Grisel the most popular vernacular texts in Early Modern Western Europe, circulating in six languages in 60 editions; accordingly, a survey of each edition is impossible in such a brief study. This essay, therefore, begins by grounding the original Spanish romance within the debate tradition, illustrating how the narrative and paratext combine to articulate juxtaposing ideas about women. Looking at the three complete English prose versions of the romance the above-mentioned 1556 and 1608 translations and Turtle Doves -, this essay illuminates how their paratexts metamorphose the work so that the 1556 translation voices a strong defence of women, the 1608 one becomes anti-feminist propaganda, and Turtle Doves, like Grisel , simultaneously lauds and defames women, encouraging readers to eschew the formal woman controversy. The 1608 edition surrounds the romance with new paratextual material that condemns women. Keywords:England; Juan; Juan De Flores's Grisel Y Mirabella ; Spanish romance


Hole cleaning is one of the most important subjects to consider when drilling a well. Removal of cuttings is essential to the drilling operations and the failure of transporting cuttings effectively out of the wellbore can result in multiple drilling troubles. These troubles could be excessive over-pull on trips, high rotary torque, stuck-pipe incident, hole pack-off, and slow rate of penetration. The drilling fluid considered as the primary tool that carries cuttings out from the wellbore up to surface, considering its functional ability which will be obviously depending on the cuttings size, density, shape, and annular velocity for carrying cuttings. Another important factor to highlight is drilling fluid viscosity, knowing that cuttings normally could settle down of the well if viscosity is too low. Yield Point is one of the most important properties of drilling fluid, and it's defined as the amount of resistance to initial flow, or the stress required for starting the fluid movement. This mud property used to evaluate the carrying capacity of the mud to lift cuttings out of the wellbore. YP is directly proportionally to the mud viscosity, so as the viscosity increase the YP will be increasing as well. Another important property of the drilling fluid is Gel Strength. It is the ability of drilling fluid to suspend cuttings whilst the mud in a static condition and the pumps are off. Plastic Viscosity PV known as the third important property of the drilling fluid to be considered. Basically, it is the representation of fluid viscosity cased by mechanical friction. Low values of PV indicate that mud is capable of drilling rapidly due to the low viscosity of the mud exiting through bit nozzles. On the other hand, high PV values normally caused by a viscous base fluid along with high concentration of mud solids. Therefore, to lower PV values, a reduction in solid content has to be considered which can be achieved by dilution of the mud. The effectiveness of drilling fluid in clean-out operation highly depends on their carrying capacity, which is largely a function of fluid viscosity in particular. Therefore, across the entire industry, field studies proven that mud weight have stronger effect on hole cleaning than mud rheology alone.
 The primary tools for hole cleaning in the kick-off intervals are flow rate and mud rheology. This can be done practically through pumping Hi-Vis sweeps every 45 ft drilled, starting with the minimum sweep volume and observe returns at the shakers. So, based on the observation, the frequency and volume of the sweeps to be maintained for pumping may be adjusted to optimize hole condition accordingly. The Hi-Vis sweeps viscosity to be around 1.5 – 2 times the funnel viscosity of the mud in active system. If cuttings accumulate in annulus rapidly, then circulating bottom-up need to be considered at least 2 – 3 times, or as needed prior to the well condition and until having the shakers clean. Also, before penetrating formations with high potential of loss circulation, stop at +/- 50 ft above this expected zone, sweep hole with Hi-Vis pill and circulate bottoms-up to unload cuttings from annulus. After that, control ROP (rate of penetration) to prevent loading the annulus with excessive cuttings and avoid losses as well. Dropping rapid sweep sticks is also another factor to consider, dedicating 5 – 6 sticks every connection for improved hole cleaning. The number of sticks can be adjusted depending in hole condition observance. Basically, these sticks recognized as water soluble and will get dissolved and sheared viscosity sweep that will supplement hole cleaning and minimize bit balling.


Newly interpolated implicit schemes are presented for the transient response of highly nonlinear problems of large deformation analysis presenting important material dissipation. Surprisingly these schemes exhibit excellent convergence properties that make them a cost efficient alternative to explicit schemes generally advocated as the best choice for these problems. Three problems of dynamical contact between deformable bodies illustrate this efficiency.


The meeting of earnings benchmarks is considered important for investors. The chief financial officers of U.S. companies state that the three most important earnings thresholds to meet are the earnings in the same quarter last year, the analysts' earnings forecast for the current quarter, and zero earnings. These earnings benchmarks have been defined in terms of total earnings. For U.S. multinational firms, total earnings consist primarily of domestic earnings and foreign earnings. We conduct an event study where we examine (1) the stock market reaction to meeting or beating quarterly domestic and foreign earnings benchmarks and (2) the market reaction to the changes in quarterly domestic and foreign earnings, while we control for meeting or beating the analysts' earnings forecast and the analysts' earnings forecast surprise. We find that the quarterly financial statement disclosure of domestic and foreign earnings under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131 supplies investors with valuable information that was not previously disseminated through financial analysts or other sources. The stock market reaction to meeting or beating foreign earnings from the same quarter in the prior year is stronger than the market reaction to meeting or beating domestic earnings from the same quarter in the prior year.


Environmental noise has been identified as a factor affecting the quality, duration, and recuperative value of sleep. Several community noise studies have suggested sleep interference is a significant environmental impact. Based upon research conducted in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Atlanta, Georgia, the problem of sleep interference may be underestimated. At least three factors should be reevaluated. The first is the diurnal assumption concerning the sleep cycle. A large population by virtue of age, health condition, and employment have daytime sleeping habits. Secondly, the impact on the receiver during the sleep state may actually be greater due to changing energy systems for residences which use natural ventilation, increase the interior noise level. Lastly, there is evidence that the population in high noise impact areas may be using significant amount of over‐the‐counter sleeping preparations which in the long term may not be beneficial. The role of environmental noise upon sleep although complex nee...


Density fluctuation spectra are qualitatively modified depending on filling gas pressure and magnetic field strength in a linear magnetized plasma. Abrupt and spontaneous jumps between fluctuation states during a discharge are observed in the filling gas pressure–magnetic field plane. Those jumps are characterized using a spectrum pattern and have a bifurcation property on the plane.


: To solve the disability of modeling inter-domain semantic and intra-domain long-range information in current image style transferring algorithms this article proposes a novel image style transferring algorithm SSC-GAN. This method extracts the semantic features by constructing the semantic shortcut con-nections, thereby enhancing its capability of modeling semantic difference between image domains. Mean-while, the self-attention mechanism is introduced for the modeling of long-range dependency in the image domain. The SSC-GAN can significantly improve the performance of image style transferring without extra computation. Through the extensive experiments on vangh2photo and selfie2anime datasets, the proposed method achieves excellent visual effects and reduces FID and KID by 1.3 and 1.1 on average respectively, which verifies the effectiveness of SSC-GAN.


A series of 14 lanthanide compounds bearing 2-thiophenecarboxylate (TC) have been prepared under aqueous conditions and structurally characterized. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal a full isomorphous series across the 4f block of the general formula [(Ln(TC)3(H2O)2)·(HPy·TC)]n, (Ln = La (La-1) – Lu (Lu-1), excluding Pm), with observable contraction of the cell volume and average metal–oxygen bond distances occurring when moving from lanthanum to lutetium. The 8-coordinate Ln metal centers are bound to two water molecules as well as six oxygen atoms from one bidentate and four bridging TC units that link LnO8 structural units into 1D chains. One lattice stabilizing pyridinium and one outer coordination sphere TC anion are present per formula unit. Reaction optimization provided moderate to high yields of the title products; a lanthanum byproduct [La(TC)3(HTC)2]n (La-2) was formed by performing the reaction at reduced temperature, or alternatively, successive grinding of La-1 in ethanol resul...


PURPOSE: Finite element method was used to analyze the stress distribution and the mobility of fracture segment under six kinds of different occlusal conditions and different fixation methods, so as to provide reference optimizing rigid internal fixation design. METHODS: Through the models of mandibular body fracture and the fracture with rigid internal fixation (RIF), the regularity of stress distribution of mandibular body fracture and the mobility of fracture segment under different conditions(six kinds of occlusal conditions and single upper plate,single lower plate and double plates fixation methods) were analyzed by ANSYS software, with investigation of the effect of the different fixation methods. RESULTS: Under the six kinds of occlusal conditions (the incisor occlusion,the central occlusion, molar occlusion in the fractured and healthy side?premolar occlusion in the fractured and healthy side),when fixed with single upper plate, the mobility of fracture segment accordingly was 0.03887mm, 0.04195mm, 0.11043mm, 0.006955mm, 0.175625mm and 0.00696mm;When fixed with single lower plate, the mobility of fracture segment accordingly was 0.046215mm, 0.1962278mm, 0.09593mm, 0.009414mm, 0.158956mm and 0.010594mm;When fixed with double plates, the mobility of fracture segment accordingly was 0.006245mm, 0.020233mm, 0.022952mm, 0.003876mm, 0.021451mm and 0.005344mm;When occlusion by molar and premolar of fracture part, the stress of upper fracture part was bending force and the lower was compressing force. CONCLUSION: There is shortcoming in the method of using single plate to fix the mandibular body fracture. Two plates should be used in order to provide more stability for the facture segment.


The Awakening of the Soviet Union by Geoffrey Hosking. Harvard University Press, 208 pp., $19.95. Gorbachev: Heretic in the Kremlin by Dusko Doder and Louise Branson. Viking, 450 pp., $24.95. Against the Grain by Boris Yeltsin, translated by Michael Glenny. Summit, 263 pp., $19.95. Memoirs by Andrei Sakharov, translated by Richard Lourie. Alfred A. Knopf, 740 pp., illus., $29.95. Moscow and Beyond, 1986 to 1989 by Andrei Sakharov, translated by Antonina Bouis. Alfred A. Knopf, 168 pp., $19.95. The New Russians by Hedrick Smith. Random House, 621 pp., $24.95. Stalin: The Glasnost Revelations by Walter Laqueur. Charles Scribner's Sons, 382 pp., $24.95. The Russian Revolution by Richard Pipes. Alfred A. Knopf, 944 pp., illus., $40.00. Red Victory: A History of the Russian Civil War by W. Bruce Lincoln. Simon and Schuster, 637 pp., $24.95.


Non-oil and gas exports are one of the largest foreign exchange earners for Indonesia. Non-oil and gas exports always experience a decline in the month of Eid Al-Fitr due to delays in the delivery of export goods because the loading and unloading of goods at the port is reduced during Eid Al-Fitr. The shift of the Eid Al-Fitr month on the data will form a pattern or season with an unequal period called the moving holiday effect. The time series forecasting method that usually used the ARIMA method. Because the ARIMA method only suitable for time series data with the same seasonal period and can't handle the moving holiday effect, the X-13-ARIMA-SEATS method used two steps. First, regARIMA modeling is a linear regression between time series data and the weight of Eid Al-Fitr and the residuals follow the ARIMA process. The weighting is based on three conditions, namely pre_holiday, post_holiday, and multiple. Second, X-12-ARIMA decomposition method for seasonal adjustments that produces trend-cycle components, seasonal, and irregular. Based on the analysis carried out on the monthly non-oil and gas export data for the period January 2013 to December 2017, the X-13-ARIMA-SEATS (1,1,0) model was obtained in the post_holiday condition as the best model. The forecasting results in 2018 show the largest decline in non-oil and gas exports in June 2018 which coincided with the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. MAPE value of 10.90% is obtained which shows that the forecasting ability is good.Keywords:  time series, non-oil and gas, X-13-ARIMA-SEATS, moving holiday


Laboratory studies were conducted to determine the effect of SAN 582 on the absorption, translocation, and metabolism of sethoxydim in johnsongrass and soybean. 14C-sethoxydim absorption in johnsongrass and soybean was enhanced 4 h after application when tank mixed with SAN 582. Absorption in johnsongrass increased from 18% with 14C-sethoxydim applied alone to 65% when applied with SAN 582. Absorption in soybean increased from 30% with 14C-sethoxydim applied alone to 83% when applied with SAN 582. The addition of crop oil concentrate also enhanced foliar absorption of 14C-sethoxydim. Eight hours after application, foliar absorption in johnsongrass increased from 22% with 14C-sethoxydim applied alone to 61% when 14C-sethoxydim was applied with crop oil concentrate. Foliar absorption in soybean increased from 38% with 14C-sethoxydim applied alone to 59% when 14C-sethoxydim was applied with crop oil concentrate. When 14C-sethoxydim was applied in combination with crop oil concentrate and SAN 582, foliar absorption was 84% or more in both johnsongrass and soybean 4 h after application and did not increase over time. Minor differences in translocation were observed, but these differences were not sufficient to account for the increase in foliar activity observed when SAN 582 is tank mixed with sethoxydim. SAN 582 did not affect metabolism of sethoxydim in either species. Based on these data, it appears that SAN 582 increases the efficacy of sethoxydim by enhancing foliar absorption.


Measurements of the star formation activity on cloud scales are fundamental to uncovering the physics of the molecular cloud, star formation, and stellar feedback cycle in galaxies. Infrared (IR) emission from small dust grains and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are widely used to trace the obscured component of star formation. However, the relation between these emission features and dust attenuation is complicated by the combined effects of dust heating from old stellar populations and an uncertain dust geometry with respect to heating sources. We use images obtained with NIRCam and MIRI as part of the PHANGS--JWST survey to calibrate dust emission at 21$\rm \mu m$, and the emission in the PAH-tracing bands at 3.3, 7.7, 10, and 11.3$\rm \mu m$ as tracers of obscured star formation. We analyse $\sim$ 20000 optically selected HII regions across 19 nearby star-forming galaxies, and benchmark their IR emission against dust attenuation measured from the Balmer decrement. We model the extinction-corrected H$\alpha$ flux as the sum of the observed H$\alpha$ emission and a term proportional to the IR emission, with $a_{IR}$ as the proportionality coefficient. A constant $a_{IR}$ leads to extinction-corrected H$\alpha$ estimates which agree with those obtained with the Balmer decrement with a scatter of $\sim$ 0.1 dex for all bands considered. Among these bands, 21$\rm \mu m$ emission is demonstrated to be the best tracer of dust attenuation. The PAH-tracing bands underestimate the correction for bright HII regions, since in these environments the ratio of PAH-tracing bands to 21$\rm \mu m$ decreases, signalling destruction of the PAH molecules. For fainter HII regions all bands suffer from an increasing contamination from the diffuse infrared background.


In Tanjung Rejo Village, a Mangrove Ecotourism destination located in Deli Serdang Regency, a significant gap in knowledge pertaining to Carbon Trading has been identified. This knowledge deficit has resulted in the mangrove plantation being undertaken merely as a routine task, neglecting the potential financial benefits that these mangroves could generate for Tanjung Rejo Village. It is therefore considered imperative to conduct an educational campaign aimed at raising community awareness regarding the critical importance of preserving and efficiently managing their mangrove forests as a valuable local asset. To address this issue, the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) methodology will be employed, involving active engagement with the residents of Tanjung Rejo Village. The PRA method is specifically designed to instill awareness and facilitate self-realization within the community. This will be achieved through a series of structured activities, including group discussions and the exchange of experiences and knowledge. The project will be executed in a systematic manner. It will commence with a pre-test assessment that includes written evaluations and discussion sessions. The purpose of this initial phase is to ascertain the baseline knowledge levels of 30 community members and 10 village government officials regarding the concept of Carbon Trading. Following this, knowledge dissemination will be carried out through lectures and discussions, featuring invited subject matter experts. Subsequently, a post-test will be administered to gauge the extent of knowledge acquired by the participants concerning Carbon Trading. This initiative is being undertaken in Tanjung Rejo Village, which boasts a substantial mangrove forest covering an impressive 602,181 hectares. This vast natural resource presents a significant opportunity for the community to derive supplementary income through the carbon sequestration properties of the mangroves. By imparting knowledge and raising awareness among 30 residents and 10 village officials, the project aims to lay the groundwork for Tanjung Rejo Village to more effectively harness their mangrove forest as a valuable village asset. This community engagement effort also involves collaboration with esteemed professors from Jindal Global University (JGU) in India, who will serve as valuable partners in the endeavor. Funding for the project is secured from both USU and JGU sources.

Keywords: Village Income, Coastal Tourism, Carbon Trading


The present article deals with the problem of non-fixed position of terminological units in the structure of the given concept. The position of the terms in the structure of the concept is determined by the category of the level of their motivation or non-motivation, where the latter, being a subjective category, is unique for every speaking person. Terms can move from one part of the concept to another one, a strictly fixed position does not exist.


This note studies a general nonstationary infinite-horizon optimization problem in discrete time. We allow the state space in each period to be an arbitrary set, and the return function in each period to be unbounded. We do not require discounting, and do not require the constraint correspondence in each period to be nonempty-valued. The objective function is defined as the limit superior or inferior of the finite sums of return functions. We show that the sequence of time-indexed value functions satisfies the Bellman equation if and only if its right-hand side is well defined, i.e., it does not involve -∞+∞.


This paper aims to study the relationship between normal contact stiffness and contact load. It purpose a new calculation model of the normal contact stiffness of joint surfaces by considering the elastic–plastic critical deformation change of asperities contact.,The paper described the surface topography of joint surfaces based on fractal geometry, and fractal parameters and of fractal function derived from measurement data. According to the plastic–elastic contact theory, the contact deformation characteristic of asperities was analyzed; the critical deformation estimation model was presented, which expressed critical deformation as the function of fractal parameters and contact deformation; the contact stiffness calculation model of single asperity was brought forward by considering critical deformation change.,The paper combined the surface topography description function, analyzed the asperity contact states by considering the critical deformation change, and calculated normal contact stiffness based on fractal theory and contact deformation analysis. The comparison between theoretical contact stiffness and experimental data indicated that the theoretical normal contact stiffness agreed with the experimental data, and the estimation model for normal contact stiffness was appropriate.,Owing to the possibility of plastic deformation during the loading process, the experimental curve between the contact stiffness and the contact load is nonlinear, resulting in an error between the experimental results and the theoretical calculation results.,The paper established the relationship between critical deformation and fractal surface topography by constructing asperity distribution function. The paper proposed a new normal contact stiffness calculation model of joint surfaces by considering the variation of critical deformation in contact process.


Analytical chemistry is central to monitoring the operation of wastewater treatment systems. This paper reviews briefly the development of wastewater treatment and the early analytical procedures used in the monitoring of these systems. The major focus is on the application of instrumental techniques to wastewater treatment process control and effluent monitoring. The classical methods of analysis included gravimetric, bioassay, titrimetric, electrometric and colorimetric. Modern methods include atomic absorption spectrophotometry, gas chromatography, x-ray fluorescence, laser Raman spectrometry, ion-selective electrodes, nuclear magnetic resonance and on-line analyzers. Summaries and comparative tables were included for both methods. 2 tables. (DP)


Congenital anomalies (also referred as birth defects) can be defined as structural or functional anomalies, including metabolic disorders, which are present at the time of birth. 1-2 % of newborns have congenital anomalies. Out of them 10% are anomalies of upper limb especially hand and causing disfigurement and disability in the newborn. This descriptive study was conducted in department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro, Sindh Pakistan to determine the frequency and variations of congenital upper limb anomalies (CULA) seen in our institution. 30 patients with (CULA) were included in the study. All were admitted through the outpatient department. The type of anomaly was recorded with other biodata. Surgery was performed. The most common anomalies were syndactyly, polydactyly and cleft hand. Such type of study in our setup is conducted for the first time which shows that different varieties of  (CULA) are seen commonly in our setup and successful surgical repair is also possible. Further research is also required in order to diagnose them in uterus, intra uterine surgical intervention and possible causative factors needs elaboration.


Objective: To construct a phage display library of human single-chain Fv antibodies against blood group Rh(D) substance. Methods: Combining phage display library techniques, isolated total RNA from B lymphoblastoid cell lines secreting anti-Rh(D) antibodies was used for the synthesis of the first strand of cDNA, V_ H and V_ L genes were amplified by 2nd PCR and linked together by splicing overlap extension (SOE) with the use of a (Gly_ 4Ser)_ 3 linker. The resulted scFv genes were then cloned into pCANTAB5E vectors and displayed on the phage. Phage clones were selected using intact red cells as a source of antigen. After 4 rounds of "binding-elution-enrichment", each clone was assayed for specificity by Dot ELISA. Results: A phage antibody library, with the sink size being 1.2×107, was obtained. The percentage of full-length scFv gene inserted into phage DNA was 0.80. Rescued by helper phage, a phage scFv library with titer of 3×108 pfu/ml was established. Specific phages with scFv were acquired after 4 rounds of panning, one clone exhibiting specific binding to Rh+ cell was identified by Dot ELISA. Conclusion: A strategy for construction phage antibody library by means of phage display technique was practicable, which would be useful in screening engineered antibodies against human Rh (D) blood group substances.


The heat exchangers on crude distillation units need to deliver high heat transfer efficiency and operational reliability. Most of heat exchangers used in crude distillation units are Cross-flow two-stream. The two streams flow at right angles to each other. This flow configuration is intermediate in effectiveness between parallel-flow and counter flow exchangers, but it is often simpler to construct owing to the relative simpler to construct owing to the relative simplicity of the inlet and outlet flow ducts. Use of the "Smart Online Efficiency" online calculat ion to monitor the heat exchangers performance and efficiency at Crude units in Mina Al-Ahmadi Refinery (MAA) yielded early results when the tool highlighted a fouling event shortly after it occurred. Fouling formation in any heat exchanger will reduce the online-calculated heat exchanger efficiency result and that can noted from the trend of histories efficiency data and from the fouling indicator. This paper looks at the efficiency calculation and fouling monitoring using DCS software application and the result from the case study.


Popular in French royal and ducal libraries, the Ovide moralisé is the first full-length French translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses; it introduces pseudo-historical explanations and Christian moralizations. Fusing references to and tales from diverse medieval and classical sources, the Ovide moralisé is a microcosm of the late medieval library, offering a digest of myth and doctrine, and manifesting a reading practice aware of its reliance on, and reassessment of, previous instances of authority. With reference to Foucault's evocation of the bibliothèque fantastique, this article focuses on two auctores cited by the Ovide moralisé: Ovid and an author referred to as 'Crestien'. Evidence from Ovide moralisé manuscripts belonging to the libraries of King Philippe VI, his wife, Jeanne de Bourgogne, and their three bibliophile grandsons — King Charles V; Jean, duc de Berry; and Philippe le Hardi, duc de Bourgogne — suggests that the name Crestien, today evocative of Chrétien de Troyes, would likely connote the author of a twelfth-century translation and adaptation of the Metamorphoses' Philomela episode, which is interpolated into the Ovide moralisé. Focusing on encounters between these authors reveals the medieval library as a space of fantasy in which texts gloss, summon, adapt, and re-imagine one another.


The diurnal cycle (DC) in radiation has long been known to manifest itself in the cirrus canopy of tropical cyclones (TCs), such as in its radial extent, and diurnal pulses of convection (Kossin 2002; Dunion et al. 2014). Dunion et al. (2014), showed that for all major North Atlantic hurricanes from 2001-2010, a peak in IR Brightness Temperature forms in the inner core of the cyclone around the time of local sunset and propagates radially outwards overnight. This signal likely forms due to radiative cooling of the cloud tops generating convection. Alternately this may form due to differential cooling of clouds and the surrounding cloud-free regions, or radiative cooling altering the potential vorticity of the cirrus canopy (Gray and Jacobson 1977; Mecikalski and Tripoli 1998). Regardless of the mechanism by which the pulse radiates, behind this feature there is a marked warming, leading to structural and perhaps intensity changes (Dunion et al. 2014). Furthermore, the DC has been shown to be important for regulating tropical cyclogenesis and secondary eyewall formation, since solar heating enhances the moat between eyewalls, and night is necessary for allowing the reestablishment of moisture removed by heating during the day (Tang and Zhang 2016; Tang et al. 2017). Other studies on the diurnal cycle have focused on the transition between balanced and radiating waves in response to diurnal heating (Willoughby 2009; Navarro and Hakim 2016; Navarro et al. 2017; O'Neill et al. 2017). Willoughby (2009) used an idealized framework to evaluate secondary circulations produced in response to forcing with low periods. Navarro and Hakim (2016) and Navarro et al. (2017) used an idealized model with full physics, treating diurnal forcing as a sine wave, to find that diurnal forcing of the cirrus canopy results in a diurnal cycle of storm intensity. O'Neill et al. (2017) explored the transition between balanced and radiating waves with periods of 12 hours or longer. They found that diurnal heating of the cirrus canopy creates a balanced response in the inner core, and radiating waves in the storm environment, with responses predomi-


This research aims to identify quality in VLEs (Virtual Learning Environments), describes the development of a model, based on original research, describing the characteristics associated with the successful deployment of technology evidenced in the Egyptian higher education, and the alliance factors related to such implementation of quality in VLE. Research findings clarify the importance of quality for the accreditation of VLEs and demonstrate the proposed model that, based on the motivations arising from the challenges: improving the quality of learning, identify the possible stakeholders in determining the quality of VLEs, improving access to teaching and learning, and reducing the costs for providers. The suggested model incorporates: stakeholders' satisfaction; learning outcomes; environment facilities; and evaluation during development. The findings also revealed groups of Recommendations for VLEs' participants, designers, and administration to accomplish quality in VLEs.


One of the early triumphs of global comparative tectonics was the recognition of a fairly irregular radial migration of orogenic deformation away from stable continental interiors. Suess interpreted this as continental growth. The theory of continental drift, moulded by Argand's genius into a form capable of answering the demands of continental tectonics, provided the first satisfactory explanation of peripheral continental growth and why it was somewhat haphazard. The composite nature of continents found a ready explanation in the theory of plate tectonics, but suture zones were early stereotyped into Salomon-calvi's suture lines (his Synephie), although many orogenic belts do not possess a readily recognisable Indus-type clean suture line


The subsequent oxidation steps for direct methane selective oxidation with oxygen were examined with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The intermediate hydrocarbon species, i.e. methoxide, methanol and dioxymethylene species, were observed in the C 1s level spectrum after CH4 exposure at 473 K onto an SnO2 thin film. These chemical species were not oxidized with oxygen even after additional O2 exposure at 473 K, but molecularly adsorbed methane and its carbonaceous intermediates were oxidized mainly to dioxymethylene species. This result agreed with the expectation from the values of theoretically calculated transition barriers of their oxidation reactions. The dioxymethylene species produced seemed to be partly decomposed to methoxide and formate species during heat treatment up to 773 K. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


It is really difficult to launch the autologous skin grafting when facing severely burned patients with large skin defects.Regardless of the splendid physicochemical and biochemical characteristics of dermal substitute in burns and reconstructive surgery,a manifest drawback of current dermal substitutes technologies is the apparent delay in vascular ingrowth compared with conventional skin grafts.The characteristics and factors accelerating the revascularity of dermal substitutes after transplantation were reviewed.


We consider the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation (ut — uux — βuxx)x— γΔy u = 0 in Sobolev spaces of functions periodic in x and with mean value zero. The derivation of KZK from the nonlinear isentropic Navier Stokes equations and the approximation of their solutions (for viscous and non viscous cases), the results of the existence, uniqueness, stability and blow-up of solution of KZK equation are obtained, also a result of existence of a smooth solution of Navier-Stokes system in the half space with periodic in time mean value zero boundary conditions.


Exposure to external stimuli promotes a variety of cellular responses including changes in morphology, gene expression and cell division status. These responses are promoted by signaling pathways composed of modules that are conserved from lower to higher eukaryotes. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae response to the external stimuli provided by mating pheromone is governed by the pheromone response pathway. This pathway is composed of a G protein coupled receptor/heterotrimeric G protein (Gαβγ) module and a MAP kinase cascade. Activation of this pathway allows the heterotrimeric G protein βγ dimer (Gβγ) to recruit polarity proteins to promote changes in cell morphology and to activate signaling through the MAP kinase cascade. Here we investigate the regulation of these pheromone-induced responses. We first examine how an asymmetric polarization response is generated. Normally, a gradient of pheromone serves as a spatial cue for formation of a polarized mating projection, but cells can still polarize when pheromone is present uniformly. Here we show that an intact receptor/Gαβγ module is required for polarization in response to both a gradient and uniform concentration of pheromone. Further investigation into regulation of Gβγ by Gα revealed that the two interaction interfaces between Gα and Gβ have qualitatively different roles. Our results suggest that one interface controls signaling whereas the other governs coupling to the receptor. Overall our results indicate that communication between the receptor and Gαβγ is required for proper polarization.


The stochastic resonance (SR) response is studied numerically in a system of bistable oscillators. These are subjected to a dynamic white noise as well to a static random dilution disorder. We impose a local subthreshold periodic excitation. We show that such a system displays optimal global SR response if a small-world network is established within the system. We propose polymer stabilized liquid crystal (LC) confined within a planparallel cell as a possible configuration in which this effect could be observed. Such set-ups could potentially serve as sensitive detectors for local perturbations exploiting small-world and soft character of the system.


The calculation of crop water requirement for dry lands is expected to assist in policymaking and planning in Bali on the effective use of limited water resources to support food security and environmental conservation. Farmers need information that can assist them to use rainfall effectively, such as planting in the fixed time of plant growth phase with rain season or groundwater availability. The present research aims to (1) evaluate the potential of dry land in the research area, (2) develop water balance on dry land, (3) estimate crop water requirements of dry land, (4) develop alternative cropping calendar for pattern rotation cropping in a year and (5) simulate alternative crop rotation pattern in the most profitable year. Research sites with water balance in the Bali area included Gilimanuk, Banyuwedang, Celukan Bawang, Seririt, Buleleleng, Kubut additions, Kubu, Banjar Bunutan, Padangbai and Sanur. The amounts of rainfall and evapotranspiration yearly were approximately 1723.9 and 1833.7 mm, respectively. The amount of rainfall in the last five months from December to April was 1394.5 mm, whereas that from May to November was substantially low at only 329.4 mm. Water supply from January to April was surplus only, whilst that from May to November was deficient. These findings indicated the following conclusions. (1) Bali has a particularly hilly land condition and clay soil. As dry land farm has low soil fertility and sources water only from rainfall, cultivated plants include maize, cassava, beans, turi, banana, papaya, coconut, mango, oranges, sugar apple and teak. (2) Thornthwaite and Mather indicated that water surplus occurs from January to April whilst deficit occurs from May to November based on the water balance for Bali. High rainfall (1394.5 mm) occurs from December to April, whereas low rainfall (329.4 mm) occurs from May to November. (3) Crop water requirement in the root zone of cassava monoculture (1087.34 mm) were lower compared with those of intercropping cassava + maize (1088.89 mm) and cassava + maize − groundnut (1109.99 mm). (4) The pattern of crop rotation intercropping cassava + maize − groundnut can be planted from October 22 until June 21. Fresh tuber yields of cassava intercropping with maize and groundnut are 22.54 t ha−1. (5) Cassava can be planted from October 22 to 29, sweet potatoes can be planted from February 3 to 17 and groundnut and maize can be planted from February 3 to March 17. The revenue of intercropping cassava + maize − groundnut is 25.3% larger compared with that of cassava monoculture.


our project was to implement a Secure End-to-End M-Commerce system. We have called it SeMCom. We have implemented a Client application, a transaction server, a virtual wallet on the transaction server for the client, and a bank server. Semcom conforms to all of the security requirements. All of the links in our system have end-to-end security, and conform to the requirements for data integrity, Authentication, Non-Repudiation and data confidentiality. SeMCom conforms to the Secure Electronic Transaction standard (SET), but is also a much simpler implementation than most of the existing implementations today.


Abstract A potential citrus pest, the Old World swallowtail butterfly Papilio demoleus L. was recently discovered in the Dominican Republic; however, there are many subspecies of this butterfly and not all are considered pests of citrus. We used genetic markers to determine the source population (subspecies), by comparing sequences from butterflies collected in the Dominican Republic with individuals whose provenance was known, and to indicate whether single or multiple introductions had taken place. Sequences of up to 1,400 nucleotides from the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene were characterized from 28 specimens collected in the Dominican Republic and compared with known P. demoleus sequences available from GenBank. We confirmed earlier estimates, based on morphology, that the butterflies had originated in Southeast Asia, where the species is known to be a citrus pest. Lack of sequence variation among specimens from the Dominican Republic suggests that a single introduction in early 2004 was most likely. It is not known how the butterflies reached the Dominican Republic.


1. Application of an amino‐residue‐modifying reagent, 2,4,6‐trinitrobenzene‐1‐sulphonic acid (TNBS), to the frog neuromuscular junction in high‐magnesium Ringer solution rapidly increased both the amplitude of nerve‐evoked end‐plate potentials (EPPs) and the frequency of miniature end‐plate potentials (MEPPs). These showed a similar initial time course and reached a maximum 3‐7 min and about 10 min, respectively, after the start of application of 2 mM‐TNBS. Then, the EPP amplitude decreased, while the MEPP frequency maintained its plateau value. The increase in transmitter release and the decrease in EPP amplitude by TNBS may have been due to different modes of action. 2. The distribution of MEPP amplitude was unchanged by TNBS treatment. 3. The carbachol‐induced postsynaptic potential and the extracellularly recorded presynaptic action current were not affected by TNBS treatment for up to 30 min, indicating that the change in EPP amplitude produced by TNBS was not due to either a postsynaptic effect or a change in action potential at the presynaptic terminal. 4. The frequency of MEPPs was increased by TNBS application even when Ca2+ was omitted from the external Ringer solution or when a specific calcium channel blocker, synthetic omega‐conotoxin, was added. This indicates that Ca2+ inflow to the nerve terminal is not necessary for TNBS action. 5. When a calcium chelator, BAPTA, was loaded into the presynaptic nerve terminal, the facilitation of EPPs by trains of nerve stimuli was scarcely observed. This suggested that the cytosolic free Ca2+ in the presynaptic terminal was buffered by BAPTA. Under this condition, the amplitudes of EPPs were increased by TNBS application to the same extent as in the control without BAPTA, but were accompanied by little facilitation. The MEPP frequency was also increased by TNBS to the same extent as in the control. These results suggest strongly that augmentation of transmitter release by TNBS was not due to an increase in cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. 6. These observations suggest that TNBS might react with specific protein(s) on the outer surface of the presynaptic membrane and accelerate the exocytosis of synaptic vesicles.


The aerodynamic performance and internal flow characteristics of the last stage and exhaust hood for steam turbines is numerically investigated using the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) solutions based on the commercial CFD software ANSYS CFX. The full last stage including 66 stator blades and 64 rotor blades coupling with the exhaust hood is selected as the computational domain. The aerodynamic performance of last stage and static pressure recovery coefficient of exhaust hood at five different working conditions is conducted. The interaction between the last stage and exhaust hood is considered in this work. The effects of the non-uniform aerodynamic parameters along the rotor blade span on the static pressure recovery coefficient of the non-symmetric geometry of the exhaust hood are studied. The numerical results show that the efficiency of the last stage has the similar values ranges from 89.8% to 92.6% at different working conditions. In addition, the similar static pressure recovery coefficient of the exhaust hood was observed at five working conditions. The excellent aerodynamic performance of the exhaust hood was illustrated in this work.Copyright © 2011 by ASME


THE AVAILABLE NATIONAL ANNUAL AIR POLLUTION EMISSIONS ARE BASED ON POLLUTANT MASS. DIFFERENT AIR POLLUTANTS HAVE GREATLY DIFFERENT TOXICITIES PER UNIT MASS, HENCE THE EMISSIONS SHOULD BE RATED BY EFFECT, NOT BY MASS, SO THAT MORE SENSIBLE PRIORITIES CAN BE SET IN CONTROL RESEARCH AND REGULATION. EFFECT FACTORS ARE DERIVED FROM THE HEALTH EFFECT LITERATURE INDIRECTLY BY USING THE NATIONAL AMBIENT AIR QUALITY STANDARDS. THE RESULTING ANALYSIS BY EFFECTS SHOWS TRANSPORTATION TO BE STILL THE LARGEST SOURCE AS IT IS IN THE MASS ANALYSIS. HYDROCARBONS BECOME THE LARGEST POLLUTANTS BY EFFECT COMPARED TO CARBON MONOXIDE, THE LARGEST POLLUTANT BY MASS. /AUTHOR/


Textual knowledge flow (TKF) provides an effective technique and theoretical support for the discovery and cooperation of knowledge innovation, intelligent browsing, and personalized recommendation in Web services and e‐Science Knowledge Grid. For the discovery of TKF, firstly knowledge map (KM) is proposed to represent the textual knowledge; then a hash algorithm is used to code KMs in order to form an Island which contains enormous KMs belonging to a domain. Under the control of the Island, C‐Location and R‐Location are introduced to manage those KMs belonging to an Island. KM‐Chord is proposed to manage the number of Islands, C‐Locations and R‐Locations in Web or a library. With the help of the management of KMs, similar relation and associated relation between KMs are found to build the semantic link network (SLN) between KMs. Based on the SLN and users' profile and input, similar or associated TKF with the user's different demands is activated. Experiments show that the proposed method can effectively discover TKF for Web services and e‐Science Knowledge Grid. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Within the past year ten articles in the American and British literature have come to my attention, all reporting uniformly good results in the treatment of undulant fever with sulfanilamide, no case of failure having been recorded. Because of this, and because of the unusually small number of cases reported in any series, along with the danger of the indiscriminate use of this remedy and the belief that a word of warning should be voiced to prevent the overenthusiastic employment of this procedure, I report six cases which have been unsuccessfully treated with large doses of this drug as described in the aforementioned articles: REPORT OF CASES Case 1.— A white man aged 28 entered the clinic May 3, 1938, complaining of chills, fever, fatigue and aching in the lower part of the back and the calves of both legs. The patient was a dairy worker and stated that it


C. P. E. Bach is one of the most important composers from the period of transition between the baroque and classical styles. Although reminiscences from the Baroque Period and more progressive characteristics coexist, the style of C. P. E. Bach's works does not fit into either of the two periods but it is a unique style; a style probably not familiar to professional or amateur musicians, teachers or students. Possibly C. P. E. Bach's works raise difficulties that justify this repertoire to be less studied and performed. One of the difficulties students and professional musicians face is ornamentation. The complexity of the chapter on ornamentation of Versuch über dies wahre Art das Clavier zu spielen (Essay on the true art of playing keyboard instruments) published in 1753 (Part I) and in 1762 (Part II) together with the fact that the main ornamentation sign found in C. P. E. Bach's works may have multiple meanings, might lead performers to feel discourage to study and perform this repertoire. Other of the difficulties might be the elaboration of cadenzas and the creativity they demand. With the present dissertation I aim to present the composer and his work in his


PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical diagnosis and therapy of large cervical vascular injury.METHODS: A retrospective review was made of 6 patients who had sustained large vascular injury to the neck,including one internal carotid artery,2 internal jugular veins,5 vertebral arteries.Surgical exploration was performed in 5 cases of penetrating cervical trauma,with one internal carotid artery and one internal jugular vein repaired,4 vertebral arteries packed with alternative materials.Another case with vertebral artery pseudoaneurysm was treated with covered stent graft.RESULTS: Good clinical results were gained in all 6 cases,without secondary hemorrhage.All patients keep alive,who got no secondary dysfunction for cerebral circulation insufficiency.CONCLUSIONS: Urgent surgical exploration was recommended in penetrating cervical vascular injuries,and the injured vessel should be repaired or reconstructed if possible.Packing hemostasis is an effective method in the treatment of vertebral artery injury.Endovascular treatment should be considered as a safe alternative in non-penetrating vascular injury.


The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC)and filtering paper method were used to study antimicrobial activity of the onion ethanol extract(OEE)against Bacillus subtilis,Staphylococcus aureus,Escherichia coli,Aspergillus niger and yeast.The antimicrobial durability of OEE and the influence of temperature on it were also studied.The results showed obvious inhibition against the tested strains,and proved strong antimicrobial effect to yeast.The MIC of extract against it was 3.2g/mL.Also OEE had good antimicrobial durability,and in a certain range,temperature had significant effect on it.


The pion and kaon spectra in the top of the atmosphere have been derived from the satellite data of cosmic ray nucleons by using the Bose-type distribution of secondary mesons produced in the inclusive reactions p + p → π− + X and p + p → K− + X. The derived pion and kaon spectra follow the relations of the form π(Eπ) dEπ = 0.184Eπ−2.6 dEπ and K(Ek) dEk = 0.036 Ek−2.6 dEk. With the help of the diffusion equation for pions and kaons in the atmosphere, the sea level muon spectrum has been derived and the results have been compared with the magnetic spectrograph data of Allkofer, Carstensen, and Dau in the muon momentum range 15–1000 GeV/c. The sea level muon intensity arising from kaon parentage increases with energy.


Summary form only given. Experimental and theoretical studies of intensity and phase dynamics of spatially coupled lasers have produced interesting results. The investigation of these particular nonlinear oscillators in various well-controlled spatial arrangements gives closer insight into the relations between symmetry and dynamics. The experimental systems we consider consist of two or three coupled lasers in one semi-monolithic Nd:YVO/sub 4/ microchip resonator, generated by pump beams delivered through a 2D arrangement of single-mode optical fibers.


The paucity of photons at night poses special problems for small nocturnal ambush predators, at least if vision is the principal sensory modality. All spiders are carnivores and must snare their prey with stealth or traps. Most arachnid predators that rely on vision and stealth, such as salticids ( British Journal of Ophthalmology , March 2006), are almost exclusively diurnal. These spiders have evolved large, anterior median eyes among their four sets of eyes. But, sharp-eyed nocturnal arachnid predators, such as the lycosids ( British Journal of Ophthalmology , November 2002), have evolved large posterior median eyes, but why the difference?

Deinopis subrufa has an interesting lifestyle, as the common name, net-casting spider, suggests. Spread through the remnants of the ancient Gondwanaland, D subrufa spins a cribellate (a sticky form of silk different from that spun by orbweavers) web and uses it as a trap. The spider holds the web with four of its eight legs and hides under vegetation. She will often dangle, head down, under a leaf, her long body and legs resembling a stick. She will hang just above ground level and prepare the trap. From that position, she will defecate …


Nepal is one of the several poor developing countries in the world that faces significant challenges in providing universal health coverage and equitable medical care.  By coordinating with the Nepal Critical Care Foundation, two weeks of observation was conducted in Kathmandu during March 2016. The aim was to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the basic living conditions of the population and identify major barriers that the healthcare system is currently facing in providing quality patient care.  Some of the key barriers identified were lack of regulation of hospitals in terms of quality assurance and accreditation, poor demand and supply of services such as workforce and essential medications, poor access to health care facilities in rural areas, and lack of funding for the poor. One of the most important lessons learnt was that nationwide protocols, policies, and legislation needs to be established as well as properly enforced in order to create and drive any sort of meaningful change.


The transition to the integral-quantum-Hall-effect regime through the suppression of backscattering is studied theoretically on a model system by calculating the two-terminal conductance of a quasi-one-dimensional quantum wire as a magnetic field is applied in the presence of disorder. The quantum Hall regime is entered when there is negligible overlap between electron edge states localized at opposite sides of the wire. Levitation of the quantized plateaus with increasing disorder is observed. The conductance is calculated from a multichannel Landauer-B\"uttiker formula with transmission matrices determined by a recursive Green's-function technique on a tight-binding lattice.


Introduction: The Sikhote-Alin and Bilibino iron meteorites were classified as coarsest octahedrite IIB with average concentration of Ni about 5.8–6 %. However, Bilibino meteorite has age about 200,000 years in terrestrial conditions while Sikhote-Alin meteorite has age about 60 years. Earlier microscopic study of Bilibino meteorite showed that about 80 % of the section area displayed recrystallized regions [1]. TEM showed incoherent and semicoherent precipitates in new kamacite grains that were observed in this meteorite [1]. The Ni gradient between parent and new kamacite grains was also observed [1]. In this work we compare Sikhote-Alin and Bilibino meteorites by Mössbauer spectroscopy. Experimental: Mössbauer spectra were measured at room temperature using the constant acceleration precision high stable spectrometer SM–2201. Meteorite samples were prepared as powder. Results and Discussion: Mössbauer spectra of Sikhote–Alin and Bilibino meteorites are shown in Fig. 1 (a and b, respectively). The spectrum of Sikhote–Alin sample consists of the main component 1 (magnetic sextet with Heff=331 kOe) and minor component 2 related to the high spin ferric compound (~2 %). The spectrum of Bilibino sample consists of three magnetic sextets: 1 with Heff=328 kOe (~72 %), 2 with Heff=335 kOe (~18 %), and 3 with Heff=342 kOe (~9 %), and minor component 4 related to the high spin ferric compound (~1 %). Differences between these meteorite samples may be related to the presence of several regions in Bilibino meteorite in contrast to Sikhote–Alin one. These various regions in Bilibino may be considered as three types of kamacite with different Ni concentration in comparison with initial one: 1 – with low Ni concentration, 2 – with initial Ni concentration and 3 – with high Ni concentration. These data are in agreement with previous results [1]. Thus we could conclude that nucleation of new kamacite grains may be caused by diffusion induced grain boundary migration under the weathering conditions.


In the assessment of adsorption processes, thermodynamic experiments on the adsorption process play a critical role (both physical and chemical). The precision measurement of thermodynamic parameters relies on the equilibrium constants between two phases (KL: dimensionless). In this study, thermodynamic parameters were calculated from the KL constant derived from the adsorption of Langmuir isotherms of Pb(II) on alkali-treated brown algae Cystoseira stricta biomass at different temperatures with removal of outliers. The conversion of the KL values to the dimensionless Kc values based on the Langmuir model was then assessed for thermodynamic parameters via the van't Hoff's equation. The Pb(II) adsorption process onto the Cystoseira stricta biomass was spontaneous and feasible with G values at 30, 35 and 40 oC of -18.74 (95% C.I., -19.49 to -17.98), -20.8 (95% C.I.,-21.49 to -20.11) and -21.82 (95% C.I.,-22.24 to -21.41), respectively, and occurred in an endothermic nature (H= 0.31 kJ/mol (95% C.I., -107.90 to 108.52) with an increased in randomness (S= 309.78 J/mol×K (95% C.I., 95% C.I., 275.92 to 343.64) kJ/mol). Resampling methods such as bootstrap, jacknife or Monte Carlo simulation may be carried out in the future to confirm the accuracy and precision of the asymptotatic 95% confidence interval, .


The subsolidus pseudo-ternary phase diagram in the system SrCO3-Bi2O3-CuO was constructed by using prereacted binary compounds. The composition of superconducting Raveau (R) phase was determined to be Sr5Bi6Cu3O17 (563), and it melts at 920°C. Besides R-phase, two ternary compounds with composition of Sr7Bi6Cu4O20 (764) and Sr28Bi18CuO56 (28-18-1) were found. The former phase was identified as the already-reported "collapsed 221" (C) phase, and it melted incongruently above 870°C. The latter showed a perovskite-type structure related to that of K3MoF6, and had a cubic symmetry with α0=8.506A.


Quality in education is determined by the human factor, in particular the level of motivation of all involved and the degree of sophistication of management processes. Tertiary education in the Czech Republic has undergone a major systemic change in the approach to monitoring and evaluation of the quality of education and the associated accreditation procedures in 2016 after the adoption of the new Tertiary Education Law. Universities and colleges must establish an internal system of quality assurance and assessment of educational, creative and related activities. Thus quality management systems, which are a prerequisite for functional evaluation mechanisms, are getting more important. The authors deal with this topic in the framework of the scientific project of the Grant Agency of the Academic Alliance reg. number GA/2016/9 'Self-Evaluation Framework and Evaluation Culture as a Science-Based Foundation of Educational Communication in the Quality Management System in Terms of Professionally Oriented College' and they present basic assumptions, procedures and addressing the issue, seeking to build a modern authentic evaluation culture as the fundamental assumption for an effective and demonstrable assurance and quality management system in tertiary education. Concerning methods, the research is based on the findings of cognitive psychological theories of education (social constructivism) in combination with Access Technology Education (instructional design) and a reflection of contemporary competency models (competence-based learning and teaching) with emphasis on the elements of integration and educational communication (self-responsible learning). The result is the innovation of a self-evaluation framework and efficiency of evaluation processes in the tertiary environment, using tools based on 360° feedback, benchlearning and other modern methods.


In one embodiment of the solar cell module installation frame, method for construction thereof and photovoltaic power-generating system, two rail members (11, 12) are laid parallel on the surface of a foundation. Top plates (11a, 12a) of the respective rail members (11, 12) are bridged with a connecting member (13). The top plate (11a) of one of the frame members (11) intersects with and is affixed near one end (13a) of the connecting member (13), and one end (13a) of said connecting member (13) is made to protrude from said rail member (11). The heights of the rail members (11, 12) are mutually different. One of the rail members (11) is lower and the other rail member (12) is higher. A solar cell module (2) is mounted on the rail members (11, 12) that have such mutually different heights and is supported at a slant so that the solar cell module (2) faces the direction of sunlight incidence.


Abstract The obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) is characterized by a collapse of the upper respiratory tract, resulting in a reduction of the blood oxygen- and an increase of the carbon dioxide (CO2) - concentration, which causes repeated sleep disruptions. The gold standard to treat the OSAS is the continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy. The continuous pressure keeps the upper airway open and prevents the collapse of the upper respiratory tract and the pharynx. Most of the available CPAP-devices cannot maintain the pressure reference [1]. In this work a model predictive control approach is provided. This control approach has the possibility to include the patient's breathing effort into the calculation of the control variable. Therefore a patient-individualized control strategy can be developed.


Copper and brass, among others, are used in the processing industry, for heat exchangers, various fittings and connectors for water industry, pressure regulators, valves for bottles, parts for PPR fittings, contact blades, manometers, and others. Copper and brass are materials of widespread use for plumbing, hot water and electrical installations. However, regardless of their good corrosion properties, brass corrodes in water and the increased concentration of CO2 increases corrosion. The paper presents the application of lasers for the cleaning of copper and brass after exposure to corrosion. Nd: YAG laser with 1064nm wavelength, a pulse duration of 8ns and a pulse frequency of 20 Hz was used. The obtained results were taken with a light microscope, a spectrophotometer and a scanning electron microscope. The results were discussed and compared to the condition before the laser interaction.


This study delves into how the 99 Histories written by Korean American playwright, Julia Cho, reveals the difficulty of the 2nd generation Korean...


Incremental heating is adopted to dry material preheating,it creatively put forward that self-produced steam of the factory shall be the heat source to increase the temperature of dry material;the green anode quality is increased by technology improvement and paste kneading quality improvement.


Heartbeats are signals periodically generated from remote sensors attached to a system whose status needs to be continuously monitored for safety. If consecutive n heartbeats are not transferred to a monitoring site, the target system is considered abnormal and might be shut down as in the case of monitoring nuclear power plants. In this paper, we propose a method to estimate the heartbeat count in the safety critical systems. Given a user-defined safety bound, the proposed method estimates the count n which satisfies the safety bound.


A "fair and reasonable rate of return" in the sense of Smyth v. Ames,2 Bluefield Water Works,3 and Hope Natural Gas4 scarcely exists today for the major forms of transportation: railroads,5 motor-vehicle common carriers,6 urban transit, water transport, and airlines. Except for oil7 and gas8 pipelines, the transport agencies present such special situations that the rate-of-return problem in its classical sense is hardly applicable. For years, the railroads have not earned a rate of return that would attract capital, and currently they have such a passenger deficit9 that the question of exceeding, or even of attaining, a fair return on a fair value has not been given serious consideration in proceedings before the Interstate Commercc Commission?1 or state commissions."


Background Little research has investigated long-term associations of childhood reading with cognitive ageing. The aim of this study was to test longitudinal associations between childhood reading problems and cognitive function from mid-adulthood (age 43) to early old age (age 69), and whether associations were mediated by education. Methods Data were from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development, a prospective population-based birth cohort. Reading problems were measured at age 11 using a reading test. Verbal memory and processing speed were measured at ages 43, 53, 60–64 and 69 and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) was administered at age 69. Linear mixed models and path analyses were used to test: (1) associations between reading problems and verbal memory and processing speed trajectories; (2) associations between reading problems and ACE-III scores; (3) whether associations were mediated by education. Results Reading problems were associated with poorer verbal memory at intercept but not rate of decline (N=1726), and were not associated with processing speed intercept or decline (N=1730). There were higher rates of scores below ACE-III clinical thresholds (<82 and <88) in people with reading problems compared with those without. Reading problems were associated with poorer total ACE-III scores and all domain scores at age 69 (N=1699). Associations were partly mediated by education. Conclusion Reading problems in childhood were associated with poorer cognitive function in early old age, and associations were partly mediated by education.


This paper presents a novel peg-in-hole assembly strategy using uncalibrated visual servoing. A three phases assembly strategy is proposed to increase the workspace and avoid repeated desired features sampling when multiple holes are used. Depth-independent interaction matrice for vanishing point and point are derived and update rule for estimating unknown parameters is designed. A multiple phases alignment strategy is proposed to solve the coupled position and attitude issue. An uncalibrated kinematic-based controller is presented and asymptotic convergence is proved. Experiments are conducted to verify the performance.


The invention relates to an experiment model for a continuous beam. The experiment model comprises the continuous beam, continuous beam supporting seats and loading supports. The continuous beam is installed on the continuous beam supporting seats through fastening pieces along the length direction at intervals of certain distance to form a continuous beam on many supports, and the continuous beam supporting seats are fixed on the loading supports. Foil gauges are adhered to positions among supports of the continuous beam and continuous beam supporting seat positions, and load loading points are arranged among the supports of the continuous beam. The experiment model achieves transition from theory to practice, can reflect stress and deformation of the continuous beam under different loading conditions among different supports visually and objectively, enables students to understand and master design theory and a design method better on the basis of an experiment of the model, and promotes improvement of theoretical teaching level and quality.


Cytokines are intracellular messengers that activate multiple signaling pathways and regulate cell survival, differentiation, migration, apoptosis and immune responses. We are investigating the homeostatic control of cytokinemediated cell signaling using interleukin-4 (IL-4) as a model cytokine. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is essential for cytokine-dependent signal transduction through the Janus Kinase-Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription (JakSTAT) pathway. Therefore, protein tyrosine dephosphorylation is a key mechanism providing the homeostatic control of the pathway. Here, we have shown for the first time that immediately following ligand-dependent activation, IL-4 receptor induces an intracellular calcium flux via insulin receptor substrate (IRS)-phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)-phospholipase C (PLC)-γ pathway which, in turn, induces protein kinase C (PKC)-dependent activation of NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX)5 that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). IL-4 also induces NOX1-mediated ROS production via IRS-PI3K-Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate (RAC) 1 pathway. Moreover, we have also demonstrated that IL-4generated ROS, in turn, promote IL-4 receptor activation by oxidatively inactivating protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) that physically associates


The application discloses an expansion word pair screening method; under a scene in which user behavior is not abundant, an existing expansion word pair determination mode can only determine small number of expansion word pairs; the novel method can solve the said problems, and comprises the following steps: obtaining at least two query word pairs; determining query word pairs from the at least two query word pairs, in which a concurrence frequency of contained each query word in a specific time period is smaller than a first frequency threshold; selecting the query word pairs, following set expansion word pair necessary conditions, as the expansion word pairs from the determined query word pairs. The application also discloses an expansion word pair screening device.


We have calculated the energies of excited states for the He, Li, and Be atoms by the time dependent self-consistent Kohn Sham equation using the Coulomb Wave Function Discrete Variable Representation CWDVR) approach. The CWDVR approach was used the uniform and optimal spatial grid discretization to the solution of the Kohn-Sham equation for the excited states of atoms. Our results suggest that the CWDVR approach is an efficient and precise solutions of excited-state energies of atoms. We have shown that the calculated electronic energies of excited states for the He, Li, and Be atoms agree with the other researcher values.


Atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation experiments were performed on a Co(10.1) monocrystal. Using AFM line scans, we deduced the elastic recovery, which is an intrinsic parameter of the studied material. The comparison of these elastic recovery values with those calculated by standard nanoindentation shows a fair agreement for forces higher than 400 μN with an important discrepancy for lower forces. This difference is attributed to tip shape effects and to the AFM cantilever elastic deformation. Furthermore, the material hardness was measured from AFM images of the imprint by considering the lateral dimension L. In this case, the obtained values are practically independent from the applied load. Moreover, a simple model based on geometrical considerations is proposed to correct hardness values calculated from the residual depth.


Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic human diseases. The objective of this study was to determine whether administration of a decaffeinated green tea extract providing 844 mg flavonoids daily reduced the urinary excretion of 8‐epi‐prostaglandin F2α (8‐epi‐PGF2α), a product of lipid peroxidation in cellular membranes and of low‐density lipoprotein (LDL). Nine healthy male and female subjects were studied at baseline and after 14 days of green tea supplementation. Analysis of urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α was performed using immunoaffinity extraction‐gas chromatography‐negative ion chemical ionization‐mass spectrometry (GC‐NICI‐MS). Urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α concentrations were 0.286±0.120 nmol (mmol creatinine)−1 at baseline and 0.244±0.177 nmol mmol−1 creatinine after green tea supplementation. There were no significant differences in the excretion of urinary 8‐epi‐PGF2α after treatment with green tea. We conclude that 14 days of green tea supplementation did not significantly alter in‐vivo lipid peroxidation.


A 29-year-old female (Weight=50 kg, Height=152 cm, Body Mass Index= 21.6 Kg/m, target height: 151.5 cm) with symptomatic XLHR (X-linked Hypophosphatemic Rickets) since childhood was referred for evaluation of hypercalcemia. At the age of three years, during evaluation for growth retardation and features of rickets along with hypophosphatemia, she received the diagnosis of XLHR. Family history was negative for XLHR. Treatment consisted of oral phosphate salts and alfacalcidol, therapy that was continued until the age of 18 yrs. After the age of eighteen years she received intermittently alfacalcidol without phosphate salts. The following ten years before current evaluation she developed nephrocalcinosis diagnosed by ultrasound and renal computed tomography (Figure 1a,b). By that time she reported progressive increase in serum calcium levels. At presentation, while off alphacalcidol treatment for at least 3 months, she reported weakness and generalized muscle pain, symptoms suggestive of osteomalacia. There was no history of fractures, while no deformities were detected. Laboratory examinations were compatible with tertiary hyperparathyroidism (Table 1). Bone mineral density (BMD) measurements by Dual X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) at the lumbar spine and hip were within normal range. The patient underwent genetic testing for PHEX mutations which revealed a new mutation/variation at the 6 nucleotide downstream of the coding exon 14: c.1586+6T>A. Prediction programs predicted that this variation will have an effect on correct RNA splicing (Jongbloed J.D.H., PhD, Department of Genetics, UMCG, Groningen, the Netherlands). Neck ultrasound showed enlargement of the two inferior parathyroid glands (right 21*9 mm and left 10*6 mm), while parathyroid imaging with Tcsestamibi scintigraphy revealed a hyperfunctioning right inferior parathyroid gland. In order to improve the vitamin D and phosphate deficit prior to surgical intervention, the patient was treated with cinacalcet 30 mg b.i.d. (twice a day) for 2 weeks, followed by addition of alphacalcidol 0.5 μg q.d. (once a day) and phosphate 500 mg q.i.d. (four times a day) with excellent results. There was normalization in serum calcium levels, increase in phosphate levels, while parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels decreased significantly, to almost normal levels. Two months later the patient underwent bilateral cervical exploration. All four parathyroid glands were identified and subtotal parathyroidectomy was performed. Histological examination revealed diffuse chief-cell hyperplasia with compact, trabecular and/ or follicular growth pattern (Figure 1c,d). In the immediate post-operative period the patient was treated with oral calcium [500 mg t.i.d. (three times a day)] and alphacalcidol (1.5 μg q.d). Progressively calcium adminJ Musculoskelet Neuronal Interact 2011; 11(3):266-269


The present invention provides a data transmission method and apparatus, the method comprising: receiving a first wireless data exchange request data exchange apparatus; exchange request to create an association with the first data exchange means in accordance with the local wireless data disc break; the local data processing by the letter corresponding to the first letter of the interaction between the data exchange device. Using the data transmission method and apparatus of the present invention can be provided such that a user data transfer between the handheld wireless data transmission between a terminal and a computer, and a local disk as simple.


From Scope of Report: "This bulletin is confined chiefly to a discussion of tunnels and adits for mining purposes, such as drainage, transportation, or development, but it also discusses those used to carry water for power, irrigation, or domestic use, in which the essential features are practically identical with mine tunnels."


Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) is vital to manage heart failure (HF). Studies have reported variable correlations for LVEF between echocardiography (ECHO) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). A retrospective review of 235 patients was conducted to compare LVEF via ECHO and SPECT done within 72 hours. Mean LVEF by ECHO was 51% and 57% by SPECT. A moderately positive correlation resulted (r = .76, P ≤ .05) for all, but a weak correlation was noted in 99 with LVEF of 25% to 50% (r = .43, p≤0.05). Further imaging may be needed for discordant results when medications and/or devices are considered.


A holistic approach of design flood estimation such as the Monte Carlo simulation technique involves the simulation of thousands of storm and runoff events to determine a derived flood frequency curve. The implementation of such a technique requires the specification of the distributions of various input variables to the rainfall runoff model such as storm duration, storm intensity and initial and continuing losses. This paper presents a case study which focuses on the regionalization of the distribution of storm duration in the state of Victoria, Australia. This in particular compares the one-parameter exponential and two-parameter Gamma distributions in approximating the distribution of storm duration from 91 pluviograph stations in Victoria. Based on the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Anderson-Darling tests, it has been found that the two-parameter Gamma distribution provides a better fit to the storm duration data in Victoria than the one-parameter exponential distribution. The application of the fitted Gamma distribution in the Monte Carlo simulation technique for generating flood frequency curves shows that this approximates the observed flood frequency curves for the selected test catchments quite well. The methodology presented in this paper can be adapted to other states of Australia or other countries, in particular where a sufficient quantity of continuous rainfall and stream flow data are available. This would particularly be useful in hydrological study of the important/large water infrastructure projects.


This paper represents the results and conclusions from a survey that was held between 2011 and 2013 in Blagoevgrad municipality, Bulgaria. It concerns the changes, caused by the global financial crisis upon the students work journeys in foreign countries. This research is focused on the changes in participant's attitudes and activities after 2008.


Diversity is a hallmark of behavioral health care systems. Many different people, with many different backgrounds and interests, are involved in many different activities through many different human organizations. Given this diversity, it is not surprising that multiple conflicting views emerge about how limited resources should be distributed, who should be served, and what services should be provided. Among this diversity, one common rallying point is the notion that when services are provided, better quality of life should result. During the past 10 years, public mental health services for children and youths in Hawaii experienced a major system restructuring. The five current goals of the Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division (CAMHD) strategic plan are shared ownership, accountable business practices, system of care principles, evidence-based practices, and performance evaluation (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, 2003). Before the system reform, child and adolescent mental health services in Hawaii were generally delivered through a direct service model by small teams at regional guidance centers. At present, CAMHD orchestrates a public-private collaboration with eight regional public family guidance branches providing care coordination and administrative services and approximately 35 contracted private provider agencies delivering the majority of direct care. The comprehensive system of care framework, which was locally demonstrated through the federally funded Ohana project, is the statewide model for delivery of intensive mental health services, except on the island of Kauai, where an integrated schoolbased program is used. Elsewhere, educationally supportive, less intensive (e.g., day treatment), and outpatient services are arranged through the schoolbased behavioral health program of the Department of Education. For the Medicaid-eligible population, less intensive and outpatient services are provided through the state-contracted health plans. This latest reorganization was largely completed in 2002. A major evidence-based services initiative was implemented following the initial development of the system of care (Table 1; see Chorpita and Donkervoet, 2005). Approximately 5 years into the system of care reform, an evaluation identified marked increases in the number of youths accessing services, as well as the amount, types, and total cost of mental health services. In addition, qualitative analyses identified weaknesses in the provider array in the form of undesirable use of restrictive levels of care (e.g., serving youths with conduct disorders in hospital settings) and use of therapeutic approaches with uncertain efficacy. It was unclear whether this expanded investment was associated with better child and family functioning. To move forward, system leaders initiated quarterly quantitative child status assessments and explored large-scale dissemination of evidence-based services as an initiative Accepted January 5, 2006. Drs. Daleiden and Arensdorf, Ms. Brogan, and Ms. Donkervoet are with the Hawaii Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division, Honolulu; and Dr. Chorpita is with the Department of Psychology, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu. This project was funded with state general funds through the Hawaii Department of Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Division. The findings described in this column were produced through the collaborative efforts of countless youths, families, and professionals who contribute to the Hawaii system of care for child and adolescent mental health. Correspondence to Dr. Eric Daleiden, 3627 Kilauea Avenue, Room 101, Honolulu, HI 96816; e-mail: email@example.com. 0890-8567/06/4506-0749 2006 by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. DOI: 10.1097/01.chi.0000215154.07142.63 E V I D E N C E B A S E D P R A C T I C E Assistant Editor: John D. Hamilton, M.D., M.Sc.


Background: Although HELLP syndrome (hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets) is a serious medical complications including coagulopathy, hypertension, hepatic and renal failures, and pulmonary edema in pregnant women, the data about HELLP syndrome were rarely reported in the medical journal in Korea. Methods : Nineteen cases of HELLP syndrome were retrospectively studied out of 16,910 pregnant women from January 1998 to March 2004 at Uijongbu St. Mary's Hospital. We analyzed incidence, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, maternal and clinical complications and clinical course of HELLP syndrome. Results: The incidence of HELLP syndrome was 0.27% (19/16,910) in total pregnant women and 4.15% (19/458) in women with preeclampsia. All patients had evidence of hemolysis and serum aspartate aminotransferase level70 IU/L, and platelet counts . Of the total 18 cases delivered at our Hospital. serious maternal complications included acute renal failure (n=3), pulmonary edema (n=2), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (n=2), postpartum bleeding (n=4). There was no maternal death. Fetal complications included placental disruption (n=2), and intrauterine growth retardation (n=5). Fetal death occurred in 2 cases. Conclusion : This data suggest that HELLP syndrome is not uncommon in women with preeclampsia and it represents poor maternal and fetal outcomes. Therefore, in order to decrease maternal and fetal morbidities, cooperation between internists and obstetric doctors is very important.


Heavy ion beam-target interaction experiments aimed at investigation of the target density effect on the ion stopping process [1] require precise information about target parameters in the interaction region. The ion beam deposits its energy in to the excitation and ionization of the stopping media. This leads to its heating and expansion. The gas-target density varies along the ion beam stopping path, across the beam radius and in time. In experiments carried out at UNILAC facility, the interaction of Ca ion beam with Ar and Ne gas targets was investigated [2]. The gas-target used in experiments was constructed as a massive copper cylinder 30 mm in diameter and 210 mm length. For observation of the Ca projectile velocity and charge state dynamics along the stopping path, the gas pressure in the target was kept between of 1.5-2 Bar providing the full stopping of the ion beam at the first 5-15 cm of the gas target. The 2-D visible image of the ion beam-gas target interaction region was registered using intensified gated CCD camera DicamPro. The fluorescence emission of gas atoms induced due to collision excitation by the ion beam and secondary electrons was observed throw the 180 mm long quartz window. In the experiment we have observed the lengthening of the ion beam range in the argon gas target due to the heating of the gas media during the ion macro pulse of 5.5 ms.


Correlated ab initio theoretical calculations at the valence double-zeta plus polarization level are used to study the insertion of carbon monoxide into a scandium-hydrogen sigma bond. The authors find a Lewis acid-Lewis base interaction between scandium and the carbon monoxide of 16.4 kcal/mol. The reaction occurs with a relatively small activation energy (..delta..E/sup double dagger/ = 23.7 kcal/mol. with respect to the Lewis acid-base complex) leading to an eta/sup 2/-formyl complex. The reaction is moderately exothermic (..delta..E = -6.1 kcal/mol with respect to the Lewis acid-base complex). The explanation for the small barrier is precisely the same as for previously studied metallo 2 + 2 reactions. The effect of polarization functions and electron correlation on the position of the transition state and exothermicity of the reaction were also studied.


In spring 1997 at the Sonnblick Observatory, located at 3106m elevation in the Austrian Alps, interstitial aerosol and cloud water samples were simultaneously collected in supercooled convective clouds. These samples were analyzed for their polar organic composition using a newly developed analytical method that allows the simultaneous determination of dicarboxylic acids, monocarboxylic acids, and other polar organic constituents. Using the obtained data set, in-cloud scavenging efficiencies (e) for individual polar organic compounds were calculated. For the different organic substances, scavenging efficiencies ranged from 0.16 to 0.98, compared with sulfate, which exhibited an average scavenging efficiency of 0.94. For dicarboxylic acids, scavenging efficiencies (average of about 0.8) were of the same order as for sulfate. Distinctly lower values (average of about 0.6) were achieved for polar aromatic compounds like phthalic acid or diisobutylphenol. The lowest scavenging efficiencies (average about 0.4) were found for alcohols and monocarboxylic acids. Thus we found in the Sonnblick cloud experiment that more polar organic aerosol constituents are more efficiently scavenged into cloud droplets than less polar compounds. In addition, the scavenging efficiencies exhibited a dependence on the solubilities of the examined compounds. For highly water soluble compounds (1–1000 g L−1) a decrease of the water solubility for an individual compound leads to a decrease in the scavenging efficiency for this compound. For "poorly soluble" substances with water solubilities below l g L−1, a near-constant value for the scavenging efficiency was found, indicating that their scavenging behavior is then dominated by the scavenging of the bulk noncarbonate carbon independent of the physical and chemical properties of the individual substances.


Patterned media with nickel nanopillar arrays as the magnetic recording units was prepared with electron beam direct-writing lithography and electrodeposition.The results show that the diameter of pores in the electron beam direct-writing templates is determined by the exposure time under the condition of fixed accelerating voltage and exposure current,within an adjustable range of 10 nm for pore diameters and spacings.Increasing the interval of pores in the template and lowering the cathode electrolytic potential properly can reduce the interference of adjacent pores during the electrodeposition process and hence improve the deposition uniformity.


There is a growing perception that the research of fishery water quality forecasting are popular and important topic today, due to the food quality security and health impact caused by exposing to water pollutants existing in aquaculture. This paper aims to prove the feasibility of predicting the organic pollutant levels of pond water via SVM. The experimental data in weekly time series are collected from the fishery ponds in Xiao Tangshan in Beijing. The functional characteristics, including the network structure, the kernel function selection and the parameter sensitivity of SVM are investigated. The performance of the SVM model and the conventional BP neural network in predicting is also compared.


As part of its "industry revolution plan," also known as "Industry4WRD," Malaysia has accepted and implemented contemporary technology, transforming Malaysia's diverse industrial sectors. We are currently well-established fourth Industrial Revolution of human history. The range and sophistication of digital instruments have increased significantly in recent years. Everything from robots to the Internet of Things (IoT) devices, communications infrastructure, data centres, and their power requirements. The manufacturing industry must develop innovative technologies, designs, structures, and concepts for communication and data storage to enhance the digital world's functioning and reduce the amount of energy necessary to operate it. Industry 5.0 is the next wave of industrial innovation, and industry experts eagerly anticipate its arrival. To increase industrial efficiency and flexibility, digitalisation and AI-driven technologies have supplanted the original goals of Industry 4.0, which included social fairness and sustainability. One interpretation of Industry 5.0 is that it is the return of the "human-centred" emphasis of Industry 4.0. By prioritising the well-being of people and the planet over pursuing financial gain, technological breakthroughs in industrial production would acquire a renewed sense of purpose and direction. A literature search was conducted to learn more about the first description of Industry 5.0. By utilising this strategy for systematic literature research, we could understand the concept and the most recent advancements in various published works. Following this, we used the software NVivo to develop a conceptual framework congruent with the study's objectives.


A previous version of this chapter was presented at the 1979 annual meeting of the American Sociological Association. The first author was supported in part by Grant SOC78-23759 from the Division of the Social Sciences of the National Science Foundation. The data used in this report were made available by the Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research. The data for the Spring 1975 General Social Survey, National Data Program for the Social Sciences, were originally collected by James A. Davis (National Opinion Research Center, University of Chicago) and distributed by Roper Public Opinion Research Center, Williams College. Neither the original collector of the data nor the consortium bear any responsibility for the analyses or interpretations presented here. For helpful comments, the writers are indebted to K. Crittenden, L. A. Goodman, 0. D. Duncan, S. E. Fienberg, N. W. Henry, S. Leinhardt, C. H. Proctor, S. A. Tuch, and two anonymous referees.


Reformation of Islamic thought has been the major objective of the contemporary Muslim scholarship. It aims at reviving the fundamentals of Islamic thought and renewing the basic concepts of the Islamic worldview. Although the basic problem of the Ummah is defined as "epistemological", i.e., related to knowledge and intellectual stagnation, however the major challenge that has been facing the contemporary Muslim reformers is centered upon lacking the practical methods and effective mechanisms for intellectual reformation. A careful study of al-Faruqi`s thought may inspire some methodological hints and epistemological mechanisms to deal with such a complex problem. The main objective of this paper is to examine the above presupposition and to formulate methodological guidelines to understand how al-Faruqi`s epistemology can contribute to deal with this matter. Al-Faruqi establishes his epistemology on thorough identification of two sets of principles for understanding the world: first, the theoretical principles which constitute the foundation of human knowledge; and second, principles of values which are related especially to morality, i.e., human conduct and action. This paper analyzes and highlights both types of principles, to uncover the integrated method of al-Faruqi`s epistemology. The fundamentals of Islamic epistemology and method of intellectual reformation in al-Faruqi`s epistemology are presented. The theoretical method of analytical discussion is adopted in the article.


We have recently proposed a fourth-order cumulant (FOC)-based method for direction-of-arrival (DOA) estimation in uniform linear arrays (ULAs) with mutual coupling. However, it is found that this method has limited performance in terms of the root-mean-square error (RMSE) in the case where the mutual coupling effect is not significant (but not ignorable). Motivated by this fact, two improved methods are presented in this paper. According to the properties of cumulants, a FOC matrix of the received data is firstly introduced. An improved DOA estimator based on the shift-invariant property as in the ESPRIT method is then developed. To further improve the performance, the other improved method that exploits the matrix rank-reduction property is finally proposed. Although grid search is required in the second improved method, the search space is restricted to a substantially reduced size since the coarse DOA estimates are provided by the first improved one. Simulation results show that the RMSE of DOA estimation can be reduced by means of the presented methods.


In recent years economists have been developing the concept of investment in human capital, despite misgivings in some quarters about the unhealthy overtones of the concept itself. A spin‐off from work of Professors Becker and Mincer has been the analysis of training and the distribution between general and specific training. But it is preferable to begin by talking about education and then to see occupational training as a special form of education. It is then possible to look at the implications of this distinction upon the school leaving age.


Markets for products like solar panels, fairtrade food, or plant-based meat aren't driven purely by the desire for financial profit, but also by the goal of addressing certain social and environmental challenges. Why do companies choose to enter such moral markets? It's not just about resources, but also a firm's identity and the social context, as Dr Panikos Georgallis explains.


Theoretically, the solar tracking system describe as the device to get the optimize amount of sunlight according to sun movement. So, the shading effect issues can be minimized. This paper is presents the finding of photovoltaic (PV) harvesting energy via dual axis tracking system. The operation of two direct current (DC) motors motion was programme using PIC kit SK40C by using the Lab View Programming software. The first motor system delay timer is set at 15° rotation per hour and second motor system delay timers is set to rotate 180° after 12 pm. The field testing was initially set up at Perlis, Malaysia climate. An actual testing was used to collect the daily data. The result shows that, the output voltage with solar tracking system is 12.93% higher than without tracking system in the sunny day condition.


OVERVIEW In 2002, it marked the arrival of Linux in the enterprise. In 2003, it matched UNIX for reliability and surpassed it in value. Today Red Hat Enterprise Linux, with the introduction of version 4, has the reliability, performance, and security to signal the end of the proprietary platform in the enterprise. Red Hat Enterprise Linux delivers the full value of open source. How? Through a common code base from desktop to datacenter, a subscription model that delivers constant value, and a development model that prevents vendor lock-in and fosters innovation. That's why a study by CIO Insight ranked Red Hat the best company in the IT industry at delivering value to customers—#1 at lowering IT costs, #1 at meeting ROI expectations, and #1 at overall value. The evolution of standards-based computing platforms has reached a defining milestone. As the platform of choice for every major OEM and ISV, Enterprise Linux 4 will accelerate the rapid spread of Linux already underway. Based on the Linux 2.6 kernel, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 represents the most stable and mature commercial Linux available. Red Hat proved the enterprise-class readiness of much of the 2.6 kernel technology in the Enterprise Linux 3 release. As a result, Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 includes mature technology deployed successfully by many Red Hat customers and incorporates a number of key improvements, based on Red Hat's engineering efforts and collaboration with the open source developer community. SELinux Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 is the preferred platform for the most demanding security organizations in the world. Security Enhanced Linux is a completely new subsystem in Enterprise Linux and provides a superior security framework to what is available in traditional commercial IT operating environments. SELinux, developed with the U.S. National Security Agency, implements policy-based mandatory access controls to achieve more fine-grained security measures and greater flexibility compared to discretionary access control mechanisms. Privileges and policies for each service are specified rather than relying on the simple paradigm of users, groups, and a single centralized superuser account. Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 has integrated SELinux with a dozen common Internet facing services including BIND, Network Time Protocol (NTP), and Apache so that the benefits can be leveraged easily and widely. Organizations with extreme security demands can choose to implement more comprehensive SELinux capabilities across more applications and even impose a strict SELinux policy across every service provided.