanserin binding with nanomolar affinity. On the other hand, cinanserin, a selective 5-HT2 antagonist, showed nanomolar affinity for 80% of the sites labeled by [3H]ketanserin, and micromolar affinity for the other 20%. There was a highly significant correlation between [125I]BE 2254 binding and the minor component of [3H]ketanserin in human brain cortex membranes (r = 0.910, p < 0.0001, n = 20). The data show that [3H]ketanserin binds in the nanomolar concentration range (1.5–1.8 nM) to both 5-HT2 and α1-adrenergic receptors. Similar results were obtained in rat and pig brain membranes. The data suggest that ketanserin possesses a rather limited degree of selectivity in human tissue.


Based upon new global class field concepts leading to Langlands two-dimensional global correspondences,a modular representation of cusp forms is proposed in terms of global elliptic (bisemi)modules which are (truncated) Fourier series over R.As application,the conjectures of Shimura-Taniyama-Weil,Birch-Swinnerton-Dyer and Riemann are analyzed.


The globalized economy has facilitated the introduction of numerous novel foods into our diets. These are often exotic fruits and vegetables that are promoted due to claims of beneficial health properties. Among them, pomegranate (Punica granatum) , endemic to the Middle East and India, is now available throughout Europe partly due to promotion of its antioxidant activity. However, pomegranate has recently been shown to trigger immediate hypersensitivity including anaphylactic reactions [1, 2] . Molecular-based investigations on pomegranate extract show that nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs) are involved in the development of adverse reactions. Due to their compact fold, members of this protein family demonstrate a high resistance to thermal and gastric treatment and they are involved in local but also severe systemic allergic reactions predominantly affecting the Mediterranean population. NsLTPs are present in plant food and vegetables, but also in pollen and latex [3] . In an earlier study, two pomegranate nsLTP isoallergens were purified from the natural source showing divergent immunological properties [1] . A follow-up study by Bolla et al. [4] identified the primary sequence of pomegranate nsLTPs and their immunological behavior as well as analyzing the role of the major peach allergen, Pru p 3, as a main sensitizer. Using degenerated primers based on published nsLTP sequences, the authors identified three different full-length cDNA sequences, which were designated as Pun g 1.0101, Pun g 1.0201 and Pun g 1.0301 by the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Sub


Vitronectin (Vn) is not only a major adhesive glycoprotein in plasma but also regulates cell-mediated proteolytic enzyme cas- cades, including the complement, coagulation, and fibrinolytic systems. This broad functional ac- tivity suggests that Vn may also play a critical role in development. To begin to investigate this pos- sibility, we studied Vn gene expression during murine embryogenesis. In situ hybridization anal- ysis of embryonic tissues revealed Vn mRNA pri- marily in the liver and the central nervous system (CNS). In the liver, Vn mRNA was detected by day 10, the level increasing at later developmental stages. In the CNS, Vn mRNA was also detected as early as day 10 and was confined to the floor plate. However, as development proceeded, high levels of Vn transcripts became prominent in the menin- ges of the cortex and spinal cord, and in close proximity to brain capillaries. The perikarya of most neurons lacked Vn mRNA. Unexpectedly, high levels of Vn mRNA were associated with cap- illaries of the CNS, but not with blood vessels of peripheral organs. These results indicate that Vn is expressed in a spatially and temporally distinct pattern during murine embryogenesis, and sug- gest that the Vn transcript may be a CNS-specific


The recent applications of capillary electrophoresis (CE) was reviewed. Including the analysis and separation of nucleoprotein, polypeptide, saccharide, micromolecule and ion. The common conclusion of CE and its development prospect in this field was briefly outlined.


Creativity, innovation and problem solving are results of systematic inquiry. Inventions of nature are always superior to human inventions; therefore, human intellect observes the systems of the natural and human phenomena, based on two major modes of thinking styles: (1) the analytic mode that focuses on individual facts, and (2) synthetic mode which finds the reality at the collective level of the events. The first approach aims at finding the role of the individual parts in creating certain fact; while the second approach aims at identifying the interrelationship between the individual parts to find their major theme. Although both approaches are important in the process of scientific discovery; but the complicated problems of our time cannot be solved in one discipline but interdisciplinary approach. In other words, the systematic mind is essentially inclined to the second approach. The General Systems Theory (GST) and systemization of knowledge are some major approaches to create such a unified method of investigation. This paper aims to highlight the systemic mind in Islamic thought, with especial reference to al-Asfahani's approach. Systematization of knowledge is a methodological process which aims at achieving one or more of the following goals: generating new knowledge, adding value to existing information, or inspiring new approach to understand the phenomenon from its various dimensions. The modern information science classifies the entire body of knowledge into four basic phases: data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. This mode of systemizing knowledge can be used for better understanding of the world. Abstraction and generalization are the major characteristics of the systematic mind. Many systematic thinkers were excelled throughout the history of Islamic thought; but this paper aims to study the case of al-Raghib al-Asfahani, who exhibited his systemic mind through many of his outstanding works, such as "al-Dhariyy`ah Ila Makarim al-Shari`ah" and "al-Mufradat Fi Gharib al-Qur`an". The paper also highlights the crucial role of systemization of inquiry on creativity and innovation.


This paper presents a very-low-drift 0.181µ m CMOS time-based resistive-bridge sensor interface. It exhibits only 3.8 ppm/° C gain drift and 0.3 ppm/°C offset drift for the entire −40°C to 175°C temperature range using a single-temperature calibration scheme and no external accurate references nor components. The interface provides a 15 ENOB for a 100ms conversion time, consuming 3.41mW of power and 0.26mm2 of active area. The holistic drift-resilience strategy combines time-based chopping and VCO tuning to remove the DC and low-frequency errors introduced by VCO nonidealities and drift.


Every citizen who owns a motorized vehicle is required to have a Vehicle Registration Certificate. Vehicle Registration Certificate must be extended every certain period and done at the Samsat office. However, the Vehicle Registration Certificate extension process often takes a very long time due to the large number of documents that must be processed and the long queues. Therefore, we need a solution so that the process of renewing the vehicle registration becomes easier and faster, one of which is by providing services on the mobile application. The purpose of this final project is to create an Android application for the extension of the Vehicle Registration Certificate. This application also includes an encryption method to secure various documents uploaded by users during the renewal process. Image encryption is implemented using the Henon and Arnold Map algorithms and document transmission is carried out through a secure communication channel to prevent data theft. Android application and decryption encryption algorithm are created using Visual Studio Code and Android Studio. This application has a main menu, namely "Form Filling" which functions to extend the Vehicle Registration Certificate. The user must fill in a bio and upload an image for successful registration. The code for image encryption is created using the Python programming language, but for application implementation the Dart programming language is used because the two programming languages interpret images in different ways. Henon's algorithm has better parameters than Arnold's, so that Henon provides a better security aspect.


Aim To investigate the effects of light-to-moderate drinking on the cognitive function of the elderly in a large elderly community cohort. Although heavy drinking is linked with impaired brain functions, the effects of light-to-moderate drinking on the cognitive function of the elderly are still controversial. Methods A total of 1469 nondemented elderly men from 15 research centers in 8 cities and provinces were included and divided into two groups: drinking (531 subjects) and nondrinking (938 subjects). Cognitive functions were assessed by the Beijing version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) at baseline and one-year follow-up. Results There was no difference in total cognitive scores between the light-to-moderate drinking and nondrinking groups at baseline and follow-up. Nonalcohol users performed better naming and abstraction function at baseline and better naming function at follow-up. There was no difference in cognitive performance decline and new-onset dementia rates at follow-up. Conclusions Light-to-moderate alcohol consumption had no significant impact on the overall cognitive function and the risk of dementia in elderly men.


PurposeSocial networking platforms are increasingly using the Follower Link Prediction tool in an effort to expand the number of their users. It facilitates the discovery of previously unidentified individuals and can be employed to determine the relationships among the nodes in a social network. On the other hand, social site firms use follower–followee link prediction (FFLP) to increase their user base. FFLP can help identify unfamiliar people and determine node-to-node links in a social network. Choosing the appropriate person to follow becomes crucial as the number of users increases. A hybrid model employing the Ensemble Learning algorithm for FFLP (HMELA) is proposed to advise the formation of new follower links in large networks.Design/methodology/approachHMELA includes fundamental classification techniques for treating link prediction as a binary classification problem. The data sets are represented using a variety of machine-learning-friendly hybrid graph features. The HMELA is evaluated using six real-world social network data sets.FindingsThe first set of experiments used exploratory data analysis on a di-graph to produce a balanced matrix. The second set of experiments compared the benchmark and hybrid features on data sets. This was followed by using benchmark classifiers and ensemble learning methods. The experiments show that the proposed (HMELA) method predicts missing links better than other methods.Practical implicationsA hybrid suggested model for link prediction is proposed in this paper. The suggested HMELA model makes use of AUC scores to predict new future links. The proposed approach facilitates comprehension and insight into the domain of link prediction. This work is almost entirely aimed at academics, practitioners, and those involved in the field of social networks, etc. Also, the model is quite effective in the field of product recommendation and in recommending a new friend and user on social networks.Originality/valueThe outcome on six benchmark data sets revealed that when the HMELA strategy had been applied to all of the selected data sets, the area under the curve (AUC) scores were greater than when individual techniques were applied to the same data sets. Using the HMELA technique, the maximum AUC score in the Facebook data set has been increased by 10.3 per cent from 0.8449 to 0.9479. There has also been an 8.53 per cent increase in the accuracy of the Net Science, Karate Club and USAir databases. As a result, the HMELA strategy outperforms every other strategy tested in the study.


Twelve years ago, in this journal, Terence Morris wrote: 'There is no doubt that of all the specialized branches of inquiry into social behaviour, criminology has grown at a prodigious rate over the last decade.'l In I976, Paul Wiles introduced Volume 2 of the book he first edited with W. G. Carson in I970, by asserting: 'In the time that has elapsed since the first edition of this book appeared, Briiish criminology has undergone a remarkable transformation . . .' and goes on to remark, 'The I960S saw a renaissance in sociological criminology in Britain.'2 Growth, transformation, renaissance, and elsewhere'paradigmatic revolution':3 are these claims to be taken seriously, or are they symptomatic of delusions of intellectual grandeur? What advances in criminological knowledge have occurred to justify such claims ? The extent, direciion and consequences of these trends can be characterized in diverse ways. The commonest is to see the trend as being a move from criminology to the sociology of deviance (and from penology to the sociology of control). The changes referred to in Morris's I965 article are principally the establishment ofthe Cambridge Insiitute of Criminology in I959 and of the Home Office Research Unit in I 957. But he also refers to the growth of sociological criminology in Britain, and welcomes the shift in the parameters of the field to take in such matters as 'the administration of justice, the exercise of police powers, and the definition and redefinition of behaviour as illegal or tolerable'.4 By I97I, two further changes have occurred: one, the increasing polarization of criminology and the sociology of deviance: two, the very marked increase in the sheer number of practitioners of the latter persuasion in particular, a matching of the growth of sociology teaching and higher education in general. Two landmarks in this polarization were the article by Stan Cohen and the text by Michael Phillipson5 which both sought to differentiate traditional criminology from the sociology of deviance in terms of key analytical problems which rendered the two approaches incompatible. Since I97I, in this view, what has happened is the persistence of the break between 'traditional' criminology and the sociology of deviance, but its receding in importance to the point where a somewhat uneasy co-existence prevails. Displacing it in significance has been the


As the fiscal agent of the Canadian Federal government, the Bank of Canada uses a sequence of multi-unit, sealed-bid, discriminatory-price auctions to manage excess cash reserves and to sterilize the effects of fiscal operations, thus ensuring that its monetary-policy goals are met. These auctions, which form an important part of the short-term loan market in Canada, provide a unique laboratory within which to investigate bidder behaviour. Within the conditionally-independent, private-values paradigm, admitting bidder asymmetries, we construct a theoretical model of bidder behaviour at multi-unit, sealed-bid, discriminatory-price auctions. Subsequently, we use the notion of best-response to identify sets of bidder values, but the most novel feature of the paper is the development of a framework within which to measure best-response violations. Finally, we apply this framework to bid data from Receiver General auctions, examining whether the observed bids are consistent with bestresponse. In cases when equilibrium best-response does not hold, we measure the expected profits foregone. JEL Classification Numbers: C14, D44, E4, E5, L1.


This paper aims to measure the efficiency of Pan African Commercial Banks using Malmquist Data Envelopment Analysis Methods (DEA) over the period 2010-2015. Malmquist DEA methods are used to calculate indices of total factor productivity change; technological change; technical efficiency change and scale efficiency change. According to empirical findings, the total factor productivity of Pan African Commercial banks declined over the study period. The main cause of the decline in total factory production was due to a reduction in technological efficiency. It is therefore recommended that Pan African Commercial banks substantially upgrade technology. Moreover, there is an increase in the technical efficiency of Pan African Commercial Banks over the study period. On average the technical efficiency of the Pan African commercial banks is largely contributed by the scale efficiency than pure technical efficiency. Therefore, Pan African Commercial banks should enhance managerial efficiency.


Summary: At the 72nd OIE General Session, 2004, the General Assembly adopted the concept of compartmentalisation, a procedure that can be used to define and manage an animal subpopulation of specified animal health status in accordance with recommendations in the Terrestrial Animal Health Code and the Aquatic Animal Health Code. Compartmentalisation can be used as a tool in the prevention, management or eradication of animal disease and to provide a basis for the continued export of animals and their products after a country experiences an outbreak of disease. Following the adoption of the compartmentalisation concept the OIE developed guidelines on its application. The use of compartmentalisation has been rather limited. There are few examples of importing countries recognising the compartments of exporting countries for trade purposes and this has probably made the use of compartmentalisation a less attractive option. In addition, the OIE has continued to adopt other concepts and approaches that Member Countries can use to facilitate international trade, such as the definition of safe commodities. This article explains the OIE approach to compartmentalisation and presents the experience and perspectives of Member Countries during the past ten years. Factors that support the use of compartmentalisation and those that may limit its practicability are discussed. Finally, some options to encourage the use of compartmentalisation are proposed for consideration.


Magnesium oxide crystals show a wide variety of deformation and fracture modes under tension. These modes are determined by the number of slip systems operating concurrently in a given volume. (1) At low temperatures, slip is confined to a single (110) (110) system and plasticity is limited by stress concentrations which develop where slip switches from one plane to another. (2) At intermediate temperatures, (110) (110) slip systems at 90° can interpenetrate but those at 60° cannot. Mechanical properties then depend on the initial slip distribution. When slip is confined to 90° systems there is little work hardening and crystals neck down to a knife-edge ductile fracture. When slip is confined to 60° systems, crystals work harden and fracture by cleavage. (3) At high temperatures, dislocations can interpenetrate on all systems and polygonization can occur. After easy glide the crystals work harden and elongate over 100% before fracturing in a completely ductile manner. The transition temperature from one mode to another depends on strain rate.


This paper empirically studies the relationship between entrepreneurship intellectual capital and the enterprise performance in China through questionnaire survey. This result shows that entrepreneurship intellectual capital has significant impact on enterprise performance. However, different dimension of entrepreneurship intellectual capital makes different driving effect. Entrepreneurship innovation capital, entrepreneurship human capital and entrepreneurship social capital have positive effects on competitive and potential performance, while entrepreneurship structural capital has significant positive effect on competitive performance but no significant impact on potential performance. The value of entrepreneurship intellectual capital is partly explained, and some suggestions of the accumulation of entrepreneurship intellectual capital are given.


This special issue of Applied Theatre Research attempts to capture something of the magical discourses of the 9th International Drama In Education Research Institute (IDIERI) conference, held in Auckland, New Zealand in July 2018. The theme of the conference was the tyranny of distance, reflecting on the region's remoteness from the Northern Hemisphere, concepts of the colonial and the cultural interrelationship with sites of power – both old and new. Underlying these themes was a growing awareness that there has been a global shift in power politics, including emerging economic and increasingly geo-political ruptures, with the emergence of China and Russia as powerful world brokers. Culture, history and identity both shape and reshape these political narratives. Arguably, theatre practitioners working in community contexts understand the granularity of these epic political dynamics. The stories that surface from the grass roots, from diverse migrant groups of children to white nationalist groups, all tell the story of a century of disruption. The concept of change and radical geo-political shifts is not, of course, a new thing. In fact, the conference motif was the waka, a vessel that navigated Oceania's expansive sea of islands and ventured thousands of miles for exploration and trade. The tyranny of distance plays with the concept of centrality and margins, proximity and remoteness, isolation and the 'lust of the pioneer'.


The invention relates to a pressing and stranding method for a wire core of an aluminum alloy conductor, which is realized through the following steps: determining the conductor diameter, the conductor cross section and the number of monofilaments of different types and specifications of cables according to requirements of product standard; designing the conductor structure and determining the number of the monofilaments and the diameter of the monofilaments according to the requirements of the standard on the conductor diameter, the section and the number of the monofilaments; designing a mold for stranding each layer of the wire core of the conductor according to the structural requirement of the conductor; and designing the pressing and stranding process for the conductor according to the requirement of the standard on pitch. The pressed and stranded wire core of the aluminum alloy conductor, which is processed by the method, is high in pressing degree and small in conductor diameter, and can reduce the material consumption, reduce the production cost, improve the electrical performances of the conductor and realize energy conservation and high efficiency in transmission.


Abstract The application of biotechnology in animal reproduction has enabled the production of young forms in both quantity and quality. Increasing the number of viable gametes produced by reproducers, among other factors, through an ideal diet, can ensure higher production. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the influence of three diets on the sperm survival of Macrobrachium acanthurus. To this end, 24 M. acanthurus males were used, distributed randomly and equally among treatments. Their diets were composed of 100% fresh food (fish and squid muscle - 14% protein), 100% dry feed (commercial feed - 50% protein) and a mixture of these diets containing 30% protein. Spermatophores were extracted through electrical stimulation every 15 days, and the controls consisted of spermatophores obtained directly from nature. No significant difference between diets was observed comparing shrimp and spermatophore weights. The 100% fresh diet provided the best sperm survival performance.


In the multifaceted and interconnected global civilization of today, each of us is shaped by many factors. Culture is one of the most influential factors that is profoundly inbuilt in our values and communication styles; and when it comes to share information among people with different surroundings, a lot of aspects come across. The sort of communication known as Intercultural communication primarily deals with understanding the patterns of interaction between cross cultures peoples/groups. The current paper discusses culture, intercultural communication along with four perspectives.  The discussed four perspectives are (1) social attribute participating intercultural communication, (2) promoting components of intercultural communication, (3) impacts of intercultural communication, and (4) challenges with intercultural communication.


The experimental investigation on transparent solid/solid (Aluminum and Plexiglas) interface leaky waves generated by a pulse laser and detected with a photo elastic effect technique is reported. Three waves Lateral wave, Leaky Rayleigh (LR) wave and Leaky Interface wave (IW) are detected successfully; The velocity of the detected interface wave is in good agreement with theoretical calculation and the attenuation characteristic of the two Leaky waves is also in accordance with the theoretical prediction. The Leaky waves propagate along the weak bonding interface is also measured, it was found with the continue Epoxy solidifying, the wave amplitude gradually decrease and the two Leaky waves are more difficult to distinguish. The successful measurement should improve the scientific and technological potential for the research of solid/solid interface waves.


This issue of the Journal features two articles on alcohol. The article 1 by Connor et al details the large health burden from alcohol in New Zealand at an estimated 5.4% of all deaths under 80 years old (around 800 premature deaths annually). They also estimated 6.5% of all healthy life lost among 0–79 year olds in 2004 was attributable to alcohol (a loss of around 28,000 disability-adjusted life-years [DALYs]—although balanced against this was around 7000 DALYs averted). Furthermore, the analysis provides additional evidence that alcohol use contributes to health inequalities between Māori and non-Māori and between men and women.


Choosing Wisely recommends reducing unnecessary radiological imaging for low back pain. This thesis explored imaging appropriateness for low back pain compared to these recommendations in Newfoundland and Labrador and globally. A minor part included a descriptive study to provide age-sex standardised rates of lumbar spine Computed Tomography in the Eastern Health Region. The main thesis portion focused on imaging appropriateness and included two main studies; a systematic review and meta-analysis of lumbar spine x-ray and CT appropriateness, and a medical record review of lumbar spine CT referrals. The systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted using the PRISMA statement, found that 44% of x-rays and 54% of CTs were appropriate. The medical record review conducted in 2016 in Eastern Health included 3,595 lumbar spine CTs referrals. It found 5.5% were appropriate, 75.8% were potentially appropriate, and 16.8% were inappropriate. Unnecessary imaging occurs despite guidelines advising against them. Future research to understand why physicians order imaging for back pain patients and effective reduction interventions are necessary.


7155 Background: NCIC CTG JBR.10 is among the landmark trials to establish 3rd generation platinum-based adjuvant chemotherapy as standard of care after complete resection of stages IB-II NSCLC, improving 5-year survival by 15% and median survival by 21 months (p 0.04). The cost-effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy from the perspective of Canada's public health care system was undertaken in a retrospective analysis based on the JBR.10 study population.

METHODS
Direct medical resource utilization data, from prospective trial data of patients enrolled onto the BR.10 trial at the 5 largest accruing Canadian centres, were identified and collected retrospectively. Direct medical costs included treatment, hospitalization and procedures. Data were captured from the time of randomization until death or study closure (April, 2004). Non-medical direct and indirect costs were not included. Available costs are presented both with and without discounting at 5% per year. Costs (2005 $CAN) were obtained from provincial sources. Average costs per treatment arm (adjuvant chemotherapy vs. observation) were calculated. Basic demographic statistics were calculated.

RESULTS
Utilization data were collected from 172 patients (36% of the trial population), 83 randomized to observation and 89 to chemotherapy. Preliminary results are available for the non-drug related costs of direct medical care including hospitalization and procedures. The mean cost of treatment for patients in the observation arm is $15,323 (25-75% IQR $1,933-$17,831), and $18,701 (25-75% IQR $2,873-$18,781) for patients in the adjuvant chemotherapy arm (2005 $CAN).

CONCLUSION
Non-drug related costs are only slightly higher in patients treated with adjuvant chemotherapy in the NCIC BR.10 trial, despite substantially longer survival for this group of patients. These preliminary results will be updated and cost effectiveness data will be available in May 2006. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Aiming to shake up the field of the ethical turn in criticism, Gabriel Riera's book argues that repeated categorizations and localizations of the other have, for the most part, the cumulative effect of exhausting ethics. Things went wrong when the task of criticism was equated with staging the face to face with the other, assuming that representation, cognition, and communicative action was adequate to this encounter. Riera provides detailed close readings of Levinas to show paradoxically how the other is the first one to speak, yet also the one that cannot be reduced to the discursive. In a patient analysis that wends through Heidegger's ethics of the unsayable in poetry and Blanchot's quest for a neutral writing that aims for radical non-appropriation, Riera gives a compelling account of how ethical theory, following Levinas, must take seriously the intrigue of a writing that is neither wholly discursive nor poetic silence.


have moderate vigor, cxcellcnt seed prodnction, a high percentage of stainable pollen, and normal anther dehiscence. Crosses between the A and B type plants gave a high percentage (average 93%)) of male sterile plants. Male sterility in the backcrosses of the Fl's to the B types was slightly less (average 85%). The cytoplasmic-genic male sterility mechanism incorporated in the above plant material makes possible the study of combinirrg ability on a practical basis, the isolation of good combiners, and the production of commercial hybrids if certain problcms can 'be overcome;' Clones of U-l292A, U-l293A, U-55B, and U-2B are available from Alfalfa Investigations, Crops Research Division, Crops Research Laboratory, Logan, Utah 84321.


Objective To study the state of dietary intake and lipid peroxidation in different submarine men.Methods Twenty submarine men under sea-training,16 submarine men under land-training and 20 logistic men were randomly selected from submarine troops.Intakes of energy and nutriments were known by diet survey.The total antioxidative capacity(T-AOC),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxided dismutase(SOD),the proliferation of peripheral-blood lymphocyte(PPL) and the hemolytic degree of RBC were detected in each group.Results Result of diet survey indicated that intakes of protein,VC,VE and selenium of the submarine men were sufficient whereas the intakes of VA,VB1,VB2 were insufficient.Compared with the land-training submarine men,SOD and the proliferation of PPL of the sea-training submarine men were significantly lower,but MDA and the hemolytic degree of RBC were significantly higher(P0.05).Conclusion The intake of antioxidant vitamins of the submarine men are insufficient.The state of lipid peroxidation of the sea-training submarine men are higher than that of the land-training submarine men.


In this paper, a new dynamic model for continuum robot manipulators is derived. The dynamic model is developed based on the geometric model of extensible continuum robot manipulators with no torsional effects. The development presented in this paper is an extension of the dynamic model proposed by Mochiyama and Suzuki (2002) to include a class of extensible continuum robot manipulators. Numerical simulation results are presented for a planar 3-link extensible continuum robot manipulator.


Spectrophotometric method is proposed for the simultaneous determination of quaternary mixture of sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, propylparaben and methylparaben in pharmaceutical formulations without prior separation steps, using mean centering of ratio spectra. The method is based on the difference in the absorption spectra for sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, propylparaben and methylparaben. The method allows rapid and accurate determination of the four components. The results showed that the method was capable to simultaneous determination of 2.5-64.0, 2.0-30.0, 0.16-20.0 and 0.8-20.0 μg/mL each of sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, propylparaben and methylparaben. The results obtained were statistically compared with a developed classical least squares method(CLS). No significant difference was found between the two proposed methods. The proposed method has been successfully applied to simultaneous determination of sulfamethoxazole, trimethoprim, propylparaben and methylparaben in synthetic and pharmaceutical formulations.


Waqf has a function of worship activities, namely by holding our assets to be used in the way of Allah SWT which gives rewards throughout the ages will also have a social function which after the principal of the property is withheld, developed then after being developed will provide results that can be used by the people. This research aims to provide education about the role of waqf in development as well as how the role of waqf for the welfare of the people. This research uses qualitative research methods, data collection techniques using secondary data and using literature study. The results of this study show that waqf has an important role in providing the welfare of the people and waqf also has an important role in developing the country, this is evidenced by the role of waqf in the fields of education, health, economy and finance, technology and agriculture, where these fields are the pillars of development national.


A reexamination of the observations and analysis recently reported to conclude that an 800 km section of the Himalayan Frontal Thrust ruptured in 1255 A.D. shows that the conclusion is flawed and without merit because of misinterpretations of trench logs and incorrect interpretation of radiocarbon statistics.


As demands for the micro array holes in modern industry and the characteristics of micro Electrical Discharge Machining (micro EDM), a new type micro EDM machine tool used to machine micro array holes was designed and manufactured. The machine tool contains following systems: the mechanism system, the control system, the pulse generator system and other auxiliary systems. Each system was studied respectively. Base on a large number of experiments, finally, a sample with 256 array holes was processed by the machine tool. The diameter of single hole is 45µm and precision of the holes is ±1µm. The sample has been successfully applied to R & D test of micro nozzle components


The UML-based system model is not executable so that the behavior of the model cannot be validated until it is implemented. This paper describes transforming of the structure of the system model with Unified Modeling Language (UML) to that of the Design/CPN model that can be used for validating the behavior of system. The Design/CPN model is hierarchically structured based on the functional decomposition of the system, while the UML-based system model consisting of the use case model, class model and collaboration model has no such a hierarchical structure. This paper proposes a way of mapping between the two models to solve the structural discrepancy. A system model with UML is mapped to the three-layered Design/CPN model that is made of the use case layer, the object layer and the operation layer. The use case model is formulated from the use case model and collaboration model. The object layer is transformed from the collaboration model realizing use cases. The operation layer is derived from the collaboration model and the class model. The model transformation is carried out using the relationships between UML models. As an example, the gas station system is considered.


Endochondral ossification is tightly controlled by a coordinated network of signaling cascades including parathyroid hormone (PTH). PH domain and leucine rich repeat phosphatase (Phlpp1) affects endochondral ossification by suppressing chondrocyte proliferation in the growth plate, longitudinal bone growth, and bone mineralization. As such, Phlpp1−/− mice have shorter long bones, thicker growth plates, and proportionally larger growth plate proliferative zones. The goal of this study was to determine how Phlpp1 deficiency affects PTH signaling during bone growth. Transcriptomic analysis revealed greater Pth1r expression and H3K27ac enrichment at the Pth1r promoter in Phlpp1-deficient chondrocytes. PTH(1-34) enhanced and PTH(7-34) attenuated cell proliferation, cAMP signaling, CREB phosphorylation, and cell metabolic activity in Phlpp1-inhibited chondrocytes. To understand the role of Pth1r action in the endochondral phenotypes of Phlpp1-deficient mice, Phlpp1−/− mice were injected with Pth1r ligand PTH(7-34) daily for the first four weeks of life. PTH(7-34) reversed the abnormal growth plate and long bone growth phenotypes of Phlpp1−/− mice but did not rescue deficits in bone mineral density or trabecular number. These results demonstrate that elevated Pth1r expression and signaling contributes to increased proliferation in Phlpp1−/− chondrocytes and shorter bones in Phlpp1-deficient mice. Our data reveal a novel molecular relationship between Phlpp1 and Pth1r in chondrocytes during growth plate development and longitudinal bone growth.


AbstractThe chemical stability of potassium penicillin G intravenous infusion solutions is related to the initial pH of the solutions and to the ability of the buffer to maintain a constant pH during aging. It was determined that the 4-5% citrate buffer present in Potassium Penicillin G for Injection, U.S.P. is adequate to maintain the pH at the optimum value of 6.5 when reconstituted for injection. However, the buffer capacity is not adequate to maintain a pH of 6.5 when diluted with a large volume infusion solution. A new dosage form for intravenous infusion is recommended which contains 20% citrate buffer. The recommended dosage form when reconstituted and diluted with either Sodium Chloride Injection, U.S.P. or 5% Dextrose and 0.9% Sodium Chloride Injection, U.S.P. maintains a constant pH and greatly improves the chemical stability of the penicillin. The increased buffer is shown to have little effect on the osmolality of the Infusion solution and is expected to reduce the incidence of phlebitis due t...


A new seawater desalination method, Nord-Aqua Vacuum Evaporation, which utilizes waste heat at a very low temperature, has been developed. The requisite vacuum is obtained by a barometric column and siphon, and the dissolved air is removed from the vacuum by water flows. According to test results from a pilot plant, the process is operable if the waste heat exists at a temperature 7/sup 0/K higher than ambient. The pumping energy that is then required is 38 kJ/kg, or 1.5 percent of the heat of vaporization of water. Calculations reveal that the method is considerably superior economically to conventional distilling methods.


Purpose:To explore the methods of diagnosis and treatment for Fournier's gangrene. Method: Clinical date of 21 cases of Fournier's gangrene were analysed retrospectively between June 1996 and June 1999 at the Francistown Hospital of Botswana. Results:All 21 patients initially received multiple incision and drainage and wide debridement. 90.0% underwent suprapubic cystostomy. The overall survival rate was 90.5%. Conclusion: The key to successful outcome include early surgical intervention with multiple incision and drainage and wide debridement. prompt resuscitation of shock, rapid initiation of broad-spectrum antimicrobials, haemodynamic support, and repeat debridement if necessary.


Objective To investigate the infection rate and drug resistance of extended spectrum β-lactamases(ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli isolated from urine,so as to guide the rational use of antibiotics in clinic.Methods 1048 urine culture samples from patients with urinary tract infection were collected and analyzed in our hospital from June 2006 to June 2007.Drug sensitive test were per- formed with Kirby-Bauer method.ESBLs were detected with DDST(double-disk synergy test)and slip diffusion test recommended by CLSI/NCCLs.Results A total of 136 strains of Escherichia coli were isolated including 48 strains(35.3%)from males and 88 strains(64.7%)from females.46 strains of ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli were detected and the constituent ratio was 33.8%.None was detected resistant to imipenem.ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli strains were highly sensitive to nitrofurantoin,phosphonomycin and cefoperazone/sulbactam.Conclusion Escherichia eoli is the main pathogen in urinary tract infection,mostly in females(P0.05).The drug resistance of ESBLs-pro- ducing Escherichia coli to 10 antibiotics including gentamycin was much higher than that of ESBLs non-producing isolates(P0.05).It is a better Choice to use imipenem,cefoperazone/sulbactam, phosphonomycin,nitrofurantoin and amikacin in treating ESBLs-producing Escherichia coli infection. ESBLs detection should be paid emphasis on by the clinic.It is advisable to select antobiotics according to the results of drug sensitivity test.


The container carrier shipping industry faces nowadays a similar phenomenon that happened in the 90s with crude oil carriers: an imaginable gigantism not-forecasted even by the most optimistic specialists. In the last 20 years the demand in transportation by containers continuously grew. The reaction of Carriers was quick under this demand growth and began an exacerbate competition not only in size of their fleets but in the size of their vessels as well. Before building a new vessel, a set of simulations and tests of prototypes and models is done, in order to apply corrections of the initial projects but, the practice showed that each vessel is different and its behavior at sea, too. In order to be acquainted to dealing with the various situations at sea, the true measurements of the vessels performance are done in her sea trials. The purpose of this paper is to update this Sea trials process, to detail it and to bring the contemporary element: measurement technologies, calculations, mathematical models.


a growing number of dysregulated long non‐coding (lnc)RNAs have been verified to serve an essential role in human prostate cancer. However, the underlying mech‐ anisms of lncrna MnX1 antisense rna 1 (MnX1‐aS1) in prostate cancer has not been explored. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the function of MnX1‐aS1 in prostate cancer tumorigenesis and investigate the in‐depth mechanism. The expression of MnX1‐aS1, microrna (mir)‐2113 and murine double min 2 (MdM2) in prostate cancer tissues and corresponding normal tissues were assessed by reverse transcription‐quantitative Pcr. The protein expression levels of MdM2 were detected by western blotting. lncaP and Pc‐3 cells were transfected with short hairpin (sh)‐MnX1‐aS1, mir‐2113 mimics, mir‐2113 inhibitor and pcdH‐MdM2 vector using lipofectamine® 3000. cell proliferation, migration and invasion abilities were assessed by ccK‐8 assay, colony formation and Transwell assay, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay was carried out to confirm the putative targets of MnX1‐aS1 and mir‐2113. Tumor forma‐ tion experiment in nude mice was applied to evaluate the tumor growth effect of MnX1‐aS1 in vivo. The expression of MNX1‐AS1 was significantly upregulated in the prostate cancer tissues and cell lines. MnX1‐aS1 knockdown suppressed the abilities of cell viability and migration and invasion in vitro and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. additionally, luciferase reporter assay revealed that MnX1‐aS1 could target mir‐2113 and negatively interacted with mir‐2113 in prostate cancer cells. mir‐2113 directly targeted to MdM2 and negatively modulated the expression of MdM2. rescue assays suggested that the viability, migration and invasion of impaired cells triggered by transfection with sh‐MnX1‐aS1 alone could be recovered by co‐transfection with sh‐MnX1‐aS1 + mir‐2113 inhibitor or sh‐MnX1‐aS1 + pcdH‐ MdM2 vector. The present study demonstrated that MnX1‐aS1 promoted pros‐ tate cancer progression through regulating mir‐2113/ MdM2 axis.


In [1], the author gave a positive solution to the problem in the survey of Jarden [2] on the closedness of the class of profinite groups that are isomorphic to absolute Galois groups of fields with respect to finite free products. In [3], O. V. Mel'nikov solved this problem for separable profinite groups ([3] was done earlier than [1]). In the same case, a more exact result on the absolute Galois groups of fields of fixed characteristic was obtained there. The proof proposed in 4-5 is simpler than that in [1] and, in addition, provides the results of Mel'nikov. On February, 2000, the author (knowing nothing about 4-5) found one more proof of these results. In the author opinion, this proof is the simplest and the construction used in the proof, as well as its properties (cf. Propositio n 1) can have other applications.


Abstract The levels of TKN, orthophosphate, heavy metals and trace organics including total PCBs and PAHs in the sediments of the East River (Dongjiang) and various reservoirs in Hong Kong were chemically analyzed. It was found that the sediments of various sections of Dongjing and the Shenzhen Reservoir were contaminated by heavy metals at slight to medium levels. Generally speaking, the highest levels of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn were recorded in the middle and lower tributaries of Dongjaing, particularly those near Tangxia and Guanlan. Slight amount of PCBs, PAHs were also detected in the lower sections of Dongjiang, indicating industrial contamination due to economic growth in the 1980–90s. Comparatively, only slight amounts of heavy metals were detected in the sediments of some Hong Kong reservoirs that store imported Dongjiang water. Moreover, trace organics including PCBs and PAHs were rarely detected in the reservoirs of Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the high acidity in the sediments of Hong Kong reservoirs is noteworthy. Results revealed that the Dongjiang waters were purified to a certain extent before being imported to and stored at the Hong Kong reservoirs. At present, health risks from the drinking water of Hong Kong are not apparent. However, the long-term trend of organic and inorganic contamination in Dongjiang should not be overlooked and remedial actions should be taken as early as possible. Collaboration between the governments of Hong Kong and Mainland China in tackling chemical pollution in drinking water is an example of cross-border cooperation and control measures should be stepped up as soon as possible.


In the wake of previous contributions by scholars like Verner Møller and Paul Dimeo, which have demonstrated the mythical nature of the accounts concerning two famous 'doping deaths' (the cyclists Arthur Linton and Knud Enemark Jensen), this article thoroughly examines the existing evidence (both anecdotal and scientific) concerning the much repeated claim that EPO 'killed' 18 Dutch and Belgian cyclists in the late 1980s and early 1990s. This examination shows that these claims almost absolutely lack empirical evidence, and that in fact the existing truly experimental and epidemiological research downplays or even rules out the existence of a casual link between EPO intake and sudden death in healthy adults. It is therefore concluded that EPO has been constructed by the expert literature and the lay press as the 'drug of mass destruction' of the war on drugs in sport, and that the story about the 'EPO deaths' is to be seen as anti-doping propaganda.


Before unconditionally supporting the development of closer community or the restoration of a public realm, communication scholars should further reflect on the historical uses and potential threats attendant to this task. A sense of nostalgia sometimes romanticizes the Greek "polis" while sidestepping the changes wrought by population growth and the development of the mass media. One sense of community takes the grammatical form of "the community of..." representing a homogeneous community. A community based on the principle of the common good considers its members to be entitled to have a say in whatever measures might affect them. Another version of community arises from the term's roots in commonality. Community can also serve as a means of self-identification on the basis of shared circumstances. An interpretation of community often tied to gender distinguishes between public and private is:.ues. Community can represent a danger easily overlooked if unity is always treated as benign cooperation. Richard Sennett issued a warning about the dark side of community by recalling an often-repeated slogan of the Nazism: destructive "Volksgemeinschaft." The concept of community also creates problematic discursive arrangements. Membership in communities should be reconfigured to approximate what Ludwig Wittgenstein describes as family resemblances. Rhetorical scholarship needs to reveal the grounds of associative networks among communities, even if such a task must proceed without a definite blueprint that imposes a pattern that discursively forged alliances obey. (Contains 36 references.) (RS) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ****************i. idd.AA***********************AAA******************** From Community to Conformity U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 0' ryta attl EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) This document has been reproduced as received from the person or orgawation originating it Minor changes have been made to itnproJe reproduction Quality Points Of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent official OERI position or policy PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) Roy Schwartzman, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Communication Director of the Basic Course Department of Theatre, Speech, and Dance 711 Carolina Plaza University of South Carolina Columbia, South Carolina 29208 (803) 777-0055 e-mail email@example.com Presented at the Carolinas Speech Communication Association Convention Myrtle Beach, South Carolina October 1994 2 BEST COPY AVAILABLE From Community to Conformity The concepts of communication and community seem to enjoy a close kinship. After all, whenever communication extends beyond introspection, some sort of public forum is presupposed. The art of public speaking evolved in the context of a polls, a forum wherein issues affecting the community could be examined and subjected to scrutiny. In this sense, community provides the environment for communication. The relationship between communication and community even extends to etymological similarity, with both terms derived from the Latin term for commonality or making common. As a result, communication and community develop connotations of mutual reinforcement. 'Community' reverberates with the notions of togetherness, cooperation, and friendship. 'Communication' resonates with noble overtones. One of the best selling public speaking textbooks points out this etymological similarity to show how "a vital sense of community" in introductory courses enacts a fundamental communicative principle (Osborn & Osborn, 1994, p. 6). Communication, however ill-defined, holds the key to solving conflict, and communication's status as a panacea spells high market value for scholars in the field. Before we celebrate our value, raise our consulting fees, join hands and sing choruses of "We Are the World," we should reflect on the nature and senses of community. I seek to problematize the concept of community by showing how it is neither an unmitigated good nor a univocal concept. On the positive side, this critical examination offers a cautionary tale by elaborating how community can be transformed


 Abstract —Flux-switching permanent magnet (FSPM) machine is a kind of stator-typed permanent magnet machine, which is suitable for driving electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles because of their large power/torque density and high efficiency. The axial field flux-switching permanent magnet machine (AFFSPMM) and radial field flux-switching permanent magnet machine (RFFSPMM) with H-typed iron cores are reached and compared in this paper. On the condition of the same outer diameters and total volumes, the electromagnetic performances of the two machines are analyzed and compared by the three-dimensional finite element method , including the air gap flux density, inductance, back electromotive force (EMF), electromagnetic torque and loss. The finite element results show that the copper loss of AFFSPMM is higher than that of RFFSPMM at the rated load, however, the total loss of AFFSPMM is lower than that of the RFFSPMM. Meanwhile, AFFSPMM has greater torque than RFFSPMM in the constant power range. The related experiments are done to validate the finite element results, which are basically consistent with experiment


This paper revisits the multi-dimensional van Trees inequality in an intrinsic form and under minimal assumptions, in the spirit of Hájek and Le Cam. We prove that the van Trees inequality is a Cramér-Rao inequality for some Bayesian location model. We add to the known long series of applications of this inequality a simple way to prove local asymptotic minimax (LAM) lower bounds for the quadratic risk in parametric and semi-parametric settings. Ve ry pre lim ina ry ve rsi on To be re -w ork ed Revisiting the van Trees inequality in the spirit of Hájek and Le Cam


This study sought to determine the feasibility of using a modified form of Judgment Analysis (JAN) as a vehicle for identifying a policy of rated school effectiveness in the experimental League of Cooperating Schools (LCS) project. Staff members, serving as judges, generated profiles and determined rankings. With the use of the JAN technique, the judges were placed into appropriate clusters, and it was found that at least two separate judgmental systems were operating.


Abstract Elicitation interviews and focus groups were used to develop and assess a video designed to motivate women to seek regular mammography. "Let's Talk About It" is a 13 minute video targeted to low income women. This video is currently being tested as part of a multifaceted intervention program to promote mammography screening in an inner city hospital. The video is built on the format of a "talk show." Three panelists explain why they have not had a mammogram, and members of the studio audience counter their beliefs and arguments. A member of the studio audience is followed as she goes through the process of having her first mammogram. Finally, a physician answers audience questions about mammography. In this article, we describe the various qualitative methods used to guide development of this video and to assess its relevancy.


BACKGROUND
Restoration of mandibular continuity, functionality and attempting to return patients to their premorbid state is the ultimate goal of reconstruction. Some studies compare different flaps but the reconstructed portions vary and there is little consensus on the best option for a particular defect.

METHODS
This pilot study compares three different reconstructive options with free flap. We will analyze the accuracy of the reconstruction, the post-operative complications related to the reconstruction, the morbidity of the donor site. This pilot study compares three different reconstructive options with free flap in the reconstruction of the mandibular symphysis: iliac crest, scapula and fibula.

RESULTS
In our sample the morbidity of the donor site was overlapping, as for all three choices free from complications. In post resection edentulous patients, the fibula seems to guarantee better positioning, while in patients with residual occlusion the iliac crest (figure n.4 and n.5) seems to allow a more congruous repositioning. The fibula seems to have a superiority over the other flaps in terms of accuracy in all types of patient.

CONCLUSIONS
Contrary to the most recent work on the accuracy of CAD / CAM, we have analyzed the error in the reconstruction of a specific segment and in the repositioning of the residual mandibular component without the use of guided computer programming.


The characteristic hydrogen species adsorbed on a well-outgassed Sm2O3 surface at 300 K are observed by infrared spectroscopy. The infrared bands of these species were observed at 822 cm−1 and 714 cm−1.


Pyridine promoted dehydrohalogenation of β-chloro-5-bromo-5α-cholestan-6-one resulting in ring-A aromatization with expulsion of C-10 angular methyl group to give 19-norcholesta-1,3,5(10)-trien-6-one along with 3a,5-cyclo-5α-cholest-7-en-6-one, cholesta-2,4-dien-6-one, and 5α-cholestane-3,6-dione. Similar treatment of 3β-chloro-5,7β-dibromo-5α-cholestan-6-one ends up with the aromatization of ring-A with migration of C-10 angular methyl group to give 1-methyl-19-norcholesta-1,3,5(10)-trien-6-one.


In order to overcome the large axial thrust generated by the working substance (steam or gas, etc) of turbomachinery, an asymmetric axial magnetic bearing (AAMB) is proposed. Firstly, the topology and features of the AAMB are introduced. The magnetic circuit model of the AAMB is established by the reluctance network method. Secondly, the constraints such as the load capacity and dimensions are considered. Then we take the shortest axial length as the optimization goal to design the AAMB, and the design scheme is obtained through genetic algorithm (GA). Finally, the supporting characteristics of the AAMB are verified by finite element method (FEM). The result shows that the overall axial length of the AAMB is less than 82.1 mm of that in the traditional design scheme.


The residual stress distribution of fillet of the diesel engine crankshaft on laser shock processing was analyzed by ANSYS software. The simulation results compared with the experimental data, to get results as follows: the simulation results were basically consistent with the experimental data. This fully proved that the finite element simulation method and related simulation parameters were correct. The parameters of laser impacting were optimized by ANSYS simulation, and the residual stress favorable distribution of the crankshaft fillet was obtained.


We report the temperature (T) dependance (77K to 300K) of the low‐frequency electric noise of GaN nanowires. Our results show that these GaN nanowires exhibit the 1/f‐like excess noise. A Lorentzian‐like feature is observed embedded in the 1/f noise when the applied bias current is large enough. Our four‐wire measurement results reveal that the characteristic time τL of the Lorentzian‐like noise of the nanowire decreases with T.


The purpose of the article is to consider the features of court bailiff powers at the present stage of this service in Russia, as well as their legal status in the system of judicial bodies and executive authorities. The author analyzes the main provisions of the legislation relating to the service of bailiffs, making a special focus on the recent provisions that increased bailiffs' legal status. As a result of the study it was confirmed that despite the fact that bailiff service is closely linked with judiciary power, it is related entirely to the structures of executive power. Court bailiffs are equally involved both in enforcement proceedings and court proceedings of the judicial system of the Russian Federation. The author made some proposals to improve court bailiff service. The article is intended for practitioners in the service of court bailiffs and the lawyers concerned with this issue.


Soil health refers to the ecological equilibrium and the functionality of a soil and its capacity to maintain a well balanced ecosystem with high biodiversity and productivity. Soil health as a tool for sustainability, physical, chemical, and biological properties. Among the physical indicators, soil texture, aggregation, moisture, porosity, and bulk density have been extensively used, while among chemical indicators soil pH, total C and N, mineral nutrients, organic matter, cation exchange capacity and biological ones such as microbial biomass C and N, biodiversity, soil enzymes, soil respiration, etc., in addition to macro and meso-fauna play a major role in maintenance of soil health. Many human activities have caused desertification, loss of biodiversity, disruption of aggregates, loss of organic matter and nutrients. It is imperious to maintain soil health and productivity with increasing emphasis on reforestation and recovery of degraded areas through the use of organic amendments, reintroduction of plants, soil fauna and microorganisms.


Skin disease is one of the diseases that are often found in tropical countries like Indonesia. Lack of knowledge about the types and prevention of skin diseases results a person suffering from acute skin diseases. Computer technology is expected to help detect disease early so that it can minimize the occurrence of more dangerous diseases. This paper proposes a method for introducing the shape, color, and texture of skin diseases in digital images and classifying the results of image analysis based on the type of disease in human skin. The method used is a combination of Local Binary Pattern (LBP) and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) methods which can later be used as sensors or vision for skin diseases automatically. The results of this study can help in the early identification of skin diseases, helping parties who want to know the image value of skin diseases by using LBP and classifying it based on the type of disease using CNN. This study shows the level of accuracy of combining LBP with CNN is quite high with an average value of 92%. In addition, this research can also be used as reference material for the development of further research in image processing that uses LBP and classification using CNN.


Advances in Visually Rich Document Understanding (VrDU) have enabled information extraction and question answering over documents with complex layouts. Two tropes of architectures have emerged-transformer-based models inspired by LLMs, and Graph Neural Networks. In this paper, we introduce DocGraphLM, a novel framework that combines pre-trained language models with graph semantics. To achieve this, we propose 1) a joint encoder architecture to represent documents, and 2) a novel link prediction approach to reconstruct document graphs. DocGraphLM predicts both directions and distances between nodes using a convergent joint loss function that prioritizes neighborhood restoration and downweighs distant node detection. Our experiments on three SotA datasets show consistent improvement on IE and QA tasks with the adoption of graph features. Moreover, we report that adopting the graph features accelerates convergence in the learning process druing training, despite being solely constructed through link prediction.


Non-minimally coupled scalar field cosmology has been studied in this work within the framework of Einstein gravity. In the background of homogeneous and isotropic Friedmann–Lemaitre–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) spacetime non-minimally coupled scalar field having self-interacting potential is taken as the source of the matter content. The constraint of imposing Noether symmetry on the Lagrangian of the system not only determines the infinitesimal generator (the symmetry vector) but also the coupling function and the self-interacting potential for the scalar field. By choosing appropriately a point transformation in the augmented space, one of the transformed variables is cyclic for the Lagrangian. Finally, using constants of motion, the solutions are analyzed.


Objective To determine the mechanism of retinal neuron death and the expression changes of GFAP by retinal Muller cells after laser injury.Methods A YAG laser was used to produce retina lesion in rabbits.Terminal deoxy nucleotidyl-transferase mediated dUTP and nick labelling(TUNEL)staining was used to identify the apoptotic neurons.The expression of GFAP by retinal Muller cells was located by immunohistochemistry.Results TUNEL positive apoptotic neurons were located in all the layers of retina in the 6th h our and on the 1st,3rd,and 7th day after injury .Apoptotic cells reduced in number on the 14th day after injury.The TUNEL positive cells were more densely located in the outer nuclear layer.The Muller cells expresse of GFAP starting to increase at 3 days after injury,and increased co ntinuously later.Conclusion Apoptosis is an import ant mechanism of retinal neuron death i n laser-injured retina,and the increased expression of GFAP by Muller cells is probably related to repair of the injury.


This research has been done by reinforcing the matrix (polyester) resin with natural material (frond palm). The fibers were exposure to chemical treatment before reinforcement.Different volume fractions were used (0%, 15%, 20%). After preparation of composite material some of the physical properties have been studied of samples preparation. They were Tensile strength test, Impact test, and Thermal conductivity. The thermal conductivity was studied, the values of thermal conductivity were increased with increasing of volume fraction of all specimens and also the tensile strength and flexural strength were decreased with increasing volume fraction of fibers, while the impact strength was increased with volume fraction 15% but with continuouity of reinforcement, the impact strength wasdecreased, and also the chemical treatment of fibers improved the mechanical and thermal properties.