The objectives of this investigation are structural and physical characteristics of the n-Si1-xGex/n(p)-Si heterojunction under strong elastic deformation of Si1-xGex layers which gives rise to misfit dislocations in the heteroboundary region; the factors playing the main role in formation of the band structure of the system; the use of transmission electron microscopy and optical methods for determination of the phenomena connected with misfit dislocations in the grown epitaxial structure; the electrical characteristics of diode structures and the process of electron-hole recombination via dislocation states in a heterojunction.© (2003) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.


HIV as an illness affects the person first and foremost at the biological level in the form of an aggressive virus that compromises immunity. Every illness experience represents a unique and dramatic negative experience for the patient; it is associated with a profound and authentic psychological engagement of patients themselves and the significant people in their lives. One of the major challenges faced by India is the rapid growth of HIV/AIDS and its devastating impact upon human life. The AIDS patients suffering from severe anxiety and acute depression are unable to adjust within the given environment. Several studies have found that a substantial proportion of the chronically mentally ill report engaging in HIV risk behaviors. HIV infection adds stress to the already compromised coping skills of the mentally ill, while mental illness itself may increase the risk behavior and thus predispose the affected person to HIV. HIV-infected adults live in a social and cultural environment, and the economic and political conditions of the state that they live in directly affect these people. In this complex context there are specific developmental stages that all adults, regardless of their HIV status, tend to go through. The present study aims to assess the role of counseling as an effective technique for reducing psycho-social problems of AIDS patients. The sample comprised of 25 AIDS patients (17 male and 08 female). Purposive sample was used to select AIDS patients fromtwo ART Centers of Mysore City. Their age ranged from 20 to 40 years. The data was collected through interview schedule. Findings showed that counseling proved to be very effective therapeutic technique for reducing Psycho social problems of AIDS patients. Gender differences were also observed. Male AIDS patients experienced more psychological problems as compared to females.


Nondystrophic myotonias (NDM) are muscle channelopathies characterized by clinical and electrical myotonia. Little is known about pregnancy in NDM. The aim of this work was to assess pregnancy outcomes in women with NDM.


Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (vEDS) is a genetic disease caused by a pathogenic mutation in the COL3A1 gene. Despite its severe course, the rarity and extreme clinical variability of the disease can pose significant obstacles to a timely diagnosis. Early and accurate diagnosis may lead to improved patient outcomes by providing access to targeted pharmacological treatments like celiprolol and enhancing the management of vEDS-related complications. Herein, we report a patient harboring a novel de novo COL3A1 missense variant, in which the diagnosis was only possible belatedly due to delayed referral for genetic evaluation. The patient developed pulmonary complications, aneurysms, and vascular malformations, and died at the age of 26 years due to massive pulmonary bleeding.


A bromine capped polystyrene (PS-Br) with an M n of around 5,000 was synthesized by using Cu(phen)-2Br/1-PEBr as catalyst and initiator to polymerize styrene (St) according to atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) mechanism.Then, by using such a PS-Br as a macro-initiator,some block copolymers [P(St-b-MMA) and P(St-b-BA)] were also prepared through phen-ATRP.These block copolymers have been characterized by means of GPC,IR, 1H-NMR and DSC,respectively. It was found that there were no any homopolymers in these block copolymer systems and P(St-b-BA) exhibited a compatible system due to the short length of both blocks,although the miscibility between these two blcoks was poor. By using phen/CuCl/RCl as catalyst and initiator, the explosive polymerization phenomenon of methacrylate (MA) was observed. However,the copolymerization of MA and iso-butyl vinyl ether (IBVE) could be controlled in ATRP.The obtained poly(MA-co-IBVE) was characterized and discussed by using DSC and 1H-NMR.


The highways authority, fire and rescue services, housing, and children's services need to work together more effectively to reduce child injuries and deaths, recommends guidance from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence.

Mike Kelly, director of the Centre for Public Health Excellence at NICE, said unintentional injuries are a leading cause of death and serious injury in children and young people aged under 15 years, with roughly four children dying each week as a result of such injuries.

He explained that the term "unintentional" had been used deliberately because these incidents were preventable.

"The causes are predictable and it is within our …


Specific to the field of iron and steel metallurgy, this study analyzes the problem of increased steel loss caused by the intermediate billet head and end cutting in the hot continuous rolling process, and proposes to optimize the shape of the continuous casting billet through the shape compensation method, thereby to reduce the loss of head and end cutting caused by the intermediate billet, and determine the cutting data of the intermediate billet under the representative process conditions through the statistical analysis of the field data. Based on this, the simulation method is adopted to carry out simulation calculation of the hot continuous rolling process, attempting to determine a reasonable optimization cutting plan of the continuous casting billet. The study shows that, using the CAD modeling and Deform software simulation method to simulate the rolling process of the continuous casting billet can effectively simulate the shape change of the casting billet in the actual production process.


Test for measuring vocational aptitude has been formulated and validated. There are three main constructs involved in vocational aptitude test, which are individual characteristics, activities that are likely to be selected, and professions that tend to be idolized. Individual characteristics indicate the individuals talents, whereas the activity that tends to be chosen leads to student interest in the activity, and the intended profession gives clues about the capability of themselves to pursue the profession. Content validity test with Lawse technique yields content validity ratio (CVR) for all items are in the range 0.82-0.94 and content validity index (CVI) = 0.88. The construct validity test yields comparative fit index (CFI) = 0.918 and chi square coefficient (χ 2) = 5.85 with significance (p) = 0.002. These findings indicate that the test is valid either by content or construct. Furthermore, the reliability test with Alpha Cronbach found the alpha coefficient (α) = 0.82. Finally, it can be concluded that vocational aptitude test can be utilized for early identification of student vocational aptitude. The hope, the test can help students to choose the appropriate vocational school, in order to obtain the better learning outcomes.


Data mining application is very vital for Telecom.Customer segmentation can analyze customer composition and promote serve quality.In this study,a resolution of customer segmentation for Changzhou Telecom in Jiangsu province is proposed based on the commercial automatic data mining tool KXEN.Results show that KXEN saves much modeling time and the resolution is efficient.


The economic performance of any country can be measured by real GDP growth rate, rate of inflation, exchange rate, fiscal position, debt position and many other variables, which can also serve as the major determinants of economic growth. The debt position of a country is determined by outstanding government debt. The essence of issuing government debt is to finance budget deficit, since a balanced budget is abnormal occurrence. Since government debt is issued to finance budget deficit, it implies government debt will increase alongside with financing of budget deficit. Thus establishing the relationship between government domestic debt and stock market performance could be of great significance in predicting optimum government domestic debt to gross domestic ratio whereby any debt changes do not have any negative impact on stock market performance. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the relationship between domestic government debt and stock market performance. The guiding specific objectives of this study were to establish the effect of treasury bonds, treasury bills, commercial bank advances to government and central overdraft on stock market performance in Kenya. The findings of the study showed that treasury bonds and treasury bills have negative but insignificant influence on stock market performance while the central bank overdraft to the government and commercial bank advance to the government has positive and significant influence on stock market performance. The overall model was found to be significant at 5% significance level. Since few studies have been done on government domestic debt when disaggregated into its categories, further studies need to be done to test the reliability of the findings of this study. Further similar study can done on categories of external debt.


Animal assisted therapies are gaining in popularity these days, of which equestrian therapy is one of the most popular. The success of the therapy is the appropriate horse. It is important that not all horses are suitable for therapy, so we have to select and train the appropriate horse before beginning therapeutic work. In selecting, it is primarily important to consider the size, movement, sex, age, temperament, and work ethic of horses. In therapeutic work, not only the professional should have a high level of knowledge, but also horses. Types that are generally suitable for equestrian therapy include Haflingi, Fjord and Hucul.


Vibration exciters are of the most important parts of vibratory technological equipment. Among a great variety of exciters, the inertial ones are currently the most widely used due to their design simplicity, well-studied control techniques, and relatively large efficiency. The present paper deals with a prospective type of inertial exciters based on a planetary mechanism. The main purpose of this research consists in substantiating the possibilities of providing triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, and other paths of oscillations of a single-mass vibratory system driven by a symmetric planetary-type vibration exciter. The mathematical model of the system motion is developed using the Euler-Lagrange equations, and the following numerical modeling is carried out with the help of the Runge-Kutta methods integrated in the Mathematica software. Virtual experiments are conducted in the SolidWorks software using the 3D-model of the vibratory system. The obtained results are presented in the form of time response curves and motion paths of the oscillating body under different operational conditions. The major scientific novelty of the paper consists in substantiating the parameters of the symmetric planetary-type vibration exciter allowing for generating triangular, rectangular, hexagonal oscillations of the single-mass vibratory system. The obtained results can be effectively used while designing new and improving existent vibratory technological equipment, e.g., conveyors, screens, feeders, sieves, etc.


Summary
The aim of this study was to develop and validate an efficient analytical method based on gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) for detection and quantification of six pyrethroids residues (Phenothrin, Permethrin, Cyfluthrin, Cypermethrin, Deltamethrin and Fenvalerate) in chicken eggs. The method was based on a preliminary liquid–liquid extraction of albumen-free yolk samples, followed by a clean-up by solid-phase extraction. GC/MS/MS analyses were carried out in the selected reaction monitoring mode. Validation parameters such as specificity, detection capability, decision limit, precision, recovery, stability and ruggedness were determined, resulting in compliance with Decision 2002/657/EC. No complicated apparatus are required; moreover, low volumes of organic solvents and a nonintensive manual labour are required. These low costs and simple procedure, based on rapid and safe operations, may represent a useful tool in the routine analysis of pyrethroids pesticides, in the place of the currently used conventional techniques.


IntroductionFinancial services industry is the mainstay of the Indian economy, and is the key reflector of the financial health of the country. The credit card industry in India is flooded with many players and is made up of 18 major banks and financial institutions, which are offering credit cards. With a sizeable percentage of consumers banking online, quick banking and any time cash have become highly preferred features, which are expected of every bank. Credit cards are just one of the many financial services offered by the banking sector.In today's world, understanding customers' sentiments and knowing whether customers feel and think positively about their brand and its associated products and services gives banks a quick health check of their business. The most important insights that organizations are getting from customers are feedback regarding their service quality levels. This empirical study is a means to understand and analyze what services and features in services matter to the customer. What drives the customer to a bank for availing a credit card service? Is it simply brand or the origin of the bank, or the mere quality of services offered by the bank?Literature ReviewCountry of Origin (COO) effect is a widely studied phenomenon in international marketing, and has been an important area of research in the field of consumer behavior and consumer brand choice decisions. Literature review suggests three broad periods into which the study of COO can be classified. A summarization of the same is presented in the subsequent paragraphs.The first phase of study on COO effect covers the period 1965-1982. The studies done during this time concluded that COO can have an effect on a consumer's opinion of the product. Thereafter, studies were conducted on regional versus national labelling, consumers' perception of imports, and so on. Gaedeke (1973) found that attitudes toward a specific product or brand are substantially changed, both favorably and unfavorably, when the COO of the product/brand is revealed to the consumer. The COO phenomenon is also observed among industrial buyers (White and Cundiff, 1978; and White, 1979) and has been shown to change over time (Nagashima, 1970). The COO stereotypes are also found to vary by demographic characteristics like age and gender (Schooler, 1965; and Bannister and Saunders, 1978), race and education (Schooler, 1971). Other research indicates that COO labels influence overall product evaluations or beliefs about product quality (Reierson, 1967; and Nagashima, 1970). This effect may result from two processes: In the first, the COO label has no direct effect on evaluation. Consumers infer the level of some other attribute(s) that determine(s) a broader attitude or assessment of quality.The second phase of study is mapped for the period from 1983 to 1992. This period involved establishing a link between country image and product image. During this period, the studies compared domestic versus foreign goods and the impact of COO on brand evaluation. The researchers followed a multi-cue approach by selecting multiple countries as the basis of study. Thereon, studies were conducted on the influence of gender on perceptions related to COO and country image, and also on halo and summary constructs. The halo construct describes situations in which the country image is attached to products that consumers have little knowledge about, whereas a summary construct operates when consumers are familiar with the country's products, and the country image is influenced by the same. One study profiled a country through its attributes, and matched a product category with country image perceptions.Johansson et al. (1985) attempted to model the effects of COO stereotypes based on information processing principles. However, the modelling had many of the limitations of earlier descriptive studies, such as lack of generalizability. The cognitive process is believed to play an important role in product evaluation based on COO labels. …


Social work as a profession is committed to the creation of an equal and just society. Social work pedagogy combines an analysis of psychosocial, economic and political contexts and methods of active intervention and administration of social welfare. Gender sensitization and awareness is an integral component of social work education and training in India. Through conscious efforts students are enabled to imbibe the concept of gender, to look at women not only as individual entities but also in relation to men, and the way relations between the two are socially constructed. This paper examines the integration of a gender perspective in social work education and practice and explores how this may play a part in enabling students to 'unlearn' their gender stereotypes imbibed during socialization. The paper draws on case study examples of some projects in India.


The spontaneous processes of the self-replication and self-organization, which in parallel with the multistage synthesis of products (technology of the so-called gluey matrix) establish the basis of Informatic, Molecular Nanotechnology of the Direct Products Nanofabrication, has been presented. It call attention on fact, that the fast breeding of basic elements and next differentiating and self-organization of them to the desirable products, are a technology appearing in Biological Systems of Informatics, and there can be base of construction for the Technical Nanosystem of Informatics of the Direct Products Nanofabrication.


Successful traffic incident management presupposes a multi-disciplinary approach. To meet appropriately the safety and mobility needs of all affected parties, traffic incidents call for a high level of collaboration and coordination of involved agencies. Effective traffic incident management activities rely in particular on flexible communications and information systems.Based on experiences from the military domain it is possible to develop strategic concepts that are related to the improvement of information sharing and collaboration. Such concepts can also be applied to enhanced traffic incident management information systems. The present paper aims to offer a review of the state of the art in this field and to illustrate the empirical usefulness and benefits of traffic incident management.


In this research,the performance of delegation of Hunan province on all the National Games,Olympic Games,Asian Games was summarized,the status and challenge of competitive sports in Hunan province was analyzed,the strategy and advice for the fully development of competitive sports in Hunan province was proposed.


This report is designated to help water supply and sanitation institutions prepare for private sector participation. The private sector has been substancial resources to offer, including funds for investment and management expertise to improve productivity and organizational efficiency. this report is organized to guide a water supply of sanitation agency in preparing for private sector involvement


November 1959, an official of the Swedish broadcasting corporation, Sveriges Radio, commented on Nordvision, the recently launched exchange of television broadcasts among the Scandinavian countries. While warning that hopes for the future were in danger of becoming a "hagring och dromsken" [mirage and dream-like apparition], Lars Ulvenstam nonetheless thought the opening program had symbolized "en lycklig och kanske lyckosam verklighet" [a happy and perhaps prosperous reality]. Television, he wrote, "skulle kunna framja sprâkforstâelsen och kulturgemenskapen" [could further language comprehension and the cultural community].1 For a few years Nordvision was enthusiastically championed by Sveriges Radio, but support flagged gradually. This study examines the fate of the program exchange during those years discussing the anticipations that Swedish television had for the exchange and the reasons they were not realized. Although a Scandinavian phenomenon, Nordvision will be considered in this paper from a Swedish perspective, using as sources the Sveriges Radio annuals and the corporation's programming magazine, Roster i Radio-TV. To understand the role of Nordvision, a brief account of the development of television in Sweden is necessary. Following a few years of experimental transmission, regular TV broadcasting began in the fall of 1956. Adhering to the regulatory pattern already in place for radio, the Swedish government in 1956 awarded a TV monopoly to Radiotjanst (renamed Sveriges Radio in 1957), the corporation responsible for radio broadcasting. Like its soundonly predecessor, television in Sweden


Introduction The antiproton-nucleon interaction is very strong. Therefore antiprotons interacting with atomic nuclei are absorbed and annihilate already a t the nuclear periphery, where the nucleon density is significantly smaller than the central nuclear density. For sufficiently slow antiprotons the annihilation takes place after the antiprotonic atom has been formed. In this case the spatial distribution of the antiproton wave function is well determined and one can imagine that the annihilation "signals77 (whatever they are) could perhaps be used to test the extent and the composition of the nuclear surface. In this article I will present some results 'showing that, indeed, the antiproton is an efficient probe of the outer part of the nuclear periphery. As the interaction strength of antiproton annihilating with a neutron or with a proton is not very different-antiprotons, in contrast to electromagnetic probes, may test the matter (and not only the charge) distribution of nuclei. The results presented in this article were gathered during the last few years by the WarsawMunich collaboration [I, 21 using the slow antiproton beam provided by the late LEAR (Low Energy Antiproton Ring) facility at CERN. Before presenting them, however, let me first recall some information about antiprotonic atoms and remind you some old experiments closely related to the investigations performed by our collaboration.


We have proposed a static model, a dynamical model and a modified dynamical model of a geyser induced by gas inflow based on observation and model experiments of it and have also proposed a combined model combining above two models. And numerical simulations of the modified dynamical model or the combined model reappear spouting dynamics of a geyser induced by gas inflow and it becomes possible that parameters (volume of the underground space, depth of spouting hole and so on) under a geyser are estimated through comparison between results of numerical simulation and those of observation. Moreover we proposed a dynamical model which assumed more than two underground gas supply sources by extension of above-mentioned usual dynamical model. As a result, irregular spouting dynamics of a geyser induced by gas inflow could also be reappeared by the modified model. As a result, spouting mechanism of all kinds of geysers induced by gas inflow has been clarified. However, in general, geysers are classified into two types dependent on inducer. That is, one is a geyser induced by inflow of gas and the other is a geyser induced by boiling. The latter is more popular and many ones exist all over the world. Though qualitative spouting models of a geyser induced by boiling have been proposed, its dynamics has not been discussed sufficiently. Therefore, then we derived a dynamical model of a geyser induced by boiling applying the above-mentioned dynamical model of a geyser induced by inflow of gas. Then we tried to estimate time derivation of spouting rate of a geyser induced by boiling through numerical simulations. Using the model we can estimate underground parameters of a geyser induced by boiling by comparison of results of numerical simulation of the model and those of observation of a geyser induced by boiling. In this presentation, after we review above-mentioned models of a geyser induced by gas inflow and one induced by boiling in outline, we explain the method of an estimation of underground parameters of a geyser induced by boiling using the dynamical model.


W e analyze the scattering sector ofthe H am iltonians for both gapless and gapped graphene in the presence of a charge im purity using the 2D D irac equation, which is applicable in the long wavelength lim it.W e show thatforcertain range ofthe system param eters,the com bined e(cid:11)ectof theshortrangeinteractionsduetothechargeim purity can bem odelled usinga singlerealparam eter appearing in theboundary conditions.Thephaseshiftsand thescattering m atrix depend explicitly on this param eter. W e argue that this param eter for graphene can be (cid:12)xed em pirically,through m easurem entsofobservablesthatdepend on the scattering data.


Expansion of the range of examined T-helper clones has determined more complex immune mechanisms for the implementation of allergic inflammation. Objective. To characterize the parameters and relationships between the serum cytokine profile and T-lympho-cyte subpopulation in peripheral blood of children with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis. Materials and methods. 150 children aged between 3-11 years old with bronchial asthma, and allergic rhinitis and 30 healthy volunteers were examined. Immunological parameters were assessed by flow cytometry, the concentration of serum interleukins and IgE were determined by means of enzymelinked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was performed with «Statistica 10» program with a critical level of significance p


This paper addresses several issues in parallel multiple alignments, and reports some preliminary computational results of their implementation on CM5. Use of parallelism in the diagonal direction is laid stress on, which is quite useful especially when aligning similar strings. Some connection with the parallel approximate string matching algorithm by Landau and Vishkin [1] is also touched upon.


X-ray diagnostic apparatus comprising: a first imaging system having a first X-ray tube and a first X-ray detector, a second imaging system having a second X-ray tube and the second X-ray detector, the support of the first imaging system first support means, second support means supporting a second imaging system that it can be close to and away from the first imaging system, a control circuit controls movement of the second imaging system. The control circuit according to an instruction from an operator, to selectively move the second imaging system and a photographic imaging system to the first central axis intersecting the photographing position, the photographing position retracted position away from, or closer to the retracted position than the position of photography is temporarily retracted position.


ABSTRACT Background: Although individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) often live independently, instruction on compensatory strategies could assist individuals with complex daily tasks. External memory aids (EMA) are evidence-based compensatory strategies that support cognitive communication impairments. Often EMAs are included within multi-strategy-based interventions; however, limited research has examined solely training several EMAs to individuals with mild memory impairments and the long-lasting outcomes. Aims: The aims of this study were to examine the effect of structured group EMA treatment for individuals with possible MCI on their: (1) functional use of EMAs to compensate for memory impairments compared to before treatment; (2) cognitive skills post-treatment; and (3) do these changes maintain for 6 weeks and 18 months following intervention. Methods & Procedures: The researchers employed an experimental pre-/post-group treatment design and collected 6-week and 18-month follow-up data. Six participants were divided into two groups. Participants completed 6 weekly group treatment sessions training three categories of EMAs. Group 1 began treatment immediately and Group 2 started treatment following the conclusion of treatment for Group 1. Outcomes and Results: Participants increased their functional EMA use following treatment on a Role Play Activity. Group mean scores on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Nasreddine et al., 2005) increased following treatment. Inconsistent retention of skills was documented for both functional EMA use and cognitive skills during follow-up assessment. Conclusions: With treatment, individuals with possible MCI learned to use EMAs during functional activities. Mixed results related to retention of skills indicated the potential importance of booster treatment to reinforce EMA use. Future research should aim to investigate additional methods to measure functional EMA use prior to and following intervention.


Honey bee (Apis mellifera, L.) pollen collection and forager distribution were examined during the 2002 summer in a cantaloupe (Cucumis melo, L., Cruiser cv ) field with plastic mulch and drip irrigated. The experimental site was located near the INIFAP Campo Experimental La Laguna, Matamoros, Coahuila within La Laguna region, Mexico. Two trials were conducted in the same location, but were separated by a 800 m wide pecan orchard. Both cantaloupe trials were planted the same date. Trial 1. Nine honey-bee hives were placed in a three hectare field at the start of bloom. Each hive was fitted with a modified-Ontario pollen trap. The pollen was collected one day a week from each colony every hour beginning from 8:30 hr to 14:30 hr during the first four blooming weeks of the crop. Trial 2. Three weeks after the start of bloom, in a ten-ha field 30 honey bee colonies were located. In four randomlyselected rows of 105 m long, 10 m transects at 25, 50, 75 and 100 m distances from the apiary were marked. The foraging bees were counted simultaneously at the transects every half hour from 7:30 hr until 20:30 hr at the same pollen collection-day during the third week of cantaloupe bloom. Pollen collection was higher early in the morning (22.6 g per colony), dropping to medium amount from 9:30 hr (13.7 g), 10:30 hr (12.5 g) to 11:30 hr (9.5 g) and remaining low from 12:30 through the afternoon (less than 2.6 g per colony; p< 0.05). The distribution pattern showed that bees were in the cantaloupe after 8:00 hr, reaching a maximum between 10:30 hr and 14:30 hr when the bees began to decrease, until foraging flights ceased completely at about 20:30 hr. No statistical differences were found in the number of foraging bees among the evaluated distances from the apiary.


The placental insufficiency is regarded as the primary factor contributing to late-term abortion and perinatal death of foals. The aim of the present study was to create the predictive model in mares with placental insufficiency. Based on the results of the screening investigation of 136 mares, the treated protocol was created for correction of pathological conditions in the mares with placental insufficiency. We used hematological and biochemical assay to search blood samples, biochemical study of amniotic fluids, clinical examination of electrolyte metabolism, fetus cardiotocography and histological study of postdelivary placental tissues. The link between morphological and physiological changes in placenta, damage of dam's metabolic proses and fetus distress was proven. The firs sing of the disorders were changes in microcirculation of the placentae. Based on these results was created the treated protocol for correction of placental insufficiently by the use of hypovolemic complex of medicine. As a result of the application of complex intensive treatment of placental insufficiency with ethoxylated starch solution to pregnant mares, it became possible to prolong pregnancy in 88.0% of cases at this study, to get a viable fetus and to prevent perinatal loss.


A compressible, structured, overset Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes-based solver is used to simulate a microhovering rotor in ground effect to demonstrate the capability of the code to provide accurate tip-vortex-flowfield predictions, and to provide a good understanding of the ground–wake interactions in conditions prevalent in helicopter brownout. The performance validation at different rotor heights above the ground shows good correlation with the experimental thrust and power measurements. A detailed comparison of the predicted tip-vortex flowfield shows good agreement with the vorticity contours and radial-velocity profiles obtained from the particle-image-velocimetry measurements during experiments. The examination of the in ground effect tip-vortex flowfield suggests high degree of instabilities close to the ground. The induced velocities arising from the proximity of the rotor tip vortices cause flow separation at the ground. An analysis of the eddy-viscosity contours near the ground indicates hig...


We study the problem of estimating and tracking an unknown trajectory with a multi-rotor UAV in the presence of modeling error and external disturbances. The reference trajectory is unknown and generated from a reference system with unknown or partially known dynamics. We assume the only measurements that are available are the position and orientation of the multi-rotor and the position of the reference system. We adopt an extended high-gain observer (EHGO) estimation framework to estimate the unmeasured multi-rotor states, modeling error, external disturbances, and the reference trajectory. We design a robust output feedback controller for trajectory tracking that comprises a feedback linearizing controller and the EHGO. The proposed control method is rigorously analyzed to establish its stability properties. Finally, we illustrate our theoretical results through numerical simulation and experimental validation in which a multi-rotor tracks a moving ground vehicle with unknown trajectory and dynamics and successfully lands on the vehicle while in motion.


Photochemical and photophysical properties of phenylethynyldisilanes in MP (methylcyclohexane/isopentane, 3:1 v/v) have been studied by means of picosecond and nanosecond spectroscopy along with steady-state experiments. Intramolecular charge transfer in the excited singlet state of phenylethynyldisilanes occurs very rapidly (<10 ps) at both 77 and 294 K. This finding shows that internal rotation (or twisting) or solvation is not necessary for the intramolecular CT formation of phenylethynyldisilanes. The mechanism on the intramolecular CT from the /sup 1/(..pi..,..pi..*) state to the /sup 1/(2p..pi..,3d..pi..) CT state of the compounds is quite different from that of the usual TICT (twisted intramolecular charge transfer). Two decay components (fast and slow) of the /sup 1/CT state are observed, which are ascribed to the intersystem crossing rates from /sup 1/CT to /sup 3/(..pi..,..pi..*), depending upon the molecular conformations of the /sup 1/CT state of phenylethynyldisilanes. The photochemical reaction to produce silacyclopropenes takes place effectively via the /sup 1/CT state at room temperature, but not in MP glass at 77 K.


The bark of Warburgia salutaris, locally known as muranga, is a medicine of great traditional significance in Zimbabwe. However, trees of this species are at or near extinction in the wild in Zimbabwe. In this paper, the economics of the re-introduction of this rare medicinal species in some relatively moist, high altitude sites in south-eastern Zimbabwe are examined. The analysis builds on the information base provided by a recent pilot project of Warburgia re-introduction, as well as on market price data from a survey of current medicinal bark markets and on assumptions regarding the prospective future production and use of Warburgia leaves and bark by farmers and healers. The economic analysis, strongly suggests that expanded Warburgia production, at least on a small scale, in the remote, hilly region of southeastern Zimbabwe is very economically attractive and conducive to improving rural incomes and livelihoods of small-holders. This conclusion holds true in private feasibility terms, for both small-scale farmers and healer-growers, and in terms of social cost benefit analysis wherein seedling subsidies are removed.


OF THE DISSERTATION Spectacles of Modernity: Anxiety and Contradiction at the Interwar Paris Fairs of 1925, 1931 and 1937 By Julia Kostova Dissertation Director: Derek Schilling My dissertation focuses on the three major international fairs held in Paris in the interwar period – the Art Deco Exposition of 1925, the Colonial Fair of 1931 and the International Exposition of 1937. Like all world's fairs, these expositions responded to and imagined solutions to pressing economic, political, and cultural problems by offering elaborate ideological messages, shrouded in spectacle and entertainment, in an attempt to reassure fairgoers of the tenability of French values and the bright future. Yet, I argue that despite efforts to provide coherent and reassuring answers to visitors, the narratives the fairs produced were often conflicting and inconsistent. In fact, the narratives of modernity, progress and nationhood, created by the displays, architectural representations and debates surrounding the planning stages, often problematized the dominant, officially-sanctioned visions that the fairs relentlessly promoted. I explore precisely the inconsistencies between these conflicting visions because they shed light on the process by which the fairs configured national identity and formulated images of modernity. I contend that these internal conflicts are an indication of France's deeply problematic relationship to the modernity traditionally extolled at the fairs, and that it emerged as a serious challenge to deeply engrained national selfperception.


This work reports the hot-hole injection-originated instability in the electrical characteristics (or the photodetection performance) of a monolayer WS2 Field Effect Transistor (FET) photodetector. When a reverse bias (i.e., OFF-state bias or negative gate voltage) temporal stress with a lateral electric field is applied under visible light illumination, the photocurrent is found to vary with time by up to 1 to 2 orders of magnitude. Instability in the dark current is also observed post the stress under illumination, which is reflected in the variation in the transfer and the output characteristics of the FET. The observations impose severe limitations on the reverse-biased back-gated FET for sensitive photodetection applications using transparent single-layer WS2 as the photoactive material.


Abstract This article addresses concerns about the relationships between practice and theory in today's theatre and examines the discipline's analytical methodology. This contribution re-introduces Yuri Lotman's concept of semiosphere as an anthropological and social space of communication, in which every participant maintains their existence concurrently across temporal, linguistic, and cultural zones. Finally, by launching the notion of a theatrical semiosphere that embraces the dynamics of cognitive impulse in the tripartite proximity of the space of the stage, the space of the audience, and the space of the "in between," this study seeks to demonstrate how the transitory nature of theatrical communication directed at the multiple audio-visual, cognitive, and cultural sensors of actors and spectators can still be considered and studied from the perspective of semiotic exchange as the primary device of human cognition.


In this paper we introduce a class of operators on complete lattices called Dynamic Ordered Weighted Averaging (DYOWA) functions. These functions provide a generalized form of an important class of aggregation functions: The Ordered Weighted Averaging (OWA) functions, whose applications can be found in several areas like: Image Processing and Decision Making. The wide range of applications of OWAs motivated many researchers to study their variations. One of them was proposed by Lizassoaim and Moreno in 2013, which extends those functions to complete lattices. Here, we propose a new generalization of OWAs that also generalizes the operators proposed by Lizassoaim and Moreno.


Greenspan [1] considered water waves of finite amplitude on a beach of constant slope. He proved that: (Gi) A wave of elevation with nonzero slope at the front propagating shoreward into quiescent water always breaks before the shore.1 (G2) Under the same conditions a wave of depression never breaks. In this note we do not assume that the beach has constant slope, but rather we allow the depth to be an arbitrary smooth function of position. We show that the appropriate generalizations of Greenspan's results are: (GV) In the above circumstances a wave of elevation always breaks; in particular, it breaks at the shore when the amplitude is sufficiently small, otherwise it breaks before the shore. (G2') A wave of depression breaks if and only if a certain integral (involving only the depth function) is finite, and it never breaks away from shore.


It DESCRIBED ONE FOR THE PREPARATION OF ESTERS AND PROCESS diesters POLIFORMILCARBOXILICO by hydroformylation acid esters unsaturated fatty multiple times. THE TRANSFORMATION achieved in presence of an aqueous solution containing rhodium complexes CARBONYL / phosphine CATALYST AND a surfactant.


With the end of its 30-year civil war, Sri Lanka is on the path to revitalize its economy. In this endeavor, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a crucial role. Like all businesses, SMEs can benefit greatly from new e-commerce technology, a fact that has motivated many of them to establish their presence online through company websites. Sri Lankan users, however, are reluctant to adopt this technology. Little research has been done regarding factors that affect the adoption of e-commerce among Sri Lankan consumers. This study examines factors that affect consumer buying behavior, with a view to helping Sri Lankan SMEs attract and retain customers through online transactions. Based on an extensive literature review, the study formulated six hypotheses and developed a proposed framework for successful adoption of online SMEs from the consumer's perspective. The methodology included a simple random sampling approach for an online survey of 408 Internet users in Sri Lanka. The data collected was analyzed using SPSS. The results indicate that all six hypotheses are supported.


The software «TECEXP», determines the indexes of technological effectiveness of agricultural and forest machines according to NC 34 -37 standard, starting from the timing carried out to a machine working in real conditions, under close supervition. It offers us the results of each control shift, contemplating the volume of carried out work, time balance (clean, operative, productive, of shift and operative), productivity per hour and in 8 hours, fuel expenses for unit of carried out work and during the exploitation time, time of elimination of technological and technical failures, coefficient of technological and technical security, as well as, the coefficient of use of the productive time and operative. It also offers us a summary of the control shift primary indexes, determining the quantity of times that repeats each time according to their code, as well as the total time consumed in the same one. Lastly the software determines the general technological indicators for evaluation of machines on approval according to the quantity of control shifts carried out. This program has been used for the technological evaluation of the sprinkler machine of projected jet EOLO and MARTINIANI. in citric plantations.


Precision in sensing the environmental cues and adjusting the growth and the physiology of the root system are necessary for plant robustness. Plants achieve their phenotypic plasticity by tightly controlling and buffering developmental decisions. In addition to the classical plant hormones that mediate plant development and stress responses, the CLE peptides constitute an additional crucial level of regulation. While the CLV3-CLV1 module appears to be highly conserved to control the proliferation of the shoot apical meristem stem cells, we do not yet fully understand the function of the additional CLE genes and whether they act in a similar way across the plant species, including tomato. Due to the small gene size and high sequence variability, it is extremely difficult to precisely annotate CLE genes in plant genomes. Here we present our analysis of the CLE family in tomato, based on a combination of iterative tBLASTn and Hidden-Markov-Model (HMM), which allowed us to identify thirty-seven new SlCLEs in addition to the fifteen reported previously. We could confirm the biological activities of selected SlCLEs in suppressing root meristematic cell divisions. We show that root response is mediated by SlCLAVATA2, indicating the conservation of CLE perception mechanism. One-sentence summary Using a combination of iterative tBLASTn and Hidden-Markov-Model approaches, we uncovered 37 new tomato CLE genes predominantly expressed in roots, and we showed a conserved effect on root meristem arrest, that was SlCLAVATA2-dependent. Highlights We applied a combined approach of iterative tBLASTn and Hidden-Markov-Model to identify fifty-two tomato SlCLE genes, including thirty-seven new genes All identified genes encode for pre-propeptides with a single CLE-domain containing conserved residues similar to Arabidopsis Analyzing the publicly available RNAseq datasets, we could confirm the expression of SlCLE genes that was often associated specifically with root or shoot, a certain developmental stage of the fruit, or with drought stress conditions Remarkably, the majority of SlCLE genes are predominantly expressed in the root tissues We showed the conserved inhibitory effect on the root meristem and columella cells division for the selected SlCLE peptides that were SlCLAVATA2-dependent.


The Soccer Video Edition, SVE, system is an integrated toolset for content-based segmentation, indexing, summarization and retrieval of soccer video sequences. SVE implements a bimodal (visual and text) approach for soccer video exploitation. In this approach, automatic visual information extraction is used to generate a first, objective textual documentation of the video. This latter is then enriched semi-automatically through a recommendation system that relies on the game rules and spatio-temporal relations to propose documentation possibilities. The resulting semantic documentation provide for a faster and more precise video exploitation. This paper presents the SVE functionalities, their theoretical bases and some experimental evaluation results.


The long and unbroken chain of traditional Chinese political civilization is the direct result of the factor of special Social-ecological environment in China.The long and unbroken agricultural economy has laid a solid foundation for the development of traditional political civilization;the super-stable and family-centered social structure which is based on the tribal system ensure the stability and development of political system;the absolute monarchy system which has a highly centralized power and is supported by bureaucratism promotes the long existence of bureaucratic rule;the feudatory political culture which is centered by Confucian theory provides the traditional Chinese political civilization with legal basis and value.


A brief survey of attitudes to children through the ages drawing on legal history and on literature. The break through to an acknowledgement and understanding of the prob lems of child abuse are traced back to the first medical review of the subject in 1879, and the intense work of American radio logists and paediatricians in the last twenty years are described.


In the process of ideological and political teaching resource sharing, the sharing time is long due to the interference of redundant data. Therefore, an ideological and political teaching resource sharing method based on edge computing is proposed. Based on the sharing model of ideological and political teaching resources of edge computing, the information entropy suppression method is used to eliminate the redundant data in the ideological and political teaching resources, calculate the sinking of the edge node of the resource after removing the redundancy, assign the task to the edge node, and finally build a location index for the ideological and political teaching resources to realize the sharing of ideological and political teaching resources. The results show that when using the research method to share ideological and political teaching resources, the completion time, average waiting delay, and resource download time of resource sharing are shorter.


The synthesis of pyrazoles and its derivatives remains of great interest due to their wide applications in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industry. The 1‐phenyl‐3‐(propan‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ol was synthesized. The 1‐phenyl‐3‐(propan‐2‐yl)‐1H‐pyrazol‐5‐ol single crystals were grown by slow solvent evaporation technique using mixture of chloroform and methanol as a solvent. Yellowish and transparent crystals having maximum dimensions of 0.005 m × 0.004 m × 0.002 m were grown. The crystals were characterized by powder XRD, FT–IR, TG–DTA–DSC and dielectric study. The crystals remained stable up to 160 °C and then start decomposing. The DSC suggested both endothermic and exothermic reactions. One broad exothermic peak was observed at 558.1 °C due to complete decomposition of the sample into the gaseous phase and reaction within the products. Thermodynamic and Kinetic parameters of decomposition were calculated by Coats–Redfern formula. The dielectric study was carried out in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 MHz at room temperature. The dielectric constant decreased as the frequency of the applied field increased. The variations of dielectric loss, a.c. conductivity and a.c. resistivity also studied with the frequency of the applied field. Jonscher's power law was verified for a.c. conductivity.


: Segmentation of coronary arteries in angiography images is a fundamental tool to evaluate arterial diseases and choose proper coronary treatment. The accurate segmentation of coronary arteries has become an important topic for the registration of different modalities, which allows physicians rapid access to different medical imaging information from Computed Tomography (CT) scans or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).An accurate fully automatic algorithm based on Graph-cuts for vessel centerline extraction, caliber estimation, and catheter detection is proposed. Vesselness, geodesic paths, and a new multiscale edgeness map are combined to customize the Graph-cuts approach to the segmentation of tubular structures, by means of a global optimization of the Graph-cuts energy function. A novel supervised learning methodology that integrates local and contextual information is proposed for automatic catheter detection.


AbstractForty years ago, Klaus Wyrtki of the University of Hawaii launched an "El Nino Watch" expedition to the eastern equatorial Pacific to document oceanographic changes that were expected to develop during the onset of an El Nino event in early 1975. He and his colleagues used a very simple atmospheric pressure index to predict the event and convinced the National Science Foundation and Office of Naval Research to support an expedition to the eastern Pacific on relatively short notice. An anomalous warming was detected during the first half of the expedition, but it quickly dissipated. Given the state of the art in El Nino research at the time, Wyrtki and colleagues could offer no explanation for why the initial warming failed to amplify, nor could they connect what they observed to what was happening in other parts of the basin prior to and during the expedition. With the benefit of hindsight, the authors provide a basin-scale context for what the expedition observed, elucidate the dynamical processe...


What responses has the law to claims of minorities who advocate a deconstruction of subjectivity and put into question the assumptions objective data of the materiality of a body? Is there, for example, a correlation between seemingly emancipatory possibilities of a theory of performativity and the language of law? On this basis, this paper will deepen the role played by fictions in law and the paths that can move a non-reprentational theory of language, contrary to the neo-positivists sought to find a language capable of describing reality as it is, when thinking a legal system more inclusive and open to new challenges that complex contemporary societies demand.


Both John and Paul ground friendship in love, yet their conceptions differ in important ways. This article provides a brief discussion and comparison of their two understandings and concludes with a treatment of Paul's use of friendship language in Philippians.


been placed in an asylum. There was reason to think that between 1889 and 1892 many insane poor (not " paupers " until in receipt of relief by removal to an asylum) were treated in their own homes, but subsequently on a large provision of beds becoming available, such cases were poured into the asylum wards, and so swelled the list of officially known and enumerated insane. There was also reason to think that unwise advantage was taken of the additional room to fill with old and mentally worn-out persons places which had better have been reserved for cases of a curable character. Thus, 442 persons 60 years of age and over were sent to London County asylums during 1893. For the administrative county of Middlesex-a county which was fast becoming metropolitan-there was last year an excessive increase, namely, 103, as compared with 42 for the previous ten years. In considering the increase for the past year of known pauper lunatics in the whole of England and Wales, regard must be had to two factors, the death-rate and the recovery-rate, in county and borough asylums especially. In 1893 the former rate was 10.1, the same as in the previous year, and 0.1 per cent. lower than the average of the five previous years; while the recovery-rate was 37.3 per cent. of the number of admissions, or 1.7 per cent. lower than the corresponding rate for the five years 1888-92. Had the recovery-rate been the same in 1893 as in 1892,260 more patients would have been discharged, while, had it been equal to the average of the five years mentioned, the number discharged would have been 304 greater. It was, however, right to state that the recovery-rate of pauper patients in licensed houses in 1893 was considerably higher than the average correspondiDg rate In the five previous years. One of the tables accompanying the report showed that agricultural labourers furnished a larger yearly average number of lunatics than any other class of the population. When the census of 1891 was taken there were in England and Wales 733,433 agricultural labourers and farm servants, and the yearly average number of lunatics of that class admitted to asylums in the five years 1888-92 inclusive was 584, representing a ratio per thousand of 7.8 males and 14.1 females.


This text introduces the development of the general situation of distance education in Malaysia,then analyses the status and sect of distance education in Malaysia,in the end takes a glance into the future of distance education in Malaysia.


Reverse Engineering is an important method in modern design technology through the design of knotter frame. This paper introduces the measuring method and its advantage of optical scanner in reverse engineering; describes the curved reconstruction of knotter frame' point cloud through Imageware and three dimensional modeling through UG NX.


The aim of the presented paper is to compare the fin stabilizer's efficiency depending on the steering method and selected controller adjustment. A digital simulation technique was used in order to evaluate the control methods on reduction of the ship resistance. It was found that the classical controller was more effective than optimal controller, but it can generate a bigger fin angle of attack. Optimal controller and optimal controller with the predictor generated lower fin angles of attack what provided much lower decrease of ship velocity at progressive motion when compared with classical controller characterised by greater decrease of ship velocity. As an effect, the increase of the ship drag caused by classical controller can be observed.


The objective of this study was to determine the change in blood phenylalanine (Phe; mg/dL) as a marker for metabolic control in 18 children ages 7 to 15 years with classical phenylketonuria (PKU) attending a 5-day summer overnight camp in Sandwich, Massachusetts, in 2003. The authors validated their results with a group of 20 children who attended camp in 2002. The mission was to provide children with a camp experience in which their diet was facilitated by the staff. The children were encouraged to take responsibility for their dietary management with minimal direct intervention. Blood samples were collected on filter papers for analysis by tandem mass spectroscopy on the first and last evenings of camp. Mean blood Phe at the beginning of camp was 8.8 mg/dL (SD = 4.5), and the final Phe was 4.6 mg/dL (SD = 2.5; mean difference = 4.2; 95% confidence interval: 2.6, 5.8). This difference is both clinically and statistically significant (P < .0001). Prior year results validated the authors' findings. Short-term effects of the camp environment resulted in improved metabolic control. Factors speculated as attributing to this improvement include decreased barriers to dietary compliance (variety of readily available low-protein foods, reinforcement of diet through recording intake in diet record books, increased acceptance of the diet because of a large number of other campers also with PKU) and readily available staff to assist with diet adherence.


OBJECTIVE
Face recognition memory deficits in schizophrenia are attributed to frontotemporal dysfunction. Biological relatives of patients have similar deficits, suggesting genetic susceptibility. Because the impairment may reflect generalized object memory deficits, the authors evaluated both face and visual object recognition.

METHOD
The Penn Face Memory Test and Visual Object Learning Test were given to 102 patients with schizophrenia, 60 of their biological relatives, and 135 healthy comparison subjects.

RESULTS
Significant immediate and delayed face recognition deficits were observed in patients and their relatives. Although patients were more impaired in visual object memory than comparison subjects, relatives were not.

CONCLUSIONS
Face recognition deficits in patients with schizophrenia and their families are not secondary to generalized object memory deficits and may be an endophenotype reflecting frontotemporal impairment.


Nuclear astrophysics has become a major motivation for nuclear physics research in the latest few decades. The quests to understand grand scale cosmic phenomena, the origin of elements and isotopes, the sources of energy in stars, were advanced by studies at the microscopic scale of nuclei. Advances in the production, separation and acceleration of unstable nuclei lead not only to new knowledge in the structure of nuclei and nuclear matter, but also have revolutionized nuclear physics for astrophysics. I will review some of the many contributions that nuclear astrophysics made to our fundamental knowledge, and then will describe a few indirect methods used in nuclear astrophysics using radioactive beams, concentrating on those used by the groups I work with.


The dissociation of Thermal Donor-hydrogen complexes is studied by infra-red absorption, CV and DLTS profiling. Silicon samples are prepared to contain only TD1 and TD2 and in particular only TD1 is exhibiting bistable properties. After hydrogen passivation, annealing in the dark under reverse bias leads to a first order reactivation of TD1 and TD2. A marked difference in the dissociation energies is found ( E D (TD 1 - H ) = 1.67e V , E D (TD 2 - H )≈ 1.9e V ). Our results suggest that TD1 and TD2 have a different microscopic structure.


This article is in two parts. The first part describes the background and terms of reference for the study to define the functional requirements of bibliographic records and the main elements of the proposed model. The second part, which will appear in the next issue of Catalogue and Index, will examine the practical implications of adapting the model.


Monoclonal antibodies were developed that bind sarafloxacin, a fluoroquinolone approved by the Food and Drug Administration for use against Escherichia coli in poultry. Splenocytes from mice immunized with a bovine serum albumin−sarafloxacin conjugate were fused with SP2/0 myeloma cells, and hybridomas secreting antibodies against sarafloxacin were selected and cloned. An enzyme-linked immunoassay was developed, and 50% inhibition of control values ranged from 7.3 to 48.3 ppb using sarafloxacin as the competitor. Tissue samples were spiked with sarafloxacin, and the average percent recoveries at 10, 50, and 100 ppb were 132, 78, and 81%, respectively. Monoclonal antibodies exhibiting high relative affinity for sarafloxacin were also characterized for their ability to detect five structurally related quinolones. The specificity and cross-reactivities of these antibodies are discussed in relation to three-dimensional, computer-generated molecular models of the fluoroquinolones. Keywords: Sarafloxacin; fluor...


This study set out to examine the ethical conduct in broadcast media in Kenya in regard to FM radio stations. It was an attempt to determine the reasons for the increasing discontent among listeners. The study was prompted by the fact that courts of law continue to give hefty awards in defamation cases brought against FM stations. An extensive study was conducted to determine the universal ethical principles that broadcast media ought to adhere to in order to maintain a good relationship between the media house, practitioners and the audience. The main objective of the study was to examine ethical standards in broadcast media in Kenya with a specific reference to FM stations in Kenya. Specifically, the study set out to examine the perception of listeners and media practitioners in regard to conduct of FM radio stations. It also sought to identify ethical challenges faced by FM radio stations following liberalization of broadcast media in Kenya. Based on the findings, the. study aimed at making recommendations on how ethical practice in broadcast media in Kenya and FM radio stations in particular can be improved. The study was an exploratory survey that targeted 160 respondents. The sample was derived from the city's 2.6 million residents and 26 FM stations broadcasting froni Nairobi. A questionnaire was administered on a random sample of 132 listeners (80 men and 52 women) and 28 practitioners in FM radio stations. The survey was conducted between October and November 2005. Nairobi was selected since more than 90 percent ofFM radio stations in Kenya broadcast from the city and the area has a cosmopolitan population, which is representative enough to allow for generalization of the findings to the rest of the population. The information was analyzed by statistical methods. Findings


This paper develops an algebra-based method for transferring polyhedral cones of intersection form to the cones of sum form. The method recursively identifies all the extreme rays of the cone of intersection form without adding any pre-assumption on it, which allows us to represent the cone with a finitely generated form (sum form). Our method takes m recursions dealing with each of the m homogeneous linear inequalities in each recursion. The implementation is efficient in terms of both computational time and storage space. Illustrative examples are provided. We also show how the procedure can be applied to generalized cone ratio data envelopment analysis models.


In view of the problems such as the single teaching form, one-size-fits-all practice process, lack of enterprise participation, etc, the construction of practical teaching system of cultivating technical skilled talents in Qingdao Huanghai University must take the market demand as guidance, take the output of high quality talents as evaluation index, build practical teaching platforms, control the practical teaching links, innovate the practical teaching methods, improve the practice teaching management mechanism, and construct "double-qualified" teaching faculty and other efficient measures to cultivate high quality technical skilled talents for enterprises and society. Keywords—higher vocational colleges; technical skilled talents; practical teaching system; innovative ability


This explains the scientific writing about the design of a simple LAN network using Packet Tracer simulator. In this scientific writing, use a simulator, ie Packet Tracer.5.0. Through this simulator we can create a simulation of a LAN, MAN and WAN. So if we want to create a network, we can take into account other what we need in making the network before getting directly into the field. So we can minimize mistakes and can further cut costs.


In this special issue, we present recent scientific work that analyzes the role of patterns in soil–vegetation–atmosphere (SVA) systems over a wide range of scales ranging from the pore scale up to mesoscale catchments. Specific attention is given to the development of novel data assimilation methods, noninvasive measurement techniques that allow mapping spatial patterns of state variables and fluxes, and two‐way coupling of models in a scale‐consistent way. "Patterns in Soil–Vegetation–Atmosphere Systems" is also the research topic of a collaborative research center (TR32) between the universities of Aachen, Bonn, and Cologne and the Forschungszentrum Jülich. In this center, which is funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, on the basis of an international evaluation, scientists covering a broad range of earth science disciplines are working together. During June 11–12, 2010 the center organized its first international workshop in Aachen. The contributions presented in this special issue of Vadose Zone Journal include contributions from the collaborative research center and external contributions, both from Germany and worldwide.


Context: Schistosomiasis continues to be the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the neglected tropical diseases. Apart from the high cost of chemotherapy, concerns over drug resistance and tolerance have been raised in the past decade . Objective : The aim of the study was to evaluate the anticercarial activity of extracts and compounds from the stem bark of Holarrhena floribunda on cercaria of Schistosoma haematobium . Methods : Hydroethanolic and alkaloidal extracts from the stem bark of H. floribunda were tested on cercaria at concentrations between 500.00 and 15.625 μg/mL for 180 minutes and assessing the percentage viability at time intervals of 0, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes. Praziquantel, used as reference drug, and the isolated compounds were tested at similar concentrations. The cercaria mortalities and IC 50 of extracts and compounds were estimated after 30 minutes of incubation. Results : The 70 %v/v ethanol extract showed the highest activity (IC 50 =20.09±1.11 μg/mL) with praziquantel giving IC 50 of 695.50±1.12. The alkaloids holonamine, holadienine and conessine, isolated from the stem bark, showed considerable cercaricidal activity with the latter recording an IC 50 of 33.28±1.04. Conclusion : The study gives first-hand knowledge of the anti-cercarial activity of H. floribunda and its steroidal alkaloids. This gives credence to the traditional uses of the plant as an anti-parasitic agent.


The concept,System composing of Hardware-in-the-loop simulation are introduced.The simulation experimental platform of Hardware-in-the-loop simulation application in the control System for NC Machine tool is also analyzed.Software system of the platform and each object model of NC machine tool are put emphasis present.The practice indicates that it can effectively cut the development period of NC Machine tool,save the test expenditure and enhance the reliability and security of control system for NC Machine tool by applying the hardware-in-the-loop simulation to the control system for NC Machine Tool.


History of the Outbreak.—On the 1st of April one of my servants was prostrated with a peculiar fever, which at first seemed to be a severe attack of influenza. No special treatment was indicated, and it did not appear necessary to call in a medical attendant. When, however, on the following day a child of nine months was attacked in the same way, I felt alarmed, and at once proceeded to inquire as to the nature of the disease, and as to its probable origin. I soon heard of about twenty other cases, all suffering in the same way, and all living under similar conditions and in the same neighbourhood, using the same water, and, without exception, all obtaining their milk from the same dairy.


The salience of family in residential satisfaction and staying in rural communities has been well established. However, the relative importance family in the households and wider networks of family ties remains unclear, as well as the extent to which such associations can be found across the urban–rural continuum. This study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of the role of family in residential satisfaction and residential decision‐making processes by distinguishing between satisfied, ambivalent, and dissatisfied stayers in metropolitan and non‐metropolitan areas. Drawing on several large‐scale surveys conducted in Iceland, we use binomial and multinomial logistic regression models to show that both having family in the household and having the closest family in the community predict intentions to stay, net of residential satisfaction. The odds of being a stayer are significantly higher if living with a spouse, with or without children in the household. Interestingly, this effect is found in all non‐metropolitan types of communities but not in the metropolitan Reykjavík capital area. Familial factors relate differently to the odds of being a satisfied, ambivalent, or dissatisfied stayer and vary significantly between urban, exurban, micro‐urban, and farming communities. Living with a spouse and children in the household increases the odds of being a stayer, regardless of residential satisfaction. Living in a household as a couple without the presence of children is only associated with higher odds of being a dissatisfied stayer. Beyond the household, respondents are significantly more likely to be stayers if most or all closest family live in the community, regardless of being a satisfied, ambivalent, or dissatisfied stayer. This is true for all types of communities. These results contribute to the cross‐cultural evidence base and suggest several possible avenues for future research relevant to policy and practice in the field of regional development.


Purpose of review Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified approximately 100 genomic loci that are associated with plasma lipid traits, two-thirds of which had never been previously associated with lipoprotein metabolism. Identification of the causal genes and variants, functional validation of these genes and biological pathways, and elucidation of molecular mechanisms is required and poses a daunting task. Recent findings Human genetics have been used to recently 'validate' genes, such as LIPG, SCARB1 and ANGPTL3, which were previously implicated in lipoprotein metabolism through classical wet bench approaches. Additionally, many novel genes have been identified as associated with plasma lipid traits by GWAS, though only relatively few have been functionally validated through targeted sequencing and genetic manipulation in cells and animals. These types of studies have defined new roles in lipid metabolism for the novel lipid genes SORT1 and TRIB1. These examples demonstrate the ways in which human genetics can validate candidate genes, as well as provide a novel discovery that requires functional validation at the bench, and point towards a more complete understanding of the molecular physiology of lipoprotein metabolism. Summary This review summarizes recent developments in the use of human genetics to validate candidate genes in lipoprotein metabolism as well as in the functional validation of novel GWAS loci associated with plasma lipid traits.


Generally speaking, the aim of active noise control systems is to control noise at a dominant frequency range and at a specified region in space. Conventional approaches to active noise control are to cancel the noise at one point in space over a certain frequency range or at many points in space for a single-tone disturbance [Ross, 1980; Joseph, 1990; Nelson & Elliott, 1992]. Cancelling the noise at one point would produce a limited zone of quiet with no control over its shape. Although cancelling the noise at many points could produce larger zones of quiet, the optimal spacing between cancellation points varies with frequency [Miyoshi et al., 1994; Guo et al., 1997]. Previous work on active control of diffuse fields investigated the performance of pressure attenuation for single-tone diffuse field only which was produced by single frequency [Ross, 1980; Joseph, 1990; Tseng, 1999, 2000]. Recent work on broad-band diffuse fields only concentrated on analysis of auto-correlation and cross-correlation of sound pressure [Rafaely, 2000, 2001; Chun et al., 2003]. However there is only some work related to active control of broad-band diffuse fields [Tseng, 2009]. Therefore this chapter will analyze the quiet zones in pure tone and broad-band diffuse fields using -norm pressure minimization. Moreover a constrained minimization of acoustic pressure is introduced, to achieve a better control of acoustic pressure in space or both frequency and space. The chapter is organized as follows. First, the mathematical model of pure tone and broad-band diffuse fields is derived. Second, the theory of active control for pure tone and broad-band diffuse fields is introduced. Next, simulation results of quiet zones in pure tone and broad-band diffuse fields are presented. Then, preliminary experiments are described. Finally the conclusions are made.


This article investigates the biblical tradition of the Edomite intervention in the fall and destruction of Jerusalem and its temple in 586 BCE. Close re-reading of the relevant biblical passages stripped of the ethnic prejudice against the Edomites demonstrates that the texts reproaching the Edomite behavior are not contemporary to the events they purport to describe, lacking important factual details and being full of theatrical imagery that is a product of their negative attitude towards Edom. I would suggest that the belief of the Edomites' guilt represents an ancient case of 'stab-in-the-back' tradition, so typical of modern defeated societies. Contrary to traditional studies that failed to recognize that nations and national ideas were common in pre-modern times, a 'perennialist' perspective demonstrates that the 586 BCE catastrophe represented a major incentive for the burst of cultural nationalism and cultural creativity, but also of feelings of humiliation and embarrassment, xenophobia, 'lost cause' legends, 'divine punishment' themes and 'stabin-the-back' myths, that arose during the exilic and post-exilic periods.


This study aims to determine in histopathological changes of liver white rat
that had been vaccinated quadrivalent influenza vaccine formula from P.T.
Biofarma. This study used sample of 20 white male rats (Rattus norvegicus) aged 8
weeks with an average weight of 200-250 grams and divided randomly into two
groups with different treatments. The treatments consist of administered
intramuscular injection with 0,5 ml PBS (control) and 0,5 ml of quadrivalent
influenza vaccine (treatment). Treatment given on day 0, then on day 14 all rats
euthanized for liver sample collection. The histopathological changes of liver were
examined by using modified Knodell scoring method. Data was analyzed using
Mann Whitney U Test. The results showed that quadrivalent influenza vaccine
provides no significant changes in necrosis cell, degeneration, and portal
inflammation in hepar histopathology (p> 0.05).


[1] The extensive set of measurements previously taken at Fieberling Guyot provides a backdrop for model results on flow, hydrography, turbulent mixing, and derivative variables. A z-level primitive equation model driven at subinertial and superinertial tidal frequencies allows the nonlinear interaction of free and topographically trapped motions to jointly determine model outcomes. Model residual flows, mean hydrographic features, topographic amplification of oscillatory currents, turbulent dissipation (ɛ) and vertical diffusivity (KV) profiles are all examined in the light of the observations. Azimuthal residual flows are toroidal above the summit with maximum speed ∼20 cm s−1. Diurnal flow over the summit is intensified by a factor >20. Downward vertical flow as a time-mean (〈w〉t) occurs from ∼150 m above the summit apex to summit rim depth, with radially inward flow above the apex and radial outward flow below. Upward 〈w〉t rings the summit at larger r. The existence of the observed cold dome is shown to depend on 〈w〉t in the summit circulation cell. Vertical current shear is concentrated in a 150 m thick cap above the summit, accounting for a domed distribution of ɛ and KV with maxima of ∼10−7 W kg−1 and ∼30 cm2 s−1, respectively. Profiles most like the observations of KV are obtained with a subgrid-scale parameterization in which the turbulent Prandtl number (Pr) depends on the shear Richardson number (Ri).


Radiation is energy that travels in the form of waves or high-speed particles. It occurs naturally in sunlight (cosmic radiation) and in the portion of the natural background radiation that is emitted by naturally occurring radioactive materials, such as uranium, thorium, and radon in the earth (terrestrial radiation). Man-made radiation is used in X-rays, cancer treatment, nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Biological effects of all types of ionizing radiations are similar. Some radiations are more efficient than others, however, and produce more biological damage per rad dose. Conventional X-rays and computer tomography (CT scans) are still the most important imaging tools. Little is known or even sank into oblivion that radiation load of these diagnostic procedures might be harmful to a certain extent. Therefore it should be noted that mainly the radiation dose levels corresponding to diverse CT Scans are equivalent to natural radiation dosage exposed over a short period, several months or even years. The general radiation safety objective is to protect individuals, society and the environment from harm by radiological hazards. It makes a significant contribution either to the risk to health or to the risk of other damage to which individuals, society and environment are exposed. It ensures that radiation exposure is kept below prescribed limits and as low as reasonably achievable. Because these diagnostic tools bare additional risks and do not always offer the expected benefit at any price questions stressing the overall benefit are justified.


Ureilites are an enigmatic group of primitive carbon-bearing achondrites of ultramafic composition. The majority of the ~143 ureilite meteorites consist primarily of olivine and pyroxene (and occasionally chromite) [1]. They are coarse-grained, slowly cooled, and depleted in incompatible lithophile elements. Minor amounts of dark interstitial material consisting of carbon, metal, sulfides, and fine-grained silicates occur primarily along silicate grain boundaries, but also intrude the silicates along fractures and cleavage planes. Variable degrees of impact shock features have also been imparted on ureilites. The prevailing two origins proposed for these rocks are either as melting residues of carbonaceous chondritic material [2], [3], or alternatively, derivation as mineral cumulates from such melts [4], [5], [6]. It has recently been proposed that ureilites are the residues of a smelting event, i.e. residues of a partial melting event under highly reducing conditions, where a solid Fe-bearing phase reacts with a melt and carbon to form Fe metal and carbon monoxide [7]. Rapid, localized extraction and loss of the basaltic component into space resulting from high eruption velocities could preserve unequilibrated oxygen isotopes and produce the observed olivine-pyroxene residues via 25-30% partial melting of chondritic-like precursor material.


With increasing denial of service attacks on network infrastructure, there is an urgent need to develop technique to assess the threat of attacks on network security online. A novel model of security threat assessment relying on several predefined metrics of network performance is proposed to measure the impact of denial of service attacks on service availability in real time. This model applies the technique of D-S evidence reasoning to fuse three metrics of network performance, which are designed carefully to reflect the reliability of service availability in three perspectives. Our approach includes three steps: determining performance parameters, calculating threat index and characterizing the threat state of service availability. Compared with other methods, this method avoids the unilateral result obtained from single sensor, helps administrators to determine security threat state, and provides threat evolution of service availability over time. Testing in a real network environment shows that this method greatly improves the accuracy of threat assessment, demonstrates the impact of denial of service attacks on network security is different from the beginning to the end of DoS attacks, and provides administrators with threat evolution picture macroscopically. Moreover, it lays the foundation for administrators to adopt security response policies in real time for reliable and robust network.


We report a theoretical study of vibrational deactivation of the diatomic ion O2+(v=1) by low‐energy (≤1 eV) collisions with Kr. It is shown that one‐dimensional collision models are not able to reproduce the experimentally observed minimum in the deactivation rate as a function of collision energy, even when attractive interactions are included. Classical trajectory calculations on an empirical potential surface lead to good agreement with experiment, confirming the essential role of rotational degrees of freedom in the deactivation process. We find that the upturn in the deactivation rate at low energies is due to the formation of orbiting complexes, as suggested by Ferguson. Our results show that the energy dependence of the association (complex formation) rate is an important factor in determining that of the deactivation rate at low collision energies, whereas orbiting complex lifetimes show relatively little variation over the energy range studied. At very low collision energies, our computed deacti...


The recent trends in technology have revolutionized the means of interaction between the digital world and real time applications. The primary focus of human computer interaction is to improve the intercommunication between user and computer by making computer more receptive to the user's needs. Mouse too has undergone a significant revolution right from its invention starting with mechanical mouse with two buttons and scroll to an optical mouse and finally to a cordless mouse and is still used as a pre-dominant means to interact with a computer. In this paper our aim is to implement an invisible computer mouse that enables interaction with computer without attaching a hardware mouse. The methodology used is based on the SixthSense Technology where the user will be able to move the cursor by the movement of fingers. Our focus is to move the cursor on the screen as the user moves his/her fingers.


Acid functional hydrogels are a type of materials with many advantages. Over the last years, increasing attention for the synthesis of dendronized polymers has been drawn due to their unique properties of high multivalence in the same surface as compared with conventional polymers. In this study, we report the preparation of novel acid dendronized hydrogels using a dendritic monomer obtained from Behera's amine. The swelling and rheological performance, the non-toxicity over fibroblast cells and the drug encapsulation capacity of the novel hydrogels suggests that the new materials can achieve great potential as carrier for drug delivery and other potential biomedical applications.


Chosui River in Taiwan has been subject to large amount of yearly vertical and lateral geomorphic changes. Costly efforts have been spent over the years for river maintenance, water delivery, and flood prevention. In the last decade or so, extensive studies have been initiated to seek whether numerical models may be used to predict river morphological changes so that potential risk areas may be identified, project alternatives may be evaluated, and project benefits may be assessed. In this study, the two-dimensional (2D) mobile-bed model SRH-2D, with its bank erosion capability, is used to simulate a 16.7-kilometer reach on the Chosui River. This reach is relatively complex and has experienced large lateral changes. There are measured data available for comparisons so that the numerical model may be evaluated. After a combined calibration and verification model over a seven-year period, the study shows that the coupled river channel and bank erosion modeling correctly captured major erosion and deposition locations and trends. It demonstrates that SRH-2D may be used for identifying potential erosional sites and providing information for river maintenance planning. Also, the bank erosion module is capable of predicting the bank retreat rate reasonably with only one major calibration parameter: bank erodibility.


This article identifies the types of observation codes, how each is used, and relevant CPT guidelines for physicians and medical practices.


We theoretically investigate a twist-related speckle variation in a graded-index multimode fiber. The simulation results show that by increasing the offset splicing distance between a single-mode fiber and a multimode fiber, the speckle pattern tends to be more chaotic. Also, the fiber length is a crucial parameter that affects speckle distribution, and the speckle pattern varies periodically along the torsional-less multimode fiber. By exerting twist on a multimode fiber, the speckle pattern revolves. The rotational angle ascends linearly with a twist angle and this tendency is not affected by an offset distance and a fiber length. The theoretic results disclose a twist-related coupling in the graded-index multimode fiber, provide a novel twist sensing method and show potential application in a high-power laser and an imaging field.


In contemporary society the dominant life domains for most individuals are work and family life. These have replaced the traditional breadwinner-homemaker family as the predominant family model, partially due to an increase in dual-income households. Sport offers a unique vantage point from which to investigate important aspects of human behaviour such as work-family conflict and family-work conflicts because sport coaching officials often spend long and non-traditional working hours which also involve significant travel. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between negative work-family-conflict (NWFC) and negative family-work-conflict (NFWC) and the relationship with career satisfaction among sport coaching officials. Data were gathered from 222 sport coaching officials, both male and female. Results indicate that coaching officials with families experience both NWFC and NFWC which impact on their career satisfaction. In addition, no significant differences were noted regarding gender and work-family interfaces. The findings highlight the need for further research on career satisfaction inclusive of negative and positive work-life interfaces in sport organisations.


We propose a heuristic approach to color quantize im- ages with contextual information taken into consideration. The idea is to locate the regions of an image having the greatest need for colors, and allocate more quantization levels to them. We achieve this by scanning the elements of the input image in a way deter- mined by their local intensity and selecting the color representatives that comprise the color map according to their local popularity. The overall performance of the color quantization algorithm is evaluated on a representative set of artificial and real images. The experimen- tal results indicate good performance of our proposed algorithm with the capability to focus on the regions of an image having important color information. © 2003 SPIE and IS&T. (DOI: 10.1117/1.1586285)


The synthesis of high boiling solvent (HBS) lignin modified ester epoxy resins was investigated. The structure of lignin modified epoxy resin was characterized by FT-IR. The influences of alcoholysis lignin polyacid (ALPA) content and the amount of curing agent on the adhesion strength and the mechanical properties of the resin were discussed in detail. Thermal stability of the curing resin was determined by DSC and TGA while the solvent resistance was also tested. The results showed that, the thermal stability and solvent resistance of the product improved with increasing the content of ALPA, the adhesion strength increased at first and then decreased, the best prescription for preparing HBS lignin modified ester epoxy resin was add 50% of ALPA and the ideal amount of curing agent was 15% (mass fraction) for the resin.


In this paper two compact and high throughput hardware structures are proposed allowing for the computation of the 128-bit CLEFIA encryption algorithm and its associated key expansion processes. Given the needed modification to the CLEFIA Fiestel network, herein we show that with a small area and low performance impact, the CLEFIA key expansion for 128, 192 and 256-bit key can be deployed. This is achieved by using embedded components available in modern FPGAs and with an adaptable scheduling, allowing to compute the 4 and 8 branch CLEFIA Feistel network within the same structure. The obtained experimental results on a Xilinx Virtex 5 FPGA suggest that throughputs above 1Gbps can be achieved with a resource usage of 200 Slices and 3 BRAMs, achieving a throughput/Slice efficiency metric 50% higher when compared with limited state of the art.


Recent advances in positron emission tomography techniques provide a way of studying the functional anatomy of language processes in the normal brain. A large amount of data have already been acquired using the subtractive activation method, which consists of comparing regional metabolic brain activities between two experimental conditions, a reference condition and an active condition (e. g., a language task). In spite of the potential interest of such results, their interpretation may be obscured by conflicting theoretical issues on the nature of brain‐language relationships and by various methodological problems, which are described in this review paper. The exact nature of the language task and stimuli used in the activation paradigms appear to be critical for this topic. Moreover, the strictly hierarchical, unidimensional subtractive method, previously described by Petersen et al. ([1988]: Nature 331:585–589) seems not to be adequate for generating appropriate contrasts between activation conditions in most language paradigms. Further progress in the analysis of task‐related changes in distribution of cerebral activities, are expected from: (1) other methods that should complement the subtractive approach, such as analysis of interregional correlations of cerebral activity which would account for the distributed anatomy of language functions; and (2) single‐subject studies in which issues of anatomical and cognitive interindividual variability may be addressed. © 1993 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Chemo-mechanical polishing processes that are used to remove grinding marks are a major cost driver in asphere production. Especially when machining glasses that are prone to fracture from grinding subsurface damage can be substantial. As a result, subsequent polishing times can be extremely high. In order to reduce polishing times and increase process stability SwissOptic established an ultra-precision grinding process. Here, we compare process times and surface figure errors for two processes. The first process represents a standard process in asphere production with grinding, polishing and fine correction. The second process adds an ultraprecision grinding step before polishing. As a result, we find that cumulative process times and resulting figure errors are much lower if we apply ultra-precision grinding.


Sociology of sport as a
branch of applied sociology is a rapidly developing field despite being quite
new in the world and Turkey. The main research problem in the study is that
individuals who are stigmatized in the society in various ways do not have many
opportunities to cope with the problems they experience. The purpose of this
article, which is based on a broader study is to demonstrate the process of
constructing a new identity on the formerly stigmatized individuals with sport as a game. This study is based on
a holistic perspective along with the methodology of the Grounded Theory. The
Grounded Theory methodology embraces the same sport, aiming to do data
collection and analysis together, and have the potential to produce a bottom-up
theory and practice. For example, the data collected systematically by the
athlete or trainer during training or competition can turn into a training
program for the development of the athlete or team. On the other hand, in
Grounded Theory applications, social phenomenon
is discussed in the natural environment of daily life where it takes place. In
understanding the process of constructing the athlete identity, considering the time and space in the natural environment should be
stated as another important relationship between sport and Grounded Theory
methodology. Research findings revealed that the "attraction of the game" is the core concept as a result of open, axial and selective coding. In addition, it has been revealed that this situation is possible
with games and sports (Sport4.0)
specific to disabled people in parallel with the production and training
(Education 4.0), which is described with the metaphor of "tailoring", which is
not similar to apparel production.


Independent software nuclear safety analysis provides a methodology to ensure that software does not cause or contribute to a violation of the nuclear safety standards established by the Department of Defense, and that nuclear safety-critical software is not adversely affected by interfacing software or by operator action. This methodology is a systematic approach to examine a specific aspect of software system safety in nuclear weapon systems. The paper describes the methodology of independent software nuclear safety analysis, and discusses its extension to other application areas.<<ETX>>


Refactoring changes a program's source code without changing its external behavior, typically to improve the software's design The articles selected for this issue range from historical, exploring refactoring research's origins, to practical, exploring software developers' experiences with refactoring, to theoretical, exploring new refactoring techniques that haven't yet appeared in the wild. The Web extra at https://youtu.be/f2IK3V9wwa8 is an audio recording of Davide Falessi speaking with guest editors Emerson Murphy-Hill of North Carolina State University, Don Roberts of the University of Evansville, and Peter Sommerlad of Fachhochschule Ostschweiz / Hochschule fur Technik Rapperswil about past, present, and future approaches to refactoring.


Gamma TiAl alloys are candidate materials for aircraft structural applications due to their inherent high specific stiffness and strength. However, limited room-temperature ductility of these alloys calls for investigation on fatigue crack growth resistance. In this respect, a series of fatigue crack growth tests are conducted on precracked M(T) specimens at constant load ratio of minimum to maximum stress, R = 0.1. All tests are performed at room temperature for baseline fatigue crack growth behavior. Effects of different chromium content on fatigue crack growth rates, da/dN and threshold stress intensity factor ranges, ΔKth for Ti-48Al-xCr alloys (x = 0, 2, 4 and 8 at. %) are examined. Results show that fatigue crack growth behavior of these alloys displays a threshold growth stage followed by a power-law growth behavior until final fracture of the sample. The threshold ΔKth ranges from 11 MPa√m for Ti-48Al to the lowest magnitude of 4.5 MPa√m for Ti-48Al-8Cr alloy. In the Parislaw crack growth region, da/dN ranges between 10-4 to 10-2 mm/cycle while the crack-tip driving force, ΔK varies from 11 to 35 MPa√m, respectively. The magnitude of ΔK at final fracture for Ti-48Al-xCr (x = 0, 2, 4 at. %) is about 34 MPa√m which approximate the fracture toughness of the alloys. Fracture toughness of Ti-48Al- 8Cr alloy is much lower at 18 MPa√m. Threshold ΔKth is linearly correlated with microstructure features of lamellar grain size and lath spacing. Dominant fatigue fracture mechanisms observed are crack deflection, stepped crack growth and formation of shear ligaments. These mechanisms are responsible for the observed torturous crack path and collectively improved crack growth resistance of Ti-48Al-xCr alloys.