N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) is a thiol antioxidant used clinically to treat chronic inflammatory lung disorders and acetaminophen poisoning in humans. The authors evaluated in vitro the effect of NAC on mitogen-induced blastogenesis in C57BI/6 mouse splenocytes by {sup 3}H-thymidine uptake, and its ability to protect against the immunotoxic effects of methyl mercury on lymphocyte proliferation. Lymphocyte proliferation stimulated by optimal and suboptimal concentrations of concanavalin A (Con A), lipopolysaccharide (LPS), or a combination of calcium ionophore A23187 and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) were markedly enhanced by NAC. NAC itself was a weak mitogen. The kinetics of the NAC effect on splenocyte proliferation were mitogen dependent. NAC enhanced Con A-induced splenocyte proliferation in a dose-dependent and linear manner but enhanced the LPS-induced response at 50--400 {micro}g/ml of NAC followed by a decline in response to control value at higher concentrations. In splenocytes stimulated with PMA plus A23187, NAC increased proliferation at 50--200 pg/ml followed by a constant response at 200--1,000 {micro}g/ml NAC. When splenocytes were stimulated with higher concentrations of Con A (10 {micro}g/ml) or LPS (150 {micro}g/ml) which markedly suppress splenocyte proliferation, NAC significantly enhanced the Con A-induced response and reversed the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of LPS. NAC also protected lymphocytesmore » against mitogen activation-induced cell death. Methyl mercury at 5 {times} 10{sup {minus}7}--1 {times} 10{sup {minus}6} suppressed Con A- and LPS-induced splenocyte proliferation by over 80%. However, NAC completely reversed the immunotoxic effects of methyl mercury on the mitogen-induced splenocyte proliferation even when the cells were pre-incubated with methyl mercury for 6 or 24 hr before stimulation with the mitogens.« less


Eigenvalue problems with "peculiar properties" were studied in a famous paper by von Neumann and Wigner. The phenomenon of diabolical points is placed into an extended context and is connected for the first time with Rayleigh-wave propagation. The associated appearance of osculation, avoided crossing or repulsion is discussed by using simple models. Everything is connected with everything. Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859)


Tokutaro Takakura (高倉徳太郎, 1885-1934) was a prominent leader of Japanese Protestant Christianity from the 1920s to 1930s. His active years were short, but his influence on younger generation was great. Intellectuals who were inspired by him became academics, entrepreneurs, government officials, theologically well-informed homemakers, and Christian ministers, during and after the Second World War. In this paper, I will examine Takakura's theology and its relation to Jonathan Edwards.


We present the results of Suzaku observations of the galaxy cluster 1RXS J0603.3+4214 with "toothbrush" radio relic. Although a shock with Mach number $M \simeq 4$ is expected at the outer edge of the relic from the radio observation, our temperature measurements of the intracluster medium indicate a weaker temperature difference than what is expected. The Mach number estimated from the temperature difference at the outer edge of the relic is $M \simeq 1.5$, which is significantly lower than the value estimated from the radio data even considering both statistical and systematic errors. This suggests that a diffusive shock acceleration theory in the linear test particle regime, which is commonly used to link the radio spectral index to the Mach number, is invalid for this relic. We also measured the temperature difference across the western part of the relic, where a shock with $M \simeq 1.6$ is suggested from the X-ray surface brightness analysis of the XMM-Newton data, and obtained consistent results in an independent way. We searched for the non-thermal inverse Compton component in the relic region and the resultant upper limit on the flux is $2.4 \times 10^{-13}$ erg cm$^{-2}$ s$^{-1}$ in the 0.3-10 keV band. The lower limit of the magnetic field strength becomes 1.6 $\mu$G, which means that magnetic energy density could be more than a few $\% $ of the thermal energy.


The linear collider community has set a goal to achieve a relative precision of 10 on the luminosity measurement at the ILC. This may be accomplished by constructing a finely granulated calorimeter, which will measure Bhabha scattering at small angles. In order to achieve the design goal, the geometrical parameters of the calorimeter are redefined. This is performed in a generalized manner, so as to facilitate future modifications, the need for which is foreseen, due to expected changes in the detector concept. ∗List of members can be found at: http://www-zeuthen.desy.de/ILC/fcal/


The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the independence, experience, due professional care and accountability for the quality of audits. The population in this study is the auditor of KAP in Central Java. Determination of sample, using a purposive sampling method with the criteria that auditors have a minimum 2 years experience. The data in this research is obtained by distributing questionnaires to the respondents on 15 KAP in the city of Semarang and Solo. For testing research hypotheses using multiple regression analysis. These results prove that the independence and accountability effect on audit quality. So the higher attitude of independence and accountability are owned by the auditor it will improve the quality of audits. While experience and due professional care had no effect on audit quality. Key words: Audit Quality, Independence, Experience, Due Professional Care and Accountability


In this paper, distributed generations for risk management of a distribution company (DisCo) in the competitive market environment are introduced. The proposed model for this problem considers a stochastic programming framework in the yearly horizon that is to maximize the expected profit considering the uncertainties of the retail market such as the end user demand and the electricity pool price. In this study, the key point is modeling the uncertainties of distributed generations as a reliable source for DisCos. Finally, the approach suggests the optimal resources for procuring the customers' load. Also a basic carbon market is modeled to support the role of renewable energies.


The Coral reef is one of the most important ecosystems in sea waters which is always used by various types of biota as habitat and fishermen as fishing grounds. With these fishing activities, people often use fishing gear that is not environmentally friendly so that it can damage the ecosystem. Based on this, it is necessary to do this research aims to determine the percentage of coral cover in the Kayopulau waters of Jayapura City. Data collection on coral reefs was carried out in the Kayopulau waters of Jayapura City between May-December 2017 using the line intercept transect (LIT) method at 3 sampling stations at different depths of 5 m and 10 m. At each depth, a permanent transect line of 25 m is placed parallel to the coastline. Calculation of percent coral cover and number of species and number of individuals to determine the condition of coral reef ecosystems is carried out based on CRITC-COREMAP LIPI criteria. This research is expected to later be able to inform the condition of coral reefs in the Jayapura City Sea Waters especially in the Kayopulau Waters so that they can be used as input for the Jayapura City Government to make regulations on the Marine Protected Areas. Keywords: coral reef, coral cover, Kayopulau coral, Jayapura coral


Engaging people, giving them a great experience and balancing the needs of your organisation is an essential skill. These are the key strategic issues covered in this comprehensive guide for recruiting, selecting, involving and rewarding volunteers effectively.


The crystal and electronic structure of TiH2 was calculated by the first-principle plane-wave density function theory pseudopotential method. Through the quasi-harmonic Debye model, the thermodynamic properties of TiH2 was successfully obtained in the whole temperature range from 0 to 1800 K and pressure range from 0 to 140 GPa. The thermodynamic properties including the relationship of elastic bulk modulus and pressure, heat capacities and temperature, thermal expansion and temperature and pressure. The calculated results indicated the lattice parameters are consistent with the experimental data, and when the temperature is constant, the relative volumes and heat capacities decreases with increasing pressure, Debye temperature and elastic bulk increase with increasing pressure, and temperature effect is smaller than pressure under high temperature and pressure.


Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare complication of HIV infection and one of the few in which incidence seems unrelated to stage of


Background: High frequency electric stimulation has emerged to detect renal nerve by evoking BP response. However, its relationship with the renal nerve distribution is not clear. This study was designed to evaluate the renal nerve distribution by annular electrode catheter via High Frequency Electric Stimulation (HFS). Methods: A total of 8 Chinese Kunming dogs were included. HFS was performed from proximal to distal renal artery. HFS positive sites (Systolic BP increased at least 10mmHg when HFS delivery) were identified as to HFS positive (HFSP) group and other negative sites were identified as to HFS negative (HFSN) group. Renal nerve distribution at HFSP and HFSN sites was analyzed. Results: Finally, 12 renal arteries were included, 144 bipolar HFS were performed at distal, middle and proximal bilateral renal artery. 25/144(17.4%) of HFS might evoke positive autonomic response. 48% (12/25) were located at proximal renal artery, 28% (7/25) at middle renal artery, and 24% (6/25) at distal renal artery. In HFSP group, stimulation caused a significant BP elevation of 13.4±4.1/9.9±4.9 mmHg (P<0.001 for both). In HFSN group, stimulation only increased BP by 1.4±3.7/1.3±2.5 mmHg (P=0.36). The mean area of nerves in HFSP sites was 0.41±0.19 um2 and the average number of nerves was 7.16±3.94, whereas in HFSN sites were 0.18±0.06 um2 and 3.48±2.23, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion: Renal afferent sympathetic nerves can be detected effectively by HFS. The BP-elevation response to HFS may be one useful marker to trace the sympathetic-enriched sites and be potentially applied to determine the targeted ablation site.


Introduction/Objective: Hydatid parasitic infection in humans can be caused by the parasite Echinococcus. Hydatid cysts form mainly in the liver and lungs. Cysts can rarely be found in other organs. Hydatid cyst in the pelvis can be secondary to rupture of the hydatid cyst in the spleen or kidneys. Primary pelvic hydatid cysts are very rare. Complications and symptoms of hydatid cyst depend on its location. Surgery is the basis of treatment for hydatid cysts.


CdS/polyelectrolyte core-shell composite microspheres(CdS/PCCM) were prepared by layer-by-layer self-assembly technique,and their spectral characteristics were studied by infrared(IR),Raman and vacuum ultraviolet(VUV) spectroscopic techniques.From the IR spectrum of CdS/PCCM,a Cd—S stretching vibration peak was observed at 619.1 cm-1 which was evidently blue-shifted comparing with that of solid state CdS.The Raman spectrum of CdS/PCCM indicated that the characteristic longitudinal optical phonon mode(1LO) of CdS corresponding to 299.4 cm-1was also blue-shifted comparing with that of solid-state CdS.A big difference between the vacuum violet spectra of CdS/PCCM obtained under normal(290 K) and low(20 K) temperatures was observed.The excitation spectrum exhibited a maximum excitation peak at 269 nm with three side peaks at 322,542 and 585 nm,respectively in normal temperature,but exhibited only one excitation peak at 253 nm in low temperature.The emission spectra of CdS/PCCM also exhibited a maximum emission peak at 382 nm with three small peaks at 322,542 and 585 nm,respectively in normal temperature.but only one emission peak appeared at 394 nm in low temperature.These results indicated that CdS/PCCM had very good optical capability and could be used as labeling material of fluorescence quantum dots.


Online monitoring of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) modules is an effective way to improve the reliability of inverters. This paper proposes a method for online monitoring of IGBT's bond wires in single-phase three-level neutral point clamped inverters. The proposed method has a negligible impact on the output current of the inverter, the key of which is to clamp one leg of the inverter to the O state by zero-sequence component injection at the monitoring time. Based on this method, we can create an online monitoring environment to inject monitoring current into the idle IGBT. By sampling the collector-emitter saturation voltage during monitoring, the health state of the IGBT can be obtained. Calculations and simulations show that clamping duration is more significant than the one required for single monitoring, even under the worst conditions.


Industrial cluster theory,one of the most influential theories in academic research and government policy,has recently generated considerable debates.The paper reviews the debates among Western scholars and examines several key issues.First,spatial boundaries of industrial clusters and methods identifying them are confusing.Porter confuses the competitiveness of enterprises with that of regions and countries.We argue that spatial boundaries should not be too large,because of few industrial linkages due to distance and boundary effects.Methodologically,Porter uses the location quotient to identify industrial clusters.However,location quotient shows industrial specialization of regions,not industrial linkages.Second,the paper argues that industrial clusters are influenced by the process of industrial evolution.If a region can not upgrade its industries,the industrial clusters in the region may fail.Third,the paper argues that industrial cluster study is isolated from the research on globalization,global production networks and global city regions.In fact,globalization is interwoven with regional development,and there is no exception for clusters.Clusters have been merged into global production chains.Fourth,the paper argues that there lacks a definite policy framework because of vague concepts and methods.Lastly,the paper suggests that industrial cluster theory has to be used carefully due to the confusions.Industrial cluster is still a 'grey box'.The mechanisms of formation and its economic outcome are yet to be fully understood.China is embracing the theory of industrial clusters,but we should consider carefully the reality of China and develop industrial cluster theories with Chinese characteristics.


We present a theoretical basis which proposes a solution to the problem that very large possibilities of exam timetables can be minimalised the possible ones satisfying all restrictions and nearly all of requests, via the concept of descriptive neighborhoods which is one of important concepts in descriptive proximity spaces.


The Administrative Court in the Indonesian Law State is one manifestation of the function supervision by the judicial authorities on the actions of the government. The function of supervision or adjudication of the Administrative Court is to examine, decide and resolve Administrative disputes. The Regulations of administrative law Number 30 of 2014 concerning Government Administration has implications for the expansion of the competence the Administrative Court. The presence of this expansion certainly leads a changes, one of them is the function supervision of the Administrative Court. Based on this research, there is an expansion in the supervisory function of the Administrative Courts including: 1) the function of the consultation in section 21 of the Act, the Administrative Court is authorized to accept, examine and decide to settlement misappropriation authority by government; 2) judicial functions in section 53 and 87 of the Act, the Administrative Court has the authority to receive, examine and decide upon applications for receipt of applications to obtain decisions and/or actions of government or authority.


The features of nonlinear excitation (or soliton motion) and energy transport in the ii–helical protein molecules arising from the energy released in the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) molecules, which is a basic problem in life science and related to many biological processes, are studied and reviewed systematically. Based on different understanding of properties of structure of ii–helical protein molecules some theoretical models of the nonlinear excitation and energy transport along the molecular chains have been proposed and established, A brief survey of past researches on different models and theories of energy, including DavydovÂ's, TakenoÂ's, YomosaÂ's, Brown et alÂ's, SchweitzerÂ's, Cruzeiro-HanssonÂ's, Forner's and PangÂ's models were first stated and reviewed in this paper. Subsequently we studied and reviewed mainly and systematically the properties, thermal stability and lifetimes of the carriers (solitons) transporting the energy at physiological temperature 300K in PangÂ's and DavydovÂ's theories. From these investigations we know that the carrier (soliton) of energy transport in the ii–helical protein molecules in PangÂ's model has a higher binding energy, higher thermal stability and larger lifetime at 300K relative to those of DavydovÂ's model, in which the lifetime of the new soliton at 300K is enough large and belongs to the order of 10-10 second oro/o0i'³700. Thus we can conclude that the soliton in PangÂ's model is exactly the carrier of the energy transport, PangÂ's theory is appropriate to ii–helical protein molecules.


Expression of cellular proliferation, angiogenesis are negative prognosis factors of early breast cancer. Application target therapies at early stages will allow to improve results of treatment breast cancer


After making an observation that young people wish to maintain traditions, but they themselves do not wish to attend, lead to a curiosity to examine if traditions serve any purpose for the young pe ...


Dense Plasma Focus (DPF) experiments emit intense ∼MeV level ion and electron beams, as well as X-rays and D-D neutrons that persist for ∼100 ns. Although DPFs are traditionally operated as neutron or X-ray sources, in this talk we examine the possibility of using the experimentally observed ∼MV/cm gradients for a high-gradient accelerator. A simple capacitor driven DPF model and acceleration mechanisms are discussed along with available experimental beam data. An ∼MV level high-gradient DPF accelerator has application for compact and rugged radiological sources. If scalable to higher energies, the DPF accelerator might provide a unique and cost-effective general plasma-based accelerator technology.


A confidence interval is a standard way of expressing our uncertainty about the value of a population parameter. In survey sampling most methods of confidence interval estimation rely on "reasonable" assumptions to be true in order to achieve nominal coverage levels. Typically these correspond to replacing complex sample statistics by large sample approximations and invoking central limit behaviour. Unfortunately, coverage of these intervals in practice is often much less than anticipated, particularly in unbalanced samples. This paper explores an alternative approach, based on a generalisation of quantile regression analysis, to defining an interval estimate that captures our uncertainty about an unknown population quantity. These quantile-based intervals seem more robust and stable than confidence intervals, particularly in unbalanced situations. Furthermore, they do not involve estimation of second order quantities like variances, which is often difficult and time-consuming for non-linear estimators. We present empirical results illustrating this alternative approach and discuss implications for its use.


Radiation shielding garments are commonly used in hospitals, clinics and dental offices to protect medical patients and workers from unintentional direct and secondary radiation exposure during diagnostic imaging. To Decrease the Exposure of Ionizing Radiation in this research discuses this problem. The use of composite materials is an effective method for altering the performance of Polymer in engineering plastics, rubber, and fiber materials. Composite materials are used for many reasons Such as lowering cost the Industrial ,Shielding Protection, In this study, 8 different rubber compound were prepared by using (SBR) with Titanium Dioxide (TiO2 ) at different ratio (10,30,40,50,60,70,80 and 100) pphr. The physical properties such as Tensile, Elongation, Young Modulus, Compression and (X-Ray) transmission were Studied.


The use of an analogue to gamma-aminobutyric acid in the production of a medicament for the treatment of fire pits in a patient.


The new bidentate Schiff base ligand (E)-1-(4-((E)-(4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino)phenyl)ethanone oxime [HL], has been synthesized via condensation equal amounts of 1-(4-aminophenyl)ethanone oxime and 4-Diethylaminosalicylaldehyde. The title ligand characterized by using (IR, UV-Vis) spectroscopies, (1H, 13C) NMR spectra, Mass spectrum and X-Ray crystallography. Chelated complexes of prepared ligand with Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions, have been also prepared with a ratio of (1:2), (M:L) and characterized by (IR, UV-Vis) spectroscopies, magnetic susceptibility, molar conductivity and flame atomic absorption measurements. Results of spectral studies proved the chelation behavior of this ligand, which coordinated to metal ions as a monobasic N,O bidentate ligand, via imine and phenolic oxygen atom, after losing its proton. Tetrahedral geometry has been proposed for Co(II) complex and square planar geometry has been proposed for Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes, respectively. The analysis studies of (TG/DTG/DTA) data reflected potential and good thermal stability of [HL] and its metal complexes. We also obtained the biological activity of the prepared compounds against two Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus & Staphylococcus epidermidis), four Gram-negative bacteria (Salmonella, E-coli., Pseudomonas aeruginosa & Klebsiella spp.) and one fungal (candida albicans).


The number and quality of bone grafts around the implants are the main factors for the stability of the implants.1 Severe vertical alveolar bone loss often occurs due to severe chronic periodontitis resulting to tooth extraction. In some cases, the height of the missing teeth' bone height is lower than the adjacent alveolar bone. Furthermore, vertical bone augmentation is necessary to recover normal ridge height.2,3 Currently, GBR has been used to promote bone to grow rapidly in the gap between the implants and bone. Few documents were reported regarding to GBR technique in the plateau areas due to environmental, economic and medical situation. However, with the development of plateau medicine, the influence of environmental factors, especially hypoxic environment on bone metabolism, have been paid more and more attention. This preliminary observation targeting osteogenic effect of GBR in plateau low-oxygen regions is bound to lay the foundation for further research. Case report


In organic π‐conjugated crystals, enhancing molecular optical nonlinearity of chromophores (e.g., first hyperpolarizability β ≥ 300 × 10−30 esu) in most cases unfortunately results in zero macroscopic optical nonlinearity, which is a bottleneck in organic nonlinear optics. In this study, a new class of nonlinear optical organic crystals introducing a chromophore possessing an extremely large first hyperpolarizability is reported. With newly designed 4‐(4‐(4‐(hydroxymethyl)piperidin‐1‐yl)styryl)‐1‐(pyrimidin‐2‐yl)pyridin‐1‐ium (PMPR) chromophore, incorporating a head‐to‐tail cation‐anion OH⋯O hydrogen‐bonding synthon and an optimal selection of molecular anion into crystals results in extremely large macroscopic optical nonlinearity with effective first hyperpolarizability βiiieff$\beta _{{\rm{iii}}}^{{\rm{eff}}}$ of 335 × 10−30 esu. This is in sharp contrast to zero βiiieff$\beta _{{\rm{iii}}}^{{\rm{eff}}}$ value for previously reported analogous crystals. An ultrathin PMPR crystal with a thickness of ≈10 µm exhibits excellent terahertz (THz) wave generation performance. Both i) broadband THz wave generation with a wide flat‐spectral‐band in the range of 0.7–3.4 THz defined at −3 dB and high upper cut‐off generation frequency of > 7 THz as well as ii) high‐generation efficiency (5 times higher THz amplitude than ZnTe crystal with a mm‐scale thickness) are simultaneously achieved. Therefore, new PMPR crystals are highly promising materials for diverse applications in nonlinear optics and THz photonics.


Spintronics, also known as magneto-electronics or spin transport electronics, uses the magnetic moment of the electron due to intrinsic spin along with its electric charge. In the present review, the topological insulators (2D, 3D, and hydride) were discussed including the conducting edge of 2D topological insulators (TIs). Preparation methods of TIs along with fundamental properties, such as low power dissipation and spin polarized electrons, have been explored. Magnetic TIs have been extensively discussed and explained. Weyl phases, topological superconductors, and TIs are covered in this review. We have focused on creating novel spintronic gadgets based on TIs which have metallic topological exterior facades that are topologically defended and have an insulating bulk. In this review, topological phases are discussed as a potential candidate for novel quantum phenomena and new technological advances for fault-tolerant quantum computation in spintronics, low-power electronics, and as a host for Majorana fermions are elucidated. Room temperature stable magnetic skyrmions and anti-skyrmions in spintronics for next-generation memory/storage devices have been reported.


Due to its unique flavor, nutrition, and medicinal value, Chinese chive is the fond of most of the Chinese. Developing Chinese chive into a new kind raw vegetable juice would not only make it a convenient food but also enrich food species and enhance Chinese chive's economic value. In this article the process of color protection is designed referring to Hue angle, the proportion of stabilizing agent is ascertained according to rate of sedimentation, and two different sterilization processes are compared through tests.


A thin metal tube is proposed to guide surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs). We derive the dispersion equation of the SPPs, and then solve the equation as a function of the tube thickness. It is indicated that both long-range (LR) SPPs and short-range (SR) SPPs can be guided by the metal tube. For the LR-SPPs the loss coefficient goes to zero as the thickness of the tube decreases, thus the propagation distance can be much longer than that of the SPPs propagating on a metal wire. For the SR-SPPs, compared with the SPPs on the wire, the mode distribution is much sharper.


Michael Aung-Thwin asserts (JAS 40, 1: 87-90) that the difference between our views on religious wealth in Burmese history is merely a matter of emphasis and that his perspective can accommodate my own. I do not agree. His central hypothesis, which prompted my original critique (JAS 39, 4: 753-69), posited that the institutional relation between throne and sangha was unchanged for a thousand years and that monastic landlordism provided the underlying rhythm for every political cycle between the ninth and nineteenth century. I presented evidence to show that the institutional relation was by no means static and that the problem of religious lands was at best of marginal significance after the mid-sixteenth century. In his latest piece, Aung-Thwin skirts these arguments. He reasserts that landed donations had a cumulative impact but fails to prove that donations were permanent in fact as well as in theory, fails to consider that administrative arrangements evolved to the crown's benefit, fails to explain how dynastic founders asserted themselves in the face of supposedly permanent endowments, and ignores the widely discrepant political implications of cash and landed patronage. Where his essay breaks new ground—and where a specific rejoinder is necessary—is in his discussion of statistics. He raises four issues, three of which point to a cursory reading of the critique. First, he claims that my data on lithic inscriptions are outdated because they derive from Duroiselle's 1921 list. Yet the text and notes plainly state (p. 760) that my table was compiled not only from Duroiselle, but also from annual reports issued between 1913 and 1965 by the Archaeological Survey, Burma. No more comprehensive or accurate source is available. Second, he suggests that I have assigned an unreasonably late date to the close of the Ava period so as to include inscriptions that more properly belong to the subsequent First Taung-ngu cycle: "No historian of Burma has ever before . . . extended the Ava period to 1555," he writes. Are not G. E. Harvey, Htin Aung, and Arthur Phayre—all three of whom terminate the Ava period in 1555 (see Harvey, History of Burma, chap. III-A, p. 366; Htin Aung, A History of Burma, p. 337; Phayre, History of Burma, pp. 108, 284-85)—the standard authorities? The justification for this periodization is obvious: in 1555 Ava was conquered by Bayin-naung.and its domain joined to that of the First Taung-ngu empire. Donations from northern districts still controlled by Ava before that date could not affect the tax base of the independent Taung-ngu state. On the other hand, all pre-1555 inscriptions from areas subject to Taung-ngu were entered in First Taung-ngu statistics. Nor can one accept his suggestion that small religious acreage figures from the Restored Taung-ngu era are suspect because deltaic weather conditions ravaged inscriptions around the capital. Aung-Thwin has conflated two quite separate


Abstract : The environmental assessment (EA) analyzed the potential environmental impacts of a proposed beacon radar facility and an associated microwave repeater in the Saline Valley area in east central California. The proposed project consists of (1) a beacon radar with support and communications equipment, to be located at the McElvoy Canyon site and (2) a microwave repeater site on the Galena Ridge. The No Action (status quo) alternative was also addressed. The Saline Valley is located in the west-central portion of Inyo County, California, east of Owens Lake. Part of the Saline Valley lies in the western portion of Death Valley National Park. A microwave repeater will be required for any of the five beacon radar facility alternatives.


Due to its low transportation price, the trailer has become the most used alternative for transportation of goods between Sweden and Poland. An increase of trailers on the Swedish roads leads to a higher traffic density, which affects the environment and the Swedish population in the form of high CO2 emissions and noise. This case study aims to investigate the possibility of implementing a route between Szczecin, Poland, and Gothenburg, Sweden, in order to transferring goods from the roads to the sea. This alternative would reduce the amount of green gas emissions, which is produced due to transportation with trailer. The idea is based on using containers of the 45' PW-model instead of trailers. This type of container has the same dimensions as a trailer and accommodates as many EU pallets. The result that has been obtained from this report is that the possibility exists, however, the interest is relatively low since the current option is much cheaper and before this route is possible and functional there has to be a change in transportation price for the different kinds of transportation alternatives.


The signal modulation pattern identification and accurate parameter estimation algorithm for monopulse,LFM and phase coded radar signals are studied.Then,their hardware implementation platform is established with TMS320C6713.Testing results show that this method can deal with two simultaneously arriving signals.The processing time is 3748905ns and the error is less than 10 kHz.The processing speed and the precision can meet the requirement of practical system.


The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) has discussed the mandatory culture of industrialized semen, both to ensure biosefety, and to prevent in vitro fertilization problems caused by oocyte contamination with ubiquitous and opportunistic bacteria from preputial microbiota. Pour plate, a quantitative technique recommended by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), is operationally difficult and costly for routine analysis in Artificial Insemination Centers (AICs). The objectives of this study were to evaluate and validate viable superficial bacteria counts (VSBC), in CFU/mL, compared with pour plate counts, in industrialized bull semen samples from AICs. Semen straws from Projeto Hungria - MAPA bulls were used. VSBC and pour plate were carried out in parallel in serial dilutions of the samples, from 10-1 to 10-5. CFU/mL means or medians recorded in each dilution and technique were compared, and no statistical differences were observed between the two techniques regarding the quantification of bacteria in CFU/mL, suggesting that it may be possible to replace pour plate for CBSV, a cheaper and more practical technique.


In a large class of factorizing scattering models, we construct candidates for the local energy density on the one-particle level starting from first principles, namely from the abstract properties of the energy density. We find that the form of the energy density at one-particle level can be fixed up to a polynomial function of energy. On the level of one-particle states, we also prove the existence of lower bounds for local averages of the energy density, and show that such inequalities can fix the form of the energy density uniquely in certain models.


Although counseling, psychological, and mental health research has been conducted on the needs and experiences of immigrants and refugees living in the United States, inclusion of these topics is not as prevalent or consistent in neither counselor preparation nor discussion of multicultural counseling competence. In an effort to increase the likelihood that immigrant and refugee issues will be included in multicultural counselor education, a case is made for adding immigrant and refugee issues and experiences to the multicultural competency training discourse.


It is presented that the classifications, structures and components of neutron reflectometer(NR), as well as functions and parameters of each components, detailed characters of NR facility "PRN—2M". Based on the practical experiments, the basic experimental techniques, the measurement and the related experimental settings are described, including the choice of experimental conditions, adjustments of polarized neutron beam line, basic experimental technique and approach of measurement. The above can be an instruction for NR experiments and a reference for NR construction.


This paper proposes a new modeling approach to the analysis of tonal music, using Chopin's Prelude in B♭ major, Op. 28, No. 21 as a case study. The method, with its focus on the use of empirical procedures, treats music as an organic phenomenon. "Model," in this context, means a configuration of musical components (such as melodic, harmonic, and rhythmic) that demonstrate the generation process of a given piece of music.1 Nicolas Ruwet2 and Jean-Jacques Nattiez3 created and developed paradigmatic analysis between the 1960s and 1990s, building on


The big pore host-guest catalysis material FA-40 was prepared with the secondary nano-assembly Al2O3support by third nano-assembly technique which has a pore volume of 0.78 cm3·g-1,a specific surface area of 114 m2·g-1,average pore diameter of 27 nm,a structure of double peak pore of 6.0 nm and 40 nm,high concentration pore size distribution of 10~100 nm,a low stacking density of 0.56 g·cm-3and a concentration of metal as high as 35.70%.The results of the XRD and TEM showed that the active metal uniformly dispersed and existed in form of the microcrystal nano bulk phase which has 2 nm diameter on the guest surface.Using the poor quality FCC diesel as stock feed,Hydrogenation performance of the different catalysts has been evaluated after 20 h the hydrogenation treating.The results showed that the conversion in desulfurization,denitrification and aromatics saturation for FA-40 were 94.4%,95.5%,67.9% and 77.6%,52.3%,28.7%.Compared with F-5,increased by about 20%,80% and 140%,respectively.Stability experiments for a long period of 300 h have been shown that FA-40 was better catalyst for hydrogenation performance.


Simple Summary M. tuberculosis (M.tb) is the main pathogen of tuberculosis (TB). The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) M.tb has brought new challenges to the treatment of TB. Therefore, finding new materials for the development of natural anti-TB drugs is crucial to the prevention and treatment of TB. In order to discover new anti-TB drug materials, we isolated microorganisms from the soil and tested the anti-M.tb activity of their fermentation products. The results showed that the four fermentation products had anti-M.tb activities in vitro and in intracellular bacteria. The qPCR results showed that the four fermentation products down-regulated some growth-essential gene expression of M.tb. Thus, we speculated that the fermentation product may exert its anti-M.tb effect by down-regulating the expression of the essential genes of M.tb. Abstract Tuberculosis (TB), caused by M. tuberculosis (M.tb), is the leading infectious cause of mortality worldwide. The emergence of drug-resistant M.tb has made the control of TB more difficult. In our study, we investigated the ability of microorganism fermentation products from the soil to inhibit M.tb. We successfully identified four fermentation products (Micromonospora chokoriensis, Micromonospora purpureochromogenes, Micromonospora profundi, Streptomyces flavofungini) that inhibited the growth of M.tb in vitro and in intracellular bacteria at 25 μg/mL MIC. Importantly, the fermentation products decreased some essential gene expression levels for M.tb growth. Our data provide the possibility that microbial fermentation products have potential development value for anti-M.tb drugs.


National stipend amount can help student for completing their studies,however,there are appearing so many questions. In order to solve these problems, the present paper proposed some countermeasures


: This study focuses on a new real-word problem encountered in the construction sector, which concerns the optimization of the removal of construction waste bins from construction sites to a massification platform, where a limited heterogeneous fleet of tipper trucks (vehicles) must perform direct trips from the platform to the construction sites to collect the waste bins. Each vehicle has a capacity of one bin, it leaves the platform with an empty bin, travels to the construction site, drops off the empty bin in the construction site, collects the full bin and returns to the platform to unload the full bin. The issue is that the vehicles and the construction sites have one or more periods of availability, and thus are not available any time. This problem is modeled as a parallel machine scheduling problem of bin removal tasks on non-identical machines (vehicles), with new constraints that concern the presence of multiple availability intervals for both vehicles and tasks. Two mixed-integer programming (MIP) models are presented and evaluated on 18 new instances derived from real industrial case study.


Background: The abundant resource of drugs and its beneficial properties are hidden in our natural and Indigenous sources, which are under constant evaluation by man. Cholesterol lowering ability of ethanol extract of garlic was evaluated in comparison to atorvastatin, the most frequently used lipid lowering agent in rabbits. Methods: Hypercholesterolemia was induced to the animals with cholesterol powder (50mg/kg) for the study duration (16 weeks). At the end of 4 weeks, they were randomly selected and divided into 3 groups (n=6). Group II received Cholesterol + atorvastatin 10 mg daily; Group III received Cholesterol + 0.1g garlic extract kg b. w. daily while Group I continued with cholesterol powder (to serve as control) for the rest study period. Serum cholesterol, LDL, HDL and Triglycerides were estimated using the enzymatic method at 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 weeks in all the groups. The results were tabulated and analyzed statistically using one way ANOVA test. Results: The results indicate that both atorvastatin and garlic extract have a definite role in retarding the rate of weight gain as a consequence to high cholesterol diet in rabbits. Also, there is fewer rises in all the lipid parameters in both the treatment groups when compared to the control group . Conclusion: Though atorvastatin is definitely more effective in reducing the lipid parameters but it also significantly lowers HDL where as Garlic shows promising results when compared to placebo and also has a favourable effect on HDL. Garlic can be recommended as a dietary supplement for long term use without toxic effects for its wide range of medicinal properties in general and therapeutic potential inpatients with CAD in particular.


We report on 33× compression of 100‐ps mode‐locked Kr+ laser pulses at 647.1 nm by using a fiber‐grating‐pair compressor. Pulses with very low wings have been achieved by making use of the nonlinear birefringence effect leading to an intensity‐dependent state of polarization. The discrimination of the wings took place in the grating compressor which acted as a polarizer.


Efficient utilization of wind energy depends on careful selection and suitable design of Wind Turbine (WT) blades. Small scale Wind Turbines (SWT) normally operate in the low range of Angle of Attack (AoA). This makes the task even more difficult for designing and optimization of WT blades. This article deals with an airfoil based computational approach to design the blade for a standalone small scale Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine (HAWT). A procedure has been proposed to find the important parameters and analyze the performance characteristics for a three bladed HAWT operating under the wake rotation. Computational code has been written to find optimum blade profile. Twist angle variation, chord length and other related parameters are determined with the help of program. Comparison between different types of airfoil has been made to figure out the most suitable one. Airfoil selection and design approach are intended to make Wind Turbine blade efficient specially under low range of AoA. Characteristics of the Wind Turbine obtained analytically from this procedure are compared with several other reported earlier in some of the literatures. The result obtained by the proposed procedure is simpler and more efficient than BEM theory – a method normally employed for blade design.


The title compound, C13H10INO, is not planar as the dihedral angle between the planes of the two aryl rings is 44.5 (9)°. The configuration about the central C=N bond is E, and there is an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond which generates an S(6) ring. The molecular packing is stabilized by weak C—H...π interactions. The structure was refined as a two-component inversion twin.


BACKGROUND
Posttraumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) is common in ICU patients. One of the factors that may be associated with development of PTSD is deficit intake of omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In this manuscript, we evaluated the effect of omega 3 PUFA's, gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and micronutrients on the long term onset of PTSD in multiple trauma patients.

METHODS
This study randomized mechanically ventilated patients suffering from multiple trauma (n = 150) into 2 groups: a study and control group that received enteral feeding with or without fish oil. Fifty one patients were interviewed 6 month after discharge from ICU. The psychometric parameters of PTSD were assessed by questionnaires. The fatty acid composition of erythrocyte membranes was performed by homogenization of the cells in hexane - isopropanol.

RESULTS
No differences were found in baseline characteristics between the groups. Erythrocyte membrane composition showed significant higher concentrations of omega 3 fatty acids in the study group. Anxiety and depression symptoms were correlated with an increase in EPA on day 4 and 8 for depression and EPA on day 4 and DHA on day 8 for anxiety. Total omega 3 content was positively correlated with anxiety and depression as well. An inverse correlation was found between DHA and EPA in the treatment group and with the total omega 3 and DHA in the control group for IPQ questionnaire.

CONCLUSION
Administration of n-3 PUFA enriched diet during the ICU stay didn't prevent development of PTSD in trauma patients six months after discharge from ICU. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


* We wish to thank Indiana University for support through a Graduate Research Funds grant (administered though the Department of French and Italian) award to Laurent Dekydtspotter and Jon Hathorn. We express our thanks to Rex Sprouse for his input on the methodology, and comments. We also thank the individuals who volunteered as participants and the course administrators for their generosity. Finally, we also thank Kathleen O'Connor for collecting data from the group of native French speakers at the Université de Lille, France. Laurent Dekydtspotter and Jon C. Hathorn


Objective
To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of magnetically guided capsule endoscopy (MCE) as a screening or diagnostic means for upper gastrointestinal diseases.

Methods
One hundred and forty six patients underwent MCE during October 2013 to September 2014. All patients and endoscopists received a feedback survey with a self-administrated questionnaire; the items included the satisfaction of patients and endoscopists, the endoscopic image score, examination results, the endoscopy completion and operation time.

Results
Among 146 patients, 145 completed MCE examination with a completion rate of 99.3% (145/146). The operation time of MCE was(15.20±4.85)min. The score of patient and endoscopist satisfaction was both 4, and patient tolerance score was 0. The divergence rate score was 3; the cleaness score of stomach was 3; and the vision relative definition was 79.31±14.16. The most common examination result was chronic superficial gastritis (67/145, 46.2%), followed by bile reflex gastritis (48/145, 33.1%), normal stomach (39/145, 26.9%), gastric polyps (20/145, 13.8%), chronic atrophic gastritis (18/145, 12.4%), bleeding from erosive gastritis (14/145, 9.7%), reflux esophagitis (6/145, 4.1%), 2.7%(4/145), gastrointestinal ulcer, (3/145, 2.1%), upper gastrointestinal cancer (2/145), duodenal bulb inflammation (2/145), yellow melanoma (1/145), esophageal cyst (1/145) and esophageal varices (1/145). All patients expressed their willingness to receive the same type of upper GI endoscopy if necessary. No capsule retention, perforation or bleeding occurred.

Conclusions
MCE avoids the discomfort of conventional gastroscopy and can improve the compliance and acceptability of patients with excellent safety, maneuverability and feasibility.

Key words:
Capsule endoscopy; Gastrointestinal diseases; Diagnosis; Questionnaires


The invention relates to an illumination device (9) comprising at least one light source, in particular at least one light-emitting diode (LED) (11a), and also at least two printed circuit boards (6, 10) which are arranged at least in part one above another and preferably approximately parallel. According to the invention, the at least two printed circuit boards (6, 10) are connected by means of at least one plug connection element (1), wherein the plug connection element (1) is embodied as an interference-fit plug (2) on at least one side.


The objective of the study was to analyze publications in the Portuguese language which describe characteristics of interventions with physical activity opportunities in the primary healthcare in Brazil. Searches were performed on the LILACS, Medline, and Scielo electronic databases, through the use of the descriptors "Exercise", "Unified Health System", "Primary Healthcare", and "Health Promotion. A group of 10 articles passed the criteria for inclusion, exclusion and applied electronic filters. The publications begin to happen from the year 2000 and the intervention characteristics described in the studies indicate that opportunities for the practice of physical exercises were more prevalent (60%) compared to the health education actions, being executed mainly in the form of aerobic exercises (60%) aimed for adults and the elderly (80%), offering opportunities more often in the basic health units (60%). There was great interest in the evaluation of sociodemographic variables (100%) and health metabolic/hemodynamic indicators (60%). It was concluded that the physical activity opportunities in the (PHC) are aimed for the control of determinant and conditioning factors of chronic non-communicable diseases.


Celebrating the 29th year of Scholarly Publishing in Computer Applications in Engineering Education Computer Applications in Engineering Education (CAE) was launched in 1992, and received the Award of "Excellence in Professional and Scholarly Publishing" in Science, Technology, and Medicine, from The Association of American Publishers in 1993. At that time, CAE used 3.5" floppy diskettes (later switching to CDROMs) together with published issues of CAE to distribute software and digital educational content developed by its authors. These were the first steps for a pioneering vision of using digital technologies and the new CAE journal to create "Globally, Integrative, and Computer‐based Engineering Education." Much has happened since then and developments in educational technologies have far exceeded initial expectations. Digital technology advances now include cloud computing, mobile devices, online games, and global interactions and information sharing through social media. Pedagogy and teaching practices continue to evolve and now include innovation through integration, project‐based learning, virtual laboratories, e‐learning, virtual organizations, and the development of a "Globally Competent" engineering workforce for the 21st century. It is fair to say, however, that educators are still searching for the "best practices" for utilizing the massive explosion of digital devices and availability of online information to enhance education, stimulate STEM learning, and encourage innovations and entrepreneurship in students. Academic institutions around the world continue to develop and evaluate effective avenues for integrating digital and online resources, modeling and simulation software, multimedia modules, and videos on YouTube, and so on, in classrooms and alternative teaching settings. Flipped classrooms and web‐based programs (such as the Massive Open Online Course) are representative examples of these modern trends, encouraging innovative thinking by students and providing global access to online educational resources. Through it all, CAE has continued to grow and sustain its status as the premier journal in engineering education technology by publishing original contributions that describe innovative educational contents, highlight effective pedagogical changes, and report on the use of emerging digital technologies in engineering education. Significant progress has been made, but there are still undiscovered technologies and new approaches in engineering education to be explored and published. With this special issue of CAE, we celebrate 29 years of commitment to excellence in scholarly publishing and reaffirm CAE's longstanding vision of enhancing engineering education through innovative applications of digital technologies. The editorial team would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to Dr. Rajkumar Rajasekaran, Vellore Institute of Technology, India for being the guest editor for this special issue.


Protected cultivation allows the production of crops under very diverse conditions. The afferent technologies, however, can be complex and costly. Hence, the effectiveness of greenhouse systems, both from economical and technical points of view, depends more and more upon the availability of sophisticated, on-line and automated decision-making systems capable of dynamically optimizing the underlying processes. Such systems have to be able to intervene in a number of areas such as crop protection, climate control, crop nutrition, and operational and strategic planning. In other words, the automated control system that takes charge, in part or in whole, of a greenhouse production system needs to draw upon a considerable body of knowledge in order to be effective. In this article, a conceptual and operational framework (GX) supporting the representation and management of real and virtual entities used or found in greenhouses is described. It was designed to support various types of digital process controllers as well as the creation and deployment of knowledge-based control strategies. GX makes use of the object-oriented paradigm as expressed in the Smalltalk programming system. It has been used as a simulation platform and for the real time monitoring and control of a greenhouse range. The GX programming environment is extensible. It can accommodate a wide variety of situations and provides a semantically rich environment for the design and operation of knowledge-based greenhouse control systems.


To determine whether dual sensory impairment (DSI) is associated with incident dementia in older adults. We hypothesized that DSI is associated with increased risk of dementia as compared to no sensory impairment. We also assessed whether duration of DSI is associated with risk of dementia.


The increasing demand of cycle life performance of Pb-acid batteries requires the improvement of the negative Pb electrode's charge capacity. Electrochemical investigations were performed on Pb electrode and Pb+Carbon (Carbon black and Graphite) electrodes to evaluate the ability of the additives to enhance the electrochemical faradaic reactions that occur during the cycle of Pb-acid battery negative electrode. The electrodes were characterized through Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Potentiodynamic Polarization (PP), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). CV revealed that the addition of carbon on the Pb electrode increased anodic and cathodicreactions by tenfold. The kinetics of PbSO4 passivation measured through PPrevealed that the addition of Carbon on the Pb electrode accelerated the oxide formation by tenfold magnitude. The Nyquist plot measured through EIS suggest that the electrochemical mechanism and reaction kinetics is under charge-transfer. From the equivalent circuit and physical model, Pb+CB1 electrode has the lowest EIS parameters while Pb+G has the highest which is attributed to faster faradaic reaction.The Nyquist plot of the passivated Pb+CB1 electrode showed double semicircular shape. The first layer represents to the bulk passive PbSO4 layer and the second layer represents the Carbon+PbSO4 layer. The enhancements upon addition of carbon on the Pb electrode were attributed to the additive's electrical conductivity and total surface area. The electrochemical active sites for the PbSO4 to nucleate and spread increases upon addition of electrical conductive and high surface area carbon additives.


Being disregarded in traditional water resources research,Green Water has been a subject of great interest in recent years in the world.First,the concept of green water was introduced.Second,methods of assessing green water were summarized,revealing that most green water assessing methods only focus on a large scale,which lack for precision.Last,by using a SWAT(Soil and Water Assessment Tool)hydrological model,a new method to assess green water from various angles on a small scale is introduced with a case study in a 1 328 km2 river basin in Northeastern China.The basic volume of green water,temporal and spatial distributions and green water varieties affected by climate changes are analyzed with this method. All the results prove that it is a reasonable method to assess green water on small scale based on the SWAT model and this method is worth popularizing in China.Meanwhile,this method can provide solid research foundation for water resources management.As a result,the volume of green water is higher than that of blue water and the volume of green water flow is higher than that of green water storage in study area.In temporal study,the volume of green water is dominant during the whole year except August.Green water storage is dominant in winter while green water flow is dominant in other seasons.In spatial study,green water mainly distributes around arterial river area,while blue water mainly distributes in the eastern,north-western and southern parts of Biliu basin.In varied climate change scenarios,the volume of green water flow changed remarkably. The volume of green water flow increases with the growth of precipitation and temperature.The influence of precipitation upon green water flow is stronger than that of temperature.The influence of temperature on the green water flow changes obviously with the increase of precipitation.By modifying the SWAT model manually,we found a major limitation that there was no output of productive part and non-productive part of green water flow in the parameters of the SWAT model.


Purpose: To compare central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements obtained by the AL-Scan, Lenstar LS900, Galilei, and ultrasound pachymetry (UP) in normal and cataractous eyes. Methods: Eighty eyes of healthy subjects were included in the study. Each subject was assessed by four different methods of measurements using the AL-Scan, Lenstar LS900, Galilei, and UP by a single examiner. To assess the intraobserver repeatability, three consecutive measurements were taken for the AL-Scan. Results: The mean CCT [± standard deviation (SD)] for the AL-Scan, Lenstar LS900, Galilei, and UP were 554.6 ± 30.9 μm, 542.9 ± 31.3 μm, 570.7 ± 30 μm, and 552.7 ± 32.8 μm, respectively. The differences between pairs of mean CCT for the methods are statistically significant for the pairs of Galilei–UP, AL-Scan–Galilei, and Lenstar LS900–Galilei. Bland–Altman plots showed that AL-Scan–UP have the closest agreement, followed by Lenstar–UP and AL-Scan–Lenstar. Galilei was found to have the poorest agreement with the other three methods. The intraobserver repeatability of the AL-Scan was very good with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.980. Conclusion: We found that CCT measurements between the AL-Scan–UP, Lenstar LS900–UP, and AL-Scan–Lenstar LS900 showed very strong correlation and comparable agreement. AL-Scan–UP showed the closest agreement and these devices can be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Galilei significantly showed higher value of CCT compared to other methods. It was also observed that the Al-Scan had excellent intraobserver repeatability.


The utility model relates to a fuel cell hybrid super-capacitor power source for electric driving vehicle, which is characterized in that: in the power system of electric driving vehicle where fuel cell is used as main power source, super-capacitor is used as an auxiliary power source of power system of electric driving vehicle, the super-capacitor and the fuel cell are together connected in parallel into a DC bus through a bi-directional DC/DC device, thereby providing power for motor so as to drive the vehicle to run. The utility model can realize reasonable distribution of power between the fuel cell and super-capacitor, thereby ensuring power performance, economical performance and safety performance of fuel cell vehicles and prolonging service life of fuel cell.


N-Heterocyclic carbenes have found many applications in modern metal catalysis, due to the formation of stable metal complexes, and organocatalysis. Among a myriad of N-heterocyclic carbene metal complexes, gold complexes have gained a lot of attention due to their unique propensity for the activation of carbon-carbon multiple bonds, allowing many useful transformations of alkynes, allenes, and alkenes, inaccessible by other metal complexes. The present review summarizes synthetic efforts towards the preparation of chiral N-heterocyclic gold(I) complexes exhibiting C2 and C1 symmetry, as well as their applications in enantioselective catalysis. Finally, the emerging area of rare gold(III) complexes and their preliminary usage in asymmetric catalysis is also presented.


A mathematical model is established by using three-factors and five-levels the best regression design method.The relations of Ginger production and its profit to potash,nitrogenous and phosphate fertilizer application have been studied.The result shows that the three-factors effects to the Chinese cabbage production and its profit is increasing with the applied order of phosphate,nitrogenous and potash fertilizer;that the optimum fertilizer application scheme is N 331.44~427.98 kg/hm2,P2O5 59.88~93.52 kg/hm2 and K2O 273.99~425.82 kg/hm2 if the production will reach over 58 500.00 kg/hm2,and if its profit will reach over 91 000.00 kg/hm2.


This programme aims to digitize video collections hosted by the Museum of Shadow Play of the Kaohsiung City Cultural Affairs Bureau in Taiwan. Two main studies have been made based on this programme: Firstly, this project cooperates with the museum and digitizes films kept there, whilst also constructing a Web 2.0 interactive online platform to promote the culture of shadow puppet theatre. Secondly, based on the study of the museum archives, this study designed and validated three prototypes of social interfaces representing the cultural context by taking advantage of interactive technology, namely 'narrative media of shadow play'. Several exhibitions and interdisciplinary projects have been established, which support digital art, history and museum areas.


Nasal tip surgery is the most important surgical procedure in rhinoplasty. Various surgical techniques have been introduced, however, in Asian rhinoplasty, nasal lengthening and augmentation are important in these days. The authors aimed to compile and review various tip techniques based on the 25 years of experience of the senior author. The authors reviewed and shared our thoughts on various nasal tip techniques with a focus on both a nasal lengthening and tip augmentation. There has been advancement in our understanding of the nasal anatomy and its relation to form. To share our knowledge led to new and improved techniques for manipulating the nasal tip. Rhinoplasty is a dynamic and continually advancing field, and the quest for the most efficient and effective technique continues.


Aim. The identification of a protein from human cell extract which specifically interacts with the apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) site in the partial DNA duplex containing 5'and 3'-dangling ends (DDE-AP DNA) and mimicking clustered DNA damage. Methods. The Schiff base-dependent cross-linking of a protein to AP DNA (borohydride trapping), MALDI-TOF-MS, chromatography, and gel electrophoresis. Results. A human cell extract protein which forms a major covalent adduct with the AP DNA duplex with dangling ends was identified as the Ku80 subunit of Ku antigen by peptide mass mapping based on MALDI-TOF-MS data. The Ku antigen purified from the HeLa cell extract was shown to form the covalent adducts with the same mobility as observed in cell extracts. Conclusions. The Ku80 subunit of Ku antigen can specifically interact with AP DNA forming the Schiff base-mediated adducts which electrophoretic mobility depends on the structure of DNA ends. The difference in electrophoretic mobility can be caused by the cross-linking of AP DNA to distinct target amino acids that appears to reflect unequal positioning of AP DNAs in the complex with Ku antigen.


Since unidirectional composite lamina has stiffness anisotrophy, it is well known that stress concentration around a hole can be avoided through optimum design Little researche on optimizing laminated composite structures, however, has been conducted though several studies have developed optimum design of laminated composite plates. In this study, an object-oriented finite-element analysis method was developed to make prototype systems for optimizing the laminated composite structures and it was applied to the problem of decreasing stress energy concentration. Two types of were applied to open hole and bolted joint structures. As a resul, the systems were proven to be excellent.


Game-theoretic security models have gained popularity in infrastructure security in recent years, due to the fact that game theory is suitable for dealing with intelligent threats. In this chapter, we briefl y discuss some of the key concepts in game theory, categorize game-theoretic models in infrastructure security and give some examples, and fi nally discuss some of the limitations of gametheoretical models.


Six motorcoach trains of the Bodensee-Toggenburg railway in Switzerland are used primarily for local and regional traffic, and on occasion for short-distance express services. Each train unit consists of a motorcoach, intermediate coach and driving trailer. Local services involve a particularly large number of halts with a heavy stream of passenger entering and leaving the trains during the rush-hours. A description is given of an energy-saving convection heating system with all-weather overhead ventilation; the flow of air is controlled during the heating period according to the number of passengers carried.


In designing a Web page, background color coordination is important because it has the strong impact on the impression of the page. Generally, background color combination is decided depending on designer's sensibility, experience or knowledge. However, it is not easy for a Web page designer to decide appropriate color combination for a specific Web page impression. Additionally, it is quite likely that the impression affected by the color combination that the designer intends is different from that actually a person who sees the Web page. This paper introduces a system that supports to decide appropriate color combination of a Web page for intended impression. For this purpose, first we analyzed the result of the image assessment of 216/sup 3/ different color coordination. Then, we developed a prototyping system that can support background color coordination for Web pages using the results of the analysis.


Bench experiments were conducted to investigate the efficiency of ozonation in removing the color (turbidity) and chemical oxygen demand of the textile waste effluents. It has been observed that six hours of ozonation are sufficient to remove most of the color in the waste effluent and up to 50 percent of its COD. The small molecule organic compounds produced by dye decomposi tion, which contribute significantly to the final COD concentration in the ozonation process, can be easily degraded in an activated sludge process. Combining ozonation and the activated sludge process can provide a very effective means for dealing with this particular type of industrial waste effluent. INTRODUCTION Textile manufacturing industries in Taiwan are major industrial water users. A typical dyeing plant often generates approximately seventy tons of waste effluents per 1000 yards of fiber processed. The effluents are very difficult to treat satisfac torily because they are highly variable in composition [1]. Common methods employed for treatment include biological (activated sludge), physical, and chemical processes [1-9]. Activated sludge treatment, the most widely used • The authors wish to sincerely thank the Far Eastern Textile Company, Taiwan, ROC, for the financial support of this study.


Exercise 13 of Chapter 2 is to show that a binary relation R ⊆ A × B induces a pair of closure operators, described as follows. For X ⊆ A, let σ(X) = {b ∈ B : x R b for all x ∈ X}. Similarly, for Y ⊆ B, let π(Y) = {a ∈ A : a R y for all y ∈ Y }. Then the composition πσ : P(A) → P(A) is a closure operator on A, given by πσ(X) = {a ∈ A : a R b whenever x R b for all x ∈ X}. Likewise, σπ is a closure operator on B, and for Y ⊆ B, σπ(Y) = {b ∈ B : a R b whenever a R y for all y ∈ Y }. In this situation, the lattice of closed sets C πσ ⊆ P(A) is dually isomorphic to C σπ ⊆ P(B), and we say that R establishes a Galois connection between the πσ-closed subsets of A and the σπ-closed subsets of B. Of course, C πσ is a complete lattice. Moreover, every complete lattice can be represented via a Galois connection. Theorem. Let L be a complete lattice, A a join dense subset of L and B a meet dense subset of L. Define R ⊆ A × B by a R b if and only if a ≤ b. Then, with σ and π defined as above, L ∼ = C πσ (and L is dually isomorphic to C σπ). In particular, for an arbitrary complete lattice, we can always take A = B = L. If L is algebraic, a more natural choice is A = L c and B = M * (L) (compact elements and completely meet irreducibles). If L is finite, the most natural choice is A = J(L) and B = M (L). Again the proof of this theorem is elementary. Formal Concept Analysis is a method developed by Rudolf Wille and his colleagues in Darmstadt (Germany), whereby the philosophical Galois connection between objects and their properties is used to provide a systematic analysis of certain very general situations. Abstractly, it goes like this. Let G be a set of " objects " (Gegenstände) and M a set of relevant " attributes " (Merkmale). The relation I ⊆ G × M consists of all those pairs g, m such that g has the …


Two pairs of benz[c, d]indole dyes with the same chromophore in each pair have been studied in respect to their ability to form thin films through thermal evaporation in vacuum. Electronic absorption spectra of the films revealed that despite very slight variations in molecular structure different aggregate structures can be formed in the films. It has been shown that substitution of one carbon atom in the dye structure by a sulfur atom leads to crucial sensitivity of the aggregate structure to film thickness and substrate temperature. On the other hand, dye with bulky side groups was less sensitive to the changes in the deposition conditions.


This paper combines a personal memoir with an historical and critical approach to punk fanzines produced in Ottawa, Canada between 1978 and 1985. Chronicles growth and offshoots of the "scene" in terms of "outside" influences and musical developments, as well as in response to growing interest in social and political activism. The author speculates as to the cultural positionality of zines in general, and suggests a reading of the specificities of early Ottawa zines in terms of issues of national identity.


Isoprinosine is a combination of inosine used as antiviral drug without effect on viral particle itself, but instead only and acts as on immunostimulant and also acts indirectly by activation of immune cells. Aim of this study was to determine level of interferon-alpha (INF-α) with parainfluenza viruses HPIV-2, and adenoviruses HAdV-2 replication. In the present study, cytotoxic effect of isoprinosine was assessed using A549 cell line exposed to different concentrations of compound (isoprinosine: 50-800μg/mL) for 48 hours. Cytotoxic effect was examined visually using light, inverted microscopy Olympus CK2 under 400x magnification and by the MTT colorimetric assay. The yield reduction assay (YRA), which evaluates the ability of the isoprinosine (50-800 μg/mL) to inhibit virus multiplication in cell cultures, was applied. The cytopathic effect of the virus was evaluated 48 h after infection of A549 cell cultures with viruses by means of light, inverted microscopy. The YRA method was used to determine the 50% end point (IC50) in the presence of Isoprinosine with the controlled one. MTT cytotoxicity assay confirmed microscopic observations. There were no morphological changes, as assessed visually, in cell cultures treated with isoprinosine. After conducting the experiments and analyzing the results we noticed that higher concentrations of isoprinosine strongly inhibited multiplication of all viruses. HPIV-2 and HAdV-2 showed the highest sensitivity to the antiviral activity of isoprinosine as compared with the control, however, increasing concentrations of isoprinosine up to 800 μg /ml slightly enhanced the antiviral activity of 400 μg/ml isoprinosine. Our study was conducted that HAdV-2 and HPIV-2 have the highest sensitivity to the antiviral activity of isoprinosine from all tested viral strains.


The present invention relates to a method of eliminating an electronic signal from the DC component, the method comprising: forming a filter, so that the transmission characteristics of the filter is capable of providing at least a zero at a predetermined frequency called the cutoff frequency; providing a displacement of the transmission characteristic, which is equal to the amount of displacement of the absolute value of the cutoff frequency; so the electronic signals flow filter thus obtained. Filter device obtained by this method can be easily integrated and provide a small time-dependent inertia. The present invention may be used for receiving a radio signal.


this paper identifies the problem of unnecessary high power overhead of the conventional frame-based radioisotope identification process and proposes an event-based signal processing process to address the problem established. It also presents the design flow of the neuromorphic processor.


Thorunn LONSDALE: How did you start your writing career? Merle COLLINS: With my short story "The Walk" [from Rain Darling] in 1977 which I wrote after a workshop in Grenada. And this was the first piece I ever remember performing. T.L.: In that story, do you think the ending is amusing, when Queen realizes that for the money spent on food and drink on the long walk across the island they could have got the bus? M.C.: No, not really. It was more the different perception involved – that aspect ...


This paper introduced the feature and utilization development of crop straws,and brought up some reasonable advices for exploitation and utilization of straws.


The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Group (APEC) is the largest regional economic cooperation organization in the world, formed by 18 members in the Asia and Pacific Region, which was formally established in Singapore in February 1993. The organization's cooperative method and progress have exerted significant and profound impacts on the international economic situation, particularly the economic situation in the Asia and Pacific Region. This commentary examines APEC's future maritime policy goals and measures. The analysis produces four recommendations on the future maritime policy of APEC.


This book applies the micro-macro linkage approach to Chinese foreign policy. The author examines the processes, situations, and structures of Chinese foreign policy and analyses the effect of the international environment and domestic constraints. He explores the key trends of modernization, nationalism, and regionalism and reviews the literature of and approaches towards Chinese foreign policy.


Abstract : A study of the worn out parts of machines and mechanisms produces a general conclusion regarding the noticeable changes in the original structure and properties of the metal in direct proximity to the friction surface. This article is an attempt to describe the changes which unfold in the surface layers of titanium during friction and to compare these changes with a similar picture observed in other materials.


This paper aims to report the state of the art of research in simulation-based optimisation of maintenance operations by systematically classifying the published literature and outlining various tools and techniques used by researchers to model and optimise maintenance operations. The authors investigate the critical elements and aspects of maintenance systems and how well they are represented in the literature as well as various approaches to problem formulation. On this basis, the paper identifies the current gaps and discusses future prospects. It is observed that discrete event is the most widely used simulation technique while non-traditional optimisation algorithms such as genetic algorithms and simulated annealing are the most reported optimisation techniques. Little attention has been paid to the discussion and analysis of different elements in the maintenance environment and their effect on the maintenance system behaviour. There is a need for verifying suggested models through real life case studies.


To understand the spectrum and the properties of baryon resonances, the CBELSA/TAPS experi- ment investigates the photoproduction off the nucleon using linearly, circularly polarized or unpolarized photons impinging on a polarized or unpolarized target. Preliminary results on first double polarization observables have been obtained for the reactions − → γ − → p→ pπ 0 and − → γ − → p→ pη using both circular and linear polarized photons on a longitudinally polarized target. This data will finally provide important information for the partial wave analyzes used to extract the resonances from the data.


Although the traditional mean variance theory(MVT)is perfect,and the optimal investment strategy is easy to be obtained,the estimate for risk aversion coefficient is controversial.However,behavioral portfolio theory(BPT)not only can describe the psychological activity for investors,but also is more in line with the practice of investment decision.Based on the BPT,we deduce the calculation formula of risk aversion coefficient in this paper.And then using MVT,we obtain the optimal portfolio in accordance with the different psychological needs for investors.Finally,a numerical example is given to illustrate that our method is effective.


WO3 nanoparticles were generated by gas deposition. Deposits on Al substrates were studied by scanning force microscopy operated in the intermittent-contact (tapping) mode. At low surface coverage (< 0.5 %), we observed single nanoparticles with a mean size of ~ 1.5 nm. An increase of the amount of particles led to agglomerates, which appeared at surface coverages as low as 2 to 4 %. At full coverage the mean agglomerate size was ~ 5 nm. This value did not change as the sample was annealed at temperatures up to 250 °C. The size distribution of the agglomerates was found to be log-normal, i.e., similar to the size distribution of the gas-phase nanoparticles forming the deposit. For explaining the obtained log-normal size distribution of the agglomerates simulations of the agglomeration process were also carried out.


INTRODUCTION
The relationship between attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sleep is a complex one which poses many challenges in clinical practice.

METHODS
Studies of sleep disturbances in children with academic and behavioral problems have underscored the role that primary sleep disorders play in the clinical presentation of symptoms of inattention and behavioral dysregulation. In addition, recent research has shed further light on the prevalence, type, risk factors for, and impact of sleep disturbances in children with ADHD.

RESULTS
The following discussion of the multi-level and bi-directional relationships among sleep, neurobehavioral functioning, and the clinical syndrome of ADHD synthesizes current knowledge about the interaction of sleep and attention/arousal in these children.

CONCLUSION
Guidelines are provided, outlining a clinical approach to evaluation and management of children with ADHD and sleep problems.


The synthesis technology of waterborne polyurethane(WPU) was introduced,and several methods of modification of WPU were summarized.The prospective development of WPU was also put forward.


Alleviating poverty and reducing environmental pollution in less developed countries are important goals of sustainable development. Lower building costs and reduced pollution should make development more sustainable. Most often, concrete is made with Portland cement, produced in developed countries. Byproducts of Portland cement production are carbon dioxide and particulate matter, environmental pollutants that harm human health. Natural Pozzolans are substitutes for Portland cement that include: diatomaceous earth, volcanic ash, and rice husk ash. We consider technology transfer from the United States of America to the Philippines. North America is more developed than is Southeast Asia and thereby provides a model for technology transfer in less developed parts of the world. We use Geographic Information Systems to map cement resources, safe drinking water, sanitary toilet facilities, and makeshift housing. Regions where poverty is prevalent and natural pozzolans are available can be targeted to develop more sustainable construction.


Land use related to food production is generally quantified using product-based life cycle assessments. We, however, quantified land use of diet scenarios with a land use optimization model. Energy and protein requirement of human populations, varying from 15 to 30 mil-lion people, were met with the consumption of arable crops, meat and milk. Diet scenarios explored contained 0% up to 80% of animal protein. First findings show that a limited contribution of animal protein in the diet resulted in lowest land use per capita, because of utili-zation by livestock of products inedible for humans. Moreover, utilization of land unsuitable for crop production provides the opportunity to sustain a larger population compared to a situation in which these soils were not used to produce food.


The contribution of women in artisanal crayfish harvesting and other related fishery products (seafood) cannot be overemphasized, yet they are being un-noticed economically. This study examined empirically gender differentials in poverty among crayfish harvesting households in Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A multi-stage and stratified random sampling techniques was employed in selecting a total of 409 (300 males and 109 females) headed crayfish harvesting households. A structured questionnaire and interview schedule survey was used for the study. FGT model was used to analyse gender differences in poverty status of the respondents while Oaxaca–Blinder (OB) Decomposition Technique was used to decomposed poverty. The result revealed that, female harvesters are more vulnerable to poverty than their male counterparts in the region with their poverty incidence (0.59), poverty depth (0.33) and poverty severity (0.18) being higher than 0.33, 0.32 and 0.17 for males. The aggregate decomposition revealed that gender differentials gap was mostly being accounted for by coefficient component (structural or discrimination effect) than endowment component (characteristics or composition effect) and interaction effect. The detailed Original Research Article Etim et al.; AJAEES, 38(5): 116-134, 2020; Article no.AJAEES.57401 117 decomposition that explained the gender differential gap indicates that marital status, household size and income of crayfish harvesting are the major factors that explained the endowment effect while marital status, labour, income of crayfish harvesting and access to crayfish harvesting net are the factors that explained the structural effect. Additionally, the result of the analysis of poverty coping strategy use index (PCSUI) revealed that spending of saved income (8.16%), children eating first (8.15%), intensifying of the amount of work done on the crayfish fishing to increase output (8.03%), purchasing items on credit (7.98%), diversify off-fishing activities to increase income (7.50%), borrowing money for household upkeep (7.20%), reduction in food consumption (7.20%) among others were the major poverty coping strategies used in the area. The study recommended that gender equality and equity be ensure in the provision, allocation and distribution of productive (harvesting) resources/services. More so, bias and discriminatory laws, norms, belief and traditional restrictions against women should be review and repeal while hidden ones be eliminated among others.


This thesis is an attempt to clarify our understanding of the terminology, techniques, tuning and repertory of the Anglo-Saxon lyre and harp. The important literary issues traditionally associated with these instruments including oralcy and literacy in versemaking, problems of function, delivery and presentation of poetry have been deliberately assimilated to a new approach to the study of medieval instruments. This approach may be simply defined: a determination to pursue the question of instrumentalists' repertory into the poetry manuscripts without being obstructed by the musicologist's reluctance to deal with materials preserved without musical notation, and whilst refusing to share the literary historian's reluctance to associate lettered poetry with the world of performance. Chapters 1 and 2 establish the meaning of hearpe during the period under consideration. The conclusion is reached that between c850 and c1050 in the West Saxon and Kentish areas where much OE poetry must have been circulating in written copies hearpe denoted a lyre and a pillar-harp, the latter meaning becoming increasingly dominant as the millennium was reached. Chapter 3 gives an account of the technique and tuning of these instruments based on literary and iconographical evidence. This is the first attempt to understand the capacities of the late Anglo-Saxon pillarharp and lyre and to characterise their music.


where y−1 n is a multiplicative inverse mod p m for yn if (yn, p) = 1. The parameters a, b, y0 we be called the multiplier, shift and initial value, respectively. In [3], [4], [6], [7], [8], [11], [12], [14] it was proved that under certain conditions on the parameters a, b, y0 the inversive congruential generator (1) produces a sequence {xn}, xn = yn pm , n ≥ 0, which passes s-dimensional serial tests on equidistribution and statistical independence for s ∈ {1, 2, 3, 4}.


Software effort estimation is an important part of software development work and provides essential input to project feasibility analyses, bidding, budgeting and planning. A lot of methods are used in industry for efforts estimation, Use Case Point; COCOMO, Analogy and Expert Judgment are most popular methods of estimation. But these all methods are used separately. One method is not suitable for all kind of projects .This paper is combining these methods to use the advantages of these methods and overcome the disadvantages of these methods. This paper using expert judgment and Analogy based estimation in Use Case Point and COCOMO to improve the Use Case Point and COCOMO. .


Objective To study the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF α) in the development of human mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis.Method Histotopathological (HE,PAS,PASM) analysis and immuno histochemistry were used to evaluate the change and the expression of TNF α in the tissues of kidney.Result The results showed that TNF α positive reaction were found in glumeruli and renal tubles and also reveal a relationship between the increased expression and severity of the lesions.Conclusion Increased expression of TNF α may play a important role in the pathological accumulation of extracellular matrix and renal interstitial fivrosis in mesangial proliferative glomeralonephritis.


Purpose :To determine by means of MR imaging the ischemic status of parenchymal lesions in moyamoya disease. Materials and Methods : Ninety-two MR images in 50 children with moyamoya disease were retrospectively reviewed. Ischemic parenchymal lesions were categorized according to the signal intensities of cortex and subcortical white matter. We also analyzed enhancement patterns, time sequential changes in the lesions, and the Prognosis for each patient, according to lesion type. Results : Among one hundred and seventeen parenchymal abnormalities, 89 gyral lesions were seen in 43 children (86 %), predominantly in the frontal area (33.1%). Cortical parenchymal lesions were categorized as either type I - intermediate to high signal intensity (SI) on both T2 weighted (T2WI) and proton density images(PDI), and associated with low SI of the subcortical white matter; type II - high SI on T2WI and PDI, without low SI of the subcortical white matter; or type III - high SI on T2WI and iso SI on PDI. Thirty-three lesions were type I, ten were type II, and 43 were type III. Time sequential changes from type I to type II, and then to type III, were observed. The prognoses of patients with a type-I lesion were better than those of patients whose lesions were type II or III. Conclusion : Type I lesions presented with abnormal low signal intensity in the subcortical white matter, as seen on T2W1 images. This was the characteristic and earliest finding of ischemic parenchymal lesions in moyamoya disease; sequential MR images showed that type-I lesions progressed to type II or III.


Background: Ehrlichia and Rickettsia are two major rickettsial genera transmitted by ticks that affect a
number of wild and domestic animal species and human populations around the world. Objective: To design
and validate a duplex PCR for Ehrlichia and Rickettsia in ticks. Methods:Assay validation included testing for
sensitivity,specificity, reproducibility, and robustness of the PCR. The groELand 23sr RNAgenes were used for
Ehrlichia and Rickettsia, respectively. Results: The limit of detection was one hundred gene copies per 50 μLof
reaction for Ehrlichia spp, and one gene copy of Rickettsia per 50 μL of reaction. In general, the primers of the
test only amplified in silico those bacterial agents for which they were originally designed, with the exception
of the primers for Rickettsia that also amplified Methylocystis sp. The test was reproducible (intermediate
precision) 96.7% of the times for both agents. The test was robust enough to tolerate concentration changes
of all reagents with the exception of Taq DNA polymerase. Conclusions: The validation results indicated that
this PCR is useful for detection in both bacterial genera and it is a good candidate for diagnostic validation.


The application of consumer-grade digital cameras for photogrammetric measurement is subject to the requirement that imagery is recorded at pre-set or fixed zoom and focus settings. The camera is then metrically calibrated or selfcalibrated for the lens setting employed. This requirement arises because camera calibration parameters, and especially those related to lens distortion, vary significantly with the zoom/focus setting. In this presentation, a zoom-dependent calibration process is proposed whereby the traditional image coordinate correction model for camera interior orientation and lens distortion is expressed as a function of the nominal zoom focal length written to the EXIF header of the image file. This removes the requirement to utilize fixed zoom/focus settings for the images forming the photogrammetric network. A review of the behavior of camera calibration parameters with varying zoom setting is first presented, after which the newly developed zoom-dependent calibration model will be described. Experimental results from its application to a number of 'off-the-shelf' cameras are then analyzed. These demonstrate that the proposed approach is suitable for numerous applications of medium-accuracy digital closerange photogrammetry, across fields as diverse as traffic accident reconstruction and heritage recording.


This research work focuses on the analysis of multi-layered, anechoic tiles for underwater applications, especially in the field of communications.
It is firstly shown how the sound absorbing properties of viscoelastic materials can be modified and enhanced by the proper use of fillers, such as lead oxide and mica. Successively, a new method for identifying the viscoelastic frequency-dependent properties of such materials from experimental data is presented. The method is based on a variational method analogous to the Hamilton Principle. It allows calculating hard-to-find properties such as the complex viscoelastic response functions and the complex Poisson ratio.
After the materials properties have been determined, it is shown how they can be incorporated into the combined finite-element-boundary element method to provide accurate numerical solutions to the acoustic scattering problem.
A tile made of three layers, a reflecting aluminium layer, an absorbing butyl rubber layer and a matching layer made of a regular grid of polyurethane cones is finally analysed in several scattering and geometrical configurations.
The scattering patterns produced by a plane wave incident on the tile are plotted, discussed and compared with experimental data obtained from in-tank scattering measurements of a model tile.


Background: Regular exercise and proper exercise are two important measures that can control obesity reduce the chances of metabolic disease and promote a healthy life. Many a time, exercise may not be suitable for some individuals. For screening, a Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q) is used. However, it is not available in Odia, a language spoken in Odisha, India.

Aim and Objective: This study aimed to adapt the PAR-Q linguistically in Odia according to guidelines laid by the World Health Organization.

Materials and Methods: The English questionnaire was forward translated from English to Odia by three bilingual experts and a consensus was reached to make a final Odia version. Then, the Odia version was back-translated to English by three language experts and a consensus was reached to form a final back-translated version. Then, the conceptual equivalence was checked between the two versions for finalizing the Odia version. Then, the questionnaire was pre-tested and cognitive interview was conducted.

Results: We have successfully forward translated and back-translated the PAR-Q. The Odia version and back-translated English version showed an acceptable level of equivalence by two individual raters with an acceptable level of agreement. The Odia PAR-Q was successfully pre-tested.

Conclusion: We have linguistically translated the PAR-Q in Odia. This questionnaire can be used for screening individuals for their fitness for enrolling and engaging in exercise. This questionnaire would help sports authorities as well as paramedical staff in screening Odia speaking subjects who are not comfortable with English.


QT prolongation is an independent risk factor for cardiac mortality. Left bundle branch block (LBBB) is more common in patients as they age. Widening of the QRS in LBBB causes false QT prolongation and thus makes true QT assessment difficult. We aimed to develop a simple formula to achieve a good estimate of the QT interval in the presence of LBBB.


In the field of computation, the art of predicting the stock market has always been a tough nut to crack for researchers. This is because stock prices are highly influential values. The prices depend on many factors, ranging from physical to physiological, rational and irrational, from geopolitical stability to the sentiments of the investors – all play a crucial role. Investors anticipate market conditions in the future for a successful investment. Hence considering the past stock prices as an embodiment of the factors mentioned above, we propose a stacked long-short-term-memory (LSTM) model to predict the closing index of stock prices during this highly uncertain pandemic period using root mean square error (RSME) as the performance indicator. The model is optimized to improve the prediction accuracy in order to achieve high performance stock forecasting. The dataset considered is from NIFTY 50 scaling across four sectors, namely – auto, bank, healthcare and metal from a duration of 30th January 2020 to 31st March 2022. This paper aims to consider the historical data to analyze future patterns and insights.