This paper presents a systematic, university--wide approach to creating an encompassing movement towards faculty development. In 2014, KTH Royal Institute of Technology launched the pedagogical dev ...


Abstract The role of trust in eight selected agrifood chains in four EU countries is explored. The empirical analysis is based on a qualitative assessment of 28 expert interviews conducted in summer/autumn 2005. In particular, the connection between perceived trust levels and the prevailing type of vertical economic relationships are explored from the perspectives of farmers, processors and retailers. The findings suggest that trust is more pronounced among SMEs, which are characterized by the existence of personal relationships between business partners. However, as is clear for pork breeders, if a source of distrust exists, trust may not fully develop. Also, if the general economic situation is difficult, the development of trust may be hampered, because all chain participants are struggling to command a share of a diminishing margin within the chain. Finally, if economic power is distributed unevenly, as is the case in Germany, Ireland, Spain and the UK where retailers dominate most chains, trust of the more powerful may be limited.


Abstract In this paper, we would like to discuss the problem of the modelisation of the structure and dynamical behaviour of liquids, more generally of dense fluid phases composed of and/or containing in solution, non-rigid molecules. More specifically, we shall focus on the problem of the interpretation of NMR data in anisotropic media, which is of direct relevance in this field of research, keeping in mind that the concepts and ideas presented here may be used for the interpretation of other kinds of (spectroscopic) data. In such a broad and difficult subject, there are many researchers and different schools of thought. We shall try here to present two different models that are used in this field, and which are based on two rather opposite pictures of a liquid, the solid-like picture and the gas-like picture. Emphasis will be particularly put on the former one, giving reasons why we believe it is (much) better than the other. This may upset several people who are supporters of the latter. For this we ap...


The invention relates to an aluminum alloy wheel liquid forging and spinning processing system, which comprises liquid forging equipment, a heat treatment device, a machining device and a spinning device, wherein aluminum alloy wheel workblanks produced by a liquid forging machine sequentially pass through the heat treatment device, the machining device and the spinning device. The aluminum alloy wheel liquid forging and spinning processing system has the advantages that the liquid forging is utilized for improving the spoke performance, and the spinning processing is utilized for improving the wheel rim performance, so that the integral performance of a wheel product is improved, the product performance is improved, the rejection rate is reduced, the cost is reduced, and the integral production efficiency is improved.


Component-based software development is a potential reuse paradigm for the future. In this paper, we elaborate the idea of developing business components in virtual engineering communities (component community). A component community is an inter-organizational form for developing business components. The actors of a component community, e. g. business analyst, component developer, component vendor, reuse manager, work collaboratively in development projects. We postulate that in a component community it is necessary to describe business components in a standardized way. Such a description has to address several aspects: What services are offered and requested by a business component? How can these services be used? Are there any interdependencies between the services of a set of business components? What quality characteristics do the offered services fulfill? What are the meanings of used concepts? And so on. In this paper, we present a holistic approach to specify a business component. This approach consists of seven specification levels addressing both technical and business aspects. Furthermore, we show the application of this method by specifying a simple business component that deals with German bank codes.


This paper provides research on the enhanced NextGen ADS-B reception method and its performance in laboratory and flight tests. It sheds the light on end-to-end reception techniques to comply with key requirements. ADS-B has emerged as among the most intriguing avionics for both researchers and companies since the launch of NextGen in 2009. ADS-B provides authorities with a mechanism for use in continuously monitoring the position and track of an airplane using periodic and independent broadcast messages that transmit Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position information. The enhanced pulse detection technique is used to detect and validated preamble pulses. Besides the utilization of multiple amplitude samples technique not only improve bit and confidence declaration accuracy but also make it capable of deploying error detection/correction algorithms which are two aspects of enhanced Extended Squitter reception. In addition, applying a slow attack automatic gain control (AGC) algorithm improves system sensitivity and performance. The implementation is done in MATLAB Simulink and C++. Software Defined Radio (SDR) module, BladeRF, is used programable platform for the communication system. Subsequently, the lab experimental and flight test results show that when applying these strategies in a real environment, significant performance is achievable.


The question on the existence and uniqueness of a constant sign solution of a periodic type boundary value problem is studied


We study the immunological disorders in 40 patients with foot bones chronic osteomyelitis before and after standard treatment and with the inclusion of Glutoxim. The severe immunosuppression of cellular immunity, increased blood levels of cytokines and reduced IgA were observed in the patients. After including Glutoxim in the therapy scheme the significantly higher levels of cellular immunity (the number of phagocytic activity index, stimulated NST-test and the stimulation index of neutrophils), effective correction of cytokine status, increased IgA levels were revealed. This therapy reduced the number of total amputation of toes with the resection of the metatarsal bone and allowed to achieve more rapid fistulas healing without surgery.


The purpose of this case study is to understand the perceptions of participants in St. John's County School District concerning the effectiveness of the mentorship program in the county. The Theory of Teacher Development (Fuller, 1969; Katz, 1972) guided the research. This theory states the induction programs should follow pre-service preparation, which will reduce the teacher attrition rate. A single case study was chosen so that the mentorship program could be studied using the perceptions of the participants in the program. The two research questions that guided the study is as follows: "What are the beginning teachers' perceptions of the effectiveness of the mentorship program in St. John's County School District?" and "What are the participating mentors' perceptions of the effectiveness of the mentorship program in St. John's County School District?" The sample size included 15 individuals including beginning teachers and mentors participating in the program. The data for the study was collected using interviews, observations, and journal entries that the participants made during the study, and the examination of documents by me concerning the mentorship program. The setting was 6 schools throughout the district depending on the number of volunteers. Beginning teachers are defined as teachers with 0-2 years' experience in the district. The mentors were those actively involved in the program who were assisting these beginning teachers. The data was collected at the site where the individuals were employed. The data was analyzed using the Moustakas' (1994) Phenomenological Methods-coding, categorizing, and making sense of essential meanings of the phenomena.


Based on block turbo code(BTC),a novel forward error correction(FEC) code of RS(63,60)×RS(63,60) code is proposed for optical communication systems.The simulation results show that the net coding gain(NCG) of RS(63,60)×RS(63,60) code at the eighth iteration is 0.34 dB more than that of RS(255,239)+CSOC(k0/n0 =6/7,J=8) code in ITU-T G.975.1 at the third iteration for the bit error rate(BER) of 10-12.The analysis shows that the novel BTC has the characteristics of shorter component code and rapid encoding/decoding speed,not only reducing the complexity for implementing the software/hardware implementation but also the time delay for the encoding/decoding.As a result,the novel BTC code can better suitable for optical communication systems.


An analytical stream function expression representing a nonlinear gravity water wave is applied both to the representation of measured wave forms and also to nonlinear theoretical waves. The stream function form is chosen so that it is a solution to the Laplace equation and the bottom boundary condition; the parameters in the stream function expression are chosen by a numerical perturbation procedure that provides a best fit to the kinematic and dynamic free surface boundary conditions. The boundary condition errors associated with the nonlinear stream function representation of four measured wave profiles are compared with estimates of the corresponding errors associated with a linear representation. The stream function method is judged more accurate than a linear method if the wave height is greater than 50% of the breaking height. The stream function method is also applied to represent theoretical waves for which only the wave height and period are available to characterize the wave profile. It is demonstrated that the method represents an improvement over other available nonlinear procedures. The method can be employed to represent wave conditions which include a prescribed uniform steady current and a specified pressure distribution on the free surface.


The authors examine the effect of having women on the top management teamsof initial public offering (IPO) firms on the organizations'short- and long-termfinancial performance. Looking at three different samples, the authors foundthat trend data indicated IPO firms were gaining in the number of women theyemploy in their top management teams. Using data from 534 IPO firms, resultssuggest one reason why the trend is growing; women appear to have a positiveassociation with the firms'short-term performance (Tobin's Q, which is marketprice to book value per share), 3-year stock price growth, and growth in earn-ings per share. Possible reasons for the positive effect of women on perfor-mance include better innovation and problem-solving processes in morediverse top management teams and the possibility that, on average, the womenon these teams are higher performers than are the men on the same teams.


The purposes of this investigation were to identify and validate competencies for rural teachers of students with behavior disorders. Initial competencies were selected from previous research studies, university special education programs having a rural focus, and verbal feedback from rural teachers of behavior disorders enrolled in graduate courses at a university. A questionnaire composed of the competencies was distributed to 176 teachers who served students with behavior disorders in West Virginia and 6 faculty members who taught courses in behavior disorders. Content validity was determined by comparing judgments regarding the importance of the competencies to the requirements of teaching.


The invention relates to a desulfurization and denitrification integral smoke gas purification treatment system and a desulfurization and denitrification integral smoke gas purification treatment process, in particular to an integral smoke gas purification treatment system and an integral smoke gas purification treatment process adopting seawater to realize desulfurization and denitrification. The system comprises a raw smoke gas input system, an absorption system and a clean smoke gas exhaust system in mutual connection, and also comprises a raw smoke gas oxidation system and a desulfurization and denitrification agent integral function system, wherein the raw smoke gas oxidation system is connected with the raw smoke gas input system, and the desulfurization and denitrification agent integral function system is connected with the absorption system. According to the process, the system is utilized for oxidizing the smoke gas, and then, the integral purification and absorption treatment is carried out. The system and the process provided by the invention have the advantages that the system setting and the technical flow process are simple and optimized, the integral smoke gas desulfurization and denitrification are realized, any other substance does not need to be added in the application process, except cyclically utilized seawater and air, the energy-saving and environment-friendly effects are obvious, the green and clean treatment of the smoke gas is realized, and the system and the process are suitable for being applied to the field of industrial tail gas purification treatment, particularly in regions with seawater application convenience, and are particularly suitable for being popularized and applied.


Antiretroviral therapy(ART) is the most important and effective therapy for HIV/AIDS,which combines the different antiretroviral drugs to increase the antiretroviral effects.The new antiretroviral drugs have provided more choices for HIV/AIDS patients,and the effects of new drug combination modes have been confirmed through clinical trials.The current combination modes are based on the combination of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors(NRTI) and dual NRTIs are commonly used in combination with a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor,a protease inhibitor(usually boosted with ritonavir),or an integrase inhibitor.The 2011 USA guidelines updated the initial combination regimen.This review introduces the combination modes of antiretroviral drugs in anti-HIV treatment,which can help guide ART in clinical practice.


A three-dimensional computer simulation was performed to determine the formaldehyde (HCHO) and methyl nitrite (CH3ONO) levels inside a small garage during the cold start-up of a methanol fueled vehicle (MFV). The garage size was appropriate for one MFV. Two types of garage were considered in order to quantify the ventilation effect. The total amount of pollutants was independent of the ventilation until 70 s after engine start-up, because the pollutants remained concentrated directly behind the vehicle. After 180 s, the pollutant levels in the ventilated model were reduced to half that in the no-ventilated model. However, under such small garage condition, even with one ventilator, at a point 1 m behind the MFV and 1.5 m high, the HCHO concentration reached 9.2 ppm. To reduce the HCHO level to below 5 ppm, the HCHO peak concentration in the emission should be reduced to 0.5 times the present concentration. Although the harmful effects of CH3ONO have not yet been investigated in detail, they should be considered, particularly during cold start-up of MFV in a closed garage.


To the Editor: In 1927, Rud1 described a patient with congenital ichthyosis, hypogonadism, short stature, epilepsy, polyneuritis, and hyperchromic macrocytic anemia. In the following years, 54 patients in 36 published reports were reported as having Rud syndrome.2-5 Recently it has been argued that the various case reports on Rud syndrome were so genetically heterogeneous and differed greatly from the original case reports of Rud.6 We present a report on dizygotic twin sisters with congenital ichtyosis, mental retardation, myopathy and hyperchromic macrocytic anemia. The patients were 21-year-old female and dizygotic twins. Their parents are relatives of the first degree. The mother had three pregnancies. The first one ended with abortus and the second one with a healthy birth. The births were term after an uneventful pregnancy and normal delivery with birth weights of 3300 g and 3200 g. They were affected with ichtyosis from birth. The twins' psychomotor development was delayed. They managed to walk at the age of 4 with persisting difficulty in running and climbing stairs. They graduated from a high school for the mentally handicapped and had mild psychomotor retardation (IQ=69). The family history includes an aunt with progressive myopathy and mental retardation who had died at the age of 38 years. The examination of the skin showed signs of generalized moderate erythema and fine scaling, involving the scalp, face, trunk and extremities (Figure 1). Our cases had thickened and hyperkeratotic palms and soles and mild alopecia over the scalp. Even though they had dry eyes, the other ophthalmic and odyometric examinations showed no abnormal findings. The twins had mild hyperchromic macrocytic anemia despite vitamin B12 injection therapy from the age of 11 years. Other laboratory findings including serum phytanic acid levels were normal. Electocardiogram and electroencephalogram results were normal and myopathy was diagnosed by electromyography. In the cranial MRI, cerebellar vermian folias were minimally dilated and deep. The fourth ventricle was in the midline, and lateral ventricles were asymmetric. Both of the structures were dilated (Figure 2). Our cases had congenital ichtyosis, alopecia, mental retardation, anemia and myopathy. They would have been classified as Rud syndrome earlier, but recently the Rud syndrome diagnosis has been eliminated because of the heterogeneity of the new cases and differences from Rud's original description of the syndrome. The cases differ from Refsum disease by having normal levels of phytanic acid, mental retardation, and myopathy that are not the characteristics of Refsum disease.7 Sjögren-Larsson syndrome was ruled out since they showed no sign of spastic quadriplegia, retinal distrophy, phenotypically and electrophysiologically findings that are identical for this syndrome.8 Our cases also had little similarity to any of the other ichtyosis syndromes like Tay syndrome,9 Netherton syndrome,10 multiple sulfatase deficiency,11 neutral lipid storage disease,12 hereditary sensory neuropathy,13 Brocq syndrome,14 Zunich neuroectodermal syndrome,15 ichtyosismental retardation-dwarfism and Figure 1. Ichtyosis of the belly skin.


We present a case of extracranial craniopharyngioma simulating a sphenoid sinus mucocele in a 12-year-old female who presented with progressive subacute left-sided visual disturbance. Although infrasellar craniopharyngioma is a rare entity, the presence of foci of calcification within the lesion is a useful finding for diagnosis.


According to Gerard Genette, the term 'metatextuality' is meant to describe a relationship between texts that is characterised by the commenting function of one text on the other. In this sense, the Second Letter of Peter clearly shows metatextual features. The author directly comments on two groups of writings, attributing to them the role of authoritative guidelines to valid teaching, and alludes to passages from each group in order to depict his ideas on eschatology as opposed to the 'erroneous' views of competing teachers. Though constantly referring to 'biblical' texts, Second Peter never approaches these texts literally, but via their contemporary interpretation.


The advancement of technology has improved peoples' quality of life in ways, by making it easier and better in many other ways. Modern tech's fundamental idea is robotic, and automation are presently replacing traditional human interaction. 4.8 billion Individuals access the internet now, or 60% of the planet's population, and almost 87 500 new users join every day. The idea of the internet of things expanded quickly as the usage of internet increased. As a result of the Internet of Things more homes are using smart gadgets. Despite an increase in gadget quality, customers still have to physically control them. Additionally, the present smart home control solutions solely concentrate on burglar alarms, watching, regulating, etc. This paper presents a unique idea of a home automation which is not only capable of controlling home appliances but also uses the GPS location to open and close the gate and minimize power waste by having turned on/off home devices. In addition, the proposed methodology has additional features. When evaluating the current remedies, research discovered that users are searching for an easier, more comfortable, and less pricey smart home control method.


The Western Sahara conflict entered its thirtieth year last November. Celebrated by Moroccans and lamented by Sahrawi nationalists, the anniversary went largely unnoticed by the international community. Though it has been on the Security Council's agenda since 1988, Western Sahara has defied resolution by three successive Secretaries General and Kofi Annan's former personal envoy, former US Secretary of State James Baker. It is likely that a fourth Secretary General will take over management of the conflict next year.


Dengue incidence been increasing in this decade but in the last year the care for dengue is changed because of COVID pandemic. Aim of this study
to analyze the presentation of dengue in this pandemic. Design of this study is Cross sectional, we retrospectively collected data of dengue positive
patients in a single UPHC and analyzed. This study involved 42 patients. The diagnosis was done mainly based on NS 1 Ag positivity. 65% had
thrombocytopenia but only 19% needed platelet transfusion. There is an elevation of SGPT & SGOT. As per prognosis 39 patients improved and 3
of the patients were shifted to tertiary centre


Objective Through examines doctor and clinician's cooperation and the exchange,also guarantees the medical quality during guarantee examination quality.Methods Examines doctor not only to need to clinician to report the examination result,explains the examination project significance,moreover must help them to choose the correct examination project,reasonably uses the laboratory resources.Therefore,should positively propagandizes the blood fats analytical control new method,new technical,the new concept and the instruction clinical development blood fats analysis specimen correct sampling to clinician and the nurse with ships.Results Through examines doctor to assist correctly to read and the analysis blood fats examination report list,has solved clinician interprets when the blood fats analysis report list the difficulty.Conclusion Through the examination and the clinical close cooperation,the instruction clinical carries on the prompt effective accent fat treatment,reduced the cardiovascular event occurrence.


Abstract In a previous article entitled, "Social Trends and Education" the writer pointed out that some clearly discernible social trends were setting increasingly important problems for the schools that were being given little attention. I n that discussion, one item was omitted because of space considerations, namely the growing trend toward the interdependence of all social and economic groups in our society. This trend seems to the writer to involve developing new techniques of social control in harmony with our democratic principles. The failure to recognize the implications of this trend and uneasiness on the part of some over the changes that perforce it is bringing about, seem to result in threats to our society which for several reasons leaders in and out of education are dodging. This raises the question as to the type of leadership called for, the education they should have and the goals toward which they may be expected to head. This article attempts briefly to discuss these matters.


Objective To explore the antithrombotic effects and safety of warfarin in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.Methods From November 2007 to September 2010 in our hospital inpatient and outpatient nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients of 156 cases were randomly divided into two groups,warfarin group and aspirin group,78 cases each.Compared between the two groups were thromboembolism and end events and adverse reaction rate.Results In warfarin group,incidence rate of thromboembolism were significantly lower than aspirin group(P 0.05),and there was no difference in incidence rate of adverse drug reaction between aspin group and warfarin group(P 0.05).Conclusion Warfarin is more effective than aspirin for prevention of thromboembolism events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.


BACKGROUND
Postural instability may result from altered sequencing of automatic motor programs for anticipatory postural corrections and/or impaired motor learning in Parkinson Disease (PD) patients. Comorbid white matter disease is a major determinant of axial motor impairment, leading to poorer stability than nigrostriatal dopaminergic denervation per se.

OBJECTIVE
To assess differences in anticipatory control of postural stability function between subjects affected by PD with comorbid leukoaraiosis (LPD), idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD) and elderly healthy subjects (EHS) as control group.

METHODS
Eight patients with IPD, eight patients with LPD and eight age/weight matched elderly healthy subjects (EHS) were tested in standing position by measuring the Center of Pressure (CoP) along the anteroposterior axis (CoP-Y) while subjects were expecting three repeated backward surface translation.

RESULTS
LPD patients positioned the CoP-Y significantly backward while waiting for the second and third platform translations, with respect to their COP-Y position in preparation for the first translation. The IPD and EHS showed no significant differences in the COP-Y position among the repeated perturbation trials.

CONCLUSIONS
LPD patients show inability to rescale an effective preparatory postural pattern to known, repeated postural perturbations suggesting impaired sensory-motor strategies in anticipating perturbations. Anticipatory postural patterns remain effective in IPD patients.


THIS ARTICLE DESCRIBES A STUDY CARRIED OUT FOR THE "COMMISSION ECONOMIQUE DE L'UNION INTERNATIONALE DES CHEMINS DE FER" (ECONOMIC COMMISSION OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF RAILWAYS). THE COMPARISON OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION BY RAIL, ROAD AND AIR TRANSPORT OF PASSENGERS SHOWS THAT, GENERALLY, RAILWAYS USE LESS ENERGY THAN OTHER TRANSPORT MODES.


PURPOSE: An indexing management system of a vehicle license number and signalment is provided to easily search a person only with vehicle license number and signalment information. CONSTITUTION: A camera(100) takes a photograph of a vehicles(10) number or a person(20). A vehicle license number and enlarged image acquisition device(200) extracts an image of the vehicle license number or person pictured by the camera. The vehicle license number and enlarged image acquisition device extracts text information from the image of the vehicle license number in order to acquire the vehicle license number. The vehicle license number and enlarged image acquisition device transmits an enlarged person image and the acquired vehicle license number to an indexing management device together with an identification number of the corresponding camera. The indexing management device(300) receives the identification number of the camera and vehicle information transmitted from the vehicle license number and enlarged image acquisition device. The indexing management device saves vehicle license number text in the identification number of the corresponding camera by indexing processing. The indexing management device creates a thumbnail for each enlarged person image in the identification number of the corresponding camera by indexing processing.


We consider nonrandomized pretest-posttest designs with complex survey data for observational studies. We show that two-sample pseudo empirical likelihood methods provide efficient inferences on the treatment effect, with a missing-by-design feature used for forming the two samples and the baseline information incorporated through suitable constraints. The proposed maximum pseudo empirical likelihood estimators of the treatment effect are consistent and pseudo empirical likelihood ratio confidence intervals are constructed through bootstrap calibration methods. The proposed methods require estimation of propensity scores which depend on the underlying missing-by-design mechanism. A simulation study is conducted to examine finite sample performances of the proposed methods under different scenarios of nonignorable and ignorable missing patterns. An application to the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project Four Country Surveys is also presented to demonstrate the use of the proposed methods for examining the mode effect in survey data collection. Recommended Citation Chen, M., Thompson, M.E., Wu, C. (2018). Empirical likelihood methods for complex surveys with data missing-by-design. Statistica Sinica, [Published online, doi:10.5705/ss.202016.0291]. Link To PDF: http://www3.stat.sinica.edu.tw/ss_newpaper/SS-2016-0291_na.pdf


Succinic acid is a potential co-former to produce co-crystal, thus an understanding of the dissolution behaviour of succinic acid crystal is crucial for designing the co-crystal. In this works, α-succinic acid was chosen as a model compound for this study regardless its attractive crystal chemistry and its diverse surface properties. The aims of this study are to analyse the morphology of succinic acid crystal (form A) and to analyse the dissolution behaviour of succinic acid crystal (form A) in the ethanol solution using molecular dynamic simulation. Prediction of form A succinic acid morphology were conducted with different combination of charge set and potential function i.e ESP and CVFF which produces hexagonal needle-like shape morphology and shows good agreement with the experimental crystal shape. Dissolution of α-succinic acid in ethanol solvent was investigated using dynamic simulation. Visual observation and mobility assessment shows that the molecules at the edge of the crystal tends to dissolve faster compared to the molecules at other position on the facet.


The Hanjiang River as the largest tributary of the Yangtze River, is an important water source of drinking water and industrial and agricultural water in Hubei province, and is also the water source of south-tonorth water transfer project; the Hanjiang River water environment quality is directly related to the sustainable development of social economy. However, in recent years, Hanjiang River water quality tends to deteriorate, compounding the problem of eutrophication; year after year more serious water bloom phenomenon has aroused great concern in the community. Based on the water quality parameters monitoring in Hanjiang River before and after the outbreak of algae bloom, the results show that pH value increased significantly, and the dissolved oxygen supersaturation and chlorophyll a increased. In the diatom Cyclotella genus was the dominant species, algae density increased by about 3 orders of magnitude, and ammonia nitrogen content declined. That will influence drinking water sources of water supply to some extent, thus needing to increase the water treatment measures for blooms.


a great part of patients showed relevant clinical symptoms of CVI which were aggravated by limitations of higher age. Early diagnostic and therapy of CVI are indicated to reduce complicated clinical courses.


Background The 3-O-(3',3'-dimethylsuccinyl) derivative of betulinic acid (DSB) blocks HIV-1 maturation by interfering with viral protease (PR) at the capsid (CA)-SP1 cleavage site, a crucial region in HIV-1 morphogenesis. Methods We analysed the effect of DSB on the assembly of HIV-1 Gag precursor (Pr55GagHIV) into membrane-enveloped virus-like particles (VLP) in baculovirus-infected cells expressing Pr55GagHIV, in a cellular context devoid of viral PR. Results DSB showed a dose-dependent negative effect on VLP assembly, with an IC50∼10 μM. The DSB inhibitory effect was p6-independent and was also observed for intracellular assembly of non-N-myristoylated Gag core-like particles. HIV-1 VLP assembled in the presence of DSB exhibited a lower stability of their inner cores upon membrane delipidation compared with control VLP, suggesting weaker Gag-Gag interactions. DSB also inhibited the assembly of simian immunodeficiency virus SIVmac251 VLP, although with a twofold lower efficacy (IC50∼20 μM). No detectable inhibitory activity was observed for murine leukaemia virus (MLV) VLP; however, fusion of the SP1-NC-p6 domains from HIV-1 to the matrix (MA)-CA domains from MLV conferred DSB sensitivity to the chimaeric Gag precursor Pr72GagMLV–HIV (IC50=30 μM). This observation suggested that the main DSB target on Pr55Gag was the SP1 domain, but the higher degree of DSB resistance for Pr72GagMLV–HIV compared with Pr55GagHIV implied that other upstream Gag region(s) might contribute to DSB reactivity. Conclusions Sequence alignment and three-dimensional modelling by homology of the CA-SP1-NC junction in HIV-1, SIVmac251 and Pr72GagMLV–HIV suggested that a higher hydrophilic character of the CA region immediately upstream to the HIV-1 CA-SP1 junction, as occurred in Pr72GagMLV–HIV, correlated with a lower DSB sensitivity.


Abstract.  This paper considers estimation of ARMA models with time‐varying coefficients. The ARMA parameters belong to d different regimes. The changes in regime occur at irregular time intervals. Consistency and asymptotic normality of least squares and quasi‐generalized least squares estimators are shown.


The Rare Isotope Science Project (RISP) is launched in Korea to build the IF and ISOL facilities to support researches in various science fields. Superconducting linac with 200 MeV/u, 400 kW is the driver for the IF (Inflight Fragmentation) facility and the 70 MeV, 70 kW cyclotron is the driver for the ISOL (Isotope Separation On-Line) facility. These facilities are to produce high intensity RI beans with high purity near the neutron-rich drip line. Design aspects of the driver SCL is presented.


Background: Child abuse is a huge international public health problem causes morbidity and mortality in children. This study aimed at evaluating primary health care physicians PHCPs knowledge, attitude and barriers to report the child physical abuse CPA in Al-khobar city, KSA. Method: Cross – sectional survey of the PHCPs working with the Ministry of Health's primary health care centers in AL-Khobar city. The study was a non-sampled; all PHCPs in the target area were involved. Data collected using on line questionnaire adapted from previous study. Results: Out of the targeted 76 PHCPs, 70 participated in the study, with the response rate of 92.1%. All of them were Saudi and (75.7%) were female. The mean knowledge was 62.18 %. Findings showed that those from age group 36-40, with long experience had higher level of the overall knowledge (p=0.020 & 0.001). Training on CPA has no significant effect on the overall knowledge and ability to detect cases (p=.538 &.127). Those who had training and protocol in the practice showed higher level of knowledge regarding the legal authority to report the CPA (p=0.020 & 0.001). The attitudes of participants towards detecting and reporting cases were generally positive. Lack of knowledge about referral procedures and possible harmful effect on the child from the family where the main causes of under reporting. Conclusion: Although their attitude towards detecting and reporting cases was generally positive, the participants in this study showed insufficient knowledge about child physical abuse. These findings reproduce the serious problem of underreporting of CPA cases in KSA, which may lead to irony of the seriousness of CPA problems. Training on CPA may need revision in order to improve its effect on PHCPs ability to identify and detect cases.


The paper presents the study of performance of CuBr and CuCl lasers pumped by a longitudinal capacitive discharge. For increasing of output power, the peaking capacitor is connected to the capacitive electrodes of a gas-discharge tube. The optimum value of peaking capacitance varies from 25 to 60% of the value of the self-capacitance of the gas-discharge tube (serial connection of electrodes). The most increase in the output power corresponds to small diameter tubes and amounts 50%, in tubes of large diameter an increase amounts 20–40%. The maximum average lasing power of 15 W has been achieved for capacitive-discharge-pumped copper vapor laser.


The present invention is a method for integrating multiple object codes from heterogeneous architectures. For a program on a first processor to reference a program from the name space of a second processor, the object code for the second-processor program is enclosed in a wrapper to create object code in the first-processor name space. The header of the wrapped object code defines a new symbol in the name space of the first processor, and the symbol points to the second-processor object code contained in the wrapped object code. Instead of directly referencing the second-processor object code, the referencing program on the first processor references the wrapped object code. A system tool can be used to wrap the object code which runs on the second processor.


Adolescent pregnancy has become a global concern because of its potential impact on health and childbirth, as well as its socioeconomic and psychological consequences. The aim of this study was to investigate pregnant adolescents' experiences seeking healthcare, to identify factors influencing their use of maternal healthcare services. A scoping review for articles published in the last 10 years from six databases was conducted. A total of 25 studies that described pregnant adolescents' health-seeking behaviour during pregnancy and childbirth were included. The majority of studies were conducted in Africa and most aimed to assess factors influencing health-seeking behaviours and use of antenatal care among pregnant adolescents. Ten studies used behavioural change theories and models. Several enabling factors and barriers influencing behaviour were identified. Adolescents, families, communities and healthcare providers should work together to promote health-seeking behaviours among pregnant adolescents. Midwives should encourage pregnant adolescents to visit healthcare centres and provide positive antenatal care experiences.


In addition to the role of β‐arrestin in AT1 receptor second messenger desensitization, more recent evidence revealed that β‐arrestins act as scaffolds for numerous signaling networks, such as the MAPKs. On the other hand, Ang‐(1‐7) anti‐trophic effect in the cardiomyocytes can be mediated by alterations in the MAPKs pathways. In this study we evaluated the effect of AVE0991 (AVE), a nonpeptide Ang‐(1‐7) mimic, on the signaling pathways involved in the heart hypertrophy induced by DOCA‐salt hypertension (DSH). After 4 weeks of induction of DSH, rats received AVE (1mg/kg) by gavage for 2 weeks. AVE attenuated the DSH‐induced hypertrophy, as quantified by myocyte diameter measurements (Normotensive rats: 12.97±0.15 μm; DSH: 14.41±0.23 μm; DSH+AVE: 13.39±0.15 μm; n=3 each), without changing the increased blood pressure (tail cuff pletismography). DSH rats showed an increased mRNA expression (real time PCR) of β‐arrestin in the left ventricle (LV) (5.96±1.44 A.U. vs 1.01±0.07 A.U. in normotensive rats; p<0.05) that was blocked after AVE (0.84±0.13 A.U.). In addition, AVE induced an increased AT1 receptor expression in the LV (1.95±0.32 vs 1.01±0.09 in normotensive rats; p<0.05). No alteration in cardiac adenylate cyclase expression was observed. These data suggest that Ang‐(1‐7) may modulate DSH‐induced cardiac hypertrophy by altering the β‐arrestin pathway. Financial Support: CNPq and INCT


Grasses play a critical role in the life cycles of both the hop vine borer (Hydraecia immanis) and potato stem borer (H. micacea), two potentially se rious agriculture pests. Neonate larvae of both species (Noctuidae: Lepi doptera) were reared on eight selected grasses and corn for 14-18 days under greenhouse conditions to determine their survival and growth. These were quackgrass (Agropyron repens), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis), or chardgrass CDactylis glomerata), large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli), giant foxtail (Seteria faberii), wild prosso millet (Panicum millaceum), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), and corn (Zea mays). In a separate, concurrent experiment, H. immanis and H. micacea larvae were reared on quackgrass, smooth bromegrass and orchard grass (narrow-stemmed grasses) and sampled after 7, 10 and 14 days. H. im manis larvae generally grew more slowly and dispersed less quickly than H. micacea larvae. The fewest H. immanis and H. micacea larvae were recovered from giant foxtail. H. immanis larvae reared on quackgrass, smooth bromegrass and or chardgrass (thin-stemmed grasses) "outgrew" their hosts by the third instar and rapidly dispersed, particularly from quackgrass. Due to the unique inter nal stem-feeding behavior of these larvae the stem thickness becomes a con straining factor regarding duration of suitability to serve as a larval host. Grass feeding has tremendous significance regarding the geographic spread, local population densities, phenological damage periods, and cultural control methods such as crop rotation for these two noctuid species. Populations of two related, but rare, stem boring noctuid caterpillars, Hydraecia immanis Guenee (hop vine borer) and H. micacea [Esper] (potato stem borer), suddenly increased to damaging levels in cornfields of the mid western United States and Canada after 1976 (Muka 1976, Scriber 1980, Giebink et al. 1984). Larvae of both species initially feed within the stems of various grasses and then switch to other host plants including corn (Zea mays L.) and hops (Humulus lupulus L.) (Hawley 1918, Giebink et al. 1984). This early association with grasses is critically important and is demon strated by the pattern of damage in cornfields which tends to be the most in 1 Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824. 2 Current address: Department of Soil Science, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 55108. 3 Department of Entomology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706. 1 Giebink et al.: Survival and Growth of Two <i>Hydraecia</i> Species (Noctuidae: L Published by ValpoScholar, 1999 248 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST Vol. 32, No.4 tense in the rows adjacent to weedy vegetation CDeedat et aL 1983, Giebink et al. 1984). Late in the summer, the females of both species oviposit within the leaf sheaths of grasses. The eggs overwinter and hatch the following spring (Dee dat et aL 1983, Giebink et aL 1984). Initially larvae feed within stems of the new growth and we believed that they eventually outgrow their hosts (espe cially thin-stemmed species) and are therefore forced to disperse to plants which have thicker stems. This study was designed to evaluate the stem-size hypothesis. Weeds in and around corn fields, particularly perennial grasses, often serve as pest reservoirs by providing oviposition sites for the females and food for emerging larvae. Although a number of hosts have been reported for H. immanis (Tietz 1972, Hawley 1918) and H. micacea larvae (Deedat 1980, Brittain 1918, Guenee 1852, Nordstrom et aL 1941, 1974, Seppanen 1970, West 1984, Zwolfer 1962), relatively little is known about their feeding be havior and performance across a range of potential weed hosts commonly found in plant communities in and around midwestern corn fields (Scriber 1999). We conducted experiments to assess larval survival and growth on se lected grasses that differ in phenology, stem thickness, growth form, and root system. Such information is fundamental to determining the limits to geo graphic spread and locations of potentially high population densities of these two noctuids across the Midwest. MATERIALS AND METHODS We measured larval survival and growth of hop vine borer and potato stem borer on eight grass species and corn with each treatment replicated five time per borer species. The study, completely randomized and conducted under controlled-environment greenhouse conditions with Metalarc® full spectrum illumination and temperature regulation was also repeated three times with H. immanis summer, fall) and twice with H. micacea (spring, fall) larvae. Grass species tested were quackgrass (Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomer ata (L.», large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis (L.) Scop.), barnyardgrass (Echinochloa crusgalli (L.) (Beauv», giant foxtail (Setaria faberii Hermm.), wild prosso millet (Panicum milliaceum (L.», Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense Beauv), and corn (Zea mays). Plants were all 51-55 days old when larvae were placed on them. The first two grasses are generally rather narrow-stemmed (1-2 mm) compared to the orchardgrass and foxtail and also usually less than 3 mm diameter. Grass seed was obtained from either wild plants or F & J Seed Service, P.O. Box 82, Woodstock, IL 60098. Seeds were planted directly into plastic pots (21 cm diam. x 20 em ht.) filled with autoclaved soil (equal parts com post, field soil, and sand), grown under Metalarcc1': high-intensity lamps (15L:9D photoperiod), watered as necessary and fertilized every two weeks. Two weeks prior to introducing the larvae, the plants were thinned to ca. 30 plants per pot. Temperatures ranged from 14°e (evening) to 30 e (day). Larvae were obtained from eggs deposited on grasses in greenhouse cages during late June through July the previous season. After remaining in the greenhouse for 3-4 weeks, these eggs were then removed from the plants, chilled (5.6°e) for eight or more weeks, and then incubated at 21°e for one-two weeks prior to starting the experiment. To prevent larval escape, a combination of screen cylinders and Teflon® 2 The Great Lakes Entomologist, Vol. 32, No. 3 [1999], Art. 3 https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol32/iss3/3 1999 249 THE GREAT LAKES ENTOMOLOGIST coatings were used on each pot. The Teflon® coating (Phillips and Burkholder 1976), applied in a 3 cm band to the inside of the pot rim with a cotton-tipped applicator prevented any larvae from crawling out of the pot. The screen cylinders (81 cm diam. x 50 or 80 cm high) kept all foliage directly above the pots, thereby preventing escapes via overhanging Nonetheless, some larvae disappeared. At first hatch, Parafilm® packages of 20 eggs each (all viable and ready to hatch) were pinned to the base of a centrally located stem in each po1Jreplication (i.e., 100 neonate larvae per grass species). This was done at dusk to maximize larval establishment. Mter 14-18 day larval feeding peri ods, all plants were gently uprooted, placed in labeled plastic bags, refriger ated, and later examined for damage and dissected for larvae. Surviving lar vae were characterized for instar and weight. Using temperatures recorded by hygrothermographs placed at opposite ends of the study bench, degree-day accumulations were calculated as in Giebink et al. (1985) with the sine-wave method and developmental thresh olds of 4.9°C (H. immanis) and 6.8°C (H. micacea). Centigrade Degree Days (CDD) accumulated during these feeding periods ranged from 230-324 for H. immanis and 203-300 for H. micacea. This averaged 12.7-21.4 CDDs per day. Data from the replicate study dates were pooled because the controlled greenhouse conditions were variable enough to simulate the likely variance that would be encountered from field to field or among sites in a single field. In a separate experiment, involving only H. immanis larvae and three thin-stemmed grasses (quackgrass, smooth bromegrass and orchardgrass) three pots (replications) of each treatment were sampled after 7, 10 and 14 days to observe changes in larval survival and growth over time. Correspond ing thermal unit accumulations for these sample dates were 108, 158, and 230 CDD, respectively (Giebink et al. 1985). Again, a completely randomized design was used. In addition to measuring larval survival, instar, and weight, the numbers of damaged plants and stem diameters were also mea sured. Statistical analyses of larval survival differences (Scheffe, p<O.05) were made after arcsine square root (%1100) transformations and analysis ofvari ance using SAS GLM procedures (SAS, 1988). We chose Scheffe's test be cause it is extremely conservative. The differences indicated are sure to be real. A less conservative test would doubtless indicate more significant differ ences between the means. For H. immanis the averages of 15 replications of 20 larvae per grass species were used (except giant foxtail, which had only 10 replications). H. micacea values (Table 1) are expressed as averages of 10 replications of 20 larvae each (except foxtail, smooth bromegrass, quackgrass and orchardgrass that had five replications).


one, all recent cases that involved swallowing two or more magnets required surgical treatment because of complications, such as bowel perforation, fistula, abscess and obstruction [7–14]. Like this case, children usually do not say how many magnets they swallowed or how many times. In addition, although only one shadow is seen on a plain radiograph, it can be that of several magnets stuck on different sides of the bowel. In a case of multiple magnet ingestion, endoscopic removal or laparotomy should be considered at an early stage, as when children swallow button batteries or sharp objects. In conclusion, remember that multiple magnet ingestion can cause pressure necrosis of the bowel and clinicians should consider the initial treatment carefully.


Abstract : Assuming that the x-coordinates of impact points of rounds fired at a target centered at the origin, x=o, are the sums of correlated aim errors and independent ballistic errors, the author shows how the likelihood function of the unknown statistical parameters, associated with a sample x(1), x(2),..., X(N) of impact points from a single burst, can be quickly and simply computed. The likelihood function is used here as the basis for estimating the parameters, and the results of the estimates, applied to a large number of computer simulations, are summarized.


ABSTRACT Cloud computing has been increasingly used in various fields due to its flexibility, scalability, cost effectiveness, etc. Recently, many scientific communities have been attempting to use cloud computing as a way to deal with difficulties in constructing and operating a research infrastructure. Especially, since they need various collaborations based on networking, such as sharing experimental data, redistributing experimental results, and so forth, cloud computing environment that supports high performance networking is required for scientific communities. To address these issues, we propose RealLab, a high performance cloud platform for collaborative research that provides virtual experimental research environment and data sharing infrastructure over KREONET/GLORIAD. Additionally, we describe some RealLab use cases for showing the swift creation of experimental environment and explain how massive experimental data can be transferred and shared among the community members.Keywords:Cloud, KREONET/GLORIAD, OpenStack, Scientific Collaboration


Beginning with the Cigarettes Act, 1975, a number of legislative strategies and programs to curb tobacco use have been implemented in India, with limited success. Currently, the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act, 2003, is designed to curb the use of tobacco in order to protect and promote public health. This review presents a critical appraisal of the current situation in its historical context.


While online spaces and communities were once seen to transcend geography, the ubiquity of location-aware mobile devices means that today's online interactions are deeply intertwined with offline places and relationships. Systems such as online dating applications for meeting nearby others provide novel social opportunities, but can also complicate interaction by aggregating or "co-situating" diverse sets of individuals. Often this aggregation occurs across traditional spatial or community boundaries that serve as cues for self-presentation and impression formation. This paper explores these issues through an interview study of Grindr users. Grindr is a location-aware real-time dating application for men who have sex with men. We argue that co-situation affects how and whether Grindr users and their behavior are visible to others, collapses or erases contextual cues about normative behavior, and introduces tensions in users' self-presentation in terms of their identifiability and the cues their profile contains relative to their behavior.


Objective To explore the clinic therapeutic method and effect of rhinogenous headache caused by the textural anomaly of nasal cavity and the chronic nasosinusitis.Methods By means of screening,the routine nasal endoscope test and / or the paranasal sinus CT test for the patients of rhinogenous headache were performed,and then make sure the textural abnormal position of nasal cavity and the type of chronic nasosinusitis.Revise the nasal cavity structure in case of the textural anomoaly of nasal cavity,like the stenosis of the ostiomeatal complex caused by the deviation of nasal septum,bubble concha nasalis media,reversed bending concha nasalis media,processus uncinatus and / or ethmoidal bulb hypertrophy;do the Messerklinger operation for the patients with chronic nasosinusitis or nasal polyp on the basis of pathological change scopes under the general anesthesia,and clear away the pathological change tissue of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinus,dredge the relevant paranasal sinus;after the operation,clean the position periodically and accept the indispensable medicine therapy.Results Through the treatment,of 200 patients of rhinogenous headache,followed up for 8 to 12 months(average 9 months).146 patients were cured,38 were effective significantly,13 were effective and 3 cases were invalid,with the total effective rate of 98.5%.Conclusion The rhinogenous headache,especially caused by the textural anomaly of nasal cavity,can be explicitly diagnosed via the nasal endoscope test and / or paranasal sinus CT test generally,and can be obtained an approving therapeutic effect through the corresponding operative treatment.


Interaction exists in two-way transmission between mass media and juvenile popular fashion.On one hand,the mass media guides the juvenile fashion.It sets up,enhances,spreads and reproduces the juvenile fashion by creating "Simulation Environment", taking advantage of media priority and matching with "life cycle" of juvenile popular fashion.However,in the meanwhile,there is misleading as well,which limtits the content and the level of the juvenile popular fashion and popular culture;creating teenager's dependence on mass media,and their"laziness"in thought;On the other hand,juvenile popular fashion has a reverse-function to the mass media,and makes the latter present features related to their popular fashion.To carry out the positive interaction between mass media and juvenile popular fashion,the mass media should provide right leading and make open juvenile popular fashion appropriately;juvenile should break the limit of mass media;the society should set up "support filter net".


Taking the Pb-Zn sulfide minerals mining area in Lingchuan county,Guilin city as the research object,the changes of heavy metals Pb,Zn,etc.,SO42-and carbon sinks in the river water during mining operation were studied.The results showed that:(1) the contents of heavy metals Pb,Zn,etc.in the river water were affected greatly by rainfall,and obviously increased due to the scouring effect of rainfall,then were slowly diluted,especially the dilution effect of heavy rain was obvious;(2) the minerals exploitation made large amounts of Pb-Zn sulfide minerals be handled by human,which caused the reduce of SO42-content in the river water;(3) Because of the exploitation of mineral resources,the geological carbon sink decreased,and its decrement was about half of the original amount.


The article presents the study results of students' involvement in the transformation and development of intra-group interaction in the process of mastering an educational program. The key tool is students' project work aimed at solving significant educational problems. Project management in the educational program is based on distributed leadership. However, based on the results of surveys, interviews, and product analysis of students 'project activities, the problem of students' unwillingness to interact in the project group is revealed. The study purpose is to identify the impact of student engagement on the development of intra-group interaction in project groups. The correlation analysis has shown that students' lack of readiness for interaction correlates with a low level of their involvement in project activity, which leads to the process formalisation and project activity results. The solution to this problem gives the educational program competitive advantages due to the formation of students' competencies of interaction in project groups and distributed leadership.


In this study, new applications of open optical channel optoelectronic phototransceiver system are examined. In classical circuit design, transmission of signal from one part of the circuit to another part is achieved via copper lines. Similarly, cables are used in communicating two cards. However, copper lines and cables increase not only the cost but the sensitivity of system to external affects in signal transmission. Also it is hard to use and in some applications such as high voltage circuits impossible. By using open optical channel optoelectronic systems in circuit design, connectors and cables are reduced, galvanic connection is established between the controller parts and the parts that are being controlled and the signal is transmitted to different parts simultaneously. Also, circuit can be tested, data can be loaded and received and communication of cards can be achieved without any need for connectors.


Importance. Theoretical representations and conceptual approaches to disclosing the understanding of the essence of a rural area from the point of view of its socio-spatial organization. Methods. The methodological approach to the comprehensive study of rural areas is based on the conceptual features of the research methodology in the form of an idea of integrity through a system of classification criteria and generalizations that bring to the level of understanding the state of a rural area in the form of a platform of a socio-agroecosystem. Results. A statement as a new platform for the study of the socio-agroecosystem in the form of a theoretical formulation of the conceptual features of the methodology for determining the directions of development of agricultural territories of the Russian Federation, which will expand the variability of the proposed methods for studying the transformation of rural areas. Conclusions. The theoretical substantiation of the directions of development of rural areas based on the research platform of the socio-agroecosystem will allow the use of new approaches to the study of rural areas based on a given vector of human-oriented development of the territory.


Classical transport theory for colored particles is reviewed and used to derive the hard thermal loops of QCD. A perturbative study of the non-Abelian transport equations that preserves their gauge symmetry is used to compute the induced color current in a hot quark-gluon plasma. From this approach the effective action of hard thermal loops can be derived. This derivation is more direct than alternative ones based on perturbative quantum field theory, and shows that hard thermal effects in hot QCD are essentially classical.


ABSTRACT Natural hazards such as floods, tsunamis, wildfire res, droughts, landslides, volcanic eruptions, windstorms, and earthquakes exist everywhere in the world. Earthquakes can pose the greatest threat to human lives, property, and economic development in our society. We review tools that have been developed to assist the earthquake risk management process. We also propose two mechanisms for earthquake risk management: one to possibly better predict earthquake damage magnitude (prediction markets), the other to prepare response team performance (recognition primed decision-making). In conjunction with broader use of information system technology, it may be possible to improve preparedness and response.


The development of new technologies in animal sciences, have allowed the production of transgenic animals as an alternative to improve some characteristics. Transgenic animals have a huge importance in human and veterinary biomedicine and in animal production. These animals are being used as research models in medicine. For example, apolipoprotein E deficient mice that show susceptibility to arteriosclerosis, are good models to study the factors involved in the development of this disease. Several important proteins in human and veterinary medicine obtained from human or animal tissues, are as expensive as 10000 dollars per milligram. These costs could be reduced by using the mammary gland as a bioreactor to produce these proteins in the recombinant form. However, one the major difficulties to produce transgenic animals is the impossibility to predict the regulation and expression level of the gene in the animal obtained. In this paper, technological alternatives that are being evaluated to improve gene inclusion and to control the expression of the gene in the transgenic animal are critically reviewed.


Displacement of RC column, which is not only caused by flexure but also rotation induced by longitudinal bar pulling out from inside footing. To evaluate the effect of pulling out of the longitudinal bar (pullout) in the column top displacement, experimental data of a full-scale RC column (C1-1) by shake table test is summarized. Pullout at base contributes about 33.6% to the column top displacement. Analysis was conducted to explain the mechanism of pullout. The experimental and analytical results showed that multi-layer induced reduction influence from bar-to-bar contributes to pullout.


Sulige gas field has the typical characteristic of multi-thin pay-zones and low production for single zone.The continuouslyseparate layer fracturing with gas well mechanical packer technology was studied and the fracturing-string and supporting toolswere developed and optimized in this paper,including big drift diameter K344 packer,hydraulic anchor and 3.175 mm range slidingsleeve core.The new technology can separately fracture 8 layers in one trip,which has been successfully used in more than 80 wells.Field application shows that the technology has the advantages of reliable operation,simple construction,and low cost.


Terrorism has an impact on populations distant from the initial victims. The extent of the impact is an area of considerable debate. An expanding literature exists examining the impact of terrorist violence on indirectly affected populations. Such populations are not easily definable and existing research focuses on people in cities close to where terrorism has occurred. Research is needed to understand the impact in more distant populations from terrorist violence. Millions live thousands of kilometers from where terrorism has occurred and researchers argue that geographical distance is an effective buffer. Geography, whilst important, is made problematic in a world where technology continues to shrink time and space. The media image brings distant acts of terrorism into the living rooms of people in all parts of the world. In research conducted in organisations in Melbourne between December 2004 and December 2005 many concerns surrounding terrorism were uncovered. Most concerns, however, are caused by memories of September 11. The perceptions, fears and anxieties of participants in the research are a product of images of September 11. The terrorism of September 11 2001 continues to have a significant impact throughout the world. Everyone who owns a television or computer had front row seats at the 'mother of all events' (Baudrillard 2002: 4). Millions of people around the world were able to watch continuous coverage of the event as it unfolded. We saw the second plane crash into the second tower. We saw the towers collapse. This event has come to define modern terrorism. The lasting impact of terrorist violence is felt in New York, Bali, London and Madrid but also in other cities where a major terrorist act has not taken place. People in these cities are referred to in the literature as indirectly affected TASA Conference 2006, University of Western Australia & Murdoch University, 4-7 December 2006 TASA 2006 Conference Proceedings 2 populations. Indirectly affected populations include people who work and live in a city that has not experienced an act of terrorism. Melbourne is an ideal setting for researching this phenomenon. Whilst this city is geographically isolated and socially multicultural, many experts and politicians extensively prepare for worst-case terrorist scenarios. The impact on people in Melbourne is an important test case for people in all cities remote from terrorist violence yet significantly affected by the threat. In this paper the impact of terrorism on an indirectly affected population in Melbourne is examined. The literature is surveyed and two studies are presented as the best research on the subject. In doing so, the nature of an indirectly affected population is discussed. It is argued that the people interviewed believed September 11 was the most significant and important all terrorist acts. Terrorisms' effect remains difficult to assess and the impact of the image of September 11 poses special challenges in the worlds' major cities. Indirectly Affected Populations Terrorism has devastating psychological impacts in cities where it occurs (Horgan 2005). Terrorism since September 11 and the ease with which it is viewed through the media and the internet has given this type of violence unprecedented effect. Acts of terrorism subsequently have an impact far from the city where the violence is perpetrated. Physical distance is no longer the protective shield it once was and people throughout the world, including in New York, Madrid and London, witness terrorism the same way as people in distant cities did; on television (Barnett 2002: 249). People in cities in distant locations experience some of the trauma associated with those geographically closer. Yet, as Perry and Lindell (2003: 49) argue 'some policy makers and planners appear to have expectations about human response to disasters and terrorism in particular that are not compatible with known behavioural principles and with data on human behaviour under emergency conditions'. Understanding the reactions of people in cities that are geographically distant to terrorist violence yet considered at risk is essential for developing counter-terrorism preparedness and predicting public response. Two studies have examined in considerable depth the impact of terrorism on indirectly affected populations with a focus on psychological distress and anxiety. Whilst psychologically oriented, they provide important arguments from which social science research can emerge. TASA Conference 2006, University of Western Australia & Murdoch University, 4-7 December 2006 TASA 2006 Conference Proceedings 3 A study by Schuster et al. (2001) examines the impact of the September 11 attacks on the stress levels of indirectly affected population. Five hundred and sixty adults in the United States were surveyed for their perceptions of terrorism. Forty-four per cent reported one or more significant symptoms of stress and 90 per cent had one or more stress symptom to some degree. Ninety-eight per cent coped by talking to others, 90 per cent turned to religion, 60 per cent participated in group work and activities and 36 per cent donated to the recovery effort. Eighty-four per cent of adults reported that they or another adult in their house spoke to their children for more than an hour about the attacks and 34 per cent prevented their children from watching excessive amounts of television. Parents reported their children having one or more stress symptom (34 per cent) and believed their children were worried about their safety and that of their families (47 per cent) (Schuster et al. 2001: 1507). The study concluded that after acts of terrorism clinicians in areas large distances from the attack, not just in the effected city, should be prepared for adults and children exhibiting substantial stress symptoms (Schuster et al. 2001: 1507-1508). In this study perceptions of terrorism are attributed to media coverage and interpersonal distance to the victims. According to Schuster et al. (2001: 1508); Television coverage was immediate, graphic, and pervasive. Newscasts included remarkable video footage showing two airplanes crashing into the World Trade Center and the aftermath of four airplane crashes. People who are present at a traumatic event often have symptoms of stress, but there is evidence that adults and children need not be present to have stress symptoms, especially if they consider themselves similar to the victims. The events of September 11 were widely described as attacks on America, and most or all Americans may have identified with the victims or perceived the attacks as directed against themselves. More generally, 36 per cent of respondents believed that terrorism was a 'very serious' or 'somewhat serious' concern in their personal and work lives, 44 per cent felt that terrorism would increase in regularity over the next five years and 21 per cent believed it would remain constant (Schuster et al. 2001: 1510). Americans managed their stress by embracing religion and turning to other social groups for support and embraced community projects. Ongoing media coverage of threats and lingering anxieties leads the TASA Conference 2006, University of Western Australia & Murdoch University, 4-7 December 2006 TASA 2006 Conference Proceedings 4 authors to conclude that the stress from terrorist violence lasts long after the act. A second predictor related to respondents who, whilst not knowing anybody killed or injured, had a friend who knew people who were killed or injured. This is referred to as interpersonal distance and is related to increased stress and anxiety and symptoms of post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (Pfefferbaum et al. 2000). Liverant et al. (2004) conducted research amongst university students in Boston in the weeks following September 11. The focus of the study was anxiety and coping strategies. The stress levels in 178 psychology students were measured at two time intervals; two and four months following September 11. Liverant et al. (2004) concluded that despite geographical and temporal distance between the September 11 attacks and the participants, severe psychological impacts were evident. Respondents held significantly changed perceptions of their security and threats of future harm. Others reported feelings of anxiety and anger. Liverant et al. (2004: 136) argues that terrorism disrupts core beliefs and underlying assumptions of safety that people in nations such as the United States have. These impacts diminish over time. A number of negative or 'maladaptive' coping strategies were detected and were closely linked to levels of anxiety. Such strategies included behavioural disengagement, antisocial activities, and denial (Liverant et al. 2004: 136). Such feelings make people vent their emotions often against the racial or religious groups to which the terrorists are perceived to belong (Freyd 2002). Interpersonal distance, once again was an important factor in relation to stress and anxiety. Respondents who knew somebody injured or killed, or knew someone who had experienced loss as a result of the attacks, were more likely to experience stress, anxiety and engage in maladaptive coping strategies (Liverant et al. 2004: 136). Several studies have operationalised 'indirectly affected populations' in differing ways. Often it merely constitutes non-presence and viewing the violence through the media. Liverant et al. (2004) acknowledges alternative definitions where friend-of-a-friend impacts becomes relevant, but emphasise the importance of researching populations that are geographically distant. Previous research has found that increased geographical distance from a terrorist attack will decrease the likelihood of adverse reactions in a victimised population (Mainiero and Gibson 2003) however research carried out in Melbourne does not support this general proposition. TASA Conference 2006, University of Western Australia & Murdoch


Is chronic breathlessness a symptom or a syndrome? Although hotly debated [1–5], we would like to suggest an alternative viewpoint. Here, we speculate that the argument over chronic breathlessness being considered as either a symptom or syndrome both holds us within a reductionist framework, and somewhat misses the point. Chronic breathlessness, symptom or syndrome: are we asking the right question? http://ow.ly/qJSX30hRpFq


A design scheme of compound control system with direct thrust and aerodynamic force is presented in this paper according to the problem that the anti-aircraft missile gets less aerodynamic force because of the rarefied atmosphere of near space.First,the model of aerodynamic control system of the missile was established,and the model of the direct thrust control system using orbit control was established.The relative distance between the missile and target was taken as the judging condition of starting the direct thrust control system,and the system outputs pulse direct thrust.Superimposing these two control effects composes the compound control system with direct thrust and aerodynamic force.It can make up for the deficiency of the low aerodynamic load at the end of terminal guidance and improve the guidance accuracy of the missile.The results and qualitative analysis show that the design scheme of the compound control system is effective and feasible.


Aim of this article is to study the concept of T-ordering on fuzzy neutrosophic soft matrix. Some results on Moore-Penrose inverse of fuzzy neutrosophic soft matrices are discussed using the above said T-ordering.


Because shortage of river sand at coastal area, it often occurred that sea sand without completely desalinated were added into concrete. This problem seriously threatened durability of local exiting RC structures. The best measure to solve the problem is early detection and early treatment. This paper systematically summarized current main methods and application status of chloride content test at home and abroad. Finally, for chloride test in our exiting concrete structures, some prospects of developing trend are proposed.


Abstract Background Breast revision surgeries are complex cases requiring greater pocket control than primary surgeries. Intraoperative techniques to maximize pocket integrity are crucial to achieving an aesthetic result in revisions with implants. Objectives Uniform utilization of a polydioxanone (PDO) internal support matrix in a high volume of revision-augmentation cases has, to our knowledge, never before been described. Methods A high-volume (n = 104) single-surgeon experience followed patient outcomes in consecutive cases from September 2020 to March 2022. Included in this cohort were patients undergoing revision-augmentations with vertical or wise-pattern mastopexies (n = 74), revision-augmentation without mastopexies (n = 25), and revision without implant exchange (n = 5). Each case employed at least 1 sheet of PDO mesh, with a small set (n = 4) receiving 2 sheets. Patients were followed up (range, 3-19 months), with 3 months minimum follow-up to assess outcomes. Results The average length of follow-up was 8.8 months. Patients in this cohort had undergone an average of 1.6 prior breast surgeries (range, 1-7). A total 89.4% of patients received an increase in implant volume (average change, +165.2 Cc); 87.5% of patients had favourable aesthetic outcomes, and 12.5% of patients were reoperated on (including reoperations for complications and/or aesthetic reasons). There were 13 complications in the cohort, and no mesh-related complications. Conclusions PDO mesh is a safe and effective method of increasing pocket control in breast revision. Supplemental soft-tissue support allowed greater implant volumes to be employed, yielding high rates of patient satisfaction with breast shape, scarring, and long-term aesthetics. Level of Evidence: 4


A real-time two-dimensional imaging method is presented for active guidance application under strong clutter and short data background. This method used conventional DFT computation for radial range high resolution and strong scatters' neighboring area superresolution processing techniques for cross range superresolution.


A comparison of the laboratory reflectance spectra of meteorites with observations of asteroids revealed that the latter are much redder, with the spectral difference explained by space weathering, though the actual processes and timescales involved have remained controversial. Here we show that space weathering must be a very rapid process—the final color of a silicate-rich asteroid is acquired shortly after its 'birth' (within 10 6 years of undergoing a catastrophic collision). This rapid timescale favors solar wind implantation as the main mechanism of space weathering, as laboratory experiments have shown that it is the most rapid of several competing processes. We further demonstrate the necessity to take account of composition when evaluating weathering effectiveness, as both laboratory and asteroid data show an apparent dependence of weathering on olivine abundance. The rapid color change that we find implies that color trends seen among asteroids are most probably due to compositional or surface-particle-size properties, rather than to different relative ages. Apparently fresh surfaces most frequently seen among small near-Earth asteroids may be the result of tidal shaking that rejuvenates their surfaces during planetary encounters. EPSC Abstracts Vol. 5, EPSC2010-834, 2010 European Planetary Science Congress 2010 c © Author(s) 2010


This study examines the figure of general citizens utilizing newspaper as active readers through representative advertisements that they inserted in『Empire Newspaper』 and the figure of 『Empire Newspaper』 reflected on them and further a hidden aspect of social change in Daehan Empire era. The advertisements inserted in『Empire Newspaper』 were used to be just one or two but it increased drastically occupying all 4 advertisement pages, and in the latter half of 1900, the amounts of news article and advertisement were reversed. In the increase of advertisement, it is noticeable that there were advertisements by general readers not related to making commercial profits. They were using newspaper advertisement to actively protect their rights and interests and to communicate with each other. The most representative advertisements inserted by general readers were forewarning of fraud cases with land, notifying various lost articles to prevent 2nd damage, and rewarding advertisement for someone who granted a favor to them. This study could see the items below while examining general citizens who became active readers by utilizing advertisement and its inside facts. First of all, general readers preferred『Empire Newspaper』 than other newspapers as a medium to protect their rights and interests and to communicate with each other. Also, it was a time in which people put emphasis on individual rights and interests rather than unconditionally conforming to the ethics of community life and tried to protect their property rights actively even through advertisement. Also, we can see that the society of Daehan Empire was quite unstable through the advertisements of forewarning the land fraud cases and of notifying lost articles. It is a feature of Daehan Empire since the newspaper publication that ordinary readers appeared as advertisers rather than business owners who wanted to maximize commercial profit and interest. They took the role of active readers who use newspaper to deliver their gratitude fast and effectively. It was possible because they recognized and believed that newspaper was a medium representing their intention with fast and wide influence in the society of Daehan Empire where communication tools such as telegraph and telephone were not popular.


Due to the great difficulty in scalability, quantum computers are limited in the number of qubits during the early stages of the quantum computing regime. In addition to the required qubits for storing the corresponding eigenvector, suppose we have additional k qubits available. Given such a constraint k, we propose an approach for the phase estimation for an eigenphase of exactly n-bit precision. This approach adopts the standard recursive circuit for quantum Fourier transform (QFT) and adopts classical bits to implement such a task. Our algorithm has the complexity of O(n \log k), instead of O(n^2) in the conventional QFT, in terms of the total invocation of rotation gates. We also design a scheme to implement the factorization algorithm by using k available qubits via either the continued fractions approach or the simultaneous diophantine approximation.


This letter proposes three smart relaying strategies, including power allocation, continuous power control, and discrete power control strategies, to mitigate the error propagation problem for single-relay decode-and-forward cooperative networks using selection combining at the destination. By fully exploiting the channel state information at the relay, these relaying strategies can optimize transmit power so as to minimize the bit error rate of the system, as well as allowing the source and relay nodes to use different modulation levels to improve spectral efficiency. Simulation results demonstrate that the proposed smart relaying strategies can effectively mitigate erroneous relaying and achieve diversity orders close to two.


This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of using educational games for learning basic programing skills. For this, we designed the game "Aladdin and his flying carpet" with all pedagogical consideration in mind. We conducted the experiment with 107 sixth grade pupils with no prior knowledge of programing. The game was applied at the beginning of the course in a naturalistic classroom environment. The progress was monitored and evaluated with validated pre- and posttests. The knowledge gain was observed according to the set of learning objectives from the general curricula, and minimum knowledge standards were pursued within those. The result demonstrated that most of the pupils achieved all of the observed learning objectives. The biggest progress was observed with the "complete a program" objective. The least progress was observed with the tasks where "create a program" and "divide a problem" objectives were combined. Strong correlation was found between the final results of the posttest and the scores from playing the game, especially with the more challenging "divide a problem" learning objective. Finally, no significant difference was observed in the results between girls and boys.


This study aimed to use mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MNPs) as the carrier material, and connect non-toxic and non-immunogenic polyethylene glycol (PEG) and arsenic trioxide (AO) as a novel treatment of acute leukemia in vitro. Silica was synthesized by co-precipitationmethod.
 Based on this, a redox-responsive carrier (MNPs-PEG) was synthesized. The drug loading of AO-loaded modified silica (MNPs-AO) and MNPs-PEG/AO were verified by thermogravimetric analyzer. The dialysis bag method was used to investigate the in vitro drug release characteristics of the
 drug delivery system under different pH conditions. The MTT method was used to investigate the toxicity of the carrier and drug delivery system to human normal hemopoietic cells or human acute leukemia cells. Compared with normal cells, acute leukemia cell line was more sensitive to the toxicity
 of the carrier, and the cell viability of the MNPs-PEG group is greater than that of the MNPs group, indicating that PEG modification can further reduce the cell viability of the carrier. In addition, MTT results showed that the effect of MNPs-PEG/AO group on inhibiting the growth of acute
 leukemia cells was significantly higher than that of other groups. Overall, this nano-drug delivery system has a good application prospect in tumor therapy as a tumor microenvironment responsive carrier in acute leukemia.


Recent versions of the HITRAN spectroscopic database are evaluated to assess the impact of the latest revisions to line parameters on the ability to model clear‐sky radiances. Observations made using the Met Office C‐130 aircraft with an infrared interferometer are compared with line‐by‐line radiative transfer simulations incorporating the HITRAN 96 and HITRAN 2000 databases. Substantial reductions in the differences between observed and calculated spectra are found when including the latest database in the model, largely due to refinements in water vapor parameters. Although the use of HITRAN 2000 is broadly successful in reproducing the observed spectra, a number of discrepancies remain in some spectral regions which may indicate further room for improvement in the database.


The fast incensement of Intemet requires high performance IP packet classification algorithms to serve differ- ent services, such as fire wall, QoS, traffic engineering, resource reservation, net address translation, etc. IP packet classification is a hard problem due to its multiple dimension character, hence researchers have proposed a variety of al- gorithms which can be categorized as algorithms based on Tries, algorithms based on space splitting, heuristic algo- rithms, hardware-specific algorithms and other algorithms. This tutorial describes the main idea and process of these algorithms, and the relationship among them. Also this paper discusses the suitable application for each algorithm, and compares their performance, their strong points and weak points. As the conclusion, this paper summarizes the main research methods and the trends of the IP packet classification algorithms.


o one who read the seminal article by Shane and Shane (1993), "Self Psychology After Kohut: One Theory or Many?" N —which beautifully delineated the essences of Kohutian thought while simultaneously elaborating the contrasting perspectives in self psychology—could ever claim that psychoanalytic self psychology wasn't going anywhere. The same can be said of anyone who reflected on the evocative piece by Goldberg (1998), "Self Psychology Since Kohut"—the one that succinctly examined what he felt then were the three essential trends in self psychology (i.e., the traditional, the intersubjective, and the relational). When you develop a paradigm that actually turns out to have some meat on its bones (i.e., one that isn't wrong or unimportant), people, perhaps reflecting the narcissism Kohut wrote about decades ago, will be glad to tell you that they knew it all along.1 But what people have known all along for more than 45 years now continues to expand in ways that, well, we just couldn't have known all along. This is attributable in part to the relatively recent mushrooming and crosspollination of essentially disparate disciplines ranging from a variety of psychoanalytic perspectives, philosophy, literary theory, infant research, and attachment theory to neurobiology, cognitive science, complexity theory, and physics, to name a few. It is also due to the high degree of complexity—read unpredictability, self-organization,


One of the core principles in university admission system is the autonomy of universities in enrolling students.With their different political systems,legal traditions and social systems,Harvard University and Fudan University have different admission systems in terms of the operating mechanism,criteria for admission,enrolling procedures,regional orientation,and entrance examination.A comprehensive comparison shows that Harvard University represents university autonomy while Fudan University manifests government-administering nature in their respective autonomous admission systems.


We consider optimal control of an unknown multi-agent linear quadratic (LQ) system where the dynamics and the cost are coupled across the agents through the mean-field (i.e., empirical mean) of the states and controls. Directly using single-agent LQ learning algorithms in such models results in regret which increases polynomially with the number of agents. We propose a new Thompson sampling based learning algorithm which exploits the structure of the system model and show that the expected Bayesian regret of our proposed algorithm for a system with agents of |M| different types at time horizon T is $\widetilde {\mathcal{O}}\left({{{\left| M \right|}^{1.5}}\sqrt T }\right)$ irrespective of the total number of agents, where the $\widetilde {\mathcal{O}}$ notation hides logarithmic factors in T . We present detailed numerical experiments to illustrate the salient features of the proposed algorithm.


This paper presents findings about factors parents consider when choosing schools in the new educational market in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The economic and political chaos of the early independence period led to greater differentiation between public schools. Policies were enacted that encouraged the growth of private schools and fee-charging specialized public schools (lyceums and gymnasiums). In this paper, I first outline some of the causes for the growth of diversity among schools. I then present results about the factors that parents in Dushanbe weigh when deciding among schools. I find that parents utilize a complex matrix of factors—school location, child aptitude, child's gender, and school quality—in making their decisions. Surprisingly, cost is not at the forefront of the decision matrix as most parents make choices that are comfortably in their range of affordability.


This article analyses the features of single electron devices in an artificial neural network.The feasibility of constructing single electron circuits using an artificial neural network is proved theoretically.Then,its tunneling effect and the function of a single electron oscillator were simulated and verified.Based on this,the applicability of a single electron oscillator was researched,and a single electron adder was created using an artificial neural network.Simulations were made to check its reliability and reduce the complexity of the circuit as much as possible.The results show that a neural network is an efficient method for the construction of a robust single electron circuit,and Pspice is an effective tool for the simulation of an SET circuit.


The column is an important component of machine tools and has a strong impacts on the dynamic characteristics of the whole machine.In order to improve the dynamic characteristics of the column,this paper develops the CAD/CAE model of the body of high speed vertical machining center and analyzes the dynamic characteristics by the aid of FEM.It also optimizes the thickness of rib plates and lowers the height of the centre-of-gravity position based on sensitivity analysis.Consequently,the first three orders natural frequencies are increased 23.23%,4.00% and 10.13%,respectively.The dynamic behavior of the column is improved obviously.


A number of Indian states and Nepal have introduced the anti-conversion laws, which poses a major hinderance and threat to the Christian missions. The anti-conversion laws in the Hindu region reflect a societal sentiment which has a historical experience of forced conversion. The Hindu, as a group, does not see that people may convert from Hinduism to Christianity for spiritual reasons. The religious demography in the Hindu society has economical and political reasons. This study suggests three ways to respond to this challenge. Christian cross-cultural workers may need to consider changing their view on Hindu and Hindu culture. Secondly, Christian workers need to reexamine their ministries and make changes if necessary. Thirdly, missionaries may consider strengthening their relationships with the local population and creating a support system with other missionaries for the worst situation.


Kuiper Belt dwarf planet 136472 Makemake, formerly known as 2005 FY9, is currently the third-largest known object in the Kuiper Belt, after the dwarf planets Pluto and Eris. It is currently second only to Pluto in apparent brightness, due to Eris' much larger heliocentric distance. Makemake shows very little photometric variability, which has prevented confident determination of its rotation period until now. Using extremely precise time-series photometry, we find that the rotation period of Makemake is 7.7710 ±  0.0030 hr, where the uncertainty is a 90% confidence interval. An alias period is detected at 11.41 hr, but is determined with approximately 95% confidence not to be the true period. Makemake's 7.77 hr rotation period is in the typical range for Kuiper Belt objects, consistent with Makemake's apparent lack of a substantial satellite to alter its rotation through tides. The amplitude of Makemake's photometric light curve is 0.0286 ±  0.0016 mag in V. This amplitude is about 10 times less than Pluto's, which is surprising given the two objects' similar sizes and spectral characteristics. Makemake's photometric variability is instead similar to that of Eris, which is so small that no confident rotation period has yet been determined. It has been suggested that dwarf planets such as Makemake and Eris, both farther from the Sun and colder than Pluto, exhibit lower photometric variability because they are covered with a uniform layer of frost. Such a frost is probably the correct explanation for Eris. However, it may be inconsistent with the spectrum of Makemake, which resembles reddish Pluto more than neutrally colored Eris. Makemake may instead be a more Pluto-like object that we observe at present with a nearly pole-on viewing geometry—a possibility that can be tested with continuing observations over the coming decades.


Certification curricula developed and delivered by associations serving the hospitality industry must be validated from time to time to ensure relevance and as part of long-range planning procedures. Generally, in North America, this process is not handled well, but through the use of forced scales and qualitative research methods, even those with little experience in evaluative procedures can obtain validation data. A study validating the AH&MA's Certified Rooms Division Executive Program, completed through the Pennsylvania State University's Institute for Research in Training and Development, is used to exemplify the methodology. In the example, samples of both property- and corporate-level managers "tend to agree" that most (but not all) of the various knowledge elements in those AH&MA curricula under study were necessary for effective performance in a rooms division. The study did not deal with elements that are necessary but not included in the AH&MA course, but similar qualitative procedures could be used to obtain such data.


Planar Laser-Induced-Fluorescence and stereoscopic Particle Image Velocimetry are simultaneously employed to study an effervescent at omizer generated spray. Light heating oil is continuously atomized using air as an atomizing med ium. Double pulsed laser provides two pulses of 265 nm radiation. The pulses are converted to a light s heet illuminating the spray in a cross section perp endicular to the spray axis. Natural fluorescence of the ligh t heating oil is used for instant liquid phase conc entration distribution measurement. Simultaneous 3D velocity field is calculated using image pairs of the liquid concentration. Combination of the velocity componen t vertical to the laser light sheet and the concent ration image leads to instant planar liquid mass flux. Set of 256 image pairs is used to calculate time avera ged image of the liquid concentration and mass flux. Sp ace-resolved fluctuations of both the values from a ver ge local value are evaluated. Root-mean-square of the liquid concentration fluctuations and mass flux fluctuations normalized by the local time-average v alue is used to characterise space-resolved spray unsteadiness. Results show similar spatial distribu tion of both the liquid concentration and mass flux . The spray is axially symmetrical with maximum of time-a verage mass flux (concentration) in spray axis. Rad ial profiles of the normalized RMS fluctuations of the mass flux (concentration) distribution show low val ue near the spray axis, increase with increasing radia l distance and maximum close to the spray edge. Inf lue ce of atomizer operation conditions on the spray struc ture is also investigated. The atomizer is operated in the range of air gauge pressure 0.1 – 0.5 MPa and Gas-t o-Liquid-Ratio by mass (GLR) of 2 – 50%. Results document that radial profiles of the mean values an d mainly of the fluctuations of the mass flux (concentration) vary with change of operation condi tions. The spray unsteadiness is relatively low in case of high GLR with increasing tendency for decreasing GL R. Influence of pressure is not so significant.


Since its introduction into clinical practice in 2001, capsule endoscopy (CE) has become the first-line investigation procedure in many small bowel pathologies. In addition, dedicated esophageal and colon CE allowed investigation of upper and lower gastrointestinal disorders. In a short time, CE has gained increased popularity in clinical practice, due to its noninvasive nature, safety, patient comfort, and ability to explore new segments of gastrointestinal tract, previously difficult to explore by traditional endoscopy. However, CE has several limitations, including the lack of therapeutic capabilities, inability to take biopsies and control its movement. Hopefully, most of these limitations will be overcome by modern technology. This review summarizes CE achievements through the entire gastrointestinal tract.