Managing soil hydrophobicity caused by localized dry spots (LDS) on sand based golf greens has become one of the greatest challenges for golf course superintendents and managers, especially as water restrictions intensify. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of thirteen soil surfactants in eliminating LDS and in maximizing root zone soil moisture on a sand based USGA golf green located on the California Central Coast. Potential water repellency of air dried cores (measured utilizing the water droplet penetration time (WDPT) method), phytotoxicity, and climate were analyzed during two experimental trials. Phytotoxicity data was collected for Trial I using visual quality ratings and for Trial II using a chlorophyll meter. Phytotoxicity decreased during Trial I. Differences in phytotoxicity as measured using chlorophyll index were not at all significant during Trial II (p = 1). Ten of the thirteen wetting agent treatments significantly (p < 0.001) decreased soil hydrophobicity compared with the other wetting agent treated plots and the non-treated control. More frequent application of Cascade Plus resulted in a more significant reduction in soil hydrophobicity. Increasing the application rates also resulted in the reduction of soil hydrophobicity. Wetting agent treatment 6-CP(10day) maintained the highest volumetric water content (VWC) but treatment 13-2079337 maintained the highest levels for wetting agents treated monthly. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to express sincerest appreciation to my committee chair, Dr. Terry Vassey, for the very fine opportunity to work on this project but more importantly for helping me to perform my work with a higher level of confidence. Dr. Vassey was also very patient with numerous questions. I would also like to thank the rest of my thesis committee, Dr. Earth and Soil Sciences for their specialized and invaluable guidance throughout this project. I would also like to thank Dr. Karen McGaughey for her statistical guidance and Wayne Montgomery for his assistance with reference material. Financial support for this project was provided by Aquatrols Corporation®, Precision Laboratories™, and Milliken®. Finally, I would like to express thanks to my parents, William and Juliet Thompson, for their loving prayers and support, and to God for His constant support.


In order to build a complete defect detection system,saving and managing the detected defect image files and production information is as important as the method of detecting.A data communication of defect detection system is proposed in this paper.The program draws on VC++ and Labview multi-process communication and TCP communications,shared variables,LabSQL kits and other methods,making the two computers can automatically send and receive detected defects and related information and stored messages in the database.The experiment makes the remote data access and management for defect detection system come true.


The results of numerical calculation on the relationship between AC electrical conduction and EHD motion in mineral oil are presented. The distribution of two dimensional flow velocity, current density, and tan /spl delta/ under 50 Hz stress are calculated. It is found that the motion is able to induce by Coulomb's forces acting the positive charge existing in the electrical double layer.


This model shows the relation between microscopic scale and macroscopic scale and the idea of time and mass in both scales. The equations of energy time equivalence and mass time equivalence are verified. Also we found the equation of cosmic microwave background radiation temperature (CMBRT). The diagram shows the multiverse and how it can be constructed in seven loops and eleven dimensions without a big bang dogma.


The resolvability of waste catalyst sample in acid and the conditions for the detemination of Nikel in the waste catalyst by flame atomic absorption method were studied in this paper. The results showed that under the operating conditions indicated in the paper the measured recovery was 98.9 %~102.2 % and relative standard deviation was less 1.9 %. The exactitude and accuracy of the method was better.


An efficient stereospecific synthesis of the plant hormone (RS)-abscisic acid from the readily available 4-oxoisophorone, trimethylsilylacetylene and ethyl but-2-ynoate, is described.


The field of dentistry could benefit considerably from virtual reality (VR). There will be several ways like Virtual reality can be used to teach patients about oral hygiene and dental procedures in a more dynamic and engaging way. Patients can utilize virtual reality (VR) to learn about various dental procedures, view 3D representations of their teeth and gums and comprehend how poor oral hygiene affects their general health. Many people experience fear or worry when going to the dentist, which can prevent them from getting the essential dental care. VR can reduce these anxieties by fostering a more tranquil and immersive atmosphere. For instance, patients might utilize virtual reality (VR) headsets to divert their attention during treatments or imagine serene settings to lessen anxiety. Virtual reality can also be utilized to educate and teach dental practitioners in a more effective and efficient manner. Before working on actual patients, students can perform a variety of dental operations in a virtual setting, which helps them develop their confidence and competence. VR can be used by dental practitioners to learn about new methods, instruments, and technologies. In general, the use of virtual reality in dentistry has the potential to enhance dental professional training and education, patient results, and patient involvement and satisfaction.


Client satisfaction is considered as one of the desired outcomes of health care and it is directly related to the utilization of health services. It reflects the gap between the expected and the experience of the service from the client's point of view. Currently, one of the most significant challenges in healthcare institutions is client retention as this problem has been largely attributed to the inherent lack of enough and satisfactory service to clients. It is against this background that the purpose of this facility-based, cross-sectional study was to investigate the factors influencing the satisfaction with the family planning services among women of reproductive age seeking services at health facilities in Siaya County, Kenya. The study was conducted among women of reproductive age seeking FP services in 4 sub-county public hospitals: Bondo, Ukwala, Madiany, and Yala, in Siaya County, as well as healthcare providers serving the women during the period of study. A simple random sampling technique was used to select the participants in quantitative findings while the purposive sampling technique was used for qualitative data. Data was collected using semi-structured questionnaires for women receiving service and a key informant interview guide for healthcare workers. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics using STATA (v 15) while qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Most (60.06%) of the clients served were aged between 20-24 years and 194 (56.56%) were married. The majority (92.71%) of the clients had high satisfaction with the services they received at the health facilities, and women with high levels of interaction with the providers were about 68% more likely to be satisfied with the FP services as compared to females with low provider-client interactions (OR= 0.68, p=.021<0.05). There was no statistically significant association between satisfaction and facility level, age category, marital status, who referred the females for FP services, the source of FP information, waiting time, cost of service, and level of education (α = 0.05). The Ministry of Health, through the individual health facilities and relevant stakeholders, should identify mechanisms of maintaining the satisfaction of women using family planning methods, while ensuring more information is provided by the mainstream healthcare workers.


We investigate the role of public, private, and external debt in explaining the propagation of financial shocks during three major financial crises from 20072013. For our analysis, we construct indices of crisis severity in equity markets based on different tests of contagion and investigate whether the transmission of crises across countries can be related to similar debt conditions. We compare the role of debt stocks and flows to traditional channels for contagion based on regional and trade linkages. Our main finding is that, along with regional linkages, public and external debt play a more important role than trade linkages in driving contagion across equity markets.


Large-scale engineering sediment transport problems require advanced closures for the description of particle- turbulence interactions, in order to improve the predictive capacities of the numerical modelling tools, which are based on the continuous-phase approach. Recently developed closures have revealed new information on the suspension capacity of shear flows. Qualitative validation by comparison between model results and flume data confirm these new features and show the need for a more detailed modelling approach for the super- saturated near-bottom layer. Numerical simulation of morphodynamics and sediment transport at the scale of coastal zones, estuaries, rivers or reservoirs is more and more relying on 3-dimensional models. The many levels of scales involved, as well as the limit on computational cost impose a macroscopic approach. Small- scale two-phase flow models, using Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) or Direct Numerical Simulation (DNS) methods, which give a physically more comprehensive description, cannot be applied to these large scale engineering problems, where the concentrations usually can be quite high, especially near the bed, such that 4-way coupling has to be considered. Moreover, they require knowledge which usually is not available for varying, inhomogeneous natural conditions. The hoped-for model improvement by the gain in complexity of the two- phase model would be totally lost by the enormous increase in model parameter uncertainties. For instance, the velocity lag between solid and fluid phase is maybe of the order of 5%, while the best sediment transport predictions currently reach an accuracy of the order of 200%. Therefore, it seems justified to continue using advanced continuous-phase models to obtain (at least) equally good results at a much lower cost. Sediment transport models mostly have been tested using experimental data from steady open-channel flow experiments. Analytical solutions (Rouse, etc.) can reproduce the profiles of velocity and concentration over a wide range. Numerical solutions also have produced apparently satisfying results. Nevertheless, their performance to real world applications is terribly poor. Fortunately, the trends they produce (e.g. the location of siltation and erosion areas) are much more reliable. Recent research efforts show that significant improvement can be obtained by a better description of particle-turbulence interactions. Within the framework of the MAST3 COSINUS project, significant progress has been made in the modelling of


Introduction Pyrite originates under different conditions and is the most widely occurring sulphide mineral [1]. It is also present in different ore deposit formations where it often represents a gangue mineral [2]. The pyrite/aqueous interaction is very important in extractive metallurgy, e.g. gold leaching from complex sulfide ores, sulfide mineral separation, coal preparation, geochemistry as well as in acid mine drainage [3]. In such procedures various agents are needed to improve the separation process of minerals. Xanthates are commonly used as pyrite collectors in the froth flotation [4] [5] [6] and [7]. The separation process is affected not only by the flotation agents but by the surface properties of pyrite as well [8]. Wettability of the mineral surface is one of the most important properties in the separation process [9]. The wettability of mineral surface is expressed by a physical parameter called contact angle, which is the measure of hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity [10]. The contact angle is explained as a balance of forces on a three phase contact line [11] and it is shown in Figure 1. This relationship was first recognised by Young [12] and, therefore is known as the Young's equation (Eq.1).


This paper presents an integrated IT/IS investment evaluation framework based on IT/IS investment evaluation and business values and IS Success factors. The proposed framework involves different parts of organization or stakeholders whom are influenced by IT/IS investment decisions. It uses Delphi technique for selecting and grouping IT/IS investment criteria. Then, selected criteria are weighted by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) technique. Finally, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) technique is used for determining the efficient and inefficient alternatives or decision making units (DMUs). This framework is more advanced, practical and reliable than current techniques for IT/IS investments. The framework is applied to a large gas refinery and the results showed its ease of use and applicability.


The bluefin tuna species have been overfished throughout the world with stocks declining significantly over the past two decades. Studies employing electronic tags describe tunas in extreme ocean environments with depths up to 500 meters and water temperatures ranging from 5 to 33°C. Physiological adaptations such as high cardiac output and endothermy lead tunas to be a good model for studies in cardiac physiology and stress response. However, due to the high cost of tuna maintenance in captivity, studies on tuna physiology and gene expression are rare. Here, we described the use of pacific bluefin tuna (Thunnus orientalis) skin mucus as a possible source for RNA and its potential to be used in gene expression studies of fishes. The skin mucus samples were taken from tunas in captivity at the Tuna Research and Conservation Center and stored at −20°C in RNAlater tubes (Invitrogen). Total RNA extraction from the mucus samples were performed using RNAeasy Kit (Qiagen), posterior RNA clean‐up was performed using Ambion Filter Cartridge. The RNA concentration and quality was spectrophotometrically analyzed by A260/A280 ratio and from agarose gel electrophoresis. Reverse transcription of RNA from mucus samples into cDNA was performed using iScript cDNA kit (Bio‐Rad). PCR products from mucus cDNA samples, were successfully amplified using bluefin tuna gene specific primers (Hsp70; β‐actin; IL‐1β). Our results indicate that bluefin tuna skin mucus is a potential source of RNA for gene expression studies in fishes. Funding: NOAA, MBA.


We investigate the carrier-mediated exchange coupling between two ferromagnets, sandwiching an intermediate thin layer with Rashba interaction. The effective exchange coupling is obtained by integrating out the itinerant carriers. It turns out that the magnetic trends depend sensitively upon the topology of the Fermi surface. As the topology changes from "wedding cake" to "donut", the mediated exchange goes from the oscillatory Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida to the non-collinear spiral interactions accordingly. It is rather surprising that the Fermi surface topology determines which type of magnetic interaction becomes dominant. Finally, we also discuss potential applications for carrier-mediated exchange coupling across the junction.


Laser stripes play an important role in industrial vision measurement as the major auxiliary feature. The existing research works mainly focused on the application of small size parts. However, with the increase of field of view (FOV), it is difficult to extract laser stripes robustly in varying field measurement situations because of the complex background, low proportion, and uneven characteristic of laser stripes. To increase the measurement adaptability in a complex environment, an automatic laser stripe detection and segmentation algorithm is proposed. First, the data set is constructed by a large number of image patches collected in the field and laboratory, and laser stripe patches in the imbalanced dataset are expanded by the data augmentation method. Next, the detection of the laser stripe is initially realized based on the training results of the convolutional neural network (CNN), and then the laser stripe is accurately detected by nonfeature filtering criteria based on area constraints. Finally, a subregional feature clustering method is proposed to realize effective segmentation of uneven laser stripes. A large number of verification experiments have been carried out in both the laboratory and field, and the results show that the proposed method can achieve automatic and accurate extraction of laser stripes, which has strong adaptability to both the complex background in the field and the uneven brightness characteristic of laser stripes, thereby satisfying the engineering requirements of large-scale part field measurement.


From the curricula they construct, economists apparently regard the history of economics as a subdisciplinary field within economics, symmetric as a subfield with labor economics, public finance, or economic development. Indeed, that perspective is instantiated in the Journal of Economic Literature subject classification system. Based on their pedagogy, economists appear to believe that one studies core subjects to become socialized as an economist; then one masters several fields of specialization for teaching purposes; and finally one selects a problem in one of those fields in which to become a specialist as a scholar or researcher. This argument parallels economists' ideas of what goes on in, say, mathematics, where basic work in algebra, analysis, and topology is thought to define the core training, which is followed by work in fields


Dissolved oxygen is a problem in the dairy industry and is necessary to get rid of. It decreases the shelf-store time and impair the process performance. In this work, a new technique to deaerate dairy products has been investigated. The new technique is based on nucleation of air bubbles caused by a rapid pressure drop, and then separation of these in a vacuum vessel. Previous work has shown good results, and understanding of the behavior, for water, but for dairy products, the separation of bubbles has not worked. The focus in this work has been on understanding the different mechanisms of the process when deaerating water and dairy products respectively. Additionally the goal was to get successful deaeration results on milk and orange juice. The work has shown a great difference in the size of the created bubbles in water and products, which is the key to the aberrantly results. The mean bubble size in milk was measured to 100 µm (roughly a tenth of the bubble size in water), and the size was not significantly affected by different temperatures and pressure drops. The most critical process parameter for the oxygen transfer into bubbles was found to be the temperature (degrees from flash). The pressure drop had no impact on the result on product, which it has on water. Two designs of the vacuum vessel was investigated, one vertical and one horizontal alignment. It was shown that the separation of the bubbles do not work in the vertical vessel since the flow conditions was very unbeneficial for the small bubbles to rise in. In a horizontal alignment though, the deaeration reached final oxygen levels < 1 ppm at a low capacity.


We use the statistical software SPSS to analyze original score data of NCRE come from West Anhui University test center,and then make some comparative analysis with Anhui province's data.We obtain some interesting and useful conclusions,which can improve teaching methods and quality of teaching.


One of the applications where remote sensing could be very useful is the management of major disasters. While remote sensing has shown its interest for recovery and inventory tasks after the crisis period, an assessment of its usefulness during the crisis period is needed. Periodic image acquisitions over any point of the Earth surface, with improved resolutions available today seem to fulfill the required specifications of a global monitoring system. Earth Observation satellites in orbit today were not designed for such a purpose. However, several initiatives have been proposed in order to use them in this kind of applications, as for instance, the International Charter Space and Major Disasters, or the CEOS Disaster Management Support Group. In this paper we discuss, based on past experiences, what are the real capabilities of present and near future satellites, which are their drawbacks and how they could be used at best for real cases of crisis management. A list of recommendations with regards to what could be improved at the system level (sensor, acquisition scheduling, ground segment data production) and the techniques for information extraction (image processing, sensor fusion), is given


A computerized flow visualization technique
capable of quantifying the flow field automatically
has been developed. This technique uses afterglowing effect of optically activated phosphorescent
particles to retrieve vectorial information on each
trace. By using this information, in conjunction
with computer image processing, the flow field of a
free surface transient vortex was investigated.


Researchers have contended that the American news media often depict celebrity athletes as the heroes in a narrative that has a schematic familiarity for consumers. The presentation of the athlete at the center of the hero narrative follows a sequence of events operationalized by Hoebeke, Deprez, and Raeymaeckers in 2011. This study assesses the extent that the audience perceived, accepted and retold the hero narrative of cyclist Lance Armstrong and collegiate football player Manti Te'o in the winter of 2012, when both athletes were facing public crises. This study measured the dynamics of Affective Disposition Theory by assessing participants' levels of empathy/ sympathy, liking and identification with the athletes. We discuss the findings in the context of news consumption of the hero narrative as predictive of ADT.


AIM :To investigate the anti-tumor effects of chitosan sulfate in mice.METHODS :80 mice were divided into control group,5-FU treatment group and Chitosan sulfate treatment group(200 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg).Different doses of Chitosan were intraperitoneally injected into mice with sarcoma 180 and EAC cancer respectively for 10 days.The tumor inhibiting rate,the weight index of important organ and life prolongation were calculated.RESULTS :The tumor inhibiting rate of high dose,low dose of Chitosan sulfate and 5-FU were 38.67 %,30.19 %,43.27 %,life prolongation of high dose,low dose of Chitosan sulfate and 5-FU were 65.38 %,69.23 %,54.93 %,Compare with control and 5-FU group,the indexes of thymus in high dose and low dose of Chitosan sulfate were significantly increased(P 0.05).CONCLUTIONS :Chitosan sulfate shows significant anti-tumor effects on sarcoma-180 and can prolong the life of mice with EAC cancer.Such effects may be owe to improvement of body immunity.


A 15‐year‐old, unmarried female presented to our dermatology department for an intensely pruritic skin rash that had appeared abruptly 3 days earlier. She had a remarkable medical history for a case of allergic rhinitis and several attacks of asthma in her early childhood. The condition waxed and waned initially but had improved in recent years. Physical examination revealed several erythematous plaques, papules studded with scattered pustules having diameters less than 0.3 mm. Conspicuous scratch marks had caused erythematous wheal‐like indurations also studded with pustules in a linear distribution across the waist, forearms ( Fig. 1 ), and back ( Fig. 2 ). Discrete papulopustules were present on the face, nape and neck. The patient was otherwise healthy. There were no other symptoms such as fever, malaise, weakness, or lymphadenopathy


Silicon Nanocrystals Enabling Silicon Photonics, N Daldosso & L Pavesi Theoretical Studies of Absorption, Emission and Gain in Silicon Nanostructures, E Degoli et al. Computational Studies of Free-Standing Silicon Nanoclusters, O Lehtonen & D Sundholm Optical Gain in Silicon Nanocrystal Waveguides Measured by the Variable Stripe Length Technique, H Chen et al. Si-nc Based Light Emitters and Er Doping for Gain Materials, O Jambois et al. Silicon Nanocrystals: Structural and Optical Properties and Device Applications, F Iacona et al. Optical Spectroscopy of Individual Silicon Nanocrystals, J Valenta & J Linnros Silicon Nanocrystal Memories, P Dimitrakis et al. Engineering the Optical Response of Nanostructured Silicon, J Diener et al. Guiding and Amplification of Light Due to Silicon Nanocrystals Embedded in Waveguides, T Ostatnicky et al. Silicon Nanocrystals in Silica: Optical Properties and Laser-Induced Thermal Effects, L Khriachtchev Light Emission from Silicon-Rich Nitride Nanostructures, L D Negro et al. Energy Efficiency in Silicon Photonics, B Jalali et al. Light Emitting Defects in Ion-Irradiated Alpha-Quartz and Silicon Nanoclusters, J Keinonen et al. Auger Processes in Silicon Nanocrystals Assemblies, D Kovalev & M Fujii Biological Applications of Silicon Nanostructures, S M Weiss


Abstract. The rapid mapping of flood inundation is essential for timely assessment of damage and post-disaster recovery. Remote sensing technology provides clear spatial information for mapping flood inundation, but its real-time (RT) images are often not available due to the severe weather conditions during the disaster events; the combination of RT data can better compensate for the deficiency. In this study, a near RT (NRT) flood inundation probability mapping method based on post-event NRT remote sensing data combined with RT volunteer geographic information (VGI) was proposed for mapping the 2019 flood in Linhai City, Zhejiang Province. First, a probabilistic index distribution (PID) layer was constructed from high-resolution digital elevation model data using an inverse distance-weighted height filter based on each VGI point. Then, a quality evaluation method for non-reference data was introduced to evaluate the validity of the VGI data. The final flood probability map was generated by PID weighting. The results show that, by fusing NRT images and RT data, the proposed model for mapping flood inundation probability is more robust and enhances the spatial characteristics of the flood inundation probability index, allowing it to enable emergency responders to quickly identify areas requiring urgent attention.


Chlorocyclopropane has been produced by addition of CH2(1A1) and CH2(3B1) to chloroethene. CH2 was generated by the photolysis of ketene at 313 and 366 nm. Chlorocyclopropane was formed in a chemically activated state, had an energy content between 378 and 427 kJ/mol, and reacted in three parallel channels to 3-chloropropene, cis- and trans-1-chloropropene. As secondary reactions elimination of HCl from the chemically activated primary products occurred to form allene and propyne. The apparent rate constants for the isomerization and elimination reactions are reported. The results of RRKM calculations including distribution functions for the activated chlorocyclopropane and a stepladder model for the deactivation support the proposed reaction scheme.


Understanding local phenomena connected with airflow around road vehicles allows to reduce the negative impact of transportation on the environment. This paper presents using numerical tools for Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Computational AeroAcoustic (CAA) calculation. As a model for simulation, simplified car geometry is used, which is known in the research community as an Ahmed body. The study is divided into two main parts: a validation process and a CAA analysis using the Ffowcs Williams–Hawkings (FW-H) analogy. Research is performed using k−ω Shear Stress Transport (SST) and the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) turbulence model. To compare results with other authors' studies, three different comparison criteria are introduced: a drag coefficient for different velocities, characteristic flow structure, and velocity profiles. The CAA analysis is presented using colormaps and Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT). The methods used in this work allow visualizing the acoustic field around reference geometry and determining the frequency range for which the A-weighted sound pressure level is the highest.


ABSTRACT Optimization of flour yield and quality is important in the milling industry. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of kernel size and mill type on flour yield and end-use quality. A hard red spring wheat composite sample was segregated, based on kernel size, into large, medium, and small kernels, as well as unsorted kernels. The four fractions were milled in three roller mills: Brabender Quadrumat Jr., Quadrumat Sr., and Buhler MLU-202 laboratory mills. Large kernels had consistently higher flour yield than small kernels across mills, with the Quadrumat Jr. mill showing the lowest flour yield. Mill type and kernel size significantly affected variation in flour protein molecular weight distribution. When compared with larger kernels, flour milled from the small-kernel fraction contained a higher gliadin fraction and SDS-unextractable high-molecular-weight polymeric proteins, which had positive correlations with bread loaf volume (r = 0.61, P < 0.05) and mixograph peak time (r = ...


The present article analyzes the crucial impact that artisan forms of organizing work had in the production of early cotton factories. By examining the case of the Sirés factory in Barcelona, this article argues that dividing work by gender and age and working with relatives, all traditional practices in an artisan shop, allowed eighteenth-century factory owners to face the challenges that production posed. The example of the Sirés factory also offers a picture of early industrialization that challenges the long-standing argument that artisan and factory forms of production were antagonistic. Factory owners organized their production and work in ways that replicated the way artisans had long produced and worked in their shops. Moreover, in shops and factories alike, production depended not just on the work of individuals, but also on that of their relatives. Parents and children, husbands and wives – all brought the flexibility of traditional artisan forms of organizing work to the new factories.


During the first few years of life, the bones of the skull are quite malleable and with persistent shaping by adult caretakers will eventually retain a form created through manipulation. The permanently modified head that results is not only an aesthetic feature; it also conveys social information. Cranial vault modification must be performed during infancy. As a result, it is not associated with rites of passage and contrasts in this respect with other forms of body modification that mark important social transitions (Brain 1979:91). Instead, early in life, cranial vault modification becomes a fundamental part of a person's identity. It serves as a powerful, constant, and visually salient symbol of social identity. In some important respects our bodies are a creation of the society within which we exist. It is this interaction between society and the body that is critical in understanding the social context of body modifications. Cranial vault modification has long been viewed by anthropologists as a cultural feature, "one that marks territory or social boundaries, reaffirms ethnicity, and maintains and strengthens exchange networks" (Gerszten 1993:87). It can serve as a permanent symbol of within-group solidarity and of cultural differences between groups. Since patterns of body modifications are cultural artifacts, they can change in response to external influences. This suggests a possible bioarchaeological approach to a controversy regarding the cultural influence of the Bolivian altiplano state of Tiwanaku (a.d. 400–1000) on people living in the Atacama Desert of


Cutting propagation is an asexual plant propagation technology,in which callus can propagate adventious root or bud,so it is significant for cuttage seedling to study on callus computer simulation. According to the callus morphological characteristics,a computer simulation model is proposed by using particle system method,and its visualization is developed by using Mesh.


The solid-effect rate equations for the dynamic nuclear polarization of spin-1/2 (tritium or hydrogen) or spin-1 (deuterium) nuclei are derived in the limiting case of the electronspin-resonance line width being much smaller than the nuclear-magnetic-resonance frequency. The exact analytical solutions of the rate equations for spin-1/2 nuclei are given, while the rate equations for spin-1 nuclei, which are nonlinear, are solved in decoupling approximation. The nuclear polarization and the electronic polarization as well as the times to polarization are calculated in low temperature limit. It is found that there is an optimal radio frequency pumping rate for the nuclear polarizations, which is not considered until now.


The Cerebral Stroke Center at Wakakusa Daiichi Hospital in Japan used computed tomography perfusion (CTP) for selecting candidates for catheter thrombolysis therapy from June 2002 to June 2005, until the treatment guidelines, which were for thrombolysis therapy by intravenous administration of recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (alteplase) for hyper-acute cerebral stroke patients, were established by the Japan Stroke Society. No previous study in Japan had investigated the correlation between the pre-treatment CTP maps and the outcome after intra-arterial catheter thrombolysis therapy with hyper-acute stroke patients.


This study looked at the influence of self-efficacy on e-library usage by 704 university students from four different schools in a Malaysian public university -, School of Humanities, School of Mass Communication, School of Chemistry and School of Biology. The results of the study suggest that self-efficacy has a significant direct impact on perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use when predicting elibrary usage. Results also suggest that self-efficacy, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have direct significant impact on e-library usage. The results further indicate that perceived ease of use fully mediates self-efficacy when explaining e-library usage and perceived usefulness fully mediates perceived ease of use when predicting e-library usage.


Progress is reported on the effects of thermal effluents on the development of gametes in the bluegill, Lepomis macrochirus; on uptake of the trace metal contaminants, Cd, Cr, and Pb by fishes; on food habits of the bluegill and the largemouth bass, Microptems salmoides; on the distribution of fishes in cooling reservoirs; and on the behavior of the largemouth bass. (HLW)


Concept lattices are an elegant and effective tool for knowledge representation. In the last decades, there have been many advances in FCA theory building, offering a deep understanding of the theoretical foundations. There are many very efficient algorithms to compute concept lattices and FCA has been extended and generalized (pattern structures, triadic, n-adic FCA, etc.). Many projects have been conducted and there is an impressive list of FCA related software. Due to technological advances, we have now new and interesting possibilities for representing concept lattices. This paper's aim is to discuss how virtual reality (VR) can improve user's experience in navigating concept lattices. Using VR rooms, we can have a totally new 3D experience of a concept lattice, we can freely move through that structure, exploring it from literally many points of view, and can communicate in a multi-player setting with other users, fulfilling R. Wille's dream of conceptual landscapes of knowledge.


This article compares Canadian and US recruitment of highly skilled workers, defined by educational, skill, and occupational criteria. Analysis shows that Canada disproportionally recruits skilled workers as legal permanent residents whereas family reunification dominates in the US. But such contrast ignores the large temporary skilled worker flows to the US and the on-going reliance on them, or the growing use of temporary labour in Canada, including skilled workers. Data is presented on the admission of skilled migrants; recent and future policy developments are discussed. Comprehensive immigration reform is back on the US agenda with potential to increase the migration of skilled immigrants, to utilize a point system for some, and to continue the role of employers in the H1B visa programme. Canada has recently moved to a model of high skill labour recruitment that is characterized by decentralized selection mechanisms, and is demand driven and employer instigated.

Policy Implications

In studies of high skill international worker flows, it is insufficient to focus only on permanent resident policies; temporary worker programmes also offer entry to high skilled workers.
Although skill can be defined by high education and professional or science based occupation, some countries seek skilled workers in the trades. New Canadian policy includes a Skilled Trades class.
In the United States, the congressional system often produces incremental change on aspects of skilled worker policy. In Canada, the consolidation of power in the parliamentary executive is allowing substantial change in how skilled international workers will be recruited.


The paper analyzes theory and practice of assessment in writing course of sport major.Behavior performance assessment focuses on the process of study and is more descriptive,fair and scientific.It can improve students' motivation and create an environment for all-round development of individual student.


Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) represent an effective energy storage technology with potentially lower material costs than lithium ion batteries. Here, we show that the electrochemical performance of SIBs, especially rate capability, is intimately connected to the electrode design at the nanoscale by taking anatase TiO2 as an example. Highly ordered three-dimensional (3D) Ni-TiO2 core–shell nanoarrays were fabricated using nanoimprited AAO templating technique and directly used as anode. The nanoarrays delivered a reversible capacity of ∼200 mAh g–1 after 100 cycles at the current density of 50 mAh g–1 and were able to retain a capacity of ∼95 mAh g–1 at the current density as high as 5 A g–1 and fully recover low rate capacity. High ion accessibility, fast electron transport, and excellent electrode integrity were shown as great merits to obtain the presented electrochemical performance. Our work demonstrates the possibility of highly ordered 3D heterostructured nanoarrays as a promising electrode design fo...


In this paper, we proved that if F is a non-normable and separable Fréchet space without a continuous norm, then there exists an operator T ∈L (F) such that λ T is hypercyclic for any λ ∈ C ∖{0} of modulus 1 and has similar set of hypercyclic vectors as T. An illustrative example to the main theorem is also provided.


The aim of this article is to demonstrate how librarians can provide a supportive environment in which youth participants can engage in creative writing. Additionally we hope that our youth participants can form collaborative partnerships with adult writers, as well as with fellow youth writers from different communities within their city. Our original aim was a proposal on how this could be achieved within the Halifax Regional Municipality, but this proposal could be applied to any Canadian municipality and their corresponding library system.


Packet-pair is a feedback-based adaptive rate control scheme for highspeed wide-area data networks that use round-robin queueing at switches. Under packet-pair, each source continually estimates the effective speed of its bottleneck link by transmitting its data as pairs of back-to-back packets and measuring the separation of the returning pairs of acknowledgments. The source periodically adjusts its sending rate in an effort to avoid both overflow and underflow of its logical buffer at the bottleneck switch. The packet-pair scheme includes a timeout and retransmission strategy optimized to deal with losses. This paper reports a simulation study of the good throughput achieved when a link is shared by a number of on-off sources, and the nominal offered load may be several times the actual capacity of the link. Some of the sources follow the packet-pair protocol while others do not. The simulations show no evidence of retransmission instability for packet-pair sources, at least up to nominal offered loads of 500%. Asymptotic goodputs in excess of 80% of the link capacity can be achieved with an aggregate switch buffer equal to one-half of a full-speed round-trip window. A switch buffer management strategy of dropping the entire longest queue when space is required gives packet-pair sources a substantial advantage over non-packet-pair sources in the presence of overload. Users therefore have considerable motivation to employ the packet-pair discipline, since they damage only themselves if they do not.


Elbow disorders are a common occurrence; however, our understandings of complex elbow dislocation and the functional anatomy of the elbow joint are still very limited. The efficacy of treatment strategies of this injury is largely unknown. The purpose of this study is to create an active elbow simulator using a new paradigm, In vitro joint simulation driven by in vivo motion, to study how elbow injuries affect joint kinematics. The elbow simulator uses an open source program to calculate muscle-tendon lengths based on elbow joint angles. It then uses five actuators to pull cables attached at five muscle attachment points to create a realistic motion of a cadaver arm. By cutting certain tendons, injury can be simulated and kinematics can be compared to the intact arm. Thus, the effects of injuries and their treatments on elbow kinematics can be better understood.


Let k be an algebraically closed field of characteristic p>O, and C a connected complete non-singular curve over k. Denote by 1t'1(C) the Grothendieck fundamental group of C. (cf. [3] expo V. The group 1t'1(C) is isomorphic to Gal (Kurl K), where K is the function field of C and Kux means the maximal unramified extension field of K.) Concerning this group 1t'1(C), we shall generalize the result of Katsurada [7l(Theorem I in Section 2) and then prove another related theorem (Theorem 2 in Section 4). To begin with, a short account will be given on the known facts about the structure of the group 1t'1(C). For a non-negative integer g, putrg=<au .. ·,ag, bl, .. . ,bg\alblal1bl1 ... agbgailb"/=l), the group generated by 2g elements a1> ••• , ag , b l , ••• , bg ",ith one defining relation alblal1bl1 . . . agbgailbil= 1. (rg={l} if g=O.) The group r g is nothing but the topological fundamental group of a Riemann surface of genus g. Further, let t g be the pro-finite completion of r g' i.e. t g=lim (r glr) +-where r ranges over all normal subgroups of r g with finite indices. Then, we can state a fundamental result of Grothendieck about 1t'1(C) ([3] expo X): If the genus of C equals g, then there exists a surjective continuous homomorphism cp: t g~1t' I( C) with the following property: (*) Ker cp is contained in every open normal subgroup N of t g such that [t g: N] is prime to p.


Background: Endothelial-derived apoptotic microparticles (EMPs) play a pivotal role in endothelial dysfunction in hronic Heart Failure (CHF). Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate the association between EMPs and pro-inflammatory biomarkers, clinical status, and outcomes in the patients with ischemic CHF. Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 154 patients with ischemic symptomatic moderate-to-severe CHF on discharge from hospital. The observation period was up to 3 years. Circulating NT-pro-BNP, TNF-alpha, sFas, and sFas ligand were determined at baseline. Flow cytometry analysis was used for quantifying the number of EMPs. All-cause mortality, CHF-related death, and CHD-re-hospitalization rate were examined. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Receive Operation Characteristic Curve (ROC), and logistic regression analysis. Besides, P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: During a median follow-up of 2.18 years, 21 participants died and 106 subjects were hospitalized repetitively. The results showed a significant difference between the patients with a large number of EMPs (> 0.514 n/mL) and those with a low level of the biomarker (< 0.514 n/mL) regarding their survival. The number of circulating EPMs independently predicted all-cause mortality (OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.20 – 1.88; P = 0.001), CHF-related death (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.12 – 1.36; P < 0.001), and CHF-related re-hospitalization (OR = 1.20; 95% CI: 1.11 – 1.32; P < 0.001). Conclusions: Among the patients with symptoms of CHF, increased number of circulating EMPs was associated with increased 3-year CHF-related death, all-cause mortality, and risk of recurrent hospitalization due to CHF.


A pair of primers P-in1 were designed according to the sequences of adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (A-FABP) gene mRNA in duck and A-FABP gene in chicken to amplify muscovy A-FABP intron-1,then 5 pairs of primers were designed according to the cloned gene.The SNPs were detected by technique of PCR-SSCP,confirmed by sequencing,then studied the association of polymorphisms of A-FABP gene with the slaughter trait,meat quality trait and content of intramuscular fat and serum triglyceride.The results indicated that the product of primer P-in1 included partial exon-1,exon-2 and complete intron-1 after cloned and sequenced and homologous comparison with muscovy and duck,chicken A-FABP gene,was 94.43% and 75.1%.T-G at 1 074 and A-C at 1 089 nucleotide mutation were found in the products of primer P3,which resulted in 3 genotypes and the results of Chi-Square test showed that the groups was fit with the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P0.05).The least square analysis showed that there was significant difference (P0.05) between AA and AB genotype birds in percentage of breast muscle,pH value and IMF.The results suggested that the polymorphisms of intron 1 of A-FABP gene have a certain effect on performance trait.


This paper relates an experiment that seeks the introduction of simulation as teaching and learning tool to the students of Production Engineering and Business Administration courses, and for recycle process of executives, to offer to the student the opportunity to verify, for its own initiative, the acquired knowledge and its applicability. It is intended, besides presenting the method described above, to define a methodology of analysis of the learning levels reached by the student, starting from the application of that technique, in comparison to the traditional technique.


Structural and superconducting behaviors of Gd(Ba2−x Ndx)Cu3O7+δ with 0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.8 have been studied by X‐ray diffraction and electrical and magnetic measurements. The XRD patterns show the samples with x ≤ 0.5 are isostructure 123 phase, and an orthorhombic–tetragonal phase transition occurs at x = 0.2. The transition temperature decreases linearly with increasing Nd content. This behavior is also observed in the curves of the room‐temperature resistivity versus Nd doping. The metal–insulator and superconductor–insulator transitions occur at x cMIT = 0.3 and x cSIT = 0.35, respectively. The conduction mechanisms of the normal‐state resistivity are the Coulomb gap (CG) for x < x cMIT, two‐dimensional variable‐range hopping (2D‐VRH) at x cMIT ≤ x ≤ x cSIT, and 3D‐VRH for x > x cSIT. The pinning energy derived from the thermally activated flux creep model, and coupling energy derived from the Ambegaokar–Halperin theory decrease with increasing applied magnetic field as a power‐law relation, and decrease as Nd content increases. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


Local Schauder estimates hold in the nonuniformly elliptic setting. Specifically, first derivatives of solutions to nonuniformly elliptic variational problems and elliptic equations are locally H\"older continuous, provided coefficients are locally H\"older continuous.


Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is one of the leading causes of death in women. Women who deliver after 20 weeks of gestation are specially at risk for PPH and its sequelae. This study was undertaken to evaluate the causes and risk factors associated with PPH, various techniques/modalities used to control PPH and to assess the impact of PPH on the maternal morbidity and mortality. This prospective study was carried out over a period of six months from September 2014 to February 2015 in the Dept. of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak. All the women who had PPH after vaginal delivery or caesarean section along with the cases of PPH referred from outside were included. Detailed history was taken. General and local examinations were done to assess the cause of PPH. The patients were followed up in the hospital for all morbidity complications. Incidence of PPH in present study was 2.73%. Maximum number of cases (n=65, 48.14%) were among age group of 20-24 years with parity P1 (n=62, 45.92%), P2 (n=45, 33.33%), P3 (n=19, 14.07%) and P4 (n=7, 5.18%). Anaemia was found to be most common (n=44, 32.5%) risk factor followed by placenta praevia (n=14, 10.3%) and previous LSCS (n=10, 7.40%). Pre-eclampsia was risk factor among 4 cases. Primary PPH is an extremely challenging obstetric emergency associated with significant morbidity and still one of leading causes of maternal mortality. Early recognition and treatment are essential to ensure the best outcome from this life threatening condition. Though hysterectomy is the definitive treatment in women with severe PPH but in patients who desire future fertility, medical management, mechanical methods like uterine compression, uterine packing, uterine tamponade and surgical procedures like uterine artery ligation and uterine compression sutures are effective methods.


The article is devoted to the study of the impact of digital transformations on the economic security of Ukraine. The article examines the essence of the digital economy, defines the features of the functioning of the economy in the context of digitalization. Based on the indicators of the international consulting company McKinsey and the World Bank, the authors analyzed the impact of digitalization on the economy, highlighted the main advantages and disadvantages of functioning in the digital economy, systematized the problems of economic security in the digital economy and highlighted systemic, structural and industry problems, as well as businesses and individuals. The main issues of economic security include the problems of "digital inequality", the lack of their own element base, changes in the labour market, industrial espionage, manipulation of personal data and others. The authors also identified a tool for monitoring the development of a networked digital society – the Network Readiness Index. The practical contribution was the development of a mechanism to smooth the impact of digital transformation on the economic security of Ukraine.


Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a common cancer among Southern Chinese with a male dominance of about 3:1. The age-adjusted incidence for both sexes is less than one per 100, 000 population worldwide. The reported incidence of NPC among men and women in Hong Kong is 20–30 per 100, 000 and 15–20 per 100, 000.(Wei and Sham, 2005) The reported incidence of NPC among men and women in Taiwan is 8.3 per 100 000 and 2.8 per 100 000, respectively.(Bureau of health promotion, Taiwan, 2010) It mainly afflicts people in mid-life. There is now compelling evidences to suggest that Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with the development of NPC and is most likely to be involved in the multi-step and multifactorial carcinogenesis of NPC. In this chapter, the role of EBV in pathogenesis of NPC is reviewed briefly, and principle applications of EBV antibodies and circulating EBV DNA as markers of NPC are outlined. Based on current knowledge of EBV antibody responses by NPC and taking available testing technologies into account, serologic screening strategy to facilitate efficient early detection of NPC is formulated.


Two kinds of electron bombardment CCD (EB-CCD) camera are newly developed, employing an EB-CCD sensor made by Hamamatsu Photonics. The slow scan cooled CCD camera installs the full frame transfer type EB-CCD sensor with 512 X 512 pixel format and standard video rate camera installs the frame transfer type EB-CCD sensor with 658 X 490 pixel format. For slow scan camera, EB-CCD sensor is cooled down to -25 degree C to realize high sensitivity utilizing long exposure time and very low noise performance. And instead of mechanical shutter, high speed electrical gated function is installed in this camera. Standard video rate camera has a function of recursive filter and auto background subtraction as a standard in order to get high quality image. Furthermore, camera can select both inter- laced scan and progressive scan readout mode. These cameras have been compared with the other high sensitive camera like SIT camera, photon counting camera and I-CCD camera which results in proving that these EB-CCD camera are suitable and ideal.


A tunable light source for photo acoustic (P A) sensing applications is presented. Tunability of the light source is based on the tilt angle depending reflectance spectrum of a photonic crystal. The 1D photonic crystals with pronounced peak at a given central wavelength were electrochemically etched in form of rugate filters and served as main optical component for the optical system. Effective medium approximation was used to simulate and adjust the rugate filter properties, both in the visible (VIS) and mid-infrared (MIR) spectral range. Fabrication of rugate filters is described, optical properties and tilt angle dependence of the filters are presented. A tunable light source system was developed using the manufactured rugate filter and a controllable tilt mechanism. The system properties are analyzed and optimized for photoacoustic applications, especially for detection of different gases. The system was successfully used for PA detection of methane.


A selective withdrawal system (SWS) is mainly used for the control of released water quality (e. g. temperature, SS, metals) released from a dam reservoir. Capacities of most Japanese dams are smaller than those of foreign countries. Therefore we can also use SWS to control the water quality in a reservoir by controlling thermal stratification. To demonstrate the efficiency of this process, we applied numerical simulations (using the onedimensional hydrodynamics model called DYRESM, developed by CWR) to various-shaped dam types. The results indicated that the heat budget in a reservoir is mostly affected by the difference of released water temperature corresponding to the SWS operation, and that the effectiveness of the control is dependent on the epilimnion volume and inflow rate.


A new Element-Relation-Operation set mode suits open, complex and versatility of resource and environmental system; mathematical formula semantic is adopted in describing relation set, and semantic mapping is realized by the late binding of computational components. The comparison between mathematical formulas semantic representation mode and model classinstance express mode shows the mathematical formulas representation enhances the user-friendliness of Resource and Environmental Model-base Management System(REMMS) and covers more relation set of models avoiding the repeat construction of model class module; decoupling system for relation set and operation set is implemented by semantic dynamic mapping, which makes operation set is independent from relation set and computational implementation can be shared and recombined with different models.


Note: This analysis is based on population estimates released 3/30/23. Readers should recognize that although the Bureau uses the best data and algorithms available at the time of release to generate the data, they remain estimates. Analysis: K.M. Johnson, Carsey School, University of New Hampshire. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates. The population of New Hampshire grew by 17,700 (1.3 percent) to 1,395,000 between April 2020, when the 2020 Census was conducted, and July 2022, according to new Census Bureau estimates. These population gains were widespread, occurring in each of the state's ten counties. In contrast, only 52 percent of the nation's counties gained population during the period. Such widespread population gains are surprising given that deaths exceeded births in nine of New Hampshire's ten counties, resulting in 4,100 more deaths than births statewide. Only Hillsborough County had slightly more births than deaths (0.1 percent) over the 27-month period (Figure 1). Covid certainly contributed to this loss, but annual deaths already exceeded births in the state before the pandemic. New Hampshire's entire population gain accrued because 21,600 more people moved to the state than left it. Most of these migrants came from within the United States, but the state also received a significant number of immigrants. Each of the state's ten counties gained migrants. The largest migration gain (5.7 percent) was in Carroll County, which has long attracted recreational and amenity migrants, including many from large urban areas. These recent data underscore the continuing importance of migration to the state's future. Such migration gains result both from attracting migrants to the state and retaining the state's existing residents.


4. Capell's Classification 5. The Buang Family 6. The Azera Family 7. The Siasi Family 8. The Hote Family 9. Re-estimation of Cognate Percentages 0. INTRODUCTION. The survey of the Austronesian languages of the Morobe District was carried out as part of a survey of the whole district. The results of the complete survey appeared in "Languages of the Morobe District-New Guinea" by Hooley and McElhanon (1970). When that paper was prepared the complete cognate comparisons were iot to hand, and only a tentative evaluation of the relationships of the Austronesian languages was possible. Now, with the complete counts available and after further research into the interpretation of the results, it is necessary to review and revise the conclusions which were suggested at that time with reference to the Austronesian languages.'


Report presenting testing of a centrifugal compressor from a production-type turbojet engine, which was successfully operated as a centripetal refrigeration turbine over a range of rotor speed, inlet pressure, and pressure ratio for full admission. The performance results indicated that partial admission was found to be the most efficient method of turbine control, but throttling at the turbine inlet was easy to apply. When nozzles are used, they should have erosion-resistant surfaces to minimize erosion effects.


The Engineering Physics Information Centers (EPIC) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have two activities which support NRC Programs, the Radiation Shielding Information Center (RSIC) and the Technical Data Management Center (TDMC). The older of the two, RSIC, was established in 1963 as an Information Analysis Center in the general field of radiation shielding, transport, and protection. It has multiple agency funding to acquire, evaluate, organize, and distribute information (including computing technology and numerical data) relevant to its field. The TDMC was established in 1978 to perform work for NRC in fields not related to RSIC's subject coverage and to perform tasks beyond the normal level of activity for RSIC. The two centers share administrative functions, physical premises, specialists skills, and computing resources. The NRC/ADM/TIDC monitors the cosponsorship of RSIC for coverage of agency-wide interests and plans, directs, and coordinates the work of the TDMC, including the establishment of TDMC as the agency-wide repository for packaged computer-related technical information products. The contract monitor is Myrna L. Steele.


Computer subroutines to calculate human exposure to trapped radiations in low Earth orbit (LEO) on the basis of a simple approximation of the human geometry by spherical shell shields of varying thickness are presented and detailed. The subroutines calculate the dose to critical body organs and the fraction of exposure limit reached as a function of altitude of orbit, degree of inclination, shield thickness, and days in mission. Exposure rates are compared with current exposure limits.


PerkinElmer has announced a new strategic direction to express the Company's commitment and focus on two critical areas of world well-being - Human Health and Environmental Health. The global provider of scientific instruments, consumables and services to the pharmaceutical, biomedical, environmental testing and general industrial markets has a seventy year history of innovation in life sciences, analytical instrumentation and optoelectronics. According to its mission statement, the Company is committed to "proactively fighting against illness, contamination and threats to our wellbeing and conceives and delivers scientific solutions and components to meet our society's ever-changing needs. From earlier insights and more effective therapies to cleaner water and safer buildings the company is taking action to create a better tomorrow." G.I.T. Laboratory Journal Europe asked Robert Friel, PerkinElmer's president and CEO, to share with our readers his thoughts and visions on the new strategy.


We aim to develop roll-to-roll (R2R) large area ultraviolet (UV) embossing process for structuring micro features on flexible plastic films. Critical challenges in R2R UV embossing include but not limited to (i) precise deposition of liquid UV curable resins, and (ii) realizing low temperature and low pressure micro-structuring using UV curing. We have developed a R2R UV embossing system, which consists of an unwinding unit and a rewinding one for handing flexible plastic films, a slot die coating unit, an embossing roller, and a UV lamp for exposure and curing of UV sensitive resins. The system can handle 500 mm web-width flexible films; the coating width of the slot die is 250 mm. By using different flexible moulds, various structures were fabricated via R2R UV embossing.


The low level of exhaust gas emissions from modern vehicles is a major achievement of automotive technology. Since the introduction of exhaust after-treatment catalysts, the emissions have been reduced by well over two orders of magnitude. Low emissions have to be maintained in the presence of hardware faults, degraded catalysts, and varying fuel composition such as ethanol content. Contributions to this achievement come from engine, chemical, and control engineering. The presentation will try to illuminate the role played by control and, in parallel, illustrate selection and application of models in control design. The models considered in this presentation range from very simple to very complex - from frequency domain to PDEs. Operation of the overall emission control system will be described and control designs for several subsystems explained in some detail. The subsystems that are covered in the presentation are the "inner" air-fuel ratio loop which features the Smith Predictor, catalyst modeling for control of the "outer" loop, and adaptive ethanol detection in flex fuel vehicles. Experimental vehicle traces and emission test results will be used to explain the results and illuminate benefits.


This study sought to investigate regional variation in clinical characteristics, therapy utilization, and post‐discharge outcomes among patients hospitalized for heart failure (HHF) enrolled in the multinational ASTRONAUT (Aliskiren Trial on Acute Heart Failure Outcomes) trial.


Background SDC is an important statistic in evaluating radiographic progression in clinical trials in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Two methods to estimate the SDC are available: one is based on the standard deviation (SD) of the difference between change-scores obtained by two readers (according to Bland&Altman (B&A)) and the other is based on generalisability analysis (using ANOVA). ANOVA is required in the case of multiple time points and multiple readers, but is more complicated and time consuming. Objectives To evaluate if the average SDC of all available time intervals using the B&A method is a valid surrogate for the ANOVA method to estimate the SDC of radiological progression in RA studies including multiple time points. Methods Fifteen datasets from radiographic trials in RA comprised of 20,098 radiographic time points from 7,643 patients were scored by 13 readers as pairs. Scoring was performed by each reader independently according to the modified Sharp van der Heijde method (SHS)1 with the reader blinded to chronological sequence. The number of time points per study was 2 in 2 trials, 3 in 10 trials, and 4 in 3 trials. According to the B&A method, the datasets were evaluated to calculate the 95% limits of agreement SDC [(± 1.96*SDΔ (changescore))/($√ $2*$√ $K)], where K represents the number of readers, for all intervals between different time points per study and its average. Using the ANOVA method, calculations of the SDC per study were performed considering all time points. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 18.0. Results Median (range) baseline- and progression score was 32 (18-48) and 0.9 (0.5-1.8) units, respectively. Table 1 shows the results for all SDCs using both methods. The average SDC of all intervals calculated with the B&A method was very similar to SDC obtained by ANOVA. The mean difference between both methods was -0.13 (SD 0.28, range -0.48-0.25) units. Study Bland & Altman method ANOVA method Difference between two methods Baseline–1st Follow up 1st–2nd Follow up 2nd–3rd Follow up Average of all intervals All timepoints 1 2.57 – – – 2.57 – 2 2.99 2.38 – 2.69 2.44 0.25 3 3.19 2.18 – 2.68 2.48 0.20 4 3.07 2.47 3.79 3.11 3.40 -0.29 5 3.53 3.07 – 3.30 3.74 -0.44 6 3.30 3.14 4.08 3.51 3.44 0.07 7 2.78 2.17 – 2.47 2.34 0.13 8 2.82 1.98 3.15 2.65 2.61 0.04 9 4.36 3.76 – 4.06 4.55 -0.48 10 3.56 2.50 – 3.03 3.41 -0.38 11 2.91 1.91 – 2.41 2.56 -0.15 12 2.43 2.30 – 2.37 2.71 -0.35 13 3.13 3.07 – 3.10 3.55 -0.45 14 3.09 – – – 3.09 – 15 4.47 4.17 – 4.32 4.13 0.19 Conclusions We propose to report the mean interval SDC as a good surrogate for the true SDC in trials with multiple time points. References van der Heijde DM. Lancet. 1989 May 13;1(8646):1036-8. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


This article examines the relation between EU sanctions against Belarus and repressions in the country. On the basis of Reed M. Wood's theory of economic sanctions the article aims to answer the question whether EU economic sanctions promote repression in Belarus and whether more severe sanctions contribute to greater state-sponsored repression. In this article repressions are defined as violations of human rights. The article focuses is on three groups of human rights, which are closely related to the political sphere, viz., political, civic, and physical integrity human rights. Qualitative methods are used to examine whether the relation between EU sanctions and repression in Belarus exists and, if yes, what its nature is. The article is concluded by a discussion of the reasons why Wood's theoretical model cannot fully explain the case of Belarus.


Phase transition of the first kind has been studied by combined numerical and analytical methods. The nucleation, growth and ripening processes of atmospheres, clusters and precipitates in electron, neutron and ion irradiated iron based alloys and aged glasses are considered. The Lifshits-Slezov-Wagner (LSW) theory has been applied to investigate analytically the asymptotic long-time behavior of the distribution functions of inhomogeneities on sizes. The cluster dynamics (CD) as the numerical tool has been used to study the nucleation and growth of irradiated and aged stimulated features. Special attention is devoted to harmonization of the results investigations by analytical and numerical approaches.


Abstract Defuzzification is a problem of optimal selection of an element from a fuzzy set. Recently, we were able to show how neighboring elements can influence and contribute to make a better selection. In this paper we propose a method of defuzzification that uses the interactions among neighboring elements and the selective transformation. This defuzzification procedure is modeled on the concepts of evolutionary biology.


I briefly review new analytical formulas for the correlation length and interface tension of two-dimensional q-state Potts models and compare them with numerical results from recent Monte Carlo simulation studies.


Both English and Chinese are well-developed languages. The word of HORSE is widely used in their idioms or idiomatic expressions. A good number of English HORSE idioms can find their e-quivalent or correspondent ones in Chinese due to the similarities of two cultures while a few can not due to the differentiations between two cultures.


1. The bicarbonate concentration in cat pancreatic juice falls and the chloride concentration increases at slow secretory rates. The concentration of sodium and potassium remain constant at all secretory rates.


The relationship and importance of hydrographic surveying to the economic success of a State are not always fully understood. In Europe it is theoretically possible for the economy of a State to progress by co-existence with its immediate neighbours. This is also theoretically possible in other parts of the world but where the region is developing, or in transition, the relative distances between developing States and developed States is a key issue. The European States are able to utilise road, rail and sea transportation over relatively short, well defined and surveyed routes. The developing State is usually some distance from the market places of the world and additional costs of transportation have to be added to the cost of the products.


Using the household level data from the UK Wealth and Asset Survey for years 2006-2014, we explore a household's decision to use one particular method of withdrawing home equity from a range of options available to them. These options include financial products such as remortgage contracts and equity release schemes (reverse mortgage and home reversion schemes) and informal mediums carried out by individual households themselves, for example downsizing of homeownership. The results show that homeowners prefer using formal channels of equity withdrawal. This tendency persists when controlling for household characteristics such as age profile, marital status and demographics and levels of housing wealth, income, savings and unsecured and secured debts. Our findings support the argument that while the decision to withdraw home equity conforms to consumption smoothing motives, the choice of an equity withdrawal medium goes beyond those motives and depends on the circumstances facing individual households.


: In this work, it is proposed a POCT and innovative method of immunoassay for the detection of C-reactive protein and IgG, using Amperometry coupled to solid state kit, connected to a micro-flow system with comparable sensitivity to a high sensitivity CRP ELISA (hsCRP) and IgG ELISA, with 1-3 min turnaround time to result. Samples of CRP (0 to 250 ng·mL -1 ) and IgG or diluted spiked human serum are injected through a solid state polymeric kit, micro-flow sensor channels of a SWCT SPE nano-modified biosensor. Preparing two kits immuno-assays, in the same micro-column, built on oxirane groups of polymeric bead surface, with biological support to CRP and IgG biomarkers recognition, in a real time scheme, at the end of analyte injection the initial rate of change in current intensity I/A was proportional to CRP respectively IgG concentration, with low detection limit (LOD) of 0.1 ng·mL -1 . It was revealed that CRP/IgG concentrations in serum that might be expected in both normal and pathological conditions can be detected in a real-time-efficient, multi-immunoassay with solid state detection kit technology with determined CRP/IgG concentrations in close agreement with those determined using a commercially available high sensitivity ELISA.


In this study, quantitative and pattern recognition analysis for the quality evaluation of Magnoliae Flos using HPLC/ UV was developed. For quantitative analysis, eleven major bioactive lignan compounds were determined. The separation conditions employed for HPLC/UV were optimized using ODS C 18 column (250 × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) with isocratic elution of acetonitrile and water with 1 % acetic acid as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/min and a detection wavelength of 278 nm. These methods were fully validated with respect to the linearity, accuracy, precision, recovery, and robustness. The HPLC/UV method was applied successfully to the quantification of eleven major compounds in the extract ofMagnoliae Flos. The HPLC analytical method for pattern recognition analysis was validated by repeated analysis of twenty one reference samples corresponding to seven different species of Magnoliae Flos and nine samples purchased from market. The results indicate that the established HPLC/UV method is suitable for the quantitative analysis and quality control of multi-components in Magnoliae Flos.


Heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are widely used for production of textile industry. Textile pollutants are being released to the environment consequently highly polluted and it is necessary that the pollutants are treated before discharge using activated carbon such as kenaf core fiber (KCF) and rubber wood sawdust (RWS). The feasibility of KCF and RWS for preparation of activated carbon by microwave induced activation process using phosphoric acid as the activating agent was explored. The activation step was performed at the microwave input power of 500 W and irradiation time of 6 min. Microwave heating was employed for activation, and thereby considerably reduced the activation time. The yield and weight loss after the heating was studied. The activated carbon was then used as adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) from textile waste water. The adsorption of Cd and Pb using KCF and RWS has been studied using UV spectrometer to estimate metal analysis. The effect of various parameters like amount of activated carbon used and contact time also were studied. The use of KCF and RWS as a low cost activated carbon produce by microwave method at short period was investigated. From the result obtained, the percentage weight loss was increase for KCF and RWS and for percentage yield after microwave heating was decrease for both samples. The percentage removal for Cd and Pb was increased for both effect of contact time and amount of activated carbon used.


Work of awarding of title accomplishes an analysis for public ornamental illumination for the ecological southern path and north of Loja's city itself in the present, the fact that you have an extension brought near of 14,24 km, with the executed study determined him all variables the fact that you integrate a system of illumination, the calculation developed considering the methodology proposed in the ARCONEL's regulation, the INEN 069 and technical documentation related with the theme, taking place to determine levels of illumination and uniformity necessary according to like establishes it the regulations in force of the country.
For this work considered him two designing proposals, which are, conventional (buried net), conformed illumination with technology of illumination of Sodio of Loud pressure and the unconventional illumination (photovoltaic), shaped with technology of illumination LED, considering the technical ground rules of constructions established by the MEER for the design the electric design for the system of illumination.
The design and sizing for the conventional system will have 10 kVA's 18 single-phase transformers, this proposal implicates approximately 7,23 driver's km of isolated copper XLPE #2 AWG for half a tension, 16,4 driver's km of isolated copper type TTU # 6 AWG for public illumination, 15 aerial transitions – subterranean, 393 wells type To, 126 wells type B, 33 wells type C, settings ashore, components of section and protection and 499 ornamental poles with his respective light of sodium, finally the total investment comes from USD $ 1,4 millioN.
The design and sizing for the unconventional system you will tell with 499 panels monocristalicos of 300W, 499 acid lead batteries of 200 Ah, 499 investors of 200W, 499 charging 30 regulators To, 2,5 driver's km #12 AWG and 499 ornamental poles with his respective light LED, finally the total investment of this proposal comes from USD $ 1,2 million.
The utilization of the software DiaLUX® allowed constructing a radiant map of the place of study, in this the exact position out of every light, false colors can be visualized, and his uniformity having like value of uniformity of 0,41 for the proposal of illumination LED and 0,389 for the proposal of illumination of sodium of loud pressure, you developed the technical cost-reducing analysis for the two proposals.


We report a temporal dual-pulse pumped Ti:sapphire amplifier for 10PW laser to effectively suppress the transverse parasitic lasing. With a 150-mm-diameter Ti:sapphire, the amplified energy was 202.8 J, the compressed peak power reached 5.4 PW.


SUMMARY Renal and pulmonary neoplasms developed in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats fed a diet containing 125 ppm dimethylnitrosamine (DMN) for longer than 80 days. The tumors found in the kidneys can be classified into two types: (a) benign solid and cystic adenomas occurring in rats fed DMN for less than 160 days; (o) anaplastic (possibly malignant) epithelial tumors in animals treated longer than 160days. Charac teristic nuclear alterations were observed in the cells of the proximal convoluted tubules and are interpreted as the earliest morphological manifestation in the kidney of DMN intoxication. Stimulated by the observation of the occur rence of two cases of cirrhosis of the liver among workers handling dimethylnitrosamine (DMN), Barnes and Magee (1) studied this compound in experimental animals, particularly in rats. These authors found that, when DMN was fed in a con centration of 50 ppm in a normal diet, primary liver neoplasms, seven of which showed mA©tastases, developed between 26 and 42 weeks in nineteen of twenty animals (11). Recently, the same authors reported the occurrence of renal tumors in a rela tively high incidence after feeding DMN to rats (12). During a study of precancerous changes in the liver, with the use of this compound, among others, multicentric tumors arising in kidneys and in lungs were observed before the findings of Magee and Barnes (12) were known. These obser vations are reported in confirmation of those of the latter authors.


The method is characterized in that for all balls compressed to a desired nominal length, only the yarn length required to encircle a bale of this theoretical nominal length is made available. The press is characterized in that provided between the knotting device (4) and the guide eye (9) of the binding needle (5) a thread storage device (8) which completely frees a length wire necessary in reserve to surround a finished bale of a predetermined nominal length, a wire lock (10) being provided before the eye (9) of the binding needle (5) and the section of thread being directed directly to the eye (9).


Energetic properties of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium based ionic liquids were investigated by suitably selecting the pairing anions containing energetic groups. The key property to determine the specific impulse, the molar heat of formation, was computed. The accuracy of the method was proved with compounds of known heat of formation values. Based on the studies new ionic liquids were predicted with equivalent or better specific impulse than the commonly used hydrazine monopropellant. 3.


The renormalization group method coupled on the percolation theory provides an effective way to calculate fracture connectivity and to describe the scale dependence of rock permeability. An example is taken from the fractured reservoirs of sandstone and dolomite in the Jingbei buried hill pool within central Liaoning province, Northeast China. In the cores of A67 well, total fracture probabilities calculated within the core scale may be larger than 0.5 or the critical probability for 2D fracture network. This indicates the utmost connection of fracture networks in reservoirs, thus corresponding to the abundance of pores in sandstones. On the other hand, these fractured reservoirs are overprinted by numerous faults in the pool. Whether conductive or not, small faults referred to as those under the resolution, will undoubtfully have an impact on the reservoir permeability. Modified renormalization group method is herein used. If small faults are inconductive,calculated permeabilities decrease from 22mD in fractured matrix to several mD within the scale of well spacing; and if conductive, increase with the observation scale.


The Double Triple Bend Achromat (DTBA) lattice~\cite{DTBAipac16} is a novel lattice design for a next generation 3 GeV Synchrotron Light Source. Starting from a modification of the Hybrid Multi Bend Achromat (HMBA) lattice~\cite{ESRF} developed at ESRF and inspired by the Double-Double Bend Achromat (DDBA) lattice~\cite{Diamond1, Diamond2} developed at Diamond, DTBA combines the advantages of both cells. The typical MBA lattice cells have one straight section dedicated to an insertion device, whereas this new cell layout has two such drifts, thus increasing the fraction of available space for the installation of insertion devices. The DTBA lattice achieves an emittance of $\sim\mathrm{132~pm}$, a dynamic aperture of $\mathrm{\sim\pm10\pm1~mm}$ (calculated at the injection point), an injection efficiency of $\mathrm{\sim\mathrm88\pm5\%}$ and a lifetime of $\mathrm{1.4\pm0.2~h}$ with errors. The characteristics of DTBA, the methodology and results of the linear and non-linear optics optimisations, with and without the presence of errors, are presented in detail.


Dr. McFayden, who is professor of History in Washington University, has written a "popular" book in the best sense of that term.' He describes the history of the Apostles' Creed, outlines and explains the genesis of the ideas underlying it (e. g., the scientific and religious presuppositions of primitive Christianity, derived from Judaism), and points out clearly the movements of thought and beliefs that drew forth the various formulas embodied in the Creed (e. g., Gnosticism). The author's views are based upon sound and thorough historical research, and he is familiar with the modern literature of the subject. Where he disagrees with other historians he has reasons of his own for doing so. On some matters of detail one questions certain of his statements: e. g., the translation of Pneuma in John 3:8; the complete absence of apocalyptic from Hellenistic Jewish literature; the essential worldliness of the Sadducees (p. 83); the interpretation of Jesus' messianic consciousness (p. 96); but the general tenor of the exposition and the clear presentation of


Purpose – This paper aims to explore the effective ways to utilize current awareness services (CAS) for library and information science (LIS) professionals. It seeks to identify core journals for systems librarianship based on Bradford analysis.Design/methodology/approach – The study explored the methods for CAS based on literature review, followed by Bradford analysis of systems librarianship literature, which was conducted by the quantitative analysis approach.Findings – A core journal list for systems librarianship was built based on Bradford analysis. Three effective ways to utilize CAS by table of contents (TOCs) alerts were identified.Originality/value – To keep up to date with the latest literature in the field of interest, LIS professionals should take advantage of CAS. The study found three effective ways to utilize CAS by TOCs alerts and identified core journals for systems librarianship. The research can help LIS professionals efficiently navigate the information tsunami to obtain the reliable ...


Hong Xu 2,3,a , Tingqiang Zhou 4 Chongqing Key Laboratory of Exogenic Mineralization and Mine Environment, Chongqing Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Chongqing 400042, China; 2 Chongqing Research Center of State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, Chongqing, 400042, China; Key Laboratory of New Technology for Construction of Cities in Mountain Area, Chongqing University, 400045,Chongqing,China; Chongqing three gorges university, wanzhou, 404000,China; a Email: firstname.lastname@example.com


Geoinformation technology of slagheaps thermal state analysis is described. It is based on the methods of time series automated processing of multispectral satellite surveys and it allows maps creation of slagheaps with different characteristics of thermal state (burning, not burning). The technology is tested on the Landsat-TM/ETM and Terra-ASTER multi-temporal space survey data for the Donetsk city (Ukraine) and adjacent territories. Analysis of the research results allowed estimating intensity and evidence of combustion processes in space and time, determining areas of slagheaps buffer zones containing city building, green plants, bare soil and water bodies subject to negative impact of combustion products.


The object of spectrum assignment is to build its own ordered spectrum environment and maintain uninterruptedly spectrum resource control. In this article, we build a mathematical model and put forward the hybrid TD (table dispatching method) and the AD (auxiliary decision method) algorithm. The results show that this method is contributed to minimize the allocation time, reduce the technical background demand and improve the decision veracity. Keywords-spectrum assignment; auxiliary decision; optimization allocation


Fast and accurate positioning of corn image is a premise to variable spray. In this paper, a method of locating the centre of strains based on over-segmentation positioning block projection was raised against the growth characteristics and overlapping leaves of hole-sowing plant. Hole-sowing corn was studied as the research objective. Tests showed that the locating error was within 30mm, and the locating time was 16ms, which met the precision and real-time requirements of spray. This method was applicable to location for all stages of seedling crops.


Breast cancer is classified into 3 major molecular subtypes (Luminal, HER2 and Basal), which differ in prognosis and therapeutic options. Numerous reports find that zinc (Zn) hyperaccumulates in breast tumors; however, the mechanisms responsible for Zn accumulation and the functional consequences of zinc accumulation are not understood. We tested the hypothesis that mechanisms responsible for Zn accumulation are subtype‐specific and that distinct patterns of sub‐cellular Zn distribution reflect the malignant phenotype of the cancer.


Purpose:Purpose of this study is to examine the effect of aprotinin on ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury that occurs in kidneys after occlusion-reperfusion of infrarenal abdominal aorta (IAA) in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar-Albino rats were randomised in equal numbers (n = 8) into three groups. Control group underwent laparotomy and IAA dissection but not occlusion. Aortic IR group underwent 30 min of ischemia by clamping of IAA and 60 min of reperfusion by declamping of IAA. Aortic IR + aprotinin group underwent aortic IR and received 40000 KIU/kg intravenous bolus of aprotinin 5 min before declamping. Tissue levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutation peroxidase were measured in rat kidney specimens. Histological examination of the kidney tissue specimens was also done. Results: Biochemical analysis showed that, aortic IR significantly increased (p<0.05 vs control) while aprotinin significantly decreased (p<0.05 vs aortic IR) the levels of MDA and SOD. There was no statisticaly significant difference between the levels of catalase and glutation peroxidase in the groups (p>0.05). Histological examination showed that aortic IR significantly increased (p<0.05 vs control) while aprotinin significantly decreased (p<0.05 vs aortic IR) the parameters of focal necrosis in glomerulus, dilatation of Bowman's capsule, necrosis in tubular epithelium, tubular dilatation and congestion of blood vessels. Aortic IR also significantly increased (p<0.05 vs control) while aprotinin decreased (p>0.05 vs aortic IR) the parameters of degeneration of tubular epithelium and interstitial inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: Once daily low-molecular-weight heparin is as safe and effective as twice daily regimen for the treatment of DVT. This well tolerated, cost saving and easier regimen may be the first choice for the treatment. (Turkish J Vasc Surg 2006;15(3):15-19).


Omi tunnel on Hokuriku-shinkansen is located on westside area of the Itoigawa-Shizuoka tectonic line, which is one of the major geological tectonic lines in Japan, with complicated geological formation structure and distribution. The upper part of the Omi tunnel west portal is covered with overhanging cliff about 20 metershigh, and the slope above the cliff is spotted with many loose rocks and boulders.The lower portal is distributed with talus cone sedimentation and fallen rocks from the cliff. We present the processes from our overall study, planning, selection and execution of adopted for the prevention measures of large-scale falling rocks, in consideration of topography, geology and safety during and after the construction.


A bioflocculant-producing bacterium, Bacillus megaterium SP1, was isolated from biofloc in pond water and identified by using both 16S rDNA sequencing analysis and a Biolog GEN III MicroStation System. The optimal carbon and nitrogen sources for Bacillus megaterium SP1 were 20 g L−1 of glucose and 0.5 g L−1 of beef extract at 30°C and pH 7. The bioflocculant produced by strain SP1 under optimal culture conditions was applied into aquaculture wastewater treatment. The removal rates of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total ammonia nitrogen (TAN), and suspended solids (SS) in aquaculture wastewater reached 64, 63.61, and 83.8%, respectively. The volume of biofloc (FV) increased from 4.93 to 25.97 mL L−1. The addition of Bacillus megaterium SP1 in aquaculture wastewater could effectively improve aquaculture water quality, promote the formation of biofloc, and then form an efficient and healthy aquaculture model based on biofloc technology.


At its earliest stages, mammalian embryonic development is apparently simple but vulnerable. The environment during the preimplantation period, which only lasts a couple of days, has been implicated in adult health, extending to such early stages the concept of the developmental origin of health and disease (DOHaD).


The core-shell structure precursor powder was synthesized through coat-mix process, and a small amount of Al2O3, SiO2 and Y2O3 composite additives were added. Porous silicon carbide ceramics were produced after molding, carbonization and sintering, and the crystalline phase, weight loss, porosity, bending strength, and thermal expansion coefficient were measured. The effect of aging pH value of coat-mix process on the characterization of porous SiC ceramics had been analyzed. The results indicate that the crosslink degree and curing rate of the phenolic resin is adjusted by changing the aging pH value, and the coating effect in the coat-mix process is improved. Thereby, the flexural strength, thermal expansion coefficient, porosity and pore distribution of the porous SiC ceramics could be adjusted according to the application requirements. When the pH value ranges from 3 to 5 or higher than 7, the phenolic resin shows a lower crosslink degree and char yield, while the ceramics show a higher porosity and a lower thermal expansion coefficient; and the flexural strength decreases as the aging environmental pH value increases.


In this paper we outline a novel global heuristic tool to deal with a combination of the Capacitated P-Median (CPMP) and the Capacitated Minimum Spanning Tree (CMST) problems. This preliminary approach provides an efficient (in terms of power consumption due to emission or signal interferences) traffic-flow design for a setup consisting of a number of spatially distributed nodes transmitting information to a common destination or sink node. Our proposal relies on gathering the information from the whole network through a fixed number of cluster heads or concentrators (CPMP), and then on routing the clustered traffic through these selected cluster-heads taking into account the accumulated capacity constraints (i.e. by seeking a capacitated minimum spanning tree). The proposed heuristic scheme is evaluated over nine synthetic scenarios of increasing complexity, from where it is concluded that by sequentially applying grouping- and dandelion-encoded stochastic optimization techniques, capacity-compliant minimum spanning trees can be generated. These preliminary results pave the way for future research aimed at adapting the proposed heuristics to resource-constrained wireless communication scenarios (e.g. cognitive radio), as well as at evaluating alternative procedures not necessarily based on a sequential treatment of the aforementioned problems.


Editor, W ith interest we read the article by Akebrand et al. (2016) about the ophthalmologic manifestations in a cohort of 44 children with Leigh syndrome. Altogether, 82% had ophthalmologic involvement, including refractory errors (64%), impaired visual acuity (25%), ophthalmoparesis (20%), strabismus (19%), optic atrophy (17%), pigmentary retinopathy (15%) and nystagmus (14%; Akebrand et al. 2016). We have the following comments and concerns. In a recent review, it has been shown that ophthalmologic manifestations in mitochondrial disorders (MIDs) are not only restricted to refractory errors, impaired visual acuity, astigmatism, ophthalmoparesis, strabismus, retinal dystrophy, optic atrophy, pigmentary retinopathy and nystagmus, butmay also include conjunctivitis, corneal endothelial dysfunction, corneal ulcers and keratitis, megalocornea, iris atrophy, pupillary dysfunction, cataract, ciliary body epithelial dysfunction, macular degeneration, retinal hypertrophy, choroidal atrophy and glaucoma (Finsterer et al. 2015). Were any of these latter abnormalities found in the 44 investigated patients? Additional ophthalmologic abnormalities that can be particularly found in Leigh syndrome include non-specific corneal abnormalities, ciliary body epithelial dysfunction and retinal dystrophy (Finsterer et al. 2015). Concerning the family history, it would be interesting to know in how many among the 44 included patients were also other first-degree family members affected by the MID and in particular if they also had ophthalmologic involvement? In how many of the patient's families was there phenotypic heterogeneity of the mutation? How many relatives presented with a phenotype different from Leigh syndrome and how many without ophthalmologic manifestations? Among the 11 patients with a confirmed mtDNA mutation, did the phenotype follow a maternal trait of inheritance? How many patients had single and how many multiple mtDNA deletions? Leigh syndrome is usually a progressive disorder often resulting in early death (Finsterer 2008). Thus, one would also expect that ophthalmologic manifestation deteriorates during the disease course and follow-up. How do the authors explain that there was only little progression of ophthalmologic abnormalities among the 17 patients who underwent a follow-up after 5.4 years on the average? Particularly, secondary ophthalmologic abnormalities due to central nervous system involvement, such as nystagmus or strabismus or due to affection of the extra-ocular muscles, such as ophthalmoparesis and ptosis, should deteriorate. How to explain that nystagmus and ptosis did not progress while strabismus and ophthalmoparesis markedly progressed? Concerning the applied methods of investigations, it appears that at least some patients also had visually evoked potentials (VEPs) ( Akebrand et al. 2016). How many in fact underwent VEP testing and which were the results? How many showed an axonal and how many a demyelinating lesion? In how many was the delayed answer attributable to the cerebral lesions? Was optical coherence tomography (OCT) also applied to assess the macular vascular density, choroidal abnormalities or vitreoretinal interface disorders? Did some patients undergo fluorescein angiography and did it show dye leakage or tortuosity of smalland medium-sized retinal arterioles, such as in Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) (Hsieh et al. 2011; Hsu et al. 2014)? Leigh syndrome is usually a multisystem disorder, not only affecting the cerebrum and the eyes (Finsterer 2008). Manifestations other than cerebral and ophthalmologic include generalized myopathy, polyneuropathy, cranial nerve lesions, dysmorphic features, deafness or hypoacusis, cardiomyopathy, pancreatitis, diarrhoea, villous atrophy, renal dysfunction, hypertrichosis and hyperhidrosis (Finsterer 2008). Were any of these also found in any of the 44 included patients? Overall, this interesting study could be further improved by providing more details about the phenotype, more follow-up data, more data about the relatives, could include more sophisticated ophthalmologic investigations and could profit from more extensive biochemical and genetic work-up. It would be also helpful to learn something about the results of the blood and CSF tests of the included patients, in particular about creatine kinase, serum lactate, CSF lactate, amino acid and urine organic acid levels.