A new light power(P)-current(I)-voltage(V) automatic testing system,which was a combination of FPGA technique,was presented with SCM HD64F7045 as the controlling center.In the laser diode(LD) controller module,the use of negative feedback technique could stabilize the drive current I_F,the optical output power P_o and the forward voltage V_F respectively with high stability,and complete laser diode protection was provided including independent current limit and power limit settings,output off shorting circuits,and a slow turn on sequence.In the temperature controller module,the temperature could be controlled precisely with PI control method and the thought of integral separation.The results show that forward current stability can attain 10~(-4) degree,and temperature stability can attain ±0.01 ℃.Finally based on the setup P-I-V curves and related parameters of different kinds of laser diodes were measured.


Chattering is endemic on most control schemes involving discontinuous energy effectors. This led to the formation of Discontinuous control law formulations to facilitate stability and tracking most natural dynamic systems with demonstrated discontinuous arguments. Thus, the use of variable structure theory enables the controllers evolve new dynamic characteristics that ensures stability as impacts the switching logic. This work modifies the dynamic switching functions for better performance by reducing the chattering on the control surface. Comparing the modified controller response with the conventional switching control function, it gives reduced chattering margins and control signals.


Computer-based learning environments can produce a wealth of information on each student action, which can often be represented at multiple levels of abstraction and with a variety of features. This paper extends an exploratory sequence mining methodology for assessing and comparing students' learning behaviors by autonomously identifying abstraction levels in a hierarchical taxonomy of actions and their potential features. We apply this methodology to action data gathered from the Betty's Brain learning environment. The results illustrate the potential of this methodology in identifying and comparing learning behavior patterns across groups of students with complex, hierarchical action and action feature definitions.


This study examines the conceptualization of risk behavior held by 26 Franco-Ontarian young adolescents (12-14 years of age) who participated in Lions Quest, a program specially designed to promote physical and mental health and to prevent drug and alcohol use. More specifically, it seeks to better understand the participating adolescents' conception of risk and protective factors in a linguistic minority context, with the eventual purpose to prevent or delay alcohol and drug use. A qualitative methodology mainly based on semi-structured interviews generated discussion around a variety of dimensions related to risky behaviors, extreme and dangerous risks, positive and negative risks, social and physical risks. The adolescents hardly mentioned drug, alcohol, and cigarette use. However, they were aware of the risks of consumption and dependence.


Background and Objective: Frozen yogurt is obtained by freezing a mixture containing milk fat, milk solids-non-fat (MSNF), sweeteners, stabilizers, and yogurt. Increased milk solids-non-fat is one way to avoid undesirable changes in texture observed in low-fat products. Thisincrease in MSNF also helps greatly improve health properties of these products. Since frozen yogurt is considered a low-fat dessert, in this study the effects of milk solids-non-fat content on its physical, chemical and sensory characteristics were investigated. Materials and Methods: Ingredients included milk (2.5% fat and 8% solids-non-fat), skim milk powder (98% solids-non-fat), cream (30% fat), starter yogurt (DVS Lat 1/63, including Streptococcus salivarius subsp. thermophilus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp.bulgaricus ), sugar, vanilla powder, and panisol ex. All samples contained 8% fat, 13% sugar, 0.3% stabilizer and 0.09% vanilla. To produce test samples,the milk solids-non-fat content was adjusted at 13%, 16% and 19% levels with skim milk powder. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by completely randomized two-factor design with 3 replications using the MSTAT-C software, and analysis of variance was done with Duncan's multiple range test ( p <0.05). For drawing diagrams the Excel software was used. Results: Titratableacidity, pH, viscosity, overrun capacity and melting characteristics of ice cream were influenced favourably significantly ( p <0.05) by increasing MSNF. Increasing the MSNF content significantly (p<0.05) decreased pH, overrun capacity and resistanec to melting of ice cream, while it increased titratable acidity and viscosity. The dataalso showed that samples with 13% MSNF resulted the highest scores in texture and total acceptance (p<0.05). Conclusion: Increases in milk solids-non-fat content of frozen yogury affects favourably its properties. Based on the findings in this study, 13% MSNF is suggested for producing concentrated frozen yogurt.


Aliens — Expulsion of — Procedure of expulsion — Jurisdiction of Special Inquiry Officer — Foreign crew member remaining in Canada after departure of ship — Application for immigrant status — Whether application deprived Special Inquiry Officer of jurisdiction to hold inquiry concerning deportation — The law of Canada.


ABSTRACT Soil contamination with heavy metals has become a worldwide concern. A sustainable technology to mitigate heavy metal contamination is extremely important. Phytoremediation is a cost-effective method, environmentally friendly, and esthetically pleasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential of Vetiver phytoremediation of soils contaminated with heavy metals. This research was conducted as a factorial design with four different heavy metals (lead, cadmium, manganese, and nickel) with three varying levels and also three replications for each treatment. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS19 software and analysis of variance, Duncan and Pearson correlation tests. The results showed that, the highest uptake rate was related to lead metal with 282.45 mg/kg of dry soil and 83.4% uptake percentage. Then, the mean and percentage of adsorption for cadmium, nickel and manganese were 248.3 mg/kg (53.2%), 69.4 mg/kg (65.5%), and 63.29 mg/kg (61%), respectively. Lead was found to be the main component of uptake by Vetiver plant. It was found that the roots of the plant have absorbed more heavy metals than the shoots. And at the roots in total 1089.05 and on average 363.01 mg/kg and at the shoots 901.19 and on average 300.39 mg/kg, the metals used were adsorbed on three levels and four treatments. The results of analysis of variance, Duncan test and Pearson correlation showed that the effect of applied treatments on lead uptake in roots and shoots increased significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing levels of treatments. The biological concentration factor was more than one, and the transfer factor was close to one. Therefore, it can be used as a phytostablization plant. The results showed that Vetiver can be considered as a refining plant due to its vegetative characteristics, cost-effectiveness and high adaptation to environmental conditions.


In their classic work on matrix organizations, Davis and Lawrence expressed skepticism about the utility of matrix structures for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of governmental programs.' They suggested that rigidities of structure and process that inevitably develop around the expenditure of public funds greatly inhibit the use of flexible organizational designs in the public sector. This article argues that the use of matrix designs, in fact, may be a key to effective performance for an important class of public sector organizations, namely the headquarters units of federal or state programs. These are not the units that actually provide services or conduct operations. Rather, they are the units that are responsible for allocating funds to program operators at the state or local levels, developing program policies and regulations, designing service delivery models or operational techniques, conducting system-wide planning, providing technical assistance or training for operating personnel, and monitoring field operations. Over the course of three recent research projects, the author and his colleagues interviewed nearly three dozen national and state directors of job placement, training, social services, energy assistance, and welfareemployment programs.2 Each of these individuals was simultaneously the director of a dispersed service delivery network and the supervisor of a program headquarters unit. Our interviews indicated that many of them had clear ideas about the design and management of their service delivery systems, but only a few had a similarly coherent doctrine for the organization and management of their program headquarters units. Their efforts to describe such a doctrine often laid heavy emphasis on compliance with conventional bureaucratic norms (functional departmentation, formally specified roles for individuals and subunits, delegation down the chain of command, unit of command). Their descriptions of actual events, however, often yielded a substantially different picture. Ad hoc groupings, special assignments, and informal procedures abounded. Functional boundaries were violated. Intervening supervisory layers within the unit were often by-passed. Individuals frequently worked outside their formal roles. Directors and unit members characterized the reality as "fire fighting," "ad hoc" or "ad hominen" management, or "muddling through." These descriptions suggested that the program directors are being pulled3 in three different directions. First,


"Unless the teacher has a certain amount of breadth of vision, of background herself, or more than a cursory knowledge of subject matter and maintains her pupils' interest in the subject she is teaching, her work is bound to fail."


With the reform and opening-up and development of the market economy,and the surplus rural labor force to transfer constantly,the scale of rural left-behind children is increasing and rural left-behind children crime is rising.On the basis of summing up the crime situation and reason of rural left-behind children,this paper introduces a new viewpoint called as the strengths perspective to resolve the crime problems of rural left-behind children.I hope we can prevent and control rural left-behind children criming,and let this special group grow healthily by excavating and playing the resources and advantages of rural left-behind children itself and its surrounding environment.


Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are readily accessible and secrete multiple growth factors. Here, we show that ASC transplantation rescues the striatal pathology of Huntington disease (HD) models.


The properties of volatile flavor components were compared in commercial brown rice vinegars that were fermented with and without ethanol addition, for which solid phase microextraction-gas chromatography (SPME-GC), electronic nose, and sensory evaluations were performed. A total of 24 volatile compounds, mainly composed of acetic acid, ethyl acetate, benzaldehyde, iso-valeric acid, phenylethyl alcohol, 2-phenylethyl acetate, acetoin, and isobutyric acid, were identified in the brown rice vinegar fermented without ethanol, while major volatiles in the brown rice vinegar fermented with ethanol were acetic acid, ethyl acetate, 1-hexyl acetate, benzaldehyde, 2-phenylethyl acetate, and phenylethyl alcohol. The electronic nose patterns of samples indicated a significant difference in the brown rice vinegars fermented with and without ethanol. Pungent flavor and off-flavor intensity were high in the brown rice vinegar fermented without ethanol. According to the results, fermentation conditions affect the volatile properties of brown rice vinegars.


Sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in intensive care units (ICUs) and is responsible for thousands of annual deaths worldwide. The pro-inflammatory cytokines are necessary for the control of infection and are the primary focus of this paper. Due to their central role in the pathogenesis of sepsis, more emphasis is needed on the use of cytokine as biomarkers. Implementation of the cytokines in the AutoSimmune for immune system simulations may improve understanding of aspects of the physiopathology of disease in humans. We present the principal aspects of the pathogenesis of the pro-inflammatory response in sepsis and the possibilities of their modulation in order to alter the course of this illness. We highlight the main pro-inflammatory cytokines that may be used as biomarkers in clinical practice. We also discuss the perspectives of sepsis in silico investigation, using the AutoSimmune computational system. Sepsis remains a true challenge in contemporary clinical practice, especially in terms of diagnosis, therapeutics, and prognosis. A greater understanding of inflammation in sepsis – especially in relation to cellular and molecular participation in the development of the morbid process – has the potentiality for the development of new investigative methods and outcome prediction, elements that may aid in offering good patient care.


The 21st century brings a plethora of challenges for the profession of nursing and health care environments as each tertiary provider across Australia endeavours to provide the best opportunities for students to meet industry demands. One such challenge is the need to acknowledge that it is essential to move beyond the walls surrounding academia and health care organisations to provide innovative and creative education delivery models for student nurses. Furthermore, there is a need to develop strategies that address recruitment and the attrition of nurses out of profession. One such strategy is the creation of collaborative and sustainable partnerships between academic settings and health care organisations as a means of moving forward.


Federal Reserve bank directors, who are responsible for establishing the discount rate at their respective banks, subject to the approval of the Board of Governors, naturally have a strong interest in the likely effect of discount rate changes on the Federal funds rate.


A physical model of single-electron 2D arrays has been developed. The model offers good agreement with experimental data for a 2D array consisting of 25 metallic islands.


The effect of the surface structure of mesocarbon microbeadson charge-discharge characteristics as anodes for secondary lithium-ion batteries was investigated. SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) and Raman spectroscopy suggested that the mesocarbon microbeads had a more highly graphitized carbon layer on the surface than the inner carbons. The carbon layer caused the small capacity or the short cycle life as the anode. The heat-treatment of the mesocarbon microbeads in air for removing the surface layer gave a good effect on the capacity and the charge-discharge cycle for the anode.


Channel state information (CSI) is important to improve the performance of wireless transmission. However, the problems of high propagation path loss, multipath, and frequency selective fading make it difficult to obtain the CSI in broadband millimeter-wave (mmWave) system. Based on the inherent multidimensional structure of mmWave multipath channels and the correlation between channel dimensions, mmWave multiple input multiple output (MIMO) channels are modelled as high-order parallel profiles with linear dependence (PARALIND) model in this paper, and a new PARALIND-based channel estimation algorithm is proposed for broadband mmWave system. Due to the structural property of PARALIND model, the proposed algorithm firstly separates the multipath channels of different scatterers by PARALIND decomposition and then estimates the channel parameters from the factor matrices decomposed from the model based on their structures. Meanwhile, the performance of mmWave channel estimation is analysed theoretically. A necessary condition for channel parameter estimation is given based on the uniqueness principle of PARALIND model. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm performs better than traditional compressive sensing-based channel estimation algorithms.


Presently, we report a simple, reproducible and high frequency plant regeneration in Hibiscus syriacus L. using axillary buds. H. syriacus was regenerated from axillary buds directly or through a callus phase. Regenerated shoots were directly induced from young and fresh axillary buds cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium (MS) supplemented with 0.01 mg/L of the growth regulator thidiazuron (TDZ) after 2 weeks of culture. Directly induced shoots were transferred to hormone-free MS medium and root development was observed after 6 weeks. On the other hand, old and stale axillary buds were regenerated to shoots via callus induction on MS medium containing 0.01–2 mg/L TDZ after 4 weeks. A TDZ concentration of 0.01 mg/L was most effective in callus formation. Green callus was transferred to MS medium containing 0.01 mg/L α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and 0.5 mg/L benzylaminopurine (BA). After 4 weeks, callus had developed into multiple shoots. Plantlets were formed from 10 week cultures of single shoots on hormone-free MS medium. Regenerated plantlets were cultured on MS medium for one month and then transferred to pots containing garden soil. Potted plants were acclimatized for one month and grown to maturity under greenhouse conditions. The present study has shown that various concentrations of plant growth regulator can be effective for in vitro plant regeneration of H. syriacus. The direct and indirect regeneration protocol presented here will be useful for understanding the manipulation and propagation of H. syriacus.


A generalized density functional theory (DFT) is proposed based on a generalized Hohenberg-Kohn theorem with the pair density as the key quantity and the kinetic energy as a universal functional of the pair density. It is assumed that there exists an effective interaction potential which, via the corresponding two-particle (2P) Schrodinger equation, generates 2P orbitals (geminals) from which follows the pair density, just as in the conventional DFT the density follows from 1P orbitals (as the solutions of an effective 1P Schrodinger equation). According to three different representations (natural spectral resolutions) of the pair density or the cumulant pair densities in terms of geminals, three versions of a pair DFT (PDFT) are formally sketched. Also considered are the relation between electron correlation and particle-number fluctuations in fragments of the system and the use of the pair density for an estimation of such fluctuations. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


Last year, 1.77 billion gallons of fuel ethanol were produced in the U.S., over 90% of which was produced from corn. Ethanol demand is expected to more than double in the next several years as it is used to replace the fuel oxygenate, methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE). Corn is prepared for ethanol fermentation by either wet milling or dry grinding. Most newly constructed ethanol plants use dry grinding because of its lower capital costs. However, corn wet millers have also expanded production by adding on to existing plants. Current technology allows for 2.5 (wet milled) to 2.7 (dry grind) gal of ethanol per bushel of corn. An opportunity exists for increasing this yield by also converting the fibrous components of the corn kernel (i.e., pericarp and germ) to ethanol. Fermenting these non-starch fractions could increase the yield from a bushel of corn by a maximum of 10%. In this brief review, the economic and technical aspects of ethanol production will be explored as well as future prospects for increasing ethanol yield from corn by fermenting the non-starch fractions.


Given the increased popularity of the internet, the exchange of sensitive information leads to concerns about privacy and security. Techniques such as steganography and cryptography have been employed to protect sensitive information. Steganography is one of the promising tools for securely exchanging sensitive information through an unsecured medium. It is a powerful tool for protecting a user's data, wherein the user can hide messages inside other media, such as images, videos, and audios (cover media). Image steganography is the science of concealing secret information inside an image using various techniques. The nature of the embedding process makes the hidden information undetectable to human eyes. The challenges faced by image steganography techniques include achieving high embedding capacity, good imperceptibility, and high security. These criteria are inter-related since enhancing one factor undermines one or more others. This paper provides an overview of existing research related to various techniques and security in image steganography. First, basic information in this domain is presented. Next, various kinds of security techniques used in steganography are explained, such as randomization, encryption, and region-based techniques. This paper covers research published from 2017 to 2022. This review is not exhaustive and aims to explore state-of-the-art techniques applied to enhance security, crucial issues in the domain, and future directions to assist new and current researchers. Keywords—Image steganography; data hiding; steganographic security; randomization; encryption


Background: The aim of modern dentistry is to restore the patient's health with predictable techniques. Implant-supported prostheses can be used to restore the patient's function, comfort, esthetic, speech, oral health and the integrity of tooth with adjacent hard and soft tissues to some extent. Intraosseous implants can be placed using three different techniques, including the immediate, the early and delayed technique. Due to the longer healing period and formation of bone in the delayed technique, it is hypothesized that the marginal bone around the implants will undergo less resorption compared to the early technique. Objectives: The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the changes in the levels of marginal bone around implants placed using early and delayed implant placement techniques. Patients and Methods: In the present retrospective cohort study, 38 implants from the BEGO system were used. These implants were placed in 17 patients in 2 different groups. In group 1, 20 implants were placed early (1 - 2 months after extraction), and in group 2, 18 implants were placed with a delay of more than 4 months after tooth extraction. The marginal bone level was measured on periapical radiographs taken using the parallel technique at three different intervals: at implant placement time, and 6 and 12 months after implant placement. The measurements were made using a digital caliper with an accuracy of 0.01 mm, and the data were analyzed using a repeated-measures ANOVA in association with Mauchly's sphericity test. The statistical significance was set a P 0.05). Conclusions: The amount of crestal bone loss around the implants placed early was greater than that around the implants placed with a delay; however, the differences were not significant.


Currently, much attention is paid to the political aims and influence of Chinese outward investment, especially in developing Africa. This paper attempts to fill the knowledge-gap of international entrepreneurship literature by analyzing the entrepreneurial behavior of Chinese firms under the background of south-south economic cooperation. Through the case studies, we analyze the distinctive entrepreneurial behaviors and characters of different types of Chinese firms with high entrepreneurial spirits in Africa during the transitional time. After comparing the various entrepreneurial behaviors between Chinese and West investors, this paper sheds light on the potential positive roles of the entrepreneurial spirit, high risk-behavior and adaptability to foreign environment, which are necessary to successfully seek new, overseas entrepreneurial opportunities from an emerging market. Applications for firms' managers and policy makers are also offered.


CONCORD‐3 highlighted wide disparities in population‐based 5‐year net survival for cutaneous melanoma during 2000–2014. Clinical evidence suggests marked international differences in the proportion of lethal acral and nodular subtypes of cutaneous melanoma.


Estrogen is involved in pituitary tumorigenesis, acting through estrogen receptors alpha (ERα) and beta (ERβ). Our study investigated the prognostic value of ERα/ERβ as markers in pituitary adenomas. Tissue samples and clinico‐pathological data (patient age and sex, tumor size, invasiveness and recurrence) were obtained from 78 patients with pituitary adenomas. Immunohistochemistry was performed using the streptavidin‐biotin‐peroxidase complex method. A monoclonal and polyclonal antibody were used for ERα and ERβ expression respectively. Intensity of ERα/ERβ expression was evaluated using a scale of 0 to 3. Percentage of positive cells was evaluated on a scale of 0 to 4. ERα immunopositivity was evident in 40 of 78 cases (51%), while ERβ stained positive in 49 of 78 cases (63%). No correlation was found between ERβ expression and pituitary tumor cell types or clinico‐pathological factors. A significant difference was present in ERα expression between different tumor types. ERα positivity was present to a greater extent in macroadenomas. This finding supports the role of ERα in tumor growth and progression. Elevated ERα positivity and intensity were also found in non‐invasive adenomas. It appears that ERα may be a valuable biological marker for tumor size and invasiveness, while ERβ is a poor marker. The role of ERα expression in pituitary tumor initiation and progression warrants further investigation.


Objective To strengthen the management, improve the quality of medical records, and ensure medical safety. Methods Effectively make use of the electronic medical record quality monitoring system to systematically check all the medical records, hierarchically real-time control every medical step, continuously improve quality and conduct terminal control on the leaving-hospital records. Results The timeliness of medical record is improved, the similarity rate is decreased, and consequently the quality of medical record is significantly improved. Conclusion With electronic medical record quality monitoring system, the integrality and accuracy of medical records are improved significantly, which lays a good foundation for medical care, teaching, research and other medical services.


Abstract This study evaluated the effect of Boswellia serrata, (BS) on growth performance, carcase traits, antioxidant and immune responses, digestive enzymes and caecum microbiota of broiler chickens. A total of 120 one-day-old Ross 308 chicks were randomly allotted into four treatment groups, each of five replicates. The 1st group was fed on a basal diet only and served as control. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th groups were fed the basal diet plus 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g BS/Kg diet, respectively. Body weight (BW) at 42 days old and daily body weight gain (DBWG) during (1–42 days) was linearly (<0.0001) enhanced with high BS levels compare with the control. The addition of BS to diets linearly and quadratic decreased feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio and digestion coefficients for diet ingredients, and most carcase traits compared to the control. The different levels of BS in chicks' diets linearly increased globulin, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and digestive enzymes (amylase and lipase). While, the total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were linearly and quadratic reduced in all experimental groups than the control. Total bacteria, total fungi and E. coli were linearly reduced in broiler chicks fed the diet supplemented with BS compared with control. It could be concluded that adding BS to broiler diets positively promoted performance, carcase traits, blood measurements, digestive enzymes, immunity organs, antioxidant parameters and caecal microorganisms. Highlights Phytobiotics have a beneficial influence on poultry. Boswella serrata contains a lot of active ingredients. It is expected to affect performance and health positively.


The role of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α or cyclo‐oxygenase‐2 (COX‐2) eicosanoids in dystrophinopathies has been evaluated by chronically treating (4–8 weeks) adult dystrophic mdx mice with the anti‐TNF‐α etanercept (0.5 mg/kg) or the COX‐2 inhibitor meloxicam (0.2 mg/kg). Throughout the treatment period the mdx mice underwent a protocol of exercise on treadmill in order to worsen the pathology progression; gastrocnemious muscles from exercised mdx mice showed an intense staining for TNF‐α by immunohistochemistry. In vivo, etanercept, but not meloxicam, contrasted the exercise‐induced forelimb force drop. Electrophysiological recordings ex vivo, showed that etanercept counteracted the decrease in chloride channel function (gCl), a functional index of myofibre damage, in both diaphragm and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscle, meloxicam being effective only in EDL muscle. None of the drugs ameliorated calcium homeostasis detected by electrophysiology and/or spectrofluorimetry. Etanercept, more than meloxicam, effectively reduced plasma creatine kinase (CK). Etanercept‐treated muscles showed a reduction of connective tissue area and of pro‐fibrotic cytokine TGF‐β1 vs. untreated ones; however, the histological profile was weakly ameliorated. In order to better evaluate the impact of etanercept treatment on histology, a 4‐week treatment was performed on 2‐week‐old mdx mice, so to match the first spontaneous degeneration cycle. The histology profile of gastrocnemious was significantly improved with a reduction of degenerating area; however, CK levels were only slightly lower. The present results support a key role of TNF‐α, but not of COX‐2 products, in different phases of dystrophic progression. Anti‐TNF‐α drugs may be useful in combined therapies for Duchenne patients.


Geological field training and site inspections are important components of the education in geological and civil engineering and associated disciplines. However, field training is not inclusive, does not consider students' family situations, for example associated with care work, places high demands on students' financial resilience, and therefore does not address family educational backgrounds. Also, it is not pandemic proof. Through the implementation of digital field training, students can get access to important aspects of field work in a barrier-reduced and location-independent way. Knowledge associated with geological field training therefore becomes more accessible and inclusive. Moreover, outcrops or specific rock structures that are difficult or unsafe to access in the field can be explored digitally. In this project, parts of a geological mapping course physically held in southern Germany and taught at the Faculty of Geosciences at Ruhr-Universität Bochum were turned into a digital field course. A virtual 360° tour with 3D models of outcrops and rock samples was complemented by photo, video and audio material with information on the geological setting. The digital field training was integrated via Moodle as a full lecture with H5P elements. Additionally, individual components were combined in a game engine, so that students can immerse themselves into the project settings via virtual reality experiences or on-screen. The learning outcome includes the creation of a geological map in the study area in QGIS that is complemented by a field report. The choice of equipment, procedure and results are presented. While acknowledging that a digital experience cannot fully replace the learning experience of physical field trips, it can be a valuable complement to physical field work, provide access to inaccessible geological regions, support interdisciplinary teaching projects, and provide an alternative to marginalised students who would otherwise not be able to complete a geoengineering curriculum.


The vibrational properties and electronic structures of PbTiO3 and BaTiO3 crystals were investigated by density functional theory. The calculation result indicates the ferroelectric instabilities of cubic PbTiO3 and BaTiO3 are derived from the hybridization between the Ti3d and O2p orbitals. The difference in the ferroelectric phase transition sequence of PbTiO3 and BaTiO3 is from their different tetragonal strain. For PbTiO3, the Pb6s orbital bonds with O2p orbital effectively, which results in large tetragonal strain and stabilizes its tetragonal phase. For BaTiO3, the barium atom is strongly ionic, and its tetragonal strain is rather small, and it can still undergo other low-temperature ferroelectric phase transition.


A Q-band balanced diode mixer developed using AlGaAs/GaAs HEMTs (high electron-mobility transistor) as diodes, a CPW (coplanar waveguide) ratrace hybrid, and a lumped-element, low-pass filter is presented. The mixer can be easily integrated with the RF, LO (local oscillator) and IF HEMT amplifiers on one chip because it uses HEMT as a mixer diode. Furthermore, the mixer does not require backside and via-hole process and has small size (1.4 mm*1.5 mm). Therefore, it has good RF circuit yield. The mixer downconverts the 41-48-GHz RF to a 0.5-3.5-GHz IF. Without DC bias, it shows 9.4-dB conversion loss for RF at 42 GHz, with a LO drive of 11 dBm at 44.45 GHz. The mixer is the first monolithic CPW mixer for operation at Q-band frequencies.<<ETX>>


In this study, an answer to the following question is sought: "Can a local model based on the Quranic concept of inshirah (emotional relief) be proposed for humans who -having experienced difficult events- dealing with anxiety?". The purpose of the study is to propose a theoretical model -based on Surah Al-Inshirah: 1: "Have We not uplifted your heart for you?"- which demonstrates the functional value of perceptional and emotional relief in the face of psychological problems, blends the universal and local in a scientific perspective and combines the Eastern wisdom with the Western scientific approach. The data has been collected based on a literature review and examined with the descriptive analysis technique. According to the sources on the issue, the Prophet experienced some troublesome days in a period where revelations were interrupted as his level of anxiety rose considerably due to some internal and external factors. He, however, was able to move past these feelings and thoughts (the situation of anxiety) with the revelation of Surah Ad-Duhaa. The Surah Al-Inshirah contains pshychological explanations as to why and how the Prophet had overcome these troubles. The following observations can be made when we analyze what the two aforementioned surahs emphasize and reformulate these in today's concepts: A model, which can be considered within the framework of partially phenomenological and partially existentialist counseling theories, can be inferred from the reason for revelations of both surahs, their meaning and the messages they convey. It must be emphasized, however, this authenticity results from the Islamic understanding of knowledge and the modality of human, and not from an eclectic presentation of Western approaches. In the "Inshirah" model, the human is not subject to the consciousness-body, form-essence, material-meaning, physical-metaphysical distinction inspired from the Cartesian philosophy. Therefore, the word "partially" has been used intentionally with reference to the aforementioned modern psychological counseling theories. This is because in the Inshirah model, it is important not only to overcome the wrong or illogical thoughts but also to expand one's heart (or let one's hart expand). In this context, the explanations and examples about the situation of inshirah or emotional relief are based on the Quran and the Islamic culture. Nevertheless, the proposed model -despite being local- not entirely adverse to the Western theories


We have developed a new efficient neural network-based algorithm for Alife application in a competitive world whereby the effects of interactions among organisms are evaluated in a weak form by exploiting the position of nearest food elements into consideration but not the positions of the other competing organisms. Two online learning algorithms, an instructive ASL (adaptive supervised learning) and an evaluative feedback-oriented RL (reinforcement learning) algorithm developed have been tested in simulating Alife environments with various neural network algorithms. The constructive compound neural network algorithm FuzGa [15] guided by the ASL learning algorithm has proved to be most efficient among the methods experimented including the classical constructive cascaded CasCor algorithm of [18], [19] and the fixed non-constructive fuzzy neural networks. Adopting an adaptively selected best sequence of feedback action period ∆α which we have found to be a decisive parameter in improving the network efficiency, the ASLguided FuzGa had a performance of an averaged fitness value of 541.8 (standard deviation 48.8) as compared with 500(53.8) for ASL-guided CasCor and 489.2 (39.7) for RL-guided FuzGa. Our FuzGa algorithm has also outperformed the CasCor in time complexity by 31.1%. We have elucidated how the dimensionless parameter food availability FA representing the intensity of interactions among the organisms relates to a best sequence of the feedback action period ∆α and an optimal number of hidden neurons for the given configuration of the networks. We confirm that the present solution successfully evaluates the effect of interactions at a larger FA, reducing to an isolated solution at a lower value of FA. The simulation is carried out by thread functions of Java by ensuring the randomness of individual activities. key words: neural networks construction, artificial life, fuzzy logic, genetic algorithm, reinforcement learning


While standard contract theory suggests that a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) should be paid relative to a benchmark that removes the effects of sector performance, there is evidence that CEO pay is strongly and positively related to such sector performance. In this article, we offer an explanation. We model a CEO charged with selecting the firm's strategy that determines the firm's exposure to sector performance. To incentivize the CEO to choose optimally, pay contracts will be positively and sometimes asymmetrically related to sector performance. Consistent with our predictions, the empirical analysis indicates that the observed sensitivity of pay to sector performance is almost fully confined to multisegment firms and is greater in firms that offer greater strategic flexibility to alter sector exposure, for more talented CEOs and for CEOs as compared to their subordinate executives. Our evidence is robust to alternate explanations such as CEO entrenchment. The Author 2010. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Society for Financial Studies. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com., Oxford University Press.


Description: In the group of Prof. Chittka in the Biology department at QMUL there are new data sets available, extracted from an experiment in the wild where bumblebees have been followed with radar tracking over long distances in a 'travelling salesman'-type foraging problem [1]. In a previous PhD project we developed a stochastic model of bumblebee flights, based on the analysis of data from a laboratory experiment of the Chittka group [2]. The goal of the new PhD project is a) to explore whether the stochastic model of [2] can be adapted to understand the new data of [1], and b) to develop a stochastic theory of bumblebee foraging in the wild by testing the so-called Levy flight hypothesis of optimal foraging efficiency [3].


Abstract There are a lot of high-height structures that should be inspected or manipulated frequently due to maintenance purposes. According to the safety considerations and time or cost limitations, substituting the human operator with an automatic robot is inevitable. The main objective of this paper is to design and manufacture a novel climbing robot equipped with grip-based locomotion system which can climb through scaffold structures and trusses to accomplish inspectional and operational tasks. The proposed robot has good maneuverability and stability. The proposed robot is manufactured in order to verify the simulation results with experimental data. The chassis and its corresponding grippers are designed first, and the corresponding model of the system is extracted. This model is used then for designing the controlling strategy of the system. The path planning of the robot is conducted to realize the climbing process by the robot during several steps in an optimum way. The prototype of the proposed robot is manufactured at Kharazmi University called KharazmBot. Experimental results not only show the capability of the manufactured robot toward ascending the mentioned structures but also prove its high stability as a result of its designed gripper and also its good maneuverability as a result of its over-actuated mechanism. Thus, it is concluded that the designed and manufactured climbing robot of this paper can successfully ascend through the pipes and trusses and perform a desired inspectional or operational task with good accuracy and safety while its stability is also satisfied.


Abstract : The changes in a red test field are quite different from changes in a blue test field after eye pre-exposures to tungsten and to red illumination. After the threshold of vision is reached, it takes longer for the form of a red test field to be seen by the fovea if the preadaptation is to red illumination than if the pre-exposure is to tungsten illumination, where the form of a red field is seen as soon as the visible threshold is reached. A study of a blue field shows that the rods near the fovea make the field look much brighter near the fovea, thereby increasing the acuity above that at the fovea. The growth of dark adaptation of the eye to colored test fields was obtained by comparing the apparent luminance of a colored test field as seen by the right eye, after it had been pre-exposed to red or to tungsten radiation, to another calibrated variable field of the same color and size as seen by the left unexposed eye. Exposure to red illumination has a smaller effect than an equal exposure to tungsten light anywhere on the retina (rods and cones), but the extrafoveal region suffers more than the fovea from either type of preadaptation. The effect on dark adaptation of increasing the intensity of illumination of the preadapting light is to decrease the rate of recovery both at the fovea and elsewhere. (Author)


Broadband quasi-phase matched optical parametric generation with periodically poled LiNbO/sub 3/, based on a non-collinear configuration, is reported The broadest signal spectrum covers from 1.734 to 1.962 /spl mu/m when pumped with a Nd:YAG laser.


A novel inhibition assay by capillary electrophoresis/dynamic frontal analysis (CE/DFA) is proposed. When substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate and inhibitor theophylline were tandemly introduced into ...


4 ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to verify associations between the persistence of nipple lesions in puerperae and breastfeeding conditions. The data were collected in the Rooming-in sector at the HU-USP and a post-partum nursing consultation. Sixty puerperae presenting nipple lesions during hospitalization were included in the study. A total of 73.3% had healed-scared nipples and 26.7% some type of lesion. The average healing time was 5.6 days. A significant association was observed between the persistence of nipple lesions, inadequate suction patterns, and nipple pain. It was concluded that the first post-partum week is critical, and assistance to puerperae is needed. The association between inadequate suction patterns and nipple lesion persistence underscores the importance of breastfeeding assistance.


This paper is to discuss the theological meaning and value of Bernard Eugene Meland's idea of religious experience. His work can be appreciated in our post-religious world in which, on the one hand, religion loses its past dominance over science, and on the other hand, science itself needs reformulating its basic concepts. Meland attempts not only to respond to the stream of atheistic secularism, which is based on naturalistic modern science, but also to overcome the religious failure of theistic supernaturalism. He brings the distinctive aspect of Christian faith to the fore and makes it determinative over all searches for religious truth. He does not lose a sense of responsibility for understanding faith as the ultimate ground of all life. His account is suggestive especially in such issues as the depth of human existence, the structure of experience, the relationship of faith and culture, and overcoming both secularistic sarcasm and absurdity of traditional supernaturalism. His ideas generated from the pessimistic atmosphere after the end of existentialist theologies right after which the theology of 'the death of God' came out. Theology at that time strived for a new methodology. Soon, theology took a way of 'political' theology on the one hand, and it adopted a sense of 'relation' in theological conceptualization on the other. Meland is one of the key figures to open the way for the theology of relation. He attempted to reconstruct a theoretical foundation for the relational theology. Still, our neoliberal world is full of stagnated messages which are based on theological supernaturalism. This is one of the main reasons to draw out now his teachings again. His ideas provide us with an important tool to discern the way of living and thinking to transform Christianity itself and the world.


In order to improve interpretation coincidence rate of gas logging, two discriminate analysis methods such as Fisher and Mahalanobis-distance discriminate analysis methods were proposed. The methods could be used to identify the formation property effectively for the purpose of avoiding the shortcomings of insufficient and incomplete use of log data and non-integral analysis of log information with low coincidence rate.The result shows that the interpretation coincidence rate of Fisher and Mahalanobis-distance discriminate analysis methods can reach 77% equally.


The article deals with the correlation of retrogression and subrogation in mandatory public liability insurance of transport owners. The author also views the problem of mandatory public liability insurance of transport owners in internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation.


A critical aspect of existing Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems is the ability to compare current data obtained from a structure to a prerecorded baseline measurement taken for an undamaged case. Several Lamb wave-based SHM techniques have been successfully developed that use baseline measurements to identify damage in structures. The method developed in this study aims to instantaneously obtain baseline measurements in order to eliminate any complications associated with archiving baseline data and with the effects of varying environmental conditions on the baseline data. The proposed technique accomplishes instantaneous baseline measurements by deploying an array of piezoelectric sensors/actuators used for Lamb wave propagation-based SHM such that data recorded for equidistant sensor-actuator path lengths can be used to instantaneously identify several common features of undamaged paths. Once identified, data from these undamaged paths can be used as a baseline for near real-time damage detection. This method is made possible by utilizing sensor diagnostics, a recently developed technique which minimizes false damage identification and measurement distortion caused by faulty sensors. Several aspects of the instantaneous baseline damage detection method are detailed in this paper including determination of the features best used to identify damage, development of signal processing algorithms used to analyze data, and a comparison of two sensor/actuator deployment schemes.


This paper gives a brief overview of fabrication problems and solutions for microelectromechnical system (MEMS) using PZT films based on surface micromachining techniques. In addition we report characteristics of PZT films on diagnostic test structures designed to test the new bottom electrode for MEMS. PZT(53/47) films were deposited by metalorganic decomposition on a 3″ silicon wafer with Pt/Ti/TiO 2 /Poly-Si/Si 3 N 4 structure in order to fabricate piezoelectric cantilever beam microaccelerometers and uncooled infrared (IR) detectors. In order to investigate the feasibility of RuO 2 /Ru and Pt/RuO 2 conducting layers as a new bottom electrode for piezoelectric MEMS, the piezoelectric constant (d 33 ) of the PZT films on each bottom electrode was measured. Furthermore, we show the fraction of working top electrodes among 20 total electrodes according to electrode size to investigate the stability of PZT with different bottom electrodes. These results suggest that RuO 2 /Ru and Pt/RuO 2 are possible for bottom electrodes of MEMS.


Two aminophosphine derivatives of adenine N9-(N2′-diphenylphosphinoaminoethyl)adenine L1 and N9-(N2′-diphenylphosphino-N2′-n-propylaminoethyl)adenine L2 were synthesized. Oxidation of L1 and L2 with H2O2, elemental sulfur or elemental selenium led to the corresponding oxidized products 5–10. Both L1 and L2 behave as monodentate ligands towards late transition metals. Reaction of compound L1 or L2 with [AuCl(tht)], [{RhCl(μ-Cl)(η5-C5Me5)}2], [{IrCl(μ-Cl)(η5-C5Me5)}2], [{Rh(μ-Cl)(cod)}2], [{RuCl(μ-Cl)(η3:η3-C10H16)}2] and [{RuCl(μ-Cl)(p-MeC6H4iPr)}2] gave the corresponding "dangling" monodentate complexes 11–20, leaving the adenine ring free for complementary hydrogen bonding. Interaction of L1 and L2 with [MX2(cod)]
(M = Pt; X = Cl, Me) in 2 : 1 molar ratio also gave monodentate complexes 21 and 22. All compounds have been fully characterized by microanalysis, IR, 31P-{1H} NMR, 1H NMR and EI/CI/FAB MS spectroscopies. 1H-{31P} NMR, 1H–1H-COSY or 1H–13C correlation experiments were used to confirm the spectral assignments. Four compounds were structurally characterized by crystallographic X-ray analysis.


The present invention relates to a loft angle of the golf club head may be adjusted, more particularly, to a pivotally mounted golf club head, the loft angle of the golf club head may be adjusted. Coupled with the shaft of the golf club head according to the present invention comprises: (120) composed of a head body (110) and the bending angle of the body (110) at a predetermined extension header heel portion (100); swingably with (100) the fixed portion (200) coupled to the head, the loft angle can be adjusted.


Effective human resource management is crucial to maintaining competitiveness and achieving organizational goals in the highly regulated and complicated environment that the pharmaceutical industry operates in. In recent years, the adoption of Human Resources Information Systems (HRIS) has gained significance as a tactical tool to increase efficiency and effectiveness in this industry. This abstract looks into how HRIS impacts efficiency and productivity in the pharmaceutical sector. A mixed-methods approach, which includes qualitative and quantitative methodologies, was employed as the research strategy for this study. A detailed literature study identifies key areas where HRIS might increase efficiency and effectiveness in the pharmaceutical industry. These areas include hiring and selection, performance management, training and development, and employee engagement. By facilitating effective internal communication, teamwork, and knowledge sharing, HRIS also promotes employee involvement. It provides self-service capabilities that let employees examine their payslips, request leave, and access and modify their personal information in an effort to reduce administrative burdens. HRIS also offers data-driven decision-making, helping HR professionals to make intelligent strategic decisions through robust analytic and reporting capabilities. HRIS installation in the pharmaceutical industry has several benefits, but problems with data security, system integration, and change management need to be fixed. Organizations should make major expenditures in robust security measures, ensure seamless integration with existing systems, and provide personnel with in-depth training to improve the effectiveness of HRIS adoption. In conclusion, the usage of HRIS increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the pharmaceutical industry. Businesses may speed up HR operations and boost employee engagement while also enhancing employee performance. By effectively implementing HRIS, pharmaceutical companies can get a competitive edge in a market that is growing more dynamic and competitive, which will ultimately lead to improved organizational performance and success.
KEYWORDS:- HRIS ,Employee, industry ,efficient &effectively


In their recent report, Williams et al1 examined data from 21 population-based birth defect surveillance systems for trends in prevalence of spina bifida and anencephaly for specific racial/ethnic groups from 1995 to 2002. Data were stratified into pre-, optional, and mandatory fortification intervals, coincident with the authorization of folate fortification of enriched cereal-grain products by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1996. Williams et al1 found prevalence values per 10000 births for spina bifida for Hispanic, non-Hispanic white, and non-Hispanic black women of 4.18, 3.37, and 2.90, respectively, for the mandatory fortification interval versus corresponding values for the same groups of 6.49, 5.13, and 3.57, respectively, for the prefortification interval. These results suggested that folate fortification was associated with significant decreases in the prevalence of spina bifida among non-Hispanic white and Hispanic births (34% and 36% decreases, respectively). The 19% decline in the prevalence of spina bifida among non-Hispanic black births was borderline statistically significant.1 This failure to find a statistically significant decline among non-Hispanic black births may have been attributable to smaller samples examined (total cases were 515 for non-Hispanic black births, 2672 for non-Hispanic white births, and 1281 for Hispanic births).

In their editorial on the article by Williams et al,1 Brent and Oakley2 argued that folic acid fortification levels in the United States are too low. They have inappropriately generalized the data of Williams et al1 into a broad criticism of the current folic acid fortification program and a call for increased fortification. This warrants our response. Consideration of whether increases in fortification are warranted depends a number of complex issues. For example, are the residual neural tube defects (NTDs) in all racial/ethnic groups folate sensitive? If so, then would increasing the levels of folic acid in enriched cereal-grain products …

Address correspondence to Jeanne I. Rader, PhD, Division of Research & Applied Technology, Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling and Dietary Supplements, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Food and Drug Administration, 5100 Paint Branch Pkwy, College Park, MD 20740. E-mail: Jeanne.Rader{at}cfsan.fda.gov


【Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) was the sensation of discomfort and stiffness in the muscle, often after taking part in unaccustomed physical activity. No universally accepted treatment exist. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of cryotherapy and intermittent compression on the delayed onset muscle soreness. Flexion elbow joint position and extension(Universal Goniometer). pain(Muscle Soreness Rating Scale) and mechanical pain threshold(Algometer) were measured before 30minutes DOMS was induced.The data were analyzed by measure of Mann-Whitney test and Kruskal-Wallis test. The result were as follow; 1. There were no significantly differences between groups or over time in relation to range of motion. 2. Muscle Soreness Rating was significantly high in cryotherapy and intermittent compression at 48, 72 hours after DOMS was induced(p .05). 4. A negative Correlation between muscle soreness rating scale and mechanical Pain threshold graphs at 24, 48, and 72 hours after exercise indicated in cryotherapy and intermittent compression groups.】


The timeliness of financial reporting has been considered as an important factor that contributes to the well-functioning of an economy. This study extends the contemporary research stream by exami...


This undertaking seeks to evaluate the social, economic, and physical-infrastructural wellbeing of a St. Paul neighborhood as a result of a comprehensive residential redevelopment project. Nested within the West Seventh region of St. Paul, Brewery Town was named after the Jacob Schmidt Brewery that overlooks it. The redevelopment project has been a positive experience for the developers, residents, members of neighboring communities, city officials, and the West 7th/Fort Road Federation. Zero residential displacement was the single most salient factor contributing to this success. Other factors include an enhanced sense of place, greater walkability, additional neighborhood amenities, increased homeownership, decreased vacancies, a revitalized tax base, improved accessibility to all forms of transit, the ability to better capitalize on close proximity to the river and the downtown, and the emergence of neighborhood alliances and coalitions. To illustrate this, this work will utilize a mixed methodologies approach that will include fieldwork, data collection, community interviews, GIS mapping, graphing, and financial analysis. Ultimately, neighborhood revitalization projects do have the potential to restore urban blight, reinvigorate and breathe new life into a community, prepare for future developments, and maintain and preserve the local historic charm. The Brewery Town project also demonstrates the livability and desirability of inner-city neighborhoods. The redevelopment of the actual Schmidt Brewery parcel would be significantly more challenging and less sustainable had it not been for the redevelopment of the Brewery Neighborhood.


The relationship of society to its excrement is telling at both a cultural and social level. The notion of green architecture with its emphasis on the naturally pure has so far eschewed waste as a primary generative material. Alexandros Tsamis here invokes a more inclusive notion of the environment in which by-product becomes intrinsic to any project. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


In a landmark judgment (and in unusual circumstances), the UK Supreme Court has held that the ongoing Merricks v Mastercard case should be referred back to the Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT).…


In 1985 new regulations on water quality used for concreting according to jus u.m1.058 standard were enforced. However, these regulations do not take into consideration water as a ingredient in concreting from all aspects except water quality for concreting. The paper gives a suggestion to supplement these regulations for two new standards. These standards would refer on the one hand to the quality of water which is used for concrete curing, and on the other hand to water which is used for washing the aggregates. (TRRL)


Despite the developments in computer-mediated communication after the advent of the Internet, traditional word-of-mouth (WOM) marketing is still influential on consumers' buying decision processes. As one of the WOM influencer groups, market mavens are information providers who affect buying decision of other consumers with their product knowledge and marketplace expertise. The purpose of the study is to examine whether front-line employees working at travel agencies are market mavens or not. A survey of 120 travel agency employees was conducted using a structured questionnaire including open-ended questions as well. Descriptive statistics, parallel test, minimum average partial test, exploratory factor analysis, independent samples t-test, and correlation analysis were performed using SPSS 24.0 software. The conclusion of the study revealed that the front line employees in travel agencies had a tendency to give recommendations and share information as market mavens.


A vertical take-off and landing aircraft comprises: a propeller (2) which generates lift and thrust; a main frame (4) which supports a seat (41) and ground contact legs (42); a sub frame (5) which supports the propeller (2) and is rotatably disposed in a front-back direction with respect to the main frame (4); a power supply means (3) which is supported by the main frame (4) and supplies power to the propeller (2); a control stick (6) which is connected to the sub frame (5); and a main wing (7) which is disposed in the propeller (2), the main wing (7) being configured to usually retreat to a position that does not interfere with an air current generated by the propeller (2), and when the thrust is lost, be able to move to a position at which the lift is generated. Consequently, gliding becomes possible even when the thrust is lost while an increase in the size of the body thereof is suppressed.


If you have ever asked yourself why things sometimes turn out differently from the way you hoped, or noticed that your positive aspirations sometimes have negative endings, it may help to apply the following.


The DNA sequence encoding CjCBM28of Clostridium josui,a family 28carbohydratebinding modules,was synthesized and fused with green fluorescent protein coding gene in an expression vector using a restriction free cloning method.The plasmid containing CjCBM28-GFP probe was then transformed and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3).After the affinity chromatography,the purified fusion probe was incubated with pretreated and non-pretreated corn stalk at 30℃for 3h.The fluorescent microscopic results indicated that the adsorption of the fusion probe on pretreated corn stalk was much stronger than that on non-pretreated corn stalk.It was valuable for the quantitative measurement of exposed cellulose surfaces and provides a good indicator for estimating hydrolytic degree of lignocellulose pretreated with different methods.


Thirty-three Holstein cows were stratifi ed by groups of three within parity for similar expected calving dates; cows within group were assigned to one of three isonitrogenous and isoenergetic total mixed diets: control with no added fat (CO) and supplement with either 85% saturated fatty acids (EB) or linseed (LI). The experiment was conducted from wk 6 before to wk 4 after calving. Feeding EB increased plasma concentrations of non-esterifi ed fatty acids (NEFA) and β-OH butyrate (BHBA) and it decreased concentration of glucose compared to feeding CO and LI. Cows fed EB would be more susceptible to develop fatty liver.


The research problem has been conceptualized as an examination of the possibility to predict socially unacceptable behaviour by using resilience as a predictor. In this context, self-reported socially unacceptable behaviour has been examined, while the resilience has been analysed with regard to two aspects in which it can be conceptualized. The first one is Ego-resiliency which is defined as a personality trait, and it is related to adaption during the inhibition or expression of emotions, in an interdependent relation to the environment in which the person is. The second aspect is resilience defined through intrapersonal and interpersonal capacities of person which affect adaptation and tolerance to stress and negative life experiences. The research has been conducted by using convenience sample of 384 respondents of high school final-year students, from Republika Srpska (BiH). The hierarchical regression analysis has been used, while the applied measurement instruments were the following: RSA - Resilience Scale for Adults, Ego-resiliency scale, the scale of anti-social behaviour, as well as scales that measure dimensions of Aggressiveness and Conscientiousness from the Big five +2 instrument. The results of the hierarchical regression analysis showed resilience as a statistically significant predictor of socially unacceptable behaviour (R = .40, R2 = .160, F(4,318) = 15.09, p = .000). When it comes to individual predictors, Conscientiousness (β = -.24, p = .000) and Aggressiveness (β = .19, p = .000) are still dominant (after the two measures of resilience are added to the model in the second step), which is followed by the resilience (RSA; β = -.16, p = .012). It is important to note that Ego-resiliency has not been identified as a statistically significant predictor of socially unacceptable behavior (β = .06, p = .342). The results contribute to the understanding of antisocial behavior causes and consequently contribute to its prevention.


The cons t ruc t ion and performance o f NBS-6, t h e U.S. cesium primary frequency standard, are summarized. A b r i e f d e s c r i p t i o n o f eva lua t ion procedures and sources o f uncer ta in ty are given. In t roduc t ion . The Uni ted States' pr imary frequency standard, NBS-6, was p laced i n t o serv ice i n 1975. The cesium c lock was b u i l t upon the bas ic framework prov ided by NBS-5, b u t var ious improvements o f the device were r a d i c a l enough t o warrant a new standard designation. The basic design uses dipole-magnet s t a t e se lectors , a conventional U-shaped, rectangular cross-sect ion Ramsey c a v i t y , and r e v e r s i b l e mu1 ti channel c o l l imator and hot-wi re detector . For the l a s t several years, annual evaluat ions o f NBS-6 have been made i n order t o prov ide s teer ing in fo rmat ion t o the Nat ional Bureau o f Standards (NBS) embodiment o f atomic time, AT(NBS). The standard has n o t been operated continuous ly as a p a r t i c i p a n t i n the NBS t ime scale. This phi losophy has been supported by recent data g i v i n g the r e l a t i v e performance o f NBS-4 (which i s operated cont i n u o u s l y as p a r t o f the NBS t ime scale); t h e u n o f f i c i a l working t ime scale a t NBS, UTC(8/S); and a small passive hydrogen maser (SPHM). F igure 1 shows the s t a b i l i t y obtained by comparing SPHM w i t h NBS-4 and w i t h UTC(8/S). NBS-4 i s normally a la rge c o n t r i b u t o r t o UTC(8/S). However, much o f t h i s p a r t i c u l a r data was taken when NBS-4 was turned off fo r maintenance. These curves i n d i c a t e no t on ly t h a t the j o i n t s t a b i l i t y o f SPHM vs. NBS-4 i s about 2 x t-' f o r t < l o 5 s, b u t t h a t the long-term s t a b i l i t y o f UTC(8/S) i s about 2 x 10l4 fo r t < l o 6 s. An e f f o r t i s i n progress t o complete a d d i t i o n a l masers t o add t o the NBS t ime scale. When these c locks j o i n t h e scale, i t w i l l become even more unnecessary t o operate a pr imary standard cont inuously. The shortterm and long-term s t a b i l i t y o f NBS-6 were designed t o enable us t o achieve the accuracy l i m i t e d by c a v i t y phase s h i f t i n t h e clock. The accuracy i s l i m i t e d by the degree o f r e t r a c e upon beam reversal , which r e s t r i c t s the l e v e l o f cance l la t ion o f c a v i t y phase s h i f t . The most uncer ta in component o f t h e c a v i t y phase s h i f t i s the d i s t r i b u t e d s h i f t across the microwave c a v i t y windows. Article published online by EDP Sciences and available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1051/jphyscol:1981829


Prediction of the free swell index of the expansive soil using artificial neural network has been presented in this paper. Input parameters for the artificial neural network model were plasticity index and shrinkage index, while the output was the free swell index. Artificial neural network algorithm used a back propagation model. Training of the artificial neural network model was conducted on the data collected from literature and the weights and biases were obtained which described the relation among the input variables and the output free swell index. Further, the sensitivity analysis was performed and the parameters affecting the free swell index of the expansive soil were identified. The sensitivity analysis results indicated that the plasticity index (63.97 %) followed by shrinkage index (36.03 %) was affecting the free swell index in this order. The study shows that the prediction accuracy of the free swell index of the expansive soil using artificial neural network model was quite good.


Employee satisfaction has been the subject of research for many decades. In the past, it examined the principles of job satisfaction, the implicating factors and impact of employee satisfaction. At present, this issue is relevant because of changes in job design; another important factor is the change in the preferences of individuals. This paper focuses on the characteristics of job satisfaction in the Czech Republic, then it examines the relationships of sociodemographic characteristics to employee job satisfaction, finally it deals with the level of job satisfaction in relation to the field of work. The analysis is performed on data from the Market & Media & Lifestyle - TGI project. This is an extensive continuous survey conducted on a consumer panel of approximately 15,000 randomly selected respondents aged 12-79. The stratified random sampling method is used. The conclusions document relationships between socio-demographic variables, field of work and job satisfaction. Factors such as the level of education, net income, but also the age of workers have a great influence on job satisfaction. The positive influence on job satisfaction in the conditions of the Czech Republic was then identified in the fields of work such as marketing, management, media, advertising.


In autumn 2020, the European Law Institute and UNIDROIT approved the European Rules of Civil Procedure, a systematic set of rules through which a civil process model is designed with the potential to be operational in any European country. It is obviously a soft law instrument, which is based on an extensive and prolonged work of legal comparison, which has made it possible to detect the best solutions to the needs of an efficient civil justice system today. This contribution analyses what the European Rules are and what they are not, along with the essential features of the civil procedural model designed, characterized by flexibility, case management and a sustained effort for the consensual solution of the dispute. It is difficult to predict what their future impact will be, although the European Rules of Civil Procedure are certainly called upon to play a relevant role in any task of civil procedural harmonisation that is undertaken in the future, to the extent that they have shown that it is technically possible and that, therefore, that it depends primarily on political variables.


We recently proposed the equivalent width (EW) of the narrow [O III]5007 A emission line as an orientation indicator for active galactic nuclei. We tested this method on about 12 300 optically selected broad-line quasars from the SDSS seventh Data Release at redshift z < 0.8 and with full width at half-maximum values of broad emission lines (H α, H β, and Mg II) larger than 2000 km s−1. We now examine their spectral energy distributions (SEDs) using broad-band photometry from the near-infrared to the ultraviolet to look for variations in the overall shape as a function of the EW[O III]. We find that quasars with low EW[O III] values (close to face-on position) have flatter near-infrared SEDs with respect to sources with high EW[O III] values (almost edge-on). Moreover, quasars with high EW[O III] values show a factor of ∼2 lower emission in the UV to quasars with low EW[O III] values. Our findings indicate that the torus is clumpy and, on average, co-axial with the accretion disc and broad-line region, in agreement with the most recent theoretical models for the obscuring torus.


Features of a wireless power transmission (WPT) systems with the transmitting subsystem based on a focused multistate radiators (MSR) systems are considered. The basic principles for constructing and managing such systems are described. Mathematical modeling of the field of the created focused MSR at the rectenna aperture is carried out. Based on the results obtained, a number of advantages of WPT systems built on the basis of MSR are distinguished in comparison with WPT systems built on the basis of single-position transmitting antennas. It is shown that from a practical point of view, the approach to the implementation of the transmitting subsystem of the WPT system based on the MSR is attractive, however, issues related to assessing the effectiveness of the large-aperture rectenna excited by a substantially non uniform field created by the MSR remain not clarified fully. An approach to the analysis of large-aperture rectennas excited by a substantially non uniform field was developed, the rectenna modeling was carried out based on this approach, the radiating structure of this rectenna consisted of a system of parallel microstrip conductors, Schottky rectifier diodes were included in their ruptures at regular intervals. The choice of such a design of the radiating structure made it possible to realize a two-layer microstrip rectenna converting electromagnetic fields with circular polarization into direct current. The receiving-rectifying elements transforming the field with vertical polarization were placed in the lower layer, and the receiving-rectifying elements transforming the field with horizontal polarization were placed in the upper layer. For a given rectenna excitation mode, an algorithm for constructing a DC power acquisition circuit was developed and its efficiency was evaluated.


BACKGROUND: Physical activity is an extremely important part of diet and carries a number of health-promoting benefits towards health. A distinction is made between exercise-related physical activity and spontaneous physical activity. The diet of school-aged children is of particular importance, due to the development of the body. The consequence of low physical activity with an inadequate diet generates the development of various diseases. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of physical activity on the body weight of students of elementary schools 1 and 2 in Radzionków. Material and methods: The study included 260 students of grades I-VIII of Elementary Schools Nos. 1 and 2 in Radzionków. A proprietary questionnaire addressed to the parents of the students containing questions about the students' anthropometric measurements, physical activity and eating habits was used to conduct the study. Results: Physical activity is at a high level. Most children had a normal body weight. Among the students surveyed, 71% indicated that they mainly spend their free time in active form. Students participate in swimming classes in the greatest number. Several times a week (55%) children attend extra-curricular activities. Consumption of sweets and fast food is at a low level. Eating the recommended daily serving of fruits and vegetables affects only 43% of children. Among the most commonly consumed beverages, 84% of children choose water at 1-1.5 liters per day. Conclusions: A significant part of the study group has a normal body weight, so it can be assumed that physical activity combined with appropriate eating habits has a health-promoting effect on body weight.


To prevent and govern the corruption from its beginning, it is essential to put stress on the course of decision-making first, to put forward the corresponding additional conditions clearly, and to set up normative regimes of decision-making and the system of examination and evaluation for leaders. It has to reflect democratic consciousness, embody the co-supervision and co-restriction and to develop an effective and active supervision during the decision-making.


We examined predispersal granivory in common and rare bird‐dispersed plants in two tropical and two temperate communities. Our results show that the prevalence and intensity of predispersal granivory are higher in tropical communities and for smaller seeds. Results also show no effect of plant species' relative abundance on granivory.


Book discussing the history Native Americans, including Quanah Parker, and Black Kettle, and their involvement in political, military, and social confrontations in Oklahoma. Index starts on page 177.


By investigation of the topological characteristics of the kinematic structure of Satellite Gear Mechanism (SGM) with graph theory, the graph model of SGM is analyzed, and a topological expression model between input and output of SGM is established based on systematic design point. Meanwhile, the mathematical expression for SGM is deduced by integrating matrix theory and graph theory; thus, the topological characteristics of the kinematic structure of SGM can be converted into a matrix model, and the topological design problem of SGM into a matrix operation problem. In addition, a brief discussion about the measures for identification of isomorphism of the graph mode is made.


We first experimentally observed the doubly-excited electronic state 2/sup 1//spl Delta//sub g/ of Na/sub 2/ dissociating into Na (3p) + Na (3p) limit. This state has the deepest interaction potential well among the 12 electronic states formed from this first doubly-excited limit. A single line Ar/sup +/ laser (total of 4 lines) was used to excite the Na/sub 2/ molecules from ground state X/sup 1//spl Sigma//sub g//sup +/ to the intermediate B/sup 1//spl Pi//sub u/ state. A solid-state pumped single mode Ti:sapphire laser was scanning from 12100 to 14300 cm/sup -1/ to search oh the optical-optical double resonance (OODR) signals. Using a combination of filters and photomultiplier tube to detect the total fluorescence from the OODR, more than 150 ro-vibrational levels from the 2/sup 1//spl Delta//sub g/ state were observed. Comparing the detected excitation intensity with the Franck-Condon factors and the observed vibrational separations with theoretical calculations, the lowest observed vibrational quantum number were assigned to /spl nu/ = 3. The T/sub e/, /spl omega//sub e/, and B/sub e/ from Dunham expansion fitting are 32540.669 cm/sup -1/, 124.039 cm/sup -1/ and 0.1186 cm-1, respectively.


Cross-border come-and-go between Yunnan Province and one State of Myanmar happensfrequently. Over 80% residents at the capital of the State come from China, the result of the State capitalentertainment staff HIV surveillance for past four years discovered 25 HIV+ cases. All cases infected bycasual sex contact without drug abuse history. Increasing risk factors enhance the possibilities of seriousHIV prevalence among cross-border mobile population due to the reasons, such as, special geographicallocation of the State with Yunnan Province and northern part of Thailand, the substantially economicgrowth and increasing cross-border mobile population. It is essential that related countries and regionsstrengthen the cooperation and research for HIV prevention and control among the cross-border mobilepopulation. Further more, the strategy and countermeasure approach is also very important.


Quantum mechanics enables novel way of communications with such features as absolute security and large capacity, which cannot be realized by existing technologies. The communication system transferring quantum states between the nodes with high fidelity is essential for exploiting the novel nature of the quantum mechanics. Quantum network is such a system, which combines different physical subsystems possessing different advantages. The subsystems perform single tasks such as quantum memory, quantum gates or quantum state transmission. By transferring the quantum states between the subsystems, the whole system can transfer quantum states from a node to another with high fidelity. The quantum network consisting of atoms and photons is expected as a prototype for supplying with actual experimental setups for various schemes of quantum communication [1][2]. In this network atoms compose nodes, while photons work as channels. The atoms perform quantum computations such as error correction and routing, and their quantum states are transferred to the photons. The photons carry the quantum states to the different locations. The ions trapped and laser-cooled to a low temperature in an ion trap were proposed as a candidate for quantum computation in 1995 [3]. Vast volumes of theoretical and experimental studies have been done related to the proposal by many groups. We have studied and developed essential technologies for realizing a prototype of the quantum network, based on the ion trap technologies developed at communications research laboratory. We have found Ca as the best candidate for quantum computation and quantum state transfer. We have designed the schemes for quantum computation and quantum state transfer using Ca ions. A ring trap essential for realizing the schemes has been designed and fabricated. A simple and high-performance diode laser system for generating and cooling of Ca ions has been developed using commercial violet diode lasers. We have studied cavity quantum electrodynamics (Cavity


Cardiac functional imaging (CFI) is a technique used to study the heart chambers as they eject blood into the lung (right ventricle) and the systemic circulation (left ventricle) as weU as during the ventricular fiUing period. CFI provides an extremely accurate method to study the heart's function regionaUy. Changes during heart contractions (systole) and relaxations (di· astole) are visualized in the CFI images.


Understanding mechanical and metabolic performance in neonatal hearts with oxygen (O2) supply-demand mismatch is an important clinical problem. Hearts from pigs (<3d, N=16), were subjected to hypoxia (H, ↓ O2 supply) or tachycardia (T, ↑ O2 demand), but with a comparable O2 supply/demand ratio. Isolated, paced, isovolumically beating hearts underwent retrograde aortic perfusion at 60 mmHg with a buffer solution (95% O2 (or N2), 5% CO2) containing glucose (5.5 mM), palmitate (0.55 mM) and insulin (100 μU/ml). Since perfusion pressure was fixed, coronary flow (CF) was not compromised. Hearts were perfused during 3 consecutive 30 min periods: 1) Baseline(B), pO2 550 mmHg and HR 150 bpm; 2) H, pO2 55 mmHg and HR 150 bpm, or T, pO2 550 mmHg and HR 300 bpm and 3) Recovery (R). Developed pressure (ΔP), CF, palmitate oxidation (POx, 14C-palmitate to 14CO2) and lactate release (LR) were studied. POx was referenced to contractile activity(ΔP × HR) to assess oxidative efficiency. During B, H and R: ΔP was 118±5, 37±3* and 77±4* ** mmHg; CF was 36±2, 69±5* and 42±4 ml/min/g and POx was 358±19, 28±0.2* and 326±25* ** nmol/min/g, respectively. During B, T and R: ΔP was 124±7, 77±5* and 103±5* ** mmHg; CF was 37±2, 41±3 and 40±4 ml/min/g; and POx was 332±35, 502±54* and 419±31* ** nmol/min/g, respectively. LR increased ≅14-fold during H and≅2-fold with T; then returned to B duringR. Fig shows (POx)103/(ΔP × HR). In conclusion, neonatal hearts subjected to O2 mismatch exhibit: I) Improved recovery of contractile function after T vs. H and 2) Accelerated POx relative to contractile activity after T and H, suggesting a dissociation between these measures of mechanical and metabolic performance.


Military personnel's equipment has become heavier in recent years in order to provide improved combat protection. These encumbered personnel are required to wear a lifejacket for operations over water. Yet, only limited published research has been identified that addresses the adequacy and efficiency of lifejackets to protect heavily encumbered military personnel from drowning.
The Evacuation and Lifesaving cell of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Navy Engineering Division in collaboration with UNSW and AMC has now concluded its study of the in-water requirements for an inflatable lifejacket that can support encumbered military personnel.
A comparison study has been conducted on yoke and bib lifejackets to investigate the expected mouth freeboard tolerances of good and poor fitting lifejackets. The study also considered the shape of the bladder around the head and the effect that face-plane angle has on mouth freeboard. These both impact on head tilt angle. Positive head tilt was expected to improve the survival prospects in water.
Static pool experiments with the two buoyancy systems have indicated how much load can be supported. This work was reinforced with wave tank experiments to determine the water ingress into a manikin's mouth under various load and sea conditions, resulting in recommendations for suitable mouth freeboard clearances.
An investigation of the three most relevant standards for this study suggested that the ISO standard best addresses the aspects of encumbered military personnel from drowning. However, it is recommended the technical requirements that can support encumbered military personnel should be additional criteria to this standard


A 56-year-old man visited the ENT (ear-nose-throat) department for his left earache, which revealed the diagnosis of acute otitis externa of fungal origin. He was given standard treatment of aural toilet, antifungal ear drops and analgesics. During routine …


This study determined that high self-acceptance of adoptive parents influenced high parental acceptance of their adopted children. A case is made for emphasizing self-acceptance in adoption procedures.


Arrest accompanied by the introduction of a voluntary goal to attract, including for the protection and the fight against illegal investigative...


This paper describes the impact of lightning on grid line, based on corridor radius algorithm, realize the grid lines surrounding lightning location analysis methods, including lightning occurs time, latitude and longitude, electricity, etc. Through comprehensive analysis of the lightning information and grid lines transmission information, fault information to judge whether lightning cause grid line fault. Through the data mining, and then analyzes the lightning and grid line fault correlation relationship. According to this research result, we have developed the 'lightning automatic statistic analysis system', it can show the location and polarity of lightning in GIS system as image, providing reference basis for electric power dispatching.


This article analyzes the various discursive positions found in the phenomenon of addiction. The relations these discursive positions establish with the discourses of the master, the hysteric, the university and the capitalist are discussed. By analyzing material from clinical listening at a public outpatient drug and alcohol rehab center, it was seen that addiction can be described in different discourses. This article shows that the shift of focus from the symptom to the discursive position of the subject is an indicator for the clinical treatment of addiction.


The averaged term of squared vorticity is attributed to accelerated expansion. Cosmological singularity has been a consequence of excessive symmetry of flow, such as "Hubble's law". More realistic one is suggested. Exact dynamic and steady/static solutions are presented. A "negative radiation" equation of state is generated by vorticity which is the dynamic carrier of the dark energy. This fact dismisses the need in cosmological term, in any modifications of the gravity theory or in an exotic matter. A new concept of a material point is established. The paper comments as well on social and educational aspects of the findings.


In recent years, the funding of bicycle traffic especially in European countries has increased substantially. Nevertheless, bicycles are often not depicted in detail within traffic models. Especially for bicycle traffic, research just started to contribute better understandings of spatio-temporal distribution of cycle trips. Without realistic bicycle models, neither the initial state can be consistently evaluated, nor can an assessment of the effectiveness measures be carried out. Within this paper, we focus on a framework for routing and utility calculation of bicycle trips within agent-based simulation environment. Therefore, we consider influencing factors, coming from environment or infrastructure side. As bicyclists do not necessarily take the shortest path, we developed an edge weight calculation to feed the Dijkstra Algorithm. With it a unique route for each person is found. Every person perceives a utility for the chosen route, dependent on the conceived friendliness of cycling. In further consequence this paper represents the base work for the simulation of e-bike sharing and intermodal trips involving bicycles.


While much attention has been given to erosion processes in badlands, an integrated analysis of sediment production and export rates in badland areas at various spatial scales is currently lacking. This study reviews area-specific sediment yield (SY) from badlands in the Mediterranean measured at different spatial scales, using various measuring techniques, in order to investigate the relationship between size of study area (A) and SY. A database representing 16 571 plot-year and catchment-year data on SY at 87 Mediterranean study sites was compiled. The most commonly reported lithologies associated with badlands are marls, clay rocks and mudstones, and to a lesser extent shales. A high variability of SY from badlands in the Mediterranean region is observed. The relation between A and SY for Mediterranean environments with badlands is significantly different from that reported for Mediterranean environments without badlands. A complex A-SY relationship is identified: for areas < 10 ha, SY is very high (mean SY=475 t ha—1 y—1), whereas for areas > 10 ha, SY decreases non-linearly (power law) with increasing A (mean SY=75 t ha—1 y— 1 and drops from 164.5 t ha—1 y— 1 for 10 ha 100 000 ha). This difference is explained by several factors. For A < 10 ha there is little or no sediment storage within badland areas, while for A > 10 ha progressively more sediment can be trapped in different sinks. Further, for A > 10 ha, area-specific erosion rates do not increase (or even decrease) due to decreasing average hillslope gradients and a decreasing fraction of erosion-prone (bare/badland) area. No significant relationships between SY, lithology, and mean air temperature nor mean annual precipitation were observed.


The direction and the development of tea processing technology in China are summarized in this paper.To create relatively green faint-scent type oolong tea,the light withering and rotation process of Taiwanese oolong tea are introduced into oolong tea(teal tea) processing.Introducing assisted forming processing into gongfu black tea steeping process.Artificial post-fermentation processing is introduced into pu-erh tea processing to formulate ripe pu-erh.Green making process of oolong is incorporated into the processing of green and black tea.Several processing technologies are combined effectively in order to improve the sensory quality such as aroma and taste of tea product.The development of tea processing technology has remarkable achievement,which enriches the types and enhances the quality of tea products.


Although many variations of guidelines have been released, there is limited research that compares multiple treatment strategies for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). The aim of this study was to systematically review the studies reporting on multiple treatments for BCC with systematic review and network meta‐analyses. Search formulas for databases, such as PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, were created with the support of Cochrane Japan. The patient‐level and tumour‐level meta‐analyses were performed for both the long‐term treatment‐failure and treatment‐success. Of the 1464 studies identified from the database and hand searches, 14 met our inclusion criteria. These 14 studies included 2524 patients and 1738 tumours. Our study indicated that the incidence of treatment‐failure of invasive treatments such as surgery and Mohs micrographic surgery was significantly lower than that of superficial therapies such as cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, radiotherapy or topical therapies, in the patient‐level and the tumour‐level analyses, despite histological‐type and pretreatment. Relapse of BCC may be a low life‐threatening risk, and there are merits of non‐surgical treatment. However, the significant difference in the recurrence rate is essential. Our study can provide useful guidance to clinicians in selecting treatment options for BCC.


The paper presents the statistical results about the changes of main streamlines in the wandering reach of the Lower Yellow River.The results show that the sinuosity changes in an adverse proportion to flow amount in the flood season,but exhibits no relationship with mean sediment concentration in the flood season.Sinuous amplitude of the main streamline bears no apparent relationship with flow amount in the flood season. The mean sinuous amplitude for the long reach ranges from 1000~1500 m,and the main streamline chord has been found to change apparently in proportion to flow amount in the flood season.Although sinuosity and number of bends in the reach increased in the past years,they don't bear a simple linear relationship.With the increase of flow amount in the flood season,the main streamline length decreases,but its decreasing ratio appars a statistically linear relationship with the flow amount.


Aim: microRNAs (miRNAs),short (19-25 nt),endogenus, non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules, are able to regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level by binding to 3'-UTR or 5'-UTR or coding region. miRNAs are usually transcribed, in nucleus, by RNA polymerase II (and some by RNA polymerase III) as long primary immature miRNAs (pri-miRNAs). The pri-miRNAs are cleaved in short transcripts,the pre-miRNA (100 bp),by a complex called Microprocessor formed by Drosha and DGCR8. The pre-miRNAs (70-110 nt) are therefore exported into the cytoplasm by Exportin-5,where they are further processed by Dicer in mature miRNA (20-25 nt). Only single strand of the mature miRNA is incorporated into the RISC complex involved in gene silencing. miRNAs play an important role in the proliferation, differentiation, migration, apoptosis, control of the cell cycle and cell metabolisms through modulating mRNA stability.
miRNAs may play a role in human diseases,for example tumors as hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). It's important therefore to study the expression of genes involved in miRNA synthesis and maturation (Drosha,DGCR8,Exportin-5 and Dicer).
Methods: We use normal and cancer liver tissues from patients who have given their consensus. We analyzed histo-patologically liver cancer samples from HCC tissues and in the corresponding adjacent noncancerous liver tissues. We performed real time qRT-PCR to evaluate and quantify the expression of Drosha, DGCR8, Exportin-5 and Dicer genes.
Results: We found that Drosha,DGCR8, exportin-5 and Dicer were up-regulated in all neoplastic tissue samples tested, compared to normal value.
Conclusions: Our results suggest that Drosha, DGCR8, Exportin-5 and Dicer could be involved directly or indirectly in the development of HCC or in its progression.


Control of an articulated spine is important for humanoids' dynamic and balanced motion. Although there have been many spinal structures for humanoids, their actuation is still limited due to the usage of geared motors for joints. This paper introduces position control of a distributed electrome-chanical spine in a vertical plane. The spine dynamics model is approximated as an open chain. Gravitational and spring torques are compensated for the control. Moreover, torque-to-current conversion for the actuator is developed. Experimental results show the implemented control of the electromechanical spine for undulatory motions.


By a simple technique it is possible to discriminate experimentally between the self-shift and foreign-gas-induced shift of Rydberg levels excited in a heat-pipe system. Illustrative results for two particular rydberg levels of the potassium dimer K2 are presented. The results concern the shift induced by the alkali itself and the shift induced by Ar and He. Earlier reported discrepancies are removed.


With urbanization and increasing unbalance of required space to availability, it is becoming imperative to provide open ground storey in commercial and residential buildings. These provisions reduce the stiffness of the lateral load resisting system and a progressive collapse becomes unavoidable in a severe earthquake for such buildings due to soft storey. Soft storey behavior exhibit higher stresses at the columns and the columns fail as the plastic hinges are not formed on predetermined positions. Thus, the vulnerability of soft storey effect has caused structural engineers to rethink the design of a soft storey building in areas of high seismicity. The present analytical study investigates the influence of some parameters on behavior of a building with soft storey. The modeling of the whole building is carried out using the computer program STAAD.Pro 2006. Parametric studies on displacement, inter storey drift and storey shear have been carried out using equivalent static analysis to investigate the influence of these parameter on the behavior of buildings with soft storey. The selected building analyzed through five numerical models.


This article proves the necessity to develop special methods for studying quality of working life (QWL) at a regional level. It is proposed to use a certain set of QWL indicators (wage level, working conditions, and unemployment rate) for rapid estimation of the reference QWL index. The paper presents the most promising areas in the research on the problem of QWL evaluation in a region. Particular attention is paid to the analysis of regional programs of social and economic development in the Republic of Tatarstan and their role in the formation of quality of working life.


The present invention is to propose a method for providing creatine to an animal, the method consists of the intake of creatine ester by the animal. Creatine ester is suitable to be formed as there is deformation of creatine by the animal.