Energy plays an important role in the economic growth, progress, and development, as well as poverty eradication and security of any nation. The objective of the study is to provide a better understanding of household energy consumption for cooking in Rural and Urban areas of Kano State. For this study, field survey was carried out in which 768 Questionnaires were distributed to the households in three local government areas of Kano State namely; Tarauni, Dambatta and Garko each represented a particular Senatorial Zone. Multi stage cluster sampling technique was also employed. The study made use of Descriptive statistics to assess household energy consumption. The result of the study shows that Majority of the households depend to a large extent on the traditional sources of energy for their domestic energy requirements followed by multiple sources of energy for cooking. Firewood is the most used cooking fuel in Kano State. Among the firewood users, majority of them purchased the firewood use for cooking. The study therefore recommends among others. The State, Local government as well as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) should engage in enlightening the people through campaign and workshops on the Hadiza Nasir Iro, Sadiya Wada Bello, Amina Nasir IroDescriptive Analysis of Household Energy Consumption for Cooking in Rural and Urban Areas of Kano State EUROPEAN ACADEMIC RESEARCH Vol. VII, Issue 8 /November 2019 3780 consequences of using unclean cooking fuels and the use of improved stoves provided sat subsidize prices.


There is no socialist modernization without the flourishing of socialist culture.Similarly,the revitalization of the Chinese nation can never be realized without the prosperity of Chinese culture.Apart from the adherence to the socialist cultural development road with Chinese characteristics,the promotion of the great development and flourishing of culture and the revitalization of the Chinese culture should also gather strength from researches and innovation of regional cultures.When making such researches and innovation,we should take into account the unbalanced development of regional economy,the wholeness of spatial resources and their relevance.By doing so,we can liberate the regional productive force of culture.


Aim of the actual research period within the collaborative research group 396 is to enhance the application area of an assistant system for lightweight components from the late design stages into the conceptual design stage. Starting from the classic design process approach this paper describes different methods to synthesize (generate) and analyze principle solutions for lightweight components. Further the potential and difficulties of functional modelling during the conceptual design stage are shown. All developed methods are verified within an implemented prototype of the engineering workbench.


Objective:To determine trace amount cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine material with the microwave digest and VG-AFS.Methods:The samples were digested with the microwave,dithizone-trichloromethane,am- monnium suffamate,potassium sulfate and barium chloride were used for masking some disturbing elements,sul- fourea and Co~(2+)were used as reducing agent,and VG-AFS was applied to determine trace amount cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine material.The effect of concentration of hydrochloric acid,potassium borohydride in carrier flow and coexistence interference chemical element on the determination were studied.Results:The cadmium con- tent showed linearity in the range of 0.5-4.0 ng·mL~(-1),the linear correlation coefficient was higher than 0.9990. The detection limit was 0.014 ng·mL~(-1),the recovery rate of spiked samples ranged above 80%.Conclusion:The method is simple,sensible,accurate and reproducible,and applied for quality control of cadmium in Chinese herbal medicine.


All papers published in this volume of IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science have been peer reviewed through processes administered by the Editors. Reviews were conducted by expert referees to the professional and scientific standards expected of a proceedings journal published by IOP Publishing. • Type of peer review: Single-blind • Conference submission management system: EasyChair • Number of submissions received: 56 papers • Number of submissions sent for review: 41 papers • Number of submissions accepted: 39 papers • Acceptance Rate (Number of Submissions Accepted / Number of Submissions Received X 100): (39/56x100) = 69.6 • Average number of reviews per paper: 1 • Total number of reviewers involved: 33 • Any additional info on review process: The first stage of the review process was started from February 2020, after all authors submitted their abstracts via EasyChair. The accepted abstracts can then proceed to the second stage, the full paper submission. Then the second stage of the review process was started after authors submitted their full paper to EasyChair, which is on June 2020. • Contact person for queries: Name : Tri Mulyani Sunarharum Affiliation : Department of Architecture and Planning, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Gadjah Mada Email : email@example.com


Computer assisted language learning (CALL) is an increasingly common component of L2 learning of sign languages, yet there has been limited research on the outcomes for learners using online sign language resources autonomously. This article describes the principles and design choices that informed the development of Learn NZSL, an innovative e-learning resource for New Zealand Sign Language, and reports on a study that evaluated the user experience and learning outcomes of a small group of autonomous beginner learners with this resource.


Many researchers have proved that risk measurement of information systems is a very effective tool for improving confidence of information systems. However, information system risk in Korea still includes many subjective judgements. This study deals with applying a quantitative model to improve risk measurement of information system quality. First of all, we have come up with solutions to improve the evaluation efficiency on risk measurement. We have merged the risk guidelines of COBIT and CMM, and developed a quantified evaluation scheme that call by risk point. We have proved the validity of this model by interviews with experts and by case studies.


1. The wound closure system for providing reduced pressure closing force on a surface wound on a patient, comprising: a first fixing member for fixing detachably the first part of the epidermis of the patient near the edge of the wound surface, a second fastening element for attachment, with disconnecting the second part of the epidermis of the patient near the wound edge surface, wherein the first fixing member is spaced some distance from the second fixing elements cient, sealed collapsible element connected to the first fastening element and second fastening element and adapted to compression when placed under a reduced pressure, wherein when a reduced pressure is supplied to the sealed compressible element between the first fastening element and second fastening element creates closing force .2. The system of claim 1, further comprising reduced-pressure interface, coupled to the second fastening elementom.3. The system of claim 1, wherein the first fixing member includes a first base and a first adhesive and the second fastening member comprises a second base and a second adhesive veschestvo.4. The system of claim 3, further comprising a wall connected to the first base, wherein the reduced pressure is connected to the interface stenkoy.5. The system of claim 1, wherein the airtight collapsible member comprises: a main compressible material having a first side and a second, patient-facing, side, and a peripheral edge, a first sealing element disposed proximate a first side of a compressible main


A 40-week gestational age 3.2 kg of male neonate was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit on day one of life from an outside hospital due to hypotonia and respiratory failure. The patient was born to a primigravid 19-year-old mother. Prenatal care was obtained late in pregnancy. According to the mother, there was decreased fetal movement throughout gestation. The patient was delivered vaginally after artificial rupture ofmembranes at 40weeks. The APGAR scores were 1 at 1 minute, and 4 at both 5 and 10 minutes. Hewas hypotonic andwas intubated and resuscitated. There was no family history of neuromuscular or central nervous system diseases on the maternal side; however, the paternal family history was not known. On examination, the patient exhibited dysmorphic features consisting of low set ears and macrocephaly. He had minimal spontaneous movements. He failed his hearing screen bilaterally. He had possible ptosis and was unable to open his eyes fully or spontaneously. He had profound facial weakness with absent corneal and minimal gag reflexes. There was generalized hypotonia with significant head lag. Deep tendon reflexes were difficult to elicit. There were no Moro or grasp reflexes. The patient's hypotonia made feeding and clearing secretions difficult, thereby requiring frequent oral suctioning, He failed extubation twice secondary to apnea and bradycardia. Nissen fundoplication and gastric tube placement were performed. He was able to be extubated and transitioned to continuous positive airway pressure support at the age of 24 days and then room air at age 50 days. Frequent episodes of bradycardia and apnea led his parent to institute a do not resuscitate order. Diagnostic testing included brain magnetic resonance imaging at two days of age that revealed tiny bilateral intraventricular hemorrhages and a small subdural hematoma. An echocardiogram revealed a fenestrated atrial septal defect with a mildly dilated right atrium and ventricle. Electroencephalography showed normal active and quiet sleep states FIGURE 1.


Background and purpose : Traditionally, rehabilitation program emphasize strengthening training under close loop exercises. This study is designed to compare the effectiveness of closed-kinetic chain exercise v/s open-kinetic chain on motor function in children with spastic diplegic CP. Method : 30 subjects with mild spastic diplegia (GMFCS level I-II) were selected on the basis of inclusion criteria and randomly assigned in two groups. Group A performed the loaded STS exercises 3 days a week, and 3 sets per day for 6 weeks. Group B performed progressive exercise training for 6 weeks, with three sessions per week, and at least one day's rest between sessions. 10-RM was calculated for the muscle selected. Result : Student's t test while discrete data (Sex and GMFCS level) were analyzed with Fisher's exact est. The pre-test and post-test outcome measures (SCALE score, GMFM dimension D and GMFM dimension E) of two independent groups were compared by repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) using general linear models (GLM) and the significance of mean difference within and between the groups was done by Newman-Keuls post hoc test. Conclusion : study revealed that Progressive resisted lower limb strength training was found to be slightly (insignificant) more effective than Loaded sit-to-stand exercise. The SCALE score, GMFM Dimension D and GMFM Dimension E scores improved 1.08, 1.10 and 1.05 times more respectively in children those who received Progressive resisted lower limb strength training than those who received Loaded STS training.


Testing and evaluation are important parts in English teaching.There are great differences in essence between the collaborative portfolio assessment and the traditional summative assessment in English writing.The collaborative portfolio assessment is a dynamic,pluralistic,interactive and easily operative evaluation approach for students' writing performance.The assessment also has the characteristics of the duration of the whole process in writing,reflection,cooperation and individuation.


The official regulations of federal state employees, their development features based on analysis of existing typical regulations and capabilities of using them in a process of public service reformation of Russian Federation are considered.


Abstract 1-Aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chlorides were selected as starting materials for the Boulton–Katritzky rearrangement. When 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole was acylated by 1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chlorides, 1-aryl-5-methyl-N-(5-methylisoxazol-3-yl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamides 5 were obtained and no further rearrangement occurred. On the other hand, when 1-aryl-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carbonyl chlorides were first converted into isothiocyanates by the reaction with KSCN and then were allowed to react with 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole 4 in one pot, intermediate thioureas were formed and spontaneously transformed in statu nascendi into 1,2,4-thiadiazole derivatives 6. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT


The effects of colchicine applied inside a squid giant axon were studied using voltage‐clamp and internal perfusion techniques. It was found that colchicine selectively and reversibly suppresses the sodium conductance during excitation. The possible involvement of the microtubular structure in the functioning of the excitable channel is discussed.


Geodesic acoustic mode (GAM) is analyzed by using modified gyro-kinetic (MGK) equation applicable to low-frequency microinstabilities in a rotating axisymmetric plasma. Dispersion relation of GAM in the presence of arbitrary toroidal Mach number is analytically derived. The effects of toroidal rotation on the GAM frequency and damping rate do not depend on the orientation of equilibrium flow. It is shown that the toroidal Mach number M increases the GAM frequency and dramatically decreases the Landau damping rate.


A method for quantitatively determining the relationship boron/lead in ceramic materials is presented. It is based on the attachment of microsamples of ceramic frits to an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM). After a reductive deposition step in the � 0.25 to � 0.85 V (vs. AgCl/Ag) potential range, well-defined stripping peaks are recorded in 0.10 M NaCl plus 0.10 M mannitol. The deposition of boron and lead from suspensions of solid materials, and its subsequent oxidative dissolution can be monitorized at the EQCM. The quotient between the maximum mass gain and the corresponding charge passed enables for a direct quantitation of the boron/lead molar ratio in ceramic materials. Addition methods based on the EQCM examination of i) sample plus lead white (2PbCO3.Pb(OH)2) and ii) sample plus Li2B4O7 mixtures are also presented. Results for boron-containing ceramic frits are in excellent agreement with those obtained by reference methods.


In the crystal structure of the racemic title compound, C22H25NO2, solved and refined against sychrotron diffraction data, the hydroxy group and the carbonyl O atom participate in the formation of O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds between pairs of enantiomers related by a crystallographic centre of symmetry.


ABSTRACT: The possibility that pulmonary surfactant, characterized by a phosphatidylglycerol deficiency, as in early fetal life, might have inferior surface properties was evaluated. We obtained this specific surfactant from adult rabbits by withholding glucose and giving them an excess of myoinositol by mouth and intravenously. Controls were given a similar quantity of glucose. The myoinositol resulted in a drastic reduction of surfactant phosphatidylglycerol, from 7.2 to 0.3% of phospholipids, and a corresponding increase in phosphatidylinositol from 4.8 to 11.3%. In addition, the myoinositol treatment increased the myoinositol that was disaturated from 18.5 to 27.3% (p < 0.05). The corresponding figures for disaturated phosphatidyl- choline were 56.0 and 60.5%, respectively (NS). The myoinositol treatment for 4 days increased the pool size of alveolar surfactant by 32% (p < 0.01). The surface activity was studied with modified Wilhelmy balance and the pulsating bubble surfactometer. Surfactant containing phosphatidylinositol rather than phosphatidylglycerol was not inferior, as compared to surfactant that contained phosphatidylglycerol (minimum surface tension: 2.0 versus 2.2 mN·m-1; collapse rate at 10 nM·m-1: 1.85 versus 1.95 min-1; rate of adsorption from subphase to surface: 32 versus 35 mN·m-1·30 s-1), nor was there a difference in the ability of the two surfactants to improve lung stability of 27-day-old rabbit fetuses (air retention at 35 cm H2O: 1.8 versus 1.8 ml/30 g; air retention at 0 cm H20: 0.8 versus 0.9 ml/30 g). We conclude that phosphatidylinositol surfactant does not have inferior surface properties. Myoinositol affects not only the acidic surfactant phospholipids but also increases the pool size of surfactant by an as yet unknown mechanism.


The present invention sets the operating time of the application provided in a digital broadcasting receiver in a digital broadcasting system of the data service by broadcasting the data to the content creation point and to an apparatus and method for processing an application accordingly. An object of the present invention is to make the operation time of the application provided in a digital broadcasting receiver in a digital broadcasting system of the data service by broadcasting the data to create a wide variety of services can be selected randomly by the content creation time. The present invention determines whether the digital broadcasting system of the data service by broadcasting the service data, receiving the service data, and the received service after saving the data, the application, the initial operating mode of the stored service data, wherein determined that, if the initial mode of operation and operating the application, otherwise, the application operates when waits until the viewer's service request, the service request. According to the present invention there is provided an operating point of application to the digital broadcast receiver by broadcasting data in a digital broadcasting system for data service can be arbitrarily selected point in the content creation can create a wide variety of services. Data carousel, digital broadcasting, digital TV, MPEG-2 transport stream, broadcasting, Application


I would like to thank the members of the Department of Computer Architecture for their support throughout the development of this work. In particular, I would like to thank Jordi Cortadella for his guidance and support throughout my graduate career. His enthusiasm for my early steps in the eld gave me the conndence to pursue my own ideas. Besides being my advisor, he has been my best collaborator all these years. I would also like to give special thanks to Rosa M. Badia for her suggestions and comments, which have contributed to the improvement of this work. My gratitude goes also to the rest of the CAD-VLSI group. They have also contributed by their constant encouragement for me to nish this work. I would like to thank my colleagues in the DAC, especially Anna del Corral, Josep LLosa, Angel Toribio, Mildred Sarmiento, Enric Pastor, Agust n Fernn andez and Montse Peiron. They have made my years in the University much more pleasant. From among all of them, my deepest gratitude goes to Josep LLosa for the great quantity of discussions that we have maintained in recent years, which have doubtlessly contributed to the enrichment of this work. I thank Marc Noi for his help with the Farey's series, and Tricia for being my English advisor all these years. I also thank Tomm as Lang, David Padua and Mateo Valero for giving me part of their valuable time, listening to my ideas and giving me their suggestions. I am equally grateful to Q. for supplying me the data dependence graphs used for comparisons in superscalar and VLIW processors. Finally, I am greatly indebted to Ivette, who has always been understanding about my work. I would like especially to thank my brother David and my parents Herminio and Francisca. Their love and support have given me the courage to nish this work. I am privileged to belong to such a wonderful family. This work is dedicated to them.


ABSTRACT Overexpression of Rubisco small subunit (RbcS) of C4 plant, sorghum (sorghum bicolor) was shown to enhance the catalytic turnover rate (k cat) of Rubisco in rice (Oryza sativa). In this study, the effects of other Rubisco small subunits of C4 plants, Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) on kinetic properties of Rubisco in rice were studied. The expression levels of Napier grass RbcS (NgRbcS) and guinea grass RbcS (GgRbcS) proteins accounted for 41% and 45% of total RbcS, respectively in homozygous overexpression lines. The k cat and K m for CO2 (Kc) of Rubisco were increased in all transgenic lines. Interestingly, the k cat was markedly higher in NgRbcS homozygous line, whereas K c was notably higher in GgRbcS homozygous line. Although its effects depend on species, these results suggest that the introduction of C4 RbcS are effective approaches to alter the catalytic properties of Rubisco in rice. Abbreviation GgRbcS: guinea grass RbcS; K c: K m for CO2; k cat: catalytic turnover rate; NpRbcS: Napier grass RbcS; RbcL: Rubisco large subunit; RbcS: Rubisco small subunit; Sc/o: CO2/O2 specificity.


We review the recent progress in studying and utilizing 2D monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides as gain materials to be integrated with various micro and nano-cavities for the realization of low energy lasers including room-temperature operation.


I would like to say that the only thing you need to preside is that you must (1) pray without ceasing and (2) love your people the best you can; but now that I have been teaching it for a little while and my heart has broken to see the struggles of my students, I know it is not so simple. Presiders need to be adept at a multitude of bodily techniques, and they need to possess paradoxical capabilities: passion and stamina, patience and quick-wittedness, vulnerability and a thick skin. And, for their own good and that of the people they serve, they need to have a healthy spirituality of presiding. This does not mean presiders have to be perfect. I have been led by people with a powerful and whole spirituality of presiding, people whose words and actions mediated the love of God through sustained moments of grace and passion who were alcoholics, overbearing parents, chronic overeaters, withdrawn spouses, or obstructive colleagues. But it does mean that they have to be very careful, adept at discerning the work of the spirit, and adept at knowing the limits of both their capabilities and their responsibilities. A year has passed since I was invited to write about the spirituality of presiding from what I know as a layperson. During this time, I have learned that there are as many spiritualities of presiding as there are presiders; it is both a very personal and a very communal phenomenon. I am going to approach the subject in two ways: in terms of one's voice and in terms of Habermasian ethics. This amounts to a play between capabilities and responsibilities, comparable to the play between an artist's own technique and her audience's perception of it. While presiders have much in common with artists, there are at least two important differences. First, presiders form a relationship with people over time whereas performers might only encounter their audience once. Week in and week out, year in and year out, the presider sits with the same people. A radical witness to this fact was the pastor of the first Protestant church of which I was a member, Jan Orr Harter, who was a brilliant preacher but refused the many offers she received to preach in other pulpits, saying, ''I wouldn't have anything to say to a congregation of which I was not a part.'' Secondly, unlike art, presiding is always about God and our relationship with God. It is about saying yes to the ongoing mediation of God's presence in the world. Nevertheless, the analogy between presider and artist proves helpful. A woman much older than I headed my way after church last Sunday. ''I've something to say to you, young lady,'' she said, wagging her finger as I tried to dodge her. I braced myself. ''Your voice, it's quite wonderful;


Abstract Interviews were conducted with 100 female undergraduate students to investigate the relationship between anxiety, work related stress and abnormal eating habits. Dietary habits were examined using the EAT-26 questionnaire and an anorexia check list (derived from the DSM classification for anorexia nervosa). Anxiety and stress were assessed using self report questionnaires and blood leukocyte counts. Dietary restraint was associated with anxiety, irritability and psychosomatic complaints. Additionally, subjects with high EAT-26 scores tended to have low leukocyte counts. A six month follow-up study, carried out prior to examinations, showed a decrease in leukocyte counts, an increase in mean weight and an increase in abnormal eating habits.


The concept of E learning has become one of the new trends that is being seriously considered by the global enterprises, educational institutes and government bodies. E learning will become a bran new, convenient, low price and independence study artifice. E learning includes agility and various teaching mode to assist the way of teaching in classroom. It opens a new mode for self determination in studies. E learning will become an important way of study in the future.


In article level of an involvement of youth and expansion of voluntary movement in Tula region, the Vladimir, Kursk region, the Altai territory, South Ossetia, the Republics of Kalmykia, the Bryansk region, on the basis of carried-out poll of informants which is based on opinion of a small number of pupils is considered


In the United States (US), new HIV infections are increasingly concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM). Although MSM represent only 4% of males in the US, they account for 61% of all new infections. Despite demonstrated efficacy of antiretroviral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing HIV acquisition, evaluation of PrEP uptake and use outside of research settings remains limited. Commonly cited barriers to PrEP implementation include limited awareness about PrEP, concerns about side-effects, adherence, cost, access, low perceived risk of HIV acquisition, and stigma. Whether and how these barriers affect PrEP uptake and PrEP clinical programs in real-world settings is unknown. Similarly, other than in efficacy trials that found that individuals on PrEP did not engage in higher risk behaviors after PrEP initiation, little is known about changes in sexual risk behaviors following PrEP initiation. To understand PrEP patients' experiences in real-world settings, we conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with MSM prescribed PrEP at an infectious diseases outpatient center in Providence, Rhode Island. Interviews explored overall experiences taking PrEP, sexual risk behaviors and decision-making, self-reported experiences with payers, and normative recommendations for how best to raise community awareness about PrEP. The study was approved by the Lifespan Institutional Review Board (IRB). Study inclusion criteria included being HIV-negative and taking PrEP for at least 3 months. Interviews were structured to allow flexible responses and introduction of additional topics by both interviewer and participant. We conducted interviews until reaching saturation, when no additional information emerged. Each interview was digitally recorded, professionally transcribed, and de-identified. A grounded theory approach was used to interpret interview findings. Transcripts were coded using contextual themes, and our findings were organized in analytical memos. Results are presented here. Table 1 summarizes demographic characteristics of participants. Table 2 summarizes the primary findings. Patients generally reported positive experiences with PrEP and experienced few adverse clinical outcomes. PrEP users generally reported consistent adherence patterns; however, these results should be interpreted with caution, given that self-reported adherence to PrEP may not always correlate with drug levels. Despite this challenge, our results are consistent with prior research suggesting that facilitators of medication adherence include establishing a daily routine, using a pill-box, receiving daily text message reminders, and setting alarms. PrEP medication costs were generally covered by insurance companies, including public and private payers. Most patients' insurance covered the majority of PrEP costs, but several patients reported high co-payments for PrEP and related clinical and laboratory services. Industry-sponsored patient assistance programs helped offset many, but not all, of these costs. Overall, out-of-pocket costs were inconvenient for a few patients but did not present insurmountable barriers for most participants. Some patients reported that pre-authorization requests for PrEP payments and requirements that patients pick-up medications from a specialty pharmacy as minor obstacles, but they did not generally hinder patients from initiating or continuing to take PrEP. However, our staff spent considerable time navigating both industry and clinicsponsored patient assistance programs to reduce patients' out-of-pocket costs. Other clinics may require additional staff resources to provide these important support services to PrEP clients. Participants overwhelmingly reported no increases in number of sexual partners or decreases in condom use. It should be noted that nearly three-quarters of patients in our study engaged in condomless anal sex or concurrent sexual partnerships before initiating PrEP and maintained these behaviors while taking PrEP. Our findings echo those of another recent qualitative study that found that patients who


An ongoing experimental program to observe acceleration in the Micro-Accelerator Platform (MAP) is described. The MAP is a slab-symmetric dielectric laser accelerator that, when side-illuminated by an optical laser, accelerates electrons via a standing wave resonance. This structure is undergoing testing in the beamline at the Next Linear Collider Test Accelerator at SLAC. A 60 MeV electron beam is injected into the MAP structure when it is illuminated by a laser; the resulting electron energy spectrum is observed using a high-resolution magnetic spectrometer. We present details of the experimental arrangement and discuss predicted acceleration signatures, along with supporting simulation results. THE MICRO-ACCELERATOR PLATFORM The Micro-Accelerator Platform (MAP) is a dielectric laser accelerator that builds on existing laser technology and solid-state device fabrication techniques to accelerate electrons with an energy gradient approaching 1 GeV/m [1]. In what follows, ongoing experimental efforts to show evidence of acceleration in the MAP and the simulation work that motivated these efforts will be described. Structurally, the MAP consists of two slab-shaped Distributed Bragg Reflectors (DBRs) surrounding a rectangular vacuum cavity through which electrons propagate. Energy is coupled into this vacuum cavity when a laser pulse is incident upon and diffracted through periodic coupling slots and matching layers that lie upon the outside face of one of the DBR slabs. These coupling slots have a periodicity that matches the wavelength of the incident Ti:Sapphire laser (800 nm), and in turn enforces the same periodicity for the standing-wave accelerating mode excited in the vacuum cavity. A cross-section that illustrates both the structure of the MAP and the longitudinal component of the electric field of the resonant accelerating mode is shown in Fig. 1 below. The slab upon which the laser is incident (on top, in Fig. 1) is fabricated by sputtering the coupling layers onto a fused silica substrate, and then evaporatively depositing the DBR on top of these coupling layers. The other slab contains only a DBR, which is deposited directly onto a fused ∗Work supported by DTRA Grant HDTRA1-09-1-0043 † firstname.lastname@example.com laser light electron beam Short Bragg Stack Coupler Thick Glass Substrate


Endophytes are an endosymbiotic group of microorganisms that dwell in plant tissues and are reservoirs of bioactive compounds. However, the researches on this area are limited. The present investigation was undertaken to isolate and characterise endophytic bacteria from the leaves of Glycosmis pentaphylla (Retz.) Correa. An effective surface sterilisation procedure was developed from the experiment to isolate endophytic bacteria from the leaves of the candidate species. There was no bacterial growth observed in the sterility test. A total of 3 endophytic bacteria were isolated from leaves of G. pentaphylla. Isolates showed distinct morphological and biochemical characteristics. Biochemical characterisation of the isolates was performed by following Bergey's manual of systematic bacteriology. Two isolates were found gram-positive, and one was gram-negative. All three isolates were found positive for the catalase test and negative for the indole test; two isolates (GP-1, GP-3) were positive for the oxidase test; 2 isolates (GP-1, GP-2) were found positive for both citrate and methyl red test. Some plant growth-promoting activities of the isolates were also performed. All the 3 isolates (GP-1, GP-2, and GP-3) were found positive for the ammonia production test; isolate GP-2 was found positive for phosphate solubilisation test; isolate GP-3 was found positive for both IAA production and lipase activity test. The isolated endophytic bacteria survived in different salt concentrations.


SUMMARYThe inhibine values of 25 honeys were diminished or destroyed by the action of catalase. All the honeys had a 'peroxide value' as determined iodometrically; this was destroyed by the action of catalase.


The party in power in France,basing on the multi-partyalliance and joint administration,continuously adjusts its social basis,sets up the government system which is fit for the country's practical situation,formulates public policies according to public will,and constantly enlarge the democracy inside the party.When we make a deep research on its ruling experience,we can know that there is not the only ruling mode for the party in power.The party should enlarge and consolidate the social foundation for its government,enhance embracing ability in policy and strategy,and strengthen the supervision on its own power.That will be beneficial reference for enhancing the governing ability of Chinese Communist Party.


The paper describes an experience on using Text-Mining methods for enhancing a customer application in the area of publishing and education. We describe the whole process from identifying customers with potentially interesting problems and narrowing down to the one of them followed by the five Text-Mining phases (adopted from CRISP-DM methodology). From the application and research point of view, the project involved in particular: (1) taxonomy/ontology building from a plain set of documents, (2) searching the document database, and (3) addressing (non-English) language specific issues.


Rough conventional, smooth conventional, and laminar-flow or low-drag sections were tested. The items covered are rotor thrust for fixed power in hovering, range and endurance at cruising speed, and power required at high-forward speed. Calculations indicated that a smooth conventional section gives marked performance gains. Smaller gains are obtainable by using a low-drag section. At high speeds or loads the low-drag section is inferior to the smooth conventional section.


Background: Metastatic cervical cancer into the ureter may lead to obstructive uropathy due to mechanical ureteral blockage. The insertion of a double J (DJ) stent and percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) are some options that can be offered to the patients, but until now the comparison between these two procedures is still debated. Aim: The aim of the study is to compare the clinical outcomes of DJ stent insertion and PCN in the management of uropathy obstructive secondary to cervical cancer. Materials and Methods: This study is an analytical observation with a retrospective cohort design. We analyzed the difference in clinical outcomes between the two procedures such as 24-hour renal function, the number of visits due to procedure or device related complications, quality of life and overall survival in patients with stage 3B cervical cancer. Results: We collected 108 patients with uropathy obstructive secondary to stage 3B cervical cancer from January 2019 to July 2021, of which 54 underwent DJ stents insertion and 54 underwent PCN. There was no difference in the improvement of renal function between the two procedures (p=0.184), as well as on the parameters of quality of life (p=0,909) and overall survival (p=0,582). We found a significant difference in patient visits to the hospital due to procedure related complications. Patients who have a DJ stent inserted are more often come to the hospital because of fever and pain compared to patients who have PCN procedures (p=0,027). Conclusion: Percutaneous nephrostomy is superior to DJ stent insertion in terms of procedure related complications. However, an individualized approach regarding the most appropriate procedure in palliative care patients should be recommended.


Reversible solid‐state hydrogen storage in metal hydrides is a key technology for pollution‐free energy conversion systems. Herein, the LiBH2–MgH2 composite system with and without ScCl3 additive is investigated using synchrotron‐ and neutron‐radiation‐based probing methods that can be applied to characterize such lightweight metal–hydrogen systems from nanoscopic levels up to macroscopic scale. Combining the results of neutron‐ and photon‐based methods allows a complementary insight into reaction paths and mechanisms, complex interactions between the hydride matrix and additive, hydrogen distribution, material transport, structural changes, and phase separation in the hydride matrix. The gained knowledge is of great importance for development and optimization of such novel metal‐hydride‐based hydrogen storage systems with respect to future applications.


The rise of China and its expansionist policies have alarmed nations around the world. The free and democratic nations in the Indo-Pacific, namely U.S, Australia, India and Japan have loosely banded together and to push back against Chinese aggressiveness and excessive territorial claims. This article addresses the implications of banding of the Quad nations in relation to space. Australian alliance with the US will inform its behavior when it comes to Quad. Japanese interests are in building stronger partnerships with a view to building resilient space systems and contribute successfully to mission assurance. The main theme emerging from India is with regard to rules of the road for outer space activities. Space Situational Awareness and Maritime Domain Awareness are key areas of interest for all Quad members. With strong US leadership, the Quad could play a key role in the development of a rules-based order for outer space activities.


Rapeseed meal is an important feed protein source, and the amino acid composition has a close relationship with the processing quality of feed, of which serine, cystine and tyrosine are the semi-essential amino acids for most animals. By using newly developed two-genetic-system QTL mapping software and method for analyzing seed quality traits of dicotyledonous plants, two backcross populations from a set of doubled haploid(DH) lines derived from an elite hybrid cross between Tapidor and Ningyou 7 were used to detect the QTLs simultaneously located in the amphidiploid embryo and maternal plant nuclear genomes for the semi-essential amino acid contents of rapeseed across environments. The results showed that five QTLs for serine content, two QTLs for cystine content and five QTLs for tyrosine content were identified, which were subsequently mapped on chromosomes A1, A4, A7, A8, A9, C2, C3, or C9 and could respectively explain 59.34%, 29.66%, and 59.26% of phenotypic variation in total. Five QTLs were major effect QTLs which could explain more than 10% of phenotypic variation for each. All of these QTLs had both notable embryo and maternal additive main effects, among which three QTLs were also found to have significant QE interaction effects. One QTL cluster on chromosome A4 was discovered to contain three QTLs related to serine, cystine and tyrosine contents. Some important QTLs and the tightly linked markers will have an important application value in the later map-based cloning and marker-assisted selection.


The intensity of the radiation from a therapy tube immersed in a large tank of oil was found to decrease as the size of the diaphragm opening in the filter holder was decreased. The smallest diaphragm used was large enough to allow all the direct radiation from the target to reach the ionization chamber. Because this decrease in intensity seemed too great to be ascribed only to the absorption of radiation originating from parts of the tube other than the target, it seemed that an explanation might be that some of the radiation which passed through the larger diaphragms was scattered by the oil surrounding the tube. A diaphragm with a smaller opening would absorb part of the scattered radiation and thereby reduce the intensity of the radiation reaching the ionization chamber. The results reported here indicate that part of the decrease in intensity caused by the use of small diaphragms was due to the absorption of radiation which had been scattered by the oil; also, the quality of the radiation became hard...


Subjective well-being is considered one of the scientific measures to represent one's happiness and quality of life. This research aims to analyze the influences of parenting practices and characters toward subjective well-being in adolescents. This research used the explanatory method and was conducted in Bekasi, which was chosen based on a purposive approach. The respondents were 213 adolescents in the 11th grade of senior/vocational high school. The primary data was self-administered and collected through questionnaires. The collected data included adolescent characteristics (age and gender), family characteristics (parents' age, education, work status, and family size), parenting practices, characters, and subjective well-being. The data obtained were then processed and analyzed descriptively and inferentially using Microsoft Excel and SPSS 26. The results show that the parenting practices index and subjective well-being index were in a low category, while the character index was in the moderate category. The correlation test found that female adolescents tend to receive better parenting practices. Furthermore, significant correlations were also found among parenting practices, characters, and subjective well-being. This regression test found that parenting practices from the parents and adolescents' characters significantly influence subjective well-being in adolescents.


The present invention relates to a method for determining the need for the contact point adaptation of the clutch (106) of the vehicle (100), the clutch (106) and the first power source in the form of an engine (101) at least one power wheel It is intended to convey the driving force between the (113, 114). The method at a first time point, the time of the determining the first temperature (T1), said first temperature (T1), a second prior to the first time point of the clutch (106) and comparing in a second temperature of the clutch is determined (106) (T2), said first temperature (T1) is a first value ([Delta] T) above said second temperature (T2) If different, and determining the need for contact point adaptation.


Dear Editor With great interest, we read the recently published article by Zaher Khazaei and colleagues entitled "Vitamin D deficiency in healthy people and its relationship with gender and age" in this journal (1). In this study, they measured serum vitamin D levels in a group of Iranian healthy individuals (102 participants) to evaluate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D with gender and age of participants (1). The results of the study showed that vitamin D level is lower than 20 ng/mL in a significant percentage of healthy individuals (73%) which was considered as vitamin D deficiency. The levels of vitamin D in 18% of participants were between 20.1 to 29.9 ng/mL which were interpreted as a marginal deficiency. Therefore according to the results of this study, only 9% of the healthy individuals had normal vitamin D level and the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Iranian healthy individuals was alarming high (1). Similar to the results of Khazaei et al study, the results of other investigations which have performed in some other Asian countries like India and Pakistan showed that majority of people in these countries had severe vitamin D deficiency. As an example, Rasul Khan and colleagues evaluated vitamin D status in patients presenting with a complaint of easy fatigability at a medical outpatient clinic. They showed that 92% of participants had low vitamin D levels. Vitamin D status was in the normal range in only 8% of the patients in the study by Rasul Khan et al (2). A similar percentage (89.3%) of low vitamin D levels was also recorded from Northern Pakistan in the study by Mufti et al (3). Although some data from Saudi Arabia showed that the Saudi population has better vitamin D status as compared to the above studies, however the other data from Saudi Arabia also revealed that majority of the patients had low vitamin D levels (4). As an example, Mirza et al evaluated vitamin D status in individuals with body aches at an outpatient department in Dammam, Saudi Arabia Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is alarming high in the world and therefore specialists and general physicians have to be more educated about the causes of vitamin D deficiency.


Background: Critical care nursing is a requirement for senior baccalaureate nursing students at our college. Undergraduate critical care nursing course provide an opportunity for students to develop basic knowledge and skills in critical care, and exposure them to the role of the critical care nurse.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of undergraduate nursing students enrolled in a compulsory critical care course.
Design: A qualitative content analysis study design was utilised to conduct the study.
Setting: The study was conducted in one university in Saudi Arabia.
Participants: All nursing students enrolled in compulsory critical care course (n=180).
Methods: Students were asked to report their experiences daily in writing during clinical training using a special form the self-reported learning experience form and notes from post-clinical conferences were analysed qualitatively and emerging themes were presented.
Results: Participants described a variety of unique experiences throughout the course, however four main themes emerged: support, knowledge and skills, socialisation and moving on. Key factors that influence student's experiences include: support from faculty and clinical supervisor, preceptors' attitudes towards students and learning process, course content, and patients' acuity in the unit. Strategies such as self-directed learning and preceptorship management were found to positively improve students' experiences.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for support in the form of educational activities to provide the skills and knowledge required to care for the critically ill patient, Effective preceptorship appears to be significant in attaining socialisation to the unit. Further implications and recommendations for education, practice, and research will be discussed.


The behavioral ecology of four populations of Brachycentrus occidentalis, maintained on different rations in four separate simulated stream channels, was followed daily from February to May as the larvae pupated and eclosed. Before pupation, the behavior of the population changed markedly as filtering decreased and larvae became unattached and laboratory drift increased. Cases of males were about 3 mm shorter than females. Median time within the pupal case of males and females was 34.5 and 31.0 days, respectively at 10°C. As pupation proceeded, larvae cannibalized pupae. Generally as feeding rate decreased, behavioral changes and pupation were delayed, cannibalism increased and percentage of females eclosing decreased. Females attempted cannibalism more often than males, and showed a higher percentage of successes. Of 160 pupal cases collected from Lawrence Creek, Wisconsin, approximately 9% showed evidence of cannibalism. An additional 32% were infested with Eukieffefriella sp., a small chironomid. Cannibals, predators, and parasites are considered as agents of selection pressure in connection with case construction and pupal distribution among the Trichoptera.


This work presents a new class of models for detection technique of cells in gravure cylinder. We apply perceptrons network that belongs to a model of neural network to build up a sorting system of cells in gravure cylinder. Firstly, the cells images are gained in the images capturing device. We have applied the MATLAB image processing software to read the experiment images and histogram equalization. The edge of cells is extracted by using of Sobel operator and Canny operator. We use different thresholds and experimental sigma values that compare to experimental results. It is found that extraction using the Canny operator is better than Sobel operator. Canny edge extraction operator is best when the value of sigma is 16. According to the image used in this research to determine the standard cells carving the value of gaps d0 equals 125, the value of dark tone s0 equals 394, so its standard value of gaps and dark tone are d0 ± 10 and s0 ± 10. The value of gravure outlets gaps and dark tone are measured, while d and s is in the scope of standard range, which the output 1 of the cells determined to pass and the output 0 deemed to fail. Binarization images are obtained through adaptive threshold segmentation, which regards the value of gaps and dark tone as the characteristic value when they start to sorting. Finally, we classify the cells into two classes by using perceptrons network. The experimental results consider neural network model that produce properly sorting and gain true systematization consequences by use of perceptrons network.


Abstract : MIL-STD-1567 (USAF), Work Measurement, evolved from a series of studies expressing concern for the economy and efficiency of manufacturing operations of contractors on major Air Force weapon system acquisitions. The MIL-STD establishes requirements for a disciplined work measurement system as a way to achieve productivity improvements. The MIL-STD has created some controversy and some resistance by Air Force program office and contractor personnel. This study examines those program office and contractor attitudes and the results of the implementation efforts to date. Inferences for future implementation and lessons learned are presented. (Author)


Seasonal fluctuations of diamondback moth and its hymenopteran parasitoids were recorded weekly from April 1997 to November 1999 at four cabbage sites in the Grahamstown area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Two sites were commercial farms with active spraying programmes; the others were unsprayed. Infestation levels were highest during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May), where 100% infestation of plants was reached at times. The highest infestation was found during the spring months, where 12 larvae/plant were found at the unsprayed sites and between 6 and 10 larvae at the sprayed sites. At the unsprayed sites abundance of diamondback moth larvae and parasitoids was high during 1997, but much lower during 1998 and 1999, indicating possible control by the parasitoids. Nine species of parasitoid were recorded from diamondback moth during this period and four (Cotesia plutellae (Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), Diadegma mollipla (Holmgren) (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Diadromus collaris Gravenhorst (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) and Oomyzus sokolowskii (Kurdjumov) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae)) showed potential as biological control agents. The highest rate of parasitism was found from mid-autumn to the beginning of winter (April to June) and from mid-spring to the beginning of summer (October to December). Percent parasitism varied throughout the year, ranging between 10% and 80%. Parasitism of 100% was observed when moth numbers were low. Different species of parasitoids were found to be dominant at different times of the year.


The JPEG statistical models in the lossy mode specify the procedures for converting the discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients into binary strings and context modeling in the case where the binary arithmetic coder called the QM-coder is employed as an entropy coder. The JPEG lossy mode establishes two statistical models, one for prediction residuals of the DC coefficients and the other for the AC coefficients. We redesign these two models by taking account of their distribution. We confirm that the Laplacian distribution is appropriate for both the DC coefficients and the AC coefficients through the Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test; consequently, we propose statistical models that fit the Laplacian distribution. By adopting the proposed statistical models in lieu of the conventional models, the number of the states decreases from 294 to 210 and the compression performance on several test images including super high definition images improves by 0.01 to 1.48%.


In view of the application programs of Telecommunication Billing System(TBS) used to handle super huge volume of data,it is very easy to encounter the imbalance problem of the data input and output caused by the failure of software or hardware.In order to find out the cause of the problems quickly and exactly,a idea of the Reconciliation System(RS) is proposed by taking the programs and the input and output files as statistic objects.Thus the problem can be easily located by calculating the input and output of the objects.The detailed design and the concrete implement approach are given.This RS provides a reliable and effective diagnostic tool for thoroughly solving the imbalance problem in TBS.


The Agenda 2000 of the European Commission and the state of play in negotiations imply that the current candidate countries are going to join the Union in two consecutive groups. This is why simulations for the 2002 to 2010 period, using WIFO's macroeconometric model, assume that the first group of 5 CEECs will accede in 2002 and the other 5 CEECs in 2007. In all, eastward enlargement of the EU is likely to have a positive effect on almost all aggregates of the Austrian economy in the medium and longer term. By 2010, real GDP is projected to be 1.3 percent higher than in a scenario without eastern enlargement. Also, employment figures are expected to rise by around 27,000 workers. The price level would be almost 1 percent lower, and new borrowings of the government would be down 0.4 percent of GDP.


Rifkin briefly traces the history of early video art from the introduction of the portable television camera. Eight American and European video artists are presented here, with a biographical essay on each participant. Circa 100 bibl. ref.


scraping bit for drilling subsurface formations comprising a bit body having a longitudinal axis, a drill bit gauge spaced substantially radially from the logitudinal axis and a face positioned to precede the scraping bit in the subterranean formation during drilling, and a plurality of knives oriented on the bit body, an inclination angle of each knife of said plurality of blades being a function of at least one of a radical distance from said knife with respect to the longitudinal axis and a position said vertical knife along the longitudinal axis, and method of making said drill bit.


ABSTRACT Background Givinostat (ITF2357), an oral, synthetic histone deacetylase inhibitor, significantly improved all histological muscle biopsy parameters in a Phase II study in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Research Design and Methods A population pharmacokinetic (PK) model, including seven clinical studies, was developed to explore the effect of covariates on givinostat PK. The final model was qualified to simulate pediatric dosing recommendations. A PK/pharmacodynamic (PD) model was developed to simulate the link between givinostat plasma concentration and platelet time course in 10–70-kg children following 6 months of givinostat 20–70 mg twice daily. Results A two-compartment model, with first-order input with lag and first-order elimination from the central compartment, described givinostat PK, demonstrating increasing apparent clearance with increasing body weight. The PK/PD model well-described platelet count time course. Weight-based dosing (arithmetic mean systemic exposure of 554–641 ng·h/mL) produced an average platelet count decrease from baseline of 45% with maximum decrease within 28 days. After 1 week and 6 months, ~1% and ~14–15% of patients, respectively, had a platelet count <75 × 109/L. Conclusions Based on these data, givinostat dosing will be body weight adjusted and include monitoring of platelet counts to support efficacy and safety in a Phase III DMD study.


With the development of space satellites, a large number of high-resolution remote sensing images have been produced, so the analysis and application of high-resolution remote sensing images are very important. Recently deep learning provides a new method to increase the accuracy of land-cover classification. This study aims to propose a classification framework based on convolutional neural network (CNN) to carry out remote sensing scene classification. After remote sensing images are trained by CNN, a model which can extract complex characteristic from the image for classification is created. In this paper, GaoFen-2(GF-2) satellite data is used as data sources and Jilin province of China is selected as the study area. Firstly, the preprocessed images are made into a GF-2 satellite data sets. Secondly, CaffeNet is used to train the data sets through Caffe platform and the classification result is obtained. The CNN overall accuracy is 89.88%, the Kappa coefficient is 0.8026. Compared with the traditional BP neural network classification result, it is obviously find the CNN is more suitable for remote sensing image classification.


Part 1 Health Care: an ageing society - implications for nurses providing effective health care in a multicultural society nursing, medicine and women's health - a discourse analysis the nurse's role in domestic violence - converting the silence into action the health of planet Earth - the greening of nurses. Part 2 Nursing practice: introduction an adventure into independent practice rural nursing practice dilemmas of remote area practice aboriginal health through primary health care AIDS - do nurses understand their gay clients?. Part 3 Education: introduction implementing problem-based learning in nursing reflective practice as learning strategy developing a new reality from strong foundations preceptorship on mentoring the career structure and lifelong education. Part 4 Professional: introduction career counselling and recruitment migrant nurses - cross-cultural understanding or misunderstanding? the future of the second-level nurse - extension, elimination, or evolution collaborative practice advocacy - a role for nurses contemporary approaches in nurse regulation.


The coordination of two manipulators to deform flexible beams is studied. Two coordination methods are identified. The first method allows the relative position of the two manipulators to be altered, but no relative orientation changes. The second method allows both the position and the orientation to be altered. By studying the mechanics of elastic deformations the performance of the methods, in terms of the interaction forces and moments between the object and the manipulators, is analyzed. The analysis shows that the second mechanism may result in less interaction forces and moments than the first. Optimal motion trajectories of the end-effectors to generate zero interaction moments in the second mechanism are then derived.<<ETX>>


Objective To evaluate the marginal adaptation of four based dental alloys.Methods Thirty-two gypsum dies were fabricated from a master standard die and randomly divided into 4 groups.A metal crown was prepared on each die with a different metal material for each group: Co-Cr based dental alloy,Ni-Cr-Be based dental alloy,Ni-Cr based dental alloy and Au-Pt-Pd based alloy.32 crowns were adhered to the corresponding model die with zinc polycarboxylate.All specimens were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 100× magnification to measure the adhesive thickness after sectioned buccolingually in two planes.Results The thickniss of zinc polycarboxylate in Co-Cr based dental crown was 65.35 μm;Ni-Cr-Be based dental crown was(63.90) μm;Ni-Cr based dental crown was 68.18 μm;Au-Pt-Pd based dental crown was 40.74 μm.Conclusion The marginal adaptation in the crown made of Co-Cr based alloys,Ni-Cr based alloys and Ni-Cr-Be based alloys are significant difference with it in the Au-Pt-Pd based alloys(P(0.05));There are no difference in Co-Cr based alloys,Ni-Cr based alloys and Ni-Cr-Be based alloys(P(0.05).)


The aim of the present study is to explore how children's participation is constructed and enacted in preschool documentation and what kinds of activities evolve between teachers, children and mate ...


On September 13, 2006 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) alerted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of a multi-state Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 outbreak that appeared to be associated with the consumption of bagged spinach. The FDA subsequently notified the California Department of Health Services, Food and Drug Branch (CDHS). The FDA San Francisco District Office and CDHS working jointly as the California Food Emergency Response Team (CalFERT), initiated an investigation to determine the source of the contaminated spinach. By the time the out break was contained 227 people had become ill across the United States, 104 had been hospitalized, 31 had developed serious complications from hemolytic-uremic syndrome and 3 had died (Figure 1). In addition to the toll on human health the fresh spinach industry experienced significant negative economic effects despite the fact that the outbreak could only be conclusively linked to spinach grown in one field in California (Figure 2).


Structure of hardened oilwell cement paste is much more complicated than that of solid materials. It is a multiphase, porous structural system consisting of many components, which develops with the time and space of hydration, hardening and surrounding conditions. Based on the Powers classical theory and on both relative degree of hydration and intrinsic strength of oilwell cement paste together with Balshin equation, a mathematical model for calculating and predicting both the compressive strength and the porous structure of hardened oilwell cement paste at low temperature was elaborated. The calculated results shows a good linear relation compared with test findings, especially when hydration period of the cement is no more than 90 d.


The Giant Impact (GI) hypothesis is one of the most important phenomena in the planetary science and geoscience as the origin of the Moon. According to this scenario, a Mars-sized impactor hit the proto-Earth and generate circumterrestrial debris disc, which is later accumulated into the Moon. Lately, however, the GI has been challenged; the isotope ratios of particular elements show nearly identical values for the bulk component of the Earth and that of the Moon. This means that the circumterrestrial debris disc should come from the proto-Earth. However, to date, almost all of the numerical simulations of canonical GIs has concluded that the post-impact disc tends to be impactor-rich. In order to resolve this mismatch, recently, a scenario to form the Moon from the magma ocean on the proto-Earth is suggested. According to the scenario, the majority of heating occurs in the magma ocean on the proto-Earth, which results in the ejection of the target-originated materials. In order to check whether this scenario is favourable to explain the origin of the Moon, we have carried out a parameter survey of the scenario. As a result, we found that the canonical GIs can form the target-rich debris disc and concluded that the canonical GIs would form the Moon.


The present invention is damaged method and apparatus for concealing errors in an image of a video bit stream, a method and apparatus for recovering useful video data from the partially corrupted data, forward error correction embedded in video bit stream (FEC) method and apparatus advantageously reconstructs the decoded video data, such as using the codes video object plane (VOP), it relates to a method and apparatus for managing data received in the video bit stream. Interpolation, substitutions, adaptation techniques, including weighted sum technique, discloses various concealment techniques. In each embodiment, examines the corrupted data packet, and one or more error location, and whether to include the corrupted data packet data is expected that there is no error, should be used without this error data not identifying whether. For decoding the FEC codes embedded in a video bitstream, discloses a backward-compatible technology. Video bit stream data at high speed and efficient access to technology in the ring buffer are also disclosed.


Dental healthcare systems may differ between countries; however, having a family dentist is generally important for proper oral health management. This study aims to analyze the proportion of people in Japan who have a family dentist, and their characteristics. A nationwide web-based survey with 3556 participants (1708 men and 1848 women) showed that 45.6% of men and 54.1% of women had a family dentist (FD group). A multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that men in the FD group mostly belonged to older age groups (≥70 s, OR: 2.41), received higher household incomes (≥8000 K JPY, OR: 1.47), brushed their teeth three or more times daily (OR: 1.60), practiced habitual interdental cleaning (OR: 3.66), and fewer lived in rural areas (towns and villages, OR: 0.52). Regarding the women, the majority belonged to older age groups (60 s, OR: 1.52; ≥70 s, OR: 1.73), practiced habitual interdental cleaning (OR: 3.68), and fewer received lower household incomes (<2000 K JPY, OR: 0.61). These results suggest that despite Japan being a country with a public insurance coverage system for both men and women, having a family dentist is associated with disparities in individual socioeconomic factors, particularly age and household income.


The Analog to digital converter (ADC) has been widely used in all kinds of modern electronic instruments and it is desirable to study the relationship between different errors and performance of an ADC. This paper studies the relationships between integral non-linearity (INL) error and signal to noise ratio (SNR), and the relationship between non-linearity (DNL) error and SNR after Midpoint method correction. Several smoothing methods were used in this paper, including Polynomial Smoothing, Smoothing Spline, Kernel Smoothing and Weighted Averaging Smoothing. The optimal model selection was mainly based on leave one out (LOO) cross validation error (CVE). Data analysis shows that Polynomial Smoothing is the best model for both relationships and the optimal parameter is 6 for both. So the two relationships can be expressed by two 6-order polynomials respectively. Using the smoothing result, ADC manufacturers or users can estimate the SNR performance of the tested ADC according its INL. They can also estimate the improved SNR performance according to its DNL and decide if Midpoint can improve the performance of tested ADC to meet the requirement.


Obesity is an important health problem, The World Health Organization has pointed towards the fact that obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and cancer among other diseases (WHO, 2009). To reduce obesity or weight therefore also means to decrease risk factors related to the above mentioned diseases. The objective of this survey was to study whether the Self-Regulation- and Transtheoretical Theory is effective in changing unhealthy habits related to overweight and obesity. The project was conducted among a group of 72 government officers living in the Nahaeo District of the Loei Province. Study participants were allocated to an experimental- and a control group consisting out of 36 officers each. The program was implemented for 10 weeks. The experimental group was exposed to a health education program including a number of different activities such as providing an insight into the reasons for and dangers of obesity, by showing video clips, distributing hand books about weight reduction, encouraging self observation and assessment, initiate exercise, demonstrate suitable food items for weight reduction, instruct participants how to plan weight reduction, stimulate self-reaction, grant rewards, and strengthen motivation. Data were collected by questionnaires and analyzed by using descriptive statistic for demographic variables. Comparative analysis was done by the Paired Sample t-test and Independent Sample t-test and for comparative correlation the Pearson's Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used. Level of significance was set at p<0.05. After implementation, mean scores about knowledge and outcome expectation improved for the experimental group above scores obtained at the start of the project and differed significantly from the control group (< 0.001). Mean scores of expected self – efficacy did not change significantly but mean scores measuring practice in weight reduction improved significantly for the experimental group ( p = 0.001) but not for the control group. BMI of participants was found to be significantly lower (p< 0.05) at the end of the implementation in comparison to the start and to the control group, while waist circumference also decreased throughout the project for the individuals in the implementation group ( p – value < 0.05), but that was not significantly different for the control group. Expected self–efficacy correlated significantly with outcome expectation and practice (<0.05).


The present invention relates to a method of cooling liquid in the internal combustion engine for controlling the flow rate, the engine comprising a housing and a pump. Calculated using the power (E) is accumulated to estimate the hottest point of the housing material corresponding to the temperature, the power is accumulated by the movement of the liquid when the cooling energy and returned to the cooling liquid corresponding to the recovery energy integral (Peau (t)) to be calculated.


Modern capital projects generate large amounts of documentation in several different formats and controlled by many different project parties: everything from design drawings to cost estimates, schedules, equipment information, change orders, and work logs. Accessing this documentation can be both difficult and time-consuming. Project managers clearly need efficient methods to manage project information; the current methods focus on capturing and integrating information through a database and CAD drawings, but they are limited in scope, not easy to re-use in other projects, and do not capture the construction process. The solution is a well-structured simulation-based system that can dynamically capture, store, process, and access all project information, from the planning stage through the construction process to the completed project, including all changes to the original plan. The motivation for a simulation-based foundation for this approach stems from its ability to model the dynamic processes involved rather than just the static information.


Emulation of Radio Access Networks is a valuable tool for the development of distributed applications incorporating mobile terminals. The network simulator ns–2 provides mechanisms to route live network traffic through its simulation and thus emulate a network in real-time. However, it lacks certain core features for the emulation of networks with mobile terminals: roaming of terminals across base stations, dynamic addressing of nodes, and the export of these changes to the outside application to evaluate its capabilities in dealing with these consequences of terminal mobility. To enable this, a new set-up for emulation is proposed and implemented using ns–2. An infrastructure routing protocol (INFRA) is presented, as well as an additional TAP network object and a TAP agent that were required to unleash the full potential of the new routing protocol. The results of several experiments applying these new components expose the added value of the new emulation setup for the evaluation of distributed applications.


Sports is the embodiment and exhibition of human spirit,and is the human ideal and rational live situation and model.The struggle,the attemption to challenge himself and beyond the high-point,faire play,abiding the rules,being neutral,respect the opponent,privity,the constant work and pursue,and so on all are the exhibition of human genius power,all are the inherent value of human spirit.So the value is not only the exercise and build up health.The essential difference of sports and labor is the conquer to catabolize,the return of human power,and the symbol and the sign of human civilization.


Epilepsy is a chronic non-communicable neurological disorder characterized by recurring seizures. People with epilepsy should be kept under constant surveillance because seizures can happen anywhere and anytime. Surveillance is required so that seizure events can be detected and the caregiver can be alerted. With the caregiver's intervention, chances of injury and death i.e Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) can be reduced. The seizure event should be recorded so that the doctors get insights into the patient's condition and the effect of prescribed anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) based on the recorded data. Most of the available devices in the market use a limited number of sensors and are costly. Some devices use electrodes to record EEG and EMG data which are uncomfortable for the patient for continuous use. Hence, there is a need for a low-cost solution for seizure monitoring. Therefore, we have designed a low-cost microcontroller-based multi-parameters wearable band that senses some well-known biomarkers of seizure and sends data to the mobile application for further processing.


There is increasing interest in using Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) as an indicator of the effectiveness of health care, underpinned by the principle that the patient's experience of outcome, as opposed to the absence of disease, is a key measure of success. Most PROMs do not measure outcome directly, but collect patient self-reported health status before and after an intervention or episode of care, with the change between the scores providing the outcome.

Measuring outcome in the unselected population seen in primary care requires a PROM which is applicable across a range of conditions, that is, generic. There are numerous generic PROMS, of which the most widely used in the UK is the EuroQoL group's EQ-5D. This measures health status through five tick-box questions on mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, and anxiety/depression. It is recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for deriving quality-adjusted life years to assess the cost-effectiveness of interventions1 and is currently used to collect data on the outcomes of hip and knee replacements, and surgery for groin hernia and varicose veins.2 Globally, the most commonly-used generic PROM is the Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36). This contains 36 questions on wider aspects of symptoms and function. It is more comprehensive than the EQ-5D and there is evidence to suggest it is more sensitive to change.3

In this article we argue that neither generic PROM is sufficient for evaluating episodes of primary care, and that no suitable PROM currently exists. We believe we need a new measure.

The provision of primary care is changing, with the introduction of different providers …


Human operator simulation models can play an important information role in the allocation of functions in person-machine systems. A prototype simulation model system developed at ORNL is described in which a human operator model (INTEROPS) and a nuclear power plant (NPP) process model are dynamically integrated. INTEROPS is a cognitive/ performance simulation model which is itself a dynamic integration of a SAINT task network model and a knowledge-based subsystem which reasons with uncertainty. Potential contributions of INTEROPS to NPP advanced control design are evaluated.


Abstract Trace metal uptake by soybean shoots (Glycine max L. Merr.) as a function of cation exchange capacity (CEC) was studied. A sludge amended (0, ‐23.2, and 46.7 mt/ha) Typic Hapludoll soil whose CEC was adjusted between 18.5 to 5.2 meq/100 g by dilution with sand and whose pH was 6.6 was used in a growth chamber experiment. For a given sludge‐application rate Cd, Zn, Cu, Cr, and Pb uptake remained constant as the soil CEC increased. The Cd uptake reached a maximum at the sludge‐application rate of 23.3 mt/ha, Zn and Ni uptake increased and Cu, Cr, and Pb uptake remained constant as sludge‐application rate increased. At all sludge‐application rates dry matter yields did not vary widely as the soil CEC increased.


Received 28 September 2014, Revised 08 November 2014, Accepted 07 February 2015 Abstract the method for measuring the congestion of Noura et al. [A.A. Noura, F. Hosseinzadeh Lotfi, G.R. Jahanshahloo, S. Fanati Rashidi, R.P. Barnett, A new method for measuring congestion in data envelopment analysis, Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, 44 (2010) 240-246] ,there is no problem for congestion detection In the case of one input and one output but in higher space is not able to detect congestion of some units. we offer modification of the method of measuring the congestion of Noura et al. The proposed method ability congestion units go up and this method detect all congestion units.


Structures of a poly(3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxacyclobutane) (PBCMO) film on graphite formed by polymerization-induced epitaxy were examined. Ring-opening polymerization of BCMO with a graphite substrate in the reaction mixture resulted in formation of a solid film on the substrate. Subsequent rinsing of the substrate left an insoluble, ultrathin film of PBCMO on the surface. Atomic force microscopy indicates that the graphite surface is uniformly covered by a maze of thin fibers, having a constant height of 2-3 nm, width of about 15 nm and varying lengths up to 120 nm. This feature is quite different from the globular morphology seen on a solvent-cast film or flat patched patterns on a melt-crystallized film. The molecular resolution images obtained by scanning tunneling microscopy exhibit linear alignments of enhanced current sites forming a series of parallel lines. A basic unit in the periodic feature of the images consists of five parallel lines having three different contrasts with periods 6.3 and 28 A and an oblique angle of 70°. The known bulk structures based on a planar zigzag, all-trans conformation are not in accord with this feature. Based on the previous studies of poly(oxacyclobutane), a new molecular structure of the polymer on graphite is proposed.


Chronic, progressive, and recurrent laryngeal papillomatosis is an uncommon problem that primarily occurs in children and has been shown (in the pediatric age group) to be caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) types 6 and/or 11. Juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis is hall-marked by recurrences, necessitating repeated surgical procedures to maintain airway patency, and is a rarely encountered cause of sudden and unexpected death. This case describes a 22-month-old girl who had been treated for laryngeal and pharyngeal papillomata that were diagnosed 3 months prior to her death, and who died in her sleep the night before she was to be again laryngoscoped and reevaluated. The autopsy disclosed exuberant, complex exophytic papillomata that essentially obliterated the laryngeal lumen. In situ hybridization analysis was performed on paraffin-embedded tissue, which revealed HPV type 6/11 positivity. This is the first time that in situ hybridization studies have been performed on autopsy tissues from someone who died suddenly and unexpectedly from upper-airway obstructive papillomatosis. The pathology and clinical characteristics of juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis are also presented and discussed.


FIELD: chemical industry; biotechnology; production of the new biopolymers by irradiation in the solid phase. SUBSTANCE: the invention is pertaining to the new products produced on the basis of the biopolymers. The method of modification of the existing in the nature biocompatible biopolymer, which is characterized by the lack of any functional groups, provides for the treatment of the indicated biopolymer being in the solid or the dry state with the source of the ionizing radiation at the presence of the mediating gas. The mediating gas represents the unsubstituted alkene or alkyne gas, in capacity of which may be ethylene, propylene or acetylene and the annealing of the obtained product in the absence of oxygen at the temperature from nearby 40°C up to 120°C, with the subsequent removal of the all remained mediating gas. The modified biopolymer is produced by the above-stated method. The present in the nature modified biocompatible biopolymer produced by the above-stated method is sampled from the group consisting of polysaccharides of the vegetable or animal origin and the protein produced from the connective tissue of an animal, the protein produced from the other tissues of an animal, the combinations of at least of one of the indicated polysaccharides and at least of one other protein of the vegetable origin, or the demineralized bone ("DMB"). The method of modification of the tissue of the animal origin includes switches the treatment of the sample of the indicated tissue or its component in the solid or the dry state with the source of the ionizing radiation at the presence of the mediating gas and the annealing of the obtained product in the absence of the oxygen at the temperature from around 40 up to 120°C, with the subsequent removal of the all remained mediating gas. The invention allows to obtain the biopolymers possessing the good biocompatibility. At that into the source biopolymer do not introduce neither new, nor additional functional groups. EFFECT: the invention allows to obtain the biopolymers possessing the good biocompatibility. 35 cl, 6 ex, 12 tbl, 43 dwg


Sixty-six strains of Bacillus cereus were isolated from 12 kinds of rice samples collected in Taiwan by employing polymyxin pyruvate egg yolk mannitol bromothymol blue agar(PEMBA). It was found that in Taiwan B. cereus could be detected in various rice samples (less than 200 CFU per gram). The isolates generally grew poorly under acidic conditions. Spore suspensions prepared from six isolates of B. cereus were used to detect their ability to resist heat. The D100°C- and D92°C- values for these six isolates in rice broth ranged from 4.2-6.5 min and 16–36 min, respectively. Most of the isolates were sensitive to chloramphenicol (30 mcg), erythromycin (15 mcg), gentamicin (10 mcg) and streptomycin (10 mcg).


Background: We report a case of 34 weeks + gestation with aortic dissection to explore the diagnosis and treatment of this type of pregnant woman and to reduce maternal mortality. Case presentation: This report describes the clinical manifestations of a case of late pregnancy with acute aortic dissection (Stanford A Type). Echocardiography was used to detect the location of the rupture, the extent of exfoliation, the true and false lumen, the presence or absence of thrombus in the false lumen, the degree of aortic regurgitation, etc. After the diagnosis, the patients received surgical treatment as soon as possible. The detection rate and type diagnosis accuracy of ultrasonography for pregnancy complicated with aortic dissection are reliable. The location of the intimal rupture by ultrasound was consistent with the intraoperative findings, and there were no recent complications in the mother and newborn. Conclusion: The third trimester of pregnancy with aortic dissection is dangerous. As a simple, safe and non-invasive method, echocardiography has high clinical value in the diagnosis of pregnant patients with aortic dissection.


Objective: To compare the anesthetic and analgesic efficacy of Ropivacaine, bupivacaine and their side reactions in combined spinal-epidural anesthesia and postoperative analgesia in the elders. Methods: 96 elderly patients un- dergoing lower abdomen and limbs operation were randomly assigned to receive either Ropivacaine (Group R, n=48) or Bupivacaine(Group B, n=48)for CSEA. The observed variables were the changes in BP, HR, SpO2, block level, and motion block. recession of motor block, and the incidence of headache, nausea and vomiting, leg numbness within 24 h after operation. Results: There was no significant difference between two groups either in block level or in side reactions. Motor block was much milder in group R than that in group B, and recessed faster after operation (P0.05). Conclusion: Either Ropivacaine or Bupivacaine can be used in CSEA for analgesia during and after operation in the elders. However, Ropivacaine has a milder motion block than bupivacaine, which benefits early ambulation after operation and recovery of gas-trointestinal function.


The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence and molecular characteristics of methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in milk of cows with mastitis. The California mastitis test (CMT) was used to detect the presence of mastitis in all 100 cows of a farm in Brazil. The CMT was positive in milk of 115 mammary quarters from 36 cows (36%). MRSA isolates were recovered from 4 of these 36 cows with mastitis (11%), and they were further characterized (one MRSA/sample). The four MRSA isolates were typed as t011‐ST398‐agr1‐SCCmecV and presented two different pulsed‐field‐gel‐electrophoresis‐ApaI patterns. These four MRSA isolates showed resistance to tetracycline, streptomycin and ciprofloxacin, carried the mecA, blaZ, tet(K), and tet(M) resistance genes, and presented the S84L and S80F amino acid substitutions in GyrA and GrlA proteins, respectively. Two ST398 isolates exhibited resistance to gentamicin and tobramycin [with aac(6)‐aph(2") and ant(4)‐Ia genes] and one isolate resistance to clindamycin [with lnu(B) and lsa(E) genes]; this latter isolate also carried the spectinomycin/streptomycin resistance genes spw and aadE. MRSA of lineage ST398 is worldwide spread, normally multidrug resistant and may be responsible for bovine mastitis. To our knowledge, this is the first detection of MRSA‐ST398 in Brazil.


A b s t r a c t : Types and additional material of the Western Palaearctic and Middle Asian representatives of Ochthephilum S TEPHENS 1829 are revised. Ochthephilum permutatum nov.sp. (Azerbaijan), a species previously confounded with O. egregium (REITTER 1884), and O. brevispinosum nov.sp. (Kyrgyzstan) are described and illustrated. The shapes and intraspecific variation of the aedeagus and its internal structures of the Western Palaearctic and Middle Asian species are studied and illustrated. Cryptobium algiricum FAGEL 1967, nov.syn., is placed in synonymy with Ochthephilum brevipenne (MULSANT & REY 1861). Lectotypes are designated for Cryptobium collare REITTER 1884, C. egregium REITTER 1884, and C. brevipenne MULSANT & REY 1861. The distributions of the Western Palaearctic species are discussed and additional records are reported, among them several new country records. Based on full-year field studies (pitfall traps, soil extractions) in northern Germany, data on the life cycle of O. fracticorne (PAYKULL 1800) – including the seasonal activity and seasonal density of males and females, sex ratios, the phenology of larvae, and oviposition – are presented and illustrated. The species is wing-dimorphic, but the macropterous morph is distinctly rarer and only fully winged females have been found so far. Catalogues of the Ochthephilum species of the Western Palaearctic region including Middle Asia and of Turkey, as well as a key to species are provided. The revised distributions of nine species are mapped. Cryptobium koltzei EPPELSHEIM 1886, previously in Ochthephilum, is moved to the genus Homaeotarsus HOCHHUTH 1851 and the binomen Homaeotarsus koltzei (EPPELSHEIM), nov.comb., is established; the male primary and secondary sexual characters of the species are figured. Homaeotarsus denticulatus nov.sp. (NW-China), a species previously confounded with H. koltzei, is described and illustrated. K e y w o r d s : Coleoptera, Staphylinidae, Paederinae, Ochthephilum, Homaeotarsus, Western Palaearctic region, Middle Asia, taxonomy, new species, new synonymy, new combination, lectotype designation, distribution, new records, catalogue of species, key to species, intraspecific variation, seasonal activity, seasonal density, sex ratio, sex-related wing dimorphism, bionomics.


As his presidential lecture the President of the Edinburgh Mathematical Society read, on November 4, 1938, the opening paper of a debate on School Algebra of the First Year The algebra of the Mathematical Association 1933 Report and the 1937 British Association Colloquium was for short referred to as 1933-1937 algebra or as N-D-S algebra (Nunn-Durell-Siddons), and was taken as an authoritative map of the present position in first year algebra.


K2CO3,phenolic resin,melamine modified phenolic resin and its composites as flame retardants for wood were studied by the limit oxygen index(LOI) determination,and the water resistance and resistance to erosion performance of the flame retardants were also discussed.The thermal performance of flame retardant wood samples were studied through the thermogravimetric(TG) analysis,differential thermal analysis(DTA) and differential thermogravimetric analysis(DTG).The result indicated that the wood sample which treated with K2CO3 and melamine modified phenolic resin composites shows the best flame retardancy and resistance to erosion performance;After K2CO3 and melamine modified phenolic resin composite of wood fire-retardant treatment works best,and outstanding;K2CO3 and melamine modified phenolic resin has the synergy effect for the flame retardant wood,its mainly due to that the flame retardant composites can significantly reduce the weight loss of the materials in the second stage,and also increase the amount of char residue under high temperature and improve the stability and oxidation resistance of the char residue,therefore,make wood sample has excellent flame retardancy.


Author(s): Kohli, Aditya G. | Advisor(s): Szoka, Francis C | Abstract: Forty years of liposome research have demonstrated that the anti-tumor efficacy of liposomal therapies is, in part, driven by three parameters: 1) liposome formulation and lipid biophysics, 2) accumulation and distribution in the tumor, and 3) release of the payload at the site of interest. This thesis outlines three studies that improve on each of these delivery steps. In the first study, we engineer a novel class of zwitterlipids with an inverted headgroup architecture that have remarkable biophysical properties and may be useful for drug delivery applications. After intravenous administration, liposomes accumulate in the tumor by the enhanced permeability and retention effect. However, the tumor stroma often limits liposome efficacy by preventing distribution into the tumor. In the second study, we demonstrate that depletion of hyaluronan in the tumor stroma improves the distribution and efficacy of Doxil® in murine 4T1 tumors. Once a liposome has distributed to the therapeutic site, it must release its payload over the correct timescale. Few facile methods exist to quantify the release of liposome therapeutics in vivo. In the third study, we outline and validate a simple, robust, and quantitative method for tracking the rate and extent of release of liposome contents in vivo. This tool should facilitate a better understanding of the pharmacodynamics of liposome-encapsulated drugs in animals. This work highlights aspects of liposome behavior that have prevented successful clinical translation and proposes alternative approaches to improve liposome drug delivery.


Some special users want the producer provide pump four quadrant characteristic curve for the sake of security,which can be used to decide individual operation condition under the circumstance of two or more pumps are used jointly.The traditional manual testing method is inefficient and the precision is very low.The automatic four quadrant characteristic test system of centrifugal pump was introduced,and the implementation method of the hardware and software of the test system were given.


Dialogue after Bakhtin must be situated in the more encompassing framework of a communication that is not limited to an intertextual content, even interactionaly to a symmetrical context. After Bakhtin, we should be talking about dialogical communication, which involves complementarity and synthesis. This contribution draws the consequences of a conceptual analysis and a strictly communicative reading of the process of dialogue. It shows, in the alternative, how the concept of communication can itself benefit from this same reading.


This paper concerns oil and gas companies operating in Libya. It investigates the relationship between the level of environmental disclosure and company characteristics. The researchers identified a number of characteristics that associated with companies' environmental disclosure, namely, company size, company privatisation, company age and company's nationality. In the light of the empirical results it is noticed that almost all companies disclose some environmental information. In addition a significant positive association was found between level of environmental disclosure and company size, company privatisation and company's nationality. The study provides further evidence that these characteristics are important and have an impact on the level and value of environmental disclosure. On the other hand it was found that age of company is insignificant and negatively related to the level of environmental disclosure.


The purpose of this study was to understand how the previous contractile history of muscle influences volitional force production. An additional objective was to quantify the effect of contractile history on specific indices of neuromuscular output, in order to examine potential underlying mechanisms which may contribute to alterations in force production following muscle contractions. Plantar flexor twitch torque (P3, soleus (SOL) H-reflexes and the RFD of explosive plantarflexions (exPFs) were obtained from 13 trained, university aged men before and after 4 separate trials consisting each of a conditioning series of 3, 5-second maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) of the plantar flexors. P, significantly increased @<0.05) relative to control values, while Hreflexes and the RFD of exPFs demonstrated no significant differences from controls. There was also no significant correlation between the temporal profiles P, and exPF RFD or the temporal profiles of H-reflex amplitude and exPF RFD. The results suggest that although P, was significantly higher post-conditioning it had no associated effect on volitional force production. It is also suggested that any post-activation potentiation (PAP) effect is isolated to electrically-evoked conditions. Co-Supervisors: Dr David Docherty & Dr. Paul Zehr Contractile History iii


The morphology,structure and ecology of Pangasius sutchi  were described and introduced in this paperThe pictures including the jaw,the reproductive system and the digestive system of Pangasius sutchi were drawnBesides,the common diseases and disease controlling methods were also introduced in it


We look at the problem of reducing the minimum distance energy of polygonal knots as an isoperimetric problem. Building on techniques used to show that a regular n-gon maximizes area for a given perimeter, we have been able to prove that convex figures minimize the minimum distance energy for all polygons in E. We hope that this will be a helpful step towards showing the regular n-gon has the least minimum distance energy for all polygonal knots, and give suggestions for isoperimetric problem solving tools that could be used to further explore this problem.


Objective To investigate the olfactory/gustatory functions of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) by smell/taste tests, and to determine if disease activity or medication might influence the olfactory/gustatory functions of patients. Patients and Methods In total, 59 IBD patients (37 Crohn's disease (CD) and 22 ulcerative colitis (UC) patients) were studied using "Sniffin' sticks" and "taste strips" for olfactory and gustatory tests, respectively, and compared to healthy controls and published normative data. Results Among IBD (CD and UC) patients, the values for odor threshold, but not for odor identification or discrimination, were significantly lower than that of the normative data. Further, these patients showed lower values than the normative taste values and the control group for all tastes, except sour; 57.6% of the IBD patients were hyposmic, while 30.5% were hypogeusic. Subjective self-assessments showed that the patients were not aware of their reduced olfactory/gustatory functions. There were no relevant differences in taste and smell abilities between the CD and UC patients. Disease activity and treatment did not influence the olfactory/gustatory functions. Conclusion IBD (CD and UC) patients exhibited significant reductions in the olfactory and gustatory functions. Therefore, patients should be tested by smell/taste tests, in order to be adequately informed of their olfactory/gustatory functions and provided an understanding of how to overcome their limitations, and thus improve their quality of life.