A 48-year old man was referred to our outpatient clinic for pretibial edema and New York Heart Association Class 2 dyspnea. His chest radiogram showed mild pulmonary congestion with a normal cardiothoracic index, and electrocardiogram revealed normal sinus rhythm with right bundle branch block. Laboratory findings were not remarkable except for moderately elevated alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and brain natriuretic peptide levels. Two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) showed normal left ventricular systolic functions. The Apical four chamber view demonstrated moderately enlarged right atrial and ventricular cavities and tricuspid valve prolapsus (TVP) (Figure A) due to excessive long chordae (Video 1*). The chordae of the anterior leaflet was measured as 6 cm in length (Figure B). Severe tricuspid and mild mitral regurgitant jets were obtained by color Doppler imaging. Estimated pulmonary arterial systolic pressure from tricuspid regurgitant flow was 60 mm Hg. Subsequently, a real-time three-dimensional (RT-3D) TTE was performed and the presence of anterior leaflet prolapsus due to elongated chordae was confirmed (Figure C and D, Video 2 and 3*). A two-dimensional TTE was unable to evaluate all the leaflets to rule out other possible etiological factors so, an RT-3D-TTE was performed to clarify the tricuspid valve which did not have any other primary pathologies except for the long chordae. Finally, valve repair surgery was recommended to the patient, which he refused. The most common cause of tricuspid regurgitation is not primary tricuspid valve disease, but rather an impaired valve coaptation caused by dilatation of the right ventricle and/or the tricuspid annulus. In the present case, the patient had no secondary reason for TVP and the long chordae were the only primary pathology. Here, excessive long chordae is highlighted as a rare cause of TVP to be reported in the current literature. 789


Despite of the recent progress, the knowledge about the underlying mechanisms behind tDCS is still limited. In order to gain insight in the sophisticated interplay of stimulation, volume conduction and resulting cortical current density distribution, we follow an effect-by-effect approach. We start our investigations with a homogenized isotropic three compartment (skin, skull, brain) head model, where results are still rather obvious. In each consecutive step, we then extent our head model by one additional effect, which is either a tissue layer or an anisotropic instead of a homogenized isotropic tissue compartment. For each additional effect, the resulting changes in the current density distribution are deeply investigated. Our most realistic volume conductor contains six tissue compartments and brain anisotropy (Olesch et al., 2010; Wolters et al., 2006; Wagner, 2011).


We present an observing method that permits the determination of the absolute stellar spin axis position angle based on spectro-astrometric observations for slowly-rotating late-type stars. This method is complementary to current interferometric observations that determine the orientation of stellar spin axis for early-type fast-rotating stars. Spectro-astrometry enables us to study phenomena below the diffraction limit, at the milli-arcsecond scale. It relies on the wavelength dependent variations of the centroid position of a structured source in a long-slit spectrum. A rotating star has a slight tilt in its spectral lines, which induces a displacement of the photocentre's position. By monitoring the amplitude of the displacement for varying slit orientations, we can infer the absolute position angle of the stellar spin axis. Finally, we present first observational results on Aldebaran obtained with the Thüringer Landesternwarte high resolution spectrograph. We were able to retrieve Aldebaran's position angle with less than 10◦ errors.


Three types of functional microgels with vinyl groups on their surface were prepared. For the first type, the counter anion from clorin was exchanged with β-methacryloylethyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid or allyl sulfonic acid in a microgel with ammonium anions. For the second and third types, a quaternization with N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate of 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate in the presence of microgel particles was prepared by emulsion copolymerization of styrene, chloromethylstyrene or N,N-dimethylamino-methylbenzene, and divinylbenzene. The resulting samples show good dispersibility in organic solvents without an emulsifier.

A functional microgel-based photopolymer combined with an acrylate monomer and ultraviolet (UV) or visible (VIS) light-absorbing photoinitiators provides oleophilic images when exposed to UV or VIS light and developed in tap water. This photopolymer has a higher sensitivity than those of photopolymers based on microgels with an analogous composition but without vinyl groups. Photopolymers pepared by using functional microgels with a methacryloyl group exhibited a higher rate of polymerization (Rp) than that of photopolymers based on microgels without a vinyl group. The Rp of photopolymers prepared by using a functional microgel with either an allyl group or vinylphenyl group was nearly equal to that of photopolymers based on microgels with ammonium ions. Their high sensitivities are attributed to the rapid photopolymerization in the methacryloyl group.

To determine how the photoreaction mechanism enhances sensitivity, the photoreaction products were investigated using a model photopolymerization system. It was found that the gelation reactions enhancing sensitivity are predominantly the polymerization and crosslinking ones when a microgel with the methacryloyl group is used, and the graft copolymerization with acrylate monomers when a microgel with either the allyl group or vinylphenyl group is used.


Poly(ethylene-b-styrene-b-ethylene) (ESE) triblock copolymer-based alkaline anion-exchange membranes (AAEMs) were synthesized and characterized to evaluate the effects of polydispersity and ion exc...


Organic electronic devices have seen a new enthusiasm in flexible electronics. Indeed, they know new applications and improved performances even fabricated at low temperatures by low‐cost solution‐process and printing technologies. Nonetheless, some critical aspects remain to be improved, such as organic semiconductor (OSC) patterning and the control and alignment of organic crystal growth in the desired location and direction. Herein, a new controlled OSC solution‐growth processing, which directly occurs within planar electrodes patterning, is reported. A capillary‐driven flow occurs in air‐opened microchannels and then confines the OSC solution before growing these crystals in the desired region and direction. 1) The modeling, 2) fabrication, 3) experimental functionality of such capillary‐driven flow techniques, and 4) growth of OSC single‐colored crystals in situ integrated planar device electrodes are reported. Polarized optical images show large crystal growth (i.e., >100 μm) of typical π‐conjugated small molecules (diF‐TES‐ADT and C8‐BTBT). By such a technology, benefits from both 1) the meniscus‐guided coating mechanisms and 2) advantages of maskless and noncontact digital printing technologies are taken. Finally, these results visualize the directional control of OSC single‐crystal growth in a printing‐compatible (dispensing, inkjet) route in a reliable and reproducible way.


The present invention relates to a method and system for calibrating a pressure sensor of an automatic transmission. Specifically, the method for the operation of the transmission and control system, comprising: a transmission control module, a sensor that determines the transmission signals and the transmission pressure sensor offset prior to starting the vehicle engine; engine start and initialization is that the vehicle engine is started. The transmission control module in response to the transmission of the pressure sensor and the pressure sensor signal offset control the transmission function.


This work is concerned with approximating constraint satisfaction problems (CSPs) with additional global cardinality constraints. For example, Max Cut is a boolean CSP where the input is a graph G = (V, E) and the goal is to find a cut S ∪ S = V that maximizes the number of crossing edges, |E(S, S)|. The Max Bisection problem is a variant of Max Cut with a global constraint that each side of the cut has exactly half the vertices, i.e., |S| = |V|/2. Several other natural optimization problems like Min Bisection and approximating Graph Expansion can be formulated as CSPs with global cardinality constraints.

In this work, we formulate a general approach towards approximating CSPs with global cardinality constraints using SDP hierarchies. To demonstrate the approach we present the following results:

• Using the Lasserre hierarchy, we present an algorithm that runs in time O(npoly(1/e)) that given an instance of Max Bisection with value 1 − e, finds a bisection with value 1 − O(√e). This approximation is near-optimal (up to constant factors in O()) under the Unique Games Conjecture.

• By a computer-assisted proof, we show that the same algorithm also achieves a 0.85-approximation for Max Bisection, improving on the previous bound of 0.70 (note that it is Unique Games hard to approximate better than a 0.878 factor). The same algorithm also yields a 0.92-approximation for Max 2-Sat with cardinality constraints.

• For every CSP with a global cardinality constraints, we present a generic conversion from integrality gap instances for the Lasserre hierarchy to a dictatorship test whose soundness is at most integrality gap. Dictatorship testing gadgets are central to hardness results for CSPs, and a generic conversion of the above nature lies at the core of the tight Unique Games based hardness result for CSPs [Rag08].


10006 Background: Dasatinib is an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor of KIT, PDGFR, ABL and SRC with a distinct binding affinity for KIT and PDGFR. We performed a phase II trial to assess antitumor activity of dasatinib in patients (pts) with advanced GIST who were refractory to imatinib (IM) and sunitinib malate (SM).

METHODS
Pts received dasatinib 70mg PO BID. Computer tomographic response rates (ORR) was evaluated every 8 wks by Choi criteria. The primary endpoint was a target progression-free survival at 6 months (PFS-6) of >30% with <10% deemed inactive by a Bayesian approach. Objective response rate (ORR) per Choi criteria was also determined.

RESULTS
From 8/2008 to 7/2010, 50 pts were accrued (47 evaluable for response). Median age was 60(range, 20-78), 62% were male, and median ECOG PS=1. The most common site of primary disease was stomach (59%) and metastasis was liver (56%). Primary median tumor size at diagnosis was 8.7 cm(range 3.7-26) and mitotic rate was >5/50 hpf in 74% of patients. Tumor morphology was spindled (63%), epithelioid (18%) or mixed (18%). The median number of prior therapies was 2[range 1-6, IM (100%), SM (80%)]. Genotype was available for 15 pts: 6(40%) KIT exon 11, 6(40%) WT, 2(13%) KIT exon 9, and 1(7%) had PDGFR D842V. The median number of cycles was 2 (range, 1-24). The PR rate was 32% (15/47) by Choi criteria. 21% patients (10/47) were progression-free >6 months. Median PFS and OS were 2.0 months and 19 months. Median PFS for patients with WT GIST was 8.4 months (range 1.2-27). Toxicity was assessed in all pts: 14 grade 3 events (28%; constitutional, GI, respiratory, and myelosuppression) and 1 grade 4 event (2%, pain). There were no deaths related to dasatinib.

CONCLUSIONS
Dasatinib has significant activity by ORR in IM and SM-refractory GIST but did not meet the predefined 6 month PFS rate of 30%. Mutational and molecular correlates are forthcoming.


I do not believe in wives, the official says, who do not cook. As he looks down, I see the glowing island of scalp where his hair is fading. He turns our forms, photos, and copies with the tips of his fingers, with his smudged fingernails. I try to think of a recipe, get stuck on "rice and beans/' try not to joke about boiling water or burning toast. How do you eat? the official asks, making a tent of his fingers, looking out the window. I smell his musty Old Spice from across the desk. Beside me, my husband starts to tremble.


In Medical Education,it is difficult for students to understand medical information presented by static text,graphics,charts and so on.High-definition photos,graphics,animation and video presentation were needed for some courses related to morphology and clinical medicine,which make medical courseware software for powerpoint should have integrated and interactive features.The graphics,images,sounds,animation,video and other multimedia data were integrated together by authorware software language,and the flow chart controlling procedures was edited through call icon.Authorware software simplify the process in creating multimedia presentation effectively,which has been regarded be a good tool to develop medical courseware.


A n acute limp is a common reason for a child to present to the emergency department (ED). Limping takes many forms, and the cause is not always obvious. Limping is never normal, and both benign and life-threatening illnesses can present with limp. The provisional diagnosis can be a challenge to establish even after history, physical, and laboratory examinations. The few causes of limp in the weak pediatric patient help narrow the focus of the ED evaluation. A representative case is provided.


Effective integration of virtual technologies is aimed at improving the quality of education. It is very important to form trends of study at the initial stage of education. This document presents the first steps in the project "Development of a Virtual Learning Environment in Technical Higher Education," jointly funded by the Erasmus program, which includes institutions from four countries: Estonia, Lithuania, Turkey, and Poland, for 24 months. It aims to create a digital house simulator and a set of training materials for construction specialties freshmen. The tasks of this simulator are to give a learner the opportunity to independently obtain knowledge about the details of the structure through the internet without special equipment. Learning through the virtual house model will help students develop spatial thinking, which is necessary for success in graphics and engineering in general. This, in turn, will increase their professional competence, since spatial visualization refers to the curriculum for all industrial technologies and engineering programs. Use of Digital Objects for Improving the Learning Process


Drawing upon the tools of Foucaultian-inspired governmentality, this article traces the narratives of 'good citizenship' that are normalized through contemporary programs to promote asset accumulation through formal savings. It suggests that savings promotion programs embody a particular conception of good citizenship defined by a neoliberal ethos of individual risk management and asset accumulation. It traces this through the Proyecto Capital program to promote personal savings accounts, which is being implemented in conjunction with Peru's conditional cash transfer program Juntos. It pays attention to the capacities, habits, and attitudes which these programs seek to foster, and locates these within a longer, discontinuous history of citizen improvement and reform. In doing so, it aims to disrupt the promotion of formal savings as a common-sense solution to poverty.


In this paper we wish to analyze the causality relationship between corporate governance and the corporate diversification strategies in the context of the global economic crisis. For the beginning, we have studied several opinions of famous specialists of the area. The analysis that we have elaborated continued with the pointing out of some theories laying at the foundation of the corporate governance. Corporate governance is based on the theory of the organization and the expenses it implies, but also on the attempts to clarify the relationship between the several actors to the determination of management and corporations' operation. The main component of the study concentrated on the causality relationship corporate governance – corporate diversification. We have first analyzed the most well known reasons to approach diversification: economies of scale and range (synergies); the power on the market; stability of the profit; improvement of the financial performance; growth of the company's size. Starting from these analyses, we have identified the relationship between the company's value and the structures of the corporate governance in the context of diversification. In consequence, a number of advantages obtained by the manager as a result of the diversification prevent him from adopting a concentrated position for the company. The one suffering from these actions is the company itself, which is submitted to a value reduction because of the inefficient policies based on agency conflicts on the level of the division or following the lack of managerial experience in multiple domains.


Objective To optimize the p-cyclodextrin inclusion process of Aguiyangxue particles under the application of multi-index comprehensive evaluation method combined with orthogonal experiment design.Methods Using the indexes of the rate of utilization of inclusion oil and the content of inclusion oil and the amount of the inclusion to investigate the oil-like substances/p-cyclodextrin(mI7g),inclusion time,inclusion temperature and ethanol/oil-like substances(%),and then to establish the optimical P-cyclodextrin inclusion process.Results The optimum p-cyclodextrin inclusion process:the oillike substances/β-cyclodextrin(mL/g) is 1:10,inclusion temperature is 40℃,and inclusion time is 1 h,ethanol/ oil-like substances(%) is 20%.Conclusion The β-cyclodextrin inclusion process of Aguiyangxue particles after the multi-index scores conbined with orthogonal experiment design provides a scientific basis for the clinical use.


COPII-coated vesicles are the primary mediators of vesicular traffic from the ER to the Golgi apparatus. SAR1 is a small GTPase, which, upon GTP binding, recruits the other COPII proteins to the ER membrane. In mammals, there are two SAR1 paralogs which genetic data suggest may have distinct physiological roles, e.g. in lipoprotein secretion for SAR1B. We identified two clusters of amino acids that have conserved, paralog-specific sequences. One cluster is adjacent to the SAR1 GTP-binding pocket and alters the kinetics of GTP exchange. The other cluster is adjacent to the binding site of COPII components SEC31 and SEC23. We found that the latter cluster confers a SEC23A binding preference to SAR1B over SAR1A. In contrast to SAR1B, SAR1A is prone to oligomerize on a membrane surface. Importantly, in relation to its physiological function, SAR1B, but not SAR1A, can compensate for loss of SAR1B in lipoprotein secretion. The SEC31/SEC23-binding site-adjacent divergent cluster is critical for this function. These data identify the novel paralog-specific function for SAR1B, and provide insights into the mechanisms of large cargo secretion and COPII related diseases.


Combining with a typical project for anchor spraying roadways in Huainan mining area,the test researches and industrial tests for tensile strength,compressive strength,shear strength and flexural property with shotcrete layer for polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete are accomplished.The results indicate that shotcrete layer for polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete can greatly increase the ultimate deflection of shotcrete layer,at the same time,shotcrete layer has greater flexural capacity and yielding capacity.The process of spraying polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete construction is easy,rebound rate is low,and the foundation of shotcrete layer is good,which can add the once thickness of spraying and reduce the content of combined injection,which is useful for improving the construction efficiency.


In a century of high technology and in a cyber world, the website is recognized as a super fast medium of information transfer, sharing
and data harmonization.Users around the world look for information in various kinds of websites and online sources.These multicultural users have
different experiences and expectations regarding the structure of a website and how to use it. However, there are limited guidelines for the development of websites for multicultural users. In particular, there is a lack of specific
standards for user-centric websites that should be taken into account during the development of a website.Such guidelines would be useful in giving designers an overview of how to develop websites that will satisfy the expectations of users around the world.The present study explored ASEAN users'
expectations of an informational website based on expectation-confirmation theory (ECT), which is adapted from the consumer behavior literature. Eight constructs, namely, expectation, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived performance, satisfaction, interface quality, confirmation and continuance intention were used to measure a user-centric Web-based interface.
The results of the study demonstrate satisfactory reliable and valid scales of the model constructs.


Objective: The objective of this study was to identify features of the lipid status and lipid peroxidation-antioxidant defense system in women of reproductive age with acute form of hepatitis. Methods: The study involved 36 women with acute viral hepatitis and 28 healthy women of the same age. Spectrophotometric and fluorometric methods were used. Results: In patients with acute viral hepatitis we detected an increase in triglycerides levels ― by 21% and very low density lipoprotein values — by 17% in relative to control group, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol content reduced by 38%. In group with acute viral hepatitis the TBA-reactive products level increased by 2.21 times and superoxide dismutase activity decreased by 1.43 times in comparison with control group. Conclusion: The acute form of hepatitis is characterized by series of metabolic disorders that require a more careful approach in therapeutic and diagnostic administration.


Works by Francisco Jose de Goya y Lucientes (1746–1828) bridge the gulf in many ways, from the 18th-century European masters to the early seeds of modernism. In the wake of the revolution to the north and the Napoleonic Wars during his lifetime, tumultuous political and social upheavals in Spain impacted the artist, directly. Goya's artistic opus transitioned from that of the celebrated chief court painter for King Charles IV (later shunned by his successor, Ferdinand VII) to his elderly personal works, focused on common life scenes, popular events, and depictions of "capricious subjects" (witches, ghosts, and monsters). Evidence suggests that his failing health may have played a central role; the fulcrum for this transition occurred in proximity to Goya's first known health crisis. As frequently occurs for true innovators, Goya's great genius was not fully appreciated until long after his death, which occurred in isolation and ignominy.


Background: malignant triton tumors (MTTs) are an extremely rare subtype of malignant periphery nerve sheave tumors (MPNSTs). Clinical diagnosis of MTTs is difficult before surgery due to its low incidence and the lack of knowledge. Therefore, to describe and summarize the computed tomography (CT) imaging characteristics of malignant triton tumors (MTTs) is of great assistance for early and preoperative diagnosis.Case presentation: Two case reports were closely observed in our hospital, with the presumptive diagnosis of MTT by CT scan examination before surgery. The diagnosis of MTT was eventually confirmed by immunochemical (IHC) assay, which verified speculation of CT scans. Huge, irregular, well-circumscribed lobulated mass-like shadows can be observed from these patients by CT scans. Besides, heterogeneity of density within the body of tumor was well-established by CT scans, together with linear septum. Meanwhile, CT scans demonstrated that calcifications were remarkable at the margin of tumor body. Conclusions: Some CT image features from two cases admitted to our hospital were presented as a reference for the preoperative diagnosis of MTTs: (i) enormity of mass-like shadow; (ii) presence of well-circumscribed lobulated shape; (iii) septum within the well-defined mass accompanied with hemorrhage, necrosis and cystic changes as well as calcification, especially within neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) patients.


Attention was drawn in the above mentioned paper ("Proc. Roy, 1 Soc. vol. 30, p. 239, and fig. 9) to certain peculiar bodies (pseudonuclei) in the vitellus of some immature ovarian ova of the bird, the origin and interpretation of which were left in doubt.


Fe0.7Co0.3B films with a thickness of 100 nm were prepared by composition gradient sputtering on (100) single-crystal Si substrates. A considerable increase in uniaxial magnetic anisotropy fields Hk from 180.6 to 295.5 Oe was achieved by the gradient composition induced stress. Although the saturation magnetization 4π MS slightly decreases from 16.3 to 13.5 kG with the increase in the B concentration, the ferromagnetic frequency fFMR increases from 4.82 to 5.62 GHz due to the domination of Hk. The X-ray absorption spectra revealed that the decrease in the 4π MS with B concentration can be attributed to the hybridization between Fe and B atoms.


Forming a long chirp with small phase distortions is investigated experimentally using a series connection of surface-acoustic-wave (SAW) dispersive delay lines (DDLs) implemented on YZ-cut LiNbO 3 substrates. Relationships obtained for the frequency responses of DDLs with the ladder topology are based on the model of the superposition of partial reflected waves. A chirp is formed and compressed at the center frequency of 150 MHz in the frequency band of 40 MHz. The experimental results are presented for 150-μs and 300-μs pulses when the bandwidth-duration product is 6000 and 12000, respectively. For these two pulses, the level of sidelobes in the compressed signal is from -25 to -30 dB and from -22 to -30 dB, respectively. Theoretical and experimental investigations have revealed a number of specific properties of the frequency responses of SAW DDLs.


The studies revealed that sinistrals and especially ambidexters are characterized by reduced or even absent vegetative reactivity, and excess vegetative provision is typical for people with right profile of asymmetry. The study included 131 individuals altogether. There were 42 individuals (6 males, 36 females) with left-hemispheric dominance (dextrals), 29individuals (9 males, 19 females) with right-hemispheric dominance (sinistrals), and 60 ambidexters (16 males, 45 females).Ambidexters' systolic BP in the upright position was significantly higher than the one in dexters and sinistrals at the 2nd(120,2±2,6 and 116,9±3,2; 113,0±13, correspondingly) and 3rd minute (118,4±2,9 and 115,4±3,0; 111,9±1,5 correspondingly).Diastolic BP at that period was significantly (р<0,05) higher in sinistrals comparing to ambidexters and dextrals (2nd minute85,5±1,6 and 79,7±1,9; 77,8±1,6 correspondingly; 3rd minute in upright position 83,8±2,1 and 79,1±1,9; 78,3±1,4correspondingly).


Development work is proceeding on an electromagnetic technique for cleaning sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from the stack gases resulting from coal combustion. The process makes use of high-frequency electromagnetic waves (microwaves). Work on the process is being led by Chang Y. Cha, president of Cha Corp., Laramie, Wyo., who is also a chemical engineering professor at the University of Wyoming, Laramie. It is one of the programs sponsored by the Department of Energy's program for Small Business Innovation Research, DOE coal utilization division project manager Soung S. Kim told the Division of Petroleum Chemistry. Coal-fired utility plants, Kim points out, currently provide about 55% of all electricity generated in the U.S., and produce 65% of all sulfur dioxide emissions. In the new process, Kim says, sulfur dioxide is absorbed in an activated char bed and decomposed under the microwave energy field to sulfur, whereas the nitrogen oxides are decomposed directly under the microwaves to ...


It is substantiated the property of two-port networks of definite structures in their new particular implementations. The use of these two-port networks in multiarm bridge circuits for control systems is presented, and these circuits contain different number of increasing circuits useful for determining parameters of one-port networks of different complexity with homogeneous reactive elements.


In autumn 2014 the Bachelor of Science programme "Business Information Technology (BSc BIT)" was launched. BIT is about the application of information technology in business with the focus on building information systems. Since the start of the programme it can be observed that a considerable number of students face difficulties in modules related to programming and mathematics at the beginning of the study. In order to help potential applicants of the programme to understand the kind of competencies of abstract thinking that are needed for the BSc BIT programme ahead of the start, a web based self-assessment test was developed. The aptitude test - built with Google Forms - currently consists of 25 predefined multiple choice questions and calculates an overall aptitude figure by summing up the single aptitude values for the categories logical and analytical thinking, understanding algorithms, mathematics and abstract thinking. The questions are taken from well-established test systems like ELIGO-System, BOMAT, CASA etc. and are typically solved within less than 45 minutes. The students can check their suitability for the study programme by comparing their overall aptitude value with a given threshold. First test runs conducted with the tool confirm the validity of the aptitude test. The future scope will involve more students and deal with an analysis of concrete weaknesses that can be used as input to adapt the settings of programming and mathematics modules. Article DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.20319/pijtel.2018.22.149169 This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, PO Box 1866, Mountain View, CA 94042, USA.


Abstract : Although numerous aircraft have been instrumented with field mills, there have been few instances of reports of the absolute calibration of any of the three field components or self charge. Furthermore, a full vector calibration of all components has never been satisfactorily reported. This report outlines the various reasons why a full vector calibration is difficult to obtain and suggests ways of avoiding the pitfalls. A full vector calibration is presented for a CV-580 turboprop aircraft. Errors are estimated for all components and various improvements are suggested. Keywords include: Electrostatic field, Aircraft, Calibration, Field mills.


A standalone DC microgrid is consist of renewable energy sources (RES), energy storage system (ESS) and loads. This paper proposes a distributed control algorithm for adequate power sharing between the sources. The mismatch in power sharing between sources is overcome by modifying the droop control based on fuzzy logic. This assures the adequate power sharing between the sources depending on available power in the source. This maintains the stable power flow within microgrid. It also maintains the system bus voltage at set value. The fuzzy logic is used to enhance or to curtail the power of individual source considering the availability of power in source. The proposed control algorithm is decentralized and does not require communication network. The proposed modified control is verified on DC microgrid in real time simulator.


A post hoc subgroup analysis of two phase III trials (NCT00416273, NCT00416208) was carried out to investigate the influence of 100/140 and 200 mg/m² melphalan as well as single/double autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) on progression‐free survival (PFS). Additionally, the effect of bortezomib consolidation on PFS was analyzed.


The aim of the present study was to observe the adverse effects of high level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in idiopathic male infertility and the role of a combined antioxidant therapy for six months to overcome the detrimental effects of ROS. A prospective study including 185 infertile male was conducted at Institute of Reproductive Medicine (IRM) from January 2014 to April 2015. All the major sperm parameters as well as ROS, antioxidant level and the effect of high ROS level were evaluated before and after the therapy. A significant improvement in sperm motility and concentration were observed after 6 months of therapy. Antioxidant level had increased and ROS level had decreased significantly after the antioxidant treatment. Improvement in morphology and leukocyte concentration were observed though not clinically significant. Conclusion: This combined antioxidant therapy may improve sperm quality after continuous 6 months of treatment. However, further study is needed regarding this experiment for validating the trend.


Reflexivity remains a cipher in social theory. Neither what it is nor what it does has received the attention necessary for producing clear concepts of reflexivity or a clear understanding of reflexivity as a social process. These two absences are closely related and mutually reinforcing. On the one hand, the fact that there is no concept of reflexivity in common currency means that just as Molière's Monsieur Jourdain spoke prose all his life without knowing it, everyone from the founding fathers, through all normal lay people, to today's social theorists have constantly been referring to reflexivity or tacitly assuming it or logically implying it under a variety of different terms. On the other hand, because the terminology that subsumes reflexivity is so varied – from the portmanteaux concepts of academics, such as 'consciousness' or 'subjectivity', through Everyman's quotidian notion of 'mulling things over', to the quaint, but not inaccurate, folkloric expression 'I says to myself says I' – the process denoted by reflexivity has been underexplored, undertheorised and, above all, undervalued. Reflexivity is such an inescapable, though vague, pre-supposition and so tacitly, thus non-discursively, taken for granted, that it has rarely been held up for the scrutiny necessary to rectify its undervaluation as a social process. Because reflexivity has been so seriously neglected,1 redressing this state of affairs means making some bold moves. The intent behind the present book is finally to allow this Cinderella to go to the ball, to stay there and to be acknowledged as a partner without whom there would be no social dance. Our human reflexivity is closely akin to our human embodiment, something so self-evident as not to have merited serious attention from social theorists until 'the body' was 'reclaimed' during the past two or three decades. However, whilst all passengers on the Clapham omnibus would


Urban transport when looked at in detail can be classified into four major trip making activities, namely; work trips, education trips, shopping trips and leisure trips. Education trips get a second place in terms of number of daily trips as observed in urban areas. Having said that, a parallel perspective highlights the facts that India and its booming economy is changing the lifestyles of an average Indian, and younger generation is no exception. India is young with 50% of its population below the age of twenty-five and this segment of population is undoubtedly the students. Connecting these facts to the first perspective, this research studies the education trips to gain an insight to the student mobility in Ahmedabad, India on various social, spatial and latent dimensions. Much literature is available on studying work trips but not for education trips. This is because, for this stratum of population, the students, they don't have an independent social status, they are mostly dependent, and it becomes difficult to capture concrete traditional variables like income and vehicle ownership. In a sense it can be said that they have a pseudo socio-economic status, in disguise of their family status. In this research, students completed a questionnaire on various issues which, in absence of concrete descriptors, can be used as indicators to explain their mobility. These issues were presented to the students with very simple, easily answerable questions ranging from family status, lifestyles, outlook towards life, environmental awareness to the more traditional spatial and trip making characteristics. Variables, in this case being mostly categorical, were quantified using alternating least squares algorithms (NLPCA) and subsequently underwent statistical tests to understand the variation amongst the student population. These variations, spatially aggregated to a larger urban context, can now help us to better understand the contribution of various social, spatial and latent dimensions on the mobility of students in an urban area.


The relative magnitudes of the single-particle relaxation time in first Born approximation and the corresponding quantity but computed exactly by the variable phase approach are given for doped semiconductors such as Si and GaAs, assuming that the Coulomb impurities are randomly distributed centers. We find that for typical dopant concentrations, the single-particle relaxation time in Si can be underestimated by roughly by 30% and overestimated by roughly by 40%. It is shown that in the case of GaAs the discrepancies can be lesser severe. Our analysis shows that in general these large discrepancies in Si arise from strong violations of the Friedel sum rule. This breakdown happens in a range of doping densities for which the random phase approximation should not be overlooked.


Recently, the iris of the human eye has been used as a biometric indicator for identification. We have witnessed wide-scale deployment of iris technology across many product categories. However, these iris recognition solutions do not reflect the full potential of the technology. The robustness of the standoff iris segmentation approach relies heavily on accurate iris segmentation techniques. Computing iris features requires a high quality segmentation process that focuses on the subject's iris and properly extracts its boundaries. Because iris segmentation is sensitive to the acquisition conditions, it is a very challenging problem. In this paper, we describe a standoff iris recognition system to identify non-cooperative subjects. We introduce a novel iris segmentation approach that takes the analysis of edges into the polar domain at an earlier stage and uses non-iterative polar differential operator to locate the inner and outer borders of the iris. The approach is proven to be very effective for non-ideal gazed and obscured irises while providing comparable results to top performing algorithms on frontal iris images.


Weber (1902; 1978) coined the term, the spirit of capitalism referring to the logic or rationality that underlies the market-capitalist system as a whole. Since then, a rational view of spirit has ...


The outbreak of Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic caused global economic gloom in the first quarter of 2020 This crisis has particularly impacted tourism, which is the subject of this paper Data regarding air traffic in March 2020 compiled by Polish Air Navigation Services Agency has been put to a detailed analysis Accommodation occupancy rate in this period was analysed using statistics presented by STR company The analyses' conclusion clearly indicates on significant decrease in Poland's tourism in March 2020 Occupancy rate declined in about 40% in comparison to data from last year, with fall in air traffic on Polish airports (resulting from stopping international air links) in about 80-90% in comparison to the same period last year


Correction for 'Highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of alkenylboronic esters by copper-catalyzed boron additions to disubstituted alkynes' by Hye Ryung Kim et al., Chem. Commun., 2011, 47, 2943-2945.


In Nayarit, one of the most important problems in 'Ataulfo' mango is the presence of parthenocarpic fruits, which are smaller than normal ones. The objective was to know the effect of growth regulators on set and size of parthenocarpic fruit in 'Ataulfo' mango. This study was done during 2007 and 2008 in two commercials orchards whit high incidence of partenocarpic fruit (80 %). In both years, the following treatments were evaluated: gibberellic acid (GA3) 50 mg·liter -1; Agromil Plus® 2 ml·liter-1; Agromil Plus® 2 ml·liter-1 + GA3 50 mg·liter-1; GA3 50 mg·liter-1 + Thidiazuron (TDZ) 5 mg· liter-1 and a control. In 2008, GA3 (100 mg·liter-1) treatment was added, and the experiment was done in two locations. A completely randomized design with 10 replications was used in 2007 and a completely randomized design with factorial arrangement in 2008. In the Orchard 1, growth regulators increased fruit set (fivefold than the control trees); also, the fruit length was increased up to 59 % while the fruit weight was increased with all growth regulators twofold than the control trees. In the Orchard 2, the fruit length was increased up to 51 % while fruit weight was twofold than the control trees. In the Orchard 2, the fruit set and the fruit size were greater than the orchard 1. ADDITIONAL


Fig. 3: Fit results from one patient with two tumors (pink and green arrows). Comparison of Different Models for Analysis of Renal Diffusion Imaging Jinxia Zhu, Claudia Lenz, Markus Klarhöfer, Oliver Bieri, Klaus Scheffler, and Gregor Sommer Radiological Physics, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, MRC Department, MPI for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany, Department of Neuroimaging and MR-Physics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany, Department of Radiology, University of Basel Hospital, Basel, Switzerland


Introduction: Events in the lunar pre-Nectarian period are of recent interest to several investigators [1, 2]. In this early period the solar system was settling down to its present state and life was starting on Earth [2]. Since the comprehensive presentation on the history of this period was presented by Don Wilhelms [3], several lunar probes have produced new data on topography, gravity, and the distribution of anomalous elements such as thorium. Combining the new data with earlier evidence has led to the proposal of additional early impact features, such as the Near Side Megabasin (NSM) [4, 5, 2], the St. JohnTselius Basin [6] and several other basins [7]. Our best guide to absolute ages for these events is the study of lunar rock samples, based on concentration of nuclei produced by radioactive decay. However, the strength of the early bombardment has been such that most rocks near the surface have been through either a melt phase or impact shock, resetting their clocks. Several investigators have concentrated on zircon crystals included in thin sections of breccia rock samples returned from the Moon by Apollo missions. These crystals are relatively refractory: they retain their clock settings at relatively high temperatures that melt other components of rock and are also relatively resistant to shock. These crystals form from melts containing elevated amounts of incompatible elements (such minerals that reach the lunar surface were known as KREEP from early multi-spectral observations). Although the principle compound that forms zircon crystals is ZrSiO4, there is a significant component of uranium, which decays to lead. A method of measurement of the age of zircon crystals was suggested by Compston in 1977 and an age for an Apollo 17 sample ( 73217) was first reported in detail in 1984 [8, 9]. The measurement is difficult because of the small size of the crystals (typically 10 to 30 microns) and the need to take measurements in even smaller spots in order to avoid the peripheral areas where some of the lead may have escaped. Consequently, it was difficult, in the early measurements, to obtain sufficient statistical evidence for precise aging. A second-generation measuring instrument [10] and analsysis of zircons from several Apollo samples have provided precise ages for several events that have been strong enough to reset the zircon clocks [11, 12]. This leads to an interesting question: which events have been associated with which ages? This abstract discusses clues associating possible events with specific age measurements. Samples: The rock samples analyzed in [11, 12] were obtained from Apollo 14, in the ejecta blanket of the Imbrium Basin (Fra Mauro Formation) and from Apollo 17, just inside of the southeast rim of the Serenitatis Basin. In both cases, the samples were thin sections of breccias, rocks that had been formed by impact shock applied to mixtures of smaller rocks from other sources. Zircon Ages: Measurements of the samples of both Apollo 14 and Apollo 17 showed discrete ages, with the ages of many individual zircon crystals correlated (Fig. 1). Fig. 1: Ages of individual measurements of zircons from samples taken at three Apollo 14 stations and two Apollo 17 stations (Fig. 10 of [11]). Note that an age of 4.34 Ga was most frequent for each site, but there were several younger ages strongly represented at the Apollo 14 site. Yet all zircon ages except one were older than the 3.9 Ga age of the Imbrium impact as determined from the ages of the other minerals in the sample.


Objective To observe the efficiency for a new m ethod of operation of conjunctiva-flap transposition pterygium treated.Methods By using the traditional ectomy of pterygium(A group),t he traditional ectomy of pterygium combined with the transplantation of conjunct ival flap(B group),the new translocation of conjunctival flap(C group)to treat p terygium,the repaired time of cornea and relapse rate in 2 years were compared. Results The repaired time of cornea was 8.52 days(A),4.85 days( B),4.41 days(C),healing rate was 77.8%,100%,100% respectively.Conclusion The new translocation of conjunctival flap is a simp le,safe quickly repaired method,the relapse rate is low,this new method is a val uable treatment for pterygium.


The debate over the effect of globalisation and its effect on diversity especially, workforce diversity, is important in this contemporary moment.Globalisation can mean many things to different people.The writer intends to address the issue of globalisation by focusing primarily on its impact on workforce diversity.Globalisation involves human mobility i.e. more and more people moving from place to place, e.g. migrants seeking new homes and forengn workers seeking new employment opportunitites in other countries., albeit the latter is usually for a short term only.With this respect, the writer intends to explore the impact of international migration on host country and on this aspect, a case study on Malaysia will be done.


The fluid mud is the super-soft silt soil which deposited on the surface of coastal tidal flat.The porosity ratio of the fluid mud is larger than 2.4,and the moisture content is higher than 85%.The visional identification of the fluid mud could be judged in terms of color,shape,feeling,knife-cut reflect and deformation.The intensity of the fluid mud is extremely low;the sample of the fluid mud and its sedimentary thickness could be obtained by using transparent columnar sediment sampler.Through the analysis of fluid mud's deposition characteristics,we find that water content of the fluid mud reduced significantly with increased depth.There is a half logarithm relationship between the water content and bulk density.The particle diameter of the fluid mud is less than 0.1mm,and the average particle diameter is 0.005~0.009 mm in Zhejiang province.


Objective To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components with a single-marker(QAMS) method for the determination of the nine components in Reduning Injection(RI), comparing with the external standard method, and to evaluate the adaptation and application of QAMS method in the quality control of RI. Methods Chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, and gardenoside were used as the internal reference substances. The relative correlation factors(f) of neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid to chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid B and isochlorogenic acid C to isochlorogenic acid A, and secoxyloganin to gardenoside were calculated and established. The results were compared with those obtained by the external standard method. Results Within the linear ranges, the f values of chlorogenic acid to neochlorogenic acid, cryptochlorogenic acid, and caffeic acid were 0.965,0.991, and 0.555, respectively; isochlorogenic acid A to isochlorogenic acid B and isochlorogenic acid C were 1.283 and 1.129,respectively; jasminoidin to secoxyloganin was 1.030. The two methods did not show the significant difference in assay results.Conclusion The QAMS method is feasible and credible, and could be used to determine the multiple components in RI.


: e COVID-19 pandemic could challenge the nutrition fulfillment case, especially for under five-year-old children in low-middle-income countries, including Indonesia. Infection in children could be worsened by malnutrition, contributing to virus transmission. Local healthcare facilities monitored the nutritional status of under-five-year-old children, particularly during the pandemic. is study aimed to identify the nutritional status of under-five-year-old children during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Integrated Health Post "Kuntum Mekar A RW 21" in Depok District, West Java. is research used secondary data analysis: height/length, age, and sex. e study results involved 135 data from subjects included in the analysis. ose are one newborn (0-3 months old) who did not experience stunting, 27 toddlers (4-12 months old) with a stunting percentage of 7.4% and severe stunting of 3.7%, 31 children (13-23 months old) with a stunting prevalence of 12.9% and severe stunting 3.2%. Twenty-seven children ((24-35 months old) had a stunting prevalence of 14.8%, 22 children (35-47 months old) had a prevalence of stunting at 22,7%, and 4,5% of them were severe stunting. Last, the children aged 47-59 months old had a prevalence of stunting at 14.8%. e total prevalence of stunting in the Posyandu Kuntum Mekar A RW 21 Mekarjaya, Depok, was 16.3%. e stunting eradication program required multi sectors approach to reach the goal of gold generation in 2045.


As the use of RFID technology penetrates and reforms the supply-chain industry, standards are being produced at all levels of the RFID technology spectrum, ranging from hardware to software. The Electronic Product Code (EPC) standard uniquely identifies RFID-tagged products. An application that supports the usage of EPCs is an Electronic Drug Pedigree (E-Pedigree), which is a historical record that indicates the chain of custody of a particular drug product being passed from one supply-chain partner to another. In order to fully implement track-and-trace of pharmaceutical products, software systems need to be built so that pedigree documents can be effectively stored and searched. In this Thesis, two approaches that address the issue of pedigree document discovery are presented-one centralized, one decentralized. The centralized pedigree discovery service extracts metadata from pedigree documents submitted to a centralized server and uses them in a search engine, such as Google Base, to located desired documents that match client queries. The decentralized service allows pedigree documents to be stored locally by individual business owners. Each local server is attached to a Discovery Service Unit containing metadata of local pedigree documents, and these units communicate with each other to form a network. Both approaches are implemented as Web Services. Thesis Supervisor: John R. Williams Title: Associate Professor, Director of MIT Auto-ID Labs Thesis Supervisor: Abel Sanchez Title: Research Scientist, Laboratory of Manufacturing and Productivity


Background: Camel milk can treat diabetes, but the exact anti-diabetes components of camel milk are still unclear. It is not clear whether camel milk exosomes can regulate glucose metabolism. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether camel milk exosomes can promote glucose consumption in L6 cells. Methods: Camel milk exosomes were isolated by ultracentrifugation and identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of camel milk exosomes on the viability of L6 cells. Glucose oxidase activity assay was used to detect the effect of camel milk exosomes on glucose consumption in L6 cells. RNA sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes and enriched pathways in L6 cells treated with camel milk exosomes. Result: The size of isolated camel milk exosomes was 30-100 nm by TEM. 3-12 ng/uL camel milk exosomes had no significant effect on L6 cell viability (P greater than 0.05). 6-24 ng/uL camel milk exosomes can significantly increase glucose consumption in L6 cells (P less than 0.05). A total of 401 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses of downregulated genes suggested inhibition of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I. Camel milk exosomes may promote glucose consumption by inhibiting mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I.


This paper focuses on a novel lossless image compression algorithm which can be efficiently used for Internet of Things (IoT) multimedia applications. The proposed algorithm has low memory requirements and relies on a simple and efficient encoding scheme. Thus it can be easily implemented even in low-cost microcontrollers as those commonly used in several IoT platforms. Despite its simplicity, comparison results on different image datasets show that the proposed algorithm achieves compression ratios comparable with other more complex state-of-the-art solutions.


The purpose of our study was to analyze current indications for surgery in pleuropulmonary tuberculosis (TB). We present our experience with TB patients presenting with indications for surgery between 1998 and 2003. Material and Methods: The indications for surgical intervention included 220 cases of empyema, mediastinal lymphadenopathy 48 cases, hemoptysis 25 cases, destroyed lung 24 cases, undiagnosed pleural effusion 24 cases, bronchiectasis 18 cases, cavitary lesion with MDRTB 13 cases and pulmonary aspergilloma 10 cases. Thirteen patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis required surgical intervention, although 26 were treated with second line drugs during this period. Results: The techniques utilized included decortication in 152 cases, lobectomy in 62 cases, rib resection for pleural drainage in 50 cases, anterior mediastinotomy in 48 cases, pneumonectomy in 28 cases, open pleural biopsy in 24 cases, and thoracoplasty in 18 cases. In 12 patients (3.1%), two procedures were performed, and in one case, 3 procedures. In 65 cases (17%) there were complications, of which persistent air leakage after decortication & pulmonary resection was the most frequent (n=26). There was a mortality rate of 2.8% (11 cases). Conclusions: In our experience, surgery in the treatment of TB is indicated to resolve sequalae or complications, since cases of simple or multidrug-resistant TB can be managed pharmacologically. The morbidity and mortality rates in our series were acceptable.


Introduction: Antiretroviral drugs are known to cause osteoporosis making the bones susceptible to fracture. Osteoporotic fractures are majorly seen in the vertebral bodies. Pathological fractures need to be fixed without much delay to start mobilization of the patients. Case Report: The present case describes a 72-year-old male who was diagnosed to be human immunodeficiency virus-positive 11 months back for which the patient was on a combination of antiretroviral therapy for 11 months. The patient was a farmer by occupation. The patient presented to us with left sided hip pain for1 week with no history of trauma or fall. The patient was able to walk approximately 100m with the help of a height adjustable walker. However, activities such as squatting and sitting cross-legged were restricted for1 week. Radiographic examination revealed a fracture of the left neck of the femur. The patient was evaluated for metastasis the investigations for which were negative. Bipolar hemiarthroplasty of the hip was done since radiographically and intraoperatively no changes were noted in the acetabulum which would have changed the plan to total hip replacement. Following the surgery, patient started walking full-weight bearing from the very next day after surgery. Conclusion: This case concludes the potential of antiretroviral drugs such as abacavir, lamivudine and efavirenz to cause pathological fractures which has never been described in literature before.


This presentation describes, in more detail than heretofore published, the properties of the Weibull distribution using the following equation: f (t; ?, s, ?) = s/?s(t - ?)s-1 exp[-(t-?/?)s],t >?, where ? > 0 is a scale parameter in time units s > 0 is a shape parameter (dimensionless) ? (any real value) is a location parameter in time units. Conditions on the shape parameter s for the existence of a mode and inflection point are given; the locations of and the values of the function at these points are traced as s grows from zero to infinity. The behavior of the median and first four moments is described and presented in tabular form as a function of s. Other interesting features of this distribution are noted. Finally, given the fatilure times of n randomly selected units, the maximum likelihood equations are derived. When solved by machine computer methods, these equations will give approximations for the maximum likelihood estimators of the three parameters.


We examine the critical viscous mode of the Taylor–Couette strato-rotational instability, concentrating on cases where the buoyancy frequency $N$ and the inner cylinder rotation rate $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{in}$ are comparable, giving a detailed account for $N=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{in}$. The ratio of the outer to the inner cylinder rotation rates $\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{out}/\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{in}$ and the ratio of the inner to the outer cylinder radius $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}=r_{in}/r_{out}$ satisfy $0<\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}<1$ and $0<\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}<1$. We find considerable variation in the structure of the mode, and the critical Reynolds number $Re_{c}$ at which the flow becomes unstable. For $N=\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{in}$, we classify different regions of the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$-plane by the critical viscous mode of each region. We find that there is a triple point in the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$-plane where three different viscous modes all onset at the same Reynolds number. We also find a discontinuous change in $Re_{c}$ along a curve in the $\unicode[STIX]{x1D702}\unicode[STIX]{x1D707}$-plane, on one side of which exist closed unstable domains where the flow can restabilise when the Reynolds number is increased. A new form of viscous instability occurring for wide gaps has been detected. We show for the first time that there is a region of the parameter space for which the critical viscous mode at the onset of instability corresponds to the inviscid radiative instability of Le Dizès & Riedinger (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 660, 2010, pp. 147–161). Focusing on small-to-moderate wavenumbers, we demonstrate that the viscous and inviscid systems are not always correlated. We explore which viscous modes relate to inviscid modes and which do not. For asymptotically large vertical wavenumbers, we have extended the inviscid analysis of Park & Billant (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 725, 2013, pp. 262–280) to cover the cases where $N$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D6FA}_{in}$ are comparable.


A 4×4 antenna array operating in 26.5~31 GHz is designed with the low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technology for satellite communication. The left-handed circular polarization is provided by cross dipoles fed with 90° phase difference for their two linear polarizations. For each channel including 1×4 subarray fed by a stripline structure, the in-band return loss is larger than 11 dB. The mutual coupling among four channels is lower than −16 dB. The peak realized gain of the 4×4 array is 14.7 dBi. A scanning angle of 100° is achieved with only 2.5 dB gain reduction and axial ratio less than 3 dB.


Labor is one of those who take action for employers with assistance for needs, thus everything must be regulated and facilitated related to employment. With female and child labor, which must be done and rules must be agreed upon by the farmer and the child will be employed as labor in a company, In labor activities there are many aspects that are interrelated in it, there are a series of rules for regulating and responding to the existence of female and child labor, in this case we can see in the regulations that are in Law No. 13 of 2003 concerning Employment, all things related to labor contained in the Act. The existence of this regulation is still found by individual companies who commit unlawful acts which are often found in the mass media which illustrate what rules are often applied by companies in the employment arrangements which will be explained in more detail in the discussion of this article.


Compact and coherent source is a key component for various applications of the terahertz wave. We report on our recent results of terahertz oscillators using resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs). The RTD is an InGaAs/AlAs double-barrier structure on InP substrate, and integrated with a planar slot antenna as a resonator and radiator. The output power is obtained from the substrate side through a Si lens. To achieve high-frequency oscillation, a narrow quantum well and an optimized collector spacer thickness were used. The former reduces the electron dwell time in the resonant tunneling region and the latter simultaneously reduces the electron transit time and the capacitance at the collector depletion region. The conduction loss of the slot antenna was also reduced with an optimized antenna length and an improved air bridge structure between the RTD and antenna. By these structures, fundamental oscillation up to 1.92 THz were obtained at room temperature. Oscillation above 2 THz is further expected in theoretical calculation. An oscillator with patch antenna, in which a Si lens is unnecessary, was fabricated. In a preliminary experiment, output power of 55 μW was obtained at 1 THz in a three-element array. Wireless data transmission using direct intensity modulation was demonstrated with the data rate of 30 Gbp/s and the bit error rate below the forward error correction limit. By integrating a varactor into the slot antenna, electrical frequency tuning was achieved with a tuning range of 580-900 GHz in an array device. Application of frequency-tunable RTD oscillators to measurements of absorption spectra was also demonstrated.


ABRAHAM, FRED J., see Brown, K. H. ABREVAYA, JASON, "Fit to Be Tied: The Incentive Effects of Overtime Rules in Professional Hockey" [Research Note], 292. ALEXANDER, DONALD L., and WILLIAM KERN, "The Economic Determinants of Professional Sports Franchise Values," 51. BAKER, MATTHEW, THOMAS J. MICELI, and WILLIAM J. RYCZEK, "The Old Ball Game: Organization of 19th-Century Professional Base Ball Clubs," 277. BERRI, DAVID J., MARTIN B. SCHMIDT, and STACEY L. BROOK, "Stars at the Gate: The Impact of Star Power on NBA Gate Revenues," 33. BROCAS, ISABELLE, and JUAN D. CARRILLO, "Do the 'Three-Point Victory' and 'Golden Goal' Rules Make Soccer More Exciting?" 169. BROOK, STACEY L., see Berri, D. J. BROWN, KENNETH H., and FRED J. ABRAHAM, "Reply: 'Testing Market Efficiency in the Major League Baseball Over-Under Betting Market': Response to Paul and Weinbach's Comment" [Commentary], 96. CARRILLO, JUAN D., see Brocas, I. CURME, MICHAEL A., and GREG M. DAUGHERTY, "Competition and Pay for National Hockey League Players Born in Québec," 186. DAUGHERTY, GREG M., see Curme, M. A. DEBROCK, LAWRENCE, WALLACE HENDRICKS, and ROGER KOENKER, "Pay and Performance: The Impact of Salary Distribution on Firm-Level Outcomes in Baseball," 243. DEPKEN, CRAIG A., II, and DENNIS P. WILSON, "The Efficiency of the NASCAR Rewards System: Initial Empirical Evidence" [Research Note], 371. EINOLF, KARL W., "Is Winning Everything? A Data Envelopment Analysis of Major League Baseball and the National Football League," 127. ESPITIA-ESCUER, MANUEL, and LUCÍA ISABEL GARCÍA-CEBRIÁN, "Measuring the Efficiency of Spanish First Division Soccer Teams," 329. FORT, RODNEY, and JAMES QUIRK, "Owner Objectives and Competitive Balance," 20.


Tom Flynn's excellent book, The Triangular Constitution, is an insightful contribution to constitutional theory. It focuses on transnational constitutionalism, and the intermingling of national and international law, and explores these topics by means of a detailed case study of Ireland. He seeks to deeply critique and ultimately redeem theories of constitutional pluralism. I believe the critique to be very effective, but the attempt at subsequent improvement less so. For me, the book works best as a form of constitutional anti-theory: showing the limits and pitfalls of theory and does not need to offer prescriptions.


The uterosacral ligaments (UTSL), together with the cardinal
ligament (CL), hold the upper vagina and cervix over the levator plate.
These 2 ligaments provided 4 points support at the apex. Here we describe our
surgical technique of robotic assisted laparoscopic apical suspension (RALAS)
using non-absorbable sutures and describe a new 4 points technique (RALAS-4).
73-year-old Caucasian woman, gravida 5, para 4 had symptomatic pelvic organ
prolapse (POP) apical/anterior stage III. At pelvic ultrasound evaluation the
uterus was small and normal appearing of adnexa bilaterally. She failed pessaries
and was sexually active. The most relevant complaints were vaginal bulging,
pressure and urinary incontinence, mainly stress urinary incontinence; she is
using 5 - 7 pads/day. Robotic assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy, mid-urthral sling
and apical suspension was successfully performed in 125 min. Once we finished
with hysterectomy, we proceed with RALAS-4, we used V-Loc 3-0, CV-23 (Covidien)
sutures (absorbable) on the right and left uterosacral ligaments (2 points) and
theses were reinforced with Gore-Tex 2-0, CV-2 (non-absorbable, Gore Medical).
On the right/left anterior apical support we used Gore-Tex 2-0 and these
provided the 2 point suspension (UTLS = 2 and
anterior vagina = 2). The 2 anterior apical support sutures are taken from the vagina to
the transversalis fascia and the obliterated umbilical artery on the anterior
abdominal wall. The tension of these anterior sutures was maintained with
Hem-o-lock (TeleFlex) and LAPRA-TY (Ethicon). In our opinion RALAS-4 may
represents an alternative to robotic or laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy. This new
approach simulate the natural 4 points support given by uterosacral ligaments
and cardinal ligament, with the additional benefit of no mesh and no dissection
on the sacrum promontory. With this technique we are chasing the Trifecta: no
mesh, no complications and good anatomic support.


Objective: a) to measure differences in the volume of CA1 hippocampal neurons, and their nuclei and nucleoli in four different groups: subjects with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) pathology and no cognitive deficits (ASYMAD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), definite AD (AD) and age‐matched controls (C).


Over the past two decades, numerous X-ray micro-beam studies have been published addressing the nondestructive investigation of chemical element distribution in condensed heterogeneous media. Based on this literature, some aspects of the field are discussed in this paper, including X-ray focusing methods and various elemental imaging techniques: scanning and confocal X-ray fluorescence microscopy, full-field X-ray fluorescence microscopy, X-ray fluorescence tomography, and prospects for combining X-ray fluorescence imaging with other physical methods rested on using synchrotron radiation.


The oxidation of LiAsF{sub 6}/acetonitrile and LiClO{sub 4}/acetonitrile solutions containing 0.003--0.05M H{sub 2}O was studied on platinum and glassy carbon electrodes by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Both the solvent and the solute are unstable at potentials positive to ca. 2.2 V vs. SCE. The main oxidation product is CO{sub 2}. Other products detected are: via a reaction of acetonitrile with trace water as substantiated by the occurrence of an isotopic shift of the CO{sub 2} stretching vibration when using H{sub 2}{sup 18}O. The rate of the CO{sub 2} formation is increased by the presence of perchlorate anions and the Pt surface.


Victorian Labour History: Experience, Identity and the Politics of Representation. By JOHN HOST. London and New York: Routledge, 1998. Pp. vii+279. $85.00. Speaking for the People: Party, Language and Popular Politics in England, 1867-1914. By JON LAWRENCE. Cambridge and New York: Cambridge University Press, 1998. Pp. xiii+289. $64.95. Red Flag and Union Jack: Englishness, Patriotism and the British Left, 1881-1924. By PAUL WARD. Woodbridge and Rochester, N.Y.: Boydell Press, 1998. Pp. viii+232. $60.00. Generating Socialism: Recollections of Life in the Labour Party. By DANIEL WEINBREN. Stroud: Sutton Publishing, 1997. Pp. vi+250. $31.95.


The invention discloses anti-corrosion cement and an application thereof. The anti-corrosion cement comprises the following raw materials by weight: 280-720 parts of cement clinker, 80-210 parts of high-molecular polymer, 50-150 parts of calcium sulfate, 15-45 parts of coal ash, and 30-60 parts of a stabilizer. The anti-corrosion cement is prepared by the steps of mixing, pre-heating, decomposing, calcining, grinding and homogenizing. The composition sources of the anti-corrosion cement are extensive, the high-molecular polymer is added to the cement clinker for preparing the anti-corrosion cement, and the process is simple. Compared with other cement, the anti-corrosion performance of the prepared annular concrete pole and other cement product is stronger, and the abrasive resistance is good.


— For matrix Riccati equations of platoon-type systems and of systems arising from PDEs, assuming the coefficients are analytic functions in a suitable domain, the analyticity of the stabilizing solution is proved under various hypotheses. In addition, general results on the analytic behavior of stabilizing solutions are developed. In [10], [7] and elsewhere continuity and real analytic properties of solutions of standard Riccati equations depending on a parameter z have been considered: A(z) * P (z) + P (z)A(z) + Q(z) = P (z)D(z)P (z) (I.1) In [1], in the context of spatially invariant systems, the question arose as to when the solution P (z) will have a complex-analytic extension to some open connected set Ω. Here we report on some of the results from [6], where a more general version of this problem was studied. The key mathematical problem concerns the existence of analytic solutions to the following nonstandard Riccati equation E(z)P (z) + P (z)A(z) + Q(z) = P (z)D(z)P (z), (I.2) where E(z), A(z), D(z), Q(z) are n×n matrices that are analytic in Ω, a connected open subset of the complex plane. The properties of solutions (I.2) are determined by the Hamiltonian H(z) = A(z) −D(z) −Q(z) −E(z). (I.3) We call P (z) a stabilizing solution of (I.2) if the eigenvalues of A(z) − D(z)P (z) have negative real parts for all z ∈ Ω. We cite three main results from [6]. Theorem 1.1: Suppose that following two assumptions hold (a) H(z) has no eigenvalues on the imaginary axis, for every z ∈ Ω, (b) for some z 0 ∈ Ω, H(z 0) is similar to either −H(z 0) or −H(z 0) * , then either (A) or (B) holds: (A) There are no stabilizing solutions for any z ∈ Ω; (B) There is an n × n matrix function P (z) which is meromorphic on Ω and such that P (z 0) is the unique stabilizing solution whenever z 0 is not a pole of P (z). Moreover, there are no stabilizing solutions if z 0 is a pole of P (z). 2 Theorem 1.2: If for every z ∈ Ω there is a unique stabilizing solution P (z), then P (z) is analytic in Ω. 2 Theorem 1.3: Assume in addition to the hypotheses of Theorem 1.1 that the entries of H(z) are rational functions with poles outside Ω. If (B) of Theorem 1.1 holds, …


In this paper, I examine contemporary issues of electronic media, including digital imagery, the Internet, and virtual environments, as well as the everyday aesthetics of simulation. In art education, virtual and real-life experiences can be characterized by aesthetic differences and need to be identified, analyzed, and interpreted. I propose that critical inquiry about the integration of vitality and real-life experiences should be an important educational goal, /conclude with some cultural considerations for teaching a Net Generation of students about culture, art, and aesthetics in art education.


Past analyses of have tended toward descriptive taxonomies or proposals of a highly abstract semantic core. Taxonomic approaches have the strength of descriptive rigour while proposals of an abstract core have the strength of offering a coherent analysis of its various uses. However, the former offer little or no explanation for the semantic variation of , and the latter simply attribute such variation to context. This paper argues that the best analysis of (or any such polysemous word) will both account for real variation in meaning without simply attributing it to context, and will also explain the principled connection between seemingly unrelated uses. Utilizing insights from cognitive semantics and grammaticalization theory, this paper will argue that temporal spans an internally complex semantic category, the various points of which served as the source for semantic extensions into its causal and conditional uses.


The synthetic diagnosing of transformer faults based on dissolved gas-in-oil analysis (DGA) is introduced. The multi-expert is mainly composed of three-ratio method, Duval's triangle, neural network and case-based reasoning. However, the results of multi-expert diagnosing may be inconsistent, and how to successfully integrate those diagnosing results is still pendent. The weighted majority algorithm is then adopted in terms of decomposing each diagnosis result into discharge and over-heating. Furthermore, the weighted coefficient of a particular expert is tentatively determined by its probability of correct diagnosis. Lastly, the method proposed is proved feasible in practice.


Natural development of diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice requires both CD4 and CD8 T cells. Transgenic NOD mice carrying αβ TCR genes from a class I MHC (Kd)-restricted, pancreatic β cell Ag-specific T cell clone develop diabetes significantly faster than nontransgenic NOD mice. In these TCR transgenic mice, a large fraction of T cells express both transgene derived and endogenous TCR β chains. Only T cells expressing two TCR showed reactivity to the islet Ag. Development of diabetogenic T cells is inhibited in mice with no endogenous TCR expression due to the SCID mutation. These results demonstrate that the expression of two TCRs is necessary for the autoreactive diabetogenic T cells to escape thymic negative selection in the NOD mouse. Further analysis with MHC congenic NOD mice revealed that diabetes development in the class I MHC-restricted islet Ag-specific TCR transgenic mice is still dependent on the presence of the homozygosity of the NOD MHC class II I-Ag7.


The objective of this project was to measure the microwave radiation emitted by speed measuring radar units to obtain a data base for evaluating the potential radiation hazards of these devices. Measurements were taken both in free-space and with the radar units mounted in typical operating positions inside or attached to a four-door sedan. The free-space measurements were made at four different distances to determine the field strength as a function of distance from the radar units. Calibrated radiation level probes were used to measure the field strength inside the automobile and scan the interior volume of the four-door sedan with particular attention to the driver and passenger locations. Twenty-two radar units were involved, and the data are presented in a power density format.


A broadband and non-volatile liquid controlled silicon photonics switch is proposed. The measured crosstalk is less than -22dB and -12dB over 100nm wavelength range for bar and cross state, respectively. The insertion loss is less than 1dB.


the used car game a sociology of the bargain is available in our digital library an online access to it is set as public so you can download it instantly. Our books collection hosts in multiple locations, allowing you to get the most less latency time to download any of our books like this one. Kindly say, the the used car game a sociology of the bargain is universally compatible with any devices to read.


The effect of diffusion on the pH and temperature profiles of immobilized enzymes has been quantitatively assessed using the theory of pore diffusion. The pH profiles of immobilized enzyme systems varied from those of soluble ones to the square root of the relative values of the soluble ones depending on the degree of pore diffusion limitation. Also the decrease in activation energy was predicted quantitatively with considerable accuracy in terms of effectiveness factor. The experimental pH profiles of a few immobilized enzymes were compared with those theoretically predicted.


In 2016, the first Chinese synthetic aperture radar (SAR), the Gaofen-3 (GF-3) satellite, was launched. Unlike the single-polarized wave mode SARs in Europe, GF-3 is the first satellite acquiring the quad-polarized SAR data in wave mode configuration, which could benefit the ocean wave estimation. Here, the ocean wave spectra estimation from quad-polarized GF-3 wave mode is presented and its performances are evaluated. For the period from January to October in 2017, the ocean wave spectra were inverted from GF-3 wave mode data. The quad-polarized SAR-ocean spectra inversion scheme was utilized, in which the azimuthal and range wave slopes are obtained from the vertically and linearly polarized normalized radar cross sections and then converted to ocean wave slope spectra. The validation was also performed through comparisons against directional wave buoy observations. The spatio-temporal criteria of 100 km and 0.5 h, yield 87 matchups. Two representative cases illustrate the consistency between the GF-3 SAR ocean wave spectra and buoy measurements. Statistical assessment shows the root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.35 m, 19.52 m and 24.89° for the significant wave height, peak wavelength and wave direction, respectively. Evaluation results indicate that the quad-polarized algorithm is suitable for spectral ocean wave estimation from GF-3 wave mode, and encouraging for operational implementation.


Abstract The resistance of martensitic stainless steels to wear and corrosion is greatly influenced by the martensitic matrix and the presence of carbides. The precipitation of carbides along the grain boundaries will lead to a significant decrease in fracture toughness and furthermore, will increase the risk of intergranular corrosion. With tools made of corrosion-resistant steel castings, this fact is of particular relevance as coarse eutectic carbide precipitates are normally not sufficiently dissolved during conventional austenitization. In this context, the dissolution of carbides will be studied on the basis of systematic heat treatment experiments and observed using light optical microscopy and the resulting microstructure and its impact on the mechanical properties (hardness) will be discussed in the following sections.


In this paper, we classify four-dimensional Jordan algebras over an algebraically closed field of characteristic different of two. We establish the list of 73 non-isomorphic Jordan algebras.


Security of data transmitted over computer networks is one of the most important tasks of modern ICT. The article presents basic types of malicious software and hacking attacks on ICT systems. It also presents some of the tools and applications for securing data exchange. Operation of intrusion detection systems and counter-attack methods using firewalls are presented.


Bachelor thesis contains a simple economic analysis of the development tax assignment in the Czech Republic in 2001 - 2013. Next it includes a description and evaluation of tax assignment in Austria. The solution is a comparison of tax assignment systems in both countries. The aim of this thesis is to show their differences or similarity.


This paper proposes a cointegration approach to testing the validity long-run equilibrium in production, where capital and labour are taken as quasi-fixed inputs. Previous studies consider only capital as the quasi-fixed input and do not take account of the time series properties of the variables, assuming implicitly that they are stationary. The canonical cointegrating regressions (CCR) procedure is employed to test for cointegration in both the single-equation and the seemingly unrelated regressions framework, and long-run equilibrium conditions are tested. The evidence from US manufacturing reveals that capital and labour are not fully adjusted to their long-run optimal values, casting doubt on the long-run equilibrium hypothesis. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Ever since the discovery of Mao-commenting Romance of the Three Kingdoms co-revised by Zou Wu-gang,the value of the 51-volume edition has drawn the attention of the academic field.The author thinks that this edition of Romance of the Three Kingdoms is one of the series,which was compiled during the Yongzheng and Qianlong reigns in the Qing Dynasty.From the features of this edition,it might belong to a block-printed edition at Sibao Bookshop.Based on Zou Wu-gang's biography and writing activities,he might have co-revised and inscribed the book.However,this edition could not be earlier than the one in Zuigengtang Hall of Kangxi Emperor and became the first edition commented by Mao.Anyway,it is not right to overvalue or devaluate it.Its discovery is significant for the research on the editions of Romance of the Three Kingdoms,especially valuable for the research on the printing history of Sibao Bookshop.


This study evaluated integrative river ecosystem health using stressor-based models of physical habitat health, chemical water health, and biological health of fish and identified multiple-stressor indicators influencing the ecosystem health. Integrated health responses (IHRs), based on star-plot approach, were calculated from qualitative habitat evaluation index (QHEI), nutrient pollution index (NPI), and index of biological integrity (IBI) in four different longitudinal regions (Groups I–IV). For the calculations of IHRs values, multi-metric QHEI, NPI, and IBI models were developed and their criteria for the diagnosis of the health were determined. The longitudinal patterns of the river were analyzed by a self-organizing map (SOM) model and the key major stressors in the river were identified by principal component analysis (PCA). Our model scores of integrated health responses (IHRs) suggested that mid-stream and downstream regions were impaired, and the key stressors were closely associated with nutrient enrichment (N and P) and organic matter pollutions from domestic wastewater disposal plants and urban sewage. This modeling approach of IHRs may be used as an effective tool for evaluations of integrative ecological river health..


Most movie box office predictive models use various variables related to movie production, audience, and movie screening. However, one of the most important variables in the distribution stage when a movie is released is the movie review related to the audience, that is the subject of word of mouth. In most predictive models in which various variables have been used so far, movie reviews have been substituted into emotional indices for additional analysis. In this case, it can be said that it has a limitation in that it is difficult to specifically grasp the contents of word of mouth about the movie. In this paper, only words constituting movie reviews on online portal sites were used as independent variables in the movie box office predictive model, and the relationship with movie box office performance was identified using the LASSO model. Through this, the predictive power of movie reviews on movie box office success was evaluated, and the words in movie reviews that affect movie box office were investigated. As a result of the analysis, the LASSO regression coefficients of words had a correlation with the success of the movies. The LASSO regression coefficients increased as the words appeared in reviews of successful movies, but decreased as they appeared in reviews of unsuccessful movies. As a result, it can be said that movie box office prediction using movie reviews can be helpful for planning additional investment strategy at the distribution stage.


Abstract Degradation of urinary nitrogen-containing compounds by bacteria in the ceca of birds occurs in a number of herbivorous and omnivorous species, and cecal absorption of the products of that degradation has been reported in chickens. This recycling of nitrogen may play an important role in nitrogen balance, especially in those species with low dietary nitrogen intake. We report, for the first time, degradation of nitrogenous compounds by intestinal bacteria in a bird that is nectarivorous and lacks ceca, Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna). Hummingbirds subsist year-round on a liquid diet with an exceptionally low-nitrogen content. Ureteral urine containing ammonia, urea, and uric acid has been observed in the lower intestinal tract of Anna's Hummingbird. Bacteria obtained from intestinal contents and homogenates of the anterior and posterior intestine of this species were able to break down uric acid, urea, and potassium urate, but not sodium urate. This degradation is the necessary first step in the recycling of nitrogen. Assessing its significance will involve determining whether the products of microbial breakdown are subsequently absorbed across the intestinal walls of these unique animals.


The reliability and the clinical effectiveness of the standardized Greek version of the Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery were assessed in a sample of 50 brain damaged and 50 control subjects matched for age, education, handedness, sex, and socioeconomic status


In parametric design studies, the strength of a structure is often considered as the primary design criteria, and consequently the optimal (best) structural design is often chosen as the one that minimises the maximum stress generated. However, for structures whereby failure is governed by fracture or fatigue, the residual strength, as distinct from stress, needs to be considered as the explicit design objective. In this study, the design space for the distribution of residual strength for different structural configurations is evaluated to demonstrate the utility of design space exploration for damage tolerance design optimisation. This was illustrated using the problem of the optimum design of a cutout shape under biaxial load. The geometry of the cutout was represented parametri- cally, and numerous flaws/cracks were assumed to be located along the structural bounda- ries. The maximum stress intensity factors associated with the flaws along the boundary were evaluated for each cutout geometry. Finite element modelling was used to calculate the stress field, and a semi-analytical method was used for computation of the stress intensity factors. The design surface for residual strength was found to resemble a 'ship hull'. This shape con- firms that a design based on residual strength indeed poses a well-behaved optimisation problem, i.e. a well-defined minimum/maximum region exists. The flatness of the design space for residual strength was demonstrated. The optimum values of the stress intensity factor ob- tained from the design space agreed well with those determined using various optimisation methods in the literature. It is shown that the residual strength optimised shape can be quite different from the corresponding stress optimised solution. This emphasises the need to ex- plicitly consider residual strength as the design objective. It is shown that a design space ex- ploration can provide a systematic way to reduce the weight of a structure by adopting a 'fea- sible non-optimal' solution that meets the design criteria, rather than aiming for the 'optimal' (best) solution.


Compound equipment used for preparing a double-metal compound pipe comprises a main shaft, wherein the main shaft is provided with a taper section, a front section and a rear section of a cylinder section; the main shaft is arranged in an internal pipe; the upper taper section of the main shaft is sheathed with a ball bearing sheath, the rear end of the ball bearing sheath is connected with an adjustable nut; the adjustable nut is screwed on the cylinder section; the ball bearing sheath is provided with a through hole; a bearing ball which can extrude the internal pipe is arranged in the through hole; the upper surface and the lower surface of the bearing ball respectively prop against the taper section and the internal pipe; the front end of the taper section is provided with a locking nut; the cylinder section is also provided with a fixing nut which is positioned on the rear part of the adjustable nut; the cylinder section is provided with a stopping groove; a locking piece passes through the fixing nut to the stopping groove; and the fixing nut is locked on the cylinder section. The utility model provides the compound device which can position the adjustable nut and prepare a double-metal compound pipe. Besides, the utility model has higher processing precision.


Low Power Digital System Design has to be re-defined. Clever circuit level concepts to reduce leakage current effects etc. and to get along with a tiny battery have become lower-ranking. Slashing the electricity bill by up to millions of dollars has become the key issue - not only in High Performance Computing (HPC), e. g. also for server farms (for instance, Google's electricity bill amounts to about 50 million US-$/year).Increasing the clock frequency of single-core microprocessors has come to an end. Multi-core microprocessor chips are not really the promising way to go for very high performance (vHPC). This lesson we have learnt from the supercomputing crisis, where the electric power bill is the most important obstacle on the way to obtain Petaflops by monstrous architectures having followed the wrong road map for decades. This problem can be solved only by a paradigm shift instead of circuit level issues. For the solution we have to take a second look onto the Reconfigurable Computing Paradox. Although FPGAs have a substantially lower clock frequency, are power-hungry, are expensive, and their effective integration density is by 4 orders of magnitude behind Moore's law, the new road map is FPGA-based, it is based on the Reconfigurable Computing Paradigm. Software-to-Configware migration is the silver bullet to escape from the von Neumann paradigm trap for getting rid of the exponentially growing massive bottleneck problems coming along with traditional forms of increasing parallelism. Slashing the electricity bill is just a side effect of speedup factors having been published with up to 4 orders of magnitude.The talk also explains the fundamental issues and bashes educational deficits cemented by newest CS- related ACM/IEEE-CS/AIS curriculum recommendations.


Abstract Functional magnetic resonance imaging is providing new insight into neurologic imaging that was not possible with conventional techniques. Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging is one aspect of functional imaging and it allows detection of acute cerebral ischemia that would not have been identified with standard T2-weighted sequences while also differentiating acute from chronic stroke. These unique characteristics suggest tremendous potential of diffusion imaging to help direct therapy of acute ischemic stroke. An understanding of the principles of diffusion imaging is necessary for optimal application of this technique.


Rhinitis is one of the commonest, if not the commonest, cause of nasal symptoms; it is a constantly recurring or chronic and persistent form of allergy divisible into two clear groups. Firstly, the plainly allergicgroup in whom skin or inhalation testing will confirm hypersensitivity to inhalant, food or bacterial proteins, and, secondly, cases which are non-specific in origin and in which skin testing fails to reveal any significant protein allergy. The symptoms, however, are always the same and persist with exacerbation and remission the year round. There are paroxysms of sneezing, watery or mucoid discharge, nasal obstruction, anosmia, frontal headache, post-nasal drip, dry pharynx and a cough.


The standard information resources are introduced through five large web sites. The search field, search function, and search results of every data base on the five web sites are studied. The skill of retrieving standard information is intro- duced. The web site should be selected according to search field and search results. The appropriate search words should be used because the demand of search field of every data base is different. The full text may be obtained through copying printed documents after obtaining the standard number on web sites.


In adult animals treatment with androgenic or oestrogenic hormones results in a temporary suppression of fertility after which there is a return to normal reproductive function. A different response, however, is seen in animals treated shortly after birth. Administration of steroid hormones within the first few days of life results in permanent sterility: a single subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate given to female mice (Barraclough & Leathem 1954) or rats (Barraclough 1961) within ten days of birth produces in the adult animals failure to form corpora lutea and constantly cornified vaginal epithelium. Administration of cestradiol benzoate to neonatal males under similar conditions will evoke irreversible changes manifested by azospermia and decreased testicular androgen production (Kincl et al. 1963). Female animals may be also permanently sterilized by various oestrogens, whereas males are insensitive to androgen treatment (Kincl, Folch Pi, Maqueo, Herrera Lasso, Oriol & Dorfman 1965). Table 1 shows the effect seen at autopsy at the age of 45 days following several phenolic steroids given in a single injection to 5-day-old rats. In males the effect was judged on the basis of testicular and accessory sex tissue atrophy and on histological evaluation (Maqueo & Kincl 1964). In females the presence or absence of corpora lutea was the main index used. These data demonstrate that the activity of phenolic steroids in the neonatal rats is independent of their oestrogenic activity, as determined by uterine weight increase in the immature mouse assay (Rubin et al. 1951), and constitutes


This study is about how local government finance influences implementation of development projects in Uganda. Uganda's decentralisation policy dates back to independence Constitution of 1962. The current decentralisation was launched by his Excellency the President of the Republic of Uganda, Kaguta Museveni in 1992. Since then, Uganda embraced decentralisation as the main engine for transforming the economy and wellbeing of citizens. Under decentralisation, Powers to plan, mobilise resources, make decisions and implement projects have been devolved to LGs. The policy was expected to contribute to development by empowering people and institutions at every level of society. To support powers given to LGs, fiscal decentralisation strategy (FDS) was designed as a means of increasing discretionary powers given to LGs, increase participation in decision making to make LGs more transparent and account-able for their expenditures, providing direct financial incentives to LGs to boost local revenue to ensure that revenue contributes meaningfully to local development.
This paper focuses on financing LGs and argues that, the state of local development service provision in Health, Water, Education and Roads in rural LGs have continued to worsen below decentralisation expectations. This paper has also argued that, only slight improvement has been registered but many planned projects have not been implemented, completed in time, abandoned by contractors due to insufficient finances from CG, declining locally raised revenues, poorly designed fiscal policies and Donor fund inflexible requirements to support decentralisation policy. This paper has also provided fiscal policy reflections and argues that, unless fiscal constraints are addressed, Uganda's decentralisation will continue to be referred to and stay in literatures as a concept rather than a practice given its failure to address service gaps for which it was expected and the poor will continue to be vulnerable to shocks of constrained livelihoods. -- Relevance to Development Studies -- This study is relevant to development studies considering the fact that there are many development challenges facing developing countries today. Decentralisation policy adopted by Uganda as the main vehicle for transforming society needs to be guided by strong fiscal and social policies that suits local conditions for effective local governance. To reduce poverty in developing countries attention has to be paid to satisfactory policies, guidelines and strategies with concerted effort from local community who are directly affected by shocks of livelihoods. There should be adequate revenues both raised locally and transferred from CG with clear cut policies, roles and responsibilities for effective implementation of local development projects.