Five protein fractions (albumins, globulins, prolamines, glutelins-1, and glutelins-2) from defatted coconut flour were fractionated and then characterized by SDS−PAGE, gel filtration, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and amino acid analysis. The albumins and globulins were the predominant protein fractions. Native coconut proteins consisted of four major polypeptides with molecular weights ranging from about 22 to greater than 100 kDa. However, in a reduced state, there were about seven major bands with molecular weights of between 14 and 52 kDa. SDS−PAGE of protein fractions indicates that the total protein, globulins, and glutelins-1 are composed of polypeptides linked via one or more disulfide bonds. DSC analysis showed that albumins had an endothermic peak of 94 °C, while globulins had peaks at 92, 98, and 112 °C. Amino acid analysis demonstrated that the coconut proteins had a relatively high level of glutamic acid, arginine, and aspartic acid. Keywords: Coconut protein; albumins; globulins;...


A comprehensive method for the determination of urinary thioridazine and its metabolites is reported. It is based on adsorption of total urinary drug to a cation exchange resin, from which the drug content is subsequently eluted with 50% sulfuric acid. Subtle differences in metabolic patterns of individual patients result in sulfuric acid eluates ranging from pink to purple, with corresponding differences in wavelength of maximum absorption. The addition of sodium nitrite to these eluates provides a basis of drug evaluation by producing a uniformly absorbing intense purple color with an absorption maximum at 565 millimicron (read in the Beckman DB spectrophotometer). A calibration curve from 0 to 75 microgram of thioridazine was prepared, and absorbance of the unknown is read against this calibration or a similar one to be prepared for the specific spectrophotometer to be used.


We demonstrate high-power and single-mode lasing of $1.3-\mu \mathrm{m}$ -wavelength InP-based photonic-crystal surface-emitting lasers. An output power of over 250mW at $25^{\mathrm{o}}\mathrm{C}$ and that of over 150mW at $50^{\mathrm{o}}\mathrm{C}$ under continuous-wave conditions are achieved. Single-mode lasing with a high side-mode suppression ratio of over 60dB is obtained.


In Trinidad, guppies (Poecilia reticulata) in high-predation localities show more cohesive shoaling behaviour than those living with less dangerous predators in low-predation sites. We evaluated the relative contributions of population origin (i.e. genetic and/or maternal effects) and social environment on the expression of shoaling by assessing the behaviour of juveniles reared in a range of social conditions. Focal individuals, offspring of guppies from populations from high- or low-predation localities, were reared in a multifactorial experiment; we created four different social conditions by manipulating the source and demography of the conspecific residents with whom focal individuals interacted. We found that high-predation fish displayed a stronger propensity to shoal than low-predation ones. Our results also suggest a role for interactions between the source of the focal individuals, the demography of the group in which they were reared and the origin of the guppies with whom they were reared. Depending on their origin (high- vs. low- predation) and rearing density, our focal fish were more likely to shoal if they were reared with high-predation residents. Learning from high-predation residents, aggressive interactions with low-predation residents and/or phenotype matching could have played a role in driving this effect of social environment. This effect of the phenotype of conspecifics on shoaling development would enhance heritable differences in shoaling propensity such that both could contribute to the well-documented difference in shoaling behaviour of high- and low-predation guppies in natural populations.


Summary form only given. Recently, Yang and Kieffer (2000) proposed a novel lossless grammar-based data compression algorithm, called the YK algorithm, in which a greedy sequential grammar transform is applied to the original data to construct an irreducible context free grammar, which is encoded indirectly by using an arithmetic coder. The basic implementation of the YK encoding algorithm consists of a sequentially iterative application of three fundamental steps: parsing, arithmetic encoding, and updating. This paper proposes five modifications of the basic YK algorithm, motivated by applications of the algorithm to the Internet transmission of Web-data. 1) Fast YK encoder: The parsing operation is a major step of the YK algorithm. A variant of the tree data structure is proposed for fast parsing. This is applicable for real-time compression of IP datagrams. 2) Pre-defined source statistics: known source statistics can be exploited to improve compression efficiency, which is particularly effective for small IP datagrams with a known structure. 3) Pre-defined grammar: starting with a "typical" pre-defined grammar can significantly improve the compression efficiency for applications such as HTML Web-page compression. 4) Memory constrained implementation: during YK compression, as the length of the data sequence increases, the grammar also continues to grow in size, which can potentially exhaust the available memory in the system. This paper proposes a way to check memory requirement by reusing variables in the grammar, once a user-chosen limit on grammar size is reached. 5) Error handling capability: the paper identifies all possible contingencies that can arise when an erroneous bit-stream is fed to the YK decoder, and provides explicit ways to handle these. This is important in applications where compressed IP datagrams are transmitted over unreliable links.


A survey of 63 employees in LINC programs in Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta Indicated that the mandate of LINC to incorporate information on 'Canadian values' remains partly unfulfilled. Although professionally trained ESL instructors may be equipped to incorporate Canadian values into the content of classroom instruction, those who lack specific preparation are likely to rely on published texts. We analyzed 67 textbooks used in LINC programs. In general, most of the materials have little in the way of Canadian content and even less in the way of Canadian values. The survey responses suggested that some teachers dealt with general Canadian values if they cam up in class: others, however, felt that it was inappropriate to deal with such complex topics in LINC programs and that the proficiency level of LINC students was an obstacle. Most teachers felt that survival English was paramount in LINC.


Data on coping mechanism of patients with diabetes mellitus (type I and II) are important yet lacking in developing countries like Nigeria, and particularly in southwest Nigeria. Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the leading Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) has a major impact on both the diagnosed individual and the public health system, hence the present study. The study was aimed at investigating coping mechanism among patients with DM in University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. A cross sectional survey was used for the study. The study population were patients with DM (type1 & type 2) that have been diagnosed for not less than 3 months and are on admission in UCH or on follow up in outpatient clinic. A quantitative study of sample size of 76 patients was used. Male and female medical wards and outpatient clinic that have patients with DM were purposely selected for the study. Respondents who met the inclusion criteria for the study were drawn proportionately from the units using simple random sampling technique. Coping mechanism questionnaire was used for data collection. Data entry was done using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22 while hypotheses testing was done using chi-square and Fisher's exact test at statistically significant level of 0.05. Findings revealed a mean score for age of 58.3 years (±9.62). Coping mechanism of respondents received an average overall mean score of 3.18, above the average mean score of 2.5 indicating coping mechanism to DM among respondents to be highly adequate with respondents reported no perceived barriers to effective coping. This study pointed out the various coping strategies of patients with DM (Type 1 & 2). Specifically, gender, religion and marital status influences coping strategies in patients with DM with no reported barriers to their effective coping with the disease.


The twentieth century has witnessed two forms of international radicalism. One involves a knock from those who are left out in the cold. This is the radical knock of entry the outsiders are clamouring for the right of participation. The other knock is from those who are already within the system. Some of them may be longstanding inmates; others could be newly admitted into the structure but have had a culture shock on seeing the inside. This is the radical knock of exit, the urge to leave the system, the perceived imperative of disengagement. The most important manifestation of the radical knock of entry has been the entire anticolonial movement. This movement, now in its last political stages, has often taken the form of demands for sovereign statehood of the kind already enjoyed by the northern industrialised states. One society after another in Asia and Africa has demanded entry into the nation-state system which the western world inaugurated with the Treaty of Westphalia in 1648. It started as a European system, a structure of diplomacy for European monarchs and princes and the new European juridical entities. As Europe itself expanded overseas and exported its own sons and daughters to the Americas and later to Australia, these in turn became potential participants within an evolving nation-state system. At first the European extensions abroad, especially the American colonies, were attracted more by the possibilities of exit than by the opportunities of entry into the global system. 1776 was, in that sense, a knock of exit as the colonies asserted their independence of Britain and seemed determined to seek fulfilment outside European quarrels. It is arguable that the Monroe Doctrine was also, in part, a knock of exit. The Monroe Doctrine was contained in a message to the American Congress on 2 December 1823. The message was provoked by the threat of a new European intervention in the Spanish American colonies which were, at the time, in revolt. The US perceived the threat of a European recolonisation of Latin America. The Doctrine sought to prevent the reincorporation of Latin America into the new global system that Europe was bidding to create. President Monroe also declared the American unwillingness to participate in European quarrels outside the western hemisphere. At least in appearance, the Monroe Doctrine might therefore be seen as a setback to the global structures that Europe was in the process of forging. The


wherethedifficultyinsearchingforresearchregarding cessation of medications due to the lackof a standardized term for it was highlighted. Whiledeprescribing has been defined as medication cessation, theterm is broader than simply cessation and encompasses theprocess of trial medication withdrawal. Deprescribing mayinclude gaining a complete medication history, identifyingmedications for withdrawal, medication tapering and moni-toring following cessation.


This article examines processes of historical transformation involved in the ingestion, preparation, and other issues involved in the consumption of a fermented beverage (giroba) made from manioc, among the Tupinamba of Olivenca, on the southern coast of Bahia. In connecting ethnographic research with sixteenth and seventeenth-century sources on cauim (manioc beer) among the Tupinamba within a comparative Americanist focus, the article endeavors to show the importance of "eating" fermented brews for a longue-duree perspective on Tupi sociality.


The phonographic scenario has changed the way of measuring the artist's popularity. The measurement of an artist's popularity by selling discs or plays on radios was replaced by the artist's dissemination in digital media. Magazines such as Billboard and Rolling Stone build artists rankings, and we may observe that, despite producing many different results, they are accepted in the phonographic scenario. However, they do not have a totally open methodology. In this context, this work aims to apply a methodology for the construction of rankings of artists considering data coming from digital media and TV in the national phonographic scenario. We concluded that the methodology presents satisfactory results and important insights, consistent with the reality of the Brazilian phonographic scenario.


At the height of the Cold War, films and books that focused on anticommunist themes used depictions of communism as a way to promote a certain understanding of the roles of men and women in the post-war United States. The end of World War Two caused a reconfiguration of American society, providing a context in which cultural productions, such as these anticommunist Cold War narratives, could provide competing interpretations for what this transformation of society meant for men and women's roles in the United States. These films and books collectively construct an ideology that idolized the family as the most important unit of American life. At the same time, they condemned men who focused on work life instead of the family, in particular expressing the view that modern society turns men in conformists and effeminizes them. In the case of women, these narratives praised strong women who were wives, but stigmatized unmarried women who showed independence. This response to the changes in post-war America was one of a range of responses, but an important one. By exploring the relationship between anticommunism and a critique of gender, we better understand the nature of the Cold War, and how it was focused not only on political battles but also cultural ones concerning gender roles.


Formula (1) "Structure 1" or the general formula (2) in the "formula 2" novel 1H- imidazol positively charged and [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amines and related compounds prodrug has been designed and synthesized. The above general formula (1) "Structure 1" or the general formula (2) compound represented by the "formula 2", may be formed 1H- imidazo [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amines and related compounds, with an appropriate acetyl chloride or acetic anhydride prepared by the reaction. Amino prodrugs positively charged molecules not only greatly increased the solubility of the drug in water, but also may be combined with the negatively charged phosphate head biofilm. Such bonding interaction may slightly alter biofilm, to the fat-soluble prodrug give up some space. When the biofilm molecules move, prodrugs reasons bound biofilm causes slight "split." This will insert the drug before biofilm. At pH 7.4, only about 99% of the amino groups are protonated. When the amino group is not protonated, the phosphate binding of the head structure and amino prodrugs biofilm will be separated, so completely into the prodrug biofilm. When these amino prodrug molecules penetrate biological membranes and thus the other side of the protonated, prodrugs will be pulled into the cytoplasm, a semi-liquid concentrated aqueous solution or suspension. Experimental results show that prodrugs and human skin permeation rate than the 1H- imidazo [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amines and related compounds are about 25 times faster. In plasma, more than 90% of these prodrugs can be returned to the parent drug structure within minutes. These prodrugs can be used for any treatment of the human or animal 1H- imidazole and [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amines and related compounds treatable condition. In treatment, these prodrugs can be administered transdermally, thereby avoiding 1H- imidazo [4,5-c] quinolin-4-most side amines and related compounds produced. Blood can 1H- imidazol via a controlled release transdermal delivery system and prodrugs [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amines and concentration related compounds stabilize the optimal therapeutic concentrations, to enhance the efficacy of and reducing 1H- imidazo [4,5-c] quinolin-4-amines and side effects related compounds produced.


The purpose of this study was to analyse achievement of 'Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science' in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study-Repeat (TIMSS-R), which was performed in 1999 with 38 nations participating. Korean 8th grade students' achievement of 'Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science' was compared to that of other countries and other content areas in science. Average percent correct of items in each subcategory - Scientific Method, Experimental Design, Scientific Measurements, Describing and Interpreting Data - was also analysed. Although 'Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science' topics were not included in intended curriculum in Korea, Korean students' average scale score of 'Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science' was significantly higher than international average and, in comparison with other science content areas, achievement of that area was relatively high. The reasons could be that the most students studied topics related to 'Scientific Inquiry and the Nature of Science' through the implemented curriculum and that the Korean teachers recognized the importance of inquiry. According to the results to analyze subcategories, the average percent correct of Korea were higher than 50% except the 'Scientific Measurements' subcategory. However, the international average percent correct were lower than 50%. Especially, the average percent correct of Korea was the highest in 'Describing and Interpreting Data' subcategory despite there were many students who were confused at observation, hypothesis and conclusion.


There is strong demand for ultra-efficient near-infrared (NIR) phosphors with adjustable emission properties for next-generation intelligent NIR light sources. Designing phosphors with large full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) variations is challenging. In this study, novel near-UV LED-excited NIR phosphors, MgAlGa0.7 B0.3 O4 :Cr3+ (MAGBO:Cr3+ ), with three emission centers achieve ultra-narrowband (FWHM = 29 nm) to ultra-broadband (FWHM = 260 nm) emission with increasing Cr3+ concentration. Gaussian fitting and decay time analysis reveal the alteration in the FWHM, which is attributed to the energy transfer occurring between the three emission centers. The distinct thermal quenching behaviors of the three emission centers are revealed through the temperature-dependent decay times. The ultra-broadband NIR phosphor MAGBO:0.05Cr3+ exhibits high thermal stability (85%, 425 K) and exceptional external quantum efficiency of 68.5%. An NIR phosphor-converted LED was fabricated using MAGBO:0.05Cr3+ phosphor, exhibiting a remarkable NIR output power of 136 mW at 600 mA in ultra-broadband NIR pc-LEDs. This study describes the preparation of highly efficient phosphors and provides a further understanding of the tunable FWHM, which is vital for high-performance NIR phosphors with versatile applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


In order to achieve checking the state of the foster Succulent plants at any time and implement the accurate positioning of the mobile camera, this paper designs a mobile monitoring system with a camera. The mechanical part of the movable monitoring system consists of a linear guide rail, a mobile slide equipped with a camera, and a servo motor drive system. Siemens 1200 series PLC is used as the controller of the system, and Panasonic MHMJ022G1U servo motor and Panasonic A5 series MADHT1507E02 driver are used as the power supply of the system. Input the sample sending area that the customer needs to view through the HMI simulation client side, and the mobile camera can complete the precise positioning of the foster care area under the control of the control system, and open the camera in the designated area for image acquisition and transmission. Through the application analysis of the mobile monitoring system, this paper verifies the accuracy and stability of the system. This design system can be widely used in the fields of Succulent lants partition sampling, Succulent plants positioning and planting, etc.


The UK relies on food imports; around 40% by weight and 31% by monetary value is imported, mostly directly, or indirectly, from countries within the European Union (EU). Disruption of this supply may occur, depending on what trading agreements are in place at the end of the Brexit transition period. The UK relies more on imports of some food groups than others, and this may have implications for nutrition security. This study investigated where the UK currently gets its energy and nutrients from, the proportions produced domestically, imported from the EU and imported from the rest of the world excluding the EU (World). FAO Food Balance Sheet (FBS) data for the supply of food commodities and trade data FAOSTAT detailed trade matrix data for 2013 (the most recent available), for 96 food commodities were obtained from the FAOSTAT and linked to allow the proportion of each commodity group imported from the EU, and World to be calculated. Food exports were subtracted from domestic supply, World and EU imports in proportion. Supply of energy and nutrients was estimated by matching FBS food groups to food composition data. Population weighted energy and nutrient requirements were calculated from dietary reference values and recommendations, and the UK demographic in 2013. Commodities were adjusted for edible portion and food waste to estimate the supply of nutrients available. Except for protein, where domestic production alone almost met requirements, calcium and vitamin B12, the UK was dependent on EU imports to meet requirements for energy, carbohydrate, fat and nutrients including some where intakes are marginal in some population groups. The proportion of the weighted requirements from domestic production, imports from the EU and imports from the rest of the World were: Protein: 81.6%, 53.0%, 18.4%; Ca: 90.5%, 52.7%, 10.9%; Vit. B12: 259.5%, 172.3%, 55.3%; Energy: 47.6%, 35.3%, 16.7%; CHO: 52.1%, 33.2%, 21.8%; Fat: 49.7%, 42.6%, 13.3%; Mg: 48.3%, 35.7%, 19.4%; Fe: 53.2%, 39.8%, 22.5%; Zn: 57.1%, 37.5%, 13.5% and Vitamin A (Retinol Equivalent): 61.2%, 57.9%, 11.4%. Post Brexit transition period trade agreements could affect the UK food supply in many ways, including changing food prices, demand for exports, and availability of migrant workers. Nutrition security should be considered along with economic and food security to ensure the adequacy of nutrient supply, that the UK has long enjoyed, continues.


AIM: To study the proper mass concentration of azone used as the permeator of ginseng minoxidil preparation. METHODS: Using a device of transdermal diffusion and using the mouse skin in vitro as barrier and 9 mg/L NaCL as accepted medium, we studied the effects of azone with different concentrations on transdermal absorption. RP HPLC method was adopted to measure the amount of transdermal absorption of ginseng minoxidil preparation. RESULTS: The amount of transdermal absorption of ginsenoside Rg 1 within 24 h was (0.26±0.02), (3.47± 0.16), (3.98±0.23), (4.54±0.73), (2.36±0.11) and (1.65±0.08) μg/mL in 0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 mL/L azone groups, respectively. The amount of transdermal absorption of minoxidil within 24 h was (8.87±0.18), (11.21± 0.20), (12.73±0.36), (11.72±0.36), (7.22±1.29) and (4.65±0.26) μg/mL in 0, 10, 30, 50, 70 and 90 mL/L azone groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: 30 mL/L is the optimal concentration for azone used as a transdermal enhancer in percutaneous absorption of ginseng and minoxidil through mice skin in vitro .


The direct impulse to write this essay was the recent twentieth anniversary of the first edition of Carol Adams's famous book-manifesto The Sexual Politics of Meat. One of the most important themes in Adams's work is the commonality of fate of women and animals in patriarchal culture. I use this idea to point to the ambivalence of women's anthropological condition in an androcentric world, or rather the world in which "anthropocentric" in practice means "androcentric", since the model or the standard of humanity is masculinity. A woman only partially fits this model, thus her anthropological state of suspension between culture and nature, humans and animals. Adams draws from this a radical postulate of necessary connection between being a feminist and a vegetarian. There are two main contexts for this idea. Firstly, the broader context of the complex relations between humans and other animals is marked with ambivalence, hypocrisy, simultaneous cruelty and sentimentality. I point to the areas that in my opinion need urgent rethinking from this perspective. Secondly, there is an ecofeminist context: a philosophical theory and activist movement that constitutes the background for Adams's theory. An especially valid element of Adams's theory is her description of the mechanism of transforming women and animals into absent referents. From this point of view I refer to controversial PETA campaigns, which use animalized woman's sexuality in order to promote animal rights. Th is c op y is f r p rs on al u se o nl y d is tri bu tio n pr oh ib ite d. T hi s co py is fo r pe rs on al u se o nl y di st rib ut io n pr oh ib ite d. T hi s co py is fo r pe rs on al u se o nl y di st rib ut io n pr oh ib ite d. T hi s co py is fo r pe rs on al u se o nl y di st rib ut io n pr oh ib ite d. T hi s co py is fo r pe rs on al u se o nl y di st rib ut io n pr oh ib ite d. -


The proponent of "entrepreneurs are made and not born" emphasizes on programmes of developing entrepreneurs through education and training. Universiti Utara Malaysia,
being a management university in Malaysia took the lead in offering the Bachelor in Entrepreneurship (Hons) degree. This paper will discuss on the historical development of
designing the programme, focusing on the philosophy of the programme, the development of the courses, and its implementation.


Student reflection presents opportunities to think through the learning process especially in a non-guided experiential learning course where students themselves need to focus on learning outcomes and course objectives. The purpose of this study is to explore students learning experiences by examining their reflections of university students participating in internships in the animal science industry during the summer semester of 2021 while taking coursework at the university. A total of 12 bi-weekly reflections collected and a qualitative thematic analysis was conducted with strengths, struggles, skill development, and disposition development as major theme categories. The reflections were coded in MAXQDA and network maps were created with Girvan-Newman cluster analyses in the UCINET and NetDraw software. We identified 5 clusters (Q=0.613) from correlations of the reflection codes at P < 0.01 (Fig.1). In the cluster with the highest correlations, students associated internship activities with networking opportunities, gaining new perspectives, observation of experts working in context, and problem-solving, indicating that most students appreciated these aspects of the program. In another cluster, students associated skill development, experiential learning opportunities, and collaborations, with productive failure indicating that they learn from trying and making mistakes. In the third cluster, students' perceptions of career advancement, mental stamina, and work ethic were correlated with reduced confidence in their new work environment. In the fourth cluster, students identify that the activity stimulated curiosity, however, this is linked with necessary repetition, collaboration, and interpersonal skills while they struggle with the application of the concepts in the real world. In the final cluster, students' career experience was correlated with their development of marketing skills, sense of self, responsibility, and time management. Although the internship program enhanced the students' knowledge and skills, a structured instead of open reflection is recommended to gain a better understanding of the overall picture.


This paper presents the contribution of CINDI group to the ImageCLEF 2007 ad-hoc retrieval tasks. We experiment with multi-modal (e.g., image and text) interaction and fusion approaches based on relevance feedback information for image retrieval tasks of photographic and medical image collections. For a text-based image search, keywords from the annotated flles are extracted and indexed by employing the vector space model of information retrieval. For a content-based image search, various global, semi-global, region-speciflc and visual concept-based features are extracted at difierent levels of image abstraction. Based on relevance feedback information, multiple textual and visual query reflnements are performed and user's perceived semantics are propagated from one modality to another with query expansion. The feedback information also dynamically adjusts intra and inter-modality weights in linear combination of similarity matching functions. Finally, the top ranked images are obtained by performing both sequential and simultaneous retrieval approaches. The analysis of results of difierent runs are reported in this paper.


SUMMARY Single-leaf net photosynthesis versus light response curves of four Hevea brasiliensis clonal seedlings showed that it was possible to divide photosynthetic rates into high and low classes.


Development of charging system for advanced vehicle becomes so much important nowadays. Every manufacturer is competing against each other to get the best design of the charging machine. In the development, the optimum design of the rotor and the control were considered. Most alternators for the charging system nowadays already upgraded into Integrated Alternator Starter, which combining the starter motor and alternator. This configuration has the best yield and after further researches, the technology has been implemented to manufacture better engines such as the hybrid engine. The
technology is actually to improve the electric ability of most vehicles. Since the charging system was improved, the battery capacity was also expanded to store more power. Furthermore, hybrid vehicle can be more reliable same as
the conventional vehicle which uses fuel as their main vitality.


In this paper we describe the cylindrical near-field setup developed for the calibration and testing of large size conformai antenna. The antenna under test considered in this work is a not-rotating array used for SSR (Secondary Surveillance Radar) made by elementary radiators disposed along the 360° in the azimuthal plane producing fan-fixed beam along elevation plane. The electronic scanning is achieved by activating a proper subset of elementary radiators along the ground plane generating antenna patterns related to their individual phase centers generally not coincident with the near-field scanning coordinate system. The mechanical position errors of the antenna under test are increased due to the large dimensions and the payload. The alignment procedure presented here, allows a near-field cylindrical scanning close to the antenna phase center reducing the distortions that can affect the measurements. The improvement is seen in terms of accuracy of the transformed far-field antenna pattern.


|In the 1970s, roaming interconnections for cellular networks were designed for a few trusted parties. Hence, security was not a major concern. Today, the SS7 (Signaling System no. 7) solution that is several decades old is still used for many roaming interconnections. SS7 has been proven vulnerable to serious threats due to deregulation, expansion, and convergence with IP-based Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. The limitations of the SS7 network that it is unable to check the subscriber's authentic location, verify their identity and (cid:12)lter illegitimate messages, makes the system vulnerable to attacks. Adversaries taking advantage of these shortcomings can in(cid:13)ict threats such as interception of calls and text messages, subscriber tracking and denial of service attacks. Although LTE and Diameter signaling protocols promise enhanced security keeping up with the latest attack vectors, their inherent (cid:13)aws related to roaming interconnections are still there and continue to make the networks vulnerable. Hence, a highly secure signaling network is required to protect the operators and the subscribers from a diverse range of security attacks. SS7 network protocol layers, such as signaling connection control part (SCCP), transaction capabilities application part (TCAP), and global system for mobile Communications { mobile application part (GSM MAP), manage connectivity between networks and subscribers. An analysis of the parameters of these layers may provide a clear insight into any anomalies present. Unfortunately, these parameters are not validated and veri(cid:12)ed at the network's edge. The major contribution of this research is a methodology for detecting anomalies by checking malformed parameters and intra-layer parameter discrepancies at the abovementioned protocol layers. This paper provides an insight into the severity of SS7 network security vulnerabilities. Furthermore, it provides a proof of concept for the analysis of SS7 network tra(cid:14)c using the Wireshark packet capture tool and the Snort intrusion detection system (IDS) capable of detecting malicious tra(cid:14)c patterns.


We report results of measurements on the superconductor/insulator system consisting of alternating layers of amorphous Ta and amorphous Ge. This system is relatively complex owing to a very thin mixed interface layer in which the pairing interaction is stronger than in the Ta itself. Measurements have now been performed using a dilution refrigerator at temperatures down to 50 mK, and using magnetic fields of up to 14 tesla. The phase diagram of the upper critical field versus temperature has been investigated for various layer thicknesses with the field both parallel and perpendicular to the layers. The results are shown to conform with existing theories on layered superconductors. The nonlinear I-V characteristic of these multilayers is also analyzed in zero field for a sample with thin superconducting layers and evidence for a Kosterlitz- Thouless transition is observed.


Abstract : An experimental investigation was conducted on a coaxial jet, similar to those used in cryogenic liquid rockets, under sub-, near-, and supercritical pressures, with the ultimate intent of gaining a better understanding of an aspect of combustion instability that pertains to interactions of an externally-imposed acoustic field with the jet. Past research works on this subject have shown both the relevance and importance of geometrical changes in an injector's exit-area and its nearby physical and fluid mechanical processes. On this basis, special attention is paid in collecting spatially-resolved time averaged temperatures and documenting the aforementioned interactions at the exit of this injector. Short-duration and high-speed framing digital images provided information on the behavior of this jet under a variety of conditions. Mean and rms values of the "dark-core" length fluctuations were measured from the acquired images via a computer-automated method and the ensuing results are discussed. There appears to be a good correlation between this length and the outer-to-inner jet momentum ratio, but the form of this dependence was found to be different at subcritical pressures than the rest of the conditions. The rms values of the dark-core length fluctuations suggested a possible explanation for the observed improvement in instability limit at increasingly higher outer-to-inner jet velocity ratios.


We examine one-dimensional Bose gas interacting with delta-function potential using the large-N collective field theory. We show that in the case of attractive potential the uniform ground state is unstable to small perturbations and the instability is cured by formation of a collective ground state, "bright soliton" configuration in corresponding nonlinear Schrödinger field theory. Research Fellow of Japan Society for the Promotion of Science e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com The large-N collective field theory formulated by Jevicki and Sakita [1][2] has been known as a powerful nonperturbative tool in dealing with manybody collective phenomena. It is remarkable that its applicability extends over wide range of problems such as, plasma oscillations [1][2], matrix models [1]-[3], the quantum Hall effect [4], and anyons [5]. In this paper we demonstrate that the large-N collective field theory is a really powerful machinery in uncovering collective modes at high densities. We shall do this in a particular model of bosons in 1 dimension interacting via a delta-function potential. Despite that our discussion will be restricted to this particular model we believe that the power of the formalism in hunting collective excitations extends over a wide class of models. One-dimensional Bose gas with delta-function potential have been known to be soluble [6] since long time ago. Nonetheless, it provides a nontrivial testing ground in the context of the collective field formalism and we will learn some meaningful lessons. First of all we will verify that the formalism reproduces the results obtained by Lieb and Liniger [6] in high-density limit. We observe, not surprisingly, that the ground state energy in the case of repulsive potential is of the order of h̄ and is in agreement with that of ref.[6]. We also obtain a classical sound velocity consistent with the classical ground state energy. More importantly, we clarify how the instability of the uniform ground state in the case of attractive potential can be stabilized by forming a collective ground state, a "bright soliton" configuration of the corresponding nonlinear Schrödinger field theory. We also give some remarks on the role of "dark soliton" configurations in the case of repulsive potential. The system of N particles interacting with a delta-function potential is described by the Hamiltonian


The solar pond research program conducted by the United States Department of Energy was discontinued after 1983. This document summarizes the results of the program, reviews the state of the art, and identifies the remaining outstanding issues. Solar ponds is a generic term but, in the context of this report, the term solar pond refers specifically to saltgradient solar pond. Several small research solar ponds have been built and successfully tested. Procedures for filling the pond, maintaining the gradient, adjusting the zone boundaries, and extracting heat were developed. Theories and models were developed and verified. The major remaining unknowns or issues involve the physical behavior of large ponds; i.e., wind mixing of the surface, lateral range or reach of horizontally injected fluids, ground thermal losses, and gradient zone boundary erosion caused by pumping fluid for heat extraction. These issues cannot be scaled and must be studied in a large outdoor solar pond.


Two studies were performed to assess low-level waste treatment systems that are available commercially for volume reduction and/or solidification. In the first, a Figure-of-Merit (FOM) decision analysis technique was used to evaluate fourteen low-level radioactive waste processing systems on their ability to treat power reactor wastes. The assessment of the various processing systems was accomplished using a five member task force. The systems were judged on eleven major criteria and twenty subcriteria. The system judged superior to all the others was compaction of dry wastes with liquid wastes and sludges being directly incorporated into concrete. This was also the lowest cost system. The controlled air incinerator was judged the preferred incineration process. The Werner-Pfleider bitumen extruder was the preferred liquid waste treatment system. In the second study, the cost economy of volume reduction measured in land disposal dollars was investigated. The greatest cost savings with volume reduction were realized with a BWR using a deep bed condensate polishing system; the least with a PWR with condensate polishing. For both BWR systems and PWRs without condensate cleanup, over 80% of the savings in land disposal dollars resulted from volume reduction of liquid waste streams (concentrated liquids and filter sludge). For amore » PWR with a condensate polishing system, which had the least cost effective system for volume reduction, about one-third of the savings resulting from incineration of spent resin and compactible trash was offset by the increased expense of casks required for transporting concentrated liquids which have undergone additional volume reduction.« less


In the wake of a sociopolitically volatile era, which is increasingly characterized by the intensive and extensive proliferation of borders, the management of borders and migration are considered a ...


Dear Editor,

This is a short note replying to the president's message in the January 2011 issue of The CVJ (Can Vet J 2011;52:9–12). The discussion we are having in British Columbia is mandatory membership in the CVMA as a condition to practice our profession. Calling it "100% participation" is nothing but political doublespeak, which does nothing to promote your cause in my mind. If "100% participation" of British Columbia veterinarians is so important to maintaining CVMA services, why are you not advocating mandatory membership for veterinarians in all jurisdictions of Canada?


The papers provide psychologists working in the Australian criminal justice system the opportunity to discuss professional roles, future developments and consumer expectations. It also discusses the formulation of guidelines for the development and practice of psychological services in the criminal justice system. Finally, it addresses the formulation of minimum standards for the psychological treatment of adult convicted offenders.


The interacting boson model is examined from a microscopic viewpoint using the generalized seniority scheme. The present discussion focuses on regions of the periodic table in which the many nondegenerate nucleon orbits can be approximated in terms of two nondegenerate orbits, the sum of whose occupancies is chosen to be the same as the total occupancy of the major shell being studied. Predictions for the interacting boson model parameters are obtained by constructing the zeroth-order boson images of the corresponding fermion operators. Calculations are carried out for the tungsten isotopes, and the predicted interacting boson model parameters are found to be in good overall agreement with the empirically determined values for the tungsten isotopes. The calculations reproduce the observed SU(3) or rotational character of the low-lying energy states in the N = 96 to 114 mass region.


Survey and group work was carried out to inform a trial of teenage health promotion consultations in general practice and identify current provision in general practice of health promotion for teenagers, and their needs and preferences. Although 83 per cent of general practitioners. thought primary care an appropriate setting for health promotion, only 17 per cent currently provided services specifically for teenagers. Ninety-five per cent of the teenagers reported that they would like to receive health behaviour advice from their general practice doctor or nurse, Results of teenage group meetings held to discuss how best to develop a consultation service are reported.


ABSTRACT
 Many crabs preferentially consume prey items that are relatively small to optimize energy gain and to minimize the risk of claw damage. The Atlantic mud crab Panopeus herbstii is an abundant predator on benthic epifauna, including oysters (Crassostrea virginica) and barnacles (e.g., Balanus eburneus) in southeastern U.S. saltmarsh ecosystems. Size selectivity by mud crab predators feeding on barnacle prey was examined using laboratory experiments in which individual mud crabs were offered a size range of ivory barnacles. Small (carapace width, <30 mm) and large (carapace width, >30 mm) crabs were offered small (test width, <7 mm), medium (test width, 7–8.9 mm), large (test width, 9–10.9 mm), and extra large (test width, >11 mm) ivory barnacles. Small crabs selectively consumed small barnacles at greater frequencies than other barnacles. Large crabs consumed proportionately smaller barnacles, relative to their carapace width, than small crabs. The relationship between predator crusher height and prey test width indicates that larger mud crabs reduce their risk of claw damage when attacking barnacles relative to smaller conspecifics. The observed barnacle critical size varied across predator size classes and was not strongly related to crab carapace width or crusher morphology. The median barnacle size of vulnerability increased with increasing predator carapace width. The observed ontogenetic size selectivity by mud crabs feeding on barnacles may be a more relevant predictor of prey vulnerability than barnacle critical size.


Nanometer-sized humidity-sensitive ceramics α-Fe 2O 3-Al 2O 3-K 2O were prepared by Sol-gel technology,and their phase composition and microstructure were studied by means of XRD diffraction,specific surface area absorption (BET) and archimede replacement water method.The humidity-sensitive characteristics experimental results showed that through regulating component molar ratio r (Fe∶Al∶K) =90∶5∶5,α-Fe 2O 3-Al 2O 3-K 2O ceramics might exhibit and ideal resistance—humidity linearity,a good sensitivity characteristic,small hystereris,fast response time and a wide working temperature scope.Furthermore,a model of α-Fe 2O 3 surface amorphous shell layer was given,and factors effecting hysteresis of ceramics α-Fe 2O 3-Al 2O 3-K 2O was discussed.


Absurdism in drama script is different from the concept of absurdism in drama performance. In the performance, the absurdism can be firmly differentiated. In the script, this concept is still very confusing. Such issue will be worked out in this research by solving the following problems. 1) How is the form of absurdism in Noer's texts of the drama tetralogy? 2) How is the characteristic of Indonesian typical absurdism in Noer's tetralogy? 3) How is the redefinition of Indonesian distinctive absurdism based on the characteristic of Indonesian typical absurdism in Noer's drama scripts? The method used is hermeneutics with a semiotic approach. Based on the discussion, the following conclusions are obtained. 1) Absurdism in the tetralogy Noer's drama appears in the form of themes, characters naming, and plot or storyline. 2) The typical absurdism of Indonesian drama written by Noer is as follows. First, absurdity in drama actually appears from the belief in God. Second, human life is considered irrational, meaningless, worthless, or even playful. 3) The Indonesian distinctive absurdism redefinition based on the characteristic of Indonesian typical absurdism in Noer's Orkes Madun is as follows. The typical Indonesian absurd drama text is a drama text that tells of the human life that is considered irrational, less meaningful, worthless, meaningless, or even considered to be playful, and arising out of trust in God.


A model of piezoelectric sensor based on cylindrical shell is designed in this paper. In this model, a rectangular piezoelectric patch is diagonally attached on the thin cylindrical shell as the sensing patch. To evaluate the output of sensing signal, the model is driven by piezoelectric actuator. Sensing and actuating mechanisms are formulated, and the governing equations are derived. To evaluate the contributions of strain components, the sensing signal is decomposed into six components. It is shown that the signal components vary with the orientation angles of sensing patches, so is the total sensing signal. Theoretical results show that shear strain contributes to sensing signal output when the sensing patch is diagonally attached. Then these results are experimentally validated. The transverse displacements and sensing voltages of sensing patch with three different orientations were measured, the sensitivity was calculated. All these analytical data can be used to optimize the piezoelectric sensor design.Copyright © 2016 by ASME


The paper goal is to investigate the influence of a few specified methods of the gas-turbine engine blades repair upon a choice of a preferable blades geometry restoration technology. There is a scientific proof for the good blades shape restoration method choice that fits the customer needs, being taking into account the subjective preferences of the available technologies and extremizing the preferences uncertainty.


The use of immunostimulants is an effort to increase the immune system in fish. Agar and alginate are phycocoloid derived from seaweed which function as immunostimulants. Research data collection was carried out for 60 days at the Aquaculture and Toxicology Environmental Research Installation, Cibalagung - Bogor. The container used is an aquarium with a size of 60 × 40 × 50 cm, using an aeration system with a stocking density of 15 fish / aquarium. The fish used was tilapia Oreochromis niloticus with an initial weight of 4.36 ± 0.01 g. The research method used was a laboratory experimental using a completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications. The research treatment is the use of agar and or alginate in feed. Treatment A was control feed without agar or alginate; treatment B was feed containing alginate; Treatment C was feed containing agar and treatment D was feed containing agar and alginate, with 1% dose for each treatment. Parameters measured were absolute weight growth, specific growth rate, survival rate and blood profile (leukocytes and erythrocytes). The results showed that the addition of agar and or alginate to the feed did not have a significant effect on growth and survival, but had a different effect on the profile of white blood cells (leukocytes) compared to the control. Between alginate treatment (B), agar treatment (C) and agar + alginate treatment (D), agar treatment (C) showed the highest value in weight gain (10.437 ± 0.65 g), specific growth rate (3.06 ± 0.08% / day), and survival (100 ± 0.0%). Whereas for blood profile, treatment B had the highest leukocyte levels, namely 9.89 × 104 cells / mm3 and treatment C had the highest erythrocyte levels, namely 1.71 x106 cells / mm3. The conclusion of this study was that the addition of agar and/or alginate in feed did not affect the growth and survival of tilapia but was able to increase the number of fish leukocytes.


Hegel and Heidegger are leading figures of modern philosophy, but their interpretation of being, metaphysics, truth, ontology, epistemology, dialectic, alienation and art, among other central questions of philosophy, are radically different. Taking these aspects into account, my paper tries to dismiss Heidegger"s critiques towards Hegel arguing that, from the point of view of 20th century phenomenology, and although using a dissimilar philosophical vocabulary, Hegel was rather a phenomenologist than a metaphysician. Not only that: in many respects, Heidegger"s Dasein toys with metaphysic to an extent that Hegel"s spirit never did.


Marajo Bay is one of the most important fishing grounds for the small-scale fleet in the Amazon estuary and, aiming at describing its fishing activity, landings were monitored in the Island of Mosqueiro (Para) considering the fleet operating in Marajo Bay, from December, 2005 to November, 2006. Moreover, the fleet was characterized using specialized log-books. The index of relative abundance - CPUE (kg per trip) was used to identify the space-time dynamics of the fishery. A total of 128 fishing boats was registered, with the predominance of small-sized boats and motorized canoes. Mediumsized boats carry a larger crew and are engaged in fewer, but shorter fishing trips in relation to the other categories. The main species captured in the region are Plagioscion squamosissimus, Plagioscion surinamensis, Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii and Pellona spp. Periods of maximum abundance were the first quarter and the fourth quarter for motorized canoes and small-sized boats, respectively. The fishing sites Ponta Fina and Areia do Cotijuba showed the largest annual relative abundance with the main catch of B. rousseauxii and P. surinamensis, respectively.


The Community Living Assistance and Supports (CLASS) program, created under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, established a federally-administered, voluntary insurance program that allows for working adults to purchase insurance to cover the cost of long term support services. The CLASS program is the first step towards moving away from a welfare-based system, improving consumer choice, and creating a stable funding source for long term care needs. Enrollees in the CLASS program who meet benefit eligibility requirements and need care assistance will receive a cash benefit to pay for supportive services such as home health care, adult day services, assisted living, nursing home care, housing modification, assistive technologies, and transportation assistance. The authors apply David Gil's (1992) model of social policy analysis to assess the effectiveness of this policy alternative to aid in the development of a viable national long term health care solution for the anticipated ongoing health and support service needs of the older adult population.


Several polynucleotides were tested for interferon induction in comparison with the standard Poly (IC) in human diploid fibroblasts and in human leukocyte suspensions.


In 'Skeptism Oisarmed,' L.S. Carrier asserts the following: … any reasonable person would accept premise (1) only on the ground that both p and q are propositions for which we can get the requisite evidence. Premise (1), actually a premise schema attributed to Peter Unger, is the following: If A both knows p and knows that p entails q, then A can come to know that q. I suggest, contrary to Carrier's assertion, that many reasonable people, including many philosophers, would regard (1) as a necessary truth knowable a priori, and would be quite happy to accept its universal quantification, with no implied restriction to propositions for which we can get any evidence at all. How is such a dispute about what reasonable people would do to be resolved? I suggest that, at the very least, Carrier owes us an explanation of the grounds on which he would reject particular instances of the schema, e.g.,


DNA from Azospirillum brasilense Sp7 (ATCC 29145) was hybridized with probes containing the T-region and the vir-region of a nopaline Ti-plasmid, and the chromosomal virulence region (chv) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Homology to chv was found. Hybridization signals with the chv probe were detected in 7 A. brasilense strains and 1 A. lipoferum strain tested.


Hardy's novel The Return of the Native embodies his ecological ideas.Ecological Holism is embedded in the description of harmonious relationship between nature and human.Hardy emphasizes the intercourse between human and nature through the description of humanized nature and animated human,which accords with the concept of intersubjectivity between man and nature.He also praises natural life in the country,echoing the concept of simple life advocated by ecocriticism.


Populations of marine animals vary significantly in abundance over a broad range of time and space scales. It is almost certainly the case that the time and space scales of biological and physical processes are related but are so in a highly complex and nonlinear manner. Documenting and understanding the dynamics of this linkage has become a major intellectual focus for biological oceanography. The technical challenge implicit is the development of appropriate sampling and measurement systems. Although fisheries acoustics has received considerable attention, acoustic sampling of microzooplankton, macrozooplankton, and micronekton (organisms ranging from ca. 0.05 mm to a few centimeters) is in its comparative infancy. Nonetheless, results obtained to date have both stimulated the biological oceanographic community and occasioned major new funding initiatives within the federal agencies. Perhaps the potential that has most greatly contributed to the general excitement is the possibility of sampling biologic...


The purpose of this paper is to present a scale-model relationship for similarity between full-scale and scale models of two-dimensional equilibrium beach profiles. A similarity comparison between full-scale and small-scale model is made by considering the degree of experimental error. The similitude obtained is graphically shown, and the scale-model relationship is also formulated. It is found that the small-scale relationship agrees with the ones derived from shoreline change, critical water depth of sediment movement, and beach profile.


This article analyzed the contributions and implications of subproject PIBID Physical Education at Continued Training (CT) in-service of Supervisor Teachers (ST). As methodology, we used observations, which happened weekly in reunions of this project. The results showed the importance of ST participation in PIBID discussing possibilities to improve the teacher practice with others involved in subproject, because this came a lot of contributions in knowledge's and values that improve this training process. We concluded the CT in-service is an alternative can contribute to better comprehend the teacher practice and the teacher activity field.


Background Previous studies on affective state–sedentary behavior (SB) associations have not accounted for their potentially time-varying nature and have used inconsistent SB measurement modalities. We investigated whether the strength of the associations between affective states and SB varied as a function of the time of day and by SB measurement modality (device-measured SB vs ecological momentary assessment–reported screen-based SB) in youth. Objective This study aimed to establish a proof of concept that SB–affective state associations may not be static during the day. In addition, we aimed to inform the methodology of future work, which may need to model associations as functions of the time of day and carefully consider how SB is operationalized or measured. Methods A total of 15 adolescents (age: mean 13.07, SD 1.03 years; 10/15, 67% female; 6/15, 40% Hispanic; 10/15, 67% healthy weight) wore thigh-mounted activPAL accelerometers and simultaneously reported their screen-based SBs and concurrent positive and negative affective states via ecological momentary assessment for 7 to 14 days (N=636 occasions). Time-varying effect models (varying slopes) examined how each measure of SB was associated with concurrent affective states from 7 AM to 8 PM. Results Time-varying effect model plots revealed that these associations varied in strength throughout the day. Specifically, device-based SB was related to greater concurrent negative affect only after approximately 5 PM and was unrelated to concurrent positive affect. Screen-based SB was related to greater concurrent negative affect only from 7 AM to approximately 9 AM. This was also related to greater concurrent positive affect from 7 AM to approximately 9:30 AM and from approximately 3 PM to approximately 7 PM. Conclusions We provide preliminary evidence to suggest that future confirmatory studies investigating the SB–affective state relationship should consider the time-varying nature of these associations and SB measurement modality. There may be critical time windows when specific types of SBs co-occur with affect, suggesting that interventions may need tailoring to the time of day and type of SB if future studies using similar methodologies can replicate our findings.


K R A T O A C A N T H O M A S appear as firm, white, keratotic nodules on the skin of the face or of the dorsum of the hand. They are characterized by rapid growth to maximum size and benign biologic behavior. O n microscopic examination, under high-power magnification they possess some of the features of low-grade, superficial squamous cell carcinoma, and under low-power magnification they resemble to a degree molluscum contagiosum. T h e disparity between the architecture and the behavior of keratoacanthomas has attracted the worldwide attention of dermatopathologists who have proposed numerous descriptive names for the lesions. For the most part their nomenclature reflects the superficial, benign nature of this group of tumors. Freudenthal1 first suggested "keratoacanthoma"; M a c C o r m a c and Scarff2 in their report of ten cases suggested "mol luscum sebaceum"; and Poth3 suggested "tumor-l ike keratoses." A recent L A N C E T editorial4 noted the 76 cases described by Beare5 and suggested the name "mol luscum pseudocarcinomatosum." In an effort to establish definitive histopathologic criteria as a basis for the diagnosis of keratoacanthoma, we undertook a comparative histopathologic study of the biopsy specimens from the 14 cases of the lesion seen here since 1948.


This paper aims at analyzing the intention of adaptation and the image strategy of James Ivory's film The Remains of the Day (1993) by comparing it with its original text, Kazuo Ishiguro's The Remains of the Day (1989), and revealing the interrelationship between the image strategy of the film and the cultural politics of the English society during 1980s and 1990s. While Ishiguro's original text questions the old system of English society symbolized as 'stately home' through the inner narrative of Mr. Stevens, a butler of Darlington Hall, and critically engages in the discourse on 'Englishness' during 1980s and 1990s, the film steps aside from the kernel of the original text, which this paper asserts is the dismantlement of the myth of 'stately home,' and pursues the image strategy which satisfies its fantasy. In other words, while Ishiguro's novel examines the aspects of 'Englishness' by keeping distance from Mr. Stevens' narration, the film eliminates such distance and represents conventional images of the icons of 'Englishness' on a screen smoothly without any fissures or conflicts. This is because the film follows the conventions of the Heritage films, which often distort and delete some parts of original narratives for the sake of mise en scene which highlights the heritage pieces, such as architectures, furniture and effects, and costumes. In conclusion, this paper asserts Merchant-Ivory's film The Remains of the Day appeals to the nostalgia for idealized England as a myth which Ishiguro's novel examines critically to answer the Heritage fever of English society during 1980s and 1990s.


The author deal with the forecast of flashover under pollution. Occurrence of flashover has close relation with local meteorological conditions, so flashover can be studied only through local meteorology. Through setting up BP neural-network modeling in connection with annual rainfall rate and air temperature in contaminant depositing period, the flashover in forthcoming year can be foreseen. Utilizing matlab software, the modeling effect is analyzed through simulink. The result indicates it is effective to apply the modeling.


The advent of space applications with increased computational requirements has led the space industry to consider innovative chips and avionics architectures for high-performance on-board data processing. In a relatively limited market, the European BRAVE family of Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) offers such novel radiation-hardened solutions. Towards verification, the current work devises and applies a methodology to thoroughly assess the BRAVE FPGAs and their SW tools. The paper focuses on NG-Large, i.e., the largest FPGA of the 65nm Radiation-Hardened-By-Design (RHBD) technology of NanoXplore to date. The proposed approach comprises a number of customized steps to systematically evaluate the entire FPGA design flow. Initially, we carefully select and tune a set of high-performance Digital Signal Processing (DSP) & Computer Vision (CV) benchmarks, which were originally developed as Hardware Description Language (HDL) IPs in past projects of the European Space Agency (ESA). Subsequently, we perform exhaustive exploration of the Synthesis, Placement, and Routing stages of the SW tools, as well as testing on actual HW boards. At each step, we generate and analyze a variety of results, while we also compare them to 3rd-party solutions. The results show that NG-Large provides sufficient programmability and performance, e.g., classic CV IPs for feature detection on megapixel images can achieve a throughput of 5–10 frames per second, while the on-chip memory utilization is up to 56% better than that of 3rd-party FPGAs. As a highlight, at system-level, we successfully implement and execute an entire HW/SW algorithmic pipeline for Vision-Based Navigation (VBN) involving SpaceWire data transfers with LEON CPU & NG-Large co-processing.


The invention discloses a method for monitoring quality of a link between a HNB (Home Node Base Station) and a HNB GW (Home Node Gateway) as well as a system thereof, aiming to solve the problem that the quality of the link can not be effectively monitored. In the method for monitoring the quality of the link, a home node base station management server (HMS) counts and reports a first parameter value of the quality information of the link at the HNB side of the link to be monitored; meanwhile, the home node base station gateway management server (HGWMS) counts and reports a second parameter value of the quality information of the same link at the HNB GW side of the chain to be monitored; a link quality monitoring device compares the first parameter value and the second parameter value of the received link quality and determines the quality of the link between the HNB and the HNB GW. The effective monitoring for the quality of the link between HNB and the HNB GW is realized, so that the invention can accurately determine that the generation reason of the network problem between HNB and the HNB GW is the link fault.


AbstractThis study investigated structural safety evaluation of in-service tunnels. Considering the factors that affect the safety of in-service tunnels, the indices and grading standards for struc...


This project is an exploration into the design & fabrication process of a canopy structure derived from the notion of pluripotency. The term is widely used in the context of stem cells in biological science where pluripotency is referred to the potential of a stem cell to develop into more than one type of mature cell, depending on environment. These can be re-interpreted architecturally as, the quality of design components or elements to be radically transformed into one or more different kinds of components, keeping the general structural integrity of the design unchanged (Kolatan, 2009). Consequently, the pluripotent canopy design is a 3 dimensional double curved surface , having smart pluripotent components populated over its domain, which parametrically has the potential to be transformed to more than one different kinds of elements, keeping the same parameters of construction for each component.


We are grateful to Kattula and Jain, Patil and Phutke for their comments on our article on rural emergency medical care and our real problems in rural practice, their management and the threat to our survival. We agree with most of their points and the solutions they have advocated.


Systems that store a large number of persistent objects over many sites in a network pose new challenges to storage management. This thesis presents a comprehensive design for collecting garbage objects in such systems. The design achieves scalaability by partitioning the system at two levels: Each site traces its objects independently of other sites, and the disk space at each site is divided into partitions that are traced one at a time in main memory. To trace a site independently of other sites, and a partition independently of other partitions, objects reachable from other partitions or other sites must be treated as roots. This introduces two problems. First, maintaining up-to-date information about inter-site and inter-partition references can stall applications and increase usage of disk, memory, and the network. Second, treating these references as roots does not allow collection of cycles of garbage objects spanning multiple sites or multiple partitions. Solutions to these problems have been proposed in single-site or distributed systems, but they do not scale to many partitions or many sites. This thesis presents scalable solutions to these problems.
The thesis provides new techniques to organize and update a potentially large amount of inter-partition information such that the information is recoverable after a crash and disk time is used efficiently. It also provides efficient techniques to record inter-site references in a system with client caches and multi-server transactions. A client might cache a large number of references to server objects; therefore, we identify a minimal subset of these references that must be recorded for safe collection at servers. We use a new protocol to manage inter-server references created by distributed transactions. This protocol sends messages in the background to avoid delaying transaction commits. We use another new protocol to handle client crashes; the protocol allows servers to safely discard information about clients that appear to have crashed but might be live.
The thesis provides different schemes to collect inter-partition and inter-site garbage cycles. Inter-partition cycles are collected using a site-wide marking scheme; unlike previous such schemes, it is piggybacked on partition traces, does not delay the collection of non-cyclic garbage, and terminates correctly in the presence of modifications. Inter-site cycles, on the other hand, are collected using a scheme that minimizes inter-site dependence. It is the first practically usable scheme that can collect an inter-site garbage cycle by involving only the sites containing the cycle. The scheme has two parts: the first finds objects that are highly likely to be cyclic garbage, and the second checks if they are in fact garbage. The first part uses a new heuristic based on inter-site distances of objects. It has little overhead and it can be made arbitrarily accurate at the expense of delay in identifying garbage. We provide two alternatives for the second part. The first migrates a suspected garbage cycle to a single site, but unlike previous such schemes, it avoids migration as much as possible. The second traces backwards from a suspect to check if it is reachable from a root. We provide the first practical technique for back tracing in the presence of modifications. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)


Epoxy resin(EP) modified by polyurethane(PU) was prepared and its structure was characterized by FT-IR and SEM. Thermal properties and dynamic mechanical thermal properties of EP modified by PU were investigated. With EP modified by PU as matrix resin,the adhesive was prepared and the adhesive performance was determined. Experimental results indicate that the combination property of adhesive based on EP modified by PU was good because the toughness of EP was improved by PU chain segment and the miscibility between PU and EP was better. The shear strength of adhesive was 16 MPa,tensile strength was 35 MPa and elongation at break was 1.8%.


D. J. Payne, a) M. Robinson, R. G. Egdell, A. Walsh, J. McNulty, K. E. Smith, and L. F. J. Piper b) Department of Chemistry, Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, 12 Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK. Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies and Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, UK. Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02215 Department of Physics, Boston University, 590 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. Department of Physics, Applied Physics and Astronomy, Binghamton University, Binghamton, New York 13902, USA.


The proposed method is to protect the privacy of images in real-time by using encryption, salt key, and blurring techniques. The method is particularly useful in cloud environments where images may be processed or stored remotely. The method uses the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm, which is a widely-used encryption method that is known for its security. The AES algorithm is applied to the image data, which is then protected with a unique salt key, making it even more difficult to decipher. In addition to encryption, the method also uses the Gaussian Blur algorithm to blur the image data, making it more difficult to recognize any details that might compromise privacy. This blurring technique can be adjusted to achieve varying degrees of blur, depending on the level of privacy required. Furthermore, the method applies data perturbation, which involves adding random noise to the image data. This helps to further obscure any sensitive information and makes it even more difficult for unauthorized users to extract useful data. Overall, the proposed system is a robust method for protecting image privacy in real-time, and it has many potential applications in various fields, such as healthcare, finance, and law enforcement.


Because of the particular medium and indirect perception of electronic evidence, detectives should submit impounded electronic evidence to the judicial identification organ, so as to solve technicality questions, such as analysis of data, code breaking, and so on. Judicial identification organs and judicial experts should have relative qualifications. In the course of identification, specification of investigation and preservation should be followed.


This collection contains the source code, programs, documentation, and example data used in the project. Please review the "Final Report and Technical Manual" for a comprehensive overview of the project. The open source library Mallet was used and is referenced here: McCallum, Andrew Kachites. "MALLET: A Machine Learning for Language Toolkit."
 http://mallet.cs.umass.edu. 2002.


In this paper, the problem of training a recurrent neural network (RNN) controller to approximate an active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) is studied. Two learning methods, online learning and offline learning, are proposed. For the online setting, the RNN learning controller is trained by the error of the control quantity compared to that of ADRC in real time, while for the offline setting, the RNN controller is trained by the error of the whole state trajectory compared to that of ADRC obtained in advance. With randomized weight initialization, success rates of trained online and offline RNN learning controllers are compared by simulation. Furthermore, the robustness property of the trained RNN controller is analyzed. A metric of robustness, which can be calculated from the weights of the trained RNN controller is also proposed.


: We introduce rational psychology as the conceptual investigation of psychology by means of the most fit mathematical concepts. Several practical scientific benefits should accrue from it3 recognition. This research was supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DOD), A R PA Order No. 3597, monitored by the Air Force Avionics Laboratory under Contract F33615-81-K-1539. The views and conclusions contained in this document.are those of the author, and should not be interpreted as representing the official policies, either expressed or implied, of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency or the Government of the United States of America.


Nicholas S. Timasheff was an émigré jurist who became a sociologist and wrote about crime and law, as well as about Russia. The Great Retreat appeared in 1946 and was reprinted without changes in 1948 and 1972. Is it a classic, whose author's achievement in discovering a sea change in Soviet policy and culture we should acknowledge, as David L. Hoffmann (652) recommends? Or is it useless ideological ballast of the Cold War that we should discard, as Evgeny Dobrenko (708) argues in his reply? Hoffmann seeks to show the lasting merits of Timasheff 's work, as well as its deficiencies as seen almost 60 years later. Dobrenko is candid in his confession that he has little regard for, and actually little interest in, the text. He argues that the most successful product of the Soviet Union was the construction of the idea of itself as a socialist state (690). In this light, Timasheff 's work is interesting solely as evidence of the Soviet achievement in marketing the product; that is, Dobrenko sees Timasheff more as a guileless consumer of imagery than as a productive and contributing historian. In arguing that much of the substance of Timasheff 's work was merely the smoke and mirrors of Soviet imagery, Dobrenko distances himself from the political and ideological debates of the Cold War. The issue here is not primarily the politics or ideology of a bygone era, and Dobrenko rightly says we should no longer think chiefly in these terms (676). What is called for is a sober understanding of Russia's Soviet heritage both as image and as substance, without confusing the two. In the remarks that follow I try to treat The Great Retreat in its entirety, regarding both its content and its antecedents. I summarize Timasheff 's argument, since Hoffmann ignores much of the book and addresses only four sub-themes of only four chapters (out of 13). Dobrenko accepts Hoffmann's synopsis, happy to have been freed from the need to repeat what he finds untenable and wrongheaded.


Task-based fMRI has been widely used to guide presurgical mapping non-invasively. Application of resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) was recently reported in as well (Zhang et al., 2009) as patient in severe clinical conditions may not be able to perform tasks. Independent component analysis (ICA)-based mapping (Kokkonen et al., 2009) shows its advantage as no a priori information is required, which naturally fits for rsfMRI. However, such issues should not be neglected that components identified by subjective visual inspection often leads to bias or errors; ICA also faces inconsistency problems; previous findings based on case study may lack of validity. Therefore, study based on a large group and optimized ICA algorithm is warranted for mapping eloquent cortex in neurosurgery. 1Center for Cognition and Brain Disorders, Affiliated Hospital, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, China, 2Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.


Ergonomic thought and practice were introduced in ancient China in relation to modern developments in Chinese ergonomics. Despite the ten-year interruption of the 'cultural revolution' in the late 1960s and 1970s, ergonomics has made great progress in China in the last decade. In this paper some general developments in recent ergonomics' teaching and in professional organizations are described. Four major areas of ergonomics research are illustrated: (1) Visual displays and signal design; (2) Human-computer interface with Chinese computers; (3) Cognitive strategies and decision support; (4) Mental workload and occupational stress. The main characteristics of Chinese ergonomics are discussed and new directions are highlighted, based on recent developments and progress.


This essay examines some instances of mimicry in Jean Calvin's Contre la secte phantastique et furieuse des libertins, qui se nomment spirituelz (1545). Calvin's denunciation of the spiritual libertines, an obscure antinomian sect which had recently spread from the Low Countries to northern France, is made all the more vehement by a fear that others might confuse some aspects of their theology with his. Mimicry of his opponents' Picard dialect is one way among several of marking off their voices from his own. Although Calvin shows himself elsewhere capable of trenchant humour (for example, in the Traité des reliques) examples of speech-parody are rare in his work, possessing a farcical quality more readily associated with Rabelais (the episode of the 'écolier Limousin') or Molière (Nérine in Monsieur de Pourceaugnac). The blending of heretical voices with regional ones raises broader questions of language and nation, just four years before the publication of Joachim Du Bellay's Deffence et illustration de la langue françoyse (1549).


AIM
The aim of the present study was to identify which nurses decide to participate in clinical supervision (CS) when it is provided for all nursing staff.

BACKGROUND
Clinical supervision is available today for health care providers in many organisations. However, regardless of evidence showing the benefits of CS, some providers decide not to participate in the sessions.

METHODS
A baseline survey on work and health issues was conducted in 2003 with a 3-year follow-up of the uptake of CS by the respondents. Background characteristics and perceptions of work and health were compared between medical and surgical nurses who had undertaken CS (n=124) and their peers who decided not to undertake it (n=204).

RESULTS
Differences in the perceptions of work and dimensions of burnout were found between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS
Nurses attracted to CS form a distinctive group in the unit, standing out as self-confident, committed and competent professionals supported by empowering and fair leadership.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT
Facilitating clinical supervision for committed and innovative nurses may be seen as part of the empowering leadership of the nurse manager.


Instant noodles have been spreading worldwide. The frying process not only enables high productivity but also provides easy-to-eat property and favorable roast and savory flavor. Although a reduction in the amount of oil in fried noodles is required occasionally, the relationship between oil content and the gluten network in fried noodles has been little studied. The present study aimed to clarify how differences in the density of the gluten network structure can affect the oil content of the fried noodle. In conventional methods for producing fried noodles, the noodle sheet is made from dough using a rolling-press followed by repeated compressions to gradually reduce the thickness to obtain the final rolled noodle sheet. Using electron microscopy, a dense and well-dispersed gluten network was observed in the conventional fried noodle. In contrast, a coarse and roughly-dispersed gluten network structure was observed in noodle sheets formed by extrusion followed by an immediate rapid compression using a rolling-press. This process reduced the oil content of the fried noodles by approximately two-thirds compared with that of the conventionally processed fried noodles with dense gluten. Therefore, this improved process of noodle sheet formation and rolling-press can suppress the formation of the gluten network and so substantially reduce the oil content of these fried noodles made from coarse gluten.


1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Genome Browsing A common task in bioinformatics and molecular biology analysis today is the analysis of a given sequence of interest with respect to that artifact's surroundings. In other words, the task is to find out where a target sequence is coded within a particular genome and determine the genomic context of that target sequence. There is a vast amount of useful information that can be found by performing these searches, such as upstream or downstream regulatory sequences that control how frequently your sequence becomes expressed, or nearby products that can be thought to be expressed simultaneously or in tandem with your target sequence. There are a few ways to accomplish this contextual analysis of a particular sequence: The first way is to extract the sequences of portions of a genome upstream and downstream of the target sequence, and query a database for artifacts that align with you particular sequences. However, not only is this a cumbersome process, but not as accessible to other users. Additionally, it is impossible to predict exactly how far up-or downstream some interesting artifacts may turn up initially. If you only extract one kb (kilobase, 1000 bases or 1000 letters) on either side of your sequence, you might miss some interesting artifacts that exist 2 kb up-or downstream. If you have extracted too large of the sequence appearing before and after your sequence, the sheer number of unrelated sequences might occlude the ones that would be of interest to your investigation. Extracting many different sizes of flanking sequences is impractical due to the tedious nature of the task, not to mention the space and time required. Thankfully, many organizations have worked to develop a more intuitive way to view your sequence in the context of a genome. Genome Browsers can show the context of your sequence within a genome graphically, allowing for direct analysis or exploration upstream and downstream. The genomes loaded into these browsers have annotations and markings within their sequences identifying other coding regions or other regions of potential interest within the genome. Thus, by graphically exploring upstream and downstream of a particular sequence, interesting regions can be identified quickly and efficiently. A common form of genome browser for the purposes of sequence analysis is the track-based genome browser. These browsers center the genome being viewed on the sequence of interest, and show the flanking regions of the genome. One …


arch, the patient was therefore scheduled for angiography with the intent to treat. Angiography was performed with the retrograde puncture of the cephalic vein. A 4 Fr introducer sheath (Terumo Medical Corporation, Tokyo, Japan) was inserted and a 4 Fr Cobra Glidecath catheter (Terumo Medical Corporation) advanced through the AVF to the BA. The angiogram shows retrograde flow through the superficial and deep palmar arch (Fig. 1A). The catheter was then placed just below the AVF in the RA before the thenar artery origin, and four pushable platinum fibered coils, 4 mm in diameter and 40 mm in length (Vortex 35; Boston Scientific Corporation), were placed with complete RA embolization below the AVF (Fig. 1B) with no postoperative complications. The patient noticed significant improvement in the symptoms. Treatments for ISS are generally limited to access ligation, DRA interruption and banding. Coil embolization of DRA in our experience was confirmed as a valid therapeutic option. We have perhaps to remind to our readers that the deployment of coils can be performed safely only when the distance between the AVF anastomosis and the thenar artery is at least 3-4 cm in the presence of an adequate UA flow. The cost of embolization procedure is approximately 600 Euros, and DRA ligation costs Dear Editor,


This paper analyses some problems related to street names in North Macedonia, the necessity of their translation or adaptation into Albanian, as well as some issues related to the standardization of these names. Street names (odonyms) constitute a prominent feature of a city's linguistic landscape and they are associated with a particular nation in geo-linguistics. As a result, certain political regimes using their authority, influence/change/or do not accept changes in the existing street names and designations. Language itself is a marker of the identity of a group of people and as such carries a symbolic value, especially in cases where two languages are identified with two national communities, which due to several reasons may be in a "conflict". In such situations, state authorities tend to influence in favour of that group that constitutes the dominant part of the nation, giving priority to the language of this group. In general terms, this is also the context in which the Albanian language is found in North Macedonia, where, despite being recognized as the second official language, there are observed problems, especially in its implementation in various spheres of life. We have observed problems in the names of the streets, and we strongly emphasize the idea (which originally originates from the law on the languages) that they should be translated or adapted into Albanian according to the rules dictated by the Albanian language itself. On the other hand, the standardization of street names is as necessary for national and international communication as the standardization of street names. A series of normative rules and criteria are applied for the standardization of the countries' names, which basically aim to guarantee the uniformity of these names. This means that they should only have one standardized spelling form. Even for the standardization of street names, it is applied the same criteria, but there are also respected some specific rules that apply only to these types of names, since often, street names come as a result of spontaneous actions of a certain speaking community. However, although the establishment of these designations seems like a natural process, it is usually, if not always, a process directed by the administrative or political authorities of a country, which makes their standardization difficult.

Received: 14 May 2023 / Accepted: 20 June 2023 / Published: 5 July 2023


A detailed case study of γ-hadron segregation for a ground based atmospheric Cherenkov telescope is presented. We have evaluated and compared various supervised machine learning methods such as the Random Forest method, Artificial Neural Network, Linear Discriminant method, Naive Bayes Classifiers, Support Vector Machines as well as the conventional dynamic supercut method by simulating triggering events with the Monte Carlo method and applied the results to a Cherenkov telescope. It is demonstrated that the Random Forest method is the most sensitive machine learning method for γ-hadron segregation.


Consider the problem of allocating two treatments in a sequence of N trials such that the total expected reward is maximized. We assume that the distribution of outcomes is known for one of the treatments only (so-called one-armed bandit problem).In a suitable dynamic programming model we examine the structural properties of an optimal policy. In particular we extend results known for Bernoulli distributed outcomes to more general distributions.Our main technical results are monotonicity and convexity of the total expected reward.


EDRS PRICE MFO1 /PCO1 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Educational Quality; Excellence in Education; *Faculty Developmen:.; General Education; Graduation Requirements; Higher Education; Integrated Activities; *Integrated Curriculum; Interdisciplinary Approach; Nontraditional Education; Required Courses; *Student Development IDENTIFIERS *East Texas State University; East Texas State University New Center Learning


A ship is an investment and built to create revenue. The decision whether the design of a ship is realized or not is therefore strongly affected by the natural obstacles of mission and route. The occurrence of ice along arctic routes is such an obstacle and affects significantly the resistance and the required propulsion power. Advanced simulation environments, such as panel methods or CFD do not exist yet for ice resistance calculations and hence semi-empirical formulations or model tests need to be employed to assess or validate a design. Ice model tests impose great expenses in terms of time and money, which often does not allow testing design variations. On the other hand, the results of semi-empirical formulas might be accompanied by significant uncertainties. The academic study presented in this paper is a transit simulation on the Northern Sea Route (NSR) for the ice-capable tanker MT Varzuga (formerly MT Uikku). The study evaluates the ice conditions along several NSR alterations and the ice resistance-related performance with available semi-empirical methods and ice model tests. Finally, the economic impact of the applied ice resistance prediction methods is evaluated and the differences are quantified.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


Purpose: To compare the physical and dosimetric aspects of radiation beam collimation systems that may affect the stereotactic radiosurgery and radiotherapy of small lesions. Methods: Gamma knife (GK) cones, Cyber-knife Iris/InCise collimators, popular Varian and Elekta multi-leaf collimators (MLCs) were theoretically analyzed. Leaf-edge effects (Inter- and intra-leaf leakages, field penumbras, and dosimetric leaf gap - DLG) and transmission through some collimators were measured with ion chambers and films in phantoms and electronic portal imagers in an extended distance. GK plans and IMRT/VMAT plans were generated for ten patients and conformity index (CI) and dose drop (DD) from target to 5-mm ring were compared. Results: New MLCs have improved field shaping conformity, reduced transmission but not field penumbra and DLG. The measured DLG changed with time of usage and varied across the field. GK plans had better CI and DD for small lesions of < 1 cm while MLC-based VMAT/IMRT plans improved CI for large lesions of > 2 cm. Conclusions: New thinner and taller MLCs have improved the field shaping conformity and transmission but not leaf edge effects. Cone-based irradiation is still the best to small lesions of < 1 cm while VMAT/IMRT using new MLCs provide more conformal dose to irregular target usually with size of > 2 cm.


ABSTRACT Background Surveys for intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) often involve samples from three sampling dates analysed by various microscopy techniques. However, analysis of three samples per individual is a huge burden on time and resources. We compared the value from analysing three or fewer samples. Methods In this cross-sectional study, three faecal samples were collected every other day from 332 children from two locations in Guantanamo province, Cuba. Samples were analysed by wet mount with Lugol stain, Willis flotation method and Kato–Katz thick smear. Results Most parasites were detected by wet mount, although helminth eggs not found by wet smear were detected by the Willis flotation method (in particular) and Kato–Katz smear. Blastocystis spp. was the most commonly detected parasite (about 65%), then Giardia duodenalis and then Entamoeba spp. Although analysis of two stool samples significantly increased occurrence data for Blastocystis, this was not so for the other parasites. For none of the protozoan parasites were results from analysing three samples significantly higher than results from analysing just two samples. Conclusions Analysing two faecal samples by wet mount and the Willis flotation method provides useful data for estimating the prevalence of IPIs in relatively high prevalence settings. Analysing further samples provides limited additional information and adds an extra burden in terms of time and resources.


A laboratory study was conducted with fieldgrown pearl millet ( Pennisetum americanum ) and lablab ( Lablab purpureus ) to examine the effects of addition of lablab in varying amounts on the quality of millet silage. Combinations compared were: 0:100, 15:85, 30:70 and 50:50 mixtures of lablab and millet, respectively. All silage treatments contained similar concentrations of dry matter, organic matter and ether extract. Incorporation of lablab led to a small increase in crude protein, crude fibre and nitrogen–free extract. All silages showed low crude protein concentrations and would barely supply N requirements for maintenance of cattle. The lactic acid content of the silage increased as the proportion of lablab in the mixture increased. The silage pH values, which ranged from 4.1–4.5, showed that all lablab — millet mixtures were adequately fermented with favourable aroma and colour. The Ca and P concentrations increased with higher incorporation of lablab, while the converse was the case with Mg, Na, K and S. Mineral supplements, in particular S and Na, would need to be fed if these silages constituted a high proportion of the diet of cattle, especially lactating cows. Field studies are required to determine if these results can be duplicated on a practical scale, while feeding studies with ruminants will determine the acceptability of the silages and animal performance. Introduction In the northern part of Nigeria, where the grazing season is limited and pasture production fluctuates widely, silage making offers a means of improving the utilisation of pastures. As reported by Cowan et al. (1993), forage growth on tropical and subtropical perennial pastures often exceeds the feed requirements of dairy herds during summer and early autumn. These authors estimated that the level of utilisation of the available pasture was 30–50%, leading to considerable wastage. There has been considerable debate on whether the surplus forage in summer can be conserved and used to partly fill the winterspring feed gap (Kaiser et al . 1993). Ensiling has been suggested as the preferred conservation option as climatic conditions during the period when the surplus exists are considered unsuitable for haymaking. Given the generally poor preservation of tropical pasture as silage, various compounds such as formaldehyde and acids have been used as additives in making silages from grasses (Morrison 1979; Thompson et al . 1981). These compounds have been a primary mechanism for improving the feeding value of silage. Pearl millet ( Pennisetum americanum ) and lablab ( Lablab purpureus ) are promising forage crops with high potential for integration into Nigerian livestock production systems. The crops are highly adapted to a range of agronomic conditions with fodder yields of 2.7–7.7t/ha in locations varying from the semi-arid to the subhumid zone, where rainfall varies between 600–1100mm (Agishi 1985). Both crops have the characteristics of easy establishment under local conditions, rapid growth and high yields. Umoh et al . (1981) showed incremental benefits in milk, beef and small ruminant production from using maize ( Zea mays ), millet, sorghum straws, gamba ( Andropogon gayanus ) and elephant grass ( Pennisetum purpureum ) Correspondence: J.T. Amodu, National Animal Production Research Institute, Ahmadu Bello University, Shika-Zaria, Nigeria. E-mail: email@example.com 06/05_07_Amodu et al.fm Page 117 Tuesday, May 17, 2005 8:55 AM