In the process of constructing a decision tree,the selecting criteria of classification attributes directly affect the classification.Based on rough sets theory,this paper presented a new method that applied the classification contribution function as the criteria for choosing attributes in the core of attributes.The experiments show that,compared with the entropy based C4.5 and weighted mean roughness,the new method that utilizes classification contribution function can get simpler decision tree and improve the efficiency of classification.


1144 Background: Fulvestrant (F), an estrogen receptor down-regolator drug, has been demonstrated to be effective in ER +ve postmenopausal metastatic breast cancer (MBC) progressing on tamoxifen (Howell A., 1995) and phase III trials have shown that response rates, TTP e OS are comparable to those obtained with anastrozole (Howell A., 2000 and Mauriac L., 2003). Methods: The aim of the study was to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of F in ER+ve post-menopausal metastatic breast cancer patients (MBC pts) heavily pre-treated both with hormonal agents and chemotherapy. From 5/2006 to 10/2007 22 pts. in this setting, were treated with F 250 mg i.m. q 28 days. Results: All pts, median age 63 (range 39–81), had received prior anthracycline and taxane-based chemotherapy and had been treated with a median of 2 chemotherapy regimens (range 1–5), and a median of 3 hormonal agents (range 1–4). Sites of MBC were: 13 bone, 2 liver, 4 lung, 1 CNS, 5 nodes, 3 skin, 4 breast. The 22 pts received a total of 117 cycles of F:...


Metal surface quality control is significant in the production line of metal products. Detecting metal surface defects is challenging due to the various types and morphological patterns. Recent advances have witnessed deep learning-based automated optical inspection systems as a promising solution. This paper presents an enhanced YOLOv4 model for metal surface defect detection (MSDD). Specifically, we integrate three boosting components into the original YOLOv4, including 1) a self-dependent attentive fusion (SAF) block, placed within the model neck, to enhance inter-path and cross-layer feature fusion, 2) a component randomized Mosaic augmentation (CRMA) scheme to strategically discourage an over-transformed image to participate in training, and 3) a perturbation agnostic (PA) label smoothing method to keep the model from making over-confident predictions and thus act as a means of regularization. The proposed method has been validated on a self-developed MSDD dataset. It is shown that each boosting component can lead to an impressive mAP gain, and the final model outperforms the baselines, namely, Faster R-CNN, YOLOv4, YOLOv5, and YOLOX, by 7.85%, 6.51%, 3.76%, and 3.57%, respectively.


As beverage intake can play an important part of choosing a healthy diet, it is important to increase awareness of the contribution of beverages to overall energy intake for consumers.The professio ...


The present invention relates to a multi-channel optical receiver and a method of manufacturing. In the present invention, is bonded to the the PLC chip, the PLC chip is formed inclined to a predetermined angle at the other side is the optical signal received by one side of the output is bonded to the PD carrier and the PD carrier consisting of a glass material according to, comprising a lens is integrated SI-PD, the PLC chip, the PD carrier and the SI-PD is multi-channel optical receiver and relates to a method of manufacturing the same characterized in that the passive alignment is bonded by at least one alignment mark will be.


Sensitivity improvement has been achieved for a quadrupole mass spectrometer by replacing the flat repeller of a conventional ion source with a cylindrical repeller. Computer simulation of ion trajectories in the ion source demonstrated that ions were focused into the center of the ion lens with the cylindrical repeller but that ions were defocused with the flat repeller. Ion sources with the two repellers were tested for performance comparison using both a laboratory-built mass spectrometer and a commercial mass spectrometer. The cylindrical repeller showed about threefold sensitivity enhancement at lower repeller voltages across the mass range from 69to502m∕z.


Since the issue of Administrative Procedural Law of the People's Republic of China 17 years ago,judicial environment for administrative trial has been improved greatly,specifically,the zeal for the ordinary people to bring a lawsuit against the officials and the consciousness for the officials to respond to it have been enhanced.After the issue of the Guidance to Overall Promotion of Administration According to Laws by the State Council in March of 2004,the system of asking the administrative head to respond to the lawsuit has been put into practice in different regions of China.However,in the judicial practice,because of the different understandings and the deficiency in the system,this kind of practice has not been followed well,which should be improved further.


We construct a family of irreducible representations of the quantum continuous $gl_\infty$ whose characters coincide with the characters of representations in the minimal models of the $W_n$ algebras of $gl_n$ type. In particular, we obtain a simple combinatorial model for all representations of the $W_n$-algebras appearing in the minimal models in terms of $n$ interrelating partitions.


Ni-Co/Al_2O_3 composite coating was prepared by direct current electrodeposit technique,and the effect of Al_2O_3 on properties of Ni-Co/Al_2O_3 composite coating were studied.The results show that the hardness and wear resistance of the composite coating improve with the increase of the Al_2O_3 particle content in the range of this experiment.


JXTA provide a unified platform for P2P applications let them could communicate with each other.The JXTA module provided the retractility the strongly and the extense for P2P applications,as the core component of network service of JXTA.Analyzed the structure of JXTA module and how to make unJXTA application to become JXTA network service,by JXTA module.This will make the development of P2P application more simpler and enhance the on-limits of P2P applications.


The paper analysed global oil dynamics and politics and their implications for Nigeria's development. It adopted systems theory as its theoretical framework and employed the qualitative method as its methodology, in which face-to-face interview was used in obtaining primary data from relevant respondents alongside secondary data from relevant academic works. The paper found out that Nigeria has been negatively affected by the changing dynamics of international petroleum politics, particularly by the fall in global oil prices, as Nigeria depends heavily on oil earnings to meet its budgetary provisions for national development. This is further compounded by mismanagement of the accrued oil wealth before the collapse of oil prices and increased geopolitical tension. Nigeria should without further delay, diversify its economy away from oil to other viable and less volatile sectors, such as agriculture and solid minerals, manufacturing, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), aviation services and so on, alongside the strengthening of its bargaining power in global petroleum politics, particularly in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), availing itself of the advantage of its leadership position in OPEC and the political leverage it has as a strategic actor in international oil politics.


Allowable shear strength for repair-control was specified in AIJ Standard for Structural Calculation of Reinforced Concrete Structures revised in 2010. However, this allowable strength was defined by limited data and past research indicated that in some specimens no shear crack was initiated at allowable strength. The authors conduct anti-symmetric bending tests of R/C beams using SD295 to 785 N/mm2 transverse reinforcement. It is confirmed that specimens with small transverse reinforcement ratio have frequently no shear crack at allowable strength. Finally, modified allowable shear strength accounting for transverse reinforcement ratio is proposed and verified to satisfy residual shear crack width limitation.


Migraine is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. New data show the number of patients who will need care by clinicians with expertise in neurological conditions will continue to grow in coming decades.


Four groups of rats were given brief, unsignalled, inescapable shocks in a shuttlebox at a rate of 1/20 sec [shock-shock (S-S) interval = 20 sec]. The four groups were exposed to limited avoidance intervals of either 18, 15, 10 or 5 sec, terminating contiguously with the S-S interval. A response during this interval could postpone shock for 20 sec (R-S interval = 20 sec). Responses prior to the avoidance interval had no programmed consequences, but additional responses during the R-S interval could postpone shock for a further 20 sec from that response, thus enabling shock to be postponed indefinitely. Acquisition was rapid for groups with avoidance intervals of 18, 15 and 10 sec but somewhat slower for subjects with an avoidance interval of 5 sec. There was evidence of temporal patterns of responding for all groups which could readily be interpreted in terms of Anger's (1963) CATS theory.


Filling mining method is the main method of modern underground mining. High concentration cementation is carried out using coarse tailing of +37 μm, and the mine has maturely used classified tailings paste filling technology. The gold mine studied on the performance of full tailings paste filling in order to maximize the use of tailings, reduce -37 μm fine tailings discharged into the tailing pond, reduce mining cost and eliminate security risks. The results show that: comprehensive index of full tailings paste filling is higher than that of classified tailings high concentration cementation filling, and the full tailings paste filling of 76% mass concentration has the best comprehensive index of slump, expansibility, yield stress and viscosity to meet the mining method requirements, which can effectively reduce the mining loss rate and dilution rate.


An alternative to the commonly employed Laplacian grid generation scheme for finite element problems is developed. The procedure is based upon a local quadratic isoparametric transformation. The proposed isoparametric generation scheme overcomes the one serious defect of the commonly used Laplacian scheme, i.e., the inability to significantly utilize boundary curvature information and boundary node point spacing information when locating interior nodes. In addition, a generalized generation scheme is given that includes the Laplacian and isoparametric schemes as special cases of a family of generation schemes; this family is defined by a parameter with a range of zero (Laplacian grid) to one (isoparametric grid). Examples are given which compare grids generated for various values of the parameter.


ing on the writing beam intensity. By changing the position of the mask and the imaging lenses, one can project either the image (as in the current experiments) or the Fourier transform of the mask onto the MQW in the pulse shaper. Therefore, the resulting temporal pulses are related either to the Fourier transform of the mask (as here) or potentially to the mask directly. As a first example, we put a fxed phase mask into one of the writing beams, imaging it onto the MQW sample. The mask contained a single 0 / 0 . 9 ~ phase step, which changed the phase of one half of the writing beam to 0 . 9 ~ with respect to the other half. This gives rise to a 0 / 0 . 9 ~ phase step in the photorefractive grating. The output pulse in the time domain is the Fourier transform of the diffracted electric field spectrum, which contains the 0 / 0 . 9 ~ phase step of the photorefractive grating. This results in a so-called "odd pulse".' The experimental data of the electric-field cross correlation are shown in Fig. 2a with their envelope shown in Fig. 2b. In Fig. 3, we show a second example, in which a double-slit amplitude mask is imaged onto the MQW. The slit width was 250 p m with a separation of 300 pm. The double slit pattern at the Fourier plane allows only two discrete frequency groups to be diffracted, resulting in a double-slit interference pattern in the time domain. The pulse shape exhibits the characteristic modulation expected for a double-slit interference pattern. In summary, we demonstrate the application of photorefractive MQWs as dynamic diffractive masks for femtosecond pulse shaping. In the talk, we will describe the pulse shaping results as well as the effect of the MQWs complex diffraction spectrum on the shaped pulses. +School of Electrical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907 1. A. M Weiner, J. P. Heritage, E. M. Kirschner, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 5,1563 (1988). 2. A. M Weiner, Prog. Quant. Electr. 19, 161 (1995). 3. K. Ema, F. Shimizu, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 29, L631 (1990). 4. D. D. Nolte, M. R. Melloch, in Photorefructive Efects and Materials, D. D. Nolte, ed. (Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht, 1995). C. De Matos, A. Le Corre, H. L'Haridon, B. Lambert, S. Salaiin, J. Pleumeekers, S. Gosselin, Appl. Phy. Lett. 68, 517 (1996). R. M. Brubaker, Q. N. Wang, D. D. Nolte, E. S. Harmon, M. R. Melloch, J. Opt. Soc. Am. B 11,1038 (1994). 7. M. C. Nuss, M. Li, T. H. Chiu, A.M. Weiner, A. Partovi, Opt. Lett. 19, 664 ( 1994). 5.


The present invention relates to Saccharomyces cerevisiae SPC-SNU 70-1 (KCTC 12776BP) which is a native Korean natural yeast isolated from traditional Korean Nuruk, Lactobacillus brevis SPC-SNU 70-2 (KCTC 12777BP), Lactobacillus curvatus SPC-SNU 70-3 (KCTC 12778BP), and Lactobacillus sanfranciscensis SPC-SNU 70-4 (KCTC 12779BP) which are novel native Korean natural lactobacillus.


An overview of the computational requirements for the13; application of Navier-Stokes equations in the design of a13; flight vehicle is presented. Estimates given in different13; references are summarised. The pacing items in accomplishing the numerical simulation of the flow around a flight vehicle are also outlined .


The present invention relates to the finding that nestin expression is a marker of endothelial cell proliferation. Expression of nestin, as a marker of angiogenesis, especially tumor-associated angiogenesis, is particularly useful. Specifically, nestin, gliomas, hemangioblastomas, Schwann tumor, medulloblastoma, and functions as an excellent endothelial cell marker for brain tumors such as meningiomas. Accordingly, the present invention relates to the use of said marker as a basis for modeling the angiogenic activity.


Nacrtak This paper deals with the problem of tree damage in a remaining stand. Two models were used for assessment of stand damage over the entire production period. Damage accumulates on the trees and in the stand, which is why the total share of damage tends towards the limit 100% if the number of thinnings increases. Parameters used in the models were established partly by previous field measurements and partly by simulations measurements. Motor-manual and cut-to-length technologies were analysed and compared according to the total number of damaged trees and the structure of trees according to the number of injuries. It was found that motor-manual technology causes more damage to trees and results in worse tree structure, meaning more than one injury. Many unanswered questions provide plenty of opportunities for further research.


Islam was revealed as a code of moral and ethical behavior for life. The sources of values and ethics in all aspects of human life as a whole, including in the business world, are the Koran and Hadith. The Al-Quran provides instructions for things to be harmonious, mutually pleased, and there are no elements of exploitation. The type of research used in this research is qualitative research. The purpose of this research is to find out the analysis of the application of sales ethics in the Gadung cracker industry according to business ethics from an Islamic perspective and to find out the analysis of the application of transaction ethics in the Gadung cracker industry according to business ethics from an Islamic perspective. The results of the research state that sales ethics. In reality, all producers cannot implement all the principles of buying and selling ethics. Mrs. Nanik's home industry applies the principle of honesty or truth as a priority. From the results of observations related to the application of transaction ethics carried out in Mrs. Nanik's industry, she has implemented transaction ethics in accordance with sharia transaction principles. Even though the implementation is appropriate, the basis for the transactions carried out is the benefit. When transactions use the principle of benefit, which is the basis of this transaction principle, it covers all the principles of sharia transactions, so that Mrs. Nanik's home industry has carried out sharia transactions in accordance with Islamic law. From the results of observations related to the application of transaction ethics carried out in Mrs. Nanik's industry, she has implemented transaction ethics in accordance with sharia transaction principles. Even though the implementation is appropriate, the basis for the transactions carried out is the benefit. When transactions use the principle of benefit, which is the basis of this transaction principle, it covers all the principles of sharia transactions, so that Mrs. Nanik's home industry has carried out sharia transactions in accordance with Islamic law. From the results of observations related to the application of transaction ethics carried out in Mrs. Nanik's industry, she has implemented transaction ethics in accordance with sharia transaction principles. Even though the implementation is appropriate, the basis for the transactions carried out is the benefit. When transactions use the principle of benefit, which is the basis of this transaction principle, it covers all the principles of sharia transactions, so that Mrs. Nanik's home industry has carried out sharia transactions in accordance with Islamic law.


Background: The inclusion protein IncA inhibits and activates membrane fusion events during infection. Results: In vitro assays and dominant negative Chlamydia mutants show that a protease-resistant core of IncA forms dimers and encodes both functions of IncA. Conclusion: IncA forms stable coiled-coils to manipulate membrane fusion. Significance: This project provides the most detailed understanding of how a chlamydial inclusion protein operates to manipulate membrane fusion. Chlamydia is an intracellular bacterium that establishes residence within parasitophorous compartments (inclusions) inside host cells. Chlamydial inclusions are uncoupled from the endolysosomal pathway and undergo fusion with cellular organelles and with each other. To do so, Chlamydia expresses proteins on the surface of the inclusion using a Type III secretion system. These proteins, termed Incs, are located at the interface between host and pathogen and carry out the functions necessary for Chlamydia survival. Among these Incs, IncA plays a critical role in both protecting the inclusion from lysosomal fusion and inducing the homotypic fusion of inclusions. Within IncA are two regions homologous to eukaryotic SNARE (soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor) domains referred to as SNARE-like domain 1 (SLD1) and SNARE-like domain 2 (SLD2). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we have discovered the functional core of IncA that retains the ability to both inhibit SNARE-mediated fusion and promote the homotypic fusion of Chlamydia inclusions. Circular dichroism and analytical ultracentrifugation experiments show that this core region is composed almost entirely of α-helices and assembles into stable homodimers in solution. Altogether, we propose that both IncA functions are encoded in a structured core domain that encompasses SLD1 and part of SLD2.


A method has been developed for the synthesis of γ-butyrolactone substituted cinnamyl type Aldol condensation products under milder proline and triethylamine basic conditions. The antioxidant activity of all the synthesized compounds was assessed using three different assays. The cinnamyl type derivatives of γ-butyrolactone bearing an -OH group in the benzene ring exhibited excellent antioxidant activity.


Abstract Ice jams in northern rivers during winter period significantly change the flow conditions due to the extra boundary of the flow. Moreover, with the presence of bridge piers in the channel, the flow conditions can be further complicated. Ice cover often starts from the front of bridge piers, extending to the upstream. With the accumulation of ice cover, ice jam may happen during early spring, which results in the notorious ice jam flooding. In the present study, the concentration of flowing ice around bridge piers has been evaluated based on experiments carried out in laboratory. The critical condition for the initiation of ice cover around bridge piers has been investigated. An equation for the critical floe concentration was developed. The equation has been validated by experimental data from previous studies. The proposed model can be used for the prediction of formation of ice cover in front of a bridge pier under certain conditions.


Porphyry copper deposits are considered to be associated dominantly with calc-alkaline magmatisms of the magnetite-series (ISHIHARA, 1977) being generated above the subduction zone at convergent plate margins. Within this tectonic setting, porphyry copper deposits may have formed underneath stratovolcanoes, but Kuroko-type deposits in submarine caldera (SILLITOE,1980). Kuroko vs. porphyry mineralization is undoubtedly a major issue of the Mesozoic-Cenozoic Circum-Pacific metallogeny. In this lecture, what appears to be most important among "porphyry copper deposits" in Japan will be revisited to compare them with the representative examples in other parts of the world. Kitakami-Abukuma Belt (Cretaceous)


Information about 15 species of the new vascular plants of flora of the Chuvash Republic, including 3 indigenous and 10 accidental species, is presented. New wildlife habitual areas are specified or known ones are confirmed concerning 21 rare species.


Sir: In this Journal in 2003, we described the emergence of endemic ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Liverpool. Prior to this date, ciprofloxacin resistance was uncommon and associated with acquisition from abroad. However, in our clinic, from August 2000 onwards, the majority of patients became infected with the same strain of N. gonorrhoeae (Opa type-1), which they acquired locally. Such levels of ciprofloxacin resistance (MIC range 0.75 >32.0mg/L, median MIC 12.0mg/L) and an infection rate of >5.0% necessitated the introduction of ceftriaxone in January 2001 as firstline treatment. At the Royal Liverpool University Hospital Department of GenitoUrinary Medicine (RLUHGUM), ciprofloxacin resistance peaked at 19.5% in 2002 (Table 1). In a national annual surveillance study (GRASP) in 2003, which examines isolates submitted from sentinel laboratories for a threemonth study period, ciprofloxacin resistance (>1.0mg/L) had stabilized at 9.0%, compared with 9.8% for 2002, a decrease that was not considered significant statistically (P1⁄4 0.57). In Liverpool, the annual rate of resistance decreased in 2003 to 13.5%, followed by a more marked decline to 5.0% for the first seven months of 2004 (Po0.01). Perhaps of greater significance is that in this current year we have only seen two Opa type-1 strains. Also, for the 21 Opa type-1 strains isolated in the period 2003 to January–July 2004, MICs of ciprofloxacin have decreased (MIC range 2–12mg/ L, median MIC 6mg/L). Clearly, the change in empiric therapy from ciprofloxacin to ceftriaxone has coincided with a marked decline in Liverpool of both endemic ciprofloxacin-resistant Opa type-1 and other Opa types of gonococci. In our original paper, we questioned if Opa type-1 strains were endowed with added virulence/endemicity traits compared with other Opa types or if we had not identified a number of source patients. In the absence of a selective pressure, in this case ciprofloxacin, there is no advantage for a microorganism to maintain the genetic capability of encoding resistance, and therefore such strains should decline naturally with time. If this decline in ciprofloxacin resistance is maintained nationally, and Opa type-1 strains become less prevalent, may it in future be possible to review the empiric treatment of gonorrhoea with the re-introduction of ciprofloxacin for uncomplicated cases and ceftriaxone being reserved for cases acquired from abroad or from known contacts infected with resistant strains? J E Corkill, C Kelly, T Neal, A B Alawattegama and C A Hart Department of Medical Microbiology and Genitourinary Medicine, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool L69 3GA, UK Correspondence to: Dr JE Corkill Email: email@example.com References


Maori performance at the powhiri for Vietnam veterans, Taranaki Street Wharf, Wellington, 30 May 1998, part of Parade '98. Shows a woman with a taiaha. Photograph taken by Evening Post staff photographer John Nicholson.
Publication note - Not published in the Evening Post.
Source of descriptive information - Notes on file print.
Quantity: 1 colour original negative(s) (Individual image on negative strip).
Physical Description: Dye coupler negative, 35mm
Finding Aids: File print in Evening Post illustrations file at cabinet 6, drawer 1, at Defence-Army-Vietnam..


Traditionally, pavement condition inspections have been dependent on visual-based information, but there are disadvantages that it requires a lot of manpower, equipment and budget. Especially, very expensive automated inspection vehicles are essential for network level pavement inspection. This is considered as a major obstacle to the introduction of the pavement management system of road agencies in poor management environment. This study proposes a method determining the pavement service level using the pavement-tire friction noise. Noise measurement specification is according to the ISO11819-2, and judging the service ratings for noise profiles is conducted by the K-nearest neighbor with Dynamic Time Warping (DTW), a pattern recognition algorithm categorized in the machine learning. This simple idea and technique could present a new paradigm that replaces traditional visual-based inspection methods.


Phase equilibria in the manganowustite (Fe, Mn) O system were established at 1260°K by varying the oxygen partial pressure from 10-20 to 10-10 atm., by using CO2-H2 gas mixtures. The nonstoic hiometry of (Fe, Mn) O has been determined by chemical analyses. Lattice constants and Neel temperature measurements were made on these nonstoichiometric manganowustites.The theoretical formulas showing the equilibrium relation between the gas phase and the manganowustite phase were calculated from the statistico-thermodynamics. The formulas thus obtained were in fairly good agreement with the experimental results obtained by the present authors and by Muan et al..


Effective immunization practices are invariably a big challenge for Pakistan, facing many problems and barriers to immunize children against vaccine preventable diseases. Immunization coverage in Pakistan requires up-gradation. Barriers in attaining immunization goals are lack of Parent's acceptance, lack of Parent's awareness and knowledge about benefits of vaccination, socioeconomic inequity and lack of security for vaccinators. The problems of vaccine procurement are its transportation, storage and administration which also contribute to errors of immunization practices. In Pakistan Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) with the support of WHO & UNICEF has a significant impact on overcoming these barriers. Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) is facilitating through many vaccination centers, mobile vaccination sessions and public awareness campaigns, health visitors and EPI trained vaccinators to eradicate the barriers towards poor immunization practices in Pakistan. It is concluded from this study that it is the responsibility of Government and Health Professionals to find solutions to increases vaccination rate and coverage. It is the need of hour to find ways for creating awareness among parents and motivate them to follow complete vaccination schedule for the sake of better child health. Wain et al., International Current Pharmaceutical Journal, October 2016, 5(11): 94-96 http://www.icpjonline.com/documents/Vol5Issue11/01.pdf


Numerical simulations of mixing of carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) in a gravitationally stable configuration have been carried out using the multicomponent flow and transport simulator TOUGH2. The configuration is relevant to carbon sequestration in depleted natural gas reservoirs, where injected CO2 will migrate quickly to low levels of the reservoir by buoyancy flow due to its large density. Once a gravitationally stable configuration is attained, mixing will continue on a longer time scale by molecular diffusion. However, diffusive mixing of real gas components CO2 and CH4 can give rise to pressure gradients that can induce pressurization and flow that may affect the mixing process. Understanding this coupled response of diffusion and flow to concentration gradients is important for the prediction of mixing times in stratified gas reservoirs used for carbon sequestration. We have implemented the Dusty Gas Model (DGM) as an alternative to the standard Advective Diffusive Model (ADM) in our multiphase flow simulator TOUGH2. A new equation of state module (EOS7C) that handles water, brine, CO2, gas tracer, and CH4 was developed in which gas properties for mixtures in the system water, CO2, and CH4 are calculated using the Peng-Robinson real gas mixture model. Comparisons of vertical mixing results for low permeability and high permeability systems using the DGM and ADM will be presented.


TAMPERE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY Master's Degree Programme in Automation Technology PUKKILA, NIKO: Utilizing model predictive control (MPC) in continuous cooking application Master of Science Thesis, 69 pages April 2015 Major: Measurement Technology Examiner: Professor Risto Ritala


This research aims to investigate the relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and poverty using panel data of five ASEAN upper and lower middle-income countries for 28 years. The time series data period selected in this study is from 1990 until 2018. The five countries selected to be investigated in this research are presumed as the Tiger Cub Economies, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines. This study conducted the Feasible Generalized least Square (FGLS) methods to analyze the statistical panel data. The result from this analysis indicates that foreign direct investment has a negative and significant impact on poverty in five ASEAN countries. Other important results from this study showed that the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), credit provided by the financial sector as the proxy of financial development, and education variables contribute significantly to lower poverty incidence. Policies that focus on attracting foreign direct investment, improving financial development, and support a higher level of education have the potential to reduce poverty in the selected five ASEAN countries.


Background: More than 25% of Mtb proteins have unknown functions, limiting our understanding of Mtb physiology and pathogenesis. Results: The hypothetical Mtb protein Rv2179c is a new DEDD-type exoribonuclease. Conclusion: Rv2179c is the founding member of a new exoribonuclease family with broad phylogenetic distribution. Significance: Assigning RNase function to Rv2179c provides annotation for hundreds of bacterial orthologs and provides a new view of RNA processing in Mtb. Ribonucleases (RNases) maintain the cellular RNA pool by RNA processing and degradation. In many bacteria, including the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the enzymes mediating several central RNA processing functions are still unknown. Here, we identify the hypothetical Mtb protein Rv2179c as a highly divergent exoribonuclease. Although the primary sequence of Rv2179c has no detectable similarity to any known RNase, the Rv2179c crystal structure reveals an RNase fold. Active site residues are equivalent to those in the DEDD family of RNases, and Rv2179c has close structural homology to Escherichia coli RNase T. Consistent with the DEDD fold, Rv2179c has exoribonuclease activity, cleaving the 3′ single-strand overhangs of duplex RNA. Functional orthologs of Rv2179c are prevalent in actinobacteria and found in bacteria as phylogenetically distant as proteobacteria. Thus, Rv2179c is the founding member of a new, large RNase family with hundreds of members across the bacterial kingdom.


The article is devoted such source in regulation of civil-law relations in the Kiev Russia as contracts of Russia with Greeks. The basic attention is concentrated to a question concerning possibility to begin history of development of legal regulation of hereditary relations from the specified contracts and the reasons of it.


The paper analyses the sinter process at a sinter pot using minor-sinter way.To keep the intensity of the sinter[w(SiO2)5%] sufficiently is to increase the SFCA and decrease the glass phase.The main measures are to reduce the content of SiO2 in sinter,to increase the basicity of sinter and the height of sintered layer.


In Ireland over the last two years it has become apparent that Health Boards are progressively more interested in providing inclusive child health and disability services which work in a transdisciplinary way. Indeed the newly established Mid-Western Regional Child Development Centre and Early Intervention Services have instigated transdisciplinary, play-based assessments of a child's cognitive, social-emotional, sensory-motor and communication areas. The rationale underpinning this method argues that when professionals get alongside the family to share roles and responsibilities and purposely cross disciplinary boundaries, all participants learn from each other and work together to progress the goals of each child and family. But what might be some of the implications of this 'trans' method of collaborative practice for speech & language therapists? The paper critically appraises transdisciplinary practices which are inclusive, holistic and non-hierarchical.


In this work we use transmission electron microscopy to identify extended lattice defects which result from O+ ion implantation at a dose of 1.3×1015/cm2 into Sn-doped In2O3 at room temperature. Measurement of the resistivity, mobility, carrier density, and transmissivity to visible light as a function of implant dose (0 to 1.3×1015/cm2) reveals that increasing dose results in a degradation in electronic and optical properties of ITO. Analysis of these results using charged and neutral scattering models reveals that the observed changes in electronic and optical properties may be due to the generation of neutral scattering centers. Transmission electron microscopy analysis of heavily O+ implanted films reveals the presence of intragranular regions of isolated strain contrast indicating lattice damage which may be associated with these neutral scatter centers.


AbstractAn inert matrix type sulfamethizole sustained release dosage form is attempted, using polyvinyl chloride and carboxypolymethylene. The release obtained with the flow -through cell is lower than the target profile. With the rotating bottle apparatus, higher release rates were obtained, but based upon our previous findings, the latter method is considered not to be very realistic.Upon the kinetic assessment of dissolution data, zero order, first order and Hixson-Crowell kinetics were found to give similar fits.


Imaging studies, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET), have an essential role in the detection and localization of colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM).


DOES A MOTHER SINGING TO HER PREMATURE BABY AFFECT FEEDING IN THE NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT? Blumenfeld H, Eisenfeld E. Clinical Pediatrics. 2006; 45:65Y70. This is a pilot study using experimental design with a convenience sample to determine whether mothers' singing affected duration and volume of infant feeding, heart rate, and respiratory rate, as well as the effects on the culture of the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in Connecticut. The authors point out that the effects of music on neonates have been a focus of attention in recent research. They note that few studies have been conducted with live singing and that, to their knowledge, this was the first study of the effects of live music on neonates in the NICU setting. If there may be improved clinical outcomes as a result of singing, then there may be economic benefits if infants can be discharged from the NICU even 1 day earlier. Eleven infants and their mothers were included in this pilot study. At the time of the study, none had any unresolved medical problems. Mothers gave 2 consecutive feedings on 2 consecutive days. During 1 of the feedings, the mothers sang to their babies. To avoid the confounding effects of feeding order, the mothers reversed the order of singing and nonsinging feedings each day. In this way, the infants served as their own controls. There were no statistically significant differences found in oral intake, feeding velocity, or feeding duration during singing versus nonsinging feeding. Likewise, there were no statistically significant findings regarding heart rate and respirations. However, nurses gave anecdotal support for the singing. In fact, one of the nurses was reported to have begun singing to the infants under her care when she feeds them. The authors noted the difficulties in recruitment and retention of participating mothers. They stated that the reasons for these were that it was often difficult for mothers to be in the NICU for 2 consecutive feedings, they were anxious, or they felt too shy to sing in the NICU, where there was little privacy. The authors note that there were many factors that could not be controlled, including timing of baths, heelsticks, and other procedures. It was noted that there were no harmful effects from the singing and that further study is warranted.


The invention discloses a preparation method of an iron-based nanocrystalline soft magnetic alloy.The iron-based nanocrystalline soft magnetic alloy is prepared from an alloy (Fe1-x-yNbxNiy) 1-a-b-c-d-e (Si1-zBz) aCubCcTadHfe according to an atomic proportion, wherein x=0.06-0.08, y=0.13-0.16, z=0.03-0.05, a=0.06-0.10, b=0.1-0.15, c=0.01-0.02, d=0.01-0.015, and e=0.015-0.02.The iron-based nanocrystalline soft magnetic alloy prepared by the method has excellent soft magnetic performance and high magnetic induction intensity.


Abstract : In presenting the theme for the 17th Military Operations Research Symposium, the Program Chairman has suggested two questions for our consideration: 'How good are model predictions?' and 'What are we doing to make them better?' In answering these questions with regard to manpower requirements models, it is important to specify what we mean by the 'goodness' of the 'model predictions'. For our purposes, a model is simply a logically connected set of rules that abstract selected characteristics of some phenomena or system. This statement is slightly less restrictive but in the same vein as the definition offered by Aris (1964):'... a set of equations ... in which the state of the system is described by some of the variables and the controls or decisions by other variables.' We construct a model by stating axioms or rules which correspond to relationships thought to exist in the real system. By manipulating particular variables in the model, we may (1) investigate dependencies among parameters, (2) generate hypotheses concerning significant variables, and (3) evaluate systems.


This datasheet on Mansonia altissima covers Identity, Overview, Associated Diseases, Pests or Pathogens, Distribution, Biology & Ecology, Environmental Requirements, Uses, Management, Economics, Further Information.


Rail transport costs, even in the case of combined transport, are lower than those for direct road transport, with effect from a certain distance carried. Taking into account energy consumption, rail transport is more profitable in most cases. The increase in the price of energy is giving rise to a diminishing sphere of action of the motor car, even from the economic point of view. The railway is able to use electrical energy for traction purposes, which can be obtained from primary energy sources other than liquid fuels. This possibility is not open to the motor car, and it will still be obliged to make use of liquid fuels for a long time to come. The advantage of road vehicles for freight conveyance over long distances (300 to 500 km) at fairly high speeds can be counteracted to a large extent by containerization. The above conclusions fully justify the forecasts concerning the development of the role of the railways in the next ten to twenty years, in the field of freight transport.


The nonlinear theory of driven magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waves in the resonant slow wave dissipative layer developed by Ruderman, Hollweg, and Goossens [Phys. Plasmas 4, 75 (1997)] is used to study the interaction of sound waves with a static one-dimensional planar magnetic plasma configuration. This configuration is a nonhomogeneous magnetic slab (region II) sandwiched by a homogeneous magnetic field free plasma (regions I) and a homogeneous magnetic plasma (region III). The equilibrium magnetic field is unidirectional. An incoming sound wave is launched from region I, and the equilibrium quantities and the parameters of the incoming sound wave are chosen in such a way that the wave is evanescent in region III and resonates with a slow local MHD wave in region II. The analysis is restricted to incoming sound waves with wave vectors in the plane determined by the equilibrium magnetic field and the direction of inhomogeneity, so that there is no resonance with a local Alfven wave. Partial reflection of the incoming sound wave from region II generates an outgoing sound wave in region I. The nonlinearity parameter introduced by Ruderman et al. is assumed to be small, and a regular perturbation analysis is used to determine the wave solution. The present analysis shows that nonlinearity in the resonant slow wave dissipative layer causes the following new effects in comparison with results obtained on the basis of linear theory: (i) higher harmonic contributions are generated in the wave solution in the dissipative layer and also in the outgoing sound wave in addition to the fundamental harmonic. Outside the dissipative layer the amplitude of each harmonic contribution is of a higher order with respect to the small nonlinearity parameter than inside the dissipative layer. This property reflects the fact that nonlinearity is only taken into account in the dissipative layer, so that the higher harmonic contributions to the outgoing wave are only due to the interaction of the external plasma motions with the plasma motions in the dissipative layer; (ii) the coefficient of wave energy absorption and the absolute value of the jump in the normal velocity are decreased.


Disseminated epidermolytic acanthoma was observed during PUVA therapy in a patient with Sézary syndrome. The majority of the lesions resolved within 5 months after the cessation of therapy. This circumstantial evidence together with our knowledge of the effects of PUVA suggest that the skin lesions were revealed by topical photochemotherapy.


Introduction . The objective of this study was to examine the relationships among the ripening attributes of 'Honeycrisp' apples at harvest and after storage, and the direct and indirect contributions of these attributes to peel greasiness and the incidence of soft scald and soggy breakdown during storage using correlation and path-coefficient analyses. Materials and methods . Fruit were harvested from a commercial orchard at least five times throughout the commercial harvest period during four subsequent years (2008 to 2011). In two of the years, fruit were stored in air for 3 months at 3 °C and/or in a controlled atmosphere (1–2 kPa O2 + 1–2 kPa CO2) for 6 months at 3 °C. Fruit were analyzed at harvest and after storage. Results and discussion . Negative correlations were detected between internal ethylene concentration (IEC) and soluble solids concentration (SSC) or titratable acidity (TA) (the higher the IEC, the lower the SSC and TA) and a positive correlation between firmness and TA (the higher the firmness, the higher the TA). More peel greasiness and higher incidence of soggy breakdown during storage were associated with lower firmness, SSC and TA. Negative correlations were also detected between the incidence of soft scald and IEC or peel greasiness. The results of the path-coefficient analyses suggest that, in 'Honeycrisp', interrelationships among postharvest ripening indices and each individual disorder differ. Three possible path models for the interrelationships among ripening attributes (independent variables) and the incidence of peel greasiness, soft scald and soggy breakdown (dependent variables) are presented.


Suicide, "the act of taking one's own life", is a behaviour that has existed over many centuries and across different cultures of human civilisation. This complex issue often reflects the distress, pain and hopelessness of an individual, in a critically negative emotional and social state. Over the course of their practice, health professionals will usually be exposed to suicidal individuals at some point. A loved one's suicide often deals a great blow to relatives and friends, even more so when it comes as unexpected news. This is especially the case when the victim is young or physically healthy. The pain it brings and the shock it causes often traumatises and leaves their loved ones feeling anguished. Having access to lethal means to kill oneself is indeed a major risk factor.


SUMMARYCytogenetic studies of a very rare bird, the kagu, Rhynochetos jubatus (order Gruiformes) were performed. The morphology of individual chromosomes, and G- and C-banded karyotypes are presented. The diploid number of this species was found to be 2n = 82, and the karyotype is 2SM + 78A + Z(M) + W(SM). Additionally, the karyotype of the kagu is compared with the published gruid karyotype and the karyological relationship between them discussed.


This article offers a critique of the application of the concept 'technological paradigm', and associated concepts, to biotechnology. It argues that despite the attractiveness of Dosi's concept there are clear problems in applying it to technologies with a strong socio-political character. One set of problems lie with the limitations of the concept itself. A more profound problem is the complexity of biotechnology, extending to the controversies surrounding it, and its place in the global political economy. It is argued that there is a need to go beyond what is essentially an innovation economist's conceptualisation to engage a more socio-political context. The concerns of the field of international political economy are brought to bear on these issues to support an extension of the definition of technological paradigm as well as to re-assert a more widespread importance of the concept.


Background: Atresia of the coronary sinus (CS) ostium with retrograde drainage of the cardiac veins via the persistent left superior vena cava (PLSVC) is a rare abnormality and only a few case reports in association with electrophysiological studies have been reported.


This paper reports on extensions of the Description Logics non-standard inference system Sonic. The recent contributions to the system are two-fold. Firstly, Sonic is extended by two new of non-standard inferences, namely, implementations of the good common subsumer w.r.t. a background terminology and a heuristics for computing a minimal rewriting. Secondly, Sonic is available as a plugin for the wellknown ontology editor Protégé [11].


An effective HW reconfiguration of a FCM (Flying Capacitor Multilevel) converter and also of its control algorithm in case of a fault of one element in the converter phase is presented. A strategy starts from the theory of FCM converters with unequal distribution of voltages on converter capacitors. The use of additional switching elements and capacitors with higher rated voltage is a necessary condition for the presented approach. Because a number of redundant switching states in faulted phases is limited, joint-phase redundancies are recommended to be used to balance capacitor voltages. The case of a 4-level FCM converter is analyzed in detail as an example.


The search for identities and efforts to instantiate and preserve them have always been an important motivation for individual and collective behavior. In the postwar era, the question of identity has become much more prominent in popular as well as academic discourses. Despite some theoretical analogies and overlaps, theories of personal identity are nonetheless distinct from more recent concerns over group identity as this has played out in the politics of identity and recognition. Most westerners do appear to believe that they are unique selves and find fulfillment by discovering and developing their inner selves. Identity and its study have many facets that cut across disciplines and subfields within them.

Keywords:

agency;
discourse;
memory;
modernity;
postmodernism


In this paper, we proposed a p-i-n AlGaN EBL, which is easy to realize in epitaxy, to enhance the electron confinement and improve the hole injection efficiency. The physical and optical properties of GaN-based MQW LEDs with the conventional EBL are also investigated comparatively. The simulation results show that the LEDs with the p-i-n EBL exhibit much higher output power and smaller efficiency droop at high current as compared to those with the traditional EBL due to the enhancement of the electron confinement and improvement of the hole injection from p-type region, which are induced by the strong reverse electrostatic fields in the p-i-n EBL.


Studies of EEZ planning strategies have generally ignored the role of marine pollution research in identifying interrelations between domestic and international policy goals. Many issues relating, to nearshore and open ocean pollution assessment and control need to be considered in a new light given the current climate of uncertainty stemming from the evolving U.S. position on EEZ rights and responsibilities. Current approaches to definition of research problems and the application of research findings in policymaking may be inadequate as new pollution control needs are recognized in such areas as marine waste disposal, and the protection of coastal recreational and commercial fishing waters. The relevance of existing research on domestic issues is discussed in relation to the need to enhance the national objectives of U.S. EEZ declaration while accommodating the international ramifications of this action.


Objective: To explore the influence of life events on mental health among freshmen,and to provide bases for improving mental health status of freshmen.Methods: 270 freshmen were examined with Life Events Questionnaire and General Health Questionnaire(GHQ-12),the reuslts of which were analyzed with frequency statistic,correlation analysis and hierarchical multiple regression.Results: There was the difference of mental health status between freshmen from cities and countryside(P0.05);the life events of freshmen affected their mental health(P0.001);"Dissatisfy with their own appearance","does not know how to communicate with others","dislike to go to school","has no interest in their own specialty" had significantly effect on their mental health(P0.05、0.001、0.001、0.01).Conclusion: More importance should be attached to the mental health problem of freshmen,their specific life events should be taken into consideration.


The importance of laboratory mice in experimental microbiology and biomedical research is indisputable, and their care and handling is a contributing factor to the quality of the science resulting from their use. This unit provides guidelines for practical housing, handling, and the methodology for sample collection to ensure animal health and minimize variable experimental parameters. Curr. Protoc. Microbiol. 31:A.3N.1‐A.3N.18. © 2013 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Successful feasibility Study and research writing depends on the competencies of writers because it might be a challenge for students to complete the study if identified difficulties were not addressed. This study aims to solve the difficulties of junior business administrators in writing a research paper and feasibility study through a training plan. The fourth-year graduating students are the respondents of the study, where a self-made validated questionnaire by the experts was utilized to measure the improvement of students in writing research after the training. The result shows that the majority of the respondents improved their own skills in the market and financial study. It is recommended that the training plan should be conducted yearly to improve the competencies of future students.


Objective
To investigate the possible role of oxidative stress in the protection of hydrogen sulfide during renal ischemia reperfusion.

Methods
Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation (Sham) group, renal ischemia reperfusion (IR) group subject to occlusion of left renal pedicle for 45 min then reperfusion for 24 h, and sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) preconditioning group with continuous infusion of NaHS (450 nmol/min) by left renal artery for 10 min before ischemia reperfusion. Renal injuries were evaluated by PAS staining. The protein levels of NADPH oxidase (NOX) 4, NOX2 were analyzed by Western blotting. The reactive oxygen species(ROS) level of renal tissue was determined by dihydroethidium (DHE) staining assay. Renal superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonic dialdehyde (MDA) and Scr, BUN were evaluated by chromatometry assay. Cell apoptosis were evaluated by TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining.

Results
Compared with Sham group, in IR group the renal NOX4 and NOX2 protein expressions, the existence of acute tubular necrosis and ROS expression were up-regulated (all P<0.01); MDA, Scr, and BUN were increased and SOD was decreased significantly in IR-treated kidney (all P<0.01); Moreover, more apoptotic cells presented in the risk zone of IR-treated kindey (P<0.01). The effects induced by IR were inhibited by NaHS. Compared to that in IR group, NaHS precondition reversed IR-induced damages of renal function and renal tissue, increased SOD activity and decreased MDA expression (all P<0.05), as well as reduced the expression of NOX4, NOX2 and ROS (all P<0.05). Moreover, NaHS precondition reduced apoptosis after IR (P<0.05).

Conclusions
NaHS alleviates renal ischemia reperfusion injury through inhibiting oxidative stress. Hydrogen sulfide can decrease ROS by inhibiting the activation of NOX, further inhibit the activation of NOD-like receptor, and alleviate kidney damage.

Key words:
Hydrogen sulfide; Reperfusion injury; Oxidative stress


In modern cataract surgery, spectacle freedom is becoming more and more important. Emmetropia can be achieved for patients with myopic or hyperopic refractive errors by selecting the appropriate spherical lens power. However, approximately 20% of patients who undergo cataract surgery have 1.25 diopters (D) of corneal astigmatism or more. (FerrerBlasco, Montes-Mico et al. 2009; Hoffmann and Hutz 2010) Not correcting the astigmatism component at the time of cataract surgery will fail to achieve spectacle independence. In patients with substantial amounts of corneal astigmatism several options exist to correct astigmatism during or after cataract surgery. Limbal relaxing incisions or opposite clear corneal incisions may be performed to reduce astigmatism during cataract surgery. After cataract surgery, laser refractive surgery may be used to correct residual refractive errors, including cylinder errors. However, corneal incision procedures are relatively unpredictable and laser refractive surgery may be associated with complications such as dry eyes, wound healing problems and infections. (Bayramlar, Daglioglu et al. 2003; de Oliveira, Solari et al. 2006; Kato, Toda et al. 2008; Thomas, Brunstetter et al. 2008) Toric IOLs now provide the opportunity to correct corneal astigmatism, offering patients with pre-existing astigmatism optimal distance vision without the use of spectacles or contact lenses with a cylindrical correction. Furthermore, the recent introduction of multifocal toric IOLs offers patient with pre-existent corneal astigmatism the opportunity not only to achieve spectacle independence for distance vision, but also for near and intermediate visual acuities.


In this study, the structural properties of La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) manganite synthesized in bulk and nano form have been analyzed in detail. The bulk LSMO was synthesized by the solid-state method whereas the LSMO nanoparticles was prepared using the sol-gel route. The structural properties of the prepared samples were examined using X-Ray diffraction (XRD). Rietveld refinement confirmed that all the samples crystallize in R-3c space group with a rhombohedral structure. Williamson-Hall (WH) Analysis using Uniform deformation model and Size strain plots (SSP) were employed to determine the average crystallite size and microstrain in the synthesized samples. SEM and TEM measurements have also been taken to analyse their size distribution.


It has undoubtedly an important role to play in developing closer ties with other countries. What vitiates the role, however, is the suggestion which is sometimes conveyed that India's ancient culture has conferred on it some kind of moral superiority, or capacity to lead the world from darkness to light. Too much harking back to the past, as a cover for modern deficiencies, can do more harm than good. What impresses other countries and provides a basis for cooperation is the effort that is being made to remove these deficiencies, rather than Tagore's assertion, quoted by the author, that because of the greatness of our culture, "We, the famished, ragged ragamuffins of the East are to win freedom for all humanity." Thirdly, while the author is right in stressing the importance of institutional reforms, especially in policy planning, some of his suggestions cannot easily be accepted. Planning by serving officials alone is of limited value as they can hardly criticize or deviate from Government's known policies. On the other hand, planning by an independent Council, as suggested by the author, is also open to objection. The Council would tend to function as a parallel or rival body to the Foreign Ministry. This would lead to confusion and defeat the purpose in view. The solution obviously lies in maintaining the present organization, while associating some non-Governmental experts with it, so that Government may have the benefit of independent views also in the planning of policy. A final point is about the role of "the ICS and the princes" in the Foreign Service on which the author has written at length. His analysis has been marred by lack of knowledge and objectivity in his assessment of the role. To start with, one might well ask who were the princes whom Nehru is supposed to have inducted into the Foreign Service? Even if some were inducted, are they to be treated as non-citizens merely because they were princes in the past? Then, again, in one part of the book, the author compliments Nehru for "relegating the ICS officials to the footnotes of diplomacy''. A few chapters later, he comes out with the assertion that Nehru "entrusted the ICS and princes with the responsibility for administering foreign policy"! Apart from these contradictions and other remarks about the officials which seem uncalled for, the author's knowledge of the working of the ministry is also deficient. He says that the officials were generally pro-West and not appreciative of Nehru's policies. Today, the same class of officials is sometimes accused of pro-Soviet leanings! Moreover, the author seems to be unaware of the part played by the officials on some of the questions on which he himself has carried out case studies. Whether it is Kashmir or Tibet, or relations with China, it will be found when the time comes that correct advise, based on the national interest, was given by the officials, but the advice could not be followed by Nehru because of pressure in Parliament or for other reasons. -R.K. NEHRU


A self-powered cold temperature capable flat panel display is provided to use a heat byproduct from a group of PEM fuel cells to warm the flat panel display of a laptop computer. The self-powered cold temperature capable flat panel display system comprises a flat panel display, a PEM fuel cell assembly, a means for separating the display from the PEM fuel cell assembly and a hydrogen fuel source. A slot is located below the panel and the PEM fuel cell assembly is sufficiently thin to provide adequate space in the slot for the insertion of both the separation means and the PEM fuel cell assembly. Other embodiments include a cold temperature display system and an all-climate panel display and a method for warming a panel display.


The Partnership Enterprise Law,revised in 2006,is the first of its kind to establish the system of limited partnership in China.With its unique charm unshared by general partnership or companies,limited partnership has made up for the deficiency of corporate system and partnership system,thus having enriched the forms of organization for China's enterprises and been conducive to ensuring free competition among market subjects from various organizations.Without organizations like the board of share-holders,of directors,and of supervisors in companies,limited partnership is simple in organizational structure,thus its decision-making process is simple and flexible while its operation and management is relatively centralized,elastic,efficient,and easy to adapt to the ever-changing market and to the need of high-tech industrial development.However,as a newly established system in our country,limited partnership still leaves much to be desired,namely,restrictions on the number of partners,defects in the funding system,demerits in the shift system between limited partners and general partners,and defects of the liability system for limited partners.As such,some proposals are advanced in this paper for improving the legislation of the limited partnership system in our country.


General practitioner Cranleigh, Surrey, 1949-85 (b Lewisham, London, 1920; q Guy's Hospital, London, 1944), d 28 January 2004 after a stroke.

During the second world war Bob joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served in west Africa. Following house jobs he started general practice in Cranleigh. After retirement Bob continued to contribute to the health care of Cranleigh through the League of Friends, St John Ambulance, the Cranleigh Village Hospital Trust, and Ewhurst's Duke of Kent School. He leaves a wife, Grace; four children; and 12 grandchildren.


Abstract Procedures have been developed from relationships between parameters of hailstone size distributions and storm thermodynamics to normalize the effects of storm thermodynamics of integral hail parameters observed at the ground. Hail parameters considered in this study are the number concentration, water content and kinetic energy. Results from statistical tests on these integral hail parameters obtained from various not-seeded storms showed that significant differences exist among these storms. The differences appear to be due to variations in storm intensity. However, once the normalization of the storm thermodynamic variability is applied to the data, no significant differences are found. The technique seems to reduce, if not eliminate, the variations due to the effects of storm thermodynamics on the integral hail parameters. Statistical analyses of the normalized surface integral hail parameters, obtained from two operationally seeded storms, are carried out to test the procedure for the evalua...


The development of information technology and electronic commerce (E-commerce) has led to great changes in the tourism industry in many countries around the world including China. Traditional tourism are faced with great opportunities and challenges because of the information revolution,. With E-commerce development, traditional tourism value chain has encountered problems and begun to recon figurate.


The patient was a 77-year-old man whose head and back impacted the ground after falling from a stepladder. On arrival, plain roentgenography and whole body computed tomography failed to depict a responsible spinal lesion. As he could walk, his wound was sutured and he was discharged to home. However, on the following day, he was unable to stand due to severe back pain. Urgent magnetic resonance image (MRI) revealed a high-intensity signal in the 12th thoracic vertebral body without compressive deformity. Follow-up roentgenography at 10 days showed compressive change at the 12th thoracic vertebral body; thus, a corset was applied at the thoracolumbar position. Final lumbar roentgenography at 6 months revealed compression of the thoracic vertebral body. In the present case an elderly patient, who initially showed a bone bruise, showed delayed compressive changes in the thoracic vertebral body. In our super-aging society, further studies are required to investigate the natural history of vertebral body bruises in elderly individuals.


This paper presents selected aspects of power losses generated in a 3.3 kV three-level neutral-point clamped converter. These aspects are particularly important in some applications characterized with a limited room, for instance underground mining. The limited size of the converter can only be performed when all thermal aspects like converter generation of power losses or junction temperature distribution in all converter semiconductor devices are recognized. (Power losses in 3.3 kV 1MW AC-DC-AC three-level NPC converter). Słowa kluczowe: przekształtnik trójpoziomowy NPC, napęd średniego napięcia, górnictwo podziemne, straty mocy.


lung capacity, and reduced gas transfer. Thirteen MMMa""n heterozygotes were discovered (mean a, antitrypsin concentration 66.5% predicted), five of whom smoked. Pulmonary function in these five and in two smokers with Pi MZ and intermediate a, antitrypsin concentrations was reported as having "a significant decrement in a number of measures of expiratory flow." Sproule and colleagues concluded that there was evidence of a detrimental effect of cigarette smoke in those individuals with a reduced circulating concentration of a, antitrypsin. If their data are re-examined, however, this conclusion is surprising. FEV, in 14 Pi MM smokers was 98.5% (SD 18.9%) and in five MMMaIIOn smokers 95.8% (10.3%) of predicted normal. The difference in mean FEV, values between the two groups is not significant and in addition the MMMa""n heterozygotes had a mean age nine years greater and were heavier smokers. In conclusion, we have confirmed the association between Pi MMaI"nZ and the high risk of developing emphysema. The results of our small family study of six MMMa""n heterozygotes, which included three smokers, two non-smokers, and one ex-smoker, in contrast to those of the study by Sproules et al produced no evidence to suggest that smokers with intermediate concentrations of a, antitrypsin due to the MMMaIton phenotype have a greater risk of developing emphysema than smokers with normal concentrations. This is in agreement with comparable studies in MZ heterozygotes.'


Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most serious complications in patients with chronic renal failure treated with long-term peritoneal dialysis.Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)is an important cytokine of neoangiogenesis and vasculopathy in peritoneal membrane,and plays a prominent role in the pathophysiological process of peritoneal fibrosis.VEGF is locally produced in the peritoneal cavity,and there are several factors in this process in peritoneal dialysis.The biological characteristics and effects of VEGF in the process of peritoneal fibrosis and the possible mechanism were reviewed in this article.


The paper explores The issues of legal regulation of state management of business activities. Judging from the degree of balance between the interests of society and the state, a set of common criteria for the efficiency of business.


Sophisticated surveillance techniques used in monitoring the accelerated degradation of instrumentation and related equipment in an environment of high temperature, humidity and radiation levels are leading to a method of equipment maintenance based on a philosophy of management by anticipation rather than reaction. This method could be used to upgrade present utility maintenance practices in all types of power plants


This paper presents a nonparametric analysis of a common class of intertemporal models of consumer choice that relax consumption independence. Within this class and in the absence of any functional form restrictions on instantaneous preferences, we compare the revealed preference conditions for rational habit formation and rational anticipation. We show that these models are nonparametrically equivalent in the presence of finite data sets composed of prices, interest rates, and consumption choices. JEL Classifications: D11, D12, D91.


The present cross-temporal meta-analysis involving 68 studies (n = 35,499) found that Chinese adolescents' scores on the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale decreased substantially from 1996 to 2009. The decline of self-esteem across birth cohorts was associated with the slide of social connection level of Chinese adolescents. Correlations between self-esteem and corresponding social indicators like the floating population and divorce rate were significant. Analysis on self-esteem age differences showed that self-esteem development in China was different from Western results: self-esteem scores followed a roughly increasing trend from Grade 7 through Grade 12 with double dip points at Grades 7 and 11. Language: en


There was a time when the Austral lyre was strung with a single horse hair, and the writers of lyric poetry were galloped over by horsy balladeers like Will Ogilvie and 'Banjo' Paterson. Yet John Shaw Neilson (1872-1942), working steadily at his craft from the 1890s until his death in 1942, survived their thundering hooves, and is regarded today, as one of the great lyric poets writing in English during the first half of the twentieth century...


The frequency of visits to Emergency Departments (ED) varies greatly between populations. This may reflect variation in patient behaviour, need, accessibility, and service configuration as well as the complex interactions between these factors. This study investigates the relationship between distance, socio-economic deprivation, and proximity to an alternative care setting (a Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)), with particular attention to the interaction between distance and deprivation. It is set in a population of approximately 5.4 million living in central England, which is highly heterogeneous in terms of ethnicity, socio-economics, and distance to hospital. The study data set captured 1,413,363 ED visits made by residents of the region to National Health Service (NHS) hospitals during the financial year 2007/8. Our units of analysis were small units of census geography having an average population of 1,545. Separate regression models were made for children and adults. For each additional kilometre of distance from a hospital, predicted child attendances fell by 2.2% (1.7%–2.6% p<0.001) and predicted adult attendances fell by 1.5% (1.2% –1.8%, p<0.001). Compared to the least deprived quintile, attendances in the most deprived quintile more than doubled for children (incident rate ratio (IRR)  = 2.19, (1.90–2.54, p<0.001)) and adults (IRR 2.26, (2.01–2.55, p<0.001)). Proximity of an MIU was significant and both adult and child attendances were greater in populations who lived further away from them, suggesting that MIUs may reduce ED demand. The interaction between distance and deprivation was significant. Attendance in deprived neighbourhoods reduces with distance to a greater degree than in less deprived ones for both adults and children. In conclusion, ED use is related to both deprivation and distance, but the effect of distance is modified by deprivation.


In this paper we investigate the conditions that complex kernels must satisfy for proper complex-valued signals. We study the structure that complex kernels for proper complex-valued signals must have. Also, we demonstrate that complex kernels that have been previously proposed and used in adaptive filtering of complex-valued signals assume that those signals are proper, i.e, they are not correlated with their complex conjugate. We provide an example of how a complex-valued kernel suitable for a particular model is designed, with a procedure that could help in other designs. The experiments included show the good behavior of the proposed kernel in the task of nonlinear channel equalization.


Abstract The article argues that there is an ascetic character implicit in Stanley Hauerwas's thinking and that a more explicit engagement with the Christian ascetical tradition could clarify some lines of thought in it, in particular the relationship between moral formation and witness. The way Hauerwas treats e.g. the virtues and practices that are used to pursue them, the role of spiritual authority and the difference between Church and world show clear similarities to the thought of early Christian ascetics, such as Evagrios of Pontos, Isaac of Nineveh and John Cassian. By showing how Hauerwas by addressing some key theological, ethical and political developments in modern theology opens up the possibility to overcome modern misunderstandings of asceticisms, the author argues for the relevance of asceticism as a political concept in today's world.


This article represents an analysis of the Fed's recent reduction on Secondary Market Corporate Credit Facility (SMCCF) and the future monetary policies on The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). And we try to explore potential arbitrage opportunities according to the impact of these policies. Based on these events, we made a simple hedging strategy longing the ETF in the real estate industry and shorting the ETF of investment-grade bonds. As a result, we have gained profit in both positions. Moreover, we almost didn't make a profit on the short side by the end of the transaction. Because the number of the holdings that the Fed started to sell was not too big, and the market needed time to respond to the policy change. At the end of this article, we conclude that the Fed's recent monetary policies effectively influenced the real estate and bond markets, especially during the pandemic period. Therefore, Fed needs to consider potential influence when making decisions. Besides the credit tools such as SMCCF make a more accurate and fast adjustment to the currency market, which provides investors with many opportunities to build a potential portfolio when the Fed changes its use of them.


The paper discusses which factors influence the adoption and use of quality measurement tools in libraries. With very different practices and implementation strategies in different countries, compares the situation in Denmark and the UK. The basis for the comparison is a comprehensive survey of managers in the library sector.


In the following, elementary constituents of models in computational semiotics are outlined. This is done by referring to computer simulations as a framework which neither aims to describe artificial sign systems (as done in computer semiotics), nor to realize semiotic functions in "artificial worlds" (as proposed in "artificial semiosis"). Rather, the framework referred to focuses on preconditions of computer-based simulations of semiotic processes. Following this approach, the paper focuses on methodological aspects of computational semiotics.


A 2‐year‐old child experienced clinical manifestations of Arnold‐Chiari Type I malformation, rare in early childhood, after a mild hyperflexion injury of the neck that resulted in acute paraparesis. Recovery occrred after decompressive laminectomy.


132Background: Anti-programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) inhibitors, which enhance cellular immunity via blockade of PD-1, represent an effective option for the treatment of lung cancer and have shown some impressive efficacy. However, the inhibitors can also result in immune-related adverse events, such as immune-related diarrhea. Researches have shown that intestinal microbiota plays a vital role in gastrointestinal dysregulation. Whereas, the relationship between PD-1 inhibitors and immune-related diarrhea is still elusive. In our study, we aim to identify the correlation of intestinal microbiota and immune-related diarrhea, and hope to find specific bacteria as potential biomarkers of immune-related diarrhea. Methods: Twenty-six lung cancer patients who were treated with PD-1 inhibitors from 301 hospital were enrolled for retrospective analysis. And the fecal samples were obtained from patients before the first dose of PD-1 inhibitor. Based on whether they develop diarrhea or not, the patients were subgroup...


Real and virtual three-dimensional (3D) imaging has found useful applications across different areas of health sciences and with the current rapidly progressive development stage we can expect that the use of 3D imaging soon will be a part of a daily visual load for medical personnel. To better understand the possible impact of prolonged work with 3D content on eye accommodative response and pupil size we compared two 3D imaging techniques - volumetric display that is real voxel-based system and anaglyph technique that is virtual pixel-based system. We have investigated accommodative lag and pupil responses in 38 emmetropic young adult after prolonged visual task with volumetric 3D display (n = 19) and with anaglyph 3D technique (n = 19). All participants were asked to perform relative depth perception task organized in three sessions. Accommodative response and pupil size were measured simultaneously immediately after each 10 min long session by using eccentric photorefractor (binocularly with 50 Hz frequency). We found differences in an accommodative lag and pupil size between right and left eye for the group who performed visual task on anaglyph 3D. The mean difference of accommodative lag between the right and the left eye was 0.13 ± 0.05 D (F1,36 = 2.71, P = 0.10). Slight pupil size differences between the right and the left eye was observed (F1,36 = 4.70, P = 0.04). For volumetric 3D group we did not find significant differences of accommodative lag and pupil size between both eyes. A weak negative correlation was observed between the pupil size and the accommodative lag (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = -0.20, P < 0.001; volumetric 3D ρ = -0.21, P = 0.011; anaglyph 3D ρ = -0.19, P = 0.019). It appears that prolonged near work with anaglyph 3D might cause unequal post-task accommodative response between both eyes that could force the visual system to the possible accommodation-vergence conflict. This suggest that the real 3D imaging would be more suitable for health care applications compared to virtual 3D.


Desulfurisation of atmospheric distillation gasoline and gas oil was performed by adsorption process on Fe/ bentonite. The adsorbant was characterized by determining the adsorption isotherms, specific surface area, pore volume and average pore diameter. Adsorption experiments of atmospheric distillation gasoline and gas oil were performed in continuous system at 280...320oC, 5 atm and volume hourly space velocities of 1...2 h-1. The efficiency of adsorption on Fe / bentonite was better at desulphurisation of gasoline versus gas oil.

https://revistadechimie.ro/count_redirect.asp?RevChimieID=5483&pdfArticle=pdf/11 ION S C 3 17.pdf


Abstract During periods of light surface wind, a warm stable layer forms at the ocean surface with a maximum sea surface temperature (SST) in the early afternoon. The diurnal SST amplitude (DSA) associated with these diurnal warm layers (DWLs) can reach several degrees and impact the tropical climate variability. This paper first presents an approach to building a daily time series of the DSA over the tropics between 1979 and 2002. The DSA is computed over 2.5° of latitude–longitude regions using a simple DWL model forced by hourly-interpolated surface radiative and turbulent fluxes given by the 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40). One advantage of this approach is the homogeneity of the results given by the relative homogeneity of ERA-40. The approach is validated at the global scale using empirical DWL models reported in the literature and the Surface Velocity Program (SVP) drifters of the Marine Environmental Data Service (MEDS). For the SVP dataset, a new technique is introduced to derive the diurnal var...


This paper presents a new neuron model (three valued logic neuron, TLN), which can express three valued logic knowledge. There are two different TLNs TLN-AND (three valued "logic and" neuron) and TLNOR(three valued "logic or" neuron). Neural chains made up of this kind of neurons can be used as three valued logic inference system, and can present and infer ternary production.


The UK's decision to leave the EU poses a particular challenge for Scotland where 62 percent of the population voted in favour of remaining. This has led to calls – amongst others by the Scottish Government – that Scotland should be allowed to either stay in the EU or at the very least in the EU's single market. In a first step this On the Agenda provides an analysis in how far a differentiated solution for Scotland as part of the UK would be legally possible and whether it would be practicable; in a second step the On the Agenda discusses the legal conditions under which an independent Scotland would be able to either join the EU or stay in the single market.


Objective:To investigate the phospholipid ingredients of model rats with spleen-Yin deficiency and kidney-Yin deficiency,expounding the pathological and physiological basis related to the spleen and kidney.Methods:Rats model of spleen-Yin deficiency and kidney-Yin deficiency are set up by the classical way.Sphingomyelin (SM),phosphatidylcholine(PC),phosphstidylethsnolamine(PE),and cardiolipin(CL)are observed in model rats and treatment rats.Results:SM and SM/PC are increased significantly in model rats compared with control group while PC is decreased significantly.And so do the different grouping model rats.The drug of nourishing kidney-Yin can decrease SM,increase PC and regulate the SM/PC.And the drug of nourishing spleen-Yin cannot do so.Conclusions:The same pathological and physiological basis of spleen-Yin deficiency and kidney-Yin deficiency are the decreased glycerol phospholipid and increased sphingomyelin.


Replicated data that is used for fault tolerant distributed system requires replica control protocol to maintain data consistency. The one of replica control protocols is quorum consensus method which accesses replicated data by getting majority approval. If site failure or communication link failure occurs and any one can't get quorum consensus, it degrades the availability of data managed by quorum consensus protocol. So it needs for ghost to replace the failed site. Because ghost is not full replica but process which has state information using meta data, it is important to simplify meta data. In order to maintain availability and simplify meta data, we propose a method to use cohort set as ghost's meta data. The proposed method makes it possible to organize meta data in 2N+logN bits and to have higher availability than quorum consensus only with cohort set and dynamic linear voting protocol. Using Markov model we calculate proposed method's availability to analyze availability and compare it with existing protocols.


As a result of the country's rapid modernization and rising middle class, the coffee industry in Indonesia is ripe for the picking. Umah Lokal Coffee & Roastery is seeing the effects of the rising levels of rivalry in the coffee sector, where new coffee shops are opening every year and the products sold are mostly interchangeable. The purpose of this research is to clarify how brand image moderates the impact of social media marketing and content marketing on consumers' final purchasing decisions. Umah Lokal Coffee & Roastery customers in Denpasar City make up the studies demographic. Purposive sampling, which is not based on probability, was used to calculate the sample size, which came to be 180 people in total. The data collection is carried out with the use of a Google Form questionnaire, and it is disseminated via a variety of social media platforms in addition to in-person surveys carried out at each of the many study locations. In this particular piece of study, the data were examined by making use of the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) methodology as well as the Partial Least Square (PLS) strategy. Both of these methods were used in conjunction with one another. The following are some of the conclusions that can be drawn from the findings of this study: SMM and CM have a positive and significant effect on purchase decision; SMM and CM have a positive and significant effect on brand image; brand image has a positive and significant effect on purchase decision; and brand image can partially mediate the influence of SMM and CM on purchase decision. It is hoped that the findings of this study will contribute to the growing body of knowledge about marketing management and consumer behavior, as well as serve as a guide for management as they consider how to use social media and content marketing to strengthen the Umah Lokal Coffee & Roastery brand and encourage more people to buy their coffee.


Augmented reality (AR) is a relevant technology, which has demonstrated to be efficient for several applications, especially in the architecture, engineering, construction and operation (AECO) domain, where the integration of building information modeling (BIM) and AR has proved to be optimal in handling construction projects. However, the main challenge when integrating a virtual 3D model in an AR environment is the lack of precision and accuracy of placement that can occur between the real and the virtual environments. Although methods for placement via AR have been reported in the literature, there is a lack of investigations addressing their evaluation. Therefore, this paper proposes a methodology to perform a quantitative and qualitative assessment of several AR placement methods and a discussion about their usability in the specific context of AECO. We adopt root mean square error (RMSE) to quantify the placement accuracy of a 3D model and standard deviation to examine its stability (jittering). The results revealed that the AR placement error range is extremely wide (from a few centimeters up to meters). In marker-based methods, the results showed centimeter-range in both indoor and outdoor environments, compared to other methods (Inertial, Marker-less, etc.), while marker-less methods have widely varying error range from centimeters to a few meters. Other commercial solutions based on placement-sensors (GNSS and IMU), such as Trimble SiteVision, have proven placement performance in manual mode with centimeter order, while for the automatic mode, the order of placement and stability is metric, due to the low coverage of RTX (real time extended) in the study area.


Liquid chromatography and recrystallization were used to obtain the monomer of rubescensin A. monomer of rubescensin A was obtained by using determinate ratio of organic regents and recrystallization. obtained compound could be used for the further research of new anticancer drug.


Canadians have been accustomed to think of their country as having practically unlimited energy resources. It has come as a surprise and indeed a shock to realize that our resource potential may not be as extensive as was once thought, that it may be in forms or locations which do not correspond with our energy requirements or that the potential can only be realized at a very high cost or over a long period of time. In comparison with our major competitors we are indeed in an enviable position on balance we are in a net export position for all energy commodities taken together (oil, natural gas, coal, electricity and uranium) and we have an extensive resource base in all of these commodities. However, in terms of crude oil Canada is not in such a favourable position our exports of crude oil have declined rapidly since 1973 and from 1976 on we have been net importers of crude oil. While our crude oil supply position has deteriorated, our demand for oil products has increased at an average annual rate of about 2? per cent per year over the decade of the 1970s. A continuation of these trends will result in an increase in the level of our oil imports with adverse impact on our balance of payments, the federal government deficit and the rate of inflation. The question this paper addresses is whether Canada is likely to achieve a better balance in oil supply and requirements over the next decade.


Recommendation in cross domain is upcoming topic in recommender systems. Its main aim is to reduce/remove sparsity problem in individual collaborative filtering domains by transferring knowledge among related domains. Online shopping is getting trendy by each day. In today's modern world everyone looks for the shortest possible way to buy the best item in the short period of time. Recommendation system is a process in which data is taken according to the interest of user and suggestion is provided according to their choice. But the only drawback is that it deals with only single domain in the classical recommender system. Relationship between two sets of items from various domains are shown under cross domain recommendation system, also provides an extra information about the new users and new item.


A severe right hind limb paralysis due to injury to the peroneal (fibular) nerve was characterized by knuckling of the paw, over extension of the hock, dragging of the limb and excoriations on the dorsum of the digits. Management of the case therapeutically and conservatively over a period of three weeks was not rewarding. The case was eventually and successfully   managed by the relocation of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) to the long digital extensor tendon (LDET). The surgical procedure was relatively easy. However, the post-operative management and retraining of the puppy to enable it use the flexor tendon as an extensor was difficult and protracted but was successful. The puppy regained normal limb placement and near normal gait about two months postoperatively. It was eventually discharged after three and half months of management.


In this paper we consider a nonlinear system of PDEs coupling the viscous Cahn-Hilliard-Oono equation with dynamic boundary conditions enjoying a similar structure on the boundary. After proving well-posedness of the corresponding initial boundary value problem, we study an associated optimal control problem related to a tracking-type cost functional, proving first-order necessary conditions of optimality. The controls enter the system in the form of a distributed and a boundary source. We can account for general potentials in the bulk and in the boundary part under the common assumption that the boundary potential is dominant with respect to the bulk one. For example, the regular quartic potential as well as the logarithmic potential can be considered in our analysis.


Lack of student interest in writing essays, this happens because teachers in learning do not use innovative learning models, and learning media that interest students. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the use of Think Talk Write (TTW) learning models assisted by monopolistic media on simple essay writing skills of third-grade elementary school students. This type of research is quasi-experimental (quasi-experimental) with a non-equivalent post-test only control group design. The study population was all grade III in elementary school. The research sample was taken using a random sampling technique, with a total of 59 people. Data collection instruments used in this study were simple essay writing skills instruments, then analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics (t-test). Based on the results of the t-test analysis, the t-count was 11.457. While the table with db = 57 and a significance level of 5% is 2.002. This shows that t-count is greater than ttable (t-count> t-table) with the conclusion that the Think Talk Write (TTW) learning model assisted by monopoly media has a positive effect on writing skills in simple essays. The existence of this research helps teachers to enrich references to models and instructional media that can be used.


Background: Precise anatomy and course of mandibular canal is important to obtain the desired outcome of different mandibular surgical procedures and circumvent various surgical complications. This study aimed to document the presence, frequency, and type of mandibular canal variations using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: CBCT images of 100 patients with a total of 200 sides (right and left) were obtained retrospectively from the database of Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai. The presence and type of mandibular canal variation were evaluated and classified according to Naitoh et al. classification (2009) along with Rashsuren et al. modification (2014). Prevalence rates were determined according to gender, side of the mandible, and type. Morphometric analysis of the mandibular canal variations was made. Statistical analysis with Chi-square, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Scheffe's tests were performed. Results: Mandibular canal variations were found in 13% of patients and 8% of total sides. Type I dental canal (37.50%) was the most common type of accessory canal followed by Type II retromolar canal (31.25%), Type III forward canal type (25%), Type V trifid canal (6.25%), and Type IV buccolingual canal (0%). The retromolar canal had the maximum length and diameter and most of the accessory mandibular canals (60%) had a diameter of more than 50% of that of the main canal. Conclusion: Bifid mandibular canal was the most common anatomical variation of the mandibular canal found in this study with dental canal type being the most frequent type. To avoid iatrogenic injuries, a presurgical detailed evaluation of the mandibular canal using CBCT was suggested.


In this paper, we presented a new spatial fuzzy clustering algorithm optimised by the Artificial Bees Colony (ABC) algorithm. By introducing the global search of ABC algorithm into the spatial Fuzzy C-Means Clustering algorithm, a new kind of methods (SFCM-ABC) is proposed. SFCM-ABC has two major characteristics. First it tackles better noisy image segmentation by making use of the spatial local information into the membership function. Secondly, it improves the global performance by taking advantages of the globalized search in the entire solution space of ABC rather than a localized searching like in FCM algorithm. Experiments with synthetic and real images show that SFCM-ABC is robust to noise compared to other methods. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/ij-ai.v1i3.765 Full Text: PDF