Introduction: Colon ischemia (CI) is typically an acute manifestation of altered colonic blood fl ow resulting in mucosal ischemia and resolves spontaneously within days. Some patients, however, may evolve into chronic segmental colitis. Th is is a controversial topic, given the varied defi nitions of this entity and lack of distinguishing histologic features. We sought to further examine the clinicopathologic features of chronic CI in an attempt to distinguish it from acute CI. Methods: Cases were identifi ed from our electronic medical record between 1/1/94 and 8/15/15. Only cases having symptom chronicity (>1 month of abdominal symptoms) and persistent ischemic histology in patients 18-99 years of age were included for review. Histologic evaluation was performed by two gastrointestinal pathologists. Results: From 15 CI patients with clinical and histologic chronicity, 8 had unequivocal venous intimal hyperplasia characterized by thickened submucosal, mural and extramural veins which defi nes the rare condition known as idiopathic myointimal hyperplasia of mesenteric veins (IMHMV). Th e remaining 7 patients had non-specifi c histologic fi ndings of ischemia. Th e median age at diagnosis for patients with IMHMV was 62.5 years (range 22-75) compared to 61.6 years (range 29-88) in those without. By sex, 2 of the IMHMV and 3 non-IMHMV patients were female. Vascular imaging in all IMHMV cases demonstrated mesenteric arterial and venous patency. Abdominal pain and diarrhea were the two most common presenting symptoms, occurring in 7 (87.5%) and 5 (62.5%) cases, respectively. Th e sigmoid colon was most commonly involved in 75% of IMHMV versus only 29% of non-IMHMV cases. Surgical resection was performed in 7 IMHMV patients as part of management for CI or suspected infl ammatory bowel disease, resulting in symptomatic resolution. In retrospect, all 7 IMHMV patients with resection had characteristic changes in pre-resection biopsies, including thickened, tortuous mucosal venules and, in some cases, myointimal hyperplasia in superfi cial submucosal veins. Conclusion: Th e histologic changes of IMHMV are distinctive in colonic resections and are not detected by vascular imaging. Pre-operative diagnosis of IMHMV is possible from endoscopically obtained biopsies, which show a combination ischemic injury and altered mucosal venules. As segmental colon resection is curative of IMHMV, improved awareness of this entity is needed to avoid misdiagnosis and potentially harmful treatment such as immunosuppression.


The important factors that contribute to the manifestations of facial ageing are volume loss, the effects of gravity, tissues that lose their elasticity and the redistribution of subcutaneous fat. Dividing the face into thirds is a convenient way to illustrate the effects of ageing: the upper third, comprising the forehead and brow; the middle third, the nose and midface; and the lower third, the neck and jaw. In facial aesthetics, much emphasis is placed on the midface — the so-called synergy between the eyes, cheek bones, the nose and the lips — an area referred to as the 'facial triangle' (Figure 34). Photodocumentation should be considered here in a 3D rather than a 2D view, as the restoration of 3D facial anatomy is the aim of facial rejuvenation. Ageing is a manifestation of two influences: the effects of gravity and volume. Dr Sydney Coleman (New York), known internationally for revolutionizing plastic surgical techniques, and Rajiv Grover (London) undertook a collaborative study to investigate the 3D effects of ageing. They scrutinized facial scans taken at different ages. It appeared that volume loss was the precursor of gravitational influences and preceded it by 7 years. Changes in the neck, however, indicated a gain or accumulation of subcutaneous fat. These findings emphasized the importance that volume has in the surgical and nonsurgical rejuvenation of the midface, even though surgery may be needed in the neck as a result of the location of fat (29). Volume, it has been said, is the key to rejuvenation, and volume may need to be added or moved in the process of facial rejuvenation (30). New surgical techniques have focused on the volumetric approach. A facelift will redistribute the soft tissues of the face; the volumetric facelift can accentuate the soft tissues of the midface to recreate the prominence of the cheek that is a feature of youth. An Sshaped curve from the orbital rim, over the cheek and to the level of the jaw is referred to as the 'Ogee' curve, and it is this curve that is enhanced in the volumetric approach to rejuvenation. Fat grafting is one way to add volume to tissues. This entails the harvesting and placement of the patient's own fat cells to rejuvenate facial shape. This can be done under local anaesthesia, and refined fat cells can be injected in small volumes. One significant consideration is the survival time of the grafted fat cells. Sydney Coleman has described this technique of liposculpture, and it can be performed alone or in conjunction with a facelift. The dermal filler, Restylane SubQ, which can be injected deep in the dermis, is the alternative.


The recent demonstration of stimulated Raman gain (loss) spectroscopy (SRS) using CW laser sources introduces a powerful tool to coherent Raman spectroscopy. In this paper we undertake an experimental and analytical evaluation of several variations of SRS using CW laser sources including (1) direct stimulated Raman gain (loss) measurements, (2) optically heterodyned polarization interferometry, and (3) two-beam nonlinear interferometry. The results show CW SRS to be a convenient and effective means of obtaining direct Raman spectra in applications where background fluorescence precludes the use of conventional Raman techniques. Sensitivities comparable to or exceeding those obtained by coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS) are demonstrated. Ultimate sensitivities exceeding those achieved by spontaneous Raman spectroscopy are expected for high-resolution applications in gaseous media.


District cooling system (DCS) has been widely used in recent years because of its advantages of energy saving and high efficiency. As an alternative resource of adjustable capacity on the grid side, it can effectively alleviate the imbalance between supply and demand and improve the comprehensive operation efficiency of power system. In this paper, the energy consumption model considering the temperature rise of pipeline network and indoor comfort is established according to the DCS, DCS in the fixed temperature difference variable flow mode of operation, through the reasonable setting of chilled water supply temperature and indoor temperature, optimize chilled water supply flow and fan air volume, so that energy consumption reaches the minimum. The calculation and simulation verification are carried out by using an example. The virtual energy storage model is also established. Using its thermal inertia, the storage and transfer of electric energy can be realized without affecting the user's feelings.


Laser re-crystallization is being actively investigated to fabricate low temperature, polycrystalline silicon, thin-film transistors (TFTs) onto glass substrate for use in active-matrix liquid crystal displays (LCDs). Some attractive applications of TFTs are peripheral circuits and various sensors on the same glass substrate, which make highly functional active matrix displays. In this paper, an analog driver with operational amplifiers capable of canceling the offset voltage and a low-power consumption TFT-LCD with dynamic memory cells embedded in each pixel, are reviewed. Also an optical sensor array for digitizers and a capacitive fingerprint sensor are demonstrated. To realize a "system on panel" and "smart pixels", it is necessary to fabricate the TFTs with higher mobility and higher uniformity in their characteristics.


Due to agricultural expansion in the last decades, there was a considerable reduction of the Brazilian Biomes. The Bioma Cerrado, specifically, has lost 42% of its original vegetation for agricultural activities (SANO et al.,2002) , resulting in irreparable environmental damage depending on the degree of environmental degradation. Therefore the present study is to apply the EUPS - Equation Universal Soil Loss (Wischmeier & Smith, 1978) to qualitatively identify areas susceptible to erosion laminar in the city of Riachao das Neves- BA. The municipality is part of the agricultural hub of the west of Bahia in recent decades witnessed the advancement of agriculture in the region while the reduction of vegetation in places that should be preserved, especially along watercourses, thus accelerating the erosion process.
Keywords: USLE, Topographic Factor, Use and Occupation of the Land.


IT will not be necessary for me to give details of the rites by which the phallic superstition is distinguished, as they may be found in the works of Dulaure,[1] Payne Knight,[2] and other writers. I shall refer to them, therefore, only so far as may be required for the due understanding of the subject to be considered—the influence of the Phallic idea in the religions of antiquity. The first step in the inquiry is to ascertain the origin of the superstition in question. Faber ingeniously referred to a primitive universal belief in a great father, the curious connection seen to exist between nearly all non-Christian mythologies, and he saw in phallic worship a degradation of this belief. Such an explanation as this is, however, not satisfactory; since, not only does it require the assumption of a primitive divine revelation, but proof is still wanting that all peoples have, or ever had, any such notion of a great parent of mankind as that supposed to have been revealed. And yet there is a valuable germ of truth in this hypothesis. The phallic superstition is founded essentially in the family idea. Captain Richard Burton recognized this truth when he asserted that "amongst all barbarians whose primal want is progeny, we observe a greater or less development of the phallic worship."[3] This view, however, is imperfect. There must have been something more than a mere desire for progeny to lead primitive man to view the generative process with the peculiar feelings embodied in this superstition. We are, in fact, here taken to the root of all religions—awe at the mysterious and unknown. That which the uncultured mind cannot understand is viewed with dread or veneration, as it may be, and the object presenting the mysterious phenomenon may itself be worshipped as a fetish, or the residence of a presiding spirit. But there is nothing more mysterious than the phenomena of generation, and nothing more important than the final result of the generative act. Reflection on this result would naturally cause that which led to it to be invested with a certain degree of superstitious significance. The feeling generated would have a double object, as it had a double origin—wonder at the phenomenon itself and a perception of the value of its consequences. The former, which is the most simple, would lead to a veneration for the organs whose operation conduced to the phenomena—hence the superstitious practices connected with the phallus and the yoni among primitive peoples. In this, moreover, we have the explanation of numerous curious facts observed among eastern peoples. Such is the respect shown by women for the generative organ of dervishes and fakirs.[4] Such also is the Semitic custom referred to in the Hebrew Scriptures as "the putting of the hand under the thigh," which is explained by the Talmudists to be the touching of that part of the body which is sealed and made holy by circumcision: a custom which was, up to a recent date, still in use among the Arabs as the most solemn guarantee of truthfulness.[5]


the bottom electrode'' by recent additional tests with some other samples fabricated in those days, we hereby correct it. We reported in the paper 2 prior to the APL article of concern that the negative differential resistance of nitride resonance tunneling diodes ~RTDs! shows the asymmetric I ‐V curve and there the relationship with piezoelectric effect was suggested. After that, the other group has confirmed theoretically the asymmetry by the self-consistent simulation based on the ''real-time tight-binding Green's function.'' 3 This is really an effect resulted mainly from a large piezoelectric field. These results definitely show that the RTD behavior in the GaN/AlN system could not be explained by a simple RTD scheme. In the comment, Belyaev et al. 4 has been insisting that we tried to explain the behavior of nitride RTD with a normal simple resonance concept in the APL letter, but this is misunderstood. In the letter reporting an early demonstration of GaN based RTD, we only gave the trial calculation of resonant levels as an approximation. We also predicted that the GaN/AlN RTD could not be explained completely with a simple model in the system with a large piezoelectric field. Also, Belyaev et al. infer that current‐voltage characteristics are sensitive to the way of voltage sweep, and this would be a phenomenon caused by a large piezoelectric field and electron trapping. We agree that this phenomenon deeply relates to the dislocation density in crystals and insufficient heteroboundaries. In this sense, regretfully, it is unclear that Belyae et al. and us have observed the completely same phenomenon, because between both samples, the RTD device structure is different and moreover the dislocation density included could be different. In the Belyaes sample, an asymmetric thickness combination was utilized for the bottom and top AlN barriers without undoped GaN spacers, which were placed on both sides of the double resonant region in our structure. The great difference is the absence of AlN multiple intermediate layers ~MILs! in their structure. We placed the AlN‐MILs underneath the RTD structure, i.e., just on metalorganic chemical vapor deposition-grown GaN templates to suppress propagation of screw-character threading dislocations to the upper RTD region. According to the previous papers of ours, 5,6 the insertion of AlN MILs functions to suppress the screw-character dislocations by three orders of magnitude. The suppressed screw character dislocation contributes to produce uniform heteroboundaries for molecularbeam epitaxy ~MBE!-grown AlN/GaN heterostructures. Belyaev wrote that we might also observe the current‐ voltage instability or the hysteresis characteristics, but it is not real. As described in the letter, we made the experiment with a single voltage scan mode based on the equipment character we used. During a long period after that, we did not have a chance to fabricate GaN-based RTD devices again,


In situ CO2 and CH4 concentrations dissolved in vent-associated seawater (within ten meters from the seafloor) in mid-Okinawa Trough had been measured by novelty CO2 sensor and CH4 sensor based the Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) mounted on R/V KEXUE. The results showed that the maximum values of CO2 and CH4 both occur near active hydrothermal vents in Iheya North area. The maximum detection concentration of CO2 was as high as 12000 ppm, which is four orders of magnitude higher than previous onboard analyses. At the meantime, the maximum concentration of CH4 was 8 μmol/l, which is two orders of magnitude higher than reported before. On the other hand, only small quantities of CO2 and CH4 were reported near diffusive fluids as the CLAM hydrothermal area has become more and more inactive. However, based on the measurement principle of novelty sensors and their adaptability, the in situ real gas concentrations may be even higher than the present values. Therefore, it is still necessary to develop new high precision sensors, which are designed to adapt to more severe deep-sea environment like high temperature hydrothermal vents, to have a comprehensive understanding of gas geochemistry in hydrothermal fields in the future.


The National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) published its Report 377, "Alternatives to Motor Fuel Taxes for Financing Surface Transportation Improvements," in 1995. Increased fuel efficiency and the use of alternative fuels were seen as potential threats to future road finance due to the heavy reliance on fuel taxes. Much has happened since 1995. Technological progress in vehicle fuel-efficiency, alternative fuel vehicles, and methods of collecting alternative types of revenue has been substantial. This research project focused on updating the work of NCHRP Report 377 to better evaluate the potential for alternatives to motor fuel taxes. The project maintained a primary focus on passenger vehicles and on the issues that must be addressed in designing an alternative. The project consisted of a literature review, an analysis of the economic issues related to fuel tax alternatives, and an analysis of the technological issues related to fuel tax alternatives. Several conclusions and recommendations for further research are offered. In addition, the report outlines several issues that policy makers will have to address as they explore alternatives to dependency on fuel tax revenue.


Cooperative Extension programs across the United States are embracing food systems and local food as a new topic area. Previous studies indicate that successful local food programming requires crossprogram collaboration. However, research in this area has underrepresented Extension educators from non-agricultural program areas, although understanding their perspectives is key to fostering a * Corresponding author: J. Dara Bloom, Assistant Professor and Local Foods Extension Specialist, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, North Carolina State University; 512 Brickhaven Drive, Raleigh, NC 27695 USA; +1-919-515-8475; email@example.com b Joanna Massey Lelekacs, Local Food Program Manager, NC State Extension, North Carolina State University. Lelekacs is now Director of Education, North Carolina Botanical Garden, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. c Gretchen L. Hofing, MPH, RD, NBC-HWC, SNAP-Ed Steps to Health Coordinator, Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, North Carolina State University. Hofing is now Program Coordinator, Duke Integrative Medicine. d Robyn Stout, NC 10% Campaign State Coordinator, Center for Environmental Farming Systems, North Carolina State University. e Morgan Marshall, Extension Area Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender County Centers. Marshall is now Marketing and Event Assistant, Asheville Event Co. f Kristin Davis, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County Center. Funding Disclosure The development of the Extension Master Food Volunteer program was made possible through funding from NC Cooperative Extension's FCS Program, the Department of Agricultural and Human Sciences, and a grant from the NC ECA and FCS Foundation. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development ISSN: 2152-0801 online https://www.foodsystemsjournal.org 198 Volume 9, Issue 2 / Winter 2019–2020 cross-program collaboration. The case study presented in this paper examines qualitative evaluation data from the pilot year of the NC State Extension Master Food Volunteer (EMFV) program, which provides training in food systems and local food to Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) educators and their volunteers. Data from semistructured interviews with educators in the pilot program and from focus groups with their volunteers provide the opportunity to explore areas of intersection and divergence between local food and the FCS program area in order to determine how to best integrate FCS and local food. Findings suggest that integrating local food into FCS programming will require special attention to potentially controversial issues that require educators and volunteers to communicate with the public about scientific issues that also invoke personal values, such as pesticide use and genetic engineering. We also found that educators and volunteers felt that promoting local food was not always compatible with an FCS focus on healthy eating. Overall, this case study demonstrates the potential to engage FCS educators and volunteers in cross-program, community-based food system projects, and to provide public education in the growing field of food systems and local food.


Abstract. Fringe projection profilometry (FPP) has been widely used in various fields because of its high precision and efficiency. However, fringe images containing overexposed areas are obtained by traditional FPP for high-reflective object surfaces, which leads to errors in absolute phase and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction results. A robust 3D reconstruction technique based on a polarization state-based ternary polarization coding strategy is proposed to address these errors. Instead of the light intensity coding patterns, the polarization coding patterns are used in this method. Next, the S1 image is calculated using the polarization image captured by the camera. The Stokes parameter is utilized to segment the fringe codewords without using a specially designed threshold. The proposed method enhanced the stability of the fringes, improved the quality of the fringes, and reduced the number of fringe patterns. Experimental results verified that the proposed method has higher robustness than the conventional method in the measurement of objects with high-reflective surfaces. The results reveal that the proposed method can suppress the effect of highlight areas in the reconstruction of high-reflective surfaces to obtain accurate absolute phases and reconstruct the 3D point cloud data reliably.


Type of funding sources: Public hospital(s). Main funding source(s): Ospedale Sant'Orsola (Bologna)

 Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an acute and transient heart failure syndrome characterized by a temporary wall motion abnormality of the left ventricle. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has a crucial role to assess ventricles function, regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA), myocardial edema, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and complications. To date, there is a lack of how trigger events impact CMR parameters.

 To evaluate the clinical presentation, triggers of TTS and CMR parameters in patients hospitalized for Takotsubo Syndrome (TTS).

 In our study we evaluated 128 patients hospitalized with TTS between January 2016 and December 2021 in Italy. Diagnosis of Takotsubo syndrome was based on the international Takotsubo diagnostic criteria (InterTAK Diagnostic Criteria).

 The mean age of the study population was 68.7 ± 11.1 years, and 81 % were females. Concerning the event trigger of TTS, 44% of patients experimented with an emotional event and 56% with physical stress.
 CMR was available in 66 patients, performed 7.5 ± 3.7 days after admission during hospitalization. CMR confirmed that most patients had typical TTS with apical ballooning (87%) while only 4.5% had a midventricular pattern. Left ventricular ejection fraction (LV-EF) mean was 55.3 ± 10.9 %. Mean LV-EF did not significant differ between emotional and physical trigger populations (51±12.5 vs 56.3±7.7; p = 0.12).
 Myocardial edema was present in 64.2% of patients and the mean number of segments involved was 6.2. ± 5.9. No statistical correlation between TTS trigger and the presence of edema at T2-weighted imaging was noticed. Spotty LGE was observed in 23.1 % of CMR exams, most evidenced in lateral (11.9 %) and inferior segments (10.4 %). LGE was evidenced more frequently in TTS triggered by physical events (38.1% vs 13%; p value=0.04) unlike pericardial effusion (0% vs 14%; p value= 0.04). Moreover, Hs-troponin I peak value was higher in the TTS physical triggered population than TTS with emotional trigger (3413 ± 4457 ng/l vs 2018 ± 2064 ng/l; p value= 0.04).

 Early execution of CMR is essential in suspected TTS because several parameters are relatively time-dependent and derived from dynamic alterations that might resolve over time (such as myocardial edema). In our study patients with a physical trigger had a higher Hs-Troponin I max peak value and, more frequently spotty LGE on CMR. This could be the manifestation of more consistent myocardial damage compared to emotional triggers. However, the physiopathological and prognostic role of LGE in TTS remains unclear.


The South African film industry is one of the oldest in the world. The Kinetoscope, invented by Thomas Edison, reached Johannesburg by 1895, only six years after its introduction in New York. Between 1895 and 1909 mainly British and American films reached many parts of South Africa by means of mobile bioscopes. The first permanent cinema was built in 1909 by Electric Theatres Limited in Durban. Over the next five years several film distribution companies built cinemas across the country, which led to serious competition.


Purpose The issue of employee engagement has increasingly become a focus of concern in public management practice. Based on the theory of purposeful work behavior, integrative theory of employee engagement and Pratt and Ashforth's typology of work meaningfulness, this study proposes and examines the mediating effects of two types of meaningfulness between transformational leadership and work engagement and the moderating effects of transformational leadership on the relationship between two types of meaningfulness and work engagement. Patients and Methods By adopting a multilevel cross-sectional design, this study examines assumed mediation and moderation effects. The data collection was conducted anonymously by means of an online survey. A total of 261 local police officers from 32 police stations were recruited in professional training programs as a sample. Results The analysis reveals that both meaningfulness in work and meaningfulness at work positively mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and work engagement. Transformational leadership moderates the relationship between meaningfulness at work and work engagement rather than the relationship between meaningfulness in work and work engagement. There are no other significant effects of sex, age or length of service. Conclusion Work meaningfulness transmits and combines the effect of transformational leadership to impact work engagement. These findings not only confirm the critical role of work meaningfulness proposed by the theoretical frameworks of the theory of purposeful work behavior, integrative theory of employee engagement and Pratt and Ashforth's typology of work meaningfulness, but also further extend and clarify the role of and difference in two substructures of work meaningfulness (ie, work meaningfulness in work and at work) in the context of the linkage between transformational leadership and work engagement.


The purpose of this paper is to examine the calculation method of direct shock wave' peak pressure. By theoretical researches, with a critical moment is presented at which the peak pressures of direct waves in shallow layer water begin to lower in comparison that in infinite water space. The dropping degree can be described with drop coefficient. Using scaling theory, the formula model that the coefficient varies with setting parameters of the tests is deduced. Multiplying this coefficient by Cole's pressure formula, the formula to calculate peak pressures of direct shock waves in shallow layer water is obtained. By regression of the data, the ranges of values of the parameters of the formula are obtained. The comparison of the tested data and calculated data indicates that the formula is precise.


According to the present invention, the objective lens actuator is provided with a gel holder, the gel holder having a gel holding hole, the objective lens holder for holding the hanging thread is inserted into the gel holding hole connected to the gel holding hole the external diameter of the gel injection hole is made of an outer surface of the inner diameter side opening is formed on the side surface is circular, the gel injection hole is larger than the needle of the gel dispenser in the gel, and the gel injection hole the inner diameter of the inner surface of the side opening is made smaller than the outer diameter of the needle. With this arrangement, when the gel material is injected into the gel holding hole gel dispenser, the positioning pins may be performed, it can prevent the gel material adheres to around the gel injection hole, and since the needle may be inserted to prevent the suspension wires the gel holding hole is deformed.


In this paper we study the four-point correlation function of the energy–momentum supermultiplet in theories with N = 4 superconformal symmetry in four dimensions. We present a compact form of all component correlators as an invariant of a particular abelian subalgebra of the N = 4 superconformal algebra. This invariant is unique up to a single function of the conformal cross-ratios which is fixed by comparison with the correlation function of the lowest half-BPS scalar operators. Our analysis is independent of the dynamics of a specific theory, in particular it is valid in N = 4 super Yang–Mills theory for any value of the coupling constant. We discuss in great detail a subclass of component correlators, which is a crucial ingredient for the recent study of charge-flow correlations in conformal field theories. We compute the latter explicitly and elucidate the origin of the interesting relations among different types of flow correlations previously observed in arXiv:1309.1424. © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Funded by SCOAP3. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: firstname.lastname@example.com (G.P. Korchemsky). 1 Unité Mixte de Recherche 3681 du CNRS. 2 UMR 5108 du CNRS, associée à l'Université de Savoie. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.nuclphysb.2016.01.008 0550-3213/© 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Funded by SCOAP3. A.V. Belitsky et al. / Nuclear Physics B 904 (2016) 176–215 177


Water security problems are becoming more and more challenging worldwide for several reasons, including population growth, urbanization, land-use change, unsustainable water use and climate change. All the above factors imply an increase in the human exploitation of water resources and an increasing anthropogenic impact on rivers, flood plains, and fresh groundwater. In fact, a striking problem in many countries is the result of destructive changes to the physical structure of the riverine environment. Most important rivers all over the world have been regulated, dammed and diverted. Moreover, the intensive urbanization of flood plains implies the need to protect human settlements against floods, which is often achieved through river training. All these anthropogenic effects are referred to as "human pressure on rivers", which has a deleterious effect on water security. In fact, human-induced alterations to rivers can have serious consequences for freshwater quality and quantity by altering the river flow regime and riverine ecosystem. Therefore, the assessment of the human pressure on rivers is extremely important to locate areas where water resources are threatened and subjected to rapidly increasing anthropogenic effects. However, studies are typically carried out at local or regional scales which makes it difficult to consistently identify worldwide patterns. We propose a novel approach to explore the human pressure on rivers worldwide at a fine spatial resolution by using night-light data. Night lights have been employed in several studies as a proxy for population density, economic development, electric power consumption, poverty and development status, urban extent, and for other environmental analyses, such as the assessment of light pollution. Herein, we associate night-light data and digital information about the geographical coordinates of the river network to locate the areas where the human pressure on rivers is currently increasing, therefore raising concerns for water security. In detail, we map global night lights in the immediate proximity of the river network from 1992 to 2012, with a spatial resolution of 1 km2. Then, we infer temporal trends in night lights all over the world and in selected regions, by determining the temporal evolution of spatiallyaveraged light intensities for each region of interest. On a global scale we find an overall positive trend of river network night lights, corresponding to a 1.2% increase per year which undoubtedly points out a worldwide rise in water resources exploitation. In order to identify possible spatial patterns, we analyse the temporal tendencies at both the continental and national scales. For the sake of comparison, we normalize each annual value (spatially averaged over the region of interest) dividing it by the corresponding multi-year average. Trend coefficients for normalized night lights represent percentage-per-year variations in light intensity. Interestingly, a clear differentiation emerges: whether considering country-based data or continental-scale values, Africa, Asia and South America reveal appreciable positive trends, Oceania and Europe exhibit a moderately positive trend, whereas North America presents a slightly negative tendency. These outcomes likely resemble a distinction based on the economic development of single continents, where considerably positive night-light trends coincide with developing and emerging regions, characterized by an overall lower-middle income, whereas slightly positive and slightly negative night-light trends mainly correspond to developed continents, with an overall middle-high income. Decreasing night-light trends may be also induced


Simultaneous measurements for space charge and external current were carried out using a PEA measurement system with an electrometer on the back of a grounding electrode in order to clarify physical situation of a huge packet of positive space charges in LDPE films. A large number of positive charges from semi-conduction anode were accumulated at the interface between LDPE and Al-cathode under 1.5MV/cm of mean applied field and then they finally disappeared. Results of the simultaneous measurements showed that the external current kept a relatively high value during the charge accumulation and it further increased when the charges disappeared. Both the charge dynamics and the external current were restricted by addition of a low-molecular-weight paraffin wax, indicating that the carrier transport was influenced by micro structure of the polymer. Dynamics of residual charges after short-circuiting is also discussed.


The ecological impacts of human settlement on trees in Oban and Okwangwo Forests of Cross River National Park located in Nigeria was carried out in the park with the view of providing  information on the activities of the support zones and enclave communities in both (Oban and Okwangwo) divisions of the park. Surveillance tours were carried out in company of the park rangers in the park and enclave communities. Each division was divided into two (2) zones each (core and peripheral) for ease of coverage. Plots were randomly selected in each study site at regular number of paces (fixed interval) to avoid coincidence.
Data collections and observations were carried out for a period of four (4) months in both divisions. Random Sampling method was used for the study. Eight (8) plots of size 50 each were marked out using wooden pegs with red ribbon tied across the pegs in the core zones in both divisions (Oban and okwangwo). Same was applicable to the peripheral zones in both divisions giving a total number of 32 plots. The total number of trees per plot was determined by direct stem count and trees with 30 cm girth and above was considered for the count. The total number of trees counted in the core zones was (Oban 141 and Okwangwo 162) and the peripheral zones (Oban 120 and Okwangwo 127). Descriptive statistics was applied on the data to determine the mean, standard deviation and range. The T-test for tree counted in Oban (Table 3) reveals that Tcal(1.161)≤Ttab(2.365) and the difference had a mean of 3.875, TCal ≤ Ttab at 5% level of significance. The T-test for tree counts in Okwangwo (Table 6) shows that Tcal(3.040)≥Ttab(2.365),  TCal ≥ Ttab at 5% level of significance. F-statistics (Table 8) revealed a significance level in their differences, Ftab (p=0.05) df (7,7) = 3.79, FCal = 5.384.
This calls for fast action on the resettlement of the enclave communities and provision of alternative sources of income for the support zones and enclave communities. Strategies should be adopted and improved upon if biodiversity is to be conserved. These strategies are embedded in increasing staff strength, well equipped and dedicated rangers as well as the absence of surrounding enclave communities.


Contextual factors, such as rules, regulation, and interactions with stakeholders, shape entrepreneurial cognition and behaviors. This is certainly true in mature industries, in which industry reci...


New Velox Capture with multi-signal detection and Cs-corrected optics for quickest, high quality image acquisition and data analysis. View the video and experience advanced structural information via the most complete, simultaneous STEM signals.


The rapid heating and cooling dynamics of thin solid foils driven by an ultraintense (∼ 10 18 Wcm −2) picosecond laser pulse has been experimentally studied through time-integrated and time-resolved x-ray emission spectroscopy as well as 2D x-ray imaging. Targets consisted of plastic foils with buried Al or Al 42 Ti 58 layers, with Al as a tracer to infer the plasma conditions. Our measurements indicate that the Al K-shell emission occurs over a shorter duration and from a narrower region in AlTi mixtures compared to pure Al samples. The experimental data are consistent with a simple model describing the fast heating and expansion of the foil target, and pinpoint the importance of radiative cooling in high-Z samples.


Shifting from product use to service use represents one of the most powerful approaches for the achievement of a sustainable society. The paper combines product's life-cycle simulation with industrial Product-Service Systems (PSS), underlining the benefic


Power Line Communication (PLC) is used to transmit high-fidelity data on internal cell characteristics from within instrumented cells to an external Battery Management System (BMS). Using PLC is beneficial as it avoids the need for a complex and heavyweight wiring harness within a battery. This paper considers the use of advanced modulation, such as Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM). Existing experimental results of lithium-ion cell impedance characteristics for frequencies of 100 kHz to 200 MHz are exploited in order to create a realistic battery model. This model is used to determine the effectiveness and optimal properties of PLC with QAM, as a means of in-situ battery communication for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) in combination with a real-world dynamic drive profile. Simulations reveal that the performance of the PLC system is heavily dependant on the selected carrier frequency due to the significant changes in reactance and internal resistance of the lithium-ion cells tested. Furthermore, cells placed in parallel display a decreased performance compared to cells in series. The results highlight that the optimal carrier frequency for in-situ QAM-based PLC for a lithium-ion battery system is 30 MHz, and that additional signal conditioning is required for 4-QAM and higher modulation orders.


In this work, we employ the recursion operator, the Burgers equation and its inverse operator, for constructing a hierarchy of negative‐order integrable Burgers equations of higher orders. The complete integrability of each established equation emerges by virtue of the correlation between integrability and recursion operators. We use the simplified Hirota's method to obtain multiple kink solutions for some of the derived equations, and in particular, for the generalized negative‐order Burgers equation.


In this paper,a research was carried out on the regularities of carbonization temperature,holding time and mass on weightlessness of low rank coal. The experiment showed experiments in a certern range (450°C~700°C,<60min),weightlessness of coal in an increasing trend,the remained volatile content of semi-coke was measured reduce tending to value,ash content increased,fixed carbon gradually increased in the temperature range with the improvement of the carbonization temperature and holding time,also hydrogen and oxygen content of the char decreased,a significant increased in the carbon content,nitrogen and sulfur content was essentially the same. Reactivity of CO2 and semi-coke obtained in different carbonization conditions were better,the response rates are 100% when the temperature exceeded 1000°C. Best condition of dry distillation: carbonization temperature was 500°C~650°C,mass of low rank coal was less than 30g,holding time was between 30 minutes to 40 minutes.


Whenever a group of individuals comes together and interact in order to reach a common goal, differing individual preferences can lead to conflict. This book focuses on the management of these internal conflicts within business organizations.


A fresh approach to coincidence analysis is initiated. The coincidence window size and the rates of source and background that best explain a given list of event times from two detectors is found using Maximum Likelihood Estimation. This approach is transparent and provides a unified scheme for a wide variety of situations.


Psychological contract is influenced by culture elements to some degree.Under the different background between Chinese culture and American culture,psychological contract of employees are quite different,including their formation,types,nature and violation.The paper makes a comparative analysis on them and puts forward some management models of psychological contract which are suitable for Chinese culture.


Naming the parts - the content for managerialism evolution - the contexts for managerialism in the US and the UK first steps - the initial impact in the UK first steps - the initial impact in the United States stunted growth - a critique of managerialism some alternatives reflections.


After nearly three decades of development,an environment network to monitor environmental quality,serious pollution sources and emergent environmental events has been established in Deyang City.Based on analysis of the present status of the environmental monitoring network,the existing problem and inadequate points were summarized.According to the principles of adequate look-ahead and implementing step by step,the construction of the monitoring network in Deyang City was discussed from five aspects including improvement of environmental quality monitoring,auto-monitoring of pollution sources,emergent environmental monitoring,rural environmental monitoring and information of environmental monitoring.Combining the economy-society development level and industrial layout in Deyang City,suggestions were proposed for improving the efficiency of monitoring network to form a joint force of regional monitoring.


Note: Synod 2010 received this document "as a sufficient foundational basis for the adoption of the guiding principle" about children's participation at the Lord's Supper and "refer[red] it to the churches for study and feedback, with the understanding that the Faith Formation Committee [would] continue to incorporate changes and suggestions to the document." Synod also "specifically encourage[d] the Faith Formation Committee to include (1) a more detailed study of the command to 'examine oneself' as stated in 1 Corinthians 11:28 and (2) a comparison and contrast with the 'confirmation' process of other Christian traditions" (Acts of Synod 2010, p. 812). This revised edition incorporates these recommended changes. Report outline I. Report overview: Key ideas


Introduction Part 1: Copts, Copticness and the Egyptian Media 1. The Contemporary Coptic Community: Between the State and the Church 2. The Egyptian Press in National Political Life 3. Copts Online: The Impact of the Internet on Coptic Politics Part 2: Copts and National Representation in the Mubarak-Shenouda Era 4. The Coptic Orthodox Church as a Media and Political Actor 5. Discoursing National Belonging: National Unity versus Sectarianism Part 3: Challenging Regimes of Representation 6. Resisting Church Authority through Media: Dissent and Legitimacy 2005-2010 7. Revolution and Political Crisis: Shifting Discourses and Relations of Power 8. Copts, Sectarianism and Citizenship in Post-25 January Egypt. Conclusion


Perhaps as important as the subject matter, a book's timing may be just as relevant when considering its utility. The publication of Sleep Medicine coincides with heightened public awareness of the importance of sleep and unprecedented professional interest in the field of sleep medicine. This text is a comprehensive, authoritative, yet practical volume. It contains 71 chapters written by 102 contributors. In addition to several widely recognized experts in the field of sleep medicine, many chapters are written by lesser known authors, who lend a fresh perspective. The volume is truly a multidisciplinary effort, with contributors representing pulmonary medicine, neurology, psychiatry, psychology, primary care medicine, polysomnographic technology, pharmacy, and nursing. The editors compiled a text that covers sleep from nearly every angle. Major sections cover normal sleep physiology and neurobiology, ontogeny, disorders of sleep and wakefulness, insomnia, syndromes associated with excessive daytime sleepiness, parasomnias, disorders of the circadian rhythm, sleep disorders in children, and sleep in patients with breathing syndromes, and neurologic, pulmonary, and psychiatric disorders. The book also contains an up-to-date, clinically relevant section that reviews various medications and their effects on sleep and wakefulness and a nine-chapter section detailing methods of assessment and monitoring. We could not help comparing Sleep Medicine to its major market competitor, Principles and Practice of Sleep Medicine (3rd edition),1 published 2 years ago. We quickly noticed that the structure and outline of both books are strikingly similar. Sleep Medicine, however, contains several clinically relevant topics not found in Principles and Practice, including six chapters on pediatric sleep (pediatric conditions are covered in a separate "Principles and Practices" publication2), forensic sleep medicine, seizure disorders and sleep, and sleep in patients with cancer or human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Despite selling for about half the price of Principles and Practice, Sleep Medicine is not short on illustrations as there are numerous figures, diagrams, and clearly reproduced pictures. And although certainly comprehensive in subject matter, it is small enough to fit on your bookshelf. Not surprisingly, most chapters are rich with facts and findings, with ample coverage of assessment and differential diagnosis. Evidence-based interventions were lacking, however, which may, in part, reflect the scientific state in this relatively young but emerging field of medicine. For the more clinically oriented reader, we found very little attention given to empirically based cognitive-behavioral treatments for sleep disorders other than insomnia. This is an unfortunate oversight given the attention devoted to other more obscure areas (eg, sleep characteristics of the Amazonian manatee, monitoring penile erections during sleep). In the next edition, the editors may wish to add more emphasis on the "nuts and bolts" of delivering behavioral interventions or at least provide guidelines for making informed referrals to behavioral sleep specialists. Because of the amount of overlap, it may be difficult to persuade those who already own Principles and Practice to purchase this newly released text. For those studying for board examinations, however, Sleep Medicine is worth purchasing because it is written by a different group of authors providing a fresh perspective, and the references are remarkably up to date for a textbook. Finally, physicians specializing in pediatric neurology who own neither book may prefer Sleep Medicine owing to its lower cost, clinical orientation and six chapters that specifically address the unique aspects of sleep in children.


Fig (Ficus carica L.) belongs to the family of Moraceae and its fruits are known to be nutritious to the human diet. Organic additives function as an alternative to replace conventional carbon sources besides containing other nutritional components required for plant growth. This study aims to evaluate the effects of organic additives incorporated in culture media for the regeneration of Ficus carica cv. Japanese BTM6. In vitro shoots were cultured in MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L of BAP without sucrose and with different concentrations of organic additives (potato, banana and coconut water). MS medium supplemented with 20 g of sucrose and 1 mg/L of BAP (positive control) showed the highest number of shoots (2.45 ± 0.16), shoot height (4.02 ± 0.18 cm) and number of leaves (8.33 ± 0.44). However, the incorporation of coconut water was observed to also support the induction of shoots, shoot height and leaves. Treatment of 200 mL/L of coconut water was found to significantly improve the number of leaves (5.08 ± 0.81 leaves per explant) in comparison to other organic additives. The study concludes that coconut water can be a feasible alternative as carbon source in the regeneration of Ficus carica cv. Japanese BTM6.


The Joint Structural Division (JSD) is a joint initiative of the South African Institution of Civil Engineering (SAICE) and the Institution of Structural Engineers (IStructE) based in London. The Division currently has some 1 731 active members, of whom 322 are IStructE members. There are another 34 IStructE members in the immediately surrounding countries with whom we also correspond.


It is a common belief that sodium contaminant is normally introduced by the fuel. However, despite most modern designed air treatment systems, air borne salts and other contaminants are very often introduced via the combustion air, thus presenting a real threat of corrosion to the gas turbine hot parts. Even with the use of sophisticated base materials and oxidation resistant coatings, the sensitivity to high temperature corrosion resulting from impurities in the combustion air is in fact increased at today's elevated gas turbine firing temperatures. Furthermore, these land based or barge mounted power plants are very often located in difficult coastal environments, with marine atmospheric contaminants combined with industrial, petrochemical or urban atmospheric pollutants. Based on actual air filter and compressor wash water analyses, this paper describes the mechanism of salt migration and percolation through the air filter media. The study considers salt migration in interaction with moisture as well as in the presence of sulphur oxides (SOx) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) that may prevail as air pollutants at many plant locations. Based on these studies, the amount of air borne sodium that may be ingested by a compressor has also been estimated, and correlated to an equivalent value for sodium in fuel. Recommendations for inhibiting sulphidation corrosion in gas turbines are also mentioned in the summary of this paper. Existing industry standards utilise calibrated dusts to measure the "arrestance" and dust-holding performance of air filtration media, as well as simulated seawater or sodium chloride penetration test methods. These procedures are not sufficiently representative to determine the salt retaining efficiency of air treatment systems operating in difficult atmospheric environments as described above. Furthermore, these testing procedures normally do not consider the fact that the filtering media serves as an active support for chemical reactions.


[1] Simulating the Asian summer monsoon is one of the most challenging tasks in climate modeling. In particular, monsoon simulations strongly depend on the cumulus parameterization scheme being used, as attested by many modeling studies. In this paper, the performances of a "unified multicumulus convective ensemble scheme" (or unified scheme), Kuo, simplified Arakawa-Schubert, Zhang and McFarlane convective parameterization schemes and moist convective adjustment in simulating the East Asian summer monsoon in a coupled General Circulation Model (GCM) are assessed. In the unified scheme, the latter four individual parameterizations are run in parallel without any modification. Simple average of outputs from each parameterization is then incorporated to the atmospheric model at every time step. Simulations based on these convection schemes during the boreal summer season are compared with observations, focusing on the formation and seasonal evolution of the Meiyu-Changma-Baiu rainband. It is found that the East Asian summer monsoon evolution in the GCM is sensitive to the convective parameterization being used. While the Kuo scheme is able to capture a reasonably strong subtropical front, its mean onset time is about two to three pentads earlier than the observed. Simulations based on the simplified Arakawa-Schubert scheme give a more realistic onset date. However, the model subtropical rainband tends to be confined over land near the coastal region of East Asia. The unified scheme is able to reproduce a prominent East Asian subtropical rainband. Moreover, the seasonal evolution of the rainband is also well captured in the unified scheme simulations. Further diagnostics are carried out to elucidate the role of various circulation elements in the Meiyu-Changma-Baiu front formation. In the western part of the front over land regions, there is robust precursor signal in incoming shortwave radiation before monsoon onset in observations as well as model simulations. Comparison between performances of different convective parameterizations suggests that sensitivity to low-level vorticity can be crucial for the northward migration of the subtropical front and its extension into the open ocean east of southern Japan.


The deep integration of digital technologies has given rise to the development of new industries and models in various sectors, as well as new opportunities and challenges. Whether digital transformation can drive collaborative green innovation in the supply chain has also become an important topic of great interest, which has not yet been resolved. In this paper, we study the impact of digital enablement on collaborative green innovation in supply chain enterprises in order to assist in reasonable strategic decision making. An evolutionary game model is constructed for both upstream and downstream supply chain companies under digital enablement, following which the model is solved and systematically simulated. Our main findings are as follows: The influencing factors of collaborative green innovation in the supply chain can be divided into driving factors, blocking factors, and regulating factors. After digital enablement, the effect of the drivers of collaborative green innovation is more obvious, the side-effects of the deterrents are weakened, and the threshold of the positive effect of the moderators is expanded. Overall, digital enablement helps to promote collaborative green innovation in the supply chain, and companies should apply digital technology to enable collaborative green innovation.


On the basis of Luna's artificial cognition firm development model,this paper designs the region economy development model,which embeds the BA model of scale-free network.According to the preferential attachment,the model establishes the topology network between the firm agents and studies the fluctuation of region economy development Through simulation of SWARM2.1.1,we conclude network pattern that initialization node is the same as circumstance distribution fluctuates lightly and without emergence of low-effective enterprise,it will fluctuate more lightly.


While machine learning (ML)-based soft failure management in optical network is flexible and efficient, several challenges stand in the way of its actual deployment. The performance of a trained model in unseen systems is a key issue. In this paper, a soft failure identification (SFI) algorithm based on digital residual spectrum and machine learning is verified by experiments. This algorithm facilitates the deployment of ML technology across different lightpaths. Auto Encoder is adopted to extract features from digital residual spectrum, and support vector machine is used to classify soft failures. Without extra hardware, digital residual spectrum can be readily acquired in coherent receiver. A large number of normal samples are used, which are easy to obtain in a working network. Four systems with different transmission distances or different numbers of wavelength selective switches (WSSs) are performed. With the model trained by samples from one system, the algorithm outperforms with 96.20% identification accuracy for the four systems. The outstanding generalization of the algorithm is confirmed by experiments.


The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (Emergency Plan/PEPFAR) is involving youth in its efforts to strengthen HIV/AIDS prevention. The strategy focuses on promoting abstinence and faithfulness, while also creating a supportive family and community environment for discussing HIV/AIDS. Dedicated and responsible young people are getting involved in a variety of HIV prevention activities. That young people gain more from an experience when they are actively involved is a core premise of youth development/sexual health programming. Research also suggests that programs for youth which are developed through a partnership of youth and adults may be highly effective in building young people's skills and reducing their sexual risk-taking behaviors. The last two hundred years has seen a spectacular expansion in enrollments in basic education. In 1830, near-universal primary education was limited to a few states in the United States, and the great majority of the World's children received no formal education at all.


The present invention relates to a composition comprising dispersion, having an aqueous phase containing a dissolved water soluble cationic coagulant polymer and if needed a dissolved inorganic salt. The aqueous phase further contains a dispersed water soluble flocculant polymer, wherein the water soluble flocculant polymer is formed of a water soluble ethylenically unsaturated monomer or monomer blend which are polymerized in the aqueous phase. The water soluble cationic coagulant polymer is cationic poly(alkyleneamine), which is the reaction product of the following reaction: H2N—(CH2)m—NR—(CH2)m—NH2+Cl—CH2CH2—Cl, wherein R is selected from the group consisting alkyl radicals containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms m is an integer of from 1 to 4. The amount of dissolved inorganic salt is less that 10% by weight of the composition, and the composition is in a stable, pourable, dispersion form.


The purpose of this research is to examine support of marine recreational fishers for each of the various types of Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the Northwest Atlantic. Further, to explore the extent that differences exist between those who strongly support MPAs and those who do not strongly support MPAs within a specific region of the Northwest Atlantic across a wide variety of demographic, behavioral, perceptual and attitudinal variables. The primary research instrument for this study was a mail questionnaire administered using a mixed method research design yielding 208 completed surveys by persons meeting qualifying characteristics (fish in open ocean). Our research found that roughly half of participat- ing marine recreational anglers support MPAs. However, the extent and strength of that support depends on the specific objectives of the MPA, the restrictions imposed on saltwater anglers and the specific location of the MPA. The research also suggests that anglers who support MPAs are more likely to believe specific benefits, such as increased size of fish stocks, will result from the MPA.


The design of the tie-in of the Gamma North field's horizontal well to the Oseberg field complex required extensive analysis of the physical properties, hydrate evaluation, material studies, and multiphase flow. The physical property generation was based on in-house procedures that to a large extent are applications of the Gas Processors Association (GPA) developed techniques and method. Experimental verifications have confirmed the need for these predictions.


In this article we present a review of the results of "3 r d International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry". A research team from the Department of Physics and Biophysics, Medical University of Gdansk participated in this project, which referred to dosimetry based on measurements of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) in the tooth enamel. The signal is due to free radicals induced in hydroxyapatite by ionizing radiation. Twenty two halves of teeth were distributed among the participants. Eleven halves were irradiated with a dose ranged 0-900 mGy. The participants were asked to measure the absorbed doses and send their results back to the organizers. A comparison of the results of "3 r d International Intercomparison on EPR Tooth Dosimetry" with the results of a similar intercomparison project from 1999 shows a significant improvement in accuracy of the dose reconstruction, in particular in the low dose ranged below 200 mGy. The program allowed for comparative analysis of the results with regard to the effect of the applied reconstruction procedure on the quality of the results obtained by the participants. In this article we present our version of such an analysis.


Based on the requirements that Hainan has unique natural conditions and humanistic environment,using Google Sketchup as the development tool,a conceptual park of modern tropical recreational agriculture was preliminarily designed.The development mode of featured and recreational agriculture in Hainan was discussed,in order to search for a better and more humanistic development mode of recreational agriculture in Hainan.


The study examined the use and perception on improvisation of instructional materials in mathematics and sciences among pre-service teachers. The research adopted a descriptive design. The sample consisted of 265 Part III and Part IV pre-service mathematics and science teachers purposively selected. The Use of Instructional Materials and Perception on Improvisation Questionnaires were used to elicit information on the use of instructional material and perception on improvisation by the pre-service teachers. Findings revealed that preserviceteachers did not use the needed instructional materials in teaching.The most used instructional materials are slides and computer. Graph was mostly used for Basic Science and Agriculture Science. The findings also revealed that pre-service mathematics and science teachers had good perception towards improvisation. The study concluded that pre-service mathematics and science teachers did not use instructional materials during teaching as expected; therefore recommendations on appropriate means of using instructional materials in schools were suggested.Keywords: Pre-service teacher, Use of instructional materials, Perception onimprovisation, Basic sciences


Through site test in New Yingkou Station of Harbin-Dalian Passenger Dedicated Line,load sharing ratio of CFG pile and MIP pile in the composite foundation reinforced with CFG pile,MIP pile,cushion and reinforced concrete slab is analyzed.The results show that the stress ratio of CFG pile and MIP pile in the composite foundation increases with subgrade filling load.After filling,the stress ratio is basically unchanged.At the end of filling,the average stress ratio is 4.5.In addition,this composite foundation shows adaptive capacity


Data mining is an application of computer technology that allows pharmacists to analyze the large amounts of clinical and administrative data related to patient care that health care organizations accumulate. Data mining is the process of taking the raw material (data) from the data warehouse and converting it to information that can be used by decision makers. Online analytical processing (OLAP) is the tool that accomplishes the data mining process. This article introduces the concept of data mining and related technologies, including the data warehouse, data mart, and OLAP — concepts that are closely related to one another. The benefits of applying data mining to pharmacy practice, with a focus on the point of care, are discussed. Successful data mining often requires an enterprise-wide information system as a prerequisite. Data can then be collected electronically at all points in the health care supply chain. A strategic view of the information flow in an acute care setting is provided. To further illustrate the application of data mining, several examples of OLAP integration are given. In addition, some unique data sources and a pharmacy specific reporting technology are described.


Whether speech rate can transfer between languages with distinctive speech rates is an understudied issue. Impressionistically, Japanese is faster than Mandarin Chinese. We investigated the speech rate of native Japanese and Mandarin speakers, advanced L2 learners and simultaneous bilinguals respectively. Nine native Beijing Mandarin speakers, five native Japanese speakers, thirteen advanced L1 Japanese learners of Mandarin and eleven Japanese-Mandarin simultaneous bilinguals participated in a passage reading task and a spontaneous speech task. The comparison between Japanese and Mandarin by native Mandarin speakers and native Japanese speakers confirmed that the speech rate of native Japanese was faster than that of Mandarin. Comparison between the speech rate of Japanese and Mandarin by advanced Japanese learners and simultaneous bilinguals showed that both groups produced Japanese constantly faster than their Mandarin. Both advanced Japanese learners and simultaneous bilinguals produced Japanese similarly as native Japanese speakers did. However, the Mandarin speech rate by advanced Japanese learners was significantly slower than that of native Mandarin speakers, while the Mandarin speech rate between simultaneous bilinguals and native Mandarin speakers remained non-significant. The findings challenge previous proposals that speech rate transfer could happen at a language level. Moreover, simultaneous bilinguals showed an advantage over advanced L2 learners in speech rate mastery.


In the history of mankind arts and crafts became a primary kind of fine arts. Rock paintings with images of hunting scenes with had not only ritual, magic, but also applied character car serve as the proof of it. After many centuries of different communities, the early stages of major kinds of fine art start their development. For example, the first works of drawing, painting, and sculpture appear. All this confirms that arts and crafts are the source of fine art.


This study examined temporal variability in the production of strongly or weakly accented L2 speech using a novel index of variation, the normalized Multi-Scale coefficient of variation (MSCVnorm) applied to vowel and consonant durations. Recordings of Korean and French talkers reading aloud a 69-word English passage were selected based on L1 English ratings of foreign accent to form two extreme groups; talkers with a strong or weak foreign accent. Recordings of Australian English talkers saying the same passage were used as comparison. The MSCVnorm scores for both Korean and French talkers differed as a function of foreign accent strength; with strongly accented speech more variable than weakly accented speech. MSCVnorm scores for the weakly accented speech did not differ from English native speech. These results suggest that a strong accent may be an indication that the timing of a talker's L2 productions may lack consistency (at least for read speech).


The purpose of this paper is to analyze and to quantify the contributions of measurement uncertainty in the human exposure to vibrations. Typically, the high-level vibrations exposure in workplace can cause the onset of pathologies affecting musculoskeletal, vascular, and neurological systems. Regulations and standards lay down the assessment of the health risks arising from vibrations using specific instruments and a proper measurement procedure. This paper proposes a methodology for the uncertainty evaluation of exposure to hand-arm and whole-body vibrations; as a main contribution, the uncertainty analysis of daily exposure hand-arm vibrations and whole-body vibrations is provided to estimate the vibrations exposition and to reduce the risks of the worker. This activity was developed in collaboration with Military Navy Arsenalin Taranto (South Italy), which is active all along in the protection of health and the safety in the workplace.


Changes in the content and the composition of natural compounds always results from the balance of their biosynthesis, allocation, and degradation. These three processes are influenced differentially by various developmental and environmental factors. In consequence, the overall impact of these influences on the spectrum and the content of the secondary metabolites might be very complex and multifarious. However, these considerations open novel doors for manifold and deliberate approaches to change the secondary metabolism, to improve and optimize the search for novel pharmacologically active compounds.
With respect to environmental factors, various stress situations and the concomitant consideration of the developmental stage of the plant, seems to be most promising approaches. Since these conjunctures are governed by various signal transduction chains, the application of corresponding growth regulators or signal transducers should augment plant chemodiversity and thus promote phytochemical drug discovery. In this context, the most promising candidates are methyl jasmonate (MeJA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and salicylic acid (SA).
The scope of the current study was to investigate the impact of exogenous application of growth regulators as a novel approach to modify the composition of active components in medicinal plants. Accordingly, mature Vinca minor plants of defined physiological status were used as a model system to investigate the effect of elicitation by signal transducers. The vividly demonstrate that such approaches indeed lead to massive qualitative as well as quantitative variations in the content of bioactive compounds. MeJA and H2O2 induces the conversion of vincamine to 9-methoxyvincamine and of vincadifformine to minovincinine and further on to minovincine. Based on the concomitant application of enzyme inhibitors, it could be deduced that in V. minor these reactions are catalyzed by cytochrome P450 enzymes. The discovery of 9-methoxyvincamine as a novel natural product underlines that even extensively studied plants such as V. minor might still be an auspicious source for the generation of novel phytochemical drugs. These coherences highlight that the utilization of growth regulators or signal transducers, especially of MeJA, and the consideration of different developmental stages, could be a promising tool for altering and diversifying the composition of active substances even in well investigated medicinal plants.


In scientific computing and data science disciplines, it is often necessary to share application workflows and repeat results. Current tools containerize application workflows, and share the resulting container for repeating results. These tools, due to containerization, do improve sharing of results. However, they do not improve the efficiency of replay. In this paper, we present the multiversion replay problem, which arises when multiple versions of an application are containerized, and each version must be replayed to repeat results. To avoid executing each version separately, we develop
 CHEX
 , which checkpoints program state and determines when it is permissible to reuse program state across versions. It does so using system call-based execution lineage. Our capability to identify common computations across versions enables us to consider optimizing replay using an in-memory cache, based on a checkpoint-restore-switch system. We show the multiversion replay problem is NP-hard, and propose efficient heuristics for it.
 CHEX
 reduces overall replay time by sharing common computations but avoids storing a large number of checkpoints. We demonstrate that
 CHEX
 maintains lightweight package sharing, and improves the total time of multiversion replay by 50% on average.


OBJECTIVES
This is a clinicopathological correlation of cases of osteosarcoma diagnosed and treated at Ga-Rankuwa Teaching Hospital.

DESIGN
A retrospective study.

SETTINGS
Department of Orthopaedics and Anatomical Pathology at Ga-Rankuwa/MEDUNSA Academic complex, a tertiary referral centre.

SUBJECTS
66 patients with a diagnosis of osteosarcoma.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Records of the bone tumour registry were reviewed and cases of osteosarcoma were identified. Slides were retrieved and the diagnoses confirmed in all the cases. Information pertaining to clinical presentation and patients' survival was obtained from the clinical records.

RESULTS
The patients' ages ranged from nine years to 75 years with a mean of 19.7 years (median 17 years). Most cases occurred around the knee and the male to female ratio was 2.7:1. The five year survival rate was 7.5% and only 25.8% survived for one year.

CONCLUSION
Our patients present with advanced disease leading to poor survival.


This paper examines the ways that qualitative inquiry can be especially useful for gathering relevant descriptive data that can provide a deep understanding of health communication issues and processes, as well as to provide evidence-based guidance for addressing key challenges of health care delivery and promotion. This article promotes methodological diversity in research designs and illustrates the value of employing qualitative methods such as ethnography and grounded theory in health communication research. It is also provides calls for the application of less-used, unfamiliar qualitative methods such as phenomenology. Our careful bibliographic review of health communication research studies published over the past twenty years was conducted using the Google Scholar search engine (employing key search terms that included "health communication, qualitative, ethnography, phenomenology, grounded theory, and multimethod") to guide our analysis of the uses of qualitative inquiry in health communication inquiry. Our analysis identified a breadth of qualitative research applications and opportunities for future inquiry. This article concludes with an analysis of challenges in qualitative research and a discussion of the usefulness of multimethodological research to address complex health communication challenges.


The paper analyzes the intellectual situation that developed in the 1920s, which led to what later became known as a philosophical split into two directions – continental and analytical philosophy. The author poses a problem: was this a split associated with the division of philosophy into scientifically oriented philosophy, on the one hand, and metaphysics, on the other? Or is this division quite controversial? Using the example of a famous episode, a philosophical discussion between Е. Cassirer and M. Heidegger in Davos in 1929, the author discusses another split in philosophy: into the so-called classical way of philosophizing based on spiritual tradition (represented by E. Cassirer) and the so-called non-classical, represented by M. Heidegger. In this regard, the topic of the development and overcoming of the neo-Kantian tradition, the topic of understanding the basic ideas of the philosophy of I. Kant, but in a new cultural situation is discussed. In his analysis, the author proceeds from the version proposed in the book by M. Friedman: "Philosophy at a Crossroads: Carnap, Cassirer and Heidegger".


The paper deals with the critic of the interpretation of the relationship between the Quijote and the idea of Spain by the "Generation of 98".


Summary Carcinomas RC and 63 and sarcoma 180 were irradiated following treatment with each of eight or nine chemicals tried separately. The only responses suggestive of synergism were with TEM on the RC carcinoma and sarcoma 180, and possibly 6-mercaptopurine on the latter tumor. It was not possible to confirm the report by others of the increased radiation damage to the Walker carcinosarcoma 256 as a result of the administration of Synkayvite prior to irradiation of the tumor.


Shear localisation in granular materials has been studied radiographically and microscopically. Thin columns and rows (lines) of lead silicate granules of distinct colour were embedded in a large hollow cylindrical specimen of granular materials, and a series of X-ray photographs were taken to capture the local micromechanical response during shear deformation, in both drained and undrained experiments. In drained tests, shear localisation, produced by monotonic deformation of the specimen, was directly observed. In undrained tests, the local deformation of the granular mass during liquefaction, induced by cyclic shearing, was examined. It was directly observed that shear localisation does occur in liquefied specimens. After shear bands were formed in drained tests, the specimen was frozen in situ. Later, samples were cut from the frozen large specimen, and their ice was replaced by a polymer resin, using a novel technique. The portion of the sample containing a shear band and a sheared section of a colum...


"'What's in a Name?': Collaborating with Shakespeare at the Millenium," Naomi Miller BIOGRAPHY, ADAPTATION, AND FICTIONALIZATION In Love with Shakespeare, Aliki The Story Behind the Man Behind the Plays, Diane Stanley Bravo, Mr. William Shakespeare!, Marcia Williams 'This is Young William': Shakespeare and the Cumulative Tale, Rebecca Piat Davidson All the Colors of the Wind: Shakespeare and the Primary Student, Lois Burdett Nutshells and Infinite Space Stages of Adaptation, Bruce Coville Puck's Gift, or the Way of the Trickster, Sophie Masson Shakespeare Speaks: Getting the Language Right, Gary Blackwood The Players, the Playmaker, and Us, J.B. Cheaney INTERPRETATION AND CRITIQUE Staging Shakespeare's Children, Mark H. Lawhorn Canning the Classic: Race and Ethnicity in the Lamb's Tales from Shakespeare ,James Andreas Alice Reads Shakespeare: Charles Dodgson and the Girl's Shakespeare Project, Georgiana Ziegler Strutting and Fretting on the Page: Representing Shakespeare's Theater in Illustrated Books, Megan Lynn Isaac Mediating the Supernatural in Adaptations of Shakespeare for Children, Douglas King The Play's the Thing: Genre and Adaptations of Shakespeare for Children, Alison H. Prindle Promoting the Original: Perspectives on Balancing Authenticity and Creativity in Adaptations of The Tempest , Amy Mathur first one i then the other: Identity and Intertexuality in Shakespeare's Caliban and Covington's Lizard, Cynthia Perantoni Harry Potter and the Shakespearean Allusion, Miranda Johnson-Haddad Playing With Shakespeare: Making Worlds from Words, Jennifer Lee Carrell Descending on Shakespeare: Toward a Theory of Adaptation for Children, Howard Marchitello PEDAGOGY AND PERFORMANCE The Bard for Babies: Shakespeare, Bettleheim, and the reggio Emilia Model of Early Childhood Education, Sheila Cavanagh Visions of Shalespeare in a Montessori Classroom, Regine Ebner Shakespeare Steps Out: The Primacy of Language in Inner-City Classrooms, Janet Field-Pickering Your play Needs No Excuse: Shakespeare and Language Development in Children, Kristen Olson PLayers, Playgrounds, and Grounds for Play: Play v. Theater v. Realism in a Touring Children's Version of King Lear , John Barnes Presenting Shakespeare's Life and Times for young People: An Outline, Tiffany Rasovic Understanding Texts and Contexts: Teaching Shakespeare to Future high School Teachers, Pamela A. Benson Redistributing the Riches: Shakespearean Adaptation in Moss Gown and Mama Day , Caroline McManus Learning by Playing: Performance Games and the Teaching of Shakespeare, Gregory Maillet Reimagining Shakespeare Through Film, Gregory Colon Semenza Performing Pedagogy, Edward Rocklin Bibliogrpahy List of Contributors


The causes of oil dilution for ND\-\{2?3\} locomotive are analysed.The improving measures are proposed.These measures are verified to be effective through practical applications.


The initial statistics and wages are paid to deal with the use of artificial means, the volume of work, the chance of errors also increased.Of the enterprise wage is a computer management system to replace a large number of artificial and calculating statistics, the number of wage information to complete the deal, while the use of computers can be safely and completely to preserve a large number of wage records.Enterprise management system is to pay individual salaries to provide service for enterprises with wages, wage statistics and other services.The development of the system is aimed at helping the financial authorities to improve efficiency, enterprise information management wages systematic and large-scale automation.


Within the ECHO (European Cultural Heritage Online) project an integrated domain of metadata repositories was created covering data from 5 different humanities disciplines. The integration required intensive work on encoding, syntactical and especially the semantic level, since interoperability is still difficult to be achieved. An ontology was created and a search engine that makes use of the knowledge components. This work within ECHO is seen as one of the practical contributions on the way towards the Semantic Web.


An OECD funded research was conducted where methods and processes for speeding up innovation in agriculture were assessed. A global web-based questionnaire was sent to experts in agricultural engineering, research, marketing, education and users of new technologies. Interviews of selected experts were done to deepen the analysis. The results show that considerable part of the relatively slow innovation comes from the fact that users do not trust in new technologies or that the usability of them is unacceptable. 􀀀The experts suggest that education of the engineers and designers should include more elements from User-Centered Design (UCD) and also User-Driven Innovation methods should be more used. As a conclusion a new 'Dream Team' of agricultural innovation was developed where user interaction and marketing professionals were given more roles.


Recent investigations have raised the possibility that growth hormone (GH) influences intra-uterine weight and length. Moreover, the hypoglycemic tendency of small for gestational age (FSGA) infants and their small size could result from GH deficiency. To verify these hypotheses, a prospective study of daily serum GH and glucose levels was conducted in 46 newborn infants, including 18 FSCA infants, 18-full-term, appropriate for gestational age (FAGA), and 10 premature (PR) infants. Two FSGA babies became hypoglycemic. Both manifested normal GH competence as evidenced by normal daily GH levels, adequate GH response to arginine provocation, and satisfactory growth for over 2 years. Eleven of 12 FSGA babies followed from 14 to 26 months showed no evidence of impaired linear growth. The FSGA babies had GH values similar in magnitude and pattern to those of FAGA and PR infants. During the second half of the first postnatal day, a significant rise in serum GH occurred in all infants regardless of their size or gestational age; this rise may be the result of the stimulating effect of early milk feedings. GH deficiency does not appear to contribute to either the small size or hypoglycemic tendency of FSGA newborn infants.


The work presents a study of three new extragradient-type algorithms for solving variational inequalities in a Banach space. Two algorithms are natural modifications of Tseng method and "Extrapolation from the Past" method for problems in Banach spaces, based on the generalized Alber projection. The third algorithm, called the operator extrapolation method, is a variant of forward-reflected-backward algorithm, where the generalized Alber projection is also used instead of the metric projection onto the admissible set. Advantage of the latter algorithm is only one calculation of the operator value and the generalized projection onto the feasible set on each iteration. For variational inequalities with monotone Lipschitz operators acting in a 2-uniformly convex and uniformly smooth Banach space   1 O  estimates for the complexity in terms of the gap function are proved.


This study focuses on the early stage of high-speed railways (HSRs) and corrects problems in a timely manner and integrates the direction for tourism development. Its aim is to realize the sustainable development of mountain tourism in the southwest region of China. Based on the panel data from 2010 to 2019 of 39 cities in Guizhou, Guangxi, and Yunnan provinces, which are in the southwest mountainous region of China, and using data envelope analyses, the Malmquist productivity index, the Tobit model, and the intermediary effect, this study verifies the impact of core factors on the development efficiency of mountain tourism in the early stage of an HSR to find the problems existing in tourism development at present and in future stages. Results show the following: (1) In its early stage, an HSR is not yet the key factor to improve the efficiency of tourism development in the mountainous region. (2) The promotion effect of an HSR on the efficiency of tourism development is delayed. (3) In its early stage, an HSR breaks the balance of resource investment and wastes resources. (4) Taking HSRs is born out of the rigid demand of residents in the mountainous region rather than of their income levels. (5) Accessibility in mountain tourism plays a positive role between HSRs and the efficiency of tourism development.


This article describes two algorithms that are effective for the remote calibration of an N/sub e/ element active phased array antenna. These algorithms involve transmission of orthogonal encoded signals. The unitary transform encoding (UTE) algorithm is most suited for digital beamforming as it requires additional encoding hardware for an analog implementation. The control circuit encoding (CCE) algorithm is ideally suited for analog beamformers as it requires no additional encoding hardware. The CCE method encodes phased array elemental signals using a Hadamard matrix to control the switching of intrinsic phase shifter delay circuits. The UTE and CCE algorithms can reduce the average measurement integration times for the complete set of calibration parameters by /spl sim/N/sub e/ relative to the corresponding values for single-element calibration procedures.


Microalloyed steels are the product of extensive research of the eighties and are good examples of high strength steels produced by microstructural tailoring of materials through microalloying and thermomechanical processing. This paper is based on the work carried out at the author's laboratory on low carbon microalloyed steel containing minor additions of Nb and Ti and reports the parameters of melting, casting and thermomechanical proc-essing established . The microstructural developments and physical and mechanical properties achieved are discussed


Language is the carrier of language,and phraseology is an integral part of language.Therefore,the formal,semantic,and pragmatic features of phraseology are all influenced by the culture in which it exists.On the one hand,phraseology reflects different types of cultural aspects.On the other hand,culture manifests itself in different types of phraseology.An exploration into both perspectives will better reveal the relationship between phraseology and culture in English.


>Measurements of thermal conductivity at room temperature covering a wide range of commercial and experimental graphites are presented. In addition, some graphites of interest in the nuclear field were examined up to 600 deg C. It is demonstrated that for a given material thermal resistivity (inverse conductivity) varies linearly with electrical resistivity when either the orientation or the crystallinity vary. Expressions correlating these two quantities are given. It is also found that one such expression fits the data for over forty different graphites, and enables the thermal resistivity to be estimated for electrical measurements to within plus or minus 15%. A fairly simple theoretical ailealysis of the data suggests that the temperature variation of thermal conductivity of most graphites can be represented by a single family of curves. On this basis it is indicated how values of thermal conductivity at elevated temperatures may be estimated from room temperature data. (auth)


ABSTRACT The residual stress and morphology of Pt electrodes were investigated using Ti and titanium oxide (TiOx) adhesion layers. Conventional or rapid thermal annealing (RTA) was used to compare the morphologies. The morphology depended on the substrate, adhesion layer, and annealing conditions, with large hillocks formed for electrodes incorporating Ti on Si. Electrode stacks utilizing TiOx adhesion layers resulted in residual stresses that were ∼50% less than those with Ti. Ba0.60Sr0.40TiO3 (BST) thin films were deposited onto several electrodes to investigate the integrity of the electrode/film heterostructures. Delamination or roughening of the film was observed depending on the adhesion layer.


This commentary focuses on four themes: (1) empirical relevance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in family firms; (2) complementary theoretical explanations to CSR behavior in family firms; (3) the need for stringent definitions in family business research; and (4) the potential for dual causality between family ownership and more generous CSR policies. Specifically, I argue that agency theory can lead to additional valuable insights about CSR in family firms.


Nanostructured materials are finding increasing applications. In characterizing the nanostructured materials, we have developed a technique using a conventional TEM to characterize the nanostructure. The technique is named selected reflection imaging and could be used for measuring the grain size, measuring the volume fraction of a second phase in a dual phase material, measuring the texture and identifying the crystal structure in multiphase materials. The technique is evolved from dark field imaging which is known to generate strong contrast. In conventional materials with a grain size larger than 1 μm, selected area diffraction pattern is from a single crystal. Dark field image could be formed by allowing one of the diffracted beam to go through the objective aperture. In nanostructured materials, however, the diffraction pattern becomes a ring pattern. Ordinary dark field image could be formed by allowing one of the spot in the ring to go through the aperture. However, only a limited number of grains are differentiated from the rest.


PURPOSE: A method for autonomous movement based on a driver's condition is provided to determine an information transfer method with respect to the state of a driver assistance system. CONSTITUTION: A method for autonomous movement based on a driver's condition comprises: a step of performing ADAS(Advanced Driver Assistance System); a step of monitoring a driver's condition through a sensor; a step of determining a method for transferring cancellation of a safety assistance system based on the driver's condition; and a step of transferring the method to a driver. An autonomous mobile device(100) comprises: a 3D sensor unit(110), a sensor unit(120), a GPS transmitting and receiving unit(130), a control unit(140), and an output unit(150). [Reference numerals] (110) 3D sensor unit; (120) Sensor unit; (121) Steering detection unit; (122) Speed sensor; (123) Acceleration sensor; (124) Position sensor; (130) GPS transceiving unit; (140) Control unit; (150) Output unit; (151) Display unit; (152) Audio output unit; (153) Audio jack


This paper describes the design process of a learning object (LO) for the acquisition of phrasal verbs (PVs) in English, which are a particularly difficult aspect of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) for many learners. As such, learners can benefit from the provision of greater opportunities for practice in this area. The PV problem is approached as a semantic rather than a syntactic problem, and so the LO aims to present the learner with contextualized, meaningful practice of PVs with a view to developing independent learning skills. The paper discusses the twin problems of PV use in different language styles (formal vs. informal) and the polysemy of PVs, both of which have been found to contribute directly to learner difficulty (Side, 1990; Dempsey, McCarthy & McNamara, 2007). The way in which the LO attempts to resolve these issues is described in the hope that other materials developers may find them useful.


This special issue of Industry and Higher Education focuses on the increasingly important topic of how the effectiveness of entrepreneurship education can be appropriately measured. Despite extensive research on entrepreneurship education and training programmes, relatively few studies have concentrated on the consequences of such programmes – for example, on assessing their actual impact on the commitment of aspiring entrepreneurs. Against this background, the guest editors present four contributions, each addressing key issues relating to the evaluation and measurement of entrepreneurship education. These contributions, it is hoped, will open new directions for researchers and will provide programme designers and policymakers with valuable strategic information.


AIMS
To estimate the life-time and 12-month prevalence of illicit drug use among Mexican adolescents, the age of onset of first drug use and the socio-demographic correlates.

METHOD
A multi-stage probability survey of adolescents aged 12-17 years residing in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area was carried out in 2005. Adolescents were administered the computer-assisted adolescent version of the World Mental Health Composite International Diagnostic Interview by trained lay interviewers in their homes. The response rate was 71% (n = 3005). Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were performed considering the multi-stage and weighted sample design of the survey.

FINDINGS
Of the adolescents, 5.2% have ever tried illicit drugs, 2.9% in the last 12 months. The most frequently used drugs are marijuana, followed by tranquilizers/stimulants. The median age of first use is 14 years. Correlates of life-time drug use are older age, having dropped out of school, parental drug problems, low religiosity and low parental monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS
While drug use among Mexican adolescents is lower than among adolescents from other developed countries, its increasing prevalence with age and the narrowing male/female ratio calls for firm public health actions, particularly prevention strategies.


This paper deals with numerical simulations and with experimental testing of chassis of low-floor trams. This chassis was designed with respect to low-floor construction, low weight, good driveability of a tram and with respect to fulfillment of standards and regulations. The chassis is in a numerical simulation burdened by load conditions according to EN 13749:2011 even during an experimental testing. The simulation is performed using the FEM Nastran solver implemented in the CAD system Siemens NX 11. Based on FEA the locations for strain gauges during testing were found. A total number of 40 strain gauges were used to measure the strain which was then recalculated to uniaxial stress. The testing was performed on hydraulic test bench Inova. The results of FEA and of an experimental testing were compared.


Flow visualization is recognized as an essential tool for many scientific research fields and different visualization approaches are proposed. Several studies are also conducted to evaluate their e...


The focus of the present work is on the assessment of design value Rd of the load bearing capacity of a reinforced concrete beam by means of a non-linear finite element model and a safety format. The RC structure under investigation is a simply supported beam with a span length of approximately 5.7 m and with nine circular holes in the web, with a diameter of 0.3 m and a spacing of 0.63 m. The partial factor and the global resistance safety formats are compared and the results obtained with each procedure are discussed


We calculate static and spherically symmetric solutions for the Rastall modification of gravity to describe Neutron Stars (NS). The key feature of the Rastall gravity is the non-conservation of the energy-momentum tensor proportionally to the space-time curvature. Using realistic equations of state for the NS interior we place a bound on the non-GR behaviour of the Rastall theory which should be $\lesssim 0.1\%$ level. This work presents the more stringent contraints on the deviations of GR caused by the Rastall proposal.