In many problems high-dimension discrete signals need to be reconstructed from noisy and often undersampled data, raising the issue of solving nominally underdetermined noise contaminated systems of equations. The theory of compressed sensing states (and proves) that such signals can in fact uniquely be reconstructed if they possess a sparse or compressible representation in some basis and some further conditions concerning the incoherence of the measurement domain with the representation domain are met. Especially the so called nullspace property of the overall sensing matrix ensures that the sparse or compressible representation can be recovered just by l1 minimization, which can in fact be realized either by convex optimization approaches which is the classical way, or alternatively by estimation theoretic approaches, e.g. by extended linearized Kalman filters [1, 2], which is the approach analyzed. In this work, we establish new results on sparse signal recovery via l1 minimization using such a Kalman filter. The main constribution is a convergence acceleration schema. The results show that the "l1-minimizing Kalman-Filter with Aitkenbased convergence acceleration" yields the same convergence rate than the primal-dual algorithm for l1 minimization of A. Chambolle and T. Pock [3].


Background: We evaluated the effectiveness of isolation measures using cohorting rooms and antimicrobial use in reducing the isolation rate of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR-AB). Methods: Four cohorting rooms (16 beds) for patients colonized or infected with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) have been created in the general wards of our 894-bed hospital since October 2003. We prospectively evaluated the isolation rates of MRSA and MDR-AB, and amount of antimicrobial use during the 8-year study period. We also investigated the relationship between antimicrobial use density (AUD) and the isolation rates of MRSA and MDR-AB. Results: After creating cohorting rooms, the isolation rates of MRSA decreased from 1.56 cases per 1,000 patient-days from 2004-2005 to 1.24 from 2006-2007 (P=0.57). The isolation rates of MDR-AB also decreased from 0.72 from 2004-2005 to 0.36 from 2010-2011 (P<0.01). The mean quarterly AUDs of glycopeptides and carbapenems were 30.17±6.80 and 19.5±7.10, respectively. There were no significant correlations between AUD values and the isolation rate of MRSA or MDR-AB. Conclusion: This study suggests that isolation measures using cohorting rooms to help limit the transmission of MDRO infection and colonization, especially MDR-AB, in resource-limited settings is feasible and efficacious.


Objective: To prepare tanshinone ⅡA-loaded polylactic acid-glycolic acid( PLGA) microspheres by SPG membrane emulsification technique. Method: Based on single factor tests,with composite score of drug loading,encapsulation efficiency and polydispersity index( PDI) as dependent variable,response surface methodology was adopted to optimize prescription process by taking flow rate of mobile phase,volume ratio of oil-water phase,PLGA and PVA concentration as independent variables. Result: Optimum prescription process was as follows: PLGA concentration 44. 29 g·L- 1,circulation speed 825.68 r·min- 1,PVA concentration 2.5 g·L- 1 and volume ratio of oil-water 1 ∶ 7. 86; These prepared tanshinone ⅡA-loaded PLGA microspheres had smooth rounded surface and uniform size with average size of 2. 338 μm,PDI index of 0. 328,drug loading efficiency of 1. 20% and encapsulation efficiency of 89. 57%,relative errors of these parameters were small by comparing with the predictive values. Conclusion: SPG membrane emulsification technique was simple and effective,it could improve bioavailability of tanshinone ⅡA.


The results presented in this paper are a part of a doctoral study nearing completion which focuses on students' conceptions about tangent lines. The study explores the ways in which students who have studied tangents in school in different contexts (Euclidean Geometry, Analytic Geometry and Analysis): (i) perceive properties that are not generally valid as defining conditions of the concept and (ii) create new, often not-valid, properties out of the fusion of information from across the different contexts. Data was collected through a questionnaire administered to 182 first year mathematics undergraduates in Greece at the very beginning of their studies. Here I exemplify from the data analysis in the course of which several models of the tangent line have emerged based on the above properties.


Information technology plays an important role, both in the present and in the future. In thecurrent era of globalization, the highly developed technology is internet technology. Thedevelopment of the internet in Indonesia is very rapidly. However, these developments turned outto also have a negative impact. One of the misuse of the internet is the libel that someone doesagainst the other party Things or circumstances communicated or published through the internetcan be said to be defamatory or defamatory if things or circumstances that are not true for thevictim, whether it is damaging the reputation or that bring material losses for the victims.Publication or communication about the other person may be defamatory or defamatory, whetherdone with explicit words or writings or with a hidden form but containing connotations damagethe reputation of a person or a Company. The Government of Indonesia has established andenacted legal rules governing Information and Electronic Transactions in a form of legislation,namely Law no. 11 of 2008 on Information and Electronic Transactions, as a form of providinglegal protection for victims in criminal defamation. This study aims to examine and know aboutthe form of criminal defamation through the internet media viewed from the perspective of lawand to know the regulatory system against criminal defamation through the internet media interms of legal aspects. This study uses the normative juridical method, which is the approachdone by examining the legislation relevant to the problem under study or looking from thenormative legal aspects. Technique of data collection is done by Research of Library (LibraryResearch), that is by studying book and literature relevant with writing.Keywords: juridical review, defamation, internet media.


In addition to the control and supervision of components and connections, network management middlewares are required to enhance reliability and efficiency of distributed systems. In this paper, we describe a modular and distributed middleware architecture aimed at high-level dynamic network management. The proposed approach uses swarm-intelligence at the monitoring level to provide self-organization, adaptability, scalability and reactivity features. Resource management is performed by a multi-agent based layer. Knowledge exchange between the monitoring and management layers is mediated by a datawarehouse. The model is evaluated through a case study for grid computing.


This utility model relates to one separable room-temperature smoke-sprayer and pertains to the art of plant protection facility and technology. This room-temperature smoke-sprayer mainly consists of spraying part and air-compressing trolley part. The air-compressing trolley part consists of an air compressor fastened on a trolley. The spraying part consists of a nozzle installed at the front part of the spraying canister and the dand mixer installed below the spraying canister. It also contains a foldable lifting frame. The upper section of the air-compressing trolley part takes the shape of a platform. The spraying part is fastened on the platform above the air-compressing part during transportation. It is installed on the unfolded lifting frame and connected to the pesticide container and air compressor via a pipeline during operation. with this utility model, the operator can realize semiautomatic operation of spraying via outdoor control system without the need to enter the shed and room, thus effectively avoiding pesticide's pollution to human body and air compressor and substantially reducing labor intensity.


The application of SQ-1200 endless-rope haulage in multi-branch pannel entries is introduced,problems and related measures in industrial test are illustrated,and a refrece for similar application is supplied.


The present work focuses on the moult cycle of Armadillo officinalis. For a 100-day period, 134 animals were observed and routinely examined with the aim of detecting distinctive morphological characters in the several stages and substages of the moult cycle and of disclosing their duration. Statistical tests and Poisson regression models with robust standard errors were used to investigate differences and relationships between moult and the size and gender of the animals. The appearance of the calcium carbonate deposits on the pereon sternites during the premoult stage was documented in detail, and three main substages were identified. The average duration of the premoult and of the biphasic ecdysis was about 12 and 1.5 days, respectively. This observation period, however, did not allow to establish a determined average duration of the intermoult stage, which was extremely variable. This stage lasted for 2 months or more in most of the cases observed, but about 1-month-long intermoult stages were also recorded. No statistically significant association was found between the number of moults and gender and size of the animals.


Many emerging applications of high-power microwave sources require operation at new and higher frequencies. Computer modeling is the main tool for the design and optimization of these sources, such as magnetrons. However, when designing a new source, the parameter space to scan can be too large to study with traditional techniques. We apply machine learning (ML) (supervised learning in particular) to search this parameter space automatically. We demonstrate this technique by optimizing the operation of a magnetron at 4 GHz, investigating selected parameters tradeoff and predicting operation space characteristics for the discovered device based on a limited amount of measurements. The combination of ML and optimization techniques that we demonstrate here has wide applicability for virtual prototyping and design of problems with sophisticated computer models and allows us to fundamentally reimagine the role of the human in the design workflow.


This paper examines the existence of good and bad reputation effects in a two period cheap talk model where the decision maker receives messages from two advisors. I assume that each advisor perfectly knows the type of the other advisor, but his signal about the state of the world is imperfect. Strong reputational concern makes the good advisor sometimes tell a lie in the …rst period regardless of the type of the other advisor. It is shown that the presence of the other advisor does a¤ect the message sent by an advisor. The good advisor has a greater incentive to tell a lie when he knows that the other advisor is bad rather than good. If each type of advisor considers his second period as su¢ ciently more important, it is better for the decision maker to have a single advisor.


As one of the most widely used brominated flame retardants, tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) is ubiquitous in environment, and potentially hazardous to human beings. In this study, a TBBPA⁃degrading strain was isolated from the sediment sample, named as TP⁃1, which was identified as Methylobacterium sp. according to 16S rDNA sequence. The experimental results show that the aerobic degradation efficiency of TBBPA by strain TP⁃1 could reach 74.87% in 60 h with the initial concentration of 10 mg·L-1 at pH 7. According to HPLC⁃MS analysis, it was confirmed that the major products of TBBPA were dibromobisphenol A, bisphenol A, 4⁃p⁃hydroxyacetophenone and dibrominated monoaromatic compounds, and the main degradation mechanisms are β⁃fragmentation, reductive debromination and oxidation. In addition, the molecular mechanism of TBPPA degradation by TP⁃1 was further analyzed with KEGG database. According to the simulated degradation pathway and KEGG annotation, the functional enzymes of strain TP⁃1 were assumed to be catalase (EC:188.8.131.52), haloalkane dehalogenase (EC:18.104.22.168), haloacetic acid dehalogenase (EC:22.214.171.124) and monooxygenase (EC:220.127.116.11). These enzymes have the highest orthology with the corresponding enzymes of Methylobacterium sp., and the gene cluster of the enzymes have the perfect synteny within Methylobacterium sp.. Therefore, it could be speculated that most strains within Methylobacterium sp. could degrade TBBPA. This study takes insight into the biodegradation of TBBPA at the molecular level, and provides the useful reference for related research.


The art of identifying and effectively managing risk in a timely manner has become an integral part of strategic management. Property developers who are unable to identify the scope and consequences of related risks and who consequently fail to introduce efficient mechanisms to manage those risks, clearly jeopardise the stability not only of their investments but also their overall success. The level of risk rises in proportion to the level of the difficulty and scope of the whole investment. Therefore, these risks need to be examined, predicted, analysed, and quantified as the investment is prepared and finalised. Individual phases of the risk management process in property development are shown in Figure 1. 2 PARAMETERS NECESSARY FOR RISK QUANTIFICATION AND RISK MODELLING


Objective To investigate whether there is a dermal electricity correlation between the well points and the sea points of three hand yang meridians and provide an experimental basis for the ancients' theory that reinforcing the sea point can replace reinforcing the well point. Methods Healthy adults,half male and half female,were selected. The well points and the sea points of three hand yang meridians were given mild moxibustion with moxa stick. Their current intensities were determined using a meridian location device. A posttreatment change was examined. Results Except that the effect of point Shangyang(LI 1) moxibustion on point Quchi(LI 11) had no statistically significant difference,the electric currents of the other well (sea) points of three hand yang meridians and the sea (well) points of the corresponding meridians changed obviously after moxibustion (P0.01). The change in the electric current was in direct proportion to stimulus intensity. The effect of the well point on the sea point of the corresponding meridian was greater than that of the sea point on the well point of the corresponding meridian. The current intensity of the sea point was higher than that of the well point. Conclusion The electric currents of the well points and the sea points of three hand yang meridians influence each other,showing that the sea point is a point full of qi and blood has a certain experimental basis.


National New Zealand data (2002) indicate that 27% of gambling clients remain in treatment for longer than 12 months. This research retrospectively analysed data from long‐term continuous, re‐admitted and brief therapy clients. The data were obtained from a national database and were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively. Results indicated that relevant differences between long‐term continuous and other clients occurred in ethnicity and clinic location. The latter was confounded by the number of clinics versus clients. The average age of long‐term continuous clients was 43 years; 5–6 years older than other clients; however, this marginally failed to reach a level of statistical significance. The results led to the proposal of two alternative models of therapy for clients with gambling problems: (a) a six‐session capsule model and (b) an inductive, open‐ended model (with regular review component). Further research is required to test the efficacy of these models.


as the second most populous country in the world India face a major problem in waste management. As of now there are traditional waste management systems like periodic and routine clearing by the various civic bodies like the municipal corporation. But even though these routine maintenances is carried out we often come across overflowing garbage bins from which the garbage spills on to the streets. The smart city concept is still new in India, although it has received a lot of attention in few years when our present prime minister gave the idea of building 100 smart cities throughout India. Now, with the upcoming large number of smart cities, large numbers of responsibilities are also required to be fulfilled. The prime need of a smart lifestyle begins with cleanliness and cleanliness begins with dustbin. A society will get its waste dispatched properly only if the dustbins are placed well and collected well. The main problem in the current waste management system in most of the Indian cities is the unhealthy status of dustbins. In this paper we have tried to upgrade trivial and vital component of the urban waste management system, i.e. dustbin. The basic Idea behind project is to implement a smart way of handling the garbage in a smart way which is done by using the IOT protocol for transmitting the dustbin status wirelessly, which can generate email to notify to the concerned person that system is filled with garbage and need to be replaced We have selected the Espresso chip which is a node MCU ESP8266 platform. The ultrasonic sensor will show the level of garbage filled in dustbin, whereas the proximity sensors will detect the obstacle present in front of dustbin to avoid collision. LCD interfacing has been done to show the current situation of dustbin.


The Paris Agreement signals the international community's commitment to addressing climate change in a meaningful manner. The inclusion of human rights in its Preamble, agreed to in the COP 21 conference, is a significant step forward, as is the mention of climate justice and the need to limit the global temperature increase to just 1.5 degrees. However, the agreement's omission of a discussion on "climate displacement," and a mechanism for "compensation" limits its utility.


A fossil patch reef on a small hill near Prupuk, central Java, contains a fauna, excellently preserved, of about 70 species and is the largest suite of corals so far described from a Tertiary locality in the East Indies. Nine new species and varieties of this lower Pliocene fauna are described.


This paper introduces a novel two-phrase-based decision tree constru ction method. It first classifies data set roughly, then uses genetic algorithm to construct rule set of the leaf nodes in tree. This method can measure multi a ttributes simultaneously, and avoid tree-pruning procedure.


The electrical characterization of p-Silicon (Si) and n-Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorod heterojunction diode has been performed. ZnO nanorods were grown on p-Silicon substrate by the aqueous chemical growth (ACG) method. The SEM image revealed high density, vertically aligned hexagonal ZnO nanorods with an average height of about 1.2 μm. Electrical characterization of n-ZnO nanorods/p-Si heterojunction diode was done by current-voltage (I-V), capacitance-voltage (C-V), and conductance-voltage (G-V) measurements at room temperature. The heterojunction exhibited good electrical characteristics with diode-like rectifying behaviour with an ideality factor of 2.7, rectification factor of 52, and barrier height of 0.7 V. Energy band (EB) structure has been studied to investigate the factors responsible for small rectification factor. In order to investigate nonidealities, series resistance and distribution of interface state density (NSS) below the conduction band (CB) were extracted with the help of I-V and C-V and G-V measurements. The series resistances were found to be 0.70, 0.73, and 0.75 KΩ, and density distribution interface states from 8.38 × 1012 to 5.83 × 1011 eV−1 cm−2 were obtained from 0.01 eV to 0.55 eV below the conduction band.


Aspect-oriented software development plays an vital role in development and maintenance approach of software engineering across software development phases. However, in existing system the discovering of early aspects to better integration from requirement is still a challenging issue. In this proposed work , the experimentation has been made to propose a Goal-driven Early Aspect approach (called GEA) to find an early aspects by means of a clustering algorithm in which relationships among goals and use cases are utilized efficiently to explore resemblance degrees of a clustering goals, and overall total communication degrees are formulate to check the validity of the formation of each cluster. Presenting early aspects not only magnifies the goal-driven requirements modeling to handle intersecting the concerns, but also provides interchangeably insights into the analysis and design of software development. Moreover, relationships among goals appeared numerically are more informative to discover early aspects and more easily to be processed computationally than qualitative terms. More secured MD5 (Message Digest) algorithm is additionally implemented to provide the better authentication and identity checking services. Keywords— Early aspects, goals, goals interaction, fuzzy logic, use cases, goal cluster


Composite RCS building frames integrate reinforced concrete columns with structural steel beams to provide an efficient solution for the design and construction of earthquake-resisting structures. In this paper, an optimization framework is developed for performance-based seismic design of planar RCS moment resisting frames. The objective functions are defined as minimizing the construction cost and the seismic damage. The design variables are obtained in a two-stage design optimization procedure; the elastic design in which column cross-section dimensions are determined and the inelastic design in which beam crosssections and column reinforcements are obtained. Two design examples are presented to demonstrate the applicability and efficiency of the proposed method. Based on the obtained results, it is concluded that the proposed design optimization procedure is a viable approach in producing cost effective seismic designs of composite RCS frames, with reliable seismic performance and reduced damage potential in the event of a severe earthquake ground motion.


The aims of this study is to determine the level of community satisfaction on public services at the Sumbawa Regency population and civil recording service, especially in the service of Electronic Identity Cards (E-KTP) and Family Cards (KK). This research is quantitative descriptive. The analytical tool used in this study is the Community Satisfaction Index (IKM). From the analysis that has been done, it is known the level of community satisfaction on public services at the Sumbawa Regency Population and Civil Recording Office. In the service unit of electronic identity card (E-KTP) the results obtained with a weighted average value of 2.9468, with the value of the Community Satisfaction Index that has been converted by 73.67, then obtained a Good Service Unit Performance, with service quality B (Good). While the results of the service of family card units (KK) are obtained with a weighted average value of 2.9195, with the Community Satisfaction Index value that has been converted at 72.9875, then Good Service Unit Performance is obtained, with Service quality B (Good). So that the final result of the two types of services in the population department and civil registration of Sumbawa district with the value of the Community Satisfaction Index (IKM) converted is 73.32875, with Good Performance and Quality of Service B (Good).


Drinking water is the main need of humans as living things. Over time, humans are more practical so that for drinking needs they prefer to use bottled drinking water or refill drinking water. The high demand for bottled water raises the number of drinking water companies that issue bottled drinking water products. However, the quality of bottled water still needs to be assessed because it is not through pasteurization or other processing. So the microbiological content remains to be investigated. This study aimed to determine the bacteriological content in bottled drinking water. This study uses the Most Probable Number (MPN) method to test its bacterial content and gamma ray radiation to test its radiosensitivity. The sample in this study was bottled drinking water of various brands circulating in the City of Tasikmalaya. Based on the research results obtained from 13 samples there is 1 sample containing E. coli which is code B1 with a total bacterial content of 7 cells per 100 ml. So it can be concluded L samples are known to contain E. coli as much as 1.9 x 105 cells per ml.


Objective:(i)to compare plasma ghrelin levels between women with PCOS and women presented only with hyperandrogenaemia;(ii)to investigate the relationship between circulating ghrelin and BMI、insulin level,insulin resistance,and Androgen levels in PCOS.Methods:Blood samples from sixty women with PCOS,15 women with only hyperandrogenaemia and 40 controls were collected,the basal levels of gonadotrophin,androgens,prolactin,sex hormone-binding globulin,glucose,insulin and ghrelin were measured.Results:(1)Comparing with PCOS and Controls,women with only hyperandrogenaemia had the lowest ghrelin levels;women with PCOS had lower ghrelin levels comparing with controls,but they were not significant.(2)Ghrelin levels were negatively correlated with BMI、WHR、Insulin levels and Insulin Resistance,positively correlated with sex hormone-binding globulin levels.Conclusion:In PCOS,circulating ghrelin and BMI、Insulin Resistance、SHBG levels were inversely related,indicating that Ghrelin might be associated with energy balance,obesity,and Insulin Resistance.However,further investigation was needed to clarify whether low ghrelin was a cause or the consequence of obesity and Insulin Resistance awaits.


femoral and popliteal arteries, and seemed to be largely formed of the external coat of the vessel. I have also placed on record a case of traumatic axillary aneurism, in which it was an open question whether a complete or partial rupture of a segment of the arterial circumference was the primary lesion. The patient was seventy years of age. Four days before admission, he had fallen out of a cart and displaced his left humerus at the shoulder-joint. Two days after the accident, the dislocation was reduced by a practitioner by extension with the foot in the axilla. On admission, there was considerable, but not excessive, swelling of the shoulder-joint, without pulsation in the swelling. The pulse beat naturally at the wrist. A small hard lump, about the size of a pigeon's egg, could be felt at the base of the axilla, over the site of the axillary vein, and not receiving impulse from the axillary artery. Under these circumstances, more fully detailed elsewhere, I diagnosed an effusion of blood into the axilla and shoulderjoint, stating my belief that the blood came, not from a ruptured axillary artery, but either from smaller vessels or from the vein. Strict rest, with bandages only, was enjoined to promote absorption. A month later, when the patient was not under my charge, aneurismal symptoms appeared, pulsation and bruit being both perceptible, and the pulse at the wrist became feebler. Various suggestions as to treatment were made, the most prominent being ligature of the subclavian artery; but the patient declined operative interference. Ultimately, ulceration of the skin took place, hoemorrhage occurred, the axilla was laid open, and the injured vessel was secured at the seat of lesion. A *transverse aperture was found in the third part of the course of the axillary artery, occupying about a third of the circumference of the artery. In view of the uncertainty as to the source of the effusion of blood in this case, and the advanced age of the patient, which rendered any operative interference at any stage of his case wellnigh hopeless, there can be no doubt as to the propriety of the treatment recommended in the first instance by myself. I am pleased to have the opportunity of quoting a published opinion of my colleague Mr. Maunder in reference to this subject. In his Lettsomian Lectures (vide Lancet, February 27th, 1875, page 295, Case 24), Mr. Maunder speaks strongly against the application of a ligature to the subclavian artery, and states that either of the two other means of treatment at our disposal, amputation at the shoulder-joint and laying open the axilla, would in all probability have terminated fatally. This opinion effectually disposes of the suggestions made at the time that ligature of the subclavian artery ought to have been performed, and that it would have been better to operate at an early period in the history of the case. A point of considerable interest arising out of this case is the possibility of locating the seat of injury in some of the cases of ruptured axillary artery. It is evident that, if the third part of the artery be involved, and if this can be rendered probable, the severe procedure of laying open the whole anterior wall of the axilla might be avoided. A careful exposure of the third part of the artery would then be sufficient, combined with a simultaneous removal of the clots in the axilla. The introduction of the finger would probably enable the surgeon to trace the vessel and find out where pulsation ceased or becAme less marked even in a case which he had not previously seen. If, however, the case had come under his observation early, and there existed, as in my own case, a small hard circumscribed lump over the third part of the course of the vessel, the diagnosis would be rendered more probable. At all events, a more prolonged search for the seat of injury should be made whenever such a course is practicable, without danger of serious haemorrhage continuing during the exploration. Next, I would strongly recommend the application of the stethoscope over the site of an artery which there is any reason to think is ruptured either partially or completely. There is good reason to believe that, by means of auscultation, partial and complete ruptures may be diagnosed in some cases shortly after the injury, and when pulsation cannot be perceived. Mr. Holmes states that he has never seen any case where pulsation was present in the extravasated blood in connection with a complete subcutaneous laceration of an artery; but he says that, in some cases, a bruit can be heard (Surgery: its Principles and Practice, page 78). Lastly, in these days of antiseptic surgery, when knee-joints can be laid open and fingered with impunity, when the surgeon is freed from all anxiety as to the results of operations, when exposed blood-clots cease to break down and decompose, but become organised in the open wound under the charm of carbolic acid and the antiseptic dressing, it may fairly be asked whether, in such cases as that which I have related, amputation should not be set aside until the wounded vessels have been sought for and tied in the popliteal space. Some of the extravasated blood could be removed by the operator and the rest be allowed to become either orgaaised or absorbed; and, if the knee-joint had been opened by the accident, the triumph of antiseptic surgery would be all the greater. The only possible question would be, whether the circulation in the member could be carried on sufficiently to prevent the occurrence of gangrene. If this question should be capable of receiving an affirmative reply, no excuse would be left for the mutilation hitherto regarded by septic surgery as indispensable to save the life of the patient.


Composites offer the structural designer a wide choice of properties, geometries and characteristics. Various fibers, matrix materials,' reinforcement geometries and processing histories may be combined to provide a composite with properties that range from isotropic, low strength and low stiffness materials to highly anisotropic, high strength, and high stiffness materials. These options offer additional variables to the designer that can be used to optimize the configuration of the material and structure simultaneously. This process is presented schematically in Fig. 1. Figure 1. shows a typical design cycle for a composite component.


Two new N-heterocyclic carbene ruthenium(Ⅱ) complexes [RuCl2(L1)(CO)](1) L1=(2,6-bis(methylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine) and [RuCl2(L2)(CO)](2) L2 =(2,6-bis(butylimidazol-2-ylidene)pyridine),have been synthesized and fully characterized by elemental analysis,IR spectra,1H NMR and13C NMR.The structure of complex 2 has been determined by X-ray crystallography.Complex 2 crystallizes in the Monoclinic system with C2/c space group,a=1.8148(4) nm,b=1.1292(3) nm,c=1.119 6(2) nm,β=108.862(3) °,and the central Ru(Ⅱ) ion is six-coordinated.The catalytic activities of complexes 1 and 2 in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction have been investigated.CCDC:928614.


In this paper we investigate a particular type of stress marking in Czech, in which the syllable perceived as prominent is not accompanied by any clearly audible change in the overall pitch course. The paper gives a perceptual, phonotactic and acoustic account of these "flat pitch accents". No positional effects or semantic correlates of words bearing this type of accent were found. Flat accents have significantly reduced intonational variability, as expected, and their durational and dynamic correlates are partly different from other accent types. However, none of these findings speaks in favour of compensation between prosodic parameters.


The data of a survey were utilized sampling 504 543 or 564 households or 4012 individuals in 12 villages of rural Bihar during 1981-83. Class breakdown was characterized on the basis of semi-feudal production relations: agricultural laborers and peasants. Those without assets tended to have fewer surviving children but there was a weak relationship between fertility and land ownership and assets. Lack of education was commonly associated with fertility. Anthropometrically height for age was a good indicator of poverty (food deprivation) and a positive association was found for girls and all children. Overall child mortality declined from 25% among those without possessions to 9% among those with some property. Boys were better protected but the wealthier discriminated less against girls. In households with more land there was not any higher fertility. Muslims were less biased against girls than other groups and backward castes (Koiris and Kurmis) wanted more children than other groups. Poverty showed higher mortality for the very poor. A multivariate model on fertility and poverty implicated mortality while caste education and housing outstripped economic variables. By multivariate analysis child mortality was strongly connected to poverty; housing and drinking water were worth 10-15% with respect to child mortality. The adverse effect of close child spacing was demonstrated especially for girls. Muslim girls had lower mortality than Hindus. Height for age was collinear with schooling and assets. Child dependency restricted food intake but food quality had no adverse impact on demography. The rich had a slightly higher fertility than the poor per capita adult expenditures were not a strong factor but households with more women were vulnerable to poverty. The promotion of longer birth intervals is recommended as an appropriate population policy.


Lack of therapeutically equivalent drugs and limited competition contributed to "extraordinary price increases" in 416 brand name drugs between 2000 and 2008, the US General Accountability Office has reported.

The price increases ranged up to 1000% or more. The drugs involved represented about 0.5% of all brand name drug products.

Separately, AARP, formerly the Association of Retired Persons, which represents people aged over 50, said that the prices of the branded drugs most often used by Americans aged over 65 rose by an average of 9.3% from October 2008 to September 2009, "a period when there was no inflation and, in fact, other consumer prices actually dropped" (http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medications/articles/he01\_drug\_pricing.html).

The association said that drug companies may increase prices in anticipation of changes in regulation as a result …


Gold nanoparticles with average diameter of 16 nm which are coated with Cetrimonium Bromide (CTAB) by chemical method are dissolved in dye solution at different concentrations. The absorption spectra of the dye mixture appeared almost unchanged at low concentrations of gold nanoparticles (around 1×1014 cm−3) despite its fluorescence intensity increased many‐fold. Energy transfer from gold nanoparticles to dye molecules occurs through surface plasmon resonance(SPR). The fluorescence of rhodamine 610 (Rh610) dye molecules co‐adsorbed within 16 nm gold nanoparticles assemblies can be useful for enhancing gain in lasing emission. An increase in laser efficiency by a factor of one and half times stronger compared to the single Rh610 dye suggest the potential of using the mixture of rhodamine dye with gold nanoparticles as laser medium in the configuration of quenching distributed feedback dye laser.


A parametrized family of compact non-Kihler almost Kihler manifolds M2r+2, r > 1, is constructed. For r odd, these manifolds are shown to have odd first Betti number, so they cannot be Kihlerian. Introduction. Few examples, compact or not, of non-Kaihler almost Kaihler manifolds are known. In fact, for the noncompact case only the tangent bundle (and some related tensor bundles) of nonflat Riemannian manifolds were known to admit such structure until B. Watson's report [10] of a large family of other noncompact examples; in 1976, W. P. Thurston [9] reported the existence of a compact manifold M4, defined as a 2-torus bundle over a 2-torus, which possesses an almost Kiihler structure but does not admit any Kiihlerian structure (an explicit description of that structure is given in [1]), and again B. Watson constructed more examples of this kind by considering products (M4 x S1) x (M4 x S1) x ... ; as far as we know, no more examples are known in the literature. In the present paper, a large family of compact almost Kaihler manifolds M2r+2, r > 1, which are non-Kahler, is constructed. Indeed, M2r+2 is firstly obtained as a compact complete locally affine manifold (Theorem 1.3), and this fact allows an easy computation of its first Betti number; secondly, M2r+2 is also described as an (r + 1)-torus bundle over an (r + 1)-torus, extending in this way Thurston's example to higher dimensions; and thirdly, we consider M2r+2 as a quotient of H(1, r) x S1 by a discrete subgroup, where H(1, r) is a generalized Heisenberg group, and then we construct the almost Kaihler structure on it as in Abbena's approach (which corresponds to the value r = 1); finally, we compute the curvature, the Ricci, the *-Ricci and the torsion tensors of the structure to check whether some identities, holding for a Kiihlerian structure, are verified here. Summing up, we have the following: (1) For r odd, M2r+2 has an almost Kaihler metric and, since its first Betti number is also odd (Corollary 1.4), it does not admit any Kaihlerian metric. (2) For r even, M2r+2 has an almost Kaihlerian metric, and this particular metric is not Kiihlerian. 1. Compact quotients of the generalized Heisenberg group. The generalized Heisenberg group H(1, r), r > 1, is the Lie group of real matrices of the Received by the editors October 22, 1984 and, in revised form, December 19, 1984. 1980 Mathemuaics Su*iect CMi Secondary 53C30, 22E25. Key u"ons and phrases. Almost Kihler manifolds, generalized Heisenberg groups, locally affine manifolds. (?)1985 American Mathematical Society 0002-9939/85 $1.00 + $.25 per page 280 This content downloaded from 18.104.22.168 on Fri, 21 Oct 2016 04:42:19 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms COMPACT NON-KAHLER ALMOST KAHLER MANIFOLDS 281 form Ir P T O 1 Q 0O 0 1 where P and T both are (r x 1)-column matrices, Q e R. H(1, r) is easily shown to be a connected and simply-connected two-step nilpotent Lie group of dimension 2r + 1. Indeed, H(1, r) is canonically diffeomorphic to R2r+1 through the map V): R2r+1 H(1, r) given by ir -tz X (1.1) ?k(X Y, Z) =O 1 Y 0O 0 1


Axxom AG de ned a rst case study in the area of value chain optimisation in the processingindustries. The purpose of this case study was to provide the academic partners an exampleof a typical scheduling problem in the processing industries which does not require in depthunderstanding of production processes and the complexity of which is suitable for the testing ofdi erent modelling and optimisation strategies.The chosen example is the production of lacquers for the car industry in a pipeless plant. In the rst version of the case study which was presented at the meeting in Grenoble in April 2002 andwas subsequently re ned and presented in more detail at the following meetings, three di erenttypes of lacquers are produced. The production of one batch of lacquer requires 5-7 steps, includinglaboratory testing and a correction step. In the plant, 8 production resources and 6 mobile vesselshave to be considered. Some resources and one vessel are only used for one type of recipe while theothers can be assigned freely. Operations cannot be interrupted (non-preemptive scheduling) andthe material remains in the mixing vessels while several steps, in particular laboratory testing andeventually additional mixing, are performed. This leads to a situation where the operation timesof the vessels are variable because they result from the scheduling of the operations for this batch.For some operations, more than one piece of equipment can be used. In the original problem, theamounts de ned by the production orders can surpass the capacities of the vessels, so a splittingstep has to be included. However, this has not yet been considered in the modelling e orts. Eachproduction order has a release date (earliest starting time) and a due date (deadline). The maininterest is in meeting the deadlines.The problem belongs to the class of job shop problems with the additional complication of theassignment of the mixing vessels as a second resource required to perform the operations on somemachines. A second feature which is non-standard in job shop problems but commonly foundin chemical plan scheduling problems is the presence of constraints on the storage times of someproducts. These constraints are expressed as bounds on the di erences between the starting andthe ending times of two operations of a job. Three types of such constraints occur: start-start,end-start, and end-end constraints.The time horizon of the entire problem de ned by the earliest release date and the latest deadlineof all jobs comprises approx. 7 weeks, the processing times on the machines range from few hoursup to three days for laboratory testing.


Rising poverty in suburbs has led to increased interest in how well suburban safety nets function. Apart from public assistance programs, community-based nonprofit health and human service organizations play a central role in suburban efforts to address racial and economic inequalities. Understanding how nonprofit services are distributed across the suburban and urban landscape, therefore, is critical to assessing how communities may be able to address need. In this paper, we examine the presence and volatility of nonprofit health and human service expenditures in suburban and urban counties across the United States from 2000 to 2017. We find the nonprofit safety net to be more responsive in urban centers than in suburban places, and less robust in suburban areas experiencing high rates of poverty or with a larger share of residents who are Black. Nonprofit health and human service spending also appears less countercyclical than is commonly understood. Suburban-urban disparities in nonprofit health and human service spending persist after controlling for several county-level demographic and socioeconomic factors.


Background: Drill and surgical tools can cause noise induced hearing loss when used on or adjacent to the ossicular chain and stapes footplate or while working on the mastoid bone. Therefore the drill generated noise has been incriminated as a cause of sensorineural hearing loss in the operated ear. Objective: This study has been undertaken to estimate the proportion of sensorineural hearing loss following middle ear surgery and to assess the bone conduction thresholds of operated ear following middle ear surgery at different follow up periods. Methods: 100 cases of chronic suppurative otitis media posted for middle ear exploration surgery were included in the study. Results: Sensorineural hearing loss was present in 3 cases out of 100 cases (3%) after undergoing mastoid surgery. There was a mean increase in bone conduction thresholds of 0.75 dB at 500 Hz, 1.4 dB at 1 kHz, 1.7 dB at 2 kHz and 2.7 dB at 4 kHz at 6th month of follow up period after surgery with statistical significance at 2 kHz (p = 0.011) and 4 kHz (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Post mastoidectomy hearing loss is of high frequency in nature.


Many mothers with babies who do not give exclusive breastfeeding and do not understand preventionefforts when the baby is choking, so that mothers need to understand lactation management to optimize thepurpose of exclusive breastfeeding, and need to equip themselves in preventive management when the babyis choking. The research objective was to determine the effectiveness of lactation management educationand management of choking in mothers with babies in East Java Indonesia.The research method was a pre-experimental pretest-posttest design. The population was all mothers withbabies in Kediri City East Java Indonesia. The sample consisted of 30 respondents using the incidentalsampling technique. The independent variables were lactation management education and the choking inbabies. The dependent variable was Knowledge and Skills. The research instrument used a questionnaire touse google form and Youtube. Data were collected and statistical tests were performed using the Wilcoxontest with ? 1.96) with a P-value = 0.000 and the choking treatment variable with a Z value of -4.6 (> 1.96)with a P-value = 0.000 which means there is a significant effect of Audio-Visual Education on LactationManagement and Choking in Mothers with Babies during the Covid-19 Pandemic on the knowledge andimprovement of choking management skills in respondents.Effective education is provided to increase knowledge and skills in the management of choking in infants.Prevention is more important in reducing the morbidity of cases related to nutrition and the incidence ofchoking in infants.


Salinity stress severely affects the growth, physiological and developmental processes in plant species. Melia dubia is an ecologically and economically important tree species of the Indian subcontinent. However, systematic information with respect to the species salt tolerance potential is completely lacking. Under salt stress conditions, determining suitable soil EC range is required for the better survival, growth and productivity of the tree species. In present study, we investigated the effects of different soil salinity (EC 4, 8, and 12) levels on the ion homeostasis, physio-biochemistry, morphology, and growth of M. dubia plant. Results revealed that increase in soil salinity causes higher Na+ content and Na+/K+ ratio, while lower K+ content, in the leaf tissues of M. dubia. The physiological processes such as the photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, internal CO2 concentration, and transpiration rate were adversely affected with the increased salt stress levels. Morphological parameters, such as internodal length, petiole length, leaf length, and leaf width also decreased (P<0.05) under saline stress conditions. Results further indicated that salinity levels significantly (P<0.05) affected the M. dubia growth, and the growth rate was found optimum upto 8 EC, thereafter it slightly decreased with the increased salt stress to 12 EC. Our findings showed that increased salinity stress causes significant changes in the physiological, morphological, and growth pattern of M. dubia. Therefore, based on present experiment, we found M. dubia suitable for the salt affected soils of EC 8 with optimum growth rate and at EC 12 with the moderate (20–25%) growth reduction.


Recent years have seen the raise of new technologies to assist physically challenged people. Blind individuals' assistance is constantly improving thanks to scientists' and engineers' efforts to suit the users' needs. The new technologies comprise different gadget, software and prototypes, some of which are available on the market or still in research and development process. This paper explores some of the technologies available to this date with their features and proposes a new solution.


Abstract Sodium silicate with the formula of Na2SiO3 was used for the four-component reaction of ketones, aldehydes and cyanoacetamide. The effect of SnFe2O4 nano-particles on the catalytic potential of Na2SiO3 was investigated. The desired products synthesized by this method are 5-amino-7-aryl-2,4-dioxo-2,3,4,4a,7,7a,8,9,10,11-decahydro-1H-benzo[i]quinazoline-6-carbonitriles, 5-amino-2,4-dioxo-7-aryl-1,2,3,4,4a,7,7a,8,10,11-decahydropyrano[3,4-i] quinazoline-6-carbonitrile, 5-amino-9-methyl-2,4-dioxo-7-aryl-2,3,4,4a,7,7a,8,9,10,11-decahydro-1H-pyrido[3,4-i] quinazoline-6-carbonitrile and 5-amino-2,4-dioxo-7-aryl-1,2,3,4,4a,7,7a,8,10,11-decahydrothiopyrano[3,4-i]quinazo-line-6-carbonitrile derivatives. This method has advantages of high yields, simple procedure and easy work-up.


The proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices has contributed to the emergence of participatory sensing (PS) and collaborative learning (CL), where multiple participants collect and report their data to a cloud service to analyse the union of the collected data in the server-based framework. While in the decentralized framework, multiple participants collaboratively train a more accurate global model or multiple local models. However, the possibility of the cloud service or any participant being semi-honest or malicious pose a serious challenge of preserving the participants' privacy. Privacy-preserving machine learning and data aggregation aim to discover or derive useful statistics without compromising privacy. This thesis systematically investigates state-of-the-art techniques for privacy-preserving machine learning and data aggregation in a range of IoT applications. Extensive theoretical and experimental results are provided to support the following primary contributions. First, we explore three privacy-preserving machine learning applications. Examples include collaborative anomaly detection, human activity recognition and decentralized collaboration in a biomedical domain. We tackle security challenges in collaborative anomaly detection with a two-stage scheme called RG+RT: in the first stage, participants individually perturb their data by passing through a nonlinear function called repeated Gompertz (RG); in the second stage, the perturbed data are projected to a lower dimension using a participant-specific uniform random transformation (RT) matrix. The nonlinear RG function is designed to mitigate maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation attacks, while random transformation resists independent component analysis (ICA) attacks. For human activity recognition, a similar two-stage scheme called RG+RP is proposed, the difference


This paper describes detailedly the basic principles and processes of immune algorithm(IA). The optimizing mechanism, promotion and suppression of antibodyproduction, memory education and the calculation of affinity of IA are analyzed. This paper explains the properties of IA , the mapping relationship between antibody/antigen of IA and actual problem, and the difference between IA and other heuristic algorithms(genetic algorithm, evolutionary programming, evolutionary strategies and genetic programming, simulated annealing algorithm etc.). The convergent character of IA is tested using TSP problem and some test functions. From the results, IA is a remarkable algorithm with good convergence.


New to a school district, eleven year old RJ is tormented by a gang of bullies. In an effort to escape the harassment, RJ retreats down a deserted dirt road on the way home from school and encounters a mystical woman named Galen who shares the secret of truly disarming a bully. This story follows RJ's journey into adulthood with an unusual twist of events that occurs years later. The Orchids of Gateway Lane is a heartwarming story that conveys one of life's most profound messages for creating lasting peace. Ages 8 - 12


This paper describes experimental study on GM-type pulse tube refrigerator(PTR). A PTR has no moving part in its cold part and thus, it has advantages of simple configuration, low vibration and high reliability. It generates refrigeration effect by gas expansion work inside pulse tube in which gas displacer roles sold displacer of GM cryocooler. The pulse tube is only filled with working gas and there exists natural convection due to large temperature difference between cold-end and warm-end. The stability of secondary flow is affected by orientation of cold-head and thus, cooling performance is deteriorated by gas mixing due to secondary flow. In this study, a single stage orifice type pulse tube is fabricated and tested. The cooling performance of the fabricated PTR is measured as varying cold-head orientation angle. The screen mesh is installed inside pulse tube to suppress the performance degradation due to secondary flow inside pulse tube. From experimental results with several size of screen mesh, fine mesh shows the effective suppression of performance degradation for the large orientation angle, but the degradation of cooling performance for the small orientation angle.


In the conditions of Moscow district the authors studied the biomorphological and economical valuable determinants in 10 varieties of Mentha piperita L. The indices of rhizome germinative energy, the duration of vegetation period, the winter hardiness of varieties, the resistance to main disease (powdery mildew, causative agent Erysiphe communis ) were established, the productivity and quality of raw material were estimated. The optimal harvesting time for varieties of different special designation was studied. The harvesting at the bud-formation period of the mint varieties from first group (Medichka, Lekarstvennaya 4, Chernolistnaya, Krasnodarskaya 2 and Prilukskaya 6) permits to obtain high yield of pharmaceutical leaf (1.37-1.81 tonne per hectare) with good commercial quality. The optimal harvesting time for varieties from second group (Moskvichka, Yantarnaya, Kubanskaya 6, Tundzha, Zgadka), which are growing for making essential oil and menthol, is the phase of mass flowering, that promotes to yield of essential oil of 43.0-65.7 kg per hectare.


The traditional intelligent hydrogels as drug carriers can control the drugs to release in location,time,and quantity,and have the advantages of improving efficacy,targeting,reducing dose frequency,increasing security,etc.But their applications are greatly limited for the existence of the shortcoming of the slow response rate.So,focusing on improving the intelligent hydrogels response rate has been extensively studied in recent years,and has showed broad application prospects.In this paper,the latest progress in drug delivery system,category and preparation principle of rapid responsive hydrogels were reviewed,and their disadvantages and developing direction were pointed out.


In the presence of a properly prepared bayerite and a small amount of sodium hydroxide, Raney nickel–aluminium alloy is developed with water to give a highly active catalyst with formation of a recoverable bayerite. In hydrogenation of typical organic compounds the catalyst is even more active than the T-4 Raney nickel.


This paper examines the fire performance of uninsulated and uncoated restrained steel-concrete composite beams supplemented with externally prestressed strands through advanced numerical simulation. In this work, a sequentially coupled thermo-mechanical analysis is carried out using ABAQUS. This analysis utilizes a highly nonlinear three-dimensional finite element (FE) model that is specifically developed and validated using full-sized specimens tested in a companion fire testing program. The developed FE model accounts for nonlinearities arising from geometric features and material properties, as well as complexities resulting from prestressing systems, fire conditions, and mechanical loadings. Four factors are of interest to this work including effect of restraints (axial vs. rotational), degree of stiffness of restraints, the configuration of external prestressed tendons, and magnitude of applied loading. The outcome of this analysis demonstrates how the prestressing force in the external tendons is primarily governed by the magnitude of applied loading and experienced temperature level. Interestingly, these results also show that the stiffness of axial restraints has a minor influence on the failure of restrained and prestressed steel-concrete composite beams. When the axial restraint ratio does not exceed 0.5, the critical deflection of the composite beam is lower than that of the composite beam with a restraint ratio of 1.0.


. The bryoflora of two sinkholes (Espiral and Empalme sinks) in the north-central karstic zone of Puerto Rico was studied. From both sinkholes 50 species were recorded: 31 mosses (11% of the moss flora of Puerto Rico) and 19 liverworts (8% of the liverwort flora of Puerto Rico). Twenty-nine and 42 species were collected in the Espiral and Empalme Sinks, respectively. The bryoflora of the sinkholes is very different from the bryoflora in the forests of Puerto Rico and both sinkholes may be a center of diversity for bryophytes species in the area.


The present paper aims to investigate the influence of the orientation of recorded horizontal ground motion components on structural response within the context of Linear Response History Analysis. Two symmetric and an asymmetric building are studied for bi-directional ground motions along the horizontal structural axes. The ground motions are represented by: (a) the recorded accelerograms; (b) the recorded accelerograms transformed to other sets of orthogonal axes forming with respect to the initial ones an angle of θ=30o, 60o,…,360o and (c) the recorded accelerograms transformed to the principal directions of the ground motion. Furthermore, the analytically accurate maximum structural response for any direction of earthquake ground motion is computed. The evaluation of the results shows that the structural response is significantly affected by the orientation of the recorded ground motion components.


Background Understanding parental norms concerning youth athlete care-seeking and playing behaviors can inform effective concussion prevention interventions. Objective To examine youth sport parents' reported norms concerning athlete care-seeking and playing behaviors and compare norms by parent gender. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Online questionnaire. Patients (or Participants) Parents of youth sport athletes (n=796; mean age=40±10 years) who were part of a United States-based, national sample pool completed the questionnaire. Most were women (60%) and White/non-Hispanic (52%). The parent's children commonly played: basketball (46%); soccer (36%); baseball (29%); and football (20%). 31.3% reported a concussion history; 23.1% reported their child having a concussion history. Interventions (or assessment of risk factors) Our exposure variable was parent gender. Main outcome measurements Outcomes included: ever witnessed a youth athlete tell an adult he/she may have a concussion or use head impact reducing playing behaviors; and approval for the following: praising athletes, looking down upon athletes, and saying/doing nothing when these events occurred (each assessed separately). Chi-squared and Wilcoxon Rank-Sum tests compared gender-differences. Results Higher proportions of males than females, reported witnessing a youth athlete tell an adult he/she may have a concussion (40% vs. 27%, P<0.001); no gender-difference was found for witnessing a youth athlete use potentially head impact reducing playing behaviors (P=0.07). Gender-differences were observed for approval of looking down upon athletes for self-reporting potential concussions (p<0.001), for engaging in potentially head impact reducing playing behaviors (P<0.001), and for not saying anything when these events occurred (P<0.001). In each case, scores indicative of higher approval were clustered more in men than women. No gender-differences were found for praising athletes. Conclusions Our findings elucidate more negative concussion prevention norms (immediate care-seeking and safer playing behaviors) among male parents of youth athletes. Gender-specific approaches for interventions targeting youth sport parents may be appropriate.


Abstract. Coupled hydrologic and hydraulic models represent powerful tools for simulating streamflow and water levels along the riverbed and in the floodplain. However, input data, model parameters, initial conditions and model structure represent sources of uncertainty that affect the reliability and accuracy of flood forecasts. Assimilation of satellite-based Synthetic Aperture Radar observations into a flood forecasting model are generally used to reduce such uncertainties. In this context, we evaluate how sequential assimilation of flood extent derived from synthetic aperture radar data can help in improving flood forecasts. In particular, we carried out twin experiments based on a synthetically generated data-set with controlled uncertainty. To this end, two assimilation methods are explored and compared: the Sequential Importance Sampling (standard method) and its enhanced method where a tempering coefficient is used to inflate the posterior probability (adapted method) and to reduce degeneracy. The experimental results show that the assimilation of SAR probabilistic flood maps significantly improves the predictions of streamflow and water elevation, thereby confirming the effectiveness of the data assimilation framework. In addition, the assimilation method significantly reduces the spatially averaged root mean square error of water levels with respect to the case without assimilation. The critical success index of predicted flood extent maps is significantly increased by the assimilation. While the standard method proves to be more accurate in estimating the water levels and streamflow at the assimilation time step, the adapted method enables a more persistent improvement of the forecasts. However, although the use of a tempering coefficient reduces the degeneracy problem, the accuracy of model simulation is lower at the assimilation time step.


Abstract Polish and Russian cross-border cooperation is governed by lawful agreements. The enlargement of the Schengen Area had a significant impact on Kaliningrad Oblast relations and cross-border cooperation with its neighbours. The introduction of visas between Poland and Russia hindered and restricted local border trade which had for years been the only measure mitigating social and economic problems of the cross-border regions. Nevertheless, border traffic between Poland and Kaliningrad grew steadily, to exceed four million in 2012. Poland and Russia, supported by Germany, applied to the EU for small border traffic to cover the entire territory of the Oblast. According to the European Commission, the proposed solution would be a European exception. The agreement on small border traffic came into force on July 27, 2012, covering the entire area of the Kaliningrad Oblast and selected Polish poviats of Pomerania and Warmia-Mazuria voivodeships. Towards the end of the first quarter of 2013, the number of Poles crossing the border showed a rising tendency, and starting from the second through the third quarter of 2013, the number of Russians coming to Poland grew more dynamically. The visits of Kaliningrad residents, apart from commercially oriented ones, also include recreation, tourism, medical tourism visits, etc. Kaliningrad citizens looking for leisure, recreation and entertainment come to participate in great sporting and cultural events in Gdańsk, Sopot and Gdynia. The local self governments of poviats covered by small border traffic noted a clear upturn in the economies and trade of their regions. The development of cross-border cooperation, including small border traffic, has not resulted in attracting a substantial number of Polish tourists to the Kaliningrad Oblast, but it has provided such a possibility. This region is quite expensive for the average Pole. However, as scientists from Kaliningrad projected, with the easing of the visa system and the development of transport and tourist infrastructure the role of tourism shows a growing trend.


The Joint European Torus recently carried out an experimental campaign using a plasma consisting of both deuterium (D) and tritium (T). We observed a high-frequency mode using a reflectometer and an interferometer in a D-T plasma heated with low power neutral beam injection, PNBI=11.6MW . This mode was observed at a frequency f=156kHz and was located at major radii 3.1⩽R(m)⩽3.3 . The observed mode was identified as a toroidal Alfvén eigenmode (TAE) using the linear MHD code, MISHKA. Beam ions and fusion-born alpha particles were modelled using the full orbit particle tracking code LOCUST, which produces smooth distribution functions suitable for stability calculations without analytical fits or the use of moments. We calculated the stability of the 21 candidate modes using the HALO code. These calculations revealed that beam ions can drive TAEs with toroidal mode numbers n⩾8 with linear growth rates γb/ω∼1% , while TAEs with n < 8 are damped by the beam ion population. Alpha particles drive modes with significantly smaller linear growth rates, γα/ω≲0.1% due to the low alpha power generated almost exclusively by beam-thermal fusion reactions. Non-ideal effects were calculated using complex resistivity in the CASTOR code, leading to an assessment of radiative, collisional, and continuum damping for all 21 candidate modes. Ion Landau damping was modelled using Maxwellian distribution functions for bulk D and T ions in HALO. Radiative damping, the dominant bulk damping mechanism, suppresses modes with high toroidal mode numbers. Comparing the drive from energetic particles with damping from thermal particles, we find all but one of the candidate modes are damped. The single net-driven n = 9 TAE with a net growth rate γnet/ω=0.02% matches experimental observations with a lab frequency f=163kHz and location R=3.3m . The TAE was driven by co-passing particles through the v∥=vA/5 resonance. Both co- and counter-passing alpha particles drive the TAE through the v∥=vA/3 resonance. Additional sideband resonances contribute significant drive for both beam and alpha particles.


Exponential growth in the generation of multimedia data especially videos resulted to the development of video summarization concept. The summary of the videos offers a collection of frames which precisely define the video content in a considerably compacted form. Video summarization models find its applicability in various domains especially surveillance. This paper intends to develop a video summarization technique for the application of forest fire detection. The proposed method involves a set of processes namely convert frames, key frame extraction, feature extraction and classification. Here, a Merged Gaussian Mixture Model (MGMM) is applied for the process of extracting key frames and kernel support vector machine (KSVM) is employed for classifying a frame into normal frame and forest fire frame. The simulation analysis is performed on the forest fire video files from FIRESENSE database and the results are assessed under several dimensions. The final outcome proves the efficiency of the presented MGMM-KSVM model in a considerable way.


Classifiers for documents are useful for many applications. Major uses for binary classifiers include spam detection and personalization of streams of news articles. Multiclass classifiers are useful for routing messages to recipients. Most classifiers for documents are designed to categorize according to subject matter. However, it is also possible to learn to categorize according to qualitative criteria such as helpfulness for product reviews submitted by consumers. In many applications of multiclass classification, a single document can belong to more than one category, so it is correct to predict more than one label. This task is specifically called multilabel classification. In standard multiclass classification, the classes are mutually exclusive, i.e. a special type of negative correlation is fixed in advance. In multilabel classification, it is important to learn the positive and negative correlations between classes.


A CLOTH NONWOVEN FORMED BY A POLYMER lactide. Lactide polymer comprises several polymer chains polylactide, lactide RESIDUAL CONCENTRATION IN LESS THAN 2% OF WATER CONCENTRATION less than 2000 parts per million. ALSO DESCRIBES A for manufacturing a non-woven cloth process lactide polymer composition.


Pondering of traditional belief in the ruler of God. Confucius focused on human himself as God's representative. Thus moral became the essential character of mankind and oneself is the key to develop noble behaviors. Human no longer is the God attached, definitely human's existence value. Regarding to the human nature, Confucius has not determined it is good or evil. But thought study could lead to a correct path. "Ren"(仁) is the core concept that everyone should learn and practice. Confucius opposed supposes take the congenital condition as the pretext limits, what its takes is human's moral determination and the will. "Ren" is the basis of "Li"(禮) and "Ren" is found on emotion. This illustrates "Li" from the external standard restraint the will of the people to the intrinsic request. The cooperation of "Ren" and "Li" presents to the value of human's existence.


Decision delegation to professionals is supposed to lead to better decisions for consumers. But sometimes the delegation of insurance decisions is a choice without awareness for the ones who delegate. This paper analyses consumers` awareness of their individual responsibility when delegating financial decisions to a surrogate. Surrogates often have to deal with conflicts of interests, in particular with conflicts related to their remuneration. It is questionable whether consumers who delegate insurance decisions to such surrogates consider themselves responsible for these decisions. None of the current policy proposals in the EU or Switzerland consider it necessary to raise consumers` awareness of who is responsible for a delegated insurance decision. Our results indicate that delegating financial decisions impairs consumers` perception of individual responsibility and thus may trigger less learning effects for future decisions. The findings suggest that minimizing conflicts of interest through disclosure of price differences across distribution channels (online versus insurance advisors) can provoke a shift in channel usage as an unintended policy consequence. This research provides insights for further elaboration of the EU Insurance Distribution Directive proposal and similar regulations.


Reservoir computing (RC) is a promising paradigm for time series processing. In this paradigm, the desired output is computed by combining measurements of an excitable system that responds to time-dependent exogenous stimuli. The excitable system is called a reservoir and measurements of its state are combined using a readout layer to produce a target output. The power of RC is attributed to an emergent short-term memory in dynamical systems and has been analyzed mathematically for both linear and nonlinear dynamical systems. The theory of RC treats only the macroscopic properties of the reservoir, without reference to the underlying medium it is made of. As a result, RC is particularly attractive for building computational devices using emerging technologies whose structure is not exactly controllable, such as self-assembled nanoscale circuits. RC has lacked a formal framework for performance analysis and prediction that goes beyond memory properties. To provide such a framework, here a mathematical theory of


This study seeks to identify key factors influencing the geographic settlement pattern of undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with a particular emphasis on the impact of economic freedom, and to extend the OLS findings in previous related studies. Indeed, this study adds to the literature in several ways. First, it provides current insights into the link between the settlement patterns of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. and economic freedom. Second, the study adopts a panel data-set and provides estimates using cross-section fixed-effects. Third, this study also endeavors to provide further insights into the impacts on the settlement patterns of undocumented immigrants of non-economic-freedom economic conditions, as well as the quality of life and spending on primary and secondary public education. The various state fixed-effects estimates provided in the present study yield several conclusions. In particular, according to these estimations, the settlement pattern of undocumented immigrants in the U.S is inversely a function of colder climates, higher crime rates, higher population density, and a higher cost of living. In addition, the interstate distribution of undocumented immigrants to the U.S. is positively a function of the annual per pupil outlays on public primary and secondary education; it is also positively a function of the degree of economic freedom, the principal focus of this study.


Three phenol-formaldehydes with varying molecular weight are investigated according to their suitability to improve the dimensional stability of beech wood (Fagus sylvatica L.). Focus of the work is to investigate the relation of the bulking effect of the wood caused by the varying phenol-formaldehydes treatments to the corresponding dimensional stability on macroscopic level of small wood blocks compared to microscopic level of single cell walls. Therefore, beech blocks are treated with the certain phenolformaldehydes, bulking is determined and subsequently the wood is exposed to three soaking-drying cycles. The evaluation was performed according to the anti-swelling efficiency and leaching of the phenolformaldehydes. On microscopic level, changes of the transverse area of the cell walls due to phenolformaldehyde treatment and subsequent water soaking are estimated. The obtained results indicate, that penetration into the cell walls are the decisive factor for dimensional stability of the treated wood. Phenolformaldehyde residuals in the cell lumina contribute negligibly to the dimensional stability.


A hybrid power system formed by photovoltaic generators, wind energy turbines, batteries and other renewable energy systems is one of the solutions to the increasing energy demand and the lack of energy in rural, remote and difficult to reach zones. A key issue is the selection of the suitable power system architecture and the proper way to implement it. This paper describes the feasibility of an innovative concept of autonomous electrical supply units with a power output larger than 20 kW. New strategies for the system development process have been tested. A PV/battery hybrid power system was successfully modeled, simulated and built up. Control functions for the system management have been developed, and integrated into a standard industrial soft PLC terminal. The results show that the developed system performance meets the design goals. Further, it uses standard industrial components which offer low prices, easy maintenance, high availability and high reliability.


Abstract The effect of electropulsing assisted ultrasonic impact treatment (EUIT) on the mechanical properties and microstructure evolution of S50C steel welded components has been investigated. The present paper presents the application of a relatively new post-weld treatment method to eliminate the residual stress and improve the surface mechanical properties. The results show that EUIT exhibits better surface modification capability than does conventional ultrasonic impact treatment. After EUIT, plastic deformation layer with strengthened grains formed on the sample surface, and residual tensile stress was converted into residual compressive stress.


The invention discloses a numerical control machining method, which comprises the following steps of S1, opening a main window, selecting a pre-stored defined code from a pre-defined code library, and editing the pre-stored defined code and related information to generate and store a first object code; S2, reading the first object code from the pre-defined code library, performing simulated execution on the first object code for simulated machining, and judging whether the simulated machining meets expected machining or not; S3, calling the first object code, storing and converting the first object code into an object code; S4, executing the object code obtained in the S3 for performing numerical control machining. The numerical control machining method has the advantages that the repeated operations in a machining programming process are reduced, and the production efficiency is improved.


Objective To compare nimodipine and donepezil for their clinical effect on the patients with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment(SIVCI).Methods 90 cases with SIVCI,randomly evenly divided into 3 groups,are treated with aspirin(100 mg qd,po)and ginkgo biloba extract tablets(40 mg tid po);2 experimental groups,hydrochloric donepezil group(5 mg/d donepezil,qn,po)and nimodipine group(30 mg Nimodipine tid po).To observe the variety of MoCA score among groups after 24 weeks treatment.Results To compare with the control group,the MoCA score of nimodipine and donepezil group increases 1.60(P0.05),4.26(P0.0001),repectively,with significant differences.To compare with the nimodipine group,the MoCA score of donepezil group increases 2.51(P0.0001)with significant differences.Conclusion Both nimodipine and donepezil can be used to treat the patients with subcortical ischemic vascular cognitive impairment(SIVCI).And donepezil is more effective than nimodipine on cognitive impairment.


The objective of this study is to determine the effect of calving early as a heifer on lifetime production in western Canada. This study evaluated the longevity and life time production data on 211 individual heifers (data gathered for 16 years) at the Western Beef Development Centre (WBDC), Saskatchewan. Heifers were classified as calving in the first (period 1; n= 87), second (period 2; n = 66), or third (period 3; n = 58) 21-day period of the calving season. For each subsequent calf born to the cow, calving period was reassigned in the same manner. The current study showed that the average life time number of calves weaned for heifers that calved in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd 21-day period was 5.4 ± 0.32, 4.5 ± 0.37, and 4.2 ± 0.39, respectively. Retaining percentage rate of period 1 cows was 4.3-17.8 and 2.1-19.1% units greater than those of period 2 and period 3 cows, respectively. Period 1 heifers had the greatest life time produced total cumulative weaning weight (p <0.01) value of 1157 kg/cow, followed by period 2 and period 3 heifers, 947 and 841 kg/cow, respectively. Period 1 cows generated an additional $718 to $1077 in weaned calf revenues over their lifetime. This study suggested that, in western Canada, heifers that calved earlier had greater pregnancy rates, remained in the herd longer, and produced one more calf in their lifetime than those that calved in the later periods.


Progress in improving the quality and quantity of water used by people in rural areas of the developing world has been unsatisfactory in two respects: (1) supplies that have been built are frequently neither used correctly nor properly maintained and (2) extension of improved service to unserved populations has been slow. Though this poor record is not the result of a single factor, a major impediment to improved performance is inadequate information on the response of consumers to new service options. The behavioral assumptions that typically underlie most rural water supply planning efforts are simple. It is commonly assumed that so long as financial requirements do not exceed 5% of income, rural consumers will choose to abandon their existing water supply in favor of the "improved" system. Several reviews by the World Bank, bilateral donors, and water supply agencies in developing countries have shown, however, that this simple model of behavioral response to improved water supplies has usually proved incorrect.1 In rural areas many of those "served" by new systems have chosen to continue with their traditional water use practices.


s,  JAAVSO Volume 35, 2006 318 Abstracts of Papers and Posters Presented at the 95th Spring Meeting of the AAVSO, Held in Rockford, Illinois, May 4–6, 2006 The International Variable Star Index (VSX) Christopher L. Watson 12222 Mannix Road, San Diego, CA 92129s of Papers and Posters Presented at the 95th Spring Meeting of the AAVSO, Held in Rockford, Illinois, May 4–6, 2006 The International Variable Star Index (VSX) Christopher L. Watson 12222 Mannix Road, San Diego, CA 92129 Abstract Now available at the AAVSO web site is a new utility: The International Variable Star Index (VSX). This program serves two distinct functions: an easy portal to access information about variable stars that is far more extensive than the General Catalogue of Variable Stars (GCVS), and a method of uploading variable star information. The information access includes all known cross references, basic parameters such as period and variability type, and finding charts. The upload feature permits information update on known variables (such as a new period) as well as entering new variable stars into the system. This paper will show examples of how to use VSX and describes the vetting guidelines.Now available at the AAVSO web site is a new utility: The International Variable Star Index (VSX). This program serves two distinct functions: an easy portal to access information about variable stars that is far more extensive than the General Catalogue of Variable Stars (GCVS), and a method of uploading variable star information. The information access includes all known cross references, basic parameters such as period and variability type, and finding charts. The upload feature permits information update on known variables (such as a new period) as well as entering new variable stars into the system. This paper will show examples of how to use VSX and describes the vetting guidelines. The AAVSO Comparison Star Database and the Automated Chart Plotter Vance Petriew 3 Noonan Road, Regina, Saskatchewan, S4V 0J5, Canada Aaron Price AAVSO, 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Abstract The AAVSO is working towards an electronic charting system in order to eliminate the manual task of creating paper-based charts. The AAVSO Comparison Star Database Working Group has taken the first step by documenting all the charts into a database. This database will be queried by the Automated Chart Plotter which is currently under development. This presentation will discuss what has been accomplished to date and what future initiatives need to be explored.The AAVSO is working towards an electronic charting system in order to eliminate the manual task of creating paper-based charts. The AAVSO Comparison Star Database Working Group has taken the first step by documenting all the charts into a database. This database will be queried by the Automated Chart Plotter which is currently under development. This presentation will discuss what has been accomplished to date and what future initiatives need to be explored. SS Cygni Like You've Never Seen Her Before Aaron Price AAVSO, 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Abstract An international group of AAVSO CCD observers watched SS Cyg nightly for many hours during most of the 2005 observing season. Over six months, they compiled over 100,000 observations of SS Cyg which resulted in the most detailed and comprehensive light curve of SS Cyg yet obtained. The goals, challenges, side benefits, and preliminary analysis results will be presented.An international group of AAVSO CCD observers watched SS Cyg nightly for many hours during most of the 2005 observing season. Over six months, they compiled over 100,000 observations of SS Cyg which resulted in the most detailed and comprehensive light curve of SS Cyg yet obtained. The goals, challenges, side benefits, and preliminary analysis results will be presented. Abstracts,  JAAVSO Volume 35, 2006 319s,  JAAVSO Volume 35, 2006 319 Period Changes of the Algol-type Eclipsing Binary LS Persei Gary Billings 2320 Cherokee Drive NW, Calgary, Aberta, T2L0X7, Canada Abstract Archival observations using the Harvard College Observatory Photographic Plate Collection have provided 251 magnitude estimates, yielding eighteen timings of minima for LS Persei back to 1889. Data from 1889–1935 (I series plates) and 1931–1950 (RH series plates) show different periods, which are different again from the GCVS (1960s and 1970s) and later periods. In addition, two CCD times of minima were obtained in late 2005 that confirm a period increase, suggested by 1990s visual timings, of about 0.003% since 1990. Overall, the period of LS Per has decreased by 0.025% between 1889 and 2005. The O–C data can be fit by assuming intervals of constant period separated by abrupt period changes. Alternatively, if continuous period decrease is assumed, the residuals show cyclic variations of alternating sign. Possible mechanisms for this will be discussed.Archival observations using the Harvard College Observatory Photographic Plate Collection have provided 251 magnitude estimates, yielding eighteen timings of minima for LS Persei back to 1889. Data from 1889–1935 (I series plates) and 1931–1950 (RH series plates) show different periods, which are different again from the GCVS (1960s and 1970s) and later periods. In addition, two CCD times of minima were obtained in late 2005 that confirm a period increase, suggested by 1990s visual timings, of about 0.003% since 1990. Overall, the period of LS Per has decreased by 0.025% between 1889 and 2005. The O–C data can be fit by assuming intervals of constant period separated by abrupt period changes. Alternatively, if continuous period decrease is assumed, the residuals show cyclic variations of alternating sign. Possible mechanisms for this will be discussed. Detecting Extrasolar Planetary Transits Through Photoelectric Photometry Matthew Beaky Truman State University, Physics Department, 100 E. Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501 Abstract Observations of extrasolar planetary transits are crucial to determining specific information about the planet, such as mass and radius. Most observations are made using a CCD camera, but in this project we demonstrate that a solidstate photoelectric photometer can yield comparable precision. In this study, an Optec SSP-3A photoelectric photometer was used at the Truman State University Observatory in Kirksville, Missouri, to observe transits of extrasolar planets. The precision of this system is demonstrated by observing a transit of HD 209458, a well-known transiting planet with an associated stellar magnitude decrease of 0.017. Other attempts at observing planetary transits will also be reported.Observations of extrasolar planetary transits are crucial to determining specific information about the planet, such as mass and radius. Most observations are made using a CCD camera, but in this project we demonstrate that a solidstate photoelectric photometer can yield comparable precision. In this study, an Optec SSP-3A photoelectric photometer was used at the Truman State University Observatory in Kirksville, Missouri, to observe transits of extrasolar planets. The precision of this system is demonstrated by observing a transit of HD 209458, a well-known transiting planet with an associated stellar magnitude decrease of 0.017. Other attempts at observing planetary transits will also be reported. Preparing for the AAVSO Deep and Wide Field Campaign Aaron Price AAVSO, 25 Birch Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Abstract Prepare for the most ambitious AAVSO observing campaign ever. The AAVSO is planning a visual + PEP JHBVR + CCD BVRI observing campaign over a full degree of the late summer sky. Coordinating with the Case-Western Schmidt Telescope at Kitt Peak, we aim to cover the field from magnitudes 0–20 with intensive time resolution and high precision over the course of thirty to sixty days. In this talk we will discuss planning, coordination, observing strategies, and the scientific goals of the campaign.Prepare for the most ambitious AAVSO observing campaign ever. The AAVSO is planning a visual + PEP JHBVR + CCD BVRI observing campaign over a full degree of the late summer sky. Coordinating with the Case-Western Schmidt Telescope at Kitt Peak, we aim to cover the field from magnitudes 0–20 with intensive time resolution and high precision over the course of thirty to sixty days. In this talk we will discuss planning, coordination, observing strategies, and the scientific goals of the campaign. Abstracts,  JAAVSO Volume 35, 2006 320s,  JAAVSO Volume 35, 2006 320 Automated Extraction of Photometric Data: A Demonstration Project Using maximdl on CV Images Jerry Horne 3055 Lynview Drive, San Jose, CA 95148 Abstract The intrinsic photometric functions and scripting capability of the image processing software maximdl are used to automate the extraction of photometric data from images of cataclysmic variable stars using standard AAVSO comparison stars. The resulting photometric data are then formatted for inclusion in the AAVSO variable star database. This automated technique is compared with manual data extraction methods and other photometric software.The intrinsic photometric functions and scripting capability of the image processing software maximdl are used to automate the extraction of photometric data from images of cataclysmic variable stars using standard AAVSO comparison stars. The resulting photometric data are then formatted for inclusion in the AAVSO variable star database. This automated technique is compared with manual data extraction methods and other photometric software. Uncovering High School Students' Initial Understanding and Beliefs About the Nature of Science Prior to Studying Variable Stars Pebble Richwine University of Arizona, Institute for Astronomy, 2680 North Cherry, Tucson, AZ 85718 James Bedient 1464 Molehu Drive, Honolulu, HI 96818 Timothy F. Slater University of Arizona, Institute for Astronomy, 2680 North Cherry, Tucson, AZ


A new surface-active ionic liquid 4-butylazobenzene-4′-ethoxy-trimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([BAzoTMA][NTf2]) was designed and synthesized to achieve reversible foaming–defoaming by alternatively adding cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) and spermine, which was investigated by measurements of contact angle and conductivity, 1HNMR, and PM-IRRAS.


This research aims to find out the students need at chemical industry major at SMKN 2 Bojonegoro. This is classified as mixed method research design. It used two kinds of instruments namely questionnaire and interview guidelines. The questionnaire aims to gain and collect information from students especially their need related to English teaching and learning. While, interview guideline is used to gather information from English teacher at SMKN 2 Bojonegoro. The result shows that there are some skills and language components that students need at chemical industry major such as; listening, speaking, vocabulary, and grammar. Based on the data obtained from questionnaire, most of students say that listening and speaking are two important skills and needed at chemical industry major. While at school, the ESP approach is not applied yet, as a result, it influences on choosing materials. It can be concluded that in designing materials, the teachers and curriculum maker should do needs analysis and analyze what actually students need and work need.


A recommendation of: Julien Cattel, Chloé Haberkorn, Fréderic Laporte, Thierry Gaude, Tristan Cumer, Julien Renaud, Ian W. Sutherland, Jeffrey C. Hertz, Jean-Marc Bonneville, Victor Arnaud, Camille Noûs, Bénédicte Fustec, Sébastien Boyer, Sébastien Marcombe, Jean-Philippe David. A genomic amplification affecting a carboxylesterase gene cluster confers organophosphate resistance in the mosquito Aedes aegypti: from genomic characterization to high-throughput field detection (2020), bioRxiv, 2020.06.08.139741, ver. 4 peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community in Evolutionary Biology. . 10.1101/2020.06.08.139741


The article studied the theoretical aspects of semantic reading, interactive learning techniques for the development of semantic reading skills of students of the language training direction.


We report the synthesis of uniform triangular gold nanoplates by a modified seeded growth method. The concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the growth solution and the time interval between multiple steps of growth were important factors which determined the formation of uniform triangular Au nanoplates. In addition, by further isotropic overgrowth, the thickness of triangular Au nanoplates can be finely tuned within a wide range of 10-80 nm, which at present remains a challenge using conventional seeded growth.


The pandemic increased the stress levels of frontline healthcare providers in every country across the globe, and continues to do so. Health care providers in the rural regions of the U.S. were more vulnerable to the impact of COVID-19 due to the lack of resources and the population they serve. A qualitative study of 25 rural healthcare providers in a western U.S. state was conducted during 2020. In this report, Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) was used to compare the use of emotion and reward words in 12 providers interviewed before the onset of COVID-19 on March 11, 2020, to 13 interviews conducted after COVID-19 onset. Results indicated that providers used fewer positive emotion words after COVID-19 onset compared to before COVID. Negative emotion words also decreased. Words related to the rewarding aspects of their work increased after COVID-19, but differed among the pre- and post-COVID groups. Positive emotion words was more strongly related to rewards in the post-COVID group. Providers reported concerns about access to care for those unable to be treated for the increased depression, anxiety and suicide ideation related to the pandemic. The rural health care system needs policies directed at improving patient access to care and greater funding.


Abstract : A Finite Element code for plane stress and plane strain linear elastic analysis of fatigue-crack-growth test specimen configurations was developed. A user's manual for the above code along with user's manuals, for a mesh plotting program, and mesh generating programs for compact, three-point-bend, and ring specimen geometries is provided. Numerical examples for several specimen geometries are also included. (Author)


A process is disclosed for treating waste gas by means of a dielectrically hindered gas discharge (barrier discharge) which burns across flat electrodes which form a reactor and between which the waste gas to be treated flows in the longitudinal direction. The invention is characterised in that in certain areas of the reactor a higher concentration of components from the waste gas is generated than in the remaining area of the reactor. A device for carrying out the process has at least one pair of mutually opposite flat electrodes (11, 13) which form an intermediate discharge space (70). The electrodes are connected to a voltage source (50), and so an electric field is generated in the discharge space. Moreover, in each pair of electrodes at least one electrode is coated with a dielectric (20) on its side that faces the discharge space. The waste gas to be treated flows through the discharge space. The device is characterised in that means (12) are provided for cooling one or several electrodes.


Three Saccharomyces cerevisiae isolates from different sources (China, Turkey and Egypt) were screened by culturing on solid state fermentation to select the most efficient isolate for invertase production. S. cerevisiae from China was high specific activity 34.7 U/mg. The optimum conditions for enzyme production from this isolate were determined by using a medium composed of wheat bran moisten with 1:0.5 (v:w) corn steep liquor as nitrogen source at initial pH 5.0 for 5 days at 30C.


Intermediary nodes play a great role in networking for smooth communication because they provide connectivity and work behind the scenes to ensure that data flows across the network. These nodes connect end devices to the network and can connect multiple individual networks to form an internetwork. This paper presents a hybrid mechanism which consist of Elliptical Curve Cryptography and Genetic algorithm. This method helps to improve the correctness and quality of the network. The new method aimed at improving the accuracy of misbehavior detection by identifying optimal path. Intermediary nodes in the network is analysed initially and identified the defected nodes using Elliptical curve cryptography. In the second phase optimal path for packet transmission is identified using genetic algorithm. The experiment is done using Network Simulator 2 (ns2). It indicates that this mechanism provide considerable improvements in the blocking of malicious node and optimal path identification thereby improving the performance of MANET.