This article seeks to bring some clarity to the controversial question of whether the Son of God assumed a fallen or unfallen human nature. We briefly survey conflicting historical assessments and continuing perplexity related to this question. Next we argue that much contemporary confusion can only be removed by first noting how John Calvin and Reformation catechisms tended to understand the idea of Jesus' sinlessness. In conclusion, from the vast literature on the subject we outline seven points which may serve contemporary reflection on this question by showing where the two views agree, disagree, or show internal divisions.


Enhancing the yield potential of irrigated rice would be the key for meeting the global as well Indian rice requirement. There is more or less stagnant yield potential of semi-dwarf indica inbreeds observed since release of IR-8. New plant type is one of the potential approaches for raising yield ceiling in irrigated ecology. Tropical japonicas (Javanicas) are supposed to be the potential donors, for broadening genetic base, because of their heavy panic/e size (with large number of spikelets) and stiff straw. 225 Tropicaljaponicas (TJ) and their derivatives (inc/udingfew Assam Rice Collections) were screened for super plant type traits to be utilized as prospective donors. Variability study for the parameters viz., number of grains/panic/e, plant height; tiller number and test weight exhibited comparatively higher phenotypic as well as genotypic coefficient of variation. The characters, test weight, plant height and days lo flowering were recorded as highly heritable, whereas, specific leaf weight, culm strength and flag leaf angle as moderately high. On the basis of estimates h and GA, the traits viz., plant height, flag leaf angle, culm strength, specific leaf weight and 100 grain weight could be regarded more amenable to selection. A suitable combination of desirable characters should have to be taken up, to do away with the bottlenecks for designing a NPT. TJ derivatives CR2667-9-1, CN-65-5 and CR-780-1937-1 were found with lodging resistance along with moderate to high tillering (7.5 -12.0). Genotypes CR2667-11-1-2-1, CR-2688-6-7, CR-2667-8-2, TCA-282, CR-2672-13-1-1, CR-662-2211-1-1-517 and AC-38693-1 were recorded with heavy drooping panic/e and high grain number, whereas, CR-2667-9-2-6 and CR-780-1937-1 with longpanicle (34.0 cm), TCA-282 and CN-65-5 were with high tillering along with heavy panic/e. Similarly, CR-2672-13-1-1, CR-662-2211-1-1-517 were observed with long upright thick top leaves (Aig. leaf length 46.0 cm); CN-65-5 and CR-2687-16-4-1 were found with good grain filling and were identified to be prospective donors. These could be hybridized with JR 73943-120-5-3-2, IR-1700-247-5-3-2-1, IR-72158-154-3-2-1-1-1, IR-73933-8-2-2-3 and IR73107-45-3-2-3 or Swarna (MTU-7029) as female parent for development of NPTs with high grain yield coupled with tolerance to major diseases and pests.


The article presents a historical and cultural commentary to the short story "The Stationmaster" and shows how the theme of a humiliated epical hero is implemented in this work by Pushkin


This paper investigates an optimal dynamic incentive contract between a risk-averse principal (system operator) and multiple risk-averse agents (subsystems) with independently local controllers in continuous-time controlled Markov processes, which can represent various cyber-physical systems. The principal fs incentive design and the agents f decision-makings under asymmetric information structure are known as the principal-agent (PA) problems in economic field. However, the standard framework in economics cannot be directly applied to the realistic control systems including large-scale cyber-physical systems and complex networked systems due to some unrealistic assumptions for an engineering perspective. In this paper, using a constructive approach based on the techniques of the classical stochastic control theory, we propose and solve a novel dynamic control/incentive synthesis for the PA problem under moral hazard.


Objective: The biological activity of a substance may be explored through a series of experiments on increased or decreased doses of such substance. One of the purposes in studies of this sort is the determination of minimum effective dose. Use of appropriate sample size has an indisputable effect on the reliability of the decisions made in studies made for this purpose. This study attempts to provide a summary of sample sizes, in different scenarios, needed by researchers during the use of Williams test by taking into consideration the number of groups in dose-response studies as well as minimal clinically significant difference, standard deviation, and the test's power through asymptotic power analyses. Material and Methods: When Type I error was taken as 0.05, scenarios were determined in different sample sizes for each group (5 to 100 with an increase of 5 at a time) and different numbers of groups (from 3 to 10, with an increase of 1 at a time). Minimal clinically significant difference refers to the difference between the control group and the experimental group. In this instance, when the control group is zero and takes a specific average value, it refers to the difference from the experimental group. In the resent study, such differences are defined from 1 to 10 with an increase of 1 at a time. For the test's power would change when the standard deviation changed, the relevant value was changed in all scenarios from 1 to 10 with an increase of 1 at a time to explore the test's power. Dose-response distributions are skew. In the present study, data were derived from the Poisson distribution with λ= 1 parameter that was determined in accordance with dose-response curves. Results: When changes occurring in the determined scenarios are considered, it can be said, in general, that the significant difference must be set between 1 and 3; and standard deviation must be set between 1 and 2. Conclusion: It is certain that change in the number of groups has quite a big influence on sample size. Researchers may calculate the test's power based on the recommended sample sizes prior to experimental designs.


Abstract BACKGROUND Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumors (ATRT) are rare, highly malignant neoplasms arising in infants and young children. However, the biological basis of ATRTs remains poorly understood. In the present study, we employed integrated bioinformatics to investigate the hub genes and potential molecular mechanism in ATRT. METHODS Three microarray datasets, GSE35943, GSE6635 and GSE86574, were downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) which contained a total of 79 samples including 32 normal brain tissue samples and 47 ATRT samples. The RobustRankAggreg method was employed to integrate the results of these gene expression datasets to obtain differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were conducted at the Enrichr database. The hub genes were screened according to the degree using Cytoscape software. Finally, transcription factor (TF) of hub genes were obtained by the NetworkAnalyst algorithm. RESULTS A total of 297 DEGs, consisting of 94 downregulated DEGs and 103 upregulated DEGs were identified. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these genes were associated with cell cycle, p53 signaling pathway and DNA replication. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis revealed that CDK1, CCNA2, BUB1B, CDC20, KIF11, KIF20A, KIF2C, NCAPG, NDC80, NUSAP1, PBK, RRM2, TPX2, TOP2A and TTK were hub genes and these genes could be regulated by MYC, SOX2 and KDM5B according to the results of TF analysis. CONCLUSIONS Our study will improve the understanding of the molecular mechanisms and provide novel therapeutic targets for ATRT.


Time‐restricted feeding (TRF), whereby caloric intake is limited to a <12‐hour window, is a potential regimen to ameliorate metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk co‐occurring with aging and with obesity. Early TRF (eTRF; early morning feeding followed by overnight fasting) times calorie consumption with hepatic circadian gene expression rhythms. Brief TRF trials demonstrate that high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol increases similar to diet/exercise interventions, which may impart beneficial CVD effects. Using a nonhuman primate (NHP) model, the efficacy of eTRF to raise HDL and increase plasma cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) (primarily mediated by cholesterol efflux to HDL particles, a process that is inversely associated with CVD risk) was examined.


This essay expounds the basic conception of community service which is the aggregate of community work and public service on the basis of the exposition written in the document of the sixth meeting of the sixteen central committee of CPC.In the meanwhile,the writer comments on the characteristics such as welfare,system,people-orienting,mutul aid and cooperation,variety,and the function such as relieving people of worries,coordination,mediation,community stabilization.therefore,the writer holds that the government should make the policy of community service,define the target,encourage the residents to participate in community service,structure the cooperation system and bear the responsibility.


The proportion of cells bearing surface immunoglobulin (Ig) and the normal lymphocyte transfer (NLT) reactivity of mononuclear cells obtained from the blood, afferent lymph, and efferent lymph from both somatic and intestinal nodes of sheep were measured.


Induction is the term used to describe the fact that visual perception depends not only on the absolute luminance of a patch in a visual scene, but also on the luminance of the surrounding patches. Induction can be achromatic or chromatic, depending on the presence of only shades of gray, or color, respectively. Achromatic induction can be measured through quite simple psychophysical matching experiments, whose data are well fitted by the so-called edge integration models. In this paper we will examine Rudd-Zemach's edge integration model and we will show that it can be interpreted in terms of a variational framework that shares many features with a phenomenologically-based visual perception theory recently proposed. The relevance of this result is twofold: firstly, it allows interpreting induction in terms of local contrast enhancement, secondly, it provides a validation of the variational framework in terms of quantitative measures, opening the possibility to determine important parameters of this framework.


The effectiveness of information security can be substantially limited by inappropriate and destructive human behaviors within an organization. As recent critical security incidents have shown, successful insider intrusions induce a fear of repeated disruptive behaviors within organizations, and can be more costly and damaging than outsider threats. Today, employees compose the majority of end-users. The wide variety of information that they handle in a multitude of work and non-work settings brings new challenges to organizations and drives technological and managerial change. Several areas of studies such as behavioral information security, information security governance and social engineering to name a few, have emerged in an attempt to understand the phenomena and suggest countermeasures and responses. This paper starts by defining behavioral information security and provides examples of security behaviors that have an impact on the overall security of an organization. Threats' mitigations are then depicted followed by future trends.


The application of the Z-source/quasi-Z-source inverter exacerbates the hazard of common mode voltage in motor drives or photovoltaic systems. The existing reduced common-mode voltage pulse width modulation (RCMV-PWM) technique applied to the Z-source/quasi-Z-source inverter has solved the problem of common mode voltage suppression to a certain extent, but its switching losses have not been optimized. In this paper, the existing Active zero-state PWM (AZSPWM) and remote state PWM (RSPWM) strategies in quasi-Z-source inverters are analyzed, and a new switching loss optimized common mode reduction modulation strategy is proposed. This algorithm does not change the original common-mode voltage suppression effect, while reducing the number of switching times in a switching period, thereby reducing the switching losses. By optimizing the shoot-through vector insertion method, the current stress of the switching device is reduced. The proposed modulation strategy does not affect the operating range and boost factor of the quasi-Z-source inverter OPWM strategy. The simulation results show that when the output power is 1kw, the proposed strategy can improve efficiency by at least 1% compared to the odd PWM(OPWM) strategy. Finally, A low-power test platform is built to verify the loss optimization effect.


Leakages in the water distribution networks (WDNs) are real problems for utilities and other governmental agencies. Timely leak detection and location identification have been challenges. In this paper, an integrated approach to geospatial and infrared image processing was used for robust leak detection. The method combines drops in flow, pressure, and chlorine residuals to determine potential water leakage locations in the WDN using Geographic Information System (GIS) techniques. GIS layers were created from the hourly values of these three parameters for the city of Sharjah provided by the Sharjah Electricity, Water, and Gas Authority (SEWA). These layers are then analyzed for locations with dropped values of each of the parameters and are overlaid with each other. In the case where there were no overlaying locations between flow and pressure, further water quality analysis was avoided, assuming no potential leak. In the case where there are locations with drops in flow and pressure layers, these overlaying locations are then examined for drops in chlorine values. If overlaying locations are found, then these regions are considered potential leak locations. Once potential leak locations are identified, a specialized remote sensing technique can be used to pinpoint the leak location. This study also demonstrated the suitability of using an infrared camera for leak detection in a laboratory-based setup. This paper concludes that the following methodology can help water utility companies in the timely detection of leaks, saving money, time, and effort.


To the Editor:— The purpose of this communication is to report what is believed to be a new method for more satisfactory examination of the vagina in certain special circumstances. Technique:— The distal end of a sigmoidoscope, with obturator removed, is placed inside an 8-inch transparent plastic sandwich bag (previously immersed in a "catheter solution"), and the neck of the bag is gathered around the instrument and firmly secured with a rubber band about an inch from the distal end. The portion of the bag projecting beyond the end is temporarily tucked inside, and the instrument is lightly lubricated and inserted into the vagina so that the rubber band lies at the hymenal ring. The insufflator is now used to inflate the bag within the vagina. The transparent plastic material balloons out the vaginal mucosa, adhering to its entire surface, smoothing even the deepest corrugations, and rising, with a little


In these uncertain times dealing with the COVID-19, it is important for medical journals to adapt their publication processes to encourage timely information sharing for frontline clinicians.1 One example is the increased publication of relevant case reports, including those which reported some of the earliest cases of COVID-19 in Wuhan.2 However, in recent decades, case reports have fallen out of favour with many medical journals.3 With their resurgence in the face of this new threat, we must reconsider the relevance of this much maligned form of …


The author discusses pedagogical successes achieved in a course based on visual telescopic observation for
college students in all majors.


Deep well disposal of slurried drilling waste using a modified CRI process has been implemented at the Saudi Aramco Manifa Oilfield. Injection of drilling waste into a deep, high porosity, high permeability sandstone (approximately 6500 ft TVD) at Manifa began in 2012, and has continued with up to eleven disposal wells being active during drilling operations. To-date (April 2014), over 238,380 bbls of drilling waste streams have been injected. The modified CRI operations utilize a cyclic 'slurry fracture injection' process at high rates with direct-sand injection via dedicated disposal wells. Extensive process monitoring/analyses is used during CRI operations to ensure process control. The waste streams include drill cuttings, oil based drilling fluids, water based drilling fluids and brine. Deep well disposal provides a secure operation achieving 'zero discharge' by injecting cuttings and associated fluids. Skip and ship is used as secondary waste management method in case of limitations in CRI operations. The Khafji disposal formation was chosen for 'slurry' waste injection at Manifa field since it met or exceeded the desired criteria for permeability, porosity, depth and other properties. Injection takes place on drilling rigs and into dedicated disposal wells. Hydraulic fracturing is necessary to inject the slurry containing drilling wastes. As injection goes on, slurry design, injection strategy and dynamic formation geomechanics/fluid flow response will affect to the performance of the disposal formation. The use of modified CRI operations, using a cyclic, high rate slurry fracture injection process, is essential to ensure process control, maximize the formation storage capacity for these disposal wells/formations; and to ensure that the zero discharge operational-drilling objectives of the Manifa Drilling Team are met. This paper will present a field case assessment of the Manifa CRI operations performance in terms of achieving process control and meeting the zero discharge operationaldrilling objectives of the Manifa Drilling Team by ensuring successful, reliable deep well disposal operations.


In summer 2012 the National Audit Office (NAO) commissioned the Oxford University Centre for Business Taxation (OUCBT) to draw up an academic review of the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes regime (DOTAS) and the tax avoidance landscape. The academic review formed part of the evidence base behind the NAO's report: "Tax avoidance: tackling marketed avoidance schemes" (November 2012). The NAO's report "examines the effectiveness of the DOTAS regime and HMRC's response to marketed tax avoidance schemes, particularly those used by large numbers of individuals and smaller businesses."

The review produced by the OUCBT consisted of three papers on tax avoidance generally, DOTAS and the Tax Gap. These papers, with minor amendments, are being made available here as a matter of public record.

Nothing stated here should be taken to represent the views of the NAO.


This paper extends the divide-and-conquer approach of Liefvoort [7,8] to the generalized p-peg Tower of Hanoi problem withp5. Given an (n,p)-system, the problem is to divide the tower on the source peg into slices so that each slice (viewed as a single entity) can move usingp–1 pegs only. The number and sizes of slices have been given, and an expression for M(n,p) has been derived in terms of these slices, where M(n,p) denotes the presumed minimum number of moves required to transfer the tower of n discs from the source peg to the destination peg


Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) is useful in many technological applications and it's properties are strongly dependent on the doping of it's A or B site. We have performed temperature dependent Raman studies of SrTi0.9M0.1O3 (M = transition metal) nanoparticles. Our results indicate that the mode energies and symmetry of the SrTiO3 structure have been changed as doped with various transition metals, such as Fe, Co or Ni. However, these changes depend on the type of the doping element and the doping content.


In every patient admitted with a traumatic coma a CAT scan was performed immediately (less than 6 hours after the accident). As a routine procedure another scan was performed 48 hours later; further scans were done depending upon the clinical and ICP conditions. The patients were operated upon or given a medical treatment from the CAT scan analysis only. Until now the brainstem lesions have not been seen on the first day CAT scan images. The CAT scan performed on the second day will show a stabilization or an expansion of the previous lesions: haemorrhage or oedema. Any change in the patient condition or in the IPC monitoring must lead to a new CAT scan revealing epidural or subdural haematomas, hydrocephalus, subdural hygroma, persistent oedema. Therefore the CAT scanner used by a neurosurgical team must be able to work day and night.


Even the earliest writers on end user computing warned of the riskiness of end user application development [e.g., Davis, 19921. Initially, warnings were based on speculation or on scattered incidents of problems. The main target of current research on EUC riskiness seems to be spreadsheeting. This is hardly surprising. As the first paper in the minitrack notes, end users produce hundreds of millions of spreadsheet models each year, often to guide mission critical decisions. In recent years, several cases of spreadsheet errors have been reported [Business Week, 1984; Cragg & King, 1993; Davies and Ikin, 1987; Dhebar, 1993; Ditlea, 1987; Freeman, 1984; Gilman & Bulkeley, 1986; Hayen & Peters, 1989; Simkin, 19871. Given the reluctance of organizations to publicize embarrassments, these few cases may be only the tip of the iceberg. Some consultants, based on personal experience, have claimed that something like a third of all operational spreadsheet models contain errors [Creeth, 1985; Ditlea, 1987; Kee, 1988; Mason & Keane, 1989; Ronen, Palley, '& Lucas, 19891. One Price Waterhouse consultant reported auditing four large spreadsheet models for a client and finding 128 errors [Ditlea, 19871. Today, we are beginning to move beyond such reports of problem incidents and broad statements by consultants. The six papers in this minitrack represent a good sampling of recent research that has looked at risks in end user computing. I think you will agree that what they tell us about risks in end user computing is both compell ing and disturbing.


Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of diagnostic ultrasound combined acupuncture treatment of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease. Methods A total of 124 cases of patients with lower extremity arterial occlusive randomly divided into control group and observation group,the control group was given 100 mg cilostazol treatment,postprandial oral,surrounded by a course of treatment. Observation group first color Doppler ultrasound diagnosis,frequency of 10 MHz,wall filter 50 Hz,sampling capacity of 5mm,the angle between the sound beam and blood flow 60 °. After the election Chengshan and bilateral Zusanli two points to mm needle,the needle 3cm. Use of " reinforcing vent " needle,two needle acupuncture points even 30 min,1 times / d,5 times / w,four weeks for a course. Results Total effective rate in the treatment group was significantly higher efficiency( P 0. 05). After treatment,the observation group were ankle-brachial index was( 1. 19 ± 0. 13),significantly higher than( 0. 78 ± 0. 09)( P 0. 05). Conclusion Color Doppler ultrasound can provide accurate anatomical and functional information vascular disease,is an effective way to lower extremity arterial occlusive disease non-invasive examination. Acupuncture treatment of lower extremity arterial occlusive disease curative effect,no side effects,worthy of clinical application.


Fluorocarbon films are deposited from mixtures of pentafluoroethane (PFE)/argon and octafluorocyclobutane/argon in a parallel plate reactor at pressures of 0.75 and 1 Torr and substrate temperatures between 120 and 240 °C. These monomers are compared in terms of plasma dissociation chemistries as well as chemical structure and properties (electrical, thermal, chemical, and optical) of the resulting films. Deposition rates with C4F8 are significantly higher than CF3CHF2. With both monomers, the deposition rate decreases with an increase in substrate temperature, indicative of an adsorption limited process. Films deposited from both monomers are analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and capacitance measurements. XPS analyses indicate a higher flourine to carbon ratio for films deposited from C4F8. Likewise, these films have lower refractive indices (n∼1.38–1.39) and lower dielectric constants (k∼2.18–2.33) than PFE f...


Since inception, large parts of the broadcasters' industry have envisioned 5G as the new era in which Uplink (UL) live video quality transmission over a single cellular modem is possible. Even more so, at a very low latency. 5G, mainly StandAlone (SA) but also Non-SA (NSA) architectures, both Non-Public-Network (NPN) and commercial public network, was hailed as the solution enabling TV and media newsgathering, sports coverage and similar live events with a simple single off-the-shelf 5G modem. Results of this paper, which are based on real testbeds, shed light on potential weaknesses in the effort of delivering a reliable professional live UL video transmission in field production utilizing a single 5G modem. On the other hand, the tested bonding technique that uses multiple 5G modems for UL video transmission, enhances the 5G Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) rather than exhausting each of them. Bonding technique is a key enabler for live news and live sports productions, resulting not only in increased UL rate, but also in stability and reliability as shown in this work. Several additional insights are touched upon in this work, about the benefit in Time Division Duplexing (TDD) UL pattern, 5G SA UL when bonded with its 4G network and more.


In this paper,a concept is introduced in order to model a class of problems in social networks.A social network consisting of positive and negative influential individuals is represented as a partitioned graph G =(V,E) with vertex set partition V = V~+∪V~-.A subset D(?)V~- is called a positive influencing set if every vertex of G has in D∪V~+ at least half of its neighbors.The positive influencing number of G is the minimum cardinality of a positive influencing set.In the present paper,we show some sharp lower bounds for this parameter,and prove that this problem is NP-complete for partitioned bipartite graphs and partitioned chordal graphs,respectively.


This paper analyzes the different reaction pathways that play major roles in the process of photocatalytic degradation, and presents a novel microfluidic photoelectrocatalytic reactor for selective control of them. This is accomplished by applying positive or negative bias potential to the photocatalytic reaction chamber and to select either the hole-driven or electron-driven oxidation pathway. The experimental results show that the negative bias exhibits higher performance in degrading the model chemical of methylene blue. Such selective control brings several important benefits. It provides another degree of freedom for photocatalysis, and enables detailed kinetic study on the reaction mechanisms. And, the bias eliminates the electron/hole recombination, which is one of the fundamental limits in conventional photocatalytic systems. In additional, the experiment shows that the bias produces a synergetic effect of electrocatalysis and photocatalysis and significantly enhances the degradation efficiency. The photoelectrocatalytic microreactor shows high stability and may be scaled up for high-performance water purification.


The remarkable increase of serum amino acids (Taurine (1.3 to 4.6 p moles/100m1), Aspartic acid (0.5 to 4.5 p moles/100m!), Threonine (1.5 to 4.6 moles/ 100m1), Serine (2.4 to 6.5 p moles/100m1), Glutamine (3.3 to 6.6 p moles/100ml), Glycine (2.2 to 6.8 p moles/100m1), Alanine (3.5 to 9.6 p moles/100m1), Valine (1.6 to 6.1 p moles/100m1), and Tyrosine (0.7 to 3.4 At moles/100m1), the decrese of electricity at Ryodoten (from 167 to 78 p A), and diminish of inflammatory cell infiltrations (lymphocytes, histiocytes, mast cells) could be observed at the period of twenty time electrical stimulations. These increased or decreased values were signifcantly different from the initial values and the non-stimulated control (P<0.001 & 0.001<P<0.01). ( 1 ) Masada Clinic for Women's Diseases, Urology and Dermatology, 1-13, nibancho, Koshien, Nishinomiya City. ( 2 ) Hasegawa ,Clinic, 59-1, Kanae Nishikanki-cho, Kakogawa City. ( 3 ) Kyoto Mitsubishi Hospital, Katsura, Kyoto. ( 4 ) Director of Watakushiritsu Harima Hospital Onoe-cho, Kakogawa City. ―4(286)―                                  眼 自律12号 Therefore, these repeated electrical stimulations through the acupuncture needles on both body and ear Ryodoten could be useful for the control of urticarial dermatitis and skin itching.


Research conducted to identify the effect of scientific level in good time management. in the faculty of science and humanity studies (university of Salman bin Abdulaziz- branch of Aflaj) . Research determined the relation, association and effect of scientific level (teaching assistant, lecturer, assistant professor, associate, and professor) in good time management. Total sample size of research is 46 members of teaching staff from the faculty. SPSS was used to analyze the data. Research applied chi- squared or (x²) and regression analysis, to examine the hypotheses. Research examined that there is a relationship between the scientific level (degrees) and the good time management. The research examined that the scientific level is positively related to the good time management. Also research concluded that the use of computer and media technology have moral impact on good time management among employees in the faculty.


A series of 2-phenyl-5-alkenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazoles were synthesized in high yields from the corresponding dicarbonylhydrazides through cyclodehydration. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Heteroatom Chem 14:570–574, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/hc.10197


The intra-articular portion of the upper tibial surface, called tibial eminence, consists of two spines: medial and lateral. The anterior cruciate ligamentis attached to the medial spine, whereas lateral spine has no attachment to any other structure. 4 Tibial spine avulsion fractures (intercondylar eminence fractures) are most commonly faced in young patients between 8 and 14 years of age. 1,2 Though such fractures in paediatric patients are rare injuries, they account for 14% of all anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the same age group. 3 The mechanism of injury is hyperextension of the knee with simultaneous rotation of the knee on the tibia, as may happen while falling off a bicycle, playing soccer or participating in other forceful sports related activities. Significant tension is put on the ACL, while doing hyperextension of knee. 5 As the ACL originates on the lateral femoral condyle and inserts onto the anterior tibial spine, The forceful hyperextention results in an avulsion fracture of the tibial attachment site and this also leads to weakness in the cruciate ligament. The bone fails before the ligaments as per their elastic property and, hence, these fractures are common in children than in adults. The tibial spine fractures are classified [Meyer and McKeever] into three types: type 1 fracture is undisplaced; type 2 is partially displaced or hinged; and type 3 is completely displaced or inverted and impossible to reduce because of the transverse meniscal ligament preventing seating of the fragment. 6 A type IV is also described by Zaricznyj 7 , which represents rotation and comminution of the fragments.


Amorphous carbon films with and without additions of silicon were deposited on hard metal substrates by magnetron sputtering. The used innovative targets were hot-pressed, homogenous mixtures of graphite and silicon carbide powder. Single layer films were deposited with three different compositions (100 at% C, 5 at% Si in C, 23 at% Si in C). The growing films were deposited without and with additional argon ion bombardement (300 eV). The ion bombarment increased the hardness of pure carbon films (from 1400 to approx. 4000 HV0.05) and of carbon films with 5 at% silicon (from 1400 to approx. 2500 HV0.05). By increasing the silicon concentration the friction coefficient against AISI 52100 was reduced from 0.15 to 0.06, but the volumetric wear of this film was higher than for the pure carbon film. Applying the multilayer coating concept (100 at% C and 23 at% Si in C layers) lead to films which combine low friction coefficients (0.05), high hardness (2600 HV0.05), and reduced wear. These films open a large field in usage as wear-resistant coatings.


INTRODUCTION : The Speleotherapy (ST) in salt mines and other galleries is practiced empirically. The  development of ST promoted of halotherapy (HT) in artificial spaces. MATERIALS & METHODS : Were analyzed own and other authors scientific and bibliographic data in the field. RESULTS : In the 50's in Germany appeared the first medical reports about efficacity of speleotherapy (Yang B., Schubert G., 1962).  The first treatment in Wieliczka Salt Mine (Poland) basis for people with pulmonary diseases was set up in 1958, the first section of underground therapy being opened in 1964 (M. Skulimowski, 1968). Have appeared scientific studies, treatment and recovery centers in caves and salt mines in Germany, Austria, Poland, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Romania, Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Iran, Nakhichevan and other countries. There are about 60 known caves and salt mines or other origin investigated or already used for speleotherapy. HT has its origins in alergology hospitals Solotvino (Ukraine, "Zakarpatie") with "subterranean therapeutic sections" in salt mines.  In the years 1975-1977 was specialy excavated a room where the disperse ground salt for inhalation by the asthma patients. The artificial analogy "salt room" was experimented and used in 1978 at Uzhgorod Branch of the Balneology and Physical Therapy Institute (Odessa,Ukraine) and has patented under the name "Ionotron". The concept of "halo chamber" for treatment in artificial salt microclimate, it was conducted by the Union Institute of Pneumology (St. Petersburg, Russia) in 1985 ("Galokamera", P.P.Gorbenko and coauthors), equipped with salt aerosol generator, as well as the methodology for medical use. In the field of ST and HT they were achieved multidisciplinary scientific studies, international symposiums of PCS/CPS. CONCLUSIONS: Have established the development of Speleoterapy in salt mines and caves, and Halotherapy in artificial salt chambers for use in health purposes.


At no other time has a student's knowledge of the world seemed greater and that same world seemed smaller than now. Their global awareness and ethical perspective have developed throughout childhood thanks to education, digital communication and access to international travel. Can meaningful work and geographic and cultural variety satisfy their outward and inward gaze? Is this the deeper motivation in joining a school of architecture? As they imagine their future, how can we help them put their values into practice and reinforce their belief that others' lives can be improved through their agency as an architect? This paper explores four phases of an ongoing internationally collaborative live project between The Mackintosh School of Architecture at The Glasgow School of Art in the UK (MSA) and The School of Architecture and the Built Environment (SABE) at The University of Rwanda (UR).


Thirty‐two patients with congenital portal vein thrombosis have been managed for bleeding gastro‐oesophageal varices. Fifteen had splenectomy and/or other therapy before referral: nine were managed by endoscopie sclerosis, four by devascularization and two by total shunt; six rebled. Seventeen had their spleen "in situ" at referral and were evaluated for selective shunt: thirteen had distal splenorenal shunts (DSRS)–‐one transiently rebled despite a patent shunt and one had shunt thrombosis; four had no veins suitable for shunt, and were managed by splenectomy and devascularization, with two rebleeds. Detailed study of seven patients before, and 1 year after DSRS, showed a rise in platelet count, maintenance of hepatocyte function, portal perfusion, liver blood flow and liver size. The spleen showed a significant (P<0.025) reduction in size with trans‐splenic decompression. We conclude that DSRS provides an excellent method for long‐term control of bleeding in such patients, without alteration of liver function or haemodynamics. Patients managed by splenectomy and direct ablative procedures have a significantly (P<0.05) greater risk of rebleeding than patients receiving DSRS.


We address here a large scale routing and scheduling transportation problem, through introduction of a flow model designed on a dynamic network. We deal with this model while using a master/slave decomposition scheme, and testing the behavior on this scheme of both a GRASP algorithm and a Genetic algorithm.


The behavior of fatigue crack growth for low and medium carbon steels, an austenitic stainless steel and an aluminum alloy under pure Mode II loading was investigated experimentally, using cruciform specimens. The results show that under pure Mode II loading, fatigue crack propagation has three possibilities, namely, bifurcation into two branches, propagation along the original Mode II direction, and the mixture of these two situations, depending on the material. The growth rate da/dN vs. ΔK II relation for Mode II propagation is similar to a Paris type law for Mode I growth. Fractographic observations by optical microscopy and SEM were made also on all specimens tested. When a crack branched, striations parallel to the crack front which were often associated with Mode I fatigue crack growth were observed and long marks parallel to the crack propagation direction were also found for slanted fracture surfaces. When a crack propagated along the original Mode II direction, many frictional marks parallel to the crack propagation direction were observed.


This paper estimates, incorporating a Transcendental Logarithmic Production Function, the technical efficiency level of different industries in selected E.U. countries. The paper considers panel data for inefficiency effects in stochastic production frontier based on Battese and Coelli (1995), providing translog effects, as well as industry effects. The empirical model accommodates not only heteroscedasticity but also allows the possibility that an industry may not always produce the maximum possible output, given the inputs. Unlike most studies, the paper estimates time – varying technical efficiencies (incorporating "learning – by doing? behaviour) as industry-specific fixed effects. Furthermore, the model decomposes total factor productivity (TFP) growth into two components: technological growth (essentially, a shift of production possibility frontier, set by best-practice enterprises) and inefficiency changes (i.e., deviations of actual output level from the production possibility frontier).


For many years simulations are an important tool for researchers in many fields of application. With ongoing improvements in computing power and the rising requirements in the industry, simulation software has to shift the focus more towards industrial use cases. Especially in robotics and machine learning applications, the physical behavior has to be reproduced as realistic as possible to avoid unwanted collisions during runtime. In general, applications such as mounting or bin picking with an automated robot shall be evaluated. Therefore this paper investigates three in-use and one newly published software environment with included physics engine for realistic simulations that are commercially available. For comparison, a benchmark with collisions between two gears to imitate a mounting process is implemented and key features are defined. Only two of the simulation software manage to pass the benchmark. Despite that, both of them show restrictions revealing a lack of reliable software for realistic robot interaction simulation.


The issue of mycotoxins and mycotoxicosis in veterinary medicine is directly connected to the usage of mouldy and/or adversely stored grains (corn, wheat, barley) used in animal feed. In swine production, in our geographical region, the most com- mon are mycotoxicosis caused by zearalenon (F-2 toxin), but aflatoxins, ochratoxin and trichothecenes can also be found. For the known mycotoxins of clinical importance, the response is usually subacute or chronic and the presenting clin ical signs are often vague. Mostly the problems are expressed only as alterations of the reproductive cycle, reduced feed intake and slow growth. However, if we consider the clinical signs and pathomorpho- logical picture of mycotoxicosis in different swine categories (breeding animals, suckling and weaned piglets, fatteners), the age dependent changes can be found. Some mycotoxins have hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic and immunosuppressive effects, which further complicate the clinical and pathomorphological picture and diagnosis of mycotoxicosis in swine. The material for this research included the samples provided from ten swine farms. In different swine categories health disorders, resembling to the problem with mycotoxins were detected. The applied research methods included clinical evaluation and pathomorpho- logical examination and laboratory microbiological feed testing, in order to examine the presence of fungi and some mycotoxins (aflatoxins, zearalenon, ochratoxin A and trichothe- cenes). On the basis of the obtained results, it may be concluded that the most frequently de- tected mycotoxin in the examined feed samples was zearalenon. The presence of mycotoxin in feed was directly connected to the reproductive failures and diagnosed health disorders in the examined swine categories (vulvovaginitis, skin necrosis, pneumonia, gastroenteritis).


A convenient process for the synthesis of glyoxylate-derived chloroformates has been developed. The approach involves the reaction of glyoxylate esters with triphosgene and pyridine in various solvent systems. These novelglyoxylate-derived chloroformates are multifunctional, possessing a chloroformate, ester, and haloalkyl moiety. Further elaboration via a thiocarbonate route afforded highly functionalized carboxylic acid-derived alkoxycarbonyl-chlorocarbonyloxy-methyl esters. Application of a benzyl glyoxylate-derived chloroformate to halofenozide was also accomplished, affording halofenozide-N-carbonyloxy-chloro/iodoacetic acid benzyl ester derivatives, which were further derivatized to carboxylic acid-derived (halofenozide-N-carbonyloxy)-benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl esters. The trifunctional nature of the glyoxylate moiety was demonstrated through conversion of the benzyloxycarbonyl moiety of a carboxylic acid-derived (halofenozide-N-carbonyloxy)-benzyloxycarbonyl-methyl ester to its respective diethylamide.


In aerospace sector, product life cycle and technology development periods are longer and costly than those in most of the other sectors. Therefore technology management activities are important for high technology firms and technology acquisition is one of the most important aspect of these activities. Within this context, selection of better technology acquisition methods for justifying cost and schedule needs is an optimization challenge. In this study, input parameters such as dual usage, TRL (Technology Readiness Level), ITAR Restrictions, etc. and their weighing factors are identified. These input parameters are processed using artificial classification techniques (neural network, fuzzy logic etc.) and technology acquisition methods (in house R&D, purchase etc.) are selected as output parameters.


As the most important part of preparation for competition, Pre-Games training in Canoe/Kayak Slalom on FOP and its methods are discussed in the thesis. By analyzing the Pre-Games training in Olympic Games Beijing2008, put forward the detailed organizing methods.


To resolve the problem of bad image quality because of sudden signal changes during the process of traditional hard and soft thresholding, this paper presents an improved soft thresholding method named non-linear soft thresholding, and this method highly improves the quality of compressed images.


To realize the accuracy of the translation of the literature of economy and trade,we should know the selection of words,understand cultural connotations and display artistic styles.


A kind of oscillating arm type Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTS) which based on the corner cube retroreflector is presented, and its principle and properties are studied. It consists of a pair of corner cube retroreflector, beam splitter and compensator. The optical path difference(OPD) is created by oscillating reciprocating motion of the moving corner cube pair, and the OPD value is four times the physical shift value of the moving corner cube pair. Due to the basic property of corner cube retroreflector, the oscillating arm type FTS has no tilt problems. It is almost ideal for very high resolution infrared spectrometer. However, there are some factors to reduce the FTS capability. First, wavefront aberration due to the figures of these surfaces will reduce modulation of FTS system; second, corner cube retroreflector consist of three plane mirror, and orthogonal to each other. When there is a deviation from right angle, it will reduced the modulation of system; third, the apexes of corner cube retroreflector are symmetric about the surface of beam splitter, if one or both of the corner cube retroreflector is displaced laterally from its nominal position, phase of off-axis rays returning from the two arms were difference, this also contributes to loss of modulation of system. In order to solve these problems, this paper sets up a non-sequential interference model, and a small amount of oscillating arm rotation is set to realize the dynamic simulation process, the dynamic interference energy data were acquired at different times, and calculated the modulation of the FTS system. In the simulation, the influence of wedge error of beam splitter, compensator or between them were discussed; effects of oscillating arm shaft deviation from the coplanar of beam splitter was analyzed; and compensation effect of corner cube retroreflector alignment on beam splitter, oscillating arm rotary shaft alignment error is analyzed. In addition, the adjustment procedure was made according to the analysis conclusion. In the assembling process, the structure ensure the theoretical position of beam splitter and oscillating arm shaft, when necessary adjust corner cube retroreflector to compensate residual error. Finally, the actual spectrometer test results show that the simulation results guide the FTS optical alignment precisely.


With the proliferation of the technology of virtualization, Software-Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV), cloud computing has become a vital building block of the highperformance and low-cost computing paradigm serving for various educational purposes. In this paper, we first describe a free framework, namely ReScuE (Range for Security Education), which is a cloud-based networked virtual environment dedicated for cybersecurity educational purposes. We leverage the state-of-the-art technologies of SDN and NFV and elaborate the solutions to tackle the technical challenges of deploying ReScuE upon the underlying cloud infrastructure. Then, we present a set of hands-on labs that teach the students how to perform offensive, defensive, and forensic analysis tasks with the techniques and tools on the top of ReScuE. Finally, we tested both ReScuE and the hands-on labs with two groups of undergraduate students. Through the post-lab assessment and feedbacks, we gain some insights of how to effectively promote the wide adoption of the cybersecurity-related hands-on labs to the undergraduateand graduate-level courses at different educational institutions (e.g., community colleges, 4-years universities, and postgraduate schools).


We present a study of the influence of a constant uniform electric field on the doubly excited resonances of the negative positronium ion associated with the $N=2$ positronium threshold. The calculation is performed in the framework of the complex coordinate rotation method, allowing us to obtain positions and widths of the resonance states. Results are given for the $M=0$ Stark components of the following Feshbach resonances associated with the $N=2$ positronium threshold: ${}^{1}{S}^{e}(1),$ ${}^{1}{S}^{e}(2),$ ${}^{1}{S}^{e}(3),$ ${}^{1}{P}^{o}(1),$ ${}^{1}{P}^{o}(2),$ ${}^{1}{D}^{e}(1),$ and ${}^{1}{D}^{e}(2).$


Abstract Although communal bison hunting has long captured the interest of northern Plains archaeologists, few have explored the actions of the people who created the impressive kill sites located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Instead, the effectiveness of bison hunters has been attributed to their understanding of the local climate and topography, the grassland ecosystem, and the behavior of their prey. What is overlooked in this ecological explanation of bison hunting is the role of humans as active agents in the management of the landscape, the control of herd movement, and the maintenance of the kill complex. Moreover, the behaviors of the hunters were guided by very different perceptions of the relationships between humans and animals. My objective is to incorporate the actions of human communities in the execution of successful bison hunts with specific reference to the strategies employed by the Blackfoot and their ancestors.


The improvement in shelf life with antioxidants as measured by the time to reach 3% oxidation of methyl linoleate in model systems at aw 0.11 and 0.75 was studied at 25, 35 and 45°C. Oxidation was measured manometrically and by peroxide value. It was found that the primary antioxidants BHA and BHT gave significant protection as compared to α-tocopherol, tertiary butylhydro-quinone and propyl gallate. The chelating agents EDTA and isopropyl citrate were much less effective. For the primary antioxidants BHA and BHT, mechanism changes occur such that the protection achieved at 25°C is two to three times greater than that achieved at 45°C whereas the chelating agents gave about the same protection. It was concluded that a single temperature accelerated shelf life test should not be used for testing antioxidant effectiveness.


Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is an endemic species to Greece. The information on its natural distribution in Greece is limited. After a destructive primary pest of horse chestnut, the leaf miner Cameraria ohridella, has spread in recent years almost all over Europe, much attention has been focused on the natural gene pool of the host. In a study of its distribution in Greece during the period 2001-2004, we found 37 new scattered locations of natural trees, in small or large clusters and in mixed stands with beech (Fagus sylvatica), dominating and covering an area of 750 ha. Horse chestnut in Greece shows remarkable habitat adaptability, as it occurs in a wide range of altitudes from 228 m to 1485 m a.s.l.


This study considers the mechanisms of forming the thickness of the lubricant layer with mineral and synthetic oils under a gradual increase in the rolling speed. The determined regularities reveal non-Newtonian properties acquired by the oils at high contact loads and low rolling rates. An increase in the speed and temperature is found to restore Newtonian properties of the oils. The kinetics of forming the lubricating layer can depend on the effective viscosity of oils in contact, although this parameter does not always correlate with viscosity of oils in atmospheric conditions. A delayed impact of pressure on an effective viscosity is determined at a stronger manifestation of viscoelastic properties of oils. The study reveals the existence of threshold changes in the effective viscosity at high contact loads due to the model of a free volume between the components of the lubricant.


As the typical high-resolution radar,the inverse synthetic aperture radar(ISAR)can perform all-weather,all-time and long-distance imaging.This paper adopts ISAR imaging model of non-cooperative target and ISAR imaging technique of step frequency modulation signal,expatiates the translational motion compensation,selection of optimal imaging time segment,lateral distance high-resolution,performs the two-dimensional ISAR imaging design of non-cooperative target.


Since carotid body tumor generally arises in the furcation of internal and external carotid arteries, the tumor often involves the internal and external arteries which causes not only a massive hemorrhage at the excision but also an inevitable simultaneous excision of the arteries as well as the tumor in some cases. We have succeeded in safe surgery for carotid body tumor with hemorrhage by preoperative matas test using balloon catheter to confirm a cross circulation from the another paired internal carotid artery and further use of balloon catheter during surgery. This method appears to be very valuable in prophylactic acid for postoperative complications when the another side of carotid artery is probably ligatured and/or excised.


This paper considers the relationship between speed and safe driving. Factors affecting speed choice include example (from racing drivers) and social pressure. Driving violations are associated with sensation-seeking behaviour and anti-social tendencies. Young drivers most likely to be associated with speeding incidents are poor at judging hazards. The author feels that community and parental pressure is needed to restrict young people from driving in unsafe situations. For the covering abstract see ITRD E111392.


Sir: I am writing to address an inaccuracy written about the dosing and administration of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medications in the article by Marken and Munro published in the December 2000 issue of the Companion.1 Contrary to the contention by Drs. Marken and Munro that sertraline is more effective at the high end of the dosage range, the evidence suggests that sertraline is effective at its minimum effective dosage of 50 mg across the range of indicated mood and anxiety disorders and that, for patients not achieving optimal response, dose titration occurs among all SSRI agents.

In the section on Dosing and Administration, there is only 1 paragraph on the "dose-response" relationship and 1 reference to support its only point for this section: "Recent data and widespread clinical observation suggest that sertraline, unlike the other SSRIs, is more effective at the higher end of its dose range than at its recommended starting dose of 50 mg/day."1(p205) Unfortunately, the single study cited to support this contention2 has severe limitations, including its retrospective nature, its small sample of 59 patients limited to 1 site, and its utilization of retrospective chart interpretation to indicate depression.

Fortunately, there is a significant literature related to sertraline and SSRI dosing to which we can refer. Prospective dose-finding studies in major depression, panic disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); double-blind comparator studies; and well-designed retrospective studies all demonstrate with remarkable consistency that sertraline is effective at 50 mg. In cases in which a greater response is necessary, sertraline, as do all other SSRI agents, has a dosing range within which patients can be titrated. Widespread clinical experience and multiple studies demonstrate that all SSRI agents have similar rates of titration in the general population. Some of these studies are summarized as follows:

1. Fixed-dose studies for sertraline across its indications of major depression, panic disorder, OCD, and posttraumatic stress disorder confirm that 50 mg is the minimum effective dose and provide no evidence for a dose-response relationship in the dosing range of 50 to 200 mg.3–5 In other words, all sertraline doses studied in this range were considered effective with no evidence for greater response rates at higher doses. This finding has recently been reconfirmed in another prospective randomized controlled study by Schweizer et al.,6 which demonstrates that patients who are randomly assigned to 50 mg or 150 mg of sertraline after not responding at 50 mg in 3 weeks do respond to both doses over the next 6 weeks with no difference in outcome. This study clearly demonstrates that many patients do respond at 50 mg without required titration.

2. In contrast, other SSRI agents have different minimum effective doses depending on their clinical indication. For example, paroxetine has a minimum effective dose of 20 mg for depression, but for panic disorder, it is 40 mg.7,8 In another example, the prescribed information for citalopram recommends that for patients with depression (its only approved indication), citalopram "should be administered at an initial dose of 20 mg/day, generally with an increase to 40 mg/day."9 In this regard, citalopram is the only SSRI whose approved label carries a recommendation to titrate dosages for most patients beyond its starting dose for the treatment of depression.

3. A recent well-designed comparative, flexible-dose, 12-week study of SSRIs in anxious depression10 demonstrates equivalent efficacy in response rates among the studied agents. According to Fava et al.,10 there were no differences in percentages of patients who were titrated, and final mean doses for fluoxetine, sertraline, and paroxetine were 44 mg, 104 mg, and 36 mg, respectively.

4. IMS data, which represent current practitioner prescribing across the United States, indicate that the mean sertraline dose in the month of March 2001 was 86 mg, demonstrating that the majority of patients are being treated with doses between 50 and 100 mg.11

Finally, it is worthwhile to mention that for many clinical trials on which efficacy of SSRI agents was established, patients who enroll often have severe and recurrent disorders. When given the flexibility to do so, investigators in clinical trials increase a medication's dosage to the maximum tolerated level to achieve maximal response in patients. The evidence suggests that many patients will benefit from dose increases of SSRI agents beyond the recommended starting dose, if a satisfactory response is not achieved in the 4- to 6-week period after initiation.12


The effect of metal coatings and coverings on wetting of substrates by In, Sn, Pb in vacuum 1—2•10-3 Pa in the temperature range 400—700 C was studied by the sessile drop method using the capillary purification method of melt. Substrates of hot-polished basalt material, MPG-6 graphite, composite materials based on high-modulus carbon fibers, tapes and fabrics used. Vanadium, niobium, copper and nickel metals were chosen for the coatings, which were sprayed on the materials by electron beam evaporation of metals in vacuum, and titanium, nickel powders for the coatings were used. The nature of the wetting angle dependence on the film thickness is a linear decrease in the angle with increasing film thickness. Studies have shown the possibility of using double films V—Cu, V—Ni for the manufacture of composite materials from basalt fibers.Wetting the vanadium and niobium coatings on surface of the basalt material at by lead, tin and indium improves with increasing film thickness and experimental temperature. The nature of the contact angle–coating thickness dependences for all studied systems is the same: the angle value decreases linearly with increasing film thickness from the angle wetting of the basalt surface to the wetting angle of the compact metal film (V, Nb). The coating thickness, when the contact angle wetting for all adhesive-active metals with high oxygen affinity does not change, is close, and for vanadium is 200•10-10 m, for niobium about 100•10-10 m. Studies have shown the possibility of using double V—Cu and Nb—Cu films for the manufacture of composite materials from basalt fibers and matrix metal. Keywords: contact angle wetting, metal coatings and covering, basalt and carbon materials, low-melting metals.


Abstract : The meeting brought together an enormous assortment of interests including academic analysts and biomedical researchers, program managers project directors, writers, and activities Drug and pharmaceutical representatives, interest group managers, book exhibitors, and professional protestors combined to create the atmosphere of a gigantic bazaar. Berlin gave us proof, if we needed it, that AIDS has become a very big business. Unquestionably, the IX international conference in Berlin June 7-11 was the largest of its kind. Some 15,000 participants, including 1500 members of the press corp, came together to review the struggle against HIV and AIDS. No break-throughs were announced and no startling discoveries seized the headlines. There was some sense of scientific advance in fighting opportunistic diseases and in understanding the life cycle and biology of HIV, but overall Berlin was a 'business as usual' enterprise. Conference, AIDS


Several medical studies say that some large epidemiologic studies indicating that higher intakes of fibre did not produce health disorders as for example colon cancer. Food companies are responding to the need for foods with enhanced satiety and lower energy density by allocating more resources to the development of dietary-enriched foods, for example in meat and dairy products bakery, etc. The use of fiber in this type of product increased its possibilities to be well accepted by the conscious consumer. But more research is needed to obtain safety, tasted and healthy food products.


An inductive composition is an operation generalizing from a superposition $ S^n $ on the set of all $ n $-ary terms of type $ \tau $. A binary operation called inductive product is obtainable from such composition. It is a generalization of a tree language product but on the set of all $ n $-ary terms of type $ \tau $. Unlike the original one, this inductive product is not associative on the mentioned set. Nonetheless, it turns to be associative on some restricted set. A semigroup arising in this way is the main focus of this paper. We consider its special subsemigroups and semigroup factorizations.


FAJAR PROMONO. Diversity and Parasitic Hymenoptera Composition on Three Types of Land Uses in Harapan Forest, Jambi. Supervised by DAMAYANTI BUCHORI. Habitat transformation from natural forest into agricultural land, particulary oil palm plantation will have an impacts on the flora and fauna. One of the important organisms that can be disturbed by changes in the ecosystem is parasitic Hymenoptera. It has been known that the number of parasitoids in nature is closely related to the diversity of flora fauna in ecosystem since the availability of food are important for the adult parasitoid, e.g nectar is from the wild plants offer important nutrition for the parasitoids. The objectives of this research is to study the diversity of parasitic Hymenoptera on three land use types. Effect of wild plants around agricultural land on the abundance spesies richness of the parasitic Hymenoptera were also studied. This study was conducted on two different site, i.e wet and dry land in Harapan Forest landscape, Jambi. In each sites, three types of land uses (habitats) were selected, oil palm plantations, rubber plantations and secondary forest. In each habitat four plots, each measuring 50x50 m, were set up randomly. Arthropod samplings were conducted in the plots using sweep net and malaise trap. Parasitic Hymenoptera were identified to the morphospesies level. Altogether, 4 315 individuals of parasitic Hymenoptera were found in the field. They consist of 190 morphospesies from 24 families. Parasitic Hymenoptera which were most abundance was from Braconidae family, whilst, the highest morphospesies diversity was from Scelionidae family. The result of the research showed that the type of land uses and dry/wet sites did not affect the abundance or the diversity of parasitic Hymenoptera, however it does affect the composition of the parasitic Hymenoptera. This research also discovers that the increase of wild plants affect the composition of parasitic Hymenoptera.


Abstract This communication describes the synthesis of the fully functionalized C1 to C13 segment (southern part) of highly potent cytotoxic marine natural product mandelalide A. Pd-catalyzed oxa-Michael cyclization followed by stereoselective reduction of the C7-ketone were carried out to construct the tetrahydropyran unit with required stereochemistry. The α,β-unsaturated ester moiety was constructed via cross-metathesis and the vinyl iodide was installed through modified Takai olefination.


This manuscript reports the dynamics of a time-conformal quantum-corrected AdS–Schwarzschild black hole. The quantum-corrected parameter and the time-conformal factors are inserted in the AdS–Schwarzschild black. These insertions in the said space- time are taken to study and understand the phenomena of the formation of gravitational waves and Hawking radiations. The Hawking temperature distributions and Bekenstein–Hawking entropy for the inner and outer horizon of the new developed black hole solution are calculated and discussed. The motion of neutral and charged particles in the orbits of the said black hole is discussed under the influence of effective potential and effective force in the new development of the black hole solution. The escape velocity for the time-conformal black hole is obtained and compared with the escape velocity of the exact black hole. The roles of the quantum-corrected parameter and the effect of the time-conformal factor are high- lighted, and their influences are discussed in different situations. Einstein's field equations are also obtained for the time-conformal quantum-corrected AdS–Schwarzschild black hole. The Lyapunov exponent is used for the stability of the said black hole spacetime. The effects of different parameters on different dynamical aspects of the black hole are explored.


A compilation of film extracts from Visible Voice films from Brazil and Kyrgyzstan. Subtitles for this film are in Portuguese


This paper analyses the solar radiation profile of three cities of the Brazilian State of Santa Catarina and shows the calculation of the weighted average efficiency, aiming to allow efficiency maximization designs for the electrical energy processing in photovoltaic systems. By means of data obtained in climatic stations the electrical generation capacity of these stations is shown to optimize the design of power converters. It is shown the results for the cities of Indaial, Itajai and Florianopolis.


One of the biggest causes of infant mortality is an infectious diseases. Infectious diseases can be prevented through breastfeeding especially colostrum which is rich in nutrients, bioactive components, immunomodulatory factors and microbiota which play a role in the formation and development of the baby's immune system. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) is one of the microbiota that plays an important role. This study aims to determine the relationship between frequency of colostrum and birth mode with the number of LAB colonies in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract. This study was observational with a cross sectional approach on 61 postpartum mothers and newborns at 2 hospitals (TK III Reksodiwiryo Hospital and DR. Rashidin Hospital) and 4 Independent Midwives Practice (BPM) in the Andalas, Ambacang and Belimbing Community Health Centre. Samples were obtained by consecutive sampling. The sample examination were done in the Microbiology Laboratory of Animal Product Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, Andalas University, Padang. Data analysis using T-Independent test and Pearson correlation test. The statistical test results showed no significant differences in the number of LAB colonies in the first 24 hours of birth in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract between those who were vaginally and C-section born (p = 0.912) and there was a significant relationship between the frequency of colostrum and the number of LAB colonies in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract on the 4th day births with a very strong correlation and a positive direction (p = 0,000; r = (+) 0.91). In this study it can be concluded that the number of LAB colonies in neonates born of vaginal and C-section not much different, this is due to colonization of LAB in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract can occur before birth. The more often colostrum is given, the more number of LAB colonies in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract.


Privatization is one of the discourses in the development of literature as the opportunity of the growth and development of countries all around the world. Despite the expansion of privatization programs, the results have been different from one country to another. Some could achieve the desired goals and some failed enormously. The reasons for their failure include structural constraints, inappropriate policy guidelines, imposed instruction, and ineffective implementation strategies (Amin and Khanam, 2018). However, the World Bank and the IMF have been gearing up the campaign of privatization for less developed countries (LDCs) to stimulate their growth and development (Amin and Khanam, 2018). The LDCs doing otherwise are sometimes debarred from crucial concessionary finance from these organizations and other northern aid donors. Some LDCs have adopted privatization programs of their own volition. Others have grudgingly done so owing to the pressure from the governments of industrialized countries through international donor agencies.


Here we study a generalization of linear regression to the case of maximal elements of a general fairness relation. The regression then is based on balancing the distances to the data points. The studied relations are lexicographic minimum, maxmin fairness, proportional fairness, and majorities, all in a complementary version to represent minimality. A new combination of proportional fairness and majority is introduced as well. Experiments are performed on human subjects solving the visual task to draw a line fitting to given data points, and by use of evolutionary computation (here by Differential Evolution) the weights of a fair linear regression are adjusted to the human-provided results. The fact that this gives a more precise approximation than (weighted) linear regression hints on the inclusion of the balance among the distances to the given data points in the human decision making process.


This article attempts to set out, impartially, the proposals for reform of sexual offences legislation put forward by the Criminal Law Revision Committee. The existing law was described in a previous article (Ment. Hand., 1984; 12: 3, 104–106). The proposals are currently under consideration. Any views or comments readers may have on the proposals would be warmly welcomed. These should be addressed to: The Editors, Mental Handicap Journal, BIMH, Wolverhampton Road, Kidderminster, Worcs. DY10 3PP and should be received NO LATER THAN 21st JANUARY, 1985.


The object of this work is to evaluate the financial health of the selected company. This objective was achieved through financial analysis, notably through absolute, differential and proportional indicators and bankruptcy models. The results of the financial analysis were compared with the situation in the sector and the values recommended by the literature. Finally, solutions have been proposed to help the company improve its financial health, financial results and market position.


The vibrational predissociation spectra of (HF)3, (HF)2DF, and HF(DF)2 in the HF stretching region, and (DF)3 in the DF stretching region have been measured using a molecular beam apparatus equipped with a mass spectrometer and a LiNbO3 optical parametric oscillator. The structure of (HF)3 has been found to be cyclic with C3h symmetry. No evidence for a noncyclic complex was found. Following vibrational excitation of the HF stretch, there was direct evidence for the trimer vibrational predissociation to the dimer plus monomer and indirect evidence for complete predissociation to three monomers. The total translational energy in the dimer plus monomer channel was 30 cm−1. The inability to resolve rotational features in the vibrational band, combined with negligible broadening of the rotational band contour bracketed the upper state lifetime between 2.5 and 21 ps. The largest ion fragment of the trimer produced by electron impact ionization was the protonated monomer.


Analyzing relations between people belonging to a social circle helps in forming potential communities on the Internet. The increasing social circles on various networking sites make this analysis all the more important. Community detection, as it is called, is closely related to clustering; however, different data models are also used in the same. The paper aims at community detection using Weighted Graph Clustering. The proposed improvement to a recent work of Liu et al in this direction is tested for performance on two real life datasets — College Football and YouTube. The desired result is reduced cost while detecting close to original communities.


This article is based on the relationship between Chinese Paper-Cutting and Modern Art Designing,discussing the characteristics of Chinese Paper-Cutting and the new development of modern paper-cutting patterns.We put an emphasis on the applications and representations of Chinese Paper-Cutting.Under the condition of Global Art Designing,we study the future development of Chinese Folk Art when it is used into cases bags designing.


Abstract Context. Poaching of the African elephant for ivory had been on the increase since 1997 when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) allowed a one-off legal sale of ivory by several southern Africa countries. In Kenya, reports indicate continuous year-to-year increase in elephant poaching since 2003. Aims. The goals of the study were to describe the temporal and spatial patterns of elephant poaching in south-eastern Kenya between 1990 and 2009, and examine relationships between observed patterns of poaching, and human and biophysical variables. The study aimed to answer the following questions: (1) how has elephant poaching varied seasonally and annually; (2) what are the spatial patterns of elephant poaching in the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA); and (3) what are the relationships between observed patterns of poaching and human and biophysical variables? Methods. The study used elephant-poaching data and various GIS-data layers representing human and environmental variables to describe the spatial and temporal patterns of elephant poaching. The observed patterns were then related to environmental and anthropogenic variables using correlation and regression analyses. Key results. Elephant poaching was clustered, with a majority of the poaching occurring in the dry season. Hotspots of poaching were identified in areas with higher densities of roads, waterholes, rivers and streams. The Tsavo East National Park and the Tsavo National Park accounted for 53.7% and 44.8% of all poached elephants, respectively. The best predictors for elephant poaching were density of elephants, condition of vegetation, proximity to ranger bases and outposts, and densities of roads and rivers. Conclusions. Predictor variables used in the study explained 61.5–78% of the total variability observed in elephant poaching. The location of the hotspots suggests that human–wildlife conflicts in the area may be contributing to poaching and that factors that quantify community attitudes towards elephant conservation may provide additional explanation for observed poaching patterns. Implications. The poaching hotpots identified can be a used as starting point by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to begin implementing measures that ensure local-community support for conservation, whereas on other hotspots, it will be necessary to beef-up anti-poaching activities. There is a need for Kenya to legislate new anti-poaching laws that are a much more effective deterrence to poaching than currently exist.


Saturable absorber Q switching of the cw diode-pumped Nd3+:KGd(WO4)2 and Nd3+:YVO4 lasers at 1.3 μm with PbS Quantum Dots (QDs) doped phosphate glass is demonstrated and compared. Q-switched pulses of minimum 110 ns in duration and maximum average output power of 14 mW were obtained. The bleaching decay time of the PbS-doped samples was measured and found to decrease with QDs size decreasing due to enhancement of the quantum confinement effect for smaller QDs.


EFFECT OF ATI ANGIOTENSIN RECEPTOR BLOCKADE ON STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF SMALL ARTERfES fN SHR. J-S Li, AM Shariti, EL ScMf3UI *, Clinical Research Institute, Universi@ of Montr6al, Montrc4al, Qc, Canada. The altered structure and function of small arteries in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) may regress under treatment with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. To determine whether this effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors was due to the interruption of the renin-angiotensin system, the present experiments were conducted with an AT I angiotensin receptor antagonist in order to evaluate its ability to induce regression of hypertrophy of resistance arteries in SHR. The result of treatment of SHR with losmtan, an orally active selective angiotensin AT I receptor antagonist was examined at a low (2o mgikg per day) and a high oral dose (6o mgikg per day) in SHR once blood pressure had been elevated for some time, at 10 weeks of age. SHR were treated for 12 weeks with Iosartan. Blood pressure was significantly reduced by Iosartan treatment horn 210 + 2 mmHg in untreatedSHR to 181 * I mmHg (low dose) and 156 + 4 mmHg (ligh dose) (p<O.01). Cardiac and aortic hypertmphy were dose-dependently reduced in treated SHR. Coronary, renal, mesenteric and femoral small arteries (Iumenal diameter 200-250 Wm) studied on an isome@ic wire myograph and pressurized mesenteric small arteries examined under isobaric conditions exhibited significant hypertmphy and inward remodeling in SHR in comparison to WY. Losartan treatment resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the media thickness and media to lumen ratio (m/l) in small mteries from the 4 vascular beds studied on the wiremyograph (m/l of coronaryandrenal arterieshorn 5.5 + 0.3 and6.8 + 0.4 0/0to 4.5 * 0.3 and 5.I + 0.3 O/.respectively,P<O.01)anda similar one in pressurizedmesentericsmall arteries.Endotheliun-dependentrelaxation studiedin pressurizedarteries was enhancedand acetylcholine-induced endotheliwn-dependentcontractionswere abolished in Iosartan-treated SHR relative to untreated SHR. These results demonstrate that treatment with the selective angiotensin II receptor antagonist Iosmtan, even at doses that lower blood pressure only moderately, already induces regression of cardiovascular hyperfrophy and of endotbelial dysfunction ingenetichypertensionin therat.


The golden hour is the time following an injury during which appropriate medical attention carries the highest likelihood of a better outcome. The concept of a golden hour was probably derived from the French Military's World war I data for the care of trauma victims, but it is suitable for all types of acute emergencies. During these golden sixty minutes, the health care providers must focus on eliminating or mitigating the effect of critical events. If not timely addressed, these essential steps carry a maximum threat to the victim's life by causing irreversible damage to vital organs. The major challenge in applying intervention during the golden hour is correctly identifying the correctable step in the victim at the earliest. Training individuals about basic life support is the first challenge to delivering care at the scene of an accident/ or event or during transport. The advances in the diagnostic modality and the faster means of transportation have been a major driving force in decreasing mortality during the early hours following the incident. In the present review, we attempt to draw attention to the importance of golden hour and emphasize that team-building and quality improvement are crucial to providing better outcomes.


Abstract We apply the adaptive LASSO to select a set of maximally efficient firms in the panel fixed-effect stochastic frontier model. The adaptively weighted L 1 penalty with sign restrictions allows simultaneous selection of a group of maximally efficient firms and estimation of firm-level inefficiency parameters with a faster rate of convergence than least squares dummy variable estimators. Our estimator possesses the oracle property. We propose a tuning parameter selection criterion and an efficient optimization algorithm based on coordinate descent. We apply the method to estimate a group of efficient police officers who are best at detecting contraband in motor vehicle stops (i.e., search efficiency) in Syracuse, NY.


Now a day's concrete plays a major role in construction industry. Availability of construction material is less day by day. So we can introduce a new kind of material in construction industry to reduce the cost as well as user friendly material. In the last few decades there has been rapid increase in the waste materials and by-products. Some of the industrial by-products like GGBS, fly ash, copper slag, steel slag, silica fume have been successfully replaced for cement and concrete in the construction industry. It reduces the consumption of natural resources. Steel slag is one of the materials that is considered as a by-product (waste material) obtained during the matte smelting and refining of copper. It has the physical properties similar to that of the fine aggregate, hence it can be used as a replacement for fine aggregate in concrete. By the replacement of 0% to 100% of steel slag (by weight) as a replacement for fine aggregate will produce a concrete with durability requirements. This works shows the results of an experimental study on strength and durability tests on concrete containing slag as a replacement of fine aggregate such as compressive strength test and rapid chloride permeability test. For this research work M40 grade was used and the tests are conducted for various proportions of slag with fine aggregate 25%,50%,75%,100%.The obtained results were compared with those of conventional concrete. Keywords— eco-sand, steel sag, replacement of aggregate, strength comparison


Abstract Temporal patterns of embryonic metabolism integrate ontogenetic changes in the energetic costs of growth and maintenance. Unlike most other chelonians, which show a peaked pattern of embryonic metabolic rate (MR) over time, turtles of the family Emydidae have been depicted with unimodally increasing patterns. We incubated eggs of the emydid Chrysemys picta picta under standard conditions at 30°C and serially measured rates of oxygen consumption. Five eggs showed clear decreases in MR before hatching; two others that hatched during MR measurements showed increases in MR associated with muscular activity. MRs of hatchling turtles were lower than those of prehatching embryos for at least 60 days, suggesting persistent costs of biosynthesis in yolk-dependent late-stage embryos and early hatchlings.


AbstractPowder mixtures and granulates with bulk densities ranging from 0.35-0.89 g.ml−1 were tested regarding flow properties using the following methods: the Hausner ratio (packed bulk density/loose bulk density), rate of packing on tamping, flow rate through a 30 mm orifice, orifice diameter allowing free flow, and "drained" angle of repose.The Hausner ratio and the angle of repose could be measured with a relative standard deviation of about 2 %. The orifice diameter could also be determined accurately and these three methods correlated well with each other.The flow rate could only be measured on free flowing materials and the packing rate correlated poorly with the other methods.


Simple Summary Sexual dysfunctions are rarely discussed in our current society. Males experience different sexual dysfunctions, including erectile, infertility, and ejaculatory dysfunctions. In this review only the ejaculatory dysfunction will be discussed. Ejaculation is defined as the ejection of contents collectively from the vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate and Cowper's glands. It is completely controlled by a population of neurons present in the lumbar spinal cord. The presence of lesion in these neurons ceases the ejaculatory behavior in males. This population of neurons was first identified in rats; however, recently it was confirmed that these neurons are present in human males as well. The issues are known as ejaculatory dysfunction. The following are the different types of ejaculatory dysfunctions: early ejaculation, ejaculation into the urinary bladder, late ejaculation and no ejaculation. Abstract Ejaculation is a reflex and the last stage of intercourse in male mammals. It consists of two coordinated phases, emission and expulsion. The emission phase consists of secretions from the vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate, and Cowper's gland. Once these contents reach the posterior urethra, movement of the contents becomes inevitable, followed by the expulsion phase. The urogenital organs are synchronized during this complete event. The L3–L4 (lumbar) segment, the spinal cord region responsible for ejaculation, nerve cell bodies, also called lumbar spinothalamic (LSt) cells, which are denoted as spinal ejaculation generators or lumbar spinothalamic cells [Lst]. Lst cells activation causes ejaculation. These Lst cells coordinate with [autonomic] parasympathetic and sympathetic assistance in ejaculation. The presence of a spinal ejaculatory generator has recently been confirmed in humans. Different types of ejaculatory dysfunction in humans include premature ejaculation (PE), retrograde ejaculation (RE), delayed ejaculation (DE), and anejaculation (AE). The most common form of ejaculatory dysfunction studied is premature ejaculation. The least common forms of ejaculation studied are delayed ejaculation and anejaculation. Despite the confirmation of Lst in humans, there is insufficient research on animals mimicking human ejaculatory dysfunction.


Intensive forest management depends heavily upon our ability to measure, control, and predict the growth, yield, or general development of timber stands, regardless of whether the management goal is for timber, aesthetics, recreation, water, or wildlife. A large amount of mensurational data about birch stands has been developed in recent years or synthesized from available information (Marquis et al. 1969, Leak et al. 1969). This information, which is summarized in this paper, covers site estimation, stocking, short-term growth, and yield. The information about paper birch applies to even-aged stands-in some cases to essentially pure stands that contain 50 percent or more paper birch. The data on yellow birch cover both even-aged and uneven-aged mixed northern hardwood stands with at least 5 percent yellow birch.


Based on AC flashover tests on an ice-covered insulator, leakage current (LC) was measured to check the chaotic features through estimation of the largest Lyapunov exponent. Based on the embedding space theory and phase space reconstruction method, the LC attractor phase portrait and related correlation dimension were obtained in relation with the insulator surface performance. It was found that the largest Lyapunov exponents are all positive demonstrating that LC has chaotic features. The variation in chaos attractors can graphically indicate an increasing regularity in the surface discharges. The correlation dimension shows a decreasing tendency with the development of arcing discharges, which reveals a decreasing complexity in the surface discharges, especially just prior to the flashover occurrence. Therefore, chaotic features of LC are sensitive to dynamic discharge behavior on ice-covered insulators, which can be applied as a monitoring method for pre-warning flashover occurrence of outdoor insulators under icing conditions.


The anatomic analysis of spermatic veins were carried out by 30 cases of spermatic venography and disection on 20 spermatic veins of 10 cadavers. After close obser- vation, 6 basic types of left internal spermatic veins were obtained on roentgenologic anatomy: 0 type (normal valvular type) 6.7%, 1 type 46.7%, 2 type (Y type) 26.7%. 3 type (H type) 13.3%, 4 type (main stem bifurcation type)3.3%, 5,type (inverse F type) 3.3%. 0-1 types were considered as normal 53.3%, 2-5 types were of normal varients 46.7%. The choice of embolization treatment for internal spermatie varicosities should be varied with different types.


For the last two years we have been investigating the use of a 830 nanometer laser for low level laser therapy in chronic pain syndromes. This laser is of low energy and by definition is low level therapy (a laser output which does not exceed 100 milliwatts). This wave length has been carefully selected to be in the 'window' of wavelengths between 650 and 900 nanometers. At this level, the laser energy will penetrate the epidermis, the dermis and the subcutaneous layers to the deep tissue. The tissue effect of this laser energy is not thermal but rather a stimulation of micro-circulation with a secondary effect of blocking pain enzymes and activation of the synthesis of endorphin enzymes. We have experience with approximately 75 patients who have been treated with low level laser therapy. We have engaged in a double- blind study at several General Motors facilities in Michigan to determine the effectiveness of low level laser therapy in this inflammatory condition. Repetitive injuries in the work place have moved from 18% of industrial accidents in 1981 to 52% in 1989. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is the number one economic problem in occupational medicine. It is true that 15% of the employees of American automotive plants have Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. This large number of patients have been treated in the past by standard physiotherapy treatment modalities and ultimately by surgery for failure of conservative therapy. Incidence of 'return to work activities' has been low. We intend to show that low level laser therapy may afford a positive solution to this problem not only therapeutically but prophylactically. Indications for treatment are Chronic Pain Syndrome and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome of mild to moderate degree.


In this paper, taking the cue from the existing building "2226" (Lustenau, Austria) energy concept, the Authors point out how, for very low energy buildings, it is possible to maintain the internal temperature in a comfort range by only using the internal gains. In particular, the artificial lighting system, which is adjusted by an automated control system, can be considered as unique backup heating system.


The hot compression experiment of Al-1.1Mn-0.3Mg-0.25RE alloy was done on Gleeble 1500 thermo simulation test machine.The thermo deformation behavior was studied at 300—500℃and the strain rate of 0.01—10 s~(-1).On this basis the constitutive equations and the processing map were obtained.The results show that the steady flow stress could be described by the hyperbolic sine constitutive relation,the hot deformation activation energy was 186.481 7 kJ·mol~(-1),and the material constants of A.αand n were 1.076 97×10~(10) s~(-1),0.037 403 and 5.875 667 respectively.The optimum deformation temperature of the alloy was 450℃and the optimum strain rate was 0.01 s~(-1)。


The Sentinel-2B offers high spatial resolution optical imagery from 13 bands in the visible, near infrared, and short-wave infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum, providing enhanced continuity to monitoring global terrestrial surfaces and coastal waters. In this article, its radiometry calibration is evaluated using 37 clear-sky observations in 2018 from the four sites of radiometric calibration network for assuring data quality. However, since the single calibration results acquired under different surface and atmospheric conditions have different biases and different uncertainties, it is difficult to determine which calibration sample is much more trustable. In view of this, by assuming that the calibration samples are independent of each other, a state-of-the-art reference value is derived by combining 37 calibration samples using a weighted average method, which has much lower uncertainty and approaches the "true" value. The reference value also could be used to compare each calibration result. The result shows that the reference value of the relative difference between the simulated and observed top-of-atmosphere reflectance is 4.29%, 4.95%, 4.54%, 5.34%, respectively, for bands 2, 3, 4, and 8, and the corresponding uncertainty is 1.09%, 1.10%, 1.10%, and 1.12%, respectively; the degree of equivalence for each sample is calculated by comparing each calibration result with the reference value. It is worth noting that the degrees of equivalence are lower than 5%, and the four samples on July 9, July 13, October 4, and October 11 perform worse than the other sample.


An overview is presented of the general status of materials research and development activities related to the needs of controlled thermonuclear fusion reactors. Emphasis is placed on materials res...


Additional information on mechanical weed management systems is needed so producers can develop systems that meet their production and weed control goals without sacrificing profitability. Field research was conducted at Rosemount, MN, in 1989, 1990, and 1991 to determine the effect of preplant tillage and soybean planting date on weed populations and effectiveness of mechanical weed control operations. Delaying soybean planting from mid-May to early-June reduced weed densities and yield losses from weeds. Weed control with a herbicide treatment was not affected by planting date, but control with rotary hoeing and cultivation was often increased by delaying soybean planting. Early-planted soybean usually yielded better following herbicide treatment than mechanical weed control. However, when preplant tillage and planting were delayed, weed densities were reduced and mechanical weed control operations usually resulted in soybean yield similar to the herbicide treatment. While delaying soybean planting reduced weed densities and improved mechanical weed control, there is potential for reduced soybean yields with delayed planting.


Numerical simulations are a powerful tool to investigate turbulent flows, both for theoretical studies and practical applications. The reliability of a simulation is mainly dependent on the turbulence model adopted, and improving its accuracy is a crucial issue. In this study, we investigated the potential for an alternative formulation of the Navier–Stokes equations, based on the stochastic representation of the velocity field. The new approach, named pseudo-stochastic simulation (PSS), is a generalisation of the widespread classical eddy–viscosity model, where the contribution of the unresolved scales of motion is expressed by a variance tensor, modelled following different paradigms. The PSS models were compared with the classical ones mathematically and numerically in the turbulent channel flow at R e τ = 590 . The PSS and the classical models are equivalent when the variance tensor is shaped through a molecular dissipation analogy, while it is more accurate when the tensor is defined by the way of a local variance model. A near-wall damping function derived from recent advancement in the field is also proposed and was successfully validated. The analyses demonstrate the relevance of the approach proposed and provide a basis for the development of an alternative turbulence model.


Wildland fire has long been recognized as an important disturbance to consider in natural resource management in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Fuel reduction treatments are conducted to achieve designated fuel load targets, measured as the weight of the remaining fuel per unit area (tonnes/hectare [t/ha]). Multiple methods are available to professionals for measuring hazard abatement, but this prevents standardization of data for comparison across the province. To promote a study based in science but through an operational lens, the authors used freely available BC Government documents and guidebooks to perform the fuel measures and fuel load tallies. Thirty-two fuel plots were established in the summer of 2021 within the Burns Lake Community Forest. Field measurements were carried out following mechanical raking treatments to determine if units within the 'severe' fuel hazard threshold (FHT) met the target fuel load of 1–5 t/ha. Less than one-third of the plots had a fuel load within the target range. Implications of results are discussed, and several recommendations are proposed to improve the feasibility of post-harvest fuel mitigation practices, including a streamlined fuel measurement methodology and more flexible fuel load targets that would enable better comparisons of treatment feasibility across different fuel types and ecosystems within the province.


Modular robots are characterized by limited built-in resources necessary for communication, connection and movement of modules, when performing reconfiguration tasks at rigidly interconnected elements. In developing the technological fundamentals of designing modular robots with pairwise connection mechanisms, we analysed modern hardware and model algorithms typical of a fully functional robot, which provide independent locomotion, communication, navigation, decentralized power and control. A survey of actuators, batteries, sensors, communication means, suitable for modular robotics is presented.


It is well known that, for a particular tissue, the homeostatic and cancer attractors are well apart both in gene expression and in protein expression spaces. By using data for 15 tissues and the corresponding tumors from The Cancer Genome Atlas, and for 49 normal tissues and 20 tumors from The Human Protein Atlas, we show that the set of normal attractors are also well separated from the set of tumors. Roughly speaking, one may say that there is a cancer progression axis orthogonal to the normal tissue differentiation and cancer manifolds. This separation suggests that therapies targeting common genes, which define the cancer axis, may be effective, irrespective of the tissue of origin.