Undergraduate students in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at The University of Alabama in Huntsville designed, fabricated, and tested a reduced gravity flight experiment which flew on NASA's KC-135A aircraft during the Spring of 1997. This special course included scientific scholarship, hands-on test operations, interpretation of the results and educational and public outreach activities. Specifically, the student project involved transfer of liquid from one container to another in reduced gravity. The behavior and transfer of liquids in reduced gravity and variable acceleration environments is a topic of importance to material science, fluid physics, combustion science, life sciences, and spacecraft design. The test data package design addresses a number of issues raised by previous research concerning fluid physics and liquid transfer. Among these issues include the effect of microgravity on liquid transfer, the role of surface tension devices (baffles) in effective liquid transfer, the gas ingestion phenomena, the distribution of liquid in reduced gravity and varying acceleration environments. Bubble formation is observed to occur after six to ten seconds after entering into the reduced gravity portion of the parabola. The results show that liquid transfer is more efficient when using baffles or surface tension devices inside the tanks. INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND During space operations in reduced gravity the transfer of a liquid from one tank to another is required. One element of propellant management that will be necessary during future space operations will be the transfer of liquid from a tanker vehicle to a receiver vehicle. Examples of such include: 1) transfer of propellants from the shuttle to the space station, 2) transfer of propellants to tanks of vehicles designed for lunar or planetary missions, 3) transfer of vital fluids to the space station, and 4) restart of propulsion systems in space. Also, applications occur in high speed aircraft under high "g" and variable "g" loading where liquid transfer issues are encountered. The fluid management challenges encountered with the transfer process include: 1) Gas free outflow from the supply tank, 2) Spill free inflow into the receiver tank, 3) Control of the liquid-vapor interface during acceleration changes, and 4) Positioning of the fluid at the drain port. In microgravity liquid behaves dramatically different than on the surface of the earth in 1-g. In environments where gravity is reduced, the body force * Assistant Professor, Senior Member. Copyright © 1998 The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Inc. All rights reserved. of gravity no longer dominates. Instead, the effects of surface tension, adhesion, and other applied forces such as rotationality and random accelerations determine the distribution of liquid. On the surface of the earth liquid inside a container will fill the bottom of a container, minimizing liquid/gas interface surface energy. One also observes a meniscus develop as the liquid "climbsup" the side of a container due to surface tension. In microgravity liquid inside a container in equilibrium will no longer be at the bottom of the vessel. Rather, the liquid will be distributed inside the vessel such that the liquid/gas interfacial surface energy is minimized. This results in a bubble of constant curvature being formed within container. Much work has been done concerning the transfer of liquid between a supply and receiver tank. Initially, several investigations were completed in the NASALewis drop tower facility which demonstrated various aspects of liquid transfer phenomena. The first comprehensive demonstration of liquid transfer was performed by Apollo 14 astronauts during transearth orbit. ' The objectives of this experiment were to demonstrate the effectiveness of two surface tension baffle designs during fluid transfer. The unbaffled tanks were found to be unsuitable for transfer of liquid in weightlessness. The baffled designs; however, were shown to be effective in transferring liquid in weightlessness. Copyright© 1997, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Inc. Liquid motion in microgravity was also investigated on Sky lab 3. This research was designed to investigate liquid/gas interface behavior including wave propagation and surface tension effects. The results of this study provided insight into low-g liquid motion, wave propagation, and manipulation. More recently several shuttle experiments concerning liquid transfer have also been conducted. On the STS-51-G shuttle mission a hemispherical tank filled with fluid was subjected to acceleration inputs and the resulting sloshing forces were measured.3 The objectives of this STS Get Away Special (GAS) canister included 1) determining the low-gravity, dynamic behavior of a partially filled tank using experimental methods, 2) correlating the experimentally obtained data to mathematical models, and 3) evaluating the outflow of the liquid in the test tank through a tube and solenoid valve and into an evacuated chamber. The study was initiated to examine the coupling between the dynamic response of the fluid in the tanks and the tank design. Another shuttle experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of liquid sloshing. 4 If propellant tank liquid sloshing should occur in a spin stabilized satellite the energy of the vehicle would be dissipated and wobbling motion about the spacecraft's axis could occur. The objective of this experiment was to measure slosh forces and observe slosh motion in a model satellite propellant tank. On shuttle mission STS-017 a Get Away Special (GAS) 5 experiment was conducted to (1) investigate the use of advanced surface-tension, propellantacquisition concepts in the design of propellant tanks, and (2) demonstrate the bubble-free delivery of fuel from a partially filled propellant tank to the spacecraft engines. More specifically, the experiment was designed to demonstrate an off-load capability for a fuel-tank propellant acquisition system, a capability that did not exist with current fuel-tank surface tension devices such as the Shuttle RCS propellant acquisition system. Hassan et al. 6 designed a tank pressure control experiment which flew on board the space shuttle (STS-52). On the Orbiter each test generally started with a heating phase to increase the tank pressure and to develop temperature stratification in the liquid followed by a fluid mixing phase for the tank pressure reduction and fluid temperature equilibration. Analysis of data from the flight experiments and their comparison with the results obtained in drop tower experiments suggest that as the Bond number approaches zero the flow pattern produced by an axial jet and the mixing time can be predicted by the Weber number. The equilibrium configurations of free liquid/gas surfaces 7 in reduced gravity environments are of particular importance for liquid transfer phenomena. These conditions generally yield surfaces of constant curvature meeting the container wall at a particular contact angle. The time required to reach and stabilize about this configuration is not completely understood for sudden changes from elevated to reduced gravity. An objective of this program was to provide students with the opportunity to propose, design, build, test, and fly a reduced gravity flight experiment. The scientific objective of the experiment was designed to address a number of the issues raised by previous research in fluid physics and liquid transfer. Among these issues include the effect of microgravity on liquid transfer, the role of surface tension devices (baffles) in effective liquid transfer, the gas ingestion phenomena, the distribution of liquid in reduced gravity and under changing acceleration environments. Also, an objective of the proposed project was to quantify the time scale required to stabilize a liquid/gas interface within a partially filled container. EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION


In the title compound, C8H8ClNO, the conformations of the N—H and C=O bonds are anti to each other, but the C—Cl and C=O bonds in the side chain are syn. The molecules are linked by N—H⋯O hydrogen bonds into infinite chains running in the [101] direction.


As education systems in many countries respond to demands for higher standards, they face the challenge of how to achieve equity. Put simply, how can systems continue to raise overall levels of achievement whilst reducing the gap between higher and lower performing groups of learners? This paper reflects on evidence collected as a result of a series of studies, all carried out in 1 English local education authority, to address this agenda. This programme of research was unusual in that it tracked developments over 10 years. The findings point to the potential of processes of networking between schools as a possible way forward. At the same time, they also reveal how the implementation of such collaborative approaches presents difficulties, particularly within a policy context that emphasises competition between schools as the main driver for reform.


We have demonstrated two-dimensional free space phase conjugation at 10.24 GHz using a one-dimensional optically controlled phased array with a simple one-stage-mixing technique. Preliminary results are also obtained for an improved two-stage-mixing configuration.


Subjectivity is the fundament characteristic of value.The key to researching and resolving the problem of value is to understand the subject and know well the value subjectivity to the dimension of subject itself.It has a crucial meaning for we pay closer attention to the relation between subject and object than to the object,especially to the subject,and make analysis of value and other philosophy problems from the subjective perspective.It emphasizes the subject's rights and obligations,and eliminates the myth of objectivity,universality of value as well as the so called "eternal truth of value".Moreover,the value subjectivity is an objective reality and it couldn't be destroyed or broken.


The phylogenetic relationships of avian trypanosomes, common parasites of birds, remain ambiguous and validity of many species is questionable. Analyses based on 18S rRNA sequences, dimensions of the kinetoplast disc and the size of kinetoplast (k) DNA minicircles were used to differentiate among large trypanosomes parasitizing birds of the Old World. These trypanosomes with typical striated appearance formed two well-supported groups-the "Trypanosoma avium" clade and the "Trypanosoma corvi" clade. Interestingly, the isolate derived from the Central European hippoboscid fly (Ornithomyia avicularia) is closely related to T. corvi from a raven captured in the U.K., whereas a trypanosome obtained from the blood of a raven of the Central Europe origin (Czech Republic) is a typical member of the "T. avium" clade.


Simple Summary The poultry industry faces challenges such as a shortage of protein feed and increased feed cost. Compared to soybean meal, rapeseed meal (RSM) is a cheaper protein source that can be used in poultry diets. China is both the largest RSM and geese producer in the world. Therefore, the active use of RSM for geese diets can contribute to the development of poultry production. We found that geese had a good adaptation to the diet containing 16% dietary RSM through the investigation. Abstract The use of inexpensive nonconventional feed materials, such as rapeseed meal (RSM), could help alleviate the shortage of feed materials in the poultry industry. This study was to investigate the effects of dietary double-low RSM on growth performance, carcass traits, serum parameters, and intestinal development of geese. A total of 270 healthy 35-day-old male Jiangnan White geese were randomly divided into five treatments, with six replicate pens of nine geese each. The geese were fed five isonitrogenous and isocaloric diets containing 0%, 4%, 8%, 12%, and 16% RSM replacing dietary soybean meal for 35 days. At 35, 49, and 70 d, the BW and feed intake were recorded. All Samples were collected at 70 d of age. The results showed that dietary RSM up to 16% did not affect the BW, ADFI, ADG, and feed/gain ratio (F/G) during 35 to 49 d, 49 to 70 d, and 35 to 70 d periods (p > 0.05). At 70 d, no difference was observed in carcass yield or serum biochemical parameters among groups (p > 0.05). Dietary 12% and 16% RSM significantly increased the concentration of serum GH compared with 0%, 4%, 8% groups (p < 0.01), but serum TSH, T3 and T4 were unaffected (p > 0.05). The relative weights of heart, liver, spleen, proventriculus, gizzard, and small intestine were similar among groups (p > 0.05). However, the geese fed dietary 16% RSM had greater bursa of Fabricius than geese in the 8% group (p < 0.05). Intestinal morphology was unaffected by treatments (p > 0.05). According to the findings, dietary RSM up to 16% can be used in geese diets without impact on production performance.


Pathological anatomy. It would seem to be suitable in the follow ing short account of prostatic cancer, which is to be used as a basis for studying the röntgenological and anatomical connection, to follow the classification into two different types as is done in the textbooks. In the one form of cancer the gland is not enlarged or otherwise altered on palpation or it may be firmer than usual and to a certain extent finely nodular. The prostate may contain a few or many cancer nodules, or it may be more diffusely infiltrated. In advanced stages the infiltration extends out into the neighbouring tissues around the prostate and involves the bladder, the seminal vesicles, the ductus deferens and the rectum. In this type the urethra may pass intact through the prostate or it may be altered by cancerous infilt ration of its wall. In the second type, where the gland is enlarged, it is a question of degeneration oj prostatic hypertrophy into cancer or a combination of cancer and prostatic hypertrophy. Usually it is a question of malig nant transformation of an adenoma, which is only ascertainable on microscopic examination. The enucleation can be carried out without difficulty in many cases but in others it is hampered in that the can cerous infiltration has extended over to the surrounding prostatic glands, so that malignancy can be suspected already at the operation. There are, moreover, cases where the cancer does not originate in the adenoma but is situated in the actual gland substance which has been converted into the capsule (OBERNDORFER).


Parkinson's disease (PD) affects over 1 × 106 people in the United States with 50 000 Americans being diagnosed each year. As a neurodegenerative movement disorder, it affects patients' lives through its slow but relentless progression of both motor and non-motor symptoms. Initially, most PD patients receive good benefit from dopaminergic treatment, but over time the symptomatology changes. The goal of this presentation is to discuss the motor features of advanced PD. Treatment of advanced PD typically consists of a combination of pharmaceuticals, but in recent years deep brain stimulation has been increasingly used to complement medical therapy. DBS for PD is indicated in some patients while it may not be the best treatment option for others. Selection criteria, indications, and relative contraindications will be discussed. The procedure will be reviewed and an overview of recent outcomes of DBS studies in PD will be provided. Attention will also be given to potential side effects of this state of the ar...


Residual stress (RS) is crucial to the fabrications of woven composite plates and difficult to measure experimentally because of the complex structures of these plates. This study aims to investigate the RS in 2D plane weave aramid fiber composite plates using hole‐drilling technique coupled with moiré interferometry. A two‐step drilling method is proposed to solve the problems caused by the 'peel up' phenomenon, which facilitates the analyses of the obtained moiré patterns. The holes are deliberately selected at the intersection points of the symmetry axes of warp and weft yarns to obtain symmetrically released displacement fields. Moreover, finite element method calibration is conducted to measure RS using a model created based on the real structure of the woven composite. Based on the error analysis in numerical simulations, the less sensitive points are proposed for the RS calculation. The results show that the RS components of each specimen are compressive along the aramid yarns and tensile perpendicular to them. In addition, investigating of the influence of drilling depths on RS shows that RS decreases along the hole‐depth direction. Findings of this study are helpful for the manufacture and quality evaluation of woven aramid fibre composites.


Earnings management occurs when managers use judgment in financial reporting and in structural transactions to alter financial reports to either mislead some stakeholders about the underlying performance of the company, or to influence contractual outcomes that depend on reported financial performance. Many research studies are conducted to investigate the earnings management in developed economies. Due to regulated operating environment of in India until 1992 earnings management was not a fertile topic for research. But, post-1992 companies are given freedom to price their capital issues. This freedom motivates the issuers to manage their earnings prior to capital issues. The objectives of the study are to investigate if firms in India manage earnings prior to launching of equity rights issues (known as seasoned equity offerings in the USA and Europe) and the post issue performance of the firms. We used discretionary current accruals (DCAs) to measure the extent of earnings management. Modified Jones Model is used to estimate DCAs during three years prior to the rights issue (pre-issue period) and three years after the rights issue (post-issue period). DCAs of rights issue firms are adjusted for DCAs of control sample (non-rights issuers).Adjusted mean DCAs of pre-issue period is compared with adjusted mean DCAs of the post-issue period to detect earnings management. The results suggest that there has been earnings management prior to the rights issues. Analysis of pre-and-post issue performance the sample firms corroborate the findings based on DCAs. Study period is 1993-94 to 2003-04. Sample size is 259.


A newly developed procedure for estimating ice cloud effective particle size using combined lidar and radar signals has been applied to several months of data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program's Southern Great Plains site. Though considerable scatter is present in the retrieval results, on average, the data show a clear dependence of effective particle size on both temperature and ice water content. The data are used to construct a parameterization based on a bimodal ice particle size distribution whose characteristics depend both on temperature and ice water content.


Abstract A commercial utility projector, the Promar, is modified in design and housed in a special cabinet to facilitate the examination of fish scales. A light adjustment control is introduced. The microscope is fixed in an upright position and the beam of light is deflected to the table surface in front of the observer by two mirrors.


We look at the theory of *-polynomial identi ties of the algebra of n X n matrices over a field. The represen tation theory of the hyperoctahedral group and of the general linear group are applied for a quantitative study of the theory in characteristic zero. We examine the problem of determin ing *-polynomial identities of minimal degree for symplectic and transpose involution and new *-polynomial identities of degree 2n - 1 are constructed.


In this paper, we present a method for controlling a wind system consisting in a wind turbine (WT) and a permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG) so as to achieve the operation in the optimum energy efficient zone at time-varying speeds of wind. It analyzes the operation of a WT in the maximum power zone by changing the generator load, while the wind speed varies significantly over time. The coordinates of the maximum power point (MPP) changes over time and they are determined by the values of the instantaneous wind speed and mechanical inertia. So not always the wind system can be brought quickly to operate in the MPP zone. By measuring wind speed, the optimum dc current (ICC-OPTIM) can be obtained, the generator load can be controlled and thus it can extract the maximum mechanical energy at time-varying wind speeds.


A salient difficulty in describing the phase behavior of rodlike particles with large axial ratios or high packing densities has been the solution of the nonlinear integral equation for the orientation distribution function. Approximations that do well for small axial ratios and low packing densities become increasingly unsatisfactory as the axial ratio or the packing density increases. In this report, we demonstrate that solutions of high accuracy may be obtained relatively efficiently by an iterative procedure that converges particularly rapidly for systems with high packing densities and large axial ratios. We show that, for polydisperse as well as monodisperse systems, each iteration moves in a direction of locally decreasing free energy. Although it does not necessarily follow that the net free energy change in a discrete step will be negative, all cases examined thus far generate successive distribution functions with monotonically decreasing free energy.


A ser ious drawback in the use of the ant iconvulsant agent valproic ac id (VPA) is the drug assoc ia ted liver toxicity character ized by microvesicular s teatos is frequently accompan ied by necros is . The main objective of this thesis was to test the hypothesis that the hepatotoxicity of V P A is due to the formation of reactive toxic metabol i tes. Firstly, metabol ic activation of V P A was invest igated by detect ion and character izat ion of drug-related thiol conjugates. Comb ined L C / M S / M S and N M R ev idence clear ly identif ied 5 G S 3 e n e VPA-g lucu ron ide I in the bile of rats dosed with (E)-2,4-diene V P A which is suspec ted to play a key role in V P A hepatotoxicity. Suff icient on-l ine L C / M S / M S data were obtained to indicate the p resence of the N A C glucuronide di-conjugate of (E)-2,4-diene V P A in both rat bile and urine. T h e amount of bil iary 5 G S 3 e n e VPA-g lucu ron ide I was 7-fold greater than 5 G S 3 e n e V P A , the sum of the two metabol i tes account ing for 6 .6% of the dose . Incubation of 2,4-diene VPA-g lucu ron ide with G S H in the p resence of glutathione S-t ransferase (GST) enzyme led to the formation of the GSH-g lucu ron ide di-conjugate. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first recorded instance in which glucuronide formation act ivates a drug to further conjugate with G S H v ia a Michae l addit ion reaction. In other exper iments, L C / M S / M S ana lys is of bile samp les co l lec ted from rats d o s e d with 4 -ene V P A , an ana logue of the known hepatotoxicant 4-pentenoic ac id (4PA) , indicated the p resence of the G S H , cysteinylg lycine, cyste ine and N A C conjugates of 4 ,5-epoxy V P A and (E)-2,4-diene V P A , respect ively. Quanti tat ively, the bil iary thiol conjugates accounted for 5 % of the dose . Th is observat ion is novel for 4-


The attenuation of infra-red radiation by scattering on atmospheric haze particles, in the form of water droplets, is discussed in some detail. The spectrum is divided into two regions, the near infra-red to λ 2·25 μ, where the refractive index of water may be assumed constant and real, and the region 2·25 to 12μ, where the index is complex and varies with the wavelength. This paper is concerned with the first region. It is shown that certain haze models, involving a continuous drop-size distribution and previously used in explaining the attenuation of visible wavelengths and the aureole around the sun, adequately explain the window transmission measured by Gebbie and co-authors (1951) along a horizontal path. The observed optical thickness of the whole atmosphere with respect to near infra-red sunlight is also explained by means of these models.

The infra-red attenuation spectrum appears as a logical extension of the visible one and represents the continuous background upon which gas line and wing absorptions must be superposed. The magnitude of the latter can thus be assessed with more confidence.


Abstract Neuroglobin (Ngb) is a protein expressed in the central and peripherical nervous systems of the vertebrate. The Ngb has different functions in neurons, including regulating O 2 homeostasis, oxidative stress, and as a neuroprotector after ischemia/hypoxia events. The Ngb is a hemoprotein of the globin family, structurally like myoglobin and hemoglobin. Ngb has higher expression in the cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, brainstem, and cerebellum in mammals. Interestingly, Ngb immunoreactivity oscillates according to the sleep-wake cycle and decreases after 24 hours of sleep deprivation, suggesting that sleep homeostasis regulates Ngb expression. In addition, Ngb expresses in brain areas related to REM sleep regulation. Therefore, in the present review, we discuss the potential role of the Ngb in the sleep-wake regulation of mammals.


Offshore installations, e.g., offshore wind turbines and pipelines, are exposed to various mechanical loads due to wind or waves and corrosive loads such as seawater or mist. ZnAl-based thermal sprayed coatings, often in conjunction with organic coatings, provide sufficient corrosion protection and are well established for applications in marine environments. In this study, machine hammer peening (MHP) is applied after twin wire arc spraying to improve corrosion fatigue behavior through increased hardness, reduced porosity, and roughness compared to as-sprayed coatings. Mn-alloyed structural steel S355 J2 + C with and without ZnAl4 coating as well as with MHP post-treated ZnAl4 coating were cyclically loaded in 3.5% NaCl solution. MHP leads to a uniform coating thickness with lower porosity and roughness. ZnAl4 coating and MHP post-treatment improved corrosion fatigue behavior in the high cycle fatigue regime with an increase of the stress amplitude, applied to reach a number of cycles 1.2 × 106, up to 115% compared to sandblasted specimens. Corrosive attack of the substrate steel was successfully avoided by using the coating systems. Stress- and microstructure-dependent corrosion fatigue damage mechanisms were evaluated by mechanical and electrochemical measurement techniques.


Sarcopenia, a condition of low muscle mass, quality and strength, is commonly found in cirrhotic patients and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes including: reduction in quality of life, increased mortality and post-transplant complications. In chronic liver disease (CLD) it is most commonly defined through the measurement of the skeletal muscle index of the third lumbar spine. A major contributor to sarcopenia in CLD is the imbalance in muscle protein turnover, which likely occurs due to a decrease in muscle protein synthesis and an elevation in muscle protein breakdown. This imbalance is assumed to arise due to a number of factors including: accelerated starvation, hyperammonemia, amino acid deprivation, chronic inflammation, excessive alcohol intake and physical inactivity. In particular, hyperammonemia is a key mediator of the liver-gut axis and is known to contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and an increase in myostatin expression. Currently, the use of late-evening snacks, branched-chain amino acid supplementation and physical activity have been proposed to help the management and treatment of sarcopenia. However, little evidence exists to comprehensively support their use in clinical settings. A number of new, pharmacological strategies, including myostatin inhibition and the nutraceutical Urolithin A have recently been proposed to treat age-related sarcopenia, and may also be of use in CLD. This review highlights the potential molecular mechanisms contributing to sarcopenia in CLD alongside a discussion of existing and potential new treatment strategies.


All across America, thousands of dollars in energy are wasted everyday. This book explains how this can be prevented. The report includes in-depth analyses of: U.S. energy consumption, social cost of Integrated Resource Planning (IRP), criteria for conservation measures, alternative fuel issues, utilities and energy efficiency, and a full glossary of terms.


The paper considers the method of calculating costs, taking into account the effect of technological parameters; the model of forecasting of costs of production resources based on the matrix of costs are described; the methods of assess the impact of parameters of complex spatial-distributed systems on costs are presented.


Quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) is an alternative nanotechnology to traditional CMOS technology. In theory, circuits in QCA have the advantages of lower power consumption, higher integration density and switching frequency than circuits based on CMOS. Random access memory (RAM) circuits that are critical in designing large memory circuits have been explored. In this brief, a novel loop-based RAM cell with asynchronous set and reset, by using a new 2-1 multiplexer and D-latch, is proposed. Efficient 1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 4 RAM and 4 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 4 RAM with three-layer structure are constructed. The proposed RAM cell has 35% improvement in both circuit footprint and cost, compared with an existing best scheme. The 1 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 4 RAM has less cells, delay and area than the previous designs with the same circuit scheme. The 4 <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> 4 RAM and <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">${m}\,\,\times \,\,{n}$ </tex-math></inline-formula> RAM show that the proposed RAM cell has excellent scalability for designing complex circuits. Functional correctness of the proposed designs has been proved by using QCADesigner 2.0.3.


The damping of the giant dipole resonance (GDR) is studied in 90Zr, 120Sn, and208Pb as a function of temperatureT . The results show that the coupling of GDR to the pp and hh states is responsible for the increase of the GDR width with increasing T up to 3 MeV and its saturation at higher T . The quantal width, caused by the coupling to ph excitations, decreases slowly with increasing T . An overall agreement is found between the theoretical evaluations and the recent experimental data in heavy-ion fusion reactions and inelastic a scattering. At very highT a behavior similar to the transition from zero to ordinary sounds is observed. [S0031-9007(98)06119-5]


The invention relates to a human-computer interaction-based network group system for simulating action information of each limb part of a human body and taking the action information as system input. The system comprises a network server group and a human-computer interaction unit. The network server group comprises a login server, a node server and a program database; the human-computer interaction unit comprises an action information acquisition terminal and an information data end for storing human-computer interaction main body data, wherein the action information acquisition terminal is provided with a unique equipment identification code; and the information data end comprises a network interaction management module and a network communication module connected with the network interaction management module. Through the human-computer interaction-based network group system, a user can play remote network human-computer interaction games, and the purpose of doing physical exercise is fulfilled at the same time of playing the games.


Abstract The characteristics of the summer precipitation diurnal cycle over South Asia and East Asia during 2001–13 are investigated based on the high spatiotemporal resolution estimates of the CPC (Climate Prediction Center) Morphing (CMORPH) technique. The results show that summer precipitation over South Asia and East Asia possesses a remarkable diurnal cycle, with obvious regional differences. Over the coastal areas, plateau, and high mountains, summer precipitation peaks in the late afternoon; while over low altitude areas, such as valleys, basins, and inshore seas, it peaks during midnight to early morning. In addition to these general features consistent with previous studies, the high resolution CMORPH technique can depict finer regional details, such as the less coherent phase pattern over a few regions. Besides, through comparative analysis of the diurnal cycle strength and precipitation fields, the authors find that for humid areas the summer precipitation diurnal cycle is especially significant over Southeast China, the Sichuan Basin, Hainan Province, Taiwan Province, the Philippines, and Indonesia. And it is relatively weak over the south of Northeast China, central East China, Yunnan Province, the central Indian Peninsula, and most oceanic areas. Comparisons between two satellite datasets — those of the CMORPH and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) 3B42 products — are also presented. For summer precipitation and the main diurnal cycle features, the results from both products agree over most regions, except a few areas, e.g., the Tibetan Plateau.


1 Changes in the efficiency of the peristaltic reflex, acetylcholine (ACh) output and motor responses to transmural and periarterial nerve stimulation produced by bicuculline and y‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor desensitization were investigated in the guinea‐pig isolated colon. 2 Bicuculline, at concentrations unable to affect spontaneous colonic motility and lacking anticholinesterase activity, produced a dose‐dependent increase of both the efficiency of the peristaltic reflex and the stimulated ACh output. Such effects could not be observed in GABA‐desensitized preparations. 3 A frequency‐dependent potentiation of the cholinergic excitatory and non‐adrenergic non‐cholinergic (NANC) inhibitory responses to transmural stimulation was also observed in the presence of bicuculline. Conversely bicuculline exhibited an inhibitory effect on the relaxation induced by periarterial nerve stimulation. 4 Acute GABA‐desensitization was unable to affect the contractile responses to transmural stimulation, the ACh output and the efficiency of the peristaltic reflex. On the contrary, desensitization was able to mimic the effects of bicuculline on the inhibitory responses to both transmural and periarterial nerve stimulation. 5 Our results are consistent with a significant role played by an intrinsic GABAergic pathway in the modulation of both cholinergic excitatory and NANC inhibitory neurones. The hypothesis is advanced that a feed‐back modulation carried out through bicuculline‐sensitive GABAergic synapses could operate during the propagation of peristaltic motor activity.


Magnetic attachments are widely used for prosthodontic treatment. Comparing to conventional attachments utilizing mechanical friction,advantage of magnetic attachments include the lack of visible metal frameworks,simplified tooth preparation,and less traumatic lateral force. One of the problems that limited their wide acceptance to clinicians was the low corrosion resistance of the permanent magnet alloy. Recently,development of new magnetic materials as well as improvement of corrosion resistance of magnet has facilitated the application of magnetic attachment.


An emphasize system for an electronic musical instrument including filter and control device. The filter extract and output predetermined frequency range component of an input musical tone signal. The control device control the level of an output from the filter at least on the basis of an output from an envelope generator which controls the level of the input musical tone signal, or on the basis of the level of another frequency range component of the input musical tone signal. At least the level controlled signal is outputted from the system.


Five camps of flying-foxes (Pteropus alecto and P. scapulatus) were monitored regularly in the Darwin region between July 1994 and December 1997. For both species there was a relatively consistent annual pattern in the size and age–sex structure of camps. P. alecto appeared to be a local migrant, with numbers in the north of the study area negatively correlated with numbers in the south, but the movement did not involve all animals. Following births in February there was a southward movement of adult P. alecto in March and a return movement northward in September–November. The extent of three vegetation types surrounding camps had a significant effect (P< 0.05) on camp sizein P. alecto. Sex ratios varied between P. alecto camps, with a higher proportion of females being found in larger camps (P< 0.001), while the proportion of juveniles varied over the year (P< 0.05), but not between camps. Large numbers of P. scapulatus were annual migrants to the southern portion of the study region during July–October 1994–97, but relatively small numbers of the species were present at other times. When integrated with other published information, the pattern seen in this study supports the view that P. scapulatus undertakes regular long-range movements and uses habitat in time and space differently from P. alecto.


A dual laser indium phosphide photonic integrated circuit for remote sensing lidar was realized. A twentyfold improvement in the long-term frequency stability of the master laser was demonstrated using an on-chip phase modulator.


Abstract : This paper examines three female strategic leaders who attained prime ministership: Golda Meir, Indira Gandhi and Margaret Thatcher. In an effort to ascertain commonalties in their development as strategic leaders, this study considers several psychosocial factors, beginning with birth order, impact of siblings, parental/familial relationships and value systems. Additionally, the study addresses childhood economic status, environmental stability, employment, culture, socialization, role models, political experiences and significant emotional events. After exploring the psychosocial factors and identifying commonalties, the researcher concludes with recommendations for an optimum environment for the development of the female strategic leader.


-1. The effects of osmolarity on the maximal velocity (Vmax) and apparent Michaelis constant (K~) for the oxidation of proline by both intact and sonicated mitochondria from the ventricle of the marine clam Mercenaria mercenaria have been determined. 2. Compared to the isoosmotic state (1040mOsm/I), the rate of oxidation at any concentration of proline by intact mitochondria is greater in the hypoosmotic state and lower in the hyperosmotic state. 3. Maximal rates of proline oxidation at low osmolarities equal the maximal rates of electron transport over the range 500 to 700 mOsm/l. 4. The response of the apparent Michaelis constant for proline to the osmolarity of the medium may be due to changes in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Such changes were monitored by measuring the rate of NADH oxidation by intact mitochondria. 5. It is suggested that volume changes in mitochondria during the early stages of osmotic stress may be responsible for adjustments in intracellular concentration of certain amino acids observed during volume regulation in marine bivalves.


Objective To explore the effect of Shenglingbaizhusan(SLBZ) decoction on the expression of CD44、D62p and CD54 in ulcerative colitis(UC) rats with asthenia of the spleen(AS). Methods The UC of AS model was established by chronic attracting,out of constant diet and acid injection.The expressions of CD44,D62p and CD54 in peripheral blood were determined by FCM method and the changes of appearance and action,thymus and spleen indexes were observed. Results Compared with model group,SLBE decoction could significantly increase the thymus and spleen indexes and reduce the levels of CD44,CD62p,while the levels of CD54 had no significant change. Conclusion It is suggested that SLBZ decoction can enhance the immune function and decrease the levels of CD44 and CD62p,which is probably one of the mechanisms on its efficacy.


This study reports the synthesis of two series of new purine bioisosteres comprising a pyrazolo[3,4‐d]pyrimidine scaffold linked to piperazine moiety through different amide linkages. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for anticancer activity against four cell lines (MDA‐MB‐231, MCF‐7, SF‐268, B16F‐10) and cyclooxygenase (COX‐2) protein expression inhibition in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐activated rat monocytes. The results revealed that most of the synthesized compounds showed moderate‐to‐high cytotoxic activity against at least one cell line, with compound 10b being the most active against all used cell lines (IC50 values 5.5–11 μg/ml) comparable to cisplatin. In addition, six of these compounds (7b, 10a–d, and 12c) demonstrated inhibition of LPS‐induced COX‐2 protein expression at low concentration (25 μg/ml) as compared to the control non‐stimulated cells and showed a COX‐2 selectivity index range comparable to diclofenac sodium. The overall results indicate that many of these pyrazolopyrimidine derivatives possess in vitro anti‐inflammatory and anticancer activities at varying doses, and the most active compounds will be subjected to in vivo pharmacological evaluation.


A phase change memory cell having reduced electrode chalcogenide interface resistance, a method of manufacturing a phase change memory cell are disclosed. Between the electrode layer and the chalcogenide layer, the interface layer is formed. This results in a reduced resistance between the chalcogenide-based phase change memory layer and the electrode layer. More exemplary embodiments provide tungsten carbide, molybdenum carbide, tungsten boride, molybdenum boride, or an interface layer comprising a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the interface layer has a thickness of between about 1nm to about 10 nm.


Every educational institution is mandated by law to educate the public on the theories and practices on solid waste management. To achieve effective and sustainable implementation of the proper waste management practices, awareness with participation is the key to be involved in the Solid Waste Management Program of an institution. Thus, this study was conducted to specifically look into the significant relationship between the awareness and practices on solid waste management among the college students of Mindanao State University – Maigo School of Arts and Trades. A descriptive correlation research design was used in this study with 253 randomlyselected college students. It employed an adopted questionnaire concerning the awareness of solid waste management of the students and their practices. Data were gathered, analyzed and interpreted using the frequency and percentage distribution and chi-square test. Findings showed that the awareness on solid waste management of the students was high; their practices in terms of segregation, reduce and recycle were good; and their practices in terms of recycle and disposal were fair. The awareness on solid waste management of the students had no influence on their practices in terms of disposal however their awareness had affected their practices specifically on segregation, reduce, reuse, and recycle.


Abstract The detection of rapidly damped transverse oscillations in coronal loops by Aschwanden et al. (1999) and Nakariakov et al. (1999) gave a strong impetus to the study of MHD waves and their damping. The common interpretation of the observations of these oscillations is based on kink modes. This paper reviews how the observed period and damping time can be reproduced by MHD wave theory when non-uniform equilibrium models are considered that have a transversal variation of the local Alfven velocity. The key point here is that resonant absorption cannot be avoided and occurs as natural damping mechanism for kink waves in non-uniform equilibrium models. The present paper starts with work by Hollweg & Yang (1988) and discusses subsequent developments in theory and their applications to seismology of coronal loops. It addresses the consistent use of observations of periods and damping times as seismological tools within the framework of resonant absorption. It shows that within the framework of resonant absorption infinitely many equilibrium models can reproduce the observed values of periods and damping times.


1. The new definitions of jitter In the last few years, more and more serial link standards adopted the concept of separating jitter into deterministic jitter (DJ), periodic jitter (PJ) and random jitter (RJ). The old concept of histogram based peak-to-peak jitter has been replaced by the concept of total jitter (TJ), which is associated with a certain bit-error-rate for the serial link (typically 10). This makes the jitter test more meaningful with a direct connection to system performance. It is much harder to perform a proper jitter test directly in production, as it is specified in terms of DJ, PJ, RJ and TJ, rather than a simple peak-to-peak or rms jitter measurement. It means we need to decompose the jitter measured into various types, each having its own budget on the spec sheet. The trend of separating jitter into different types also applies to the jitter tolerance test. To conduct a jitter tolerance test, jitter must be deliberately injected into the data stream in a controlled fashion. That means we need to mix a certain amount of DJ (including some PJ) with a certain amount of RJ to perform this test to the spec. [1] In this panel discussion, we need to distinguish jitter test solutions for production between full standard compliant tests and tests providing only partial coverage.


The treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is difficult due to large variation in clinical presentations, underreported symptoms, frequent comorbidities, disappointing effects of medical treatment and problems with giving up smoking. Treatment is focused on care rather than cure, and consists on improving quality of life and daily functioning of patients. In this thesis we explored different aspects of optimal COPD care, including optimal medical treatment and self-management. More specifically, the primary aim was to study the potential role of integrated disease management (IDM) programs for COPD, specifically in primary care


The use of form and subject headings in place of author and title headings for the main entry of certain types of works has been fully considered by our professional forerunners and discarded for sound theoretical and practical reasons. While there is no case for reversing their decision, there is, however, reason for subdividing and grouping the entries under a given author-particularly where there are many with indistinctive titles-so as to facilitate the location of a given title.


A university library should serve both teaching and scientific research,and education of psychological health of students.It can build a platform of psychological health for students by creating a suitable environment inside and outside it as well as providing reading instruction.


Cell-free supernatant fluid from cultures of a strain of Escherichia coli isolated from a patient with cholera-like diarrhea was tested in the intestine of rabbits. When ileal loops were exposed to supernates from E. coli cultures for 1 hr and then placed in a flux chamber, normal absorption of sodium was inhibited and secretion of chloride ion appeared as a new process. These changes were the same as those seen after exposure to cholera enterotoxin. It is known that the changes in ion flux caused by these toxins are identical with those produced by agents that increase intestinal levels of adenosine-3':5' -monophosphate (cAMP). Cholera toxin stimulates production of adenyl cyclase and raises levels of cAMP. It is speculated that enterotoxin of E. coli acts by a similar mechanism.


An attempt was made to pump an alexandrite laser rod using a Tamarak solar simulator and also a tungsten-halogen lamp. A very low optical laser cavity was used to achieve the threshold minimum pumping-power requirement. Lasing was not achieved. The laser threshold optical-power requirement was calculated to be approximately 626 W/sq cm for a gain length of 7.6 cm, whereas the Tamarak simulator produces 1150 W/sq cm over a gain length of 3.3 cm, which is less than the 1442 W/sq cm required to reach laser threshold. The rod was optically pulsed with 200 msec pulses, which allowed the alexandrite rod to operate at near room temperature. The optical intensity-gain-length product to achieve laser threshold should be approximately 35,244 solar constants-cm. In the present setup, this product was 28,111 solar constants-cm.


The present invention relates to an adsorbent agent and a production method therefor, and more specifically it relates to an adsorbent agent comprising a matrix containing a porous carbon structural body having a cyclic structure present in a state constituting a layered arrangement, and a ceramic material present in the pores of the abovementioned carbon structural body. The adsorbent agent of the present invention can simultaneously perform chemical and physical adsorption, it has outstanding adsorption characteristics with respect to lipophilic and hydrophilic substances, it efficiently eliminates ethylene which is a ripening and putrefaction hormone for, by way of example, fruits, vegetables and other horticultural plants, it exhibits an antimicrobial and microbicidal effect, and it has an outstanding ability to maintain the freshness of fruits and the like.


The impact of trauma on population health is underestimated because comprehensive overviews of the entire severity spectrum of injuries are scarce. The aim of this study was to measure the total health impact of fatal and non‐fatal unintentional injury in the Netherlands.


Objective: To investigate the effectiveness and safety of carbetocin and oxytocin for the prevention of postpartum hemorrhage after selective caesarean section.Methods: This is a randomized controlled,prospective study.Total 216 women who underwent selective caesarean section were randomly put into two groups,105 in the oxytocin group and 111 in the carbetocin group.10 IU oxytocin was injected into the uterus and another 10 IU oxytocin was intravenously transfused immediately after delivery of baby in both groups.When the operation was finished,20 IU oxytocin in 2,000 ml fluid was transfused intravenously to women in oxytocin group,and the infusion lasted for 8 hours.To women in carbetocin group,100 μg carbetocin was injected intravenously and the injection finished in about 1 minute.Then,the blood loss and hemoglobin level of the women were compared to determine the effectiveness of carbetocin.The function of liver and kidney,the glucose of the plasma were also compared to determine the safety of carbetocin.Results: The mean blood loss during operation and in the 24-hour postpartum had no significant difference between the two groups.The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage and the change of hemoglobin concentration after operation had no significant difference between the two groups.The blood biochemical indicators such as the liver enzyme,the blood urea nitrogen,the blood creatinine and the blood glucose were normal in the two groups.Conclusion: The effectiveness of carbetocin and oxytocin is similar with regard to controlling the blood loss of selective caesarean section,and cabetocin is well tolerated.


These Guidelines are aimed at providing AMS with a customised guide recognising the unique features of ASEAN countries. While aiming at fullfeatured PPP, the Guidelines also acknowledge possible PPP implementation using a transition state before progressing towards a matured PPP policy state. These Guidelines are the first among PPP guidebooks to be concerned with a transition state of PPP and cross-border PPPs.


Carbamoyloxyimino (COI) groups are known to generate amino groups photochemically and isocyanato groups thermally, and these generated groups have been used for highly efficient crosslinking systems. In this article, a series of polymers which were connected to COI groups with or without spacer units were prepared, and their crosslinking behavior on irradiation followed by heating was investigated to clarify the effect of the length of side-chain. There was no effect of spacer units on photoreactivity of COI groups. On the other hand, thermal reactivity of COI groups in polymers with spacer unit was faster than that in polymers without spacer unit. Thermogravimetric analyses and real-time IR spectroscopy revealed lower thermal decomposition temperature, lower glass transition temperature, and higher thermal decomposition rate of COI groups in copolymers with spacer unit compared to corresponding polymers without spacer unit. These behaviors were reflected on the crosslinking on irradiation followed by heating, where films of polymers with spacer unit showed more effective insolubilization than those without spacer unit. Other factor such as comonomer and the presence of α-methyl group on main-chain were also investigated.


According to the present knowledge of polymer physics, the explanation of the T g transition is based upon the configurational Flory-di Marzio-Adams approach in the overwhelming majority of cases. The majority of papers regarding the T g transition have been presented along these lines. These papers used a different definition of thermal expansion coefficient from that used in solid state physics. The changes in C p values at T g were related only to the changes in configurational entropy. In our approach the changes in thermal, anharmonic or wobbling types of motion, contributing to the thermal entropy term, have been taken into account and these changes quantitavely result in stepwise variations in the α and C p values. The new theory yields new definitions of α and C p , consistent with the definitions used in solid state physics, while the configurational approach of Flory-di Marzio-Adams can be taken as a complementary and enriching addition to our theory.


Multi-modal In recent years, medical image synthesis has arisen as a holistic analytic strategy that typically employs many transformation methods. When it comes to medicine, multi-modal image synthesis refers to the technique of combining images from several imaging modalities to enhance image quality while maintaining detail. Image processing, computer apparition, pattern acknowledgment, machine knowledge, and artificial intellect are just few of the many cutting-edge fields that fall under the umbrella of medical image synthesis. The synthesis of many medicinal imaging modalities has been used extensively in the clinic to help doctors better understand the lesion. This paper presents the firefly algorithm, a multi-learning model workbench that minimises squared errors and maximises synthesis quality via weighted entropy. MATLAB simulations are used to compare the proposed workbench against state-of-the-art methods in terms of peak signal-to-noise ratio, Mean square error, correlation, and precision. The proposed workbench performs well across the board and requires less computing power.


The patients with Whipple's disease(WD) may appear numerous nonspecific symptoms,so they are often misdiagnosed.Tropheryma Whipplei is a ubiquitous commensal bacterium in the environment,but the cases of WD are very rare.Recent studies have shown that some undefined predisposing immune pathologic factors might play a role in the pathogenesis.This paper reviews the research progress of WD and it' s pathogen in epidemiology,immunopathology,clinical manifestations,laboratory diagnosis and the treatment of the disease.

Key words:
Whipple's Disease; Tropheryma Whipplei


This electronic document is a "live" template and already defines the with the rapid development of science and technology, the old-fashioned network architectures cannot meet the various needs for modern life. Human want to change the current network architecture and set out to redraw a new architecture. The future network must have some properties. First is the underlying data plane which is dumb, simple, and minimal. Second one is the separation of control plane and data plane, the control plane which can completely control the entire network. Third one is the upper layer which provides a common application programming interface of external parts. In this way, researchers can program via calling API (application programming interface) on the control plane to achieve network innovation. [3] Firstly, we discuss the need of SDN, the SDN basic architecture and how SDN works. Then, we move on to explain the use of Mininet virtual machine which is a network emulator consisting of numerous virtual hosts, switches, routers, all running on a single Linux kernel, working with few commands. It allows user to create, stimulate and test SDN networks. Mininet contains a default inbuilt controller which we have used for performing an experiment to prove whether SDN is better than traditional networking structure or not.


Abstract A two year field study was conducted in 1991 and 1992 to evaluate the sensitivity of landscape trees to certain turf herbicides as affected by mulch. The study included four tree species ('Bradford' callery pear, crape myrtle, Eastern redbud, red maple), four mulch treatments (shredded hardwood bark, pine bark, pine needles, no mulch), and six herbicide treatments [Banvel (dicamba), BAS 514 OOH (quinclorac), Image (imazaquin), Redeem (triclopyr), Stinger (clopyralid)]. Herbicides were applied as directed sprays at the labeled rates for use on turf. Visual injury (%) ratings were measured at 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 days after treatment. Trunk diameters and total plant fresh weights were measured at the conclusion of the study. In most cases, applying the herbicide over mulch decreased tree injury compared to applications to bare soil (Fig. 3). Red maples were most severely injured by Stinger (clopyralid) (27%) (60 DAT) and BAS 514 OOH (quinclorac) (33%) (60 DAT). Redbuds were most severely injure...


To meet the demand for managing performance salary of a school,according to the unit' s practical situation,the author planned and designed the performance salary management method using Excel,after using it for two years,the effect is satisfied.This paper mainly introduces the thought and specific practices of using Excel to manage performance salary.


The mechanism of pyrolysis coal tar changes with storage time and preserving atmosphere were studied by using EPR,~1H-NMR and Py-GC/MS.The results show that free radicals in tar can be oxidized by oxygen and lead to the generation of new radicals.The decrease of the hydrogen atom in the paramagnetic center during oxidization can lead to the increase in spin-lattice relaxation time,and a decrease in EPR spectrogram.The ~1H-NMR results show that the proportion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in total aromatic hydrocarbons significantly increases which finally leads to the stability of free radicals.The Py-GC/MS results are consistent with the ~1H-NMF results.These changes lead to the quality decrease of coal tar.


SCOPE
The effects of sulforaphane (SFN) on the maturation of lipid droplets (LDs)-the storage units for free fatty acids and sterols as triacylglycerides (TAG) and cholesterol esters (CE)-is far from understood, despite the fact that SFN is known to be beneficial for ameliorating lipid metabolism disorders.

METHODS AND RESULTS
High fat intake models were established in both HHL-5 hepatocytes and rodents. The numbers and sizes of LDs were decreased by SFN. The accumulation of lipid core components (TAG & CE) was reduced and the expression of their key synthetases, acyl-coenzyme A: diacylglycerol acyltransferases 2 (DGAT2) and acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferases 1 (ACAT1), was also inhibited. Moreover, SFN decreased LD-associated protein PLIN2 and PLIN5 expression, but not that of PLIN1 and PLIN3, both in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, over-expression of PPARγ induced the accumulation of TAG and the up-regulation of PLIN2 and PLIN5, which were not reversed by SFN. These results suggest that PPARγ may be a target of SFN in lipid metabolism.

CONCLUSION
SFN disturbs LD maturation by inhibiting the formation of the neutral lipid core and decreases PLIN2 and PLIN5 via down-regulation of PPARγ. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


The dye laser pumped by copper vapor pulsed laser was used in the diagnosis and treatment of 110 cases of malignant tumors. The total effective rate was 83.6%. Photodynamic therapy in the diagnosis and treatment of cancers has been a new technology developed in recent years. We've used it to diagnose and treat 110 cases of cancers from Nov. 1989 to Aug. 1990. Here we report the results.


State estimation is one of the greatest challenges for cloth manipulation due to cloth's high dimensionality and self-occlusion. Prior works propose to identify the full state of crumpled clothes by training a mesh reconstruction model in simulation. However, such models are prone to suffer from a sim-to-real gap due to differences between cloth simulation and the real world. In this work, we propose a self-supervised method to finetune a mesh reconstruction model in the real world. Since the full mesh of crumpled cloth is difficult to obtain in the real world, we design a special data collection scheme and an action-conditioned model-based cloth tracking method to generate pseudo-labels for self-supervised learning. By finetuning the pretrained mesh reconstruction model on this pseudo-labeled dataset, we show that we can improve the quality of the reconstructed mesh without requiring human annotations, and improve the performance of downstream manipulation task. More visualizations and results can be found on our project website.


Upon complexation with Pd(II) ion, desymmetrized chelating ligand, 6-methyl-2,2′-bipyridine (1), gives only anti Pd·(1)22+ complex. This regioselective complexation is applied to complementary mult...


The mass spectrum of pure three‐dimensional SU(2) lattice gauge theory in the adjoint representation is studied. An exact analysis in an approximate model predicts the existence of highly excited bound states. The existence of this bound state in a high‐spin state is proved and a convergent expansion for its mass is obtained.


This article examines local-level community development (CD) facilitated by the mining industry. It moves beyond polarized debates that pit CD in mining as either a front for public relations or a genuine attempt to facilitate development in order to build understanding and critical awareness of problems and possibilities of local-level CD practice. Publicly available information and prior work and research with community practitioners in mining provide a basis for the analysis. The article makes a contribution to literature about the role of business in development and the mining industry's capacity to contribute to poverty reduction and human development.


To study the varying regularity of the accommodation space in Songliao Basin is helpful to the recognition of its source reservoir cap assemble and exploration potential. According to the interpretation of seismic sections and the analysis of drilling and core data, four types of accommodation spaces are recognized in Mesozoic of Songliao Basin. They are subaquatic accommodation space, subaerial accommodation space, basin accommodation space and potential accommodation space. Different accommodation space has different increasing model. Climatic variations from aridity to wet and short term communication of lake and marine can increase subaquatic accommodation space. The transfer of fluvial balance sections can form subaerial accommodation space. And the movement of boundary faults or the depression of the whole basin will produce basin accommodation space. The changes of the proportion among the different types of accommodation space control the characteristics of the spatial distribution of source bed, oil reservoir and cap formation and their assemble.


In 1934, a new Teacher's Training College was established at Bakht er Ruda (White Nile), which marked the beginning of a multifaceted process of educational experimentation in the Anglo-Egyptian Sudan. By 1950, the small training centre had evolved into a full-fledged Institute of Education active in the fields of teacher training, curricula experiment, textbook production, schools inspection, literacy campaigns, rural work, and boys' clubs. Its aims and policies were largely shaped by the joint efforts of two leading educationists, Vincent L. Griffiths (the Institute's founder and first Principal, 1934-1950) and ʿAbd al-Raḥman ʿAli Ṭaha (Vice-Principal 1936-1948). Supervising mixed teams of British and Sudanese teachers and pedagogues, these colonial officials perceived themselves as spearheads of social change. How did they conceive modern schooling in theory and practice? What were the educational challenges and dilemmas arising from the diverging cultural backgrounds of those in charge of state education in colonial Sudan? How did Griffiths put up with the ambiguity of being at once a member of the foreign colonial elite and a progressive educationist facilitating Sudanese criticism of British imperial rule?


We propose a robust method to match image feature points taking into account geometric consistency. It is a careful adaptation of the match propagation principle to 4th-order geometric constraints (match quadruple consistency). With our method, a set of matches is explained by a network of locally-similar anities. This approach is useful when simple descriptor-based matching strategies fail, in particular for highly ambiguous data, e.g., with repetitive patterns or where texture is lacking. As it scales easily to hundreds of thousands of matches, it is also useful when denser point distributions are sought, e.g., for high-precision rigid model estimation. Experiments show that our method is competitive (ecient, scalable, accurate, robust) against state-of-the-art methods in deformable object matching, camera calibration and pattern detection.


A comparative study regarding patient satisfaction between telescopic retained implant over‐ denture supported prosthesis and screw retained hybrid prosthesis rehabilitation in patients with an edentulous mandible. The evaluation of the patient satisfaction was tested using a quantitative method, by asking patients different questions in a questionnaire. After a follow –up period from 2 weeks, to 12 months in both groups; there was no statistically significant difference after 3 months as well as from 3 to 6 months and from 6 to 9 months. There was also no statistically significant difference from 9 to 12 months; Patients were equally satisfied with both prostheses.


The invention relates to an acquisition failure analyzing and processing method of an electricity utilization information acquisition operating and maintaining system. The acquisition failure analyzing and processing method comprises region failure discovery and analysis and equipment failure discovery and analysis, wherein the region failure discovery and analysis comprises the following steps: 1, counting terminal online rate per hour, if a statistical value is lower than a normal period terminal online rate threshold, forming failure grouping; 2, analyzing region failures according to a number of terminals, a number of affected uses and valid user number information by counting the terminal online rate and a communication operator influence degree; 3, determining a failure order of severity according to a failure scale and a failure range, showing a failure region distribution condition on a GIS (Geographic Information System) graph. The equipment failure discovery and analysis comprises the following step of discovering and analyzing a terminal failure and an electricity meter failure. The acquisition failure analyzing and processing method of the electricity utilization information acquisition operating and maintaining system comprises the following steps: synchronizing a newest file of a marketing system to an electricity utilization information acquisition system by a main station, and sending a processing instruction out. The acquisition failure analyzing and processing method of the electricity utilization information acquisition operating and maintaining system can be used for monitoring the failure and intelligently analyzing and processing the failure.


In the present article, we introduce emotional ambivalence - the simultaneous experience of positive and negative emotions – as a buffer against defensive responding to implicit bias feedback (IAT)...


Perception of sound laterality (left-right angle) is mediated by both interaural time differences (ITD) and interaural level differences (ILD). Previous localization studies in anechoic settings consistently show that low-frequency ITDs dominate perception of source laterality. However, reverberant energy differentially degrades ITDs and ILDs; the effects of room reflections on the perceptual weight given to ITDs and ILDs are not well understood. Here, we tested the hypothesis that high-frequency envelope ITD cues are important for spatial judgments in reverberant rooms by measuring the perceived laterality of high-pass, low-pass and broadband sounds. Results show that when ILD cues and ITD envelope cues are both available, reverberant energy has the smallest effect on localization of high-pass stimuli. When ILD cues are set to zero, localization of high-pass stimuli with strong envelopes (i.e., click trains and speech tokens) is also minimally affected by reverberant energy; however, as envelope modulati...


In China,state-owned assets can be classified into two categories: profit state-owned assets and nonprofit state-owned assets.The present management system for profit state-owned assets emphasizes on executing subject adjustment and management of material objects magnitude while marginalizes the explicitness of property right body and supervision of value magnitude.Accordingly,it is necessary to reform the management system for non-profit state-owned assets,improve the public service supply system,develop and execute needs standards for public services assets,reform the assessment method for application efficiency of non-profit state-owned assets and standardize organization system in the institutions.


Abstract:In recent years, anti-trafficking NGOs in New Delhi have highlighted the exploitative aspects of domestic work in India, rescuing impoverished young rural migrant girls brought by unregulated "placement agencies" to work in urban homes. This article examines how these donor-driven NGOs employ the U.S.-driven, globally pervasive frameworks of human trafficking and "modern-day slavery," while working within the provisions of postcolonial Indian laws, and conducting rescues with the local police. Through ethnographic observations of a rescue operation, the article explores what it means to save a slaving child from domestic labor. It argues that the tensions between and among those subjected to exploitative work conditions and those rescuing them reveal conflicting constructions of slavery, trafficking, child labor, and childhood itself.


Combustion reactions of BaO2, Fe2O3 and Fe performed in large applied fields have revealed unexpected modifications in the microstructure of the multiphase combustion product, and in the lattice parameters and coercivity of monophase BaFe12O19 obtained by post-production grinding and sintering.


ABSTRACT
Most of Surveillance staffs were juggle for their jobs in Public Health Center (Puskesmas) on the area of Banyumas regency. However, it is the role of surveillance staffs in analyzing the data that will be used in Public Health Center or ministry of health. Regarding to the variety of education background to the Surveillance staffs in Banyumas, it effects to the different skill in analyzing the data in contagious diseases. Analyzing the data is very crucial area to be mastered by the surveillance staff since it will yield the information for taking the decision. The aim of this research was to improve the skill of surveillance staffs in analyzing and presenting the data in Public Health Center Distric Banyumas. The researcher conducted the training in a day at July 4th, 2013 in Biostatistics Laboratory, Public Health Department. 34 participants were joined in this training. Based on the training, there was an improvement 4.92% of knowledge and 136% skill in analyzing the data. Then it is suggested to the participant to implement the knowledge and skill that they obtained in the training, so it can yield accurate information and policy.
Keywords: training, surveillance, staffs.
  Kesmasindo, Volume 6, (3) Januari 2014, Hal. 223-231


Objective To investigate the pathogenic bacteria causing pulmonary infection and the sensitivity of pathogenic bacteria to drugs for the hospitalized tumor patients.Methods To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of pulmonary infection,the results of sputum germ culture and susceptibility test for 279 hospitalized tumor patients in the affiliated hospital of north sichuanmedical college.Results 337 strains were cultured out from 417 samples in 279 patients,in which 29 kinds of pathogenic bacteria were found in 189 samples and combined strains were found in 17cases.The main gram-negative bacteria(72.3%) were klebsiella pneumoniae,hemophilies influenzae,escherichia coli,etc,which were sensitive to imipenem,meropenem,cephalosporin and piperacillin,etc.the main gram-positive bacteria(27.7%) were staphylococcus aureus,which was sensitive to piperacillin,vancomycin and linezolid.No drugfast was found in fungus.Conclusion The main pathogenic bacteria of pulmonary infection in hospitalized tumor patients are gram-negative bacteria and fungus.each kind of pathogenic bacteria shows different drug resistance to commonly used antibiotics.Clinicians should depend on the results of sputum culture and susceptibility test to reasonably use antibiotics.


We consider the joint distribution of real and imaginary parts of eigenvalues of random matrices with independent real entries with mean zero and unit variance. We prove the convergence of this distribution to the uniform distribution on the unit disc without assumptions on the existence of a density for the distribution of entries. We assume that the entries have a finite moment of order larger than two and consider the case of sparse matrices. The results are based on previous work of Bai, Rudelson and the authors extending results to a larger class of sparse matrices.


This paper describes a linguistically based object modelling technique for modelling Information and Communication Systems. This technique is a combination of a linguistically based, formal conceptual modelling language and a high-level graphical analysis and design method. The process of modelling Information and Communication Systems is interactively supported by a Lexicon, which delivers correct information that the analyst and designer use as a base for their nal models. Our modelling technique and the supporting lexicon facilitates the modelling process and results in models that are consistent and complete. This report contains the syntax and semantics of the C o l o ^ R-X Static Object Model, the underlying formal Conceptual Prototyping Language and some related tools. Among these are a natural language generator and a development tool that interactively uses a lexicon.


Broadening the base of players who contribute to innovation is the key to creating and expanding the innovation ecosystem. In an endeavor to increase the contribution of minorities in the IP field (e.g., startups, women inventors, and women entrepreneurs) to innovation, there is an urgent need to mitigate the invisible barriers and create an environment that allows them to demonstrate their capabilities. This paper focuses on women inventors and analyzes the challenges and countermeasures.

Although the number of women in science and engineering fields and entrepreneurs is steadily increasing, the number of women inventors is not rising as much as it should be. As a background, it turns out that there is a persistent gender gap in the acquisition and enforcement of patent rights. To broaden women's activities in the field of intellectual property (IP), the cooperation of men is essential, as opportunities for joint research between men and women are growing.

This analysis is based on assumed gender because patent applications do not contain gender information. The advent of more accurate methods for guessing gender information in the IP field will enable more precise analysis.


Abstract : The research study described in this report focuses on determining the engineering properties of the resin modified pavement (RMP) material relating to pavement performance and then developing a rational mechanistic design procedure to replace the current empirical design procedure. A detailed description of RMP is provided, including a review of the available literature on this relatively new pavement technology. Field evaluations of four existing and two new RMP project sites were made to assess critical failure modes and to obtain pavement samples for subsequent laboratory testing. Various engineering properties of laboratory-produced and field-recovered samples of RMP were measured and analyzed. The engineering properties evaluated included those relating to the material's stiffness, strength, thermal properties, and traffic-related properties. Comparisons of these data to typical values for asphalt concrete and Portland cement concrete were made to relate the physical nature of RMP to more common pavement surfacing materials. A mechanistic design procedure was developed to determine appropriate thickness profiles of RMP, using stiffness and fatigue properties determined by this study. The design procedure is based on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers layered elastic method for airfield flexible pavements. The WESPAVE computer program was used to demonstrate the new design procedure for a hypothetical airfield apron design.


Craig Parsons, A Certain Idea of Europe (Ithaca, NY, and London: Cornell University Press, 2003), 255pp., $39.95 (hb), ISBN 0-8014-4086-6. David J. Howarth, The French Road to European Monetary Union (New York and London: Palgrave, 2001), 256pp., £42.50 (hb), ISBN 0-333-92096-1. Mairi MacLean, Economic Management and French Business from de Gaulle to Chirac (New York and London: Palgrave, 2001), 256pp., £42.50 (hb), ISBN 0-333-76148-0.


Studied attitude change following counter-attitudinal advocacy where there was little incentive for subject compliance in an attempt to compare dissonance and self-perception theory predictions. The extent of attitude change was determined either by self-report or by having subjects predict their own true attitudes purportedly monitored by the experimenter using a 'bogus pipeline'. Forty-eight male and female subjects, students from an introductory Psychology course, were invited to take part in a study of Current Campus Issues. They wrote a short statement that argued against an issue for which they had previously held a positive attitude. Results indicate that there was a significant attitude change in both conditions (p < .003). Attitude change under these circumstances is more successfully explained by the self-perception theory than dissonance theory.


The Internet BBS was first introduced in Taiwan in 1992, the first station located at National Sun Yat-Sen University. The number has blossomed to 1048 as of March 1998. Almost 80% of the stations are located in universities and colleges, but the number of junior schools has grown rapidly in the last two years. Geographically speaking, Internet BBS stations are clustered on the urban area. The number is also correlated with the number of colleges and universities. A case study on the use characteristics on the Ilan A&T BBS station shows that the most actively surfed boards are of the "campus" and 'emotional' types. Evenings and afternoons are peak hours. Student use frequency is not high, mostly lower than once a week. Most students use computer center facility to login to BBS. Benefits from using BBS are entertainment, environment monitoring, and improvement of social relation.


DESPITE THE EMERGENCE of markedly improved relations between India and the U.S. following India's recovery of democracy and the virtually simultaneous appearance of mutually admiring governmental leaders in the two states in early 1977, a controversy revolving around U.S. nonproliferation policy and law and Indian reaction to their intended impact on Indo-American nuclear dealings has challenged the improvement in relations. The many-sided controversy illustrates differences of perceptions, experience, and national interest that still separate the two democracies beneath their profession of common values regarding human rights, political participation, and (presumably) a world without nuclear arms. Although the outcome of the controversy may not be known until later this year, a review of the case as it has unfolded illustrates one more example of problems perpetuating the cyclical nature of Indo-U.S. relations and reveals the record to date of a major testing of the Carter Administration's ambitious measures in respect to the horizontal proliferation of nuclear weapons.


The software industry is increasingly confronted with the issues of understanding and maintaining a special type of object-oriented systems, namely enterprise applications (EA). In the recent years many specific rules and patterns for the design of such applications were proposed. These new specific principles of EA design define precise roles (patterns) for classes and methods, and then describe "good-design" rules in terms of such roles. Yet, these roles are rarely explicitly documented; therefore, due to their importance for an efficient understanding and assessment of EA design, they must be identified and localized in the source code based on their specificities. In this paper we define a suite of techniques for the identification and location of four such roles, all related to the data source layer of an EA. Using the knowledge about these roles we show how this can improve the accuracy of formerly defined techniques for detecting two well-known design problems (i.e., data class and feature envy), making them more applicable for the usage on enterprise systems. Based on an experimental study conducted on three EAs, we prove the feasibility of the approach, discuss its benefits and touch the issues that need to be addressed in the future


One of my first surprises when I arrived in China was seeing men offering cigarettes freely and openly as a goodwill gesture to a friend, visitor or associate in the same way that we offer kola nuts or drinks to guests in Nigeria. Another surprise was the profuse smoking in buses, taxis, restaurants, offices and almost all


The hydrocolloid impression material is one of the most important materials extensively used in several procedures in the dental field. It is mainly applied for diagnostic and planning in the rehabilitation of oral, orthodontic, and maxillofacial prostheses due to its biocompatibility with the oral tissues, low toxicity, ease of use, and relatively low cost. When doing the impression, the material might be contaminated with blood, saliva, and biofilm from within the patient's mouth. In these procedures, there are high chance that the microorganisms can be transmitted from patients to the casting materials and then to the dentists or to the dental lab technicians. Several types of disinfectants have been introduced for use to disinfect dental impressions. This study aims to investigate the antimicrobial potential of vanillin-incorporated irreversible hydrocolloid impression material on Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. The hydrocolloid impression material used in this study is Alginate, Kromopan class A type I, Lascod, Italy. Different concentrations of vanillin (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% w/w) were added to the impression powder, and the impression samples were made by mixing the alginate powder with water and pouring them on sterile plastic plates. Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 5638, Klebsiella pneumoniae (clinical isolate), Escherichia coli ATCC 11775, and Candida albicans ATCC 10231 were prepared to 105 CFU/ml suspensions in sterile normal saline solution. A total of 100 μL of each microbial suspension was evenly spread onto the surface of the impression and left for 1 min. Then, a 2 x 2 cm2 sterile Whatman filter paper was placed on the impression sample surface to make an imprint and transferred to the Brain Heart Infusion (BHI) agar plate. The number of colonies growing on the BHI agar was counted after incubation at 37°C for 24-48 h. Impression material without vanillin was used as a control. It was found that adding vanillin to the materials could significantly inhibit all tested microorganisms, and the inhibitory efficiency ranged from 12% to 98%. K. pneumoniae showed the most resistance since the inhibitory effect started at 0.5% w/w vanillin and the maximum suppression was 84% at 1% w/w vanillin. On the other hand, S. aureus appeared to be the most sensitive species, as the suppressive response started at 0.1% w/w vanillin and the percentage of inhibition was as high as 98% at 1% w/w vanillin. In conclusion, we combined different concentrations of vanillin (0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% w/w) into the impression material and it showed a significant antimicrobial potential against all tested oral bacteria and yeasts (S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, E. coli, and C. albicans). The suppressive effects were dose-dependent and ranged from 12% to 98%. This did not only disinfect the impression material from the inside but also disinfected the impression from the time it was inserted into the patient's mouth. Using this hydrocolloid impression material incorporated with vanillin could be beneficial to eliminate cross-infection for dental personnel. Nonetheless, further studies are necessary to investigate some physical properties of this impression material, such as setting time, tensile strength, elastic recovery, and detailed reproduction.


In this course we will analyze the evolving role of the United States of America in world affairs. In doing so, we will consider alternative interpretations of the American role as well as the domestic economic, political, and societal bases on which it depends. We will also examine the impact of changes in the international system due to globalization and the diffusion of power. By the conclusion of this course, students should acquire a broad understanding of the determinants of U.S. strength, its unique role in world affairs, the contingent nature of policy choices, and the potential consequences for international order if the U.S. were to adopt a strategy of disengagement.


The analytic structure of the $qqq$ wave function, obtained recently in the high momentum regime of QCD, is employed for the formulation of baryonic transition amplitudes via quark loops. A new aspect of this study is the role of a direct ($Y$-shaped, Mercedes-Benz type) $qqq$ force in generating the $qqq$ wave function. The dynamics is that of a Salpeter-like equation (3D support for the kernel) formulated covariantly on the light front, a la Markov-Yukawa Transversality Principle (MYTP) which warrants a 2-way interconnection between the 3D and 4D Bethe-Salpeter (BSE) forms for 2 as well as 3 fermion quarks. The dynamics of this 3-body force shows up through a characteristic singularity in the hypergeometric differential equation for the 3D wave function $\phi$, corresponding to a $negative$ eigenvalue of the spin operator $i \sigma_1.\sigma_2\times \sigma_3$ which is an integral part of the $qqq$ force. As a first application of this wave function to the problem of the proton spin anomaly, the two-gluon contribution to the anomaly yields an estimate of the right sign, although somewhat smaller in magnitude.
Keywords: 3bodyforce; proton-spin; 2gluon anomaly; fractional correction $\theta$


There has been an increasing amount of research focus on the development of digital libraries, particularly on information seeking. A variety of information-seeking models used by library and information science (LIS) academics investigate the manner in which information is sought and transformed into knowledge, which should be taken into account during the design of digital libraries. However, in part this reflects the lack of knowledge about how these models explain user information seeking behaviors in a digital library environment. This chapter aims to address this lack of knowledge. It presents a set of information-seeking models that can be used by LIS scholars or experts to comprehend the dynamics of information seeking by users of digital libraries. The major role of this chapter is to provide a review of the existing "models" to date, and also to present a comparative analysis of the notable models that may contribute to ways of understanding the research on information seeking in digital libraries. Researching Information Seeking in Digital Libraries Through InformationSeeking Models


Synthesis of N-protected optically active α-amino esters from racemic α-halo esters via dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) will be described. This methodology is general in nature and provides the desired optically active N-protected amino esters in 70−95% yield with diastereomeric excesses in the range of 85 to >98%. Applications and mechanistic aspects will be discussed.


Global distribution of rocks of extremely high plagioclase abundance (approaching 100 vol%; called purest anorthosite (PAN)) was reported using an unambiguous plagioclase absorption band around 1250 nm found by the SELENE Multiband Imager (MI). The estimated plagioclase abundance is significantly higher than previous estimates of 82 to 92 vol%, providing a valuable constraint on models for lunar magma ocean evolution. Further study using continuous reflectance spectra derived by the SELENE Spectral Profiler (SP) revealed a global and common distribution of the PAN over the entire lunar surface, supporting the high abundance of PAN rocks within the upper crust. In this study, we investigated a vertical compositional (modal abundance and/or mineral composition) trend of the PAN rocks within the crust using their reflectance spectra derived from SP and MI. Knowing the compositional trend of the lunar upper crust may enable us to understand the mechanism of the lunar crustal growth. All of the SP data observed throughout SELENE mission periods were used in this study. The absorption depth at each wavelength was calculated after a linear continuum was removed. Spectra with the deepest absorption depth, around 1250 nm, which is caused by a minor amount of ferric Fe (in the order of 0.1 wt% FeO) contained in the plagioclase, were selected to detect the PAN rocks. To estimate modal abundance of each spectrum we used correlation of the absorption depth ratio of mafic minerals to plagioclase (900nm/1250 nm) to the crater diameter. Original burial depth of each outcrop was estimated from a crater scaling law using the crater diameter of each outcrop observed in MI data. Results indicate that the majority of the derived absorption depth (strength) ratios (900/1250 nm) of the detected high plagioclase abundance anorthosite rock spectra appear to form a trend which increases as their estimated original burial depths increase within the crust (the trend is observed up to 30 km of the original burial depth). Although understanding the actual cause of this trend requires further studies, such a trend may indicate a decrease in the mafic mineral abundance within the already very mafic-poor rock and/or an increase in the ferric Fe content of plagioclase with depth.


The starting point of the paper is the recognition of the growing threat of cyber-attacks to commercial maritime. Constantly growing dependency on technology has obvious advantages, on the other hand, however, it makes commercial maritime vessels progressively more vulnerable to cyber-crime, including GPS signal interference, malware attacks or even gaining control over ships' systems and networks. The main objective of the paper is to present and discuss the Guidelines on Cyber Security Onboard Ships developed by the International Maritime Organization, including best practices for implementation of cyber risk management. The article's goal is to summarize the guidelines and to familiarize the reader with the reasons why and the methods how they should be implemented. The paper is concluded with an example how the Guidelines can be adopted by national authorities, i.e., a brief presentation of "Code of Practice: Cyber Security for Ships" – a document developed by the British government that transposes the IMO guidelines.


Contrary to the static sensor network that requires one-time localization, a mobile wireless sensor network (MWSN) requires an estimation of the optimum time to retrigger the localization of the network to accurately identify the sensor location after certain movements. However, triggering relocalization at predefined time intervals without proper consideration of the dynamic movement of sensors is insubstantial and results in poor resource management. In this paper, a new algorithm called time-bounded relocalization is proposed to identify the optimum relocalization time for the entire MWSN using the time-bounded localization method based on the analysis of the sensors' mobility pattern. In the proposed algorithm, the optimum retriggering time across the entire network can be calculated in two phases: local and global relocalizations. In the first phase, an island-based clustering method is used to estimate the local relocalization time. Next, the estimated local times are then used to decide on the optimum global relocalization time based on the statistical property of the estimated local times. For these calculations, a probabilistic model of the random waypoint (RWP) is selected. The soundness of the proposed algorithm is initially validated by deriving the probabilistic model of the optimum retriggering time, and its accuracy is checked by the Cramer–Rao lower bound (CRLB). The proposed algorithm is then extensively tested by computer simulation using practical network parameters, including the number of nodes, the size of the network, and various sizes of islands, depending on the sensor mobility, to yield the respective optimum relocalization time. The simulation results show that by using the identified optimum relocalization time, the location estimation error can be reduced by up to 32% for the RWP model, as compared with the case of using fixed relocalization time.


We address the problem of diagnosing complex discrete-event systems such as telecommunication networks. Given a flow of observations from the system, the goal is to explain those observations by identifying and localizing possible faults. Several model-based diagnosis approaches deal with this problem but they need the computation of a global model which is not feasible for complex systems like telecommunication networks. Our contribution is the proposal of a decentralized approach which permits to carry out an on-line diagnosis without computing the global model. This paper describes the implementation of a tool based on this approach. Given a decentralized model of the system and a flow of observations, the program analyzes the flow and computes the diagnosis in a decentralized way. We also present experimental results based on a real system.


A unique mechanism based on extensive field and laboratory studies is presented to account for certain premature failures of flexible pavements in cold areas like those in Scandinavia and in northern parts of Canada and the United States. Water condensing at the interface between pavement and granular base accumulates at subzero temperatures resulting in excess moisture in this zone. During the thaw period of the uppermost base layer, the excess water in the aggregate is trapped between impervious layers of frozen ground to the sides and below as well as an impervious layer of asphalt pavement above. Because of this containment, high pore water pressures can occur, leading to loss in shear strength of the base material and thus to failure of the pavement structure itself. It was found that under special conditions, excess moisture can accumulate in granular base with a silt content greater than 20 percent and very high pore water pressures can develop during initial thaw at the pavement-soil interface. With silt contents of less than 2 percent, excess pore water pressures can be avoided during thaw. It was also shown that when a clean open gravel is placed below the pavement on top of a silty base material, moisture accumulation near the pavement-base interface can be prevented, and thus also the development of high pore water pressures.


ABSTRACT This study investigated the mediating effects of professional learning community (PLC) components on the relationship between leadership practices and teacher collective efficacy from the perspective of Chinese principals. Survey data were collected from 878 school principals. The results revealed that leadership practices significantly and positively affected the five PLC components, three of which (shared purpose, collective focus on student learning and reflective dialogue) had significant positive effects on teacher collective efficacy. Shared purpose, collective focus on student learning and reflective dialogue significantly mediated the effects of leadership practices on teacher collective efficacy. The practical implications of the findings and suggestions for future research are discussed.