Changes in Photochemical Efficiency and Differential Induction of Superoxide Dismutase in Response to Combined Stresses of Chilling Temperature and Relatively High Irradiation in Two <em>Chlorella</em> Strains

The green algae Chlorella sp. DT (DT) and Chlorella pyrenoidosa 211-8b (8b) had similar cell growth rates and photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm) when they were cultivated under a moderate irradiance of 120 μmol photons m−2 s−1 in combination with a series of temperatures that decreased from 32 to 7°C. Upon shifting the cultures to the relatively high irradiance of 240 μmol photons m−2 s−1, DT exhibited higher cell growth rates than 8b under the chilling temperatures of 20°C and 15°C and differences in the Fv/Fm and Chl a/b ratios from 8b. In particular, DT possessed more new differentially induced SOD isoforms than 8b

Schwannomas of the Left Adrenal Gland and Posterior Mediastinum

Schwannoma is a rare tumor of neural crest cell origin. Most schwannomas occur in the head, neck, stomach or limbs, with a few cases occurring in the retroperitoneal space. A 30-year-old Taiwanese woman presented with a 1-week history of left anterior chest discomfort and left flank pain. The laboratory findings and endocrine studies were all within normal limits. Chest X-ray revealed masses in the posterior mediastinum. Chest computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed several masses in the left paraspinal region and in the left adrenal region. The patient underwent total excision of the left paraspinal tumors and laparoscopic left adrenalectomy. Pathologic studies showed a picture of benign schwannoma. In conclusion, preoperative differentiation of benign schwannoma from malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor or other tumors is important for good prognosis. Total excision of benign schwannoma is associated with favorable outcome in patients

The Effect of Energy Service Companies on Energy Use in Selected Developing Countries: A Synthetic Control Approach

This study investigates the empirical effect of the service provided by the energy service companies (ESCOs) on the total energy use in thirteen developing countries by employing a transparent and data-driven statistical methodology, the synthetic control method (SCM). This methodology compares the post-treatment total energy use of a treated country, a country that has initiated ESCO activities, with the trajectory of total energy use for a synthetic control unit, a combination of economies being similar to the treated country with the exception of no ESCO activities initiated. The SCM can account for the potential heterogeneity regarding the effect of ESCO activities in various countries. In these thirteen countries, we find that the ESCOs exert a strong energy-saving effect in Colombia, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa; while a robust energy-using effect is found in Chile. No significant energy using or saving effects are found in the rest of treated countries.      Keywords: Energy service companies (ESCOs), Synthetic control method (SCM), Total energy use JEL Classifications: O13, Q43, Q5

Commuting tillage operations of HRP under hydraulic cylinder movements on plough-breast performance

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Influence of Socioeconomic Factors, Gender and Indigenous Status on Smoking in Taiwan.

The indigenous Austronesian minority of Taiwan is heavily affected by health disparities which may include suffering from a greater burden of the tobacco epidemic. While a lack of representative data has historically precluded an investigation of the differences in smoking between Taiwanese ethnicities, these data have recently become available through an annual population-based telephone survey conducted by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare (previously known as the Bureau of Health Promotion (BHP), Department of Health). We used the BHP monitoring data to observe the prevalence of smoking and environmental tobacco smoke exposure among indigenous and non-indigenous Taiwanese surrounding a tobacco welfare tax increase in 2006, investigate ethnic differences in smoking prevalence and environmental tobacco smoke exposure each year between 2005 and 2008, and perform multiple logistic regression to estimate measures of association between potential risk factors and smoking status. Despite significant ethnic and gender differences in smoking prevalence, smoking status was not found to be significantly associated with ethnicity after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors