The presence of organic matter in agricultural soils is an important factor in assessing the conditions of the soils. BRF and Manure are energy inputs that can improve the soil. The objective of our work is to study the influence of the contribution of Rameal Fragmented Wood (RFW) and cattle manure in the presence and absence of earthworms Octodrilus complanatus on the germination rate (%) of durum wheat (Tritucum durum) of the Hedba 3 variety. The study station is located in a semi-arid zone (Constantine, Algeria). the results obtained show that the contribution of RFW or RFW mixture and cattle manure in the presence and absence of earthworms Octodrilus complanatus has a beneficial effect on the the germination rate increased by 193.35% on average in the amended plots compared to the control plots.


Abstract The main task of this paper is to illustrate how Hindustani musical elements are employed in the vocal lines of Malay ghazal which have been obscured or modified and "Malayized" throughout the past decades. In current Malay ghazal practices known in Johor, a particular singing style called "Parsi" that primarily focused on a specific embellishment of the melodic line could be observed. Another particular element is called "sarigama-singing" (Arshad, 2013; Rahman B., 2012) that refers to melodic ornaments resembling the gamak and taan in Hindustani classical music. The adaptation and its outcome that have been documented in some selected ghazals confirm the existence of a discerning tolerance towards elements detached from their originating cultural environment. This paper discusses stereotypical melodic elements sung by Malay musicians in Malay ghazal. Although various raga elements can be detected in the vocal melodies, these elements are not acknowledged and are not terminologically familiar to Malay ghazal musicians. The detected ragas maintain one tonic, which means that the main fifth (Sa-Pa) applies as a frame for an entire given melody. The range in which Malay ghazal is sung does not exceed one octave. Nonetheless, the actual starting pitch is somewhat fixed through the fact that early harmoniums could not shift in pitch. Therefore, Malay ghazals are mainly played for a high pitched male or a lower pitched female voice. Male singers performing ghazal may have obtained singing skills from the model of qawwali singers. There is no evidence for it in the reviewed literature. However, the knowledge about these special features that can also be observed in Hindustani ghazal is transmitted orally from one musician to the next (Norihan, 2012-2014). Main methods applied in this study are long term participant observation in the origination and in the host culture of ghazal practices, multi-perspective analysis of musical structures and terminology.


An Improving Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) algorithm for dependent transportation problem is proposed in this paper. The triangular fuzzy member and local search method are combined into the ABC algorithm. Instead of random initialization in ABC algorithm, the triangular fuzzy member is applied to select customers to appropriate routes. The convergence of the solution is controlled by the new strategy of neighbourhood operator. The proposed algorithm is tested on Solomon benchmark dataset. The findings from the computational results were very encouraging, it shows that the algorithm is very effective and obtain the best solution for all testing problem instances.


The financial crisis prompted closer supervision of securitisation as a mechanism for refinancing the economy. In France the principal underlying assets of securitisations are bank loans and credits to resident households and non-financial companies.


The case history is presented of a patient with Trousseau's syndrome in which tissue factor originating from lung cancer appeared responsible for recurrent DVT/PE. This is thought to be the first such case to be reported.


Summary form only given. Fluorescence spectra of Nd/sup 3+/2% wt in CNGG (formula Ca/sub 3/(GaNb)/sub 2-x/Ga/sub 3/O/sub 12/) were recorded at temperatures ranging from 10 and 298 K, for 0.9 /spl mu/m, 1.06 /spl mu/m, 1.32 /spl mu/m bands. The room temperature absorption spectra from 300 to 2700 nm show broad band structures, the 807 nm peak has /spl alpha/=10 cm/sup -1/ with FWHM of 7 nm (8 times higher than Nd:YAG with same doping density), revealing the disordered nature of the crystalline matrix.


Gopher is an Internet search software which is useful in a health sciences reference environment. Gopher is helpful because it eliminates the need to understand all of the mechanics of searching the Internet, accommodating the range of Internet experience among reference staff members. Gopher saves reference librarians time by reducing the number of software programs required to search the Internet and by providing a way to revisit Internet resources once found. In this paper, Gopher is introduced, its applications and resources are discussed, and resources useful in performing health sciences reference are described.


We describe a new technique, Thermosonics, that can be used to detect cracks in teeth. This technique was initially invented and developed for finding cracks in industrial and aerospace applications. The thermosonics technique employs a single short pulse (typically tens of milliseconds) of ultrasound excitation combined with infrared imaging. Ultrasonic waves vibrate the target material. This vibration causes rubbing and clapping between faying surfaces of any cracks which are present, resulting in a temperature rise around the cracks. An infrared camera is used to image the temperature distribution during and after the ultrasound excitation. Thus, cracks in teeth can be detected. Although this technique is still under development, it shows promise for clinical use by dentists.


This study aims to design a biomass stove as a solution for lack of LPG gas in the community in Batu Panjang, Rupat Island, Riau. The Quality Function Deployment (QFD) method is used in this study by elaborating consumer needs through public opinion needs (questionnaire survey) and elaboration of the characteristics of consumer needs. A House of Quality (HoQ) matrix was created to determine the technical characteristics for design analysis of biomass stove and designed using the Design for Manufacture and Assembly (DFMA). The result was a development of "Biomass Stove", which consists of a funnel for fuel, a fire funnel, a filter and an air chamber. The funnel chamber, which the fuel was made the insulation channel and the joining of the fire connector, forms an angle to increase the heat flow to funnel fuel and reduce the heat loss during cooking. The stove design is made safe, comfortable for users and environmentally friendly due to the existence of a filter and air chamber cover. The biomass stove was designed portable, and then it was light and easy to move around.


The measurement of serum protein is an important diagnostic tool for the detection, diagnosis, and monitoring of various diseases and pathological processes as well as evaluation of athletes in sport situation. This study evaluated adjustments in serum levels of total protein, albumin and globulin of the University of Benin student athlete's consequent to a 10-week Calisthenic-Circuit Training (CCT) programme. The pre-test, post-test randomized control experimental design was used for the study. The population of the study comprised five hundred and twenty-two (522) student athletes and a total of fiftyfour (54) student athletes made up the study sample. Proportionate sampling technique was used to select participants for this study. Blood samples were obtained from the participants before and after a 10-week Calisthenic-Circuit training programme to assess biochemical adjustments to serum total protein, albumin and globulin. Descriptive statistics of mean, range and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions raised, while inferential statistics of Independent t-Test was employed to determine differences between the experimental and control group. The results obtained indicated that of all serum protein parameters studied, albumin (t=-2.802, p=0.015) was found to have statistically significant increase to a level of 4.53±0.44mg/ml following CCT programme. Serum globulin (t=-0.524, p=0.871) and total protein (t=1.103, p=0.096) were not statistically significant but portrayed an increase to a level of 2.95±0.53mmg/ml and 7.62±0.97mg/ml respectively. It was therefore concluded that CCT programme substantially potentiated serum protein adjustments and statistical differences specifically on serum albumin of the University of Benin student athletes. CCT programme should be considered as a key element in eliciting serum protein adjustments for growth and repair of body tissues.


This research concerns inventory and maintenance problem of critical spare parts in the locomotive mechanical system in PT KAI Bandung. We proposed periodic review approach in managing spare part inventory, while maintenance interval is preventive maintenance schedule for spare parts. This research is generated by developing integration model of inventory and maintenance on critical spare parts in locomotives mechanical system by considering failure rate, deterioration rate, and imperfect preventive maintenance. The decision variable were maximum inventory quantity and locomotive maintenance interval with the objective function is to minimize total system cost. The integration of inventory and maintenance in this research was solved by analytic model with PSO algorithm. For future research can consider both demand and stochastic lead time. Multi echelon and transport consideration are interesting and combined other algorithm, such as genetics algorithm and tabu search algorithm also be further research. Keywords— periodic review, failure rates, total system cost, PSO algorithm


Poster: "ESSR 2019 / P-0180 / Radiographic evaluation of osteoligamentous injuries of the medial ankle joint: testing the validity and reliability of stress tests in equivalent malleolar fractures" by: "I. Rosa, J. D. Oliveira, J. Rodeia, P. X. Fernandes, R. Teixeira, H. Ribeiro, F. Fernandes; Lisboa/PT"


Cubic phase of silver antimony sulfide (AgSbS2) nanostructures were successfully synthesized from silver nitrate (AgNO3), antimony acetate (CH3CO2)3Sb, and sodiumthiosulphate pentahydrate (Na2S2O3.5H2O) in propylene glycol (PG) without using any surfactants or splitting agents by a facile wet chemical route at 160 OC for 30 min. The XRD, SEM and TEM reveal AgSbS2 nanostructures forming the clusters. Due to the UV-visible absorption shows its direct band gap, is 1.80 eV, AgSbS2 is found to be the excellent material for the solar energy converters. And the possible formation of AgSbS2 nanostructured cluster was also discussed.


Apparently, the drilling geometry and treatment influence the drill operation and its performance. Factually, the performance given by the drill bit is powerfully associative with efficiency, hence with economical fabrication. As a further matter, typical performance indicator, that is deviation from diameter, Cylindricity, tool wear, surface roughness is have been changed by drilling geometry. This fact that stress needed for novelty in drill design with further performance indicator optimization for quality of hole. In that prospect, here new drilling geometries were used. Various Drilling trials stayed directed utilizing the L9 orthogonal array. Various treatment processes like heat treatment, cryogenic or untreated (just as received) were carried out. Various tool nomenclature involving changing of helix angle were considered. The investigation performed on AlSi7Cu4 alloy with standard cutting tool, utilized all by trial made under dry cutting conditions. Later, drills were used to obtain hole on AlSi7Cu4, and their performance were examined and optimized to suggest optimum constraints of best attention. To estimate the performance of the drills, the drill quality of the hole stayed studied in terms of deviation of diameter, Cylindricity, and tool wear, surface roughness by the parameter optimization and the percentage of contribution were carried out by VIKOR methodology. As a result, geometry was developed by consideration of these negativities, and was found to show up superiority in performance when compared to other geometries in terms of quality of hole.


Jian'an literature" had it's special meaning, and it didn't include the literature in the Wu and Shu Dynasty. It had special history creating mechanism that the literature in the Wu and Shu Dynasty didn't posses. Literature history should divide the literature in the Wei Dynasty with the literature in the Wu and Shu Dynasty.


This article is devoted to the study of the notion of reduplication in linguistics; the concepts of full, partial are given. marvel reduplication and features of their construction. Reduplication in terms of expression is not limited to repeating the same units or repeating only one basis and syllable. Repetitions are also considered as repetitions associated with the complete or partial repetition of a reductive sound, as well as "repetition of synonymous lexical units, that is, the creation of repeats of a value. Their functional, structural, semantic capabilities are described only in general terms".


With the improvement of China's land system,land price index has been playing an increasingly important role in the government's management of the land market. Having studied three price indices and their algorithms on the basis of land survey in Wuxi City, this paper works out several price indices in downtown of the city,reveals the law of land price changes in recent years, analyzes the causes for the land price changes, which will give a reference for the prediction of future land price changes.


Human civilization has progressed and it is being claimed that women in this post modern era are on equal footing with their counterpart males, but ground reality seems different. Many women are being inhumanly victimised and tortured beyond the level of tolerance. Many women are imprisoned, suppressed as well as killed in the name of honour or to control female sexuality in many countries. Violent customs and the code of honour/shame schema are implicitly and explicitly uphold by the economically determined social system, endorsed by religion, confirmed by law, and facilitated by the state institutions. Honour related violence does not occur indiscriminately. It is mediated through class, ethnicity, religion, education, age, and residential location with a specific combination of many of these forces. All major civilizations and religions have developed a code of honour and shame schema revolving around female sexuality. This paper attempts to theorise violence and exploitation of women in special reference to socio-cultural and honour/shame schema. It also deals with various nature of crime in the name of honour and false prestige. It focuses on hidden and untold stories of violence against women of various countries.


Burkitt's lymphoma is a tumor that most often affects the jaws, most commonly seen in endemic areas of Africa, although the jaws are affected in about 15-18% in non-endemic regions, with prevalence in boys aged between 4-7 years. This is a 12-year-old male child that presented with right jaw painful swelling for more than six-months duration of onset. He was referred for plain radiographs of the jaw from a peripheral healthcare center. The jaw radiograph was done in anterior-posterior and oblique views of both sides respectively. The radiographs demonstrated a soft tissue density mass on the right, with associated destructive lytic lesion involving the right maxilla severelyand the right mandibleto a lesser extent. There is associated loss of lamina dura with severe dental anarchy involving the maxilla. The mandible showed lytic and expansile areas in its body with marked periosteal reaction; the sunray appearance. The contralateral maxilla and mandible have normal appearances. Complementary abdominal ultrasonography revealed normal appearances excluding abdominal involvement. Histology revealed the classic diffuse starry-sky appearance with benign histiocytes containing abundant, clear cytoplasm dispersed among a background of homogeneous, basophilic tumor cells, in keeping with Burkitt's lymphoma. We report this case to describe the radiographic appearance of Burkitt's lymphoma of the jaw bones.


Redox polymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) with poly(ethylene glycol) using Mn(III) as catalyst was carried out to yield poly(ethylene glycol-block-acrylonitrile). The principal parameters (concentration of reactants, temperature) affecting the synthesis were examined. Successful blocking has been confirmed by infrared and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as gel permeation chromatography.

Poly(ethylenglykol-block-acrylnitril) wurde durch Polymerisation von Acrylnitril in Gegenwart von Polyethylenglykol mit Mn (III) als Initiator erhalten. Die Haupteinflusfaktoren fur die Polymerisation (Konzentration der Reaktanden, Temperatur) wurden untersucht. Infrarot- und 1H-NMR-Spektroskopie sowie Gelpermeationschromatographie belegen die Bildung von Blockcopolymere.


Overseas nurses play an increasingly important role in healthcare provision in the UK, with 14,122 registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in 2003 ( NMC2005 ).


The present invention relates to a quick connector with check device, as a quick connector, in particular a quick connector having an internal check a quick coupling device. The quick connector comprises at least one outer body, a locking member, a snap ring, an inner body and an outer lock body; wherein the inner body one end face is provided with an opening, and between the openings is provided with a convex portion, the convex portion group with a membrane, which membrane is provided with a central perforated rim, a diaphragm film body, and the membrane comprises the entire opening area. Through the membrane with the convex portion of the group, it will provide the unidirectional flow membrane action of the fluid when the fluid travels backward, by means of which diaphragm covers the opening, i.e., to provide a check function.


AbstractTwo modeling approaches with different levels of refinement were used to numerically investigate the influence of different parameters on the response of straight sheathed timber diaphragms...


The insertion of fusion proteins has enabled the crystallization of a wide range of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Here, we explored the possibility of using a larger fusion protein, inserted into the third intracellular loop (ICL3) of β1-adrenoceptor (β1AR) via rigid chimeric helix fusions. The aim was to engineer a single-chain fusion protein that comprises sufficient mass and rigidity to allow single-particle cryo-EM data collection, without depending on binding proteins, such as G-proteins or nanobodies. Through parsing of the protein data bank (PDB), we identified the protein AmpC β-lactamase as a suitable candidate. Both termini of this protein are α-helical and the helices are antiparallel to each other. The distance between their centroids measures ∼11 Å. Such a geometry is ideal to design extended chimeric helices with transmembrane (TM) helices 5 and 6 of β1AR, and the insertion of the protein adds ∼39 kDa of mass to the receptor. We expressed the β1AR - AmpC β-lactamase fusion protein in mammalian cells. The binding of the antagonists propranolol and cyanopindolol to the purified fusion protein was confirmed by CPM-based thermofluor assays. The cryo-EM structure was solved to a nominal overall resolution of 3.6 Å and the seven helix architecture and helix eight were clearly resolved. Superimposition of the structure with known X-ray crystal structures of β1AR suggests that the protein is in its inactive conformation. The fusion protein described here provides a basis for high-throughput structure elucidation of class A GPCRs by cryo-EM for drug discovery research as well as for the elucidation of inactive state or wild-type GPCR structures. The fusion protein geometry theoretically fits a wide range of class A GPCRs and therefore can be applied to a multitude of receptors.


We briefly review three ways that environmental noise can slow‐down (or speed‐up) quantum transitions; (i) Lamb shifts, (ii) over‐damping and (iii) orthogonality catastrophe. We compare them with the quantum Zeno effect induced by observing the system. These effects are relevant to poor qubits (those strongly coupled to noise). We discuss Berry phases generated by the orthogonality catastrophe, and argue that noise may make it easier to observe Berry phases.


In 1991 Indonesia established a system of administrative courts, thus enabling citizens to bring cases against the government before a specialised forum. Although initially the administrative courts were seen as an important tool for furthering the protection of citizens against the state, it soon turned out that they suffered from a host of problems. These included both internal issues – such as lack of specialised legal knowledge on the part of the judges, staffing problems, misuse of the transfer system – and external ones – unwillingness of the government to implement judgments, bribery, political pressure, etc. Nonetheless, the exposure of the government's lack of commitment to rule of law values by their disobedience to court orders did contribute to the delegitimisation of the New Order in its final years.
 There is little systematic information on how administrative court practice has evolved since 1998. As their functioning is closely related to the political situation, it is likely that this practice has changed, but how and to what extent is unclear. The present paper explores these issues and tries to evaluate the effects of Reformasi on administrative court performance.


Objective:To investigate the effects of human IL-24 on phenotype and antigen presenting function of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells in vitro.Methods:Western blot was used to determine the level of IL-24 in the DC culture supernatant.Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was used to analyze the expression of IL-24 receptor and chemokine receptors in DCs at different developmental stages.Fluorescence-activated cell sorting(FACS)analysis was used to assess the expression of MHC class Ⅱ molecule,CD80 and CD86 on DCs surface in the presence of IL-24.Allogenic mixed lymphocyte reaction was employed to analyze the effect of IL-24 on the antigen presenting function of DCs.Results:We found that LPS induced DCs to secrete endogenous IL-24.Meanwhile,LPS also up-regulated the expression of IL-22R1,an IL-24 receptor subunit,on DCs.Supplement of IL-24 to DCs culture medium significantly augmented the expression of MHCⅡ,CD80,and CD86 on DCs surface,and promoted the antigen presenting function of DCs to T cells.Conclusion:IL-24 can promote the activation and maturation of DCs,increasing the antigen presenting function of DCs.


X-L model, a whole flow-field computing model for synthetic jet actuator, which considers the actuator cavity, the exit throat, and the external flow field as a single computational region. Based on this computing model, numerical computations were performed for a low speed primary jet vectored using different synthetic jet actuators.It is shown that the synthetic jet actuators can control the vector of a low speed primary jet effectively and the primary jet direction can be controlled by altering the working parameters and locations of actuators. When the actuator is operated in the "pull" mode, the primary jet is vectored larger comparable to that of "push" mode, and there must be an optimal distance between the actuator exit and the primary jet, for which the largest vectoring benefit can be obtained. The frequency and velocity amplitude of the synthetic jet affect the strength of the vortex.The formation of "low pressure closed circumfluence region" and the entrainment of vortexes are the main reasons for vectoring a low speed jet.


Measurements of the streamwise and spanwise fluctuating velocity components are obtained in a high Reynolds number turbulent boundary layer using custom made sub-miniature hot wires. These measurements are made over a range of Reynolds numbers from Reτ ≈ 3,000 to Reτ ≈ 10,500, but at fixed unit Reynolds number U∞/ν (Reτ = δUτ/ν; where ν is the kinematic viscosity, Uτ is the friction velocity and δ is the boundary layer thickness). In this way the measurement volumes of the probes are approximately fixed for all Reτ at 14×14×7 viscous units. This gives sufficiently resolved velocity measurements, allowing observation of Reτ trends in isolation from spatial resolution effects. The resulting velocity measurements show clear scale separation in both streamwise and spanwise velocities at Reτ ≈ 10,500. The pre-multiplied spectra for both components show a near-wall peak which is fixed in viscous units and an outer region peak fixed in outer scaling, which grows in magnitude with Reτ. The large scale wavelengths associated with the outer site extend all the way down to the near-wall region for both components demonstrating the presence of large scale motions with a footprint that stretches to the surface for both of the streamwise and spanwise fluctuations. Introduction The broad-band nature of turbulence, and the increased scale separation between the smallest and largest energetic scales as Reynolds number increases, mean that it is highly challenging to obtain well resolved measurements of fluctuating components in high Reynolds number flows. Hot-wire anemometry using a single-wire has been successfully applied to obtain sufficiently resolved streamwise velocity components at a high Re [4]; however, there is a dearth of measurements for the other two velocity components at similarly high Re. Here, we attempt to redress this issue by simultaneously measuring the streamwise and spanwise fluctuating velocity components using subminiature cross-wires. For this paper, we highlight the similarities and the differences in Reynolds number trends for the streamwise and spanwise components. We consider in particular, the contribution from small and large scales in the flow to the turbulence intensities and the pre-multiplied spectra. Here, we use superscript '+' to denote viscous scaling of length (e.g. z = zUτ/ν), velocity (e.g. U = U/Uτ) and time (e.g. t = tU2 τ/ν). Capitalisation (e.g. U) and overbar (e.g. u2) indicate time averaged quantities, while lower case (e.g. u) shows fluctuating components. We employ the co-ordinate system x, y and z to refer to streamwise, spanwise and wall-normal directions; with u, v and w the corresponding fluctuating velocities.


PURPOSE: A connection apparatus for a reinforcement cage structure and a construction method using the same are provided to remarkably reduce manufacturing and construction costs by connecting multiple reinforcing bars using a circular flange. CONSTITUTION: A connection apparatus for a reinforcement cage structure is composed as follows. Circular flanges(110) are coupled to the top and bottom of a reinforcement cage structure. Fixing grooves are formed on the outer surfaces of the circular flanges at uniform intervals. Bolt holes are formed on the top surfaces of the circular flanges at uniform intervals. The ends of multiple vertical reinforcing bars(11) are welded to the fixing grooves. The circular flanges of the reinforcement cage structure face the circular flanges of the adjacent reinforcement cage structures. Bolts(B) are inserted into the bolt holes of the circular flanges to couple the circular flanges to each other.


U sin g M o rta lity S a lien ce to In crea se P ro ced u ra l F airn ess in the P en alty P hase o f C ap ita l T ria ls by Jared A. S hoem aker Dr. Joel D. L ieberm an , E x am in a tio n C o m m ittee Chair A ssoc ia te P ro fesso r o f Crim inal Justice U n ivers ity o f N evada , Las V egas Prev ious research suggests tha t ju ro rs are m ore likely to em phasize aggravating c ircum stances and d isregard m itiga ting c ircum stances during the sen tenc ing phase o f capital cases. This is no t only con tra ry to the ideals o f procedura l fa irness espoused in m ost death pena lty statutes, bu t it also increases a capital d e fen d an t's likelihood o f receiv ing the dea th penalty . The curren t study explores w h e th e r m orta li ty salience and w o rld v iew defense, key com ponen ts o f terror m a n ag e m en t theory , can increase procedura l fa irness in capital cases by increas ing ju r o r s ' a t ten tion to m itigating c ircum stances . This is achieved th rough a fac to r ia l-design ju ry s im u la tion in w h ich m ock ju ro rs are exposed to varying levels o f m orta li ty salience and streng th o f m itigation c ircum stances . T he analysis o f the da ta is fo l lo w e d by a d iscuss ion o f the key findings o f the study, as w ell as implications and avenues for fu ture research.


Arthritis affects all age groups and races and is more prevalent in females than males by approximately 1.65 to 1. Nearly 50% of people older than 65 years report arthritic symptoms. The number of patients requiring treatment is significant, more than 37.9 million people per year, at a cost of $72 billion. These costs account for 2.5% of the United States gross national product.1,2 Arthritis is more common in blacks than whites, especially in those greater than 65 years of age. In women older than 65 years of age, over 50% have signs and symptoms of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is second only to heart disease as the primary diagnosis resulting in disability expenses in the United States.2,3 Osteoarthritic cartilage shows irregularity, cloning, grouping of chondrocytes, and lack of staining. A loss of biomechanical properties of cartilage to sustain physiologic loads occurs and a loss of the cartilage matrix results which is the ground substance that cartilage produces. The pain from osteoarthritis is due to synovitis, capsular and ligamentous inflammation, and subchondral bone pain because the cartilage has absolutely no nerves! A genetic defect in type II collagen has been found that represents an error in one base of the DNA sequence leading to an amino acid substitution of cysteine for arginine in the collagen matrix.4 The treatment possibilities for conservative treatment are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), Cox-II inhibitors, steroid injections, Synvisc injections, and nutritional supplements. NSAIDs are the most widely prescribed drugs for degenerative joint disease. Twenty-five percent of osteoarthritis treatment goes to treat adverse events caused by NSAIDs, including gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding and toxicity.5,6 A 1998 study found that 100,000 hospitalizations and 16,500 deaths annually in the United States are attributed to NSAID use that results in GI bleeding, which is significant for a nonfatal disease. NSAIDs provide analgesia and suppress inflammation, but 33% of the money spent on treating arthritis each year is for treatment of complications in the GI tract from NSAIDs. They inhibit the enzyme cyclooxygenase, resulting in decreased prostaglandin synthesis.3,6 Cyclooxygenase is the enzyme that catalyzes the first 2 steps in the synthesis of prostaglandins from arachidonic acid. Inhibiting cyclooxygenase results in a decrease in prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandins mediate the inflammatory response in pain signaling transmissions. Prostaglandins also protect gastric mucosa and thus gastric damage and ulceration may occur when it is inhibited.1


Abstract This paper describes the procedures that are necessary to arrive at a model that is sufficiently accurate to be used in an on-line penicillin fermentation optimisation scheme. A structured mechanistic model developed previously was available but this model failed to account for the effects of low levels of dissolved oxygen on growth and production. When moving towards optimising the fermentation, dissolved oxygen becomes the parameter limiting process productivity and hence it is important to be able to account for its process influence. Terms predicting dissolved oxygen changes and describing its effect when at low levels were included in the model to compensate for the reduction in growth and production. Even so, the natural variation experienced in the fermentation resulted in process / model mismatch. On line correction of model coefficients via an observer approach provided the accuracy required for optimisation purposes. The improvements in the accuracy of the model predictions are demonstrated.


This paper investigates the simplification problem in Gaussian Half-Duplex (HD) diamond networks. The goal is to answer the following question: what is the minimum (worst-case) fraction of the total HD capacity that one can always achieve by smartly selecting a subset of k relays, out of the N possible ones? We make progress on this problem for k = 1 and k = 2 and show that for N = k + 1, k ∈ {1, 2} at least k/k+1 of the total HD capacity is always approximately (i.e., up to a constant gap) achieved. Interestingly, and differently from the Full-Duplex (FD) case, the ratio in HD depends on N, and decreases as N increases. For all values of N and k for which we derive worst case fractions, we also show these to be approximately tight. This is accomplished by presenting N-relay Gaussian HD diamond networks for which the best k-relay subnetwork has an approximate HD capacity equal to the worst-case fraction of the total approximate HD capacity. Moreover, we provide additional comparisons between the performance of this simplification problem for HD and FD networks, which highlight their different natures.


The velocity of shear waves is reported as a function of pressure for several rocks previously used by Birch in his measurements of VP. AC-cut quartz transducers with resonant frequencies of 1 to 5 Mc/s were used with the usual ultrasonic technique. In fine-grained, low porosity rocks, very little compressional energy precedes S and there is no ambiguity in arrival time. No systematic difference exists between previous measurements on several of the same rocks made by Birch using resonant torsional vibrations of long cylinders. Chief advantages of the ultrasonic technique are the ease with which measurements may be made and the fact that both VP and Vs may be measured on the same specimen. Analyses of the data will be given in part 2.


Using questionnaire survey methods,the current attitude of physical education on university students in Gansu Province were investigated,the physical activated habits of students were studied.The results showed that the university students have more positive training attitude in Gansu Province,the emotional factors affected students'attitude in physical exercise,the students who has good habit in physical training are a few.Sports facilitiesd and conditions greatly influence the formation of students habits.


As an expression of appreciation of Mr. Charles A. Coffin's great work not only for the General Electric Company but also for the entire electrical industry, and with the desire to make this appreciation enduring and constructive as Mr. Coffin's life and work have been, the Board of Directors of the General Electric Company created on his retirement "the Charles a. coffin foundation."


We propose FocalPoint, a direct manipulation technique in smartphone augmented reality (AR) for selecting small densely-packed objects within reach, a fundamental yet challenging task in AR due to the required accuracy and precision. FocalPoint adaptively and continuously updates a cylindrical geometry for selection disambiguation based on the user's selection history and hand movements. This design is informed by a preliminary study which revealed that participants preferred selecting objects appearing in particular regions of the screen. We evaluate FocalPoint against a baseline direct manipulation technique in a 12-participant study with two tasks: selecting a 3mm wide target from a pile of cubes and virtually decorating a house


Purpose: To evaluate how the sample‐volume dependence of well‐type chambers affects the current clinical determination of Y‐90 microsphere activity.Methods: A Y‐90 standard activity solution from the NIST SRM program was used for all measurements.Ionization current measurements were made in a Standard Imaging IVB1000 well chamber and a Capintec 12‐atm dose calibrator with Sirtex Medical's glass shipping vial and plastic v‐vial for volume levels from 1mL to 5mL in 1mL increments. A calibration coefficient was calculated for each volume level and the percent difference from the 5mL calibration coefficient was calculated. To evaluate how the differences in calibration coefficients between the volume levels affect the delivered activity, a theoretical prescription level of 2.4GBq was assumed. Using the appropriate calibration coefficients and the source measurement methods suggested by Sirtex Medical, the actual activity that would be delivered and percent difference from 2.4GBq were calculated.Results: The largest variation in calibration coefficient for each chamber and vialconfiguration was between the 5mL and 1mL volume levels. The largest difference of 45% was seen in the IVB1000 well chamber with the shipping vial and the smallest difference of 1.3% was seen in the 12‐atm dose calibrator with the v‐vial. These differences translated into 11.3% and 0.3% differences, respectively, from the theoretical 2.4GBq prescription. A 2.6% difference from the 2.4GBq prescription was found for the Capintec 12‐atm with the shipping vial held in the dipper holder, which represents the current clinical measurement geometry Conclusions: Based on the results, the IVB1000 would not be recommended for the current activity determination methods as proposed by Sirtex Medical for microspheres. The 2.6% difference determined for the currently used measurement geometry may be resolved with calibration and measurement with the v‐vial.


A speech signal is a result of the constrictions of vocal tract and different sounds can be generated by different vocal tract constrictions. A speech signal carries two things i.e. speaker's identity and meaning. For a specific applications of speaker and speech recognition like voice operated wheel chair, both the speaker and speech is to be recognized for movement of wheel chair. Automation in wheelchair is,  today's requirement as the numbers of people are increasing with disabilities like injuries in spine, amputation, impairments in hands etc. They need assistance for moving their wheel chair. Voice operated wheel chair is one of the solution. The intention of this study is to use a speaker and speech dependent system to control the wheelchair and minimize the risk of unwanted accident. We have proposed a system in which speaker (patient) as well as speech (commands) is recognized based upon the acoustic features like Mel Frequency Cepstral Coefficients (MFCC). Optimization of the features using Artificial Bee Algorithm (ABC) is done to gain good accuracy with artificial intelligence technique as a classifier. We have tested our system on standard dataset (TIDIGITS) and our own prepared dataset. Also, validation of proposed work is done by generating control signal to actuate the wheel chair in real time scenario.


This paper aims to explore the impact of COVID-19 and the implications of pandemic
induced changes on the mental health of students. The study was conducted amongst currently
enrolled college (undergraduate) and 12th-grade students in Delhi-NCR. Apart from this,
parents and professionals were also consulted. This paper approaches the issue of mental
health from a sociological perspective to create a comprehensive understanding of the factors
which create anxieties and fears amongst students in times of COVID-19 induced pandemic.
The study began with the assumption that mental health is not only a biological and
psychological issue but needs to be contextualized in societal structures and societyindividual relationship. Students as a social group are primarily affected by institutions of
education and family, the study thus explores how the three are intertwined. The paper ends
with the contention that social integration and regulation are primary concepts through which
individual resilience can be studied, understood and theorised. It also highlights that despite
the commonsensical belief that the current times are different from the societal normal, a
study like this offers a window to understand the structural continuities of the pre-pandemic
period into the pandemic period.


Emphysema is caused by a protease-antiprotease imbalance and by failing maintenance mechanisms. Repair genes are upregulated in COPD lungs, but restoration nevertheless fails. Copper (Cu) is an essential cofactor in the last step of collagen/elastic fibre repair, i.e. crosslinking by lysyl oxidases. Based on animal models suggesting that emphysema formation induces copper deficiency and vice versa, it may be suspected that copper supplementation would restore repair mechanisms. Since Cu monotherapy would stimulate fibrosis formation, Cu may be combined with heparin (hep) as a specific inhibitor of collagen crosslinking and stimulator of elastin polymerization. Precision-cut lung slices from wild-type mice (n=6) were used to assess the effect of Cu-hep on elastase-induced parenchymal destruction. Slices were treated with elastase (2.5 µg/ml) for 16h and Cu-hep for 16h or 40h, after which linear mean intercept (LMI) was assessed as a surrogate for alveolar enlargement. LMI was increased in the elastase compared to the control group (p


Abstract Heyman's target article seeks to resolve the apparent paradox surrounding the issue of control in relation to addictive behaviour. The present commentary argues that addiction is in fact less paradoxical and more easily understandable than Heyman supposes. A fully satisfactory model of addiction, however, requires a more multifaceted approach than that provided by the type of behavioural choice theory favoured by Heyman.


Expressions describing radiative heat transfer in a coupled Mie and Rayleigh scattering atmosphere have been obtained by employing the modified two-stream approximation. The effect of tropospheric aerosols on the albedo as well as on heating rates in the wavelength region from 0.3 to 2.0 microns is studied. The present study indicates that the distinction between cooling or warming of the earth-atmosphere system for a realistic aerosol model proposed by McClatchey will depend on the surface reflectivity being smaller or larger than approximately 0.37. The effect of aerosols on the heating rate close to the surface has the same order of magnitude as atmospheric water vapor.


The model of bipolarity of the Olympic and citizenship reminds that the convergence of the entertainment in direction of the competitive opened a wide field ...


We report high resolution measurements of near edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectra (NEXAFS) at the carbon and oxygen K edges of the series of related organic molecules acetaldehyde, acetone, formic acid, methanol, dimethyl ether, and paraldehyde. The spectra are compared with previous measurements of these gases and formaldehyde and with theoretical calculations. Much more fine structure is resolved than previously, particularly at the carbon edge. The results are in good overall agreement with the theoretical predictions of Plashkevych et al. (Chem. Phys. 2000, 260, 11) that the methyl group spectrum is relatively independent of the functional groups to which it is bonded, as are the carbon and oxygen carbonyl group spectra. On the other hand, oxygen atoms in hydroxyl and ether groups are strongly influenced by neighboring atoms. All of the carbon edge spectra investigated show fine structure, and only in the case of acetone do the density of states and number of vibrational degrees of freedom b...


Through second-order perturbation approximation and modal expansion approach, the second-harmonic generation of a primary Lamb wave propagating in layered structures has been analyzed, and the general solution to second-harmonic displacement fields has been obtained. Because of the bulk elastic nonlinearities of solids, there are double frequency bulk driving forces in the interior of each layer and double frequency traction stress tensors at the two surfaces of each layer when a primary Lamb wave travels along layered structures. These driving forces and traction stress tensors of double the primary frequency generate a series of double frequency Lamb wave normal modes (abbr. DFLMs), and the summation of a series of DFLMs constitutes the second-harmonic fields of a primary Lamb wave. It is found that the DFLM component of a primary Lamb wave can grow with propagation distance down layered structures when its phase velocity equals that of a primary Lamb wave. Numerical simulations of second-harmonic displacement fields of a primary Lamb wave have been carried out for a layered structure consisting of aluminum-epoxy-aluminum. The results show that the properties of soft adhesive joint play a dominant role in generation of the second harmonics.


Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a diverse group of disorders, which differ significantly with respect to aetiopathogenesis, clinical, radiological, and pathological picture. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis represent two distinctive examples of ILDs [1]. Proximity extension assay proves feasible for multiplex analysis of proteins in bronchoalveolar lavage. Small exploratory study found multiple inflammatory proteins that differed between patients with sarcoidosis and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. https://bit.ly/3nW14nF


The commuting variety is the pairs of n × n matrices (X, Y) such that XY = YX. We introduce the diagonal commutator scheme, (X, Y) : XY − YX is diagonal , which we prove to be a reduced complete intersection, one component of which is the commuting variety. (We conjecture there to be only one other component.) The diagonal commutator scheme has a flat degeneration to the scheme (X, Y) : XY lower triangular, YX upper triangular , which is again a reduced complete intersection, this time with n! components (one for each permutation). The degrees of these components give interesting invariants of permutations.


Objective To determine the spatiotemporal expression of the fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10) in human embryos during hindgut and anorectal development,and to elucidate its possible role during morphogenesis of the human hindgut and anorectum.Methods The embryos (n =85)were sectioned serially and sagittally,and the expression of FGF10 on the caudal midline from the 3rd 8th weeks of gestation was shown by immunohistochemical staining.Results From the 4th to 7th week of gestation,the FGF10-positive cells were mainly located on the epithelium of the apical urorectal septum,hindgut,and cloacal membrane.After the anorectum and the urogenital sinus (UGS) opened to the amniotic cavity during the 7th week,the FGF10-positive cells disappeared and remained negative up to the 8th week on the epithelium of the anal canal.Conclusions The expression of FGF10 is constantly active during human hindgut and anorectum development and disappears after the anus formed,suggesting that FGF10 plays an important role in human hindgut and anorectal morphogenesis.

Key words:
Fibroblast growth factor;  Embryo


In the past few years, the SZD has carried out railway construction work in northern and eastern areas of the country where severe climatic conditions make work of this type extremely difficult. On some sections of the Baikal-Amur line, the ground thaws out for only 70 days in the year and this is not sufficient time to carry out track laying and ballasting work. Therefore, some of this work must be carried out in winter weather conditions and special machines are required for this purpose.


A 25-year-old man presented with subacute onset paraparesis with sphincter disturbance. His past medical history unvealed b-thalassemia intermedia (compound heterozygote IVS 1-5) and hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin type 2. His neurological examination disclosed a complete spinal cord syndrome without clear thoracic sensory level. Spinal cord imaging showed severe thoracic spinal stenosis secondary to paraspinal extramedullary hematopoiesis (Figure). Spinal cord compression is a leading cause of myelopathy in patients with multiple progressive paravertebral masses in chronic extramedullary hematopoiesis, described in hereditary hemoglobinopathies, lymphoproliferative disorders, myelofibrosis and polycythemia vera.


Contents Acknowledgments Introduction: Adjusting to America 1. Outsider in the Old World, Greenhorn in the New: Christopher Newman and David Levinsky 2. Gastronomic Nostalgia: Anzia Yezierska 3. The Claims of Descent: Immigrant Cinema 4. Haunted in the New World: Henry Roth 5. To Make "a Jew": Projecting Antisemitism in Post-War America 6. Memory and Repression: Goldberg Variations 7. The "Jewish Opera": Saul Bellow and Other Jewish Sons Epilogue: Nostalgia and 1950s Popular Culture Notes Bibliography Index


General situation with thermoelectric cooling at temperatures below 200 K is discussed. The problem of optimization of (Bi,Sb)/sub 2/(Te,Se)/sub 3/-based thermoelectrics for operation in this temperature range is distinguished as the actual one especially in connection with a possible practical application of high-temperature superconductors. Then detailed results of the first systematic study of n-type Bi/sub 2/Te/sub 3-x-y/Se/sub x/S/sub y/ and p-type Bi/sub 2-x/Sb/sub x/Te/sub 3-y/Se/sub y/ are presented. The composition of solid solutions and the current carrier concentration were optimized. Thermopower, electrical and thermal conductivity were measured at 80-350 K, and thermoelectric figure of merit was calculated. Figure of merit for both type materials was increased significantly for the temperatures near 100-150 K. These optimized materials were used for the fabrication of the special low-temperature thermoelectric modules. These modules were tested, and temperature 130 K and 124 K on the cold junction of 2 types of 6-stages coolers was achieved.


In recent years, convolutional neural networks (CNN) have found increasingly active application in the field of computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) research. Typically, general-use, high-performance detectors are designed using machine learning, the training of which is conducted by applying comprehensive sets of case images having various variations. In this study, we show that, when configuring CNN training data, dividing the data into multiple subsets and adjusting their ratios, instead of providing the data uniformly, has the potential for effective learning. We propose in this study a learning method by which CNN learning using these subsets is incrementally repeated. In this study, subsets of breast cancer mass learning data based on mass size and intensity were created. Using multiple data sets prepared for use in the evaluation of a CNN that had been subjected to learning, optimal ratios were considered and, based on this, performance evaluations using actual unknown data were conducted. Next, the ratios of evaluation data subsets having numerous detection errors were raised and relearning conducted. This process was repeated multiple times, as long as increases in the area under curve (AUC) were observed, thus enabling the design of a high-performance CNN. As a result of applying unknown data to this CNN, we found that it exhibited a higher AUC than a CNN to which learning data was simply provided comprehensively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed learning method.


Thedesign, analys, andsimulation ofacontrol lawthat guarantees afiLne pcinting performance under external disturbances andmodel uncertainties isinvestigated. Thispaper examines theachievabe performance andmodeling errors fortheCSIevolutionary model structure andhighlights the importance ofaccurate knowledge ofstructural frequencies anddamping values forveryightly damped structures. Numerical results indicate that alimited butigniict line-ofsight pointing performance robstness canbeattained inspte ofmodeled structured andunstructured uncertainties inthe system.


Wave-showing control is a kind of common controls used in the industry software, in this paper,a wave-showing control is designed and implemented based on the own-drawn CButton control using Visual C++,and the double buffering display technology is used,and very long data array can be displayed,specially the details of wave can be zoomed in any scale like the plot window in Matlab.In additionly,some optimizing method for the interface updating speed is given.


A method for preparing an aqueous suspension comprising microfibrillated cellulose and inorganic particulate material, the method comprising a step of crushing a fibrous substrate comprising cellulose in an aqueous environment in the presence of inorganic particulate material and grinding media for microfibrillated cellulose having a tendency of fiber 20 to 50, wherein the term "grinding medium" means a different inorganic particulate material medium.


We consider the detection of a superluminal signal. We show that there exists a particular inertial frame in which the superluminal signal is not uniquely localizable and that it is detected everywhere at the same instant within the inertial frame. This leads to a novel paradox to which we attribute the relativity of simultaneity. keywords: superluminal, simultaneity, paradox, tachyons, localization.


A novel noise transfer function (NTF) for high order reduced-sample-rate mixed-delta-sigma-pipeline ADCs is presented. The proposed NTF determines the location of the non-zero poles improving the stabilization of the loop and implementing reduced-sample-rate architecture, concurrently. A design methodology based on simulated-annealing-algorithm is developed to design the optimum NTF. To verify the usefulness of the proposed NTF and design procedure, two different modulators are introduced. Simulation results show that with a 4th order modulator, designed making use of the proposed approach, the maximum SNDR of 114.9dB and 122.5dB can be achieved with only OSR of 8, and 16 respectively.


This article explores the complex dynamics shaping the integration of the Tunisian Islamist party Ennahdha into the instituted political game. Drawing on a strategic relational approach, the analysis highlights the simultaneous, mutually reactive, and often conflicting relationships of Ennahdha party with three types of actors: political secular forces (allied or antagonist), political and religious Salafi actors, and faith-based associations. Based on extensive field research and 33 in-depth interviews conducted with key players involved, we propose to capture these dynamics at the macro (regime), meso (organizations), and micro levels, through the notion of strategic pluralization, by which we mean a reconfiguration of Ennahdha's relations with various Islamic actors under the pressure of secular forces. Going beyond institutional-structural approaches and monolithic interpretations of the Islamist constellation, we argue that Ennahdha's integration in relational economies has formed the basis of the party's strategy to secure its political inclusion in the post-revolutionary scene.


Action spectra have significance mainly for comparison with the absorption spectra of pure pigments or with the absorption of the biological material in which the action of light is measured. Quantitative comparisons of action and absorption curves are hampered by the great differences in the precision of measurement of the two types of spectra. Absorption spectra are universally recorded as continuous optical density curves with a narrow slit width and a precision approaching 0.1 %. Action spectra on the other hand are most often measured as separate points and with far less precision. For instance, action spectra measured at 5nm intervals with half band width of the actinic light of 5nm and a height precision of _+2% are far better than those usually reported. We will discuss some factors relevant to the measurement and evaluation of action spectra. Any measurement of an action spectrum requires a choice of pigment concentration and of actinic intensity to give near optimum values. Providing adequate intensity may require too great spectral band widths for good resolution, and the choice of sufficiently high pigment concentrations to give adequately measurable results may lead to distortion. Fortunately, some corrections for both troubles can be used to widen the range of usable conditions. These are the slit width correction programs of Jones [ 11 developed for i.r. absorption but directly applicable to action spectra. One should use also the average light intensity within the sample instead of the incident intensity when computing the action per unit of intensity. The average intensity in the sample can be calculated from the optical density of the mixture, E, by: I,, = lo (0.4343/E) (1 e-E10.4343). Using the average intensity in this way not only corrects for too high absorption by the active pigment, but also removes the internal screening effects of inactive pigments which otherwise lower the action spectrum where there is inactive absorption. Intensity, needless to say, should be expressed in quanta not in energy units. The direct measurement of photochemical action may logically be compared with the spectrum for the fractional absorbance of the sample used, especially with high density samples. However, the reasons for the universal use of optical density units instead of fractional absorption for expressing absorption data apply equally well to action spectra. Action spectra in units of "active optical density" are needed if the action spectra are to be resolved into their Gaussian components. This type of curve analysis is now widely


Image thumbnails are commonly used for selecting images for display, sharing or printing. Standard thumbnails, generated with current techniques, do not distinguish between high and low quality originals. Both sharp and blurry originals appear sharp in the thumbnails, and both clean and noisy originals appear clean in the thumbnails. This leads to errors and inefficiencies during image selection. In this paper, thumbnails generated using image analysis better represent the local blur and the noise of the originals. The new thumbnails provide a quick, natural way for users to identify images of good quality, while allowing the viewer's knowledge to select desired subject matter. Computer simulations with added blur and noise show the new thumbnails better represent images of differing qualities. Validation of these findings is found in a subjective evaluation reported elsewhere but summarized below.


ABSTRACT This essay interrogates Hannah Arendt's different notions of friendship, their weaknesses and strengths, with a view to establishing the basis for a more adequate discussion. After examining her conception of friendship first among the ancients, and then in "dark times", the essay asks how are we to understand friendship among the moderns when times are not particularly dark. This requires a critical reading of her conception of private intimacy and social association in order to construct a more plural understanding of friendship, and of the criteria by which it can be judged, as it is differentially instituted within, and traverses, the private, civil and political realms.


Recently, federated learning (FL), which replaces data sharing with model sharing, has emerged as an efficient and privacy-friendly machine learning paradigm. One of the main challenges in FL is the huge communication cost for model aggregation. Many compression/quantization schemes have been proposed to reduce the communication cost of model aggregation, with remarkable results. However, the following two questions remain unanswered: What are the performance limits of model aggregation? How much can FL convergence performance be improved by modifying existing model aggregation schemes? In this paper, we manage to answer these two questions. Specifically, for the first question, we put forth a general model aggregation performance analysis framework based on the rate-distortion theory. We then derive an inner bound of the rate-distortion region of model aggregation. For the second question, we develop an algorithm to search for the minimum achievable aggregation distortion, which, combined with the achievability scheme of the derived inner bound, induces a method to approximate the limits of FL convergence performance numerically. Numerical results demonstrate that the baseline model aggregation schemes still have great potential for further improvement.


【NiO catalysts were successfully coated onto FeCrAl metal alloy foam as a catalyst support via a dip-coating method. To demonstrate the optimum amount of NiO catalyst on the FeCrAl metal alloy foam, the molar concentration of the Ni precursor in a coating solution was controlled, with five different amounts of 0.4 M, 0.6 M, 0.8 M, 1.0 M, and 1.2 M for a dip-coating process. The structural, morphological, and chemical bonding properties of the NiO-catalyst-coated FeCrAl metal alloy foam samples were assessed by means of field-emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction(XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS). In particular, when the FeCrAl metal alloy foam samples were coated using a coating solution with a 0.8 M Ni precursor, well-dispersed NiO catalysts on the FeCrAl metal alloy foam compared to the other samples were confirmed. Also, the XPS results exhibited the chemical bonding states of the NiO phases and the FeCrAl metal alloy foam. The results showed that a dip-coating method is one of best ways to coat well-dispersed NiO catalysts onto FeCrAl metal alloy foam.】


"Psychology at Work" examines facets of the changing nature of work and the work world from a uniquely defined psychological perspective. It has been designed to blend the best of traditional and current approaches to teaching industrial and organizational psychology with an innovative topic order, unique new features, and a firm foundation of pedagogical soundness.


This thesis contributes to a daring vision of in situ cryo-electron tomography: Visual Proteomics, a comprehensive molecular atlas of the cell. Three detailed analyses of the green alga Chlamydomonas test the potential of (1) reaching functional conclusions by combining structural and positional information, (2) understanding a process through a structural interactome and (3) making new discoveries by structural analysis of hitherto unknown complexes.


Hosting a "Jeans for Genes" day at a business or corporate office is a fun and easy way to raise funds for Great Strides. Employees are asked to make a pre-determined contribution (e.g. $5) to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for the privilege of wearing jeans to the office on specific days. Boost the fundraising success of a "Jeans for Genes" day by creating a competition to see how many employees each departments or branch can get to participate.


Gotham (2004, this issue) provides a thoughtful analysis of the primary issues and complexities involved in the transfer of efficacious treatments for substance abuse and other mental health problems from well-controlled research settings to community-based programs. Although the review thoroughly explores potential barriers encountered when moving an empirically supported treatment (EST) to "real world" settings, it does so mostly in the abstract. This commentary supplements Gotham's review by providing a qualitative description of our groups' experiences transferring an EST for substance abuse, Behavioral Couples Therapy (BCT), into five different community-based clinics. Comments by patients, counselors, supervisors, and administrators from these programs are provided to illustrate the nature of practical barriers to technology transfer we encountered in this process.


This study examines the learning process and situations while expatriates are living and working in a foreign country. The survey was conducted on 70 American expatriates via individual e-mails and the World Wide Web. The study found that expatriates gained the culture of their host country through reflective learning. Cross-cultural training programs should be examined based on expatriates' actual needs. Finally, several learning situations that would be helpful in reducing expatriates' cultural difficulties are: previous cross-cultural experience, language competency, long-term relationships with the host people, and information about the host country originating from the home country as well as the host country.


The manufacture of natural fiber composites was carried out to determine whether the composite from a combination of palm fiber and straw fiber was feasible as a substitute for synthetic fiber composites used for electric car bodies at State Polytechnic of Madura. This research was conducted with variations in the ratio of 100% palm fiber, 100% straw fiber, 1: 2, 2: 1 and 1: 1. Testing of composite material alloys was carried out by testing the impact test, tensile test, and testing the material on the car's body prototype. Based on the test results on the composite and prototype, it was known that the 100% variation of palm fiber has the highest modulus of elasticity, which was 499.09 N / mm2, while the 2: 1 variation has the highest toughness value, which was 14.4.10-3J / mm2, and the results of the crash test was carried out to get a speed of 3.84 m / s, the body surface only experienced cracks, without major damage.


Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a clonal lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by .5 3 10/L peripheral B-lymphocytes coexpressing CD5, CD19, and CD23 and a weak expression of CD20, CD79b, and surface immunoglobulin (sIg). When such a population is detected in enlarged lymph nodes of patients without peripheral lymphocytes, the term small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) is used, indicating a clinical variant of the same histopathological and molecular entity. The possibility of a precursor state to CLLwas first identified in the early 1990s when a series of cross-sectional population-based studies was conducted in the United States to determine the health risks of living near hazardous waste sites. Using a 2-color panel (CD19 and CD5), 11out of 1926 (0.6%) individualsolder than40yearswere found to have a clonal population of CD5CD19 B cells, an immunophenotype classically associated with CLL. However, none of them met the diagnostic criteria for CLL or SLL. In particular, none had an absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) .5000/mL, as originally required by the diagnostic criteria for CLL. This phenomenon, later categorized monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), opened a new chapter in the field of B-cell lymphoproliferative disorders, suggesting that a precursor state of these lymphoid malignancies may occur at high prevalence in the general population.


Festival des Films du Monde/24th World Film Festival, Montreal, August 25-September 4, 2000. The Shooting Gallery Series, Loews Cineplex, USA. New Directors/New Films, New York, March 24-April 9, 2000. New Festival, New York, June 1-11, 2000. New York Video Festival, July 14-23, 2000. Human Rights Watch Film Festival, New York, July 16-July 26, 2000. Asian-American International Film Festival, New York, July 21-30, 2000. Independent Feature Film Market, New York, September 15-22, 2000. 38th New York Film Festival, September 22-October 9, 2000. MIX: The New York Lesbian & Gay Experimental Film Festival, November 15-19, 2000. New York Short Film/Video Expo, November 16-19, 2000.


In the presence of various esters and gasoline methyl acrylate is reacted with divinylbenzene to form beads of macroporous copolymers. The beads are then reacted with a mixture of diethylamine and various polyaliphatic amines at low temperature to obtain a weakly basic ionexchange resin containing amino group. The swelling agents such as toluene or xylene and mixed amines in the process can be separated by direct distillation, recovered, and reused. This kind of resins has special absorbability for polymerized large ionic groups, e.g., the absorption capacity of tungsten reaches 2200 mg/g.dry, and that of molybdenum reaches 600 mg/g.dry.


Objective:To investigate the effect of the liquid extracts of leaves of Canarium Pimela Koening on blood pressure and heart rate in stressed hypertensive rats.Methods:The rat model of stressed hypertension was made by foot sole electrical stimulation and noise stimulation for four weeks.The systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate of rats were recorded by MedLab-E system via a carotis communis catheterization.Results:The liquid extracts of leaves of Canarium Pimela Koening decreased blood pressure significantly in stressed hypertensive rats.The diastolic blood pressure in stressed hypertensive rats decreased more than that of control rats(P 0.01).The effect of liquid extracts of leaves on blood pressure lasted longer in hypertensive rats compared to that of control rats.Moreover,the liquid extracts decreased the heart rate in hypertensive rats.Conclusion:The results showed that there were apparent depressurization effects in extracts of leaves of Canarium Pimela Koening.There was no relationship between this depressurization effect and the basal blood pressure in stressed hypertensive rats.


We demonstrate the performance of a semiconductor photorefractive p-i-n diode operating at 1.55 /spl mu/m in the longitudinal quantum-confined Stark geometry. The device structure consists of a semi-insulating GaInAsP/GaInAs multiple quantum well, sandwiched between two trapping regions, and embedded in a p-n junction. On this structure, we investigated the carrier lateral diffusion, the applied electric field screening and the diffraction efficiency.


The lithium-ion battery pack of an electric vehicle (EV) deserves to be considered for an alternative use within smart-grid infrastructure. Despite the long automotive service life, EV batteries retain over 70~80% of their initial capacity. These battery packs must be managed for their reliability a...


The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing an embedded flash memory, comprising, providing a semiconductor substrate, the semiconductor substrate having a flash memory cell region and the logic circuit region; depositing a gate material layer on said semiconductor substrate; the BARC and the first photoresist layer is formed on the gate material layer; removing the logic circuit is located in the region of the first resist layer; and the processing of the flash memory cell region located in the first lithography subbing layer and the bottom antireflective coating is in the logic circuit area to form a barrier layer on a surface of the first photoresist layer and the BARC; forming a first barrier layer on the two photoresist layer. The production method proposed by the invention embedded flash, to avoid the process logic gate is formed in a loop damage to the control gates of flash memory cell region, to improve the overall performance of embedded flash and embedded flash yield.


Wireless mesh networks (WMNs) have emerged as a key technology for next-generation wireless networking. This paper focuses on a variety of routing protocols that are used in wireless mesh networks and identify the performance of these routing protocols. The performance is done with regards to load balancing, packet delivery ratio, congestion, network overhead, throughput and mobility of nodes.


The BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) has become fully operational in the Asia-Pacific region and it is of importance to evaluate what BDS brings when combined with the Global Positioning System (GPS). In this contribution we will look at the short, medium and long single-baseline real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning performance. Short baseline refers to when the distance between the two receivers is at most a few kilometers so that the relative slant ionospheric and tropospheric delays can be assumed absent, whereas with medium baseline we refer to when the uncertainty of these ionospheric delays can reliably be modeled as a function of the baseline length. With long baseline we refer to the necessity to parameterize the ionospheric delays and (wet) Zenith Tropospheric Delay (ZTD) as completely unknown. The GNSS real data are collected in Perth, Australia. It will be shown that combining the two systems allows for the use of higher than customary elevation cut-off angles. This can be of particular benefit in environments with restricted satellite visibility such as in open pit mines or urban canyons.


The rate of evaporation of thorium from carburized thoriated tungsten cathodes has been measured by means of activation analysis at different temperatures. Values found are about ten times higher than those from previous measurements based on the saturated emission of a receptor wire.


ABSTRACTBusiness growth grew rapidly in Indonesia including banking industry. In competingbanks must win the hearts of community by attracting intention in becoming customers.Various attemps were made by the banks to win competition, the fact in last five years BankNagari Jakarta Branch has been experienced decreasing the growth of number of customers.This research aim to determine the factors that influence intention of community to becomebank customers.The variables studied are Company Image, Saving Product, and Word of Mouth asIndependent Variables, and Community Intentions to become a customer as DependentVariable. This research uses Quantitative Method and the Subjects of Research areprospective curtomers in Bank Bagari Jakarta Branch who consist of 120 respondenshowever questionnaires were returned by 108 respondens. The questionnaires were processedby Skala Likert, and tools of analysis are Validity Test, Reliability Test, and Multiple LinearRegression Analysis. Hypothesis was tested by t Test, F Test, and R Square Test.The research results was determined by t Test, F Test, and significance Test obtained that thehypothesis are accepted, in which Company Image, Saving Product, and Word of Mouthsignificantly affects the Community Intentions to become a customer in Bank Nagari JakartaBranch, both as each variable and simultanly variables.


High level of occupational morbidity in the Kuzbass region is associated with persistent adverse labour conditions in most sectors of the economy, especially in the coal industry, as the lead in the structure of industrial production. The reasons for keeping poor working conditions of coal miners in Kuzbass are analyzed the existing areas of current scientific research to reduce the risk of occupational morbility are outlined.


Aims: To histologically assess and compare formocresol (FC), platelet-rich fibrin (PRF), and hesperidin (HPN) as pulpotomy agents in dogs. Materials and Methods: Pulpotomy was attempted from the buccal surface (class V) of 48 teeth in three mongrel dogs (Canis Lupus). Cavities were randomly allocated for three groups (n = 16) according to the pulpotomy agent used; (group I: FC (control), group II: PRF, and group III: HPN). All cavities were then sealed with zinc oxide eugenol followed by resin-modified glass ionomer restoration. Two months later, dogs were euthanized; the specimens were obtained and prepared for histological assessment followed by statistical analysis. Results: HPN specimens showed the best dentin bridge formation and the least inflammatory signs and pulp disorganization. Followed without statistically significant difference by PRF (P ≥ 0.05). Both of HPN and PRF, however, showed a significant difference statistically (P ≤ 0.05) to FC that showed no dentin bridging with more pronounced inflammation, necrosis, and pulp disorganization. Conclusions: For pulpotomy, HPN and PRF seemed histologically to be good substitutes for FC in the dog model.


: G lobally, entrepreneurial activities offer tremendous opportunities across the world. However, despite the positives from entrepreneurial activities, the number of women entrepreneurs cannot be compared to their male folks. Findings from extant research has revealed that women are constraint by some factors in their efforts of becoming entrepreneurs yet the contributions of women as entrepreneurs are needed to better the economy. Although such studies have been carried out in various contexts; there still exists a gap in the context of AkwaIbomState. As such, the aim of this paper was to examine the factors affecting women entrepreneurs in AkwaIbom State, Nigeria which is a new context in this study. Using a purposive sampling method, 195 respondents were examined. Though extant literatures have severally posited that Economic and Socio-Cultural factors among other factors affect women entrepreneurs adversely, Findings from this study points in the opposite direction. Instead of Economic and Socio-Cultural factors being impediments for Women entrepreneurs in AkwaIbom State, the results indicate that to a large extent women entrepreneurs in AkwaIbom State face positive Economic and Socio-Cultural factors implying that the Context of the study could be a major determining factor in a research of this nature. The study recommends that more support be given to women entrepreneurs to continue to strive in their businesses as research findings shows that women entrepreneurs contribute greatly to the development of the world economy. This study thus contributes new knowledge to the entrepreneurship literature by bringing new contextual knowledge to the entrepreneurship field.


Abstract Marriage is a bond between a man and a woman if both have reached the age limit set based on the applicable law. Marriage dispensation is a request for ratification of the marriage in which the brides or one of them has not reached the minimum age as stipulated in Law Number 1 of 1974 concerning Marriage. Thus, the determination of the Religious Court regarding marital dispensation is very important to carry out the process of legal rules for the continuity of the underage marriage. In this study, the writer uses library research. The meaning of this research is to interpret or say which is basically a way to solve existing problems; then, the data is collected, compiled, and concluded. The purpose of this study is to find out the judge's consideration in granting a marriage permit request for the underages, to find out the legal basis for judges in granting requests for marriage permits for them as well as to know the legal consequences after the underage marriage in the establishment of marriage permit in Pengadilan Agama Medan.


In general, diode rectifiers with electrolytic capacitors on the dc side have been used as dc power supplies for voltage-source inverters. Rectifiers of this type, however, cause many problems such as poor power factor and harmonics. Recently, voltage-source PWM rectifier-inverters have been studied to provide the following advantages: (1) harmonic-free on both ac sides; (2) unity power factor on the input ac side; (3) power flow of either direction or power regeneration; (4) reduction of the dc capacitor. However, it is difficult for a conventional voltage-source PWM rectifier-inverter to regulate the capacitor voltage on transient states because it has only a voltage feedback loop.

This paper describes a voltage-source PWM rectifier-inverter with feedforward control of instantaneous power. Based on the pq theory, the instantaneous power which is calculated in the control circuit of the inverter is fed forward to the control circuit of the rectifier. The feedforward control of instantaneous power contributes greatly to sufficiently suppress voltage fluctuation of the dc capacitor on transient states. Transient characteristics are discussed, and some interesting experimental results of a laboratory model are shown.


The study, the first part of which was published in 2008, looked at, prospectively, how effective and safe new, non-traditional connectors were for use in spinal connector equipment such as spinal needles and infusion lines. The researchers analysed existing evidence on adverse incidents in this area, held workshops to discuss the problem, tested new devices with a simulator, and evaluated them in clinical practice trials at four different hospitals in England.


Public assistance programs provide bene-fits only to those with too few resources tosupport themselves. Generally, such pro-grams consider both assets and income indetermining eligibility for benefits andpayment amounts. The rationale for thisapproach is that the government shouldnot have to support people who can takecare of themselves by converting bankaccounts, stock holdings, vehicles, or retire-ment accounts into cash or collateral. Assuch, assets are considered "means" thatshould allow families to avoid destitution.Assistance programs typically do not countassets below some low threshold, allowingfamilies some savings or a car that may benecessary for work. However, families withassets above the threshold may be ineligi-ble if they fail the so-called "asset tests"designed to target payments to those mostin need.Asset tests can create a disincentive tosave among families who might subse-quently qualify for benefits. Sometimes oneadditional dollar of assets can result in theloss of thousands of dollars per year inpublic assistance benefits. This raises thequestion: Do asset tests actually discouragesavings and reduce asset accumulationamong families who might qualify for pub-lic assistance benefits? At least one influen-tial paper says yes. Hubbard, Skinner, andZeldes, in their 1995 article, interpret thelow levels of wealth accumulation amonglow-income households as a rational,utility-maximizing response to asset-based, means-tested welfare programs.This brief describes current asset testsand discusses their role in reducing assetbuilding by low-income families. We iden-tify the target population subject to assettests, describe the various asset tests,review background data and previousresearch, consider strategies for meeting amix of objectives, and point to the need foradditional research and policy analysis.


Abstract: Transforming growth factor‐βs (TGF‐βs) are amongthe most widespread and versatile cytokines. Here, we first provide a briefoverview of their molecular biology, biochemistry, and signaling. We thenreview distribution and functions of the three mammalian TGF‐β isoforms,β1, β2, and β3, and their receptors in the developing and adultnervous system. Roles of TGF‐βs in the regulation of radial glia,astroglia, oligodendroglia, and microglia are addressed. Finally, we reviewthe current state of knowledge concerning the roles of TGF‐βs incontrolling neuronal performances, including the regulation of proliferationof neuronal precursors, survival/death decisions, and neuronaldifferentiation.


Purpose

This study aims to identify factors influencing the bank failure rate in the USA over the period from 1970 to 2014 with an emphasis on economic/financial factors on the one hand and on banking legislation on the other hand. Regarding the latter, this study empirically investigates four major banking statutes: the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977; the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991; and the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. After adopting the technique of generalized method of moments (GMM), a robustness check in the form of autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (ARCH) is undertaken. Overall, the estimations imply that the bank failure rate was a decreasing function of the percentage growth rate of real gross domestic product (GDP) and the real interest rate yields on both three-month US Treasury bills and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and an increasing function of the real cost of funds. In addition, there is strong evidence that the bank failure rate was increased by provisions in the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 and the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980, whereas the bank failure rate was decreased as a result of provisions in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 and the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. Finally, there also is evidence that higher federal budget deficits elevated the bank failure rate.

Design/methodology/approach

After modeling the bank failure rate as a function of financial/economic variables and banking legislation, the times series from 1970 to 2014 is estimated by GMM and then by the ARCH techniques.

Findings

The results of the GMM and ARCH estimations imply that the bank failure rate in the US was a decreasing function of the percentage growth rate of real GDP as well as the real interest rate yields on both three-month US Treasury bills and 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and an increasing function of the real cost of funds. Furthermore, there is strong empirical support indicating that the bank failure rate was elevated by various provisions in the Community Reinvestment Act of 1977 and in the Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980, while the bank failure rate was reduced by certain provisions in the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act of 1991 and the Riegle-Neal Interstate Banking and Branching Efficiency Act of 1994. There also is evidence that higher federal budget deficits increased the bank failure rate.

Originality/value

This study is the most contemporary (1970-2014) analysis of potential causes of the bank failure rate in the USA. The study also may be the first to apply the GMM and GARCH models to the problem. Also, some interesting policy implications are provided in the Conclusion.


This study aims to describe the changes in the form of words that occur due to the process of addition and reduction of the malay dialect of Buyu Rejai Village, Bakung Serumpun District, Lingga Regency. Researchers used qualitative methods, while researcs techniques used descriptive techniques. Data collection technigues using technigues (1) see competent involvement and, (2) note taking technigues. For data analysis researchers do (1) compile information into a collection of writing before interpretingit, (2) analyze the data in the form of reports, (3) summarize the results of the data analyzed, and (4) record the results of the data into the research table. The results of this study are changes in the form of words that occur due to the addition process found the addition of phonemes at the beginning of word (prosthesis), repair phonemes in the middle of the word (epentesis), and phonemes added at the end of the word (paragog). The most phoneme addition occurs in the most phoneme addition occurs in the word (paragraph). The most added phonemes is the [?] phoneme. Changes in word forms that occur due to reduction, there is a phoneme elimination process at the beginning of the word (aferesis), phoneme removal in the middle of the word (syncope), and phoneme removal at the end of the word (apocopy). Phoneme removal occurs at the end of words (apocopes). The most omitted phonemes are phonemes [r].


An image edge detection algorithm based on Krisch operator and absolute correlation degree is presented in this paper.when using absolute correlation degree to detect image edge without considering direction of the image edges,which leads to detecting image edges be incomplete.So the eight direction templates of the Krisch operator are made as reference sequence of absolute correlation degree according to its thought,then respectively obtain eight correlation degrees of reference sequence composed of image pixel with eight neighborhood pixels and comparison sequence are obtained respectively,the mean of these correlation degrees is worked out,and compared with the given threshold value to distinguish whether the pixel is edge point.The experimental results show that the algorithm can accurately extract the image edge profile information,the design is simple and easy to implement,compared with traditional edge detection algorithms.


'I'he requirelnents for a continuo~~s culture s)stem for extended sti~dies of the growth physiology of functional rumen bacteria are outlined and the choice of Dawson's (1963) cyclone column cult~lre vessel as thc basis for further, development is e~plainecl. The modifications required for establishment and maintenance of anaeroliosis, for pI-I control and for increasing the reliability and ntility of this system arc described. ?'he general performance of the modified system is discussctl and illustrated by results obtained during extended runs with a strain of RIIIII~~~O~~C~ZL S albz~s and a B~ctyrii'ibrio species.


Submitted for the MAR17 Meeting of The American Physical Society Quantum Monte Carlo calculation of sp-bonded carbon chains: carbynes and carbon rings IUE GYUN HONG, JEONGHWAN AHN, HYEONHU BAE, KonKuk Univ, HYEONDEOK SHIN, Argonne National Laboratory, SUNGJIN PARK, HOONKYUNG LEE, KonKuk Univ, ANOUAR BENALI, Argonne National Laboratory, YONGKYUNG KWON, KonKuk Univ, DEPT. OF PHYSICS, KONKUK UNIVERSITY, SEOUL 05029, KOREA TEAM, LEADERSHIP COMPUTING FACILITY, ARGONNE NATIONAL LABORATORY, ARGONNE, IL 60439, U.S.A COLLABORATION — Both density functional theory (DFT) and quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods have been employed to study ground state properties of two forms of sp-bonded carbon chains: carbynes and carbon rings. According to the DFT-PBE calculations, polyyne, a carbyne structure with alternating single and triple C-C bonds, is energetically favored by 14 meV/atom over cumulene only with double bonds. However, our QMC calculations predict an energy difference of 88(4) meV/atom between them, clearly demonstrating that polyyne is the ground-state structure of carbyne. In the study of carbon rings consisting of 4n and (4n+2) C atoms, DFT calculations show electrons to be delocalized even in the regime where dimerization effects should be large. In contrast, for n¿4, QMC calculations indicate the greater stability of a Peierls insulator configuration over a ground state predicted by Huckels rule. This qualitative difference between QMC and DFT results shows that many-body correlation effects taken into account by the QMC method are necessary to accurately describe even simple carbon systems such as sp-bonded carbon chains. Iue Gyun Hong KonKuk Univ Date submitted: 07 Feb 2017 Electronic form version 1.4


Abstract The levels of free fatty acids (FFA) in the plasma and pectoralis muscle were studied in the pigeon under a 12‐hr photoperiod at 25 C. The plasma FFA level was found to be at its peak in the middle of the scotophase and low at the end of the same phase, while the muscle FFA level registered a rise reaching the peak at the end of this phase to drop to the low towards the middle of the photophase. In the light of these observations, the existence of a circadian rhythm in the FFA levels of the plasma and pectoralis muscle in the pigeon, is suggested.


Confluo is an end-host stack that can be integrated with existing network management tools to enable monitoring and diagnosis of network-wide events using telemetry data distributed across end-hosts, even for high-speed networks. Confluo achieves these properties using a new data structure — Atomic MultiLog— that supports highly-concurrent read-write operations by exploiting two properties specific to telemetry data: (1) once processed by the stack, the data is neither updated nor deleted; and (2) each field in the data has a fixed pre-defined size. Our evaluation results show that, for packet sizes 128B or larger, Confluo executes thousands of triggers and tens of filters at line rate (for 10Gbps links) using a single core.


In this paper, different techniques for the creation of time coherent figurative animations from a video input are presented. The animations are generated using an analysis-synthesis approach. Information of the scene is extracted using only a 2D RGB image. No markers or depth planes are needed. After the analysis, the image is drawn again using the extracted information. To guarantee temporal coherence when redrawing the image, different alternatives have been explored: matching and interpolation on the parameters domain and gradient descent parameter update. All methods and variations are described and illustrated with images.


The inclusion of high permittivity nanoparticles in elastomeric materials for dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) is one promising method to achieve large strain at relatively low applied voltages. However, the addition of these nanoparticles tends to increase the stiffness of the elastomer and disturbs the actuation of the DEA. This is attributed to restriction of the chain motion in the elastomer by the nanoparticles. Slide-Ring Material® (SRM) is a cross-linked polymeric material with freely movable cross-linking sites. The internal stresses in this structure are dramatically homogenized by the pulley effect; therefore, the restriction of chain motion due to the nanoparticles is expected to be significantly reduced. We have employed SRM as a host elastomer for a DEA with the addition of ferroelectric BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticles. The effects of BT addition on the permittivity, stiffness and viscosity of the SRM–BT nanocomposites, and the actuation strain of DEAs using SRM were evaluated. The permittivity of the nanocomposites increased linearly with the concentration of BT and reached 3.6 times that for pure SRM at 50 wt%. The elastic modulus and the viscosity remained almost constant up to 20 wt% and then decreased above this concentration. The actuation strain of a planar actuator using SRM and 50 wt% BT was four times larger than that of the DEA with pure SRM.


The contributions of habitat destruction, exotic species invasion and climate change on infectious disease ecology are difficult to disentangle. This chapter considers two case studies. The first, African Highland malaria, offers a case study for the multiplicity of anthropogenic changes to natural ecosystems and their effects on infectious disease epidemiology. A natural bias exists in the scientific literature towards human pathogens in linking infectious diseases with novel ecosystems because of the amenability of these subjects to observation. Inaccessibility continues to hamper the study of marine systems. Consequently, marine infectious disease understanding is less developed than it is for terrestrial systems. This issue is addressed in the second case study in the chapter: novel Caribbean coral reef ecosystems. Temporal dynamics of this drastically altered marine system demonstrates not only the effect that infectious disease can have in reshaping ecosystems, but also the recursive nature of the relationship between infectious disease and novel ecosystems.


This paper will identify the important characteristics and requirements necessary for inter-satellite communications in distributed spacecraft systems and present analysis results focusing on architectural and protocol comparisons. Emerging spacecraft systems plan to deploy multiple satellites in various "distributed" configurations ranging from close proximity formation flying to widely separated constellations. Distributed spacecraft configurations provide advantages for science exploration and operations since many activities useful for missions may be better served by distributing them between spacecraft. For example, many scientific observations can be enhanced through spatially separated platforms, such as for deep space interferometry. operating multiple distributed spacecraft as a mission requires coordination that may be best provided through inter-satellite communications. For example, several future distributed spacecraft systems envision autonomous operations requiring relative navigational calculations and coordinated attitude and position corrections. To conduct these operations, data must be exchanged between spacecraft. Direct cross-links between satellites provides an efficient and practical method for transferring data and commands. Unlike existing "bent-pipe" relay networks supporting space missions, no standard or widely-used method exists for cross-link communications. Consequently, to support these future missions, the characteristics necessary for inter-satellite communications need to be examined. At first glance, all of the missions look extremely different. Some missions call for tens to hundreds of nano-satellites in constant communications in close proximity to each other. Other missions call for a handful of satellites communicating very slowly over thousands to hundreds of thousands of kilometers. The paper will first classify distributed spacecraft missions to help guide the evaluation and definition of cross-link architectures and approaches. Based on this general classification, the paper will examine general physical layer parameters, such as frequency bands and data rates, necessary to support the missions. The paper will also identify classes of communication architectures that may be employed, ranging from fully distributed to centralized topologies. Numerous factors, such as number of spacecraft, must be evaluated when attempting to pick a communications architecture. Also important is the stability of the formation from a communications standpoint. For example, do all of the spacecraft require equal bandwidth and are spacecraft allowed to enter and leave a formation? The type of science mission being attempted may also heavily influence the communications architecture. In addition, the paper will assess various parameters and characteristics typically associated with the data link layer. The paper will analyze the performance of various multiple access techniques given the operational scenario, requirements, and communication topologies envisioned for missions. This assessment will also include a survey of existing standards and their applicability for distributed spacecraft systems. An important consideration includes the interoperability of the lower layers (physical and data link) examined in this paper with the higher layer protocols(network) envisioned for future space internetworking. Finally, the paper will define a suggested path, including preliminary recommendations, for defining and developing a standard for intersatellite communications based on the classes of distributed spacecraft missions and analysis results.