Real-time stereo vision has proven to be a useful technology with many applications. However, the computationally intensive nature of stereo vision algorithms makes real-time implementation difficult in resource-limited systems. The field-programmable gate array (FPGA) has proven to be very useful in the implementation of local stereo methods, yet the resource requirements can still be a significant challenge. This paper proposes a variety of sparse census transforms that dramatically reduce the resource requirements of census-based stereo systems while maintaining stereo correlation accuracy. This paper also proposes and analyzes a new class of census-like transforms, called the generalized census transforms. This new transform allows a variety of very sparse census-like stereo correlation algorithms to be implemented while demonstrating increased robustness and flexibility. The resource savings and performance of these transforms is demonstrated by the design and implementation of a parameterizable stereo system that can implement stereo correlation using any census transform. Several optimizations for typical FPGA-based correlation systems are also proposed. The resulting system is capable of running at over 500 MHz on a modern FPGA, resulting in a throughput of over 500 million input pixel pairs per second.


Rare diseases are very rare, but usually have severe symptoms.Some rare diseases are life-threa-tening.Most rare diseases cannot be cured.A very small part of these diseases can be cured by hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Umbilical cord blood transplantation(UCBT) is more suitable for children for the weak T cell immunity, the lower request for human leukocyte antigen(HLA) identity type and the lower incidence of graft versus host disease(GVHD). This article reviewed the published data in the treatment of UCBT in primary immunodeficiency disease, inherited metabolic disease, inflammatory bowel disease and bone marrow failure syndrome, in order to improve the level of rare disease treatment by HSCT, especially for UCBT.

Key words:
Rare diseases; Umbilical cord blood transplantation; Immunodeficiency disease; Inherited metabo-lic diseases; Inflammatory bowel disease; Bone marrow failure


Investors who assume stocks will give safe, favorable returns in the long run are suffering from irrational optimism. This article addresses the tendency of many investors to overestimate the rewards and underestimate the risks of investing in stocks over the long term—that is, investors' irrational optimism. In particular, it examines the widely held belief that stocks are a "safe" investment for the long run. The probability of experiencing a real loss on equities depends on the expected real return and standard deviation of stocks. Judgments about the future magnitude of these two parameters typically involve extrapolating from history. In the study reported here, we used a unique global database of real equity returns from 16 countries during the 103-year period from 1900 through 2002 to confront the optimism of investors with the reality of history. Since 1900, as measured for all 16 countries, the worldwide real return on equities averaged close to 5 percent a year (before costs, fees, and taxes). This percentage is appreciably lower than is frequently quoted from historical averages.The difference arises because we used a longer time frame (1900–2002) than other studies and we adopted a global focus. Prior views have been heavily influenced by the U.S. experience, but the United States has been an exceptionally successful economy; so, not surprisingly, we found that U.S. stock returns have been somewhat higher than the average for the other 15 countries. Prior views on the long-run safety of equities have also been overly influenced by the U.S. experience. Furthermore, the U.S. evidence that over the long haul, stocks have beaten inflation over all 20-year periods is based on relatively few nonoverlapping observations and is hence subject to large sampling error. To counteract this dependency on projections of the U.S. experience, we examined the histories of other countries. We found only three equity markets other than the United States (with a fourth on the borderline) that never experienced a shortfall in real returns over a 20-year period. The worst 20-year real returns of 11 countries were negative. Indeed, historically, in 6 of the 16 countries, investors would need to have waited more than 50 years to be assured of a positive return. Ultimately, investors are concerned with the future rather than the past. Thus, in addition to examining historical data, we also analyze the future shortfall risk of an equity portfolio. The base case for the projections is a worldwide historical volatility level of 20 percent and mean real return of 5 percent. We also examine a lower return of 4 percent—on the grounds that financial history has been kind to investors, especially in the second half of the 20th century. Over that period, equity cash flows almost certainly exceeded expectations, and past returns were advantaged by upward revaluations. Stock markets have thus risen for reasons that are unlikely to be repeated. The projected shortfall risk exceeds the historical risk of shortfall—partly because of the lower assumed real returns (relative to the U.S. market) of 5 percent and 4 percent and partly because, even though volatility was projected to be the same as in the past, the shortfall analysis focuses on the full range of possible future returns rather than a single historical outcome. By construction, historical returns converged on long-term realized performance, but the forward-looking analysis shows that there is always risk from investing in volatile securities. Although the probable rewards from equity investment are clearly attractive, stocks did not and cannot offer a guaranteed superior performance over the investment horizon of most investors. Furthermore, their prospective returns are lower than the performance that many investors project whereas their risk is higher than many investors appreciate. Investors who assume that favorable equity returns can be relied on in the long term or that stocks are safe so long as they are held for 20 years are optimists. Their optimism is irrational.


AbstractRotating cantilever fatigue tests were made on two vacuum-arc remelted casts of S82 (4%Ni) steel which had been preheated andforged to give a 25% reduction at 1060°, 1260°, 1300°, or 1340°C and then fully heat treated. Statistical analysis was applied to the results. Impact, tensile, fracture toughness, and stress corrosion resistance tests were carried out,. measurements of fatigue crack growth rate and a study offatigue crack initiation were also made. The tests showed that overheating, including fairly severe overheating, had no significant detrimental effect on fatigue properties, tensile strength, and fracture toughness but that it caused reductions in tensile ductility, impact toughness, and stress corrosion resistance.


The white thread-fish sea cucumber, Holothuria (Mertensiothuria) leucospilota, is a tropical holothurian species that is widely distributed in shallow reef areas (e.g. reef flats, shallow costal lagoons, seagrass beds) of the tropical and sub-tropical Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea (Conand 1998; Samyn et al. 2006; Conand 2008). Like abalone shells or shark fins, holothurian species constitute both a traditional commodity and a potentially significant commercial resource for coastal populations. In addition to their commercial value as food, holothurian species may also be significant because of their biotechnological properties (Xing and Chia 2000; Tamori et al. 2006; Han et al. 2007; Lawrence et al. 2010).


This study proposes the pump combination method of minimum specific energy with pump performance curves to reduce the power consumption of pumping station. The pump combination method is that total head - specific energy curves is induced from pump performance curves and the pump combination table is drawn from specific energy curves according to the pump operating number. The pumps of G pumping station were operated with pump combination method, and the power consumption was a decrease of 32 percent compared with the previous year.


The development of legal relationships in society such as business relationships, land, banking, and other social relationships, which require authentic deeds as evidence to determine the rights and obligations of the parties, makes the need for the existence of Notary increasing. Along with that, the increase in the number of Notaries which in this case is ready to provide his services to create an authentic deed for members of the community in need, is also increasing. Notary not only exercises the authority and authority of public law, but Notary also performs the act of civil law (privaatrechtelijke handeling) as well as a citizen (in a personal sense) who can perform actions including in the matter of appointment to prospective employees Notary. Notary Employment Relationships with Notary Employees are established after the Working Agreement between the two parties. The Working Agreement contains the rights and obligations of the parties. The basis of the fulfillment of these rights and obligations is contained in the Manpower Act. If either party can not perform the obligation, then a legal effort may be made.


Oral rehydration fluids (ORS) are used to reverse dehydration that, in case of children, mostly is due to acute gastroenteritis. The key of successful dehydration treatment is to replenish the lost water and electrolytes. This is best done by consuming oral rehydration solution, containing both salt and sugar. ORS enhances fluid absorption because sodium and glucose transport in the small intestine are coupled, and glucose promotes absorption of both sodium ions and water. Studies show that children refuse ORS due to its salty-sweet taste and unpalatability. To improve oral rehydration therapy, we hypothesized that freezing ORS containing a fruit/berry juice to a likeable texture in "gelato" form could promote oral rehydration. The results provide a basis for further development of the ORS gelato with attention to flavor, sweetness and texture.


The paper points out that the reform of land requisition system must be on the basis of the reality.Through rational analysis of ethical shortcomings,the paper provides ethical coordinates for the design and arrangement of the scientific and rational land requisition system,so as to achieve the value of the land requisition system.


Nausea and vomiting are common in early pregnancy. Nausea and vomiting usually occur in the morning, because it is also called morning sickness, but it is also possible to occur during the day and at night. About 50-60 percent of pregnancies are accompanied by nausea and vomiting, of as many as 360 pregnant women 2% of them experience nausea and vomiting in the morning and 80% experience nausea and vomiting throughout the day. This study aims to determine the relationship between pregnancy distance, occupation and parity with the incidence of hyperemesis gravidarum in pregnant women at Amanna Baturaja RSIA 2020. The design of this study was an analytical survey using a cross sectional study design. The population in this study were all TM 1 pregnant women who had their pregnancy checked at RSIA Amanna Baturaja Kec. East Baturaja in 2020, totaling 232 respondents and a total sample of 70 respondents. The sampling technique used is systematic random sampling. Data analysis used Chi Square statistical test with Pvalue value (0.05). The results of this study based on the Chi Square test, the pregnancy distance Pvalue = 0.000, work Pvalue = 0.02 and parity Pvalue = 0.03. Midwives are expected to improve the quality of health services for pregnant women to prevent hyperemesis gravidarum.


Health-related stigma is a common phenomenon worldwide. The stigma associated with mental illness is widespread. Stigma is an important barrier to mental health treatment and recovery. Aim: This study aims to determine level of internalized stigma of mentally ill patients and to identify factors associated with high level of internalized stigma of mentally illness. Study Design: quantitative descriptive cross sectional study was used. Setting: This study was carried out at National Center for Mental Health - Fhais Hospital - Jordan. Sample: convenient sample (All available patients with depressive disorders, bipolar mood spectrum disorders, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. at age of 18 years and above. An estimated sample size was estimated about 105 patients which represents approximately of the total number of patient in National Center for Mental Health - Fhais Hospital). Data collection tool: Data was collected through a structured Interviewing questionnaire which composed from two parts. First Part: Personal Health Questions Second Part: Internalized Stigma of Mental Illness Scale. Results: One hundred and five participants participated in the study. The majority of them aged between 15-45 years old and only 22.9% of them were between 46-60 years old. Overall, stigma total score was also closed to the middle point. The intercorrelation between stigma domains it is evident that the first four domains (alienation, stereotype endorsement, discrimination experience, and social withdrawal) had a significant correlation with the stigma total score. Conclusion: Internalized stigma is a major problem among persons with mental illness at National Center for Mental Health - Fhais Hospital - Jordan. Internalized stigma has the potential to substantially affect adherence to medication and is likely to affect the recovery process.


Summary Rats made artificially phenylketonuria during fetal or early neonatal life by administration of large amounts of phenylalanine showed no defect in learning ability when tested later for capacity to acquire visual discrimination. Administration of large amounts of 5-HTP failed to correct the low brain serotonin concentrations characteristic of artificial phenylketonuria, The results of this investigation do not provide support for the theory that a serotonin deficiency in brain during infancy causes the mental defect characteristic of human phenylketonuria. In addition, it appears unlikely that the rat is a suitable experimental animal for exploring the exact mechanism of the mental defect of phenylketonuria in man.


The utility model discloses a long-life seal structure with good sealing performance for a hydraulic cylinder piston. The outer neck of the hydraulic cylinder piston is arranged side by side with a metal piston ring and a non-metal filler sealing ring, wherein, the non-metal filler sealing ring being an O-shaped sealing ring made of polyurethane is preferred, and the metal piston ring being a wear-resistant cast iron piston ring is preferred. The sealing structure adopts a sealing by the combination of the metal piston ring and the non-metal filler sealing ring; the arrangement is simple and the structure is reasonable. At the first running-in stage in the process of working, the non-metal filler sealing ring has a good dominance of the sealing performance; the complete running-in is made in the process of working, the metal piston ring and the non-metal filler sealing ring both have the sealing functions, and the sealing performance is better at this time.


The effect of calcium nitrite (Ca(NO2)2) was assessed by electrochemical means such as open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentiodynamic studies in saturated Ca(OH)2 solution contaminated with 0.99 and 7.91 g/L NaCl. The preliminary results of OCP showed that the potential is shifted towards positive (noble) side as content of inhibitor increased. The EIS results indicate that Ca(NO2)2 works effectively in reduction and initiation of corrosion of steel rebar in NaCl contaminated Ca(OH)2 solution. Potentiodynamic studies revealed the pitting tendency of steel rebar exposed in 0.99 g/L NaCl at [Cl−/] = 1.2 attributed to low conductivity of passive film which causes interference for Cl− ions attack during anodic polarization. The 85.75% efficiency is found in 0.99 g/L at [Cl−/] = 1.2. The Ca(NO2)2 inhibitor transformed the unstable iron oxides/hydroxides into stable and protective oxides/hydroxides due to its strong oxidizing nature. Therefore, this inhibitor is sufficiently and significantly reducing the corrosion of steel rebar at even its low concentration with 0.99 and 7.91 g/L NaCl solution.


Background: Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is performed because of anticipated survival benefit, improvement in quality of life, or both. We performed this study to explore variations in clinical indications for CABG surgery among California hospitals and surgeons. Methods: Using California CABG Outcomes Reporting Program data, we classified all isolated CABG cases in 2003–2004 as having "probable survival enhancing indications (SEIs)", "possible SEIs" or "non-SEIs." Patient and hospital characteristics associated with SEIs were examined. Results: While 82.9% of CABG were performed for probable SEIs, the range extended from 68% to 96% among hospitals and 51% to 100% among surgeons. SEI rates were higher among patients aged ≥ 65 compared with those aged 18–64 (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] > 1.29 for age groups 65–69, 70–74 and ≥ 75; all p < 0.001), among Asians and Native Americans compared with Caucasians (AOR 1.22 and 1.15, p < 0.001); and among patients with hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease and congestive heart failure compared to patients without these conditions (AOR > 1.09, all p < 0.001). Variations in indications for surgery were more strongly related to patient mix than to surgeon or hospital effects (intraclass correlation [ICC] = 0.04 for hospital; ICC = 0.01 for surgeon). Conclusion: California hospitals and surgeons vary in their distribution of indications for CABG surgery. Further research is required to identify the roles of market factors, referral patterns, patient preferences, and local clinical culture in producing the observed variations. Background Randomized controlled trials and prospective cohort studies have shown that coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is associated with increased survival in selected patients [1-3]. Nonetheless, the procedure entails substantial cost [4] and a risk of perioperative mortality Published: 16 December 2008 BMC Health Services Research 2008, 8:257 doi:10.1186/1472-6963-8-257 Received: 18 March 2008 Accepted: 16 December 2008 This article is available from: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/8/257 © 2008 Li et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


The bioactive compounds in Vernonia amygdalina leaf were extracted using ethanol through Soxhlet and microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) techniques. The phytochemical analysis was carried out on the ethanolic extracts using the standard techniques. This analysis revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, glycosides, tannins, phenols, saponins, and the absence of anthraquinones. Furthermore, gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis results revealed the presence of more phytochemicals in the extract obtained through MAE compared to Soxhlet extraction technique, whereby phytol was present in a higher percentage. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis confirmed the presence of phytochemicals in the extracts. Moreover, the IC50 values of the extracts antioxidant activities were evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays. There exists a clear correlation between total phenolic content, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity of the extracts. Therefore, this study suggested that higher phenolic compounds responsible for natural antioxidant could be obtained from V. amygdalina leaf using the microwave-assisted extraction technique.


Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally. Lowering cholesterol levels in plasma is the mainstay therapy; however lifelong treatment and adverse effects call for improved therapeutic interventions. A trivalent vaccine candidate targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin‐9 (PCSK9), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is developed. Vaccine candidates are developed using bacteriophage Qβ‐based virus‐like particles (VLPs) displaying antigens of PCKS9, ApoB, and CETP, respectively. Vaccine candidate mixtures are formulated as slow‐release PLGA:VLP implants using hot‐melt extrusion. The delivery of the trivalent vaccine candidate via the implant produced antibodies against the cholesterol checkpoint proteins at levels comparable to a three‐dose injection schedule with soluble mixtures. The reduction in PCSK9 and ApoB levels in plasma, inhibition of CETP (in vitro), and total plasma cholesterol decrease is achieved. Altogether, a platform technology for a single‐dose multi‐agent proteins is presented.


We present rare observational evidence of vertical kink oscillations in a laminar and diffused large-scale plasma curtain as observed by the Atmospheric Imaging Assembly on board the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The X6.9-class flare in active region 11263 on 2011 August 9 induces a global large-scale disturbance that propagates in a narrow lane above the plasma curtain and creates a low density region that appears as a dimming in the observational image data. This large-scale propagating disturbance acts as a non-periodic driver that interacts asymmetrically and obliquely with the top of the plasma curtain and triggers the observed oscillations. In the deeper layers of the curtain, we find evidence of vertical kink oscillations with two periods (795 s and 530 s). On the magnetic surface of the curtain where the density is inhomogeneous due to coronal dimming, non-decaying vertical oscillations are also observed (period ≈ 763–896 s). We infer that the global large-scale disturbance triggers vertical kink oscillations in the deeper layers as well as on the surface of the large-scale plasma curtain. The properties of the excited waves strongly depend on the local plasma and magnetic field conditions.


a phenomenal teaching appropriate to phenomenal dperrj as distinct from the true teaching of true dperq. The reprint of E. S. Thompson's edition of the Meno will provide a text with commentary which is very much cheaper in price than Bluck's, and could be justified on that score apart from any other. When first published it was reviewed, in C.R. xvi (1902), 321, by John Burnet who drew attention to the very full discussions of grammatical points which it contains, and its value from this point of view remains undiminished. Moreover, Thompson's discussions of questions of interpretation are always highly intelligent, and well worth consideration in their own right even when there has been much subsequent debate sometimes opening up new ground.


In this note, we study the spectrum of the Kohn Laplacian on the unit spheres in $\mathbb{C}^n$ and revisit Folland's classical eigenvalue computation. We also look at the growth rate of the eigenvalue counting function in this context. Finally, we consider the growth rate of the eigenvalues of the perturbed Kohn Laplacian on the Rossi sphere in $\mathbb{C}^2$.


Intense magnetic fields with a high degree of field homogeneity have applications in particle accelerators, plasma containers, cyclotrons and other nuclear physics experiments. Numerous investigations require the use of intense magnetic fields maintained constant through the entire duration of the experiment. The requirement of a high degree of homogeneity at the high field intensity adds to the complexity of the magnet design. The commercial development of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy with continued improvement in sensitivity, stability and resolution posed a real challenge to the magnet designer to generate a highly homogenous magnetic field. Of the several ways of generating a magnetic field, the choice is dictated by consideration of power, weight, space, duty-cycle, required field intensity, duration, volume and required field homogeneity. The relative importance of these considerations usually determine the method with little overlapping of choice. The purpose of this paper is to present investigations on various arrangements and geometries of air- core solenoids with a view of designing magnetic standards capable of producing magnetic fields in the range of 20 - 25 kG with a field homogeneity of 1 in lo5 or better over a spherical volume of one inch diameter.


Objective: To determine the accuracy of CT-based dynamic stress myocardial perfusion imaging to estimate myocardial blood flow (MBF) in a porcine animal model with variable degrees of coronary arte...


OBJECTIVE
To explore the role of β2-nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (β2-nAChR) in the development of γ- aminobutyric acid A type receptors (GABAA-Rs) in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons of mice.

METHODS
The hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons were acutely isolated from β2-nAChR gene knockout (β2-KO group) mice. GABA currents in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons were induced with the selective GABAA-R agonist muscimol and recorded using perforated patch-clamp recording technique. The GABA currents of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons were tested for their equilibrium potentials (EMuss) and kinetic parameters and were compared with the measurements in wild-type mice (WT group).

RESULTS
The mean EMus of CA1 neurons (n=7) of β2-KO mice (n=4) was -31.7±3.5 mV, showing an obvious depolarizing shift compared with the WT mice (P < 0.05); the mean EMus of CA3 neurons (n=4) was -16.1±4.6 mV, also showing a depolarizing shift (P < 0.01). The difference in the EMuss between CA3 and CA1 neurons in β2-KO mice, but not in WT mice, was significant (P < 0.05). The GABAA-R desensitization was significantly slowed down in both CA1 and CA3 neurons of β2-KO mice, with decay time of 2.2±0.2 s and 3.2±0.1 s, respectively, significantly longer than those in WT mice (1.6±0.1 s and 2.3±0.1 s, respectively; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS
β2-containing nAChRs may promote the functional maturation of GABAA-R in CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells in mouse hippocampus.


This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of boiling and wet frying on nutritional and antinutrients content of Amaranth hybridus, Moringa oleifera, Bidens pilosa (black jack), Corchorus olitorius (Jute mallow) and Ipomea batatas (sweet potato) leaves. The edible portions of the vegetables were either boiled or wet fried for ten minutes then dried alongside the raw vegetables under the shade. Crude fats, minerals, vitamins and antinutrients were determined in the dried materials. Wet frying increased the oil content of the vegetables by a range of 15.49% to 28.40 % and was hence associated with lower % ash and mineral contents. Wet frying significantly reduced (P≤0.05) beta-carotene in all the vegetables except in jute mallow. Boiling had no significant effect on beta-carotene in most of the vegetables. Boiling significantly reduced (P≤0.05) ascorbic acid in all the vegetables while wet frying preserved ascorbic acid in all the vegetables. Both boiling and wet frying significantly reduced (P≤0.05) oxalates in all the vegetables except in black jack. Both boiling and wet frying significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the concentration of phytates in most of the vegetables. However, boiling was more effective in reducing the amount of phytates. Boiling reduced higher concentrations of tannins in all the vegetables as compared to wet frying. Boiling was associated with better retention of minerals and beta-carotene, and greater reduction of antinutrients in most of the vegetables. Wet frying was more advantageous in retaining vitamin C. The different species showed differences in retention of various minerals and vitamins.


This research presents the new size-dependent models of piezoelectric materials oriented to finite element applications. The proposed models include the facilities of taking into account different mechanisms of damping for mechanical and electric fields. The coupled models also incorporate the equations of the theory of acoustics for viscous fluids. In particular cases, these models permit to use the mode superposition method with full separation of the finite element systems into independent equations for the independent modes for transient and harmonic problems. The main boundary conditions were supplemented with the facilities of taking into account the coupled surface effects, allowing to explore the nanoscale piezoelectric materials in the framework of theories of continuous media with surface stresses and their generalizations. For the considered problems we have implemented the finite element technologies and various numerical algorithms to maintain a symmetrical structure of the finite element qua...


This paper proposes an Online Intelligent Visual Interactive System (OIVIS), which can be applied to various live video broadcast and short video scenes to provide an interactive user experience. In the live video broadcast, the anchor can issue various commands by using pre-defined gestures, and can trigger real-time background replacement to create an immersive atmosphere. To support such dynamic interactivity, we implemented algorithms including real-time gesture recognition and real-time video portrait segmentation, developed a deep network inference framework, and a real-time rendering framework AI Gender at the front end to create a complete set of visual interaction solutions for use in resource constrained mobile.


Alternative School began with the proposal of different approach from public education. Its counter proposal aims from knowledge transmission oriented education to people oriented education and its value of education was expressed variously with ecology oriented education, labor oriented education, ...


The article dwells on some actual issues of nowadays; in particular, such question are considered as: charitable activities in the Republic of Tajikistan, attitude of Tajik politicians to Islam as a religion, place of Islam in the contemporary society, urgency in reference to the vakuf law being recognized. The author lays an emphasis upon the assertion that recognition of the vakuf law will be useful both for the state and the society, as dividends obtained from vakuf property are referred only for charity that may help provide social justice in the country. For a recognition of the vakuf law the most favourable conditions are created in the Tajik society. But recognition doesn't imply a liquidation of one institute of jurisprudence with its further replacement for another. On the contrary, the vakuf law will be a logical continuation of the functioning system of the institute of a charitable fund and an entrusting agreement in reference to property management. In addition, vakuf will occupy a dignified place in combat with poverty rendering support in implementation of statal policy in this realm.


Studying the combustion characteristics and properties of the condensed phase products of aluminum particles is significant for the application of aluminum-based propellants. The microstructure, particle size distribution, specific surface area and metallic Al contents of three different samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, laser particle size analyzer, nitrogen adsorption and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. The thermal oxidation characteristics of the samples were also studied by a thermal analyzer. A dynamic combustion test system was used to study the combustion process in motion and the properties of the products. The results show that as the activation energy of the sample decreases, the initial reaction temperature decreases during the thermal analysis. Moreover, the thermal oxidation degree increases with the decrease in particle size. In the dynamic combustion process, the combustion efficiency of the sample was calculated by using the temperature distribution in the combustion process, and the calculated results were in good agreement with the results of ICP measurements. With the increase in the particle size of the samples, the heat release was reduced, and the agglomerationand oxidation degree of the condensed phase products were also decreased. By increasing the feeding amount, the combustion temperature and the combustion efficiency would increase. The reaction mechanism in the dynamic furnace involves not only the diffusion reaction, but also the melt-dispersion reaction. The initial reaction temperature of sample A was between 500∼600 °C, the combustion temperature was between 900∼1000 °C, the ignition delay time was around 270 ms, and the reaction time was about 0.6s.


In the present investigation, nickel-aluminum end-member diffusion couples have been run over a broad range of pressures, temperatures, and times, in an effort to pinpoint the conditions under which the effects of pressure on intermediate phase growth might be significant. No significant change in the extent of y-NijAllayer growth was observed, in contrast to previously published studies carried out over a more limited pressure range. Using electron probe microanalysis, no concentration changes are observed at the two phase interfaces as a function of pressure. It is also shown theoretically that decreases in interdiffusion coefficients in the pressure range employed, cannot account for significant differences in y-Ni^Allayer thickness at different pressures, and that extremely high pressures (=700 MPa) would be required to produce significant changes in D that would in turn, produce measurable changes in the extent of Y~N1?A1_ phase growth. In the U-Al system, observed increases in £-UAl~ layer growth with increasing pressure are attributed to mechanical closure of Kirkendall voids that are present and retarded £-UAl_ layer growth at lower pressures. This is in agreement with previously reported results. Non-parabolic growth was observed in the U-Al system and is accounted for as being a consequence of interfacial breakdovn at the uranium-end of the diffusion 1 couple. Again, since this result is at odds with previously reported results, detailed studies of the microstructure developed during diffusion have been made. Using electron probe microanalysis and back-scattered electron imaging on the scanning electron microscope, it has been determined that only one phase (C-UA1.) grows to any significant extent in this system. This phase partially decomposes into C-UAI2 at the uranium-end of the couple at lower temperatures, i.e., during the slow cooling cycle experienced by the diffusion couples, resulting in a "multiphase" region. No such region is observed in fast-cooled diffusion couples. A schematic model has been developed to account for the observed behavior in this system. Electron probe microanalysis could not be used to establish changes in interfacial concentrations with pressure in the U-Al system. Tills is attributed to the presence of the multiphase region at the one-end of the diffusion couple. During the present study, attempts were made to investigate the nature of the non-planar interfaces in the U-Al and Fe-Al systems, using X-ray diffraction. Unlike the preferred orientation observed for the n-Fe2Al_ phase in the iron-aluminum system, no preferential growth direction could be established in the U-Al system. The Y~Ni2Al_ phase in the nickel-aluminum couples was also examined for preferred orientation, but none was found. This is consistent with the grain-size and morphology of the phase as revealed by optical microscopy under polarized light. Uranium-copper diffusion couples were run at three different pressures. Again, no increase in UCulayer growth was observed with increasing pressure, contrary to previous reports. Similarly, discrepancy with previous literature reports was found when electron-probe microanalysis carried out on two of the couples run at different pressures, revealed no significant differences in concentration gradients in the intermediate phase.


A discussion of the case for the development of a deep ocean simulator to be used in corrosion testing is presented. The various parameters to be considered when testing, and the determination of the degree of reliability of the tests, is included in the article.


Several techniques have been proposed so far in order to perform faint compact source detection in wide field interferometric radio images. However, all these methods can easily miss some detections or obtain a high number of false positive detections due to the low intensity of the sources, the noise ratio, and the interferometric patterns present in the images. In this paper we present a novel strategy to tackle this problem. Our approach is based on using local features extracted from a bank of filters in order to provide a description of different types of faint source structures. We then perform a training step in order to automatically learn and select the most salient features, which are used in a Boosting classifier to perform the detection. The validity of our method is demonstrated using 19 real images that compose a radio mosaic. The comparison with two well-known state of the art methods shows that our approach is able to obtain more source detections, reducing also the number of false positives.


Supporters of the world9s largest radio telescope in Arecibo, Puerto Rico, gathered last week in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol in hopes of keeping the observatory alive.


A variety of methods for the study of nature management problems in the USSR are explored, with cartographic methods playing an essential role in the process. Based on the example of the European USSR, a series of maps of the environmental consequences of different types of land use are compiled and analyzed to reveal patterns of disturbance and to further identify sources of such disturbance. A subsequent block of maps forms the foundation for investigation for the lack of correspondence between nature management problems, socioeconomic conditions, and environmental protection activity. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, seriya geograficheskaya, 1990, No. 4, pp. 71-85.


Soil moisture variability information is crucial to understand land surface - atmosphere interaction for water resources management, climate change, and land slides. Soil moisture measurements were collected at different depths using dielectric probes during the field experiment near Ames, IA. Typically soil moisture variability was controlled by many physical components such as vegetation, soil type, topography, and precipitation. In this study, we conducted statistical analyses and temporal analyses to identify general soil moisture characteristics. Through this type of study, we may provide better understanding of the soil moisture variability in temporal and spatial terms resulting in improvements of the land surface processes.


For centuries, investigations into the origins of words were entwined with investigations into the origins of humanity and the cosmos. With the development of modern etymological practice in the nineteenth century, however, many cherished etymologies were shown to be impossible, and the very idea of original 'true meaning' asserted in the etymology of 'etymology' declared a fallacy. Structural linguistics later held that the relationship between sound and meaning in language was 'arbitrary', or 'unmotivated', a truth that has survived with small modification until today. On the other hand, the relationship between sound and meaning has been a prime motivator of poems, at all times throughout history. The Life of Words studies a selection of poets inhabiting our 'Age of the Arbitrary', whose auditory-semantic sensibilities have additionally been motivated by a historical sense of the language, troubled as it may be by claims and counterclaims of 'fallacy' or 'true meaning'. Arguing that etymology activates peculiar kinds of epistemology in the modern poem, the book pays extended attention to poems by G. M. Hopkins, Anne Waldman, Ciaran Carson, and Anne Carson, and to the collected works of Seamus Heaney, R. F. Langley, J. H. Prynne, Geoffrey Hill, and Paul Muldoon.


The German non-profit amateur satellite organisation AMSAT-Deutschland successfully designed, built and launched four HEO satellites in the last three decades. Now they are going to build a satellite to leave the Earth orbit based on their flight-proven P3-D satellite design. Due to energetic constraints the most suitable launch date for the planned P5-A satellite to Mars will be in 2018. To efficiently use the relatively long time gap until launch a possible prior Moon mission came into mind. In co-operation with the DLR-Institute of Space Systems in Bremen, Germany, two studies on systems level for a first P5 satellite towards Moon and a following one towards Mars have been performed. By using the DLR's Concurrent Engineering Facility (CEF) two consistent satellite concepts were designed including mission analysis, configuration, propulsion, subsystem dimensioning, payload selection, budgeting and cost.

The present paper gives an insight in the accomplished design process and the results of the performed study towards Mars. The developed Mars orbiter is designed to carry the following four main instruments besides flexible communication abilities:

-multispectral line scanner for Martian cloud investigations and Deimos (and Phobos) stereo pictures during close flybys

-Deimos framing camera for high resolution pictures of Deimos (and Phobos) including video mode

-sensor imaging infrared spectrometer for mineralogy of Martian (also Deimos and Phobos) silicates and surface temperature measurements

-radio science for research of Deimos (& Phobos) gravity, profiling of Mars ionosphere, occurrence of third meteoritic ionosphere layer; sounding of neutral atmosphere; solar corona activity

This study presents a non-industrial satellite concept that could be launched as piggyback load on Ariane 5 into GTO. It promises a low cost mission into a Mars orbit that allows close approaches to Deimos and Phobos.


The utility model relates to a bamboo-structure emergency house with a foldable portal frame. The bamboo-structure emergency house is characterized by comprising the bamboo-structure portal emergency house frame, wherein the roof of the bamboo-structure portal emergency house frame is paved with roof plates; side surfaces of the bamboo-structure portal emergency house frame are fixed by inserting a plate between two inclined rods; cloth is adopted for enclosing the emergency house; and a solar panel is erected on the roof. The dimension of the example emergency house is 4500*1700*2100 mm. The bamboo-structure emergency house has the advantages as follows: 1, the mobile house has a simple structure and is convenient and quick to mount and dismount; 2, since the mobile house adopts a safe and reliable structural system, the spatial arrangement is flexible and adjustable; and 3, the mobile house saves materials, is light in weight and easy to carry and recycle, and can be repeatedly used.


The article reveals the relevance of countering bullying and violence in the children's educational environment in the world and in Ukraine, the mass and danger of this phenomenon for the future. Today, almost every child feels these phenomena at school in Ukraine and in the world. The article gives a theoretical analysis of the concept of "child friendly school", summarizing and demonstrating the experience of creating and operating such schools in the world. The article notes that the creation of such schools is UNICEF's policy and ideology in the world for the safety of children and improving the quality of education. . The author clarifies the importance of the child-friendly school, given the problem of combating violence and bullying in the educational children's environment. It is proved in the article that such schools can counter cruelty and bullying. The work shows the features of such a school on the example of UNICEF, foreign and domestic experience. The directions of implementation of the idea of such a school in different countries (Moldova, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, etc.) are revealed. The article analyzes current active projects of such schools in view of the definition of their theoretical foundations. For the first time a set of scientific foundations (theoretical approaches) has been defined and systematized, which form the signs of schools that are child friendly. These are approaches of different levels (methodological, theoretical, general science, specifically scientific, pedagogical and socio-pedagogical approaches). The prospects of further pedagogical research in this direction are shown.


We present a detailed experimental study ofthe pressure and density of N 2 -Ar mixtures at 0°C, 25.0°C and 50.0°C with four different mixtures at each temperature. The pressures are measured with a dead-weight tester. The densities are determined from knowledge of the precise volume and weight measurement of the mixtures. Statistical analysis of the experimental data yielded very precise values for the second and third density virial coefficients. Finally experimentally determined virial coefficients are compared with those calculated on the basis of statistical mechanics. The maximum percentage deviation between experimental and theoretical second virial coefficients is about 10% and that between third virial coefficients is less than 1%.


To obtain actual responses of nonlinear terminations for lossy nonuniform transmission lines excited by external electromagnetic field, the equivalent circuits for lossy nonuniform transmission lines excited by electromagnetic pulse field is built. The radiation experiment platform of lossy nonuniform microstrip lines is built with a pulser injected into the GTEM cell. The simulation and experiment results are highly agreed when the terminations are resistances. However, because the SPICE model of transient voltage suppressor has some discrepancies with actual function, the response current peaks has some differences between simulation and experiment results, although they are all bellow the results without transient voltage suppressor.


This paper examines the crucial question of whether corporate governance (CG) can moderate the pay-for-performance sensitivity (PPS) using a sample of 169 South African listed companies from 2002 to 2007. Examining direct links between executive director pay and performance, we find a positive but weak PPS, which provides support for the managerial power hypothesis (MPH). However, and consistent with the predictions of the optimal contracting theory (OCT), we also find that the PPS improves in firms with strong governance. Specifically, the PPS appears to be stronger in firms with greater block ownership, higher institutional ownership and more independent remuneration and nomination committees, but weaker in firms with larger boards and CEO duality. Our evidence implies that CG has a significant moderating effect on the PPS. This sheds new insights on the predictions of the OCT and MPH. The findings are generally robust across a raft of econometric models that address different types of endogeneities, executive director pay, and performance proxies. Keywords Executive Director Pay . Performance. Corporate Governance . South Africa . Endogeneity . Causality JEL Classification G32 . G34 . G38


Pile foundations in sloping or gently sloped liquefiable soils are often subjected to a combination of inertial and lateral spreading loads. Current design codes vary significantly in terms of the methods used to analyze and design piles that are subjected to combined loading. The results from a full-scale shake table test on a 0.25-m-diameter reinforced concrete pile in gently sloping ground are used in this study to back-calculate the inertial loads, the kinematic loads, and the interaction between inertial and kinematic loads during seismic loading. It was found that large pile strains developed after liquefaction was triggered. The maximum pile strains (and curvatures) at shallow depths within the nonliquefiable crust were correlated with maximum inertial loads in the upslope direction that were resisted by a crust load applied in the downslope direction, indicating an out-of-phase interaction. The maximum pile strains (and curvatures) at deeper locations below the loose liquefiable sand were correlated with the maximum inertial loads in the downslope direction but without any resistance or driving load from the crust (i.e., no lateral spreading load during peak downslope inertial cycles). The lack of crust load during the downslope inertial cycles was attributed to the pile head outrunning the crust displacement, causing the pile to be pushed into a gap that had formed on the downslope front of the pile. The findings of this study contribute a data point to a wide range of inertial and kinematic interaction factors proposed by other studies and highlight the site- and project-dependency of interactions between inertial and kinematic loads.


A device (1) for a sanding device with a sand container (2) which can be filled with sand and has a blowout opening (12) for delivery of the sand filling level monitoring means (14) for monitoring the filling level of the sand container, and fastening means (4) for attaching the device (1) are arranged under the floor of a railway vehicle to provide, which is inexpensive and simultaneously meets the lodged in rail transport high security requirements, it is proposed that the sand container (2) consists of a plastic and the fastening means (4) are formed on a metallic support frame (3) which is connected with the sand container (2).


The purpose of the research is to evaluate performance improvement of photovoltaic (PV) integrated with green roof system due to evapotranspiration from plants. Evapotranspiration rate (ET) has been modeled by regression method to calculate latent heat flux generated which is responsible for reduction of cell temperature and improving efficiency of PV on green roof. ET rates have been generated by using developed regression model and its effect on power output and cell temperature was studied.  Experimental results showed that power output of PV-green roof system can be higher than reference PV installed on bare concrete roof by about 8.60% whereas maximum improvement in efficiency can be up to 3%. It is found that ET plays significant role in reducing cell temperature and improving output on days with clear sky and fairly high and constant solar irradiance. However, ET rate may fluctuate on days when irradiance level is low due to which the efficiency and power output improvement of PV-green roof system may be minimal compared to PV on bare concrete roof.


Almost no attention is paid to molecular processes in the body in the human sciences, the efficiency of metabolism, temperature, fatigue and relaxation, stretching and rupture of tissue cells, their healing, symptoms of diseases, etc. are discussed. about a human. This is due to insufficient training of physicians, biologists, epidemiologists, and gerontologists in the field of physical chemistry of polymers, although they are interested in a biopolymer object - a person. The basis of his body is proteins (polypeptides) and polynucleotides, DNA, their genes and turns. The paper deals with changes in biopolymers during physical and mental stress, in disease and treatment. The main forms of proteins and polynucleotides, the effect of the pH of the medium, its changes with temperature, on their sterioisometry, macromolecular structure and properties are described. The initial basis for the presented physicochemical analysis was the processes occurring during loading of muscle tissues. The transformation of proteins, DNA and genes is based on the alkalization of biopolymers with acetylcholine, which is released during muscle contraction, followed by neutralization of its action with cholinesterase to stop movement. With regular physical (and mental) overloads, genetic transformations occur and a so-called "genetic" fatigue appears (the cell genome changes). The recovery of biopolymers is carried out by lactic acid, which is formed when muscles are loaded in excess and has a prolonged effect on macromolecules. The concept of molecular transformations of biopolymers has been applied to describe human diseases and treatment, including heart attack and COVID-19. The proposed spiritual, carbon dioxide restorative actions, combined with active mental work and increased stress, can increase immunity, reduce morbidity (infection with microbes, and in the case of SARS-CoV 2, prevent the appearance of ATE 2 "traitor proteins"), as well as delay old age.


The libraries and information services has been changed due to the development of information and communication technology. Electronics resources role is very important as information repositories are use of information for various purposes like academic, research, teaching and learning process. E-resources gives solutions of the traditional libraries as like all data storage in digital format, users can access library without boundaries through internet so e-resources popularity is very continuously growth in teaching learning process. In the modern era librarian should provide better services to the users for accessing e-resources as like e-books, e-journals, e-databases, e-reports etc. E-resources have been used for capture accurate and current information within second so majority learner use e-resources for their learning process. In the 90 th century internet has emerged as the sources of information for storage and retrieve information. In the past few years online information has been continuously increased as like e-journals, e-books, e-databases etc. The emergence of information communication technology traditional library system transfer to digital library system. In the current era majority learning materials are available in electronic formats because theses materials are very useful for students, researcher and other academic staff.


The development of a rapid, easy to use, behaviorally oriented communication assessment scale is traced. A series of studies designed to determine its validity, reliability, and usefulness as an outcome measure are summarized. The current and potential uses of the scale are outlined along with guidelines for its application.


Positive tourist experiences are crucial for the continued success of tourist destinations around the world. In the literature, mindfulness theory has emerged as a vehicle for studying the factors that influence tourist experiences (e.g. Moscardo, 1996). The purpose of this study is to test an adapted mindfulness model using data from a survey of tourists in Fiji. Hypothesized relationships were examined between: (1) the antecedent concepts to mindfulness (novelty seeking motivation and mindful oriented services) and mindfulness, (2) mindfulness and tourists' emotions, and (3) the influence of tourists' emotions on tourists' satisfaction and destination loyalty. The results indicate a good fit of survey results with the adapted model. In addition to furthering the literature on mindfulness theory, the results of this study have implications for tourism development and marketing. Future researchers should seek to replicate the model in other unique destinations and settings.


A numerical model has been developed to study wave overtopping of permeable units protected breakwater and water-structure impactions. The numerical model solves the Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes equations outside of porous media and solves the spatially averaged Navier-Stokes equations in porous media, respectively. The numerical model is first validated by experimental data. The validated model is then employed to investigate the breaking wave overtopping porous media protected breakwater. The overtopping discharge and impact forces on the structures behind the crown wall in different wave conditions are studied. The increase of wave height brings increasing maximum overtopping discharges and different spatial distribution of water behind the crown wall. The impact forces on the structures are determined by both incident wave height and relative positions of the structures.


The vectorization of buildings provides quantitative disaster information and building damage extraction for the accurate assessment of disasters. This study presents an automatic extraction technology for flat-roofed houses by using high-resolution remote sensing images based on the single-point extraction of such houses and the concept of stepwise image segmentation. Vegetation removal, multi-scale segmentation, k-means clustering segmentation, rectangle recognition, and morphological processing are adopted to identify the center of an assumed house in the image by considering the characteristics of remote sensing images and the main features of house recognition (i.e., spectral characteristics and shape features). Furthermore, the single-point extraction of flat-roofed houses is used to acquire the surface vector diagram of the extracted houses, and finally, achieve the automatic extraction of flat-roofed houses. Experimental result shows that the accuracy of the vectorization extraction of flat-roofed houses through the combination is 83.33%.


The growth of Microcystis aerugiosa was investigated using organic phosphorous(OP,β-Glycerophosphate disodium) and inorganic phosphorous(IP,K_2HPO_4) as phosphorus sources.Meanwhile,by using Monod equation,dynamic studies were carried out based on experimental results.The results of calculating show that when the phosphorus source is IP,the maximum specific growth rate(μ_(max)) is 1.107 d~(-1) and the half-saturation constant(K_s) is (0.004 8)(mg/L;) that when the phosphorus source is OP,μ_(max) is 0.882 d~(-1) and K_s is(0.006 5)(mg/L.) The maximum extant quantity(X_(max)) and μ_(max) increased within a range of phosphorous mass concentration.Under the test conditions,to make Microcystis aerugiosa reach its 90% μ_(max),the mass concentration of IP should be up to 0.042(mg/L) or the mass concentration of OP should be up to 0.059(mg/L.) Furthermore,the mass concentration and the form of phosphorus could affect the X_(max) of Microcystis aerugiosa through changing the exponential increasing time.


We present a case study of an anisotropic prestack depth migration (APSDM) project which used high-resolution, shallow tomography and anisotropic model building for a large depth migration project in the Gulf of Mexico. The enhanced work flow resulted in high quality images and more accurate placement of events, compared to previous processing in the area. The goals of this project were to produce a more accurate velocity model which would enhance event placement and improve the imaging of steep dips, salt boundaries, and subsalt events. To this end high resolution tomographic velocity inversion was employed to produce a more accurate velocity field. Additionally anisotropic prestack depth migration was used to better tie the seismic events with well information.


This study was a classroom ethnography in which the teacher/researcher sought to investigate musical composing in the context of the regular music classroom. The purpose of this study was to examine possible musical and sociocultural influences on decision-making by untrained 8- and 9-year olds during open-ended, non-notated composing tasks. A framework was devised as an organizational and interpretive tool for data collected. For the purposes of this paper, one of the 21 child-composers participating in this study was chosen as an illustrative case. As a result of this study, implications for teachers include awareness of: the fact that children this age can and do compose; the various capabilities of children this age in articulating/expressing ideas in the medium of sound; and effects of musical and sociocultural influences on composing judgments. An implication for researchers is the availability of the framework devised, as an interpretive tool. Classroom research situations are often unpredictable, and methodological tools need to be flexible to allow for emergent evidence, procedures and/or events. This framework provided such a tool for this study, and may be useful for others researching creating activities in similar situations.


© 2017, Slovenska Vzdelavacia Obstaravacia. All rights reserved. The paper investigates the formation of students' intercultural communicative competence with a specific focus on EFL teaching at a non-linguistic higher school. The purpose of this study was to develop, theoretically substantiate and assess a model of developing ICC among students in an English language learning environment. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that the formation of ICC among EFL students at the non-linguistic higher school can be effective provided that the structure and content of ICC is made explicit and justified; the model of the formation of ICC among EFL students in a language learning environment and the technology for its implementation are developed and assessed; an example of the didactic material necessary for its implementation is provided.


The demand of consumer for exterior color in automotive industry has been increased. Through this thesis, we understand the development process of the automotive paint and the effect of the exterior color on the market, and propose the future trend in color design.


In order to develop high efficient and environment-friendly dephosphorization agents,in this paper,the FactsageTM was used to plot ternary phase diagram about Fe3O4-CaO-B2O3 and Fe3O4-CaO-K2O.The mass fraction of B2O3 system and K2O system dephosphorization agents were determined by the ternary phase diagram.Then dephosphorization experiments were conducted in the laboratory.The experimental results of high phosphorus hot meal predephosphorization using B2O3 as a flux were compared with that using CaF2 as a flux.The results show that,as a flux,B2O3 can replace completely CaF2 to predephosphorize the high phosphorus hot metal.This dephosphorization agent can remove phosphorus to below 0.1 %.In this case the ratio of w(B2O3) and w(CaO) is 0.16.When this dephosphorization agent is used to dephosphorize,there is good state of slag melting.At the same time no foaming slag appears.And its dephosphorization rate is the highest in all of dephosphorization agents.But K2O system dephosphorization agent has unsatisfactory dephosphorization efficiency.


We have studied the electronic and geometrical structure of the cleaved GaAs(110) surface, using experimental ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) of both filled and empty surface states together with tight‐binding calculations. We have considered several different types of structural models, including the relaxation model in which surface Ga atoms move into, and As atoms move out of, the surface by an amount such that the plane through the nearest‐neighbor Ga and As atoms makes a tilt angle, ϑT, with the corresponding plane in the ideal surface while bond lengths remain constant. We show that this model with a tilt angle ϑT∠19° in contrast with ϑT∠35° as previously concluded from (LEED) low‐energy electron‐diffraction analysis adequately accounts for the photoemission spectroscopy data. A description of the nature of surface states including the local s‐ and p‐orbital densities of states and dispersion relations is given for this relaxation model.


This guide provides information to support a one-day field trip to the Mam Tor landslide and Castleton which is situated in the Peak District National Park, North Derbyshire. The village is surrounded by dramatic, often spectacular and rare sites of geological significance and geological interest. Mam Tor forms the highest point in the area and contains the ramparts of a prehistoric hillfort, on a ridge of sandstone, running almost east to west, separating the Hope Valley (to the south) from the Edale Valley (to the north) This site provides an excellent opportunity to inspect Carbonifeorus stratigraphy showing the relationships between the Mam Tor Beds, Edale Shales (both of Namurian, or 'Millstone Grit' age) which unconformably overlie Limestone (Dinantian, or Lower Carboniferous age). Between about 3000 and 4000 years ago a huge section of the Mam Tor Beds and Edale Shales began to fail. This generated an 80m high scarp on the western face of Mam Tor and a landslide over 750m long and 300m wide. The slipped mass has been in a state of continual, gradual, creep type motion since its generation. The rate of slippage has varied and is thought to be controlled principally by fluctuation in ground water levels following prolonged heavy rain. For almost 200 years this slump earth-flow type landslide has caused extensive, dramatic and spectacular damage to the road which was built across it in 1810, culminating in its abandonment and closure in 1979. The limestone around Mam Tor and Castleton has a long mining legacy which dates back to at least Saxon and Roman times. The primary minerals which have been mined include lead (galena), fluorite (fluorspar or 'Blue John'), calcite and baryte. Other minerals found in the area include silver, sphalerite and hydrocarbons. These exist in epigenetic mineral veins, faults, fissures and caves which occur naturally in the limestone (formed by the slow, gradual dissolution of the soluble limestone by slightly acidic rainwater and groundwater). This has left a dramatic impact on the landscape including steep, narrow, open gullies (where mineral were mined where they outcrop), abandoned mine shafts, mineral tips, soughs (drainage adits) mine entries and evidence for medieval mineral processing techniques (including a crushing circle). The limestone represents part of a coral, apron-reef complex (similar to atolls found today in the Pacific Ocean) and in many places contains abundant fossils including corals, algae, brachiopods, bivalves, crinoids and goniatites. Volcanic activity during the Carboniferous resulted in the deposition of basaltic lava flows and vent agglomerate, which has have been exposed by weathering and erosion.


. People smuggling is one of the common problems faced by Indonesia and Australia. This is due to the geographical position of the two neighbors. Australia is known as a heaven and also a main destination for asylum seekers. While Indonesia is a transit country to the practice of people smuggling towards Australia. People smuggling usually practiced through seas, because it is less security then in the mainland. This article examines the cooperation between Indonesia and Australia, especially in the field of maritime security in dealing with people smuggling cases involving the two countries by using the theory of maritime security, people smuggling and security cooperation. By using qualitative method, this article showed that Indonesia and Australia have a collective security agreement named Lombok Treaty which runs since 2006. These include the joint handling of the problem of people smuggling by the two countries through various types of field security cooperation. Maritime security cooperation between the two countries seen from marine security patrol which has been ongoing since 2012. However, in reality the cooperation between the two countries are very dependent on the policies issued by Australia. In addition, the absence of laws or regulations in Indonesia that regulates people smuggling is also detrimental to the position of Indonesia as a transit country or temporary residence of immigrants and asylum seekers who waits for UNHCR's decisions.


: The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of rice washed water (RWW) probiotic drinks on the growth performance of broiler chickens. Following the Complete Randomized Design (CRD) a total of one-hundred-day-old broiler chickens were randomly distributed into four treatments: T1 – control (commercial supplements), T2 –5 ml probiotics, T3- 10 ml probiotics, T4 –15 ml probiotics. Supplementation of RWW probiotic drinks lasted for 35 days. Statistical analysis revealed significant (P≤0.05) improvements on the weekly weight gain of broiler chicken supplemented with different levels of RWW probiotic drinks. A significant difference (P≤0.05) on feed consumption was also observed during week 1, 2 and 3 of the experimental trial. Better FCR and higher net income was also detected on broilers supplemented with different levels of RWW probiotic drinks than the control. Based on the presented results and on the environmental condition where the study was conducted, it is therefore concluded that RWW probiotic drinks can significantly improve the weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens.


The article draws attention to the need to use the knowledge of criminalistics in the civil process. The authors believe that the use of such knowledge will significantly optimize the activities of the court and the parties to obtain reliable information that is essential for the resolution of the case, as well as overcoming opposition from some unscrupulous participants in the proceedings. Features of participation of the expert in arbitration proceedings are analyzed and the complex of the tactical criminalistic recommendations urged to increase efficiency of interaction of court, the parties with this participant of process, and also activity on an assessment of its conclusion and interrogation of this subject is offered.


This thesis deals with the experimental study of the drag coefficient on a scaled model of a commercial aircraft as well as the measurement of the boundary layer on the surface of the wings and the calculation of the critical angle of attack.
All the experiments were conducted in the wind tunnel which is located in the fluid dynamics laboratory of the Mechanical Engineering department of Cyprus University of Technology. The experimental model was an Airbus A320-200 scaled 1:109.
Moreover, the theoretical background that is related to the various experiments is being discussed. Such as the creation of forces which act on the aircraft during a flight and how can the results from the experiments be transferred on a real scale aircraft, using dynamic similarity.
Although all of the scheduled experiments were fully conducted, the experiments for the measurement of the lift coefficient and the calculation of the critical angle of attack did not return the anticipated results due to the low sensitivity of the force transducer used.


A 5 stage, fully interconnected 32/spl times/16 switching network using smart pixel 2/spl times/1 switching nodes is demonstrated. The system was designed to operate with 150 Mbps data rates.<<ETX>>


The existence of'*-waves'has, in recent years, prompted a renewed interest in these non-geometrical arrivals, which are generated by point sources located adajcent to plane interfaces. It has led to the re-evaluation of seismic data aquisition techniques and to the question of how to use this real phenomena in enhancing existing seismic interpretation methods.

This paper considers a non-geometrical SH-arrival which is generated by a point torque source unrealistically buried within a half-space. The method of solution is essentially the same as presented in an earlier paper, with the modification that the limitation placed on the distance of the source from the interface has been removed in the saddle point method used to obtain a high-frequency approximate solution. In the earlier paper, a preliminary assumption forced the saddle point, which corresponded to the *-wave arrival, to be real when it is generally complex. However, for offsets removed from the distinct ray, the imaginary part of this complex quantity is negligible.

A problem which arose when comparing exact synthetic traces with those obtained using zero-order saddle point methods, was the inability to match either the amplitude or phase of the geometrical arrival in the range of offsets when the *-wave and this corresponding geometrical ray were well separated. For this range of offsets the geometrical arrival was approaching grazing incidence and another term in the saddle point expansion of the integral was necessary to rectify this error. This method is also being used to validate the results for higher order terms obtained using asymptotic ray theory.

Analytical formulae are given for both the *-wave and the higher order expansion of the geometrical event, together with a comparison of synthetic seismograms using the method developed here and a numerical integration algorithm.


The function parts of the dispatch system in electric power management are introduced.The key parts of stable operation,receiving and processing of the SCADA data are introduced in detail.The SPComm and method of multi-threading are employed to process the receiving data.The processing of the second data is discussed.With the method of multi-threading,the data can be received timely to ensure the stable operation of whole system.


Recommendation system is a component which has been developed for
online commerce purposes. In this issue, one of the popular methods that has been
widely used is collaborative filtering. However, this method has some drawbacks
and needs to be improved. Therefore, in this research a combination of
collaborative filtering and a semantic similarity with Leacock Chodorow method
has been done, and it is expected reducing some deficiencies on the original
collaborative filtering method.
Based on the performance tests, the results conclude that the combination
can reduce some weaknesses on the original collaborative filtering, especially on
the cold-start item and sparsity issue. For this case, based on the results of some
experiments, the best value of the semantic combination parameter is 0,30. Hence,
this proposed method produces the smaller MAE value (error value) compared to
the original method.


This study was conducted in order to analyze draping and flat pattern according to jacket design, and provide basic materials for developing a jacket pattern that can enhance fitness, functionality, and aesthetic expression of clothes by reflecting esthetic expression of draping and efficiency of flat pattern at the same time. For the experimental jacket designs of a one-piece sleeve jacket and a two-piece sleeve jacket were selected among the entries of the designer Rubina for 2014 F/W Seoul Fashion Week. Designer brand Rubina usually produced clothes using draping and the designer brand company provided the experimental patterns for the study. We also had flat patterns of the same design and size specifications designed by a flat patternmaker who has 30 year-experience in flat pattern like Rubina. The test apparel jacket was made of 20's cotton yarns. Three models wore the jackets and evaluation on appearance fitness was conducted by 7 members in an expert panel group from August 10, 2015 to September 10, 2015. As a result of appearance fitness analysis on one-piece sleeve jacket, there were significant difference in 4 items among 17 items in terms of overall appearance. The appearance of jackets by draping had higher score than those using flat pattern. As for two-piece sleeve jacket, there were significant differences in 7 items among 17 items related to overall appearance. As for the items related to sleeve, 5 items out of 13 showed significant differences. Except for one item, appearance of jackets using draping had higher score than flat pattern. As for motion fitness, draping was evaluated to be more comfortable. Applying the items with high scores in appearance and motion fitness in draping to flat pattern, The study suggests a new jacket pattern development that would increase the satisfaction of consumers for future research.


Abstract L. A. Rubel's universal differential equation (1981, Bull. AMS4, 345–349) corresponds to an algebraic polynomial in four variables of degree seven. A simpler universal differential equation is found where the attached polynomial is homogeneous of degree six. We investigate complex-valued C(∞)-solutions of this differential equation, whose imaginary parts approximate arbitrary continuous functions on R .


. Copper–chromium carbide composites containing a carbide phase of 20–30 vol% were obtained with the use of solid-and liquid-phase mechanosyntheses, followed by magnetic pulse compaction (MPC) and spark plasma sintering. The morphology, structural-phase composition, density, hardness and electrical conductivity of the composites were investigated. The structure of composites obtained by MPC represents regions of copper matrix hardened by superfine carbide precipitates surroundedbyalayerofchromiumcarbide.Inthecompositesobtainedbysparkplasmasintering,thecoppermatrixhardened bysuperfinecarbideprecipitateswasdividedintoareassurroundedbyacopper–chromiumlayer.Acompositeobtainedby theMPCofthepowderssynthesizedusingsolid-phasemechanosynthesis(MS)(copper,chromiumandgraphite)hadthe highestvaluesofVickersmicrohardness(4.6GPa)andRockwellhardness(HRA69).Thebestvalueofelectricalconductivity (36%IACS)wasachievedusingliquid-phaseMS(copper,chromiumandxylene)andsparkplasmasintering.Liquid-phase MSistheonlywaytosynthesizethepowderwithasmallamountofthecarbidephaseandwithoutcontamination.


Abstract Background: Salpingectomy is routinely performed in ectopic pregnancy (EP). However, the effect of the surgery on the ovarian reserve and ovarian response in EP patients is still uncertain and has not been systematically evaluated. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to provide a comparison of the ovarian reserve and ovarian response between the pre-salpingectomy and post-salpingectomy in EP patients. Methods: Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched for all relevant articles published up to December 2018. We retrieved the basic information and data of the included studies. The data was analyzed by Review Manager 5.3 software (Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK). Results: A total of 243 articles were extracted from the databases, and 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The ovarian reserve including anti-Mullerian hormone (inverse variance [IV] −0.7 [95% confidence interval [CI] −0.63, 0.49]), antral follicle count (IV 1.7 [95% CI −2.02, 5.42]) and basal follicle stimulating hormone (IV 0.02 [95% CI −0.63, 0.68]) was comparable between the pre-salpingectomy group and the post-salpingectomy group. The amount of gonadotropin was significantly higher in the post-salpingectomy group when compared with that in the pre-salpingectomy group (IV −212.65 [95% CI −383.59, −41.71]). There was no significant difference in the left parameters of the ovarian response including the duration of gonadotropin stimulation (IV −0.32 [95% CI −0.76, 0.12]), the estrogen level on the human chorionic gonadotropin triggering day (IV −4.12 [95% CI −236.27, −228.04]) and the number of retrieved oocytes (IV 0.35 [95% CI −0.76, 1.46]) between 2 groups. Conclusions: The current results suggest that salpingectomy has no negative effect on the ovarian reserve and ovarian response.


This paper designed the system pattern and the logical architecture which is based on web,described realization flow of system in detail and implemented with JAVA language,JSP technology and Oracle database technology,which achieves the functions such as network performance,monitor and performance information processing.Finally the performance management system was tested and analyzed.


................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................................................................ iii TABLE OF CONTENTS .............................................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................... viii LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ......................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER 1: CRISPR-CAS IMMUNITY .................................................................................... 1 Prokaryotic defense mechanisms....................................................................................... 1 CRISPR-Cas Immunity ...................................................................................................... 3 Class 1 CRISPR-Cas interference ..................................................................................... 6 Type I CRISPR-Cas interference ...................................................................................... 7 Type III CRISPR-Cas interference ................................................................................... 8 Type IV CRISPR-Cas interference ................................................................................. 11 Class 2 CRISPR-Cas interference ................................................................................... 11 Type II CRISPR-Cas interference .................................................................................. 11 Type V CRISPR-Cas interference .................................................................................. 13 Type VI CRISPR-Cas interference ................................................................................. 14 Figures ................................................................................................................................ 17 CHAPTER 2: FOREIGN TARGET IDENTIFICATION IN A TYPE III-B CRISPR-CAS SYSTEM 22 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 23 Results ................................................................................................................................ 26 Activation of DNA cleavage requires a noncomplementary 3' protospacer flanking sequence .......................................................................................................................... 26 Positions -1 to -3 of the RNA target are important for regulating DNA cleavage ......... 28 A guanine at position -1 of the RNA target helps to prevent DNA cleavage ................. 29 Base pairing at positions -2 to -5 of the crRNA prevents DNase activation .................. 31 Discussion........................................................................................................................... 33 Figures ................................................................................................................................ 36 Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 43 Expression and purification of recombinant proteins ..................................................... 43 RNA generation .............................................................................................................. 44 Radiolabeling of oligonucleotides .................................................................................. 45 DNA cleavage assays ...................................................................................................... 45 RNA cleavage assays ...................................................................................................... 46 CHAPTER 3: TARGET MISMATCH TOLERANCE IN A TYPE III-B CRISPR-CAS SYSTEM .... 47 Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 48 Results ................................................................................................................................ 50 Segments of five mismatches are tolerated except in the PFS-proximal segment ......... 50 vii Mismatching in other segments is tolerated until target no longer binds ....................... 51 Discussion........................................................................................................................... 51 Figures ................................................................................................................................ 54 Materials and Methods ..................................................................................................... 56 REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................... 57 CURRICULUM VITAE .............................................................................................................. 62


Software localization involves the translation of complete software packages, including manuals, code and help systems. Newly released versions of such packages often use previous versions as a basis for improvement. Obviously, software companies do not wish to pay for the same translation twice; they expect the localization companies to come up with ways of leveraging the previously translated material into the new version of their product. Until recently, the only way of doing this was by comparing the documents and cutting and pasting. More recently, however, sophisticated Computer Aided Translation (CAT) tools have come onto the market, which provide an alternative and more efficient way of leveraging translation. This article discusses practical experience of working with such tools in software localization, and points out some of the advantages and challenges associated with them.


E-commerce presupposes dynamic and personalized presentation of information. In order to support an effective e-commerce environment, content on the Internet must be flexible and reusable. These characteristics can be supported if content on the Internet is highly modularized and richly tagged. We propose to use XML as the framework upon which to build a web content management system that supports these features. However, the design of such a system, where content is highly modularized and reusable, creates new challenges that have to be addressed. These challenges include finding relevant information fragments on demand, keeping track of the dependencies between fragments, transforming combinations of those fragments into viewable pages available to multiple device types, and designing a content creation tool that does not overwhelm the contributor with the details and the complexities of the underlying system. In this paper we describe these challenges and the solutions that we developed in the design of a web content management system based on XML, code-named Franklin.


This paper proposes a novel algorithm of selecting outer anchor nodes to address the problem that DV-Hop localization algorithm of wireless sensor networks produces so much information as to produce consumption-intensive.This method can lengthen the living cycle of wireless sensor networks by reducing the number of anchors participating in the flood process.The experiments results show that the proposed algorithm can both reduce the transferred information and slightly enhance the localization accuracy.


Determining whether a reduction can be made in the total number of monitoring stations within the Air Quality Monitoring Network is very important since in case of necessity, the devices at one group of stations having similar air pollution characteristics can be transferred to another zone. This would significantly decrease the capital investment and operational cost. Therefore, the objective of this study was grouping the monitoring stations that share similar air pollution characteristics by using the methods of principal component analysis (PCA) and fuzzy c– means (FCM). In addition, this study also enables determining the emission sources, evaluating the performances of the methods and examining the zone in terms of pollution. In the classification of monitoring stations, different groups were formed depending on both the method of analysis and the type of pollutants. As a result of PCA, 5 and 3 classes have been determined for SO2 and PM10, respectively. This shows that the number of monitoring stations can be decreased. When reduced classes were analyzed, it was observed that a clear distinction cannot be made considering the affected source type. During the implementation of the FCM method, in order to facilitate comparison with the PCA, the monitoring stations were classified into 5 and 3 groups for SO2 and PM10, respectively. When the results were analyzed, it was seen that the uncertainty in PCA was reduced. When the two methods are compared, FCM was found to provide more significant results than PCA. The evaluation in terms of pollution, the results of the study showed that PM10 exceeded the limit values at all the monitoring stations, and SO2 exceeded the limit values at only 3 of the 22 stations.


An improved low pressure filtration apparatus for the collection and removal of particulate matter form an air stream which includes particulate matter wherein the apparatus includes sequentially, an intake hose for the introduction of the air stream including said particulate matter into the apparatus, a first enclosed collection chamber having an intake apparatus for connection to said intake hose and a removably secured outlet apparatus for removal of a portion of said particulate matter collected in said first collection chamber and an exit apparatus from the first collection chamber for the air stream and a portion of the particulate matter, a second enclosed collection chamber having an intake apparatus for introducing the air stream and a portion of the particulate matter from the first collection chamber, an exit apparatus for the air stream and a portion of the particulate matter from the second enclosed collection chamber, a plurality of vertically disposed filter bags disposed between the intake and exit apparatus of the second collection chamber for removal of a portion of the particulate matter, a cyclone separator having an intake apparatus in communication with the exit apparatus of the second enclosed collection chamber for the further removal of a portion of the particulate matter in the air stream, a micron filter screen in communication with the cyclone separator for the further removal of a portion of the particulate matter in the air stream, an air pump in communication with the micron filter screen for exhausting the air stream into the atmosphere, and a third enclosed collection chamber having an intake port in communication with the exit apparatus of the cyclone separator and an outlet port for the exit of the air stream from the third enclosed collection chamber to the micron filter.


Since antiquity, in all ages, justice has been treated as a parameter to capture the social and political insight into a suitable boundary. However, acknowledging justice from a perspective of common good refresh the hidden objectives of justice that needs to be encapsulated. Both western and eastern philosophy, particularly the process of politicisation of justice, tries to accommodate the political sphere of justice into a bottle of common good. Of course, the nature of justice can only be defined as a matter of distributive concept, for instance distribution of primary goods lead to the realization of being a member of political community. Historically the manner of justice has been evolving to pursue a good society, not only for individuals rather the essence of justice enhances the complexity of global interdependence through divers conceptual and theoretical standards. This paper will be analysing the basic historical and philosophical interpretations with regard to justice, moreover the amalgamation of justice with Common Good will also be taken into consideration.


journal of speculative philosophy, vol. 26, no. 2, 2012 Copyright © 2012 The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA The Society for Phenomenology and Existential Philosophy (SPEP) and I became feminists at the same time; this is hardly a coincidence, as the events of SPEP more than twenty-five years ago shaped my understanding of philosophy, feminism, and myself as a feminist philosopher and activist. I am most grateful to the members of SPEP's Committee on the Status of Women (CSW) who organized the "Women and Feminist Scholarship in SPEP and Philosophy: Assessing the Past and Imagining the Future" panel and even more grateful to the women and men of SPEP who organized and initiated the changes that helped make SPEP what it is today. The occasion of SPEP's fiftieth anniversary is a time to both celebrate SPEP's history and analyze how it has transformed and grown over time; it is also a time for us to take stock and envision what SPEP should and could be in the future. While SPEP and I became feminists at the same time, my own transformation has been more thoroughgoing than that of SPEP. There remain issues that still require our attention, and the best way to honor and recognize the work of those who transformed SPEP into a more gender-equitable and feminist-supportive organization is to continue their work by interrogating the ways that Continental philosophy can become more open to the transformative possibilities of feminist philosophy. We now often take SPEP for granted as a good place to do feminist philosophy and as a relatively welcoming place for women philosophers, Feminist Transformations


Condyloma acuminata (also known as genital warts) are highly contagious, virally induced lesions that often persist despite treatment with podophyllin


Space information technology which includes the geographic information system GIS,remote sensing RS,global navigation satellite system GNSS and digital earth platform,it is an earth space information science.With the development of computer and space on earth observation technology,the space information technology has been applied gradually in earthquake resistance and disaster mitigation fields.This article through the actual examples respectively analyzed the current earthquake disaster monitoring and evaluation method which is based on GIS and RS technology.Sums up the advantages and the existing problems,and with digital earth platform visually shows the effect of comprehensive multi-source data spatial information technology used in earthquake damage assessment.


Objective: Nocturnal recordings of heart rate and respiratory rate usually require several separate sensors or electrodes attached to different body parts – a disadvantage for at-home screening tests and for large cohort studies. In this paper, we demonstrate that a state-of-the-art accelerometer placed at subjects' wrists can be used to derive reliable signal reconstructions of heartbeat (pulse wave intervals) and respiration during sleep. Methods: Based on 226 full-night recordings, we evaluate the performance of our signal reconstruction methodology with respect to polysomnography. We use a phase synchronization analysis metrics that considers individual heartbeats or breaths. Results: The quantitative comparison reveals that pulse-wave signal reconstructions are generally better than respiratory signal reconstructions. The best quality is achieved during deep sleep, followed by light sleep N2 and REM sleep. In addition, a suggested internal evaluation of multiple derived reconstructions can be used to identify time periods with highly reliable signals, particularly for pulse waves. Furthermore, we find that pulse-wave reconstructions are hardly affected by apnea and hypopnea events. Conclusion: During sleep, pulse wave and respiration signals can simultaneously be reconstructed from the same accelerometer recording at the wrist without the need for additional sensors. Reliability can be increased by internal evaluation if the reconstructed signals are not needed for the whole sleep duration. Significance: The presented methodology can help to determine sleep characteristics and improve diagnostics and treatment of sleep disorders in the subjects' normal sleep environment.


Spironolactone is a diuretic with antiandrogenic action. Daily use provides some improvement in some adult patients with acne vulgaris. To study the effect of spironolactone on the risk for developing rosacea, investigators conducted a large population-based, case-control analysis using the U.K.-based General Practice Research Database. Each of 53,927 rosacea cases were randomly matched to one control case on the basis of age, sex, general practice, …


Goltz-Gorlin syndrome or Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is an infrequent multisystemic disease that is inherited in a dominant autosomal pattern, which shows a high level of penetrance and variable expressiveness. The syndrome is associated with multiple Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumors (KCOT) in 90% of cases. In addition to jaw cysts, multiple basal cell carcinomas and skeletal anomalies are common findings. KCOTs associated with this syndrome can be seen in both maxilla and mandible but there is more tendencies to posterior mandible and the recurrence rate is more than nonsyndromic cases. In this article we describe two patients with diagnosis of Goltz-Gorlin syndrome, its typical findings and finally we discuss about the treatment method used for jaw cysts and the outcome of 1 year follow-up.


It is now very impressive how technology has transformed the way 21st-century learners learn and acquire new language skills through listening lessons. It was from listening to the audio that teachers played using a CD player during language lessons, to using headphones and getting the chance to listen to audio or even videos available on various online language learning platforms or mobile applications. It was from the traditional method that used pen and paper to answer listening comprehension questions to only clicking their choice of answers on the mobile phone screen. In today's world, where students' lives cannot be separated from technology, students not only have the chance to get access to millions of authentic audio and videos online from all over the world but also have the freedom and flexibility to pause, stop or replay the video according to their needs which gives the learners the freedom to control and self-direct their own learning. Self-directed learning refers to a teaching approach where students take more responsibility for their own learning and take an active role in setting their own goals, seeking out resources and materials, and evaluating their own progress.

Keywords: self-directed learning, mobile applications, teaching listening skills