The IODP Expedition 322 penetrated sediments-basement boundary and recovered successive cores at Site C0012, subduction input in Nankai Subduction Zone. The collected basement samples are composed of alternating beds of pillow basalts and hyaro-clastite and were retrieved by rotary core barrel drilling system. Paleomagnetic measurements were conducted to understand the polarity, paleolatitude and tectonic rotation. In total, 29 minicores or blocks were collected from the basaltic basement rocks. Paleomagnetic results suffers from intense secondary magnetization during drilling. AF demagnetization field up to 10 mT was generally enough to remove the overprint to allow interpretation of polarity of magnetization. Paleomagnetic measurements on basaltic basement rocks from Site C0012 (538-561m CSF) show that the stable magnetization has reversed polarity. Paleolatitude was calculated from 7 samples as 28.0+-7.6 degrees N and the expected latitudinal translation is 522+-844km. Magnetic anomaly map can be produced using the recently compiled dataset by Quesnel et al. (2009). Preliminary interpretation based on the simple magnetization model assuming the constant thickness of the magnetized layer (Okino, personal communication), the magnetic anomaly crossing the Kashinosaki Knoll corresponds to anomaly C6Ar (20.7-21.1Ma; ATNTS2004). We also attempted to reconstruct tectonic rotation related to the development of Shikoku Basin using secondary magnetization component acquired during Brunhes normal polarity chron. A whole round sample used for anelastic strain recovery (ASR) is the best sample for that purpose allowing us to measure a block collected from the center of the core, which has least drilling overprint. We collected multiple sub-samples from the center of ASR sample and carefully measured with stepwise AF demagnetization and thermal demagnetization experiments. However, the results indicate that the secondary magnetization is not directing the magnetic north during the Brunhes chron. In order to extract the information carried by the viscous remanent magnetization (VRM) acquired during the Brunhes, we conducted great circle analysis described by Kirschvink (1980). This allowed us to recognize four components including the VRM. The results shows that the angles between VRM and primaly component of reversed polarity are around 10˜20 degrees suggesting no significant rotation since the formation Shikoku Basin. Nankai Trough region in southeast Japan is invested the comprehensive studies of the subduction zones. For understanding the stress state and geological properties in the shallower Shikoku basin, two sites were drilled in open-ocean sediments. The resistivity Logging while Drilling was run in C0011A and full cored was applied in C0011B which preparing for the measurements of physical prosperities (MultiSensory Core Log, MSCL.). In the LWD logging, the notability breakout anomaly was observed in the depth 615 mbsf. NanTroSEIZE scientists developed many researches about the stress orientation and magnitude estimation by logging data in Nankai Trough. In this study, we constrained the possible horizontal principal stress azimuth and magnitude in entire C0011A borehole. The dislocation of breakout orientation indicated this drilling drilled through the fault and stress drop can be determined by the fault geometry. The close 90 degree rotation implied the 100% stress drop which the magnitude equal to 2.5 MPa. Our simulation displays the magnitude of horizontal principal stresses before and after the fault slip. The low rock strength (0˜20MPa) and weak fault would be the necessary conditions to satisfy the dislocation model and the observations. After the 2011 Tohoku-Oki, Japan, earthquake, many studies have investigated the stress state in the Nankai trough area, where is one of the possible area for the next devastating earthquake. For understanding the stress state and geological properties in Nankai, several drilling projects have been conducted in the shallow part of the Kumano and Shikoku basin. Among them, the Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) has involved in many studies on the stress orientation and magnitude estimation by logging datum in the Nankai Trough. Due to limitation by the technology and the processing of drilling, the real stress orientation and magnitude in Nankai near the subduction zones is still controversial. In this study, we develop the Slip DeFicit Model (SDM) to estimate the stress tensor and associated with the Fine-scale boreholes datum. SDM is assumed that the regional stress is dominated by the slip deFicit during aseismic period. The tectonic loading in the rest part of the system has been released through other aseismic behaviors, such as creeping or small earthquakes. Using this model, the stress tensor can be analyzed at different depths in the drilling sites. Comparing to the logging data, the modeled stress tensors in terms of magnitude and orientation are consistent with the stress states in the site C0009, C00012, C0002, and C0006. Based on SDM, the stress tensor at deeper depth in the drill sites can be evalutated. Sr-Nd-Pb isotope ratios and chemistry of silicate portion of hemipelagic mud taken from IODP site C0011 suggest that Asian dust flux had rapidly decreased since 3 Ma. Asian dust is known to originate from soils of inland China, which are characterized by much higher Sr, Pb and much lower Nd isotope ratios than those of Japanese rocks and sediments. Results of isotopic analysis of silicate portion show that the isotope ratios of Sr and Pb decrease, and that of Nd increases upward rapidly across the horizon corresponding to 3Ma in age. This indicates the rational decrease of Asian dust particles in the sediments since 3Ma. Because the paleomagnetostratigraphy of C0011 shows that the sedimentary rate had rapidly decreased since 3 Ma (Expedition 333 Scientists, 2011), the rational decrease of Asian dust in the sediments means the decrease of its flux to this site at that time. Decrease of biogenic flux of silica or carbonates cannot explain the slowed depositional rate considering the fact that there is no increase in bulk Al 2 O 3 /SiO 2 at around 3 Ma, and that bulk CaO and content of calcium carbonate had rather increased since 3Ma. Because there is no period of significant decrease in Asian dust flux to the North Pacific since its rapid increase at 3.6 Ma (Rea, 1994), the decrease of the flux at Site C0011 may reflect some local events around Shikoku Basin. Such events considerable include cutoff of the dust path to Shikoku Basin by the uplifted Japan island arc and the entrainment of surficial suspended particles by the Kuroshio current, which is estimated to have started to influence the sea surface of site C0011 around 3 Ma due to the plate motion. The stage-1 expeditions in the Nankai Trough area by IODP drilling performed geophysical logging measurements. By analyzing these data-sets, structural geometry and stress fields in both of large and small scales have been identified. This presentation includes recent achievements of such research. The structure, stress condition and rock properties of accreted sediments in the Nankai Trough have been studied by reflection seismology and deep sea drillings. Accretion processes have been suggested by onland geological studies that the sediments are circulated with undergoing lithification and deformation in shallow subduction zone driven by the plate motion. However the process in the modern Nankai Trough has yet to be elucidated. We discuss the accretion process of the Nankai Trough accretionary prism below Kumano basin by clarifying thermal structure and materials by vitrinite measurement and whole rock chemical analyses, respectively, using cuttings samples from IODP The Nankai Trough Seismogenic Zone Experiment (NanTroSEIZE) the first scientific riser drilling Expedition 319 at Site C0009. We also introduce the use of the cuttings samples for academic research, which becomes important in the upcoming riser drilling expeditions of NanTroSEIZE and in the future ocean drilling in general. Four lithologic units (Unit I ? IV) were defined at Site C0009 based on compositional and textural variations of cuttings samples, which are believed to closely reflect lithologic changes of drilled sequences, and show good consistency with logging data. Unit IV is believed to be accreted sediment by mainly age and the textural change of sediments. Dissoluble element ratios (Ti/P) and clay content ratios in the samples analyzed by XRF and XRD are different from that in basin sediment, which also might support Unit IV are accreted materials. XRD and XRF analyses on cuttings samples provide useful information to estimate difference of lithology. Comparison of cuttings and cores at corresponding depth indicates compositional and textural differences between the cuttings and core samples, which could reflect mixing of cuttings in drill hole. Paleop-maximum Temperature (i.e. highest temperature rock experienced) of drilled sediments is estimated by vitrinite reflectance measurement in cuttings and core samples. Vitrinite is common in all units and the results show 0.2 ? 0.3 % in reflectance which are indicative of 50 ? 60 oC when considering sedimentary age. The reflectance (temperature) slightly increases depth-ward. There is no large temperature difference between the units including unconformity, which suggests that the temperature distribution is similar to the past or present gethremal gradient and that the accreted sediments (Unit IV) have not subducted, accordingly. Our attempt further connects to the detailed discussion on ongoing accretion processes when we reach to the greater depth in the planned future expeditions of NanTroSEIZE. Geothermal energy is one of the most promising solutions for global warming, shortage of energy resources, and national energy security. Utilization of geothermal energy has not been promoted duri


Global perspective Cross regulation and the phosphate regulon Complex phosphate regulation by sequential switches in B subtilis Antibiotic biosynthesis in Streptomyces Genetic switches controlling sporulation in B subtilis The mechanism of the EnvZ-OmpR response to osmotic stress Two-component switches in the caulobacter cell cycle Nitrogen regulation in E coli Hexosephosphate uptake in E coli The mechanism of NtrC stimulation of transcription Mechanism of transcription activation and repression by Spo0A Control of Salmonella typhimurium virulence Regulation of Agrobacterium tumifaciens virulence Control of nitrogen fixation The nitrate reductase system of E coli Degradative enzyme synthesis in B subtilis The vancomycin resistance story Alginate production in Pseudomonas Regulation of anaerobiosis in E coli Regulation of gene transfer in E coli Communication modules in signal transducing genetic switches The structure of response regulator modules The mechanism of the phosphotransfer reaction Control of chemotaxis Myxococcus frizzy genes Conjugal DNA transfer in Bacteriodes


Background Insufficient physical activity among urban youth increases risk of chronic disease. Purpose This study assessed reported physical activity to determine when disparities in participation emerge and what ecologically guided factors are linked with high activity. Methods We administered a cross-sectional survey to a diverse sample of 321 fourth-, sixth-, and eighth-graders measuring physical activity and a range of ecologically guided variables via self-report. Students who reported high versus low levels of physical activity were compared in bivariate and stepwise regression models stratified by gender and grade to elucidate factors associated with high physical activity. Results The proportion of highly active students declined between fourth and sixth/eighth grade, driven largely by a decline in highly active girls. Unique factors were associated with high physical activity by grade or gender including self-efficacy among fourth-graders (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 14.51, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.60–131.84), social support among sixth- and eighth-graders (aOR = 5.93, 95% CI, 2.04–17.29) and girls (aOR = 9.03, 95% CI, 1.95–41.75), and perceived normal weight status among boys (aOR = 6.62, 95% CI, 2.18–20.16). Discussion Declines in physical activity among girls may initiate earlier than previously reported. Translation to Health Education Practice School-based efforts to increase physical activity levels should be initiated as soon as fourth grade.


In this paper, based on the traditional convolutional neural network, a new image classification is proposed for failure detection classification of boiler four tube. For the boiler four tube, in the process of equipment maintenance, due to the difficulty of manual classification, it is necessary to carry out intelligent classification on the collected pictures. According to the extracted feature information, the structure of the convolutional neural network can be determined, so as to determine the image classification model. In order to reduce the influence of the optimization method on the classification accuracy of the proposed method, five different optimization methods are used for optimizing the image classification model. Through using the collected images to test the proposed classification method, the simulation results show that the classification accuracy of the proposed classification method reaches 87.6%.


Sept-Oct EXISTENCE OF COUPLED FIXED POINTS USING GENERALIZED ( , )   -ORDER CONTRACTIVE MAPPINGS 1 shagufta Abbas, 2 imran Zulfiqar Cheema Govt. Islamia College for (W), Cantt. Lahore. COMSATS Institute of Information Technology Lahore. email@example.com, email@example.com ABSTRACT. Gordji et al. [M. E. Gordji, M. Ramezani, Y. J. Cho and S. Pirbavafa, A generalization of Geraghty's theorem in partially ordered metric spaces and applications to ordinary differential equations, Fixed Point Theory Appl., 2012, 2012:74] obtained a generalization of Geraghty's theorem. In this paper, we introduce generalized ( , )   -order contractive mappings and obtain existence of coupled fixed point of such mappings in partially ordered metric spaces. These results establish some of the most general coupled fixed point theorems in partially ordered metric spaces. We also present an example and an application to demonstrate the results presented herein.


For long distance ultra-high voltage AC transmission lines,it is quite necessary to adopt a controllable shunt reactor which can self-regulate its capacity according to load to reduce the line loss, to balance reactive power and to control voltage. This paper presents the protection research process, the protection configuration and the main protection principles of the controllable reactor of the high impedance type. The difference between the controllable shunt reactor protection and common shunt reactor protection is also described. The protection device has been used in the controllable shunt reactor demonstration project of a 500 kV switching station in Xinzhou, Shanxi Province.


Page 1 Institution: University of Greenwich Unit of Assessment: 11 Computer Science and Informatics Title of case study: Enhancing the safety of aircraft, ships and built environment around the world through the transformative application of computer modelling in fire safety engineering Period when the underpinning research was undertaken: January 2000 December 2020 Details of staff conducting the underpinning research from the submitting unit: Name(s):


Open/closed eye recognition is an open topic in many intelligent systems. This paper proposes a novel appearance-based method to solve the problem. It is considered as a two-class classification task, and two important components are: feature descriptor and classifier learning. Originally, this work introduces a distinct local feature named Local Binary Increasing Intensity Patterns (LBIIP), which uses one decimal label to specify the intensity increasing tendency of the local region around each pixel. It inherits the merits of both Local Binary Patterns (LBP) and gradient features. Given an eye image, numerous sub-windows are obtained by scanning at various scales and locations. Then the LBIIP-Histograms (LBIIPHs) are extracted from the sub-windows, and concatenated into a feature vector (descriptor). On the other hand, Discrete AdaBoost is applied to selecte a few most discriminative features and learn the open/closed eye classifier. Experimental results show that the proposed approach is very fast and efficient.


Dr. Rosser, a Fellow of the College, is professor and chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at McMaster University, Hamilton. Dr. Parker is professor of Pediatrics and Family Medicine, McMaster University,and a member of the active staff of the Family Practice Unit of McMaster University. Reprint requests to: Dr. W.W. Rosser, Department of Family Medicine, 1200 Main St. W., Hamilton, Ont. L8N 3Z5


In the creative turmoil after the Second Vatican Council, the Divine Word Missionaries (SVD) set up a five-month renewal course at Nemi for their members. Noting that one key issue was the changing concept and practice of the Catholic Church from a universal, clerical pyramid to a communion of local communities, and that this conciliar theological vision demanded particular pastoral skills and training, the then director of the Nemi Renewal Course invited Anselm Prior to conduct a workshop presenting the Lumko training method of building Small Christian Communities. In this paper the author contrasts the Basic Ecclesial Communities that were birthed in Latin America over against the hierarchical church, with the Small Christian Communities that originated in Africa that were planned by the bishops themselves to bring the church closer to the people and their culture. This African model was promoted globally by the Lumko Pastoral Institute, and so became a vital part of the pastoral skill training conducted by Anselm Prior during some 15 annual courses at Nemi.


Graphite intercalation compounds are a class of materials systems formed as ions diffuse into a host graphite structure. The volume expansion associated with this process has been shown to be capable of performing work up to 3.8 MJ/m3. To evaluate GICs for solid state actuation, this study explores some factors affecting the rate at which the volume expansion occurs. Given that diffusion length has an exponential effect on rate, we tested a graphite paper comprised of 7-micron diameter PAN fibers. We found that the paper had ultimate strain and loading properties comparable to HOPG. The paper was cycled under various loads and temperatures to examine the strain rate and repeatability of the material. Testing showed a strong correlation between rate and temperature, while pressure had relatively little effect.


Abstract:In Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South (1855), male protagonist John Thornton, a supposed master of industry, is truly industry's victimized object. Critics have covered the Victorian drive for noble self-sacrifice, particularly in female characters, but this article claims that Gaskell critiques a masochistic work ethic that arises out of the mixture of industrialism with Protestantism and produces a bourgeois masculinity so masochistic it is nearly suicidal. Gaskell's novel unmasks this deceptively simple system of "self-denial," which promises working men reciprocity for their deferred pleasure but fails to deliver. Denial of the body to perfect the soul is a system that works well enough for the rich, Gaskell shows, since the rich body is neither starving nor healthily reproductive. Self-denial, then, becomes a position of privilege rather than of self-improvement. Ultimately, Gaskell rejects the unfeeling masochism of this industrial code of masculinity in favor of the pains of love and vulnerability.


Abstract The properties of polymer solutions in the Θ-domain, i.e. in a poor solvent, are deduced from a Lagrangian theory involving 3-monomer interactions, which is similar to that describing a tricritical point in statistical mechanics.


Korea Purpose: The purpose of this study is to introduce a tool for evaluating eye movement and analyze the reliability of measurement based on 10 cases of evaluating the oculomotor function of children with spastic cerebral palsy Methods: The participants were selected by 6 medical and welfare institutions in Busan as GMFCS grade 1-3 among spastic diplegia and hemiplegia. Seven examiners evaluated 3 children for the evaluation of inter-rater agreement of Ocular Motor Score (OMS) and evaluated the condition of the ocular motor of 10 children using OMS, a re-examination was performed at six weeks after the initial examination. SPSS ver.25.0 was used to calculate the interclass correlation coefficient and Wilcoxon's signed-rank test, Mann Whitney-U test. Results: The inter-rater agreement of OMS was 0.89. Second mean values were decreased compared first examination in motility/duc-tions/version, saccades and smooth pursuit, but there was no significant difference. Children under 6 years old had a high mean value of saccades in first examination and the motility/ductions/version, fixation, saccades in second examination, but there was no significant difference. Spastic diplegia children's mean values were higher in head posture, fixation in 8 gaze directions than hemiplegia children in both first and second examination, but there were no significant differences. Conclusion: Ocular motor function in 10 children of spastic children who participated in the study and could see that the scores was dif-fered depending on age, type, grade of cerebral palsy. OMS may be available for this


In this paper the influence of feldspar content in quartz sand on properties and quality of mixtures for moulds and cores for grey cast iron products is presented. Technological tests of coating were performed and the values of cold and hot compressive strength and softening temperature for the samples with and without scale were obtained. Some results are related to mixtures for moulds and cores on the basis of coated sand are presented, also.


If someone is interested in cartoon watching then there will be some chances to cause hematuria. The main motive of the study was to interconnect cartoon watching with blood in urine. Blood in urine causes hematuria. It causes serious diseases in human. It causes health problems. There were about 100 students involved in this research. All of them were the students of Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan. They were between the age of 19-22. They shared their point of views about the affection and detest of cartoon watching


Objective
To evaluate the antimicrobial activity of different extracts of Hydroclathrus clathratus C. Agardh against human bacterial and fungal pathogens.
Methods
The antimicrobial activities of the extracts against various organisms were tested by using agar well diffusion method. Methanolic extract showed maximum inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.33±1.86mm) while aqueous extract showed no or minimum inihibition.
Results
Maximum activities were recorded by methanolic extract on P. aeruginosa (26.33±1.86mm), S.aureus (21.00±1.78mm), E.coli (19.32±0.89mm), B.subtilis (18.33±1.86mm) and K. Pneumoneae (18.14±1.50 mm). Hexane extract showed maximum antifungal activity against F. oxysporum (18.33±1.86mm) and ethyl acetate showed maximum activity against A.niger (18.33±2.73mm). While, methanolic extract showed more activity against A.flavus (18.00±3.22 mm), C.albicans (18.14±1.50mm) and Penicillium sp. (13.66±1.36mm). However, aqueous extract showed minimum inhibitory effect on the pathogens.
Conclusions
Different solvent extracts of seaweeds used in the present study have shown significant bacterial and fungal action. The study offers opportunities for producing new types of bioactive compounds; however, the mechanism of inhibition and stability of the extracts still are not clear and more studies should be involved.


The diets of two closely related parrots, the Eastern Rosella Platycercus eximius and the Pale-headed Rosella P. adscitus, were studied by observing feeding at two locations in southeastern Queensland. Both species were mainly herbivorous and usually ate different species of plants. The Eastern Rosella, a more ground-feeding species, ate the fruits and seeds (and to a lesser extent the flowers) of eighty-two plants; the Pale-headed Rosella, more arboreal, forty-seven. Seasonal variation in the diet was evident, although only a few foods were important for each species in any month. Both species ate insects attached to Eucalyptus leaves during the cooler months, the Eastern Rosella more so than the Paleheaded. Dietary differences between the species are discussed in relation to geographical differences in floral composition and preferred feeding station.


The extinction of a class of superprocesses associated with general branching characterstics and underlying Markov processes is investigated. The extinction is closely associated with the branching characteristics and the recurrence and transience of underlying processes.


This is an interesting time to innovate around disruptive technologies like the internet of things (IoT), machine learning, blockchain. Autonomous assistants (IoT) are the electro-mechanical system that performs any prescribed task automatically with no human intervention through self-learning and adaptation to changing environments. This means that by acknowledging autonomy, the system has to perceive environments, actuate a movement, and perform tasks with a high degree of autonomy. This means the ability to make their own decisions in a given set of the environment. It is important to note that autonomous IoT using radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used in educational sectors to boost the research the arena, improve customer service, ease book identification and traceability of items in the library. This chapter discusses the role, importance, the critical tools, applicability, and challenges of autonomous IoT in the library using RFID technology.


The aim of the algorithms developed in this thesis is the real-time detection of moving and new static objects of arbitrary visual appearance in unconstrained surveillance environments monitored with static cameras. This is achieved based on the results provided by background subtraction. For this task, Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) are used. A thorough review of state-of-the-art formulations for the use of GMMs in the task of background subtraction reveals some further development opportunities, which are tackled in a novel GMM-based approach incorporating a variance controlling scheme. The proposed approach permits an easier parametrization of the models to different environments and converges to more accurate models of the scene. The detection of moving objects is achieved by using the results of background subtraction. For the detection of new static objects, two background models learning at different rates are used. This allows for a multi-class pixel classification, which follows the temporality of the changes detected by means of background subtraction. In a first approach, the results provided by the subtraction of both background models are used as input of a Finite-State Machine (FSM), which is used to reason on pixel classification based on the history of the pixel. This allows for the detection of new static objects over long periods of time and for a correct classification of the uncovered background regions upon their removal. In a further developed approach, the results provided by multi-class pixel classification are analyzed at the region level in order to distinguish between new and removed static objects. This allows for the detection of static objects without previous knowledge of the observed scene. Furthermore, it is shown that the results provided by region analysis can be used to improve the quality of the background models, therefore, considerably improving the detection results. The results provided by the developed algorithms are proved in a novel summarization application which combines multiple analysis cues in order to provide summaries that better align with the content of the analyzed video sequences.


Boll weevil eradication programs in the U.S. rely heavily on trap captures of boll weevils to determine the need for insecticide applications. However, currently available information regarding the interpretation of trap captures and parameters influencing the optimal design of trapping systems is incomplete. A field study was initiated in the Brazos Valley of Texas during the spring of 2000 to examine several dynamic facets of boll weevil trap captures. An objective of this study addressed herein was to examine the influence of trap distance from cotton on the seasonal distribution of boll weevil captures. Overall, weevil captures by traps > 1000 m from cotton were less than by traps closer to cotton. Trap captures were highest during the cotton harvest period at all trap distances, but seasonal patterns corresponding to other agronomic periods varied among trap distance classes. Seasonal patterns in captures also differed between years of the study, primarily because of depressed trap captures during the harvest period of 2001, which likely resulted from ULV malathion applications by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation during the first-year diapause phase in this region. Of particular interest, the characteristic depression of trap captures associated with the squaring and early-bloom period in cotton was less evident for traps located between 100 and 1000 m from cotton than for traps located within 100 m of cotton. These results provide additional insight into the spatial dynamics of boll weevil trapping that may result in improved monitoring systems for eradication efforts. Introduction The boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, remains a serious economic pest in areas of the U.S. Cotton Belt and other parts of the world. Although eradication efforts have successfully reduced the geographic range of this pest, a critical need exists to improve efficiency of these efforts, and to maximize the effectiveness of monitoring programs to detect populations re-infesting eradicated areas. Eradication programs rely almost exclusively on pheromone traps for weevil detection and population monitoring. However, additional information regarding the interpretation of trap captures and factors influencing the optimal design of trapping systems is needed. The seasonality of boll weevil trap captures has been well documented, both in reference to time-of-year (Guerra and Garcia 1982, Lopez 1980, Merkl and McCoy 1978), and with respect to the phenology of the cotton crop (Ridgway et al. 1976, Rummel and Bottrell 1976). However, authors have not always agreed as to the factors responsible for the seasonal patterns of capture. Regardless, it is widely recognized that captures are greatly depressed when traps are placed in close proximity to squaring cotton. More recent research has indicated that seasonal patterns of trap captures are influenced by the distance between traps and the standing cotton crop (Coppedge et al. 1996, Beerwinkle et al. 1996), and the possibility exists that trap captures at some distance from cotton may provide useful population information during the period when cotton is actively fruiting. In the spring of 2000, we initiated a large-scale trapping study in the Brazos Valley of Texas to examine several aspects of the dynamics of boll weevil trap captures. One objective of this study, reported here, was to examine the influence of trap distance from cotton on the seasonal distribution of trap captures, in particular reference to defined periods during the cropping year. Materials and Methods Seventy-one pheromone traps (Hercon Environmental, Emigsville, PA) were deployed in a 256-km (100-mi) transect of the Brazos Valley near Mumford, TX. Cotton was the primary crop grown in this region between the Brazos River to the west and the Little Brazos River to the east. Traps were inspected twice weekly (Tuesday and Wednesday) from Feb. 15, 2000 to Nov. 7, 2001, and 10-mg pheromone lures (Hercon Environmental, Emigsville, PA) were replaced in each trap every two weeks. Weekly total captures were calculated for each trap that was functioning on both sampling days. Field Mapping Trap locations and agricultural field boundaries were determined using GPS (Figure 1). Garmin GPS III and GPS III Plus receivers were used along with Garmin GBR21 beacon receivers (Garmin Corp., Olathe, KS) for differential measurements. The receiver was set to average 20 observations to obtain the trap coordinates (latitude, longitude) with a 2to 3-meter position accuracy. For areas not accessible by vehicle, satellite images were used to mark pastures and other uncultivated areas. Agronomic Stages Phenological development of cotton was determined by in-field observation throughout the growing season. Planting dates and harvest dates (for 18 fields in 2000 and 24 fields in 2001) were obtained from producers or by observation while sampling the traps. Dates of other agronomic stages were based on the first known occurrence of each stage from field observations. Classes were defined for five agronomic stages: planting, seedling, squares to first bloom, blooming to defoliation, and harvest. The planting stage covered the period from planting to emergence. The seedling stage extended from plant emergence until pinhead squares developed. The square to first bloom stage extended from pinhead squares until first bloom. The blooming to defoliation stage extended from blooming until defoliants were applied. The harvest stage covered the period from defoliation to harvest. Distance Calculations Distances from traps to the nearest cotton field were calculated for each trap using analysis modules of a geographic information system (IDRISI version 2, Clark Labs, Worcester, MA). Distances from traps to the nearest cotton field were categorized as <100 m, 100 to 1000 m, or >1000 m. Statistical Analysis Traps with missing data during an agronomic stage in a given year were excluded from analysis for that data group. Mean weekly captures were calculated for traps that had no missing data for a given agronomic stage. Capture data were subjected to analysis of variance using the SAS procedure PROC GLM (SAS Institute 2000). Means corresponding to main effects were agronomic stage, year, and distance to cotton, and terms for their interactions were included in the model. Main effects were separated using the REGWQ option of PROC GLM (SAS Institute 2000). Significant interactions were evaluated using the PDIFF and ADJUST=TUKEY options of the LSMEANS statement of PROC GLM (SAS Institute 2000). Results and Discussion Trap captures varied among agronomic stages (F = 73.15; df = 4, 605; P < 0.01). Mean capture was highest at harvest (69.7 weevils trap week) followed by the seedling (27.1 weevils trap week), planting (12.6 weevils trap week), squares to first bloom (16.1 weevils trap week), and blooming to defoliation (7.7 weevils trap week) stages. Captures at planting, squares to first bloom, and blooming to defoliation stages were not different. Captures were higher in 2000 (35.5 weevils trap week) than in 2001 (19.0 weevils trap week) (F = 34.86; df = 1, 605; P < 0.01). However, captures between years were significantly different only during the harvest stage. The agronomic stage by year interaction indicated that the influence of agronomic stage on trap capture differed between years (F = 41.22; df = 4, 605; P < 0.01) (Table 1). The significant agronomic stage by year interaction was largely caused by differences between years during the harvest period; captures at harvest were significantly higher than at other agronomic stages in 2000, but captures at harvest were not significantly different than captures at other agronomic stages in 2001. The significantly decreased trap capture at harvest in 2001 may have resulted from weekly treatments of ULV malathion by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation during the first-year diapause phase in the Southern Blacklands zone. Trap captures varied among distances to cotton (F = 20.20; df = 2, 605; P < 0.01). Significantly fewer boll weevils were captured in traps located more than 1000 m from cotton (16.3 weevils trap week) than in traps located less than 100 m from cotton (31.6 weevils trap week) and in traps located 100 to 1000 m from cotton (35.2 weevils trap week) (Table 2). The distance by year interaction was not significant which indicated that distance patterns in capture were consistent between years. The distance by stage interaction was significant (F = 9.82, df = 8, 605, P < 0.01), but captures were significantly different only during the harvest stage. Interestingly, during a period when captures by traps adjacent to cotton fields are normally depressed (squares to first bloom), corresponding captures by traps between 100 and 1000 m from cotton were numerically higher than those of traps within 100 m of cotton although this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.08).


T HE title of this paper as given for interpretation may suggest to some farm management workers that there are three methods of farm management research; namely, the theoretical approach, the empirical approach, and a combination of the two. While there may be a distinction between theory and practice, it doesn't necessarily follow that the approach to a research problem has to be categorized as theoretical or empirical. Rather the writer will take the stand that the most satisfactory method is that in which theoretical concepts and empirical observation are jointly employed by the researcher. When extension of theory is to be the end product of research, deduction from basic propositions (fundamental theory) and empirical observation is the logical course. Pure empirical research without the benefit of theory, excepting that which describes a universe or a historical sequence of events, is an infrequent occurrence. The researcher who contends that his research is in no way based upon theoretical concepts is frequently disregarding his background of knowledge from which he formulates hypotheses. Thomas Cooper, Director of the Kentucky Agricultural Experiment Station, has set forth the view of administrators of LandGrant Colleges in such a way that the conclusions are obvious:


Apples are widely used by the population as a fresh and processed product at any time of the year. The relevance of the experiment is the protection of orchards from apple pests and the cultivation of high-quality products. Over the years of experiments, the main types of pests that are found in gardens and cause the greatest damage, as well as their morphological characteristics, have been studied. Laspeyresia (Carpocapsa) pomonella L. is recognized as the most harmful apple tree in our region.


A time‐varying autoregression is considered with a similarity‐based coefficient and possible drift. It is shown that the random‐walk model has a natural interpretation as the leading term in a small‐sigma expansion of a similarity model with an exponential similarity function as its AR coefficient. Consistency of the quasi‐maximum likelihood estimator of the parameters in this model is established, the behaviours of the score and Hessian functions are analysed and test statistics are suggested. A complete list is provided of the normalization rates required for the consistency proof and for the score and Hessian function standardization. A large family of unit root models with stationary and explosive alternatives is characterized within the similarity class through the asymptotic negligibility of a certain quadratic form that appears in the score function. A variant of the stochastic unit root model within the class is studied, and a large‐sample limit theory provided, which leads to a new nonlinear diffusion process limit showing the form of the drift and conditional volatility induced by sustained stochastic departures from unity. The findings provide a composite case for time‐varying coefficient dynamic modelling. Some simulations and a brief empirical application to data on international Exchange Traded Funds are included. Copyright © 2014 Wiley Publishing Ltd


PSOLA, a popular algorithm for time-scale modification, has heavy computation, which is very difficult for on- ling operation. Waveform similarity is proposed for tackling the problem of time-scale modification of speech, which is called WSOLA algorithm, through experiments produces the high quality speech output, is algorithmically and computa- tionally efficient and robust, and allows for on-ling processing with arbitrary time-scaling actors chosen over a wide con- tinuous range of values. The algorithm has already been used in the tutoring system of the digital speech, having good re- al-time quality and high quality speech.


The present invention provides specifically for transporting the oil compartment of a half-insulation casing, which inner tube and an outer tube coaxially sheathing composition sleeve, the inner tube within a tube oil; spacer provided on the outer sleeve between the tube and the inner tube, the outer tube and is fixedly connected with the inner tube; an inner tube oil circulating hot water is always surrounded by thermal insulation, the hot water into the interlayer space in the sleeve with one, separated by a semi- layer segments circulated. Insulation sleeve of the present invention to solve the problem must be given clear insulation condition of the oil transportation process, and has three major advantages, first of greatly reducing the cost of construction of oil pipeline construction insulation works, followed by increase of oil transportation process insulation effect, Third optimize the environment saves resources.


Peking University, Center for Data Science, China; Peking University, Center for Data Science in Health and Medicine, China; Beijing Institute of Big Data Research, Laboratory for Biomedical Image Analysis, China; Peking University, Beijing International Center for Mathematical Research (BICMR), China; Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, MGH/BWH Center for Clinical Data Science, Center for Advanced Medical Computing and Analysis, Department of Radiology, USA.


Compression behavior of a novel type of SiC/Al co-continuous composites was investigated using the finite element method and a new constitutive model were presented in this paper. The results show that the new constitutive model of the co-continuous composites can predicate the compression behavior of the composites accurately according to the simulative data. The fitting curve of the compression behavior achieved from the constitutive formula accords with the simulation results, which improves the reliability of the simulation on composites.


Once a traffic accident occurs on an expressway, it will cause a variety of damages such as human injury and property lose, and other negative impacts such as traffic congestions and secondary traffic accidents. Human errors are a major cause of traffic accidents and it is therefore becoming more and more important how to reduce traffic accidents based on effective individualized measures. Recently, with the great development of information and communication technologies (ICT), human behavior has been influenced in various ways. Individualized traffic safety measures need individualized tools. Mobile phone, a rapidly-growing ICT device, can be directly connected with individual life via GPS, social media (e.g., Facebook, SNS, LINE), and voice function etc. It may be used to assist a driver to improve his/her risk recognition, judgment, and vehicle operation. In line with such consideration, we developed a GPS-enabled smart phone App (called Safety Supporter : [1] ) that diagnoses driving safety by making full use of GPS information and provides feedback of diagnosis results, advices on safer driving, and traffic warning information to drivers for the prevention of traffic accidents (Zhang et al., 2014). The diagnosis is done every two seconds and the driver can easily review the diagnosis results, provided in the forms of a summary of average driving performance, a map showing the diagnosis results on the driving route, ranking of diagnosis results in the whole list of registered members. Each driver is also asked to self-report safe driving score based on their personal judgment, which can be used to measure the gap between actual driving behavior and self-perception. Zhang et al., (2014) provided preliminary analysis results about the applicability of this App based on a pilot experiment by inviting five drivers, conducted in December 2013. Based on the results of the pilot experiment, we implemented a full-scale experiment, in which 100 drivers participated from February to May and six types of scenarios were tested. In the first month, drivers were asked to drive as usual, i.e., without use of the App, and after that, the other five scenarios were tested sequentially by combining different elements, including information provision of safety diagnose score, history recording, black spot information, service area (SA) /parking area (PA) information, score ranking, self-diagnose, and an online traffic safety education program. Using data collected from this full-scale experiment, the purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of information provision and safety diagnosis on drivers' speed control behavior and the resulting safety level. Potential influencing factors were investigated in the experiment, including multitasking and affective experience during driving, experience of traffic accidents and traffic rule violation punishment, daily unsafe driving behavior (related to perception, judgment, and action), driving propensity, abilities of performing ten major driving tasks, stages of safe driving, values and social norms related to traffic safety. In addition to the information collected from the experiment, we further collected information about road structure, traffic volume, and weather conditions corresponding to each driving speed (timing and location). For this purpose, we build an integrated dynamic driving speed choice and safety level evaluation model, where the interdependence between driving speed choice and safety level evaluation over time (the whole experiment period) is incorporated. Safety level evaluation is done based on three types of indicators: speed limit compliance, acceleration and deceleration, and driving smoothness. Driving speed choice is represented based on a dynamic generalized extreme value (DGEV) model, and each of the three indicators of safety level evaluation is described based on an ordered response probit model. All these models are further integrated over time by incorporating a series of random stochastic components. Aggregation analysis results confirmed that effects of information provision and safety diagnosis on drivers' speed control behavior and the resulting safety level are mixed. These effects will be re-evaluated based on modeling analysis, where individual unobserved heterogeneity will be especially focusing. References Zhang, J., Jiang, Y., Sasaki, K., Tsubouchi, M., Matsushita, T., Kawai, T., Fujiwara, A. (2014) A GPS-enabled smart phone App with simplified diagnosis functions of driving safety and warning information provision. Proceedings of the 21st World Congress of Intelligent Transport Systems, Detroit, USA, September 7-11, 2014. [1] It can be downloaded for free from Google Play (Japanese site), named .


The Green's-function analysis of nonlinear interaction of focused (Gaussian) beams, developed in detail by Boyd and Kleinman (1968), is restricted to the case in which pump depletion is ignored. This makes the theory inadequate for many cases of practical interest, such as the prediction of the conversion efficiency of a singly resonant optical parametric oscillator (SRO) or the prediction of the conversion efficiency of second-harmonic generation (SHG) when the conversion efficiency exceeds /spl sim/5%. Using the Green's-function analysis and a perturbation approach, a previous analysis of SRO was recently extended to the pump-depletion regime, and an analytical expression for SRO conversion efficiency was obtained. A similar analysis is presented here for the simpler case of SHG in the presence of pump depletion. This SHG analysis not only provides some new results but also helps simplify the notation to be used later in extending the SRO theory so that easy reduction to the special case of no diffraction is possible in that case as well.


The literature in Science Education offers insights on how students' intuitions and everyday experiences interfere with their understandings when they attempt to interpret simulations of scientific phenomena. However, there is no much data about students' strategies when they work with simulations for which there are scientific conventions. Those conventions are likely to be outside the students' everyday experiences and far from common intuitions like the ones about force and velocity. Designing a microworld for simulating phenomena in 3d space, the conventions made are human inventions and don't make a one-to-one mapping to the language the students use in their everyday life. In this Report we describe students' activities as they attempt to create models in a microworld called the "3d Juggler". Two of the main parameters that control the behaviour of the models created in 3d Juggler are "shot azimuth" and "shot altitude".


The study describes how a computer game was used as a kinaesthetic training aid to resolve sensorimotor functional deficits in a patient recovering from a subarachnoid haemorrhage. The game required the patient, a 34-year-old male, to initiate the appropriate finger movements (as used in his daily work) in response to a visual stimulus, and by the recording and display of temporal reaction times, allowed him to quantify and improve his alacrity. Comparisons between pre- and post-training data showed thatthe patientsignificantly reduced both the number of moves required and the time taken to complete a game. The study convincingly demonstrates that individually "tailored" and extensively practised training procedures can reduce functional deficits and even enable full occupational rehabilitation.


We report the metal-organic chemical vapor deposition growth of high-quality AlN on sapphire enabled by an alternating V/III ratio AlN superlattice. We demonstrated that the insertion of an alternating V/III ratio AlN superlattice facilitates the relaxation of tensile stress during growth and assists the annihilation of threading dislocations. Dislocation inclination was proposed to play a major role in the stress relaxation and dislocation reduction, which not only provides an effective misfit-dislocation component but also increases the dislocation reaction probability. By this method, crack-free 3.25 μm-thick AlN films were grown on flat sapphire substrate (FSS) and nano-patterned sapphire substrate (NPSS) at 1180 °C, and the full width at half maximum of (002)/(102) rocking curves was 204/408 and 152/323 arcsec for such AlN/FSS and AlN/NPSS templates.


The quick spread of the Covid-19 pandemic has made e-learning mandatory and a strategic choice to ensure the continuity of the learning process. This quantitative study has three main objectives: to explore Saudi EFL learners' satisfaction with the E-learning process compared to students in other departments at the University of Bisha, using Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS); to investigate the critical determinants affecting the e-learners' satisfaction; to identify the university facilities and services implemented to increase students' satisfaction and ensure a successful e-learning process. The Student Satisfaction Index (SSI) model was adapted and contextualized to meet the objectives of the study. The quantitative research design was used in which a questionnaire elicited the data from 538 randomly selected respondents. Content analysis was also used to analyze the infographic reports about the university facilities and services implemented to ensure a successful learning process. The results showed that EFL learners were less satisfied with the e-learning process than students enrolled in other departments during the Covid-19 pandemic. The course instructor's facilities and services, technical support, and course content design affected the respondents' satisfaction. The best predictor of the students' satisfaction was the instructor's facilities and services dimension. The university took significant steps that led to a successful e-learning process. It is a joint responsibility of the course instructors and policymakers to double their efforts and take more actions to increase the e-learners' satisfaction taking into account the factors mentioned in the study.


The blank interstices Men take for ruins, He will build into With pillared marbles rare, or knit across With generous arches, till the fane's complete. Casa Guidi Windows, II.776-779 (1) The roots of the implicit politics of Men and Women (1855) lie in the era of the European revolutions and their aftermath. Although few of the poems were probably written at this time, Browning's responses to the events of 1848 to 1852 inspired much of the collection on which he started serious work in 1853. In these years, witnessing the Florentine revolution of February 1849, and then in Paris, in December 1851, Louis Napoleon's coup d'etat (in effect one of the concluding events of the revolutionary phase), Browning experienced politics at first-hand with his wife, drawn into ongoing dialogue with her, their views developing in synergy, and disagreements consequently being painful. Politics was at the heart of their relationship. However, the nuances of Browning's politics in this period often seem tantalizingly obscure or hidden from view, for two main reasons. Firstly, there is only a limited amount of direct or open politics in the poetry, and, of course, Browning rarely writes in propria persona. (2) Secondly, in this period, he wrote few letters by comparison with EBB, and in them he says very little directly about politics. It is therefore her voice that dominates politically, the daringly subjective voice of Casa Guidi Windows (1851) and of her correspondence, and so to a large extent it is through her politics that we must understand his. (3) On March 14, 1848, when the French revolution was a recent matter, EBB makes this archetypal statement: "Robert & I agree & thoroughly agree in politics as in other things; & we talk & talk on this subject, very seldom differing on any angle of it." (4) Here the desire to always agree can be seen, even at this early stage, long before their disagreements about Louis Napoleon, to contain a hint that they do not in fact always agree, that they may be trying to win each other round. Though Browning had intense political discussions with men--particularly in France in the wake of the 1851 coup d'etat--his most intense discussions were undoubtedly with EBB. After the horror of the massacre of working-class protestors in Paris in the "June days" of 1848, EBB believed that the Second Republic would collapse; Browning differed: "My husband has a little [hope], with melancholy intermediate prospects; but my own belief is that the bourgeoisie have had enough of democratic institutions & will be impatient for a kingship anew. Whom will they have?" (BC, 15:98-99). Their varying predictions match up to some extent with their different hopes about likely outcomes. EBB's view is a distant anticipation of her acceptance of Louis Napoleon's coup of 1851 as a reasonable solution to the political stalemate. Browning is just as disturbed by the June days, but he is really hoping that the Second Republic can survive, and we can sense even in this his future dislike of empire and its works. On March 9, 1849, EBB's and Browning's child, Robert Wiedemann, was born under the rule of the short-lived Florentine republic, a fact of which she was proud. As she was recovering from the birth and trying to dry up her milk--she had decided to use wet nurses--outside their home the celebrations blazed: The milk caused me some headache & inconvenience--particularly as the republicans of Florence did us the honour to keep festa round the tree of liberty planted at our palazzo-door, with guns & cannons & a band of music & patriotic songs from morning till night, yes, & half the night through three days after my confinement, causing the monthly nurse to offer various petitions to the Madonna against a milk-fever. (BC, 15:259-260) The blurring of the personal and political here is typical-it is of course an important element in Casa Guidi Windows--part of a systematic refusal to experience politics in abstract terms. …


Soxhlet extraction was used to extract oil from the seeds of Xanthium sibiricum Patrin wildly grown in Xinjiang.The effects of extraction time,solid/liquid ratio and extraction temperature on oil yield were studied by single factor and orthogonal array design methods.Besides,the fatty acid composition of the extracted oil was measured by GC-MS.The results showed that the optimal values of the above parameters affecting oil yield were determined to be: extraction time 2.5 h,solid/liquid ratio 1:10 and extraction temperature 75 ℃.Under such conditions,the oil yield was 22.14%.Xanthium sibiricum Patrin seed oil contained mainly unsaturated fatty acids,and the relative contents of linoleic acid,oleic acid,palmitic acid,stearic acid were 85.73%,7.67%,3.76% and 1.35%,respectively.


Background: Stroke prevention using warfarin is challenging in AF patients with CKD, due to high bleeding risk and difficulties in the INR control. NOACs provide alternative options, but all have g...


This paper presents the general characteristics of road transport safety in Albania during the last decade. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the main factors of road accidents in Albania. Furthermore, statistical analysis has been presented regarding the number of perpetrators of accidents by gender and age, as well as other influential or contributing aspects related to vehicles, their age and the experience of drivers in Albania during the last decade. Due to the Covid-19 situation we haven't take into account the year 2020


An efficient methodology for various structural design problems is needed to optimize the total cost for structures. Although some methods seem to be efficient for applications, due to using special algorithm parameters, computational cost, and some other reasons, there is still much to be done in order to develop an effective method for general design applications. This paper describes the influence of the selected procedure on the design of cost‐optimized, post‐tensioned axially symmetric cylindrical reinforced concrete walls. In this study, the optimum design of axially symmetric cylindrical walls using several metaheuristic algorithms is investigated. The new generation algorithms used in the study are flower pollination algorithm, teaching–learning‐based optimization, and Jaya algorithm (JA). These algorithms are also compared with one of the previously developed algorithm called harmony search. The numerical examples were done for walls with 4‐ to 10‐m height and for 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 post‐tensioned load cases, respectively. Several independent runs are conducted, and in some of these runs, JA may trap to a local solution. To overcome this situation, hybrid algorithms such as JA using Lévy flights, JA using Lévy flights with probabilistic student phase (JALS), JA using Lévy Flights with consequent student phase (JALS2), and JA with probabilistic student phase are developed. It is seen that in many respects, the JALS2 and JALS are the most effective within the proposed hybrid approaches.


This Ph.D.~thesis is divided into two distinct parts. The first part focuses on hard exclusive scattering processes in Quantum Chromodynamics (QCD) at high energies, while the second part delves into spin phenomena at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Hard exclusive scattering processes play a crucial role in QCD at high energies, providing unique insights into the confined partonic dynamics within hadrons, complementing inclusive processes. Studying these processes within the QCD factorization approach yields the generalized parton distribution (GPD), a nonperturbative parton correlation function that offers a three-dimensional tomographic parton image within a hadron. However, the experimental measurement of these processes poses significant challenges. This thesis will review the factorization formalism for related processes, examine the limitations of some widely used processes, and introduce two novel processes that enhance the sensitivity to GPD, particularly its dependence on the parton momentum fraction $x$. The second part of the thesis centers on spin phenomena, specifically single spin production, at the LHC. Noting that a single transverse polarization can be generated even in an unpolarized collision, this research proposes two new jet substructure observables: one for boosted top quark jets and another for high-energy gluon jets. The observation of these phenomena paves the way for innovative tools in LHC phenomenology, enabling both precision measurements and the search for new physics.


dis. ... doc. economic sciences. Yoshkar-Ola: Mari State Technical University, 2009. p. 8. 8. Ulezko A.V., Pashina L.L. The market of food resources in the food security system of the Far East (Monograph). Voronezh: Voronezh State Agrarian University, 2014. p. 24. 9. Shardan S.I. Spatial and functional asymmetry of the development of the agrofood market of the region and methodological aspects of its resolution: Abstract. dis. ... doc. economic sciences. Nalchik: 2015. p. 24.


A novel scheme is reported about optical short pulse with high extinction ratio,which is based on fiber-optical parametric amplifier and phase modulation added with dispersion compression.The continuous pump wave first passed through a LiNbO3 intensity modulator to generate optical pulses with 33% duty cycle based on the frequency-doubled modulation.Then through a phase modulator,the biggest liner positive chirps were imposed on the pulses.After optical parametric amplification,the chirps of the new generated idler were two times of those of the pump.Through suitable dispersion media,11.4 ps optical short pulses were obtained,which are nearly 7 ps narrower compared with those without phase modulation.


The present paper introduces a method for designing 3D objects that are initially incomplete, but become complete when they are augmented by their mirror reflections. Physically, the mirror image is plane-symmetric with respect to the original object, but the perceived shape is not necessarily symmetric because of optical illusion. In the proposed method, a 2D shape that is not necessarily symmetric is divided into two halves, one of which is used to construct a solid object. When we place the solid object on a plane mirror, the other half is generated by the mirror, and thus, a whole shape is realized. In the present study, the design algorithm and examples are shown, and the condition for constructability is also presented.


The topic of this article is to outline the insolvency proceedings possibilities in the European Union and Germany and cross-border insolvency aspects .The main objective of this article is a focus on European, German, cross-border insolvency law and its practical bankruptcy implementation. We would like to point out that this article is based on the bibliography and internet sources valid to January 1st 2012.


At 10:17 p.m. on the 12th of July 1993, a large earthquake (magnitude 7.8) occurred in the southwest of Hokkaido, Japan (Figure 1). Only 5 minutes after the earthquake occurred, a warning for a tsunami was issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. The tsunami hit the coast of the Okushiri Island, situated 50 km from the mainland. Damage was mainly caused by the tsunami and liquefaction. Official reports stated that 239 people were killed or missing and 558 houses were completely destroyed. Okushiri Island sustained the most damage.


The spectra of luminescence of ZnCdS nanoparticles (ZnCdS NPs) were measured and analyzed in a wide temperature range: from room to human body and further to a hyperthermic temperature resulting in tissue morphology change. The results show that the signal of luminescence of ZnCdS NPs placed within the tissue is reasonably good sensitive to temperature change and accompanied by phase transitions of lipid structures of adipose tissue. It is shown that the presence of a phase transition in adipose tissue upon its heating (polymorphic transformations of lipids) leads to a nonmonotonic temperature dependence of the intensity of luminescence for the nanoparticles introduced into adipose tissue. This is due to a change in the light scattering by the tissue. The light scattering of adipose tissue greatly distorts the results of temperature measurements. The application of these nanoparticles is possible for temperature measurements in very thin or weakly scattering samples.


A total of 945 adult dogs, 572 stray and 373 nonstray ones, collected fromTokyo area, were examined for Brucella canis infection and 27 (2.9%) cases were found tohave high titered agglutinin and/or the organism. With the exception of a colony of non-stray dogs showing a positive rate of 12.77., no significant difference in positivity rates wasseen between stray and nonstray dogs. Bacteremia was detected in 12 cases out of 459cases examined, and 9 positive cases had high titered antibodies. In 9 out of 11 autopsiedcases having high levels of agglutinin or positive blood culture, the organism was isolatedfrom the spleen, Nymph nodes, liver and male genital organs with high frequency. Amongthese cases carrying the organism, high titered specific agglutinins were usually resistantto 2-mercaptoethanol treatment, while low titered agglutinins, probably nonspecific, weresensxtuve.


About 40 underground nuclear explosions detonated at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) were chosen for analysis of their spectra and any relationships they might have to source parameters such as yield, depth of burial, etc. The sample covered a large yield range (less than 20 kt to greater than 1 Mt). Broadband (0.05 to 20 Hz) data recorded by the four-station seismic network operated by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory were analyzed in a search for unusual explosion signatures in their spectra. Long time windows (total wave train) as well as shorter windows (for instance, P/sub n/) were used as input to calculate the spectra. Much variation in the spectra of the long windows is typical although some gross features are similar, such as a dominant peak in the microseismic window. The variation is such that selection of corner frequencies is impractical and yield scaling could not be determined. Spectra for one NTS earthquake showed more energy in the short periods (less than 1 sec) as well as in the long periods (greater than 8 sec) compared to those for NTS explosions.


One of the most important aspects of meaningful reaching out to students is the ability to be engaged in their work. As a digital generation, today's students want learning, not passive participation. Innovation-based hours are a fun, challenging, and effective way to deliver personalized inter-thedal connections. Augmented and virtual reality can be used to improve student learning and engagement. The educational environment and learning process can be transformed in a way that captivates students and meets their new digital needs. Augmented reality is the premise of creating a virtual world – real or imagined – and allows students not only to see it, but also to interact with it. Thus, the training itself becomes modern, interactive and practice-oriented. In the scientific report, the authors examine the essence of the concept of "augmented reality". They note the benefits of introducing augmented reality into the learning process for teachers and students. The report shares good practices by describing applications they used to work and create resources (Google Expeditions, Smart Classroom AR, Merge EDU, Mozaik 3D, Lens Studio, Unity, etc.) science scholars in school hours and interest groups.


This study was conducted to determine the preferences of pharmacists with respect to their level of interest and academic structure in a part-time, entry-level PharmD degree program. Six page, self-administered questionnaires were sent to 12,269 pharmacists residing in the states of Arizona and Illinois in 1996, realizing a response rate of 28.8 percent (n=3,532). Respondents provided demographic information, their perceived need for the PharmD for future pharmacy practice, and whether they would be interested in enrolling in a nontraditional PharmD (NTPD) program similar to one described in a cover letter. Those interested in enrolling also indicated their preferences for programmatic structure and costs. 1,119 respondents (31.9 percent) indicated that they may enroll in the proposed nontraditional PharmD program. The typical pharmacist interested in enrolling in the NTPD program is either a community or hospital pharmacist who: (


The invention relates to a noise reduction and rectification device for a gas ultrasonic flow meter. The noise reduction and rectification device for the gas ultrasonic flow meter comprises a casing; a filtering and rectifying element which is arranged in the casing comprises a cylindrical filter screen; one end of the cylindrical filter screen is provided with a guide cone and is closed due to the guide cone; one end of the filtering and rectifying element is provided with the opening; the other end of the filtering and rectifying element is in sealing connection with the casing portion which is arranged at the position of the gas outlet; the space between the filtering and rectifying element and the casing is formed into the gas chamber; the inner diameter of the gas inlet is smaller than that of the casing; one end of the casing is communicated with a second casing; a compensating element and a secondary rectifying element are arranged in the second casing along the gas flow direction. According to the noise reduction and rectification device for the gas ultrasonic flow meter, gas passes through the filtering and rectifying element and then enters into the compensating element and compensation is performed on the gas field of the gas through the compensating element, the gas enters the secondary rectifying element through the buffer gas chamber after passing through the compensating element, the flow rate is uniform and stable, and accordingly the gas ultrasonic flow meter is high in measurement accuracy, small in error and strong in anti-interference capability.


We assessed headache clinicians' viewpoints on potential remote access to patients' digital headache diary data and the practicalities of data utilization.


Abstract While the clash between whaling and anti‐whaling interests in international fora, especially the International Whaling Commission (IWC), has escalated over the last two decades, very little attention, if any, has been paid to the active participation of developing country representatives and agencies (both governmental and non‐governmental) in the issues surrounding whale conservation, research and sustainable use. The failure to recognize the interests of developing nations in non‐lethal use of whales, as well as their marginalization in the IWC decision‐making process, has contravened their sovereign rights and thwarted efforts to develop a solid consensus on many critical issues.


In the literature there is no consensus on the definition of social innovation, its dimensions and causal relationships. The development of indicators becomes complex because the empirical research activity confronts concepts that differ paradoxically from metrics. This work contributes to discussion by offering an integrative review of non-financial indicators applied to productive chains with the objective of measuring social innovation activities, at the level of their links. The method used in the research was the integrative review in the periodicals Web of Science and Crossref databases, from June 2017 to June 2018. The main findings are that the models analyzed promote the organizational level as the appropriate level to measure social innovation activities. Despite these limitations, this work contributes to the field of measuring social innovation in three areas: (a) modeling a system (b) offering a mapping of organizational competencies and (c) based on this mapping, the model contributes to the Conception of specific incentives for the development of organizational competencies for the promotion of social innovations. The need to conceptually and empirically test the model in different socioeconomic environments to stabilize a social innovation monitor was observed.


As an analysis method , neural network has been successfully used in the field of bioinformatics, such as recognition of gene and promoter in DNA sequence, classification of DNA and protein sequences. In the field the bio-sequences are very long and in very large scale, some even up to 6Gbps , and with the rapid development of sequencing technology of the genes, a huge amount of public bio-sequence data are available. The extra huge scale and extra long size of bio-sequences provide some challenges on the neural network. Thus it is very important to reduce the network training time to meet the requirements of bioinformatics and parallel neural network seems one of promising approaches to the problem. In this paper, we have summarized some parallel training strategies of neural network suitable for bioinformatic applications. We also classified them in terms of the granularity of the neural network, analyzed and compared the cost of each strategy.


The proposal presents an approach to define criteria for sustainable dairy management based on automated real time spectral data acquisition, monitoring and system analysis of spectral data acquired simultaneously from biological objects and biological processes in a dairy production system.


Guttiferae family is well known to have a wide range of phytochemical sontituents and bioactivities. A phytochemical investigation of Garcinia malaccensis leasd isolaton of a-mangostin, b-mangostin and a triterpenoid. a-Mangostin, a xanthone has a lot of health benefits. Many studies have been reported to investigate the biological activities of a-mangostin. The present study was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities of a-mangostin. Its structural determination was done based on its spectroscopic analysis. a-Mangostin was tested for antimicrobial sensitivity via disc diffusion method against 4 bacteria. Results showed that S.aureus culture formed a clear inhibition zone. The diameter of zone of inhibition observed was 8 mm and minimum inhibition concentration (MBC)value was 0.1mg/mL, indicted that a-mangostin is a bacteriostatic and bactericidal agent which correlates to presence of hydroxyl group in its structure. In antioxidant properties tests, dot-blot DPPH staining showed a positive antioxidant activity of a-mangostin. In FTC method, a-mangosin was proved to be good lipid peroxidation inhibitor, whereas in DPPH free redical scevenging activity method, it has very weak scavening effects on free radicals. In antiproliferative assay, a-mangostin exhibited activity against K562 and showed different activity against HSC3 and H1299 cell lines. Against K562, it exerted the value of IC50 20ug/mL. This study can form a foundation for future studies in investigating of biological activities of-amangostin and developing the natural abundant in improving a healthy community.


One of the most important physical characteristics of a reservoir is the elevation-storage curve. In most cases, linear simpliflcation is applied to this curve, which is approximated as a linear relationship. However, this simpliflcation can produce serious errors in the optimal solution. In this paper we consider a non-linear elevation-storage curve to be applied to the reservoir and therefore consider a non-linear problem. To obtain the optimal solution, the problem is formulated within the framework of optimal control theory using Pontryagin's Maximum Principle. The advantage of this technique with respect to previous methods lies in the possibility of obtaining theoretical results whose implementation (and computational complexity) is feasible regardless of the non-linear characteristics of the problem. Results of the application of the method to a numerical example are presented and we show the difierences between the two approaches.


Agroforestry improve the potential of degraded land, enrich life support system. Silvipastoral systems, one of the categories of agroforestry systems, grow a combination of grasses and multipurpose trees. The systems were developed in combination with plants viz; deshi babul ( Acacia nilotica L.), ber ( Zizyphus jujuba L.) and jungal jalebi ( Pithecellobium dulce Roxb.) and napier and Cenchrus grasses on riverine land and maintained with saline water of different salinity, ECe 5.7 to 13.2 dS m -1 and pH 8.2-8.5. Grasses were analysed for nutritive values and tested for digestibility on goats. Crude protein (7.4% and 8.1%), crude fibre (39.3% and 30.1%) and organic matter ( 87.1% and 93.5%) were estimated in napier and Cenchrus grass, respectively. Dry matter intake was 58.8 g kg -1 BW 0.75 and digestibility coefficient was lowest for ether extract and highest for crude fibre for napier. Dry matter intake was 52.7 g kg -1 BW 0.75 and the digestibility coefficient was lowest for protein and highest for crude fibre in case of Cenchrus . Silvipastoral system can improve goat production and can increase the productivity of degraded land.


We describe herein a girl who has had startle‐induced seizures since she was 3 years old. These seizures were refractory to antiepileptic medications and worsened when the patient was 9 years old, following termination of phenytoin administration because of adverse effects. During this period she could walk only a few steps with support, and sudden drop attacks inevitably occurred. Interictal electroencephalography (EEG) revealed abundant spike–wave activity at the centroparietal midline areas, and ictal EEG of poststartle and gait‐induced seizures revealed initial voltage attenuation followed by recruitment of vertex activity, which preceded a tonic or myoclonic–atonic phase. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results were unremarkable, but magnetoencephalography (MEG) and positron emission tomography (PET) suggested the presence of an extensive epileptogenic zone in the bilateral pericentral gyri, and the bilateral paracentral and left precuneus lobules, including the primary motor, supplementary motor, and supplementary sensory areas. The pathophysiologic significance of these structures is discussed.


Consider the function T (n) defined on the positive integers as follows. If n is even, T (n) = n/2. If n is odd, T (n) = 3n + 1. The Collatz Conjecture states that for any integer n, the sequence n, T (n), T (T (n)), . . . will eventually reach 1. We consider several generalizations of this function, focusing on functions which replace "3n + 1" with "3n + b" for odd b. We show that for all odd b < 400, and all integers n ≤ 106, iterating this function always results in a finite cycle of values. Furthermore, we empirically observe several interesting patterns in the lengths of these cycles for several classes of values of b.


A control system of step-motor is designed in the paper.In the system signals of pulse and direction are produced through control-card.We can program the interface in Visual Basic Language,use movement function library in control-card,and alter pulse frequency dynamicly,control the direction and the velocity of the motor,so that we can realize the control to step-motor in opening loop state.It not only enhance the real time property and the speediness property,but also is convenient and applied.


A cDNA library was created from stem apex tissue from Jonathan apples (Malus domestica Borkh.), harvested in June to August, during which the plant transitions from vegetative growth to reproductive growth. From this library, we isolated an expressed sequence tag (EST) sequence containing a zinc finger motif, using this sequence, a 779 bp cDNA fragment was obtained by using 5' RACE, and a final full-length cDNA encoding an apple zinc finger protein (named MdZF1; GenBank accession number AB116545) was obtained by further PCR. This zinc finger motif of MdZF1 has high homology with INOETERMINATE1 (ID1) gene from maize which seemed to be involved in the transition to flowering. Northern blot and RT-PCR analyses showed that the MdZF1 expressed in the root, stem, leaves, shoot apex and floral organs of the apple, with expression levels higher in root, stem, leaves and floral shoot apex than that in floral organs (sepals, petals, stamens and pistils). Genomic Southern analysis showed that there was a single copy gene in apple genome.


UNLABELLED
Between February 1992 and May 1993, 22 patients older than 75 years, with non small cell lung cancer, were treated with carboplatin and oral etoposide. There were 18 men and four women with a median age of 79 years. Fourteen patients had an epidermoid carcinoma: four had an adenocarcinoma and four had an undifferentiated carcinoma. Carboplatin was administered intravenously on day 1 at a dose of 300 mg/m2; oral etoposide was administered at a dose of 600 mg/m2 (two capsules daily) for 9, 10, 11, or 12 days according to body surface. Courses were repeated every 28 days for a total of three courses.

TOXICITY
15 patients (68%) had received previous chemotherapy. Myelosuppression was the main problem with one grade IV and five grade III hematologic toxicities. We observed one mild neurologic toxicity.

RESULTS
19 patients were evaluable for response. We observed one complete response (5%), five disease stabilizations (26%) and 13 disease progressions. Median survival was 5 months. These results led to discontinue this study.


Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop an e-learning orientation program for nursing students(junior), to evaluate the program, and to find out its effects on adapting to clinical practicum. Methods: The e-learning orientation program was developed according to ADDIE model(analysis, design, develop, implement, evaluate) using an Active Tutor Program. Twelve nursing professionals and 31 nursing students(learners) evaluated the e-learning orientation program. Thirty one nursing students participated in the e-learning orientation program both on-line and off-line. Results: The e-learning orientation program consisted of 5 parts including 'Taking a lesson in gastrointestinal tract', 'Fundamental nursing skill and reading a medical chart', 'Taking a ward orientation by head nurse', 'Clinical practice with preceptors', and 'Writing for case report'. Adapting scores to clinical practicum were significantly different between pre-test and post-test(t=-5.76, p=.000). Conclusion: The e-learning orientation program of on-line and off-line has an effect on adapting to clinical practicum for nursing students.


Leukemia is amongst the cancers accountable for substantial mortality around the world. Tomentosin is a bioactive compound with a pharmacological significance, and its anticancer property against human leukemia MOLT‐4 cell line has never been reported. Hence, the objective of this study was to explore the anticancer activity of tomentosin in MOLT‐4 human leukemia cells. In the current investigation, the cytotoxic effects of tomentosin ensuing potent toxicity (IC50: 10 µM) in MOLT‐4 cells after incubation at 24 h have been presented. Furthermore, tomentosin triggered intracellular reactive oxygen species production and showed the induction of intrinsic/mitochondrial pathways in treated MOLT‐4 cells, revealing a significant cytotoxicity activity. Also, fluorescent microscopic studies using acridine orange/ethidium bromide and propidium iodide staining confirmed the occurrence of apoptosis in tomentosin‐treated MOLT‐4 cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction presented a negative regulation of cyclin D1 and BcL‐2 expression and a positive regulated BAX and caspase‐3 messenger RNA expression in tomentosin‐treated MOLT‐4 cells. Tomentosin further inhibited the inflammatory transcription factors such as nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), and IL‐6. Additionally, inhibition of the m‐TOR/PI3K/AKT protein expression by tomentosin in MOLT‐4 cells was confirmed. Overall, these findings lead to a conclusion that tomentosin induces apoptosis in MOLT‐4 cells through caspase‐facilitated proapoptotic pathway, and inhibition of the NF‐κB‐stimulated Bcl‐2 facilitated the antiapoptotic pathway.


A comparison of a new algorithm for line clipping in E 2 for convex polygons with O(1) processing complexity and the Cyrus-Beck algorithm is presented. The algorithm is based on the dual space representation and a space subdivision technique. The algorithm demonstrates that preprocessing can be used to speed up line clipping significantly. Theoretical analysis and detailed experimental results are also presented.


The Ge doping of β-Ga2O3(010) films was investigated using plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy as the growth method. The dependences of the amount of Ge incorporated on the substrate temperature, Ge-cell temperature, and growth regime were studied by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The electron concentration and mobility were investigated using Van der Pauw Hall patterns. Hall measurement confirmed that Ge acts as an n-dopant in β-Ga2O3(010) films. These results were compared with similar films doped by Sn. The Hall data showed an improved electron mobility for the same electron concentration when Ge is used instead of Sn as the dopant.


In this work, the phase transfer catalytic reactions of α-bromoxylene (-o-, -p- and -m-) and 2,4,6-tribromophenol for producing α-bromoxyl-2,4,6-tribromophenoxide were carried out in an alkaline solution of KOH/organic solvent two-phase medium. High conversion is obtained only under high concentration of alkali, though the conversion (or the reaction rate) exhibits a peculiar phenomenon at high concentration of alkali. Here, the conversion is decreased with the increase in the agitation speed of low speed region for a high content of alkali solid in the two-phase solution. The characteristics of the organic solvents, which are affected by the concentration of alkali compound, are used to explain this phenomenon of the conversion. The concentration of alkaline compound directly influences the polarity and the characteristics of the Lewis base of the organic solvent. These two important factors affect the solvolysis of organic solvent and reactant or the activated intermediate. The concentration of tetrabutylammonium 2,4,6-tribromophenoxide (ArOQ) stays constant through the course of reaction. Both the concentration of the active intermediate (ArOQ) and its activity are important in affecting the conversion. The resistance of mass transfer of ArOQ between two phases is negligible compared to the rate of organic-phase reaction. Thermodynamic properties in conjunction with the solvolysis effect was used to explain the kinetic data satisfactorily.


Plasmas in nature and laboratories are often in the state, which is called far-from-thermal equilibrium. In employing the terminology 'far', one naively assumed that the 'distance' from thermal equilibrium is definable. The distance from thermal equilibrium, if it is quantified, is one of the essential parameters that specify the turbulent plasmas. In this research, efforts to identify the distance are discussed, by surveying the intensity of turbulence, transport properties, and dynamical relaxations. In the history of study of turbulence, the parameters such as Reynolds number or Rayleigh number have played the central role that specifies the features of turbulence. These parameters are defined by the competition between the spatial inhomogeneity and dissipation due to microscopic processes. Similar argument holds for plasmas and an example of distance was discussed [1]. In plasmas, however, additional degrees of freedom in dynamics, i.e., the structure of velocity space must also be taken into account. The recent result on LHD clearly shows that the spatial inhomogeneities alone are insufficient [2]. The distance, which is defined in the parameters of velocity space, is introduced, and its relation with those in real space is also discussed [3]. The nonequilibrium feature is also described by the mixing of the time scales of macroscopic and microscopic dynamics. The Onsager's anstaz for the thermal equilibrium system is that the kinetic coefficients (e.g., viscosity, etc.) are independent of the scale of dynamics of interest. This naturally allows discriminating the microand macrotimescales. The cross-scale dynamics in multi-scale turbulence leads the mixing of time scales [4], and provides additional way to discuss the distance.


Fatal human respiratory disease associated with the 1918 pandemic influenza virus and potentially pandemic H5N1 viruses is characterized by severe lung pathology, including pulmonary edema and extensive inflammatory infiltrate. Here, we quantified the cellular immune response to infection in the mouse lung by flow cytometry and demonstrate that mice infected with highly pathogenic (HP) H1N1 and H5N1 influenza viruses exhibit significantly high numbers of macrophages and neutrophils in the lungs compared to mice infected with low pathogenic (LP) viruses. Mice infected with the 1918 pandemic virus and a recent H5N1 human isolate show considerable similarities in overall lung cellularity, lung immune cell sub-population composition and cellular immune temporal dynamics. Interestingly, while these similarities were observed, the HP H5N1 virus consistently elicited significantly higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in whole lungs and primary human macrophages, revealing a potentially critical difference in the pathogenesis of H5N1 infections. These results together show that infection with HP influenza viruses such as H5N1 and the 1918 pandemic virus leads to a rapid cell recruitment of macrophages and neutrophils into the lungs, suggesting that these cells play a role in acute lung inflammation associated with HP influenza virus infection. In addition, primary macrophages and dendritic cells were also susceptible to 1918 and H5N1 influenza virus infection in vitro and in infected mouse lung tissue.


Tzahi Y. Cath, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA firstname.lastname@example.com Johan Vanneste, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA John Bush, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA Christopher Marks, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Colorado School of Mines, USA


The Industry-Academia Partnership roundtable at the 2008 Engineering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) will discuss topics related to: • Medical device new product development • Technology and product idea generation process • Venture capital (VC) funding, process and sources • Intellectual property (IP) joint development and sharing between Industry and Academia • Technology licensing process • How can Industry and Academia partner more closely in the process


The utility model relates to a tester for valve fire-resistant life. The tester for valve fire-resistant life comprises a test chamber provided with an internal pipeline, an air extracting system and blowtorches connected with gas, a test valve is mounted on the internal pipeline of the test chamber, the air extracting system is mounted at the upper end of the test chamber, the blowtorches are arranged on the side faces and at the bottom of the test chamber, and a nozzle of each blowtorch is aligned with the test valve. The tester for valve fire-resistant life can test pressure-bearing performance of a valve during fire resistance test and after fire resistance test.


Progress on the properties of intermetallic beryllides and silicides under investigation is reported. Evaluation of the oxidation resistance of Hf/ sub 2/Be/sub 21/ and WSi/sub 2/ is discussed. Introductory work on the quantitative determination of the rate of oxidation of ZrBe/sub 13/ is reported. The oxidation products of this compound are identified as ZrBe/sub 17/ and BeO and the over-all rate of oxidation follows the cubic rate law. Thermal expansion data for WSi/sub 2/ and enthalpy data for Ta/sub 2/Be/sub 17/ are given. With these data the experimental measurement of thermal expansion and enthalpy are completed for all the compounds under investigation. Additional transverse- rupture data are reported for WSi/sub 2/ and Hf/sub 2/Be/sub 17/. (auth)


Abstract : The memorandum relates to the development of an analog solution of the two-dimensional transient temperature field in a continuous object undergoing a change of phase due to some prescribed temperature conditions imposed on its exposed surface. The analog solution is based on the measurements of the concentration profile obtained by molecular diffusion in a partially miscible liquid-liquid binary mixture in a diffusion cell. The diffusion analog can be used to determine movements of the interface and the temperature distribution, when the boundary of the region under consideration is not a simple geometrical surface and the boundary conditions are strongly dependent on the location and time. The use of this cell to solve several cases of practical interest, such as periodic and irregular boundary conditions, is outlined. (Author)


[Objective]To explore the determination of copper,lead,zinc and iron in tea by wet digestion method.[Methods]Copper,lead,zinc and iron were tested at the same time by flame atomic absorption photometry after adding mixed acid and digested at electric hot plate.[Results]The linear of standard curve was good,r value was 0.998 0~1.000 0.Relative standard deviation was 0.96%-4.09%.The recovery was 95.42%~101.83%.The determination value of the sample can meet the reference value.[Conclusion]The method is simple,convenient and practical,the accuracy and the degree of precision can meet the requirement of the examination.


The PLS approach is a widely used technique to estimate path models relating various blocks of variables measured from the same population. It is frequently applied in the social sciences and in economics. In this type of applications, deviations from normality and outliers may occur, leading to an efficiency loss or even biased results. In the current paper, a robust path model estimation technique is being proposed, the partial robust M (PRM) approach. In an example its benefits are illustrated.


represent a form of left ventricularnoncompaction (LVNC).Landmark echocardiographic (2) and cardiovascular magneticresonance (3) studies indicate that the diagnosis of LVNC dependson imaging appearances indicative of a relatively thick, noncom-pacted trabecular meshwork with deep endomyocardial recesses.These features were identified in lateral, apical, and mid-inferiorwall regions, but not down the length of the septum in any of thecases studied (2,3).The 4-chamber images provided by Rafiq et al. (1)donotshow evidence of a trabeculated meshwork, but rather severaldistinct protrusions of the apparently compact myocardium ofthe interventricular septum. They thicken in systole and remainclearly demarcated, throughout the cardiac cycle, in a way thatsuggests a through-plane orientation of relatively large-scalemyocardial ridges. In our view, the imaging criteria of LVNCare not met.On the other hand, the images are comparable with a variant ofleft ventricular myocardial structure that has been described in asingle infant by one of us (4). This was characterized as "saw-tooth" because of the coarsely indented endocardial border appar-ent, in that case, along the septal, inferior, and lateral walls inlong-axis views. We therefore propose that the images shown byRafiq et al. (1) also represent a rare form of myocardial dysplasia,different from LVNC but comparable to the case reported byDavlouros et al. (4), the phenotypic differentiation of which couldbe important with respect to its prognostic implications.