While the speed of signal processing hardware continues to grow, the desire for processing multi-channel digitized data is also increasing rapidly. In this paper we present a novel technique that combines the processing of two channels of data to realize significant improvements in computational efficiency that can facilitate multi-channel radar processing. The technique processes channels in pairs, taking advantage of certain properties of the Fourier transform, and performs digital downconversion in the frequency domain. Remaining in the frequency domain, we can then combine multiple functions that are often performed in series. These include pulse compression, channel equalization and time delaying. An example is included to demonstrate the computational savings realized.


Pyrene is used as a molecular probe to study surface polarity, constrained character of diffusion, oxygen diffusion, effects of coadsorbed water, and exchange cations in zeolites A, X and Y. The experimental methods include both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance absorption spectroscopy. The properties of CdS and TiO 2 constructed in zeolites are also presented.


Initially, a system is required to design to fulfill certain requirements. For example, Telephone network was designed to fulfill requirement of real-time long-distance communications. Hence, a natural way to begin thinking about architecture of a system is to start from the essential requirement of the system. That is, the first step should be list all the functional and non-functional requirements of the ideal system that one wishes to design. For example, the primary goal or expected requirement from Internet, when it was designed late 1970s-early 1980s, was the multiplexed operation of multiple, independent, heterogeneous networks. The next step is to use these requirements to derive the design implications. The requirements naturally put constraints on the type of architecture that can be supported. For example, in the context of Internet, requirement of multiplexed operation of independent networks mean that the architecture can not have any centralized operations. Once such design implications or constraints are derived, the next step is the search of technology that satisfies these constraints and allows one to implemented system with desired requirement. Certainly there is not any straightforward algorithm for implementing the above three steps, going through series of intelligent system specific guesses with multiple iterations of the above steps can lead to a good architecture design. We note that carrying out the above steps require a lot of system specific knowledge and hence it is impossible to have one design principle for all system architecture. The details of the above steps in the context of the Internet are described in the class-slides.


In current CMOS processing both n+-poly and p+-poly gates are used. The I-V –relationship and reliability of n+-poly devices are widely studied and well understood. Gate currents and reliability for p+-poly PMOS devices under gate injection conditions are not well understood. In this paper, the influence of the oxide thickness on the IV-characteristics under gate injection for p+-poly PMOS devices is studied. For this purpose, devices were fabricated with oxide thickness ranging from 5 to 20 nm.
All other processing steps were identical for these devices. The gate current for negative gate voltage was measured on these devices and the oxide electric field was extracted from CV-measurements. When the measured currents are plotted as a function of the extracted oxide electric field the coincide for all oxide thicknesses. The measured currents can be modeled neither by Fowler-Nordheim tunneling nor by valence band tunneling. An attempt to model the measured current with minority carrier tunneling also fails. It is concluded that the measured gate currents for negative gate voltage for p+-poly PMOS devices is independent of the gate oxide thickness for devices with identical gate processing. In this case, the gate current only depends on the applied oxide electric field.
For future modeling, the poly gate cannot be assumed to be uniformly doped in the lateral directions as was done for this study. Furthermore, a different tunneling mechanism needs to be considered.


In this paper we focus our attention on the world of Internet of Things (IoT) objects and their potential for human indoor localization. Our aim is to investigate how Received Signal Strength (RSS) can be effectively used for identifying the position of a person at home, by exploiting common IoT communication networks. We propose a plug and play solution where the Anchor Nodes (ANs) are represented by smart objects located in the house, while the Unknown Node (UN) can be any smart object held by the user. The proposed solution automatically identifies the rooms where the smart objects are placed, by comparing a fuzzy weighted distance matrix derived from the anchor signals, with a threshold weighted distance matrix derived from the distances between rooms. The information can be easily integrated in any IoT environment to provide the estimation of the user position, without requiring the a priori knowledge of the positions of the anchor nodes.


With fast development of society,economy,city and road construction and substantial increase of number of vehicle holdings,the Satellite Positioning,many advanced Modern Science and Technology such as Satellite Positioning,Data Communications and Computer Network has being used more and more in public security traffic management.By use of the vehicle monitoringsystem set up with GPS(Global Position System)technology,we can dynamically obtain the real position of moving vehicles;By use of geographical information and vavioue attribute information provided by GIS(Geographic Information System),we can complete shortest path algorithms and implement the monitoring and dispatching of vehicles;By use of GPRS(General Packet Radio Service),we can control and conduct electronic bulletin boards and service areas with far from cities and not access network.


Tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP) is the most common cause of maternal mortality in the first trimester of pregnancy; however, its etiology is uncertain. In EP, embryo retention within the Fallopian tube (FT) is thought to be due to impaired smooth muscle contractility (SMC) and alterations in the tubal microenvironment. Smoking is a major risk factor for EP. FTs from women with EP exhibit altered prokineticin re-ceptor-1 (PROKR1) expression, the receptor for prokineticins (PROK). PROK1 is angiogenic, regulates SMC, and is involved in intrauterine implantation. We hypothesized that smoking predisposes women to EP by altering tubal PROKR1 expression. Sera/FT were collected at hysterectomy ( n (cid:1) 21). Serum levels of the smoking metabolite, cotinine, were measured by en-zyme-linked immunosorbent assay. FTs were analyzed by q-RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting for expression of PROKR1 and the predicted cotinine receptor, nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (cid:2) -7


Objective:To establish a method for determination of fudosteine.Methods:A columnof Shimadzu C_(18) column (150mm×6.0mm,5μm) at room temperature,a mobile phase consisting ofacetonitrile:0.02mol·L~(-1) sodium pentane-sulfonate solution (pH 2)=4∶96 with a flow rate of 1mL·mmin~(-1),and a UV detector at 210nm were adopted.Results:A linear range of 10.1~151.5μg·mL~(-1),amean recovery 99.86% (n=6) with a RSD of 0.48% were obtained.Conclusion:A simple and accu-rate method is established for determination of fudosteine in its bulk pharmaceutical chemical.


This study investigates the disclosure of enabling knowledge of patents. In the patent literature, there are two views of patent that treat the patent disclosure decision differently. The "strategic power" view of patent proposes that firms maximize the disclosure of patent knowledge since corporate patenting is for strategic purposes to enhance their power for negotiation or technology preemption, the power benefits which dominate the disclosure costs. In contrast, the "signaling" view posits that patents are signals to correct asymmetric information in the intellectual property markets, and hence, the knowledge disclosure of patents will increase with the signaling benefits countervailed by the disclosure costs. Based upon U.S. corporate patent data, we test the two recent views of patent. The data show that firm size is positively related to the information disclosure of patents. This appears to support for the strategic power view. We also find that the number of industry competitors is negatively associated with the patent disclosure, evidencing the signaling view that predicts a significant role of the disclosure costs for the patenting decision. Finally, more rather than less technology interdependence of patented technologies is positively related to the patent disclosure. This also supports for the signaling view that predicts considerable signaling benefits of patents by informing other firms of true innovation value if patented technologies are interdependent with other technologies. Overall we find that both the signaling and the strategic power view help understand firms' patenting decision of how to disclose enabling knowledge of patents.


Abstract This study compares the pricing efficiency of two domestic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) (i.e., Falcom 30 and HSBC 20) listed on the Saudi stock exchange (i.e., Tadawul), as well as an international ETF (i.e., iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia) listed on the NYSE, by examining the extent and properties of the deviations of their prices from their net asset values (NAVs), and whether these deviations persist and vary over time. The results show that the deviations of the market prices of all of the ETFs are significantly large and persist for at least three days. It is shown that the standard deviation of the premiums/discounts based on the dyna model are large, particularly for the domestic funds. The premiums/discounts appear to be exacerbated during the periods of market turbulence. The results from cointegration analysis support the existence of a long-run relationship between the prices and the NAVs of the three ETFs. However, the ETFs' prices do not fully reflect the fundamental information contained in the underlying basket of the stocks in either the long run or the short run. Furthermore, the adjustment toward the long-run relationship seems to be quite slow, albeit apparently faster in the case of iShares MSCI Saudi Arabia. The restrictions on short selling, the concentration of authorized market participants, the increased cost for the creation and redemption of the ETF shares, and the lack of an active secondary market for the ETF shares can create major limits to arbitrage, thereby impeding efficiency in the market.


The present invention relates to a kind of antibody chip kits for detecting kidney marker.Detection of the present invention and the antibody chip kit of the relevant protein marker of kidney, including:Solid phase carrier, Sample dilution, cleaning solution, lyophilized protein standard items mixture, detection antibody mixture, Cy3 dyed substrates, sealed membrane with reference to streptavidin;The solid phase carrier is coating and the normal structure slide of the specific antibody of the relevant protein marker of kidney.The antibody chip kit of detection kidney marker of the present invention can detect 11 specific antibodies simultaneously, so as to judge the situation of change of kidney patient.The concentration of receptor that antibody chip kit of the present invention is detected can reach the detection sensitivity and accuracy of single ELISA.


Copulations with extra-group males are clearly important at an evolutionary level if they result in conceptions, but there can also be other, more indirect benefits involved. Extra-group sexual behaviour has been reported in both monogamous primates [Palombit, 1994; Reichard, 1995] and polygynous primates [Olson, 1985; van Noordwijk, 1985; Boinski, 1987; Agoramoorthy and Mohnot, 1988; Agoramoorthy and Minna, 2000]. Extra-unit copulations have not been reported before in the Sichuan snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana). Extra-unit sexual behaviour will be shown to exist within Sichuan snub-nosed monkey groups.


A noise control system and a method are provided. The method includes receiving, by a controller, a reference signal in response to a noise and an error signal that corresponds to residual noise. A control signal is generated for cancelling the noise based on the reference signal. In addition, the controller outputs a vibration according to the control signal to generate a cancellation signal for cancelling the noise. A phase delay of the reference signal is compensated for by the controller and updates a filter value of the adaptive filter based on the reference signal passing through the path compensation filter and the error signal.


The pavements at Dulles International Airport were the subject of a comprehensive pavement management study. The study consisted of data collection, pavement evaluation, and long-term pavement rehabilitation development. Data collection included detailed visual surveys, nondestructive testing, and materials characterization. The existing condition of the pavements was evaluated to determine the cause of the deterioration and to predict future condition and end of service life. A cost-effective rehabilitation program was established to maintain the pavements in acceptable condition for safe aircraft operations.


Generally, the liquid crystal display (LCD) is realized by modified retardation of the liquid crystal layer (LCL) with applied electric field between two orthogonal polarizers due to the birefringence effect. In the recent LCD, in addition to, the various optical components such as retardation plate film and polarizer are indispensable for excellent device characteristics. However, these optical components induce not only considerably high process cost but also low optical efficiency. Although the polarizer in these optical components has many demerits, almost transmissive LCD modes cannot operate without two orthogonal polarizers due to the realization of the black state. In this paper, we demonstrated a novel LCD mode with a single polarizer by controlling the optical path using a switchable MLA [1-5]. In order to operate with only one polarizer, the optical path controlling method is applied with black matrix layer (BML). In the proposed configuration, as shown in Fig. 1, initially homogenous aligned LCL is parallel to transmissive axis of incident polarizer, so the effective refractive index of a LCL is controlled by an applied electric field. Through the changed optical path by using MLA, incident light is penetrated and obstructed by the BML. Finally, we can remove an analyzer by introducing LCL and BML. Due to the only one polarizer, the proposed LCD mode has many merits, such as high optical efficiency and low process cost.


Since the introduction of hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) as a measurement technique for the first hyperpolarizability (second-order polarizability) of molecules in solution, the importance of fluctuations in the orientational distribution was realized. For isotropic solutions, a combination of the spatial and temporal fluctuations causes the instantaneous and local deviation from macroscopic centrosymmetry, which allows the observation of a second-order HRS signal. Femtosecond HRS has been used to probe the spatial orientational distribution function of nonlinear optical chromophores. The fluctuations in this function cause an HRS signal that fluctuates as a function of position. The decay of the autocorrelation function of this fluctuating signal is characterized by a correlation length. The correlation length indicates the degree of spatial correlation between the chromophores in the solid state. The development of femtosecond HRS was instrumental for the study of orientational correlations.


When the editor of Mankind Quarterly invited me, early in 1960, to contribute to the first issue of his new anthropological periodical, I had been under no illusions about the views on race and race-relations held by the journal's Honorary Associate Editors. I have taken my stand more than once against such views, as an anthropologist (Ehrenfels, 1938, 1940, 1957b, 1960a, 1960b:44, 125, 137, 170 if., 1961) and also as private individual, when I left my country, Austria, rather than submit to Nazi racial legislation in 1938. However, I agreed to contribute to Mankind Quarterly on a topic which, I thought, added by its very nature to the emancipation of group-tension research from racial prejudices through the study of typically repeated northto-south attitudes in various areas. My interest in these studies began with an analysis of internal Indian north-south problems (1955) and extended later to situational configurations, found typically repeated in other big-nation countries outside India (Ehrenfels, 1957a). A number of names on the Honorary Advisory Board of Mankind Quarterly seemed to warrant the objective discussion of differing viewpoints. If my own views differed from the editors', I expected not to be alone. Under this assumption I also acceded to the request of the Editor to delete two paragraphs in my original manuscript from its edition on p. 44 of Mankind Quarterly (first issue). The Editor had pointed out that these paragraphs, discussing roles played by apartheid in South Africa and by similar legislation in Southern Rhodesia, brought in political issues which, he thought, should be avoided in Mankind Quarterly. He also wished to shorten my contribution. However, when the first issue of the periodical reached me somewhat belatedly, owing to my absence from Madras, I saw that I was the only social anthropologist, among the contributors, who did not share in any way the trends of thought expressed by the associate editors. I also found, incidentally, that I was the only contributor who resides and teaches in an Asian country. Later the discussion of Mankind Quarterly in CA reached me and I found that I was not among those contributors who had been criticized there (Comas, 1961), nor among those who had been asked to participate in the CA discussion, following Comas' criticism. Mankind Quarterly carries on its cover-page a vignette, showing a Caucasoid head and a Mongoloid head in white color and in an upward position and, rather conspicuously, a third, a Negroid head, in black color and with the additional description H. Africanus pointing downward. My contributing to a journal with such a cover-page, which I had not seen previously, left room for misunderstandings, even among the less erudite of my own students. Such misunderstandings could hardly have arisen if the two paragraphs in my original manuscript had not been deleted. The typicality of attitudes to which I referred in this article, as in previously published discussions of the same subject (Ehrenfels, 1957a, 1960a,b,c) is not in reference to economy, language, nationhood, religion or culture generally, nor to race as such, but operates at the level of internal relations within each big-nation area. North-south polarized countries may be quite uniform in one, some, or even in all the various aspects which have been mentioned here, and may yet exhibit the typically repeated pattern of north-south mutuality within their national boundaries. It is essential to realize that cultural polarization phenomena, operating between northern and southern subregions of the same national area, can be seen as the product of co-efficiently acting climatic and social conditionings; and not as the result of action from external sources, such as different human races if they were to be understood as sub-species or otherwise alien and mutually exclusive out-groups. Increased mobility within the frontiers of big-nation states are seen here as the catalyzing social factor. They transform the otherwise vague environmental influence of cooler or warmer climates into active agencies through selective migrations. The typically repeated mutuality of northern and southern regions in otherwise quite differently conditioned (and also actually different) countries finds its explanation here. The USA, China and India, for instance, may be compared. Countries along meridian lines, such as Sweden, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Egypt, Sudan and Uganda also exhibit the same polarization trends. This illustrates that it is not absolute proximity to either the cold polar circle, or to the tropical equatorial belt, which can be held responsible for the social phenomenon which I call North-South Polarization. It is, on the contrary, a combination of different, co-efficient causes, primarily climate and selective migration within big-nation areas, which must be held responsible for the typically repeated north-south situations in the social patterning of several, otherwise different big-nation areas. The reversibility of this complex social phenomenon in the southern hemisphere is a side-issue on which I touched in my original manuscript for Mankind Quarterly and remarked in this connection:


More than 11,000 clinicians and researchers will gather in Denver to learn more about leading eye and vision research at the 2015 meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology.


The modeling and control of a wind energy conversion system based on the Doubly Fed Induction Generator DFIG is the discussed theme in this paper. The purpose of this system was to control active and reactive power converted; this control is ensured thanks to the control of the two converters. The proposed control strategies are controlled by PI regulators and the sliding mode technique. In the present work a comparison of the robustness of the 2 controls of the grid side converter (GSC) during a voltage dip is shown. The simulation is carried out using the Matlab/Simulink software with a 300 kW generator.


Ambient Intelligence offers significant benefits to e-commerce services, which is facilitated by the emergence of ubiquity (being available everywhere), universality (being able to operate in heterogeneous environments), uniqueness (relating services to a context such as the location) and working in unison (allowing multiple parties to work together) [1]. This type of e-commerce has been termed u-commerce. The proposal here is to adequate the designing of a multi-agent system to support u-commerce services provisioning; to propose an evaluation method for this kind of systems and finally make a review of the state of the practice of the existing reputation management systems in order to use them for this MAS supporting u-commerce.


THE uptake and widespread acceptance of artificial insemination (Al) in horses has lagged behind that in other species. Most breed societies will now allow registration of progeny conceived by Al, but thoroughbreds produced by Al cannot be registered with Weatherbys. It is important that veterinary surgeons can perform these techniques successfully rather than allow lay personnel to offer what may be a less than adequate service to horse breeders.


A single feed compact rectangular microstrip patch antenna (MSA) for triple band application is presented in this paper. The proposed antenna has Circular slot on the patch and dumble shaped defected ground structure (DGS). To make the proposed antenna more efficient the optimization of the antenna design parameters have been done using HFSS's optometric. For the proposed antenna three resonant frequencies have been obtained at 2.33GHz, 7.60GHz and 8.53GHz with Bandwidth of 102Mz,130MHz and 127MHz return loss of -15.80db,-18.77db and -36.57db respectively. The characteristics of the designed structure are investigated by using FEM based electromagnetic solver, HFSS. An extensive analysis of the return loss, gain and bandwidth of the proposed antenna is presented. The simple configuration and low profile nature of the proposed antenna leads to easy fabrication and make it suitable for the application in wireless communication systems. Mainly it is developed to operate in the WLAN, WiMAX & RADAR application.


Objective
To explore the application effect of outcome-based education model in clinical teaching for neurosurgery nursing students.

Methods
By convenience sampling, the nursing students on placement rotation in Department of Neurosurgery in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University from August 2016 to July 2017 were selected and assigned into the control group (n=55) , and those from August 2017 to July 2018 were put into the observation group (n=51) . According to the requirements of the curriculum, the traditional teaching method was adopted for the control group, on the basis of that, the outcome-based education model was adopted for the observation group. The two groups of nursing students rotated in the Department of Neurosurgery for four weeks. Two independent sample t-test was used to compare the score of theoretical achievement, clinical achievement, Clinical Communication Ability Scale and Problem-solving Ability Scale between the two groups.

Results
The average theoretical and operational scores of nursing students in the control group were (91.71±3.28) and (89.38±5.39) respectively. The average theoretical and operational scores of nursing students in the observation group were (94.06±2.73) and (91.71±4.67) , respectively. There were significantly statistical differences between the two groups (P<0.05) . The total score of Clinical Communication Ability Scale of nursing students in the observation group was (90.08±7.43) , higher than that of the control group (83.38 ±7.07) , there were significantly statistical differences between the two groups (P<0.01) ; the scores of Problem-solving Ability Scale of nursing students in the observation group were higher than that of the control group (P<0.01) , there was significantly statistical difference between the two groups.

Conclusions
The outcome-based education model in clinical teaching for neurosurgery nursing students can effectively improve the nursing students' theoretical and operational performance, enhance their clinical communication skills and problem-solving ability and is conducive to cultivating excellent practical talents in clinical practice.

Key words:
Neurosurgery; Student, nursing; Hospitals, teaching; Outcome-based education; Clinical communication ability; Problem-solving ability


The problems caused by reusing insulating oil in power capacitors were analyzed. The insulating films and oils of capacitors before and after operation were tested by using infrared spectrum analysis, GC-MS analysis and dissipation factor measurement. The results show that the dissipation factor of the oil is the main factor that affects the dissipation factor of the whole capacitor and there is few content of antioxidant in the oil of failed capacitors. Moreover, the aging results of oils and model capacitors demonstrate that losing of antioxidant in reusing oil leads to the rapid increase of dissipation factor of the failed capacitors.


For those historians and anthropologists who study shamanism, Altai represents the 'motherland' of this institution. For their inspirations scholars who want to explore 'classical' cases of shamanism usually turn to this area, located in south-western Siberia, at the intersection of Russian, Mongolian and Chinese borders. At the same time, many of these scholars, who are concerned with a quest for 'ideal' and 'traditionalist' shamanism, ignore almost one-hundred years of contacts between native Altaians and the Russian Orthodox mission that considerably affected indigenous culture and ideology. For instance, some Russian anthropologists have stressed that despite Christian activities, natives still clung to their traditional beliefs at the turn of the twentieth century. N.A. Alekseev emphasised the superficial character of native Christianization and stressed the persistence of indigenous religion. In his recent work, Potapov, another prominent Altaian scholar, similarly concluded:


Summary The gender gap in participation in science and technology is widely documented. Various factors have been proposed as contributing to this imbalance, ranging from innately determined cognitive differences to social factors such as explicit and implicit discriminatory practices in the educational system and in the employment market, different patterns of interest, and negative stereotyping of female scientists and technologists. In this study as part of a survey into students' attitudes to, knowledge about and experience of computers, 928 students at an institution of higher education were asked to rate one of two target figures on 16 personal attributes. Half the respondents randomly selected received questionnaires describing a female computer scientist, and the other half questionnaires describing a male. Aside from the gender of the ratee, questionnaires were identical. Using analyses of variance, responses were analysed to determine whether there were any differences in the rating of the two t...


AT the present time about 85 per cent of the total quantity of gasoline consumed in the United States is sold to the retailer or ultimate consumer either by the company manufacturing it or by an affiliated or subsidiary concern. The remainder is purchased by wholesalers F. O. B. plant from the smaller refiners. Gasoline is distributed in wholesale quantities in tank steamers, tank cars, motor tank-trucks and horse-drawn tankwagons. The large refiners distribute gasoline from their refineries to the principal marketing centers in tank steamers and tank cars. Tank steamers are used extensively for coastwise shipments from refineries on San Francisco Bay and in southern California to the large markets of the Columbia River and Puget Sound regions. During the last two years millions of gallons of gasoline produced in California have been transported by tank steamer via the Panama Canal to the Atlantic Seaboard. Daily entire trainloads of gasoline in tank cars, destined for large consuming centers, leave the important refining regions of the Rocky Mountain and Mid-Continent oil fields and the large refineries farther east. Adequate storage facilities are maintained in the large cities along the Atlantic, Gulf and Pacific Coast and at important interior refining points from which the requirements of the retail dealer are supplied. The seasonal demand for gasoline necessitates the accumulation of large stocks during the winter months in order to meet the


The propagation of the palm Syagrus romanzoffiano is done sexually with seeds, making the process of obtaining new plants slow and difficult, especially on large scales. In addition, seed germination is slow, uneven and susceptible to degradation and loss of vigor because of embryo deterioration, even under laboratory conditions. As a result of the lack of information on efficient depulping methods for queen palm fruits, the present study aimed to establish a depulping methodology that is less aggressive to embryos, maintaining emergence quality. This experiment was carried out in Goiânia, Brazil, using fruits from eight stock plants submitted to three pre-depulping treatments (control, fermentation and drying) and two depulping methods (industrial depulping and concrete-mixer with the addition of gravel). After the different pre-sowing processes, the fresh and dry pyrenes mass, remaining fibers adhered to the pyrene and seedling emergence were evaluated. The pulper removed an average of 45% more pyrene pulp than the concrete mixer. However, these methodologies did not result in differences in the emergence of plants, which was affected only by the pre-depulping treatment, with superiority in the use of fresh fruits. Thus, the pulper was more efficient for the removal of pulp and pulp fibers than the concrete mixer. The depulping method did not significantly affect the pyrenes mass. Higher seedlings emergence values were observed for the fresh fruits that were pulped and sown immediately. Fermentation and partial pulp dehydration exert a negative influence on seedling emergence.


ment. They have cited examples showing that today, the perception of major donors, particularly the World Bank, has altered in the light of this changed concept of development. Thus, it is imperative for the GOB to modify its aid policy-making process and diplomacy so that it can negotiate more efficiently with major donors for aid on justified terms and conditions and utilise the grant for comprehensive development. The authors have put forward their argument in six chapters. The first chap-


This report presents a survey and assessment of train performance calculators (TPC) and train operations simulators (TOS). The purpose of the report is to increase the railroad industry's awareness of the present state of development, usefulness, and availability of these models.


Foliar and root absorption and translocation of metribuzin (4-amino-6-(1,1-dimethylethyl)-3-(methylthio)-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-one) by downy brome (Bromus tectorum L. # BROTE) and winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was determined. After a 48-h absorption period, roots of three-week-old downy brome plants had absorbed two times more metribuzin on a total plant fresh weight basis than had roots of winter wheat. Root-absorbed metribuzin was translocated similarly regardless of species with 80% of absorbed 14C accumulating in leaf blades, 10% in the leaf sheaths, and 10% in the roots. After 24 h, leaves of downy brome and winter wheat had absorbed, respectively, 26 and 36% of foliar-applied metribuzin, and absorption increased threefold with the addition of a nonionic surfactant. Translocation of foliar-absorbed metribuzin was primarily towards the apex of the treated leaf. No translocation from the treated leaf to other plant parts occurred with either species. The greater tolerance of winter wheat to metribuzin is due in part to less root absorption of metribuzin by winter wheat than by downy brome.


This paper briefly introduced the cylinder pressure - injection synthesis method which is detection masonry structure mortar strength technology principle, the technology based on the mathematical statistics method for data correction processing, and it combines the advantages between cylinder pressure method and penetration method ,and this method and more accurate and reliable than a single detection technique.


Drones have the capability of causing disruption and damage to military and economic assets. They are capable of effectively engaging strategic security interests. While they have been used frequently in Afghanistan and decimated a few leaders what shook the world was the events of September 14, 2019. During the early hours, as many as 18 drones and seven cruise missiles attacked two Saudi Arabian oil plants destroying nearly 50 percent of the country's global supply crude. The Houthi rebel group in neighboring Yemen allegedly claimed responsibility for 10 drone attacks. However, the United States and the Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia speculated a major role was played by Iran in it. Iran has denied the charge. Reports state that almost 25 drones were used which points more to Iran than Houthi. The attacks decimated Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and cut the country's oil output by 5 million barrels every day. This led to a surge in oil prices as Saudi Arabia is the world's leading oil exporter.


Flying to and fro along a line of hill or wave lift we often pass through local patches of stronger lift. Traffic and other conditions permitting, we sometimes try to work this lift either by circling, by flying short beats through the good patch, or by doing figures of eight. Unlike thermals, which drift downwind, hill and wave lift tend to be associated with the ground features producing them. Shifts certainly occur, but there are periods when the area of lift seems to be fixed near some point on the ground, and we try to stay fairly close to it. This note suggests ways to optimize the gain from the figure-8 method. In what follows we will take the direction from which the wind blows as 0 degrees ( = 360 degrees) and the line of lift as running across wind (090 degrees to 270 degrees). We will first consider a simple case, consisting of a sequence of reverse turns.


The presented work describes design model of end plate joints loaded by combination of bending moment and normal force. Two sets of tests were performed to check the prediction tests at University in Coimbra and tests prepared at Czech Technical University in Prague. The procedure for the interaction is already available for base plates. The paper presents application of this model to beam-to-column connections and beam splices and verification of the model to available tests.


Worldwide many transformer insulation failures have been reported caused by switching operations, while those transformers had previously passed all the standard tests and complied with all quality requirements. The problem is mostly associated with high-frequency overvoltages generated during opening or closing of a switching device. Therefore, a numerical model of a transformer and a circuit breaker are first of all combined and weighted against laboratory measurements. To improve the accuracy of the overall model, the transformer model is extended with a frequency dependent loss model. Secondly, it is important to know the sensitivity of the electrical insulation against these high frequency disturbances superimposed on the 50 Hz main voltage. To investigate this, material tests using an extended Tesla transformer are performed on 2 types of insulation materials: cast resin and paper-oil insulation.


The present invention relates to a display device for a cooking appliance in which at least one parameter for at least a predetermined program and / or for at least one predetermined operating mode is preset, the preset parameter is variable, is displayed at least the changed parameters on said display means after each change and the preset parameter is displayed at least partly simultaneously with the changed parameter, and a cooking appliance having such a display device.


The invention relates to a transportation vehicle with low cargo carrying platforms. The transportation vehicle comprises at least one modular vehicle. Each modular vehicle comprises a vehicle frame, suspensions, axles and tires, wherein the vehicle frame is formed by welding Q690, the suspensions are formed by welding Q690 and used for supporting the vehicle frame, axle heads of the axles are formed by forging alloy, each axle is connected to the corresponding suspension, each tire is connected to the corresponding axle, each suspension is connected with a lifting system used for lifting the vehicle frame, and the height of the whole modular vehicle is 910+/-250 mm. According to the transportation vehicle, high-strength materials are adopted, so the modular vehicles have high carrying capacity; the tires are specially developed and are high in carrying capacity, small in diameter dimension and capable of adapting to high-speed running; the whole transportation vehicle is compact in structure, so the modular vehicles comprise the low cargo carrying platforms and have high carrying capacity and the transportation vehicle is good in trafficability and especially suitable for overall transportation of some cargoes.


To the Editor: Determination of pregnancy status is vital in the workup of a patient presenting with vaginal bleeding or lower abdominal pain. We report a case of false negative results on urine and serum pregnancy tests as a result of the "high-dose hook effect." A 26-year-old woman (gravida 1, para 1) presented to the emergency department, reporting lower abdominal pain, vomiting, and several weeks of irregular vaginal bleeding. On examination, she was anxious and in moderate discomfort, and her heart rate and blood pressure were elevated. Her abdomen was soft, with a tender lower abdominal mass. Pelvic examination revealed . . .


The techniques of Instruction Level Parallelism (ILP) and pipeline have been used well to speed up the execution of instructions. The conditional branches are the critical factor to the effectiveness of a deep pipeline since the branch instructions can always break the flow of instructions through the pipeline and result in high execution cost. In order to achieve better CPU performance, many schemes of branch prediction have been utilized. These schemes sometimes can be categorized as program-based predictors vs. profilebased predictors, or static vs. dynamic schemes. This paper focuses on the study of the dynamic branch predictors since the dynamic approach of branch prediction has been developed much more than the static approach of branch prediction. However, their performances always have new and interesting discoveries based on different benchmarks and architectures. I studied as much documentation as I could within my very limited time, and basically perform comparisons between different techniques of dynamic branch prediction, and organize my findings in this paper.


The tri-strings suspension preheater system is composed of three strings cyclones,with gas flows from bottom to top paralleling and powder flows from top to down through each cyclone in a series.The mathematical model and thermal efficiency expression of tri-strings suspension preheater system were derived on the basis of mass equilibrium and thermal equilibrium of the system.The impacts of solid-gas mass ratio(Z),the separate efficiency of each stage on the system thermal efficiency have been analysed through the Matlab program.The results indicate that with the increase of Z,there is a peak of the thermal efficiency,and the separate efficiency of the top cyclone influences the thermal efficiency most significantly.This provides theoretical basis for RD of the tri-strings preheater system.


TPC1 is a non-selective, cation channel belonging to the superfamily of voltage-gated ion channels. TPC1 consists of 12 transmembrane domains (S1–S12) subdivided into two shaker-like segments connected via a cytoplasmic linker region carrying two EF-hand motifs. Each shaker-like segment consists of six transmembrane domains (S1–S6) including the voltage-sensing S4 domain and the ion-conducting pore domain between S5 and S6 .


Sixth generation (6G) cellular communications are expected to support enhanced wireless localization capabilities. The widespread deployment of large arrays and high-frequency bandwidths give rise to new considerations for localization applications. Emerging antenna architectures, such as dynamic metasurface antennas (DMAs), are expected to be frequently utilized thanks to the achievable high angular resolution and low hardware complexity. Further, wireless localization is likely to take place in the radiating near-field (Fresnel) region, which provides new degrees of freedom, because of the adoption of arrays with large apertures. While current studies mostly focus on the use of costly fully-digital antenna arrays, in this paper we investigate how DMAs can be applied for near-field localization of a single user. We use a direct positioning estimation method based on curvature-of-arrival of the impinging wavefront to obtain the user location, and characterize the effects of DMA tuning on the estimation accuracy. Next, we propose an algorithm for configuring the DMA to optimize near-field localization, by first tuning the adjustable DMA coefficients to minimize the estimation error using postulated knowledge of the actual user position. Finally, we propose a sub-optimal iterative algorithm that does not rely on such knowledge. Simulation results show that the DMA-based near-field localization accuracy could approach that of fully-digital arrays at lower cost.


The time-and spatially-resolved properties of laser ablated carbon, boron and silicon particles were measured by LAPXAS (Laser Plasma Soft X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy). The maximum speed of positively charged ions is higher than those of neutral atoms and negatively charged ions. The spatial distributions of the laser-ablated particles in the localized rare gas environment were measured. In helium gas environment, by the helium cloud generated on the top of ablation plume depressed the ablation plume. There is no formation of silicon clusters till 15μs after laser ablation in the argon gas environment.


A connected graph G, whose 2-connected blocks are all cliques (of possibly varying sizes) is called a block graph. Let D be its distance matrix. By a theorem of Graham, Hoffman and Hosoya, we have det(D) ≠ 0. We give a formula for both the determinant and the inverse, D −1 of D.


Stress has become an issue of major concern these days. Stress is treated as an independent variable beyond the control of a person. Consequences of stress can lead to ill mental and physical health, change in behaviour, depression, aggression, burnout, absence from work and other organisational and psychological consequences. This paper examines the causes of occupational stress generated due to human resource management practices and organisational environment. Paper also discusses the ways to cope with the stress. This paper in particular is a study about work culture of SJVN Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd, a joint venture of the Government of India (GOI) and the Government of Himachal Pradesh (GOHP) to plan, investigate, organize, execute, operate and maintain Hydro-electric power projects in India Bhutan and Nepal. The present study is confined to examine various important aspects related to human resource management practices prevalent in SJVN Limited which causes occupational stress among the employees and their perception towards coping up the occupational stress. Ancient Indian philosophy is full of wisdom for many ways to cope up with the occupational and any other stress. Many studies have been conducted in this regard. The present study also examines these golden rules, in particular the Patanjali"s Ashtang Yogic Sutras for stress busting.


We establish the Gleason result for finitely generated ideals in the context of Frechet algebras, and, in particular, provide an affirmative answer to the question about the Gleason result in (uniform) commutative Frechet algebras (posed by Carpenter in 1970). As a welcome bonus of our method, we characterize locally Stein algebras, and, as an application of this characterization, we also provide an affirmative answer to the Gleason problem for such algebras, which recaptures all the classical results on the Gleason problem in the theory of several complex variables.


The approximations of hysteresis switching loops describing the dynamic performance of basic MOS gates are presented and discussed for different input signals. Empirical formulas to calculate the width of switching hystereses are outlined. The results may be useful for development of the CMOS/NMOS logic simulation software eliminating the time-consuming transient analysis.<<ETX>>


Introduction Alternative certification (AC) programs give instructors a fast-track avenue to obtain certification while working in the classroom as a teacher. Candidates usually have bachelor's degrees or advanced degrees in other areas of specialization. Alternative certification programs vary widely in purpose, content, and structure from state to state, but the majority of the programs require training, licensure exams, coursework, and mentoring while the individual is working in the classroom (U.S. Department of Education, 2002, 2003). The major goals of AC programs are to increase the quantity and quality of teachers and to increase the number of male and minority teachers. Moreover, programs attract individuals who are committed to staying in the teaching profession. Morris (2002) conducted a study of different AC programs and found that the age and academic major of the individual have a major impact on teacher retention, with older individuals more likely to stay in teaching. Florida Alternative Certification Programs Florida faces a teacher shortage similar to states in the west and in the rest of the south. In fact, Florida will need more than 162,000 new teachers and paraprofessionals by the year 2010. It is estimated that the state will need 16,000 new teachers every year for the next 8 years as a result of the high teacher retirement rates, attrition in the field, and lack of interest in recent graduates of college teacher preparation programs. Bonuses are frequently offered to new teachers who agree to work in high-poverty districts at schools whose students have low grades on state tests. Florida has three ways for individuals to meet specialization requirements and two ways to meet the professional requirements to enter the teaching profession (Richard, 2003). Section 231.17(b) of the Florida Statutes authorizes every school district to develop its own AC program to allow individuals to obtain the professional preparation for certification without earning college degrees. Individuals must meet the state certification requirements in subject areas or have 30 hours of coursework in the field to participate in this program. The district plan must have approval by the Florida Department of Education. The participant must also pass all state certification examinations, demonstrate professional education competence, and satisfy credit requirements. Seven school systems have approved alternative certification programs; these include Hillsborough, Orange, Manatee, Broward, Escambia, Santa Rosa, and the Florida State University Research School. The Bureau of Educator Certification works with each district to obtain pass rates and data on all candidates (Florida State Report, 2002). The Florida Alternative Certification Program (2002) is based on 12 competencies referred to as the "Educator Accomplished Practices" that were adopted by the Florida State Board of Education in November of 1996. These include (a) assessment, (b) communication, (c) continuous improvement, (d) critical thinking, (e) diversity, (f) ethics, (g) human development and learning, (h) knowledge of subject matter, (i) learning environment, (j) planning, (k) role of the teacher, and (1) technology. This is part of Florida's A+ Plan for improvement and accountability in school throughout the state for student learning and teacher competency. The state provides a comprehensive set of tasks that includes products and performance practices. The 12 practices are assessed by a set of 2 to 5 tasks and observations. The Florida teacher may use computer programs, online classes, in-service workshops, or college courses to master the material. The teacher is provided a trained mentor and support in the school while teaching and working toward certification (Florida Alternative Certification Program, 2002). The primary purpose of the current study was to compare two teacher education preparation programs. …


Maize is a widely grown crop in China, and the relationships between agroclimatic parameters and maize yield are complicated, hence, accurate and timely yield prediction is challenging. Here, climate, satellite data, and meteorological indices were integrated to predict maize yield at the city-level in China from 2000 to 2015 using four machine learning approaches, e.g., cubist, random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (Xgboost), and support vector machine (SVM). The climate variables included the diffuse flux of photosynthetic active radiation (PDf), the diffuse flux of shortwave radiation (SDf), the direct flux of shortwave radiation (SDr), minimum temperature (Tmn), potential evapotranspiration (Pet), vapor pressure deficit (Vpd), vapor pressure (Vap), and wet day frequency (Wet). Satellite data, including the enhanced vegetation index (EVI), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), and adjusted vegetation index (SAVI) from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), were used. Meteorological indices, including growing degree day (GDD), extreme degree day (EDD), and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), were used. The results showed that integrating all climate, satellite data, and meteorological indices could achieve the highest accuracy. The highest estimated correlation coefficient (R) values for the cubist, RF, SVM, and Xgboost methods were 0.828, 0.806, 0.742, and 0.758, respectively. The climate, satellite data, or meteorological indices inputs from all growth stages were essential for maize yield prediction, especially in late growth stages. R improved by about 0.126, 0.117, and 0.143 by adding climate data from the early, peak, and late-period to satellite data and meteorological indices from all stages via the four machine learning algorithms, respectively. R increased by 0.016, 0.016, and 0.017 when adding satellite data from the early, peak, and late stages to climate data and meteorological indices from all stages, respectively. R increased by 0.003, 0.032, and 0.042 when adding meteorological indices from the early, peak, and late stages to climate and satellite data from all stages, respectively. The analysis found that the spatial divergences were large and the R value in Northwest region reached 0.942, 0.904, 0.934, and 0.850 for the Cubist, RF, SVM, and Xgboost, respectively. This study highlights the advantages of using climate, satellite data, and meteorological indices for large-scale maize yield estimation with machine learning algorithms.


PURPOSE: A composite formed article is provided to be used instead of a casting for a wheel hub, to minimize wheel weight, and to ensure excellent adhesive force with a composition for coating, strength and durability. CONSTITUTION: A composite formed article is prepared by (a) manufacturing a formed article containing polyethylene terephthalate, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, and glass fiber or carbon fiber; and (b) applying a reactive polyurethane composition or rubber composition to the formed article. The polyethylene terephthalate is recycle polyethylene terephthalate.


The Western Donbas is a mining-manufacturing region of Ukraine with a potential for increasing coal extraction in the following years. The operation of mines is followed by intense water drainage of highly mineralized ground water which accumulates in tailing ponds, which were built in the ravines without barriers screening the water-containing rocks. The problem of rational usage and protection from contamination and exhaustion of all types of water sources available for practical usage is relevant for the studied region, and all around the world. The development of a fundamental scientific solution to this problem was started in 1986, when a constantly operating mathematical model (COMM) of the changes in hydrogeological conditions of the Western Donbas was developed. The authors were the Pavlohrad Geological-Survey Expedition (PGSE), the Dnipropetrovsk Affiliate of the Institute of Mineral Resources (DAIMR) and the Department of Geology and Hydrogeology of O. Honchar Dnipropetrovsk National University. It is a regional, multi-functional, constantly improved hydrogeological project limited in space but without a time limit. The COMM of the Western Donbas, along with the most obvious advantages, has one disadvantage. In spite of its small scale (1:100000) , it provides only a general characteristic of technogenic changes in the ground water regime of the territory and cannot constitute a single scientific basis for developing nature-protection hydrogeologic measures. Therefore,it has been supplemented with mathematical models of the territories adjacent to the local objects of technogenic impact on the ground water. This includes tailing ponds, tailing dams, mining dumps and mine drainage. The first three types of technogenic objects have already been sufficiently studied and described in scientific publications (Eugrashkina , 2011 ; Eugrashkina , 2012; Eugrashkina , 2013; Eugrashkina, 2013). This paper focuses on the mathematical models, changes in hydrogeological conditions under the impact of the fourth factor mine drainage. The first three factors contaminate ground water, the fourth causes decreases in the operational reserves as a result of flow of the fresh water from the upper horizons to the productive dried-out layer.


The original industrial video monitoring system is limited in watch room,which can't transport video information to several remote users at the same time.Based on the existing local video monitoring system and LAN,and the streaming media technology,synchronously transporting multi-channel real-time video in LAN by IP group casts that more LAN user can see real-time workshop video.That upgrade the existing local video monitoring system to remote monitoring system with min cost for corporations.


This paper describes a computer-based Bridge Management System that was designed by the Finnish National Road Administration to assist in high level bridge policy, and long-term planning and programming of investments. This BMS applies probabilistic bridge deterioration models to find a condition distribution of the bridges that minimizes maintenance and rehabilitation costs for the existing bridge stock.


This Disaster waste management policy and Strategy is expected to contribute for Eco friendly reconstruction and new construction works via the reuse of disaster debris. Thus, the Nation would be capable to achieve Economic and Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) together with mitigating the negative effect of Climate Change. Furthermore, this strategy may be the nationally committed documents developed for conservation of natural resources and the physical infrastructures through proper management of the catastrophe introduced leftover.


Abstract Automated writing evaluation (AWE) programs have been widely utilized in writing classrooms and have been increasing gradually, yet teachers' and students' attitudes in relation to AWE, Grammarly, have still remained uncharted in Afghanistan. The current study explored teachers' and students' attitudes toward the efficacy and/or inefficacy of Grammarly deployment in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) academic writing classrooms. This study employed mixed methods, sending a questionnaire to 66 students and interviewing five Afghan English language (EL) teachers and four students from private language schools (PLSs) and public universities (PUs). Also, the ABC model of attitudes has been used to measure teachers' and students' attitudes in this study. Statistical analysis showed that students' attitudes were quite favorable toward Grammarly deployment in writing classrooms. Besides, inferential statistics uncovered that no significant difference exists between students' attitudes toward Grammarly use and students' gender, level of proficiency, and institution types. In addition, the results revealed that teachers had almost positive attitudes toward Grammarly deployment in writing classrooms considering students' writing skills development. Furthermore, the study also unveiled some exhaustive merits, plus some shortages of Grammarly applications. Moreover, the study's findings indicated that Grammarly can be included in the English department's curriculum, computer lab, or library, as well as in professors' and students' writing courses. This research also suggested that professors facilitate Grammarly feedback and that policymakers hold technology training courses at institutions.


In the past decades, Brazil has developed a sophisticated and quite generous – but with serious integration gaps – net of social protection. The main challenge for Brazil today is to convert this complex social mechanism into a well-structured and integrated net of protection that addresses five goals: to ensure proper protection for individuals; to foster labor; to foster productivity; to promote the lengthening of labor relations; and to foster labor formalization. In this context, this paper will discuss the existing net of social protection in Brazil, the difficulties in addressing the five goals laid down earlier and how a social protection net could be reformed, considering the French model (Revenu de solidarite active), in order to reach the above mentioned goals.


Boom and bust phases in asset prices have become a pervasive feature of macroeconomic developments in many advanced economies. This paper studies fiscal policy during boom-bust phases in asset prices and draws several conclusions. First, expansions and contractions in economic activity during such boom-bust phases tend to be highly persistent, cyclical turning points are harder to forecast, and the margins of error for output gap estimates can be large. Second, conventional estimates of revenue elasticities seem not to allow an accurate assessment of fiscal stance or the strength of underlying fiscal positions during boom-bust phases. Third, boom-bust phases tend to exacerbate already existing procyclical policy biases, as well as political-economy biases, toward higher spending and public-debt ratios.


Abstract Synthetic dyes are extensively used in various industries like textile and food industry and are responsible for generation of colored and toxic wastewater. The aim of study was to evaluate decolorization efficiency of White Rot Fungi P.ostreatus (strain BWPH) for dyes belonging to different classes: Anthanthrone Red (anthraquinone dye) and Disazo Red (azo dye) having concentration of 0.08g/l. The Daphnia magna immobilization test was performed to check zoo toxicity of samples during and after treatment. The result show that maximum decolorization efficiency achieved for Anthanthrone Red and Disazo Red dye after 168h was 94.31% and 73.13% respectively. The zoo toxicity test reflects that the pure dyes were much less toxic to D.magna at higher concentration. In contrast, the post process samples were more toxic to organism. It reflected production of toxic metabolites because of enzymatic degradation/biotransformation of dye. For anthraquinone dye, post process sample of 0.25 h was less toxic as compared to 168 h sample. Toxicity Unit was 23.52(class IV), and 2.61(class III) respectively for Anthanthrone Red and Disazo Red post process sample. The conducted research showed high potential of BWPH strain for decolorization dyes belonging to different classes. But the mycelium produces toxic substances during the decolorization process. It may be related to the biodegradation of these substances to toxic metabolites. Further studies have indicated to optimize the process of decolorization.


Simple Summary Reports of invasive species have increased dramatically in recent decades, raising public awareness. While human activities favor their spread, global warming is believed to promote the establishment of alien species and pose a major threat to native ecosystems. The freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta is an example of a globally successful spread, attracting public attention with its short-lived, eye-catching medusa blooms. Two life stages of this jellyfish are predators: the benthic polyps and the planktonic medusae. Both must meet the requirements in their new food webs to become established. We compared their niches with those of presumed native competitors and found a strong overlap for the medusa stage, suggesting high competition with native zooplanktonic predators and young fish. In contrast, the polyps of invasive Craspedacusta and native Hydra differed in their niches, possibly favoring a long-term invasion success of Craspedacusta. Abstract When species spread into new regions, competition with native species and predatory–prey relationships play a major role in whether the new species can successfully establish itself in the recipient food web and become invasive. In aquatic habitats, species with a metagenetic life cycle, such as the freshwater jellyfish Craspedacusta with benthic polyps and planktonic medusae, have to meet the requirements of two distinct life stages occurring in two habitats with different food webs. Here, we examined the trophic position of both life stages, known to be predatory, and compared their niches with those of putative native competitors using stable isotope analysis. We found that δ13C and δ15N signatures of medusae overlapped with those of co-occurring Chaoborus larvae and juvenile fish (Rutilus rutilus) in a well-studied lake, implying high competition with these native predators. The comparison of δ15N signatures of Hydra and Craspedacusta polyps in four additional lakes revealed their similar trophic position, matching their predatory lifestyle. However, their δ13C signatures differed not only across all four of the lakes studied but also within one lake over time, suggesting a preference for pelagic or benthic food sources. We conclude that invasive and native polyps differ in their niches due to different food spectra, which favors the invasion success of Craspedacusta.


Sumba in one of the driest island in Indonesia where community is suffering lack of water for household as well as agriculture purposes, particularly in the dry season. To solve the problem, Max Waingapu Radio Foundation has installed the Barsha pump, which is water-powered technology instead of fuel based and the impacts of the project are not yet evaluated. Therefore, this study is aming to investigate the impacts of the use of Barsha pumps on the access and control in the financial management mechanism among the farming community. This study carried out two times in-depth interviews as well as focus group discussions in nine villages of Waingapu. The results show that the benefits from the project opened possibilities for farmers to irrigate their fields and produce crops during the dry season and to increase income as well as standards of living. Moreover, the most important findings is that the access and control of financial management of farmers are quite impressing, especially the female farmers. Keywords : Farmers, Barsha pump, financial management DOI : 10.7176/JLPG/88-03 Publication date : August 31 st 2019


Mg(subscript 76-x)Ti12Ni12Mn(subscript x) (x=2, 4, 6, 8) alloys were prepared by mechanical alloying and the effects of Mn content on the hydrogen storage properties were investigated systematically. For Mg(subscript 76-x)Ti12Ni12Mn(subscript x) (x=2, 4, 6, 8) alloys, the main binary alloy phase is consisted of Mg2Ni and Ti2Ni phase, the maximum hydrogen storage capacity is 3.47 wt%, 3.32 wt%, 3.60 wt% and 3.11 wt% respectively. The hydrides decomposition enthalpies of Mg(subscript 76-x)Ti12Ni12-Mn(subscript x) (x=2, 4, 6, 8) alloys are -79.2 kJ/mol, -78.0 kJ/mol, -73.7 kJ/mol and -73.6 kJ/mol. The stability of Mg(subscript 76-x)Ti12Ni12Mn(subscript x) (x=2, 4, 6, 8) alloy hydride is reduced and the thermodynamics performance is also improved with addition of Mn element. The result shows that amorphous is unfavorable to improve hydrogen storage performance.


Aim . The contents and structure of the methodological unit of scientific research on educational problems are defined. The present study is the continuation of methodological articles cycle appealed to support the work of newcomer researchers. Methods . The requirements to research justification are disclosed; logicstylistic and language features of the argument while designing the methodological unit are described from the standpoint of complete, panoramic and hermeneutic approaches. Results and scientific novelty . The characteristic of research hypotheses types and the functions realized by them is given. The scientific hypothesis is presented as the instrument of trans-level conceptualization of pedagogical knowledge. The author's interpretation of a «through» stage-by-stage hypothesis-generating as process of a meaning-making and theoretical organization of research object is offered. Dual character of the hypothesis-generating is presented; it integrates logic-gnoseological and valuable-conceptual, rational and intuitively figurative principles. Typical mistakes in formation of the methodological research unit are analysed. The directions of a multiangle reflection implementation in the course of research activity are designated. Practical significance . The recommendations proposed in the study can by used by teachers-researchers, students, undergraduates, graduate students and doctoral candidates mastering practical methodology of scientific and pedagogical search; and also the materials are designed for research supervisors motivated to increase efficiency and tutorial activity content.


Background The presence of spinal cord (SC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesions can be expected to affect the mobility of people with relapsing–remitting MS (pwRRMS), but reports are ambiguous. Objective The objective of this paper is to determine whether the presence of SC MRI lesions in early diagnosed pwRRMS could be considered a predictor of long-term disability. Methods pwRRMS with an SC MRI performed within two years from the onset of symptoms and followed up for at least seven years were included. Patients were grouped into: (a) pwRRMs with at least one SC T2 MRI lesion, and (b) pwRRMs without SC T2 MRI lesions. The primary end point was to evaluate the effects of independent factors on reaching an Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS) of 4.0. Results A total of 239 pwRRMS matched the required criteria: 116 in the group with SC lesions and 123 in the group without SC lesions. At baseline, there were no statistical differences between the two groups. The presence of SC lesions (Exp(b) 4.4, CI 2.1–9.0, p < 0.001) and higher basal EDSS (Exp(b) 3.3, CI 2.3–4.8, p < 0.001) proved to be the best predictors of reaching EDSS 4.0. Conclusion The presence of T2 SC MRI lesions detected early from MS onset of RRMS predicts a worse prognosis.


An approximate linear model is developed for a linear process in which the control signal can assume only two values, U_{\max} and U_{\min} , and which is controlled by varying the fraction δ n of a sampling cycle of duration T that the control is at U_{\max} . The dynamic equations are of the form w_{n+1} = \Phi(T)w_{n} + \bar{\Gamma}(T)r_{n} where w n is related to the average state x n over one cycle, and r_{n} = \delta_{n} - \delta_{s} where δ s is the steady-state value of δ n required to maintain a desired average state x d . The system error e(nT) at sampling intervals is related to these variables by an equation of the form e(nT) = M_{1}w_{n} + M_{2}\delta_{s} + M_{3}b , where b is a bias vector. These relations may be used to design a linear control system by well-known techniques for discrete-time systems. The method is illustrated by the design of a third-order process which could represent a temperature control problem. Simulation results are given for a design that includes a Kalman filter for estimating the inaccessible states.


Explores management control and accounting systems of three successfully competing companies to gain deeper insight and fill knowledge gaps. Results show that management control and accounting systems do exist which enhance successful competition. Common features are heavy influence of marketing strategy and activities, but with little interaction between the marketing and accounting functions and with substantial accounting‐type activity, notably activity based cost accounting, outside the accounting function. Traditional budgetary accounting controls are used only for operating costs; social and behavioural controls are used for revenues. Company executives believe these features contribute to effective competition strategy. Findings differ from conventional wisdom but provide implications for system design and continued research.


A convenient method,low-angle X-ray reflectivity measurement method,is presented to characterize the parameters of low-Z material layers in bilayer structures using X-ray diffractometer(XRD).Because the low-Z material optical constant is similar to the silicon(Si) substrate,the change of the low-Z material layer profiles is difficult to determine.Therefore,an ultra-thin metal layer is deposited as the Base Layer(BL) onto the substrate prior to the low-Z material layer.By choosing chromium(Cr) as the BL material,three Cr/C bilayer films with different C deposition times are fabricated and measured.After the simulation of the reflectivity curves,the density of C is approximately 2.25 g/cm3,while the deposition rate of C layer is 0.058 nm/s under our laboratory conditions.


Computer security problems are getting more and more prominent,accordingly,research of computer security is becoming more and more important.But current research of computer security centralizes on software.In order to improve the level of computer security more effectively,hardware based computer security is studied.Using classification method,hardware based computer security policy is provided.First,computer hardware components are analyzed to decide how to improve computer security,then,cooperation of all computer hardware components are analyzed.As a part of computer security policy,the research results can be used to guide improving computer security.


This paper examines the impacts of the U.S. shale boom on local patenting at commuting zones (CZs) level. I expect that the shale boom will negatively affect patents because shale development may crowd out labor and capital investments in other non-energy industries. My findings show that an increase in new drilling wells per 1000 square miles (drilling density) by one is associated with more than 0.029 decrease in patents per 100K population. Areas with higher drilling density have lower levels of patented innovation compared to their counterfactual. I also provide suggestive evidence on potential mechanisms. I find the share of creative class workers decreases in high drilling density areas. This paper contributes to a wide strand of literature related to "natural resources curse". I provide new evidence based on local patenting, which is an important indicator for innovation.


Circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy is an important tool in structural biology, especially for protein secondary structure analyses. Synchrotron radiation circular dichroism (SRCD) spectroscopy is a modified version of the technique that uses the intense light from a synchrotron source to enable the collection of data to much lower wavelengths than possible on conventional circular dichroism (cCD) instruments. There is a need for standardization of calibration methods amongst and between cCD and SRCD instruments to ensure consistency and the ability to use common reference databases for em- pirical secondary structural analyses. In a previous study (Spectroscopy 17 (2003), 653-661), we compared optical rotation measurements on several cCD and SRCD instruments, whilst holding constant other experimental factors. In this study, other experimental parameters which contribute to the spectral magnitude, such as cell pathlength and protein concentration deter- minations, are examined. In addition, the extent of wavelength calibration variations between instruments and their effects on secondary structure calculations have been examined. Hence, this paper provides additional practical guidance for "good practice" in the measurement of CD data.


Using the recently obtained phase-controlled few-cycle laser pulse profiles we numerically analyse the differences on the dynamics of a strongly driven plasma. We study two-cycle carrier amplitude envelopes with different electric field phases interacting with a plasma slab, using a particle-in-cell code 1D3V. Results show the influence of the pulse phase on the dynamics of the released electrons.


. The increase in elderly population escalates the challenges in the elderly healthcare service. To increase the quality of healthcare service for elderly, patient-centered care approach has been proposed. However, there are few issues need to be highlighted. Among the issues are the need of continuous monitoring that requires continuous clinical data collection. This involves huge labor and increase medical service cost. Apart from that, most elderly patients have multimorbidity that requires health services from multiple care providers and multiple care environments. Transmission between care providers and care environment require more efficient health information sharing method. To overcome these problems, the use of the Internet of Things has been introduced to help in terms of data collection and data transmission. This paper presents a conceptual model on Internet of Things based Patient-Centered Care for elderly healthcare monitoring. It comprises the Internet of Things layer, two principles from Patient-Centered Care Model and Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment Process.


Based on the phrase-standard grammar system, a hybrid-template method is planned out to realize the language generator of Chinese spoken dialogue system. In this hybrid-template method: phrase templates are designed to generate phrases; sentence templates are designed to generate fundamental positive declarative sentences; and transformation rules of sentence pattern are designed to generate other sentence patterns, such as the negative pattern and the interrogative pattern. A subjective assessment result indicates the generator possesses a high portability and a comparatively satisfying efficiency of language generation. Therefore,this generator of hybrid-template is feasible for generating Chinese simple sentences.


Cobalt chrome molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy is among the biomedical materials which is considered difficult to cut materials due to their combination of high strength, high toughness, high wear resistance, and poor thermal conductivity. In this study, high speed end milling (HSEM) was performed experimentally to access the machinability of CoCrMo alloy using solid coated and uncoated tools at different cutting speeds of 125, 140 and 155 m/min under the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) strategy. The axial and radial depth of cut were kept constant 4 mm and 1.5 mm respectively throughout the machining tests. The tool wear, tool life and tool wear mechanism were recorded and analyzed accordingly. It was observed that higher cutting speed significantly reduces the tool life due to rapid tool wear. Coated carbide tool performed better than uncoated carbide tool in terms of tool life for every cutting speed. It was also found that chipping, adhesion and cracks were the dominant wear mechanisms occurred on the cutting edge when high speed end milling of CoCrMo biomedical material.Cobalt chrome molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy is among the biomedical materials which is considered difficult to cut materials due to their combination of high strength, high toughness, high wear resistance, and poor thermal conductivity. In this study, high speed end milling (HSEM) was performed experimentally to access the machinability of CoCrMo alloy using solid coated and uncoated tools at different cutting speeds of 125, 140 and 155 m/min under the minimum quantity lubricant (MQL) strategy. The axial and radial depth of cut were kept constant 4 mm and 1.5 mm respectively throughout the machining tests. The tool wear, tool life and tool wear mechanism were recorded and analyzed accordingly. It was observed that higher cutting speed significantly reduces the tool life due to rapid tool wear. Coated carbide tool performed better than uncoated carbide tool in terms of tool life for every cutting speed. It was also found that chipping, adhesion and cracks were the dominant wear mechanisms occurred on the cutti...


The man's face is his business card, any defect of his face affects a person self-esteem and have a negative psychological impact. The aesthetic and psychological effects caused by the loss of one eye, mainly because of the asymmetry of the face, can be minimized with ophthalmic plastic and plastic surgery. Modern ophthalmology knows standard (mass) prostheses, which are made without taking into account features of the eye cavity of the individual patient, and the individual prostheses, which are created in view of the topographic structure of the eye, the individual characteristics of the conjunctival cavity, color, size, color and relief characteristics of the iris, sclera of fellow eye, location of vascular pattern


The idea of avatāra no doubt presents a philosophical challenge, as it appears to stand in contrast to the Vedāntic principle of non-duality; the Bhāgavata purāṇa (BhP) offers an opportunity to look into this question due to its unique structure, which combines the Vedānta and Rasa traditions. As such, this paper looks into the theology of Avatāra in the Bhāgavata purāṇa; it argues that reading the purāṇic genre in light of Śaṅkara's Advaita Vedānta is not as conducive to the understanding of the avatāra as reading it in light of Rāmānuja's Viśiṣṭādvaita Vedānta, which indeed is compatible with the purāṇic genre. Moreover, uncovering the underlying assumptions of Western notions of personhood, it seems that classical ideas of "the person" have to be looked into, and offering an alternative idea of personhood may be necessary in order to better understand the theology of avatāra.


There is a close relation between exercise-induced myocardial hypertrophy and renin-angiotensin system (RAS). By taking the cultured cardiac myocytes of the newborn rats as a model, effects of Jiangzhiling (JZL) (a sort of drug) on angiotensin(AII)-induced hypertrophy of cardiac myocytes were observed. It was indicated that whether the angiotensin(AⅡ) exists or not, the JZL is able to inhibit the growth of cardiac myocytes, showing that JZL has the effect of inhibiting exercise-induced myocardial hypertrophy.


The goal of this paper is to study the factors that affect the generalization performance and efficiency for neural network learning. First, this paper investigates the effect of initial weight ranges, learning rate, and regularization coefficient on generalization performance and learning speed. Based on this, we propose a hybrid method that simultaneously considers these three factors, and dynamically tunes the learning rate and regularization coefficient. Then we present the results of some experimental comparisons among these kinds of methods in several different problems. Finally, we draw conclusions and make plans for future work.


Extended abstract The attributes (A) ‒ consequences (C) ‒ values (V) associations, embedded in the means-end chain (MEC) theory, are often seen as a representation of the basic drive that motivates consumer behavior. Laddering is a technique used to elicit such associations from the respondent's cognitive-motivational structure. A quota sample (N = 374) of cigarette smokers was surveyed in a European city. Respondents were chosen according to gender, age, and level of finished education, so that the proportions of the sample matched the corresponding proportions in the population. Although additional socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were not controlled in this quota sample, such as marital status, household size, and income, they were included in the analyses as well. Respondents were initially asked to write down the three most important attributes or characteristics of cigarettes that they liked. For this purpose, respondents were presented with three text boxes to type in the attributes, which then were referred to in the subsequent laddering questions. Next, respondents were asked why the first attribute they have just identified was important to them. Respondents subsequently were asked to give a reason why they indicated that this consequence was important to them. After completing the laddering process for the first attribute, respondents were then prompted to fill in text boxes for the second and third most important attributes as well. Two researchers familiar with the topic coded the data. The first step of the data coding consisted of the content analysis of the attribute and consequence levels. Then the values were coded using the Schwartz's list of values. Cases where there were disagreements were resolved by the third, independent, researcher. In the end, eight key attributes, six consequences, and four values were elicited. The resulting laddering data combined with the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents were subsequently subjected to a market segmentation procedure. Such the means-end


Based on the principle of cutter radius compensation,a general formula of two-dimension cutter radius compensation was deduced which fits to linear interpolation.According to the space transition theory,the orientation of radius compensation was confirmed and the algorithm of cutter radius compensation in three-dimension space was obtained.


The energy sector generates huge amounts of data that can be used by utility providers in energy conservation. As data is increasing drastically, the conventional energy meter is not sufficient to keep track of this data that incorporates demand and supply patterns of energy. The conventional energy meter manually retrieved information from a residential customer or an industrial customer and manually billed the consumption. This process was tedious, time consuming and costly for the utility providers. Subsequently, this led to the adoption of smart grid systems for energy management and efficient data processing. Another important facet of this research is the incorporation of residential sector, which is the highest consumer of energy and generates humongous amounts of data. Hence, to understand the data transmission process in a residential sector, it is necessary to understand the data transmission process in one household automation system that consists of a smart meter system and does not contain the conventional energy meter. The large volume of data, popularly known as energy big data, generated from smart meters holds valuable insights that can be utilized by the utility companies and home owners to make strategic control decisions in terms of power generation, consumption, and monitoring. In this research paper, a smart home lifecycle is demonstrated with a clear description regarding the progression of storing, processing, analyzing and forming of visualized data from smart homes. This can be used by consumers and utility providers to gain insights and track consumption patterns of a single smart home unit. This paper will thus provide a summarized synopsis to those who want to gain information regarding available techniques and methodology for smart system automation process for any sector such as healthcare, education, information technology, oil and gas etc.


A simple fabrication, scalable to centimeter scale, of a permeable membrane made of block copolymer containing molecular transport channels is demonstrated by coating photo‐crosslinkable liquid‐crystalline block copolymer, consisting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and poly(methacrylate) (PMA) bearing stilbene (Stb) mesogens in the side chains (PEO114‐b‐PMA(Stb)52), onto a sacrificial cellulose acetate film substrate. After thermal annealing, perpendicularly aligned and hexagonally arranged PEO cylindrical domains with a surface density of 1011 cm−2 were formed and then fixed efficiently by photo‐crosslinking the stilbene moieties in the PMA(Stb) domains by [2 + 2] dimerization. The fully penetrating straight PEO cylindrical domains across the 480‐nm‐thick membrane were well‐defined and visualized as molecule‐transport channels. After exfoliated by removal of the cellulose acetate layer, the membrane could be transferred onto another substrate by either scooping or a horizontal lifting method. Throughout the processes, the fully penetrating PEO channels across the membrane are preserved to open at both ends. A simple permeation experiment demonstrates that rhodamine dyes permeate efficiently through the PEO cylindrical channels of the annealed membrane but not across a non‐annealed one.


Lippia alba (Mill.) N.E. Britton ex Britton and Wilson belongs to family Verbenaceae, collected from Rupandehi district of Nepal. It is reported as a new addition to the Flora of Nepal.

 Key words: Lippia alba ; flora; Nepal

J. Nat. Hist. Mus. Vol.22, 2005 p.157-158


Medicinal plants have been used by all societies since ancient times as medicines for the treatment of many diseases. In Morocco, the use of medicinal plants is an important part of the cultural diversity of population. The objective of this data is to investigate the protective effects of the aqueous extract of Pistacialentiscusleaves (AEPL) (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg) against kidney stones formation and gastric ulcer induced by ethylene glycol (EG) and by HCl/Ethanol respectively. In EG experiment, blood was collected to estimate calcium, phosphorus, creatinine and urea levels. The presence of stones was detected by microscopic observation of renal tissue sections. The obtained results showed that the higher amounts of calcium, phosphorus, urea and creatinine observed in EG/AC treated animals were decreased by AEPL treatment. Histology observation indicated that the number of calcifications in renal tissues of rats treated by AEPL given orally, were significantly reduced compared to the EG/AC group. On the other hand, the important antiulcerogenic effect observed in rat treated with AEPL is dose dependent. This data suggests that AEPL has a protective property against urolithiasisand gastric ulcer justifying its popular use in Morocco as an anti-urolithiasis and anti-ulcer agent.


Nanosecond pump–probe photoelectron spectroscopy by means of synchrotron radiation from 6 to 130 eV anticipates the application of new short-wavelength sources with comparable photon energies but shorter pulse durations. The influence of pulsed-UV source characteristics on photoelectron spectroscopy experiments on solid surfaces, including space-charge effects, is examined. A resonant photoemission experiment is presented to illustrate the use of tunable photon energies in pump–probe photoelectron spectroscopy involving core levels, and a new autoionizing resonance is reported in which electrons laser excited into a GaAs(110) surface state are emitted when a Ga 3d surface core exciton decays.


The Dutch Work Addiction Scale (DUWAS) evaluates the workaholism from a theoretical model of two dimensions: Working Excessively and Working Compulsively. The current study aims the factorial validity and internal consistency of the scale in its two versions (original and reduced). The study comprised a sample of 324 multifunctional workers in Porto Alegre metropolitan area, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. Data were subjected to Confi rmatory Factor Analysis, showing that the short version of 10 items was the best fi t to the theoretical model. Furthermore, the results indicate that the scale off ers factorial validity and consistency to assess the appropriate internal work in addition to Brazilian workers, confi rming previous studies on Dutch, Spanish and Japanese samples.


Based on the fuel injector model,the modal analysis and harmonic response analysis is carried out in AWB,which got the result that frequenly making great influence to fuel injector.The No.7 and No.8 frequency of injector can easily bring resonance to itself.


To provide reference for the combustion at a high oxygen concentration in a large-sized circulating fluidized bed O2/CO2 combustion systems,experimentally studied were the combustion and temperature distribution characteristics of three types of coal at a high oxygen concentration in the O2/N2 atmosphere in a circulating fluidized bed-based combustion test system with a riser having a diameter of 100 mm and a height of 3000 mm.The test results show that when the average oxygen concentration is 34.4% or the local oxygen concentraiton is 75.3%,a stable combustion without any superheating can be accomplished.The NOx contained in the flue gas of the Longkou-originated coal accounts for 89.3%~90.3 of the total NOx emissions while that of the Shuozhou-originated coal occupies only 30.0%.By optimizing the air distribution,the concentration of CO,NO2 and NOx in the flue gas can be reduced to 45%,94% and 89% respectively.


SYNOPSIS

The localization and transformation of the immobilization antigens of Paramecium aurelia were studied with the use of ferritin-conjugated antibody. The reaction was extremely specific, ferritin granules being found only on the pellicle and cilia of homologous animals. In the transformation from one antigenic type to another, ferritin granules, conjugated with antibody specific for the "new" antigen, appeared initially on the pellicle and subsequently on the cilia.

An electron-dense counterstain, of potassium permanganate and uranyl acetate, not only increased the detail of the structure of the organism, but also stained the absorbed globulin of the specific antibody as a thick fuzz on pellicle and cilia. This fuzz, unlike the ferritin granules, was clearly visible at very low magnifications of the electron microscope. This gave a quick scanning method, especially useful in transformation experiments, when various stages could be quickly scanned for the first appearance of globulin fuzz.


Although structural topology optimization has been developing for decades, it still plays a leading role within the area of engineering design. Solving contemporary design problems coming from industry requires the implementation of efficient methods and approaches. This stimulates research progress in the development of novel and versatile topology optimization algorithms. To follow these modern trends, an original topology generator has been elaborated and finally built as a Cellular Automaton with original update rules. The motivation for building the algorithm in this way came from the idea of utilizing the benefits of local compliances sorting. This is conducted on two levels: on the global level, the monotonic function mapping local compliances distribution is defined based on their sorted values; on the local level, for each cell, the compliances are sorted within the cell neighborhood. The three largest absolute values are selected, and these are the basis from which to formulate Cellular Automata update rules. These original rules can efficiently control the generation of structural topologies. This technique is somewhat inspired by the grey wolf optimizer strategy, wherein the process of updating design variables refers to the positions of the three best fitted wolves. It is proposed that we refer to the topology algorithm that benefits from the adaptation of sorted compliances optimization as TABASCO. The developed algorithm is a modified version of the flexible Cellular Automata one presented previously. The implemented extension, regarding the local level cell sorting, allows us to improve the resulting compliance values. The advantages of the algorithm, both from numerical and practical engineering points of view, as compared to the others developed within the field, may be gathered as follows: the algorithm works based on simple update rules, i.e., its numerical implementation is not complicated; it does not require gradient computations; filtering techniques are not needed; and it can easily be combined with professional structural analysis programs which allow engineering applications. The developed topology generator has been linked with ANSYS to show that it can be incorporated into a commercial structural analysis package. This is especially important with respect to the engineering implementations.


Synthesis of the knowledge of Mantodea from French Guiana. This article focuses on the knowledge of Mantodea in French Guiana. It compiles both old and recent data from the general collection of the entomology building at the Muséum national d'Histoire naturelle (MNHN, Paris), as well as more recent data from the private collection of the first author and samplings of the Société Entomologique Antilles-Guyane (SEAG) and samplings from the scientific mission "Our Planet Revisited" in the Mitaraka massif in 2015. All data (4424 specimens)


Regenerative therapies with cardiac and vascular applications represent one of the most promising options in the fight against cardiovascular failure. Since 2004, the International Symposium on Cell Therapy and Cardiovascular Innovations (TECAM, www.cardiovascularcelltherapy.com) has been held in Spain on a yearly basis to gather the most important research groups of clinicians and scientists worldwide and to discuss the progress and hurdles of Cardiovascular Regenerative Medicine (CRM) in an open forum. The latest edition of the TECAM conference took place in Madrid on June the 15th and the 16th. Recent breakthroughs and future steps were debated during the meeting, with a special focus on the most recent achievements of the Transnational AllianCe for regenerative Therapies In Cardiovascular Syndromes (TACTICS, www.tacticsalliance.org) group and are summarized in this article.

The opening session started with a keynote conference delivered by Dr Michael Laflamme, who reflected on the difficulties for obtaining real cardiac regeneration with old types of stem cells. He therefore focused his talk on pluripotent stem cells, the one cell type that has demonstrated robust differentiation into cardiomyocytes. After presenting the important functional benefits of human embryonic stem cell (ESC)–derived cardiomyocytes in murine models and recognizing safety concerns (ie, ventricular arrhythmias) in primates and swine models of myocardial scar, he concluded that large-scale remuscularization is possible using this type of human-derived cells. In the second talk, Dr Juan Carlos Izpisua presented the latest approaches to manipulate the genome in cells that do not divide. After describing how CRISPR/Cas9 can be used to induce double-strand breaks and nonhomologous end joining-based repair on the DNA, he explained the Homology Independent Targeted Integration technology that has been designed by his group. This novel tool for gene editing has been used to correct mutations in nondividing cells such as neurons and cardiomyocytes, with impressive …


West Bengal is one of the most densely populated States of India. The State is predominantly agriculture-based, with only 13.4% of the total land area being reserved as notified Forest. The Forest ecosystem however is extremely diverse. With the initiation of World Bank aided Social Forestry Project in the State in 1980-81, an ambitious programme was initiated to bring large chunks of the barren lateritic tracts of the State under green cover. Subsequently, another World Bank aided West Bengal Forestry Project was initiated during 1990s, for improvement of Government-owned degraded forests through people's participation. The present paper shows the usefulness of RS/ GIS technology in real-time assessment of forest/ tree cover, as part of monitoring of afforestation/ social forestry programme, on a large landscape level. A time series analysis of changes of Forest cover will also facilitate formulation of REDD+ Projects in the State.