Branch Type Research Articles

Future Trails for Integer Programming and Relations to Artificial Intelligence

Aims: A review of methods and approaches for solving linear integer problems is presented in this work. These problems are classified as NP-hard optimization algorithms in artificial intelligence.
 Study Design: we have used the Google scholar to collect the data resources from past 5 years to analysis the techniques and methods used in different algorithms in artificial intelligence.
 Methodology: Exact optimum solution for this class of challenges also need use of substantial computer resources. The current direction in which several researcher focuses their efforts to effectively address numerous difficult practical issues is the creation of efficient hybrid techniques that combine in an appropriate way the finest elements of multiple methods (precise or estimated). The approximation algorithms' core heuristic techniques might be classified as constructive algorithms and local-improvement algorithms.
 Results: We examined three artificial intelligence algorithms utilizing the linear integer programming approach. Algorithm based on population It has also been demonstrated that a population of a critical size is necessary for a population-based optimization method to be effective. The genetic algorithm is shown next. The goal value associated with this solution may be utilized to effectively reduce the search tree in bound and branch type integer programming methods. Finally, we analyze the particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach, which demonstrates that In most cases, PSO outperforms the Branch and Bound method in solving such issues quickly. 
 Conclusion: In actuality, integer optimization issues describe a wide spectrum of real-world difficulties. Their population and size are constantly growing. Although while accurate methods for integer issues have substantially improved in recent years, their long runtimes and memory needs make them unsuitable for actual medium and large-scale applications.

Imaging patterns of the arterial supply of the prostate gland in adult Ghanaian men.

Prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) is a novel procedure in West Africa and Ghana. A thorough understanding of the prostate artery's (PA) anatomy and pattern is required for successful prostatic arterial embolization and to guarantee targeted intervention. This study focuses onprostate arterial supply in adult males, including prevalence, variability, and imaging pattern. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted, at Euracare Advanced Diagnostics and Heart Centre. Patients who presented for Computed Tomography Angiography of the pelvis were included in the study. A total of 52 males were included and 104 pelvic CT angiography (one for each side) were analyzed, including: prostatic artery diameter, prostatic gland volume and prostate artery branching pattern. The PA branching pattern was classified using de Assis et al. classification. Thirty-seven (71.15%) men had enlarged prostate volume (>30ml). On each side there was only one prostatic artery and no accessory one was found. Only three types of arterial branching were identified: type I, II,III. The type I artery was the most common origin 58.7% (61/104). PA originating from the anterior division of the internal iliac artery (type II) and the type III is from the internal pudendal artery, accounted for 16.3% (17/104) and 25% (26/104) respectively. The most frequent type of PA origin was type I followed by type III then II. Knowing the different and most frequent types of anatomy of PA may help standardization and effectiveness of the PAE in developing countries.

Analyzing the Formation and Evolution of Strike-Slip Faults and Their Controlling Effects on Hydrocarbon Migration and Charging: A Case Study of Tahe Area, Tarim Basin

The Ordovician strike-slip faults system in the Tahe area of the Tarim Basin provides an important opportunity for using 3D seismic data to document the structural characteristics, formation, and evolution of strike-slip faults and their relationship with oil and gas. With high-resolution 3D seismic data, the strike-slip faults are interpreted, classified, and described using the seismic coherence technique. The geometric characteristics, active periods, formation, and evolution process of strike-slip faults are analyzed, and the relationship between strike-slip faults and hydrocarbon accumulation and charging is discussed in this research project. On the map, the primary strike-slip faults on the east and west sides of the Tahe area are relatively sheared to each other, showing an “X” type conjugate fault, and the secondary strike-slip faults are scattered. In the cross-section, the primary strike-slip faults are inserted downward into the Cambrian basement and up to Devonian, and “Single line”, “Y”, “Flower”, and “Parallel lines” structures are observed. Bounded by the top of Ordovician, the deep and shallow parts are vertically segmented, with different structure styles. The switch of the structural style of strike-slip faults is attributed to principal stress. A deep “positive flower” shape of faults was developed in the mid-Ordovician period under the effect of compressive stress. Meanwhile, a shallow “negative flower” shape of faults was developed from the late Ordovician to the mid-Devonian period under tensile stress. The “Compound Flower” shape of deep “positive flower” shape and shallow “negative flower” shape formed by compressive and tensile activities has a wider fracture range, which leads to deep fluid migration and shallow karstification. There are two combinations of deep Ordovician strike-slip faults in the section: “Lower single branch-upper flower type” and “lower single branch-upper single branch type”. The primary faults of the former insertion into the Cambrian basement are associated with homologous secondary faults, while the latter has no derived secondary faults. It has an important impact on reservoir reconstruction and distribution, and the reservoir is controlled by faults. Strike-slip faults not only control the channel of oil and gas migration, but also the horizontal and vertical distribution of oil and gas. The closer the carbonate reservoir is to the primary fault, the more likely it is to form a high yield area. There are four types of oil and gas charging models controlled by strike-slip faults. In the area where the structure is high and the strike-slip faults are sheared relatively to each other, the larger the scale of faults, the more conducive it would be to oil and gas migration and accumulation. Among them, the charging model related to the primary fault has higher oil and gas migration efficiency. This research contributes to analyzing the relationship between strike-slip faults and oil and gas as well as playing a significant role in applications of oil and gas exploration in practical works.

Angiogenic imbalance as a starting point for the development of placental dysfunction and pregnancy complications in patients with pathology of the fetal environment

In recent years, scientific views on perinatal protection of fetus have shifted to earlier periods of pregnancy – to the I trimester, because from this stage the formation of the fetoplacental complex and laying of organs and tissues take place, which in most cases determines the further course of pregnancy. The objective: to clarify the role of the imbalance of angiogenic growth factors as one of the pathogenetic mechanisms in the development of placental dysfunction, and to conduct a postnatal macromorphometric study of placenta and umbilical cord in women with pathology of the fetal environment. Materials and methods. The object of the study were 80 pregnant women (the main group) with a singleton pregnancy, selected from the cohort of patients from the risk group for the development of preeclampsia and miscarriage. Among them, at 30–32 weeks of gestation oligohydramnios was diagnosed in 40 patients (the first group) and polyhydramnios – in 40 women (the second group). The control group included 30 somatically healthy pregnant women with a normal volume of amniotic fluid and a physiological course of pregnancy.The concentrations of placental growth factor (PlGF), vascular endothelial growth factor-1 (VEGF-1), and an anti-angiogenic marker of neovasculogenesis, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase (sFlt-1), were performed at 12–16 and 28–32 weeks of pregnancy by enzyme immunoassay method. The study of the structural and functional features of the placenta and umbilical cord included sonographic and organometric methods. The variational statistical method of analysis of the obtained results was carried out using the «STATISTICA for Windows®-6.0» package.Results. In the women of the main group in the I trimester the ultrasound signs of pathology of the embryo and extraembryonic structures were significantly more often observed: low placement of the fertilized egg (33.8 %), its deformation (27.5 %), and partial detachment of the chorion (28.5 %). At 12–16 weeks of pregnancy, a pronounced vascular imbalance was established with a 2.5-fold decrease in the concentration of PlGF in the case of oligohydramnios compared to control data, a 1.8-fold decrease in the level of free VEGF-1 (in the case of oligohydramnios), and an increased level of antiangiogenic growth factors (sFlt-1).The postnatal examination of the placenta and umbilical cord showed that in the pregnant women of the main group a predominance of abnormal forms of placenta (16.3 %), a predominance of eccentric and marginal types of attachment of the umbilical cord (53.8 %), main and intermediate types of vascular branching (63.7 %), changes in the diameter of the umbilical cord (17.5 %), a combination of these features in a third of cases (31.3 %) were found. In the women of the main group, there was a decrease of the placental-fetal coefficient compared to the individuals of the control group, which was especially pronounced in pregnant women with oligohydramnios (up to 0.11±0.01 units compared to control data - 0.16±0.01 units).Conclusions. In the period of 12–16 weeks of pregnancy a vascular imbalance was established at the stage of placentation in patients who were diagnosed pathology of the perinatal environment at 30–32 weeks. In particular, by oligohydramnios there is a 2.5-fold decrease in the concentration of PlGF compared to the control data, a 1.8-fold decrease in the level of VEGF-1, and an increased antiangiogenic growth factor (sFlt-1), which became a prerequisite for the development of placental dysfunction.The results of the postnatal examination of the placenta and umbilical cord became an indirect reflection of placentation conditions. They demonstrated the predominance of abnormal forms, the predominance of the eccentric and marginal type of attachment of the umbilical cord, the main and intermediate type of vascular branching, an increased rate of umbilical cord pathology (Warton’s jelly deficiency, anomalies of the umbilical cord vessels) and a decreased placental-fetal ratio in women with amniotic fluid pathology, which was it is especially pronounced with oligohydramnios.

Anatomical Study of the Atrioventricular Nodal Branch of the Heart.

Background The atrioventricular (AV) node is a relay station for electrical signals passing between the atria and ventricles. The artery supplying the AV node is functionally important, and its anatomical topography is relevant during invasive procedures. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify and understand the variations of the origin of the AV nodal branch (AVNb) and its variations. Materials and methods We dissected 31 adult human hearts to evaluate their AVNb and its variations. A classification scheme was used to detail the morphology found for each of these arteries. Results We identified five distinct origins of the AVNb: AVNb originating from the right coronary artery (RCA) proximal to the inferior interventricular branch (IVb) (type I, 3.2%), AVNb originating from the junction of the RCA and IVb (type II, 19.4%), AVNb originating from the RCA distal to the IVb (type III, 64.5%), AVNb originating from the IVb (type IV, 6.5%), and AVNb originating from the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery (LCA) (type V, 6.5%). Conclusions Our study provides data on the morphology and variations of the AVNb. Such information can assist in better diagnoses based on imaging, better guide invasive procedures, and provide the cardiac surgeon with an improved method of classifying the AVNb and its branches during procedures of the coronary arteries and their branches.

The relationship between the fine structure of amylopectin and the type of crystalline allomorph of starch granules in rice endosperm

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesIt is known that any wild‐type varieties of cereals so far examined have A‐type starch crystals in their endosperm whereas their starch branching enzyme 2b (be2b) mutants that are usually referred to as amylose‐extender (ae) mutants produce B‐type starch crystals. The present study aimed to examine the structural features of amylopectin which are responsible for the A‐type or B‐type crystalline allomorphs of starch granules by using starches in wild‐type japonica and indica rice varieties and their be2b (ae) mutants.FindingsThe average length of chains of A‐type amylopectin was markedly shorter than that of B‐type amylopectin. It was also thought that A‐type amylopectin had two types of branches, namely the first branches were formed mainly by BEI in the basal region of the cluster and the second branches were synthesized specifically by BEIIb inside the cluster. These differences caused the average length of double helices formed by cluster constituent chains to be shorter in wild‐types than that in their be2b mutants, and these differences changed the crystalline allomorph of starch granules to B‐type in the mutants from A‐type in their wild‐types, as examined by wide angle X‐ray diffraction and sum frequency generation spectroscopy.ConclusionsCombined with these observations and calculations of chain‐length of hypothetical A chains in four types of amylopectin molecules, it was concluded that both the average length of external segments of cluster chains and the formation of the second branches inside the cluster greatly affect the crystal types of starch granules.Significance and NoveltyThe novel findings in the present study can provide new insights into the structural features of amylopectin which determine the A‐type or B‐type crystalline allomorph of starch granules of cereals.

Combination mode and optimization strategy of harvest procedure of anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator myocutaneous flap

To summarize the combination methods and optimization strategies of the harvest procedure of anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator myocutaneous flap. A clinical data of 359 cases of oral cancer admitted between June 2015 and December 2021 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 338 males and 21 females with an average age of 35.7 years (range, 28-59 years). There were 161 cases of tongue cancer, 132 cases of gingival cancer, and 66 cases of buccal and oral cancer. According to the Union International Center of Cancer (UICC) TNM staging, there were 137 cases of T 4N 0M 0, 166 cases of T 4N 1M 0, 43 cases of T 3N 1M 0, 13 cases of T 3N 2M 0. The disease duration was 1-12 months (mean, 6.3 months). The soft tissue defects in size of 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 10.0 cm×7.5 cm remained after radical resection were repaired with the free anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator myocutaneous flaps. The process of harvesting the myocutaneous flap was mainly divided into 4 steps. Step 1: exposing and separating the perforator vessels, which mainly came from the oblique branch and the lateral branch of the descending branch. Step 2: isolating the main trunk of the perforator vessel pedicle and determining the origin of the vascular pedicle of muscle flap, which was came from oblique branch, lateral branch of the descending branch, or medial branch of the descending branch. Step 3: determining the source of muscle flap, including lateral thigh muscle and rectus femoris muscle. Step 4: determining the harvest form of muscle flap, which included muscle branch type, main trunk distal type, and main trunk lateral type. The 359 free anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator myocutaneous flaps were harvested. In all cases, the anterolateral femoral perforator vessels existed. The perforator vascular pedicle of the flap came from the oblique branch in 127 cases and the lateral branch of the descending branch in 232 cases. The vascular pedicle of muscle flap originated from the oblique branch in 94 cases, the lateral branch of the descending branch in 187 cases, and the medial branch of the descending branch in 78 cases. The muscle flaps harvested from the lateral thigh muscle in 308 cases and the rectus femoris muscle in 51 cases. The harvest forms of muscle flaps included 154 cases of muscle branch type, 78 cases of main trunk distal type, and 127 cases of main trunk lateral type. The size of skin flaps ranged from 6.0 cm×4.0 cm to 16.0 cm×8.0 cm, and the size of muscle flaps range from 5.0 cm×4.0 cm to 9.0 cm×6.0 cm. In 316 cases, the perforating artery anastomosed with the superior thyroid artery, and the accompanying vein anastomosed with the superior thyroid vein. In 43 cases, the perforating artery anastomosed with the facial artery, and the accompanying vein anastomosed with the facial vein. After operation, the hematoma occurred in 6 cases and vascular crisis in 4 cases. Among them, 7 cases were successfully saved after emergency exploration, 1 case had partial necrosis of skin flap, which was healed after conservative dressing change, and 2 cases had complete necrosis of skin flap, which was repaired by pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. All patients were followed up 10-56 months (mean, 22.5 months). The appearance of the flap was satisfactory, and the swallowing and language functions were restored satisfactorily. Only linear scar left in the donor site with no significant effect on thigh function. During follow-up, 23 patients had local tumor recurrence and 16 patients had cervical lymph node metastasis. The 3-year survival rate was 38.2% (137/359). The flexible and clear classification of the key points in the harvest process of anterolateral thigh chimeric perforator myocutaneous flap can optimize the protocol to the greatest extent, increase the safety of the operation, and reduce the difficulty of the operation.

Midterm Surgical Outcomes of Duplicated Thumbs According to New Classification.

Surgical outcomes of duplicated thumbs differ depending on the branching type. The authors developed a new classification system and report surgical outcomes with an average 10.2-year follow-up. A total of 529 patients with 562 duplicated thumbs were reviewed. Surgical anatomies were compared with radiographs, and then a new classification system was developed based on branching level and bone shape observed on the radiograph: distal type (D-type), including Wassel types I and II; proximal type (P-type), including Wassel types Ⅲ and Ⅳ, and four subdivisions (Po, Pa, Pb, and Pc) according to bone structure; and metacarpal type (MC-type), including Wassel types V and VI. All hands were assessed using the Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand evaluation form, and factors causing poor outcomes were analyzed. There were 25% D-type, 59% P-type, and 14% MC-type hands; 2% of hands were not classified. Overall, 351 hands (63%) were directly assessed when patients reached 5 years of age. Seventeen percent of hands had fair results. Good results were achieved in 90% of D- and Po-type hands. Pa-, Pb-, Pc-, and MC-type hands had lower Japanese Society for Surgery of the Hand scores than did D- or Po-type hands. Pa- and Pb-type hands tended to develop interphalangeal joint malalignment and instability, whereas Pc- and MC-type hands developed disorders in the metacarpophalangeal joint with growth. The authors' new classification system clarifies the potential pitfalls for each type of duplicated thumb. More than 90% of D- and Po-type hands obtained good results. Care should be taken with interphalangeal joint reconstruction for Pa- and Pb-type hands. Meticulous reconstruction of the metacarpophalangeal joint is essential for Pc- and MC-type hands. This analysis provides important information for surgeons and patients. Risk, IV.

Light quark decays of doubly heavy baryons in light front approach

We explore the semileptonic and nonleptonic decays of doubly heavy baryons (Omega _{cc}^{(*)+},Omega _{bb}^{(*)0},Omega _{bc}^{(*)-},Omega _{bc}^{prime 0}) induced by the srightarrow u transition. Hadronic form factors are parametrized by transition matrix elements and are calculated in the light front quark model. With the form factors, we make use of helicity amplitudes and analyze semileptonic and nonleptonic decay modes of doubly heavy baryons. Benchmark results for partial decay widths, branching fractions, forward–backward asymmetries and other phenomenological observables are derived. We find that typical branching fractions for semileptonic decays into ell bar{nu } are at the order 10^{-7}-10^{-8} and the ones for nonleptonic decays are at the order 10^{-5}, which are likely detectable such as in LHCb experiment. With the potential data accumulated in future, our results may help to shape our understanding of the decay mechanism in the presence of two heavy quarks.

Comparison of Face-to-Face and Distance Education: An Example of a Vocational High School

The primary objective of the research is to determine the opinions of vocational high school teachers related to the effectiveness of face-to-face and distance education. The case study method was used in the research. Typical case sampling was preferred from purposive sampling methods in selecting the study group. Besides, 43 teachers who work in different branch types and have various seniority levels in a vocational high school constituted the research study group. The semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers was used as a data collection tool. The data were analyzed descriptively through NVIVO 12 Plus program. As a result of the research, teachers working in a vocational high school stated that positive aspects of face-to-face education include communication, classroom control, efficiency, learning by doing and living, the transmission of emotion, motivation, attracting, socialization, classroom climate, application of methods-techniques, equal opportunity for each student, the use of the whiteboard, participation, and empathy. The positive aspects of distance education were specified as providing discipline, material diversity, accessibility, voluntary participation in class, the applicability of the curriculum, self-expression (or the ability express on self), technological opportunities, saving time, and a healthy environment. There are, however, both positive and negative student attitudes toward distance education. While most teachers prefer face-to-face education in the future, hybrid education was also included among the preferences.

Interactive effects of branch type and growth medium on early growth and survival of cutting-propagated Cordia africana (Lam.)

Cordia africana Lam is an economically and ecologically valuable tree of the Western Highlands forest of Cameroon that is under pressure of over-exploitation and habitat fragmentation. There is a need for fast and easy means of mass production of quality planting stock for upregulation of the population of the species. An experiment was carried out to investigate the combined effects of branch type and growth medium on early growth and survival of C. africana cuttings. Treatments were comprised of three branch types (primary, secondary, tertiary) of cuttings origin and three growth media (sand, sawdust, 1:1 sand: sawdust) laid out in a split-plot design in a non-mist propagator. Data were collected three months after the initiation of treatments. Sawdust significantly reduced shoot height, stem diameter, stem volume, number of leaves, and leaf area while it increased mortality. There was no significant difference between sand and sand: sawdust for any of the parameters. The five growth parameters were significantly lower in cuttings from tertiary branches than those obtained from primary and secondary branches. In contrast, mortality of cuttings declined from the tertiary to primary and secondary branch types that displayed statistically similar values of the trait. There was no significant interactive effect of treatments on any of the attributes examined in this study. The findings indicate that a tertiary branch and sawdust may not be a suitable source and growth medium, respectively for vegetative propagation of C. africana.

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm of pancreas: Clinicopathological features and long-term survival after surgical resection

IntroductionIntraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) of the pancreas can progress from low-grade dysplasia to high-grade dysplasia and invasive carcinoma. MethodsIn this single-center retrospective series, we analyze the clinicopathological features and long-term follow up of patients who underwent pancreatic resection for IPMN, from January 2009 to December 2019. Results31 patients were diagnosed with IPMN: 9 males and 22 females. Mean age was 67 years. Twenty-seven patients (87%) were symptomatic. Seven patients had main duct IPMN, 11 branch-type IPMN and 13 mixed-type IPMN. High-risk stigmata were found in 20 patients (64.5%) and worrisome features in 10 patients (32.2%). Thirteen patients (41.9%) had an associated invasive carcinoma, 4 (12.9%) high-grade dysplasia and 14 (45.2%) low-grade dysplasia. The follow-up was from 2 to 12 years. Median survival for patients with IPMN and associated invasive carcinoma was 45.8 months, and disease-free survival was 40.8 months. ConclusionsIPMN had a higher prevalence in females, mostly symptomatic and high incidence of associated invasive carcinoma with branch type. The 5-year survival was good even with associated invasive carcinoma.

Relationship between the roots of Hippophae rhamnoides at different stump heights and the root microenvironment in feldspathic sandstone areas.

To solve the withering of Hippophae rhamnoides plantation in the feldspathic sandstone areas of Inner Mongolia and to promote the regeneration, rejuvenation, and sustainability of H. rhamnoides forests. We stumped aging H. rhamnoides trees at the ground heights of 0, 10, 15, and 20 cm (S1, S2, S3, and S4, respectively) and utilized unstumped trees as the control (CK). We then analyzed the effects of the different stump heights on the roots and the root microenvironment of H. rhamnoides and the relationship between the roots and the root microenvironment in the stumped H. rhamnoides. The root fractal features, root branching rate, root length, root soluble proteins, soil moisture content, and soil nutrients among the different treatments were ranked as S3>S2>S1>S4>CK (P < 0.05). The root topological index, root proline, and malondialdehyde among the different treatments were ranked as S3<S2<S1<S4<CK (P < 0.05). The topological indices of S1, S2, S3, S4, and CK were 0.80, 0.86, 0.89, 0.94, and 0.98, respectively, and all were near 1. This result indicated a typical fishtail-shaped branching structure. The root length and root fractal dimensions were primarily affected by the positive correlation of the soil moisture content and the soil organic matter, and the root topological index was primarily affected by the negative correlation of the root proline. Root nutrients were dominant in the changes in the root architecture, while soil moisture and nutrients played supporting roles. These results indicated that stumping can promote plant root growth and root nutrient accumulation, thereby improving soil moisture and the soil nutrient distribution, and the S3 treatment had the greatest impact on the H. rhamnoides roots and root microenvironment. Therefore, the 15 cm stump height treatment should be implemented for withering H. rhamnoides in feldspathic sandstone areas to promote vegetation restoration.

Critical insights into ethylene‐1‐alkene copolymers and long‐chain branched polyethylene microstructure on thermo‐rheological and sealing behavior of multicomponent systems

AbstractThe microstructure‐property relationships in multicomponent ethylene‐1‐alkene copolymers with different branching in the microstructures are demonstrated. The metallocene catalyzed linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), was miscible with both autoclave grade low density polyethylene (LDPE‐A) and/or tubular grade low density polyethylene (LDPE‐T). For these multicomponent systems, the rheological response was distinctly differentiating and sensitive to the microstructure of LDPE, at higher shear regimes. The thicker lamellae of LDPE‐T and/or LDPE‐A might co‐crystallize if there is a high density polyethylene‐like fraction present in the mLLDPE. Even though the macro parameters like density and melt index (MI) of the investigated multicomponent systems are comparable, the subtle differences in the microstructure manifested by type and distribution of comonomer and/or branching affected the sealing performance. Both high comonomer content and comonomer distribution in the mLLDPE matrix affording a higher fraction of material melting below 120°C were found to be critical for the heat sealing. The fraction of material melting at lower temperatures, attributed to the tertiary branches present in the hyper‐branched microstructure of LDPE‐A, participate in the sealing process, and lower the sealing temperature. It was evident that mLLDPE with asymmetric distribution of lamellae is more sensitive to the microstructure of the LDPE used.

Large investment of stored nitrogen and phosphorus in female cones is consistent with infrequent reproduction events of Pinus koraiensis, a high value woody oil crop in Northeast Asia.

Pinus koraiensis is famous for its high-quality timber production all the way and is much more famous for its high value health-care nut oil production potential since 1990's, but the less understanding of its reproduction biology seriously hindered its nut productivity increase. Exploring the effects of reproduction on nutrient uptake, allocation and storage help to understand and modify reproduction patterns in masting species and high nut yield cultivar selection and breeding. Here, we compared seasonality in growth and in nitrogen ([N]) and phosphorus ([P]) concentrations in needles, branches and cones of reproductive (cone-bearing) and vegetative branches (having no cones) of P. koraiensis during a masting year. The growth of one- and two-year-old reproductive branches was significantly higher than that of vegetative branches. Needle, phloem and xylem [N] and [P] were lower in reproductive branches than in vegetative branches, although the extent and significance of the differences between branch types varied across dates. [N] and [P] in most tissues were high in spring, decreased during summer, and then recovered by the end of the growing season. Overall, [N] and [P] were highest in needles, lowest in the xylem and intermediate in the phloem. More than half of the N (73.5%) and P (51.6%) content in reproductive branches were allocated to cones. There was a positive correlation between cone number and N and P content in needles (R2 = 0.64, R2 = 0.73) and twigs (R2 = 0.65, R2 = 0.62) of two-year-old reproductive branches. High nutrient sink strength of cones and vegetative tissues of reproductive branches suggested that customized fertilization practices can help improve crop yield in Pinus koraiensis.

Analysis of the Energy Consumption of Land Intermodal Transport From China to Poland

Combining two or more means of transport is an opportunity to achieve greater energy savings when transporting goods over longer routes. Depending on the type of transport branches involved in intermodal transport, there are three basic variants of intermodal transport: land-sea container transport, rail-road transport, and land-ferry transport.

Chain Walking in the AlCl3 Catalyzed Cationic Polymerization of α-Olefins.

Continuing efforts aimed at performing the 1-decene polymerization to low viscosity polyalphaolefins (PAO)s using a less hazardous AlCl3 catalyst than boron-based analogs, the basic mechanisms of this system were revealed in this research. In this aspect, neat AlCl3 and AlCl3 /toluene were carried out to perform 1-decene polymerizations. Microstructure analyses of the as-synthesized oils revealed low molecular weight (708 vs. 1529 g/mol), kinematic viscosity (KV100 =6.4 vs. 22.2 cSt), and long chain branching (82.1 vs. 84.7) of PAO from the system containing toluene solvent. Furthermore, NMR analysis confirmed various types of short chain branch (SCB) with the inclusion of toluene ring in the structure of final PAO chains. Then, to shed light on the basic mechanisms of cationic polymerization of 1-decene including: i) chain initiation, ii) chain transfer to the monomer, iii) isomerization of the carbocation via a chain walking mechanism (causes different SCB length), and iv) binding of toluene ring to the propagating PAO chain (to yield aromatic containing oligomers), molecular modeling at the DFT level was employed. The energies obtained confirmed the ease of carbocation isomerization and chain transfer mechanisms in toluene medium, which well confirms the highly branched structure experimentally obtained for related PAO.

Effects of Dwarfing Interstock Length on the Growth and Fruit of Apple Tree

There is no report on the effect of the length of Jizhen 2 interstock on the growth and fruit quality of Tianhong 2 apple trees, which are usually grown in Baoding, Hebei Province, China. We surveyed the tree size, branch types, fruit set, fruit quality and root parameters of 3–5-year-old ‘Tianhong 2/Jizhen 2/Malus × robusta Rehder’ apple trees, to study the effects of dwarfing interstock length on the growth of the tree’s aboveground parts and roots, as well as fruit yield and quality. The tree height and the stem girths of the interstock and scion decreased as interstock length increased, and the dwarfing degree of the apple trees gradually increased. Trees with an interstock length of 30 cm had the fewest long branches, the most short branches, and the greatest proportion of short branches. An interstock length of 30 cm provided the highest fruit-set rate, the highest yield per tree and per unit cross-sectional area, the highest single fruit weight, the highest soluble: acid ratio, the highest color brightness (L*), and better red skin coloration (higher a*) of the fruit skin. The root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density exhibited two growth peaks in a year, during the slow growth period when spring and autumn shoots are stopped. Root length density, root surface area density, and root volume density decreased with interstock length. Root death peaked during the growth peak period of the autumn shoots, and root length density of dead roots and root turnover frequencyincreased with the interstock length. A 30 cm length was the most suitable for the Tianhong 2 apple trees when the Jizhen 2 was used as the interstock.

To the question of applying the concept of scientific-educational knowledge in sociology

The article is devoted to the concept of scientific-educational knowledge, little developed in modern sociological science. The subject of the research is the formation of the sociological concept of scientific-educational knowledge, its main characteristics and features of the relationship with certain types of knowledge, concepts and branches of sociological science that study them.&#x0D; The article consists of two main sections - a historical and sociological review of educational knowledge studies and a substantiation of the conceptual unity of educational and scientific-educational knowledge. The first section characterises sociological studies of knowledge, including educational knowledge. In this aspect, the concepts of A.Comte, M.Scheler, K.Mannheim, P.Berger and T.Luсkmann are considered. The author draws attention to the features of educational knowledge and its connection with educational practices, revealed in modern theories of vocational education. These theories are presented in the works of British researchers J.Furlong, G.Whitty, M.Young, J. Muller, J.Hordern, created at the intersection of the sociology of knowledge and the sociology of education. A review of previous studies of educational knowledge made it possible to identify important aspects of continuity with modern concepts. The second part of the article analyses the conceptual unity of educational and scientific-educational knowledge. The main concept list of the sociological concept of scientific and educational knowledge is revealed, including the concepts of knowledge, education, science, educational knowledge, everyday (ordinary) knowledge, sociological knowledge. The concept of scientific-educational knowledge is considered as the central one. Among the branches of sociology for which the listed concepts are key and act as categories, the article considers the sociology of knowledge, the sociology of education, the sociology of science, the sociology of everyday life. The article also shows that scientific-educational knowledge is formed at the junction of the most important areas of activity: firstly, scientific research (scientific work), secondly, education (study work), thirdly, the production, distribution and consumption of a special type of knowledge that is the result of the interaction of subjects of science and education.

Middle segment preserving pancreatectomy for branch type intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms in the pancreatic head and tail-A case report-

症例は，79歳女性．膵頭部・膵尾部に分枝型膵管内乳頭状粘液産生腫瘍（IPMN）と診断され，手術かつインスリン自己注射導入回避を希望された．造影CTによる膵ボリューメトリーを施行，約26％（12.7cm3）の膵体積温存をシミュレーションし，脾臓動静脈温存中央区域温存膵切除を施行，病変根治切除並びに糖尿病発症を回避できた症例である．複数の膵病変が発見された際，中央区域温存膵切除は，膵機能温存のための有用な術式選択肢となりうる．文献的考察を加えて報告する．