MCI,ODS and silica gel column chromatography were used to investigate the chemical constituents of the chlorform fraction of Abelmoschus esculentus.On the basis of spectral data and physicochemical properties,twelve compounds were isolated and identified as quercetin(1),stigmast-5-ene-3β,7α-diol(2),ursolic acid(3),dammar-24-ene-3β-acetoxy-20-ol(4),dammarane-3β,25-diol-20,24-epoxy-3-acetate(5),α-monpalmitin(6),cleomiscosin A(7),cleomiscosin C(8),isobauerenyl acetate(9),scopoletin(10),syringaresinol(11) and liriodendrin(12).Except of 1,the other compounds were reported from A.esculentus for the first time.


A novel coding of candidate solutions in genetic algorithms for combinatorial problems associates numerical weights with elements of the target problem instance. The solution a chromosome of weights represents is made explicit by a heuristic algorithm for the problem whose actions the weights influence. The choice of the heuristic--called the decoding algorithm--is a crucial one in a genetic algorithm that employs such a coding. This paper describes a weighted coding of tours in a genetic algorithm for the traveling salesman problem and an investigation of nine heuristics for TSP as decoding algorithms in that GA. Two greedy heuristics performed poorly, but heuristics that build tours by iusertion-adding each new city so as to increase the tour length the least--did better. Several showed excellent performance on TSP instances of moderate size. The results indicate both the importance of the decoding algorithm in a GA that uses a weighted coding and the potential of such codings in GAs for combinatorial problems. 1. I N T R O D U C T I O N Combinatorial problems seek a selection, arrangement, or ordering of data elements so as to maximize or minimize an objective function on those elements. A classic example is the familiar traveling salesman problem (TSP), which seeks a tour that visits each of a collection of cities exactly once and returns to the start city in the shortest possible total distance. Combinatorial problems often have large and complex search spaces. In genetic algorithms for such problems, it can be difficult to design codings of candidate solutions that allow a GA, using the usual crossover and mutation ermission to make digital/hard copy of all or part of this work lbr personal or lassroom use is granted without lee provided that copies are not made or istributed tbr profit or commercial advantage, the copyright notice, the title of the tlblication and its date appear, and notice is given that copying is by permission of ,CM, Inc. To copy otherwise, to republish, to post on servers or to redistribute to sis, requires prior specific permission and/or a fee. © 1998 ACM 0-89791-969-6/98/0002 350 operators, to search the space effectively. GAs for combinatorial problems often use codings and operators tailored to the problems. This is true of GAs for the traveling salesman problem, for which investigators have described a wide variety of specialized codings and operators [8]. Some of these have addressed the blind TSP, in which the inter-city distances are used only to find tours' lengths. Others have used the distances during each tour's construction and thus have addressed the non-blind TSP. The GA described here is of this second kind. A novel coding of candidate solutions in GAs for combinatorial problems associates numerical weights with elements of the target problem instance. The solution a chromosome of weights represents is identified by a (non-genetic) heuristic for the problem whose actions the weights influence. The heuristic--called the decoding algorithm--makes explicit the structure a chromosome represents, and the fitness of that structure is the chromosome's fitness. Such codings have been used in GAs for several combinatorial problems [5, 9, 12]. In genetic algorithms whose chromosomes are strings of weights, the decoding algorithm is a critical design choice. This paper investigates that choice in a GA for the travehng salesman problem; this GA encodes tours as sequences of weights associated with the TSP instance's cities [5]. Nine heuristics are examined as decoding algorithms. Two are greedy, and the remaining seven apply i n s e r t i o n : a tour on some of the cities is extended by inserting a new city where it increases the tour's length the least. The resulting versions of the GA are tested on three well-known TSP instances, of 100, 105, and 150 cities. The choice of decoding algorithm strongly affects the GA's performance, and with some decoding algorithms the GA does very well on the test problems, The following sections describe the weighted coding of TSP tours, the TSP heuristics investigated as decoding algorithms, the weight-coded GA that serves as a test bed and the test problems, the performance of the GA with each heuristic as its decoding algorithm on the test problems, the performance of the GA with one of the heuristics on four larger TSP instances, and conclusions and implications for further work.


Introduction: Anthropometric measurements have been carried out in many studies to segregate people into races, ethnicity and various biological traits in the past. Such studies include cephalometry being deployed because of its significance in forensic and clinical evaluations of individuals. The objective of this study is to determine the correlation between the shape types of the orbit with different age groups and their prevalence using simple skull X-rays.
Materials and Methods: Plain X-rays of the skull with posteroanterior exposures were obtained for a retrospective period of 5-year period from 2004 to 2009. The selected radiographs were those based on clear recognition of their orbital margins assessed by 2 experienced Radiologist who determined the shapes of the orbits as being oval, circular or quadrangular. Out of total of five hundred (500) plain X-rays of the skull obtained, only 255 satisfied the inclusion criteria.
The data was analyzed statistically using INSTAT software to compare the mean values in relation to age distribution of the subjects with the Student's T-Test. Chi-Square (with Yates correction) was used for the comparison of proportions.
Results: In the first 30 years of postnatal life, the oval shape orbit had been found to be more predominant with values of 22(64.7%), 17(30.9%), and 27(38.0%) respectively. As from the age of 30 to 70 years, the circular type had values of 16(34.0%), 8(33.3%), and 8(61.5%) respectively in each of the decades. Between the age of 60 to 70 years, the oval and circular types had equal prevalences.
Conclusions: In addition to the known oval and quadrangular (triangular) types of orbital shape, this study revealed a 3rd type of orbit which we described as circular in shaped. The oval type of orbit is found to be more common from birth to age of 30 years but from but from 40 to 70 years the circular type predominates.


Atherosclerosis is characterized by the accumulation of lipids, immune cells, and fibrotic tissue in the arterial intima. Although well described as an inflammatory condition, targeting the inflammation component of atherosclerosis while avoiding systemic toxicity remains a clinical challenge. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 have been implicated in atherosclerotic plaque progression and atherothrombotic events. Recent clinical trials have shown promising results targeting these cytokines to reduce the risk of adverse cardiac events in patients, yet systemic toxicity remains a concern. We hypothesize that knocking down the local inflammation using siRNA against IL-1β and/or IL-6 may be a viable therapeutic strategy to treat atherosclerosis. To test our hypothesis, we used an
 ex-vivo
 perfusion system of human coronary arteries (hCA) collected from non-transplantable, de-identified hearts (
 Fig. A
 ). Hearts came from donors with or without cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors including hypertension, high cholesterol, and diabetes mellitus. hCA isolated from donors with CVD risk factors showed increased IL-1β (
 Fig. B
 ) and IL-6 (
 Fig. C
 ) expression levels assessed by RT-qPCR, compared to controls without risk factors. Perfusion of hCA with media containing TNF-α and IFN-γ increased the expression of both IL-1β and IL-6 (
 Fig. D
 ). Thus, the perfusion system established here will allow us to assess the efficacy of delivering IL-1β and/or IL-6 specific siRNA complexed nanoparticles and will advance the development of novel nanotherapies that target inflammation in atherosclerosis.


The cerebellum is not just a "coordination node" but phylogenetically the most ancient, multicomponent, complex system. The aim of the study was to carry out a comparative analysis of the structural organization of the cerebellar cortex in the upper and lower semilunar lobes in the age aspect.Material and methods. The data of the sectional study of the cerebellum of 196 men and 180 women who were divided into two groups were analyzed. In the first group, the structural organization of the cerebellar cortex in the area of the upper semilunar lobule and in the second group, in the area of the lower semilunar lobule was studied. The first group included 179 persons (93 men and 86 women) aged 21 to 88 years who died between 2016 and 2018; the second group included 197 persons (103 men and 94 women) aged 22 to 88 years who died between 2019 and 2022. Autopsy material was taken from the upper and lower semilunar lobes in both cerebellar hemispheres, was fixed according to the standard technique, and cortical thickness was determined.Results. Cortical thickness in both upper and lower semilunar lobules of both cerebellar hemispheres in both men and women statistically significantly decreased by senile age. Thus, by senile age, males depleted their cortex by 19.5 and 22.5 % in the upper semilunar lobule of the right and left hemisphere, respectively, and females by 20.4 % and 21.9 %, respectively. In the inferior semilunar lobule the corresponding decrease in cortical thickness was 21.5 and 21.9 % in males and 23.7 and 21.9 % in females. A positive correlation between cortical thickness of the upper and lower semilunar lobes, both in the right and in the left hemisphere was established.Conclusions. The results of the study can become starting points for understanding the processes of age-related neurodegeneration and serve as a scientific basis for further morphofunctional, basic and clinical research.


This paper outlines a method for estimation of an error floor parameters for different LDPC codes based on importance sampling technique. The traditional approach to such estimations is based on Monte Carlo technique and has high computational complexity, especially for near-optimal decoding algorithms such as logarithmic-likelihood ratio belief propagation algorithm. It was shown that the proposed method allows to significantly reduce the computational cost required for an estimation of frame error probability in the high SNR region. Results of error floor estimation are presented for three LDPC codes: Margulis (2640, 1320), two quasi cyclic codes QC (22200, 5550) and QC (22200, 7400).


In order to realize intelligence management of guide sign system,this paper proposed an algorithm for deploying guide signs using guide sign data model from the perspective of road guiding levels. The algorithm took road intersection as research object,and guide sign information was classified into two categories,namely,connection signs and direction signs according to the relationship of guide signs information and road network topology. Moreover,the paper illustrated the selection principles of directional signs based on road guiding levels,and constructed deployment algorithm model for directional signs. Finally,a case study was conducted: the deployment model was tested in Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Center. The result revealed that the data model could support the automatic deployment,analysis and evaluation for guide signs.


In this paper we show three methods for solving optimization problems of expected value of multiplicative functions with negative values; multi-stage stochastic decision tree, Markov bidecision process and invariant imbedding approach.


Traced yarns were used to form 3 - D braided fabric on 4 - step track-and-column braiding machine. The braids were cut perpendicular to longitudinal direction at small intervals. With the photographs of the cross-sections, the coordinates of the traced yams on a series of cross sections were obtained. Based on the hypothesis that the cross sections of yams are round, we can simulate the structure of the yams in braids.


ABSTRACT The Gen-Probe Aptima HIV-1 RNA qualitative assay was evaluated as an alternative to Western blot analysis for the confirmation of HIV infection using serum samples that were repeatedly reactive for HIV antibodies. The Aptima HIV assay readily discriminated between HIV-1-infected and -uninfected individuals and effectively reduced the number of indeterminate results relative to Western blot analysis.


The average cross section for the Penning reaction between Kr (1s5) and atoms has been obtained from a comparative study of Kr–U and Kr–Th gas combinations in a hollow-cathode-type generator. The experimental value obtained is 2,8 × 10−15 cm2 ± 50%.


The Constitution of Timor-Leste (East Timor - ET) � an independent country since 2002 after nearly five centuries of Portuguese colonial jurisdiction (1517-1975), subsequent 24 years of Indonesian annexation, and three years of United Nations jurisdictionproclaimed Portuguese and local Tetun (in its double role of (i) one of the vernacular languages spoken in ET and (ii) a local long-term lingua franca in ongoing process of creolization) to be the two co-official languages, while Indonesian and English were assigned the status of working languages. Locally, the ET approximately one million population speaks over twenty different non-mutually intelligible languages belonging to two big language families: Austronesian and Papuan (Hull 1998; Thomaz 2002; Hajek 2006; Bowden and Hajek 2007; Taylor-Leech 2008). In spite of its formal official status, at present Portuguese is estimated to be spoken by only five per cent of the population of ET (cf. Castro 2004). Its good command is more common in the over-forty Timorese population (cf. Batoreo 2005, 2006, 2007) - educated in the Portuguese colonial system and catholic religion, and also taught the language as their mother tongue over thirty five years ago - than in younger generations where it is nearly suppressed by Indonesian and English. Due to historic reasons, it is silently assumed by the purists in both countries that the variety of Portuguese spoken in ET is its European variety, being its real sociolinguistic complexity and linguistic specificity largely unknown and/ or neglected even by Portuguese linguists and teachers (cf. Esperanca 2005). The Brazilian presence in ET and the Brazilian variety of Portuguese in Timorese linguistic reality are also neglected. In the present study we propose to focus on perception and evaluation of Portuguese by the Timorese, resident both in Timor and in Portugal. The first part of our analysis is drawn on a corpus of data collected by Batoreo (cf. 2005, 2006 and 2007) and constituted by elicited and non-elicited (free) written Portuguese narrative discourse produced by 30 multilingual (both female and male), over- forty, ET residents and Portuguese teachers in Dili. The second part is based on free interviews with Timorese residents in Portugal (work in progress). On the basis of the data collected in these two


In this paper, we present a new approach which is spanning tree-based genetic algorithm for solving a multiobjective transportation problem. The transportation problem as a special type of the network optimization problems has the special data structure in solution characterized as a transportation graph. In encoding transportation problem, we introduce one of node encodings based on a spanning tree which is adopted as it is capable of equally and uniquely representing all possible basic solutions. The crossover and mutation were designed based on this encoding. Also we designed the criterion that chromosome has always feasibility converted to a transportation tree. In the evolutionary process, the mixed strategy with (μ + λ)-selection and roulette wheel selection is used. Numerical experiments show the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed algorithm. key words: multi-objective optimization, transportation problem, spanning tree, genetic algorithm


The tribo system ice-curling stone was investigated in order to understand the mechanisms behind the stones' behavior on the ice sheet. The problem with non-identical stones should also be addresse ...


Punk is a co-cultural group when it comes to dominant cultures which agree on what positivity and negativity are based. In fact, society recognized Punk as a subcultural group concerned on negativity. It can be seen that there are too many cases in violence toward Punk and even Aceh province take action against Punk as they consider it as crum. This condition leads Punk into difficulties when they want to interact with outsiders. This stereotype also develops to be a stigma created by the society that Punk comes along with negativity. Thus, Punk starts the movement through the internet in which they name Punk Directory Sites. It allows Netizen to know more about Punk; how they think and it gives Punk a platform to speak up their ideas. This study used the theories co-cultural theory by Mark Orbe and Computer- Mediated Communication theory by John December. This study also expands the assumptions from Identity Negotiation theory from Stella Ting-Toomey and Self-Disclosure theory by Joseph A. Devito. The interpretative phenomenological analysis used in this study as analytical techniques of the data. The Result of this study show that Punk uses an Accommodation strategy to interact with Netizen. This strategy ranges on the Non-Assertive Accommodation and the Assertive Accommodation. Furthermore, there is a change in Netizen's viewpoints in which they disagree with the negativity stigma labeled on the Punk. Netizen shows the self-acceptance towards them since Punk attempts to do the identity negotiation in their interaction with Netizen. This identity negotiation results in the feeling of being understood, feeling of being respected, and feeling of being affirmatively valued.


The methodology for developing the production system schedules from a project management perspective is being investigated. System orders are considered to be potentially parallel projects that share the same resources. The mechanics of manufacturing controls are discussed in an existing project management package. Order input to the network is envisaged via the web and, after generation or re-generation of schedules, the estimated fulfilment period and delivery date for each order should be accessible via the internet again. Both ideas were described on the basis of real data from a security door supplier operating a make-from-stock, process-oriented production program. The system provides, on the one hand, the approximate (calculated) completion time of each task and, on the other, the assignment of daily work to assets. Nonetheless, it would have trouble performing more than 3000 activities with concurrent asset scaling.


This study aims to find out how financial performance and exchange rates affect stock prices in manufacturing companies listed on the IDX in 2018 – 2021. The data used in this study uses panel data with time series for the last four years. The best regression results use fixed effect models. The results showed that the variable Current ratio, Debt to equity ratio, Price earning ratio had a positive and insignificant effect while Return on equity was significant and the exchange rate had a negative but not significant effect on stock prices in manufacturing companies listed on the IDX . This study aims to find out how financial performance and exchange rates affect stock prices in manufacturing companies listed on the IDX in 2018 – 2021. The data used in this study uses panel data with time series for the last four years. The best regression results use fixed effect model. The results showed that the variables Current ratio, Debt to equity ratio, Price earning ratio had a positive and insignificant effect while Return on equity was significant and the exchange rate had a negative but not significant effect on stock prices in the company


In this research report we learned how important it is to have an understanding of human behaviour. If one has a good understanding on how people function and operate, it is easier to work with other people and it is easier to understand one another. The writer learned that there is not a big difference between the results of the study done by De Villiers (1985) and this study. There are a few differences that can be found in Chapter 5. Sons and fathers are often confused on what role the son plays in the family business. This problem is usually a direct consequence of bad communication. In Chapter 2 we can read how important good communication is. There is often no exit strategy for the father in the family business. It is important to have an exit strategy on paper. The reason for an exit strategy is to have a goal to work towards. This is just a plan to see when it will be possible for the father to retire, and for the son to make plans for his future. Sons and fathers usually have different opinions. Marshack (2003) says in Chapter 2 that through conflict the younger generation can make a mark in the business if they come up with a proper and different solution. In Chapter 2 you can read more about resolving conflict. The writer hopes that you will have more answers on the implications in management and human relations when a son/daughter enters a family business after studying this research project.


Abstract The purpose of the article To identify novel small molecule antagonists of Urotensin II receptor with acceptable pharmacological profile. Materials and methods Structure-activity-relationship (SAR) studies on 2-{N-[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy) acetyl]-N-methylamino}-3-pyrrolidinepropanamide series were conducted and shortlisted compounds were synthesized and evaluated in in vitro cell-based assays. Human and mouse Urotensin II receptor overexpressing CHO cells were used for calcium release and radioligand binding assays. Initial molecules in this series had solubility and inter-species variability issue in the calcium release assay. We, therefore, conducted SAR to overcome these 2 issues and molecules with accepted in vitro profile were evaluated further in mouse pressor response model to generate the in vivo proof of concept for UII receptor antagonization. Results and conclusions We report herewith identification of 2-{N-[(2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy)acetyl]-N-methylamino}-3-pyrrolidinepropanamides series to obtain novel small molecule antagonists of Urotensin II receptor with acceptable pharmacological profile.


Background and Aims: Radionuclide therapy is systemic, targeted radiotherapy. As such, we can apply the basic principles of radiobiology used in everyday practice in radiation oncology, as a means of tailoring the treatment to each patient and optimizing the balance between efficacy and toxicity. The most common type of radionuclide therapy used for the treatment of neuroendocrine tumors, is 177Lu-DOTATATE. It has proven to be safe and effective, even without any tailoring. The aim of the work presented in this thesis is to systematically explore how we can further improve results for patients by tailoring the treatment. Methods and Results: The thesis is based on two clinical trials – Iluminet and Gapetto – which were both designed to address different aspects of the overall aim. The Iluminet trial is a phase II trial in which patients, instead of receiving the standard four cycles of 7.4 GBq of 177Lu-DOTATATE, are treated to the maximum number of cycles within the predefined limits for radiation dose to the kidneys. Safety and efficacy data are collected during treatment and follow-up. The Gapetto trial was a prospective observational study looking at the effect of somatostatin analog treatment on the uptake of 68Ga-DOTATATE in PET/CT. Papers I and II are based on the first 51 patients included in the Iluminet trial. Paper I presents data from an interim analysis of renal function, and also describes the effects that tailoring has on treatment planning. The mean number of treatment cycles the patients received was 5, but there were large interindividual variations. No serious renal toxicity was detected during the 24-month median follow-up. Paper II describes the consequences of simplifying the dosimetric protocol in order to make dosimetry more feasible in clinical practice. The results show that basing dosimetry on just one SPECT-image taken att 96h is as accurate as doing full hybrid dosimetry, which is the reference in the trial protocol. Paper III describes the pituitary function in 68 evaluable patients during long-term follow-up in the Iluminet trial. A significant decrease in IGF1 was detected, which could be secondary to the radiation received by the pituitary gland during treatment with 177Lu-DOTATATE, but other possible explanations are also discussed. Paper IV is based on the Gapetto trial. The SUV values in 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT were compared before and after initiating treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs. The effect of the time from the last injection to the PET/CT was also analyzed. Results showed that the use of somatostatin analogs decreased the SUV in normal tissues, but not in tumor. The time since last injection did not affect the SUV-values. Conclusions: Tailoring radionuclide treatment based on individual dosimetry is feasible and safe, and leads to considerable interindividual variations in the number of treament cycles received. No signs of serious renal or pituitary toxicity have been detected. Dosimetry can be substantially simplified without compromising accuracy. Treatment with long-acting somatostatin analogs improves the tumor-to-normal ratio in 68Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT, and possibly also in the therapeutic setting, i.e. when using 177Lu-DOTATATE to treat neuroendocrine tumors. (Less)


Information retrieval effectiveness evaluation typically takes one of two forms: batch experiments based on static test collections, or lab studies measuring actual users interacting with a system. Test collection experiments are sometimes viewed as introducing too many simplifying assumptions to accurately predict the usefulness of a system to its users. As a result, there is great interest in creating test collections and measures that better model user behavior. One line of research involves developing measures that include a parameterized user model; choosing a parameter value simulates a particular type of user. We propose that these measures offer an opportunity to more accurately simulate the variance due to user behavior, and thus to analyze system effectiveness to a simulated user population. We introduce a Bayesian procedure for producing sampling distributions from click data, and show how to use statistical tools to quantify the effects of variance due to parameter selection.


PURPOSE
To describe Congolese refugee women's action responses to difficult living situations.

DESIGN
Interpretive qualitative.

METHODS
Narrative data were collected from 14 Congolese refugee women using minimally structured interviews and were analyzed for patterns in their responses to their difficult situations.

FINDINGS
The narratives about participants' difficult circumstances indicated six action responses: refiguration, advocacy, resistance, resignation, sorrow, and faith.

CONCLUSIONS
When encountering difficult life circumstances, refugee participants demonstrated actions with varying influence on their agency.


It is essential in endodontics to understand the morphological anatomy of the roots and root canal systems of the teeth to increase the success rate of root canal therapy. Advanced diagnostic imaging modalities like cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and the assistive software like three-dimensional (3D) Endo Software (by Dentsply Sirona) are very helpful aids in understanding the anatomy of the teeth, especially the complicated premolars. Most commonly mandibular first and second premolars have a single root and root canal system. However, multiple roots and canals have also been reported in few cases which are considered as a challenging task for an endodontist. The present case report discusses the complete endodontic management of a three-rooted mandibular second premolar using CBCT imaging and assistive guidance by 3D Endo Software (by Dentsply Sirona).


BACKGROUND
Indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum insecticides can have deleterious effects on insects and the environment. The use of nanoparticles synthesized from microbes has recently gained importance as a safe alternative to conventional insecticides. Recently, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles synthesized using Bacillus thuringiensis have shown insecticidal potential; however, in addition to its acute toxicity, it is necessary to determine possible sublethal effects at the organismal level in order to understand the toxicity of a new insecticide. The presence of Bt-derived enzymes such as nitrate reductase and other biomolecules play a vital role in the reduction of metal ions to metal nanoparticles. Here, we assessed the acute toxicity and sublethal effects of ZnO nanoparticles produced in the culture supernatant of Bacillus thuringiensis ser. israelensis as a reducing agent on the biological traits of Musca domestica.

RESULTS
Concentration-response larval bioassays using different concentrations of ZnO-Bti-supernatant nanoparticles revealed LC10 , LC20 , LC50 and LC90 values as 4.17, 6.11, 12.73 and 38.90 μg/g of larval diet, respectively. Exposure of M. domestica larvae to two concentrations (LC10 and LC20 ) resulted in a lengthened developmental time (egg to adult) and preoviposition period, and reduced fecundity, survival, longevity and oviposition period. Furthermore, population parameters including net reproductive rate, mean generation time, age-specific survival rate, fecundity, life expectancy and reproductive values, analyzed following age-stage, twosex life table theory, were significantly decreased after exposure to these concentrations of ZnO-Bti-supernatant nanoparticles compared with the control.

CONCLUSION
ZnO-Bti-supernatant nanoparticles were shown to be toxic to M. domestica. Exposure of M. domestica to low concentrations of ZnO-Bti-supernatant nanoparticles resulted in negative transgenerational effects on progeny production in this fly.


In this paper an overview of finite element analysis for multi-magnet based DC electromagnetic levitation system has been presented. The proposed multi-magnet based single axis levitation scheme has been described. This paper reports ANSYS software based simulation of an electro magnetically levitated platform (vehicle structure) that uses three attraction type magnets fixed at the three corners of the platform. The magnet configurations chosen on the basis of required pole-face area and necessary window area to house the excitation coils. FEM based analysis has done to find out the flux pattern, working flux density, field intensity, force etc. for three actuators based levitation system at different condition. . The effect of different parameters like coil-current, no of turns of coil has been studied.


In order to reveal the insecticidal activity of sanguinarine,its bioactivity against Peris rapae larvae were assayed using Lobular dish method and the effect on their metabolic enzymes in current work.The results showed that the sanguinarine had an obviously inhibitory effects on the development of Peris rapae larvae.Carboxyl esterase(CarE),ACP and AKP in the treated insects were obviously activated.The activities of acetylcholinesterase(AChE) in the treated insects were remarkably inhibited.The activity of glutathione S-transferases(GSTs) was distinctly activated by sanguinarine at 24h after treatment,and was equal to that of the control at 12h and 36h after treatment,conversely it was inhibited at 6h and 48h after treatment.


Illustration shows Cipriano Castro, former president of Venezuela, dressed like Napoleon I, on board a ship, with the presidents of "Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, [and] Argentina" standing in the background.


This approach describes a method for using adapted Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to extract a set of reduced dimensionality features for use in classification of a 3D object, represented by a LiDAR point cloud.


This study reports a novel synergetic approach combining nano-lubrication and conventional extreme pressure additivation, to explore the tribological performance of piston ring/cylinder liner conformal contact. Three typical lubricating formulations, viz, (i) PAO (poly-alpha-olefin) base oil (ii) base oil with mild extreme pressure (MEP) additive, and (iii) base oil with composite blend of mild extreme pressure (MEP) additive and WS2 nano-particles, were investigated using an ASTM G-99 Standard customized universal tribometer for evaluating friction and wear behavior of coated chromium/bulk grey cast iron (CI) tribopair. The lubricant formulations were tested at engine working temperature of 200 °C, reciprocated under a normal load of 30 N, stroke length of 10 mm and a constant sliding velocity of 0.2 ms−1. Wear attributes were evaluated by employing non-contact based 3 D optical profilometry. For assessment of tribo-surface morphology and associated surface characterization, Elemental Dispersion Spectral (EDS) incorporated Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) was utilised. Green Laser Raman spectroscopy investigated tribo-chemistry, synergetic interactions and tribo-film formations. A state approaching super-lubricity and ultralow friction was achieved by sliding grey CI (Plateau Honed) cylinder liner against electroplated chrome stainless steel top compression ring with PAO10 base oil ultrasonically dispersed with 1 vol% of Isopropyl phenyl Phosphate (IPP), a mild extreme pressure (MEP) triaryl phosphate additive & 1 wt.% of WS2. Results obtained therein demonstrated four dominating forms of wear on the cast iron surface, i.e. plowing wear, abrasive wear, adhesive wear and oxidative wear. Counterpart chromium surface exhibited plowing and abrasive wear only. This substantial friction and wear reduction are attributed to the coalesced intrinsic characteristics of MEP and IF-WS2 additives, thus improving the overall lubrication characteristics of base oil.


Corruption is an 'evil': a social vice that hampers national development. It is a global phenomenon that devastatingly affects developing economies. It is an act, internalized acts and, or, behavior by observing some significant persons around us who are otherwise referred to as our 'model'. Since corruption is a learned behaviour, this paper, thus, attempts to analyze it from a psychological perspective, using the relevant psychological theories for analysis. It is recommended that if we appreciate the relevance of Psychologists as professional human helpers and society builders, they would be handy in helping to reshape our orientations regarding value appreciation most especially in Nigeria, through their use of behavioural change interventions. Since corruption is a learned behavior, it can be unlearnt through some forms of situational and environmental manipulations. A model is presented to explain how behavior is influenced by both a person and his environment.


Etiology of pericardial disease is varied and complex, pericardium rereports the case of a 73-year-old female patient, with hypertension and hypothyroidism who began her current condition a week previous her entering with upper respiratory tract infection that remitted within two days without treatment. Subsequently, patient had dyspnea with moderate exercise progressing to small efforts dyspnea accompanied by nonproductive cough, so patient assisted to assessment, where vital signs were within normal limits, slight pallor of integuments and decreased heart sounds. EKG showed complexes with minimally alternating voltage; thorax radiography reported cardiomegaly grade I-II due to global growth, bilateral pleural effusion of left predominance and echocardiography with pericardial effusion generalized estimated


The ground and P‐wave excited states of nnn, nns and ssn baryons are studied in the framework of the field correlator method using the running strong coupling constant in the Coulomb‐like part of the three‐quark potential. The string correction for the confinement potential of the orbitally excited baryons, which is the leading contribution of the proper inertia of the rotating strings, is estimated.


The purpose of this study is to discuss the promotion and current development of"the Industry-Academic Hand-in-Hand Collaborative Program"in Taiwan.This discussion includes plan purpose,main characteristics,schooling system,the way to enter school,internship system,and scope of program.Meanwhile this study presents critique opinions for continue promoting this program in future.The advantages of this program were reached as follows:(1)offer plural study channel and assist the students of economic weak tendency;(2)provides practice learning situation for future application;(3) find out employees' talent of potential;(4)integrate industry-academic demands and development.From suspicious aspect,(1)dispute the issue of early distributive system of education;(2)lack the qualify teachers of practice;(3)fail to enhance the literacy of liberal arts;(4)insufficient to link practice experience with career education.Finally,educational reform in Taiwan is endless and gets rid of the passing way of thought.It will try to transform Taiwan's technological and vocational education with the newidea and open brand newopportunity.


The unfortunate event that a naval vessel is damaged, decisions must be made regarding the reduction in the vessel's capability and what damage control procedures can be initiated to both restore this capability and minimise further damage. In order to make an informed decision, it is vital that Commanding Officers (COs) have access to reliable
information regarding the vessel's structural integrity, stability and seakeeping performance. A reduction in any of these parameters may have a significant influence on the operability of the vessel.
A preliminary program of work has been conducted to investigate the change in ship motions due to an angle of list induced on the vessel after sustaining damage. This study incorporates both experimental and numerical simulations of a listed vessel at rest in a seaway. During the experimental program several parameters were investigated to ascertain their influence on the vessel's motions. These parameters include initial list angle, direction of list and wave conditions.
The results from this study show that for a vessel in beam seas there is no significant effect on vessel motions due to an angle of list. However, in head seas the introduction of an angle of list has a marked effect on the amplitude of roll motions. The example operator
guidance generated shows that numerical modelling can be applied to the analysis of the
operability of a vessel against set limiting criteria. This information and methodology
could be incorporated into a rapid damage assessment tool along with sea-load predictions
to assist COs in their decision making process in the event of an emergency.


Key Messages Breast-fed infants have a lower risk of acute illness, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease than formulafed infants. Bioactive proteins in breast milk contribute to the health benefits of breast-feeding. Some proteins in cow's milk have structures and functions similar to those of their corresponding breast milk proteins. Dairy technology now allows the enrichment of some of these proteins, and they may be added to infant formulas. Clinical trials are needed to evaluate whether supplementation of infant formulas with such proteins will provide health benefits.


Beyond training programs, initiatives such as the Emprender Fund, and courses tailored to the needs of users, SENA is committed to supporting collaborative and articulated work with the different actors in the science, technology and innovation ecosystem (CTeI).This is an scenario of local, regional and national competitiveness and productivity, with goals from the closing of human talent gaps, and the provision of infrastructure and resource management from the centers. This is made possible through its Research, Innovation and Technological Development  system, SENNOVA.


In this article, we propose to use shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA) in order to provide the quality of service (QoS) requested by the secondary user (SU) in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing‐based cognitive radio (CR) systems. The performance of the SFLA was evaluated through three transmission modes (emergency, multimedia, and low battery). SFLA provided the best possible configuration in a multicarrier context and thus proved its effectiveness to satisfy the needed QoS for the SU in CR systems. The obtained simulation results showed that SFLA offers better performance compared with genetic algorithms.


Abstract : The overall impression is of a learning curve which may not be level by Day 15. The means range from 4.38 to 6.75 while the standard deviations vary from .62 to .95. An analysis of variance conducted on the data revealed practice and subjects effects. The correlations deserve special mention: The average of the test-retest correlations for Days 1 - 5 is .639; for Days 6 - 10, .767; and for Days 11 - 15, .831. Figure 2 shows correlation coefficients of Days 1, 2, 4, 9 and 13 with the days which followed. A generally declining function is evident which is similar to those previously reported, e.g., by Jones.


The health care beverage yam yogurt was fermented with lactobacilli by the raw materials of fresh yam and milk. The fermentation technological parameter was determined by means of orthogonal experimental design and the products of optimum combination were screened. The results demonstrated that the yugurt fermented was good in colour,smell and taste and had nutritive function under fermentation at 41 ℃ for 4 h when added 10 % fresh yam, 8 % sucrose and 4 % mixed femented agent.


A new type of gas sampling system is described, which makes it possible to determine the no concentration in the exhaust gases directly after a cylinder of a diesel motor with any crank angle during the working cycle. The no concentration pattern determined in relation to the crank angle can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the combustion process, from the results obtained in a pressure charged mwm diesel engine. (TRRL)


Pharmacist involvement in pain management is increasing throughout Canada and the United States. In many clinics, pharmacists work effectively with their physician and nurse colleagues using prescriptive authority as part of collaborative practice agreements.1 These arrangements can include the prescribing of narcotics and other controlled substances, with positive patient outcomes. The New Classes of Practitioners Regulations (NCPR)2 developed by Health Canada present podiatrists, midwives and nurse practitioners with the opportunity to provide, administer and prescribe controlled substances within their provincial scopes of practice. In response to the NCPR, pharmacists are left to wonder why they were not included along with their fellow health care providers.

In Canada, hospitals often establish medical directives entitling pharmacists to prescribe medications in association with a physician. These collaborative agreements are established in the interest of better patient care, with the goals of reducing physician workload and making optimal use of the medication expertise of pharmacists. Interprofessional collaboration has extended to chronic pain management, where pharmacists are commonly included as part of a multidisciplinary clinic. A systematic review of pharmacist involvement in chronic pain teams showed improvement in patient satisfaction, reduction of pain intensity compared to controls and 50% fewer medication events than control subjects.3

Similar strategies are also employed in the United States; for example, at the University of North Carolina, a pharmacist-led team focuses on pain management for oncology patients.4 Under the collaborative practice agreement, the pharmacist prescribes medications, including narcotics. The resulting interventions have improved symptom scores and benefitted the patient population in this facility.4

The idea of pharmacists prescribing controlled drugs has progressed one step further in the United Kingdom. In 1997, the UK government established a review of prescription supplies and administration of medicines. The report concluded that expanded prescription authority would benefit patients.5 Subsequently, in 2003, pharmacists were authorized to become supplementary prescribers in a partnership with a physician or dentist. Supplementary prescribers can presently prescribe any drug including controlled substances, as long as the medication follows an established care plan for a patient.5 Unfortunately, the University of Southampton found that supplementary prescribing had its flaws; mainly an inability to help patients in emergencies and at primary care points without the consultation of a physician.5 As a result, in 2006, pharmacists were able to certify as independent prescribers and in April 2012, independent prescribing of controlled drugs by pharmacists was legalized in the UK.6 This progression was guided by input from expert committees in conjunction with clinical research and analysis. It is hoped that Canada will recognize the benefits these changes have created for patients in the UK and can modify the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to effectively help their own citizens.

While pharmacist prescriptive authority can lead to improved clinical outcomes and broader access to patient care, it can also increase medication safety. With extensive education in pharmacology, pharmacokinetics and the therapeutics of disease state management, pharmacists are an obvious profession to prescribe controlled substances. A Spanish study of 314 patients using benzodiazepines found 132 drug interactions and 278 adverse drug reactions. As a result, there were 426 interventions performed by pharmacists.7 If a pharmacist had been authorized to prescribe these medications in the first place, countless interactions and adverse drug reactions might have been avoided.

In summary, including narcotics and controlled drugs as part of the prescriptive authority for pharmacists is not a new idea. Clinical pharmacists in New Mexico have had prescriptive authority since 1993.1 This authority includes both narcotics and controlled substances once the pharmacist obtains a DEA prescriber number.1 In one study, the inclusion of a clinical pharmacist with independent prescriptive authority as part of an outpatient pain clinic led to positive outcomes. There was a reduction in patient visual analogue scale pain scores, implementation of a controlled substance monitoring system, reduction in "medication misadventures," a 9% increase in clinic revenue and improved quality of life for health practitioners involved.1 These benefits can be reproduced in Canada; however, pharmacists must first be included in the NCPR. It is time for the CDSA to be updated logically, with pharmacists included as controlled drug practitioners subject to provincial/territorial prescribing regulations.


Objective Applying PBL to ophthalmological nursing teaching and evaluating its effectiveness. Methods The objects of this research were the undergraduate nursing students in the fourth academic year, with the students of year-2001 using PBL and the students of year-2002 using traditional teaching method and named traditional group. DREEM questionnaire and close-book exam scores were used to evaluate the effectiveness when the course was over. Results The aggregate DREEM scores of the PBL group were significantly higher than those of the traditional group, and the scores of the PBL group in solving problems were also remarkably better than those of the traditional group Conclusions PBL was applicable to ophthalmological nursing teaching for undergraduate nursing students.


This paper introduces approaches based on vocal tract length normalisation (VTLN) techniques for hybrid deep neural network (DNN) - hidden Markov model (HMM) automatic speech recognition when targeting children's and adults' speech. VTLN is investigated by training a DNN-HMM system by using first mel frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) normalised with standard VTLN. Then, MFCCs derived acoustic features are combined with the VTLN warping factors to obtain an augmented set of features as input to a DNN. In this later, novel, approach the warping factors are obtained with a separate DNN and the decoding can be operated in a single pass when standard VTLN approach requires two decoding passes. Both VTLN-based approaches are shown to improve phone error rate performance, up to 20% relative improvement, compared to a baseline trained on a mixture of children's and adults' speech.


In order for time series estimates of the output gap to be useful to policy makers, this paper argues that two factors will be critical. First, they must be able to produce an estimate of the current output gap based only on past information. Put another way, to evaluate the performance of such estimators, we should focus on their properties as filters rather than smoothers. Second, the decomposition of actual output into potential output and the output gap must not be based on arbitrary assumptions on the time-series behaviour of these variables. In general, this leads to a multiplicity of possible solutions that may differ greatly in their policy implications. The arbitrary selection of one of these creates arbitrary policy advice. A trivial but flexible estimator of the output gap (dubbed TOFU) can be constructed which satisfies both of the above criteria. It estimates the output gap as part of a larger economic relationship. A discussion of its properties shows that except under very strict circumstances, such time series methods will produce better estimates of output gaps ex post than they will ex ante. Furthermore, under certain conditions, contemporary and historical data will be of no use in estimating the output gap whatsoever. This in turn places limits on the extent to which time series methods can hope to improve upon structural estimates of the output gap.


The radio-frequency (rf) performance of a 0.18m CMOS logic technology is assessed by evaluating the cutoff and maximum oscillation frequencies( and max) the minimum noise figure ( min) and associated power gain( ) and the 1/ -noise of the devices. Gate-biasing and channel-length and gate-finger-length adjustments are identified as means to optimize the rf performance without any technology process modifications. Changing to N2O gate dielectrics is shown to greatly reduce the 1/ noise without sacrificing the ac performance. The power amplifier characteristics of CMOS at low power levels are also discussed.


The present invention relates to a transparent member having an anti-reflection coating (5). The anti-reflection coating (5) comprises four layers (51, 52, 53, 54) and the color location (color location) of the reflected light is configured to exhibit a reduced dependence on the layer thickness variations.


Vitrification of mammalian embryos comprises suspension in highly concentrated solutions of penetrating cryoprotectants. These cryoprotectants are known to be extremely cytotoxic to cells in an unfrozen state. In the present experiment, it was attempted to reduce the amount of cryoprotectants entering the cells to a minimum by at least partially dehydrating the blastomeres before exposing them to vitrification solutions. Sucrose is known to be a non-permeating osmotically active agent and is, therefore, suited to serve this purpose. It has been shown that concentrations of up to 1.1 M sucrose are well tolerated (Krag et al. 1985 Theriogenology 23, 199). Morphologically intact mouse blastocysts collected from superovulated 5- to 8-week-old virgin female NMRI mice were randomly allocated to 4 treatment groups (100 embryos/group). A control group (Group 1) was vitrified according to the slightly modified (El-Gayar et al. 2008 Cryobiology 57, 191–194) protocol of (Vajta et al. 1998 Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51, 53–58). The protocol involves exposure to 10% dimethyl-sulfoxide (Me2SO) + 10% ethylene glycol (EG) for 1 min; 20% Me2SO + 20% EG for 20 s; loading into straws and plunging directly into liquid nitrogen. In embryos of Group 2, the procedure mentioned above was preceded by exposure to a 1 M sucrose solution for 1 min. In Group 3, the procedure of Group 2 was followed; however, vitrification solution no. 1 (10% Me2SO + 10% EG) was omitted. In Group 4, sucrose was added to both vitrification solutions at a concentration of 0.2 mol with the 10% Me2SO + 10% EG-solution and of 0.4 mol with the 20% Me2SO + 20% EG-solution. After warming, embryos of all groups were cultured in vitro in microdrops of M16 medium for 48 h. Differences between means were tested for significance by the chi-square test. All embryos were recovered after warming. In the control group, 97% of the embryos had continued development to the expanded blastocyst stage and 89% had proceeded to hatch. The corresponding values for Groups 2, 3, and 4 were 81 and 64%; 60 and 29%, and 93 and 88%, respectively. Earlier studies have shown that in vitro hatching is closely correlated with in vivo survival (El-Gayar et al. 2008 Cryobiology 57, 191–194; Cryoletters 2010, in print). The differences between the control group and Groups 2 and 3 were significant (P   0.05). Thus, exposure to sucrose before vitrification (Groups 2 and 3) compromised the viability of murine blastocysts rather than protecting them, whereas addition of sucrose to vitrification solutions did not. Because embryo survival after cryopreservation by the standard OPS procedure was exceptionally high, it was impossible to detect a potential improvement. This study was partly supported by a grant from the Egyptian government.


During operation, astronomical telescope will undergo thermal disturbance, especially more serious in solar telescope, which may cause degradation of image quality. As drives careful thermal load investigation and measure applied to assess its effect on final image quality during design phase. Integrated modeling analysis is boosting the process to find comprehensive optimum design scheme by software simulation. In this paper, we focus on the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software-ANSYS-for thermal disturbance analysis and the optical design software-ZEMAX-for optical system design. The integrated model based on ANSYS and ZEMAX is briefed in the first from an overview of point. Afterwards, we discuss the establishment of thermal model. Complete power series polynomial with spatial coordinates is introduced to present temperature field analytically. We also borrow linear interpolation technique derived from shape function in finite element theory to interface the thermal model and structural model and further to apply the temperatures onto structural model nodes. Thereby, the thermal loads are transferred with as high fidelity as possible. Data interface and communication between the two softwares are discussed mainly on mirror surfaces and hence on the optical figure representation and transformation. We compare and comment the two different methods, Zernike polynomials and power series expansion, for representing and transforming deformed optical surface to ZEMAX. Additionally, these methods applied to surface with non-circular aperture are discussed. At the end, an optical telescope with parabolic primary mirror of 900 mm in diameter is analyzed to illustrate the above discussion. Finite Element Model with most interested parts of the telescope is generated in ANSYS with necessary structural simplification and equivalence. Thermal analysis is performed and the resulted positions and figures of the optics are to be retrieved and transferred to ZEMAX, and thus final image quality is evaluated with thermal disturbance.


The structural response of soft-core sandwich beams of rectangular cross-section subjected to torsion is investigated. The paper uses the concepts of the extended high-order sandwich panel theory and generalizes the approach to account for the torsional response and its unique mechanisms. An analytical model that utilizes this generalized approach is formulated. The results of the model are presented and compared with the results of a reference model and a finite element analysis. Emphasis is placed on the torsional resistance mechanisms, their interaction, and the torsional-related localized effects. The results of the present model are in good agreement with the finite element analysis in terms of displacements and stresses, including the localized effects attributed to the soft-core. It is also shown that the present model can identify and quantify the localized effects while reference models available in the literature fail to do so. The results of the model contribute to the understanding of the torsional response of soft-core sandwich beams, including the transition between the warping and Saint-Venant torsional mechanisms and the localized effects associated with the soft-core and the application of boundary conditions to the different layers.


In the course of large scale fractionation of human blood plasma in the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Harvard Medical School 1 purified fractions of human fibrinogen and thrombin have become available in large amounts. From these proteins, several materials have been prepared for use in surgery; these materials have a wide variety of physical properties and differ greatly in the surgical uses for which they are adapted. Two products have thus far proved satisfactory in clinical and experimental trials and are now ready for distribution. One is fibrin foam, which is used with a solution of thrombin as an absorbable hemostatic agent. Another is fibrin film, which has been employed as a dural substitute and in the prevention of meningocerebral adhesions. To a less extent the solutions of fibrinogen and thrombin have been used directly in certain special locations, where they provide a physiologic adhesive material by virtue


A simple cloth-based hybridization array system (CHAS) was developed for the identification of toxin genes associated with major foodborne pathogenic bacteria, including toxigenic Escherichia coli, Vibrio cholerae and Salmonella spp. Bacterial isolates were subjected to a multiplex polymerase chain reaction incorporating digoxigenin (DIG)–deoxyuridine triphosphate and primers targeting a variety of toxin genes (verotoxin, Salmonella enterotoxin, cholera toxin and heat-labile/stable enterotoxin), followed by hybridization of the amplicons with an array of probes immobilized on polyester cloth and subsequent immunoenzymatic assay of the bound DIG label. This system provided sensitive and specific detection of the different target toxin gene markers in a variety of bacterial isolates, exhibiting the expected patterns of reactivity with a panel of bacteria having defined toxigenicity profiles. The CHAS is a cost-effective tool facilitating the determination of the potential toxigenic profile of bacteria in the food microbiology laboratory, thus contributing valuable information to the risk-assessment process in the microbiological analysis of foods.


We report the discovery of the sixth known eclipsing double white dwarf (WD) system, SDSS J1152+0248, with a 2.3968 ± 0.0003 h orbital period, in data from the Kepler Mission's K2 continuation. Analysing and modelling the K2 data together with ground-based fast photometry, spectroscopy, and radial-velocity measurements, we determine that the primary is a DA-type WD with mass M1 = 0.47 ± 0.11 M , radius R1 = 0.0197 ± 0.0035 R , and cooling age t1 = 52 ± 36 Myr. No lines are detected, to within our sensitivity, from the secondary WD, but it is likely also of type DA. Its central surface brightness, as measured from the secondary eclipse, is 0.31 of the primary's surface brightness. Its mass, radius, and cooling age, respectively, are M2 = 0.44 ± 0.09 M , R2 = 0.0223+0.0064 −0.0050 R , and t2 = 230 ± 100 Myr. SDSS J1152+0248 is a near twin of the double-lined eclipsing WD system CSS 41177.


Introduction: Seniors are living longer and remaining in their own homes; however, falls have become an epidemic problem that jeopardizes seniors' chances to live independently. Subscribers wish there would be something that could call for help when they cannot. There are emergency response and fall detection systems, but many lack wearability, usability and reliability. Aims and objective: Philips worked closely with elderly consumers in the field to design a system that fits into the lives of the target audience. These frail seniors demand a system that is highly accurate, efficient, dependable, easy to use and easy to wear. Methods: We developed an automatic fall detector with breakthrough accuracy, using multi-sensor technology. The multi-sensor architecture enables high reliability and long battery life time. The system quality is verified by extensive laband field-trials. Results: Lifeline with AutoAlert features the only pendant-style help button that can automatically call for help if a fall is detected and the user is unable to push his/her help button. Conclusions: Emergency response systems with automatic fall detection provide help when needed. By raising confidence and reducing fear of falling they enable longer independent living.


1 Contamination of groundwater by nitrate continues to be a pervasive issue, and there is 2 great interest in the use of natural and enhanced attenuation to manage subsurface nitrate 3 contamination. Several methods for characterizing the occurrence and rate of nitrate 4 attenuation were tested at a field site near Monument Valley, Arizona. Spatial and 5 temporal nitrate concentration data collected from a transect of monitoring wells located 6 along the plume centerline were analyzed to evaluate the overall rates of natural 7 attenuation. The occurrence and rate of denitrification was evaluated through microcosm 8 experiments, nitrogen isotopic fractionation analysis, and solute transport modeling. 9 First-order rate coefficients calculated with each method were comparable. The 10 composite natural attenuation rate coefficient was slightly larger but similar to the 11 denitrification rate coefficient, which suggests that microbially induced decay primarily 12 controls nitrate attenuation at the site. This research highlights the benefits associated 13 with a multiple-method approach for the characterization of natural attenuation. 14


Copyright © Address correspondenc M.D., F.R.C.S.C., Univers email@example.com The authors disclose n DOI: 10.1097/MAO.0 FIG. 1. High resolutio nerve geniculate and ty bone containing genicu 61-year-old woman presented folCT images showed a destructive l A previously well lowing a history of mild head trauma secondary to a motor-vehicle accident. The following month, she developed a progressive left unilateral sensorineural hearing loss that was associated with imbalance. She then developed a complete sudden left facial paralysis 3 months later, though this eventually improved to a House– Brackmann III appearance with left hemifacial spasms. Both high-resolution computed tomography (CT) of the temporal bones and gadolinium enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the brain including focused imaging of the cerebellopontine angle were performed. MR imaging demonstrated a slightly expansile, elongated cystic lesion involving the distal portion of the left internal auditory canal (IAC), and extending and widening the labyrinthine and geniculate portions of the left facial nerve (Figs. 1 and 2). The differential diagnosis would include a cystic facial nerve schwannoma, fallopian canal arachnoid cyst, epidermoid, or focal meningocele (1).


We demonstrate that various properties of population transfer by delayed pulses in three-level systems on two-photon resonance can be deduced analytically and for general pulse shapes. We use the fact that the three-level system reduces to effective two-level problems at large intermediate-level detuning \ensuremath{\Delta}, on resonance (\ensuremath{\Delta}=0) and for completely overlapping pulses. Special attention is paid to the effect of the pulse order on the population transfer efficiency. We show that on resonance the transfer efficiency depends substantially on the pulse order, while at large \ensuremath{\Delta} it does not. We also find that under some natural restrictions on the symmetry of the problem, the population of the initial level does not depend on the pulse order at any \ensuremath{\Delta}. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the population transfer in the three-level system can be viewed as a level-crossing problem in an equivalent two-level system not only at large \ensuremath{\Delta} (which is known) but also on resonance, \ensuremath{\Delta}=0. The effective on-resonance two-level problem is interesting by itself as it shows that a level crossing and adiabatic evolution do not necessarily lead to complete population inversion. As examples throughout the paper, we present several analytically solvable models.


The invention relates to a laser stitch welding device for a galvanized plate. The laser stitch welding device comprises a galvanized upper plate and a galvanized lower plate which are stacked parallel to each other; the upper surface of the upper layer of a first zinc film is provided with an upper clamping wheel; the lower surface of the lower layer of a second zinc film is provided with a lower clamping wheel; the connection line of the circle center of a left end face of the upper clamping wheel and the circle center of the left end face of the lower clamping wheel is vertical to the galvanized upper plate; a laser welding joint nozzle, the upper clamping wheel and the lower clamping wheel synchronously move in the same direction; the axial line of the laser welding joint nozzle is vertical to the galvanized upper plate; the axial line of the laser welding joint nozzle is positioned on the plane where the axial line of an upper clamping wheel shaft and a lower clamping wheel shaft are; and the focal point of the laser sent by the laser welding joint nozzle is positioned on the surface of a zinc film layer of the side adjacent to the laser welding joint nozzle. The consistency of the interlayer gap of the whole welding process is achieved by the same upper and down clamping wheel mechanisms, the zinc gas has a stable discharge passage and the welding process is stable, and the welding quality and intensity are obviously improved.


This paper makes a preliminary analysis on slope and depression operated by two different modes in the garden of Pueraria DC for its water conservation characteristics in soil layer and vine leaf layer in karst rocky desertification areas. Compared with the control, the results show that the soil physical properties of slope or depression after planting vines have been improved obviously. When using in the operation mode of Pueraria DC + peach in depression, its water holding capacity and porosity are obviously superior to slope (planting only Pueraria DC), but the soil corrosion performance is obviously strong in depression. Tests prove that liana can be used for water and soil conservation in rocky desertification areas and scientific operational mode should be selected according to the terrain.


Metamorphosis of cyclorrhaphous flies takes place inside a barrel‐like puparium, formed by the shrinking, hardening and darkening of the third‐instar larval cuticle. The opacity of this structure hampers the visualization of the morphological changes occurring inside and therefore a full understanding of the metamorphosis process. Here, we use micro‐computed tomography (micro‐CT) to describe the internal morphological changes that occur during metamorphosis of the blow fly, Calliphora vicina Robineau‐Desvoidy 1830 (Diptera: Calliphoridae) at a greater temporal resolution than anything hitherto published. The morphological changes were documented at 10% intervals of the total intra‐puparial period, and down to 2.5% intervals during the first 20% interval, when the most dramatic morphological changes occur. Moreover, the development of an internal gas bubble, which plays an essential role during early metamorphosis, was further investigated with X‐ray images and micro‐CT virtual sections. The origin of this gas bubble has been largely unknown, but micro‐CT virtual sections show that it is connected to one of the main tracheal trunks. Micro‐CT virtual sections also provided enough resolution for determining the completion of the larval‐pupal and pupal‐adult apolyses, thus enabling an accurate timing of the different intra‐puparial life stages. The prepupal, pupal, and pharate adult stages last for 7.5%, 22.5%, and 70% of the total intra‐puparial development, respectively. Furthermore, we provide for the first time quantitative data on the development of two organ systems of the blow fly: the alimentary canal and the indirect flight muscles. There is a significant and negative correlation between the volume of the indirect flight muscles and the pre‐helicoidal region of the midgut during metamorphosis. The latter occupies a large portion of the thorax during the pupal stage but narrows progressively as the indirect flight muscles increase in volume during the development of the pharate adult.


Background: Posttraumatic carotid artery dissection (PTCAD) is a common injury in motor vehicle accidents and other extension and rotation injuries, but rarely developed from being shaken vigorously. Case Description: A 7-day-old infant presented to our facility after being attacked by a large dog. Initial examination revealed multiple puncture wounds and lacerations with visible dura. Head CT demonstrated subarachnoid, intraparenchymal, and epidural hemorrhages as well as left hemispheric loss of gray-white differentiation. Thus, the patient presented similarly to shaken baby syndrome (SBS). The patient was taken emergently to the operating room for hematoma evacuation and dural repair. Postoperatively, worsened left hemispheric ischemia was noted and an MRA demonstrated a Grade IV left ICA dissection. No intervention, including anticoagulation, was sought as the stroke was determined to be complete with irreversible damage. Hospital course was complicated by worsening exam, seizures, and a retinal hemorrhage. At 2 years follow-up, the patient still has notable delays but is progressing slowly through milestones. Conclusion: Large animal attacks are a rare cause of PTCAD but may be due to the mechanism of shaking during the attack. We propose either CTA or MRA be considered as part of the initial workup in cases where an infant is attacked by a dog or other large animals, preventing delay of treatment.


We simulated the behavior of vapor and gas–vapor bubbles in dielectric liquid under the action of an electric field. The thermal multiphase lattice Boltzmann method was used to calculate the fluid dynamics. After applying the electric voltage, the bubble was deformed. In the uniform field (in which electrodes occupied all of the boundaries), the bubble was elongated along the direction of the average electric field and the degree of deformation was then calculated, which was close to experimentally obtained results. When the electrodes were smaller than the size of the computational domain, the field was non-uniform. The field magnitude was higher between the electrodes and decreased outside of the electrodes. In this case, the bubble was stretched in the direction normal to the electric field due to the forces acting on the inhomogeneous dielectric fluid. Moreover, for sufficiently small electrodes, the bubble escaped outside of the electrodes. This type of interesting behavior has been previously observed in experiments of Korobeynikov et al.


Objective To retrospectively summarize the renal pathological entities from 861 cases of renal biopsy.To survey features and pathological types of glomerular diseases.Methods Between January 2008 to January 2009,861 cases of percutaneous renal biopsy were performed.The pathologic entities were analyzed retrospectively and the clinical pathological characteristics of renal diseases were concluded.Results Primary glomerular diseases accounted for 85.6%.Secondary glomerular diseases accounted for 13.4%,interstitial nephritis 0.8%,transplant nephropathy 0.2%.In primary glomerular diseases,IgA nephropathy,mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis,minor glomerular abnormalities,minimal change disease,membrane nephropathy,was accounted for 21.5%,19.5%,17%,11.7%,9.6%,respectively.In secondary glomerular diseases,lupus nephritis,HBV-associated nephritis,diabetic nephropathy,accounted for 6.2%,3.1%,1.4%.Conclusion Primary glomerular disease was the most common renal disease occrurred in patients.IgA was predominant.LN was the most common in secondary glomerular diseases.


Carica papaya Linn belonging to the family Caricaceae is a well known medicinal plant in the world. It has also got good reputation in Bangladesh having the local name papay. It is used as a traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases like cancer, malaria, dengue fever, viral infection such as common cold, eczema, warts etc. Studies conducted in some countries have shown that there is a significant antibacterial activity in organic extracts of different parts of C. papaya. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the phytochemical screening and antimicrobial activity of methanolic extract of C. papaya. The powdered leaf of C. papaya was extracted with methanol. The concentrated crude methanolic extract was then evaluated for phytochemical screening. Phytochemical screening was performed to determine the presence of carbohydrate, and various secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, tannins and saponins. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrate, tannin and saponin. The antimicrobial activities of methanolic solvent extract of Carica papaya leaf were tested against the gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains and fungus by observing the zone of inhibition. The antimicrobial test was performed by disc diffusion method. The grampositive bacteria used in the test were Staphylococcus saprophyticus, Streptococcus pyogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, β-hemolytic streptococcus, Bacillus megaterium and the gram-negative bacteria were Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella paratyphi, Shigella boydii and fungus like Asperllius niger and Candida albicans were also used. The crude methanolic extract of Carica papaya leaf showed mild to moderate antimicrobial activities against the microorganisms at different concentrations of 50 μg/disc, 100 μg/disc and 150 μg/disc. However, no activity was found against Streptococcus pyogenes and Shigella boydii. PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE LEAVES OF CARICA PAPAYA LINN. 1 CHAPTER


Napier University and Oregon Timber Frame Ltd have recently completed an award winning two year project in timber engineering. The project was conducted under the
umbrella of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) which is a UK Government funded research programme. As a result of the project academic based research has been put into industrial practice to the mutual development of all parties involved. Oregon Timber Frame Limited design, manufacture and erect specialised timber frame systems for volume house-builders in the United Kingdom. As a direct result of the KTP, Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) have been adopted, value engineering has been implemented and regulation change and revised codes of practice have been endorsed. Central to the project are the principles of the Egan Report 'Rethinking Construction' which promotes house builders to specify sustainable and environmentally friendly construction methods and reduce accident rates by utilising off-site construction methods, whilst increasing overall efficiency and quality. Through laboratory testing and computer modelling a best practice procedure for the crane erection of pre-assembled components was developed which has resulted in improved Health & Safety, productivity and financial gain. Key drivers were applied to the design process as a means to delivering optimisation in regards to robustness, speed of construction, quality of product and sustainability. Structural design and component detailing have been revised and improved to satisfy new European Structural Codes of practice and UK building regulations (Part L&F).


The region's oil exporters are expected to post solid growth in 2012, largely on account of Libya's betterthan-expected postwar recovery. In the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), growth remains robust, supported by expansionary fiscal policies and accommodative monetary conditions. For these countries, as for the region more broadly, the medium-term challenge is to generate enough jobs for a young and rapidly growing population.


The soul of law is the idea of freedom and justice.The realization of this idea depends on the system innovation and improvement.This paper studies the introduction of HEC into patient's decision-making.We allow HEC to become a medium between doctors and patients and between hospital and judicature,and thus play roles in strict examination,agents,and consultation.This will more efficiently protect the interests of patients,hospitals and society and maintain the security of human existence and ethics.


Dalapon (2,2-dichloropropionic acid) was applied at 3.3 kg/ha during late May or early June to a well-established grass sward consisting of smutgrass [Sporobolus poiretii (R.&S.) Hitchc], pangolagrass (Digitaria decumbens Stent.), and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge. 'Pensacola'). Two cultural treatments, mowing or roller chopping, and two fertilizer treatments, 0 or N-P-K at 112-25-93 kg/ha were superimposed on the dalapon treatments at four different time intervals in a split plot design. Chopping or mowing 2 weeks after the dalapon treatment resulted in the highest bahiagrass ground cover and smutgrass control with a minimum amount of bare soil. Chopping tended to favor pangolagrass recovery, and mowing favored bahiagrass recovery. Fertilizer application increased pangolagrass ground cover 90-days after treatment, and smutgrass control after 1 yr. Fertilizer application 6 weeks after dalapon treatment generally increased pangolagrass ground cover and smutgrass control. Pangolagrass responded to fertilizer regardless of chopping or mowing. Mowing controlled more smutgrass than did chopping on the non-fertilized plots.


Objective To compare the effect of traditional craniotomy and mini-invasive operation on basal ganglion hemorrhage,and analyze influencing factors related to the differences.Methods 79 cases with basal ganglion hemorrhage according to the enrollment criterion of standardized treatment of hemorrhagic stroke were analyzed.41 cases were treated by mini-invasive operation(mini-invasive group) and 38 cases were treated by traditional craniotomy(craniotomical group).Their postoperative complications,consciousness in 3 days and 2 weeks after operation were evaluated,and activity of daily life(ADL) in 6 months after operation were observed.Results 3 days after operation,24 cases in mini-invasive group and 34 cases in craniotomical group experienced abnormal consciousness(P0.05).2 weeks after operation,7 cases in mini-invasive group and 14 cases in craniotomical group experienced abnormal consciousness(P0.05).6 months after operation,67.6% in mini-invasive group were graded ADL 1-2 and 32.4% were graded ADL 3-5,while in craniotomical group the percentgae were 38.5% and 61.5%.Conclusions Mini-invasive operation makes the abnormal consciousness recover earlier,reduces complications,vegetable status and mortality.


Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) to metastatic disease may involve the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Results: STAT3 may regulate N-cadherin, vimentin, and ZEB1 expressions. STAT3-induced cell invasion and down-regulation of E-cadherin may depend on ZEB1. Conclusion: STAT3 may mediate CRC EMT progression and ZEB1 expression. Activation of STAT3 and ZEB1 proteins may contribute to worse prognosis in CRC patients. Significance: Our data may provide potential targets to prevent and/or treat CRC invasion. The progression of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) to invasive and metastatic disease may involve localized occurrences of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, mechanisms of the EMT process in CRC progression are not fully understood. We previously showed that knockdown of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) up-regulated E-cadherin (a key component in EMT progression) in CRC. In this study, we examined the roles of STAT3 in CRC EMT and ZEB1, an EMT inducer, in STAT3-induced down-regulation of E-cadherin. Knockdown of STAT3 significantly increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin and vimentin expressions in highly invasive LoVo CRC cells. Meanwhile, overexpression of STAT3 significantly reduced E-cadherin and enhanced N-cadherin and vimentin expressions in weakly invasive SW1116 CRC cells. Activation of STAT3 significantly increased CRC cell invasiveness and resistance to apoptosis. Knockdown of STAT3 dramatically enhanced chemosensitivity of CRC cells to fluorouracil. STAT3 regulated ZEB1 expression in CRC cells, and the STAT3-induced decrease in E-cadherin and cell invasion depended on activation of ZEB1 in CRC cells. Additionally, pSTAT3Tyr-705 and ZEB1 expressions were significantly correlated with TNM (tumor, lymph node, and metastasis stages) (p < 0.01). In conclusion, STAT3 may directly mediate EMT progression and regulate ZEB1 expression in CRC. ZEB1 may participate in STAT3-induced cell invasion and E-cadherin down-regulation in CRC cells. The expressions of pSTAT3Tyr-705 and ZEB1 may be positively associated with CRC metastasis. Our data may provide potential targets to prevent and/or treat CRC invasion and metastasis.


It is a molding compound, in particular for producing a soft magnetic composite material proposed which comprises a soft magnetic properties exhibiting starting powder, a thermoplastic compound, and a lubricant. The lubricant is particularly stearic acid. Further, it is proposed to use such a molding material for producing a soft magnetic composite material, wherein the manufacturing process steps preparation of the molding material, injecting the molding compound at a temperature below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic compound, first Temepraturbehandlung of the pressed molding compound below the melting temperature of the thermoplastic compound and the second temperature treatment the pressed molding compound above the melting temperature of the thermoplastic compound comprises. The proposed soft magnetic composite material is particularly suitable for the production of heat-resistant, corrosion-resistant and fuel-resistant soft magnetic components for fast controllers and actuators.


Ecosystem complexity has been a huge challenge for marine ecologists and conservation biologists, and recent discoveries of great microbial diversity and abundance have further compounded the problem. In their Perspective,
 Azam and Worden
 propose a unifying ecosystems biology approach, treating marine ecosystems as biochemical matrices and molecular architectures.


This paper reviews 107 literature references that reflect the state of the art in the use of oxygen for delignifying and bleaching cellulose pulp. Delignifying pulp involves removing part of the residual lignin it contains in order to facilitate its subsequent bleaching. Bleaching removes residual lignin and resins - which are coloured - and/or alters their chromophoric groups, thereby increasing pulp brightness. Delignification is an extension of the cooking process rather than a pulp bleaching operation proper. Most frequently, crude pulp is delignified with oxygen prior to bleaching.


The purpose of the present article is to briefly overview the main characteristics and structure of China's capital market. The first part of the paper presents the main stock exchanges, futures exchanges and commodity exchanges of China, securities products available in China, China's level of domestic market capitalization and other key financial information and statistics regarding China capital market. The second part of the paper contains a short review on the liberalization and reforms of China's financial market, especially the programs QFII (Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor), QDII (Qualified Domestic Institutional Investor) and mini-QFII.


This study aimed to understand the impact of integrated business reports on the continuity of companies considering the Corona pandemic. To achieve the goal of this study, we got the industrial companies listed on the Amman Stock Exchange as a community and a sample of them. We got the data from the financial statements of the 33 companies published on the stock exchange website quarterly for the period (from 2018 to 2020): which covers two periods: the first before the COVID-19 pandemic and the second during the COVID-19 pandemic. We used the macro process analysis to analyze data, evaluated the integrated business report (independent variable) by giving to the disclosed item (1) and the undisclosed item (0): and the going concern (dependent variable) by Altman equation, finally COVID-19 pandemic (modified variable) by Dummy variable. The positive impact of integrated business reports is an ongoing concern, and the negative impact of the Corona pandemic ongoing concern, and when the Corona pandemic serves as a modifier on the relationship between integrated business reports and going concern, the impact of integrated business reports ongoing concern has become negative considering the Corona pandemic. Companies enhance their integrated reports on the risks they may face and develop strategic plans for crisis management at all levels (short-term, mid-term, and long-term) in the future.


This project results from the International Research Forum Critical Dialogues on Pandemic Perspectives held on September 10th and 11th, 2020, in pursuant of the shared participants objectives, an online event attended by confirmed colleagues and friends from 16 countries. The International Online Congress "Critical Dialogues on Pandemic Perspectives: Global Justice, Rule of Law and Human Rights" comprises joined researchers efforts to promote international academic and scientific exchanging cooperation on the current global pandemic context on reflecting, thinking and scrutinizing government's, public policies and decision-making process and innovation in the fighting against direct and collateral damages caused by the Covid-19's social and institutional impacts, considering transnational implications to the political, economic and the rule of law systems from a Global Justice approach and, locally to human rights' protection.


The present invention driver for generating a lighting control signal by receiving the light control signal from the outside, and controls the light receiving and light control signal amplified from the radio signal control module, a wireless signal control module for amplifying by a preset light control signals, for supplying a driving power to a wireless signal control modules or drivers it relates to a light control device including a power supply module.


The surface temperature field,friction coefficient and wearing status of composites were investigated by using homemade variable speed frictional heat testing machine.Composites' surface microstructure and transfer film's composition were analyzed by using scanning electron microscope. The results show that the surface temperature increase is different with different components,and contents of metal oxide/PA1010 composites.The transient temperature of composites surface during braking undergoes three stages:no reaction stage,linear increasing stage and slow changing stage. And the friction coefficient of friction plate for the composite Fe_3O_4/PA1010 is related to the transfer film,which forms on the friction surface.The change tendency of the friction coefficient corresponds to that of the composites' transformation from the glassy state to the elastomeric state.


The Pathways to Sustainable Employment (PAS£) research programme is a five-year programme aimed at determining the supply-side and demand-side parameters of employment-seeking and career development of New Zealanders aged 15-34, and developing policy implications. In an initial phase of the project, 866 participants sampled from four geographical areas and representative of different age, gender, and ethnic groups took part in a Computer Aided Telephone Interview (CAT/) concerning their employment experiences to date and their aspirations for the future. This paper reports on the experiences of participants in respect of seeking and finding their current job, their last job, and their first job and the role social networks play in supporting career decision making. The data, which demonstrate the key role that social capital plays in these regards, raises issues about such things as the expertise of network members, their objective understanding of others' capacities and interests, and their knowledge of the labour market. We suggest that the importance of social capital is underestimated and policy makers could do well to take this into account when considering developing strategies for sustainable employment.


In order to examine the relevance of alteration of gap‐junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) to chemopreventive activity against carcinogenesis, the effects of α andβ ‐carotene as well as lycopene, typical chemopreventive carotenoids, on cell coupling via gap junctions in rat liver in vivo were studied using a direct functional dye‐transfer technique. We found that all three test compounds given at a dose of 50 mg/kg‐body weight (b.w.) daily, 5 times by gavage, inhibited GJIC, while similar treatment with 5 mg/kg b.w. caused enhancement, especially in the β‐carotene and lycopene‐treated groups. At the dose level of 0.5 mg/kg b.w., the three compounds had no effect. The findings show that all three agents differentially modulate GJIC depending on the dose, with beneficial effects on cell communication only detected at the one dose. The result suggests that determination of the dose of chemicals to be used is crucial for human intervention studies.


A novel simple and efficient route was carried out for preparation of dual responsive gold nanoparticles based on click chemistry and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer(RAFT) polymerization.The functionalized hybrid gold nanoparticles were characterized by FTIR,XPS,TEM and TGA methods.The results indicate that the hybrid gold nanoparticles are dispersed well.The surface grafting density of hybrid nano-particles are calculated to be about 0.6 Chains/nm2.In addition,the hybrid gold nanoparticles show dual responsive phenomenon as the temperature or pH value changed.It is demonstrated that the route of preparation of hybrid gold nanoparticles was simplified controlled and functionalized using click chemistry/RAFT polymeri-zation method.


I summarize recent results and discuss upcoming and planned experiments that attempt to elucidate how the structure of nucleons might be modified by nuclear binding.


The thesis has two purposes. The first is to understand the organizational forms of the public administration when it participates in international rule making processes. The second purpose investi ...


A case of type IIIA1b mirror-image right aortic arch is described and the complementary role of angiography and computed tomography suggested.


(NOTE: Each chapter concludes with a Summary, Summary of Key Terms, Questions, Case Problem, and References.) 1. Operations, Competitiveness, and Strategy. They all believe in quality. The operations function. The evolution of production/operations management. U.S. competitive problems. Strategy. Issues and trends in operations. Purpose and organization of this book. 2. Operational Decision-Making. Operational decision-making at Reynolds Metals Company. The focus of operational decision making. Areas of operational decision making. Quantitative techniques for decision making. The decision-making process. Decision analysis. Support systems for decision making. 3. Quality Management. Market-driven quality at IBM. The meaning of quality. Total quality management. The cose of quality. The effect of quality management on productivity. Quality and the role of management. Quality improvement and the role of employees. Identifying quality problems and causes. Current trends and philosophies of quality management. Quality awards and the competitive spirit. ISO 9000. 4. Statistical Quality Control. Statistical process control at Kurt Manufacturing. Inspection. Statistical process control. Control charts. Computerized statistical process control. Acceptance sampling. Computerized acceptance sampling. 5. Product and Service Design. Designing a better golfball. The design process. Improving design process. Quality of design. Technology in design. Service design. 6. Process Planning and Technology Decisions. Process planning. Technology decisions. 7. Facility Layout. Pittsburgh International: An efficient layout. Basic types of layouts. Designing process layouts. Designing product layouts. Hybrid layouts. 8. Location Analysis and Logistics Management. Supplier location for the Moscow McDonald's. Types of facilites. Site selection: Where to locate. Critical factors in location analysis. Facility location and quality management. Location analysis techniques. Logistics management. Transport and distribution systems. The transportation method. 9. Jobs: Design, Analysis, and Measurement. Employee satisfaction at Federal Express. The changing nature of jobs and job design. Contemporary trends in job design. The elements of job design. Job analysis. Work measurement. 10. Forecasting. Forecasting aircraft parts demand at American Airlines. Forecasting and quality management. Components of forecasting demand. Time series methods. Forecasting accuracy. Time series forecasting using the computer. Regression Methods. Qualitative methods. 11. Aggregate Production and Capacity Planning. Planning hospital needs. Strategies for meeting demand Aggregrate production and capacity planning techniques. Management coefficients model. Strategies for managing demand. Aggregate planning for services. 12. Inventory Management. Parts inventory management at IBM. The elements of inventory management. Inventory control systems. Economic order quantity models. Quantity discounts. Reorder point. Order quantity for a periodic inventory system. 13. Material Requirements Planning. Five million possibilities at Hubbell Lighting. Objectives and applicability of MRP. MRP inputs. The MRP process. MRP outputs. Capacity requirements planning Advanced topics in MRP. Manufacturing resource planning (MRPII). Problems and prospects of MRP/MRPII. 14. Scheduling. Hot, warm, and cold at TCONA. Objectives in scheduling. Loading. Sequencing. Monitoring. Finite scheduling. Maintenance scheduling. Employee scheduling. 15. Just-In-Time and Continuous Improvement. JIT in Detroit. Basic elements of JIT. Continuous improvement. Benefits of JIT. JIT implementation. JIT in services. 16. Waiting Line Models and Service Improvement. Providing optimal telephone order service at L.L. Bean. Elements of waiting line analysis. Waiting line cost analysis and quality. Single-channel, single-phase model. Multiple-channel, single-phase models. Multiple-phase models. 17. Project Management. Product design teams at Chrysler and Ford. The elements of project management. The Gantt chart. CPM/PERT. Probalistic activity times. Computer analysis of CPM/PERT. Project crashing and time-cost trade-off. Epilogue: Change. Appendices. Tables. Solutions to Odd-Numbered Problems. Indexes.


The previous Cross-DB challenge in the 1st MEGC [1] used a combination of 2 datasets (CASME II and SAMM), with objective class labels as proposed in [2]. In this 2nd MEGC, the Cross-DB challenge increases its coverage to include the classic SMIC dataset, which is one of the earliest spontaneous micro-expression dataset to be created. To enable all three datasets to be used together, a common reduced set of emotion classes are used, with appropriate mappings from their original emotion classes.


The study assesses water quality at Masaka, a peri-urban settlement on the North-Eastern fringes of Abuja, Nigeria's Federal Capital City. Water samples were collected from two hand-dug wells in each of 6 quarters that comprise the study area. Using standard laboratory techniques, the water samples were analyzed for concentration of parameters such as electrolytic conductivity, turbidity, total dissolved solids, pH, dissolved oxygen, calcium, nitrates, chromium, cadmium, alkalinity, chloride, iron and total bacterial count. Tables and charts were use for data presentation while hypotheses testing was undertaken using ANOVA. The results indicate that some elements were found to have significant concentration in water from hand dug wells at Masaka whereas others were either insignificant or met the safety standard/limit provided by Federal Ministry of Water Resources and/or World Health Organization. The study makes appropriate suggestions to ensure that water resources are properly managed to avoid pollution and for sustainable availability of ground water for the growing water demands in peri-urban settlements in Nigeria.


This research has been funded by the Spanish Government in the frame of the Project 'Metodos LES para la simulacion de chorros multifasicos', Ref. ENE2010-18542. The authors also acknowledge the financial support of the Universidad Politecnica de Valencia under the contract Reference PAID-2759 and the Generalitat Valenciana, under the contract GV/2010/039. We are also grateful to Dr. Franciso Javier Salvador and
Dr. Jose Manuel Pastor for providing experimental data and fruitful advices. In addition, we gratefully acknowledge helpful discussions with many researchers in CMT-Motores Termicos, especially Ms. Palma Gonzalez and Ms. Mariany Chavez.