THE EXPLOITATION OF COAL AS AN ENGINE FOR GROWTH IN EASTERN KENTUCKY - AN INPUT-OUTPUT STUDY

Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

The Short-Run Economic Impact of Iranian Land Reform (1962-1972)

Under the traditional land system in Iran there was little possibility for an increase in the agricultural output or a raise in the standard of living for the rural population; the land reform of 1962 brought change in the land ownership and in water rights. A ten-year period of the land reform may be divided into two separate phases: the first, the land reform of 1962-68 and the second, land reform corelated with agrarian reform 1968-72. Phase one established some social and economic independency for Iranian farmers, but since the technology applied by farmers did not change, the agricultural output increased only slightly. In 1968, with the beginning of phase two and the establishment of the Farm Corporation, the government instigated large-scale production utilizing new technology. From 1968 to October 1972, forty-three farm corporations were established. It is too early to analyze the result of the farm corporations since the production potential will depend on the differences in location between them and in the availability of credit given to them. In general, however, production may be improved by placing more land under cultivation in some of the corporations and providing additional man-power to supplement the farmer share-holder in others. The number of Farm Corporation members with respect to the total number of Iranian farmers is considerably small, thus it may be necessary for the government to supply facilities which would make the small landholder more efficient, such as supervised credit and technology that is more labor-intensive due to the availability of cheap labor. Therefore, with adequate supply of market facilities, Iranian agriculture has hope for a prosperous future

Association of diverse bacterial communities in human bile samples with biliary tract disorders: a survey using culture and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis methods

Bacterial infection is considered a predisposing factor for disorders of the biliary tract. This study aimed to determine the diversity of bacterial communities in bile samples and their involvement in the occurrence of biliary tract diseases. A total of 102 bile samples were collected during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Characterization of bacteria was done using culture and polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates was determined based on the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines and identity of the nucleotide sequences of differentiated bands from the DGGE gels was determined based on GenBank data. In total, 41.2 (42/102) of the patients showed bacterial infection in their bile samples. This infection was detected in 21 (4/19), 45.4 (5/11), 53.5 (15/28), and 54.5 (24/44) of patients with common bile duct stone, microlithiasis, malignancy, and gallbladder stone, respectively. Escherichia coli showed a significant association with gallstones. Polymicrobial infection was detected in 48 of the patients. While results of the culture method established coexistence of biofilm-forming bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, E. coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterococcus spp., and Acinetobacter spp.) in different combinations, the presence of Capnocytophaga spp., Lactococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Enterobacter or Citrobacter spp., Morganella spp., Salmonella spp., and Helicobacter pylori was also characterized in these samples by the PCR-DGGE method. Multidrug resistance phenotypes (87.5 ) and resistance to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins and quinolones were common in these strains, which could evolve through their selection by bile components. Ability for biofilm formation seems to be a need for polymicrobial infection in this organ. © 2016 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelber

Life-long oligodendrocyte development and plasticity

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) originate in localized germinal zones in the embryonic neural tube, then migrate and proliferate to populate the entire central nervous system, both white and gray matter. They divide and generate myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs) throughout postnatal and adult life. OPCs express NG2 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha subunit (PDGFRα), two functionally important cell surface proteins, which are also widely used as markers for OPCs. The proliferation of OPCs, their terminal differentiation into OLs, survival of new OLs, and myelin synthesis are orchestrated by signals in the local microenvironment. We discuss advances in our mechanistic understanding of paracrine effects, including those mediated through PDGFRα and neuronal activity-dependent signals such as those mediated through AMPA receptors in OL survival and myelination. Finally, we review recent studies supporting the role of new OL production and "adaptive myelination" in specific behaviours and cognitive processes contributing to learning and long-term memory formation. Our article is not intended to be comprehensive but reflects the authors' past and present interests

Algoritmos heurísticos de cobertura de arcos

Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina. Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de ProduçãoNos problemas de roteamento o objetivo é determinar um circuito de custo mínimo que cobre um dado conjunto de arcos ou nós de um grafo, sujeito a algumas restrições. Existem duas classes bem conhecidas de tais problemas, denominadas como o Problema de Caixeiro Viajante (PCV), e o Problema do Carteiro Chinês (PCC). Com raras exceções, todos os problemas já formulados nessas duas classes são NP-completos. Portanto, para os problemas de maior porte existem apenas soluções aproximadas. Nessa Tese foi considerado o problema de determinar um circuito de custo mínimo que cobre um dado subconjunto de arcos, de arestas e de nós de um grafo misto, sujeito a algumas restrições nos vértices (restrições que proíbem conversões indesejáveis nos cruzamentos de malhas urbanas). Obviamente, o PCV, PCC e a maior parte de suas variações, como: o Problema do Carteiro Chinês Misto e o Problema do Carteiro Rural são casos particulares deste problema geral. A solução proposta é baseada numa transformação polinomial do grafo que possibilita a solução do problema resultante como um PCV padrão. Resultados computacionais confirmam a eficiência do método na obtenção de soluções próxima a ótimas para problemas razoavelmente grandes

Produtividade na ótica do trabalhador: uma análise dos aspectos que afetam o desempenho, criatividade e auto-estima dos funcionários no ambiente de trabalho

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico. Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia de Produção.As empresas com caráter tecnológico e organizacional, como as técnicas utilizadas para melhorar os processos tiveram avanços extraordinários. Mas em relação a certos aspectos tiveram muitas falhas. Falhas estas que prejudicam especialmente os trabalhadores. Por isso, a presente dissertação procura mostrar a realidade do ambiente de trabalho. O objetivo deste trabalho é detectar os pontos que afastaram o ambiente de trabalho do seu propósito real. E verificar os motivos que proporcionaram o desequilíbrio comportamental e emocional dos trabalhadores. Apesar de que uma grande parte dos estudos, neste contexto, tenta encontrar em características dos seres humanos os motivos das falhas e dos assuntos problemáticos das organizações, este trabalho pretende buscar motivos mais originais. A pesquisa pretende demonstrar que o desenvolvimento das pessoas depende de seu trabalho, uma vez que elas passam a maior parte do seu tempo nas empresas, onde devem exercer as suas funções. E que, o ambiente de trabalho, a tarefa a realizar, e os parâmetros de relacionamento são elementos que devem proporcionar o desenvolvimento da inteligência, da percepção, e das potencialidades de cada uma. Nesta dissertação apresentam-se as evidências que confirmam a ausência dos principais elementos responsáveis pelo desenvolvimento humano no ambiente de trabalho. Por último foi feita uma análise das necessidades humanas, mostrando que as verdadeiras necessidades do homem se relacionam com a realidade da sua natureza. Aos seres humanos são atribuídas qualidades que necessariamente devem ser cultivadas para o seu bem-estar, especialmente para manter a sua motivação

Adolescent with Rhabdomyolysis due to Undiagnosed Hypothyroidism

Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis has been described in military recruits, trained athletes and daily runners. Statin use, quail ingestion, infection by Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), and hypothyroidism, though rare, are risk factors for the development of rhabdomyolysis. We describe the case of a 15-year-old female who presented with myalgias, weakness, and pigmenturia following marching band practice. Laboratory tests confirmed an elevated creatine kinase (CK) level as well as a profound hypothyroid state. Muscle biopsy revealed severe muscle necrosis and myositis. Treatment with levothyroxine resulted in obtaining an euthyroid state and regain of muscle strength as well as decrease in CK levels. Although rare, hypothyroidism should be considered as a potential cause of rhabdomyolysis in pediatric patients undergoing a myopathy workup

Comparing the Resulted Strategies from the SWOT and the SPACE (Electricity Company as Case Study)

Abstract The present study was aimed to compare the implementation of two models in terms of strategic planning. In order to this, firstly, several field studies have been done in terms of the SWOT and the SPACE analysis. In the next step, a team of the meddle and senior managers that have studied in terms of SWOT analysis seek to identify the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats and then develop their related strategies. They also develop and indicate the SPACE questionnaire. Based on the results of this questionnaire and determining the organization’s strategic position, they strive to develop the appropriate strategies. Finally, the strategies that have been derived from these models were compared to each other and their strengths and weaknesses were analyzed