Author's Introduction: In our globalized world individuals are frequently confronted with intergroup encounters. Some of them pass by more smoothly than others. Understanding group members' motivational dynamics provides the key for positive intergroup encounters and the creation of environments fostering such positive events. For a long time, research on motivation in the domain of intergroup behavior mainly focused on needs and motives such as the need for self-esteem in social identity theory and the need to reduce uncertainty in uncertainty-identity theory. In contrast, approaches to motivation in many other domains of psychological research have switched from such need-based approaches to self-regulation approaches (i.e., theories and models focusing on the processes underlying motivated action). This change of focus from the content of motivation (i.e., need and motives answering the question what motivates behavior) to studying the motivational processes (i.e., self-regulation approaches answering the question how motivation translates in to action) has led to an enormous progress. To give just one example, this approach allows for much more precise predictions of behavior. Only recently research on intergroup behavior has adopted this change of paradigms in research on motivation. The current article summarized one line of research within this domain, namely the work applying regulatory focus theory (one of the dominant self-regulation theories) to intergroup behavior.


The interaction of two plane symmetric shocks in a solid sample induces a significant increase of both the pressure and the temperature in the central zone where the incident compressive pulses cross each other. In iron samples, such loading conditions may produce typical structural defects (twins, dislocations) and phase transitions that can be revealed by posttest examination of the recovered targets. We have used two high-power laser beams to irradiate simultaneously both surfaces of thin iron foils. The recovered samples have been sectioned and observed in optical microscopy. A very dense twin distribution in the central zone has confirmed the pressure amplification due to the interaction of the incident shocks. The occurrence of a phase transition has been inferred from the presence of short characteristic twins. Spall fraction has been observed near both irradiated surfaces, and additional damage has been evidenced at the center of the samples. Numerical tools have been adapted to simulate the exper...


For robotic tasks involving contact between the robot end effector and the environment, force feedback is frequently used to maintain the required force of interaction. Among the many force control strategies proposed in the literature, integral force feedback has been found to be the most desirable algorithm due to its robustness with respect to the measurement time delay and its removal of steady state force error. However, there has not been any serious investigation of the controller performance under large force disturbances. We have experimentally observed that large force disturbances can cause bouncing instability of a nominally stable force control system. Motivated by this observation, we augment the standard integral force controller with three robustness enhancements: integral error scaling, force set-point scheduling, and integral windup saturation. Extensive experimentation on surfaces with different stiffness has shown the dramatic improvement of the modified controller.<<ETX>>


Frequent data transfers between Internet‐of‐Things (IoT) sensors and cloud servers consume energy and lead to latency—a bottleneck for ubiquitous computing. To reduce the need for such enormous data transfers, the combined function of IoT sensors and near‐sensor artificial neural networks can process data properly before they are transferred to cloud servers. Herein, energy‐efficient memristor crossbar arrays are demonstrated for image recognition tasks that are potentially adopted for IoT sensors. The adoption of the selector‐free memristor device with a self‐rectifying function allows for simple stacking of metal–dielectric–metal layer, thus significantly simplifying the fabrication process while achieving low‐current operation (<10 µA in microdevice). Area‐dependent resistive switching characteristics and the incorporation of interface effects reveal the role of the switching and rectifying phenomena in such devices. Finally, the Modified National Institute of Standards and Technology pattern recognition task is demonstrated with 32 × 32 memristor crossbar arrays combining a SPICE simulation. Therefore, it is expected that self‐rectifying memristor arrays can pave the way for the development of more intelligent IoT sensors.


Geometry in the Primary School Traditionally, the geometry studied in the primary school has been in preparation for the study of geometry in the secondary school. Learners have had opportunities to classify and explore the properties of plane figures as a basis for the systematic study of these figures within a specific axiomatic system that follows at high school. Consequently, geometry at the primary school is often simply regarded as " triangles, circles and squares " or " lines and angles ". Research in South Africa and elsewhere sheds light on the nature of geometry instruction experienced by learners. have indicated that many secondary learners are on van Hiele visual or analysis levels. In order for a learner to cope with the demands of an axiomatic system as required in secondary school, however, s/he needs to be on the van Hiele ordering level (see MALATI Van Hiele Theory Document). Learners who have not received adequate experience on the visual and analysis levels resort to memorisation to cope with the demands of formal school geometry. It is in the primary school that the learners require experiences on the visual and analysis levels in preparation for activity on the van Hiele ordering level. In the MALATI Geometry Vision document we provide examples of low level responses from learners at MALATI project schools. Trends in Geometry Curriculum Development While recognising the importance of the study of plane figures and the need for the provision of appropriate experiences in this regard in the primary school, it is important to note that there is more to the study of geometry than the study of this particular area of content. An additional aspect of geometry is the view that geometry is a body of knowledge that can support interaction in space. Different ways in which people interact in physical space may be distinguished: 1. Observing spatial objects in a discriminating way, that is, two-and three-dimensional figures and the properties of these figures 2. Generating information that cannot be directly observed, for example, determining distances, elevations, area and volumes 3. Designing spatial objects and configurations, for example, gardens, furniture arrangements, furniture, buildings and artistic designs 4. Representing spatial configurations with plane drawings 5. Interpreting plane representations of spatial configurations. Reflection on the traditional school geometry curriculum reveals that this fails to address aspects (4) and (5). This is surprising considering the extent to which both our interaction …


Corn Laws. By and large it was recognized in Great Britain that Ireland was being treated as a special case and that no question arose of opening the floodgates of socialism. The real significance of the Act is implied in this view: the admission after seventy years of legislative union that the assimilation of Ireland to English conditions was no solution of the problem of the unhappy relations between the two countries. Finally, there is the question of what Gladstone actually believed to be the problem confronting him and of what he hoped to achieve. The author does not provide any real answer although he quotes a remarkable passage from a memorandum (p. 253) which may provide a clue. Basically, Gladstone's idea seems to have been to ' give some measure of effect' to the tenant's belief that he had ' his share in a tribal property ' without ' at all questioning the landlord's title '. In hindsight this looks very much like a confidence trick doomed to failure, but in the circumstances of the time this was not altogether so. Rural Ireland had been enjoying a remarkable period of prosperity since the famine, and there seemed every reason to believe that, if some recognition was made of the point of view of an increasingly selfreliant tenantry, landed property might be preserved there. If more attention had been paid to the economic background in the writing of this book the significance of this factor would almost certainly have been perceived.


A collection of poetry by the German poet whose parents were murdered in Nazi concentration camps and who eventually committed suicide features essays on Jewish heritage and alienation.


The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 and the Law of Guidelines and Bases of National Education no. 9394, from 1996, Articles 3, 26, 78 and 79 regulates the indigenous education in Brazil come from political struggles over three decades of demands for land rights, health and education. This article analyzes the school education in the Indian cultural context, specifically in the State School Indigenous Ixubay Rabuy Puyanawa, inside Puyanawa Comuunity, situated in the rural area of Mâncio Lima City, state of Acre, western Amazon. It was done an ethnographic study of the Puyanawa Community and instruments to collect data were: participant observation, interviews, document analysis and data triangulation. For data analysis, authors such as Stuart Hall, Therese Maher, Magda Smith and others were used. These main readings are conducive to a pedagogic work and teacher education more inclusive and flexible to establish a cultural policy, concerned with issues related to cultural differences, power, history and identity of indigenous peoples. The political perspectives that support the heterogeneity of experiences in indigenous education, since Brazil has a growing chart regarding the number of students registered in this type of education. The schools in the villages have more than 7,000 teachers in training, according to the 2006 School Census, and this research indicates the difficulty of realizing the differentiated proposals, bilingual, intercultural and autonomous of the indigenous school education.


Abstract : Pilotage error during a complex 18-segment three-dimensional area navigation procedure was measured during 32 simulated instrument flights. These empirical observations were compared statistically with corresponding values of pilotage error previously assumed in FAA AC 90-45 and RTCA DO-152. The experimental variables were pilot experience level and vertical display type. The major task variable was angle of climb or descent. Pilot performance was measured in terms of altitude, crosstrack, airspeed, and procedural errors. (Modified author abstract)


This study was motivated by the discourse on the unintended consequences of labor mobility, described as an unequal distribution of skills among countries participating in the CSME. The study advocated the importance of human capital management (HCM) and proposed that, in a context of economic integration and free movement of people, a holistic and broad-based approach to HCM is critical for countries seeking to leverage human capital for improved economic performance. The study argued that an institutional infrastructure will assist a country in the CSME context and with limited resources in three ways: (a) to determine its human capital needs to meet national goals, (b) to be positioned to successfully participate in the enrichment of a regional pool of competitive talent, and (c) to provide tools to mitigate the unintended consequences of labor mobility. Using a qualitative case study, the study investigated the existing arrangements for HCM activities. To realize its purpose, the study used St. Kitts and Nevis as the site to collect data on stakeholders' perceptions. These data were triangulated using interviews, documents, and archival records. Content analysis was used to understand and interpret the findings. Participants were purposively selected from two stakeholder groups – government and non-government. The response rate was 57% (n = 47). The main research question was how does a country determine its human capital needs? Four research issues were investigated. The findings revealed that St. Kitts and Nevis has no existing or planned arrangements to determine its human capital needs. This was manifested in a domestic human capital stock that endured skills gaps and oversubscription of some occupations. Five factors explained these findings: (a) an overemphasis on academia and credentials, (b) ineffective organizational level HRM practices, (c) weak information infrastructure, (d) perfunctory stakeholder consultation, and (e) deeply embedded cultural norms and political nemeses. The results espoused six roles for HCM. The study advanced a CSME-HCM model to plan for competitive talent. The study contributed to knowledge by providing researchers, practitioners, and consultants with avenues to explain and evaluate human capital mobility in a context of economic integration and free movement of people.


This study aims at determining the improvement of students' science process skills and learning outcomes of the students of class VIII-A of SMP N 1 Prambanan through Modified Free Inquiry approach on the subject of plant's movements. This study was classroom action research consisting of two teaching cycles. Cycle 1 included the material of phototropism movement in plants while Cycle 2 included Nasty movement in plants. The instruments of the research data collection were in the form of observation sheets of the data of students' science process skills in the biology teaching obtained from observations and students' learning outcomes gained through the pretests and posttests in the beginning and the end of each teaching cycle. Data analysis technique of students' science process skills was done by using the descriptive analysis while the students' learning outcomes used the paired samples t-test of the package of series SPSS ver-10.0 which aimed at determining differences between the learning outcomes of the pretest and ones of the posttest after using Modified Free Inquiry approach. The research results showed that the biology teaching using Modified Free Inquiry approach on the subject of plant's movements could improve the students' science process skills gradually from Cycle 1 to Cycle 2. The highest science process skill in the first cycle was recording data (71.88%) while the lowest one was analyzing data (52.34%). Meanwhile, the highest science process skill in the second cycle was writing tools and materials (90.15%) while the lowest one was analyzing data (80.30%). By Modified Free Inquiry approach > 60%, the students could improve the science process skills. The students' learning outcomes during the teachings increased gradually from Cycle 1 to Cycle 2.


The Argentine wheat value chain was subject to considerable policy interventions during the last decade. The measures adopted by the government included export duties from 2002 onward, quantitative wheat export restrictions since 2006, and domestic price ceilings and subsidies introduced in 2007. These policy instruments aimed to limit the increase in domestic prices of cereals during a period of high international prices and to keep an adequate provision of grains in the domestic market. Export restrictions implicitly intended to avoid an increase in the prices of basic consumption goods derived from wheat. However, these non-tariff measures could also distort farmers' incentives to produce. Using non-parametric techniques, this study contributes to the policy discussion of the effects of non-tariff measures in the cereals market by evaluating the welfare impact of wheat export restrictions on Argentine urban households. Focusing on the effects of changes in prices of final consumption goods during 2006– 2011, the study finds that prices of wheat derivatives would be only 1 per cent higher in the absence of quantitative restrictions, with negligible welfare effects on consumers. If both export restrictions and subsidies to millers were removed, prices would be 6.4 per cent higher. This would imply modest welfare losses ranging from zero to 1.5 per cent, mainly affecting the poorest households. Paula Andrea Calvo * * The author would like to thank Raúl Auger from the National Senate of Argentina and Roberto Bisang from Universidad de Buenos Aires for their support in the preparation of this study. 120 Trade policies, household welfare and poverty alleviation


Feng-tai-zhan is a conventional rice variety as early and late season rice,developed by Rice Research Institute of Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences using core germplasm breeding theory through crossing Tai-ao-si-miao with Feng-yuezhan.Its rice quality is up to 2nd grade by GB and Guangdong provincial standard.It is a rice with strong stem and high resistant to lodging,high-yield heterosis,good grain quality,high resistance to blast and middle resistance to bacterial blight.It was registered by Guangdong Provincial Crop Variety Appraisal Committee in 2009 after multiple trials in early-cropping seasons of 2007,2008.


Abstract In Muslim-minority countries where Islam and Muslims are often framed negatively in the media, the discourse of political leaders can play an important role in breaking down the dichotomization between Muslims and non-Muslims, especially in the West. Based on an integration of different critical discourse analysis (CDA) approaches, this study analyses the characteristics of the discourse of Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister, and Donald Trump, United States President, regarding the March 2019 mosque shootings in New Zealand. The analysis of their responses to the attacks as well as representation of Muslims suggest that Trump's texts and talk are strongly preoccupied with anti-Muslim discourse to legitimize his ideology of white supremacy, while Arden's strive to fracture the dichotomization between Muslims and other New Zealanders, embracing co-existing values. Arden's anti-orientalist discourse is recommended as an example that can inspire change to the orientalist stance dominating the West.


For the past 20 years, asthma pharmacotherapy has been described in clinical practice guidelines in terms of a stepwise approach, with medications and/or doses increased if asthma is not well‐controlled, and reduced once good control is achieved and maintained. Although many patients with asthma are untreated, there are also significant problems with over‐treatment once regular controller therapy is commenced. This increases the cost of treatment and exposes patients to unnecessary risks of side‐effects. The present pro‐con debate addresses the question of whether the stepwise approach itself leads to over‐treatment. Two asthma experts discuss factors for and against this proposition, identify issues on which more research is needed, and suggest areas in which guidelines can be changed in order to facilitate more appropriate prescribing of asthma medications. These strategies include better validation of the concepts underlying asthma treatment recommendations, stronger recommendations that every treatment change should be followed up with a scheduled review using evidence‐based assessment tools and incorporation of phenotype‐specific considerations into treatment recommendations. In addition, the process for development and dissemination of clinical practice guidelines should ensure that recommendations are easily understood, feasible to implement, and relevant to everyday asthma care and the needs and concerns of patients and clinicians.


A common challenge in metastructure fabrication is precisely tuning of the frequency of a device's resonance. Slight variations in device dimensions or material properties can lead to a deviation in resonance frequency in comparison to design. We present a method of tuning a dielectric metastructure's resonance by thermally adjusting the refractive index of a chalcogenide glass (ChG) material. Several characteristics of ChGs make them good candidates for use in dielectric metastructures. They exhibit high linear refractive indices, enabling high index contrast devices; they have large optical nonlinearities, making them useful for tunable devices and nonlinear frequency conversion; and they have wide transmission windows extending from the visible through the long-wave infrared. Recently, we have carried out extensive characterization of the index tuning of arsenic selenide (As2Se3) ChG thin films and observed refractive index changes larger than 0.1 in some cases. We use this refractive index change to permanently shift the resonance of a Fabry-Perot filter and the cutoff wavelength for a Bragg reflector. We then demonstrate thermal tuning to shift resonance positions for a metasurface (MS). We compare finite element modeling results with measurement results and show good agreement. This tuning mechanism has potential for use in MS devices where a precise resonance frequency is required.


Transportation systems are vital in modern societies as they represent one of the most important means to achieve both social and economic development on a more than ever global world. Presently a fast, safe, efficient and, if possible, environmentally friendly mobility of people and goods is paramount. It is in this context that the high-speed railway systems arises as one of the most interesting alternatives to other means of transportation, explaining its rapid expansion across the globe in the last decades. Bearing in mind the importance of a safe and reliable high-speed railway network it was decided that the focus of this thesis should be directed to the development of a probabilistic methodology that enables the accurate safety assessment of short span railway bridges. This would complement most of the works done on this field to this date (that have adopted a deterministic approach) and would help understanding the effects of the intrinsic variability of parameters related to the train, track and bridge parameters on the dynamic behaviour of the system. A review of the state of the art regarding the dynamics of railway bridges is presented, with particular attention given to the resonance phenomenon due to its significance to small and medium span bridges. Excessive accelerations have caused several problems to short span railway bridges within the European high-speed railway network and it is important to understand the advantages, drawbacks and limitations of the different methods used to assess the dynamic response of railway bridges. Additionally, it is important to review the limit states prescribed by the current European standards and understand their origin to evaluate the adequacy of these proposals. Different probabilistic approaches were analysed and, taking into account the problem being studied, it became evident that the use of simulation techniques would be the most adequate approach. Two different simulation methods, namely the Monte Carlo and the Latin Hypercube, are combined with two different procedures to enhance the efficiency of the assessment. One of the methods is a tail modelling approach based on the extreme value theory that uses adequate functions to model the tail of the obtained distribution. The other one is an Enhanced Simulation procedure which uses an approximation procedure based on the estimates of the failure probabilities at moderate levels for the prediction of the far tail failure probabilities by extrapolation. To test the efficiency and accuracy of the different methodologies that are proposed a case study bridge was selected based on carefully selected range of potential solutions and taking into consideration the existing bridge portfolio on the current high-speed railway network. A ballasted filler beam bridge composed by six simply supported spans of 12 m each was selected and its behaviour was analysed for the crossing of a TGV-Double train. Several modelling particularities, including the complexity of the model used for both the train and the track, the consideration of train-bridge interaction and the existence of track irregularities are discussed in detail to understand their impact on the accurate assessment of the dynamic response of short span railway bridges. Additionally, a sensitivity analysis was carried out to determine the influence of each of the basic random variables on the dynamic behaviour of the train-bridge system. The proposed probabilistic methodologies are used to assess the safety of the case study bridge for two different criteria: the running safety of trains due to loss of contact between the wheel and the rail and the track instability due to excessive deck vibrations. The use of these criteria provide examples of limit state functions with varying degrees of complexity that test and validate their efficiency, robustness and reliability. Globally, the Enhanced Simulation procedure proved to be significantly more efficient than the tail modelling approach. It was also observed that if the response is not monotonic the use of Latin Hypercube simulation may affect the efficiency of safety assessment. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that if the computational costs can be reduced through a refined simulation method then the use of the Enhanced Simulation approach will results in even further benefits. The obtained results are extremely promising and indicate the feasibility of the application of this type of methodology more frequently due to the reasonable computational costs that are required.


Cultivation of cabbage plants which are important economic value crops for farmers face several problems such as pest attacks and plant disease disorders. One of the diseases of the cabbage plant is clubroot root which is caused by an infectious pathogen in the Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor. The mace root (Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor) causes severe damage to cabbage plants and is prone to growth on infected soil. One alternative control that is more environmentally friendly and has the potential to suppress the development of P. Brassicaea is an antagonistic fungus. This study aims to determine which microbes are obtained from the results of exposures that are able to control clubroot root disease in cabbage plants. This research was conducted at the Agrotechnology Laboratory and the Green House of the UMM Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry. Activities were carried out from October to December 2018. The study design used a Simple Randomized Block Design (RBD). The effect of treatment was analyzed by variance (ANOVA). If there is a real difference between treatments, then a further test is conducted with a real honest difference test (BNJ) at the 5% real level. The antagonist test results in the screenhouse showed that CT3 (Trichoderma sp) treatment had the lowest attack intensity of 11.25% and Control had an average of 37.5%. The right microbes to suppress the growth of pathogens Plasmodiophora brassicae Wor and are antagonistic are Trichoderma sp


Several models are developed for the evaluation of replenishment policies for an inventory of repair kits used by a system subject to both repairable and nonrepairable failures. At the time of a repairable failure, a repair kit is removed from inventory and used to renew the system. Nonrepairable failures are assumed to occur at some time in the future distributed as a random variable of phase type and permanently terminate the life of the system. Under general stochastic assumptions concerning the lifetime of the components and the time required to perform repair, reorder strategies are identified which maximize the expected net discounted contribution over the lifetime of the systems.


This article focuses on the discussion with Dr. Seifert's work "Civil Opposition to Religious Radicalism in Central Asia" (2020). The author, being supportive of many dr. Seifert's theses, disagreed with his actual division of Islam into the so-called "good" traditional Islam (moderate, flexible, and compatible with the secular state) and the "bad" radical Islam, which denies secular values and therefore should be marginalised. Based on the results of her own field research, the author demonstrates, that modern Islamic fundamentalist communities are diverse in their goals and positioning, and their religious outlook does not unequivocally determine their political agenda. Fundamentalist Islam can also be the instrument not only of the negative, but also of the positive adaptation to the post-communist crisis. The author also stresses that the desire to suppress alternative outlook to safeguard the secular basics of society constitutes the internal threat to liberal and democratic values.


Abstract: The use of transfer theory in chemistry teaching is expounded in this essay to realize theteaching ideology, Teach for transfer from students knowledge growing points, classification andsummarization, comparison between the old and the new, altemative drilling, knowledge conformity,situation creation, abilities training and so on.


The article explores the approaches to determine the author of a natural language text, the advantages and disadvantages of these approaches. The identification is carried out using classical machine learning algorithms and neural network architectures (including fastText, CNN and LSTM and their hybrids, BERT). The efficiency of the model is evaluated based on the social media texts dataset. A separate experiment is devoted to the feature selection using a genetic algorithm. SVM trained on a selected 400 features set makes it possible to achieve up to 10% increase in accuracy for all considered numbers of authors. Neural networks achieve a classification accuracy of 96%, but their training time in some cases exceeds the time spent on training SVM and other classical machine learning methods in some cases. For SVM together with the genetic algorithm, the average accuracy was 66%, for deep neural networks and fastText – 73 and 68%, respectively.


Abstract The constant violence associated with public participation in Nigeria can be attributed to processes of state formation. The colonial state played a significant role in the process of ethnic identity formation. Consequently, the present Nigerian- state is inherently a crisis prone and a violence generating mechanism. This militates against substantive public participation.The main objective of this paper is to examine the challenges to public participation in Nigeria. One of the suggestions of this paper is that conscious and concerted efforts must be made by the government in the form of an implementable policy framework to eliminate or reduce to the barest minimum the hindrances to political processes in Nigeria.


: In this paper, we offer a new class of sets called (1, 2)*- g  -closed sets in bitopological spaces and we study some of its basic properties. It turns out that this class lies between the class of  1,2 -closed sets and the class of (1, 2)*-g-closed sets.


Abstract : The objectives of this project were the understanding of heteroepitaxial growth of SiGe/Si, dislocation control for highly mismatched layers, and the application of such heterostructures to high speed microelectronics and optoelectronics. A new technique of dislocation control, using a low-temperature Si buffer layer, has been identified. SiGe/Si heterostructure FETs have been fabricated, using this technique. Heterostructure bipolar transistors have been utilized to realize the first SiGe-based integrated photoreceivers. The electro-optic coefficients in SiGe/Si quantum wells have also been measured. Modulators, whose operation principle is based on the small conduction band offset, in this heterostructure, has been demonstrated theoretically and experimentally, for the first time. Theoretical work, involving a charge control study of the interfacial effects in p-MOSFETs.


Mammalian synthetic biologists seek to design molecular circuits with many potential therapeutic and biotechnology applications. Developing these often complex devices requires being able to reliably compose multiple modular regulatory modules in varying cellular contexts. However, predicting module behavior can be difficult due to "hidden" or unpredictable interactions between circuit parts. Parts competing for limiting cellular factors can be a significant contributor to these hidden interactions. In eukaryotes, trans-activation domains of transcription factors can bind and sequester co-activator proteins, causing effective repression of otherwise active promoters in a phenomenon known as "squelching" [1, 2]. Since many synthetic mammalian circuits are based on transcriptional networks, understanding and mitigating the effects of squelching will allow for the design of more reliable and predictable circuitry for many applications.


Among the characteristics of the today emerging markets is the focus on the parameter of capital and effective methods in developing and maintaining the value of the corporation and the risk management of the corporation in finance market, which constitute one of the competitive scenes among the corporations in all of the markets. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between the market competition and capital structure of the corporations. For this purpose, we investigated the Tehran's stock exchange by using the panel data regression model for the time period 2005 to 2009. The results suggest that there is a significant and positive relationship between competitiveness and the capital structure. Also, the results showed that there is no significant relationship between the size of the corporation, uniqueness of the assets, sales growth and the collateral value of the assets variables and the capital structure of the corporations. Moreover, there was a significant and positive relationship between the current ratio of the corporations and the capital structure, and a significant and negative relationship between profitability ratio, capability of generating internal resources, and non-debt tax shield variables and the capital structure.


Among the main bacteria implicated in the pathology of periodontal disease, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) is well known for causing loss of periodontal attachment and systemic disease. Recent studies have suggested that secreted extracellular RNAs (exRNAs) from several bacteria may be important in periodontitis, although their role is unclear. Emerging evidence indicates that exRNAs circulate in nanosized bilayered and membranous extracellular vesicles (EVs) known as outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) in gram‐negative bacteria. In this study, we analyzed the small RNA expression profiles in activated human macrophage‐like cells (U937) infected with OMVs from Aa and investigated whether these cells can harbor exRNAs of bacterial origin that have been loaded into the host RNA‐induced silencing complex, thus regulating host target transcripts. Our results provide evidence for the cytoplasmic delivery and activity of microbial EV‐derived small exRNAs in host gene regulation. The production of TNF‐α was promoted by exRNAs via the TLR‐8 and NF‐κB signaling pathways. Numerous studies have linked periodontal disease to neuroinflammatory diseases but without elucidating specific mechanisms for the connection. We show here that intracardiac injection of Aa OMVs in mice showed successful delivery to the brain after crossing the blood‐brain barrier, the exRNA cargos increasing expression of TNF‐α in the mouse brain. The current study indicates that host gene regulation by microRNAs originating from OMVs of the periodontal pathogen Aa is a novel mechanism for host gene regulation and that the transfer of OMV exRNAs to the brain may cause neuroinflammatory diseases like Alzheimer's.—Han, E.‐C., Choi, S.‐Y., Lee, Y., Park, J.‐W., Hong S.‐H., Lee, H.‐J. Extracellular RNAs in periodontopathogenic outer membrane vesicles promote TNF‐α production in human macrophages and cross the blood‐brain barrier in mice. FASEB J. 33, 13412–13422 (2019). www.fasebj.org


Purpose. The purpose of this study was to investigate the trends of the stress intervention program for domestic nurses. Methods. This study was conducted by analyzing 28 papers, which were selected from three hundred seventeen dissertation theses on Domestic Dissertations and Major Associated Journ...


The author claims that in suggesting requirements for the binder range of a mix, there is still a great deal to be learnt about bituminous mixes. Increasing traffic loads and the need to use ingredients from fresh sources have meant that design based mixes are taking over from the familiar recipe specification. Present design specifications are based on the Marshall method where the optimum binder content is determined on the basis of maximum density, maximum existence to deformation and on the voids content for asphaltic concrete. At present, limits for the binder content are usually based on the practical range within which the material can be manufactured and controlled. The significance of voids and compaction are discussed, and it is suggested that there should be a minimum binder content based on the minimum requirements for the voids in the aggregate, and maximum requirements for micropore content. The maximum binder content should be based on a minimum micropore content of say 2 per cent and should not be based on a minimum total voids content. It is essential to correct for water content when maximising compaction by means of density. (TRRL)


transferred from 21 + 1 C to 16 ± 1 C than in cultures maintained continuously at the higher temperature. However, large fruit bodies also formed at 21 + 1 C. Growth curves are presented for stipe elongation and cap expansion at 16 - 1 C, and spiral growth of the stipe was measured by the rotation of the cap. The maximum speed of rotation varied considerably (15-50°/12 hr), and, at least up to 3 cm fruit body length, the preferred direction of rotation was clockwise as viewed from above. Reversal from clockwise to counter-clockwise rotation was observed in 2 of 10 fruit bodies. Decapitation of fruit bodies at different lengths caused a rapid decrease in stipe elongation without recovery, and demonstrated that stipe growth depends on the cap during most of the growth period. This dependence was strongest in younger fruit bodies but was detectable even at 7-7.9 cm, the upper limit tested. Removal of approximately j of the cap, leaving only a narrow symmetrical cap slice with lamellae, reduced growth significantly in young fruit bodies of 1.5-2.4 cm length, but not at close to 3 cm. Growth studies after removal of either the lamellae or the cap trama from cap slices showed that stipe elongation depends on the lamellae and not on the cap trama. Unexpectedly, the stipes did not curve either in darkness or in light, despite continuing elongation, when half cap slices with lamellae were left attached to one side of stipes at 1.2-3.7 cm length. Half of the whole cap also failed to induce negative curvature. The findings for Flammulina velutipes are compared with those reported for Agaricus bisporus.


Let G be a group written multiplicatively. An n xn matrix (where n can be any cardinal number) having at most one element of G in each row and zeros elsewhere is callecl a row-,monomial matrix over G. The set M(G, n) of all such matrices forms a semigroup under matrix multiplication. Schtitzenberger [2, 3 and Preston [1 have constructed representations of a semigroup S by rowmonomial matrices, i.e., homomorphisms of S into M(G, n). The purpose of this note is to present, without proofs, a new method for constructing such representations, which is more general than the methods used by Schtitzenberger and Preston. Our method is similar to that used in the theory of monomialrepresentations of a group, and is somewhat analogous to the use, in ring theory, of modules over a ring R to construct representations of R by matrices over a field. We begin by defining the concept of a set with a semigroup S of operators (which, as in [4, we shall call an operand over S), and the endomorphisms of such sets (Section 1). In Section 2 we study a special class of operands, called free operands-with-zero, over a group G. These might be regarded as analogous to vector spaces. M(G, n) is always isomorphic to the semigroup of endomorphisms of some free operand-with-zero over G. This leads in Section 3 to a procedure for determining all rowmonomial representations of a semigroup. However, this result is not completely satisfactory, since it expresses the representations in terms of operands over S and their endomorphisms. In Section 4, we restrict ourselves to a special kind row-monomial representation, viz., those in which at least one row can be "filled arbitrarily" [or "filled almost arbitrarily". This means that there is one row (say the i-th row) such that every monomial row vector [or every non-zero monomial row vector actually occurs as the i-th row of one of the matrices corresponding to the elements of S. Thus the property in question is a kind of density condition. It turns out that row monomial representations in which one row can be filled arbitrarily arise from strictly, cyclic operands (in


Though biological weapons were outlawed in 1925 by the Geneva Convention and though research, development, and stockpiling of such weapons were forbidden by the Biological Weapons Convention in 1972, the threat of biological warfare has not been eradicated. A wide variety of agents have been considered as possible weapons. In addition to their devastating effect on the battlefield, some have potential for nosocomial spread in US hospitals that care for victims of biological warfare. The following is a brief review of the history of germ warfare, a description of selected agents under consideration, and a discussion of the potential impact of biological weapons on hospital infection control. Biological warfare has been attempted many times in past centuries and is not a concept unique to the war in the Persian Gulf. Poisoning wells by throwing dead bodies into them was not uncommon in the Middle Ages. During the 14th century conflict in Crimea, plague victims were catapulted into the besieged city of Kaffa by the Tartar army. Whether aided by this or not, plague soon broke out and the city surrendered. Escaping citizens and returning soldiers soon spread the disease to much of Europe. In another example, blankets from smallpox victims were considered as potential weapons against American Indians by British colonial commanders in the 18th century. More recently, Japan purportedly investigated biological weapons to spread plague, cholera, yellow fever, and anthrax during World War II. Attempts in earlier centuries usually were unsuccessful due to the lack of knowledge about disease vectors and etiological agents. Only with the advent of modern microbiological techniques has intentional biological warfare been possible on an organized and vast scale.


The reaction of [Cu(DapdoH(2))2](2+) ions with [Cr(III)L(MeOH)2Br](2+) ions (L = 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane; DapdoH(2) = 2,6-diacetylpyridine dioxime) produced in situ in methanol, yielded, in the presence of triethylamine, the complex [L(2)Cr(III)(2)(Dapdo)2(OH)2Cu(II)(2)Br(2)](ClO(4))2. It has been characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy and variable-temperature (2-298 K) magnetic susceptibility measurements. The molecular structure established by X-ray diffraction consists of a [Cr(III)(2)(micro-NO)4(micro-OH)2Cu(II)(2)](4+)-core, which can be considered as two edge-sharing triangular CrCu(2)-units. The variable-field variable-temperature magnetic measurements revealed a ground state of S(t) = 2 with uncommon antiferromagnetic exchange interactions between the chromium(III) and copper(II) centers: J(A) = -79 +/- 2 cm(-1), J(B) = -17 +/- 1.7 cm(-1), where J(A) represents the interactions through a combination of oximate (>N-O-) and a hydroxo-bridging, while J(B) is the exchange through only a two-atom oximate (>N-O-) group.


Objective:To establish a HPLC method for the determination of saikosaponin A in the extract of Chaiqin Qinggan formula.Method:The column of Diamonsil C18(4.6 mm×200 mm,5 μm) was used.The mobile phase was acetonitrile-water with a gradient elution program with the flow rate at 1.0 mL·min-1.The evaporative light scattering detector(ELSD) was used as detector.Drift tube temperature was at 105℃,and the gas flow rate was 2.0 L·min-1.Result:The logarithmic calibration curves were linear in the range of 1.7-8.5 μg(r=0.999 4).The average recovery was 96.6% with the RSD value of 1.8%(n = 5).Conclusion:The method can be used to determine the content of saikosaponin a in the extract of Chaiqin Qinggan formula.


In this study, the adsorption method was used to explore the removal of chromium(III) ion from chrome liquor that remained after chrome tanning in tannery and from the Buriganga River water as well. Both the natural and activated orange peel powder were used as adsorbents owing to its inexpensive and eco-friendly nature. In order to establish the best adsorption conditions, adsor-bent concentration 5–40 g/L, pH 2–8 and contact time 30–120 min were investigated for Cr(III) removal from aqueous solutions using both natural orange peel and activated orange peel. Characterization of the adsorbents were done by using thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. The equations for both the Langmuir and Freundlich models were implemented to analyze the equilibrium data. Furthermore, the pseudo-first and second-order kinetic models were also utilized to evaluate the kinetic data. Both the natural and activated orange peel were found to remove a maximum of 77% and 96% of chromium(III) ion, respectively.


Objective To explore the effect of low intensify pulsed electromagnetic fields on bone mineral density of different anatomic region in ovariectomized rats.Methods Thirty 10-month-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three different groups:ovariectomized control group(OVX group),normal control group(SHAM group) and pulsed electromagnetic fields exposing group(PEMFs group).All rats were subjected to bilateral ovariectomy except those in SHAM group,and the PEMFs group were exposed to pulsed electromagenetic fields with frequency 50 Hz,peak magnetic induction density 0.16 mT and exposure time 60 minute per day.In the experimental period,bone mineral density(BMD) of general and cranioaural BMD were observed dynamically,eventually,the level of estradiol and the BMD were measured.Results ①In the SHAM group,the level of estradiol and the coefficient of uterus were significantly higher than other two groups(P0.01);②Compared with SHAM group and PEMFs group,the cranioaural BMD of OVX group were decreased significantly on the 60th day(P0.05),while the significantly difference of general BMD was detected until the 90th day(P0.05);③The difference in centrum vertebrae BMD of OVX group were more markedly than in lumbar vertebrae of BMD compared with SHAM group and PEMFs group,the femoral BMD of PEMFs group rose compared with OVX group,but the distinction did not reach the statistical significance.Conclusion Combining general BMD with cranioaural BMD can accurately assess dynamic variation on the BMD of alive rats;This pulsed electromagnetic fields could suppress the reduction of BMD conspicuously in bilateral ovariectomized rats,at the same time,they have different effect on BMD of different anatomic region;It will reflect the changes in bone masses with good precision by measuring the pyramidal BMD.


This paper discusses the relationship between wildlife protection and
ecological civilization construction. It also puts forward some wildlife protection strategies based on the
idea of ecological civilization, such as improving the national provincial and municipal nature
reserves, and further improving laws and regulations related to the wild animals conservation law. The competent departments of
animal administrative law enforcement and all units should strictly enforce the law. The domestication,
reproduction. Development and utilization of wild animals should be carried out in
accordance with the law. Publicity and education on ecological civilization should be further
strengthened.


In this paper, a new continuous scoring system for soccer is proposed, based on the proportion of time that a team is winning, losing or tied. Several simulations are made applying this technique to complete seasons of different leagues. As some preliminary fundamental analysis previews, the simulation results show that this proposal compacts the gap between several teams, increasing the competitiveness of the championships and making the matches even more challenging as every minute may count in order to get the best rank in the final standings. Based on those results, some characteristics of the model are highlighted and a discussion on some of the advantages, disadvantages and practical issues regarding a hypothetical implementation of this model is made. Finally, some ideas to tackle the less positive effects of an implementation in real leagues is also provided.


This is the published version: Kezic, J.M., Chinnery, H.R., Murphy, C. and McMenamin, P.G. 2007, The extensive dendritic cell and macrophage networks in the uveal tract are not CX3CR1 dependant in their homing and distribution, in ARVO 2007: Proceedings of the 2007 Association for Research in Vision and Opthalmology Conference, ARVO, [Fort Lauderdale, Flo.], pp. 1-1. Available from Deakin Research Online:


Summary

Agrobacterium tumefaciens-transformed tobacco suspension-cultured cells (TSCC) exhibit no significant quantitative changes of cell wall invertase protein (CWI) during a culture period of 40 days, whereas CWI activity decreases strongly between 10 and 30 days after cell transfer to fresh medium. Western blot analysis revealed that the apoplasmic invertase inhibitor (INH) is equally expressed throughout the entire culture period. When apoplasmic protein fractions from 4 and 28 days old cell cultures are chromatographed on Concanavalin A(ConA)-Sepharose, the non-glycosylated INH always coelutes with the ConA-bound fraction, suggesting that (i) INH and the glycosylated CWI form a complex in the apoplasmic space, and (ii) INH binding is not sufficient for CWI inhibition. The high specificity of INH binding to CWI was confirmed by native cathodic polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Expression analysis of CWI and INH indicates that, at least during certain stages of plant development (seedlings, roots of adult plants), CWI activity may be modulated by INH, the latter operating as a regulatory switch.


Joanne McEwan & Pamela Sharpe (Eds), Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, 312 pp., £55.00 (hbk), ISBN 9780230542426 This comprehensive historical account of the accommodation experiences of the E...


eenagers in any generation are more likely to be abreast and comfortable with technological Tadvancements. With robotization too, they will engage the world anew. In our times, there's however, a phase transition in teenage evolution, that even early adults are to come to terms with soon enough. They will have to consider the intersection between social benefits of technology and ethical considerations to be designed within intelligent systems such as robots. A catchy example is that of the self-driving car. Decision rules will be prioritized in the machine learning mechanisms of this project. When faced with volatile humans jumping the lines to cross roads at short notice, what will the car decide? Perhaps, the passenger's safety may be a no-brainer. What about ecological impact? Should the vehicle get off the road and destroy inanimate objects in its veered path or merely minimize loss to life by colliding into one of five human beings who come in the car's cross-hairs? What limits will the prototype be terminated for: either / or logic of machine learning routines, or dilemma resolutions of ethical nature?


Dynamic flow volume rendering of three-dimensional vector fields offers better insights into the continuum and dynamics of the data field under investigation. Consumer graphics cards have seen a rapid explosion of performance and capabilities over the past few years. This paper explores the development of the Textured Splats algorithm for direct flow volume rendering of vector fields, that utilizes this new hardware. This paper presents the technique using the new hardware features like vertex programs, OpenGL multi-textures and register combiner extensions to implement fast dynamic flow volume rendering on a PC equipped with an NVIDIA GeForce4 display card. Several anisotropic textured splats are investigated to implement flow volume rendering.


At first, I was saddened when I read the Working Life article "For the love of ferns" (19 December 2014, p. [1586][1]), in which K. Perkins describes getting into science by accident, pursuing her graduate degree in a top lab at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, accepting a tenure-track position at Johns Hopkins, and subsequently withdrawing from biomedical sciences. The pressures of funding and establishing one's own lab, along with life circumstances including an unexpected divorce, ended what by all appearances was a promising career.

However, after a little reflection, I saw the story through a different lens. Perkins' relatively convoluted path led to a career as a high school physiology teacher, which she describes as "a life of work but also a life of people and play." It seems she ultimately found the elusive work-life balance, and that is indeed something to celebrate.

 [1]: pending:yes


Science proceeds by revolution. This holds for theories, which are always successive. One enlarges science in two ways: by adding new facts and by simplifying what already exists. The microbe is nothing. The terrain is everything -Claude Bernard 1813-1878 [widely regarded to be the father of modern physiology]. "The primary cause of disease is in us, always in us"-Professor Pierre Antoine Bechamp, 1883 [Medical Doctor and Pharmacist] (Table 1) [1-13].


Background: Soil test based application of plant nutrients helps to realize higher response ratio and benefit: cost ratio as the nutrients are applied in proportion to the magnitude of the deficiency of a particular nutrient and the correction of the nutrients imbalance in soil helps to harness the synergistic effects of balanced fertilizationMethods: Soil test crop response correlation studies were conducted to formulate the fertilizer adjustment equations for soybean (Var. GS-3) under integrated plant nutrition system on medium black calcareous soils during year 2016 and 2017 in kharif season following Ramamoorthy's inductive-cum-targeted yield approach.Result: The nutrients requirement for producing one quintal of soybean was 5.65, 0.91 and 2.53 kg of N, P2O5 and K2O, respectively in presence of FYM (indicate dose). The per cent contributions from soil and fertilizer nutrients were found to be 35.03 and 74.5 for nitrogen, 55.13 and 27.6 for phosphorus and 10.36 and 51.6 per cent for potassium with FYM, Similarly, the per cent contribution of fertilizers was 65.25 for nitrogen, 22.49 for phosphorus and 43.89 for potassium without FYM. The per cent nutrient contribution of FYM was 28.27 for nitrogen, 4.97 for phosphorus and 10.48 for potassium.


The previous bit-search technique does not provide any compaction or compression mechanism the density in bit- vector regions. As a result, on the sparse dataset only one or two bits are set in each bit -search region, which not only increase the projection length but also it is not possible to achieve true 32bit CPU performance. To increase the density in bit-vector regions the Bit Search Mask Search starts with an array list. From root node, a bit search mask search representation for each frequent item is created which gives a sufficient compression and compaction in bit search. In this paper we can find sufficient improvements in Bit search Mask Search by using this approach.


The article considers commercial urbanonyms, that is, the names of cafйs, restaurants, shops, residential complexes and other urban facilities, which may give rise to conflict situations in the society, cause a negative reaction of some citizens or a particular social group, as well as provoke a clash of interests of the rights holders. The article reveals the capabilities of naming examination (a new kind of forensic linguistic examination a new kind of forensic linguistic expertise arising at the intersection of linguistics, law, onomastics and forensic expertology) in identifying factors of urbanonyms' conflictogenity, negative semantics of names, semantic and lexical ambiguity of urbanonyms, violation of the spelling or grammatical norm in the title, the use the vernacular language, jargon, slang expressions, professionalisms, borrowings (including barbarisms), incorrect use of precedent names.


More attention has been paid to the technology of magnetic flux leakage recently.Because it has shown its intellignece in the pipe flaw identification procedure,it not only can point out where the flaw is,but also describes the physical parameters of the flaws.If we can produce the detector by ourselves,most of the importing cost can be cut off.Based on a successful prototype,this paper gives a short conclusion about the work.In order to give guidance to the similar work in this area,both the key technologies and the main problems solved are proesented in the following three aspects:theoetical analysis,prototype disign and signal processing software development.


ABSTRACT This research aims to address the contribution of the immediate contexts of the home in the development of regulatory skills, specifically executive functions and emotional regulation abilities in a Latin American context using direct behavioural measures. The sample consisted of 75 mother-infant dyads of 18–24 months belonging to homes and daycare centres of Buenos Aires. The instruments used were the SES scale home stimulation subscale, a battery of executive tasks, and the Still-Face task. Results found that overcrowding, cell phone, and internet negatively contribute to regulation behaviours, while the number of books and frequency of lecture contribute in a positive way. In conclusion, infant's near and daily context would tend to generate modifications in his cognitive abilities from the first years of life, reinforcing this the need to generate public policies related to reducing socioeconomic inequalities in the Argentine population.


We simulate the stress,displacement and the stability of an urban building under load on the top of a slope during different excavation stages.Our research is based on a perfectly elastic-plastic constitutive model and applied the Mohr-Coulomb yield criterion,the finite difference method,the rock mechanics and the strength reduction principle.The results indicate that the slope angle of the potential surface of sliding is higher than its theoretical value,and that there are two rupture zones due to obvious stress concentration-one appears at the toe of a slope and the other at the outside of the building.The displacement trend changes abruptly and increases rapidly as a result of the slope top load.The safety stability status of the slope of a building is well indicated by the numerical simulation during every stage of excavation and support.The results show that the strengthening measure is an effective method.


ABSTRACT A formulation that combines the scalar Helmholtz equation with an integral equation radiation boundary condition is developed for electromagnetic scattering from heterogeneous geometries exhibiting one-dimensional periodicity. A finite element discretization is implemented using piecewise-linear interpolation functions. Numerical results are presented for the reflection and transmission coefficients associated with several diffraction gratings.


The recommendation in current guidelines that aortic valve replacement (AVR) be performed in adults with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis (AS) is based on solid evidence. However, it is unclear whether adults with asymptomatic severe AS also should be considered for elective AVR. This uncertainty is based on several considerations including the difficulty in recognising that symptoms are present and might be due to AS in older adults who often have multiple comorbidities, the concern that waiting for symptoms might be associated with irreversible cardiac changes, and the (although small) risk of sudden death. In addition, perhaps it makes sense to perform AVR before the patient is older and sicker, given the inevitable progression to symptoms once severe AS is present. On the other hand, both surgical and transcatheter AVR are associated with mortality and morbidity and the bioprosthetic valve is subject to deterioration, starting at the time of implantation.

In this issue of Heart , Nakatsuma and colleagues1 hypothesised that serum B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level would allow accurate risk stratification of adults with asymptomatic severe AS. In a large Japanese registry of adults with severe AS, data from the 387 patients with no symptoms and normal left ventricular systolic function showed that higher BNP levels were associated …


We report a case of a 22-year-old patient who sustained a box-cutter injury to the index finger on her right hand complicated by severe felon. Extensive tissue debridement left the patient with a defect exposing the underlying flexor tendon. A venous flow-through flap from the right forearm was used to provide coverage, which survived completely without venous congestion. Excellent functional and cosmetic result was achieved with this approach. Because of its similarity in color and non-hair-bearing nature, the venous flow-through flap serves as an excellent approach for volar digital defect coverage in which the underlying flexor tendon is exposed


Suction controlled triaxial tests have been extensively used to study the behaviour of unsaturated soil specimens. In the real field conditions, the soil exists at varying suction range depending on its type and the weather condition. Since these tests need sophisticated equipments and are generally time consuming, it is pivotal to identify the optimum shearing rate at which the actual drained behaviour of unsaturated soils is obtained. Triaxial testing for unsaturated soils calls for a constant suction level during the shearing process. The axial shearing rate should be slow enough to maintain equilibrium of matric suction as well as the uniform distribution of water content throughout the specimen. Previous research conducted on the shearing rate based on oedometer test on saturated soils, cannot be applied due to the time required for equalization of matric suction and unsaturated permeability being much smaller than that from saturated


Introduction This systematic review estimates the pooled prevalence (PP) of anxiety disorders (ADD) among 5-to-18-year-old YP living in Europe, based on prevalence rates established in the last five years (LFY). Objectives Trends of prevalence rates across countries, gender and level of education were analysed. The random effects pooled prevalence rate (REPPR) for AD was calculated. Methods A search strategy was conducted on three databases. Studies were also identified from reference lists and grey literature. Eligible studies were evaluated for reliability, validity, bias, and the REPPR for AD was calculated. Results The European REPPR for AD is calculated at 7.9% (Figure 1). The REPPR for each anxiety disorder is shown in Figure 2. Conclusions Based on the results in this systematic review, AD are the most prevalent mental disorders among young people in Europe. Early diagnostic and intervention strategies for AD may improve the mental health and wellbeing among young people. Disclosure No significant relationships.


The phase transformation mechanism in stress-induced metastable high entropy alloy (HEA) is unclear. In this paper, the nanoindentation deformation behavior of martensitic high entropy alloy metals was investigated using molecular dynamics simulations to study the effects of temperature and crystal orientation on the phase transformation and mechanical response. It was found that the primary behavior of plastic deformation in Body-centered cubic (BCC)-type Ta metals is the emission of dislocations. At the same time, it is the growth of phase transition structures of metastable HEAs. Temperature can increase the ratio of phase transition atoms in metastable HEAs. Spherical nano-indenter realizes Polycrystalline phase transition structures in metastable HEAs. This work provides insight into the effects of temperature and crystal orientation on the mechanical properties of HEAs under nanoindentation and provides guidance for understanding the mechanical response of other monocrystalline materials with phase transformation properties. Graphical Abstract Nanoindentation simulation models, mechanical response curves, and nanoindentation results for pure metal Ta and high entropy alloys


For providing post-acquisition trigger control and test and measurement instruments and methods of presentation of associated waveforms on a display. Electrical signal under test is sampled and digitized, and stored as a data record in the acquisition memory. A display device draws a waveform associated with the signal under test is. After stopping the acquisition of digital sampling, using trigger controls such as user trigger level control to select the trigger criteria. Post-acquisition trigger circuit triggering event detection criteria in the data record based on the trigger, so that the waveform is automatically adjusted to conform to the time the trigger event after the acquisition. One or more configurable trigger controls can be used to trigger events and display the adjusted waveform acquisition. After the resumption of the live data collection, in line with the live waveform trigger criteria during the post-acquisition mode preview of the newly selected.


The acrylic acid contain 4.5% to 7.0% of the mass fraction in the liquid waste from production of acrolein and methyl allyl polyethylene glycol ethers as monomer can prepare the polycarboxylic superplasticizer in water-soluble oxidation-redox initiator system by a unique set of polymerization process. Discussing the impact of the monomer mass ratio,the amount of initiator,the amount of chain transfer agent,reaction temperature,reaction time on the properties of water reducer. The results show that the superplasticizer has good dispersion for the cement,as well as high water reduction and slump retention,etc. It can achieve or better than the commercially available products similarly. The method finds an extremely effective way for disposing of the liquid waste from production of acrolein,and it has a positive social benefits to both environmental protection and waste utilization,and achieves good economic benefits as well.


Objective To evaluate the activities of (+) Cyclaradine against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1) in vitro and in vivo . Methods Comparative tests were carried out in VERO cell line and rabbit eyes with the strains of HSV 1 resistance and nonresistance to acyclovir (ACV) and trifluorothymidine(TFT) by the (+) Cyclaradine, ACV and TFT.Results (+) Cyclaradine was active against HSV 1 and TK ACV resistant mutants.Conclusion (+) Cyclaradine is potentially one of the alternative agents for the therapy of herpes simplex keratitis, especially, in the cases of virus strains of drug resistance to the antiviral agents now is available in market.


To characterize beam quality in high power SILEX-Ⅰ ultra-short pulse Ti∶sapphire laser system,experiments on wavefront measurement are performed.Using Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor manufactured by Institute of Laser and Information Technology of the Russian Academy of Science,experiments at different positions are completed.The results show that the beam quality of this facility is very good,the P-V is 0.13λ,the RMS is 0.02λ before the compressor,and the P-V is 0.63λ,the RMS is 0.09λ after the compressor.The experimental results show that the system has good beam quality,and the wavefront aberration mainly come from the compressor.


Background: The airline industry is unique and fascinating. It was protected through government controls until the early 1980s. However, due to deregulation policy the industry opened to free compe ...


A general theorem is proved stating necessary and sufficient conditions for the convergence of the distributions of sums of a random number of independent identically distributed random variables to one-parameter variance-mean mixtures of normal laws. As a corollary, necessary and sufficient conditions for convergence of the distributions of sums of a random number of independent identically distributed random variables to generalized hyperbolic laws are obtained. Convergence rate estimates are presented for a particular case of special continuous time random walks generated by compound doubly stochastic Poisson processes.


In the Future of Human Nature, Habermas rakes position in the public debate about the legitimacy of genetic modification of the human embryo, by introducing the philosophical concept of "an ethics of the species". Most philosophers who have commented on that text maintain that Habermas makes confusion between the biological nature of the human species and ethical obligarions. By showing incompatibility of such an interpretation with the key passages of the text in question, this paper aims to show that the meaning of the expression "an ethics of tha species" is not essentially biological, but anthropological and hermeneutic.


The grassland vegetation of the Western Ghats is of considerable ecological interest because a transect across the Ghats presents contrasting conditions of topography, climate, soil and vegetation. At the outset it may be mentioned that these grasslands are 'secondary seral stages and may be very stable pre-climax under the influence of fire and grazing' (Champion 1936). Since 1888 when Duthie first published his book The Fodder Grasses of Northern India, a number of books and papers have been published on Indian grasses and on the improvement of Indian grasslands, particularly of western India. Amongst the latter may be mentioned Lisboa (1896), Blatter & McCann (1935), Burns (1923, 1931), Burns and Kulkarni (1927), Burns, Kulkarni & Godbole (1925, 1931), Kumar (1946, 1951), Kumar & Godbole (1933, 1939), Bharucha & Dave (1952). However, no work has been done so far on the grassland vegetation of this interesting transect across the Western Ghats. Although this investigation is primarily confined to the study of the grassland associations, the successional study has not been omitted. As such, this study deals with plant succession, climatic climaxes, major grassland associations, chief ecological factors of the soil that govern plant associations and the factors that bring about plant succession. The investigations reported here were made during the period from June 1953 to December 1955.


Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting women. It remains the leading cause of death in American women from 30 – 70 years of age and approximately 10% of the women living in western countries will develop breast cancer during their life time. Estrogens are a family of female hormones involved in the reproductive function of the human body. Estradiol is the most abundant estrogen in premenopausal woman. Initially it was thought that estradiol itself was responsible for tumourigenesis, but it has since been discovered that the catechol metabolites of estradiol and other estrogens cause carcinogenesis. 4-Hydroxyestradiol (4-HE2) is a potent cell proliferating estrogen whereas 2-methoxyestradiol (2-ME2) is a potent inhibitor of cell proliferation through the activation of apoptosis. 2-Hydroxyestradiol (2-HE2) also causes increased cell proliferation but it is not as potent as 4-HE2 and it is O-methylated rapidly to 2-ME2. Catechol metabolites of estradiol are also involved in producing reactive oxygen species through redox cycling. The reactive oxygen species cause DNA damage and mutations to occur which can lead to carcinogenesis. A significant ratio to consider as a biomarker for breast cancer risk therefore is the 4-HE2/2-ME2 ratio. In this study, an analytical method was developed to measure the concentration levels of E2, 2-ME2, 2-HE2 and 4-HE2 in cell culture medium. The analytical method made use of gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis, since the expected physiological concentrations of these metabolites were very low. Various extraction and derivatisation techniques were applied during the development of the method. The final method made use of protein precipitation with concentrated hydrochloric acid, liquid-liquid extraction using diethyl University of Pretoria etd – Van Zyl, H (2006)


Renewable and eco-friendly pig blood adhesives (PBAs) were obtained by modifying PBAs with a mild alkaline solution and glutaraldehyde and exposing them to an ultrasound treatment. The PBAs were subjected to thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and the bonding strength and bonding interface of plywood were analyzed to evaluate bonding performance. The results showed that the alkaline solution unfolded the structure of blood proteins, and the glutaraldehyde crosslinked the blood protein. In addition, the ultrasound greatly increased protein expansion under weak alkaline conditions. The thermal stability of the PBAs exposed to ultrasound treatment under weak alkaline conditions was improved, but the crosslinking agent was not used, and the permeability, which was analyzed by a fluorescence microscope, improved. Further, the average and effective penetration depths on the bonding interface increased 53% and 55%, respectively. The bonding strength of plywood prepared with modified PBAs was greatly improved and compliant with relevant requirements.


Ioffe-time distributions, which are functions of the Ioffe-time ν , are the Fourier transforms of parton distribution functions with respect to the momentum fraction variable x. These distributions can be obtained from suitable equal time, quark bilinear hadronic matrix elements which can be calculated from first principles in lattice QCD, as it has been recently argued. In this talk I present the first numerical calculation of the Ioffe-time distributions of the nucleon in the quenched approximation.


The application of e-government into the  public service sector in the regions is the focus of this research. Electronic-based public services at the Bombana Regency Public Service Mall are the foundation of community expectations to get easy, fast, safe and comfortable access to services. such as service delays, extortion, nepotism and discrimination. Through research findings analyzed with an interactive data analysis model, it shows that the implementation of E-government at MPP Bombana has been based on electronic services by utilizing applications or websites as a medium of communication and information between the government and the community. In addition, the implementation of E-government at MPP Bombana has demonstrated the process of interaction and transactions between governments and service users with a website-based service system that makes it easy for the public to access the public information they need, manage licensing and non-licensing documents quickly, safely and comfortably.  However, MPP Bombana has not been able to develop its E-Government services to a transformational stage so that interconnectivity in an integrated online service system has not been realized.


An approximate, numerically-efficient solution for a microstrip T-junction is discussed. The microstrip T-junction is modeled as a rectangular waveguide with top/bottom electric walls and side magnetic walls. Comparisons of our solution with others show favorable agreements.


Several microRNAs (miRs) have been described as potential biomarkers in liquid biopsies and in the context of allergic asthma, while therapeutic effects on the airway expression of miRs remain elusive. In this study, we investigated epigenetic miR‐associated mechanisms in the sputum of grass pollen‐allergic patients with and without allergen‐specific immunotherapy (AIT).


Purpose: To identify mutations in families with acute intermittent porphyria, an autosomal dominant inborn error of metabolism that results from the half-normal activity of the third enzyme in the heme biosynthetic pathway, hydroxymethylbilane synthase.Methods: Mutations were identified by direct solid phase sequencing.Results: Two novel missense mutations E80G and T78P and three previously reported mutations, R173W, G111R, and the splice site lesion, IVS1+1, were detected, each in an unrelated proband. The causality of the novel missense mutations was demonstrated by expression studies.Conclusion: These findings provide for the precise diagnosis of carriers in these families and further expand the molecular heterogeneity of AIP.


Managing congestion in self-service environments such as fitting rooms in apparel retailers is vital as retailers increasingly rely on their customers to perform many tasks independently. In this paper, we identify a new phenomenon called thwarting behavior, defined as a systematic change in customers' behavior when they experience congestion that imposes negative externalities on other customers. Using point-of-sale (POS), traffic, and labor data obtained from a retail technology platform firm, RetailNext, and one of its clients, we demonstrate an inverted-U relationship between fitting room traffic and sales; this is consistent with thwarting behavior and shows that managing congestion in fitting rooms is critical for store performance. To provide the direct evidence for thwarting behavior, we conduct a field study observing customer behavior at another retailer. Our field study provides evidence that customers indeed change their behavior during congestion that lead to increased waiting time for others and phantom stockouts. Finally, we run a field experiment to show that these phantom stockouts cause significant lost sales in retail stores. We quantify that mitigating phantom stockouts in the fitting room area using an associate increases checkout-counter-level hourly sales by 22.6%. Our solution was adopted at the retail organization.


Review of: The Bad Muslim Discount, Syed Masood (2022)
 New York: First Anchor Books Edition, 357 pp.,
 ISBN 978-1-98489-741-1, p/bk, $17.00


What makes Phytophihora cinnarnomi such a devastating plant pathogen in the Australian environment?
• It is a microscopic organism that lives in soil and plant roots.
• It can., and has, spread widely in many Australian landscapes through movement of infested soil from one location to another, naturally and by human activities ranging from bushwalking to mining.
• It can reproduce asexually and prolifically when conditions are optimal (warm and moist).
• It infects a very broad range of plants, and the susceptibility of much of Australia's unique flora indicates that it is exotic in origin.
• Once present in a landscape it cannot be eradicated, although management is possible with commitment from governments, industry and the community.

It's a fairly grim scenario...but it couldn't get any worse. . .could it? Unfortunately, it could! Imagine a species of Phytophihora that has all the characteristics of P. cinnamonii, but also has the capacity to be carried by wind-driven rain. Phvtophthora rarnorum is just such a pathogen.


Purpose To observe the curative effect of scalp acupuncture plus needling four periocular acupoints on post apoplectic dysopsia and its influences on rheoencephalogram and intraorbital rheogram.Methods Visual acuity and visual field were used as criteria for assessing clinical effects. Thirty six cases of post\|apoplectic dysopsia were treated by scalp acupuncture plus needling four periocular acupoints. Their improvement in visual acuity and field, and posttreatment rheoencephalogram and intraorbital rheogram were observed. Results The total curative rate reached 97.2%. The course of treatment was closely related to the curative effect. Scalp acupuncture plus needling four periocular acupoints could improve cerebral and intraorbital blood flow. Conclusion Scalp acupuncture plus needling four periocular acupoints can improve visual acuity and field and cerebral and intraorbital blood flow in patients with post\|apoplectic dysopsia.


This study is concerned with the problem of controller design for linear systems with unknown or partially known communication delay. A new networked predictive control scheme is proposed to deal with the unknown or partially known communication delay. The closed-loop system is modelled as a switched system under constraint switching taking an important property of communication delay into account. Sufficient stability conditions are derived using switched Lyapunov function approach. On the basis of stability conditions, the method of designing the controller gain matrix and some important parameters in the control scheme is investigated. Finally, a numerical example is given to confirm the effectiveness of the proposed method.


This paper analyzes bank lending in the venture capital market. I develop a principal-agent model in which startup firms have a growth opportunity and need funds to invest. The realization of non-verifiable returns depends on the fund invested and the managers/entrepreneurs' effort, which is unobservable to the banks. I show that convertible debt contracts can mitigate ex-post inefficiency arising from firms' strategic default due to non-verifiability of returns. I further generalize the model by considering moral hazard of the managers/entrepreneurs. In this case, the optimality of convertible debt contracts for startup firms is shown. Finally, I develop a dynamic model in which I take into account the relationship values of the startup firms and their banks. I show that in this case convertible debt contracts are optimal as well, which is consistent with the empirical evidence (Kaplan and Stroemberg, 2000). In addition, when firms' relationship value is low and banks' relationship value is high, banks do not convert and thus the lending relationship between banks and firms is maintained. This result is also consistent with the evidence that banks participate in venture capital finance in order to build the lending relationship early on with potential clients (Hellman et. al., 2008).


a) a plurality of zinc finger domains; The chimeric protein disclosed comprising a PTD); and b) to move the protein through the cell membrane effective heterogeneous protein transduction domain (protein transduction domain. The chimeric protein can be passed effectively into cultured eukaryotic cells can be controlled to a specific target gene. Thus, the artificial transcription factor comprising a PTD can be used to produce the protein drug to alter the protein drugs and behavior of the cells in vitro and in vivo for regulating the endogenous gene.


Three chert end-scrapers found on the surface of Mohenjo-Daro (Sindh, Pakistan, second half of the 3rd millennium cal BC) are described in detail. Wear/use traces, as observed with an optical microscope, are selectively distributed on their edges. Two of them retain traces of an organic substance probably related to their original specialized function. A new technique of digital photography, SEM and Micro-FTIR tests were applied for a preliminary characterization of the shape and the composition of these residues. The substance is a proteinaceous product, possibly a glue or another paste-like material of animal origin. However, we could also and more simply be dealing with the evidence of cutting meat and bones, disarticulating finger bones and/or skinning, more traditionally linked with this type of retouched lithic tool. The study stresses the scientific potential of similar studies in the arid and semi-arid plains of Middle and South Asia, where organic matter may be very well preserved, if lithics are properly treated and stored after their recovery.


This paper introduces the design of geographic information system for power distribution network based on MapX with Delphi in details and implements the displaying of electric apparatus and management of device.


This paper proposes a detection method for irregularity of ionospheric delay in network RTK (Real Time Kinematic) Environment. The linearity of network RTK correction provided to user can't be assured when a characteristic of temporal-spatial of ionospheric delay is rapidly changed due to geomagnetic storm or solar flare. Therefore, incorrect ambiguity can be resolved and positioning error can be increased. A detection method for irregularity of ionospheric delay is needed to provide reliable correction. In this paper, index to detect irregularity of ionospheric delay is calculated from dispersive corrections and occurrence of irregularity is judged by comparing index and thresholds.


The invention relates to a method for separating oil and sludge, specifically speaking, a raw material is carried out four processes of a first stage low temperature heat treatment, a secondary stage high temperature heat treatment, fuel oil recovery and incineration. The water, oil and silt in oily sludge are separated. The method of the invention is capable of effectively and thoroughly separating water, oil and silt in the oily sludge with large scale, and has the advantages of high recovery rate of fuel oil product, no oil in silt, high economic benefit and low processing cost. The method for separating oil and sludge has the advantages of creativity, novelty and good industrial practicality.


Zernike moments are widely used in image processing fields (e.g., rotation-invariant watermarking) based on many desirable properties, such as rotational invariance, noise robust and efficient representation of pattern. In image processing operations, an image after rotation will result in a bigger size for keeping the content. This will cause the difference among Zernike moments of an image and its rotated versions. In this paper, we investigate such a problem in detail and introduce a solution by normalizing original and its rotated versions into the same size. Furthermore, we propose an algorithmic scheme of Zernike moments' computation. Both theoretical analysis and experimental testing show that the proposed approach can efficiently avoid the effect of the image size change under rotation.


The share of agriculture in the gross domestic product of (GDP) in many countries has been declining. Yet agriculture still plays an important role in many developing country economies as the sector is a source of employment for an estimated 60 to 70 percent of the population in most developing countries. Most agricultural production in developing countries is associated with low productivity and poor income due to high dependence on subsistence farming with minimal technology as well as poor access to markets. Contract farming is believed to improve productivity and income because it facilitates coordination between farmers and other actors in terms of production, processing and marketing of agricultural products. The effect of contract farming on income and productivity has been a subject of increasing research but most of the available information is aggregated and there is lack of detail analysis on the mechanisms of the effects. We conducted a systematic literature review of contract farming studies using keyword search strategy Econlit, Scopus and Science Direct search engines. The keywords "contract", "farming", "contract farming" were used in combination with the words "income", "productivity", "quantitative", "qualitative", "agriculture", "aquaculture", "developing", "developed" and "country". Initially a selection criteria for the potential studies were defined and used by the authors separately to select and rank 20 studies by importance. In the second round, the authors were provided with their own rankings as well as with the results of the first round for others. A revision of ranking was requested. Based on this approach a shortlist of 23 studies emerged; 11 on the impact of contract farming on productivity and 12 were on the effects of contract farming on income of producers. We conduct an in depth analyses of the selected studies and present evidence on the effect of contract farming on farmer productivity and income. Almost all the selected studies analyzing the impact of contract farming on income argue that farmers' on contract farming schemes experienced some increase in their income.


Baking for a better world Back in 2013, Joao and Kiana from the CRG decided to make the world a better place while baking and having fun. It was the birth of "The incubakers", an initiative that has since expanded to all PRBB centres and which is now an event every resident looks forward to. On the second Tuesday of each month, we can eat a delicious breakfast while supporting a charity. Any PRBB resident who is interested can join the group and organise one! The bake sale is held from 9-11am, and offers a piece of cake — sometimes including gluten-free, vegan and lactosefree options — with a drink for just 2€. Over the past five years, 88 people from all centres have joined the baking community to organise 67 events. The end result is 27,000€ raised! So join in and help increase these numbers in the upcoming bake sales, as an Incubaker or a consumer: it's easy, fun, delicious, and supportive, and if you bring your own mug, you will also help the planet. The Incubakers


In this paper, we propose a method which combines Canny edge detection and steering kernel regression[5]. As the primary features for extraction by low-level processing techniques, edges are the starting points for many computer vision applications. During the past years, there had been many edge detection algorithms proposed. As an almost standard framework, canny edge detector is widely used in image processing area and often checked by other algorithms for their validity as an almost standard framework. But, due to the deficiency of using direct gradient estimation ( usually the gray-value difference),classical canny method is vulnerable to noise. For overcoming this problem, we combine the steering kernel estimation with the canny edge detection which taking both the spatial and radiometric information into count simultaneously. And the experiment results perform better than classical edge detection method on detail reserving and positioning accuracy under the effect of different kinds of noise.


The basic equations of generalized limit equilibrium method (GLE) are introduced,in which the difference from the classical methods is that the value and direction of interslice force are regarded as unknowns. The Rapid Solver is adopted to solve equations. Through defined function of interslice force angles,GLE can emulate rigorous methods such as Spencer and Morgenstern-Price methods,as well as other simplified methods satisfying force equilibrium,such as the unbalance thrust force method,Corps of Engineers,and Lowe-Karafiath method and etc.. The results show that GLE is a practical method with high precision and has the advantages of simple formulation to program easily.


DF interferometry on an FM/CW sounder has been successfully performed using a three-element crossed baseline array and twin channel receiver modified for linear FM synthesis. Measured baseline phase differences obtained from a sum-and-difference CRT phase display were used to compute incident azimuth and elevation. Phase ambiguities were resolved by prior knowledge of the sounder location. Measurements in San Antonio, Texas, on cooperative FM/CW targets in Pueblo and Boulder, Colorado, showed essentially constant azimuth within ±2°, commensurate with ionospheric lateral deviation effects. Corresponding elevation data showed increasing elevation angle with frequency indicative of increasing ray penetration. The azimuth/elevation measurements were made without benefit of IF spectral analysis for time-delay-mode resolution. Consequently, measurements were successful over those frequency ranges at which the sounder signal dominated interfering stations. This limitation would be eliminated by the use of cross-spectrum analysis at the receiver output.


The article presents results of experimental analysis targeted to actuator and sensor failures in the overlapping decentralized LQG feedback-based structure to mitigate responses of an earthquake-excited 20-story building. The building structure belongs to the second generation of civil engineering benchmark models. It includes a complete physical description, a high-fidelity finite element model and a Matlab/Simulink simulation framework. The presented performance analysis is focused on sensor and actuator failures appearing in individual local loops within two overlapped subsystems of an in-plane (2D) structure under the four real world historical earthquake records. The benchmark evaluation criteria and dynamic responses are analyzed to assess the acceptable performance.


Based on the position and use of C language programming course,the necessary and ideas of teaching material construction and teaching method research on C language programming course are introduced firstly,and then the process of teaching material construction and diversification teaching method are explained in detail.In the end,the results of the research and practiced are given.


Purpose: This cohort study was designed to assess the prevalence of chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses with different types of congenital heart defects (CHD).Methods: In a cohort of 200 fetuses with CHD, we performed prenatal chromosome microarray analysis (CMA) firstly, and then WES analysis was carried out on some fetuses with negative CMA results. Meanwhile, we conducted a systematic literature search on hot spot pathogenic copy number variations (CNVs) related to CHD in the Chinese population.Results: Chromosomal abnormalities were detected in 49 (24.5%) fetuses after prenatal CMA detection, including 23(11.5%) with aneuploidies and 26 (13.0%) with significant clinical CNVs. The additional diagnostic yield diagnosed by followed WES was 11.5% (6/52). The incidence of total chromosomal abnormality in the non-isolated CHD group (31.8%) was higher than that in the isolated CHD group (20.9%), mainly because the incidence of aneuploidy was significantly increased when CHD combined with extracardial structural abnormalities or soft markers. The chromosome abnormal rate of complex CHD group was higher than that of the simple CHD group, but the difference was not statistically significant (31.8% vs. 23.6%, P = 0.398). The most common CNVs detected in CHD fetuses was the 22q11.2 deletions, followed by deletions of 5p15.33p15.31, deletions of 15q13.2q13.3, deletions of 11q24.2q25, deletions of 17p13.3p13.2, duplications of 17q12.Conclusion: CMA is the recommended initial examination for cases of CHD in the prenatal setting, whether it is simple heart defects or isolated heart defect. For cases with negative CMA results, the follow-up application of WES will offer a considerable proportion of additional detection of clinical significance.


Organic nematicides such as neem cake, press mud, groundnut oil cake, neem mark and cotton seed oil and inorganic nematicides such as carbofuron, phorate and aldicarb have been found to have inhibitory effect against the soil nematodes including plant parasitic nematodes of sugarcane crop. The percent reductions of nematode population with the organic and chemical nematicides were studied. Among the organic amendments neem cake recorded the maximum reduction of nematode population density of 89.36 per cent and the cotton seed oil cake the minimum 60.84 per cent compared with control plots. Among the chemical nematicides, carbofuron reduced the population density of nematodes to the maximum, i.e. being 100 per cent followed by phorate while aldicarb recorded the minimum compared to the population density of control.


To improve the low speed performance of the conventional sliding-mode speed observer with constant- switching scheme,a speed estimator based on modified exponent-approaching sliding-mode and extended Kalman filter was proposed.Due to the large torque ripple of direct torque control in low speed range,a torque angle adjustor based on fuzzy neural network and PI control was adopted to improve the control effect.The simulation results confirm that the proposed speed estimator responses more rapidly and estimates more accurately in comparison with the conventional sliding-mode observer.The proposed modified SVM-DTC method calculates the torque angle reasonably,reduces the torque ripple obviously and has better performance than those of the conventional SVM-DTC method with constant PI coefficients.


Power system protective relaying is an important feature for efficient and reliable power flow operation. The traditional fault classification scheme using the steady state component is easily affected by environment factors. Then, it is important to provide power protection scheme that offers a better classification performance based on fault-generated transient signals where it is immune to the surrounding factors. This paper search for important features for fault classification in transmission lines using Wavelet Transform (WT) and multilayered perceptron (MLP) network. Six (6) features namely wavelet energy, mean, standard deviation, entropy, kurtosis and skewness are obtained from the WT. For analyzing these features, a MLP network trained by Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm is used as classifier to identify the fault types. The classification accuracy is evaluated using three types of dataset conditions; ideal dataset (no noise involvement), dataset with Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 30 (30 dB noise) and dataset with SNR of 20 (20 dB noise). Simulation results show that combination of the wavelet mean and standard deviation shows the highest performance accuracy for all conditions tested.