PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to develop and test a model for the relationship between learning behavior in groups and empowerment leadership using trust among group members as a specific context factor that influences the relationship.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a quantitative survey that involves 78 working groups from various types of teams and diverse business fields in Indonesia. Data analysis was carried out at the group level, and, for the hypothesis testing, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used.FindingsThe empirical results of the testing show that empowerment leadership has a positive influence on learning behavior in groups, and trust among group members is proven to be a moderating variable that strengthens the influence of these variables.Research limitations/implicationsThe process of generalizing findings must be carried out carefully considering that the model testing carried out was in the context of specific groups and included the existence of common method bias risk.Originality/valueThis paper provides an understanding of the interaction between the presence of group leaders who have an empowerment leadership style and the existence of trust among group members that will encourage the emergence of learning behavior in groups. It contributes to the current literature by filling a gap from social information processing perspective. Individuals collectively will have attitudes and behavior based on information from coworkers while developing self-leadership that leads to sharing knowledge and sharing experience within the group.


To investigate autonomic nervous system (ANS) regulation of the pulmonary vascular response to increasing cardiac index (CI:ml/min/kg) following systemic hypotension (H), the pulmonary vascular pressure gradient (pulmonary arterial-pulmonary capillary wedge pressure: ΔP) was measured at multiple levels of CI during stepwise inflation and deflation of an inferior vena cava (IVC) occluder. In intact dogs, maximum IVC constriction decreased (p<0.01) CI from 139±9 to 46±3, and systemic arterial pressure from 108±2 to 55±3 mmHg. Following 15 minutes of H, CI was gradually increased by deflation of the IVC occluder. Surprisingly, ΔP was not significantly changed at any level of CI following H in intact dogs or after cholinergic block (atropine 0.1 mg/kg). In contrast, β adrenergic block (propranolol 1 mg/kg) increased ΔP at every level of CI following H, e.g. at CI = 100, ΔP was increased (p<0.01) 16±2% from 10.2±0.5 mmHg. Pulmonary vasoconstriction following H was not observed during total autonomic ganglionic block (hexamethoniura 30 mg/kg), i.e. AP at CI - 100 was slightly decreased (p<0.05) 6±2% from 9.7±0.8 mmHg following H. These results suggest that the pulmonary circulation is actively modulated by the ANS following H. ANS-mediated vasodilator and vasoconstrictor influences appear to offset one another in the intact and cholinergic blocked conscious dog.


There is a muscle force failure caused by physical fatigue. Since the change in myoelectrical activity occurs in advance of the failure, surface EMG (SEMG) is valuable. However, the accuracy of SEMG manifestation is not always guaranteed spatiotemporally. We first introduced a 2D surface electrode to search the location of electrode on the skin where SEMG manifestations are fully detected with high accuracy. Furthermore, enough precision is important to interpret the physiological activities. Then we determine the motion related target muscles, adopting the idea of muscle synergy. That is, based on the fact that functional activities are stemmed from a hierarchical multi-timescale system, we model a rating of perceived physical fatigue (RPF) integrating the psychological manifestation (long-term event) by physiological one (short-term event). This will lead to lossless measurement and evaluation for a faster prediction of the physical fatigue induced failure. The ultimate goal is a ubiquitous strategy for risk avoidance by establishing the RPF for safely controlling the electrical power assist.


OBJECTIVE
The aim: To evaluate the dynamics of structural and functional parameters of the heart, vessels in patients with hypertension of the II-nd stage under the influence of combined antihypertensive treatment depending on the type of the left ventricle remodelling and the profile of blood pressure (BP).

PATIENTS AND METHODS
Materials and methods: The study involved 110 patients with hypertension of the II-nd stage. The ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, echocardiography and Doppler examination of the shoulder arteries were performed. Initial treatment included bisoprolol, lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide. With impossibility of BP lowering to the target level, amlodipine has been added.

RESULTS
Results: higher levels of BP in the "non-dipper" patients have led to the development of more pronounced changes in the heart and vessels compared with "dipper" patients. Three-component therapy was effective in patients with lower BP. The prescription of amlodipine has been found to be necessary for the majority of "non-dipper" patients and for the minority of "dipper". Combined therapy effectively controlled the BP at the level of the target and contributed to a decrease in the displays of remodelling of the heart and blood vessels.

CONCLUSION
Conclusions: combined therapy used for 6 months reduces displays of disadaptive heart and vascular remodelling, diastolic, endothelial dysfunction. With the lack of efficacy of the therapy, which includes bisoprolol, lisinopril, hydrochlorothiazide, the adding of amlodipine to it can reach the target level of BP.


Three complexes with the empirical formula of Cu(RCOO)2·L, where R=CH3, CH2Cl, or CHCl2 and L=3,5-dichloropyridine, were prepared and studied. These complexes display the antiferromagnetic behavior typical of dimeric copper(II) carboxylates. The singlet-triplet splitting energy (−2J) is 349 cm−1 for the acetate, 340 cm−1 for the monochloroacetate and 312 cm−1 for the dichloroacetate. Comparison of their magnetic and electronic spectral properties with those of the corresponding pyridine adducts indicates that both the −2J and \ ildeνmax(absorption maximum of Band I) values of the respective 3,5-dichloropyridine adducts are higher than those of the pyridine adducts. The influence of the pyridines on both the magnetic and spectral properties was discussed.


"Since 1978, China has adopted a series of economic reforms leading to rapid economic growth and poverty reduction. National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew at about 9 percent per annum from 1978 to 2002, while per capita income increased by 8 percent per annum. The post-reform period was also characterized by an unprecedented decline in poverty. However, income inequality has worsened between coastal and interior provinces as well as between rural and urban areas. A number of factors contributed to this widening disparity in regional development in China, including differences in natural resources endowments, and infrastructure and human capital development... The objective of this study is to assess the impact of public infrastructure on growth and poverty reduction in China, paying a particular attention to the contribution of roads. ...The most significant finding of this study is that low quality (mostly rural) roads have benefit/cost ratios for national GDP that are about four times larger than the benefit/cost ratios for high quality roads. Even in terms of urban GDP, the benefit/cost ratios for low quality roads are much greater than those for high quality roads." from Authors' Abstract


The forecast model of pulverizing speed and diameter of grinding medium was proposed,and the optimal expression for diameter of grinding medium was obtained.The experiment showed the relationship between the pulverizing speed and the diameter of grinding medium as well as the relationship between the diameter of grinding medium and the energy efficiency.Meanwhile,it confirmed the influence of diameter of grinding medium on pulverizing effect.


The Principal Road Network in the Netherlands is being subjected to increasingly intensive use, of the total inland flow of goods, approximately 45% of the transport takes place via the principal road network. The government's policy with regard to issues of traffic and transport is set out in the second master plan for traffic and transport (SVV-II). This plan outlines the framework which the principal infrastructure must fulfil in the year 2010. These frameworks relate not only to mobility but also to the factors of safety and quality of life. In addition to expanding the capacity, the Department of Public Works will have to ensure, by means of management and maintenance measures, that the existing infrastructure continues to fulfil its function, the facilitation of mobility, with optimium effectiveness. In order to minimize the inconvenience to traffic and to maximize the function of the network, the maintenance and construction activities will have to be co-ordinated as much as possible. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 886848.


Mongo Beti is considered one of the most prolific and widely read authors from Cameroon, and his writings have called world attention to political corruption in his native country. These essays cover the three distinct periods of his greatest activites as a writer - 1953-1958, 1974 and 1991.


This chapter begins with a discussion of the formula for sancta contagion. It then talks about yiqdas , nogea , and kol: whoever or whatever ? Does kol include persons or is it restricted to inanimate objects, i.e. shall it be rendered "whoever" or "whatever"? The answer to this question opens a new chapter of Israel's cultic history. The chapter discusses the contagion of sacred offerings , Ezekiel's opposition , and Ezekiel's principle . Next it touches upon the reduction of sancta contagion and the stages of reduction recapitulated . Further the chapter talks about Asylum altars or asylum cities? When was the altar asylum abolished? and the transition from altar to city asylum: a conjectural development . In sum, the reduction of sancta contagion discernible in the history of the formula kol-hannogea yiqdas provides the key to the understanding of how the institution of the asylum altar was replaced by the asylum city. Keywords: Asylum altar; Asylum city; Ezekiel; formula; Sancta Contagion


IONESCO'S PROTAGONIST, BERENGER, first sees the light of day as the narrator-hero of a series of short stories collected under the title of the second, "La Photo du colonel," and published in 1962. In these he has no name, except in "Le Pieton de l'air," when his wife admonishes him as "Herbert"; he is simply "a gentleman who says 'I.'" Nor is he a writer (save, once again, in "Le Pieton de rair"). Yet in a sense he is an "author," etymologically speaking, when you consider that particular experience originates with him which he allows to enlarge in his mind.


The UTSI Aviation Systems program has conducted many successful airborne science campaigns in collaboration with premier research organizations including NASA and NOAA. Each airborne science mission requires dedicated FTEs to monitor the various instruments onboard the aircraft. A typical mission requires aircraft to be instrumented with a wide range of sensors (with approximately 145 data parameters). Monitoring the instruments requires highly skilled personnel who have a thorough understanding of the system. With the advent of UTSI Aviation Systems program increasing capabilities to conduct multiple missions, using multiple airborne platforms, the requirement of a skilled FTE for each mission could effectively impede mission readiness. Conversely, the customers have also expressed interest in increased involvement in the airborne science missions and hence have to be accommodated within the limited confines of the aircraft. As a result of these requirements, a real-time expert system has been developed (using LabVIEW) to monitor mission-critical instrumentation. The program will provide the user with a tool to monitor the performance of the airborne sensors without requiring extensive knowledge of the system and rigorous training. The overall effect would be an increase in flexibility while simultaneously enhancing quality of operation wherein a mission would not be flown with a defective sensor onboard. The following work describes the algorithms, system architecture and coding techniques used to develop the "go no-go" program. As the program is under constant refinement, the descriptions presented reflect the current state of the software. for multiple missions for as on NOAA include flight test instrumentation, data processing, handling qualities, flying qualities, performance of fixed wing aircraft, human factors and systems engineering.


The gravitational production of superheavy dark matter is studied in the context of quintessential inflation. The superheavy particles, whose decay products are baryonic matter and are the responsible for the reheating of the universe after the end of the inflationary period, are not conformally coupled with gravity. On the contrary, dark matter is assumed to be conformally coupled with gravity. We show that the viability of these scenarios requires the mass of the superheavy dark matter to be greater than 8 x 10^{15} GeV.


We derive the 2-component Camassa-Holm equation and corresponding N = 1 super generalization as geodesic flows with respect to the H 1 metric on the extended Bott-


Broadcast satellite tuners (BS tuners) used in set top boxes are fed a 950-2150 MHz input from the satellite dish IF. In apartment complexes the IF signal can be split, amplified, and supplied to many units. This IF input spectrum can consist of as many as 50 channels, each ranging in levels from -75 dBm to -15 dBm. Consequently the linearity requirements of the BS tuner are stringent. Typically pin diode attenuators are used at the input of the BS tuner to absorb this dynamic range. A transistor, the bootstrapped gate FET (BGFET), is small and behaves as a low-distortion variable resistor. Using this linear transistor, a BS tuner IC has an IIP3>+10 dBm and an AGC range of 20 dB. The noise figure over the full RF band of 950-2150 MHz is less than 7 dB. The circuit contains an LNA, AG, mixer, and oscillator and draws 50 mA from a +5 V supply. The chip is 0.37 mm/sup 2/ in a low-power GaAs MESFET technology and is packaged in an SOIC-16 package. The circuit is 4 times smaller than a previous GaAs BS tuner.


PURPOSE: To provide an efficient process for preparing a fluorocarbon fluoroalkane sulfonate ester. CONSTITUTION: There is provided a process for preparing a fluorocarbon fluoroalkane sulfonate comprising steps; (a) forming a mixture comprising at least one fluoroalkanesulfonyl halide, at least one fluorocarbon-substituted carbinol and at least one base and (b) allowing the mixture to react at a temperature lower than the ambient temperature in the absence of a solvent. This process is volume-efficient and provides at a high yield a fluorocarbon fluoroalkane sulfonate useful as an intermediate for the synthesis of a drug and the like. COPYRIGHT: (C)1995,JPO


Objective:To evaluate the relatio ns hip among CT findings,gradings,clinical types and prognosis of acute pan-cre atitis,judge the CT value in the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.Methods:Fif ty-six cases of acute pancreatitis confirmed by operation,pathology and CT re examination were reviewed.Five grades divided by CT findings were analysed and compared to the serum and urine amylase respectively.Results:According to CT f indings,swelling in49cases (87.5%),exulation in38cases(67.8% ),necrosis in18cases(33%),pseudocysts formation in11cases(19.6 4%),eight cases were complicated with infection or abscess(14.28%) .Compared serum and urine amylase to CT findings:the serum and urine amylase i ncreased slightly in grade A(8.92%),moderately in grade B(23.21% ),markedly in grade C(19.64%),but tended to decrease in grade D(1 4.28%),and de-creased dramatically in grade E (33.92%).Conclusi on:CT play an important role in early stage of acute pancreatitis,it should be the first selective method in diagnosing acute pancreatitis.


This paper discussed the application of resonant mechanical scanners to bar code readers. Presented are some of the design parameters and trade-offs for the torsion rod and taut band scanner types. Included are the drive requirements and a generalized description of several driver circuits. In addition, examples of a single and two-axis bar code scanner application employing resonant scanners is presented.


This article examines whether local government expenditure in Mauritius is characterised by an intertemporal decision-making path. In other words, to what extent does local government expenditure respond to contemporaneous changes in revenues. In this respect, the article contributes to the existing body of literature by exploring the context of an upper-middle-income country like Mauritius while factoring intertemporal choice in the supply of local public goods. Moreover, the article determines the short-run and long-run responsiveness of local public expenditure to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through an error correction model based on time series data for Mauritius over the period 1987–2017. Our findings indicate that local government spending becomes less sensitive to its previous values when GDP and its past values are introduced as control variables in the model. Local government expenditure and real output are also found to be co-integrated or to share a long-term relationship. JEL Classification: B22, C1, D9, H4, H11


Abstract Engineering has and will continue to have a critical impact on healthcare; the application of technology-based techniques to biological problems can be defined to be technobiology — it can be considered to be the complement to biotechnology, an all too encompassing and overused term. If technobiology can be thus defined, then biotechnology can be conversely defined to be the application of biology-based techniques to technical problems; as a consequence, the two complementary terms, together, can cover the increasingly expanding and complex world where technology and biology intersect. In addition to detailing the scope of technobiology, this paper expands on the technobiology approach of service systems engineering to the development of a healthcare service system that is integrated, adaptive and evidence-based; focuses on a range of example applications in regard to the technobiology areas of information, instrumentation, and insertion; underscores, as an example, the collaborative technobiology efforts between the College of Engineering and the Miller School of Medicine at the University of Miami; and concludes with some additional insights.


As known, Italy is characterized by a strong polarization between North and South and the 2007 crises has exacerbated such pattern. Most of the story is related to the regional labour market functioning. The paper investigates upon the functioning of Italian labour market at NUTS 2 level, over 1995-2015, by means of a panel error correction model after controlling for spatial interactions among Italian regions.

Our results show that in the long run wage per worker follows a labour demand curve arising from a theoretical model of union bargaining, with a subsequent adjustment of short run dynamics to the long one. Hence wage are essentially driven by labour productivity. But regional characteristics matter, as residuals show a certain degree of cross dependence and presence of common factors. This means that regional disparities could be related to the local functioning of labour market and to productivity gap, that calls for the different industrial and institutional tissue among Italian regions.


The new research center for Earth-Life Science Institute / Tokyo Institute of Technology is designed with three-stories concrete structure whose first story has very high horizontal stiffness and strength with heavy seismic walls, while upper two stories are composed of flexible moment frames without enough seismic walls to obtain the architectural flexibility against various program. To ensure the seismic performance of upper structures in this building, the walls around the stairs and soft moment frames are separated and energy-dissipating fuses are installed in between. In this paper, the seismic performance of the proposed system is researched, and the optimal design of the fuses is discussed.


Ethical Hacking is an important course in any cyber security program. The objective of ethical hacking is to test a given network for possible vulnerabilities through authorized hacking and report the findings. The course requires a hacking lab where students can learn through hands on experience various tools and techniques used for hacking and gain insight into security fundamentals. The challenge is to ensure that the students have access to Internet in some stages of hacking but are prevented from accidentally hacking into unauthorized systems. In a small university like ours, the lab must also be cost-effective. We present here our approach to setting up such a lab.


Abstract In this paper, we develop an auction-based algorithm to allocate the relay power efficiently to improve the system secrecy rate in a cooperative network, where several source-destination pairs and one cooperative relay are involved. On the one hand, the cooperative relay assists these pairs to transmit under a peak power constraint. On the other hand, the relay is untrusty and is also a passive eavesdropper. The whole auction process is completely distributed and no instantaneous channel state information exchange is needed. We also prove the existence and uniqueness of the Nash Equilibrium (NE) for the proposed power auction game. Moreover, the Pareto optimality is also validated. Simulation results show that our proposed auction-based algorithm can effectively improve the system secrecy rate. Besides, the proposed auction-based algorithm can converge to the unique NE point within a finite number of iterations. More interestingly, we also find that the proposed power auction mechanism is cheat-proof.


Emerging applications mostly require both high performance as well assupport for a wide variety of communication services. For example, audio,video, and data transmission may require highly different services, e.g.,guaranteed delay, jitter, or bandwidth. An additional challenge arisesthrough the growing demand for multipoint communication services. ATMnetworks are capable of satisfying the basic application requirements byproviding multipoint bearer services


In this paper the decomposition theorems on vague sets are established and the relationships among vague sets, fuzzy sets and classical sets are also revealed. At the same time, their properties are obtained. Finally, an example is given to illustrate their applications.


Ever since medical school, I've had a tendency to steer clear of large hospitals and major referral centres. The sheer size of the buildings, the bewildering array of departments, the hours spent wandering the corridors looking for the staff canteen or having to shout to be heard as one student among so many, did not seem the best learning environment to me. Throughout my medical training I worked first at district general hospitals in the UK, then at a rural hospital on the South Island of New Zealand. Moving back to a major referral centre for the first time since medical school, for the final steps of my ACEM training, has given me the opportunity to reflect on the pros and cons of training predominantly in a regional or rural base setting. At all levels of training, experience is what really matters. When it comes to managing that paediatric resuscitation or diagnosing a bizarre constellation of symptoms, there is nothing as valuable as simply having been there and done it before. Although major referral centres see a greater volume of patients, and therefore rare and serious pathology, this does not necessarily equate to increased exposure for individual trainees. The ratio of doctors to patient attendances tend to be similar whatever the size of the ED, but fewer absolute numbers of other trainees means less competition to be involved with interesting cases. In addition, I have confronted a number of less common pathologies or later presentations of diseases in rural settings. There are other subtle, but important, differences in rural centres. Smaller workforces tend to improve collegiality and community feel. This effect may be diluted by these rotations only being accredited for short placements, leading to more frequent trainee rotation. Fewer ACEM trainees may mean only one or two people sitting exams at any one time, limiting group study opportunities. However, this allows individualisation of teaching and mentoring. Research opportunities may be more limited but the chance to get involved in quality improvement projects at a relatively junior level and enact real change seems easier in smaller, less monolithic organisations. Quality of life is, of course, one of the big selling points of living and working outside major urban centres. Not having to waste your precious time commuting and fighting traffic certainly has its advantages. Cheaper housing prices allow more chance of financial comfort. If you like to spend your spare time in the hills, rivers and forests, rural centres allow unparalleled access. City cuisine and entertainment will often be out of reach, however, and this is the trade-off to be made. Now I'm working in a major referral centre, I realise, of course, that things on the clinical floor are much the same. It might be a bit noisier, the computer systems that bit more bewildering and a higher turnover of patients, but essentially the medicine hasn't changed. My colleagues are lovely and I continue to gain valuable experience with every patient I see. My rural training has more than adequately prepared me for this environment as well. After nearly a month here, I might even try and find the staff canteen on my own. I feel that one of the great strengths of the ACEM curriculum framework is that it is just that, a framework. While it specifies what minimum portions of our training we must spend in each area or type of hospital, as trainees we have the freedom to choose how we meet those requirements and can, to an extent, personalise our training as emergency physicians. It can sometimes be tempting to see the gold standard in training as maximising our time in major centres, with minimal 'taster' terms in a rural setting. I would argue that an equally valid route to becoming a highly skilled, knowledgeable and experienced emergency physician is to do things the other way round.


This research studied the efficiencies of essential oils from cloves, cinnamon, citronella, betel leaves, orange jasmine leaves, eucalyptus leaves, kaffir lime peel, and kaffir lime leaves by hydro-distillation on the antifungal of Penicillium sp. (NY1 code 40), Aspergillus sp. (T2 code 23), Aspergillus sp. (K2 code 27), and T3 code 23. The antifungal activity was tested by paper disc diffusion. The essential oils were sprayed on rubber sheets, fungi were added, and the fungi growths were observed. A control was set up that involved a rubber sheet that was not sprayed with essential oil and fungi were added and observed. Cinnamon was the most effective essential oil on the inhibition of growth at 25,000 ppm for Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., Aspergillus sp., and T3 code 23. The concentrations of essential oils from cloves, citronella, and kaffir lime leaves were 100,000 ppm for the inhibition of the growth of fungi. The rubber sprayed with essential oils from cinnamon, kaffir lime peel, cloves, and citronella against the growth of fungi Aspergillus sp. (T2 code 23) inhibited the growth of fungi more than the control for 28 days, 28 31 วารสารวทิยาศาสตรแ์ละเทคโนโลย ีมหาวทิยาลยัอุบลราชธานี ปีที ่18 ฉบบัที ่1 มกราคม – เมษายน 2559 days, 3 days, and 1 day respectively. The efficiencies of essential oils from cinnamon, clove, kaffir lime peel, and citronella against the growth of fungi (T3 code 23) on the rubber sheets were all the same at 28 days more than the control.


On the Variability of TEOAE Human Identification and Verification system Jin Sung Kang Master of Applied Science The Edward S. Rogers Sr. Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering. University of Toronto 2018 This study presents a deep neural network architecture that achieves state of the art multisession verification and identification performance for Transient Evoked Otoacoustic Emission (TEOAE) biometric system. TEOAE is a 20ms long response generated by the ear that is naturally strong against falsification, and replay attacks. It can be measured using a device with a speaker and multiple microphones. Previous TEAOE authentication methods focused on single-session or mixed-session performance. Our method focuses on multi-session authentication performance. We train a neural network model that generates a TEOAE embedding that is separable in Euclidean space by using the triplet loss function. These embeddings are used to create identity templates which are used to authenticate the user. We show that our method has 7.56% performance increase for identification scenarios and 13.3% performance increase for verification scenarios over previous methods when averaged across all tests.


Acute phase responses in turkeys infected with a pathogenic strain of E. coli or haemorrhagic enteritis virus (HEV) were evaluated on the basis of levels and dynamics of selected acute phase proteins. Two groups of 20 6-week-old turkeys each were infected through their abdominal air sacs with 4x10 CFU/ml of O78:K80:H9 E. coli serotype or injected intravenously with 103.6EID50 of the HEV. Another group of 20 birds formed an uninfected control group. Blood samples were taken from all the birds prior to infection and 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168, and 240 hrs after the infection. Serum levels of ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin, albumin, TIBC, UIBC and total iron were determined and blood fibrinogen level was assayed. The obtained results revealed a higher response enhancement in the case of experimental colibacillosis than in the case of HEV infection. This was manifested with more significant changes in the levels of caeruloplasmin, haptoglobin, fibrinogen, albumin and TIBC.


The zeolite was disposed by the means of dynamic activation with different activators. A new combined process of zeolite and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) has been developed, which removed the organic pollutant in Drinking Water deeply. Through the static and dynamic adsorption experiment of zeolite-activated carbon, the main factors of experiment were analyzed thoroughly; the optimal proportion of improving removing the organic pollutant from Drinking Water was determined; the optimal height and optimal filtering velocity of dynamic adsorption were determined. The experimental results showed that the removal ratios of turbidity and CODMn by this process could exceed 85%, 24.61% and 45.24% respectively when the optimal backfill height was 450mm and the optimal filtering velocity was 6m/h.


The utility model relates to a manure self-detaching metabolism cage, which comprises a cage body, a fecal leakage plate is arranged at the bottom part of the cage body, a urine collecting disk tilting down is correspondingly arranged below the fecal leakage plate, a urine outlet is formed at the tail end of the urine collecting plate tilting down, and a filter screen groove is correspondingly arranged above the urine collecting plate. When the manure self-detaching metabolism cage of the utility model is used, animals for research are reared in the metabolism cage, metabolin, excrement and urine of the animals can fall on the filter screen groove directly from the fecal leakage plate at the bottom part of the cage body, excrement can roll down along the inclined filter screen groove and fall into an excrement collecting groove finally, and urine can fall into the urine collecting disk by passing through the filter screen groove and then flows into a urine collecting container after flowing downwards into a urine collecting ditch. Therefore, excrement of the animals can be easily collected and sampled after classification, any influences can not be caused on the animals, and the utility model is suitable for sheep with different sizes and sexes, and the labor intensity is greatly reduced.


Around the Hills of Clare: Songs and a Recitation from the Jim Carroll and Pat Mackenzie Collection Double CD + 40 pp. booklet. Musical Traditions MTCD331-2/Goilin Records 005-6, 2004. As a rule, when people with an interest in Irish music refer to localities famed for their rich inheritance of traditional music and dance, County Clare is one of the first places that trips almost unbidden off their lips. In my own experience of travelling to Clare in search of music, or perhaps even more importantly, of a certain ambient environment where traditional music sits comfortably, this reputation is well founded. No surprise then that there should be a strong tradition of unaccompanied solo singing in such a place. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Irish traditional music, song, and dance is now a global diasporic phenomenon. Not only does it have a vibrant life in the places throughout the English-speaking world touched by large waves of Irish emigration throughout the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, but it also extends to many countries in the non-English-speaking world, in particular continental Europe. That said, however, it is important not to lose sight of the culture and environment from whence this tradition, no matter how 'professionalized' it has in some cases become, has drawn its strength, creativity, humour, and vitality--that is, the house ceilis and sessions of (primarily) rural Ireland. The house session may be less common nowadays, for a myriad of sociological reasons, but it is still an eminently sensible environment for the enjoyment, simply put, of company and community. It is arguably the most conducive place to appreciate traditional song in particular at its understated best. In these timeless, relatively small gatherings, the idealized cosy Ireland of the folk imaginary may well be present, but it is only as part of a more general expression of the human condition in all its complexity. I make no apology for the pleasant nostalgic feeling that this comprehensive recording, Around the Hills of Clare, evokes in me. Compiled from recordings made by Jim Caroll and Pat Mackenzie, for the most part in the mid-1970s--a total of fifty-seven tracks--it is, all in all, an interesting and engaging production. The presentation pack is a neat DVD format case, which includes two CDs, a booklet with a general introduction on the area, notes on the songs, song lyrics, and profiles and photographs of the performers. Listening to these singers, some of whom I have been lucky enough to meet and whose company I have enjoyed, I can feel the heat from the turf fire on my face and taste the hot strong tea (sometimes laced with whiskey if desired) in my mouth. …


This research was intended to know the production of two varieties of beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), bolon blanco y canario with two organic fertilizers (humus and chicken manure), for which they were raised the following specific objectives, to determine which of the two varieties have better production and product quality, to analyze the effect of two organic fertilizer (humus and manure), to perform economic analysis of treatments, the design of complete randomized block (RCBD) was used, with four replications and eight treatments, one hundred ninety two experimental units, the results were the following: In the analysis of the total production of the treatments is concluded that the variety 2 (bolon blanco) was better with a production of 64.9 kg....


The objective of this work is to describe and analyze the experience developed through participatory methodologies with a group of farmers in the municipality of Serra Caiada / RN, in order to promote protagonism and autonomy for an agroecological transition and subsequent sustainable rural development. productive systems. The research has a qualitative approach, characterizing itself as an exploratory study. The research is the result of a training course on Water Management for Food Production (GAPA), on 30 and 31 August and 1 September 2018, with a group of 100 farmers in the municipality of Serra Caiada / Rio Grande of the North, where participatory methodologies and methodological resources were used, being these: initial map of the property; differentiation of agroecology vs. conventional agriculture; river of time; and map of the future of the property. These tools were introduced within the process of continuing character formation during the course's follow-up and constitute as data of this research. The evaluation of the results was made based on the analysis and reflection of the materials produced by the members during the formative process, from their positions and interventions during the respective days. The processes of participatory methodologies promoted a great social mobilization during the formative procedures, by stimulating the sharing of experiences, knowledge and recognitions of realities of life, generated in this process in a dialogic way, which could build a learning environment focused on the social, historical and cultural context of that space. With this, farmers were able to recognize their universe of possibilities, rights and commitments with their own context and in the context of agroecology.


The paper analyses the problems existing in the use of temporary deposit from its conception in administrative units and puts forward some suggestions on it.


Abstract  Endoscopic management of urolithiasis is one of the commonest urological procedures today. It is usually safe and effective but one of the possible complications is ureteral obstruction. Stone fragmentation after ballistic lithotripsy and ureteral wall perforation could explain the mechanism responsible for this occurrence. We report a case of stone granuloma, occurring after a ballistic ureterolithotripsy.


Th elipase activity at different pHs, at different stages of development, and in different part of the oat kernel was studied. The measurement of lipase activity was performed by means of fluorescence spectrophotometry


The paper deals with the effect of the anode-spattered atoms on the fast cathode ion stream in the vacuum discharge at relatively low (⩽100 A/cm2) current densities. The problem is considered in terms of an instantaneous ionization model and a model regarding for a finite ionization length. The calculations, define the boundary of the stable current flow as B function of the arc current density, and densities and velocities of sputtered atoms.


A direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimator is presented for statistically independent non-Gaussian and non-circular wideband signals in the presence of Gaussian noise (possibly spatially colored). With joint exploitation of non-Gaussianity and non-circularity of incident signals, enhanced aperture extension is achieved. The incorporation of the aligned biquaternion adjoint subspace augmentation and the aligned virtual array synthesis within the biquaternion framework, using both the standard and the complementary fourth-order cumulant matrices, enables wideband underdetermined DOA estimation: handling more signals than the number of sensors. The efficacy of the presented method has been demonstrated using simulated data.


In this paper, a platform recognition method based on wideband carrier and power frequency zero crossing is proposed, and the method is studied and analyzed. In this paper, the characteristics of power frequency voltage zero crossing in low-voltage distribution station area are studied, and a broadband carrier communication network is proposed, which takes advantage of the characteristics of power frequency voltage zero deviation jitter caused by different power consumption conditions in different stations. The variance of zero deviation is used as the characteristic value. The zero-crossing variance Euclidean distance between STA and CCO was calculated as a similarity measure to identify the station area. The experimental results show that this method can identify the relationship between the households in the platform area effectively and quickly, and has the characteristics of small calculation and high recognition accuracy.


The article highlights the history of labour market research paradigm development. The author describes the basic contradictions of implementing these paradigms. The logic of their transformation leads to gradual inclusion of labour process concept in this paradigm.


The objective is to control the speed of a single- or two-phase induction motor using diametrical inversion (DI) of the stator voltages. DI is a particular reversal of the sequence phases characterized by replacement of the voltage phasor by another that is diametrically opposed to it and rotating in the opposite direction. Every DI is provoked by a change in the sign of the simplest switching function (speed error) of a sliding mode. These changes cause jumps of 180° of the stator voltage phasor and successive discontinuities of its angular velocity. The main and auxiliary windings are always connected, the speed-error sign decides the rotating field direction, and so, the actual rotor velocity can be reduced (braked) or increased (accelerated). The motor is fed by a rectifier associated with a three-phase inverter. The common point of the windings is connected to the inverter's middle leg, which is switched at high frequency with a duty cycle of 50%. The core of the drive command is a 16-b dsPIC device, which receives the speed-error sign and generates the appropriate pulsewidth modulated signals to the three-phase inverter. Matlab/Simulink simulation and experimental results showed a good performance of the speed controller based on the DI.


We present a full day, hands-on workshop that will provide an opportunity for researchers in our community to explore social media data and ask questions about the intersectionalities of gender, race, and sexuality. We will discuss scholarly questions and methods related to application of social media data analysis and the implications of using, presenting, and communicating results in research contexts. Workshop participants will learn how to access and analyze data using various tools and methods, drawing specifically on a Twitter dataset collected May-June 2014 during the trending hashtag #YesAllWomen. Selected participants will also present their own work to foster opportunities for targeted discussion and continued collaboration. The goals of this workshop are not only to build community but also to enable researchers to begin collecting and analyzing social media data to further their own work. The workshop emphasizes the importance of analyzing social media data ethically, respecting and engaging the sometimes vulnerable and marginalized populations who may have generated the data.


The triumphs of the Standard Model of Particle Physics call attention upon an old idea, that the so-called vacuum is an accessible physical medium, and not just a tautology.
I take this idea as a serious working hypothesis, and I suggest a new way of trying to define and understand the structure of the light quark vacuum within the general framework of the Standard Model.


This paper examines the perceptions of farmers towards a student-farmer centered extension arrangement called the Farm Attachment Programme (FAP). Despite the pertinence of Agriculture to the economy, its potential has not been realized. To address this shortfall, research and training institutions have designed and generated knowledge and technologies. However, the innovations generated have hardly reached the end users. In response, Egerton University established Farm Attachment Programme (FAP) to innovatively engage small-scale farmers in 2014. As a result, the study sought to determine the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOTs) of the farm attachment program. A census survey of 100 farmers that had been engaged in FAP in Nakuru and Baringo Counties in Kenya was conducted using semi - structured questionnaires. The study employed a Confirmatory Factor Analysis(CFA) model to examine how the farmers felt about the programme in terms of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. From the SWOT analysis, higher factor loadings of 0.763 on Factor 2 indicated that increased technology awareness and access among farmers was the main strength of FAP while 0.686 on Factor 1 indicated that increase in farmer linkage was the main opportunity. On the other hand, loadings of 0.830 and 0.760 on factor 3 and 4 indicated that short attachment duration and high costs of student accommodation were the main weakness and threat of FAP respectively. The study recommends for a review of the attachment duration to at least twelve or more weeks to ensure successful implementation of the interventions introduced by the students. Based on the strengths and opportunities presented by the FAP, the study further recommends that the programme should be expanded to other counties. Keywords : Farm attachment programme: Agricultural productivity: SWOT analysis: Confirmatory Factor Analysis. DOI : 10.7176/JEP/10-30-12 Publication date :October 31 st 2019


According to the 5 th population census data, population in collective household reached 12 percent in the total; and the share of in-migrants have increased to 12 percent from only 2 percent in 1990 within family household population. These findings imply that the collective household population and in-migrants are no longer negligible in study and policy making pertaining to population aging and family. The proportions of the aged people are calculated for Beijing in different approaches. The analysis turns out the shrinking family size is mainly resulted by declination in proportion of young population. This paper also analyzes the family change in terms of age-specific headship rate approach, and depicted the population distribution by various family household types for age groups. In particular, the comparisons are conducted between the local people and in-migrants.


Background: The autoimmune disease systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) frequently manifests as hematological abnormalities which; cytopenia of one or more blood cell lineages is one of the possible presenting symptoms of SLE. Objective: To compare the correlation between disease activity and clinical and laboratory characterization among SLE patients. Patients and Methods: We did a comparative cross-sectional study at Clinical Hematology and Nephrology Units, Internal Medicine Department of Zagazig University Hospitals. This study was performed on (30) SLE patients. The included patients are classified into two groups according to their activity including: Low/ moderate activity group (40%):12 patients. High to very high activity group (60%): 18 patients. Their clinical and lab parameters were assessed. Results: There was statistically significant difference between low/moderate activity SLE and high/ very high SLE activity as regards laboratory data except for MCV. There was statistically significant difference between low/moderate activity SLE and high/ very high SLE activity as regards antiphospholipid antibodies being positive in high/ very high activity SLE more than low/moderate disease activity with p-value=0.009 and Proteinuria >500 mg/24h with p-value=0.001 being more with high/very high grade SLE group lupus nephritis with p-value =0.003 being more with high/very high SLE group. Clinical parameters (EULAR/ACR) differed significantly between low/moderate activity SLE and high/ very high SLE activity. Conclusion: Clinical parameters (EULAR/ACR) differed significantly between low/moderate activity SLE and high/ very high SLE activity and no significant differences among labs except for MCV.


The Internet of Things (IoT) is constituted of an important number of constrained nodes limited in terms of power energy, computation capacity, storage capacity. They produce a considerable amount of data, which increases the data flflow in the network. The ineffificient transmission of data via constrained nodes makes the network unstable, the energy consumption increases rapidly, and the data delay increases strictly. To overcome these limitations, we propose a new approach that allows nodes to select the effificient path to transmit data from source nodes to base stations (BSs) to optimize the data flflow in the constrained network. First, we grouped nodes using a density peaks (DP) clustering algorithm based on the coordinate's location of these nodes. Second, using the group nodes, the assignment of nodes to BSs that are considered as the collectors of data is performed. Third, the nodes make a dynamic and automated path plan to optimize the data flflow in the constrained network. Simulation results on a real network data set demonstrate that our proposal outperforms the state-of-the-art approaches in terms of the number of hops to achieve the cluster head (CH) node, the data delay, the network lifetime, and the number of the alive nodes.


The paper analyzes the issues of improving the efficiency of federal property management and privatization, which should be resolved by the state, the program «Management of Federal Property» for the period until 2018. Identifying the key issues in the management of state assets «as is» and to formulate possible solutions to bring the system decision making and implementation in the state «as it should be». Stressed the need to improve the efficiency of human resource capacity Federal Agency for the State Assets Management as a performer of state program. Identified areas of corporate governance in public corporations and joint-stock companies with state participation.


A sol gel based needle rype biosensor using 3-gjycido:>rypropyl dimetf(yletho:>ry silane, as silane agent was det;eloped to improve the immobilization ifjiciency rf glucose oxidase (GOD). The glucose sensor was coated with 3Ccopofymer as outmost lqyer to increase sensor's biocompatibzli(:y. The biosensor's peifmmance fabricated f?y this technique was compared with the 'conventional sensors tvhich uses gltttaraldef(yde as the cross link agent for immobilization rf GOD. Reliable results were obtained from various characterization tests, including sensor response to glucose, the sensitivity and stability tests. In the stabzlity test, both types rf the sensors were immersed in 20 111M glucose solution for more than 24 hours and the sol gel based sen.ror showed a better stability. This indicates that the sol gel immobilization technique applied is able to retain eniJme for longer time rf period compared to the conventional method. Furthermore, the studies revealed when the sensors u;ere tested in a glucose solution containing 1% bovine serum albumin in a long term stability test, the peiformance rf the sol gel based sensor coated with 3 C-copofymer tJJas not cif.Jected considerablY f?y protein adsorption, which is. a vital character for an in vivo biosensor.


In the title compound, C22H19NO, the 2,3-dimethylanilinic group is planar with an r.m.s. deviation of 0.0226 Å. The phenyl rings with the carbonyl and imine substituents are also planar with r.m.s. deviations of 0.0019 and 0.0048 Å, respectively. These phenyl rings are oriented at dihedral angles of 74.70 (5) and 79.43 (5)°, respectively, with the 2,3-dimethylanilinic group, whereas the dihedral angle between them is 88.28 (4)°. Weak intramolecular C—H⋯N hydrogen bonding occurs and completes an S(5) ring motif in the molecule. In the crystal, weak π–π interactions are present between the carbonyl-containing phenyl rings at a centroid–centroid distance of 3.5958 (12) Å. C—H⋯π interactions between the 2,3-dimethylanilinic and the carbonyl-containing phenyl rings are also present, where the C—H group is from the former.


Aiming to establish Taiwan as a global R&D hub, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan, initiated a national R&D programme entitled: 'Programme to Encourage Multinational Enterprises to Set up Innovative R&D Centres in Taiwan' in 2002. The programme aims to overcome drawbacks of the innovation system in Taiwan with overemphasis on incremental and development-focused R&D. However, the impacts of the programme have not been carefully evaluated. This article deployed an integrated framework to assess the impact of the programme on the innovation system in Taiwan, especially in the national level. Using the Delphi survey, the article collects experts' opinions on the appropriateness, effectiveness, and future strategy of the programme. The experts suggest that providing greater financial support to more risky and pre-competitive MNE R&D projects and enhancing MNE R&D centre-domestic firm collaborative research are the top priorities in the future funding policy. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.


By calculation of the earth's magnetic field, this paper proves the formula describing magnetic field and reveals the reason of its existence. The numerical number μn of the formula's proportional constant is determined, the relation between the earth's magnetic north pole and the equator's magnetic induction is analyzed, the unfitness reason of the earth's north pole and magnetic field's north pole is explained.


Reaction of cellulose acetate with methylsulfonyl chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide has been studied under different conditions of time, temperature and concentration of the reagent. Using this method, chlorodeoxycellulose of a D.S. as high as 0.58 has been prepared. The reaction has also been applied to purified cotton linters to yield chlorodeoxycellulose. Attempts to prepare this cellulose derivative by reaction of cellulose acetate with acetyl chloride, anhydrous aluminum chloride and magnesium chloride in N,N-dimethylformamide were unsuccessful. 5, 6-celluloseen is obtained by dehydrohalogenation of the chlorodeoxycelluloses either with dry methanolic potassium hydroxide or with potassium tert. butoxide in dimethyl sulfoxide. With the latter reagent the conversion of chloro deoxycellulose to celluloseen is almost quantitative.


The immune precipitates of high-density lipoprotein of duck serum with rabbit antisera are active on an esterase substrate, while the high-density lipoprotein itself is not active.

The immune precipitates formed by high-density lipoprotein with isolated immunoglobulins, either in agar gel or in liquid medium, were also shown to be inactive.

Such inactive immune precipitates can become active through interaction with a component of rabbit serum.

Investigations on the conditions of the reaction and first observations concerning the nature of the activating component are reported.


SUMMARY

—A method employing the fluoride ion-selective solid-state membrane electrode has been developed to determine the presence and amount of free fluoride ion in carbonated and noncarbonated beverages. Representative carbonated and non-carbonated beverages containing known amounts of added fluoride were used to relate electrode activity measurements to fluoride concentration in parts per million. Calibration curves were constructed for each system wherein fluoride concentration (ppm), was plotted as a function of potentiometric measurements (millivolts); using the fluorideion-activity-electrode as the indicator electrode and a saturated calomel electrode (SCE), as the reference electrode. Beverages studied were selected to represent a range of pH values and complexity of organic and inorganic constituents present in order to demonstrate the ability of the fluoride-ion-electrode to selectively determine free-fluoride ion.


Nematodes are unsegmented roundworms that numerously and successfully adapted to all regions and environments on earth. The last ones were usually classified into feeding types: free-living, predaceous, and parasitic – including plant-parasitic. They are of great significance in terms of damage they cause. Plant-parasitic nematodes have been reported to be responsible for the losses amounting to over $100 billion throughout the world. Because of the big difficulties in their eradication some of them are considered as quarantine species. The plant-parasitic nematodes are controlled using chemical methods – mainly chemical nematicides. However, because of many drawbacks including health and environmental concerns, other control methods are considered. One of them is biological control and application of antagonistic microorganisms to decrease densities of nematodes populations. Microbial antagonists parasitizing various developmental stages of their hosts may affect nematodes by secretion of antibiotics, toxins and other secondary metabolites. The most important virulence factors are extracellular enzymes that participate in destroying the nematodes' cuticle or the egg-shell or in further phases of infection. This publication presents the examples of microorganisms investigated in terms of biological control, those that are already available commercially as well as some mechanisms involved in nematode-microbes interactions.


Abstract Informal practices to manage water resources are widely utilised in subsistence economies. However, there is a need for a more nuanced insight in respect of their processes for water social justice and peace among rural communities, with the less-developed formal resource management systems. This study explored peace-based informal practices, used in managing scarce natural water resources in a Zimbabwean rural setting. The study was guided by the qualitative methodology and employed semi-structured interviews and observations to establish how informal practices for sharing water resources have implications for peace in rural Mhondoro-Ngezi, Zimbabwe. Thematic analysis was employed in analysing the data, and procedures for formulating themes, by Creswell, were followed. The findings revealed the existence of several informal practices, anchored on the foundations for social justice. Cooperation around water resources was achieved through adherence to common rules, anchored on the philosophy of Ubuntu. The use of myths was an indirect way of conserving water for equity purposes by proscribing certain behaviour around shared water sources. We conclude that it is important for policy makers to observe these customary regulations in order to encourage and strengthen peaceful community co-existence.


Glaucoma is a chronic disease necessitating a lifelong treatment in order to prevent the occurrence of irreversible blindness.1 Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in Nigeria2 and the leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.3 The primary objective of glaucoma therapy is to prevent progressive vision loss and blindness. Lowering of intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only proven strategy that prevents the risk of glaucoma progression.4,5 Medical therapy, laser procedures, and incisional surgical treatment are reasonable options for the initial treatment of glaucoma (lowering intraocular pressure) and most patients initially receive topical ocular hypotensive drops.6 In the majority of cases topical therapy is beneficial if administered correctly. Poor patient adherence to chronic medical therapy has been well documented across the disease spectrum over the past several decades.6−8 Non adherences to medical treatments by glaucoma patients may lead to resultant visual impairment, blindness, and disabilities. Therefore, the outcome of therapy relies heavily on patient adherence to the treatment regimen.7 Successful outcomes of medical treatment for glaucoma requires proper and daily use of medication to prevent disease progression. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), adherence to long-term therapies among patients suffering from chronic diseases in the general population is around 50% and is much lower in developing countries.8 Nonadherence among glaucoma patients has been reported to range as high as 80%.9 Patients with poor adherence to medication have worse outcomes with a higher rate of visual loss and increase health care costs.10 Adherence is defined as the degree to which a patient follows the instructions to take a prescribed treatment during a defined period of time.11


This study attempts to examine factors that affect local leaders' perception on the adaptation ability of small scale fishermen towards climate change. This study is quantitative in nature and via multi-stage cluster sampling, a total of 300 respondents from two fisheries districts were selected. The analysis demonstrates a significant difference between the group leaders' perception towards small scale fishermen's ability to adapt while factors such as age and income was recorded to have a significant relationship with their perception towards small scale fishermen's adaptation ability towards climate change. A number of discussions have been highlighted and hopefully it can be a good addition to the existing literature.


A systematic study has been carried out for the multiplicity characteristics of the emitted particles in the interactions of H, He, He, Li, C, Ne, Mg, Si and S with emulsion at momentum (4.1-4.5)A GeV/c. The average multiplicities of the emitted particles have been studied as functions of the incident nucleus mass number and of the number of the interacting projectile nucleons. A strong correlation between the average value of the emitted charged shower particles and the incident nucleus mass number has been observed and a universal empirical relation has been deduced. The correlations between the different types of the emitted charged particles have been investigated and a strong dependence of the shower particles on the number of grey ones has been shown. The multiplicity distributions and the average values of the emitted charged particles have been compared with the corresponding values calculated according to a modified cascade evaporation model which implies a superposition of the nucleon-nucleon interactions and a formation time for the produced particles. An agreement between the experimental and theoretically calculated data has been observed.


Containerization in logistics enables the products to be transported quickly within the standard conditions; however, heavy cargoes with non-standard size are still a big problem in shipment processes. This problem examines within the scope of project logistics. Project logistics are defined as the realization of the transportation of non-standard bulky and heavy materials, which cannot be transported by the standard container, in specific time period and without any damage.
According to objectives of 2023, Turkey Government has committed to improve logistics infrastructure, regulations and operations in parallel with global business supply chain. Project logistics are high value-added operations in logistic sector, due to one-time logistics operation with its unique tools and methods. Turkey' geographic advantages could be used to foster project logistics, but they are affected from external environmental factors and facing many problems as other countries. In this study, the challenges facing companies during their project logistics operations will be analyzed. In-depth interviews will be conducted with company' executives whom are operating on project logistics in Turkey. According to field study, the main problems of project logistics operations are subtitled as physical infrastructure, legal regulations, education and economic problems. Also, in order for the sector to work effectively, main four problems must be eliminated and state-private sector coordination must be ensured.


The law regulating public protest has previously been governed by a mixture of common law and statutes. It is now also covered by the Human Rights Act 1998, and Articles 10 and 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights which protect freedom of expression and freedom of assembly respectively. The Laporte case held that in order for those seeking to exercise their Article 10 or 11 rights to be stopped in some way by those claiming to prevent a breach of the peace, a breach of peace must be imminent. There has been a slight shift in protection of what the author refers to as a right to demonstrate.Abstract by Rose Goss.


Based on improving of the usual algorithms, A set of algorithms for preprocessing of fingerprint images is proposed, which is composed of smoothing, filtering, binarization and thinning. The algorithm can utilize the directional characteristic of fingerprint, enhance the fingerprint images, protect minutiae feature of fingerprint.


Biological parents of ADHD children were compared with parents of nonclinical children on measures of psychological impairment and attentional performance. Parents of children with severe ADHD demonstrated greater impairment in social and psychological functioning. However, no significant differences were found on laboratory measures of sustained attention, memory, cognitive flexibility, encoding, or impulsivity. The possibility that parental adjustment would be more usefully assessed by measures of current adaptive functioning than by means of laboratory tests is discussed.


paper, we prove common fixed point theorems for the class of four non compatible mappings in Intuitionistic fuzzy metric spaces are proved. These results are proved without exploiting the notion of continuity and without imposing any condition of t-norm and t-conorm. Our results generalize several comparable results in existing literature.


Objective To investigate the epidemic characteristics of malignant neoplasm of kidney and other urological malignancies in China. Methods The population-based cancer registration data between 1988 and 2002 were collected from 30 cancer registries in China.The data from 11 registries with continuous record were analyzed using the software Joinpoint Regression Program 3.3.1.The incidences of kidney cancer among 3 different periods(1988-1992,1993-1997 and 1998-2002)were compared. Results The incidence of renal cancer and other urological malignancies was 4.26 ,5.40,6.63 per 100 000 population during 1988-1992,1993-1997 and 1998-2002,respectively.The up-trend of kidney cancer incidence was statistically significant;however it was still lower in China than other parts of the world from 1993 to 1997. Conclusion The incidence of kidney cancer in China showed an upward trend in the past 15 years and more attention is needed.

Key words:
Kidney neoplasms;  Carcinoma;  Epidemiology


Vertically aligned ZnOZnS heterojunction nanowire (NW) arrays were synthesized by thermal evaporation in a tube furnace under controlled conditions. Both ZnO and ZnS are of wurtzite structure, and the axial heterojunctions are formed by epitaxial growth of ZnO on ZnS with an orientation relationship of (0001)ZnO// (0001)ZnS. Vertical ZnS NW arrays have been obtained by selectively etching ZnOZnS NW arrays. Cathodoluminescence measurements of ZnOZnS NW arrays and ZnS NW arrays show emissions at 509 and 547 nm,respectively.BothtypesofalignedNWarrayshavebeenappliedtoconvertmechanicalenergyintoelectricity when they are deflected by a conductive AFM tip in contact mode. The received results are explained by the mechanism proposed for nanogenerator.


One of the main factors that affects participation in physical activities is self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to examine if a creative gymnastics intervention could affect physical activity self-efficacy in children. One hundred and twelve (55 boys and 57 girls) 4th grade students participated. Fourteen lessons of creative gymnastics were taught to experimental group (50 students). The control group (62 students) had free movement activity. Self-efficacy for physical activity was measured using the Physical Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (PASES). The results showed that there was significant interaction between program type and time. There was a substantial main effect for time and for the type of intervention. The Bonferroni correction showed that there was an effect only on the group of creative gymnastics over time; in the control group there was no effect over time. The findings of this study indicate that an intervention that focuses on creative gymnastics could enhance physical activity self-efficacy in children.


This paper reviews teacher leadership and the concept of teacher driving. Teachers as leaders in the scope of learning need their own abilities in learning management and in terms of building relationships with other educational ecosystems. Based on the results of this paper, it can be concluded that; First, the leadership of the teachers (teacher leadership) is affecting the ability of learners to achieve the learning objectives and be able to establish communications with other educational ecosystem. The role of teacher leadership is as an interactive, consultative, participatory, and controlling figure. The teacher becomes the central figure in the management and implementation of learning. Efficient teacher leadership can be carried out in a democratic style that makes teachers more open in learning and becomes a collaboration space with students so that they can foster harmonization of intimacy. Second, the concept of the driving teacher is the formulation of educational policies that are directed at producing teachers as learning leaders. The characteristics of the driving teacher are designed as future education patrons who carry out learner-centered learning and empower fellow teachers in their area. Substantially, this policy implements a curriculum that is based on the educational philosophy of Ki Hadjar Dewantara where a learning leader must be able to reflect critically to contextualize these philosophical values in local and national contexts.


The invention discloses Chinese toon shrimp spicy paste and a preparation method thereof. The paste is prepared from the following raw materials in parts by weight: 10 to 15 parts of shrimp, 15 to 20 parts of Chinese toon sprout, 180 to 220 parts of pickled green chili, 10 to 15 parts of soybean sauce, 3 to 4 parts of ginger paste, 2 to 3 parts of garlic paste, 1 to 2 parts of negundo chastetree leaf powder, 2 to 2.5 parts of monosodium glutamate, 0.05 to 0.1 part of disodium nucleotide, 0.1 to 0.15 part of sodium benzoate, 0.1 to 0.15 part of acesulfame, 0.4 to 0.6 parts of negundo chastetree leaf powder, 0.3 to 0.4 part of cinnamon powder, 0.5 to 0.8 part of tamarind juice, 0.2 to 0.3 part of negmet powder, 0.3 to 0.5 part of pepper and a proper amount of vegetable oil. The paste is prepared from a plurality of raw materials which are matched scientifically, has strong and long-lasting aroma, is rich in nutrition, tastes delicious, has a strong seasoning function, is a scientific, healthy, delicious and safe edible seasoning sauce, is applicable to various people, is wide in application market, and has excellent social and economical benefits.


Introduction : Sepsis is the most common cause of acute renal failure in intensive care units. Aim : The work aimed to analyze the etiopathogenesis of sepsis and clinical significance of early detection and timely treatment of sepsis in intensive care units. Method : We analyzed the papers and clinical studies dealing with the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of sepsis syndrome. Results : One-year rate of increase in the number of patients with sepsis is 1.5%. Severe sepsis is defined as sepsis with hypotension, hypoperfusion and organ dysfunctiona. Sepsis is characterized by activation of the patient , s immune system and enhancing the creation of mediators play an important role in the development of multiple system organ failure in patients with sepsis. Strategy for the prevention of acute renal failure in patients with sepsis includes early targeted therapy (in the first 6 hours), which consists of an early increase of blood volume circulating fluids (at least 20 ml/kg crystalloid in the first hour). Initial therapy should be achieved by central venous pressure of 8-12 mmHg, mean arterial blood pressure greater than 65 mmHg, urine output greater than 0.5 ml/kg/h and mixed venous blood saturation of oxygen greater than 70%. Ventilation strategy to protect the lungs and kidneys in patients on a mechanical respirator include tidal volume of 6 ml/kg and end-inspiratory pressure plateau than 30 cmH 2 O. To remove a mediator from the serum of patients a high-volume haemofiltration and continuous haemodiafiltration with PMMA are used. Conclusion : Early follow-up and early implementation of targeted therapies play a key role in preventing the development of acute heart and kidney damage.


Background: Hypophosphatemia is often unrecognized in critically ill patients despite its potential serious complications. Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of hypophosphatemia and to identify risk factors and outcome associated with this disturbance in children admitted to PICU. Subjects and Methods: In a prospective cohort study, 72 children admitted consecutively to a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) were monitored regarding their phosphorus serum levels during the first 7 days of admission. Age, gender, diagnosis at admission, malnutrition, clinical severity score at admission (pediatric index of mortality or PIM), sepsis (C-reactive protein and cultures), use of dopamine, diuretics, antacids and steroids, starvation period, length of stay and outcome were analyzed as independent variables for hypophosphatemia. Results: More than half of our patients (58%) had hypophosphatemia on admission and only 5 patients developed hypophosphatemia during their PICU stay. Malnutrition was present in 21% of patients, but it did not show association with the hypophosphatemia (p=0.1753). The number of starvation days, PIM, days on mechanical ventilation and survival to discharge were significantly associated with hypophosphatemia (p<0.05). Conclusion: Hypophosphatemia was a common problem in our PICU and was associated with the presence of respiratory complaints, higher PIM, and increased starvation days. These factors might be considered as risk factors for hypophosphatemia in critically ill children, especially when occur together.


This chapter contends that the household needs to be considered as a crucial category of analysis to determine how French New Orleans society became racialized. As censuses demonstrate, the urban milieu brought people of all conditions and backgrounds together within small residential units. This intimate coexistence tempered the slave system which always involved personal interactions in the city. This closeness, however, did not entirely protect urban slaves from exploitation and violence. In both domestic households and residential institutions such as the hospitals and the Ursuline convent, various mechanisms were used to create social distance and maintain the racial divide. As for the soldiers who lived in the only residential institution which did not rely on slave labor—the barracks—they fought hard not to be confused with the enslaved.


Seeds of sunflower cv. Morden were coated with dried leaf powders of Albizzia amara, Pongamia pinnata, Moringa tinctoria, Prosopis juliflora, Vitex negundo and Azhadirachta indica and stored in cloth bag for six months. Results revealed that Moringa leaf powder was the best for sunflower seed coating recording maximum germination and vigour both before and after storage. However, leaf powders did not influence seed storability.


In the present study, vermicompost samples were tested for chemical constituents. Effect of temperature and density of cocoons on the production of vermicompost was also studied. Samples collected from vermicompost units installed in the laboratory as well as in the field provided an opportunity to analyze quality assessment of the vermicompost and introduction of a three-pit system of vermicomposting.


The surface temperature of radiant systems can be significantly different than the temperature of other room surfaces; therefore, radiation heat exchange often becomes the dominant mode of heat transfer. It is necessary to accurately predict the surface temperature of radiant systems and to model radiative heat fluxes in detail, in order to evaluate the thermal environment and the impact on energy and comfort. This paper presents the development of a radiation exchange module that can be used to predict the performance of rooms with radiant systems with and without the presence of solar radiation. The module is based on radiosity theory in enclosures and includes detailed computation of window projections of the floor (sunlit area) which are treated a separate surface in an 8-surface enclosure. A comparison between heat fluxes calculated with currently accepted models (i.e. constant, linearized, and non-linear heat transfer coefficients) and with the developed model is presented for variable surface temperature differences.


An impinging gasjet on a liquid surface is found in many industrial processes such as electric arc furnace steel-making and welding. Fundamental understanding of the interaction of a gas or plasmajet impinging on a liquid pool can provide important insights into process behavior resulting in improved efficiency. A numerical model is developed for solving both the impinging gas jet and the liquid pool temperature and flow fields along with the deformed interface shape for the above processing operation. Using curvilinear coordinates, the Navier-Stokes equations of each phase are solved separately and then coupled via continuity of static pressure, shear stress, temperature and heat flux at the interface.


Abstract This paper investigates the existence of a possible media bias by analyzing the impact of automobile manufacturers' advertisements on automobile reviews in a leading German car magazine. By accounting for both endogeneity and sample selection using a two-step procedure, we find a positive impact of advertising volumes on test scores. The main advantage of our study is the measurement of technical characteristics of cars to explain test scores. Due to this kind of measurement, we avoid serious biases in estimating media bias caused by omitted variables.


Review(s) of: From Kai to Kiwi Kitchen: New Zealand Culinary Traditions and Cookbooks, by Leach, Helen (ed.) 2010, Dunedin: Otago University Press.


The influence of the friction coefficient on the long‐time behavior of the spectral amplification, variance, and signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) found for the output signal of a fractional oscillator with fluctuating eigenfrequency subjected to a periodic force is considered. The influence of the fluctuating environment is modeled by a multiplicative white noise and by an additive noise with a zero mean. The viscoelastic friction kernel with memory is assumed as a power‐law function of time. The study is a follow‐up of a previous investigation of a noisy fractional oscillator [Phys. Rev. E 81, 041122 (2010)]. On the basis of exact formulas it is demonstrated that an interplay of multiplicative noise and memory can generate a multiresonance of SNR versus the friction coefficient. The necessary and sufficient conditions for such a resonance effect are also discussed. Particularly, it is shown that resonance‐like behavior of SNR versus the friction coefficient is qualitatively different in the cases of external ...


These considerations are drawn from National Audit Office reports on existing PPP and PFI projects and from discussions with government officials, representatives of the industrial, finance and legal communities. They are chosen from an extensive list of "lessons learned" because they have relevance both to the defence sector and to future innovative uses of private finance beyond classical PFI arrangements.


Introduction A large susceptability artifact arises from the air-tissue interface of the nasal cavity in the head. This region of large susceptability difference creates field distortions that typically cannot be corrected by shimming. For example, it is difficult to obtain proton NMR spectra from the inferior frontal lobe of the brain, whether by spectroscopic imaging (SI) or single voxel techniques (SVS). Often data from regions of the inferior frontal lobe in SI must be discarded due to the large field inhomogeneity near the sinus, as shown in ref [1]. Recently the static magnetic field numerically derived in a human head model by solving the field equations with finite element analysis on a discretized model of the head was found to agree well with actual field maps obtained in human volunteers. [2] A salient result of that study was the character of the nasal cavity field distortion. It was found that a region of high field is located above the nasal cavity and a region of low field is found behind the nasal cavity. Since these field effects are dependent on the direction of the main magnetic field relative to the head, it is possible to direct the distortions away from the inferior frontal lobe as proposed by M.B. Smith [3]. This abstract will present experimental evidence of the utility of this simple positioning method for acquiring para-axial slices traversing the anterior commisure (AC) and the posterior commisure (PC) in the human head. Methods All experiments were performed on a 1.5T Siemens Vision clinical scanner. Two experimental protocols were used. The first is a shimming session performed on 10 different subjects and the second is a field mapping experiment performed on one subject. The shimming data is taken from a previous spectroscopic imaging study, where the protocol uses a manual shimming session on a slab traversing the ACPC. After automatic global shimming, shim currents are manually optimized to reduce the FWHM of the slice specific water peak. The FWHM of the best shim achieved is recorded. The angle of the plane through the AC-PC relative to the main magnetic field is also recorded. The second experiment maps the static magnetic field in a single subject with three different head positions. The field mapping is performed using two gradient echo imaging sequences with different echo times. The sequence parameters are a TR of 178ms, TE's of 10ms and 23ms, a 240mm FOV, a 128x128 matrix, and NEX 2. A single 10mm slice is positioned traversing the anterior and posterior commisures. The field map is calculated by unwrapping the phase difference map obtained from the two images. Results Plotting the FWHM of the resulting shim versus the tilt angle of the head in the magnet reveals a trend in the data (Fig. 1). As the angle increases, which is equivalent to tilting the head back while the subject is laying supine in the scanner, the shim improves. In the figure a tilt angle of zero degrees means that the AC-PC plane is directly perpendicular to the main magnetic field. To examine this trend in more detail, profiles of the field map obtained in one subject are plotted in Fig. 2. These profiles are from the same subject with three different head positions and are taken in the posterior-anterior direction. The high field distortion in the zero degree tilt profile diminishes as the the head tilts back. Also, a slight negative field distortion is evident in the thirty degree tilt profile. Figure 1. FWHM of the water peak for slab shims in 10 subjects with varying head positions.


Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in the number of micronuclei between the gingival mucosa and the buccal mucosa due to exposure to digital panoramic radiography.
Material and Methods: This study used 10 healthy individuals aged 18-25 years. Exfoliated epithelial cell samples from the gingival and buccal mucosa were taken from the patient on the 10th day after exposure to digital panoramic radiography. The coloring method used is Feulgen-Rossenbeck.
Results: The micronucleus calculation was performed by the method of assessing 1000 cells per slide using a binuclear light microscope with a magnification of 400x. The results of the analysis by unpaired T test showed that the difference in the increase in the number of micronuclei was statistically significant (p <0.05). The average difference in the increase in the number of micronuclei was 3.5 ± 0.767. There is a significant difference in the increase in the number of micronuclei between the gingival mucosa and the buccal mucosa due to exposure to digital panoramic radiography with an increase in the number of micronucleus in the buccal mucosa higher than the gingival mucosa.
Conclusion: The conclusion of this study is that digital panoramic radiography can cause genotoxic effects on the gingival and buccal mucosa. Digital panoramic radiography is used if needed.


Abstract: According to an influential view, a thought is pathologically 'inserted' when it is not voluntarily caused by the subject, that is, when the subject has not formed it qua agent. Recently, Lisa Bortolotti found this account unsatisfactory: most of our ordinary thoughts are not voluntarily produced by us, and yet they are not regarded as 'inserted,' so the cause of thought insertion cannot be a loss of agency. Thus, Bortolotti elaborates an alternative view according to which thought insertion is owing to a failure to 'endorse' the thought on the part of the subject. Although I agree with Bortolotti that the Endorsement Model is preferable to the Traditional 'Loss-of-Agency' Account of thought insertion, I argue that agency is systematically connected with non-pathological thinking, although not ordinarily in the form of the volitional agentive capacity to produce thoughts intentionally, and that in thought insertion such connection between thinking and agency is lost.


This article discusses the problem of making managerial decisions by employees when using complex organizational systems for special purposes. In order to make effective management decisions by employees in complex organizational systems for special purposes, it is necessary to develop the structure of this system, to adapt the mathematical models of the set of goals to real goals-processes, to the choice of alternative management decisions for intermediate goals of such systems. It is advisable to adhere to the following approach "a solution is a multi-layered iterative information process initiated by a problem situation, preceding the action." When developing cognitive mathematical models (CMM) for managerial decision-making (CMP), we will assume that the target settings (TA) are homogeneous and should be based on the basic principles of construction (COSSN) of a complex organizational structure for special purposes. The signs of the classification of managerial decisions and the stages of the process of making managerial decisions are given: analysis, forecasting, optimization and choice of alternatives. PUR when functioning in the SSSN is important for all employees who, constantly or periodically act as managers (curators, organizers, management entities). The network model of the CSSSN in the form of graph G is developed based on the requirements for the functioning of this system as a technology for the adoption of SD.


The purpose of this article is to analyze the functioning of the multilateral projects of the «Horizon 2020» and «Horizon Europe» Programs, to establish the peculiarities of the status and activities of their subjects. To achieve the goal of the scientific work and solve the set tasks, a complex of general scientific and special research methods was used: the method of analysis and synthesis, alternatives, comparative studies, classification. Research on this issue allows us to state that despite the fact that multilateral Horizon 2020 projects constitute a significant part of EU project funding, scientific research on this issue is insufficient. This is partly due to the lack of a structured analytical approach of the subjects of this Framework Program. In particular, the legal status of the National Contact Point, which provides informational and methodical support for the thematic areas of research determined by the European Commission (EC) for the EU research and innovation program «Horizon Europe», remains overlooked. Within the framework of this study, the experience of Poland, where there is a Polish National Contact Point for EU research programs, was introduced. It was determined that at the micro-level of IS there is a Program «Horizon 2020» or «Horizon Europe», which can act as projects (a network of participants who cooperate within the framework of a joint innovation project both at the national level and at the EU level) and as Partners (organization, consisting of a network or group of persons, or an individual participant, who cooperate within the framework of a joint innovation project both at the national level and at the EU level) is a certain level of the very structure of a multi-level innovation system (or IS of a higher level). The authors propose to make changes to the Law of Ukraine on Scientific and Scientific-Technical Activities. So, there is a proposal to add par. 3 to art. 66 regarding the status of a scientific institution that can act as a basic organization in which the National Contact Point of the European Union Framework Program for Research and Innovation «Horizon Europe» has been established.


The market feasibility study focused on the proposed development of a hotel project inside university campus. The market study provides a demographic assessment, forecast demand evaluation, financial performance projection and economic assessment review of the subject area to determine the overall business feasibility of a new hotel that operates and run inside university campus. The main objectives of the study are to develop market understanding and to propose the hotel concept and capacity to University Holdings management team. The market feasibility study addressed the estimated operating performance of the hotel project. It also provides recommendations to the size, capacity and scope of the hotel development. Hotel occupancy rate, average daily room rate and sales revenue projections of the hotel were determined and calculated based on the detailed review of comparable sales, field research data and surveys. The research methodology used a mixed-method design. Quantitative method used on collecting and analyzing data from targeted customers such as university staff, students, parents, guests of selected hotels and government employee within close proximity of the campus. In addition, qualitative method used during benchmarking visit to eight IPTA universities, which already have hotels that operate inside the campuses. The outcome of the research was an extensive business feasibility report for the hotel based on the numerical evidence gathered and conclusions drawn from the interview sessions with key stakeholders.


Filament-based intracellular transport involves the collective action of molecular motor proteins. Experimental evidences suggest that microtubule (MT) filament bound motor proteins such as kinesins weakly interact among themselves during transport and with the surrounding cellular environment. Motivated by these observations we study a driven lattice gas model for collective unidirectional transport of molecular motors on open filament. This model incorporates short-range next-nearest-neighbour (NNN) interactions between the motors and couples the transport process on filament with surrounding cellular environment through adsorption-desorption Langmuir kinetics (LK) of the motors. We analyse this model within the framework of a mean-field (MF) theory in the limit of weak interactions between the motors. We point to the mapping of this model with the non-conserved version of the Katz-Lebowitz-Spohn (KLS) model. The system exhibits rich phase behavior with a variety of inhomogeneous phases including localized shocks in the bulk of the filament. We obtain the steady-state density and current profiles, analyse their variation as a function of the strength of interaction and construct the non-equilibrium MF phase diagram. We compare these MF results with Monte Carlo simulations and find that the MF analysis shows reasonably good agreement with simulation results as long as the motors are weakly interacting. For sufficently strong NNN interaction between the motors, the mean-field results deviate significantly, and for very strong NNN interaction in the absence of LK, the current in the lattice is determined solely by the NNN interaction parameter and it becomes independent of entry and exit rates of motors at the filament boundaries.


At the burning bush on Sinai, God revealed his name to Moses in three forms: "I AM WHO I AM" (הי ֶ ְהֶא רֶש ׁ ֲא הי ֶ ְהֶא), "I AM" (הי ֶ ְהֶא), and "Yahweh" (הוהי)—the latter appears in English Bibles today as "the LORD" in capital letters, according to the post-exilic Jewish custom of substituting the title "Adonai" (ינ ָ ֹדֲא) for the sacred name (Exod 3:14–15). God then told Moses, "This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations" (3:15).1 Accordingly, the Old Testament has over six thousand occurrences of the divine name, "Yahweh," significantly more than any other title, including "God."2 In contrast, the New Testament appears to mention the divine name only in its shortened form at the end of "hallelujah" (Rev 19:1, 3, 4, 6). On the surface, this omission would suggest some discontinuity between the religion of Moses and the religion of Christ. If the divine name is God's "memorial-name to all generations," then why did the Christian community fail to remember it? The NT provides at least two explanations for this omission. First, Christians continued the practice of substituting the title "LORD" for the name "Yahweh," but then applied this title directly to Jesus Christ as a common label for his divinity.3 Second, Jesus himself asserted his


The present invention is an acid-fast bacterium in a liquid containing a nonionic surfactant, a method of, by heating at a temperature below the boiling point of the liquid, lysis of the mycobacteria. According to the method of the present invention, without using a special apparatus and reagents, and can also be quite simple and the lysed mycobacteria in a short time, it is possible to extract the gene. The heating conditions, the eseo 96 ℃ 10 bungan preferred. In addition, as nonionic surfactants, it can be used d- sorbitol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene glycol sorbitan alkyl esters, and polyoxyethylene glycol pt- octylphenyl ether and the like. The liquid is also desirable to pH 8 is preferred, and include EDTA. In addition, it is preferred to process the mycobacterial before heating to the lipase treatment.


This paper examines the effect of using PET bottle waste as a reinforcement bar in concrete beams. Waste of PET bottles has been cut by a special tool to long strips with width of 6 mm and thickness of 0.5 mm and lengths ranging between 6000 mm for small bottles and 11000 for large bottles. Then, straps areused in the formation of PET bars in three different forms, two braids are formed and twisted bundles form.Each PET bar consists of 36 straps. PET bars are arranged in the same location of rebar as an alternative to the steel bars in the tensile area. Also, it are pre-tightened before casting with a special tool is designedfor this purpose in order to give it a straight texture and reduce the expected elongation. Five concrete beams with dimensions (150*200*1400)mm are used in this study.Two of themare controlledbeams with and witout tension steel reinforcement.The other three beams are reinforced withthree different forms of PET bottle waste bars. The achieved results are encouraged and unprecedented as the models containing rods achieved a maximum failure load of up to 25% of the failure load for specimens containing reinforcing steel bars.This technique enhancesits ability to be used as reinforcing bars in secondary structural members.


Underwater images are frequently subject to color distortion and loss of details. However, previous enhancement methods did not tackle these mixed degradations by dividing them into sub-problems that could be effectively addressed. Moreover, the parameters and computations required for these methods are usually costly for underwater equipment, which has limited power supply, processing capabilities, and memory capacity. To address these challenges, this work proposes a Lightweight Parallel Strategy Network (LPS-Net). Firstly, a Dual-Attention Enhancement Block and a Mirror Large Receptiveness Block are introduced to, respectively, enhance the color and restore details in degraded images. Secondly, we employed these blocks on parallel branches at each stage of LPS-Net, with the goal of achieving effective image color and detail rendering simultaneously. Thirdly, a Gated Fusion Unit is proposed to merge features from different branches at each stage. Finally, the network utilizes four stages of parallel enhancement, achieving a balanced trade-off between performance and parameters. Extensive experiments demonstrated that LPS-Net achieves optimal color enhancement and superior detail restoration in terms of visual quality. Furthermore, it attains state-of-the-art underwater image enhancement performance on the evaluation metrics, while using only 80.12 k parameters.


Obtained results show that the NN is able to distinguish between ordered and disordered configurations and is also able to detect small changes in the local ordering of liquid structure, comparable with previously published results [4].


This study was conducted to characterize physical, chemical and physiologically the development of maturation of fruit native pineapple cv. India, kept fresh at 20°C. During the fruit rnaturation, the respiratory intensity did not have any incrcase, which allowed to classify the fruit as non climacteric. This behavior was accompanied by loss of weight, decrease of consistency of edible fruit portion, increase in organic acids, acidity and sugars and decrease in soluble solids and pH. The quality analysis showed loss of organoleptic characteristics that make desirable the fruit, like appearance, flavor and color.