Author(s): Broughton, James Paul | Advisor(s): Pasquinelli, Amy | Abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNA) are critical regulators of development, cell differentiation, and the stress response. Mature miRNAs are small (~22 nucleotides) RNA molecules that post-transcriptionally regulate their targets by acting as guides for Argonaute (AGO) proteins. Despite the importance of these small RNAs in many pathways, the rules of miRNA target site recognition remain unclear. Currently, nucleotides 2-8 of the miRNA, termed the 'seed' sequence, are known to be critical for miRNA targeting. However, it is unclear if families of miRNAs, which share the same seed sequence, functionally target the same target sites. To improve our understanding of miRNA targeting, I generated a unique and reproducible dataset through the ligation of miRNAs to their target sites using individual nucleotide-resolution crosslinking and immunoprecipitation (iCLIP) in the nematode worm Caenorhabditis elegans, which is detailed in Chapter 2. As reviewed in Chapter 3, these ligated RNAs, called miRNA-target chimeras, provide biochemical evidence of which miRNAs are bound at a specific target site. Chapter 4 details my analysis of these chimeric data. Interestingly, the majority of miRNA target sites had the potential to support 3' end interactions. In contrast to my prediction that these highly related miRNAs would bind the same sets of targets, family members from multiple miRNA families primarily targeted specific sets of transcripts. To confirm the importance of the 3' end in vivo, I carried out in vivo rescue experiments that demonstrate that seed pairing is insufficient to mediate targeting in the absence of additional complementarity to nucleotides in the 3' end of the miRNA. To confirm that 3' end interactions direct binding specificity, I developed a novel method called ChimeraPCR (ChimP) that allowed for the detection of miRNA-target chimeras without the need for analyzing sequencing datasets.To understand the role of AGO proteins in regulating lifespan in C. elegans, I generated several genetic tools, which are described in Chapter 5. These tools facilitated studies of how the highly related AGO proteins, ALG-1 and ALG-2, have opposing roles in controlling lifespan.


NASA is set to begin a series of quiet supersonic research flights off the coast of Texas near Galveston to test ways to measure the community's response to a unique acoustic experience.


ABSTRACT In this paper, the effects of hydrogen-blended LPG on performance, combustion, and emission behavior of mahua oil-fueled dual fuel engine were experimentally investigated and presented. Mahua oil (pilot fuel) was directly injected into the cylinder during compression stroke and gaseous fuels LPG and HLPG (primary fuel) was inducted into the intake manifold during suction stroke of the engine with variable flow rates such as 1,2,3, and 4 lpm (liter per minute) at 1-lpm interval. The investigation was carried out on diesel engine at speed of 1500 rpm with 3.7 kW rated power output. The following inferences were made from the experimental investigation. Brake thermal efficiency of the engine decreases for alternate fuel (neat mahua oil) mode of operation compared to conventional diesel fuel operation. On the other hand, brake thermal efficiency of neat mahua oil increases from 28% with single fuel operation to 29.3% under 5 lpm LPG dual fuel operation. Further improvement in brake thermal efficiency is noted when 1 lpm hydrogen is mixed with LPG flow. Eighty-three percent reduction in HC emission is observed for 11 lpm HLPG compared with 10 lpm LPG. Massive reduction in smoke formation is perceived for both LPG and HLPG flow rates. But NO emission is increased for both LPG and HLPG fuels compared to neat mahua oil. As a final point, the study abstracts that performance of the neat mahua oil-based compression ignition engine has been increased under dual mode by adding LPG and hydrogen.


Thirty-eight chemical and spectral characteristics were determined on humic acid (HA) fractions extracted successively with cold and hot 0.1 N NaOH from F and H horizons under six types of vegetative cover. Some HA properties were significantly affected by extract, with the hot alkali extraction yielding less aromatic and more immature HA fractions. HA properties were relatively unaffected by horizon of origin. Significant differences between sites were observed with respect to H%, S%, atomic H/C, total acidity, molecular weight distribution and IR absorption spectra. Correlation and multiple regression analysis indicated relationships between properties, and suggested that some spectral absorption characteristics may be predicted from chemical composition, and that certain features of composition, related to aromaticity, can be predicted from easily determined spectral characteristics.


Although the loss of Pinus palustris P. Mill. (longleaf pine) dominated communities and the alteration of the presettlement fire regimes have been documented, there is little information on the ecology of the presettlement lower Coastal Plain forests of the southeastern United States. We used 12 637 witness trees, which were recorded by General Land Office surveyors between 1820 and 1846, to identify presettlement witness tree associations and to explore witness tree – environmental variable relationships. Detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was used to identify three witness tree associations including a Pinus spp. – Quercus marilandica (L.) Muenchh. association, a Quercus spp. – Carya spp. association, and a Persea spp. – Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. association. Canonical correspondence analysis and contingency tables were used to describe and test witness tree relationships with slope, elevation, and soil drainage. Additionally, bearing distances, used as an indicator of forest density, were compared a...


Surface dissolution is one of the surface modification methods which has been used prior to the flotation process to improve minerals flotability. In this study, the effect of surface dissolution has been investigated on isotherm and adsorption kinetics of sodium oleate as a collector on the surface of ilmenite, olivine-pyroxene and quartz. Conditioning time, pH, temperature, activation energy, specific area and contact angle were the parameters which were studied before and after surface dissolution. The results of adsorption isotherms of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin, and kinetic models of elovich, lagergerin and pseudo second-order showed that the collector adsorption on the minerals surfaces can be well described by Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second-order kinetic model. The collector adsorption on the minerals surfaces is occurred mainly based on adsorption capacity from solution and single layer. Results indicated that the surface dissolution increases of the collector adsorption on ilmenite surface while decreasing it in gangue minerals. Also, the activation energy of ilmenite is reduced form 57255.4 J/mol to 42437.9 J/mol after surface dissolution which indicates a more favorable collector adsorption on ilmenite. Furthermore, after surface dissolution the activation energies of quartz and olivine-pyroxene are increased from 5746.5 J/mol to 5816.5 J/mol, and from 8326.6 J/mol to 12523.3 J/mol, respectively. Results of contact angle measurements showed that the contact angle of ilmenite is increased and while it is decreased in gangue minerals after surface dissolution. These results were in good agreement with the results of UV-Vis spectroscopy, collector adsorption and ICP analysis.


Aims: Assess the relationship between job satisfaction and feeling of hopelessness among dental academicians. Settings and Design: Cross sectional study was conducted among dental academicians across India through email and social media using a pretested questionnaire. Methods and Materials: An Internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among dental academicians via social media and electronic mail (e-mail) throughout India. Demographics, credentials and job satisfaction across five dimensions (working conditions, pay and promotional potential, work relationships, use of skills and abilities and work activities) were rated on a 5-point Likert scale and a sense of hopelessness was assessed using Brief-H-Neg scale. The results were collected using self-reported Google forms. Bivariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the risk towards hopelessness, and the relationship between job satisfaction and hopelessness was assessed using student's t-test. Results and Conclusion: The mean hopelessness score among dissatisfied faculty was 8.5 and among satisfied was 5.6 (P < 0.05). Tutors, assistants and associate professors with salary of INR <50000/month were highly dissatisfied (P < 0.05), and those willing to quit reported significantly lesser hopelessness compared to no/maybe. Regarding job satisfaction, greater hopelessness was reported with poor work relationships, poor working conditions and poor pay and promotional opportunities (P < 0.05). Dental academicians in India are highly dissatisfied with their career as a full-time teaching faculty. Willingness to quit has a positive effect on hopelessness, depicting the stress faculties experience in institutions. Job satisfaction among academicians plays a vital role in the student's dental learning experience and dissatisfaction will have huge ramifications on the quality of dental education and future graduates in India.


The author explores how the relational approach, which is prevalent in psychotherapy, can be applied to organizational consulting in which the client system is often so much more complex than in on...


We develop a theory of optimal estate taxation in a model where bequest inequality is driven by differences in parental altruism. We show that a wide range of results are possible, from positive taxes to subsidies, depending on redistributive objectives implicit in the cardinal specification of utility and social welfare functions. We propose a normalization that is helpful in classifying these different possibilities. We isolate cases where the optimal policy bans negative bequests and taxes positive bequests, features present in most advanced countries.


Aims Over the last decade, there have been significant developments in the use of simulation for undergraduate medical education. Despite simulation's diverse applications across the medical school curriculum, it has thus far been underutilised within psychiatry teaching. Psychiatric simulation can support students to develop strategies to elicit psychopathology, de-escalate an aggressive patient or perform a risk assessment. Such experiences can be difficult to encounter during clinical placements and may expose a student or patient to an unacceptable level of risk. We have therefore developed an immersive simulation course that aims to enhance undergraduate psychiatry training. Method Our course was developed by medical education faculty and psychiatry staff. The course handbook includes storyboards, patient scripts and debrief guidelines. Clinical scenarios are mapped to university intended learning outcomes and include; conducting a risk assessment for a patient with emotionally unstable personality disorder and comorbid depression, managing a manic patient in the Emergency Department and assessing a patient with obsessive-compulsive disorder who has developed skin damage due to hand washing. The one-day course is delivered to groups of 4-8 students from the Universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh during their placements in NHS Lanarkshire. The course takes place in a simulation suite and is facilitated by psychiatrists and medical education faculty. Students each take the lead role during a clinical scenario in which they will encounter a simulated patient. Live video from the simulation is broadcast to other candidates. Scenarios last 10-15 minutes with a 20-30 minute group debrief immediately afterwards. The debrief utilises the PEARLS framework (Promoting Excellence and Reflective Learning in Simulation) and provides the opportunity for peer and facilitator feedback, as well as discussions regarding mental state examination, diagnosis and management. Result Qualitative and quantitative feedback has been collected via an anonymous electronic post-course questionnaire. To date, the course has received universally positive feedback. 93% of candidates rated the overall quality of the course as a learning experience as 'excellent'. Students reported that the course helped them develop communication skills which they could apply to future clinical situations. In addition, candidates felt participation had increased their confidence in taking a psychiatric history and performing a risk assessment. Conclusion Immersive simulation is an underutilised tool in psychiatry education. Our course complements the existing educational programme of lectures and ward-based teaching and has been positively received. It provides the opportunity for students to develop interview techniques and communication skills in a safe, controlled environment.


The iodine distribution of finely divided blades of Laminaria (mitsuishi-kombu, ma-kombu, and cultured ma-kombu) was studied by an electrochemical detector with an IRICA RP-18T (reverse phase ODS) column using samples subjected to alkali combustion. In the case of Mitsuishi-kombu (Laminaria angustata), iodine contents were relatively high in the basal parts. Iodine contents in on sample of Ma-kombu (Laminaria japonica) were found to be high in the upper parts, while those of other samples were considerably high in the basal parts. In cultured Ma-konbu (Laminaria japonica) while those of other samples central parts contained more iodine than other parts. The sums of iodine contents obtained from the divided samples were 230-340mg/100g in Mitsuishi-kombu, 130-289mg/100g in Ma-kombu, and 180-245 mg/100g in the cultured Ma-kombu, respectively.


ABSTRACT Care homes for older people attract human rights discourse. This has intensified during the Covid-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected care home communities with various human rights ramifications. Activist scholarship in human rights can contribute to the protection and realisation of the rights of people living, working in and visiting care homes through high-quality research. This article reports the findings of an analysis of pre-pandemic scholarship that explored the ways authors approached the topic of human rights of older people in care homes. The aim was to produce a typology of approaches to the topic as a basis for critical reflection and as a starting point for future activist scholarship in gerontology, social policy and law. Reflexive thematic analysis of 23 international English-language peer-reviewed articles published between 1998 and March 2019 was undertaken. Analysis was framed in the context of the health and social care setting of England. The article reports the pertinent and common assumptions that care homes are 'inherently risky' places for the protection of the human rights of 'vulnerable' care home residents. The article highlights five types of approaches: the anti-institutional, the legalistic, the care quality, the equality approach, and the issue-based approach.


Measurements of gas/surface energy accommodation using the vibrating surface method have been augmented by experiments which use an infrared sensing technique, rather than a thermocouple, to measure surface temperature. In contrast to previous results no surface temperature rises were detected that can be attributed to gas/surface energy accomodation. A numerical model was developed to simulate the energy flow near the surface of a solid oscillating in a rarified gas. The numerical simulation includes energy exchange between the gas and surface, radiative exchange between the surface and the chamber, and conduction into the solid. Conduction of energy into the solid dominates the surface thermal balance and damps the surface temperature rise due to gas/surface energy exchange to microdegree levels, well below the sensitivity of conventional temperature sensing techniques. Differences between our data and previously reported results are discussed.


Abstract Objective  The objective of our study is to determine if human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive pregnant patients have a higher rate of group B streptococcus (GBS) rectovaginal colonization compared with HIV-negative pregnant patients. Study Design  Our study is a multi-site retrospective study performed at Ochsner Louisiana State University-Health Shreveport and Monroe campuses including patients who delivered between December 2011and June 2019. Rates of GBS rectovaginal colonization between HIV-positive pregnant patients were compared with a control group of HIV-negative patients. The control group was age and race matched in a 2:1 fashion. The primary outcome was to investigate rates of GBS rectovaginal colonization. Secondary outcomes included GBS culture antibiotic sensitivities, presence of GBS urinary tract infection, GBS positivity based on HIV viral load, and GBS positivity based on new vs established diagnosis of HIV. Continuous data were analyzed using an unpaired t -test, and categorical data were analyzed using a Chi-squared test. The probability level of <0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results  A total of 225 patients were included in the final analysis, 75 HIV-positive and 150 HIV-negative controls. Demographic differences were noted. HIV-positive patients were more likely to deliver preterm and were more likely to deliver via cesarean section. Our primary outcome showed no significant differences in incidence of GBS colonization between HIV-positive patients and control group ( n  = 31, 41.3% vs n  = 46, 30.6%, p  = 0.136). Antibiotic resistance patterns showed no significant difference between the two groups. There were no significant differences in GBS positivity based on HIV viral load. Conclusion  Our study does not show a statistically significant difference in the incidence of GBS colonization between HIV-positive patients and HIV-negative controls. Key Points HIV-positive pregnant patients do not have an increased risk of GBS rectovaginal colonization. HIV-positive pregnant patients have similar rates of GBS colonization regardless of viral load. GBS antibiotic sensitivities are similar in HIV-positive and HIV-negative pregnant patients.


For improving contact strength of the thick-walled cellular solid with irregular pores structures, which is used in high temperature self-compensating lubricating environment, a concept of relative porosity ratio αi was proposed to describe the proportion of the porosity φi of the each shape pores in the materials to the total porosity φ of the materials. The results show that the characteristic value of αi, the distribute radius and regularity as well as the orientation of pores affected the contact strength strongly. The cracks phenomenon of the materials was also observed by experiments.


This paper describes an approach to create a virtual help assistant for artists working in the Visual Effects (VFX) industry. Having a virtual help assistant will have a beneficial impact on VFX production by increasing artists productivity and reducing workload on supporting parts of VFX pipeline (e.g. TDs, pipeline, IT support). This project leverages recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies and aims to provide natural communication with artists, mainly by combining neural machine translation, speech recognition, speech synthesis, emotion recognition, gaze attention and a natural language toolkit. In order to have a natural conversation, the virtual assistant needs to react naturally to both VFX-related requests and general conversation requests, which are not related with VFX. The main challenge is to build a pipeline, connecting all the individual parts mentioned in the abstract to a lowlatency workflow. An artist should interface the whole system through an avatar, which will feel naturally and easy to communicate with.


Because of the Spring Festival effect, it's hard for traditional methods to predict monthly electricity consumption in January and February. This paper presents a specialized subsection-model which can better reflect the situation to solve this problem. In terms of the holiday condition, the model divides the days of the two months into two parts: the usual electricity days and holiday electricity days. In addition, an algorithm is proposed to estimate the parameters of the subsection-model according to data distribution. The data of similar situation are rare because the date of Spring Festival is different every year, the algorithm overcomes this difficulty. Experiments conducted on real dataset prove the proposed model is effective and accurate.


In the case of industrial concerns, the concept of quality has, for some time, been well established. In so far as the transport sector is concerned, the concern over quality has gained importance only during the last few years. This development can be traced back to the competition-induced growth in demand for quality in all spheres of life, thus also making its impact on the services and products offered by the Public Transport sector. Correspondingly, customers and the EIU (Railway Infrastructure Companies) and EVU (Rail Carriers) are increasingly faced with the need to more clearly define future tasks and responsibilities within the context of quality. The DIN EN 13816 document offers the necessary guidance. This report introduces the DIN document and explains - with the help of various examples - its significance in so far as the services of the Public Transport sector are concerned.


This Community Service activity is understanding English terms during the Covid-19 pandemic to Teachers and Students of the Raudhatul Ulum Riduan Education Foundation, Hamlet XII, Celawan Village, Pantai Cermin District, Serdang Bedagai Regency. As it is known that in early March 2020, the Corona Virus (Covid-19) outbreak began to spread to Indonesia. The epidemic, which originally came from China, is an epidemic that spreads easily, so the WHO (World Health Organization) has issued many recommendations and instructions to the world to curb this epidemic. Because WHO is a world health organization, the terms issued are of course in English. For people in Indonesia, especially those who do not understand English, of course these terms sound foreign. Even though these terms contain important information and advice in this Covid-19 pandemic situation. The final goal to be achieved in this service is the understanding of teachers and students of these English terms so that they can fully implement the suggestions and instructions contained in these English terms.


This thesis sets out to address the question: How is Swedish history put forward as expected identification in history textbooks for the years of compulsory schooling and how did this change during ...


Supply Chain Agility is vital for organisations wanting to remain competitive in today's dynamic business environment. There is increasing interest in deploying Business Intelligence (BI) in the Supply Chain Management (SCM) context to improve Supply Chain (SC) agility. However, there is limited research exploring BI contributions to SC agility. In this research-in-progress paper we propose a model based on a conceptual analysis of the literature showing how BI can help organisations achieve SC Agility by supporting the key areas of SCM (plan, source, make, deliver, and return). In the next stage of this project, we will conduct a series of case studies investigating how organisations use BI when managing their SC activities and how BI contributes to SC Agility. The result of the study will help organizations deploy BI effectively to support SCM and improve SC agility.


SUMMARY The distribution of red cell potassium concentrations in ninety–one Jersey cows was examined, and shown to be consistent with two populations, a high (HK) and low (LK) type. In tracer potassium uptake experiments the HK type cells were shown to have a higher active K+ uptake, and lower passive K+ leak than LK type cells. Tests with the sheep anti–L antibody showed that the L–antigen system, which controls active potassium transport in sheep red cells does not appear to act in cattle red cells.


RETHIO Injection 100 mg is currently marketed as a medicinal drug composed of thiotepa, 1,1',1''-phosphorothioyltri-aziridine, for the pretreatment of autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in pediatric malignant solid tumors. Thiotepa is an antineoplastic alkylating agent and categorized as a highly potent compound. Also, since thiotepa is po-tentially carcinogenic and volatile, it is notified in the package insert that RETHIO should be handled carefully using containment systems and protective equipment to avoid exposure to the hazardous product. Japan, closed system drug transfer devices; for the preparation of antican-cer medical for application of CSTDs. this study to investigate the exposure to RETHIO by monitoring spilled and volatilized thiotepa from preparation of infusion bags using a CSTD to administration with tubing and a vent filter. As a result, no thiotepa was detected in the preparation process performed in accordance with an appropriate guideline and using CSTD, and the safety was also confirmed for the administration process. The other purpose to assess whether representative materials used in the preparation and administration were compatible with macrogol 400, the solvent of RETHIO. No issues for appearance and functionality were observed in the materials in contact with macrogol. In conclusion, no exposure risk to thiotepa was verified by appropriate operation of CSTDs from preparation to the administration process. Also, the functionality of apparatuses for preparation and administration for RETHIO was maintained for the expected operation time.


Intermediate cutting enhances the conversion function of Pinus yunnanensis stands and defense ability of that against Tomicus piniperda.Different levels of intermediate cutting intensities for the stands have different sustainable control effects of T. piniperda.The effect of sustainable control for T. piniperda is the most significant with less and moderate less intensity of intermediate cutting.The population of T. piniperda is higher in non intermediate cutting stands than that in intermediate stands.Suitable intermediate cutting adjusts many kinds of favorable factors in the ecosystem,creates better environment which is in favor of health growth of Pinus yunnanensis stands,and profits the biodiversity conservation of that.Consequently,it promotes positive cycle on stable natural control for P. yunnanensis stands against T. piniperda, and P. yunnanensis stands can be sustainable against T. piniperda.


Mineral retention and its relation to protein deposition was measured in 54 crossbreed pigs allocated to a control and two restricted (up to 50 or 80 kg BW) groups. Control pigs were continuously fed a basal diet (B) and restricted pigs, diet B mixed with 20% grass meal. During re-alimentation, previously restricted pigs were fed diet B up to 105 kg. The animals were slaughtered at 25, 50, 80 and 105 kg BW. The previously restricted pigs showed a compensatory response with regard to protein as well as P, Ca and Mg deposition. The reaction in both protein and minerals depended on the duration of previous restriction and was full only in the pigs restricted to 50 kg BW. According to an allometric equation, the mineral content increased faster ("b">1) than protein. Compensatory mineral gains in the body were closely related to protein gain and the daily mineral/protein deposition ratio was the same in all treatments.


Focusing on the real-time and interactive ability features in the Virtual Reality application, we propose a fracture pattern based on local fracture mechanism. Taking advantage of the experience analysis or the offline computation verified fracture characteristic, we abstract fracture patterns with physical reality and then apply it in pattern matching. The geometry model is constructed by octree allowing users to select local fracture region interactively. Finally, the experimental results show that the pre-fracture works well for the rigid body fracture, and the local fracture enables the interactivity and the visual reliability.


Summary. New strains of Paramecium quadecaurelia were found in Namibia, Africa. Previously, this species from the P. aurelia complex was known only from Australia, Emily Gap. Namibian strains were identified by mating reaction; their relationship with the Australian strain was studied by classical strain crosses (survival in F1 and F2 generations) and by comparison of cytosol-type hsp70 gene sequences. Phylogenetic trees of the Namibian and Australian strains of P. quadecaurelia and the other species of the P. aurelia complex were generated based on the maximum-likelihood method.


Bilateral variation of the semispinalis capitis muscle in a 48 year old male cadaver was encountered during routine dissectionin our department. A review of the literature reveals no additional reports of similar anomalies.


The paper establishes a five-degree-freedom 4WS nonlinear dynamics vehicle model,then analyzes it and compares with other models which have been established for proving the better dynamics response of it.It is a breakthrough for establishing 4WS model with the theory of "Newton Mechanics",the perfect physical analysis,which can not only establish detailed equations for each direction of motion,but also can get more accurate simulated results.It is of advantage for further research.


GaAs (001) surfaces in both metalorganic vapour phase epitaxy (MOVPE) and molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) are studied under As stabilisation as well as during growth by reflectance anisotropy spectroscopy (RAS). During MBE growth reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) measurements are performed simultaneously. As a consequence of the oscillating density of steps during island growth, time resolved RAS measurements show oscillations with monolayer periodicity in both epitaxial systems. In order to separate morphology related and surface reconstruction domain related contributions to RAS oscillations an anisotropic effective medium model is applied. In both MBE and MOVPE domains of reduced As coverage close to the island boundaries are found to be responsible for RAS oscillations. In MBE this typically results in oscillations between spectra belonging to (2 x 4) reconstructions of different mean As dimer density. In MOVPE the surface oscillates between states with an increased and a decreased concentration of Ga dimers while c(4 x 4)-like As dimers are still present.


A process for producing a thermal coupling of a temperature sensor (12) to an element (20) whose temperature is to be determined, wherein the temperature sensor (12) is arranged on a printed circuit board (14), • wherein between the temperature sensor (12) and the element (20) a heat conducting medium is disposed, • wherein a recess (26) is formed in the element (20), • wherein the recess (26) is at least partially covered with a flexible, compressible sheet (28) as the medium, the film (28) is designed as a fixed, resilient heat-conducting element with a predominantly flat extension, • wherein the temperature sensor (12) is pushed in a U-shape into the recess (26) taking along the foil (28) for thermally coupling, and • wherein the film ( 28) is contacted by at least two sides of a wall (38) of the recess (26).


As the normalization of the system of flue gas desulphurization in thermal power plants in China,for the influence of condensation water and flue gas running in positive pressure on the wet-desul-phurizing chimney,there have been more and more corrosion leakage incidents happening in the smoke emission inner caniste and such an adverse trend has been formed.Based on the survey of corrosion incident examples and introduction of the complexity and flexibility of flue gas after wet desulphurization,this paper presented design suggestions for newly erected chimney structural system selection as well as anti-seepage and anti-erosion scheme development so as to offer a reference for the standards constitutors and chimney designers.


The autobiographical preoccupation in contemporary Western bourgeois culture attests to mass society's threat to the individual, but can also constitute a challenge to this repression of selfhood. In a society that increasingly homogenizes, instrumentalizes, and thus eradicates selves, the autobiographical act provides, unless it isolates and fetishizes the subjective factor (narcissism) or the linguistic, textual moment (structuralism and post-structuralism), an arena for a concrete social critique, in which the negated self can . appropriate (life-)history and thereby make a first step toward coming to consciousness of itself as a potential subject. This work within the subject-object dialectic, firmly grounding the autobiographical author in the living continuum of history, is a work of remembrance: contravening reification and ahistoricity, it is subversive of all that which imposes anonymity and alienation and which thus prevents self-identity. The contemporary literary production in which this problem of non-identity is dramatized most unequivocally on both a theoretical and a life-historical level is Andr6 Gorz's autobiographical essay The Traitor. Triggered by his profoundly disturbing experience of his own non-existence as a concrete I human being, Gorzl s autobiographical attempt to constitute himself evinces two dialectical movements. ~evealing its I 1 author's broken subjectivity as a manifestation of objective reality, The Traitor unmasks how the principle of exchange--the 1


In a recent paper Al-Salam(1) has denned a fractional q-integral operator by the basic integral (1) Where α ≠ 0, −1, −2, …. Using the series definition of the basic integrals, (1·1) is written as valid for all α


We present a fast Hall effect measurement system that can be used at high temperature. The use of a homogeneous high field permanent magnet in a Halbach configuration allows fast measurements in various DC and AC current fields with step and continuous measurement modes. The results are presented of measurements on platinum film at room temperature and Ge and BiCuSeO between 300 K and 650 K.


The present invention relates to a method and circuit that can be driven by an inverter bridge commercial controller designed to be used with a two-level inverter bridge AC drive three or more levels. As the signal from the common induction motor controller or a two-level induction motor controller used in medium and high voltage applications, it is used to drive at least 12 or more switches in the three-level inverter bridge. Proper sequence and timing the switching of the at least three-level inverter bridge is based in part on the output of the magnetic flux and the torque control unit or voltage controller output, or a two-level control in the six pulse width modulators.


water potential of the surface when the toads terminated the WR averaged -1.43 + 0.82 atmospheres (ATM). If the water potential of the moist surface was initially reduced by saturating the tissue with urea solutions of 100, 250 and 500 mM, the percentage of trials in which the WR was observed decreased relative to trials with water-saturated tissues. The WR was not observed at the highest urea concentration, suggesting that toads are able to detect substrate water potential. If the feet were covered, toads placed on tissue saturated with 500 mM urea solutions remained on the tissue significantly longer than toads whose feet were able to contact the solution. Thus, sensory structures in the feet appear to be involved in the detection of substrate water potential. Associated with the WR toads demonstrated three characteristic behaviors: 1) moves, in which toads would systematically walk to different areas of the tissue and, periodically, stop before moving to the next area. On all but the 500 mM urea substrates the moves occurred after the WR had been displayed on successive areas of the tissue; 2) kicks, in which the toads would rub the hind feet over the surface of the ventral skin in order to remove particles adherent to the skin; and 3) settles, in which toads would laterally oscillate their entire bodies while demonstrating the WR. The latter behavior usually resulted in an increase in the area of skin in contact with the substrate. The area-specific rates of water gain from water-saturated tissues were similar to literature values reported for water gain by B. punctatus from free water.


I) treating parkinsonism de novo in a way that may be associated with a lower incidence of dyskinesia than levodopa monotherapy e.g. 02 selective agonists, A2a adenosine antagonists, combination of NOMA antagonists with levodopa. 2) Using an adjunctive therapy alongside dopamine replacement therapy to reduce established dyskinesia e.g. alpha-adrenergic receptor agonists, cannabinoid receptor antagonists, NMDA and metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists, histamine H3 agonists, mu opioid receptor antagonists.


Intelligent agents should have the ability to leverage knowledge from previously learned tasks in order to learn new ones quickly and efficiently. Meta-learning approaches have emerged as a popular solution to achieve this. However, meta-reinforcement learning (meta-RL) algorithms have thus far been restricted to simple environments with narrow task distributions. Moreover, the paradigm of pretraining followed by fine-tuning to adapt to new tasks has emerged as a simple yet effective solution in supervised and self-supervised learning. This calls into question the benefits of meta-learning approaches in reinforcement learning, which typically come at the cost of high complexity. We therefore investigate meta-RL approaches in a variety of vision-based benchmarks, including Procgen, RLBench, and Atari, where evaluations are made on completely novel tasks. Our findings show that when meta-learning approaches are evaluated on different tasks (rather than different variations of the same task), multi-task pretraining with fine-tuning on new tasks performs equally as well, or better, than meta-pretraining with meta test-time adaptation. This is encouraging for future research, as multi-task pretraining tends to be simpler and computationally cheaper than meta-RL. From these findings, we advocate for evaluating future meta-RL methods on more challenging tasks and including multi-task pretraining with fine-tuning as a simple, yet strong baseline. 1


Objective To investigate the effect of apoptosis of ovarian carcinoma cell line SKOV3 exposed to arsenic trioxide on telomerase activity. Methods The SKOV3 cells were collected respectively at 24 h,48 h,72 h after cultured with different concentrations of As2O3.The inhibitive rates of SKOV3 cells were determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay.The percentage of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry(FCM).Telomerase activity of ovarian carcinoma cells was determined by the method of TRAP-PAGE argentation. Results Cell growth of SKOV3 cells was inhibited and apoptosis was induced after cultured with different concentrations.Within 24 h,the telomerase activity of SKOV3 cells had no obvious change after cultured with different concentrations of As2O3,but apoptosis appeared with an apoptosis rate of 6.07%.Along with the prolong of treatment time,apoptosis rate gradually increased,and telomerase activity gradually descended.With the increase of drug concentration,telomerase activity also showed declining trends and even disappeared. Conclusion Telomerase activity may be related to the As2O3-induced SKOV3 apoptosis.However,the decrease of telomerase activity may not be an early event in the apoptotic cascade.


The work of making the power supply scheme dur-ing the business expansion is the key service of electric power sup-ply company. A tool system for the work of making the power sup-ply scheme based on geography information system(GIS)platformand information-sharing on the power grid is introduced. The de-sign requirement, the main function and the key technical detailsof the system are introduced. And the features of the system areanalysised based on the pilot application of the tool in Shaoxingpower supply company.


A method for terahertz frequency measurement by using unstabilized femtosecond laser is introduced. The frequency of repetition rate and beat signal are continuously measured by two frequency counters. The terahertz frequency can be calculated from the data with accuracy in the order of 10-10. Compare to the method by using stabilized femtosecond laser, the system is greatly simplified.


The paper establishes theoretical formulae for the predetermination of the mean d.c. voltage of a 6-phase gridcontrolled mercury-arc rectifier at large ignition angles. The formulae apply to all loads, from the highly inductive to the essentially non-inductive, and include all essential factors. An experimental investigation gives satisfactory evidence of their validity. This fuller theory proves that, strictly speaking, it is incorrect, in non-overlap cases, to allow for arc-drop by arithmetic subtraction. A selection of oscillograms is included which show smaller ignition angles than those generally accepted (a) for arc extinction, and (b) for the limiting angle between overlap and non-overlap on non-inductive loads.


. Hypothesis of the current work was that a sufficiently high stiffness of an external fixator minimizes the influence of fixator mounting on gap movement. Goal was to determine interfragmentary movement for different mounting planes of external fixators and correlate these in vivo findings to analytical predictions of gap movements from a computer model. Materials and Methods Two groups of six healthy female Merino sheep (two years, mean weight 77 kg, range 59 - 90 kg) received a standardized osteotomy of the right tibia (3 mm gap) under general anesthesia. For fracture stabilization, group 1 was supplied with a medially mounted AO mono-lateral fixator while in group 2 the identical fixator was mounted anterio-medially. Both fixators were constructed in an identical manner and consisted of three proximal and three distal Schanz' screws (O 5 mm), and two carbon fiber rods (O 10 mm). The distance between skin and inner rod was 5 mm. Additional Schanz' screws for measurements of gap movement were mounted proximally and distally to the fracture gap. These additional screws were not connected to the frame and served solely for measurement purposes. Limb loading was monitored pre- and postoperatively (Emed, Novel, Germany). Gap move- ments were recorded using reflective markers attached to the measurement screws and an infrared optical measurement system (PCReflex, Qualisys, Sweden). During gait, movements were recorded up to three times per week for a 3 weeks period (Fig. 1). The 3-D stiffness of the external fixator construct was determined in vitro using two cadaver tibiae (Zwick,


Nature and magnitude of genetic divergence assessed on thirty African marigold genotypes assembled from different geographical locations showed the presence of wide genetic diversity. The genotypes were grouped in to eight clusters based on Mahalanobis D2 statistics using Tocher's method. The clustering pattern of genotypes revealed that the genetic diversity was independent of the geographical diversity. Among the eight clusters, maximum numbers of genotypes were found in cluster IV and cluster VIII was mono genotypic. The maximum inter cluster distance was observed between cluster IV and III (D2 =30.76), closely followed by cluster IV and VIII (D2 =2.16). The cluster I revealed the least distance relationship with the cluster III ((D2 =2.16). Depending upon the mean value, the varieties like TE-5, TE-7, TE-6 and TE-13 can be used us parents in hybridization programme for the higher yield. As these genotypes have better means for yield and yield contributing characters and are placed in different clusters showing great genetic diversity.


The paper looks at the set of regulatory and infrastructural measures included in the Strategic Plan for Organising Cargo Transport Movement in Moscow, provides key results of the complex study of the cargo flows in the city, outlines terms of reference for development of the Strategic Plan, and concrete measures, contents of which are specified.


Succession planning for family farms is a complicated process, since the business is usually tied to the family home, heritage, and history. Family farming operations are also becoming larger, more valuable, and more complex to manage. Rol-Land Farms is a successful mushroom and specialty crop production and distribution company with 250 employees and annual sales of C$12M. Hank Vander Pol, the driving force behind Rol-Land for three decades, is considering retirement. The transition will not be easy. Three Vander Pol families are involved in the business and no obvious successor is in sight.


N is a novel field transforming traditional food sector into a dynamic and innovative food industry. The objective of this work was to evaluate the utilization efficiency of chitosan–pectin nanoparticles (CS/Pec NPs) in improving the production quality of some fried slices of vegetables and fruits (banana, potato and cassava) and the impact on the fried products' quality attributes (PQA) effects of (CS/Pec NPs) on Albino rats were monitored along 3 months via biochemical assays, liver histology and histochemical demonstration of glycogen. The obtained results showed that immersing in CS/Pec NPs solution as pre-frying treatment (for 1 min) showed to be an effective way to decrease acrylamide formation, oil uptake and malonaldehyde level in fried slices products to (46.95%, 35.32% & 1.22 mg/kg) for fried banana, (54.59%, 29.76% & 2.14 mg/kg) for fried potato and (49.62%, 4.95% & 1.98 mg/ kg) for fried cassava and improved the sensory and texture properties. Moreover, no recorded animal deaths throughout the 3 months of experiment. Rats fed with CS/Pec NPs treated fried banana, fried potato and fried cassava with revealed enhancements in hepatic tissue, restoration of glycogen in hepatocytes and significant improvements in biochemical parameters when compared with rats control group. Therefore, this paper may help food manufacturers to produce healthier fried food and to keep a better technological quality.


This article traces the history of communism in Belfast during 1945-62. Beginning with an assessment of the local Communist Party's strength and ambitions in the immediate post-war period, it examines rapid membership decline and deteriorating relations with the Northern Ireland Labour Party, suggesting these developments were exacerbated by the onset of the Cold War, internationally and domestically, and rising tensions relating to the Irish National Question in the late 1940s. It argues that communists were able to maintain their influence over industrial relations in Belfast, even as they adopted an increasingly anti-partitionist posture on the Irish 'National Question'. Indeed, the article shows that the Cold War, particularly in its domestic manifestation, directly reinforced the Communist Party's latent anti-partitionism.


Melanoma is one of the worst forms of skin cancers that should be detected early for proper treatment. Usually the dermatologists inspect lesion region via optical inspection but this method is time-consuming and error-prone. Furthermore, over the past few years, due to advent of Machine Learning (ML) based systems, the researchers have developed automatic skin cancer diagnosis techniques. However, they rely heavily on manual image segmentation and handcrafted feature extraction techniques. Moreover, the performance of these systems is also degraded due to hair, blood vessels, poor contrast and hazy tumor boundaries. In this paper, we propose a deep learning-(DL) based melanoma lesion segmentation framework using SegNet. The proposed technique is trained and evaluated on dermoscopic images taken from ISIC-2016. We also evaluated the performance of our proposed methodology on a cross data scenario using ISIC-2017 database. The performance of the proposed framework is evaluated using various evaluation metrics such as accuracy, precision, Intersection over Union (IoU) and recall. The proposed framework succeeded in achieving 89% accuracy and is robust to presence of artefacts such as blood vessels or hair. The experimental results demonstrate the robustness of the suggested melanoma lesion segmentation and classification method. Hence, the system can be deployed in clinical settings to automatically detect melanoma lesions from dermoscopic images.


I investigate the effects of de facto exchange rate regimes (ERRs) on exporters behavior in the particular case of two Small Island Developing States (Dominican Republic and Mauritius). We know that exchange rates are an important indicator of competitiveness for firms in international economic relations and the choice of ERR is heavily crucial for SIDS due to their specific situation. Based on a structural gravity model in panel over the period 1997-2014 at the firm-level, I find statistically significant results of de facto ERRs on some exporters behavior for firms specialised in raw materials. The results underline the presence of heterogeneous effects across countries and products on the exporting firms performance.


What an amazing host of new sights 2005 brought us. With impeccable choreography, one spacecraft sent an impactor slamming into a comet, reversing the traditional view of these space wayfarers by revealing it to be buried in deep drifts of a fine talcum-like powder. Another spacecraft delivered a probe from our European partners to the surface of Saturn's haze-shrouded moon Titan, disclosing a landscape eerily like Earth's, if we had methane rivers cascading down hillsides of ice. An orbiting observatory for the first time showed us the light from planets circling other stars, which astronomers previously knew to exist only from indirect clues. Throughout the year we also amassed continually expanding views of Earth as well as Mars, by far the most-explored planet after our own. In all, 18 spacecraft and five instruments were stationed across the solar system, studying our own world, other planets, comets and the deeper universe. These missions were enabled by the efforts of everyone at JPL. The Deep Space Network of communications complexes across three continents continued to experience a period of remarkable activity. Others were at work creating technologies both for NASA missions and other uses. JPL's contingent of scientific researchers was equally busy coordinating the science activities of our missions or pursuing independent investigations. None of this would be possible without the support of world-class business and administrative teams. All of our missions in one way or another support our nations Vision for Space Exploration, which envisages a gradually widening robotic and human presence across the solar system in the years ahead. The year was not without its challenges. NASA set forth to implement the Vision for Space Exploration, which resulted in some flight projects and technology efforts being terminated. To adjust to this new direction, it was necessary for us to reduce the JPL workforce by about five percent. Taking steps like this is painful, but we tried to make the process as orderly as possible. In the end, the adjustments made have left JPL on a healthy footing for the years ahead.


AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy of cefoperazone /sulbactam 2∶1 cefoperazone/sulbactam 1∶1 in treatment of lower respiratory tr act infections. METHODS: Multicenter open-label clinical trial was conducted. Fifty-four pat ients with lower respiratory tract infections were randomly divided into two gro ups. Twenty-seven patients (M 17, F 10; age (66±s 8)a) were treated with c efoperazone/sulbactam 2∶1, 3 g, iv, gtt, bid for 7-14 d. The other twenty-seve n patients (M 19, F 7; age (62±7)a) were treated with cefoperazone/sulbactam 1∶1 , 4 g, iv, gtt, bid for 7-14 d. The clinical efficacy, bacterial clearance and s afety were observed. RESULTS: The effective rate of cefoperazone/sulbactam 2∶1 was 85 %(13/ 27 inc luding cured 9 and significant improvement 4). The effective rate of cefoperazon e/ sulbactam 1∶1 was 85 % (13/ 27 including cured 6 and significant imrpovement 7) . The bacterial clearance rate was 94 % in group cefoperazone/sulbactam 2∶1 and 8 0 % in group cefoperazone/sulbactam 1∶1. The adverse reaction rate was 11 %(3/ 2 7) in group cefoperazone/sulbactam 2∶1 and 7 %(2/ 27) in group cefoperazone/sulbac tam 1∶1. CONCLUSION: The clinical efficacy between cefoperazone/sulbactam 2∶1 and cefo perazone/sulbactam 1∶1 is similar.


If those responsible realistically evaluate themselves in the light of these questions, they should come to the conclusion that there is drastic need for reform in their teacher-training practices. It is our belief that the major problem underlying the above questions is related to the way teacher-training institutions have neglected human learning experiences for prospective teachers; that is, they have failed to recognize that teaching is primarily concerned with human beings interacting with each other in a very human process. The role of teacher as answer giver or cultural transmitter is no longer relevant; this renaissance concept of a teacher must be changed to meet the more human needs of today's youth. Many teacher-training institutions are producing humanly illiterate teachers who are not able to cope with


A tandem SN2 alkylation/Michael addition to vinylogous carbonates based approach for the stereoselective synthesis of benzoxepines is developed. The stereoselectivity improves with an increase in the steric bulk of the substituents. The method is extended to the synthesis of benzopyranoxepines and benzoxepinopyridines with angular substituents.


This article,taking You Xian,in Hunan Province,as an example,analyzes the influences of migrant workers' occupational diversification on children's education. We point out that extant studies ignored the changes brought about by the migrant workers' occupational diversification. There are differences in children's families,their schooling and social education between those laborers and the owners of investment,which show the diversity of these two group of people in their ways of education and education expectation. We point out the three stages the migrant workers experience in the process of transition from laborers to owners of investment,discuss the influences of these stages on their children's education,and demonstrate the changes these children go through in the three periods.


Within the EC framework 5 programme LOPOCOTEP Rolls-Royce Deutschland (RRD) continues to develop Lean Premix (Partially Pre-vaporized) (LP(P)) combustion systems to implement the ACARE goals to achieve further NOx reductions compared with the best combustor technology currently available. The results from the previous EC framework 4 programme LowNOx III had been used to calculate DpNOx/Foo values for an ICAO LTO cycle. The result showed that 40% from the CAEP II limit can be achieved for a medium size fan engine. Cycle and mission calculations have risen the hope that total NOx emissions can be reduced by more than 70% for a 800 NM medium range flight. The objective of the current programme is to further reduce the NOx emissions (30% CAEP II) for a more severe engine cycle and therefore a larger burner size compared to the LowNOx III programme. Flash-back and auto-ignition under all operation conditions have to be prevented. A scaling law was derived from the existing database and applied on an LP(P) module which was then tested at pressures of up to 35 bar and temperatures of up to 900 K in a single sector test rig. The applicability of the scaling laws was confirmed. Testing at take-off conditions showed single digit EINOx between 2 and 4 g/kg depending on the actual swirl-generator configuration. However, poor weak extinction was observed and gave concern regarding operability. The decision was taken to redirect the development efforts to improve operability and to increase the lean blow out (LBO) air-fuel-ratio (AFR). This led to the integration of an internal, centrally arranged pressure-swirl atomizer as pilot diffusion burner into the LP(P) burners. Due to an optimization of the aerodynamics of the LP(P) module which was performed at the same time the dimensions of the burner could be reduced while the effective area was kept constant. This burner was then initially tested at atmospheric conditions to address ignition and LBO limit. This burner showed excellent ground ignition capability at air temperatures as low as 350 K. In the best configuration one spark was sufficient. The testing of the lean extinction limit was repeatedly verified. At 350 K the LBO was always in the range between 110–130 OAFR. More detailed investigations on emissions, flash-back and auto-ignition characteristics will be performed at ONERA and Lund University.Copyright © 2004 by ASME


Serious fouling problems often exist in our country's power systems, especially in utility boilers due to a large amount of high ash coal burned, resulting in reduction of output and boiler efficiency. According to the principle of gas pulse produced by high speed combustion of combustible gas, a new generation of ash cleaning technology, which is suitable for large scale utility boilers, has been developed by the Institute of Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Up to now, the combustion gas pulse ash cleaning technology has been successfully used in scores of 125~600MW generating sets, and plays a significant role in technical progress of the utility boiler. Figs9 and refs4.


the beginning and end of a planktonic life stage — the distribution of cod eggs and settled juveniles in the North Sea As a stock close to the southern limit of the species' range, the North Sea cod stock may be among those most affected by future climate change. Direct, as well as indirect effects of climate forcing may have the greatest effects on early life stages. We here present our examination of the distribution of cod ( Gadus morhua ) at the beginning and at the end of the planktonic life stage. The distribution of cod eggs was modelled with Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) on the presence/absence, as well as the non-zero abundance. For comparison, the egg distribution of haddock ( Melanogrammus aeglefinus ), whiting ( Merlangius merlangus ) and plaice ( Pleuronectes platessa ) were examined likewise. Findings indicated that in the egg stage, the environment is more important for the probability of occurrence, while abundance is more under the control of spatial dependency. Modelling the potential habitat of newly settled 0-group cod, based on presence/absence alone, identified temperature, salinity, bottom depth and geographic position as the core descriptors of the settlement distribution. The habitat models had fairly good predictive power on the sub-decadal scale, but were found lacking on a longer time scale. Effects of climate change may be complex, giving some species and life stages within the same species an advantage, while others suffer detrimental effects.


The mesopredator release hypothesis (MRH) suggests that in the absence of large, 1 dominant predators, a population of smaller predators increases and, in the process, generates a decline in the prey community. The MRH has been used in attempts to comprehend problems involving the management of introduced species in islands and the extinction or declination of superpredators in an ecosystem due to anthropogenic pressures. The dynamics of this system were studied using a spatially explicit model with mean field and pair approximations. We included mathematical analysis of the mean field model, as well as numerical analysis for both approximations. The results of the simulation support the claims of the MRH and suggest that control of the mesopredator population is the most feasible method to ensure the persistence of endangered prey populations. Spatial modelling is a complex but valuable tool for studying such phenomena occurring in nature.


This paper provides a review on the significance of identity management for enterprise AI on the cloud. In addition to data security and authentication, identity management is continuously developing across key tasks such as synchronizing internal data, allowing consumer contact preference management, and fulfilling privacy compliance needs, to mention a few [1]. Protection of corporate information systems from data breaches, hostile insiders, and fraud continues to be a key business concern, and this is fueling the need for better identity analytics that can dynamically identify abnormal user behavior [1]. IT professionals' work is becoming somewhat simpler as identity and access management solutions grow more automated — but they can't fully delegate their responsibilities just yet. Many innovations in the identity and access management (IAM) sector have been driven by mobile technology in recent years, with suppliers being encouraged to enhance usability on mobile devices as a result. Identity and access management solutions are now being enhanced by the incorporation of advancements like artificial intelligence, machine learning, microservices, and cloud services, often with the idea of achieving them more smooth, accessible, and automated for both end-users and IT [2].


Keynote presentations can make conferences sink or soar. This vital part of the meeting schedule, in which the whole conference listens to an invited guest speaker, can move delegates into raptures of intellectual and emotional sparks. Alternatively, a poor or ill-judged keynote can leave the room overwhelmingly alienated, aching in disappointment. In this month's Special Issue, we feature the contributions from some of the keynotes from recent conferences hosted by the International Institute for Qualitative Methodology (IIQM). Here, we consider what makes for an excellent keynote address and how we can work together to ensure more keynotes inform and inspire.


Gross rainfall (GR) partitioning into throughfall (TF), stemflow (SF) and interception loss (I) was studied in a pure oriental beech ( Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forest located in the central Caspian region of northern Iran. Measurements were performed on a rainfall event basis in a 5625 m 2 plot of the Kheyrud Forest Research Station of Tehran University during 2008 and 2009 growing seasons. GR was measured with three rain gauges located on the ground in an open area approximately 160 m apart from the study plot. Thirty-six manual gauges were used to collect the TF and were placed randomly underneath the canopy. SF was collected with spiral type SF collection collars from six selected beech trees. Interception losses were calculated as the difference between GR and the sum of TF and SF. Over the measurement period, 53 GR events were recorded. Cumulative GR depth was 1,001.5 mm; TF amount was 728 mm; SF was 32.3 mm, and I was 241.2 mm. The average of TF/GR, SF/GR, and I/GR ratios for each rainfall events were 69.4%, 2.5% and 28.1%, respectively. TF, SF, and I were found to be closely related to GR amounts. A strong positive correlation was found between SF/GR and GR (R 2 = 0.9). Significant correlations were also observed between I/GR and GR (R 2 = 0.581) as well as between TF/GR and GR (R 2 = 0.414). It was observed that for small GR events a large portion of the incident GR wetted the canopy and, subsequently, contributed to the evaporation losses of the intercepted rain. Results of the study demonstrate how I represents a remarkable percentage of the incident GR and how TF and SF are both strongly affected by GR itself.


Bernstein demonstrates that through performance onstage and in everyday-life interactions with material culture, the concept of childhood — particularly childhood innocence — became essential to how blackness and whiteness would be constructed in the US from the mid-19th to the early 20th centuries. She argues that a phenomenon called "racial innocence" emerged when arguments about race, even opposing arguments (e.g., pro-slavery vs. anti-slavery), covertly occurred through, and resided in, children's toys, dolls, books, advertisements, play, and bodies.


In order to realize the standard production of tuberose, the practical standard of bulb quality was suggested. Also, the mature and young tuberose bulbs were evaluated for classification by the methods of biostatistics. The bulbs tested could be divided into four groups or classes according to their characteristics such as circumference, (outward) appearance, plumpness of bulbs and resistance to diseases and insects. Furthermore, the reasons why the standard of four classifications is set up and which group of bulbs is the most acceptable to Tianjin are studied.


The primary objective of this research is to empirically probe the various aspects and variables that have been already addressed in the previous literature related to supplier selection criterion, supply effort management and firm performance. Further, this research aims to develop a measurement framework and pragmatically prove the framework through a measurement model. First, a factor structure for various constructs is made and the initial validity is determined from practicing managers and academicians. This research employs survey method and the data is collected from 358 supply chain professionals working in manufacturing firms in India. A measurement model is developed and proved with various tests of reliability and validity. Finally, three major latent constructs were formulated, namely, criterion of supplier selection, supply effort management and firm performance. The factor scores of these latent variables were used for further analysis. A six-stage approach was followed in the analysis of data. Firm performance was regressed against supplier selection criterion and supply effort management. The results indicate that the predictive variable has positive and significant effect on firm performance and they do not have any interaction and multicollinearity effects.


Nigeria has witnessed various forms of human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings, rape, and torture during both military and civilian regimes. Amnesty International, the U.S. State Department, and the Political Terror Scale of the Centre for Systemic Peace indicate that Nigeria is a country characterized by generalized human rights violations. Over the years, several scholars have examined the causes, nature, responses of the state, and reasons for the persistence of human rights violations in Nigeria. A careful consideration of these studies indicates that the role of faith-based civil society organizations in the protection of victims of human rights abuses has not been holistically examined. Consequently, this study seeks to answer the following questions:  What are the views of faith-based civil society organizations in Nigeria on human rights and the protection of victims of human rights violations?  Do religious extremism and violent activities create a disposition of indifference on the responses of faith-based civil society organizations to the protection of victims of human rights violations in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria?  What strategies do faith-based civil society organizations in Nigeria use in the protection of victims of human rights abuses in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria? These questions were answered with the aid of primary data collected through observation, key informant interviews, and focus group discussions with participants from faith-based organizations such as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Interfaith Mediation Centre. Secondary data were also sourced from magazines, newspaper reports, and websites. The study shows that faith-based civil society organizations in Nigeria view the protection of victims of human rights violations in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria as an activity that should be carried out without religious bias. Additionally, religious extremism and violent activities have not created a disposition of indifference on the responses of faith-based civil society organizations to the protection of victims of human rights violations in conflict-affected areas of Nigeria. About the presenter: Nathaniel Umukoro holds a PhD in peace and conflict studies (2015) from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. His dissertation focused on human rights violations and violent conflicts in the Niger Delta area of Nigeria during military and civilian regimes. During his doctoral studies, he was a fellow of the Next Generation Social Sciences in Africa program of the Social Science Research Council, New York. He is also an alumnus of Brown International Advanced Research Institute, Brown University, and George Eckert Institute, Germany. He has published more than 30 journal articles and chapters in books. He specializes in politics of human rights and peace and conflict studies with regional focus on Africa. He is a senior lecturer in the Department of Political Science, Delta State University, Abraka, Nigeria.


arina Warner's novel, Indigo, can be said to belong to what Linda Hutcheon, in A Poetics of Postmodernism, calls "historiographic metafiction," which seems to characterize a worldwide trend in contemporary fiction. Indeed, Indigo is set in the context of the "proliferation of historical novels with more or less overt metafictional traits" that began in Britain in the late 1970s (Onega 8). As Marina Warner said in 2001, "This impulse towards returning to the past, to a topos in the past and rewriting it has become highly characteristic of contemporary fiction, especially when its concerns are polemical: returning to the past, re-visioning it" ("Mapping" 5). For Hutcheon, "historiographic metafiction" is the main form taken by the postmodern novel; her definition is close to what Robert Holton calls "resistance postmodernism," a type of fiction, which, contrary to a purely ludic postmodernist mode of writing, engages with the world in a way that challenges both modernism's formalism and its simple mimetic/realist notions of referentiality. Far from denying the real, postmodernism reintroduces truth and reference but makes problematic the entire notion of representing reality. Far from being ahistorical, postmodernism is rooted in the historical world, although it questions how we can know the past and rethinks history as a human construct. "Historiographic metafiction self-consciously reminds us that while events did occur in the real empirical past, we name and constitute those events as historical facts by selection and narrative positioning" (Hutcheon, Poetics 97); it also reminds us that we only know the past through its texts, documentary evidence, discursive inscription, and traces in the present. History is critically reevaluated in the light of the present, by fictionally revisiting its textualized remains.


This study aims to discover what and how to develop positive mental resilience at Madrasah Diniyyah Puteri Padang Panjang, West Sumatra. Even though all the santri are female, they are still equipped with endurance, mentality, self-strength, and struggle tips. Madrasah Diniyyah Puteri Padang Panjang continues to provide mental-based programs. Hence, the santri can later stand on their feet and become messengers of goodness and virtue for the wider community. This research is naturalistic qualitative research and uses an ethnomethodological approach. The research subjects were selected and randomized using a purposive sampling technique with a snowball model. The results showed that female students' resilience at Madrasah Diniyyah Padang Panjang, West Sumatra, has essentially been based on a solid foundation by Rahmah El Yunusiyyah. A reliable mental education forerunner is then sown to the next generation yearly. The mental character remains strong and thrives. Several factors leading to this resilience were presented, grounded, and propagated in Madrasah Diniyyah Padang Panjang, West Sumatra; first, preserving the ancestral heritage; second, the factors of mental regeneration of women; third, the characteristics for degrading women by irresponsible persons. The programs for female students were: A Good Leader Program, Super Santri Camp Program, Dream Realization Program, Santri Pledge Program, and Character Survey Program, Room Shifting Program.


Top 500 Chinese manufacturing companies are not only the important constituent of the national economy,but also the central role in Chinese economy development.Investigating the characteristics on industry,region,scale and entry foreign market mode of 433 among top 500 companies,we found that intensive-labor industry has a significant competitive advantage in international markets.The majority of internationalization enterprises are from the coastal developed area in the eastern of China.Although 433 enterprises differ significantly in sales,scales,the decision of internationalization strategies is not remarkable different.Most of international enterprises choose trade way to enter international markets,which shows that Chinese enterprise' internationalization is still at the initial stage.


【Objective】 To observe postoperative analgesic efficacy and complications of flurbiprofen axetil combined with a small dose of fentanyl in elderly patients with abdominal surgery.【Methods】 Seventy-five patients undergoing abdominal surgery were randomly divided into three groups with 25 cases in each group.Fentanyl 0.5mg was used in group Ⅰ,fentanyl 1mg was used in group Ⅱ and flurbiprofen axetil injection 50mg plus fentanyl 0.5mg was used in group Ⅲ.The drugs in each group were diluted to 100ml with 0.9% sodium chloride and infused by a pump at a rate of 2 mL/h with a patient controlled bolus of 2 mL after a loading dose of 5 mL.The visual analog scale(VAS),times of patient control analgesia(PCA) and incidence of side effects were recorded during 24 hours after operation.【Results】In 2 hours after operation,the VAS of group Ⅱ and Ⅲ were significantly lower than those of group Ⅰ(P0.05),which became similar in all the three groups after another 2 hours(P0.05).The demanding times for supplemental bolus in the group Ⅰ were significantly higher than those in the group Ⅱ and Ⅲ(P0.05).The incidences of nausea,vomiting,itching,and somnolence in group Ⅰ and Ⅲ were significantly less than those in group Ⅱ(P0.05).No respiratory depression or abnormal bleeding occurred in the three groups.【Conclusion】Postoperative analgesia with intravenous flurbiprofen axetil injection combined with a small dose of fentanyl has a better analgesic effect than fentanyl alone in elderly patients.The new strategy can reduce fentanyl usage and its side effects.


Objective The 3D printed medical models can come from virtual digital resources, like CT scanning. Nevertheless, the accuracy of CT scanning technology is limited, which is 1mm. In this situation, the collected data is not exactly the same as the real structure and there might be some errors causing the print to fail. This study presents a common and practical way to process the skull data to make the structures correctly. And then we make a skull model through 3D printing technology, which is useful for medical students to understand the complex structure of skull. Materials and Methods The skull data is collected by the CT scan. To get a corrected medical model, the computer-assisted image processing goes with the combination of five 3D manipulation tools: Mimics, 3ds Max, Geomagic, Mudbox and Meshmixer, to reconstruct the digital model and repair it. Subsequently, we utilize a low-cost desktop 3D printer, Ultimaker2, with polylactide filament (PLA) material to print the model and paint it based on the atlas. Result After the restoration and repairing, we eliminate the errors and repair the model by adding the missing parts of the uploaded data within 6 hours. Then we print it and compare the model with the cadaveric skull from frontal, left, right and anterior views respectively. The printed model can show the same structures and also the details of the skull clearly and is a good alternative of the cadaveric skull.


In this study, two kinds of: impact-elastic wave method and electromagnetic pulse method, are applied to lateral prestressing steel bars in existing prestressed concrete bridges to evaluate grouting conditions in tendon ducts. First of all, impact-elastic wave method was perfomed to evaluate the grouting condition in tendon ducts to measure elastic wave velocities. Then, electromagnetic pulse method was applied to detect voids in tendon ducts just below the measurement points by using maximum amplitude of received elastic waves. The evaluation results is verified by drilling and observing the actual grouting condition in tendon ducts. Non-destructive evaluation results show good agreement with those of visiual inspection.


In this study, a stepwise reaction afforded thiazolidinone-based benzothiazole derivatives 1–15, and the synthesized derivatives were then screened for biological significance and found to be the leading candidates against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Almost all derivatives showed excellent to good activity ranging against α-amylase, IC50 = 2.10 ± 0.70 to 37.50 ± 0.70 μM, and α-glucosidase, IC50 = 3.20 ± 0.05 to 39.40 ± 0.80 μM. Some analogues such as 4 (2.40 ± 0.70 and 3.50 ± 0.70 μM), 5 (2.30 ± 0.05 and 4.80 ± 0.10 μM), and 6 (2.10 ± 0.70 and 3.20 ± 0.70 μM) were found with folds better activity than that of the standard drug acarbose (9.10 ± 0.10 and 10.70 ± 0.10 μM), respectively. Moreover, the structure–activity relationship (SAR) has been established for all compounds. A molecular docking study has been carried out to explore the binding interactions against α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes.


We view the landscape of large language models (LLMs) through the lens of the recently released BLOOM model to understand the performance of BLOOM and other decoder-only LLMs compared to BERT-style encoder-only models. We achieve this by evaluating the smaller BLOOM model variants (\textit{350m/560m} and \textit{1b3/1b7}) on several NLP benchmark datasets and popular leaderboards. We make the following observations: (1) BLOOM performance does not scale with parameter size, unlike other LLMs like GPT and BERT. Experiments fine-tuning BLOOM models show that the 560m variant performs similarly to or better than the 1b7 variant, (2) Zero-shot cross-lingual and multi-lingual fine-tuning experiments show that BLOOM is at par or worse than monolingual GPT-2 models, and (3) Toxicity analysis of prompt-based text generation using the RealToxicityPrompts dataset shows that the text generated by BLOOM is at least 17\% less toxic than GPT-2 and GPT-3 models.


Aims: Senna siamea has various medicinal functions but specific studies pertaining to the antioxidant and antibacterial potential that are related to ultrasound-assisted extraction from S. siamea have not been found to be reported yet. Therefore, this research was to determine antibacterial activities and antioxidant of S. siamea leaf extracts using solvent extraction and ultrasound-assisted extraction. Methodology and results: Antibacterial activities were tested using the disc diffusion method and MIC and MBC values of seven bacterial strains. The ultrasound-assisted extraction extract had a higher yield, total phenolic content, antioxidant activities, and antibacterial activity than solvent extract. Interestingly, the strains of Staphylococcus sp., V. parahaemolyticus, E. coli, and S. enteritidis were not inhibited by the solvent extracts, but were significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited by the ultrasound-assisted extraction extracts. Besides, the MIC and MBC values of extracts from ultrasoundassisted extraction were lower than the extracts from solvent extraction. Conclusion, significance and impact of study: The results revealed that extracts from ultrasound-assisted extraction have higher efficiency to treat bacterial strains due to the efficiency of extraction method towards the recovery and solubility of extractable compounds. The results concluded that the extracted using ultrasound-assisted extraction can be used as active pharmaceutical components for the treatment, prevention, and control of pathogenic bacteria, including to be applied as food ingredients.


A simple and label-free sensing platform with low background based on the chain displacement triggered self-assembly of Ag NCs was developed for ratiometric visual analysis of intracellular miRNA-21. Based on this sensitively ratiometric sensing approach, a picomole limit detection for miRNA-21can be obtained. Most importantly, compared with the traditional single base mismatch detection method, our proposed method can realize single base mismatch detection according to the remarkable fluorescent color conversion, rather than simple fluorescent intensity change, which can obviously improve the accuracy and reliability. In addition, successful multicolor real-time monitoring of intracellular miRNA-21 makes the probe a potential candidate for miRNA-21 inhibits drug screening. Furthermore, MCF-7, HeLa and normal L02 cells can also be visual differentiated according to the fluorescence color by using the label-free sensing platform, showing its potential prospect in target viual analysis.


We present evidence for star formation in distant radio galaxies based on deep FORS1/VLT spectropolarimetry and SCUBA/JCMT 850μm photometry. High redshift radio galaxies are efficient tracers of massive stellar systems. Their powerful radio emission requires massive black holes (> 109M⊙), which are known to reside in massive ellipticals [e.g. 5]. An attempt to compare the stellar mass of radio galaxies with other galaxies can be made in the Hubble K − z diagram. This shows that radio-selected galaxies have brighter K−band magnitudes than K−band selected galaxies [2], which can be interpreted in terms of radio galaxies having baryonic masses as high as 1012M⊙, i.e. more than an order of magnitude higher than a typical HDF galaxy at z ∼ 3 [7]. A serious complication is the presence of an AGN, which may also contribute to the observed K−band emission. A direct way to determine the contribution of scattered AGN emission is spectropolarimetry. [8] have found rest-frame UV polarizations P >10% in five out of 10 z ∼2.5 radio galaxies, indicating scattered light from a burried AGN. However, at z > 3, 2 out of 3 radio galaxies with spectropolarimetry information have P <5% [4,8]. One of these (4C 41.17, z = 3.8) shows stellar photospheric absorption lines [3], providing direct evidence that the UV continuum is dominated by light from young, hot stars. To verify whether the contribution of young stars to the UV continuum rises with redshift, we have observed four z > 3 radio galaxies with FORS1/VLT. All targets have been selected to have 22 < R < 23 to ensure sufficient S/N to determine the polarization in integration times of 6 to 14 hours per target (De Breuck et al. in preparation). All four galaxies show P ≤8%, and two P ≤4%. In particular, we detect the CIII λ 1428 Å photosheric absorption line in one of the unpolarized sources, TN J2007−1316 at z = 3.84 (Fig. 1). Another indication of star formation is submm dust emission. If the dust is heated by massive stars rather than directly by the AGN, this implies star formation rates as high as a few 1000M⊙yr . [1] and [6] have obtained SCUBA 850 μm photometry of 69 z > 1 radio galaxies. The detection rate and 850μm luminosity increase dramatically at z > 3, suggesting higher star formation rates. Figure 2 shows that the UV polarization and dust emission appear anticorrelated. This can be interpreted as evidence that these sources selected to have R < 23, require either an important scattered quasar component (hence high polarization), or (if unpolarized), a high contribution from a young stellar population, which can heat the dust in these objects. A more detailed analysis will be presented by Reuland et al. (2004). 2 Carlos De Breuck et al. Fig. 1. VLT/FORS1 spectropolarimetry of TN J2007−1316: Left: Part of the summed extraordinary ray, ordinary ray, and total intensity 2-dimensional spectra. The dotted line indicates the wavelength of the CIII λ 1428 Å photospheric absorption line, assuming the redshift of the AGN. Right: Total intensity, percentage polarization, and polarization angle. The grey histograms show the data with a 150 Å binning. Fig. 2. Anti-correlation between UV continuum polarization and S850 for z > 1 radio galaxies. For non-detections in S850, we show nominal detections (+) and 3σ limits.


The question remains: what is preventing authorities from following federal legislation? Likewise, where does the system fail, allowing for criminal aliens to escape deportation? It is no coincidence that these crimes occurred in cities and towns that promote sanctuary policies. Sanctuary cities prevent the adequate cohesion between local law enforcement and federal officials. In Section II, this note will discuss what sanctuary cities are and how and why they are created. Next, section III will detail the history of immigration legislation in the United States, pre- and post-9/11. Section IV will then analyze why federal legislation and immigration laws preempt sanctuary city policies and will look at the case law that supports the preemption. Section V discusses the harms of sanctuary cities, focusing specifically upon the vast amount of crimes occurring at the hands of illegal aliens, including gang crime and sex offenses. It will center on why sanctuary cities, through their passive measures, permit illegal immigrants to continue violating criminal laws in addition to being here illegally. The fact that many criminal illegal immigrants are repeat offenders, once subject to the hands of the authorities, compels the public to ask how this happens. This section will also examine the arrest procedure of an illegal immigrant and what should happen at the state and local level. And finally, Section VI and VII examine possible solutions to prevent criminal aliens from slipping through the cracks of the legal system and harming American citizens. This note does not attempt to discuss a possible solution to the illegal immigration problem that the country faces, but focuses more on illegal immigrants who are committing crimes over and over again, in part because they are not being reported to ICE, are not being denied bail, and ICE and state and local authorities are not provided with the appropriate resources and funding to handle such a tremendous amount of illegal immigrant cases.


A spatial discretization and substructure method is developed to accurately calculate dynamic responses of one-dimensional structural systems, which consist of length-variant distributed-parameter components, such as strings, rods, and beams, and lumped-parameter components, such as point masses and rigid bodies. The dependent variable of a distributed-parameter component is decomposed into boundary-induced terms and internal terms. The boundary-induced terms are interpolated from boundary motions, and the internal terms are approximated by an expansion of trial functions that satisfy the corresponding homogeneous boundary conditions. All the matching conditions at the interfaces of the components are satisfied, and the expansions of the dependent variables of the distributed-parameter components absolutely and uniformly converge if the dependent variables are smooth enough. Spatial derivatives of the dependent variables, which are related to internal forces/moments of the distributed-parameter components, such as axial forces, bending moments, and shear forces, can be accurately calculated. Combining component equations that are derived from Lagrange's equations and geometric matching conditions that arise from continuity relations leads to a system of differential algebraic equations (DAEs). When the geometric matching conditions are linear, the DAEs can be transformed to a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which can be solved by an ODE solver. The methodology is applied to several moving elevator cable-car systems in Part II of this work.


The paper firstly discusses the characteristics and application of the solutions based on Web services.Then it shows how to apply this solution in the insurance industry and the progress after the solution applied.


The present position of Brown Boveri as an internationally competitive industrial enterprise rests to a large extent on the determination and abili ty of management to create a foun dation through research and develop ment which will support maximum technical achievement. Technological competence, however, is not some thing that can be maintained without effort. Only those who continually strive to expand knowledge through intensive research and development will remain in the forefront. Over 5000 employees are engaged In the area of research and development, the support for which amounts to 8% of the Group's annual turnover. Brown Boveri have put into effect a concept of research and development on three levels adapted to the geographically decentralized structure of this multi national company. The Testing, Development and Design Departments of the Divisions constitute the first level. The Divisions are the line units of the three large Companies of the Group in Germany, Switzerland and France and are ma naged as profit centres. Because of this structure, proximity to market and customers is assured and product dev elopment and improvement can be carried out quickly and effectively by meeting demands for economy, qua lity and reliability. The second level consists of the Central Laboratories of the national companies. Means have been placed at their disposal to support the efforts of the development departments in fundamental aspects relating to mate rials sciences, chemistry, measure ment techniques and other areas. Corporate Research is the third level and reports directly to the Managing Committees. It may be characterized by its working according to the metho dology of the basic sciences, the medium to long-term orientation of its projects and its organization accor ding to scientific disciplines, each of which can simultaneously influence several different product areas. The Corporate Research at Brown Boveri was founded as a result of a need which developed during the 1960's. The company's international position, chiefly as a supplier of energy generation and transmission systems, requires not only a strong and deter mined development effort but also a H. R. Zeller, Baden (Research Centre)


In the context of this paper we take design knowledge as the methods applied by the creators (for example game designers in the case of games) of interactive experiences in contrast to for example the design of authoring tools or the design of game engines and similar computational systems. Such knowledge about rule-based game design is widespread as evidenced by numerous book publications and many university-level programs of study. In contrast, there is considerable less academic or professional knowledge on the design of interactive narratives -- for example, book publications focused on this topic number in the single digits and in academic programs the topic only exists on the margins. This paper proposes the use of empirical research methods as means to address this situation and examines specific challenges. On this foundation, we introduce a research effort to gather transferable interactive narrative design knowledge and report on a first user study. Finally, we provide guidelines and discuss future research.


This study is to explore the Post-COVID-19 international order through caused process. The findings of this study are followed.
The COVID-19 outbreak ended in a short period of time brought in the protectionism due to the collapse of the GSC, low growth, and high unemployment. The rise of China may accelerate power transition between US and China, which could intensify the US-China relations from strategic rivalry to ''New Cold War''.
If the COVID-19 prolongs more than 4 years, the world will suffer from the great depression. Under the great depression "economic nationalism" is likely to replace globalization, and international trade will be done on strict reciprocity. In international politics, The U.S. and China can voluntarily reduce their global roles, which transform G2 into a multipolarity. Moreover, the weakness of global governance and the absence of a world police state could lead to an rule-less anarchy. International disputes are intensified, self-reliance is strengthened, and states seeking low-cost and high efficiency security means will be tempted by WMD. The relationship between the US and China is likely to develop into uneasy, fluid coexistence.


The International Partnership in Self-management and Empowerment (IPSE) is a collaborative group of researchers who are investigating the role of self-efficacy in the management of chronic disease. One aim of IPSE is to produce reliable and valid theory-based instruments that can be used to measure the effectiveness of interventions designed to improve self-efficacy. To date, two instruments have been developed for use with people who are self-managing Type 2 diabetes. These are the Diabetes Mellitus Self-Efficacy Scale (DMSES) and the Perceived Therapeutic Efficacy Scale (PTES). The DMSES and PTES have been translated into several languages, and are now being psychometrically tested with diabetes populations in Australia, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, UK and the USA. This paper will discuss the Australian study and present preliminary evidence on the reliability and validity of the English/Australian versions of the DMSES and PTES.


Analysis of life forms of the vegetation in arid, semiarid and subhumid regions of Rajasthan, a northwest state of India, was carried out based on the data collected from the field. The floristic and vegetation biological spectra of four study sites (Jaisalmer , Ajmer, Sariska and Mt. Abu) were compared. Analysis of life form spectra revealed the most striking feature of higher differentiation in proportions of therophytes along climatic gradient using vegetation spectrum. The proportion of therophytes and phanerophytes are highly variable across the sites indicate influence of climate. Biological spectrum of the four study sites has been compared with Raunkiaer's normal spectrum to know the phytoclimate of that region. Jaisalmer, Ajmer and Sariska represents tropical arid climate, while Mt. Abu of tropical moist climate. The present study recommended to use vegetation biological spectrum because of proper representation of life forms of a given area. The disadvantage of floristic biological spectrum is underestimation of dominant vegetation expression and identical value to the rare


OBJECTIVE:To compare the pharmacoeconomics outcome between2schemes(drug combinations of antibiotics)in treating children's pneumonia.METHODS:The cost-effectiveness analysis on the following2schemes in treating chi ldren's pneumonia was performed by retrospective review:amoxicillin plus potassium clavulanate(5∶1)and piperacillin sod ium plus sulbactam sodium(2∶1).RESULTS:The total effective rates of the2schemes were94%and96%,respectively(P0.05);The costs of the two were926.40yuan and1370.30yuan respectively(P0.05);And the cost-effectiveness ratios were9.85yuan and14.27yuan,respectively.CONCLUSION:Economically,amoxicillin concomitant with clavulanate potassium is superior to piperacillin sodium concomitant with sulbactam sodium in treating children's pneumonia.


Niwot Ridge is populated by moving patches of trees that form islands of woody vegetation in a habitat dominated by graminoids. This study determined the amounts and distribution of soil phosphorus (P) in relation to tree islands. As tree islands retreat to leeward, we hypothesize that the colonized soils would become both depleted in organic P (Po) and would possess more geochemically bound P than in the adjacent tundra. A modified Hedley sequential fractionation indicated that the individual soil P fractions, along with the sums of these fractions, did not differ significantly between tundra, windward, and leeward sites. Overall, soil P appears to be distributed in almost equal portions between geochemical and biological forms. The lack of significant change of soil P concentrations and distribution in response to tree island passage on Niwot Ridge is likely due to the lack of recent glaciation as well as a long history of infrequent perturbances.


The Telangana State Government is strongly focused on empowerment of tribal women especially in terms of creating the employment opportunities. Telangana State Scheduled Tribes Co-operative Finance Corporation Limited (TRICOR) is providing Skill Development Program to tribes on various activities for creating the employment. The present study is an attempt to examine the perceptions of tribal women on skills for employment provided by TRICOR in Ranga Reddy district. Majority of the beneficiaries were expressed that the Skill Development Program was good. Even though, the program was good the tribal women are facing some problems after taking the training of skill development program. It is high time that the TRICOR need to put more attention on not only providing the Skill Development Program but also required to solve the problems of tribal women while implementing the programs.


The invention discloses a through-wall pipe type test method which comprises the following operation steps: connecting both ends of an assembled pipe to a block board by a loose flange coupler and a seal gasket, tightening with bolts; placing the combination on two simple V-shaped brackets, and regulating the position of the brackets; installing a pressure gauge as well as a water inlet pipe ball valve, an air bleed ball valve and a water outlet pipe ball valve; starting a test device, opening a water inlet valve, making a test medium flow into the pipe; making the test medium constant by self-locking the test device or closing the water inlet pipe ball valve; checking the strength and tightness of the through-wall pipe; checking the bending resistance of the through-wall pipe; releasing the self-locking of the test device, opening all ball valves to discharge the test medium, and removing the tested through-wall pipe, to complete the test. The through-wall pipe type test method reasonably optimizes the test method, implements the low-voltage strength test and the joint tightness test of a long pipe system, and solves the problem that the test for various types required in the technical standards of products is unlikely to be implemented.