A USB memory (2) stores, to an MBR storing unit (261), a start-up program configured to be written into a start-up memory region (120) of a terminal (1) as a consequence of a CPU (10) executing the BIOS of the terminal (1). The start-up program is executed on the basis of one command from the CPU (10), writes a 500 bit dummy code over an interrupt vector table region (1202), and comprises a first program for generating a general protection exception and a second program for setting, as an interrupt handler, a normal reset program for normal reset processing executed when the general protection exception is generated. As a consequence, it is possible to provide an external boot for inhibiting the operation of malware.
DRAWING: FIG.2
20 Hub
22, 27 CPU
23, 271 ROM
24, 272 RAM
25, 26 Flash ROM
28 NIC
211, 212, 213 USB controller
250 Dummy code
251 Loader
252 Various files (OS, driver, application)
261 MBR


Purpose Following the introduction of medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), we determined the effect of the change in trends in medical therapy on the indication and outcome of surgical intervention for BPH. Materials and Methods We compared the basic characteristics of, weight of resected tissue of, transfusions in, and postoperative complications of patients who underwent surgery between 1985 and 1989 (before the advent of medical therapy for BPH), between 1995 and 1999 (when medical therapy was developed and became widely used as alternative treatment), and between 2005 and 2009 (when medical therapy superseded surgical intervention to become first-line treatment and when combination therapy became widely adopted). Results At our institution, the mean age and BMI of patients increased over the past two decades (p<0.001). Hypertension, operation history, and other comorbidities also increased significantly (p<0.001, p=0.005, and p<0.001, respectively). The indications for surgery in 1985 to 1989, 1995 to 1999, and 2005 to 2009 were as follows: acute urinary retention in 34.7%, 20.2%, and 15.1% of patients and symptomatic deterioration in 61.1%, 72.3%, and 73.0% of patients, respectively. Prostate volume and the weight of resected tissue increased from 34.4±14.5 ml to 61.3±32.4 ml and from 7.2±6.4 g to 10.8±7.6 g, respectively, over two decades. Patients who underwent surgery in 2005 to 2009 had their catheters removed earlier (p<0.001). Secondary hemorrhage within four postoperative weeks and repeat transurethral resection of the prostate within 1 year decreased significantly (p=0.03 and p=0.003, respectively). No statistically significant change in impaired detrusor contractility was found (p=0.523). Conclusions Although patients who underwent surgery were older after widespread use of medical therapy for BPH, advancements in surgical techniques have benefitted these patients.


This work deals with basic theory of wavelet transform and multi-scale analysis of speech signals, briefly reviewed the main differences between wavelet transform and Fourier transform in the analysis of speech signals. The possibilities to use the method of wavelet analysis to speech recognition systems and its main advantages. In most existing systems of recognition and analysis of speech sound considered as a stream of vectors whose elements are some frequency response. Therefore, the speech processing in real time using sequential algorithms requires computing resources with high performance. Examples of how this method can be used when processing speech signals and build standards for systems of recognition.Key words: digital signal processing, Fourier transform, wavelet analysis, speech signal, wavelet transform


Abstract. Increased intracranial pressure results in cerebral blood flow decrease and cerebral edema formation. Correction of intracranial hypertension is one of the most important goals of intensive care in patients with severe traumatic brain injury. Objectives To determine the effects of L-lysine aescinat on ICP in patients with severe TBI. Material and methods.  Twenty patients with TBI and Glasgow coma scale below 9 enrolled in the study. All patients were operated: 6 patients underwent craniotomy and intracranial hematoma removing; 11 — decompressive craniotomy and intracranial hematoma removing. In 3 patients only ICP-sensor was implanted. ICP-monitoring was used in all patients. Ten patients were randomized to L-lysine aescinat treatment (daily dose of 20 ml for 7 days after surgery) (study group), 10 — to standard therapy (control group). We perfomed a comparative analysis of the mean ICP and the incidence of ICH within 7 days after surgery in the study and control groups. Results. The length of ICP monitoring was 6.4±3.7 days: in the control group — 7.6±4.9 days, in the study group — 5.2±1.4 days. Mean intracranial pressure was less in the study group as compared to patients in the control group. The number of intracranial hypertension episodes was higher in the control group compared with patients who received L-lysine aescinat. Conclusion. L-lysine aescinat treatment in patients with severe traumatic brain injury is accompanied by reduction of mean intracranial pressure and the number of intracranial hypertension episodes.


The pitting corrosion behavior of two Ni-based corrosion resistant alloys,G3 and Incoloy 825,were investigated in FeCl3 solution by polarization curves and immersion testing.The high temperature corrosion behavior of the alloys in NaCl solution containing H2S/CO2 was studied using high temperature high pressure autoclave.The scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and energy disperse spectroscopy(EDS) were used to analyze the microstructure and composition of the samples.The results showed that the pitting-resistance of G3 was superior to that of Incoloy 825,and the critical pitting temperature of G3 was higher than 50 ℃.The corrosion behaviors of the two alloys were different,i.e.,G3 had anodic passivation area and higher pitting potential.With the increase of experimental temperature the corrosion degree of the two alloys increased and some pits appeared on the surface of Incoloy 825.


A identifies the movable range and the center of the eddy current gap sensor constituting the magnetic bearing control of the magnetic bearings can be easily controlled rotor shaft remaining controlled axis to float in the magnetic bearing to the center position of the protection bearings to provide a device. A magnetic bearing control device 20 includes a first function and, on the X-axis based on the X-axis direction movable limit position detected by the first function of detecting the X-axis direction movable limit position of the rotor shaft 5 a second function of specifying the center of the X-axis on the movable range of the eddy current gap sensor 10C (-X sensor, + X sensor), and a third function of detecting the Y-axis direction movable limit position of the rotor shaft 5, a fourth function of specifying the center of the third based on the Y-axis direction movable limit position detected by the function Y-axis on the eddy current gap sensor 10C (+ Y sensor, -Y sensor) Y-axis on the movable range of, particular when the center of the detection time and the second X-axis on the movable range by the function of the X-axis direction movable limit position of the first feature, Y-axis on the electromagnet (+ Y electromagnets, -Y electromagnet) the exciting current of the OFF , upon detection and fourth third function Y-axis direction movable limit position by the Particular when the center of the Y axis on the movable range of the ability shall be provided on the X-axis electromagnet (+ X electromagnet, -X electromagnet) fifth function and to turn OFF the excitation current, the. .The


Interactions between nucleic acids and proteins are essential to genetic information processing. The detection of size changes in nucleic acids is the key to mapping such interactions, and usually requires substrates with fluorescent, electrochemical or radioactive labels 1–3. Recently, methods have been developed to tether DNA to highly water-soluble Au nanoparticles 4–8 , and nanoparticle pairs linked by DNA have been used to measure nanoscale distances 9. Here we demonstrate a molecular ruler in which double-stranded DNA is attached to a Au nanoparticle. The change in plasmon resonance wavelength of individual Au –DNA conjugates depends on the length of the DNA and can be measured with subnanometre axial resolution. An average wavelength shift of approximately 1.24 nm is observed per DNA base pair. This system allows for a label-free, quantitative, real-time measurement of nuclease activity and also serves as a new DNA footprinting platform, which can accurately detect and map the specific binding of a protein to DNA. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy measures the refractive index or dielectric constant of liquids or media in contact with the surface of metallic thin films. Conventional bulk-scale SPR can measure analyte concentration, protein–protein interaction and DNA hybridization 10,11. Recently, high-speed nanoplasmonic resonance sensing on a single metallic nanoparticle has been developed, and various methods have been reported for immobilizing biomolecules on metallic nanoparticles 12–20. The plasmon resonance wavelengths of the Au nanoparticles shift in response to changes in their immediate environment, and the shift can be detected using scattering or absorption spectroscopy. Here we designed a nanoplasmonic molecular ruler, with a 54-bp double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) as the enzymatic substrate and calibration standard, conjugated to a 20-nm Au nanoparticle (Figs 1 and 2). The dsDNA contained cleavage sites for the


A 256 /spl times/ 192 pixels active-matrix cold electron emitter array with integrated scan driver circuits is developed. The basic structure of the electron emitter is almost the same as that of an advanced HEED (high-efficiency electron emission device) previously reported. The emission current density of the active-matrix HEED has been enhanced more than 100 times compared to that of the advanced HEED under the passive operation mode. It is demonstrated that the developed emitter can be applied to flat image sensing with a high-gain avalanche rushing amorphous photoconductor (HARP) target.


ABSTRACT Church membership is changing due to technology, globalization, and Millennial perspectives on religion. Additionally, churches are organizations without clear delineations between members and nonmembers, and there are few role expectations for attendees. Yet maintaining and growing membership is a necessary and important part of church organizing. Using Gailliard, Myers, and Seibold's (2010) Organizational Assimilation Index as a framework, this study investigates how members identify their assimilation experiences in Christian churches. Qualitative data from 233 participants provide evidence of three general markers of assimilation in this context: (a) building relationships with other members, (b) being involved in church activities, and (c) learning church culture at both the organizational and religious levels. We present findings that identify specific attributes for each theme and discuss how our findings extend current conceptions of organizational assimilation within organizations.


A numerical method is developed for carrying out unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (URANS) simulations and detached-eddy simulations (DESs) in complex 3D geometries. The method is applied to simulate incompressible swirling flow in a typical hydroturbine draft tube, which consists of a strongly curved 90° elbow and two piers. The governing equations are solved with a second-order-accurate, finite-volume, dual-time-stepping artificial compressibility approach for a Reynolds number of 1.1 million on a mesh with 1.8 million nodes. The geometrical complexities of the draft tube are handled using domain decomposition with overset (chimera) grids. Numerical simulations show that unsteady statistical turbulence models can capture very complex 3D flow phenomena dominated by geometry-induced, large-scale instabilities and unsteady coherent structures such as the onset of vortex breakdown and the formation of the unsteady rope vortex downstream of the turbine runner. Both URANS and DES appear to yield the general shape and magnitude of mean velocity profiles in reasonable agreement with measurements. Significant discrepancies among the DES and URANS predictions of the turbulence statistics are also observed in the straight downstream diffuser.


We report the first visible cytogenetic deletion involving the NF1 gene in a patient with sporadic neurofibromatosis, dysmorphic features, and marked developmental delay. The combined evidence of molecular and cytogenetic techniques based on dosage reduction, hemizygosity for microsatellite markers, high resolution G banding, and FISH analysis, predicts this deletion to be approximately 7 Mb in size. Our findings highlight the importance of conducting a detailed cytogenetic and FISH analysis in patients with NF1 who have additional dysmorphic features or particularly severe learning difficulties.


In order to extract capsule defects and reduce the process time in the real-time capsule defects identification system, a novel method using color image processing has been presented. We take RGB color space as the image processing environment and build an algebra relationship among the R, G and B components to directly segment the capsule defects instead of transforming these components to HSI color space. The first step of this method is to remove the background and effectively extract the capsule from the CCD-captured image. Based on the color variation relationship between the defect regions and the surrounding ones, the capsule defects are further segmented. Experimental results show that the method can successfully extract capsules better than in HSI color space, meanwhile, it can greatly accelerate the process and finish extracting within 3.5 milliseconds in contrast with 29.3 milliseconds in HSI space. Using this method, we have effectively extracted the capsules as well as their defects. The method would be practically useful in capsule defect identification system.


This paper seeks to address the question of designing distributed algorithms for the setting of compact memory i.e. sublinear bits working memory for arbitrary connected networks. The nodes in our networks may have much lower internal memory as compared to the number of their possible neighbours implying that a node may not be able to store all the IDs of its neighbours. These algorithms are useful for large networks of small devices such as the Internet of Things, for wireless or ad-hoc networks, and, in general, as memory efficient algorithms. We introduce the Compact Message Passing(CMP) model;an extension of the standard message passing model considered at a finer granularity where a node can interleave reads and writes with internal computations, using a port only once in a round. The interleaving is required for meaningful computations due to the low memory requirement and is akin to a distributed network with nodes executing streaming algorithms. Note that the internal memory size upper bounds the message sizes and hence e.g. for log-memory, the model is weaker than the Congest model; for such models our algorithms will work directly too. We present early results in the CMP model for nodes with log^2-memory. We introduce the concepts of local compact functions and compact protocols and give solutions for some classic distributed problems (leader election, tree constructions and traversals). We build on these to solve the open problem of compact preprocessing for the compact self-healing routing algorithm CompactFTZ posed in Compact Routing Messages in Self-Healing Trees(TCS2017) by designing local compact functions for finding particular subtrees of labeled binary trees. Hence, we introduce the first fully compact self-healing routing algorithm. We also give independent fully compact versions of the Forgiving Tree[PODC08] and Thorup-Zwick's tree based compact routing[SPAA01].


Molecular Dynamics computer simulations of gold passivated nanoparticles in water are presented. We show that butanethiol passivated gold nanoparticles of ∼3 nm diameter exhibit weak de-wetting, similar to that observed in extended hydrophobic surfaces. The nanoparticle–water interface is characterised by a water density depletion region, where the water molecules show a dramatic reduction in the number of hydrogen bonds with respect to bulk water. This weakening of the hydrogen bond structure is accompanied by the orientation of the dipole water vector towards the nanoparticle surface. The investigation of the vibrational spectrum of interfacial water at the nanoparticle surface supports the existence of free OH bonds. Overall our results indicate that small passivated metal nanoparticles (∼3 nm diameter) behave like hydrophobic surfaces.


KIT is a member of the type III receptor tyrosine kinase family, which is widely expressed in a variety of human malignancies. It is a potential target for imatinib because its constitutive activation, which is mostly caused by gene mutations, induces tumorigenesis, such as gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) [1]. In this study, the first case of primary Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph+ ALL) associated with imatinibsensitive testicular seminoma expressing KIT is described. This is the case of a 49-year-old man, who presented with painless left testicular enlargement and lumbago in October 2008. The serum levels of human chorionic gonadotrophin-b and lactate dehydrogenase were 1.0 ng/ml (normal value <0.1 ng/ml) and 1448 IU/l (115–217 IU/l), respectively; hence, testicular germcell tumor was initially suspected. Thereafter, pancytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation progressed promptly. Bone marrow aspiration revealed a hypercellular marrow with 92% blasts, which were positive for CD10, CD13, CD19, CD34, and human leukocyte antigen-DR by flow cytometry. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR also revealed positive for minor bcr/abl transcript. Under the diagnosis of Ph+ ALL, induction chemotherapy containing imatinib was started. The patient achieved complete molecular remission in the bone marrow. After imatinib administration (600 mg/day) from day 8 of induction therapy, the left testicular tumor started to decrease in size, but magnetic resonance imaging showed only 50% reduction (Figure 1A and B). In December 2008, orchiectomy was carried out for diagnostic purpose. The specimen was pathologically confirmed as pure testicular seminoma without leukemic cell infiltration (Figure 1C). Moreover, it was strongly positive for KIT by immunohistochemistry (Figure 1D). In March 2009, the patient underwent myeloablative cord blood transplantation (CBT) following two courses of consolidation therapy containing imatinib. During follow-up 6 months after CBT, no recurrence in Ph+ ALL, as well as KIT-positive seminoma, were noted. KIT expression is commonly seen in testicular seminoma, wherein, approximately a quarter of cases has activating mutations in the kinase domain, exon 17 [1, 2]. Although a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for KIT, such as imatinib, is expected to be an ideal molecular targeting drug for testicular seminoma, as well as for GIST, the clinical efficacy remains to be clarified. The KIT-mediated tumorigenesis and the sensitivity to imatinib might depend not only on the presence and/or type of activating mutations but also on other mechanisms, such as an autocrine/paracrine loop [3]. In this case, any known mutations in the KIT could not be


The utility model relates to a solid-state fermentation device of the Pu 'er Tea, belonging to technical field of tea processing. The utility model discloses a perforated cylinder type solid-state fermentation device of the Pu 'er Tea, comprising a jacket and a perforated cylinder type inner pot. A steam inlet and outlet opening and an air inlet are arranged on the wall of the jacket and a feeding opening and a sampling opening are arranged on the corresponding position of the walls of the jacket and the inner pot. The inner pot is connected with a motor by a rotating shaft. The utility model can automatically turn over and push the Pu 'er Tea during the solid-state fermentation and improve the ferment efficiency of the Pu 'er Tea by steam sterilizing, further accelerate the ferment process by introducing in microorganism with corresponding characteristic through the feeding opening according to the different stages of the ferment process, therefore simply and effectively controlling the solid-state fermentation process of the Pu 'er Tea.


Given experimental evidence at the LHC for physics beyond the standard model, how can we determine the nature of the underlying theory? We initiate an approach to studying the ``inverse map from the space of LHC signatures to the parameter space of theoretical models within the context of low-energy supersymmetry, using 1808 LHC observables including essentially all those suggested in the literature and a 15 dimensional parametrization of the supersymmetric standard model. We show that the inverse map of a point in signature space consists of a number of isolated islands in parameter space, indicating the existence of ``degeneracies — qualitatively different models with the same LHC signatures. The degeneracies have simple physical characterizations, largely reflecting discrete ambiguities in electroweak-ino spectrum, accompanied by small adjustments for the remaining soft parameters. The number of degeneracies falls in the range 1 < d < 100, depending on whether or not sleptons are copiously produced in cascade decays. This number is large enough to represent a clear challenge but small enough to encourage looking for new observables that can further break the degeneracies and determine at the LHC most of the SUSY physics we care about. Degeneracies occur because signatures are not independent, and our approach allows testing of any new signature for its independence. Our methods can also be applied to any other theory of physics beyond the standard model, allowing one to study how model footprints differ in signature space and to test ways of distinguishing qualitatively different possibilities for new physics at the LHC.


In this paper, we present a detailed analysis of walkaway vertical seismic profiling (VSP) data, which can be used to obtain Thomsen parameters using P-wave-only inversion. Data acquisition took place in difficult field conditions, which influenced the quality of the data. Therefore, this paper also shows a seismic data processing scheme that allows the estimation of correct polarization angles despite poor input data quality. Moreover, we showed that it is possible to obtain reliable and detailed values of Thomsen's anisotropy parameters for data that are challenging due to extremely difficult field conditions during acquisition and the presence of an overburden of salt and anhydrite (Zechstein formation). This complex is known for its strong seismic signal-attenuating properties. We designed a special processing workflow with a signal-matching procedure that allows reliable estimation of polarization angles for low-quality data. Additionally, we showed that P-wave-only inversion for the estimation of local anisotropy parameters can be used as valuable additional input for detailed interpretation of geological media, even if anisotropy is relatively low.


Do different types of cancer affect the success of oocyte maturation in vitro compared to infertile women included in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) program?

 Cancer does not adversely affect oocyte maturation in vitro, with the exception of breast cancer, compared to infertile women in the in vitro fertilization program.

 Vitrification and storage of oocytes in liquid nitrogen is one of the real options for maintaining reproductive function in cancer patients. Despite careful hormonal stimulation of the ovaries, however, the proportion of oocytes is immature and lost to the patient. In vitro maturation of oocytes can play an important role in resolving immature oocytes and increasing the chances of conception in cancer patients. Moreover, it can mean a safe way to store oocytes when ovarian hormonal stimulation could worsen the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether different types of cancer affect oocyte in vitro maturation.

 After ovarian stimulation in 18 cancer patients, the number and maturity of oocytes were compared to 21 infertile patients in the IVF program over a three-year period. In both groups, 119 germinal vesicle-GV oocytes were matured in vitro to compare the maturation rate. After IVF in a subset of 17 infertile patients, the fertilization of in vitro and in vivo matured oocytes was compared in the same cycles. The procedure was considered in cancer patients.

 In this prospective study, forty-five GV oocytes in cancer patients and 74 GV oocytes in infertile patients underwent in vitro maturation procedure. Each oocyte was matured in vitro in the MediCult IVM System by conditioning in LAG medium and maturation for up to 28 hours in IVM medium with added hormones FSH and hCG, in coculture with cumulus cells from mature oocytes in the same patients. Oocytes were fertilized by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

 After controlled ovarian hormonal stimulation, 198 oocytes were retrieved in cancer patients and 259 oocytes in infertile women and there were no significant differences in the number of retrieved oocytes, proportion of degenerated oocytes and proportion of GV oocytes. In cancer patients, the proportion of oocytes that matured in vitro was lower than in infertile patients (66.0 vs. 80.0%), but the difference was not significant. Among cancer patients, the oocyte maturation rate tended to be lower in patients with breast cancer than in patients with other cancers (54.5% vs. 81.2%; difference not significant). However, in patients with breast cancer, significantly fewer oocytes matured in vitro than in infertile patients (54.5% vs. 80.0%; P < 0.05, Chi-Square test) even though they tended to be younger (29.3 ± 7.4 vs. 33.4 ± 5.0 years; non-significant difference). After in vitro maturation, there was a 13% increase in mature oocyte yield in cancer patients and a 20.1% increase in infertile women with no significant difference observed. After ICSI in a subset of infertile women, there was approximately the same fertilization rate between oocytes matured in vitro and in vivo (55.1% vs. 57.0%) in the same cycles.

 For ICSI in oocytes matured in vitro, we had to use semen collected the day before, while oocytes matured in vivo were fertilized with fresh semen in the same cycle. Therefore, we could not compare the development of embryos in both groups.
 Wider implications of the findings: In vitro maturation of oocytes in connection with their vitrification or vitrification of embryos after their fertilization appears to be a valuable way to maintain the fertility of young cancer patients, but a worse outcome is expected in breast cancer patients.

 National Medical Ethical Committee Approval, No. 0120–222/2016–2; KME 115/04/16.


iii11.0 hall and for half an hour neral social intercourse and t. ling!, then 4-ailed the meeting .1,-r :old expressed his great ',least al.., large attendance and interline-h. Ile then related a 11111111,er a••:4 about the house fly. witch he lit to be called the Typhoid tse it so frequently ettrries lie also gave a most inhistery of the efe and habits Nthy pest that is sill+ a -Anii. ard-menace to health in our • the summer time. lie urged it ills to use every possible prole!' to prevent •the breeding of flies ing our premises serupulmisly ! y sereiming or eovering all garis manure piles and reIrg t...ry frequently from our yards ..1,11.1es nay and all kinds of rub-


The microstructures of binary (conductor-insulator) composites, containing nanoparticles, will usually have one of two basic structures. The first is the matrix structure where the nanoparticles (granules) are embedded in and always coated by the matrix material and there are no particle-particle contacts. The AC and DC conductivity of this microstructure is usually described by the Maxwell-Wagner/Hashin-Shtrikman or Bricklayer model. The second is a percolation structure, which can be thought to be made up by randomly packing the two types of granules (not necessarily the same size) together. In percolation systems, there exits a critical volume fraction below which the electrical properties are dominated by the insulating component and above which the conducting component dominates. Such percolation systems are best analyzed using the two-exponent phenomenological percolation equation (TEPPE). This paper discusses all of the above and addresses the problem of how to distinguish among the microstructures using electrical measurements.


Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the view of nurses in the application of the pain scale in patients hospitalized in intensive care and medical clinic. Method: An exploratory-descriptive study was conducted with a qualitative approach in a private hospital in the interior of the State of Sao Paulo. The sample consisted of 20 nurses who answered 2 identical questionnaires, one demographic member with thirteen questions and the other with a dissertative question regarding the research objective. Results: Twenty nurses were interviewed, where 10 (50%) applied the scale at the time of patient admission, 4 (20%) applied the numerical scale more easily, while another 4 (20%) reported that they did not apply any pain scale. Among these, 20 (100%) consider the scale useful, 17 (85%) do not find difficulties in the application and 14 (70%) do not apply the scale in sedated patients. All of them recognized the importance of the scale and know pain as the 5th vital sign and it was clear that with the application of the scale it is possible to offer more comfort, evaluating the effectiveness of the medication and aiding in the clinical reasoning. Conclusion: All nurses consider it useful to use the pain scale, but lack of an institutional protocol often fails to apply the scale at important moments of patient admission.


INTRODUCTION:
Cerebral meningiomas account for 15–20% of all cerebral tumors. Although seldom malignant, they frequently recur in spite of complete surgery, which remains the cornerstone of the treatment. In order to decrease the probability of local recurrence, radiotherapy has often been recommended in atypical or malignant meningioma as well as in benign meningioma which was incompletely resected. However, this treatment never was the subject of prospective studies, randomized or not.
METHODS:
We retrospectively reviewed all patients with meningioma treated with radiotherapy in the oncology department of Hospital University Mohammed 6 in Marrakech from 1 January 2011 to 1 December 2014. Demographic data including age, sex, and clinical signs revealing meningioma Been studied. All patients in the study received surgical treatment and radiotherapy. The histological data of the surgical specimens have been studied, neurological evolution and therapeutic complications were analyzed.
RESULTS :
From January 2011 to December 2014, six patients were identified with a median age of 43.5 years (range 25-56years). Sex-ratio was 0.5. Headache was the most common presenting symptom manifesting in 4 patients (66,6 %). Tumors were mostly located in the convexity (83.3%). Five patients underwent complete excision (Simpson I A  III) and 1 underwent subtotal excision (Simpson IV). On histopathological analysis, 2 patients (33,3%) had WHO grade I, 2 patients (33,3%) had WHO grade II (atypical) and 2 patients (33,3%) grade III. 4 patients had adjuvant radiation from initial management and 2 patients with grade I meningioma had adjuvant radiotherapy after recurrence and surgical reoperation. For evolution, a tumor recurrence was observed at control imaging in the 12th months, the disease was stabilized for the patient with sphenoorbital localization, for the remaining four patients, the disease was controlled. No grade 3 or 4 toxicity were observed.
ca—a½"ao•c«¯
CONCLUSION:
Adjuvant radiotherapy improved local control after incomplete resection for grade I meningiomas, and after complete resection for high-grade meningiomas.


The work of Cherniss on Aristotle's criticism of the Presocratics may be compared with that of Jaeger on the development of Aristotle's own thought as contained in his Aristoteles of 1923. Jaeger modestly described that epoch-making work as a Grundlegung or foundation for the history of the philosopher's development, and as such it has been of value not only for itself but in the stimulus it has given to further study, in the course of which the balance of its conclusions has been to some extent altered. Cherniss's own study is of the same pioneer kind, and if I confess to a feeling that it goes rather too far, the comparison with the now classic work of Jaeger will, I hope, make clear my general admiration and appreciation of the fact that it is a permanent contribution with which all future scholarship will have to reckon. I cannot at this stage even begin to discuss in detail the mass of erudition on which Cherniss's case is built up. Nevertheless, the very widespread acceptance of his strictures on Aristotle's historical sense suggest that anyone to whom they seem extreme should lose no time in giving voice to his misgivings, even in general terms, before they become irrevocably canonical. This thought has been prompted by the recent monograph of Mr. J. B. McDiarmid, Theophrastus on the Presocratic Causes, at the beginning of which we read simply that 'the question of Aristotle's bias has been dealt with exhaustively by H. Cherniss', whose views then become, without further remark, the starting-point of the younger scholar's own inquiry into the reliability of Theophrastus. Since in what follows I may speak critically of McDiarmid on several points, let me say that his main thesis, the dependence of Theophrastus on Aristotle in much of his φυσικων δόξαι and the consequent danger of regarding him as a separate authority for Presocratic thought, seems true enough. The derivation of Theophrastus's judgments from those of his master was already beginning to be recognised with fruitful results, and the time was ripe for a general review of the evidence.


This paper proposes a simple efficient soft-switching method for switching power converters, inverters and amplifiers. Soft switching of a DC/AC H-bridge power converter is realized by paralleling two auxiliary switches and a magnetic amplifier with the load. The auxiliary switches are turned on at a predetermined time before the commutation of the main switches. The magnetic amplifier then automatically determines the necessary amount of redirection current to ensure soft switching of all switches under any load conditions. This method requires no expensive sensors or complex control circuitry. It is ideal for class-D audio power amplifiers, where the load current is widely changing. Further applications include DC/DC power converters, motor drivers, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), communication and space power applications, where high efficiency, low electromagnetic interference (EMI) and small size are crucial.


Nematopogon stenochlora (Meyrick, 1912), described from Algeria, is for the fi rst time reported from Europe. The specimens collected in the province of Malaga, Spain have genitalia indistinguishable from the holotype of N. stenochlora, although externally they resemble N. dorsiguttella (Erschoff, 1877) in their large size and the presence of two prominent white spots on the dorsal forewing margin. Investigation of additional specimens collected in Algeria demonstrated that the external characters of N. stenochlora are variable; we update the description of this species accounting for this variation in external characters and also illustrate female genitalia that have not been fi gured previously. Appearance of N. stenochlora in late winter and early spring is the most likely reason behind the elusiveness of this species.


In this paper,an optimized factorization method for recovering the 3D geometry of a scene from multiple uncalibrated images is presented.The method first performs a projective reconstruction using an iterative approach,and then converts the projective solution to a metric structure by estimating the absolute quadric.Real images have been used to test the proposed method and good results have been obtained.It has been demonstrated that the proposed method is easy to use.


This chapter turns from judges to human rights lawyers, whose role as advocates gives rise either to different problems or to the same ones in more overt form. It focuses on writings intended for the general public by Shami Chakrabarti, Conor Gearty, and Anthony Lester. All three are publicly prominent British lawyers, whose views echo and amplify those reported in previous chapters from judges in Strasbourg and Ottawa, and from Human Rights Watch in New York. The chapter argues that their advocacy for the rights of individuals is vitiated by habitual cynicism toward government, and a constantly deaf ear to its genuine concerns. Since it cannot persuade sceptics, this is poor advocacy. Moreover, since it is widely acknowledged in principle that few rights are absolute and unconditional, it follows that there are circumstances when it would be proportionate for rights to be limited or suspended, or not to be extended. Therefore, human rights lawyers should be more willing than are these three to think about what those circumstances would be, and to recognise them when they obtain, instead of treating every concession to circumstance as if it were a grubby betrayal of principle. A defence of rights that fully accepted that imperfect compromise can really be inevitable, and that acknowledged that sometimes the claims of the social good really do justify exposing individuals to greater risk, would be a more honest defence, and much the stronger for it.


We introduce a finitely axiomatizable second-order theory VTC^0, which is associated with the class FO-uniform TC^0.It consists of the base theory V^0 for AC^0 reasoning together with the axiom NUMONES, which states the existence of a "counting array" Y for any string X: the ith row of Y contains only the number of 1 bits up to (excluding) bit i of X.We introduce the notion of "strong \Delta _1^B-definability" for relationsd in a theory, and use a recursive characterization of the TC^0 relations (rather than functions) to show that the TC^0 relations are strongly \Delta _1^B-definable.It follows that the TC^0 functions are \sum _1^B-definable in VTC^0. We prove a general witnessing theorem for second-order theories and conclude that the \sum _1^B theorems of VTC^0 are witnessed by TC^0 functions.We prove that VTC^0 is RSUV isomorphic to the first order theory \Delta _1^b-CR of Johannsen and Pollett (the "minimal theory for TC^0").\Delta _1^b-CR includes the \Delta _1^b comprehension rule, and J and P ask whether there is an upper bound to the nesting depth required for this rule.We answer "yes", because VTC^0, and therefore \Delta _1^b-CR, are finitely axiomatizable.Finally, we show that \sum _0^B theorems of VTC^0 translate to families of tautologies which have polynomial-size constant-depth TC^0-Frege proofs.We also show that PHP is a \sum _0^B theorem of VTC^0.These together imply that the family of propositionaltautologies associated with PHP has polynomial-size constant-depth TC^0-Frege proofs.


Current calcium phosphate based cements (CPCs) for use as bone substi tutes provide the surgeon with a material that is readily formable and with mecha ni al properties similar to that of human bone. However, a better understanding of the influence of the component ma terials used is required in order to further develop these cements. This study investiga t the influence of varying the molarity and liquid-to-powder (L:P) ratio of the sodium phosphate (Na 2HPO4) accelerator on the mechanical, chemical and microstructural properties of a CPC.


The main aim of the present research is to detect the molecular variation (RAPD analysis) in cicer arietinum L. The seeds of cicer arietinum L. were raised through in vitro culture aseptically. Callus mass was induced from the leaf explants in MS medium supplemented with various concentration and combination of plant growth regulators. After the process of regeneration, the genomic DNA was isolated from the calli derived from the leaf explants and the molecular variation was studied through molecular marker (RAPD) analysis and polymorphic, monomorphic variations also have been studied. Molecular variations were observed in the callus derived from leaf explants of cicer arietinum L.


In this paper, from the perspective of improving the effect of scientific early warning information, the co-evolution propagation model of information and epidemic is studied. In order to improve the quality of information in the network, the co-evolution propagation model of information and epidemic is controlled based on the research on the co-evolution propagation model of information and epidemic from the perspective of improving the effect of positive information. It improves the quality of information in the network information layer by using the influential individuals in the social network. This paper will build a co-evolution propagation model of information and epidemic based on the maximization of influence. It combines the calculation method of individual influence in order to use the influential individuals in social networks to improve the transmission efficiency of epidemic warning information. And it tries to improve the quality of information and the effect of early warning with less control and less cost. Through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation analysis, it is found that the influence of information on individual behavior plays a greater role in the co-evolution propagation model of information and epidemic. At the same time, by increasing the information transmission rate and influential individuals in the network information layer, the number of infectious epidemic will be reduced. To a certain extent, it shows that information early warning plus influence control is effective.


It is difficult to effectively identify and eliminate the multiple correlation influence among the independent factors by least-squares regression. Focusing on this insufficiency, the sediment deposition risk of cascade reservoirs and fitting model of sediment flux into the reservoir are studied. The partial least-squares regression (PLSR) method is adopted for modeling analysis; the model fitting is organically combined with the non-model-style data content analysis, so as to realize the regression model, data structure simplification, and multiple correlations analysis among factors; meanwhile the accuracy of the model is ensured through cross validity check. The modeling analysis of sediment flux into the cascade reservoirs of Long-Liu section upstream of the Yellow River indicates that partial least-squares regression can effectively overcome the multiple correlation influence among factors, and the isolated factor variables have better ability to explain the physical cause of measured results.


The electron capture cross sections by protons incident on germanium films to form 1s, 2s, 2p hydrogens are calculated by Born approximation. The basic data of the differential cross sections at the forward 1" versus the incident proton energy are presented. Comparisons of the present results with those of proton-carbon, proton-silicon collisions are discussed and the possible use of the present investigation to the device physics is stressed.


This chapter discusses measuring of intelligence by Francis Galton, J. McK. Cattell, and Alfred Binet. Charles Spearman abhorred the program that would separate the mind into a loose confederation of independent faculties of learning, memory and attention. Although most intelligence researchers today probably accept that the general factor is to stay, they remain sharply divided on its explanation. These disagreements go well beyond a rejection of Spearman's specific suggestions that g is either mental energy or the eduction of relations and correlates. Spearman saw that he needed to provide a psychological or (better still) a neurobiological explanation of g. The two favorite paradigms for this program of research were inspection time (IT) and choice reaction time (RT). Aided by the new technologies of brain imaging, research on intelligence, working memory, and other so-called executive functions has begun to point to some of the brain structures common to them all.


The history of the Earth has always been affected by natural disasters, which regardless of our technological advancements, cannot be curbed. Some areas in the world are much more affected by these events, some of which can kill thousands of people. Hence, the disasters are rare events but with a very high impact on the lives of many people. They can be natural disasters or disasters caused by man, considering that the environmental catastrophic risks and pollution have serious consequences. We are aware that natural disasters are caused by natural forces and they are manifested in the form of earthquakes, fire (including forest fires), floods, droughts, avalanches, storms, landslides, hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, etc.Considering that the climate change is more and more visible and in the rise, manifested by major storms and other disasters, the nature is sending a clear message to us to be more cautious and take preventive measures in order to minimize and channel them, in particular disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, Tsunami, flood, hurricanes, etc. The main climate changes are increasingly caused by these phenomena throughout the world, hence the question: which are the worst natural disasters in the history?Even though nowadays the mankind has a very developed technology, it still does not have a protection against the nature and the worst destructive disasters. We are witnesses of increasingly frequent disasters such as: hurricanes, tsunami, extreme rainfalls, droughts, dense snowfalls as a result of the climate change. And on the destruction of planet Earth "the mother nature", in a way a light is shed on us through the worst disasters!One of the common characteristics of natural risks, which applies to the majority of them, is the suddenness of their appearance (e.g. earthquakes, landslides, open fires, etc.) Even though, through scientific and technological advancements to some extent some natural disasters can be predicted as far as their location and time is concerned (e.g. floods, hurricanes, low temperatures, draughts, hail, etc.)


The reserach based on to know chritical thingking skill of high, middle, dan low group student through learning start with questions. The sample of this research is V class student of 95 students from Margamukti Elementary School, Mandalaherang Elementary Scholl I, adn Mandalaherang Elementary School II. The method used is pre-experimental and one-group-pretest-posttest design wth the same treatment from three schools. Instrumen used on the research is KAIPA test chritical thinking skills test, teacher performance observation, student activity observation, and questionnaire. Result of research using significance level  showed that each group can improve chritical thingking skill with learning start with questions. The results showed that high group chritical thinking skill with is better than middle and low group, and middle group chritical thinking skills is better than low group


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the use of the effective rate as a useful metric. Facilities management operations who function as re‐charge organizations (public or private, non‐profit or profit) are able to track performance and do comparisons for expense recovery while taking into account the organization's unique environment.Design/methodology/approach – After providing a definition of the effective rate, some of the influences and the importance of measuring performance for facilities management operations are discussed. The remainder of the paper focuses on the findings based on a qualitative single case study that not only clarifies the use of the metric, but also confirms the usefulness for a service‐oriented organization to measure and track performance.Findings – Taking into account the unique environment of each organization along with the differences for time not billed back to the customer (un‐billable), the effective rate is offered as a quantitative means to measure pe...


The article considers the problem of inter-ethnic relations, particularly relevant for multinational regions. The aggravation of interethnic relations necessitates the finding of ways to settle conflict situations, the training of people capable to operate effectively in a multi-ethnic environment. The authors analyze the process of formation of ethno-cultural competence, considering the multicultural environment of a higher school as a necessary condition.


The microbiological and physiological analysis of crude oil contaminated soil amended with animal wastes (Chicken droppings and Cow dung) were investigated using standard cultural techniques and different concentrations of nutrients amendments (10%, 30% and 50%). The present study was aimed to isolate and identify microorganisms from animal wastes with the potential of degrading/utilization of crude oil as a sole carbon source. Result obtained revealed increased soil organic matter and reduced soil nitrate and phosphorus, thus imposing a condition that impaired oil degradation in the soil. Treatment of the soil with 50% of cow dung resulted in the highest oil degradation rate of 85.78%. The bacterial isolates with crude oil degrading potentials were Psuedomonas sp. (88%), Microccocus sp. (75%) Bacillus sp. (100%) Klebsiella and Seratia sp. Had the lowest percentage occurrence of 35% and 25% respectively. Animal waste can therefore be an option for crude oil pollution remediation.


Aimed at the problem of lagging transport system at inclined shaft towards Chaochuan Coal Mine,we designed and making a complete set of equipment of machine of ST1000 type 30°big elevation angles forces transport.Which have transported an ability on having improved raw coal's,have cut accurate that raw coal has transported a link,reduced running cost and created very good economic effect.


In the United States, the transition from traditional paper-based healthcare records to electronic healthcare record (EHR) systems is being promoted aggressively. While EHR systems offer a number of benefits, they will introduce new security and privacy concerns. A significant fraction of such threats, at least in part, arise due to actions of insiders of healthcare organizations, either accidentally or intentionally. We believe information accountability, which allows us to securely identify how a health record reached a certain consumer and who was involved in its sharing or transfer, is a key to discourage such threats. In this work, we propose a patient-centric scheme to establish robust information accountability in electronic healthcare record sharing systems. We also present a prototype implementation and show that it does not impose unacceptable performance overhead.


The invention relates to a method for determining the thicknesses of solid-liquid slag lubricating films on the basis of a temperature measuring continuous-casting mold of a thermoelectric couple, belonging to the field of mathematical model application of ferrous metallurgical continuous casting process, comprising the following steps: step 1, acquiring initial data; step 2, determining the thickness of the solid slag lubricating film and the thickness of the liquid slag lubricating film at a meniscus area of the mold; and step 3, displaying a result of the thickness of the solid slag lubricating film and the thickness of the liquid slag lubricating film in an online manner. The method has the advantages that on the basis of mass balance and heat flow balance, an equation for calculating the thicknesses of the lubricating films at the meniscus of the continuous casting mold is deduced, and under the premise of installing the thermoelectric couple at the meniscus area, temperature data detected in real time is imported to a mathematical model so as to realize real-time calculation of the thicknesses of the lubricating films.


The term ' ' Little League elbow' ' has been used for several lesions involving the secondary centers of ossification of the elbow: osteochondrosis of the medial epicondyle of the humerus, the humeral capitellum, and the radial head 1-6.5-10 The purpose of this paper is to present a previously undescnibed lesion involving the elbow of an adolescent pitcher: non-union of a stress fracture through the epiphyseal plate of the olecranon.


BEGINNING WITH THE 1778 Treaty with the Delawares, the United States engaged in some 375 treaties with Native Americans. While many were concluded hopefully, even earnestly, none ended well for Indian tribes. From George Washington forward, American presidents were confronted with the problem of Americans coveting and taking Indian land. Moreover, from the time of the French and Indian War in 1754, what would become the American army was fighting Indians. Subjugating those Indians was a challenge of enormous magnitude: Only 5,000 soldiers patrolled a million square miles that was home to 200,000 to 300,000 Indians. And the Indians were generally more proficient at warfare. Soldiers fighting successive tribes of Indians as white settlers moved south and west to occupy the continent were mostly militia, with little prior experience of warfare. By contrast, most Indian tribes fought as their profession. As S. C. Gwynne emphasizes in Empire of the Summer Moon, "American Indians were warlike by nature, and they were warlike for centuries before Columbus stumbled upon them." Yet the United States had innumerable advantages it could bring to bear against the Indians: wealth, numbers, technology, industrial organization. Why did it take so long--over a hundred years--to do so? The answer is a complicated story, interweaving policy and military failures, failures of understanding and execution, and throughout it all an obdurate unwillingness of Americans on the frontier to uphold their government's policy. The Indian Wars were finally won with the combination of simplified objectives, ruthless prosecution by both military and economic means, and international cooperation to preclude sanctuaries from which tribes could operate. But the lessons, and especially the military lessons, were there from the start. These lessons are immediately relevant to the war we are fighting in Afghanistan. Nor are the lessons of the Indian Wars solely applicable to countering insurgencies. When asked by George Marshall in 1942 how the Army should train for pivoting from the war in Europe to the Pacific, the commander of the Marines on Guadalcanal answered "go back to the tactics of the French and Indian days ... study their tactics and fit in our modem weapons, and you have a solution." Many would now prefer to consider this kind of war a narrow subset of the spectrum of conflict; the Defense Department's 2012 strategic guidance concludes the United States will no longer engage in large-scale counterinsurgencies. Yet the impediments to winning the Indian Wars will be impediments to winning any kind of war. They have to do with an unwillingness by political leaders to acknowledge the scope and contradictory nature of their strategic objectives; an enormous gap between the campaign's objectives and the resources political leaders are willing to put toward the effort; dramatic overestimation of the capacity of our government to effectively carry out a sophisticated policy with political, economic, and military elements; corruption delegitimizing the idealistic components of the policy designed to win support of "reconcileables"; military gains far outpacing civilian agencies' ability to capitalize on them; existence of safe havens because of our inability to bring border states into cooperation; insularity in Washington against the consequences of the policy's failures, which are principally borne by others; a military hesitant to credit their adversaries with superior tactics and even strategy; a cost-exchange ratio significantly favoring the enemy and therefore making our strategy episodically followed and their strategy more sustainable over time; ideological unwillingness to adjust the strategy to one more in line with conditions and resources. In fact, these are the same impediments preventing us winning the Afghan war. In the beginning WASHINGTON AND HIS Virginians were beaten back from Ft. …


We report here what is to our knowledge the first demonstration of multikilohertz SBS phase conjugation of copper vapor lasers. SBS reflectivities of 90% have been achieved, discounting the energy lost due to the process transient threshold, and phase conjugation performance has been maintained at 6.5 kHz for several hours. The dependence of the SBS performance on CVL beam quality has been investigated and a significant improvement with improved beam quality is obtained. The ability of the SBS reflection to compensate for CVL aberrations has been demonstrated with a phase conjugate fidelity of 0.97. Results of an investigation into the effects of absorption in the SBS medium have shown that an absorption of approximately 10-3%cm-1 is sufficient to degrade the SBS performance. Medium agitation techniques have been used to partially overcome the effects of absorption, and techniques for further improvement are discussed. Methods of improving the efficiency of the SBS process, including the use of multiple cells to reduce the transient threshold and operation with higher pulse energies are discussed.


Sub-5 nm lithography and metrology are the key technologies for more CMOS and beyond CMOS nanoelectronics. To keep up with scaling down of nanoelectronic components, novel instrumentation for nanometer precise placement, overlay alignment, and measurement are essential to enable fabrication of next generation nanoelectronic systems. In particular, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) based methods for surface modification and measurement are the emerging techniques for producing and testing of sub-5 nm features. In this article, the authors demonstrate nanoscale lithography and coordinate metrology technologies, both being based on SPM methodology. Scanning probes with a piezoresistive deflection read-out and an integrated deflection actuator, later on referred to as the active piezoresistive cantilevers, were used for lithography employing field emission patterning. They were also integrated with the so-called nanomeasuring machine (NPM) and used for surface imaging, which made it possible to measure the structure dimensions in the 25 × 25 × 5 mm3 space with 0.1 nm resolution and great accuracy. The basic NPM concept relies on a unique arrangement, enabling the so-called Abbe error-free measurements in all axes over the total scan range. The combination of the active piezoresistive cantilevers and NPM technologies makes it possible to store the exact location on the investigated surface, which can be found again with an accuracy of less than 2.5 nm. This system is also predestinated for the critical dimension, quality, and overlay control.Sub-5 nm lithography and metrology are the key technologies for more CMOS and beyond CMOS nanoelectronics. To keep up with scaling down of nanoelectronic components, novel instrumentation for nanometer precise placement, overlay alignment, and measurement are essential to enable fabrication of next generation nanoelectronic systems. In particular, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) based methods for surface modification and measurement are the emerging techniques for producing and testing of sub-5 nm features. In this article, the authors demonstrate nanoscale lithography and coordinate metrology technologies, both being based on SPM methodology. Scanning probes with a piezoresistive deflection read-out and an integrated deflection actuator, later on referred to as the active piezoresistive cantilevers, were used for lithography employing field emission patterning. They were also integrated with the so-called nanomeasuring machine (NPM) and used for surface imaging, which made it possible to measure the stru...


Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is an indicator of dehydration in patients at risk of developing acute stroke-in-evolution, and BUN level detection in such patients can help prevent such a diagnosis. This study developed the key module components of and techniques employed by a BUN analyzer that is suitable for use during home care. Based on suggestions by health professionals, an analyzer was developed, which detected the BUN level of dry chemistry test slides during enzymatic reactions that met the accepted standards. This study focused on solving the problem of low sensitivity of enzymatic quantification when dry chemistry slides are used, which are susceptible to blood color interference. The development of an optical analyzer that satisfied health professionals' requirements was another aim of this study. The developed BUN analyzer included an enzymatic module, an optical detection module, and an integrated graphical user interface, because software analysis and data exploration were also essential. The purpose of this study was to implement portable BUN analyzers in clinical medicine.


This study investigated the influence of Strategic Welfare Services on employee performance in Level Five Public Hospitals in Kenya guided by human capital theory, cybernetic theory, contingency theory, goal setting theory and AMO theory. The study used descriptive research survey and adopted cross-sectional survey research design. The study targeted all permanent employees within the ranks of senior management, middle management, lower management and general staff in the hospitals. This involved a target population of 1428 employees from which a sample of 146 was obtained through simple random sampling. Proportionate sampling was used in selecting the permanent employees from the hospitals representing 10% of the accessible population. Two hospitals not included in the final study were purposively selected for a pilot study to check on reliability and validity of instruments. Both primary and secondary data collection methods were used in form of questionnaires and interview schedules. Collected data was descriptively analyzed and presented in tables. Correlation and multiple regression were conducted at 0.05% level of significance to determine the strength and direction of the relationship between variables. Study findings indicated that strategic welfare services influenced employee performance in the level five public hospitals in Kenya. The authors recommend the use, implementation and sensitization of strategic welfare service contingent to the health sector that will steer up employee performance. The paper is an information source for government departments, the health sector, NGOs and individuals on employee welfare.


In the current study, polyethersulfone based (emim)[bf4] ionic liquid polymeric membranes (ILPMs) were synthesised for CO2 separation from CH4. Two weight percentages (10% and 20%) of (emim)[bf4] ionic liquid was added in the prepared doped solution; flat sheet dense membranes were synthesised by the dry phase inversion method. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) was used to analyse membranes morphology. Elemental composition of the membranes was examined using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX). Distribution of IL in the polymer matrix was observed with the help of mapping. The gas permeation experiments were performed at ambient room temperature and 4 bar pressure. All membranes showed dense and non-porous structure which depicted the good compatibility of polymer and ionic liquid. Presence of additional elements such as nitrogen and fluorine in PES/[emim] [bf4] membranes confirmed the presence of ionic liquid in the polymer. Mapping of fluorine element shown the uniform distribution of ionic liquid in the synthesised ILPMs. Membrane having ionic liquid 20 weight % showed a nearly 39-fold increase in CO2 gas permeability compared to pure polyethersulfone membrane and 2.31-fold increase in ideal selectivity of CO2/CH4. The synthesised ILPMs have immense potential for CO2 separation from natural gas.


This paper presents a novel method for detecting scene changes from a pair of images with a difference of camera viewpoints using a dense optical flow based change detection network. In the case that camera poses of input images are fixed or known, such as with surveillance and satellite cameras, the pixel correspondence between the images captured at different times can be known. Hence, it is possible to comparatively accurately detect scene changes between the images by modeling the appearance of the scene. On the other hand, in case of cameras mounted on a moving object, such as ground and aerial vehicles, we must consider the spatial correspondence between the images captured at different times. However, it can be difficult to accurately estimate the camera pose or 3D model of a scene, owing to the scene changes or lack of imagery. To solve this problem, we propose a change detection convolutional neural network utilizing dense optical flow between input images to improve the robustness to the difference between camera viewpoints. Our evaluation based on the panoramic change detection dataset shows that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art change detection algorithms.


rThere is a general consensus among macro economists that the U.S. trade deficit will be largely eliminated over the next decade. This paper investigates the implications for the structure of the U.S. economy of such a reduction. We explore two alternative adjustment scenarios. First, we assume an environment of world trade liberalization, with successful resolution of the Uruguay round of GATT negotiations. In this environment, the U.S. pursues a strategy of export-led growth, with a significant real devaluation and rapid expansion of exports, including agriculture. An alternative view is that the current round of GATT negotiations will end in failure and the world economy will lapse into a protectionist environment. In this second scenario, the U.S. is assumed to adopt protectionist policies to improve the trade balance and pursue an inward-1ooking growth strategy. We use a thirty-sector CGE model of the U.S. to analyze the impact of these two scenarios.J The model includes significant detail in the agricultural sectors, including explicit specification of agricultural support programs. The CGE model is benchmarked to a 1988 base. The first adjustment scenario starts from a set of macroeconometric projections of the U.S. economy to 1991 and 1995 that incorporate a fall in the trade deficit and an assumed improvement in the world trade environment. These projections provide exogenous macro variables for the CGE model. The CGE model is then solved for the two forward years and provides projections of the structure of the U.S. economy, given the macro projections. Next, we model the alternative scenario in which the U.S. adjusts by means of import protection with a shrinking volume of trade. In analyzing the protectionist scenario, we do a variety of experimencs designed to explore the impact of protectionist policies on the U.S. economy.


The present invention provides a unit with the identity data labeled with the patient's arm (2) or other identification means, and discriminates the recording corresponding to the prescribed treatment to remove the drugs of the prescribed treatment, the patient identification data marked charged respective container (the 28 ), the administration of drugs and to verify the opening of the container (28), verify from the vessel (28) meets the withdrawn drug, and signals can be administered to the patient. Dolly machine (52) performs recording of the prescribed treatment, the patient identification data read identification data, and treatment drugs; issues an operation signal may be administered.


The thermal behaviour of cellulose and cellulose diisoamylaminophosphate (CDAP) samples having different degrees of substitution have been studied using DTA and TG techniques from ambient temperature to 700°C in static air. The various reactions involved, namely, dehydration, dephosphorylation, dehydrohalogenation, oxidative decomposition and oxidation of charred residue, have been discussed. Brodio method is used to obtain various kinetic and thermodynamic parameters from TG curves for different stages of thermal degradation. The values of activation energies for the oxidative decomposition of CDAP samples are found to be in the range of 49.02-64.19 kJmol - 1 and are lower than that of cellulose (160.74 kJmol - 1 ). The IR spectra of the pyrolysis residues of CDAP indicate formation of compounds containing C=O, C=C and P=O groups. The EPR signals indicate that the free radical mechanism is not dominant in the degradation of CDAP. Higher char yields of CDAP samples as compared to cellulose along with related observations suggest that CDAP is an effective flame retardant. Scanning electron micrographs of CDAP show that the fibrillar reaction sites of cellulose have mostly reacted, although the general morphology of the original fibre remains intact. Internal axial cracking and the increased surface area in the chars of treated samples show the intumescent nature of CDAP. The mechanism of thermal degradation of CDAP has been proposed.


Five methods of calculating electrical field distributions in one dimensional wave-guide arrays are reviewed. We analytically solve the scalar Helmholtz Equation and, based on the computed Bloch functions and associated bands of propagation constants, generate the exact field distribution maps. For the approximated slowly varying envelope equation we show that the base Bloch functions are identical to those in the exact case, and study the differences in the bands of propagation constants. We demonstrate that by selecting the reference refractive index value, it is possible to minimize the error in propagation constants of any desired band. For the distributions calculated by the coupled mode theory, we reveal the similarity and differences of the band made of eigenvalues of the coupled mode equations matrix when compared to the first band of propagation constants found by the exact solution. Analysis of two numeric beam propagation methods shows that the relative accuracy of the calculated field distributions of each of these methods depends on excitation conditions. The presented analysis of the slowly varying envelope equation provides guide lines for selecting the value of the reference refractive index to be incorporated in these numeric methods where an analytic solution is difficult to work out or in the frequently occurring cases where an analytic solution does not exist at all.


Intrinsic emission of complex oxides with perovskite structure was analyzed in the undoped single crystal (SC) and single crystalline films (SCF) of YAlO3 (YAP) using the time-resolved luminescence spectroscopy under excitation by synchrotron radiation. In contrast to bulk SC the YAP SCF are characterized by much lower concentration of YAl antisite and vacancy-type defects, which contribute to the intrinsic emission of YAP SC. Such a difference comes mainly from much lower temperature of the film growth using the Liquid Phase Epitaxy. For this reason, comparison of YAP SC and SCF appears very useful to study the nature of the intrinsic emission of perovskites consisting mainly of the exciton and defect-related luminescence. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


This paper briefly introduces the basic concept of artificial intelligence technology and points out its application in power system. The basic conceptions of artificial intelligence technology such as expert system, artificial neural network, fuzzy theory, genetic algorithm and so on are introduced briefly. From the practical point of view, the characteristics and problems of their application in power system fault diagnosis are analyzed. It is pointed out that the integrated use of a variety of artificial intelligence technology is the latest development trend of the application of artificial intelligence technology in power system, and put forward specific suggestions.


RESPECT THE INVENTION INSTALLATION EXTRUSION SHEETS FLAT OR COATING EXTRUSION DIE WITH A PLATE AND A RESULT THEREOF, THE COOLING CYLINDER ROLL DIRECTORS AND WINDING DEVICE OF PLANE OR SHEET THE COATED SHEET. FOR A REGULATION OF THE tHICKNESS OF SHEET IN THE wALLS OF THE INDUSTRY PLATE defining SLOT dIE ARE aRRANGED TEMPERATURE CONTROL ROOMS 12, 12 A THROUGH WHICH CAN BE GETTING AN AGENT OF THE COOLING OR HEATING THESE ROOMS IN THE SAME NUMBER OF CORRECTIONS OF sEGMENTS IN WHICH IS DIVIDED INTO WIDE SHEET COATING OR DURING EXTRUSION.


Bis(2-methylbenzaldehyde)butane-2,3-dihydrazone(TDSB) was used as new N-N Schiff's base which plays the role of an excellent ion carrier in the construction of a La(III) membrane sensor. The best performance was obtained with a membrane containing, 30% poly(vinyl chloride), 60% benzyl acetate, 6% TDSB and 4% sodium tetraphenyl borate. This sensor reveals a very good selectivity towards La(III) ions over a wide variety of cations, including alkali, alkaline earth, transition and heavy metal ions. The proposed electrode exhibits a Nernstian behavior (with slope of 19.8 mV per decade) over a wide concentration range (1.0 × 10 −5 -1.0 × 10 −1 M). The detection limit of the sensor is 7.0 × 10 −6 M. It has a very short response time, in the whole concentration range (~5 s), and can be used for at least twelve weeks in the pH range of 3.0-9.4. The proposed sensor was successfully applied as an indicator electrode for the potentiometric titration of a La(III) solution, with EDTA. It was also successfully applied in the determination of fluoride ions in three mouth wash preparations.


Semiconductor quantum nano-structures, such as quantum dots and quantum wires, have been attracting much interest due to their possible application in devices, like a laser diode (LD) with a low threshold current and high temperature characteristics.' Among the several fabrication methods, self-assembling dot formation that utilizes the two-dimensional to three-dimensional growth mode transition has been proven to be suitable for producing high-densit7 and high optical quality quantum dots. In this paper, we describe the properties of the InGaAs self-assembled quantum dots (SAQDs) formed on a (100) GaAs surface by molecular beam epitaxy, and the device characteristics of two lands of LDs (vertical-cavity surfaceemitting lasers (VCSELS)~ and edge-emitting lasers) with quantum dot active layers. An Ino,Ga,,As layer was grown on (100) GaAs under alternate supply of InAs and GaAs with two-second growth interruptions in molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Because of a 3.6% lattice mismatch, the InGaAs layer started to form three-dimensional islands on the GaAs by self-assembly after growing 4.8 monolayers. The island density is about 2 X 10" cm-2 and its typical diameter and height are about 28 nm and 3 nm, respectively. Because their nanoscale dimensions are small enough for three-dimensional quantum confinement of carriers, the islands are expected to act as quantum dots; thus, they are called


We present preliminary results of photo‐fission measurements of uranium isotopes with the quasi‐monoenergetic gamma‐ray source, HIGS. The measurements were performed to search for photo‐fission resonances. We discuss potential applications to use photo‐fission resonances to identify special nuclear material in cargo containers. We discuss the importance of quasi‐monoenergetic gamma‐ray sources for this kind of application.


Genetic programming is a new technique in Artificial Intelligence based on the evolutionary algorithms and inspired by biological evolution. As a matter of fact, genetic programming is a special case of genetic algorithms, where each individual is a computer program. Therefore, this technique could be used to optimize a population of computer programs to solve the problem. This report demonstrates how genetic programming can be used to solve the problem of optical character recognition, specifically typewritten symbols. At present, there are many approaches to solve this problem, but all of them have their own limitations. The approach given in this report could be successful at learning, maintaining and upgrading rules for typewritten symbols recognition, particularly in disputable situations. Specific fitness functions, terminals and functions that satisfy the requirements of a main problem were considered. This research presents the successful application of genetic programming to a difficult and topical task.


Multiple-body high-speed air-delivered systems are subjected to a complex flow environment characterized by inter-body collisions, large interference pressures, and strong moving shock systems. These unique physics are prevalent in the strong interaction phase early in the projectile deployment, and have a first-order effect on the resulting projectile dispersion pattern. Since classical engineering-level simulation methods cannot predict these patterns with adequate confidence, highfidelity methods that include all relevant physics are necessary to accurately predict the projectile trajectories at the conclusion of the interference-dominated flight phase. Newly developed capabilities in the Loci/CHEM framework have enabled multiple-body proximate flight simulations including high-fidelity aerodynamics with six degrees of freedom modeling and collision response that are well-suited for simulation of large numbers of projectiles. Unlike many approaches for moving body simulation, the approach presented here utilizes unstructured overset grids with fully automatic grid assembly and no ancillary preprocessing requirements beyond those necessary for static body simulation. The solution methodology and collision modeling capabilities are described in detail. Results are presented for supersonic air-delivered systems with dozens of projectiles in close-proximity released from a carrier vehicle under several different deployment configurations. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed capabilities for simulation of high-speed proximate-flight among many projectiles including strong aerodynamic interference effects and frequent inter-body collisions.


In a recent paper (arXiv:2206.05152v4), using the exact diagonalization technique, I calculated the energy and other physical properties (electron density, pair correlation function) of a system of $N\le 7$ two-dimensional electrons at the Landau level filling factor $\nu=1/3$, and showed that the variational many-body wave function proposed for this filling factor by Laughlin is far from the true ground state. In this paper I continue to study exact properties of a small ($N\le 7$) system of two-dimensional electrons lying on the lowest Landau level. I analyze the energies and electron densities of the systems with $N\le 7$ electrons continuously as a function of the magnetic field in the range $1/4\lesssim\nu<1$. The physical mechanisms of the appearance of energy gaps in many-particle electron spectra are elucidated. The results obtained clarify the true nature of the ground and excited states of the considered systems.


This paper extends the study of resonance rectification phenomena in plasmas to the case where a static magnetic field is present. Parallel wire‐probe geometry has been chosen so that the rf electric field is primarily perpendicular to the magnetic field. Under these conditions, experiments show that there are two distinct series of resonance peaks, one occurring between successive cyclotron harmonics, the other precisely at the cyclotron harmonics. Cold‐plasma theory is inadequate to account for the existence of these resonances. An explanation is proposed, based on the form of the warm‐plasma permittivity component perpendicular to the magnetic field, which explains satisfactorily all of the experimental observations.


ABSTRACT In this paper, we are concerned with the investigation problem of finding a common element of the set of fixed points of a total uniformly L-Lipschitzian mapping and the set of solutions of a system of generalized nonlinear variational-like inequalities. For this end, based on P-η-proximal mapping, an iterative algorithm is constructed and under some suitable conditions, the strong convergence and stability of the sequence generated by our proposed iterative algorithm to a common element of the above two sets are proved.


Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 nanopowder with low Ir loading was prepared by TiN impregnation-thermal decomposition method,and then Pt /Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 electrocatalyst was obtained by microwave assisted hydrothermal synthesis method. X-ray diffractometer( XRD),transmission electron microscope( TEM),energy dispersive spectrometer( EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectrometer( XPS) were used to analysis the morphologies and composition of the products. Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 showed to be stick-like nanoparticles with the diameter of 15 nm,and IrO2 and TiO2formed a solid solution with rutile phase,the diameter of Pt nanoparticles on Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2was5—7 nm. Moreover,Ir /Ti molar ratio in interior support was 0. 084∶ 0. 916,whereas that on the support surface was 0. 296∶ 0. 704,indicating the surface accumulation of Ir. Polarization curves and linear sweep voltammetry( LSV) were performed to determine their electrocatalytic properties,compared with those of IrO2 by traditional Adams-fusion method and commercial Pt /C. The results showed that the catalytic activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction( OER) was as follows: Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 Pt /Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 IrO2( the former two were almost the same). However,catalytic activity of Pt /Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 towards the oxygen reduction reaction( ORR) was lower than that of Pt/C,showing that a further optimization of Pt particle size was required.Therefore,Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 can be used not only as a low-cost and efficient OER catalyst but also as a suitable support material,which promotes Pt /Ir0. 08Ti0. 92O2 as a promising dual-functional catalyst with more advantage in cost,catalytic property and stability,as well as an excellent hydrogen evolution reaction( HER) catalyst in acidic medium.


Liver metastases emerge during the course of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 25–50% of patients. A small proportion of patients present intrabiliary growth. The absence of large series means that little is known about intrabiliary metastasis (IBM), its radiological diagnosis, the most suitable surgical techniques, and its prognostic implications.


The derivation of ground-penetrating radar GPR images in which the amplitudes of reflections and diffractions are consistent with subsurface electromagnetic property contrasts requires migration algorithms that correctly account for the antenna radiation patterns and the vectorial character of electromagnetic wavefields.Mostexistingvector-migrationtechniquesarebased onfar-fieldapproximationsofGreen'sfunctions,whichareinappropriateforthemajorityofGPRapplications.Wehaverecently developedamethodforrapidlycomputingpracticallyexact-field Green'sfunctionsinamulticomponentvectormigrationscheme. Asignificantdisadvantageofthisschemeistheextraeffortneeded to record, process, and migrate at least two components of GPRdata.Bymakingstraightforwardmodificationstothemulticomponent algorithm, we derive an equivalent exact-field single-component vector-migration scheme that can be applied to most standard GPR data acquired using a single copolarized antenna pair. Our new formulation is valid for polarization-independent features e.g., most point scatterers, spheres, and planar objects, but not for polarization-dependent ones e.g., most underground public utilities. A variety of tests demonstrates the stability of the exact-field single-component operators.Applicationsofthenewschemetosyntheticandfield-recordedGPRdata containingdippingplanarreflectionsproduceimagesthatarevirtuallyidenticaltothecorrespondingmulticomponentvector-migratedimagesandarealmostinvarianttotherelativeorientations of antennas and reflectors. The new single-component vectormigration scheme is appropriate for migrating the majority of GPRdataacquiredbyresearchersandpractitioners.


In expressing the partition function for a system of interacting electrons as a path integral, the effective Boltzmann weight is not sign definite. This limits our ability to reach very low temperatures in numerical simulations. While magnetic phase transitions are well studied, superconducting instabilities are much more elusive. In this paper we study the properties of the sign in a novel formulation of the path integral within the finite-temperature grand-canonical ``determinantal'' Monte Carlo method. The approach decouples the interaction into pair creation and annihilation operators rather than the particle number density operators previously used. We find that the average sign depends on the particular path-integral formulation and hence does not correspond to any physical observable. The asymptotic exponential behavior of 〈s〉 with \ensuremath{\beta} previously reported holds here as well but with a different decay constant.


Slag is a waste product from steel industry that has unique properties. In the presence of water, slag reacts with calcium hydroxide at ordinary temperatures to form compounds with cementations' properties. Based on this property, slag can be used as a partially cement substitution. The influence of various slag concentration to paving block physical properties and characteristic were studied in this research. Sample paving blocks casted without addition of slag and with addition of 5 %, 15 %, 25 %, and 35 % of slag are compared. Also, the grain size of slag with 60 and 80 mesh is also compared. This research shows that the greater variation in the concentration of slag minerals makes compressive strength tends to decrease, and the absorption and porosity tend to increase. The highest compressive strength test is achieved by sample of paving block with addition of 5 % slag and has 80 mesh of grain size. Hydration of cement and slag to formed calcium silicate hydrate reaction take place in the sample which cause strong bonding among all solid material. XRD characterization shows the phase formed dominated by the four phases, gismondine (CaAl2O8.4H2O), quartz (SiO2), calcite (CaCO3), and C-S-H (1.5 CaOSiO2..xH2O).


The preferences of students in network learning are more disperse than that in traditional campus education. It has brought the personalized demand to teaching and tutoring system. A personalized tutoring system is important for effect of the network teaching and for knowledge science. For the existing network tutoring systems lack in the method and tactics of understanding user's personalized needs in depth, a personalized tutoring system prototype based on Agent is given. By means of neural network technology, the system can discover user preferences at large, and realize aim of the personalized teaching.


The solvatochromism of a ketocyanine dye 2,5-di[(E)-1-(4-dimethylaminophenyl) methylidine]-1-cyclopentanone (2,5DMAPMC) is analyzed using Lippert-Mataga bulk polarity function, Reichardt's microscopic solvent polarity parameter and Kamlet's multiple linear regression approach. The spectral properties better follows Reichardt's microscopic solvent polarity parameter than Lippert-Mataga bulk polarity function. This indicates that both general solute – solvent interactions and specific interactions are operative. Kamlet's multiple linear regression approach indicates that polarizability/dipolarity solvent influences are more compare to HBD and HBA solvent influences. The solvatochromic correlations are used to estimate excited state dipole moment using theoretically determined ground state dipole moment. The excited state dipole moment of dye is found to be larger than its corresponding ground state dipole moment and, ground and excited state dipole moments are not parallel, but subtends an angle of 23 ◦ .


This research aims to improve the student's analysis ability using Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) at class X MIPA 3 of Senior High School Al Islam 1 Surakarta. This research used a Classroom Action Research with Kemmis and Mc. Taggartmodelthat was held in two cycles. Each cycle was started with preparation stage and continued implementation stage consisting of planning, action, observing, and reflecting. The research subject was class X MIPA 3 of Senior High School Al Islam 1 Surakarta, which was consist 39 students. The data were collected through test, observation, and document review. The techniques of dataanalysis used was qualitative techniques and supported by quantitative data. Based on the study and data analysis of the research, it can be concluded that the application of Contextual Teaching And Learning (CTL) approachon physics learning can improve the cognitive process analysis at the class X MIPA 3 SMA Al Islam 1 Surakarta. It can be seen from the observation cycle I to the cycle II and all indicators have reached the target of success in cycle II. Moreover, It can be seen from the test results of analytical ability from the cycle I to cycle II. The percentage of student's analysis ability improved from 14% in the cycle I and 83% in cycle II. The result of research shows that the Contextual Teaching And Learning (CTL) approach could be applied in learning activities if it is supported by a school's facilities to do learning needs more time and activeness from learners. Keywords: Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL), analyticalability, optical learning.


In this paper, we study the role of shear fields on the evolution of density perturbations embedded in a Friedmann flat background universe, by studying the evolution of a homogeneous ellipsoid model. In this context, we show that while the effect of the shear is that of increasing the growth rate of the density contrast of a mass element, the angular momentum acquired by the ellipsoid has the right magnitude to counterbalance the shear. Finally, our result show that initial asphericities and tidal interaction induce a slowing down of the collapse after the system has broken away from the general expansion, in perfect agreement with the previrialization conjecture (Peebles & Groth 1976; Davis & Peebles 1977).


Educational narrative can facilitate the transition of college English teacher's tacit practical knowledge into explicit knowledge. Through individual narrative,narrative inquiry and online interactive narrative,teachers can generate practical knowledge,cooperate with and learn from each other and improve professional development as a consequence.


Read more and get great! That's what the book enPDFd a brief study course in homoeopathy will give for every reader to read this book. This is an on-line book provided in this website. Even this book becomes a choice of someone to read, many in the world also loves it so much. As what we talk, when you read more every page of this a brief study course in homoeopathy, what you will obtain is something great.


We consider partially directed walks crossing a L × L square weighted according to their length by a fugacity t. The exact solution of this model is computed in three different ways, depending on whether t is less than, equal to or greater than 1. In all cases a complete expression for the dominant asymptotic behaviour of the partition function is calculated. The model admits a dilute to dense phase transition, where for 0 1 the partition function scales exponentially in L 2, and when t = 1 there is an intermediate scaling which is exponential in LlogL . As such we provide an exact solution of a model of the dilute to dense polymeric phase transition in two dimensions.


The accumulation of diversity is dependent on the production (and subsequent continuation) of new species; thus, it is important to contextualize the Great Biodiversification Event (GOBE) as the sum of a series of individual speciation events. Studies of speciation processes are only beginning to emerge for the GOBE, but early analyses of brachiopods and other taxa suggest that such research questions are tractable given appropriate data sets and analyses. In order to understand the GOBE, it is important to move from correlating diversity trends with environmental changes to explicitly assessing how correlative Earth system processes can facilitate the process and mechanisms of speciation. Explicit consideration of the hierarchical structure and biogeographical aspects of evolutionary processes provides a dynamic perspective to analyse speciation. Biogeographical processes of dispersal and vicariance provide the link between local and global diversity levels, and oscillations between these two biogeographical modalities can generate an effective speciation dynamo. Geographical isolation due to palaeogeography, numerous interoceanic islands, tectonism, glacial–interglacial cycles and newly developed habitat heterogeneity were likely key factors in promoting speciation. Understanding the processes that produced the GOBE will require careful consideration of the oceanic, climatic and tectonic processes operating during the Early Palaeozoic as well as the speciation process itself.


Purpose: To investigate the severity of keratoconus in terms of corneal elevation differences with 2 different reference surfaces using topographic analysis. Methods: Eighty-six eyes of 50 patients with keratoconus of various clinical stages (61 male and 25 female eyes) with mean age of 37.3 ± 11.6 years were evaluated. Anterior and posterior corneal elevations were measured using topographic analysis (using a rotating Scheimpflug camera), and the imaging data were analyzed to estimate elevation differences as differential values from conventional best-fit-sphere and enhanced best-fit-sphere (exclusion of a 4-mm-diameter area from the most thinned cornea). The data correlated with the keratoconus severity index and Amsler–Krumeich classification of keratoconus. Results: There was a significant positive correlation between elevation differences and keratoconus severity index in both anterior and posterior surfaces (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.66; P < 0.001; r = 0.74; P < 0.001). Cases of larger elevation differences in the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces were staged higher in Amsler–Krumeich classification (1-way analysis of variance, P = 0.040; P < 0.001). Cases of lower staging in the Amsler–Krumeich classification had a larger area under the receiver operating characteristic curve in the posterior elevation differences than in the anterior elevation differences, suggesting a greater diagnostic value of the posterior elevation measurement. Conclusions: Anterior and posterior corneal surface height data obtained by elevation-based tomography provide useful information in improving keratoconus diagnostic accuracy and in grading the severity of keratoconus.


This article urges scholars to look beyond the Vinaya Piṭaka when thinking about the regulation of Buddhist monastic life. It makes this case by examining an understudied genre of vernacular legal texts that has influenced the regulation of monks in Sri Lanka for more than a millennium. Monastic constitutions, or katikāvatas, affirm the Vinaya's authority in principle, while functioning in practice as stand-alone administrative codes. Promulgated by kings and monastic leaders, these constitutions aim to bring unity, discipline, and organization to particular communities of monks by consolidating and updating monastic legal principles "in accordance with the times." Despite their historical and contemporary importance, monastic constitutions have not been studied comprehensively beyond the eighteenth century. This article fills that gap, charting transformations in katikāvatas from the late 1700s to the early 1900s, a period that saw the end of Laṅkan monarchy and the spread of British colonial control. Following a review of existing scholarship, this article demonstrates that during the nineteenth century a new type of monastic constitution gained prominence, which I call group katikāvatas. Through analyzing group katikāvatas, this article not only provides new insights into the practical adaptation of monastic law in Sri Lankan history, it also calls attention to the importance of Buddhist law-making more generally as a strategic activity undertaken by monastic collectives and their patrons in order to enhance and protect their reputation, independence, and material interests in changing social and political contexts.


Most of the existing neural network algorithms treat mean square error function as the standard cost function. In our proposed system, we used cross-entropy as a cost function. For this Softmax transfer function is used. Consequently, a lot of improvement has been accomplished on the training method. For training, we used scale conjugate gradient algorithm. We have used 42,000 images of handwritten digit dataset and performed testing on 28,000 images. From this method, we achieved an accuracy rate of about 98.8 percent. The training results are sensibly evaluated to test the performance of a proposed system. There are three essential factors and they are considered from high to low priority: Receiver Operating Characteristics, which actually gives the classification stability result, confusion matrix, and gradient value of proposed system.


The article reviews the exhibition "A Transversal Collection" at the Art, Labour and Territory art museum (ALT) in Bergamo, Italy.