Background: Activation of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) is known to have broad anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects. The bleomycin (BLM)-induced skin fibrosis murine model is well-established for systemic sclerosis (SSc). α -mel- anocyte-stimulating hormone, an endogenous ligand of MC1R, inhibits skin fibrosis and MC1R knock-out enhances skin fibrosis in this model. These pieces of evidence suggest that MC1R agonism has potential in the treatment of SSc. Objectives: Dersimelagon phosphate (MT-7117) is an investigational small molecule that is an orally administered, selective agonist for MC1R. The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential of MT-7117 as a therapeutic agent for SSc by evaluating its efficacy and mechanism of action in complementary preclinical models. The expression and distribution of MC1R in the skin of SSc patients was investigated. Methods: The effects of MT-7117 on skin fibrosis and lung inflammation were evaluated in BLM-induced SSc murine models that were optimized for prophylactic and therapeutic evaluation. Microarray-based gene expression analysis and serum protein profiling were performed to investigate the mechanism of action of MT-7117 in the BLM-induced SSc models. The effect of MT-7117 on TGF-β -induced activation of human dermal fibroblasts was evaluated in vitro . Immunohistochemical analyses of MC1R expression in skin samples from SSc patients were performed. Results: Prophylactic treatment with MT-7117 (≥0.3 mg/kg/day p.o.) significantly inhibited the increase in collagen content of the skin, the serum level of surfactant protein D, and the weight of the lungs from BLM-induced skin fibrosis and lung inflammation model. Therapeutic treatment with MT-7117 (≥3 mg/kg/ day p.o.) significantly suppressed skin thickening and the numbers of myofibroblasts in pre-established BLM-induced skin fibrosis model. Gene array analysis using the BLM-induced SSc model demonstrated changes in numerous categories related to macrophages, monocytes, and neutrophils, followed by endothelial cell-related categories after treatment with MT-7117. In the analysis that focused on biological functions, categories of inflammatory response, activation of antigen-presenting cells, angiogenesis, atherosclerosis, vasculogenesis, and vaso-occlusion were suppressed by MT-7117. In the analysis that focused on molecular signaling pathways, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1, IL-6, and oncostatin M involved in inflammation, and perox-isome proliferator-activated receptor that is related to fibrosis were all affected by MT-7117. Serum protein profiling using BLM-induced SSc model


Age 5: Attention Problems for asthma and eczema in total sample: Measures and sample: At age 5, data on asthma and eczema were reported by mothers (whether a physician had ever diagnosed asthma and eczema (yes/no)). Prevalence of asthma and eczema was respectively 9.6% and 18.8% for boys and 6.6% and 16.6% for girls. Attention Problems were rated by the mother using the Devereux Child Behavior (DCB) rating scale at age 5 and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) at age7. Exclusion: children with handicaps that interfere with daily function, birth weight <1500 grams, and gestational age < 32 weeks. For about 24,500 twins data on both atopic diseases and Attention Problems were available at age 5 and for 15,000 twins at age 7. Age 7: Attention Problems in MZ twins discordant for asthma or eczema:


PT. AE is engaged in the mining industry which in all its business activities requires a large investment. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct an investment analysis to see how the feasibility of this business using Net Present Value (NPV), Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR), and Internal Rate Of Return (IRR) methods. Followed by sensitivity analysis to look at the company's financial condition in case of changes of ±2.50%, ±5.00%, and ±7.50% in revenue and cost of revenue. The results of the calculation of business feasibility analysis obtained a value of $618,450.563, BCR worth 1.698, and IRR worth 35.71%. This indicates that the efforts undertaken are worth carrying out. AE is more sensitive to -5.00% revenue-generating negative NPV, i.e. ($121,203.568), BCR at 0.881, and IRR of 2.69%. While the increase of cost of revenue was 7.50%, resulting in a negative NPV of ($178,160.513), BCR of 0.830, and IRR of -0.09%.


Neurolymphomatosis (NL) is an uncommon condition involving lymphomatous invasion of the cranial or spinal nerve roots. Sciatic nerve neuropathy and dysfunction represent a common cause of lower extremity symptoms in clinical practice. However, cases of recurrent lymphoma infiltrating a single peripheral nerve, such as the sciatic nerve, are rare. To date, only one case has been reported in the literature. Isolated lymphomatosis may occur sporadically in patients with lymphoma relapse. Nevertheless, the precise mechanisms underlying such cases remain unclear. The present report describes a patient with recurrent lymphoma who presented with drop foot due to sciatic nerve involvement. In this report, we highlight the importance of ultrasound for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy based on the characteristic nerve enlargement and loss of echogenicity. Our findings, together with existing evidence from the literature, support that ultrasonography, which is relatively rapid, easy, and low risk, can aid in the differential diagnosis of NL.


Taking Ha'erbin-Shenyang dedicated line for passengers as an example,the paper presents the concept,integrated technology,system constitution,integrated process and the requirement of "four electric" integration system,and analyses the necessity of the application of "four electric" integration to building the dedicated line for passengers.


Some highlights of the theory of colloidal and dusty plasmas are reconsidered. A minimal charge of the crystallization is established on basis of the Lindeman criterion and the theory of Brownian motion. The theory of crystal waves is compared with experimental results.


Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies received a lot of criticism during the last 9 years. It is not surprising that this criticism came from organizations that are threatened by the crypto revolution (banks, government, central banks, finance companies, etc.). Nevertheless, it is very surprising to hear criticism from economics schools, which oppose central banking and advocate free choice in currencies (such as the Austrian school of economics). Unlike the ordinary criticism (that Bitcoin is a scam, a bubble, etc.), which can easily be refuted, the criticism of part of the Austrian school economists is based on interesting arguments, which requires a different level of explanation. For example, it was claimed that Bitcoin should be worthless; otherwise, it contradicts Mises' regression theorem. The object of the chapter is twofold: first to explain why the criticism is unfounded and second to analyze the origin of the value of Bitcoin and other cryptocoins from the perspective of the Austrian school of economics. In particular, it is explained that Bitcoin does not con tradict the regression theorem for two reasons. First, the initial value estimation can be a random event, and second, the Bitcoin network (even now) has a nonmonetary value.


Equivalent translation is restricted by linguistic context, situational context and cultural context. Grasping relevant context is an important factor of realizing equivalent translation.


Dielectric spectroscopy was performed on uniaxially compacted C60 pellets at selected frequencies from 1 kHz to 1 MHz as the temperature rose from 100 to 530 K. A new dielectric relaxation with activation energy of 2.45±0.05 eV was discerned, but which disappeared when the pellet was heated a second time. Dipoles relaxation accompanying orientational glass transition was observed at lower temperatures as asymmetrical loss peaks, showing departure from Debye behavior, but correlation among the oscillators decreased during the second heating cycle, and the activation energy was also reduced. We analyze the asymmetrical peaks with the help of Ngai's correlated-state model, and suggest that residual stresses in the pressed pellets enhance the correlation between grain boundary motion and the reorientational jumps of C60 molecules.


AbstractWastewater treatment sector, in Algeria, uses exclusively two processes: the activated sludge applied in the north and the lagooning in the highlands and the south. In the operating balance of the National Sanitation Office (ONA), the activated sludge wastewater treatment plants are characterized by a high electricity consumption which induced high cost and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission. In 2010, about 104.32 million m3 of wastewater was treated. This operation consumed 30,900 MWh of electricity which cost 1.04 million Euros (€) and emitted 18,761 tons of CO2-equivalent. In 2013, the treated wastewater increased by 35.2% and the electricity consumption by 45.8%. To establish an exhaustive diagnostic, this study evaluated the electricity consumed during 2009/2010 in an activated sludge wastewater treatment plant of 70,000 population equivalents (PE) (i.e. Unit of a pollution load produced daily per person, fixed at 60 grams of DBO5, which is used for the sizing of the wastewater treatment plants). ...


ABSTRACT Cancer services in Indonesia have experienced a rapid increase with the addition of radiotherapy facilities in various hospitals. Increasing radiotherapy facilities will also increase the incidence of adverse radiation effects. Based on the initial survey, it was found that health workers from various professions, including doctors, nurses, and radiographers, did not understand radiotherapy and the side effects that could occur to patients. Training aims: To increase the knowledge of health workers and skills in managing adverse effects according to the competence of each profession. Pre-training survey was used to find the knowledge and skills discrepancy. Online training is provided with knowledge transfer, followed by monitoring practice in the field. It was found that the understanding and skills of health workers regarding the adverse effects of radiation increased, Based on the results of the pre-test, post-test, and practice evaluation of 37 training participants. It is hoped that from this training, the quality of cancer services will be better and can improve the quality of life of patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment Keywords: Radiotherapy, Adverse Effects, Health Workers


In the previous submission of this paper we claimed to have solved the problem of constructing a consistent non-abelian Born Infeld action which is $\kappa$--supersymmetric to all orders. Our method was based on an extension of target superspace to $\mathrm{N} \times \mathrm{N}$ matrix--valued objects for all the items appearing in the geometric construction. Then we applied the \textit{double first order formalism} introduced by us in the previous construction of abelian brane actions to the non--abelian case and we claimed that the Bosonic action given by the prescription of the \textit{symmetrized trace} could be promoted to a fully kappa supersymmetric one. Unfortunately there is an internal inconsistency, relative to U(N) gauge invariance in the matricisation of target superspace geometry and there is a subtle inconsistency in the variation of the symmetric trace action due to the loss of associativity of the underlying symmetrized product. Because of that the entire construction previously submitted does not stand on its feet. Consequently the present resubmission is done in order to disclaim our previously claimed result and also to express our sincere gratitude to our friends Paul Howe and Ulf Lindstrom who, with their constructive criticism and private correspondence, have helped us to understand where the bugs in our construction were.


Although the geotectonic zones in western Greece are clearly thrusted on top of each other from east to west, in Crete these nappes are piled up cropping out thanks to tectonic windows. In western Greece, the Ionian islands provide a lot of information with regards to the most external parts of the Hellenides Thrust-and-Fold Belt (TFB). In addition, several wells and a dense seismic grid confirm the geological knowledge of the area and mitigate the uncertainty about the petroleum system there. In contrast, the area south of Crete includes only four (4) very small islands providing scattered information of the geological setting in the Cretan margin, along with a sparse seismic grid and the lack of wells. Despite more than forty (40) years of geological and geophysical work in the region, the geodynamic and tectonic processes have been debatable and controversial. An initial attempt to distinguish and outline the geotectonic zones present in the area south of the island of Crete has been done based on the integration of seismic data and onshore geology. However, because of the above-mentioned limitations the attempt remains speculative. The use of the seismic data allowed for a more accurate mapping of the three (3) distinct geological areas south of Crete; Cretan margin, Backstop and Mediterranean Ridge. The Cretan margin includes stacked nappes similar to those onshore Crete, the Backstop includes probably the most external Hellenides, while the Mediterranean Ridge cannot be assigned to any of the known Hellenides.


What comes to mind when you envision a scholar? Many would imagine an absent-minded university professor poring over dusty books and muttering to himself. This person would probably have glasses from constant reading, might be wearing an academic robe, and is likely to have mismatched socks from not paying attention to practical matters. Yet outside of the world of Harry Potter, such scholars are a rarity. So what does a modern scholar look like? When in doubt, start with the dictionary—it often gives a very broad view that allows room for new interpretations. According to Webster's Dictionary, the word scholar means a learned person; a specialist; one who studies; one considered in respect to aptness for learning. Nothing is mentioned about an academic gown or mismatched socks. In fact, this definition doesn't mention academia at all, only learning. This notion is reflected in the definition of clinical scholars developed by the Sigma Theta Tau International Clinical Scholarship Task Force. This nursing honor society has defined clinical scholars as "...characterized by a high level of curiosity, critical thinking, continuous learning, reflection, and the ability to seek and use a spectrum of resources and evidence to improve effectiveness of clinical interventions" (http://www. nursingsociety.org/new/CSwhite_paper). The acquired knowledge, wisdom, and skill that create a scholar should begin in the classroom, where the foundation of life-long learning is established. The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) Commission on Education has examined the relationship between education and scholarship, and the role that educators can play in helping practitioners to become clinical scholars. This paper, entitled Scholarship and Occupational Therapy, is a review of literature promoting an expansion of the concept of scholarship. Of particular interest for the present discussion is one type of scholarship developed by Boyer and colleagues, the scholarship of application. The scholarship of application embodies the idea of clinical scholarship and goes beyond by calling for a linking of academia to clinic. The concept paper describes the potential of this type of scholarship for shaping the education of entry-level practitioners. You can download a .pdf file with this short concept paper by going to the AOTA Web site, Member Area, and Educational Resources (http://www.aota.org/members/area9/ index.asp). As a measure of how widely these concepts are being accepted, physical therapy has also adopted Boyer's model by integrating it in their educational program accreditation criteria. Despite the critical importance of a solid educational foundation, life experience may be the greatest teacher of scholarship. As seen in the Sigma Theta Tau definition, clinical scholarship is promoted by reflecting on the lessons learned in practice and relating those lessons to a broader base of knowledge. However, it is important to emphasize that clinical experience is necessary, but not sufficient to clinical scholarship. Master clinicians, with many years of clinical experience, have the knowledge and skills to make correct decisions given the information available to them. In contrast, clinical scholars have an updated and working knowledge of "the evidence," draw on experience, ask questions and pose working hypotheses, gather assessment data, and then make clinical decisions. The outcomes of those clinical decisions are reflected upon and stored as important information for future reference. This process of continually comparing, contrasting, updating, and reflecting is a key aspect of clinical scholarship. Clinical scholarship requires discussion and development from multiple per-


Abstract We show that the fractional operator I α  ( ⋅ ) {I^{\alpha(\,\cdot\,)}} , of variable order on a bounded open set in Ω, in a quasimetric measure space ( X , d , μ ) {(X,d,\mu)} in the case α  ( x )  p  ( x ) ≡ n {\alpha(x)p(x)\equiv n} (where n comes from the growth condition on the measure μ), is bounded from the variable exponent Lebesgue space L p  ( ⋅ )  ( Ω ) {L^{p(\,\cdot\,)}(\Omega)} into BMO  ( Ω ) {\mathrm{BMO}(\Omega)} under certain assumptions on p  ( x ) {p(x)} and α  ( x ) {\alpha(x)} .


Contrary to many water customers' beliefs, implementing efficient water rates, efficient plumbing, and conservation initiatives actually reduces the cost burden on water customers.


Traction inverter has been the subject of many studies due to its essential role in the proper performance of the drive system. With the recent trend in increasing the input voltage in battery-powered electric vehicles, multilevel inverters have been proposed in the literature as a promising substitute for conventional two-level traction inverters. A critical aspect of utilizing multilevel structures is employing proper control and modulation techniques. The control system structure must be capable of handling a number of key issues, like capacitor voltage balancing and equal power loss sharing, which arise in multilevel topologies. This paper presents a review of the present-day traction drive systems in the industry, control and modulation techniques for multilevel structures in the inverters, as well as the principal challenges that need to be addressed in the control stage of the multilevel traction inverter. A comparison has been made between different methods based on the most important criteria and requirements of the traction drive system. Finally, future trends in this application are presented and some suggestions have been made for the next generation of traction drives.


We study vortex lattices (VLs) in superconducting weak-pinning platelet-like crystals of $\beta$-Bi$_{2}$Pd in tilted fields with a Scanning Tunneling Microscope. We show that vortices exit the sample perpendicular to the surface and are thus bent beneath the surface. The structure and orientation of tilted VL in the bulk are, for large tilt angles, strongly affected by Coulomb-type intervortex repulsion at the surface due to stray fields.


Objective: Summarize the experience of the national contemporary famous TCM veteran doctors on daily life health regimen and find the similarity among the experience,including sport,sex and personal living.Methods: We had investigated and analysed the suggestions and personal experience of the national contemporary famous TCM veteran experts on daily life health regimen,including sport,sex and personal living.Results: There are 58 effective and complete data collected.For Sport regimen,87.9% of the experts prefer to walking,62.1% are rather play Tai Chi,and the other kinds of the sport types are chosen under 50%.For sex regimen,15.5% of the experts consider doing sex should be restrained,69% consider people should do sex within reasonable limits,no one considers practicing Qi Gong can enhance sexual capability.In terms of personal living,93.1% of the experts suggest living should be regular,and 70.7%,63.8% and 62.1% think that people should pay attention to temperature,living environment and warm clothing respectively.In the statistics of sleeping,89.7% propose to sleep regularly,and 84.6% suggest nap at noon.In the habit of sleeping,79.3% of experts have the habit of sleeping at noon,89.7% sleep regularly.The average time of sleeping at night is 22:24,and the latest time is midnight.The experts suggest that people should sleep 7 hours a day in average and take a siesta at 13pm about 50 minutes.Conclusion: The general opinions from famous veteran doctors on sport regimen are walking and Tai Chi,and they also think that sex should be done moderately.It is unnecessary to practise Qi-Gong to make the enhancement.For daily life,the doctors suggest people to live regularly and pay attention to living environment,warm clothing and temperature.


On March 11, 2011, a devastating tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake hit many towns in Tohoku area, and a lot of residents had to evacuate from tsunami and ensuing fire. Collecting and comprehending their evacuation behavior is crucial to provide useful information for future major earthquakes.. In this report, some actual track maps of escape routes from tsunami and fire based on our interviews are shown, and the characteristic of the realistic evacuation behavior is extracted. Moreover the large-scale surveys conducted by other institutions are summarized to justify our consideration.


An experiment was designed to evaluate the effect of the length of insertion of a progesterone (P4)-releasing device and the length of pro-oestrus on follicular and luteal characteristics and pregnancy rates to AI (P/AI) in Bos indicus heifers treated with oestradiol/P4-based treatments. Bos indicus beef heifers (n = 374), 22-26 months of age, with a corpus luteum (CL) or at least one follicle ≥8 mm in diameter and with a body condition score between 2.5 and 3.5 (1-to-5 scale) were synchronised using three treatments for fixed-time AI (FTAI). On Day 0, all heifers received 2 mg of oestradiol benzoate (Sincrodiol, Ourofino) and an intravaginal device with 1 g of P4 (Sincrogest, Ourofino). The P4 device was removed on Day 6 in heifers in the J-Synch 6 group (n = 120) and on Day 7 in heifers in the J-Synch 7 group (n = 105) and conventional group (n = 165). All heifers received 500 μg of cloprostenol (Sincrocio, Ourofino) and 300 IU of equine chorionic gonadotrophin (SincroeCG 6000UI, Ourofino) at the time of P4 device removal. Furthermore, heifers in the conventional treatment group received 0.5 mg of oestradiol cypionate (SincroCP, Ourofino) at the same time. In addition, all heifers were tail-painted for oestrus detection (CeloTest, Biotay). Heifers that had lost ≥50% of the tail paint by 70-74 h (J-Synch groups) or 48-52 h (conventional group) after device removal were FTAI at that time. Heifers not showing oestrus by 70-74 h (J-Synch groups) or 48-52 h (conventional group) received 10 μg of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Sincroforte, Ourofino) at the same time and were FTAI 8 h later. All heifers were also examined using ultrasonography (Mindray DP50 Vet) every 12 h from the time of device removal to determine the time of ovulation, 6 days after ovulation to determine the diameter of the CL, and 28 days after FTAI for P/AI determination. Data were analysed using the MLGM procedure (InfoStat) for normal data families (follicular dynamics) and binary data family (P/AI). The results are shown in Table 1. The diameter of the dominant preovulatory follicle and the CL did not differ among groups (P > 0.12). However, the interval from device removal to ovulation was longer in heifers in the J-Synch groups than in heifers in the conventional group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, P/AI was not different among groups. In conclusion, although the J-Synch protocols delayed the interval from P4 device removal to ovulation, the three protocols evaluated in the present study were equally effective in Bos indicus heifers. Table 1.Mean (± s.e.m.) diameter of the preovulatory follicle (P/Foll) and corpus luteum (CL), interval from progesterone (P4) device removal to ovulation, and pregnancy rates to AI (P/AI) in Bos indicus heifers Treatment P/Foll, mm Interval to ovulation, h CL diameter, mm P/AI, % (n) J-Synch 6 10.5 ± 0.7 101.4 ± 2.3a 18.6 ± 1.0 52.0 (62/120) J-Synch 7 10.6 ± 0.7 96.0 ± 2.2a 16.5 ± 0.9 39.0 (41/105) Conventional 9.4 ± 0.7 73.0 ± 1.9b 16.8 ± 0.9 45.0 (74/165) a,bDifferent superscripts denote differences between groups in the interval from P4 device removal to ovulation.


CASSCF//CASPT2 pathways for a two-glycine minimal model system show that photoinduced electron-driven forward and backward proton transfer could play an important role for the stability of proteins against damage by UV radiation, when a hydrogen bond is located between the two amino acids. The overall photoinduced process involves two electron and proton transfer processes (forward and backward) and results in the reformation of the initial closed-shell electronic structure of the system.


A taxonomic study on the freshwater harpacticoids of the genus Attheyella has been accomplished as one of the serial researches on the family Canthocamptidae in South Korea. As a result, a total of seven species belonging to Attheyella are listed, three of which are new to Korean fauna: A. crassa (Sars), A. nakaii (Brehm), and A. orientalis Chappuis. A key to the species of the genus Attheyella known from Korea is prepared.


THE INVENTION CONCERNS A TANK ASSEMBLY FOR A CIRCULAR VIBRATORY SEPARATOR. IT INCLUDES A BUILT CYLINDRICAL HOLLOW 1 WHERE IS AN OUT OF THE WINDOW 4 vertically spaced AND RAMP HELICOIDALE 5 BEGINNING SIGNIFICANTLY AT THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDOW AND TOTALING ALONG THE WALL INSIDE THE SAME IN A CIRCULAR DIRECTION FOR LEAD IN FRONT AND sUBSTANTIALLY IN THE PLAN OF EXIT 4 SCOPE.: SCREENING, SCREENING, SORTING, ETC., dISPERSIONS, SUSPENSIONS, MUD, ETC, CONTAINING SOLIDS.


Cotton stalk is rich and low cost renewable cellulosic resources in Xinjiang autonomous region, but two-thirds of these stalks are not used to their fullest extent. Nowadays, more research has been reported concerning the pretreatment of cotton stalks, saccharification, ethanol production and other aspects. The experiment screened cellulose degrading microbial community, and optimized conditions of saccharification. In oder to degrading lignin and cellulose of cotton straw and improving the efficiency of hydrolysis of cellulose, to decompose diluted acid pretreatment cotton stalk by cellulose degrading microbial community. We studied the microbial fermentation period, fermentation technical parameters, and curves of cellulase activity. We designed single factors , and orthogonal experiment to optimize the fermentation technical parameters. The results showed that the fermentation period was 5-day, single factor experiment, the optimum of fermentation temperature was 32°C (P < 0.01), orignal pH was 4.8 (P < 0.01), inoculation size was 5%(P < 0.01) and nitrogen source was urea(P < 0.01), and orthogonal experiment, the optimized conditions were nitrogen source, (NH4)2SO4, temperature, 42°C, original pH 6.8, inoculation quantity 1.0%. Under optimized conditions, CMC, FPU, b-G, glycosylated ratio and lose weight reached respectively 47.12 U/mL, 24.35 U/mL, 13.05U/mL, 37.21% and 26.38%.


'Comic Battle' is a 3 channel synchronised HD video with sound by Common Culture (I. Brown, D. Campbell, M. Durden). The 'stand-up ' comedy routine is a familiar device for the reflection and analysis of human relationships. Delivered as a popular form of entertainment, the comic's observations are driven by their own social experience; informed by a sense of who they are and how they relate to a world they share with their audience. Their 'local' views on the 'big' issues of relationships— sexuality, race, class and politics— mark their stories as funny and potentially insightful.
In Comic Battle, three individual comedians are filmed competing against each other in a 'stand- up' battle. Filmed delivering their routine in an ambiguous performance space, each of the three comics simultaneously present their act to camera. The comic's routines are determined by a list of topics given to them by Common Culture, each performer delivers his own version of a joke, battling to out do the other performers. This work is part of a body of work that uses forms of comedy to challenge issues related to identity and the complexities of cultural divisions, including the art world. A book Tips For Artists, was commissioned for the exhibition Now I Gotta Reason at Jerwood Space, London curated by Grizedale Arts and Marcus Coates.

Commissioned for EV+A 2008 –Too Late For Vacation, curated by Hou Hanru Limerick, Ireland 7th March - 25th May 2008

Exhibited as part of Tales from the Trophy Room a Common Culture solo exhibition at Solar Galeria de Arte Cinematica Um espaco em Vila do Conde, Porto, Portugal 19.09.2009-22.11.2009.


The time wasted in traffic congestion especially the non-recurring (unexpected) is priceless. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) technologies aims at improving transportation safety and mobility, reduce environmental impacts, and enhance productivity by utilizing the current available infrastructure. Providing the drivers with an accurate clearance time will help them manage their trips efficiently. Existing studies attempted to predict the clearance time of highway incidents through statistical modeling by fitting the incident features to their models. Unfortunately, the incident features are not available at the beginning of the incident. In this study, we develop efficient prediction models by training millions of real-time traffic and weather data from Florida Department of Transportation - District 4 (FDOT-D4), in conjunction with the crash data reported for the same period. Our models can predict the incident clearance time in real-time once the accident happens by using the real-time traffic data. In this paper, we mainly use Deep Leaning (DL) to build the clearance time prediction model. In addition, we build two other models, Distributed Random Forests (DRF)and Generalized Linear Model (GLM) then, we compare the results of all these models. Traffic Management Centers (TMCs) will use the predicted results to display them on Dynamic Message Signs (DMSs) and broadcast them on the Highway Advisory Radio (HAR). The models performances are validated with the actual clearance times provided by the incidents respondents. DL outperforms both DRF and GLM in predicting the clearance time, reflected in the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE) of 0.99 and the lowest mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.6.


Embarking from the practical teaching of advanced mathematics in engineering discipline, this paper is based on the Official Guide of Ideological and Political Curriculum Construction in Colleges and Universities issued by the Ministry of Education of China. mental courses, striving to achieve an integration of teaching and education.


Lip reading, also known as visual speech processing, means recognition of spoken word based on the pattern of lip movements while speaking. Audio speech recognition systems are popular since last many decades and have achieved a great success, but recently visual speech recognition has incited the interest of researchers towards lip reading. Lip reading has an added advantage of high accuracy and noise independency. This paper presents an algorithm for automatic lip reading. The algorithm consists of two main steps: feature extraction and classification for word recognition. The lip information is extracted using lip geometric and lip appearance features. The recognition of words is done by Learning Vector Quantization neural network. The accuracy achieved by proposed approach is 97%. The proposed algorithm is applied for recognition of ten words of Hindi language and can be easily extended to include more words of other languages. The presented approach will be helpful for hearing impaired or dumb people to communicate with humans or machines. The proposed algorithm is fast as well as robust to various occlusions.


To comprehensively investigate the implications of lymph node dissection (LND) and the prognostic impact of the number of lymph node (LN) metastases on survival in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) using a large‐scale study.


A pilotage is one of the most important factors in order to keep a vessel's safety and rising efficiency for navigation and berthing at many harbors in Japan. On their jobs, pilots' down fall accidents have happened in nearly every year when they transfer to/from the vessel/pilot boat. These accidents lead up to Pilot's missing and even death. A safe measure for the transfer is the important subject for pilots. However, these accidents have not been clear in general society until now, and were not a subject for study. Therefore, this study is the first academic approach to the actual conditions of pilots' transfer. The authors consider their speed of transfer on pilot ladder. If their performances become clear, it will be able to connect to reduce the accidents and pilot rescue systems.


Original Research Article Background: Binaural beats (BB) are auditory illusions perceived when 2 sinusoidal waves of slightly different frequencies are presented to both ears separately. BB modulates physiological & cognitive processes through cortical entrainment. BB within EEG frequency range entrains EEG activity & affects various cognitive domains of brain. Objectives: Aim of this study is to see whether a single session of 20 minute duration exposure to 40Hz BB has any positive effect on cognitive performance in healthy subjects. Methods: Study was conducted on 28 subjects (15 males and 13 females) with age between 18 to 28 years in 2 sessions. Selective attention & cognitive flexibility where tested using Normal Reaction Time & Interference Reaction Time of Eriksen Arrow Flanker's conflict task. In each session, NRT & IRT were noted before and after applying either 40Hz Binaural beats or pink noise. Baseline & Post intervention scores within each subject for both BB & Pink noise session were compared and analysed using paired sample Ttest. Results: Our study showed a statistically significant decrease in NRT and IRT after entraining with 40Hz BB compared to pink noise. Conclusions: This study suggests single session of 40Hz Binaural beats stimulation for 20 minutes can improves cognitive performance levels in healthy subjects.


[Objective] To investigate the value of two dimensional and color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI) in the diagnosis of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.[Methods] Fifty-eight patients clinically diagnosed as Hashimoto's thyroiditis were analyzed about the image characteristics.[Results] The ultrasonographic characteristics of 30 HT presented that echoes were diffusely hypoechoic reduced like scattered liners,strips and nodlers.Twenty-one of the patients showed local moderate,strong echoes,hypoechoic reduced,and nodular.Seven of them displayed normal image.[Conclusions] Sonogram indicates some specificity in the diagnosis of HT.Ultrasonography has high advantages in diagnosing Hashimoto's Thyroiditis.


Laser-induced fluorescence line narrowing has been observed for the first time in a nonresonantly excited rare-earth system. Excitation with the 4727-\AA{} ${A}^{+}$ line into the $^{4}G_{\frac{11}{2}}$ level of ${\mathrm{Nd}}^{3+}$ in glass results in narrowing of transitions from the $^{4}F_{\frac{3}{2}}$ to both the $^{4}I_{\frac{9}{2}}$ ground manifold and the $^{4}I_{\frac{11}{2}}$ excited manifold. The concentration dependence of the line narrowing provides information regarding resonant ion-ion energy transfer within the inhomogeneously broadened system.


Philosophy and AI have had a difficult relationship from the beginning. The "classic" period from 1950 to 2000 saw four major conflicts, first about the logical coherence of AI as an endeavor, and then about architecture, semantics, and the Frame Problem. Since 2000, these early debates have been largely replaced by arguments about consciousness and ethics, arguments that now involve neuroscientists, lawyers, and economists as well as AI scientists and philosophers. We trace these developments, and speculate about the future.


As every hospital looks at how it can provide 24/7 care, even for smaller specialties, the Royal Blackburn Hospital tries using a Hospital at Night model to cover the OMFS service. What does this mean for dental core trainees and can they really get enough exposure to emergency cases if they only train in office hours?


The title complex, [Re(C7H2Br3O2)(CO)3(H2O)]·CH3OH, crystallized as a neutral ReI compound and one methanol solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The metal centre is coordinated facially by three carbonyl groups. The bidentate tribromotropolanate ligand and a water molecule complete the distorted octahedral coordination around the central metal. Intermolecular Br⋯O [3.226 (5) Å] and Br⋯Br [3.590 (2) Å] contacts are observed between adjacent molecules. These contacts, together with an array of O—H⋯O, O—H⋯Br and C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds, complete a three-dimensional polymeric network formed between the methanol solvent and the complex.


A double-station automatic printing quality detection machine for a winding drum comprises a machine frame. The machine frame comprises a base and a back plate, and an unwinding shaft, a winding shaftand a transitional roller are arranged on the back plate. The machine is characterized in that a tension control system for adjusting the tension of the paper roll is arranged on the back of the backplate, and a detecting system I, a detecting system II, a servomotor control system and a corrective control system are arranged on the front side of the back plate; a slitting mechanism is arrangedbetween the detection operation platform and the winding shaft on the back plate; the detecting system I is electrically connected with a controller; the detecting system II is electrically connectedwith the controller; the driving system of the servomotor is connected with the controller; and the driving system of the servomotor includes a servomotor and a servomotor driver. The machine is suitable for the detection on printing quality, changeable bar code numbers, printing quality of electronic flexible circuit, as well as the material surface quality. Besides, for abnormal printing quality, the machine can automatically position and stop for quality detection.


An estimate of the first 10 years of Sociologische Gids by its English correspondent. The 3 aims of the original Ed's were: (1) to publish short articles; (2) to publish regular reports on sociology in the Netherlands and abroad; and (3) 'criticism.' The articles have since become longer, a development approved by the author. But the disappearance of reports from abroad-the so-called 'windows' on different countries-is deplored. The critical attitude has been, on the whole, successfully maintained. Some particularly good articles are mentioned; but it is felt that there still are great difficulties in the journal's endeavor to maintain a 'middle range' between theory and empiricism. I. Langnas.


This paper explores the new characteristics of teaching research in mechanics in the new period and summarizes the innovative experiences and educational achievements of teaching research in mechanics.


The objective of this research is the determination of the wall shear stress (WSS) and velocity distribution patterns in axi-symmetric single or repeated stenoses in coronary arteries. The blood flow is modeled as an incompressible laminar flow with Re = 500 and the analysis is performed for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian blood behaviors. For the single stenosis cases, the area reduction of 25%, 64% and 75% are considered, while for the consecutive stenosis cases two sets of 64%, 25%, and 75%, 64% for the first and second stenosis are examined numerically respectively. Single stenosis cases are also employed for validation purposes, since experimental data are available for them. Present results indicate that regions of high and low shear stress may play an important role in the rupture of atherosclerotic lesions. Both sides of the stenotic area with high WSS and intense WSSG (Wall Shear Stress Gradient) are the most vulnerable sites of plaques. For the cases of consecutive stenoses, results show that displacement of the secondary plauque does not have any effect on the flow pattern. Moreover, the effect of the progression and the area reduction percentage of the consecutive stenoses were studied numerically. It was concluded that the progression of the first and the second stenoses creates high alterations in WSS and velocity distribution and increases the vulnerability of creation of new plaques. Furthermore, the pulsatile property of blood was considered. An accurate velocity waveform was implemented to predict the pulsatile behavior of blood. Results significantly vary from those of the laminar analysis in terms of velocity distribution and the magnitude of the maximum velocity. The flow patterns are studied for several time sections in one period.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


In this work, a new method was introduced to improve the dispersion of the reduced graphene oxides (rGOs) in polymer host, and the corresponding electrical properties of the composites were discussed. The method was related to incorporation of the third component ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA) into the poly(l-lactide) (PLLA)/rGOs composites. Because of a better affinity of the rGOs to the EVA than the PLLA, rGOs were attracted to adsorb on the EVA particles. Consequently, homogeneous dispersion of the EVA particles directed a better dispersion of the rGOs in polymer host. In this case, compared with the PLLA/rGOs binary composite, the ternary composite showed a 10 orders decrease of electrical resistance with a lower electrical percolation threshold than that of the binary composite. This work opens up a viable strategy to the melt blending of polymer/graphene composites with good dispersion and markedly improved properties. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1051–1059, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers


Wearable technologies are increasingly evolving into omnipresent companions. They become smaller and less obtrusive while at the same time their list of features constantly expands. Companies such as Samsung, Jawbone and Apple have driven the technological progress, yet information and feedback on how these devices work in real-life settings, what challenges users are facing, and where they see potentials for improvement, remain somewhat under-explored. This paper therefore wants to highlight the need for more 'in the wild' user studies so as to better understand and consequently define the design space for wearable technology.


Chinese philosophy knowledge theory cannot be really demonstrated until it eliminates western traditional knowledge theory.Led by Mencius,Confucianism advocates that moral state become the primary requirement of understanding and truth can only be presented by benevolence."Benevolence"gave expression to loving affection and thus the understanding process of knowing each other among all forms of life.And likewise,as being of self,others and everything,truth could only be displayed in the course of listening,accessing and blending with benevolence.Therefore,Chinese philosophy can not maintain its own characteristics in the course of establishing its knowledge theory until we keep enough tension between moral state and the thought of understanding.


We introduce Class Distribution Monitoring (CDM), an effective concept-drift detection scheme that monitors the class-conditional distributions of a datastream. In particular, our solution leverages multiple instances of an online and nonparametric change-detection algorithm based on QuantTree. CDM reports a concept drift after detecting a distribution change in any class, thus identifying which classes are affected by the concept drift. This can be precious information for diagnostics and adaptation. Our experiments on synthetic and real-world datastreams show that when the concept drift affects a few classes, CDM outperforms algorithms monitoring the overall data distribution, while achieving similar detection delays when the drift affects all the classes. Moreover, CDM outperforms comparable approaches that monitor the classification error, particularly when the change is not very apparent. Finally, we demonstrate that CDM inherits the properties of the underlying change detector, yielding an effective control over the expected time before a false alarm, or Average Run Length (ARL0).


Introduction The EQ5D5L, a generic health status measure, is responsive to pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in those with COPD (1), however responsiveness in other pathologies is not known. As a utility index (UI) it can be used to establish the cost effectiveness of PR programmes, many of which are not uni-pathology. The applicability and outcomes of EQ5D5L in a 'real life' multi-pathology PR programme is described. Aim To assess the responsiveness of the EQ5D5L in a UK PR service which includes those with varied respiratory diagnoses. Methods The EQ5D5L UI and visual analogue scale (VAS), Anchor question, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) and either the six-minute or incremental shuttle walk test (6 MWT; ISWT) were completed by patients pre- and post-PR from October 2016 to July 2018. Changes in outcomes are reported as mean ±SD. Paired t-tests were used to test within subject differences and Spearman's correlation to test for associations. Results 131 patients (mean age 66±16; 76% COPD; FEV160%±22% predicted) completed PR. Following PR, there were significant improvements in CAT (3.1±6.7, p<0.001), 6 MWT (51.8±82.7 m; p=0.001), ISWT (73.8±77.2; p<0.001), EQ5D5L VAS (4.8%±20.7%, p=0.01) and UI (0.048±0.19, p=0.004). There were significant weak correlations between changes in Anchor score and EQ5D5L UI (R=−0.309; p=0.001) and VAS (R=−0.269; p=0.004) respectively. Conclusions These findings show the EQ5D5L is responsive to a 'real life' PR programme. The observed improvements are below or at the lower limits of reported minimal important differences (MID) for VAS and UI, 6.5% to 10.1% and 0.037 to 0.109, respectively.1 This may indicate that the MID differs in those with diagnoses other than COPD. The EQ5D5L may be of use as a PR quality indicator and may provide a novel approach to allow PR services to evaluate their cost-effectiveness. Further work to determine the MID and responsiveness in a mixed population is required. ReferenceNolan CM, Longworth L, Lord J, Canavan JL, Jones SE, Kon SS, et al. The EQ-5D-5L health status questionnaire in COPD: validity, responsiveness and minimum important difference. Thorax 2016;71(6):493–500.


By literature materials,interviewing and questionnaire,this paper analyzes the academic,researching and instructing competence of college athletics coaches in Shandong province.It aims at providing a reference to the construction of college athletics coach team in Shandong province.


As automation has taken over more of the procedural aspects of work and as the complexity and the pace of change in the workplace has increased the human's role with respect to safety has changed. The human's ability to follow procedures without error is becoming less important, and the human's ability to generate new procedures in response to changes or to situations that were not anticipated in the design of the system becomes increasingly more important. In other words, automation has taken over many of the routines that reflect inner control loops in advanced technical systems leaving humans to deal with the outer, adaptive control loops. The information processing model, with its emphasis on internal processing limits, may not be the best framework for thinking about this new role. Instead, a "meaning processing" framework might better address the generative and creative demands of adapting to dynamic work environments.


What are the transportation needs of working women and how can public transportation systems be designed to facilitate women's work trips? This research examines the reliance on various transportation modes for women of different race and ethnicity. While the vast majority of working women in the U.S. commute by car, a significant fraction rely on other transportation modes, particularly in metropolitan areas. Using PUMS data for the New York metropolitan region, the authors analyze how the mode of transportation used in traveling to work varies by gender, race, residential location, and direction of commuting trip. They also estimate the impacts of economic status, household responsibilities, and access to automobiles on mode decisions for African-American, Latina, and white women. The results, which indicate that differences among women in transit mode are at least as large as the well-known differences between men and women, emphasize the diversity of women's transportation needs. The research focuses on the New York metropolitan region, an area with a diverse population and an extensive, well-developed mass transit network.


The economy always run in uncertainty surroundings. We must take useful internal control to deal with uncertainty.Firstly it must be satisfied to the corporation organization;secondly the information of internal control communication can be helpful to reduce uncertainty.


ABSTRACT This mixed-methods study aimed to evaluate, from hospitality practitioners' perspectives, the relevance of academic research to practice and the effectiveness of dissemination of research. Other objectives included exploring practitioners' information sources and how academic research can reach a wider practitioner audience and make an impact on the industry. The quantitative results revealed that respondents' most common sources of information were company and personal networks, and the least common sources were academic journals and conferences. Academic journal readership and interest in research collaboration remained low among practitioners. Yet they considered the prevalent hospitality and tourism research topics relevant. This conflicting result implies the need to review four main themes that emerged in the qualitative analysis—content, topic, accessibility, and method of academic research. The study also found associations between certain demographic characteristics and frequency of reading academic journals. Implications for hospitality education and program design are discussed.


Free vibrations of a composite membrane with a hexagonal lattice circular inclusion are investigated. We aim at a study of the lower frequency spectrum, i.e. it is assumed that the minimum space period of the eigenform is essentially larger than the characteristic dimension of the cell periodicity of the analyzed structure. This implies a possibility of approximating the composite structure by the homogenized one with effective characteristics. The latter is yielded by the multi-scale homogenization approach. Introduction of slow and fast variables yields both counterpart quasistatic local problem regarding the periodically repeated cell and global (homogenized) dynamic problem for homogeneous material with effective properties. The most complicated part of this approach concerns in finding a solution to the local problem. It has been analytically found in the presented paper for relatively large inclusion sizes using lubrication approach. The performed numerical validation of the obtained results shows high accuracy of the implemented approach.


A D-band gain-boosted current-bleeding down-conversion mixer is presented in this letter using 65 nm CMOS technology. The proposed downconversion mixer uses a gain-boosted current-bleeding technique to improve the conversion gain for low power chip to chip communication with a low local oscillator (LO) power. Broadband Marchand baluns were used to transform a single-ended signal to a differential signal at the RF and LO port for measurement. According to experimental results, the proposed mixer had a measured conversion gain of -12 ± 1 dB at a frequency range from 113 to 127 GHz with an ultra-low LO power of -9 dBm using a gain-boosted current bleeding technique. The LO-to-RF isolation was better than -30 dB. This core chip occupies 350 × 320 μm2. The power consumption is 6 mW from a 1 V supply voltage.


There are numerous models of varying complexities which seek to efficiently represent the voice source signal. These models are typically based on data and observations which can come from air-flow masks, electroglottographs, mechanical systems, and the inverse-filtering of speech signals. The first part of this study examines observations from the high-speed imaging of the larynx and proposes a new source model, which is shown to provide a better fit for the observed data than existing models. The proposed source model is then used in an automatic source estimation application, based on methods introduced in an earlier study [1]. Results, on average, show that the proposed model provides a more accurate estimation of the source signal compared with the Liljencrants-Fant model.


Africa is a particularly vulnerable continent to the effects of climate and environmental changes. Several tree planting projects were launched as one of the plausible solutions to climate action. This paper reviews the recent tree planting projects in African cities, initiated between 2009 to 2021, focusing on analyzing the expected benefits to the populations. Indeed, these projects have become a widespread instrument to promise planning solutions for many African countries given the expected improvements to mitigate air pollution, carbon sequestration, and the conditions of cities for the health and wellbeing of their citizens. The consequences of uncontrolled urbanization in Africa also stress the importance of better planning of green spaces. African cities should reconsider urban planning with a clear focus on the role of green infrastructures because of their extensive social benefits and supportive capacity for any significant sustainable development. While these projects seem to be a promising initiative and are expected to deliver beneficial ecosystem services to citizens, there are still some loopholes that this paper highlights.


Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) has been used after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) based on limited clinical data suggesting PGE1 infusion improves immediate hepatic allograft function. The aim of this study was to conduct a randomized double-blinded multicenter trial to evaluate the effect of PGE1 on early hepatic and renal function in patients undergoing OLT. METHODS: One hundred eighteen patients were randomized to receive either PGE1 or crystalloid placebo intravenously after allograft revascularization. Primary end points were incidence of primary allograft nonfunction (PNF) or severe renal dysfunction. RESULTS: The incidence of PNF was 6.7% (4 of 60) and 6.9% (4 of 58) in the control and PGE1 groups, respectively. PGE1 infusion was, however, associated with improved early renal function (mean peak creatinine level of 1.4 +/- 1.0 and 2.0 +/- 1.0 in patients treated with PGE1 and placebo, respectively; P


Brewing beer involves a number of steps to produce this popular alcoholic drink. Nowadays, the brewing industry has improved the techniques by automating most of the processes where usually humans use to take decisions. However, in small-scale breweries, the process is still been monitored and controlled by humans. One of the most important parts is the Sensory Panel test. This involves a human measurement of the quality of the beer in each batch produced. This information is useful for the brewers who can make decisions based in this analysis. This testing is very subjective and difficult to reproduce since it depends only on the panellist impression and experience.
Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) are computational models, which can accurately predict, classify and organize database on mathematical algorithms. They have been developed and used since 1943. As a result, today many industries have adopted this method to improve the process in different areas. For instance, human decisions making, which involves many subjective aspects, is one of the areas where ANN have the best potential of application. ANNs work similarly as the brain, simulating the neurons synapsis and the way they compute information. ANNs and their ability to learn is what makes this new tendency very popular worldwide.
The aim of this project is to use ANNs in order to predict beer taste quality in a particular brewing company. This report will present how the data was collected, a description of an ANN and its relevant parts, the method used for training, the experiments performed, the analysis of the architectures generated, the description of the algorithm used for the training, the programming and all the components related with the functional aspects of the prototype.


Results. The response rate was 52 %. The ambulance workers regarded the most problematic relationships to be with nurses and doctors in the out-ofhours services and with doctors at accident sites and in other emergency situations. 78 % of the ambulance workers claimed that their own occupational group has the highest competence in practical handling of patients with acute disease and injuries outside of hospitals. Nevertheless, only 19 % of them felt that occupational groups with whom they cooperate appreciate their competence.


The
authors report quantitative findings from a meta-analysis of studies
investigating the relationship between attachment style, grounded in theory
developed by Bowlby and Ainsworth; and Snyder's theoretical model of hope (Ainsworth &
Bowlby, 1991; Snyder, 1994). Statistically significant results provide support for further
investigation of clinical value of the attachment/hope dynamic as an effective
heuristic for conceptualizing human development, behavior and the therapeutic
process.


Handel Kashope Wright is co-editor of the University of Ottawa book series African and Diasporic Cultural Studies, editorial board member of several journals, including Topia and the Canadian Journal of Education and has published widely on Africana cultural studies, critical multiculturalism, qualitative research and curriculum theorizing, including most recently, the co-edited book Africa, Cultural Studies and Difference (2011, Routledge).


Aims: Chronic cocaine abuse decreases the inhibitory synaptic transmission via unknown mechanisms, while pharmacologically augmenting gamma-aminobutyric acid-ergic (GABAergic) transmission attenuates cocaine craving. Here, we propose that prolonged cocaine withdrawal downregulates GABAergic transmission and its important regulator gephyrin in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), in cocaine-conditioned place-preference (CPP) rats. Methods: CPP test, patch clamp, and Western blot analysis are engaged to test this proposal. Results: Two-week cocaine withdrawal further increased CPP score, as compared to the 24-hour withdrawn group. The amplitude of GABAergic inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) was decreased in 2-week-withdrawn mPFC neurons from cocaine-CPP rats, compared to that of saline-CPP rats. Two-week withdrawal did not alter the amplitude of glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in mPFC in cocaine-CPP rats. Two-week withdrawal increased the ratio of EPSCs/IPSCs (E/I) in the same mPFC neuron in cocaine-CPP rats. In addition, Western blots showed 2-week cocaine-withdrawn down-regulated gephyrin at postsynaptic density (PSD) sites of mPFC. Conclusion: We found decreased GABAergic IPSCs and downregulated gephyrin in PSD at mPFC in 2-week cocaine-withdrawn rats that showed increased CPP, suggesting that an increased E/I ratio and neuron excitability in mPFC may associate with a cocaine-seeking tendency. Strategies aimed at GABAergic synapses in mPFC may therapeutically benefit to cocaine addiction treatment.


We propose a method for 2D multiple beam generation without causing extraneous beams in the ASTRO architecture. By simply adding a circular light block (spatial filter) at the center of the polygon mirror on the ASTRO true time delay generator, all the extraneous beams can be removed without requiring additional hardware. Experimental results to prove the concepts will be described with related analyses.


This study aimed to assess the protective effect of cinnamic acid (CA) and cinnamaldehyde (CD) against cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity. A single dose of cisplatin (5 mg/kg), injected intraperitoneally to male rats, caused significant increases in serum urea, creatinine levels, and lipid peroxides measured as the malondialdehyde content of kidney, with significant decreases in serum albumin, reduced glutathione, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase) of kidney as compared with the control group. On the other hand, administration of CA (50 mg/kg, p.o.) or CD (40 mg/kg, p.o.) for 7 days before cisplatin ameliorated the cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity as indicated by the restoration of kidney function and oxidative stress parameters. Furthermore, they reduced the histopathological changes induced by cisplatin. In conclusion, CA and CD showed protective effects against cisplatin‐induced nephrotoxicity where CD was more effective than CA; affects that might be attributed to their antioxidant activities.


In order to predict the export rate of Olgomeric proanthocyanidins(OPC),we analyse the extraction process of OPC by extraction kinetics,with the conclusion of several factors affecting the export rate of OPC.An prediction model of export rate of OPC based on BP neural network was set up with four selected inputs factors: Material volume,extraction agent volume,temperature and Vibration time.Compared with mode of square polynomial equation,Artificial neural network simulation mode showed that the relative error on average was 2.73%,which was decreased by 42.8% in contrast with that of the mode of square polynomial equation.Therefore,the artificial neural network simulation mode well coincided with experimental results with high precision,and the BP neural network was an effective way to predict the export rate of OPC.With further development,this model is able to provide scientific basis for industrial design.


The mechanisms of H–H and N–H bond cleavages of dihydrogen and ammonia mediated by the diiridium μ2-imido complex [(Cp*Ir)2(μ2-H)(μ2-NH)]+ (A; Cp* = η5-C5Me5) were theoretically investigated with the density functional theory (DFT) method. Both oxidative addition and metal–ligand cooperation modes have been studied for H–H and N–H bond cleavages, respectively. The H–H bond cleavage most likely occurs through competitive oxidative addition and metal–ligand cooperation, and both cleavage modes have similar overall free energy barriers (24.3 and 25.7 kcal/mol, respectively). The ligand-assisted N–H bond heterolytic cleavage mechanism is proposed for the NH3 reaction, and the general oxidative addition pathway can be reasonably ruled out, as it is kinetically unfavorable.


Twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a significant pest of peanut, Arachis hypogeae L., that continues to present problems as an induced pest despite recent widespread implementation of IPM practices. Effects of ozone (O3) on reproduction of twospotted spider mites feeding on an O3-sensitive clone and an O3-resistant clone of white clover, Trifolium repens L., were investigated in a greenhouse in continuous-stirred tank reactor chambers. Mite eggs of narrow age distribution (approximately 6 h) were placed on white clover plants exposed to 5 treatment levels of O3. Constant amounts of O3 were added to charcoal-filtered air for 6 h per day to achieve 5 mean concentrations ranging from 10 to 112 nl per liter. Plants were exposed to O3 approximately 9 d before infestation with mites; daily exposures continued for approximately 20 d after mite infestation. The developmental stage of each mite was recorded at approximately 2-d intervals until females were sexually mature (approximately 10 d) and began ovipositing. Thereafter, the cumulative number of eggs produced per mite was recorded. After approximately 5 d of oviposition, each adult mite was removed and the percentage hatch of eggs remaining on each plant was measured for an additional 5 d. Ozone caused more chlorosis and necrosis on the O3-sensitive clover clone than on the O3-resistant clover clone. Increasing O3 levels caused a significant linear decrease in developmental period of the mites. Estimates of time to 1st oviposition decreased linearly with increasing O3. Estimates of time of 1st hatch of 2nd-generation eggs decreased linearly with increasing O3. Elevated O3 levels appear to decrease the time required for female mites to develop from egg to ovipositing adult, which may have a profound effect on the intrinsic rate of population increase. Different responses by mites feeding on resistant plants versus susceptible plants suggests that this is a plant-mediated response.


Background:Sports has been evolving since time unknown, in recent times the development had been taking place through grassroot development, infrastructure development, sports facility development, sports performance development, but one thing which everyone has missed out on was the development of the sport through volunteering.Methods: The main objective of this research paper was to study the development of sports through sports volunteering. The samples of volunteers from Maharashtra Open, an international tennis tournament hosted in India had been explored.Conclusion:The results from the research helped in understanding that there is way more potential in developing sports by increasing the interest of the game than producing changes within the sport.


The invention discloses a heat pipe radiator, which comprises a heat pipe and radiating fins. The evaporation end of the radiator is provided with a hollow square sealed box body; the inner wall of the sealed box body is provided with a capillary working medium passage in accordance with the inner wall of a heat pipe; the side wall of the sealed box body is provided with a connecting hole connected with the heat pipe; and one end of the heat pipe is fixedly connected with a sealed cavity at the connecting hole. An LED chip is directly encapsulated on the surface of the sealed box body of the heat pipe radiator. The heat pipe radiator has the advantages of large contact area between the evaporation end and a heating element, full heating and capabilities of fully exerting the efficiency of the radiator and increasing the heat transfer capability of the radiator by using a plurality of heat pipes. An LED lamp manufactured by using the radiator has a few intermediate heat transfer paths and high heat transfer rate, improves the luminous efficiency of the LED chip and prolongs the service life of the LED chip so that the power of the lamp manufactured by using a high-power LED integrated light source can be promoted to over 100 watts.


An approach to automaUc theorem proving using matmgs of arbitrary sentences is discussed No use is made of conjunctive normal form (clauses) or prenex normal form, since these forms tend to introduce superfluous redundancy, complicate the search for a proof, and impede analysis of the essential logical structure of the proposed theorem. A complete exposition of the logical foundations of theorem proving via general matmgs is given, starting with proofs of appropriate versions of Herbrand's Theorem. It is shown that one may restrict quantifier duphcat,on to outermost quanUfiers without loss of completeness, though with possible loss of efficmncy. General matmgs could be used as the basis for a variety of theorem-proving procedures, and there are many opportunmes for research m this area. A procedure using the criterion of path acceptability for mattngs is discussed. This criterion ~s easily VlSUahzed m terms of a two-dimensional format for formulas. An implementation by Eve Cohen has yielded encouraging preliminary results. Some implementation issues are discussed.


Using monthly headline inflation data covering 184 countries for the period between January 1971 and December 2020, this paper investigates the role of standard gravity variables on inflation convergence across country pairs. The convergence analysis by unit root tests is based on ten-year rolling windows to control for potential structural changes over time, whereas the corresponding results are connected to the standard gravity variables in the preceding year to investigate the drivers of inflation convergence and its speed. Regarding the existence of inflation convergence, empirical results show that having a common currency, a free trade agreement, proximity, a common border, or a colonial relationship between countries increases the probability of inflation convergence. Regarding the speed of inflation convergence, the very same gravity variables are shown to reduce the half-life of convergence. In both cases, the effects of having a common currency are shown to dominate those of other gravity variables.


SYNOPSIS. Specific states of insects adapted to specific environmental conditions are often based on specific hormone levels. Extrinsic control of the activity of endocrine glands and of the breakdown mechanisms of hormones are at the base of these relations. This control is exerted by environmental tokens, such as photoperiod, food conditions, or population density. Some examples are given from adult diapause in the Colorado potato beetle, caste differentiation in the honey bee, and larval growth in Bupalus piniarius .

The ecological aspects of juvenoid insect growth regulations are as important as the physiological aspects to determine their practical value. An example is given in the control of some leafrollers in apple culture, which is only feasible in isolated orchards.


Lignin is the main by-product of pulp and papermaking and is not effectively utilized. Conversion of industrial lignins into value-added materials is beneficial for the effective utilization of resources as well as for environmental protection. Because of their adsorptivity, slow-release property, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, lignin and its derivatives find potential applications as eco-friendly slow/controlled release materials in agricultural fields. This report reviews the recent research advances in lignin-based slow/ controlled release fertilizers and pesticides.


Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) systems have been used on a project-specific basis for the last two decades. They are now becoming a widely accepted method of strengthening concrete structures. The acceptance and utilization of these new strengthening techniques depend on the availability of clear design guidelines, installation procedures and construction specifications. Standard specifications exist for all commonly used traditional materials in civil engineering structures. At this time, design specifications for FRP use are still under development. The results of several experimental investigations have shown that FRP systems can be effective for increasing ductility and strength to structural members such as columns and girders. As most of the research focused on strengthening of axial members of flexural members, there are less experimental and analytical data on the use of FRP systems for shear strengthening of girders. Shear strengthening with FRP is still under investigation and the results obtained thus far are scarce and sometimes controversial. Even in traditional reinforced concrete members without FRP, the shear design is a complex challenge and uses more empirical methods as compared to axial and flexural design methods. Adding FRP to the equation, with its specific design issues, would bring another level of complication in the design. These FRP-related shear design issues and lack of comprehensive analytical and experimental models are the main motivation for this research project. Thus, a thorough understanding of the shear design problem along with the development of an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design method for FRP shear strengthening of concrete girders is needed. As such, the objective of this project is to develop design methods, specifications, and examples for design of FRP systems for strengthening concrete girders in shear. The proposed specifications will be in Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) format and will be suitable for recommendation to the AASHTO Highway Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures for adoption.


Entire arrangement progress femtocells characterize a right likely response to the constantly increasing transmission constrain demand of adaptable areas. They could be clearly passed on without requesting a focal expecting to pass on the high information speed orchestrate through aim perfect scope. The Femtocells are low power, actuallesser and cost in real cell base district utilized in the inside condition. Regardless, the impact of the Femtocells is the introduction of the straight Macrocell structure indications impediment issue among the Femtocells also earlier Macrocellsby strategy for they can part of the similar approved rehash run. The Frequency Reuse is a centrality of sending the rehash supply distribution upon station's place to recuperate framework limit. This paper, a fit strategy to develop structure restrict through inter vent ionorganization in the current Femto Macro 2layer systems has been planned. In the planned system, a original rehash saving for 2layersthe cell organizes by systems for rehash reuse technique is utilized wherever Macro base placesallot rehash subgroups portrayed out for the Femtocells operators on demand based one the Femtocells base places toward stop impedance.


An object of the present invention to provide a low-temperature fixing property, offset property and developing durability is excellent and the toner resin composition for toner, yirueojyeoseo a review of the present invention, the following binder resin for toner has the saliency. A binder resin for toner of the present invention, Insoluble in tetrahydrofuran and having a specific structure of polyester component and, It characterized in that it contains the component soluble in the polyester in tetrahydrofuran having a specific branched structure. A binder resin for toner of the present invention, because of the particular structure of the above, is excellent in low-temperature fixing property, offset property, in recent years, it is possible to realize a high-speed printing possible that a large demand on the market toner. In addition, the binder resin for toner of the present invention, for manufacturing, it is preferable that the reaction in the presence of the wax. A binder resin for a toner containing a wax is obtained, while having a high low-temperature fixing property and offset property in balance, it is possible to provide a toner excellent also grindability. In addition, it is possible that the recycling of PET as a raw material, can contribute to recycling companies.


Rare-earth giant magnetostrictive materials (GMM) are a type of new functional materials. A brief description is given of the history of giant magnetostrictive materials; and their characteristics are compared with those of piezoelectric materials. Current research developments are described, in particular: (1) fabrication technology, includingthe Czochraski, FSZ, Bridgman, powder-sintering and powder-bonding methods; (2) composition studies of GMM, including the substitution for Fe in RFe 2 and exploitation of light rare-earth GMM. Applications and the importance of GMM research in China are reviewed.


Carlsson, S. G. & Larsson, K. Intromission frequency and intromission duration in the male rat mating behavior. Scand, J. Psychol., 1962, 3, 189–191.—The male rat attains ejaculation after repeatedly mounting and penetrating the receptive female. By artificially prolonging the intervals of rest separating the intromissions the male is made to ejaculate after fewer intromissions than occurs when he copulates ad libitum. It was found that the reduction in intromission frequency was accompanied by an increase in intromission duration.


A discussion of the methods used for the atomic spectroscopic determination of barium, cadmium, zinc, and phosphorus in vinyl stabilizers is presented. Comparison with aqueous measurements shows that the determination in organic media by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES) is the most desirable analytical approach for these samples. Evaluation of a variety of potential materials shows well-characterized in-house products to be viable, and even preferred, reference materials for the verification of the accuracy of these analyses. Alternative analytical techniques, interlaboratory comparisons, and the use of control charts are also discussed.


ABSTRACT The potential of solar energy applications is discussed against the background of future energy needs. Large-scale applications for energy production with wind, ocean thermal gradients, solar thermal power plants and photovoltaic energy conversion are reviewed. The energy conservation potential of near-term approaches including house heating and cooling is emphasized. Components, systems and cost comparisons are given and solar heating and cooling costs compared for various regions of the United States. The architectural approaches to incorporating solar heating and cooling systems in buildings are outlined. Specific programs designed to introduce solar house heating and cooling on a substantial scale are discussed.


This paper investigates the determinants of the high bank spreads observed in the Caribbean over the financially liberalised period of the 1990s. A theoretical model is formulated and tested using panel data. Among other factors, market power is found to be one of the main influences on these large spreads. A major conclusion of the paper is that to reduce interest rate spreads, alternatives to commercial banks' loans should be encouraged, and the recent move to impose monetary regulations on non-banks be discouraged.


In this work, a mathematical framework is developed to describe some of the important intermediate wetting states of a superhydrophobic surface between the two extreme states of Cassie and Wenzel. The superhydrophobic surfaces considered here are comprised of sharp-edged polygonal pores or posts. Two different critical pressures are defined in this work, and used to distinguish pinned, partially pinned, and de-pinned air–water interfaces from one another. This information, in particular, is used to develop predictive expressions for the critical pressure and wetted area of the surfaces. Good agreement is observed between the predictions of our expressions and those obtained from numerical calculations or experiment. The work presented here compares the pressure-dependent performances of the superhydrophobic surfaces having different pore or post designs with one another.


My goal is to contribute to the discussion of how elementary education and labor activities contribute to the mathematical literacy of people. I examine some aspects of how youths and adults acquire mathematical knowledge and tools, both through elementary-education programs and through engaging in occupations that do not require much schooling. I focus on the concept of proportionality because it cuts across elementary education, it serves as a base for more advanced mathematics, and it is an asset for work and for interaction in different fields of social activity. I explain how the Mexican educational system fails to accomplish one of its fundamental obligations: to ensure that the people it serves obtain the symbolic tools that are necessary for enhancing their mathematical thinking, and their ways of relating to the world. I also explain how some occupational and commercial activities contribute to people's development of mathematical knowledge and skills that are useful for dealing with problems that emerge in specific contexts. However, I argue that it is important to keep in mind that the latter kind of learning is strongly situated and has limitations worth pointing out.


Climate change is extensively affecting ice sheets resulting in accelerating mass loss in recent decades. Assessment of this reduction and its causes is required to project future ice mass loss. Annual snow accumulation is an important component of the surface mass balance of ice sheets. While in situ snow accumulation measurements are temporally and spatially limited due to their high cost, airborne radar sounders can achieve ice sheet wide coverage by capturing and tracking annual snow layers in the radar images or echograms. In this paper, we use deep learning to uniquely identify the position of each annual snow layer in the Snow Radar echograms taken across different regions over the Greenland ice sheet. We train with more than 15,000 images generated from radar echograms and estimate the thickness of each snow layer within a mean absolute error of 0.54 to 7.28 pixels, depending on dataset. A highly precise snow layer thickness can help improve weather models and, thus, support glaciological studies. Such a well-trained deep learning model can be used with ever-growing datasets to aid in the accurate assessment of snow accumulation on the dynamically changing ice sheets.


Existing literature on the work of the elementary school teacher tends to be based on the assumption that the organizational work context is the self-contained class room and that this situation leads to certain types of orientations with respect to the occupational task. Underlying this literature is the implicit hypothesis that other work contexts would produce different work orientations. This paper presents a means of testing this implicit hypothesis and applies it to a sample of 24 elementary schools and their teaching staffs The results do not bear out the implied assumptions and hypotheses of existing literature, suggesting that further inquiry should be carried out on more adequate samples. Toward the latter end, some of the possible sources of variation in the present data are explored as a guide to future research.


This case study describes a technical-professional press in online media publishing, and the evolution of this sector from the beginnings of internet as a channel for information and publicity to the present. New online advertising formats have been added, always conditioned by advertising campaigns conducted in paper publications, and new strategies as evolving for the future, as they develop new profiles, position themselves, and compete openly with other organizations with similar characteristics.


The laser processing method and laser processing apparatus of the present invention provide a melt occurs, or departing from the cutting dividing lines on the surface of the object while cutting the object, wherein, under conditions which cause multiphoton absorption and the object to be processed (1) is irradiated with laser light (P), a surface (3) of the object (1) a predetermined cut line (5) of the pulse laser light (L), a converging point (P) along a dicing a line (5) is moved along the predetermined cut line (5) to form a modified region within the object (1), by starting from the modified region along the predetermined cut line (5) into the object (1 ), can be cut with a relatively small force to the object (1), since during the irradiation of the laser (L), the surface of the object (1) is hardly absorbed by the upper (3) a pulsed laser (L), thus even if the modified region formed does not melt the surface (3).


In order to select appropriate structure and supporting position of the mounting rack for the diesel generator set,with reference to the load-carrying states of the mounting rack,two design options were raised after analyzing the troubles of the mounting rack occurred in the locomotive operation.To compare the feasibilities of the two design options,the finite element method was used to calculate and analyze the strength and stiffness of the mounting racks.Analysis results indicate that the strength and vertical stiffness for the all two design options can meet design requirements,but the option A is better than the option B in torsional stiffness.


Simulation and high tech computing are considered as the third means to change the world together with theory studying and experimental technology.It has become an subject which plays an important role in the economy and construction.As the advanced part of the simulation,it's necessary to use the Virtual Reality sufficiently in education.


5018 Background: The optimal management of patients (pts) with complete response (CR) after first-line chemotherapy remains unsettled with guidelines recommending either surveillance or retroperitoneal LN dissection (RPLND). We present long-term outcomes from a large dataset of pts managed with surveillance after achieving CR to first-line chemotherapy. Methods: The prospectively maintained Indiana University testicular cancer database was queried for pts with metastatic NSGCT treated between 1990-2017 who achieved a CR after first-line chemotherapy. CR was defined as normalization of tumor markers (AFP+hCG) and no residual mass > 1cm. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to analyze progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Results: 388 pts met eligibility and were included in this analysis. Median age at diagnosis was 28.4 (range, 13-61.5). Primary site was testis in 385 pts (99%). Primary tumor predominant histology was embryonal ca (241), mixed (61), seminoma (31), yolk sac tumor (20), choriocarcinoma (10), and teratoma (14). 126 pts (32.5%) had teratoma in the primary tumor. Metastasis sites were retroperitoneum (295), mediastinal LN (15), pulmonary (149), liver (15), bone (7), and brain (6). IGCCCG risk was good in 325, intermediate in 25, and poor in 32 pts. Pre-chemotherapy retroperitoneal LN size was available in 232 pts: < 3cm in 170 and ≥3cm in 62. Median pre-chemo AFP was 10.7 (1-31,000) and hCG was 16.5 (0-595,930). First-line chemo was BEPx3 in 274, BEPx4 in 30, other regimens in 82 pts. With a median follow-up of 3.9 yrs, 34 pts (8.8%) progressed. At most recent follow-up, 363 (93.6%) pts were alive with no evidence of disease and 10 pts (2.6%) died of their disease. The estimated 2-yr PFS was 90.1% (95% CI: 86.2-93%) and 2-yr OS was 97.8% (95% CI: 95.2-99%). The estimated 2-yr PFS by IGCCCG risk category was 90.4% for good vs 90.4% for intermediate vs 86.5% for poor risk (p = 0.23), and the estimated 2-yr OS was 98.6% for good vs 95.5% for intermediate vs 92.9% for poor risk disease respectively (p = 0.002). For the 34 pts who progressed on surveillance, 16 (4%) progressed in the retroperitoneum only. 3 pts had malignant transformation of teratoma to PNET, adenocarcinoma, or other elements. 11 of progressed pts were treated with surgery, 12 were treated with salvage chemo, and 11 were treated with surgery+chemo. At most recent follow up, 21 of progressed pts had NED, 10 had died of disease, and 3 were lost to follow up. Conclusions: Pts with metastatic NSGCT who achieve CR after first-line chemotherapy can be safely observed with surveillance. Most pts who relapse can be salvaged with surgery and/or chemotherapy.


First paragraph of the chapter: The crowd is dense, circulating around the exhibits, eddying between the monkey cages and the barriers that protect the patches of lawn. It is the second day of post-Ramadan holidays at the Giza Zoo. Hundreds of picnicking families and romantic couples get up from off lawn that is technically "closed to the public." Using a thick black hose, a zoo gardener inundates the area with a spray of water. "Move out! Stay outside!" But hardly has he turned his back to pick up some trash, when visitors again cross the border of this little island of green, walking with precaution toward the center of what is now a marsh in the middle of which rises a floral composition of palms and cement. Among the adventurers, two young couples: the boys are carrying cameras, and the two girls wearing head-scarves pick up their long skirts a little in order not to spot them with mud. Together, the two girls pause in front of the palms, but this is only the preliminary to a more studied pose. The competing adolescents are already monopolizing a useful part of the decor (the trunk of a dead tree): "Give me my dark glasses for the photo!" One of the couples decides to pose farther away, where the sunlight of the end of the day pierces some foliage. The boy and the girl lean symmetrically on one of the park's floral lamps; the plants form the backdrop. The girl readjusts her blouse, smooths down her dress, straightens the pleats of her skirt and, finally, immobile, both of them look straight ahead at the camera lens. A little ill at ease, the boy only brightens his expression at the instant of the flash. The girl, gently smiling, seems defiant. Following the flash, the pose is kept a few seconds too long. Then all seem relieved.


A dual two-phase Ni3Al-Ni3V intermetallic alloy with a nominal composition of Ni75.0Al7.5V15.0Nb2.5 (at%) doped with 50 mass ppm boron was synthesized by the powder metallurgy process using elemental powders. Raw powder mixture was sintered at temperatures from 1073 K to 1373 K by the pulse current sintering method and then annealed in a vacuum at 1553 K for 3 h. The dual two-phase intermetallic alloy whose microstructure exhibits the cuboidal primary Ni3Al phase and the surrounding channel region composed of Ni3Al and Ni3V phases, and contains neither voids nor intermediate products were obtained by sintering at a high temperature of 1373 K and by subsequent annealing at 1553 K. Also, the well synthesized and annealed samples showed finer grain sizes, i.e., about 30 μm than the cast alloys fabricated by the ingot metallurgy process. The hardness of the synthesized samples increased with increasing sintering temperature and also by the subsequent annealing at 1553 K.


A carbon calorimeter is described which has been used to measure the energy locally absorbed from beams of X radiation generated at 4, 7·5, 14 and 20 MV and from γ rays from 60Co. The calorimeter is of the isothermal twin type and does not need a thermostatic bath. The calorimetric measurements have been compared with ionization in a carbon chamber of known volume. The calorimeter and chamber were designed to be as similar as possible, so that they measure, to the same degree of approximation, the energy absorption at a point in a block of carbon and the ionization in a small cavity at the same point. With cobalt γ rays the measurements give W = 34·0 ± 0·2 eV per ion pair in air. The ionization in the carbon chamber has been compared with that in a Baldwin-Farmer chamber exposed under particular conditions in a Perspex block, and a calibration for the Baldwin-Farmer chamber in terms of absorbed dose in water has been derived.


In this work, we studied mechanisms for operation of lasers with feedback provided by scat-tering of light. We used two types of physical systems: 1 -colloids consisting of nanoparticlesand rhodamine molecules dissolved in alcohol, 2 - dielectric particles containing rhodamine. Inthe first regime, the scattering particles (nanospheres of silica surrounded by a gold nanoshell)have diameters on the order of the light wavelength and Mie theory was used to understand thebehavior of the system. In the second, we worked with silica spheres of tens of micrometers,whose behavior can be described by geometrical optics.In the first stage of the study, we found that metalic nanoshells suspended in a colloid withrhodamine contribute to enhancement of the local electromagnetic field, allowing to obtain arandom laser operating with a threshold lower than it is achieved with dielectric scatterers, andobtained considerable reduction in the emission spectral width. We performed measurementsof the emission spectrum as a function of the pumping fluence both in particle suspension ina cuvette as well as placing the suspension of particles in the core of a microstructured fiber("Random Fiber Laser"). The latter allows us to perform experiments using a concentration ofscatterers from 3 to 4 orders of magnitude lower than measurements performed with cuvettes.It was possible, in both cases to verify a reduction of line width and non-linear behavior of theluminescence, consistent with laser operation, as we wished. However, we found a decrease insignal due to ablation of nanoslells.We also studied of the mean free path of the photons in a random media. To measure themean free path, the spatial distribution of light intensity due to backscattering was analyzed.The technique, known as Coherent Backscattering of Light, is based on the consideration thatwaves traveling in time-reversed paths through a scattering medium interfere constructively,generating an intensity pattern in the direction of retro-emission, which is shaped like a cone,whose width is determined by the average distance that the photon travels through the scatteringmedia between two successive collisions. The mean free path is a important parameter for thecharacterization of random lasers.In the second stage of the work, silica spheres of tens of micrometers containing rhodaminewere individually pumped. Particles with these dimensions are able to confine the electro-magnetic field. This confinement provides a feedback mechanism for light amplification andlaser operation. The dye emission in these microstructures occurs in discrete sets of frequen-cies, according to the resonant modes of the spherical cavity, which are called WhisperingGallery Modes. This system has been studied in detail and we determined the threshold oflaser operation in such cavities.


ABSTRACT Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has been a kind of particularly attractive piezoelectric materials for its excellent piezoelectric property. It has been proven that the piezoelectric property of PVDF can be improved by electrospinning. Recently, the technical innovations on the multiple aspects of preparing electrospun PVDF nanofibers such as collecting equipment and the pretreatment emerged in endlessly. The article introduces electrospinning briefly firstly and the second part of the paper introduces some recent research on the preparation of electrospun PVDF nanofibers. The researches about promising applications using electrospun PVDF nanofibers involve biomedicine, sensors, and energy harvesting due to its flexibility, biocompatibility, and outstanding performance. The last part of the paper reviews the typical research.


OF THESIS THE KENTUCKY RE-ENTRY UNIVERSAL PAYLOAD SYSTEM (KRUPS): ORBITAL FLIGHT Due to the uniqueness of atmospheric entry environments, ground facilities cannot accurately replicate re-entry conditions. Consequently, scientists primarily rely on numerical models to predict these conditions and inform Thermal Protection System (TPS) designs. These models often lack flight validation, which is necessary for increasing their fidelity. Thus, there is a substantial need to obtain such data to advance modeling capabilities. The Kentucky Re-entry Universal Payload System (KRUPS) is an adaptable testbed for scientific experimentation with initial application to TPS. This vehicle was designed at the University of Kentucky to serve as an inexpensive means of obtaining validation data to enhance models developed at the university. KRUPS will be conducting its first orbital mission in July, 2021 on board Cygnus NG-15, a resupply vehicle serving the International Space Station. This mission, dubbed Kentucky ReEntry Probe Experiment (KREPE) will provide the first set of relevant flight data for comparison and validation of computational results for the vehicle.


Software managers considering the cleanroom method are often concerned that it will require more change than the organization can assimilate smoothly. Common concerns about cleanroom are addressed and the fundamentals of introducing, implementing, and improving the cleanroom process are described. Cleanroom software engineering is a managerial and technical process for developing high quality software with certified reliability. Cleanroom covers the entire software life cycles; it provides a complete discipline within which software development teams can plan, specify, design, verify, code, test, and certify software. It approaches software development as an engineering process with mathematical foundations rather than as a trial and error programming process, and is intended to produce software with error-free designs and failure-free performance.<<ETX>>


ABSTARCT : Our paper dissert the concept of device for children. Using this device the parents can easily track the child using GSM technology. The advantage of this device is that, it does not require any expensive smart phone and the user does not need technical knowledge. In market many devices are available, but it is only using WIFI and Bluetooth with the specific range. Therefore the focus of this project is to have the SMS text alert communication between parents and the device. Thus the GSM mobile communication is almost present everywhere. The parents can send the text to the device with keywords about the "LOCATION"," TEMPERATURE"," PIR sensor" and "BUZZ " the device will reply back to the parent mobile about the real time accurate location of the child which will provide the directions of the child location in Google map app and the surrounding location temperature and the PIR sensor radiation so that the parents can keep track of child with ease. This prestige of this project is that people in the surrounding of the child could instantly react if the child is in danger. This device provides the more security for the children.