Media Cities not only a place for media production, but also have been linked to the recent surge in the popularity of 'Creative City' policies around the world during the last few years. The city centre is created with all the major and main needed facilities for the people living in that city. These media cities became the centers which help to foster creativity and innovation by making them attractive places to live, work, entertain and play. This study focuses on the building type study, preparing the area assumptions and reaching the detailed space program for each zone. In addition, this study discusses all the technical requirements and acoustics needed for the building type also the site selection and analysis. Few locations were proposed and evaluation was conducted based on site criteria. Several important zones was included in this project such as cinema, amenities, education institution, studios, administration and others services. The selected location for the project is located at north side of Jeddah, Obhur Al Shamaliah district, Saudi Arabia, also beneficial with factors of accessibility, potential future development plan and nice landscapes.


A number of financial institutes began the operations of personal financial planning service in Mainland China due to the economic development and the accumulation of family fortunes. However, compared with international development of personal financial planning, personal financial planning in Mainland China is still in a cradle without the conduct of influential and localized theoretic fruits. Individuals and families have no clear understanding to financial planning, and more they lack theoretic knowledge and practices of investment planning factors and risk management based on financial planning. By advanced financial planning theories and in a systematic way, this paper analyzed the three major factors of investment planning for personal financial planning: family life cycle, investment principles, and investor's risk appetite; and analyzed the five steps and the five types of approaches for risk management of investment planning, providing theoretic guide for investment planning in the financial planning of individual and families in China.


In this Dissertation, we have implemented Metaheuristic based search algorithms namely PSO and GSA algorithms for automatic test case generation using path testing criterion. For generation of test cases, symbolic execution method has been used in which first, target path is selected from Control Flow Graph (CFG) of Software under Test (SUT) and then inputs are generated using search algorithms which can evaluate composite predicate corresponding to the target path true. We have experimented on two real world programs showing the applicability of these techniques in genuine testing environment. The algorithm is implemented using MATLAB programming environment. The performance of the algorithms is measured using average test cases generated per path (ATCP) and average percentage coverage (APC) metrics. Number of individual or population size doesn"t affect performance much but it should be between 20 and 40 but various parameters have to be tuned inorder to get good results.


The prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal feed has been a long-held practice in intensive livestock production for maintaining animal health by controlling disease and promoting growth enhancement. However, the continuous use of antibiotics has evoked strong concerns over emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. There has been a concerted effort over the years by US, EU and Australian legislative authorities to reduce or eliminate prophylactic use of antibiotics in animal feed. In principle, these efforts are commendable; however, an alternative and effective method to managing disease must be available to ensure the health and welfare of livestock. There will likely be a greater reliance on vaccination programs to protect livestock from various infectious diseases. With respect to bacterial diseases, bacteria themselves form the core of vaccine development. In this article, an overview of bacterial vaccine technologies available to the livestock industries will be presented.


In view of the rapidly evolving changes in the world scenario, represented by information globalization and by the need of new aspects of knowledge, the success of organizations has been increasingly determined by skills, competences, talent and experience of their employees. In this way, human resources strategic management has been in the forefront of professional competence development.The findings of performance evaluation present the information needed for identifying improvement opportunities and the elaboration of action plans in relation to various levels within the organization, be them by area or by individual. One of the positive aspects of performance evaluation is its contribution to employees awareness about their own results in relation to the post they hold, which is something that every individual should possess. On the other hand, managers seldom proactively implement programmes of performance evaluation despite their understanding that the system may generally lead to improvement of their employees performance.The theoretical framework of this paper includes the following subject areas: people management, competence management, training and development, performance evaluation and performance evaluation by competence. After considering the professional competence of employees at CEI Pipa Encantada, the following favourable aspects for the implementation and maintenance of a Performance Evaluation System have been identified: knowledge (knowing), skills (know-how) and attitudes (the will to perform). The main competences of these employees are: specific theoretical knowledge in the field of child education as applied to their working area, and the relationship they hold with student parents. It is clear, however, that teams will need to adapt, to some extent, to the new administrative models so that not only common goals are identified but also individual/team targets are set and growing commitment to the building of the new paradigms is secured. The implementation of a performance evaluation programme at CEI Pipa Encantada shall promote the reflection about working processes according to different functions, behavioural change and incorporation of new values. These, in turn, should result in the construction of individual working plans which encompass knowledge, skills and attitudes of every team participant in the performance of their activities.The interface between group evaluation of their work performance and individual self-evaluation shall result in a process of continuous improvement through 'doing', 'learning' and 'practice improvement'.


As the study of passion continues to grow in both relevance and interest, passion scholarship confronts new and sizeable challenges for (a) engaging in context-specific, theoretically-driven, inqui...


The kinetics of the anionic ring-opening polymerization of several cyclodisilazanes substituted with different groups on silicon atoms has been investigated in toluene/tetrahydrofuran (THF) using benzyllithium as initiator. Two different behaviours were observed: for hindered substituents (phenyl or allyl), the polymerization is not living; for less hindered groups, the polymerization is living but the rate constants differ markedly from one cyclodisilazane to another. They vary from 9x10 -4 L.mol -1 .s -1 for D( Et NMe D NMe 3 to 0,1 L . mol -1 . s -1 for D 2Vi NMe D NMe (8). These variations show that the presence of vinyl groups on the monomers tremendously increases the rate of polymerization. In order to discriminate the monomer reactivity from the active center reactivity, a model reaction between lithium silylamides and triethylchlorosilane has been kinetically studied (each lithium silylamide was chosen to modelize one particular active center). Contrary to the corresponding monomers, the less hindered is the silylamide, the faster is the reaction. Thus, the difference of reactivity between the monomers and the reactive center models is so high that the polymerization of cyclodisilazanes can be considered as principally controlled by the reactivity of the monomers.


— The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is expected to probe new physics beyond the Standard Model. A characteristic feature of new physics signals at the LHC will be the presence of large missing transverse energy (MET). Furthermore, our ability to fully reconstruct the Higgs mass in the di-tau decay channel is very sensitive to the measurement of the missing energy. Thus, it becomes extremely important to measure the missing energy accurately and with good precision. We overview the current status of MET measurements at the CMS detector, and present a method for improving this measurement in events with hadronically decaying taus.


Needle shaped probes with a dual electrode system in submicron size have been developed for electrochemical analyses of living single cells. The probe system is designed for local probing of the cytosolic cell environment and cell organelles using amperometric, potentiometric and impedance spectroscopic methods. Silicon nitride cantilevers with an electrode metal layer system are fabricated on four-inch wafers using conventional micro fabrication techniques. The probe needle structures with a tip in sub micron scale are patterned using Focus Ion Beam (FIB) technology. A focused ion beam is utilized to write the probe needle shape into the pre-shaped cantilever and, for a dual electrode system, the probe is divided into two parts to create two separate electrodes. Subsequently, the needle structures are released from the supporting bulk silicon during a wet etching step, and a silicon nitride layer is deposited to isolate and embed the electrode metal layer. Finally, FIB milling is used for a precise exposure of the buried metal layer by cutting the top of the tip. Electrochemical characterization of nano-probes showed full functionality of Ag/AgCl as well as of platinum transducer systems. The sharpness of the probe tip with a radius of smaller than 50nm and the mechanical robustness of the needle structure allow for a reliable penetration of cell membranes. Initial measurements of cell membrane potentials and cell membrane impedances of rat fibroblast cells using Ag/AgCl transducer probes demonstrate the analytical capability of these probes in biological environments.


X-ray diffraction studies were carried out on the alpha-LiIO3 under high pressure by synchrotron radiation., Some changes of,patterns showed that phase transition happened in the range of 15.6 GPa-23.8 GPa.


Menopause signals the end of the reproductive period in women. However, fertility and fecundity decrease with increasing age prior to menopause demonstrating that changes in the premenopausal female reproductive tract (FRT) are already occurring that negatively impact reproductive success. The effects of age on the endometrium are poorly understood, in contrast to the ovary where changes occur with increasing age that negatively affect successful reproduction. The endometrial immune system is essential for generating a receptive endometrium, but the link between the immune and reproductive systems in the endometrium in the years prior to menopause has not been well-defined. Since the endometrial immune system is tightly regulated to maximize reproductive success and pathogen protection, changes in immune function with increasing premenopausal age have the potential to impact reproduction.


Antibacterial effects of two species of Polygonaceae of Polygonum hydropiper(Ph) and Polygonum chinense(Pc) were studied in vitro with their water decoction,and determined their inhibitory rings,minimal inhibitory concentration(MIC) and the antibacterial effects before and after sterilization against Bacillus subtilis(Bs),Escherichia coli(Ec),Staphylococcus aureus(Sa),Aspergillus niger(An),Penicillium citrinum(Pc),and Saccharomyces cerevisiae(Sc).The results indicated that the antibacterial effects of these two extract were successively as follow: Sa Ec Bs when the concentration of these two decoctions were higher than 0.6 g/mL and 0.2 g/mL.These two extract had no antibacterial effects on the three fungi.The minimal inhibitory concentration of the decoctions from Pc against the three bacteria was 1 /8 g/mL,1 /16 g/mL,and 1 /64 g/mL,which were lower than that from Ph,i.e.1 /4 g/mL,1 /8 g/mL,and 1 /16 g/mL.The antibacterial effects of decoction from Ph against the three bacteria and that from Pc against Sa strengthened when they were treated under 121 ℃ high temperature.These two decoctions had different antibacterial effects on these three bacteria,therefore,the different degree of bacterial inhibition from Ph and Pc could be considered to develop and apply antibiotic agents from plant resources and widen their application fields.


The virus causing cutaneous horns and papillomas in western cottontail rabbits (Sylvilagus floridanus, Allen) gives rise to vigorous growths of the same sort in domestic rabbits 1 (Genus, Oryctolagus). In animals of both kinds these growths have the immediate character of neoplasms, 2 and in domestic rabbits they frequently progress to cancer. 3 For this reason, the biological range of effectiveness of the virus has a special interest. Thus far rabbits only have proved susceptible to the virus. A Kansas dealer supplying cottontails with "natural" papillomas states that he has never seen them in any of thousands of jack-rabbits (Lepus californicus, Gray); yet in one of 24 he sent us a small but typical growth existed, hidden by the fur. Three mixtures were made of the host's blood serum with various proportions of glycerinated cottontail papilloma extract, and after incubation all were rubbed into the scarified skin of each of 3 domestic rabbits, which received also similar mixtures made with the sera of 4 other jack rabbits of the same lot. Growths developed at every site except where the mixtures with serum from the papillomatous animal had been inoculated. The "natural" jack rabbit papilloma enlarged slowly for some weeks, when the animal died and it was removed to 50% glycerine. An extract made 36 days later and inoculated into scarified domestic, cottontail, jack and snowshoe rabbits (Lepus americanus, Erxleben), 3 of each, produced growths in all. They were indistinguishable from such as are caused by cottontail virus. In 2 further experiments 2 jack rabbits were inoculated with cottontail virus extracts of differing derivations. Growths appeared in 3 of the 4 animals, the fourth dying too soon to be deemed resistant. An extract of the glycerinated papillomatous tissue from 1 of the others gave rise to growths in 2 of 3 domestic rabbits and in 2 jack rabbits.


This paper describes a digital processing technique for measuring the impulse response of a system. The method utilizes "complementary" codes as described by Golay in 1961 and has been employed by designers of radar, communications and other equipment. This paper discusses the implementation of the technique in a device that measures the impulse response of audio bandwidth systems. The paper begins by describing the general problem of impulse response measurement using digital methods. This leads to a "unit pulse" response sequence that completely characterizes a bandlimited, linear and time-invariant system. Next, Schroeder's (1979) method of probing the system with pseudo-random noise and correlating the result to obtain an estimate of this response is discussed. Our method is a variation on this scheme wherein the system is probed twice using sequences chosen from among the Golay codes. These codes have the remarkable property that their autocorrelation functions have complementary side-lobes. Finally, the response of a speaker/microphone pair is measured using the proposed method.


Between Republican Integration and Religious Claims". 14. Sofı́a Rodrı́guez López, "Secularization Versus the Weight of Catholic Tradition among Spanish Women". 15. Adrienne Fulco, "Secularization and Its Discontents: Courts and Abortion Policy in the United States and Spain". 16. Frances Raday, "Human Rights and the Confrontation between Religious and Constitutional Authority: A Case Study of Israel's Supreme Court". 17. Mine Eder, "A Cynical Look at 'The Secularism Debate' in Turkey"


Low‐cost grain oriented silicon steel produced by continuous annealing, low slab‐heating temperature, and omitting normalization annealing is explored and analyzed. This type of grain oriented steel is designed to replace the non‐oriented steels used for the production of transformers of medium and small sizes as specified in all GO steel producers catalogs. Fully secondarily recrystallized structure with magnetic properties of P1.7 = 2.04 W kg−1 and B8 = 1.76 T is obtained at temperature of 1050 °C within 10 min in the condition of two‐stage cold rolling, whereas one‐stage cold rolling method fails to initiate abnormal grain growth in the same processing parameters. The success of fully secondary recrystallization using two‐stage cold rolling method is ascribed to the more important role of sufficient amount of Goss seeds in decarburized samples as in CGO steels than the stronger {111}<112> texture as in HiB silicon steels. It is further determined that by two‐stage cold rolling technique, a higher secondary stage rolling reduction leads to a lower secondary recrystallization starting temperature and a shorter secondary recrystallization staring time related with a finer grain size. The reasons for the high iron core loss related by continuous annealing are connected to the higher number of deviated Goss grains scattering toward {210}<001> or Brass orientations, the residual inhibitors and the imperfect grain size and morphologies. The reasons for the failure in abnormal grain growth by one‐stage rolling are also discussed.


An advanced DECT receiver concept that is based upon a non-coherent differential detection with equalization, and includes switching diversity with performance of true RSSI selection diversity, has been previously described (Safavi et al., 1995). This paper deals with a hardware testbed evaluation of the concept. The analysis includes practical implementation aspects, performance results obtained from a wideband channel simulator, and measurements conducted in a typical DECT telepoint environment.


Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4RD) is a novel clinical disease entity characterised by elevated serum IgG4 and tissue infiltration by IgG4-positive plasma cells.1 ,2 Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and IL-10, which were detected with B cells in the salivary gland in this disease,3 direct naive B cells to switch to IgG4 production.4 B cells are therefore considered to be important for the pathogenesis of IgG4RD. However, the phenotype of B cells in patients with IgG4RD remains elusive. In this report we show the phenotypic changes of peripheral blood B cells in a patient with IgG4RD analysed by flow cytometry during treatment with a corticosteroid.

In January 2011 a 53-year-old man presented with symmetrical swelling of the lachrymal glands and a tumour located in the left junction of the renal pelvis and ureter, serum IgG4 >135 mg/dl and IgG4+/IgG+ cells >40% with significant invasion of lymphocytes and plasma cells, typical tissue fibrosis and sclerosis in the salivary gland. He was diagnosed with …


Objective To analyze the irrational drug use in outpatient prescriptions,in order to promote safe,effective,rational and economical drug use.Methods Outpatient prescription collected from January 2012 to December 2012,the prescriptions and the irrational drug use situation was analyzed in our hospital.Results The irrational drug use accounted for 10.11%,the irrational drug use types included repeated drug use,improper use of alternative medicine,unreasonable,affect the absorption and metabolism,combination antagonism,combined with increased toxicity and not necessary for combined and so on.Conclusion the outpatient drug use in our hospital has many unreasonable drug use phenomenon,the clinical workers should pay attention to it and maintain the health of patients.


An approach to third-generation solar cells with a much better figure of merit, i.e., the efficiency/cost ratio, is proposed. It combines the advantages of low-cost wet-chemical fabrication and high-efficiency inorganic crystalline solar cells. The materials which allow wet-chemical fabrication of inorganic crystalline solar cells are semiconducting metal oxides. An analysis is presented on the challenges in utilizing metal oxides for third-generation solar cells, including the larger-than-optimum band gap and the high densities of native point defects in metal oxides. Strategies to overcome these challenges are outlined. Some of the metal oxides of interest include copper oxides and titanium oxides. The band gaps of copper oxides are around the optimum 1.4 eV for single-junction cells. For 50%-efficient multijunction tandem cells, titanium oxides of different valences offer a continuously-adjustable band gap of 0-3.5 eV, covering the entire solar spectrum


During primary dentin formation, differentiating primary odontoblasts secrete anorganic matrix, consisting principally oftypeIcollagen andnon-collagenous proteins, that iscapable ofmineralizing atitsdistal front. Incontrast toameloblasts that formenamel andundergo programed cell death, primary odontoblasts remainmetabolically active inafunctional tooth. Whendentin isexposed to caries orbyoperative procedures, andwhenexposed dentinal tubules aretreated withtherapeutic dental materials, theoriginal population ofodontoblasts isoften injured anddestroyed. Thecharacteristics ofthe replacement poolofcells thatformreparative dentin and thebiologic mechanisms that modulate theformation ofthis matrix arepoorly understood. Based onthehypothesis that eventsgoverning primary dentinogenesis arereiterated during dentin repair, thepresent study wasdesigned totest whether cells that formreparative dentin areodontoblast- like. Cervical cavities wereprepared inratfirst molars to generate reparative dentin, andanimals werekilled at various timeintervals. Insitu hybridization withgene- specific riboprobes forcollagen types IandIII wasusedto study denovosynthesis bycells attheinjured dentin-pulp interface. Polyclonal antibodies raised against dentin sialoprotein (DSP), adentin-specific protein that marksthe odontoblast phenotype, wereusedinimmunohistochemical experiments. Datafromourtemporal andspatial analyses indicated thatcells forming reparative dentin synthesize typeIbutnottypeIIIcollagen andareimmunopositive for DSP.Ourresults suggest thatcells thatformreparative dentin areodontoblast-like.


This paper presents a novel design of direct delta-sigma receiver, which is different from conventional design. This receiver is designed to cover Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) bands from 0.4 GHz to 3.6 GHz with a configurable bandwidth of 3.84 MHz (WCDMA), and 9.0/13.5/18/37 MHz (LTE-10M/15M/20M/37M). The receiver complies with 3GPP specification while performing Noise Figure (NF) of 2.5dB, Inband (IB) Third-order intercept point (IIP3) of -15dBm, Out-of-band (OOB) IIP3 of OdBm and peak Signal-to-Noise-and-Distortion ratio (SNDR) of 58dB. The circuit is designed in CMOS 65nm, and the power consumption is 70 mA at a voltage supply of 1.2 V.


Fe3O4@carbon nanocomposite (Fe3O4@C) was continuously prepared by combining microreactor with pyrolysis reactor. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles homogeneously disperse in the carbon matrix with an average size of about 9.2 nm and narrow size distribution. The Fe3O4@C nanocomposite has a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface area of 71.9 m2/g and total pore volume of 0.37 cm3/g. This nanocomposite has a saturation magnetisation value of 16 emu/g and could be easily separated from water by an external magnet. With the increase of pH value or temperature, the Rhodamine B absorbing capacity of the Fe3O4@C nanocomposite first increases and then decreases after a certain value. The absorbing capacity at pH value 9 is about 169 mg/g when the temperature is 20°C. The above said value also exceeds 150 mg/g at pH value 3. The capacity is still higher than 120 mg/g after four regenerations. The absorbing capacity even reaches to 184 mg/g at 60°C of the absorbing temperature.


Existing XQuery-to-SQL algorithms all depend on special XML-to-RDB schema-mapping algorithm, but in the real applications, an independent method is needed because people can't ensure that the two translating algorithm come from the same industry projects and conflicts can't be avoided. Aiming at this problem, we propose an XQuery-to-SQL translating algorithm with little dependence on any schema-mapping algorithm between XML and RDB by setting up a general virtual relational schema for XML document (GVRS for short), which can be used as the bridge between XML view and its bottom relational storage. Our method separates XQuery-to-SQL algorithm from schema mapping between XML and RDB, so the conflicts can be avoided successfully.


Short vowels in Arabic are normally omitted in written text which leads to ambiguity in the pronunciation. This is even more pronounced for dialectal Arabic where a single word can be pronounced quite differently based on the speaker's nationality, level of education, social class and religion. In this paper we focus on pronunciation modeling for Iraqi-Arabic speech. We introduce multiple pronunciations into the Iraqi speech recognition lexicon, and compare the performance, when weights computed via forced alignment are assigned to the different pronunciations of a word. Incorporating multiple pronunciations improved recognition accuracy compared to a single pronunciation baseline and introducing pronunciation weights further improved performance. Using these techniques an absolute reduction in word-error-rate of 2.4% was obtained compared to the baseline system.


We have examined the equilibrium surface composition of two very dilute Fe–Zr binary alloys: Zr–0.05‐at. %‐Fe and Fe–0.06‐at. %‐Zr. We find that reversal of the segregating element occurs in the respective dilute limits. Iron segregates to the surface of the zirconium rich alloy, while zirconium segregates to the surface of the iron rich alloy. Segregation of iron to the surface of the zirconium rich alloy was reversible for T≳970 K with a heat of segregation of 71.1±8 kJ/mole. Segregation of zirconium to the surface of the iron rich alloy was large and not reversible. The observed behavior is discussed in light of two widely used models of surface segregation.


This study quantitatively evaluates the dual operational-environmental performance of the ports in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region in China. Factor analysis is first applied to identify the common factors for comprehensively ranking the level of dual operational-environmental performance of each port. Environmental treatment, port conditions and development potential are identified as the common factors. The Port of Shenzhen is found to have the best performance in environmental treatment and development potential, while the Port of Guangzhou has the best fundamental conditions. Cluster analysis is then applied to compare the clusters of ports in the PRD region with and without 'green' elements. It is found that small and medium-sized ports need to respond the call of Chinese Government on provincial-level unified port platform to realise dual operational-environmental performance.


Multi-Input Multi-Output (MIMO) scheme at 6.06.1GHz is one of the enabling technologies for the next generation mobile communications. To compare the spatial characteristics of MIMO channel at 6.05GHz with those at 2.45GHz, an extensive MIMO channel measurement is performed at both frequency bands under typical classroom environment with channel sounder based on vector network analyzer. Spatial correlations at both frequency bands are analyzed from the measured data in different propagation conditions, including Non Line-of-Sight (NLOS) and Line-of-Sight (LOS) propagation. Measurement shows that, there are significantly distinctions between spatial correlations at 6.05GHz and 2.45GHz. After that, Capacity results of the experiments are discussed.


The pyrrolizidine alkaloids(PAs) in leaf of Gynura divaricata(L.) DC.was analyzed by LC-MSn technique.The result shows that two hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids(HPAs) are detected from the methanol extract of G.divaricata leaf,with relative molecular weight of 335 and 365,respectively and lower content.The constituent with relative molecular weight 335 is a retronecine-type alkaloid,and identified as integerrimine;another constituent with relative molecular weight 365 is an otonecine-type alkaloid,speculated to be isomer of usaramine or 18-hydroxyinterrimine.


Abstract Recent decades have witnessed heightened public and governmental awareness of the nature and scale of environmental challenges likely to face the planet over the course of the next fifty to one hundred years. Scholars from across a broad range of disciplines have been drawn into these debates and have begun to reorient their research towards finding solutions to some of the most pressing problems and to devising more sustainable and resilient livelihoods. Archaeologists, with their conventional orientation toward past events and processes have been rather slower to engage with these issues. Recently, however, there has been a steady shift within the discipline so as to incorporate more future-oriented perspectives, and 'the use of the past to plan for a better future' is rapidly becoming a common theme within archaeological research projects and publications. While welcoming some of these developments, this paper offers a critical assessment of the various claims that are now being made of archaeology's potential to help overcome current environmental challenges and its contributions to defining and understanding 'the Anthropocene.'


PURPOSE
To review the role of minimally invasive management in ureteral stricture disease.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
A literature search was performed on the MEDLINE database through 2002 concerning endoscopic treatment of patients with ureteral strictures.

RESULTS
Many endourologic methods are available for ureteral strictures. Ureteral dilation may be accomplished in most cases, with various rates of success depending on stricture etiology, location, and length. Endoureterotomy also leads to long-term patency in properly selected cases and appears to be superior to dilation alone.

CONCLUSIONS
Significant advances in technique and technology have improved our ability to treat ureteral strictures without the need for open surgery in most patients.


A CONTAINER FOR HOLDING AND DISTRIBUTING LIQUID UNDER THE INVENTION INCLUDES A BAG WHICH IS FLEXIBLE 14 CONNECTS A NOZZLE 26. A 38 CONNECTION IS AVAILABLE WITHIN THE NOZZLE 26 AND INCLUDES AN OPEN WAY CLOSED TIGHT BY PLUG 56. PROBE TUBE 66 IS INSERTED IN OPENING AND FITTING 38 FIXED BY sNAP ON CAP 56. 66 PROBE AND THE CAP 56, ONCE CONNECTED, ARE IN THE BAG SHOOTS 14, WHICH ' INTRODUCED vIRTUALLY NO AIR IN THE SYSTEM. WITHDRAWAL SENSOR 66 MAKES RETURN SUDDENLY THE PLUG IN CONNECTION 38 SO AS TO CLOSE THE BAG 14 OF SEALED AIR WAY WITHOUT INTRODUCTION AND NOT LEAK.


Block 24 of Huanren hydropower dam is built on the 11 th rock which is of weak permeabilityand the shallow 12 th rock underneath is of strong permeability. As the dam foundation curtain is notclosed in 12 th rock, the water comes out from F1 fault cut which is harmful to stability. The measured da-ta show that underground water level of 12 th rock is relatively high and is increasing. By analysis, con-clusion is gotten that the deformation is stable, uplift pressure at dam foundation has no obvious changetrend, the seepage pressure coefficient is in the allowable range and dam foundation has no deep slip sur-face. As a result, there is no stability problems with block 24.


In today's digital age, we are becoming more like machines and machines are becoming more like us. Donna Haraway's seminal essay, "A Cyborg Manifesto," proposes the cyborg as a transgressive figure capable of subverting oppressive power structures. While there is no denying this powerful imagery, what are the common trends in female AI narratives in mainstream cinema? This paper examines the films Ex Machina (2015) and Her (2013), which both feature male human protagonists and female AIs (Ava, a feminized robot in Ex Machina and Samantha, a female operating system in Her). Ava's and Samantha's highly sexual yet innocent characterizations and similar desires for freedom are reflective of societal anxieties surrounding male control over female agency. As gendered AIs continue to populate our media, one can only hope that we can live up to Haraway's vision of the cyborg, and expand the scope of our questions and concepts past male pleasure and women as research-fetish objects.


Objective: To investigate serum uric acid concentration in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methodology: This is a case control study conducted in Al-Wafa Diabetic Center in Mosul over a period of one year starting from January 1, 2005 to January 1, 2006. Serum glucose concentration and uric acid concentration were measured in both control and patient's groups (group 1 patients on diet therapy, group 2 patients on glibenclamide therapy and group 3 involve naturopathic patients). Results: Serum glucose concentration was high in the diabetic groups as compared with the control group (P 0.2) except in group-3 (P<0.05). A negative correlation was reported between hyperglycemia and uric acid concentration of the different groups. Conclusion: Serum uric acid concentration is slightly reduced in type 2 diabetic patients particularly in the complicated patients with peripheral neuropathy and this may be due to the oxidative stress that decreases the antioxidant capacity of the body involving uric acid.


Abstract. In stratiform rainfall, the melting layer is often visible in radar observations as an enhanced reflectivity band, the so-called bright band. Despite the ongoing debate on the exact microphysical processes taking place in the melting layer and on how they translate into radar measurements, both model simulations and observations indicate that the radar-measured melting layer properties are influenced by snow microphysical processes that take place above it. There is still, however, a lack of comprehensive observations to link the two. To advance our knowledge of precipitation formation in ice clouds and provide an additional constraint on the retrieval of ice cloud microphysical properties, we have investigated this link. This study is divided into two parts. Firstly, surface-based snowfall measurements are used to devise a method for classifying rimed and unrimed snow from X- and Ka-band Doppler radar observations. In the second part, this classification is used in combination with multi-frequency and dual-polarization radar observations to investigate the impact of precipitation intensity, aggregation, riming, and dendritic growth on melting layer properties. The radar-observed melting layer characteristics show strong dependence on precipitation intensity as well as detectable differences between unrimed and rimed snow. This study is based on the data collected during the Biogenic Aerosols – Effects on Clouds and Climate (BAECC) experiment, that took place in 2014 in Hyytiala, Finland.


To cite: Pittenger B, Young JW, Mansoor AM. BMJ Case Rep Published online: [please include Day Month Year] doi:10.1136/ bcr-2017-219607 DESCRIPTION A 32-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use was admitted to the hospital for evaluation of intermittent fever and chills over the course of several weeks. On examination, the temperature was 39.0°C and pulse rate 110 bpm. A grade 2/6 holosystolic murmur was appreciated at the left lower sternal border. Transthoracic echocardiography with agitated saline contrast demonstrated an echodensity on the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve associated with mild tricuspid regurgitation and a right-to-left shunt. Blood cultures grew methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. On the third day of hospitalisation, mild conjunctival erythema of the right eye was observed, which was associated with discomfort and a subjective decrease in vision. Visual fields on confrontation revealed a large inferior scotoma. Bedside indirect ophthalmoscopy established the presence of a yellow, elevated subretinal mass ∼10 times the diameter of the optic disc, adjacent to the superiortemporal vascular arcade, with associated intraretinal haemorrhage (figure 1). These findings were consistent with subretinal abscess. Such abscesses are vision threatening and can progress despite systemic and intraocular antibiotics. Severe cases can lead to retinal detachment and may require surgical intervention, including vitrectomy and retinectomy. In this case, the abscess progressively decreased in size following intravenous vancomycin and intravitreal injections of vancomycin and ceftazidime, with retention of 20/20 vision. Learning points


Objective To review the experience in the diagnosis and treatment of the aged patients with acute infection of the bile duct system. Methods Clinical data from 50 aged patients with acute infection of bile duct system from 1988 to 2003 were analyzed retrospectively. Results Aged patients with acute infection of bile duct system had the following characteristics: long lasting time, high incidence of complications (30%). Conclusion Attention paid to the management during the perioperative period is important for the improvement of cure rate and decrease in complications and fatality rate.


The one‐phonon and two‐phonon Raman spectra have been measured in the temperature range 20–900 °C. The rate of decrease of the normalized frequencies with increase of temperature for the zone center, TO at L and TA at X, is 5.4×10−5/°C, while for TO at X and TA at L is lower, being 3.6×10−5/°C. We have also found that the relative intensity of Stokes and anti‐Stokes components of the Γ‐point optical phonon deviates significantly from the value involving only the phonon occupation number, particularly at high temperatures. The decrease of the Γ25′ phonon from 521 cm−1 at 20 °C to 493 cm−1 at 900 °C should provide an unambiguous determination of the surface temperature due to laser heating.


A model is development for the kinetic and thermodynamic simulation of the interaction of seawater derived fluid with oceanic peridotites (Sp-Harzburgites). Thermodinamic model is based on the GEOCHEQ complex which makes it possible to simulate equilibria in systems of aqueous solutions–minerals–gases. The calculating code was modiÞed and adjusted for the thermodynamic–kinetic simulation of the passage of irreversible solution–rock reactions with time. The results of our simulations demonstrate that the degree of Peridotite serpentinization under the effect of low-temperature seawater when the rocks are exposed at the seasoor surface remains very low even after 10 000 years of interaction. Serpentinization becomes efÞcient only at temperatures of 130-150°C at crustal depths of 3.5–4.5 km. The results of our simulations of the phase transformations during the hydrothermal alteration of MOR peridotites led us to propose a geodynamic model for the development of hydrothermal systems related to peridotites in slow-spreading ridges. This model takes into account the principal phases of the compositional and tectonic evolution of the Hess crust. According to the model, low-density serpentinite material formed at crustal depths of about 3.5–4.5 km has an excess volume compared to the pristine unaltered peridotites, and this results in the uplift of this material to upper crustal levels.This processes is associated with faulting of the rigid and cold lithosphere. The detachment fault arrays produced thereby drain lower crustal magmatic chambers and trigger the emplacement of shallow-depth gabbro intrusions. As a result, conditions favorable for the "startup" of a hydrothermal circulation in serpentinites are created. Sea level rise in the Mediterranean Sea: High resolution constraints from vermetid reefs S. SILENZI*, M. CALVO, R. CHEMELLO, S. DEVOTI, S. FALLON, M. MCCULLOCH, P. MONTAGNA, J. TEMPLADO AND J. TROTTER ISPRA, Rome, Italy (*correspondence: email@example.com) Museo Nacional Ciencias Naturales, Madrid (CSIC), Spain Dept. of Ecology, Palermo University, Palermo, Italy RSES, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia


This study assessed the effect of financial inclusion on economic growth, unemployment and human development in Nigeria for the period 2007 to 2015. The specific objectives were to determine the nature of the relationship between financial inclusion and gross domestic product; financial inclusion and level of unemployment; and financial inclusion and human development. The problem was that a large proportion of the adults in Nigeria do not have access to formal financial services despite efforts being made by various stakeholders, such as Central Bank of Nigeria, banks, and the Government. This study adopted an ex-post facto research design. The data for this study were obtained from secondary sources - IMF e-library, and World Development Indicators. Three models were specified and ordinary least squares regression technique was used to analyze the data with the aid of Eviews version 8 application software. The main findings were that no significant relationship existed between financial inclusion and gross domestic product while significant relationship existed between financial inclusion, unemployment and human development. The conclusions drawn from the study were that financial inclusion had an insignificant effect on GDP, very significant relationship with unemployment level and significant relationship with human development. The recommendations include creating deposit and borrowing windows at affordable costs to the poor and the unbanked group; making policy for improvement of collateral framework, as well as policy on financial literacy, training and empowerment among others.


These five Central Asian Republics (CARs) host a rich wealth of natural resources and ancient cities, and today lies at strategic crossroads. Firstly, their geographical location at the heart of both the historical unit of Eurasia and the ancient Silk Road Routeacts as a crossroads of connectivity which allows CARs to act as a bridge between the East and the West. Secondly, their solutions to governance over the 25 years since their independence has placed them at a political crossroads, providing the world with a unique political lab for original governance solutions. These crossroads make the region strategically significant in terms of geopolitical, geo-economic, geo-cultural and geo-historical subtlety.


Just having health insurance doesn't ensure that poor people get all the care they need, according to a new study. Learn what the finding means for your practice and your patients.


diately after endoscopic detection by placement of a polyflex stent (diameter 18/23 mm, length 90 mm) covering the perforation and the stenosis (Fig. 1). The patient was allowed to eat and drink the following day and was discharged 7 days later without any symptoms. During the follow-up, no further complications occurred, and the patient had no dysphagia. In the endoscopy 4 months later, little granulation tissue at the proximal part of the stent was observed. By using atraumatic forceps (universal jaws), the stent could be removed under careful traction without any problems. The passage of gastrographin showed no leakage and no stenosis of the distal esophagus. In the 10-month follow-up, one argon plasma coagulation therapy to reduce granulation tissue was needed. The patient had no recurrent dysphagia during follow-up. By presenting this case, we would like to contribute a successful treatment scheme of benign esophageal stenoses and iatrogenic perforation by temporary use of a self-expanding plastic stent. This therapy was possible because of the design of the new stent, which was produced to be removable. It might not cause much granulation tissue in long-term use. This single case experience should be further evaluated in clinical trials.


An experimental investigation of an impinging water jet freezing on a melting solid surface has been carried out. Attention was focused on the stagnation region of an axisymmetric jet. In the experiment, a water jet was directed upward against the lower end of a meltable rod, having a diameter about twice that of the jet orifice. Solid octane (m.p.—56.5°C) and solid mercury (m.p.—38.9°C) served as the meltable materials. A laminar-axisymmetric flow model was developed to describe melting heat transfer in the presence of jet solidification within the impingement region. Measurements of the melting rate and conditions for the onset of jet solidification were found to agree quite well with the values predicted with this model.


What constitutes and influences corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been debated among cross-cultural researchers worldwide. Building on a previously established typology, with the addition of the natural environment dimension, this paper explores the different domains of CSR. Further, by using Hofstede's cultural framework, we examine what cultural dimensions have the most influence on which CSR type. In doing so, several managerial implications emerge for multinational enterprises (MNEs) to capitalise on. This conceptual work paves the way for future empirical subjects addressing the various aspects to fully understand CSR in practice.


An optical beam-deflection technique has been applied to the ultrasonic inspection of materials. The technique is similar to air-coupled detection, except the airborne wave is detected through beam deflection instead of with an electro-acoustic transducer. It is a non-contact, laser-based, detection technique that does not depend on reflection of the detection laser beam from the surface. It is thus independent of the surface opt ical properties of the material under test, Applications of gas-coupled laser acoustic detection (G CLAD) with laser ultrwound generation will be illustrated with (1) waveforms showing numerous, well-resolved echoes, (2) surface acoustic waves, and (3) C-scans showing sub-surface defects. An optical probe beam p~sing through a gas is deflected when it proses through a region of transverselyvarying density and corresponding gradients in the index of refraction. We report successful observations of beam deflection through airborne ultrasound radiated from solid materials. Gin-coupled laser acoustic detection (GCLAD) has been used to detect acoustic waves in materials and image subsurface flaws. With pulsed-laser generation of ultrmound, the technique has possible application in remote sensing and nondestructive evaluation. The apparatus used for observation of solid-borne ultrasound is shown schematically in Fig. 1. A 532 nm cw probe beam is directed parallel to the surface of a sample. Ultrasound can be generated in the sample by a pulsed laser (w shown) or by contact transducers. Upon reaching the lower surface of the sample, the ultrasonic pulse causes surface motion and associated radiation of an acoustic wave into the surrounding air. The density variations in the airborne wave modulate the index of refraction of the air transverse to the beam propagation and cause a beam deflection. The beam deflection is me=ured by a position-sensitive photodetector remote (typically one meter) from the sample. GCLAD provides an alternative detection technique for laser-b~ed ultrmonic inspection of materials. (1,2) Unlike interferometric techniques, the optical beam is not reflected or scattered from the surface of the sample. Hence the technique is not sensitive to the surface optical properties of the material under investigation. It is similar to detection with air-coupled transducers, (3,4) but h= greater sensitivity and does not have the bandwidth limit ations of air-coupled transducers. Figure 2 shows ultrasonic waveforms generated and detected using the apparatus of Fig. 1. The waveforms were thermoelastically generated by pulsed laser in a 3.0 mm-thick graphite/PEEK pultruded rod, a 2.9 mm thick graphite/PEEK composite panel, and a 8.9 mm thick graphite/epoxy panel. The distance x from the sample to the probe beam was about 4 mm. The first detected pulse occurs at a time equal to the sum of the propagation time in the sample and the propagation time in the air. The detected waveforms were digitally averaged over 6 shots. This technology has also been applied towards the detection of surface acoustic waves. (5) For this application, the generating laser pulse is incident on the detection side of the sample. Thus the surfaceacoustic wave travels approximate ely 1 cm before detection. Figure 2 shows lmer-generat ed surface acoustic waves in two metal plates averaged over 16 shots. Generation Beam ~& Signal Sample Detector X[ w ...... .................... ------.................................................-. . . .-


Emerging byte-addressable non-volatile memory is considered an alternative storage device for persistence guarantee with high performance. In this work, we design NVCL (NVRAM Cache-Line Granularity Logging) and develop it in Redis. The proposed NVCL exploits the cache-line flush granularity of NVRAM to maintain the write-ahead differential log and is able to flush non-continuous dirty cache lines to guarantee persistence. NVCL effectively reduces the size of persistent logs by only flushing updated data in every memory page. We measured the performance on an Intel machine with a 16 GiB non-volatile dual in-line memory module (NVDIMM). Our performance study shows that NVCL can save up to 127× NVRAM writes and shows 84% speedup comparing to Redis append-only-file logging mechanism. NVCL also reduces up to 50% NVRAM writes and achieves 15% speedup over state-of-the-art logging mechanism NVWAL.


Changes in cerebral perfusion are an important feature of the pathophysiology of sickle cell anemia (SCA); cerebrovascular ischemia occurs frequently and leads to neurocognitive deficits, silent infarcts, and overt stroke. Non‐invasive MRI methods to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) by arterial spin labeling (ASL) afford new opportunities to characterize disease‐ and therapy‐induced changes in cerebral hemodynamics in patients with SCA. Recent studies have documented elevated gray matter (GM) CBF in untreated children with SCA, but no measurements of white matter (WM) CBF have been reported.


Problems where the output varies depending on the input (signal factor levels) are classified as dynamic systems in the Taguchi method. In dynamic systems, if both input and output have only two digital values (0 and 1) with the possibility of committing two types of errors (judging 0 as 1 and 1 as 0), such a problem is called digital system or digital-digital dynamic system. In the digital system, whenever an input signal is 0 or 1, the output is affected by control factors and noise factors, the criterion for judging the output is the threshold value R. If output is smaller than threshold R, output is set as 0 when input signal is 0. Similarly, if output is larger than threshold R, the output is set as 1 when input signal is 1. Hence, two types of error rate are occurred. The purpose of this paper is to apply the Bayesian point estimation method to view the error rates as random variables and optimize the digital system and find the setting value of threshold R for the cases of loss coefficients are unequal. The implementation and the effectiveness of the proposed approach is illustrated through a case study.


Six groups of criminals and a group of non-criminals, comparable in age, sex, marital status, economic condition, educational status and residence, were compared in terms of the extraversion and neuroticism dimensions of their personality. All the criminal groups were observed as having significantly higher extraversion and neuroticism scores than those of their non-criminal counterparts. However, no marked difference was noticed among the various criminal groups in this regard. So far as extraversion is concerned, different groups of criminals did not differ significantly among themselves, except sex criminals who scored maximum and showed a marked difference in this respect. In relation to neuroticism, arsonists, murderers and dacoits scored significantly higher than sex criminals, thieves and assaulters who revealed insignificant difference among themselves on this dimension. The obtained results are discussed.


THE US Public Health Service has recently prepared a monograph giving recommendations concerning the licensing of medically impaired motor vehicle operators. 1 The information is designed as a guideline for state medical advisory boards to use in their role as consultants to the motor vehicle administrators. The hearing section is presented here so that otolaryngologists and others interested in this area are aware of the criteria and classification being used and thus able to better council their patients. The criteria outlined in this guide have been developed along functional and symptomatic lines, rather than along pathologic and anatomic classifications because it is the functional and symptomatic limitations of illness that directly affect driving capability. The guide should be considered as a constructive approach toward the establishment of uniform levels of function for granting driving licenses throughout the United States. Although it is based on the best evidence and advice now


The properties (such as morphologies, fiber length, fines content, drainage performance and retention rates of filler) of deinked pulp (DIP) beaten by PFI and its influences to paper strength were discussed. We also investigated the effects of DIP content to wet end environment and the ash content of DIP to paper physical properties. Results showed that the beating degree of DIP should be controlled blow 60 oSR in order to obtain good drainage performance. DIP could be utilized combining with NBKP to reinforce strength as well as reduce the cost. The PCD increased dramatically and paper performance deteriorated with the increase DIP content. So the PCD should be controlled at a reasonable level to ensure the drainage and retention properties.


These notes review the present situation (July 1947) in the current bibliography of French literature. The sources discussed are (a) the main bibliographies which periodically announce recent books, and (b) recent bibliographies incorporating the latest books. Each bibliography is described in turn at a later stage.


Objective: The purpose of this preliminary survey to document the cyanogenic plants of Euphorbiace family from Chandrapur district of Maharashtra.
Methods: Preliminary survey of cyanogenic plants of Euphorbiaceae family from Chandrapur District of Maharashtra carried out and total 22 plant species analyzed. The semi quantitative estimation of HCN was done by standard Sodium Picrate Paper Test.
Results: Out of 22 plant species tested, 19 plant species give positive for presence of HCN. Maximum amount of HCN 800 ppm tested in Tuber and Root of Manihot esculenta Crantz. Three plant species Euphorbia hirta L, Euphorbia milli Des. Moul, and Phyllanthus emblica L. shows negative test.
Conclusion: In present preliminary survey 19 cyanogenic plants of euphorbiaceae family documented from the Chandrapur district of Maharashtra. Manihot esculenta Crantz.(Cassava) shows the maximum amount of HCN as compared with other Euphorbiaceae member. These cyanogenic plants now a days playing an important role in the cancer research. Cyanogenic plants protect itself from pest attack and herbivores.


Alkoxy- or acyloxy-isothiocyanatophosphoranes (7) and phosphonium salts (12), prepared under mild conditions by stepwise ligand substitution from (5) and (11), respectively, decompose in excellent yield into the corresponding thiocyanato (9) and isothiocyanato (10) derivatives, thus providing a new method of synthesis of (9) and (10).


0.45*** 0.28*** 0.41*** 0.24*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Routine -0.32*** -0.16*** -0.13*** -0.03*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Non-routine Manual 0.15*** 0.07*** 0.10*** 0.04*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Less Than High School -0.37*** -0.28*** -0.33*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Some College 0.20*** 0.12*** 0.13*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) College 0.69*** 0.47*** 0.48*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Post-college 1.18*** 0.91*** 0.91*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Age 0.09*** 0.09*** 0.09*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Sq(Age) -0.00*** -0.00*** -0.00*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Female -0.39*** -0.37*** -0.40*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) African American -0.21*** -0.16*** -0.19*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) American Indian 0.00** 0.02*** -0.02*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Asian or Pacific Islander -0.10*** -0.05*** -0.09*** (0.00) (0.00) (0.00) Time FE Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes SOC Level N/A 3 3 2 2 F Statistic 6889 1594 3203 1793 4507 R-squared 0.27 0.17 0.31 0.13 0.29 Note 1: The coefficients are presented along with their level of significant. A coefficient concatenated with * represents a p-value of .1, ** represents a p-value of .05, and *** represents a p-value of .01 significance. Note 2: The results presented cluster standard errors at the individual level. The results are also robust to clustering at the occupation level. Note 3: The total number of observations is N= 800,966 with the 3-digit specifications and N= 1,306,568 with the 2-digit specifications. The specification without controls and at the 3-digit level estimates that a one standard deviation increase in the "Abstract" task index results in a 46 percent standard deviation increase in the log of hourly wage. After adding controls to the 3-digit specification, we see that the coefficient on the "Abstract" task index drops to .28 but remains statistically significant in both specifications. Similarly, the coefficient is .42 and statistically significant at the 2-digit level but drops to .25 when the controls are added. The results indicate that as the mean level of engagement in abstract tasks increases across occupations, it is matched by an increase in the relative wage level. At the 3-digit level and without controls, we can interpret a one standard deviation increase in the "Routine" task index as resulting in 33 percent standard deviation decrease in the log of hourly wage. After adding controls to the 3-digit specification, we see that the coefficient on the "Routine" task index drops in magnitude to .17 but remains statistically significant in both specifications. Similarly, the coefficient is .14 and statistically significant at the 2-digit level but drops to .04 when the controls are added. The results indicate that as the mean level of engagement in routine tasks increases across occupations, it is matched by a decrease in the relative wage level. Again, we can interpret a one standard deviation increase in the "Non-routine Manual" task index as resulting in 16 percent standard deviation decrease in the log of hourly wage when estimated without controls and at the 3-digit level. After adding controls to the 3-digit specification, we see that the coefficient on the "Routine" task index drops in magnitude to .08 but remains statistically significant in both specifications. Similarly, the coefficient is .10 and statistically significant at the 2digit level but drops to .05 when the controls are added. The results indicate that as the mean level of engagement in non-routine manual tasks increases across occupations, it is matched by an increase in the relative wage level. The results align quite well with the theoretical motivation outlined by Acemoglu and Autor (2011). As expected, task requirements that necessitate a worker engage in activities that are not easily codifiable cannot be substituted for capital in the production process. The result is that these occupations, whether they require high cognitive ability (Abstract) or simply irregular movements and decision making (Non-routine Manual), have experienced a significant demand shift that has resulted in changes to the wage distribution. This demand shift is the result of changing occupational task requirements driven by technological progress that has occurred over the last half century. These results, however, are merely cross-sectional and presented only for descriptive purposes. Figure 1 Rolling Cross-sectional Regressions of Standardized Log Hourly Wage on O*Net Task Indices Note 1: The coefficients are only presented when they were found to have a p-value that was at least the .1 level of significance. Note 2: The sample was restricted to individuals who remained in the entire sample in an attempt to alleviate any potential attrition bias. Note 3: Observations were eliminated after the eight wave of the 2004 panel because the sample size was considerably reduced due to budget cuts and the sample size became a problem when accounting for attrition bias. -0.3 -0.2 -0.1 0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6


Background: Strong evidence exists to support the use of psychoeducational approaches in psychosis. However, engagement of families in such approaches is problematic. Aims: The aim of the qualitative study described was to establish what therapists and families believe to be helpful (or otherwise) in the engagement of families in behavioural family therapy (BFT). In addition, the nature of the relationship between workers and families was explored. Method: Data were collected via interviews with trained therapists and family members engaged in BFT. A grounded theory approach was used in the analysis of interview transcripts. Results: A model of engagement from the therapist perspective was developed. A core category of humanity emerged. The model is described and discussed in relation to the implementation literature regarding psychoeducational family interventions. Conclusions: Qualities possessed by the practitioner are key in engagement of families and the application of psychoeducational approaches. Further research using qualitative methods is recommended in capturing the complexity of the issues surrounding this neglected but crucial aspect of therapy. Declaration of interest: None.


Costalimaita ferruginea (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is a voracious defoliator, responsible for big losses associated to eucalyptus plantations. The attack of this pest can be characterized by the appearance of holes in the leaves and consequent fall, which reduces the photosynthetic potential, and thus slows the development of plants attacked. The objective of this research was to report the new occurrence and characterize the period of attack of beetle C. ferruginea in plantations of hybrid Eucalyptus grandis x Eucalyptus urophylla (= Eucalyptus urograndis) (Myrtaceae) in municipality of Guiricema,  Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The period of monitoring started in December 2006 and extended until December 2012. The first attacks of C. ferruginea in this region started in the end of September, and showed a peak of population and greater intensity of damage from mid-October until the second week of November.


The questions of voluntary insurance of liability of the members of the board and head of the business association. This is a new institute of law, which in Russia is only beginning to develop. The article also discussed issues of tax law in respect of liability insurance business association leaders.


The invention relates to a method and an apparatus (01) for dewatering and drying of a mixture of plastic granules and water with at least one mixture inlet (02) through which the mixture of the device (01) is supplied with at least one water outlet (08), through which the separated water is discharged from the apparatus (01), with at least one granulate outlet (13) through which the dried granules from the device (01) is discharged, said device (01) comprises a dewatering section (06), along the drained the mixture, and wherein the device (01) comprises a drying line (12) along which the dewatered granulate is dried. The device (01) comprises at least one sensor (16), with the at least one characteristic parameter of the granules, in particular the temperature and / or residual moisture of the dried granulate, can be measured directly or indirectly, wherein the device (01) comprises at least one actuating device (17 ), and wherein monitored with the adjusting device (17) to the sensor (16) characteristic parameters, especially the temperature and / or residual moisture of the dried granulate, as a function (of the measured values of the sensor 16) can be influenced.


To improve mechanical properties of TiO2-added zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA), ZTA powders containing (Zr, Ti) O2 were sintered in an atmosphere of N2+5%H2. The effect of TiO2 content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of ZTA was investigated. Experimental results showed that Ti ions diffused to grain boundaries and into Al2O3 grains, thereby enhancing the densification of ZTA powders sintered in N2+5%H2, but the grain growth of ZTA was less than that of a sample sintered in air. Al2TiO5 dispersed in a ZTA sintered body containing ≥5.5mol% TiO2 was considered to increase the residual stress. These results indicate that ZTA composites containing TiO2 sintered in N2+5%H2 have superior bending strength and toughness to those sintered in air.


The construction of digital watershed system based on WebGIS is discussed.The design and realization plan for construction of digital watershed is put forward taking Weihe Basin for example,the visualization and interoperability of the river basin maps are realised.Hydrological model is embedded in this digital system,it can use watershed meteorological,hydrological observations of the recording information to take hydrological simulation.


To a close approximation, the relative frequency of the space groups of molecular organic compounds is determined by ease of packing. Kitajgorodskij, with molecular organic structures in mind, divided the space groups of the triclinic, monoclinic and orthorhombic systems into four categories: `closest-packed', `limitingly close-packed', `permissible' and `impossible' [Kitaigorodskii (1955); Kitaigorodskii (1961). Organic Chemical Crystallography, New York: Consultants Bureau]. Empirically, about a dozen of the `impossible' space groups are not rare and several of them (Pc, P2/c, C2221, Fdd2 and possibly other orthorhombic groups) can be recategorized as `permissible' on Kitajgorodskij's own criteria. In addition, certain space groups (notably C2/c and Pbca) requiring inherent molecular symmetry for close packing in Kitajgorodskij's categorization may also be placed in the category allowing close packing for molecules in general positions; in such cases both enantiomers may be required.


Abstract. In this article, we prove the existence of nontrivial weak solutions to the singular boundary value problem -Δ ℍ n u=μg(ξ)u (|z| 4 +t 2 ) 1 2 +λf(ξ,u)$-\Delta _{{\mathbb {H}}^{n}} u= \mu \frac{g(\xi ) u}{(|z|^{4}+ t^{2} )^{\frac{1}{2} }} +\lambda f(\xi , u)$ in Ω, u=0$ u =0$ on ∂Ω$\partial \Omega $ on the Heisenberg group. We employ Bonanno's three critical point theorem to obtain the existence of weak solutions.


Cloud computing is an emerging computing paradigm which introduces novel opportunities to establish large scale, flexible computing infrastructures. However, security underpins extensive adoption of Cloud computing. This paper presents efforts to address one of the significant issues with respect to security of Clouds i.e. intrusion detection and severity analysis. An abstract model for integrated intrusion detection and severity analysis for Clouds is proposed to facilitate minimal intrusion response time while preserving the overall security of the Cloud infrastructures. In order to assess the effectiveness of the proposed model, detailed architectural evaluation using Architectural Trade-off Analysis Model ATAM is used. A set of recommendations which can be used as a set of best practice guidelines while implementing the proposed architecture is discussed.


Purpose: Antidepressants acting via inhibition of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter (SERT) inhibit sexual behavior. Vortioxetine, an antidepressant with a multimodal mechanism of action, is an inhibitor of the SERT, a 5-HT3A, 5-HT7 and 5-HT1D receptor antagonist, a 5-HT1A receptor agonist and a 5-HT1B receptor partial agonist. Since modulating 5-HT receptor subtypes (e.g., 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B receptors) and the transporter may affect sexual function differently, we compared the effects of vortioxetine and a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), paroxetine, on the sexual behavior of male rats. In an effort to dissect vortioxetine pharmacology, the effects of acute and chronic modulation of several serotonin receptors (5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT3) were also studied in the same behavior paradigm. Method: Young adult male Wistar rats received 5 weekly trainings on copulation with a female that was in pharmacologically induced estrus. Low performers were excluded from the study. Mating sessions were video taped and manually scored on measures of male rat sexual behavior: latency and number of ejaculations, mounts and intromissions. The effects of vortioxetine (1 and 10mg/kg/day), paroxetine (10mg/kg/day), flesinoxan (5-HT1A agonist, 2.5mg/kg twice daily), CP-94253 (5-HT1B agonist, 5mg/kg daily), ondansetron (5-HT3 antagonist, 1mg/kg twice daily) and vehicle were compared immediately after the first dosing and after 1 and 2 weeks of repetitive dosing. As the affinity of vortioxetine for the rat 5-HT1A receptor is approximately 10-fold lower than for the human 5-HT1A receptor, vortioxetine was also tested in the presence of flesinoxan (2.5mg/kg twice daily) to mimic the human level of 5-HT1A receptor activation. Vortioxetine was dosed via the food; all other compounds were administered via subcutenous injections. Antidepressant exposures were determined as SERT occupancy using ex vivo autoradiography. Repeated measures and one-way ANOVA were performed, followed by individual t-tests. P< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Neither vortioxetine nor vortioxetine plus flesinoxan affected sexual behavior in male rats, whereas 2 weeks of paroxetine impaired sexual behavior significantly in several measures. Vortioxetine, 1 and 10mg/kg, corresponded to 50 and 87% SERT occupancy, which matched occupancies seen at clinical doses (5−20mg/day), as shown in human PET studies. Paroxetine produced approximately 90% SERT occupancy. Flesinoxan enhanced sexual function in male rats after acute and 1-week dosing, but not after 2 weeks' treatment. Acute, 1-week and 2-week CP-94235 treatment significantly impaired sexual behavior. Ondansetron impaired ejaculation frequency only after 2 weeks of treatment. Conclusion: Vortioxetine at clinically relevant levels of SERT occupancy did not affect male rat sexual performance. Studies of selective compounds acting on the 5-HT receptor subtypes targeted by vortioxetine showed either improvement or deterioration of sexual performance in male rats. Therefore, the apparent neutral effect on sex performance of vortioxetine in this animal model is likely to be the result of a summation of simultaneous modulation of multiple 5-HT receptors plus SERT inhibition. Disclosure statement: This abstract is financially supported by a grant from Lundbeck Research USA.


A theoretical analysis of the subharmonic response of two resonant modes of interfacial gravity-capillary waves between two electrified fluids of infinite depth under the influence of a constant horizontal electric field is investigated. The method of multiple scales is used to derive two parametrically nonlinear Schrodinger equations that describe the behavior of the disturbed system in the resonance case. One of them contains the first derivatives in space for a complex-conjugate type while the second contains a linear complex-conjugate term. A time-dependent solution of a traveling wave is obtained. Stability conditions are obtained analytically and are discussed numerically. It is found that the stability criteria are significantly affected by the amplitude of the temporal solution. The numerical calculations show that instability is produced in the system except for small stable areas due to the periodic forcing. It is observed that the acceleration frequency plays a dual role in the stability criter...


Purpose To compare the effects of phacoemulsification with and without White Star technique.Methods We picked up 40 cases (47 eyes) with cataract of sclerosed nucleus for analysis.They were divided into group A (with White Star technique) and group B (without White Star technique) at random.The vision,cornea transparency,the loss of corneal endothelial cells and the energy used in phacoemulsification of group A and B were eompased.Results There were no significant statistic difereneesin vision after operation the cases in group A have more chances to get transparent cornea than those in group B.The corneal endothelial cell loss and the energy used in phacoemulsification in group A are both lower than those in group B.Conclusion White Star technique deserves to be further used in clinic.


Background: Covariate-based linkage analyses using a conditional logistic model as implemented in LODPAL can increase the power to detect linkage by minimizing disease heterogeneity. However, each additional covariate analyzed will increase the degrees of freedom for the linkage test, and therefore can also increase the type I error rate. Use of a propensity score (PS) has been shown to improve consistently the statistical power to detect linkage in simulation studies. Defined as the conditional probability of being affected given the observed covariate data, the PS collapses multiple covariates into a single variable. This study evaluates the performance of the PS to detect linkage evidence in a genome-wide linkage analysis of microsatellite marker data from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism. Analytical methods included nonparametric linkage analysis without covariates, with one covariate at a time including multiple PS definitions, and with multiple covariates simultaneously that corresponded to the PS definitions. Several definitions of the PS were calculated, each with increasing number of covariates up to a maximum of five. To account for the potential inflation in the type I error rates, permutation based p-values were calculated.


Mg and Si as the typical dopants for p- and n-type gallium nitride (GaN), respectively, are widely used in GaN-based photoelectric devices. The thermal transport properties play a key role in the thermal stability and lifetime of photoelectric devices, which are of significant urgency to be studied, especially for the Mg- and Si-doped GaN. In this paper, the thermal conductivities of Mg- and Si-doped GaN were investigated based on first-principles calculations and phonon Boltzmann transport equation. The thermal conductivities of Mg-doped GaN are found to be 5.11 and 4.77 W/mK for in-plane and cross-plane directions, respectively. While for the Si-doped GaN, the thermal conductivity reaches the smaller value, which are 0.41 and 0.51 W/mK for in-plane and cross-plane directions, respectively. The decrease in thermal conductivity of Mg-doped GaN is attributed to the combined effect of low group velocities of optical phonon branches and small phonon relaxation time. In contrast, the sharp decrease of the thermal conductivity of Si-doped GaN is mainly attributed to the extremely small phonon relaxation time. Besides, the contribution of acoustic and optical phonon modes to the thermal conductivity has changed after GaN being doped with Mg and Si. Further analysis from the orbital projected electronic density of states and the electron localization function indicates that the strong polarization of Mg-N and Si-N bonds and the distortion of the local structures together lead to the low thermal conductivity. Our results would provide important information for the thermal management of GaN-based photoelectric devices.


Editor – Two recent articles in Medical Education, along with accompanying commentaries, tackled the issue of how to encourage learners to engage in seeking feedback. Both the systematic review and the research study listed a number of barriers that might hamper optimal feedback seeking and made sensible recommendations for encouraging this favourable behaviour. What was missing from these reports was mention of the extensive research on cognitive biases and their impact on a fallible human decision: whether or not to seek feedback. I will refer to only two out of what could be a long list.


A recent study of genome size in Valeriana officinalis has established for a Pyrenean population a C-value divergent from those assessed in the currently known diploid, tetraploid and octoploid cytotypes, which proportionally indicates a hexaploid cytotype. If confirmed, this would constitute the first record of a natural hexaploid population for Valeriana officinalis. If not, these data would diminish the present strong support for accurate deduction of ploidy levels from genome sizes within the species. In order to discern between these two alternative interpretations, chromosome counts were carried out in the population of interest. Counting reveals 2n = 42, that is to say, the hexaploid cytotype. This result completes the polyploid series of V. officinalis and confirms the suitability of nuclear DNA amount for inferring ploidy level in the species. Such a finding raises the question of the origin and the extreme rarity of the hexaploid cytotype in V. officinalis. Furthermore, given that ploidy level impacts upon many plant features, including the chemical compound profile, the hexaploid population might constitute a new chemotype for this medicinal species.


One of the most common types of interaction between parents and their very young children is picture-book reading, with alphabet books being one of the most popular types of book used in these interactions. Here we report two studies examining alphabet letter learning by 30- to 36-month-old children in book-reading interactions with an adult. Each child encountered either a standard type of children's book or a book with manipulative features – flaps, levers, textures and other elements designed to elicit physical manipulation. In the first study, the children learned more letters with the relatively plain books than with a book with manipulative features. The manipulative elements apparently distracted them from the information in that book. In the second study, a manipulative feature that was specifically designed to attract children's attention to the letters did not facilitate performance. These results are consistent with the theoretical concept of dual representation and they have important practical implications for the design and selection of educationally oriented books for very young children.


To the authors' knowledge, few studies to date have examined adherence to recommended guidelines for follow‐up and outcomes after an unsatisfactory Papanicolaou (Pap) test (UPT) with liquid‐based technologies.


We describe the neotropical fern genus Serpocaulon (Polypodiaceae), segregated from Polypodium, and make new combinations for the forty known species. Serpocaulon has been recognized previously as a putatively natural group by several authors, based on morphological evidence, but never accorded generic rank. The monophyly of Serpocaulon is strongly supported in chloroplast DNA-based phylogenetic analyses, using the genes rbcL, rps4, rps4-trnS intergenic spacer, and trnL-F intergenic spacer on 29 samples from 22 species. Serpocaulon is readily separated from other subclades within Polypodiaceae, and especially from Polypodium, which is less closely related to Serpocaulon than are several other genera. Serpocaulon differs from other New World polypods in the combination of usually long-creeping, sparingly branched rhizomes with clathrate (sometimes strongly so), usually peltately attached scales; regularly anastomosing (goniophlebioid) veins with individual areoles chevron-shaped and each with a single, free, included excurrent veinlet; and non-paraphysate sori in one to 10 rows between costae and pinna margins. In Polypodium, the rhizome scales are not clathrate, ± concolorous, and invaginated at the base, with somewhat overlapping basal lobes, and rhizomes are generally shorter-creeping and more frequently branched, the veins are free or forming a single row of areoles, and the sori uniseriate on each side of the costae. Most species of true Polypodium are north-temperate, Mexican, or Mesoamerican in distribution, while Serpocaulon is entirely neotropical or subtropical, with the greatest number of species in South America. There appears to be no convenient infrageneric division of the species within Serpocaulon, although the most widespread species, S. triseriale, is somewhat isolated at the base of the clade. Species with the thinnest rhizomes also have the fewest scales, and generally grow at high elevations. Species having the scaliest rhizomes, with scales spreading and strongly overlapping, form a weakly supported subclade, as do species with multiseriate rows of areoles between costae and pinna margins.


In the present study, field goats in Chattisgarh Plain exhibited 100, 99 and 100% reduction in faecal egg counts with albendazole, levamisole and ivermectin, respectively and lower 95% confidence limit was 98% in all treatment groups. This indicates susceptibility of nematode parasites of field towards all three groups of anthelmintics. On the contrary, farm goats exhibited resistance against benzimidazoles (FECR-94% and lower 95% confidence limit-68%) while levamisole and ivermectin showed 100% efficacy with lower 95% confidence limit of 96 and 99%, respectively. The dominant nematode parasite exhibiting resistance was Haemonchus spp. On egg hatch assay, ED50 value of field goats was 0.0310μg TBZ ml−1 and that of farm was 0.1500μg TBZ ml−1 further confirms emergence of benzimidazole resistance in farm goats.


A optic fiber chemical sensor drug dissolution monitor(OFCSDSM) was fabricated and applied to real-time and situ monitoring of dissolution of compound chlorzoxazone tablets.One end of the bifurcated optic fibre was connected with the light source,and the other end with the detector,while the probe at the common end was dipped into the dissolving solution contained in the dissolution vessel.Data logging and processing were performed by a hyphenated computer.Recoveries of paracetamol(a component of the chlorzoxazone tablet) at 3 concentration levels(low,middle and high) were tested and results of 98.3%,102.3% and 103.1% were obtained correspondingly,with respective RSD values of 1.0%,1.4% and 0.4%.Recoveries of the main component,chlozoxazone were also tested at 3 concentration levels,and results of 108.6%,98.7% and 97.7% were obtained with respective RSD values of 1.7%,1.6% and 1.3%.Whole process of the dissolution was monitored and a dissolution curve of the drug was displayed.Related dissolution parameters could be abstracted timely.It was proved that by the use of OFCSDSM,informations of real situation of the drug dissolution process could be obtained.


Nowadays, the development of PV (Photo Voltaic)-fed LED (Light Emitting Diode) lighting technology is requires high gain ratios with efficient performance of the converter. The presented converter topology is non-isolated possess high gain voltage with low stress voltage. The design of the modified high voltage gain boost configuration is projected with continuous current at input, which is flexible to control. The conduction, switching loss at the switch, reverse recovery problem and electromagnetic interference are mitigated due to low duty cycle. But to explore the differentiation of their characteristics, advantages and several reasonable evaluations are carried out. The operating principle, theoretical analysis and experimental results of modified high gain step-up converter are provided for PV-fed LED lighting applications to verify the efficient performance in all aspects.


It is shown that the time-dependent intensity of an ultrashort laser pulse can be recovered from the secondorder correlation G(2) (τ) and the third-order correlation with single time-delay G(3) (τ) . A calculation method for recovering the intensity enveloped I(t) is presented. The experimental data are successfully processed by a computer with novel programming. A new instrument is suggested on the basis of determing I(t) of an ultrashort laser pulse from correlation measurements.


This work puts forward the problem of blind mixing matrix identification in the case of linearly mixed signals of cyclostationay sources whose cyclic frequencies are unknown and different. The identification is achieved using a semi-analytical solution. It takes advantage of the Eigenvalue Decomposition (EVD) of a set of algebraically particular matrices resulted from the application of the cyclic autocorrelation function on the mixed signals and rank-one selection criteria combined with a hierarchical clustering method. The proposed approach is applied to digital communication signals then numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the proper behaviour of the proposed method in different noise contexts.


We theoretically investigated phonon dispersion and specific heat in twisted bilayer graphene with various rotation angles. It was found that rotation affects the out-of-plane acoustic phonon modes the most. It was established, that the relative difference between specific heat in bilayer graphene without twisting and twisted bilayer graphene constitutes 10—15% at 1 K and 3—6% at 5 K in dependence on rotational angle. Obtained theoretical results contribute to a better understanding of the phonon processes in graphene and are important for the design of novel heat management applications.


Nowadays, most of products are the results of different dependent process steps. Due to the cascade property in most of these processes, using the traditional control charts for monitoring these processes is not suitable. To solve this problem, Cause selecting Charts (CSCs) are developed to monitor multistage processes. These control charts have usually been developed when quality characteristics follow normal distribution. However, sometimes other distributions rather than normal can characterize quality characteristics. In this paper a cause selecting control chart based on the standardized residuals of a generalized linear model is developed to monitor a two-stage process with a Poisson distributed quality characteristic in the second stage. The performance of the proposed control chart is investigated in terms of average run length criterion under two different link functions in comparison with the best method in the literature. The results show the better performance of the proposed control chart in detecting increasing shifts. Finally, the performance of the proposed method in practice is evaluated through a case and acceptable results are obtained.


Small and medium business of industrial bags and suitcases intako located in tanggulangin sidoarjo is a center producing varrious products such as bags, suitcases, and jacket in exotic store. Along with the increasing amount of production it must be coupled with the improvement of quality in order to be able to meet customer satisfaction. But in production activities often experience some obtacles one of them is product defect caused by human error and engine factor. This study uses the method Failure Mode and Effect Analysys (FMEA)  to identify each stage of the process and the method Failure Tree Analisys (FTA) to find the root couse of failure . there are 6 potential failures ot the 4 production process of making bags with the highest RPN value such as sewing machine often having trouble with the value of RPN 504 and there are 12 basic event of FTA tree error depiction affecting product quality in exotic UKM intako.


Digital systems to measure PDs have been widely adopted in the last years. Therefore the need of simple and effective methods to elaborate the large amount of available data, relevant to PD activity, arises. For example, it has already been shown that parameters resulting from statistical analysis of PD patterns can allow one to determine the nature of PD sites. Nevertheless the significance of the statistical parameters can be strongly affected by the measurement system characteristics and, in particular, by its adjustments. In the paper it is shown how the characteristics of the measurement system (amplifier gains, acquisition time lag, number of channels) can affect the PD patterns and relevant statistical parameters. For this purpose, two different experimental set-ups have been adopted, measuring PDs which act on the surface of polymeric films or inside tree channels. In this way, the acquired PDs were also relevant to different degradation levels of the PD site.


METHODS: We performed a mixed methods study, including a quantitative survey and semi-structured, qualitative interviews. We recruited women's health primary care providers and support staff from the Salt Lake City medical center and 8 surrounding CBOCs. We employed a Likert scale to assess comfort with 17 reproductive health services and performed descriptive analyses. In qualitative interviews, we explored provider/staff training, current care processes, and improvement opportunities. We audio-recorded, transcribed, and used Crabtree and Mill's Editing Approach to identify dominant themes.


Abstract : A phase shift of 180 deg. has been found between the Rayleigh wave trains of two closely located Eastern Kazakh explosions. The Rayleigh waves from one of the explosions were delayed by about 4 sec relative to the Rayleigh waves from the other explosion. The event generating the delayed Rayleigh waves excited relatively strong Love waves, but these waves were not delayed. Various causes for the anomalies have been discussed - explosion-collapse pairs- depth differences and spallation. It seems that the Love waves of the anomalous event have been generated very near the source at the time of the detonation while the Rayleigh waves have been generated by a secondary event, -collapse - or by spall closure above the explosion.


The outstanding Gilbrook School caters for pupils with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Among its many strategies is a non-confrontational approach to behaviour management with minimal sanctions. Emma Lee-Potter paid a visit to find out more


In this work, a Constraint Law method (CLM) based Genetic Algorithm (CLM-GA) is proposed for Nonlinear Least Square (LS) Regression and Normal Optimization Problems (NOP). Numerical experimental results show that CLM-GA is more robust than traditional methods (Gauss Newton, Levernberg Marquardt, EM-GA, EDBF-GA) for both LS and NOP problems in three aspects: 1) efficiency; 2) accuracy; 3) astringency. There are many LS and NOP applications in the physical world, such as military, economics, industry, photogrammetry and so on. Research of this paper can be easily implemented and applied for those applications.


MCT/VS hetero bifunctional reactive dye has been used in silk fiber.At different PH value and temperature,by analyzing the dye-up take and fixation,this paper studies its dyeing properties on silk fiber.The strength and color fastness of dyed silk fiber have also been tested.The result shows that MCT/VS hetero bifunctional reactive dye has better fixation rate and color fastness on silk,with its optimum dyeing condition for PH 8-9 and the temperature 80-90℃.


We want to educate the younger brothers in SD N Mengesta to use gadgets well and conducive to this counseling and socialization can give good influence to children in hopes of growing the sense of environmental care in themselves, family, peers, and the community around. Gadgets are currently a much-needed technology in society because personal devices can accelerate the work of Merka, fast in communicating, and looking for information. In addition to the means of communication, gadgets also become the need for entertainment for man itself because they can play games with only a device. Mengesta Village is one of the villages located in the Penebel sub-district, Tabanan Regency. The Program of KKN activities in Mengesta village has been carried out well thanks to the cooperation of the community, students, and the full support of the village chief Mengesta. The work program that runs during the activity is counseling and socialization about the use of plastic waste and gadgets. Plastic waste becomes a problem that nowadays gets more attention than many countries. As a material that takes a long time to decompose, plastic products will undoubtedly continue to accumulate.


The computation of economic equilibria, given specific supply and demand functions, is a well-established problem normally treated by fixed point methods or other iterative schemes which converge to a point satisfying the equilibrium criteria. In cases where there are several points which satisfy the equilibrium criteria, these methods will produce a solution distinguished only by the characteristics of the method itself and the starting point used. For some applications, it is desirable to characterize a particular equilibrium point in the presence of multiple equilibria. We consider here economies with demand and supply characteristics which can be described in terms of separable functions (i.e., functions which are sums of functions, each of a single variable) or in terms of functions which can be made separable by introducing new variables and equations. We apply a recently developed branch and bound algorithm to the problem of maximizing any one of several separable objective functions subject to the equilibrium criteria, thus producing a particular equilibrium point. If there is more than one equilibrium point solution for a particular objective function, the branch and bound procedure will produce all such solutions. We present an example with three commodities to show that economic equilibrium models can have different solutions depending on which objective function is used. We briefly discuss other examples with up to 30 commodities.


This thesis deals with the analysis of competitiveness of the company Sylex, s.r.o. Theoretical part is focused on the literature knowledge related to competition, competitiveness, competitive strategies and advantages which are used by companies to strengthen their position against competitors. In the practical part there is realised the analysis of competitiveness of the chosen company which conclusion provides proposals for improvements. We used tools like benchmarking, SWOT analysis, PESTLE analysis, Porter's five forces model, moreover IFE, EFE and SPACE matrix, while making the analysis.


In this paper, we investigate the properties of the cell-graphs by using the spectral graph theory. The spectral analysis is performed on (i) the adjacency matrix of a cell-graph, and (ii) the normalized Laplacian of the cell-graph. We show that the spectra of the cell-graphs of cancerous tissues are unique and the features extracted from these spectra distinguish the cancerous (malignant glioma) tissues from the healthy and benign reactive/inflammatory processes. Our experiments on 646 brain biopsy samples of 60 different patients demonstrate that by using spectral features defined on the normalized Laplacian of the graph, we achieve 100% accuracy in the classification of cancerous and healthy tissues. In the classification of cancerous and benign tissues, our experiments yield 92% and 89% accuracy on the testing set for the cancerous and benign tissues. We also analyze graph spectra to identify the distinctive spectral features of the cancerous tissues to conclude that (i) the features representing the cellular density are the most distinctive features to distinguish the cancerous and healthy tissues, (ii) and the number of the eigenvalues in the normalized Laplacian spectrum that have a value of 0 is the most distinctive feature to distinguish the cancerous and benign tissues. ∗ Present address: Oregon Health and Science University, Department of Pathology, Portland, OR. Technical report, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Department of Computer Science, TR-04-17.


For testing the thermal insulation of sleeping bags, standard test methods and procedures using heated manikins are provided in ASTM F1720-06 and EN 13537:2002. However, with regard to the evaporative resistance of sleeping bags, no instrument or test method has so far been established to give a direct measurement. In this paper, we report on a novel supine sweating fabric manikin system for directly measuring the evaporative resistance of sleeping bags. Eleven sleeping bags were tested using the manikin under the isothermal condition, namely, both the mean skin temperature of the manikin and that of the environment were controlled to be the same at 35 °C, with the wind speed and ambient relative humidity at 0.3 m s−1 and 50%, respectively. The results showed that the novel supine sweating fabric manikin is reproducible and accurate in directly measuring the evaporative resistance of sleeping bags, and the measured evaporative resistance can be combined with thermal insulation to calculate the moisture permeability index of sleeping bags.


: Folk traditional games loved by young children are part of China's excellent national traditional culture, with strong cultural heritage and educational value. The application value of folk traditional games in outdoor sports activities in kindergartens includes: the value of early childhood development, the value of rich curriculum, and the value of cultural inheritance. By proposing three application strategies of age groups, time-based applications, and categories, the application effect of folk traditional games in outdoor sports activities in kindergartens is more reasonable and promoted, and the further development of young children is promoted while promoting the better inheritance of folk traditional games.