Simple Summary Brown adipose tissues (BATs) undergo the conversion to white adipose tissues (WATs) with age. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were widely involved in adipose biology. Rabbit is an ideal model for studying the dynamics of the transformation from BATs to WATs. However, our knowledge of lncRNAs that mediate the transformation remains unknown in rabbits. By histological analysis and sequencing, we found rabbit interscapular adipose tissues (iATs) from BATs to WATs within two years and identified a total of 631 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) during the transformation process. Several signal pathways were involved in the transformation from BAT to WAT. A novel lncRNA that was highly expressed in iATs of aged rabbits was validated to impair brown adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Our study provided a comprehensive catalog of lncRNAs involved in the transformation from BATs to WATs in rabbits, facilitating a better understanding of adipose biology. Abstract Brown adipose tissues (BATs) convert to a "white-like" phenotype with age, which is also known as "aging-related BAT whitening (ARBW)". Emerging evidence suggested that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were widely involved in adipose biology. Rabbit is an ideal model for studying the dynamics of ARBW. In this study, we performed histological analysis and strand-specific RNA-sequencing (ssRNA-seq) of rabbit interscapular adipose tissues (iATs). Our data indicated that the rabbit iATs underwent the ARBW from 0 days to 2 years and a total of 2281 novel lncRNAs were identified in the iATs. The classical rabbit BATs showed low lncRNA transcriptional complexity compared to white adipose tissues (WATs). A total of 631 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs) were identified in four stages. The signal pathways of purine metabolism, Wnt signaling pathway, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/cGMP-dependent protein kinase (cGMP-PKG) signaling pathway and lipid and atherosclerosis were significantly enriched by the DELs with unique expression patterns. A novel lncRNA that was highly expressed in the iATs of aged rabbits was validated to impair brown adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Our study provided a comprehensive catalog of lncRNAs involved in ARBW in rabbits, which facilitates a better understanding of adipose biology.


To the Editor, As the prevalence of allergies rises, the impact of social factors such as physiological stress has gained much attention. While stress is suggested to exacerbate allergic conditions, including asthma and atopic dermatitis, less is known about the effect of acute stress mediator epinephrine on allergic M2a macrophages in a Th2 environment. This study aimed to investigate whether human M2a macrophages express adrenergic receptors to respond to epinephrine and what effect epinephrine could exhibit on M2a macrophages in an in vitro Th2 environment. We further assessed whether epinephrine-treated M2a macrophages could affect IgE-mediated degranulation in human mast cells in vitro. To study the effect of epinephrine on human M2a macrophages, we isolated monocytes from healthy donors and matured them in the presence of M-CSF according to a standard protocol1 into monocyte-derived macrophages (M0). M0 were subsequently treated with IL-4 and IL-13 to differentiate them into M2a phenotype, which showed higher expression of CD206 marker and IL-10 production. Detailed information on this study is available in this article's online supplementary information. The presence of the β2-adrenergic receptor (β2-AR) was confirmed in the M2a subtype, but no expression of α2A-AR, β1-AR, and β3-AR was detected (online repository; Figure S2D-E). The 16-hour treatment of M2a macrophages with 1 μmol/L epinephrine led to a significant upregulation of the cytokines IL-10 (P = .0131), TNF (P = .0012) and IL-6 (P = .0001), while no M1 marker IL-12 was detected (Figure 1A-D). This effect was not observed in the supernatants of M2a macrophages treated with the vehicle (negative control). Also, CD86 surface marker expression was significantly upregulated (P = .0313) (Figure 1G, Figure S3), indicating an antigen presentation capacity of this phenotype. Since epinephrine can induce cytokine production already after a few hours, we also observed the mRNA production of IL-10, IL-6, TNF, IL-1β , and CCL1 after 2 hours. Other M2 markers, including CCL2, CCL22, CCL18, and TGF-β, were less affected, and expression of IFN-γ was not detected after epinephrine treatment (Figure 2A). The production of anti-inflammatory IL-10 cytokine alongside IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β and upregulation of CD86 suggest that epinephrine can drive M2a macrophages towards an immunoregulatory M2b phenotype in vitro. Since the M2b phenotype is commonly induced by exposure to immune complexes and TLR ligands, which was not the case in our study, and we did not observe CCL1 production in the supernatants of epinephrine-treated M2a macrophages,1,2 we termed this immunoregulatory phenotype "M2b-like." It is important to note that the immunoregulatory function of this phenotype was confirmed in vitro on human cord blood–derived mast cells (CBMCs), where treatment with supernatants from epinephrine-treated M2b-like macrophages significantly reduced the IgE-mediated β-hexosaminidase degranulation (P = .0013). Interestingly, this effect was significantly pronounced compared to treatment with epinephrine alone (P ≤ .05) (Figure 2B). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report about the presence of the β2-AR receptor on the M2a macrophage phenotype, which is an important player in allergy. We, however, acknowledge that our study has its limitations. Although μM epinephrine in mouse cells can induce regulatory macrophages3 and dose-dependent studies of epinephrine on human monocytes revealed the strongest effect on chemokine/cytokine production in 1-10 μmol/L concentration range, often used to stimulate human monocytes in vitro,4,5 our results do not necessarily translate into real human setting. However, there is reason to believe that during stress the local epinephrine concentrations at the immunological synapse are higher than in circulation due to sympathetic neuronal discharge and local catecholamine production from neighbouring immune cells (previously termed "diffusely expressed adrenergic organ"6). Another limitation of results (Figure 2A) is the normalization against a single housekeeping gene. We acknowledge that under given conditions, using a second gene for normalization had been advisable. This was a study on epinephrine effect on in vitro Th2 inflammation. To translate these data and develop targeted therapies in the future, it would be important to obtain the information on the exact signalling pathway that epinephrine might have activated on M2a human macrophages and drive the M2b-like phenotype. FcR signalling known to induce the M2b phenotype by activating phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)2 , may be a possible pathway induced by epinephrine in our study; furthermore, catecholamine activation of a β2-AR noncanonical pathway through phosphoinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) induced regulatory macrophages in mice.3 Even though M2b-like macrophages retain the ability to produce many pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β, the upregulation of IL-10 (IL-10high/IL-12low) is certainly a central part of this phenotype and in the range reported in the previous studies.1,7 Future studies should address the involvement of IL-10, but also IL-6, TNF, and IL-1β in the observed reduction of β-hexosaminidase production by CBMCs, as this was beyond


Ethics and Social Corporate Responsibility ABSTRACT: Voluntary integration of companies social and ecological issues in their activities and relationship with third parties involved. This is the issue Adolfo Guzzini identifies and indicates as one of the main objectives companies may have. A company Social Responsibility as part of its identity to be shown to its employees and to the society in which the company operates. It is now clear that companies need to integrate with their behaviour the existing European and international legislation of Companies Social Responsibility. A set of values dictated not only by government or international rules but also intentional expression of companies behaviour which will have a positive, direct or indirect, repercussions on their productivity, being this the mission of every enterprise.


The aim of present study is to determine the optimu m parameters of friction stir welding process and most important parameter along with percentage contribution of eac h parameter joint efficiency of FS welded joint of dissimilar aluminum alloys AA2024 by applied specific number of experiments using Taguchi method .AA2024 was placed on the advancing side and AA7075 on the retreating side. FSW was three different welding speeds (20, 45 and 69) and cone) and tool tilt angle 2 . Taguchi process parameters and the three levels of variatio n for each pa design were applied to the results. The result of S\ N ratio analysis were obtained to find the paramete rs optimization, which has been of rotation speed equal to 898 rpm, welding speed 45 mm tensile strength result shows that the welding speed was the most 66.05 % over the other process parameters.


Objective: To determine the relationship between maternal age and pregnancy and perinatal outcomes. Design: Historical cohort study. Materials and methods: The sample comprised primiparous women who came to deliver at Pattani Hospital between 1 st October 1996 to 30 th September 2004. Maternal age was grouped as: ≥ 35 years. Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes were determined. The 20-34 years age group was used as the reference age. Results: A total of 7,394 primiparous women were grouped into 3 age groups. 1,562 were age ≥ 35 years. Preterm labour ( ≤ 37 weeks), hypertensive in pregnancy, cesarean section and fetal macrosomia ( ≥ 4,000 grams) were statistically significantly different accross age groups. Low birthweight ( ≥ 35 years had increased risks of antepartum hemorrhage (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.21-5.36) and cesarean section (RR 5.56, 95% CI 4.15–7.45). Conclusions: Elderly gravida ( ≥ 35years) have a high incidence of antepartum hemorrhage and cesarean section. Teenage pregnancies (


This invention relates to a process for resolving hydro carbon mixtures comprising components of relatively straight chain structure by contacting the mixture in an adsorptive-type separation procedure with desoxycholic acid. More specifically, this invention concerns a process for separating relatively straight chain aliphatic hydro carbons from mixtures of the same with relatively more branched chain and cyclic hydrocarbons by a method which comprises contacting the hydrocarbon mixture with discrete particles of desoxycholic acid and thereafter with drawing as a raffinate stream the components of the hy drocarbon mixture having relatively branched chain and , cyclic structure. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a process for separating an aliphatic hydrocarbon of relatively lesser branched chain structure than other com ponents of a mixture of hydrocarbons from said other hydrocarbon components which comprises contacting said 'mixture with desoxycholic acid and thereafter separating a fraction enriched with respect to at least one of said other hydrocarbon components. A more specific embodiment of this invention concerns a method for separating a normal paraffin containing from 5 to about 20 carbon atoms per molecule from branched chain paraffinic and cyclic hydrocarbons which comprises introducing a hydrocarbon mixture compris ing said normal paraffin and a hydrocarbon component -


In our work-in-progress project that integrates educational robot technology into elementary school classroom, Digi-Robot is brought into children's learning of angle. With the use of the robot programmed to make it turn left or turn right, children would perceive the angle concept. The robot encourages children to define an angle. Incorporating the focus-explore-reflect-apply learning cycle into the hands-on activities, the effects of using Digi-Robot in developing the angle concept for middle-grades children are investigated. The preliminary results of a pilot study indicate a decrease in children's misconceptions of angle. In addition, children disassemble Digi-Robot and mechanical mouse, as well as explore how the robot and a mechanical mouse work, in a collaborative group setting. Children are encouraged to express ideas concerning the working principle these two systems are based on. The results show that educational robot technology links closely the mathematics curriculum and the engineering education for children.


Measurements were obtained of the interfacial resistance due to thin films of straight-chain higher alcohols and their effect on the evaporation of water. This was done by passing preheated dry air at a constant rate over water in a beaker. Unlike previous studies both phases were stitted. Four alcohols, dodecyl, myristyl, cetyl, and stearyl, were studied. A large reduction in evaporation was observed when 0.00025 gm. of cetyl alcohol was added to 1 liter of water with gas-liquid interfacial area of 0.2015 sq. ft. A much higher amount of stearyl alcohol, 0.0006 g., was needed for commensurate effect. Resistance due to films of dodecyl and myristyl alcohols was neglibible. For the most part cetyl alcohol is the most effective of those tested. Plots are given of the pseudo mass transfer coefficients and interfacial resistances as a function of the amount of the various alcohols.


We discuss various aspects of most general multisupport solutions to matrix models in the presence of hard walls, i.e., in the case where the eigenvalue support is confined to subdomains of the real axis. The structure of the solution at the leading order is described by semiclassical or generalized Whitham-Krichever hierarchies as in the unrestricted case. Derivatives of tau-functions for these solutions are associated with families of Riemann surfaces (with possible double points) and satisfy the Witten-Dijkgraaf-Verlinde-Verlinde equations. We then develop the diagrammatic technique for finding free energy of this model in all orders of the 't Hooft expansion in the reciprocal matrix size generalizing the Feynman diagrammatic technique for the Hermitian one-matrix model due to Eynard.


Water is a component of nature where it is possible to find all kinds of microorganisms, water occupies 3/4 of the world and is indispensable for the life of animals, plants, and humans that inhabit the earth. With this book it is to decide if the microorganisms found the water are desirable quality for a particular purpose, its quality must be specified in terms of use of the water for human and animal consumption, irrigation water, recreational water and Crops, Industrial water and laboratories, among others. Water is one that, because it meets the physical, chemical and microbiological requirements, can be consumed by the human population without adverse effects on health by making known through this first that Presence in the water of any form of matter in concentration that can produce negative Effects on human health, flora and fauna, or deterioration of water quality in beneficial uses. This booklet discloses the diseases that are produced by contaminated water, diseases caused by microorganisms affecting public health, drinking water and sanitation are related to the right to education, it is for this reason that this primer is informed about Microorganisms that are in the water and are responsible for not having access to decontaminated water


The essentially binary origins of Classic-era sonata form have been recognized by legions of writers. Yet their attention has been principally focused on the normative sonata-form movement with exposition, development, and recapitulation, and on the numerous possible variations within such a structure. The purely binary movement, comprised of two complementary if not always equal sections, has received less attention. *1


Sitagliptin one of the anti-diabetic drugs. We aimed to evaluate the gastroprotective effect of sitagliptin in indomethacin-induced peptic ulcer in rats. Adult male albino rats were divided to four groups; control, sitagliptin (SIT), indomethacin (IND) and IND+SIT group. In each group, ulcer index, gastric mucosal malondialdehyde (MDA), total nitrites (NOx) and Tumor necrosis factoralpha (TNF-α) were determined. In IND+SIT group, ulcer index, MDA and TNF-α were reduced, as compared to IND group. At the same time, NOx was increased in IND+SIT group, as compared to IND group. In conclusion, sitagliptin showed gastroprotective effect in indomethacin induced peptic ulcer in rats mostly through anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory actions.


Crystal structures are known for three members of the bacterial neutral protease family: thermolysin from Bacillus thermoproteolyticus (TLN), the neutral protease from Bacillus cereus (NEU), and the elastase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAE), both in free and ligand-bound forms. Each enzyme consists of an N-terminal and C-terminal domain with the active site formed at the junction of the two domains. Comparison of the different molecules reveals that the structure within each domain is well conserved, but there are substantial hinge-bending displacements (up to 16 degrees) of one domain relative to the other. These domain motions can be correlated with the presence or absence of bound inhibitor, as was previously observed in the specific example of PAE [Thayer, M.M., Flaherty, K.M., & McKay, D.B. (1991) J. Biol. Chem. 266, 2864-2871]. The binding of inhibitor appears to be associated with a reduction of the domain hinge-bending angle by 6-14 degrees and a closure of the "jaws" of the active site cleft by about 2 A. Crystallographic refinement of the structure of thermolysin suggests that electron density seen in the active site of the enzyme in the original structure determination probably corresponds to a bound dipeptide. Thus, the crystal structure appears to correspond to an enzyme-inhibitor or enzyme-product complex, rather than the free enzyme, as has previously been assumed.


This article describes a study conducted to determine the effects of long duration, random vibration—characteristic of low-altitude high-speed (LAHS) flight aircraft—on human performance, physiological, biodynamic, and tolerance responses. Ten subjects experienced 0.10, 0.15, and 0.20 RMS g with a shaped power spectral density from 1 to 12 cps while engaging in LAHS control tasks. Simulation runs were of 5 hours duration, with the centermost 4 hours under dynamic conditions. Results of this experiment are related to those of other studies which had the same general objectives in order to provide a brief review and summary about what is known regarding human capabilities for LAHS flight.


Micromixing in the submerged circulative impinging stream reactor (SCISR) developed by the authors is investigated with the Bourne's reaction scheme. The values measured for the impinging velocity, u0, under the conditions of SCISR normal operation, only is of the order of 0.1m·s-1, are much slower than that inferred, suggesting low power requirement for operation. The values of the characteristic time constant for micromixing, tM, determined in the impinging velocity range of 0.184m·s-1 u0 0.326m·s-1 are ranged from 192ms to 87 ms, showing that impinging streams promotes micromixing very efficiently. The data follow approximately the relationship of tM∝u0-1.5 . A comparative study shows that the micromixing performance of SCISR is much better than that of the traditional stirred tank reactor. The tM values predicted with the existing theoretical model are systematically longer than those measured by about 2-3 times, implying that the regularity of impinging streams promoting micromixing is unclear yet.


Four identically designed and constructed Capillary-Gravitational Slow Sand Filter (SSF) with different in its overflow media height were parallelly operated to filtered tofu liquid waste for the purpose to identify responses of debit and quality of permeate with the change of overflow media height. The experiment was conducted following 4x4 LS with the overflow media height as the treatment. Besides the debit for clear and polluted water, samples of the liquid waste and the permeate were taken and analysed for TSS, Turbidity, pH, BOD and COD. Result of analysis showed that debit of SSF was 182.6 -252.1 ml/minute for clear water; 81.3 – 153.5 ml/minute for tofu liquid waste; TSS 7.5 – 20.5 mg/L; Turbidity 0.58 – 3.84 NTU; pH 6.8 – 7.2; BOD 1.7 – 35.4 mg/L; COD 3.8 – 108.0 mg/L with removal efficiency more 96% when overflow media 4 cm or more. In conclusion, the SSF Grapilar reduced when it was used to filter polluted water. In terms of pollutant removal, SSF Grapilar was effective; it was able to remove more than 95% of TSS, Turbidity, BOD, COD and neutralized permeate of tofu liquid waste when the overflow media height was 4 cm or more.


The present invention relates to: a method for operating magnetic body particles that is for fixing a target substance in a liquid sample to the surface of the magnetic body particles; and a device for operating magnetic body particles that is used for said method. The magnetic body particles are particles to which a target substance can be fixed selectively. In this method, in a state where a liquid sample (31), the magnetic body particles (71), and a magnetic solid body (60) that has a larger particle diameter than that of the magnetic body particle are made to coexist in a container (10), the magnetic body particles (71) are moved together with the magnetic solid body (60) within the liquid sample (31) by operating a magnetic field from outside the container. By this operation, the target substance can be fixed selectively to the surface of the magnetic body particles (71).


A square-wave matched filter is designed for sensor network of electric power systems,which greatly reduces implementation complexity compared with traditional root-raised-consine matched filter. On one hand,square-wave matched filter saves multiplication of traditional method; on the other hand,the length of the squarewave matched filter is close to the oversampling ratio,which is far less than that of the traditional root-raisedconsine matched filter. In addition,simulations result of bit-error-rate performance indicate the effectiveness of the proposed square-wave matched filtering.


Electrodialysis is utilized for the deionization of saline streams, usually formed by strong electrolytes. Recently, interest in new applications involving the transport of weak electrolytes through ion-exchange membranes has increased. Clear examples of such applications are the recovery of valuable metal ions from industrial effluents, such as electronic wastes or mining industries. Weak electrolytes give rise to a variety of ions with different valence, charge sign and transport properties. Moreover, development of concentration polarization under the application of an electric field promotes changes in the chemical equilibrium, thus making more complex understanding of mass transfer phenomena in such systems. This investigation presents a set of experiments conducted with salts of multivalent metals with the aim to provide better understanding on the involved mass transfer phenomena. Chronopotentiometric experiments and current-voltage characteristics confirm that shifts in chemical equilibria can take place simultaneous to the activation of overlimiting mass transfer mechanisms, that is, electroconvection and water dissociation. Electroconvection has been proven to affect the type of precipitates formed at the membrane surface thus suppressing the simultaneous dissociation of water. For some electrolytes, shifts in the chemical equilibria forced by an imposed electric field generate new charge carriers at specific current regimes, thus reducing the system resistance.


However, U.'s interpretation is not without difficulties. He too easily accepts the questionable textual reading "at Ephesus" (Eph 1:1) and builds some of his arguments on this reading. Moreover, "you" and "we" could, despite U.'s contention, just as reasonably refer respectively to the community addressed and to the author of the letter and those with him, or to a combination of both of these, as to different groups within the community addressed. But this correction would not destroy the main point U. is making. Also, U. in his image of body appears reluctant to include uniformity of doctrine; I doubt that this is faithful to the text. A few times the concern for Asian peoples' world views seems to have influenced the precision of the interpretation.


This paper uses scientometrics method of knowledge mapping domains, on the basis of CAJD database, summarizes and analyses the discipline structure of "Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL)". It introduces the method of knowledge mapping analysis to the research area of Teaching Chinese as a Second Language .It shows how to present the research overview and hot spots of a subject intuitively and visually by analyzing keywords frequency and co-words. Keywords— Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL); Knowledge Mapping Domains; Visualization; Research Overview;


Congenital fibrinogen disorder may be either afibrinogenemia / hypofibrinogenemia / dysfibrinogenemia. Afibrinogenemia may present at birth as bleeding from umbilical cord. Patients with hypofibrinogenemia may present only during surgical intervention or during pregnancy. Pregnancy with this condition is associated with a very high incidence of abortion & abruption. Fibrinogen replacement can be done using either cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrate. Successful pregnancies have been reported using cryoprecipitate & fibrinogen concentrate (FC). We report a woman with 6 abortions previously who was treated with fibrinogen replacement therapy & delivered a live child.


This paper models the price and income elasticity of retail finance in Australia using aggregate quarterly data and an autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach. We particularly focus on the impact of the global financial crisis (GFC) from 2007 onwards on retail finance demand and analyse four submarkets (period analysed in brackets): owner-occupied housing loans (Sep-85-June-10), term loans (for motor vehicles, households goods and debt consolidation, etc.) (Dec-88-Jun-2010), credit card loans (Mar-90-Jun-10), and margin loans (Sep-00-Jun-10). Other than the indicator lending rates and annual full-time earnings respectively used as proxies for the price and income effects, we specify a large number of other variables as demand factors, particularly reflecting the value of the asset for which retail finance demand is derived. These variously include the yield on indexed bonds as a proxy for inflation expectations, median housing prices, consumer sentiment indexes as measures of consumer confidence, motor vehicle and retail trade sales, housing debt-to-housing assets as a measure of leverage, the proportion of protected margin lending, the available credit limit on credit cards, and the All Ordinaries Index. In the long run, we find significant price elasticities only for term loans and margin loans, and significant income elasticities of demand for housing loans, term loans and margin loans. We also find that the GFC has only significantly impacted upon the long-run demand for term loans and margin loans. In the short run, we find that the GFC has had a significant effect on the price elasticity of demand for term loans and margin loans, with only credit card loans exhibiting a significant price elasticity of demand otherwise. Expected inflation is also a key factor affecting retail finance demand. Overall, most of the submarkets in the analysis indicate that retail finance demand is price inelastic but more income elastic than conventionally thought.


ABSTRACT This paper investigates the relationship between innovation and employment by analyzing the factors that drive job creation processes and particularly by scrutinizing the role of innovation on the skill structure of regional labor demand. The study utilizes Finnish regional innovation (proxied with R&D expenditures) and employment data for 2000–2013. The results show statistically significant positive employment effects from local innovation activities and knowledge spillovers from other regions only on the demand for high-skilled employees. For low-skilled employees, the employment effects of local innovation activities are significantly negative, while there is no impact from knowledge spillovers from other regions. These effects are robust also for different lag structures. The findings are significant in terms of their policy implications for supporting employment; Finnish innovation policy should consider the negative impacts of innovation on low-skilled employees more explicitly.


In line with Merton's commitment to reduce vehicular speeds throughout the borough through 20mph zones or 20mph speed limits, funding has been allocated for 2008/09 fi nancial year to convert existing traffi c calmed roads within the borough into 20mph zones/limits. Merton Park area bounded by Crown Lane, section of Martin Way, Cannon Hill Lane, Kingston Road, Dorset Road and Morden Road has been identifi ed as one area that is suitable for a 20mph speed limit.


This paper describes a new tool to improve the industrial electronics education process. The tool really constitute a virtual electronic laboratory because it is made up of a set of virtual experiments with a user-friendly graphic interface and interactive simulated electronic instruments relating practical concepts with theoretical ones. The virtual laboratory can be used with a traditional book as well as with a hypermedia learning system. The combination of the tutorial and the virtual electronic laboratory constitute a bridge between theoretical lessons and laboratory classes. The professor can use the experiments of the virtual laboratory in the classroom to improve student retention. Using this tool, undergraduate technical students improve their performance and increase their efficiency in the laboratory. A pilot experience has been implemented for ANALOG AND DIGITAL ELECTRONICS. The analog virtual laboratory includes a set of circuits using discrete electronic devices and operational amplifiers and four different simulated instruments: a signal generator, a power supply, a multimeter and an oscilloscope. The digital electronics virtual laboratory includes the different combinational and sequential digital circuits and a virtual logic analyzer to visualize the evolution of the different input and output signals


" Turkish soap operas are expected to attract thousands of Greeks in the upcoming TV season in Greece. According to Greek media news reports, the winds of Turkish soap operas in Greece began with "Yabanci Damat" ("Foreign Son-in-Law") and peaked with "Binbir Gece" ("1001 Nights"). Sources said that Greek TV channels choose Turkish soap operas more than they do U.S. ones based on costs. Turkish soap operas "Ask-i Memnu" ("Forbidden Love") and "Gumus" ("Silver") will be broadcast on Greek TV ch...


A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effects of humic acid fertilizer on soil nutrient contents and aroma quality of flue-cured tobacco in Jingxi county of Guangxi Province during 2010-2011.The results showed that applications of humic acid fertilizer could increase major nutrients in soil,especially available potassium,enhance the economic characters significantly.The highest economic attributes were observed at the rate of 150 kg/ha.The humic acid fertilizer could also maintain better chemical components and smoking quality of flue-cured tobacco,increase major aroma components and total aroma components obviously.The best application rate of humic acid fertilizer was 150 kg/ha in tobacco-planting soil of Baise.


Background: We conducted this study to explore the
correlation of formula creatinine clearance (FCcr),
serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) to 99mTc-
MAG3 clearance (CMAG3).

Methods: Forty-seven adult patients with a wide range
of renal function were included in this study. To assess
glomerular filtration rate, FCcr was calculated from serum creatinine concentration, age and weight. CMAG3 was determined by one blood sample method. Linear regression was utilized to analyze correlation between CMAG3 and FCcr, serum creatinine or BUN. By using results of CMAG3 as a marker of renal dysfunction, the sensitivity and specificity of FCcr, serum creatinine and BUN were also calculated.

Results: A good correlation was found between FCcr and CMAG3 (FCcr = 0.3469×CMAG3 + 1.6257, correlation coefficient (R) = 0.877, standard error of the estimate(SEE) = 17.64 ml/min). The correlation between serum creatinine and CMAG3 (serum creatinine = -0.009×CMAG3+ 3.2319, R = 0.633, SEE = 1.01) was not good. The correlation between BUN and CMAG3 (BUN = -0.0947×
CMAG3 + 38.163, R = 0.698, SEE = 9.0) was not good, either. The sensitivities of FCcr, serum creatinine and BUN as markers for renal dysfunction were 86.2%, 45.8% and 50.0%, and specificities were 72.2%, 95.7% and 87.0%, respectively.

Conclusions: This study showed a good correlation between FCcr and CMAG3, and poor correlation between serum creatinine, BUN to CMAG3. For detecting renal dysfunction,the sensitivity of FCcr was better than serum creatinine and BUN, but the specificity of FCcr was not good enough. CMAG3 could not be replaced by these three measurements for evaluating renal function.


In the view of the liberalism,there is double effect in nation power to personal liberty: on one hand,nation power is a necessity to defend personal liberty;on the other hand,nation power also threatens personal liberty.Therefore,nation power is an evil but necessary.


Introduction/ Aim : Chronic kidney disease (CKD) in children is now a global health problem, and obstructive uropathy plays a major causative role. Reports however indicate limited CKD knowledge and awareness among caregivers which may be a draw - back in 'preventive nephrology'.


D the first wave of research and reflection on samizdat in the Soviet Union, which began after the democratization of the political system in the second half of the 1980s, statements such as the following were often made: "The Westerner will hardly understand the meaning of rock samizdat,"2 [because] "in a civilized democratic society, samizdat does not exist, because almost everything can be printed in a normal press; in totalitarian, dictatorial regimes it is also absent due to the complete absence of freedoms."3


Title compounds are synthesized by the present new three-component coupling reaction of aminopyridines, alkynecarboxylic acids, and aldehydes (II) in the presence of CuI/Cu(OTf)2.


After the attacks of September 11, 2001 the American government placed a new emphasis upon domestic security and scrutiny soon fell upon the US-Canada border. From 2001 to 2011 there has been a great expansion of border security on the US-Canada border. It is the objective of this thesis to examine how increases in security along the US-Canada border following 9/11 have affected or changed drug smuggling in the Pacific Northwest. It is the central hypothesis of this thesis that the smuggling of drugs produced in British Columbia for American markets has been pushed into the interior of the Pacific Northwest, both to less used ports of entry and to between ports of entry. This thesis examines an area in which there is a profound dearth of scholarly research. The hypotheses of this thesis were tested through the examination of data related to drug smuggling arrests and drug seizures at the border. Additionally, interviews with relevant border stakeholders were conducted. The central hypothesis of this thesis has not been conclusively supported by the data acquired for this research. It appears, based on the drug seizure and interviews, as if drug smuggling in the Pacific Northwest has greatly decreased following increases in border security after 9/11. The substantial reduction in the amount of marijuana seized at the US-Canada border in the Pacific Northwest is significant, but it is inconclusive as to what is directly responsible for this decrease.


RELAXATION IS DISCUSSED IN PRESTRESSING STEEL WIRE, DEFINED AS STRESS LOSS AT CONSTANT EXTENSION AND RELATED TO CREEP PHENOMENON. BOTH RELAXATION AND CREEP ARE CORRELATED TO THE STRESS-STRAIN DIAGRAM. THE EFFECTS OF TIME TEMPERATURE, RATE OF LOADING AND RE-STRESSING UPON RELAXATION ARE PRESENTED. /PCIJ/


Communication theorists often make a distinction between two different ways in which a sign or a symbol can evoke meaning. In digital representation, the symbol's domain of reference is conceptually carved up into discrete units represented by purely arbitrary symbols. In analogical representation, the symbol retains a continuous correspondence with one or more dimensions of its referent. Recent scholarship has tended to emphasize the digital side, but this paper draws attention to aspects of analogical representation, arguing that the mental process through which viewers derive meaning from pictures is often based on implicit analogical thinking. Analogical thinking seems to play a major role in the evocation of meaning through e!jstract qualities and the control of the viewer's emotional engagement through point of view. The most obvious locus of analogical significance in film and television may be in editing. Analogical implications are central to a wide array of visual devices, and it is possible that in learning to make sense of visual communication, we also acquire an enhanced facility in analogical thinking. (Contains 38 references.) (SLD) ***********************************************************k*********** Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. ***********************************************************************


Light focusing is a crucial requirement for high resolution optical imaging. In biological tissue though, refractive index inhomogeneities scatter light, preventing any focusing beyond one millimeter. Wavefront shaping techniques have been recently developed to partially compensate for light scattering after propagation through a scattering medium. These techniques require a measurement of the light intensity at the target point. These techniques hold much promise for performing wavefront correction in order to focus light deep inside scattering media. This would require a non-invasive measure of the light intensity at depth. In this PhD study, we propose to use the photoacoustic effect for such task. An optically absorbing structure under pulsed illumination indeed generates ultrasonic waves, whose amplitude is proportional to the absorbed light intensity. These ultrasounds mostly propagate in a ballistic way, and can therefore be detected with an external transducer. We have shown that photoacoustic imaging could be used to measure the transmission matrix of a scattering sample, enabling to focus light on absorbing structures as well as to retrieve mesoscopic properties of the medium. We have shown that the broadband spectral content of the photoacoustic signals can be harnessed to improve the focusing performances. Finally, we demonstrated that coherent illumination could be used to remove fundamentals artefacts, as well as to break the acoustic resolution limit of conventional deep tissue photoacoustic imaging.


Cyberworlds are being formed in cyberspaces as computational spaces. Now cyberspaces are rapidly expanding on the Web either intentionally or spontaneously, with or without design. Widespread and intensive local activities are melting each other on the web globally to create cyberworlds. The major key players of cyberworlds include e-finance that trades a GDP-equivalent a day and e-manutacturing that is transforming industrial production into Web shopping of product components and assembly factories. Lacking proper theory and design, cyberworlds have continued to grow chaotic and are now out of human understanding and control. This research first presents a generic theoretical framework and design based on algebraic topology, and also provides an axiomatic approach to theorize the potentials of cyberworlds.


The National Stadium in Singapore is open air, olympic sized, and seats 60 000 people for national rallies, sports, and entertainment events. The sound system provides high‐quality reinforcement with reliable and simple operation. The presentation describes the functional and electrical arrangements of the system with emphasis on the use of line arrays of horn‐loaded loudspeakers with highly efficient compression drivers.


Rain removal from a video is a challenging problem due to random spatial distribution and motion of rain. Rain removal is a difficult task in videos. Rain removal is important and useful task in security surveillance, movie editing applications. In indoor environment, video is captured in ideal environment because artificial illumination is formed. On other hand in outdoor environment, it is important to remove weather effect. Outdoor vision systems are used for various purposes such as tracking, recognition and navigation. Current systems do not we will not taken the account for common weather conditions such as rain, snow, fog and mist. Rain consists of spatial distributed droplets of rain. . Rain changes the intensity in images and videos that can severely impair the performance of outdoor vision systems.. When light passes through the rain drop it get reflects and refracts from a large field of view towards the camera, creating sharp intensity patterns in images and videos. A group of such falling drops results in complex space and time varying signals in videos. If we apply different types of filter to remove the rain its gets motion blurred. So we have to develop for all weather conditions. The rainy videos which are pixels exhibit small but frequent intensity changes in the illumination change moving camera etc. To remove the rainy effect, it is to detect the fluctuations caused by the rain, and replace it with the original values. In the paper we have considered the rainy videos to remove the blur and improve the accuracy of the videos.


The low-mass X-ray binary and accreting millisecond X-ray pulsar Swift J0911.9-6452 was discovered in outburst by MAXI and BAT in February 2016(Serino et al. 2016).


Introduction: Obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality as well as reduced life expectancy. The objective of the study was to assess the prevalence of obesity among children of age group 4-12 years. Materials and Methods: Height without shoes was measured using metal column height-measuring stands to the nearest 0.1 cm. Weight was measured using lever scales to the nearest 0.1 kg while the subjects wore their light clothes. Height of the child was measured using a stadiometer. Results: The sample size of 100 patients was selected for the study in which 48 were girls whereas 52 were boys. In age group 4-6 years 22 were boys and 24 were girls. In age group 7-10 years 14 were boys and 18 were girls. In third age group between 11-12 years 8 were boys and 14 were girls the presence of obesity in all age group was more in girls. Conclusion: Our study showed higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among females so there is also an urgent need to increase awareness via education and motivation.


Double remedies in the non-market economy ("NME") context can be regarded as one of the most controversial issues arising from the simultaneous application of both anti-dumping and countervailing duties. In recent years, China has been the most frequent target of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations. This paper examines how double remedies come into being in the NME context such as China, and explores its origin, harm, and solutions.


Objective To evaluate results of reconstructing thumb opposing function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons. Methods Forty-nine patients with dysfunction of thumb opposing were admitted to this study. Twenty-nine had median nerve injury in the wrist, twenty complicated ulnar nerve injury at the same time. Thumb opposing function of all patients was reconstructed by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons. Results All patients with median nerve injury got satisfactory results. 80% of patients complicated ulnar nerve injury got fine therapeutic effect. Conclusion It is a convenient and efficient procedure that reconstructing thumb opposition function by transfering the extensor carpi ulnaris and the extensor pollicis longus muscle tendons.


Previously a high variation was found in the cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) contents of fish samples representing the same species but caught in different habitats in Finland. The present study was designed to provide reasons for this variation. The influences of various factors, e.g. weight, age, and sex of the fish as well as the cholecalciferol content of zooplankton, on the cholecalciferol contents of fish flesh were studied. Perch, vendace, and pike samples were caught in three different types of lakes, and perch, Baltic herring, and pike samples were caught in the Baltic Sea. Zooplankton samples were caught in all four habitats. The cholecalciferol determinations were performed with HPLC after purification with preparative HPLC. No consistent relationship between the weight, sex, or age of the fish and cholecalciferol content was found. According to this study, it is possible that diet is a likely factor which causes the variation in the cholecalciferol contents of the fish. Keywords: Vitamin D; chole...


The authors argue that the failure of 60 years of total reliance on assessment via standardized tests to help reduce achievement score gaps must compel us to rethink the role of assessment in this endeavor. They advocate rebalancing assessment priorities to bring classroom assessment into the equation. Evidence gathered over decades from around the world reveals strong achievement gains and reduced achievement score gaps when teachers implement student-involved classroom assessment practices in support of student learning in their classrooms. Five standards of sound classroom assessment practice are described that, if put in place, would permit teachers and schools to draw upon a heretofore untapped reservoir of motivation in ways that benefit students, especially low performers.


The known infectious process as conjunctivitis occurs when it has reduction of the immunity of the host or for the acquisition of a more virulent microorganism. Until the birth it has intrauterine protection. The ticket in the canal of the childbirth acquires Microbiota bacterial. An enormous variety of infectious agents presents high transferability and occurs by means of the direct contact with ocular secretions of an infected person or in indirect way by means of surfaces, instruments or contaminated solutions. The nasocominal transmission in schools and day-care centers is frequent, as well as the secondary dissemination in the familiar groups Although if it deals with benign illness generally, the fast dissemination, compromises of a great number of people, beyond the lack of aetiologic diagnosis specifies puts in alert the health services. However epidemics of great magnitude if are associated with the transmission of bacterial agents, between them Haemophilus influenzae infectious agent more known of meningitidis and infantile bacteremia. The main agent on this study was car-ried through with of Hi strain from children with up to 0-3 years and the predominance in the isolated ones was of the HiNT. In resistant the carried through antimicrobial susceptibility test (disc diffusion agar and mini-mal inhibitory concentration-MIC/E-test) it had eight strains to antibiotics: trimethopimsul famethoxazole; amoxicillin-clavulanic acid – ampicillin and ceftriaxone. Of these only one presented resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ampicillin also having the production of β-lactamase, by the chromogenic cephalosporin method. These results in show the molecular necessity of accomplishment of the bacterial identification, antimicrobial susceptibility test and identification to be carried through inside of the norms of quality control, for the importance of the results and consequently, its contributions for the public health.


The core features of narcissism have been thoroughly discussed in the preceding chapters. What stands out from this discussion is the apparent importance of interpersonal processes in the development and maintenance of narcissism. The interpersonal nature of narcissism stands in sharp contrast to other conceptualizations of self, such as global feelings of self-esteem, that largely involve internal thoughts and feelings (Washburn, McMahon, King, Reinecke, & Silver, 2004). Because an individual with low self-esteem may experience self-deprecating cognitions, depressive affect, and withdrawn behavior without ever interacting with others, the manifestations of high or low self-esteem do not require interaction with others.


This paper proposes an enhanced control strategy for three-phase unified power quality conditioners (UPQCs) under the distorted source and nonlinear load conditions. The proposed controller consists of a proportional-integral and a repetitive controller (RC), which is developed on both the series and the shunt APFs of the UPQC to compensate (6n±1) (n=1, 2, 3...) harmonic voltages in distorted source voltage and those harmonic currents produced by nonlinear loads. As a result, the load voltage and the supply current are compensated to be sinusoidal. In the proposed RC, the delay time is reduced to be one-sixth of the fundamental period which is much shorter than that of the traditional RC, i.e., one fundamental period. Hence, the proposed RC provides a much faster dynamic response compared to the traditional RC. The proposed control strategy is analyzed and design of the RC for the UPQC is presented in detail. The feasibility of the proposed control strategy is verified through simulations.


Othello loves his wife Desdemona, but throttles her mercilessly. His jealousy is only a superficial cause, for the deeper reason comes from his consciousness of idolatry which has taken deep root in his mind. On the one hand, he idolizes himself in the eye of his wife ; On the other hand, he regards Desdemona as his idolater. As a result when she is suspected of being"unfaithful" to him, the evils of the consciousness of idolatry in him leads him unavoidably to commit murder, and then suicide in order to defend the dignity of his idolatry.


We investigate the mechanisms of CoSi2 and CoGe2 growth by carefully controlled e-beam evaporation of Co onto Si(001) and Ge/Si(001) substrates from the very initial submonolayer stage, monitored in situ by scanning tunneling microscopy, aided by reflection high-energy electron diffraction. In order to grow different epilayer morphologies, we use flat and vicinal surfaces and two different methods of synthesis: reactive deposition (where Co is deposited onto a hot substrate), and solid-phase reaction (where Co is deposited at lower, or room, temperature). We attempt to account for the observed morphological differences in the epilayers by correlating them with parametric differences in the deposition and growth processes.


The idea but also the reality of evil is essential for Ricoeur especially in connection with the concept of fallibility. In order to investigate the link between evil and fallibility, Ricoeur begins with a thorough analysis of evil from the perspective of human freedom. The discussion about man's freedom and the fact that evil exists in the world leads Ricoeur to another fundamental concept, namely that of primordial self. The primordial self, however, does not exist without the inner reality of his own consciousness. For Ricoeur, the consciousness of the primordial self is double, so he speaks about the consciousness of fault and the consciousness of evil which are both critical issues for the primordial self. These analyses are detailed by Ricoeur within the context of the myth of the fall which is subject to complex symbolism. The reality of evil with reference to the myth of the fall pushes Ricoeur to consider the primordial self as both the Adversary and the Other. Despite the complexity of Ricoeur's analysis, it seems that his final conclusion has to do with man's freedom which is the very source of evil in the world. The factuality of this reality pictures the human being not only as a free agent but also as a victim, which is the direct consequence of evil that affects humanity.


In this research, the focus is on the role of Integrated Islamic Schools in the Formation of Students' Religious Character (a case study at SDIT Darul Hasan Padangsidimpuan). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to describe and analyze the extent of the role of an integrated Islamic school in the formation of students' religious character. The research method used in this research is descriptive method which is supported by questionnaire data collection techniques, observations, and interviews. The population in this study amounted to 100 students, and a sample of 20% of the population was taken, namely 20 students with percentage data analysis. The results of this study are based on calculations using the percentage formula, the results of the study are categorized as having a very important role. So from the test results it can be seen that there is a very strong and significant role between the role of integrated Islamic schools in the formation of students' religious character. so that in this case study it can be concluded that the Integrated Islamic School can be a forum for the formation of the religious character of students, especially elementary schools.


The ongoing Covid 19 pandemic in Indonesia has an impact on psychosocial conditions for everyone. The elderly is a vulnerable group for COVID-19, the elderly experiences a decrease in the ability of body functions both physically and psychologically of a physiological nature. Decreased body function in the elderly is caused by changes in muscle morphology and degenerative diseases, these can cause health problems in the elderly. The implementation of this community service activity aims to teach Cadres and the elderly about Cognitive Behavior Therapy as an effort to increase the independence of the elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The method used in this community service activity is to provide training and education health services. This activity was carried out during April-May 2022 which was attended by 12 health cadres and 22 residents in RW 06 Wonokromo Village, Surabaya. The results show that the activity has achieved success according to the success indicators that have been set, namely as many as 12 health cadres were successfully recruited; average attendance is 100%, participants participate in activities enthusiastically, knowledge of cadres after training and residents after counseling increases significantly.


Tounderstand thepathophysiologic significance ofabnormal serum prostacyclin (PGI2)binding activities inthrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura(TTP), we evaluated thePGI2binding characteristics inthree chronic TTP seraand19normalsera. PGI2binding byserum was rapid andreversible. Thebinding activity inTTPsera(22.1±SD, 4.4%) was significantly lower thanthatofnormal sera(42.2±6.2%). Moreover, theantiaggregating activity and6-keto-prostaglandin Fja(6KPGFi,) contentinthegelfiltrates representing thebinding peakwas proportionally lowerina TTP serum thannormalserum. Although normal andTTP serabound['4Clarachidonate with similar activity, andneither bound13H16KPGF,,, there was a difference inprostaglandin El(PGE,)binding. Binding of 13HIPGE, was subnormal intwoTTPsera(W.J. andT.G.) andnormalinthethird (H.S.). Normalserum corrected the binding defects ofTTP serum.Interestingly, themixture of twoTTPsera(W.J.andH.S.) mutually corrected their PGI2 binding defects. Inaddition, although invivoplasma transfusions improved thePGI2binding activity ofWJ. andH.S., there existed a striking difference inthenatureoftheir response. Theseobservations indicate thatthere areatleast twotypes ofPGI2binding defects inTIP. Ourdataindicate thatTTP isassociated withdiminished serumbinding ofPGI2. Thisdefect may reduce theavailability ofPGI2todamaged vascular sites anddecrease an important modulator ofplatelet thrombus formation attimesofsevere vascular insult.


In this paper, a novel descriptive feature parameter extraction method from synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is proposed. The new approach is based on region covariance (RC) method which involves the computation of a covariance matrix whose entries are used in target detection and classification. In addition the region co-difference matrix is also introduced. Experimental results of object detection in MSTAR (moving and stationary target recognition) database are presented. The RC and region co-difference method delivers high detection accuracy and low false alarm rates. It is also experimentally observed that these methods produce better results than the commonly used principal component analysis (PCA) method when they are used with different distance metrics introduced.


FIELD: physics; computer engineering. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to architecture for transactions through the internet. There is control of price and route for making payments with through processing of payments. In the proposed method payments are addressed without need for knowing bank account details of the receiver, which makes easier making payments and their clearing. The process of making payments is turned into a process of rendering communication services. Use of attribute certificates with a network identifier of the payer and corresponding identifiers of main clearing organisations prevents disclosure of confidential information by opening actual bank information to an unlimited circle of individuals. EFFECT: possibility of making transactions in which there is provision for conformity of a single telephone number of a subscriber to the position indicator of the subscriber, network identifier, as well as distribution of files of said numbers on a central communication switch and internet server. 6 cl, 24 dwg


In order to compare the local-energy method with the variation principle as an optimization technique, numerical results are given for the ground states of the hydrogen molecule ion and the helium atom. Although the optimum wave functions obtained from the two methods are very similar, expectation values of various operators are given more accurately by the variation-principle functions. Conditions are discussed under which the local-energy method could be superior to the variation principle as an optimization technique.


The current study exposes the results of aeromagnetic data interpretation and a combined analysis of 1-A sentinel radar image that cover the study area of Beni Mellal Atlas in order to describe the structural geometry and to understand its tectonic evolution.The map of the reduced to pole of residual magnetic field highlights various magnetic anomalies with high amplitudes that correspond to Jurassic-Cretaceous basaltic formations outcropping synclinal basins of Beni Mellal Atlas. The interpretation of magnetic data using tilt derivative (TDR), horizontal gradient technique coupled to upward continuation and Euler Deconvolution allows us to distinguish the fractures network that is affecting the study area. In order to complete this analysis, the Sentinel-A radar image is processed and filtered using SNAP ESA Sentinel-1 toolbox software to extract lineaments. The final structural map reveals four faults groups oriented respectively NE-SW, ENE-WSW to E-W, N-S and NW-SE Their depths estimated by the application of Euler deconvolution exceed 1500 m.Thoses faults have played a major role in structural evolution of Beni Mellal Atlas.


This article considers the criticisms made of liberal political thought by communitarians in the 1980s. It aims to clarify the communitarian critique and evaluate the force of communitarian criticisms of liberalism. It argues that communitarians advance three different types of claim: descriptive claims which stress that people are social beings; normative claims which celebrate the value of community and solidarity, and a meta-ethical claim emphasizing that political principles should mirror 'shared understandings'. This article argues that the descriptive and normative claims espoused by communitarians are judged to be plausible but are accepted by liberals, and that the meta-ethical thesis is untenable and liberals are right to eschew it.


Self-test means of a monitor, comprising means for receiving a pulse signal having a predetermined period and generating a clamp pulse signal generating portion of the first signal and the second pulse signal as the clamp signal, and by processing a clamp a first pulse signal generated by the signal generating portion generates a monitor self-test signals R ', G', B 'and the video signals R', G ', B' section generates an output video signal to the clamp signal generated by the self-test signal of the video processing section of the clamp signal generating portion control.


STUDENT RETENTION IN BSN PROGRAMS Katherine Pittman Hensley Old Dominion University, 2013 Director: Dr. Mitchell Williams This study examined, by use o f a researcher-developed survey instrument, perceptions between three groups on reasons why students drop out o f nursing programs. Also examined are recommendations from the three groups on how to try to avoid nursing student attrition. Specific groups surveyed included native BSN students, RNB students, and a mixed group of nursing faculty. Survey items were divided into two general groups: student-related issues, and institutional issues. Since RNB students (which include a larger number of non-traditional students) and BSN students (which include more of the native university population of traditional students) have many differences, the author attempted to identify what those perceptions are. Two ANOVAs were used in the study, one to identify perceptions from each group on all survey items. The second ANOVA was done to identify the recommendations from each group on how institutions could help prevent attrition. Eight o f the sixteen survey items showed significant differences in perception between groups, and two of the five items showed significant differences in recommendations between groups. Strategies for preventing nursing student attrition were proposed in the last chapter with recommendations for further studies. This dissertation is dedicated to my husband, David, and children, Emily, David, and Travis, who have been "the wind beneath my wings" over the past six years while I worked on this important project.


The international trade law area is an arena where international tribunals are increasingly being used for the settlement of disputes. The Canada–U.S. softwood lumber dispute is a key example of how trade disputes have been made even more convoluted and intractable by the availability of multiple international and domestic fora for dispute settlement. The author of this article explores the use of NAFTA c. 11 in the softwood lumber disputes and argues that it will be of limited use for both Canadian and U.S. softwood lumber companies in future disputes. The author posits that c. 11 will remain available solely to contest U.S. measures affecting Canadian softwood lumber to the extent they do not fall within U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty law (as defined under NAFTA c. 19).


Providing security authentication and key management scheme system, and a method with hop-by-hop security model in wireless multi-hop network. The scheme employs a key hierarchy of 802.11r introduced into the mesh AP network. In this method, the top key holder (R0KH) after the authentication process, to generate and hold the top pair master key (PMK_0) to the wireless devices of each supplicant. All authenticator AP is responsible for the role of level one key holder (RlKH), receives a pairwise master key for the next level (PMK_1) from R0KH. Link level data protection key is generated from PMK_1 through 4-way handshake 802.11i.


Despite a recommended multidimensional approach for pulmonary hypertension (PH) risk stratification and guidance of treatment decisions, this may not always be achievable in patients with advanced disease. One issue is the lack of an imaging modality to assess right ventricular (RV) structure and function abnormalities.


INTRODUCTION
Clinical pharmacology educational strategies for medicine students seek to foster skills that range from technical knowledge to the development of behaviors that ensure rational prescribing decisions. The authors present the results of a study to evaluate the perceptions, attitudes and behaviors linked with rational prescribing throughout training.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
Four focus groups were held with first, third and fifth year medical students and residents from the first years of various specialties, with a total of 29 participants. A semi-structured questionnaire with open-ended questions was used to facilitate interaction between the participants, alongside case-studies to explore the behaviors associated with therapeutic decisions.

RESULTS
The analysis of the references showcased an evolution of concepts throughout academic training. References regarding guidelines and effectiveness emerge during the third year; safety and treatment personalization emerge during the fifth year and specialist training. Efficacy studies, systematic reviews, regulatory documents and online platforms were considered the most relevant sources of information.

DISCUSSION
The literature review showcases the need to implement strategies dedicated to the development of adequate skills for rational prescribing. The use of focus groups may be a useful methodology to engage students in self-evaluation of their skills and inform faculty of the perceptions and behaviors of students.

CONCLUSION
This analysis illustrates the awareness of students and young physicians to the need to adapt therapeutic approaches to the characteristics of the patient. These concepts should be reinforced so that young doctors feel more prepared for rational prescription in complex clinical situations.


This study's objective was to explore some of the annual Prussian carp's (Carassius gibelio) biological characteristics (sex ratio, length–weight ratio, and gonado somatic index - GSI) in the Kopački Rit Nature Park in Croatia. The Prussian carp is an invasive fish species originated from Asia, which became widely distributed throughout Europe and is believed to be responsible for a decline in the number of indigenous fish, invertebrate, and macrophyte populations in different areas. The fish sampling was conducted from September to November 2017 and from February to July 2018, respectively, using electrofishing. A total of 475 fish individuals were caught and measured for the total length, standard length, body height, and body weight. Males made up 34.31% of the population of Prussian carp. The mean value of Fulton condition factor (FC) of Prussian carp in Kopački Rit was 1.77 ± 0.28. Overall, the FC value had a relatively small amplitude, but it exhibited a clear seasonal vari ability. The average GSI values of females (9.91 ± 5.34) were higher than those of males (3.58 ± 1.37) during the observed period. The average GSI values indicate that the majority of females are spawning in the late April and May, which are also the same periods when other cyprinid species are spawning, allowing the Prussian carp to exploit its gynogenesis strategy.


Spontaneous nonlinear peptidization of the monomeric and enantiomerically pure α-amino acids in abiotic aqueous and nonaqueous solutions is still regarded by some as a somewhat puzzling phenomenon, and therefore it needs additional experimental authentication. In our earlier studies, we employed several analytical techniques to prove its occurrence. In this study, we present the scanning electron microscopic (SEM) evidence of spontaneous heteropeptide formation in the binary L-Cys−L-Phe, L-Cys−L-Phg, and L-Cys−L-Pro mixtures dissolved in 70 % aqueous methanol. With each α-amino acid pair, one amino acid (L-Cys) is equipped with three functionalities (−SH, −NH2, and −COOH), enabling formation of the spherical homopeptide microstructures, while its counterpart (L-Phe, L-Phg, or L-Pro, respectively) is equipped with the two functionalities only (−NH2 or =NH, and −COOH). The SEM micrographs of the peptidization products originating from the three investigated α-amino acid pairs show three different, yet spherical, structures, which seem suggestive of the heteropeptide formation involving both L-Cys and its counterpart α-amino acid. Additional confirmation of heteropeptide formation is furnished by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the biuret test, and mass spectrometry (MS).


The military enterprise of the national defense may be in a dilemma at present. Today, market economy is deepening continuously; the military enterprise faces the great challenge on its way to success. On the one hand, its :potentiality remains to be activated, lots of mechanism remain to be improved inside enterprises, mechanism of management, motivation and restraint is not complete. Financial budget and great decisions-making lack enough demonstration: On the other hand, the market environment is stili unripe, military enterprise cannot be an independent market subject. To solve the questions above, we propose the follovving measures: First, make clear strategy for enterprise's development; Second, strengthen the innovation and improvement of every system; Third, tap the potential of the human capital; Fourth, deepen the technological innovation constantly; Fifth. build the culture of enterprise.


There are a lot of traces of wars or military activities throughout the Czech Republic. You can find fortifications from Roman times to the Cold War. In 2009, a big project started in the Czech Republic – aerial laser scanning of the whole national territory. It was finished in 2013; since this year there has been a possibility to use very precise digital terrain models (DTM), a new face of the landscape mainly in forested areas, derived from aerial laser scanners and INS instruments. For archaeology, the use of DTMs in shaded relief forms can be a tool for the investigation of landscapes to find relics from the past. After a quick overview of data in shaded relief forms, which is often used in archaeology with special lighting (a very low light position from the northwest, which gives long shades even to small humps), many new objects have been found or detected better than previously attempted. In the western part of the Czech Republic, we focused on finding potential historical artillery redoubts from the 17 century based on the Swedish invasion of our territory. Some known fortifications were detected and verified by terrestrial measurements of written sources, and, in some cases, new structures were identified. We focused on the investigation of a potential newly discovered artillery redoubt near the village of Černošín, which can be a light imperial fortification from the end of the Thirty Years' War (a battle at Třebel in 1647 took place near this area). This object consists of a ditch and a rampart, square in shape, ca 15×15 m, on a small hill near a ravine where a road has been preserved to the present day. The site has recently been deforested, which gives us a possibility of acquiring documentation; we used the Phantom Dji 4 multicopter for creating precise orthophotos, and a partial DSM (digital surface model) and a laser scanner for terrestrial measurement. The GEM GSM 19 Gradiometer/Magnetometer (Overhauser) was simultaneously used. As a result of magnetometric measurement, a digital model of this object was made, which is useful for archaeological and historical analysis.


The effects of high altitude were evaluated in 14 children with allergic bronchial asthma over an 8-month period. Clinical improvement, as assessed by decreased bronchial lability, was demonstrated by pulmonary function studies. There was a decreased requirement for drugs and steroids were discontinued in our children. The results of this study suggest the use of this approach as a possible adjunct to the management of refractory cases of bronchial asthma.


part of the amount that was wages was in line with prevailing wage scales in Detroit at the time. If the rest was seen as sharing in profits, then the company could argue that this part was a privilege, not a right, so that it could justifiably investigate the private lives of its workers to determine if they were earning this privilege. The author goes into elaborate detail on labor conditions in the Ford Motor Company both before and after the five-dollar day, and on the work of the Sociological Department. He is highly ciritcal of the department for trying to impose "middle-class values" (cleanliness appears to be one of them) on Ford workers, but he nowhere suggests what other values might have been substituted. There are also detailed accounts of the efforts of the Ford Motor Company to "Americanize" the large number of immigrant workers it employed, of the activities of the American Protective League during World War I, and of the strong anti-union stance taken by Ford and the automobile industry generally. These episodes demonstrate that the subsequent performance of Harry Bennett and the Ford Service Department was essentially an intensification of existing practice. The author's conclusion is that the Ford experiment of profit-sharing, paternalism, and welfare capitalism failed, and he makes a convincing case. He ends his story in 1921, when the abandonment of the policy was signalized in the replacement of the Sociological Department by the Service Department. Harry Bennett was not yet on the scene, but what he was to represent was presaged by this change. The book appears overloaded with detail, to the point that what the author is trying to say is sometimes obscured. There are some very interesting personalities in this phase of the Ford Motor Company's history—John R. Lee, Dean Samual Marquis, Charles E. Sorensen—but here they are just names. They do not come through as living people. Nor is there any sense of the drama of the announcement of the fivedollar day. Nevertheless, this is a useful contribution to the history of the motor vehicle industry.


People using the same product may also share meaning and affect. Grounded in phenomenology in philosophy, cognitive semantics in cognitive science, and the psychology of emotion, this paper argues that lively interactive products, which feature dynamic images with reactivity and contingency, can evoke shared mental images and feelings via familiar sensorimotor experience in two states of interaction, namely continuous feedback (i.e., coupling of user input and system feedback) and extended change (i.e., system change while input pauses). The overall enduring interaction triggers imaginative conceptual blends in users at multiple cognitive levels. Meanwhile, emotions are elicited during different moments. Users thus echo similar imagined thoughts and feelings through the use. This paper introduces interpretive analysis for designers or researchers, showing how the model assists in analyzing inter-subjective user experiences and opens up possibilities for creating more socially resonating products.


Background: Anxiety is a natural response to risks and a warning sign. Health literacy as an accessible and dynamic tool can play a crucial role in mental health. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between anxiety and health literacy in those participating in premarital counseling classes in Mashhad. Methods: The present research was a descriptive-analytical study that was conducted in 2019 on 400 individuals participating in premarital classes in comprehensive health centers in Mashhad. Of all men and women participating in premarital classes of Mashhad comprehensive health centers, 400 people were randomly selected from each center (relative to the number of people in each center in the last six months). Data collection tools were the Demographic Information Questionnaire, Beck Standard Anxiety Questionnaire, and Health Literacy Questionnaire for Iranian Adults (HELIA). Data were analyzed using SPSS v. 23 software by Man-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, correlation, and regression tests. Results: In this study, 38.8% of participants were male and 61.2% were female. The Mean±SD age of participants was 26.8±14.17 years, the Mean±SD age of men and women was 27.8±7.2 and 25.8±2.5 years, respectively. According to the Beck Anxiety Questionnaire, anxiety scores ranged from zero to 63 and the Mean±SD anxiety was 29.04±8.3. The Mean±SD anxiety of men was 27.7±7.8 and the Mean±SD anxiety of women was 29.8±8.5. The mean score of anxiety in women was higher than men. In general, about 35% of the participants in the study suffered from some degree of anxiety and there was a significant relationship between anxiety and health literacy of the participants (P>0.001). There was also a significant relationship between gender and anxiety, and there was a significant relationship between health literacy and education, but no significant relationship was observed in other variables. Conclusion: Considering the importance of the role of health literacy in improving community health and controlling anxiety in the peace and stability of couples' future lives, there is a need for planning to teach anxiety management in couples, especially women, given that men suffer more from anxiety than women.


Purpose: To compare the effect of oxytocin plus misoprostol versus oxytocin or misoprostol alone in reducing blood loss at ceasarean section. Methods: This randomized control study included 126 primigravida patients undergoing lower segment cesarean section under spinal anesthesia and fulfilling selection criteria. Patients were randomly allocated to one of the three groups to receive 20 IU infusion of oxytocin (Group-O), 400 μg sublingual Misoprostol tablet (Group-M) or 200μg Misoprostol tablet plus 10 IU infusion of oxytocin (Group-M+O) after delivery. The main outcome measures-Blood loss, Heamoglobin values measured both before and 24 hr following surgery, adverse effects were recorded. Results: There Mean blood loss during surgery was significantly less in combined lower doses of oxytocin plus misoprostol in compared to using higher doses of oxytocin and misoprostol alone (p<0.001). Mean haemoglobin changes significantly less in M+O group in compared to other group(P<0.001). Conclusion: The combined use of lower dose of oxytocin plus misoprostol significantly decrease the amount of blood loss during and after cesarean section and minimal side effects compared to higher dose of oxytocin and misoprostol alone.


Abstrcat According to the investigative and data available, the situation of agricultural natural disasters in recent years in Jiangxi province is analyzed. Especially the characteristics, affected area and the loss of meteorological hazard, such as drought, flood and agricultural and biological hazard are studied. Also, the countermeasures against the mentioned hazards are put forward.


The immature stages of 'Borbo impar lavinia' (Waterhouse) from the Northern Territory are described. 'Panicum maximum' Jacq. and 'Pennisetum pedicellatum' Trin. (both Poaceae) are recorded as larval food plants.


Bio-metric observations recorded in the field trial conducted at the Agricultural College and Research Institute. Madurai to study the effect of plant density and mode of nitrogen application on Deccan hybrid maize were subjected to a path coefficient analysis to study the cause and effect of the yield attributes on the grain yield. The three yield attributes viz.. grain number per cob. length of cob and 1000 grain weight exhibited posi tive and highly significant correlation with grain yield. Of these 1000 grain weight had the maximum direct effect while the length of cob. the grain number per cob had their influence on the yield through 1000 grain weight.


The electrical and superconducting properties of metallic films, obtained by condensation of molecular beams on a substrate cooled to the temperature of liquid helium, are examined. Such films have a fine crystalline disordered structure or are amorphous. This results in an appreciable change in properties and, in some cases, it leads to the appearance of a qualitatively new state. The effect of intercrystallite scattering on the electrical resistance of polycrystalline films, the relation between electrical resistance and the coordination structure of amorphous films, the change in T/sub c/ with dispersity and disorder of the structure, the effect of fluctuations on T/sub c/, and the increase in the critical magnetic field with increasing distortion of the structure are discussed.


Sir .—The editorial by Dr Helfer 1 about primary care and related issues needs to be challenged. In its first section, "Primary Care: A Means to an End?" a question is posed: "When pediatricians provide primary care, are they practicing their specialty or making a living, thereby permitting them to practice their specialty at a later time?" His answer discusses this problem from the focus of the pediatrician. He sees it "as it is, ie, a means to an end, a way to make a living on our fee-for-service system...." Pediatrics is, first and foremost, primary care of children. It is the daily humdrum attention to all sorts of problems, many of which the pediatrician believes to be trivial and mundane. But these problems are not trivial and mundane to the child and the child's family who need attention. They believe these problems to be important or they would not


The probability density of phase angles for structures with one or more atoms on known positions ISim (1959) Acta Cryst 12, 813-818] is expressed in terms of normalized diDerence-slruclure factors, and used to calculate standard deviations of phases and expectation values for amplitudes (\Er\) of the normalized difference structure factors. Numerical results are tabulated for various values of £', а г к і ¿"г· -the minimum and maximum \Er\ value a given reflection can have. Applications to the DIRDIF procedures [van den Hark, Prick & Beurskens (1976). Acta Cryst A32, 816-821] are described. New applications are the cal culation of the a priori probability density function for i£rl values, and a statistical method for the detection of a centre of symmetry in the remaining part of the structure For the statistical method, a centncity parameter, Xc, which is unity for centric and zero for acentric distributions, is defined, for the difference structure. Л*,is calculated by an iterative procedure, extrapolating towards zero contribution of the known part of the structure Numerical results for 13 test structures are given


A long web span supported by many, regularly spaced, alternating air-bars is studied. The focus is on the lateral forces on the web due to the interaction of lateral curvature with out-of-plane deflections. The effect of stretching of the elastic web material is included, and the effect of high web speed is handled by distinguishing between the tension in the material T mat and the apparent tension T app =T mat -μυ 2 . The governing partial differential equations for a continuous representation of the web 's lateral deflection, stability, and control is developed for both straight and cambered webs. The dimensionless parameters for web-tension effect, web-camber effect, and stretching effect are identified. The influence of tilted air-bars is studied, towards developing a control mechanism to compensate for camber.


A laboratory parametric study utilizing cyclic triaxial tests was performed to clarify the effects of nonplastic fines on the liquefaction susceptibility of sands. Studies previously published in the literature have reported what appear to be conflicting results as to the effects of silt content on the liquefaction susceptibility of sandy soils. The current study has shown that if the soil structure is composed of silt particles contained within a sand matrix, the resistance to liquefaction of the soil is controlled by the relative density of the soil and is independent of the silt content of the soil. For soils whose structure is composed of sand particles suspended within a silt matrix, the resistance to liquefaction is again controlled by the relative density of the soil, but is lower than for soils with sand-dominated matrices at similar relative densities. In this case, the resistance to liquefaction is essentially independent of the amount and type of sand. These findings suggest the need for further evaluation of the effects of nonplastic fines content upon penetration resistance, and the manner in which this relationship affects the simplified methods currently used in engineering practice to evaluate the liquefaction resistance of silty soils.


Roads have become an integral part of our society, but recently society has begun to realize the ecological impact that roads have on their surroundings. One major effect that roads have on large mammals is creating a barrier to movement of individuals both between and within populations. In an effort to alleviate this problem on a new interstate project, the North Carolina Department of Transportation constructed 2 8 x 8 ft (2.4 x 2.4 m) concrete box culverts on I-26 in Madison County, North Carolina, intended for use by North American black bears (Ursus americanus). Black bears have been observed using a variety of crossing structures, and it is not known what type of design best suits their needs. To determine the effectiveness of these crossing structures, each culvert's wildlife activity was recorded by Cuddeback digital still cameras. In addition, digital video data were captured at one of the culverts and sampled to detect wildlife use of the culvert. From these data, detection probabilities and an overall estimate of wildlife use were calculated. Wildlife crossings at other structures along the roadway were also recorded, specifically at culverts built to carry streams under the interstate. Also, still cameras were installed at a few likely crossing locations along the roadway in an attempt to capture black bear presence adjacent to the roadway. Lastly, local residents were solicited for their crossing observations. Data were collected for at least a year, with some cameras running over a year. During that time 1,715 pictures were taken by the still cameras, and 152 clips of animal activity were collected from the video data. Black bears were detected or reliably reported along I-26 12 times, twice inside Culvert 2. A black bear was detected crossing the road at Culvert 2 4 times, with 1 instance resulting in a bear-fatal vehicle collision. A geographic information system (GIS) model was created to locate areas of possible high black bear movement in Madison County. While the primary goal was to evaluate the location of the culverts and predict bear crossing locations along the I-26 roadway, a secondary goal was to create a tool that could be used to aid in the placement of black bear crossing structures on future roads in the southern Appalachian Mountains. The general concept of the model is that every landscape variable included influences black bear movement to a certain degree, either in a positive or negative manner. To determine each variable's weight, a group of black bear researchers with experience in the southern Appalachian Mountains was surveyed. The weights of all variables were added together to determine total bear movement values for each cell of the map. The map produced by combining the weights for all factors contained values ranging from –317 to 239, with negative values representing areas that impede black bear movement, and positive areas representing areas that promote it. Most of the cells contained positive values (385,973 cells); only 81,066 cells (17.35% of all cells) contained negative values. Black bear movement locations were collected along I-26 in order to validate the model. Values for the known bear locations were significantly different from the entire set of movement values (Chi square = 25.78, p = 0.002218, df = 9), and significantly different from the movement values within 1640.42 ft (500 m) of I-26 (Chi square = 47.12, p = 3.75 e to the -7 power, df = 9). Visually comparing the 2 sets of values indicated that most of the area near the interstate deterred bear movement, and bears chose locations with more positive movement values to actually move through. Bears have been detected in the area of the crossing structures, but have been rarely detected in them. This indicates that they are placed in fairly appropriate locations, which the GIS model confirms. However, wildlife use of crossing structures is thought to be influenced by a myriad of other factors, including human use, vehicle traffic levels, structure design, and wildlife fencing. Two factors can be addressed in an attempt to improve the crossing rates of black bears through the culverts on I-26: human use of the structures and the lack of wildlife fencing. Human use of the culverts could be discouraged by hanging signs and educating the public. Extending wildlife fencing from the culvert entrances could increase bear use of the culverts by funneling bears to the culverts to cross under the interstate.


The purpose of this project is to specify the main factors that affect the students´ oral proficiency of Advanced Intensive English I courses, during semester II of the year 2007 at the Foreign Language Department at the University of El Salvador. So the importance of this study lies on the following facts: Firstly, the students attending the Advanced Intensive English I courses must have an obstinate longing of surpassing focus on the oral proficiency learning. Secondly, the students need the help for overcoming their oral proficiency problems when using English. This task can be taken by the researchers to help the students using a different bilingual place for encouraging students to practice English. And, finally, with the help of audio-visual and pedagogical resources, researchers will facilitate support to students to speak and learn English in a better way. With these activities, researchers will make further students become competent by giving them possible and effective solutions to the main factors that affect their speaking proficiency


Internet of things is a system consists of actuators or sensors or both that provides connectivity to the internet directly or indirectly. Internet of Things (IoT) advances can be used in smart farming to enhance quality of agriculture. Agriculture, the backbone of Indian economy, contributes to the overall economic growth of the country. But our productivity is very less as compared to world standards due to the use of obsolete farming technology, and nowadays people from rural areas migrate to an urban area for other profitable businesses, and they can't focus on agriculture. Innovation in farming is not new but IoT is set to push smart farming to next level Internet of things is a system consists of actuators or sensors or both provides connectivity to the internet directly or indirectly. This paper includes various features like detection of leaf disease, server based remote monitoring system, Humidity and temperature sensing, Soil the Moisture Sensing etc. It makes use of sensors networks for measurement of moisture, temperature, and humidity instead of manual check. Various Sensors are deployed in various locations of farms, to control all these sensors it has been used one controller called Raspberry PI (RPI). Leaf disease can be detected camera interfacing with RPI. Immediate status of a farm like a leaf disease and other environmental factors affecting crop like humidity, temperature and moisture is send using WIFI Server through RPI to the farmers. The paper presents the study of IOT techniques to engross the use of technology in Agriculture.


PSTM Abstracts Supplement B rast A bsracts days). Four patients (1.6%), who either were deemed to be high risk for VTE or had an indication for anticoagulation (ie, significant flap thrombosis), were placed on subcutaneous enoxaparin that continued for at least 2 weeks after discharge. The cohort's average Caprini score was 6.0 (range 2–10), with 72.7% of patients scoring between 3 and 6, and 26.5% scoring 7 or higher. One patient (0.4%), who scored a 7 and received prophylaxis only while hospitalized developed DVT postoperatively in the left femoral and popliteal veins. There were no cases of pulmonary embolism. There was no significant difference in VTE rate between patients who received chemoprophylaxis consistent with American Society of Plastic Surgeons guidelines (0%, n = 8) and those who did not (0.4%, n = 241) (P = 0.856).


Within the development of the deep convolutional neural network, the great achievements had been made in the single-image super-resolution (SISR) task. However, the higher performance always comes with the deeper layers which also brings larger numbers of network operations and parameters that make it hard to implement in practice. In our work, a lightly super-resolution, named Mobile Share- Source Network (MSSN), is purposed to address these practical issues. In MSSN, a high-efficiency block, the mobile adaptive weighted residual unit, is designed to fulfill the need for the reduction in both parameters and the Mult-Adds while maintaining the performance with importing the deep separable convolution. Moreover, it brings into the Adaptive Weighted Share-Source Skip Connection, getting abundant information from the shallow layer which helps reconstruct better images. The experimental results show that our network has fewer numbers of parameters and operations than the state-of-the-art lightweight network while maintaining high reconstruction quality comparing with many state-of-the-art super-resolution methods in terms of both peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) and structural similarity index metrics (SSIM).


This essay explores one of Jesus' parables, arguably his most complex: that of the dishonest steward. The emphasis here is on the charges against the steward. The facts that only Luke includes this parable and that he uses a verb found only here to express the steward's supposed wrongdoing raise pivotal questions. What motivates those who have brought the charges? What choices for defending and protecting himself does the steward consider? Does the owner's call for accountability preserve his reputation of honor? Complex relationships existed between owners, stewards, and tenants in Roman-occupied agrarian settings. The probability that the steward is irresponsible or derelict in his duties rather than guilty of immoral or criminal actions significantly affects how other elements of this parable are understood.


This paper proposes an air-gap applied adiabatic line for a coaxial transmission line. The adiabatic characteristics with excellent microwave transmission were simulated in terms of the S-parameter and the heat transfer of coaxial lines with a finite-element-method-based tool for the adiabatic microwave design. The detailed design scheme of the air-gap adiabatic line is presented and its performance is evaluated. The adiabatic efficiency associated with microwave feature was analyzed by a resistive equivalent circuit model of the line. We made a stainless steel air-gap adiabatic line that had about 11 times greater thermal resistance than that of a gapless coaxial line, a beryllium copper line, with the increment of just 0.4-dB insertion loss. We also propose a solution to improve the low-frequency transmission of an air-gap adiabatic line with a tunable ground wire for broad-band feature.


The identity of Echinogammarus thoni is discussed and a redescription is given based on topotypic material. Comparative descriptions are given of E. cyrtus n. sp. and E. antalyae G. Karaman, new rank, that hitherto have been confused with E. thoni.


This study analyzed the composition and distribution of the macrozoobenthos of the soft soils of the Far Eastern Marine Biosphere Reserve. Found 176 species, classified in six groups: Polychaeta, Bivalvia, Gastropoda, Cumacea, Isopoda, Echinodermata. The greatest variety of typical for polychaete worms (67 species) and bivalves (48 species). Found that the coefficient of variation in the ratio of the number of major taxonomic groups for soft ground of sublittoral reserve (1.02) is slightly higher than for water areas with domination of the soft soils in northern latitudes (area of Spitsbergen and the North Sea), and is closer to that of the bays and coves of the South China Sea and the North-East coast of Australia.


1. Abstract The effective application of shape optimization procedures based on the FEM to engineering problems requires a fully integration of concepts and sofwate modules for geometric modelling, finite element analysis, sensitivity analysis, minimization procedures, mesh generation, updating and distortion control. In this sense, the central concept for the connection and communication among all the modules is the velocity fields presented in the expressions of shape sensitivity analysis of the performance functionals. The sensitivity expressions do not manipulate directly the shape design variables but just their respective velocity fields. Therefore, the sensitivity expressions impose theoretical requirements to the velocity field format. The geometric description must provide a general and reusable rule for the determination of the velocity fields. The mesh boundary must always coincide with the geometric boundary along the optimization steps. This work presents an effective integration of the previous concepts. A 3D linear hyperelastic shape optimization problem will be considered to illustrate the features of the algorithms presented.