Radiationless energy transfer has been studied in the photosensitized cistrans isomerization of styrylpyridines. Two sensitizers, biacetyl and carbazole, have been examined and proved to transfer the excitation energy by way of triplet to the acceptor molecule, in particular the eis 3-styrylpyridine. Quenching of the room temperature phosphorescence of biacetyl has been measured at increasing acceptor concentrations. The high kq obtained and the comparison with stilbene, point out that triplet levels of styrylpyridines are lower than those of stilbenes. Experiments in rigid glasses using carbazole as a donor again proved the triplet-triplet intermolecular interaction, since, due to the additional energy dissipation process, the lifetime of triplet carbazole is shortened, giving a transfer constant kt = 0.8 1 · mole-1 sec-1, in agreement with a short distance interaction.


The present study describes changes in fatty acid (FA) composition in Ginkgo biloba leaves subjected to senescence and to senescence induced by methyl jasmonate (MeJA). Green leaves were treated with MeJA in lanoline on the abaxial or adaxial side of the leaf blades. After three weeks of treatment, leaf blades and petioles were collected separately for FA analyses. Additionally, petioles and leaf blades were sampled for analyses before the experiment and after 6 weeks when leaf senescence was occurring. Linolenic (C18:3) and palmitic (C16:0) acids appeared to be the quantitatively most abundant FA in leaf blades and petioles of G. biloba. Both leaf senescence and that induced by MeJA caused a decrease in unsaturated FA content, especially linolenic (C18:3). However, the decrease in C18:3 acid in both leaf blades and petioles was greater when MeJA was applied to the abaxial side than when it was applied to the adaxial side of leaves or during senescence. At the same time, saturated FA content increased, resulting in a significant decrease in the ratio of total unsaturated to saturated FA. Since leaf fatty acids occur mainly as components of cell membranes, changes in their composition may have a crucial effect on membrane function and stability, as pointed out in the discussion of the results.


The purpose of this study is to suggest the direction of revision for the Korean science teacher training programs in Korean Science Museums. This study is based on comparing the status of science teacher training programs in Science Museum at London and Gwacheon National Science Museum. Science Museum in London offers a variety of courses depending on the level and interest of the teacher-in-training: ``Professional Development``, ``Initial Teacher Training``, ``How Science Works Scheme; Mystery Boxes``, ``Talk Science``, ``Science Museum STEM Clubs Scheme``, and more. In contrast, Gwacheon National Science Museum offers only a limited number of courses. For improvement, Administration of Gwacheon National Science Museum is trying to develop new display-based science teacher training programs and educational materials. As an example, teacher training program in Gwacheon National Museum should be diversified so that the level and interest of each teacher-in-training can be met. Moreover, development of extra-curricular activities that incorporates STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) and teaching programs that closely follow the curriculum is necessary.


Optimal Power Flow (OPF) is one of most important aspect in power system operation and control. It is a non linear optimization problem based on minimization an objective function such as the active power losses, fuel cost, voltage deviation, voltage stability, reliability evaluation,…etc. Transient stability analysis is an important concept to determine whether the system is stable or not when a heavy disturbance such as the fault or loss of generation or a sudden large increased in the load,…etc occur in the system. In this article the transient stability according to the fault occurrence are used as a constraint in the optimal power flow, where minimization a three objective function of the active power losses, the fuel cost of thermal generation units and the voltage deviation at the load buses separately for each one can improve the transient stability and keep all the generators in the synchronization system. Particle Swarm Optimization PSO of an artificial intelligence optimization techniques has been used for this purpose. Minimization the objective function can be satisfied by choosing an optimal control variables from their constraints keeping the state variables in their limits. The control variables in this article are the generator voltage magnitude, the transformer tap changer and the generator active power except the slack generator while the state variables are the stability system based on increasing the clearing time of the circuit breaker, the slack generator active power, the generator reactive power and the magnitude of the load voltage. Increasing the clearing time of the circuit breaker leads to increase the maximum value of the generator rotor angle and go towards the instability system. The maximum clearing time that keep the system stable is called the Critical Clearing Time TCC. This article used the Optimal Power Flow with Transient Stability as a constraint to increase the Critical Clearing Time TCC with stable system. The proposed algorithm has been tested on the two systems of IEEE 9 bus and IEEE 30 bus and compare the result with other reference. The implementation of this work are programming by the author using matlab software.


In fog computing, end devices can benefit from low-latency access to computing capacity provided by nearby fog nodes. However, an adversary controlling some fog nodes may infer information about the location of end devices that engage with these fog nodes. The goal of this paper is to analyze the severity of this threat to location privacy. We analyze how precise the information leaked by fog nodes about the location of end devices may be, and how this depends on the ratio of compromised fog nodes and on the adversary's background knowledge. We present the simulator LocPrivFogSim, which extends the existing fog computing simulator MobFogSim with the constructs necessary to model location privacy threats. The findings from preliminary simulations of various attack scenarios show that an attacker controlling even a modest ratio of the fog nodes may be able to infer precise information about the location and trajectory of end devices.


This article focuses on developing a holistic approach to strategic planning. It suggests that a successful approach will view all components in the process as an integrated system through a holistic strategic framework. In addition, it focuses on reviewing the gaps that can develop in applying a holistic framework in a public sector environment and discusses ways to overcome those gaps to ensure a successful strategic planning process.


This paper examines the application of dynamic programming (DP) to the development of parametric real-time power management policies for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). First, a representative power-split PHEV powertrain model is introduced, followed by a DP formulation for obtaining the cost-optimal powertrain trajectories. The obtained optimal trajectories are then used to train a set of control policies for the powertrain control inputs through a least-squares linear regression process. The proposed controller receives the demanded propulsion force and the powertrain variables as inputs, and generates the torque commands for the engine and the electric drivetrain system. Numerical simulations indicate that the proposed control policy is able to approximate the optimal trajectories closely, using the real-time powertrain system information for the training drive cycle data. To maintain the battery state-of-charge (SOC) above a certain lower bound for arbitrary test data, a switching logic is implemented to transition to a conservative control policy when the battery SOC drops below a certain threshold. Simulation results indicate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in achieving near-optimal performance while maintaining the SOC within the desired range.


The world economy is falling into the recession because the financial tsunami is sweeping the entire world.How does Chinese economy get rid of this crisis?The paper points out the necessity of exploiting rural consumption market by analyzing investment,export and consumption to promote economic growth and puts forward the thinking and countermeasure to develop rural consumption market in the light of the current opportunities and challenges in China.


Experiments were carried out in a special circulating fluidized bed of 5.6 m in height, 0.08 m in ID downcomer.Glass beads(ρ p=2480 kg·m -3,d p=131 μm),FCC catalyst particles (ρ p=992 kg·m -3, d p=82 μm)and two kinds of silica gel (ρ p=750 kg·m -3, d p=128 μm and 572 μm) were used.The maximum of the solids flux was 600 kg·m -2·s -1 and a solids holdup as high as 0.14 was achieved.The results showed that the characteristics of the transient solids concentration at high-density operation were different from those at low-density operation. Under low-density operation, the probability density distribution (PDD)curves had one peak,but under high-density operation,there was a horizontal line around the top of the PDD curves. Solids concentration increased with increasing solids flux.Smaller and lighter particles could achieve higher solids concentration, while the good fluidity and heavier particles could achieve high solids flux.The pressure gradient was positive in the overall downer and the length of particles acceleration zone was about 1.5—2.0 m.Depending on the structure of the exit, the downer could be divided into two regions:particle acceleration region and developed region under low-density operation or three regions:particle acceleration region, developed region, and exit region with high-density operation.


Abstract The cationic dicarbonyl complexes [Rh(CO)2(R2PCH2)3CRʹ]PF6 (R = C6H5; Rʹ = CH3, -CH2PR2), formed by high pressure synthesis from RhCl3(H2O)3, CO and (R2PCH2)3CRʹ react with liquid ammonia at 20 °C to give the carbamoyl complexes Rh(CO)(CONH2)(R2PCH2)3CRʹ. At 100 °C in liquid ammonia the carbamoyl-carbonyl complexes Rh(CO)(CONH2)(R2PCH2)3CRʹ form the CO-bridged, dinuclear compounds (μ-CO)2[Rh(R2PCH2)3CRʹ]2. Upon treatment of Rh(CO)(CONH2)(R2PCH2)3CRʹ with CH3OH the carbomethoxo carbonyl complexes Rh(CO)(COOCH3)(R2PCH2)3CRʹ are obtained. The new compounds were characterised, as far as possible, by their IR, Raman and 31P NMR spectra.


An automatic drive navigation system includes a navigation terminal having a display, to issue, to a server, a drive request for an autonomous vehicle input by an operator via a LAN communication, the server to hold the drive request, and the autonomous vehicle to start driving upon receipt of the drive request from the server, recognize a spot sign on a driving route, and automatically operate a self-driving system in accordance with the spot sign, wherein the navigation terminal, server, and autonomous vehicle are connected via a LAN and the autonomous vehicle notifies the server of driving information about the autonomous vehicle via the LAN communication, the server holds the notified driving information, and the navigation terminal accesses the server via the LAN communication to display the driving information on the display.


X-ray absorption (XAS), UV−visible, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopies have been used to characterize the interaction of azide and cyanide with the Mn(III)(μ-O)2Mn(IV) site in superoxidized Mn catalase. The addition of azide causes no significant change in the X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) region and only minor changes in the extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra, consistent with only minimal changes in Mn−ligand geometry. In contrast, addition of either azide or cyanide causes an approximately 3-fold increase in the intensity of the visible absorption bands and a small (approximately 4%) decrease in the Mn hyperfine coupling. Anion-binding titrations indicate cooperativity in anion binding. ESEEM experiments on the azide- and cyanide-free enzyme reveal hyperfine (A = 2.88 MHz) and electric quadrupolar couplings (e2qQ = 2.29 MHz and η = 0.58) for a single 14N nucleus of the protein. These parameters are...


This paper focuses on the image segmentation with probabilistic neural networks (PNNs). Back propagation neural networks (BpNNs) and multi perceptron neural networks (MLPs) are also considered in this study. Especially, this paper investigates the implementation of PNNs in image segmentation and optimal processing of image segmentation with a PNN. The comparison between image segmentations with PNNs and with other neural networks is given. The experimental results show that PNNs can be successfully applied to image segmentation for good results.


Objective: The relation between partial dorsal root rhizotomy and apoptosis in central canal epithelial cells of spinal cord by TUNEL technique. Results: The results showed that apoptosis of central canal epithelial cells was found following partial dorsal root rhizotomy, especially on 3 days. The number of apoptosis decreased obviously at 10 days following injury. But the numbers of all cells in both groups kept on apparent change. Conclusion: The results showed that apoptosis of central canal epithelial cells in spinal cord resulted from partial dorsal root rhizotomy and the number of apoptosis decreased obviously for long time following injury. At the same time , the numbers of cells increased.


Sixty-three surgically and pathologically confirmed cases of salivary gland masses were assessed by ultrasonography and sialography. The advantages and disadvantages of these two diagnostic methods were analyzed and compared and their combined diagnostic value assessed. The accuracy rate of ultrasonography and sialography for diagnosis was 79% and 84%, respectively, but was increased to 94% when the two methods were used together.


The very recent success of Xie et al. (Nat. Commun., 2017, 8, 14827) in achieving the Ir-catalyzed direct borylation of the cage B(3,6)–H of o-carboranes with excellent yield and regioselectivity represents an exciting development in the regioselective functionalization of carboranes. In the present work, the possible catalytic mechanisms and ultimate origin of regioselectivity were studied in detail by using the DFT method. The computational results show that the IrIII species should be the actual catalyst, rather than the IrI compound as supposed from the experiments. Every borylation cycle occurs via two successive oxidative addition–reductive elimination (OxA–ReE) processes, including an unusual IrV species in each process. The regioselectivity is determined in the first OxA step of each borylation. Two reaction conformations were calculated and concluded to be competitive. Different distributions of the C–H⋯O hydrogen bonds and B–H⋯O "interactions" were disclosed to be mainly responsible for the different energy profiles of the two reaction conformations. Localized orbital locator (LOL) analysis showed a 26-electron-delocalization structure of the o-carborane, which is considered the fundamental reason for the aromaticity and exceptional chemical stability of this series of carborane (anions). The highly electron-delocalized structure together with the inductive effects of the carbon centers makes the B(3,6)–H sites most electron deficient, resulting in these being the most favorable sites for the OxA reaction to occur with the IrIII species. This was concluded to be the ultimate origin of the regioselectivity of the title reaction. We believe the present work should be very attractive for experimental scientists since it could be of great help guiding them in the rational design of more efficient catalytic borylation reactions of carboranes with better regioselectivities.


Under DOE Order 5481.1, Safety Analysis and Review System for DOE Operations, safety analyses are required for DOE projects in order to ensure that: (1) potential hazards are systematically identified; (2) potential impacts are analyzed; (3) reasonable measures have been taken to eliminate, control, or mitigate the hazards; and (4) there is documented management authorization of the DOE operation based on an objective assessment of the adequacy of the safety analysis. This report is intended to provide the DOE Office of Plans and Technology Assessment (OPTA) with an independent evaluation of the adequacy of the ongoing safety analysis effort. As part of this effort, a number of site visits and interviews were conducted, and FE SARS documents were reviewed. The latter included SARS Implementation Plans for a number of FE field offices, as well as safety analysis reports completed for certain FE operations. This report summarizes SARS related efforts at the DOE field offices visited and evaluates the extent to which they fulfill the requirements of DOE 5481.1.


Complete circulation service is very popular among various libraries,it brings great convenience to the readers,but some new problems come.In order to improve the complete circulation service model and the library's sustainable development,the essay researches the problems,and presents corresponding measures.


Multispectral Terrestrial Laser Scanning (TLS) is an emerging technology, which has been available for less than 10 years. The instruments available so far are mainly for scientific use and most of their applications have focused on vegetation ecological studies. We summarize the latest developments on multispectral TLS and discuss some further applications of the technology. We also present a recently developed portable (field) implementation of the FGI hyperspectral lidar, as well as a new application to mineral detection. We are also developing a sensor combination to allow indoor (sensor) positioning for the lidar to provide spatially resolved point clouds in conditions where satellite positioning is not available.


Urban resilience is concerned by the scholars in the world, especially in light of new uncertainty challenges for cities such as natural disasters and man-made disasters. We performed a bibiometric analysis on urban resilience research based on the 1296 articles in the SCI, SCIE, SSCI and A&HCI database from 1986 to 2015. Publication trends were discussed in HistCite to reveal the publication outputs, subject categories and publication pattern, most prolific authors and international productivity. The document co-citation analysis was made in CiteSpace III to explore the research basements and research trajectories, emerging trends and new developments. Growth of article output has emerged since 2003. Environmental studies and environmental sciences came out the most urban resilience articles. Ecology and Society was the most productive journal in this area. Barthel was the most prolific author. USA and UK were the most productive countries, and Arizona State University was the most high-productive institution, but the cooperation is lacking in the worldwide. Two streams were detected from the co-cited papers. "Governance", "climatechange" and "city" are research hotspots of urban resilience according to the strongest citation bursts of keywords, and Folke's paper published in 2006 has the strongest bursts. Future research will focus on ecosystem service, adaptive capacity and human-dominated ecosystem.


The Space Interferometry Mission (SIM) PlanetQuest is managed by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. SIM requires, among other things, high precision double cube-corner retroreflectors. A test device has recently been fabricated for this project with demanding specifications on the optical surfaces and gold reflective coatings. Several gold deposition techniques were examined to meet the stringent specifications on uniformity, optical properties, micro-roughness and surface quality. We report on a comparative study of optical performance of gold films deposited by resistive and e-beam pvaporation, including measurements of the scattering from the coated surfaces. The effects of oxygen bombardment and titanium under-layer on optical properties and adhesion were evaluated. The influence of surface preparation on the optical properties was examined also.


Extracts of rose stems have an inhibitory effect on rose bud breaking and on the elongation of wheat coleoptiles. The inhibitory activity of stem extracts is proportional to the amount of extracted tissue and is partially antagonized by auxin. Boiling the extract destroys this activity only partially. The level of ABA is higher in the basal part of the stem than in the upper part. After pruning there was a reduction in ABA level in the stem part close to both sprouting and nonsprouting buds. The ABA accumulated in subtending leaves of nonsprouting buds.


The role of creativity in marketing has great importance. In this chapter, the authors discuss the role of creativity in the sports context. The authors discuss creativity and then move onto the various contexts in sports that could be covered. This looks at the worlds of traditional and extreme sports along with a brief exploration of the burgeoning area of esports. The authors then draw from some creative principles that are worth keeping in mind before moving onto future areas that could be covered. The authors hope that this will be useful for practitioners and researchers who are interested in not just creativity, but also the exciting opportunities in sports. In short, the authors hope this provides inspiration for those wishing to explore these areas further. Creativity is a powerful thing, and sport is an area full of potential. As such, the authors believe that these two are a pairing worth exploring more.


Common wheat cultivars have been protected from stem rust for several decades worldwide by the Sr31 resistance gene transferred from Secale cereale L. (cv. Petkus). In 1998, Sr31 was overcome in Uganda by the Ug99 race of Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici Eriks. & Henn. (Pgt). The Ug99 race and its derivatives have spread widely in Africa, neighboring regions and Europe. However, Sr31 remains effective in other areas of the world, including Russia. To breed wheat with durable resistance, it is promising to research the resistance mechanisms of nonhost species and introgressive cultivars. The aim of the research was to estimate the resistance of S. cereale and Triticum aestivum cultivars with Sr31 to stem rust and to study the mechanisms of incompatibility of Pgt with plants at the cellular level. The research was carried out in Western Siberia (Russia, Omsk region) in 2018–2022. Rye and wheat with Sr31 (cvs. Kavkaz, Seri 82, Bacanora (=Kauz's'), NIL Thatcher TcLr26/Sr31) were resistant at the stages of seedling and adult plant, and cv. PWB343 was more susceptible to disease. Cytological studies have shown that Pgt died on the rye plants on the surface, and cv. Petkus intensively suppressed the development of the appressoria necessary to penetrate into tissues. Wheat cultivars inhibited the Pgt development mainly on the surface and while it attempted to penetrate into the stomata (pre-haustorial resistance). It has been demonstrated that Pgt has to adapt step-by-step to the surface and tissue properties for compatible interaction, which may be the reason for the durable effectiveness of Sr31.


The article is devoted to the analysis of national and cultural specifics of English, Russian and Uzbek phraseological units which are met in the literary texts. The primary emphasis rests on the consideration of the concepts "linguistic picture of the world ", "national linguistic picture of the world" and the problem of interrelation of language and culture. Translation peculiarities from English into Russian and Uzbek languages are also analyzed. This research may help other translators cope with arising problems of equivalence in the target language and encourage them to look more closely at translation strategies suggested for translation of phraseological units. Keywords: linguistic picture of the world, national linguistic picture of the world, language, culture, phraseological units, national-cultural specifics of English, Russian and Uzbek phraseological units, equivalence of phraseological units, translation strategies of phraseological units. Among multiple problems that modern linguistics studies, studying national - cultural specifics of languages plays an important role. The language is the major way of formation and existence of man's knowledge about the world. Firstly, it is the basis for the development of linguistic picture of the world, one of the deepest layers of the picture of the world. Secondly, language expresses and explicates other pictures of the human world which enter into the language via special lexicon, introducing the features of a person and his culture (Serebrennikov, 1988, p. 11).As for the concept "linguistic picture of the world", in modern linguistics it is defined by several Russian linguists such as Pimenova, O.A. Kornilov, Z.D. Popova and I.A.Sternin in different ways.According to M.V. Pimenova, it is "body of knowledge about the world which is reflected in language, and also ways of receiving and interpretation of new knowledge" (Pimenova, 2004, p. 5).O.A. Kornilov considers that it is "fixation and storage of all complex of knowledge of current language community about the world" (Kornilov, 2003, p. 4). The most complete definition of researching the concept is given by Russian linguists Z.D. Popova and I.A. Sternin, who consider that "linguistic picture of the world is set of people's representations about reality fixated in units of language at a certain stage of development of the people, imagination about the reality reflected in values of linguistic signs - linguistic partitioning of the world, linguistic collating of subjects and the phenomena…" (Popova and Sternin, 2007, p. 54). So studying various definitions of "linguistic picture of the world", we arrived at a conclusion that "linguistic picture of the world" is a verbal expression of objective reality of a certain language community. "Linguistic picture of the world" is embodied in all national languages, and receives designation "a national linguistic picture of the world". In turn, "a national linguistic picture of the world" is "national and specific vision of all things in existence which is fixated in lexicon of the corresponding language, where the word "vision" expresses following concepts: logical conception, sensation and estimation, and concept "all things in existence" means not only a real material world, but also all introduced things in it by human mind" (Kornilov, 2003, p. 140).It should be noted that the questions concerning the problem of "national linguistic picture of the world" were made in scientific works of great linguist W. von Humboldt and the formers of theory of linguistic relativity E. Sapir and B. Whorf. According to W. Humboldt's doctrine, "various languages are various world visions. Any language, designating separate subjects, forms a picture of the world for the people speaking in it" (L.E.S). The base of a hypothesis of Sapir - Whorf makes belief that human beings are very much at the mercy of the particular language which determines nature of thinking of the person, his behavior and a way of cognition


Since 1967, at least six ash utilization symposiums have been held in the United States, with papers presented by several European authors on the utilization of coal by-products in Eastern Europe. There is currently over 80,000 megawatts of installed coal-fired capacity available in that region. Unfortunately, of the 117,778,000 tonnes of fly ash, bottom ash, and slag produced in Eastern Europe in 1989, only 13% was utilized. This paper outlines the research and levels and kinds of coal by-product utilization taking place in Eastern Europe since the late 1960s.


Dr. Gularte passed out District Policy 7365 to the committee. The recommended changes were identified by Dr. Gularte and reviewed by the committee.  Line 15-19 be moved to collective bargaining  Line 35-36 identifies the disciplinary action  Line 55 – Number 10 was added: Conviction of controlled substance offense as defined in Education Code Section 87011.  Amna Jara motioned that the policy go to Coordinating Committee. Norma Rodriguez seconded the motion.


The effect of micro-aerobic time on nitrogen removal efficiency in low carbon source sewage was evaluated.Results showed that micro-aerobic time had no obvious effect on COD removal efficiency , but had a significant effect on nitrification and denitrification efficiency of the system.Ammonium nitrogen removal rate was up to 96.9% under the condition of 2hanaerobic process and 7haerobic process ; The concentration of nitrite in effluent was only 0.116mg/L , and no nitrite accumulation was observed ; The removal rate ( 47.3% ) of the system to TN was the highest.Micro-aerobic time too long or too short would cause the nitrification and denitrification efficiency of the system dropped.


Abstract: At present time two main problems for Caspian Sea are: level fluctuations and its ecological condition. Historically, the transgressions and regressions of the Caspian Sea influenced the regional living and production. Based on the geological, historical and archeological data, as well as the measured data, the geological and historical variability, yearly and seasonal changes, and short-term fluctuations are studied in this paper. In addition, this paper reviews two different methodologies that explain the reasons for the level fluctuations of the Caspian Sea. The results indicate that the Caspian Sea level changes should be considered as a multistage process, which is affected by geological factors, hydro-climatic factors and water balance, as well as anthropogenic factors, and the hydro-climatic changes are the dominant influence on the Caspian Sea level.


In control systems, it is necessary to observe the work of the controlled object. It is usually achieved in power electronics systems by measuring currents and voltages [7, 68]. This chapter is devoted to the problems of processing the analog current and voltage signals to convert them into digital form in power electronics systems. The problems discussed in this chapter, the author believes, are essential for the proper operation of control systems.


Objective:To investigate some MRI signs of the multiple sclerosis and review the literature,so as to elevate the rate of correct diagnosis.Materials and Methods:A total of 41 subjects with final diagnosis of multiple sclerosis were selected between January 2009 and March 2011 as case group.The sex ratio was 18 males to 23 females.The age ranged from 11 to 52 years old,and the course of disease was from one month to five years.All the patients underwent MRI examination.Results:In addition to conventional imaging manifestations,the multiple sclerosis often presented ice-melting sign,plaster sign,tree sign,path sign,horn sign and converse comma sign.Conclusion:These signs of multiple sclerosis have important value for the correct diagnosis.


ABSTRACT Nuisance laws in the U.S. fine or evict people for calling 911 repeatedly, and are often enforced against battered women. Using interviews with primarily poor battered women of color, I show how nuisance laws abridge their rights and prevent them from participating as citizens in a community of equals. I also argue that these laws are an example of neoliberal policy and operate to contain and exclude battered women from the rest of society, narrowing their options for action and leaving them vulnerable to intimate abuse. I conclude that, insofar as nuisance laws undercut policies intended to protect women from gender-based violence, they roll back gains in women's equality and amplify gender oppression.


Global optimization of industrial plant configurations using organic Rankine cycles (ORC) to recover heat is becoming attractive nowadays. This kind of optimization requires structural and parametric decisions to be made; the number of variables is usually high, and some of them generate disruptive responses. Surrogate models can be developed to replace the main components of the complex models reducing the computational requirements. This paper aims to create, evaluate, and compare surrogates built to replace a complex thermodynamic-economic code used to indicate the specific cost (US$/kWe) and efficiency of optimized ORCs. The ORCs are optimized under different heat sources conditions in respect to their operational state, configuration, working fluid and thermal fluid, aiming at a minimal specific cost. The costs of 1449.05, 1045.24, and 638.80 US$/kWe and energy efficiencies of 11.1%, 10.9%, and 10.4% were found for 100, 1000, and 50,000 kWt of heat transfer rate at average temperature of 345 °C. The R-square varied from 0.96 to 0.99 while the number of results with error lower than 5% varied from 88% to 75% depending on the surrogate model (random forest or polynomial regression) and output (specific cost or efficiency). The computational time was reduced in more than 99.9% for all surrogates indicated.


In this paper,some preliminary results of the action of triethylamine on the re-action between dimethyl 2-phenyl-furane-3,4-dicarboxylate(2)and phenylmagnesiumbromides(3a-c)are reported. It was found that in the presence of triethylalnine, methyl 2-phenyl-4-benzoylfu-rane-3-carboxylates(la-c),and some-times also 2-phenl-3,4-dibenzoylfurane(4a)were formed.And, if no trietliylamine was added, methyl 2-phenyl-4-diphenyl-hydro-xymethyl-3-carboxylate(5a)was mainly formed.


Energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) is an analytical technique used to determine elemental composition. It is a powerful, easy-to-use, non-destructive technique that can be employed for a wide variety of materials. In this technique the electron beam of the scanning electron microscope (SEM) impinges on the sample and excites atomic electrons causing the production of characteristic X rays. These characteristic X rays have energies specific to elements in the sample. The EDS detector collects these X rays as a signal and produces a spectrum. Samples also can be excited by X rays. Collimated and focused X rays from an X-ray source produce characteristic X rays that can be detected by the same EDS detector. When X rays are used as the source of excitation, the method is then called X-ray fluorescence (XRF) or micro-XRF.


In this work, an external distributed line load is used to control the postbuckled static deflection of a double-walled carbon nanotube within which a continuous non-viscous fluid flows at a constant velocity. The non-linear equation of motion and boundary conditions are derived using the non-local Timoshenko beam model for the double-walled carbon nanotube, incorporating Von Karman-type geometric non-linear behavior and taking account of the Van der Waals interaction between adjacent layers. First, in the absence of the control force, an analytical approach is used to determine the buckling fluid flow velocities and steady state non-linear static deflection at velocities greater than the buckling velocity for both the cases of a simple-simple and a simple-clamped end support. Then, the control force participates as an indeterminate parameter in the equations. The control force is obtained by resolving equations in which the postbuckled configuration is considered to be an exponential function of time with a negative exponential gain and initial value of the time that is equal to a steady configuration before the control force is applied. The influences of the non-local parameter, aspect ratio and the end supports on the maximum value of control force are investigated.


In order to evaluate the contribution of snow avalanches, coming from outside the glacier limits, into the seasonal accumulation, an original algorithm is proposed for glaciers with ongoing terrestrial mass balance programme. It was tested on the Djankuat Glacier, Caucasus. A case study was realized for 1998/99 balance year when accumulation value was the closest to its long-term mean over the 46-year-long monitoring period. Snow avalanche feeding turned out to be only 2.8 per cent of total accumulation that is about an order of magnitude smaller than assumed hitherto.


Objective
To explore the dosimetric characteristics of single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) combined with bone marrow sparing intensity modulated radiotherapy in patients with cervical cancer.

Methods
Twenty patients with cervical cancer after hysterectomy were performed on 99Tc thiocolloid SPECT bone marrow imaging to determine the active bone marrow in the pelvis. SPECT image combined with the simulation CT was used as the primary planning data set. Two plans for bone marrow sparing modulated radiotherapy were generated according to the bone marrow volume defined by SPECT and outline of the pelvis (SPECT-IMRT planning and BMS-IMRT planning). Furthermore, the target section and the dosimetric distribution in organs at risk (bone marrow, small intestine, rectum and bladder) in the two plannings were compared. The prescribed dose to the PTV was 45 Gy.

Results
The volume of the bone marrow in SPECT-IMRT planning and BMS-IMRT planning was (238.15±36.82) and (1 100.61±109.92) cm3, respectively (t=33.273, P 0.05). The PTV coverage rate and exposure dose of other organs at risk (small intestine, rectum and bladder) in the two plannings were not significantly different (P>0.05).

Conclusions
SPECT bone marrow imaging could clearly show the range of active bone marrow on CT scan images. Compared with BMS-IMRT, SPECT-IMRT could further reduce the dose volume of high-dose radiation (V30, V40 and V45). Yet the clinical significance of this advantage also needs to be confirmed by large-scale clinical studies.

Key words:
Cervical neoplasm; Radiotherapy; Intensity-modulated; Single photon emission computed tomography


Agile software development is a widely used and successful methodology for organizing and managing software product development in an industry setting. For academic research projects in Computer Science, the development of software is often a major component and the use of agile methods may be appropriate. The fundamental difference in how software engineering is performed in an academic research setting as compared with that of industry, however, means that a strict application of agile approaches may not be ideal. In this paper, we adapt the Agile Manifesto to the needs of an academic research project. Four case studies are presented, two from industry, one from academia, and one from an industry-academia collaborative project to support the adaptations, motivating a set of proposed agile research policies called the Agile Research Penultimatum.


ABSTRACT Solar–;dehumidification wood drying kilns attract more and more interest due to their energy saving characteristics. However. such dryers are only available for small effective drying volume capacities. less than 30 m3, and for low drying temperature under 65 °C, for Chinese domestic products. In fact, wood drying kilns over 60 m3and high drying temperatures upto 95 °C or even higher are commonly desired from economic and process technology points o f view. For instance, if the drying temperature is below 60 °C. a long drying period will result in high operational costs and may also cause mould as well colour changes on the lumber surface. It is also known that the anti- decay ability of the seasoned lumber is lhus reduced. As such. the design of the solar–dehumidification wood drying kiln with an effective drying volume capacity of 60 m3 and a drying temperature upto 95 0C was made. Two compression processes for dehumidification and heat pump systems were adopted. The refrigerant of R1(2). which...


The research project's main objective is to propose a methodology for building and tracking a Government Agenda North-West Axis of Guarico state to achieve Sustainable Regional Development Social Participation; arises answer questions about the approaches considered in the formulation of Government Agenda, strategies for implementation of the Agenda for Government; an analysis of the constitutional, legal and institutional framework in order to determine which elements are necessary to develop an Agenda for Government and which are essential in construction and will be tracked. The methodology used is exploratory and descriptive research, documentary research, participant observation and classification of information.


Benzo‐oxepines and dibenzo‐oxepines, a unique class of naturally occurring secondary metabolites, are distributed mainly in plants and fungi and have received much attention from phytochemists and biologists based on their fascinating structural features and health‐promoting functions. This review summarizes 100 oxepine derivatives comprising three categories: benzo‐oxepine, dibenzo‐oxepine, and pyrano‐oxepine. Studies on various structural features and pharmacological activities of oxepine derivatives promote further in‐depth research on these potent natural products. This review portrays the natural occurrence, bioactivity and biosynthesis of oxepines reported from 1984 to 2021.


Abstract The kinetics of photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved emission spectra (TRES) of melanin solutions with an effective electron acceptor 2,4,7-trinitrofluorenone (TNF) have been studied. Based on the analysis of the kinetic decay curves and TRES, the fast and slow PL decay components can be distinguished, which characterize the processes of a relaxation of excited states and charge transfer in the melanin-TNF molecular system. In this paper, the observed dependences have been analyzed and the model to explain such behavior of PL dynamic characteristics has been proposed.


AIDS simmered for years in Africa before it was recognized in the United States in 1981 as an epidemic among homosexual men. Its origin is no longer a mystery. Thanks to the high science of gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis we can pinpoint the monkey troupe from which HIV-1 originated in West Africa. How the virus might have begun as a zoonosis from its natural home in chimpanzees is an open question but the pandemic is credibly attributed to high population crowding wars migration poverty commercial sex other sexually transmitted infections travel illicit and medical injection drug use and even the practice (or not) of male circumcision in the context of sexual transmission. After a quarter century AIDS is just another grim fact of life added to the shopping list of infectious diseases that kill millions every year. (excerpt)


Purpose

The Lack of Penetration (LoP) defect is one of the flaws that can be generated during the friction stir welding (FSW) process. Depending on the size, the depth and the severity of the LoP defect, it is possible that it is hardly detectable by optical inspection or other NDT methods. Whether detectable or not, this defect may lead to a significant degradation of the fatigue properties of the welded material, as the improperly welded zone can act as a fracture initiation site. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this experimental investigation, an attempt is made to assess and compare the fatigue behavior of FSW aluminum joints with and without the LoP defect.

Findings

It was found that the LoP defect affects the fatigue behavior of the welded material at high stress levels whereas the effect diminishes with decreasing stress levels.

Originality/value

Depending on the design stress levels, the LoP defect may dominate fracture and thus, the welding parameters should be carefully selected so as to avoid such defect.


Abstract The effects of heat either alone or combined with Xirradiation were investigated in the skin of the mouse ear. Ears were heated for times ranging from 7.5 minutes to four hours in a water-bath at temperatures ranging from 39°C to 46 °C. Severe heat treatment caused necrosis during the first few days after heating. Mild hyperthermia, which itself caused early transient reddening but no further visible changes, when given immediately after X rays enhanced the radiodermatitis which was observed during 10–50 days after treatment. From a level of heating which is slightly less than that required to produce necrosis in any mice, an increase in temperature of 0.5°C caused an increase in the incidence of necrosis from 0 to 100%. For hyperthermia which enhanced radiodermatitis, an increase of 0.5°C was equivalent to an increase in X-ray dose of 10 to 15%. For heat alone, the time required to produce necrosis in half the treated mice was reduced by one half for a rise in temperature of 1 °C. For heat combi...


Abstract Bali is one of island in Indonesia that cannot avoid itself from domino effect of suicide as caused by modernization. The rate of suicide in Bali is improving year by year in associate with Balinese society that modernized themselves. The changing of culture environment and degradation of environment give a potential contribution toward the rising the suicide rate in Bali. This geographically correlated and countryside are where the suicide case frequently occurred. From the culture aspect, these countryside are not strong enough to do resistance toward social and cultural transformation caused by modernization. Whereas from the environmental aspect, the degradation of environmental quality in those and areas, causes economical depression and in suicide. For Bali Island that has a unique environmental potency and noble culture modality ? so that it is called Paradise Island ? the phenomenon of suicides is an extra ordinary because it has happened a tragic cultural tragedy in Bali. It is paradox because suicide is an anti climax of divine ideal that should be established in this the island of Paradise.


Faculty development is a significant approach to realize faculty professionalization,and faculty development relies on healthy environment both inside and outside.Moreover,the core of faculty development is harmonious progress both in teaching and in research.However,the reality with imbalance between them requires us to perfect the assessment system of teaching and research;while at the same time faculty should also stress the emphasis of both teaching and research.


The mission of Wageningen UR (University & Research centre) is ' To explore the potential of nature to improve the q uality of life' . Within Wageningen UR, nine specialised research institutes of the D L O Foundation have j oined forces with Wageningen University to help answer the most important q uestions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With approximately 30 locations, 6,5 00 memb ers of staff and 10,000 students, Wageningen UR is one of the leading organisations in its domain worldwide. The integral approach to prob lems and the cooperation b etween the various disciplines are at the heart of the uniq ue Wageningen Approach. Annette Pronk, Frank ter Beke, Koen Minderhoud, Machiel Goosen, May Thazin Phoo, Nangphungengehtun Nang Baseline potato cultivation in Myanmar Corresponding address for this report:P.O. Box 16 6700 AA Wageningen The Netherlands T +31 (0)317 48 07 00 www.wageningenUR.nl/en


: A filamentous benthic cyanobacteria, strain USMAC16, was isolated from the High Arctic Svalbard archipelago, Norway, and a combination of morphological, ultras-tructural and molecular characterisation (16S rRNA gene sequence) used to identify to species level. Cell dimensions, thylakoid arrangement and apical cell shape are consistent with the Pseudanabaena genus description. The molecular characterisation of P. catenata gave 100% similarity with Pseudanabaena catenata SAG 1464-1, originally reported from Germany. Strain USMAC16 was cultured under a range of temperature and photoperiod conditions, in solid and liquid media, and harvested at exponential phase to examine its phenotypic plasticity. Under different culture conditions, we observed considerable variations in cell dimensions. The longest cell (5.91±0.13 μ m) was observed at 15°C under 12:12 light:dark, and the widest cell (3.24±0.06 μ m) at 4°C under 12:12 light: dark in liquid media. The study provides baseline data documenting the morphological variation of P . in response to changing temperature regimes. cell count method using a haemocytometer. Cell counting was carried out under a light microscope daily for 10 days. Statistical analysis of morphological data . — The mean values of growth rates and measured morphological parameters were compared using a 3 × 3 factorial design with a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) in SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) v20.0 software, with temperature and light duration as the fixed factor. We tested pairwise differences using a Duncan post hoc test ( P < 0.05). All data are presented as mean ± standard error.


The life-cycle performance of P3 infrastructure projects is measured in terms of reduced repair and maintenance costs, as well as short duration of down-time due to the maintenance activities. As a result, durability of the infrastructure elements becomes an important performance measure of the P3 projects. In the current design codes and standards, the requirements for durability over the infrastructure life-cycle are not explicitly considered. While the life-cycle performance of the infrastructure elements, as designed, can be estimated based on the existing infrastructure, there is no research in to the life-cycle durability performance of the remedial actions due to construction deficiencies. Therefore, the planning and execution of P3 infrastructure projects requires additional contractual and construction quality management aspects to assess the durability requirements. In this paper, we propose an Integrated Quality Management framework to address the durability issues due to the remedial actions following the construction deficiencies.


Administrators frequently see the human problems of their organization in simple causal terms, rather than viewing them as systems having interdependent characteristics. They perceive systems theories as too complex for taking remedial action. The paper reports a simple model for conceptualizing health care organizations as systems, a methodology for diagnosing the major blockages to the organization's functioning, and a procedure for intervening in the system to remedy the identified blockages. The procedure was successfully tested in the nursing service of a hospital. In the diagnostic phase, an extensive list of problems was generated through open-ended interviews with a random sample of nursing personnel. All the nursing supervisory personnel were organized into homogeneous, by status level, problem-solving groups and sorted through the list to identify the major system blockages. The resultant assessments were organized into a matrix of sentiments that described how the three levels of the nursing hi...


In this paper, by using the effective Schrödinger–Poisson model, we investigate quantum edge plasmon excitations and electron spill-out effect in an arbitrary degenerate electron gas in the presence of perpendicular electron drift momentum. It is found that the single-electron Schrödinger equation solution produces a nonoscillatory electron number density distribution on the interface showing characteristic surface-dipole and electron spill-out effects. However, the Schrödinger–Poisson model produces large amplitude dual-tone density distribution due to both wave-like and particle-like plasmon dispersion other than surface-dipole and electron spill-out effects. The variations in the density structure are investigated in terms of different parameters such as the chemical potential, temperature, quantum electron tunneling parameter, and perpendicular electron de Broglie's wavenumber. Furthermore, we extend our study to the case of collective electron tunneling and reveal that the interface potential energy significantly differs from the case of single-electron quantum tunneling and strongly depends on the electron gas parameters. The current study reveals interesting features of the transverse plasmon excitations and electron spill-out in a current carrying narrow metal slab or metal–dielectric quantum sandwich interfaces incorporating both single-electron and collective quantum tunneling.


Probiotics koumiss powder is prepared by tow technics,cryogenic distillation method and freeze drying method.In the first method,the content of probiotics is higher than second method.The antihyperlipidemic effect of probiotics koumiss powder is studied.The experiment indicated that the contents of serum TC,TG,LDL-C of high dosage group are significantly decreased as compared with those of model group(p0.01).The TC of low dosage group significantly decreased(p0.01). The LDL-C of them are decreased(p0.05).


There is a tendency to follow the notion that 'a town is a town, wherever it is', and that, being a visual phenomenon, the town/ city should be made an object of study in its own right. After Independence, in forty years from 1951 to 1991, India's level of urbanization increased slowly. This slow pace made it feasible for the Government to ignore the demands of urbanization. The structural transformation of the economy that has taken place since 1990s, is expected to intensify over the next two or three decades. The share of agriculture has already fallen to less than a third in national income, whereas labour engaged in agriculture continues to account for almost two-thirds of the labour-force. This shrinkage will continue as industry grows at rates of over 8% a year while agriculture, at best, grows at 3% a year. The massive transformation in labour force structure which must match this transformation in output structure has yet to occur. India's urban population in 1981 was slightly more than 159 million, which was also greater than the total population of all but three other countries in the world. India's recognized urban settlements, numbering 3,245 in 1981, are at various stages of technological and cultural modernization, with a remarkable unevenness of development in the different states and regions of the country. The landscape of urban settlements in India provides a veritable laboratory for the study of the complex inter-relationships among the people and between the people and the physical and cultural environments in which they live. Around 1800, India had 16 cities with a population of one lakh or more, and about 1,500 towns spread over all parts of the country. Only a third of the towns and cities were located in the Gangetic planes: western and southern India was comparatively more urbanized, while eastern India was the least urbanized. The overall level of urbanization in 1800 is estimated to be approximately 11%. Varanasi was the old largest city in India in 1800, followed by Kolkata; Surat, Patna, Chennai, Mumbai and Delhi had populations of only 1, 50,000. Among these cities, only three (Kolkata, Chennai and Mumbai) were entirely new and leading cities established by the British by the start of 20 th


The ring-necked parakeet invaded southern Israel and competes with indigenous cavity-nesting species for nest sites. However, the parakeet can also excavate its own cavities, providing other birds with breeding places, so the final impact on native avifauna is questionable. We studied the effect of the ring-necked parakeet on the indigenous Eurasian hoopoe for 10 years, from 2000 to 2009. The parakeet colonized two palmeries (in 2002 and 2006) with the highest densities of the hoopoe while two remaining palmeries remained unsettled by the parakeet during the study period, and were therefore used as control plots in our study. During the study period, in the unsettled palmeries, the breeding density of the hoopoe did not change while in palmeries colonized by the parakeet, the density of the hoopoe declined significantly. Moreover, the palmery originally hosting the highest density of the hoopoe had the lowest density of this species after the invasion of the parakeet. The results suggest a negative impact of the invasive ring-necked parakeet on the indigenous Eurasian hoopoe, mainly through the aggressive takeover of cavities by parakeets. Expected land-use changes in the region will most probably result in further expansion of the ring-necked parakeet.


The address-electrode width is an important parameter to affect both the address and sustain discharge characteristics in an ac-plasma display panels (ac-PDPs). It was numerically founded that as the address-electrode width was wider, the capacitance between the sustain and address electrodes (=CAY) increased, but the capacitance between the two sustain electrodes (=CXY) decreased. The resultant changes in the sustain and address discharge characteristics, such as a firing voltage, discharge delay time, and luminance, were examined in the 50 in ac-PDP with a high Xe (>11%) content. The increase in the address-electrode width caused an increase in the firing voltage between the sustain electrodes, which was mainly due to the decrease in the capacitance between two sustain electrodes and the increase in the wall charges accumulation toward the address electrode. In particular, the luminance was observed to increase with an increase in the address-electrode width. As the address-electrode width became broaden, the sustain discharge path was longer toward the address electrode, thereby enlarging the discharge volume. Therefore, it was observed that the IR (VUV) and Ne emissions were increased considerably. Furthermore, these experimental results were confirmed by simulating the electric field strength and Xe ion distribution in discharge cell with respect to the address-electrode width.


Given the theoretical significance of self-image congruence, it is important to develop a valid measure of self-image congruence. Traditionally, indirect measure has been the most widely used method for measuring self-image congruity. However, several researchers have suggested that indirect measure has several problems. Thus, this study was to empirically compare the explanatory power of the indirect measure and the polynomial regression in measuring self-Image congruity. Data were conveniently collected from 278 people, who had brand image of five star hotels in Seoul, between December 2008 and January 2009. Results showed that the significant self-image congruity effect of indirect measure disappeared under the statistical test of polynomial regression. Findings from this study imply that the traditional indirect measure of self-image congruity might not be appropriate to measure the self-image congruity.


Productivity is one of the most important issues in both developed and developing countries. The developed countries are aware of the importance of economic growth and social welfare. The developing countries which face unemployment problems, inflation and resource scarcity seek to utilise sources and in such a way to achieve economic growth and improve citizens' lives. Productivity is an issue of particular importance to projects located within the Agdabia city in Libya, as it is considered a newly-developed area and a huge number of projects have been planned for the near future. Factors affecting construction productivity have been the subject of inquiry by many researchers. In order to improve productivity, a study of the factors affecting it, whether positively or negatively is necessary. Data was collected through questionnaires targeting various ranged construction projects in Libya. Of 90 distributed questionnaires, eighty six (86) useable questionnaires were received and analyzed. Productivity at construction projects was assessed using 20 important factors developed from literature studies. These data were then subjected to the calculation of importance indices, which enabled factors to be ranked. The results identified the fifth most important factors were Lack of labour experience; payment delay; tool and equipment shortages; increasing the workforce on the construction site; and aavailability of Machinery at Construction Site. The analysis drawn from this study is essential for construction projects to take these factors into account in increasing the productivity rates at construction projects.


Optoelectronics is a very materials dependent technology. The metastable growth of new alloy materials and strain have significantly increased the performance and addressable wavelength regions due to these materials technology enhancements. The growth technologies, new materials and resulting devices are described.


Conventional borehole pressure relief can meet the requirements for preventing rock bursts, but it can also easily destroy the roadway, resulting in system support failure. Taking coal-like samples with boreholes as the research object, the pressure relief effects of the same-diameter boreholes and variable-diameter boreholes are compared and analyzed by a uniaxial compression test. The joint pressure relief mechanism of the variable-diameter drilling hole is discussed. The experimental results show that the stress–strain curve of variable-diameter drilling sample occurred the phenomenon of pre-peak stress drop and post-peak stress plateau, which indicates that the variable-diameter drilling hole can enhance the plastic characteristics of coal-like samples. The borehole size dramatically influences the variation of various pressure relief indexes. The evolution law of AE counting the pre-peak and post-peak of borehole samples verified the abovementioned law. Variable-diameter drilling can enhance the plasticity of samples, weaken the brittleness and reduce the impact tendency. Under the maximum size of the variable-diameter drilling hole and the same-diameter drilling hole is same, the pressure relief effect is more significant. The results obtained in this paper can provide a new theoretical basis and technical guidance for borehole pressure relief and roadway support.


A software program that is an adventure game which utilizes synthetic organic chemistry to overcome a series of problems or obstacles encountered in the game.


Physiological variability was studied in 10 isolates of Botrytis cinerea causing botrytis gray mold of chickpea, collected from diverse agro climatic areas in Bangladesh. The optimum temperature and pH for the best mycelial radial growth of B. cinerea were 20°C and 4.5, respectively. The mycelial radial growth increased with the temperature up to 20°C thereafter it decreased gradually up to 30°C and no growth was observed at 35°C. Chickpea dextrose agar (CDA) medium supported the highest mycelial radial growth (79.17 mm). The quickest (in 5 days) sclerotia initiation was recorded on chickpea destrose agar and lentil dextrose agar (LDA) culture media while the highest number of spores (2.5104 mL–1) were recorded on LDA medium. The antagonist Trichoderma harzianum was found to be a good bio-control agent against B. cinerea. Among the seven fungicides Bavistin® 50 WP (Carbendazim), CP-Zim 50 WP (Carbendazim), Sunphanate 70 WP (Thiophanate methyl) and Rovral 50 WP (Iprodione) were the most effective to inhibit the mycelial radial growth of B. cinerea at 500 mg L–1 concentration.


Major purpose of this study is investigating relationship between distinction strategies and cost leadership on sell level in Tehran industrial companies. This research is field kind and its general method is descriptive. Analytical method it's statically society is food industrial in Tehran. Tools for gathering data are researcher questionnaire. They use clmogrov Smirnov test for evaluate research variable normality and person correlation test for data analysis. Results of data analysis show there is meaningful relationship between distinction strategies factors and sell level in company. And diversity in material color, design and role has major effect on sell level and raw material quality, diversity in but ion method and marketing effective methods are effective on sell level also there is positive and meaningful relationship between cost leadership and sell level and more effect contribute to use production elements and less effect is investment base on modifications. Keywords: Comparative strategies, organizational performances comparative resources, cost.


Purpose. Investigation of transients in the control system of continuous dosing equipment for bulk materials using PI and PID regulators and evaluation of their impact on the quality of work elements.Method. Using the Mathlab: Simulink software environment to develop a mathematical model, conduct experimental research and assess the impact on the working bodies of the control system of continuous dosing equipment.Researchresults. Control of motor parameters (motor characteristics) by means of standard regulators of their comparison of advantages and disadvantages. described in many standards and scientific papers. However, modeling the engine operation process in dosing systems is significantly complicated due to the inertness and adhesion of bulk material dosed in the core of the hopper, it can significantly affect the final result of the finished mixture. continuous operation equipment using PI and PID controllers, an experiment was performed on a mathematical model using PI and PID controllers to assess their impact on the control system of the plate feeder continuous action. The results of the simulation can be used to decide on the type of controller control of transient characteristics of the engine, at development of control system of plate feeders in mixing complexes of continuous action.Scientificnovelty. Scientific novelty. The parameters influencing the frequency with which the motor of the plate feeder of continuous action rotates are determined. The time of the transient process of engine operation and the value of the maximum dynamic deviation are determined. The expediency of using regulators of one or another type for certain modes of operation of feeders is proved.Practical significance. The obtained results will reduce the transient time in the operation of the feeder motor and increase the operating time until the failure of the entire system. Design changes are proposed that will reduce the amount of ripple and improve the performance of continuous dosing equipment.


Healthcare organizations face a significant challenge in developing their capacity to identify and address organizational ethics issues. These issues must be raised explicitly in the context of important organizational decisions and often in conjunction with clinical ethics concerns. Unless ethical analysis is an integral component of organizational decisions, organizational ethics becomes something a healthcare organization does "on the side." Healthcare organizations must ensure that organizational ethics is integrated into critical decisions at multiple levels within the organization. Achieving this integration requires putting into place critical elements of an organizational ethics program that identify and engage critical organizational ethics issues. This article addresses the required elements for an effective organizational ethics program.


In the discussion of highway planning, forestry authorities advance the interests of their forests. Their arguments are based on legal criteria and planning fundamentals which may nowadays be presented in a differentiated fashion and a manner which for the highway planner is better and identifiable at an earlier stage. The report puts forward the most important arguments dealing with such questions as, how the maintenance of the forest can be ensured for possible alignments of highways within and outside the forest area. The main functions of the forests in society are based on economical and property structure foundations and are outlined in the official forest function maps, which are of decisive importance as an aid to the highway planner. The author appeals for a careful expert consideration of the forestry reports and hopes for an early adaptation of the design specifications for highway construction to the increased environmental consciousness of the road users. /TRRL/


[1] The behavior of East Antarctic Ice Sheet (EAIS) outlet glaciers both at present and during the recent geological past is of considerable interest both from the point of view of understanding the mechanics of contemporary glacier dynamics, and also with regard to epoch-scale ice sheet stability during Plio-Pleistocene climate transitions. Here we use a glacier flowline model that incorporates the effects of longitudinal stresses to numerically simulate Ferrar Glacier, first under present-day environmental conditions, and subsequently under both colder and warmer climate regimes representing the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and mid-Pliocene peak warmth respectively. Using airborne radar profiles, InSAR-derived surface velocities, ice core and geological data for empirical constraint, we present a diagnostic simulation that uses an iterative method to closely reproduce observed dynamics. Our model suggests that the glacier is largely cold-based under present conditions, flows predominantly by way of internal deformation, and 'cascades' over bedrock ridges due to the combined action of changes in cross-sectional valley geometry, local steepening of the glacier surface, and the non-local effects of longitudinal coupling. Time-dependent (evolutionary) simulation of a lower-profile glacier under a colder, drier, LGM climate, predicts flow velocities lower than present with minimal bedrock erosion or basal till flux. Conversely, the warmer-than-present mid-Pliocene climate produces a more dynamic glacier that is warm-based and sliding along much of its bed. We propose that EAIS outlet glaciers, such as the Ferrar, respond dynamically along their length in response to changing environmental forcings, with most significant changes taking place in their lower reaches. Adjustment to perturbations in upper catchments is more muted.


SUMMARY. 1. Monthly and diel patterns of food consumption by the three-spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L., were studied in Llyn Frongoch, a small reservoir in upland mid-Wales.

2. Copepods were particularly prominent in the diet in spring and autumn, with ephemeropteran nymphs prominent in summer. Chironomid pupae and stickleback eggs were also elements of the diet in summer, whereas algae, plant material and debris were more important in autumn and winter. Chironomid larvae and ostracods were present throughout the year, but there was some doubt as to the importance of ostracods as digestible food items.

3. Stomach contents were heaviest in spring and late summer and lightest in late autumn and winter.

4. Samples for the diel samples were taken four times, once in each season. These diel samples largely reflected the seasonal changes in diet noted in the monthly samples. There were few cases of a clear switch in the composition of the diet during a 24 h period. Feeding occurred during daylight, the weight of the stomach contents declined during darkness.

3. Several methods provided estimates of the daily rate of food consumption which ranged from 3.5 mg in December (4°C), to 19.0 mg in May (15°C). These estimates and others obtained independently suggest that the annual rate of food consumption for a stickleback in Llyn Frongoch is between 2000 and 5000 mg wet weight.


In order to detect boundary points of clusters effectively,a technique making use of objects' density and distribution feature in its Eps-neighborhood to detect boundary points,and a boundary points detecting algorithm named BOUND(detecting boundary points of clusters in noisy dataset) is developed.Experimental results show that BOUND can detect boundary points in noisy dataset containing different shapes and sizes clusters effectively and efficiently.


The shear flow of a viscous fluid around a circular cylinder has been studied to Oseen's approximation and has been compared with the author's previous results of Stokes' approximation. The formulae for the drag and the lift have been obtained neglecting the terms of orders O ( R e ), O (α R e -1 ), O (α 2 ), and it has been shown that the drag is not affected by the presence of the shear and the direction of the lift is the same as that for the inviscid shear now within the order of our approximation.


In this paper, a unique camera model was proposed to evaluate class attendance more efficiently. For making the system more robust and reliable, attendance was taken after 15 minutes of class starts and before 15 minutes of class ending. A unique algorithm was also proposed to operate the system properly. This system uses a state-of-the-art methodology to evaluate students attendance. Which is actually based on face detection and face recognition. Accuracy in percentage was the primary concern for choosing the more accurate methodology.


Substantial precast panels of building structures were damaged by the Wechuan earthquake, while research in allusion to cracking precast panels on the reinforcement with CFRP is not sufficient, through the secondary load bearing experiment of 12 prestressed concrete hollow slabs, effects of the stickup methods and stickup amount on the reinforcement of prestressed concrete hollow slabs were studied. According to the test result, change of ultimate bearing capacity of specimens, failure mode, load displacement curve were systematically analyzed , and it indicated that the bearing capacity of prestressed concrete hollow slab reinforced with CFRP with damage of various degrees was increased by 10% to 85%, while for minor damage, moderate damage, severe damage of the prestressed concrete hollow slab, the CFRP reinforcement methods of 100mm wide single-layer double-width, 75mm wide single-layer triple-width, 75mm single-layer fourfold-width should be respectively adopted.


We present high-resolution images obtained with the WFPC2, on board the HST, of the protoplanetary nebula (PPN) OH 231.8+4.2. H and NII line emission and scattered light in the continuum at 6750 and 7910 A were observed. We also discuss NIR NICMOS images from the HST archive. The images show with high accuracy the shape and excitation state of the shocks developed in the nebula. Our high-resolution images (and data from other works) allow a very detailed and quantitative description of the dierent nebular components and of the physical conditions in them. We interpret specic structures identied in our images using existing models of shock interaction. In the center of the nebula, there is a dense torus- or disk-like condensation continued by an hourglass-like structure, with relatively high densities (10 5 {10 6 cm 3 ) and temperatures (30 K). Inside this torus we have identied the location of the central star, from SiO maser observations. Two shock regions are detected from the optical line emission images, respectively in the north and south lobes. In both regions, a forward and a backward shock are identied. The densities of this hot gas vary between 40 and 250 cm 3 ,w ith the densest clumps being placed in the reverse shocks. The total mass of the shocked hot gas is210 3 M, both lobes showing similar masses in spite of their dierent extents. The relatively collimated jet that impinges on an originally slow shell, so producing the shocks, is identied from the scattered light images and in CO maps. This flow is signicantly denser and cooler than the shocked H regions. Its density decreases with the distance to the star, with typical values10 5 {10 4 cm 3 , and its temperature ranges between about 25 and 8 K. We explain the high H emission of the backward shock assuming that it propagates in a diuse gas component, entrained by the observed collimated flow and sharing its axial movement. The existence of shocks also in the collimated densest flow is suggested by the high abundance of some molecules like HCO + and its structure and kinematics in certain regions, but they are not seen in H emission, probably because of the absence of (well developed) hot components in this dense flow. We think that the exceptionally detailed and quantitative image derived for the wind interaction regions in OH 231.8+4.2 is a challenge to check and improve hydrodynamical models of wind interaction in PPNe.


We study the interaction of a laser plasma with the surface of a solid object. The plasma is formed by vaporization of the target and heating of the vapor with radiation from a Q-switched neodymium laser having pulse parameters of tau/sub p/approx. =3 x 10/sup -8/ s and W/sub p/ = 2 J. The power density of the radiation at the target surface is varied over the range (4-10) x 10/sup 8/ W/cm/sup 2/. We determine the conditions for which a thermalized region having an elevated temperature and particle density forms near the surface of the substrate. The thermalized region affects the condensation of the film. We determine the basic properties of this region: its size, the composition and density of particles in it, and the dynamics of its formation and decay. We propose a mechanism for the formation of the thermalized region based on the sputtering of the surface layers by the high-energy component of the erosion products. We elucidate the effect of the composition and energy characteristics of the erosion plasma on the processes occurring in the surface region.


We use ab initio simulations to study the static and dynamic properties of a sodium borosilicate liquid with composition $3{\mathrm{Na}}_{2}\mathrm{O}--{\mathrm{B}}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}--6{\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$, i.e., a system that is the basis of many glass-forming materials. In particular, we focus on the question how boron is embedded into the local structure of the silicate network liquid. From the partial structure factors we conclude that there is a weak nanoscale phase separation between silicon and boron and that the sodium atoms form channel-like structures as they have been found in previous studies of sodosilicate glass-formers. Our results for the x-ray and neutron structure factor show that this feature is basically not detectable in the former but should be visible in the latter as a small peak at small wave vectors. At high temperatures we find a high concentration of threefold coordinated boron atoms which decreases rapidly with decreasing $T$, whereas the number of fourfold coordinated boron atoms increases. Therefore, we conclude that at the experimental glass transition temperature most boron atoms will be fourfold coordinated. We show that the transformation of $^{[3]}\mathrm{B}$ into $^{[4]}\mathrm{B}$ with decreasing $T$ is not just related to the diminution of nonbridging oxygen atoms as claimed in previous studies, but to a restructuring of the silicate matrix. The diffusion constants of the various elements show an Arrhenius behavior and we find that the one for boron has the same value as the one of oxygen and is significantly larger than the one of silicon. This shows that these two network-formers have rather different dynamical properties, a result that is also confirmed from the time dependence of the van Hove functions. Finally, we show that the coherent intermediate scattering function for the sodium atoms is very different from the incoherent one and that it tracks the one of the matrix atoms.


The article considers the study in silico of the affinity of 3-[2-oxo-2-(4-phenyl-1-piperazinyl)ethyl]-4(3H)-quinazolinone (VMA-10-21 compound) to the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA А receptor by molecular docking method. The computational experiment was carried out using a set of Autodock programs. As a result, the method for predicting the affinity of the simulated compounds to the benzodiazepine binding site of the GABA A receptor was developed. The highest correlation coefficient between the pKi value and the average docking energy in the benzodiazepine binding site (0.54) was obtained using a set of amino acids Tyr 58 and Tyr 159. The predicted Ki value of the VMA-10-21 compound is 2.864 nM, which suggests a high affinity of the studied compound to this receptor.


This paper proposes a novel method of nonlinearity design based on Gaussianization and generalized matching (GGM) for signal detection in impulsive noise. Unlike conventional detectors derived from noise models or probability densities, the GGM method is developed based on Gaussianization of noise data and generalized matching of desired signals. Being independent on noise models, the GGM can be designed in a nonparametric way, based on noise samples and via a kernel density estimation method. Analysis and simulations show that the GGM design can be both effective and robust when the noise distribution is unknown.


Abstract: Canine distemper virus (CDV) is recognized as a conservation threat to Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) in Russia, but the risk to other subspecies remains unknown. We detected CDV neutralizing antibodies in nine of 21 wild-caught Sumatran tigers (42.9%), including one sampled on the day of capture, confirming exposure in the wild.


The objective of College English Education is to improve students' comprehensive language ability,especially the listening and speaking abilities.One of the effective ways to achieve this goal is to apply interpretation teaching.Based on ecological theory,we look into specific problems about the ecological interpretation teaching applied to College English class in this paper.This new teaching method proves to be effective in enhancing students' comprehensive ability in one year's teaching practice.


Cassava powder and pulp contain high levels of carbohydrate and variable starch; thus, they have the potential as substitutes for corn grain in cattle rations. This study aims to determine whether cassava (powder and pulp) can replace corn as an energy source in rations. Using a completely randomized design, rations were formulated using three corn, cassava powder or cassava pulp; and palm kernel cake as a protein source with a ratio of 60:40 (carbohydrate:protein source). Cassava powder and cassava pulp in the diet increased (P<0.05) VFA concentration over that from corn (14.6 and 18.2 vs. 11.3mM, respectively) and decreased NH3-N (4.73 and 4.55 vs. 8.26mg/100mL, respectively) in the rumen fluid compared to corn (P<0.05). pH did not change and ranged from 7.10-7.24. Rations containing cassava pulp showed the greatest microbial N concentration (P<0.05) compared to rations containing corn or cassava (5.85 vs. 4.52 and 1.43mg/100mL, respectively). Dry matter digestibility of the ration with cassava powder is higher (P<0.05) than corn and cassava pulp (62.4 vs. 59.4 and 50.6%, respectively). It may be concluded that cassava powder and cassava pulp can substitute corn in ruminant rations with a positive effect on the characteristics of rumen fermentation.


Our restoration work is forged on a moving anvil. We analyze and plan for success in today's landscape, but physical and biotic changes are rapidly approaching and erode the assumptions that underlie our efforts. As climate change warms our lands and the seas, the species mixes of past habitats that we emulate will be inappropriate for future conditions. Very often species can disperse north to a latitude that fits their physiological requirements. But different species move at different rates, and successful biotic communities of the future may never fully resemble the templates upon which we base our work. For communities on mountainsides, the migration is often upslope, not towards the pole, as propagules and animal dispersers find cooler microsites at higher elevations. As species on mountains march towards the summit, they may reach the end of migratory hope when the top is reached, and no cooler microsites exist above. The coldadapted species decline and those adapted to warmth increase, a process that has been called "thermophilization," a word as alien as the ecology it describes. These high mountain habitats and their species have literally no place to go and will disappear from the local biodiversity. No restoration plan or action can make a favorable habitat above the mountain's summit, and our Alpine and subalpine floras will have an absence of sustainable room. The constraint for restoration will be thin air, the converse of substrate.


The invention discloses a control method which is used for making electronic equipment more practical. The method includes the steps of acquiring a first output instruction used for outputting first data of a user, determining first information corresponding to fingerprint input information according to the fingerprint input information input by the user, generating a first control command according to the first information, executing the first control command and controlling a data transmission corresponding to the first data to inhibit the first data from being output. The invention further discloses the electronic equipment used for achieving the method.


A process for the preparation of a preparation of outer membrane vesicles from a bacterium, wherein the bacterial membrane is substantially broken in the absence of deoxycholate detergent and the bacterium over-expresses TbpA.


This thesis sought to address critical gaps in the literature on the interpersonal theory of suicide. First, three studies were conducted to test core assumptions of the theory regarding the role of its two putative proximal causes of suicidal desire – perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. It is assumed that it is the interpersonal nature of these factors that makes them especially pernicious (Joiner, 2005). However, this fundamental assumption of the theory is as yet untested, and research has not distinguished whether their mechanism of action is interpersonal or via failure per se. The theory also posits that perceptions of burdensomeness are sufficient to confer risk even when they are mistaken (Joiner, 2005) though the relative effects of perceived and actual thwarted interpersonal needs are unknown. Additionally, the interpersonal factors are thought to mutually influence each other (Joiner, 2005), yet their temporal reciprocal effects have not been examined. A novel experimental paradigm was employed to test these three predictions. Findings support the specific interpersonal emphasis of the theory and confirm that perceptions of burdensomeness have adverse effects even when they are inaccurate. Results also show that burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness mutually intensify each other, though thwarted belongingness influences risk for thoughts of escape from interpersonal adversity only indirectly via its amplifying effect on burdensomeness. Next, this thesis addressed a limitation common to contemporary models of suicide which do not account for life-sustaining factors (e.g., Harrison, Stritzke, Fay, Ellison, & Hudaib, 2014). Using a longitudinal design, the influence of zest for life, defined as a sense of connection to and enthusiasm for life, was tested against the adverse effects of the two interpersonal factors. Findings reveal that while zest for life may be partly diminished by


Objective. To assess office and outpatient blood pressure (BP) in patients with the persistent and masked hypertension (HTN) and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). Design and methods. We enrolled 121 subjects with BP increase and verified OSAS by multifunctional monitoring including registration of electrocardiogram, BP and respiration (Кardiotekhnika 04-BP3 (M), St Petersburg, Russia) that were divided into 2 groups: patients with stable and masked HTN. Results. The groups differed by age, office and ambulatory BP in subjects younger 40 years. Males were prevalent among patients with OSAS and masked HTN. Smoking rate was also higher in this group. Both daytime and nocturnal BP were higher in subjects with OSAS and masked HTN. According to multiple regression analysis there were several predictors of masked HTN in OSAS patients: male gender, high normal BP, smoking and BP elevation at night. Conclusions. Multifunctional monitoring with the registration of BP and respiration is obligatory in patients with HTN and suspected sleep breathing disorders in order to diagnose latent HTN.


The actinomycetes quality and population of the representative crops,and the relation between actinmycetes quality and several ecological factors in Luxinan district were studied by plate screening,so that we can study the ecological distribution of actinomycetes in this district. The results indicated that: ①The population of actinomycetes in this district was influenced by many factors.It changed as Loamy soilSand soilClay soil; it changed with different types of plants: vegetable soilwheat soilpeanut soilbare soilforestry soil;and it also decreased with the deeper of the soil layer.②The components of actinomycetes in this district were complicated and strains tested could be classified into five generas.Streptomyces occupied a dominant position,followed by Micromonospora and Nocardia.The complicated degree of actinomycetes changed as the crop changed.③The components of Streptomyces were also complicated and 13 subgeneras could be recognized.The dominant subgenera was Albosporus,and then the Lavendulae and Flavus.④The quality of actinomycetes was connected with the organic matter and pH value of the soil.The richer of the organic matter and the higher pH value of the soil,the larger of the population of the actinomycetes was.⑤The population of the actinomycetes in Luxinan district is large,so this district is a good place for actinomycetes to live and reproduce.


The effect of surface energies, strains, and stresses on the size-dependent elastic state of embedded inhomogeneities are investigated. At nanolength scales, due to the increasing surface-to-volume ratio, surface effects become important and induce a size dependency in the otherwise size-independent classical elasticity solutions. In this letter, closed-form expressions are derived for the elastic state of eigenstrained spherical inhomogeneities with surface effects using a variational formulation. Our results indicate that surface elasticity can significantly alter the fundamental nature of stress state at nanometer length scales. Additional applications of our work on nanostructures such as quantum dots, composites, etc. are implied.


Abstract This paper introduces a condition for rational choice that states that accepting decision methods and normative theories that sometimes entail that the act of choosing a maximal alternative renders this alternative non-maximal is irrational. The paper illustrates how certain distributive theories that ascribe importance to what the status quo is violate this condition and argues that they thereby should be rejected.


Navy Experimental Wing-in-Ground-Effect (WIG) craft namely as NEW1, is the first version of 2-seated WIG craft which has been designed and developed by Royal Thai Navy since 2017. This experimental research is a part of the NEW1 project which aims to investigate the aerodynamic characteristics and aspects of the flow passing through the WIG craft model when in ground effect. In the experiment, the WIG craft—NEW1 of 1:15 scale model is tested in a close circuit wind tunnel of 1 m × 1 m test section at Kasetsart University. The tests are conducted at the free stream velocity of 40 m/s or Reynolds number of 280,000, at angles of attack ranging from −9° to 21°, and at the wing to ground distances ranging from 5.0 C to 0.3 C. The measurement of 6-DoF of forces and moments and pressure distributions on the ground surface underneath the WIG craft model are made during the tests. The results show that the ground has significant effects on the aerodynamic characteristics of the WIG craft model when the wing to ground distance is less than its mean chord. It was found that when the model move from 5.0 C (out of ground effect) to 0.3 C, the lift coefficient increases up to 15.7%, the drag coefficient decreases up to 5.6%, and the lift to drag ratio increases 33.4%. The proximity of the model to the ground also affects the longitudinal stability of the model. The moment coefficient curves against angle of attack has negative slope for both in and out of ground effect indicating favorable longitudinal stability. However, it was found that the aerodynamic center move further aft toward the trailing edge when the model move closer to the ground.


Interferon alfa is the only licensed therapy for chronic hepatitis C. The response rate with interferon monotherapy in terms of sustained loss ofHCV RNA is 20-25%. It is now possible to predict, from baseline host and viral factors and from the early response to interferon, which patients are most likely to respond to therapy.' Patients with cirrhosis or type lb infection, for example, are less likely to respond to interferon. More prolonged treatment courses and higher doses of interferon are associated with improved response rates but both these approaches are complicated by reduced patient compliance and limited by treatment costs. Ribavirin monotherapy results in a temporary reduction in the transaminase levels3 but only a modest and transient decrease in the HCV RNA levels. The combination of interferon alfa and ribavirin, however, seems promising treatment for naive patients4 and for those who have failed to respond to interferon monotherapy.5 Multicentre trials of such dual therapy are in progress. Proteinase inhibitors seem promising for the treatment ofHIV infection and are under development for chronic hepatitis C. Antiviral research, however, is limited by the lack of suitable cell culture and animal models. The success with interferon alfa as treatment for chronic hepatitis B and C is thought to relate to its combination of antiviral and immunomodulatory activity. This has led to trials with other cytokines such as interferon beta, gamma, interleukins, and thymus derived polypeptides. Extract of bovine and porcine thymus has been shown to have immunostimulatory activity. Various peptides have been identified and more recently sequenced and synthesised. Thymus humoral factor, (thymus humoral factor--y2), is a synthetic octapeptide and thymopentin is a synthetic peptapeptide. Thymosin a,, used in the study on page 679, is a synthesised 28 amino acid peptide, which seems to be a major immunostimulatory component of crude thymus extract. Administration of thymic peptides leads to stimulation of release of interferon alfa, gamma, interleukin 2, increased interleukin-2 receptor expression with increased CD4, and natural killer cell activity. Thymus extracts and factors have been tried as therapy for chronic hepatitis B in humans and in the woodchuck model. In small studies6 seven of 12 patients who received either thymosin al or thymosin factor 5 and three of nine patients7 who received thymus humoral factor y and interferon cleared HBeAg. In a small, uncontrolled study8 15 patients with chronic hepatitis B were given a combination of thymosin a, and low dose interferon alfa. Nine of the patients lost HBV DNA. The next challenge for this group was the treatment of chronic hepatitis C and the results of their study are published on page 679. In this open pilot study 15 patients with chronic hepatitis C received one year of the combination ofthymosin a,I and interferon. Thirteen of the patients had type lb infection, usually associated with a reduced chance of sustained response, and four had failed to respond to previous treatment courses with interferon monotherapy. A sustained response with clearance ofHCV RNA six months after the discontinuation of therapy was seen in six (40%) of the patients. Following this study larger trials are in progress. Chronic hepatitis C is a major health challenge for many countries including the United Kingdom. Many patients have progressive disease and without effective antiviral therapy are at risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Currently available treatment is expensive but has to be balanced against the inevitable clinical and economic burden of the long term complications. It is hoped that early effective antiviral or immunomodulatory therapy, or both, can reduce the morbidity and mortality of chronic hepatitis C. There is much to learn about the host-virus interaction and how this can be modified by cytokines as monotherapy or in combination. Recombinant technology has led to the availability of a number of immune modifiers that have potential for amplifying the host immune response to chronic viral infection. It is only with careful trials that the potential clinical application of these agents can be determined. Two recent reports suggest that interferon may have other benefits and that treatment with interferon, whether or not successful in clearing hepatitis C virus, may reduce the chance of the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.9 10 Interferon has many actions and it may be that the antiproliferative in addition to the antiviral effects are beneficial for patients with chronic viral hepatitis. In summary the results from these small studies are encouraging but it is only with the results of large, multicentre controlled trials with long term follow up that we can determine the potential clinical benefit of new interventions as treatment for chronic viral hepatitis.