The highly regulated process of adapting to cellular nutritional status depends on lysosomal mTORC1 (mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1), that integrates nutrients availability via the sensing of amino acids to promote growth and anabolism. Nutrient restriction inhibits mTORC1 activity, which in turn induces autophagy, a crucial adaptive process that recycles internal nutrient stores to promote survival. However, as successful amino acid recycling through autophagic degradation reactivates mTORC1 signaling over time, it is unclear how autophagy can be maintained during prolonged starvation. Here, we show that one particular amino acid, cysteine, acts in a feedback loop to limit mTORC1 reactivation in vivo. We provide evidence that lysosomal export of cystine through the cystine transporter cystinosin fuels a metabolic pathway that suppresses mTORC1 signaling and maintains autophagy during starvation. This pathway involves reduction to cysteine, cysteine catabolism to acetyl-CoA and subsequent fueling of the TCA cycle. Accordingly, the starvation sensitivity phenotype of animals lacking cystinosin is rescued by dietary supplementation with cysteine and TCA cycle components as well as by reducing mTORC1 activity. We propose that cysteine mediates a communication between lysosomes and mitochondria to control mTORC1 signaling under prolonged starvation, highlighting how changes in nutrient availability divert the fate of an amino acid into a growth suppressive program to maintain the balance between nutrient supply and consumption. Organisms constantly cope with variations in nutrient supply by adjusting metabolism, a process controlled by the major growth regulator mTORC1. Nutrient scarcity inhibits mTORC1 to limit growth and promote catabolic programs, including autophagy. Autophagy involves the sequestration of cytosolic material into autophagosomes that fuse with lysosomes for cargo degradation and recycling. Efficient lysosomal degradation generates new amino acids that in turn reactivate mTORC1. However, how mTORC1 inhibition and activation is balanced over the course of starvation remains unclear. To study this process in vivo, we used the Drosophila larval fat body, an organ analogous to the liver and adipose tissue in mammals with important functions during starvation. As in mammalian cells, prolonged starvation led to mTORC1 reactivation in fat bodies, which was dependent on autophagy induction (Fig. 1a, b and Extended Data Fig 1a). To identify signals controlling mTORC1 activity upon fasting, we focused on amino acids and performed an unbiased approach to analyze growth of fasted larvae under single amino acid supplementation (Supplementary Methods). Unexpectedly, this screen revealed cysteine as a unique amino acid associated with growth suppressive properties (Supplementary Text 1, Fig. 1c and Extended Data Fig. 1be). This process required mTORC1 inhibition as constitutive activation of mTORC1 in Gator1 mutants (nprl2) partially restored growth under cysteine supplementation (Fig. 1d). Consistently, cysteine treatment partially inhibited mTORC1 activity in fat bodies (Extended Data Fig. 1f). We reasoned that, as lysosomal efflux of nutrients promotes mTORC1 reactivation, cysteine could limit this process. In physiological conditions, cellular cysteine can either be synthesized in the cytosol or transported as cystine from the extracellular space by the Xc antiporter and by cystinosin from the lysosome (Fig. 1e). Thus, we analyzed whether cysteine recycling through cystinosin opposes mTORC1 reactivation upon fasting. Cystinosin is encoded by CTNS, a gene mutated in the lysosomal storage disorder cystinosis. The Drosophila genome contains a single ortholog of CTNS (CG17119), hereafter referred to as dCTNS. Endogenous tagging of cystinosin in Drosophila confirmed its specific lysosomal localization in fat body cells, and dCTNS larvae showed accumulation of cystine (Extended Data Fig. 2a-c), consistent with a role for cystinosin in lysosomal cystine transport. In fed conditions, control and dCTNS larvae showed similar cysteine levels, likely reflecting dietary intake as the main source of cysteine (Fig.1f). However, upon fasting, cysteine levels dropped in dCTNS -/larvae, and maintenance of cysteine levels required autophagy (Fig. 1f, g). Thus, we conclude that cystinosin recycles cysteine from autophagic degradation upon fasting. Next, we analyzed the role of cystinosin on mTORC1 reactivation during fasting. dCTNS knockdown in larval fat body (lpp-gal4) did not affect mTORC1 during the early phase of starvation. However, it slightly increased mTORC1 reactivation upon prolonged starvation (Fig. 1h). Analysis of dCTNS fat body clones showed that this effect was cell autonomous (Extended Data Fig. 2d) and sufficient to compromise maintenance of autophagy (Extended Data Fig. 2e). Conversely, dCTNS overexpression increased cysteine levels (Fig. 1i), which caused downregulation of mTORC1 and induction of autophagy (Fig. 1i and Extended Data Fig. 2e). Similar to cysteine treatment, dCTNS overexpression caused a developmental delay in both fed and starved conditions (Extended data Fig. 2f), in agreement with mTORC1 activity promoting growth during development. Finally, dCTNS loss of function led to starvation sensitivity in both larvae and adult animals (leading to a developmental delay in larvae, see Supplementary text 2), consistent with the importance of mTORC1 downregulation and autophagy induction for survival upon fasting (Extended Data Fig. 2g-i). This was dependent on cystine efflux as treatment with cysteamine (which exports cystine out of the lysosome independently of cystinosin) rescued the starvation sensitivity of dCTNS animals (Extended Data Fig. 2k). In addition, treatment with low concentration of cysteine (that did not affect development of control animals) and the mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, respectively, also restored resistance to starvation of dCTNS animals (Fig. 1j-l), indicating that cystinosin controls mTORC1 through cytosolic cysteine. Altogether, we demonstrate that lysosomal-derived cysteine restricts mTORC1 reactivation to a threshold that maintains autophagy upon prolonged fasting. Following reduction of cytosolic cystine to cysteine, cysteine catabolism generates byproducts. To discriminate between the effect of cysteine and these byproducts on mTORC1 inhibition, we sought to genetically suppress cysteine degradation. In mammals, cysteine degradation in liver and adipose tissues is catalyzed by cysteine dioxygenase type 1 (CDO1), a nucleo-cytoplasmic enzyme that generates cysteine sulfinate (CSA), a precursor for pyruvate and taurine synthesis (Fig. 2a). The Drosophila genome contains a single ortholog of CDO1 encoded by CG5493 (referred to as dCDO) that is strongly expressed in the fat body (Extended Data Fig. 3a). dCDO larvae showed decreased levels of CSA and taurine, and dCDO knockdown in the fat body led to cysteine accumulation, particularly in larvae fed cysteine-enriched food, consistent with a role for dCDO in cysteine degradation (Fig. 2b; Extended Data Fig. 3b). Further, inhibition of mTORC1 by cysteine supplementation was suppressed in dCDO animals (Fig. 2c), suggesting that cysteine requires degradation to CSA to control mTORC1. Accordingly, CSA supplementation had a similar effect than cysteine on growth and mTORC1 activity (Extended Data Fig. 3c, d). In addition, downregulation of dCDO in the larval fat body suppressed the developmental delay and the inhibition of mTORC1 induced by dCTNS overexpression, whereas CSA treatment restored the inhibition of mTORC1 (Extended Data Fig. 2d, e; Extended Data Fig. 3e). Consistently, dCDO knockdown in the fat body led to a stronger reactivation of mTORC1 under prolonged fasting (Fig. 2f; Extended Data Fig. 3f, g). Finally, aberrant mTORC1 reactivation following dCDO knockdown impaired fasting-induced autophagy (Fig. 2g). In sum, our data show that lysosomal cystine efflux and subsequent cysteine degradation into CSA opposes mTORC1 reactivation to maintain autophagy upon prolonged fasting. Since amino acids and amino acid catabolism are potent activators of mTORC1, our finding that cysteine degradation limits mTORC1 reactivation is unexpected and prompted further analysis of the respective downstream events. As CSA is used for the synthesis of pyruvate and taurine, we first tested their effects on growth. Treatment with pyruvate but not with taurine, resembled the effects of cysteine and CSA on growth (Extended Data Fig. 4a), hinting at a role for the cysteine/pyruvate metabolic route in the control of mTORC1 reactivation. Consistently, supplementing food with pyruvate partially rescued starvation sensitivity of dCTNS animals (Fig. 3a). In accordance with pyruvate function in fueling the TCA cycle, animals treated with excess cysteine showed increased levels of pyruvate and TCA cycle intermediates, particularly upon starvation (Fig. 3b, c). Accordingly, in physiological conditions (without cysteine supplementation), the level of many TCA cycle intermediates measured either from whole larvae or the fat body acutely increased during starvation, eventually reaching a steady state comparable to the levels of fed animals (Extended Data Fig. 4b-d). Essential amino acids were acutely depleted upon fasting, whereas the level of non-essential amino acids that requires TCA cycle activity was maintained. Importantly, maintenance of the level of TCA cycle intermediates required cysteine, as dCTNS animals showed a pronounced depletion of pyruvate and TCA cycle intermediates upon prolonged fasting but not in fed conditions (Fig. 3d). By contrast, overexpression of dCTNS in fed animals led to opposite results (Fig. 3d). In sum, these data indicate that cysteine catabolism maintains TCA cycle activity upon fasting. Pyruvate can contribute carbons to the TCA cycle through two metabolic routes. One serves an anaplerotic function to replenis


Introduction Educational anxiety is a true portrayal of Chinese parents. As an endogenous problem in the development of modern education system, the pressure of students' entrance examination continues to rise. Methods Based on the empirical survey data of education in 3298 families, this study uses the analysis method of multiple linear regressions to analyze the influencing factors of parental education anxiety and finds that educational anxiety has become a common social emotion. Results After the regression analysis of the four-layer model was established, it was found that different school segments, school priorities, and student achievements had a significant impact on parents' educational anxiety, and factors such as annual family income, educational satisfaction and family parenting style had a significant impact on parental educational anxiety. It is worth noting that the gap in parental expectations has a significant positive effect on educational anxiety, and the greater the expectation gap, the higher the educational anxiety of parents. Discussion Therefore, it is suggested that governments at all levels should conscientiously implement the task of "reducing burdens" and rationally allocate high-quality educational resources; parents and teachers should start from the needs of children to establish a scientific concept of education and the concept of becoming a talent; the whole society should put forward reasonable educational expectations in education, and be good at adjusting expectations on time so that education can return to a rational natural growth state and eliminate parents' educational anxiety.


The renin-angiotensin system is one of the most important regulatory mechanisms of blood pressure homeostasis. Hypertension, a risk factor for chronic kidney disease, is able to induce renal injury by promoting inflammation. Inflammatory cytokines can induce fibrosis in various organs, including the kidney. Aim: The study verifies if angiotensin II is implicated in kidney T cells infiltration. Material and Methods: The experiment was performed on Wistar male rats, divided in two groups who received either a sham operation (control group, n=9) or continuous angiotensin II (Ang II) infusion (300ng/kgc/min)(Ang II group, n=9) subcutaneously, via minipumps. Blood pressure was measured noninvasively (tail cuff). After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed under anesthesia with xylazine/ketamine. The tissue obtained of each kidney was used for histopathological exam or flow cytometry. Renal inflammation was assessed using a flow cytometric analysis. The Histo Quest program quantified automatically the cellular elements and performed a statistical analysis on the obtained data. Results: Inflammation was observed in Ang II Wistar rats group, accompanied by an increase in renal CD45RC+, CD45RA+, CD19+. Conclusions: Our research underlines an undefined role for T cells in the genesis of high blood pressure up to that time and sustains the involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of this prevalent disease. Thus, T cells might correspond to a novel therapeutic target for the management of hypertension.


Research in topics on ontology of art in anglophone traditions have been prolifically developed in the last decades offering a myriad of positions. David Davies' Performance Theory of Art has been, in our opinion, one of the most striking and innovative framework so far. His main original thesis is that art is the action whereby an artistic content is articulated via a vehicle through an artistic medium. In that process there is a specification of what he calls a "focus of appreciation", which is the object that traditionally has been identified with the artwork. Section one is devoted to outline two of the main precedent theories he discusses, namely, the Action-Type Hypothesis by Gregory Currie and artworks as Indicated Structures Theory by Jerrold Levinson. Having presented the above theses we can proceed then, in section two, to the explanation of some fundamental features of Performance Theory. We will start from the criticism to the mentioned positions and then stress its most important contributions. The aim of the last section is to introduce some basic critical remarks to the Davisian theory concerning action. In fact, the main purpose of this paper is to set forth the Davisian idea of action and then point out some existing problems from the viewpoint of Philosophy of Action and, to some extent, from Aesthetics as well.


Objective Cholesteatoma is occasionally accompanied by excessive calcification and presumably has different osteogenic dynamics compared to noncholesteatomous chronic otitis media. Cholesteatoma-related sclerotic lesions through the temporal bone can pose manipulatory difficulties, possibly leading to worse surgical outcomes or complications. Therefore, we compared surgical outcomes of cholesteatomas with and without sclerotic lesions. Study design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary academic medical center. Patients Consecutive ears with acquired cholesteatomas requiring primary resection between January 2009 and December 2019. The ears followed up for <1 year were excluded. Interventions Tympanoplasty with/without mastoidectomy. Main Outcome Measures Prevalence and location of sclerotic lesion, comorbid fistulae, postoperative air-bone gap, recidivism, and complications. Results Overall, 19 (6.4%) of 299 ears had sclerotic lesions. More than two-thirds (68.4%) of sclerotic lesions were located adjacent to the lateral semicircular canal (LSC). Among ears with sclerotic lesions adjacent to the LSC, 46.2% had a comorbid fistula in the LSC. The prevalence of labyrinth fistula was significantly greater in ears with sclerotic lesions (42.1%) than in ears without sclerotic lesions (5.0%) (p < 0.0001, Fisher's exact test). Sensorineural hearing deterioration was significantly higher in ears with sclerotic lesions than in ears without (p = 0.0004, Fisher's exact test). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of sclerotic lesions was a significant prognostic factor for residual disease (odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 6.820 [2.055–22.633], p = 0.0017). Conclusions Surgeons should be conscious of preoperative identification of sclerotic lesions adjacent to one of the semicircular canals, possibly leading to postoperative sensorineural hearing deterioration or residual cholesteatoma.


The NCDs are characterized by having time prolonged, are capable of early detection and appropriate treatment and effective prevention. Moreover, they are closely related to the lifestyle of the individual and, very often, reflect choices made throughout life, as well as the environment in which we live, professional activity, among others. Of chronic diseases, diseases of the circulatory system have shown great importance, considering that is the leading cause of death in the country. Faced with this, considering the context of NCDs in society especially those with heart disease hospitalized clients, I began to wonder: What is the profile of hospitalized patients with heart disease? What are the implications of this profile to nursing care to these customers? Subject: the profile of hospitalized patients with heart disease and its implications for nursing care. General Objective: To know the profile of hospitalized patients with heart disease Specific Objectives: To describe the risk factors presented by hospitalized patients with heart disease, identify the needs of these clients, discuss the implications of the profile of these customers for the nursing care. Methodology: Descriptive, qualitative, case study type, whose units were the scene of Internal Medicine Male and female, located respectively on the 6th and 7th floors of the Hospital Universitario Antonio Pedro (HUAP), located in the municipality of Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro. Data collection: document analysis of customer records to search for that were within the inclusion and exclusion criteria established and the data on the identification and hospitalization and the same interview using an adapted form of the History of Nursing institution. Results: We found that the majority were female, where they met with some of the modifiable risk factors present in a meaningful way such as BMI and waist circumference outside of acceptable limits, great use of drugs such as tobacco, exposure to Stress often expressive and diminished presence of protective factors as the realization of leisure activities, physical activity. It is argued that to meet this profile it is possible to understand the needs and specificities involved in the care process, which makes possible its implementation effectively and enables the use of interventions to restore not only the acute process that led to hospitalization, but obtaining and improving the quality of life.


The method is based on the fact that the reel revolution period varies at a constant rate per revolution. The method for obtaining a high speed data searching in an audio signal recording and reproducing mechanism comprises measuring the frequency generating value of the tape reel motor running at the normal speed to generate the ideal pulse value of the normally running motor as the initial reference value. Then the tape reel motor is run at the speed of N times the normal speed. The output of constant value means is added to the initial reference value to obtain the ideal pulse value. The present freq. generating value measured is compared with ideal pulse value, which result is used to increase or decrease the applied voltage of the tape reel motor.


The formation of surface nanostructures allows assemblies of materials at different scales, opening new routes toward the design of advanced nanostructured materials. The decoration of surfaces wit...


A variety of 3,5–diaryl–6-carbethoxy cyclohex-2-en-1-ones derivatives (4a-g) were synthesized by the reaction of ethylacetoacetate with substituted chalcones in conventional(acetone & anhy. K 2CO3) and microwave assisted solution phase (acetone & anhy. K 2CO3) and dry media (basic Al 2O3/piperidine). From the comparative study wehave concluded that efficient dry media synthesis of 3,5–diaryl–6-carbethoxy cyclohex-2-en-1-ones under microwave irradiation can be carried out in domestic microwave oven with enhanced reaction rates and improved yields.The structure of compounds are supported by spectral and analytical data. The structure activity relationship of synthesized compounds have also been studied.


OBJECTIVE To understand the clinical distribution of specimen sources and drug resistance of 12 antibiotics against 303 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa so as to guide the reasonable clinical treatment.METHODS The specimens were collected to perform the bacterial isolation and culture from Jan to Dec,2011.The VITEK 2 compact GN cards or API 20NE kits were used to identify the strains.The drug susceptibility testing wos performed by K-B methods.RESULTS A total of 303 strains of P.aeruginosa were isolated.The isolation rate of P.aeruginosa from the intensive care unit(ICU) was the highest(26.7%).The majority of the P.aeruginosa strains were isolated from the sputum(58.1%),followed by wound secretions(27.0%).The susceptibility rate to piperacillin/tazobactam was the highest(83.2%).However,the drug susceptibility rates to minocycline,and imipenem were the lowest,varying between 20.2% and 43.6%.The susceptibility rate of the P.aeruginosa strains from ICU was lower than the strains from other wards.There was statistical difference in the susceptibility rate between the ceftazidine and imipenem(P0.05).Totally 22 strains of pandrug-resistant P.aeruginosa were isolated,68.2% of which were isolated from the ICU.CONCLUSION The drug resistance of the P.aeruginosa strains from the ICU is increasingly severe.It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of the drug resistance to guide the reasonable clinical medication and to take effective measures to prevent the spread of drug resistant strains.


The present invention discloses a kind of multifunctional spray irrigation machine, relates to a spray irrigation equipment which can be mounted on the mobile equipment. Said invention is aimed at providing a multifunctional spray irrigation machine which not only can be used for making spray irrigation, but also can be used for making irrigation by using flexible tube and whose spray irrigation width and weight also can be regulated. Said multifunctional spray irrigation machine includes the following three portions: machine frame, spray irrigation system and disk-reeling machine. Said invention also provides the concrete structure of above-mentioned every portion, and also provides the working principle of said multifunctional spray irrigation machine and its concrete operation method.


This article critically examines the evidence given and the reasoning of BarrJ in Attorney‐ General for NSW v John Fairfax Publications Pty Ltd, a decision of the NSW Supreme Court which analysed whether a leading Sydney newspaper had unlawfully published material which had a tendency to interfere with the fair trial of a man accused of drug trafficking. It argues that the rejection of the utility of survey evidence constructed for the purposes of the trial and of much of the evidence of two eminent social psychologists is likely to set such evidence back a considerable way in Australian jurisprudence. It maintains that the decision is likely to result in an increased amount of prejudice to accused persons' fair trials and also to a risk that social psychology will be under‐utilised as a form of scene‐setting and counter‐intuitive information provision in Australian courts.


Submitted for the DPP10 Meeting of The American Physical Society Nonlinear Coupling between Zonal Modes and Damped Modes KIRIT MAKWANA, JUHYUNG KIM, PAUL TERRY, DAVID HATCH, University of Wisconsin-Madison — A simple fluid ITG model is simulated to study nonlinear coupling between zonal modes (ky=0, zero frequency modes) and damped modes. It is observed that the cross correlation terms dominate the energy dynamics, with the unstable modes supplying all the energy and the damped modes removing a significant portion of it. The remainder is removed by high "k" dissipation. However, even the dissipation has significant damped mode effects. Phase mixing analysis shows that transfer of energy from the unstable to damped modes via the zonal modes is more efficient compared to direct transfer of energy from unstable to damped modes. This is confirmed in simulations, which show that when zonal flows are included in the dynamics, 1) there is significantly more energy in the ky = 0 fluctuation component, and 2) the energy transfer channel from unstable modes to zonal modes to damped modes captures almost all of the energy injected by the instability. When zonal flows are not included, damped modes still saturate the instability but the transfer from the unstable modes is less efficient and requires a larger fluctuation level. Kirit Makwana University of Wisconsin-Madison Date submitted: 16 Jul 2010 Electronic form version 1.4


A systematic experimental investigation of capillary pressure characteristics and fluid flow in diatomite was begun. Using an X-ray CT scanner and a specially constructed imbibition cell, we study spontaneous water imbibition processes in diatomite and, for reference, Berea sandstone and chalk. The mass of water imbibed as a function of time is also measured. Imbibition is restricted to concurrent flow. Despite a marked difference in rock properties such as permeability and porosity, we find similar trends in saturation profiles and weight gain versus time functions. Imbibition in diatomote is relatively rapid when initial water saturation is low due to large capillary forces. Using a non-linear regression analysis together with the experimental data, the capillary pressure and water relative permeability curves are determined for the diatomite in the water-air system. The results given for displacement profiles by numerical simulation match the experimental results.


In this paper, we present to the embedded research community an Embedded Platform as a Service facility named SLePaaS that allows researchers remote access to experimental hardware and a collection of online tools that would facilitate research on thermal management of embedded systems. SLePaaS serves a dual purpose - provides access to actual hardware for experiments on one hand and reduces experimental cost and time on the other. With this facility, researchers neither have to rely on simulation models nor purchase or customize any experimental platform for a specific problem. In addition, the platform provides tool support, specifically for researchers working in problems related to thermal management. Presently, three tools are provided by the SLePaaS platform. The first tool helps users obtain performance, power and thermal profile of applications running on different hardware platforms. The second is a thermal value predictor tool that aids task schedulers in allocating tasks to processors based on the thermal profile of applications. The third tool is a platform predictor that helps users to decide the best platform to run an OpenCL application given a target optimization objective. All the tools have been validated for their performance and accuracy against standard benchmark applications. A prototype implementation of SLePaaS along with the three tools is available for use.


The [2 + 2]-cycloaddition of dichloroketene (prepared in situ from CCl3COCl and Zn(Cu)) with three alkynes 1a–c to form 2,3-dimethyl-(2a), 2,3-diethyl-(2b) and 3-butyl-4,4-dichlorocyclobut-2-enone (2c) proceeds rapidly in the absence of POCl3. The primary products 2a–c rearrange in situ to the 2,4-dichlorocyclobut-2-enones 3a–c under the influence of ZnCL2 produced during the reaction. ZnCl2 converts both 2a and 3a into a 4:6 equilibrium mixture of the two; this isomerization does not occur with LiCl. The Cl-atoms of both 2a, b and 3a, band of 2c may reductively be removed with Zn(Cu) in AcOH/pyridine to afford the alkylcyclobutenones 4a-c. Without pyridine, this reduction gives ca. 1:1 mixtures of the double-bond isomers 4 and 5 in low yields. The cyclobutenones 2c and 4c may be deuterated by CD3COOD in the presence of pyridine. D-Atom is introduced into 2c at C(4) and at C(γ), and into 4c at C(2) and C(4). A mechanism for this deuteration is considered, which does not involve a cyclobutadienolate 7, but rather a cyclobutenolate of type 8. The reductions of 2 and 3 to 4 might also pass through the same type of intermediate 8.


Background Non-communicable diseases, mainly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases, are responsible for approximately 63% of all deaths occurring worldwide in any given year. The majority of these deaths have occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The latest World Health Organization (WHO) report shows that the increase in diabetes is also most pronounced in the LMICs. The South African Labour and Development Research Unit estimated a 9% prevalence within the adult population in 2016. In the Eastern Cape Province, hypertensive heart disease has become the second most common cause of death, followed by diabetes, the third most common cause of death. Aim and setting The aim of this study was to report on the follow-up of patients in the community with known hypertension or diabetes or who were deemed at-risk (as identified during a prior community-wide survey). Methods Data were collected via a household primary health screening, monitoring and follow-up process, which included taking anthropometric measurements, blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose and referring to clinics for further testing and treatment where necessary. Results Of the 1885 participants followed up by the community health outreach workers, 1702 were known to be hypertensive and 183 were deemed at-risk [of these, only 24 (13.2%) had normal or high normal systolic BP readings]. There were 341 participants with diabetes and 34 at-risk of diabetes [of these, 28 (82%) had levels of 11 mmol/l or higher at follow-up]. There was a significant improvement in BP and glucose control over repeated visits. Conclusion In this rural area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, the follow-up of patients with hypertension or diabetes as well as those individuals at-risk adds value to hypertension and glucose control.


Three dimensional structure of cloud cover is one of the Essential Climate Variable required for accurate monitoring of the state and change of global climate. Joint CloudSat-CALIPSO space mission have provided the most reliable and comprehensive 3D information on cloud distribution worldwide to date. However, the data resulted from observations collected every 16 days – sampling interval which can be considered infrequent for most of climate-oriented applications. The reliability of the data also depends on cloud regime, and area (grid cell size) over which the data are aggregated, further complicating the uncertainty aspect of lidar-radar profiling missions. The important question related to the CloudSat-CALIPSO dataset is whether 16-day revisit period for CloudSat-CALIPSO mission is sufficient to provide a climate characteristics at high statistical significance? We address that problem evaluating the full CloudSat-CALIPSO record (2006-2011), available to the scientific community as 2B-GEOPROF-LIDAR product. The analysis focuses on two aspects. First, we perform a point estimation to determine the minimum significance level at which the lidar-radar data (mean value) is statistically significant. Second, using a bootstrap approach we calculate confidence intervals for the mean value at fixed .95 and .99 thresholds. Therefore we reveal how wide is the actual uncertainty range at 16-day revisit. The analysis accounts for grid box size over which individual lidar-laser profiles were aggregated. The study was founded by National Science of Poland under the contract no. UMO-2017/25/B/ST10/01787.


Mathematical model of demographic situation changing in the form of independent system of mass service system with two types of demands and unlimited number of devices has been proposed. It is studied by the method of moments. The first and the second moments of the amount of demands served in the system have been found. The developed model and method are applied to predicting the process of changing demographic situation in the Russian Federation.


The influence of sintering temperatures on solution-processed cadmium telluride(CdTe) nanocrystal films is studied in order to maximize the performance of CdTe/Al Schottky nanocrystal solar cells.The best overall performance of 2.67%efficiency at air mass 1.5 was achieved from devices with CdTe films sintered at 350℃X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy and UV-vis absorption measurements show that the CdTe nanocrystal grains began to grow remarkably well when sintering temperatures increased to 350℃.By analyzing the current-voltage characteristics,we find that the short-circuit current densities of devices increase with sintering temperatures ranging from 200 to 400℃,but,the over-sintered(450℃) treatment induces the shunting of devices.


In 1941, a new Dutch Reformed church was built in Pretoria West to the design of Gerard Moerdijk. The "Neo-Byzantine" design, developed and defined by Moerdijk himself, was not regarded by everybody as suitable for a Reformed church, but the form was nevertheless found wide spread in South Africa - until it was replaced by a more rectangular shape in the 1960s and 1970s. By the 1990s, the demography of Pretoria West changed. Many of the original residents left the area and new inhabitants, among whom were many Muslims, settled there. A space for prayer became necessary. The church was bought for this purpose. A brief look is taken at the history of the building and its conversion. The ideal spaces for the expression of faith are highlighted and the meaning of the change is considered.


The proposed novel method categorizes candidate boundaries into visually-prominent and non-prominent boundaries, considering local intensity cues of multiple color channels and pixel-prominence-values measured as a function of proximity-influence of other contours. The results of the method with and without incorporating a wavelet transform are compared for images of different characteristics, types and resolutions. The method has been exhaustively tested on textured, medical, natural, biometric and synthesized images for prominent boundaries detection. The method results are qualitatively compared with those of human segmented images of benchmark image-segmentation dataset. The results presented show suitability and compatibility of the method for detecting prominent boundaries in various images. These boundaries — forming regions, make the basis for object detection and identification.


Settling disputes in the field of international trade in a timely and structured manner is important. The World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement system is one of the major results of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations at which was forged the WTO Agreement which entered into force in 1995. The present dispute settlement system flows from the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU). Panels are the judicial-type bodies, in a way tribunals, in charge of adjudicating disputes between members in the first instance. Both the panels and the Appellate Body have an inherent power to determine their own jurisdiction and the scope of such jurisdiction. The two temporary remedies are not for the panels or Appellate Body to recommend but come within the jurisdiction of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) and the parties to a dispute.Keywords: Appellate Body; dispute settlement body (DSB); dispute settlement understanding(DSU); incidental jurisdiction; judicial-type bodies; World Trade Organization (WTO)


Data offloading is a promising technique for mobile terminals (MTs) for conserving energy in wireless networks. This technique enables MTs to support heavy data traffic by offloading computation-intensive tasks to the cloud. However, due to the long transmission up-link, data offloading may lead to unnecessary energy usage. In this paper, we propose a joint collaborative data offloading framework with channel selection for MTs, in which MTs can first form a coalition and then execute data offloading in a cooperative way. We adopt game theory to formulate the problem as a cooperation game. We then prove that the formulated game is a potential game and can achieve Nash equilibrium. A Markov approximation approach is applied to design a distributed channel selection algorithm for the game so that each MT can self-organize into stability without information exchange across the whole network. Analytical and numerical results show that the algorithm is feasible and efficient in comparison to traditional centralized optimization solutions.


This paper addresses the difference in use of language learning strategies between bilingual and monolingual English as foreign language learners (EFL). The study was conducted among 42 monolingual Croatian and 42 bilingual students of the University of Pula who are studying English as a foreign language. The data were analyzed by using the t-test. The results of the research suggested that bilingual students reported higher usage of learning strategies than their monolingual colleges with memory and metacognitive strategies reaching statistically significant level. The findings of this study led to some suggestions to enhance students' use of learning strategies, increase their vocabulary size, and subsequently improve their English learning.


For the shortcomings of resource modeling methods, we had a deep investigation on it. On the basic of the study we put forward a manufacturing- enterprise oriented resource modeling method, we developed a set of modeling tools under the guide of this modeling method. We also provided an actual application under this modeling method as a typical example.The achievement of this paper can give a reference for both enterprise resource modeling and stimulation and analysis of an enterprise model in theory, the given modeling tool could promote strongly the implementation and application of CIMS project.


PURPOSE: An elastic mooring apparatus for a solar power plant constructed on the water is provided to prevent a solar cell assembly from rotating or escaping from a predetermined area when the water level difference is big by applying tension to a mooring rope. CONSTITUTION: An elastic mooring apparatus for a solar power plant constructed on the water comprises mooring ropes(130), first elastic modules(110), a casing, multiple fixed pulleys, multiple movable pulleys, and multiple elastic members(123). The mooring ropes connect a solar cell assembly and the seabed to prevent the solar cell assembly from being swept away. The first elastic modules are installed in the middle of the mooring ropes to connect the mooring ropes and continuously pull the mooring ropes to control a gap between the mooring ropes according to water levels. The casing is coupled to the solar cell assembly. The fixed pulleys are fixed inside the casing. The movable pulleys support the mooring ropes with the fixed pulleys to control the mooring ropes whether or not the movable pulleys are approached to the fixed pulleys.


This article investigates the torque characteristics of a switched flux hybrid magnet memory machine (SF-HMMM) by employing a coupled solution combining a quasi-linear hysteresis model (QLHM) of low coercive force (LCF) magnet and frozen-permeability method (FPM). This provides an in-depth understanding of the torque production of SF-HMMM. The QLHM is utilized to characterize the repetitive remagnetizing/demagnetizing behaviors of LCF permanent magnets (PMs), while the FPM is employed to separate and quantify the torque contributions due to two sets of PMs and armature windings. The machine topology and analysis methodology are described, respectively. The torque segregation results accounting for magnetization state variation are analyzed by the proposed coupled solution. The influence of the LCF PM property on the torque segregation result is investigated to facilitate the establishment of general design guidelines. Finally, the prototype is tested to experimentally validate the theoretical analysis.


Predictivecontrol strategies have been widely used in industry for their ability to handle operational constraints. It is known that the presence of disturbances may cause predictive controllers to lose feasibility and to violate system constraints. This work addresses the implementation of a state-space predictive control law with restricted constraints to ensure feasibility and constraint fulfillment in spite of the existence of unknown but bounded disturbances. The state regulation of a nonlinear, sixth order, three-degree-of-freedom helicopter model, subject to state and control polyhedral constraints, is considered. Simulation results show that, even though the prediction model is obtained by linearizing the nonlinear plant dynamics, the adopted robustness technique effectively ensures fulfillment of the safety and physical constraints when disturbances are present, while the nominal predictive control law fails to do so.


To alleviate the growing transportation safety tension, this paper proposes a system to guarantee the security of the drivers while driving. The system achieves the goal from two aspects: a) to remind the drivers the dangerous driving behaviors of themselves and analyses the drivers' performances based on a large number of statistics to regulate the drivers' driving habits, b) to prevent the potential risks from the adjacent vehicles. The system use Multi-aspects information fusion and the Internet of Vehicle not only to be of efficiency of ensuring the safe driving and preventing the drivers from the dangers, but also reduce the related expenditure of personnel and fund.


An existing search performance model for distributed passive sensor networks is extended to multistatic sensor networks comprised of active sources and passive receivers. The model provides an upper bound on the detection range of a receiver in the field, and uses this bound to compute the expected probability of successful search for a given target track. This expected probability depends on the numbers of sources and receivers in the field, their location distribution functions, and the location and orientation of the track. For uniformly (randomly) distributed sources and receivers, the distribution function for the upper bound on receiver detection range can be computed analytically in closed form. We show that the resulting estimates of probability of successful search for uniformly distributed multistatic fields is a reasonable approximation to more accurate values obtained via Monte Carlo simulation for various numbers of sources and receivers, and for various numbers of required detections. We conclude with a discussion of how this model may be used in designing and planning multistatic systems for undersea surveillance.


We construct a two-dimensional axisymmetric mean-field particle simulation scheme that solves the equations of relativistic scalar gravitation coupled to collisionless matter. Although scalar gravitation theory disagrees with experiment, it is useful as a testing ground for numerical methods used to solve the equations of general relativity, particularly in the generation of gravitational waves. We discuss methods for extracting the gravitational wave amplitude from the field variables, as well as methods for imposing an accurate outgoing-wave boundary condition on the scalar field at a finite radius. We find that for continuous matter distributions, our code is able to calculate smooth and accurate gravitational wave forms, despite the stochastic representation of the matter source terms caused by sampling with a finite number of particles. A similar scheme should provide accurate wave forms in general relativity, provided sufficient computer resources are used.


The present invention relates to chemical separation process, and is especially one pressure swing adsorption process for extracting n-heptane and co-produced n-octane. N-heptane and co-produced n-octane are extracted through one combined multiple tower heating pressure swing adsorption and rectifying separation process. The advanced technological process is simple, low in power consumption and high in automation, and can produce high purity n-heptane while producing high purity n-octane.


The effect of several pollination combinations of the olive cultivars Ascolana Tenera, Carolea, Leccino, and Picholine on seed quality and seed number and drupe and seed features were evaluated in 2007 and in 2008 in central Italy. The well-known pattern in olive fruit was confirmed by the high percentage of drupes (71.8%, on average) containing one seed with a closed endocarp, as the dispersal unit, optimizing the plant's investment in seedling survival. Based on the results of the x 2 test of independence, there was a significant maternal and paternal effect on the number of normal seeds per drupe in some years and combinations. Particularly, in 2007, Picholine and Leccino cultivars (as mother) had drupes with two normal seeds (23.7% and 3.1%, respectively, with respect to 10.8% observed in a normal seed pattern), confirming that double-seeding in olivecouldbecultivar-dependent. Alsothespecificcrosspollination between'Carolea',as a pollenizer, and 'Ascolana Tenera' gave rise to a higher proportion of double-seeded drupes in 2007 (39% with respect to 14.3% expected to be in this category). In 2008, although 'Ascolana Tenera' produced more drupes with undeveloped seeds (31.9% with respect to 19.7% expected to be in that category), 'Leccino' and 'Carolea' had drupes with a lower number of undeveloped seed (14.2% and 11.5%, respectively). 'Maurino' and 'Ascolana Tenera' pollen produced significant effects on 'Leccino' drupes by increasing the number of drupes with undeveloped seeds in both experi- mental years. Double-seeded drupes outweighed those with only one normal seed in 'Leccino'and'Picholine'.Instead,drupeswithundevelopedseedsaffectedfruitweight, being generally lighter than those with normal seeds. Although the Leccino cultivar, combined with 'Maurino' and 'Ascolana Tenera', greatly increased the proportion of drupes without normal seed, such condition did not affect their final weight, which was not different from those with one normal seed, suggesting that this variety caused late seed death.


In this paper, methods for decreasing mismeasurement by z-axis vibration in interferometry are proposed with the goal of improving measurement performance. The samples' 3D height data is acquired by a phase compensation method which eliminates error components due to vibration. Also, the shape of the PS (Photo Spacer) is fitted to sigmoid function and remodeled by using its 3D height data and its CD (Critical Dimension) by subpixel level edge detection. The standard step height sample is measured at sinusoidal vibration of 2~20 Hz frequency and 50 nm amplitude to test improvement of measurement performance. Height repeatability (3σ) of a standard step height sample measurement is improved by more than 40% on average. Three types of PSs are also measured during vibration in the manufacturing process. Reliability of PS height and CD is within 1% in all cases. And repeatability of PS height and CD measurement is improved to a maximum of 65%. Stable measurement is possible during vibration in the manufacturing process by using a phase compensation method and a profile fitting method.


The melting process of a multi-tube's thermal energy storage system in the existence of free convection effects is a non-linear and important problem. The placement of heated tubes could change the convective thermal circulation. In the present study, the impact of the position of seven heat exchanger tubes was systematically investigated. The energy charging process was numerically studied utilizing liquid fraction and stored energy with exhaustive temperature outlines. The tubes of heat transfer fluid were presumed in the unit with different locations. The unit's heat transfer behavior was assessed by studying the liquid fraction graphs, streamlines, and isotherm contours. Each of the design factors was divided into four levels. To better investigate the design space for the accounted five variables and four levels, an L16 orthogonal table was considered. Changing the location of tubes could change the melting rate by 28%. The best melting rate was 94% after four hours of charging. It was found that the tubes with close distance could overheat each other and reduce the total heat transfer. The study of isotherms and streamlines showed the general circulation of natural convection flows at the final stage of melting was the most crucial factor in the melting of top regions of the unit and reduces the charging time. Thus, particular attention to the tubes' placement should be made so that the phase change material could be quickly melted at both ends of a unit.


This study aims to determine whether the distance factor, safety factor, brand image, educational facilities and cost of education affects student decisions to continue his studies at Economic Faculty of Andalas University in Payakumbuh. This research data were collected from 100 students Economic Faculty of Andalas University in Payakumbuh. The techniques used was accidental sampling. Based on research result, obtained by regression equation as follows : Y = -0,842 – 0,323X 1 + 0,305X 2 + 0,374X 3 + 0,200X 4 – 0,224X 5 . Variable independent of the most influental variable on the dependent variable is brand image (0,374), followed by variabel of distance factor (0,323), then variable of safety factor (0,305), cost of education (0,224), and the last is the variable of educational facilities (0,200). The coefficient of determination obtained 0,616 for this case means 61,6% of the decision to continue their studies can be explained by the variable of distance factor, safety factor, brand image, cost of educational, and educational facilities, while remaining 38,4% is influenced by other variables not examined in this study.


The aggressive practice of the concept, which has extricated majority of marginalized segments from poverty in Bangladesh, one of the poorest nations, has been infusing prospect in all added deprived and developing nations. The careless attitude of the formal financing agencies towards the poor section of the society has been progressively yielding place to adoption of SHG mode of intervention to fight the scourge of poverty, employment generation and women empowerment. The new interference has been ushering in a novel time in India as well. It is our loved vision of training our country into financial and acquaintance super power by 2025 has every prospect of becoming an actuality through this innovative model. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 10 Number 01 (2021) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com


Shyness as a behavioral characteristic has been in focus of research in psychology for a number of decades. Adolescent shyness has, however, been relatively overlooked compared with studies conduct ...


Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons from the seed oil of Iris tectorum M. were investigated. Fractionation of the hexane extract of the seeds by column chromatography on activated alumina and steam distillation gave monoterpene-free hydrocarbons which showed approximately thirty peaks by capillary gas chromatography. A combination of techniques including a silver nitrate addition procedure, rectification and silver nitrate-impregnated silica gel column chromatography was used to separate the sesquiterpenes.Twenty-four compounds could be identified on the basis of spectral data (IR, NMR, GC, GC-MS) and chemical transformations. The main components were germacrene D (45%), alloaromadendrene (12%), δ-, γ-cadinene (13%), and β-caryophyllene (7%). These sesquiterpenes in Iridaceae plants were characterized for the first time in the present research.


about ideal societies that had haunted humanity since the time of Plato's Republic. Thomas More, because he considered his dream society unrealizable, in 1516 called it Utopia "nowhere" and this nowhere, or rather, "nowhere outside of books," was the locus of the many imaginary societies that followed More's. The new literary genre gave free rein to the imagination of a science fiction writer like Swift, with his Lilliputians and Brobdingnagians and Yahoos, but it also challenged a philosopher like Campanella who, in his Civitas solis (1620), tried to outline a type of community that could well be called socialistic. Indeed, even in Thomas More's own Utopia, as described by the traveler Hythloday ("talker of nonsense"), we see the contours of what would equally deserve the name of Eutopia "the good land." Right from the beginning, then, the term "utopian" has been associated with ideal political and social conditions, even though we still use the term also of "impractically ideal projects or schemes for social welfare" (OED). A man of the Renaissance, Sir Thomas More is naturally tolerant in matters of religion, which play a more central role in other utopias. Johann Valentin Andreae, repelled equally by the horrors of the Thirty Years War and the sterility of contemporary Lutheran orthodoxy, hoped in a Utopian "Christian City" to see a revival of childlike simplicity and devotion. His Reipublicae Christianopolitanae descriptio (1619) was of some importance for the development of pietism in Germany and hence for the fundamentalism that inspired much early emigration to America from Scandinavia.


In the final approach phase of space rendezvous and docking(RVD),as a primary measurement sensor,the CCD optical sensor can provide the information of relative navigation.The accuracy of its real-time measurement is the determinants on the success of RVD.A new binocular algorithm based on main CCD camera as the vision algorithm of CCD optical sensor for rendezvous and docking is studied in this paper.The noise resistance ability of the binocular measurement algorithm is studied by using theoretical analysis and results of numerical simulation are provided.


In Switzerland, where high production costs create a need to market quality design as both a label and an end in itself, industrial design has played a central role in the country's economic identity. The early protagonists of the Schweizerischer Werkbund (SWB, Swiss Association of Craftsmen) were conscious of this fact when negotiating the entanglements of industrial production and artistic creation. With its foundation in 1913, the SWB was to serve as a platform to discuss the potential and limitations of connections between the two fields. New forms of mass production had become a pressing issue for entrepreneurs, architects, designers, and artists alike. Amidst a cacophony of voices calling for radical change or mourning waning tradition, the SWB realized that joining forces would be to the benefit of everyone. Evoking names such as Max Bill or Lucius Burckhardt, as well as keywords such as Stuttgart Weissenhof or Die gute Form, the SWB mirrors the history of design and architecture in Switzerland. It has been pivotal in debates on how to shape modernity and how to foster 'good design' — from the smallest scale of product design to ideological struggles in regional planning.


The problem of fuzzy community structure detection in complex network has received a considerable amount of attention in recent years. In this study, we present a useful genetic algorithm which aims to obtain fuzzy network partition by a new modular function. For improving the efficiency of algorithm, both initialization process and genetic operation are specifically optimized based on the local topology information of network. Experiments on various scale computer-generated networks and real world networks show the capability of the method to find the fuzzy community structure of network.


T O SAY that the contours of all human groups can be mapped is not to say that geography or locality is the predominant conditioning factor in determining groupings nor to say that the frequency with which individuals traverse physical distance in contacting other individuals is a measure of the most significant group relations. It is primarily to say that the establishment of the geographic contours of groups is one of the easiest starting points from which to begin a systematic description and analysis of the more dynamic factors in group formation and group life. Locality grouping in Argentina furnish cues to the history of settlement, to ethnic composition of the population, to certain dominating economic and geographic facts, and to institutional development, even though there are many areas where group life beyond the family is almost nonexistent. Locality groups range all the way from geographically isolated highly cohesive groups which are easily identifiable as communities to others which are geographically isolated but are hardly either communities or even neighborhoods, to an even greater number that clearly are only neighborhoods but which are so transient that to discuss them has little value other than to show why they are so ephemeral. For every highly cohesive community, such as exists on the small oases of the Sierras, there are hundreds of nebulous or ephemeral neighborhoods in the great level pampa where no natural barriers, except physical distance itself, impede transportation and communication. A survey of the total geography of the Argentine Nation, classified by some scheme of locality groupings, is not the purpose of this paper nor could such a classification


Regarding the increasing complexity of computer simulations on one hand and the development of computer technology in the last few years on the other hand, the demand on new visualization techniques to analyze the immense amount of data originating from scienti c calculations has reached new dimensions. In the case of crashworthiness simulations, expanding the e ectiveness of traditional post processing techniques is one key to achieve shorter design cycles and faster time to market. A very promising approach, that bene ts from the recent progress in software and hardware technology, is the use of virtual reality techniques. At BMW, in co-operation with the University of Erlangen, we developed the software system VtCrash, that performs a three dimensional visualization and allows the user to observe, enter and manipulate the visualized crash in a virtual environment. A key feature of VtCrash is the possibility, not only to look at the simulation, but also to immerse into a scene that contains a true scaled virtual crash while using stereoscopic viewing technology. VtCrash takes the simulation output of the dynamic nite element solver PAM-CRASH and converts it into data structures suitable for the visualization using e cient data reduction and data ordering mechanisms. It creates a virtual scene, performs real time animations, and enables the user to interact with the visualized crash data using a data glove and a Binocular Omni-Orientation Monitor. Additionally, there is the possibility to use VtCrash with stereoscopic projection technology. The design and implementation of the system is presented in the paper. INTRODUCTION Numerical nite element simulations for automotive engineering applications have become increasingly complex as well as reliable and precise. The behaviour of a car body in frontal, side or heck impact collision scenarios can be simulated and predicted with such high degree of accuracy and con dence that computer simulation results have become a standard evaluation tool in the vehicle development process. The analytical process in the development of prototype vehicles uses nite element analysis with the primary goal to do as much development as possible with analytical tools and to minimize hardware-prototype testing. At BMW, the nonlinear, transient, dynamic nite element code PAM-CRASH is used to simulate the crash behaviour of the total vehicle. In the case of vehicle crash worthiness simulations the e ectiveness of traditional FEA postprocessing methods can be signi cantly improved through use of interactive real-time visualization techniques. In this paper we outline the design and implementation of a virtual crash testing environment that provides an immersive and interactive analysis of crash simulations. The paper is structured as follows: Section 1 outlines the current status of visualization in crash simulation. Section 2 discusses the demands on new e cient visualization systems. Section 3 describes the design of our virtual environment VtCrash. Section 4 shows the e ectiveness of VtCrash with respect to the application area. Finally, in section 5, we present our conclusions and elds of interest for further investigations. STATUS OF VISUALIZATION IN CRASH SIMULATION The crash simulation procedure can be divided into three main stages: 1. Preprocessing. During this stage the nite element models are created from the CAD data representing the car components. 2. Analysis. The shape and physical properties of the models are calculated for several time steps of the simulated crash. 3. Postprocessing. The calculated models are investigated and decisions are made about improvements of the CAD models to get the desired crash behaviour. Relative simulation time 1991: 1996: Analysis 30% 10% Preprocessing 50% 30% Postprocessing 20% 60% hardware calculate models with high degree of complexity growing knowledge and experience engineers software increasingly reliable and stable Figure 1: Development of relative simulation time Today, the hardware is able to calculate models with a high degree of complexity. Regarding the growing knowledge and experience of the simulation engineers and the increasing reliable and stable calculation software the absolute simulation time for modelling, computing and investigating a complete crash model could be decreased. Another important result of the development mentioned above is an adjournment of the proportions between preprocessing, analysis and postprocessing. As shown in Figure 1 the postprocessing stage turned out to become the most time consuming activity performed by the simulation engineers. During the last ten years, the number of elements contained in a nite element crash model has reached a new dimension. Whereas in 1986 a model consisted of 3000 elements, crash models today comprise more than 200000 elements. Between 1986 and 1991 the visualization techniques of crash simulations have been improved signi cantly by polygonal representation of the nite element models and implementation of new lighting techniques. During the last 5 years the postprocessor systems exhibit more features and new techniques have been implemented to use additional video support [KHE95]. Much research activities were performed in developing new visualization techniques in di erent areas such as CFD analysis [BL92] as well as digital protoyping [DG94]. However, in the case of crashworthiness simulations the basic philosophy behind the visualization remained the same. The simulation engineer watches the visualized crash model from outside. An immersion into the model is not possible. Much e ort must be undertaken to separate and investigate parts of the structure. One of the most important problems is the complexity of traditional postprocessing systems and the non-intuitive interfaces which make it impossible to achieve a su cient investigation of the calculated models without spending a lot of time getting used to the system. Another penalty is the incababilty to provide a three dimensional visualization of the simulation. The changes in the partitioning of relative simulation time, the disadvantages of traditional postprossesors and the development of computer graphics technology in the last few years have resulted in the need for new visualization techniques to facilitate the analysis of crashworthiness simulations. On one hand, there is a high potential to optimize the product development process by saving engineering time. On the other hand, the quality of postprocessing will be improved signi cantly by implementing an e cient and advanced visualization system. DEMANDS ON NEW VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES The idea of a virtual crash test environment is to allow the user to enter a three dimensional scene that contains geometry data of the vehicle plus the results of all stages of a crash test. The experience of a realistic simulated crash event presumes the meeting of three basic requirements: Three dimensionality. In order to achieve spatial perception and motion it is necessary to support a human interface that provides a stereo view of the crash. Such stereo viewing technology can be divided into immersive (i.e. Binocular Omni-Orientation Monitor) and nonimmersive devices (i.e. stereo projection, shutter glasses). Another requirement is to keep the response time of the system with respect to actions of the user lower than 0.1 seconds. This ensures an accurate motion and modi cation of the viewpoint within the virtual scene [BF95]. Intuitive interaction. There are several interaction features that could be of interest for crash simulation. Structural parts of the vehicle could be separated for investigating details. Car components could be made semi transparent or invisible. The user could use virtual tools like a cutting plane and slice through the vehicle. Because these interactions should be performed in a three dimensional environment it is necessary to support devices which provide three dimensional input. This is important to avoid the problem of mapping the two degrees of freedom of the traditional mouse to the three dimensional control and display interface. Most popular three dimensional input devices are space mouse and data glove. In order to select between the interaction features a tool is required which can be a ected by the chosen input device. A three dimensional menu which is part of the virtual environment meets this requirement. The combination of BOOM, data glove and menu or space mouse respectively provide the capability of interaction being simple enough to be denoted as intuitive. Real time animation. Because the visualization of crash simulations deals with time varying data sets, the achieved animation rate is very important. Although a high animation rate showing the crash test is desirable, a steady and regular motion is more important than a smooth animation. However, the animation rate must be high enough to prevent the behaviour of perceiving a series of still pictures rather then a continuous evolution or movement. Experience has shown that most users consider an animation rate of 10 frames per second as adequately [BF95]. DESIGN OF THE VISUALIZATION SYSTEM VTCRASH Description of the application area The study of realisticly simulated crash scenarios involves very large data sets. After triangulation, FE models typically consist of 60 time steps with about 400.000 triangles each. Our system, VtCrash provides novel computer-human interface techniques for intuitive and interactive analysis of large amounts of crash test simulation data. VtCrash takes geometry data and physical properties data like stress, strain, acceleration or velocity as input and performs real time animations of the vehicle's behavior in a collision. The user can enter the virtual environment, directly manipulate the simulation, as well as examine and interact with any part of the vehicle. Relevant system implementation issues Data structuring and system design. Currently,


The invention discloses a magnet type well lid taking and placing vehicle and relates to the technical field of underground pipeline overhauling. The magnet type lid taking and placing vehicle is characterized by comprising a pressing rod; the front end of the pressing rod is connected with a magnet; the middle of the pressing rod is connected with two wheels through a support; the rear end of the pressing rod is provided with a handle; the support is a U-shaped supporting board with a downward opening; the middle of the pressing rod is connected with an axle through the U-shaped supporting board; the wheels are installed on the axle; the handle is annular. According to the connection structure of the front end of the pressing rod and the magnet, the front end of the pressing rod is connected with a horizontal pipe, a vertical pipe is connected below the horizontal pipe, the lower end of the vertical pipe is connected with the upper portion of a cap, the cap is provided with a blind hole with a downward opening, and the magnet is connected with the blind hole of the cap through a bolt. According to the magnet type well lid taking and placing vehicle, a well lid is sucked up through the magnet based on the lever effect, the pressing rod is rotated to move the well lid out of a well opening, the overhauling operation saves time, work and labor, human injuries can be avoided, and working efficiency is improved.


The basic concept and recent research progress of Digital Basin(DB) are introduced in the light of the strategic demand of water resource development in the new era.Key technologies inclusive of the basic framework and technical standards,the comprehensive observation system involving space,air,and ground data,the organization,processing and sharing of multi-source mass spatio-temporal data,and multi-disciplinary model integration and application are discussed in detail.The practices of applying digital basin to the operation and management of Three Gorges Project are analyzed.The applications are summarized and looked forward.


In this thesis I offer a study of a metaphysical theory that has acquired popularity in recent years: dispositionalism. Dispositionalism is a non-reductive theory of physical modality, according to which the pattern of instantiation within the four-dimensional manifold is determined and explained by the modal nature of properties. I defend a version of dispositionalism based on the ontology of platonic universals, and I argue that dispositionalists must be platonic dispositionalists if they are to be dispositionalists at all.


We review recent work on the study of the wave equation in a fixed de Sitter background. This is to be seen as a first step in the direction of the full Einstein-Λ-scalar field system in spherical symmetry.


Extensive studies conducted on the fly ash-occupying geopolymer caked show. Salient factors that persuade the properties of the geopolymer solid in the pure and seasoned states are identified. Test data of diverse interim and everlasting properties of the geopolymer solid are then conferred. The script describes the results of the tests conducted on huge strengthened geopolymer petrified members and illustrates the appeal of the geopolymer solid in the planning activity. Some new forms of Geopolymer caked in the calcified development and the budgetary merits of the geopolymer solidified are also comprised. In this there scrutinize the main limitations of fly ash occupying geopolymer solidified are eliminated by the boost of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBS) dust that shows the significant gain in concentration utilizing Alkaline liquids for the polymerization treat are sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and sodium silicate (Na2Sio3) solutions. Concrete is divine heavy man made serious in the realm. However, the manufacturing of sand touches relatively 5%-8% of the race's CO2 emissions. In require to build a habitable realm, a grassy hut data is necessary thus the engineers and scientists initiate out Geopolymer solidified whichever is much more stable than conventional solidified in as much as its protection to rust. It is also much stronger than plain solidified.


This paper establishes an optimal generic function model in order to obtain a continuous phase modulated (CPM) signal with a smoother phase modulation function. This is achieved by finding the solution to the symbol signals at different lengths of the CPM function. In the solution process, the unknown amount that needs to be solved is reduced by using the even function symmetry characteristic of the signal to be solved. For each different form of the signal, the time domain form of the CPM function and the corresponding normalized energy spectral density are compared under the influence of the phase modulation signal length and the generic function parameter n. The data transmission rate is improved by introducing inter-symbol interference, and the modulation process is realized using six-way parallel transmission when the CPM function is 6T. The simulation results show that the CPM function obtained by establishing an optimal generic function model has high-quality time-frequency characteristics. The real-time phase trajectory and the high-order derivative are both continuous, and the modulated signal has constant envelope characteristics. The CPM function has a fast rolling-off in the frequency domain and small out-of-band radiation, which greatly improves the characteristics of the frequency band utilization.


This report summarizes and investigation of compaction of asphalt concrete and compaction using vibratory rollers. The primary objectives of the study were to clarify terminology associated with compaction and vibratory rollers and to suggest effective operational procedures for vibratory rollers. A literature review was performed in order to gain an accurate understanding of the theory of compaction. The report lists factors affecting the compactibility of asphalt mixtures. In addition, a discussion of mixture problems that affect compaction is presented. A portion of the literature review summarized in this report deals with the background and theory of vibratory compactors is presented along with current rollers marketed in the United States. Operational terms associated with vibratory rollers are presented and defined. Manufacturers of vibratory rollers were contacted to obtain current vibratory roller specifications and recommended operating procedures. Based on this information, a set of operational guidelines is presented.


Objective Using CTU, combined with 3D printing technology, digital design, the development of individualized PCNL) puncture guides, preliminary discussion of its feasibility for PCNL puncture positioning.Methods Twenty-two patients with renal calculi who underwent PCNL in the hospital of Xuzhou Medical University in 2017-2018, including 10 experimental groups, used 3D printing technology to make guides (puncture guides); simulated punctures in vitro, after clearing the needle angle, PCNL was performed in 10 patients and PCNL in 12 patients in the control group. The accuracy of puncture positioning, puncture time and intraoperative blood loss were compared between the two groups.Results In the experimental group, 10 patients had good puncture guide plate and the patient's skin. The puncture needle was puncture under the guidance of the guide plate and verified by the color Doppler. The 1 needle puncture was successful 100.00% (10/10), the positioning of the needle point, the depth of the puncture. The angles were consistent with the preoperative design. The success rate of 12 cases of color Doppler ultrasound in the control group was 75.00% (9/12). There was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). The amount of hemorrhage was (7.78±0.94) min and (49.31±6.43) mL, respectively. The control group was (9.04±1.09) min and (60.08±12.18) mL, respectively. The two groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion 3D printing personalized percutaneous nephrolithotomy guide can improve the accuracy of PCNL renal puncture channel positioning, shorten the puncture time and reduce intraoperative blood loss, and provide a new method for PCNL renal puncture positioning, which is worthy of further clinical exploration.


The water treatment for low pressure boiler by sodium ion exchange method made the water quality meet the technical requirements.The practical work guided by the summarized experience promotes constant innovation and a better job.


Abstract
Village Facilitation is an activity to carry out community empowerment actions through assistance, organization, direction and facilitation of the Village. Village facilitation in the framework of implementing Law Number 6 of 2014 concerning Villages is very important in determining its success. Seeing the current condition of the village which is very heterogeneous in terms of quantity, quality or capacity and even the potential of natural resources and human resources is very varied, the role of village assistance in the framework of implementing the Village Law is very important in helping villages implement the mandate of the Village Law. To find out more about the role of village assistance, in this study the problem is: "What is the role of village assistance in the context of the implementation of the Village Law in Central Java-2018 ?. Village Community Empowerment is an effort to develop community independence and prosperity by increasing knowledge, attitudes, skills, behavior, abilities, awareness, and utilizing resources through the determination of policies, programs, activities, and assistance in accordance with the essence of the problems and priorities of the needs of the village community. The objectives of assisting villages in Ministerial Regulation (Permendes No 3 of 2015) include: a. Increasing the capacity, effectiveness and accountability of village governance and village development; b. Increasing the initiative, awareness and participation of the Village community in participatory village development; c. Increase the synergy of inter-sectoral village development programs; d. Optimizing village local assets emancipatively. The Village Facilitator is assigned to assist the Village in organizing Village development and empowering the Village community in Central Java. Village Facilitators carry out the task of assisting Villages in the implementation of the Village Law in Central Java which includes: a. assist the Village in planning, implementing, and monitoring Village development and empowering the Village community; b. assist the Village in carrying out management of basic social services, development of the Village economic effort, utilization of natural resources and appropriate technology, construction of Village infrastructure, and empowerment of the Village community; c. conduct capacity building for the Village Government, Village community organizations in terms of development and empowerment of the Village community; d. organizing within village community groups; e. increase capacity for Village Community Empowerment Cadres and encourage the creation of new Village development cadres; f. assist the Village in participatory rural development; and g. coordinate assistance at the sub-district level and facilitate reports on the implementation of assistance by the Camat to the District / City Governments throughout Central Java.

Keywords: Village Facilitation, Implementation of Village Law


In this paper, the symmetric periodic extension method is generalized for multiwavelet filter banks. It is described how the sequences should be extended for any symmetry type of multifilter of size two and the corresponding pre- /postfilter and how the filtered sequence should be downsampled. The present paper shows that there are restrictions for any symmetry type of multifilter relating to the size of the sequence and the type of pre-/postfilter. Examples are given. The symmetric periodic extension method is compared with the periodic extension method and the effects on the transformed sequence are discussed.


The influence of ligands on the palladium catalyzed reaction of allylic-1,1-diol diacetate (1) with sodium dimethyl malonate was studied. When PPh_3 was used as the ligand, the malonate anion was found to attack the carbonyl carbon atom, but it would attack the allylic carbon atom while dppe was used as the ligand. The properties of nucleophiles also influence the position of attack. By suitable choice of the nucleophiles and ligands, dialkylated products can be obtained from 1.


Basile Ndjio says that the influx of young Chinese sex labour migrants is shifting perceptions of Sino-African relations in Cameroon.


This paper presents a novel subspace segmentation algorithm that models protein $C\alpha$ traces of secondary structure elements (SSEs) as a union of subspaces. For each $C\alpha$, a set of general geometric features are considered. The algorithm first identifies the most relevant features for each SSE using a new matrix rank estimation technique and combinatorics. This is followed by grouping $C\alpha$ traces in a sliding-window so that each group represents a data point in a high-dimensional ambient space. Then, a lower dimensional subspace is matched for each SSE. When a group of unknown $C\alpha$ traces is presented, the algorithm determines a neighborhood around each $C\alpha$ and then uses two approaches to classify the $C\alpha$. In the first approach, the $C\alpha$ is represented as a data point in the ambient space and its distance to each subspace is calculated. In the second approach, a local subspace is matched to the $C\alpha$, and the separation of this local subspace from each SSE subspace is computed using geodesic distance on the Grassmannian manifold of the subspaces. The minimum point-to-subspace distance and minimum separation of subspaces are used to classify the $C\alpha$. This geometric and mathematical approach has been applied a large protein dataset and generated 85% classification rate without the need to train a large machine learning system.


Comparative literature,as a discipline,is the natural result of historical development of world literature. This paper, in a retrospect of world literature,concludes that cross-culture-oriented Chinese school, which advocates dialogue and communication,will bring forth a greater drive for the development of comparative literature.


We study the structure of an idempotent matrix $F$ over a commutative ring. We make explicit the fundamental system of orthogonal idempotents, hidden in this matrix, for each of which the matrix has a well-defined rank. Similarly we find a finite number of comaximal elements of the ring which make explicit the fact that the codomain of $F$ is locally free. Our proofs are based on the abstract local-global principle. We give two methods to recover a constructive proof of these results. The most interesting one is a constructive interpretation of a very simple version of the abstract local-global principle. We think we have made a significant step towards a constructive version of the"Hilbert programme"for abstract algebra, i.e. the automatic translation of proofs of abstract algebra into constructive proofs.


We report the first liquid−liquid Ullmann etherification process mediated not only by oxidatively stable Cu but also by CuZn and CuSn nanoparticle catalysts in conjunction with microwave heating that also avoids the use of solid and expensive bases. Conditions have led to improved turnovers and excellent yields in heteroaromatic Ullmann-type coupling reactions. Further enhancement is achieved upon the addition of 18-crown-6 as a kinetic promoter.


Perhaps the most acceptable hypothesis is that of a conscious or unconscious association of ideas linking up certain pain stimuli with concepts or recollections of a sexual nature. These latter may be so intense as virtually to swamp the pain sensation and produce a temporary analgesia. Havelock Ellis has discussed at length and with great clearness the probable mechanisms underlying the masochistic phenomena. He points out that in algolagnia the pain in question is less important than the violent emotional outburst; that the pain endured is never intense, and is ugually, if not always, bound up with sexual activity ; divorced therefrom, pain is no longer pleasurable. The sufferings experienced by a woman in association with sexual excitement may be gratifying in that they enhance the dominant and assertive characters which she appreciates in her male. Krafft-Ebing summarizes the problem thus: "The person in a state of masochistic ecstasy feels no pain. When a woman says that she finds pleasure in the pain inflicted by a lover, she means that under the special circumstances she finds pleasure in treatment which would at other times be felt as pain. Or else that the slight pain experienced is so quickly followed by overwhelming, pleasure that in memory the pain itself seems to have been pleasure, and may even be regarded as the symbol of pleasure."


[Objective] To investigate the present condition of endemic fluorosis of the residents in Fangcheng County of Henan Province, to probe into the causes that lead to the endemic fluorosis, to put forward the prevention and cure measures of the fluorosis, to provide the scientific basis on preventing and curing the endemic fluorosis for the government and the related departments . [Methods] The investigation and research was carried on by the method of epidemiology. The poisoned district was sieved, and the fluorine content of the sample was measured with standard method and analytical chemistry experiment technique. [Results] In northern part of Fangcheng County, the total prevalence rate of the residents was 11.7%-58.5%. In Fanying Village, Yangji Township, the total prevalence rate of the residents was up to 67.5%. Both of the former and the latter belonged to the potable water chronic fluorosis. [Conclusion] The problem with endemic fluorosis in Fanying Village is serious and we should take the prevention and control measures immediately.


Subject of Research. The paper considers analysis of mechanical and optical properties of modern optical polymer materials. We present the result of design and quality characteristics of small magnification telescopic glasses, made of modern optical polymers and intended for application in medicine, production of microelectronic circuits, and jewelry. Method. Calculation of telescopic glasses is carried out according to Galileo scheme on the basis of the automated method of aberration correction. The requirements are fulfilled concerning the necessity exception of additional


The mechanism of synergistic bleaching effect of lignin peroxidase and hydrogen peroxide was studied by FTIR,GC/MS and GPC.The results showed that the lignin peroxidase pretreatment increased syringyl structural unit,p-hydroxyl phenyl,methoxyl and phenolic hydroxyl group thus enhanced the reaction activity of lignin and also degraded and dissolved small molecular lignin.The pretreatment provided favourable condition for hydrogen peroxide bleaching.It enhanced the reaction between bleaching reagent and phenolic structural units and syringyl structural units,increased the solubility of lignin and the molecular weight of dissolved lignin,thus reduced chromophores and increased the brightness and crystallinity of the bleached pulp.


As a scientist, one is taught to be creative and to challenge old ideas, while at the same time to be data-driven and intellectually rigorous, carefully delineating what we know from what we don't know, what is possible from what might be possible or is not possible. As a practicing doctor, on the other hand, one is schooled in making the most of what we know now, using knowledge—even if incomplete—to improve the lives of our patients. And as a physician, one learns about the importance of giving patients hope.


Objective To investigate healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in neonatal intensive care unit(NICU),and provide reference for controlling HAI in newborns.Methods Targeted surveillance on HAI in all newborns in NICU of a hospital from January 2011 to December 2013 was performed by prospective investigation method.Results A total of 5365 newborns were monitored,128 newborns developed 133 times of HAI,HAI rate and HAI case rate was 2.39% and2.48%respectively.The major infection sites were conjunctiva(33.08%),upper respiratory tract(23.31%)and skin soft tissue(17.29%).The daily infection rate was 3.32‰(128/38 528),vascular catheter usage rate and respirator usage rate was 1.75%(676/38 528)and1.09%(420/38 528)respectively.The difference in vascular catheter usage rate and respirator usage rate in newborns with different body weight had statistical difference(χ2=3 075.22;442.46,both P0.01).HAI in newborns with body weight of≤1 000 g,1 001-1 500 g,1 501-2 500 g,and2 500 g was 16.67%,12.26%,4.15% and 1.06% respectively.None newborns developed catheter-related bloodstream infection(CRBSI),the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP)was only4.76‰(2/420).A total of 51 specimens were sent for detection,27 pathogens were isolated,the major were gram-positive bacteria(55.56%).Conclusion The incidence of HAI in newborns is high,the main infection sites are eye,upper respiratory tract,and skin and soft tissue.


Excerpt] Although employment relations (defined as labour relations and human resources management (HRM)) institutions and practices generally tend to be stable over long periods of time, that cannot be said to be the case in the three largest economies of East Asia, i.e. China, Japan and South Korea (hereafter Korea), during the last two decades (see chapters 5, 7 and 8). In this contribution, we briefly review the most significant development in East Asian employment relations, i.e. the growth of a variety of non-standard employment arrangements which we subsume under the term 'informality' in all three countries. We see this growth as symptomatic of the 'extemalisation' of employment relations beyond the enterprise, a development that imposes major challenges for traditional trade unionism and for employment policy. We argue that the efforts of governments aimed at 'reregulating' employment relations to curb such 'informalisation' are evidence of an emerging 'labour protection logic' in these countries, although we remain sceptical about the effectiveness of attempts at re-regulation. Our use of the term informal is broad and inclusive. We conceive of informal work as work that is not permanent, not always regulated by an employment contract, not always regulated by current law and not always with benefits. Thus, temporary and part-time workers (many of whom receive partial benefits) are included within the scope of our definition. The use of directly engaged contract workers is also covered by our definition. Also included is 'agency work' or 'despatched labour', the triangular employment relationship where workers are employed nominally by a labour market intermediary agency, but work at a third location that pays the agency a fee for using the worker. The primary employer in this case remains the agency, but the liability of the employer at the place of work is, in many countries, unclear.


This paper deals with the loss of performance due to transient adaptation processes at VDU work places. Experiments under simulated office conditions have shown that luminance differences between the source document and the screen up to a ratio of about 20:1 have no definite effect on the time required for information entry. A very high ratio, however, of 100:1 has led to a significant deterioration of work performance.


Much recent progress in hypergraph Ramsey theory has focused on constructions that lead to lower bounds for the corresponding Ramsey numbers. In this paper, we consider applications of these results to Gallai colorings. That is, we focus on the Ramsey numbers resulting from only considering $t$-colorings of the hyperedges of complete $r$-uniform hypergraphs in which no rainbow $K_{r+1}^{(r)}$-subhypergraphs exists. We also provide new constructions which imply improved lower bounds for many $3$ and $4$-uniform Ramsey numbers and $3$ and $4$-uniform Gallai-Ramsey numbers.


[1] The morphodynamic response of the nearshore zone of an embayed beach induced by wave groups is examined with a numerical model. The model utilizes the nonlinear shallow water equations to phase resolve the mean and infragravity motions in combination with an advection-diffusion equation for the sediment transport. The sediment transport associated with the short-wave asymmetry is accounted for by means of a time-integrated contribution of the wave nonlinearity using stream function theory. The two-dimensional (2-D) computations consider wave group energy made up of directionally spread, short waves with a zero mean approach angle with respect to the shore normal, incident on an initially alongshore uniform barred beach. Prior to the 2-D computations, the model is calibrated with prototype flume measurements of waves, currents, and bed level changes during erosive and accretive conditions. The most prominent feature of the 2-D model computations is the development of an alongshore quasi-periodic bathymetry of shoals cut by rip channels. Without directional spreading, the smallest alongshore separation of the rip channels is obtained, and the beach response is self-organizing in nature. Introducing a small amount of directional spreading (less than 2°) results in a strong increase in the alongshore length scales as the beach response changes from self-organizing to being quasi-forced. A further increase in directional spreading leads again to smaller length scales. The hypothesized correlation between the observed rip spacing and wave group forced edge waves over the initially alongshore uniform bathymetry is not found. However, there is a correlation between the alongshore length scales of the wave group-induced quasi-steady flow circulations and the eventual alongshore spacing of the rip channels. This suggests that the scouring associated with the quasi-steady flow induced by the initial wave groups triggers the development of rip channels via a positive feedback mechanism in which the small scour holes start attracting more and more discharge.


the load, the longitudinal deformations of the rebar recessed in concrete were measured using strain gauges. The distribution of tangential stresses in the contact layer of concrete with reinforcing rebar in anchoring zones of 10 d length, each of which is divided into separate sections, is investigated. At each it section in the rebar, the force is applied to the concrete, which is passed to the concrete due to the occurrence of the stresses of the grip and to the subsequent parts of the rebar (applies only to the sites located in the anchoring zones). According to the average tension stresses, in each section the diagrams of their distribution along the length of anchoring of the reinforcing rebar in concrete for various loading levels are constructed. A comparative analysis of the behavior of a reinforcing rebar in concrete in experimental samples is performed steel crescent-shaped rebar and composite fiberglass reinforcement.


Abstract The cognitive response is an important component of the psychological recovery from athletic injury. This study was aimed to investigate changes in the psychological readiness to return to sport among injured athletes and to assess how athletes' confidence is perceived by their coaches. Participants were 13 athletes, aged between 15 and 34 years (M = 20.7, SD = 6.0) who practiced team sports. All participants completed the Spanish version of the Injury-Psychological Readiness to Return to Sport Scale (I-PRRS) at four time intervals during the injury recovery process. Coaches responded the I-PPRS before returning to competition and after competing again. Results showed that the athletes' confidence was lower immediately after suffering the injury and increased significantly before practice, before competition and after competition. Athletes' perceptions of confidence before and after competition did not significantly differ from perceptions of their coaches. The findings indicate that coaches are aware of the confidence levels of athletes recovering from injury.


A method is disclosed for selecting different modes of operation of a means used for counting objects in a given area, such as persons waiting in an elevator lobby. In the method, the movements of the objects are moni tored with at least one Doppler radar by observing the Doppler frequencies of the signals reflected by the ob jects. The method is characterized in that the operation of the means is switched between two modes of opera tion, so that the mode of operation primarily carrying out the counting of objects on the basis of their stopping and starting is used during a given time interval, and the mode of operation primarily observing merely the movements of the objects is used during another given time interval.