As part of the transition from the originators of the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) Array, NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL), to the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), obsolescent sensors that are currently on the TAO Legacy buoys will be replaced by commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) sensors that will be on the TAO Refresh buoys. Side-by-side testing of a number of the moorings is being conducted. One of the comparison sites is at the equator and 140°W, where a flux site is located. A flux site consists of the seventeen sensors that are normally at a TAO buoy site, plus an additional sixteen meteorological and oceanographic sensors. The Refresh mooring at 00° 140°W was deployed for approximately 375 days with a visit eight months after deployment to replace the air temperature - relative humidity sensor and the rain gauge. Therefore, the comparison is separated into two portions.


In this interview, Alzira Rufino describes her involvement in the feminist movement and what caused her to found the Black Women's House of Culture in Brazil in 1990. Rufino located the center in Santos because it is a port city which sees a great deal of violence and is very sexist and racist. The center, which exists to assist all women, grew out of a Rufino's realization that Black women needed a group to support their rights. The name for the center came from the fact that women have been the keepers of African culture in Brazil. In Brazil, White men dominate the culture, even the cultural expressions produced by Black people such as the Carnival. The center has had to overcome the criticism directed at it because it was created for women and for Black women in particular, and Black feminists are beginning to understand that Black women make up 25% of the population of Brazil and must celebrate their heritage. Increasing the self-esteem of Black women can be instrumental in helping women undergo training for better jobs and to take the initiative to become entrepreneurs. Black women in Brazil are beginning to occupy positions formerly denied them and to denounce the racism and sexism directed toward them.


The TA3 tumor is characterized by a heavy sialomucin cell surface coating demonstrable by specific histochemical staining. Enzymatic removal of sialic acid from the tumor cells resulted in an apparent increase in the specificity of this tumor. With neuraminidase treatment, 3000 TA3 cells produced lethal takes in only 6 ± 4% of allogeneic C3H hosts, compared with 56 ± 5% lethal takes observed in untreated C3H controls. Simple destruction of tumor cells by neuraminidase was unlikely since syngeneic strain A hosts regularly became distended after tumor injection although regression often occurred later. Nonspecific stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system was also unlikely since treatment of hosts with complete Freund's adjuvant was ineffective. Studies of tumor rejectors showed that a solid immunity could be obtained to an earlier, more specific TA3 line but could not be achieved with the nonspecific TA3 line. Results obtained so far are consistent with an explanation in terms of masking of isoantigens at the tumor cell surface with sialomucin.


One method of examing ureteral function is the measurement of intraluminal pressure changes which occur during peristalsis. To record the pressure change, two different procedures may be employed, one of which utilizes an indwelling ureteral catheter (urometry), the other a needle directly inserted into the lumen (the direct insertion method). For the sake of comparison, both were performed simultaneously on anesthetized dogs weighing 9-12 kg, with the following results.1. When a No.4 or larger sized Fr. catheter was introduced into the ureter, urine retention above the tip of the catheter usually occurred and the regularity of interperistaltic interval was disturbed. When employing a No.3 Fr. ureteral catheter, both contracting pressure and resting pressure increased with little change in interperistaltic interval. Furthermore, since the time constant of the No.3 Fr. cathetertransducer system is longer than that of No.4, pressure wave forms were distorted. This phenomenon was most evident as the urine flow rate or intrabladder pressure increased.2. In the direct insertion method using a 22G. hypodermic needle, both contracting pressure and resting pressure were recorded with little interference with the normal physiological state. The irregularity of wave forms was minimal.3. The conclusion was that for animal with narrow lumen of the ureter, the 'direct insertion method' is most useful.


In sheet metal bending process, a sheet metal blank is plastically deformed between tools (dies) to obtain the desired final configuration. The sheet metal industry, a part of the wide metal forming industry, involves processes for producing sheet metal forming covers from very small electronic components to automobile parts and bodybuilding, aeronautical industries and many.. The accuracy in dimension is always remains a major concern in sheet metal bending process, owing to the considerable elastic recovery during unloading, which leads to spring back. Spring back is normally measured in terms of difference between the dimension of fully loaded and unloaded configuration. Tool shape and dimension, contact friction condition, material properties, thickness of sheet, sector angle are the major parameters that affect the spring back. The determination of spring back by means of trial and error technique not only increases the cost for the manufacturing and repair of the tool but also waste a lot of time, causing delay in the development of the product. The prediction of spring back using numerical simulation based on Finite Element Analysis (FEA) with mathematical and statistical modelling technique has been proofed a powerful tool and using by various researchers for determination of spring back accurately.


Crystals of the N-terminal domain of the nucleocapsid protein from Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus that diffracted X-rays to a resolution of at least 2.63 Å are described.


On 2009 June 15 UT the transit of TrES-2b was detected using the University of Arizona's 1.55 m Kuiper Telescope with 2.0–2.5 millimag rms accuracy in the I band. We find a central transit time of Tc = 2454997.76286 ± 0.00035 HJD, an orbital period of P = 2.4706127 ± 0.0000009 days, and an inclination angle of i = 83.°92 ± 0°.05, which is consistent with our re-fit of the original I-band light curve of O'Donovan et al. where we find i = 83.°84 ± 0°.05. We calculate an insignificant inclination change of Δi = −0.°08 ± 0°.07 over the last three years, and as such, our observations rule out, at the ∼11σ level, the apparent change of orbital inclination to ipredicted = 83.°35 ± 0°.1 as predicted by Mislis & Schmitt and Mislis et al. for our epoch. Moreover, our analysis of a recently published Kepler Space Telescope light curve for TrES-2b finds an inclination of i = 83.°91 ± 0.°03 for a similar epoch. These Kepler results definitively rule out change in i as a function of time. Indeed, we detect no significant changes in any of the orbital parameters of TrES-2b.


(Sr,Ba)2SiO4 phosphors co-doped with Tb3+ and Eu2+ were prepared by a conventional solid-state reaction method. Prepared (Sr,Ba)2SiO4:Tb,Eu phosphors had characteristic luminescent spectra excited under near-UV excitation in which both the broadband spectrum assigned to Eu2+ and the narrowband spectrum assigned to Tb3+ are observed, although Tb3+ is inactive with this photon energy in general. The sudden emergence of the Tb3+ luminescence shows that Eu2+–Tb3+ energy transfer is possible in the phosphor. We also studied the energy transfer mechanism in terms of the resonant energy transfer theory and found that the crystal structure of the host material Sr2SiO4 plays an important role in the luminescence properties of the phosphor. The Eu2+–Tb3+ energy transfer is ascribed to the overlap between the shorter Eu2+ luminescence band from the Sr2SiO4 crystal structure with two Sr sites and D54 energy level of Tb3+ ion. Therefore, this phosphor has a potential for application to white light-emitting diodes exci...


from epidermal nevus cells, or arise from hair follicle keratinocytes accompanying the EN. Hafner et al. found that a biopsy containing both BCC and EN revealed E545K PIK3CA mutation which was present in the BCC rather than in the EN. In BCC samples, there have been no previously documented EN in any PIK3CA hotspot mutations although other regions mutations may exist. Moreover, a clonal relationship cannot be completely excluded because the BCC developed later than the EN. So, both lesions may still share a common but yet unknown molecular genetic alteration. However, due to our limited hospital conditions, further examination such as molecular analysis could not be implemented. The clinical features of our case were similar to those of the reported case by Hafner et al.. Despite having multiple, bilateral and asymmetrical lesions, our patient had no evidence of neurological disease such as mental retardation and seizures. In fact, malignant transformation of EN may occur whether or not they are associated with other organ system abnormalities. When sudden, localized development of nodules, erosions or ulcers appear, malignant transformation should be suspected. Li-qiang ZHENG, Yong HUANG, Yan-jing QU, Yuan-hong ZHANG, Xiang-chun HAN Departments of Dermatology, Pathology, 251st Hospital of Chinese PLA, and Department of Pathology, the First Affiliated Hospital to Hebei North University, Zhangjiakou City, China


OF DISSERTATION Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology and Criminal Justice in the Graduate School of Northeastern University October, 2012


Abstract : The purpose of this report is to summarize U.S. Department of Transportation activities with regard to the AEROSAT access control studies that have been conducted in the recent past and to make recommendations for future efforts. In particular, this report concentrates upon the studies conducted by Aerospace Corporation, Bell Aerospace Company and Computer Sciences Corporation on behalf of the Department. The report consists of three basic sections. Section 2 is a discussion of the communications concepts germane to AEROSAT access control. It defines and reviews the principles of multiplexing, multiple access, demand access, and access control and relates them to the system parameters of AEROSAT. Section 3 is a complete summary of the three AEROSAT access control studies. The evaluation approach taken, the access control techniques considered, and the conclusions reached by each study are summarized. No attempt is made to critique these results or to combine them into a common set of recommendations. Section 4 presents the recommendations for AEROSAT access control techniques, mainly based upon the results of the three studies and the access control techniques defined in appropriate AEROSAT documentation. Also included are recommendations for AEROSAT test and evaluation, as well as future simulation efforts. (Author)


This article has two main objectives. Firstly, to portray the diverse collaborative photography and video experiences in Anthropology. Secondly, to contextualize and share the results of recent research on participatory photography projects promoted by documentary photography collectivities. To this end, I have focused on pioneering works and authors who have tested these methodologies with children and adolescents who are the subject of my fieldwork. This research, which is at a commencing stage, aims to establish synergies with other professionals and therefore establish theories and collaborations in regards to future applied research projects through the use of audiovisual media.


This article discusses the modern development of mortgage-backed securities in Russia, their differences from other debt instruments, the risks of investing in bonds of the housing loan, the calcu-lation methods for minimizing these risks are characterized as well. Particular attention is paid to the need of developing regional market of mortgage-backed securities and its impact on the housing problems of the population.


Numerical two-dimensional study is carried out on the laminar and turbulent natural convection of molten sodium in a square enclosure heated from one vertical wall and cooled from an opposing vertical wall. A nonuniform magnetic field is described by a mathematical equation, which describes the distribution of different values of magnetic induction strength along the magnetic pole faces. The external magnetic field is applied in the x direction, for laminar flow with Ra = 106 and for turbulent flow with Ra = 1010. The magnetic field intensity required for suppressing the turbulent natural convection is more than that required for laminar natural convection. The effect of a nonuniform magnetic field differs from that of a uniform magnetic field. The flow profile changes dramatically with external magnetic strength and direction, but this change in flow region depends on the distribution of magnetic field strength along magnetic pole faces. The flow of liquid metal in an enclosure occurs in the low-magnetic-strength region far from the high-magnetic-strength region. This affects the temperature distribution in the enclosure and the values of the Nusselt number.


The extended Kalman filter (EKF) is the basis for many applications of filtering theory to real-time problems where estimates of the state of a dynamical system are to be computed based upon some set of observations. The form of the EKF may vary somewhat from one application to another, but the fundamental principles are typically unchanged among these various applications. As is the case in many filtering applications, models of the dynamical system (differential equations describing the state variables) and models of the relationship between the observations and the state variables are created. These models typically employ a set of constants whose values are established my means of theory or experimental procedure. Since the estimates of the state are formed assuming that the models are perfect, any modeling errors will affect the accuracy of the computed estimates. Note that the modeling errors may be errors of commission (errors in terms included in the model) or omission (errors in terms excluded from the model). Consequently, it becomes imperative when evaluating the performance of real-time filters to evaluate the effect of modeling errors on the estimates of the state.


Objective:To investigate the effects of continuous blood purification(CBP)therapy on patients with multiple organs dysfumction syndrome(MODS).Methods:Nine of MODS(all accompanied with acute renal failure)patients received CBP therapy for 43 times. The main methods were Continuous veno-venous hemofiltration(CVVH)and continuous veno-venous hemodialysis(CVVHD).Plasma exchange(PE)and hemoperfusion(HP)were also applied according to the state of illnesses.The life signs(including blood pressure,central venous pressure and heart rate)were measured during CBP.Blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr),electrolytes,liver function and blood gas analysis were measured whenever necessary.Results:The life signs of all 9 cases were stable during CBP therapy. The clearance of BUN,creatinine,serum potassium and water ultrafiltration were satisfactory.There were no severe adverse effects happened during CBP therapy.Out of 9 cases of MODS,3 cases were successfully saved,2 cases were discharged automatically and 4 cases died.Conclusion:CBP therapy is an effective for patients with MODS.


Pedagogical practice performed by first-cycle students in educational institutions helps to improve the training of future educators – teachers, tutors, social pedagogues, organizers of non-formal activities. In the university model of pedagogical practice three stages are distinguished that reflect a consistent change in roles of a student who performs the practice – from an observer or a pedagogue's assistant working under the care of a mentor and a practice supervisor to an independent worker under the supervision of a mentor and a practice supervisor. The first pedagogical practice in the first year of studies is performed in preschool educational institutions, in preschool education groups. During the second semester students already perform the practice in 1-4 grades of primary school. After the completion of the practice students are encouraged to reflect on their experience, to notice its positive and negative sides, the successes and failures they faced, to rethink the acquired competences and to project the ways and means of their professional development. In the article the experiences and insights of first-cycle students' pedagogical practice in primary grades for the improvement of the model of practice will be analysed. To achieve the aim of the research and to collect the data of the research the method of written reflection has been used.


In five early texted works—"The Widow's Lament in Springtime," Du, Two Sonnets, Vision and Prayer, and Philomel—Babbitt uses a variety of means to project both poetic form and the psychological life of the characters represented. Trichordal derivation is used to model metaphors of reference, dependency, and layers of psychological action. Divergences between voice and accompaniment can also create layers of agency and implication. In several instances, Babbitt's desire to reflect the meaning of texts leads him to musical structures that depart from the practice and principles he develops in his instrumental work. Moreover, in all five of these pieces, poetic form—the sonic, syntactic, and visual aspects of poetry—is projected in numerous ways; this is shown to derive from Babbitt's youthful career in musical theater. Some ways involve the coordination of serial and poetic articulation, and some involve non-serial musical dimensions.


In order to study the fine surface structure of arterial endothelium in rabbit, new perfusion and fixation methods were devised and the large arteries in the thoracic region were observed with scanning and transmission electron microscopes.1. In our scanning electron microscopic images the luminal surface of arteries is covered by endothelial cells with the obvious marginal folds, and if contraction of the arterial wall is prevented the endothelial cells are multangular in shape without special elongation in any direction.2. Hair-like processes occur on the endothelial surface in the sinus aortae, sinus trunci pulmonalis, aorta ascendens and the proximal portion of the arcus aortae. Their occurrence is evidenced not only by scanning electron microscopy but also by transmission electron microscopy of sections. When the arteries are washed with cold (2°C) physiological saline, the hair-like processes become obscure. This finding suggests a susceptibility of the processes to certain luminal conditions.3. In the aorta ascendens, arcus aortae, aorta thoracica, a. carotis communis, a. brachiocephalica and truncus pulmonalis, there are endothelial cells with a process probably corresponding to single cilium. A single cilium with its typical microtubular structure was demonstrated in one of our ultrathin sections.4. Multiple craters are found on the endothelial cell surface in the aorta ascendens, arcus aortae and aa. intercostales branching point, even after the perfusion method and instantaneous fixation method were used to avoid ischemia and mechanical trauma.


The admission control problem is concerned with determining whether a new task may be accepted by a system consisting of a set of running tasks, such that the already admitted and the new task are all schedulable. Clearly, admission control decisions are to be taken on-line, and hence, this constitutes a general problem that arises in many real-time and embedded systems. As a result, there has always been a strong interest in developing efficient admission control algorithms for various setups. In this paper, we propose a novel constant-time admission control test for the Deadline Monotonic (DM) policy, i.e., the time taken by the test does not depend on the number of admitted tasks currently in the system. While it is possible to adapt known utilization bounds from the literature to derive constant-time admission control tests (e.g., the Liu and Layland bound, or the more recent hyperbolic bound), the test we propose is less pessimistic. We illustrate this analytically where possible and through a set of detailed experiments. Apart from the practical relevance of the proposed test in the specific context of DM tasks, the underlying technique is general enough and can possibly be extended to other scheduling policies as well.


In recent years, the role of technology in working life has increased. Technology and digitalization play a crucial role in the developmentof the organizations and the entire societies. The ascendance of digital organizations has also become a widely researched topic, the digital workplace environmentbeing an important organizational asset for increasing employee productivity (Köffer, 2015). Digitalization creates changes in the world of work, impacting not only business performance and worker productivity, but also job satisfaction, work/life balance, worker autonomy and monitoring across hierarchical levels. Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in particular are essential components of working andimportant working tools (Korunka&Vartiainen, 2017).


Disseminated cryptococcosis is generally seen in immunocompromised patients mainly associated with Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Spontaneous cryptococcal peritonitis among patients of disseminated cryptococcosis is a rare presentation, which is presented in cases with cirrhosis of liver. It can be confused with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Strong clinical awareness and index of suspicion in a cirrhotic patient with peritonitis as well as early diagnosis and treatment is required as it is difficult to distinguish from spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. We describe here a case of disseminated cryptococcosis with cryptococcal peritonitis in a cirrhotic male. Key-wordsLiver cirrhosis, Cryptococcosis, Cryptococcal peritonitis INTRODUCTION Liver disease in a non HIV diabetic patient is an important risk factor for the cryptococcal disease. Studies have reported the prevalence of cirrhosis to be 4.5% 9.5%.[1] According to the National Institutes of Health, cirrhosis is the 12th leading cause of death by disease.[2] Major complications of cirrhosis include ascites, variceal bleeding, hepatorenal syndrome, hepatic encephalopathy, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and portal hypertension. Due to immune dysregulation, uncommon pathogens become more common and virulent in these patients.[3] Because of the high morbidity and mortality, prevention, early diagnosis, and proper management of these infections are necessary to improve survival. Here we report a case of cryptococcus peritonitis in a cirrhotic male. CASE REPORT A 72 yrs male was admitted to our hospital with complaints of breathlessness and anasarca. His conscious level on Glasgow Coma Score scale for eye, verbal and a motor response was 10 (E3V3M4). Access this article online Quick Response Code www.ijlssr.com DOI: 10.21276/ijlssr.2017.3.3.1 On Examination heart rate was 70/min, SpO2 100% on oxygen, blood pressure 100/50mm of Hg, bilateral crepitus and wheezing present, abdomen tense (ascites present), S1S2 normal, pallor present, icterus present. Laboratory examinations revealed glycosylated haemoglobin 5.4, deranged liver function test, international normalized ratio 5.69, prothrombin time 64.2 sec, sodium 116mmol/l (predictive accuracy of MELD score increases by hyponatremia which is a common finding in decompensated liver disease), potassium 5.5 mmol/l total leukocyte count was 12.71x109/L, hemoglobin 8.2g/dl, urea 201mg/dl, creatinine 4.07mg/dl. Child pughs score was 13 and MELD score was 38. Ascitic fluid routine examination revealed: cell count 800/cu mm with a predominance of neutrophils and presence of encapsulated budding yeast cell. Ascitic fluid for culture and sensitivity was sent. Gram Stain showed Gram positive budding yeast cell. India ink was positive for Cryptococcus [Fig 1]. After 48 hours of incubation, it grew mucoid colonies of Cryptococcus. Blood culture (Bactec 9120) was positive on 4th day. Colonies were identified as Cryptococcus neoformans (vitek 2 Compact, biomereux). Immediately patient was started on amphotericin B (25mg in 50ml normal saline over30min for 2days followed by75mg). Despite treatment patient's condition deteriorated, urine output decreased continuously and a patient could not survive. The death could be attributed to progressive liver failure, hepatic encephalopathy, acute on chronic kidney disease with super imposed cryptococcal peritonitis. REPORT CASE Int. J. Life. Sci. Scienti. Res. MAY 2017 Copyright © 2015-2017| IJLSSR by Society for Scientific Research is under a CC BY-NC 4.0 International License Page 971 Fig 1: India Ink preparation showing Cryptococcus He was admitted to our hospital five months back for fracture neck femur and upper end humerus right side. Hemiarthroplasty was done. A month later he was admitted with complains of altered sensorium, slurring of speech with per rectal bleed, ascitis and decreased urine output. He was managed conservatively and discharged in stable condition. He was a known case of Type 2 diabetes since 14 yrs, coronary artery disease since 8 yrs, hypertension since 2 yrs and chronic liver disease since 1 year. He under went percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty for coronary artery disease and endoscopic variceal ligation. DISCUSSION Disseminated cryptococcosis is commonly found in HIV infection, solid-organ transplantation, chronic organ failure (renal and liver), immunosuppressive medications, hematologic malignancy, chronic lung disease, rheumatologic disorders, cases of gastrointestinal (GI) bleed and CAPD patients. [4-7] Cryptococcal peritonitis is seen in 7.4% of HIV cases, 2% in non HIV cases.CP is considered a rare manifestation of cryptococcosis in cirrhosis [8]. In a stud, it was found that among 33 HIV-negative patients with disseminated disease, cirrhosis was present most commonly and was also associated with grave prognosis. Leukocyte impairment, decreased opsonin activity, and complement dysfunction are known to predispose cryptococcosis in cirrhotic patients. [8] Infection of ascitic fluid (spontaneous fungal ascitis) in HIV-negative patients accounts for less than 5% of all cryptococcosis cases. Cryptococcal peritonitis is the second most common infection in patients with cirrhosis. [9] In a study 61 cases were reviewed and cirrhosis was the major factor associated with CP. [10] Peritoneal fluid analysis reveals pleocytosis with lymphocytic predominance. Few studies have reported PMN as in our case. [9,11-12]. Very few studies from India have reported CP in decompensated liver disease. [13] The mortality rate is very high, ranging from 70 to 80%. [8,13] In our case India ink preparation was performed immediately which showed encapsulated budding yeasts. This may emphasize the need for this test to be used for initial screening in suspected cases. The patient had a MELD score of 38 and Child pughs score 13 both of which showed a poor prognosis. Treatment of cryptococcosis depends on the site and immune status of individuals. Guidelines for CNS cryptococcosis are well established but no specific guidelines exist for treatment of cryptococcal peritonitis. [14] Prognosis in disseminated cryptococcosis with cirrhosis for HIV-negative patients with 30 day mortality is reported as 100% in one study. In HIV infected cases liver cirrhosis came out to be the strongest predictor of 30-day morality (hazard ratio 16.3). [8] In 50% of the cases the process is said to be transudative which is also seen in our case. [7] CONCLUSIONS We concluded in this study that spontaneous cryptococcal peritonitis in a patient with disseminated disease is a rare manifestation of C. neoformans infection. Grave prognosis is associated in cases where cryptococcosis is present with liver cirrhosis as seen in this case. Very few cases have been reported till date. Studies regarding prophylactic treatment for a cryptococcal infection in cases where there is history of a GI bleed and liver disease should be performed to draw a consensus towards an empirical therapy.


Objective:To research quickly and easily appraisal method of Salmonella bacteria and develop an identification card for Salmonella bacteria.Methods:Make identification card with H2S AGAR,Lysine AGAR,TTC AGAR,Mannitol AGAR,Beta galacitiol AGAR,Sucrose AGAR,as Salmonella bacteria series of biochemistry.22 strains of standard bacteria and 72 strains separate from our lab were identified,and the sample identification of strains.Results:The results of strains identified by identification card shows that Salmonella bacteria is in the appraisal model,while other is out appraisal model.The accuracy was 100%.Conclusion:The identification card is of high sensitivity and specificity and the operation is simple.


The SMEs collection bonds broke the common practice that only large enterprises can issue bonds and widened the direct financing channels of SMEs financing in the bond market.However,the defects and limits of the collection bonds,such as high access threshold,guarantee difficulty,and high financing cost,have hindered the subsequent issuing of the bonds.This paper proposed that improvement should be made on the access condition,guarantee enforcement,bond credit rating,default risk management and product innovation.


Throughout history, each set of technologies, from woodcraft to water pumps and from electricity to computers, has ushered its own set of changes into the way people generate and interact with music. Acoustic musical instruments have settled into canonical forms, taking centuries, if not millennia, to evolve their balance between sound production, ergonomics, playability, potential for expression, and aesthetic design. In contrast, electronic instruments have been around for little more than a century, during which rapid, often exponential (Kurzweil, 2000) advances in technology have continually opened new possibilities for sound synthesis and control, keeping the field in continual revolution and allowing few instruments to be mastered by a significant community of players. In fact, one might well ask what does " mastery " of an electronic musical instrument mean? A by-product of the power to create and manipulate artificial sounds is the ability to decouple the synthesis of an instrument's sound from the physics of the instrument's sound-producing mechanism , allowing musical controllers to diverge from the familiar physical forms of acoustic instruments. While this frees controllers to evolve along different paths, it also imposes constraints on an instrument's playing qualities because of limited control over and lack of connection to the sound production mechanism. Thus the normal path to learning an instrument-acquiring an increasingly complex representation of the relationship between one's actions as a player and the instrument's response-no longer holds because each instance of an instrument, controller plus synthesis model, requires that this mapping be learned anew. Indeed, electronic music controllers evolve so rapidly that it's rare for a musician to work long enough with one to develop virtuosic technique. Although bound by the limitations of available analog and vacuum tube or dynamo-based technologies, the very early pioneers of electronic music were highly motivated to explore expressive and unusual channels of articulation and control for achieving an evocative performance, perhaps because the electronic instruments were then in such an obvious contrast with their highly-expressive acoustic contemporary cohorts. We see this in the depression-sensitive, just-intonation keyboard and timbre controllers of the Telharmonium (Weidenaar, 1995), the radical free-gesture Theremin interface (Glinsky, 2000), the movable keyboard, knee pedal, and timbre stops of the Ondes-Martenot (Rhea, 1984), and the wonderfully expressive left-hand controller and multimodal keyboard of the Electronic Sackbut (Young, 1989). The introduction of voltage-controlled and modular analog synthesis (Pinch & Trocco, 2002) enabled the controller to be easily separated from …


A list of vascular plants of El Aguila hill, the higher mountain located in the municipalities of Lagunillas and Morelia, in the Mexican state of Michoacan is given. The fi eld work was carried out from 2007 to 2010. The fl ora comprises 105 families, 343 genera, 633 species, and 42 infraespecifi c taxa. The most diverse families were Asteraceae (153 species), Fabaceae (53) and Poaceae (34). Genera with the largest species richness were Salvia (17), Stevia (12) and Verbesina (11). Herbs comprise 72.4% of the whole fl ora. Based in physiognomic features and species abundance, fi ve vegetation types are described. Pinus-Quercus forest and Quercus forest were the most diverse vegetation types ((286 y 383 species, respectively). According to NOM-059-ECOL-2010 fi ve species are included within risk category Under Special Protection (Cedrela dugesii, Cupressus lusitanica, Dahlia scapigera, Gentiana spathacea, and Laelia speciosa), and one more as Endangered (Tilia americana var. mexicana). Efforts to conserve the vegetation and fl ora in the study area should be developed taking in account the problems derived for land-use changes.


Water pricing is an important way of improving water allocation and encouraging users to conserve scarce water resources. This work presents water pricing experiences across 22 countries in various sectors and over time. Country cases studies are presented in a structured form allowing easy comparison of result.


Abstract Free Space Optical (FSO) communication is being realized as an effective solution for future accessing networks, offering light passed through air. The performance of FSO system can be primarily degraded by various atmospheric attenuations such as rain, fog, haze and snow. At present, hybridization of Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM) with Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM) becomes necessary to scale the speed and high bandwidth of the services. In this paper, primarily the attenuation values for different weather conditions are calculated. Then the hybrid WDM-FSO system is proposed, designed and the network parameters such as Bit Error Rate (BER), Quality factor (Q factor) and receiver sensitivity are analyzed with respect to link distance for various weather conditions. For investigation, four CWDM (1,510 nm, 1,530 nm, 1,570 nm and 1,570 nm) channel and eight DWDM channels (1,537.4 nm, 1,538.2 nm, 1,539 nm, 1,539.8 nm, 1,540.6 nm, 1,541.4 nm, 1,542.2 nm and 1,543 nm) are considered whose corresponding channel spacing is 20 nm and 0.8 nm, respectively. In addition, the Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifier (EDFA) is inserted at the receiver end in order to enhance the link distance. The proposed hybrid WDM-FSO system is designed to handle the quality of transmission for 12 users, each at a data rate of 2.5 Gbps along an FSO link distance of about 960 km.


For decades, partially oxidized hydrides were commonly considered as undesirably contaminated phases and were avoided by scientists. Nevertheless, more recently, it was realized that in some hydrides and oxides, partial substitution of dissimilar H− and O2− anions allows one to obtain unique optical and electrical properties that might have appealing applications in commercial products. It was determined that specific properties of so called oxyhydride materials strongly depend on the used synthesis methods; therefore, there is a great interest in exploring various variants of oxyhydride formation. In the current study, TiHxOy films were deposited by a reactive magnetron sputtering process in Ar-O2-H2 gas mixtures. Color, transparency and crystal phase composition of the films coherently reacted to the Ar:O2:H2 gas ratio. Namely, the rise in partial hydrogen pressure promoted the formation of anatase phase TiO2 structure and darkening of the films. Interestingly, this had only minimal impact on the band gap values, but had a relatively strong negative effect on the photocatalytic activity of the films. The unaccustomed results stressed the difference between the partially reduced TiO2 with a significant amount of oxygen vacancies and synthesized TiHxOy films where some O2− ions are implicitly substituted by H− ions.


Objective: To evaluate the caries-protective effect of three recent dentin bonding agents (DBAs) on demineralization of root surface in vitro. Materials and Methods: The root surface of 70 freshly extracted caries-free human teeth was thoroughly cleaned and polished, thereby removing the cementum. The root surfaces were coated with acid-resistant nail polish and 2 mm × 3 mm rectangular window was prepared on the buccal surface. The samples were then divided randomly into three experimental groups; Group 1 (Xeno-V), Group 2 (Tetric N Bond), and Group 3 (Gluma Self-etch) which were further divided into two Subgroups (A and B) with 10 samples each in which second layer of adhesive was cured without air thinning and with air thinning respectively. Subsequently, all specimens were demineralized for 6 days with acidified gel (hydroxyethylcellulose, pH 4.8, 37°C). Each tooth samples were sliced in plano parallel section (80 ± 20 μm) by safe sided diamond disc and examined for caries-like lesions (demineralized area) under a polarized microscope. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, Student's t- and Tukey honestly significant difference tests. Results: All control group specimen exhibited lesions with a mean depth of 86.15 μm. In Group 1–3, the lesion depth was reduced significantly, Subgroup A results were better than B. Conclusion: Demineralization on root surface can be impeded by DBA tested. Gluma Self-etch showed maximum caries-protective effect.


PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: Physician estimates of cancer patients' survival are notoriously inaccurate. A number of models have been developed in an effort to better predict patient lifespan based on clinical factors. The Graded Prognostic Assessment (GPA), most recently published in 2012 by Sperduto et al, estimates median survival (MS) for patients who had undergone treatment for new brain metastases from June 1993 to January 2010. While independently validated in numerous studies, we investigated the applicability of the GPA model in the modern era for a smaller cohort of patients with brain metastases who were specifically selected for SRS by retrospectively calculating the diagnosis-specific GPA predicted median survival for patients with brain metastases treated with SRS at our institution between 2006 and 2012. RESULTS: 100 patients underwent SRS; 73 received whole brain radiation therapy. Observed (O) and predicted (P) MS were 13.3 and 9.4 months. The difference between predicted and actual survival was computed for each patient, and the mean difference was 10.8 months (95% CI, 8.95 - 14.8 months); the mean actual/predicted ratio was 2.07 (95% CI, 1.64 - 2.50). Compared to the predicted, actual survival was 25/35/50% longer (an arbitrarily chosen yet clinically significant amount of time) in almost half (53/49/48%) of our patients. Even when KPS was overestimated (increasing GPA predicted survival), actual survival 25/35/50% longer than predicted survival was observed in 49/46/44% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our deliberate selection bias of recently treated patients with modern imaging and more advanced therapies confirms that clinical models such as the GPA must be used with awareness of the current clinical setting as well as a full understanding of the model and its derivation to be of greatest benefit.


The article presents data of the influence of cytokines of different directions of glucose and lipid metabolism in obesity. A change of the basic paradigm regarding adipose tissue has contributed to a number of recent discoveries. This concerns such basic concepts as healthy and diseased adipocytes, and, as a consequence, changes of their metabolism under the influence of cytokins. Distinguishing the concept of organokines demonstrates that despite the common features of cytokine regulation, each organ has its own specifics features of cytokine regulation, each organ has its own specific an important section of this concept is the idea of the heterogeneity of adipose tissue. Knowledge of the function of adipose tissue localized in different compartments of the body is expanding. There are date about the possibility of transition of one type of adipose tissue to another. A possible mechanism linking adipose tissue inflammation and the formation of insulin resistance (IR) is presented in this paper. The mechanism of IR development is closely connected with to proinflammatory cytokins disordering the insulin signal, accompanied by a decrease of the work of glucose transporters. A decrease of the income of glucose into cells leads to a change of glycolysis level to an increase of the fatty acids oxidation. Cytokins are able to participate in the process of the collaboration of some cells with others, that occurs both during physiological and pathological process.


ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT iv PERMISSION SHEET vi APPROVAL SHEET vii SUBMISSION OF DISSERTATION viii DECLARATION ix TABLE OF CONTENTS x LIST OF TABLES xiv LIST OF FIGURES xv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS xvii


Supposition investigation is essentially worried with the examination of feelings and assessments from the content. We can allude supposition examination as conclusion mining. Conclusion investigation finds and legitimizes the opinion of the individual regarding a given wellspring of substance. Web-based social networking contain a gigantic measure of the opinion information as tweets, websites, and updates on the status, posts, and so forth. Estimation examination of this to a great extent created information is exceptionally helpful to express the feeling of the mass. Twitter feeling investigation is dubious when contrasted with wide slant examination due to the slang words and incorrect spellings and rehashed characters. We realize that the greatest length of each tweet in Twitter is 140 characters. So it is essential to distinguish amend notion of each word. In our venture, we are proposing an exceedingly exact model of feeling investigation of tweets as for most recent r eviews of forthcoming Tollywood or Bollywood or Hollywood films utilizing Internet Movie Database (IMDb). With the assistance of highlight vector and classifiers, for example, Naïve Bayes, we are effectively characterizing these tweets as positive, negative and impartial to give feeling of each tweet. Keyword: Naïve Bayes, Machine Learning, Twitter, Sentiment analysis, IMDb, Unigram. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 07-07-2017 Date of acceptance: 28-07-2017 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


High-precision calculations of electroweak processes in light nuclei are of great importance for multiple reasons. Gerry Brown together with Dan-Olof Riska published in 1972 a famous calculation on radiative capture of a thermal neutron on a proton, and their work was a precursor of subsequent great developments in high-precision calculations of electroweak processes in light nuclei. The application of effective field theory to nuclear systems is a prominent example of these developments. We present an overview of it with main emphasis placed on those topics in which we ourselves have been involved.


The asexual blood stage "merozoites" of an Indian strain of the tick-borne cattle haemoprotozoa, Theileria annulata, was generated in in vitro culture and the gene encoding the merozoite surface protein (Tams 1) was amplified from cDNA by using primers designed from T. annulata (Ankara strain). The amplified gene was cloned into pPROExHT b plasmid vector and expressed as fusion protein in Escherichia coli, DH5α strain. The recombinant protein was purified using NINTA affinity chromatography and used to detect antibody response in known anti-Tannulata bovine serum samples in a ELISA format.


[Objective] To study the effect of blood sugar on prognosis of acute myocardial infarction. [Methods] 106 patients of acute miocardial infarction were divided into three groups. Group A represented cases of nomal blood sugar. Group B represented cases of hyperglycemia. Group C represented cases of types 2 diabetes mellitus. [Results] There were marked difference among three groups in TG, TC, HDL and the percentage of Complication. [Conclusion] The percentage of Complication was apparently raised after miocardial infarction with increased blood glucose concentration and diabetes mellitus.


About twelve o'clock, that night, was born the Catherine you saw at Wuthering Heights, a puny, seven months' child; and two hours after the mother died, having never recovered sufficient consciousness to miss Heathcliff, or know Edgar.
 The latter's distraction at his bereavement is a...


The AGEMAP project generated an 8932 by 16 matrix of p-values for whether gene i is age related in tissue j of the mouse. For each gene, a meta-analysis is required to pool over tissues, and then a multiple hypothesis testing method is required to control false discoveries. This paper looks at the meta-analysis issues raised in greater depth. The AGEMAP analysis used a test statistic first used by Pearson (1934) designed to be most sensitive to departures that all go in the same direction. Pearson's statistic has been considered inadmissible for over 50 years. We find that it has the best overall performance in separating age related genes from others in a resampling simulation modeled on the real experiment. We also prove that Pearson's statistic really is admissible and get a sharp bound for it's tail probabilities.


Most of the countries and organizations were implementing Enterprise Risk Management or known as ERM as it is already been introduced many years ago because it gives positive contributions towards the performance. It is also a way to help organizations manage the risks to achieving better results. About ten years ago, it has been implemented in Malaysia and being recommended to use it as a tool in an organization in order to recover the potential risks. ERM is regarded as an effective risk management technique and rapidly becomes the standard of best practice. Therefore, the variables that will affect the ERM implementation in an organization should be taken into account. Hence, this paper aim to propose a framework that will explains the relationship between network capacity and organization's performance. This relationship will be mediated by ERM implementation and this paper will be focusing on Malaysian Public Higher Education, which are 20 institutions that listed under the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE).


With the aim of disentangling the role of the constituent blocks in the high-${T}_{c}$ cuprate superconductors we have measured x-ray absorption spectra at the $\text{Cu}\text{ }{L}_{3}$ edge on $({\text{Cu}}_{1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}}{\text{C}}_{\ensuremath{\delta}}){\text{Ba}}_{2}\phantom{\rule{0.1em}{0ex}}\text{Cu}{\text{O}}_{x}$ (BCO), ${\text{CaCuO}}_{2}$ (CCO), and BCO/CCO superconducting superlattices obtained by stacking in a sequence the two blocks. By observing the polarization dependence we could discriminate between the in-plane and out-of-plane hole densities. The results strongly indicate that charge is redistributed across the interfaces from the BCO charge reservoir block to the CCO infinite layer block. In the superconducting samples a relatively high density of out-of-plane holes is still present, whereas when the CCO layer thickness is excessive the holes appear to have preferential in-plane orientation and superconductivity is suppressed.


This paper describes force and moment measurements of AGARD-B standard models in the Defence Science and Technology (DST) Group Transonic Wind Tunnel (TWT). Measurements of the lift, drag and pitching moment coefficients at Mach numbers of 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 are compared with published data from other transonic facilities. The agreement is satisfactory for verifying the performance of the measurement system, however, small differences in the lift and moment slopes point to possible wall interference. Differences in the pitching moment characteristics of two AGARD-B models of different overall size demonstrates the integrated effects of wall interference on the data. Another key observation in the results is a step change in the AGARD-B lift curve as the angle of attack is increased from 12.5 ◦ to 14 ◦ for Mach numbers of 0.7 to 0.9, where flow hysteresis is detected at Mach number 0.9.


Continuing after the previous papers of this series, attention is devoted to RR-systems having two towns (i.e., to compact 3-manifolds with spines corresponding to group presentations having two generators). An interesting kind of symmetry is noted and then used to derive some useful results. Specifically, the following theorems are proved: THEOREM 1. Let 0 be a group presentation corresponding to a spine of a compact orientable 3-manifold, and let w be a relator of O involving just two generators a and b. If w is cyclically reduced, then either (a) w can be "written backwards" (i.e., if w = amlibmliam2b2 ... a.kbk, then w is a cyclic conjugate of bnkamf ... b 2am2bnla m), or (b) w lies in the commutator subgroup of the free group on a and b. THEOREM 2. (Loose translation). If 4 is a group presentation with two generators and if the corresponding 2-complex K. is a spine of a closed orientable 3-manifold then,Kp is a spine of a closed orientable 3-manifold if and (except for two minor cases) only if 4 has two relators and among the six allowable types of syllables (3 in each generator), exactly four occur an odd number of times. Further, each of the two relators can be "written backwards." In [3] RR-systems were introduced and were shown to contain much useful information about the relationship between group presentations and spines of orientable 3-manifolds. In this paper we devote our attention to RR-systems having two towns and correspondingly to group presentations with two generators. We observe that many of these RR-systems have a certain kind of symmetry. By means of this symmetry we will derive some useful results. In particular, we will establish the following: THEOREM 1. Let T be a group presentation corresponding to a spine of a compact orientable 3-manifold, and let w be a relator of p involving just two generators a and b. If w is cyclically reduced, then w can be "written backwards" or lies in the commutator subgroup of the free group on a and b. (Specifically, w can be "written backwards" if w = amIbn1amV12 ... amkbnk is a cyclic conjugate of w = b nka mk . . . b 2a m2b n'am.) (Cf. [5].) Received by the editors April 20, 1976. AMS (MOS) subject classifications (1970). Primary 57A10; Secondary 55A25.


A single-inductor dual-output (SIDO) step-down DC-DC converter with continuous conduction mode (CCM) operation is proposed to improve efficiency and reduce cost for power management applications. The designed converter has a supply voltage from 2.7 V to 3.3V with dual output voltages at 1.8V and 1.2V. The pulse frequency modulation (PFM) technique is employed to reduce cross regulation between dual outputs. The proposed SIDO converter has been demostrated with 0.35μm CMOS process for a system-on-chip (SoC) design.


While emotions are typically cast as interferences with cognitive activity, appraisal theories view emotions as conceptually linked with cognitive judgments. This paper argues further, that we depend on emotional judgments to bring to consciousness significant facets of our everyday surroundings and to mark their personal salience. It is emotion, not cognition, that brings to consciousness the moral and spiritual aspects of life. Spiritual activity, as defined by Hay and Nye's (1998, p. 113) 'relational consciousness', is an emotionally intense experience. The attenuated emotional style of American life, which seeks to diminish emotional intensity, creates an obstacle to spiritual education. Indeed even the 'emotional intelligence' movement has generally worked toward controlling emotions, not experiencing them. Educators need to promote rich emotional engagement as a preparatory step toward developing relational consciousness. Classroom activities targeting the language of emotion, and the development of an integrated taxonomy of the cognitive and affective domains, could be part of a solution.


Background: Multiligament knee injuries (MLKIs) can result from high-energy injury mechanisms such as motor vehicle accidents or low-energy injury mechanisms such as activities of daily living or sports. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to conduct a systematic review on postoperative patient-reported outcomes after MLKIs and to conduct a meta-analysis of comparable outcome variables based upon high- versus low-energy injury mechanisms. It was hypothesized that MLKIs with low-energy injury mechanisms would demonstrate significantly improved subjective clinical outcome scores compared with high-energy injuries. Study design: Meta-analysis and systematic review. Methods: A systematic review was performed with the inclusion criteria of postoperative MLKI outcomes based upon high-versus low-energy mechanisms of injury with a minimum 2-year follow-up. Outcome scores included were the Lysholm knee scoring scale, Tegner activity scale, and the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) score. High-energy mechanisms included motor vehicle accidents or falls from a height >5 feet; low-energy mechanisms included sports-related injuries, activities of daily living, or falls from <5 feet. A meta-analysis was performed comparing the outcome scores of high- versus low-energy mechanisms of MLKIs. Results: Overall, 1214 studies were identified, 15 of which were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Thirteen studies included surgical reconstructions of all injured ligaments. A total of 641 patients with 275 high-energy and 366 low-energy injuries were grouped for comparison in the meta-analysis. No significant differences in Lysholm scale (78.6 vs 78.0) or IKDC scores (69.0 vs 68.4) were found between high- and low-energy groups at a minimum of 2 years (range, 2-10 years) postoperatively (P > .05). The low-energy injury group demonstrated significantly higher Tegner activity scale scores (5.0 vs 3.9; P = .03). There was no significant difference in failure rates between groups (3.5% vs 2.0%; P = .23). Conclusion: We found in this systematic review and meta-analysis that patients with low-energy mechanisms of MLKI surgery had improved postoperative Tegner activity scores compared with those patients with high-energy mechanisms after MLKI surgery. However, there were no differences in Lysholm score, IKDC score, or failure rates between high- and low-energy MLKI patients at an average of 5.3 years postoperatively.


Abstract : This project is concerned with the study of advanced techniques for the analysis of reconnaissance imagery. The current project is concerned with the development and application of advanced techniques for image processing, feature detection, segmentation, texture and shape analysis, and region representation. (The overlays in the project title refer to region representations which specify background areas or possible object locations.)


The design principle of diffractive optics and three basic ways to fabricate grayscale masks are briefly introduced. By laws of grayscale fabrication, a projective-exposure system in precise-epitome way with PP8000 color film recorder is designed successfully. A variable transmittance is provided to different position on grayscale mask plane and the required diffractive optical elements can be obtained after one-time exposure. With this system, not only high-resolution grayscale mask can be fabricated with black-white film, but also subdivision with 256 grayscale level can be extended for further improving fabrication resolution of grayscale mask by a color equivalent film based on color grayscale equivalent theory. For 16-step grayscale mask, its resolution can be extended from 0~255 to 0~1280 grayscale level. The sensitive patterns minified by binary grating are also given with the system.


Database-based composition approaches are evolving and coming into researchers' notice. In this paper, we present a pre-joined service composition approach with dynamic services in a Graph database. Firstly, services' information is stored in a graph database. Secondly, a composition network is constructed. Last but not least, a solution by converting the composition problem into graph database queries is fetched. Considering that services are dynamic and lead to frequent changes of service compositions, we discuss how to update the graph database, e.g., service addition, disappearance and update. Preliminary experiment indicates that the proposed approach can support service composition with services' dynamic changes.


In this paper a novel method is proposed to provide more security for the key information with the combination of image compression and data encryption method. This method requires less memory space and fast transmission rate because of image compression technique is applied. Steganography plays an important role in information security. Since the rise of the Internet one of the most important factors of information technology and communication has been the security of information. It is the art of hiding the fact that communication is takes place, by hiding information in other information. Many different file formats can be used, but digital images are the most popular because of their frequency on the Internet. For hiding secret information in images, there exist a large variety of steganographic techniques some are more complex than others and all of them have respective strong and weak points. Many applications have different requirements of the steganography technique used. Some applications may use absolute invisibility of the secret information, but others require a larger secret message to be hidden. This method has been implemented and tested on varies images and data. It provides better security for encrypted data and no distortion in the image quality.


Data shuffling can improve the statistical performance of distributed machine learning. However, the obstruction of applying data shuffling is the high communication cost. Existing works use coding technology to reduce communication cost. These works assume a master-worker based storage architecture. However, due to the demand for unlimited storage on the master, the master-worker storage architecture is not always practical in common data centers. In this paper, we propose a new coding method for data shuffling in the decentralized storage architecture, which is built on a fat-tree based data center network. The method determines which data samples should be encoded together and from which the encoded package should be sent to minimize the communication cost. We develop a real-world test-bed to evaluate our method. The results show that our method can reduce the transmission time by 6.4% over the state-of-art coding method, and by 27.8% over Unicasting.


Two different ways of studying nonviolence are distinguished, depending on whether one uses explicit or implicit definitions of nonviolence used by others, whether writers on the subject or people who say they have practiced nonviolence, or one tries to develop one's own definition. The second approach is followed in this article in order to avoid ritualistic repetition of what others have regarded as nonviolence. Nonviolence is seen as an effort to influence, and a typology of influence techniques is developed, based on a simple model of how human actions are decided upon. This typology has as its main axis a distinction between positive and negative techniques of influence, i.e. the distinction between techniques that facilitate the execution of positive actions and techniques that impede the execution of negative actions. Nonviolence is then defined in a negative and a positive sense: negative nonviolence would include all possible techniques of influence short of 'deprivation of biological health' (called violence in the narrow sense) and positive nonviolence would exclude all negative techniques of influence (called violence in the broad sense). Current forms of nonviolent resistance or intervention are then examined in this perspective, and five main types are distinguished: a symbolic form that aims at pointing out to the adversary what are positive and what are negative actions; the use of physical means such as nonviolent sabotage, emigration, escape and their positive counterpart: close social contact; the use of positive and negative sanctions; the use of positive and negative 'amplification' (a way of increasing the impact the adversary's actions have, whether they are good or bad) and role-playing which includes such techniques as non cooperation and civil disobedience. In the final evaluation it is pointed out that adherents of nonviolence should do more to develop positive techniques of influence, and that many of the negative techniques differ little from biological violence.


Oxygen control in lead-bismuth eutectic (LBE) is one of the key issues for the development of lead-cooled fast breeder reactor, particularly suppression of lead oxidation and dissolution of metal elements in structural material such as Fe and Ni into LBE. A potentiometric oxygen sensor has been developed to measure the oxygen concentration in LBE. However, the detail fabrication and condition of reference electrode and the effect of impurity to electromotive force (EMF) output signal of oxygen sensor were not clear and need to be investigated. Two types of reference electrode of the sensor were tested: the mixture of Bi granule and Bi2O3 powder; and the mixture of Bi powder and Bi2O3 powder. The sensors were tested in two different conditions of LBE: one with the high purity of LBE and the other one with impurity inside the LBE. The characteristics of the sensor output signal, electromotive force (EMF), was investigated under Ar+3%H2 gas injection at 550 ̊C and the theoretical expected value of EMF after 150 hours should be near 500 mV or oxygen concentration equals to 10 -9 wt%. The result of sensor with mixture of Bi granule-Bi2O3 powder did not agree with the theoretical expected value. The EMF value of sensor with mixture of Bi powder-Bi2O3 powder agreed with the theoretical expected value when it was tested in high purity of LBE. However, the EMF values were lower than expected value when it was tested in LBE with impurity. The influence of Fe powder as an impurity in LBE has effect on EMF of oxygen sensor under gas mixture injection into LBE.


This paper has explained the advantage in structuring enterprise's information system based on B/S mode of J2EE platform, and mainly research the network bottleneck question caused by visited simultaneously under the B/S mode, through using the core design patterns of J2EE to make systematic function optimized rationally. At last, the paper gives an instance to show the concrete application of the design patterns: MVC, Value Object, and Service Locator.


Viv Hampshire suggests some exciting activities and picture books to help children explore eggs, their shape and where they come from, and the potential for life inside them.


Fuzzy logic allows imprecise and qualitative information to be presented in a quantitative way. Fuzzy logic can be designed to emulate the way an experienced operator or a specialist controls a certain process which is ill-defined, too complex, or too time-consuming to model effectively. For most fuzzy logic controllers, optimal performances can be achieved by incorporating a self-learning process. In this paper, a real-time self-organising fuzzy logic controller is developed for a coupled drives system. Experimental results show that even with limited knowledge of the system model, the controller is able to provide good performance with strong robustness.


Aim. Investigate the biological properties of actinomycetes from the rhizosphere of Colobanthus quitensis (Kunth) Bartl. and study their ability to produce bioactive compounds. Methods. Microbiological (isolation, synthesis of bioactive compounds), genetic and genetic engineering (isolation and analysis of total DNA, DNA gel electrophoresis, polymerase chain reaction, DNA sequencing), bioinformatic (phylogenetic analysis) methods. Results. 21 actinomycete isolates were obtained from the samples of C. quitensis rhizosphere. Half of the isolates exhibited antagonistic properties towards at least one of 17 test cultures of pathogenic and phytopathogenic microorganisms. Some strains exhibited both antibacterial and antifungal activities. The majority of isolates (70-95 %) produced proteases, amylases, cellulases, almost 42 % – nitrate reductases, 20-25 % – pectinases and lipases, respectively. Conclusions. A collection of Antarctic actinomycetes has been created and characterized, which is promising for evaluating their metabolic potential as producers of antibiotics.


Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable disease of the brain that affects people of all ages. It is diagnosed in 2.4 million people annually. Epilepsy includes focal seizures that are more common than generalized ones. The incidence of focal epilepsy in the population reaches 0.5– 0.8%. Resistant types account for approximately 30% of all epilepsy forms, especially in patients with focal seizures. Thereby, the main task of epilepsy treatment is to control seizures. Patients with a newly diagnosed focal epilepsy in 55–68% of cases achieve long-term remission of seizures. Adding that, there is a spontaneous remission of untreated epilepsy considered a common event. The article gives the following negative prognostic factors: onset with seizure clusters, high disease duration, multiple treatment attempts, high frequency of seizures and incompetence, cognitive impairment. The article also presents the following treatment efficacy predictors of focal epilepsy: low frequency of seizures, short disease duration, pathological activity absence on the EEG, isolated generalized seizures. Predictors of recurrent seizures include pathological changes on the EEG, family history of seizures, established etiology of seizures and nocturnal seizures. KEYWORDS: epilepsy, relapses, predictors, factors, prognosis, remission, treatment, efficacy. FOR CITATION: Sandu E.A., Firsov K.V., Frolova V.M., Kotov A.S. Recurrent seizures in patients with focal epilepsy. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2021;5(10):654–658 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587-6821-2021-5-10-654-658.


AIM
To evaluate the influence of the location and design of endodontic access cavities on root canal shaping and filling ability, pulp chamber cleaning and fracture resistance of extracted human mandibular incisors.

METHODOLOGY
After pre-selection using periapical radiographs, forty extracted intact human mandibular incisors were scanned in a micro-computed tomographic device. The teeth were matched based on similar anatomical features of the canals and assigned to four experimental groups (n=10) according to the endodontic access cavity and root canal preparation protocol: traditional/TRUShape (T/TRU); traditional/MTwo (T/MT); minimally invasive/TRUShape (MI/TRU); and minimally invasive/MTwo (MI/MT). The samples were scanned after root canal instrumentation and filling procedures. The parameters evaluated were: volume and area of the root canal, non-instrumented canal areas, canal transportation and centering ratio, accumulated hard tissue debris, voids in root canal fillings and root canal filling materials remnants in the pulp chamber. After root canal filling and cavity restoration procedures, the samples were submitted to the fracture resistance test. Data were statistically analysed using Shapiro-Wilk, one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests with a significance level of 5% (α=0.05).

RESULTS
There was no difference regarding all parameters evaluated before and after root canal preparation (volume and area of the root canal, non-instrumented canal areas, canal transportation and centering ratio, and accumulated hard tissue debris) among the groups (P>0.05). MI/TRU and MI/MT groups were associated with significantly more voids in root canal fillings when compared to the T/TRU and T/MT groups (P<0.05). Percentage of root canal filling material remnants in the pulp chamber after cleaning procedures and mean fracture resistance values were not ssignificantly different among the four experimental groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
The location and design of the endodontic access cavity did not impact on the root canal preparation and resistance to fracture of extracted mandibular incisors, regardless of the instrument used. Minimally invasive access cavities were associated with significantly more voids in root canal fillings.


WOMEN WHO LOVED CINEMA, (PARTS 1 AND 2). (2002) Marianne Khoury 'Ashiqat al-Cinema is an important documentary for several reasons. The first is that it provides an encyclopedic overview of scholarship, local knowledge, archival footage and material relating to the subject of early female pioneers of Egyptian cinema. It is also important because it reveals the staggering collective loss of their achievements and contributions. While we continue to hear of the works and genius of directors such as Youssef Chahine for example, the women who helped usher him into the industry as a young man are now relatively unknown. No doubt, Chahine himself is aware of this for his company (Aflam Misr al- 'Alamiya) produced the film. Women Who Loved Cinema is part of the Women Pioneers series, which is presently being distributed by Arab Film Distributors (AFD) in Seattle - a commercial enterprise that acts as a vital link between independent Arab film and its distribution in the West. On the Women Pioneers series, AFD notes that "by eschewing the common stereotypes of Arab women, these extraordinary leaders have enriched Arab heritage with their musical, literary or political endeavors and their fearless sense of adventure." And indeed this is precisely what 'Ashiqat al-Cinema reveals: how in a male-dominated and highly conservative society, women could rise through the ranks of the cinema industry to become well-respected leaders in the field. Although the documentary is highly valuable and informative, the low-budget production can sometimes be off-putting, but this is compensated for by Marianne Khoury's sensitivity to her topic. Her blend of academic scholarship with journalistic research comes across strongly and captivatingly on the screen. For example, in part I, we see our filmmaker Marianne sitting in front of an electronic library catalogue, where academic Farida Meri' explains to her that the Arabic library is lacking in the field of archiving. Doctor Meri' is referring to something more endemic than the singular exclusion of material on Egyptian cinema before the sixties, she is also referring to a general lack of archiving on various levels and subjects within the broader Arabic library. It was also highly entertaining and informative for us to sit in, no matter how briefly, on a conference on 1920s women in (Arab) cinema, which was held at the American University of Beirut (AUB). Khoury bridges the gap between the popular and the intellectual by showing academics actively and passionately involved in making and recovering the early history of Egyptian cinema and the women in it. The documentary's main concern is in introducing its viewers to key figures in early Egyptian cinema: Aziza Amir - the actor/ producer who stared in the first full-length Egyptian Motion Picture Leyla: Bint al-Sahra' (1927); Fatma Roushdi, a headstrong and determined actress; Behidja Hafiz who acted in, edited, produced and directed her films, as well as being a composer of original scores with which she opened her monthly musical Salons. In part two, we hear the well-known Amina Rizk recount her aunt, Amina Mohamed' s peculiar and singular contribution to Egyptian cinema - both as a comedie actress and as the director of Tita Wong (1937), in which Mohamad capitalizes on her "oriental" looks and plays the main character - Tita, a member of a Chinese family residing in Egypt. …


The article examines the current psychological issues of design and use of the information retrieval systems in the field of researches. It studies a number of concepts and terms which are used in the scientific literature in connection with the information search process and originate from different scientific fields, still used by the researchers simultaneously. The article displays the psychological content of the concepts of information behavior, information retrieval activities, research activities, information competence. It compares and summarizes different views on the information activity as an object of psychological description and investigation and validates the psychological content of information retrieval activities.


Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic value of 18 F-FDG PET/CT in differentiating malignant tumors from benign lesions in the lung.Methods:The data from 74 patients with clinically diagnosed and pathologically confirmed pulmonary lesions were reviewed.Patients with obstructive pneumonia were excluded.These 74 patients were followed up for 3-14 days.Whole body 18 F-FDG PET/CT imaging,breath-controlled CT imaging and thin layer scanning with CT(1.25mm in planer thickness)were performed.The diagnostic criteria includ- ed:(1)the SUVmax of pulmonary lesions≥2.5mm;(2)a significant increase of SUVmax(≥20%~30%);(3) the morphological information provided by thin planer scanning with CT(planer thickness 1.25mm);(4)curves with changing of SUVmax from the center of the lesion to the chest walls.Results:Fifty-five patients were found to have malignant tumors(32 cases of pulmonary carcinoma,13 cases of adenocarcinoma,5 cases of squamous cell carcinoma,3 cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and 2 cases of small cell carcinoma). Nineteen patients were found with benign tumors,including 13 cases of chronic inflammation,2 cases of gran- uloma,2 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor and 2 cases of tuberculosis in benign lesions.The final results of 18 F-FDG PET/CT indicated the presence of 57 malignant pulmonary lesions(54 true-positive results and 3 false-positive results)and 17 benign pulmonary lesions(16 true-negative results and 1 false-negative result). The sensitivity,specificity,accuracy,and positive and negative predictive values of 18 F-FDG PET/CT for diag- nosis of pulmonary lesions were 98.2%,84.2%,94.6%,94.7%and 94.1%,respectively.Conclusion:For pul- monary lesions,SUVmax and delayed SUVmax suggest the uptake foci of FDG.Typical morphological signs from thin planer spinal CT are important for differentiating malignant pulmonary tumors from benign ones, thereby significantly reducing the false-positive and false-negative rates.Curves with changes in SUVmax from the center of the malignant lesions to the chest walls also indicate tumor invasion to peripheral pul- monary tissues.


Along the Sumatran subduction zone, oblique strain is partitioned between the Sunda megathrust and the strike‐slip Sumatran Fault located near the volcanic arc. Additional strike‐slip motion may localize adjacent to the forearc basin system, forming the Mentawai and West Andaman Fault Zones. An alternative interpretation of the West Andaman Fault, as primarily a backthrust, has also been proposed. We combine a 2‐D multichannel seismic survey (SUMUT) acquired aboard the R/V Sonne in 2008 with previous bathymetry and seismic surveys to characterize the West Andaman Fault adjacent to the Aceh forearc Basin. Two‐dimensional Kirchoff prestack time migration of SUMUT profiles provides the clearest images to date of this portion of the West Andaman Fault. In these images we interpret inward dipping fault segments along the West Andaman Fault indicative of a transpressional flower structure. A reflector at the base of the Aceh Basin sediments (believed to be base Neogene in age) continues trenchward of the fault zone for >15 km and has geometry inconsistent with the geometry expected if a major backthrust were to daylight at the edge of the basin. Therefore, we conclude that the West Andaman Fault is predominantly strike‐slip in nature. As such, the West Andaman is likely part of a system of faults including the Sumatran Fault that accommodate the significant shear component of strain in this oblique subduction zone. Additionally, the location of the West Andaman Fault within the forearc may be controlled by the rheologic contrast between the marginal plateau and the forearc basin.


Sparse unmixing has been successfully applied in hyperspectral remote sensing imagery analysis based on a standard spectral library known in advance. This approach involves reformulating the traditional linear spectral unmixing problem by finding the optimal subset of signatures in this spectral library using the sparse regression technique, and has greatly improved the estimation of fractional abundances in ubiquitous mixed pixels. Since the potentially large standard spectral library can be given a priori, the most challenging task is to compute the regression coefficients, i.e., the fractional abundances, for the linear regression problem. There are many mathematical techniques that can be used to deal with the spectral unmixing problem; e.g., ordinary least squares (OLS), constrained least squares (CLS), orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP), and basis pursuit (BP). However, due to poor prediction accuracy and non-interpretability, the traditional methods often cannot obtain satisfactory estimations or achieve a reasonable interpretation. In this paper, to improve the regression accuracy of sparse unmixing, least angle regression-based constrained sparse unmixing (LARCSU) is introduced to further enhance the precision of sparse unmixing. Differing from the classical greedy algorithms and some of the cautious sparse regression-based approaches, the LARCSU algorithm has two main advantages. Firstly, it introduces an equiangular vector to seek the optimal regression steps based on the simple underlying geometry. Secondly, unlike the alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM)-based algorithms that introduce one or more multipliers or augmented terms during their optimization procedures, no parameters are required in the computational process of the LARCSU approach. The experimental results obtained with both simulated datasets and real hyperspectral images confirm the effectiveness of LARCSU compared with the current state-of-the-art spectral unmixing algorithms. LARCSU can obtain a better fractional abundance map, as well as a higher unmixing accuracy, with the same order of magnitude of computational effort as the CLS-based methods.


The oxidation of organic carbon and ammonium nitrogen in aerobic biofilms is analyzed mathematically. Monod intrinsic kinetics and Fickian diffusion are used for organic carbon uptake. Zero-order intrinsic kietics are assumed for oxygen and nitrogen uptake. The resulting nonlinear equation for organic carbon uptake is integrated by approximation, yielding an explicit solution for the concentration profile. Nitrification is asssumed sto occur only in a biofilm layer below the depth at which heterotrophic and nitrifying growth rates are equal. Using parameters from the literature, the model predicted average flux for organic carbon and ammonium nitrogen; these are compared to observed fluxes. Equations and charts are presented for the organic carbon and the ammonium nitrogen fluxes at the biofilm surface as functions of the surface concentrations of ammonium nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and organic carbon. An example is presented for the design of a fixed-film reactor for sewage treatment.


Theonezolide A (1), a novel macrolide, has been isolated from the Okinawan marine sponge Theonella sp. and the planar structure elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analyses of 1 and its four ozonolysis products. Recent 2D NMR techniques of gradient-enhanced HMBC and HSQC-HOHAHA along with the FABMS/MS experiment were applied and proved to be quite efficient for structural study of this long aliphatic molecule. Theonezolide A (1), C 79 H 140 N 4 O 22 S 2 , is the first member of a new class of polyketide natural products consisting of two principal fatty acid chains with various functionalities such as a sulfate ester, an oxazole, and a thiazole group, constituting a 37-membered macrocyclic lactone ring bearing a long side chain attached through an amide linkage ---------------------------------- - Marque des 811 caracteres!! - ----------------------------------


Using the Kolmogorov diameters of neighbourhoods, Bessaga, Pelczynski and Rolewicz [2] introduced an isometric invariant for locally convex spaces which they have called the diametral approximative dimension. Starting with Mitiagin's characterization of nuclear spaces [5], certain classes of locally convex spaces have been either defined or characterized in terms of the diametral dimension ([3], [8], [10]). In Section 2 of this paper we develop the necessary preliminaries; in Section 3 we give some relations between the diametral dimensions of two locally convex spaces and of their Cartesian product and apply it immediately to obtain that the Cartesian product of two A(P)-nuclear spaces is λ(Ρ ^ .P)-nuclear where λ(Ρ) is a nuclear 6^-space. This result sets up the inquiry of preservation of A(P)-nuclearity under the Operation of forming finite or arbitrary Cartesian products and connects it with the theory of stability of such spaces A(/>); the stability theory is the subject of [11]. In Section 4 we give several applications; in part (a) we give the applications of stability to A(.P)-nuclearity and in particular prove several equivalences of stability and prove the existence of universal A (/^-nuclear spaces; part (b) contains some applications of diametral dimensions of Cartesian products; in part (c) we give necessary conditions and a sufficient condition for a sequence space μ to be the diametral dimension of a Schwartz space, show that l^ can be the diametral dimension of a Schwartz space and finally show that if E is a Schwartz space with Δ (E) = A (E χ E) then either Δ (E) = Γ or Δ (E) = Δ ( λ ( Ρ ) ) for a suitable 6^-space λ (P) which will be stable whenever E is also nuclear.


Abstract Many different systems of notation have been applied to the dorsal setae of the Macrochelidae. These are here compared with each other, and the reasons for their differences analysed. The system of notation of Hirschmann is compared with that of Lindquist and Evans in great detail, separately for each instar, and the latter system is advocated for general application to this family.


INTRODUCTION Asthma is the result of chronic inflammation of the airways which subsequently results in increased contractability of the surrounding smooth muscles.(1,2) This among other factors leads to bouts of narrowing of the airway and the classic symptoms of wheezing. The narrowing is typically reversible with or without treatment. Occasionally the airways themselves change. Typical changes in the airways include an increase in eosinophils and thickening of the lamina reticular. Typical changes in the airways include an increase in eosinophils and thickening of the laminal reticulars . Chronically the airways' smooth muscle may increase in size along with an increase in the numbers of mucous glands. Other cell types involved include: T lymphocytes, macrophages, and neurtrophils. The jackfruit (alternately jack tree, jakfruit, or sometimes simply jack or jak; scientific name Artocarpus heterophyllus), is a species of tree in the Artocarpus genus of the mulberry family (Moraceae) (3,4). The jackfruit tree is widely cultivated in tropical regions of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Ripe jackfruit is naturally sweet with subtle flavoring. It can be used diets. Fresh jackfruit has small amounts of vitamin-A, flavonoid pigments such as carotene-ß, xanthin, lutein and cryptoxanthinß. Together, these compounds play vital roles in antioxidant and vision functions. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining integrity of mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural fruits Research Article


The Psychological Need for Safety at Work: A Cybernetic Perspective. (May 2012) Jeremy Mark Beus, B. S., Brigham Young University – Idaho; M.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. Stephanie C. Payne Despite an increased understanding of the individual and contextual factors that influence both employee safety behavior and workplace safety incidents (e.g., injuries, accidents), there has been surprisingly little theoretical or empirical consideration of the individual employee's psychological experience of safety at work. Given that feeling safe is widely theorized to be a basic psychological need with implications for individual well-being and safety-related work behavior, the purpose of this dissertation was to use cybernetic theory—a conceptual framework that explains self-regulation through negative feedback processes—to explore both the antecedents and outcomes of individuals' perceived safety at work. Theory-based hypotheses were tested in a field sample of 595 production employees and their foremen at three weapons production sites in the southern United States. Results revealed that psychological safety climate and perceived job risk were both meaningful correlates of workers' perceived safety whereas personality variables (i.e., trait anxiety, safety locus of control) and personal safety knowledge were not meaningful correlates. Consistent with cybernetic theory,


Objectives: To compare the effects of intravenous calcium infusion and coasting in the prevention of the early onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in high-risk women underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Study design: Prospective randomized trial. Patients and Methods: Sixty women at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome during ICSI cycles were randomly scheduled into two equal groups. In group I, (Intravenous calcium group), intravenous 10% calcium gluconate, 10 mL in 200 mL of normal saline (0.9%) was administered on the day of ovum pickup, days 1, 2 and 3 after ovum pickup; while in group II (Coasting group) gonadotrophins administration was ceased until serum estradiol levels checked every 24 hours, reached below 3000 pg/ mL before HCG administration. The main outcome measures were rates and grades of OHSS, and the pregnancy rate in both groups. Results: Ten patients (33.33%) in calcium group and 15 patients (50%) in coasting group developed OHSS. The incidence of mild {8 (26.67%) vs 10 (33.33%); p= 0.573}, moderate {2 (6.67%) vs 4 (13.33%); p= 0.389} and severe {Zero vs 1 (3.33%); p= 0.313} OHSS were nonsignificantly lower in calcium group compared to coasting group. The clinical pregnancy rate was nonsignificantly higher in calcium group compared to coasting group (40% vs 23.33%; p= 0.165). The mean number of retrieved (p =0.0002), metaphase II (p = 0.007) oocytes and the mean number of good-quality embryos (p = 0.0002) were significantly higher in calcium group than coasting group. Conclusions: Intravenous calcium infusion was as effective as coasting in the prevention of early severe OHSS in high-risk patients, but yielded more retrieved oocytes and higher pregnancy rates. [Ahmed Walid A. Morad. Comparison of Intravenous Calcium Infusion with Coasting for Prevention of the Early Onset Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome. J Am Sci 2013;9(1):455-460] (ISSN: 1545-1003). http://www.jofamericanscience.org. 66


The rapid development and extensive application of information technology open up a new and wide space for Psychological War(PW). Subliminal Message is highly concealed, and the Subliminal Message Technology(SMT)is an unperceivable cognitive-control technology, which has a broad perspective in PW. Based on the analysis and summarization of the state of the art in SMT, applied schemes and suggestions are proposed in order to promote the efficiency of PW, it also provides a new rising point for the improvement of battle effectiveness.


Morse theory is an important part of critical point theory. A fashionable version of Morse theory, which implies Morse inequalities as consequences, describes a Morse function on an oriented compact differentiable manifold without boundary by a cohomology complex or a chain complex {Ck, ∂}. In J. Milnor [Mi], Ck = ⊕ Z〈x〉, where x is a critical point with Morse index k, and ∂ is the boundary operator, i.e., ∂ = 0, determined by the matrix of intersection numbers of oriented right hand spheres with left hand spheres having oriented normal bundles. And in E. Witten [Wi], Ck is the linear space of the k-"harmonic" forms of a certain Laplacian related to the given function, and ∂ is a certain exterior differential operator. This version of Morse theory was generalized to infinite-dimensional manifolds by Floer in his study of symplectic geometry [Fl]. However, Morse inequalities for manifolds with boundary have been known to be useful in applications. The main purpose of this paper is to extend Witten's approach to that situation, i.e., we shall prove


The MT of Amos vi 12a comprises a pair of rhetorical questions: "Do horses run on the rock(s)? Or does one plow with oxen?" An analysis of Amos' other pairs of rhetorical questions, which demonstrate a high degree of semantic and structural parallelism, suggests that the MT is corrupt. Four criteria are accordingly derived from these other rhetorical questions to evaluate the numerous proposed solutions for vi 12a. Alan Cooper's emendation is identified as most consistent with Amos' general usage: "Do horses run on crags? Or does the wild ox plow in the valley?"


Objective To develope a technical approach for the regeneration of single-use ion exchange column. Methods The used columns were washed by 0.5 mol/L HCl solution. The second wash solution is 0.5 mol/L NaOH. And then wash the column with ion-free water till pH 7.0 (solution that flows out). Results The columns were used again. No comtamination from the plasmid DNA that passed column before was detected by PCR and DNA seqencing. Conclusion The method is simple, fast and economic.


In a linear quadratic optimal control problem, the optimal control is synthesized by a multiplying current states or optimal state estimates by an optimal feed-back matrix which is obtained by means of off-line computation. If we take account of information costs (information transmitting cost, information storage cost and information processing cost) necessary to generate the control in addition to the quadratic performance index, these information costs will increase considerably as the size of the state dimension increases. This paper treats a suboptimal control approach to the optimization problem of a linear discrete time system by use of deterministic patterns instead of true states from a viewpoint of decreasing information costs and presents the degradation of performance index value caused in the suboptimal control. It is shown that this degradation is formulated as the sum of errors in a quadratic form. Each error vectol arises from patternization at each stage of computation.


Thrombophilia stands for a genetic or an acquired tendency to hypercoagulable states, frequently as venous thrombosis. Venous thromboembolism, represented mainly by deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is often a chronic illness, associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the cause of the disease, the most appropriate treatment, the length of treatment or prevent a thrombotic recurrence. This work will focus on the development of a diagnosis decision support system in terms of a formal agenda built on a Logic Programming approach to knowledge representation and reasoning, complemented with a computational framework based on Artificial Neural Networks. The proposed model has been quite accurate in the assessment of thrombophilia predisposition (accuracy close to 95%). Furthermore, the model classified properly the patients that really presented the pathology, as well as classifying the disease absence (sensitivity and specificity higher than 95%).


Agricultural production of most smallholders in Ethiopia is dependent with recurrent rainfall resulted in production variations. Limited input availability and precarious environmental conditions determine smallholders' decisions on their production and the production efficiencies vary from farmer to farmer. This study was carried out with the aim of analyzing the technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of smallholder farmers in the production of major crops and their determinants in central Ethiopia, Oromia special zone surrounding Addis Ababa. Multistage sampling technique was employed to randomly and proportionally select 386 smallholders from ten PAs. Primary data were collected from smallholders through a semi structured questionnaire using face to face interview. Cross sectional data collected from sampled households in the study area were analyzed using mathematical and econometric methods. Mathematical programming technique selected for this study was Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) using linear programming technique assuming multi-input and multi-outputs were handled. Tobit regression model was regressed against the socioeconomic, demographic, and institutional variables that are expected to affect the technical, allocative and economic efficiencies of sampled households. The results of estimated efficiency scores show the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 0.75, 0.60 and 0.45 respectively. The mean scores of efficiencies show underutilization of resources and the possibilities of smallholders to increase their agricultural production by 25%, and reduce cost of production by 40% and total cost by 55%. Marital status, level of education, farming experience, access to credit, cooperative membership, access to farming information, and off/non-farm income has positive influence on the technical, allocative and economic efficiencies. While age of the household head, access to training and livestock size has negative relations to efficiencies. Delivery of agricultural inputs and trainings on time by the government is the key policy implication to improve the efficiencies of smallholders.


Four strong radio sources were observed over a 12-hr session in March, 1990 between radio telescopes at Onsala and Torun at wavelength of 6 cm in the standard VLBI Mark II setup for the purpose of ...


forecast the future I would say that economically the Federation of Malaya need have no fear. Our financial position is sound, despite the drain in fighting the communists. We have tin and rubber, which are greatly sought by world markets. Our timber industry can be expanded, as threefourths of Malaya is under jungle. With these assets and with the good will of all nations, I have every hope that my country will be able to play a not unworthy part in the comity of nations.


The purpose of the paper is to stress the importance of permanent improvement of tourism infrastructure in advancing tourism satisfaction on destination. It is empirical research of influence of tourism infrastructure on destination on tourist satisfaction in Ohrid city in R of Macedonia. Tourism infrastructure is a range of devices and institutions constituting material and organizational basis for tourism development. It comprises four basic elements: accommodation facilities, gastronomy facilities, accompanying facilities and communication facilities. Policies are needed to improve infrastructure, promote the integration of tourist services, maintain visitor numbers and encourage guests to stay longer, visit additional locations and increase their spending. Ohrid city is famous tourist destination in Republic of Macedonia. Despite historical and cultural treasures located in Ohrid, it is most famous for the Ohrid Lake. Thе city has strong attractive factors – natural and cultural monuments that attract tourist. The subject of this paper is the tourism infrastructure in Ohrid city, the current status and perspectives in order to attract more foreign and domestic tourists. Ohrid city in cooperation with government of R. Macedonia should improve permanently tourism infrastructure in destination. This paper presents an action research conducted on a sample of 200 foreign visitors in Ohrid city period of 01 July till 01 august. 2017. Tourist infrastructure has huge influence of tourist satisfaction from destination. Local municipality of Ohrid city with join efforts with the government of Republic of Macedonia should permanently develop tourist infrastructure.


This special section examines the theme on democracy in Europe. In this preface, the section editor, Christopher Huggins, briefly introduces the contributions and places them in the context of debate surrounding contemporary European democracy.


To view an abstract for an individual paper, or place a paper order, click the paper title. 642101 Attention guiding visualization of geospatial information O. Swienty, M. Zhang, T. Reichenbacher 642102 An autonomous navigation method for intelligent virtual agent in virtual urban environment Qing Zhu, Litao Han, Shenghua Xu, Yeting Zhang 642103 Organization method for urban planning design data based on GIS Huijun Gao, Dazhi Guo, Hao Zhang, Ran Tian 642104 Study of forest surface-fire spread simulation based on DEM Ai-jun Xu, Qing-quan Li 642105 Research on open spatial information visualization system (OSIVS) Zhirui Hu, Qingyun Du, Yingjie Wang, Zhuoyuan Yu 642106 Research on the key technologies of 3D spatial data organization and management for virtual building environments Jun Gong, Qing Zhu 642107 An intelligent data collaboration model in collaborative virtual geographic environment Jun Zhu, Jianhua Gong, Hua Qi 642108 Virtual-machine-based GIS symbolize process Kehua Su, Xinyan Zhu 642109 Adaptive strategies of the visualization of electronic map Hong Wang, Tinghua Ai 64210A Three-dimensional highly detailed terrain service for online seamless visualization and analysis Zhengwei He, Huayi Wu 64210B A GIS-based 3D visual simulation system for flood protection.