Subtitle: Depreciation continues to be the largest fleet expense; however, fuel, as a percent of total fleet cost is growing (rapidly). Fuel expense is influencing vehicle acquisition strategies, with a direct bearing on future depreciation.


In this study, finite element and finite difference methods were used for numerical calculations. The law of slurry diffusion in the inclined plane cracks is summarized in this study. Further, the equation describing the diffusion of slurry with time-varying viscosity in the plane fracture with dip angle was derived, and the mathematical model of slurry diffusion control equation and improved entropy clustering algorithm were developed. Thus, the law of slurry diffusion with time-varying viscosity in an inclined plane fractured rock mass was studied in detail, and the control equation obtained was modified to improve the prediction accuracy of diffusion of slurry with time-varying viscosity. By applying the model to actual working conditions, the results highlighted that the improved entropy clustering algorithm could more accurately describe the relationship between the factors influencing slurry diffusion and the slurry diffusion radius. The improved entropy clustering algorithm model can adjust the weights of the factors influencing the slurry diffusion in the diffusion control equation, which leads to a more flexible and more accurate slurry diffusion control equation.


Sound knowledge of the structure and function of the human body is an indispensable requisite for safe and efficient clinical practice. Since the dramatic expansion of the body of scientific knowledge, it has become practically impossible to design an all‐inclusive undergraduate medical curriculum. Thus curricular reformists citing the cliché "what students learn today will be outdated tomorrow" made drastic reductions in Anatomy content, arguing that it was merely rote learning of excessive factual details. Therefore, going along with curricular reform, Kuwait University Faculty of Medicine adopted the Problem‐Based Learning (PBL) as the main instructional strategy. This curricular change led to modifications in the assessment strategy as well. Students are no longer required to demonstrate their competency in Anatomy as anatomy questions are included in a multidisciplinary MCQ‐based end‐of‐module examinations and Objective Structured Practical Examination (OSPE). Our data indicate that poor performance in Anatomy including OSPE does not lead to failure in the multidisciplinary examination. We have also noted that student knowledge of Anatomy depends on the number of questions in an exam. Also if there are fewer Anatomy questions in an end‐of‐module examination, students ignore Anatomy. We think that this is a major flaw in the multidisciplinary MCQ‐based end‐of‐module examination and it is affecting their performance during clinical training. We suggest that in order to better prepare students for clinical training, it must be mandatory for them to demonstrate their competency in all basic sciences in a subject‐based examination.


The purpose of this paper is to propose a model that examines the influences of expatriate community relationship building behaviors on community embeddedness and community embeddedness on expatriate retention cognitions. The authors further investigate the moderating role of organizational identification.,Survey data from 127 expatriates in the USA were collected and analyzed. The authors used multiple (moderator) hierarchical regression analyses to test the hypotheses. In addition, simple slopes analyses were conducted to further understand the interaction effects.,The results demonstrate that community relationship building behaviors positively influence expatriate community embeddedness, and the latter is associated with stronger retention cognitions. In addition, the paper finds that, for individuals who have lower levels of organizational identification, community embeddedness is particularly important.,This study is based on cross-sectional and self-report data, which limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions about causality. Thus, more multi-source and longitudinal data from different expatriate populations would increase the validity and the generalizability of findings. The theory and empirical evidence indicate the importance of community embeddedness, particularly when organizational identification is low, for expatriates' retention cognitions.,This study examines the important role of community relationship building behaviors on community embeddedness, and the role of community embeddedness in expatriates' intention to stay.,This paper integrates the unique view of personal resources associated with different social contexts (i.e. community and organizational contexts) in expatriate studies.


The mechanisms involving the motoneurons accommodation are related mainly to changes in the fast sodium conductance and the potassium conductance. Long latencies are suggested in spinal, and mesencephalic cat motoneurons, assuming slow accommodations, although experimental observations show that fast accommodation can occur (Frank and Fuortes, 1960; Schlue et al., 1974a, 1974b, 1974c).
Mathematical models of motoneurons were evaluated under their accommodations when an injection of ramp current was simulated in their soma. Different accommodation rates were evaluated in the models in order to classify them as slow accommodation group or fast accommodation group, besides providing useful data to support the experimental research.
In this study, compartmental motoneuron models of different types were used (S, FR and FF), whose geometric and electronic parameters can be found in classic works of the experimental literature with lumbar-sacral motoneurons of cats, and the dendrite was passively modeled (Vieira, 2002; Vieira e Kohn, 2005).
In order to simulate slow excitatory actions, a ramp current with variable slope in order to evoke repetitive discharges was injected in the soma of the models. The time of the first action potential was registered, and also the current intensity capable to evoke these discharges. Therefore, a relationship between the current intensity and the latency was measured, and the resultant curve was named threshold latency curve (TL-curve).
The accommodation rates were calculated by the relation between the current intensity of a 1 s ramp current with a slope sufficiently able to evoke one discharge and the previously calculated reobase current (I0) of the models (Elias and Vieira, 2006a, 2006b).
It could be verified, in all the models, that the TL-curves present similar results to experimental data reported in literature, and there is a steady range with low intensity of current for low ramp slope and a linear range for high ramp slope. For the accommodation rates, values of 1.463 for type S model, 1.456 for type FR, and 1.418 for type FF were reported.
With these results, we can conclude that the models represent slow accommodation motoneurons, since the accommodation rates were always less than 1.6 (Schlue et al., 1974a, 1974b, 1974c). However, the results quite close among the models might occur by the similar modeling in the fast sodium conductance, and the potassium conductance, both responsible for accommodation mechanisms in vertebrate motoneurons.


The invention belongs to the technical field of the Internet, and provides a network information transmission method and system. The method comprises the steps that an information transmitting party receives upper-level information to be forwarded, and the upper-level information to be forwarded is transmitted by an information receiving party of the upper level; forwarding indicating information input by a current user is obtained and added to the upper-level information to be forwarded so that next-level information to be forwarded can be generated; the next-level information to be forwarded is transmitted to at least one information receiving party; the information receiving party receives the information to be forwarded, the feedback information of a user corresponding to the information receiving party is obtained, and the feedback information is transmitted to the initial information transmitting party, or the information to be forwarded is transmitted to a next-level information receiving party. According to the method, in the multi-level transmission process of information, the receiver of each level can learn about the source of the information, the transmission path of the information and the relationship between the transmitters and the receivers in forwarding of all the levels, and the problem that an optimal receiver cannot be selected in the existing information transmission technology is solved.


Layered composite ferromagnet/piezoelectric /ferromagnet was fabricated. And its magneto-capacitance effect was studied. A few formants were discovered on the curves of frequency dependent capacitance. The formants were observed to shift with changing magnetic field, suggesting that resonant frequencies depend on the features of the magnetostriction of the ferromagnet. Giant magneto-capacitance effects were obtained near the resonant points under a magnetic field less than 1 kOe. Theoretical analysis showed that such magnetically tuned capacitance comes from the piezomagnetic effect of the ferromagnetic phase in the composite by means of the interfacial coupling.


We present a simple tatonnement process based on a decomposition method which is simple to implement and achieves the maximal social welfare, under the assumption that the utility function of each [price-taking] individual will be his own private information and need not be known by the designer. At each iteration, very little information needs to be exchanged among the individuals in order to achieve the optimal allocation. Furthermore, the given tatonnement process is always balanced at equilibrium and off equilibrium.


Exact closed form expressions are derived for the photon number distribution functions and the factorial moments in resonance fluorescence from a two-level atom that is driven on or near resonance by a laser beam of finite bandwidth. Derivation procedure that was used by Lenstra in the theory of photon number statistics for limited cases is applied to our generalized problem with help of the theory of resonance fluorescence with excitation of finite bandwidth. All of the results are presented in a fully suitable form for practical analyses of statistical features of resonance fluorescence.


The present invention, hypochlorous acid, water, and, optionally, comprises a buffer, to low pH antimicrobial solution. Low pH antimicrobial solution of the present invention has a pH of from about 4 to about 6, which is useful for sterilizing for treating impaired or damaged tissue and surfaces. Chlorine gas is added to the buffer containing a buffering agent and water, the chemical process for the production of low pH antimicrobial solution is also provided. The present invention also provides an electrochemical process for the production of low pH antimicrobial solution. .FIELD 1


Several epidemiological studies investigated the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on diabetes, but the conclusions remained inconsistent. We aimed to explore the relationship between H. pylori infection and diabetes, as well as glycemic metabolism profiles.


The study included 200 urban women from Sambalpur district, Odisha. Normal women and women with risk of obesity were recruited for conducting the study. Data on general information, socio-economic status, and anthropometric measurements and nutritional profile were collected using interview schedule. The results revealed that about 21.5 per cent were normal women, 50 per cent were pre-obese, 24.5 per cent belonged to obese class-I type and only 4.0% belonged to obese class-III category. Data on assessment of nutrient intake against the recommended dietary allowance (RDA) indicates that the intake of protein and calorie were found to be higher than the RDA. Comparision of mean height, weight and BMI of urban women with ICMR and NNMB data of urban areas indicates that the mean height, weight and BMI of the women in this study were higher. Test of hypothesis revealed no association of calorie intake with BMI and WHR.


A two-switch equaliser for series-connected battery stack using zeta type converter and symmetrical capacitor-diode circuit is proposed. The proposed equaliser consists of a zeta type front-end dc-dc converter and symmetrical capacitor-diode circuit, uses only two active switches and two magnetic components, thus it benefits from small circuit volume and flexible for extension. Meanwhile, it can work under open loop, which makes its control simple. Furthermore, high efficiency is achieved by zero voltage switching of all switches. Finally, experimental results of a prototype of the proposed equaliser are presented to verify the analysis results.


Managers are expected to be able to manage change. The current pace of change, driven in part by high market volatility and almost constant innovation, makes the development of managers' change management skills even more important. To assist instructors who teach courses or single lessons on organizational change, we have assembled a collection of new resources for teaching organizational change for this issue of Management Teaching Review. It includes four short experiential exercises designed to make change management concepts meaningful to students; two articles designed to give students opportunities to lead organizational change: one through a real-world semester-long project and one through a computer simulation; and a proposal for curricular change in business schools to better address current economic, social, and environmental sustainability challenges. "Simulating Operational Complexities: A Hands-On Experiential Exercise With Laundry" by Noel Criscione-Naylor immerses students in an experience of the "whitewater rapids" metaphor of change. Students respond to constant changes in customer demands while simulating laundry facility operations, an experience that can be debriefed in terms of leadership, group process, operations, and change management concepts. The exercise was designed for undergraduate operations management and facilities management courses. The next two exercises focus on specific change management concepts. First, "Developing Change Readiness: A Video-Based Classroom Exercise" by Virajanand Varma addresses change recipients' readiness beliefs. Students watch a training video and identify the concerns that arose when a top-down change was mandated. The exercise is suitable for undergraduate and graduate courses on management, leadership, and organizational behavior, as well as corporate training modules. Second, Todd Bridgman's exercise, "Overcoming Compliance to Change: Dynamics of Power, Obedience, and Resistance in a Classroom Restructure," challenges the commonly held view that resistance is an undesirable response to


As continuation of the bibliographical articles by George R. Edwards and myself in which we noted about 150 books relating to the New Testament and appearing during the years 1955, 1956, and 1957, my job is to describe the representative books of 1958. I have included a few of prior years that were not mentioned in the earlier articles. For practical reasons these reports deal with books published in English. I have been concerned to include books of varying theological outlook, seeking out those which seem to describe some aspect of New Testament study clearly, or mediate the fruits of scholarly struggle creatively, or at any rate exhibit something of what is going on in the field. A useful classification of the books of the year falls into four parts: (1) New Testament background and introduction; (2) commentaries and other books relating to the Gospels; (3 ) commentaries and other books relating to the other parts of the New Testament; (4) biblical theology. 1. Background and Introduction—In this group I include a variety of books useful to the understanding of the beginnings of Christianity. In the field of translation J. B. Phillips' contributions are already well known and increasingly prized. I note here that the twelfth printing of The Gospels into Modern English is now available. Phillips comments in the foreword on the "large number of small corrections" he found himself obliged to make, but does not identify these otherwise. Presumably this task of improvement took place during the preparing of the several parts of the author's rendering of the New Testament for the single volume edition, The New Testament in Modern English: A Translation. Simple yet useful maps appear at the back together with a short index, which undeniably is simple, but may not be very useful. The work on the thousands of fragments comprising the most of the Dead Sea Scrolls continues, as does the task of interpreting the published texts. A. Powell Davies in The Meaning of the Dead Sea Scrolls wrote a combative book in which facts, conjectures, hypotheses, and special pleading jostle one another. Davies concentrates on the bearing of the Scrolls on our understanding of Christian origins. He is especially perturbed that, as he sees it, the Christian churches continue


An accurate and simpler approach for modelling and simulating the dynamic behavior of squirrel cage induction machines is presented here. The model is based on multiple coupled circuits and takes into account the geometry and winding layout of the machine. All inductances are derived by means of the winding function approach (WFA) and are integrated with the decomposition into their Fourier series. An important issue in such effort is the modelling of the induction motor including rotor slot harmonics (RSH) under symmetrical and asymmetrical conditions, with minimum computational complexity. Simulations results have shown excellent match with theoretically predicted RSH components. K e y w o r d s: induction machine, Park model, space harmonics, winding function, diagnostics


: By analysing the current situation and establishment of guarantee systems for the degree and graduate education quality both domestically and internationally, combined with the characteristics of the discipline and the evaluation index system, in this article, the relevant issues related to the establishment of the graduate education quality assurance system based on discipline are discussed, with the aim of contributing to the research work on the degree and graduate education quality assurance system in China.


The method of isonymy is now well established as a means for estimating inbreeding. Until recently the use of surnames to investigate general pattern of mating structure was more limited. In the present study we review the application of isonymy to historical population data by selecting the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts as a case of study. We demonstrate the model for estimating inbreeding on the community of Deerfield and employ a temporal framework to observe longitudinal trends. We then turn to a consideration of mating structure in 12 contiguous communities including Deerfield. Finally we look at the ways in which isonymy can be utilized to measure nonrandom mating of socioeconomic subdivisions within communities. We conclude that the results of isonymy must be interpreted cautiously with regard to inbreeding but that for more general considerations of mating structure isonymy holds much promise. (authors)


Abstract : This in-flight research project evaluated the utility of a Workload Assessment Device (WAD) to measure pilot workload for approach and landing tasks under simulated instrument meteorological conditions, alternate HUD formats and control stability variations. The flight tests were conducted in an NT-33A research aircraft, extensively modified for the Air Force and Navy by the Display Evaluation Flight Test program. The hardware, software, and test procedures associated with the WAD functioned efficiently with only minor discrepancies and minimum pilot distraction. The project established the feasibility of using an item-recognition task as a measure of sensory-response loading and reserve information processing capacity while flying precision approaches. In a descriptive statistical treatment of the data, the results indicate an appreciable increase in reaction time and errors with degraded handling qualities as compared to ground baseline measures and good handling qualities. The preliminary findings also reveal consistent trends toward the availability of more mental reserve capacity when flying predominantly pictorial/symbolic HUD configurations as compared to conventional HUD formats with scales and alphanumerics. It is recommended that further evaluations be conducted to establish the efficacy of utilizing the WAD to measure mental workload in a wide variety of aircrew tasks.


THE FORMATION OF CRACKS IN ASPHALT PAVEMENTS WAS STUDIED. IT IS SHOWN THAT EXTREME HARDNESS OF ASPHALT IN AN ASPHALT PAVEMENT IS CONDUCIVE TO CRACKING. CONTACT WITH AIR IS A PRINCIPAL CAUSE OF HARDENING OF ASPHALT. ALL ASPHALTIC PRODUCTS HARDEN PROGRESSIVELY AND WITH APPRECIABLE RAPIDITY WHEN CONTINUOUSLY EXPOSED IN THIN FILMS TO THE ACTION OF AIR. RAPIDITY OF HARDENING IS A FUNCTION OF FILM THICKNESS, TEMPERATURE AND TIME. THIN FILMS OF ALL LIQUID ASPHALTIC ROAD MATERIALS, AS WELL AS ASPHALT CEMENTS MAY BE EXPECTED TO HARDEN TO LOW PENETRATION BRITTLE ASPHALTS WITHIN A FEW YEARS' TIME IF NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED FROM CONTACT WITH FREE AIR. ASPHALTS MAY BE EXPECTED TO HARDEN APPRECIABLY AT HOT-MIX PAVING PLANTS DURING THEIR COMBINATION WITH MINERAL AGGREGATE UNDER CUSTOMARY PLANT OPERATION. IT APPEARS THAT THE FOLLOWING EXPECTANCY OF CRACKING DUE TO HARDNESS OF THE ASPHALT CEMENT PRESENT IN THE PAVEMENT, EXISTS IN TEMPERATE CLIMATES WHERE FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE COMMON THROUGH THE WINTER: (1) ASPHALT LESS THAN 20 PENETRATION - BAD CRACKING, (2) ASPHALT HIGHER THAN 30 PENETRATION - NO CRACKING, (3) ASPHALT 20 TO 30 PENETRATION - UNCERTAIN. IN HOT-MIX CONSTRUCTION, THE SOFTER THE ORIGINAL ASPHALT, THE LESS IS IT LIKELY TO HARDEN DANGEROUSLY DURING THE MIXING OPERATION. PROGRESSIVE HARDENING OF ASPHALT FILMS IN A DENSE THOROUGHLY COMPACTED PAVING MIXTURE IS EXCEEDINGLY SLOW. WHEN THE MIXTURE IS READILY PERMEABLE TO AIR, HOWEVER, DANGEROUS HARDENING MAY OCCUR WITHIN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT TO INSURE LONG LIFE, PREVENT CRACKING AND POSSIBLE DISINTEGRATION IN AN ASPHALT PAVEMENT OR WEARING COURSE, DUE TO HARDNESS OF THE ASPHALT, THE FOLLOWING FIVE RULES SHOULD BE STRICTLY OBSERVED: (1) USE AS SOFT AN ASPHALT AS POSSIBLE WITHOUT REDUCING STABILITY BELOW THE MINIMUM REQUIRED TO PREVENT DISPLACEMENT UNDER TRAFFIC, (2) PREPARE MIXTURES AT THE LOWEST PRACTICABLE TEMPERATURES AT PAVING PLANTS, (3) COMPRESS ALL ASPHALT PAVING MIXTURES THOROUGHLY TO BE AS IMPERMEABLE TO AIR AS POSSIBLE, (4) SEAL COAT ALL COMPRESSED MIXTURES WHICH ARE READILY PERMEABLE TO AIR, PREVENTING FREE CIRCULATION OF AIR WITHIN MIXTURE.


Achieving the required Quality of Service for efficient routing is one of the crucial challenges often faced in MANET (Mobile Ad-hoc Network); an infrastructureless wireless network. Being also one of the best features which determine the working performance of this type of ad hoc wireless network, QoS has been often taken into consideration by various researchers conducting their investigations in diverse MANET" s applications for emergency situations such as military fields" operations, natural disaster containment strategies, etc. For such applications, QOS-related researches are for example required for studying routing related matters including the appropriate solutions aiming at providing high QOS. In order to achieve this type of routing feature" s requirements; how to determine which definite method is necessary to identify the exact location of any participating node is one of the important problems faced by various researchers. Nodes" locations play a very important role in determining the optimal paths for packets to pass through on their way to the destination. When those paths are found, high QoS is achieved resulting in high end-to-end packet delivery ratio and minimized end-to-end delay with a highly rated throughput. Various routing methodologies aiming at improving QoS in MANET have been proposed which, of course, have some limitations. In order to contain all those negative issues, we propose a new routing algorithm; QAMACF (QoS-Aware transmission for Multimedia applications using Ant Colony with Fuzzy optimization), a protocol implemented based on Ant Colony Optimization and Fuzzy Logic techniques. We choose this method because it has been proved to be the most excellent mechanism in providing high QoS in MANET; it is efficient in finding multiple optimal paths to route packets through. Our proposed algorithm, combines different popular MANET" s routing features; multicast techniques for fast and efficient route discovery processes and multimedia data transmission mechanisms capable of transmitting any type of packets either ordinary or multimedia data such as images, photos, videos, etc. For selecting an optimal path, we use three prominent QoS parameters namely Residual energy (Re), Distance (Dt), and reachability (Rc). The experiments are conducted using three popular routing metrics; end-to-end packet delivery ratio, end-to-end delay, and throughput. The evaluation is performed by comparing our proposed algorithm with the already existing and popular ones; ABC (Ant colony Based Cluster) routing, fuzzy integrated ant colony optimization, ACO (Ant Colony Optimization), and Dynamic Core Based Multicast Routing Protocols (DCMP). Results obtained using the ns-2 simulator for all the studied cases prove that our proposed algorithm produces the best results.


The genetics of common disorders causing female infertility have received less attention than have many rarer disorders. There are several logical explanations for this death of attention. Firstly, gynaecological disorders usually involve internal organ systems, which, until recently, were visualized only following invasive surgery. Thus, it was relatively more dif®cult to document heritable tendencies in these disorders than in those characterized by more readily accessible organ systems. Lack of crisp, noninvasive, diagnostic criteria exacerbated this problem. Secondly, gynaecological disorders occur only in members of one sex; thus fewer familial aggregates would be expected than if both sexes were affected. Thirdly, progress has been delayed by the relative paucity of geneticists interested in these disorders. The landscape has now changed. Availability of laparoscopy and ultrasound has greatly facilitated diagnosis. Searches for nongenetic factors have proved relatively fruitless. General acceptance has evolved toward genetic factors playing paramount roles in virtually all disorders causing female infertility, even if the nature of speci®c genes remains obscure. Candidate gene and genome-wide approaches developed for elucidation of rare Mendelian or polygenic disorders are increasingly being applied to the common disorders causing female infertility. In the current and in a forthcoming issue of the journal, we shall consider three common disorders: polycystic ovarian disease, leiomyomata, and endometriosis. In each, contributors will consider heritability, candidate genes and genome-wide approaches. For each condition, progress is evident, even if the complete story is far from being written. Human Reproduction Update, Vol.7, No.1 p. 2, 2001


Based on most saved construction costs,a complete multi-function optimization model is established according to multi-variable optimization methods,and a specific pipeline layout program is given for different situation.


Many Iowa soybean fields may be infested with soybean cyst nematode (SCN) but the infestations may not be known because SCN does not always cause obvious, above ground symptoms. Up to 40 percent yield loss can occur without the appearance of above ground symptoms.


Plasma wakefield accelerators (PWFA) or laser wakefield accelerators (LWFA) are new technologies of particle accelerators that are particularly promising, as they can provide accelerating fields of hundreds of Gigaelectronvolts per meter while conventional facilities are limited to hundreds of Megaelectronvolts per meter. In the Plasma Wakefield Acceleration scheme (PWFA) and the Laser Wakefield Acceleration scheme (LWFA), a bunch of particles or a laser pulse propagates in a gas, creating an accelerating structure in its wake: an electron density wake associated to electromagnetic fields in the plasma. The main achievement of this thesis is the very first demonstration and experimental study in 2016 of the Plasma Wakefield Acceleration of a distinct positron bunch. In the scheme considered in the experiment, a lithium plasma was created in an oven, and a plasma density wave was excited inside it by a first bunch of positrons (the drive bunch) while the energy deposited in the plasma was extracted by a second bunch (the trailing bunch). An accelerating field of 1.36 GeV/m was reached during the experiment, for a typical accelerated charge of 40 pC. In the present manuscript is also reported the feasibility of several regimes of acceleration, which opens promising prospects for plasma wakefield accelerator staging and future colliders. Furthermore, this thesis also reports the progresses made regarding a new scheme: the use of a LWFA-produced electron beam to drive plasma waves in a gas jet. In this second experimental study, an electron beam created by laser-plasma interaction is refocused by particle bunch-plasma interaction in a second gas jet. A study of the physical phenomena associated to this hybrid LWFA-PWFA platform is reported. Last, the hybrid LWFA-PWFA scheme is also promising in order to enhance the X-ray emission by the LWFA electron beam produced in the first stage of the platform. In the last chapter of this thesis is reported the first experimental realization of this last scheme, and its promising results are discussed.


It can not be denied that the ability to master English speaking skill is a precious value. The role of English as a means of communication spreads and becomes more crucial, so the disability in using it can be interpreted as the isolation from the international community, out of date, and is really felt as the degradation. For that reason, teachers try to use the best method in order to make their students master English well. One of the methods is Active learning method. Active learning method is a method that involves students in doing things and thinking about the things they are doing. It involves students directly and actively in the learning process it self. This means that instead of simply receiving information verbally and visually, students are receiving and participating and doing. This study is intended to find out the description about the process of teaching speaking skill using active learning method that is applied by the English teacher of SMP SMART Akselerasi Ekselensia Indonesia-Bogor. Through interviewing and observing the teachers, the headmaster, and the students, it is found that the teaching process using active learning method is tried to put forward the existence of thinking skill, the existence of creativity, and the existence of the students' involvement, which all of the process try to be packaged in a pleasant teaching learning situation (fun). Thus in applying teaching speaking in the class, let the students be involved actively on that three things, so it is supposed that the students' ability in mastering speaking skill can be optimized.


The existence of level crossings between railroads and road vehicles that do not have gates in areas far from crowds, such conditions require gates that are made automatically to avoid accidents. The Automated Railroad Crossing System (ARCS) is an automatically activated railroad crossing gate where train arrival information is obtained through sensors. For one level crossing, there are several electronic devices installed in the automatic railroad crossing system. It is planned that the automatic railroad crossing system will be installed at several level crossings. The problem is how to estimate the time to perform automatic railroad crossing maintenance at several different locations, For this reason, it is necessary to know the estimated remaining useful life (Remaining Useful Life) of the subsystems. The purpose of this research is to find the estimated remaining useful time (RUL) of the subsystem in the automatic railroad crossing system in order to estimate the time to perform maintenance. The process that is carried out to obtain the remaining useful time is through the Prognostic Health Management System development plan, while the analysis of the estimated remaining useful time is carried out using Principle Component Analysis (PCA), the results of this simulation show promising results to determine the estimated value of the remaining useful time. If it can be known the estimated remaining time of the benefit, it is hoped that the maintenance plan for each automatic railroad crossing system can be carried out more efficiently.


In this study, waterborne polyurethane hydrogels were successfully synthesized with a waterborne polyurethane solution (WPU) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), which acted as a cross-linking agent in a freezing–thawing method. The average diameter of WPU, as determined by dynamic light scattering, was around 41.3 nm. The structure and morphology of the polyurethane composite hydrogel were characterized by means of FTIR, SEM and TGA, which confirmed that WPU and PVA formed a homogeneous miscible system through hydrogen bonds. The FTIR analysis showed that with the increasing WPU content, a large number of hydroxyl groups were provided for hydrogen bonding with the carbonyl group of WPU, resulting in strong hydrogen bonding interactions. From SEM, the number of surface pores of the PU/PVA composite hydrogels increased with increasing WPU content. With the increasing WPU content, the tensile strength of the PU/PVA composite hydrogels decreased. 70% PU/PVA prepared gave the best water absorption of 16.33 g g−1 in distilled water. The PU/PVA hydrogels had three stages of water absorption, namely, a fast adsorption phase, a slow adsorption phase and an equilibrium adsorption phase. The waterborne polyurethane hydrogel prepared from an environmentally friendly synthetic method was shown to be a promising new candidate as a wound dressing material.


I / Temporal Ontology.- I.1. / Primitive Notions.- I.2. / Points.- I.3. / Periods.- I.4. / Points and Periods.- I.5. / Events.- II / Temporal Discourse.- II.1. / Choice of Languages.- II.2. / Instant Tense Logic.- II.3. / Extended Tense Logic.- II.4. / Point Talk and Period Talk.- Appendix A / On Space.- Notes.- List of Important Principles.- Index of Names.- Index of Subjects.- Appendix "Sept Ans Apres".- Additional References.


Because of their toxic effects on the food chain and sources of water, antibiotics are potential pollutants that represent an important environmental problem. The objective of this research was to study the adsorption of penicillin G (PEN G) onto chestnut shell using a batch adsorption system. Maximum adsorption was achieved at pH 3.0. The equilibrium uptake capacity (mg/g) increased with increasing levels of initial penicillin G concentration. The uptake capacity of penicillin G onto chestnut shell was determined using the Langmuir model and was found to be 100 mg/g. It was found that the Freundlich isotherm model fitted the equilibrium data best. Additionally, the results of adsorption kinetics studies fitted the pseudo-second-order equation best.


Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by disturbed systemic and splanchnic hemodynamics. Bacterial translocation from the gut is considered the key driver in this process. Intestinal decontamination with rifaximin may improve hemodynamics. This double-blind, randomized, controlled trial (clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01769040) investigates the effects of rifaximin on hemodynamics, renal function, and vasoactive hormones. We randomized 54 stable outpatients with cirrhosis and ascites to rifaximin 550mg twice a day (n= 36) or placebo twice a day (n= 18). Forty-five patients were male, mean age 56 years (±8.4), average Child score 8.3 (±1.3), and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score 11.7 (±3.9). Measurements of hepatic venous pressure gradient, cardiac output, and systemic vascular resistance were made at baseline and after 4 weeks. The glomerular filtration rate and plasma renin, noradrenaline, lipopolysaccharide binding protein, troponin T, and brain natriuretic peptide levels were measured. Rifaximin had no effect on hepatic venous pressure gradient, mean 16.8 ±3.8 mm Hg at baseline versus 16.6 ±5.3 mm Hg at follow-up, compared to the placebo, mean 16.4 ± 4mm Hg at baseline versus 16.3 ±4.4 mm Hg at follow-up, P=0.94. No effect was found on cardiac output, mean 6.9 ±1.7 l/min at baseline versus 6.9 ± 2.3 l/min at follow-up, compared to placebo, mean 6.6 ±1.9 l/min at baseline compared to 6.5 ±2.1 l/ min at follow-up, P= 0.66. No effects on the glomerular filtration rate, P= 0.14, or vasoactive hormones were found. Subgroup analyses on patients with increased lipopolysaccharide binding protein and systemic vascular resistance below the mean (1011 dynes× s/cm5) revealed no effect of rifaximin.


History proves that the manipulation of religion, ethnicity, race, ethnicity for socio-economic and political interests is very dangerous for the life of a nation state. Protected forest area becomes an event that is never expected by many people, because actually when viewed from their residential areas which are also far apart and even in daily activities so far the economy runs without any obstacles. The conflict occurred because the residents of Tolang Jae Village did not fulfill the demands of the Nias tribe. Conflicts also occur because of excessive emotions due to beatings/mistreatment of Tolang Jae Village residents carried out by the Nias tribe in Adian Goti Village.


In this paper, a study on the impact of changing the space-based Automatic Identification System (AIS) monopole antenna orientation on its message reception performance in orbit has been conducted. The study has been carried out by maneuvering the attitude of LAPAN-A2, an equatorial orbiting microsatellite with AIS antenna fixedly mounted on the satellite's body, into the desired orientation. Based on the analysis of the datasets collected during the maneuver, the orientation of AIS monopole antenna 45° toward its flight direction increases the overall detection performance of the AIS message, including class A ship to 208.80% and also class B ships to 175.93%. This orientation also increases the detection of AIS messages in ocean areas having low detection probability due to AIS signal collision. The result of this research could become a reference in order to specify AIS antenna position and orientation in a small satellite carrying a space-based AIS system for maritime surveillance & monitoring purposes.


Research on urban development to date has tended to focus on buildings and their performance in terms of associated energy and environmental impacts. Although, many detailed studies of residential buildings have been carried out, these studies usually concentrate on the house itself without consideration of the infrastructure systems. Alternatives to traditional infrastructure systems are necessary due to increasing demand for sustainable development. Life cycle analysis is a tool which is capable of evaluating competing alternatives based on quantification of resource use over the useful life. This paper briefly examines the life cycle performance of reticulated water supply and rain tank systems used for urban residential developments in New Zealand and suggests that current consumption is an impediment to more sustainable choices. The analysis is based on life cycle energy, environmental impact and cost, using computer simulation.


Microalgae are considered as an outstanding feedstock to produce high value lipid products like biodiesel and biomedicine. Reaching commercial maturity in this field is possible in the case of maximizing lipid yield and minimizing prime costs. In order to clarify the best features of carbon source (for microalgae cultivation) to reach optimum efficiency of biomass and lipid production, this paper reviews the merits and demerits of different trophic modes as well as type and concentration of carbon source. Furthermore carbon supplementation for large scale microalgae cultivation and lipid production is discussed as an economical point of view.


Because of their quantum-scale dimensions, nanoparticles exhibit properties different from those of the bulk. As a result of their unique properties, numerous efforts have been made to disperse nanoparticles in polymers to enhance or modify their structural and magnetic properties. A new in situ synthesis method was used to incorporate small iron nanoparticles into a polyoxocarbosilane polymer matrix. Nano-magnetic iron-based composites were obtained by a one-step procedure consisting of the IR laser co-pyrolysis of a sensitized (with ethylene) gaseous mixture containing gaseous iron pentacarbonyl and hexamethyldisiloxane in argon. The simultaneously occurring formation of iron from iron pentacarbonyl and that of organosilicon polymer from hexamethyldisiloxane yield iron nanoparticles surrounded by an organosilicon polymer shell. The particles become superficially oxidized in the atmosphere. They were characterized by Raman analysis, electron microscopy and magnetic measurements. The properties of the nanocomposite particles depend on the experimental synthesis parameters such as flow rates of precursors, total pressure and laser power. Magnetization curves, exchange bias Hex at T = 5 K and AC susceptibility were studied in the temperature range 5-400 K. It was found that the nanocomposite should be in a ferromagnetic blocked state with a minor superparamagnetic contribution of the smallest nanoparticles.


This study was carried out between 2009-2011. The aim of the study was to determine Laurocerasus Duhamel genus grown in East Black Sea Region. With these ecological and chorological studies on Cherry laurel  belonging to Laurocerasus Duhamel genus grown in East Black Sea Region was determined. In this study Cherry laurel, with local names as " yabani, ince, kiraz, gec, vavul, yurek, karpuz, siyah, findik, beyaz, sivri " which grown in East Black Sea Region have been used. According to our study 10 taxa of local culture and one original natural-wild was observed and first time the Laurocerasus officinalis Roemer c.v. "beyaz karayemis" was determined  in Turkey.  With this study,  chorology of  determined taxa  in Turkey has been shown by  the grid square system.


Interaction with a measuring apparatus can cause otherwise interfering paths of a particle to become distinguishable. Under some conditions, however, it is possible to ``erase'' the distinguishability, thereby restoring interference. The concept of a quantum eraser is useful for understanding the role of entanglement in interference. Several attempts to investigate the phenomenon have been made using the correlated photons from spontaneous parametric down-conversion. However, none of the experiments previously performed in connection with quantum erasure has provided an optimal demonstration. We propose three improved down-conversion schemes, each of which satisfies all the criteria for a true quantum eraser. As the proposed schemes are all modifications or combinations of previously completed experiments, they are deemed to be feasible.


Even incoming graduates students will be considered, however. The fellowship may be extended for a period of one to three years if the selection committee concludes such support is appropriate. should include biographical data and a research plan or design. Applicants should arrange for three letters of reference , certified transcripts of college credits, and GRE scores (or their equivalents abroad) to be sent directly to CBI. Museum Lecture Series Three Pioneer Computer Lectures are scheduled this fall at the Computer Museum in Marlboro, Massachu-setts: D. H. Lehmer on the history of the sieve machines (October 7), Herbert R. The Annals of the History of Computing has adopted the new classification scheme for categories and subject descriptors developed for Computing Reviews. Reviews The Reviews department features extended reviews of selected publications, Most reviews are solicited, but colleagues are invited (and indeed encouraged) to participate in this reviewing activity by indicating their wish to review a work, by suggesting titles to the Reviews editor, or by submitting a manuscript. In the latter instance please consult with the editor to avoid duplication. Books, monographs, journal articles, films, videotapes, and other publications relating to the history of computing will be described briefly in the Capsule Review section. Comments on books, articles, or reviews should be submitted to the Letters department. NB: Reviews without bylines are by the editor., organized a symposium on the occasion of its twenty-fifth anniversary in 1971 in honor of Aad van Wijngaarden, who has been associated with the Centre almost since its inception. Van Wijngaarden, to whom the volume is dedicated, became the head of the Centre's Computation Department on January 1, 1947, and its director in 1961. The Foreword to the volume is printed here in its entirety, since it is a concise history of the quarter-century influence of the Mathematisch Centrum. Foreword The Mathematisch Centrum at Amsterdam, the MC as it is called by everybody, was founded in 1946 through the foresight of a few professors of mathematics, physics, and astronomy. Until then in the Netherlands the practice of mathematics as a profession had been in the hands of a handful of university professors (an average of three per university) and a very few people in industry; everyone else interested in mathematics practiced it in his spare time. Mathematical advice was hard to come by for scientific or commercial enterprises that could not afford a mathematics department …


Abstract Thin single-crystal Nb films have been grown on (0001)S, (0110)S, (2110)S and (0112)S α-Al2O3 (sapphire) surfaces by molecular-beam expitaxy. The same orientation relationship between the bulk of the Nb films and the sapphire substrates is observed for all four systems. The atomic structure of the interface between the Nb films and the sapphire substrates has been determined by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The HRTEM studies revealed a unique building principle for the atomic structure of all investigated Nb-Al2O3 interfaces. Two rules characterize the building principle. The first rule states that Nb atoms or ions occupy Al lattice sites at the interface. This rule determines the position of the Nb atoms or ions of the first plane at the interface and thus the growth direction. The second rule determines the orientation of the Nb crystal with respect to the first Nb layer. According to the second rule the Nb atoms of the second layer adjacent to the interface are posi...


Bioreactors could be used to simulate the growth conditions of cells and tissues in vivo which have benefits for the proliferation and differentiation of seeding cells and the tissue construction in vitro. Some papers in this issue were introduced and the application of bioreactors in tissue engineering were summarized. It was suggested to use the multidisplinary approach including the biomochanical methods to develop the bioreactors and to investigate the key parameters of the cells growth and tissue construction for the functional tissue engineering.


Observations of protoplanetary disks show that some characteristics seem recurrent, even in star formation regions that are physically distant such as surface mass density profiles varying as r−1 or aspect ratios of about 0.03–0.23. Accretion rates are also recurrently found around 10−8–10−6 M☉ yr−1 for disks that have already evolved. Several models have been developed in order to recover these properties. However, most of them usually simplify the disk geometry if not its mid-plane temperature. This has major consequences for modeling the disk evolution over millions of years and consequently planet migration. In the present paper, we develop a viscous evolution hydrodynamical numerical code that simultaneously determines the disk photosphere geometry and the mid-plane temperature. We then compare our results of long-term simulations with similar simulations of disks with a constrained geometry along the Chiang & Goldreich prescription (d lnH/d lnr = 9/7). We find that the constrained geometry models provide a good approximation of the disk surface density evolution. However, they differ significantly regarding the temperature–time evolution. In addition, we find that shadowed regions naturally appear at the transition between viscously dominated and radiation-dominated regions that falls in the region of planetary formation. We show that χ (photosphere height to pressure scale height ratio) cannot be considered a constant, which is consistent with the findings of Watanabe & Lin. Comparisons with observations show that all disks naturally evolve toward a shallow surface density disk (Σ∝r−1). The mass flux across the disk typically stabilizes in about 1 Myr.


Review(s) of: Passion play: Love, hope and heartbreak at the footy, by Matthew Klugman Hunter Publishers, Melbourne, 2009, pp ix + 150, pb, $29.95.


The small video camera of the video life detector, which can go into the narrow space that the rescuers can hardly reach, is used to get color video of the trapped people in the ruins after the disasters such as earthquake. Due to the covering of rubble and dust, it is difficult to detect the position of the trapped persons effectively and judge their physical condition from the video, which affects the search efficiency during the golden time of 72 hours for rescue. In this paper, a small dual-band (LWIR/VIS) video camera with common optical path is designed. The dual-band video camera contains a micro color video camera for details of the scene and a miniaturized thermal imaging component which has a micro uncooled infrared focal plane array (IRFPA) as the detector for capturing the location and vitality of trapped people. The field of view (FOV) of the color video camera, is partly matched with the FOV of the IRFPA component through a hot mirror as the visible and infrared optical splitter. In other words, the FOV of the dual-band imaging system is designed in common path. Then a real-time fusion algorithm of dual-band video is implemented on a DSP hardware image processing platform. As a result, the people and other hot targets in the scene are highlighted in the fused video, which can provide a basis for target detection and decision-making in the rescue process.


The present invention discloses a method for preparing tea artichoke, artichoke buds after picking by choice, fixing, disinfection, water desalination, steam steaming, and drying processes slicing artichoke made tea. Rational manufacturing method of the present invention, a simple, short production time, advanced technology, and the obtained artichoke artichoke tea can effectively avoid the beneficial component is not oxidized and decomposed, can maintain a good beneficial ingredients, nutritious, red products when the bubble drink taste good, durable resistance to bubble, while beneficial ingredients better when dissolved in water to the brew, is better absorbed by the body, in addition, the product throughout the production process, without adding any additives, preservatives, food safety, in full compliance with the current standards of food safety, hygiene norms.


Many power systems applications such as power flow and short-circuit analysis require very large sparse matrix computations. With the increase in reliance on our electric infrastructure, power systems are continually growing in size, creating greater computational complexity in solving these large linear systems within reasonable time. For sparse matrix applications, it is desirable to have an algorithm with low runtime complexity in terms of the number of nonzeros in the matrix. There have been several recent advances in computational methods in other fields that, if applied to power system, could make real-time dynamic simulation a reality. Much work has been done for specific types of these problems where the system is symmetric and diagonally dominant, similar to the form of power system matrices. This paper details an expansion on the current work in fast linear solvers to develop power system specific methods that show potential for accurate solutions in <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$O(m \log ^2 n)$</tex-math> </inline-formula> run times, where <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$n$</tex-math></inline-formula> represents the number of nodes and <inline-formula><tex-math notation="LaTeX">$m$</tex-math></inline-formula> represents the number of nonzeros in the power system matrix. This paper presents the simulation validation of a recently developed recursively solved iterative chain method for sparse matrices using a low stretch spanning tree preconditioner.


With the development of electronic warfare technology, the direction of arrival estimation of radiation sources is becoming more and more important, the requirement of direction finding is increasing. We present amplitude direction finding method that we usually use.At the same time,we present a new method digital beam forming direction finding.


metal foundation for traffic signs. Conceived with the aim of improving the foundations of traffic signals currently being carried out with use of excavation and concrete. The metal foundation, object of the present invention is constituted by a profile (1) with section in double "T" carrying welded laterally at least one plate (2) surmounted inferiorly wedge intended this set to bite into the ground to the stop materialized by a transverse plate (3) welded horizontally at the upper end and which carries slotted holes (5) for fastening the traffic signal pole, it provided a similar plate. Advantageously the transverse plate (3) includes a slotted (4) in double "T" insertion of the free end of the profile (1).


The purpose of this research is to know whether the aqueous extract of mango leaves (Mangifera indica L.) affect the growth of purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus L.). This research conducted at Botanical Laboratory of Biology Department Faculty of Mathematics and the Natural Sciences University of Lampung from September to October 2017. This experiments were carried out in a complete randomized design with the main factors being aqueous extract of mango leaves with 5 level concentration : 0% w / v ( control), 5% w / v, 10% w / v, 15% w / v, and 20% w / v and consist of 5 replications. Parameters measured were shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, and relative water content. The Levene test determined the homogeneity of variance at 5% significant level. Analysis of variance and Tukey HSD testis did at 5% significant level. The results showed that the concentration of extract was negatively correlated with shoot length where the shoot length was decreased significantly at 20% extract concentration. Total fresh weight was decreased significantly at 20% and correlated linearly negative with extract concentration. Total dry weight was decreased significantly at 20% extract concentration. There was no significant effect on relative water content. From this research, it concluded that aqueous extract of mango leaves at 20% extract concentration was decreased shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight of purple nutsedge.


Rosai-Dorfman-Destombes disease (RDD) is an uncommon histiocytic disorder of unknown aetiology. Extranodal involvement occurs in a significant proportion of patients but involvement of the kidney is rare. Here we present a case report of extranodal RDD of the kidney. Imaging revealed a heterogeneously enhancing solid mass lesion in left renal hilum infiltrating renal medulla and deeper layers of renal cortex. With the clinical diagnosis of suspected left renal cell cancer, laparoscopic left radical nephrectomy was performed. Macroscopic examination showed specimen covered with Gerota's fascia and perinephric pad of fat. Renal capsule could be easily split off. On cut section, ill circumscribed solid lesion having variegated appearance with areas of necrosis and haemorrhage, involving middle and lower pole, was noted. Renal sinus appeared to be involved. Microscopic examination showed sheets of histiocytes with abundant eosinophilic to vacuolated cytoplasm. There was emperipolesis of intact lymphocytes. Also, seen were sheets of plasma cells, lymphocytes with intervening dense hyalinised stroma. Retro peritoneal lymph nodes and para-aortic lymph nodes also showed similar histological picture. Immunohistochemistry showed that the histiocytes were positive for S100 and CD68. IgG4-positive plasma cells were not seen. These findings showed that the lesion represented and extranodal RDD of the kidney. Although rare, extranodal RDD should also be included in the differential diagnosis of a renal mass and frozen section be advised whenever feasible.


Shofar 31.4 Nevertheless, given these minor drawbacks, as Arnaldo Mamiligano once said of Cecil Roth's unsystematic histories of Italian Jewry, the study does the real groundwork of digging up information where before there was hardly anything but polemic, amateur chronicles, and biased and fragmentary documentation. With Jewish history, with the repeated destruction of communities, the dispersion of their members, and the final persecutions and massacres of the Holocaust, the task of the researcher trying to compile a reasonably accurate compilation is first of all an act of salvage, as well as an act of faith: in fact, it is a mitzvah. Now that Keren has done the spadework, and a blessing upon his head, it is time for others to go in with contemporary theories and paradigms and refine the picture, fill in the shades and textures, for instance, by discussing the role of Dhimmitude in the various non-Muslim communities, by evaluating the shifts in language from Ladino to French, and by reading more closely the letters, journals, liturgical and celebratory poems, and newspaper essays, memoirs, and narratives published by men and women of the Rusçuk community, both in the city and when in temporary or long-term exile.


Background: The importance of correct sizing of components for TKA for an optimal function and long-term results has been stressed in many reports. Proper sizing of both femoral and tibial component in both knees is necessary to maximize outcomes and reduce the risk of complications. Aims: To analyse the incidence of asymmetry of femoral and tibial components among bilateral knee Arthroplasty cases. Methods: A retrospective review of operative notes and outpatient charts was performed on all patients undergoing simultaneous and two-staged bilateral TKA at this institution from 2014 to 2016. Conclusion: Good range of movement of both knee joints provides the support that proper component selection whether symmetrical or asymmetrical is the keystone for successful bilateral total knee arthroplasty.


Leukemia is one of the most common cancers in children, comprising more than a third of all childhood cancers. Newly affected patients in USA are estimated as 10100cases, and if these cases are diagnosed late or proper treatment is not applied, then it can be mortal. Because rapid and proper diagnosis of leukemia based on clinical or medicinal findings (without biopsy) is impossible, we decided to apply artificial neural network for rapid leukemia diagnosis.parameters of 131 patients were applied for training network with Levenberg-Marquardt learning algorithm, with learning rate of 0.1. Methods


1. Alternating-deficient lithium mixed lithiated transition metal oxide, which has a layered crystal structure and represented by the following chemical formula 1:, wherein M1 represents one or more transition metals in the oxidation state +3; M2 represents one or more transition metals in the oxidation state +4; M3 represents one or more transition metals in the oxidation state +5; M4 is one or more of the elements in oxidation state +2; x + 2y-z> 0; x + y + z <1; 0 <a <1; 0 <x <0,75; 0≤y <0,6; and 0≤z <0,3.2. Alternating deficient of lithiated lithium mixed transition metal oxide according to claim 1, characterized in that M1 represents Niili Nii combination of one or more transition metals in the oxidation state +3.3. Alternating deficient of lithiated lithium mixed transition metal oxide according to claim 1, characterized in that z is 0≤z <0,2.4. Alternating deficient of lithiated lithium mixed transition metal oxide according to claim 1, characterized in that z is 0≤z <0,1.5. Alternating deficient of lithiated lithium mixed transition metal oxide according to claim 1, characterized in that z is 0,1≤z <0,2.6. Alternating deficient of lithiated lithium mixed transition metal oxide according to claim 1, characterized in that z is 0,2≤z <0,3.7. Alternating deficient of lithiated lithium mixed transition metal oxide of claim 1, wherein M1 represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Al, Fe, Mn, Cr, Ti, V, Sc, Y and La; M2 represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Tii V; M3 represents one or more element


Frequently disrupted and restricted sleep is a widespread problem in our modern around-theclock society. In the long run, insufficient sleep may have serious repercussions for health and well-being. Indeed, sleep complaints and restricted sleep have been identified as risk factors for various diseases including, for example, mood disorders such as depression. One pathway along which restricted sleep might affect the sensitivity to disease is by altering central and neuroendocrine stress systems. The stress systems in our brain and body play a critical role in adapting to a continuously changing and challenging environment. Stress hormones not only support metabolic processes and physical activity under acute stress but also affect brain function, cognition and mood. Therefore, effects of sleep loss on these stress systems may have direct functional consequences for the way we perform and deal with everyday challenges. The present study in rats examined the effect of chronic partial sleep deprivation on the sensitivity of the serotonin-1A (5HT-1A) receptor system and the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) receptor system. Both of these systems play an important role in coordinating stress responses, which includes regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal (HPA) axis, one of the main neuroendocrine stress systems. Also, alterations in both the serotonergic and CRH system have been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression.


ABSTRACT:Released in 2016, this selected class germplasm of little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash var. scoparium [Poaceae]) provides an adapted source of little bluestem for restoration of coastal prairies, longleaf pine understory, soil conservation, and wildlife habitat in the Western Coastal Plains region of Texas and Louisiana. We evaluated 87 seed collections from eastern Texas and Louisiana for germination and seedling vigor under greenhouse conditions. Seventy-seven accessions (38 from Texas and 39 from Louisiana) with favorable germination and seedling vigor were further evaluated for foliage abundance, disease resistance, lodging, seed production, plant height and width, boot dates, and bloom dates in a common-garden study at the USDA NRCS East Texas Plant Materials Center (ETPMC). Seed harvested from the common garden was used to establish Coastal Plains Germplasm little bluestem.Shadow RA, Thomassie G, Brakie MR. 2018. Notice of release of Coastal Plains Germplasm little bluestem: a selected class of natural germplasm. Native Plants Journal 19(1):47–53.


This volume covers, though not completely, the wide area of interests of Ya B. Zeldovich in the later part of his carrier: from field theories to the origin and evolution of the universe. Several papers were written by his former collaborators: V.A. Belinsii, V.M. Checketkin, J. Einasto, and V.S. Popov.


This paper presents a sophisticated vehicle antenna measurement system which allows, in addition to standard far field measurements, a full 3-dimensional measurement of the radiation pattern of a vehicle antenna. To prove measurement results, a simple vehicle model has been created, which allows comparison with simulation results.


Political considerations can distort public policies in developing countries, making them less effective. While past literature has focused on incumbent politicians manipulating policies for reelection purposes in two-party settings, around 52% of the world's democracies have coalition governments. In such settings, a national incumbent can not only allocate funds to woo voters pre-election, but also to buy legislative support from smaller parties post-election. My paper presents a simple framework formalizing these two mechanisms and tests it using a newly constructed dataset of district-level disbursements from India's Total Sanitation Campaign. These two mechanisms give rise to two distinct patterns in the disbursement of funds: the "Buying Votes Cycle" and the "Patronage Cycle." The former is the traditional cycle with a pre-election increase (60%) in the release of funds in swing districts for the national parties. The latter is a previously undocumented cycle with a post-election increase (55%) in the release of funds that occurs, as predicted by the model, only in safe districts for smaller parties. Both cycles are large enough to affect the timing of household consumption and hence their welfare.


With the help of software Fine/Design3D and a CFD(computational fluid dynamics) method the optimization design of a three-dimensional blade profile was carried out for a high pressure-ratio transonic and centrifugal impeller.The optimization results in an efficiency enhancement of 1.05% with a simultaneous increase in pressure ratio and flow rate.From an analysis of geometric changes it has been found that relative to root and average-diameter section blade profile the blade-tip profile optimization is a more effective means for enhancing the efficiency of the transonic and centrifugal impeller.


The source for the story of Arthur's drawing the sword that would make him king seems likely to be a miracle involving Bishop Wulfstan of Worcester, his episcopal staff, and a saintly king's tomb, found in Aelred of Rievaulx's Vita Sancti Edwardi, Regis et Confessoris.


Abstract Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and severity of asthma and its association with sex in 6- to 7-year-old schoolchildren from the city of Rio de Janeiro (RJ), obtained by a telephone survey. Methods: A cross-sectional study using the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC) Written Questionnaire for Asthma adapted and validated by telephone interviews was conducted. The random sample was recruited systematically, without replacement, taking into account the proportion of school classes and students in each regional coordination of the Municipal Secretariat of Education, which supplied the students' telephone numbers. The data were collected by a polling company from May to July 2010. Prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were compared using the difference in proportions test suitable for large samples to analyze the association between asthma and sex. Results: In total, 3216 interviews from parents/caregivers of children were analyzed; 51.4% of the children were males. Mothers were the primary respondents (71.9%). The prevalence rates of "wheezing ever" and "wheezing in the last 12 months" were 52.2% and 20.9%, respectively, and were significantly higher among boys (PR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.03–1.18 and PR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.10–1.45). The same pattern was observed for "asthma ever" (PR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12–1.85) and for "severe asthma" (PR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.11–1.82). Conclusion: The prevalence of asthma was high among RJ's students. Most of the indicators of the disease were more prevalent among boys. Our results were similar to those observed in other Brazilian and international centers using the traditional ISAAC protocol. The use of this method can be an alternative for epidemiological studies of childhood asthma especially in areas where the telephone coverage is high.


We obtain new upper bounds for the mean squared modulus of sums ∑n∈ℕAnχ(n), where the sequence (An) is fixed and the variable χ belongs to the set of non-principal Dirichlet characters for some modulus q. It is assumed that, for some M, some complex sequence (cm) satisfying cm = 0 for m ∉ (M/2,M], and some α(x) and β(y) (smooth functions with compact support), one has An = ∑uvm = n α(u)β(v)cm (n ∈ ℕ). There is a natural analogy between the bounds obtained and bounds on mean values of Dirichlet polynomials previously obtained by Deshouillers and Iwaniec. Our proofs make use of results from the spectral theory of automorphic functions, including the bound of Kim and Sarnak for the eigenvalues of Hecke operators acting on certain spaces of Maass cusp forms. The results depend on the size of P, the largest prime factor of q, and improve as logq(P) is diminished. In separate work, Harman has given an application of our results to the theory of Carmichael numbers.


This study contributes to the emerging dialogue on the relationships between top management team (TMT) functional background diversity, organizational ambidexterity and company performance. Although small firms (SEs) represent a fundamental component of every nation's economy, to our knowledge SEs have never been considered as specific units of analysis in the context of this dialogue. Therefore, logistic regression was applied to a sample of 502 Italian manufacturing SEs, 244 operating in the fashion industry and 258 operating in other low technology industries. The principal findings are the following: i) there is a significant and positive relationship between SE TMT diversity and SE organizational ambidexterity; ii) the chief executive officer's (CEO's) functional background and power act as moderators in this relationship; iii) there is a significant and positive relationship between SE organizational ambidexterity and SE performance and this relationship is positively moderated by the level of complexity of the industry environment.


The objective of the trial was to evaluate the effect of pre-germination treatments on the emergence and initial growth of Talisia oliviformis (Kunth) Radlk, through six pre-germination treatments: seeds without seed coat (SC) without soaking (T1), T1 plus soaking during 24 h (T2) and 48 h in drinking water (T3), seeds with SC without soaking (T4), T4 plus soaking during 24 h (T5) and 48 h (T6). A completely randomized design was used, with six repetitions and fifty seeds as experimental unit. The measurements performed were: emergence percentage (EP), plant height (PH) and number of leaves (NL). Interaction of the factors seed coat (SC) and soaking time (ST) was found for the EP. The pre-germination treatments were different among themselves; T5 reached the highest percentage (85 %), although T4 achieved 72 % of EP, value which is also considered adequate. The interaction between SC and ST significantly influenced the PH; T1, T2, T4, T5 and T6 did not differ among themselves, although T6 had equal performance as T1 and T3. Regarding the NL, no differences were found among the treatments for any of the studied factors. It is concluded that the interaction of the seed coat and the soaking time influenced the EP and PH. The treatments with seeds with SC soaked during 24 h and without soaking reached the highest emergence percentages (85 and 72 %, respectively). Both techniques are environmentalist, simple, practical and economical.


The purpose of this study was to investigate food habits, nutrients intakes and nutritional quality of the preschool children living in Seoul. The study was performed by analyzing a questionnaire answered by the mothers of 233 subjects age 2 to 6 years old. A three-day dietary intakes survey, using a 24 hour recall method was used by both the mothers and teachers of the children in day care centers. Twenty eight, 65.9 and 21.8% of preschool children were underweight, normal and overweight or obese, respectively. It was found that 19.8% of preschool children relied that they skipped breakfast sometimes. The major reasons for skipping breakfast were 'snacks' (38.3%) and 'no appetite' (32.6%). The proportion of subjects having unbalanced meals was 61.6%. From the 24-recall survey, it was found that all nutrients intakes were higher than those of the Korean RDA except zinc. The proportions of carbohydrate, protein and fat from total calories were 56,1, 17.2 and 30.7%. The P/M/S ratio was 0.2 : 0.86 :1. Nutrient adquacy (NAR), mean of nutrient adequacy ratio (MAR) and index of nutritional quality (INQ) were considered adequate. In conclusion, the dietary intake of children age 2 to 6 were assumed adequate judging from nutrient intakes, although some attention should be paid to fat intake in this age group.


Deriving requirements is acknowledged to be one of the most crucial activities in system development. Documenting the requirements of a software sys- tem requires translating observations about the real world into precise mathematical specifications. Scenarios, which are partial descriptions of user-system interactions, have recently received much attention as a means of eliciting and documenting requirements of interactive systems. Starting from a relational formalization of sce- narios that has been proposed in the literature, we use tabular expressions as an alternative means of representing the relations associated with scenarios. Because tabular expressions can be structured in several distinct ways, they simplify the task of validating, verifying and integrating scenarios. In particular, under weak conditions on the headers of predicate expression tables, it is possible to check the consistency of two scenarios and to integrate them cell-wise if the scenarios are consistent, or to pinpoint the source of inconsistency to specific table cells if they are not.


We present an efficient postprocessing method for calculating the electronic structure of nanosystems based on the divide-and-conquer approach to density functional theory (DC-DFT), in which a system is divided into subsystems whose electronic structure is solved separately. In this postprocess, the Kohn-Sham Hamiltonian of the total system is easily derived from the orbitals and orbital energies of subsystems obtained by DC-DFT without time-consuming and redundant computation. The resultant orbitals spatially extended over the total system are described as linear combinations of the orbitals of the subsystems. The size of the Hamiltonian matrix can be much reduced from that for the conventional calculation, so our method is fast and applicable to general huge systems for investigating the nature of electronic states.


As antimatter and its potential to use as an energy source is discovered by modern scientists, there are few reviews to introduce the history and applications of antimatter which is the aim of the paper. This paper provides a brief introduction to how antimatter was discovered and some possible applications of antimatter in the future. In this paper, the physics of antimatter and the creation, storage and using ways of antimatter will be described. After that, I will summarize the feasibility of utilizing the energy from the annihilation of antimatter-matter. And some possibilities of applications based on this energy, like antimatter ships and antimatter factories, will be discussed.


Abstract : The high strength to weight ratio of amorphous and nano-structured Al-based alloys make them particularly interesting for aerospace applications. The purpose of this grant was to identify a suitable glass for studies of the nucleation processes leading to nanostructure formation and to investigate the possibility of using TiB2 for enhanced microstructure refinement during crystallization. The goals of the grant were met and exceeded. We (i) identified Al88Y7Fe5 as a model glass for study; (ii) discovered that microalloying significantly improved glass formation and stability with the substitutions of small amounts (=0.5 at %) of Ti, Zr and V for the Al; (iii) discovered amorphous Al(85.35)Y7Fe5Ti(0.5) by the addition of TiB2 particles, producing a final grain density of approximately 10(exp 24/cu m on the surfaces of the particles. In addition to demonstrating the technological usefulness of microalloying and the indication that evenly dispersed nanoparticles of TiB2 should lead to a significant nanostructure refinement during crystallization, these results also raise new fundamental questions, such as the mechanism of microalloying.


1.2 The term "mountain wilderness" thus refers to any untouched mountain environment where anyone who so wishes may come into direct contact with the wide-open spaces, experience solitude, silence, rhythms, natural dimensions, laws and dangers. The essential value of wilderness lies, above all, in its potential to stimulate an intense creative relationship between civilized man and the natural environment. It is the degree of authenticity of this connection that gives this adventure its deeper meaning.


A nonparametric Bayesian approach to co-clustering ensembles is presented. Similar to clustering ensembles, coclustering ensembles combine various base co-clustering results to obtain a more robust consensus co-clustering. To avoid pre-specifying the number of co-clusters, we specify independent Dirichlet process priors for the row and column clusters. Thus, the numbers of rowand column-clusters are unbounded a priori; the actual numbers of clusters can be learned a posteriori from observations. Next, to model non-independence of rowand column-clusters, we employ a Mondrian Process as a prior distribution over partitions of the data matrix. As a result, the co-clusters are not restricted to a regular grid partition, but form nested partitions with varying resolutions. The empirical evaluation demonstrates the effectiveness of nonparametric Bayesian co-clustering ensembles and their advantages over traditional co-clustering methods.


In this paper a voluntary export restraint (VER) is demonstrated to have no effect on equilibrium prices, real incomes, and welfare using a multidimensional general equilibrium model that supports multiple world supply configurations at one equilibrium price vector. This set of configurations is called replicate equilibria. It is shown that a VER that precludes one equilibrium may not preclude a replicate. It is also shown that VERs and quotas may not be equivalent to a tariff even with perfect competition in all markets.


A CFD method is proposed to simulate the gas-liquid severe slugging in a pipeline-riser system in the present paper. Based on the consistence principle of the severe slugging formation condition, the 3D flow in a pipeline-riser system is simplified into a 2D flow. The severe slug flow in a pipeline-riser system with a given pipeline declination angle is simulated numerically. The effects of gas-liquid physical parameters on slug flow characteristics are studied and analyzed when the liquids are water, crude oil and kerosene, and the gas are methane and air, respectively. Numerical results show that physical properties of the liquid, including viscosity, density and surface tension, have remarkable influence on the characteristics of severe slugging, including the flow pattern, the period and the pressure fluctuation, whereas the influence of the gas physical properties on the characteristics of the severe slugging is not significant.


Introduction: In this era of scientific advancement, research is vital and forms the heart of the knowledge expansion. Dentistry is one the fastest evolving branches of science in today's world and needless to say, it is centered on research. In India, research is a part of postgraduate curriculum. Many research works are conducted by postgraduates as a necessity, but very few do it with actual interest. Hence, in this study, we plan to conduct a survey on the awareness of dentists toward research in Telangana region. Aim: To assess the knowledge and highlight the need to learn research methodology for dentists in Telangana region. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire study was conducted with 15 close-ended questions to know different ideologies among dentists for planning a research and to correlate opinions from dentists of various regions of Telangana state. A total of 115 participants took part in the study. They gave their consent for the study and gave their opinions with their free will. We categorized our results according to the designation of the participants and the answers that were given for each question. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22. Results: A statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) of opinions was obtained with regards to the type of study that was preferred, type of analysis that was done, and obtaining a statistically significant value for their results. Conclusion: There is considerable variation when it comes to planning minor steps of study with few basics being overlooked. There is a need for establishing a standardized protocol for planning a study.


Based on the assumption that the scene structure consists of a set of planar surface patches and the algorithm of planar graph cuts, a novel stereo matching algorithm is presented in this paper using 3D-Hough transformation. Unlike current stereo matching algorithm, our method provides a quite fast and robust plane fitting resolution that can enhance the reliability of each disparity model. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method in obtaining precise and smooth disparity image.


An almost uniform experience in fisheries managed by limited-entry has been the increased use of capital by each firm. This is widely regarded as an undesirable loophole in programs to limit fishing effort. Closer examination indicates that the increased use of capital by firms is produced by at least six different incentives. Moreover, not all of these incentives are economically undesirable. The net effect of "capital-stuffing" is ambiguous and can only be evaluated empirically. Literature demonstrating the increased accumulation of capital by limited-entry license holders is plentiful. Examples of such fisheries include the Pacific salmon fisheries (Pearse and Wilen 1979; Fraser 1979), the Japanese tuna fishery (Keen 1973), and the Australian lobster fisheries (Meany 1978). Economists have almost universally bemoaned the capital-stuffing. Capital-stuffing, they argue, occurs only because the property rights to the limited-entry license are poorly designed. The destructive forces of open access have been transformed from attracting too many firms to attracting too much capital per firm. Perhaps because economists find the microeconomic foundations of the argument so obvious, they have produced only one careful analysis of the causes of capital-stuffing. Anderson (1976), applying the classical Ushaped long-run average cost curve, argued that limited entry will increase marginal revenue per unit of effort, and hence, encourage the firm to expand its size. Anderson assumed effort to be an intermediate good that is pro-


This paper completes a summary and thoughts on 8-year university physics teaching in mixed-level classes,and expounds the improvement and perfection of the organization pattern of teaching in mixed-level classes according to its existing problems in order to provide references for the universities that are carrying on or planning to carry such a teaching.


As a sociologist, I was interested to read the interview with Paul Litchfield about happiness research.1 The value and purpose of happiness research has been much debated and critiqued in sociology.23 Happiness and wellbeing undoubtedly have personal and interpersonal value, but we need …


This study was carried out in South-Eastern Tanzania to establish representative experimental sites on the basis of agroecological settings and soils. Three pedons were characterized namely NWJ-P1 in Nawaje village, MKG-P1 in Mikangaula village and NNL-P1 in Nannala village. Soil moisture and temperature regimes in the study areas were, respectively, ustic and isohyperthermic. Fifteen soil samples from genetic soil horizons were analyzed for physico-chemical properties. Pedons NNL-P1 and MKG-P1 had loamy sand topsoils overlying sandy loam to sand clay loam subsoils. Pedon NWJ-P1 had sandy clay loam topsoil overlying clay subsoil with indications of eluviation-illuviation as dominant pedogenic process. Whereas pedons NWJ-P1 and MKG-P1 were medium acid to slightly acid (pH 5.91 6.35), pedon NNL-P1 was extremely to very strongly acid (pH 4.36 4.57). Topsoil OC contents of the soils were very low to medium (0.49 to 1.28%) while subsoil values were very low to low (0.16 0.66%). Total nitrogen in the pedons were very low (0.02 0.07%) while C/N ratios generally ranged from 7 to 18 indicating good to moderate quality of soil organic matter. All studied soils were low in available P (< 7 mg kg) except topsoil of pedon NNL-P1 which had medium values (P range 720 mg kg). CEC values ranged from very low (< 6.0 cmol(c) kg) to low (6.0 12.0 cmol(c) kg). % base saturation of pedon NNL-P1 was medium (21 60) while pedons NWJ-P1 and MKG-P1 had high values (> 60%). Nutrient ratios Ca/TEB, Mg/K and %( K/TEB) indicated some degree of nutrient imbalance in the soils likely to impair nutrient availability to plants. According to USDA Soil Taxonomy the pedons classified as Typic Dystrustepts (pedon NNLP1), Typic Argiustolls (pedon NWJ-P1) and Typic Haplustepts (pedon MKG-P1) which, according to WRB for Soil Resources, translated into Dystric Cambisols, Luvic Phaeozems, and Eutric Chromic Cambisols, respectively. In view of the study results, the studied pedons differed markedly in terms of pedological and physico-chemical properties, emphasizing the need to characterize soils before embarking on strategies and practices on soil fertility management for enhanced sustainable agriculture production. Sustainable cropping on the studied soils could be achieved with introduction of technologies suitable for rejuvenating soil fertility such as manuring, crop rotation, proper management of crop residues, fallow periods, introduction of leguminous cover crops in the farming system and use of fertilizers, particularly non-acidifying types of fertilizers.


Depression is a mood disorder characterized by symptoms such as moodiness, lethargy, lack of passion, feelings of worthlessness, deep frustration, hopelessness, thoughts of death and suicidal thoughts, depression is one of the mental health conditions, many students still have difficulty determining which stage and how severe the depression they are experiencing, Identifying factors that affect the level of depression experienced by students by applying the Certainty Factor (CF) method to the  expert system to diagnose the level of student depression, Certainty Factor is a method for dealing with uncertainty in rule-based systems by performing calculations, after the system runs well, the implementation is carried out on students by registering first then logging in after that answering questions from data on symptoms that cause depression based on their respective levels.


In this study, 20 male (1500±50 g) white, New Zealand strain rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus huxley) jere used. Of these ten were used for experimental group, and the others were used controls. To get hyperthyroidism in the experiment animals, L-Thyroxin 50 µg/kg of body weight daily for two weeks, was injected to the animals by intravenous. The control group rabbits were injected only 0.9% isotonic salt water which L-Thyroxin dissolved in it. The levels of total ceratine kinase (CK) and cardirac creatine kinase (CK-MB) were recorded as 1079 ± 597 U/L and 879 ± 128 U/L in control group whereas these parameters were as 3558 ± 1341 U/L and 902 ± 367 U/L in hyperthroidism group, respectively. It was observer that CK (p


A fusion method of Gabor features and (2D)~2LDA for face feature extraction is proposed in this paper. Gabor filters are utilized to extract multi-direction and multi-scale features from facial image to employ its robust performance for illumination,expressional variability and other factors. The extracted features have the defect of high dimension and redundancy data.(2D)~2LDA is implemented to reduce the dimension of Gabor features and select effective feature data. Finally, the nearest neighbor classifier is used to classify characteristics and complete face recognition. The experiments are implemented by using ORL database and Yale database respectively. The experimental results show that the proposed method significantly reduces the dimension of Gabor features and decrease the influence of other factors. The proposed method acquires excellent recognition accuracy and has light architectures as well.


In this paper we propose an alternative cosmography by considering Hořava–Lifshitz gravity as a model of quantum gravity (QG) to search for quantum effects at the cosmological level. For our analyses we consider current late Universe surveys and a gravitational waves forecast from Einstein telescope. We found naturally a non-flat scenario with Ωk=−0.021−0.029+0.023 with H0=71.904−1.347+1.406 , without showing the standard reported 3.4-σ inconsistency. Furthermore, we obtained a specific value for the Hořava parameter ω ≈ −3.8 × 10−14, which can be interpreted as a measure of a quantum effect and could be used to further test this QG model. We conclude that classically, according to the ΛCDM model, our Universe seems to be spatially flat, but in fact, it is curved from a quantum point of view.


In massive MIMO performance evaluations it is often assumed that the terminal has a single antenna. The combination of multiple antennas in a terminal and massive MIMO precoding at the base station side can further improve overall system performance. We present measurement results for multi antenna terminals operating in different transmission schemes and how they perform under varying loading conditions. Gain expressions are derived that enable easy comparison between the transmission schemes. The evaluation is performed on realistic antennas integrated into Sony Xperia handsets tuned to 3.7~GHz and operated together with the Lund University massive MIMO (LuMaMi) test bed. It is concluded that the approach used in today's mobile systems, where up link and down link are addressed independently, will not provide the best performance. The performance can be improved by the selection of transmission schemes optimized for massive MIMO.


First in a series of five articles, Norm Buckley and Jason Busse explore the trials and tribulations associated with using opioids for chronic pain, particularly in Canada. The prescription of opioids for chronic pain is both clinically controversial and a highly politicized arena. Although rigorously developed clinical practice guidelines, when followed, can improve patient care, a number of other issues affect the behaviour of physicians, other healthcare providers and agencies responsible for access to treatment. This is the first of five editorials that will be published over the next year that will review the use of opioids for chronic noncancer pain, with a particular focus on Canada.


Introduction: Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) is a widely used technique for quantitative assessment of the vascular properties of tissue and is now increasingly used in breast cancer screening and diagnosis. Patient motion is likely to influence contrast-uptake modelling by causing the the local intensity to change, mimicking contrast enhancement. In the breast, motion artefacts are typically due to breathing and movement of the pectoral muscle. Image registration may be able to remove visible motion but the importance is the impact of registration algorithms on the extraction of accurate pharmacokinetic data. This work investigates a new application for an existing DCE-MR registration algorithm for inspecting both motion artefacts and changes to model-fitting during registration.


Objectives: the purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of treatment using techniques of Physical therapy in patients with lesions of the shoulder joint as and see if our results are affected by other factors. Methodology: we conducted a prospective observational study in which we have analyzed the evolution of 11 patients affected by diseases related to the glenohumeral joint, treated in the Physiotherapy room of Alto Guadalquivir Hospital of Andujar (Jaen), taking note of the conditions of their pathology at the beginning of treatment and then compare them with the circumstances at the end of it. Results: after the necessary calculations we can say that patients in the physiotherapy room have experienced a significant improvement at the end of treat ment (p = 0.0017), qualifying that this improvement is not associated with age or sex of the themselves. Conclusions: we observed an improvement in the condition of patients susceptible to pathologies of the shoulder at the end of treatment in the Physiotherapy room, diminishing its symptoms and towards greater independence to carry out their daily activities at the conclusion of the sessions.


Objective To approach the feasibility of targeted CEUS with microbubbles bearing polymeric Sialyl Lewis x for evaluation of mouse abdominal aorta inflammation.Methods Selectin-targeted(with polymeric sialyl Lewis x or anti-P-selectin monoclonal antibodies) microbubbles(MB-S,MB-P) and isotype control microbubbles(with isotype control monoclonal antibodies) microbubbles(MB-C) were prepared by attaching the ligands to lipid-microbubbles.The binding rate of ligands in microbubbles was measured by quantitative flow cytometry.A parallel plate flow chamber was used to observe the firmly adherent numbers of microbubbles at 3different shear stress(0.5,2.0and 4.0dyn/cm 2) over 6min.The mice were divided into acute abdominal aorta inflammatory model(inflammatory group,n=9) and sham surgery model(control group,n=9),and then microbubbles were injected randomly and respectively via a catheter placed in the tail vein.The video intensity(VI) was observed at 6min after microbubbles bolus injection.Results The ligand-binding rates of microbubbles were not significantly different between MB-S and MB-P(P0.05).At the same shear stress,adhesive numbers of MB-S and MB-P at 6min were much more than those of MB-C(both P0.05).At 0.5dyn/cm 2 shear stress,there was no significant difference between the adhesive numbers of MB-S and MB-P(P0.05),while at 2.0and 4.0dyn/cm 2,bindings of MB-S to the targets were obviously greater than those of MB-P(both P0.05).In all flow conditions,the adhesive numbers of microbubbles to the targets decreased as the shear flow increased.In the inflammatory group,VI of microbubbles decreased from MB-S to MB-C(all P0.05),and except MB-C,VI of MB-S and MB-P was higher than that of control group(both P0.05).Conclusion In high shear stress,MB-S has greater binding capability than MB-P,which may be used to evaluate the inflammation response in arterial vessels.


This study proposes an adaptive CNC machining process based on on-machine measurement to control the machining error of near-net-shaped blades. The multi-source and multi-process machining error transmission model of a near-net-shaped blade is established, and the reduction effect of the machining error transmission chain by the adaptive CNC machining process is qualitatively analyzed based on the machining error transmission flow model. The effects of the adaptive CNC machining process on the positioning benchmark error, machining position error, and machining contouring error are explored based on an experiment for the adaptive CNC machining process. In particular, the ability of the adaptive CNC machining process to cooperatively control the blade position error and the contouring error is discussed in relation to the stiffness of the blade-fixture system. The results show that the adaptive CNC machining process can reasonably reduce the machining errors caused by the positioning benchmark. The final deviation band of the blade body is reduced by 60% based on this adaptive CNC machining process. The adaptive CNC machining process can optimize the contouring error and the position error of the blade tenon root with only the stiffness of the blade-fixture system prerequisite being ensured. The adaptive CNC machining process has the excellent ability to control machining errors to improve the machining quality of the blade.


Summary A tetraploid population of glial cell nuclei has been identified in layers one, two and three of the entire striate cortex. These have approximately twice the volume of diploid glial cell nuclei.


Novel methods of cloud detection are applied to the unique Fennec aircraft dataset, to evaluate the Met Office derived products on cloud properties over the Sahara based on the Spinning Enhanced Visible and InfraRed Imager (SEVIRI) on-board Meteosat. Two cloud mask configurations are considered, as well as the retrievals of cloud-top height, and these products are compared to airborne cloud remote sensing products acquired during the Fennec campaign in June 2011 and June 2012. Most detected clouds (67 % of the total) have a horizontal extent which is smaller than a SEVIRI pixel (3 km x 3 km). We show that, when partially cloud-contaminated pixels are included, a match between the SEVIRI and aircraft datasets is found in 80 ± 8 % of the pixels. Moreover, under clear skies the datasets are shown to agree for more than 90 % of the pixels. Cloud-top height retrievals however show large discrepancies over the region, which are ascribed to limiting factors such as the cloud horizontal extent, the derived effective cloud amount, and the absorption by mineral dust.


Teaching young children to create equal-size groups is your treasure map for building students' flexible, connected understanding of and reasoning about ratios, fractions, and multiplicative operations.