The power conversion efficiencies of single-junction III–V solar cells based on InGaP, GaAs, InGaAsP, and InGaAs for wireless power transmission were investigated by varying the wavelength and incident power of a laser diode. The GaAs solar cell exhibited the highest conversion efficiency of 52.7% at a laser wavelength of 824 nm and a laser beam irradiance of 4 suns. For each solar cell, the conversion efficiency peaked at an optimal incident laser wavelength and this effect was examined in detail. It was found that the conversion efficiency is maximal when the laser photon energy is 80–100 meV higher than the bandgap of the semiconductor material.


The Emeryville Shellmound, on the east shore of San Francisco Bay, was excavated and subsequently destroyed in the early 20th century. From its stratified deposits, which span the period 2600 to 700 years ago, the author identified 2004 fish and 15,893 mammal specimens, and analyzed these and 2302 avian remains previously identified by Hildegarde Howard in the 1920s. A battery of independent tests derived from foraging theory supports the conclusion that human-induced impacts on vertebrate populations caused declines in the efficiency of foraging across the time that the Emeryville locality was occupied.


Part of MCMIS Crash File series (as noted in the series field for these documents); "June 2006"; Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-32)


High-speed vehicles that employ magnetic levitation (maglev) have received great attention worldwide as a means of relieving both highway and air-traffic congestion. At this time, Japan and Germany are leading the development of maglev. After fifteen years of inactivity that is attributed to technical policy decisions, the federal government of the United States has reconsidered the possibility of using maglev in the United States. The National Maglev Initiative (NMI) was established in May 1990 to assess the potential of maglev in the United States. One of the tasks of the NMI, which is also the objective of this report, is to determine the status of existing computer software that can be applied to maglev-related problems. The computational problems involved in maglev assessment, research, and development can be classified into two categories: electromagnetic and mechanical. Because most maglev problems are complicated and difficult to solve analytically, proper numerical methods are needed to find solutions. To determine the status of maglev-related software, developers and users of computer codes were surveyed. The results of the survey are described in this report. 25 refs.


The essential condition for innovation effectiveness ensuring economic growth, increased national competitiveness and other positive changes is innovation implementation in the economic activities of particular enterprises. An innovation policy has to take into account regional aspects because regions play an increasingly important role as sources of innovation changes. The present paper considers the regional aspects of innovation implementation in the Russian federation. The authors have built and analyzed a 2015-2017 ranking of Russian federal constituent entities (regions) on the basis of two indicators: a share of organizations which carried out innovations of all types, and a share of those which implemented technological innovations as a key type of innovation enabling increased labor efficiency, improved product quality and overall economic growth. Range and relative range, variance, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation were calculated as indicators of the level of regional differentiation. The results show a high level of unevenness in innovation activities of organizations across Russian regions; for the three-year period, divergence in the enterprise-level innovation implementation across the regions grew, with a slight decrease in some of the estimated indicators occurring in 2017. Based on the findings, the authors suggest new directions for future research sheet. Keywords—innovation, region, Russia


Objective To evaluate the value of CT scanning in the diagnosis of isodense chronic subural hematoma.Methods CT manifestation characteristics in 45 cases of isodense chronic subdural hematoma confirmed by surgery were retrospectively analyzed.Results In 45 cases,all lesions were supratentorial and manifested archform isodense shadow under skull plate.The unilateral lesions were in 40 cases,and the bilateral lesions were in 5 cases.The different degrees of shift of midline structure to the contralateral or the side with relatively smaller hematoma were showed.The different levels of shallowed or disappearance of cerebral sulcus,schizencephaly,cistern,and the different degrees of shift and narrow of lateral ventricle were displayed.Conclusion CT scans can accurately determine the location,size and scope of isodense chronic subdural hematoma,which is of great importance to guide the clinical treatment.


SOHO, the ESA solar observation satellite, has experienced a large number of Single Event Effects (SEEs) since its launch in December 1995. This paper details events believed to be induced by cosmic rays or protons. Self switch-off power supply events in the service module and in the payload module will be detailed as well as Single Event Upsets (SEUs) in the Solid State Recorder (SSR) and in the Global Oscillation at Low Frequency (GOLF) instrument. Power system events are believed to originate from transient SEUs in linear components. SSR and GOLF SEUs are seen to respond to solar particle events. Relevant ground verification testing will be presented and upset predictions are compared with observations.


Come restituire la voce e la competenza al bambino attraverso la terapia familiare - In this paper the Author outlines the importance of activating young children in family therapy. He describes through a few clinical examples how to use children's relational competence and their skills in bridigings generations. His/her psychological/psychosomatic disorders could play a different role in a therapeutic context, oriented to looking for children's resources more than treating symptoms. The child can be considered a therapist's consultant in couple therapy. When invited, his voice and his sensitivity can help parents to find areas of agreement and mutual respect.


Computerized tomography (CT) techniques can be used to produce a two-dimensional image of the electron density in the ionosphere. The necessary data are transionospheric satellite beacon total electron content (TEC) data recorded simultaneously at multiple ground stations.
The ionospheric imaging case presents a difficult problem due to large amounts of missing data. This is a consequence of the locations of the transmitter (in orbit) and receivers (ground-based) and causes the reconstruction algorithm to fail to correctly reconstruct the background density profile. Despite this limitation, a method has been developed which successfully reconstructs the irregularities and variations in the profile.
A computer program simulates the data collection and image reconstruction process. This allows the method to be tested with several electron density models, transmitter and receiver locations, and noniterative and iterative reconstruction algorithms. Simulations are performed assuming a 1000-km-altitude polar-orbiting satellite and several ground stations. The imaged region is 3500 km wide by 800 km high.
A new algorithm, which is a modification of the discrete backprojection algorithm, is developed for use with nonuniform sampling geometries. It produces good quality results in cases where the unmodified algorithm fails to produce a usable result.
Simulations are performed on both test images and realistic ionospheric models in order to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of this technique. Through these simulations, a combination of modified CT algorithms was found to produce good results. Because of the incomplete data used for the reconstruction, the initial estimate used for iterative algorithms is very important. Methods of incorporating other data, such as height profiles obtained from an ionosonde, into the reconstruction procedure to eliminate this problem are suggested.
Chapter 1 contains an introduction, the statement of the problem, motivation, and similar research. Chapter 2 contains TEC measurement theory, CT theory, and a description of several CT algorithms. Chapter 3 contains a description of the simulation procedure, the models used, and the simulation results. Chapter 4 contains a discussion of the results, comments on the program, suggestions for improvements, and conclusions. The Appendix documents the simulation program, presenting details of the data structures, and providing algorithm listings.


Abstract This article addresses factors that infl uence member commitment in sport clubs. Based on the theory of social action and the economic behaviour theory, it focuses not only on individual characteristics of club members but also on the corresponding structural conditions of sport clubs. Accordingly, a multilevel framework is developed for explaining member commitment in sport clubs. Different multilevel models were estimated in order to analyse the infl uences of both the individual and corresponding context level in a sample of n = 1,699 members of 42 Swiss and German sport clubs. The multilevel analysis permitted an adequate handling of hierarchically structured data. Results of these multilevel analyses indicated that the commitment of members is not just an outcome of individual characteristics such as strong identification with their club, positively perceived (collective) solidarity, satisfaction with their sport club, or voluntary engagement. It is also determined by club-specific structural conditions: commitment proves to be more probable in rural sport clubs and clubs that explicitly support sociability. Furthermore, cross-level effects in relation to member commitment were also found between the context variable sociability and the individual variable identification.


Congenital myasthenic syndrome is a group of conditions characterized by muscle weakness (myasthenia) that worsens with physical exertion. The muscle weakness typically begins in early childhood but can also appear in adolescence or adulthood. Facial muscles, including muscles that control the eyelids, muscles that move the eyes, and muscles used for chewing and swallowing, are most commonly affected. However, any of the muscles used for movement (skeletal muscles) can be affected in this condition. Due to muscle weakness, affected infants may have feeding difficulties. Development of motor skills such as crawling or walking may be delayed. The severity of the myasthenia varies greatly, with some people experiencing minor weakness and others having such severe weakness that they are unable to walk.


Potato mop-top virus (PMTV) encodes the 8K cysteine-rich viral suppressor of RNA silencing. To gain an insight into N. benthamiana defense mechanisms against 8K suppressor protein, we expressed two 8K suppressors from Peruvian isolates in Nicotiana benthamiana and assessed the expression of its defense genes involved in autophagy (ATG6, ATG2 and ATG7, AGO1), salicylic acid (SA) (ICS1, NPR1 and PR1) and jasmonic acid (JA) (OPR3, COI1 and PDF1.2) pathways. To do this, the 8K cDNAs of two Peruvian PMTV isolates were cloned in pGWB17 vector with a C-terminal myc tag and N-terminal 35S promoter using Gateway technology. Agrobacterium cultures harboring PMTV 8K were syringe infiltrated into the abaxial side of N. benthamiana leaves. The expression levels of defense genes were examined in N. benthamiana leaves infiltrated with P1 8K, P11 8K and the control constructs at 2 and 5 days post infiltration in response to PMTV 8Ks using q-PCR technique. Our results showed that the expression levels of ATG6, ATG2, ATG7, ICS1, OPR3, NPR1, PR1, COI1 and PDF1.2 were increased in response to both 8K suppressors. However, the transcript level of Argonaute1 (AGO1) was decreased in response to both 8K suppressors compared with the control. These results indicated that 8K suppressor proteins can alter the expression of autophagy, SA and JA signaling pathway genes in N. benthamiana. Taken together, it seems that despite the 8K role in virus pathogenicity, it can also induce host defense responses to modulate plant-virus interactions and fine-tune host-virus coexistence.


In measuring thermal conductivity of a corrosive or an electrically conductive liquid using the transient line source technique, the wire must be coated. This report analytically investigates the effects of he coating layer on the measured value using the GFD and FDM, considering two cases where the thickness of the layer is uniform in circumferential direction, or unevenly distributed. The calculation is carried out varying the measurement conditions, such as the thermal conductivity of the coating material and of the sample liquid, size of the wire, and thickness of the layer, and the change in the apparent thermal conductivity of the sample liquid with time is presented. It was found that the thermal conductivity of the sample liquid measured is not significantly affected by the coating.


Single-wafer tracking gains importance in PV production due to the increasing number of research lines and due to the expected deeper insight into the technological processes. Since pure logistic tracking is not robust enough for industrial application, a procedure for wafer identification is developed based on a standard bar code which is laser-scribed into the surface of the wafer within the active area of the solar cell and read-out with a specially developed vision system. The laser marking is shown to be robust enough to endure the various manufacturing steps and not to affect cell performance. The quality of different codes and the robustness of code detection by automatic vision inspection are investigated for the whole variety of different surfaces in solar cell manufacturing. Although the bar codes are hidden under diffuse illumination, they are clearly visible under direct illumination and can be decoded by a special image processing procedure. For cell processes with surface texturing on mono- and multi-crystalline silicon average detection rates of 97% and 94% are already achieved over the whole process sequence. As there is potential for improvement, the present work provides the basis for a robust tracking system in the near future. Keywords: tracking, laser processing, manufacturing and processing


A 76-year-old woman was referred for diagnostic esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) because of melena and iron deficiency anemiawithout other symptoms of gastrointestinal disease. Although the patient was a smoker, she had nomajor signs of chronic obstructive lungdiseasewith an oxygen saturation of 90%. EGD with conscious sedation using midazolamwas performed by a physician in training and supervised by an expert gastroenterologist. Esophageal intubationwent smoothly and the stomach was carefully insufflated with room air to show normal mucosa. Only modest signs of inflammation and erosions were detected in the duodenum. As the endoscope was being withdrawn, biopsies were taken in the antrum for Helicobacter pylori testing. At this point the patient suddenly started to cough and choke, upon which vigorous bleeding and mesenteric fat were observed in the proximal part of the lesser curvature of the gastric body, indicating that a perforation had occurred (●" Fig.1). The examination was immediately terminated and the patient underwent emergency laparotomy, which revealed an 8-cm long, full-thickness perforation along the lesser curvature of the stomach (●" Fig.2). The gastric perforation was sutured and the patient recovered uneventfully. Diagnostic EGD is a very safe procedure with the reported incidence of perforation being below 0.05% [1]. Gastric perforations due to malignancy and therapeutic endoscopy may occur anywhere in the stomach [2]. In contrast, most cases of gastric rupturedue to increased intra-abdominal pressure (cardiopulmonary resuscitation, Heimlich maneuver and blunt abdominal trauma), as well as over distension by food or hair, and barotrauma occur in theproximal part of lesser gastric curvature [3–5]. In the present case, it is assumed that the choking and coughing, possibly related to her smoking history and aspiration of saliva, together with insufflation-induced gastric distension led to increased intraabdominal pressure, thereby causing the gastric rupture. Indeed, vomiting and forceful coughing have been previously reported to provoke gastric rupture [4]. This case also indicates the need for careful attention to be paid to the airway at all times during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, in order to prevent choking and forceful vomiting. Although gastric rupture is an exceptionally rare complication in diagnostic EGD, patients should be informed of the risk. Endoscopists should be aware of this severe and potentially life-threatening complication in all upper gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.


Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala's 1616 El primer nueva corónica y buen gobierno stands as the author's staggering attempt to obtain by privilege that which he could not secure through justice: status as a native lord and title to lands. Indeed, the last 20 years of the native chronicler's life as we know it, roughly from 1595 to 1615, are marked by the usual milestones of an ascending clerical career in the service of provincial priests, inspectors, and administrators from the south central Andean region stretching between Jauja and Huamanga.1


The Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) provides an end-to-end, ordered transmission of data over a logical connection which links two applications during their communication.TCP is a mainly concerned with moving data between applications and it uses the routing services provided by IP. The most widely used Internet protocol in the present days is TCP. It should have the knowledge of locating the applications and it need not know about the topology of the network. TCP actually takes the data from the source application and delivers to the destination application.TCP is mainly designed for using with unreliable systems such as IP, which only gets the data from one host to another and perform less error checking. The important feature of TCP with respect to its performance is congestion control algorithm.TCP mainly uses a number of techniques for achieving high performance and avoiding congestion collapse, which makes the network performance to fall by several levels of magnitude. The TCP congestion avoidance algorithm is the primary basis for the control of


In the present paper the case of a stenosis on the basilar artery is investigated. To analyze the problem CT angiography and MRI angiography were performed. To model this real case a non- Newtonian mathematical model was taken into account for the blood flow, while the vessel walls of the arteries and the arterioles were considered to have viscoelastic and elastic behavior, respectively - as we presented already in previous papers (1), (2). Using COMSOL Multiphysics 3.3 we performed some numerical simulations to obtain some results with regard to blood velocity, blood pressure and streamlines.


Chinese fir essential oil, which is some of the wood extractives, has been used as traditional Chinese medicine for a long time. Therefore, the chemical components from Chinese Fir wood were extracted with benzene /ethanol and identified by Py- GC/MS after concentration in order to reveal utilization value of its pure natural medical resources. Relative content of each component was determined by area normalization. 49 compounds of the extractives were identified. The main constituents were .beta.-sitosterol (11.81%), ergosta-4,6,22-trien- 3.beta.-ol (9.85%), condyfolan, 1-acetyl-11-methoxy- (6.64%), estradiol (5.8%), carbon dioxide (5.63%), ergostanol (2.48%), 9,12-octadecadienoic acid (Z,Z)- (2.43%), 2,3,5,6- tetrafluoroanisole (2.36%), hexadecanoic acid (2.33%), 28-nor- 17.beta.(H)-hopane (2.3%), dimethoxy- (2%), oleic acid (1.93%), phenol, 2,6-dimethoxy-4-(2- propenyl)- (1.83%), ergost-5-en-3-ol, (3.beta.)- (1.83%), etc. The benzene/ethanol extractives could be used as pure natural medical resources.


Objective:To study the effect of estrogen on production of endogenous interleukin-6 (IL-6) in ovariectomized rats.Methods:Ovariectomized rats model were used in this study.The concentration of IL-6 in bone marrow supernatants (BMS)were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).The expression and distribution of IL-6 were detected by dot blot hybridization and immunohistochemistry respectively 8 weeks after surgery.Results:The concentration of IL-6 in BMS and the expression of IL-6 in bone tissue were much higher in ovariectomized rats as compared with in control rats.While treated with estrogen,both parameter declined to some degree.The immunoreactivity signals were detected in osteoblasts,lining cells and osteocytes.Conclusions:Estrogen deficiency enhanced endogenous IL-6 levels in BMS,resuting from increased expression of IL-6 in vivo osteoblas linage.Suppression for IL-6 production were involvement in mechanism of estrogen application inhibiting bone loss in ovariectomized rats.


The production of a mechanism to improve the continuous knitting seamable papermaker's fabric, comprising longitudinal (MD) line and the first transverse line CD. MD line continuously woven back and forth between the fabric two lateral edges and each form seaming loops at the two lateral at one edge. MD line and the first CD line in a first weave pattern interwoven. The fabric further comprises a second and third line CD system. The second line CD and MD lines with a second weave-like interwoven in one of the two lateral edges of the fabric between the first line CD system and the seaming loops. The second and the first weave pattern may be different. The third CD and MD lines along the line between the first fabric and the seam line CD ring system of two lateral edges to the other of the third weave patterns interwoven. The third and the first weave pattern may be different. Second and third weave patterns may be the same or different. Second and third CD cable can compressibility and permeability characteristics of the fabric seam area resembles or improve the stability, uniformity and positioning the fabric both end portions seam loops of the rest.


Kinetic theory of gases, as described by the Boltzmann or model kinetic equations, provides a solid theoretical approach for solving non-equilibrium transport phenomena in gases. These days, due to significant advancement in computational kinetic theory and due to the availability of high speed parallel computers, kinetic equations may be solved numerically in a deterministic manner with modest computational effort. In this framework, an upgraded discrete velocity algorithm for solving kinetic equations is presented. In addition, its applicability in simulating efficiently and accurately multidimensional non-equilibrium flow and heat transfer problems is demonstrated. Analysis and results are valid in the whole range of the Knudsen number.


Objective To study expression of O~6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase(MGMT) and its clinicopathological significance in ovarian cancer.Methods Immunohistochemical method of SP was used to determine the expression of MGMT in ovarian cancers.Results Expression of MGMT was found in 46.7% of ovarian cancer tissues,while 100% normal paired tissues had MGMT expression(P0.05).There were no statistic difference expression of MGMT between the subtypes and stages of ovarian cancers(P0.05).MGMT was more related to the high grades of the ovarian cancers.Conclusion There were MGMT expressive deletion in various ovarian cancers,and this might be related to the carcinogenesis of the ovarian cancers.


Kidney cancer - one of the most often found urological tumors making 2% of all malignant new growths. The main method of a cancer therapy of a kidney is surgical. Removal of primary center increases survival at all stages of a dis ease. The best results at the first stage are yielded by a nephrectomy (full removal of the affected kidney); however if the sizes of a tumor are small (or a kidney only one, or the bilateral cancer of kidneys is diagnosed), apply organ-preserving treatment - a kidney resection. The resection of a kidney provides survival indicators, comparable with a nephrectomy, without recurrence for tumors <4 cm in the diameter. Also the resection of a kidney is connected with lower risk of long renal dysfunction. Clinical case of treatment of the patient, 39 years, with a cancer of the only kidney and recurrence in the form of tumoral blood clot in pelvis is presented.


The voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) is a critical block in the electronic and communication systems. It may be applied in frequency synthesis, clock signal generation, and a clock recovery circuit. In this article, the authors present the design and performance analysis of a 15-GHz, voltage-controlled ring oscillator using the 130-nm CMOS technology that operates in a 1.8-voltage power supply for high-speed applications. The designed scheme is a fivestage ring oscillator, which includes one inverter replaced by the NAND gate to shut down the ring oscillator during inactive mode. For improving the efficiency of the ring oscillator in the transceiver, different techniques such as transistor sizing are employed. In comparison to other publications, the authors' ring oscillator design is optimized with reference to the central frequency and power dissipation.


Cashew nut shell liquid modified amine is a new type of curing agent with good market reflect.This paper made a further exploration mainly through surface dry time,adhesion,shear strength and the applicable test to study the curing properties of cashew nut shell liquid of phenolic amine curing agents blends with solvent-free epoxy primer.Experimental results show that such cardanol-aldehyde amine curing agent not only maintains excellent adhesion and shear strength of cases,but also improves the curing speed,is a comprehensive performance curing agent.


ABSTRACT This study seeks to expand the use of quantum storytelling lens in qualitative research. Guided by this approach, we analyzed interviews with 32 individuals connected with the events of 9/11 in Newfoundland in three groups examining long-term narrative construction of resilience after a disrupting event and the idea that communication and construction of a resilience narrative can function as a larger community identity. This analysis revealed that participants not only use these narratives to shape their current lives but to narrate themselves and the community as resilient and generous. The findings also suggested theoretical implications that suggest we can broaden the definitions of both community and resilience and that these two are narratively constructed.


CESUR is a general name for traction inverters designed and developed by ASELSAN INC. They are used in rolling stock and can operate at different rated voltage and power levels. The main function of CESUR is to supply proper waveform of voltage and frequency to drive and control one or two parallel AC traction motors in accordance with the request sent from Central Control Unit via Multifunction Vehicle Bus (MVB). In this paper, a test program set (TPS) which carries out a routine test on CESUR is discussed. The TPS verifies that traction inverter is correctly assembled and all components function properly and safely. The TPS consists of an AC motor, high and low voltage DC power supplies, AC power supply, communication modules (RS422/485, CAN, Ethernet and GPIB), MVB diagnostic system, interface test adapter, switching modules, signal generator, test cables, test computer and test software.


In this research article, an innovative strategy is exploited to design a nonlinear component Substitution Box (S-box). To achieve an objective, initially we pick out a one specific sort of primitive irreducible polynomial of degree 8 to generate elements of Galois field . Furthermore, we established a precise category of invertible mapping through an employment of left action of invertible matrix having order of on to generate elements of S-box. Moreover, to improve the confusion aptitude of erected S-box we exerted 1's and 2's compliment's technique for shuffling of an elements of S-box. Eventually, to inspect the capacity of designed S-box we bring into effective action of different procedures from literature such as strict avalanche criterion, nonlinearity, linear approximation probability, bit independence criterion and differential approximation probability.


*This amended paper replaces, at the authors request, the original version which is no longer available.* This paper presents an account of the evolution of art therapy in New Zealand. It is written in the context of two recent earthquakes in Christchurch, New Zealand. The paper describes the origins of art therapy since the 1960's. It traces the development of a professional training and association. The position of the profession within the context of Australasia is discussed. This includes the close ties with Australia. The paper describes how the particular conditions of New Zealand in having a small population, have led to the need for therapists from different creative modalities – art, drama, music and creative therapy – to work collaboratively. The paper refers to the need to create culturally sensitive practice within the multi-cultural population of the country that comprises an indigenous as well as a migrant population. The paper describes current art therapy practices in this context. Key Words: Art Therapy, Arts Therapies, New Zealand, Earthquake, Multi-cultural, Maori, Indigenous, migration


Sediment microbial communities play essential roles in marine ecosystem functioning. Their study is crucial to understand how environmental conditions affect microbial diversity and biogeochemical cycles. The Venice Lagoon, one of the largest Adriatic transitional systems, is subjected to different natural and anthropogenic stressors. In this study, surface sediments microbial communities were finely characterized using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and metagenomics. Samples were collected seasonally in 2019 and 2020 at different sites within Lagoon sub-basins. Our results indicated a stable spatial distribution of the sediment microbiome: salinity, grain size, and total organic carbon were found to be important drivers in shaping prokaryotic communities, while temperature had a minor role. We detected high microbial diversity at all stations, mainly due to low abundant taxa: bacteria represented the vast majority of the reads (∼96.1%), with Woeseia the most abundant genus (∼4.4%). The metagenomic analysis highlighted significant differences among sites in terms of biogeochemical processes (e.g., C, N, Fe, and S metabolism), and cell-cell interaction strategies (e.g., mobilome, regulations and cell signaling). Chioggia, a sandy site subjected to marine influence, presented the highest abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaeon Candidatus Nitrosopumilus, in accordance with the highest amount of ammonia monooxygenase subunit genes. At the same site, sulfate-reducing bacteria (Desulfobacteria and Desulfobacterales) and sulfur-related genes were found in lower abundance. Marghera and Tresse, the most polluted sites, showed higher abundance of sewage-related bacteria and antibiotic and toxic compound resistance genes. Furthermore, these sites showed higher amount of genes related to cell-cell interaction, such as pathogenicity islands, transposable-elements, and biofilm formation. Our findings highlighted that sediment features and human-related activities have profound and long-term impacts on the surface sediment microbial communities of the Venice Lagoon.


To determine whether early echocardiographic ductal parameters identified infants who subsequently received medical or surgical treatment of the patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).


The parameters used to determine the trophic state of a water body are: total phosphorus (TP),transparency (Secchi disk depth) and chlorophyll a. However, these parameters show strong seasonalfluctuations which may hinder the estimation of trophic state. Some authors have proposed that sediments be used as an additional tool to evaluate the trophic state of a water body. The aim of this study was to determine the depth distribution of sediment TP in relation with the lake trophic state. Nine sediment corers from water bodies located in Patagonian Region (Argentina) were studied. The nutrient concentrations in pore water and in sediments were analyzed. The results obtained showed that there is a relationship between the depth distribution of sediment TP and the trophic state for all studied environments. Two exceptions were noted to this general pattern (Lakes Caviahue and Lacar). Our findings indicate that both pore water and sediments could be considered as the best parameters to estimate the tropic state of a water body compared to the water column.


Background:  Communication between healthcare professionals and patients is suboptimal and the measures to improve patient satisfaction such as sharing correspondence have been reported in different settings.


The invention relates to a control and monitoring system of a technical plant or a technical process for the operation of components and for the display of measured values, process variables and / or status messages from the components of the system or of the process with at least one large screen for the representation of the components of the technical process or the technical facility and a plurality of operator workstations, characterized in that a motion detection and motion control software is installed on the screen and the operator workstations, which an operator and / or interrogation of the components of the measured values of the process variables and / or the state messages of the components allows the technical installation or the technical process by means of a body motion of an operator.


The realistic estimation of reserves and resources is important to many diverse groups including explorers, producers, auditors, taxmen, bankers, shareholders and governments. Reserves data are used in different ways for a variety of reasons and often the figures are used without adequate definition and/or recognition of the uncertainties associated with them. Any calculation method which fails to consider the uncertainties involved, cannot portray a realistic assessment of reserves. Esso Australia Ltd. uses a relatively simple method to generate probability distribution curves in order to allow a more perceptive definition of the range of reserves for the offshore oil and gas fields in the Gippsland Basin and Esso is advocating wider petroleum and mineral industry acceptance of this approach. The method involves defining data distributions for each of the reservoir properties (volume, porosity, water saturation, compressibility and recovery factor) which are multiplied using Monte Carlo Simulation to generate the distribution of reserves. Actual input consists of data from: A high confidence area immediately surrounding well control, where the rock volume is relatively closely defined and the distributions of the other parameters, with the exception of recovery factors, reflect the observed variations. Other areas which are only seismically controlled, where the data ranges reflect both observed and interpreted variations in volume (gross and net), porosity, water saturation, compressibility and recovery factor. The curves generated for each area are then added by Monte Carlo Summation to yield the probability distribution of reserves for the whole field. In this method all available data are used and fewer subjective decisions are necessary. The computer generated distribution curves plot cumulative probability on the y-axis versus reserves on the x-axis. The curves allow the evaluation of the entire range of potential reserves, are valuable in economic and risk assessments and allow for more consistency in defining reserves for reporting purposes. The different categories of reserves, viz. "proved", "probable" or "possible", can be specified from the total field curves at defined probabilities. Moreover, the slope of the cumulative curve provides a direct indication of the level of knowledge of the field or parts of it.


Shen (1) has presented a method of constructing a solution of Van der Pol's differential equation in the form of a Weierstrassian elliptic function. Unfortunately, he omits to prove that the function he constructs actually satisfies the equation: in fact it cannot do so and this attractive idea must be given up. To see the impossibility of any such solution it is simplest to proceed direct from the original equation (Shen's equation (1)) (d2x/dt2) + ix(x2 — 1 ){dx/dt) + k2x = 0 (1) to the corresponding equation in the phase plane: y(dy/dx) + n(x2 1 )y + k2x = 0 (2) where y — dx/dt. In order that the elliptic function x = <p(t) should satisfy (1), it is necessary that the algebraic expression


Implanted wireless devices have gained increasing attention in the medical domain. An improvement in terms of data rate for in-body communications has been an objective of the research community. For this, the ultra-wideband (UWB) technology is considered a good prospect allowing transmission at a higher data rate. Although various literature has reported in-body channel characteristics in the frequency domain, only few papers have presented the time-domain characteristics of an in-body channel. This work presents an initial investigation of the subject-specific liver-implant radio channel in the lower part of UWB within 4.S-6.5 GHz considering transient response i.e. the fidelity characteristics. The influence of human individuality in the in-body radio channel was investigated using two different digital human body models, male and female. A variation of 9% in an average fidelity factor is observed between the body models. The analysis showed that the in-body channel characteristics are subject-specific and related to internal body compositions. Therefore, the subject-specific factors should be carefully considered when designing the in-body wireless communication systems for ensuring reliable wireless telemetry links for an in-body to on-body wireless communications.


One study was conducted to evaluate the effect of varying the reinforcement probability and availability in a temporally-defined schedule. Twelve male albino Wistar rats were divided into three groups. Each group were exposed to a three experimental phases with reinforcement probability (p) set at 1.0, 0.5 and 0.1. Into every experimental phase, there were set four blocks of different reinforcement availability values (Ť= 1.0, 0.5, 0.3, 0.1). The results suggest that response frequency decreased systematically with overall reinforcement probability. However, this effect seems to depend on T cycle duration. On the other hand, data shows a decrement function in percentages of water deliveries associated to decrements in water delivery availability (Ť). These results are examined in relation to properties of temporally-defined schedules and the local distribution of water deliveries and responses.


A fundamental ideal of finance is that investors should hold a diversified portfolio. This usually means a diversified portfolio that is Markowitz mean-variance (or standard deviation) efficient. In practical terms, this means the diversified portfolio should contain international investments. The first phase of this research, which is reported here, uses historic monthly rates of return for ten years from 1997 through 2006 to study four alternative investment categories. The four investment alternatives (portfolios) are (1) 30 U.S. firms with minimal international revenue, (2) 30 U.S. firms with maximum international revenue, (3) 30 closed end country funds and the 30 U.S. firms with minimum international revenue, and (4) 30 ADRs and 30 U.S. firms with minimum international revenue. The 30 firms with minimum international revenue are the benchmark and are the least efficient. The results indicate that portfolio (4), 30 ADRs and 30 U.S. firms with minimum international revenue, has the lowest risk, standard deviation, for a give level of return. The second phase, which is ongoing, follows the same general procedure as the first phase, but (1) Considers additional portfolio groups such as 30 ADRs and 30 U.S. firms with maximum international revenue. (2) Creates two categories of ADRs, those with minimum sales outside the home country and those with maximum sales outside the home country. This research reflects the idea that international diversification should be analyzed using, for instance, sales outside the home country, rather than location of a firm's headquarters.


Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) has been frequently linked to marriageability and is thought to be related to the marriage of girls younger than age 18, known as early/child marriage. These practices threaten the health of girls and women in sub-Saharan Africa, their development, and quality of life. Few rigorous studies exist that can clarify the relationship between these two practices. More such research is needed to inform policymaking and initiatives aimed at ending FGM/C and early/child marriage, both targets of the global Sustainable Development Goals. To fill this gap, the Evidence to End FGM/C program examined the association between FGM/C and early/child marriage in contexts where both are practiced. This brief summarizes the program's findings on the relationship between the two practices, highlighting what we know and what we still need to understand.


Greenhouse and laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of atrazine on efficacy, absorption, translocation, and metabolism of primisulfuron applied to velvetleaf and giant foxtail. Efficacy of primisulfuron was reduced by 18 and 22% when applied at 20 and 40 g ai ha−1, respectively, in combination with 1.7 kg ai ha−1 atrazine to velvetleaf. Efficacy of primisulfuron was reduced by 15 and 16% when applied at 30 or 60 g ai ha−1, respectively, in combination with 1.7 kg ai ha−1 atrazine to giant foxtail. Foliar absorption of 14C-primisulfuron by either weed species was not affected by addition of atrazine to the treatment solution. Atrazine had no effect on metabolism of 14C-primisulfuron by either weed species. In the absence of atrazine, translocation of absorbed 14C from primisulfuron out of treated leaves of velvetleaf and giant foxtail averaged 19 and 29%, respectively, across sampling times. These values were reduced to an average of 9 and 16% in velvetleaf and giant foxtail, respectively, when 14C-primisulfuron was applied in combination with atrazine. The majority of translocated 14C from primisulfuron was transported acropetally in velvetleaf and basipetally in giant foxtail. Atrazine significantly reduced 14C translocation from primisulfuron to these meristematic sinks in both weed species. Reduced translocation was positively correlated with reduced control of these weeds when primisulfuron was tank mixed with atrazine.


A study of NO2 gas sorption ability of thin indium tin oxide (ITO) deposited on 16 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) is presented. ITO films are grown by RF sputtering of indium/tin target with weight proportion 95:5 in oxygen environment. The ITO films have been characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements. The ITO surface composition in atomic % is defined to be: In-40.6%, Sn-4.3% and O-55%. The thickness and refractive index of the films are determined by ellipsometric method. The frequency shift of QCM-ITO is measured at different NO2 concentrations. The QCM-ITO system becomes sensitive at NO2 concentration ≥ 500 ppm. The sorbed mass for each concentration is calculated according the Sauerbrey equation. The results indicated that the 1.09 ng of the gas is sorbed into 150 nm thick ITO film at 500 ppm NO2 concentration. When the NO2 concentration increases 10 times the calculated loaded mass is 5.46 ng. The sorption process of the gas molecules is defined as reversible. The velocity of sorbtion /desorption processes are studied, too. The QCM coated with thin ITO films can be successfully used as gas sensors for detecting NO2 in the air at room temperature.


The peak-load pricing problem for postal service is addressed in practice primarily by means of service differentiation according to class of mail. The authors demonstrate that lower priority mail at peak times helps to ameliorate, but does not eliminate, the peak-load problem. They derive welfare-optimal, service differentiated prices under peak-load conditions for a diverse mail-processing technology. The authors show the relationship between this class of problems and the traditional natural monopoly peak-load literature. The paper discusses the implications of the theory for U.K. and U.S. postal service practice and policy. Copyright 1990 by Royal Economic Society.


In the period of transition from communism, the countries of central and eastern Europe have made considerable efforts to adopt new environmental legislation and to create new institutions. However, the implementation of these powers, particularly at the level of local government, remains problematic. This article reviews the arguments for developing capacity for taking environmental action at the municipal level, and then examines the actual experience of one such country, the Slovak Republic. While Slovakia displays many of the features of policy making familiar to other transitional countries, it has faced some particular political problems. Recent legislation has given formal competencies in the field of environmental protection to local government, but it remains fragmented and relatively poorly resourced. Nevertheless, there is evidence that, through a combination of mutual support through national associations and the establishment of international links, local authorities are adopting a number of innovative approaches and strategies which should be better able to address the changing character of environmental problems.


This is the publisher's final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Czech Geological Survey and can be found at: http://www.geology.cz/bulletin/.


p ediatric dentists' responsibility for their patients extends beyond oral conditions to the children's overall medical, social, and emotional health. The pediatric dentist evaluates children from shortly after birth through their adolescent years, and therefore is in an opportune position to monitor use of preventive health care measures. One of the major issues in the pediatric community is the lack of adherence to immunization schedules. More than 2 million U.S. children from ages 19 to 36 months may be inadequately vaccinated, I~ possibly in part due to lack of follow-up by pediatricians and primary care providers. In addition, parents are not properly informed regarding the specific type and number of vaccine doses required by age 18 months. For this reason, the dental profession -particularly pediatric dentists -may provide an additional source of information and encouragement for parents to immunize their children. The need for timely immunization is emphasized by the fact that 17,000-23,000 cases of preventable infectious diseases are reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 5 The largest percentage of these cases are due to hepatitis B (63%), pertussis (25%), mumps (8%), and Haemophilus influenza (6%). Children younger than age 5 years represent about 20% of cases; however, more children may have infections such as hepatitis, which are typically asymptomatic and can go undetected for years, s


Monitoring the results of software reliability growth models (SRGMs) helps evaluate project's situations. SRGMs are used to measure the reliability of software by analyzing the relations between the number of detected bugs and the detected time to predict the number of remaining bugs within the software. For example, development managers apply a SRGM to the number of detected bugs and the detected time to predict the number of remaining bugs. Sometimes the SRGM results cause managers to make incorrect decisions because the results are temporary snapshots that change as a development progresses. We propose a method to help evaluate a project's qualities by monitoring the results of SRGM applications. We collected the number of detected bugs and the detected time in the test phases for cloud services provided by e-Seikatsu Co., Ltd. to real estate businesses. The datasets contain about 34 cloud service features. The evaluation found that our method provides correct answers for 29 features and incorrect answers for 5 features.


This article presents a study on the hagiographic value of fifty four saints, blessed and venerable related to the Diocese of Ourense in an unpublished manuscript of the University of Santiago de Compostela in 1781 is offered. After appreciating the influence of false chronicles that vitiate the truth of historical memory about some of these saints, and bear in mind the progress that the Bollandists Parents have the hagiographic science, it presents the list of the two saints and twenty blesseds who make up the current diocesan saints gathered in the Roman Martirology, briefly giving some details about each of them, as well as some literatura. Ourense is the richest in number Galician Diocese of Santos.


Abstract The present study was conducted with the aim of exploring the leathercraft of Chamba. It is a craft practiced in Chamba town of Himachal Pradesh. It is a journey of a craft that was introduced by a Princess and presently striving for its existence. This craft molded itself into a new trend that enhanced our knowledge of changing traditions comprehensively. Meticulously work was done to learn more about the leathercraft of Chamba, its origin, and artisans. The process of production of the leathercraft of Chamba is also documented after collecting primary data by conducting a field study in Chamba.


Relationships between human movement and places or locations are frequently explored by research in Geography, Archaeology and Anthropology. However, as ever more of our culture is digitised, disciplines including Architecture, Cultural Studies, performance, and others, are re-discovering transdisciplinary notions of site and embodied experience of place. They are broadening their research from studies of purely material cultures of roads, paths, and buildings to encompass the experiences and social relationships for which these were constructed.


This paper elaborated,on the basis of present situation of land use in the Shiba River Modern Agriculture Demonstration Area,the subject content of its construction planning,and pointed out five important issues:the planning should take advantage of both traditional and modern agricultural technology to achieve the unity of inheritance and innovation;the efforts of land conservation and reclamation be strengthened to achieve the unity of man and nature;functional sub-areas be independent and complementary to realize the unification of individual and entirety;agricultural recycling economy be further developed to achieve the unity of resource saving and environment protection;leisure agriculture be enhanced to carry out the integration of production and recreation.


Apparatus for balancing vehicle wheels with a balancing head (1) to an execution arm (10) a program-controlled handling device (9) having a Aufwalzrolle (3) with a width corresponding approximately to the width of an endless weight strand (5) and with the at least a determined equalizing surface (17) of a rim (7) of a vehicle wheel (33) at least one self-adhesive from the endless weight strand (5) separated balance weight (8) can be attached, characterized in that the balancing head (1) a feeding device (2) for feeding the endless weight strand (5) having an adhesive layer and a cutting device (4) for separating the predetermined compensating weight (8) of the endless weight strand (5), that the feeding device (2) contains a Zufuhrkulisse (12) whose inner dimensions to the dimensions of the endless weight strand (5 ) corresponds to, and by the (weight of the endless strand 5) of the Aufwalzrolle (3) via a Wend Contro l is fed to the correct position, and that the Aufwalzrolle (3) is connected with a controlled rotary drive, and an outer cylindrical or cone shaped circumferential surface (23).


The purpose of this study was to describe the use of information and communication technology in increasing student learning passion in the concept of the Human Excretion System. The method used descriptive qualitative. Data collection techniques were observation, interview and documentation. The resource persons were the madrasa headmaster, madrasa committee chair, head of the computer laboratory, teachers and students. The data analysis technique used descriptive narrative, with a flow: data reduction, data presentation and conclusion drawing. Data validity was done by respondent triangulation, method and time. The results of the study concluded that the use of information and communication technology in the learning process of science on the concept of the human excretion system, that students did not feel bored studying and stimulated students more passionate in learning. The media could overcome the limitations of students' experiences, allowed direct interaction between students and the environment, produced uniformity of observations, and instilled the basic concepts that are true and correct. Besides that the media could arise new curiosity and interest, control the pace of learning and provide a comprehensive experience to students from concrete to abstract things.


Xiamen is one of the China's top ten key tourist cities and excellent tourist cities.Its tourism development has reached a certain scale.As the product of regional tourism cooperation,tourism circle has received more and more widespread attention in the tourism industry and academia.The theory of tourism circle in regional tourism theory has significant guidance for Xiamen tourism development.This thesis discusses the effective ways to the tourism development in Xiamen through the spatial interaction model in the theory of tourism circle.


Students must be the main subject in the classroom in the Industrial Revolution 4.0 era. One method for producing students with the abilities required for the twenty-first century is to use a Creative Problem-Solving Approach with learning patterns aligned with the 2013 Curriculum, such as an integrated thematic or unified thematic approach and e-books aided by the Kvisoft Flipbook Maker Pro application. This study aims to develop integrated thematic teaching materials based on creative problem solving assisted by kvisoft flipbook maker pro in the third grade of elementary school. The development research method was used with the ADDIE development model has five stages: analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation. The results show that developed teaching materials have a percentage of validity of 89.06% (content validation), 80% (graphic validation), and 83.3% (language validation). The practicality of teacher responses obtained a 3.7 (very practical), while the student response was 3.5. (very practical). Effectiveness, as measured by student learning outcomes, received an N-Gain Score of 0.71 with an effective category (high). It means that the teaching materials created for third-grade elementary school students were valid, practical, and effective and implemented in three schools in West Pasaman.


Technologies such as vessels and cardiac patches grown in the laboratory are being developed to treat heart disease. This article reviews the progress so far with these and other regenerative-medicine products.


The effectiveness of orange peel activated carbon powder, a cheap agro-based product, as an adsorbent was evaluated to remove COD and TDS present in a dairy industry wastewater. Experiments were carried out by adding orange peel activated carbon powder to the dairy industry wastewater at different dosages, different rapid mixing contact time and slow mixing contact time. Maximum removal for COD and TDS in a dairy industry effluent was obtained at an optimum dosage of 120 g/l, an optimum rapid mixing contact time of 20 min. and an optimum slow mixing contact time of 40 min. The results showed that the percentage reduction in concentration of COD and TDS in a dairy industry wastewater by using orange peel activated carbon powder as an adsorbent is about 92.3 % and 88.8 % respectively. Also, the experimental values of dairy industry wastewater were validated with model and the model study concluded that the developed model is having reproducing capacity of the experimental data obtained from the dairy industry wastewater. Thus, the results of the present study concluded that the use of orange peel activated carbon powder is effective as an adsorbent to remove COD and TDS present in a dairy industry wastewater.


Objective: To evaluate the clinical value of the usage of cytology,colposcopy and histopathology in diagnosis of cervical lesions.Methods: From January,2004 to December,2005,the clinical data of 537 patiens of cervical lesions were studied.Results: Among 537 cases,250 were diagnosed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia(CIN) or cervical cancer by colposcopy and histopathology.The incidence was 46.55%.217 cases were diagnosed as CIN or cervical cancer by the combination usage of thinprep cytologic test(TCT),colposcopy and histopathology.The incidence was 47.92%.The grade above ASCUS(including LSIL and HSIL)through TCT were diagnosed as CIN or cervical cancer by colposcopy or histopathology,which incidence was 66.37%(P0.05).Conclusion: TCT,colposcopy and pathohistology are common methods for the diagnosis of cervical lesions,the combination usage of them can improve the diagnosis rate of CIN.TCT is the capital method for CIN screening.


The present work aimed at finding a dietetical model capable of promoting the highest hypercholesterolemia without affecting the development of the rats. Sixty female Fisher rats were divided into five groups. The first one was fed a control diet; the remaining four were fed hypercholesterolemic diets with cholesterol and different contents of soybean oil, starch, casein, micronutrients and fiber and, consequently, different caloric values. After eight weeks animals were evaluated in relation to growth, fecal excretion, liver weight and fat, cholesterol and its fractions, serum biochemical parameters and sistolic pressure and compared with controls. The best result was obtained with the diet containing 25 % soybean oil, 1.0 % cholesterol, 13 % fiber and 4,538.4 Kcal/Kg, since it promoted an increase in LDL-cholesterol, a decrease in the HDL fraction and affected less the hepatic function of the animals.


Specimens of Grateloupia from Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands were used to molecularly ascertain which of the species has been used in physiological and bio‐technological experiments. The rbcL sequence analysis revealed that four out of five analyzed specimens (i.e. those commonly collected for physiological research) formed a monophyletic clade with G. imbricata from Korea, Japan, and China, and were quite different from any other species of the genus. Another sample, which was associated with cage nets used for fish aquaculture, was grouped with G. lanceolata from Japan, though it appears too early as yet to identify it as such. This is, thus, proof of a new introduction of a marine macroalga, since G. imbricata is an Asian species, native to Japan and Korea, in the Canary Islands. The role of international shipping in the introduction of the species is discussed.


Globally, the number of invasive alien species (IAS) continues to increase and management and policy responses typically need to be adopted before conclusive empirical evidence on their environmental and socioeconomic impacts are available. Consequently, numerous protocols exist for assessing IAS impacts and differ considerably in which evidence they include. However, inclusive strategies for building a transparent evidence base underlying IAS impact assessments are lacking, potentially affecting our ability to reliably identify priority IAS. Using alien parrots in Europe as a case study, here we apply an evidence-mapping scheme to classify impact evidence and evaluate the consequences of accepting different subsets of available evidence on impact assessment outcomes. We collected environmental and socioeconomic impact data in multiple languages using a "wiki-review" process, comprising a systematic evidence search and an online editing and consultation phase. Evidence was classified by parrot species, impact category (e.g. infrastructure), geographical area (e.g. native range), source type (e.g. peer-review), study design (e.g. experimental) and impact direction (deleterious, beneficial and no impact). Our comprehensive database comprised 386 impact entries from 233 sources. Most evidence was anecdotal (50%). A total of 42% of entries reported damage to agriculture (mainly in native ranges), while within Europe most entries concerned interspecific competition (39%). We demonstrate that the types of evidence included in assessments can strongly influence impact severity scores. For example, including evidence from the native range or anecdotal evidence resulted in an overall switch from minimal-moderate to moderate-major overall impact scores. We advise using such an evidence-mapping approach to create an inclusive and updatable database as the foundation for more transparent IAS impact assessments. When openly shared, such evidence-mapping can help better inform IAS research, management and policy.


A retrospective study of the outcome of postcoital intervention for the prevention of pregnancy in 201 women who attended the Victorian Family Planning Clinic from January 1982 to September 1983 is presented. Four pregnancies resulted from a total of 213 treatments performed. As a follow-up assessment could only be carried out in 107 cases, the rate of failure of postcoital treatment according to the recommended regimen was estimated as 4%. The reasons for attendance and the methods of contraception involved are considered in general, and the four cases in which the treatment failed are described in more detail. Recommendations are made with regard to subsequent contraception.


This paper highlights the continuing importance of nomadism as an aspect of identity in contemporary Mongolia, and one which retains strategic, discursive and material resonance at diverse scales. It examines the contested representations and practices of nomadism with particular reference to conservation and to relations with land and nature. At a national level, nomadism remains a powerful, albeit romanticized, symbol of collective identity, often deployed, for example by urban elites with reference to a 'glorious past' (Bruun 2006). At the same time emergent urban identities are increasingly important in informing national self-representations of Mongolia, while contemporary nomadic herders are subject to contrasting discursive portrayals in mainstream conservation debates and policies. Particular concepts of relations with nature, including re-emergent spiritual dimensions, are highlighted as aspects of nomadic identity and practice at local levels, and their contrasts to and accommodation with donor-driven conservation projects explored. Finally, the paper highlights the emergent Global Pastoralists' movement as an important arena wherein Mongolian pastoralists can begin to deploy their own discursive representations of contemporary nomadic identities.


Carious dentin consists of a superficial first layer and a deeper second layer. Chromatographically compared with sound dentin, the second layer showed a change in the cross-linkage of collagen with cross links partly shifting to precursors. In contrast, the first layer showed virtual disappearance of cross links indicating irreversible denaturation of collagen.


Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is a useful algorithm to deal with non-linear problems such as route economic management optimization, vehicle routing optimization and so on. Several different kinds of improved PSO algorithms is provided to further increase its searching performance, which means PSO can deal with various kinds of situation through these improved algorithms. Moreover, Multi-Swarm strategy of PSO (MSPSO) is introduced to avoid premature and reach the optimal solution with less iteration time. However, software implementation of MSPSO is too time-consuming to be employed into real-time application when particles number and iterations time are huge, even on high-speed computer. Moreover, the synchronous hardware architecture of MSPSO is ineffective since it cannot achieve the maximum performance of each module during the calculation. In order to accelerate the processing speed of MSPSO, an asynchronous architecture of MSPSO based on Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is proposed in this research. The asynchronous architecture can improve the efficiency by executing the function of each module independently with maximum performance. In addition, Asynchronous Wrapper (AW) with handshaking protocol is adopted to connect core modules and peripheral modules, which can greatly enhance the stability of data exchange. The experimental results confirm that the asynchronous approach can drastically reduce the calculation time compared with synchronous approach.


Created as part of the 2013 Jackson School for International Studies SIS 495: Task force. Adam Smith, Task Force Advisor; Jared Sarkis and Sarah Stauch, Coordinators.


Verification is a crucial phase in the design cycle of an ASIC or FPGA. As the digital design complexity keeps increasing, its verification complexity increases as well. In this scenario, the concept of VIP (Verification intellectual property) emerged, which is a pre-packaged set of code used for verification that could be easily plugged into a simulation environment to shorten the verification cycle and increase the coverage.Modbus RTU (Remote Terminal Unit) is the serial version of Modbus data communication protocol. Modbus serial line server RTU VIP is an endeavour to optimize the efforts dispensed in a FPGA/ ASIC project implementation. The algorithm for the Modbus VIP is designed and implemented in Universal Verification Methodology. The Modbus VIP brings in automation to the cumbersome testing process and cut short the lengthy man hours spend in simulation result analysis and debugging. It addresses the challenges in the verification of a Modbus implementation in terms of functional and structural coverage, efficient bug detection, effective debugging and drastically lessen the verification effort, reduce the overall product cycle time and thereby, the product cost.


background Late adulthood is a period in which the number of stressors is increasing; therefore, strategies of coping with these situations may be significant in terms of the subjective evaluation of the quality of life and adaptation to old age. The objective of this paper was to examine the relationships between proactive coping and the quality of life in people in late adulthood. The quality of life was assessed using the Polish version of the CASP-19.


This paper proposes an end-to-end process analysis template with replicable measures to evaluate the filtering performance of a Scan-OCR-MT system. Preliminary results across three language-specific FALCon systems show that, with one exception, the derived measures consistently yield the same performance ranking: Haitian Creole at the low end, Arabic in the middle, and Spanish at the high end.


The social contribution that infrastructure components contribute to a territory tends to be underestimated. Indeed, few studies referring to asphalt pavements take social impact into account in their evaluation. This study proposes and evaluates a method to estimate the social contribution of innovative asphalt mixes used in a test section in Chile. For this, a multi-criteria structure, the Delphi method, was used to validate the evaluation structure, and the Bayesian theory and a Noise-OR model to evaluate the social contribution of asphalt mixes. Thus, for the life cycle of extraction, production, and construction, a set of indicators and social criteria determine a cause-effect decision-making model. Six types of asphalt mixes were evaluated: hot mix asphalt (HMA), warm mix asphalt (WMA) with natural zeolite from Chile, WMA with exported chemical additive, and their variants with and without recycled asphalt pavement (RAP). The results demonstrate that the WMAs with RAP achieve a more significant social contribution, emphasizing its contribution to the landscape, development and innovation, socioeconomic development, and health.


Aim: Planned pregnancy is important in terms of maternal and infant health in women with diabetes of reproductive age. In this period, it is necessary to use the correct contraception method to prevent unwanted pregnancies. The study was conducted to determine contraception use behaviors and related factors of women with type 2 diabetes. Material and Methods: The study included 194 women with type 2 diabetes who applied to a diabetes outpatient clinic in a public hospital and were in their reproductive period. The data were obtained with a diagnosis form that inquired about the sociodemographic and disease characteristics of women and their knowledge about using contraception. In the evaluation of the data, t test and Chi-square test were used in independent groups. Results: In the study, it was determined that 54.6% of the diabetic women used contraception method and preferred the most coitus interruptus (40.5%) and condom (39.7%) management. It was found that only 33.5% contraception and 38.6% preferred the method they used because it was cheap / free. In the study, it was found that women with three or more children and who received information about contraception had a higher rate of using contraception, however, women who had no prospective pregnancy thought used contraception at a lower rate. Conclusion: In the study, it was determined that only half of the women with diabetes used contraception method. It was determined that the use of contraception and the number of children, the state of obtaining information about contraception and the prospective pregnancy idea were associated.


Hackerman and the Board of Governors approved a plan last week which allows the residential colleges to assist in soliciting donations from recent alumni classes. The colleges will receive some of the money raised in return. The funds will be given to the colleges either to use for projects of potential benefit to all students or to be placed in individual college endowments, at the discretion of the various college governments. developed the experimental program in collaboration with the Development Office and submitted it to Hackerman in late February. Hirschberg, who chaired the subcommittee, feels this program "could be the biggest thing to hit the college system since it was created. This is an opportunity for us to expand the college system into what I think it was really designed for originally, which is to play more of an educational role. This will allow money for a real speakers series, scholars-in-residence, and real cultural events." Under the new plan, the colleges will aid the Development Office in contacting alumni from the five Al Hirschberg most recent classes to urge contribution toward the Annual Fund, which is to be spent by the University in the subsequent year. Any money received from these five classes above a base figure will be distributed to the colleges on a percentage basis according to the amount raised by each college. The base figure will be determined each year according to the previous year's contributions. The initial figure to be set will equal the amount given this year see Colleges, page 4 _J L. INSIDE: • The agony and the ecstasy of the Beer-Bike races, as told in photos, pp. 8-9. Music, it was announced early last week. The position the first for the Music, will be endowed professorship Shepherd School of Cooper's professorship effective July 1, 1982. University President Norman Hackerman stated, "The creation of this endowed chair will help strengthen the growing confidence of the Shepherd School in its own important mission within the Rice community and its broadening outreach potential beyond the campus." Said Cooper, "I am enormously grateful and terribly flattered by the honor. I think that the goals which I set forth in my letter to the president remained unchanged, to be the best composer that I can and to serve the Shepherd School with all diligence." Cooper received his degrees from the University of Southern California and studied for a …


This article explores the origins and early years of the Australian movement against the French
nuclear testing program in the South Pacific, which ran from 1966 to 1996. In particular,
it looks at the transnational frame of Australian activism by focusing on an early example
of direct action, the Committee Against Atomic Testing (CAAT). Established in Sydney
in 1964, CAAT was conceived as a vehicle for organising the Trident protest voyage that
sailed from Sydney towards French Polynesia in 1967. Although the voyage only travelled
as far as the Cook Islands, it is significant for a number of reasons. Firstly, it illuminates the
role of British and American migrants in radicalising the Sydney Left in the early to mid1960s.
Many of these, especially those from the United States, were self-described "nuclear
migrants," fleeing radioactive fallout, Cold War propaganda, and the excesses of materialism
back home. Several were involved in CAAT, helping to radicalise its ideas and its place in
broader, international trends of direct action and radical pacifism. Secondly, the campaign
of the Trident and its evolution is illustrative of a broader trend of experimentation with
radical protest in opposition to French nuclear testing that was garnering interest among
many on the Left in Australia in the mid to late 1960s.


11 The first direct estimate of the rate at which geostrophic turbulence mixes tracers 12 across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current is presented. The estimate is computed from 13 the spreading of a tracer released upstream of Drake Passage as part of the Diapycnal 14 and Isopycnal Mixing Experiment in the Southern Ocean (DIMES). The meridional 15 eddy diffusivity, a measure of the rate at which the area of the tracer spreads along 16 an isopycnal across the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, is 710±260 m2s−1 at 1500 m 17 depth. The estimate is based on an extrapolation of the tracer based diffusivity using 18 output from numerical tracers released in a 1/20th of a degree model simulation of 19 the circulation and turbulence in the Drake Passage region. The model is shown to 20 reproduce the observed spreading rate of the DIMES tracer and suggests that the 21 meridional eddy diffusivity is weak in the upper kilometer of the water column with 22 values below 500 m2s−1 and peaks at the steering level, near 2 km, where the eddy 23 phase speed is equal to the mean flow speed. These vertical variations are not captured 24 by ocean models presently used for climate studies, but they significantly affect the 25 ventilation of different water masses. 26


The ALICE collaboration is interested in measuring the ξ = ln(pjetT/phadronT) distribution of hadrons in jets known as the Hump-backed plateau (HBP). After an introduction to color coherence effects responsible for the shape of the HBP, we discuss the ALICE capabilities to perform such a study. Preliminary results from ALICE for non corrected charged particle and jet spectra measurement in p+p collisions at = 900 GeV and 7 TeV are presented. Finally, we show the results of a MC based analysis of intrajet radiations. It supports the idea of jet collimation which increases with increasing jet energy as expected from QCD and show the feasability of this study with ALICE.


It has been established that activation of melanocortin receptors (MC3/MC4R) in the hypothalamus results in a reduction of food intake, but the mechanism is unknown. Using the MC3/MC4R agonist, MTII, and histochemical techniques, we tested the hypothesis that melanocortin signaling increases CNS sensitivity to satiety signals. We found that CNS injection of MTII enhanced the ability of the satiety signal cholecystokinin (CCK) to reduce feeding and induce c‐Fos in the NTS. To locate hypothalamic neurons transmitting this signaling to the NTS, parvocellular PVN (pPVN) cells projecting to the NTS were identified by injection of the retrograde tracer, fluorescent cholera toxin B (fCTB) in the NTS. Cells in the pPVN that showed fCTB signal showed oxytocin (OXY) immunoreactivity. We used laser capture microdissection to collect pPVN cells containing the fCTB and pooled these cells for real‐time quantitative PCR analysis of MC4R mRNA. pPVN neurons that project to the NTS expressed MC4R mRNA in addition to OXY and CRH mRNA, thus confirming a neuroanatomical pathway from the pPVN to the NTS for the anorexic effects of melanocortin ligands in the hypothalamus. These findings support a model in which OXY and CRH neurons in the PVN respond to melanocortin receptor activation by acting on NTS neurons to enhance the behavioral response to CCK. Support: NIH DK‐17047, DK‐52989, DK‐12829, NIDDK, 5P30 DK35816‐18, NS‐32273, VA MR.


In 1989, North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) conducted a study of transfer students to examine the relative effect of college attendance on academic achievement, transflr students' satisfaction with their college experience, and the college's fulfillment of general education goals. The study examined the length of exposure to college effects, as measured by total semester credit hours (SCH) earned, and student satisfaction with NIACC as determined through a mailed survey. Study findings, based on a 61.24% response rate, included the following: (1) a significant relationship existed between SCH earned at NIACC and the level of transfer student satisfaction with NIACC preparation for the workplace; (2) no significant difference or relationship was observed between SCH earned at NIACC and grade point average at graduation from a four-year institution; (3) no difference was observed between SCH and student satisfaction with the extent to which NIACC had prepared them as individuals, citizens, or family members; (4) the number of SCH earned at NIACC had little Cr' no influence to student outcomes. However, the data did prove that the length of community college attendance was not negatively related to selected student outcomes. Appendixes state the purposes and hypotheses of the study, list general education goals, report findings from previous studies on community college effects, present the demographic characteristics of NIACC students, and offer a summary and conclusions. (JMC) ****************************************************************!-****** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ******************************************************************u* A STUDY OF THE RELATIVE EFFECT OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ON TRANSFER STUDENTS: ACHIEVEMENT AND SATISFACTION ************************************************************ Presented at: The Annual Meeting of the Council of Universities and Colleges at the American Association of Community and Junior Colleges 70th Annual Convention Seattle, Washington April 22, 1990 ************************************************************ -PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY D. J. Phelan TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CEN fER (ERIC).Daniel J. Phelan, Presenter North Iowa Area Community College Travis P. Kirkland, Co-Presenter Northeast Iowa Community College U S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION flhh, P 0, E. Ow al.ondi Poseur( h and invo.ornen. E DUCATIC 'AL Elf SOURCES INFORMATION ..)( CENTER IERICi T,-,s 00,-,,ment 'Ids been pDFOCIu( PA as 'pc P.ved Itorr the Person Or organqabOn 0,.(rnat,ny .1 n M.nn, c hanges have been made to ,nprove eprOd,I.On d.ahly F.(nn!5 of ..e., or op.n.OnS S. al ed ,h thS(RX o meet do not nP(PSSanly tepreSt.n1 ott.( .a. OE RI raosnm cn Dnhry


A numerical model of a solid-state single-pulse laser with optical parametric generation has been developed that makes it possible to investigate the spatial and energy characteristics of the parametrically generated radiation, taking into account the diffraction effects of the pump radiation and of the signal and idle waves in the cavity of the optical parametric generator (OPG), as well as the interaction with the pump radiation in the volume of the nonlinear crystal of the OPG. Numerical studies of the spatial and energy characteristics of the radiation of an extracavity OPG excited by the radiation of a single-pulse Nd:YVO4 laser with diode pumping have been carried out. The results of a numerical optimization of the cavity configuration of the OPG that makes it possible to improve the radiance characteristics of the parametrically generated radiation at a wavelength of 1.57μm are presented. The energy characteristics of the parametrically generated radiation are compared for linear and ring structural layouts of the OPG cavities.


Ownership types have been receiving much attention from the research community. However, few of the proposed designs have been implemented or evaluated on real object-oriented implementations. AliasJava has been available for a few years and has been applied on several case studies. Currently, AliasJava is implemented as a non-backwards compatible extension of the Java programming language. As a result, none of the tool support for Java (from debugging and refactoring to syntax highlighting) is available for AliasJava programs, making it harder to justify the case that Java programs are easier to evolve with AliasJava annotations than without. Furthermore, this makes it harder specify the ownership and aliasing annotations for a large legacy system, since the program cannot be annotated partially and incrementally with AliasJava. We present JavaD, a re-implementation of the AliasJava language and analysis as a set of Java 1.5 annotations, using the Eclipse Java Development Tooling (JDT) infrastructure and the Crystal Data Flow Analysis framework. We conclude with some lessons learned and future plans.


The primary objective of this project is to design, fabricate, and test a small, integrated camera system for aiding in the visualization and surgical repair of ventricular septal defects (VSDs), or holes in the heart wall, in pediatric patients. Currently, a less invasive device to view VSDs from the left ventricle of the heart does not exist. This left perspective is ideal for obtaining an unobstructed view of the VSD. The proposed VSD camera device would also provide a platform for passing a suture through the hole in the septal wall, with future work implementing additional tools capable of more advanced tasks. This camera device will help solve some of the major issues currently associated with both cardiac imaging and surgical intervention of VSDs by providing a minimally invasive camera platform for viewing VSDs from the left ventricle. This paper examines the design development and preliminary evaluation of a proof of concept device. Included are preliminary results of image quality comparisons and design details of a pediatric-specific VSD camera device.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


Visible light backscatter communication (VLBC) presents an emerging low power IoT connectivity solution with spatial reuse and interference immunity advantages over RF-based (backscatter) technologies. State-of-the-art VLBC systems employ COTS LCD shutter as optical modulator, whose slow response fundamentally throttles its data rate to sub-Kbps, and limits its deployment at scale for use cases where higher rate and/or low latency is a necessity. We design and implement RetroTurbo, a VLBC system dedicated for turboboosting data rate. At the heart of RetroTurbo design is a pair of novel modulation schemes, namely delayed superimposition modulation (DSM) and polarization-based QAM (PQAM), to push the rate limit by strategically coordinating the state of a liquid crystal modulator (LCM) pixel array in time and polarization domains. Specifically, DSM ensures we fully exploit the available SNR for high order modulation in the LCM-imposed nonlinear channel; PQAM is based on polarized light communication that creates a QAM design in polarization domain with flexible angular misalignment between two ends. A real-time near-optimal demodulation algorithm is designed to ensure system's robustness to heterogeneous signal distortion. Based on our prototyped system, RetroTurbo demonstrates 32x and 128x rate gain via experiments and emulation respectively in practical real-world indoor setting.


Non-timber forest products (NTFP) are extensively extracted from Indian forests, and their role in rural and forest economies is immense. A number of wild plants used by rural and tribal population contributing significantly to livelihood and food security have escaped recognition and scientific inquiry in many developing countries. The wild edibles are gaining increased attention as potential food supplement or cheaper alternative of commercial fruits across the world. The Himalayan region is comprised of a large variety of wild-growing plants that are used for food and other subsistence needs by the local communities. Rhododendron arboreum is a wild plant species possesses high ecological importance and the flower of the species having unique medicinal and nutritional value. The flowers of the tree are edible and are used in the preparation of a refreshing drink in mountain region of Central Himalaya. The paper highlighted medicinal, nutritive and potential of R. arboreum for bioprospecting by making value added products to improve the livelihood of hill farmers in Himalaya region.


Rate constants for solvolyses of secondary alkyl tosylates in fluorinated media [including hexafluoropropan-2-ol (HFIP), hexafluoroacetone sesquihydrate, and trichloromethylbis(trifluoromethyl)carbinol] are reported. Rates of solvolysis of 2-adamantyl p-toluenesulfonate in 97% (w/w) HFIP–water at 25°C are neither retarded by the addition of NaOTs nor accelerated greatly by NaClO4. The α-deuterium kinetic isotope effect for solvolyses of 1-(1-adamantyl)ethyl methanesulfonate in 20% acetone–water at 25°C is 1.14. Mechanistic implications of these results are discussed. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Osteoporosis is an international health and financial burden of ever increasing proportions. Current treatments limit the rate of bone resorption and reduce fracture risk, however they are often associated with significant and debilitating side effects. The most commonly used therapies also do not stimulate osteoblast activity 1,2,3 . Much current research focus is aimed at the metabolic and epigenetic pathways involved in osteoporosis. MicroRNAs have been shown to play an important role in bone homeostasis and pathophysiological conditions of the musculoskeletal system. Up-regulation of specific microRNAs has been identified in-vivo in osteoporotic patients 4,5 . It is hypothesized that modulation of specific microRNA expression may have a key role in future targeted therapies of musculoskeletal diseases. The assessment and analysis of their potential therapeutic use in Osteoporosis is of great importance, due to the burden of the disease. We have developed a 3D osteoporotic model from human bone marrow, without the use of scaffold. Magnetic nanoparticles are utilised to form spheroids, which provides a closer representation of the in-vivo environment than monolayer culture. This model will provide the basis for analysing future microRNA experiments to assess the potential up-regulation of osteoblastogenesis without cessation of osteoclast activity. The results of initial monolayer and spheroid experiments will be presented. Optimisation of the osteoporotic bone marrow culture conditions, involving response to differentiation medias, analysis of adipose and bone markers and cell migration in spheroid culture will be displayed. Quantitative and qualitative results, including fluorescence microscopy and in cell western, assessing the monolayer and spheroid cultures will be presented. The development of a pseudo osteoporosis model from healthy bone marrow will also be discussed. This model will form a basis of future work on microRNA targeting. The development of improved therapies for osteoporosis is of great significance due to the predicted rise in incidence of the disease and associated fragility fractures. Targeted therapies, such as the manipulation of microRNA expression, offer the opportunity to increase osteoblastogenesis and decrease osteoclastogenesis, potentially without the associated side effects of older, systemic therapies. We believe our 3D human bone marrow derived osteoporotic model offers the closest relation to the in-vivo environment for assessment and manipulation of microRNA expression.


The issue of foreign trade is one of the important issues that show the vitality of the state and the extent of its influence on the external level. The strength of commercial activity results from the strength, stability and cohesion of the state on the internal level, which ultimately leads to imposing its will and doctrinal and economic dominance on its relations with other countries.
This requires building a military force that protects commercial activities and relations, whether political or commercial, as well as spreading its intellectual and ideological orientations through the arrival of its merchants to those countries, competing with their opponents in the commercial markets.
Egypt has flourished under the Fatimid caliphate throughout the years (358-567 AH / 969-1171 AD) in various political, economic and social levels in a way that the country has not seen since ages ago.


A mathematical model for the treatment of prostate cancer regarding androgen ablation is considered. The effect of the therapy on healthy cells is taken into account and modelled as a second order state constraint. A mathematical overview about possible therapy strategies is presented.


Tjempaka Sari Hartomo is a professional librarian graduated from University of New South Wales in 1991. She develops activities on science communication in LIPI and she is the founder of Science Briefing of the Parliament of the Republic of Indonesia. In LIPI the area she is responsible is commercial cooperation and external communication of the Center for Innovation which is in line with her interest namely utilization of information; processed, repackaged and communicated for the benefit of mankind. Knowledge is power (nam et ipse scientia potestas est) as introduced by philosopher Francis Bacon in the 16 th century has proved widely through the period in history. The rates of human development such as our capacity to improve the health and welfare and to overcome poverty as to achieve sustainable world are examples of the power of knowledge. Hence, the rapid development of knowledge will be meaningless unless it is shared. Indonesia Institute of Sciences (LIPI) has been a referred centre for science and technology in Indonesia. This Institute has a scientific capability to produce numerous scientific discovery and services. Some of its products have been utilized by stakeholders, namely industries, and government institutes for the benefit of the people. However this system should be strengthened and improved by efficient and effective science communication programmes: such as science briefing, industry relation, public advocacy, press release, etc. Knowledge based resource management plays important role in this endeavour. The Centre for Scientific Documentation and Information, The Centre for Innovation, Bureau for Cooperation and Popularising Science and Technology work together to bring science to the people for their better life.


Refechissant an object such as a mirror or a transparent panel ray-shielding metalliue comprises a reflective coating deposited on a glass sheet. The metal coating comprises a reflective silver layer and was treated with a solution containing ions of at least one species selected from. Cr (III), V (II or III), Ti (II or III), Fe (II), In (I or II), Cu (I) and Al (III). Such treatment provides protection of the reflective coating against corrosion.


The effects of surface polishing on the thermoelectric properties of InSb crystals have been studied. For this purpose, we grew high - quality InSb crystals. This crystal has the real surface and we call it "as prepared". Also, a cleaned surface was obtained by polishing processes. A detailed work for comparing the measured thermoelectric in the pre-mentioned two cases was done. This included the study of the crystals by means of X- ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopy images (SEM). The goal is to find out the influence of the surface treatment on the values of thermoelectric power (α). This was done over a wide range of temperatures (200-500K). Unique- results were obtained for the first time first time, and were represented using useful histograms


Background: Interatrial and intraartial block cause anisotropic conduction, affecting P wave morphology. This study aims at investigating whether biphasic P wave in lead II is associated with AF development.Methods: Digital analysis of 12-lead ECG was performed to enroll patients with biphasic P wave in lead II from among a database containing 308,391 ECGs. Age- and gender-matched patients served as control.Results: A total of 302 patients with biphasic P wave in lead II were chosen. Control group consisted of 1,208 patients. The incidence of AF was 8.3-fold higher than that in control patients . During follow-up , 65 case patients developed AF versus 237 case patients who did not . The area and duration of P-wave initial portion in lead II were significantly greater in AF group than in non-AF group .Conclusion: Biphasic P wave in lead II is closely associated with AF development.


AN EMPIRICAL METHOD OF CALCULATING STANDARD PROCTOR DENSITY AND OPTIMUM MOISTURE CONTENT WITH THE DATA OBTAINED FROM THE COMMON SOIL INDICATOR TESTS IS DESCRIBED. THE CALCULATION PROCEDURE OFFERS THE POSSIBILTY OF ELIMINATING MUCH OF THE TIME AND LABOR INVOLVED IN THE STANDARD PROCTOR LABORATORY METHOD AND APPEARS TO GIVE RESULTS SUFFICIENTLY ACCURATE FOR MANY ENGINEERING PURPOSES. /AUTHOR/


Fig. 1 V-bar, R-bar and Fly-by Approach Existing orbital transfer vehicles such as US Space Shuttles, Progress and Japanese H-IIA Transfer Vehicle (HTV) use a straight path approach to the International Space Station (ISS). The straight path approach has many advantages and is suitable for stable targets such as ISS and three-axis attitude-controlled satellites. However, for satellite capture missions, we cannot assume that the target satellite is in a stable attitude or that the docking or grasp point is on the straight path. We therefore developed a fly-by approach and capture method for uncontrolled satellite capture, in which a space robot approaches a target on a non-collision path subject to orbital mechanics and executes capturing task using its manipulator if everything goes well. This approach method can be used for arbitrary target positions and velocities in three-dimensional space. By choosing an appropriate initial position and velocity to utilize orbital mechanics, a space robot can approach a target position and velocity without any active trajectory control. This paper focuses on a fly-by approach method for uncontrolled rotating satellite capture considering collision avoidance between space robots and the target satellite, discusses the relative motion behavior during the fly-by approach, and develops planning and guidance algorithms for the fly-by approach.


Ablation of guinea pig skin using a CO2 laser emitting 2‐μsec‐long pulses has been quantified by measuring the mass of tissue removed as a function of incident fluence per pulse. The mass‐loss curves show three distinct regimes in which water evaporation, explosive tissue removal, and laser‐induced plasma formation dominate. The data are fit to two models that predict that the mass removed depends either linearly or logarithmically on fluence. Although the data are best fit by a linear dependence upon fluence, plasma formation at high fluences prohibited obtaining data over a wide enough fluence range to differentiate unambiguously between the two models. Ablation efficiency, ablation thresholds, and the optical penetration depth at 10.6 μm were obtained from the measurements.


This paper presents a smartphone application for the clinical practice education conducted in hospitals, with an aim to evaluate its effectiveness. A nonequivalent control group posttest design was used, which included a total of 100 nursing of school students who conducted their clinical practice. They were divided into one control and one experimental group (50 students each). The control group was directly trained in the clinical practice orientation, and the experimental group was a group who self-learned the clinical practice orientation using a smartphone application. Research data were collected between March 5 and April 27, 2019. They were analyzed with descriptive statistics and independent t-test, using the SPSS Statistics Version 24. The smartphone application customized for the clinical practice education was implemented through the following four phases: analysis, design, development, and evaluation. The developed application was registered in Google Play (for Android apps) and Apple Store, and related information was provided, making it available for download. The study showed that the satisfaction with and self-confidence in learning differed significantly between the groups. However, technology acceptance and knowledge acquired through practice showed no statistically significant difference. The research results serve as basic data for applying smartphone applications as an educational method that can replace traditional modes of education, serving as a significant indicator of the education delivery method diversification.