This paper described two species of Ancyrocephalidae parasiting in the gills of Scarus sp.and Scatophagus argus(Linnaeus).The specimens are deposited in the School of Life Sciences,Guangzhou University and the author.All measurements are in micrometer. Haliotrema shanweii sp.nov.(Fig.1:a,b,c,d)Host Scarus sp.Localion Gills.Locality Shanwei(22.8 N,115.4 E),Guangdong Province.Date Mar.,2004.Type specimens Holotype Gdsw20040310-1,paratype Gdsw20040310-2-10The size of the body is different,the differentia is big.Eyes four,haptor not clearly marked off from the body proper,with two pairs central anchors,two connective bars and seven pairs embryonic marginal hooklets dorsal hamuli similar size and shape to ventral,inner and outer roots developed,dorsal bar straight,posterior side with two rod shaped,bow-shaped,ventral bar rod shaped,an inverted broad U-shaped.Copulatory organ tubular,bent near base;supporting apparatus is also bent,S-shaped,with a big platform-shaped base.Big body(n=3),(710~770)×(90~110)in size.Pharynx elliptic,(38~43)×(38~48) in size.Opisthohapter(70~75)×(55~75)in size,marginal hooklet 13 in length.Dorsal central hamuli 65~83 in total length,basal portion 55~63,point 13~14,inner root 33~43,outer root 15~18.Ventral central hamuli 75~90 in total length,basal portion 60,point 13~14,inner root 30~38,outer root 13~15.Dorsal connective bar(55~73) ×(3~4) in size;Ventral connective bar(58~63) × 9.Copulatory tube 83~88,supporting apparatuo 80~85.The base(30~38)×(30~53).Small body(n=7),(480~570)×(45~75)in size.Pharynx elliptic,(35~43)×(30~40) in size.Opisthohapter(60~75)×35 in size,marginal hooklet 10~13 in length.Dorsal central hamuli 53~60 in total length,basal portion 40~48,point 11~13,inner root 18~23,outer root 13~15.Ventral central hamuli 53~63 in total length,basal portion 41~50,point 11~14,inner root 15~18,outer root 6~8.Dorsal connective bar(40~50) ×(3~4) in size;Ventral connective bar(40~50) ×(6~8).Copulatory tube 68~ 75,supporting apparatuo 50~ 63.The base(15~20)×(15~23).Remarks.The morphology of the copulatory organ in the new species is similar to that of Haliotrema dempsteri(Mizelle Price,1964) Young,1968,H.ctenochaeti Young,1968,H.parahaliotrema(Mizelle Price,1964) Young,1968,H.scari Young,1968,H.angelopterum Plaisance et al 2004 and H.aurigae(Yamaguti,1968) Plaisance,2004,but supporting apparatus differs from H.dempsteri,H.ctenochaeti and H.parahaliotrema,the base of copulatory tube and supporting apparatus differ from H.scari,central anchors and connective bar also differ from the known species except H.scari.Etymology The specific name is from locality of collect specimens.


Acquisition in good faith is an important principle in traditional civil law.However,there long exist many difficulties when it is combined with unauthorized disposition principle,and also has many a controversy about the liability of the unauthorized disposition contract,which in turn,caused many problems in giving remedies and protection to the third party when the goods has a bad quality in judicial practice.This paper chooses the law of our country as a viewpoint,through investigating and reconsidering the principle of acquisition in good faith under the circumstances of the unauthorized disposition principle,analyzes the cause for this predicament and puts forward corresponding modifications in order to promote this principle.Meanwhile,it is expected that the research and the modifications will be of help to the improvement of related regulations in our lawmaking and further promote the development and the progress of our civil law system.


Artificial Intelligence is a new concept to optimize or schedule the energy storage system of the Microgrid. The reinforcement learning (RL) method can be used in the effective scheduling of the battery connected to the microgrid. The proposed strategy aims to reduce energy costs while prioritizing both energy balance and user comfort within the microgrid. The key innovation lies in developing an optimal policy for battery actions (charging, discharging, idle) using a model-free stochastic approach. One significant aspect that sets this work apart from others is its acknowledgment of the non-deterministic nature of the state of charge (SOC) of the battery. Unlike systems that solely rely on grid charging, our approach takes into account the unpredictability of renewable energy sources, particularly solar power, which heavily depends on varying time instances and weather conditions throughout the day. Consequently, the SOC of the battery exhibits non-deterministic behavior due to the uncertainty in the availability of excess renewable energy for charging. The RL-based policy presented in this research capitalizes on the effective utilization of photovoltaic sources, optimizing the battery's discharge and idle states. By intelligently adapting to the dynamic energy supply from renewable sources, the proposed approach ensures that the battery is charged only when surplus energy is available beyond fulfilling the overall system load demand.


Patients with cerebrovascular lesions in the posterior circulation territory (PC) were compared with patients having middle cerebral artery territory (MCA) strokes for the presence of mood disorders. Both groups showed a similar profile of clinical symptoms of depression during the acute evaluation in hospital. Patients with posterior circulation lesions involving the brainstem and/or cerebellum demonstrated a significantly lower frequency of depression than patients with MCA lesions or patients with posterior circulation lesions involving the left cerebral hemisphere. Moreover, depression following brainstem and/or cellebellar infarcts was of significantly shorter duration than depression following MCA lesions. These differences in the frequency and duration of depression following brainstem/cerebellar as compared with MCA lesions were not explained by differences in lesion volume, physical impairment, cognitive deficits or quality of social support. They suggest that PC and MCA induced depression may have different aetiologies.


The examination of kurtosis statistics of a received signal is a well-known technique for detecting unwanted radio frequency interference (RFI) in passive remote sensing applications, which measure thermal noise [5]. The RFI removal is often carried out in post processing stage. In contrast to the mitigation of the RFI in remote sensing data, the kurtosis analysis can also be utilized to detect weak and noisy signals in the fields of electronic warfare and signal intelligence. The kurtosis algorithm can be incorporated into real time systems, thus increasing their probability of detection by several decibels. In this paper we will present the optimal performance of the kurtosis algorithm in terms of interception of pulsed radar waveforms. (5 pages)


Ultimo 2006 Danfoss launches the first inhouse-developed micro drive series for the global market. The drive is developed by the Danfoss R&D office in Beijing and manufactured using Danfoss production facilities close to Shanghai. The scope of this paper is to compare the new product with the state-of-the-art of the market


A cavity system capable of producing independent electric and magnetic fields by the simultaneous excitation of two indepen dent cavity modes has been built and tested. The cavity length was made adjustable by a novel mechanical design which allowed an end plate to be accurately positioned at the desired length. The adjustable length provided the flexibility to selectively excite higher order cavity modes without building a new cavity for each mode. In addition, a mechanical design is set forth for a cavity whose cross sectional dimensions as well as length can be varied. space. This can present interference problems and radiation hazards. High strength electromagnetic fields above around 50 MHz can potentially couple very strongly to objects the size of humans;4,5 this could be hazardous to laboratory personnel. Considering the above, it is felt that a different approach to simulating complex electromagnetic fields is needed. The analysis presented in this paper indicates that a resonant cavity system is feasible. A resonant cavity system can provide (1) a very efficient conversion of source power to high intensity fields, and (2) in dependent electric and magnetic fields by the simultaneous excita tion o f two independent cavity modes. Other major advantages o f a cavity system are:


Along with the dispersion of the internet, it is a common hypothesis that market transparency will improve on account of the huge amount of easily accessible information. This hypothesis neglects problems of information quality. Under certain circumstances, there are incentives for suppliers to provide false information about their products on the internet, in order to differentiate from the competitors and to increase their sales. In this paper, the theory of economics of information is applied to analyse the specific characteristics of the internet as an information medium. In particular, the authors identify three variables determining the quality of information provided on the internet: the suppliers' competitive positions; the disclosure probability of false information; and the customers' loss of confidence. Subsequently, the authors use a game theoretic approach to analyse the impact of the three variables on information quality to derive insights on market transparency.


State budget expenditures, provided by the annual laws of the state budget, are part of the public expenditures. Figures recorded in the past years show that Romania's public expenditures have been constantly increasing, and their ascending trend was accompanied by a similar evolution of the state budget expenditures. However, the trend was an expected one, given the fact that the majority of the European countries recorded such evolutions, especially considering the deterioration of the economic environment. Through this paper we intend to analyze past and present evolution of Romania's state budget expenditures, focusing on their structural changes.


The psychological mechanism plays an important role in the effective moral education class.With the demonstration effect,Hawthorne effect and threshold effect in the psychology,and through the establishment of the fusion mechanism、the assistant mechanism、the emotional edify mechanism、the incentive mechanism and the long-term mechanism of psychological counseling,the moral education can receive good effects.


The present invention relates to a production device and production method for an implant using amorphous alloy, and more particularly relates to a device and method for producing an implant in which a screw thread is formed on the inner circumferential surface or outer circumferential surface by subjecting an amorphous alloy to a press moulding method and not a die casting method. The production device for an implant using amorphous alloy of the present invention comprises a heating part for heating a preform made of an amorphous alloy to a semisolid state; a moulding unit for forming a screw thread in the heated preform by using a press moulding mould; and a cooling unit for cooling the preform in which the screw thread has been formed.


BACKGROUND:
India has one of the highest tuberculosis (TB) burdens globally, accounting for 20% of the new 8.6 million TB cases annually. The burden of childhood TB in India is not clear, due to lack of ideal diagnostic methods. The annual risk of tuberculosis in children is around 2-5%. Drug-resistant (DR)strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are also highly prevalent among young children. The death rate among children due to tuberculosis is nearly 8-20%.
AIM AND OBJECTIVES:
The primary aim of this study is to compare CBNAAT with the conventional methods (ZN, Kinyoun, LJ culture, CBNAAT) in the diagnosis of Paediatric Tuberculosis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
METHODOLOGY:
Ethical clearance obtained from our institution.This is a cross sectional study over a period of 17 months. A total of 115 samples (pulmonary and extra pulmonary samples- Gastric washings, Pleural fluid, Ascitic fluid, BAL fluid, Lymph node aspirate from suspected children are collected in sterile falcon tubes. A part of the sample is used for Ziehl Neelson, kinyoun acid fast staining, auramine fluorescent staining and LJ culture after proper decontamination
techniques using petroff's method. Another part of the sample is used for CBNAAT. The sensitivity of each investigation in the detection of Peadiatric tuberculosis will be determined and the data will be subjected for statistical analysis.
RESULTS:
o A total of n=115 children were included in the study. The overall detection rate of tuberculosis among the study population was 4.3%. The rifampicin resistance rate detected among them was 0.9%.
o The detection rates of paediatric tuberculosis using the conventional methods like acid fast staining, Fluorescent staining and LJ culture were 0.9%, 1.7% and 2.6% respectively. The detection rate using CBNAAT was increased to 4.34%. Thus, CBNAAT detected more positives (5/115) than other conventional methods.
CONCLUSION:
Among the methods which were used for the diagnosis of paediatric tuberculosis, CBNAAT was advantageous as it could detect more cases which are missed by other conventional methods.


Enduring understanding 1.A: Change in the genetic makeup of a population over time is evolution. Essential knowledge 1.A.1: Natural selection is a major mechanism of evolution. LO 1.1 The student is able to convert a data set from a table of numbers that reflect a change in the genetic makeup of a population over time and to apply mathematical methods and conceptual understandings to investigate the cause(s) and effect(s) of this change. [See SP 1.5, 2.2]


The objective of this thesis is to analyze the oceanic variability in temperature and salinity over the period 1993-2008. For that purpose, it is necessary to use the maximum of observations available, namely in situ data of temperature and salinity, but also satellite data of sea surface temperature and sea height. To reach our objective, several steps are necessary: create a solid and coherent database, compare datasets to have a better physical understanding of the contents of every type of data then develop methods of combination to assemble the datasets. The cross-comparison of the altimetric and Argo datasets allows at first to verify the quality of the Argo dataset. In 2006, Guinehut and al published a paper on the comparison of SLA (Sea Level Anomaly) and DHA (Dynamic Height Anomaly). Today, the Argo dataset allows improving the comparisons. We explain why and we detail the differences between both studies. We also study the impact of the removal of the seasonal cycle and the influence of the vertical structure of the ocean in the barotrope / barocline distribution of the oceanic circulation. We end on the analysis of the SLA-DHA signal in term of seasonal and inter-annual circulation at 1000 meters deep. Armor3d Field, combination of satellite fields and in situ profiles exist for several years. The recent dataset supplied by Argo profilers allows improving considerably the parameters of the combination, to cover a better geographical zone and to have deeper fields. We show that both types of measures are needed, even to study the large scale variability of the ocean. Finally, we use our Armor3d fields to study the oceanic variability of the last 16 years.


The author of the article has considered the specifi city of organization of the process of future so
cial workers
training in educational establishments in Germany in conditions of the Bologna process. The study de
termined that
the main course in the professional training of social work practice is the practice in social agenc
ies. The entire
educational process is oriented on the formation of professional competence, approval of a partnersh
ip agreement
between the educational establishments and social institutions as the bases of practical training an
d potential
employers.
Key words: training of social workers, bachelor's degree, master's degree, the curriculum in the spe
cialty, content
of training, practical training, double tuition.


The goal of FLIR image enhancement is to obtain a good quality display by compressing the global scene dynamic range while enhancing the local area contrast. This paper presents the investigation and the implementation of six candidates for FLIR image enhancement and shows some experimental results. The six enhancement candidates are: (1) variable threshold zonal filtering, (2) statistical differencing operator, (3) unsharp masking, (4) prototype automatic target screener technique, (5) constant variance, and (6) histogram equalization. All the enhancement techniques make use of the local nonstationary mean, the local variance, or both, to achieve edge enhancement or contrast stretching in local regions. The local nonstationary mean and the local variance, in each case, are computed by a two-dimension rolling window averaging processor. Finally, an experiment based on subjective criteria to judge the enhanced image quality was conducted. The results showed that the variable threshold zonal filter, prototype automatic target screener, and unsharp masking methods were the superior techniques.


Massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) is a technology that uses many antennas at base station (BS), and can realize advanced beamforming and spatial multiplexing. However, since Massive MIMO has many antennas, there exist problems such as the increase of overhead including pilot signals used for channel estimation and feedback of channel state information (CSI). To reduce the overhead, there is a technique of transmitting pilot signals only from some antennas and obtaining channels of the remaining antennas by the minimum mean square error (MMSE) interpolation based on spatial correlation. In addition, to perform the MMSE interpolation with low computational complexity, there is a method of interpolating channels by dividing the uniform rectangular antenna array (URA) into the vertical and horizontal linear directions. However, there is a problem that channel interpolation accuracy becomes low with dividing into the linear arrays. In this paper, we propose a method of channel interpolation with dividing the entire URA into a set of smaller URAs where interpolation is performed in each URA. Through computer simulation we show that the proposed method reduces the computational complexity compared with that without dividing, and improves the channel interpolation accuracy compared with that with dividing into linear arrays.


The field of demography includes a great deal of medical content. Historical demography as a separate area of inquiry is relatively new; its 2 main concerns are with fertility and mortality events. Findings from family reconstitution and similar studies show that fertility was not as universally high in the past as was previously believed, and that differentials existed for different classes, places, and times. Differential fertility rates were related to infant mortality rates; the higher the fertility rate, the higher the infant mortality rate. Past fertility levels have been found to have been related to economic and social factors, and therefore are not to be explained solely in medical or physiological terms. Evidence exists of some practice of contraception and abortion in the past. It is clear that close cooperation is needed between historical demography and medicine to explain the interactions between past medical and demographic events, and to interpret empirical findings. Medical knowledge is also needed for diagnosis of past ailments, and to gauge the effectiveness of preventive and therapeutic measures undertaken in the past. A discussion of mortality in 5 Wurzburg parishes at the end of the 18th century illustrates the importance of urban-rural differentials and the role of immigration to the city, of warfare, and of other social influences, and is used to demonstrate the potential benefits of cooperation between physicians and demographers in understanding the mortality and fertility patterns of the past as well as the role of medical knowledge and customs in shaping such patterns.


The invention discloses a manufacture technology of an ultra-hairy, ultra-smooth and wool-like towel. Yarn made by combining strands of purified cotton single yarn spun by long-staple cotton with strands of water-soluble silk is used as a wool weft to weave a towel, and the twist of the purified cotton single yarn in the yarn made by combining the strands is smaller than or equal to 6 twist/10cm. The technology comprises the follow working procedures: combining the strands of purified cotton single yarn spun by the long-staple cotton with the strands of water-soluble silk to make the yarn before weft smoothing, weaving and grey cloth post treatment, wherein the yarn count of the purified cotton single yarn spun by the long-staple cotton is 18.2tex, and the yarn count of the water-soluble silk is 4.4tex. The towel produced by the technology not only has ultra-strong fluffiness and softness of a high-count untwisted yarn product, but also has the massiness of a low-count untwisted yarn product, has a delicate ultra-hairy and ultra-smooth sense and greatly improves the grade of the product.


46 Background: Recent literature has suggested an association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and increased cardiovascular (CV) risk in prostate cancer (PCa) patients.1,2 The 1-year incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients ≥45 years old was 1.4%,3 whereas a recent study of PCa patients on ADT reported MACE in 2.9% of patients treated with an LHRH antagonist (relugolix) and 6.2% of patients treated with an LHRH agonist (leuprolide acetate) over 48 weeks.4 Thus, MACE risk is an important consideration for PCa patients on ADT. This study aims to evaluate MACE risk after ADT initiation with LHRH agonists vs. LHRH antagonists using real-world data. Methods: Analyses of US electronic medical records (2010 to 2020) of PCa patients (n=45,059) receiving LHRH agonist and antagonist injections were conducted to evaluate the rate of MACE-free survival after ADT initiation by drug class. The database contained 178,388 LHRH agonist and antagonist injection entries and 965 documented MACE events. Exclusion criteria included taking more than one class of ADT and MACE within 6 months prior to ADT initiation. MACE was defined as myocardial infarction, stroke, and death from any cause based on a recent study in this field.4 Kaplan-Meier event-free survival curves were constructed to compare the risk of MACE between patients on agonist vs. antagonist. Statistical significance between survival curves was evaluated by log-rank test. Results: Overall MACE risk for all patients was 1.0% at one year. MACE risk was significantly higher for patients treated with LHRH antagonist compared to agonists in the first seven years after ADT initiation. Conclusions: Risk of MACE was lower than previously reported. Although this may potentially be due to underreporting, our analysis of data over 10 years from >45,000 PCa patients is likely an accurate reflection of the real world. A recent study using large real-world dataset with >50,000 PCa patients over approximately 2 years showed no difference in CV risk following treatment with GnRH agonists and antagonists.5 However, in our analyses MACE risk was lower in patients treated with LHRH agonists vs. antagonists in the first seven years after ADT initiation. Further, we plan to evaluate baseline comorbidities and demographics for imbalances. Future studies evaluating the impact of ADT class and comorbidities on MACE risk for PCa patients during ADT may be helpful to identify CV predictors. 1Ng C-F, et al. Scientific Reports. 2020. 2Zhao J, et al. PLoS One. 2014. 3Miao B, et al. J of the American Heart Association. 2020. 4Shore ND, et al. New England Journal of Medicine. 2020. 5George G, et al. Int J Cancer. 2021.


Corn and sorghum are standard silage crops because of their fermentative characteristics. While corn and sorghum silages have lower crude protein (CP) contents than other crops, intercropping with legumes can increase CP content. Furthermore, one way to increase CP content is the addition of legumes to silage. Consequently, the research objective was to evaluate the fermentative and bromatological characteristics of corn (Zea mays) and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) silages added with forage peanuts (Arachis pintoi). The experimental design was completely randomized with four replicates. The treatments consisted of corn silage, sorghum silage, forage peanut silage, corn silage with 30% forage peanut, and sorghum silage with 30% forage peanut. The results showed that the corn and sorghum added with peanut helped to improve the silage fermentative and bromatological characteristics, proving to be an efficient technique for silage quality. The forage peanut silage had lower fermentative characteristics than the corn and sorghum silages. However, the forage peanut silage had a greater CP content, which increased the protein contents of the corn and sorghum silages when intercropped with forage peanuts.


This report describes the case of a newborn infant with an upper airway obstruction who developed acute pulmonary oedema. On the basis of echocardiographic and hemodynamic studies, mechanisms underlying this rare complication were proposed.


Abstract Three conferences may be taken as characteristic of the early development of polymer structure: The meeting of the Deutsche Naturforschergesellschaft in Duesseldorf in 1926 where Staudinger successfully upheld his concept of the existence of macromolecules; the Faraday Society Meeting in Cambridge in 1936 where Car other s presented his classification of addition and condensation polymers, and the First Polymer Conference of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry in Liege in 1947 where polymer science established itself as an accepted member of chemical disciplines. Brief accounts are given of the events and transactions during these conferences.


By methods of literature,questionnaire and logical science,the author analysed the sociology factors of restricting the development of Chinese professional soccer clubs from the angle of sociology.It has been shown that the major sociology factors that restrict the clubs'development are the weakness of economic basis,the restriction of Confucianist culture,the backwardness in thinking and the concept of social uncooperative games.


The review discusses biological, psychological and social factors of teenage suicide tendencies in its correlation with such phenomenon as risky behavior. Teenagers who tend to behave in a risky mannerform a specificrisk group for suicidal activity. Even rather problem-free teenagers due to the combination of natural biological, psychological and social factors can demonstrate abrupt mood changes, depression and impulsivity during decision-making process, which can cause suicidal ideation. A teenager disposed to risk (a feature that is different from impulsivity) experiences all these even sharper, his emotional reactivity level is even higher, and his control after his actions is even weaker, which can intensify suicidal activity and speed up the transition from the stage of suicide ideation to the stage of suicide planning and committing suicide. Observable risky behavior (unlike usually hidden suicidal tendencies, ideations and experiences) should be viewed as a serious warningsign of possible suicide.


Well-defined star-shaped poly(L-lactide) with six arms (sPLLA) was synthesized via the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide using dipentaerythritol as initiator and stannous octoate as catalyst in bulk at 125°C. The effects of molar ratios of both monomer to initiator and monomer to catalyst on the molecular weights of as-synthesized sPLLA polymers were in detail investigated. The molecular weights of sPLLA polymers linearly increased with the molar ratio of monomer to initiator, and the molecular weight distribution was narrow (Mw/Mn = 1.04–1.12). However, the molar ratio of monomer to catalyst had no apparent influence on the polymer molecular weight. Moreover, the maximal melting point, the crystallization temperature, and the degree of crystallinity of sPLLA polymers increased with the increasing molecular weight, meanwhile they exhibited a spherulitic morphology. Furthermore, spherical nanoparticles (less than 100 nm) could be generated by direct injection of sPLLA solutions into distilled water, and the average size of nanoparticles could be adjusted through both the macromolecular architecture and the polymer molecular weight, respectively.


The present study has investigated the chemical composition of the bioactive EtOAc fraction of Cuspidaria pulchra aerial parts, as well as its schistosomicidal activities against Schistosoma mansoni adult worms in vitro . To this end, the crude ethanol extract obtained from the aerial parts of C. pulchra (Bignoniaceae) was partitioned with n -hexane, EtOAc, and n -BuOH. The EtOAc fraction was purified by preparative HPLC, which afforded 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde ( 1 ), p- coumaric acid ( 2 ), p -hydroxybenzoic acid ( 3 ), ursolic acid ( 4 ), and oleanolic acid ( 5 ). The bioassay results indicated that the crude ethanol extract and the EtOAc fraction at 100 µg/mL killed the adult schistosomes in vitro . Compounds 1 and 3 at 100 µm were only able to separate coupled S. mansoni adult worms.


Biological cell membranes are dynamic structures capable of carrying out diverse functions, functions which are controlled by the dynamic organization and interactions of the membrane's main building blocks, i.e., lipids and proteins. Indeed, over the last decades, a large body of research has been focused on understanding the interactions between lipids and proteins, and how they control critical cellular functions such as signal transduction, cell trafficking, and host-pathogen interactions. There is increasing evidence that the dynamic nature of lipids and proteins, and their organization into functional domains within cell membranes is directly responsible for a wide range of vital biological processes. Much of this evidence is made possible by computer simulations that can tease out the atomic details of the different biomolecules making up cell membranes, and provide insights into the nano- and mesoscale structural and dynamical features that impart function. Results of such simulations have opened new avenues for understanding pathogenic pathways and designing advanced therapeutics.


Abstract Within the framework of the WISDOM project - a German-Vietnamese research initiative focussing on the development of a Water Related Information System for the Mekong Delta - derivation of high precision Land Cover and Land Use maps is an important key factor. These products are required at varying spatial scales for analyses such as vulnerability studies, hydrological modelling, water quality assessments and change detection studies. The study area of the project comprises – next to the Mekong basin and Delta as a whole – three districts of the Mekong Delta (Vietnam) with predominant cultivation of rice crop. This paper presents the development of an automated land cover classification processor for mono-temporal data sets transferable to different geometric resolutions and neighbouring spatial regions. The special focus is on automatisation of classification of stable land cover classes to include into a processing chain into the WISDOM Information System. A scheme had to be developed, which allows automated classification with as little analyst bias as possible, allowing for repeated mapping. The development of a hierarchical classification scheme was based on the FAO Land Cover Classification System aiming to get transferable classification results in a specific number of levels. To satisfy the needs of the potential users of the Information System two additional levels were added to represent land cover and land use classes taken from classification systems defined by Vietnamese ministries. Furthermore, a sampling database has been established to manage large amounts of sampling data to be utilized for training and validation of the subsequent classifier. So far, over one million sampling data points derived from different satellite images and field data measurements are managed. The sampling database stores the spectral information of the classes identified in the satellite image as well as additional features such as ratio- and indices values (NDVI, NDWI, etc.). As for the image classification the data mining software C5.0 has been utilized. Training and validation samples are retrieved automatically from the database. A preparatory statistical analysis of the training samples within C5.0 delineates the most probable features and -weightings for class separation. Subsequently, rule sets are generated and transformed into a decision tree. The classification of the satellite image is performed with an implementation of the C5.0 rules in Python language with reference to the probability values of the membership for every pixel. Finally, accuracy assessment is performed with the validation data taken from the sampling data base. The introduced approach has been applied to several high-resolution satellite images. Accuracy assessment of the classification results exhibited very high classification accuracies over all classes. The modular classification approach as setup with a sampling database, training of the classificator, and subsequent image classification appears to be robust in terms of accuracy and transferability. Furthermore, the given modular design allows for exchanging the applied classification methods, e.g. maximum likelihood estimation or support vector machines.


Garbage decomposition that produces methane could be very dangerous if not detected properly. This study used methane gas sensor (MQ-4) to detect the presence of methane from the decomposition of fish guts waste. This study also compared different adsorbents such as charcoal, Sodium Bicarbonate and its combinations, their ability to adsorb methane in a specially designed garbage bin. Results showed that after five days of monitoring, all the three tested adsorbents showed reduction in the concentration of methane. However, Sodium Bicarbonate gives the highest percent of reduction at 13.16 %. Charcoal showed 0.53% methane reduction and the combination of the two adsorbent showed 9.22% reduction of methane concentration. In addition, the amount of adsorbent was also considered. Doubling its amount also doubles the amount of methane reduced. We therefore conclude that Sodium Bicarbonate is a possible alternative to reduce methane.


This paper studies the autotracing approach of topgraphic structure based on vector contour data by studing the method of extracting feature points and mathematical model of mathching feature points.The theory and experiment show that the approach is easy and accurate for the autotracing of topgraphic structures.


This paper discusses synchronization and antisynchronization of N-coupled complex permanent magnet synchronous motors systems with ring connection. Based on the direct design method and antisymmetric structure, the appropriate controllers are designed to ensure the occurrence of synchronization and antisynchronization in an array of N-coupled general complex chaotic systems described by a unified mathematical expression with ring connection. The proposed method is flexible and is suitable both for design and for implementation in practice. Numerical results are plotted to show the rapid convergence of errors to zero and further verify the effectiveness and feasibility of the theoretical scheme.


Federal courts faced with Alien Tort Statute cases have applied customary international law to some issues and federal common law to others. This binary approach is analogous in certain respects to a Bivens action, with federal common law creating the cause of action and international law providing the conduct regulating norms. A better approach, advanced and defended in this symposium article, is to view federal common law as applying to virtually all aspects of Alien Tort Statute litigation, although for some issues federal common law is tightly linked to the content of customary international law. This article defends a federal common law approach on descriptive, doctrinal, and normative grounds. It also applies this approach to aiding and abetting and corporate liability, and briefly addresses prescriptive jurisdiction issues that arise in Alien Tort Statute litigation. It concludes that the Alien Tort Statute is best understood to extend liability to corporations, based on both congressional intent and the unsettled state of international law, that a knowledge rather than purpose standard should be applied to aiding and abetting claims, in part because international has frequently delegated the mens rea issue to domestic law or to development by courts. On both questions, however, some deference to the executive branch is appropriate. Finally, prescriptive jurisdiction limitations apply in ATS cases, and limit the types of claims that can go forward.


Moving target detection is one of the research hotpots of intelligent technology, is widely used in the field of video processing, through the detection of moving object in video sequences, we can find a convenient person or thing of human concern, positioning and tracking target. This paper mainly researches on moving target detection and tracking method , analyses the three kinds of traditional methods about detection of moving object, including the based on background-difference method, the inter-frame difference method, and the optical flow method, using FAST algorithm based on OpenCV development platform to realize the feature point detection of image,and according the position relationship of feature point and initial frame to realize the tracking of these feature points, and realize the tracking of moving target; finally, the results of simulation experimental show that the FAST algorithm can realize detection and tracking of moving targets, and have advantage of fast speed and good effect.


The western rock lobster fishery is one of the world's largest rock (spiny) lobster fisheries, averaging over 100001 per year. There are two independent methods of predicting the catch. One is based on an index of abundance of puerulus (9-11 months) settling on collectors made of artificial seaweed. These collectors have been placed at two locations since 1969 and are checked monthly. The other method is based on an index of abundance of juveniles (pre-recruits), which is obtained using catch rates of undersize rock lobsters from a monitoring programme conducted onboard commercial fishing vessels. Indices of puerulus and juvenile abundance have been used in a multiple regression analysis to obtain a multiple correlation of 0.95 with catch and provide accurate predictions of catches. Separate predictions have been determined for the migratory (Nov-Jan) and non-migratory (Feb-Jun) phases of the fishery. Moulting occurs at the start of each of these phases, resulting in new recruits reaching legal size. An increase in the number of escape gaps in 1986 which affected the undersize catch rate is accounted for. The puerulus and juvenile indices complement each other, with the puerulus providing a long-term, up to four years, indication of the likely trends in catch, while the juvenile index provides a more accurate prediction of the catch a year ahead. These predictions have proved of immense value to fisheries managers and fishermen. They enable management to consider management options in response to fluctuations in recruitment before fishing operates on a year class. They also allow for improved financial planning by fishermen.


Background: Centering pregnancy model has been associated with motivating behavior change, increasing women's empowerment and satisfaction in comparison to standard, individual prenatal care. Aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of centering pregnancy model implementation on prenatal health behaviors and pregnancy related empowerment. Research design: A quasi-experimental (pre-posttest comparison group). Sample: A purposive sample of 151 pregnant women was recruited for the study and divided into centering pregnancy group was (75 women) and individual prenatal care group was (76 women). Setting: The study was conducted at Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic along with meeting room at Outpatient Clinics' floor affiliated to Benha University Hospital. Tools used for data collection were a structured self-administrating questionnaire, prenatal health behaviors scale, pregnancy-related empowerment scale, and women's satisfaction visual analogue scale. Results: post intervention, the total mean self-reported health behaviors score in the centering pregnancy group was higher than individual prenatal care group (18.13 versus 13.11) respectively. The mean pregnancy related empowerment score centering pregnancy group was significantly higher than individual prenatal care group (54.32 ± 3.28 versus 40.13 ± 7.74, p ≤ 0.0001) respectively. Two-thirds of the centering pregnancy group reported high satisfaction level compared to one-tenth of individual prenatal care group. Conclusion: A positive effect of centering pregnancy model, including a greater engagement in favorable health behaviors, a higher pregnancy-related empowerment, and higher satisfaction compared to individual prenatal care. Recommendation: Implementing centering pregnancy model of care more widely for promoting healthy behaviors and empowering pregnant women.


In his studies of the thought of Carl Schmitt, Heinrich Meier insists on a distinction he takes to be crucial for understanding the challenge posed by the jurist's 'lesson': the difference between political philosophy and political theology. If political philosophy is the study of the political good carried out "entirely on the ground of human wisdom,"2 Meier argues, then political theology is the study of the same from the standpoint of a "faith in revelation."3 In a trenchantly Straussian fashion, then, Meier understands the difference as far more than simply doctrinal, arguing instead that it "concerns the foundation and assertion of an existential position."4 As he puts it: "What could be less immaterial than the distinction between a thought that wants to move and conceive itself in the obedience of faith and one that is not bound by any authority and spares nothing from its questions?"5


ABSTRACT Objectives To examine physical fitness profiles of female Australian football players and investigate differences according to competition level. Methods A testing battery of 28 physical fitness assessments was undertaken with 240 players across five competition levels: elite senior (≥18 years), non-elite senior (≥18 years), high-level junior (<18 years), non-elite junior (14–17 years), and non-elite junior (10–13 years). Physical fitness profiles were examined and competition level differences were investigated using multivariate analyses of variance. Results Significant differences (p<0.001) were observed between competition levels in body composition (η2 p=0.225), flexibility (η2 p=0.071), muscular strength and endurance (η2 p=0.238), balance (η2 p=0.093), reaction time (η2 p=0.103), and whole-body locomotor performance (η2 p=0.200). Elite seniors and high-level juniors were stronger (p<0.001–0.043), faster (p=0.001–0.022), more responsive (p<0.001–0.048), and had better cardiorespiratory fitness (p<0.001) compared to the non-elite groups. Additionally, body composition and muscular strength and endurance differences were common between the senior and non-elite junior groups. Conclusions This is the first study to comprehensively profile physical characteristics of female Australian footballers across a broader development pathway. These preliminary findings may assist sport practitioners to better understand athlete development, provide insight on talent identification and development programs, and injury management in this population.


Ripening in sugarcane refers to an increase in sugar content on a fresh weight basis before commercial harvest. Certain chemicals are applied to cane in commercial fields in some countries to accelerate ripening and improve profitability of sugar production. However, responses have usually been reported to be variety and environment specific. We examined changes in the sucrose content in the juice extracted from 43 Australian sugarcane (Saccharum spp. hybrid) varieties in response to 4 ripener treatments in the Burdekin region in northern Queensland over 2 years. The 4 treatments applied were ethephon (as Ethrel®) + fluazifop-P butyl (as Fusilade®), Fusilade® alone, glyphosate (as Weedmaster® Duo), and haloxyfop-R methyl (as Verdict®). These treatments were applied in March–April each year and compared with an untreated control. Of particular interest was whether economic responses are possible for Australian varieties harvested in the May and June period when sugar content in cane is usually low. Increases in sucrose (measured by pol) levels in cane juice were observed after combined application of Ethrel + Fusilade (E+F) and after application of glyphosate, although the result for the latter varied between years. These results suggest that opportunities exist in the Australian industry to improve the profitability of early-harvested sugarcane crops, but further research is required to quantify effects on cane yield and responses in diverse environments.


Objective:Postnatal HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) occurs in spite of antiretroviral therapy. Co-infections in breast milk with cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are associated with increased HIV-1 shedding in this compartment. We investigated CMV levels and EBV detection in breast milk as potential risk factors for MTCT of HIV-1 via breastfeeding. Methods:Cell-free HIV-1 RNA, cell-associated HIV-1 DNA, CMV and EBV DNA were quantified in breast milk from 62 HIV-infected mothers and proven postnatal MTCT of HIV-1 via breastfeeding. Controls were 62 HIV-positive mothers with HIV-uninfected infants. Results:Median (interquartile range) CMV DNA viral load was significantly higher in cases [88 044 (18 586–233 904)] than in controls [11 167 (3221–31 152)] copies/106 breast milk cells (P < 0.001). Breast milk CMV DNA level correlated positively with breast milk HIV-1 RNA level in cases and controls. EBV DNA was detectable in a higher proportion of breast milk samples of cases (37.1%) than controls (16.1%; P = 0.009). HIV-1 MTCT was strongly associated with HIV-1 RNA shedding in breast milk and plasma. In multivariable analysis, every 1 log10 increase in breast milk CMV DNA was associated with a significant 2.5-fold greater odds of MTCT of HIV-1, independent of breast milk and plasma HIV-1 levels; the nearly three-fold increased risk of HIV-1 MTCT with breast milk EBV DNA detection did not reach significance. Conclusion:We provide the first evidence of an independent association between CMV in breast milk, and postnatal MTCT of HIV-1. This association could fuel persistent shedding of HIV-1 in breast milk in women receiving antiretroviral therapy. EBV DNA detection in breast milk may also be associated with MTCT of HIV-1, but only marginally so.


The purpose of this project was to construct a centralized tourist management system that would serve as a consolidated platform to provide an effective and efficient mechanism for tourist management and means for availing various travels and booking related services. Providing optimal solution using interactive knowledge-based system using dynamic information of the users, e.g. compare different options for travelling within a budget of the user and providing recommendations. The entire system is designed to streamline the travel management system by primarily targeting all the districts and division of Bangladesh and then centralizing the process maintaining schedules, queues and confirming hotel and transport bookings. Providing optimal solution using interactive knowledge-based system using dynamic information of the users, e.g. compare different options for travelling within a budget of the user and providing recommendations. Currently operations of these procedures are of an erratic where due to delays and other factors of inefficiency management services can neither be properly availed nor be found online. Using this system, the tourism can avail services which are best suited for their need, based on different criteria including specialty, current location, queue and other aspects which are deemed to be of convenience. TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Title Page No. Chapter


Abstract.— Initial and confinement-induced changes of plasma cortisol were measured in channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus acclimated to upper and lower constant temperatures for each season, a spring/fall diurnal pattern between 15 and 26 C, and a summer diurnal pattern between 24 and 35 C. In diurnal treatments, temperature changes were achieved in 10 h and held constant for 2 h before reversing the temperature. Fish held in the spring/fall pattern or at a constant temperature of 15 or 26 C revealed no plasma cortisol concentration differences due to acclimation temperature, but hormone concentrations in all groups increased by about 4.5 fold following a 2-h confinement. Fish held on a summer pattern had differences in both the initial cortisol samples and those measured after confinement. Acclimation to a constant 35 C resulted in significantly higher initial cortisol concentrations, but these levels did not increase following confinement. The inability of the fish held at 35 C to respond to the confinement was thought to be due to the constant thermal stress, resulting in an inadequate interrenal reserve. Physiological consequences due to the diurnal physiochemi-cal cycling in ponds needs further attention.


Abstracts English: The Distance Education Programme (CDE) at Universiti Sains Malaysia, the largest and the oldest university in the country, started 26 years ago offering degree programmes to working adults. Many Malaysians benefited from the programmes, and some of them have risen to the highest positions in governmental and private sectors. This paper traces the growth and development of the distance education programme at the Universiti Sains Malaysia


The aim in this study was to identify predictors of teachers' and students' motivation and autonomy support in physical education. Ninety-four physical education teachers (26 female, 68 male) and 2127 students (1093 boys, 1026 girls, and 8 no gender specified) from 56 (42 public, 14 private) high schools all voluntarily participated in the study. The students' perceived autonomy support, the intrinsic motivation for physical education and teachers' perceptions of their own autonomy support in lessons and their motivations to teach were assessed. Pearson correlation analysis showed no relationship between teachers' perceptions of autonomy support and the students' perceptions of autonomy support. Regression analysis showed that a) the students' perceptions of autonomy support were positive predictors of the students' intrinsic motivations, b) the assessment support sub-dimension of autonomy support was positive predictor of teachers' intrinsic motivations to teach in physical education. Given these findings, it becomes critical that PE teachers learn about the value of autonomy support and how to provide it during pre-service and in-service teacher education.


An analog-digital converter based on a phase-locked loop system is a non-standard architecture of an analog-digital converter. This converter consists of the phase-locked loop system and digital part. The digital part generates a reference signal for PLL using the digital counter. The number of digital counter bits is the resolution of ADC. A maximum frequency of counter determinates ADC conversion frequency.A mathematical model is used for modeling the main parameters of the converting system. This paper describes a mathematical model based on a transfer function of system PLL. The model allows us to analyze depends on the accuracy of ADC from characteristics of system PLL.


Climate change is increasing the salinity of waters in the Mediterranean region. This effect may negatively affect the resilience of aquatic communities and modify regional dynamics, favouring the colonization of salt-tolerant species. Our objective was to test the effects of salinity on the resilient capacity and dispersal response of rotifers at different temperatures through the study of their hatching success. Hatching responses are compared between diapausing eggs isolated from the sediments of two peridunal lakes and from waterbird faecal samples collected in the same area. Experiments were performed at two temperatures (15 and 25°C) with four salinity treatments (0.2, 1, 4 and 8 g L). Results showed species-specific hatching response of rotifers to salinity, which varied with temperature. No overall differences in hatching were observed between the lake sediments and waterbird faecal samples. However, the only diapausing eggs hatching from waterbird faecal samples were those isolated from faecal droppings of Anas platyrhynchos and A. clypeata. We observed that hatching success of Brachionus angularis was higher for dispersed diapausing eggs by waterbirds than for sedimentary diapausing eggs. Our results show that high water salinities and/or particular species of disperser waterbirds may limit the potential dispersal of rotifers by waterbirds.


The most powerful arguments against the provision of public subsidy to loss-making enterprises seek to establish that it is the public welfare, rather than private interest, which is diminished by the subsidy; that, moreover, the subsidy assists some privileged group at the expense of the great majority of the population, many of whose members have incomes lower than those of the people that they are obliged to subsidise. This economic perspective revisits the arguments.


ABSTRACT In this paper, we aim at explaining a specific type of heterogeneity in the euro area pertaining to the diverging responses of countries and sectors to the European Central Bank's Unconventional Monetary Policy. Equipped with stock markets indices of 17 sectors for each euro area country, we first preform an event-study analysis to assess the reaction of the markets. Next, we regress the responses on a set of country-specific drivers. Our main findings show that variables related to the nature of banking industry (e.g. cost-to-income, return on assets), macroeconomic environment (e.g. gross debt) and macroprudential policy all contribute to observe diverging responses to ECB's monetary policies. While some sectors and countries responded more negatively than positively to the policies, the Unconventional Monetary Policy impacts the markets positively on average. A policy implication is that the heterogeneous response calls for domestic structural reforms that should target the discrepancies in the banking and the macroeconomic environments across euro area countries.


In an international simulation study, the measures to be taken with an example retrofit building at different locations were quantified in order to reach the energy demand goal of 30 to 50 kWh/m 2 a of primary energy for heating, ventilation and domestic hot water production. A systematic difference in the results from the simplified and the detailed calculation tools for the building "as is" at its original location could be identified mainly by the different treatment of losses to unheated spaces . For the climates of Lucerne (Switzerland), Stockholm (Sweden) and Guimaraes (Portugal), the necessary measures, such as U-values, glazing properties and solar collector area were identified.


In rib-guided roller bearings, there are a large number of different tribological contact forms. These include not only line contacts on the raceways, the cage and the rolling elements, but also point and elliptical contacts between the rolling element end face and the ring rib. Load is transmitted via these lubricated, concentrated rolling and rolling-sliding contacts. Depending on the load situation, these contacts contribute differently to the operating behavior of the roller bearing. Axial loads on rib-guided roller bearings are mainly transmitted via the point and elliptical contacts between the roller end and the ring rib. These oil-lubricated point and elliptical contacts can be calculated and designed using thermos-elastohydrodynamic (TEHD) simulations. In existing methods for the TEHD calculation of point and elliptical contacts, the macroscopic geometries of the contact partners are described in a simplified manner, similar to the theory according to HERTZ, using ellipsoids. However, contacts of real, complex geometry pairings of rolling elements and ribs, as used to optimize the axial load capacity or the frictional torque of roller bearings, can only be determined inaccurately with this method. Compared to the exact consideration of the macroscopic geometry, larger discrepancies in the lubricant film height, contact pressure and friction can be observed. For this reason, this paper presents a TEHD simulation that considers the exact macroscopic geometry of point or elliptical contacts. The macroscopic geometry is generated using mathematical functions and a ray-tracing method is used to generate the equivalent body for the TEHD simulation. Different geometry pairings of sphere, plane, cone and torus are investigated. The results for lubricant film height, contact pressure and friction are compared with the results from conventional TEHD simulations, which use a geometry description via ellipsoids. By comparing the calculated geometry pairings, the possibilities and limitations of the modified geometry description are assessed.


A cantilever beam with a breathing crack is studied to detect and evaluate the crack using entropy measures. Closed cracks in engineering structures lead to proportional complexities to their vibration responses due to weak bi-linearity imposed by the crack breathing phenomenon. Entropy is a measure of system complexity and has the potential in quantifying the complexity. The weak bi-linearity in vibration signals can be amplified using wavelet transformation to increase the sensitivity of the measurements. A mathematical model of harmonically excited unit length steel cantilever beam with a breathing crack located near the fixed end is established, and an iterative numerical method is applied to generate accurate time domain dynamic responses. The bi-linearity in time domain signals due to the crack breathing are amplified by wavelet transformation first, and then the complexities due to bi-linearity is quantified using sample entropy to detect the possible crack and estimate the crack depth. It is observed that the method is capable of identifying crack depths even at very early stages of 3% with the increase in the entropy values more than 10% compared with the healthy beam. The current study extends the entropy based damage detection of rotary machines to structural analysis and takes a step further in high-sensitivity structural health monitoring by combining wavelet transformation with entropy calculations. The proposed technique can also be applied to other types of structures, such as plates and shells.


✓ A dermoid cyst of the fourth ventricle gave a positive brain scan. The presence of active glandular structures within the cyst may explain the uptake of radioisotope.


Critical image comparison is a widespread art‐historical practice. This essay explores why a Brabantine artist encouraged viewers to exercise it in the late fifteenth century. At the time, northern European artists tested out how images could be means of transcending the visible world while simultaneously showcasing their very constructedness. The self‐reflexivity that characterises such images has engendered a particularly rich field of art‐historical studies. This essay focuses on a little‐known image which was designed to combine two visual concepts devised more than three centuries apart – a twelfth‐century map of Jerusalem, and a cityscape popularised in the fifteenth century – and required viewers to realise this combination in their minds, using external images recollected before their internal eyes. In its complex conception, the image becomes a unique contributor to the vibrant debate about the right use of images in late medieval devotion, and to the long history of image comparisons.


The invention discloses an automatic scoring system on a basketball stand and belongs to the technical field of electronics. The system comprises a power supply, a microcontroller, a sensor, a counter and a display, wherein the input end of the power supply is electrically connected with the output end of the controller; the input end of the microcontroller is electrically connected with the sensor; the microcontroller is electrically connected with the counter and the display respectively through a control circuit; and the sensor is a distance sensor. The automatic scoring system has the advantages that automatic scoring is realized without human participation, the whole scoring process is just, fair and open so as to ensure the scores are reliable, time and labor are saved, and the working efficiency is improved.


A Cu(InAl)Se2 solar cell with 16.9% efficiency is demonstrated using a Cu(InAl)Se2 thin film deposited by four-source elemental evaporation and a device structure of glass/Mo/Cu(InAl)Se2/CdS/ZnO/indium tin oxide/(Ni/Algrid)/MgF2. A key to high efficiency is improved adhesion between the Cu(InAl)Se2 and the Mo back contact layer, provided by a 5-nm-thick Ga interlayer, which enabled the Cu(InAl)Se2 to be deposited at a 530 °C substrate temperature. Film and device properties are compared to Cu(InGa)Se2 with the same band gap of 1.16 eV. The solar cells have similar behavior, with performance limited by recombination through trap states in the space charge region in the Cu(InAl)Se2 or Cu(InGa)Se2 layer.


Preservationist planning broadly describes planning instruments that purport to preserve physical qualities of neighbourhoods by preventing demolition of historic dwellings. Here, we analyse land use conversion of almost 6000 lots in Brisbane, Australia, to understand if, and how, preservationist planning impacts the built environment. Results demonstrate that preservationist planning suppresses multi-family housing construction, even where increased density is encouraged by the planning scheme. We suggest that preservationist planning is exclusionary in nature and not solely focused on built heritage, particularly as substantial modifications to existing dwellings are allowed. These findings run counter to the purported aim of built heritage protection and suggest that the preservationist planning framework should be revised.


Speaker recognition schemes which work satisfactorily for small populations often fail when the number of classes is very large. One way of solving such problems is to go in for multistage classification schemes. The basic technique is to successively reduce the number of classes in several stages using one feature at each stage and when the number of classes is less than a predetermined value then the final decision is made. The whole scheme is designed so that the probability of error is fixed at an acceptable level. The computational cost of such a multistage scheme depends on the features used at each stage and the cost of measurement of each feature. The features to be used at each stage are determined so as to reduce the average computational cost for making a decision. This procedure is formulated as a stochastic optimal control problem and is illustrated by designing speaker recognition system for 60 speakers. The overall accuracy of the system is 97.2 %


The wireless LAN standards IEEE 802.11 (a/b/g) provides multi-rates capabilities. To achieve high network performance, devices need to adapt their transmission rate dynamically under varying conditions. Rate adaption algorithm is a critical component of their performance, only very a few algorithms have been published and the differences between their mechanisms have been publicly discussed. In this paper rate adaption algorithms categorized according to the metric that sender and/or receiver used to calculate the best bit rate uses to transmission date. In addition, a comparative study conducted in IEEE 802.11-based ad-hoc networks of most existing rate adaptation algorithms. General Terms Performance, Algorithms, Simulation, Wireless Network


In large scale emergencies with very limited work force it is difficult to provide best possible care for all the patients. In these circumstances one has to concentrate to the patients that need the care most and there is usually not enough human resources to monitor those patients that do not require immediate medical care. In this paper we describe an automated monitoring device combined to an automated emergency medical care documentation. Based on the documentation system a coordination information system is created. The coordination system monitors patients, resources and supplies facilitating decision making in the coordination process.


The concept of Ambient Intelligence provides a vision of the Information Society where the emphasis is on greater user-friendliness,more efficient services support,user-empowerment and support for human interactions.This paper introduces the concept of AmI and its applications and discusses its a few Key Techniques,such as very unobtrusive hardware,communications,natural feeling human interfaces,and dependability and security.


The paper considers the problem of automatic assessment of working conditions at the workplaces of operators of automated complexes. We demonstrate the influence of the working environment on the reliability of the operator activity. We have developed an information technology to certify workplaces and have reasoned (from the standpoint of ergonomics, reliability, and business profitability) the choice of a set of ergonomic measures aimed at improving the working conditions of operators of complex control systems.


To examine the persistence of immune deposits in the subendothelial and subepithelial areas of the glomerular basement membrane in rats, immune deposits were formed by injection of radiolabelled, cationized human serum albumin (HSA) as antigen, followed by rabbit antibodies to HSA. The disappearance of the radiolabelled antigen from immune deposits in glomeruli was described by a curve consisting of two exponential components. By electron microscopy, subendothelial and subepithelial immune deposits were initially present in glomeruli. At later time‐points, only subepithelial immune deposits were present. The fast component of disappearance, attributed to subendothelial deposits, had a half‐life of 3.89±0.32 h. The slow component of disappearance from glomeruli, attributed to subepithelial deposits, had a half‐life of 85.5±3.1 h. Since some of the injected, radiolabelled antigen was sequestered in other compartments of the body, the possibility was raised that antigen from these sites might be released and contribute to the persistence of deposits in glomeruli. This possibility, however, was excluded when transplantation of kidneys with immune deposits to untreated recipients revealed no difference in the amount of antigen persisting in nontransplanted and transplanted kidneys.


This paper proposes a method to backannotate simulation results gained due to an initial point dc-simulation with the analog simulator SABER® into the Cadence Database and further to display these simulation values in the schematic editor Composer as part of the Cadence Design Framework II¿.


Due to favourable physical properties, the most frequently used fill materials in underground technologies are mixtures of fly ash from hard coal combustion and water. The mixtures are delivered by pipelines from the ground surface to the places of application gravitationally, so the reliable assessment of flow parameters is crucial for the successful fill operations. In first place rheological properties of mixtures must be known for further flow parameters prediction. These parameters may be obtained from measurements in laboratory pipeline loop, which reflect the operation conditions of industrial pipelines in terms of flow rate range and variability of rheological properties of mixtures. Further considerations focused on the problems of range of flow and influence of pipe roughness on reduction of mixture delivery distance. Among other, the conclusion is that the transport distance occurring with technologically acceptable flow rate decreases rapidly with increasing pipe roughness and may finally lead to pipeline failure. As it has been shown on an example to any point of mining operations may be delivered fill mixtures with a certain maximal value. This maximal density is varying widely in relation to actual length and height of gravitational pipeline. Flow parameters of fill mixtures in gravitational pipelines may be affected heavily by increasing of pipe roughness. Variability of absolute pipe roughness have been discussed in relation to typical abrasion and corrosion processes of pipe walls and also considering potential coating built-up created by solidified mixture layers. Operation of gravitational pipeline in systems of underground voids filing should be considered as a dynamic process, where the geometrical parameters and roughness of the pipeline may undergo continuous and rapid changes.


The PQASW (PQA) is the Picture Quality Analysis Software based on the concepts of the human vision system which provides a suite of repeatable, objective quality measurements that closely correspond with subjective human visual assessment. These measurements provide valuable information to engineers working to optimize video compression and recovery, and maintaining a level of common carrier and distribution transmission service to clients and viewers.


On the basis of safety distance formula for vehicles in motion,this paper has calculated the safety distances of vehicles with different braking systems,under different following states and at different speeds.It is found that the vehicle velocity,braking force,following state,condition of the driver and structure of the braking system all affect the safety distance,and the vehicle velocity VB0 is the most dominant factor.Under unfavorable conditions,the danger of collision from behind occurs most frequently and the very danger is proportional to the vehicle velocity VB0


Conjoint Analysis (CA) was used to study location preferences among members of the softwood lumber industry in the southern and western regions of the US. This industry was selected as an example of a resource-based industry to test several hypotheses derived from location theory. Decision-makers, owners and managers, identified price of logs and distance to sources for logs as the most important location factors. A secondary category included wages and energy costs. Other variables such as cost of land, quality of access roads and distance to markets are less important. There were statistically significant differences in the part-worth estimates of raw materials and wage costs among decision-makers but not between regions in an ordered model for site preference. Marginal analysis of the price of logs stressed its importance as the major location factor in the softwood lumber industry.


This thesis departs from the Diplomatic Crisis between Saudi Arabia and Qatar in 2017. In relation to the diplomatic crisis, it was explained that Qatar issued a Policy in the Diplomatic Crisis, and refused to fulfill the 13 demands given by Saudi Arabia and its allies. However, the policy issued by Qatar is inseparable from the encouraging factors. For this reason, this Thesis Writing aims to find out the Factors that encourage Qatar's Policy in the Diplomatic Crisis in 2017. By using KJ Holsti's Foreign Political Study and Literature Study Research Methods, this thesis discovers the Driving Variables namely Oil and Gas Sales Guarantee nature to other countries, Diversification of Economic Sources from the Non-Oil and Gas Sector, Resilience of the Transportation Sector to the Diplomatic Crisis, Alternative Flight Lines, Guaranteed Food Supply from the Outside, Endurance of the Trade Sector against the Diplomatic Crisis and Donald Trump's Defense against Saudi Arabia.


With the incumbent Labor government embracing a recentralisation of industrial relations, public sector agencies in Queensland are experiencing a dramatic shift in the framework of employment relations. This paper discusses the approach of the previous Coalition government to managing the public sector workforce and the emerging approach of the Labor government. The comparison of contrasting governmental approaches to public sector employment relations throughout the 1990s suggests that successive governments have balanced very differently the three main pressures they have faced: political, managerialist and industrial relations.


The principal goals of the investigation were to obtain emissions data for a methanol fuelled heavy-duty engine, and to identify engine configurations (i.e. piston shape, injector design, combustion chamber swirl, injection timing) that were effective in reducing emissions. A laboratory investigation was conducted on the utilization of neat methanol and glow plug ignition in direct- injection four-cycle diesel engines. Two engines were used in the investigation: a single-cyclinder engine, and a heavy-duty six cylinder engine. The single cylinder investigation found that the interaction of injector sprays with the piston bowl and the glow plug had a strong effect on engine emissions. Impingement of fuel on the surface acted to reduce oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions. The addition of swirl tended to reduce hydrocarbon emissions, but also increased emissions of oxides of nitrogen. Compression ignition was achieved in the multi-cylinder engine. Engine operation was sensitive to the injection timing. Preliminary transient tests indicated that the multi-cylinder engine could produce NOx emissions below the EPA 1994 Standards. These tests also indicated unacceptable hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions. It is likely that hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide emissions can be significantly reduced through improved control of injection timing, and through further improvements to the piston/injector design. (A)


Live Action Roleplaying (LARP) at St. Olaf College is a marginalized and distinct group. This paper examines the origins of the LARP game at St. Olaf and how the game itself is played. In addition, the paper moves toward considering the structure of the LARP group and the ways individuals can be successful at LARPing. Throughout, the paper contextualizes LARP gameplay within the larger social space of St. Olaf College.


Abstract:This article proposes a close reading of Chantal T. Spitz's short story "Joséphine" in tandem with an engagement with Polynesian orality and tattooing as both metaphors for bodily inscription and as integral to the socially-determined process of gendered identity formation. The author demonstrates how Mā'ohi non-binary gender embodiment is inherently relational and draws upon long histories of oral storytelling and cultural traditions of triangulation. These relational practices of narration, voice, and movement provide counternarratives to Western biomedical utilitarian theories of gender transition. In the short story, Western definitions of gender transition/reassignment and Mā'ohi notions of socially-determined and locally-rooted constellations of gendered self-actualization act simultaneously on the site of the protagonist's gendered body. By adapting Kamau Brathwaite's concept of tidalectics, the author suggests that these influences come together in aqueous rhythm in a "trans tidalectics" that disrupt the telos at the heart of Western gender transition, often historically determined by medical or surgical intervention.


The case for government intervention via technology policy in the UK in the later 20th century was typically justified by « market failure » arguments. In this paper I argue firstly that an analysis of technology trends indicates that non-market failures, mainly systemic and dynamic in nature, were a more basic source of British technological shortcomings. Secondly, an analysis of trends in technology policy suggests that narrowly economics-based views too often hampered good intentions to reform policy along more appropriate lines, and restricted development of any serious capabilities for « policy learning » in the field. The main line of argument represents an application of the Richardson-Sen model of capabilities and networking to the government/policy field. There follows a discussion of policy learning in a context of network misalignment and systemic failure over the longer term of British technology policy, although there have been more encouraging efforts to overcome some of these problems in recent times. The paper concludes that « market failure » is at best a gross simplification of the issues confronting British technology policy in this era, and often an obstruction in the way of applying more constructive network-oriented policies.


In order to explore the best air distribution scheme, and set up a air distribution test bench, which is according to the similarity principle, in this paper, a 350MW supercritical boiler of a power plant is taken as the research object. This test the selection of fan power and the design of bellows and air duct size is according to the similarity principle. According to the test procedure, the resistance coefficient and flow rate of the damper are measured when the single and each damper is changed. It is found that the drag coefficient and flow rate are greatly affected by the opening of the damper. When the opening of the damper changes from 15 to 30 degree, they both change dramatically. When the opening of the damper is greater than 30 degree, the change of them tends to be stable. At the same time, different locations of damper will interact with each other. The resistance coefficient curve is not only plays a guiding role in the manual control of the old equipment, but also plays a vital role in the programming of the modern automatic control of the damper. At the same time, the flow distribution law plays a guiding role in the design of the air distribution control system. The resistance coefficient curve and the flow distribution curve obtained in this paper can play a guiding role in the test design and boiler operation regulation of power plant.


Achieving micro-sized and closed packed grains is an essential requirement for high performance chalcogenide thin film solar cells. The grain growth mechanism of CZTSSe starting from nanocrystal films appears to be affected by the capping ligands composed of long hydrocarbon chains. The growth of grains relies heavily on the selenium vapor supplied in the thermal process. This study decouples the selenium evaporation temperature apart from the substrate temperature to allow the investigations of their individual effects. We found that the two temperatures have distinctive effects on grain morphology, and the combination of a lower substrate temperature and a higher selenium evaporation temperature is favorable to produce flat and closely-packed grains and also a thinner MoSe2 layer. Cell efficiency of 8.0% has been achieved by the film with favorable morphology. Also we show that the removal of carbon from the as-deposit films effectively improves the grain size of the selenized films. The understanding of the roles of selenium vapor and carbon content may further improve the device performance.


Abstract The decarboxylative coupling of diversely substituted benzoic acids with internal alkynes proceeds smoothly in the presence of a [RhCl(cod)]2/1,2,3,4-tetraphenyl-1,3-cyclopentadiene catalyst system to selectively produce highly substituted naphthalene derivatives. The catalyst system is applicable to constructing anthracene and benzo[c]thiophene frameworks through reactions of naphthoic and thiophene-2-carboxylic acids, respectively.


The purpose of this study was to determine the benefit and risk of NSAID-based prophylaxis for ectopic bone formation amongst patients undergoing total hip replacement (or revision) surgery. A double-blind randomised placebo-controlled clinical trial, stratified by treatment site and surgery (primary or revision), was conducted in 20 orthopaedic surgery centres in Australia and New Zealand. 902 patients, undergoing elective primary or revision total hip replacement surgery, were randomly allocated to 14 days treatment with ibuprofen (1200mg daily) or matching placebo commenced within 24 hours of surgery. Patients were only excluded if there was, in the opinion of the responsible physician, a definite indication or contra-indication for treatment with an NSAID during the 14 day study treatment period. Outcomes were assessed six to 12 months after surgery and included changes in self-reported hip pain and physical function (WOMAC), physical performance measures and radiographic evidence of ectopic bone formation. There was only a 6% loss to follow-up for self-report measures and a 12% loss to follow-up for radiographs. Six to twelve months after surgery, there were no significant differences between the ibuprofen and placebo groups for improvements in hip pain (mean difference, 95% confidence interval: −0.1, −0.4 to 0.2, p=0.6) or physical function (−0.1, −0.4 to 0.2, p=0.5), despite a much reduced risk of ectopic bone formation (relative risk 0.69, 95% confidence interval 0.56 to 0.83) associated with ibuprofen. There was a significantly increased risk of major bleeding complications during the admission period (2.09, 1.00 to 4.39) These data, from the largest-ever trial of prophylaxis against ectopic bone formation, do not support the use of routine NSAIDs-based prophylaxis for patients undergoing total hip replacement surgery.


Two consecutive campaigns of excavation at Tossal del Mortorum site allow us to present briefly the chrono cultural sequence identified, a sequence from the first half of the 11 millenium CAL BC to the end of the Vllth century BC.


We study an anisotropic system arising in magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) in the whole space R^3 , in the case where there are no diffusivity in the vertical direction and only a small diffusivity in the horizontal direction (of size eα with 0 0). We prove the local existence and uniqueness of a strong solution and then, using Strichartz-type estimates, we prove that this solution globally exists in time for large initial data, when the rotation is fast enough.


The major funding source for fundamental scientific research in the Netherlands (NWO), reserves more than half of their research budget for grants for young researchers. Researchers, who received their doctorate more than 15 years ago, cannot apply. Apparently NWO believes in a negative correlation between age and scientific creativity or productivity. This article reviews research on this relationship and concludes that there is no evidence to support the myth that science is a young person?s game. By allocating a major part of their budget to early career award and by under-funding research or individuals in the second half of their careers, NWO may have lowered the level of innovative research in the Netherlands.


To examine potential variations in sensitivity of F344 rats from different breeders to carcinogens, groups of forty 6-week-old males from CLEA Inc., SLC Co., USA Charles River Co., and Japan Charles River Co. were initially given a single dose (200 mg/kg) of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) i.p., and 2 weeks later, they were given phenobarbital (PB) at a dose of 500 ppm. in the diet for 6 weeks and then sacrificed; all rats being subjected to two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH) at week 3. Numbers and areas per cm2 of preneoplastic lesions, glutathione S-transferase placental form (GST-P) positive foci in the liver in this Ito test, were increased significantly in PB treated rats from all breeders compared with the corresponding control groups given DEN alone. The number of GST-P positive foci in animals from CLEA Japan, however, increased more than in rats from the other breeders. Assessment with Affymetrix Rat Genome 230 2.0 cDNA microarrays, revealed common changes in expression of genes between treated and control group rats from all sources. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the gene expression pattern to be quite similar for rats from USA Charles River Co. and Japan Charles River Co. Although the differences are very subtle, sensitivity of F344 rats to carcinogens may vary depending on breeders.


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A five-parameter extended fatigue life model called the McDonald–Birnbaum–Saunders (McBS) distribution is proposed. It extends the Birnbaum–Saunders and beta Birnbaum–Saunders [G.M. Cordeiro and A.J. Lemonte, The β-Birnbaum–Saunders distribution: An improved distribution for fatigue life modeling. Comput. Statist. Data Anal. 55 (2011), pp. 1445–1461] distributions and also the new Kumaraswamy–Birnbaum–Saunders distribution. We obtain the ordinary moments, generating function, mean deviations and quantile function. The method of maximum likelihood is used to estimate the model parameters and its potentiality is illustrated with an application to a real fatigue data set. Further, we propose a new extended regression model based on the logarithm of the McBS distribution. This model can be very useful to the analysis of real data and could give more realistic fits than other special regression models.


This report presents the findings of a systematic review, commissioned by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). The review question was: What is the impact of learning on employment outcomes for low-qualified adults who are out-of-work or at risk of losing their job? The aim of the review was 'to contribute towards a better understanding of whether training or learning works and leads to positive employment outcomes for those claiming benefits' [and] … what sort of training or learning produces such outcomes, and in what circumstances'. Sixteen documents, representing 12 studies, were included in the final research synthesis. The following implications are drawn: that training has a role to play in helping low-qualified, out-of-work adults into employment, but that other factors are important, including work experience, job search, and broader support and advice structures; the importance of, where possible, looking at individual circumstances and tailoring support to these is emphasised; and there is a need to understand better the interaction between being low-qualified and having poor basic skills and the relative importance of addressing each of these for employment outcomes.


It is well established that individuals who have prediabetes either impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) or impaired fasting glucose (IFG) have high risk to develop diabetes. However, it is unclear whether the rate of progression to diabetes is different between these two categories. Lifestyle modification has been recommended for diabetes prevention in these high-risk groups. However, given the differences in their pathophysiology, it is possible that these subtypes of prediabetes condition may have different responses to lifestyle modification. The present review was to summarize the risk of progression to diabetes and the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for diabetes prevention in individuals who have isolated IGT or isolated IFG or combined.
The risk of progression to diabetes is highest in combined IFG and IGT subtype. Individuals who have isolated IFG by the American Diabetes Association criteria (100 to 125 mg/dl) has lower risk of progression to diabetes than those with World Health Organization criteria (110 to 125 mg/dl) and the latter has similar or higher risk of incident diabetes than those with isolated IGT. Lifestyle modification is most effective in individuals with IGT (with or without IFG) but is less effective in those with isolated IFG.
In conclusion, The risk of progression to diabetes and the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention for diabetes prevention are disparate between prediabetes subtypes. Given the paucity of diabetes prevention data in individuals with isolated IFG, more studies dedicated to this subtype is required.
Keywords: Impaired fasting glucose, Impaired glucose tolerance, Prediabetes, Type 2 diabetes, Lifestyle intervention, Diabetes prevention


The Internet of Things (IoT) connects everyone in the smart world, so the energy consumption of IoT technology is a challenging and attractive research area. The development of technology in the field of IoT has changed the way of life and enriched society with its benefits, but we must not ignore the fact that IoT consumes energy, contributes to toxic pollution, and generates electrical waste. To increase the benefits and reduce the harmfulness of IoT, there are increasing tendencies to move towards green IoT (G-IoT). The G-IoT is considered the future environmentally friendly IoT. Greening ICT technology plays a key role in G-IoT and promises many benefits to society such as efficient production, and reducing the energy used to design and distribute ICT devices and equipment. This paper will present a comprehensive overview of G-IoT technologies and strategies that demonstrate work and efforts to build a green and smart world, contributing to a safe and healthy environment, smart and high quality of life based on enabling technologies, reducing pollution, and reducing energy consumption. ICT technologies that enable G-IoT include Green RFID, Green Wireless Sensor Network (GWSN), Green Cloud Computing (GCC), Green M2M (G-M2M), and Green Data Center (GDC). The paper will also present an analysis of the importance of environmental technology processes in sustainable development, exploring the principles and roles of G-IoT in the progress of society through examining its potential for improving quality of life, environment, economic growth, and green global modernization.


In this paper I will study in a comparative perspective how taxes, social transfers and tax expenditures effect the social policy goal of redistributing income. The following countries are included in the analysis: Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States. These countries reveal variation both with respect to the organization of their welfare and taxation systems and in relation to income distribution. The aim of the study is threefold: to show how these welfare states combine the tools of taxes and transfers differently, resulting in substantial variations of redistributive capacity; to identify and account for changes in the redistributive capacity of these welfare states through and analysis of data for the time period ca 1980-1995.; and the use of tax expenditures.


The purpose of this study is to evaluate the Taiwanese students' performance in math, specifically in regard to number/quantity and algebra. In order to complete the study the researchers used the Delphi method to set the performance standards. The process of setting performance standards consisted of three stages. Stage 1, the preparatory stage, where as in essential background information about the exam which the participants required to take was provided by 15 experts. Stage 2 was the modified stage, those experts modified their evaluations according to the students' performance test. In stage 3, the final stage, the results of the evaluations were analyzed by the experts. The three separate evaluations demonstrated that the stage-one competence indicator was correlated with existing data we collected from our participants. In contrast, the result of the stage-two competence indicator did not correlate so closely with the performance standard.