OF THE DISCLOSUIRE In combination with an electronic watch wherein the balance staff carries an oscillating permanent magnet, the oscillations of which induce impulses in a control wind ing which impulses are returned to the magnet through a driving winding after amplification, a first circuit, a Source of electrical energy including positive and negative terminals feeding energy in the circuit, a first transistor inserted through its emitter and collector in the circuit between the terminals, a first resistance between the emit ter of the transistor have a corresponding terminal, a Second circuit connecting the emitter of the transistor with the negative terminal connected with the collector of the transistor, a further resistance inserted in the sec ond circuit, a shunt circuit connecting a point of the second circuit located between the emitter of the transis tor and the further resistance with the base of the tran sistor, a watch control winding in the shunt circuit, a condenser inserted in the second circuit between the emit ter of the first transistor and the further resistance, the charging of the condenser producing during transient oscillatory periods of the watch on the base of the first transistor a potential such as will make the latter operate as a Class A amplifier; a third circuit set across the ter minals in parallel with the first transistor and the first resistance, a second transistor in series with the first tran sistor to provide the amplification, a second upkeep wind ing between a collector of the second transistor and the corresponding negative terminal, means connecting di rectly the base of the second transistor with the emitter of the first transistor, the rating of the further resistance being such that during the transient oscillatory periods of the watch, the second transistor operates as a Class A amplifier, the two transistors operating as Class B ampli fiers during the normal operative periods of the watch as soon as the first mentioned condenser has lost the major part of its load and is at a voltage lower than the threshold voltage of the first transistor. This application is a continuation-in-part of my previ ous application Ser. No. 390,404 filed Aug. 18, 1964 now abandoned. In U.S. Patent 3,124,731 issued on Mar. 10, 1964, to Richard Eysen and to the applicant herein, it has already been proposed to produce an electronic watch wherein the balance staff carries a permanent magnet, the oscilla tions of which induce pulses in a control winding, which pulses are returned back to the magnet through a driving or upkeep winding after amplification by at least one transistor. In said patent, the axis of the magnet lies for the inop erative position of said magnet at a distance from the common axis of the two windings which is transiently coaxial for each half alternation, said distance being such that the magnet has a tendency to stop in the area sub jected to the action of the winding, while a potential is applied to the base of at least one transistor at least at the moment of the starting in a manner such that a cur 2 rent is produced between the emitter and the collector, which is larger than the current of the transistor under inoperative conditions, said current being adapted to flow through the driving winding and to initiate the oscilla 5 tions of the balance wheel.


Friction is one of the key parameters of climbing. The further away the centre of mass is from the wall, the more friction force is required at the hands. The more weight is shifted from the hands to the feet, the smaller is the friction force at the hands and the closer is the climber to the point of impending slippage. The more experienced a climber is, the closer is the friction coefficient (the ratio of friction to normal force) to the point of impending slippage. The coefficient of friction contributes together, and combined with, other performance parameters (impulse, smoothness factor) to the overall climbing performance. Sixty-four per cent of the coefficient of friction cannot be explained from an influence of other performance parameters. Powder chalk on the hand and fingers alone enhances the coefficient of friction, whereas chalk on both hand and holds reduces the coefficient of friction.


Two cases of acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis were found with paradoxically normal results from urinalyses. Three additional cases of acute glomerulonephritis with no proteinuria but with hematuria and one case with transient proteinuria and no hematuria were also found. The pitfalls of diagnosis with these unusual presentations of acute glomerulonephritis are apparent.


For the study of diabetes, several methodological strategies use animal models. Such methodologies involve surgical techniques, diet modifications, some genetic manipulations and specific toxic drugs. The experimental production of diabetes in animal models use the administration of alloxan or streptozotocin and these drugs produce irreversible damage to pancreatic -cells. However, its use is associated to a ketosis high mortality rate due to the acute damage of pancreatic cells. The aim of this review consisted in the analysis of the pharmacological diabetes production protocols as well as other available strategies, in order to elucidate which is potentially the ideal protocol that emulates human diabetes. Diabetes is a progressive and chronic process, in which most of the clinical alterations are a long-term consequence of micro and macrovascular alterations. Therefore, it is convenient to establish a difference between the effects of acute hyperglycemia, with those effects observable when hyperglycemia is present over the long-term in order to reach enough analogies between the animal experimental model with the human diabetes syndrome, through the use of laboratory and clinical indicators commonly employed for the diagnoses and management of human diabetes.


Text Sets" is a curricular strategy that highlights intertextuality, the process of searching for connections among readin9 texts and personal experiences. The strategy consists of gathering groups of related books and engaging small groups of students in a discussion of how the books interrelate. Three teachers assembled Text Sets for their thirdand sixth-grade classrooms. Discussions ranged widely, allowing students to develop broader ranges of ideas. Fieldnotes were taken and literature discussions were audiotaped or videotaped. Several groups brainstormed lists or webs of possible comparisons or connections. Some groups physically sorted books, others listed characteristics and categorized them, while others divided up books by theme. Groups frequently focused upon connections involving: (1) elements of the story; (2) illustrations; (3) the lives of the authors or illustrators; (4) life experiences and previous texts; or (5) new experiences. After their discussions, the groups presented their findings to the rest of the class. Groups seemed to use the presentations for thinking t.hrough and presenting connections made, rather than presenting the books themselves. The Text Sets approach promoted student choice, both in selecting and responding to books. The social, dialogic nature of the activity promoted learning. Afterwards, students and teachers alike were more aware of the need for connections and ways of searching for them. (Sixteen references are attached.) (SG) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document.


The use of six-phase induction motor for industrial drives presents several advantages over the conventional three-phase drive such as improved reliability, magnetic flux harmonic reduction, torque pulsations minimization and reduction on the power ratings for the static converter. For these reasons, six-phase induction motors are beginning to be a widely acceptable alternative in high power applications. A typical construction of such drives includes an induction machine with a dual three-phase connection, where two three-phase groups are spatially shifted thirty electrical degrees, a six-leg inverter and a control circuit. By controlling the machine's phase currents, harmonic elimination and torque ripple reduction techniques could be implemented. This paper describes a technique of injecting third harmonic zero sequence current components in the phase currents, which greatly improves the machine torque density. Analytical, finite element and experimental results are presented to show the system operation and to demonstrate the improvement on the torque density.


Digitalization currently transforms industries and societies across the globe, bringing firms new opportunities to create and capture value. This paper explores the impact of digitalization on know...


An experiment was carried out to analyze the effect of ReTainTM (Aminoethoxyvinylglycine) application on cv. Gala apple harvest in Porto Amazonas-Parana. The...


A quasi-experimental study was conducted among street food vendors of Latha (n = 81) and Kyauktada (n = 80) Townships in Yangon Region from October to December, 2011, with a general objective of evaluating the effect of food safety training program on street food vendors. The majority of street food vendors (58.4%) were in age group of 30–49 years and females (59%) outnumbered males. One third of them had selling experience of more than ten years. Selling experience and habit of seeking health/food information by reading, attending health talks and watching TV were not associated with food safety knowledge, personal and food stall hygiene (p > 0.05). A food safety training program was then launched among those of Latha Township, but not in Kyauktada. Post-intervention food safety knowledge, attitude and practice scores were significantly higher than the pre-intervention scores in study group (p < 0.05). When compared to control group, after intervention only post-intervention knowledge and attitude scores became higher in study group (p < 0.05). Post-intervention fecal coliform count in food samples tested significantly reduced in study group (p = 0.0004) but only 43% of samples were noted satisfactory. It is concluded that food safety training program in the present study is only successful in improvement of food safety knowledge and attitude among street food vendors and it is still necessary to deliver health education, further training and supportive measures like financial assistance to and make a continuous monitoring on vendors to improve their food safety practice, personal and food stall hygiene.


Abnormalities in Parents of Schtzophrenia, by Steven R. Hirsch and Julian P. Leff. Oxford University Press, London. 1975. This book is basically a replication study of the work of Singer and Wynne on Abnormalities of Speech in the Parents of Schizophrenics. Their results were incompatible with Wynne's Transactional Hypothesis but the main value of the book lies in its extensive review of the literature some 100 pages. It is particularly valuable to read their discussion on how parents might cause schizophrenia in their children, bearing in mind that all the genetic theories must assume there is some genetic defect in one or other parent. The book is remarkable for the clarity of the discussion on the evidence of abnormalities in parents and is well worth reading for this alone. D. F. Buckle Melbourne


The adsorption effect of molecules with different electron structure on the parameters of the surface states on the germanium real surface is investigated. It is shown that the neutralization of surface recombination and fast capture centres in adsorption are not connected with the dipole moment of adsorbed molecules. The proton mechanism of neutralization of these centres is suggested. The proton sources are the coordination-bound water molecules on the surface.

[Russian Text Ignored]


To capture elemental mercury (Hg0) at high temperatures in simulated syngas, Pd/Al2O3 sorbents were developed using an impregnation method. The Pd/Al2O3 sorbents with a Pd loading value of 8% exhibited high Hg0 capture activity from 200 to 270 °C. Over 90% of the mercury capture by 8Pd/Al2O3 was achieved for operating temperatures up to 270 °C. The superior performance of Pd/Al2O3 sorbents could be primarily ascribed to the formation of a Pd–Hg amalgam. H2 and CO were found to be promotional on Hg0 capture because of the reduction of PdO to Pd metal. H2S significantly inhibited Hg0 capture due to the consumption of the active palladium. HCl promoted Hg0 capture, which could be ascribed to the catalytic oxidation of Hg0 to HgCl2. H2O showed a prohibitive effect on Hg0 removal. The regeneration experiments indicated that the spent Pd/Al2O3 sorbents could be facilely revivified and reused.


Gödel's famous proof [2, 1] is highly interesting, but may be hard to understand. Some of this difficulty is due to the fact that the notation used by Gödel has been largely replaced by other notation. Some of this difficulty is due to the fact that while Gödel's formulations are concise, they sometimes require the readers to make up their own interpretations for formulae, or to keep definitions in mind that may not seem mnemonic to them. This document is a translation of a large part of Gödel's proof. The translation happens on three levels:


We present four spectra of the Type Ia supernova (SN Ia) 2006D extending from −7 to +13 days with respect to B-band maximum. The spectra include the strongest signature of unburned material at photospheric velocities observed in a SN Ia to date. The earliest spectrum exhibits C II absorption features below 14,000 km s, including a distinctive C II λ6580 absorption feature. The carbon signatures dissipate as the SN approaches peak brightness. In addition to discussing implications of photospheric-velocity carbon for white dwarf explosion models, we outline some factors that may influence the frequency of its detection before and around peak brightness. Two effects are explored in this regard, including depopulation of the C II optical levels by non-LTE effects, and line-ofsight effects resulting from a clumpy distribution of unburned material with low volume-filling factor. Subject headings: supernovae: general — supernovae: individual (SN 2006D)


Estrogen has many physiological functions. It can prevent atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease and osteoporosis etc. Phytoestrogen is a kind of natural compounds in plants that is structurally similar to estrogen and has estrogen-like effects. The studies on the effects of estrogen and phytoestrogen on the hypoxia at present is limited and its mechanism is being researched.


Objective To study the expression of metabolism related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells in patients of non alcoholic fatty liver diseases (NAFLD)with cholelithiasis.Methods Patients who had BMI ≥ 27 were divided into obese ( n = 10),the NAFLD ( n = 7) and NAFLD with cholelithiasis (n= 16) groups.The subjects who had BM1<25 (n = 10) and cholelithiasis (n = 16) were served as controls.The expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR)α,sterol regulatory element-binding protein(SREBP)-lc and Leptin Rb in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were measured.Results The expressions of PPARα,SREBP-lc and Leptin Rb in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were different in five groups.The significant difference was found in expression of leptin Rb between NAFLD with cholelithiasis group and the obese group,NAFLD with cholelithiasis group and the cholelithiasis group,NAFLD with cholelithiasis group and NAFLD group,the obese group and controls (P values= 0.037,0.050,0.044and 0.038,respectively).The leptin Rb mRNA expression in NAFLD with choletethiasis group was the lowest.Conclusions The low expression of leptin Rb mRNA was found in NAFLD patients with cholelithiasis.Cholelithiasis may increase the extent of insulin resistance and cause NAFLD progression.

Key words:
Fatty liver; Gallstones;  Metabolism;  Genes


The phenomenon of the online transportation emergence was responded by the Indonesian government by issuing a policy on online transportation. The success of a policy mostly depends on its implementation. This implementation is the realization of the perceptions of policy actors and target groups on a policy. At present, the online transportation policy is still a polemic in various countries, including Indonesia. The article aimed to see the perspectives of local governments and stakeholders related to online transportation policies in Surakarta City. Interviews were conducted in collecting the data in this study, which were then analyzed using the interactive analysis technique. The results of the study mention various perspectives of the stakeholders. The discussion and implications of the study are discussed further in the article.


CASE I .—A piece of peanut in the Right Bronchus of a child aged 14 months ; removal; oedema of the glottis ; tracheotomy ; recovery. A child of 14 months was given a piece of peanut by her sister; an attack of coughing and vomiting followed and pieces of peanut were seen in the vomit: her mother administered a dose of castor oil and noticed peanut in the stools. The following day the child was not well, and on the next day she was brought to the Casualty Departmental Guy's Hospital; the temperature was 102° F. and in the evening of the same day 103° F.; on the following day, that is the third day after the inhalation, the temperature was 104 F.; she was admitted. Examination of the chest showed signs of diminished air entry on the right side and rales were heard on both sides, but these were more noticeable on the right than on the left side. The child exhibited the asthmatoid wheeze very well. Diagnosis of a peanut in the right bronchus was made. One application on a brush of 2^ per cent, cocain to the deep pharynx was made; but no further anesthetic was given. A small Jackson's tube was passed and the piece of peanut was seen at the bottom of the right main bronchus; it was of such a size that it nearly blocked the whole lumen. The task of getting an accurate view was much lightened by the use of a long thin tube attached to a Sorensen's evacuator to remove the mucus. No forceps small enough to pass under vision were available; a long piece of silver wire with its end bent into the form of a very small hook was passed down; the hook was passed beside the peanut and when seen to be beyond it, was twisted through a right angle and thus engaged the nut; the tube and wire were withdrawn and the nut removed. Owing to the difficulty of engaging the wire hook, the operation took about half-an-hour; as a result, the glottis was so much irritated that an hour or two later tracheotomy was required. The child suffered from bronchitis for ten days, but eventually recovered completely.


A 57-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of right lower abdominal pain.He was diagnosed as having acute appendicitis, and underwent laparoscopic appendectomy. However, the histopathological diagnosis was goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix.Since the surgical margin and lymph vascular invasion were negative,and metastasis was not observed in lymph nodes,additional surgery and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy were not performed.There have been no signs of recurrence as of 1 year after the operation. Goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix is rare,and only 118 cases including our case have been reported in the Japanese literature.Goblet cell carcinoid is known to be almost as malignant as adenocarcinoma,and no therapeutic guidelines or clear notion of the prognosis have been established as yet.Herein,we report a case of goblet cell carcinoid of the appendix removed by a laparoscopic appendectomy together with a review of the literature. J : 2016


The fault free operation of power transformers is a factor of major economic importance and safety in power supply utilities and industrial consumers of electricity. In the current economic climate, Industries/Supply Utilites tighten their control on capital spending and make cutbacks in maintenance, an increased awareness is placed on the reliability of the existing electric power supply. Down time is at a premium. Often, the loading is increase on present units , as this will defer purchasing additional plant capacity. Thus the stress on the transformer increases. The net total effect of the thermal , electrical and mechanical stress brought on by increased service needs to be monitored to ensure reliability.


The changes in lipid composition and fatty acid distribution of sauerkraut during fermentation, canning, processing and storage were investigated organoleptically and chemically. Treatments were significant throughout the experiment. pH, lactic acid, and moisture content did not reveal any substantial changes. Total lipids, neutral lipids, and glycolipids increased, whereas phospholipids were unaltered during fermentation and processing. Quantitative changes in nonpolar and polar lipids during storage were in opposite directions, and net lipid content did not change. The changes in fatty acid composition were primarily in the distribution of palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids during fermentation, processing and storage. Total lipids did not relate to organoleptic evaluation. However, polar lipids, specifically phospholipids, were directly related to storage stability and increased amounts of general acceptability. The formation of phospholipids may be catalysed by a reaction between tin from the cans and polar lipids at the expense of neutral lipids.


Background: One in ten adults in the United States has diabetes; the vast majority are diagnosed with type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Even though diabetes care has significantly evolved, and a wide variety of pharmacological treatments are available, approximately one-half of people with type two diabetes do not achieve a hemoglobin A1C of less than seven percent. In addition, self-management is a consequential contributor to glycemic control. In light of the mortality, morbidity, decreased quality of life, and financial burden caused by T2DM, the author wanted to explore the diagnosis experiences of type two diabetics. Could their experiences be a contributing factor to less-than-optimal treatment outcomes? Methods: The author interviewed nine consenting adults with T2DM in person, over the telephone, and via videoconference over four weeks in March and April 2023. The data from each transcript was analyzed independently and then compared, identifying meanings and clustering themes found throughout utilizing descriptive phenomenology as the underpinning for this study.


For 20 years the Hungarian political system was a liberal democracy characterized by a multiparty system, free elections, representational government, a strong opposition, free media, strong, and credible institutions that protected the rule of law (i.e., the Constitutional Court and the Ombudsman's Office), and independent courts. Barring a few striking exceptions, human rights were generally respected, and religious freedoms were not restricted. During the two decades after 1989, incumbent governments had lost every election (with the exception of 2006), the media criticized politicians heavily, democracy was consolidated; and in 2004, Hungary joined the European Union. The abovediscussed problems notwithstanding, Hungary remained until relatively recently (until the eve of 2006), a success story of democratic consolidation. By 2011, however, Hungarian society was forced to realize that the system that had become increasingly freer over the decades had come to a standstill, and it was turning in an autocratic direction. This raises the following questions: is it possible to roll back history? Is it possible to return to an autocratic system as a fully-fledged member of the European Union?


Despite of immense application potential of graphene in wastewater treatment, the colloidal stability, aggregation and recyclability remains a major challenge. To address this issue, we report biomaterial functionalized graphene-magnetite (Bio-GM) nanocomposite as a novel recyclable material for treatment of wastewater containing dyes and heavy metals. The integration of biomaterial including living cells of Shewanella oneidensis with graphene-magnetite nanocomposite was characterized through UV–vis, FTIR, FESEM and fluorescent microscopic studies. The contact angle measurement depicted the hydrophilic property (water contact-angle 27.93°), whereas VSM result demonstrated super paramagnetic behavior of the nanocomposite with saturation magnetization value of 30.2 emu/g. The Bio-GM nanocomposite exhibited excellent adsorption capacity toward dyes and Cr6+ in both single and multicomponent system with removal capacity of 189.63 ± 7.11 and 222.2 ± 8.64 mg/g of dyes and Cr6+, respectively, suggesting selectiv...


In this paper will be presented new possible applications of cognitive vision or information systems for secure information distribution and management in Cloud infrastructures. Cognitive systems are dedicated to visual data interpretation and semantic analysis. Among new possibilities of application arise secure data distribution and management in distributed computer infrastructures like Cloud and Fog computing. In this paper cryptographic approaches for data division will be described, which allow to improve processes of secure and efficient information fusion with application of cognitive procedures. A few possible application of proposed approaches for visual information encryption and distribution will be also described.


This case study is about the first Information Systems Ph.D. program in Ethiopia and the region, a collaborative effort of thirteen universities around the globe. Seventeen faculty members are traveling to Ethiopia to launch the program and plan to begin class summer 2008. This paper depicts the program design, program development, and an outline of the overall program. The authors share their personal experience in the development of this unique IS Ph.D. program.


Tidal Current Turbine will be an important device of renewable energy in the upcoming decades. Hydro energy, wind energy and solar energy will mostly utilized in Indonesia in order to fulfill the energy of remote villages and remote islands and optimizing the domestic energy availability. Regarding the small scale field research conducted in the year 2012 and 2013 in Indonesia, transmission system and low rpm alternator are encountered as a significant problems in order to develop the hydro and wind turbine engine. Both parts are not yet produced locally in Indonesia. Domestic production in step-up gear transmission system of ratio 1 : 30 to 1 : 60 and low rpm alternator will fundamentally required to gain creativity in the country.


Due to the incomplete data collected, it will increase the difficulty of inversion location in the field source inversion of the static magnetic field data of underwater vehicles. Therefore, it is very necessary to study the influence of data loss on the static magnetic source location of underwater vehicles and the field source location for timely remedy of missing data. In this paper, the static magnetic equivalent source model of underwater vehicle was established. Then the inversion positioning algorithm was used to locate the magnetic field source of the underwater vehicle obtained from the test, and the influence of the location result under the incomplete data information was analyzed. We used deleting method, linear interpolation method and sliding filling method to populate the data to fill the remedy of missing data. Using the localization algorithm to carried out the inversion location of source, then we took the location of source inversion and the size of the magnetic dipole moment to the ellipsoid model to get fitting curve of magnetic field. The simulation curve of contrast verification test data with experimental data and the lack of remedial method was feasible. The results show that the missing data can not be ignored for the location of the underwater vehicle's magnetic field source, and the data pairs filled with missing data can be effectively located for the equivalent static magnetic field source of the underwater vehicle through using deletion method, linear interpolation method and sliding filling method.


Polymorphism on the erythrocyte surface may differentially select for certain receptor- ligand interactions between MSA I and the host cell membrane during invasion of the erythrocyte by the parasite. Antigenic polymorphism is believed to be advantageous for the survival of malaria parasites in their host. However, we have observed the paradoxical situation whereby the non polymorphic block 2 of RO33 is the dominant allele in our studies 1'2 and that it often coexists with K I and MAD20 allelic forms in mixed infections. Therefore, we suggest that it is not the immune system but rather the interaction of the MSAI molecule with the erythrocyte surface that is the driving force for the ~election of the various MSA I alleles in the host. This region might be important for the design of vaccines based on the MSA I molecule. A. Scherf Unite de Parasitologie Experimentale Institut Pasteur 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France E. Kimura Departamento de Parasitologia ICBll Universidade de S~o Paolo Rua Lineu Prestes 1374 Cidade Universitaria - Cep 05508 S~o Paolo, Brazil References I Kimura,


The work function and surface energy of aluminum with different orientations are investigated by employing the DFT simulation. We mainly focus on two situations: pure aluminum surface and aluminum surface with impurities. The numerical results indicate that the work function of Al (100) is larger than Al (110). With the introduction of the impurities (carbon atoms), the work function increases because of the extra electric dipoles on the surface. We also find that the surface energy of Al (100) is smaller than that of Al (110) indicating that Al (100) surface is more stable. When there are impurities on the surface, the surface energy decreases for silicon impurity and increases for calcium impurity. The magnitude of the increase is related to the orientation of the surface.


This paper presents the development of models of a real distribution network from Geographical Information System (GIS) data provided by the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) of an area that is likely to see significant electric vehicle (EV) uptake. Using UK Census data with building analysis from Ordnance Survey datasets, likely existing domestic load profiles and likely locations of EV charge points are established. 12 months of data from the 215-vehicle My Electric Avenue EV trial are used to simulate the temporal variation of EV charging for various levels of EV uptake and power flow studies are run to examine the probable impact of EV uptake on a real distribution network in a suburban residential area in Scotland. It is shown that several parts of the network are expected to be faced with severe issues when 70% of vehicles in the area are replaced by EVs. The method presented is general and can be applied to any distribution system for which data is obtained to provide valuable insight as to the network issues that are likely to arise as a result of the uptake of EVs.


Heat exchanger design is a laborious and time-consuming task that often relies on a trial-and-error process. In light of this, our study proposes a design method for optimizing airfoil-shaped heat exchangers using the improved stochastic ranking evolutionary strategy (ISRES) algorithm. The ISRES algorithm provides significant advantages in identifying the global optimum, surpassing genetic algorithms (GAs). In the present study, the thermal model of the heat exchanger protype was validated using experimental techniques. Additionally, the ISRES algorithm was employed for the optimization of a plate-fin heat exchanger with airfoil-shaped fins by minimizing the total heat transfer area and pressure drops, while considering the main geometrical parameters of the exchanger as the design variables. The corresponding computer code was developed, and two case studies were conducted. In case study 1, the total heat transfer area was saved up to 25.7%, while in case study 2, the objective function value reached its minimum value of 0.0738. The numerical results demonstrate that the ISRES algorithm can be successfully applied in optimizing heat exchangers. Finally, a parametric analysis was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity of the proposed method to the heat transfer area.


The current position with respect to phosphorus removal in a UK water company is discussed. The factors that would favour a change from the current practice of metal salt dosing to Biological removal are examined. The potential for recovering phosphorus fixed biologically is considered and possible process routes presented.


There are critical times during the reproductive cycle when focus feeding will enhance the lambing performances of ewes (1; 2). For example, feeding corn for a brief but specific stage of pregnancy has been shown to increase colostrum production (2). To benefit from such opportunities a farmer must know with some accuracy the stage of pregnancy in a ewe (1; 2). Using teaser males to initiate and thus synchronise oestrus prior to joining is a successful, low cost way to do this (3). This is useful to farmers who join prior to the summer solstice, when daylight hours are getting longer (long days). Ewes joined after this date are likely to have spontaneously commenced cycling in response to the daylight hours getting shorter (short days) (3). Once anoestrus has ceased ewes do not respond to the introduction of males. However, little research has been done on the use of the male effect on sheep during short days. This research found that by teasing Merino ewes in December, to establish synchrony, and continuing to tease them, maintained a level of synchrony until February. To prevent the occurrence of short cycles a single injection of 20 mg of progesterone (4) was given to half of the ewes in each treatment group. The effect of the progesterone was not significant in the teased treatment groups. In the control group however it appears that a degree synchrony has occurred among the ewes that were not treated with progesterone. There is no straightforward explanation for this occurrence, but it is a curious result that is worthy of further investigation. AIMS Farmers who join during long days are able to use the male effect to induce oestrus in seasonally anoestrus ewes. When short days begin ewes will commence cycling in response to the changing photoperiod. Farmers who join during short days are therefore not able to use the male effect. The opportunity for focus feeding is then lost. The research reported here investigated whether ewes that were teased during long days to synchronise oestrus, would maintain synchrony over a number of cycles. This would provide late joiners with a low cost way to synchronise their ewe flock and provide opportunities for focus feeding. METHOD Eight wethers were used as teasers. All wethers were injected with 2 ml of Ropel Liquid Testosterone (Jurox Pty Ltd) on days -14, -7, 0, 14, 31 and 49. Day 0 was the day teasers were introduced to ewe groups 2 and 3. Three hundred Merino ewes were allocated by age and weight to three groups of 100. Half of the ewes in each group were given 20 mg of Progesterone (Jurox Pty Ltd). Group 1 (control) was not teased. Group 2 was teased in mid December (day 0) and the teasers removed on day 14. These two groups were then put in separate paddocks that were isolated from male sheep. Group 3 was teased in mid December (Day 0) and teasers were left with them until February. The teasers used with these ewes were changed on Day 14 and 31 to ensure that ewes did not become habituated to one group of wethers (4). On day 48 the three groups of ewes were put together to monitor the ewes for indications of the occurrence of oestrus. All teasers were harnessed with marking crayons and put with the ewes. The crayon marks were then recorded each Monday Wednesday and Friday from day 52 to day 68 and the incidence of newly marked ewes recorded. RESULTS Table 1 shows the cumulative percentage of ewes that were marked at each observation period during the oestrous cycle. Analysis of this table shows an interaction between the progesterone and the teased


Published evidence suggests that American geographers largely ignore foreign languages in their professional activities. Trends in the whole educational system, weakened graduate requirements and the cultural isolationism of the Anglo-Saxon world explain the weak language competency of the discipline in the U.S. American geography cannot contribute to the gamut of sound international knowledge while this situation persists.


The article explores the concept of «tax revenues» and their predictability during the Pandemic Covid-19, and what are the correct forecasting methods and highlights the tax law amendments that occurred during the Corona Pandemic.


In this paper, we describe a new approach for synthetic image augmentation and its advantages in training Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) for object classification and localization. To address the need for a significant amount of data when training DNNs, for image-based ADAS functions, our method relies on virtually generated scenarios augmented via a physics-based camera model. The camera model implements various optical effects on ideal-synthetic images. For the scope of this paper, we illustrate the performance differences associated with the vignetting effect when training DNNs with and without image augmentation. We show that training on images altered by our camera vignetting model yield to a better performance than using ideal-synthetic images, additionally we illustrate the relationship between the network's performance results and the implemented effect (vignetting in this case). For a start, our results open the possibility for using camera models for training neural networks on synthetic data and pave the way toward further investigations on significant optical and image sensor effects to be modeled/implemented for performance enhancement during the training process. The approach is conducted and evaluated by training a DNN for car detection using the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago (KITTI) and Virtual KITTI (VKITTI) datasets.


This study aims to determine the effect of core self-evaluation on job satisfaction mediated by career commitment in IBM-JTI employees. The sampling technique was convenience sampling, using 86 samples. This research's data analysis method is the mediation test using the Preacher-Hayes The Simple Mediation Model. The results of data processing using SPSS 22 for windows with macros and syntax. This study's results indicate that core self-evaluation and career commitment have a direct effect on job satisfaction. The effect of core self-evaluation on job satisfaction is not mediated by career commitment. Core self-evaluation does not affect career commitment.

Keywords: Core Self-Evaluation; Career Commitment; Job Satisfaction


Peak‐to‐peak wavelengths of the sinusoidal steady‐state response of a simple cochlear model (i.e., incompressible, inviscid, linear fluid in a rigid box‐shaped chamber with a linear stiffness‐damping‐mass cochlear‐partition model having exponential parameter variation with place) were examined. For a wide range of mechanical parameter values and for a wide range of cochlear places (at least those basalward of the best place, though sometimes extending through the best place toward the cutoff regime), the wavelengths were found to be (1) a decreasing, approximately linear function of the logarithm of the stimulus frequency, and (2) a decreasing, approximately linear function of cochlear place. A simple algorithm for estimating the instantaneous frequency of sinusoidal signal components of complex signals (both constant frequency and chirps), as well as that of the center frequency of pulse‐ and noise‐excited resonances, was developed. Estimator performance for the cases of signals plus noise and of noisy w...


This paper attempts to explore some of the implications of viewing language learning as a process that deals with a product that is not static. Language, we can increasingly see, is not a set of definable and prearranged tokens but a process of linguistic and cultural negotiation of meaning. Students have to develop their innate ability to use language for their own purposes in interaction with the purposes of other language users. Communicative syllabuses have been discussed partly through a recognition of this need, but a discussion of syllabus organisation is not enough, for the methodological implications are much more important. If languages are not, in principle, discrete, language teaching will not be served well if it is based on the assumption that we can specify the learner's product exactly. All syllabuses tend to concentrate on the product, or content. This paper argues that it is time to move away from syllabus definition, which has been adequately discussed for the current state of classroom practice.


Long-term seismicity change in and around Shizuoka City is investigated on the basis of seismic observation records at the Shizuoka Local Meteorological Observatory (SLMO). Distance of small earthquakes from SLMO is evaluated by S-P times. Since the start of observation in Jan. 1941, almost all earthquakes with M 3 or larger are estimated to have been reported. It is found that long-term seismicity on the western coast of Suruga Bay has changed substantially several times: It was active in 1940s and became low noticeably after mid 1960s. We show that the decrease of seismicity after mid 1960s can not be regarded as an artifical one, but is real. Interesting facts are that seismicity near Shizuoka city was very quiet during about one year just before the 1944 Tonankai earthquake and many induced earthquakes occurred in the area around SLMO after the event.


In order to confirm electromagnetic (EM) pulses which might be generated by strong stress impacts to the earth crust when the earthquakes occurred, we have been observing them by a sensor system inserted into a borehole of 100 m in depth in the campus of Kyoto Sangyo University. Although we also have been trying to detect earth-origin EM pulses and to identify their source locations on real-time basis by an observation network with two or three sites, we could not find them yet. At one of observation sites, we installed two magnetic sensor systems at 95 m-depth in a borehole and on the ground. We detected EM pulses and examined differences of amplitude and phase between their waveforms. We clearly confirmed that amplitude of vertically incident EM pluses were strongly depressed, and that their phases at the bottom of the borehole were largely delayed. We estimated electrical parameter of the medium in the sedimentary layer such as the electrical conductivity, the skin depth for a VLF signal, and its propagation velocity in the medium. On the other hand, we detected EM pulses with small amplitude of magnetic field and with one or two cycles which were different from lightning generated ones. We tried to determine their propagation directions, up- or down-ward, from phase differences between waveforms of a horizontal magnetic field component of EM pulse simultaneously detected at the 95 m-depth in the borehole and on the ground. Some of their waveforms indicated clear differences between their phases, suggesting down-or up-ward propagations. However, others could not be distinguish their propagation directions, because their waveforms did not show conformity with each other. We found a reason from behaviors magnetic field vectors at the vertically different two detect-ing points. Almost all of EM pulses detected in the earth indicated ellipsoidal polarizations whereas most EM pulses detected on the ground indicated linear polarizations. We have recognized that we have to use Poynting vectors of EM pulses detected in the earth and have to determine their arrival directions. For this purpose, it was needed to develop a new sensor system composed of tri-axial electric and magnetic sensors. Manufacturing a tri-axial electric dipole antenna system was another hard subject, because we cannot secure wide space for the deployment of horizontal dipole elements in the narrow borehole. For solving this problem, we have been developing horizontal antenna having enough gain equivalent to that of usual long horizontal antenna. At the present stage, we can not introduce the details of the tri-axial electric dipole antenna, because we are applying for a patent for this new sensor system, we would be able to show it at the symposium.


In the United States, prevalence rates of many sexually acquired infections are highest among adolescents and young adults [1]. While sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) affect individuals of all ages, STIs have a high incidence among young people. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that youth ages 15–24 make up just over one quarter of the sexually active population, but account for half of the 20 million new sexually transmitted infections that occur in the United States each year[2]. In the United States, prevalence rates of many sexually acquired infections are highest among adolescents and young adults [2].


The present invention relates to a screen recording method, an apparatus thereof, and a recording medium storing a program source for the method. A screen recording method according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: generating a first layer to display a user interface for screen recording at a request of a user while a screen made up of at least one layer is displayed; displaying a screen resulting from the combination of the at least one layer and the first layer in a predetermined display area; and recording the screen made up of the at least one layer in response to a recording start request through the user interface. According to the present invention, there is an advantage of improving user experience for both a user who performs screen recording and a user who sees the recorded screen. [Reference numerals] (101) execution of a screen recording UI requested?; (103) Generate a UI for screen recording and set a first flag to a corresponding layer; (105) Start of screen recording requested?; (107) Generate a layer according to an input of a user and set a second flag to a corresponding layer; (109) Combine layers to which flags are not set with the layer to which the first flag is set so as to display a screeen; (111) Combine layers to which flags are not set with the layer to which the second flag is set so as to record the screeen; (AA) Persimmon vinegar; (BB,DD) No; (CC,EE) Yes; (FF) End


cw lasing at 1.6 μm was obtained for the first time in Cr, Yb, Er:fluoroaluminate glass. Double step pumping via Cr3+ and Yb3+ with a krypton laser yields a threshold pump power of 80 mW. Efficient lasing can be expected using glass samples of optimized dopant concentration and improved optical quality.


The aza-Wittig reaction in heterocyclic synthesis is a novel method. This Paper focus on recent synthetic development of aza-Wittig reaction in nitrogen heterocyclic and explains some mechanism of the reaction of carbonyl compounds with organic azides and tertiary phosphines.


Background Low back pain (LBP) remains the leading cause of disability worldwide. A better understanding of the beliefs regarding LBP and impact of LBP on the individual is important in order to improve outcomes. Although personal experiences of LBP have traditionally been explored through qualitative studies, social media allows access to data from a large, heterogonous, and geographically distributed population, which is not possible using traditional qualitative or quantitative methods. As data on social media sites are collected in an unsolicited manner, individuals are more likely to express their views and emotions freely and in an unconstrained manner as compared to traditional data collection methods. Thus, content analysis of social media provides a novel approach to understanding how problems such as LBP are perceived by those who experience it and its impact. Objective The objective of this study was to identify contextual variables of the LBP experience from a first-person perspective to provide insights into individuals' beliefs and perceptions. Methods We analyzed 896,867 cleaned tweets about LBP between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2018. We tested and compared latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA), Dirichlet multinomial mixture (DMM), GPU-DMM, biterm topic model, and nonnegative matrix factorization for identifying topics associated with tweets. A coherence score was determined to identify the best model. Two domain experts independently performed qualitative content analysis of the topics with the strongest coherence score and grouped them into contextual categories. The experts met and reconciled any differences and developed the final labels. Results LDA outperformed all other algorithms, resulting in the highest coherence score. The best model was LDA with 60 topics, with a coherence score of 0.562. The 60 topics were grouped into 19 contextual categories. "Emotion and beliefs" had the largest proportion of total tweets (157,563/896,867, 17.6%), followed by "physical activity" (124,251/896,867, 13.85%) and "daily life" (80,730/896,867, 9%), while "food and drink," "weather," and "not being understood" had the smallest proportions (11,551/896,867, 1.29%; 10,109/896,867, 1.13%; and 9180/896,867, 1.02%, respectively). Of the 11 topics within "emotion and beliefs," 113,562/157,563 (72%) had negative sentiment. Conclusions The content analysis of tweets in the area of LBP identified common themes that are consistent with findings from conventional qualitative studies but provide a more granular view of individuals' perspectives related to LBP. This understanding has the potential to assist with developing more effective and personalized models of care to improve outcomes in those with LBP.


A 19year old primigravida with 12 weeks gestation was admitted in our hospital with bleeding per vagina (PV). She also complained of dyspnea, fatigue, chest pain. Her x-ray chest PA view showed evidence of pneumothorax. Emergency Inter costal drainage (ICD) was placed. . After 24 hours she was posted for dilatation and curettage. General Anaesthesia was administered using injection1 mg butorphanol , 100 mg propofol and 20 mg atracurium. Airway was secured with size 3 laryngeal mask airway (LMA). At the end of the procedure patient was reversed with neostigmine and glycopyrolate and shifted to MICU without any complication


In the early days of the government in power of Bill Clinton,as a result of the misunderstanding of the situations of China,and under the influence of the election politics and the internal anti Chinese force,the American government carried out the policies of containment and contact and created disturbance in human rights,trade,Taiwan affairs and arms sale.So the relationship between China and America was on the decline and dropped to the lowest point since the establishment of diplomatic relations. After entering the second term of office,with the consolidation of personal status and the maturity in politics and diplomacy,the obstruction and pressure that Clinton has have been reduced and Clinton can deal with the relationship between China and America with practical attitudes,make adjustments in the policies to China and substitute isolation and containment with overall contact. From this time on,the relationship between China and America has entered a stable new period of development.\;


As a genetic means of aquaculture development, hybridization can increase production quickly in fishes because of heterotic effect. At the backdrop of reports on the decline of growth and reproduction of the hatchery population of Labeo rohita in Bangladesh, a 3 months study was undertaken to see the heterotic effect by intra-specific crossing among the Padma, Jamuna and Hatchery strains of rohu. Six reciprocal crosses and 3 pure crosses were obtained. The fertilization and hatching rates of the developing embryos were found better in the parental crosses than the reciprocal intra-specific hybrids. The growth performance of reciprocal crosses showed significant differences (P< 0.05) over the parental crosses. The best growth performance was observed in Padma ? X Jamuna ? hybrids; providing 72% positive heterosis. Since the growth rate of strain crossed hybrids were reasonably high, this technique can be profitably applied for the production of fast growing seed to ensure higher fish production and more profit. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v5i1.5035 International Journal of Life Sciences Vol.5(1) 2011 32-38


Two important upper estimates concerning minimizers of the anistropic GinzburgLandau functional E(u,Ω)=12∫ΩJB(2i,j=1aij(x)uxixj+12e2b(x)(|u|2-β2(x))2]dx are discussed in H1g(Ω).These estimates are very important tools to study the asymptotics and the distributations of the single points of the minimizers of the functional E(u,Ω) in H1g(Ω)as the small parameter e tends to zero. Using topological degree theory, some transformations and appropriate comparative functions, the estimate of energy is obtained. Using local analysis on bound smooth simply connected domain Ω the upper bound of L∞ modulus of ue,L2 modulus of D2u are obtained, and the upper bound of their modulus on boundary is also obtained. Then, the upper estimate of 1e2∫Ω(|u|2-β2(x))2dx is obtained. Moreover, the main character of the minimizers of the anisotropic GinzburgLandau functional is shown by another upper estimate.


In this issue, Hussey and colleagues reviewed the limited evidence on the relationship between health care costs and quality and Weeks and colleagues discuss moving from fee-for-service to bundled ...


The present book...is a collection of papers resulting from research produced from across the African continent carried out between 1992 and 1995. The papers have been selected from four workshops held between 1994 and 1995....All papers focus on the social and behavioural aspects of AIDS....This collection...emphasizes the social sexual and economic context of the disease both in the general population and in high-risk groups. However there is...greater stress on the social effects of the disease on interventions and on care and counselling. The collection ends with glances at areas which may well become more important in the future. The first emphasizes legal issues which the epidemic makes it imperative to face. The second is the most recent invasion of Asia by the epidemic. (EXCERPT)


groups are pendent to the backbone of the polymer chain. This difference is fundamental with respect to hydrolysis kinetics based on molecular weight, solubility, and conformation. By design these polymers, both soluble and insoluble, will serve some chemical function related to drug delivery, whereas in the previous section the insoluble polymers served a more mechanical function, mostly as prosthetic devices but not excluding drug delivery systems. The various polymer-drug combinations fall into three major categories : a) polymeric drugs, b) polymeric prodrugs, and c) polymeric drug reservoirs. The biodegradation of polymers of the first type may result in the loss of activity because, as the name implies, the intact polymer is the pharmaceutical agent or pharmacon. Polymers of the second type require a chemical reaction to release the drug which is normally covalently bonded to the polymer as a pendent group. This


Two-pulse photon-echo measurements on the 0.1 at. % Pr3+:YAlO3 H-3(4)-D-1(2) transition suggest that the relaxation time depends on the density of excited states created by the excitation pulses. The dependence of the relaxation time on the intensity of each excitation pulse shows that our results are inconsistent with instantaneous spectral diffusion, a model often invoked in this type of experiment, where excited states created by the second pulse chiefly influence the relaxation time. A homogeneous linewidth contribution, noted in previous work as being of unknown origin, is eliminated at low excitation fluences.


The study aim was to examine the B-Lymphocytes Stimulator (BLyS) receptor-ligand system in HCV induced B lymphocyte clonal disorders. 94 patients with chronic HCV [including 35 HCV+ mixed cryoglobulinemia (MC)-vasculitis and 9 HCV+ B-non Hodgkin's lymphoma (B-NHL) patients] and 15 healthy volunteers were included. A 2-fold serum BLyS increase was associated with HCV-induced MC-vasculitis, and a three-fold increase with HCV-induced B-NHL, compared with HCV+ patients without vasculitis or healthy controls (p


The paper considers the results of the sociological research of the problem of youth's satisfaction with the leisure time organization in the Murmansk region. The degree of the youth's involvement into different leisure time activities in the region has been shown. The indices of satisfaction with the services have been analyzed. The principal reasons for dissatisfaction with the services of leisure time activities have been defined.


The present paper deals with a detailed study of the venation, soral shape and distribution, and frondshape of the microsorioid Polypodiaceae, including taxa generally referred to the genera Christiopteris, Colysis, Dendroconche, Dendroglossa, Diblemma, Lecanopteris, Leptochilus, Microsorium, Neocheiropteris, Neolepisorus, Paraleptochilus, Phymatodes, and Podosorus. The fascinating diversity found in the characters studied is used to classify the taxa into 19 groups, which can be arranged into two main groups, using ontogenetic data of the venation. The results suggest that the following genera can be united: Colysis, Dendroglossa, and Paraleptochilus, whereas Dendroconche and Diblemma should be merged with Microsorium. The latter genus is remarkably heterogeneous; a systematic study will be conducted in the near future.


A total number of 300 one-day old unsexed Cobb broiler chickens were initially fed a control diet for six days, then were into ten treatments, each treatment contained three replicates of ten birds. The objectives were to determine the effects of single or combined supplementation of Moringa olivera leaf meal (MOL) and medium chain fatty acids (MCFAs) to broiler diets on productive performance.  The experimental treatments were as follows: 1-Chicks were fed the control diet (D1), 2-D1 + 0.5g MOL/kg diet, 3-D1+ 0.6g MOL/kg diet, 4- D1+ 0.7 g MOL/kg diet, 5-D1+ 0.8g MOL/kg diet,  6- D1+ 1 g aromabiotic /kg diet, 7-D1+ 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.5g MOL/kg diet,   8- D1+ 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.6g MOL/kg diet, 9- D1+ 1g aromabiotic /kg diet + 0.7g MOL/kg diet, and 10-D1+ 1g aromabiotic/kg diet + 0.8g MOL/kg diet. Results obtained could be summarized in the following: Chicks fed combined supplementation of 0.08% MOL +0.1% MCFAs had significantly higher live body weight at 38 day of age and body weight gain during the period from 7-38 days as compared with the control or other treatments. Also, these birds had the best significantly values of feed conversion ratio, crude protein conversion, caloric conversion ratio and higher growth rate, performance index, economical and relative efficiency during the period from 7 to 38 days compared with the control. No significant differences were noticed in slaughter parameters and immune organs% as affected by the treated groups in comparison with the control. Chicks fed diets supplemented with 0.08% MOL+ 0.1% MCFAs or 0.07% MOL+ 0.1% MCFAs had significantly higher values of white blood cells, lymphocyte (L) and H/L ratio (lower value of heterophils (H)). The level of serum aspartate aminotransferase and total cholesterol had decreased significantly in chicks fed diets supplemented with MOLplus MCFAs compared with the birds fed control or some MOL diets. The highest values (significant) of total count, lactobacillus count and immune responseto Newcastle disease were recorded for chicks fed diet supplemented with 0.08% MOL +0.1% MCFAs. E.coli counts were reduced significantly by feeding all treated diets compared with the control.


This study examines how exchange-rate volatility affected Ireland's exports to its most important trading partner, the United Kingdom, from 1979 to 1992. To ensure reliable inferences regarding income and price elasticities and the impact of exchange rate volatility on exports, the time series properties of the series used are investigated. The analysis here is conducted at both aggregate and 2-digit SITC Division levels since exchange rate volatility can reasonably be presumed to affect sectors differently. Since expectations matter for exchange rate determination real volatility was generated according to a first-order GARCH process. Both real and nominal volatility were important determinants for over 35% of Irish-UK trade, with positive effects predominating. This may be due to the nature of Irish firms operating in a small open economy where they have little option in dealing with increased exchange rate risk except to 'weather the storm' for fear of losing market share or facing costs of either exit, re-entry, or both.


The efficiency of swine production performance depends on the herd administration, such as good nutrition, sanitary control, facilities and appropriate environmental conditions. The concept of this production model is directly related with the reduction of selective losses and the process control. Each production segment is controlled to reach the optimization in the system totality, it is necessary to apply animals handling concepts, environmental control implementation, diseases control, nutrition control, information concerning in guaranteeing the animal welfare and individual identification. The present work presents as objective the development of the mathematical model to evaluate interactions among the internal atmosphere of the installation and the thermal animals preference, in the expectation of detecting a relationship among the frequency access to the drinking fountain and the atmosphere conditions - temperature, black globe temperature and relative humidity, using as tool the electronic identification. The results obtained by the mathematical model, allowed to conclude accurately the evaluation of the swine thermal preference correlating with the climatic variables in the pregnancy stage.


Welcome to Techtopia, our segment on the technologies set to disrupt our future and the sometimes unexpected questions we may need to ask about them. Today, perhaps our most challenging topic yet: brain chips and other neurotechnologies that offer the possibility not only of reversing injuries but of creating super-humans. Joining me in Sydney, as he does every week for Techtopia, is entrepreneur and technology author, Steve Sammartino. Also here in our Sydney studio is philosopher and bioethicist, Professor Susan Dodds, who is the Dean of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of New South Wales.


It is a very important and complicated problem to monitor regional drought over large area of heterogeneous surface. The purpose of this study is to seek a regional water stress monitoring model over large area of natural land surface based on the regional land cover types and vegetation fraction information. At first, an estimation model for regional actual evapotranspiration (ET 0 ) was obtained using the remotely sensed reflected solar radiation and surface temperatures derived from the NOAA/AVHRR digital image as well as the meteorological data such as incoming solar radiation, air temperature, wind speed and vapor pressure from ground meteorological station. Secondly, an estimation model for regional potential evapotranspiration (ET p) was developed by using the modified Penman's equation, which based on the principles of energy balance and water balance. Then, a monthly regional water stress index model over the heterogeneous landscape was derived by considering the regional actual evapotranspiration and regional potential evapotranspiration. At last, a case study over the area of North China and the features of soil moisture over North China are also discussed with this model. The case gives that DEM and vegetation fraction are also the main factors which affects the regional water stress index as well as precipitation. Therefore, land cover conditions must be taken into account in the regional water stress index monitoring over North China. In the present study, this regional water stress index model seems to be a viable method for monitoring the soil moisture over large area of natural land surface.


This paperdescribes atheorem prover, running on a PDP-10-Tenex system, thatcanprovesometheorems whose statements involve arelatively large numberofdefinitions. Such theorems require special methods because 1)their statements contain alargenumberofclauses and2)their proofs arequite longalthough straightforward. A theoremisprovenbyfirst subdividing itinto"simple" subgoals andthenusing astandard resolution theorem prover to provethesubgoals. Thefirst partofthisprocess involves the substitution ofdefinitions fordefined quantities andtheuseof logical simplification. Thisprocess whichismoresimilar toa natural deduction systemthanaresolution system, isshownto becomplete whenrestricted tofirst-order logic. However, the theorem prover candealwithsomeinteresting higher orderthe- oremsasisshownbyanexample. IndexTerms-Artificial intelligence, heuristic search, higher orderlogic, mechanical theorem proving, natural deduction sys- tems.


High order waveguide modes are nowadays of great interest for the development of new functionalities in photonics. Because of this, efficient mode couplers are required.
In this thesis a new strategy for mode coupling is investigated, based on the interference arising from two coherent tilted beams superimposed in a star-coupler.
Handling the high order modes allows to explore new processes within the photonics platform, as the intermodal four wave mixing. Intermodal four wave mixing is a new nonlinear optical process in waveguide, and it is here demonstrated on a silicon chip. Via intermodal four wave mixing it is possible to achieve a large and tunable frequency conversion, with the generation of photons spanning from the near to the mid infrared. The broadband operation of this process is of interest for the field of quantum photonics. Single photon sources are the main building block of quantum applications, and they need to be pure and efficient. Via intermodal four wave mixing, it is here demonstrated the generation of single photons above 2000 nm heralded by the idler at 1260 nm. Thanks to the discrete band phase matching of this
nonlinear process, high purity single photons without narrow band spectral filters are demonstrated. Intermodal four wave mixing enables a new class of classical and
quantum sources, with unprecedent flexibility and spectral tunability. This process is particularly useful for the developing field of mid infrared photonics, where a
viable integrated source of light is still missing.


© 2 0 0 8 T H E A U T H O R S 1 5 8 J O U R N A L C O M P I L A T I O N © 2 0 0 8 B J U I N T E R N A T I O N A L those who could remain under careful observation. It will also provide us with tools to more accurately use chemoprevention and therapeutic approaches which now take many years to study. Finally, although beyond the scope of this commentary, the use of biomarkers, as described, as imaging agents will also add to our detection and determination of the clinical course in prostate cancer. The more specific the biomarkers that we have for prostate cancer, the better our ability to image the disease and determine its location and potential for therapeutic response.


Despite the latest improvements in the microarray technology, many developments are needed particularly in the image processing stage. Some hardware implementations of microarray image processing have been proposed and proved to be a promising alternative to the currently available software systems. However, the main drawback is the unsuitable addressing of the quantification of the gene spots which depend on many assumptions. It is our aim in this paper to present a new Image Reconstruction algorithm using Cellular Neural Network, which solves the Navier-Stokes equation. This algorithm offers a robust method to estimate the background signal within the gene spot region. Quantitative comparisons are carried out, between our approach and some available methods in terms of objective standpoint. It is shown that the proposed algorithm gives highly accurate and realistic measurements in a fully automated manner, and also, in a remarkably efficient time.


Intensive treatment was given to 140 newly diagnosed diabetic patients.Intima media thickness(IMT),flow mediated endothelial dependent dilation(FMEDD)and nitrate induced endothelial independent dilatation(NIEID)were compared between groups with targeted and un-targeted blood pressure,HbA1c and LDL-C.Compared with those who did not reach BP target,those who reached BP target had better endothelial FMEDD and NIEID,but not so in IMT.Reaching versus not reaching the target of HbA1c or LDL-C did not show any significant difference in IMT,FMEDD and NIEID.


To calculate the amount of deployed SaaS application instances and leased virtual machines,and to establish the placement relationship between tenants and application instances as well as application instances and virtual machines,a multi-tenant SaaS application placement algorithm based on cost optimization was proposed.Through analyzing the service mode of multi-tenant SaaS applications,the resource consumption measurement model and the formal description of multi-tenant SaaS application placement problem were proposed.According to the lease relationships,the initial amount of application instances and virtual machines was calculated to determine the encoding of chromosome,and the best optimal placement strategy was selected by using greedy strategy-based genetic algorithm.The feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed algorithm were validated through experiments.


The relevance of university education to human capital formation and socio-economic development of nations is not in doubt. Hence, both state and non-state actors are permitted to offer university education to achieve that end in most jurisdictions. In Ghana, the monopolistic power of the state in providing university education paved way to private sector participation ostensibly to widening access to many qualified prospective students who seek admission. The private universities now outnumber the public o nes and the central question is "how meaningfully is the private sector aiding the state in providing university education in the country"? The study set out to find answers to the question using one of the premier private universities as a case. Primary and secondary data were gathered via interview and content analysis to provide evidence of the university's contribution to higher education. It was discovered that the institution has made some germane contributions in the areas of access, programme and community service to broaden university education landscape in the country. The paper concludes with recommendations that could aid to address the challenges identified to enable the private university to, probably, double its contributions to university education.


Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of HIV-1 very low-level viremia (<50 copies/ml) on the 2-year risk of virological failure. A retrospective analysis including HIV-positive patients presenting two consecutive HIV RNA below 50 copies/ml (outpatient clinic in Italy, first semester of 2010) was performed. HIV RNA was measured through real time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay CAP/CTM HIV-1 version 2.0 (detection limit: 20 copies/ml) and stratified as undetectable RNA ("Target Not Detected", TND), <20 copies/ml, 20–50 copies/ml. After 96 weeks virological failure was defined as two consecutive viral loads above 50 copies/ml. Log-rank tests and a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model were used for univariate and multivariate analysis. A total of 1,055 patients (71.4% male, 87.4% white, aged 46.7 years) were included: nadir and current CD4 cell counts were 203 cells/mm3 (106–292) and 554 cells/mm3 (413–713.5). HIV RNA was undetectable in 781 patients (74%), <20 copies/ml in 190...


From theory,background,development environment,and social system,this paper compares German's social market economy with China's current socialist market economy,and concludes that there are differences between German's social market economy and China's established socialist market economy to a great extent,and this great diversity determines that China can not take social market economy directly or in large quantities.In China,market economy system is closely related to socialist basic economic system,in addition,the aim to reform is not abandon socialism system but overcome the shortcomings of traditional planned economy through continuous system innovation and impart new life to socialist basic system.


The objective of this paper is to extend research findings obtained in a preliminary survey of currency risk management in UK multinational companies (Collier and Davis, 1985) by presenting a case study analysis of currency risk management practice in large UK and US multinational companies. The research is specifically concerned with aspects of the management of foreign currency transaction and translation risk by multinational companies and the extent of risk aversion in the policies adopted.


The land subsidence occurring over a goaf area after coal mining is a protracted process. The accurate prediction of long-term land subsidence over goaf areas relies heavily on the availability of long-term land subsidence monitoring data. However, the scarcity of continuous long-term land subsidence monitoring data subsequent to the cessation of mining significantly hinders the accurate prediction of long-term land subsidence in goafs. To address this challenge, this study proposes an innovative method based on interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) for predicting long-term land subsidence of goafs following coal mining. The proposed method employs a concatenation approach that integrates multiple short-term monitoring data from different coal faces, each with distinct cessation times, into a cohesive and uniform long-term sequence by normalizing the subsidence rates. The method was verified using actual monitoring data from the Yangquan No. 2 mine in Shanxi Province, China. Initially, coal faces with the same shapes but varying cessation times were selected for analysis. Using InSAR monitoring data collected between June and December of 2016, the average subsidence rate corresponding to the duration after coal mining cessation on each coal face was back-calculated. Subsequently, a function relating subsidence rate to the duration after coal mining cessation was fitted to the data. Finally, the relationship between cumulative subsidence and the duration after coal mining cessation was derived by integrating the function. The results indicated that the relationship between subsidence rate and duration after coal mining cessation followed an exponential function for a given coal face, whereas the relationship between cumulative subsidence and duration after coal mining cessation conformed to the Knothe time function. Notably, after the cessation of coal mining, significant land subsidence persisted in the goaf of the Yangquan No. 2 mine for a duration ranging from 5 to 10 years. The cumulative subsidence curve along the long axis of the coal face ultimately exhibited an inclined W-shape. The proposed method enables the quantitative prediction of residual land subsidence in goafs, even in cases where continuous long-term land subsidence monitoring data are insufficient, thus providing valuable guidance for construction decisions above the goaf.


Abstract This resource on geriatric oral health covers topics for health care providers who take care of older adult patients. The module covers a range of topics including oral health assessment; ...


This project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of externally bonded fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) reinforcement for the flexural strengthening of a damaged prestressed concrete (PC) girder. A PC girder of Bridge A10062, located at the interchange of Interstates 44 and 270 in St. Louis County, Missouri, was impact-damaged by an overheight truck. Removal of the loose concrete showed that two prestressing tendons were fractured due to the impact. This resulted in approximately 10% reduction in flexural moment capacity. In this case study, it was decided to use carbon FRP (CFRP) laminates to restore the original structural capacity of the girder. It was demonstrated that CFRP bonded reinforcement could be an effective repair technique in terms of installation as well as design. The demonstration consists of design and field construction. The project leads to a bridge strengthening protocol for consideration by the Missouri Department of Transportation.


Living and working in the ASEM area increasingly demand skills and competences in the personal, public and professional spheres. These skills and competences should be developed, maintained and updated as part of lifelong learning to respond successfully to changes in the growing interregionalisation process. The development of ASEM dialogue and cooperation in the field of lifelong learning has since 2005 been mainly between policy makers and researchers, therefore this workshop aims to connect civil society partners to the existing cooperation and create an expanded platform for stakeholders from non-formal and voluntary work in adult learning. The workshop will in particular focus on future cooperation between research in lifelong learning and the voluntary sector, and formulate recommendations for new Asia-Europe initiatives.


gy program aims to foster increased durability of new bridges and observable increases in the service life of existing structures, placing an emphasis on increasing highway safety while preserving the environment. The program focuses on researching nondestructive evaluation technologies to identify structural deficiencies and support bridge management systems. It also uses high-performance materials to repair and rehabilitate the existing inventory of deficient bridges. This find it and fix it program is supplemented by research which examines all aspects of bridges and foundations, including planning, design, construction, management, maintenance, inspection, and demolition.


Nitrobenzene derivatives are widely used as reactional intermediates in the synthesis of many chemicals in medicine, industry, and agriculture. This study is based on four synthesized nitrobenzene derivatives which crystal structures have been determined. As it is known, nitro compounds as well as their metabolites are hazardous chemicals, harmful for human and environment. Some of them have mutagenic or carcinogenic activity and others can cause aquatic species growth inhibition. So, for a best use of these new compounds, we have decided to have a best insight of their possible toxicity. An important field of predictive toxicity is the development of quantitative structure toxicity relationship (QSTR) for modeling chimicals toxicity. Applications of such mathematical models are numerous and increasing because results of QSTR are closed to those obtained experimentally. Two series of nitro compounds which exhibit toxicity, particularly carcinogenic activity (TD50) and growth inhibitory activity (IG50) were used as targets for a mathematical model building. calculations of descriptors were then performed over all the molecules, both the synthesized ones and those used for the model building, after minimizing their structure with CS MOPAC Pro software using semi-empirical Austin Model 1 (AM1) algorithm. Quantitative structure-toxicity relationship (QSTR) was established by correlating the toxicity and the calculated descriptors. The best models were retained according to valid statistical parameters.Both equations below, deriving from PLS regression model, express the toxicity via the descriptors included, octanol/water partition (logP(o/w), SlogP), number of oxygen atom (a_no), weight, dipole moment (MNDO_dipol) and the Homo energy (MNDO_HOMO): Carcinogenic activity = 0,631 + 0,533.a_nO + 0,175.logP(o/w) + 9,889.MNDO_dipol Growth inhibitory activity = 0,717.SlogP + 0,125.MNDO_HOMO + 0,536.Weight The statistical parameters, respectively (MCE= 0,012, R²= 0,954, Q²=0,942) and (MCE= 0,011, R²= 0,958, Q²=0,946) are satisfactory and the toxicity measured are well predicted by the two models. The calculations performed allowed us to conclude that the compounds understudied are all potentially carcinogenic and two of these new compounds are more likely inhibitors of aquatic organisms growth.


Consumers all over the world demand high quality and convenient products with natural flavour and taste, and greatly appreciate the fresh appearance of minimally processed food. Sterilization under pressure has been shown to be valuable for global production of high quality products. However, the mechanism of inactivation of bacterial spores by heat and pressure is still a topic of discussion. Obviously, the change of the dissociation equilibrium under pressure and temperature plays a dominant role in inactivation of microorganisms. Heat and pressure inactivation of Geobacillus. stearothermophilus spores at different initial pH-values in ACES and phosphate buffer confirmed this view. Thermal inactivation in ACES buffer at 122°C resulted in higher logarithmic reductions. Contrary, after pressure treatment at 900 MPa with 80°C phosphate buffer showed higher inactivation. These results indicated the different dissociation equilibrium shifts in buffer systems by heat and pressure. Due to preparation, storage and handling of highly concentrated spore suspensions, the clumping and the formation of aggregates can hardly be avoided. After particle analysis it could be shown that the lag phase often found in thermal spore inactivation can sufficiently be described by first-order inactivation kinetics when the agglomeration size is considered. The physiological response of B. licheniformis spores to pressure and thermal inactivation was investigated using multiparameter flow cytometry. For pressure treated spores, four distinct subpopulations were detected. For these sub-populations, we suggest a three step model of inactivation involving a germination step following hydrolysis of the spore cortex, an unknown step, and finally an inactivation step with physical compromise of the spore's inner membrane. With an improved understanding of the spore inactivation mechanism it will be possible to assess the benefits and sustainability of emerging technologies e.g. pressure assisted thermal sterilization with regards microbiological safety and stability.


In a market economy and striving for fuller satisfaction of consumers' needs, of their requirements and opportunities, the signing of a lease agreement and accounting operations associated with it are very topical. The lease agreement is a commercial agreement under which the lessor gives the lessee the right to use an asset for a fee for a certain period of time. It includes an agreement for lease of assets which contains a clause allowing the tenant to acquire ownership of the asset subject to the conditions that have been agreed. These contracts are sometimes known as purchase by payment. In this article the goods on lease are the object of study. An emphasis is placed on the requirements of NSS17 and IAS17, the tax aspects of leasing and specificity of reporting under the VAT Act in the Republic of Bulgaria.


Three-dimensional periodical microstructures can be fabricated by the interference of four noncoplanar beams. Generally the basis vector choice for a certain lattice is not unique and the same lattice structure can be formed with different recording geometries. It shows that, for certain special cases, the lattice constant can be tuned by proper single-exposure holographic design without distortion of the lattice element and then one can shift the photonic band gap to a different frequency range. In addition, a simple optical setup for fabricating body-centred cubic lattice with a large band gap is proposed.


The uptake of agent banking in Kenya was not well appreciated by the target beneficiaries who include among others the commercial banks and target customers who were expected to benefit from this technologically innovative financial inclusion strategy. In as much as it has been witnessed that there is an increase in penetration of agent banking services clients have not fully made use of the available agents at their localities to cut down on transaction costs occasioned by travelling to traditional branches and also time wasted on queuing for the services. It can also be noted that, the banks have not fully taken advantage of agent banking to explore all market segments at a low operating costs. This study therefore sought to establish factors influencing the uptake of agency banking strategy in Kenya. The key independent variables were technology infrastructure, Agency banking risks, and agents training and their effect on agency banking uptake. The research targeted all 43 licensed commercial banks in Kenya. Data was collected through questionnaire to the banks and secondary data was what other scholars have written on agent banking. A questionnaire was designed to capture the various variables of the study. The questions were structured as open and closed ended, where open ended allowed free responses and closed were restricted to the alternatives stated, Yes or No. Data was analyzed by use of descriptive and inferential statistics. The study found out that the uptake of agency banking was highly influenced by technology infrastructure, agency banking risks and agents training. The study recommended that banks should invest in proper technology infrastructure that can handle all transactions carried out by the banks, and proper training should be offered to the bank agents.


MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29 *Educational Improvement; *Educational Planning; *Higher Education; International Education; Planning; *Statewide Planning The Draft Report of the Commission on Post-Secondary Education in Ontario has stimulated extensive debate within the universities of the province. The report was designed to provide a comprehensive overview of higher education in Ontario, and to provide recommendations for the improvement of higher education. This publication contains highlights of that debate from the standpoint of the Council of Ontario Universities and its committees and affiliate organizations. (HS)


Interferometric crosstalk has been identified as the cause of performance limits in future transparent all-optical networks. A large number of studies have been conducted on this phenomenon using a vast array of evaluation techniques. However, most major studies have considered that although the interfering terms may differ in number, the power contribution that they all make will be identical for all interfering terms. Although this situation is easy to analyze, it does not necessarily represent the situation that is likely to occur in a real network, which will be constructed of nodes with different degrees of connectivity, quite possibly from different vendors, and therefore with differing crosstalk characteristics. This paper describes a study on the impact of unequally powered interfering terms using a rigorous analysis technique. To validate the use of the chosen technique, the paper begins by benchmarking a number of common evaluation techniques against empirically derived, experimentally verified noise performance formulas.


A frame of the Web-based exercise machine customization and simulation system is proposed first, and the flow of work of the system is analyzed. Then the paper adopts the modeling technology Pro/E and Virtual Reality technology as the three-dimensional display technology to realize the online customization according to customers' taste, embeds Agent design system into the performance function of Virtual Machine to realize the three-dimensional dynamic simulation based on variable and real-time interaction, and proposes an user-based mathematical model for preference entropy to solve the multiattribute decision problems with uncertain information and satisfy the design preference of users. The development of the system platform provides a new way, means and platform for meeting customers' small lot, great varieties and high quality needs. The system which is already used in some enterprises, has improved their core competencies and efficiency.


This article aims to find out how the role of PPAT in its authority as a general official under Article 1 point 1 of Government Regulation Number 37 of 1998 often make mistakes either made intentionally or due to the accuracy and caution factor in pouring the wishes of the parties facing. The legal consequences that occur not only on the credibility of PPAT in the status of his position but also resulted in civil cases in public court as happened in the civil verdict number 20 / Pdt.G / 2013 / PN.Ska. In this ruling, PPAT is deemed to have committed against the law and the Deed of Sale and Purchase number 372 / Banjarsari / 2008 is declared null and void .. By using normative juridical research by looking at the existing legislation and Court Decision number 20 / Pdt.G / 2013 / PN.Ska, research results can be concluded that the cancellation of deed of sale and purchase number 372 / Banjarsari / 2008 caused in the process of making Deed of Sale without involving from one of the owners of objects of sale and purchase and PPAT did not know that the status of the object of sale and purchase is the disputed object that is still disputed in the Religious Court of Surakarta or in other words is a treasure gono - gini. Keywords: Deed of Sale, Purchase Against Law, Object of Dispute


We investigate the decay of the global entanglement, due to decoherence, of multiqubit systems interacting with a reservoir in a non Markovian regime. We assume that during the decoherence process each qubit of the system interacts with its own, independent environment. Most previous works on this problem focused on particular initial states or families of initial states amenable of analytical treatment. Here we determine numerically the typical, average behaviour of the system corresponding to random initial pure states uniformly distributed (in the whole Hilbert space of $n$-qubit pure states) according to the Haar measure. We study systems consisting of 3, 4, 5, and 6 qubits. In each case we consider also the entanglement dynamics corresponding to important particular initial states, such as the GHZ states or multiqubit states maximizing the global entanglement, and determine in which cases any of these states is representative of the average behaviour associated with general initial states.


The main purpose of the paper is to provide, in an analytic way, an electrical network which describes the behaviour of electrostatic or electret transducers,and which takes into account the effects of the strong coupling between the mechanical and acoustical parts of the system; the conventional model seems to be improved to describe new miniaturized transducers with a good accuracy


Water discharged from subsided Delta islands affects water quality in the San Francisco Bay‐Delta by contributing dissolved organic carbon (DOC), disinfection byproduct precursors (DBPPs), and mercury (Hg). These constituents of concern (COC) have been identified as key components affecting drinking‐ water safety and environmental health. From July 2012 to November 2013, we conducted field tests of a treatment system that used in‐situ coagulation followed by passage through constructed wetlands to remove COCs from the water column and sequester them in wetland sediments via natural settling of particulate material. The replicated field study on Twitchell Island in the central Delta consisted of nine 4,000 ft wetlands comparing COC removal from island drainage waters due to passage through wetlands alone (control), and removal by the addition of iron (Fe)‐ or aluminum (Al)‐based coagulants followed by wetland passage. In the treated inflow waters, both Fe and Al coagulation removed DOC, particularly more humified components, and also significantly decreased DBP precursors, dissolved methyl Hg (MeHg), and dissolved total Hg (THg). The coagulant removal efficiency of both DOC and dissolved MeHg improved with greater inflow concentrations of those constituents. For the study period, concentrations of DOC, DBPPs, and Hg at the Fe and Al treated wetland outflows were significantly lower than in the undosed inflow water, although release of these COCs was observed during wetland passage during summer months. Load calculations, which accounted for losses through seepage and effects of precipitation and ET, confirm that dosed wetland cells were usually sinks for both MeHg and DOC whereas the control wetland cells were usually sources. Coagulation technology could be used at wetlands sited in the Delta to reduce subsidence and improve wildlife habitat; these wetlands could then also serve to reduce DOC and Hg loadings coming off of the islands.


There are many possible readings of The Shadow Lines. One of the ways of reading The Shadow Lines is as a narrative about the Partition of the subcontinent and its aftermath, as it unleashes the enduring inheritance of the partition. The narrative unleashes the mindless mob and the powerful catastrophic vigor as religious fundamentalism. It also questions the geo-political and socio-political Shadow Lines which separates people and nations, whether it has any authenticity by itself or whether it is a meaningless misapprehension. It also seems to question the established narrative of the Indian subcontinent and tries to regain the part of its lost history – a riot in 1964 sunk in muffle. In a way, it is a critique on the burning issues like 'borders' and 'nationalism.


7,9-Dibromobenzo[h]quinolin-10-ol (1), a benzo[h]quinolin-10-ol derivative, was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The crystal belongs to monoclinic space group P21/n, with a = 3.9573(4), b = 18.0416(18), c = 15.8210(16) A, α = 90°, β = 96.139(3)°, and γ = 90°. Compound 1 exhibits an intramolecular six-membered-ring hydrogen bond, from which excited-state intramolecular proton transfer takes place, resulting in a proton-transfer tautomer emission of 625 nm in cyclohexane. The crystal structure is stabilized by intermolecular π–π interactions, which links a pair of molecules into a cyclic centrosymmetric dimer. Furthermore, the geometric structures, frontier molecular orbitals, and potential energy curves (PECs) for 1 in the ground and the first singlet excited state were fully rationalized by density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT calculations.


A problem of increasing importance in the use and maintenance of drain asphalt is the loss of material from the surface, known as raveling. In this paper, attention is paid to raveling from a mechanistic point of view. A continuum damage model is proposed and applied to the repeated load uniaxial tensile test. This test is supposed to give information on the raveling behavior of drain asphalt. The authors hve not yet been able to quantify the principal parameters from the model. In order to achieve this, one more relation must be found or one more aspect must be determined experimentally. Instead, two derived parameters, i.e., the strain rate and the time at failure are determined. With these parameters, it is possible to discern types of asphalt with different bitumen modifications and different ages. Though it is at yet not possible to rank these different types to raveling sensitivity, the obtained qualitative insight may lead to improvements of the experimental program.


Abstract Tourist arrivals represent popularity of a recreation site. However it could be changed due to accessibility, weather, and natural disaster. These factors are complex and their effects on tourist arrival are mixed. This study applies switching regression approach to assess impact of natural disasters on tourist arrivals in the popular forest recreation and education site, Xitou Nature Education Area (XNEA), Taiwan. Natural disaster in a tourist destination cause environmental changes which impact short- and long-term changes on tourist arrivals. Precisely estimating the impacts on tourist arrivals could therefore provide an insight to management. The results show that (1) Typhoon Herb reduced tourist arrivals by an estimated 530 thousand over three years; (2) the Chichi earthquake caused a 2.59 million loss in tourist arrivals over seven years; (3) Typhoons Toraji and Nari resulted in a 360 thousand reduction in tourist arrivals over three years; and (4) Typhoon Mindulle reduced tourist arrivals by 80 thousand over a one-year period.


Optically active artificial structures have attracted tremendous research attention. Such structures must meet two requirements: Lack of spatial inversion symmetries and, a condition usually not explicitly considered, the structure shall preserve the helicity of light, which implies that there must be a vanishing coupling between the states of opposite polarization handedness among incident and scattered plane waves. Here, we put forward and demonstrate that a unit cell made from chiraly arranged electromagnetically dual scatterers serves exactly this purpose. We prove this by demonstrating optical activity of such unit cell in general scattering directions.