The embodiment of the invention provides a friend recommending method. The method includes the steps that friend-making conditions of a first user are obtained, and second users with basic information meeting the friend-making conditions are sought for; according to basic information of the first user and the basic information of the second users, matching degrees between the second users and the first user are calculated by using a matching model, wherein the matching model is established in advance according to basic information and historical interaction information amount of two corresponding historical matching users in a social network; according to the matching degrees between the second users and the first user, at least one third user is screened from the second users to be recommended to the first user. According to the method, recommended friends can be more accord with preferences of users, and the situation that friends cannot be recommended can be reduced in social networks. In addition, the embodiment of the invention provides friend recommending equipment.


An important strand of enquiry for scholars of the attention economy must surely be the ethical issues associated with the development of 'pervasive media'. In partnership with the community of practitioners in the Pervasive Media Studio (PMStudio), I have been involved in a Knowledge Transfer project to uncover the myth, reality and challenge of pervasive media: what the language and values of this field might be, how to not reproduce the dystopian visions of science fiction (such as Spielberg's Minority Report) and how to think more positively about what we do want around us as our shared future. I have led the use of a critical workshop-based process of experience, description and reflection on innovative pieces of work in order to develop a set of shared understandings and ways to describe the language and values of this emergent field of practice. The other objective of this work is to encourage designers and developers of pervasive media to develop critical awareness of their own practice and to apply this to what they produce.


In this paper, the focus is on the dispatching strategy of microgrids with minimization in costs and emissions. The novelty of this paper is in proposing a new approach toward combined heat and power generation in a grid with renewable energy resources, such as wind turbines, photovoltaic cells which reduces the overall costs considerably. In this research, for simulating the optimal dispatch of DG units and other power generation resources, GAMS software is applied to the problem, which results in a lower calculation time.


China Folklore Institute of Hangzhou is of significance in the development of China's Folklore studies. Its speciality lies in the fact that it not only estabished a loosely-connected and comradeship organization, but also has made China Folklore studies more mature and modern, through the efforts of scholars in folk lores studies, and Mr Zhong′s endeavours in particular. It has greatly influcnced the research of folklore studies since then


Increase of the offshore industrial activities is highly affecting marine milieu. For example, discharge of liquid petroleum on water surface, oil spill, frequently happens because of the offshore well vessels failure or transportation accidents. Numerous occurrences of the oil spills are obvious examples of affecting ecology by industrialization. Therefore, information about the exact location and real-time situation of an oil spill can significantly facilitate to plan for diminishing the spot, in time. This research proposes a hybrid fuzzy algorithm for individuals of swarm robots, in order to track the boundaries of a simulated oil spill which is influenced by environmental factors such as wind and wave currents. Simulation results prove the feasibility of engaging swarm robotics in this application.


Our objective was to study the level of media literacy in children of early school age, i. e. pupils in the first grade of primary school. We focused on the pupils with disabilities, namely learning disabilities (LD) who are either integrated in a general classroom with other pupils (school integration), or are part of a special class for pupils with LD within the primary school. Another subgroup consisted of pupils with communication impairment (CI) either attending primary school for children with CI, or integrated in a general classroom with other pupils. The results confirmed without any doubts that our respondents have expanded their communication options and use the modern forms, such as the internet calls, chats, e-mails, etc. We can state that the pupils with disabilities did not have any significant problems with becoming familiar with the modern information-communication technologies and actively using them. Certain deviations can be noted for the following forms of communication: 41% of the pupils with CI favoured personal communication, compared to 31.4% of the pupils with learning disabilities. The opposite tendency applied to the use of mobile phones: while only 22.7% of the pupils with CI preferred this communication tool, it was 31.4% in the group of LD respondents. We can come to the conclusion that the pupils with communication impairment can have certain problems with virtual communication without personal contact, when they cannot see the gestures and other forms of non-verbal communication that are an important source of information for them.


The view is expressed that the real life concrete industry virtually ignores theoretical mix design and that there has been some justification for this attitude. Existing methods of mix design are briefly surveyed with particular reference to their shortcomings. The "state of the art" is graphically illustrated by the almost incredibly wide range of mixes submitted in response to a simple comparative exercise organised by rilem. The author's own system is presented and is seen to represent a more flexible approach, able to cope with any aggregates and with pozzolans and admixtures. A new concept is introduced of describing the wet properties of a concrete by a "mix suitability factor" (msf). This enables such properties to be numerically designed just as strength enables hardened properties to be numerically designed. Using this concept the system can cope with any kind of concrete required from earth dry to fully flowing. A role is seen for the new system in being built into computer batching systems so that they can design and control their own concrete. Already the system has been built into computer quality control systems so as to predict any problems even before the concrete has set (a).


A positive slope of the yield curve is associated with a future increase in real economic activity: consumption (nondurables plus services), consumer durables, and investment. It has extra predictive power over the index of leading indicators, real short-term interest rates, lagged growth in economic activity, and lagged rates of inflation. It outperforms survey forecasts, both in-sample and out-of-sample. Historically, the information in the slope reflected, inter alia, factors that were independent of monetary policy and, thus, the slope could have provided useful information both to private investors and to policymakers. Copyright 1991 by American Finance Association.(This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)


Atrial septal defects account for 10 to 15 % of congenital heart disease and are classified into four types. Sinus venosus type accounts for only 1 % of all congenital heart disease. It is present high in the interatrial septum in continuity with the superior vena cava hence difficult to diagnose on routine echocardiography. We report a rare case of a sinus venosus atrial septal defect (ASD) diagnosed on CT pulmonary angiography which was missed on a routine 2D echocardiography in a 64-year old female who presented with symptoms of worsening dyspnoea.


Smart grid is a cyber-physical system with interdependent power grid and communication network. Such interdependence make the smart grid fragile against cascading failures, where an initial failure in communication network may lead to further failures in power grid, and vice versa. We prevent such inter-network cascading failure by stopping an initial failure from propagating. This is achieved by providing a sufficient number of power-disjoint communication routes between power nodes and control center. The number of power-disjoint routes is a robustness metric. We aim to maximize robustness by configuring the interdependence relationship between power grid and communication networks. Such relationship indicates which power node supplies energy to which communication node, and which communication route is used to connect which power node to the control center. Following Menger's Theorem, we transform such configuration problem into a Maxflow problem and solve it using the simplex algorithm. We have evaluated the proposed method through extensive simulations. The results confirm the optimality and computational efficiency of the proposed method. The number of power-disjoint routes increases with an increase in the network size, but can never exceed the number of node-disjoint routes for a same network.


5G-based millimeter Waves (mmWave) systems have the prospective of enabling $>1Gbps$ communications in the Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). ITS relies on vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communications to share information among vehicles. However, the V2X Communications via existing technologies such as DSRC, 3G, 4G and LTE, are not able to achieve such a high data rate. Although 5G-based mmWave can support ultra-low-delay V2X transmissions, it comes with beam alignment difficulties as well as the routing stability issues due to rapid mobility of vehicles. The dynamic vehicle traffic causes frequent beam misalignment which tends to degrade the quality-of-service (QoS) performance. In this paper, we first propose a 3D-based position detection scheme for beam alignment/selection purpose. Then a group-based routing algorithm is performed to select a secure path for achieving trustworthy data transmissions. The road traffic is automatically segmented to divide the vehicles into different groups, and each group head is selected and members are added. Group members are authenticated by the group head via elliptic curve algorithms. Huffman coding is performed to compress the data and encrypt the binary files. This proposed novel intelligent beam control and secure stable routing scheme have been verified in simulations to demonstrate much better performance than existing schemes.


The present invention, controlled size and morphology, in particular the following sizes 600 .mu.m, with very good spherical shape and high content of zeolitic material, spherical based on zeolite and clay agglomerates further relates to methods of making these agglomerates . These agglomerates are particularly suitable for use in gas phase and / or liquid phase adsorption process.


A model for supplementary feeding of preschool children was designed, employing the following principles: Selection of beneficiaries based on the epidemiology of malnutrition, not charity; distribution of the supplement limited to 4 months; the supplement to cover one‐third of protein and calorie needs; strict control of use of supplement; automatic medical care to beneficiaries when needed; nutrition education of the mothers. > The purpose was to protect contacts and extend nutritional recuperation beyond the action of the rehabilitation centers. A total of 428 children were admitted to the program between June 1969 and September 1970. Sixty‐eight percent completed the 4 month period. Average weight gain was more than expected for age (less than one year: 1,218 g; and one‐to‐four years old: 872 g). Attendance rate was 95 percent. The cost was 8 times less than that of the rehabilitation center.


As in many Asian cities, Bangkok motorcycle riders tend to ride along a traffic lane with a car or other motorcycles. They also meander through spaces between vehicles at intersections. These behaviors should have impact on the traffic throughputs and vehicle queuing times. Since motorcycles accounts for 20% of all Bangkok vehicles, this impact should be sizable. We, therefore, developed an inner city motorcycle behavior model, based on the city riders. In the following-lane changing model, a motorcycle could share a traffic lane with another motorcycle or car. At traffic lights, meandering model would simulate motorcycles slipping through spaces between vehicle queues. The model was developed on Aimsun NG. Real traffic data used to develop the model was obtained from observations and video-recording. The recorded videos were analyzed to get a probability of each motorcycle lane changing pattern and a probability of each motorcycle meandering pattern. Simulation results indicate that the errors in travel time and speed are within 8 percents, and the error in time in queue is within 8 percents of the test data.


An eight-stage, 553-hp boiler feed pump with magnetic bearings has been successfully operating since last November at the 58-MW, 1950-vintage Greenidge Unit 3 of New York State Electric and Gas Co. This paper reports that the installation was funded by the Empire State Electric Energy Research Corp. The utility will pay for a year of testing. The application of this new technology, the first one of significant size in the utility industry is described. The current installation uses external magnetic bearings in air replacing the conventional, externally mounted, oil-lubricated bearings. The twin-boiler generating unit has three 50% capacity (450-kW each) boiler feed pumps, two operating and one spare. Each operating pump has a flow capacity of 300,000 lb/hr. The demonstration project involved the purchase of three new pumps, two conventional and one with magnetic bearings. For all three pumps, the basic design is conventional. The pump with magnetic bearings, however, requires no lube oil auxiliary system one side of its skid is empty. The testing program will compare the operation of the pumps with oil-lubricated conventional bearings with the pump with magnetic bearings.


Preliminary. Ho.NoRE S TO PAST AND PRESENT OFFICERS OF THIE ASSOCIATION. 230. The Council has gratification in reporting the following honours bestowed upon past and present Members of the Uouncil:-Major (temporary Colonel) Hamilton A. Ballance, C. B., a former Chairman of Representative Meetings, created K.B.E. Lieut.-Col. A. Bolam, created O.B.E. Lieut.-Col. (temporary Colonel) Henry Davy, C.B., a former President of the Association, created K. B. E. Lieut.-Col. E:W. Goodall, created O. B. E. Col. R. I. D. Hackett, created C.B. E. Lieut. Col. D. G. Thomson, created C.B.E. Dr. T. Jenner Verrall, Chairman of Central Medical War Committee, and a former Chairman of Representative Meetings, created a Knight. Lieut.-Col. Sinclair White, a former President of the Association, created C. B. E.


This papers discusses two critical challenges associated with the accreditation process of engineering courses and outlines an automation based approach to enhance the process. In largely populated countries like India and China enormous amount of engineering academic data, electronic and non-electronic is generated every year. The most obvious solution for such a problem in any other industrial sector is automation of the process involving- data collection and data analysis. The Indian engineering academic sector being slightly different than industrial sector, poses its own set of problems in automating the processes. One such problem being, the assessment of learning outcomes and accrediting the learning and teaching process. We believe a coordinated approach involving the concerned government bodies and a well-defined technical scheme to approach the problem from grass root level, would put the engineering academic sector at the forefront of adopting to the future. Here, we discuss a potential approach to contribute towards solving the aforementioned problem.


The northern tip of Egypt, whose unstable clays and soils were once considered incapable of supporting any structure, now hold a 1,200-m long quay wall, which used new types of geotechnical testing to save 25% of the construction costs for the structure, which goes 65 m into the ground. It is intended to create a stable platform for the equipment needed to build new berths for a new container terminal at East Port Said Port. It is intended to be a hub for super-ships on the northern tip of the Suez Canal for European, African, Arabian and Asian traffic. Unlike earlier attempts, this time, engineers collected numerous types of samples and used them to model a comprehensive picture of the site's performance including the vertical and horizontal loads the construction equipment would impose. General contractors took part in the soil investigations in order to better design their bids. Concrete was used instead of steel, and unstable soil was firmed up with sand. Quality control and testing accounted for nearly half the cost of the project. A second phase is expected to double the wall's length, with the ultimate goal of creating a terminal capable of clearing cargo for up to 9,000 TEU ships.


Cervical mucus collected from 32 women on Cycle Days 10-20 was subjected to agarose gel electrophoresis, liquid film electrophoresis, and Sepharose 6B chromatography. To prepare the material, pooled mucus was reduced with mercaptoethanol, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 20 minutes, dialyzed against distilled water, and lyophilized. After 1 hour at 3 volts/cm, agarose gel electrophoresis revealed a single band of protein stained by amidoschwartz. Immunologic methods demonstrated serum albumin, lactoferin, IgA-globulins and alpha2-globulins. Periodic acid and Schiff reagent showed a glycoprotein band superimposed over the protein. Toluidine blue stain for acid glycoproteins revealed slow and rapid components. Preparative liquid film electrophoresis separated mucleic acids (260 m mcm), sulfomucins, sialomucins, and sialic acid, a small slow peak of sialomucins and lysozyme as well as several serum proteins. Gel filtration on Sepharose 2B distinguished a minor peak of high molecular weight (over 1 million), sialomucins, a major component (300,000-500,000 molecular weight) identified as sialomucins free of protein, and a third low molecular weight, heterogeneous fraction corresponding to mucus proteins, plasma glycoproteins, mucus glycoproteins, and cervical sulfomucins.


Syntheosciurus brochus, the mountain squirrel, is a little-known Central American tree squirrel found above 1,900 m elevation in the Cordillera Central of Costa Rica and Panama (Heaney and Hoffman, 1978). The population on Volcan Poas was formerly considered a separate species, S. poasensis, but has since been united with S. brochus (Hall, 1981). The sparse literature on Syntheosciurus has dealt mainly with taxonomic problems, which are summarized in Wells and Giacalone (1985). The only information previously available concerning the ecology and behavior of this species was provided in a short note by Enders (1980). We report on the habitat, foraging behavior, courtship, and other aspects of the biology of S. brochus in Volcan Pois National Park (VPNP), Costa Rica. The squirrels were studied from 7 January to 23 March 1984, during the dry season. Several trails in and near the park were walked regularly to determine the squirrels' distribution. Observations on squirrel ecology and behavior were made through binoculars and were concentrated at feeding and nesting sites. Feeding bouts were defined as a squirrel feeding on one type of food, irrespective of length of time involved. When a squirrel switched to a different food type, a new bout was scored. Plant specimens were collected to verify identification of foods eaten by the squirrels. Two trails, one in undisturbed forest and another in disturbed forest, were indexed with distance markers and used to obtain standardized trail census estimates (Glanz, 1982). Observers walked these trials at a rate of 1 km/h for a total of 68 km. All trail census estimates in this paper are given as sightings/km. A total of 302 sightings of four squirrel species was made at VPNP. Syntheosciurus brochus accounted for 170 (56.3%) of the sightings, Sciurus granatensis 84 (27.8%), Sciurus variegatoides 15 (5.0%), and Microsciurus alfari 1 (0.3%). Identifications were based on body size, coloration, and relative lengths of ears and tails. Only 32 sightings (10.6%) were too fleeting to permit reliable identification. Not all sightings were made during designated census walks; therefore, the sum of the figures given below for specific habitats on the indexed census trails will not equal the total sightings. Squirrels were found in four types of habitats between 2,400-2,640 m: undisturbed forests, disturbed forests, shrublands, and pasture edges. The mature, undisturbed forest where squirrels were found was situated south of the Laguna del Poas, at about 2,500 m altitude, and was classified as "Lower Montane Wet Forest" by Macey (1975). Its relatively unbroken canopy was dominated by Quercus (three or more unidentified species), Clusia odorata, Didymopanax pittieri, Podocarpus sp., and Brunellia costaricensis. This forest had many trees of large girth, which were often composed of two to four species intertwined into composite trunks. Branches carried heavy loads of bromeliads, orchids, mosses, and liverworts. Sighting frequencies in squirrels/km were: S. brochus 0.46, S. variegatoides 0.02, and S. granatensis 0.42. For all squirrels combined, the sighting frequency was 1.4/km. Disturbed forest occurred on windswept slopes on the southwest side of the Laguna del Poas and the south side of the active crater, between 2,500 and 2,600 m. This forest was also regarded by Macey (1975) as "Lower Montane Wet Forest." These areas were frequently subjected to volcanic gases, which may explain the low tree species diversity and the absence of bromeliads in some parts of this habitat. The dominant tree species were C. odorata, D. pittieri, Weinmannia trianea, and unidentified Quercus. Forest canopy was not continuous, and squirrels were relatively easy to see in and near tree-fall gaps. Sighting frequencies were 0.44/km for S. brochus and 0.06/km for S. granatensis. The rate for S. brochus was nearly the same in both forest habitats, but for all squirrels combined was considerably lower in disturbed forest (0.50) than in undisturbed forest (1.4). Both S. variegatoides and M. alfari were seen in disturbed forest, but not during census walks. Shrublands above 2,500 m had been created by volcanic activity, road construction, and clearing for pastures. These large patches and strips of habitat fit Macey's (1975) categories termed "arrayan" and "pasture edge." They contain shrub species, such as Vaccinium consanguineum, V. poasanum, Myrica February 1987 145


In order to research the function and application of nonstructural (NS1) of the avian influenza, the nonstructural protein NS1 gene of two strains of the avian influenza virus(H5N1、H9N2) was expressed and detected. The recombinant plasimid of pMD-18T-NS1(H9N2) and pMD-18T-NS1(H5N1) was digested by EcoRI or XhoI respectively. The products were cloned onto the expression vector pProEXHTc respectively.Recombinant plasmid pPro-NS1(H9N2、H5N1) was transformed into E.coli DH5αcompetent cells respectively and induced with 1mmol/L IPTG.The target protein was produced.SDS-PAGE test indicated that the molecular weight of the expressed protein was 30ku as expected.Western-blot test indicated that the expressed protein can react with the NS1 polyclonal antibody of the influenza virus, and can cross reaction each other.


Deep neural networks (DNNs) have seen resurgent attraction to be implemented in edge applications. However, such implementations are not easy to achieve because execution of DNNs often require more resources than those provided by individual edge devices. On the other hand, relying on model-level distribution methods to implement a DNN on connected edge devices leads to costly communication overheads. To utilize available in-the-edge resources with less communication overhead, we propose using edge-tailored models comprised of nearly-independent narrow DNNs, the inference of which are accelerated using small cost-efficient RISC-based engines. We implement these engines on PYNQ boards as a platform that mimics the limited resources of edge devices. We create the narrow DNNs based on the available resources of PYNQ boards, and allocate each narrow DNN to one engine, implemented in an FPGA. We compare the communication overhead of our implantation against the state-of-the-art model-level distribution methods.


In this paper, an electronically polarization re-configurable circular patch antenna, with fixed resonantfrequency and operating at Wireless Local Area Network(WLAN) frequency band (2.4–2.48 GHz,) is presented. Thestructure of the proposed design consists of a circularpatch as a radiating element fed by a coaxial probe, coop-erated with four equal-length slits etched on the edge alongthe x-axis and y-axis. A total of four switches were usedand embedded across the slits at specific locations, thuscontrolling the length of the slits. By activating and deacti-vating the switches (ON and OFF) across the slits, the cur-rent on the patch is changed, thus modifying the electricfield and polarization of the antenna. Consequently, thepolarization excited by the proposed antenna can beswitched into three types; linear polarization, left-handcircular polarization or right-hand circular polarization.This paper proposes a simple approach that enablesswitching the polarizations and excites at the same oper-ating frequency. Simulated and measured results of theideal case (using copper strip switches) and the real case(using PIN diode switches) are compared and presented todemonstrate the performance of the antenna.


A brief discussion is presented on energy conservation in buildings and the many design options available to reach a goal of a comfortable interior environment at a reasonable cost are mentioned. (WDM)


Recently, the Problem of maintaining population level in local cities and surrounding areas has been a serious subject for regional planning. It is an especialy serious problem in underpopulated rural areas. The factor involved are both economic and social. In this paper we wish to look at this problem.The aim of this study is to look at the following Points:(1) Views of the inhabitants as to the habitabilities of the hamlets and cities.(2) Whether inhabitants intend to continue living at the hamlets and the cities.(3) The value put on the principal regional facilities by the inhabitants.(4) The value put on the principal conditions in the neighborhood by the inhabitants.(5) The requirments for improvements to the regional facilities.(6) The requirments of improvements for the conditions in the neighborhood.We chose Kanuma city as the object of this study, It has a population of 93, 000, and is in Totigi prefecture. Kanuma city is composed of ten districts, these are densely inhabited districts, unterraced rice field and hamlets, and terraced field and hamlets, narrow village in between small mountains and small villages in the mountains.In this study, we sent out questionnaires to 2, 000 inhabitants and received 803 replies. The results of questionnaire showed the following tendencies:(1) On the questions of the habitability, 68.8% of people answered their lives were comfortable and 21.3% of people answered their lives were uncomfortable.(2) Questions of intentions of remaining in the city, 76.1% of people answered they wished to live there.(3) It appears that the positive or negative impressions of the city are directly related to whether or not people intended to continue living in the area.(4) The reasons given for remaining were the existence of properties attachment tothe home town and natural surroundings in city.(5) Response to the questions at the value put on regional facilities, the highly valued items were infant schools, elementary and junior high schools.(6) The low-valued facilities were the hospitals social welfare facilities for the aged peoples and of the high schools, museums, athletic facilities, leisure facilities for inhabitants.(7) The requirments for new facilities were confined to the medical facilities, leisure facilities and parks.(8) Other areas identified in the questions in need of improvement were environmental ammenities such as the conditions of the roads, the drain systems, safe play yards for the children, small parks and the more street lamps.


The benefit of delayed channel state information (CSI) at the transmitter is investigated in fast-fading MIMO broadcast channels (BC) with local CSI at receivers (CSIR). The seminal work by Maddah-Ali and Tse shows that delayed CSI at the transmitter (DCSIT) can increase the degrees of freedom (DoF) in fast-fading MIMO BC. A caveat, however, is that each receiver was assumed to know the channel coefficients of other receivers, and the cost of distributing such global CSIR was not considered. In this paper, we propose a model to capture the cost of CSIR dissemination. In this model, each receiver only knows its own channel (local CSIR) while rate-limited capacitated links among the receivers are available. These rate-limited links can be used for exchanging CSIR or other purposes such as facilitating cooperative MIMO. Our main contribution is the evaluation of achievable DoF of two classes of schemes in two-user MISO BC. One class leverages delayed CSIT following the Maddah-Ali-and-Tse (MAT) scheme together with the rate-limited links for exchanging CSIR. The other uses cooperative MIMO and does not leverage delayed CSIT at all. We first show that when the transmitter has delayed CSI of both receivers, leveraging delayed CSIT with MAT scheme cannot outperform cooperative MIMO in terms of DoF. Next, we turn our attention to the hybrid CSIT scenario where the CSI of one receiver is instantaneously known at the transmitter and the other receiver. We show that delayed CSIT can strictly improve DoF in this case.


The Pierre Auger Observatory, located on a vast, high plain in western Argentina, is the world's largest cosmic ray observatory. The objectives of the Observatory are to probe the origin and characteristics of cosmic rays above 10 eV and to study the interactions of these, the most energetic particles observed in nature. The Auger design features an array of 1660 water Cherenkov particle detector stations spread over 3000 km overlooked by 24 air fluorescence telescopes. In addition, three high elevation fluorescence telescopes overlook a 23.5 km, 61-detector infilled array with 750 m spacing. The Observatory has been in successful operation since completion in 2008 and has recorded data from an exposure exceeding 40,000 km sr yr. This paper describes the design and performance of the detectors, related subsystems and infrastructure that make up the Observatory. & 2015 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).


1 Gentilcore D, Bryant B, Wishart JM, Morris HA, Horowitz M, Jones KL. Acarbose attenuates the hypotensive response to sucrose and slows gastric emptying in the elderly. Am J Med 2005; 118: 1289.e5– 1289.e11. 2 Hu P, Yin Q, Deckert F et al. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vildagliptin in healthy Chinese volunteers. J Clin Pharmacol 2009; 49: 39–49. 3 Gina LL, Maura JB, Michael BR. Postprandial hypotension. Am J Med 2010; 123: 281.e1–281.e6. 4 Edwards CM, Todd JF, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR. Subcutaneous glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide is insulinotropic and can cause hypoglycaemia in fasted healthy subjects. Clin Sci (Lond) 1998; 95: 719–724. 5 Barragán JM, Rodríguez RE, Blázquez E. Changes in arterial blood pressure and heart rate induced by glucagon-like peptide-1-(7-36) amide in rats. Am J Physiol 1994; 266: E459–E466.


The present invention discloses an engine system and a vehicle including the engine system. The engine system includes an engine and an engine drive mechanism, characterized in that the engine system further comprising: a hydraulic power system. The hydraulic power system comprises a hydraulic oil tank, hydraulic accumulators, the commutator, the hydraulic pump / motor, a clutch, and a transmission mechanism.


The paper reports some preliminary results of a numerical activity aiming at characterizing cycle-to-cycle variability of a highlydownsized turbocharged DISI (Direct Injection Spark Ignition) engine for high-performance car applications, using a customized version of the commercial software Star-CD licensed by CD-adapco. During experimental investigations at the engine testbed, high cycle to cycle dispersion was detected even for relatively stable peak-power/full-load operations of the engine, thus limiting the overall engine performance. Despite the complex architecture of the V-8 engine, the origin of such cyclic variability could not be related to cyclic fluctuations of the gas-dynamics within the intake and exhaust pipes. Several subsequent acquisitions of the instantaneous pressure traces were measured at both the intake port entrance and exhaust port junction, showing almost negligible differences in terms of both amplitude and phasing compared to those within the cylinder. In order to explore the potentials of the LES application to the analysis and understanding of the cycle-to-cycle variability, which notoriously strongly limits the overall engine performance, a numerical activity is carried out using full-cycle LES simulations over several subsequent engine cycles. Despite the very early stage of the investigation, two main issues are addressed in the paper: the analysis of the possible causes originating the high cycle to cycle variability and the influence of the boundary conditions on the predicted cyclic dispersion. Concerning the former aspect, a detailed investigation of local and global instantaneous fields is carried out aiming at identifying both a possible hierarchy of responsibilities on one side and limitations and possible improvements of the adopted numerical procedure on the other side. Concerning the latter aspect, a set of simulations, performed applying cycle-independent averaged experimental conditions, is compared to those resulting from the application of cycle-specific variable pressure traces at both intake and exhaust sides, in order to analyze the influence of port fluctuations on the in-cylinder pressure history. Results are also qualitatively compared to those resulting from a multi-cycle RANS simulation using the same grid-size, in order to better highlight the superior LES potentials.


Optical communications offer a capable alternative to radio frequency (RF) communications for applications where high data-rate is required. This technology is particularly promising and challenging in the field of future inter-satellite communications. The term laser satellite communications (LSC) stands for optical links between satellites and/or high altitude platforms (HAPs). However, optical links between an earth station and a satellite or HAPs can be also involved. This work gives an overview of nowadays laser satellite communications. Particularly, it is focused on the factors causing degradation of the optical beam in the atmosphere. If an optical link passes through the atmosphere, it suffers from various influences such as attenuation due to absorption and scattering, intensity fluctuations due to atmospheric turbulence and background radiation. Furthermore, platform vibrations cause mispointing and following tracking losses. Suitable devices and used pointing and tracking system for laser satellite communications are discussed. At the end, various scenarios of the optical links and calculations of their power link budgets and limitations are designed. Implemented software is used for calculation of optical links. This work proves that the Free Space Optics (FSO) systems on mobile platforms, like satellites and HAPs are a promising solution for future communication networks.


About 15 months ago, at IBA, we have launched the design, construction, tests and industrialization of an innovative isochronous cyclotron for PET isotope production (patent applications pending). The design has been optimized for cost effectiveness, compactness, ease of maintenance, activation reduction and high performances, with a particular emphasis on its application on market. Multiple target stations can be placed around the vacuum chamber. An innovative extraction method (patent applications pending) has been designed which allows to obtain the same extracted beam sizes and properties on the target window independent of the target position. INTRODUCTION This isochronous cyclotron for PET radioisotope production produces fixed energy 18MeV proton beam and is called the Cyclone® KIUBE, Figure 1. Today, three versions are available producing 100μA, 150μA and 180μA on target and the option with selfshielding is also available. Figure 1: CYCLONE® KIUBE.


Previous studies of bid-ask spread estimators based on serial covariance in returns document high proportions of positive serial covariances and therefore negative spread estimates. These findings may be due to the effects of time-variation in expected returns. Although purging the effects of time-varying expected returns yields more reasonable results, the bid-ask spread estimates from daily and weekly returns are still materially different. We present a method that avoids the need for removing the effects of time-varying expected returns by using a spread estimator developed directly for a correlated value innovation process. The new spread estimator not only yields more reasonable estimates of the bid-ask spread than the Roll (1984) model, but the spread estimates from daily and weekly returns are almost equal. Copyright 1998 by MIT Press.


The objective of this work was to evaluate the production and the rheological behavior of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.] rhizobia isolates, as well as to evaluate the similarity of these isolates through amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis technique. The bacteria were cultured in YM liquid media and the EPS were precipited with cold ethanol from culture broth. After that, they were vacuum dried, weighted, stored and resuspended in water to rheological evaluations. The three evaluated isolates showed differences on the production and productivity of EPS, and the isolate 8.1c stood out, with higher relative efficiency. The evaluated EPS showed non-newtonian and pseudoplastic behavior, however they also presented differences as to the apparent viscosity at the same shear rate. At the shear rate of 1 s-1 all isolates were different, while at the shear rate of 40 s-1 the isolates 53.5 and 30.6a2 were the same, differing from the isolate 8.1c. Genetic similarity of the isolates was in agreement with the rheology results, where bacteria that synthesized EPS with lower apparent viscosity presented the higher similarity


Background and Purpose: Neuroinflammation contributes significantly to the progress of ischemic stroke. Recent research suggests that food restriction could reduce inflammatory responses under some pathological conditions. In this study, we demonstrate that food restriction attenuates both grey matter and white matter damage after cerebral ischemia. Methods: Adult male C57BL/6 mice were fed ad libitum (AL) or fed with restricted food (RF; 30% reduction) for 28 days, and then subjected to MCAO or sham operation. Neuronal tissue atrophy and white matter injury were assessed by quantifying the expression of microtubule-associated protein (MAP2) and myelin basic protein (MBP), respectively. Cerebral inflammation was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining of astrocyte and microglia in the ischemic brain. The expression of M1 and M2 markers were further examined to characterize phenotypic changes in brain microglia. Results: RF promotes functional recovery up to 28 days after stroke, as revealed by marketly ...


This paper studied the sidemen characteristics of artificial wetland and natural wetland by cumulant, sedimentary organic matter, DOC and nitrate content. The results showed that the sediments in artificial wetlands upper layer were instable and uncompacted and often had trouble collecting for various factors .which was different from in natural wetland. Artificial wetland must pass through the months and years pass by. Time operation due to be texture, cation exchange capacity and clay changes, resulting in increasing content of organic substances. Natural wetland sediments of dissolved organic carbon in a constructed wetland system is high and the overall performance is relatively stable. But nitrate content was higher and less stable than the constructed wetland sediments.


Phagocytosis of microbial pathogens is essential for the host immune response to infection. Our previous work has shown that lipooligosaccharide (LOS) expression on the surface of Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is essential for phagocytosis, but the receptor involved remained unclear. In this study, we show that human CR3 (CD11b/CD18) and CR4 (CD11c/CD18) are phagocytic receptors for Nm as illustrated by the capacity of CR3‐ and CR4‐transfected Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells to facilitate Nm uptake. A CR3‐signalling mutant failed to internalize Nm, showing that the ability of CR3 to signal is essential for phagocytosis. Internalization of Nm by CR3‐transfected CHO cells could be inhibited by the presence of CR3‐specific antibodies. Furthermore, dendritic cells from leukocyte adhesion deficiency‐1 patients, who have diminished expression of β2 integrins, showed markedly reduced phagocytosis of Nm. The CR3‐mediated phagocytosis required the presence of lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP). Furthermore, the expression of LOS by Nm was essential for LBP binding and phagocytosis via CR3. These results reveal a critical role of CR3 and LBP in the phagocytosis of Nm and provide important insights into the initial interaction meningococci have with the immune system.


In the light of the principle of aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE), the rubrene analogue with orange light-emitting properties is designed and synthesized by substituting the phenyl side groups of rubrene with thienyl groups. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the synthesis of rubrene with AIEE behaviour, thus paving the way for the development of light-emitting rubrene derivatives.


Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) may be triggered by ectopic beats originating in sleeves of atrial myocardium entering the pulmonary veins (PVs). PV isolation by means of circumferential ostial or atrial radiofrequency ablation is an effective but also a difficult and long procedure, requiring extensive applications that can have serious potential complications. Our objective was to examine pathological effects of PV β‐radiation, particularly the ability to destroy PV myocardial sleeves without inducing PV stenosis and other unwanted effects, in order to establish its potential feasibility for the treatment of AF.


Toponymic names, like other field names, are constantly updated and changed according to the process of social development. They are the internal system in the vocabulary of the national language that describes the territory of a certain country, the names of geographical objects. The local people gave names according to the various characteristics and signs of the places where they settled. Names are also given according to the occupation and economic conditions of that country. That is why many toponymic names have a certain meaning. As personal names, toponyms are not units that represent only geographical names, but also units rich in historical and cultural connotations. The semantics of toponyms, in addition to information about a specific object, also shows the relationship of a person to that object or name.This article analyzes the lexical-semantic features and grouping of Kazakh and Chinese toponymic names. Also, the peculiarities of toponymic names in Kazakh and Chinese languages are considered, and it is shown that lexical-semantic grouping plays an important role in revealing the meaning of toponyms. The purpose of the study is to compare toponymic names in Chinese and Kazakh languages and group them according to their lexical-semantic features. As a result, Chinese toponymic names are figurative and metaphorical, while Kazakh toponyms represent real facts, persons, etc. was found to show.The study of Kazakh and Chinese toponymic names not only enriches the theoretical knowledge in this field, but also contributes to the deepening of knowledge about the cultural exchange and development, national values of the two countries, as well as a comprehensive understanding of toponymy.


ASSAB steel 618S is a mixture of Cr-Ni-Mo is often used for the manufacturer of nut, cotter pin and machining tools in petroleum industry. In the electroplating process, chrome widely used for chrome layers have properties that are resistant to corrosion, it can be widely used in applications that require resistance to corrosion. The study was conducted with experimental research methods. The independent variable in this study is the temperature of the electrolyte solution with variations 55


Flicker and image persistence are major issues for low frequency driving. The photo leakage current in an outdoor light environment causes further image quality deterioration. We developed 7.0-inch WUXGA (1200×RGBW×1920) reflective full-color LCD, equipped with light-shielding metal layer which suppress photo leakage current, driven by LTPS TFT at 1Hz.


New spectroscopy from the B factories, the advent of CLEO-c and the BES upgrade renewed the interest in charmonia. Among the new measurements, the state X(3872) has received special attention due to its unexpected properties. Its structure has been studied with different theoretical approaches, most of them being able to reproduce the measured mass. A further test for the theoretical descriptions of the X(3872) is to explain its narrow decay width. In this work we address the decays X → J/ψ πππ and X → J/ψ ππ, using QCD sum rules with the hypothesis that X is a four quark state.


We commend Downar and colleagues for their research on early experiences of medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in Ontario.[1][1] However, we have to question their interpretation that people are not requesting MAiD owing to lack of access to palliative care, because of the inadequacies of their data


The synthesis and structural characterization of the first dilithium salt of a tetrahydroxydisiloxane, [DmpSi(OH)OLi]2O (6), is described (Dmp = 2,6-dimesitylphenyl). The solid state structure reveals the presence of a dimeric motif where two disiloxane units are linked by coordinating lithium atoms which differs from those found for the sodium and potassium analogs. The arrangement imposed by the cluster formation leads to diastereomeric silicon atoms exhibiting (R,S) configuration in the solid state. In addition, the intermediates of the reaction, monolithiated and dilithiated silanetriol could be identified by means of high-resolution mass spectrometry and the formation of 6 is discussed. Moreover, the fully protonated tetrahydroxydisiloxane, [DmpSi(OH)2]2O has been obtained as well and its solid state structures with varying hydrogen bond acceptors have been surveyed.


movements depends less upon the active efforts of the patient, and it is therefore more suitable in the elderly. The results of the operation m:ght be better if it were not so commonly applied to the grossly disabled patient. None of these operations will enable a patient to escape from hospital much before three months have elapsed. In the elderly, time is of the greatest importance, and any procedure which entails a shorter stay in hospital demands consideration. This is the merit of the replacement arthroplasty. It must be accepted, however, that no prosthetic replacement of the femoral head in the arthritic hip has yet been shown to give a durable, stable, painless joint. To some extent this must be due to a failure of materials and design. Mere replacement of the femoral head, however, cannot be expected to relieve all pain and restore all movement. It may, however, provide an acceptable compromise between the disadvantages of the stiff hip and the perils of the formal arthroplasty.


ABSTRACT Objective:To study the expression of S100 protein in thymuses of prenatal and postnatal mice. Methods:By immunohistochemical method the time, intensity and distribution of the expression of S100 protein was observed in situ. Results:There was no visible expression of S100 protein in thymuses of 17day and 19day embryos. Only very weak expression of S100 protein could be observed in thymuses of newborn mice and postnatal mice ranging in age from 1 to 5 weeks. In thymuses of postnatal mice at the end of the 6th week, the expression of S100 protein became evident and reachs to the top. After the 6th week, the expression of S100 protein weakened obviously. Conclusion: The intensity of the expression of S100 protein in thymuses of mice was in relation with the increase of mice's age.


An NHS trust that serves evening meals to some of its patients at 4 30 in the afternoon to fit in with staff shifts has been told to listen more to its users and respond better to their needs.

As part of its routine round of inspections the Commission for Health Improvement found what it called "an institutional culture" in some parts of the Berkshire Healthcare NHS …


The Schumann resonances (SR) are global electromagnetic resonances excited within the Earth-ionosphere waveguide, primarily by lightning discharges. These resonances occur in the extremely low frequency (ELF) range, with resonant frequencies around 8, 14, 20, 26, . . . Hz. This Chapter is dedicated to the theory, phenomenology, and measurements of Schumann resonances.


The Early Childhood Education and Care policy (ECEC) document published in
Malta in 2006 regulates national early childhood education. Concerns have been
raised as to whether this policy adequately represents major stakeholders in the field.
The aim of this thesis was to ascertain the relationship between the ECEC document
and the voices of children, parents and early years practitioners (EYP), if any. Subject
to a disparity being found, a secondary aim was to use reconceptualist principles to
make recommendations towards modifying aspects of this policy. Data pertaining to
the views of stakeholders in Maltese early childhood education were collected from
children, parents and EYP. The setting was three local primary schools and the
subject was the participants' views of early childhood education in Malta. Circle time
methodology was used for data collection with children. Focus groups and in-depth
interviews were used to collect data from parents and EYP respectively. The
participants' voices were elicited from the data using grounded theory approach. The
ECEC document was analyzed using principles from Critical Discourse Analysis.
Findings from child participants were then juxtaposed against aspects of the ECEC
document. The main findings of this work included children's concerns about their
experience of early years education, the failure of grown-ups to listen, issues of
friendship and camaraderie at school and play. Parents expressed concerns about most
things digital, the disneyfication of childhood and a perceived deterioration of
traditional values. EYP stressed their exclusion from participation and educational
gazing. Juxtaposition of the ECEC with the concerns of children demonstrated a
considerable mismatch between the concerns of children and the text of the policy. A
framework of recommendations, termed child-appropriate practice, was formulated
in an attempt to readdress this. In conclusion, this work demonstrated a tenuous
relationship between participants and the ECEC with poor representation of the voices
and agency of primary stakeholders. Child-Appropriate Practice may ameliorate
aspects of early childhood education in Malta, but additional research in the field is
necessary.


The Viking radio science investigations use the highly accurate radio tracking and communications systems data from the Viking orbiters and landers to perform a number of analyses concerning properties of Mars and its environment. This paper gives a general description of the investigations and of the instrumentation used; detailed results are presented in the companion papers.


The proposed method in this paper proposes an end-to-end unsupervised semantic segmentation architecture DMSA based on four loss functions. The framework uses Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (ASPP) module to enhance feature extraction. At the same time, a dynamic dilation strategy is designed to better capture multi-scale context information. Secondly, a Pixel-Adaptive Refinement (PAR) module is introduced, which can adaptively refine the initial pseudo labels after feature fusion to obtain high quality pseudo labels. Experiments show that the proposed DSMA framework is superior to the existing methods on the saliency dataset. On the COCO 80 dataset, the MIoU is improved by 2.0, and the accuracy is improved by 5.39. On the Pascal VOC 2012 Augmented dataset, the MIoU is improved by 4.9, and the accuracy is improved by 3.4. In addition, the convergence speed of the model is also greatly improved after the introduction of the PAR module.


In the paper, the non-metallic bulletproof helmet is analyzed in research. The way can not accurately describe and transmit the shape messages of free-curve and free-camber , in design drawing by hand, design period long and a large amount of work, a large number of data are lose and man-made muff. Advance to use the way combine Rhino software and AutoCAD 2007 software in The Computer Simulation Auxiliary Design of non-metallic bulletproof helmet, raise design level.


The isotopic exchange reaction between hydrogen and water vapor was studied for the temperature range 313 K to 353 K over platinum supported on hydrophobic styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer beads, and, for comparison, platinum supported on hydrophilic alumina pellets. The hydrophobic catalyst exhibited a high activity even with the gas saturated with water vapor, whereas the hydrophilic catalyst showed maximum exchange rate at a relative humidity of approximately 0.6. The dependences of the exchange rates on relative humidity, hydrogen partial pressure and temperature were extensively examined. The combined effect of surface reaction and intraparticle diffusion on the overall exchange reaction was analyzed to explain the kinetic behavior on the hydrophobic catalyst.

La reaction de l'echange isotopique entre l'hydrogene et la vapeur d'eau a ete etudiee pour des temperatures comprises entre 313 et 353 K sur du platine depose sur des billes de copolymere de divinylbenzene-styrene hydrophobe et a fins de comparaison sur du platine depose sur des granules d'alumine hydrophiles. Le catalyseur hydrophobe montre une grande activite měme avec des gaz satures en vapeur d'eau, alors que le catalyseur hydrophile presente des vitesses d'echange maximales pour une humidite relative d'environ 0,6. L'influence de l'humidite relative, de la pression partielle de l'hydrogene et de la temperature sur les vitesses d'echange a ete etudiee de facon extensive. L'effet combine de la reaction de surface et de la diffusion intraparticulaire sur la reaction d'echange totale a ete analyse dans le but d'expliquer le comportement cinetique sur le catalyseur hydrophobe.


We show that all nontrivial embeddings of planar graphs on the torus contain a nontrivial knot or a nonsplit link. This is equivalent to showing that no minimally knotted planar spatial graphs on the torus exist that contain neither a nontrivial knot nor a nonsplit link all of whose components are unknots.


A water leakage detecting and treating device comprises a water collecting tank, a water leakage detecting device, a controller, an alarm, connecting pieces and drainage pipes. A water collecting groove is formed in the top end of the water collecting tank. The connecting pieces are arranged at the four corners of the top end of the water collecting tank respectively. Fixed hanging rings are arranged on the connecting pieces. The water leakage detecting device is composed of an induction power grid and a sensor. The controller is arranged on the left side wall of the water collecting tank, and the sensor and the alarm are arranged on the right side wall of the water collecting tank. The induction power grid is transversely arranged in the water collecting tank. The three drainage pipes are arranged on the bottom face of the water collecting tank from left to right. Each drainage pipe is provided with an electric switch valve. According to the water leakage detecting and treating device, when a leakage phenomenon happens, an alarm can be given, the water leakage problem is effectively treated, and therefore equipment or other objects cannot be damaged by the water leakage problem.


This research study examines the tourism potential of Mawlana Yaqoob Charkhi Valley in Charkh District, Logar Province, Afghanistan, and investigates its impact on the local economy. The primary objective is to identify key enhancements that can effectively attract a larger number of visitors and assess the influence of tourism on local market demand. A quantitative research approach was employed, utilizing a structured questionnaire administered to a sample of 100 visitors. The collected data was analyzed using the Wilcoxon non-parametric test in the statistical software SPSS. The findings reveal significant associations between various factors and increased visitor numbers, including improvements in road conditions, allowance for family visits, the establishment of hotels, the activation of additional recreational activities, the opening of shops and restaurants, and the extension of telephone and internet services in the area. Furthermore, it was observed that visitors from distant regions tend to contribute more significantly to the local economy through higher expenditure during their visits. Based on the study's results, recommendations are made for the Afghan government and private sectors to focus on infrastructure development in the aforementioned areas. This research contributes to the understanding of rural tourism development in Afghanistan and provides valuable insights for policymakers, managers, and tourism planners.


PROLONGED paralysis and apnea following the administration of the muscle relaxant succinylcholine are an uncommon clinical Occurrence. The drug is normally hydrolyzed and inactivated by serum cholinesterase. An abnormality of the enzyme may result in persistence of the depolarization block of neuromuscular transmission induced by succinylcholine.1 Materials and Methods Human serum was submitted to vertical starch-gel electrophoresis2at pH 8.75 according to a method described previously.3The samples were inserted in the gel on strips of filter paper.4In some experiments an increased quantity of serum was applied to the gel by placing at the origin four strips of filter paper saturated with serum instead of one. A voltage gradient of 12/cm was applied for three hours at 4 C. To demonstrate esterase activity the sliced gel was incubated for 16 hours at 4 C in a medium similar to that described by Hunter and


1Department of Infectious Diseases, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore 2Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore 3Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore 4National Centre for Infectious Diseases, Singapore 5Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore Address for Correspondence: Dr Wong Chen Seong, Department of Infectious Diseases, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, 11 Jalan Tan Tock Seng, Singapore 308433. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com The Greying Pandemic: Implications of Ageing Human Immunodeficiency VirusPositive Population in Singapore Dorothy HL Ng, 1MBBS, PhD, MRCP (UK), Darius LL Beh, 2MBBS, MRCP (UK), MMed (Int Med), Stephanie Sutjipto, 3,4MBBS, MRCP (UK), MMed (Int Med), Sophia Archuleta, 2,4,5MD, Chen Seong Wong, 3,4,5MBBS, MRCP (UK), FAMS Ageing and HIV in Singapore—Dorothy HL Ng et al Editorial


The subject relates to an isolated Staphylococcus aureus leukocidin antigen comprising a LukGH complex, an antibody specifically binding to the Luk GH complex, and the human CD11b/CD18 complex for use in a method of determining the binding or toxicity of the Staphylococcus aureus LukGH bi-component cytolysin.


Abstract The oxidation of hydroxy phosphonates to acyl phosphonates using three heterogeneous systems, MnO2, KMnO4 and CrO2 was investigated. The best results were obtained with CrO2 in refluxing acetonitrile.


According to the requirements of modern education theory and technology, combined with the actual teaching conditions of Computer Operating System, an item bank system is designed and realized by adopting the VB 6.0 and SQL Server 2000. The system benefits for separating testing from teaching and settles the problem of randomness and unrepeatability caused by manual paper generation. In this paper, some key techniques, such as system function design, the database table design, making-up strategy, Word-paper making etc. are introduced, which have very strong universal property and operability.


United States Geological Survey, Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Chief Scientists: Jim Robb, Dave Twichell. Data (navigation) of field activity 85012 (N-1-85-MC) in Middle Atlantic Bight EEZ S Toms Canyon from 05/08/1985 to 05/16/1985, http://walrus.wr.usgs.gov/infobank/n/n185mc/html/n-1-85-mc.meta.html.


This paper studies the state estimation problem of a stochastic discrete-time system over a lossy channel. The packet loss is modeled as an independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) binary process. To reduce the effect of the random packet losses on the stability of the minimum mean square error estimator, we propose a linear coding method on the measurement of the system. In particular, the linear combination of the current and finite previous measurements is to be transmitted to the estimator over the lossy channel. Some necessary and sufficient conditions for the stability of the estimator are established, and the advantage of the linear coding method is exploited.


Based on Navier−Stokes equation, two collections of spiral waves in a blood vessel with a thin viscoelastic cover are calculated using numeric and asymptotic methods. The short waves spreade all over the cross-section of the vessel. The long waves localize in the boundary layer near the wall of the vessel.


Covering technical design and construction aspects as well as financial analysis and risk assessment, this professional reference work provides a comprehensive overview of solar power technology. Whether or not you have a technology background, this essential guide will help you to understand the design, construction, financial analysis, and risk assessment of solar power technology. The first two chapters present an uncomplicated overview of solar power technology physics, solar cell technology, applications, and equipment. In subsequent chapters, readers are introduced to fundamental econometric analysis in such a way that will allow anyone, whether or not they have a background in finance, to become familiar with the fundamental costing and financing of large scale solar power programs. This book is essential reading for anyone involved with solar power project development, and is suitable for both graduate students and professionals.


Between 2006 and 2008 Codelco's subcontractor workers staged one of the most important industrial protests during the governments of the Concertacion, in a context characterized by atomization's associations. Then outlined how cohesion demonstrated by these workers may be due to their experience of precarious labor, favored by law, which negatively affects their economic and social opportunities, thereby enabled their constitution as a group of marginal and non-recognized workers in a process of joint identity that conclude in forming a new group identitary in the Chilean mining of copper.


The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method of forming the gate pattern. Gate pattern comprising a plurality of gate bars parallel to each other along a first direction, and each gate bar is broken up by gaps. The method comprising: forming a gate material layer on a substrate; gate material layer is etched to be formed at least at positions of the gap characteristics and etching characteristics at a position different from the rest; forming a second resist layer on the gate material adhesive layer; a second resist layer a second patterning process, to form a first direction parallel to each other and a plurality of openings extending continuously; in the second resist layer through the second mask patterning process is mold, a first layer of gate material etching process, wherein the gate material layer to be formed at least partially at the location of the gap is selectively left; gate material layer and the second etching process, to select of removing the gate material layer to be formed at least partially at the location of the gap. The method of the present invention can more precisely control the shape and size of the gate pattern.


Abstract In this paper, a Pierce-type analysis for the novel gap-groove folded-waveguide (GGFW) sheet electron beam traveling-wave tube is presented. The introduced analysis effectively reduces the required time for the initial design and optimization procedure of these kinds of tubes. Using equivalent circuit of the slow-wave structure, the one-dimensional linearized Pierce theory is applied to calculate the amplifier gain. Furthermore, the obtained results of the analysis are compared with those of PIC simulations. Good agreement between these results verifies the correctness and accuracy of the presented analysis.


We observed and discussed the effects of Free Electron Laser (FEL) irradiation to cholesterol accumulated in the regions of arteriosclerosis in the human carotid artery, by an Infrared micro spectroscopy (FT-IR). As a result of this study, we found that we could selectively remove cholesterol only without effects to normal parts of the human body, in irradiating 5.75 μm-FEL that come from a ester bond of cholesterol ester, under the condition that average power is 5 mW, power density is ∼16 W/cm2 and irradiation time is 30∼180 sec.


Reinforced orthoquartzite is a matrix composites (MCs) used to solve the challenges of low cost reinforcement in Engineering application. In this research, orthoquartzite ore was obtained, pretreated and reinforced with aluminium silicon alloy using single weight percent ratio method and the orthoquartzite composite was characterized using Raman Transformation Infrared Spectrophotometer (RTIS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Hounfield Tensometer Testing Machine (HTM). The result showed the presence of SiO2 with 99% in the composition of orthoquartzite ore which improved the strength of the developed composite. In the same vein, the composition of Al-Si alloy (as received) showed Al (95.98 wt%), Si (4.02 wt%) with Young Modulus of 12.45 N/m2 . The hardness and tensile strength tests showed that the developed composite has better mechanical properties of hardness and tensile strength when compared to Al-Si alloy. The Young Modulus of 10.16 N/m2 of the developed composite revealed that it is a resilient material.Keywords: Aluminum-silicon; Composite; Characterization; Orthoquartzite; Metal matrix


We reanalyzed our atom interferometer measurement of the electric polarizability of lithium now accounting for the Sagnac effect due to Earth rotation. The resulting correction to the polarizability is very small but the visibility as a function of the applied phase shift is now better explained. The fact that the Sagnac and polarizability phase shifts are both proportional to $v^{-1}$, where $v$ is the atom velocity, suggests that a phase shift of the Sagnac type could be used as a counterphase to compensate the electric polarizability phase shift. This exact compensation opens the way to higher accuracy measurements of atomic polarizabilities and we discuss how this can be practically done and the final limitations of the proposed technique.


The introduction of the latest technologies into the military sphere expands the capabilities of modern weapons systems and changes the nature of threats, forms and methods of warfare. The lack of resources for symmetrical opposition to Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine, on the one hand, and the real possibilities of using the latest technologies in the formation of an asymmetric countermeasure potential, on the other, determine the urgent need to develop unmanned ground vehicles for the needs of the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The article deals with problematic issues related to the conduct of military scientific research to determine the need and expediency in the development (purchase) of the latest models of unmanned ground vehicles. It is shown that the unresolved nature of these issues exacerbates the contradiction between the developers of unmanned ground vehicles and the Customer (Army). This contradiction is due to a misunderstanding of what kind of unmanned ground vehicles the Army need. Realizing that robotization is a global trend, the Army, as a rule, is skeptical about the capabilities of unmanned ground vehicles to effectively perform tasks in real combat conditions, and domestic manufacturers of unmanned ground vehicles, on their own initiative, are trying to prove to the Army that the samples they have proposed will increase the efficiency of the units Army. In order to improve the mechanism for determining the need for unmanned ground vehicles, an approach is proposed, the essence of which is to fulfill the principle of unity of three categories: the need, possibility and feasibility of creating the latest models of unmanned ground vehicles. The implementation of the proposed approach will make it possible to form operational and tactical requirements for unmanned ground vehicles "not divorced" from real needs, scientific, technical, production and economic capabilities.


Where information is costly, volatile cash flows create information acquisition costs that reduce value. Thus, managers act to reduce their firm's volatility of cash flow in anticipation of higher value for shareholders. However, when managers reduce the firm's cash flow volatility, they also affect the systematic risk of their firm's stock. The direction of the relationship between cash flow volatility and systematic risk depends on the relative value of the firm's growth opportunities in relation to the firm's assets-in-place. We use a panel sample of 542 observations from United States insurance firms to investigate the relationship between cash flow volatility and systematic risk. The direction of the relationship between cash flow volatility and systematic risk has implications both for the education and for the practice of risk management. We make recommendations for risk management programs.


T HIS paper has two purposes. First, I argue that Iris Murdoch's character is correct in urging us to heed our moral limitations and choose when necessary to perform the lower rather than the higher act. Second, I investigate the moral principles required to accommodate the fact that a moral statement's truth value may vary over time. The second project may initially seem unconnected with the first, but reflection indicates that one cannot adopt such principles without deciding whether or not the view expressed by Murdoch's character is correct, and I shall argue that it is. I begin with the question of dated rightness, which will occupy the first five sections of the paper.


(1) This paper reports (a) the differential extinction and persistence of 3-liter mass populations following the addition of 10 ppm of 6 derivatives of biodegradable carbamate and organophosphorus pesticides, (b) the reproductive performance of Artemia pairs removed from the 6 treated populations after 24 hours, and (c) reproduction tests of pairs from the populations surviving an overwintering evaporation cycle.(2) Life span was decreased to some degree for adults treated with any of the 6 tested derivatives of "degradable" pesticide. A concomitant decrease in life time totals of offspring can explain the results for 3 of the compounds.(3) The reproductive performance is further curtailed by cytogenetic destructive action of naphthalene and carbamate types of compounds on gametes and zygotes. The implied mode of action is on dividing cells. Furthermore, related naphthalene compounds are spindle poisons.(4) An adequate "standing crop" of adults is no assurance of survival of the population. More significa...


My reading of quantum IR has always been in ambivalent, uncomfortable agreement, even if I could not articulate the reason for that ambivalence. This article confronts that ambivalence through reading Laura Zanotti's Ontological Entanglements - an interesting and engaging book with which I largely agree, and read ambivalently. It brings the reader along on my reading of Ontological Entanglements, engaging my ambivalence and explicitly relating the some of the book's key claims to feminist work on ontology and epistemology. It continues to explore the potential pitfalls with quantum approaches to IR through their manifestations in Ontological Entanglements. The article concludes by engaging Ontological Entanglements from the complex position of simultaneously being impressed with the work and opposed to its promulgation.


The linker position dramatically affects the optoelectronic performance of π-conjugated two-dimensional polymers even though the polymers have the same π-conjugated backbone.


In this Article, Professor Martin challenges traditional notions of bankrnttcy court standing and concludes that the current majority view of such standing, which limits participation in bankruptcy cases to persons with pecuniary interests or claims in the debtor, is too narrow. Professor Martin reviews current case law, statutory law, and bankrptcy policy, and asks whether the people who are regularly granted the right to be heard in bankruptcy cases are the same people who are substantially affected by bankritcy cases. Ultimately, she concludes that limiting standing to persons with pecuniary rights fails to provide a voice to all people substantially affected by bankruptcy cases. In so concluding, she identifies situations in which unique bankruptcy entitlements permit debtors and creditors to shift financial losses to third parties, some of whom are not even parties to the bankruptcy proceeding and who thus have no opportunity to protect their rights in these cases. Professor Martin goes on to explore the practical ramifications of expanding standing, recognizing that bankruptcy courts may not be wellequipped to address "nonpecuniary" claims. She argues that caisidering nonpecuniary interests is economically efficient because it preserves existing social, economic, and familial structures. She argues that, because a truly accurate economic analysis must measure notjust present dollars, but all things that we value as a society, there really are no such things as "noneconomic" or "nonpecuniary" interests. She further argues that typical Law and Economics models used in bankruptcy underestimate the societal costs of business failure and displacement and assign no value to the human elements of life.


In this paper, a steganography algorithm has been proposed which is based on quantization table modification and image scrambling in the DCT domain. First, the algorithm homogenizes the energy by s...


A major issue related to the environment, is namely the lack of water and in general the reduction of clean water supplies over time, mostly in our days due to climate change. Through the projection of scientific data, we want to raise the issue and above all to make people feel the importance of the situation. Then, under the context of awareness raising, we present suggested solutions that we have found to solve this serious problem. We also need to add our own solution for an economical method of water desalination and purification. This will reduce the feeling of water scarcity without however being a definitive solution.


The surgical and anaesthesiological  teams are responsible for  the safety of  the patient throughout the entire surgical procedure. The anaesthesiologist and anaesthetic nurse, which are part of the operating room staff, should do their best to provide the best possible anaesthesia and intraoperative care. A vital part of  the process is epidemiological safety. Causes of potential infections may be linked  to:  the patient –  inadequate preparation (poor dental hygiene, inefficient prevention of surgical site infections), operating theatre and staff, as well as the equipment used intraoperatively. Cross-infections may occur in the operating room. It is worth noticing that both staff and the anaesthetic equipment may be a source of infection. Appropriate hand hygiene and proper use of available devices is vital. This article will try to specify the key points of infection control dedicated to anaesthetic teams and the rules that apply in this area.


Hydrodynamic characteristics of rotating perforated disk contactor(RPDC)were studied with emulsionwater system.The emulsion was dispcrsed in water and its holdup was measured.The effects of columndimensions and operating conditions on holdup and characteristic velocity were studied.By using the methodof dimensional analysis,the authors obtained two experimental correlations for estimating holdup and characteristic velocity respectively.Drop size distribution was studied photographically.The experimental results showedthat drop size distribuiion could be described by upper-limit log-normal distribution.


With the development of civil aviation, the number of flights keeps increasing and the flight delay has become a serious issue and even tends to normality. This paper aims to prove that Stacking algorithm has advantages in airport flight delay prediction, especially for the algorithm selection problem of machine learning technology. In this research, the principle of the Stacking classification algorithm is introduced, the SMOTE algorithm is selected to process imbalanced datasets, and the Boruta algorithm is utilized for feature selection. There are five supervised machine learning algorithms in the first-level learner of Stacking including KNN, Random Forest, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, and Gaussian Naive Bayes. The second-level learner is Logistic Regression. To verify the effectiveness of the proposed method, comparative experiments are carried out based on Boston Logan International Airport flight datasets from January to December 2019. Multiple indexes are used to comprehensively evaluate the prediction results, such as Accuracy, Precision, Recall, F1 Score, ROC curve, and AUC Score. The results show that the Stacking algorithm not only could improve the prediction accuracy but also maintains great stability.


In this paper, a rectangle- & V-channels interconnected boiling enhancement structure was manufactured by ploughing-extrusion and multi-tooth planing processes based on copper strips with 0.5 mm in thickness. The rectangle channels are 0.5 mm in width, 0.4 mm in depth and 1 mm in pitch. While in the opposite surface, the V-channels are 0.6 mm in depth, 40° in groove angle and 0.48 mm in pitch. These rectangle channels and V-channels are perpendicular and inter-connected. Wavy fins are at the fringe of V-channels. Micro pores are formed in the intersect site where theses two kinds of channels meet which are about 0.2 mm in length, 0.1 mm in width and have irregular fins around it. The final thickness of this structure is about 0.7 mm. The "pore-channel-fin" structures are advantageous for enhancing the nuclear boiling so can be widely used in thermosyphon, capillary pump loops, loop heat pipes and other two-phase heat transfer devices. The parameters of the employed ploughing-extrusion tool are: the major forming angle (γ0) is 30°, the minor forming angle (γ') is 20°, the edge inclination angle (Xγ) is 45°, the major extrusion angle (β) is 25°, and the minor extrusion (β') angle is 16°. Experiments show that the ploughing-extrusion depth has the greatest influence on the formation of micro pores. Only when the sum of the planing depth (Dp) and ploughing-extrusion depth (Dp-e) surpass the thickness of copper strip to a certain value, the cracks would appear. The bigger the sum is, the larger the cracks extend, and the bigger the formed pores are. When the ploughing extrusion tool goes through the rectangle channels, the metal in V-channels could flow upward and downward along the forming faces of the tool and forms the fins at the bottom of rectangle channels and the fringe of V-channels, while after the tool departing from the rectangle channels, the metal could only flows upwards results that the fins at the fringe of V-channels are higher. So the final fringes of V-channels are wavy fin structures, which are advantageous for enhancing boiling further.


The aim of this research is to analyze and develop technical methods that allow the recycling of food packaging coated in polypropylene films using solvents for the removal of the lacquer and/or aluminum layer without modifying their mechanical properties. Thus, this would allow the regranulation and re-extraction of the treated material for the creation of new polypropylene films. Water solutions of KOH 1M and methanol 99.9% were tested as solvents using the selective dissolution method. In order to rule out a significant effect of the mechanical stirring action on the removal of the surface layer, a deionized water solution was used as a control sample. By means of UV-VIS-NIR (ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared), LWIR (long-wave infrared), and ATR-IR spectrophotometers, spectrophotometric analyses were carried out on the samples before and after treatment. In order to investigate the efficiency of the solvents in removing the coating of polypropylene films, samples taken from the industry Jindal Films Europe Brindisi s.r.l., named BF (basic film, pp film not lacquered or metallized), AC (aluminum-coated pp film), and ACRC (acrylic-lacquer-coated pp film), were compared with samples treated with solvent solutions. The comparison was made by comparing the spectra obtained from the analyses carried out with the two different spectrophotometers. The absorbance values at the level of characteristic polypropylene spectrum peaks, detected with an ATR-IR, were also compared using the Pearson correlation coefficient. The results suggest that the optimal solvent for removing the aluminum and acrylic lacquer from pp films is the solution of KOH 1M. Future analyses will aim to investigate the maintenance of the mechanical characteristics of polypropylene treated with a selective dissolution using KOH. It is also planned to test the methodology of this study on an industrial scale.


In this study, we examine Landsat TM satellite multispectral imagery and several image processing strategies to determine the most accurate method to detect and map white spruce understories in deciduous and mixed-wood stands in Alberta. These stands may be considered as part of the conifer land base that is defined as stands which contain or are projected to contain a minimum conifer volume at rotation. Images acquired in late April (leaf-off) and late July (leaf-on) were used to generate signatures for three levels of understory (heavy, light, nil) in five overstory classes. Separability statistics indicate that a reasonable degree of success can be obtained in mapping some of the understory classes with conventional classification tools. Linear discriminant functions using different classification schema and discriminating variables are presented to indicate the level of accuracy that may be obtained in a supervised classification mapping exercise.


The invention discloses a technology for preparing light magnesium oxide and micron-sized calcium carbonate powder by the use of brackish water, comprising the following steps: 1) filtering brackish water; 2) stirring, adding soluble carbonate into the filtered brackish water while dropwise adding hydrochloric acid to maintain pH of the solution to be less than 10, controlling reaction time to be 10-40 min, filtering after reacting, washing filter residue and drying so as to obtain micron-sized calcium carbonate; 3) adding soluble alkali into a filtrate obtained after filtration in the Step 2), producing Mg(OH)2 precipitate, drying to form Mg(OH)2; and 4)substantial calcining Mg(OH)2 obtained in the Step 3) at the temperature of 450-600 DEG C so as to prepare light active magnesium oxide particles. According to the invention, the design of the technology is reasonable, energy consumption is low, and brackish water can be effectively utilized as a raw material to prepare the micron-sized calcium carbonate and light magnesium oxide powder. Purity can reach 93% and above. The influence of brackish water on the environment can be remarkably reduced, and economic benefit can be generated.


The influence of temperature on the growth,sporulation quantity and pathogenicity of a Verlicillium lecanii strain was studied in the lab.The results showed that the mycelium growth of thelungus occurred at temperatures between 10℃ and 33℃.The suitable temperature for mycelium growth was 15℃~28℃ and the optimal temperature was 18℃~25℃.The conidiophores were formed at 10℃~30℃.The suitable temperature for sporulation was 15℃~30℃ and most at 25℃(1.25×10~8 conidiophores per Petri dish).Temperature affected obviously the pathogenicity of the fungus on 2~3instars of Aphis gossypii.The pathogenicity was highest at 25℃,higher at 30℃,and poorest at lower temperature.


Abstract : Kinetics of BrO decomposition was studied between 293 and 673 K using the technique of kinetic spectroscopy. At 293 K the reaction rate is second order with respect to BrO and is independent of (Br2), (O2), and total pressure of diluent gas. It is shown that, although kinetically the ClO and BrO decompositions are similar, the mechanism for BrO decomposition below 450 K is much simpler than that of ClO. The reaction proceeds, most likely, via one step: 2 BrO + 2 Br + O2, with Br2O2 being an activated complex, which has either linear or staggered configuration. ClO and BrO decomposition is compared with H2 + I2 = 2 HI reaction. (Author)


A range of experiments were conducted at Joniškėlis Experimental Station of the Lithuanian Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry in 2010-2014 with the view of establishing the possibilities of cover crop cultivation and utilization in clay loam Cambisol. The influence of the main and cover crop combinations, straw and fertilization intensity; organic, sustainable and intensive cropping systems with cover crops in the soils of different humus content and reduced tillage combinations with cover crops on plant productivity was investigated. It was established that the most abundant yield was achieved when growing field pea after white mustard which can reduce the amount of free nitrogen in soil and stimulate the fixation of biological field pea nitrogen. The maximum yield of spring oilseed rape was obtained while fertilizing with mineral NPK fertilizer. The straw used as fertilizer reduced plant productivity, the cover crop cultivation mitigated its negative effect inducing straw degradation and nitrogen fixation in organic compounds. The incorporation of cover crop mass in combination with farmyard manure in the sustainable cropping system determined a significant increase in field pea yield compared with the organic system. The yields of winter wheat and field pea were higher in the intensive cropping system compared with the organic one. The yields of winter wheat and field pea in the soil of moderate humus content were higher compared with that in the soil of low humus content. Leaving of cover crops as mulch over winter without any tillage in autumn resulted in the decrease of field pea yield compared with ploughless tillage alone. Spring oilseed rape was less sensitive to the reduction of tillage in the combinations with cover crops compared with field pea.


An analysis of life tables for Shanghai municipality China is presented for the period 1951-1980. The author first notes that the life table for 1951 is very similar to that of Nanjing in 1935. Increases in life expectancy over time are observed from 42.0 for males and 45.6 for females in 1951 to 72.6 and 75.3 respectively in 1980. (summary in ENG) (ANNOTATION)


The article discusses the problems and solutions of the bibliographic description of obligator and others, which occurs in mechanical reading catalogue.


Plastic clay is commonly used as fill. Proper placement is the key to the performance of the fill. Improperly placed clay can either settle or heave, dependent upon compactive effort and relative moisture used at the time of placement. Clods in clay fill have a high "transient" shear strength as a result of high matrix suction. Point to point contact between clods, coupled with low compaction energy, results in large voids within the fill. A decrease in matrix suction by addition of moisture results in loss of strength of the individual clods and subsequent collapse. Gross settlement of 7 to 13 percent of the depth of fill has been observed in clay fill. Moisturedensity relationship (ASTM D-698) curves were plotted along with the results from suction and relative strength tests, to evaluate the field performance and observed post-settlement condition of the fill. X-ray analyses on the fill before and after collapse as well as laboratory-prepared samples illustrating the macro-structure of the fill are presented. The paper illustrates that simple field verification of the condition of the fill is possible using a pocket penetrometer in conjunction with moisture and density tests. Introduction Performance of clay used as fill has been the subject of an extensive body of literature. As early as 1933, Proctor (1933a, 1933b, 1933c, and 1933d) addressed the relationship between moisture and density and compaction procedures in a series of articles published in Engineering NewsRecord. This series of articles are as relevant today as they were in 1933 and deserve rereading. The purpose of this paper is not to reinvent the wheel, but rather to reintroduce and update the concepts presented by Proctor. Specifically, this paper addresses compaction of moderate to highly plastic clay relative to the potential for post-construction settlement. Extensive literature is available addressing heave of over compacted clay, and is therefore not addressed here. One of the fundamental principles addressed by Proctor in his classic series was that soil moisture in conjunction with compactive energy determined the relative density of the compacted soil. Proctor advocated testing to confirm the compacted condition of fill. Two tests were proposed and used extensively on large earthen dams, the Standard Proctor moisture density relationship with corresponding field densities, and a less known "plasticity-needle" penetration resistance test. 1 President, Reed Engineering Group, Ltd., 2424 Stutz Drive, Suite 200, Dallas, Texas 75235, 214.350.5600 2 Project Engineer, Reed Engineering Group, Ltd.


Objective: Previous studies have shown that Tai Chi may have a role in the management of type 2 diabetes. However, to date, no studies have focused specifically on the effects of Tai Chi in people with type 1 diabetes. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of a Tai Chi program on health indicators in adults with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This was a two-group quasi-randomised controlled trial with 13 participants (six men and seven women, aged 24 - 63 years) with type 1 diabetes. This trial was conducted from May to November 2016. The intervention group attended Tai Chi exercise training for 1 to 1.5 hours, twice a week for 12 weeks, and the control group continued with their usual medical care. Indicators of glycaemic control (HbA1c), depressive symptoms, physical measures (body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure and leg strength), and health-related quality of life (physical and mental components summary scores) were assessed at baseline and 12 weeks' post-intervention. Results: There were significant or borderline significant between-group differences in changes over time in favour of the intervention group in depressive symptoms (p < 0.01), waist circumfereance (p = 0.059), mental components summary score (p = 0.051) and leg strength (p < 0.05) during the 12 weeks' intervention. Further, compared with baseline, significant improvements were observed in depressive symptoms (p < 0.05), mental components summary score (p < 0.05) and leg strength (p < 0.01) in the intervention group, but not in the control group. In contrast, there was a significant increase in waist circumference in the control group (p < 0.05) but not in the intervention group. Conclusion: In conclusion, there were improvements in mental health and leg strength in these adults with type 1 diabetes. Large studies are needed to further investigate the effects of Tai Chi in people with Type 1 diabetes.


We demonstrated MHz-repetition-rate, picosecond THz output from DAST crystal pumped by 1.5µm dual-frequency laser system based on picosecond Nd-doped vanadate bounce laser. THz output was observed in the frequency range of 2.1-7.1 THz.


The interface of the Eden clusters on percolation networks and the ballistic deposition model is studied by Monte Carlo simulations, using a simple definition for the surface thickness. The width of the active zone in the ballistic deposition model is found to diverge differently from the mean height, indicating breakdown of the single scaling length assumption in this model. The exponents nu and nu ' describing, respectively, the divergence of the radius and the active zone of the Eden clusters on percolation networks appear to be the same within the statistical errors. The central value of nu ', however, is slightly, but systematically, less than nu . The surface thickness of ballistic deposits is shown to exhibit finite-size scaling.


Dinitrophenol, or more accurately 2,4-dinitrophenol, is a poisonous chemical that has been used medicinally as a remedy for obesity. However, it is difficult to use, and deaths have been common from its uncontrolled use. It has a very low therapeutic to toxic ratio. Variability in individual dosage requirements is large, making it difficult to find an appropriate dosage regimen in an individual. Long term therapy is exceptionally hazardous, because of accumulation of the chemical and the weight loss that it causes. UK legislation to regulate the sale and use of dinitrophenol has included the Food Safety Act 1990, making it illegal to include dinitrophenol in food intended for human consumption, and a 2023 amendment to the Poisons Act 1972, making it illegal to purchase dinitrophenol without a licence from a registered pharmacist. However, more action is needed to reduce the possibility of obtaining it online from countries outside the UK and via the dark web.


The arterial oxygen saturation of 60 mothers in the first stage of labour was monitored using pulse oximetery. Half the mothers received epidural analgesia and the other half inhaled Entonox for pain relief. Eight women in epidural group had at least one episode of significant arterial oxygen desaturation (SpO2 < 90%) as compared to twelve women in Entonox group (P 0.273). There was little difference in the number of hypoxic episodes experienced by either group, there were 22 periods in epidural group as compared to 36 periods in Entonox group, although their mean duration of these hypoxic episodes was longer in women of Entonox group that is (12 – 72 seconds) while in epidural group that (12 – 36 seconds) (P = 0.002). The severity of these hypoxic episodes was greater in the Entonox group than the epidural group (P = 0.02) Key Words: Anesthesia = Obstetrics, Analgesics = Entonox, Anesthetic Techniques = Regional epidural, Hypoxia.


The article considers the links between the modern mechanisms of theatre management and development of event tourism releted to festivals and theatre shows. Research topic was analyzed based on the categories of description and understanding of cultural tourism motivated by the need to participate in the current artistic events by professionals from the field of theatre, as well as non-professional participants. Observation of ways how to build festival programm and theatre repertoire leads the author to believe that greater cooperation between European performative centers leads to a narrow theatre' offers and thus has an impact on theatre tourism. Commonly marked tendency to co-produce performances and the use of new technology in presenting theatrical works that do not require the spatial unity of actors and spectators are the main reference point described in the article. Mentioned examples relate to practices of leading European theatre centers and festivals. Critical reflection is thougt to initiate a broader discussion on cross-correlation between models of cultural management and cultural tourism.