Although Lithium metal battery (LMB) has a very large theoretical capacity, it has a critical problem such as formation of dendrite which causes short circuit and short cycle life of the LMB. In this study, PDMS/GO composite with evenly dispersed graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets in poly (dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was synthesized and coated into a thin film, resulting in the effect that can physically suppress the formation of dendrite. However, PDMS has low ion conductivity, so that we attained improved ion conductivity of PDMS/GO thin film by etching technic using 5wt% hydrofluoric acid (HF), to facilitate the movement of lithium (Li) ions by forming the channel of Li ions. The morphology of the PDMS/GO thin film was observed to confirm using SEM. When the PDMS/GO thin film was utilized to lithium metal battery system, the columbic efficiency was maintained at 87.4% on average until the 100th cycles. In addition, voltage profiles indicated reduced overpotential in comparison to the electrode without thin film.


This chapter surveys teachers (or those who influenced teaching) in writing, lettering, type and typography at the Central School, London, from its early years until the 1990s. Featured individuals include Emery Walker, W.R. Lethaby, Edward Johnston, J.H. Mason, Graily Hewitt, Nicolete Gray and Nicholas Biddulph. The chapter provides historical context for the 'Typeform dialogues' interface (presented elsewhere in the book) by locating it within a tradition of teaching at the Central School.


Biogeography is spatial by nature. Over the past 20 years, the literature related to the analysis of spatially structured data has exploded, much of it focused on a perceived problem of spatial autocorrelation and ways to deal with it. However, there are a number of other issues that permeate the biogeographical and macroecological literature that have become entangled in the spatial autocorrelation web. In this piece I discuss some of the assumptions that are often made in the analysis of spatially structured data that can lead to misunderstandings about the nature of spatial data, the methods used to analyse them, and how results can be interpreted.


Late-life depression is debilitating and detrimental to health. Efforts to identify risk and protective factors such as demographics, socioeconomic status, interpersonal relationships, and cognitive ability are thus pressing and have important implications for prevention and intervention. In addition, most research on late-life depression has focused on western samples. Based on big data methods, we used a more than 40000 number of representative sample of 688 adults aged above 60 from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). We examined the effect of age, gender, baseline depression, objective income, perceived status, interpersonal relationships (marital status and children companionship), and cognitive ability (number series test performance) on depression over a period of four years. Two three-way interactions were identified. There was a positive association between age and depression among females with greater perceived status or lower cognitive performance, but the relationship was reversed for females with higher cognitive performance. Given the relative lack of research on late-life depression among Chinese, our findings provide general hindsight into a number of cognitive/social predictors for depression of Chinese seniors. The effects of aging on depression differ depend on one's gender, perceived status, and cognitive performance, which sheds light on potential individualized intervention for the population of need.


Infection with the apicomplexan protozoon Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic zoonotic infections globally, with existing seroprevalences varying between continents, countries, and even within countries and between individual communities. It is estimated that one third of the world's human population is infected with T. gondii, with many studies showing that the dominant mode of infection is consumption of undercooked meat harbouring T. gondii tissue cysts. Prevalences of infection in food animals in different countries range from 0 to 93%. Because of the absence of clinical symptoms in infected animals, and the unfeasibility of rapid and unequivocal detection of microscopic tissue cysts in pork, infected pigs remain unrecognized, and their meat becomes an essential source of infection for humans. The data on T. gondii infection in pigs in Serbia from several studies, as well as on the detection of the parasite in different food categories, from fresh pork to heat-treated products, are discussed.


The aim of the article is to discuss the concept of Neorealism in the works of Cesare Zavattini, one of the most prominent postwar Italian screenwriters and film critics. He was credited as "the father of Neorealism" despite the fact that his ideas on cinema differed in many aspects from the well-known Neorealist poetics. Film-pedinamento, film lampo, film inchiesta, are some of the terms used by Zavattini. The new Neorealist cinema, argued Zavattini, goes far beyond traditional classifications such as film genres. Cinema in its ontological objectivity was seen as reality captured without any intrusion. Cinema should coincide with the reality but shouldn't be a pure mimesis of it. It is not so important to represent the reality but to comprehend it. Throughout his career Zavattini argued that cinema should be socially committed art. In order to obtain that goal it should undergo a process of "democratization" and become accessible to the masses. In order to understand Zavattini's radicalism it is necessary to contextualize his assumptions within the historical frame of the postwar Italian film criticism, and to juxtapose them with the current debates on Neorealism. The article highlights the controversies of Zavattini's poetics of Neorealism by re-evaluating it in relation to semiotic texts on (neo)realist theories (Deleuze, Eco, Winston, Bettetini, Stam) and to some recently published debates on the postwar Italian cinema (Cardullo, Nowell-Smith, Spinelli Coleman, and others).


Apoptosis has been documented in chondrocytes both in the growth plates of young, healthy cartilages and in osteoarthritic cartilages; little, however, is known about apoptosis in chondrocytes of normal adult articular cartilage. For the current study, apoptosis in adult chondrocytes was evaluated by labeling DNA fragments using the ISEL in situ end labeling of 3′‐recessed strand breaks) or TUNEL (5′‐recessed or blunt‐ended strand breaks with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated nick end labeling) techniques in primary cultures of chondrocytes in monolayer. Apoptosis was induced in the chondrocytes by either Tumor Necrosis Factor α (TNFα), Interleukin 1‐β (IL‐1β), or anti‐Fas antibody but only after 48 hours in culture. At 4 and 24 hours, there was no detectable DNA fragmentation. With TNFα, IL1β, and anti‐Fas antibody, chondrocytes show evidence of at least two types of DNA strand breaks within the same cell (as assessed by simultaneous labeling with ISEL and TUNEL). Therefore, some pathways leading to apoptosis in chondrocytes appear to involve more than one type of endonuclease activity. When the chondrocytes were cultured as explants with the articular matrix intact (ex vivo), neither IL‐1β, TNFα, the anti‐Fas antibody, nor fibronectin fragments were able to induce apoptosis in the chondrocytes. In normal human adult cartilage that was untreated and uncultured (in situ), DNA fragmentation was undetectable; however, a significant number of chondrocytes in osteoarthritic cartilage did contain strand breaks. These data suggest that apoptosis occurs in chondrocytes in which the matrix has been disrupted experimentally or destroyed by the osteoarthritic disease process. The results of these studies suggest that the ECM may be an essential survival factor for chondrocytes. Microsc. Res. Tech. 50:236–242, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Two Brazilian academic laboratories at UFMG explored processes for conceptual creation and development of digital guidebooks about architectural drafting design and practice of environmental accessibility for all. It is expected that students may achieve high critical and creative perspectives about knowledge construction in real life contexts by using digital interactive multimedia. This software package allows users to learn freely, at their own pace or location at any time, in a sequence of instruction units. In order to improve students' autonomy in acquiring learning skills, a new, interdisciplinary, culture seems to push the curriculum beyond conventional techniques.


The concept of tunable group velocity in a CRLH transmission line has been presented and a new pulsed and CW CRLH-based tunable delay line system has been subsequently proposed. In these systems, the pulse delay can be controlled by externally tuning the carrier frequency of the input signal. This effect has been verified by circuit simulations. Such systems are expected to be easy to implement and are anticipated to lead to interesting UWB solution, such as pulse position modulators and wide variety of other pulsed and harmonic delay.


The present paper deals with emphatic features occurring in a Spanish report on the state of natural water supply in the Spanish island of Gran Canaria published in 1862. The text reflects the author's concerns with the irrigation infrastructures in this island. My main interest is related to the way the author expresses his caveats and his use of emphatic devices. This said, my main objective is to explore specific language uses that convey the expression of emphasis in earlier Spanish. The emphatic features used in Bartolomé Martínez's text published in Boletín de la sociedad económica de amigos del país de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria of March 31, 1862, have been reportedly identified in reports as characteristic features of the scientific report in the XVIII and XIX centuries, and they might therefore be indicative of the authors' stance concerning both their text and their potential audience. Conclusions will offer major findings dealing with the set of emphatic features deployed in this Spanish report.


Despite huge investments made by organizations in ERP implementation, maintenance, and user training, ERP implementation failures and less than expected productivity improvements are not uncommon. End users' reluctance to use newly implemented ERP systems is often cited as one of the main reasons for ERP failures. To understand the lack of end-user acceptance of ERP systems, we examined end users' attitude toward system use and symbolic adoption; the latter refers to users' voluntary mental acceptance of a system. Four instrumental beliefs—perceived usefulness, IDEA GROUP PUBLISHING This chapter appears in the book, Advanced Topics in Information Resources Management, Volume 5 edited by Mehdi Khosrow-Pour © 2006, Idea Group Inc. 701 E. Chocolate Avenue, Suite 200, Hershey PA 17033-1240, USA Tel: 717/533-8845; Fax 717/533-8661; URL-http://www.idea-group.com ITB11804


An amorphous alloy having the formula: (Au1-x (Ag1-y PDY) x) Acub ((Si1-zBez) 1-VPV) c where a, b, c are in atomic percentages and x, y, z, v and w are are in fractions of whole, and where it is in the range of from about 25 to about 75, b is within the range from about 10 to about 50, and c is in the range from about 10 to about 35, and where: x is between 0 and 0.5 and is between 0 and 1 z is between 0 and 0.5 v is between 0 and 0.5


The present invention is a propylene polymer material, an amorphous ethylene-dynamic comprising a propylene copolymer, and 1,2-polybutadiene and a curing system containing an organic peroxide-propylene copolymer rubber, a semi-crystalline low density substantially linear ethylene of partially cured thermoplastic elastomer and a to a method of manufacturing the same.


Abstract
Purpose
Family and work life have always been interdependent, because the increased employment of mothers, rising family hours of work, today's service-intensive globalizing economy, and the trend toward work long hours for some and inadequate family income for the others have rendered this interdependence both more visible and more problematic. The extent to which an individual carries out their duties and responsibilities at work and home varies from one person to the other and how they balance up their roles and duties can be determined by a number of factors which include job-related factors, family-related factors, and individual factors.

Methodology/approach
A total of 255 married participants were randomly selected from the private sector, which includes banks, insurance companies, and telecommunication firms, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria. Data was elicited through the use of questionnaires as well as interview.

Findings
Findings from the chi-squared analysis used for this study showed that there is a significant relationship between work obligation and family commitment among couples in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.

Originality/value
One limitation of this study was that it was concentrated only on workers in the private sector. It was also limited by the methods of carrying out the research. The study emphasizes proper planning and time management, effective work schedule as well as an analysis of factors affecting work performance particularly, family duties, and how these affect the level of performance of individuals in their respective places of work.


Objective: This study compared and evaluated three suture methods in order to find the method with the best durability for mitral valve replacement. The methods evaluated are horizontal mattress suture with subanular pledgets, horizontal mattress suture with supraanular pledgets and continuous running suture. Methods: Thirty hearts were explanted from newly terminated pigs. The hearts were randomized in the three groups. After an atriotomy, the mitral valve was cut out, and a patch was sutured into its place. An air pump model was connected to a balloon which was placed in the left ventricle through aorta and continuously filled with air to a maximum of 300 mmHg. The peak pressure at rupture was noted. If no rupture occurred before reaching 300 mmHg, the suture was found competent. Results: Two out of ten hearts in the continuous running suture-group had myocardial rupture within a pressure of 300 mmHg. In the remaining eight hearts there were no ruptures within 300 mmHg. In the two groups sutured with horizontal mattress with pledgets placed either subanular or supraanular, no rupture of myocardium occurred. When comparing continuous running suture with the horizontal mattress with subanular pledgets or the horizontal mattress with supraanular pledgets, the 1-sided Fishers' exact was 0.237. At 5% significance level, there was no difference between the three suture methods. Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between the durability of the three suture methods, though rupture was only evident in the continuous running suture line. Since it is the surgeon's choice to select the optimal suture technique, our study should be a reminder for the surgeon to reflect on the suturing factors that have an influence on successful mitral valve replacement.


Metal-sheathed tapes with Tl-(Ba/Sr)-Ca-Cu-O (TBSCCO) system were fabricated using the drawing-rolling method combined with a pressing process in order to improve the weak link properties. The Tc's of the tapes were measured to be 115±2K. The Jc was measured at various temperatures and in the presence of external magnetic fields. At 77K the Jc was 15, 900A/cm2 in the absence of magnetic field and slightly above 1, 000A/cm2 at 1T. The effect of magnetic field becomes much smaller at the lower temperature, for example at 20K the Jc was 8, 000A/cm2 at 1T. A tape fabricated by the drawing-rolling method without the post-pressing process gave the Jc of about 2, 000A/cm2 at 20K and 1T. An effect of the pressing is thought to be the densification of TBSCCO core. Another effect which could be thought is the orientation of TBSCCO crystals through the pressing process, although the orientation is not clear in the SEM observation. The relatively higher Jc is thought to be caused by an improved junction between grain boundaries and by an introduction of pinning center from various defects and unknown crystal phases. We believe that there exists flux pinning center in the TBSCCO system which is not yet identified.


We have studied the collective behavior of a population of integrate-and-fire oscillators. We show that diversity, introduced in terms of a random distribution of natural periods, is the mechanism that permits to observe self-organized criticality (SOC) in the long time regime. As diversity increases the system undergoes several transitions from a supercritical regime to a subcritical one, crossing the SOC region. Although there are resemblances with percolation, we give proofs that criticality takes place for a wide range of values of the control parameter instead of a single value.


We report for the first time the fabrication of a novel glass ribbon fibre with laser-induced single (or quasi-single) crystalline (La,Yb)BGeO5 optical waveguide.


Objective To explore the role of Montelukast Sodium in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Methods Fifty patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were randomly divided into treatment group(n = 26) and control group(n = 24).Control group was given intravenous antibiotics,cough and phlegm,asthma,oxygen and other symptomatic treatment,the treatment group received additional services on the basis of Montelukast Sodium tablets 10 mg/d,4 weeks for a course of treatment.Results Compared with pre- treatment and post- treatment,there is no significant difference of FEV_1%and FEV_1/FVC%in the control group.Compared with pre - treatment,post treatment there is significant difference of FEV_1/ FVC%and FEV_1%in the treatment group(P0.01).Compared with pre- treatment,PaO_2 increased and PaCO_2 decreased significantly in the two groups(P0.01),which is more obvious in the treatment group(P0.01).Conclusion The clinical efficacy of Montelukast Sodium in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is obvious.


The conceptual semantic structures being constructed in this paper are part of the conceptual system which can be realized by corresponding grammatical system and which should meet the requirements of biophysical plausibility and operational plausibility. The construction is conducted through decomposition, synthesis and testing. This present paper studies the decomposition and synthesis. Predication structures of causation in the perspective of decomposition are various combinations of three basic conceptual structures. Such decomposition can lead to a general and simple synthesized model, which operates to conduct cognitive processes, such as questioning and answering and factual inference. Decomposition also demonstrates different internal conceptual structures of various causative clauses via different types of components and various ways of conflation. On the basis of decomposition, components can be synthesized to lead a hypothetical model, which demonstrates its cognitive power. In the decomposing and synthesizing process, evidence arises which shows that 搗erb-centered theory?and 損redication structure analysis?have their limitations. The overcome of the flaws can be demonstrated in this paper in the conceptual system proposed.


According to Bestvina-Bromberg-Fujiwara, a finitely generated group is said to have property (QT) if it acts isometrically on a finite product of quasi-trees so that orbital maps are quasi-isometric embeddings. We prove that the fundamental group $\pi_1(M)$ of a compact, connected, orientable 3-manifold $M$ has property (QT) if and only if no summand in the sphere-disc decomposition of $M$ supports either Sol or Nil geometry. In particular, all compact, orientable, irreducible 3-manifold groups with nontrivial torus decomposition and not supporting Sol geometry have property (QT). In the course of our study, we establish property (QT) for the class of Croke-Kleiner admissible groups and of relatively hyperbolic groups under natural assumptions has property (QT).


In the present work, a combined panel method/coupled-mode technique is presented with application to the evolution of the ship wave system over variable bathymetry regions, characterised by parallel depth contours, without any mild-slope approximation. Under the assumption that the ship's track is straight and parallel to the depth contours, and relatively far from the bottom irregularity, the spatial evolution of the ship wave system in a coastal environment is efficiently calculated by means of a coupled-mode model able to transform the ship's spectrum over variable bathymetry regions. This model takes into account propagation, refraction and diffraction wave phenomena. The present method can be used, in conjunction with ship's near-field wave data in deep water or in constant depth, as obtained by the application of ship CFD codes, or experimental measurements, to support the study of wave wash generated by fast ships and its impact on the nearshore/coastal environment.


Stereo matching estimates the disparity between a pair of rectified left and right images. It plays an important role in robot navigation, autonomous driving, and other related tasks. Nowadays, convolutional neural networks based on deep learning have greatly improved the performance of stereo matching. However, there are still many challenges. One of them is that current stereo models mostly generate a single scale cost volume based on costly 3D convolutions method or quick 2D convolutions method, but neither of these two methods can achieve a fair trade-off between quality and time. In this paper, we propose to construct the multi-scale hybrid cost volume which aims at achieving fast speed while maintaining comparable accuracy. Concretely, we generate a correlation cost volume and a concatenation cost volume respectively, and then integrate together to form a hybrid cost volume which can significantly improve the accuracy and reduce the computational complexity. At the multi-scale level, we generate three hybrid cost volumes at different scales and then aggregate them by 2D convolutions which are faster than 3D convolutions. In addition, we adopt 2D CNN stacked hourglass with fused cost volume for cost aggregation. Specifically, the proposed method provides competitive performance with state-of-the-art methods, while being faster than most top-performing methods (e.g., <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$3.7\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> than PSMNet, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$8.1\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> than GCNet, <inline-formula> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$16.3\times $ </tex-math></inline-formula> than GANet). Extensive experiments of our model on the SceneFlow, KITTI 2012, and KITTI 2015 datasets demonstrate the competitiveness of our results.


The spent adsorbents left after treating arsenic-contaminated water contain large amounts of arsenic. These spent adsorbents may come into contact with silicic acid leached from soil or cementitious solidification materials in the disposal environment. Thus, it is important to evaluate the effects of silicic acid on spent adsorbents containing arsenic. In this study, the effects of silicic acid on spent Mg-based adsorbents (magnesium oxide (MgO) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2)) containing arsenite were investigated. The arsenic leaching ratios of both spent adsorbents decreased slightly with an increase in the initial silicic acid concentration of the eluent. The arsenic leaching ratio decreased from 1.24% to 0.69% for MgO and from 5.97% to 4.71% for Mg(OH)2 at an initial Si-normalized concentration of 100 mg/L. The primary mechanism behind the inhibition of arsenic leaching by silicic acid was determined to be the difficulty of arsenic desorption due to the coating effect following the adsorption of silicic acid species. The results indicate that the arsenic leaching related to the ion exchange reaction with silicic acid hardly occurred for the spent Mg-based adsorbents. Compared with various spent Mg-based and Ca-based adsorbents, the spent MgO adsorbent exhibited the highest environmental stability and best performance.


Biaryl phosphorinane ligands derived from addition of biaryl primary phosphines to trans,trans-dibenzylideneacetone (AlisonPhos and AliPhos) form highly active ligands for Pd-catalyzed coupling of ...


In the contemporary world, art associated with advanced technologies has been the source of a powerful economic stream, labeled as "creative economy" in the world literature. The theory of the components of the creative class creates creativity, economic value, and this creativity, which is the basis of their existence, can be divided into the supernatural core and creative skills. The idea of a creative city expresses the role of art and culture. The boom of the art economy will not only develop art, but also with the advent of art into social and cultural life, other sectors, such as industry, education, and urbanization will also be developed. Cinema is the most entertaining artistic part, except for the sale of films with many economic elements from the sale of various products to the marketing and the cycle of explaining the show and .... Selling videos to other parts of the world can also help the mobility of the creative economy. Cinema has become a major pillar of art in economics in developed countries, and unfortunately Iran's share of this sector of the economy is negligible.
Keyword: Creative Economy. Cinema


OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of the domestic nonionic contrast medium Iohexol in CT contrast enhancement scanning of the pelvic. METHOD CT contrast enhancement scanning was performed on 286 cases with gynecologic disease. All cases were examined with the same equipment and scanning methods,and with the same contrast medium and the same dosage. The standards of evaluation included the enhancement qualities, whole body tolerance, local tolerance and side effects.RESULTS The enhancement qualities in all cases were "excellent". The whole -body and local tolerance were good, and side effects were slight and rare.CONCLUSION In CT contrast enhancement scanning of the pelvis Iohexol has a high clinical safety, tolerance and effectiveness.


Activation barriers for geometrical isomerism and tautomerization have been studied for carbamic acid and its mono- and dichalcogenide analogs at B3LYP/6-31+G*, MP2/6-31+G*, and G2MP2 theoretical levels. The studies indicate that carbamic acid with higher chalcogen prefers chalcogen at the chalcogenol position. Proton affinities, gas-phase acidities and atomic charges for these molecules have also been evaluated. Unimolecular, bimolecular, and two-step pathways for the decomposition of carbamic acid and its analogs are also analyzed, from which it was concluded that the two step mechanism is the more plausible pathway.


Although the application of new technologies in an organization is very challenging, changes in the external environment must be responded by the organization in order to survive in the midst of business competition. The implementation of new technologies must be accompanied by changes in the internal culture and the readiness of management organization. Motor vehicle tax is the largest source of state revenue in the West Sumatra region. The implementation of the advanced digital technology in vehicle payment process (SIGNAL technology) is a government strategy in an effort to increase the effectiveness and accountability of the motor vehicle tax payment process. This paper analyzes the dynamics of change management in the One-stop Administration Services (SAMSAT) office of west sumatra province during the adoption of SIGNAL technology. This study used the qualitative approach, located in the SAMSAT office in West Sumatra. The choice of informants through purposive sampling techniques. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews, and documentation analyzed through data reduction, data presentation, verification, and conclusions. The results show that the government's readiness to face changes in the implementation of the motor vehicle tax payment application through the SIGNAL application for SAMSAT West Sumatra is good. In the sense that it is ready to implement the signal application. The obstacles faced when implementing the Signal application to increase motor vehicle tax revenues are in the form of attitudes of employees and leaders.


The in‐situ monitoring method of plasma density variation in the inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source was developed with the air‐core transformer model using the current and voltage of antenna. The model was modified for the ICP generated by the flat antenna. The collision effect was also considered to obtain the skin depth and plasma impedance. Monitored plasma density was compared to the probe data taken at the center of chamber, showing the good agreement in the density variation with various powers of 100 to 1500 W and the argon operating pressures of 7 to 100 mTorr, respectively. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


The measurement of radical species in the atmosphere has far reaching implications.
For example, it is necessary to both understand and improve our
knowledge of radicals in the atmosphere to better inform the models which in
many cases are the best way of predicting future air quality and climate
change. Although many of these models are often not fully representative of
all the processes occurring, they are the current best estimate based on the
knowledge available, and can be useful in informing and directing future policy.
The numerous, varied and interlinked cycles in the atmosphere are complex
and only by obtaining data on specific species can accurate concentrations
be retrieved and fed back into the models to improve their accuracy.This work is concerned with the development and application of an ultrasensitive
absorption spectroscopy technique to the problem of detection of the
peroxy radical, HO₂. Noise Immune Cavity Enhanced Optical Heterodyne
Molecular Spectroscopy (NICE-OHMS) combines cavity enhancement techniques (in order to increase the path length) with frequency and wavelength
modulation techniques (in order to reduce the noise).Following a discussion of the current detection methods used by atmospheric
scientists to accurately measure and quantitative concentrations, some preliminary
work on the detection of ammonia by a simple cavity enhanced absorption
setup is presented. Pressure broadening and shift results were obtained
for a number of ammonia transitions in the near infrared region, broadened
by He, Ne, Ar, Xe, O₂ and N₂.The bulk of the work concentrates on the implementation of the NICE-OHMS
technique, presenting the first results with the use of an external cavity diode
laser and a ring shaped cavity. A sensitivity of 4 x 10⁻¹¹ cm⁻¹ Hz⁻1/2 is obtained
on an individual rovibrational transition of methane at 6610.063 cm⁻¹, along
with a selection of other data from the atmospherically important molecules
methane, nitrogen dioxide and carbon dioxide, highlighting the broad wavelength
range over which the instrument can operate. Finally, the NICE-OHMS
technique is used to probe HO₂ radicals formed through the photolysis of a
Cl₂/CH₃OH/O₂ mixture. Following the creation and detection of HO₂ radicals
in the cavity, and based on the optimum sensitivity outlined above, a minimum
concentration of 1 x 10⁹ molecules cm⁻³ has been demonstrated.


The amount of information has been increasing tremendously, especially with the use of social media applications, such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. Twitter is a common social application that enables users to share their current thoughts and actions, comment on breaking news, and engage in discussions. Trends are typically driven by emerging events, breaking news, and general topics that attract the attention of a large fraction of Twitter users. Thus, trend detection is highly valuable to news reporters and analysts because they may point to fast-evolving news stories. Researchers have been attempting to detect trends using machine-learning techniques, such as clustering method based on major languages (e.g., English, German, and French). The Arabic language remains in its infancy, but the Arabic social media have been contributing to a large amount of data because of the significant events in the Middle East. The present research aims to detect trends in the Arabic social media. However, this research must overcome several issues such as processing of Arabic user-generated content and lack of resources. To solve these issues, this research presents a voting combination clustering approach, which is divided into six phases, namely, dataset collection from Twitter, text pre-processing, spam filtering using Naïve Bayes, feature selection based on term frequency–inverse document frequency and entropy, statistical analyses, and evaluation. Three statistical approaches for clustering are used, namely, co-occurrence, k-means, and voting combination. The analyses are performed to classify the trends into three categories, namely, Arabic nationality events, personal events, and other events. Experimental results indicate that the voting combination clustering achieved 93%, 87%, and 90% for precision, recall, and f-measure in trend detection, respectively. Finally, trend detection of events is important to companies, governments, national security agencies, and journalists to develop strategies to rectify them.


"Big Data" as a term has been among the biggest trends of the last three years, leading to an upsurge of research, as well as industry and government applications. Data is deemed a powerful raw material that can impact multidisciplinary research endeavors as well as government and business performance. The goal of this discussion paper is to share the data analytics opinions and perspectives of the authors relating to the new opportunities and challenges brought forth by the big data movement. The authors bring together diverse perspectives, coming from different geographical locations with different core research expertise and different affiliations and work experiences. The aim of this paper is to evoke discussion rather than to provide a comprehensive survey of big data research.


This article addresses conversational dynamics in interpersonal influence situations. Drawing on interaction ritual theories and the research of interaction processes and patterns, we argue that sequential transition patterns of task and social–emotional acts can capture essences of conversational interaction ritual.A successful ritual then generates emergent solidarity and induces desired outcomes of interpersonal influence. In two experimental situations of online text chats between strangers (advice-giving, Nconversation = 336 with a student sample and compliance-gaining, Nconversation = 737 with a MTurk sample), we found certain transition patterns consistently predicted influence outcomes and interpersonal perceptions. Aligning with our theoretical expectations, these transitions indicate the moment-to-moment emergence of joint attention and shared emotion, which are essential ingredients of a successful interaction ritual.


A Regional Metrology Organization (RMO) supplementary comparison of platinum resistance thermometer and digital thermometer (AFRIMETS.T-S1) was carried out by the National Metrology Institute of South Africa (NMISA), National Institute for Standards Egypt (NIS), National Metrology Institute of Ethiopia (NMIE), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), National Institute of Metrology Thailand (NIMT), Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS), Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Mauritius Standards Bureau (MSB) and Seychelles Bureau of Standards (SBS) between March 2008 and October 2010. The temperature range of the inter comparison is -50 °C to 450 °C. The results of this comparison are reported here, along with descriptions of the Artefacts and devices used during measurement. This report also presents the uncertainty budget. The results are analysed and normalized error (En) values are reported. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCT, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).


This contribution outlines the preparation and properties of PA 6 fibres modified with two types of montmorillonite - organophilic Bentonite 11958 or Cloisite 15A alone, as well as with concentrates consisting of copolyamides and Bentonite. The concentrates were synthesised with e-caprolactam (CL) and two minor comonomers - nylon salts from adipic acid + diethylenetriamine (ADETA) and from adipic acid + 1-(2-aminoethyl) piperazine (AN2) in the presence of Bentonite. Three concentrates containing copolyamide from CL + 10.7 wt. %, 21.4 wt.% and 23.4 wt.% of minor comonomers + 5 wt.% of Bentonite were prepared. The basic properties of PA 6 and the concentrates were evaluated. Blends PA 6 + 10 - 50 wt.% of each concentrate, PA 6 + 0.25 – 2.5 wt.% of Bentonite and PA 6 + 0.25 - 5 wt.% of Cloisite were prepared, and the apparent viscosity of the blend melts with Bentonite was measured. Experimental PA 6 fibres modified with Bentonite, Cloisite and the concentrates were prepared and drawn. The mechanical properties – tensile strength, elongation at break and Young's modulus of non-modified and modified PA 6 fibres were compared.


Objective. To study changes in the incidence of obstetric anal sphincter rupture (OASR) during recent years in Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway and hospital‐based incidence in recent years in Norway. Design. Retrospective birth register study. Setting. Unselected population of delivering women in four Nordic countries. Sample. All deliveries (574 175) registered in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, 2004–2010. Methods. Parity data, including maternal, obstetrical and fetal characteristics, were obtained. The incidence of OASR was calculated from vaginal deliveries. A chi‐squared test was used to analyse differences between countries and time periods. Main outcome measures. Incidence of OASR. Results. During the study period, the OASR incidence in Finland was notably lower (0.7–1.0%) than in the other three Nordic countries (4.2–2.3%). A significant and constant reduction in OASR incidence was observed in Norway only (from 4.1 to 2.3%, from 2004 to 2010, p < 0.001). This reduction occurred simultaneously with introduction of a national intervention program of improved delivery techniques that aimed to reduce the incidence of OASR. No major alterations in maternal or fetal risk factors for OASR or registration routines could explain this rapid reduction in the rate of OASR. Differences in the incidence of OASR between Norwegian delivery units were significant, with a threefold difference when comparing the units with lowest and highest incidences. Conclusions. Obstetric anal sphincter rupture seems to be preventable to a considerable extent, as indicated by the rapid and lasting reduction of OASR incidence after implementation of perineal protection programs in Norway. Improved delivery techniques should be implemented in all delivery units to prevent OASR as much as possible.


The continuing requirements for high resolution, critical dimension control and linearity on photomasks necessitates highly anisotropic and uniform etching of the absorber material. Plasma etching has seen strong increases in popularity to improve the above mentioned requirements. Also recently popular is the inclusion of Embedded Phase Shift materials such as Molybdenum Silicide (MoSi); these materials allow for an engineered 180 degree shift in the phase of the exposure light at the wafer pane, affording enhanced contrast at the edges of a line or feature. This article studies the effect of ICP-based plasma conditions on the CD Uniformity, MoSi etch rate and post-etch Quartz roughness of 6 X 6 DUV MoSi Embedded Phase Shift mask structures through use of carefully Designed Experiments. This Design of Experiment (DOE) makes it possible to screen plasma chemistry, optimize resultant plasma parameters and present an overlayed Simultaneous Solution which is used as a centerpoint for Device Plate etch tuning. The high plasma density, independent ion energy control and low pressure operation of Inductively Coupled Plasmas make this technology well suited to minimizing undercut of the MoSi and affords a vehicle for the realization of a zero-basis etch process.


International law in general — Relation to municipal law — International Convention for Protection of Birds, 1950 — Apparent conflict with later regulations issued under municipal Act of Parliament — Whether regulations invalid — The law of Belgium. Treaties — Operation of — Miscellaneous — Whether imposing binding obligations on individuals — International Convention for Protection of Birds, 1950 — Apparent conflict with later regulations issued under municipal Act of Parliament — Whether regulations invalid — The law of Belgium.


The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived distance from home to high-voltage power lines using a transmission and substation geographic information system(TGIS). Of the 725, 136 respondents reported that high voltage power transmission tower, power lines or substation was within visual field range from home. Among them, 114 respondents reported valid address, which could be used in the analysis of TGIS. Forty two respondents(36.8 %) estimated that the power lines were closer and 15 respondents(13.2 %) estimated that they were farther than they actually were. Our current findings suggest that the reported distance from home to high-voltage power transmission towers, power lines, and substations cannot be used as a proxy for exposure to electromagnetic fields due to the low validity.


We examined the extent and causes of band-related leg injuries in an Australian passerine, the Bell Miner (Manorina melanophrys). Eight percent of banded birds exhibited leg injuries, and most were birds with two plastic color bands on a tarsus. Leg injuries typically followed the accumulation of shed tarsal scales under the color bands. Color bands used on Bell Miners were tighter on the tarsus than the metal band and also tighter than the color bands used on Superb Fairy-wrens (Malurus cyaneus), a commonly banded species with no reported leg injuries. The tendency for scales to accumulate under two plastic color bands appeared to be influenced by the diameter of a band relative to the size of a bird's tarsus (with looser bands less likely to cause accumulation) and the material used to make the band (with smoother surfaces less likely to cause accumulation). Celluloid color bands had rougher internal surfaces than either Darvic or metal bands. In addition, both celluloid and Darvic color bands generated static electricity capable of attracting tarsal scales. Scales that accumulated under bands provided an environment where potentially harmful fungi became established, potentially contributing to the severity of leg injuries. Our results suggest that, when selecting an appropriate band size for a bird, the diameter of the tarsus at its midpoint should occupy only between 60% and 65% of the internal diameter of the band and, when possible, a single, bicolored, anodized aluminum alloy band should be used instead of multiple plastic color bands.

SINOPSIS

Examinamos la causa y la extension de lesiones en las patas causadas por anillas en Manorina melanophrys, en Australia. Un 8% de las aves mostraron lesiones en las patas, la mayoria aves con dos anillas plasticas. Las lesiones causaron la acumulacion de escamas tarsales mudadas, bajo la anilla. Se encontraron que las anillas plasticas ejercian mas presion o estaban mas ajustadas que las anillas de metal y que estaban mas apretadas que en Malurus cyaneus, una especie comunmente anillada y en donde no encontramos lesiones. La tendencia de acumulacion de escamas bajo las dos anillas plasticas, parece ser influenciada por el diametro de la anilla, con respecto al grosor del tarso del ave y del material con que estuvo echo la anilla. Encontramos que las anillas de celuloide tienen una superficie interna mas aspera que las anillas de metal. Ademas, ambos tipos de anillas, generan estatica capaz de atraer las escama de la pata. Las particulas de escama que se acumulan bajo una anilla proveen de una buena base para que se crezcan hongos, que contribuyen a la gravedad de la lesion en la pata. Sugerimos que se deben seleccionar anillas apropiadas en tamano en donde el diametro del tarso en la parte media de la pata, ocupe entre el 60–65% del diametro interno de la anilla. Tambien, que cuando sea posible, se utilice una sola anilla de metal pintada con dos colores, en vez de dos anillas plasticas.


Zinc Deficiency in Soil of Rajasthan and its Management. In India, zinc (Zn) is now considered as fourth most important yield limiting nutrient in agricultural crops. Zn deficiency in Indian soils is likely to increase from 49 to 63% by 2025. meet out only 30 to 40% of zinc requirement meet out by soil and foliar application of zinc on crop plants while the remainder gets absorbed in clay colloids and become immobile and some parts may goes out to the environment due to soil and edaphic factors. Only a small amount of applied zinc is utilized by the crop plants. Studying the solublization and mobilization of zinc in soil and interaction with other nutrients in various types of soils are essential for the precise recommendation and use of zinc. The soils of Alwar and Jhalawar have 0.50 ppm of available zinc while in Bhilwara soils it was found in traces indicating that the soils of these places may show deficiency symptoms. Total Zn content of different soil groups of Rajasthan ranged from 34.8 to 79.6 ppm. Available zinc was not found to be correlated with pH. So it is necessary to reduces zinc loss in these regions by using well management practices. It can help for increasing zinc availability in Rajasthan region. Key word: Available zinc, FYM, Nutrient deficiency Review Article Cite this article: Nagar, R., Meena, R. and Nagar, D., Zinc Deficiency in Soil of Rajasthan and its Management, Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 6(3): 154-158 (2018). doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.18782/23207051.6548 Nagar et al Int. J. Pure App. Biosci. 6 (3): 154-158 (2018) ISSN: 2320 – 7051 Copyright © May-June, 2018; IJPAB 155 The amount of extracted zinc is increase with the increase in fineness of the soil texture. It has also been reported that organic matter plays a major role in controlling availability of zinc particularly in alkaline soil 1 . Singh 11 and Mehra 5 reported that availability of zinc increased significantly with increase in organic carbon because zinc forms soluble complexes (Chelates) with soil organic matter component. On the other hand, the availability of zinc reduced significantly with an increase in CaCO3 and pH of soil. At high pH and CaCO3 content, zinc forms insoluble compounds such as Zn(OH)2 and ZnCO3 which can reduce the availability of zinc. Soil factors affecting availability of zinc: Although genotypic factors are important in determining either tolerance or susceptibility of a crop cultivar to zinc deficiency, it is soil factors which are responsible for low available zinc supply. In general, the soils most commonly associated with zinc deficiency problems in plants mainly due to the factors such as neutral to alkaline in reaction, especially where the pH is above 7.4, high calcium carbonate (CaCO3) content in top soil or in sub soil exposed by removal of the topsoil during field leveling or by erosion, coarse texture (sandy soil) with a low organic matter status, permanently or intermittently waterlogged soil, high available phosphate status, high bicarbonate or magnesium concentrations in soil or irrigation water and acidic soil of low zinc status developed on highly weathered parent material. Calcareous soils with a high content of calcium carbonate (>15%) are typical soils of semi-arid and arid climates. Presence of calcium carbonate decreases the availability of zinc due to higher soil pH. Mostly salt affected soils are the saline soils (Solonchaks), sodic soils (Solonetz) and both mainly occur in arid and semi-arid regions. Saline soils contain high concentrations of soluble salts which restrict the types of crops which can be grown and reduces the availability of zinc. reported that poor availability of zinc caused by water logging can be due to a relatively high pH, zinc being present as the insoluble sulphide (ZnS) and elevated concentrations of ferrous, bicarbonate, and phosphate ions. Interactions between zinc and other plant nutrients There are inverse relationship between zinc and pH as the pH increases the availability of zinc decreased. High soil phosphate levels are one of the most common causes of zinc deficiency in crops by cations added with phosphate salts can inhibit zinc absorption from solution, H+ ions generated by phosphate salts inhibit zinc absorption from solution and phosphorus enhances the adsorption of zinc into soil constituents. Nitrogen appears to affect the zinc status of crops by both promoting plant growth and by changing the pH of the root environment. In many soils, nitrogen is the main factor that limiting growth. Several macronutrient including calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg.), potassium (K) and sodium(Na) are known to inhibit the absorption of zinc by plant. Interactions of zinc with other micronutrients Loneragan 4 suggested that zinc interact with copper, iron, manganese and boron influence their concentration in plants by zinc-copper interactions occur due to copper and zinc sharing a common site for root absorption or copper nutrition affects the redistribution of zinc within plants. Iron-zinc interactions study resulted increasing zinc supplies to plants have been observed to increase the iron status, to decrease it and to have no effect on it. 3 reported that Zn application had adverse effect on Fe concentration and Fe uptake in plants. Agronomic management to enhance zinc in


Online learning communities are being touted as meeting the needs of distance learners and providing flexibility for on-campus students. Currently expectations are not being realized partly owing to a lack of experience and understanding of how such communities evolve, and the constraints and problems experienced by the learners. In this paper some strategies are identified that will inform designers and lecturers on the creation and sustainability of online learning communities. Problems and issues encountered in the development of a learning community will help to provide further insight into the time and effort needed to develop and sustain online learning communities.


To study the prognostic significance of ratio of positive to examined lymph nodes (LNR) on survival of patients with node positive epithelial ovarian cancer (NPEOC).


Synthesis of Methyl 6,6-Dimethylfulvene-2-carboxylate and Dimethyl 6,6-Dimethylfulvene-2,3-dicarboxylate as well as their Reaction to 2,3,5,6-Substituted Norbornadienes

Fulvenes 5 and 6 were synthesized by Diels-Alder reaction of 6,6-dimethylfulvene with methyl prop-2-ynoate and dimethyl but-2-ynedioate, catalytic reduction of the unsubstituted norbornadiene double bond, and a subsequent retro Diels-Alder reaction under flash vacuum pyrolysis conditions, 5 and 6 are used as the diene component in synthesizing 2,5-, 2,3,5-, and 2,3,5,6-substituted norbornadienes 7–9 by Diels-Alder reaction with electron-deficient alkynes.


The prominent interpulse of the new millisecond pulsar is consistent with very short period pulsars having fan-like beams, as suggested earlier by an independent study. It is shown that all the available data on interpulse statistics support this picture, and also indicate that pulsars with perpendicular rotation and magnetic axes are absent at long periods.


Classic numerical approaches to lattice models such as the Hubbard model are usually based on a solution of the model on a periodic lattice with a small number of sites. For instance, Exact Diagonalizations (ED) calculations are performed on periodic systems with no more than ∼ 20 sites and Quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) calculations are limited in practice on systems with . 100 sites. Some extrapolation is then needed to make statements about the thermodynamic (e.g. infinite-size) limit. One advantage of such approaches is their relative simplicity and lack of ambiguity. A disadvantage is that broken symmetry states need careful analysis to be identified, as they are fully revealed only in the thermodynamic limit. Quantum cluster methods are a set of closely related approaches that instead consider a finite cluster of sites embedded in the infinite lattice. The embedding is done by adding to the cluster additional fields or bath degrees of freedom such as to best represent the effect of the surrounding infinite lattice. Variational or self-consistency principles are used to set the values of these extra parameters. In these approaches, broken symmetry states can appear even for the smallest clusters used, somewhat like ordinary mean-field theory. However, unlike mean field theory, these approaches are dynamical and retain the full effect of strong correlations. These methods are usually known by their acronyms:


In order to improve the ability of refined management and service of ships, this paper uses the scientific Knowledge graph technology to build a ship Knowledge graph for ship illegal behaviors analysis. Based on the Knowledge graph of ships, this paper carries out the analysis of the characteristics of the map of ship violations in the jurisdiction, conducts intelligent identification for specific violations such as ship fake licensing, and develops a ship Knowledge graph decision-making system, Implement the verification application of ship profiling and identification of violations, effectively improve the level of maritime data application, and enhance maritime supervision and decision-making capabilities for ship safety.


This article examines the future of the petroleum industry. Opportunities are seen for the companies that are willing to explore aggressively for those resources that will provide the base for future earnings. These upstream companies must consider many variables, which can be grouped into three main categories: the geological potential for significant new reserve additions in all parts of the world; the company's ability to adapt to price uncertainties and successfully target acreage that will provide a desirable economic return; and the existing political and social climate. While the primary goal of any company is to improve its financial performance, the major challenges to be faced by the industry in the future will be as much social as economic. The public is concerned about the industry's ability to operate safely and in an environmentally responsible manner. These concerns include the safe transportation of petroleum products, global warming, depletion of the ozone layer, acid rain, and protection of the purity of air and groundwater. Questions examined include: In what direction are oil and gas prices going to go? What does the future hold for supply and demand? and What are the incentives for developing U.S. frontier reserves (Gulf of Mexico, Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, California and Florida OCS)?


This book presents writings produced by the Muggletonians - an unusual 17th-century English sect founded in 1652 by John Reeve and Lodowick Muggleton. The volume draws on documents from a recently discovered Muggleton archive and rare 17th-century tracts. Among those included are Muggleton's autobiography, excerpts from works co-written by Muggleton and Reeve, letters, songs (including ones composed to celebrate Muggleton's release from prison), and miscellany.


Most leg ulcers are due, wholly or largely, to venous disease. Two important facts about such ulcers are now beyond reasonable doubt. Firstly, the more chronic the ulcer, the harder it is to heal; and, secondly, intervention to reduce venous hypertension speeds healing and reduces recurrence rates. So, it is clear that any patient with a break in the skin below the knee that fails to heal within two weeks should urgently be referred to a specialist who is capable of undertaking a full clinical and haemodynamic (duplex ultrasound) assessment of the patient and able to offer the full range of evidencebased interventions appropriate for that patient. Only in this way can the often underestimated burden of chronic venous ulceration (CVU) be ameliorated. The 10 chapters in this publication are aimed at surgeons, interventionalists, physicians, allied health professionals and health-care commissioners, and review in detail what is known about the epidemiology, aetiology, current and possible future management of CVU in the broader context of lower limb venous disease. The authors very much hope that the VEIN-2 project will bring about increased knowledge and understanding, which will translate into improved practice and thus better outcomes for this often forgotten group of patients.


Objective: To study the interactions between pyridoxine and phenobarbital. Method: The pharmacokinetics of phenobarbital in two newborn infant during administrating large dosage of pyridoxine were compared with the population pharmacokinetics. Results:The metabolic rate of phenobarbital in the two patients were almost as twice as that of the population. Conclusion:Large dosage of pyridoxine accelarate the metabolic rate of phenobarbital.


Every year, the Vietnamese people reportedly burned thousands of tons of votive paper in the hope of pleasing the dead and getting spiritual peace in mind and material rewards. The discourses surrounding the practices lay great emphasis on burning votive offerings, or the excessive forms of this practice as superstitious. Findings from the study of burning votive paper in Vietnamese Buddhist Temples reveal that the practice has become associated with wastefulness, fire hazard, and environmental concerns. For this reason, the present study firstly traces the origins of votive paper burning of the ancient people. Secondly, the study focuses on its introduction into Vietnam as an act of worship in Vietnamese folk tradition and its current negative impacts. Finally, the author then tries to analyze based on Buddhist perception on life and death in order to reject this practice as its incompatibility with Buddhism. Despite the fact that a single case does not aim at generalization, research outcomes raises -some viewpoints of the relevant agencies on the practice of burning votive paper that contribute to the protection of the spiritual tradition and natural environment of Vietnam.

Received 6 th December 2021; Revised 18 th February 2022; Accepted 17 t h March 2022


With the Time Delayed and Integration (TDI) technology continues to evolve, Charge Coupled Devices (CCD) with TDI feature has been widely applied to high-resolution earth imaging system. However, in the push-broom imaging process, imaging system using TDI technology would inevitably be affected by the image motion, finally leading to blur image. The reason of image motion caused by optical system distortion in the process of TDI imaging was analyzed, formula of the image motion value was derived, the influence of optical system distortion on Modulation Transfer Function was analyzed, and the relationship between image quality deterioration caused by image motion and distortion was studied. Degradation of National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale (NIIRS) parameters NIIRS caused by image motion that generated by distortion was calculated for the TDI imaging system of which focal length was 9 000 mm, integral stage was 96, grounding sample distance was 0.6 m, F/p was 1, SNR was 50:1. The results showed when the derivative value of distortion was 6.493, NIIRS would reach -0.162 4, and would affect the image interpretation requirements. Finally, for this space camera, the restriction value of D'() without affecting interpretation requirements was given. This research could provide a reference for optical TDI remote sensing system design.


Abstract : The discussion presents very briefly a method of freezing red cells: human red cells were preserved with glycerol and the slow-freeze + thaw technique, agglomeration was used to recover the preserved cells. Frozen red cells were used in South-Vietnam to supplement the standard ACD-preserved blood. The paper then gives indications for use of the frozen cells appear to be in different situations.


In the aluminum electrolysis production process, the degree of superheat is an influential index of the whole process, reflecting the distribution of the physical field of the electrolytic cell, the current efficiency in the electrolytic production, and the lifespan of the electrolytic cell. Therefore, detection or identification of the superheat is significant for the production process. However, as the temperature detection of the primary crystal needs a long period off-line experiment, real-time measurement of superheat is still a problem beyond solution. Considering the strong link between the fire hole observation and superheat degree, a method of superheat degree identification based on computer vision technology and expert rules is proposed in this paper. First, the corner detection and the optical flow method are used to extract the fluctuation amplitude features from the flame hole video. Then, the color change feature is extracted according to the variation of the brightness value of the fire area of the sampling frame. Finally, some expert rules are developed to determine the degree of superheat. In this method, the computer vision technology is applied to superheat identification for the first time with valid verification by experimental results of superheat degree.


Surrogate outcomes often are used in randomized controlled trials (RCTs), because they occur sooner and are easier to measure than patient-relevant


Pseudorandom Generators (PRGs) play an important role in security of systems and cryptographic mechanisms. Yet, there is a long history of vulnerabilities in practical PRGs. Significant efforts in the theoretical and practical research communities are invested to improve the security of PRGs, to identify faults in entropy sources, and to detect vulnerabilities allowing attacks against the PRGs. In this work we take an alternative approach at the pseudorandomness generation problem. We design and implement Network Pseudorandomness Collector (NPC) which collects pseudorandom strings from servers in the Internet. NPC does not require cooperation nor synchronisation of those servers. NPC is easy to use and integrate into the existing systems. We analyse the security of NPC and show how it addresses the main factors behind the vulnerabilities in current PRGs. Further, we perform extensive simulations on empirically derived datasets that validate the security of NPC against attacks by realistic Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attackers.


Historically, the trade benefits of medicinal plants have been skewed towards technologically advanced Northern countries, despite originating from the biologically rich South. Since the 1990s, attempts at rectifying this situation have been stepped up globally. In southern Africa, a substantial industry has developed around the use of the endemic plant Pelargonium sidoides as a cure for respiratory tract infections. Rural communities harvest the plant for trade and also hold traditional knowledge about it. However, the industry has been plagued by concerns about the sustainability of the resource and equitable sharing of benefits, and accusations of 'biopiracy'. This study examines the value chain to identify blockages preventing better benefit capture by the rural poor. We conclude that the Biodiversity Convention offers opportunities for redress but that monopolistic control, complex and uncoordinated laws, elite capture of benefits and increased cultivation undermine benefit sharing. These problems need to be overcome if rural communities are not to lose their benefits to large corporations exploiting Pelargonium sidoides.


This paper describes a new single-ended voltage resonance power converter without changing the period of a main switch S1 and with changing the conduction period. The power converter is composed of a parallel LC-resonance circuit and an auxiliary switch S2. New topologies for the auxiliary switch S2 is derived from a half-cycle delay concept.


Whether to spray a cereal crop with a fungicide and which fungicide to apply is a question many producers wrestle with each growing season. On wheat, the most prevalent leaf spotting diseases were tan spot (Pyrenophora tritici-repentis) and septoria complex (Septoria spp.) and on barley, net blotch (Pyrenophora teres) and spot blotch (Cochliobolus sativus). Leaf spotting diseases can infect growing wheat and barley plants at any time during development but are most damaging when the upper leaves (flag and penultimate) are severely infected. This reduces photosynthetic area resulting in less grain filling and lower yields. Factors such as varietal resistance will have an impact on the benefits obtained from use of fungicides.


In this contribution we provide a thorough stability analysis of gradient type algorithms with non-symmetric matrix step-sizes. We hereby extend existing analyses for symmetric matrix step-sizes and present several methods to derive step-size bounds. Although we can guarantee the l2-stability for such algorithms only under very restrictive conditions, we are able to proof convergence in the mean square sense under much more general conditions. Some of the derived step-size bounds turn out to very tight and allow for accurate algorithmic design.


By almost any standard, the countries of East Asia have outperformed other developing countries over the past three decades. While there is no "Asian Model" of development, there are some common threads that run through the development experiences of East Asian countries. These include an outward-looking strategy, intrusive but market-oriented government policies, macroeconomic policies that encourage savings and investment, and a social consensus for economic growth. The positive experience of East Asian countries has begun to influence policymakers in other developing regions.


Objective:To elucidate the changes of cytokines in patients with severe congestive heart failure (CHF) and their response to valsartan. Methods:The subjects were divided into investigation group with severe CHF ( n =80) and healthy control group ( n =40). Plasma levels of tumor nerosis factor α(TNF α), interfon leukocyte 1 (IL 1) and interfon leukocyte 6 (IL 6) were measured through radioimmunoassay. The investigation group was further subdivided into either conventional or conventional plus valsartan groups. Cytokines were rechecked one month later. Results:The plasma levels of all the three kinds of cytokines of CHF patients were higher than those of the control group. The levels of cytokines increased with the severity of heart failure ( P 0.01 ). There was no difference of cytokines in patients with the same severity of heart failure from different causes ( P 0.05 ). Valsartan improved cardiac function and lowered the plasma levels of all the three kinds of cytokines ( P 0.01 ). Conclusion:Cytokines play an important role in the development of heart failure and this role has nothing to do with the basic diseases.Valsartan can improve cardiac function as well as lower the levels of cytokines.


The field sequential color(FSC) LCD exhibiting fast response, high brightness, high image quality, and low cost has been developed. The device represents the future development direction of high-end LCD. In this paper the principles, materials and implementation of FSC-LCD are discussed.


Short‐term tamoxifen treatment has effects on lipid and glucose metabolism in mice fed chow. However, its effects on metabolism in mice fed high‐fat diet (HFD) and the underlying mechanisms are unclear. Here, we show that tamoxifen treatment for 5 days decreases fat mass for as long as 18 weeks in mice fed HFD. Tamoxifen alters mRNA levels of some genes involved in lipid metabolism in white adipose tissue and improves glucose and insulin tolerance as well as hepatic insulin signaling for 12–20 weeks. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neuron‐specific deletion of nicotinamide mononucleotide adenylyltransferase 2 (Nmnat2) attenuates the effects of tamoxifen on glucose and insulin tolerance. These data demonstrate that short‐term injection of tamoxifen has long‐term effects on lipid and glucose metabolism in HFD mice with involvement of Nmnat2 in POMC neurons.


Delaware Center for the Inland Bays (DCIB). 2009. Shellfish gardening program. www.inlandbays.org/cib_pm/comments .php?id=33_0_31_0_C Delaware Inland Bays Estuary Program (DIBEP). 1993. Delaware Inland Bays Estuary Program characterization summary. Dover: DIBEP Science and Technical Advisory Committee. Messick, G. and J. Casey. 2004. Chapter 8.6. Status of blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, populations in the Maryland Coastal Bays. Pages 82–91 in Maryland's Coastal Bays: Ecosystem health assessment. Maryland Department of Natural Resources Document No. DNR-12-1202-0009. Newell, R.I.E. 2004. Ecosystem influences of natural and cultivated populations of suspension-feeding bivalve mollusks: A review. Journal of Shellfish Research 23:51–61. O'Beirn, F.X., P.G. Ross and M.W. Luckenbach. 2004. Organisms associated with oysters cultured in floating systems in Virginia, USA. Journal of Shellfish Research 23:825–829. Osman, R.W. and R.B. Whitlatch. 1998. Processes controlling local and regional patterns of invertebrate colonization: Applications to the design of artificial oyster habitat. Pages 179–197 in M. Luckenbach, R. Mann and J.A. Wesson (eds), Oyster Reef Habitat Restoration: A Synopsis and Synthesis of Approaches. Gloucester Point VA: VIMS Press. Tolley, S.G. and A.K. Volety. 2005. The role of oysters in habitat use of oyster reefs by resident fishes and decapod crustaceans. Journal of Shellfish Research 24:1007–1012.


Intensively cropped agricultural production systems should be managed to improve soil quality and ecological processes and ultimately strengthen system capacity for sustained biological productivity. We examined the long-term changes (>20 years) in soil quality and productivity with incorporation of ecological management principles in a set of intensively managed row crop systems of the upper Midwest, USA. Replicated experimental treatments include corn (maize)–soybean–wheat cropping systems under four different management regimes: (a) conventional tillage and fertilizer/chemical inputs (Conventional), (b) no tillage with conventional fertilizer/chemical inputs (No-till), (c) conventional tillage with ∼30% of conventional fertilizer/chemical inputs and a leguminous cover crop (Reduced Input), and (d) conventional tillage with no fertilizer/chemical input and a leguminous cover crop (Organic). Effects of these treatments on soils were compared by developing a soil quality index (SQI) from 19 selected soil health indicators. An old field community maintained in early succession provided a benchmark for comparison. Reduction in tillage or fertilizer (No-till, Reduced Input and Organic) resulted in increased SQI and improved crop production. The No-till (SQI = 1.02) and Reduced Input (SQI = 1.01) systems outperformed ineralization et primary productivity (NPP) itrogen use efficiency


. The article addresses the family language policies of multilingual families (FLPs) with Ukrainian roots, describing, among others, the language practices of families in different areas. The analysis of the study is based on semi-structured interviews with newly arrived Ukrainian immigrants living in Tallinn. The language ideologies of families in relation to the choice of languages of education are examined. The secondary objective is to find the reasons why some families manage to maintain their national language and culture and others do not. The article shows that the desire to integrate into Estonian society has influenced the choice of language of instruction of the school among newly arrived immigrant parents, whereas, depending on different cases, the choice was both Estonian and Russian-language school. The article also shows the language management of parents of the studied families implemented with a view to maintaining their language of origin, among which, for example, participation in the Sunday school for the study of Ukrainian language and culture is also in focus alongside the language of instruction in a general education school.


The soil examination of geographic plants of Scotch pine has been carried out in the Krasnoyarsk forestry of Samara region, on the area of 26.7 ha,in 2014. The plants under study were laid down in 1966 with the purpose to examine the specific features of growth and development of forest plantations from seeds of pines growing in different geographic regions and finding out its most resistant and prospective ecotypes to be growing under the conditions of Povolzhye. The results of studies showed that the soils of the area under the above geographic plants were not uniform by their forest-growing properties. The best growth indices in height and diameter, the percent of viability have the plants growing on pine wood sands and meadow-chernozem solodized soils, the worst indices were observed on meadow-chernozem carbonate soil.


African Books Collective (ABC) is a unique organization: it is owned and governed by independent African publishers and was founded by a group of these publishers in order to take control of their own overseas marketing and distribution. Its mission is cultural, to strengthen African indigenous publishing, and to give Africa a voice in discourse about African books and publishing, and about African issues generally through the books published. After 23 years in being, ABC handles exclusive distribution of over 2,000 titles from 136 publishers in 24 African countries, marketing to customers worldwide. It has transformed itself from a donor-supported organization to a wholly financially independent social enterprise. The history of ABC, including its harnessing of digital technologies to become independent, is a success story, although many challenges remain to increase demand for the wealth of African scholarship and literature.


SUMMARYPerinatal depression is increasingly recognized as a significant publicmental health problem; consequently, there is a major interest indeveloping strategies to prevent postpartum depression that may helpreduce its detrimental consequences. However, the unique experiencesassociated with the perinatal period make it more difficult to recruitparticipants at this stage and to retain them over time when assessingprevention interventions. The aim of the study is to examine retentionrates and predictors of retention in a longitudinal, randomizedcontrolled trial (RCT) to prevent postnatal depression.MethodParticipants: Pregnant women (N=377) at risk of depression wererandomized to intervention or usual care condition and assessedduring pregnancy and at 6 weeks and 4-6 months postpartum.Intervention: The intervention was designed by modifying apreviously evaluated one and includes information on normalpregnancy and the postpartum period, from psychoanalytic and riskfactors perspectives. It attempts to reduce depression levels byincreasing positive thinking and pleasant activities, improving self-esteem, increasing self-care, learning skills to strengthen socialsupport, and exploring unrealistic expectations about pregnancy andmotherhood. It is delivered in eight two-hour weekly group sessionsduring pregnancy.Measures: Depressive symptoms were measured using the secondedition of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II); anxiety symptomswith the corresponding subscale of the Hopkins Symptoms Checklist(SCL-90) and social support with the Social Support Apgar (SSA). Ashort form of 12 items representing potential stressors was used as ameasurement of stressful life events and the Abbreviated Version ofthe Dyadic Adjustment Scale (A-DAS) measured partner relationship.ResultsRetention rates −defined in three ways− were: (1) Total retention(percentage of participants completing the 4-6 month postpartuminterview) was 41.7% (31.2% intervention and 61.4% control); (2)Retention from randomization to (a) completion of initial evaluationand attendance of ≥ 1 intervention sessions was 42.4%; and (b)completion of initial evaluation (control) was 82.2%; and (3) Follow-up retention: (a) intervention participants attending ≥ 1 sessions thatcompleted the intervention as well as the 4-6 months postpartuminterview was 73.5%; and (b) control participants assesses in thisperiod was 66.6%. For those who came to at least one interventionsession 83% completed the intervention.The predictors of total retention were: being single, moreeducated, and poor partner relationship quality . For the interventioncondition, predictors of (a) retention from randomization to attendanceto ≥ 1 sessions were anxiety and stressful life events, and (b) forfollow-up retention was being employed.ConclusionsIn the present study, retention of participants was even lower than whathas been found in similar interventions. However, attendance rates ofthe course, once the participants had attended one session, were verygood. In terms of predictors of retention, women at high risk ofdepression (single, with poor partner quality relationship, more stressfullife events and high anxiety) were more committed to participating inthe study. Consequently, in order to increase retention rates, futureinterventions should target women that present such risk factors.Nevertheless, those with low educational attainment and homemakers,who are a vulnerable group, were difficult to retain and thus remain achallenge in postpartum depression prevention studies. We concludethat rates and predictors of retention differed depending on points ofmeasurement, suggesting different strategies to optimize participation.Key words: Postnatal depression, prevention, retention, psycho-educational interventions.RESUMENLa depresion perinatal cobra cada dia mayor reconocimiento comoun problema importante de salud mental publica; en consecuencia,ha crecido el interes por desarrollar estrategias para prevenir ladepresion posparto, que lleven a evitar sus consecuencias adversas.Sin embargo, las peculiaridades del periodo perinatal dificultan tantoel reclutamiento como la retencion de esta poblacion a lo largo deltiempo, cuando se evaluan intervenciones preventivas. El objetivodel estudio es examinar las tasas de retencion y las variables quepredicen las mismas en un estudio longitudinal aleatorio controlado(EAC) para prevenir la depresion posparto.MetodoParticipantes: Trescientas setenta y siete embarazadas que mostra-ron riesgo de depresion fueron aleatorizadas a grupos de interven-


Two parties observing correlated random variables seek to run an interactive communication protocol. How many bits must they exchange to simulate the protocol, namely to produce a view with a joint distribution within a fixed statistical distance of the joint distribution of the input and the transcript of the original protocol? We present an information spectrum approach for this problem whereby the information complexity of the protocol is replaced by its information complexity density. Our single-shot bounds relate the communication complexity of simulating a protocol to tail bounds for information complexity density. As a consequence, we obtain a strong converse and characterize the second-order asymptotic term in communication complexity for independent and identically distributed observation sequences. Furthermore, we obtain a general formula for the rate of communication complexity, which applies to any sequence of observations and protocols. Connections with results from theoretical computer science and implications for the function computation problem are discussed.


To find the best design and development model for the information system, this paper discusses the structural formation of the information system and the kinetics of the evolution of information system from the perspective of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and generalized entropy in the system. Based on this view, physical laws for the evolution dynamics of information system are expressed as the maximum generalized entropy principle (MGEP). Combining with self-organizing feature map algorithm, we have analyzed the effect on the system structure from the exchange between information flows. That is to say, an information system has fractal characteristics. Except for these theories, we have done some numerous simulation on information systems of 10 major cities in China's to verify the fractal characteristics, which has great significant to the guidance of achieving full use of resources, accelerating the process of information society and constructing information systems.


Dear Editor,

I would like to comment on the paper by Beiraghdar et al. (1). C2 is regarded as a better indicator of cyclosporine A (CsA) exposure compared to C0 (2), this is also the case in pediatric patients (3). However, in clinical settings, C0 monitoring seems to be more reliable. It is connected to the fact that, CsA blood concentration is quite stable for between 10 and 12 hours after administration, and the collection of blood during that time allows valuable clinical results to be obtained. On the other hand, the peak concentration is obtained 2 hours after administration only in a limited group of patients, so called "good absorbers." In delayed absorbers, C2 is not fully reliable(4). Limitations of C2 monitoring have also been proven in children (5). Additionally, monitoring CsA therapy with concomitant C0 and C2 observation is more expensive and connected to double stress and blood loss. Therefore, I would support the usage of C0 as the standard method of CsA therapy observation.

Beiraghdar et al. have found several correlations between CsA blood levels and clinical parameters. A negative correlation between CsA levels and serum creatinine, however, seems surprising. I would have expected completely the opposite relationship due to the well known nephrotoxic properties of CsA. Other correlations reported by the authors also seem difficult to explain. Unfortunately, the authors did not even try to account for their results and show which elements were causes, and which were effects. Many factors may be expected to impact on the pharmacokinetics of CsA. Therefore, they may only be correlated to C0 or C2 if the study group received the same dose of CsA per kilogram of body mass. As I understand, in the reported population, CsA doses were adjusted according to CsA blood levels, and varied in different patients. Therefore, C0 and C2 should not correlate with clinical parameters, as they depend mainly on CsA dosing. To obtain clinically relevant conclusions, clinical parameters should be correlated to CsA doses. Otherwise, the results would seem to have low significance for clinical practice. Finally, is it possible that these parameters will become important in clinical decision making? I do not think so. In my opinion, what will remain of key value is C0 and clinical experience.


Ischaemic stroke patients routinely undergo a carotid and vertebral ultrasound examination and the study aimed to investigate the prognostic value of the ultrasound examination in aligning to a prediction of the patients' clinical outcome in the long and medium terms. This was a retrospective study of 309 ischaemic stroke patients who all had a carotid and vertebral ultrasound examination. The patients were followed up on an average 9.4months post-ultrasound examination, via telephone, to assess the clinical outcome, that is, level of dependency or death. The parameters for classifying an ischaemic stroke were defined and the diagnosis confirmed by the use of two computer tomography scans (CT) with a time delay of approximately 3 days between examinations to allow for identification of the ischaemic brain lesion. The follow-up questionnaire used five standardised questions aligning to the modified Rankin scale. (mRS) In the case of patient demise, this fact was recorded and where possible the date of death noted. Other clinical variables: a standardised neurological examination that concluded with a score to quantify stroke severity, hypertension, diabetes, previous history of smoking and cholesterol figures were all recorded, and the etiopathogenetic mechanism of stroke was classified into five categories using the trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) definition. During the carotid and vertebral ultrasound, carotid plaques were defined and recorded using the B-mode appearance; the peak systolic velocities were considered abnormal if ≥130 cm/s for carotid arteries and ≥40cm/s for peak systolic, and <30% of peak systolic for the end diastolic velocity for the vertebral artery, the flow characteristics were also noted.


DRAM-based main memories are energy-hungry components of modern computer systems. Since accesses to DRAM need a complex protocol, the performance of an address-mapping scheme that decides physical locations of data based on physical addresses has a big impact on energy consumption. To improve the energy efficiency, this paper proposes a mechanism that dynamically selects an appropriate address-mapping scheme under the consideration of a trade-off between performance and power consumption. The mechanism works so as to reduce the energy consumption of the main memory. The evaluation results show that the proposed mechanism can reduce the energy consumption in comparison with conventional address-mapping schemes, which do not change their address mappings.


This study focuses and examines the ancient Egyptian iconography and texts of the mythological creature known as Grifon, Griffin, Griffon and Gryphon, from the earliest times till the Greco-Roman periods. This study will shed light on its religious iconography and its distinctive relationship with some other gods such as; Re and Horus Behdety with a falcon head and its relationship with the Ka of the King. The frequent manifestations of the Grifon provide three main forms which may distinguish as follows; the Sphinx with a human head, a winged lion with a falcon head, and a winged lion with a human head, which also includes the female sphinx winged. The Grifon or the so-called Gryphon was one of the oldest and most composite and mixed or hybrid animals in the civilizations of ancient Egypt and ancient Near East. There were many forms and various characteristics of the Grifon which emerged in many texts and scenes. Sometimes it was violent and predator, and occasionally was devoted to protecting, which was regarded as profoundly immoral and wicked, or divine and as a god. There were many forms of myths about the Grifon, as there were several forms and varied for it. This study will highlight the significance and symbolism of the Grifon in ancient Egypt until the Greco-Roman Periods. The methodology of this study will be addressed through discussion of the notable aspects of the extent of effect of Grifon creature through texts and scenes.


Abstract : The purpose of this study was to investigate the mean wind speed profile over the open ocean. Analysis of wind profile data showed that averaging periods must be considered when the profile form is discussed since 95 percent of the 10 minute averaged profiles were found to be logarithmic while less than 50 percent of the 10 second averaged profiles were logarithmic.


The invention provides and carry out the method for high-efficiency nucleic acid library generation, composition and test kit for the target nucleotide sequence enrichment in nucleic acid samples with for new-generation sequencing (NGS).Especially, method provided herein, composition and test kit can be used for producing from the nucleic acid samples containing compound DNA and catch interested amplification ready, the region specific with chain of target specificity.


We evaluated the feasibility of fingerprint scanners in combination with smartcards (Fig 1) for personal identification of teleradiologists and the transmission of encrypted TCP/IP data via satellite between the university hospital of Innsbruck and the rural hospital of Reutte. PCs running the Windows NT 4.0 operating system were used for the data handling. We examined security technology in teleradiological consultations, with a focus on data protection and user-friendliness. Emergency computerized tomography scans were sent to the local picture archiving and communications system (PACS) in Reutte. From there the images were encrypted and sent from a transmission box via satellite from Reutte to Innsbruck. There the images and the electronic patient record were decrypted and after identification through fingerprint scanners the radiologist was able to open the patient record from Reutte and sign with a digital signature to confirm the final report before it was sent back to Reutte. The security technology enables encrypted communication over a wide-area network, which fulfils the requirements of data protection. The implementation in the local RIS and PACS structures shows the need to use international standards. The results will be a part of the telemedicine guidelines in Tyrol. They will be valuable for deciding between the different technical possibilities for information integration in health-care.


Abstract This study tested a classwide peer tutoring model using rule-governed responding to teach tutors to accurately present learn units during social studies instruction using a multiple baseline across participants with pre and post intervention probes. Three students, aged 8 to 10, in a self-contained 3rd/4th grade CABAS[R] classroom participated in this study to test the effects of peer tutoring on the social interactions of the students during unstructured free time and accurate implementation of learn units during tutoring. The results showed an increase in social approvals and accurate learn unit presentations and a decrease in social disapprovals after the introduction of rule-governed peer tutoring. Additionally, the results showed a classwide (and individual participant) increase in social approvals and a decrease in social disapprovals during unstructured free time. Keywords: Classwide peer tutoring, Learn units, Teacher Performance Rate and Accuracy (TPRA). *********** Classwide peer tutoring is an instructional tactic where peers function as each others teachers to teach academic and social behaviors. Each student in a tutor-tutee pair gets an opportunity to function as tutor and tutee. Peer tutoring is easy to implement and "permits the efficient application of the teacher's and peer tutor's skills in the process of individualizing instruction and managing students' classroom behavior" (Kohler & Greenwood, 1990, p.307). Classwide peer tutoring uses peer-mediated contingencies and teacher feedback to increase opportunities to respond by allowing peers to teach each other (Delquadri, Greenwood, Whorton, Carta & Hall, 1986). Tutors are trained to accurately present learn units. Learn units are the foundation of learning and are the initial tactic for most teaching. The learn unit consists of interlocking three-term contingencies between teacher and student (Greer, 2002). During peer tutoring learn units consist of at least two three-term contingencies for the tutor and one potential three-term contingency for the tutee. The student's potential three-term contingency consists of an antecedent, a behavior and a consequence. The tutor is taught to appropriately present antecedents, record correct and incorrect responses and deliver appropriate consequences. These consequences involve delivering verbal approvals for tutees correct responses and participating in a correction for tutees incorrect responses. No disapprovals are given for incorrect responses, because "disapprovals function as attention for undesirable behavior and interfere with the development of positive classroom practices" (Singer-Dudek & Keohane, in press). One method to teach tutors accurate peer tutoring is using rule-governed responding. Rule-governed behavior is behavior that is controlled by verbal rather than nonverbal contingencies (Greer, 2002). A term that expands on Skinner's (1957) rule-governed behavior is verbal mediation. "Verbal behavior that governs or guides nonverbal behavior in lieu of the natural contingencies is an incidence of behavior under the control of verbal mediation ... Individuals performing a series of operations under verbal mediation can perform those operations without having ever experienced the direct contingencies" (Greer, 2002, p.353). Studies have shown that rule governed responding increases correct responding (Marsico, 1998; Singer, 2000; Taylor & O'Reilly, 1997). Marsico (1998) implemented rule governed responding with 6 students by giving them scripts that contained the steps to correctly solve long division and multiplication problems. The results showed an increase in the amount of time the student spent working independently without seeking help or stopping for all 6 students. The rates of correct responses also increased across all participants during the intervention phase. To insure accuracy of rule-governed responding, an observer records the tutor's behavior using the Teacher Performance Rate and Accuracy (TPRA) data sheet (Ingham & Greer, 1992). …


High-speed trains, carrying high social and commercial value, travel at a speed over 250km/h, thus any damage to tracks would cause severe loss. Detecting events which can cause track faults is important to the safety of high-speed railway systems. Railways, crossing the vast area of plains and mountains, are vulnerable to earthquakes which can damage tracks with destructive forces. In recent years, earthquake early warning systems (EEW) attract great attention from public because losses of lives and properties can be greatly reduced with earthquake alarm it offers. However, conventional EEW system cannot offer satisfactory alarms for high-speed railway systems. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an EEW for high-speed railways (HR-EEW). One of the key issues in designing an HR-EEW system is how to offer timely alarms to trains under certain constrains, such as budget limitation and geological restriction. We propose HR-EEW systems based on wireless sensor networks (WSNs). In this paper, we take a close look at deploying wireless sensor nodes in HR-EEW systems. We target at solving the minimum cost deployment problem while guaranteeing that any earthquake in a seismic district can be timely reported by k sensors.We carefully investigate this problem and derive a critical condition for a deployment to satisfy a predefined performance requirement. Then, we present novel algorithms to solve the problem. Finally, we evaluate our methodology under real data and synthetic data.


Three randomized studies have demonstrated that screening with fecal occult blood tests (FOBTs) is associated with reduced mortality from colorectal


Mammalian β-defensins are endogenous cysteine-rich peptide antibiotics that are produced either by epithelial cells lining the respiratory, digestive, and urogenital tracts or by granulocytes and macrophages. A growing body of evidence has implicated these peptides in host defense, particularly mucosal innate immunity. We previously reported the cloning of the full-length cDNA for a porcine β-defensin (pBD-1), which was found to be expressed throughout the airway and oral mucosa. Here, we provide the structural organization of the pBD-1 gene, showing that the entire gene spans ∼1.9 kilobases with two short exons separated by a 1.5-kilobase intron. Fluorescence in situ hybridization mapped the pBD-1 gene to porcine chromosome 15q14-q15.1 within a region of conserved synteny to the chromosomal locations of human and mouse α- and β-defensins. We also provide several independent lines of evidence showing that thepBD-1 gene is expressed constitutively during inflammation and infection, despite its resemblance to many inducible epithelial β-defensins in amino acid sequence, genomic structure, and sites of expression. First, stimulation of primary porcine tongue epithelial cells with lipopolysaccharide, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interleukin (IL)-1β failed to up-regulate the expression ofpBD-1 mRNA. Second, pBD-1 gene expression was not enhanced in either digestive or respiratory mucosa of pigs following a 2-day infection with Salmonella typhimurium orActinobacillus pleuropneumoniae. Last, direct transfection of the pBD-1 gene promoter into NIH/3T3 cells showed no difference in reporter gene activity in response to stimulation by lipopolysaccharide and IL-1β. The constitutive expression ofpBD-1 in airway and oral mucosa, which is consistent with a lack of consensus binding sites for nuclear factor-κB or NF-IL-6 in its promoter region, suggests that it may play a surveillance role in maintaining the steady state of microflora on mucosal surfaces.


Twenty of 22 hepatitis delta virus (HDV)-superinfected chronic hepatitis B carriers who had detectable HDV RNA at the acute stage progressed to chronicity, while only 6 of 16 patients without HDV RNA did so (P less than .005). The poor outcome of patients with persistently positive or fluctuating HDV RNA has been indicated by the following findings: 24 of 38 patients suffered from prolonged hepatic inflammation complicated by three to eight episodes of exacerbations; among them, 5 developed cirrhosis and 2 died in a follow-up period of 4 years. For most patients, the replication of HBV was suppressed at acute stage; only 3 of the 38 cases had detectable HBV DNA in sera. While reactivation of HBV was found in another 8 patients in the follow-up period, for 5 it was in the presence of serum HDV RNA and 2 developed cirrhosis. Therefore, serial assays of serum HDV RNA and HBV DNA appeared to be of value in monitoring the clinical course and outcome of acute HDV superinfection and in the study of the long-term interactions between these two viruses.