Key constraints in process innovation are the time and cost spent obtaining data to identify and verify novel processes. Businesses are under increasing pressure to deliver products in shorter times; pressure which restricts and often prevents access to innovative and intensive processing options. The Britest project has identified key decisions in process design and the associated minimum data requirements. These involve identification and manipulation of the relevant rate processes and consideration of the phases of matter that are (or could be) present. By use of qualitative and semiquantitative reasoning it is possible to produce a range of possible process options very early in design. This is particularly useful in the low-tonnage chemicals sectors (fine and effect chemicals) where process design is primarily an empirical activity. It also helps to deal rationally with the complex chemistry prevalent in those industries. The early identification of options allows timely development of experimental programmes to evaluate the options. An illustrative example based on a diazotisation and the associated decomposition reaction is presented.


Production process of high-purity hydrochloric acid and over proof reasons of free chlorine were introduced. After innovating process, improving operation level and strengthening management, contents of free chlorine were controlled in some space.


Abstract INTRODUCTION AVIAN erythroblastosis (Eb) is a virus-induced disease of chickens characterized by the presence of large numbers of primitive red cells in the circulating blood stream (Darcel, 1960). Preliminary studies had suggested disturbances in iron metabolism in Eb. When leukemic (Eb) blood is incubated with Fe59 there is incorporation into material with electrophoretic characteristics of fowl ferritin instead of into hemoglobin. The plasma of birds in the terminal stages of Eb shows the presence of additional plasma iron (Darcel and Bather, 1964) and it was suspected that this might also be ferritin. This paper shows that much of the iron present in Eb plasma is not bound to transferring and that it is likely present in molecules of ferritin, probably coated with a plasma protein. EXPERIMENTAL Virus: Engelbreth-Holm's strain R virus (Eckert et al., 1956) was used to infect birds of the East Lansing Line 15 I White Leghorns.Birds were…


List of Tables and Figures Acknowledgements Notes on the Contributors Introduction D.Holmes, E.Kolinsky, M.Crook & J.Andrew PART I: FILM Belgian Film Comedy and National Identity K.Reader Double Lives: Europe and Identity in the Later Films of Krzysztof Kieslowski G.Roberts Hitmen, Hate and Grosse Fatigue: The Search for the French Blockbuster A.Smith PART II: MEDIA ISSUES Regulation for Media Pluralism: Issues in Ownership and Competition P.Humphreys The European 'Goal' and the Popular Press P.Moores PART III: GENDER AND IDENTITY Representations of Feminism in France: Feminism, Anti-Feminism and Post-Feminism G.Allwood Reflections on Gender Issues in Contemporary Europe S.Bassnett AIDS Prevention, Gay Identity and National Homophobia in France M.Pratt PART IV: WOMEN IN CONTEMPORARY EUROPEAN SOCIETIES Class, Gender and Voting in Italy A.Bull Women, Work and Family in Post-Communist Germany E.Kolinsky Women in Russia and the Former USSR: Politics, Society and Culture R.Marsh PART V: YOUTH AND EDUCATION Warfare by Other Means: Unity and Fracture in European Education D.Coulby Transitional Affinities in the European Context: The Case of Contemporary French Youth Culture C.Warne Russia's Identity Crisis: Its Effect on the Schools and the Young S.Webber Index


A: a la carte to azuelejos. B: Baalbek to Byzantine style. C: cab to Czestochowa. D: daikon to dzong. E: EAASY Sabre to extra section. F: FAA to fuul. G: gabilis to gyre. H: haboob to hypocaust. I: IAAPA to itinerary. J: J. Paul Getty Museum to Jura Mountains. K: Kaaba to Kyzyl Kum. L: La Villita Historical District to Luxembourg. M: Macao to Mystic Seaport. N: NAATO to Nymphenburg porcelain. O: OAG Desktop Flight Guide to ozone layer. P: pa to pysanky. Q: qanat to Quirinal Hill. R: rabelos to ryokan. S: Saba to System One(R). T: tabang to tzuica. U: UATP to Uxmal. V: vaccination certificate to V/STOLS. W: Wabash River to Wyandotte Caves. X: Xenia hotels to xlokke. Y: Yablonovyy Mountains to yurt. Z: zabaglione to zydeco.


A study was undertaken to assess the energy use pattern in cow milk production based on the primary data collected from sixty dairy farmers from Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. The results revealed that the highest input energy per animal per day was noticed in large farms (182.59 MJ), followed by medium farms (178.30 MJ), small farms (159.38 MJ) with the overall average of 173.85 MJ. Of all the input energy components, green fodder occupied a major share (61.92 %), followed by concentrate (23.49 %), veterinary expenses (8.34 %), dry fodder (3.78 %) and human labour (2.22 %). Average output energy per animal per day was the highest in large farms as the milk yield was higher (18.17 MJ), followed by small farms (15.32 MJ) and medium farms (15.02 MJ) with the overall average output energy of 15.83 MJ. Out of the total output energy, 83.83 % was from milk and the rest from manure. The results of energy ratio indicated that, small and large farms were having the higher energy ratio of 0.10 compared to energy ratio of medium farms (0.08). Regarding the energy productivity, large farmers were more productive with 100 MJ of energy, 3 litres of milk was produced. Regarding the factors influencing the energy use efficiency of dairy farms, the parameter estimates of the determinants of energy productivity showed that variable farm size (number of animals) and breed were found to be significantly influencing the energy productivity.


UQTools is the short name for the Uncertainty Quantification Toolbox, a software package designed to efficiently quantify the impact of parametric uncertainty on engineering systems. UQTools is a MATLAB-based software package and was designed to be discipline independent, employing very generic representations of the system models and uncertainty. Specifically, UQTools accepts linear and nonlinear system models and permits arbitrary functional dependencies between the system s measures of interest and the probabilistic or non-probabilistic parametric uncertainty. One of the most significant features incorporated into UQTools is the theoretical development centered on homothetic deformations and their application to set bounding and approximating failure probabilities. Beyond the set bounding technique, UQTools provides a wide range of probabilistic and uncertainty-based tools to solve key problems in science and engineering.


2581 Background: There is growing interest in optimizing patient selection for treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). We postulate that phenotypic features present in metastatic melanoma tissue reflect the biology of tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal tissue, and hence can provide predictive information about tumor behavior. Here, we test the hypothesis that machine learning algorithms can be trained to predict the likelihood of response and/or toxicity to ICIs. Methods: We examined 124 stage III/IV melanoma patients who received anti-CTLA-4 (n = 81), anti-PD-1 (n = 25), or combination (n = 18) therapy as first line. The tissue analyzed was resected before treatment with ICIs. In total, 340 H&E slides were digitized and annotated for three regions of interest: tumor, lymphocytes, and stroma. The slides were then partitioned into training (n = 285), validation (n = 26), and test (n = 29) sets. Slides were tiled (299x299 pixels) at 20X magnification. We trained a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) to automatically segment the images into each of the three regions and then deconstruct images into their component features to detect non-obvious patterns with objectivity and reproducibility. We then trained the DCNN for two classifications: 1) complete/partial response versus progression of disease (POD), and 2) severe versus no immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Predictive accuracy was estimated by area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Results: The DCNN identified tumor within LN with AUC 0.987 and within ST with AUC 0.943. Prediction of POD based on ST-only always performed better than prediction based on LN-only (AUC 0.84 compared to 0.61, respectively). The DCNN had an average AUC 0.69 when analyzing only tumor regions from both LN and ST data sets and AUC 0.68 when analyzing tumor and lymphocyte regions. Severe irAEs were predicted with limited accuracy (AUC 0.53). Conclusions: Our results support the potential application of machine learning on pre-treatment histologic slides to predict response to ICIs. It also revealed their limited value in predicting toxicity. We are currently investigating whether the predictive capability of the algorithm can be further improved by incorporating additional immunologic biomarkers.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors that influence local government participation in electronic information sharing with state agencies. Information technologies can help government agencies to increase productivity and performance, improve policy-making and provide better public services to the citizens. Although extensive amount of information sharing among agencies is important for effective IT management in government, there is still little information available about the factors that antecede electronic information sharing between local and state agencies. Synthesizing well-established theories such as diffusion of innovations, critical mass theory and social exchange theory, I propose that local government participation in electronic information sharing with state agencies will be determined by system characteristics, agency characteristics, collaboration factors and external factors. The proposed study will include both qualitative and quantitative techniques. In the first phase of my study, I will conduct multiple case studies of local agencies that are participating/not participating in an electronic information sharing initiative with state agencies in a southeastern state of the United States. I will also interview key decision makers from the state agencies. In the second phase of my study, I will administer a survey to randomly selected local government agencies from across the United States. Based on my findings, I will identify a preliminary set of strategies that could be used to increase electronic information sharing between local and state agencies.


Dielectric properties of ice are governed by proton hopping, which is proton migration among proton vacancies in the crystal structure. Proton hopping changes its activity with temperature and pressure. We observed the capacitance of ice at 253K and 77K. The capacitance at 77K was much lower than that at 253K. This result shows that behavior of proton in ice at 253K is different from that at 77K. Proton in ice can migrate between proton vacancies at 253K, but cannot at 77K because of low thermal energy. On the other hand, ice XI, one of crystal structure of ice, has ferroelectricity because being polarized by distribution of proton. Crystal structure, therefore proton distribution is another factor to govern dielectric properties of ice. In this paper, we focused on temperature dependent proton migration in ice and we tried to control proton distribution by DC voltage application to obtain the polarized ice. DC voltage was applied to ice during cooling process from 253K to 77K aiming at polarization in ice. Then we measured depolarization current of ice. We confirmed that polarization takes place in ice.


Part I: Introduction: 1. Community Involvement: Theoretical Approaches and Educational Initiatives: Arthur A. Stukas and Michelle R. Dunlap. Part II: Theoretical Approaches: 2. Four Motives for Community Involvement: C. Daniel Batson, Nadia Ahmad, and Jo-Ann Tsang. 3. Dispositional and Organizational Influences on Sustained Volunteerism: An Interactionist Perspective: Louis A. Penner. 4. Role as Resource for Action in Public Service: Jane Allyn Piliavin, Jean A. Grube, and Peter L. Callero. 5. Inter-Group Helping Relations as Power Relations: Maintaining or Challenging Social Dominance Between Groups Through Helping: Arie Nadler. Part III: Educational Initiatives: 6. Campus-Community Partnerships: The Terms of Engagement: Robert G. Bringle and Julie A. Hatcher. 7. Reflection: Linking Service and Learning-Linking Students and Communities: Janet Eyler. 8. Personal Identity and Civic Responsibility: 'Rising to the Occasion' Narratives and Generativity in Community Action Student Interns: Jefferson A. Singer, Laura A. King, Melanie C. Green, and Sarah C. Barr. 9. Designing Service-Learning to Empower Students and Community: Jackson Elementary Builds a Nature Study Center: Carol M. Werner, Rose Voce, Kellie Gaufin Openshaw, and Michael Simons. Part IV: Conclusion: 10. Community Involvement: Opportunities and Challenges in Socializing Adults to Participate in Society: E. Gil Clary and Mark Snyder. Part V: 2001 Kurt Lewin Award Address: 11. Introduction to the 2001 SPSSI Presidential Address: John F. Dovidio. 12. The Costs of Seeking Self-Esteem: Jennifer Crocker.


socialist ecologists generally target capitalism, ecofeminists 'patriarchy' and deep ecologists 'anthropocentrism' as the primary problem to be overcome. Unlike most contemporary feminists, Cudworth is eager to retain the concept of patriarchy, but stresses that gender-based domination should be seen as interrelated with other systems, including species-based domination, or 'anthroparchy', in complex, ambiguous and shifting ways. Her comparison of the ways in which the structures of patriarchal and anthroparchal domination interlink and diverge in the spheres of culture, reproduction, violence, and the state, clearly demonstrates the strength of a multi-systems approach, and is rich in suggestions for further research, reflection and political praxis.


Patient: Male, 64 Final Diagnosis: Anaplastic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas Symptoms: Abdominal pain Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Pancreatoduodenectomy Specialty: Oncology Objective: Rare disease Background: Anaplastic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas (ASCP) is a rare variant of pancreatic malignancies. It is a high-grade epithelial carcinoma predominated with spindle cells. Case Report: We report a case of a 65-year-old patient who presented with early stage, ampullary mass indicating malignancy, and who subsequently underwent pancreatoduodenectomy. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were confirmatory for anaplastic, grade IV sarcomatoid adenocarcinoma arising from the head of the pancreas. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is a rare presentation with few cases reported in the literature.


I would like to express my sincere appreciation to my supervisor Dr. Pilar Garcia-Gomez for her support and her insightful comments and recommendations throughout the whole writing process of my thesis.
I would like to thank Pieter Vandekerckhove, for his support and for the endless discussions on the findings of my thesis. Without his belief in me, this paper could not have been completed.
Lastly, I would like to express my greatest thanks, to my dear parents and brother for their encouragement and support throughout all these years of hard studying. Without their never ending love this experience as an international master student would have never been possible.


Over the past decade, the statist perspective has been popular in interpreting the economic success of the East Asian countries. Proponents of this perspective discredit the neoclassical view that market forces alone were the most important dynamic behind these economic achievements. Instead, they credit the state as the key factor of East Asian economic success. This study employs an interrupted time series analysis to examine the validity of the statist perspective on Taiwan's industrial promotion policy. The results suggest that the government of Taiwan has been successful in upgrading the island's industrial structure. This finding supports the statist perspective on development. It does not, however, deny the utility of the neoclassical view since market forces also contributed to the growth of Taiwan's industrial structure.


In this paper, we consider the problem of maximizing the weighted sum energy efficiency (WS-EE) of device- to-device (D2D) pairs while guaranteeing the minimum throughput of cellular links in a D2D underlaid cellular network. To increase the spectral efficiency, D2D users (DUs) are allowed to reuse all the uplink cellular subchannels. A novel iterative algorithm is proposed, which consists of solving two subproblems: the channel allocation subproblem for cellular users (CUs) and the power control subproblem for DUs. We model the former subproblem by an assignment problem, which can be optimally solved with low complexity. The latter subproblem is a sum-of-ratios optimization, and the numerator of each summation term is non-concave. Therefore, we first express it in an equivalent form, and then apply a parametric algorithm to solve it. By iteratively solving these two subproblems, the WS-EE of DUs converges to a suboptimal solution. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm converges rapidly and outperforms the existing algorithm significantly in terms of the WS-EE of DUs.


This paper presents results from a study comparing human performance on the text of natural language information extraction with that of machine extraction systems that were developed as part of the ARPA Tipster program. Information extraction is shown to be a difficult task for both humans and machines. Evidence for one set of text material, English Microelectronics, indicated that a human analyst produces about half the errors as does machine systems.


Abstract Introgressive hybridization of Senecio hercynicus and S. ovatus (Compositae, Senecioneae) was studied in a hybrid zone on the southern slopes of Mt Brocken (Harz Mountains, Germany). A total of 415 plants representing 10 stands along an altitudinal gradient were investigated using multivariate statistical analyses of morphological characters and molecular markers (random amplified polymorphic DNA[RAPD]). Both types of traits detected pure S. hercynicus stands on the summit plateau, pure S. ovatus stands at the lowest elevations, and hybrid swarms at intermediate elevations. While morphological and molecular patterns coincided, some individuals in hybrid stands combined morphological patterns typical of S. ovatus with RAPD patterns typical of S. hercynicus, and vice versa. In general, introgression was symmetrical within stands, though one stand combined S. ovatus characters with the glandular hair typical for S. hercynicus, and two stands combined a S. hercynicus typical RAPD genotype with morphological characters shifted towards S. ovatus. Because pure stands of S. hercynicus occurred only on the summit plateau of Mt Brocken, and markers typical for S. ovatus were detectable in stands up to 1040 m a.s.l., future fusion or assimilation of the rare form, S. hercynicus, by the more widespread S. ovatus appears possible at Mt Brocken.


Since the discovery that it is possible to dope conjugated polymers into high electrical conductivity the research in the field of conjugated polymers has increased a lot. Much of the research acti ...


Introduction:
 Pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) remains the cornerstone of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation procedures. Because many patients have continued AF after PVI alone, posterior wall isolation (PWI) has been proposed as an adjunctive strategy to PVI. We conducted a meta-analysis of available data to assess the incremental impact of PWI based on whether patients had paroxysmal or persistent (PAF, PeAF) AF.

 Objective:
 To evaluate the incremental impact of PWI following PVI in patients with PAF and PeAF.

 Methods:
 The online databases (Pubmed, Medline, Embase) were searched using the terms "pulmonary vein isolation", "posterior wall isolation", or "posterior wall ablation". Out of 1843 studies, 11 met our strict criteria (Table). Specifically, patients were undergoing
 de novo
 ablation for treatment of PAF or PeAF using either cryoballoon or radiofrequency energy. Patients had PVI +/- PWI; studies that included additional ablations (except for cavotricuspid isthmus ablation) were excluded. The primary outcome was long-term freedom from recurrence of any atrial tachyarrhythmia (AT).

 Results:
 The cohort consisted of 1702 patients (65 ± 18 years, 75% male); 1404 (82%) pts with PeAF and 298 (18%) pts with PAF (Table). In the PeAF group, AT recurrence was significantly higher in patients who underwent PVI alone as compared to those who also had PWI (OR 1.85, 95% CI [1.23, 2.77], P = 0.003, Figure). In contrast, in the PAF group, outcome was similar in patients who did and did not undergo PWI in addition to PVI (OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.53, 1.72], P = 0.86, Figure).

 Conclusions:
 PWI was rarely used during the
 de novo
 ablation procedure in PAF patients and did not seem to impart additional benefit. In contrast, PeAF patients seemed to derive favorable impact from the addition of PWI to PVI. Additional randomized studies are needed to determine the role of PWI in PeAF patient undergoing de novo ablation for management of AF.


We described the taxonomic relationship of pitvipers population of Central Alborz mountains of Iran. The morphological data on Gloydius halys snakes; 8 female and 11 male snake from three Lar, Taleghan and Gachsar regions of Central Alborz Mountains Iran, showed sexual dimorphism. The results of independent samples test showed that body length (SVL) in male was 48 ±10 cm that was more than SVL in female, 43 ± 6 cm (P≤0.05), head length (HL) in male was 2.2 ± 0.3 cm and more than females, 1.9±0.2 cm at P=0.01. The mean height of the head (HH) was 0.95 ± 0.04 cm and more than 0.52 ± 0.70 cm, respectively (P = 0.04). The size of the Sq front in male snakes was 22.6 ± 0.8 and 21.7 ± 0.7 in female (P = 0.02), Ciruocular right in male was 5.6 ± 0.5 and in female snake 5.13 ± 0.3 (P = 0.02), the size of the CG trait for male and female was respectively 9.6 ± 0.8 and 11.1 ± 0.8 at P = 0.007, the size of the ventral scales number for males was 153.7 ± 4.2 and for females 148 ± 5.9, P = 0.03, and the subcaudal  for male was 37.18 ± 1.5 and females 32.7±1.9, (P≤0.05). Also, in the multivariate analysis of the main components, the separation of male and female samples is evident. In the geographical variation, there was a significant difference in the seven characters between different populations, and in the hierarchical clustering analysis, the separation of three populations of Lar, Taleghan and Gachsar was observed. Result reveals the geographical differences in Gloydius halys of  Central Alborz mountains of Iran and tow populations from Lar and Takht –E-Solyman have close relations and somehow distinct from halys of Gachsar population and dimorphism was observed in female and male of all three populations.


The main goal of this article is survey on correlation and level of influence between education and producing healthy greenhouse products. This research is a particular search with 150 greenhouse manager in Alborz Province on three sections, Nazarabad, Hashgerd and Chaharbagh with questioner. According to the result, there is positive correlation between greenhouses manager's education and producing healthy greenhouse products in Alborz Province, also regression's result showed that the education can increase producing healthy greenhouse products with 23.4 present changes


In an effort to save his business, Paul Marciano, the owner of Italian family restaurant Maria's Ristorante, runs a number of experiments focused on improving the customer experience around his target customer segment. These experiments lead to a better understanding about his business and cause him to make specific changes to his business model that ultimately improve things across the board. The experiments are based on research from the academic literature on the use of behavioral variables to manage customer perceptions. Excerpt UVA-OM-1536 May 28, 2015 Maria's Ristorante It still didn't seem real to Paul Marciano that his second Maria's Ristorante was operational. So much had gone into launching the flagship restaurant, only 10 miles away in Reston, Virginia, three years ago. Just as they had when preparing for the arrival of their first son, Marciano and his wife, Jackie, had stressed over every last detail leading up to the restaurant's launch. They had chosen their favorite plates and flatware and the interior design scheme "upscale cozy," which included painting the walls yellow-green. They tested menu items themselves and trained the waitstaff for a week. Marciano smiled and shook his head at the memory as he drove toward the new location in Old Town Fairfax. How much they had learned! Almost as soon as they had opened the first restaurant, things had gone wrong. Foot traffic was slower than expected, and customers complained about everything from the menu to the lighting. Within two months, Maria's best servers started quitting to join higher-volume competitors. Waitstaff morale weakened due to lower tips on the slow nights, while cooks griped about not getting paid as well as the waitstaff on the good nights. The business was bleeding. After just four months, Maria's, named after Marciano's Sicilian grandmother, appeared to be just another restaurant in a death spiral. "We've got to do something radical, or we're not going to make it, Jackie," Marciano had said. It was change or bust—change, or lose their life savings. Marciano knew that 60% of restaurants failed within the first three years, but he had still plunged into his venture, certain that Maria's would be one of the winners. It had been his lifelong dream to own a restaurant, and when the time came to quit his desk job, gather family recipes, and pool together the money needed to launch, Marciano jumped at the chance. It was going to be perfect—the first thing in his 37 years that he had really created himself. His fingerprints were on every decision. Whenever Jackie objected during the planning process, Marciano usually overruled her. This was his baby. And that was why it hurt even more when things started to go south, like a piece of himself was dying. "You know, Paul," Jackie said one night. "We made a lot of our decisions based on gut—your gut. I wonder if there is a more scientific way to approach this." . . .


The book Huai Nan Zi,combining thoughts of different schools,tries to provide a systematic theory for the long-term stability of the feudal states.As an indispensable part of the governing,in the book,education and teaching is attached great importance to.Related thoughts can be found in many chapters,including the role of education,the methods of teaching and learning,and the content of the education.Because Huai Nan Zi is a synthesis of thoughts of different schools,there is something inconsistent or even contradictory in the thoughts,especially the mutual constraints in Taoism and Confucianism.However,there are still complementary exchanges between them,which makes its thoughts on education and teaching more comprehensive and rich.


Some ideas continually spark reflection. They do so because they are bound up with thought and with our relation to the world. One such idea is "imitation," or, to be precise, "mimesis." In classical thought mimesis was a way to speak about meaning and truth. Imitation denoted a continuous relation between things, a scale of being, so that thoughts, works of art, and words reflected or mirrored other layers of reality. The human existed and understood itself within this symbolic reality. Given this, there were no bumps or jolts, as William James might say, no radical plurality or difference in the human commerce with the world. Imitation gave us a universe of thought and thus satisfied the constant desire of reason.


Although tubal ligation is unlawful in Venezuela it has increased from 0.9 per 1000 pregnancies in 1939 to 20.6 per 1000 in 1968 in the main obstetrical hospital in Caracas. Criteria have changed: tubectomy was done at the second or third cesarean section but is now done in the fourth or fifth. Parity at sterilization has fallen from eight to four. Data on frequency of tubectomy and indications are shown for public and private Caracas hospitals and contrasted with Belgian German and U. S. incidence of tubectomy.


In a device for fusing a toner image on a recording medium, a first roller provided with a heat source and a second roller are provided. A stretcher is elongated in a longitudinal direction of the second roller. An endless belt is stretched by an outer circumferential face of the second roller and a first face of the stretcher, and circulated in accordance with rotation of the first roller and the second roller. The endless belt is sandwiched between the first roller and the second roller to form a nipping portion through which the recording medium passes to fuse the toner image thereon. A supporter is disposed between the second roller and the stretcher. The supporter is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the second roller, and is provided with at least one first projection having a first face which is brought into slide contact with at least a longitudinal center portion of the outer circumferential face of the second roller.


List of Figures. List of Tables. Glossary. I: Linear Systems. 1. Introduction. 2. Observers for Linear Rational Expectations Models. 3. Low Order Dynamic Macroeconometric Models. 4. Control Strategies for Attaining Ramp Output. 5. Visualisation Techniques. II: Nonlinear Systems. 6. Optimal Control with Nonlinear Models: Recent Studies. 7. A Practical Macroeconometric Model. 8. Linear Observer Based Control with the Nonlinear Macroeconometric Model. 9. Nonlinear Observers. 10. Conclusion and Further Work. Bibliography. Appendix A: Software Engineering. Index.


In this paper, we study the functions with values in (β, p)-Banach spaces which can be approximated by a quadratic mapping with a given error.


Symeon of Emesa (fl. ca. 550 or 600 ce) is the first attested "Fool for Christ" (salos), a category of Christian saints with a long subsequent history.

Keywords:

Byzantine history;
Christianity;
churches;
deviance and social control;
religious history;
urban history


Objective: To evaluate the surgical outcomes of vitrectomy and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in a case of bilateral vitreous hemorrhage and sub-ILM hemorrhages following head injury in a 17-year-old boy. Methods: A 17-year-old boy presented with diminution of vision since 20 days following head injury with loss of consciousness. There was no history of direct ocular trauma. BCVA was 1/60 in right eye and finger counting close to face (FCCF) in left eye. Fundus examination revealed vitreous hemorrhage obscuring retinal details in both eyes. Computed tomography (CT) scan did not reveal any intracranial hemorrhage but was suggestive of neuronal contusion. Hence, the diagnosis of Terson's syndrome could not be confirmed. Ultrasound scan showed mild thickening of retinochoroidal coats in macular area and few vitreous echoes suggestive of premacular hemorrhage, bilaterally. Flash VEP showed reduced amplitude with normal P2 latency, in both eyes. The patient underwent 23 G TSV (trans-scleral sutureless vitrectomy), ILM peeling and evacuation of sub-ILM blood in both eyes. Results: Six weeks after surgery, both eyes revealed healthy macula; BCVA improved to 6/6, N6. Multifocal ERG revealed minimally reduced central ring responses in right eye and normal ring responses in left eye. Microperimetry showed normal mean retinal sensitivity in both eyes. Conclusion: Early vitrectomy with ILM peeling in case of sub-ILM hemorrhages secondary to trauma allows complete aspiration of the hemorrhages and may help in early and better visual recovery.


The asymptotic distribution of maximum tree size in a random forest. The average height of binary trees and other simple trees. Figure 4. A rendering due to Quisquater and Delescaille of the \giant component" in a functional graph representing an iteration structure of the DES cryptosystem. The DES is used here as an iterator on a set of cardinality 2 56 by letting its \output" loop on its \key" entry (keeping the \message""xed). The drawing represents a skeleton graph where approximately 1 in every 10 6 points is sampled. Such graphs are discussed in 36, 37]. References 1] J. Arney and E. D. Bender. Random mappings with constraints on coalescence and number of origins. a formula which, after going through Maple's simpliier and L a T E X interface yields verbatim (n !) (p 2e n?1 2(e ?1 ? 1) 2 p n 3=2) + (O(e n n 2)) : The system then computes total costs (i.e., total values of parameters over all structures of size n) via their generating functions. >From there, mean value estimates folllow. For instance, in the case of the average number of components, we get the following message Floating point evaluation: 1 (1.458675144) + (O(-)) 1/2 n where the symbolic form of the constant 1:4586 was also determined in passing by the system: 1 ? log(1 ? e ?1): Similarly, for the number of cyclic points, we obtain Floating point evaluation: 1 (2.163953412) + (O(-)) 1/2 n with the symbolic form of the constant being ? e ?1 + 1 e ?1 ? 1 : In total, within a few minutes of symbolic computations, the system, starting from formal speciications, has determined rst symbolically, then numerically, that: (i) the expected number of components is 1:45; (ii) the expected number of points lying on cycles is 2:16. This example demonstrates an unusual case of model sensitivity (compare with the corresponding values of O(log n) and O(p n) for unconstrained random mappings). The precise capabilities of the system are described in 14, 15, 40, 46]. 6 Conclusions We have seen a systematic approach to the analysis of a large number of parameters of random mappings (or functional graphs) using a coherent generating function framework. In a random mapping of size n, cycles presents themselves after about p n iteration steps (Section 2), and this phenomenon is fairly unavoidable since the expected diameter is also O(p n) (Section …


Since the end of the cold war, two main visions have underpinned the normative evolution of international order: the vision of human rights and humanity and that of economic globalization. Historically, the legal, institutional and policy cultures of international human rights law and of international trade law operated almost entirely in isolation from one another. At the same time, as a matter of international law, the international human rights system and the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime are both based primarily on treaty obligations. A large majority of States are signatories to both the core WTO treaties (the so-called Covered Agreements) and the main United Nations human rights instruments.


This paper presents the performance and problems in analysis method and testing system of Electronic Speckle Pattern Interfermetry(ESPI) method, in measuring two-dimensional in- plane displacement. The analysis result of measurement by ESPI is quite comparable to that of measurement by strain gauge method. This implieds that the method of ESPI is a very effective tool in non-contact two-dimensional in-plane strain analysis. But there is a controversial point, measurement error. This error is discussed to be affected not by ESPI method itself, but by its analysis scheme of the interference fringe, where the first-order interpolation has been applied to the points of strain measured. Further development of advanced first-order interpolation method is being undertaken for the more precise in-plane strain measurement.


Objective To study the effects of interleukin-10 on the expression of transforming growth factor-β_1(TGF-β_1) and its receptor in experimental rat hepatic fibrosis. Methods 27 clean SD rats were divided into control group(group N) and CCl_4-induced hepatic fibrosis model group, randomly. After CCl_4 had given for 9 weeks, the model group was divided into three groups. Rats in group S were put to death immediately, rats in group I were treated with IL-10 for two weeks and then put to death, rats in group R no treatment for two weeks as control. SP immunohistochemistry and ELISA measured the expression of TGF-β_1 and its receptors in liver tissue and their levels in the serum. Results The CCl_4-induced experimental rat hepatic fibrosis model was established successfully. The degree of hepatic fibrosis was markedly lower in group I than in group S and in group R. The positive levels for TGF-β_1, TGF-RⅠ and TGF-RⅡ in group S were increased significantly than N and I or R group(TGF-β_1:S 1.80 vsN 0.81,R 0.96,I 0.50; TGF-R_1:S 2.83 vsN 0.98,R 1.95, I 1.18; TGF-R_2:S 2.66 [WTBX]vsN 0.91,R 2.14, I 1.03). The levels of TGF-β_1 in group R were lower than in group S but higher than in group I(P0.05). Conclusions The IL-10 plays a therapeutic role by suppressing TGF-β_1 and its receptors expression on experimental hepatic fibrosis.


It will gratify many of our readers to learn that the suggestion made in our columns (January 1873) as to the propriety of presenting Dr James Murie with some tangible expression of the high esteem in which his scientific labours are held by the profession at large, has been actually adopted, and is meeting with a large measure of success. The following circular, largely and influentially signed, is being issued, and very liberally responded to:? " An opinion having been expressed that it might not be inappropriate to present Dr James Murie, formerly Prosector to the Zoological Society of London, with a substantial recognition of the services which he has rendered to science by his numerous memoirs printed in the Proceedings and Transactions of the Zoological Society and other scientific journals, we, the undersigned, have pleasure in acquiescing in that opinion, and in stating our belief


Previous research has shown that object-oriented software metrics can predict error proneness and maintenance activities of classes, as well as project progress during the development process. However, whether the metrics' predictive capability still exists after the software is released is not known. This research has three objectives: (1) to investigate whether software metrics can predict class error proneness; (2) to investigate whether software metrics can predict the class error probability in three error-severity categories; and (3) to identify the distinct metrics threshold values that are clearly associated with error categories, by examining the data collected from the post-release evolution of an open-source system.
Our empirical research is conducted on three releases of the Eclipse project---a continuously evolving, large industrial-strength open source system. The research results show that some object-oriented metrics can predict class error probabilities in the three error-severity categories. Furthermore, we report that the classes can be grouped into different error categories based on the probability-predication models. By using the large open-source system, we also verify the previous research result: some OO metrics can predict class error proneness.
In previous research and practice, threshold values of object-oriented metrics were identified. However, most metric threshold values used in practice, such as the threshold values suggested by the Software Assurance Technology Center at the National Aeronautic and Space Agency (NASA), were suggested intuitively. Few empirical studies have identified threshold values of object-oriented metrics from empirical error data. Our research reports that there are significant differences among the metric means in the three error-severity categories and these means can be used to calculate the metrics threshold values.


Spatial Trends and Factors of Pimple Mound Formation in East-Central Texas. (May 2012) Chance Marc Robinson, B.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Charles T. Hallmark Pimple mounds are circular to elliptical domes with basal diameters ranging from 3 to more than 30 m, and heights of 30 cm to more than 2 m above intermound levels. For almost two centuries, the origin of these features has been speculated upon by scientists without general consensus as to one of over 30 different mechanisms suggested for their origin. These soil microfeatures can be observed throughout portions of East Texas as well as Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri. Pimple mounds have been extensively mapped throughout East Texas as complexes covering over 1.0 million ha in 47 soil survey areas. About 600,000 ha are on Pleistocene-age geological formations. This study focused on 5,500 ha in Leon County, Texas, mapped as Rader-Derly complex and Derly-Rader complex. Rader (Aquic Paleustalfs) is on mounds and Derly (Typic Glossaqualfs) in the low intermounds. These soils are mapped primarily on terraces of the Trinity River system within the survey area. Using elevation levels published for the various fluviatile terrace deposits of the Trinity River, six groups (five terrace level groups and an upland group) were identified for analysis of mounds within


The anthocorid bug Orius insidiosus is a generalist predator of small insects and like other members of this genus it is economically important for biological control of pests that affect vegetable and ornamental crops. In order to improve pest control with this predator, its densities in the crops can be enhanced by the provision of alternative foods, especially when prey are scarce. Eggs of the flour moths have been extensively used as alternative food and have been suggested to improve the biological control of pests by Orius sp. However, these eggs are expensive, precluding their commercial use. Our aim was to find cheaper alternative foods and we therefore measured juvenile development and oviposition rate of O. insidiosus on four alternative foods: Ricinus sp. pollen, bee pollen, the acarid prey T. putrescentiae and eggs of Anagasta kuehniella. Juvenile development was significantly shorter on diets consisting of A. kuehniella, T. putrescentiae and Ricinus sp. pollen than on bee pollen and on the control (without food). Furthermore, female bugs had a higher oviposition rate when fed either A. kuehniella or T. putrescentiae, but produced fewer eggs when feeding on bee pollen and Ricinus sp. pollen. These results demonstrate that alternative and cheaper foods (e.g. T. putrescentiae) possibly can be used to sustain the predator population at periods of low prey densities in crops.


A series capacitor should be protected from over-voltage caused by fault currents in the transmission line. This paper evaluates how the protection of a series capacitor can be made less sensitive to the power system short circuit level. After an introduction, conventional protection principles are briefly discussed. The paper discusses how the evolving power system complicates the dimensioning of the series capacitor protection system. A control system, making the series capacitor less sensitive to the dimensioning parameters, is presented. Results of a simulation study are presented and followed by conclusions .


In this paper,by using convex function and Jensen inequality,the product inequality is gotten,and then several inequalities are proved by the use of product inequality.


Prisons housing adult men have been identified as hypermasculine environments. As a gender process, masculinities are influenced by a multitude of factors. Although presentations of masculinities vary across men and over time, researchers have identified some shared masculine ideals many men try to embody. As a subset, the hegemonic or dominant form of masculinity includes elements that ensure a level of domination is held by those who embody certain traits, particularly within the context of gendered social relations. The tools and strategies prisoners use to exert or shape their masculinity within the prison social structure, however, have not yet been examined in the context of Canadian federal prisons housed in Ontario. Within the prison culture, I argue, hegemonic masculinities determine social interactions and enforce a hierarchy among prisoners where power and domination are asserted through physical, psychological and material means. How masculinities are manifested and exerted as well as how they governed social relations with other prisoners were investigated through in-depth face-to-face interviews with 56 Canadian ex-prisoners. Findings suggest 'prison' masculinities are contextually influenced and exaggerate traditional constructs of masculinity evident in larger society. The hypermasculine nature of the prison experience, the oppressive and hierarchical nature of masculinities in prison and the limited opportunities for the expression of masculinities by prisoners are discussed.


In theoretical terms, the integration of corpus linguistics with organisational studies enables the creation of a metaparadigm which, integrating multiple paradigms and merging concepts characteristic to these paradigms, provides a new research potential for both sides. In practical terms, the integration of corpus linguistics with organisational studies enhances the legitimacy of both disciplines.


The recorded events of isoniazid poisoning among 42 patients in Alaska from 1956 through March 1971 are presented. A summary of the known American and British literature is given together with the experiences of some French clinicians dealing with isoniazid overdosage. Guidelines that have evolved from the Alaska experiences in the management of isoniazid poisoning are outlined.


Introduction: Aiming to complement today's mostly static insights of the adult spinal deformity (ASD) pathology and thereby improve the often poor outcome of surgical treatment, image-based subject-specific models and simulations are recently being introduced. Although the accuracy of manually creating subject-specific models from medical images, and associated marker-driven kinematic analyses have already been quantified (Overbergh et al., 2020), the reliability thereof has not yet been investigated. The aim of this work was to evaluate the reliability of using subject-specific spino-pelvic models to determine ASD spine kinematics in terms of (1) the overall test-retest repeatability, (2) the inter-operator agreement of the subject-specific modeling method and (3) the sensitivity of the intervertebral joint kinematics thereof. Materials and Methods: To evaluate the overall repeatability, five ASD subjects and one control subject participated in a test-retest study with a two-week interval. At both time instances subject-specific spino-pelvic models were created by a single operator and then used to simulate the forward trunk flexion motion recorded in the motion laboratory. The kinematic reliability was expressed as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC's) of the range of motion (ROM) † authors to work first Introduction: Spinal alignment measurement in spinal deformity research has recently shifted from using mainly two-dimensional static radiography towards skin marker-based motion capture approaches, allowing three-dimensional (3D) assessments during dynamic conditions. The validity and accuracy of such skin marker-based methods is highly depending on correct marker placement. In this study we quantified, for the first time, the 3D spinal palpation error in adult spinal deformity (ASD) and compared it to the error in healthy spines. Secondly, the impact of incorrect marker placement on the accuracy of marker-based spinal alignment measurement was investigated. Materials and Methods: 3D, mediolateral and inferosuperior palpation errors for thoracolumbar and lumbar vertebral levels were measured on biplanar images by extracting 3D positions of skin-mounted markers and their corresponding anatomical landmarks in 20 ASD and 10 healthy control subjects. Relationships were investigated between palpation error and radiographic spinal alignment (lordosis and scoliosis), as well as body morphology (BMI and soft tissue (ST) thickness). Marker-based spinal alignment was measured using a previously validated method, in which a polynomial Conclusions: Palpation error is increased in adult deformed spines and relates to the severity of the deformity. Its impact on the accuracy of marker-based spinal alignment measurement, indicated the need for radiograph-based marker position correction. Introduction: Symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis (SLSS) is a leading cause of pain and mobility limitation in older adults. It is one of the most frequent indications for spinal surgery in patients over 65 years old. Neurogenic claudication – pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs and rapid fatigability while standing or walking- is the hallmark clinical manifestation of SLSS. Limited tolerance for standing and walking is characteristic of SLSS. It is widely believed that patients with SLSS adopt compensatory postures (forward flexed or hunched postures) that improve tolerance for walking, by relieving pressure on the nerves. Despite the association between lumbar spinal stenosis symptoms and trunk posture and walking, biomechanical assessment of gait and posture is broadly lacking in these patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate trunk posture, particularly lumbar spine and pelvis angles, and lumbar spine compressive loads in standing and walking, and to determine the effect of pain and neurogenic claudication symptoms, in patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis. We hypothesized that patients would display increased trunk flexion posture and spine loading during walking and in the presence of claudication symptoms. Materials and Methods: Seven participants with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis, aged 44 to 82, underwent a 3D symptomatic standing was not larger than asymptomatic standing, while loading during symptomatic walking was possibly increased by an average of 4% over asymptomatic walking (p = 0.066). Our results indicate a forward shift of the entire trunk during both asymptomatic and symptomatic walking in patients with SLSS, supporting our overall hypothesis. This was primarily due to increased pelvic tilt, and not flexion of the spine. Moreover, pelvic tilt was larger during symptomatic walking than asymptomatic walking, and may be slightly increased during symptomatic standing. Interestingly, while most patients increased pelvic tilt, the effects on spine flexion were variable and on average suggested extension rather than flexion. In fact, the two patients with the largest amounts of pelvic tilt during walking also displayed the largest amount of spinal extension, perhaps suggesting a compensatory action to maintain overall balance. Conclusions: The lack of increased spinal flexion seen here is not consistent with the commonly held assumption that patients with symptomatic lumbar spinal stenosis adopt flexed spine postures to increase spinal canal diameter and decompress the nerves, thereby relieving or delaying symptoms. Estimates of spine loading suggest a possible increase in spinal compressive loading in the symptomatic state, but the magnitude of any such change was not likely to be consequential. Additional study of walking and spine biomechanics in this population is needed to better understand this issue. This work data Introduction: While numerous studies demonstrated the association between sagittal malalignment and quality of life, daily life activities consist of successive dynamic processes. Little is known about the potential association between gait alteration and patients reported outcomes in ASD. Materials and Methods: ASD patients underwent a 3D gait analysis with reflective markers covering the trunk, pelvis, and lower limbs. Classic radiographic parameters in 2D and 3D were obtained from full-body images, and quality of life from SF-36, ODI, and VA scores. Determinants of clinical outcomes were investigated by multilinear and hierarchical regressions while controlling for demographics and static alignment. Results and discussions: The 52 patients recruited (43yo,77%F) presented mild spinal deformity (PI=53±12°, PT=19±13°, PI=2±22°, SVA=34±60mm) and moderate disability (ODI=26, PCS=45, VAS=4.4). While sagittal alignment correlated with HRQL, the strongest correlations were observed for walking speed and hip Introduction: Adults with spinal deformity (ASD) are known to have spinal malalignment affecting their quality of life (QoL) and daily life activities. While walking kinematics were shown to be altered in ASD, other functional activities are yet to be evaluated such as sitting and standing which is essential for patients' autonomy and quality of life perception. The aim of this study was to evaluate sitting and standing kinematics in ASD with different types of spinal deformity and their relationship with their QoL scores. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 ASD (52±20 years, 78%F) age and sex matched to 27 controls, underwent 3D motion analysis of the sitting and standing movement. All subjects filled the following QoL questionnaires: Short Form survey SF36 including the physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) components, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) for pain. ASD were further divided into ASD-Front (N=21, with only frontal malalignment: Cobb>20°), the effects of on cage for idealized loading conditions a single model, results. The objective of this research is to determine patient specific variations in local strain patterns on the surface of a trussed titanium interbody fusion cage under physiological loading conditions using FE models of a small population of patients eligible for a spinal fusion operation. Materials and Methods: Four patient specific finite element models of the total lumbar spine (L1-S1) Introduction: Improving movement control might be a promising treatment goal during chronic non-specific low back pain (CLBP) rehabilitation. As external (bio)feedback is needed for this therapy approach, new health technologies based on movement sensors, in combination with game-based tasked, are promising. This study evaluated the acute effects of a single bout of game-based real-time feedback intervention on 3D trunk movement in patients with CLBP. Materials and Methods: Thirteen (8 female, 5 male) patients with CLBP (41±16 years; 173±10 cm height; kg body weight; VAS LBP 3.3±2.5 cm) were included in this randomized cross-over trial with two arms (intervention/rest-time). All participants performed three identical measurements (M1/M2/M3) focusing on trunk movement in lateral flexion during upright standing: first, maximum movement of the trunk in lateral flexion was assessed (3 repetitions in both directions (right/left)). Secondly, a target trunk movement to an angle of 20° in lateral flexion was performed (angle reproduction, 10 repetitions in each direction (right/left)). In between the three measurements (M1/M2/M3), the 12-min intervention and the 12-min-rest-time was undertaken in random order; no additional wash out time was included. The game-based real-time feedback intervention was applied using a sensor-based movement game. The (p > .05). Besides, the upper trunk segment showed a significant reduction of RoM for trunk extension/flexion (sagittal plane) from pre to post intervention (4.4°±4.4°/3.5°±1.29°; p=0.02). Conclusions: Although no acute intervention effect could be found for trunk motion analysis in the main movement plane (lateral flexion), the changes of the secondary movement planes might indicate re


The development of information technology has brought tremendous changes to tourism.In or der to reduce the cost of seeking tourism resources for users,take full advantage of users'needs and pref erences,this paper presented an ontology-based double recommendation method after considering the subjective and objective factors.The method adopted ontology to describe tourism resources,achieved the goal of associating users'direct needs and their preferences or interests with filter conditions in recom mendation.Additionally,evaluations were permitted.Experimental results show that the proposed ap proach is feasible,the results of recommendation involve most of user's choices,and the effect is good.


In western context, "nihinity" refer to no-meaning, loss or absence of meaning. Art after modernism first insights the nihinity of meaningful world deeply, But from Absurd Liter-ature to Mass Art, postmodernism art always presents sliding features between "the concept of nihinity" and "the absence of concept", which in fact reflects existential mediation about Dasin's nature of "mediation" metaphorically.


( I ) Wings are of course flexible, as can easily be seen by handling them. In flight the necessary bending is produced by the air pressure. But the general camber of the whole wing can be varied by moving the joint which works the Outer part of it. This joint corresponds to the wrist joint in a man's hand, and as both portions of the wing are connected any motion of the outer part varies the camber of the whole wing in any required manner.


There are several documented cases of ectopic and kidneys with supernumerary vasculature. However, we report a unique case of ectopic kidney with the right renal vessels originating from the left common iliac arteries as demonstrated by a contrast Abdomino-pelvic CT scan. The patient was at first clinically diagnosed with acute pyelonephritis.


Objective
To evaluate the modified Stoppa approach for treatment of fracture of anterior pelvic ring.

Methods
From March 2009 to June 2013, 40 patients with fracture of anterior pelvic ring (55 sides) were treated through the modified Stoppa approach at our department. They were 24 males (31 sides) and 16 females (24 sides), aged from 21 to 65 years (average, 34.4 years). According to the Tile classification, 2 cases were type A, 21 cases type B and 17 cases type C. The mean time from injury to surgery was 6.5 days (from 3 to 12 days). Simple plate fixation of the anterior pelvic ring was performed in 23 cases while 17 cases underwent plate fixation of the anterior pelvic ring plus additional fixation of the posterior pelvic ring. The incision length, operation time, blood loss, reduction quality and clinical rehabilitation were documented.

Results
On average, incision length was 8.2 cm, operation time 78.4 min and blood loss 420 mL for this cohort. According to Matta standard, all the 55 fractures obtained excellent reduction. Intraoperative vascular injury occurred in one case and delayed wound healing after plate removal in another. Of this group, 36 were followed up from 8 to 24 months (average, 18 months) and 4 lost. The fractures healed after 3 to 5.5 months (average, 3.8 months). The functional evaluation by the Majeed system scored an average of 84.4 points. Twenty-one cases were rated as excellent, 13 as good and 2 as fair, resulting in an excellent and good rate of 95.0%. No nonunion, delayed union, malunion or heterotopic ossification was found in the follow-ups.

Conclusion
In treatment of fracture of anterior pelvic ring, the modified Stoppa approach has advantages of small incision, fine visualization, quality reduction, a low rate of complications and rapid rehabilitation.

Key words:
Pelvis; Fractures, bone; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone plates; Surgical approach


Lefkada and Corfu old towns are located in the western part of Greece, in the Ionian Sea. Their proximity to the Hellenic subduction zone (HSZ) is the reason for their intense seismicity. The main goal of this study was the estimation of the geotechnical characteristics of the subsurface, with the contribution of applied geophysical techniques. Therefore, seismic refraction tomography (SRT) and multichannel analysis of surface waves (MASW) were applied. A total of thirty-three (33) seismic and geoelectrical profiles were performed in both towns in order to evaluate the geotechnical characteristics of the subsurface formations. Additionally, subsurface resistivity distributions were investigated with the application of electrical resistivity tomography (ERT). Some important elastic moduli were calculated through the combination of estimated seismic wave velocities and laboratory density measurements. The horizontal distribution of seismic velocities and mechanical properties (σ, E, K, G) of Corfu town was illustrated in maps, for the depth of 5 m. The geophysical interpretation also revealed that Lefkada's subsurface consists of only one compact geological formation, with little or no variation of its geophysical-geotechnical characteristics. Beyond that, the ground type classifications for the two towns were determined according to the European Committee for Standardization Eurocode 8, based on VS30 values.


Containing many of his own emotions and memories, Henry Esmond was the novel Thackeray valued above all others. Published in 1852, it is set in the England of the later Stuarts, when political and religious feelings ran high. Its eponymous hero, enamoured of the Jacobite Lady Castlewood and her wayward daughter Beatrix, distinguishes himself in Marlborough's campaigns against Louis XIV, but comes to grief in an ingenious but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to depose George I in favour of the Old Pretender. This edition uses the Oxford Thackeray text of 1908, which includes the emendations of the 1858 edition.


We note that three factors are missing from Table 1 in Factors of generalized Fermat numbers by A. Björn and H. Riesel published in Math. Comp. 67 (1998), 441–446. In Table 1 in Björn–Riesel [2] there are unfortunately three factors missing. Fougeron [3] discovered that 31246291 · 2 + 1 ∣ ∣ 11 51 + 1 and 33797295 · 2 + 1 ∣ ∣ 10 62 + 3 62 . He also verified that no other factors are missing for 30 ≤ n ≤ 703, given the search ranges mentioned in [2]. M. Schroeder [4] and later N. S. de Araújo Melo [1] discovered that 3 · 2 + 1 is a prime. This number is missing in the list of primes given in Young [5], a list which had kindly been made available to us when we wrote [2] and which we used without checking. This number is therefore also missing in Table 1 in [2]. The number 3 · 2 + 1 is a factor in 3 54787 + 1, 5 54786 + 1, 5 54787 + 3 54787 , 7 54790 + 1, 7 54790 + 3 54790 , 7 54790 + 5 54790 , 4 54790 − 2254790 + 1, 8254790 + 3254790 , 8 54790 + 5 54790 , 8 54787 + 7 54787 , 9 54785 + 5 54785 , 9 54790 + 7 54790 , 9 54790 + 8 54790 , 11 54791 + 2 54791 , 11 54791 + 6 54791 and 11 54791 + 10 54791 .


A coupled ice-ocean model has been developed for use in the short-term (order of days) prediction of the ice and water movement on the shallow Arctic continental shelf. Our interest in partially ice-covered conditions allows the neglect of ice-ice interactions. Thermodynamic effects are also assumed negligible over the short time scale of interest. The intended application to shallow-water regions permits the use of the vertically integrated water momentum equations but necessitates the inclusion of finite depth effects. Model comparison with actual measurements of ice floe movement in the Beaufort Sea are extremely encouraging, especially when compared with predictions afforded by uncoupled or ice-only formulations. The use of the depth-averaged circulation model has been found to weaken the algorithm's ability to simulate ice floe movement in a wind field rapidly varying in time. Recommendations for future improvements include refinement of wind forecasting methods for inclusion in a coupled air-ice-ocean model.


The article studies the effects of season's temperature change in Xilingole grassland on locust ovum survival, hatch, larva feeding and growth. The result shows that more earlier of the appearance time of autumn first cold wave, more hurt to ovum; winter low temperature could increase ovum cold mortality; during spring to summer temperature increase, not only improve hatch rate, but also accelerate survive rate of larva and early imago.


As our country entered the World Trade Organization (WTO) , standardized management should be in line with international standards too, which has changed the former modes of extending copy at all levels. To realize internet and set up the websites at all levels, we made the new standard reach the corresponding organization conveniently fast. The basic unit can find the necessary standard swiftly at any time


In this paper, we proposed a double edge-triggered (DET) flip-flop suitable for low-power applications. In addition, the proposed flip-flop can be implemented with fewer transistors than any previous circuit. Simulations have verified the correct operation of the proposed DET flip-flop, for a variety of clock and data rates. Simulation results indicated that the proposed circuit is capable of significant delay and power saving.


Water samples were collected from river Yobe at eighteen sites where human and animal activities were high. A total of 162 samples were analyzed for dissolved oxygen DO, biochemical oxygen demand BOD, chemical oxygen demand COD, total organic carbon TOC and total dissolved solids TDS, during dry and wet seasons as well as the harmattan period. The total data points were used to establish relationships between the parameters and data were also subjected to statistical analysis and expressed as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM) at a level of significance of p<0.05. The later was used as test data. Regression analysis was carried out using Microsoft Excel to relate the parameters and relationships in form of scatter grams were obtained between DO/BOD, COD/DO, BOD/TOC, COD/TOC, BOD/TDS and COD/TDS. The correlation coefficient, r ranged from 0.3 to 1.0 indicating good correlations between these parameters. The validity of the empirical equations obtained were tested with the test data and the relationships were found to be similar, indicating that the equations can be used to predict the levels of these pollution indicators when one variable is known especially for similar river waters.


The document published below was written in samizdatform in 1983. Its author is a Russian Orthodox Christian from Moscow. The document gives statistical information on the number of Christian believers in the Soviet Union, percentage numbers of Christians amongst the population of different regions, totals for membership of the different Christian denominations and some details of open Orthodox churches. The second part of the document examines the need for Bibles in the Soviet Union, providing interesting insights into the demand for the Scriptures. Reliable information on the number of Christians and believers of othqr faiths in the Soviet Union is notoriously difficult to obtain. It should be said that the figures given in this document fall short of the totals generally accepted amongst both Western and Soviet commentators. For example, a figure of between 30-50 million active members of the Russian Orthodox Church has become common amongst the majority of observers over the past decade. This document, however, gives a figure of 22-26 million. We are publishing the document, not as a definitive source of statistics, but in the belief that it makes a valuable contribution to the debate on the number of Christians in the Soviet Union today. Jane Ellis examines the subject in more detail on pp. 173-81 of her book The Russian Orthodox Church (Croom Helm: London, 1986).


A five-year (January 2009–December 2013) monthly monitoring program was undertaken in Shahe Reservoir to study phytoplankton dynamics and their relation to several key controlling factors including nutrient content and temperature. The results revealed that the phytoplankton biomass showed a significant single peak (mean of 30 mg/L) during May–July. The predominant genera showed significant seasonal succession, with the peak value of diatom biomass appearing in late spring and the peak value of cyanobacterial biomass appearing at early summer. Upon reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus, the biomass of phytoplankton in the reservoir decreased drastically. Based on correlation analysis and ordination analysis, biomass of the dominant genera showed significant positive relationships to temperature. The biomass of three dominant genera of Bacillariophyta, Cyclotella, Synedra, and Achnanthes, were significantly and positively related to ammonium concentration, while the biomass of three dominant genera from Cyanophyta, Aphanizomenon, Phormidium, and Raphidiopsis, were significantly and positively correlated to dissolved total P concentration. The results suggested that the phytoplankton biomass in Shahe Reservoir was mainly controlled by climatic factors, such as temperature and precipitation. However, N and P also had a strong influence on biomass and population structure of the phytoplankton as well as on proliferation of blooms. To avoid algal blooms in reservoirs located in southeast China, we suggest that both N and P should be reduced to grade II level of the Chinese surface water standard; more specifically, total N needs to be lower than 0.50 mg/L and total P needs to be lower than 0.025 mg/L.


Internet of Things (IoT) enabled sensors are extensively used for industrial, agriculture, health care and many more application. The primary concern of IoT devices are energy consumption in data gathering and forwarding over Internet due to heterogeneous nature of sensing information. This is because of IoT sensors are often deployed in the monitoring area for several years where human intervention is extremely difficult subject to analyze the environment. In this paper, we predict the energy consumption using various Machine Learning (ML) strategies based on regression model and predict the abnormalities and power usage of inside building or company or inaccessible area. Further, performance is analyzed for heterogeneous resources of data over different version of machine learning algorithm. Furthermore, sophisticated predictive version of machine learning algorithm is selected for different application.


The depletion of conventional energy leads to a quest for alternative renewable energy abundant in Indonesia. Solar-powered equipment is sufficient in South Sumatra, which is blessed with high irradiance all year long. This paper presents the application of solar energy in generating electricity to power an automatic sprinkler system. Two 100 Wp solar panels are installed to harvest solar irradiance. The high solar irradiance leads to more increased water flow pumped by the solar power pump, in which the highest irradiance received by the PV panels was 1636.7 W/m2. The minimum irradiance needed by the solar-powered pump to operate is 500 W/m2. The experiment was conducted for 30 days to show the PV panel performance, where the highest power produced by 2 PV panels was 148W, and the maximum water pumped was 0.0113 m3. The experiment shows that the solar irradiance in Tanjung Enim is sufficient to power an automatic sprinkler system.


Plastic is a polymer that has unique properties and is an extraordinary object. Polymers are materials consisting of molecules called monomers with homopolymer types. Polymers are commonly known in everyday life such as cellulose, protein, rubber, and other natural materials. The use of plastic is the impact of the development of the industrial world, technological and the increasing number of world population was increase. In Indonesian, the demand for plastic continues to increase with an average of 200 tons per year. In 2002 there were about 1,9 million tons of plastic waste, and in 2011 the amount of plastic waste increased to 2,6 million tons per year. Based on assumption of the Ministry of Environment (KLH), every day the Indonesian population can produce 0,8 kg of waste per person and if the total is 189 thousand tons of waste per day. 15% of waste produced is in the form of plastic waste or about 28,4 thousand tons per day. At first, natural polymer was used as materials for making tools and weapons. Monomers in the formation polymers are molecules that have double bonds or that have certain functional groups. Polymers are classified into natural polymers and synthetic polymers. Natural polymers such as cellulose, starch, chitin, chitosan, gelatin, dextran, alginate, pectin, guar gum and rubber are used in the manufacture of nanocomposites. Natural polymers exhibit properties such as purity, crystallinity, tensile strength, increase elasticity and have a large surface area. The conclusion is that the attractiveness of bioplastic has the same strength, but if it is added with other material, the conductivity will be stronger and better.


During the past 2 years, an extraordinary national debate took place regarding the US health care system, and despite the lack of any comprehensive federal health legislation, patients, providers, and government were all forced to scrutinize the benefits and shortcomings of our health care system at a level never before seen in this country. Because the basic and fundamental problems that forced health care to the top of the national agenda-cost and access-will not lessen, there is likely to be continual debate about US health policy in the foreseeable future. It is absolutely critical, therefore, for physicians and other health care providers to remain knowledgeable about these health policy issues. The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice has therefore decided to begin a new feature related to this important topic. To inaugurate this effort, I would like to share briefly my own recent experiences in the health policy arena, as well as to provide an overview of the critical federal legislative issues that will likely be discussed during the next few years. Future issues will be devoted to addressing more specific policy topics, and will be solicited from individuals with national health policy experience.


According to the state regulations and rules of protecting the cultural heritage,this paper puts forward the principles and methods of protecting the traditional sport of minorities in China,which provides a reference for exploring,summing up,inheriting,and developing the traditional sport of minorities.


The plaintiff, Pandora Jewelry A/S, is the creator and manufacturer of an allegedly innovative bracelet, consisting of a chain to which several beads with different forms can be attached. There is a large number of available models of beads in different shapes (when the proceedings started, Pandora was offering 98 different models of beads), which can be attached in multiple combinations, thus personalising the bracelet. The bracelet was first commercialised in other countries in 1999, and it was introduced in Spain in 2005. The co-plaintiff City Time, SL has been the exclusive distributor of the Pandora bracelet in Spain since its first commercialisation in this country. The defendants, Relojeria Electronica, SL and Artestone, SL started in 2008 to commercialise in Spain a so called "puzzle bracelet", which can be similarly personalised with different shaped beads. The bracelet and components commercialised by Relojeria Electronica and Artestone were identified with their own trademark "WATX", but they clearly imitated the overall appearance and some of the components of the Pandora bracelet. The chain was very similar and had almost identical locking system, and Pandora also evidenced that the defendants were offering eight models of beads with almost identical shapes to their own.


The development of energy transportation corridor is a vital part of the national economy and social sustainable development. Energy transportation corridor construction and development present situation in China is analyzed in detailed. Several particular steps are planned for optimal designing energy transportation corridor networks in China. Various restricting factors lies in the key transportation corridors distribution and its reasonable operation mode are also pointed out.


and marketing: a list of place practices or ambitions. But what future do these to the or in which they are adopted? explore the practices


The coinage metal polonide molecules MPo(X2∏),(M=Cu,Ag,Au) have been studied using standard small-core relativistic pseudopotentials.The ground electronic states and corresponding reasonable dissociation limits are deduced with the group theory and the principle of atomic and molecule reaction statics.The equilibrium geometries and vibrational frequencies are calculated at the several theoretical levels of electron correlation methods.The total space analytical potential functions for species are constructed by fitting the energy curves as Murrell-Sorbie function,and spectroscopic data and force constants are derived from it.This investigation constitutes the first theoretical study of MPo,(M=Cu,Ag,Au) systems.


Interest in research and learn more about the child's relationship with the media, appeared before the doubts and questions that we as educators regarding the formation of viewers. It was thought to raise some points to allow readers of this page reflection on the subject.


Virtual Laboratory based on the Internet is a key on improving the long-distance education's quality since experiment is significant for most engineering and application courses.The paper proposes a new architecture for web-based virtual laboratory with CORBA/ EJB technology. This paper discussed the design and implementation of the virtual laboratory system, such as the use of CORBA/EJB technology, the key technologies.


We give a brief introduction to the modulo p Langlands program which leads to the author's thesis project. Let p be a prime number. Let L be a finite extension of Qp with ring of integers OL. We fix a uniformizer $L of OL. We denote the residue field of OL by kL = Fq, where q = p with f = [kL : Fp]. Let Qp be an algebraic closure of Qp, and all finite extensions of Qp are considered as subfields of Qp. Let GL = Gal(Qp/L) be the absolute Galois group of L. Each element of GL acts on the ring of integers Zp of Qp, which is a local ring with maximal ideal mZp , and hence acts on the residue field Zp/mZp ∼= Fp, where Fp is an algebraic closure of Fp containing kL. This gives a surjective map GL α → Gal(Fp/kL). Let IL be its kernel, called the inertia subgroup of GL. We get an exact sequence 0→ IL → GL α → Gal(Fp/kL)→ 0. The Galois group Gal(Fp/kL) is isomorphic to Ẑ, and has a specific topological generator Fr , where Fr : x 7→ x is the Frobenius map. An element of GL is called a geometric Frobenius


Structural imaging studies of the brains of patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD) have found several abnormalities, including smaller hippocampus, orbitofrontal cortex, or prefrontal cortex. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive means of modulating brain activity, and has shown antidepressant treatment efficacy.1 The initial methods used for targeting the prefrontal cortex are most likely insufficient. Herwig et al found that a common rule-based approach (the 5-cm rule) resulted in approximately one third of subjects receiving stimulation over the premotor, and not the prefrontal, cortex.2 The work of Kozel et al,3 replicated by Mosimann et al,4 showed that increasing prefrontal cortical atrophy was correlated with TMS nonresponse. These studies have raised the question of whether there might be prefrontal location methods that result in higher TMS antidepressant efficacy. Measurement of distance from skull to cortex (ds-c) provides information about both normal and pathological cortical atrophy. It has been proposed that ds-c can be used to adjust the dosage of TMS. The ds-c can be measured manually after a scan or with automated software. We are currently involved in a four-site NIMH-sponsored trial (Optimization of TMS in Depression - OPT-TMS), testing whether daily prefrontal repetitive IMS (rTMS) has antidepressant efficacy All subjects receive a baseline MRI scan with fiducials marking the motor and putative prefrontal cortex. We report the results concerning atrophy (intensity) and location in the first 20 subjects in this trial (estimated final sample: 240).


concepts such as energy and entropy are not easily defined nor understood. However, as you apply these concepts in a variety of contexts, you will gradually come to understand them. Because thermodynamics describes the macroscopic properties of macroscopic systems without appeal to arguments based on the nature of their microscopic constituents, the concepts of energy and entropy in this context are very abstract. So why bother introducing thermodynamics as a subject in its own right, when we could more easily introduce energy and entropy from microscopic considerations? Besides the intellectual challenge, an important reason is that the way of thinking required by thermodynamics can be applied in other contexts where the microscopic properties of the system are poorly understood or very complex. However, there is no need to forget the general considerations that we discussed in Chapter 1. And you are also encouraged to read ahead, especially in Chapter 4 where the nature of entropy is introduced from first principles.


The presented study begins with the analysis of the dissolution of the marriage as "exception" to the indissolubility principle. Then the biblical foundations of the Pauline privilege and his influence in the canonical tradition in Decretum Gratiani are studied. The Pontifical Decretals Quanto and Gaudemus of Pope Innocent III suppose a decisive contribution to this topic. The study continues analyzing the canonical sources up to the first codification regarding this matter. The essay concludes with the study of the Instruction Ut notum of Pope Paul VI, as well as with the analysis of the canonical regulation and the Normae of April 30, 2001.


BACKGROUND
The testes are responsible for the production of spermatozoa and testosterone in man. Reliable and accurate determination of testicular volume is of great potential benefit in evaluation of patients with a variety of disorders affecting testicular growth, development and function. Ultrasonography (USS) provides a good and reliable tool for determining testicular volume when objective, accurate and reproducible measurements are required. This can be done in an easy and patient friendly manner. USS is readily available, cheap and does not involve the use of ionizing radiation; hence its suitability in neonates.

AIM
To determine the normal value for mean testicular volume in neonates using ultrasonography and to correlate testicular volume with weight, gestational age, and length as well as body mass index, so as to have a baseline reference value which will aid in prompt identification of neonates with testicular abnormalities for further evaluation and timely intervention.

DESIGN OF THE STUDY
A multi-centre prospective cohort study.

STUDY SETTING
Radiology Departments of the University College Hospital, Adeoyo General Hospital and Eleta Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria.

MATERIALS & METHODS
A total of 411 healthy male neonates had testicular ultrasound performed in the labor wards and post natal wards of the University College Hospital, Adeoyo General Hospital and Eleta Catholic Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Testicular mean volume was obtained using the Lambert formula (length x width x height x 0.71). The statistical package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for windows version 17.0 was used to analyze the data obtained.

RESULTS
The mean left testicular volume in this study was 0.276cm3± 0.08924 while the mean right testicular volume was 0.278cm3±0.09233. The overall mean testicular volume in neonate was 0.28±0.09cm3 with no significant difference between the right and the left testes (p=0.000). There is a weak but statistically significant positive correlation between testicular volume and the birth weight, height, and body mass index but no correlation between the testicular volume and the gestational age at delivery.

CONCLUSION
This study showed that the mean testicular volume was 0.28± 0.09ml with no significant difference between the right and the left testes. There was a positive correlation between the birth weight, height and the body mass index and the volume of the right and the left testes but no correlation between the testicular volume and the gestational age of the neonates.


The Athenian law (or decree) against tyranny, approved in 337-336 BC at Eucrates's suggestion, was largely studied and produced several interpretations. The law guaranteed the immunity of the tyrannicide and stopped the activities of the Areopagus, if the democracy was overthrown by a tyranny. This measure was approved when Philip controlled Greece after his military success at Chaeronea (338 BC) and the Peace of Corinth (337 BC).


In recent time Bangladesh faces a serious problem of
soil pollution due to plastic contamination. However, the degree of the extent
to which the effects of plastics on plant growth occur is not properly
identified. An experiment was conducted to measure the effects of mixed plastic
(polyethylene and disposable plastic glass) on the growth of Amaranthus viridis. Different doses of
mixed plastics (T0, T1, T2, and T3) were applied with a fixed amount of soil
for each of the treatments e.g., T0 (control), T1 (10 gm mixed plastics/3kg
soil), T2 (15 gm mixed plastics/3kg soil) and T3 (20 gm mixed plastic/3kg
soil), and the growth response of Amaranthus viridis against plastic was observed for six consecutive
weeks. The growth was measured in terms of plant height and girth diameter. The
results showed that the presence of mixed plastic had a significant effect on
the growth of Amaranthus viridis and particularly in treatment T3 (3 kg soil/20gm mixed plastic), the plants
showed a slower growth response compared to control and the rest of the
treatments applied in case of both plant height as well as girth diameter. The
statistical analysis (one-way Analysis of Variance) also proved the significance
of the treatments (p-values < 0.05) for six consecutive weeks. The
experiment was successfully able to set an index on which plastics had their
effects on the growth of green amaranth. In addition, the obtained data will be
helpful in future research of the study in determining the possible effects of
plastic on plant growth viz. green amaranth.


The Bok globule CB230 (L1177) contains an active, low-mass star-forming core which is associated with a double NIR reflection nebula, a collimated bipolar molecular outflow, and strong mm continuum emission. The morphology of the NIR nebula suggests the presence of a deeply embedded, wide binary protostellar system. High-angular resolution observations now reveal the presence of two sub-cores, two distinct outflow centers, and an embedded accretion disk associated with the western bipolar NIR nebula. In terms of separation and specific angular momentum, the CB230 double protostar system probably results from core fragmentation and can be placed at the upper end of the pre-main sequence binary distribution.


Relative theories and standpoints on the formation mechanism of core competence of corporation are generalized,summarized and commented comprehensively from different research angles,so as to provide useful references to explore the formation mechanism of core competence of corporation further.


Quantum electrodynamics (QED, 1948) is the first successful relativistic quantum field theory (RQFT), following the classical field theories of gravitation (Newton's and Einstein's) and Maxwell's electrodynamics.


The purpose of this paper is to present some recent laboratory model test results to study the variation of uplift capacity of pile groups with various shape, size, and pile spacings in loose sand. However, it may be pointed out that for all of these tests the length-to-diameter ratios of the piles were kept constant, and other variables such as soil type and degree of compaction have not been considered in this study.


Helicobacter pylori is considered as the main risk factor in the development of gastric cancer. In the present study, anti- H. pylori activity of Lactobacillus fermentum GBF and its fermented antimicrobial products of fermented skimmed bovine milk were investigated.
Results: The whey containing Lb. fermentum and its products after skimmed bovine milk fermentation showed powerful antimicrobial activity against H. pylori. In addition, micro filtered soluble peptides of skimmed bovine milk fermented by Lb. fermentum GBF achieved powerful H. pylori inhibitory effect at different concentrations with the highest Minimum Bactericidal concentration (MBC) observed at 1:8 soluble peptides dilution when compared with Lb. fermentum GBF fermented MRS and unfermented skimmed bovine milk.
Conclusion: The results demonstrated that fermented bovine milk with Lb. fermentum GBF is a very good candidate as a prophylactic for the protection of humans against H. pylori infections.


This paper onsiders some estimation methods for the Correlated Random Coe(cid:30) ient (CRC) model when panel data are available, whi h allows for estimation of the average treatment e(cid:27)e t by IV as des ribed by Wooldridge (2003), using Hausman and Taylor (1981) style instruments.


No title page present Text printed as poetry, with prefactory paragraph by Tennyson, on p. 251-254 "Valuable standard works for public and private libraries published by Harper & Brothers, New York" : back pages [1] - 4


ABSTRACT: This paper has two aims. The first is to use contemporary discussions of naive realist theories of perception to offer an interpretation of Merleau-Ponty's theory of perception. The second is to use consideration of Merleau-Ponty's theory of perception to outline a distinctive version of a naive realist theory of perception. In a Merleau-Pontian spirit, these two aims are inter-dependent.


Starting in the 4th 1/4 of 1976 the National Family Planning Program in Thailand abolished charges for oral contraceptives distributed through government outlets. Although the policy was not always implemented as stipulated a 1981 survey shows that 56% of pill users in the government program received the pill free and another 24% paid less than they had previously. The free pill policy is associated with an increase in new pill users. Moreover the increased adoption of the pill through government health outlest neither depleted new users of other methods nor caused any significant substitution of free pills for ones bought through the private sector. Continuation rates immediately following elimination of charges increased slightly although they have susequently declined. This dose not appear to be the result of the free pill policy since the highest continuation rates were among women who received the pill free. The data support the hypothesis that free provision facilitates rather than discourages continuation of use. The possiblity that the free provision of pills adversely affected continuation rates is undeterminable from the available data. Free pill distribution through a governmental program entails the loss of a substantial potential revenue. The free pill policy had an impact on the morale of staff at local outlets. The majority of those interviewed favored the policy and a minority said that free pills result in a subjective devaluation of the contraceptive. The evidence suggests that providing pills free instead of even at a small charge may produce a net increase in contraceptive prevalence. Thailands experience indicates that free contraceptive provision especially the pill is an option to increase contraceptive prevalence. Consideration should also be given to reinstituting or increasing charges. (summaries in SPA FRE)


In this paper, the robot arm Dobot Magician and the Raspberry Pi development platform were used to integrate image processing and robot-arm drawing. For this system, the Python language built into Raspberry Pi was used as the working platform, and the real-time image stream collected by the camera was used to determine the contour pixel coordinates of image objects. We then performed gray-scale processing, image binarization, and edge detection. This paper proposes an edge-point sequential arrangement method, which arranges the edge pixel coordinates of each object in an orderly manner and places them in a set. Orderly arrangement means that the pixels in the set are arranged counterclockwise to the closed curve of the object shape. This arrangement simplifies the complexity of subsequent image processing and calculation of the drawing path. The number of closed curves represents the number of strokes in the drawing of the manipulator. In order to reduce the complexity of the drawing of the manipulator, a fewer number of closed curves will be necessary. To achieve this goal, we not only propose the 8-NN (abbreviation for eight-nearest-neighbor) search, but also use to the 16-NN search and the 24-NN search methods. Drawing path points are then converted into drawing coordinates for the Dobot Magician through the Raspberry Pi platform. The structural design of the Dobot reduces the complexity of the experiment, and its attitude and positioning control can be accurately carried out through the built-in API function or the underlying communication protocol, which is more suitable for drawing applications than other fixed-point manipulators. Experimental results show that the 24-NN search method can effectively reduce the number of closed curves and the number of strokes drawn by the manipulator.


This paper focuses on dance as a widespread and privileged mode of face-to-face encounters between Indigenous and non indigenous people in Australia that, despite its crucial role in the past and its growing significance in the present, has only recently started receiving the attention it would deserve. In all of its different stagings, from the most informal and improvised performances on the side of the road to the best organised and orchestrated spectacles in theatres, cultural centres and festivals, dance performance is a "space between" where "colonial tensions of mimesis and alterity" (Taussig 1993) are played out, as well as a "borderzone" where both performers and audiences engage in co-producing the ever-shifting, contested, and evolving drama of cross-cultural confrontations (Bruner 2005). The creativity, productivity and political potential of performance is illustrated in reference to the dance "Zorba the Greek Yolngu Style" by the Chooky Dancers who, from Northeast Arnhem Land, have, almost instantly, become nationally and internationally acclaimed and famous by being broadcasted on the web (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-MucVWo-Pw). The paper argues that there is a serious aspect of this burlesque realism (Bakhtin 1984), and that its success emerges from the creativity and political potential of parody and laughter as a way of accessing, expressing and acting upon the contradictions and limits of Australian multicultural discourse and policy aimed at recognising Australian Indigenous people.


Combined with the influence coefficient methods and the Holo-balancing theory of shaft system, a new shaft multi-objective optimization dynamic balancing method including energy, uniformity and maximum of the residual vibration is proposed by building a multi-objective fuzzy evaluation function and application of Differential Search (DS) algorithm. The advantage of DS algorithm is studied by comparing with four other optimization algorithms. And the principle of balancing weight optimization of DS algorithm is studied to realize the shaft dynamic balancing. Finally, the validity and effectiveness of the proposed method is verified through a field power generator set balancing case.


This study aimed to identify plants used in traditional medicine in Lubumbashi and its surroundings to treat gastritis and to carry out chemical screening of the most cited plants. During the survey, fourteen plants were identified as antigastritis. They belong to Anacardiaceae, Annonaceae, Apocynaceae, Phyllantaceae and Rubiaceae families. Antigastritis drugs are prepared by the maceration, the decoction, the infusion and the crushing and are administered orally. Traditional healers use roots, stems bark, leaves, fruits and flowers of plants species to treat gastritis. The chemical screening showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, quinons and tannins in the plants studied. The next step of this study is to achieve antibacterial activity of the plants used.


This study assessed the effect of jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) on the in vitro development and production of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. plant material, and the accumulation of polyphenols, chlorophylls, and carotenoids in explants. Results were compared with explants grown in control media and with in-vivo-grown mature and young L. angustifolia plants. After 21 days of incubation, all explants propagated on low-SA-concentration or elicitor-free media produced a greater number of shoots than explants cultivated on media with higher elicitor concentrations. Shoots grew taller when activated charcoal (AC) was added to the elicitor-supplemented media, while AC negatively affected or had no effect on the phytochemical composition of plants. Explants grown in the presence of elicitors had higher polyphenolic and chlorophyll content than the controls, demonstrating the beneficial impact of elicitors on the secretion of secondary metabolites. Lutein and β-carotene were the dominating carotenoids in all samples. Culture media supplemented with 0.5 mg/L JA and 1.5 mg/L SA + AC proved the most suitable to produce plant material with high polyphenol and carotenoid content, comparable with in-vivo-grown plants.