Between 5-10 percent of all diabetics will, at some time in their life have an ulceration of their lower extremities (33 – 35). In those who develop gangrene of the ulcerated lower extremity, the operative mortality can be as high as 25 percent with a significant number of the survivors dying within the first post-operative year (36 – 40). If there was only a 3 percent reduction in the number of amputations through successful medical therapy, approximately 300 lives could be saved. In addition, over 27 million dollars would be saved per 1,000 amputations not performed (33). The indirect health care cost saved would be at least 2 to 3 times this amount. Development of a simple, cost effective therapy that could be utilized by the patient at home could significantly impact on the incidence and progression of lower extremity ulcers in diabetics and, as a result, lower overall medical treatment costs. Previously, we had demonstrated that use of a specific skin cream (Curaderm hp, PhytaTek Laboratories, Inc.) resulted in a rapid resolution of pressure ulcers in a debilitated, elderly population (41). We postulated that a similar healing rate may be seen in a diabetic population with lower extremity ulcers. The healing of chronic, therapy resistant lower extremity diabetic ulcers was accelerated during a 30 day therapy interval. Greater than 50% of patients demonstrated complete resolution of their ulcers. The remaining patients demonstrated between 85 – 90% reduction in ulcer area.


Dear Readers,I am so grateful for the hard work and commitment of our Deakin reviewers, and I think you will share my enthusiasm for the books that they have written about for our winter issue. For example, Leslie Aitken's review of Lila and the Crow is a wonderfully thoughtful appraisal of an important picture book deserving of a good deal of attention. Aitken writes that "Lila and the Crow belongs in every elementary school library" and I wholeheartedly agree with her assessment because this story has excellent potential to encourage positive dialogue about the physical diversity of humankind.Another highly recommended picture book is Anna Pingo's Aluniq: and Her Friend, Buster, reviewed by Sandy Campbell. As Aluniq's story of living with her grandparents at the Qunngilaat Reindeer Station in Canada's Northwest Territories unfolds, readers learn that many families in remote parts of Canada experience separation when people need to leave home to receive medical treatment. The emotions that this poignant story conveys are generally ones that resonate with most readers because they remind us of one of the most significant primal fears of childhood—separation from one's parents or guardians. For young readers coming to terms with separation, this is a charmingly illustrated and sparingly written picture book. I therefore commend it to your serious attention.Also in this issue, Lorisia MacLeod's review of How Nivi Got Her Names calls our attention to Inuit naming customs and provides useful content for educators who want to discuss Inuit culture with young readers in the classroom.Plus, we have adventure stories, historical stories, and engaging stories of childhood and family life. Enjoy!Robert DesmaraisManaging Editor


'Gangbaek' is a japonica rice variety developed and registered by the rice breeding team of Department of Rice and Winter Cereal Crop, NICS, RDA in 2006. 'Gangbaek' was derived from a cross between 'Suweon345' with good grain quality and 'DV85' resistant to bacterial blight, K3a. F1 plants were grown in the greenhouse in winter of 1992/1993 and backcrossed with 'Suweon345' as the recurrent parent. Plants resistant to K3a race of bacterial blight (BB) were selected from BC1F1 to BC4F1 and used as parents in the backcrossing processes. This variety has about 120 days growth duration from transplanting to harvesting in west-southern coast and Honam plain of Korea. It is about 69 cm in culm length and tolerance to lodging. In reaction to biotic and abiotic stresses, it shows moderately resistance to blast, and resistance to bacterial blight pathogen, K1, K2, K3 and K3a, but susceptible to other major diseases and insect pests. The milled rice of 'Gangbaek' exhibits translucent, relatively clear non-glutinous endosperm and midium short grain. It has lower amylose content of 18.6% and protein content of 6.4% compared with 'Nampyeongbyeo'. The milled rice yield performance of this variety is about 5.28 MT/ha in local adaptability test for three years. This cultivar would be adaptable to the bacterial blight-prone area in the south-western coastal and Honam plain of Korea.


In this study, the population features of Liza abu in the Ataturk Dam Lake were examined. During the month of March 2004 and February 2005 period, 821 fish samples were collected by gillnets with mesh sizes of 18, 22, 26, 30, 34 and 38 mm. The total length differed between 11.10 and 22.20 cm. The total weights were 16.20 to 136.60 g, and the age distribution was between 1 and 5. 50.99% of the caught samples were female and 49.01% were male. The average condition values were K = 1.18 for males and K = 1.15 for females. The length-weight relationship was calculated as Log W = -0.87 + 2.08*Log L for males and Log W = -1.79 + 2.88*Log L for females. The Von Bertalanfy growth parameters were L∞ = 24.63 cm, K = 0.28, Lt = 24.63(1-e-0.28(t-(-1.36)), to = -1.36 years, W∞ = 362.95 g, K = 0.07 and Wt = 362.95 (1-e-0.07t-(-1.36)))0.93.

 Key words: Ataturk Dam Lake, age, growth, Liza abu.


Background: Potential resilient foods which help reduce hunger are converting the ~998 million tons of agricultural residue generated each year into human edible food. Although it is possible to extract Leaf Protein Concentrate (LPC) from agricultural residues, it is not widely practiced because both toxicity and yields of the protein concentrates have not been widely investigated in the most common agricultural residues.Methods: To fill this knowledge gap, this study uses high-resolution mass spectrometry and an open-source toolchain for non-targeted screening of toxins of nine agricultural plant residues in October 2021; it included seven agricultural residues: corn/maize, wheat, barley, alfalfa, yellow pea, sunflower, canola/rapeseed, and two weeds/agricultural residues of kochia, and round leaf mallow.Results: The average yield ranged from about 7 to 14.5% for the nine LPCs investigated. According to the results, yellow pea, round leaf mallow, and canola are recommended for further investigation and scaling as they appear to be fit for human consumption based on the lack of dangerous toxins found in the analysis performed in this study.Conclusion: All the compounds identified in these samples have either been approved by international regulatory boards for safe consumption or are known to be present in common beverages. The other agricultural residues require additional quantification of the toxins identified as it will determine the actual risk for human consumption. Overall, the potential for LPC to provide more needed calories from existing agricultural practices is extremely promising, but substantial amount of future work is needed to screen LPCs in all the agricultural residues depending on harvesting, handling, and storage conditions.


【Objective】To study the correlation between OSAHS with hypertension by research fluctuation of blood pressure at night about the patients of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAHS) complicated with hypertension.【Methods】We chose 95 patients who diagnosted OSAHS complicated with hypertension and research the correlation.All patients had been monitored at least for 7 hours in the lab.And the indexes included blood pressure during sleeping and arousal,apnea hypopnea index,the lowest blood oxygen saturation,the total time of oxygen saturation lower than 90%,body mass index,c-circumstance/height ratio,et al.【Results】 The body mass index,ccircumstan/height ratio had no significant beween different group (P 0.05).T here were no significance of the highest hypertension between the different severe degree OSAHS patients.There is no correlation between AHI with the difference value of SBP before sleeping and sleeping,DBP arousal and sleeping (P 0.05),but there are correlation between AHI with the difference value of DBP before sleeping and sleeping,SBP arousal and sleeping (P 0.05).【Conclusion】The systolic blood pressure of OSAHS group and OSAHS with hypertension group only had 3-4% decreased during the night.There are correlation between AHI with the difference value of DBP before sleeping and sleeping,arousal and sleeping (P 0.05).


Results of calculation of the power indicators of the ore restoration arc furnaces with the set power of 10.5 MVA working on are given as on the self-baking also on the graphitized electrodes. It is established that despite high cost of the graphitized electrodes in comparison with the self-baking electrodes, power parameters much more improve. Besides, the natural power factor increases, melting time decreases and that the most important the furnace turns out compact, convenient for service, building of the graphitized electrodes is carried out for a small period, and also the number of service personnel is reduced. We propose a new design scheme of low-voltage circuit for the arc furnace according to the scheme "a triangle on the electrodes" designed in a three-bifilar version, in which more complete symmetry is gained by means of the crosspieces forming a triangle directly at the electrode arms. In the proposed scheme, the current-carrying tubes that have different polarity are located on the same arm that leads to further reduction in low-voltage circuit inductance. The application of this scheme allows for reducing reactive and active resistances of low-voltage circuits by 2.5-3 times and 15-20%, respectively, as well as for shortening the heat, reducing specific energy consumption and increasing the installation power factor.


ALTERATIONS in the absolute level of the eosinophils were observed as long ago as 1910 by Bertelli,l but the importance of these fluctuations was not realized until Dalton and Selye2 noticed that there was a marked fall in the eosinophil count during the "alarm reaction?'. Low eosinophil counts have been reported for several days postoperatively,3' in moribund patients,5 in severe burns,6 in the presence of severe emotion,3 and in any condition producing a shocklike state such as a myocardial infarct.7 Presumably the eosinopenia represents increased adrenal cortical function. The gluco-corticoids are powerful agents in producing an eosinopenia-compound F being the most active followed by compounds E (cortisone) and A respectively.8 to 11 ACTH causes a drop in the eosinophil count by stimulating the adrenal cortex.8' 12 The way by which these hormones produce an eosinopenia has not been settled. A lysis of the eosinophils in the peripheral blood stream13 has been suggested, but the majority of investigators14 to 16 have not been able to demonstrate an intravascular destruction of eosinophils by cortisone or compound F, either in vitro or in vivo. It is possible that there is an interference with the passage of the eosinophils from the bone marrow into the peripheral blood stream. Rosenthal and his co-workers17 found an increase in the marrow eosinophil count in all their patients treated with cortisone or ACTH, but Finch and his colleagues"8 found that during treatment with ACTH or cortisone, the marrow eosinophil count either increased or was not altered. A third possibility is that the bone marrow or the spleen or both may remove the eosinophils from the peripheral blood stream. The investigations of Finch'8 and Rosenthal17 could be interpreted as supporting this theory but otherwise the evidence is unconvincing. Sevitt6 and Luft' believe that the spleen, when stimulated by cortisone, traps eosinophils, but on the other hand, Durgin"9 and Speirs8 deny


OBJECTIVES/GOALS: The spectrum of disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 ranges from asymptomatic detection to severe illness, with varying presentations by age. Therefore, we aimed to compare the clinical characteristics between children and adults with SARS-CoV-2. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: From March 20, 2020, to August 18, 2021, we conducted SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in individuals from metropolitan Nashville, TN. Children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome were excluded. Analyses were restricted to individuals with SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by detection of viral RNA in nasal specimens using reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and/or by detection of serum IgG to the SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid proteins using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Those with negative RT-qPCR results, but a positive ELISA within 4-6 weeks of symptom onset, were classified as SARS-CoV-2 positive. Clinical characteristics between children and adults were compared with Pearson's chi square. Illness duration was compared using Kaplan Meier estimators. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Overall, 426/826 (49%) individuals (children: 57 [13%); adults: 369 [87%]) were SARS-CoV-2 positive, with median ages of 12 and 41 years, respectively. Most individuals were female (54%) and white, non-Hispanic (79%). Compared to adults, children were more likely to be asymptomatic (children: 16% vs. adults: 5%; p=0.001). In contrast, symptomatic adults were more likely to report cough (71% vs. 56%), wheezing (21% vs. 8%), shortness of breath (45% vs. 19%), ageusia (67% vs. 23%), and anosmia (64% vs 27%) than symptomatic children (p<0.05). Mean illness duration was shorter in children than adults: 7 days (95% CI: 5.1, 8.9) vs. 14 days (95% CI: 12.4,15.0), respectively. A total of 5% (18/352) of adults reported symptoms lasting ? 4 weeks (range: 31-96 days), whereas all symptoms in children resolved by 31 days. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Overall, children with SARS-CoV-2 present with a shorter and milder disease course compared to adults. Further studies are needed to understand SARS-CoV-2 illness severity across the lifespan.


The operation of distributed computing systems requires comprehensive monitoring to ensure reliability and robustness. There are two components found in most monitoring systems: one being visually rich time-series graphs and another being notification systems for alerting operators under certain pre-defined conditions. In this paper the sonification of monitoring messages is explored using an architecture that fits easily within existing infrastructures based on mature opensource technologies such as ZeroMQ, Logstash, and Supercollider (a synth engine). Message attributes are mapped onto audio attributes based on broad classification of the message (continuous or discrete metrics) but keeping the audio stream subtle in nature. The benefits of audio rendering are described in the context of distributed computing operations and may provide a less intrusive way to understand the operational health of these systems.


We present a brief survey of logics for reasoning about multiagent systems. We focus on two paradigms: logics for cognitive models of agency, and logics used to model the strategic structure of a multiagent system.


One of the key problems in complex digital system design is the rapid generation of efficient hardware functionality. The paper introduces an architecture template for targeting FPGA implementations as part of a dataflow based design flow for heterogeneous platforms, thereby allowing a designer to perform system level optimizations for consistent FPGA performance. The architecture provides scalable capabilities in both communications and processing allowing the core to be scaled to the problem size. Matrix multiplication is used to demonstrate the capabilities of this methodology giving speeds ranging from 121.4 MHz to 188.3 MHz without optimization.


A high-strength antiwear refractory brick for the circulating fluidized-bed boiler or fluidizing furnace is prepared from high-temp refractory materials. Its advantages are high compression strength up to 120-250 MPa, ordinary-temp antiwear performance (1.9-4.5 cu.cm) and reasonable cost.


We read an article written by Parker et al. [1] with interest. The authors performed a population-based retrospective cohort study and assessed adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients that had and did not have bariatric surgery. Outcomes of interest were pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), intrauterine fetal demise, large for gestational age, postpartum hemorrhage, failed induction of labor, cesarean delivery and operative vaginal delivery. They found that bariatric surgery was significantly associated with an increased risk of IUGR. The authors attributed this to food restriction and malabsorption that lead to lack of essential nutrients for fetal growth. However, the authors did not compare maternal outcomes between patients who had and did not have bariatric surgery. In a meta-analysis by Yi et al. [2], the authors compared maternal and fetal outcomes among women who became pregnant after bariatric surgery and obese women who have not undergone bariatric surgery before pregnancy. Interested outcomes were gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), hypertensive disorders, postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean delivery, preterm birth, and macrosomia. From the meta-analysis, they found that pregnancy during the first 2 years after bariatric surgery reduced risk of maternal and fetal complications including risk of GDM, hypertensive disorders, and macrosomia. However, it increased risk of preterm delivery and low birth weight. Although association between obesity and the risk of preterm birth is well-established [3], findings from the article by Parker et al. [1] and the above meta-analysis [2] suggested that rapid weight loss from bariatric surgery may effect fetal nutrition and could influence the risk of preterm birth or IUGR [4]. Physicians and pregnant women who had bariatric surgery should be aware of this association. Further studies should be done to investigate interventions that prevent fetal adverse outcomes in women who underwent bariatric surgery.


Aboriginal Warfare in the Protohistoric Southeast: An Alternative Perspective, by Jon L. Gibson, 130. Adams, Richard E. W., The Classic Maya Collapse, A Correction, 497. Africa current research, 500. Agogino, George A., J. O. Brew, and Cynthia IrwinWilliams, Eleanor C. Irwin, 1910-1973, 608. American Indians and American Archaeology, by Roderick Sprague, 1. Ammerman, Albert J., and Marcus W. Feldman, On the "Making" of an Assemblage of Stone Tools, 610. A mud Man and His Cave Site, The, edited by H. Suzuki and F. Takai, reviewed by Arthur J. Jelinek, 138. Archaeological Perspective, An, by Lewis R. Binford, reviewed by B. Robert Butler, 646. Archaeology of Michigan, The: A Guide to the Prehistory of the Great Lakes Region, by James E. Fitting, reviewed by James A. Brown, 395. Asia current research, 505. Atlatl, The: Function and Performance, by Calvin D. Howard, 102. Axes of Stone and Metal Indices for a Time of Transition, by Lawrence H. Feldman, 135.


The present invention relates to a digitizer pen, an input device, and an operation method thereof. According to the present invention, the digitizer pen includes a body unit; and a pair of pen coil units which are included in the body unit and arranged to be adjacent to both ends of the body unit in the longitudinal direction. The digitizer pen provides an input function for objects included in an area corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the body unit when pen coil units are electromagnetically coupled to a sensor coil nearby.


This study compared two methods of estrus induction between dogs (using vitagnus and vitagnus-estradiol). A total of 10 adult cyclic female Shih tzu Terrier mix breed dogs at anestrus stage were selected and divided into two groups. The first group (VAC) received vitagnus for five weeks (90 mg daily, PO). The second group (VAC-E2) was treated with vitagnus and estradiol benzoate. Estradiol benzoate was injected at the beginning of each week (0.01 mg/kg, IM). Blood sampling for evaluation of steroid hormones and vaginal smears were taken weekly. The sings and return to the estrus with the number of puppies were recorded. In the VAC group, 60%, and in the VAC-E2 group, 80% of dogs returned to the follicular phase after five weeks. In the VAC-E2 group, signs of estrus appeared 7 to 10 days and a mating process started 4 to 6 days earlier than those in the VAC group. The average number of delivered puppies was 4. These symptoms were confirmed by the cytology of the vagina. There was no significant difference in the estradiol and progesterone levels between groups. The mean concentration of estradiol significantly changed between weeks 1 and 4, 1 and 5, and 2 and 5 (p < 0.05). The progesterone level in the VAC-E2 group on week five was higher than that in other weeks. In conclusion, the administration of estradiol benzoate before  vitagnus improved induction of estrus in dogs.


Establishment of critical data in the hands of a cloud provider should come with the guarantee of security and availability of data at rest, in motion and in use. There are several alternatives for storage services, while the confidentiality of data solutions for the database as a paradigm of services are still immature. We offer a new architecture that integrates cloud services database with data privacy and the ability to perform simultaneous operations on encrypted data. That it is the first solution for customer service for geographically distributed directly connect to an encrypted cloud database and perform simultaneous and independent operations, including those that alter the structure of the database. The proposed architecture has the advantage of eliminating the intermediate proxy that limits the flexibility, availability and scalability are inherent in cloud-based solutions. The proposed architecture performance is evaluated by theoretical analysis, and extensive experimental results based on the performance of the prototype object of standard benchmark TPC-C for different number of customers and network latencies.


The invention discloses a device for realizing an approach switch function by utilizing a capacitive touch screen, and further discloses a method for realizing the approach switch function by utilizing the capacitive touch screen. The device and the method for realizing the proximity switch function by utilizing the capacitive touch screen comprise a touch control chip, the capacitive touch screen, a display screen and a central processing unit (CPU), wherein the display screen is arranged below the capacitive touch screen, and the CPU is connected with the touch control chip and the display screen; and the capacitive touch screen is provided with an analog approach switch which is connected with corresponding pins of the touch control chip. Because the prior capacitive touch screen is improved, and an analog approach switch device is provided, the approach switch function is realized, and the device for realizing the proximity switch function by utilizing the capacitive touch screen is low in cost and stable in performance.


A distributed position and orientation system (DPOS) can provide abundant motion parameters for multi-task remote sensing loads to conduct its motion compensation. The motion parameters of imaging loads equipped with slave Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) can be obtained by transfer alignment from master system to slave IMU. However, considering the volume, weight, and cost of the slave IMU, it is impossible to install IMUs near all the remote sensing loads in engineering practice. Aiming at the problem, a global estimation method based on spatial-temporal Kalman filter (STKF) for DPOS is proposed to estimate the motion parameters of remote sensing loads not equipped with slave IMUs. Combining kriging and Kalman filter, and taking into account the spatial-temporal correlation between points, spatial-temporal Kalman filter can make full use of the useful information of the data and enable us to obtain the optimal estimation in time and space. In order to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method, the semi-physical simulation based on flight experiment is conducted. The results show that the proposed method not only can realize the global estimation, but also provides us some new insights into the layout scheme of DPOS.


The present invention is to directed to a method for producing a mineral-adjusting agent from the deep sea water, by using more particularly the various mineral components contained in the deep sea water proposed a method for producing a mineral-adjusting agent needed in the production of foods and drinks. To this end the present invention, the depth of the ocean floor to the deep sea water intake of 200m below heating treatment by 20~30 ℃, microfiltration process, pre-processing such as a sub-group minerals Chemistry and activation treatment of the water molecules. Before the treatment the deep sea water is first nano the removal of sulfate ions from the filtration process, and then the fed to the first reverse tuyeogwa process filtered water is demineralized water is spent in the drinking water production process the concentrated concentrated mineral salt water is sent to a second nanofiltration step the filtered salt is send to the salt production process, sent to a number of mineral enriched primary is diluted with demineralized water of the first reverse tuyeogwa process in a third nanofiltration process filtered water the brine is spent in salt production process the secondary concentrated mineral can send a first electrodialysis process. A first electrodialysis step, first the removal of the salt of a monovalent ion to the electrodialysis apparatus is installed to the multi-stage alternately (交互 的) between a cation selected exchange membrane and the first anode and the cathode an anion selected exchange membrane, and then all to produce cation exchange membranes and one can only send a monovalent anion selected exchange membrane that transmits to the second electrodialysis unit is installed to the multi-stage alternately between positive and negative sulphate ions are removed is concentrated mineral anions passing through the cation and then, the one that produces a concentrated mineral remove the salt and finally sent to a third electrodialyser installing the multi-stage alternately between the cation exchange membrane and selection 1 is the anode and the cathode an anion exchange membrane selected. Third electrical salt and sulfate ions are removed by a concentrated supply of calcium in mineral water the weight ratio of Ca / Mg in the dialysis process while adjusting the mineral balance in the range of 2 to 6 non-reducing (非 還 元 性) disaccharides (二 糖類) by a sugar alcohol and addition of a liquid and producing a mineral-adjusting agent, which was fed to the drying step, evaporation of the water to produce a mineral-adjusting agent. Deep ocean water, mineral modifiers, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis tuyeogwa. Electrodialysis


We previously reported that VTA-projecting dorsolateral bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (dlBNST) neurons make synapses onto the VTA GABAergic neurons, suggesting that suppression of these projecting neurons may lead to activation of VTA GABAergic neurons, thereby suppressing VTA dopaminergic neurons. Recently, using electrophysiological analyses, we found the increased inhibitory inputs to VTA-projecting dlBNST neurons mediated by enhanced CRF signaling in the dlBNST of chronic pain model rats. CRF production has been reported to be produced in both intrinsic neurons within the dlBNST and the neurons projecting from the central amygdala to the dlBNST. Therefore, in this study, CRF mRNA expression in these brain areas of chronic pain model rats was examined by in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH). CRF mRNA expression was increased in both dlBNST and CeA. In addition, the influence of the enhanced CRF signaling in the dlBNST on VTA dopaminergic neuron activity was examined by ISH and invivomicrodialysis. Injection of CRF type 1 receptor antagonist into the dlBNST of chronic pain model rats increased c-fos mRNA expression in the VTA TH-positive neurons and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens, indicating the suppression of VTA dopaminergic neuron activity by enhanced CRF signaling in the dlBNST during chronic pain.


Herbal medicine is the oldest form of health care known to mankind. Herbal medicines have great importance in maintaining the health of every person. Demands of Herbal medicines are increasing in both developed and developing countries due to growing recognition of natural plants being lesser or of no side effect, easily available in surrounding place with low cost. Different parts of the plant have different active constituents and these active constituents may vary in their extent of activity and concentration. Most of active principles are existing in leaves, flower, fruit, bark, root and seeds of the plant. Certain herbs have become popular over the last twenty years, but herbal medicine is still poorly understood by the public, medical practitioners and the media. Nigeria is not left behind most of the world in this endeavor of utilizing herbal medicine. Dodonea viscosa is often used traditionally to treat many diseases like fever, cold, malaria, rheumatism, aches, toothaches, headaches, indigestion, ulcers, diarrhea, constipation, dysmenorrheal and irregular menstruation. The plant is reported to contain alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, tannins, steroids, triterpenoids, phytosterols and volatile oil. This review was aimed at describing the medicinal uses, phytochemical components and other important aspects of the plant.


Objective:To reconstruct a 3D vivo human knee joint model. It could be used for further kinetics and dynamics analysis of the human knee joint.Method:Pretreating the images acquired from MR apparatus using threshold method,segmenting the images using region-growing arithmetic,and then reconstructing the model by using 3-dimension interpolations.Result:The reconstructed model consisted of tibia,femur as well as soft tissue such as menisci and cartilages. It can be merged in the FE software for further usages.Conclusion:This method is suitable for 3D model reconstruction from MRI,the model could be further improved by changing the segmentation and interpolation arithmetics.


Objective To analyse experience in treating young children (4–5 years old) with urodynamically confirmed voiding dysfunction, using a noninvasive training programme.


A novel stable crystal structure is discovered in a variety of $AB{O}_{3},AB{F}_{3}$, and ${A}_{2}{O}_{3}$ compounds, via the use of first principles. This novel structure appears under hydrostatic pressure, and can be considered to be a post-post-perovskite phase. It provides a successful solution to experimental puzzles in important systems and is characterized by one-dimensional channels linked by a group of two via edge-sharing oxygen/fluorine octahedra. Such organization automatically results in anisotropic elastic properties and new magnetic arrangements. Depending on the system of choice, this post-post-perovskite structure also possesses electronic band gaps ranging from zero to $\ensuremath{\simeq}10\mathrm{eV}$ being direct or indirect in nature.


Abstract The study explores the relationship between work–life balance and supervisor support in the Indian higher education sector. More specifically, the study explores the effects of supervisor support on the work–life balance of female employees working in academia. We used online panel data comprised of 300 employees working in various universities, which we analysed by employing structural equation modelling. Results reveal that supervisor support is positively related to employee work–life balance and ultimately their life satisfaction. The findings also stress the importance of supervisor support for female employees, as its presence is a major boost in helping women reach the desired work–life balance. With the objective to augment work–life balance of women academicians, the work would guide managers as well as decision makers involved in the academic sector to implement women-friendly policies and programmes.


The identification and classification of Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus) from an examination of the microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs) emitted by the fungus has the potential to be the part of an early warning system for aflatoxigenic fungi contamination. MVOCs profiles of different A. flavus isolates have been identified using a headspace solid phase microextraction gas chromatography mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GCMS) technique. Multivariate analysis approaches were used to discriminate the aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic A. flavus isolates using their MVOC profiles. Significant variations were found when comparing both individual MVOCs and groups of MVOCs by chemical classes (with the same functional group) using multivariate ANOVA (MANOVA) analysis. Partial least-squares discriminant analysis (PLSDA) models were used for discriminating isolates using 78 individual key MVOCs. The PLS-DA model has excellent classification specificity, where (-)-aristolene, calarene, βgermacrene, and γ-muurolene were discovered as possible volatile biomarkers for identifying aflatoxigenic isolates. This study strongly supports the concept that MVOC profiling can be used for identification of toxigenic fungal isolates and HS-SPME-GCMS combined with PLS-DA is a powerful method for fungal contamination identification and potential biomarkers discovery.


The explosive increases in the use of images in several computer applications have necessitated the development of image database systems, providing contentbased and similarity retrievals. The huge data sizes of images and the complexity of similarity searches place enormous demands on computation. Network of workstations (NOWs) are a cost-e ective way of providing the much needed computational power in such applica-


Data integrity attack (DIA) is one class of threatening cyber attacks against the Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based smart grid. With the assumption that the attacker is capable of obtaining complete or incomplete information of the system topology and branch parameters, it has been widely recognized that the highly synthesized DIA can evade being detected and undermine the smart grid state estimation. However, the branch parameters cannot be easily obtained or inferred by the attacker in practice. They can be changed or disturbed with time. In this article, we complete the class of DIA by designing the zero-parameter-information DIA (ZDIA), which makes it possible for the attacker to execute stealthy data tampering attacks without any information of the branch parameters. Only the topology information about the cut line is required to construct such attack. We prove that, the attacker can arbitrarily modify the state estimate of a one-degree bus, which is connected to the outside only by a single cut line; and modify the state estimates of all buses, with the same arbitrary bias, in a one-degree super-bus, which is a group of buses that is connected to the outside only by a single cut line. Besides, we extend ZDIA to the cases where a bus and super-bus are connected to the outside only by several cut lines. Moreover, we propose two countermeasures to address the topology vulnerability exploited by ZDIA, and present a branch perturbation strategy to defend against general DIAs. Finally, we conduct extensive simulations with the IEEE standard power systems to validate the theoretical results.


The objective of the research is to identify suitable catalysts to convert animal manure-based and biomass-based synthesis gas (syngas) to liquid biofuels such as mixed alcohols and hydrocarbons. Two pathways of catalytically converting syngas are investigated: (1)a two-step process involving the intermediate methanol and (2) one-step direct conversion process. A mixed stream of calibrated gases resembling the product synthesis gas composition from gasifying animal wastes and/or biomass is used as simulated feed syngas. The temperature controlled batch system consists of a 300 mL high-pressure vessel that can maintain high pressure (2 – 15 MPa) and mild temperature (100 – 300 oC). A series of batch runs include varying catalyst size, reaction time, temperature and pressure. To date, we have evaluated the efficacy of the Ru and Rh catalysts in synthesizing dimethylether (DME). The results show that under the operating conditions of 150-200oC and 2 MPa, dimethyl ether (C-O-C bond formation) was the main product formed in preference to ethanol (C-C bond formation). The efficacy of synthesizing mixed alcohols from the simulated synthesis gases having the same composition is now underway. Furthermore,the effects of sulfur on the performance of sulfur resistant catalyst such as MoS2 will also be investigated.


Background: The fractures of the comminuted type have a prevalence of 30 to 50% when related to the ones affecting the mandibular bone. They are characterized by the presence of multiple bone fragments involving several lines of fracture, resulting in small fragments within the same area. Usually resulting from high-energy trauma, they cause large displacements, tooth loss, as well as associated lesions in soft tissues. Cases Reports : This study aimed to report two cases addressing the simplification method in the reduction of comminuted fractures treated by the method of open reduction and functionally stable fixation, which emphasized the importance of establishing a sequence of reduction maneuvers and application of osteosynthesis for a functional, occlusal and aesthetic result of the lower facial third. Conclusion: The simplification of mandibular comminuted fractures proves to be an excellent ally when one intends to reduce difficulties of reduction of the fracture and the dental occlusion on the transoperative, as well as to facilitate the application of 2.4 reconstruction plates.


123 Klebsiella pneumoniae Egyptian vultures and Steppes eagles INTRODUCTION Emerging antibiotic resistance of infectious diseases among domestic animals, wildlife and human being draw attraction toward increased interface between humans, domestic animals and free-ranging wildlife. The role of wild animals including bird of prey as reservoirs and disseminators of pathogens of potential zoonotic importance has major implications for public health (1, 2). Since the migratory scavengers feed at refuse dumps, abattoirs and other sources of domestic refuse and offal from various and different places of world they may act as disseminators of bacterial pathogens associated with those food sources (3). Raptors feeding on carcass dumps are exposed to a variety of pathogenic organisms. Hundreds of endangered Egyptian vultures N. p. percnopterus and Steppe eagles (Aquila nipalensis), henceforth referred to as 'the raptors', overwinter at Jorbeer carcass dump (4) situated 10 km from Bikaner city, in state of Rajasthan. Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram negative opportunistic pathogen associated with many enteric infections of animals, mastitis in cattle (5), bacteremia in calves (6), metritis in mares (7), pneumonia and urinary tract infections in dogs, and pneumonia, septicemia in foals (8). Epidemic and endemic nosocomial infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae are also the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in human beings (9). At present, strains expressing capsule serotypes K1 and Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Obtained from Egyptian Vultures and Steppes Eagles from India


*Corresponding Author Email: firstname.lastname@example.com ABSTRACT Valsartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker indicated for the treatment of hypertension to lower blood pressure. The present work is aimed to formulate and evaluate the sustained release matrix tablets by using valsartan drug to prolong the release of drug for an extended period of time in order to improve reduce dosing frequency and increase the bioavailability of the drug. Prepared tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, drug content and in-vitro drug release studies in different ethanol concentrations. From the results, all the tablets were within the pharmacopeial limits. Sustained release matrix tablets of valsartan were evaluated for the effect of HPMC K15M, ethyl cellulose and eudragit RS 100 in different amounts on drug release. The optimized formulation F6 was prepared with ethyl cellulose and released 98.71±2.69% of the drug in 12hrs and exhibited sustained drug release, follows zero-order kinetics. The optimized formulation was observed that dose-dumping occurred at high concentrations of alcohol in the media. The impact of alcohol was prominently observed in terms of initial rapid release for the drug in the first 2 hours of the high concentration of alcohol.


Language comprehension is a classic problem of reasoning under uncertainty . La guage comes to us as a noisy, unsegmented, ambiguous mass of auditory waveforms or visual stimul i. Humans must somehow combine this input with other knowledge we have to come up with reasonable interpretation s and actions. How might humans address this problem of decision-making under uncertainty? The best normative model we have for solving problems of this sort is probability theory, which offers a principled method with a co herent semantics for weighing and combining evidence. Whether this normative model is the correct descriptive model fo r al of human behavior has recently been the subject of much debate (Kahnema; Gigerenzer). While this debate is not res olved for all areas of human cognition and reasoning, the last decade or so had produced emerging consensus through out the cognitive sciences that in some areas human cognition is likely to make use of probabilistic models. Th e seminal work of Anderson (1990) gave Bayesian underpinnings to cognitive models of memory, categorization, and causation, and recent Bayesian models of human cognition include work in human visual processing (Rao et al. 20 01; Weiss & Fleet 2001), categorization (Tenenbaum, 2000; Tenenbaum & Griffiths, 2001b, 2001a), and the human u nderstanding of causation (Rehder, 1999; Glymour & Cheng, 1998). Together, these ideas suggest that perhaps the p rocess of human language comprehension is also best modeled as a process of probabilistic, Bayesian reasoning. This idea that human processing of language draws on probabilistic mo dels is hardly novel. (Schuchardt, 1885), in his arguments against the 19th century Neogrammarians, point out that ke y role of frequency in language production and language change. Schuchardt noted that word frequency is a good predictor of which words are phonologically weakened or 'lenited'. Words which are more frequent tend to be shorter and p honologically simplified; (Zipf, 1929) pointed out that this reduction of frequent forms also happened for frequ ent phones. (Jespersen, 1922) expanded Schuchart's idea from pure frequency to predictability or probability . Jespersen pointed out that the predictability of the word in its context, in addition to its raw frequency, must play a factor in the phonological form of the word. These early intuitions about frequency and probability were all related to language production. Evidence for the role of frequency and probability specifically in language comprehensi on processing dates quite a bit later, from the mid 20th century. In the 1950's, for example, Davis Howes showed that word frequency plays a key role in comprehension in both the visual and auditory domains (Howes & Solomo n, 1951; Howes, 1957). Throughout the second half of the 20th century, evidence amassed that high frequency words are accessed more quickly, they are accessed more easily, and they are accessed with less input signal than low-frequ ency words. This is a very robust effect, supported by tachistoscopic recognition Howes and Solomon (195 1), naming (Forster & Chambers, 1973), lexical decision (Rubenstein, Garfield, & Millikan, 1970; Whaley, 1978 ; Balota & Chumbley, 1984), recognition accuracy and errors in noise (Howes, 1957; Savin, 1963), and gating (Gr osjean, 1980). The last two decades of behavioral research have extended these lexical results to other areas of psycholinguistics such as sentence processing. We know that many kinds of probabilistic kn owledge play a role in the comprehension of sentences. One such factor is the probability of the different lexical cat egories of a word. For example the a priori probability that the ambiguous word fires is a noun, or alternatively a verb, plays a role in sentence comprehension, as does the probability that the word selectedis a preterite or a participle (Burgess & Hollbach, 1988; Trueswell,


YFeO3 single crystal displays two relaxor-like dielectric relaxations, one at low temperature (170 − 300 K) and one at high temperature (370 − 520 K), which are attributed to the activation of electrons and oxygen vacancies, respectively. Above the temperature at which electrons are activated, the sample displays a large magnetocapacitance effect. Comparison of the impedance Cole-Cole plots measured with and without applied magnetic field reveals that the occurrence of magnetocapacitance effect is accompanied with an increasing in DC conductivity under magnetic field after the activation of electrons, which is explained by the enhancement of electron jumping in Fe2+-O-Fe3+ chains by magnetic field. Thus the magnetocapacitance effect in YFeO3 single crystal can be explained by the combination of the Maxwell-Wagner space charge effect and/or magnetoresistance effect, depending on the frequency range.


Quantitative image analysis has been used to obtain reflectance data on Vitrinite and lnertinite, because most coals are mixtures of these two macerals. The distribution of vitrinite reflectance follows a gaussian distribution, whereas the reflectance distribution of inertinite follows a gamma distribution. By changing the seven parameters that define these distributions, a replicated reflectance profile is modeled. Using this technique, the reflectance characteristics of any coal can be modeled numerically with precision, and to date, several hundred natural coals with vitrinite contents from 23% to 100%, inertinite contents of 0% to 77%, and vitrinite reflectances from 0.5% to 1.7%, have been examined. By using this technique, accurate information on vitrinite reflectance (rank), group maceral composition (type), and blend design can be rapidly obtained, without reference to traditional methods of petrographic analysis, or terminology.


Nature of the problem, and background information The problem which I will discuss in this lecture is how a single-celled fertilized egg develops into a highly organized functional organism. In all animals the egg is an exceptionally large single cell, containing superficially homogeneous yolky cytoplasm. Within a few days the egg undergoes many rounds of cell division, to become a free-swimming larva containing thousands of cells, of which many are fully specialized adult cell-types, such as erythrocytes. In the case of the African frog, Xenopus laeois, which I shall refer to extensively in this talk, the main events of early development are summarized in Fig. 1. A generalization which applies to all animals except for mammals (in which the connection between the embryo and the maternal placenta alters normal events), is that no increase in dry weight takes place between the egg and hatched larval stages. Indeed the environment makes no known material or other contribution to early development. All of the materials needed to form a fully functional larva are already present in an egg in some form, largely yolk. Early development consists of the conversion of the components of an egg into those of a tadpole. During this process, extreme specialization in gene expression takes place in some cells; for example, an erythrocyte contains about 10' molecules of globin, whereas other cells contain few if any globin molecules. This must result from intense expression of the single-copy globin genes in some cells, and their relatively complete non-expression in other cells. In trying to explain early development in molecular terms, there is one fundamental concept which nearly all embryologists subscribe to. This is that eggs or early embryos contain determinants which are unequally distributed in the cytoplasm and which are partitioned out during cleavage, so that different cells of a blastula acquire different concentrations of these determinants (see Fig. 2). Determinants may be thought of as substances which activate or repress genes. No-one believes that there is, in egg cytoplasm, a determinant for each gene which is subject to developmental The Fifteenth CIBA Medal Lecture


Nano-Fe2O3/goldmine complex
was obtained by chemical coprecipitation reaction on the surface of goldmine
waste-solid. Being used as the heterogeneous catalyst in Fenton-like advanced
oxidation processes (AOPs), its treatment effect was studied in the removal
performance of industrial dyes effluent. Although the maximal COD removal
efficiency would reach 35.4% when 5 mL NaClO was added in 100 mL industrial
dyes effluent, it is found that by using nano-Fe2O3/goldmine system, the COD
removal efficiency of 13,000 mg/L dyes wastewater could reach up to 75.5% in
the presence of 30 g/L nano-Fe2O3/goldmine complex and 50 mL/L NaClO at 50。C.


Summary

The study examined the effects of three different divalent metal ions (Ca2+, Cu2+ and Fe2+) upon the curing characteristics and dynamic mechanical properties of vulcanised natural rubber with respect to scorch and cure times, cure rate index, storage modulus (E′) and damping peaks (tanδmax). The metal ions were added to natural rubber latex solutions at three concentrations of 20, 100 and 500 ppm, respectively. It was found that scorch and cure times increased with increasing metal ion concentration, with a decrease in cure rate index. Longer scorch and cure times were observed in the case of Cu2+, also with a lower cure rate index. Storage modulus values decreased with increasing metal ion concentration, with the exception of Ca2+, which produced the highest E′ value. The damping peaks of filled natural rubber decreased with increasing metal ion concentration. The smallest ion (Cu2+) also led to a decrease in the damping peak. The Tg of the natural rubber was unaffected by either concentration or type of metal ion.


This bachelor thesis work concerns with the issue of the record keeping of the tangible pro-perty in a representative company. The whole work is divided into two parts, a theoretical and a practical one. Concrete terms are delimited in the theoretical part. These terms inclu-de long-term tangible assets and acquistion and pricing of the long-term tangible assets, depreciation, reparations and maintanance and also inventorying and the way of its discarding. The practical part concerns with an analysis of a chosen representative company and concers also with the administration of the long-tarm assets of this company and also what is the whole process starting with acquisition to discarding from the register. The summary of the obtained knowledge and finding out of defects in this selected area as well as a proposal of the solutions leading to improvement of the record keeping of the long-term assets in this chosen representative company are given in the conclusion.


In the present study, the concept of absolute and marginal convergence was applied to evaluate relative emissions trends for basic types of pollution within the countries of the Baltic Sea region. The proposed measure of relative pollution is an indicator for the ecological effectiveness of the analyzed economies. We tested the following hypotheses: (1) the relative levels of pollution among the countries of the Baltic Sea region are characterized by the same long-term equilibrium; (2) the dispersion of pollution diminishes over time. Convergence applies for the relative emissions of acidifying substances, greenhouse gases, and particulate matter. The contributions of the countries' relative levels of pollution to the process of overall convergence were also estimated by means of a new concept of marginal vertical convergence. The results indicate that the estimated contributions vary from country to country.


In this paper, I examine Alston's arguments for doxastic involuntarism. Alston fails to distinguish (i) between volitional and executional lack of control, and (ii) between compatibilist and libertarian control. As a result, he fails to notice that, if one endorses a compatibilist notion of voluntary control, the outcome is a straightforward and compelling case for doxastic voluntarism. Advocates of involuntarism have recently argued that the compatibilist case for doxastic voluntarism can be blocked by pointing out that belief is never intentional. In response to this strategy, I distinguish between two types of intentionality and argue that belief is no less intentional than action is.


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known for its hallmark features such as increased levels of tau hyperphosphorylation and amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition. Cerebral vascular dysfunction constitutes an important feature of AD as well, which includes amyloid angiopathy and impaired clearance of Aβ across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). In the search for potential drugs that may enhance or maintain the BBB integrity and function, we screened the Sigma Lopac®1280 compound library using a high-throughput screening (HTS) assay developed in our laboratory.In the process of identifying a hit compound, an in-vitro BBB model monolayer utilizing bEnd3 cells was constructed. Compounds were first identified as hits if they were able to enhance the monolayer's integrity by decreasing Lucifer Yellow (LY) permeation. Next, hit compounds were secondary screened for their effect on BBB model function. Utilizing the same cell line, western blot analysis for major transport proteins of Aβ and the tight junction proteins ZO1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 was performed. Finally Aβ transport study was conducted to measure the effect of hit compounds on Aβ transport across the membrane.The HTS assay identified 3 unique compounds that decreased LY permeation, indicating enhancement of the in-vitro BBB model integrity. Western blot analysis showed these hit compounds to deferentially alter transport and tight junction protein expression indicating increased phenotypic function. In addition, hit compounds enhanced the Aβ transport across the monolayer in this model. In conclusion, these hit compounds are compelling candidates for further in vivo investigation in AD animal models.


Physical vapor transport (PVT) growth of mm-size, polycrystalline ZnO has been demonstrated at temperatures exceeding 1600°C under air at atmospheric pressure. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the growth of grains and microcrystals with strong faceted morphologies suggesting near-equilibrium growth conditions. In addition, a temperature-dependent formula for the O2 sticking coefficient has been developed to predict the maximum growth rate of PVT ZnO. Combining this formula with an existing one-dimensional analytical model for PVT growth of bulk AlN, the value of the growth rate of PVT ZnO as a function of temperature and oxygen vapor partial pressure has been studied. This analysis predicts that growth rates in the order of 1mm/h could be theoretically achieved using the PVT method under non-stoichiometric oxygen-rich vapor pressures and temperatures exceeding 1600°C.


This case note analyses the impact and significance of the European Court of Justice decision of Breyer . The European Court of Justice has expanded the definition of personal data to include dynamic IP addresses. The judgment improves the privacy situation of internet users across the European Union.


What an animal eats determines its trophic level (TL) in the food web. The diet of high-TL animals is thought to contain more energy because it contains higher levels of lipids. This however has not been systematically examined in the context of comprehensive metabolic networks of different animals. Here, we reconstruct species-specific genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) of 32 animals, and calculate the maximum ATP production per unit of food for each animal. Surprisingly, we find that ATP production is closely associated with metabolic flux through central carbon metabolism and amino acid metabolism, while correlation with lipid metabolism is low. Further, metabolism of specific amino acids and nucleotides underlie maximum ATP production from food. Our analyses indicate that amino acid and nucleotide metabolism, rather than lipid metabolism, are major contributors to the selection of animal trophic levels, demonstrating that species-level metabolic flux plays key roles in trophic interactions and evolution.


Coffee is said to be the world's most popular drug. As with anything popular, the authorities soon become aware of the financial possibilities, and either ban the product, thereby encouraging smuggling, or tax it, thereby stimulating a black market. The Swedish kings have tried both options, taxation and restrictions, during the past few centuries, and thus the crown has accumulated wealth either by revenues or by smuggling. King Gustav 111 decided that coffee was poison and, to prove his point, he condemned a murderer to drink coffee every day until his death. As a control, he pardoned another murderer and ordered him to drink tea daily. The outcome of this trial should be the assessment of a hard endpoint, by determining who died first, and two doctors were appointed to make this judgement. In this case the two doctors died first, the king was then murdered, and the two murderers both enjoyed a long life until the tea drinker died at the age of 83 years. The outcome of this trial had no effects on the decision makers. Coffee was forbidden in Sweden in 1794, and again in 1822. Today coffee drinkers are in for a hard time if they want to keep up with the latest news on coffee's impact on their health. A report from northern Norway in 1983 brought coffee back on to the cardiovascular agenda, and it is now regarded as a possible cholesterol-increasing factor [ 11.


Teaching of thinking skills has increasingly gained attention from educators in
general in the last few decades. It is now seen as a vital component which needs to be
incorporated into the teaching of school subjects with the aim of producing citizens who
are able to conduct complex thinking process on their own to solve problems and make
good decisions. This attempt to teach thinking skills at the school level obviously brings
implications on educational planning and implementation at all level to accommodate this
change. Preparing teachers to teach thinking skills is an important aspect to be dealt with.
This case study which investigated ESL teachers' perceptions and practices on the
teaching of thinking utilized a survey research design. The findings of the study indicated
that English Language teachers valued the teaching of thinking skills and had a high
sense of efficacy in teaching thinking skills to their students. The study has shown that
teachers' practice of teaching thinking skills is related to their level of knowledge and
course attendance. Teachers in the study also preferred infusion approaches to the
teaching of thinking in their language classrooms. The results also indicated teachers'
practice of infusing lower order and higher order thinking skills were satisfactory.
Teachers were also found to exhibit behaviours that promote thinking skills in students.
The study also revealed that there were no significant relationship between English
teachers' perceptions and practices in the teaching of thinking skills in their ESL
classrooms. Thus, in this study it can be said that teachers' perceptions and practices were
not dependent on each other in teaching thinking skills.


SUMMARY The long-term results of a standard vaginal repair for stress incontinence in 207 patients are presented. Fifty-two per cent of patients were Cured and a further 24 per cent improved. Improvement was unrelated to the degree of preoperative stress incontinence, but increasing preoperative urgency did reduce the cure rate significantly. More severe preoperative urgency was related to more severe frequency, nocturia and stress incontinence. Postoperative bladder emptying as assessed by suprapubic catheterisation was unrelated to cure or to pre operative symptoms, and was thus unhelpful in assessing prognosis. Increasing age was associated with a reduced cure rate for stress incontinence, but was unrelated to urgency, frequency or nocturia. The use of prophylactic antibiotics reduced the incidence of postoperative urinary infection significantly, but did not affect the length of hospital stay.


This report contemplates an instrumental composition as a project for audiovisual production in social isolation, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on the problematization of the impact of the pandemic in music making, solutions were sought that were not only viable as an artistic result but that could also be projected in a purposeful and prospective way in times of humanitarian crisis, of dismal symmetry between capitalist neoliberalism and programmed neglect in public health policies. After a description of the research on the use of art in past pandemics as a guiding principle in the choice of materials, the audiovisual production is detailed. The piece was written in April 2020 as a result of the analysis of a Renaissance motet, which, in turn, was conceived as a tribute to a composer who had perished from the plague and as a palliative against the disease.


.......................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................................ iv CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................... 1 Overview ..................................................................................................................................... 1 Definitions of Adult Learners ................................................................................................. 2 Motivational Orientations ....................................................................................................... 3 Self-directed Learning ............................................................................................................ 5 Problem Statement ...................................................................................................................... 8 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................... 8 Theoretical Frameworks ............................................................................................................. 9 Achievement Goal Theoretical Framework ............................................................................ 9 Self-Regulated Learning Conceptual Framework ................................................................ 10 Significance of the Study .......................................................................................................... 11 Limitations of the Study ............................................................................................................ 12 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................................... 12 Organization of the Study ......................................................................................................... 14 CHAPTER II: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ............................................................................... 16 Overview ................................................................................................................................... 16 Problem Statement .................................................................................................................... 16


Based on the generalized diffraction theory and matrix optics,the fractional Fourier transform with spherically aberration lensed is introduced.Taking the flattened-Gaussian beam as an example,many simulations are done.The propagation characteristics of flattened-Gaussian beam through aberration fractional Fourier transform systems are analyzed in detail.Results show that the intensity distribution on the output plane is greatly affected by the spherical aberration.The positive spherical aberration makes the intensity converge and the negative spherical aberration makes the intensity diverge.In consideration of the spherical aberration,the two setups proposed by Lohmann is no longer equivalent.


Abstract : The long-term goals of this project are to describe the distribution and abundance of zooplankton prey over small spatial and temporal scales, and to provide this information to scientists studying whale behavior. We are working closely with scientists studying the behavior and movement of both right and humpback whales. The combination of the two data sets will provide us with information into how the behavior of marine mammals is affected by their prey. This project measured the abundance and distribution of the major prey species (zooplankton and nekton) of humpback and right whales as well as the spatial and temporal scales (relevant to foraging and feeding marine mammals) that the preyfield varies over. Without this information, behavioral studies of marine mammals and their responses to various stimuli may be limited in their conclusions, as food presence and availability are extremely strong factors in determining marine mammal behavior. To collect this critical information, we identified the prey type (e.g., copepod, krill, fish) and numerical abundance of zooplankton and nekton in the vicinity of marine mammals by integrating multiple frequency acoustic survey data with net and video measurements. The distribution and numerical density of prey (in both the horizontal and vertical dimensions) relative to predator presence and behavior were measured. We measured the variability of the preyfield over length and time scales (1 m - 10s km, 10 sec - days) that are important for right and humpback whale feeding behavior and success. We also measured environmental parameters (hydrographic and meteorologic) during these surveys that may be correlated with marine mammal behavior, the presence of prey species, or subsurface acoustic scattering processes. We collected visual observations of surfacing marine mammals and their behavior during the survey that can be integrated with the preyfield data and observations from other vessels or instrumented tags.


We investigate the absorptive–dispersive properties of a weak probe field in a ladder-type semiconductor quantum well. It is found that the enhanced positive or negative refraction index without absorption can be easily obtained in this solid-state system. Our scheme may provide some new possibilities for technological applications in solid-state optical communication.


The area of native prairie known as the Great Plains once extended from Canada to the Mexican border and from the foothills of the Rocky Mountains to western Indiana and Wisconsin. Today the declines in prairie landscape types, estimated to be as high as 99%, exceed those of any other major ecosystem in North America. The overwhelming loss of landscape and accompanying loss of species constitute a real threat to both ecological and human economic health."Prairie Conservation" is a comprehensive examination of the history, ecology, and current status of North American grasslands. It presents for the first time in a single volume information on the historical, economic, and cultural significance of prairies, their natural history and ecology, threats, and conservation and restoration programs currently underway. Chapters cover: environmental history of the Great Plains the economic value of prairie prairie types -- tallgrass, mixed grass, shortgrass, wetlands -- and the ecological processes that sustain each type prairie fauna -- invertebrates, fish and other aquatic creatures, amphibians and reptiles, birds, and mammals conservation programs such as the Great Plains Partnership, Canada's Prairie Conservation Action Plan, the U.S. Prairie Pothole Joint Venture, and others The book brings together knowledge and insights from a wide range of experts to describe and explain the importance of prairies and to position them in the forefront of North American conservation efforts. "Praire Conservation" is an essential reference for anyone interested in prairie ecology and conservation and will play a critical role in broadening our awareness and understanding of prairie ecosystems.


of Dissertation Presented to the Graduate School of the University of Florida in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy ANALYSIS OF LIPIDS IN NERVE TISSUE BY MALDI TANDEM MASS SPECTROMETRIC IMAGING By Rachelle Renee Landgraf May 2009 Chair: Richard A. Yost Major: Chemistry Direct analysis of tissue from both the central and peripheral nervous systems of control rats and rats administered the potential neurotoxin dichloroacetate (DCA) was investigated using an intermediate-pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (IP-MALDI) source coupled to a linear ion trap (LIT) mass spectrometer. The MALDI matrix, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, was applied to the tissue using a novel automated inkjet printer system. The MS/MS capabilities of the LIT allowed identification of lipids desorbed directly from tissue. In some cases, a marked decrease is observed in the intensity of lipid ions in spinal cord and sciatic nerve from rats exposed to DCA. The results also demonstrate the rapid, sensitive and semi-quantitative capabilities of this method. Further quantitative capabilities of MALDI were examined through the use of an internal standard. A non-endogenous phospholipid, PC(10:0,10:0), was chosen because it does not interfere with ions typically found in the lipid mass range (m/z 700 – 900) as well as having similar ionization and extraction efficiency to the endogenous lipids of interest. Three different application methods of the internal standard were evaluated; results show that, for quantitative purposes, application on top of dry tissue is the most desirable method. Utilizing an internal


A model predictive controller based on optimized pulse patterns is proposed that is suitable for higher-order linear systems, such as converters with $LC$ filters. The controller manipulates the switching times of an optimized pulse pattern. The switching time modifications are approximated by the strengths of impulses, which are based on a small-signal linearization around the nominal switching instants. With these, the evolution of the state variables over the prediction horizon can be described by a set of linear differential equations. An objective function penalizes the predicted tracking error of the controlled variables, such as the converter currents, filter capacitor voltages, and grid currents, over a prediction horizon. Thanks to the use of impulse strengths, the underlying optimization problem is a convex quadratic program, which can be solved in real time to determine the switching time modifications of the pulse pattern to be applied by the controller.


THE IDEA of the sectional type mercury arc rectifier is based on the obvious, but heretofore apparently unrecognized, fact that the best inherent possibilities are realized only in the smaller sizes. Efficiency, reliability, economy, and flexibility are all far better in small units than in large.


ABSTRACT The application of Support Vector Machine (SVM) to classify food security in a northeast region in Brazil is explored. This type of application represents a novel use of the SVM in addressing contemporary social science questions. The results demonstrate an accuracy > 75% and a recall of 84% for classifying households that are food insecure. The variables identified by the model are consistent with contemporary theories of food security and vulnerability. The successful application of SVM in this instance and the growing availability of large-scale social science datasets suggest that data mining techniques will have a larger role to play in answering critical social science questions in the future.


The Dynamic Voltage Restorer, it is a power electronic device which resolved the problems related to voltage and current which in the transmission lines. The main objective is enhance the voltage difference (which can be determined as output between and voltage sag and also pre-sag) to the power line and helps to maintain the pre-sag voltage condition in the systems mainly side (load). Many type of schemes are implemented on compensation techniques. A control scheme for the single and three phase voltage instability based on in-phase compensation technique.. The simulation was observed and simulated out using EMTDC/PSCAD (Electromagnetic transients including DC/Power system computer aided design Student software version 4.1.0) and their results show various levels of compensation for voltage sag.


Introduction: Triage errors can occur in all emergency departments, regardless of the type of triage system being used. One way to minimize triaging errors is by enhancing the triage officers' knowledge and attitude on triage. The assessment of knowledge and attitude can be carried out by questionnaire assessment. This study aims to perform content, face, and construct validation on a newly developed triage questionnaire, QTrix, which is designed for healthcare personnel in a tertiary teaching hospital in Kelantan, Malaysia, that uses the three-tier Malaysian Triage Category system. Methods: This study consisted of two phases: the first phase was the questionnaire development phase, which included the content validity with the expert panel and the face validity using 30 respondents; and the second phase was the psychometric assessment phase, which included the item response theory and the exploratory factor analysis using 139 respondents. Results: The knowledge section with 12 remaining items was considered unidimensional by item response theory after removing items with extreme difficulty coefficients (outside the range of −3 to +3) and items with very low discrimination values (<0.35). After exploratory factor analysis, two items in the attitude section were removed due to low factor loadings (<0.3) and high item complexity. The reliability of the remaining 13 items in the attitude section was very good as shown by Cronbach's alpha values of more than 0.8. Conclusion: The QTrix questionnaire is a well-validated and reliable tool to assess the knowledge and the attitude on triage. Its use among healthcare personnel can help minimize triaging errors in emergency departments that utilize the Malaysian Triage Category system.


Documents filed by the company on 9 January outline a progressive commission rate on lithium sold of up to 40% on material valued at over $10,000/tonne lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE). The purchase includes lithium facilities and supporting businesses in Jiangxi and Sichuan, China, which produce battery-grade lithium hydroxide and lithium carbonate. "The facilities in both Jiangxi and Sichuan are strategically located in high growth regions and will enable us to enhance customer service and deliver...


Continuous monitoring of metals is necessary due to the influx of metals
into the environment from human activities. The presence of green algae
Spirogyra in various water bodies can be used as an effective bioindicator
for the detection of metals. In this paper, naturally available pigments in
Spirogyra- chlorophylls and carotenoids were used to detect the presence of
light metals by measuring the light absorbance at λ = 663 nm and 450 nm
respectively, before and after the exposure to Ca and Na. The results showed
both markers were sensitive to the presence of Ca and Na in aqueous
environment, with carotenoids gave a better response. As all markers
showed high correlation to the concentration of metals within 0.001 mg/L -
0.100 mg/L, Spirogyra had great potential to be as bioindicator for Ca and
Na in aqueous environment.


Insurance industry is one of the essential sectors that are considered vital in this globalization era. Although this industry in Indonesia is experiencing growth, there is a problem that has not been solved, which is specifically about the low retention-rate of insurance agents. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of professional identity and perceived organizational support on the intention to quit from work with job satisfaction as a mediating role among the XYZ insurance agents. The sample was taken by using the purposive sampling method consisting of 200 respondents, and the data analysis used AMOS software version 21. The results of this study indicate that both professional identity and perceived organizational support have a positive and direct effect on job satisfaction, while job satisfaction has a negative and direct effect on the intention to quit. Professional identity and perceived organizational support have a negative and indirect effect on the intention to quit through job satisfaction as the fully mediating variable.


The electronic structure of NiO was calculated by the discrete variational-X (DV-X ) molecular orbital method for prediction electrical thermal conductivity. The lattice thermal conductivity and heat capacity of NiO were calculated by molecular dynamic (MD) simulation. The Ni13O14 clusters was designed rock salt structure of NiO, symmetry of 27(Oh) for calculation the electronic structure and designed Ni256O256 super clusters for calculation the lattice thermal conductivity and thermal properties. The results, electronic structure of Ni13O14 cluster composed of total energy level and density of state. The energy gap NiO can be evaluated form energy level and density of state was indicated small mixing orbital of O 2p and Ni 3d in valence band near Fermi level. The electrical thermal conductivity was calculated by using energy gap values. The heat capacity of can be calculated by sum heat capacity in other terms to investigate the thermal conductivity of NiO.


We present a compact, moveable system for producing Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs) on an integrated microchip. The system occupies 0.4 m3 and operates as fast as 0.3 Hz. Condensates of 1.9 × 104 atoms in 87Rb have been demonstrated.


Solution of the various problems in valuation and rate making follow stereotyped methods much less than one might suppose. It is true that an outline of the principal plans and processes will closely correspond in the majority of cases, but it is also true that the physical and financial facts may differ greatly in each case, and that nearly every situation may have one or more problems seldom found elsewhere in similar form.


The principal contradiction facing Chinese society has evolved. What we now face is the contradiction between unbalanced and inadequate development and the people's ever-growing needs for a better life. As power grids play a significant role in energy resource distribution and utilization, the quality of power grid development is the foundation of healthy social and economic development of China. This paper analyses the unbalanced and inadequate development of power grids. Firstly, current situation and problems of power grid development are analysed. Secondly, an evaluation system of unbalanced and inadequate development of power grids is built to quantitatively assess the development of power grids. The unbalanced development index system is composed of secondary indicators of unbalanced urban and rural grid development, unbalanced regional grid development and unbalanced load development. The inadequate development index system is divided into scale indicators, quality indicators, automation indicators and management indicators. Each secondary indicator is then further detailed into tertiary indicators. Then, a case study of provincial power grid is applied to prove the effectiveness of the proposed index system. Study results highlight some problems, for example, unbalanced transmission and distribution grid development, unbalanced urban and rural grid development, unbalanced regional grid development, inadequate distribution grid development, inadequate automatization etc. Lastly, future improvements and measures are pointed out.


Strom (1974) developed the Parent as a Teacher Inventory (PAAT) to measure parents' feelings and beliefs regarding interaction with their young children. Parents indicate their level of agreement with 50 Likert-type statements. A factor analysis was performed on the responses of 615 parents of preschool children. In addition, items were slightly re-worded and given to 267 early childhood teachers. Results indicated that 33 of the 50 PAAT items are included in 5 separate factors for fathers; 29 items are included in 5 factors for mothers; and 35 items are in 5 factors for teachers. Next, two techniques comparing factor structures were employed to determine if this instrument could be used in a comparative manner among fathers, mothers and/or teachers. These analyses strongly support the idea of factor congruence across the three samples.


This work reports the development of a simulation model for batch, semibatch, or continuous emulsion polymerization of styrene under nonisothermal conditions. We demonstrate the use of the model to explore methods for controlling the particle size distribution. Sensitivity results suggest that accurate identification of model parameters from online data requires operation in semibatch rather than purely batch mode. The extensions to the nonisothermal case represent a significant step forward in the development of recipes for batch or semibatch polymerization in which temperature can be manipulated to achieve final product specifications. Our model is based on the zero−one population balance model of Coen et al. (Polymer 1998, 39, 7099-7112) extended to the nonisothermal, semibatch case. The model will be used for control studies and as a step toward online model-based control of semibatch polymerization reactors.


We introduce a completely abstract dynamic programming framework in which dynamic programs are sets of policy operators acting on a partially ordered space. We provide an optimality theory based on high-level assumptions. We then study symmetric and asymmetric relationships between dynamic programs, and show how these relationships transmit optimality properties. Our formulation includes and extends applications of dynamic programming across many fields.


Neural network are used for wet gas flow measurement with high precision.Differential pressure signals from the flowmeter prototype developed by the China University of Petroleum are analyzed. Different techniques for feature extraction are studied and their F ratios compared.Considering the characteristic of wet gas that has different flow patterns,a process that identifies flow pattern first and then calculates flow rate is adopted. The research shows that: neural network can be used in the wet gas flow measurement with satisfactory results.The gas phase error reached 10 % . Accurate ways for feature extraction and rational network structure both play an important role in the measurement .


An epichlorohydrinamine polymer has a unit ratio of amine to epichlorohydrin units of 0.8: 1.2 to 1.0: 1.0, are preferably used as dimethylaminopropylamine and benzylamine amine units and / or ammonium. The epichlorohydrinamine polymer is used, for example for the surface treatment of semifinished leather products and textiles.


Twenty growing pigs with an average initial weight of 53±0.5 kg (± SE) were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with four replicates per treatment and one animal in each replicate. A total tract digestibility trial was carried out to determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with graded levels of high quality cassava peel (HQCP) mashon the nutrient digestibility and fibre fraction digestibility of growing pigs. The control diet T1 had 40% of maize, while the dietary treatments T2, T3, T4 and T5 had7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% of HQCP corresponding to replacement of maize by 0, 19, 38, 56 and 75% respectively. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in apparent nutrient digestibility coefficient of dry matter, nitrogen free extract, organic matter and energy. There were significant(P<0.05)variationsintheapparentdigestibilityofcrudeprotein,crudefibreand ether extract and the crude protein digestibility decreased as the level of HQCP increased from 7.5 to 30%. Also, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in acid detergent fibre and acid detergent lignin digestibilities with the inclusion of HQCP compared to the control, whereas there was no significant (P>0.05) influence of HQCP inclusion on hemicellulose digestibility among the treatments. It can thus be concluded that the nutritional potential of high quality cassava peel can still be realised when fed up to 30% in growing pig diet


Strength theory deals with the yield and failure of materials under the complex stress state.It is an important foundation for research on the strength of materials and structures.It is of great significance in theoretical research and engineering application,and is also very important for the effective utilization of materials.Particularly for design purposes,it is important that a reliable strength prediction be available for various combinations of multiaxial stresses.Unified strength theory is a new systematic theory.The SD effect(strength difference in tensile strength and comp-[GK2]ressive strength of materials),effect of normal stress,effect of hydrostatic stress,effect of intermediate principal stress and the effect of failure criterion on the results of structural analysis are taken into account in the unified strength theory.The unified strength theory was originated and developed in Xi'an.It is developed and applied by many researchers in China,Japan,Singapore,USA,Australia,Sweden and others.This paper presents a summary of the advances of the unified strength theory and its applications in civil and hydraulic engineering;including unified slip line field(plane strain),unified characteristic line field(plane stress and spatial axisymmtric structures),unified solutions of limit analysis of plates,shells and other structures.The advances in the unified strength theory are summarized on the framework of continuum and engineering application.The detail of the unified strength theory can be found in a new book published by Springer recently(YU Mao-hong,Unified Strength Theory and Its Applications.Berlin,Springer,2004).The comment of Springer to the unified strength theory is as follows:"It is completely new theory dealing with the yield and failure of materials under multi-axial stresses.It provides a system of yield and failure criteria adopted for most materials,from metallic materials to rock,concretes,soils,polymers etc.The unified strength theory has been applied successfully to analyze the elastic limit,plastic limit capacities,the dynamic response behavior for some structures under static and moderate impulsive load,and may be implemented in some elasto-plastic finite element computer codes.The unified strength theory is described in detail and by using this theory a series of results can be obtained.The unified strength theory can improve the conservative Mohr-Coulomb theory,and since intermediate principal stress is not taken into account in the Mohr-Coulomb theory and most experimental data is not pertainable to the Mohr-Coulomb theory,a considerable economic benefit may be obtained.The book can also increase the effect of most commercial finite element computer codes.


The urge to develop high-speed data transfer technologies for futuristic electronic and communication devices has led to more incidents of serious electromagnetic interference and pollution. Over the past decade, there has been burgeoning research interests to design and fabricate high-performance porous EM shields to tackle this undesired phenomenon. Polymer nanocomposite foams and aerogels offer robust, flexible and lightweight architectures with tunable microwave absorption properties and are foreseen as potential candidates to mitigate electromagnetic pollution. This review covers various strategies adopted to fabricate 3D porous nanocomposites using conductive nanoinclusions with suitable polymer matrices, such as elastomers, thermoplastics, bioplastics, conducting polymers, polyurethanes, polyimides and nanocellulose. Special emphasis has been placed on novel 2D materials such as MXenes, that are envisaged to be the future of microwave-absorbing materials for next-generation electronic devices. Strategies to achieve an ultra-low percolation threshold using environmentally benign and facile processing techniques have been discussed in detail.


Introduction: Trichofolliculoma is a very rare, benign hamartomatous skin adnexal tumor originating from the hair follicle. The tumor which presents as a papule or nodule is usually observed on the scalp and face. Case Presentation: We report the case of a 49-year-old female who presented with a solitary papule on the nose. The lesion which was observed macroscopically and dermoscopically compatible with trichofolliculoma was completely removed by punch biopsy. The diagnosis of trichofolliculoma was confirmed histopathologically, and no recurrence was observed in the follow-up. Conclusion: Trichofolliculomas can macroscopically mimic some skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma and sebaceous carcinoma. Awareness of its typical clinical and dermoscopic features facilitates diagnosis and prevents aggressive surgical intervention.


The AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway is involved in both acute control and long‐term metabolic regulation in skeletal muscle. AMPK is activated during exercise and is required for many of the adaptive responses to endurance exercise, mediating its effects via transcription factors that control metabolic gene programs. We previously showed that the Estrogen‐related Receptor α (ERRα) is activated after an exercise bout and in response to AICAR, a pharmacologic AMPK activator. The muscle‐specific ERRα−/− mice (M‐ERRα−/−) exhibit a blunted metabolic response to endurance training. The aim of the present study is to test the hypothesis that AMPK signaling may be altered in ERRα‐deficient muscles and thus contribute to the exercise phenotype in these mice. M‐ERRα−/− and M‐ERRαWT (WT) mice were subjected to a single treadmill exercise bout (1hr) or an acute (30 min) AICAR treatment. M‐ERRα−/− muscles had reduced basal activity of both AMPK and its upstream kinase, LKB1, as assessed by western detection of the phosphorylated proteins. Despite reduced baseline activity, AMPK activation in response to acute exercise was maintained in the M‐ERRα−/− mice. Using IP‐activity assays we showed that AMPKα2 isoform specific activity was reduced at baseline in M‐ERRα−/− white vastus compared to WT. However, AMPKα2 was more robustly stimulated in the M‐ERRα−/− muscle in response to AICAR treatment (6.2‐fold, M‐ERRα−/− vs.2.3‐fold, WT). This is consistent with the greater reduction in blood glucose 30 min post‐AICAR administration observed in the M‐ERRα−/− mice, resulting from AMPK‐stimulated glucose uptake. Analysis of transcripts involved in AMPK signaling revealed that LKB1 and AMPKβ2 isoforms were consistently downregulated in ERRα‐deficient muscles or with ERRα inhibition in myocytes. We demonstrated that the regulatory regions of the Stk11 and Prkab2 genes that encode these transcripts, are directly regulated by ERRα in transient transfection experiments in myocytes. Thus, our data suggest that ERRα is involved in regulating AMPK pathway activity in skeletal muscle which can alter the responsiveness of the pathway to energetic and pharmacologic stimulation.


Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the outcome of traumatic extradural hematoma and to compare the outcome of small and large size extradural hematoma. Study Design: Descriptive case study Place and Duration: Study was conducted at the department of Neurosurgery, Saidu Teaching Hospital, Saidu Sharif, Swat for duration of two years from January 2016 to December 2017. Methods: Total one hundred and forty patients of both genders with ages 2-70 years were presented. Patients had traumatic extradural hematoma within duration first 24 hours were included and admitted through the emergency department. Detailed demographics of enrolled cases age, sex, GCS on arrival and cause of injury were recorded after taking informed written consent. CT scan of all the patients was done for diagnosis. Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) was used for determination of outcomes. SPSS 23.0 version was used to analyze the data. Results: There were 110 (78.6%) male patients and 30 (21.4%) patients were females. Mean age of the patients was 32.78±10.43 years. RTA was the most common cause found in 84 (60%) followed by falling 29 (20.7%) and assault in 27 (19.3%). Small size hematoma volume among 100 (71.4%) cases and large size was in 40 (28.6%) patients. According to Glasgow outcome score, 24 (17.1%) cases had 1-3 score and 116 (82.9%) cases had 4-5 score. Mean GOS was 4.01±1.12. We found successful outcomes among 116 (82.9%) cases in which majority of the patients were from small size extradural hematoma. Conclusion: We concluded in this study that a significant relationship exists between the volume of extradural hematoma and both the clinical and functional outcome. Prognosis becomes increasingly worse with rising extradural hematoma size. Keywords: Traumatic Brain Injury, Extradural Hematoma, Glasgow Outcome Score


Metamorphoses of capitalism (Furtado, 2002) - a transition to a new phase of capitalism - impact the North-South relationship or the centre-periphery divide. Those changes in the North-South relationship are part of a broader reconfiguration of the global economy. One subject to be investigated is how far those changes in the South may affect the North itself - are there "reciprocal effects" working? There is a question about how current changes in the periphery of capitalism now impacts the capitalist core and advanced economies: this might be a new phenomenon - the boomerang effect (Marques, 2014). This manuscript, therefore, reviews evidences on the changes in the periphery, their impact upon the center and tries to include those changes and impacts within the metamorphoses of global capitalism. Therefore, metamorphoses of capitalism also affect the nature of the divide centre-periphery (Furtado, 1978).


The problem of «elementary unit», «cell» or «quantum» of development is discussed in the article. Author means that functioning of this «quantum» have to explain continuous reproduction of the main structure of the process of development: appearance of main line of development and two subordinates lines (line of evolution included primitive elements and line evolution of non-included primitive elements). Actually, «points of bifurcation» of the of main line of development of world process constantly differentiate its totipotencial material on the «stem part», or continuing main line of development, and conditions of main line. Author attempts to estimate variety of «quantum» of development's elements for its normal functioning on the basis of the fundamental law of «cenology». Author suggests that preservation of «primitive» elements is a necessary condition for continuation of world process because only normal functioning of these elements protects the main line of development from degradation.


The following research was carried out with the purpose of differentiating the quality levels of the hotel establishments of Tarapoto, according to their categorization; For which 234 guests, both domestic and foreign, were used as study sample, applying a questionnaire about the components of the Servqual model for the measurement of service quality; Obtaining results that lead to the conclusion that the tangible aspects present higher levels of satisfaction among the studied components; Regular levels of quality in the empathy component, differentiated results by category of hotels in the safety component; Satisfactory responsiveness in two- and three-star hotels; Reliability considered satisfactory in two- and three-star hotels, while highly unsatisfactory in one-star hotels; All of which processed on a three-level scale of quality of care leads to the conclusion that the service in three-star hotels in Tarapoto is the one that presents a higher level of quality, according to the satisfaction of customers.


Pedestrian safety is of paramount importance for intelligent transportation systems. This study focuses on the scenarios where pedestrians appear as crowds and interact with moving vehicles in a relatively-free space. Based on social force model (SFM), a vehicle-crowd interaction (VCI) model is pro- posed to describe both the behavior of crowd pedestrians and vehicle. Specifically, a heuristic-based and effective modeling of vehicle influence on pedestrians is designed and incorporated into the crowd-only SFM. Qualitative analysis of systematic simulations of various VCI scenarios demonstrates the effective- ness of the proposed model. This model can effectively describe the VCI scenarios such as vehicle approaching from different directions, vehicle zigzagging, and vehicle sharply turning.


We analyze the performance of Borda counting algorithm on noisy m-wise ranking data to accurately select the top-k items from a total of n items. This generalizes a previous result of a similar nature reported by Shah et al. on the noisy pairwise comparison data. We show that the associated score separation Δk between the k-th item and the (k+1)-th item plays an important role: if Δk is greater than a threshold depending on (n, k) and the scoring system in Borda counting, then the top-k selection is accurate asymptotically almost surely; if Δk is below a threshold, then the top-k selection will not be accurate with at least a constant probability. This separation between the two thresholds depends on m and the scoring systems in the Borda counting procedure.