xviii 1. CHAPTER I: DETECTION OF RESISTANCE GENES TO SYNTHETIC PYRETHROIDS AND Babesia spp. IN Rhipicephalus microplus AND CATTLE BLOOD SAMPLES FROM COLOMBIA 1 1.1. INTRODUCCIÓN 2 1.1.1. Resistance to acaricides 2 220.127.116.11. Mechanisms of action of Synthetic pyrethroids (SP) 3 188.8.131.52.1. Synthetic pyrethroids (SP) 3 220.127.116.11.2. Mechanisms of resistance 3 18.104.22.168.3. Synthetic pyrethroids resistance 4 1.1.2. Bovine babesiosis 5 188.8.131.52. Cattle immunity mechanisms against B. bovis 6 126.96.36.199. Economic and veterinary public health importance of B. bovis 7 220.127.116.11. Developing of a synthetic vaccine against B. bovis 8 126.96.36.199. Diagnosis of B. bovis by serological tests and nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays 11 1.2. MATERIAL AND METHODS 13 1.2.1. Applied epidemiological questionnaires and further analysis for acaricide resistance and bovine babesiosis 13 1.2.2. Selection of sampling sites in Colombia and tick collection methods 13 1.2.3. Collection of cattle serum and blood samples 16 1.2.4. Tick control samples for acaricide susceptibility 17 1.2.5. DNA extraction of pooled tick samples 18 220.127.116.11. Tick DNA extraction by the Phenol:Chloroform:Isoamyl method 18 22.214.171.124. Tick DNA extraction using a commercial kit 19 1.2.6. DNA isolation of dried blood spot samples 19 1.2.7. Detection of mutant genes involved in synthetic pyrethroids resistance 19 1.2.8. B. bovis rra gene and B. bigemina rap-1c gene PCR assays 21 1.2.9. Agarose gel electrophoresis and its developing under ultraviolet light 22 1.2.10. Indirect ELISA for detection anti-SBbo23290 antibodies for B. bovis 23 22.214.171.124. Modified criss-cross serial dilution analysis 24


The present invention relates to an encoding mode decision method using temporal and spatial complexities and device. The present invention relates to a device for determining a coding mode, the temporal complexity calculation for calculating a temporal complexity of a macroblock unit; And a mode determination unit determining an encoding mode using the temporal complexity provides an encoding mode decision apparatus using a temporal complexity comprising parts. According to the present invention, not only it can more accurately calculate the temporal and spatial complexities of a macroblock as rates by selecting an optimal coding mode by him - the processing speed to reduce the complexity of the calculations at the time of applying a distortion optimization It can be improved. Image, compression, coding, mode decision, time, space, complexity, intra, inter


This paper examines the energy use patterns in transport, and how they have changed over the last two decades. The paper establishes the links between urban form and energy consumption in the transport sector. This has formed the basis of a series of major research projects in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The analysis focuses on physical, social, and economic factors. All these factors seem important in determining energy use levels in transport. It is concluded that although energy efficiency in all forms of transport is increasing, this is more than outweighed by the growth in traffic. Energy use in transport is likely to continue to increase. It will be difficult to meet the emission targets set at the 1992 Rio Summit. The tendency to live at lower densities, to value open space and a higher quality of life, to commute long distances, to establish complex activity patterns, all mean that it is very difficult to change these trends. As cities themselves become more dispersed and looser agglomerations, the prime concern of planners should be to make cities more attractive places in which to live. That is the only way to remain the city in the next century. Transport inefficiency may be one of the costs of achieving that objective. For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 867839.


Research on the care of infants and their development has been predominantly with mothers and more research is needed on the nature and quality of the fatherinfant relationship. The focus of this cross-sectional research is the capacity of paternal mentalizing or fathers' Parental Reflective Functioning (PRF): the parental capacity to reason about one's own and one's child's behaviours by taking into consideration intentional mental states. Rasch measurement analysis and theory was used to critically examine the validity of the recently developed Parental Reflective Functioning Questionnaire (PRFQ) for both mothers and fathers. Mothers' and Fathers' levels of PRF were assessed using scores based on the Parent Development Interview (PDI-RF) and self-report ratings from the 39-item PRFQ, in the context of the longitudinal Peel Child Health Study (N = 120 families). Data in this study from seven items of the PRFQ conformed to the requirements of Rasch measurement theory and this set of items is proposed to reflect a specific aspect of mentalizing: child-focused parental mentalizing (PRFQ-CF). Properties of the PRFQ-CF are described in detail and the shortcomings of other PRFQ subscales are identified. The PRFQ-CF showed marginal test-retest stability and limited convergent validity with the PDI-RF; these limitations are discussed. Parental ratings of mental health were not associated with scores on the PRFQ-CF and variance in the PRFQ-CF scores was not accounted for by demographic variables including parent age, gender of child, parent birthplace, birth order, parent education, and parent occupation. Mother and father PRFQ-CF scores were found to be unrelated (r = -.001), and mothers scored on average higher PRFQ-CF than fathers. The measurement of fathers' PRF has the potential to advance the understanding of father-child relationships in early childhood. This aspect of the father-child relationship is fundamental for a better appreciation of the father's role in the family and for the progress of 'familyfriendly' government policies and interventions that target the specific needs of fathers and children. Rasch Analysis of the PRFQ


Within months of the September 11 attacks on the United States, public officials, academics, journalists, and lawyers began debating the ethics of torture. Confronting an unconventional and intransigent enemy, the United States and its allies required quick intelligence in order to prevent further terrorist attacks. In such circumstances, some believed that torture would be morally justifiable. Often, they invoked political philosopher Michael Walzer's well-known "ticking bomb" scenario. In it, a colonial official in a civil war captures a rebel who knows the location of bombs in a city. Derek S. Jeffreys


OF THE DSCLOSURE An apparatus is provided for vacuum treatment of molten metal which comprises a primary vacuum vessel connected by a depending leg to a supply of molten metal and a stream degassing chamber connected to said pri mary vessel by a nozzle and depending leg.


In their GECCO'12 paper, Doerr and Doerr proved that the k-ary unbiased black-box complexity of OneMax on n bits is O(n/k) for 2 ≤ k ≤ log2 n. We propose an alternative strategy for achieving this unbiased black-box complexity when 3 ≤ k ≤ log2 n. While it is based on the same idea of block-wise optimization, it uses k-ary unbiased operators in a different way. For each block of size 2k-1 - 1 we set up, in O(k) queries, a virtual coordinate system, which enables us to use an arbitrary unrestricted algorithm to optimize this block. This is possible because this coordinate system introduces a bijection between unrestricted queries and a subset of k-ary unbiased operators. We note that this technique does not depend on OneMax being solved and can be used in more general contexts. This together constitutes an algorithm which is conceptually simpler than the one by Doerr and Doerr, and in the same time achieves better constant multiples in the asymptotic notation. Our algorithm works in (2 + o(1)) · n/(k - 1), where o(1) relates to k. Our experimental evaluation of this algorithm shows its efficiency already for 3 ≤ k ≤ 6.


The economic benefit of using wet chlorine-brine heat exchangers in 150 kt/a ion-exchange membrane caustic soda devices(bipolar natural circulation ion-exchange membrane electrolyzers) is calculated to reach 1 560 000 $RMB/a under the conditions of 0.04 MPa chlorine pressure and 85 ℃ in the electrolyzers(based on 130 $RMB/t of steam).


Rotational transitions in a number of important stratospheric trace molecues can potentially be accurately measured by far infrared spectroscopy. HCl, OH, H2O2, HO2 and HOCl have large rotational constants due to the reduced mass of hydrogen plus other, heavier, constituents. The polyatomics in this group are all nearly symmetric prolate tops (NSPTs) having strong Q branches (b-type selection rules, ΔJ=0, ΔK=1) that are sufficiently compact to be seen as relatively sharp features in atmospheric spectra. All the molecules are characterized by reasonably large dipole moments (μb for the NSPTs) and small partition functions, if we consider only partitioning among the Ki for the NSPTs.


was found in the organization of transcortical sensomotor projections. The pyramidal, stellate, and inverted pyramidal neurons in the third layer of the cortex were shown to take part in the formation of these pathways. Results obtained by the experimental degeneration method combined with electron microscopy showed that afferentation from the first somatosensory area of the cortex reaches mainly cells in layers III and V. It is suggested that the influence of the association fibers on projection neurons in the motor area is transmitted either directly or through interneurons.


One of the biggest issues in metallurgical operations is choose of right cooling media it decides improvement of mechanical properties and grain refinement of metals and alloy. Selection of right cooling media which gives maximum cooling rate with minimal distortion of metals and alloy. In this paper the researchers observed that the Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) problem with different objectives. Using this method, the criteria weights are estimated by utilizing the method entropy and the alternative rankings are calculated, by using the method TOPSIS (Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution). In this approach out of six alternatives the best cooling media for metallurgical find out. The procedure is exhibited a case study.


To investigate some geotechnical characteristics of the soils in a chosen area of Abu Al-Khasib city, Basrah Governorate, southern Iraq, nine boreholes that range in depth from 10 to 32 meters were drilled. Based on the results of standard penetration tests and particle size analysis the Quaternary deposits, which extend vertically to a depth of 32 meters, are divided into 8 layers with varying bearing capacities depending on their consistency and compactness. These layers are Medium stiff brown lean clay, soft and very soft gray lean clay, medium stiff gray lean clay, stiff gray lean clay, medium denes gray silty sand, denes gray silty sand , hard gray clay-silt-sand mixture and very dense gray silty sand. The first layer's bearing capacity is 140 kN/m2, so it is considered as moderately adequate to support the isolated, strip,or raft shallow foundations of various light buildings in the study region, and soil improvement techniques, especially mechanical methods, are required. Different types of deep foundations such as piles and well foundations for heavy constructions must be extended to depths of 27 and 30 meters, which represents the 7th and 8th layers of high bearing capacity (640-760, 1100 kN/m2 respectively) in the study area. Inorganic clays with low plasticity are the most common classification for samples. The soils of the study area are considered highly compressible soils and have medium expansion degree which must be taken into account when constructing shallow foundations to minimize damage to buildings. The percentages of sulphates, total dissolved salts, organic content, and gypsum content are minimal and considered ineffective, whereas the percentages of carbonates and chlorides are high and affect the safety of shallow foundations. In the study site, the groundwater is around 0.5 m deep.


In the article "Ample vector bundles", Inst. Hautes Etudes Sci.Publ. Math. no. 29 (1966), 63-94, R. Hartshorne has extended the notion of ample vector bundle to vector bundles of arbitrary rank and has raised the following question. Let be an ample vector bundle over a nonsingular algebraic variety and assume that the rank of is equal to . Is it true that the th Chern class is numerically positive for ? In this paper it is proved that in the case the degree of the point-cycle is positive.Bibliography: 8 items.


We simulate antiferromagnetic thin films. Dipole-dipole and antiferromagnetic exchange interactions as well as uniaxial and quadrupolar anisotropies are taken into account. Various phases unfold as the corresponding parameters, J , D and C , as well as the temperature T and the number n of film layers vary. We find (1) how the strength ∆ ν of the anisotropy arising from dipole-dipole interactions varies with the number of layers ν away from the film's surface, with J and with n ; (2) a unified phase diagram for all n -layer films and bulk systems; (3) a layer dependent spin reorientation (SR) phase in which spins rotate continuously as T , D , C and n vary; (4) that the ratio of the SR to the ordering temperature depends (approximately) on n only through ( D +∆ /n ) /C , and hardly on J ; (5) a phase transformation between two different magnetic orderings, in which spin orientations may or may not change, for some values of J , by varying n .


This study investigated the effects of personality type and ethnicity on reactivity to stressful stimuli by examining acculturation and adherence to Asian American cultural values as moderators. Twenty-two Asian American and twenty-two European American students performed a mental arithmetic task and a speech task while cardiovascular (CV) reactivity was monitored. Level of extraversion, acculturation, and adherence to Asian American values were assessed. As predicted, Asian Americans exhibited less CV reactivity to stressful stimuli and lower levels of extraversion than European Americans. Support was found for adherence to Asian American values as a moderator of the relationship between level of extraversion and CV reactivity to stressful stimuli. The results illustrate that being connected to Asian American culture has protective value for less extraverted individuals, as adherence to Asian American values predicted less CV reactivity to stress. These findings shed light on how culture influences the form and function of personality and can influence physiological reactivity to stress. To the best of my knowledge, no research has investigated whether personality type has an effect on stress responses in Asian Americans and examined the differences in responses based on cultural adherence. ASIAN VALUES, EXTRAVERSION, AND STRESS REACTIVITY 3 The Effects of Adherence to Asian Values and Extraversion on Cardiovascular Reactivity: A Comparison Between Asian and European Americans Personality is shaped in many ways and has countless influences including social, cultural, and biological. Past research has illuminated differences amongst extraverts and introverts in the area of stress response (Fowles, Roberts, & Nagel, 1977; Hinton & Craske, 1977; Kaiser, Hinton, Krohne, Stewart, & Burton, 1995; Sipprelle, Ascough, Detrio, & Horst, 1977). However, no research, to the best of my knowledge, has investigated whether personality type has an effect on stress responses in Asian Americans and examined the differences in responses based on cultural adherence. Thus, the current study aims to examine the effects of acculturation, adherence to Asian American values, and level of extraversion on CV reactivity in response to stressful stimuli. A common model to describe personality is the Five Factor Model, which proposes that openness to experience, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism comprise the fundamental architecture of personality traits (Costa & McCrae, 1985; John, Donahue, & Kentle, 1991). This study focuses on the extraversion/introversion dimension, which consists of several facets, including gregariousness, assertiveness, activity, excitementseeking, positive emotions, and warmth. Jung (1971) proposed that extraverts and introverts differ fundamentally in their relations to the world. According to Jung (1971), the introvert reflects on and internalizes potential conflicts between the self and the world, whereas the extravert acts upon the world and seeks to reduce potential conflicts between the self's goals and current reality (Brebner & Cooper, 1978). From this perspective, introverts are more reflective and harmonious, whereas extraverts are more active and individualistic. ASIAN VALUES, EXTRAVERSION, AND STRESS REACTIVITY 4 There are both universal and culture-specific aspects of variation in personality (Triandis & Suh, 2002). A cross-cultural perspective on personality accepts the universality of personality traits, such as extraversion, but also argues that culture influences patterns of behavior including the form and function of personality (Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Triandis & Suh, 2002). Research suggests that Asian Americans are less likely than their European American counterparts to be extraverted and that this difference may be due to differing cultural values (Oyserman, Coon, & Kemmelmeier, 2002; Song & Kwon, 2012). Abe and Zane (1990) found that foreign-born Asians had lower levels of extraversion than American-born Asians and that both groups of Asians (foreign and American-born) had lower levels of extraversion than European Americans. Similarly, Mooradian and Swan (2006) found that extraversion scores differed nationally and that Chinese and Japanese individuals scored lower in extraversion than American individuals. These cultural differences in levels of extraversion reflect larger cultural values regarding individualism and collectivism. Broadly put, American values favor extraversion more and Asian values favor extraversion less (Abe & Zane, 1990). Asian cultures tend to emphasize collectivism, whereas individualism is highly regarded in America (Safdar et al., 2009). In Western cultures, children are taught to attend to the self, to appreciate one's difference from others, and to understand the importance of asserting the self (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). In many Eastern cultures or Asian cultures, children are taught to attend to fitting in with others and to understand the importance of harmonious interdependence (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). For those with interdependent construals of the self, both the expression and the experience of emotions and motives may be significantly shaped and governed by a consideration of the reactions of others (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Introverts display reflective and non-assertive qualities that are similar to values emphasized and respected in ASIAN VALUES, EXTRAVERSION, AND STRESS REACTIVITY 5 Asian cultures, which may explain why Asians and Asian Americans score lower in extraversion and higher in interdependence and collectivism than European Americans (Abe & Zane, 1990; Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Safdar et al., 2009; Triandis & Suh, 2002). Research suggests that physiological reactivity to laboratory stressors is influenced by level of extraversion (Hinton & Craske, 1977; Fowles et al., 1977; Kaiser et al., 1995). Hinton and Craske (1977) observed that introverts showed a greater increase in heart rate relative to extraverts when performing a mental task, illustrating that introverts had greater CV reactivity in response to stress than did extraverts. Stelmack and Mandelzys (1975) showed that introverts had a larger mean increase in pupil diameter from prestimulus conditions than did extraverts. According to Lowenstein and Lowenfeld (1969), pupil diameter indicates a threat response. Thus, the results of Stelmack and Mandelzys (1975) can be interpreted as an indication that introverts show greater reactivity to perceived threats, as indicated by a greater papillary threat response. Little research has been conducted recently to confirm these findings. As such, the current study aims to further this research and investigate whether these findings are still relevant. Understanding that Asians generally display lower levels of extraversion relative to European Americans and that lower levels of extraversion have been associated with greater CV reactivity, it seems possible that Asians would be more likely to display greater CV reactivity than European Americans. However, Shen, Stroud, and Niaura (2004) found that Asian Americans showed reduced CV reactivity to laboratory stressors when compared to European Americans. The study done by Shen et al. (2004) is the only study to my knowledge that directly compared CV stress responses between Asian and European Americans and it focused only on ethnicity and not on acculturation. Acculturation occurs when two or more cultures interact; it is ASIAN VALUES, EXTRAVERSION, AND STRESS REACTIVITY 6 the process of cultural and psychological change that results from the meeting of cultures (Suinn, Rickard-Figueroa, Lew, & Vigil, 1987). Cultural factors may explain ethnic differences in personality type (level of extraversion) and physiological reactivity to stress. The current study assessed level of acculturation and adherence to Asian American values to investigate whether maintaining Asian cultural values has an influence on level of extraversion and stress reactivity in Asian Americans. Kim, Li, and Ng (2005) identified five values that are emphasized in Asian cultures: collectivism, conformity to norms, emotional self-control, family recognition through achievement, and humility. Cultures differ in how they encourage and reinforce emotional responding, resulting in differences in which emotional responses are appropriate under what circumstances (Kitayama, Markus, & Kurokawa, 2000; Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Matsumoto, 1990). Asian cultures often hold beliefs about the proper display of emotions (Kitayama et al., 2000; Markus & Kitayama, 1991; Matsumoto, 1990), which may impact level of extraversion and reactivity to stress. The cultural norms surrounding expressions such as happiness, sadness, anger, and fear differ from American norms. Safdar et al. (2009) found that Japanese cultural norms permit the expression of powerful emotions such as anger, contempt, and disgust significantly less than American and Canadian cultural norms. In addition, individuals in the Japanese sample generally felt they should express positive emotions, like happiness and surprise, significantly less than individuals in the Canadian sample. The Asian value of emotional self-control may play a role in personal expression as well as stress reactivity. Collectivistic cultures, such as, Japanese culture value groups over individuals and promote harmony and cooperation within the group rather than individual assertion (Markus & Kitayama, 1991). Emotions are seen more as interactive experiences reflecting the social context ASIAN VALUES, EXTRAVERSION, AND STRESS REACTIVITY 7 rather than the inner self. The culture demands control over the expression of emotion because it is the basis for forming an assessment of the relationship between the self and others (Mesquita, 2001). Collectivistic cultures mainly emphasize the maintenance of cohesion within the group and therefore, control of emotion holds a high precedence (Mar


Based on the analysis of some relevant aspects of filling stopes method,the paper thinks some effective measures,for example,reasonable underground filling useful to the surface protection,should be taken from the techno-economic point of view.


In a Perspectives paper titled 'Administrative data: what surgeons should know about big data' in this current edition of the ANZ Journal of Surgery, Hong et al. have challenged and warned surgeons not to be dismissive of or uninvolved in administrative data collected by health institutions and health departments, that is, so-called big data. Health departments, regional health authorities, hospitals and many other health-related institutions increasingly have the ability to collect large volumes of statistical data including, for example, information relating to patient demographics, disease demographics, length of patient stay, hospital bed usage and the financial costs of providing specific services. Performance measures and health outcomes can now be calculated and compared between regions and individual hospitals and, undoubtedly if authorized, these comparisons could potentially be made between individual surgeons. Our transition into a world dominated and directed by information technology has undoubtedly facilitated this increased capability to collect and analyse data, and this will no doubt be further enhanced by the increasing utilization of electronic medical record systems by many hospitals and which will further enable input into the big data environment. Whereas administrative data have been previously predominantly utilized for the purposes of recording patient demographics and analysing overall hospital efficiencies, by extending its data linkage fields into areas such as radiology and pathology, administrative data increasingly can potentially provide more meaningful information than purpose-specific clinical databases which have traditionally been the domain of various medical bodies and professional societies but often conducted in a rather fragmented fashion. However, there is an emerging evidence that big administrative databases may be at least as good as clinical databases for purposes of performance monitoring, audit, case finding and research. Administrative data have the advantage that it is collected in a regulated and mandatory fashion and readily captures large patient population information in a cost-efficient manner. It is therefore critical that surgeons and clinicians actively participate in the quality of the information being collected and its subsequent analysis and interpretation. There are excellent examples of surgeon and clinician involvement in big data management. The RACS Clinical Variation Working Party is undertaking a collaborative analysis of Medibank statistics to study variations in surgical outcomes for a variety of procedures so that we can have a better understanding of what drives variation in healthcare practices. Another example of administrative data oversighted by effective clinical supervision and interpretation is the Queensland Cancer Control Analysis Team (QCCAT) which represents a partnership between the Queensland Health Department and various clinical oncological groups. The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) is a nationally validated, risk-adjusted, outcome-based programme to measure and improve the quality of surgical care in the private sector. NSQIP is a large surgeon-directed and audited database which has been demonstrated to reduce the number of perioperative complications and provides feedback to health insurance companies, which are generally hesitant to pay for complications, as to what is an acceptable standard of care. Similarly, the ANZASM programme established and conducted by the RACS is a nationally based audit of mortality which has also been shown to have significant benefits in terms of improving patient care. ASERNIP-S, functioning under the auspices of the RACS Research and Evaluation incorporating ASERNIP-S committee, conducts reviews and meta-analyses of data for various government bodies and health institutions and therefore provides not only clinicians but also administrators and non-clinicians with the appropriate insight on numerous health issues. Therefore, as Hong et al. have highlighted, surgeon involvement in health data evaluation is vital. It is essential that surgeons have engagement in the collection of health institution statistics and be represented on committees analysing and interpreting big data so that this information is viewed in a proper clinical perspective. In doing so, surgeons can influence the direction of healthcare policies and ensure that the best and most efficient quality outcomes for patients can be achieved. It would also be important that surgeons ensure that data collected by health authorities and hospital groups are not used in a misguided way to attempt to publically rank or score-card individual surgeons or surgical units, an exercise which would be replete with contention.


Abstract The reactions of five B-aryl ether lignin model dimers with three anthrahydroquinone (AHQ) analogs have been studied. Some of the models and AHQ analogs have bulky substituents strategically located in positions which would possibly inhibit adduct reactions but not single electron transfer (SET) reactions. The fact that the model fragmentation efficiencies were the same for both steri-cally hindered and unhindered AHQ analogs indicates that the reaction mechanism cannot involve a rate determining adduct formation step. The results can be best explained either by an SET mechanism or a mechanism which involves quinoneraethide generation as a slow step, followed by adduct, SET, or other steps. Placing methyl groups on the S-carbon of the models favored model fragmentation reactions by NaOH. The B-methyl group may be promoting fragmentation reaction rates and/or retarding the rates of competing side reactions, such as vinyl ether generation.


A self-cleaning of the strainer is powered externally, the strainer can be operated over a long period of time, have a lower surface which is formed to divert fluid fluid toward the strainer at a constant speed and whereby the impeller has a missile shield can be discharged debris more effectively, a suitable shape, driven by a motor, in the vicinity of the strainer intake, fluid localized radially outward including an impeller for generating the flow. Further, self-cleaning strainer includes a brush for supporting diametrically mounted, debris removal intake face of the impeller. Impeller when passing the intake surface of the strainer, causing a localized backflow into the strainer, thereby debris particles from the strainer are removed.


Turbine blade runner crack will be a serious threat to the safe and economic operation of hydropower plant.By analyzing Unit #2 Francis turbine blades cracks in Guangdong Province Liuxihe Hydropower Station,this paper introduces the process of using coloring NDT inspection method to finish runner blades defect treatment.The results show that better measures can prevent the spreading of cracks,eliminating the danger of accidents,for reference.


A novel and simple non-return-to-zero differential phase shift keying (NRZ-DPSK) wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) system, which can simultaneously demultiplex and demodulate multiple wavelengths, is proposed and investigated in this paper. The phase-to-intensity demodulation principle is based on detuned filtering, which is achieved by using a single commercial array waveguide grating (AWG) in our scheme. By properly choosing appropriate AWG channels at the transmitter, the AWG at the receiver can act as both the demultiplexer and the demodulator of the DPSK signals. Simulations at 10, 20, and 40 Gbit/s show good flexibility and performance for the proposed system.


The aim of the study was to compare chemical and nutritional profile of wine and heat-treated wine, called mulled wine. The experiment was focused on simulation of ordinary produce mulled wine by the majority of consumers. Cabernet Moravia (bottled in Velkobílovická vína s.r.o., Czech Republic) was used for the experimental production of mulled wine. Following spices were added to wine during cooking: cloves (Vitana, Czech Republic) and cinnamon (KOTÁNY, Austria). The samples of wine were heat treated in stainless steel pot for 5 minutes. The relative density, acidity, alcohol content, phenol content and antioxidant capacity were monitored in experimentally produced wine and mulled wine. The gained results showed that samples of mulled wine with added cloves had statistically significant (p <0.05) higher phenol content and higher antioxidant properties in comparison with wine before heat treatment and spices addition. The results clearly showed that mulled wine can be considered as the product with better health beneficial nutritional profile than wine from which it is produced; in addition, mulled wine sample had significantly (p <0.05) lower alcoholic content (8.27 ±0.04 vol.%).


The combined destabilizing effects of roll rate and sideslip angle are studied for a high angle-of-attack flight condition using a linear simulation of the coupled motions of a Space Shuttle-like configuration. Variations in the eigenvalues for a flight condition nominally identified by an angle of attack of 33.29 deg and a Mach number of 4.9 are examined with illustrations of the separate effects of body-axis roll rate and yaw rate, stability-axis roll rate, dynamic pressure, and sideslip angle. It is shown that the stability of the free motion of the vehicle is sensitive to roll rate and that this sensitivity is enhanced by nonzero sideslip angle. The results suggest that fully coupled linearized equations can be of value both for the study of Space Shuttle stability and for a better understanding of post-stall gyrations, incipient spin, and departure prevention for high-performance aircraft.


In this work, a wood composite material is considered, which incorporates all the best properties of the known wood polymer composites: water resistance, moisture resistance, high bending strength. It was concluded that according to the criterion of resistance to temperature fluctuations, it is possible to give more complete recommendations on the optimal composition of the wood polymer composite material based on a two-factor study. To ensure comparability of optimization results for a number of other properties, a series of computer experiments was carried out according to the same plan as for the study of compression resistance, that is, the concentration of wood and at the same time the concentration of sand was changed from 10 to 50 % with a step of 10 %, respectively. The material has acquired new advantages, which do not have known analogues
– the possibility of using any wood waste, higher strength due to the content of sand in the composition, cheaper production due to the fact that most of the components of the material are household and wood waste, namely waste from the woodworking and forestry industries in the form of chips, sawdust, chips, lump waste, as well as sand, which is a publicly available and inexpensive material.


Constructing or improving"national qualification framework"is a significant task in the education development agendas of many developed countries or regions.As one of the advanced countries in Asia,Singapore has recently con structed its own national qualification framework: Workforce Skills Qualifications System,but it differs a bit from others with great vocational education orientation,and thus plays an important role in the whole course of Singapore human re source development.However,the"national qualification framework"in Singapore is as well transforming to simulate oth ers,with qualifications and accreditations it confers cohering and connecting the ones conferred by formal education insti tutes at different levels including secondary education and higher(vocational) education.


This research was to determine nutritional composition, essential and toxic elemental content, and
major phenolic acid with antioxidant activity in Kadsura coccinea fruit. The results indicated that Kadsura
coccinea fruit exhibited the high contents of total protein, total fat, ash and essential elements such as calcium
(Ca), ferrum (Fe) and phosphorus (P). The levels of four common toxic elements, i.e. cadmium (Cd), mercury
(Hg), arsenic (As) and lead (Pb), were lower than legal limits. By high-performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC) analysis, gallic acid was identified as major phenolic acid in peel and pulp tissues. Its contents were
no significant difference in both tissues. In comparison with two commercial antioxidants, the major phenolic
acid extracted from Kadsura coccinea exhibited stronger 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical-scavenging
activity and reducing power. Kadsura coccinea fruit is a good source of nutrition and natural antioxidant. It is
worthwhile to popularize this exotic fruit around the world.


ABSTRACT The term 'satellite city' can be applied at multiple scales and with multiple meanings. In this article, the Chinese city of Shenzhen will be viewed both as a satellite city at the (mega)city-level, and as a city consisting of many sub-city satellites. In the first years after becoming China's first Special Economic Zone, Shenzhen developed as a satellite city not only of its neighbour Hong Kong, but also of Beijing, as the first zone of experiments with 'capitalism with socialist characteristics'. In later development stages the city has emancipated to also become a centre in its own right. At the same time, however, Shenzhen is a 'city of satellites', comprising many sub-centres that could also be seen as satellites themselves. After exploring Shenzhen as a whole as a satellite city of Hong Kong, Beijing and other 'external influencers', we will discuss three examples of different types of sub-city satellites: OCT, Shekou/Qianghai, and Guangming New Town.


Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of sacrospinous colpopexy in vault prolapse patients. Methods: It is the retrospective study including 10 vault prolapse patients who received sacrospinous colpopexy at St. Paul Hospital, the Catholic University from July 1999 to April 2004. Results: The 10 patients receiving sacrospinous colpopexy had the average age of 58.9 years, and the parity of 3.4. They were moderately overweighted with average BMI of 24.5. The average period from hysterectomy to diagnosis of vault prolapse was 11.1 years. Hypertension was noted on most of patients (70.0%). The average operation time was 68.5 minutes and postoperative hemoglobin decrement was 2.4 on average. During 2-month period of postoperative follow-up, there were no significant complications noted except one case of wound infection associated with diabetes and one case of transfusion due to anemia. After sacrospinous colpopexy, protruding mass out of vagina was resolved on 100% and urologic and other complications were improved over 50% of cases. Conclusion: Considering that several underlying medical conditions such as hypertension, obesity are associated with vault prolapsed patients, sacrospinous colpopexy in case of vault prolapse is an excellent operative approach with low complication and recurrence rates.


Forest managers require accurate and timely data that describe vegetation conditions on cutover areas to assess vegetation development and prescribe actions necessary to achieve forest regeneration objectives. Needs for such data are increasing with current emphasis on ecosystem management, escalating silvicultural treatment costs, evolving computer-based decision support tools, and demands for greater accountability. Deficiencies associated with field survey methods of data acquisition (e.g. high costs, subjectivity, and low spatial and temporal coverage) frequently limit decision-making effectiveness. The potential for remotely sensed data to supplement field-collected forest vegetation management data was evaluated in a problem analysis consisting of a comprehensive literature review and consultation with remote sensing and vegetation management experts at a national workshop. Among curently available sensors, aerial photographs appear to offer the most suitable combination of characteristics, includin...


Back end of the line dielectrics (BEOL) with low dielectric constants, so called low-k dielectrics, are needed for current and future integrated circuit technology nodes. However, an understanding of the defects which limit reliability and cause leakage currents for these films is not yet developed. We primarily utilize conventional electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and leakage current measurements to investigate amorphous hydrogenated carbon doped oxide (a-SiOC:H) dielectrics, the most important in current BEOL technology. The resonance measurements were complemented by transmission Fourier-transform infra-red spectroscopy, x-ray reflectivity, and Rutherford backscattering measurements. Various compositions of a-SiOC:H films were deposited on 300 mm diameter Si (100) wafers. They exhibit a wide range of dielectric constant, composition, and porosity. Variations in deposition method, process chemistry, and post deposition curing were also investigated. We observe a remarkable range of paramagnetic def...


The kinetics and reaction mechanism of FCC gasoline hydroisomerization over the Pt/HZSM\|5 bifunctional catalyst with stable activity have been studied by using a continuous flow microreactor. The distributions of product and reaction network and model of kinetics of FCC gasoline hydroisomerization were obtained at 320 ℃~400 ℃ and 4.5MPa~8.5Mpa. Based on monomolecular reaction mechanism, the rate constants and activation energie of each step were calculated.The results showed that Pt/HZSM\|5 bifunctional catalyst possesses good activity for hydrogenation and isomerization, the olefin concentration of FCC gasoline were decreased and the stability of FCC gasoline was improved by hydrogenation under condition of unchanged octane number.


In order to realize perception systems on low cost embedded electronic devices as Raspberry PI 3, 4, and Nvidia Jetson Nano, an evaluation methodology to test these devices is proposed. These systems are dedicated for robotics applications for consummer uses as domestic autonomous robots, and systems to help visually impaired people to move safely. The methodology consists in choosing representative low level vision algorithms and in evaluating them using various implementations. CPU and GPU implementations are evaluated. The interest of the methodology is the speed of the evaluation. Indeed, the implementation of the reference algorithms is much faster than the implementation of the algorithms of the targeted application. The coarse time scale, between the treatments chosen as a reference and those to be implemented for the targeted application, gives an idea of the possibility of use. This methodology is then performed to evaluate and to compare the three devices : Raspberry PI 3, 4, and Nvidia Jetson Nano. The results shows the interest of the use of the GPU. The easy access to the GPU, and the simplicity of programming in Cuda is a great advantage for the Jetson Nano.


Metal detection is widely used in security, military and industrial and mining enterprises on the conveyor belt quality and safety testing. In mining enterprises, if the material on the conveyor belt contains metal mining work pieces, it will seriously damage the production line equipment when grading the materials in the latter stage. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a metal detection system applied to the conveyor belt. This paper designs a metal detection system based on the HMC1001 magnetic sensor. The system consists of a sensor module, a reset circuit, an amplifier circuit and a data acquisition circuit. It has the advantages of strong anti-interference ability and high sensitivity.


This article presents the theoretical analysis and the experimental results of a wire antenna. The wire antenna has been particularly designed to illuminate complex targets with an electromagnetic impulse. The aim of the study is to realise a low frequency (200 MHz-1.2 GHz) Radar Cross Section (RCS) measurement facility in the time domain. Then, not only the antenna has been designed to radiate and to receive short pulses without distortion but also to illuminate the test zone with an homogeneous and uniform electric field. The antenna must be fairly directive with maximum field in the axial direction.


This paper studies a class of reinforcement learning algorithms known as policy gradient methods. Policy gradient methods optimize the performance of a policy by estimating the gradient of the expected return with respect to the policy parameters. One of the core challenges of applying policy gradient methods is obtaining an accurate estimate of this gradient. Most policy gradient methods rely on Monte Carlo sampling to estimate this gradient. When only a limited number of environment steps can be collected, Monte Carlo policy gradient estimates may suffer from sampling error -- samples receive more or less weight than they will in expectation. In this paper, we introduce the Sampling Error Corrected policy gradient estimator that corrects the inaccurate Monte Carlo weights. Our approach treats the observed data as if it were generated by a different policy than the policy that actually generated the data. It then uses importance sampling between the two -- in the process correcting the inaccurate Monte Carlo weights. Under a limiting set of assumptions we can show that this gradient estimator will have lower variance than the Monte Carlo gradient estimator. We show experimentally that our approach improves the learning speed of two policy gradient methods compared to standard Monte Carlo sampling even when the theoretical assumptions fail to hold.


The oral health state plays an important role in the concept of 'elderly frailty', since institutionalized older people are prone to suffering from bad oral conditions. The aim of this study is to assess the state of oral health in the older residents of nursing homes and to measure its potential association with the cognitive state, the degree of functional autonomy, and the malnutrition risk. Methods: We enrolled 176 subjects from 292 residents in five nursing homes in Florence. For each subject, we performed the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool, the Pfeiffer test, the Minimum Data Set—Long Form, a dental examination, and the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index questionnaire. The results show that the oral condition was poor in 43.8% of cases, medium in 38.1%, and good in 18.2%. A worse oral health state was significantly associated (p < 0.05) with a worse cognitive state and with a higher dependency in daily living activities. The malnutrition score among the older people was unrelated to the oral health condition (p = 0.128). It can be concluded that the oral health condition in older institutionalized subjects is an open challenge for the public healthcare system, since the maintenance of adequate good oral health is an essential element of good physical as well as cognitive and psychological health.


The ethos of labor in Russian traditional peasantry culture was essentially formed in Orthodox tradition and also was formed in the interactions with primordial Slavonic agricultural ethos. The fundamental imperatives of this ethos are: 1) unself-ishness; 2) tenderness to people and nature; 3) comprehension of labor as a sort of ascetic deed; 4) comprehension of labor as a source of profound spiritual joy. Some worldview dimensions of Orthodox ethos of labor as a source of existential experience for contemporary man are analyzed here. The presumption that worldview experience of Russian traditional working culture is the powerful factor of existential enrichment for contemporary man's ethos of working is demonstrated here.


Interpersonal and media storytelling were crucial to information dissemination about the September 11 tragedies. The storytelling processes through which urban residents are transformed into members of a broader community are illustrated by their connections to media and their participation in neighborhood discussions and community organizations after September 11. This study demonstrates how a communication infrastructure approach contributes to understanding participation in civil society after September 11.


Impact of cannabinoid CB2 receptor activity on aggressive
behavior in mice and sensitization to methamphetamine
antiaggresive effects. Cannabinoid receptor CB2 is localized
mainly outside of the CNS. Thus a poor impact of its activity
on behavior can be expected. Previously we found development of
both sensitization to methamphetamine (MET) antiaggressive
effects by pre-treatment with repeated MET doses and a
cross-sensitization to this MET effect with cannabinoid CB1
receptor agonist methanandamide in the model of agonistic
behaviour in singly-housed male mice on paired interactions
with non-aggressive group-housed partners. This supported the
evidence of interaction between the endocannabinoid system and
MET brain mechanism. The aim of the present study was to
investigate whether the CB2 receptor activity might also be
involved in regulation of mouse agonistic behaviour, and in
development of sensitivity to methamphetamine. Therefore the
CB2 receptor agonist JWH 015 (JWH) has been tested using
identical experimental design as previously with CB1 receptor
agonist. JWH given to aggressive singly-housed mice at the
doses of 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, 15 min
prior to observation, inhibited the occurrence of aggressive
activities; significantly of tail rattling and threat after the
highest dose. Significant behavioral sensitization to MET
anti-aggressive effects was apparent after the pre-treatment
with 5 MET doses of 1 mg/kg/day and administration of the
challenge dose of 1 mg/kg after 5 days of withdrawal. The
pretreatment with JWH (5 daily doses of 1.0 mg/kg) however did
not produce the cross-sensitization to MET challenge dose. Just
the stimulation of locomotion (walking) was registered on a
higher level of significance in JWH 015 sensitized mice
comparing to saline sensitized group. Thus, the all results
obtained in the present study suggest that CB2 receptor system
is not very important for interaction of endocannabinoid system
and brain processes involved in sensitization to
metamphetamine.


The present invention relates to a structure comprising a biaxially oriented film having a layer which is in contact with an oil containing a homopolymer of propylene, and having an isotactic pentad content of a homopolymer of propylene 95% to 98%, 30 ppm or less of a structure, it characterized in that with the ash content.


Introduction. Central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) is assumed to be the best indicator of cardiovascular risk caused by elevated blood pressure. However, there are no data on the usefulness of cSBP measurments in the assessment of the risk of target organ damage (TOD) in hypertensive children. Aim. The aim of study was to evaluate the usefulness of noninvasive measurements of cSBP, AugP and AugInd as predictors of increased left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and increased carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) in children with primary hypertension. Material and methods. 114 children (25 girls), mean age 15.2 ± 2.5 years, referred because of elevated blood pressure and with excluded secondary hypertension, were included in the study. In all patients, 24h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), cSBP, central pulse pressure (cPP), AugP, AugInd, cardiac index (CI), total peripheral resistance (TPR), pulse wave velocity (PWV), LVMI and cIMT were measured. Results. In 62 patients white coat hypertension was diagnosed, 9 had ambulatory hypertension and 43 had severe ambulatory hypertension. Children with severe ambulatory hypertension had greater AugP, CI and carotid wall cross sectional area (WCSA) and lower TPR. cSBP correlated with WCSA (p = 0.015; r = 0.255) and AugP with LVMI (p = 0.02; r = 0.220). ABPM had greater sensitivity and lower specificity for predicting LVH than cSBP. ABPM and cSBP had similar sensitivity and specificity as predictors of cIMT and WCSA. Conclusions. Although sensitivity and specificity of cSBP and ABPM as predictors of arterial injury were similar, ABPM performed better as a predictor of LVH. The results of our study indicate a much higher risk of TOD in children with severe ambulatory hypertension and show that the assessment of cSBP, which is also a predictor of LVH, may be a new criterion for drug therapy implementation.


Using a laboratory two-stage fixed-bed reactor,the characteristics of decoupling gasification(DG) of beer lees,in comparison with that of traditional coupling gasification(CG),were investigated on tar yield,carbon conversion rate and gasification efficiency.Experimental results showed that under the reaction temperature of 550℃ for pyrolysis,800℃ for gasification in DG and 800℃ in CG,water content of 40%(ω) in the fuel and O2 content of 4%() in the gasification reagent,compared with CG,the tar yield was decreased by 35.3%,the gasification efficiency,carbon conversion rate and gas yield were increased by 4.0%,18.4% and 20%,respectively in DG.Examination of the effects of water content in the fuel(0~80%,ω),gasification temperature(800~900℃) and oxygen content in the gasification reagent(4%~6%,) demonstrated that DG led to more considerable influences than CG did by causing higher H2 or CO content in the produced gas and higher carbon conversion rate.


Three types of sludges including printing paper, newsprint and tissue paper were prepared at 5% concentration for filtration-expression operations. Filtration-expression characteristics of sludge were measured in different pressure and wastepaper powder dosage. Specific filtration resistance and porosity were calculated with theoretical formula.
Higher pressure increased the progresses of filtration and expression while it decreased porosity. The addition of 5% wastepaper powder more accelerated the progresses of filtration and expression than that of 10% wastepaper powder. The lowest porosity value was also measured at 5% dosage of wastepaper powder. The decrease of porosity implied the decrease of moisture content in cake.
The results indicated that dewatering of sludge was efficient in high pressure and 5% dosage of wastepaper powder.


been dependent upon you. As might well be expected, I ear nestly believe that in no part of the United States has greater ingenuity and resourcefulness been displayed than right here in Indiana. But, as we return to our respective tasks, know ing that our state ranks first in improved highways, let's not lose sight of one of the most important factors responsible for our standing. When Elwood Haynes put together his horse less carriage in a city that now is less than an hour's journey by motor from the site of this meeting, he provided the back ground for the Purdue University Road School. Fortunately the officials of this University were quick to see the need for what now has become a state institution. It took considerable foresight to establish a Road School back in 1914 at a time when self-starters and electric driving lights still were classified as added accessories and closed cars were mostly pictures we saw in catalogs. The Road School has proved of great service to both the state and the nation during the twenty-four years that have followed its inception. Let us hope it will continue to bring together and assist city, county, and state officials, contractors, equipment men, and other persons interested in solving street and highway problems. As I think of what Haynes started, what the Purdue Road School developed, what governmental officials made possible, and what road and bridge construction work has meant to the unemployed, I am most happy that the WPA has been, and is, able to co-operate.


A species of aerobic, Gram positive bacteria assigned to the phylum Actinobacteria. This bacteria does not hydrolyze esculin, reduces nitrates, does not utilize succinate and is sensitive to lysozyme. A. pelletieri is known to cause actinomycotic mycetoma.


2019 was a wonderful year for Journal of Educational and Psychological Consultation. The number of original submissions continues to rise and we were fortunate to have two outstanding theme issues. Many, many thanks to Emily Fisher and Karen Huchting for guestediting the first issue of 2019, which focused on "Consultation to Increase Educational Access and Improve Conditions for LGBTQ Youth". Also, a hearty thanks to guest editors Tara Raines and Devadrita Talapatra for guest-editing the third issue of 2019, which focused on "College and Career Readiness Consultation for High-Risk Youth". Congratulations also to first authors Kizzy Albritton, Zaytoon Amod, Kaitlin Bodnar, Brittany Dorn, Oliver W. Edwards, Michael W. Harvey, Tracy Gershwin, Abbie E. Goldberg, Scott B. Greenspan, Erin A. Harper, Steve E. Knotek, Debra S. Osborn, June L. Preast, Joanne Schulze, Tyler E. Smith, and Christel Sundqvist for having your excellent work published in this journal in 2019. Many thanks and congratulations also to Blair A. Baker and Andrew Roach for contributing commentaries to the theme issues. While too numerous to list, I remain appreciative of this journal's editorial board for consistently providing timely, respectful, and high quality reviews. I also thank the following for providing ad-hoc reviews: Natalie Bengert, Sara Golomb, Julie Morrison, Shereen Naser, Brandon Rennie, Carol Robinson-Zanartu, and Desiree Vega. Finally, words cannot capture how much I appreciate the Associate Editors of this journal. Jose Castillo, Amanda Clinton, Tracy Gershwin, Anisa Goforth, and Danny Newman—you all are so wonderful and so talented. Thank you for lending your gifts to this journal.


The early beginnings of grammatical and lexicographical studies of the Arabic language are said to have been due to the desire to enable the many converts to Islam to understand the meanings of the Holy Book correctly as their languages differed and the Qur'ān contained many words and expressions which were by no means clear to the Arabs themselves. It is not surprising therefore to find that the chief of the early interpreters of the Qur'ān, Ibn 'Abbās, is stated to have been learned in "Lugha" i.e. lexicography or interpretation of words. The real home however, of these studies lay in the borderland towards Persia, in the newly founded towns of al-Baṣra and al-Kūufa. As the originator of these studies generally, Abul-Aswad ad-Du'ali is named. His work has not come down to us, but it can only have consisted of a few general notes. The man, if judged by the poems which have been preserved in a Dīwān edited by Nöldeke and Rescher, gives the impression of not being endowed with high ideals, but conceited beyond the measure of his own worth. As an example that circles existed in his time in which the display of strange words was appreciated, a poem rhyming upon the letter Dāl may serve, in which he defies his adversary to produce one upon the same rhyme.


Forty molar and non‐molar placentas with hydropic changes (14 complete moles, 14 partial moles, and 12 hydropic non‐molar placentas) were examined immunohistochemically for expression of oncoproteins p53 and Bcl‐2. The data were evaluated to determine if p53 and Bcl‐2 expression could aid in differentiating molar from non‐molar pregnancies on the one hand and complete mole from partial mole on the other. Thirteen out of fourteen complete moles showed p53 expression (93%), 8 of the 14 partial moles expressed p53 (57%), and none of the non‐molar pregnancies expressed p53 in the extravillous intermediate trophoblasts. Regarding Bcl‐2, the syncytiotrophoblasts of most molar and non‐molar placentas showed strong and diffuse positivity. These results suggest that p53 expression can be used as a distinguishing parameter between complete moles and placentas with hydropic changes on the one hand and to a lesser extent between partial moles and placentas with hydropic changes on the other hand. Bcl‐2 cannot be used in the same way as p53.


This study aims to obtain an effective BERSAQURAL Learning Management System on the learning outcomes of BERSAQURAL interpretation through digital literacy. This study is a quantitative type with One-Group Pretest-Posttest Design. This study population was 90 third-semester science education students at the Faculty of Teacher Training and Education IAIN Salatiga who participated in a science interpretation course. The sample in this study was purposive sampling, and one group is 30 students. The data collection instrument was pretest and posttest questions of the BERSAQURAL interpretation of water. The results showed that: (1) the BERSAQURAL learning management system in the dashboard consists of the navigation menu, interpretation of science, nature, al-Qur'an, e-Problem Based Learning, evaluation, explore material, user, my profile, settings, and logout, (2) BERSAQURAL learning management system is effective on learning outcomes of BERSAQURAL interpretation through digital literacy based on the Wilcoxon test (t count -4.802, p = 0.00 <0.05). Research results of learning management system BERSAQURAL have novelty, a distance learning media (online) with open-access material as digital literacy, connecting LMS E-PBL Berketemu Ilmiah (e-pblberketemuilmiah.id) integrated with a plagiarism checker to educate honesty. There are rewards from users of the BERSAQURAL Learning Management System in the stars or on the trending menu.


This work deals with the sanitary interventions in the urban spaces called "campi nomadi" that can be found around the city of Rome, where Roma communities live. The first part of this research deals with the demographic data, from the point of view of the problematization of the ways it had been collected and the political stakes which determine it. Its analysis is related to the acknowledgement of the fact that the grand majority of the medical studies on Roma population engage on genetic data, in the same way the new forms of profiling and identification. The second and third part of this work concentrate on the ethnographic research pursued in the nomad camps of Rome, following the daily activity of a mobile medical unit (also called "sanitary camper") who's main activity was offering medical support in this urban spaces. The medical encounter that takes place in this spaces of exception, where the patients live, becomes the occasion for observing the dynamics of their relations with the dominant society and the institutions which rule it. This research aims to identify those elements which relate to the moral economy of the acts of medical intervention by underlying their bio-political dimension related to the pacification of the subjects which are otherwise object of strict security policies and of rejection from local and national administrations.


Summary The evolutionary examination of two protein sequence sets closely and distant1y re1ated , respectively , was introduced to start problems on a statistical data ana1ysis for Molecular Evo1ution. At first , involved in the open problem concerning evo1utionary positions of greater and lesser pandas, α- and ゚ -hemoglobin sequences from five carnivores were examined. Showing the exceptionally lowest number out of amino acid substitutions observed among the sequences compared each other the two pandas shou1d be grouped together. The maximum likelihood inference of genetic phylogenies among the panda group and others selected the model that the pandas are considerably c10se to a bear , but not to a racoon or badger. Even according to their sequence alignment , it was c1ear that the amino acid substitutions occur to localize in some proper regions of the sequences. Secondly a sequence alignment for the distantly related sequence set consisting of 31 ribosomal 'A'proteins from the three primary kingdoms of organismes was constructed using a method based on searching for tertiary structural similarities of protein molecules. It certainly presents the restrictedly localizing occurrence of amino acid substitutions , and of further mutational alterations such as deletions/insertions , intermolecular transpositions and so on. Wh ereas from a statistical point of view the probability of mutations on informational macromolecules such as proteins should have a site-independently identical distribution , modeling the above shown actual situation of evolutionary nature with a further modern statistical framework is expected.


Environmental taxes have a very particular economic role in ensuring higher environmental quality and mitigating its negative and harmful effect on the atmosphere, and as such are viewed as an important instrument of fiscal policy. Environmental taxes have been little studied in Lithuania. Researchers have been raising questions on which environmental taxes contribute to reduction of environmental pollution and promotion of rational use of resources as well as how this is achieved. Although environmental taxes have been integrated into the Lithuanian tax system for this purpose, the research findings presented in the article suggest that the taxes have not been effective in reduction of environmental pollution, have not encouraged rational use of resources for mitigation of the damage to nature. JEL Codes: Q51, Q56.


The statistical and dynamic distortions and the blocking in the defermation state were measured, as well a the statistical distortions in the solid solutions of Al-Mg and Cu-Ni. (R.V.J.)


This paper presents ongoing work on leveraging probabilistic graph models, specifically conditional random fields and hidden Markov models, in nested named entity recognition for the Polish language. NER is a crucial task in natural language processing that involves identifying and classifying named entities in text documents. Nested NER deals with recognizing hierarchical structures of entities that overlap with one another, presenting additional challenges. The paper discusses the methodologies and approaches used in nested NER, focusing on CRF and HMM. Related works and their contributions are reviewed, and experiments using the KPWr dataset are conducted, particularly with the BiLSTM-CRF model and Word2Vec and HerBERT embeddings. The results show promise in addressing nested NER for Polish, but further research is needed to develop robust and accurate models for this complex task.


Along with promising car and bus applications, fuel cells in stationary versions are being designed to power single homes and large buildings. Some systems gain more output power by operating the cell in combination with a gas turbine. The author discusses the basic principles of fuel cells and fuel processing technology. Fuel cells for residential applications and combined gas turbine/fuel cell systems are also discussed. The key to increased use of fuel cells is cost reduction at the production stage.


Excerpt The organic nitrates have been the most commonly used agents in the management of patients with angina pectoris. Although various beta-adrenoreceptor blocking agents and calcium-entry block...


By reviewing the literature materials, and tracing to its history and analyzing its essence, this paper tries to resurrect the importance of the respectable vigor of the ruler.


Rob and Amy Castañeda, the co-founders of a sports/play-based youth and community development organization called Beyond the Ball (www.beyondtheball.org), cite the collaborative and dynamic nature of the TPSR Alliance as an important influence for their work. Beyond the Ball serves individuals between kindergarten and post-college, in the North Lawndale and Little Village neighborhoods of Chicago. Their programs include basketball, soccer, tutoring, mentoring and youth leadership training, and are staffed by adult volunteers as well as by local teens whom Beyond the Ball has trained. The Castañedas have been members of the TPSR Alliance since its inception in 2008 and continue to be active members representing a community entity that gives and receives much support from the group. Their story shows how teaching personal and social responsibility (TPSR) and the Alliance support sport-based community development, as well as physical education and youth sport programs at school.


PART ONE: HOW YOUNG CHILDREN LEARN Historical Perspectives - Pat Beckley Theories of Learning - Pat Beckley Partnerships with Parents/Carers - Pat Beckley Pedagogy in Practice - Pat Beckley PART TWO: SUPPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN'S LEARNING Motivation and Self-Esteem - Pat Beckley Inclusion and 'Educating' the Whole Child - Sue Lambert Diversity in the Early Years - Helen Hendry Thinking Skills - Sharon Marsden PART THREE: ORGANIZING THE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT Approaches to Play - Lindy Nahmad-Williams Enabling Environments - Jane Johnston Learning and Teaching Styles - Alison Jakins Leadership and Management in Early Years Settings - Pat Beckley PART FOUR: ISSUES IN PRACTICE Engaging Early Learners - Becky Glenton The Social Context - Pat Beckley Multi-Agency Working - Anita Soni Forward Thinking and Forward Practice - Liz Creed


Abstract : In a 1980 testimony to Congress, the Armys Chief of Staff, General Edward Meyer, used the phrase hollow Army to articulate his perception of an undermanned,poorly trained post-Vietnam U.S. Army. While the validity of Meyers assessment remains disputed, Service leaders still use the phrase as an expedient and vivid way to describe shortfalls in readiness, force structure, and modernization. The phrases recurring use, typically in periods following conflict, suggests the existence of a hollow force narrative perpetuated by senior military leaders: following conflict, politicians cut defense budgets too rapidly and too much, making military forces unprepared for the next war. However, the metaphor itself has never really been defined and is being used in the contemporary defense drawdown by Service leaders in different ways. This thesis assess how Service leaders are characterizing the impact of the current defense drawdown (post-Operation Enduring Freedom) and specifically examines where and how they are using the hollow force metaphor. Service posture statements from 2013 to 2015 are analyzed and qualitatively compared between services along three interrelated areas: readiness, force structure, and modernization. Analysis of these statements suggests that each Service is framing the drawdown in different terms and that muddled metaphors like hollow force are preventing political leaders from understanding actual military capability shortfalls. This ambiguity erodes senior military leader credibility and prevents genuine discussions about post-conflict defense policy. The author concludes that hollow force is used predominately by ground-centric forces (Army and Marine Corps), but in different ways and in no less clearer terms than General Meyer used in 1980.


Axiological orientations are one of the most important characteristics of the personality, it's central and dominant component, which determines relatively stable selective attitude of a person to social realm and exercises significant influence on the choice of behavior pattern. Problem of values and axiological orientations was always important for the society, especially in it's critical moments of evolution. Strengthening the dynamics of social contradictions exacerbates questions of axiological-notional self-determination of the now-generation of citizens. The extra signification acquires the problem of searching true values and axiological-informatory engineering of the educational system.


We examine the dynamics of a free massless scalar field on a figure eight network. Upon requiring the scalar field to have a well-defined value at the junction of the network, it is seen that the conserved currents of the theory satisfy Kirchhoff's law, that is that the current flowing into the junction equals the current flowing out. We obtain the corresponding current algebra and show that, unlike on a circle, the left- and right-moving currents on the figure eight do not in general commute in quantum theory. Since a free scalar field theory on a one-dimensional spatial manifold exhibits conformal symmetry, it is natural to ask whether an analogous symmetry can be defined for the figure eight. We find that, unlike in the case of a manifold, the action plus boundary conditions for the network are not invariant under separate conformal transformations associated with left- and right-movers. Instead, the system is, at best, invariant under only a single set of transformations. Its conserved current is also found to satisfy Kirchhoff's law at the junction. We obtain the associated conserved charges, and show that they generate a Virasoro algebra. Its conformal anomaly (central charge) is computed for special values of the parameters characterizing the network.


The invention relates to an anti-collision device, a magnetic repulsive force anti-collision device used on a ship and an electromagnetic permanent magnet repulsive force anti-collision device which is effective after all ship bodies of the ship traveling on rivers and oceans are installed. The purpose that the ship bodies are not collided or damage is not serious after collision is achieved by adoption of the principle of repulsion of same pole magnet and elastic force of an elastic tube. The device is suitable all over the world and at least suitable for installation and application of all ships traveling on the rivers and oceans in nationwide.


The Bolund experiment is a study of the flow over Bolund, a small hill located near Risø DTU. In the present work, the flow over the Bolund hill has been computed using the EllipSys3D Navier-Stokes solver. The aim of this work is to identify the flow conditions at the hill in order to prepare the upcoming measurement campaign. The simulation results are used for estimating rational positions of measuring masts and instrumentation. A total of ten measuring masts are proposed consisting of two 16 m masts, six 9 m masts and two 5 m masts. The masts are instrumented with 12 cup anemometers for mean wind measurements and 21 sonics for 3-component turbulence measurements. The present report describes the simulation methodology and results of initial CFD computations of the wind conditions over the Bolund hill. The simulations have been conducted before an upcoming measuring campaign in order to estimate the best possible positions for measuring equipment. The work is conducted under the EFP project:


The video display apparatus having a standard compatibility function and method thereof are disclosed. The image display device is given AV (Audio / Video) a communication interface for performing data communication with a device, for converting the YCbCr data from the AV device to αRGB data converter, generates an image for generating OSD image to αRGB data a unit, OSD image and a controller for controlling to output to the screen through a predetermined Web browser. Accordingly, the video display device is able to display the data received from a device having different specifications applied to the screen. IEEE1394, EIA775, CEA2027, home networks, standards-compliant, CGI, Web servers, browsers,


Localized groundwater outflow and layered freezing of them in forms of large ice clusters on the surface creates specific conditions for energy and mass exchange in the «atmosphere–soil–lithosphere» system. In winter, the soil temperature profile is essentially deformed due to heat emission by the aufeis layer of water at its freezing that forms a specific thermocline layer. Deformation of the temperature profile, gradually decreasing, moves down the cross - section and disappearing at the interface between frozen and thawed rocks. Magnitude and number of the temperature deviations from a «normal» state depends on the heat storage of the aufeis - forming waters and on the number of outflows at a given point. The thermocline formation changes conditions of freezing for underlying ground layers together with mechanism of ice saturation of them, and that results in formation of two - layer ice - ground complexes (IGC) which differ drastically from cryogenic features in adjacent parts of the valley. Analysis of genetic characteristics and relation of components of the surface and subsurface layers allowed identification of seven types of the aufeis IGC: massive - segregation, cement - basal, layered - segregation, basal - segregation, vacuum - filtration, pressureinjection, and fissure - vein.  Yearly formation and destruction of aufeises and subsurface ices is accompanied by a sequence of particularly hazardous geodynamical phenomena, among which the most important are winter flooding of territories, layered freezing of water, ground heaving, thermokarst, and thermoerosion. Combination of these processes may cause a rapid (often unexpected) reconfiguration of channels of both surface and subsurface runoff, abrupt uplifts and subsidences of the surface, and decompaction and «shaking - up» of seasonally thawing and seasonally freezing rocks, which may create exceptionally unfavorable conditions for construction and operation of engineering structures. Aufeis plots of river valleys are the most «hot» points of the permafrost zone. A comprehensive study of them requires organization of several reference aufeis test areas located in different natural - climatic and geocryological zones. In addition to the natural - historical and methodological aspects, the future research program should include consideration of problems related to interaction between engineering structures and aufeis events and aufeis ice - ground complexes.


A reflection on the intrinsic characteristics of European identity, whether they are historical or philosophical. After World War II, Europe, the continent of "universal anxiety" and creator of "Great Culture", is currently experiencing a few symptoms of profound fragility – even of decadence – as it attempts to cope with more technologically and scientifically advanced societies such as the United States of America. Are Human Rights and Environmentalism the only issues of today left for Europe to defend?


A Verzuri, P Salotti, AM Gentile, C Russo, N Nante Post Graduate School of Public Health, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Local Health Unit 9 of Lazio Region, Viterbo, Italy Health Services Research Laboratory, University of Siena, Siena, Italy Contact: firstname.lastname@example.com Background Patient satisfaction has became a significant aspect of quality assurance in health care. If patients are satisfied they will trust the system and health professionals. Credit is a key factor of adherence to treatment protocols. The objective of this study is monitoring the perceived quality of a Psychology outpatient service identifying problems and implementing corrective actions . Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted. A focus group elaborated an anonymous 12 demands questionnaire aiming to evaluate satisfaction and patients experience. The questionnaire was administrated to all patients accessing the service during the last week of July and the first week of October 2012. 130 questionnaires were distributed. Factor analysis was conducted to identify the principals quality components. Using medians and co-graduations (Spearman's rho), we calculated Priorities for Improvement (PI), which is an indicator for prioritizing actions and improving the service. Results All questionnaires were returned. The values of reliability was above 0.70 (aC = 0.76) and the variance 67.3%. Three components were extracted: ''Technical-Organizational Quality factor'' (26.4% of the variance), ''Quality factor rational''(25.4%) and ''Structural-Environmental Quality Factor''(15.5%). PI revealed 2 areas of high priority: the difficulty in finding the ambulatory (PI = 63) and a waiting time exceeding 15 minutes for the visit (PI = 63). Conclusion The most positively scored aspects, of Psychology outpatients services, concerned technical and organizational quality, whereas the structural and environmental quality areas scored less positively. The study has shown also good utility of IP in identifying ambits to improve. Factor analysis showed that technical-organizational aspects are more important than the structural-environmental ones for improving service quality. Key message Factor analysis showed that technical-organizational aspects are more important than the structural-environmental ones for improving service quality. 226 European Journal of Public Health, Vol. 24, Supplement 2, 2014


The rates of long run economic growth and the degree of economic interdependence among nations are related. These dependencies, linkages or spillovers are related to different aspects of development mainly to economics and geography. Adding a geography dimension, the Ordinary Least Squares models lead to inefficient estimates and invalid statistical inferences. A nonparametric spatial econometric methods and a distance based weight system is used to take into account spatial covariance in terms of the long run economic growth rates of a country's unobservable characteristics rather than a country's own observable characteristics, or the cross-country spillover effects among nations. To measure the degree of development among countries, there is a need to compute these relationships. This variance-covariation reflects more than the existence of common shocks. That is, a country's growth rate is closely related to its nearby countries, and trading alone does not appear responsible for these linkages, but being near a large market can contribute more to growth rates.


Simple Summary The mangrove ecosystem is an important resource for the survival of thousands of species of animals and plants. It has high ecological and economic value and has made great contributions to the protection and maintenance of marine and terrestrial ecological environment. However, due to climatic and human factors, the mangrove ecosystem has been destroyed and its ecological functions have been damaged. As an important indicator species, fishes have also been affected, with changes in their population and nutritional structure. This study summarized the mangrove fish in China and compiled a relatively complete list of mangrove fish. In addition, the biogeographic characteristics of Chinese mangrove fish were analyzed, filling the gap of national mangrove fish distribution data. Completion of this study contributed to a better understanding of the role of mangroves in maintaining the stability and diversity of fish communities, which was of great value for the management and conservation of regional and global biodiversity. Abstract Mangroves are among the most productive marine and coastal ecosystems and play an important role in maintaining the stability and diversity of fish communities. To explore the structure of mangrove fish communities in China, we compiled previous studies, monographs, and two databases on 54 mangrove areas published in the past 30 years. Mangrove fish communities in China comprised Osteichthys (597 species) and Chondrichthyes (14 species), representing 611 species in 344 genera, 117 families, and 28 orders. Perciformes were the predominant taxon, with 350 species in 52 families, accounting for 57% of the total species richness. Reef fish accounted for 29.62%. With regard to feeding groups, there were 328 carnivorous species (53.68%), 214 omnivorous species (35.02%), 41 herbivorous species (6.71%), and 28 detritivores species (4.58%). Classified by body size, 57.61% were small-sized, 24.22% medium-sized, and 18.17% were large-sized fishes. A total of 5.23% (32 species) of these mangrove fish are currently on IUCN red lists, i.e., 2 species are critically endangered, 4 are endangered, 12 are vulnerable, and 14 are near threatened. Cluster analyses shows that Chinese mangroves fish were divided into two categories, i.e., coastal mangrove and island mangrove type. This is closely related to the distribution of reef fish. Moreover, the number of fish species showed a strong positive correlation with mangrove area, but not with latitude. The main reasons may be the subtropical and tropical geographic locations, as well as the characteristics of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Warm Current. The size and integrity of mangrove area are crucial to the local ecosystems; thus, protecting and restoring mangroves is of great significance to large-scale ecosystem-stability and local biodiversity.


Objective To observe the changes of the level of Visfatin protein secreted by 3T3-L1 preadipocytes during adipocyte diffe-rentiation and to explore the regulative role of insulin on Visfatin secretion in adipocytes.Methods 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in vitro and differentiated into the matured adipocytes with insulin,3-isobutyl-methyl xanthine(MIX),insulin and dexamethasone.Supernatant of cultured cells were collected at various stages of differentiation(0,4,6,8 day).Oil red O dye was used to observe the the process of diffe-rentiation.The regulative role of insulin on Visfatin secretion in adipocytes was observed,100 nmol/L insulin was added into the cultured me-dium on Day 6 or Day 8 of differentiation.The levels of Visfatin in the supernatant of cultured cells were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results There was the gradually rising trend in the levels of Visfatin in the supernatant of cultured cells during the diffe-rentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte.The secretion of Visfatin remained low [(29.0 ± 2.4)μg/L] in preadipocytes,and reached higher level[(48.0 ±3.4)μg/L]in fully differentiated adipocytes.Treatment of 100 nmol/L insulin on adipocytes of Day 6 or Day 8 resulted in increased secretion of Visfatin by the matured adipocytes[(57.9±5.7)μg/L vs(45.7±3.8)μg/L;(61.0±4.2)μg/L vs(48.0±3.4)μg/L Pa0.05].Conclusions There is the relationship between the level of Visfatin secreted by adipocytes and adipocyte differentiation.Insulin may play the role of positive adjustment on the level of Visfatin secreted by adipocytes.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2009,24(1):48-50


In recent years, several visual tracking methods have applied multilayer convolutional features to correlation filters, but they mostly use fixed weights to fuse the multilayer response maps, which is difficult to adapt to various scene changes. To address this problem, a robust tracking algorithm based on adaptive fusion of multilayer response maps is proposed. In this paper, we extract multilayer convolutional features from the target's candidate area to improve the tracking robustness and the translation correlation filter is feed with CNN features extracted from each layer. Different from previous methods, we proposed a fast covariance intersection algorithm to adaptive fuse the multilayer response maps. After the final target center position is determined, we adopted a 1D scale filter through multi-scale sampling with HOG features to handle large scale variations. Moreover, in order to solve the problem of tracking drifts due to the severe occlusion and error accumulation, we present a new random update mechanism to update the translation filters. The experimental results on some challenging benchmark datasets show that the proposed algorithm achieves the outstanding performance against the state-of-the-art tracking methods.


The paper presents an improved receiver clock bias forecast model.The model built with "coasting window" method,holds the real-time refresh parameters.The extrapolated future clock bias is used to augment RAIM performance.Relevant flow charts and a new algorithm for forecasting error are introduced.The data analysis proves that this method not only increases availability of RAIM,but improves the rates of fault detection and identification.The minimum fault that can be detected decreases from 50 meters to 40 meters;and the minimum fault that can be detected and identified completely dropped from 70 meters to 60 meters.


It is generally suggested that the province of the Punjab as a whole not only remained loyal towards the colonial power but also provided crucial support to it for quelling disturbance in other parts of the country. There is no denying the fact that the Punjab was not the centre of this struggle against the company's rule but there is ample evidence to suggest that the Punjab was not devoid of patriotic men who resisted the foreign rulers and rendered heroic sacrifices for the independence of their country. There were many who were prompted by the patriotic feelings and thus, struggled to drive alien rulers form their homeland. Although there is historiographical silence about the role of Punjab in the War but only a look on the volumes of the official Mutiny Records by the British officers is sufficient to falsify the popular impression regarding the Punjab's role in the War of Independence 1857-58. It shows that only the rulers and Maharajas of the Punjab's states supported the British, but the common people including the native sepoys rose against the British at many places. Punjab's Role in the War of Independence 1857-58: An Analysis During the decline of the Mughal Empire in the eighteenth century, the Punjab, like many other regions, had only a nominal affiliation with the centre. In 1730s, the Punjab became semi-independent, but it became completely sovereign state after 1799, when Maharaja Ranjit Singh became the ruler of the Punjab. It is noteworthy that Ranjit Singh was nominated as ruler of the Punjab by Shah Zaman, the ruler of Afghanistan, not by the Mughal Emperor of Delhi. Maharaja Ranjit Singh annexed the semi-independent kingdoms of regional rulers within the boundaries of the Punjab, and established his government in the whole of the province stretching from Peshawar to Multan. He brought the scattered people of the Punjab under one banner. In the wake of his death in 1839, there started a period of anarchy in the Punjab. Taking benefit of the internal differences and weaknesses of the Sikh rulers, the British began to interfere in the political affairs of the Punjab. In spite of all intrigues and conspiracies, the people of the Punjab decided to defend their independence and resisted the British. From 1845 to 1849, the people of the Punjab fought fierce battles against the British at Mudki, Ferozshah, Aliwal, Sabraon, Multan, Chilianwala and Gujrat. In fact, it was the first War of independence against the British which was fought by the people of the Punjab. But unfortunately, at that time, not even a single regiment of the British Royal Bengal Army, which later revolted in 1857, rose up against the British. No single province or state of India sided with the Punjab in its resistance against the British imperialist power. If * Dr. Turab-ul-Hassan Sargana, Assistant Professor of History, Govt. Emerson College, Bosan Road Multan, Cell No. 0300-6563092, E-mail: email@example.com JPUHS, Vol.28, No.1, January June, 2015 66 during these three or four years, the Punjab had succeeded in getting help from Delhi or from the people of other areas of India, the history of India would have been different. It can be said with certainty that if the Royal Bengal Army, which consisted of the people from Bengal to Delhi, had risen against the British during these four years (1845-1849), or at least had not joined the invading army, the Punjab would have defeated the British, and the history of Indian sub-continent would have been different and the people of this region could be saved from the atrocities of the British during or after the War of 1857-58. The War of 1857-58, which shook the foundations of the British in India, was an important landmark in the history of the Indian Sub-continent. It is widely acknowledged as the first ever united resistance movement against the British rule in India, as both the Hindus and the Muslims participated in it. It was an expression of the country's struggle for independence after a century of foreign domination. In 1849, the British succeeded in conquering and annexing the Punjab with the help of Purabiya sepoys (Hindustani sepoys). 4 After annexation, the Purabiyas were offered jobs, whereas the people of the Punjab were denied their share in the jobs. From 1849-1857, the people of the Punjab suffered at the hands of the Purabiya soldiers and civil officials, who fought against them under the British in 1845-46 and 1848-49. In addition to this was the fact that the Punjab was being held with the help of the Purabiya regiments and Purabiya civilian subordinate officials in Lahore at the time of the War of 1857-58. Therefore, the Punjabi Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs perceived the Purabiyas as oppressors. When in 1857, differences grew between the Purabiya sepoys and the British, and the former rose up against the latter, the Punjabi elite generally sided with the British. At the same time, the British used the policy of divide and rule, and successfully exploited the differences between the Muslims and the Sikhs. The Muslims perceived the British as saviours, while the Sikhs perceived them as avengers against the Muslims. Therefore, leaving aside some exceptions, the rulers of the Sikh Princely States supported the British. There were some basic factors which played an important role in convincing the chiefs and influential families of the Punjab to collaborate with the British during the War of 1857-58. Due to the grievances with the Sikh rulers, the Muslim chiefs of the Punjab helped the British and were rewarded. Similarly, rajas of the Sikh Princely States had sought protection from the British against the aggression of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, which the British granted to them, and, in return, the rajas promised to help the British in the hour of need according to the Treaty of 1809. In addition to this, the Sikhs were leaderless in 1857-58 and their important leaders had been either killed during the Anglo-Sikh Wars or were exiled from the Punjab. During the year of 1857-58 the immense production of crops also played an important role in pacifying the people of the Punjab. Similarly, some welfareoriented developmental works in the Punjab by the British government from 1849 to 1857 created goodwill for the British among the people. The socio-economic conditions in the Punjab were different from the North-western Indian Provinces. The British did not confiscate lands in the former but they did in the latter. Punjab's Role in the War of Independence 1857-58 67 The mutual rivalries and power politics among the different clans was also one of the causes of the collaboration of influential families with the British. The situation was that if a clan was with the freedom-fighters, its rival clan supported the British. Similarly, the ethnic conflict between the Punjabis and the Purabiyas was also cause of the collaboration. At the same time, the British successfully exploited the differences between the Muslims and the Sikhs. The Muslims of the Punjab perceived the British as saviours against the Sikhs, while the Sikhs perceived them as avengers against the Muslim rulers of Delhi. These were the factors, due to which a small section of the people of the Punjab collaborated with the British during the War of 1857-58. The Punjab was not as loyal to the British as it is often depicted. The Punjab supplied men, money and materials to the British and sided with them, but it does not mean that it represented the sentiments of the entire population of the Punjab. It was the British rulers of the Punjab who supplied men and money to their comrades at Delhi. Eleven years earlier in 1846, John Lawrence, as revenue collector of District Delhi, had organized a siege train to reach Lord Gough, commander of the British forces, to enable him to win the decisive battle of Sabraon against the people of the Punjab. In 1857, John Lawrence was the Chief Commissioner of the Punjab, who sent reinforcements to the British forces at Delhi. The pro-British attitude of the Sikh princes was not shared by the general masses in the Punjab. 13 The scattered uprisings in the districts of Ludhiana, Jhajjar, Haryana, Sialkot, Ferozepur, Murree and Gugera, and sullen discontent at Amritsar, Lahore and elsewhere, strongly refute the myth of popular support received by the British in the Punjab during the War of Independence. It is generally asserted that the Punjab remained undisturbed during the War of 1857-58. There arise some questions: if the province of the Punjab was calm and tranquil, then what forced the British to unleash a reign of terror, and why the British punished 5628 persons in the Punjab during the year of 1857-58, out of whom 2384 were executed, 1471 sentenced to imprisonment, 1501 flogged and 272 were fined? What prompted the British to introduce harsh and draconian laws, according to which licenses to carry fire arms were withdrawn, sale of lead and sulphur were prohibited, ferries were closely guarded, boats withdrawn, free movement of people restricted, strict mail censorship was introduced and the native press was put under strict and rigid surveillance? The answer of the above questions is that the Punjab was not as loyal, calm and tranquil as it is often painted. Like other areas, in the Punjab too, there were murders, mutinies, incendiaries, conspiracies, disloyalties, disarmings, battles, executions, pursuits, panics and treacheries. In spite of all oppressions and restrictions, the movement for freedom among the people of the Punjab could not be suppressed in its entirety, and at various places like Gugera, Murree, Sialkot, Jhelum, Lahore, Jhajjar, Ludhiana and Haryana, the people and the sepoys rose against the British government when they found the circumstances favourable to their cause. The people of the Punjab rose against the British at a number of places on a large scale but the circumstances in the Punjab were different from the Northwestern Indian Provinces. The event