This article reviews the R&D activities in fewmode fibers, a special class of multimode optical fibers, beginning with its original motivation in the late 1970s, the operation principles, and the reason why research was discontinued in the mid-1980s. Preliminary characterizations of the test few-mode fiber fabricated for the first time are also introduced. Besides the earlier works, we review the progress of few-mode fibers after the resurgence of research in the 2010s on optical transmission and networking through mode-division multiplexing and other emerging applications. Recent revisiting of few-mode fibers is totally different from the original motivation, and it is mainly to solve the capacity crunch problem of optical fiber transmissions using legacy single-mode fibers. We address difficult challenges current research on mode-division multiplexing is facing, including differential mode group delay, channel crosstalk due to mode coupling, and their compensation technique through multiple-input multiple-output electronic signal processing. We also address the general perspective of niche applications in the near future. Such a revisit of few-mode fibers after its invention more than 30 years ago deserves showcasing for those engaged in research and development today to show how all research can eventually prove to be important no matter if it finds practical usage for different purposes in the beginning or not, as well as how people can work out a certain problem in many different ways.


The abnormal contraction of ciliary muscles due to the performance of a near visual task for several hours causes various vision problems such as asthenopia and visual loss. However, these problems can be resolved by activating the muscles by alternately repeating negative and positive accommodation. In this study, we have verified the effect of accommodation training that uses the strategy of presenting a stereoscopic movie to myopic youth and measuring the uncorrected distant visual acuity, spherical diopter (SPH), and subjective index of asthenopia obtained using a visual analog scale (VAS). Stereoscopic movies are prepared by using the POWER 3D method (Olympus Visual Communications Co., Ltd.), which reduces the inconsistency between the experienced and the actual senses. Thirty two myopic students aged 20 ± 1 years (16 males and 16 females) were chosen as the subjects. One group performed the accommodation training for 6 min, and the other group underwent a near visual task during the same period as the control group. We concluded the following from each item of verification: (a) The accommodation training using a stereoscopic movie had temporarily improved visual acuity. (b) This training led to a decrease in asthenopia. (c) The training improved the near-point accommodation function.


secure, as best we may, the soundness of the solids, the purity of the fluids, and the ease of the spirits, is not merely a machine; though it is a machine, made on the most approved principles of mechanics, hydraulics, and pneumatics. It is not merely a chemical laboratory, though in it the highest phenomena claimed by the chemists are to be found; viz., those of catalysis, dialysis, and fermentation. And it is not merely an organsm, though in it functions exist which the positivists themselves are constrained to range under some such term as physiological or biological. There are other phenomena which belong to the new science of sociology; and, though Comte would fain stop here, even he is constrained to talk of a religion. I wish to call attention this evening to some of those processes usually called chemical, specially to fermentations; and, though there may be disciples of Pasteur present, they will not be required, even for argument's sake, to give up their conclusions from the demonstration of living germs in all fermentations and putrefactions. The phenomena in question, viz., fermentations, are either the highest chemical or the lowest vital phenomena; so that of their position there is no controversy. Nor, I presume, can there be a difference of opinion that any explanation of the higher phenomena by the lower is an inversion of the natural order. We cannot ex-


Introduction The increasing penetration of renewable energy in power grids requires to reallocate an adequate level of controllability to ensure reliable power system operation. An emerging mainstream concept to solve this problem is achieving the controllability of portions of distribution networks to satisfy the assigned trajectory of the active and reactive transits within the framework of deploying battery energy storage system (BESS) and demand response (DR) programs. Achieving dispatchability of a distribution feeder is realistic way to reduce the uncertainty of distributed generation (DG) within the existing power grids in the step-by-step deployment of the concept of smart grids.


We introduce a new image texture segmentation algorithm, HMTseg, based on wavelet-domain hidden Markov tree (HMT) models. The HMT model is a tree-structured probabilistic graph that captures the statistical properties of wavelet coefficients. Since the HMT is particularly well suited to images containing singularities, it provides a good classifier for textures. Utilizing the inherent tree structure of the wavelet HMT and its fast training and likelihood computation algorithms, we perform multiscale texture classification at various scales. Since HMTseg works on the wavelet transform of the image, it can directly segment wavelet-compressed images, without the need for decompression. We demonstrate the performance of HMTseg with synthetic, aerial photo, and document image segmentations.


Plasma lamps that are less than 1mm thick yet able to radiate areas up to 900 cm2 have been demonstrated and are undergoing further development and optimization. Aside from general purpose illumination, potential applications for this relatively inexpensive, mercury-free lamp technology include treatments for medical disorders (such as psoriasis and actinic keratosis), photocuring of polymer films, and sterilization. These lamps comprise large arrays of microcavity plasma devices in dielectric barrier structures. Figure 1 shows a crosssection of the lamp design. Fabricated in commercial grade aluminum (Al) foil with overall (finished) thicknesses under 1mm, the lower of the two foils has a thickness of 127μm or 250μm. The upper electrode consists of a 35-50μm thick Al screen with microcavities that contain diamond-shaped cross sections. The photograph in Figure 1 (lower right) shows the screen, prior to processing, with a magnified view of the microcavities. Anodizing the electrodes under carefully controlled conditions encapsulates the foils and the interior of all of the microcavities with a film (typically 10-30μm thick) of nanoporous aluminum oxide (Al2O3). The nanostructured Al2O3 offers a dielectric breakdown strength approximately quadruple that of bulk Al2O3, thereby allowing thinner metal oxide films to serve as the dielectric. This wet chemical process yields Al2O3 films of uniform thickness over large areas and produces nanopores that are virtually free of defects. Preparation of the foils culminates in application of a thin glass coating produced by firing glass paste at 500C for 30 minutes. Fabricating the lamp structure illustrated in Figure 1 involved bonding the Al2O3-encapsulated screen with the foil and sealing the assembly between thin sheets (<600 μm) of glass, quartz (if ultraviolet transmission is desired), or a polymeric packaging material. Having an overall thickness less than 1mm, these lamps were subsequently evacuated, backfilled with the desired Figure 1. Generalized cross-sectional diagram (not to scale) of a flat lamp structure based on aluminum foil encapsulated in nanoporous Al2O3 and a thin glass coating (details shown at lower left). The lower right portion of the figure presents photographs at two magnifications of an electrode screen with diamond cross-sectional microcavities. The smallest gradation of the scale in this photograph is 1mm.


The article presents the investigation results of the crystallization (performed by means of the TDA method) and the microstructure of complex aluminium bronzes with the content of 6% Al, 4% Fe and 4% Ni, as well as Si additions in the scope of 1–2% and Cr additions in the scope of 0.1–0.3%, which have not been simultaneously applied before. For the examined bronze, the following tests were performed: hardness HB, impact strength (KU2). For bronze CuAl6Fe4Ni4Si2Cr0.3, characterizing in the highest hardness, wear tests were conducted with dry friction and the dry friction coefficient. The investigations carried out by means of the X-ray phase analysis demonstrated the following phases in the microstructure of this bronze: αCu, γ2 and complex intermetallic phases based on iron silicide type Fe3Si (M3Si M={Fe,Cr,...}). Compared to the normalized aluminium bronzes (μ=0.18–0.23), the examined bronze characterizes in relatively low wear and lower friction coefficient during dry friction (μ=0.147±0.016).


In this proceedings we summarize our calculation of the phas e diagram of QCD at non-zero temperature and chemical potential on S1×S3 from one-loop perturbation theory [1], which is valid in the limit R<< Λ−1 QCD, whereR is the radius ofS 3. We calculate several observables including the Polyakov lines and the quark number, for large number of colorsN and large number of quark flavorsNf , onS1×S3, and compare with results for the same system with N= 3, and with results forN = 2 lattice QCD. ForN > 2 the action is complex and the dominant contributions to the path integral occur in the space of complexified gauge fiel d configurations. This results in the expectation values of the eigenvalues of the Polyakov line l ying off the unit circle and out in the complex plane. This is an important issue for the lattice, an d lso for the calculation on S1×S3 in the largeN limit where we obtain analytical results using the saddle po int approximation. It is thus necessary to adapt available techniques to locate the s tationary solutions in the complexified gauge field configuration space.


The serum levels of soluble Interleukin-2 receptor(sIL-2R)before and after transarterial em- bolization(TAE)in 39 advanced primary liver cancer(PLC)patients and 20 healthy controls were deter- mined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The data showed that the serum slL-2R level in PLCpatients was significantly higher than that in healthy controls.The serum level of slL-2R was significantlyreduced at the end of TAE in PLC. Significant elevation of serum slL-2R, defined as value greater than the mean plus two standard devia- tion(SD)of healthy controls. The positive rates of patients with PLC and healthy controls having signifi- cant elevation of serum slL-2R were 71.80 % and 10.00%,respectivaly. The results revealed that the detec- tion of serum slL-2R was complementary to detection of AFP which had been used as routine serological testin PILC. Monitoring serum slL-2R levels after TAE in patients have an important significance in the clinicalresponse to treatment and prognosis.


In this, he seems to see a range of political objectives and solutions and the role of defining them to lie with the movements themselves, but his analysis (especially of the Icelandic case in Chapter 2) suggests that he favours a republican, Rousseauian form of participatory democracy, which accords with his focus on community. Perhaps inevitably, events since publication have shown some of Castells' optimism to be misplaced. Although the obvious example is the Egyptian coup that ousted the democratically elected president, in that case he acknowledged that the future looked uncertain, due to western hostility to the Muslim Brotherhood. More significantly, however, questions hang over those cases described as the inspiration for and prelude to the revolutions. The optimistic interpretation of the election of a moderate Islamic leader in Tunisia is based on a favourable comparison with Erdogan in Turkey, yet the latter has since been involved in his own brutal repression of protest (and suppression of social media). The Icelandic example does offer an inspiring example of effective participatory democracy in terms of the drafting of a new constitution, but with its implementation still in doubt, it looks ever less likely of having the hoped for revolutionary impact. Nonetheless, this is an accessible and very readable account of a fascinating social and political period, and a useful introduction to Castells' ideas. It offers some interesting insights as well as a compelling narrative of hope for social change.


The method for calculating forest fire behavior index is studied through the practises in DaXing AnLing during 1984 to 1988. It is proved that the method is suited to the forest regions of our country. According to fuel type and four meteorological factors (temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, rainfall), the method can calculate the fire behavior indices of different topography and fuel type condition, such as rate of spread, flame height, fire perimeter, fire area and fire danger class etc. It is not only suited to single station (small region), but also is suited to more stations (large range). So the method can provide the dependable basis for fire agencies for predicting fire danger and fire behavior and making a decision.


The role of subsidies as a mechanism used by the public subject to achieve public goals is ever growing, and there is currently a tendency for the subsidies to be provided to the organizations of various organizational legal form based upon the contract (agreement). At the same time, the issue of legal nature of contracts (agreements) on subsidies is not resolved at the legislative level, and it remains debatable in the legal literature, while having certain practical importance. The articles include analysis of various points of view on the legal nature on subsidy contracts and their clauses, the author substantiates her position on debatable issues.


Abstract The measurement of depression in long-term care facilities (LTC's) has always presented a challenge. Despite the generally solid psychometric properties of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), it has not been used in these facilities with any consistency, as it is often viewed as too confusing for many older patients. In this study we used an adapted version of this instrument, the Binary BDI, with nursing home referrals. We attempted to replicate a previous study with 192 additional participants. We divided participants into three groups: Dementia, Major Depressive Disorder, and Adjustment Disorder. MANOVA analysis of data from the Binary BDI, the Mood Scale and MMSE revealed that the Binary BDI differentiated the MDD group from the others. We identify critical items on the scale and discuss the use of this scale in long-term care facilities.


At present,the appropriate client software or plug-ins often need installing in the use of the Q A video system in the distance education,which will bring much trouble to learners who often change their study time and places.This article aims to solve the question that whether the real-time video Q A can be realized in the mode of B / S.The design and implementation of the real-time Q A video system which is based on Flash Media Server and adopt the streaming media format of FLV are expounded in details.


We have investigated the possible functional relationships between cellular invasion pathways induced by trefoil factors (TFFs), src, and the cyclooxygenases COX‐1 and COX‐2. Pharmacological inhibitors of the Rho small GTPase (C3 exoenzyme), phospholipase C (U‐73122), cyclooxygenases (SC‐560, NS‐398), and the thromboxane A2 receptor (TXA2‐R) antagonist SQ‐295 completely abolished invasion induced by intestinal trefoil factor, pS2, and src in kidney and colonic epithelial cells MDCKts.src and PCmsrc. In contrast, invasion was induced by the TXA2‐R mimetic U‐46619, constitutively activated forms of the heterotrimeric G‐proteins Gαq (AGαq), Gα12, Gα13 (AGα12/13), which are signaling elements downstream of TXA2‐R. Ectopic overexpression of pS2 cDNA and protein in MDCKts.src‐pS2 cells and human colorectal cancer cells HCT8/S11‐pS2 initiate distinct invasion signals that are Rho independent and COX and TXA2‐R dependent. We detected a marked induction of COX‐2 protein and accumulation of the stable PGH2/TXA2 metabolite TXB2 in the conditioned medium from cells transformed by src. This led to activation of the TXA2‐R‐dependent invasion pathway, which is monitored via a Rho‐ and Gα12/Gα13‐independent mechanism using the Gαq/PKC signaling cascade. These findings identify a new intracrine/paracrine loop that can be monitored by TFFs and src in inflammatory diseases and progression of colorectal cancers.—Rodrigues, S., Nguyen, Q.‐ D., Faivre, S., Bruyneel, E., Thim, L., Westley, B., May, F., Flatau, G., Mareel, M., Gespach, C., Emami, S. Activation of cellular invasion by trefoil peptides and src is mediated by cyclooxygenase‐ and thromboxane A2 receptor‐dependent signaling pathways. FASEB J. 15, 1517–1528 (2001)


This Ph.D. thesis is dedicated to the development of a new generation of ultrasonic sensors devoted to fission gas characterization. More generally, these studies concern the development of instrumentation for the Jules Horowitz material testing reactor (JHR) aiming to perform in-situ control of the released gas composition for optimization of burn-up rate and fuel rod lifetime. The operation temperature of this new reactor will be in the range of 200 °C - 400 °C. Hence, the main problem concerns the development of piezoelectric material, able to operate in the required temperature range, and its integration with a sensor device.To resolve this problem, we propose to use the sodium bismuth titanate (NBT) ceramic material developed by the screen-printing technique. Several versions of piezoelectric materials were produced during this research, with the purpose of optimizing material manufacturing conditions Each material was characterized (morphological, chemical, electric, dielectric, piezoelectric and electromechanical parameters) and "tests as a function of temperature" were carried out. After demonstrating repeatability in material fabrication, the protocol for NBT sensor production was determined and a prototype of the ultrasonic sensor was fabricated.The sensor was fabricated by deposition of an active material onto an alumina substrate. After characterization of sensor properties, acoustic tests showed a high sensitivity of measurements at ambient temperature (25 °C). Furthermore, by integration of sensors into a pressurized enclosure the possibility of gas detection in the range from 50 to 70 bars was demonstrated. To verify the sensor's applicability to gas detection under harsh temperature environment, a theoretical model based on electromechanical properties and impedance matching equations was introduced. It was theoretically demonstrated that the sensor is able to perform gas measurements from ambient temperature up to 350 °C.


are calculated on a pro rata temporis principle. While the measures taken in the 2000s have increased the proportion of the active population eligible for unemployment compensation, more than 1 million persons remain uncovered in Italy. The authors then show that the level of protection is also lower for non-standard workers regarding other dimensions of work. They do not assume that only workers under non-standard contracts are precarious. Using the WHIP database, they show that precariousness is unevenly distributed across the labour force, influenced by such factors as gender, age, sector, or size of the firm. Above all, precariousness depends on the type of contract and the length of time a worker is under a non-standard contract. The data also show that numerous non-standard workers are not precarious, but also that unemployment benefits are ineffective in lifting workers out of precariousness. This leads to the main conclusion: the burden of advanced economic societies is linked to the fact that social protection systems are required to compensate for the double lack of employment and wage security, but they are not equipped to manage this challenge because they tend to measure careers in terms of continuity. One of the authors' recommendations is that in order to cope with precariousness states need to define an adequate set of rights for all workers and to limit excessive turnover, rather than restricting the range of options for employers and employees. This book addresses current major issues for advanced economies, where more knowledge tools exist in order to guide political decisions. In this sense, it is important that this study be followed by comparable investigations into conditions in other countries.


The utility model relates to a continuous gas conveying system device which comprises a fan, material receiving devices, a material sucking port and a control box, wherein each material receiving device comprises a vacuum feeding machine host and a material accumulating hopper, the vacuum feeding machine host is provided with a material position switch, a first discharging valve is arranged between the vacuum feeding machine host and the material accumulating hopper, a second discharging valve is arranged below the material accumulating hopper, the first discharging valve and the second discharging valve are opened and closed in an alternating way, the fan is connected with the material receiving devices by a gas valve and a gas conveying pipe, the material sucking port is connected with the material receiving devices by a material sucking pipe. The continuous gas conveying system device also comprises a device which can perform continuous gas conveying in a way of performing air sucking on the two material receiving devices in the alternating way. Compared with the prior art, the continuous gas conveying system device can realize the continuous gas conveying or alternating gas conveying, so that the working efficiency is improved.


In the framework of the large extra dimensions (LED) model, we investigate the effects induced by the Kaluza-Klein gravitons up to the QCD next-to-leading order (NLO) on the W -pair production followed by a subsequential W -decay at the CERN LHC. We depict the regions in the L −MS parameter space where the LED effect can and cannot be observed from the analyses of the pp → WW +X and pp → WW → Wl (−) ν +X processes. We find that the ability of probing the LED effects can be improved by taking the cutoffs for the invariant mass of the W -pair and the transverse momentum of the final lepton. Our results demonstrate that the NLO QCD corrections to observables are significant, and do not show any improvement for the renormalization/factorization scale uncertainty on the QCD NLO corrected cross section, because the leading-order result underestimates the scale dependence. PACS: 11.10.Kk, 12.38.Bx, 14.70.Fm


The behavior of a circular loop antenna near the interface be tween a conducting medium and air has been studied experimentally in terms of the following several parameters: (1) Circumference per wave length f3b of the loop (2) Loss tange nt of the conducting medium (3) Depth of the loop below th e inte rface (4) Angle between the plane of the loop and the inte rface. Comparisons were made of th e behav io r of a loop whe n oriented bo t h pa ra lle l to th e inte rface and perpend icul ar to it in terms of such quantiti es as the driving·point admi tt ance, the amplitude and phase di stributions of the c urre nt , the effec t of varying the distance from th e interface, and the up ward tran s miss ion of powe r into air from th e loop when immersed in the condu cting solution. It was found that as the de pth of the loop is inc reased the valu es of the dr iving-point admittance asymptot icall y app roach the theore ti ca l results by King, Harri son , a nd Tingley [1964] and Wu [1962] for an infinite medium . As the size of the loop became large r the difference betwee n the driving-point admittance for the loop ori en ted paralle l to the interface a nd that for the loop perpend icular to the interface increased. It was discovered that there ex ists an optimum angle tilted from eithe r parallel or pe rpendicular ori entation for th e bes t upward transmiss ion of power.


Objective To investigate the mRNA and protein expression of a tumor metastasis-related gene-ATP-binding cassette transporter E1(ABCE1) in the NSCLC,para-cancerous tissues and metastatic lymph nodes,and to explore the significance of ABCE1 expression in the genesis and development of NSCLC as well as its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters.Methods The expression of ABCE1 mRNA and its protein in the NSCLC,para-cancerous tissues and metastatic lymph nodes was determined by RT-PCR,Western-blot and immunohistochemistry respectively.Results The expression levels of ABCE1 mRNA and its protein were significantly higher in cancer tissues and metastatic lymph nodes than in the para-cancerous tissues.There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the expression of ABCE1 mRNA and its protein(r =3.992,P =0.001).The expression levels of ABCE1 protein was correlated with histopathological type(P =0.036),but not with age,gender,the grade of tumor differentiation,lymph node metastasis and TNM stage(P 0.05).In adenocarcinoma,the expression level of ABCE1 protein were higher than that in the squamous carcinoma.The expression level of ABCE1 mRNA was correlated with the grade of tumor differentiation.Conclusion The expression levels of ABCE1 may closely correlate with the invasion and metastasis of NSCLC.The results suggest that ABCE1 might play a crucial role in the carcinogenesis of NSCLC and may become a potential tumor marker and a prognostic indicator for lung cancer.


The paper presents an original approach to the prediction of deteriorations of the surface profiles produced on hardened steel parts using CBN tools. The experimental investigations involve recording of surface profiles and corresponding measurements of cutting forces resulting from variable feed rates of 0,05-0,1 mm/rev. As a result, machined surfaces with the Ra parameter ranging from 0,05 μm to 0,3 μm were produced. Both signals of recorded surface profiles and relevant cutting forces were processed using the FFT signal processing technique. The frequency characteristics including the signal amplitude and the wavelength were estimated from the power spectral density (PSD) spectra. A methodology for the prediction of surface profile deterioration based on the relation between the differences of the Rz (Ra) roughness parameter and signal amplitude is proposed.


For this issue of Collection Management, I would particularly like to thank two individuals, Maureen Pastine, University Librarian, Temple University Libraries and Philip D'Andrea, Temple University Libraries' Webmaster and Digital Imaging Specialist in the Systems and Technology Department. I thank Maureen for responding to a call for papers with a wonderful idea for a series of articles describing how Temple University Libraries received and implemented an Institute of Museum and Libraries Services (IMLS) grant to create a major digital collection. Planning for this grant from application through actual production involved individuals from the University Librarian, to catalogers, archivists, special collection librarians, and, of course, to student employees including library school interns and several pursuing master's degrees in other fields. Together, in several articles, this group of individuals has captured the essence of how to plan for and undertake a massive, new project involving the latest technology. They share with us pitfalls to avoid as well as tips on how to recover from false starts! Philip D'Andrea, Temple University Libraries' Webmaster and Digital Imaging Specialist, deserves special recognition for his role in bringing this issue together. Philip, who holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and is pursuing a master's degree in history, is a co-author of one of the articles. He also volunteered to work with the various authors of these articles at Temple and with me, in their preparation, coordination, and revision. Without Philip's steady and excellent help, the preparation of this issue would have been much more difficult for all of us.


The paper presents predicted use of research' results to specify relations between volume of dust deposition and changes of its concentration in air. These were used to shape zones protecting against coal dust explosion. Methodology of research was presented, including methods of measurement of dust concentration as well as deposition. Measurements were taken in the Brzeszcze Mine within framework of MEZAP, co-financed by The National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) and performed by the Institute of Mining Technology KOMAG, the Central Mining Institute (GIG) and the Coal Company PLC. The project enables performing of research related to measurements of volume of dust deposition as well as its concentration in air in protective zones in a number of mine workings in the Brzeszcze Mine. Developed model may be supportive tool in form of system located directly in protective zones or as operator tool warning about increasing hazard of coal dust explosion.


The invention provides an autonomous navigation system for producing correction information by using an image information code. The autonomous navigation system comprises the image information code which is pre-arranged on a geographic position, and a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal comprises an image information code obtaining and analyzing module and an electronic map module; the mobile terminal further comprises an electronic compass module and an inertia measuring module; the electronic compass module and the inertia measuring module are respectively connected with the electronic map module; the electronic map module is used for displaying position data and direction data, which are generated on the electronic compass module and the inertia measuring module, on a map. According to the navigation system provided by the invention, the aim of outputting real-time navigation information after obtaining the image information code can be realized.


Soilorganic carbon is critical for soil fertility and crop yield.Biochar(BC) is a carbon-rich organic material derived from incomplete pyrolysis of biomass and can constitute a significant fraction of soil carbon due to its prolonged lifespan in soils.The study investigated the influence of biochar on wheat growth and soil organic carbon in grey desert soils under greenhouse experiment.The objective was to learn how this soil amendment improved crop growth and increased soil carbon storage.Biochar was produced from dried cotton stalks via pyrolysis in oxygen-limited conditions.Three qualities of biochar produced at 450 ℃,600 ℃ and 750 ℃(referred as BC450,BC600 and BC750) were used as the soil organic amendment in the study.The experiment was that of 3×3 factorial design with three qualities of biochar(BC450,BC600 and BC750) and three application rates(5 g·kg-1,10 g·kg-1 and 20 g·kg-1 of soil weight) plus an un-amended soil set as the control(CK).Wheat was planted for two consecutive growth seasons in 2009.The first-season of wheat was May 8 to July 15 and the second was August 8 to October 15.The results showed that dry matter weight of wheat under added BC treatments were significantly higher than that under CK.There were no significant differences among the three types and three application rates of biochar in terms of the first-season wheat dry matter weight.However,the second-season wheat dry matter weight was significantly affected by biochar qualities,application rates and the interaction of them.The highest wheat dry matter weight was under BC750 with an application rate of 20 g·kg-1.Soil total organic carbon increased with increasing biochar pyrolysis temperature and application rate.Soil total organic carbon under BC450,BC600 and BC750 was 2.11,3.32 and 4.19 times of CK,respectively.Soil readily oxidizable carbon content was significantly higher under biochar treatments than the control.Water-soluble organic carbon was significantly higher under biochar treatments at 5 g·kg-1 and 10 g·kg-1 application rates than the control.However,there was no significant difference between 20 g·kg-1 biochar treatment and the control.Microbial biomass carbon increased significantly under biochar treatment,except for BC750 biochar at 5 g·kg-1 application rate.Readily oxidizable carbon and microbial biomass carbon contents of soil changed in the following order of BC450 BC600 BC750.However,soil water-soluble organic carbon content was not affected by biochar pyrolysis temperature.The order of influence of different biochar application rates on readily oxidizable soil carbon was 10 g·kg-1 ≈20 g·kg-1 5 g·kg-1,and that of water-soluble organic carbon was 5 g·kg-1 ≈10 g·kg-1 20g·kg-1.For soil microbial quotient,BC450 and BC600 at 5 g·kg-1 application rate were higher than CK.Also BC450 at 10 g·kg-1 and 20 g·kg-1 application rates were not significantly different from CK.Other biochar treatments were as well lower than CK.These results suggested that application of biochar as soil organic amendment was an efficient way of increasing soil carbon reserve,changing soil organic carbon fraction and promoting soil productivity.


The year 22 of K'ang His, in August 1683, Man-Ching began to govern Taiwan. In April of the next year, they set up "I Fu San HsienI"^*l that were under the jurisdiction of "Taiwan-Hsia Men-Fen Hsun Tao".^*2 The administrative structure was adjusted many times from 1683 to 1894. The policy to reclaim mountainous area and comfort the natives was carried out in Taiwan after 1875 (the first year of Kuan Hsu). So the administrative structure made much obvious change. Before this period, it's called the earlier stage of Ching's ruling. And after the period, it's called the later stage of Ching's ruling. In the earlier stage of Ching Dynasty's ruling, the establishment and reformation of administrative systems were influenced very deeply by the negative policy of ruling Taiwan. Some policies, such as to prevent the floaters from making sneak and migrate, to make a defense against the people rebellion, to supervise the commercial affairs between mainland and Taiwan, to control the public order, to restrict the original inhabitants, and to guard the coastal. These were enough to influence the adjustment of the administrative function, in each period. The policy is quite passive when Ching Dynasty ruled Taiwan. I analyzed its background and stated my views in the treatise. In order to make the reader understand easier, I made an administrative system list according to the official ranking. There is a detailed explanation on the establishment and the process of job's transferring for each unit. Then, I also made a statistical chart to show the change of administrative management function. Studying the reformation of administration, the writer found that the negative policy is no use to make a strong government and, in turn, it would produce many rebellions. Although the negative way can mend the fold even after some sheep are lost. It just only showed that the government was muddleheaded, careless and incapable. This is a "previous failure from which precaution is to be taken". I hope that the government officials can heighten on their vigilance when they manage the national affairs.


In this work, we numerically study the reduction of frictional drag in a vertical Couette-Taylor system by using micro-bubbles. The silicon flow is in the annular gap between two concentric cylinders as the internal cylinder is rotating while the outer cylinder is stationary. Taylor vortices are formed between the cylinders and the rotational Reynolds number also varies from 700 to 4500. The carrier flow is silicone while air bubbles are constantly injected into the carrier phase at the bottom of cylinders and rise through the flow. By employing a discrete phase model and Euler-Lagrange approach, we investigate a two-phase turbulent flow. In this way, we study the distribution of the bubbles through the flow, which is acquired using numerical modeling. Our numerical results are in good agreement with the experimentally reported data for different values of Reynolds numbers. We also investigate the effect of injected air with a constant flow rate on the skin friction drag and on the drag coefficient ratio. Our numerical results illustrate a reduction of drag about 36% when microbubbles are injected into the system. This reduction can be achieved by the effect of the bubbles on the density of the fluid and transformed momentum.


The accommodative nonstandard monetary policy measures taken by the Eurosystem in response to the financial and sovereign debt crisis caused the reserves of (commercial) banks in the euro area to increase sharply. In spite of this, the annual growth rate of the monetary aggregate M3 has remained at a moderate level over the past two years, reigniting interest in the connection between the creation of reserves and growth in the broader monetary aggregate.


Removing the failed and failing lead-containing paint on the more than 7,000 steel-beam highway bridges maintained by the Virginia Department of Transportation is an increasingly vexing problem given issues regarding the environment, worker health, and cost. The expense and liability associated with the paint debris generated as well as the debris resulting from the removal procedure further complicate the issue. The situation nationally is more dramatic: of approximately 200,000 structures, 80 to 90 percent have lead-based paint. Proven in the laboratory, the Electrostrip procedure, which uses an electrochemical treatment to cause paint to debond from steel, was tested in the field. The technology was first used at a production level to remove 74 m2 of lead-based paint from a bridge in service on the Virginia Interstate system. Over 7 workdays, this method was used to remove the lead-based existing and original paint system and generated 63 percent less solid debris than full abrasives blasting would have done. Although the production rate was lower than with more conventional techniques, greater environmental and worker protection was achieved with Electrostrip than with any other paint removal method demonstrated and documented thus far.


Neuroprosthetics represents a powerful tool to improve neural impairments, acting on plasticity in subjects with sensory or cognitive defeats. In this work, a biomimetic sonar was investigated to modulate neural activity in the auditory system by comparing electrocorticogram (ECoG) frequency spectrum in two stimulation sites: the inferior colliculus (IC), and the left primary auditory cortex (A1). The sonar provides electric signals generated from echoes in both areas, modulating the synaptic activity. Spectral analysis allows the evaluation of the excitatory and inhibitory responses. The dynamic interactions of the auditory cortex with the ascending and descending projections from the cortex to subcortical structures, make the A1 suitable to become an excellent stimulation site for a neuroprosthetic device since the high oscillations in gamma and beta band.


We succeeded in fabricating InGaN‐based laser diodes (LDs) with a wavelength of 518 and 488 nm under continuous wave (cw) operation. The both LDs structures were grown on conventional c‐plane GaN substrates by metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The threshold current and threshold voltage were 45 mA and 5.5 V at 518 nm, 30 mA and 4.5 V at 488 nm, respectively. The lifetime test of these LDs was carried out under high driving temperature up to 80 °C in cw operation. Lifetime was estimated to be over 5000 h with an optical output power of 5 mW at 80 °C in 515–518 nm LDs from 1000 h operation, and was estimated to be over 10,000 h with an output power of 60 mW at 60 °C in 488 nm LDs from 2000 h operation.


High-pressure behavior of tetramethylsilane is investigated by synchrotron powder X-ray difraction and Raman scattering at pressures up to 30 GPa and room temperature.Our results reveal the analogous phase transitions,though slight hysteresis for the certain phases.A new phase is found to appear at ...


Activation of plant defence responses requires significant transcriptional reprogramming to mount an effective response to pathogens. This response must be finely balanced with growth and development processes to ensure optimal allocation of cellular resources. A fundamental mechanism of gene expression regulation is covalent modification of histones. Histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and histone deacetylases (HDACs) antagonistically control the acetylation levels of histones at specific genomic loci to ultimately affect gene expression. This thesis focuses on histone acetylation as a mechanism by which plants mount an effective immune response.

In Chapter 3, a reverse genetic screen of Arabidopsis HAT mutants is presented where a negative regulator (HAM2) of defence against the plant pathogen Pto DC3000 was identified. Whilst mutants of the negative regulator (ham2 ) demonstrate enhanced resistance to P. syringae, their susceptibility to the necrotrophic pathogen B. cinerea is unchanged. Alongside the immunity phenotype, ham2 plants exhibit increased adult leaf surface area, fresh weight and root length.

Since ham2 is the only known Arabidopsis mutant with increased immunity and growth, it represents a promising target in an agricultural context. In Chapter 4, homology models of A. thaliana, B. napus and S. lycopersicum HAM2 proteins were created, supported by a series of cheminformatics and in silico docking methods, to identify chemical inhibitors for future agricultural applications.

Finally, the role of Arabidopsis HATs in effector-triggered immunity was investigated in Chapter 5. Here, HAG1 was identified as a key positive regulator of effector-triggered responses. Overall, this thesis contributes to our understanding of the role of HAM2 and HAG1 histone acetyltransferases in plant immunity, and presents HAM2 as a novel target in an agricultural context.


Five new neonicotinoid compounds bearing a 5-chloro-6-fluoronicotinyl group were prepared and their insecticidal activity against brown rice planthopper, green peach aphid and common cutworm under laboratory conditions was compared with 1-(6-chloro-5-fluoronicotinyl)-2-nitroiminoimidazolidine. 5-Fluoroimidacloprid controlled the two hemipteras at 0.2 ppm at the same dose level of imidacloprid, while the positional isomers showed far lower activity. None of the tested compounds controlled the lepidoptera at 200 ppm.


This paper investigates the mode selection problem of urban distribution based on the environment of low carbon in Guangdong Province. The AHP model is employed to represent the points of view of 20 related personnel, including policy makers, logistics experts, enterprise senior managers and truck drivers. A hierarchical network is developed at three levels for selection. The results show that the logistics environment, transaction cost, carbon trading cost and low carbon determination are the most important variables for the decision of urban distribution modes. Then we find that the most suitable mode of urban distribution is the joint distribution, second is selfdistribution and the last is third party distribution. Finally, we outline two suggestions for developing a better joint distribution pattern. First, logistics industry and associations promote the development of joint distribution actively. Second, strengthen the market management and create a good market environment. Keywords—low carbon; urban distribution; mode; selection; AHP analysis


To cite: Luxton R, Kyriakopoulos M. Arch Dis Child Educ Pract Ed Epub ahead of print: [please include Day Month Year]. doi:10.1136/ archdischild-2020-320020 © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. No commercial reuse. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published guidelines on depression in children and young people in June 2019. The guideline covers the identification and management of depression in young people aged 5–18 years. Based on the steppedcare model, it aims to improve recognition and assessment and promote effective treatments for mild and moderatetosevere depression. This guideline offers updated guidance following and replacing the previous NICE Clinical Guideline 28 published in 2005.


Abstract When there are sequence-dependent changeovers on a shared resource in hybrid make-to-stock/make-to-order (MTS/MTO) environments in process industries, coordination mechanisms for mix flexibility optimisation are critical for minimising changeover penalties of time and cost. Through a case study, Markov decision process (MDP) is used to determine the optimal policy for scheduling production on a filling line. Simulations are performed to investigate the penalties incurred when sub-optimal policies are utilised to satisfy customers. The results show that while the optimal policy leads to the minimal penalty in terms of rewards, it does not allow for production of all MTS and MTO products to meet customer requirements due to internal and external uncertainty. Sub-optimal policies must also be employed. The results of the simulations point to scheduling actions that would lead to low, moderate and high penalties. The practical implications of this study indicate that practitioners can use the MDP to evaluate the impact of their scheduling decisions on performance metrics on a shared resource in hybrid MTS/MTO environments.


Up to now researchers have maintained that Nietzsche's philosophy has no concept of social justice or have hardly noticed such a concept. On the contrary, the essay argues that social justice plays an important role in Nietzsche's political thinking. It shows that his conception of justice is modelled after Plato's antique concept of political justice. The main thesis of the essay is that this conception is embodied in Nietzsche's notion of a well-ordered state or society. An additional thesis concerns the anthropological basis of what Nietzsche holds to be a just social order. This basis is constituted by his conviction that people are not only fundamentally unequal but also extremely different in worth and rank.


THROUGHOUT HISTORY INTERPRETATIONS of the exact work an artist is responsible for have changed dramatically. And yet what audiences expect from art and from artists may not have changed as much as theories about art and its relationship to work have. Audiences like to see an artist's skill, but they also like to see an artwork which looks as though it has come into being of its own volition.

'It's a work of art.' It's as if the active subject of art is capable of producing that something – that 'it'– into being. Then what, we might wonder, would the artist's role be in this kind of process? An aide? A witness? A conduit perhaps? And if so, where would the artist's work lie?

It's been an old chestnut at least since Plato's time. In the present era questions about the kind of work involved in making art resurface in tertiary institutions the world over. The extent to which the processes of making art are capable of being corralled within the perimeters of traditional approaches to 'research' has been one such discussion.

That particular question hasn't posed any difficulties to justify. However, in terms of expecting that research contributes to 'new knowledge', the more elusive aspects of the processes of artmaking are – and should be – difficult to shackle to metrics and templates.


The collective and regional activities are the two main forms in the science education in kindergarten, which have both the advantages and disadvantages. In the science education of kindergarten, we should play up strengths and avoid weakness. The thesis analyzes the tendency of the results and process of the science education and the tendency of the two kinds of activities, and on the basis of the above analysis, it also explores the sources of the problem and elucidated the relationship that dynamic variety and active interaction of the two activities in the science education, which is based on the exploring, experiencing and discovering.


the noetic dimension is a confounding variable, its variability subsumed into genetic and/or environmental components. From a clinician's standpoint, the small arena of choice is likely the most powerful fulcrum available for change. The healer's role is arguably to transform the client's sense of agency from "insignificant" into a force capable of harnessing and transcending nature and nurture. With choice come responsibility and the realization of freedom, which cannot occur without meaningful and purposeful options. Indeed, it is through exercising our ability to choose that we become fully human. Galton's (1869/1892) paradigm ultimately assumes that the person has no true freedom. To rephrase Frankl (1967), nature and nurture represent our fate, whereas the noetic represents our capacity to take a stand toward that fate. For decades, Galton's (1869/1892) nature–nurture paradigm has anchored psychological research and theory. Though renowned, his idea and its derivations were never scientifically validated. Galton's idea, and all studies based on it, bear reconsideration. Inclusion of the noetic dimension and its intercourse with genetics and environment allows the researcher to consider the person in studies of human development. It is time for a new paradigm: Nature, Nurture, and the Noetic.


United States Geological Survey, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Chief Scientist: Trehu. Data (navigation) of field activity 82010 (A-1-82-BZ) in Massachusetts Buzzards Bay from 04/16/1982 to 04/30/1982, http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/a/a182bz/html/a-1-82-bz.meta.html.


Working or seeking sustenance in sharia economics needs to pay attention to contract agreements and the prohibition of usury, so there needs to be consideration in choosing an institution to carry out Islamic economic activities. PT BPR Syariah Muamalah Cilegon is a financial institution with a sharia economic concept. The formulation of the problem and objectives in this study are related to the effect of work competence on employee excellent service, the effect of work motivation on employee excellent service and the influence of competence and work motivation together on excellent service for employees of PT BPR Syariah Muamalah. The method in this study uses a quantitative method with a causal relationship and an explanatory survey is carried out through a deductive approach, which aims to explain the position of the variables studied and the influence between one variable and another. Sources of data used are primary data and secondary data. The results of this study indicate that there is a significant influence between Work Competence and Work Motivation on Excellent Service Employees either partially or simultaneously, this is because the significant value of each independent variable on the dependent variable is < 0,05 so H0 is rejected and H1 is accepted.

Keywords: work competence, work motivation, excellent service


This paper is the second part of a series of two in which we present a new version of K. Wagner's hierarchy of ω-rational sets. The first paper presents a new approach to the concepts of chains and superchains. This one presents the classification itself.


simple biological liquid. It is composed of 95% water, 2.5% urea, and 2.5% other substances, including major and trace elements such as Na and Cr, which are filtered from the blood. With respect to the minor components, the composition of urine changes day to day and throughout the day, as a result of the individual's diet and state of health. For this reason, measuring the composition of urine aids medical practitioners in their diagnosis of certain conditions and also enables the occupational exposure of workers in high-risk industries to be monitored and assessed. Of particular concern is occupational exposure to Cr (as Cr) and exposure to As species through consumption of contaminated foodstuffs. Cr, which has been identified as a carcinogen when inhaled, is used as a pigment in paints, inks, and plastics; as an anticorrosion agent; and as a major component in chrome plating materials. The toxic effects of As are also well-known, as is the fact that its toxicity depends on the species that is present. It is a known carcinogen used in wood treatment (to protect it from rot and fungal attack), gunshot, and some glass materials.


This paper investigates the interdependence between long-term EMS Eurocurrency interest rates and short-term EMS and Eurodollar interest rates. Exchange rate expectations play a key role in establishing the link between short-term Eurodollar rates and long-term EMS Eurorates. In particular, if the Plaza Agreement of September 1985 resulted in a significant shift in exchange-rate policy regime, the nature of the link should differ between the pre- and post-Agreement periods. Empirical results based on ECU Eurorates and Euromark rates, as proxies for EMS rates, confirm this hypothesis.


An efficient methylenation reaction in isomer-labile ketones is described. The methylenation reaction is based on an improved method for the formation of bis(iodozincio)methane [CH 2 (ZnI) 2 ]. A subsequent in situ hydroboration-oxidation sequence provides the corresponding methanol derivatives in high yields without double-bond isomerisation.


Focused ion beam is a tool that allows to perform microsurgery of the interconnect network of an integrated circuit in order to change its functionality, without need of a metal tweak. This paper reports on the application of this technique to complex CMOS integrated circuits. Two case studies, conducted in Brazil, are presented. Electrical results show the focused ion beam circuit prototyping were successful. To our knowledge, this is the first time such result is reported in Latin America.


To counter to the characteristics of coal mine roadways and the application particularity of the mine wireless Mesh network,a design scheme of mine low-power wireless Mesh network was proposed.The time synchronization technology,low-power consumption mechanism,data communication and so on were emphatically studied according to the topological structure characteristics and application of the mine low-power wireless Mesh network.The tests showed that this network system had the features of flexible networking,fast installation and reliable communication and has great popularization and application value in the field of coal mine wireless monitoring and wireless transmission.


Keeping track: By combining differential interference contrast (DIC) image pattern recognition with DIC polarization anisotropy, the exact full three-dimensional angular information of individual tilted gold nanorods positioned in the focal plane of the objective lens can be readily determined. The angular rotational modes and kinetics of individual in-focus gold nanorods can thus be resolved dynamically.


In the field of computational location privacy there are two active privacy enhancing methods typically available: anonymity and obfuscation (location cloaking). In a communication context with known and (semi-)trusted peers, anonymity is usually not a viable option, hence, leaving location cloaking as a user-centric option to improve an individual's location privacy. In this paper, we discuss the effectiveness and limitations of location cloaking in a location sharing context with partially trusted peers by introducing a location sensitivity metric. We argue that location sensitivity reflects the user's potential privacy-loss by estimating the potential information gain of an observer for a single observation or an observation context. As a result, location cloaking is not always a suitable option and may overestimate the user's location privacy in a communication with a diverse partially trusted observer set.


reading. Practical and useful for helping readers interact with texts, the activities support the taxonomies of reading strategies presented earlier. However, the activity section could very profitably have been expanded to include further examples of classroom activities to help readers interact with texts. Barnett also includes in this section a discussion of text selection, adaptations of textbooks, and self-selected reading, an activity little researched in second/foreign language reading but highly recommended. Finally, the author addresses ways of assessing comprehension compatible with the teaching activities provided in instruction, including the use of cloze passages, recall protocols, and comprehension questions of various types. In much of her discussion, Barnett's definition of foreign language reading as an interactive process refers primarily to the interaction of text features, the reader's linguistic knowledge, and the reader's cognitive processes. An added dimension, basically unexplored in this text, is the concept of interaction between reader and text central to psycholinguistic and reader-response research in first language reading, a dimension that considers the nature and location of meaning and the importance of reader engagement in the creation of meaning. A reader's interaction with the text is richest when conceptual knowledge, linguistic knowledge, and affective response influence one another. Barnett unfortunately misses an opportunity here to fully conceptualize this aspect of interaction in second/foreign language reading. Nevertheless, More than Meets the Eye is going to be a significant book in its field. Teachers tempted to focus exclusively on the application chapters should be aware that these classroom techniques are rooted in the research discussed previously, and will be implemented most effectively when understood in their full theoretical context. Of interest, therefore, to both researchers and classroom teachers alike, the book provides a refreshing view of foreign reading research that leads logically to classroom applications. Its richness arises as much from the complexities of the issues presented, often unrecognized and ignored in other foreign/second language reading texts, as from the wide breadth of reading-related topics discussed.


This paper pursues two intersecting but independent paths of description and analysis1. We discuss how Activity Theory has been used by a group of postgraduate research students atDeakin University; and2. use an Activity Theory analyses to examine the role and functioning of this group which formed tocircle of discussion of Activity Theory (codat).


The QoS (Quality of Service) is an important factor in computer networks. Here we proposed an effective queuing discipline for obtaining QoS and thus the throughput is increased. The SQP is a stateless queue management algorithm. The SQP allocates variable bandwidth for TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) flows and performs the matched drops in the queue. Based on the priority of TCP flow the queuing is done using SQP. Thus the queuing is simple and the implementation is less complex also it restricts the unresponsive TCP flows.


This paper challenges the idea that the conventional
financial sector either innovates or diversifies risk. To understand
diversification of risk and the true nature of innovation in finance, this
paper distinguishes between risk spreading and risk sharing. Risk spreading
characterises conventional finance and risk sharing characterises Islamic
finance. We argue that the case for Islamic
type financing in the sense of risk sharing is a safer approach and overwhelming for governments, regulators and for financial
institutions that consider themselves innovators in an historic sense, contributors to society rather than greedy acquisitors of personal
wealth. Effectively, innovation according to the originate and distribution
model of banking amounts to (a) a wealth transfer from the rest of the world to
people in financial sectors, mostly in developed economies and/or (b) asset
depreciation/default. We are describing a situation rather like that described
by the story told to children about the emperor having no clothes. In
the story, an
emperor, suffering from an excess of pride or insecurity, is manipulated by an
exploitive tailor into believing he has been supplied with magnificent robes
that only the privileged and enlightened can see. No one dares to believe their
own eyes that tell them unequivocally that the emperor is naked, except a
child, who blurts out: "why is the
emperor naked?" Why is there not a similar response to the nakedness of the
financial sector, when its contribution, nationally and internationally has
been so massively negative? We argue that one of the reasons is that we,
meaning governments, regulators, bankers and the rest of us, are mostly divided
into three groups; those who understand the mathematics of finance but not
financial institutions, those who understand financial institutions but not the
mathematics of finance and those who understand neither. The purpose of this paper is to examine conventional
finance risk diversification and compare it to the Islamic finance risk sharing
approach. The findings of this paper demonstrate that the Islamic finance risk
sharing approach is safer.


INTRODUCTION NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Biogeography Program conducts mapping, research, and monitoring of tropical coral reef ecosystems to support wise management of coastal marine resources (Monaco et al. 2001). A biogeographic approach is utilized to integrate information on the distribution and quality of habitats and associated reef fish to define species affinities for specific habitats (Monaco et al. 2001, Kendall and Monaco 2002). Defining the strength of coupling between species and habitat is facilitated by integrating spatial statistics, ecological models and indices that are visualized in geographical information systems (GIS) (Monaco et al. 1998, Gill et al. 2001). The biogeographic approach enables implementation of a suite of reef fish ecology studies (RFES) that are underway in the US Caribbean and the main eight Hawaiian Islands (MHI). High-resolution digital benthic habitat maps derived from aerial photography and hyperspectral imagery (HSI) have been completed for the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico and for 60% of the MHI (Kendall et al. 2001, Coyne et al. 2003). The GIS-based maps are classified to 27 levels of habitats (e.g., seagrass, patch reef) and these habitats are located in cross-shelf zones (e.g., back reef).


Single metal thermocouples (SMTs) have recently been developed with a new design concept of width-engineering of metal segments. In such designs, two segments of different micro-width are formed to obtain different levels of Seebeck effects. The variations in the Seebeck effect achieved from dissimilar segment width are small. In addition, the fabrication of such micro-width patterns requires special fabrication facilities such as photolithography or electron-beam lithography. In this paper, an alternative method is presented that has the potential to give high thermal sensing SMTs and requires no sophisticated facilities to fabricate. The method is based on thickness-engineering instead of width-engineering, and thus devices can be obtained from commonly available thin film deposition techniques. Constructing better thermal sensing SMTs is possible with this approach as thickness can be easily and conveniently varied down to nanoscale range which is necessary to achieve significant changes in the Seebeck effects from effectively utilizing size effects. As a result, a high thermal sensing bismuth based-SMT has been fabricated with a sensitivity of as high as 31 μV K−1, one of the highest values reported for SMTs. It is straightforward, more convenient over width-engineering approach and thus SMTs can be easily developed.


The Bragg structures with nonlinear lumped elements and layers with Kerr nonlinearity are considered. The pseudoinverse method for calculation the field at boundaries of the structures has been proposed. This method is the combination of the transmission matrix method and the Jacobi iterative procedure. This approximate numerical method takes into account changing the field amplitude on the thickness of the nonlinear layer. The sufficient accuracy of proposed method can be achieved by increasing the number of sublayers decomposition of the nonlinear resonance layers. The values of the amplitude of the transmitted wave for Bragg structures with lumped elements have been calculated as a function of frequency for different values of the incident wave amplitude. The resonance frequency shift and width of the hysteresis loops against the position of parallel connection of lumped susceptance have been investigated.


OBJECTIVE
Sponsors must take responsibility for the quality of trials at the best possible cost. Our objective was to describe the most frequent quality failures, how they impact trial results, and identify the most efficient monitoring strategies using published articles and reports.

RESULTS
Errors affecting clinical trials include conception, procedures, data management, and data analysis. The consequences are usually an overestimation of the treatment effect. No study shows that monitoring reduces the risk of errors, and there is no comparison of monitoring methods. Many research organisations advocate for monitoring based on risk analysis and recommend an extensive use of centralised monitoring.

CONCLUSIONS
Trial quality depends on trial conception and design. Study conduct should guarantee a maximum level of quality level. This should be done using risk management and extensive centralised monitoring.


The requirement to kill unwanted animals drives vets to one of the highest rates of suicide by profession, according to Broome-based veterinary surgeon Dr Scott Davis.


The SCI Collectives Library is a new software package which implements optimized collective communication operations on SCI networks. It is designed to be coupled to different higher-level communication libraries (especia lly MPI implementations) by adapter modules, thereby giving them access to these optimized collectives. In this work, we present the design of the SCI Collectives Library and of adapter modules for Open MPI and NMPI. We also describe various barrier algorithms which we have implemented for this library and compare their performance to one another and to the barrier performance of MPI implementations which include support for SCI.


The contents of 16 kinds of organochlorine pesticides (OCP 16 ) in the sediments, surface and microlayer seawater in Dalian Bay and Liaodong Bay (Liaoning Province) were determined by capillary GC ECD. The results show that the average concentration of OCPs in the surface seawater is 41.94 ng/L in Liaodong Bay, significantly higher than 4.52 ng/L in Dlian Bay, but both do not overpass the water quality standard for fisheries of China. The average content of OCPs in the sediments is 10.15 ng/g in Liaodong Bay, significantly higher than 6.17 ng/g in Dalian Bay. But the pollution level in Liaodong Bay is relatively higher than that in Dalian Bay. The OCPs concentration in microlayer seawater is significantly higher than that in the surface seawater of Dalian Bay, which reveals that the surface water has a strong accumulation of OCPs with the average accumulating coefficient of 5.1-15.4.


A 1609 engraving of the newly established anatomy theatre at Leiden University, Leiden, the Netherlands, shows the medical professor, Pieter Paaw (1564–1617), dissecting a human cadaver that is displayed prominently in the middle of the image ([Figure 1][1]). Some of the spectators are observing


In an analysis of regional problems within Africa, the frequent imbalance between the geographic distribution of resources and of population suggests that rural development and resettlement will play an increasingly important role in mobilizing the continent's latent resource base. With the almost universally increasing rates of population growth in Africa, pressure for redistribution of people is increasing, most of which manifests itself in accelerating rates of urbanization. But it is also apparent that developing urban areas can only effectively absorb a small proportion of maldistributed population. Therefore national planning programs are increasingly focusing upon the need to reconstruct or to reorientate the economic milieu of rural areas, as is demonstrated by increasing investment in rural development and settlement schemes.


Enzymatic degradation behavior of biocompatible block polyelectrolyte poly(L-lactide)-b-poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate](PLLA-b-PDMAEMA) micelles in aqueous solutions at two different temperatures(25.0 ℃,36.8 ℃) and two different pH values(pH=4.9,7.4) was investigated by laser light scattering(LLS) and atomic force microscopy(AFM).It is found that there is an enzyme inactivation time during the degradation process.Before this time,the degradation mechanism of PLLA-b-PDMAEMA micelles follows a one-by-one process.After this time,the degraded micelles with cracks or tunnels in their cores aggregate into large micelles to minimize their surface area exposed to the solvent,therefore minimize the free energy of the micelles.After increasing temperature,the activity of the enzyme increases,and the degradation rate of micelles is much faster.At pH=4.9,the coronas of the micelles are stretched due to the electrostatic repulsion,because of which the degradation rate of micelles is faster at pH=4.9 than that at pH=7.4.


Fractional calculus is an important branch of mathematical analysis which deals with investigations of integrals and derivatives of arbitrary order. It has been applied to almost every field of Science, Engineering and Mathematics. The aim of this paper is to study the generalized Marichev- Saigo- Maeda fractional integral operators. We will establish two theorems which give the image of the product of H-function and K-function in Saigo operators. Certain Special cases of main results are also discussed.


In Kuala Lumpur, the piano teacher population ranges from unqualified to qualified teachers. They may possess certification from the examining boards in United Kingdom, while others may be qualified holding Music degrees from local or overseas' universi


A series of phosphors Sr0.955Al2Si2-xGexO8∶Eu2+(x=0-1.0)were prepared by high temperature solid state reaction.The effects of Ge4 +substitution for Si4 + on the host lattice and spectral properties were investigated.The results show that complete solid solutions are formed while Ge4+enters SrAl2Si2O8lattice and substitutes Si4+.The lattice parameters(a,b,c,β)and unit cell volume increase linearly as Ge4 + content increases in the phosphors.A broad excitation spectrum consists of four excitation bands,which locate between 230 nm and 400 nm,the maximum emission wavelength of which is at 351 nm.The FWHM of the apparent excitation peak narrows from 105 nm to 95 nm.The emission spectrum,which is also a broad band between 380 nm and 600 nm,can be fitted by two peaks at 406 nm and 441 nm and its apparent peak is at 407 nm.The distance of Eu and O becomes shortened due to Si4+is replaced by Ge4+.The crystal field of the emitting center Eu2+location is enhanced,the splitting of 5d orbital levels is increased and the lowest emission level is expanded to lower,two fitted peaks are red shifted in a linear way.


The utility model discloses a smoke flow channel of a smoke case. The smoke flow channel comprises an enclosed casket (1) which is wholly rectangular, wherein the side of the casket (1) is connected with a smoke generating chamber (2); and a filtering barrier (3) is arranged on the upper surface of the casket (1), which is far away from the smoke generating chamber (2). Any two adjacent spoilers are connected to a pair of sides of the casket respectively, so that the influence of the physical characteristics such as the flowing speed, the flowing direction and the like of smoke on a test can be stabilized; uniformly-distributed air holes are formed on the spoilers, so that the flowing paths of the smoke are increased, and the probability that an eddy current is generated when the smoke flows across the spoilers is reduced; and an intake fan is taken as the thrust power of the smoke, and the smoke can be filtered and separated by a filtering screen and the filtering barrier to remove powder particle impurities from the smoke and acquire a purified smoke field, so that the reliability of checking and judging the quality of a smoke detector can be ensured.


One of the most challenging groups of gifted students to reach in terms of educational programming are those living in rural areas. The main source of difficulty is that any one rural school contains only a few gifted students. The population is just not large enough to produce more. For example, in Iowa there are 327 school districts out of a total of 430 (i.e., 76%) with K-12 enrollment of less than 1,000 students, which translates into approximately 75 students per grade level. Thus, one would expect, depending upon one's definition of giftedness, that only about two to three students per grade would be classified as gifted. With only a handful of gifted students and perhaps none of them in the same grade, how can appropriate programming be provided? Consequently, gifted students in rural areas are frequently underserved and, thus, at great risk for underachievement. This need not be the case, however. This article provides research-based suggestions for developing educational options that are sensitive to the special needs and circumstances of gifted students living in rural areas. These suggestions draw on the philosophy of acceleration, because it has been shown to be an optimal method for serving gifted students in rural br sparsely


Alcohol dependence is a growing problem in India. In the Indian society, culture primarily defines how an individua l behaves or adapts with the society. Our aim in the study was to determine the role of cultural factors in the deve lopment of "Alcohol Dependence" among patients attending drug de-addiction centre in a tertiary Hospital in Mumbai. The objectives of the study were to study the cultural determinants of 100 di agnosed patients of alcohol dependence according to ICD- 10 diagnostic criteria, to classify alcoholism as type I an d type II based on their etiological factors, age of onset and family history of alcohol dependence and to study the correlation of type I and type II alcoholism with cultural determinants. The tools used in our cross-sectional observational study we re Kuppuswamy socioeconomic status scale, Semi-structured questionnaire and a Case record form. In our study we found out that all patients were males, majority had received secondary education(66%), majority were unskilled workers(49%) and had their monthly income ranging from 10,000 to 25,000Rs(40%) thereby belonging to upper middle class(63%) according to Kuppuswamy classification and majority were Hindus(93%) and married(86%).With regards to cultural factors we found out that beliefs(that is 75% and 72%), curiosity(64%) and peer pressure(65%) were major contributors to devel opment of alcohol dependence while customs(21%), positive family history(36% and 22%), novelty seeking(37%) and game related alcohol abuse(21%) were among the less important ones.. A study of background of race, ethnicity and cultural identity of the alcohol dependent helps us in combating this alcohol menace and thereby avoidin g the adverse social outcomes of the same. Thus practical measures can be taken and this problem of alcohol dependence can be easily dealt with right from its roots.


"Q-methodology is a research tool...." So begins Professor Akhtar-Danesh's article, and it is from this initial misunderstanding that many of the difficulties that follow can be traced. On the very first page of The Study of Behavior, Stephenson (1953), in setting out his challenge to psychology, proposed that the science of behavior could be improved by attending to his "Q technique," but then he continued:


1. A Brief Word on 'Politics' and 'Culture' 2. Colin Matthew 1941-1999 3. Colin Matthew: A Memoir 4. Colin Matthew: A Bibliography 5. Gladstone and Peel 6. Gladstone and a Liberal Theory of International Relations 7. The Enfranchisement of the Urban Poor in Victorian Britain 8. The Defection of the Middle Class: The Endowed Schools Act, the Liberal Party, and the 1874 Election 9. Liberal Passions: Reason and Emotion in Late and Post-Victorian Liberal Thought 10. The Church of England and Women's Higher Education c.1840-1914 11. Protestant Histories: James Anthony Froude, Partisanship, and National Identity 12. Roman Candles: Literary Converts in Late Victorian and Edwardian Britain 13. Scenes from Professional Life: Medicine, Moral Conduct and Inter-connectedness in Middlemarch 14. Victorian Interpretations of Thomas Hobbes Index


Role of libraries in the era of information explosion in 21st century is very important. Library tries to provide maximum service provide to students, staff, and external readers in minimum cost. In this paper I have discussed the best practices in the library of Sonubhau Baswant College in Shahapur. Role of NAAC in college library development is very important, so NAAC tries to develop library through the library best practices in their publication "Best Practices in Academic Libraries". In this paper I have stated the current status of the library of Sonubhau Baswant College collection development. Lastly give the best practices in the library, i.e. Library services to external readers, Internet Facility in the Library, Book Bank Facility and Information about Competitive Exams.


The paper analyzes the elements of directionality in translation and its implication on the quality of translation from the second language into the first (L1 translation) and translation from the first language into the second (L2 translation). The traditional view of directionality in translation studies completely neglects L2 translation, often qualifying it as impossible, inappropriate, etc. However, various studies conducted in European countries indicate that this type of translation is not only possible but highly needed, especially in the countries where less disseminated languages or languages of limited diffusion (LLDs) are spoken. The paper will first present the traditional standpoints and then provide the opposite views followed by the analysis of both types of translation. The results of this study show that both L1 and L2 translations are possible and that both directions include certain difficulties.


Objective To study the clinical effects of snake venom antithrombus enzyme (VAE, ahylysamtifarctum) in severe head injury (SHI). Methods 59 patients of SHI were treated with VAE (VAE 0.75 U+NS 250 ml VD qd) on the base of common treatment from the second day after injury or operation. One course is include 10 days, and 2 or 3 courses are usually used. Results The fine rate of the group of VAE is 59.49%, while the rate of the contrast group is 53.33%. With the criteria there existed significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion Venom antithrombus enzyme is an efficacy drug in the treatment severe head injury.


Attachment of the human tissue plasminogen activator signal peptide (tPA-SP) to a variety of proteins has enhanced the induction of both antibody and cellular immune responses in animal models. Here, as part of a continuing effort to improve HIV-1 vaccine immunogenicity, we sought to determine whether or not addition of optimized tPA-SP improves the magnitude and functionality of T cells elicited by vaccines expressing protein HIVconsv derived from highly conserved regions of the HIV-1 proteome. The HIVconsv vaccines were vectored by plasmid DNA, nonreplicating simian (chimpanzee) adenovirus ChAdV63 and non-replicating poxvirus MVA. We found that addition of the tPA-SP increased levels of intracellular HIVconsv protein for all the tested vaccines. When administered intramuscularly to the BALB/c mice, a 2to 3.5-fold increase infrequencies of vaccine-elicited T-cells were observed for the DNA modality, however, there was no consistent significant improvement when using a much more potent heterologous regimen of ChAdV63 prime-MVA boost. Our results concur with previous DNA studies and emphasize that immunopotentiation by the tPA-SP is likely immunogen, vaccine modality, type of immune responses and species specific. Thus, the tPA-SP effect on induction of desired immune responses should be assessed for each vaccine strategy separately.


The i.r. spectra of binary mixtures of water (HDO and H2O) and four non-electrolyte cosolvants: acetonitrile, dioxane, dimethylsulfoxide, and hexamethylphosphorotriamide have been recorded from 3700 to 3100 cm−1, the mole fractions of water varying from 0 to 1. The investigation of the OH stretching bands of water suggests the presence of various types of hydrogen bonded complexes and confirms the existence of well-defined I–II complexes (one molecule of water bonded to two molecules of cosolvent) when Xwater < 0.1. In the range 0.8 < Xwater < 1 the organic cosolvent has negligible effect on the spectrum of water.


A comparison of the RAST (Phadebas®), skin prick test, nasal test and a history of hay fever was made in 141 subjects, eighty‐seven being prick test positive, with three concentrations of extracts of Sweet vernal (Anthoxanthumodoratum), Cocksfoot (Dactylis glomeratd), Meadow fescue (Festuca elatior), Rye (Lolium perenne), Timothy (Phleum pratense), Meadow (Poa pratensis). In adequate concentration any of the species extracts would have sufficed for skin tests, with Cocksfoot pollen the most potent. Correlations found were: positive RAST/prick test, 98%; positive prick test/ RAST, 89%; positive RAST/nasal test, 75%, and the higher the RAST the closer the correlation and the higher the nasal sensitivity; nasal test positive/RAST negative, 17%; positive history/RAST, 91%; positive history/prick test, 92%.


Creating a clear seismic section to explore the underground is the primary goal of seismic surveys. The seismic section is created by processing the data obtained from the seismic survey. Migration is an important seismic data process, as it puts reflections in place. In this research, the Kirchhoff Migration (KM) algorithm and the Reverse Time Migration (RTM) algorithm were applied using MatlabR2019 software on two industrial models, comparing the results by calculating the brightness on the resulting image and after calculating the contrast and adjusting the seismic section. The results showed that the use of the RTM algorithm gives more clear results than the results obtained when applying the KM algorithm.


Summarizing the character of the high water absorptive material and introducing the progress of complex and functional of high water absorptive material: there exists a wide application foreground for high water absorptive fiber, water absorptive nonwoven fabric, water absorptive plastic and water swelling rubber as well as some function material, such as: water absorptive antibacterial material, perfume impregnated absorbent polymer and water absorptive buodegradable material.


The invention relates to a system, a method, a controller (1) and a switching coupling element (2) for data transmission over a network (4), in particular an Ethernet. Here, the switching coupling element (2) has two interfaces The addresses of other applications (3 The address is calculated using April cache. must be carried out only in one direction of the line designed as a network (4), the forwarding of data messages.


This short communication describes an academic, semester-long, choice-based elective program that was offered to students of senior classes of bachelor of architecture at a renowned college in India. The intent of this communication is to document and share the work with practitioners and the academia. This way it can be replicated and students of architecture and planning be made aware especially as the world had a recent memory of the COVID-19 pandemic, when public health came into a renewed focus. The students who opted for the elective were taught the role of building laws which building practitioners can utilise in preventing disease causing conditions that may occur through the built environment. The basis of instruction was evidence derived from peer-reviewed scientific literature. Various class exercises were performed in order to train the students to develop a sensitivity towards the health of inhabitants while designing the built environment. The course was structured into six exercises which were taught over a semester. This was also followed by small scale research projects that students designed and undertook independently. This short communication is a description of the methodology of the elective. Further may involve replicating the elective  and testing the effectiveness of the same with a separate methodology.


Public transit systems have faced challenges and opportunities from emerging Shared Autonomous Mobility Services (SAMS). This study addresses a city-scale multimodal transit network design problem, with shared autonomous vehicles as both transit feeders and a direct interzonal mode. The framework captures spatial demand and modal characteristics, considers intermodal transfers and express services, determines transit infrastructure investment and path flows, and designs transit routes. A system-optimal multimodal transit network is designed with minimum total door-to-door generalized costs of users and operators, while satisfying existing transit origin-destination demand within a pre-set infrastructure budget. Firstly, the geography, demand, and modes in each clustered zone are characterized with continuous approximation. Afterward, the decisions of network link investment and multimodal path flows in zonal connection optimization are formulated as a minimum-cost multi-commodity network flow (MCNF) problem and solved efficiently with a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) solver. Subsequently, the route generation problem is solved by expanding the MCNF formulation to minimize intramodal transfers. To demonstrate the framework efficiency, this study uses transit demand from the Chicago metropolitan area to redesign a multimodal transit network. The computational results present savings in travelers' journey time and operators' costs, demonstrating the potential benefits of collaboration between multimodal transit systems and SAMS.


In order to further investigate the series of problems emerging from current traditional Chinese medicine industry,this paper proposed a set of innovative networked intelligent control system which employed traditional Chinese medicine dropping pill machine as the control object.It is proposed that through systematic analysis,employing PROFIBUS fieldbus as the instrument of information transfer,utilizing fuzzy PID control as control scheme,the traditional Chinese medicine production control system is expected to achieve an improved controlling level.Three layers frame were adopted in the system as long-distance control layer,intelligent control layer and field control layer.The hardware configuration was introduced.This system makes use of the superiority of traditional Chinese medicine dropping pill machine,improves the roundness of medicine dropping pills,and is expected to reveal its practical value.


Novel TiCx/Fe(Al,Ti) composites have been produced by pressureless sintering.The reaction route between Ti3AlC2 and Fe as well as the effects of different contents of Ti3AlC2 on the flexural strength of TiCx/Fe(Al, Ti) composites are studied.The results show that Ti3AlC2 can react with Fe at around 760 ℃,when the sintering temperature reaches 760 ℃,TiCx begin to emerge,as the temperature further increased to 1 100 ℃,the Ti3AlC2 phase consumed completely,and only Fe(Al,Ti) and TiCx phase are detected in the composites.The flexural strength changes with the Ti3AlC2 content.A maximum bending strength value of TiCx/Fe(Al,Ti) composites,266 MPa,is obtained when Ti3AlC2 volume content is 20% in the starting materials.


We implemented four preprocessing steps to create features for detecting normal and epileptic seizure signals from electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. In the first step, we created wavelet coefficients from EEG signals using wavelet transform (WT). In the second step, wavelet coefficients are plotted in a two dimensional phase space diagram using phase space reconstruction (PSR). In the third step, we calculated the Euclidean distance between wavelet coefficients that are plotted in a two dimensional phase space diagram and origin (0, 0). In the final step, we extracted 24 features from the Euclidean distances by using statistical methods, including frequency distributions and their variabilities. These 24 features as inputs to a neural network with weighted fuzzy membership functions (NEWFM) resulted in performance sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 98.28%, 95.16 %, and 96.66 %, respectively. Keywords—Electroencephalogram, epileptic seizure, fuzzy neural networks, phase space reconstruction, Euclidean distance.


In image processing, one of the most efficient techniques for image segmentation is entropy-based thresholding. In this work a generalized entropy formalism that represents a recent development in statistical mechanics was applied. We propose, for the first time, an image thresholding method using a nonextensive entropy regarding the presence of nonadditive information content in image classes. Preliminary results are shown.


Steganography, the idea of hiding messages and data within other pieces of data, can be useful in many real-world applications alongside encryption and other code-writing methods. This project looks at the method of steganography known as least significant bit substitution, in which the pieces of a message are hidden within the actual binary data of a computer file. This particular application uses WAVE audio files as the carrier file, and allows messages of (practically) any length to be hidden within the sound data. The sound file itself looks identical and sounds the same to the human ear, so the existence of the message is very difficult to detect.


In this article I critically reflect on the hegemonic modernist framework of development by focusing on its reflection and application in the United Nations' (UN) Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and practices. Not only do I find it falling short of explaining, understanding or bringing about global development, but quite the opposite, since it feeds into and reproduces the status quo. While I plead for serious (re)definitions, and genuine global commitment towards the (re)solution, of the current micro/macro social problems, which are interdependent and need to be treated in connection and at once, I pick four urgent areas of transformation as sub-topics for the present discussion. They include the (meta)theoretical framework and discourse of development, historical and contextual analyses of diverse human socio-cultural conditions, political will and agency and psychology's contributions within a transdisciplinary participation paradigm. I also briefly hint at various issues from the 'developing' context of Turkish society in order to illustrate some of the arguments. It is hoped that the complexity of these issues and widespread inequity problems will no longer be ignored in favour of conventional policies and programmes that are based on the reductionist framework and that truly trans(/post)disciplinary and trans(/post)cultural dialogues will enable new connections, meanings and actions towards desired global transformations.


Objective
To investigate the ability of locking plate construct plus fibular autograft that varies in way of augmentation to withstand varus stresses in a model of proximal humeral fracture.

Methods
Wedge osteotomy was conducted in the humeral surgical necks of 12 shoulders from 6 cadaveric specimens to create models of proximal humeral fracture. There were 3 males and 3 females; their average age at death was 83 years (from 75 to 87 years). The 12 left and right cadaveric humeri were randomly divided into equal groups A and B (n=6) for autogenous iliac bone graft. All the fibular autografts were harvested without distinction from the thinnest and even part of the fibular shaft. A fibular autograft of 8 cm was placed vertically in group A while a fibular autograft of 6 cm was placed slantly in group B. After the fractures were fixated with the proximal humerus internal fixation locking system (PHILOS), varus stress was repeatedly applied to the proximal humerus until the internal fixation failed in the fracture model. The 2 groups were compared in terms of number of compression, number of compression leading to 1 mm deformation, and average shape variable after each press.

Results
Cut-out of the lateral cortex of the humeral head by the humeral screw and plate loosening to different extents were observed in both groups. The number of compression leading to internal fixation failure was 31,338±5,994 for group A and 30,608±8,015 for group B; the number of compression leading to 1 mm deformation was 2,808±1,501 for group A and 3,153±2,024 for group B; the average shape variable after each press was 0.52±0.39 μm/time for group A and 0.53±0.47 μm/time for group B. All the above comparisons between the 2 groups showed no significant differences (P>0.05).

Conclusion
As locking plate construct plus slant fibular autograft augmentation provides no more strength to withstand repetitive varus stresses than locking plate construct plus vertical fibular autograft augmentation, it is not necessary to adopt the former way of augmentation in clinic practice for proximal humeral fracture.

Key words:
Shoulder joint; Bone plates; Transplantation, heterotopic; Biomechanics; Proximal humeral fracture


Objective The purpose of the present study was to compare the phrenic nerve conduction time (PNCT) and the amplitude of diphragmatic evoked potential by the cervical magnetic stimulation with those by conventional bilateral percutaneous electrical stimulation of the phrenic in humans. Methods Conventional bilateral percutaneous electrical stimulation and cervical magnetic stimulation of phrenic nerves were conducted in 13 normal subjects and 7 COPD patients. The PNCT and the amplitude by both methods were measured.Results 1. The PNCT of percutaneous electrical stimulation were(7.02±0.86)ms on the left side and (8.13 ± 0.91)ms on the right side in the normal group, which longer than that by cervical magnetic stimulation[left: ( 5.12 ±+ 0.83 ) ms;right: (5.63 ± 1.48) ms] ,respectively(both P0.001) . In COPD group, PNCT of percutaneous electrical stimulation were (7.19±0.72)mson the left side and (8.08 ± 0.84)ms on the right side, which also longer than those by cervical magnetic stimulation [left: (5.21 ± 1.07)ms ;right: (5.51 ±0.31)ms] ,respectively(left:P 0.01;right: P0.001). 2. In normal group, there was a significant relationship (r = 0.751, P 0.01) between the amplitudes evoked by both methods on the left side. Amplitude evoked by electrical stimulation is higher than that by the cervical magnetic stimulation on the right side(P0.05) .between which a significant relationship was also existed ( r = 0.580, P 0.05 ) . In COPD group, there was no difference(both P0.05) of amplitudes evoked by both methods on both sides.Conclusion The cervical magnetic stimulation can be used to evaluate the PNCT and the amplitude of diaphragm in humans.


Kinetic energy harvesters have become a common power source for autonomous sensors operating at micro- and meso-scales. The conventional approach to kinetic energy harvesting is to assume that the proof mass of the mechanical component in an energy harvester is actuated by external motion produced by the sensor's environment. This approach, dominant since the beginning of micro-scale energy harvesting, has now resulted in the design of advanced, nonlinear harvesters suitable for non-harmonic vibrations produced by many systems of interest. In this paper, we present a feasibility study of an alternative approach to kinetic energy harvesting, where the motion of the proof mass is actively synthesized.


To the Editor.— The possible biochemical heterogeneity of affective disorders has been discussed during the last decade. 1 The bimodal distribution of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) supports the hypothesis that a subgroup of endogenous depressives have a disturbance in serotonin neurotransmission. 2 Moreover, significantly lower homevanillic acid (HVA) levels in the CSF were found in depressed patients compared with healthy control subjects. 3 This finding and results from other studies indicate that dopamine might be involved in the pathogenesis of affective disorders. 3 The antidepressant effect of the dopamine agonists bromocriptine 6,7 and piribedil 8 supports this hypothesis. Silverstone 7 has shown that patients with bipolar but not unipolar depression responded to bromocriptine. This indicates that bipolar and unipolar depression might differ in central dopaminergic neurotransmission. Patients and Methods.— Our study group comprised 50 nontreated patients (age range, 24 to 73 years; 21 men and 29 women)