Mean time to compromise is a commonly used comparative metric to determine a system's weakness and aid in risk mitigation strategies. In this paper, we provide a unified framework for measuring a network's mean time to compromise by considering both the skill level of an attacker as well as the causal relationship that exists between all the vulnerabilities in the network. Unlike existing approaches, we provide a methodology for estimating the skill coefficient of different categories of attackers (Beginner, Intermediate, Expert) by analyzing 15 years of vulnerability data in the NVD database. We then extend our predictive cybersecurity stochastic model into a nonhomogeneous continuous model to derive the overall mean time to compromise by modeling the sojourn time in each state as a random variable based on the skill level of an attacker. Finally, we demonstrate through a case study how our framework can enable security practitioners to visualize the future security state and optimize the necessary steps to harden the enterprise network from external threats.


Aiming at many problems of "The Fundamentals of University Computer" teaching in application-oriented university at present,the double-main and four-step teaching mode was presented based on constructivism.Using the steps of allocating experimental tasks,group-based and level-based collaborative learning,discussion and communication,induction and summarization can highlight the leading role of teachers and the main body position of students in the process of experiment teaching.


For centuries, man was considered a herd of individuals by kings, pharaohs and priests in various placeson Earth. Its usefulness was due to the use made of it, to work as domestic servants , slaves, agriculture and the military.


This paper presents a comparative study and survey of model-based object-recognition algorithms for robot vision. The goal of these algorithms is to recognize the identity, position, and orientation of randomly oriented industrial parts. In one form this is commonly referred to as the "bin-picking" problem, in which the parts to be recognized are presented in a jumbled bin. The paper is organized according to 2-D, 2½-D, and 3-D object representations, which are used as the basis for the recognition algorithms. Three central issues common to each category, namely, feature extraction, modeling, and matching, are examined in detail. An evaluation and comparison of existing industrial part-recognition systems and algorithms is given, providing insights for progress toward future robot vision systems.


Purpose: We have investigated the dynamic accuracy and long-term stability of an Agility (Elekta, Stockholm, Sweden) multi-leaf collimator (MLC) for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Methods: The MLC leaf position accuracy during VMAT delivery was evaluated with the use of three different quality assurance tests for several months: (1) a leaf gap-width test between opposing leaves by measurement of the isocenter dose during constant-gap sliding-window delivery with varied dose rates, MLC leaf speeds, and gantry angles; (2) a leaf position test by picket-fence delivery with and without gantry rotation; and (3) the complicated VMAT test plans were evaluated by measurement using gamma analysis with criteria of 3 mm distance-to-agreement (DTA) and 3% percent dose difference (DD). Results: The leaf gap-width deviation once a week for five months was within 0.15 mm under all the test fractions. There were not clear differences of the accuracy depending on the dose rates, the leaf speeds, and gantry angles. Agreement in the static vs. rotation picket fence test was better than 0.5 mm. This difference is near to the limit of the measurement and is not the difference between static and rotation. The pass rates of each complicated VAMT test plans once a day for a month were more than 90% in the gamma analysis. These pass rates are accuracy enough for VMAT because the test plans included strict test plans. Conclusion: MLC leaf position accuracy and long-term stability were confirmed by the proposed procedures. The Agility MLC showed enough MLC leaf position accuracy and long-term stability for VMAT.


The present investigation entitled "Effect of plant growth regulators on growth and yield of a cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. Capitata L.)" is an experiment was conducted during 2020-21 at research form of Udai Pratap Autonomous College, Varanasi (U.P.). The nine treatment comprising of T1 - Control , T2 – NAA (50ppm), T3 - NAA (75ppm), T4 – NAA (100 ppm), T5 - NAA (120 ppm), T6 -GA3 (50 ppm), T7 - GA3 (75ppm), T8 - GA3 (100 ppm) and T9 - GA3 (150 ppm), were evaluated in randomised block design with three replications. The experimental finding revealed that the treatment T9 showed better response to plant growth and yield attributes. However, maximum yield 400.74 q/ha was obtained with the application of T9 (GA3 150 ppm) fallowed by T5 - (NAA 120 ppm). On the basis of economic analysis with the application of GA3 150 ppm in T9 gave maximum cost benefit ratio is 1: 2.57 During 2020-21, respectively and was found most beneficial and feasible for the cultivation of cabbage.


Taking a steel structure gallery in a coal separating plant as the project background,this paper carries out an analysis of its dynamic performance and a static analysis under different design loads using large finite element analyze software ANSYS,and compares its results with the results of design software 3D3S,which illustrates that these results are quite close to each other and that the strength,stability and slenderness ratio of the members of the coal-conveyer-gallery meet satisfies the regulation criteria.Therefore,this structure is stable and reliable and meets the requirements of design,construction and use.


To evaluate the consistence of the seismic ground acceleration time history between by use of different method and regional observation,we put forward a kind of assessment index of the consistence of the seismic ground time history which could synthesize the time-frequency characteristics and its relative consistency criterion. This method could quantitatively analyze the reflection ability of evaluated seismic ground time history on the regional tectonic information. We compared the simulation result with the realistic observation result of Tangshan M4. 7earthquake in 2012 recorded by Douhe Station and Sizuoluo Station in Tangshan area,and gave a practical example.


The paper presents the experimental analysis of influence of the relative humidity of drying air on the drying process of porous building materials. Investigations were conducted by applying the stand which worked in a closed-loop flow and equipped with the following elements: the cooler (condenser), fan with variable rotation speed, throttle, humidifier, heater and control and acquisition systems. During experiments the temperature and velocity of air were equal to 40°C and 3 m/s, respectively, while its relative humidity was varied in the range from 16 to 40%. Two different materials were investigated, i.e., the red brick and mortar. Specimens were placed in the duct and had the top surface exposed to flowing air. Variations of the moisture content and temperature in considered building materials were measured by system of two force meters and thermocouples, respectively. The relative humidity of drying air significantly influenced on the drying process of building materials. The increase of the relative humidity of drying air resulted in the rise of the drying duration, the decrease of the drying rate and the increase of the level of temperature plateau (i.e., equilibrium temperature) which resulted from evaporation in the medium. Moreover, for the mortar drying rates were found much slower than for the red brick.


Rehabilitation nurses play an integral role in helping patients and communities plan for, respond to, and recover from disasters. This article provides an overview of various types of disasters, the terminology used by planners and responders, and the structure that governs the delivery of services, resources, and patient care. Information about specialized training in disaster response and volunteer opportunities through national and state humanitarian relief programs are provided. Although each nursing specialty lends expertise to emergency and disaster situations, rehabilitation nurses are particularly well-suited to help during times of complex, multifaceted medical and emotional responses.


This thesis describes the process and results of a graduation project for the Master's course Design for Interaction (DfI) at the faculty of Industrial Design Engineering. The project was carried out for the company Magnet.me. Magnet.me is a website that connects students with companies aiming to create a more efficient campus recruitment model. Interactions that can take place on the website are fairly standard, such as exchanging text messages and attachments. In the current state, these messaging modules do not have any added value compared to the regular channels of communication like email and chat. The goal of this project was to find and design a suitable portfolio expansion for Magnet.me that improves and optimises candidate-recruiter interaction. First, research was done regarding the recruitment process. The recruitment process can be split up into two stages, attraction and selection. Interaction primarily takes place in the selection stage. Consequently, the online communication tools that are used during selection were analysed. Of all tools, video calling presented itself as the most suitable opportunity for Magnet.me. Firstly, because it is the richest interactive online medium. Secondly, because it can turn Magnet.me into a much more integral recruitment service. Interviews with recruiters and candidates were conducted to find out what is needed for successful video calling during (pre-)selection. It was found that the product should focus on (1) the impression, (2) integration, (3) simplification & combination, and (4) lowering effort. In essence, the recruiter wants to get an impression that goes beyond the static profile. He or she wants to get a feel for, rather than read about a candidate's life, ambitions, and interests. Ultimately aiming to find out if the candidate fits within their company culture. Given the fact that a culture fit is not easily measurable and much more about a gut feeling, which is evoked by interaction, this interaction should be leading in the design of the product. Therefore, the product should focus on impression. Focusing on impression means keeping the actual video call (in which the impression is made) free from unnecessary distractions. The design of the system flow and its interfaces, from before to after the video call, should contribute to this goal of enabling the users to properly give (candidate) and get (recruiter) this impression. The product, Magnet.me Video, integrates core tasks that are specific for selection. The design of the product is led by the main goal to provide a setting in which an impression of a person(ality) can be best prepared and given by a candidate, and received and documented by a recruiter. The product stimulates having a short and focused interaction, which makes it a very clear and accessible product. The fact that the interface is clear, guiding and sticks to the essence of recruitment video calling also adds to the accessibility and usability of the product. When not connected with the other party (before and after call) the focus is on preparation, documentation and assessment, but when connected, the focus is on each other; focused on impression. At the end of the day, it is this impression that is made (by candidate) and received (by recruiter) that is essential for judging in the selection process. Adding Magnet.me Video to the current Magnet.me website will build on the current vision and will offer users a broader range of functionalities to express themselves in a professional context. Where Magnet.me can currently be used by both candidates and companies to 'find and follow' each other, the addition of Magnet.me Video will turn Magnet.me into the place for candidates and recruiters to 'find, follow and face' each other.


This paper contains a summary of some of the results obtained by the author during a study of the propositional part (denoted by A) of a system of free-from-contradiction, type-free logic set up in 1950 by Ackermann (1). It is shown that in its original form the calculus does not possess the desired properties with respect to equivalence of formulae. A calculus A′, which it is shown may be considered as a 'minimal' satisfactory extension of A, is constructed. A′ is compared and contrasted with an alternative form A″ of A given by Ackermann in a paper published in 1952 (2). It is proved that A″ is a proper extension of A′. Among the properties of A′ and A″ which are obtained is the resuit that neither calculus possesses a finite complete model. Reference is made to the solution of the decision problem for A, and it is indicated that it is thought that the corresponding problems can probably be solved for A′ and A″. The proofs of many of the results mentioned in the paper are, if given in detail, rather long. In such cases, from space considerations, only outline proofs are given. Complete proofs are contained in (5), which reference also contains several additional properties of the calculi considered.


Recently the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres characterised the COVID-19 healthcare crisis as the most challenging the humanity has faced since World War Two.1 In line with primary care's strategic role in responding to health disasters effectively,2 most of its human and material resources have been allocated in fighting this outbreak, postponing or even disregarding other patients' needs, including the prevention and management of chronic non-communicable diseases. …


Fine aggregate is an important component of self-compacting concrete (SCC), in this study, the effect of sand ratio (fine aggregate weight/total aggregate weight ratio (FA/TA)) on the properties of SCC, namely initial slump flow and cohesiveness of fresh SCC, compressive strength, carbonation depth, chloride ion diffusion coefficient, and damage to SCC under drying–wetting cycles, is investigated. The test results show that the initial slump flow of fresh SCC increases and the consistency of SCC reduces with change in FA/TA ratio from 0·33 to 0·42. SCC with FA/TA ratio of 0·39 has the maximum compressive strength, lowest carbonation depth and lowest chloride ion diffusion coefficient. Moreover, when damage to SCC with various FA/TA ratios under drying–wetting cycles is evaluated, SCCs with various FA/TA ratios are found to have similar behaviour in terms of resistance to damage.


Optical fiber is capable of providing the solution to the need of high bandwidth communication. The main degradation to the optical signal integrity in single mode fibers (SMFs) is chromatic dispersion (CD). The effect of CD is pulse spreading which in turn leads to inter-symbol interference (ISI), thus increasing the bit error rate (BER) of the system. This paper presents a CD compensation technique that utilizes a parallel optical all pass filter (p-OAPF), where the design is based on the inverse phase response of the SMF. The p-OAPF is based on a class of all-pass filter. Simulation results of the proposed technique show an increase in the repeater-less length of a point-to-point optical communication system by 3 times with Gaussian pulses at 10 Gb/s and BER of 10-9. A passive infinite impulse response filter structure is proposed for the implementation of the p-OAPF.


Recently, wireless power transfer (WPT) has been a competitive power supply mode due to its convenience and safety. Normally, a WPT system provides only one output, whereas some devices request multiple voltage levels. In this letter, a single-input and multioutput WPT system is proposed. By integrating two buck converters into a full-wave rectifier, three constant voltage outputs are achieved with only four mosfets and two inductors. Besides, all mosfets can achieve zero voltage switching by designing the inductors. A 324-W prototype is fabricated with three voltage levels, i.e., 48, 24, and 18 V. Experimental results demonstrate that the three outputs are independent of loads and each other, and the overall efficiency ranges from 91.84% to 93.33%.


The 21st Century Journalism Handbook serves as a comprehensive guide to students of print journalism covering newspapers, magazines and online.

The text covers both the core principles and practices for novice journalists and the fundamental issues facing journalists today – convergence, online, growth of magazine formats, challenges presented by technology, new demands in feature writing – from both a conceptual and practical perspective to provide students with a thorough grounding in the key debates and techniques in the discipline. It gives clear, no-nonsense practical advice to help you develop your generic journalism skills and make a success of your studies and career. It also serves as an essential introduction to the key debates on the industry.


Parallel/oblique impact experiments were conducted on thin (0.6 mm–1.0 mm) explosive samples in order to induce a well-defined state of combined pressure and shear in the sample. A compressed gas gun accelerated a projectile into a thin explosive sample over a 130-mm diameter. The impacted explosive was viewed by a high-speed framing camera through a transparent anvil in order to detect evidence of reaction. Simplified assumptions were made in order to calculate the pressure and the strain rate; the pressure range of these experiments was from 0.33 GPa to 1.31 GPa, and the strain rate across the sample was 50,000 per second assuming a viscosity of 50,000 poise. No explosive reaction was detected for the 15-μs duration of these tests. The temperature due to viscoplastic heating of the explosive was calculated for several explosive thicknesses, viscosities, yield strengths, and projectile impact velocities. Using reasonable values of viscosity and yield strength, the maximum temperature increase for these t...


Cognitive impairment is a classic problem among the elderly. One of the risk factors of cognitive decline is the high levels of lipid profile. Deep-sea fish oil has been studied, and it has beneficial effect for improving lipid profiles. However, no studies have evaluated the beneficial effects of freshwater fish oil for improving lipid profiles. Catfish biscuit and oil supplementation is expected to improve the level of lipid profiles and maintain cognitive function of the elderly. We used a pre-post, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. A total of 67 subjects with dyslipidemia aged 45-74 years were randomly selected and divided into four groups, as follows: Placebo (P); Cognitive function was assessed by using MMSE, digit span test, ROCF test and TMT-B. The results showed that there were significant decreases in triglyceride and MDA levels (p<0.05) and significant improvement in cognitive function (p<0.05) in CBCO group. Therefore, CBCO supplementation for 60 days may be able to suppress the increase in cholesterol, LDL and ox-LDL levels; lower the triglyceride and MDA levels; and improve the cognitive function of the elderly.


Literary theory of the Renaixenca on the vitalism of the creative faculty comes from the poetic of the imagination of German Romanticism which investigated in literary absolute through the contemplation of the sea as the artist infinite mirror. Case in point is the work of Maragall. Palabras clave: Absoluto literario. Mar Mediterraneo. Renaixenca. Roman- ticismo aleman. Joan Maragall.


Xerox Corporation has announced a new non-impact computer printing system that produces copy on 8½ × 11-inch, ordinary, unsensitized paper faster than a page a, or up to 4,000 lines per minute.


In the article there are presented data of the study of the radiation situation on the territory and at premises of the "Electric Mechanical Plant" Company, one of the units of the former uranium mining and milling facility of the former Lermontov Almaz Production Association. At the area of waste rock dumps and off-balance ores, the radiation situation was shown to meet requirements of health regulations SP LKP-91.The radiation situation in 14 out of 15 observed workshops and office premises meets the requirements for the limitation of the public exposure to natural radiation sources in occupational conditions established by health regulations and norms SanPiN 188.8.131.5200-10. In one building (warehouse premises), the requirements for equivalent equilibrium volumetric activity of radon (EEVA) in indoor air are exceeded. Based on the annual EEVA of radon values the assessment of effective doses in the work of the personnel over the one shift, was shown to be overestimated up to 7 times due to the daily variation of radon volumetric activity concentration.


New types of organic scintillators (polycrystals and composite scintillators) have been developed and compared with organic single crystals. Polycrystals and composite scintillators were prepared from different grain size fractions obtained by grinding a single crystal with high structural perfection at low temperature followed by sieving. Composite scintillators were prepared by adding specific grain size fractions of stilbene to an optically transparent glue. The results of measurements are in good agreement with track formation data for organic scintillators, by which the scintillation signal in tracks of ionizing particles is mainly formed in the diffusion-controlled annihilation process of triplet exited molecules of a scintillator. Measured values of light yield and calculated density of excitation in tracks of alpha particles allow an estimation to be made of the quenching effect in the different scintillators.


Presents in a popular form some results of research carried out on Palaeozoic and Mesozoic elasmobranchs. Introduces a new genus and species, Adamantina benedictae , belonging to the fish fauna of the marine Upper Permian of eastern Greenland. Provides information on palaeontological conservation laboratory procedures (acetic acid preparation, microscope study of thin sections, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) inspection, and plasma etching) which are absolute prerequisites for identification and documentation of such fossil material's morphological, histological, and ultrastructural features. The latter two form the basis for our understanding of processes performed by hard tissue-forming cells which were active some 250 million years ago.


With the increasing popularity of virtual machine monitoring (VMM) technologies, performance variability among collocated virtual machines (VMs) can easily become a severe scalability issue. Particularly, it becomes a necessary for administrative team to control the performance degradation level in a shared environment when multiple I/O-intensive applications simultaneously request their I/O operations [1]. Nevertheless, adding several logical layers between the running applications and the physical storage system, as seen in contemporary virtualized storage devices, makes it considerably difficult to build a low overhead controlling mechanism for such systems (while each VM may running a separate operating system instance) [2]. In this paper, we propose a strategy based on control theory for managing the performance of several I/O requests, such as mean response times and read/write throughput in a consolidated environment where multiple virtual services can share access to a storage system. This scheme uses an approach for measuring the characterization of read/write performance attributes of each virtual services and also takes into account the run-time quality of service enforcement levels requested by them. This is formulated as an optimization problem where a reward function is defined to reduce the overall QoS violation incidents among all consolidated virtual services. Performance evaluation is carried out by comparing the proposed solution with the default embedded Linux controller across a range of emulated application workloads in scenarios with multiple consolidated virtual containers. The results confirm that the proposed solution can reduce the overall QoS violation incident rates in scenarios in which the platform operates at a significant traffic load comparing to the default policy in LXC engine.


Reliable Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda Presl.) germplasm (Reg. no. GP-8, PI 639272) was released on 12 Oct. 2004 by the USDA-ARS and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station as a Selected Class (natural track) germplasm, which is eligible for seed certification under Association of Seed Certifying Agencies guidelines (AOSCA, 2001). Reliable was developed in cooperation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers– Engineer Research and Development Center and the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP) project to identify resilient plant characteristics and develop wear-resistant plant cultivars for use on military training lands. Reliable Sandberg bluegrass is a multi-origin germplasm assembled to ensure adaptation over a broad range of ecological sites and provide a source of readily available seed. Reliable was evaluated under the experimental designations SERDP-select, Yakima, and YTC Sandberg bluegrass. Sandberg bluegrass reproduces via facultative apomixis (Kellogg, 1987), theoretically resulting in fixed adaptation to specific environments. Reliable is a multi-origin germplasm generated by compositing seed from plants originating from 28 locations, with each location potentially containing unique co-adapted gene complexes. Three hundred fourteen Sandberg bluegrass plants were collected as live plants on 25–26 Aug. 1998 from 28 locations representing seven different ecological sites, as classified by the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, at the U.S. Army Yakima Training Center (YTC) at Yakima, WA. The collection locations had the following range of characteristics: annual precipitation (12–30 cm); surface soil texture (loam to sand); soil depth (15– 183 cm); slope (0–45%); aspect (north, south, east, and west); and elevation (243–1034 m). Land forms of the collection locations were foot hill, plain, canyon bottom, canyon summit, ridge top, canyon side, and bottom flat. Associated vegetation included bluebunch wheatgrass [Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love], Wyoming big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata Nutt. subsp. wyomingensis Beetel & Young), western yarrow (Achillea millefolium L. var. occidentalis DC.), buckwheat (Eriogonum sp.), scabland sagebrush [Artemisia rigida (Nutt.) Gray], Cusick's bluegrass (P. cusickii Vasey), Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis Elmer), yellow rabbitbrush [Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus (Hook.) Nutt.], rubber rabbitbrush [Ericameria nauseosa (Pallas ex Pursh) Nesom&Baird], phlox (Phlox sp.), needle and thread grass [Hesperostipa comata (Trin. & Rupr.) Barkworth], and Indian ricegrass [Achnatherum hymenoides (Roemer & J.A. Schultes) Barkworth]. The 314 plants (G0 generation) were potted, maintained in the greenhouse during the winter of 1998, and transplanted in the spring of 1999 to a field near Logan, UT. Seed from the original 314 plants was harvested and composited, in equal amounts per collection location, to form the G1 generation. DNA fingerprinting was used to compare 34 Reliable G0 plants (P. secunda ssp. sandbergii), with sample populations of 'Sherman' (P. secunda ssp. ampla) (Alderson and Sharp, 1995), 'Canbar' (P. secunda ssp. canbyii) (Alderson and Sharp, 1995), and experimental germplasm originating near Mountain Home, ID (P. secunda ssp. sandbergii) (Larson et al., 2001). The 34 Reliable G0 plants were from 19 of the 28 YTC collection sites and represented all seven ecological sites. Results indicated that Sherman and Canbar were genetically uniform apomictic cultivars and were easily distinguished fromReliable and Mountain Home germplasms by DNA fingerprinting. Reliable also displayed apomictic uniformity within collections, but contained a wide diversity of genotypes among collections, and was not as easily distinguished from the Mountain Home germplasm (Larson et al., 2001). However, a conservative permutation test (Leonard et al., 1999) showed that Reliable was significantly different thanMountainHome, even though a relatively small percentage of DNAmarkers discriminated the two germplasms. We observed a range of phenotypes in the Reliable G1 field, also suggesting wide genetic diversity. Reliable has been successfully established in several trials in Utah and Idaho and at the YTC. Sandberg bluegrass is an important understory grass in the bluebunch wheatgrass– sagebrush ecological sites of the Intermountain and Northwest regions of the USA. It is a medium-lived, perennial bunchgrass valuable for soil erosion control, spring livestock and wildlife grazing, and biodiversity. It resists trampling and is often one of the first species to reestablish on sites disturbed by fire, large equipment and vehicles, and animals. Reliable's intended use is for rehabilitation and restoration of western rangelands. It may be particularly useful as a pioneer plant species on severely disturbed sites, such as military training sites and after wildfires. The USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, UT, will maintain G1 and G2 generation seed. Generation G3 seed will be produced under contract (currently with L&H Seed, Inc, Connell, WA) and be made available to growers by theUtahCrop ImprovementAssociation (435–797– 2082). Seed through the G5 generation will be eligible for certification as SelectedClass (natural track) germplasm. Information and small seed quantities will bemade available on request to the corresponding author. Appropriate recognition should be made if this germplasm is used to develop new cultivars.


Abstract: Several immunosuppressive regime's were used in a pig‐to‐rat islet transplant model, with porcine islet‐like cell clusters placed under the kidney capsule of Lewis rats. The animals were killed 12 days after the implantation. In untreated control rats, a massive infiltration of mononuclear cells occured in the xenograft and no morphologically intact endocrine cells could be seen. Most of the infiltrating cells were large, polygonal, macrophage‐like cells. T‐lymphocytes were found mainly in the peripheral parts of the xenografts. Some NK‐cells were also observed. Treatment with cyclosporin A (CyA, 20 mg/kg BW, p.o.), cyclophosphamide (CYP, 20 mg/kg BW, p.o.), prednisolone (PRED, 20 mg/kg BW, p.o.) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF, 40 mg/kg BW, p.o.) had little inhibitory effect on the xenograft rejection. In animals given cyclosporin and cyclophosphamide in combination with plasmapheresis there were only occasional infiltrating cells, still only endocrine cells were morphologically intact. Immunosuppression with CyA in combination with rapamycin (RPM, 5 mg/kg BW, i.p.) also had an inhibitory effect on xenograft rejection and there were only a few or a moderate number of cells infiltrating the grafts. However, in this treatment group many morphologically intact endocrine cells were present. The most effective treatment was CyA in combination with 15‐deoxyspergualine (DSG, 10 mg/kg BW, i.m.). The animals so treated had hardly any infiltrating mononuclear cells and the islet xenograft revealed a morphological appearance similar to that observed after transplantation to nude mice‐i.e., intact endocrine tissue, organized in duct‐like structures or cell clusters. All rats had preformed, xenoreactive antibodies in serum directed against membrane antigens on pig ICC. In control animals and animals treated with CyA, a marked rise in antibody levels was found after transplantation. Treatment with CyA and DSG (10 mg/kg BW), CyA and CYP, and protocols including plasmapheresis, resulted in a significant decrease in antibody levels. With the other treatment protocols, the antibody levels remained unchanged.


Abstract : The damage produced in optical fibers by fast neutrons has been studied with reference to the recovery of the fibers tested. The fibers were subjected to varying doses of neutrons. Individual wavelengths were monitored during the irradiation and post-irradiation recovery processes. Recovery rates for each particular wavelength were studied to determine the bleaching effect of the monitoring light at that wavelength. The wavelength was varied over the lower operating range of the fibers, 700 to 950 nm in increments of 50 nm. Further measurements were taken to determine the bleaching effect of ultraviolet light. Theory suggests that damage caused by high energy neutrons, known to create absorption bands in the ultraviolet range, should show bleaching effects when high intensity ultraviolet light is transmitted through the fiber. Neutral density filters were utilized to determine the dependence of recovery on the intensity of ultraviolet light used. The bleaching effect of a white light source was also studied. Here again, it is believed that the input of high intensity light should be able to bleach out any defects which may have been created by the neutron irradiation. (Author)


Severe sepsis is common. 750,000 cases are estimated to occur annually in the United States. The mortality rate for severe sepsis still ranges from 30 to 50%, and is as high as 80 to 90% for septic shock and multiple organ dysfunction. Severe sepsis exists along a continuum initiated by a localized infection that triggers a systemic inflammatory response. A cascade of inflammation and activation of the coagulation system associated with impaired fibrinolysis leads to alterations in microvascular circulation associated with organ dysfunc tion, severe sepsis, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, and death. Treatment guidelines that are evidence-based and endorsed by 11 professional societies representing multispecialty groups are described. In an attempt to improve care and reduce mortality, the Surviving Sepsis Campaign and The Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) have created two sepsis treatment bundles. In this paper we review


Small pieces of herbarium leaf material were examined with the light and scanning electron microscopes. Thirty ordinary stomata were measured for each specimen and as many large hydathode stomata as were available in the material. Cuticular preparations were made by macerating small pieces of leaf in Io per cent chromic acid plus 10 per cent of concentrated nitric acid for c. 12 hours (for further details of method, see Stace, 1965). The cleaned cuticles were stained in Fettrot (Fat Red 7B) and mounted in glycerine jelly. Cleared preparations were made by boiling in sodium hydroxide and alcohol, washing, leaving in cold chloral hydrate until clear (for method see


Models for calculating the effective, or bulk, properties of heterogeneous materials are considered in the light of a Dyson equation formalism. It is seen that convergence difficulties, of the same nature as those which necessitated the renormalization effected by the Dyson equation in the first place, are frequently reintroduced, but now in calculating the parameters to use in the equation. Thus the validity of the models must be suspect. Fortunately, in most instances the validity of the models, if properly interpreted, can be established. The proper interpretation to be given is considered. Introduction. In the more common definitions of effective, or bulk, property measures one assumes a statistically homogeneous test specimen forced so as to result in statistically homogeneous flux (e.g. charge, heat, momentum) and gradient (e.g. potential, temperature, displacement) fields [1]. The effective property measures are defined as quantities that give the correct proportionality between the (ensemble) averaged, and hence constant, flux and gradient fields [2], For test specimens forced so as to result in flux and gradient fields with statistics that might be termed quasi-homogeneous, an assumption is made that the averaged flux and gradient fields, no longer constants, are equal to fields calculated for a fictitious, effective medium. That is, one assumes that the averaged field response is properly given by an "effective modulus theory." The condition of quasihomogeneity can be made more precise by a statement that the length scale for variations in the averaged fields (i.e. the problem macroscale) is to be large compared to length scales for measuring the random variations (i.e. the problem microscale). An "effective modulus theory" can be considered to be derived by a general formalism that needs to be satisfied by the averaged inverse of a linear stochastic operator. We shall term this general formalism a Dyson equation formalism [3], and note that it reduces to the effective modulus theory for the two-length-scale situation intuitively introduced above. The Dyson equation formalism provides another definition of effective property measures. One of the purposes of the present paper is to consider the relationship between these seemingly different definitions of effective property measures. The Dyson equation formalism can be obtained by two procedures, one frequently termed the method of smoothing and one termed a renormalization. The motivations prompting the two procedures are distinctly different, although the end product is the same. In the context of the heterogeneous media problem, the method of smoothing * Received March 23, 1978; revised version received July 17, 1978. The study reported herein is an outgrowth of numerous discussions, held during a sabbatical leave visit, with both the permanent staff of and visitors to the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics, Cambridge University. The study was supported by the National Science Foundation under grant number ENG 76-11549.


OBJECTIVE: To determine the content of caffeic acid in Qingrejiedu oral solution(solution for heat-clearing and detoxicating) by HPLC.METHODS: The determination of sample was performed on Hypersil BDS C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm) with methanol-sodium potassiumphosphate solution(22∶78) as mobile phase.The detective wavelength was set at 323 nm.RESULTS:The linear range of Caffeic acid was 0.001 57~0.025 12 mg· mL-1(r=0.999 8) and the average recovery was 100.3%(RSD=1.73%,n=6).CONCLUSION: This method is rapid,simple,accurate and reproducible with high recovery rate,and it can be used for the quality control of Qingrejiedu oral solution.


BACKGROUND: Pemphigus Vulgaris (PV) is a chronic disease, is characterized by the presence of flacid bullous in skin and mucosa. There are 2 main autoantibodies against desmoglein3 (Dsg3) and desmoglein1 (Dsg1). AIM: The aims of this study were to evaluate the before and after treatment outcome with corticosteroid, using Desmoglein ELISA test. METHOD: Forty patients with Pemphigus include 36 PV and 4 PF (28 women, 12 women) were enrolled. The titers of Dsg in pemphigus patients by using ELISA test were done before and 1-month treatment RESULTS: Both anti-Dsg1 and anti-Dsg3 levels were significantly reduced after treatment (P < 0.05). The severity of skin lesions was correlated with anti-Dsg1 antibody level and the severity of oral lesions was significantly correlated with anti-Dsg 3 antibody levels (p < 0.05) CONCLUSION: It is recommended that we can predict and improve the outcome of treatment by using Desmoglein ELISA test.


We study steady polytropic wind flows by examining their solution topologies; effects included are departures from spherical symmetry and nonthermal momentum addition (such as by waves). The problem is first treated in full generality for the one-dimensional case; here we extend previous work on isothermal flows, and on the existence of degenerate solution topologies, to the nonisothermal case. We then examine the polytropic flow problem in the context of a specific model for the form of the streamlines which is taken from a dynamically consistent calculation of the form of open and closed field lines in a magnetosphere. The advantage of this adopted field/streamline geometry is that, unlike earlier models which did not allow wind flows from polar coronal holes to approach the ecliptic at large heliocentric distances, our does.


Aggressiveness is a topical problem of psychology. There are some differences in aggressiveness displaying between Russians and Tatars. The problem's research lies in finding out a connection between one's aggressiveness and his or her national psychological peculiarities. This would allow to improve relationshi p between different ethnic groups.


The present study proposes a reading of Albert Camus's work of fiction and theatre through the perspective of exile. In his work, the theme of the exile appears at the geographical level as well as the figurative one, and its interpretation is nurtured by both his reflection and his real life. An exile is a "man deprived of…": this formula of Camus himself indicates firstly the state of rupture, and secondly, by the unnamed word, the "kingdom" still to be defined and to be re/conquered. Before the unity to be re/gained, man suffers exile's syndromes that can be characterized notably by the emaciation (in the figurative term), wavering, and the lapse of memory. However, exile can also be beneficial. The examination of exile throws light upon the nature of the kingdom: it is the harmonious state of man and what constitutes his happiness, the innocence before the irreversible awareness of the reality, the concrete world before the invasion of abstraction, the mutual recognition, as well as the gathering of oneself against the dispersion. Camus's expression of exile follows the evolution of his thought: from absurd to love, his creation begins from man's inescapable condition of rupture being in the world and reaches finally at the fully awareness and acceptation of his own truth. Curiously but inevitably, the return to the origin can only be realized on the land of forgetting and of exile.


Experimental results from ionospheric HF pumping experiments in the nightside auroral E region above Tromso are reported. We found intriguing evidence that a modification of the ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling, due to the effects of powerful HF waves beamed into an auroral sporadic E layer, can lead to a local intensification of the auroral activity. Summarizing multi-instrument observations during two consecutive nights, one can distinguish the following peculiarities related to this auroral activation: a modification of the auroral arc and its breakup above Tromso, local changes in the horizontal currents above Tromso, a burst-like increase of the electron density and temperature, a large increase in the ion temperature in a wide altitude range and in the north-south component of the electric field, distinctive features in dynamic HF radio scatter Doppler spectra, pump-induced electron precipitation, and substorm activation exactly above Tromso. We discuss the modification of the ionosphere-magnetosphere coupling in terms of the excitation of a turbulent Alfven boundary layer between the base of the ionosphere (∼100 km) and the level of sharp increase of the Alfven velocity (at heights up to one Earth radius), and the formation of a local magnetospheric current system. The results suggest that a possible triggering of local auroral activation requires specific geophysical conditions.


We introduce and systematically study the notion of Rokhlin dimension (with and without commuting towers) for compact group actions on $C^*$-algebras. This notion generalizes the one introduced by Hirshberg, Winter and Zacharias for finite groups, and contains the Rokhlin property as the zero dimensional case. We show, by means of an example, that commuting towers cannot always be arranged, even in the absence of $K$-theoretic obstructions. For a compact Lie group action on a compact Hausdorff space, freeness is equivalent to finite Rokhlin dimension of the induced action. We compare the notion of finite Rokhlin dimension to other existing definitions of noncommutative freeness for compact group actions. We obtain further $K$-theoretic obstructions to having an action of a non-finite compact Lie group with finite Rokhlin dimension with commuting towers, and use them to confirm a conjecture of Phillips.


Interpretability, explainability and transparency are key issues to introducing Artificial Intelligence closed—box methods in many critical domains: This is important due to ethical concerns and trust issues strongly connected to reliability, robustness, auditability and fairness, and has important consequences towards keeping the human in the loop in high levels of automation, especially in critical cases for decision making. Reinforcement learning methods, and especially their deep versions, are closed-box methods that support agents to act autonomously in the real world. This tutorial will provide a formal specification of the deep reinforcement learning explainability problems, and will present the necessary components of a general explainable reinforcement learning framework. Based on this framework will provide distinct explainability paradigms towards solving explainability problems, with examples from state-of-the-art methods and real-world cases. The tutorial will conclude identifying open questions and important challenges. The tutorial is based on the survey paper on "Explainable Deep Reinforcement Learning" State of the Art and Challenges" [1].


In this study,a new spectrophotometric method had been developed to detect L-carnitine in the milk powder by optimizing the react conditions.The experimental results demonstrate that The absorbtion of the solution had a direct relationship with the L-carnitine concentration in the range of 2.1~22.0ug/mL.The revovery of the method was in the range of 97.6%~99.0% and the RSD was 0.2%(n=7).The proposed method owns the advantages of easy-operation,rapid,high accuracy and good precision.


This project intends to provide recommendations for how the University of Pennsylvania can improve its waste-management practices and how waste data can be utilized more efficiently. Two major problems were apparent from the start: a lack of communication about waste stemming from a lack of purpose for the existing waste data. By coordinating tours with local universities, such as Drexel University, and large sports venues, such as Lincoln Financial Field and Citizens Bank Park, new methods for dealing with waste in both residential and recreational settings came to the fore, illuminating innovations in signage and waste communication from which Penn could greatly benefit, such as new signage initiatives and more-open and widespread communication about recycling.


This article studies the integrated fault-tolerant control (FTC) and fault estimation (FE) problem using polynomial fuzzy model (PFM) based on the sum of squares (SOS) approach. The integrated approach not only considers the bidirectional interaction between fault diagnosis and control units but also ensures an optimal response. The transient management in the fault occurrence situation and the alleviation of bidirectional interaction between FE and FTC are the motivational challenges. However, the integrated approach increases the complexity and problem's dimension. In this situation, PFM can reduce the problem's dimensions and increase modeling accuracy. The additive actuator faults, input disturbance, and structured uncertainty are considered to bring the problem closer to practical applications. A polynomial fuzzy observer with unknown input is designed to estimate the time-varying faults that is used to remove the effects of faults on the control input. Thus, the proposed approach benefits from PFM in FE and FTC synthesis to reduce the design dimensions, have a more precise model, and make the synthesis less conservative. Moreover, the PFM is more robust against intense model uncertainties and faults. To evaluate the proposed approach, the FTC of an inverted-pendulum system is simulated. The fault-tolerant and fault estimation performances of the proposed approach are compared with those of the linear matrix inequality (LMI) approach. The simulated results show that the proposed SOS approach outperforms the LMI approach.


We consider the problem of human action recognition using non-negative sparse representation of extracted features from spatiotemporal video patches. Our algorithm trains dictionaries for the calculation of a non-negative sparse representation for feature vectors and uses a linear Support Vector Machine (SVM) to distinguish between different actions. We evaluate the performance of the proposed techniques by using two human action datasets (KTH and IXMAS). In both cases, the proposed technique outperforms state-of-the-art techniques, achieving 100% accuracy on the KTH dataset.


A multi-phase switched reluctance drive circuit is powered by a passive power factor correction. Switching phase of the motor, so that there is always a phase current drawn from the DC link and the current drawn from the DC link is substantially always positive.


THE ORGANISMS OF THE TERMINAL PRECAMBRIAN OF THE WESTERN AFRICAN CRATON The terminal Precamhrian (Lipalian) of the western African Craton, in the Adrar of Mauritania, has provided, especially in the Guelb er Richat, many organisms with an archaic structure, often very simple. It concerns some coccoides, often grouped in more or less complex spheroides according to an evolutionary pattern that could be accurately established. The understanding of fossil forms from the Precambrian is, to a great extent, the result of an interpretation made of an included 'black spot', which one adopted for the emissions of substance produced by these forms. Compared to the present species, the Precambrian organisms recall the coccoid Bacteria and the Cyanophyceae. These microorganisms are oolithes in origin and are by no means mineral, since they contain stain-sensitive glucides with Schiff's reagent following the action of periodic acid. These forms, usually spherical, are classified amongst the Oncolithes. These organisms are also responsible for the massive calcareous or dolomitic reefs reaching considerable thickness and containing some known stromatolites in many parts of the world . Stromatolites are Conophyton. Collenia . . . They are spherical, lamellate or columnar. These reef formations of Africa reach a thickness of 3 000 m in the Adoudounian of Collenia of the Anti-Atlas, of 600 m in the Zemmour, of 150 m in the Adrar of Mauritania, of 100 m in the cliff of Hank in the north of the Taoudeni Basin.


Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a natural mouse pathogen. LCMV Armstrong, an acutely resolved strain, and LCMV Clone13, a mutant that establishes chronic infection, have provided contrasting infection models that continue to inform the fundamental biology of T cell differentiation, regulation of exhaustion, and response to checkpoint blockade. Here, we describe LCMV Minnesota (LCMV-MN), which was transmitted to laboratory mice upon cohousing with pet shop mice and shares 80–95% amino acid homology with previously characterized LCMV strains. Infection of laboratory mice with purified LCMV-MN resulted in widely disseminated viral replication and viremia that was controlled within 15–30 days; which is of intermediate duration between LCMV Armstrong and Clone13. The magnitude of the LCMV-MN specific CD8+ T cell was maintained at much higher levels than that observed after LCMV Armstrong or Clone13 infections. LCMV-MN responding CD8+ T cells were further associated with significantly biased differentiation towards the recently described PD1+ CXCR5+ Tim-3lo stem-like CD8+ T cell population that was previously shown to be largely responsible for responsiveness to PD-1 inhibitory checkpoint blockade. In contrast to LCMV Clone13-induced responses, this subset persisted after resolution of LCMV-MN viremia, yet transcriptionally, phenotypically and functionally resembled PD1+ TCF1+ stem-like CD8+ T cells maintained by LCMV Clone13 infection. Together with existing models, LCMV-MN may contribute to a better understanding of the breadth of immune response in different chronic infections or tumor settings as well as the regulation of responsiveness to PD-1 blockade.


The invention discloses a capacitor impregnant containing modified vermiculite powder and a preparation method thereof. The capacitor impregnant comprises the following raw materials by weight: 98-102 parts of colza oil, 1.5-2.5 parts of modified vermiculite powder, 3-5 parts of modified tree ash, 2-4 parts of fluorite, 0.7-1.0 part of calcium carbonate and 0.5-0.7 part of alkylbenzene sulfonate. The capacitor impregnant adopts the cloza oil as a main material and is low in cost. Simultaneously, the modified vermiculite powder, the modified tree ash, the fluorite, the calcium carbonate and the alkylbenzene sulfonate are added. Adsorption performance of moisture in the impregant is improved by modifying the vermiculite powder and the tree ash. The capacitor impregant has good flowability and heat resistance, is free of corrosion and impurity, and is capable of effectively improving electric performance of a capacitor and prolonging service life of the capacitor.


6630 Background: Adjuvant trastuzumab improves outcomes but is associated with cardiotoxicity. Cardiac monitoring at baseline and at regular intervals during treatment is advised. No data exist on the adequacy of cardiac monitoring in the general population. Of particular interest is the pattern of monitoring in the elderly as they are at increased risk for cardiotoxicity. In a large cohort of trastuzumab-treated patients, we describe the patterns of cardiac monitoring, and evaluate factors associated with suboptimal monitoring. Methods: Breast cancer patients ≥66 years with full Medicare coverage, stage I-III breast cancer diagnosed between 2005-2007, and treated with adjuvant trastuzumab-based chemotherapy were identified in the SEER-Medicare and in the Texas Cancer Registry-Medicare databases. The frequency of echocardiograms/MUGAs was determined. Baseline monitoring (test in the 4 months prior to initiation of trastuzumab), adequate follow-up monitoring (a test every 4 months during trastuzumab treatm...


Genetic dissection of the genetic basis of drought resistance is important for crop improvement. In this study, significant loci for drought resistance related traits at seedling stage were identified with a set of maize introgression lines under two environments. Two drought resistance indicators, leaf-drying degree under medium drought stress (LDM) and severe drought stress (LDS), and three root traits, root dry weight under drought stress (RWS), root length under drought stress (RLS), and root number under drought stress (RNS) were investigated. A total of 31 and 25 significant loci for LDM and LDS were identified, respectively, and 20 of them were commonly detected under both environments. For the three root traits, 41 significant loci were detected with 20 loci identified under both environments. Of the 97 significant loci, only 19 loci related to both leaf-drying degree and root traits under stress simultaneously, suggesting that these root traits had limited contribution to drought resistance at seedling stage. The significant loci detected in this study would be useful in molecular breeding for drought resistance in maize.


This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of radiofrequency pulmonary artery denervation with the Simplicity system in patients with distal chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.

 60 chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients with mean pulmonary artery pressure >25 mm Hg and absence of proximal artery lesion defined by pulmonary angiography were randomized into 2 groups. Group 1 included 30 patients who underwent pulmonary artery denervation procedure. The other 30 patients were assigned to the control group (only angio plus right heart catheterization). The procedure of pulmonary artery denervation was performed at the lateral wall of main pulmonary artery and ostium of the left and right pulmonary arteries using the electrode from Simplicity denervation system. The programmed ablation parameters were temperature >50°C and time = 120 s. Using the coronary guiding technique, the tip of electrode was applied at each spot rotating the tip with pace of 2 mm. The success was defined by decrease of mean pulmonary artery pressure >10%, absence of complications. The primary end point was comparison of mean pulmonary artery pressure change from baseline to 12 months in pulmonary artery denervation group compared with change from baseline to 12 months in control group. The secondary point was change in 6-min walk distance and pulmonary vascular resistance at the 12-month follow-up.
 There were no complications after pulmonary artery denervation. The hemodynamic success was achieved in 93% of all cases. The mean number of radiofrequency applications to achieve success was 10.3 per patient. During follow-up period 3 patients died in pulmonary artery denervation group: (1 died of gastro-intestinal bleeding, 2 – of right ventricular failure) and 3 patients in control group. The mean decreases in the mean pulmonary artery pressure were 8.7 mm Hg in the pulmonary artery denervation group and 3.1 mm Hg in control group (p<0.05). After pulmonary artery denervation in comparison with the control group was observed significant decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance (8.3±2.8 WU vs. 11.2±3.7). 6-min walk distance significantly increased by 81 m after pulmonary artery denervation and 29 m in control group (p<0.05). This improvement was associated with significant improvements in the WHO functional class.

 The usage of the Simplicity denervation system in pulmonary artery denervation procedure is safe and effective. Further studies are required to determine the role of pulmonary artery denervation in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. The next step of pulmonary artery denervation development will be the use of this method combined with recommended treatment (medical therapy, pulmonary endarterectomy and balloon pulmonary angioplasty) as additional option, that may sufficiently improve outcomes in some patients

 Type of funding source: None


In this paper [1], we derived conditions for non-classicality in higher order sub-Poissonian photon statistics in the form of general inequalities for expectation values of products of arbitrary powers of photon number and of photon-number fluctuation. Derivations of inequalities (10) and (12) of [1] are not very sound and we give below their rigorous derivations. For deriving inequality (10) of [1], we use e = : e(e−1)N̂ :[2] and write e = ∑


: The objective of this study was to explore the use of non- Saccharomyces yeasts, individually or in mixed culture with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for the vinification of must originating from the native white wine grape cultivar Savvatiano (Vitis vinifera L.). Savvatiano is the most planted grape cultivar in Greece, cultivated predominantly in Central Greece. Grapes were harvested during October 2020, were pressed, and the must after cold settlement was inoculated with a. Saccharomyces cerevisiae , b. Metschnikowia pulcherrima and c. mixed culture, in sequential inoculation ( M. pulcherrima , followed by S. cerevisiae after 7 days). The progress of fermentations was monitored and the finished wines were analyzed for main wine parameters, as well as sensory attributes by a panel of experts. The results of this study provide useful data in order to further explore the effect of mixed cultures use on fermentation of musts originating from native grape varieties with low aromatic intensity.


The Stored Waste System Design Study (SWSDS), commissioned by the Waste Technology Development Department at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL), examines relative life-cycle costs associated with three system concepts for processing the alpha low-level waste (alpha-LLW) stored at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex's Transuranic Storage Area at the INEL. The three system concepts are incineration/melting; thermal treatment/solidification; and sort, treat, and repackage. The SWSDS identifies system functional and operational requirements and assesses implementability; effectiveness; cost; and demonstration, testing, and evaluation (DT E) requirements for each of the three concepts.


The High Line project has been looked to as a model for a large number of cities with significant tracts of disused industrial infrastructure from the heyday of American railroads. Philadelphia is just one example of a community that has been attempting to replicate the High Lineâ€TMs success. However, the significant capital investment required to adaptively reuse elevated railroad structures is challenging.


The invention discloses an all-steel pad rubber composition comprising the following components: 100phr of natural rubber, 20-46phr of carbon black N330, 0-16phr of white carbon black, 0-3.2phr of a silane coupling agent Si69, 4-7phr of zinc oxide, and 3.0-5.7phr of an anti-aging agent, sulfur, and others. According to the invention, a raw rubber system with pure natural rubber is adopted; rubber material heat generation is reduced; bonding performance among rubber material is improved; and bonding of the rubber material and steel wire is enhanced.


The present paper developed a conceptual framework and a technique of studying the communicative meaning of words, and explored the relation of communication meaning with other known meaning dimensions. The communicative meaning of each of the 98 nouns was measured in terms of the homogeneity of associative responses elicited by the nouns and the reliability of the resulting scale SCI was tested. The intergroup reliability coefficient was 0.941. The correlation of the scale with five other meaning attributes, imagery (I), Concreteness (C), meaningfulness (m), dictionary meaning (DM) and affective meaning intensity (AMI), showed that the SCI measure was positively correlated with I, C, and m. Several hypotheses regarding the SCI measure were tested to highlight the nature of the scale.


Deep learning is currently the state of the art algorithm for image classification. The complexity of these feedforward neural networks have overcome a critical point, resulting algorithmic breakthroughs in various fields. On the other hand their complexity makes them executable in tasks, where High-throughput computing powers are available. The optimization of these networks -considering computational complexity and applicability on embedded systems- has not yet been studied and investigated in details. In this paper I show some examples how this algorithms can be optimized and accelerated on embedded systems.


This paper presents a decision support system (DSS) and its models for patrol service center (PSC). PSC plays an important role in public security and emergency management. The configuration, deployment, and scheduling of resources of PSC are important for improving the efficiency of patrol-related resources, service quantity, and emergency response capability. A series of decision-making models of the DSS are studied. First, the criteria and models are proposed for configuring and deploying PSCs; second, three types of models for incremental, direct, and redeployment optimization are built in views for decisions aiming at PSC configuration, deployment, and scheduling problems; third, considering three typical patrol-related service scenarios (alarm assignment, main road blockade, and besiege program), three scheduling models are built, respectively, for PSC-related service and coordination of multiple PSCs. This work contributes to the literature on patrol services and network optimization problems in the following aspects: based on a series of models, a DSS framework is designed for PSCs; the models are formulated for resource management and scheduling upon geography information system; coordination strategies among close PSCs are incorporated into decision models. These features are examined in integration manners. The assessment criteria and optimization models studied in the paper are beneficial for building DSSs for PSC.


To the Editor.— Agent Orange is an herbicide containing equal parts of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid. It was used extensively in Vietnam as a defoliant. A toxic contaminant is dioxin, 2,3,7,8 tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin. A ten-month study of 78 Vietnam veterans who claimed exposure to Agent Orange yielded many findings: 85% of the men experienced a rash that was resistant to treatment. Using immunofluorescence in one patient, a skin biopsy specimen showed intraepithelial and intercellular IgA, IgG, and IgM. In 53% of the patients, the rash was aggravated by sunlight. Joint pain occurred in 71%, stiffness in 59%, and swelling in 45%. Hypersomnolence occurred in 44% of the men and extreme fatigue in 80%. Sinus bradycardia and premature ventricular contractions were not infrequent. Persistent neurological complaints were tingling (55%), numbness (60%), dizziness (69%), headache (35%), and autonomic dyscontrol (18%). Severe psychiatric manifestations were depression (73%), suicidal attempts (8%), and


Constitutional reform requires a cautious approach that draws heavily on the theory of institutions. Too often arguments for particular constitutional arrangements are one-dimensional and limited in scope and imagination. This article illustrates this theme by discussing the debate over fixed- and variable-term parliaments, and by offering a somewhat novel argument that focuses on the role of the opposition within a parliamentary system.


Introduction: Atherosclerosis accounts for a large proportion of cardiovascular system associated morbidity and mortality. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of global deaths with about 80% of burden occurring in developing countries. Material & Methods: In order to assess the magnitude of the problem, a retrospective study of autopsy cases for the presence of atherosclerotic lesions of coronary arteries and associated ischemic cardiac lesionswas under taken from January 2013 to December 2017. Also, correlation of the atherosclerosis with ischemic heart diseases was studied. Result: Total number of heart specimens received in department of Pathology during four years were 272. Out of these 57 were autolyzed and were excluded from the study. Significant atherosclerotic lesions were seen in 54(25.11%) and 64(29.76%) cases in right and left coronary arteries respectively and were statistically significantly higher among age group > 41 years as compared to those with age <41 years, overall atherosclerotic lesions were significantly higher in age groups >41 years as compared to <41 years. Conclusion: Maximum number of significant cardiac lesion were associated with atherosclerotic type VIII lesions (75%) followed by type VII (66.66%) and type VI (33.33%). Maximum number of significant myocardial lesions were associated with grade IV (66.66%) coronary luminal narrowing followed by grade III (45.71) and grade II (38.46). The study also showed significant correlation between the higher grade of the coronary atherosclerotic lesions and the ischemic heart disease.


[Background: Following the Shepherdstown's Syria-Israel talks, the
US issued a concealed document summarizing the positions of the two
sides. The Arab (London) paper 'Al Hayat' printed a summary draft
of this document, based on Syrian sources. Israeli sources denied
the authenticity of this version, and exposed the full document, which
appeared in the Israeli papers on January 13. A comparison of these
two drafts is highly revealing.]
For many in Israel, it is already difficult to remember the joy and
relief in which they received the news about the forthcoming peace
with Syria, about a month ago. What was this joy about?


Competitive pressures are prompting a new-found aggressiveness that questions established service offering and calls for new ways of identifying and satisfying buyers' needs. Today's customers are demanding quality, style, and uniqueness over homogeneous products. Therefore, it's necessary to deploy new service development (NSD) considering both common service needs and personality needs. Existing studies largely attempt to model the systematic sides of NSD. This tends to produce studies incapable of capturing the complexity of NSD. Therefore, it's necessary to deploy NSD based on firm's grasp of its customers' real needs. However, it's still void in academic field. In order to fill this gap, a new method of NSD is proposed in this article. First, we review literature on NSD and concept of bricolage. Then, we come up with a new way of NSD. We propose that service firm should collect its customers' customized needs first and then make cluster analysis of them. According to the cluster analysis results, we propose its corresponding formal model, which is accompanied by thought of bricolage to deploy NSD. Management implications and areas for further research are discussed.


'Akeru' and 'hiraku' share a meaning which is to make a way for men, animals or air to get in or out in a closed space. 'Akeru' has a feature of opening in one direction, whereas 'hiraku' of opening left and right, in both directions. In the case of windows, therefore, when it is a sliding window 'akeru' is used, and when an opening and shutting door 'hiraku' is used. From the fundamental motion described above, we can infer that 'akeru' indicates a motion opening doors, covers, curtains and etc. and meanings of opening the door of a store for business and of making way for men to pass by. In the case of 'hiraku', on the other hand, other than the meanings it shares with 'akeru', indicates meanings of 'flowers blooming', 'business opening', 'holding an event', 'opening the door for the countries outside', 'opening up a new field' and etc. from its fundamental meaning of opening in left and right directions. 'Akeru' describes concrete meanings, whereas 'hiraku' describes abstract meanings as well as concrete meanings. In the case of 'mitiwo akeru/hiraku', the former describes the meaning that a man standing in a way stands aside for other people to pass by, and the latter describes the meaning of opening up a new way.


RESPECT THE INVENTION OPERATIONS REDUCED THICKNESS OF STRIP STEEL HOT ROLLED. IT RELATES TO A PROCESS THAT AFTER AN OPERATION ROLLING COLD REDUCED THE BAND HOT ROLLED IN STRIP tHICKNESS INTERMEDIATE AND FINAL BEFORE ROLLING COLD REDUCED tHICKNESS OF INTERMEDIATE STRIP THAT THE FINAL STRIP, STRIP THE UNDERGOING TREATMENT THERMAL LOW TEMPERATURE sUFFICIENT TO SURVIVORS OF ROLLED STRUCTURE COLD AND RELAXATION OF RESIDUAL STRESS, BUT NOT CAUSING rECRYSTALLISATION MATTER OF STRIP. UNDER THE MANUFACTURE OF MAGNETIC TRANSFORMERS FOR SILICON SHEETS CORES.


In a school district context where a well-developed district-wide PDS partnership had been in operation for more than 15 years, a team of instructional coaches was formed of district teachers who left their classrooms for two to four years under the leadership of a curriculum coordinator. In this article, members of the coaching team offer illustrations of their experiences learning to coach in a PDS context. Using principles of coaching as partnership (Knight, 2007), they argue that a prevailing culture supported by the PDS history provided conditions in which shared vulnerability—and consequently, coaching—was possible. NAPDS Essentials Addressed: #1/A comprehensive mission that is broader in its outreach and scope than the mission of any partner and that furthers the education profession and its responsibility to advance equity within schools and, by potential extension, the broader community; #2/A school-university culture committed to the preparation of future educators that embraces their active engagement in the school community; #3/Ongoing and reciprocal professional development for all participants guided by need; #4/A shared commitment to innovative and reflective practice by all participants


Modeling and simulation are methods of validating new systems that are risky to be directly deployed in the real world. During the simulation, the simulation environment continuously changes and simulation objects correspondingly behave according to the changing situations. In general, modeling the behavior for all possible situations is extremely difficult when the rationale is unknown. Therefore, in order to adapt to the changing situation, it is important to recognize the rationale behind the behaviors of the simulation object. However, in many cases, even though the rationale is unknown or difficult to recognize, the simulation requires reasonable behaviors such as a commander's decision in a war game simulation and a driver's behavior in rush hours. In this study, we propose a new approach to determine the behavior of simulation objects under changing situations. The proposal is a unified learning approach that integrates two methods, data-driven and knowledge-driven approaches, which allow simulation objects to learn behavioral knowledge from experience as well as from domain experts performing the simulation and reuse verified knowledge. By combining both approaches, we supplement the shortcomings of one method with the strengths of the other. To verify our method, we apply the proposed approach to a military training simulation.


a t t c t Background. Coronary artery endarterectomy with cornary artery bypass grafting for diffuse coronary artery isease has been associated with increased morbidity nd mortality. We evaluated our institutional experience o redefine the role of coronary endarterectomy for difuse coronary artery disease. Methods. From 1985 to 2002 isolated coronary artery ndarterectomy with coronary artery bypass grafting was erformed in 1,478 consecutive patients. The short-term utcomes were compared with concurrent series of conentional coronary artery bypass graft surgery, and risk actors for adverse outcomes after coronary endarterecomy were identified. Results. Patients in the coronary endarterectomy group ere of higher risk with increased incidence of comoridities and three-vessel coronary disease. The operative ortality (3.2% versus control 2.2%; p 0.03) and the ncidence of major postoperative morbidity (not signifiant) were comparable between the groups. Prolonged


The relative energy consumption caused by the introduction of the alternative refrigerants has been seen as very important while replacing the CFC's. In the framework of the TEWI concept the influence of alternative refrigerants on the global warming is calculated, taking into account the direct and indirect effect. This paper extends these analyses as it includes the influence of a hermetic compressor in its total lifetime from the production of raw materials to the disposal of the compressor. Further an analysis of the emission of S02 and NOx is given and the amount of waste is estimated. Finally the analysis is used on an energy optimised compressor for the European market. In order to increase the energy efficiency the compressor producers are normally forced to use more materials, e.g. copper wire. It is demonstrated that the energy consumption due to the use of more materials is tenfold regained by the reduction in energy consumption in the lifetime of the compressor. INTRODUCTION Life cycle analysis (LCA) can be defined as an inventory of the environmental impacts of a product from the production of raw materials to the final disposal of the used product. LCA is being used for an increasing number of purposes. Most applications have so far been comparisons between different products serving the same purpose. Lately LCA has been used while product development to include the knowledge of potential environmental impacts of products. The analysis in this paper will provide a comprehensive view of the environmental impacts from a typical compressor (TLSF) in its life cycle.Furthermore a comparison of the environmental impacts of a standard compressor (TLSF) with the corresponding energy optimised compressor (TLESSF) is presented. The compressors used in this analysis are hermetic reciprocating compressors with stroke volumes of 5 cm used for domestic refrigeration with the refrigerant R134a. At the standard rating point of 25°C/55°C/32°C the TLSF has a COP of 0,82, the TLESSF a COP of 0,96. METHODOLOGY. The present paper excludes the evaluation of the environmental impacts. Some choices have had to be made, e.g. the analysed geographical area. These ·choices, as well as other limitations in the study will be clarified in the following paragraphs. Key parameters of the analysis will be presented, but some results that may be of relevance in a complete analysis or assessment of the life cycle have been omitted. The analyses include the following phases of the life cycle (figure 1 ): * .. .. * Production of raw materials Production of components Production of the compressor Assembly and sale


A new relativistic transformation in the velocity space (here named the differential Lorentz transformation) is formulated solely from the principle of relativity and the invariance of the speed of light. The differential Lorentz transformation is via transforming physical quantities, instead of space-time coordinates, to make laws of nature form-invariant. The differential Lorentz transformation may provide a way to resolve the incompatibility of the theory of special relativity and the quantum theory.


Education is an important aspect for the citi- zens of the State, particularly for developing countries like Indonesia. No exception in the working world, where many employees of companies that require minimum education degree, so that individuals trying to pursue higher educa- tion. But lately, appears a fairly worrying symptom in the world of education with the problems presented by Winkel (1991) that the "motivation crisis" with symptoms that in- dicated such as reduced attention on study time, negligence in work assignments, home job, delaying preparation for tests or exams, as well as views from graduating, so long enough and so forth. This study aims to nd a picture of students' achievement motivation. Besides, this research also aims to determine the orientation relationship study with psychology students' achievement motivation. This re- search was conducted on 70 students of Psychology, Univer- sity of Gunadarma Depok, with criteria: Gunadarma psy- chology students, with ages 20-23 years, class of 2003, 2004 and 2005 are still active college (not leave). Data collection in this study using questionnaires and sampling techniques used in this study was purposive sampling technique. From the picture of achievement motivation showed that 5.71


We report the use of the Export catheter as an urgent modality to aspirate thrombus that embolized down the left anterior descending artery during acute myocardial infarction. Cathet Cardiovasc Intervent 2003;59:219–222. Published 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The article by Colvin et al is yet another example of a study warning of the risks of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) including sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) by exposing infants to unsafe sleeping environments such as cosleeping or the presence of toys and other objects in the sleep area. The study analyzed 8207 cases of SUID categorized as SIDS (35% or 2873 cases), accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed (26% or 2196 cases), and as unknown/undetermined …


Abstract Not Even a Something. If one exclaims that a pain is not a Nothing, what one means is that one feels it and that, when felt, it is simply there. Why shouldn't one then also say, contrary to PI 293 & 304, that it is 'a Something'? One has to admit, however, that, as felt, it is only momentarily there, and when I ask whether the pain that I feel now is the same as the pain I felt earlier, I realize that for me there are no objective criteria of sameness: for me, what counts as the same is what appears to be the same. In the sparse privacy-scenario of PI 258 this talking about 'sameness' is totally empty, and so also our talking about 'pain', 'sensation', and so on, quite generally. In our public language, however, the situation is different, because there our use of a word like "pain" and our talking about the sameness of our own pains is embedded in our intersubjectively assessable speaking about pains. Nevertheless, also in this familiar case Wittgenstein's statement near the end of PI 258 persists, at least under normal circumstances, and is accepted with regard to my own pain: "whatever is going to seem correct to me is correct". But now, as part of our normal way of speaking, to claim this correctness is not empty. At the same time, however, it is not justified in a substantial way. With assertions like "I am in pain" or like "This is the same pain as earlier" the language-game does not end, as Wittgenstein says; it begins with them. This view, expressed in PI 290, can appear outrageous and may lead to the reaction, scrutinized in the beetle-paragraph PI 293, that everyone can tell from her own case that she knows what pain is. To talk in this way involves a grammatical model, "the model of 'object and name'", that presumably underlies our reference to our own private objects and according to which our language-game with sensation words would 'begin' with the objects. However, by this severing of reference from our use of language, the objects referred to prove to be completely indeterminate. – In the two ways just described, regarding sameness and determinateness, our talk of a 'Something' in the case of sensations turns out to be problematic.


Accurate measurements of galaxy masses and sizes are key to tracing galaxy evolution over time. Cosmological zoom-in simulations provide an ideal test bed for assessing the recovery of galaxy properties from observations. Here, we utilize galaxies with at z ∼ 1.7–2 from the MassiveFIRE cosmological simulation suite, part of the Feedback in Realistic Environments (FIRE) project. Using mock multi-band images, we compare intrinsic galaxy masses and sizes to observational estimates. We find that observations accurately recover stellar masses, with a slight average underestimate of and scatter. Recovered half-light radii agree well with intrinsic half-mass radii when averaged over all viewing angles, with a systematic offset of (with the half-light radii being larger) and a scatter of . When using color gradients to account for mass-to-light variations, recovered half-mass radii also exceed the intrinsic half-mass radii by . However, if not properly accounted for, aperture effects can bias size estimates by . No differences are found between the mass and size offsets for star-forming and quiescent galaxies. Variations in viewing angle are responsible for ∼25% of the scatter in the recovered masses and sizes. Our results thus suggest that the intrinsic scatter in the mass–size relation may have previously been overestimated by ∼25%. Moreover, orientation-driven scatter causes the number density of very massive galaxies to be overestimated by at .


The Internet provides new opportunities for political communication. How strategic are constituency candidates in exploiting these new opportunities and what are the contexts driving their choices? This paper envisions the Internet as a means for personal vote-seeking on the campaign trail adopted by those candidates electorally motivated in this regard. It aims to explore this argument in theoretical and empirical ways and in light of survey data resulting from the 2009 German Candidate Study (GCS 2009). These data cover 38 per cent (N = 790) of all constituency candidates running in the 2009 campaign and enclose numerous questions on their campaign activities online.


The UV absorption spectra of aqueous solutions of [C4mim][Br], [C4mim][BF4], and [C8mim][Br], along with the differential UV spectra of aqueous [C8mim][Br] solutions, were measured at room temperature in this work. It is found that three transformations, denoted respectively as α, β and γ, can occur over the interested concentration range of solutions due to ionic liquid aggregation. Further, the content of ionic liquids and the wavelength of absorption maximum at these transformations are determined, and the implications at each transformation are analyzed. As a result, this paper discusses the effects of imidazolium cation, alkyl chain length and counterion type on the aggregation behavior and the contribution of interactions (such as hydrogen bonds, Coulombic, aliphatic and π–π stacking interactions) to the aggregation of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salts in water. Moreover, the possible structures of both aggregate and bulk phase in the aqueous solutions of ionic liquids are predicted also.


Engineering practice continues to evolve in response to modern technological and scientific development. The accreditation systems of engineering education programmes has evolved in order to respond to the new trend and needs and also to provide mutual recognition of the different national engineering qualifications. The University of Botswana (UB) is currently the only tertiary institution in Botswana offering degree programmes in Engineering. To enhance its international recognition, UB is "re-engineering" its programmes to be aligned with the accreditation requirements.


To accurately measure crack lengths, we developed a real-time surface imaging method (SAW PA) combining an ultrasonic phased array (PA) with a surface acoustic wave (SAW). SAW PA using a Rayleigh wave with a high sensitivity to surface defects was implemented for contact testing using a wedge with the third critical angle that allows the Rayleigh wave to be generated. Here, to realize high sensitivity imaging, SAW PA was optimized in terms of the wedge and the imaging area. The improved SAW PA was experimentally demonstrated using a fatigue crack specimen made of an aluminum alloy. For further verification in more realistic specimens, SAW PA was applied to stainless-steel specimens with a fatigue crack and stress corrosion cracks (SCCs). The fatigue crack was visualized with a high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and its length was measured with a high accuracy of better than 1 mm. The SCCs generated in the heat-affected zones (HAZs) of a weld were successfully visualized with a satisfactory SNR, although res...


Abstract The objective of this investigation is to monitor the meat drying process and try to analyse the changes of the electromagnetic (EM) signature from a patch antenna during the process. The antenna has been modelled using High Frequency Structure Simulation Software (HFSS) and then constructed. The experimental work carried out by placing a meat sample on a scale inside the fridge and recording reflection coefficient (S11) and weight measurements 24 times (every hour) a day during one month at the frequency range of 1GHz-6GHz. Then, the change in EM signature and weight loss is correlated and analysed. The results demonstrate a relationship between the reflection coefficient and weight loss of the meat sample. The weight of the sample drops down dramatically first week and then keeps steadily decreasing. Likewise, an amplitude shift is greater at the beginning of the drying process and then the shift stabilises.


Most of the comments of the Maastricht Treaty deal with macroeconomic aspects. To be less often cited, the regulatory and prudential aspects are nonetheless essential. The monetary union will indeed introduce an interdependence of the payment systems, which will result in a globalization of the risk and the appearance of external effects. In this context, the different national regulations take on a public good character at European level, with important consequences for the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms. These are the aspects that the article discusses in detail.


Most small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) own less-resources to invest on highly computerised production control system, the productivity can be improved by conserved and effective tool of dynamic production control when dealing with fluctuation business demands of globalisation is essential. This study is based on the principle of advanced planning and scheduling (APS) which is adopted eM-plant with Excel to simulate dynamic production control system that can meet the requirement of APS for SME. The virtual plant is exercised by simulation of eM-plant as to compare with the precedent production control system for the plastic blow-moulding machine plant on their restricted delivery requirement. Obviously, the refine dynamic production system concludes the KPIs are benefited from refine system which shorten order responding time to 15 minutes, shrink the duration of arranging order schedule from one day manually to 20 minutes, and escalate the rate of delivery on time to 80% from 45% previously. [Received 28 September 2015; Revised 24 June 2016; Accepted 1 July 2016]


Aiming at environmental education courses opened in colleges,this article studies how to conduct different depth environmental according to different professions and different levels of students,and how to reform the form of classroom teaching and promote the development of environmental education in colleges.


The environmental electromagnetic fields were measured around a magnetic confinement fusion test facility namely Large Helical Device (LHD) which is equipped with large superconducting magnet coils system and high-power plasma heating systems of Neutral Beam Injection, Electron Cyclotron resonance Heating and Ion Cyclotron Range of Frequencies (ICRF) heating. The leakage of the static magnetic field from the LHD was less than 1.2 mT, and it varied according to the coil operation. The extremely low frequency electromagnetic field was measured around power supply units for the coil system, and the magnetic field of higher than the guideline level of the International Commission on Nonionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) was predicted. Leakage of high frequency electromagnetic field from the ICRF was observed in bursts according to plasma shots. The measured values were less than the occupational guideline levels. Although the electromagnetic fields were less than the regulation levels, more monitoring survey is necessary from the view point of occupational safety.


Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) radiation at the wavelength of around 13nm waws observed from a laser-produced plasma using continuous water-jet. Strong dependence of the conversion efficiency (CE) on the laser focal spot size and jet diameter was observed. The EUV CE at a given laser spot size and jet diameter was further enhanced using double laser pulses, where a pre-pulse was used for initial heating of the plasma.


This letter investigates the area spectral efficiency (ASE) of a two-tier network with multi-antenna base stations (BSs). Based on a tractable approximation, some key properties of ASE are analytically revealed. We demonstrate that the additional deployment of small-cell BSs is efficient for improving ASE. For the purpose of ASE maximization, the optimal number of active users is derived for each tier, which has a linear relationship with the number of antennas. Furthermore, under the optimal condition, ASE will increase linearly with the number of antennas. Different from single-antenna networks, we observe that range expansion can have either a positive or a negative effect on ASE.


This article provides insights into the discourses that legitimate and perpetuate male undergraduate drinking cultures and considers the role of alcohol in communicating hegemonic masculinity within one British university. Taking laddishness as a template of hegemonic masculinity, the article contends that male students' heavy alcohol use is partially motivated by discourses that position drinking as a 'normal' part of studenthood, but also by discourses that reinforce drinking as a 'laddish' behaviour or a male preserve. While interviewees recognised the importance of drinking in constructing masculinity, running parallel to this were attempts to disassociate themselves from the extremities of alcohol-induced laddishness and considerations that male peers who drank too much were lesser men. However, in their resistance to these extremities, interviewees demonstrated complicity towards more general attributes of hegemonic masculinity, such as independence and the strength to say no. This highlights the complex and somewhat contradictory processes individuals go through in the construction of gender identities, yet also offers a means through which male undergraduates' risky alcohol use might be challenged.


Abstract Housing market reforms in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are having enormous impacts on the construction and building materials industries. This article describes the current structure and performance of the construction industry in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union, identifies key technical and institutional problems posed by housing reforms, and outlines an agenda of research and technical assistance to help construction and building materials industries in transition economies cope with the impacts of housing market reforms.


In the study,the contents of three major nutrient elements in decomposed SMS from Pleurotus mycelium production were determined.The aqueous extract (AE),ethanolic extract(EE) and humus were extracted from this kind SMS,and their growth-promoting effects on seedlings of lettuce,maize,eggplant and cucumber were evaluated by foliage spray in various concentrations in an orthogonal experiment.The main results were as follows:the total contents of nitrogen,phosphorus and potassium were 0.21%,0.95%(P2O5 %) and 0.62%(K2O %) respectively.The extraction rates of AE,EE and humus were 4.05%,0.31% and 23.31%respectively.The increment of maximum leaf length was sensitive to the stimulation of the extracts and could be taken as a simple index for evaluating growth-promoting effects of different extracts in a short experiment period.The growth-promoting effect of humus was 1.48 times that of Nuobeining,a commercial foliar fertilizer.The effect of AE was slightly better than that of Nuobeining and inferior slightly than that of EE,but the differences among them were not significant.


Compared to architecture, automobiles are somewhat more susceptible to external thermal influences. Therefore, keeping the internal atmosphere comfortable is extremely important from the standpoint of the passengers' health and comfort. In the present study, a half-scale car model is created by the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan (JSAE) to clarify the airflow properties inside the car using particle image velocimetry (PIV). In the experiment, we obtain accurate data about the airflow properties, demonstrating an air stream from the air supply opening under the dashboard to the rear of the model via the driver's foot region. Our experimental data is to be shared as a standard model to assess the environment within automobiles. The data is also for use in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) benchmark tests in the development of automobile air conditioning, which enables high accuracy prediction of the interior environment of automobiles. As a result, it should become possible to design high-quality air conditioning in automobiles.


Limitations of the classical local-mode Fourier (LMF) analysis in application to multigrid solutions of variable-coefficient problems are well known. This paper introduces alternative, very general, quantitative analysis methods for multigrid solutions of partial differential equations. The methods are applied to available, nonperfect multigrid solvers that deal with practical problems. The analysis methods considered in this paper focus on the main complementary parts of a multigrid cycle: relaxation and coarse-grid correction. Tasks for these parts, e.g., error smoothing for relaxation and reduction of smooth errors for coarse-grid correction, are assumed to be assigned in advance. Idealized relaxation (IR) and idealized coarse-grid (ICG) iterations are introduced. In these iterations, one part of the cycle (relaxation for IR iterations and coarse-grid correction for ICG iterations) is replaced with an idealized imitation known to be efficient for the assigned task; its complementary part is the actual part of a two-grid cycle. The analysis compares performances of the actual cycle and idealized iterations.
The IR and ICG iterations are very general and can be directly applied in the most complicated simulations including highly variable (or nonlinear) coefficients, complex geometries, and unstructured grids. The results of this analysis are not single-number estimates; they are rather convergence patterns of the iterations that may either confirm or refute expectations indicating what part of the actual solver is inefficient in carrying out the assigned task. The generality of the analysis makes it a valuable tool for analyzing complicated large-scale computational problems, where no other analysis methods are currently available.
In this paper, the IR and ICG iterations are applied to model problems of progressive complexity. The analysis proved sensitive to very delicate details of the actual multigrid cycle, pointing clearly to each instance when a part of the algorithm was inefficient.


We study eigenvalue distribution of the adjacency matrix A of weighted random bipartite graphs Γ = ΓN,p. We assume that the graphs have N vertices, the ratio of parts is α 1 − α and the average number of edges attached to one vertex is α · p or (1 − α) · p. To each edge of the graph eij we assign a weight given by a random variable aij with the finite second moment. We consider the resolvents G(z) of A and study the functions f1,N(u, z) = 1 [αN ] ∑[αN ] k=1 e −ua2kG (N,p,α) kk (z) and f2,N (u, z) = 1 N−[αN ] ∑N k=[αN ]+1 e −ua2kG (N,p,α) kk (z) in the limitN → ∞. We derive closed system of equations that uniquely determine the limiting functions f1(u, z) and f2(u, z). This system of equations allow us to prove the existence of the limiting measure σp,α . The weak convergence in probability of normalized eigenvalue counting measures is proved.


A new Brazilian hylid with vertical pupils and grasping feet is described. In connection with it, Cope's genus Pithecopus is revived and separated from Phyllomedusa, to which it is generally joined. Pithecopus is the most specialized neotropical genus of hylids with vertical pupils. It moves at a slow tempo, has a quadruped mode of walking, and climbs by grasping, not by friction and adhesion. The new species, Pithecopus ayeaye, belongs to the group of small forms devoid of parotoids and of vomerine teeth. It differs from the others by the livery and the montane distribution. The tadpole has a ventral spiracle and its tail ends in a flail.