There are many literatures available on the seismic evaluation procedures of multi-storied buildings using nonlinear static (pushover) analysis. There are presently no comprehensive guidelines to assist the practicing structural engineer to evaluate existing bridges and suggest design and retrofit schemes. In order to address this problem, the aims of the present project was to carry out a seismic evaluation case study for an existing RC bridge using nonlinear static (pushover) analysis.  In the present study a 4 Span RC Bridge  existed in SH-12 in Karnataka, India, was selected and by defining FEMA 356 Auto hinges conducted Nonlinear Static (Pushover) Analysis using (ATC 40) Capacity Spectrum Method and software SAP2000 was used to analyze the Bridge. The evaluation results presented here shows that the selected bridge does not have the capacity to meet the desired performance level and it requires retrofitting. Keywords: RC Bridge, FEMA 356, Nonlinear Static (Pushover) Analysis, SAP 2000, ATC 40.


Growth and aging are fundamental features of animal life. The march from fertilization to oblivion comes in enormous variety: days and hundreds of cells for nematodes, decades and trillions of cells for humans.1-4 Since Verhulst (18385) proposed the Logistic Equation - exponential growth with countervailing linear decline in rate – biologists have searched for ever better density dependent growth equations,6-12 none which accurately capture the relationship between size and time for real animals.13-15 Furthermore, while growth and aging run in parallel, whether the relationship is causal has been unknown. Here we show, by examining growth and lifespan in units of numbers of cells, N, (Cellular Phylodynamics6), that both processes are linked to the same reduction in the fraction of cells dividing, occurring by a simple expression, the Universal Mitotic Fraction Equation. Lifespan is correlated with an age when fewer than one-in-a-thousand cells are dividing, quantifying the long-appreciated mechanism of aging, the failure of cells to be rejuvenated by dilution with new materials made, and DNA repaired, at mitosis.24-26 These observations provide practical mathematical expressions for comprehending, and managing, the challenges of growth and aging, for such tasks as improving the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccination in the elderly.


A kind of image counterpoint display method and device thereof.In the process, send para-position respectively and ask to each electronic installation, to control the local image of electronic installation acquisition, and return the local image captured to master control electronic installation.Then, local image is carried out image alignment, to obtain the para-position information between local image.Afterwards, according to the relative position between registration information and each electronic installation.Followed by, according to estimated relative position, para-position at least one picture to display, and send to electronic installation to show.


In order to explore a fast and efficient method which determines the producing area of tobacco leaf,near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy with least squares-support vector machines(LS-SVM) was applied to determine producing area of tobacco leaf.Three producing areas including Yunnan,Hubei and Henan were selected as the research objects.As the pretreatments of the optimal smoothing way,moving average with three segments and multiplication scatter correction(MSC) were applied to reduce the noise of the spectra.After the principle component analysis,4 to 12 principal components(PCs) were chosen as the inputs of LS-SVM models.The Results show that the prediction performance of the LS-SVM model with 12 PCs is better than partial least square(PLS) model.Its correlation coefficient of prediction set(rp) is 0.990 7,standard error of prediction(SEP) is 1.755 1,and root mean square error of prediction(RMSEP) is 1.737 3.It is concluded that NIR spectroscopy with LS-SVM is a feasible method to determine the producing area of tobacco leaf.


Western blotting is an important, modern technique for transferring proteins from a gel onto nitrocellulose or other suitable support and then detecting a protein of interest using antibodies. We have developed an experiment and optimized the conditions for the undergraduate laboratory. The experiment can be done quickly using an electrophoretic blotter or more cheaply using passive transfer. This experiment allows the student to learn valuable procedures currently used in biochemistry and other biological sciences.


The shallow-water wave data must be computed as to be representative of a sufficient length of coast to be useful for most projects, while sufficiently large to filter out many spurious local effects. Several advantages are associated with the selection of a standardized shoreline reach, the most notable of these is probably the dramatic decrease in cost of computation. This is particularly important since the processes involved in nearshore wave transformation are not completely understood at the present time. Recent field evidence has suggested significant variations in wave energy occur systematically in the onshore-offshore direction.


One aspect in mathematics according to the Kurikulum Tingkat Satuan Pendidikan (KTSP) at the primary school level is a number. Learning numbers tend to form an understanding of notation, symbols and other forms of representing so it can support students' thinking and understanding to solve problems. Realistic Mathematics Education Indonesia (PMRI) is an alternative approach to learning that can be used by mathematics teachers in developing students' abilities to think, reason, communication, and problem solving both in lessons and in everyday life. The purpose of this study was to determine the strategies that students use in understanding the concept of operations of addition and subtraction of integers using the media game "kakisambe". The method used in this study is the research design of learning through the stages of preparing for the experiment, teaching experiments, and retrospective analysis.
Keywords: PMRI, media game "kakisambe", Design Research.


FUNCTIONAL AND STRUCTURAL FATIGUE OF NiTi SHAPE MEMORY WIRES SUBJECTED TO THERMOMECHANICAL CYCLING Author: Arthur Pinheiro Barcelos Supervisor: Prof. Edson Paulo da Silva Brasília, March of 2018 Shape Memory Alloys (SMA) presents two exceptional thermomechanical behaviors that can be used for development of many applications: shape memory effect and superelasticity. The shape memory effect is characterized by reversible deformation under thermal load due to thermoelastic martensitic transformations. This operation principle encourages the application of SMA as actuators, presenting some advantages over other conventional actuators because of their weight and volume saving. The lack of definite methods for predicting SMA actuator lifetime motivates the study of its cyclic behavior and fatigue. SMA actuators may accumulate plastic deformations and suffer rupture, in addition to gradually losing shape recovery, known as functional fatigue, associated with the repeated thermal induced transformations. The structural thermomechanical fatigue and functional fatigue of NiTi SmartFlex® wires undergoing thermally induced martensitic phase transformation with constant stress are investigated. An amount of 24 thermomechanical cycling tests were performed under different heating and cooling conditions and under four different axial stress levels. The influence of these test conditions was analyzed, the wire strain evolution was evaluated to determine the degradation of shape memory effect and three power law curves were used to fit fatigue failure data: S-N curves, plastic strain versus fatigue life curves based on Coffin-Manson relation, and curves based on the critical plane model of Smith, Watson, and Topper. It can be concluded that the application of high heating/cooling rate and high stress can result in early failure of the material. The test conditions did not imply significant functional fatigue (recoverable strain below 1%). Key-words: Shape Memory Alloys, Functional Fatigue, Structural Fatigue, Thermomechanical Cycling.


Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes able to cleave all major protein components in the extracellular matrix during the processes of wound healing and tumor formation. Tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) , which exist in the human body, can regulate the activity of MMPs. According to different sources, MMP inhibitors are divided into TIMPs, natural MMP inhibitors and synthetic inhibitors. The classification and functional features of MMPs and MMP inhibitors are summarized and the relationship between MMPs, MMP inhibitors and posterior capsular opacification (PCO) are reviewed.

Key words:
Matrix metalloproteinases; Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors; Cataract, secondary


Abstract We completely describe all semi-stable torsion free sheaves of degree zero on nodal cubic curves using the technique of Fourier-Mukai transforms. The Fourier-Mukai images of such sheaves are torsion sheaves of finite length, which we compute explicitly. We show that the twist functors, which are associated to the structure sheaf and the structure sheaf k(p 0) of a smooth point p 0, generate an SL(2, ℤ)-action (up to shifts) on the bounded derived category of coherent sheaves on any Weierstraß cubic.


Sandcrete blocks comprise of water, natural sand cement. Sandcrete blocks are the building units used in the construction of wall and partitions. Diverse sizes of sandcrete blocks are used to construct free standing walls and building structure with load and non – load bearing units. This research work investigate and compared strength of sandcrete blocks produced with fine aggregate from different source in Owo local government area. The targeted areas within Owo local government are Emure, Ipele and Shagari. Sieve analysis was conducted on the samples and the result revealed that all the samples are good for sandcrete block production. Thirty six sandcrete cubes samples were mould. The mix proportion 1:6 was used. Batching by volume was adopted. Curing was done by full immersion of sandcrete and compressive strength test was carried out on each specimen at 7, 14. 21 and 28 days respectively. The percentage of fine aggregate used in this research was 100% for all samples. The results revealed that sandcrete blocks produced with fine aggregate from Ipele, Shagari and Emure gives compressive strength of 4,15N/MM2, 3.56N/MM2 and 5.48N/MM2 at 28 days respectively. Based on the result of this research work, it is recommended that Emure fine aggregate (sand) is considered as most suitable out of the samples tested for sandcrete blocks production.
Keywords: Sand, Sandcrete blocks, Compressive strength, Curing, Production practice.


Academic Sport Services are an essential part of university culture, student life and academic education at many institutions of higher education, while at some places such as the University of Gottingen they have been existing ever since the institution's foundation. Even though University Sport as a secondary institutional service is legitimated by educational law, provides impressive range of influence, serves as a potential instrument fostering identification and emotional connection with the university and represents one of the most important academic platforms of interaction and social integration this service is only very rarely developed as a profile element or image factor at universities in Germany.
Considering the current educational circumstances the author is posing the question, if University Sport meets the relevant prerequisites and criteria to be developed and positioned as a university brand. This also implies its corresponding role and function for the institution in general. In order to answer these questions the structural and organizational conditions of University Sport in Germany are presented, basics of university marketing and special conditions of the academic sport market are discussed and its institutional as well as target group related benefit is systematically analyzed. The empirical part is designed as an international comparison between the Academic Sport Service Departments at the University of Gottingen, Germany and the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada focusing on brand related aspects of University Sport.
Aside from extensive examinations of scientific literature about those aspects mentioned above the stated argumentations also include the author's national and international experience from voluntary and professional work as senior executive for the German University Sport Federation (adh) and the European University Sport Association (EUSA) during the last decade. The empi-rical study comparing the Academic Sport Services in Gottingen and London is based on an extensive survey of service customers and non-customers carried out in 2001/02.
It can be stated as one of the major conclusions of this thesis that a developed University Sport delivers substantial benefit. Depending on the specific focus of a sport program in relation to the university's brand characteristics University Sport can support the realization of the institution's educational function or contribute to a more intense internationalization. Similar effects can also be observed towards its potential to create and increase identification and connection to the university. Academic Sport Services might deliver specific input to personal qualifications and allow individuals to make practical use of acquired knowledge and skills. Furthermore, aspects of personal well-being and health are strengthened, while University Sport finally contributes to social integration into the local academic society delivering an option for recreational activities inside the university setting. For the mother institution University Sport can produce substantial public awareness as a profile element and as an image factor. In addition, with respect to aspects of quality orientation and excellence in mind and body Academic Sport Services add value to the university brand. Especially from the students' point of view University Sport serves as an additional field to acquire and test competencies, to establish peer and scientific networks and to develop an active health and stress reduction management. Therefore, University Sport displays important elements adequate to support the maturation of individual holistic personality, to apply theoretically acquired knowledge and skills in real life situations and also to contribute to the educational goal of developing employability of university graduates.
Considering the essential question about the brand potential of University Sport the author comes to the conclusion that the service contains all requirements to be positioned as a university brand preferably under the roof of an umbrella brand. University Sport has the potential to substantially contribute to the university's marketing strategy, if its particular role, the program's core areas and the strategic infrastructure development directly serve specific elements of the university's marketing position such as competitive, health or fun orientation. In order for University Sport to play this role, a certain level of development is needed which allows this service to be recognized as a unique feature of the university. This implies that only a limited number of institutions of higher education have the means to provide the necessary conditions and to realistically make use of the service as a university brand. On a still insufficiently differentiated third sector educational market like in Germany University Sport provides a unique potential of organizational differentiation with considerable options to be developed.


The utility mode relates to an improved outflow tube of a combustion engine. The utility mode is characterized in that the outflow tube is divided into two sections including a tube head and a tube shaft in a bent position between a first outflow port and a second outflow port of a head end of the tube, and the tube head and the tube shaft are in sleeve connection via screw threads and the like. The outflow tube which was not adaptable for compression molding can employ compression molding of high quality casting, thereby overcoming the shortages of the original sand casting and low pressure casting on the whole and improving the quality of products greatly.


The article deals with the ideas of unionism, which advocated early integration with Romania. The key attention is paid to the "renewal" of the concept of Romanianism in order to adapt to the modern political image of the Republic of Moldova. The foreign and domestic political component of the concept at the present stage is analyzed. The role of unionism in Moldova's memory policy through the prism of Moldovan identity is emphasized. The author suggests the periodization of the main periods in the development of the concept of Romanianism in 2009–2020. Considerable attention is paid to political parties and public associations that support one of the variants of the concepts. The role of the Party of Socialists of the Republic of Moldova with the aim of restoring Moldovan statehood based on the concept of Moldovenism is emphasized. It is concluded that unionism, since 2009, has been a full-fledged concept of state building of the republic, based on the ideas of close cooperation with Romania.


Abstract. The work demonstrates a formal approach of creating a reduced cost-effective computational model of the complex physical phenomena of high velocity impact of a missile upon the woven textile target. A model earlier developed by us in LS-DYNA finite element system has been employed as a reference model. The internal structure of the reference model was based on the mathematical representation of all contact interactions among the yarns of the woven structure. The reference model required time-consuming calculations, which were carried out by means of the explicit time integration scheme in LS-DYNA. The internal structure of the model synthesized in this work by using ANSYS finite element system was essentially simpler as it presented the woven structure by means of the girder, the interactions between nodal points of which were expressed by using elastic, viscous and friction link finite elements. Only contact interactions of the surface of the missile against the girder needed to be determined during each time integration step. The mathematical expression of mutual adequacy of the two models was based on the comparison of the response of the reduced model against the response of the reference model by means of appropriately constructed penalty functions. The task of the synthesis of the reduced model has been presented as an optimization problem, the optimization parameters of which were unknown parameters of the reduced model such as equivalent geometric and physical parameters of the rods of the girder and link element characteristics.


In neurons, KCC2 controls glutamatergic synaptogenesis and regulates actin polymerization in dendritic spines by binding β-PIXb and attenuating its GEF activity toward small GTPase Rac1.


Photoreactable bioconjugated macromolecules were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), using an N-hydroxysuccinimide ester functional end group with the anti-biofouling 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) units and photoreactable 2-(4-azidobenzamido)ethyl methacrylate units. The polymer was then conjugated with bovine serum albumin (BSA), and the simultaneous patterning of BSA and L-929 fibroblast cells was prepared by a simple coating and irradiation (254 nm UV) process.


Independent Double Check  (IDC)  before drugs administration is one of the most important things to be implemented by nurses in hospitals to improve patient safety and prevent medication errors. IDC involves two nurses who do the checking independently, the second nurse answers will be compared with the answers from the first nurse without any input from the first nurse to verify that the check is correct. This study aims to determine the description of nurse compliance in conducting an IDC and medication error incidents at X hospital. This research uses descriptive quantitative research design with a total sampling technique. Data collection was carried out by observing 52 nurses when they were going to administer the drug and the data were analyzed using univariate analysis methods. The results showed as many as 35 respondents (67.3%) out of 52 respondents had carried out an IDC process following the Standard Operation Procedures (SOP) established by X hospital and based on data there were a total of seven incident reports of medication errors at X hospital.


C. MR imaging is the method of choice for assessing the bone marrow. During the first three days following irradiation (acute phase) the bone marrow undergoes excessive oedema which results in areas of reduced signal in T1-w and high signal on fluid sensitive MR images [4]. Between the third and the sixth week the bone marrow appears heterogeneous on T1-w MR images due to fatty replacement. After the sixth week, the lesions appear with high signal on T1-w images (in older patients), or with a region of central high signal and a peripheral intermediate one, due to haematopoietic regeneration (in younger patients) [6]. Many of those lesions may raise suspicion of recurrence. However, the absence of signs typical for metastatic deposits matched with the clinical picture of the patient, should help the radiologist to arrive at a final diagnosis of treatment-related changes. In inconclusive cases, a biopsy might be required, which, however, is invasive and may be complicated with fracture or infection [7]. In our case, the consecutive follow-up MR imaging studies up to 24 months after radiation showed no differences in the bone marrow changes suggesting the correct diagnosis.


Background: Much research has been conducted to investigate the impact of Continuous Integration (CI) on the productivity and quality of open-source projects. Most of studies have analyzed the impact of adopting a CI server service (e.g, Travis-CI) but did not analyze CI sub-practices. Aims: We aim to evaluate the impact of five CI sub-practices with respect to the productivity and quality of GitHub open-source projects. Method: We collect CI sub-practices of 90 relevant open-source projects for a period of 2 years. We use regression models to analyze whether projects upholding the CI sub-practices are more productive and/or generate fewer bugs. We also perform a qualitative document analysis to understand whether CI best practices are related to a higher quality of projects. Results: Our findings reveal a correlation between the Build Activity and Commit Activity sub-practices and the number of merged pull requests. We also observe a correlation between the Build Activity, Build Health and Time to Fix Broken Builds sub-practices and number of bug-related issues. The qualitative analysis reveals that projects with the best values for CI sub-practices face fewer CI-related problems compared to projects that exhibit the worst values for CI sub-practices. Conclusions: We recommend that projects should strive to uphold the several CI sub-practices as they can impact in the productivity and quality of projects.


In this paper combining current internet information organization studying actuality,we introduce the four methods of legion new ones which are applied to internet information organization,that are contents,definitions,characteristics of digital library,information gateway.


Multihop wireless networks consist of mobile terminals with personal communication devices. Each terminal can receive a message from a terminal and send it to the other terminal. If a terminal can not communicate the other terminal that sends data directly, some terminals relay the data. Network coding is a new architecture for wireless network and various applications using this architecture are expected. In this paper, we evaluate network coding in cyclic networks and we consider relations with a certain problem in the graph theory


Methylene Blue in cast films of Cellofas A (ethylmethylcellulose) or cast or dyed films of gelatin is present as a mixture of molecularly dispersed and aggregated dye; this is indicated by the detection in the absorption spectra of the peaks of both forms (at ca. 6700 a. and 6200 A. respectively). When irradiated, the aggregated dye fades more slowly than the molecularly dispersed dye. Both forms are found to be present in the film during the actual dyeing operation. Disaggregating agents, viz. phenol, polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, and urea, reduce the slope of the CF ("characteristic fading") curve for the aggregated dye, indicating the production of a narrower range of sizes in the adsorbed micelles.


Mass spectrometric sampling of the positive ions from the rf discharge in an 80 mole % helium‐20 mole % flourine mixture showed the principal ions to be F+2 and F+. Impurity ions observed in the specially constructed discharge vessel were O+2 and CF+3 accounting for 10 –15% of the total ions. Very high ion flux was obtained from the discharge in the helium‐flourine mixture, relative to discharge in pure gases. This effect was also found for mixtures of helium with oxygen, nitrogen, and argon. Floating double probe measurements showed that the average electron energy is higher in the helium mixtures than in the pure gases for comparable pressure and power input. Probe measurements also showed that the degree of ionization was higher in the helium mixtures, but the variations were not as large as the mass spectrometric measurements indicated. Some evidence was found to indicate that F− modifies the sheath, but retardation measurements clearly show the charged particle loss from helium‐flourine plasma to be ...


Background and purpose: Non-alcoholic fatty liver syndrome have high prevalence in Iran. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes clinical spectrum from simple steatosis to cirrhosis and liver carcinoma. In advanced stages NAFLD has irreversible complications, therefore early treatments especially with medicinal plants can be considered as an important strategy in its treatment. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combined drug (herbal-marine) HESA-A on treatment of fatty liver in rats by measuring the biochemical and histological parameters. Materials and methods: In an experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats (weighing 180±20 g), were divided into two groups for eight weeks; a standard diet (n= 7) and a high-fat diet (HFD) (n= 21). In order to confirm the NAFLD, the control group and seven rats of the HFD group were killed and their biochemical parameters and histopathological changes were studied. The rest of the rats were divided into two groups to have either HFD + HESA-A (500 mg/kg/day) or HFD + atorvastatin (30 mg/kg/day) for 30 days. Finally, biomarker serum of liver damage, serum lipid profiles and histopathological changes were


Most of surge components,which impose negative influence on electronic equipments,are of low frequency,however a small number of surge components with high frequency also impose strong interference on the equipments.Surge protective device(SPD) combined with MOV and low pass filter can absorb both low and high frequency energy of surge.In this paper,the software Matlab is used to simulate circuit response under 1.2/50 μs surge wave.The protection effectiveness of SPD is analyzed with various types of loads.It is concluded that all type and parameters of a low-pass filter as well as the match between the filter and load need to be considered when select such SPD with filter.


It is known that in certain sharply notched fatigue specimens cracks may be present at the root of the notch in unbroken specimens which have been tested at or just below the conventional notched fatigue limit. The significance of such non-propagating cracks in the interpretation of notched fatigue data is discussed.


In the United States, most cases of "iron overload" are caused by a genetic condition known as "hereditary hemochromatosis." Serious and sometimes fatal health problems may result from the excess iron that accumulates in the body. These complications may include severe weakness or fatigue, unexplained joint or abdominal pain, impotence, infertility, and loss of menstrual periods. The diseases associated with hemochromatosis include liver cancer, cirrhosis, arthritis, diabetes, and heart failure. Overview on Iron Overload and Hemochromatosis This section provides basic information on hemochromatosis, the signs and symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, questions regarding blood donation, prognosis and public health issues related to hemochromatosis. Iron Overload Disease due to Hereditary Hemochromatosis Additional background information, a diagram depicting the course of hereditary hemocromatosis, CDC program activities, and priorities for 2001 can be found here. Screening for Iron Overload due to Hereditary Hemochromatosis Information on identifying people early with evidence of iron overload. Information for Patients and Their Families You can live a healthy life, if you get treatment early. Frequently Asked Questions Definitions, signs and symptoms, risk factors, detection, prevalence, treatment, blood donation, diet, causes, history, and important information regarding the CDC and Hemochromatosis.


Simple Summary Perosomus elumbis (PE) is a rare congenital condition characterized by malformations localized mainly at the lumbo-sacral column. PE is reported in the literature as a description of single or very few cases. Although some authors have suggested a possible genetic etiology, the cause of PE has been poorly investigated. Here we report the first extensive pathological, radiological and cytogenetical description of eight cases of PE detected in two consecutive births of a Casertana pig sow, bred in an extensive farm located in Campania region, southern Italy. In this study, we also performed an epidemiological investigation to assess the rate of piglets born dead and malformations in the farm. The gross and radiological examination showed a broad range of malformations, such as skeletal and visceral abnormalities, but cytogenetic investigation did not show chromosome alterations. Finally, the retrospective data from the farm showed a low frequency of malformations in newborn pigs in the year of PE cases observation. These findings, taken together, suggest a specific genetic etiological basis as cause of PE in pigs but exclude chromosomal abnormalities. Abstract Perosomus elumbis (PE) is a rare congenital condition characterized by agenesis of the lumbar, sacral and coccygeal vertebrae. Perosomus elumbis has rarely been reported in literature as morphological description of singles or few cases. Here we report the first extensive description of eight cases of PE detected in two consecutive litters from the same parents of Casertana pig breed. In August 2018, eight piglets were investigated for multiple malformations. All malformed animals, but one, died in the first day of life. The survivor piglet died at 23 days of age. Pathological, radiological and cytogenetic examination was performed. Furthermore, a farm epidemiological investigation was carried out to investigate the percentage of piglets born dead or with malformations in 2018. The radiological and pathological exams showed skeletal abnormalities at the spinal cord level and visceral malformations. Cytogenetic investigations showed a normal chromosome arrangement. Finally, epidemiological investigation revealed a low prevalence of malformations in newborn pigs, equal to 0.5% of the total birth rate of the farm. Our findings report the first extensive description of PE cases in pigs and suggest an underestimation of this malformation in veterinary medicine. Our findings also suggest a specific genetic etiological basis as cause of PE in pigs and exclude chromosomal abnormalities. Further studies will be performed to confirm this hypothesis.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To successfully transmit a torque from the proximal end of a stylet to the distal end of a lead while both the lead and stylet are being bent. SOLUTION: A torque transmission stylet 24 consists of an elongated stylet wire having portions 122, 121 and 124 on the proximal, middle and distal sides, respectively. The portions on the proximal and distal sides of the stylet wire has a diameter D1, and the middle portion spans between the proximal and distal portions. The stylet wire of this portion has a diameter D2, which is shorter than the diameter D1. The middle portion has a torque coil 130 incorporated.


Recently, an end-to-end speaker-attributed automatic speech recognition (E2E SA-ASR) model was proposed as a joint model of speaker counting, speech recognition and speaker identification for monaural overlapped speech. In the previous study, the model parameters were trained based on the speaker-attributed maximum mutual information (SA-MMI) criterion, with which the joint posterior probability for multi-talker transcription and speaker identification are maximized over training data. Although SA-MMI training showed promising results for overlapped speech consisting of various numbers of speakers, the training criterion was not directly linked to the final evaluation metric, i.e., speaker-attributed word error rate (SA-WER). In this paper, we propose a speaker-attributed minimum Bayes risk (SA-MBR) training method where the parameters are trained to directly minimize the expected SA-WER over the training data. Experiments using the LibriSpeech corpus show that the proposed SA-MBR training reduces the SA-WER by 9.0 % relative compared with the SA-MMI-trained model.1


AIM: To study the clinical feature of silent myocardial ischemia(SMI) in aged patients with coronary heart disease(CHD). METHODS: 24 hour dynamic electrocardiographic monitoring was performed in 256 aged patients ,myocardial ischemia was found to occur in 167 patients. The 167 patients were divided into three groups: Ⅰ group: pure SMI;Ⅱ group:patients with angina pectoris; Ⅲ group: patients after myocardial infarction. RESULTS: The frequency of occurrence of SMI (84.3%) was much higher than symptomatic ischemia, which mainly occured in day time. The frequency of SMI was highest between 6 a.m to 12 a.m and was lowest between 0 a.m to 6 a.m. The extension of myocardial ischemia (frequency and duration of episodes of SMI, the extension of ST segment depression) and the incidence rate of ventricular arrhythmia increased gradually, while SDNN and HRVI decreased gradually in SMI Ⅰ , Ⅱ and Ⅲ groups. The extension of ischemia had positive correlation with the incidence rate of ventricular arrhythmia, while negative correlation with SDNN, rMSSD, PMN 50 and HRVI. CONCLUSION: SMI is the most common manifestation in aged patients with CHD, which should be paid more attention to. The impairment of cardiac autonomic nerves is associated with the extension of ischemia in patients with CHD.


Galactic globular cluster (GC) stars exhibit abundance pat terns which are not shared by their field counterparts, namely the well-documented C-N, O-Na an d Mg-Al anticorrelations. Recent observations provided compelling evidence that these abun dance anomalies were already present in the intracluster gas from which the presently observed st ars formed. A widely held hypothesis is that the gas was polluted early in the history of the GC by ma teri l processed through Hburning at high temperature and then lost by stars more massi ve than the observed long-lived stars. However the "polluters" have not been unambiguously identified yet. Most studies have focused on AGB stars, but rotating massive stars present an i eresting alternative. In this talk we critically analyse the pros and cons of both potential stell ar polluters. We discuss the constraints that the observational data bring on stellar nucleosynthes is and hydrodynamics as well as on nuclear reaction rates and we try to answer to the following q uestion : "Are GC ideal laboratories to test stellar nucleosynthesis and hydrodynamics?"


Yb-doped ITO (ITO:Yb) films were deposited on unheated non-alkali glass substrates by magnetron cosputtering using two cathodes (DC, RF) equipped with the ITO and target, respectively. The composition of the ITO:Yb films was controlled by adjusting the RF powers from 0 W to 480 W in 120 W steps with the DC power fixed at 70 W. The ITO:Yb films had a higher crystallization temperature () than that of the ITO films (), which was attributed to both larger ionic radius of and higher bond enthalpy of , compared to ITO. This amorphous ITO:Yb film post-annealed at showed a resistivity of , indicating that a introduction of Yb increased resistivity of the ITO film. However, these amorphous ITO:Yb films showed a high etching rate, fine pattering property, and a very smooth surface morphology above the crystallization temperature of the amorphous ITO films (about ). The transmittance of all films was >80% in the visible region.


This study investigates the significance of digital media in terms of social implications. It draws its theoretical insights from the Darvin and Norton model of investment (2015) as it gives purely a new dimension to the concept of digital literacy. The study is designed in order to evaluate some important aspects of Social media, particularly Facebook, as an important digital literacy practice. Firstly, the study examines the way power is operated in the digital mediated construction of social identities. Certain social identities position other identities and accord or refuse them power. These even shape social ideologies and identities as English-language speakers hold a privileged position in society while Urdu-language speakers are marginalized all over the world. Secondly, it explores the role of digital media in the investment of language and digital literacy practices to represent social ideologies at three different angles of marriage, adulthood and family. Having established a sampling frame consisting of nine Facebook pictorial postings from three Facebook pages, the findings suggested that the text and visual representations of Facebook postings use various linguistic features like literary devices that are playing an evident role in the representation of social ideologies.


Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy of femoral length measurements for ACL reconstruction using the endobutton indicator selection device from outside the knee joint and the transportal endobutton depth gauge. Methods: 50 cases of primary ACL injuries, both single bundle and double bundle reconstructions were evaluated for their intra operative femoral tunnel lengths by using the Endobuttton indicator selection device from outside the knee joint and the transportal Endobuttton depth gauge and were compared with the post-operative CT femoral tunnel lengths obtained using the Osiri X imaging software. Results: The mean femoral tunnel lengths measured intraoperatively using the Endobutton selection device (35.68±3.99mm for anteromedial tunnel [AM],) significantly longer than the measurements obtained using the Endobutton depth probe. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the posterolateral tunnel [PL] measurements [37.17±3.83mm for Endobutton selection device and 37.22±3.74 for Endobutton depth probe]. Also the measurements obtained using Endobutton depth probe were closer to the CT measurements and better correlation with the longer CT tunnel wall measurements. Conclusion: Measurements by both the Endobutton depth probe and the Endobutton selection device are longer than the actual femoral tunnel length for ACL reconstruction. Even though the difference between the mean measurements obtained by the two devices is statistically significant but the actual difference is so minimal that it barely has any effect in the decision making for the selection of the fixed loop device the graft length in ACL reconstruction. Thereby we suggest that the Endobutton Indicator Device is an easy to use and more convenient alternative to the Endobutton depth probe for measuring the femoral tunnel length in ACL reconstruction.


Dynamic simulation of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles in an unsaturated and saturated soil system. The model was developed to analyse the leaching of nitrogen from the soil surface to ground water and surface waters. The phosphorus cycle was added to, hydrological data must be supplied by another model. Model system is a multi-layer one-dimensional soil column. The upper boundary is the soil surface, the lower boundary is the depth of the local ground water flow and the lateral boundary is defined by the surface water system(s). Main processes included in the model are: mineralisation and immobilization, crop uptake, denitrification related to (partial and temporal) anaerobiosis and decomposing organic materials, oxygen and temperature distribution in the soil, nitrification, desorption and adsorption of ammonium and phosphorus to the soil complex, runoff, discharge to different surface water systems and leaching to ground water. Technical Information Operating System(s): VAX, IBM compatible PC with coprocessor Programming Language(s): FORTRAN-77


Outdoor beautification and varied spatial positions and sensations of colours in the built environment create visual contrasts which contribute to urban aesthetic development. The perception of the dynamics of colours and their "chroma value" can have a considerable effect on the character of an environment. Colour in an urban environment is a function of the paint and other coverings used, and it is the effect of the surface colour that results, which is explored in this paper. To understand urban aesthetics the interaction and interdependence of the complex environment need to be considered separately. The physical environment, the biological environment and the socio-cultural environment each make their contribution to the whole. Trying to beautify an environment is a complex problem which can be helped by legislation but this must be underpinned by education which can aid compliance. Nigeria is a multi-cultural society the various elements of which see and use colour differently from each other. It is the role of designers to lead builders, and help in the education of the disparate city dwellers, with the aim of producing an environment aesthetically pleasing to all. Nothing should be excluded from consideration whether sculptural decoration or the humble streetlight.


- Aims: To investigate the possession of the cyclopropane fatty acid synthase (cfa) gene by thermo-tolerant and non-thermo-tolerant Campylobacter spp. and to examine the presence of the cfa gene in Campylobacter that survived the scalding stage of poultry processing and to further investigate the cfa gene expression at 37 ⁰ C in different C. jejuni strains that are able or not able to survive at 52 ⁰ C. Methods and Results: The presence of the cfa gene in Campylobacter strains was determined by PCR. In order to determine the effect of heating on survival, the thermophilic C. jejuni were grouped by those collected before and those collected after the scalding stage process both groups being exposed to 52 ⁰ C. Quantitative RT- PCR was performed to verify the gene expression level of cfa at 37 ⁰ C in C. jejuni strains able or not able to survive at 52 ⁰ C. Abstract- Aims: To investigate the possession of the cyclopropane fatty acid synthase (cfa) gene by thermo-tolerant and non-thermo-tolerant Campylobacter spp. and to examine the presence of the cfa gene in Campylobacter that survived the scalding stage of poultry processing and to further investigate the cfa gene expression at 37 ⁰ C in different C. jejuni strains that are able or not able to survive at 52 ⁰ C. Methods and Results: The presence of the cfa gene in Campylobacter strains was determined by PCR. In order to determine the effect of heating on survival, the thermophilic C. jejuni were grouped by those collected before and those collected after the scalding stage process both groups being exposed to 52 ⁰ C. Quantitative RT- PCR was performed to verify the gene expression level of cfa at 37 ⁰ C in C. jejuni strains able or not able to survive at 52 ⁰ C. The cfa gene was present in thermophilic isolates and absent in non-thermophilic isolates. The C. jejuni strains collected after the scalding process surviving 52°C showed to differ significantly in terms of survival P< 0.0420. The C. jejuni strains surviving high temperature at 52 0 C had higher expression of the cfa gene when grown at 37°C and these strains were able to survive elevated temperatures dependent on the level of the cfa gene expressed during the stress response. Conclusions: The cfa gene has a direct role for the adaptation of C. jejuni during exposure to scalding tank temperatures which are in excess of 50 0 C and serves to increase the resistance to the thermal stress in these strains. Significance and Impact of Study: The cfa gene plays a role in the ability of thermophilic Campylobacter spp. to grow at temperatures above 37 0 C and therefore tolerate heat stress.


Blockchain, a system of connected blocks, originally used as a distributed, immutable, decentralized and peer to peer database but has advanced over the years and many use cases are now seen in the market. To put more simply, blockchain offers a peer-to-peer transactions kept out in open so that everyone can see each of the transactions. These transactions are secured by the cryptographic hashes which are unique for every block formed. Each transaction is timestamped and linked to the prior event, making it exceedingly resilient to malicious activities by making alter the extremely difficult but not impossible. In addition to financial services, blockchain has also developed many use cases in fields like voting, real estate, supply chain management and most essentially in healthcare. The current work compares two most common algorithms i.e. proof of work (PoW) and Proof of Stake for Infant Care Applications. In addition to this the work also includes development of cryptocurrency with its applications and numerous functions. This work also highlights on how startups are benefited from this in terms of easy crowd funding and how this implementation will bring a boom in the Indian Startups. Further this work also the concept of Initial Coin Offering to ERC-20 token standard contract using Solidity Programming Language.


Objective: In order to investigate psychological condition of medical staff influenced by severe acute respiratoly syndrome. Method: 45 young medical staffs were enrolled to accept investigation of SCL-90 with five class. The result of positive items and grade of factor were compared with normal group, and analyzed with SPSS 10.0 stastistics software. Result: The symptoms of depression, anxiety and dread in medical staff appeared more than normal group (P0.05). There were not difference significantly in positive items between two groups (P0.05). Conclusion: Severe acute respiratory syndrome could make medical staff themselves belong an urgent condition in psychology and mental attitude, and also have some bad influence to physically and mentally healthy of medical staff.


Hydronephrosis sometimes presents as an intraabdominal mass with the features of a renal swelling. However, as a result of widespread use of ultrasonography, most cases ofhydronephrosis are now diagnosed before the kidney is large enough to produce a visible swelling. Rarely, massive distension of the kidney may occur and create diagnostic confusion.' The present report relates to such a case, in an adult male, who had a rapidly progressive 'giant hydronephrosis' clinically simulating ascites.


Recent criticisms of queer movements have focused exclusively on homonormativity as defined by LGBT(I) politics' relationship to the logic of neoliberalism in order to criticize the increasing depoliticization of these movements, and the normativities produced and upheld by them. In this article, based on ethnographic observations and interviews with activist and non-activist queers in İstanbul, Turkey, I show that class informs normativities through cultural capital beyond what gets circulated through neoliberal ideas of what is profitable, fundable, and respectable. I argue that queer critique must question whether 'the political' is a value by definition, and that we need to investigate what kinds of exclusions are produced under the sign of 'being political.'


We prove that if a bilipschitz mapping f is in W loc (R n,Rn) then the inverse f−1 is also a W loc class mapping. Further we prove that the class of bilipschitz mappings belonging to W loc (R n,Rn) is closed with respect to composition and multiplication without any restrictions on m, p ≥ 1. These results can be easily extended to smooth n-dimensional Riemannian manifolds and further we prove a form of the implicit function theorem for Sobolev mappings.


Two field experiments were carried out to study the effect of water stress and possible ameliorative effect of Brassinosteroids (BRs) on wheat. The experiments were carried out in the Agricultural Experimental Station of the National Research center, EIKanater El-Khiria, Kalubia Governorate during 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 seasons. Water stress was imposed by skipping one irrigation at tillering, heading or milk-ripe stage. Brassinosteroids was foliar applied at 0, 100, 150 and 200 ppm. Water stress decreased the growth and yield and its components. The most sensitive growth stage of wheat to water stress was tillering stage. Foliar application of BRs alleviated the previous water stress adverse effects on wheat (i.e., increased growth attributes and yield and its components. The effect of BRs was more pronounced at 200 ppm. The data were discussed in terms of interaction of water stress and BRs on wheat plants.


Certainly final drug products must be "essentially free" of visible particulate contamination and visual inspection systems must meet USP 790 criteria. In addition, final drug products must meet USP 788 limits for sub-visible particles. It is however important to distinguish final drug product standards from requirements for single-use process containers and equipment, even though it is common to claim single-use systems (SUS) "meet USP 788 requirements". USP 788 does not describe a method for determination of particulate counts in SUS process containers and equipment (1).


The mass spectrum of the title compound exhibits very similar fragmentation patterns compared with the sulfur analogon. The high stability of triply coordinated organotin cations is remarkable. There is no evidence for any stabilisation effects by pπ-dπ bonding concerning the ring bonds.

The assignment of the vibration spectra leads to the conclusion that the molecule of triselenastanninane possesses a boat conformation.


Abstract : Flowfield and tip vortex results are presented for hovering rotor blade at subcritical and supercritical flow conditions for both nonlifting and lifting configurations. These results are calculated numerically by solving, in a time-accurate fashion, the unsteady thin layer Navier-stokes equations written in rotor coordinates. The lifting calculations use an induced downwash correction, estimated from a free wake analysis, to the geometric angle of attack of the blades to account for the wake effect. Comparison of numerical results with the experimental data shows very good agreement for all cases considered. Alternate methods of calculating hovering rotor flowfield as steady state flowfield on isolated fixed-blade that have the same circulation distribution as that of rotor in hover are explored. Comparison of these results with the rotor results indicate that centrifugal forces of the rotating blade have negligible influence on the overall flowfield at both subcritical and supercritical flow conditions. The results presented in this study are computed on a CRAY2 supercomputer. Reprints.


Preface. Workshop Organization. Program Committee. Part I: Active Middleware Services. Co-operative Adaptation Between End Points P. Reiher, et al. On Active Grid Middleware C.A. Lee. AMnet: Efficient Heterogeneous Group Communication Through Rapid Service Creation T. Harbaum, et al. Part II: Mobile Agents Services and Environments. CATALINA: A Smart Application Control and Management Environment S. Hariri, et al. Active Monitoring in Grid Environments Using Mobile Agent Technology O. Tomarchio, et al. A Cohesive, Secure Mechanism for Structuring Distributed Agent Populations in Managed Networks D.P.A. Greenwood. Enhanced ORB-based Active Networking H. Guo, Th. Becker. Part III: Active Networks. Enabling Active Networks Services on A Gigabit Routing Switch P. Wang, et al. Tamanoir: A High Performance Active Networks Framework J.-P. Gelas, L. Lefevre. Calibrating an Active Network Node Y. Carlinet, et al. Securing the Node of an Active Network Z. Liu, et al. Logistical Networking: Sharing More Than the Wires M. Beck, et al. Part IV: Active Resource Management. At-Speed Prototyping of PROTEAN Architecture D. Craig, et al. 2KQ: Resource-Aware Middleware for Active and Configurable Distributed Services D. Xu, et al. LGC: An Active Congestion Control Mechanism N. Pradhavalkar, et al. IITB-View: A Network Management System Using Mobile Agents H.N. Aravind, S.L. Mehndiratta. Part V: Active Environments and Applications. A Proposed Jini Infrastructure to Support a Java Message Passing Implementation M. Baker, B. Carpenter. Automating Component Integration in a Distributed Problem Solving Environment M. Li, et al. An Evaluation of Economy-based Resource Trading and Scheduling on Computational Power Grids for Parameter Sweep Applications R. Buyya, et al. Author Index.


The major soluble carbohydrates of mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots of the cultivated cranberry, Vaccinium macrocarpon Ait., have been identified and quantitatively analysed. Mycorrhizal roots contained two sugars, mannitol and trehalose, not found in uninfected roots. As these sugars are abundant in extracts of endophyte mycelium grown in liquid culture, they appear to be of fungal origin. Analysis of neutral sugars derived by acid hydrolysis of insoluble residues showed an accumulation of a mannose-containing polymer in mycorrhizal roots. Mannose was a principal component of insoluble polymers in the endophyte. All soluble carbohydrates in the root, including mannitol and trehalose, became labelled after feeding '4CO2 to the shoots. Sucrose was the most strongly labelled sugar in both types of root. M\'lannose present in hydrolysates of mycorrhizal roots was more heavily labelled than that derived from uninfected roots but most 14C in insoluble fractions was found in glucose polymers. The hypothesis that the endophyte derives a supply of carbohydrate from its host plant is discussed.


We reviewed an outdoor scene image segmentation algorithms based on background recognition and perceptual organization. We found background objects such as the sky, the ground, and some trees & structural object based on the color and texture information. For the structurally challenging objects, which usually consist of multiple constituent parts & some authors developed a perceptual organization model that can capture the non-accidental structural relationships among the constituent parts of the structured objects and, hence, group them together accordingly without depending on a prior knowledge of the specific objects. We studied different methods of different authors and tried to


The Mars Yard at Sydney's Powerhouse Museum is one of the largest indoor simulated Martian landscape of its kind. It is designed and constructed as a research environment for space robotics and astrobiology researchers as well as university and high school students. A number of robotic platforms have been developed by the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR) to operate on the Mars Yard. The Mars Yard is equipped with a set of web-connected cameras providing high level of situation awareness for the teleoperation users. Next to the Mars Yard is a Mars Lab, equipped with control computers, video streaming systems all connected to high speed National Broadband Network (NBN). This connectivity provides a unique opportunity for researchers to perform robotics mission on the Mars Yard via web based teleoperation interface. Recently a new educational project has been initiated to allow NBN connected high schools around the country. They are now able to connect to the Mars Lab and perform missions using web based teleoperation framework. This paper presents the robotics platforms on the Mars Yard and the internet-based collaborative teleoperation system architecture of the Mars Lab. Furthermore, paper also explore how we utilise scenario-based learning as a teaching strategy to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to encourage a higher order creative thinking and deep learning.


Purpose: To investigate the effects and mechanism of rehmannioside A (ReA) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) progression.
Methods: Various concentrations of glucose and ReA were added to HK2 cells, and cell viability was analyzed using the 3-(4,5)-dimethylthiahiazo(-2)-3,5 diphenytetrazoliumromide (MTT) assay. Cell apoptosis, caspase 3 activity, and expression levels of BAX, Bcl-2, and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase were evaluated to assess the effect of ReA on cell apoptosis. The effect of ReA on oxidative stress was also evaluated by assessing superoxide dismutase, catalase, and malondialdehyde levels. Lactate dehydrogenase release and reactive oxygen species levels were also measured. Finally, activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 was determined by immunoblot technique.
Results: ReA significantly enhanced the survival of HK2 cells induced with high glucose (HG). In addition, ReA suppressed apoptosis and inhibited oxidative stress of HK2 cells induced with HG (p < 0.05). ReA protected against HG-induced apoptosis and oxidative stress of renal tubular epithelial cells by inhibiting the MAPK pathway (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: ReA is a potential as a therapeutic agent for DN; however, in vivo and clinical investigations are required to validate this assertion.


This paper deals with the simulation model design and analysis of refrigerated warehouses in Busan using Taguchi method. We analyze the operating processes of refrigerated warehouses and develop a simulation model which implements the class model composition behavior through aspect-oriented modeling approach. Also, a simulation experiment is carried out to find the optimal conditions of the system through Taguchi method. For the simulation experiment, six main control factors are selected and orthogonal array is utilized. The optimal levels of the six factors is determined and verified. As a result, the performance characteristic (charge rate) of the system was achieved at 90.7%.


We discuss three methods for the computation of the model parameters of spatial channel simulators basing on Rice's (1944, 1945) sum of sinusoids. Each method is universally described and can in principle be applied to the modelling of any type of scattering object with given spatial characteristics. However, examples illustrating the procedures are presented for a Laplacian scattering object only. The performance of each procedure is investigated with respect to important spatial characteristic quantities such as the spatial cross-correlation function (SCCF), the mean angle of arrival (AOA), and the angular spread.


Although enjoyable and rewarding, fieldwork has inherent hazards and risks. In this article, we describe five steps to help students plan for safe and successful fieldwork in a variety of study sites. In addition to identifying potential hazards and mitigating them, successful graduate research should include a communications plan, strong leadership and awareness of power relationships among faculty, graduate students and undergraduate student assistants. We provide example scenarios, based on actual student experiences, to "test" if your team is well-prepared for a range of possible situations that may arise in the field. Lastly, we outline a workshop that integrates these steps to facilitate safety planning for graduate students in Forestry at the University of British Columbia.


This study evaluated the practical benefit, if any, of using collateral information for one item type when statistically analyzing pretest items of some other item type. The criterion for evaluation of pretest item calibration accuracy was the reduction achieved by the use of collateral information in the number of test takers that must be administered each pretest item so that its item parameter estimates reach a specified level of accuracy. The proposed methods involved statistical tools that assume one dominant ability being measured on a test and tools that assume two dominant abilities being measured, as has been confirmed to be true for the Law School Admission Test (LSAT) . Results from simulation studies demonstrate that there is a practically important amount of improvement in calibrating pretest items of one item type attributable to the use of collateral information from some other type provided only a moderate number of operational items are present for each item type. For purposes of LSAT computerized admission, the high level of ability estimation accuracy for any one item type (because of the more substantial number of items being anticipated) seems to offset any advantage that could be obtained through introducing collateral information from some other item type. (Contains 3 figures and 15 references.) (SLD) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.


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This paper presents an investigation on the starting salary of 10790 college graduates working in Guangzhou.The results show that,education,school,gender,major,job matching status,family residence,scholastic record as well as comprehensive quality of a graduate all have affect on their starting salary.Among these factors,education has the greatest affect on the starting salary,followed by school,comprehensive quality and scholastic record,whereas gender,job matching status,major and family residence have little affect.The investigation shows that when the employment situation is severe,the impacts of school,comprehensive quality and gender on starting salary increase.Based on the research results,a series of suggestions are given.


Asphalt mixture design methods range from approaches that rely on the volumetric properties of the mix to those that are based on the pavement performance. More advanced mixture analysis procedures allow a comprehensive evaluation that attempts to predict pavement distress based on factors such as traffic, climate, and mixture properties. Among them, balanced mix design (BMD) has been a frequently used approach; its purpose is to achieve an optimum balance between stability and durability. The objective of this work is to bridge the gap between the volumetric properties and performance of asphalt mixtures with respect to pavement fatigue cracking and rutting. In the study, an asphalt mixture was initially designed and then variations in voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) and voids filled with asphalt (VFA) were evaluated based on specified volumetric limits to create a broad volumetric space. Then, dynamic modulus, cyclic fatigue, and stress sweep rutting (SSR) tests were performed at each volumetric condition. Index-volumetrics and performance-volumetrics relationships were calibrated and the optimum mixture design was identified. In addition, a BMD framework was developed, which allows the mixture performance evaluation at multiple volumetric conditions and the selection of an optimized mixture based on the predicted pavement performance and on indexes for all possible combinations of the given set of component materials.


After about a year of hard work after the CLARIN kick-off meeting, this is an excellent moment to reflect on intermediate achievements, especially with respect to the different communities we need to address. The central questions for all ESFRI-related research infrastructure initiatives that received funding for the preparatory phase are the same: can these initiatives show that they are able to contribute to establishing a persistent infrastructure layer that facilitates competitive research in their discipline in Europe and can they help tackle the small and big challenges in the future? Of course, we were aware from the start that these difficult tasks can only be accomplished if we can convince a number of "communities" of our results. 1First, we have to convince ourselves and our own community. This has proven to be the most challenging part. We started full of dreams and enthusiasm, but underestimated the patience required in an undertaking trying to synchronise 150 member institutes comprising about 500 experts. Until now we have aimed at the involvement of as many experts as possible in our discussions. However, we realized that a big part of the community cannot cope with the speed of concurrent activities and document creation. Nevertheless, a broad group of experts agreed upon the present requirement specification documents so that all interested researchers can now gain a deep understanding of the intentions of CLARIN. Of course, only a few actual services addressing the needs of the language resources and technology (LRT) experts have been set up so far. 2Second, we want to convince the humanities and social sciences (HSS) communities in particular because these communities use LRT as the basis of their increasingly data-driven work. We should, however, be able to offer concrete services before approaching these communities. We clearly indicated the need and possibility to offer first services. Especially, the Virtual Language World services will be an attractive first step by providing users – among other things – with a browsable and searchable observatory comprising many LRT components in different views (catalogue, facetted browsing, GIS, etc.), a virtual laboratory allowing researchers to participate in testing and contributing to new eScience type frameworks, a consultancy portal referring to experts who can help with various issues. These services will be available to users by September 2009. 3Third, we need to interact with comparable initiatives such as DARIAH and CESSDA to ensure compatibility of our goals and solutions as well as mutual benefits from each other's work. Interaction has begun at various levels, but due to different foci we cannot speak of a joint and coordinated approach towards a common research infrastructure yet. 4We need to interact with other existing initiatives and investigate to which extent we could make use of existing solutions, e.g. by eduGain/TERENA and the grid community, and whether our solutions may be of interest to others. The key issue will be finding a good balance between ICT-driven top-down concepts and the bottom-up-driven community needs which per definition require some conceptualization and interaction time. This is why CLARIN actively pursued discussions with various horizontal initiatives such as Alliance for Permanent Access, eduGain/TERENA, e-IRG, DEISA, EGEE and DRIVER. Initial reactions were extremely positive with two exceptions for which there was not enough time for cross-fertilization yet.


Optical spectroscopy is used to study the laser ablation process of ZnO targets. It is demonstrated that even if Partial Local Thermal Equilibrium is present, self absorption process leads to a decrease of recorded lines emission intensities and have to be taken into account to obtain correct values of such parameters. It is presented a method that combines results of both Langmuir probe technique and Anisimov model to obtain correct values of plasma parameters.


Objective To study the effects of ethanol extracts from traditional Chinese herbal drugs on the proliferation of and melanogenesis in cultured B16 melanoma cells.Methods The cell proliferation of,melanogenesis and tyrosinase activity in cultured B16 cells were measured by MTT method,NaOH method and oxidative DOPA reaction,respectively.Results In the 18 tested ethanol extracts,9 gave posi- tive results at least in one of the three trials.As a result,Semen Astragali complanati,Radix Glycyrrhizae, Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones,Herba Menthae,Radix Sophorae Flavescentis,Spica Prunellae,Radix Scutellatiae,Semen Sesami Nigrum and Herba Ecliptae significantly promoted B 16 cell proliferation(P<0.05 or P<0.01);Radix Glycyrrhizae,Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones,Herba Menthae,Radix Sophorae Flavescentis,Spica Prunellae,Radix Polygoni Multiflori,Semen Sesami Nigrum and Herba Eclip- tae significantly increased the melanogenesis in cultured B16 melanoma cells,Pseudobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones,Herba Menthae,Radix Sophorae Flavescentis,Spica Prunellae,Semen Sesami Nigrum and Herba Ecliptae significantly increased the activity of tyrosinase.Six ethanol extracts showed significant effects on the cell proliferation of,melanogenesis or tyrosinase activity in cultured B16 melanoma cells in all the trials (P<0.05 or P<0.01).Conclusions Ethanol extracts from the 6 traditional Chinese herbal drugs(Pseu- dobulbus Cremastrae seu Pleiones,Herba Menthae,Radix Sophorae Flavescentis,Spica Prunellae,Semen Sesami Nigrum and Herba Ecliptae)can promote the proliferation of and melanogenesis in cultured B16 cells.


An investigation into the effectiveness of a prototype hydro-geological hazard mitigation project was carried out in this research. Numerical models were generated to determine the effectiveness of the project using the GeoStudio2012 suite of products. The output data from numerical models created in SEEP/W, SIGMA/W and SLOPE/W have been used to predict the design capability of this novel hydro-geological hazard mitigation project.
This research project is intended as a template for further study geared at developing regional scale solutions to flooding and soil erosion in marine settings. It is the hoped that the information obtained from the numerical analysis this hydro-geological hazard mitigation project will be implemented in the modification of existing hazard maps created by various authors for selected sites on the island.


The performance of room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone rubber under various operation conditions is always a hot point in the study of external insulation. The influences of transformer oil on performance of RTV silicone rubber have been little investigated, which are crucial issues for the RTV silicone rubber covering transformer bushing because of the potential transformer oil leakage problems. In the present work, transformer oil immersion experiment is applied to explore the influences of transformer oil on the performance of RTV silicone rubber. Samples are immersed into transformer at 70 °C and 110 °C for 4, 8, 24, 72, 168 and 336hrs, respectively. They are analyzed by contact angle measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the transformer oil is studied using gas chromatography (GC). The results show that, contact angle increases when the immersing time is short and fluctuate with the immersing time increasing, and they show a good hydrophobicity for all of the samples. FTIR analysis indicates the absorptions due to O-H bonds, C-H in CH3, Si-CH3, Si-O-Si, and Si(CH3)2 decrease for the immersed ones, and temperature has an impact on the decrease, especially for the O-H bonds. GC analysis, which is used to verify the proposed hypothesis that low molecule weight is supposed to be suck into transformer oil during immersion, gives a result to be further validated due to the complexity of transformer oil composition. One can conclude that transformer oil have great impacts on the performance of RTV silicone rubber, but it cannot be examined simply by contact angle measurement. FTIR analysis is an effective method to investigate it. An indirect method by using GC is potential and further analysis is required in further study.


Objective: The study aimed to evaluate undergraduate dental students' self-perceived confidence in carrying out Endodontic procedures and correlating it with their performance in Endodontic clinics. Methods: The correlational study was conducted on fifth year dental students at Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. The self-perceived confidence of students was assessed by using Endodontic Self-Perceived Confidence Scale (ESCS). The students' endodontic clinical performance scores were obtained from the department head. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS-23.0. Descriptive statistics were recorded as percentages, frequencies, and mean. Chi-square test was used for gender-wise comparison of all items of ESCS, Student t-test was used for comparing means and Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized for exploring correlation. Results: Over all response rate was 91.8%. Students exhibited the highest confidence level for achieving rubber dam isolation (4.57±0.66) while the lowest confidence level was documented for the treatment of teeth with immature apices (2.82±0.95). The mean self-confidence score of male students on ESCS was higher than the female students (P-value=0.18). However, mean endodontic clinic score of female students was significantly higher than the male students (P-value=0.02). The insignificant correlation was noted between the students' mean confidence scores and endodontic clinical performance scores (P-value=0.82). Conclusions: The insignificant correlation between self-perceived confidence and clinic scores raises significant caveats for utilizing the self-assessment in the aforementioned group. Hence, the students should be adequately trained in self-assessment to prepare them for lifetime learning. Additionally, clinical instructors by creating a supportive learning environment should help students to deal with their shortcomings.


The theory of constructivism has several important implications for methods of teaching. One of these is the need to explicitly confront student preconceptions. In this paper we explain how preconceptions effect student learning, according to the constructivist view, present an initial collection of preconceptions which computer science educators must address, and discuss how identifying these preconceptions can help improve student learning in CSIS.


We consider the problem of solving linear operator equations from noisy data under the assumptions that the singular values of the operator decrease exponentially fast and that the underlying solution is also exponentially smooth in the Fourier domain. We suggest an estimator of the solution based on a running version of block thresholding in the space of Fourier coefficients. This estimator is shown to be sharp adaptive to the unknown smoothness of the solution.


The research described and analyzed the areas of food security planning in Kabupaten Pasuruan. The research used a descriptive method and qualitative approach. Data sources were derived from informants and documents. The data collecting technique used interview and documentations. Data were analyzed using an interactive model. The results of this study were the field of food security development planning in Kabupaten Pasuruan shows that it is dominated by a top down approach. Planning mechanisms through forums musrenbang and technocratic had generally been in accordance with the planning cycle of Conyers and Hills. Kelompok Tani Nelayan Andalan (KTNA) was less involved in planning where many of their proposals were proposed through agricultural extension workers (PPL). so"es +P\'e:JA;mso-bidi-language:HE'>The result of this research could be used as an insight to develop a new system more effective and efficient in the future. This research also presents some suggestions for short, middle, and long-term planning for Kudus Local Government in developing e-government in the future, to shape the good governance for public service. `vga+P\'>secondly to analyze the utilization of the IP4T's results in the land management planning process in East Java.  This research used qualitative method with descriptive approach. The conclusions obtained, Execution / implementation of IP4T in East Java Province, has been running well in quantity has been largely imposed to meet the target over the years, but planning activity from the activity IP4T land in East Java Province, it can be said the less successful as a result of these activities IP4T less fully utilized


Our primary objective of this paper was to extend a previously published 2-D coupled subsample tracking algorithm for 3-D speckle tracking in the framework of ultrasound breast strain elastography. In order to overcome heavy computational cost, we investigated the use of a graphic processing unit (GPU) to accelerate the 3-D coupled subsample speckle tracking method. The performance of the proposed GPU implementation was tested using a tissue-mimicking phantom and <italic>in vivo</italic> breast ultrasound data. The performance of this 3-D subsample tracking algorithm was compared with the conventional 3-D quadratic subsample estimation algorithm. On the basis of these evaluations, we concluded that the GPU implementation of this 3-D subsample estimation algorithm can provide high-quality strain data (i.e., high correlation between the predeformation and the motion-compensated postdeformation radio frequency echo data and high contrast-to-noise ratio strain images), as compared with the conventional 3-D quadratic subsample algorithm. Using the GPU implementation of the 3-D speckle tracking algorithm, volumetric strain data can be achieved relatively fast (approximately 20 s per volume [2.5 cm <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times2.5$ </tex-math></inline-formula> cm <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times2.5$ </tex-math></inline-formula> cm]).


We consider a string stretched between two diagonal branes on a bosonic torus under a perturbation of one of the radii. In the world‐sheet description, this corresponds to a perturbation of a conformal field theory with two boundary components. A term in the second order boundary RG equations is related to the change of conformal dimension of the boundary changing operator.


Epidemiology of BPH and Prostate Cancer Current Trends in the Epidemiology of Prostate Diseases: Benign Hyperplasia and Adenocarcinoma, M.A. Ahmend, C.T. Lee, and J.E. Oesterling Onogeny and Etiology of Normal and Abnormal Prostate Growth Anatomical Perspectives for Prostate Development, B.G. Timms Biology of the Prostatic Ductal System, C. Lee Neoplastic Transformation of the Prostate, S.-M. Ho, K.-F. Lee, and K. Lane The Intermediary Energy Metabolism of Normal and Malignant Prostate Epithelial Cells, R.B. Franklin and L.C. Costello Peptide Growth Factors in Prostate Cancer, M.S. Steiner Role of Apoptosis in Development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostate Cancer: Clinical Significance in Diagnosis and Treatment, N. Kyprianou Anti-Apoptosis Genes and the Development of Hormone-Resistant Prostate Cancer, R. Buttyan, X. Zhang, T. Dorai, and C.A. Olsson Androgen Receptor Gene Mutations in Prostate Cancer, J.M. Bentel, G. Buchanan, and W.D. Tilley Developmental Estrogenization of the Prostate Gland, G.S. Prins Diagnostic and Therapeutic Aspects Biologic Implications of Prostate Function Following Identification of Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen as a Novel Folate Hydrolase/Neurocarboxypeptidase, W.D. Heston Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer, R. Dahiya Current and Future Therapies for Prostate Cancer, K.J. Pienta and R. Panvichian Index


Human thyrotropin (thyroid-stimulating hormone) has been purified from a side-fraction of human growth hormone production. Purification is effected by immunoaffinity chromatography on an immobilised monoclonal antibody column. The hormone was bound to the immunoabsorbent in 50 mM borate buffer pH 8·5 plus 0·5 M NaCl and eluted by 50 mM glycine/HCl buffer pH 3·5 plus 0·5 M NaCl. The hormone was obtained in a biologically active form and substantially free, <0·5% by weight, of the other pituitary glycoprotein hormones.


The longest running school-based HIV testing program for high school students was canceled, following parents' objections, by the school board. The free, voluntary testing program began in Lee County, FL, in 1992, and was judged successful by AIDS educators when the numbers of adolescents and young adults testing HIV-positive decreased. Permission slips had to be signed by parents for administration of the test, but results were confidential.


This article examines the three primary ways in which the governing boards of American colleges and universities are held to account: (1) competition; (2) regulation, including state nonprofit corporation laws, tax laws, and licensing laws; and (3) accreditation. It begins by tracing how lay (meaning nonfaculty) governing boards became the dominant form of governance in American higher education. It argues that governing boards provide American institutions of higher education with an exceptional degree of autonomy from state control and that, together with the shared governance approach that gives faculties primary responsibility for academic matters, they have been a vital factor in producing the leading system of higher education in the world. The article concludes with recommendations for improving board oversight including avoiding the reputational harm caused by excessive compensation or conflicts of interest, recognizing that the public expects the nondistribution constraint to be extended to such academic goods as admissions and graduation requirements, and understanding the risk posed by increased government control of accrediting bodies.


The dependence of the coercive squareness S* on the recording characteristics of CoPtCr-SiO2 perpendicular magnetic recording media was investigated. Experimental results showed that the magnetic cluster size dcl, which is evaluated by observing the ac-erased magnetization pattern of media, decreased with a decrease in S*. Ac-erased noise increased with an increase in S*. At a recording density of 1000 kfci, the S/N of a medium with S* of 0.39 was 5 dB higher than that of a medium with S* of 0.44. The recording magnetization pattern was obtained for a medium with S* of 0.39 at a high recording density of 1300 kfci. Thermal decay of the medium became very small for S* of less than 0.37. It was concluded that S* was effective parameter on the recording characteristics of CoPtCr-SiO2 perpendicular magnetic recording media.


Earlier investigations showed that damages on timber from feeding rolls could be within the lower classes of damage according to VMRs classes. Knowledge about differences in productivity between kind types and aggressive types of feeding rolls is necessary because it should influence the question about damages on timber caused by different feeding rolls.

In this study the production and timber damage in a harvesting head were evaluated at three levels of pressure (8, 10 and 14 MPa) on the feeding rolls, and with three different types of rolls. One type, the rubber cushioned steel plate roller had 10 mm studs and rubber damping, one "middle" type made of solid steel with 14 mm studs, and one aggressive type, also made of solid steel with 18 mm studs.

No significant general difference in productivity between the three types could be found, but the pressure on the feeding rolls influenced clearly the productivity.

The depth of the damages lied within the lower classes according to VMR. The two steel wheels gave at all pressure levels a deeper damage than type one. There was no difference in the depth of the damages between the tested pressure levels for the two steel wheel types whereas for the kind type there was a difference.

None of the feeding roll types showed a bark abrasion that would be classified as "extensive" according to VMR. The lower pressure (8 MPa) caused a little more bark abrasion for the steel rolls. The kind type caused even at 10 and 14 MPa a little more bark abrasion than the both steel rolls.


In order to choose the best optimized method for isolating total RNA from grapevine tissues,the effects of optimized SDS-phenol method,optimized CTAB method and optimized Trizol method were compared by isolating total RNA from the grapevine buds,leaves and ripe berry skins.The results showed that quality and high cencentrition RNA were harvested by the optimized SDS-phenol method and the optimized CTAB method and the two methods are more suitable for RNA isolation from leaves and buds.At the same time,quality but less cencentrition RNA were gotten by the optimized Trizol method,while the total RNA was still enough for further research.


To provide a gold alloy wire which is excellent in the property of forming a melt ball, suitability for stitch bonding, and wire strength and, despite this, gives a press-bonded ball having excellent circularity, and which is usable in high-density wiring for a semiconductor device. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] The gold alloy wire for use in ball bonding is made of a gold alloy comprising 10-50 mass ppm magnesium (Mg), 5-20 mass ppm europium (Eu), 2-9 mass ppm calcium (Ca), and gold (Au) having a purity of 99.995 mass% or higher as the remainder, wherein the calcium (Ca) content is up to half the europium (Eu) content by mass. ® KIPO & WIPO 2009


The effectiveness of stabilizing signals introduced at the input of an excitation system using a power system stabilizer (PSS) is analysed to damp torsional oscillations in a series compensated system is investigated. Two methods (i) generator shaft speed deviation signal and (ii) modal speed deviation as feedback signals to PSS (a) one PSS (b) two PSS is studied.The study system (similar to second IEEE Benchmark model system I) consists of a synchronous generator connected to an infinite bus through two parallel transmission lines, one of which is series compensated. A power system stabilizer (PSS) is installed in the excitation system to provide damping torque for the generator. The PSS described here is designed to damp the torsional oscillations. Main empahsis is given on modelling aspects of PSS and its effectiveness in damping the torsional oscillations.


We have prepared the thermoelectric materials, where the small particles are dispersed in the matrix, by mechanical grinding (MG) or alloying (MA). Si and C powers were added to the p-type Fe0.92Mn0.08Si2 or n-type Fe0.98Co0.02Si2 powders, and they were mechanically milled followed by being hot-pressed. The amounts of the β-phase, e-phase, α-SiC and C in the sintered samples depend on the amount of the added (Si+C) and the Si/C molar ratio, which affect the values of the Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of the samples. A lot of fine α-SiC particles around 20nm were dispersed in the samples, which decreases the thermal conductivity of the samples. The maximum figure of merit values appear at Si/C=1.5 for p-type Fe0.92Mn0.08Si2 containing 4 mass%(Si+C) and Si/C=1.75 for n-type Fe0.98Co0.02Si2. We have also prepared the CoSb3-FeSb2 composite where the FeSb2 particles are dispersed in the CoSb3 matrix. The dispersed FeSb2 particles contributed to decreasing the thermal conductivity and maintaining the moderate Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity of the samples. As a result, the composite whose molar ratio CoSb3/FeSb2 is 0.7/0.3 and milling time is 25 h has a maximum value of figure of merit of 6.1×10-4 K-1 at 756 K, which is much larger than that of 3.2×10-4 K-1 for CoSb3.


Two complexes of ruthenium containing 3,5-di-tert-butylquinone ligands have been characterized crystallographically. The perchlorate salt of bis(bipyridine)(3,5-di-tert-butylsemiquinonato)ruthenium(II), (Ru(bpy)2(DBSQ))ClO4, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 15.361 (2) A, b = 24.229 (3) A, c = 11.026 (2) A, US = 103.51 (1), and Z = 4. The complex cation is octahedral in structure, with Ru-O and Ru-N lengths that are typical of Ru(II) and Ru(III) complexes. Structural features of the quinone ligand show one C-O length with a value found typically for semiquinones and the second length to be slightly longer. trans-Bis(4-tert-butylpyridine)bis(3,5-di-tert-butylquinone)ruthenium, Ru(4-t-Bupy)2(DBQ)2, crystallizes in the triclinic space group P anti 1 with a = 9.072 (2) A, b = 11.068 (2) A, c = 11.554 (2) A, = 90.25 (2), US = 99.51 (2), el = 95.96 (2), and Z = 1 with crystallographic inversion symmetry imposed on the molecule. Bond lengths to the metal fail to provide information on the charge distribution within the molecule. Quinone C-O lengths are intermediate between catecholate and semiquinonate values, suggesting charge delocalization within the ruthenium-quinone chelate ring.


The π+π−π0, K+K−π0 and K±K0π∓ final states produced by p̄p annihilation at rest at three different hydrogen target densities have been analyzed in the frame of a coupled channel analysis together with ππ, πK and KK̄ scattering data. The percentages of the different partial waves, the branching ratios and the parameters (masses, widths, ππ and KK̄ partial widths) of all the involved resonances (J = 0, 1−, 2) have been measured. The main results on meson spectroscopy concern the determination of the ΓKK̄/Γππ ratio for f0(1370) and f0(1500) (ΓKK̄/Γππ = 0.91 ± 0.20 and ΓKK̄/Γππ = 0.25 ± 0.03 respectively), the determination of a0(1300) parameters (M = 1303 ± 16MeV; Γ = 92 ± 16MeV) and the observation of two different ρ signals associated to ρ(1450) and ρ(1700) (M = 1182 ± 30MeV;Γ = 389± 20MeV and M = 1594± 20MeV;Γ = 259± 20MeV respectively).


Background and Goal of Study Anesthesiologists' work along with extended duty shifts is combined with intensive stress (1). Moreover, anesthesia practice requires sustained vigilance, parallel decision-making, and fine motor skills. The aim of this study was to find out the impact of sleep deprivation, fatigue and stress on anesthesiologists' psychomotor performances, measured by the CRD (Complex Reactionmeter Device), a computer based psychometric system, able to detect even discrete psychological and mental changes (2). Materials and Methods After the Medical Ethics Committee approval and informed consent, 27 staff anesthesiologists (35-55 yrs) were tested. A battery of 4 computer-generated cognitive psychological tests was used to record 2 parameters of cognitive performance: total test solving time (TTST – describing speed of reactions), and variability of reaction time (VRT-attention, alertness). Two tests were made during on call (8 am and 4 pm i.e. D8, D16), and two during the ordinary working day (8 am, 4 pm, i.e. WD8, WD16). ANOVA for repeated measures and LSD post-hoc test were used. Results and Discussions Tests Tasks D8 D16 WD8 WD16 p AO 35 TTST 141 37 141 35 118 28 113 21 <0, 001 VRT 53 18 65 17 49 11 43 9 0, 001 SV 35 TTST 49 10 50 11 45 7 44 5 <0, 001 VRT 17 4 17 4 14 4 15 4 0, 049 DLP 60 TTST 37 3 38 4 35 5 36 6 0, 117 VRT 10 3 11 2 10 3 12 4 0, 078 LAC 35 TTST 50 31 45 12 37 11 36 11 0, 059 VRT 25 16 25 10 20 9 19 11 0, 069 AO=arithmetic operation, SV=spatial visualization, DLP = discrimination of light position, LAC=leg and arm coordination ; results times given in seconds. Conclusions Comparing TTST and VRT, the test results were worse while on duty, implicating reduced speed of reaction, as well as attention and alertness. Anesthesiologists have impaired performance in cognitive complex reaction time tests during on call day, suggesting increased stress for an on call anesthesiologist, and this deserves further research. We consider CRD as a valuable tool for precise psychomotor testing.


This article will analyze the argument that separation of power in the Brazilian presidential system creates a crises of governability. Recent Studies in Political Science shows the executive does not face any resistance in implementing its agenda during the constitution of 1988, because he has strong legislative, agenda setting power and the power to control the administration. This article reviews some of this constitutional mechanisms that depict a clear relationship of the Executive and the Legislative. The agenda and the legislative powers of the President are analysed through the Provisional Measures, the right to propose the budget and the possibility to accelerate the legislative process. In relation to the control of the bureaucracy, we will look at its influence in the formation of the government and at the recruitment of the congressman. The competence of control of the Legislative over the Executive is also analised. The evaluation of these institutional factors shows that the Executive has strong legislative powers, agenda powers and the control of the bureaucracy, all that together with a weak control exercised by the Legislative. Therefore the nongovernability appears to be a myth. This casts doubt on the need for further reform on politic systems.


Background and Objective: The preparation of the root canal (i.e., cleaning and shaping) is the main step in the endodontic treatment. The nickel-titanium rotary files result in fewer errors during the preparation of curved canals. This study aimed to compare the transportation of Neolix and Reciproc rotary systems in curved canals using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 70 extracted curved premolar teeth from patients referred to dentistry faculty were assigned into two groups (n=35). The preparation of the canals was performed by the Neolix and Reciproc rotary systems. Remaining dentin thickness, transportation, and canal-centering ratio were evaluated and compared using CBCT images before and after the instrumentation. The data were analyzed in SPSS software (version.19) through ANOVA, independent t-test, and paired t-test. Results: There was a significant difference in terms of remaining dentin thickness in three sections of 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apex, before and after the instrumentation regarding the level of mesiodistal and buccolingual. However, no significant difference was observed in terms of the transportation in three sections of 3, 5, and 7 mm from the apex in both Neolix and Reciproc systems. Conclusion: According to the results, both Neolix and Reciproc rotary systems showed high efficacy in root canal shaping. The amount of transportation in these systems during preparation of curved canals was very low leading to the protection of canal-centering ratio.


Langer's (1989) concept of mindfulness is analyzed in terms of Reiss's (in press a) 16 desires and then is applied to mental retardation. Mindfulness is motivated by desires for high curiosity, low order, and high independence. High curiosity is satisfied when we mindfully focus attention on individuality, as opposed to when we mindlessly use diagnostic labels to tell us who people are. A desire for low order is satisfied when we apply diagnostic IQ cutoff scores flexibly. A desire for high independence is satisfied when we reject conventional stereotypes. Examples of mindful thinking include the American Association on Mental Retardation's 9th definition of mental retardation, Zigler's approach to personality research, and the recongition of possible co-occurrence of mental illness and mental retardation.


Objective To investigate the clinic value of body surface and transrectal ultrasound in diagnosis of infertility caused from spermatic duct obstruction. Methods Body surface and transrectal ultrasound were applied to examine each section of the spermatic duct of 65 patients with male infertility. The results were compared with those of surgery and pathology. Results Display rate of the body surface ultrasound for the testicle efferent duct,the ductus epididymidis,the vas deferens testicle part,the scrotum part,the inguen part was high,the display rate of transrectal ultrasound for the vas deferens trough part,the seminal vesicle was high. The body surface ultrasound discovered 80 positive signs,the transrectal ultrasound discovered 25 positive signs. Conclusion Application of body surface and transrectal color Doppler ultrasound is a reliable diagnostic tool to identify the reason,location and scope of spermatic duct obstruction.


Abstract When youth are involved in their communities, they typically do so through institutional structures. We construe youth service as a type of long-term, intensive volunteerism or civic service, which takes a range of institutional forms including service-learning, national service, and international service. We define these forms as having common operational features, and summarize what is known about them and their effects on youth and the individuals and communities with whom the youth are engaged. We identify directions for future research, including issues of server inclusion and impacts on the served.


An object in a gravitational field has an associated velocity from the Einstein equivalence principle. Do these velocities add relativistically when objects merge? This possibility leads to a reconsideration of the nature of gravitational potential energy.


Abstract A B.W.O. may be locked onto a required frequency by injecting a small signal at a point on the alow-wave structure. The magnitude of the locking signal required depends upon the point of injection. An experimental B.W.O. with a partly external slow-wave structure is described, which enables signals to be injected at various points along its length. Experimental values of the amplitude of looking signal needed at the various possible injection points are found to be in good agreement with theoretical predictions (Ash 1958).