We construct a second-order differential and a q-difference eigenvalue equations that are satisfied by generating functions of the dual Hahn and the dual q-Hahn finite systems of orthogonal polynomials, respectively. The full set of eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the corresponding differential and q-difference operators in the space of polynomials of degrees at most N can be written explicitly. Among the known hypergeometric and basic hypergeometric orthogonal polynomials whose generating functions provide polynomial solutions to second-order differential and q-difference eigenvalue equations the dual Hahn and dual q-Hahn are the most general (in the number of free parameters). The constructed differential and q-difference equations are reduced to the equations satisfied by the Jacobi and the little qJacobi polynomials, respectively. The differential equation is related to an exactly solvable one-dimensional Schrödinger equation. Connection between the q-difference equation and the Azbel-Hofstadter problem is indicated.


The paper gives the structure of the mobile video supervisory system under WLAN, describes its theory and procedures of the modules of video picture capture and represent, mobile transmission. In appendix, the solution of QoS by using networks bandwidth adaptiverate control, ring buffer management, and daemon thread is disscussed.


Given the magnitude of the changes during and after the collapse of the Soviet Union, we were interested in surveying the views of Russian and American elites involved in international relations and national security. Therefore, in June of 1992 we conducted a survey, using parallel questions in Russian and English, among elites in Russia and the United States to inquire about views concerning international relations and foreign policy. The results suggested that Russian and American elites' thinking was organized by shared belief schema that could be labeled cooperative internationalism or support for deterrence, using concepts derived from previous investigations. Also, both Russian and American elites seemed to hold parallel belief structures that could be labeled militant internationalism or support for deterrence. Among the Russians, these two types of beliefs accounted for a significant degree of variance in perceptions of national and international security threats and attributions for liberalizatio...


Chromotropic acid (4,5-dihydroxynaphthalene-2,7-disulfonic acid) is a chelating agent whose fluorogenic character has never been explained yet. The excited-state behavior of chromotropic acid itself has never been reported, despite its relationship with naphthols that are well-known photoacids. The present paper is accordingly devoted to a thorough investigation of chromotropic acid emission in aqueous solutions, which revealed its excited-state prototropic behavior in relation with the key role of the ground-state internal H-bond between the two −OH groups (displayed by the very different pKvalues, 5.4 and 15.6). Experiments were carried out in the whole acidity range (8 M HClO4 to 10 M NaOH) using steady-state and time-resolved fluorimetry. In concentrated HClO4, competitive quenching processes occurred, due to HClO4 itself and to water, respectively, but no photoinduced deprotonation was observed. The former quenching was confirmed by studying the emission of 2,6-naphthalenedisulfonic acid in the same ...


This paper proposed the principal component analysis (PCA) and support vector machine-genetic algorithm (SVM-GA) to the real-time face recognition. The integrated scheme aims to apply the SVM-GA method to improve the validity of PCA based real-time recognition systems. Experimental results show that the proposed method simplifies features effectively and obtains a higher classification accuracy.


A design and test demonstration effort was undertaken to evaluate the concept of the reverse flow engine for the APS engine application. The 1500 lb (6672 N) thrust engine was designed to operate on gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen propellants at a mixture ratio of 4 and to achieve the objective performance of 435 sec (4266 Nsec/kg) specific impulse. Superimposed durability requirements called for a million-cycle capability with 50 hours duration. The program was undertaken as a series of tasks including the initial preliminary design, design of critical test components and finally, the design and demonstration of an altitude engine which could be used interchangeably to examine operating parameters as well as to demonstrate the capability of the concept. The program results are reported with data to indicate that all of the program objectives were met or exceeded within the course of testing on the program. The analysis effort undertaken is also reported in detail and supplemented with test data in some cases where prior definitions could not be made. The results are contained of these analyses as well as the test results conducted throughout the course of the program. Finally, the test data and analytical results were combined to allow recommendations for a flight weight design. This preliminary design effort is also detailed.


We investigated the growth and surface morphology of 10 monolayer (ML)-thick Cr(001) films on clean Au(001) surfaces. High quality epitaxial Cr(001) films with large atomically flat terraces and distinct surface states were successfully fabricated through growth at 300 K and subsequent post-annealing at 520 K. At 300 K, spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy images of both the topological and magnetic structures of this Cr film were obtained. The magnetic images exhibited the following features: (1) The layered antiferromagnetic (AF) order appeared in adjacent terraces and one ML-depth shallow hole in the terraces; (2) significant spin frustrations induced by adjacent paired screw dislocations caused the AF domain formation with 90 degrees quantum axis rotation and a large spin frustration area, not always limited in the vicinity of screw dislocations. The feature (2) was qualitatively reproduced by the micromagnetic simulation. These findings may be essential for the further development of spin-electronics utilizing thin AF films.


A model of an azimuth driving servo system with a flexible antenna in a tracking system was derived in this work. The validity of the model was verified by comparing the results of the model with experimental results. When modeling the dynamics of a gimbal with an antenna, the antenna should be considered as a flexible body. The e ff ect of reducing the magnitude of the backlash that results in extending the bandwidth in a system with a flexible antenna is smaller than the e ff ect of reducing the magnitude of the backlash in a system with a sti ff antenna. When there is a need to reduce the weight and extend the bandwidth, the derived model enables the design of a tracking system to be optimized.


[Objective] To understand rubella immunity level among Yantai pregnant women,provide scientific basis for CRS prevention and rubella immunization strategy.[Methods]Investigation was conducted for pregnant women visiting in 7 big hospitals from November,2005 to January,2006 in Zhifu,Qixia,Laiyang district of Yantai with the method of ELISA,R-IgG antibody level was tested.[Results]The negative rate of rubella antibody among pregnant women was 19.32%,GMT 29.24,compares with other provinces,the antibody level of woman of child-bearing age is lower,especially in partial countryside area,it can reach to 28.36% There was no difference in different aged group(P0.05).While there was a difference in different districts.(P0.05).[Conclusion]Rubella antibody level among Yantai pregnant women was lower,rubella immunization should be strengthened for the target population.it must be brought into the line of programmed immunization,rubella antibody level can be improved effectively.the epidemic of CRS can be controlled.


A type of directly self-tuning PID controller based on neural network is proposed in this paper. Its main characteristic is that it no longer includes independent PID controller and put neural network and the law of PID controller together. Showing the learning algorithm of this neural network controller and analyzing the stability of this control system. The simulated results prove that this kind of control system is more adaptive and robust.


The copper indium diselenide compound (CuInSe2) belongs to the I-III-VI2 group and possesses a direct band gap. It was grown by a solvo-thermal process. In the present work, chalcopyrite CuInSe2 nanocrystalline particles were synthesized by using as starting precursors salts of In (III) and Cu (II). As-grown nanoparticles, were then characterized via powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and UV-VIS spectroscopy. Structural analysis done by powder X-ray diffraction reveal that CuInSe 2 nanocrystalline possess a tetragonally chalcopyrite structure. The microstructure analysis of the obtained product was done by transmission electron microscopy. The tunable optical properties and the bandgap of as grown material were studied by UV-Vis spectrometer. Finally, the effective mass approximation model was used to calculate the particle size from the effective band-gap energies.


The recognition that personalised treatment decisions lead to better clinical outcomes has sparked recent research activity in the following two domains. Policy learning focuses on finding optimal treatment rules (OTRs), which express whether an individual would be better off with or without treatment, given their measured characteristics. OTRs optimize a pre-set population criterion, but do not provide insight into the extent to which treatment benefits or harms individual subjects. Estimates of conditional average treatment effects (CATEs) do offer such insights, but valid inference is currently difficult to obtain when data-adaptive methods are used. Moreover, clinicians are (rightly) hesitant to blindly adopt OTR or CATE estimates, not least since both may represent complicated functions of patient characteristics that provide little insight into the key drivers of heterogeneity. To address these limitations, we introduce novel nonparametric treatment effect variable importance measures (TE-VIMs). TE-VIMs extend recent regression-VIMs, viewed as nonparametric analogues to ANOVA statistics. By not being tied to a particular model, they are amenable to data-adaptive (machine learning) estimation of the CATE, itself an active area of research. Estimators for the proposed statistics are derived from their efficient influence curves and these are illustrated through a simulation study and an applied example.


Wave power generation is getting into the spotlight by one future important substitute energy by clean & pure energy. In this paper, analyzed performance for new cross-flow hydraulic turbine that use wave energy using the commercial CFD code. The cross-flow hydraulic turbine in respect of oscillating flow applied in this paper was designed by suitable structure in wave power generation to rotate to direction that is equal about round trip kind. Used ANSYS CFX that is commercial CFD code for CFD analysis, and examined performance of cross-flow hydraulic turbine by head, flux, number of rotation detailedly.


BACKGROUND: A rapid deterioration in neurological functioning may hamper the oral administration of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in the end of life (EOL) phase of glioma patients. We aimed to assess the feasibility of treatment with non-oral AEDs in an out-of-hospital setting. METHODS: We included patients with a histopathological diagnosis of World Health Organization (WHO) grade II-IV glioma and a history of epilepsy, in whom further antitumor treatment was considered to be no longer meaningful. When swallowing difficulties developed, the patient's caregiver started to administer prophylactic AED treatment with buccal clonazepam. Acute seizures were treated with intranasal midazolam. We evaluated the adherence to the study medication, seizure prevalence as well as caregiver's satisfaction. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients were approached, of which 25 gave consent to participate and 23 had died at the end of the study. Fourteen of 19 patients (73.7%) who had developed swallowing difficulties used the study medication. Prophylactic buccal clonazepam was used by 13 patients, of which 8 patients remained seizure free until death. Six patients received treatment with intranasal midazolam at least once. In all patients seizure control could be reached. None of the patients had to be transferred to the hospital because of recurrent seizures. All caregivers reported satisfaction with the use of the study medication. CONCLUSIONS: It is feasible to treat glioma patients with seizures in the EOL phase with a combination of buccal clonazepam and intranasal midazolam. Additionally, it seems to provide an important level of comfort among caregivers to be able to manage seizures at home.


Velocity at landing should be within a safe limit, to make soft landing possible. For this the thrust steering angle should be controlled to optimize the fuel consumption. This paper deals with designing soft landing trajectory, from lunar parking orbit to the surface of Moon. To ensure vertical landing using minimum fuel, the landing trajectory design is done in four phases: Hohmann transfer phase, power descend phase, attitude maneuver and vertical descend phase. The fuel optimization is done in the power descend phase. Then the attitude of the probe is adjusted and the probe is made vertical during the attitude maneuver. In final vertical descend phase the steering angle is kept as 90 degree to land the probe vertically. Optimal soft landing trajectory is designed using indirect approach of optimization. The indirect approach uses, Pontryagin's minimum principle to transfer optimal control problem to Two Point Boundary Value (TPBV) problem, and to express the control variable as a function of costate variables. Then the state and costate equations are integrated at optimum control angle, with the initial costate found by the different optimization techniques, to get the optimal trajectory. Two optimization techniques are used in this paper: Control Random Search (CRS) and Differential Evolution (DE). The former optimization techniques are compared with optimal trajectory designed by indirect approach. The simulation results show that CRS has taken 10000 iterations in a simulation time of 120 minutes to converge while DE converged with 2000 iteration in 30 minutes of CPU time. Even though the velocity obtained after power descent phase and optimum landing mass are almost same in both technique, the time of convergence of CRS is four times that of DE. i.e., DE is found superior to CRS, since it converges faster and load taken by system is less. The problem of soft landing is extended to design a fuel optimal three dimensional trajectory using DE technique.


This study developed learning progression-based measures of science teachers' content knowledge (CK) and pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). The measures focus on an important topic in secondary science curriculum using scientific reasoning (i.e., tracing matter, tracing energy, and connecting scales) to explain plants gaining weight and exchanging gases. Using a design-based research approach, we conductedtheresearchinfourcycles.Thefindingsreportedinthisarticlewerebasedonthedatacollectedin the last two cycles (year 2011-2012 and year 2012-2013). This study contains two parts. First, 194 teachers participatedinprofessionaldevelopmentworkshopsandcompletedateacherassessmentmeasuringCKand PCK.Alearningprogression-basedscoringsystemwasdevelopedforthesemeasures.Second,asubgroupof 25teachersparticipatedinateachingexperiment.Theseteacherstaughtalearningprogression-baseduniton plant growth and functioning. Their students took written assessments both before and after the teaching intervention. In this process, validity evidence from multiple sources was obtained and analyzed to evaluate the claim that the assessment scores tell how well teachers understand the knowledge essential for teaching thesciencetopic. This validityargument supportsour interpretationsthat ledtothree results. First, teachers' overallperformanceonCKwasabithigherthanPCK,butnotsignificantlydifferent.Second,twochallenges confrontingteachersareadaptivelyapplyingscientificprinciplesandunderstandingstudents'intuitiveideas. Third, there was a statistically significant relationship between teachers' measured CK and PCK and students'learningfromtheplantunit. # 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach


According to the patterns of cultivated land utilization and the composition of class-two uncultivated land, the degrees of land cultivations are very high and the grass wastelands which are suitable to exploit and utilize are limited in the hilly country of the Sichuan Basin. In order to protect the ecological environment, it must be very careful to exploit the grass wastelands in this area. A dynamic equilibrium of general cultivated land quantities must be kept. The re-cultivation of the abandoned farm lands, the land rearrangement through pulling down the individual houses and building the villages, the combination of small pieces of lands, the reduction of the banks and ridges of the earth between fields and the exploitation of the limited wastelands should be done at the same time.


An adequate knowledge of vocabulary is required to strengthen the understanding of English language. To comprehend the vocabulary effectively, pupils need to have the knowledge of word meaning. The objective of this research is to enable 4 primary school pupils in Sekolah Kebangsaan Lembah Bidong to improve their vocabulary in compound word. As a result of their poor vocabulary, the pupils were left out during lesson and became demotivated to learn. Because of that, I had come out with the idea of using sticky pictures in improving the pupils' vocabulary in compound word. The use of sticky pictures was combined with the element of gestures to emphasize the understanding of the vocabulary presented. Pupils were required to stick the picture cards on the board provided with the answers. The four research participants showed gradual improvements in the use of compound words as the session progressed. They are now more confident to use English in the classroom and demonstrated positive response towards the lesson. In conclusion, the use of sticky pictures was proven to be able to help the pupils in improving vocabulary in compound words. Keyword: Vocabulary, compound word, pictures, gestures.


Thermal conductivity, and its related property thermal diffusity, is a most important functional parameter in the application and use of cellular plastics. The major available methods to measure the thermal conductivity of different types and forms of cellular polymers are presented and discussed


Objective Nuclear grading is an independent prognosis factor of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). A non-invasive preoperative predictive WHO/International Society of Urologic Pathology (WHO/ISUP) grading of ccRCC model is needed for clinical use. The anatomical complexity scoring system can span a variety of image modalities. The Centrality index (CI) is a quantitatively anatomical score commonly used for renal tumors. The purpose of this study was to develop a simple model to predict WHO/ISUP grading based on CI. Materials and methods The data in this study were from 248 ccRCC patients from five hospitals. We developed three predictive models using training data from 167 patients: a CI-only model, a valuable clinical parameter model and a fusion model of CI with valuable clinical parameters. We compared and evaluated the three models by discrimination, clinical usefulness and calibration, then tested them in a set of validation data from 81 patients. Results The fusion model consisting of CI and tumor size (valuable clinical parameter) had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.82. In the validation set, the AUC was 0.85. The decision curve showed that the model had a good net benefit between the threshold probabilities of 5–80%. And the calibration curve showed good calibration in the training set and validation set. Conclusion This study confirms that CI is associated with the WHO/ISUP grade of ccRCC, and the possibility that a bivariate model incorporating tumor size may help urologist's evaluation patients' prognostic.


LABOUR HAS met its preelection pledge of holding a review of the capital's hospitals. The politicians are taking a fresh look at the teaching institutes, trying to weigh up the pros and cons of closing, merging or saving them, almost five years after Sir Bernard Tomlinson produced his blueprint for reform.


Abstract: Evaluation of orchardgrass families at two Utah locations identified significant genetic variation for winter injury but not for flowering or biomass production. Repeatability estimates ranged from 0.06 (biomass production) to 0.65 (winter hardiness). This population has utility for the development of cultivars with increased winter hardiness.


The adsorption of titanium and zirconium on Amerlite-IR 120 and the elution curves at various acidities have been discussed. The elution curves of zirconium were found to change in an irregular manner, while those of titanium in a regular manner at acidities ranging from 0.75 N to 1.25 N. The abrupt change of amount of titanium and zirconium eluted with the eluate volume furnished a strong support to the view of change of ionic species. By using 0.75 N sulfuric acid as an eluent, the author has succeeded in separating a mixture of titanium and zirconium. The results showed that more than 90% of titanium-free Zirconium could be isolated by a single elution.


The Mesbes Bangke tradition or shredding corpses in Bali. For those of you who are the first to hear or see how this tradition is being held, it will certainly make you amazed, because indeed the bodies of people who died (bangke) or corpses were torn apart by residents and only in Banjar Buruan, Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Bali. So it is understandable for residents who do not know and are still unfamiliar with this tradition, of course it will seem strange and terrible. And of course there will be questions from you, Is there really a tradition of tearing corpses? Although this is a tradition that is certainly inherited from the ancestors, but this is an extreme tradition and is impossible for humans to carry out, is it possible that this can be carried out? The answer to all these questions is yes, this tradition can be said to be extreme, unique, rare and also activities that are not commonly carried out, let alone become a tradition.


The thermoelectric material is considered to a good choice to recycle the waste heat in the power and energy systems because the thermoelectric material is a solid-state energy converter which can directly convert thermal energy into electrical energy, especially suitable for high temperature power and energy systems due to the large temperature difference. However, the figure of merit of thermoelectric material is very low, and the thermoelectric power of generator system is even lower. This work reviews the recent progress on the thermoelectric power generator system from the view of heat transfer, including the theoretical analysis and numerical simulation on thermoelectric-hydraulic performance, conventional heat transfer enhancement technologies, radial and flow-directional segmented enhancement technologies for the thermoelectric power generator system. Review ends with the discussion of the future research directions of numerical simulation methods and heat transfer enhancement technologies used for the thermoelectric power generator in high temperature power and energy systems.


Employment is not only an economic but also social significance problem.It can promote economy developing healthily.The labor is the important resource of social wealth,the growth of economy is in accord with the growing of employment and the improvement of employment structure can better the economic structure.Employment can narrow the gap of people's income: Income from labor is the most important way to make a living for everyone,but unemployment enlarges the gap of income.Finally,employment is a very important foundation of social stability,it can promote the family to be harmonious too.


Hello everyone! I am so happy to be writing my first "President's Message." I am humbled to be in this role and will work to promote the vision and mission of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN). As president, it is my responsibility to promote a caring environment while providing oversight for NAHN, organizational finances, staffing, and long-term goal setting. With the fiduciary responsibility in my hands, I will make decisions that will continue to make NAHN prosperous and strong. I will represent NAHN at national meetings/events to increase our visibility. I will be transparent in our decisions at the Executive Board by posting minutes of our monthly meetings on our website. And more than anything, I will value our diversity as Latinos and be inclusive to all in the feedback we receive about the organization. We must recognize the diversity and inclusivity of our organization. While we all believe we are "culturally diverse," we may have some bias of our own beliefs about diversity. I want our organization to be diverse. All subcultural groups of Latinos should feel accepted in NAHN. Diversity can also relate to age, race, gender preferences, where you work, and skill sets that you have. Diversity also includes other disciplines into our organization or non-Latinos. We are all very diverse and have much to learn from each other through our organization. While diversity is important, it means nothing if we do not include diverse groups in our organization. Feeling included goes hand in hand with diversity. Being included means that you participate in the organization, you are engaged, you participate in decisions made in the organization, you help the organization reach our strategic goals, and you strive to improve the outcomes of the organization. When we practice "inclusivity," our organization will prosper. We will increase our attrition rate, there will be a sense of altruism, and you will want to be a part of our team. We need diversity and inclusivity to help solve the challenges that we will face as an organization. While everyone comes in with different personalities, it is important to recognize that each person has a unique perspective that makes the organization diverse and inclusive and thereby contributes to our greatness. As we examine how to continue to improve, we must examine ways to make our organization more inclusive to all. As we practice diversity and inclusivity, we always include caring as an underlying base. We all care tremendously about this organization. We care because we want to make a difference. We care because when we come to our conferences we feel like we are coming home. We care for our patients when we see we make a difference. We care because we see this organization involved in activities that affect health care outcomes of our Latino familias. We have decided to serve this organization with many who have dedicated many hours to our service. All of us have a passion to make NAHN better. It is our purpose. We have been guided to serve you, our members, and our Latino communities. We care about Latinos, the health of Latinos, and you as Latino nurses. Jean Watson refers a human being as "a valued person in and of himself or herself to be cared for, respected, nurtured, understood, and assisted." Let us take this philosophy and science of caring into our lives, chapter membership, our leadership, and our communities. We have great things to do! Thank you!


The electrical energy consumption is increasing in our country and in the world. The electrical energy and heat energy are primary energies and has a vital role on industry and our lives. The production of these two energies in different cycles leads to energy loss and low efficiency. With the production of both in the same cycle, the efficiency increases a lot, and the energy losses and emission values decrease a lot. By installing cogeneration system to produce electrical and heat energy, the energy consumption costs can be reduced importantly. The cycle in which the fuel and the air entering into combustion chamber is heated by the heat taken from the exhaust gases at the outlet of the gas turbine is analyzed by using exergy analysis method and, first and second laws of thermodynamics. The heat energy remained in the exhaust gases are used to produce in steam production, after some heat energy is consumed to heat the air and the fuel, in this cycle. The performance analysis of the devices that make up the cycle such as turbine, recuperator compressor, combustion chamber, and heat exchanger and for the whole cycle and were obtained and discussed. Exergy efficiency, exergy losses and other performance parameters of the devices were obtained and discussed.


The effects of radiative losses due to Newtonian cooling and MHD turbulence have been considered to examine the spatial damping of linear compressional waves in quiescent prominences and prominence-corona transition region (PCTR). The radiative losses give acceptable damping lengths for the slow mode wave for the radiative relaxation time in the range (10-1000s). From prominence seismology, the values of opacity and turbulent kinematic viscosity have been inferred. It has been found that for a given value of radiative relaxation time, the high frequency slow mode waves are highly damped. We have also investigated the possible role of MHD turbulence in damping of MHD waves and found a turbulent viscosity can re-produce the observed damping time and damping length in prominences, especially in PCTR.


Nonperturbative, accurate variational results for the binding energy of a shallow hydrogenic impurity in a bulk semiconductor irradiated by a high-frequency, intense laser field are presented. It is pointed out that variational results found with 1s and 2s atomic trial wave functions presented in previous works on this subject are incorrect because these wave functions do not allow the stretching of the electronic cloud along the polarization direction. This is corrected here by choosing appropriate trial wave functions for the ground and first excited states, which resemble those for the (1s){sigma} states of the H{sub 2}{sup +} molecular ion. Special attention is paid to the limit of large values for the laser-dressing parameter {alpha}{sub 0}, where our model furnishes almost exact results. In this limit, we found that the binding energy tends to -1/4 Ry{sup *} with the increase of {alpha}{sub 0}. Then, impurity stability against ionization is expected, which is in contrast to previous works.


Within the three casual mechanisms known so far in relation to the emergence and spread of AI Nationalism, this short piece of research strives to combine recent IR literature involving cyberspace and AI with new insights from the institutional economic perspective and Neoclassical Realism, in order to make an introductory assessment focused on Poland's geopolitical challenges in the Digital Era. Since the analytical focus of this article concentrates on the case of Poland, the discussion can be perhaps also relevant for other countries pertaining to Central-Eastern Europe.


Task: Development and implementation in the training process the specialists in the field of technical protection of information (TZI) integrated information system environment developing skills to identify the technical channels of information leakage and performance assessment of security-critical facilities. Model: The analysis of existing training facilities in this area and ensure these funds licensees the right training in the field TZI are made. The models of specialized programs to automate the process of training of specialists in the field of TZI are presented. Conclusions: The results of the research are models and specialized programs. In the developed models of automated training systems (AOS) are received 11 certificates of state registration computer's programs in the Federal Service for Intellectual Property. Value: The conducted study may be of interest as educational and research institutions that are training young professionals in the field of TZI and organizations that are developing systems and TZI tools.


Broadband achromatic subdiffraction focusing is in urgent need in application of imaging. However, the previously published broadband achromatic metalenses are restricted by diffraction effect or limited efficiency. In this communication, a new gradient refractive index (GRIN) lens with a modified refractive index (RI) profile of classical Luneburg lens is proposed and designed based on a radial gradient periodic structure. Highly efficient achromatic subdiffraction focusing with full width at half maximum (FWHM) around $0.36\lambda $ and large numerical aperture (NA) of 1.26 has been accomplished. The sample of the proposed GRIN lens is manufactured by 3-D printing technology. Experimental results of the near- and far-field are well consistent with those of theoretical predictions and numerical simulations. This GRIN lens could yield subdiffraction focusing spot with high focusing efficiency (above 74%) from 8 to 16 GHz. Directive far-field radiation (side lobes below −7 dB over an ultrabroadband frequency range with bandwidth ratio of 120% (4–16 GHz)) is also achieved. The demonstrated GRIN lens has a great potential to be applied in the subdiffraction imaging system in the future.


The main hypothesis of this paper is that the well-known and widely adopted pricing model by Jacobsen and Naug (2004) can be improved for Rogaland's real estate market. The new pricing model presented is also used on the real estate market in Hordaland for comparisons, in order to verify that the model works on more than one region. The hypothesis is grounded on the fact that when we re-estimate the original model from Jacobsen and Naug on regional data, the adjusted explanatory power is significantly lower for both Rogaland and Hordaland compared to the authors' national model. Rogaland has an especially low adjusted explanatory power of 44.4%, whereas the adjusted explanatory power for Hordaland is 50.5%. The hypothesis is further based on the fact that contemporary national real estate models do not embed differences across regions in Norway. Inspired by the research from Terrones and Otrok (2004) we argue that the incorporation of a region-specific variable enable us to better explain the real estate prices in Rogaland. As such, we include oil investments in our new pricing model, since the majority of activity in the petroleum industry is located in this county. We also argue that shortterm supply of real estate, measured by listed volumes, should be included. Furthermore, we question Jacobsen and Naug's model specification, which violates the requirements for error correction models (ECM). Consequently, we ensure that the new pricing model presented is specified theoretically correct. We find that an increase of one billion NOK in oil investments has a positive effect on the real estate prices in Rogaland of 0.512% for a given period. For Hordaland, we find that the same increase in oil investments reduce the real estate prices by 0.758%. Furthermore, a one percentage change in listed volume will increase the real estate prices in Rogaland and Hordaland by 0.011% and 0.009%, respectively. Our main contribution is that the new pricing model outperforms the original model by Jacobsen and Naug, both in terms of predicting actual real estate prices and in terms of a higher adjusted explanatory power of 70.1% for Rogaland and 61.6% for Hordaland.


Inactivation of Bacillus anthracis Spores by Using Gamma Irradiation In the wake of the inadvertent shipment of live Bacillus anthracis spores in 2015, the U.S. Department of Defense made it a priority to develop a well-characterized and reproducible method to ensure sterility of spores through gamma irradiation. This report by Cote et al. (e00106-18) details a standardized spore preparation method and the application of sterility assurance level (SAL) calculations to best achieve this goal. The methods described within were independently reproduced at two separate institutions with extremely similar results despite differences in irradiator configurations. These data also address hypotheses dealing with spore recovery after receiving nearlethal or lethal doses of radiation.


The analysis from the low-carbon technology to entropy's technology,and to entropy's civilization not only promotes our awareness and understanding of the technological essence of low-carbon development economy,but helps us to reflect on human being's living conditions and the way of living as well.Based on this reflection,the renewed-mode society could be expected with the merits of low-energy consumption,friendly environment and conformed ecology rule etc.Low-carbon economy,in its real sense,leads to the mode of development and consumption into a healthy and scientific one.Entropy's civilization is supposed to throw light on a new direction for the technological civilization of the low-energy economy,totally different from the mechanical civilization.


An evaluation of 41 commercially available rapid diagnostic tests for malaria has shown that some perform exceptionally well in tropical temperatures and can detect even low parasite densities in blood samples, but other tests were able only to detect the parasite at high densities.

The findings will help countries choose the tests best suited to their local conditions, said representatives from the World Health Organization's regional office for the western Pacific, the WHO based special programme for research and training in tropical diseases, and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics, which sponsored the evaluation.

The results of the evaluation, which …


Currently, the food industry faces challenges that are not solved by a simple quantitative increase in production, but require qualitatively new approaches. The article discusses the possibility of using a prebiotic and collagen gel in the sausage production technology. The main task in the development of a new recipe for sausages was to use the best combination of prebiotic, collagen gel, raw meat and to expand the range of sausages, as well as to reduce the cost of the finished product. Fat reduction and prebiotic fortification are the main goals of the functional nutrition concept. Increased consumer interest in healthy eating contributes to an increase in demand for meat products with a reduced fat content, which poses a challenge for meat industry specialists associated with the important role of adipose tissue in forming consumer characteristics. Particular attention is paid to the substances that can replace adipose tissue in meat products. In this regard, it is important to use inulin, which, on the one hand, is a prebiotic, and on the other, it has technological properties that allow imitating fat in a product. The use of collagen gel improves economic performance of production by reducing production costs and losses during heat treatment and by rationalizing the use of low-grade meat raw materials. Experimental studies were carried out in the laboratory of the Department of Food Technologies of the Donskoy State Agrarian University. Basing on the research carried out, a recipe and a technological scheme for sausages production have been developed. Evaluation of the minced meat composition quality parameters indicates that the minced meat composition containing 80% of poultry meat, 15% collagen gel and 5% inulin, has a high degree of protein and fat balance. On the basis of organoleptic and physicochemical studies, a rational formulation of the product is proposed. An improvement in organoleptic and rheological characteristics has been established. The optimal dose of prebiotic and collagen gel introduction into the developed sausages has been substantiated. Studies have shown that the production of cooked sausages using a prebiotic and collagen gel is a promising direction.


Purpose: The human vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF)-A gene transcribes a signaling protein involved in the regulation of angiogenesis, vasculogenesis and endothelial cell growth. Two insertion/deletion (I/D) simple nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs, rs34357231 & rs35569394) in the promoter region of the gene have been significantly associated with several human diseases. These SNPs were computationally examined with respect to changes in punitive transcriptional factor binding sites (TFBS) and these changes were discussed in relation to the diseases. Methods: The JASPAR CORE and ConSite databases were instrumental in identifying the TFBS. The Vector NTI Advance 11.5 computer program was employed in locating all the TFBS in the VEGFA gene from 2.7 kb upstream of the transcriptional start site to 1.6 kb past the 3'UTR. The JASPAR CORE database was also involved in computing each nucleotide occurrence (%) within the TFBS. Results: Regulatory SNPs (rSNPs) in the promoter region of the VEGFA gene alter the DNA landscape for potential transcriptional factors (TFs) to attach resulting in changes in TFBS. The VEGFA -deletion (D) allele of these SNPs has been found to be a risk factor for diabetic


Enterprises in all branches of industry are becoming more customer driven. The increasing interest and effort of business practices heading towards mass customization have been witnessed by an extensive study of these approaches in both academia and industry alike. Mass customization has been recognized as a new battlefield for manufacturing enterprises. It enhances profitability through a synergy of increased customer-perceived value and cost reduction in design, manufacturing and the supply chain. Mass customization through concurrent enterprising is an approach to achieving an alliance of customers, products, processes, and logistics by means of parallelity, integration, standardization, teamwork, and many others, for delivering an increasing product variety to satisfy diverse customer needs while maintaining near mass production efficiency. It is a complex process where the concurrent engineering and extended/ virtual enterprising approaches have roles to play in coordinating various product life-cycle concerns. Though the oxymoron ''mass customization'' was coined in the mid-1980s, research has started to pick up pace only in recent years. The number of papers published on various aspects of mass customization has increased five-fold in the last decade. With this in mind, the intention of this special issue is not only to discuss the state-of-the-art of concurrent enterprising methods and approaches toward customer-driven manufacturing, but also to explore the obstacles and challenges of implementing mass customization, as well as to analyze its potentials and capabilities. Section 2 of this editorial opens the discussion by briefly introducing some fundamental issues of mass customization as key strategies for customer-driven enterprises. Section 3 summarizes the general themes highlighted by the papers included in the special issue. In Section 4, we comment on the implications of these papers for future research on mass customization systems within the general framework of concurrent enterprising. Finally, this editorial is concluded with acknowledgements to those individuals who have given us support during the process of collating the special issue.


The aim was to analyze the meanings that young women attach to their bodies and genitals, and to determine how useful the drawing of the naked body and collective analysis are. A group of 8 Psychology undergraduates (7 women and one man) was involved. They were asked to make drawings of their naked bodies. After finishing, each one showed their drawings to the group, where these were analyzed. Both activities were filmed. For this report only drawings made by women were selected. It was found that they did between 1 and 5 drawings of their developing bodies, which corresponded to different stages. The older the age represented, the taller the figure drawn. They drew their bodies facing and standing, except for prenatal and child stages. They drew smiling faces. The faces and attitudes of the bodies of each design were similar during the development. Waist and hips curves, nipples, breasts, vagina and pubic hair were more prominent until the drawings that represented adolescence appeared, being central to the definition of female body and sexual maturation. The makeup and the combing of the hair were naked-look elements. Some aspects of their bodies (fatness, extreme thinness, sensual curvature, child-like appearance) were awkward for some participants due to their negative social experiences in this regard. The drawings captured realistic aspects of the represented bodies. The design, presentation and analysis of the drawings of the naked bodies at times involved a certain discomfort, shyness and embarrassment. It was concluded that: (1) the body and sex-genital meanings come from negotiations in specific contexts where the individuals and their own paths of life play an active role; (2) some meanings attributed to the transformation of naked bodies and genitals, both their own and others, and these attitudes or reactions by making drawings, references and interpretations, are consistent with the cultural meanings of gender on the female bodies that are moralists and shameful; and (3) the drawing of the naked body, individual and collective exploration and discourse analysis were useful tools to study the representation and significance of the changes occurring in the bodies and genitals of the participants.


It consequently various methods for identifying a deterioration can be provided in a fuel system. In one embodiment, a method of operating a fuel system includes applying a pulse to a fuel pump in response to detecting that the Saugpumpendruck corresponds to a fuel vapor pressure, terminating the application of the pulse in response to detecting that the Saugpumpendruck corresponds to a relief set point pressure , and indicating a deterioration in the fuel system, if the detected Saugpumpendruck deviates from an expected fuel rail pressure, including distinguishing between a deterioration in the fuel pump, a fuel pressure sensor for lower pressure, a fuel rail pressure sensor and a pressure relief valve.


This study aims to determine whether there is an influence between Self Efficacy, Conformity, and Goal Orientation on the Cheating Behavior of students at the State University of Jakarta. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 26, the data obtained by using the questionnaire enclosed were deployed at the Jakarta State University. The results obtained by the data are b based on the results of the calculation of multiple regression research obtained Ŷ = 3.802 + 0.276X1 + (- 0.160) X 2 + 0.972X3. Coefficient X1 worth positive means there is influence between Self Efficacy with Behavioral Cheating which indicates that further increases Self Efficacy then further increased to Behavior Cheating. The coefficient of X2 is worth negative means not there is influence between conformity with the behavior of Cheating that indicates that not there is influence between conformity with the behavior of Cheating. While the variable Goal Orientation worth positive means there is influence positively between Goal Orientation to Conduct Cheating which indicates that further increases Goal Orientation then further increased to Behavior Cheating. By doing the research is expected to get the result can be a picture that many who should start to fix either from within themselves their own or other people and the environment around that do not happen again acts of fraud in the process of evaluation that is done by holding the exam.


Service learning is loosely defined as a structured activity that extends learning beyond the boundaries of the classroom and promotes that learning through active participation in service experiences. Service learning is uniquely distinct from pure volunteer or community service in that learners are afforded the opportunity to apply previously acquired knowledge and skills to the solution of real life problems for the betterment of both the community and themselves. In theory, the model of service learning is an ideal vehicle for simultaneously satisfying the culminating design experience required by ABET Criterion 4, producing a product for the betterment of the community, promoting university goodwill and instilling an ethic of public service in the student. In practice, however, poor project selection and poor conceptual development of service learning activities will negate any of the positive attributes listed above. In fact, the difficulty in creating meaningful service learning projects for the capstone design courses has limited their use. Fewer than 30% of the 477 campuses that responded to the Campus Compact survey on service learning have used service learning projects as culminating design experiences in all disciplines. The statistics for engineering disciplines is even lower. In light of the proposed "Body of Knowledge" for civil engineering programs the use of well crafted service learning activities should increase significantly. This paper describes the attributes of a service learning activity, used as the senior culminating design experience, which resulted in the successful design and construction of a timber bridge for a non-profit educational organization located about 45 miles from campus. The bulk of the paper focuses on a discussion of the planning and organizational activities required to meet logistical, environmental and permitting challenges faced by students. In addition the tasking, scheduling, design, monitoring and assessment activities undertaken to insure the successful completion of the project are discussed. Assessment data is presented to establish the successfulness of the project in integrating previous knowledge to the design of a system, dealing with real life constraints, engineer-client relations, and instilling an increased commitment to community or public service in the future.


The exact mathematical solution of the amplifier finite gain and bandwidth problem in switched-capacitor filter networks is presented. The theory is incorporated into a computer analysis program and typical results for a filter circuit are included.


SUMMARY A new genus Opisthodorylaimus closely related to Thornenema Andrassy, 1959 and Mesodorylaimus Andrhssy, 1959 is proposed, along with the description of three new species, viz., O. maqsoodi n. sp. (type), O. caudatus n. sp., ' and O. chamoliensis n. sp. It differs from Thornenema in having an unsclerotized lip region and a broad odontostyle, while from Mesodorylaimus it differs in having an opisthomonodelphic reproductive system as well as a broad odontostyle. Jairajpuria oryzae n. sp. differs from J. shamimi Baqri & Jana, 1980 in the shape of lip region, posteriorly situated vulva, unsclerotized vagina and in the absence of a sphincter at the oviduct-uterus junction. Dorylaimus siddiqii n. sp. is close to D. thornei AndrBssy, 1969, but differs in having a shorter and narrower body, differently shaped lip region, smaller and narrower odontostyle and in the absence of vulval papillae. Calodorylaimus indicus n. sp. differs from C. octo Andrassy, 1969 in having a smaller body, shorter odontostyle, longer oesophagus, posterior vulva and smaller spicules and tail. The male of Thornenema cavalcantii is redescribed. Laimydorus pseudostagnalis and Afrodorylaimus geniculatus are reported for thefirst time from India.


Health monitoring during flight tests provides a means of data validation in flight. It is possible to design a data acquisition system such that the available instruments incorporate redundancy through analytic relationships. This analytic redundancy may be exploited in order to assess individual sensor system health and to validate accuracy claims. A practical example is presented in which an air data set is compared with GPS in order to isolate failures in the pressure and temperature transducers.


A20 (also known as TNFAIP3) is a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that ensures optimal immune responses in cells stimulated by cytokines, such as TNF and IL-1, or pathogen components, such as lipopolysaccharide. Deletion of A20 in mice results in multi-organ inflammation and death within 2 weeks [1]. The anti-inflammatory functions of A20 have been attributed to its ability to negatively regulate NF-jB signaling [2]. The picture that has emerged over the last decade is that A20 attenuates NF-jB signaling by removing polyubiquitin chains from specific NF-jB signaling proteins. A study published in this issue of EMBO reports by Sankar Ghosh and colleagues [3] now shows that A20 knockin mice expressing a catalytically inactive A20 mutant that can no longer remove ubiquitin are normal and do not have an inflammatory phenotype. These results challenge the notion that A20 exerts its NF-jB inhibitory and antiinflammatory function by acting as a DUB.


Broadband antireflection coatings for intraocular lenses of sapphire and fianite are calculated and implemented practically. Their residual reflectance in the liquid with a refracting index of 1.336 is below 0.2% from each face virtually over the entire visible region. 7 refs., 2 figs., 2 tabs.


FDPSO is a multifunction floating platform, which has the combined function of drilling, production, storage and offloading oil. The moonpool is necessary for drilling operation and the moonpool size effect will play a role on the hydrodynamic performance of FDPSO. A study of the moonpool size effect on such performance of FDPSO hull is presented in this paper, making use of numerical analysis and model tests techniques. The code WADAM is used for the hydrodynamic performance analysis. A model test aiming to validate the accuracy of the numerical analysis results was conducted in the Ocean Engineering basin in the State Key Laboratory of Ocean Engineering in the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. The model test included decaying test and white noise test. The decaying tests are performed in still water for heave, roll and pitch. White noise tests were carried out to obtain the RAO of FDPSO, with the wave incoming direction of 180° and 135°. The numerical results show a good agreement with the model test results, indicating a reliable model. The "piston" motion of the water inside the moonpool is significant, affecting the hydrodynamic performance of the FDPSO. The effect of moonpool size on the hydrodynamic performance of the FDPSO is analyzed through a numerical method. The relationship between the piston natural frequency of the water column inside the moonpool and its diameter and draft, are studied. An empirical formula of the "piston" natural frequency is proposed, and its validity is assessed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME


Supporting data for the article titled "Hierarchical Self-Assembly of Cellulose Nanocrystals in a Confined Geometry". The article was accepted for publication in 2016 in the journal "ACS Nano". Electronic supporting Information is available from the publisher (ACS). The data is provided with a description in pdf and a structured set of seven folders compressed in zip, each correlating to a specific data type presented in the published article. The spreadsheet used to plot Figure S12 in the ESI is also included. Folder 1: Phase diagram - containing png of the pictures, as well as a txt, xlsx and pdf of the measurements (Figure S12). Folder 2: Polarised optical microscopy (POM) - containing png pictures with scale-bars Folder 3: Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) - original images in tif (figure S11) Folder 4: Cholesteric pitch determination - data in xlsx and pdf of the Figures 3, S9, S10, S16 Folder 5: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) - svg of the AFM and png of the length distribution analysis (Figure S1) Folder 6: Droplet size determination - data in xlsx and pdf of the droplet size distribution (Figure S17) and evaporation rate (Figure S18) Folder 7: Simulation of cholesteric droplets - png of the simulation with computing parameters in txt (Figure 2), data in xlsx and pdf of optical indices from Bruggeman method (Figure S19), matlab folder with codes in m format.


Objective:To investigate the effect of hepatectomy in management of hepatolithiasis.Methods:The clinical data of 65 cases of hepatolithiasis having received hepatectomy were analyzed of the operation indication,time selection,surgical approaches,complications and the preventive measures.Results:No one died in the operation.Wound infection occurred in 2 cases,incision fat liquefaction in 2 cases,biliary fistula in 2 cases and stone recurrence in 2 cases.Conclusions:Hepatic lobectomy is an effective procedure for treatment of hepatolithiasis with a low rate of reliquus concrement,recidivism and complication.


The chemoreceptor trigger zone for emesis (Borison and Wang, '51) has been shown to be the central, pre-reticular, site of mediation for the emetic response initiated by certain specific emetic stimuli of rather widely different types. These stimuli include motion sickness (Wang and Chinn, '54), total body x-irradiation (Chinn and Wang, '54, Brizzee et al., '55, Brizzee, '56) and vomiting induced by drugs such as the cardiac glycosides and apomorphine (Borison and Wang, '51) and hydergine and morphine ( Wang and Glaviano, '54). According to the best available evidence the anatomical site of the emetic trigger zone is area postrema (Borison and Brizzee, '51, Brizzee and Borison, '52, Brizzee et al., '55 and Brizzee, '56). It must be recognized, however, that structures forming integral components of several vital functional systems lie immediately adjacent to area postrema. These include the vestibular system, visceral afferent relay nuclei, part of the general visceral efferent system and relay nuclei of the proprioceptive system. In addition there are many small but distinct bundles of fibers of unknown origin coursing in and near area postrema. It seems entirely possible, there-


Surface heterogeneity of minerals can significantly affect the adsorption of collectors. Petroleum sulfonate is widely used as a fluorite collector, but how the surface heterogeneity of fluorite influences the adsorption of alkyl sulfonates remains unknown. Herein, two kinds of surface heterogeneity situations, i.e., edge and (1 1 1) _vacancy, were modeled, and the adsorption of sodium dodecyl sulfonate on them was simulated. The results show that the stable adsorption configuration of sodium dodecyl sulfonate on the edge was in a bridged mode, and the stable interaction configuration with vacancy was in a tridentate mode. The 2p orbit of fluorine on the surface of the edge and the vacancy could hinder collector adsorption. After adsorption, the 3d orbit of calcium interacted with the collector orbit above Fermi level, and moved towards the lower energy level, benefiting the adsorption process. It was also found that the adsorption intensity/strength of alkyl sulfonate on fluorite was directly proportional to the interaction intensity of the collector with the 3d orbits of calcium ions on the surface and vacancy. Therefore, the rough fluorite surface had a stronger adsorption effect on the collector, and the existence of vacancy could improve the surface adsorption energy, and thus enhance the adsorption of the collector on the fluorite surface. The rough fluorite surface requires high collector concentration to achieve saturated monolayer adsorption, so increasing vacancy was the better choice to improve the adsorption capacity of alkyl sulfonate on the fluorite surface. This study provides novel insights into the flotation mechanism, in the context of surface heterogeneity, and could guide the design of high-performance collectors for fluorite ore flotation.


Work motivation is critical for ensuring sustainability of any business firm. Motivated personnel essentially helps an organization achieve its organizational goal and objective. Hence, it has become an essential duty for business managers and management committees to identify the motivating factors that would strongly affect their employees. The purpose of the current research is to identify which are the factors that motivate service employees most at their workplace in Bangladesh. The study has used survey questionnaires to collect data from service employees. Convenience sampling is used for data collection. A total of 240 questionnaires were distributed and 183 completed questionnaires were returned (response rate: 77%). The study used purposeful motivating factors, which are ranked (from 1 to 10) by the service employees according to the significance of the factors. Mean value is applied to determine the most crucial motivating factor, where the factor with lowest mean value is considered as the highest significant motivating factor. Results reveal that job certainty, career growth and advancement opportunity, and quality working environment have been the most crucial and influential motivating factors for the service employees. The study adequately underlines the necessity of motivational factors and provides some guidelines to keep employees motivated.


Jia Yi, a politician and ideologist and also a promoter of music education in early Xihang Dynasty, put forward an idea of that "education should be practiced early, Confucian learning regarded high", and of that music education should be part of such education. From this point he also suggested an idea of "embryo music education and brought it into effect. He emphasized the taste meaning of "embryo music education" and early stage music education, and its cultivating function and political significance. He also gave a new theoretical annotation to the education function of Confucian "Six arts" and relations among them. Jia Yi's education idea of music taste, as a developed idea of " liyue" centre of Confucianism, is a great inspiration to us.


Objective To investigate the role of positive end-expiratory pressure(PEEP) mechanical ventilation in the treatment of neurogenic pulmonary edema(NPE) after severe craniocerebral trauma(CCT).Methods 28 cases of severe CCT patients complicated with NPE were treated by conventional mechanical ventilation,and taken as control group.By applicating PEEP after the normal treatment,the treated group was compared to the control group in pulmonary rale,RR,PaO2,SaO2,PaCO2.Results 2 h after PEEP ventilation,moist rales in 26 patients decreased significantly or disappeared;RR,PaO2,SaO2 improved with a significant difference(P0.001).Conclusion Application of mechanical ventilation with PEEP to treat NPE after severe CCT can quickly and significantly increase PaO2.It is currently one of the most effective ways to treat NPE.


The larvae and pupae of Liometopum apiculatum, an ant species known as "escamolera" (Lap), are valued for their flavour and nutritional value. Currently demand at restaurants trade, high price and other factors have threatened their populations. However, in Mexico there is no risk assessment for this species. Therefore, information was compiled to evaluate the conservation status of L apiculatum. The species Risk Assessment Methodology (MER) of Appendix I in the Mexican Standard NOM-059-SEMARNAT-2010 determines the risk category of a species based on scores of four criteria and places a species as "Extinct in the wild, subject to special protection, threatened or in danger of extinction". In this study, the related scores were, for Criterion A (taxon distributional area), 3 points (restricted distribution); Criterion B (habitat status regarding its natural development), 1 point (apt, or not limiting); Criterion C (biological vulnerability), 1 point (low vulnerability); and criterion D (impact of human activity on the taxon) scored 3 points (medium impact). The sum of the scores of the four MER criteria indicated that Lap (the escamolera ant) should be placed in the category of Subject to special protection (SSP). This information shall be used to design management and conservation policies for edible insects in Mexico.


This study assessed occupational engagement and its relationship to positive psychological measures in two collectivistic cultures. Undergraduate students in China (n = 230) and Paraguay (n = 231) completed the Occupational Engagement Scale for Students (OES-S), a one-factor, 9-item scale to measure occupational engagement, the Vocational Identity Scale, the Satisfaction With Life Scale, the Adult Hope Scale, and the Personal Growth Initiative Scale-II. Multigroup confirmatory factor analyses with OES-S scores were held for partial strong measurement invariance. OES-S scores correlated with scores on positive psychological measures. While the OES-S has room for improvement, occupational engagement seems to be a viable cross-cultural construct applicable to collectivistic cultures.


The purpose of this article is to analyze the impact of social interactions on marketing interactions within social networks (SN). We propose and test a structural model of relationships embracing the following constructs: Social Relationships, Trust, Information Disclosure, Word of Mouth (WOM) and Attitude toward Advertising. Data were gathered through the application of a structured questionnaire to a sample of 150 university students. The results validate the proposed model and support five out of seven hypotheses. The findings evidence that Social Relationships are significant predictors of Information Disclosure, WOM and Attitude toward Advertising. Similarly, Trust acts as a predictor of Information Disclosure and WOM. Overall, social interactions have a positive and significant impact on marketing interactions.


Let $\Bbbk$ be an algebraically closed field of characteristic $p>0$. We study the general structures of $p^n$-dimensional Hopf algebras over $\Bbbk$ with $p^{n-1}$ group-like elements or a primitive element generating a $p^{n-1}$-dimensional Hopf subalgebra. As applications, we have proved that Hopf algebras of dimension $p^2$ over $\Bbbk$ are pointed or basic for $p \le 5$, and provided a list of characterizations of the Radford algebra $R(p)$. In particular, $R(p)$ is the unique nontrivial extension of $\Bbbk[C_p]^*$ by $\Bbbk[C_p]$, where $C_p$ is the cyclic group of order $p$. In addition, we have proved a vanishing theorem for some 2nd Sweedler cohomology group and investigated the extensions of $p$-dimensional Hopf algebras. All these extensions have been identified and shown to be pointed.


Abstract The Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (ARDA), formerly known as the Tribal Trust Land Development Corporation (TILCOR), is a state agency which manages all the settler or outgrower schemes adjacent to its estates. In Sanyati, the colonial government endeavoured to secure the plotholders on the Gowe Irrigation Scheme but after independence emphasis was on making Gowe a 'self-provisioning' asset. With reference to Gowe-Sanyati, this paper explores development and differentiation processes in an attempt to discern elements of continuity or change in ARDA-Sanyati irrigation. The reactions of the Gowe irrigators to state policies that proscribed accumulation are a manifestation of the tension which was informed by Rhodesian-era evictions and resettlements. In pursuance of accumulation the plotholding households in Gowe were reluctant to perpetually serve as a labour repository of the main irrigation estate. Government interventionist policies in the Sanyati schemes are examined. The paper argues that the availability of technical, financial and other resources after independence contributed to the cotton boom and an intensified commercialisation drive which gave rise to greater forms of differentiation compared with the colonial period. In addition, the paper analyses the tenuous or fragile relationships between the plotholders and the estate. The major bone of contention was the inadequacy of the plots allocated to the farmers and the highly detested lease agreement which hindered accumulation. Inconsistencies with people's aspirations after independence led to a 'crisis of expectations' among those who believed independence would bring more land and no charge (land rent) for utilising the land. Although various charges impoverished the growers, the paper argues that poverty did not preclude differentiation as distinct categories of resource-rich and resource-poor plotholders emerged in the post-independence era.


: Background: Fagara zanthoxyloides is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine for the treatment of elephantiasis, toothache, sexual impotence, malaria, dysmenorrheal and abdominal pain among rural dwellers. Objective: To study the In vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides leaves. Materials and Methods: Methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides leaves were used for this study. In vitro anti-inflammatory studies were performed for the extract using proteinase inhibition activity and albumin denaturation inhibition assays, while antioxidant activities were performed by determination of DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity. Aspirin was used as a standard drug for the anti-inflammatory activity while vitamin C and E were used as standard drugs for the determinationof DPPH scavenging assay and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity respectively. Results: At the concentration of 75 and 100 µg/ml, the methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides showed significant (p < 0.05) inhibition of 39 and 44% of proteinase inhibitory action and, 42 and 63% of albumin denaturation inhibition activity. In addition, the extract had effective DPPH radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities. At a concentration of 80 µg/ml, the extract showed an inhibition of 53 and 77% of DPPH radical scavenging and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities respectively. Conclusion: The present study showed In vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of the methanol extract of Fagara zanthoxyloides which scientifically prove the ethnomedicinal claims. showed that the extract could be an effective antioxidant from the DPPH and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activities models. The 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity study shows that the methanol extract


Current data suggest that speeding in school zones is prevalent and presents a real danger to pedestrians and especially to child pedestrians. This paper reports on a study that collected data describing driver behavior in school zones using remote sensing technology. This continuous speed data set helped identify driving trends adjacent to active or inactive school speed zones. This paper includes a summary of the data collected and the results of a statistical analysis showing speed trends. Data are analyzed according to adjacent street characteristics and school zone safety measures. In general, the authors found that the school zone signage appeared to have no influence on driver behavior at the sites studied.


With respect to the problem of high peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), a simple and effective method for reducing PAPA by reserved subcarriers is presented. Making use for signals for reducing PAPR which are formed by reserved subcarriers, the least PAPR of combined signals in time domain can be obtained by reasonable choice of values in reserved subcarriers. At the same time, when the number of sectors is bigger than 1, usage ratio of bandwidth is increased dramatically. Firstly, the subcarriers intended to reduce PAPR are picked out;then information of these subcarriers are produced based on the subcarriers which are intended to reduce PAPR and picked out, and send the information to modules for reducing PAPR of different sectors; at last, in the modules for reducing PAPR of different sectors the system conducts the reducing PAPR process of this sector utilizing a same group of reserved subcarriers in this sector respectively.The effectiveness of the proposed scheme is demonstrated by simulations.


A set of self-consistent model calculations of the evolution from visual carbon stars to infrared carbon stars is presented. A two-shell system model, the Interrupted Mass Loss Model (oxygen-rich detached shell and newly-forming SiC dust shell) has been developed. This model overcomes the shortcomings of the single detached shell model (Chan and Kwok 1988) and the SiC shell model (Chan and Kwok 1990). A new mass-loss formula, which describes the gradually increasing mass-loss rate at the early stage of the infrared carbon stars, is introduced to simulate the effect of the newly-forming SiC shell. The model tacks successfully explain a "C" shaped distribution of carbon stars in the color-color diagram. The energy distributions of ~110 transition objects are fitted with developing SiC dust shells using the Interrupted Mass Loss Model. The existence of these transition objects with infrared properties intermediate between visual and infrared carbon stars, lends further support to the idea of an evolutionary link between visual and infrared carbon stars.


The title compound, C11H11NO3S, was synthesized by the reaction of benzo[d]isothiazol-3(2H)-one with isopropanol in toluene. The benzoisothiazolone ring system is essentially planar, with a mean deviation of 0.018 (2) Å from the least–squares plane defined by the nine constituent atoms. In the crystal, molecules are linked by weak intermolecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds.


This article discusses the use of visual assets during the covid-19 pandemic in Indonesia. There are regulations related to restrictions on movement for everyone during the pandemic, and there is much confusion in information, resulting in information chaos, and one of the reasons is the inappropriate use of visual assets as a medium for the Covid-19 prevention campaign in Indonesia. This study aims to identify the misuse of these visual assets. This study uses visual data spread on social media and observation to examine billboards, banners, and the like scattered in the community. In addition to visual data, interviews were also conducted with graphic designers. The questions asked were about the reasons for determining the design and their motivation in utilizing visual assets. The analysis is carried out by building relationships between the designs created, the use of visual assets, and contextual relationships with other interests outside the substance of the Covid 19 prevention campaign program in Indonesia. The results of the study show that visual assets are not used proportionally in conveying the Covid-19 prevention campaign in Indonesia. The conclusion is that there is no policy that provides direction regarding the provisions for the use of visual assets in preventing the Covid-19 health disaster in Indonesia. This research contributes to the government because this research finds a rule model for the use of visual assets in Indonesia


From one of the Manichaean psalms we learn that in the final moments of his life Mani was beholding his heavenly double with "eyes of light."1 This was not the only encounter this Syrian visionary had with his upper celestial identity. The Cologne Mani Codex tells us that the heavenly counterpart first manifested himself to Mani at the age of twelve and he continued his visits, to assist with revelations, until Mani's death. In several texts Mani's celestial alter ego is designated as a spirit and even called the Paraclete,2 the same title the Holy Spirit bears in the Fourth Gospel. The conception of the adept's heavenly correlative also appears in several early Christian accounts, including the Shepherd of Hermas, Clement of Alexandria's Excerpta ex Theodoto, and Aphrahat's Demonstrations. Similar traditions can be found in early heterodox Christian accounts, including the Gospel of Thomas, Pistis Sophia, and various apocryphal Acts of the Apostles. Modern biblical scholars have long puzzled over the conceptual roots of this heavenly counterpart imagery, wondering which religious milieus could have introduced it to mainstream and heterodox Christian literature. In the second half of the twentieth century the traditions of the heavenly double received some scholarly attention due to the discoveries of the Nag Hammadi library and the Dead Sea Scrolls as well as renewed interest in Jewish and Muslim mystical trends.


Dedication To my father who I lost during writing this book Foreword By John Falchi Acknowledgement To those who impacted the writing of this book Chapter 1 Distance Learning in the 21st Century Chapter 2 Millennials and Why They Fail in Distance Learning Environments Chapter 3 The Power of Serious Games in Education and Why We Are at a Critical Crossroads in Distance Education Chapter 4 Use of Virtual Learning Environments in Distance Education Chapter 5 Serious Games, Simulations, and Case Based Reasoning Chapter 6 The Role of Synchronous Interactions Within Higher Education Distance Education Courses Chapter 7 Presence, Identity, Self-Representation and Perspective Taking Within Virtual Online Courses Chapter 8 Situated Learning and Engagement in Distance Education Chapter 9 Learning, Psycho-Cognition and Flow Chapter 10 Assessing and Evaluating Virtual World Effectiveness Chapter 11 Tri-Hybrid Learning


In this extensive article I revisit my earlier writings from the 1970s that deal with tort liability in both stranger and consensual arrangements. On the former, I examine Stephen Perry's 1988 critique of my work, and more recent contributions by Joshua Getzler and Benjamin Zipursky, to defend the view that a rigorous conception of causation under a theory of strict liability is neither logically impossible nor practically unworkable. In so doing, I reexamine the earlier efforts by writers such as Joseph Beale and H.L.A. Hart and Tony Honoré on causation in order to show how some controversial moves within their theories can be clarified without having to resort to the standard views of causation that work off the notion of "but for" causes. In addition, I explain, in connection with the critique of Jill Horwitz, why some form of a negligence system remains appropriate for medical malpractice cases. In these consensual cases, doctrines of charitable immunity for nonprofit institutions often removed the need to investigate the basis of liability. But once those were removed, a contractual system, which in practice would never embrace a strict liability rule, would often turn to some form of negligence, often coupled with institutional changes, such as arbitration and explicit limitations on contractual damages.


In this paper, we present a study that compares tilt and touch-screen interaction in a 2D iPhone game for children. The trials involved 58 children from 8 to 10 years old. The results showed that the children found touch-screen interaction easier. With regard to engagement and fun, no significant differences were found between the two interaction methods. However, differences between boys and girls were found with the score given to the game. Another interesting result is that the children had no preferred interaction method.


Interior Permanent Magnet (IPM) motor has been widely used in a range of industrial application due to high power density and good flux-weakening capability. In many of the applications, the high strength of permanent magnets causes the undesirable effects of high cogging torque that can aggravate performance of the motor. Large cogging torque is significantly produced by IPM motor due to the similar length and the effectiveness of the magnetic air-gap. Therefore, the reduction of cogging torque becomes an inreasingly vital subject in IPM motor. In this paper, to minimize the effect of cogging torque in IPM motor, four common techniques for cogging torque reduction such as skewing, notching, pole pairing and rotor axial pole pairing has been analyzed in order to compare the cogging torque effect. 3D finite element analysis (FEA) by JMAG software is carried out for each technique. The results showed the reduction of cogging torque up to 99%, followed by 81.90%, 43.2% and 39.01% compared to the initial model design.


The invention relates to an acylation process of cyanoacyl in L-norvaline production, which comprises the following steps that pentanenitrile amino is placed in a reaction kettle, the temperature is reduced to 10 DEG C to 15 DEG C, and a caustic soda liquid is added dropwise; when an exothermic reaction occurs with heat release, the dripping temperature is controlled between 10 DEG C to 30 DEG C, and then acetone is added and then is reacted for 2.5 to 3 hours under stirring; and the rotary evaporation temperature is controlled between 48 DEG C to 50 DEG C, and the rotary evaporation is carried out until no acetone is evaporated; the temperature is reduced to below 20 DEG C, concentrated sulfuric acid is added to neutralize until the pH value of a material is between 8 and 10, residues are removed by filtration to obtain a filtrate which is racemic amino pentanamide. With the acylation process, the required temperature is controlled below 50 DEG C, therefore, the material has less impact on equipment, the safety is easily controlled, the energy consumption is low, and the process is in line with the energy saving and emission reduction policy.


Because cardiovascular disease (CVD) can be prevented by changing the lifestyles, early selection of high-risk patients is essential. Though the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and CVD has been well known, it has not been established yet which test should be performed for early prediction of CVD in PCOS (1).

Glycemic parameters, such as elevated fasting glucose (FG) or 2-h postchallenge glucose (PCG), are risk factors to predict future CVD (2). A recent study showed that glycemic parameters are related to increased carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), even in individuals with normal glucose tolerance (NGT) (3).

We evaluated the association between glycemic parameters and IMT, as a CVD surrogate marker, in young Korean PCOS patients with NGT. From July 2010 to May 2011, 341 PCOS patients (24–35 years old) diagnosed according to the 2003 Rotterdam criteria (4) were recruited from …


Few-atom gold nanoclusters exhibit strong size-dependent fluorescence emission. For many applications, these clusters are preferable to quantum dots or organic fluorophores as fluorescent labels. However, the published synthetic procedures to create these nanoclusters involve toxic chemicals, are of low synthetic yield, and concurrently produce large nanoparticles. Here, we report two methods for high-yield synthesis of gold nanoclusters, utilizing physiological temperature and green chemistry. Blue, green, and red emissive nanoclusters with pH stability in a range of 6−8 were produced.


This paper presents new paradigms to solve efficiently a variety of graph problems on parallel machines. These paradigms make it possible to discover and exploit the "parallelism" inherent in many classical graph problems. We abandon attempts to force sequential algorithms into parallel environments for such attempts usually result in transforming a good uniprocessor algorithm into a hopelessly greedy parallel algorithm. We show that by employing more local computation and mild redundance, a variety of problems can be solved in a resource- and time-efficient manner on a variety of architectures.


The area of medical imaging has experienced a remarkable expansion in recent times, with radiologists heavily depending on medical images for precise diagnoses. However, radiologists often encounter difficulties when presented with cases of uncertain diagnoses as they struggle to find comparable cases in both public and internal databases to assist them in their decision-making. This manual search process not only detracts from the ability to diagnose new cases but also places a considerable burden on radiologists' workflow. To tackle these challenges, this study suggests a computer-aided system that can automatically retrieve annotated medical images with similar content. This system incorporates a feature extractor based on deep learning, designed to simplify the process of identifying comparable images from an extensive chest radiograph database. The main focus of this study is on the feature extractor, which utilizes YOLOv5 and EfficientNet. YOLOv5 is known for its fast and efficient object detection framework, while the EfficientNet-B0 encoder block serves as an image retrieval and EfficientNet-B3 helps prevent noisy predictions. The study conducted experiments on a large dataset to evaluate the performance of the proposed solution. The results demonstrate that the model outperforms other classical approaches, with a mean average precision of 0.488 at a threshold of 0.9, which is higher than the performance of YOLOv5+ResNet, and EfficientDet of 0.234 and 0.257 respectively. Moreover, the model precision was significantly higher, with a precision of 0.864 for all pathologies, which was 0.352 higher than YOLOv5+ResNet and EfficientDet. Overall, the proposed computer-assisted system has the potential to enhance the efficiency of radiologists' workflow by offering a more effective and efficient tool for retrieving similar annotated medical images. This study is a significant advancement in the development of intelligent and efficient image retrieval systems in the medical imaging field. The proposed solution has the potential to significantly impact the diagnosis of complex medical cases, particularly in emergency departments.


Aimed at students wishing to improve their writing skills, this guide deals with the key basics of grammar, punctuation and spelling while also showing students how to construct a sentence, how to build a paragraph and how to structure an essay. This third edition includes an expanded 'Spot the Mistake' section.


We develop a multi-degree polar spline framework with applications to both design and analysis. First, multi-degree splines are introduced as piecewise non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) of non-uniform or variable polynomial degree, and a simple algorithm for their construction is presented. Then, an extension to two-dimensional polar configurations is provided by means of a tensor-product construction with a collapsed edge. Suitable combinations of these basis functions, encoded in a so-called isogeometric analysis suitable extraction operator, yield C smooth polar splines for any k ≥ 0. We show that it is always possible to construct a set of smooth polar spline basis functions that form a convex partition of unity. Explicit constructions for k ∈ {0, 1, 2} are presented. Optimal approximation behavior is observed numerically, and examples of applications to free-form design, smooth hole-filling, and high-order partial differential equations demonstrate the versatility of the developed framework.


ABSTRACT Teaching students how to regulate their own learning has become a popular innovative practice in primary education. However, not much is known about how teacher as well as school characteristics enhance students' self-regulated learning (SRL). This study explores whether schools differ in the way they implement SRL and what factors at the school and teacher level are related to successful classroom implementation of SRL. Survey data was gathered from 331 teachers in 44 primary schools. A comprehensive theoretical model, identifying determinants on teacher and school level related to teachers' SRL implementation, was tested using structural equation modelling. Results indicate that teachers' beliefs and teacher self-efficacy are strongly related to SRL implementation. At the school level, the importance of a shared SRL vision and the engagement of teachers in reflective dialogue are highlighted with implications for the role of the school leader. Recommendations for future research and considerations for teachers' educational practice are discussed. Abbreviation: CFA: confirmatory factor analysis; CFI: comparative fit index; df: degrees of freedom; ICT: information and communication technology; JD-R: job demands-resources; M: mean; PLC: professional learning community; RMSEA: root mean square error of approximation; SD: standard deviation; SEM: structural equation modelling; SRL: self-regulated learning; SRLIT: Self-Regulated Learning Inventory for Teachers; SRLTB: Self-Regulated Learning Teacher Belief Scale; SRMR: standardized root mean residual; TLI: Tucker-Lewis index; TSES-SRL: Teacher Self-Efficacy Scale to implement Self-Regulated Learning


For the purpose of optimizing the dimension of reciprocating compressor,the stregnth and stiffness of cylinder are analyzed to carry out the dimensional design on cylinder under different dimentional conditions.The influence rules of different dimension on strength and stiffness of cylinder are obtained,which has provided helpful theoretical basis for the optimization design of cylinder.


The development, distribution and features of one hundred and forty botanical gardens (BGs) in China are reported and their functions on research, conservation, display and utilization of biodiversity are summarized in this paper. The contributions to the social and economic development in the early stage of Chinese BGs with the researches of economic plant (tobacco), medicinal plant (yam) and wild fruit tree resources are evaluated. The theoretical and applied achievements in recent years in seed science, plant conservation, economic plant introduction, acclimatization and breeding are also described. A general scope of living plant collections in Chinese BGs is presented and the outstanding ones, including Magnoliaceae, Zingiberaceae, Cycadaceae, medicinal plants, Actinidia and Rhododendron are particularly mentioned. With special reference to Chinese penjing art garden and silicified wood garden, the development of scientific popularization and tourism in BGs is reviewed.


The Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposites were prepared through a facile approach combining sol-gel synthesis with thermal reduction. The XRD, SEM, and electrochemical performance tests were used to study the relationship between the physical character and the electrochemical properties of the electrode material. As the anode material, the Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposites delivered excellent lithium storage properties, stable cycle performance, and high rate capability (707 mAh g-1 of 100 cycles). It is demonstrated that the preparation of Fe2O3/rGO nanocomposites structured can effectively alleviate the particle pulverization caused by volume expansion, effectively shorten the diffusion distance of lithium ions, prevents the aggregation of Fe2O3 with the graphene, and improve the cycle stability of the electrode. Meanwhile, the incorporation of the Fe2O3 particles suppressed the stack of graphene layer.


In this paper, we solve the sum mean-squared error (MSE)-optimal 1-bit quantized precoding problem exactly for small-to-moderate sized multiuser multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) systems via branch and bound. To this end, we reformulate the original NP-hard precoding problem as a tree search and deploy a number of strategies that improve the pruning efficiency without sacrificing optimality. We evaluate the error-rate performance and the complexity of the resulting 1-bit branch-and-bound (BB-1) precoder, and compare its efficacy to that of existing, suboptimal algorithms for 1-bit precoding in MU-MIMO systems.


Flit, a new online estate agency for Yorkshire, is launching with the aim of redefining the way people sell their properties in Yorkshire. The ...


In the age of AIDS, lesbians' sexualities were strangely protected from the epidemic spread of the HIV virus, even while many lesbians' social and political lives were deeply impacted by its catastrophic effects on the gay community. The "so close but yet so far" phenomenon defining lesbian experience during the AIDS crisis evoked mixed and complicated emotions unique to that sector of the gay community. This article highlights the manifold emotional experience for lesbians, which paralleled an equally complex web of identifications and disidentifications with gay men. Although this perpetuated a sense of invisibility for lesbians during the epidemic's crisis years, it may have contributed to opening a space for new possibilities of feminine sexualities and identities as the crisis receded.


tioner, concluding that both are used in schools as valuable "frameworks for thinking" about supporting pupil behaviour change. The examination by Squires of professional competence to practice MI provides a framework which could be usefully applied more widely. Woods, McArdle and Tabassum examine the small number of available UK research studies and find promise in the effectiveness of MI with individual school-age children. Part 2 provides four chapters on MI in educational settings, two in clinical settings (anxiety and diabetes mellitus) and one in the community (Looked after Children), before closing with a chapter on each of the therapeutic interventions mentioned earlier. With school pupils, a small group intervention is shown to have promoted behaviour change in a target pupil and a larger group randomised control trial to have improved self-esteem in the target group. With school staff, training and supporting teachers so that "problem behaviour associated with the child is treated indirectly by changing teacher behaviour towards the child" (p. 85) gained positive results and training non-teaching staff (including psychologists, social workers, counsellors and nurses) promoted their use of open questions and reduced their use of advising, warning and confronting, but had less impact on their competency in reflective listening. Although set in the United States, these two chapters are valuable reading for educational psychologists delivering school staff training, with insights and experiences of relevance to approaches other than MI. Educational psychologists may wish to "dip into" the remaining chapters, according to their interests and responsibilities – please don't! Read every word of this important volume, not only to enhance your knowledge and understanding of MI, but to immerse yourself in the challenges and opportunities of practical, helpful applied psychology.


This study tries to answer some question on factors influence price earning ratio of firm in Indonesia stock exchange. This reaserch in specific aims to test the effect of debt to equity ratio, net profit margin and total asset turnover to price earning ratio with return on equity as an intervening variable.
Population of study is all firm listed on Indonesia stock exchange during 2006-2012. By using purposive sampling, the written got 46 firm manufacture automotive and allied products to be the sample research. This study used regression analysis and sobel test, in previously the data examined using classical assumption test.
The results of this study for the first regression path analystmodel showed that the variables debt to equity ratio, net profit margin and total asset turnover affect return on equity. For the second regression path analystmodel showed that the variables debt to equity ratio, net profit margin, total asset turnover and return on equity affect price earning ratio. Of this study also showed showed that the return on equity has no mediating effect on the relationship between debt to the equity ratio to the price earning ratio,return on equity has mediating effect on the relationship between net profit margin to the price earning ratio and return on equity has no mediating effect on the relationship between total asset turnover to the price earning ratio.


Malignant gliomas are the most common type of primary malignant brain tumours, charac- terized by extreme proliferation and aggressive inva- sion. There is evidence for over-expression of the YKL40 gene in high-grade gliomas. The high serum levels of the glycoprotein are associated with poor prognosis of various inflammatory and tumour pro- cesses. We investigated the YKL40 mRNA level and protein expression in the tumour site and in the se- rum of high-grade glioma patients. The YKL-40 ex- pression in 36 patients with glial tumours (astrocy- toma grade III, glioblastoma) and 33 age-matched healthy persons was measured by gene analysis, im- munohistochemistry and ELISA. YKL-40 serum levels in high-grade glioma patients compared to healthy subjects were significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05). A wide range of variability in YKL40 mRNA expression was found. YKL-40 staining in situ was more abundant in glioblastoma tissue than in ana- plastic astrocytoma, with the lowest level in normal brain tissue. Our gene analysis revealed that in gen- eral, YKL40 mRNA in glioma patients was over-ex- pressed versus normal brain. A significant correla- tion between YKL40 transcript and protein levels was observed (P ≤ 0.05). It could be speculated that the YKL-40 protein might contribute to glioblasto- mas' specific biological characteristics that distin-


This paper presents an adversarial learning-based approach to synthesize medical images for medical image tissue recognition. The performance of medical image recognition models highly depends on the representativeness and sufficiency of training samples. The high expense of collecting large amounts of practical medical images leads to a demand of synthesizing image samples. In this research, generative adversarial networks (GANs), which consist of a generative network and a discriminative network, are applied to develop a medical image synthesis model. Specifically, deep convolutional GANs (DCGANs), Wasserstein GANs (WGANs), and boundary equilibrium GANs (BEGANs) are implemented and compared to synthesize medical images in this research. Convolutional neural networks (CNNs) are applied in the GAN models, which can capture feature representations that describe a high level of image semantic information. Then synthetic images are generated by employing the generative network mapping from random noise. The effectiveness of the generative network is validated by a discriminative network, which is trained to detect the synthetic images from real images. Through a minimax two-player game, the generative and discriminative networks can train each other. The generated synthetic images are used to train a CNN classification model for tissue recognition. Through the experiments with the synthetic images, the tissue recognition accuracy achieves 98.83%, which reveals the effectiveness and applicability of synthesizing medical images through the GAN models.