The Fluorescence Detector (FD) of the Pierre Auger Observat ory provides a nearly calorimetric measurement of the primary particle energy, since the fluore scence light produced is proportional to the energy dissipated by an Extensive Air Shower (EAS) in the atmospher e. For this reason, the FD is used to calibrate the absolute energy scale of the Surface Detector (SD) by means o f hybrid events. Of the major correction terms applied to the FD, atmospheric transmission through aeroso ls has the largest time variation. The corresponding correction to an EAS energy can range from a few percent to mor e than 40%, depending on the aerosol attenuation conditions, the distance of the shower, and the energy. We re port on 9 years of hourly aerosol optical depth profile measurements, including revised statistical and sy stematic error estimates, that are propagated through EAS reconstruction. To accumulate these hourly aerosol opt ical depth profiles, the Central Laser Facility (CLF) and the eXtreme Laser Facility (XLF) of the Auger Observator y generated more than 4 million laser tracks that were recorded by the FD telescopes. Finally we describe majo r upgrades in progress to the CLF and to the elastic LIDAR stations at the Pierre Auger Observatory. The main features of these complementary upgrades are discussed together with the expected results of their appli cations.


Machine learning can extract desired knowledge and ease the development bottleneck in building expert systems. Among the proposed approaches, deriving classification rules from training examples is the most common. Given a set of examples, a learning program tries to induce rules that describe each class. The rough-set theory has served as a good mathematical tool for dealing with data classification problems. In the past, the rough-set theory was widely used in dealing with data classification problems, that data sets were containing crisp attributes and crisp class sets. This paper thus extends rough-set theory previous approach to deal with the problem of producing a set of certain and possible rules from crisp attributes by rough sets on the fuzzy class sets. The proposed approach combines the rough-set theory and the fuzzy class sets theory to learn. The examples and the approximations then interact on each other to drive certain and possible rules. The rules derived can then serve as knowledge concerning the data sets on the fuzzy class sets.


Under the optimized experimental conditions,the reverse microemulsion method was employed to prepare CdS nanocrystals.The influence of the pH value of solution,the concentration of reactants and temperature on the size of CdS nanocrystals were investigated.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and Raman spectra(Raman)techniques were used to characterize particle diameter and structure of nanocrystals.The results showed that the CdS nanocrystals with narrow sized distribution were cubic structure of zinc blende,the diameter of nanocrystals is about 3~5nm and they have good dispersion.


Frauch's micro‐slide method was improved to facilitate the endpoint‐determination of the Limulus test. Two precise observations, by inverted phase contrast microscopy and with a staining procedure, were newly performed as additions to the slide test. The staining procedure was proposed as an improved method for the Limulus test since it is simple and convenient. In the staining method, bromophenol blue (BPB) solution was used as the staining solution. A negative (–), a strong positive (++) and a weak positive reaction (+) were characterized by a "ring" formation, a "cloud‐like" spread of gel and a "spot" in the "cloud," respectively. Since the distinction between (–) and (+) reactions was obvious in the proposed method, determination of the endpoint was easier than in the ordinary tube and Frauch's method. The sensitivity of the present method was equal to or higher than that of other methods. Inverted phase contrast microscopy was utilized to confirm the findings obtained by the staining method. The volume of the lysate used in this method was as little as 1/10 of that used in the tube method.


Abstract– Predictive regression methods are widely used to examine the predictability of (excess) stock returns by lagged financial variables characterized by unknown degrees of persistence and endogeneity. We develop a new hybrid test for predictability in these circumstances based on simple regression t-statistics. Where the predictor is endogenous, the optimal, but infeasible, test for predictability is based on the t-statistic on the lagged predictor in the basic predictive regression augmented with the current period innovation driving the predictor. We propose a feasible version of this augmented test, designed for the case where the predictor is an endogenous near-unit root process, using a GLS-based estimate of the innovation used in the infeasible test regression. The limiting null distribution of this statistic depends on both the endogeneity correlation parameter and the local-to-unity parameter characterizing the predictor. A method for obtaining asymptotic critical values is discussed and response surfaces are provided. We compare the asymptotic power properties of the feasible augmented test with those of a (non augmented) t-test recently considered in Harvey et al. and show that the augmented test is more powerful in the strongly persistent predictor case. We then propose using a weighted combination of the augmented statistic and the t-statistic of Harvey et al., where the weights are obtained using the p-values from a unit root test on the predictor. We find this can further improve asymptotic power in cases where the predictor has persistence at or close to that of a unit root process. Our final hybrid testing procedure then embeds the weighted statistic within a switching-based procedure which makes use of a standard predictive regression t-test, compared with standard normal critical values, when there is evidence for the predictor being weakly persistent. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that overall our new hybrid test displays superior finite sample performance to comparable extant tests.


A 65-year-old female with a history of right lung transplantation (LTx) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 9-years prior complicated by grade 3 bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) was admitted to the hospital for chest pain and dyspnea on exertion (DOE). Her bronchoscopy revealed fluffy, endobronchial lesions that were adherent to the right sided anastomosis resulting in mild obstruction of the right mainstem bronchus. Pathology from biopsies of the endobronchial lesions revealed hyphal fungal organisms consistent with Aspergillus species. Following antifungal therapy with voriconazole, her follow up bronchoscopy 37 days post the original bronchoscopy revealed resolution of the endobronchial lesions. The patient's case is unique in: presentation 9 years post-transplantation, the absence of prior Aspergillus colonization, and the appearance of the endobronchial lesions. Following Ltx, immunosuppression in combination with allograft exposure to the environment increases the risk of opportunistic infections, especially saprophytic infections including Aspergillus.


The crack tip opening angle (CTOA) parameter has been shown to be well suited for modeling stable crack growth and instability during the elastic-plastic fracture process. Furthermore, this parameter, implemented in both 2D and 3D elastic-plastic FEM codes, has been successfully applied to stable tearing and stability analyses of some very complex structural configurations made of thin-sheet 2024-T3 aluminum alloy. However, the effect of material thickness on the characterization of this parameter has not been thoroughly evaluated. Therefore, an investigation was conducted to assess the effect of material thickness on the characterization of the CTOA parameter for 2024-T351 aluminum alloy. Stable tearing fracture tests were conducted on C(T) specimens in four thicknesses (2.28, 6.35, 12.7, and 25.4 mm), with all specimens taken from a single 25.4 mm thick plate. Overall, the average experimental surface critical CTOA (ψC) values obtained from the current work were found to decrease with increasing specimen thickness. The amount of crack extension necessary for the transition to a fairly constant CTOA value was not characterized by the specimen thickness for the three largest thicknesses tested in this research, as observed in the earlier thinsheet tests. As the specimen thickness increased, discrepancies between the experimental (surface) CTOA values and those obtained computationally were shown to increase. More thorough experimental and computational investigations into the effects of surface vs. interior CTOA values and/or crack tunneling must be performed before CTOA characterization can be directly applied to thicker specimens.


This paper outlines the success of online learning in the workplace with corporate partners through Open Universities Australia (OUA). OUA is recognized as the national leader in online higher education in Australia with over 200,000 students studying with OUA since 1993. The corporate program helps employees formalize or extend their current skills, reach the next level in their organization or pursue relevant interests through tertiary studies. The business sector sees OUA as a highly attractive solution to fostering a culture of professional development, engagement and inclusiveness.


Trichlorphazenphosphoryldichlorid, Cl3PNP(O)Cl2, reagiert mit der stochiometrischen Menge wasserfreier Ameisensaure zum Imidodiphosphorsauretetrachlorid, Cl2(O)PNHP(O)Cl2. Mit Diazomethan bildet dieses das N-Methylderivat, Cl2(O)PN(CH3)P(O)Cl2. Durch Umsetzung mit Ammoniak, Dimethyl- bzw. Diathylamin werden das Imidodiphosphorsauretetramid sowie die entsprechenden Octaalkylderivate erhalten.

Preparation and Properties of Imidodiphosphoric Acid Amides

Trichlorophosphazene phosphoryldichloride, Cl3PNP(O)Cl2, reacts with the stoichiometric amount of anhydrous formic acid resulting the tetrachloride of the imidodiphosphoric acid, Cl2(O)PNHP(O)Cl2. This tetrachloride yields with diazomethane the N-methyl compound, Cl2(O)PN(CH3)P(O)Cl2. The tetramide of the imidodiphosphoric acid and its octalkyl derivatives are obtained by reaction of the tetrachloride with ammonia, dimethylamine, and diethylamine, respectively.


AIM
This study aimed to examine the effect of mindfulness-based psychoeducation provided t individuals with previous myocardial infarction on their posttraumatic growth and mindfulness levels.

DESIGN AND METHODS
The sample of this study, which was quasi-experimental with a pre-test posttest follow-up pattern, consisted of 50 patients, 25 in the intervention group and 25 in the control group. The mindfulness-based psychoeducation lasted a total of 8 weeks.

FINDINGS
The mindfulness-based psychoeducation program strongly affected the mindfulness levels of the individuals with previous myocardial infarction in the intervention group, but only partially affected their posttraumatic growth.

APPLICATION INFERENCES
Mindfulness-based psychoeducation can be used to support mindfulness and posttraumatic growth in individuals who have suffered a myocardial infarction.


Abstract We exhibit a real Banach space M such that C(K,M) is almost transitive if K is the Cantor set, the growth of the integers in its Stone–Čech compactification or the maximal ideal space of L∞. For finite K, the space C(K,M) = M|K| is even transitive.


Two theoretical models were developed to characterize terrain media: a random medium with a variance, a horizontal correlation length; and a homogeneous dielectric containing discrete scatterers. The earth terrain is modelled as layers of such scattering media bounded by air above and half-space below. Matching the theoretical results with experimental data collected from vegetation and snow-ice fields shows that: (1) for observation angles near nadir, rough surface effects are important; (2) for snow-ice field the horizontal correlation length is greater than the vertical correlation length whereas for vegetation field their relative sizes depend on the types of vegetation; (3) the vertically polarized backscattering cross-section is always larger than the horizontally polarized backscattering cross-section for half-space scattering media; (4) for snow field displaying diurnal change, a three-layer model including a thin top layer caused by sunlight illumination must be used; and (5) for a random medium with equal horizontal and vertical correlation lengths, the measured data can also be matched with a corresponding discrete scatterer model.


The prime graph of a finite group $G$ is denoted by $\ga(G)$ whose vertex set is $\pi(G)$ and two distinct primes $p$ and $q$ are adjacent in $\ga(G)$, whenever $G$ contains an element with order $pq$. We say that $G$ is unrecognizable by prime graph if there is a finite group $H$ with $\ga(H)=\ga(G)$, in while $H\not\cong G$. In this paper, we consider finite groups with the same prime graph as the almost simple group $\textrm{PGL}(2,49)$. Moreover, we construct some Frobenius groups whose their prime graph coincide with $\ga(\textrm{PGL}(2,49))$, in particular, we get that $\textrm{PGL}(2,49)$ is unrecognizable by prime graph.


Low toxic and highly biocompatible graphene-based nanomaterials are in high demand within the biomedical fields. In this study, a highly biocompatible bacterially reduced graphene oxide (BRGO) was prepared by a "Generally Recognized As Safe" (GRAS) strain Bacillus subtilis 168 mediated with Vitamin K3 (VK3). The hypothesis of VK3 mediating electron transfer between succinate:quinine oxidoreductase, from B. subtilis 168, and graphene oxide (GO) was proposed. BRGO was characterized by Raman spectroscopy, XPS and XRD and showed excellent properties. Furthermore, BRGO illustrates greater biocompatibility, with less toxicity, than GO and chemically reduced graphene oxide (CRGO) by zebrafish toxicity assessment, which demonstrates its great potential in various biomedical applications.


Purpose
This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach
This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings
Cybersecurity is now a critical element to any competitive business. It can also be seen as a method of gaining competitive advantage.

Originality/value
The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.


Objective To study the effect of recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor(rhaFGF) on promoting rehabilitation of the operated wound skin of piglets and of the burned skin of rabbits. Methods(1) The wound models on skin of piglets were made and divided into groups,among which three groups received 90,60 and 30 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) rhaFGF,the positive group received 60 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) rhbFGF,the negative group received only the base of the formulation and the blank control group received nothing.The wound area was recorded by photos and cellophane film at 4,8,14 d.The volume of injured cavity was measured with water injection.At 8,14 d,the growth of wound granulation and re-epithelization were tested to evaluate the effect of rhaFGF.(2) The burned skin models of rabbits were made,divided into groups and treated in the same way as with the piglets.Observe the wound area after 3,7,14,21 d.After 14,21 d,examine the growth of wound granulation and re-epithelization to evluate the treatment. Results The wound skin of the piglets became smaller as time went on in all groups,and in 90 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) and 60 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) rhaFGF groups significantly smaller than in the other groups.The volume of injured cavity grew smaller,and in 90 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) and 60 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) rhaFGF groups more significantly.After 8 d,fibroblasts and capillary granulation tissue grew more and actively,in 90 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) and 60 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) rhaFGF groups significantly more than in the control group. After 14 d,all the wounds were closed up.(2) All the wounds of the rabbits became smaller as time went on,and in the 90 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) and 60 AU·(cm~2)~(-1) rhaFGF groups significantly more than in the others.After 14 d,new epithelization covered most wound area and nearly recovered in rhaFGF 90 AU·(cm~2)~(-1). Conclusion RhaFGF can promote rehabilitation of the wound skin of piglets by promoting the growth of granulation tissue,of capillary angiogenesis and of epithelium.RhaFGF can promote the recovery of burned skin of rabbits by promoting the growth of granulatuion tissue and epithelization.


Abstract —This paper investigates the performance and controlof a low-cost 6-kW concept demonstrator of an "inverterless"automotive alternator. This is based on a switched-mode rectifier(SMR) combined with a high-flux interior permanent-magnet(PM) machine. Duty cycle control of the SMR is described and thetheoretical predictions are compared with open-loop experimentalresults. The efficiency of the concept demonstrator is examined asa function of speed and load. Control issues regarding automotiveoperation are discussed. Index Terms —Alternator, interior permanent-magnet (PM)machine, inverterless, switched-mode rectifier. I. I NTRODUCTION I NCREASING automotive electrical loads have created ademand for low-cost high-power alternators. An examplespecification for such an alternator is an output power require-ment of 4 kW at an engine speed of 600 r/min and 6 kW at6000 r/min [1]. This is illustrated in Fig. 1 assuming a 3:1belt ratio between the alternator and engine giving an alternatorspeed range of 1800–18000 r/min.The conventional wound-field Lundell alternator is relativelycheap, at about US $75, but is only capable of producing1–2 kW of output power.Inverter-driven alternators have been proposed to meet thehigh-power alternator requirements. These include induction,switched reluctance, surface permanent-magnet (PM), andinterior PM machines. Unfortunately, these solutions are expen-sive, costing in excess of US $500 with much of the cost due tothe power electronics and the control complexity [1].Previous studies by Perreault and Caliskan [2],Rivas


.............................................................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES ...................................................................................................................... ix LIST OF FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... x LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THIS DISSERTATION .................................................... xi CHAPTER 1 ............................................................................................................................... 1


The purpose of this study is to analyze product quality and location to customer loyalty with customer satisfaction. This research was conducted at the Pasar Klewer Surakarta. The samples taken in the study were 131 respondents, which afterwards analyzed 127 respondents who were eligible. The analytical method used is Path Analysis. Based on the results of the analysis it is explained that both partially and simultaneously the quality of productsand location have a positive influence and significant on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty. Based on the results of the analysis it is explained that both partially and simultaneously the quality of products and location have a positive influence on customer satisfaction and customer loyalty.


This study examined the six-year bachelor's degree graduation status of freshmen (N = 1,839) entering the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences (AFLS) between 2001 and 2010. The overall graduation rate was 64%, including 23% who had transferred out of AFLS. Multinomial logistic regression was used to determine if student entry data differentiated between graduates and non-graduates and between AFLS and non-AFLS graduates. High school GPA (HSGPA), first-generation status, and year of admission to the university significantly differentiated between graduates and non-graduates. Each standard deviation increase in HSGPA was associated with a 224% increase in the relative odds of graduating. Students entering each subsequent year had a 10% increase in the relative odds of graduating. Being a first-generation student decreased the relative odds of graduating by 52%. Year, major, and composite ACT score (CACT) significantly differentiated between AFLS and non-AFLS graduates. Students entering each subsequent year had a 16% increase in the relative odds of being AFLS graduates, while agriculture majors were about twice as likely to be AFLS graduates. Each standard deviation increase in CACT score was associated with a 26% decrease in the relative odds of being an AFLS graduate.


Ballot initiatives allow the public to vote directly on public policy. The literature in political science has attempted to document whether the presence of an initiative can increase voter turnout. We study this question for an initiative that appeared on the ballot in 2008 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, using a natural experiment based on geography. This form of natural experiment exploits variation in geography where units in one geographic area receive a treatment whereas units in another area do not. When assignment to treatment via geographic location creates as‐if random variation in treatment assignment, adjustment for baseline covariates is unnecessary. In many applications, however, some adjustment for baseline covariates may be necessary. As such, analysts may wish to combine identification strategies—using both spatial proximity and covariates. We propose a matching framework to incorporate information about both geographic proximity and observed covariates flexibly which allows us to minimize spatial distance while preserving balance on observed covariates. This framework is also applicable to regression discontinuity designs that are not based on geography. We find that the initiative on the ballot in Milwaukee does not appear to have increased turnout.


There are mainly the following scale management modes about agriculture lands in Henan,namely,scale management of household joint,scale management large-area-planting farmers,scale management leading agricultural enterprise,scale management of joint-stock,collectism scale management of village committee,and scale management of farmers' cooperation.From the perspective of economic,ecological,and social efficiency,this paper argues that the development of scale management should depend on the local situations.Second,the focus of developmenmt of scale management should be put on the aspect of improving agricultural efficiency,increasing farmers' income and the stability of the countrysides.Third,the objects of scale management about agriculture lands' should be accelerated.


We develop models for time lag between maxima of the source brightness in different wavelengths during a transient flash of luminosity connected with a short period of increase of the mass flux onto the central compact object.
We derive a simple formula for finding the time delay among events in different wavelengths, valid in general for all disk accreting cosmic sources, and discuss quantitatively a model for time lag formation in AGNs.
In close binaries with accretion disks the time lag is connected with effects of viscosity defining a radial motion of matter in the accretion disk. In AGN flashes, the falling matter has a low angular momentum, and the time lag is defined by the free fall time to the gravitating center.
We show the validity of these models by means of several examples of galactic and extragalactic accreting sources.


This work aimed to evaluate the behavior of two eucalypt clones in areas with different rainfall on productivity and quality of wood at ages 24, 48 and 72 months. This study compared two genetic materials, represented by hybrid clones urograndis, being one less productive (P-) and other more productive (P +), in three ages and two environmental conditions. The wood samples were collected from two areas with different climatic conditions in the south of Bahia. In each area were the samples collected from two clones in three different ages (24, 48, and 72 months), taking six plants per repetition. In each plant were discs removed at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% commercial tree height to determine the Specific Mass (ME) and Power Calorific Value (PCS). The ME was determined by removing the two sampled wedges diametrically opposite of each disk, and the PCS was determined with sawdust taken with the unused part of the disk. The Dry Mass (MS) per hectare was calculated with the values of Mean Annual Increment (IMA) and ME, and energy per hectare was calculated on the basis of the values of PCS and MS of wood. The results showed that the clone P + showing the highest potential for biomass production and energy per hectare, but the clone P-showed the biggest trends of gross calorific value and density, verifying that the clone that features the best production conditions is not always the same as that gives the best characteristics of wood to be used as energy. On the other hand, the area east despite having the highest water availability throughout the year, the highest biomass productivity and energy per hectare was shown in the area with higher water restriction. So for achieve higher productivity and wood quality is more important to the selection of genetic material that the location of the area, but without disparaging the influence of environmental conditions about the genetic potential of each material.


By means of a variational approach using trial functions, approximate analytical solutions are found for strongly nonlinear one‐dimensional Schrodinger equations, in good agreement with numerical results.


In this study, it was evaluated retrospectively the result of  10 patients with cervical cancer who treated with radiotherapy treatment in Bursa Uludag University between 2014-2017 years. Four different plans were performed using 6 MV and 15 MV photon energies both for volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and intensity modulated arc therapy (IMRT) 7 field technique used in the treatment planning. All patient were to receive  50.4 Gy dose from 28 fractions. Our aim to organ at risks(OAR) such as; the rectal, bladder, small intestine, right and left femoral heads also Conformity Index(CI) and Homogeneity Index(HI) and total numbers of monitor units  were evaluated. As a result of the comparison, the optimal PTV dose homogeneity, the CI value was better in VMAT 15 MV plans and IMRT 15 MV plans showed the best HI values. Bladder and rectum doses were obtained in VMAT 6 MV technique,small intestine doses in IMRT 15 MV technique. Regarding to all planning techniques, dose distributions were within acceptable limits. VMAT 6 MV technique is superior to other techniques when considering the scattered dose and the risk of secondary cancer. Therefore, considering side effects and double effect, VMAT may be preferred as a treatment technique.


Results of research have shown, that application КоllаpАn L at the fracture site of an alveolar ridge of upper jaw raises efficiency of treatment and reduces complications up to 20%.


Objective To prepare Shuxiong Sustained-release Capsule by multiparticulate site-controlled release technique.Methods First,Shuxiong pellets were prepared with the refined medicinal materials containing in the recipe of Shuxiong Tablets.Then,three kinds of coated pellets were prepared by HPMC,Eudragit L-30D-55,and Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 combinations(1∶5) as coater,respectively.Finally,Shuxiong Sustained-release Capsules were developed by encapsulating the above three kinds of coated pellets as certain ratio in hard gelatin capsules.Results The three kinds of pellets coated with HPMC,Eudragit L-30D-55 and Eudragit L100-Eudragit S100 combinations(1∶5) could dissolve in any pH condition water,at pH value 5.5 or above and at pH value 6.8 or higher,respectively.The release profiles of notoginseng saponin,safflower yellow,ferulic acid, and tetramethylpyzine from Shuxiong Sustained-release Capsules showed a characteristic of pH-dependent gradient-release in the simulated gastrointestinal pH conditions and no significant difference among them.Conclusion The results indicate that the multiparticulate site-controlled release technique makes it possible that various components with extremely different physicochemical properties in sustained-release formulations of traditional Chinese medicinal compound recipe could release synchronously while sustained-releasing.That complies with the whole conception of formulated compatibility of traditional Chinese medicinal compound recipe.


Background People living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) have an increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease, but specific guidance on when to suspect the onset of these diseases is limited. Materials and Methods We aimed to identify cardiovascular risk factors in PLHIV using carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) through a cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study that enrolled 217 PLHIV who underwent carotid IMT measurement at a teaching hospital in Korea. We compared clinical characteristics between PLHIV with subclinical atherosclerosis and PLHIV with IMT within the normal range, and used a receiver operating characteristic curve to determine the cut-off age for predicting subclinical atherosclerosis. Results Among the study population, 115 participants (53.0%) had subclinical atherosclerosis. In logistic regression, age and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with increased carotid IMT even after adjusting for other variables (odds ratio [OR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06 - 1.15, P <0.001; OR: 3.92, 95% CI: 1.87 - 8.22, P <0.001, respectively). The cut-off age for predicting subclinical atherosclerosis was 39.5 years (area under the curve 0.78, 95% CI: 0.72 - 0.84, P <0.001). Conclusion Conventional risk factors including age and dyslipidemia were associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in Asian PLHIV. In particular, Asian PLHIV older than 40 years had an increased risk of subclinical atherosclerosis and may benefit from carotid IMT screening.


Susruta Samhita is one of the early treatises that form the cornerstone of the Indian Medical tradition of Ayurveda. Susruta is the most celebrated physician and surgeon in India. Though he practiced during the 5th century B.C., many of his contributions to medicine and surgery preceded similar discoveries in the western world.Acharya Susruta was not only one of the earliest pioneers in surgery in the World and also one of the earliest to study the human anatomy, Acharya describes about the method of dissection in the good old days before the modern anatomy exists.Acharya Susruta has not only described the anatomical structures and its situations but also described the dissection in detail.


The 1855 edition is dominated by the inaugural poem. Untitled in the 1855 edition, in 1856 it became "A Poem of Walt Whitman, an American"; in the 1881 edition it received the title by which it is known today. "Song of Myself" is written in free verse—a self-conscious and deliberately unstructured form of poetry consisting of long lines, often mixing verse with song. It is a composite of all the ideas that preoccupied Whitman throughout his life and his writing. The title places the poem within two fundamental contexts: autobiography and epic poetry, the ancient tradition of oral poetry in which the poet, or "bard," sings the story of a hero's trials and victories. An epic poem is an extended narrative written in poetic language that sets forth the story of a people or a nation; in a sense, it is a national history, to be memorialized and handed down through generations. In "Song of Myself," Whitman names—and praises—Americans in all walks of life and grants them "divine" status through the combined grandeur of body and soul.


Organogenesis is a complex process that relies on a dynamic interplay between extrinsic factors originating from the microenvironment and intrinsic factors specific to the tissue. For the endocrine cells of the islet of Langerhans, the local microenvironment consists of various cell types including pancreatic acinar and ductal cells as well as neuronal, immune, endothelial, and stromal cells. Interestingly, hematopoietic cells have been detected in human pancreas as early as 6 post-conception weeks (PCW)1,2, but whether they play a role during islet formation in humans remains largely unknown. To shed light on this question, we performed single nuclei RNA sequencing of the human fetal pancreas during the early weeks of the second trimester, specifically focusing on the molecular interaction between the hematopoietic niche and the pancreatic epithelium. Our analysis identified a wide range of hematopoietic cells as well as two distinct subsets of macrophages that are unique to the fetal pancreas and absent in neonatal or adult pancreatic tissues. Leveraging this discovery, we developed a co-culture system of hESC-derived endocrine-macrophage organoids to model their interaction in vitro. Remarkably, we found that macrophages promoted the differentiation and viability of developing endocrine cells in vitro and enhanced tissue engraftment in immunocompromised mice, supporting a role for these cells in future tissue engineering strategies for diabetes.


Modulated signals used in communication systems exhibits cyclic periodicity. This is primarily due to sinusoidal product modulators, repeating preambles, coding and multiplexing in modern communication. This property of signals can be analyzed using cyclostationary analysis. SCF (Spectral correlation function) of cyclic autocorrelation (CAF) has unique features for different modulated signals and noise. Different techniques are applied to SCF for extracting features on the basis of which decision of detecting a signal or noise is made. In this chapter, study and analysis of different modulated signals used in satellite communication is presented using SCF. Also comparison of several signal detection techniques is provided on the basis of utilizing unique feature exhibit by a normalized vector calculated on SCF along frequency axis. Moreover a signal detection technique is also proposed which identifies the presence of a signal or noise in the analyzed data within the defined threshold limits. Blind Signal Detection Techniques for Spectrum Sensing in Satellite Communication: Blind Signal Detection Techniques for Satellite Communication


A ring oscillator with temperature and supply voltage compensation is presented in this paper. In the proposed configuration, low drop-out regulator (LDO) is adapted to reject the influence of supply voltage variation on the output frequency of ring oscillator. Temperature sensor and voltage adder/subtractor are used to generate a bias voltage which can maintain a constant output frequency of ring oscillator with temperature variation. In addition, for the purpose of high stability, a high accuracy band-gap reference provides DC bias voltage for LDO, temperature sensor and voltage adder/subtractor. The proposed circuit configuration is realized in 0.35 μm CMOS technology and simulated with cadence tools. The simulation results show the temperature coefficient of output frequency is 57.5 ppm/°C in temperature range of -20 to 100°C and the variation of output frequency with supply voltage is ±0.07% in voltage rang of 3.2 to 4 V.


Enforcement of arbitral awards in foreign countries is carried out on the basis of the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of June 10, 1958 (the 1958 New York Convention). Provisions of the New-York Convention of 1958 are rather laconic and some of them cause difficulties in enforcement. Such a provision is subparagraph (e) of Article 1 of the 1958 New York Convention. «е» of paragraph 1 of article V, which provides for the possibility to execute an arbitral award annulled at the place where it was rendered. Similar norms are provided for in the Russian legislation. Using general scientific methods of knowledge (analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction, generalization) and special scientific methods (formal-logical, formal-legal and method of legal forecasting) the analysis of execution of annulled arbitral awards in foreign countries was carried out. Scientific novelty of the present research consists in substantiation of the fact that the arbitral award and the acts adopted in respect of this award form a single totality, each element of which should be taken into account in the enforcement of the arbitral award. It is found that the enforcement of the annulled arbitral awards is contrary to the purpose of the 1958 New York Convention and the logic of its provisions. The enforcement of such decisions also violates the rights and interests of the parties to the arbitral proceedings. It is proposed to amend the current legal regulation and to provide for a clear provision prescribing the refusal to recognize and enforce a foreign arbitral award that has been set aside by a State court in the place where it was made.


The distribution characteristics of hydraulic gradient in embankment are closely related to seepage failure. Seepage failures such as flowing soil and piping will lead to serious damage and even the overall failure of embankment. The hydraulic conductivity has strong spatial variability, which changes the distribution of hydraulic gradient in embankment and increases the difficulty for predicting the embankment seepage instability. In this study, the distribution of soil hydraulic conductivity in a section of Shijiu Lake embankment was obtained by the permeability test. Based on Local Average Subdivision technique, a three-dimensional multilayer random field of embankment hydraulic conductivity was generated. Then, the mean and standard deviation of overflow point height and hydraulic gradient were calculated by the Monte Carlo method, which combined the generated three-di-mensional random model and the deterministic analysis method of seepage field. Finally, the coefficient of variation (COV) of hydraulic conductivity (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0), the fluctuation scale in vertical direction (3m) and the fluctuation scale in horizontal plane (3m, 6m, 12m, 24m, 36m, and 48 m) were selected respectively for analyzing the random characteristics of embankment overflow point height and hydraulic gradient under the influence of different COV and fluctuation scale of embankment soil hydraulic conductivity.


We have proposed a surface-micromachined microflow sensor to solve the problems of poor thermal isolation and low sensitivity presented in typical thermal flow sensors. The membrane of insulating films on a vacuum cavity formed in a silicon substrate supports a n+) poly-Si heating resistor and two bidoped poly-Si thermopiles. We have investigated heat-transfer characteristics of the sensor microstructure with the 5-micrometers -depth cavity of 100 X 100 micrometers 2 and nitrogen and water as the working fluid using a 2D numerical analysis in terms of the hater power, inlet flow velocity and pressure inside the cavity. The microstructure with the vacuum cavity shows improved thermal isolation compared to the air cavity, suppressing heat loss from the heater to the substrate. With the vacuum cavity heaving an optimized geometry, it is possible to enhance the performance of the thermal microflow sensor.


The transfer of the image to the substrate in litho graphic printing relies very much on the characteristics of the fountain solution. The quality or desensitization potential of the solution has always been determined by measurements of pH ; and by the more "recently" proposed method of electrochemical conductivity. The purpose of this study was to determine which of these techniques most suitably measured the efficiency of the solution. Since the fountain solutions were always changing during the press run, the response of pH and con ductivity to changes in concentration were used as criteria for measuring their suitability. The effect on print qual ity variables were also used as a criterion. The design of the experiment was such that the concen tration/conductivity was artificially changed by addition of sodium chloride and potassium citrate salts as well as gum based concentrate and alcohol. The investigation included the study of the physical and plate performance characteristics of the solutions at different concentrations. Relationships and comparisons were made on the properties of pH, conductivity, density, surface tension, viscosity, print sharpness, resolution, resistance to scum, contrast and the number of fogged patches that printed. Experimental work was conducted under controlled con ditions and depended on the assumption that the conductance of the solution will be directly dependent on the concentra tion (and type) of materials and inversely related to the viscosity of the solutions. The pH was assumed to be inde pendent of concentration and viscosity of the solutions. The results obtained were graphically and statistically analyzed. Equations that will permit the estimation of physical and print qualities were also obtained as a step towards accomplishing the objective of calibrating the foun tain solutions . It is concluded that under some conditions conductivity is a more useful measurement technique than pH. The concen tration of the components of the solution certainly has effect on print qualities. The significance of the effect is determined by the nature of the materials and the extent of their concentrations. Further results indicated that an organic salt shows more compatibility with the solutions than an inorganic salt. While the results called for modification of the definition of a fountain solution, there was no evidence to reject the experimental model.


Legionella pneumophila is the major agent of Legionnaire ́s Disease (LD) a severe and occasionally fatal pneumonia. This gram negative bacteria that is ubiquitous in freshwater environments and in many man-made water systems, replicates within aquatic protozoa (mainly amoeba), but also within human alveolar macrophages. L. pneumophila virulence depends on the ability to use the phagocytic vacuole, namely Legionella-containing vacuole (LCV), to create a replicative niche preventing phagosome-lysosome fusion and evade the host immune system. To accomplish these tasks L. pneumophila translocate numerous bacterial effectors into the host cell though Dot/Icm Type IV Secretion System (TB4SS). This secretion system is responsible for the translocation of vast number of effectors that modulate diverse host cell functions. Despite this large number of recognized effectors only a few are considered to be critical for intracellular growth and disease, such as SdhA protein. This protein is crucial for the maintenance of LCV integrity in macrophages, since in the absence of this effector the LCV disruption occurs resulting in the death of both host cell and bacterium. An increase in the use of G. mellonella as an infection model for human pathogens occurred in the past years due the existence of a large correlation between virulence of bacterial pathogens in the insect and in mammalian models. In this insect, mortality induced by L. pneumophila is both dose and functional Dot/Icm T4BSS-dependent. Moreover, the suitability of G. mellonella to determine the role of Dot/Icm T4BSS effectors, such SdhA, in the virulence of this bacterium was already demonstrated. The main objective of this study was to determine if the role of the crucial virulence-related Dot/Icm T4BSS effector SdhA induced different levels of virulence among unrelated L. pneumophila strains, isolated from different environments and with distinct genetic backgrounds, using G. mellonella larvae as an infection model. In this study the majority of L. pneumophila strains induced a sdhA-dependent larval mortality. In addition, relevant differences on the role of sdhA were observed among the studied strains. In sum, SdhA induced different levels of virulence among unrelated L. pneumophila strains in Galleria mellonella infection. Importantly, some degree of functional redundancy for SdhA was detected for the first time in a L. pneumophila strain.


Matrices with real quaternion elements have been dealt with in earlier papers by Wolf (10) and Lee (4). In the former, an elementary divisor theory was developed for such matrices by using an isomorphism between n×n real quaternion matrices and 2n×2n matrices with complex elements. In the latter, further results were obtained (including, mainly, the transforming of a quaternion matrix into a triangular form under a unitary similarity transformation) by using a different isomorphism.


The article considers the ambiguous attitude to the laws of traditional logic in science and philosophy. Some consider them universal, true for all mankind, the others speak of the plurality of such logics, of the depen dence of each of them on different cultures. It is shown that this issue is related with the understanding of aprioristic and aposterioristic (empirical) knowledge and their ratio in cognition. Existence of various options of this understanding is noted and the conclusion is drawn that only "extreme" forms of apriorism and empiricism rigidly oppose each other. Their "moderate", "intermediate" versions don't contradict each other and are quite compatible. According to the author, the proof of "a priori-a posteriori" nature of many fundamental scientific concepts (for example, logic and mathematics) are working in the field of cognitive and ethnomathematics sciencse with their pedagogical version and problems of mathematic education, that requires further work on updating the content of the concepts "a priori" and "a posteriori".


Superconducting Sm(O,F)BiS2 single crystals were successfully grown using KI-KCl flux. The obtained single crystals were flat-shaped and their size was 500 μm. The structure and composition of the ...


A workshop on Microbial Activities at Yucca Mountain (May 1995, Lafayette, CA) was held with the intention to compile information on all pertinent aspects of microbial activity for application to a potential repository at Yucca Mountain. The findings of this workshop set off a number of efforts intended to eventually incorporate the impacts of microbial behavior into performance assessment models. One effort was to expand an existing modeling approach to include the distinctive characteristics of a repository at Yucca Mountain (e.g., unsaturated conditions and a significant thermal load). At the same time, a number of experimental studies were initiated as well as a compilation of relevant literature to more thoroughly study the physical, chemical and biological parameters that would affect microbial activity under Yucca Mountain-like conditions. This literature search (completed in 1996) is the subject of the present document. The collected literature can be divided into four categories: (1) abiotic factors, (2) community dynamics and in-situ considerations, (3) nutrient considerations and (4) transport of radionuclides. The complete bibliography represents a considerable resource, but is too large to be discussed in one document. Therefore, the present report focuses on the first category, abiotic factors, and a discussion of these factors inmore » order to facilitate the development of a model for Yucca Mountain.« less


This paper introduces a novel system for interactive modeling and designing of arbitrary BRDFs. The system is able to deal with BRDFs defined in a variety of forms, such as analytical models, measured data or data obtained by simulation. The system also allows designing BRDFs from scratch using a combination of different analytical lobes. Using the programmable graphics hardware, it then performs interactive display of the designed BRDF, and its rendering on objects lit by complex illumination. The system also allows the fitting of an input BRDF defined in any form to our analytical lobe combination, so that it can be efficiently evaluated with GPU based rendering. The idea behind this work is to make available a general system for designing, fitting and rendering BRDFs, that is intuitive and interactive in nature. We plan to use this as a tool for simulation and modeling of complex physically-based BRDFs, and thus provide access to a larger variety of material models to the rendering community.


Capsule robots have the potential for intestinal treatment due to their unique advantages compared with traditional diagnosis and treatment. However, current capsule robots can only carry and release one type of drug, while more drugs would be needed during the treatment. In addition, the volume of loaded drugs will be restricted due to the small dimensions of the capsule robot, and released drugs need to be guaranteed to have a sufficient dosage for treatment. In this article, to overcome these limitations, a system was proposed, and the robot consists of a leader robot module and several robot modules. Each robot module can load two types of drugs, and any two robot modules can achieve docking and separations according to the clinical requirements. Laboratory experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance. The experimental results show that the robot modules can move with speeds of 28.5, 25.1, 22.3, and 14.5 mm/s when they load drugs of 0, 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 g, respectively. Ex vivo experiments demonstrated that two robot modules could dock and separate from each other and release drugs at target positions and did not cause damage to the lining of the intestine. This proposed multidrug modular capsule robot could prove a reference for drug release and control and have the potential for further applications.


This chapter tells a story of course reform, describing in a fresh and candid way the steps taken toward change and the results achieved. The authors emphasize that instructors need considerable support in order to teach differently, as well as underscore the need to consider scalability of reform even at the pilot stage.


A highly competitive system is the reaction at the three-phase boundary at which the electrode was exposed to both the oil and the water phase, explored by Scholz and coworkers. It is composed of an oil droplet mounted on the electrode in an aqueous solution. A typical cell apparatus is composed of the oil droplet including only a redox species, which is located on an electrode in an aqueous solution including supporting electrolyte, as is shown in Fig.1A. An air bubble mounted on an oil | water interface is a probe not only of interfacial tension but also of properties of three-phase boundary reactions. This report is devoted to investigating the static and dynamic behavior of the air bubble on the O|W interface in the context of the three-phase boundary reaction of ferrocene. The bubble kept spontaneously moving on the oil|water interface without applying any force, when it is less than 0.3 mm in diameter. The motion was irregular without decay, suggesting a contribution of Brownian motion. When the three-phase boundary reaction occurred, the bubble motion stopped. It was observed only in the potential domain at which ferrocene is oxidized. The force balance of the air bubble at the O|W interface will be formulated in terms of the interfacial tensions and the buoyancy. It will be demonstrated that the electrode reaction varies the surface tension at the O|W interface to cause surface convection.


German investigators previously reported results from a project in which a "stroke emergency mobile unit" (STEMO) was deployed (NEJM JW Emerg Med Apr 22 2014). The STEMO is an ambulance that is equipped with a computed tomography scanner and staffed by a neurologist. In this substudy, …


Objective: To compare the parameters of central and peripheral blood pressure measurements, arterial stiffness, target organ damage (TOD), biochemical and renal profiles among participants who had the therapeutic strategy guided by central (CG) and peripheral (PG) blood pressure values. Design and method: Randomized study in two groups: CG and PG. Five visits were carried out, the first (V1) being selection and randomization followed by intermediate visits, every 3 months, to assess blood pressure and adjust antihypertensive drugs. The procedures performed in the initial and final visit (V5) were: measurement of central arterial pressure and pulse wave velocity (PWV) (mobil-o-graph) and peripheral (OMRON HEM1100), carotid ultrasound, echodopplercardiogram and laboratory tests. Paired and unpaired t and chi-square tests were used. Adopted significance level of 5% and a confidence interval of 95%. Results: A total of 59 participants were evaluated (30 from the CG and 29 from the PG). Age, BMI, central and peripheral blood pressure measurements, PWV, left ventricular mass index (LVMI), carotid intimal mean thickness, biochemical profile and glomerular filtration rate did not differ between the two groups (p > 0.05) in randomization. The augmentation index (AIx) was higher in the CG than in the PG at randomization (27.3% ± 12.2% vs 20.3% ± 13.3% p 0.041). After 1 year of follow-up, in the analysis between the groups, the central diastolic pressure was lower in the CG (78.9mmHg ± 9.7mmHg vs 84.3 ± 10.4mmHg, p 0.024) and the difference in AIx between the groups ceased to exist. When intra-group comparisons were made before and after the intervention, a reduction in the PWV (p < 0.001) and LVMI (p = 0.018) was observed in the CG. In PG there was an increase in PWV (p < 0.001) and LVMI (p = 0.003). Conclusions: The intervention guided by central pressure, after 1 year of follow-up, was able to reduce the central diastolic pressure and correct the AIx parameter and, in the intra-group analysis, it promoted a reduction in PWV and LVMI. There was no difference between the two groups regarding the improvement of outcomes related to central and peripheral blood pressure, cardiac and vascular TOD, biochemical and renal profile.


In recent years, there are many active researches on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) as a way to collect diverse context information around the world. A lot of new WSN protocols have been proposed and implemented for the various application fields such as military, environmental, habitat monitoring, health, home and office, and other applications. When we compose a WSN protocol stack using several layers which have been designed and implemented individually, some uncertain protocol layer modules with malfunctions may cause the serious faults of their own or entire WSNs. Therefore, it is very important to verify functions and interoperability of each layer as well as to make well-defined protocol specifications. In this paper, we propose an automatic protocol verification framework for WSNs. The proposed framework consists of a test procedure description language written in XML and a test harness which executes test procedures. We have implemented the proposed framework and used it to verify some of our own WSN protocol layers. And our test framework has performed nicely. Therefore, we think that this framework would make it possible for WSN protocol developers to verify protocols easily.


Heterodimensional cycles are heteroclinic cycles that connect periodic orbits whose unstable manifolds have different dimensions. This is a source of nonhyperbolic dynamics and unstable dimension variability. For smooth invertible maps persistence of heterodimensional cycles with changing parameters is established using blenders, and this is only possible for systems of dimension three or higher. Using the idea of a snapback repeller we show that the definitions and results extend to noninvertible maps and that blender-type dynamics is possible in two dimensional piecewise smooth noninvertible maps. These piecewise smooth maps have the additional property of robust chaos, which simplifies some steps of the argument. The ideas are illustrated using a class of continuous piecewise smooth maps related to the border collision normal form.


A surface-potential-based compact model for polycrystalline silicon (poly-Si) thin-film transistors (TFTs) was developed, accounting for the effects of both deep and tail states across the band gap. The model describes the drain current in all regions of operation using the unified equation without the use of threshold voltage as an input parameter. Calculations using the drain current model produce results that are in good agreement with the measured current–voltage characteristics of poly-Si TFTs.


ABSTRACT Acute Respiratory Infection (ARI) is acute infection on upper and lower part of respiratory tract caused by virus,fungus and bacteria. Based on data of World Health Organization (WHO) in 2005 the proportion of neonate mortality caused by the respiratory infection is 19 – 25 %. The objective of this research is to study factor related to incidence of ARI on baby or neonate at the area Health Center of Panyabungan Jae Mandailing Natal Regency in 2014. This research is observational study using cross sectional approach. The sample of this research is purposive sampling for 100 person. The data was analyzed by descrivtive study and tested by Chi Square test with 95% CL. The result of research indicates that proportion of patien with ARI is 61 %, the higher on the rage of age group ≥ 12 - < 3 6 month old ( 58), female for 52 %, a good nutrition status for 94 %, status with exclusive breast milk 39 %, status of complete immunization for 71 %. The result of statistic analysis indicates that is a significant correlation between immunization statu s ( p=0,001, RP;1,819; 95% CL 1,393-2,734), , ventilatio n (p=0,003, RP;1,633 95% CL 1,256-2,123) , occupation density (p<0,001, RP; 2,124; 95% CL 1,461-3,087) , burnt anti-mosquit o (p<0,001, RP; 1,976; 95% CL 1,545-2,529) , and smoking (p<0,001,RP; 2,339; 95%CL 1,743-3,138) with incident of ARI. It is suggested to the health staff to increase the knowledge of society about the importance of immunization and of health house. Keywords: ARI, Immunization status, Ventilation, Occupation density, BurntAnti-   musquito, Smoker


The LTE and NR coexistence on the same frequency band is inevitable during the transition period from LTE to NR. The field trial result has shown the inter-cell interference caused by cell reference signal from surrounding LTE cells reduces the 5G system performance severely. In view of the fact that the traditional CRS-IC algorithms which increase the design complexity of UE receiver structures need to estimate CRS interference from the domain interfering cell and subtracted from the received signal sequentially, low complexity interference algorithm based on network assistance is considered as a promising technology for 5G commercial UE and network. In this paper, a novel interference mitigation algorithm for NR system is proposed to reduce the co-channel interference from LTE cell. The performance of proposed solution is evaluated and compared to the zero-power rate matching-based solution by means of link level simulations that follow the 3GPP guidelines. The simulation results show that the proposed solution can provide significant gains.


New developments in plant protection technique give rise to new requirements in the development of spray equipment, which must then be tested for its efficiency, uniformity and optimum performance in relation to output and droplet characteristics. The problems in doing this are illustrated by the results of a trial on orchard spraying in Hungary. The need to relate performance to biological requirements is particularly stressed.


Two modules related to home energy use that have been developed for a freshman level engineering course are introduced. These modules are intended to introduce concepts in sustainability; serve as an introduction to the profession; and prepare students for the sophomore year, where formal design and communication instruction will occur. Brief overviews of the classroom instruction, laboratory set ups, assignments, and assessment rubrics used for one of the modules in the course, as well as a discussion of the general framing of the modules in the context of preparing students for future coursework are provided.


This paper describes the hardware implementation of a digital spectrum analyzer which, by using a capture process of the signal under processing, performs some non parametric signal processing techniques. All the possibilities to implement a spectrum analyzer will arise to a bank filter analysis approach. When the instrument works as an off-line processor, the bank filter can be a linear transform, which results in a FFT as concerns with the analysis of the power density content of the data sample.
Thus the FFT processor can be viewed as a set of equispaced filters with non-ideal cut-off and secondary lobes but optimum to analyze pure tones in a white noise environment.


Plastics pose a serious threat to both marine and freshwater life after being discarded and broken down into smaller particles such as micro and nano-plastic particles. The nano-sized plastic particles...


The conditions of enterprise location in the region of expressway interchange are analyzed. The features and demands for different type of enterprises location of Japan and USA in the regional are compared. The ways how to use the conditions in the region of expressway interchange and select enterprises location, in order to develop regional economy and raises indirect benefit of expressway are presented.


After reviewing the general objectives of the control centres operated by the RATP (Paris Transport Authority) since 1967, the author looks at metro control centres (Line 1, Line 11, other control centres, the lastest developments and the present situation, RER control centers (Line A, Line B) and the new control centre planned for Line B, which will be installed in the Denfert-Rochereau station precincts.


The purpose of this study was to clarify whether depression levels may be predicted by motivation among college students based on gender. Is there a difference in depression levels based on gender? Are there differences based on depression/motivation variables? The participants of this research consisted of (N=85) undergraduate college students. The Beck Depression inventory was administered to measure the degree of depression and a T-test was used to evaluate the distinction between the depression/motivation variables and gender. The results of this study showed that females seem to have a higher level of depression but also have a higher level of motivation.


Traditionally, researchers in automatic face recognition and biometric technologies have focused on developing accurate algorithms. With this technology being integrated into operational systems, engineers and scientists are being asked, do these systems meet societal norms? The origin of this line of inquiry is `trust' of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. In this paper, we concentrate on adapting explainable AI to face recognition and biometrics, and we present four principles of explainable AI to face recognition and biometrics. The principles are illustrated by $\it{four}$ case studies, which show the challenges and issues in developing algorithms that can produce explanations.


Objective:To investigate effectiveness of the Mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral treatment(MBCBT) on 6 obsessive-compulsive disorder(OCD) patients.Methods: With single-case multiple-baseline design,6 OCD patients received MBCBT.The Symptom Checklist 90(SCL-90),Yale-Brow Obssesive Compulsive Scale(YBOCS) and the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire(FFMQ)were adopted as measurements.Among these measurements,the data of YBOCS were collected weekly.Results: From the figures,obsessive-compulsive symptoms of all patients tended to decrease and these gains were maintained at follow-up.Wilcoxon test found that patients' post-treatment scores were significant lower than pre-treatment scores in sub-scales of Somatization,Obsessive-Compulsive,Depression and Anxiety of SCL-90,and in sub-scales of Compulsions,Obsessions,and total scores of YBOCS.Patients' post-treatment scores were significant higher than pre-treatment scores in sub-scales of Observing,Describing,Acting with awareness and Non-judging of FFMQ.Conclusion: Mindfulness-based cognitive-behavioral treatment may be effective for these OCD patients,and further investigations with randomization and controlled conditions are needed.


First described by Clive in 1808, with an operative treatment for it later described by Dupuytren, this contracture remains idiopathic in its etiology. Turek describes it as consisting of hypertrophy and contracture of the palmar aponeurosis with consequent flexion deformity of the distal palm and fingers. Luck also stages the pathogenesis in three stages: 1) proliferative; 2) involutional; and 3) residual. It is frequently bilateral, symmetrical, with a chronic course of one to 20 years for maximum deformity. It commonly begins with a nodule in the palm of the distal palmar crease proximal to the ring finger, which is the proliferative staging event. In this authors opinion, this is the only stage in the pathological events which might be amenable to non-surgical reduction of this lesion.


The Huisgen reaction of aryltetrazoles and fumaryl chloride leads to symmetrically aryl-substituted 1,2-bis(1,3,4-oxadiazolyl)ethenes. Molecules with extended conjugated systems are accessible using stilbenyltetrazoles or higher homologues. The substitution with solubility-permitting alkoxy side-chains results in molecules of C2h symmetry, consisting of a central electron-accepting segment and two terminal electron density-releasing units. The solvatochromism of the absorption spectra is negligible, while in the emission spectra a strong positive solvatochromism connected with a dramatic decrease of the quantum yield is observed, indicating intramolecular charge transfer. The influences of different alkoxy substitution patterns on the luminescence properties are discussed. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


This study investigated insect pest infestation of maize, millet, sorghum, rice and wheat grains traded in the three main markets namely Monday, Baga-Road and Custom-Park markets in Maiduguri, Borno state, Nigeria. Sampling lasted from January to June 2012. Samples per grain type, each weighing one kilogram, were obtained every two weeks from ten randomly selected traders per market. Each sample was sieved in the laboratory to recover all adult insects present, both at sampling and also after one month stay (laid out in a completely randomized design). In each market, Sitophilus zeamais Motschulsky and Rhyzopertha dominica (F.) followed by Tribolium castaneum Herbst, Sitophilus oryzae (Linnaeus), Trogoderma granarium (Everts) or Cryptolestes sp. were the insect pests commonly found attacking more (between two to five) grain types. Observed highest and lowest mean insect numbers were respectively by S. zeamais in maize grains (12.13 individuals in Monday market) and T. granarium in wheat grains (0.13 individuals in Baga-Road market). Results unveil that among three markets, higher mean total numbers of insects were present in maize, rice or wheat (18-33). For all grain types, the mean numbers of damaged grains were significantly higher in Monday (53-357) and Custom-Park (46-302) than in Baga-Road (17-109) markets. Furthermore, the mean total number of damaged grains across markets was significantly higher maize, followed by rice and wheat (55-231) than in other grain types (37-41). The implications of all these results on insect infestation of different cereal grain types sold in these markets are discussed.


Abstract An efficient method of estimating the linear expenditure system (LES) by maximum likelihood is introduced. A test for insuring that parameter estimates obtained by numerical maximization satisfy the first-order conditions is given. In some experiments the new method of estimating the LES is compared to the more conventional method of estimation and is found to use significantly less computer time than the conventional method.


Data assimilation combines forecasts from a numerical model with observations. Most of the current data assimilation algorithms consider the model and observation error terms as additive Gaussian noise, specified by their covariance matricesand, respectively. These error covariances, and specifically their respective amplitudes, determine the weights given to the background (i.e., the model forecasts) and to the observations in the solution of data assimilation algorithms (i.e., the analysis). Consequently,andmatrices significantly impact the accuracy of the analysis. This review aims to present and to discuss, with a unified framework, different methods to jointly estimate theandmatrices using ensemble-based data assimilation techniques. Most of the methods developed to date use the innovations, defined as differences between the observations and the projection of the forecasts onto the observation space. These methods are based on two main statistical criteria: 1) the method of moments, in which the theoretical and empirical moments of the innovations are assumed to be equal, and 2) methods that use the likelihood of the observations, themselves contained in the innovations. The reviewed methods assume that innovations are Gaussian random variables, although extension to other distributions is possible for likelihood-based methods. The methods also show some differences in terms of levels of complexity and applicability to high-dimensional systems. The conclusion of the review discusses the key challenges to further develop estimation methods forand. These challenges include taking into account time-varying error covariances, using limited observational coverage, estimating additional deterministic error terms, or accounting for correlated noise.


The paper analyses and summarizes the crack damage which appears during construction and opera fing management Meanwhile,it gives some measures and methods of controlling the cracks


The Year Book of Urology (1958‐1959 Year Book Series). Edited by William Wallace Scott, M.D., Ph.D.; 1959. Chicago: The Year Book Publishers. Sydney: W. Ramsay (Surgical) Limited. 7½″ × 5″, pp. 368, with 82 illustrations. Price: £4 2s. 6d.


This paper evaluates the inherent characteristics of risk management in agile methods, and performs an analysis on the impacts of this approach in the results of the project. The risk management aims to identify and reduce the uncertainties of the project in order to prevent that future problems occurs and negatively impact the project. There are several peculiarities and differences in risk management in agile when compared to traditional methodologies. Due to the various risks associated with the nature of agile, effective risk management is essential to the success of these projects. To validate these statements an analysis are realized in the literature on these subjects and the correlation of the same. This research presents an approach to such subjects and results in an analysis of the relevance of the contribution of an appropriate risk management to the success of projects using agile methodologies. Full Paper PDF: http://www.contecsi.fea.usp.br/envio/11contecsi-files/papers/577/submission/director/577-2376-1-DR.pdf


Abstract An efficient synthesis of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidinones from an aldehyde, a ketoester, and a urea or thiourea using a catalytic amount of ferric chloride hexahydrate is described. Microwave irradiation has been used to accelerate the synthesis of the Biginelli compounds under solvent‐free conditions and in a short reaction time and with good yield.


A disposable syringe assembly can be used manually or in an automatic injection device, the syringe comprising a housing (22), which accommodates the syringe barrel and limit longitudinal movement relative thereto; the shroud portion (30), for between a retracted position and an extended position relative to the syringe housing substantially telescopic movement, in the extended position of the protective shield during use of the syringe needle; and a locking configuration, in which said shroud extends towards locking arrangement is activated to prevent the shield from its retracted position. The syringe assembly of the automatic injection device includes a drive mechanism so that the shroud portion is moved to its locked extended position, whereby, upon completion of the injection operation, said automatic injection from discarded at the protected status of shift means in addition, while for the after treatment.


A person comes into self-awareness through self-reflection in the process of exploring the outside world.In this process,the object to be undersdood turns out to be the medium or mirror through which a person comes to know himself.A person is constantly reflected through thoses mirrors.Limited as those images are,they present an outline of a person,enriching the meaning of the subject.The law of human society as the most important phenomena of civilization,is no doubt an important mirror of the meaning of a person.An analysis of the relationship between a person and the law as a mirror can further the understanding of a person and the law itself.


One of the central debates about school reform is whether or not school choice improves student outcomes. School choice reforms, which comprise a broad category of policies aimed at improving public education through the introduction of market forces that may stimulate customer choice and competition between schools, have grown particularly popular since the 1990s. Private school vouchers, which provide public funds for students to attend K-12 private schools, are one example of an education reform that introduces choice and competition. This evaluation focuses on the impacts of the voucher program known as the Louisiana Scholarship Program, addressing four research questions to determine its direct and indirect effects on Louisiana's students.


A 46‐year‐old female had suffered from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) for 8 years. Headache, vomiting and stiff neck appeared in the active phase of SLE. Findings in the cerebrospinal fluid were consistent with those of lupus meningitis. No pathogenic microbes were detected by microbiological or immunological examinations. She was diagnosed as having lupus meningitis.


We explore the decoupling physics of a stratocumulus-topped boundary layer (STBL) moving over cooler water, a situation mimicking the warm air advection (WADV). We simulate an initially well-mixed STBL over a doubly periodic domain with the sea surface temperature decreasing linearly over time using the System for Atmospheric Modeling large-eddy model. Due to the surface cooling, the STBL becomes increasingly stably stratified, manifested as a near-surface temperature inversion topped by a well-mixed cloud-containing layer. Unlike the stably stratified STBL in cold air advection (CADV) that is characterized by cumulus coupling, the stratocumulus deck in the WADV is unambiguously decoupled from the sea surface, manifested as weakly negative buoyancy flux throughout the sub-cloud layer. Without the influxes of buoyancy from the surface, the convective circulation in the well-mixed cloud-containing layer is driven by cloud-top radiative cooling. In such a regime, the downdrafts propel the circulation, in contrast to that in CADV regime for which the cumulus updrafts play a more determinant role. Such a contrast in convection regime explains the difference in many aspects of the STBLs including the entrainment rate, cloud homogeneity, vertical exchanges of heat and moisture, and lifetime of the stratocumulus deck, with the last being subject to a more thorough investigation in part 2. Finally, we investigate under what conditions a secondary stratus near the surface (or fog) can form in the WADV. We found that weaker subsidence favors the formation of fog whereas a more rapid surface cooling rate doesn't.


Smartphones connected to the cellular network generate records about connection information (Call Details Record - CDR), creating considerable amounts of telecommunications data, which creates an opportunity to support city management, namely to foster the smart cities concept. This work performs the systematic mapping of research in this area and identifies the main opportunities with cellular infrastructure data to support smart city control centers. The methodological process encompasses a sequence of intricately executed stages, including formulating a research protocol, utilizing search engines, rigorous application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, meticulous selection of relevant studies, thorough data validation, and exhaustive synthesis of research outcomes. Thus, 72 papers represent use cases divided into smart services groups from ISO 37122. As a result, Mobility and Urban planning groups presented the most studies and uses, recently increasing the research in other axles, such as Economy, Environment and Climate Change, Health, Social Conditions, and Security. However, there are challenges to overcome to increase smart services to cities.


Rotor tip clearance height and the associated tip leakage flow have a significant effect on the performance and stability of compressors. Existing studies considering tip clearance effects on stabi...


The moderate bank interest margins is helpful for commercial banks to enhance their businesses innovation and efficiency.From the multi-dimension angle,the paper suggests a broader definition of interest margins, including a traditional measure of interest margins(loan to deposits rate spread),a wide accounting margin (related to off-balance activities) and a broader measure of marginal spread based on the Lemer index(reflecting market power).By using the interest margins data in the period of 1998-2006,the author empirically analyzes the interest margins of commercial banks in China.The results indicate that interest margins of Chinese commercial banks are in middle-upper level and present an increasing trend and the risk variable is not significantly affecting bank margins.The opportunity cost of the stated-own banks is also positively and significantly related to interest margins.The macroeconomic factors are somehow affecting on interest margins.But this is not causal relationship between the fee-based business and bank interest margins.


Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a highly sensitive technique for quantifying trace amounts of analyte adsorbed at a roughened metal surface. Many techniques, including electrochemical etching and e-beam lithography, have been used previously to produce roughened metallic surfaces. In this work we demonstrate how novel gold nanostructured films, which are simply fabricated using gold nanoparticles and latex microspheres, can be used as highly sensitive SERS substrates. The gold films are templated by 3D colloidal crystals and display long ranged ordered regions. Since the films are porous on two length scales and, therefore, possess a high surface area, we have investigated their SERS activity using sodium cyanide as a model compound. We have integrated these substrates into a flow chamber and demonstrated the quantitative detection of sodium cyanide form 5 to 500 ppb. Our results also reveal that cyanide detection can be significantly enhanced by lowering the pH after cyanide adsorption, likely indicating a conformational change of the bound cyanide. This study illustrates how novel materials formed by simple wet chemistry techniques can be used in practical devices for the detection of chemical agents, and, more generally, illustrates how material design and spectroscopic evaluation can be rapidly integrated.


We establish Gaussian estimates on the heat kernel of a higher-order uniformly elliptic Schr\"odinger operator with variable highest order coefficients and with a Kato class potential. The estimates involve the sharp constant in the Gaussian exponent.


Acoustical modulator not necessary. Two-frequency electro-optic gas-correlation spectrometer relatively simple. Illumination provided by ordinary lamp, no moving parts, and filtered output of detector is beat-frequency signal directly proportional to correlation between spectra of gases in cells.


RNAs extracted from crown-gall tumors, induced by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (strain B6) on stems of Datura stramonium L., have been isolated by the phenol method and purified through Biogel P 60 columns. These RNAs have been transformed into complexes with l-amino acids by incubation in a medium containing: Tris HCI buffer, pH 7.6, ATP, MgCl2, a mixture of l-amino acids and a polypeptide synthetase purified from Alcaligenes faecalis. The inoculation of stems of Datura plants with these complexes induces the development of nodular outgrowths, whereas other complexes made from RNAs isolated from healthy Datura plants, from Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Escherichia coli and Alcaligenes faecalis do not cause any hyperplasia under our experimental conditions. The analysis of the results obtained, supported by histological studies of the outgrowths, suggests that these neoformations should be of tumoral nature.


The objective here is to discuss the importance of multi-determined analyses to the management of public policies within the scope of public administration. Using the Census of 2010, we look at the economic and social disparities that existed between the different boroughs of the City of Sao Paulo by adopting the principal component analysis method (PCA), based on dimensions derived from Social Health Index, an indicator that provides a more complex overview than the Human Development Index (HDI). The multi-determined analysis is based on the notion of "social space" (Bourdieu) and provides a valuable tool for diagnosing the impact of public policies, coordinating the multiple dimensions of social phenomena. We concluded that, by using the PCA method, it is possible to observe how the traditional indicators hide certain subtleties and differences with regard to inequalities between apparently homogeneous territories.


Objectives: To determine whether measurement of total T3 (triiodothyronine) , total T4 (thyroxine), free T3 (free triiodothyronine) and free T4 (free thyroxine) levels in vaginal fluid is useful for the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM). Study Design: The PPROM group and normal pregnancy group consisted of 30 and 30 pregnant patients between 26 and 36 weeks' gestation, respectively. Vaginal fluid total T4, free T4, total T3 and free T3 levels were measured in both groups. Results: Vaginal fluid total T3 and free T3 levels were not statistically significant in the PPROM group as compared with the control group (p = 0.087, p = 0.123, respectively). Vaginal fluid total T4 and free T4 levels were significantly higher in the PPROM group as compared with the control group (p = 0.002, p < 0.000, respectively). The optimal cut-off value for total T4 (0.866 µg/dl) gave a sensitivity level of 83.3% (65.3–94.3, 95% CI) at a specificity of 60.0% (40.6–77.3, 95% CI) with positive and negative predictive values of 67.6 and 78.3%, respectively. The optimal cut-off value for free T4 (0.079 ng/dl) gave a sensitivity level of 90% (73.4–97.8, 95% CI) at a specificity of 70.0% (50.6–85.2, 95% CI) with positive and negative predictive values of 75.0 and 87.5%, respectively. Conclusions: Total and free T4 measurements from vaginal fluids appears to be a useful marker of PPROM.


The design and operation of an autodyne proximity sensor is considered. The autodyne system generator is constructed using a microstrip antenna as an open oscillation system of the device. At two points, the microstrip antenna is connected to the source and the source of the field-effect transistor. The central part of the microstrip antenna is connected to the common wire. The connection of the transistor and microstrip antenna is equivalent to the Hartley generator system (inductive three-point). In the drain circuit of the FET, the useful signal of the motion sensor is picked up. The motion sensor has a certain ease of implementation, while it allows registering moving objects at a distance of several tens of meters.


The purpose of this study is to collect data from the owners of food cart businesses. This study benefits the franchisors in a way of learning the importance of the support, brand recognition, and retention of a franchise business. This may also convince young or future entrepreneurs to consider that franchising is a starting business amidst pandemic. Descriptive research is used in the study. The main instrument used of gathering data was questionnaire. In this study, the Pearson's correlation shows that the dependent and independent variables are highly correlated in which the brand recognition and perceived franchise support have an effect to the intention of retaining the franchise system positively and significantly. Furthermore, franchisor considers the opinion of the franchisee that they care about the general satisfaction and does not take advantage of the franchisee. The brand recognition is strong, as well as respected and considered it as an asset of the franchise business. The study also shows that the franchisee has the intention of retaining the franchise system and consider of introducing the franchise system to others as they consider it as their first priority.


In this article, we obtain several comparison theorems for the second-order neutral differential equation ddt(r(t)(ddtz(t))γ)+q1(t)xλ(σ(t))+q2(t)xβ(η(t))=0 , t ⩾ t 0, where γ, λ, β are ratios of positive odd integers. We compare above equation with the first-order differential inequalities in the sense that the absence of the eventually positive solutions of these first-order inequalities implies the oscillation of the studied equation.


Foraging for cultural roots: Murnong and experimental archaeology 101 Maurizio Campanelli, Alice Mora, Abby Cooper, Daniel R. Clarke, Will Marks, Farren Branson, Michael Douglas, Lachlan Marks, Leigh Ryan, Bill Nicholson and Darren Griffin Faunal analysis of the late Holocene Brown Creek 3 Marine Shell Midden, southwestern Victoria 102 Emmy Frost, Jillian Garvey and Andy I.R. Herries Identifying Bearhurp; the hamlet that became Melbourne 103


Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+δ (Bi2212) superconducting thin films were prepared by the Pechini sol–gel method using nitrates as reactants. The precursor sol was deposited on LaAlO3(100) and MgO(100) single-crystal substrates via the spin-coating method. The results revealed that the phase formation temperature region of the pure Bi2212 phase and perfectly epitaxial Bi2212 films deposited on LaAlO3 substrates was significantly expanded to 8 K, indicating an improvement in crystallization of Bi2212 films. In addition, the phase formation temperature region of the pure phase and c-axis-grown Bi2212 films deposited on MgO substrates was reduced to 5 K because of the deterioration of epitaxy of Bi2212 films sintered at higher temperature. According to the investigation, the Tc,onset values of Bi2212 films grown on MgO substrates were about 92 K. Meanwhile, the optimal Tc,onset value of Bi2212 superconducting films grown on LaAlO3 substrates rose to 96 K.


Bisphosphonates have a long history in the treatment of osteoporosis and bone-related disease. This review focuses on the use of a specific nonaminobisphosphonate, clodronate, which appears to be much better tolerated than other bisphosphonates and free of high-risk contraindications. Specifically, this paper reviews its use in the prevention of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, taking into account its tolerability profile and recent safety issues arising regarding the use of bisphosphonates.


Nowadays there is a strong trend of increasing share of renewable energy sources. This results in change of power system behavior as far as frequency response is concerned.


The evaluation of project plans in construction is seen to be an important task which will become more so as project complexity increases and computers become used more and more, initially as aids to planners and ultimately as automatic generators of plans.This paper discusses automated plan evaluation, and in particular the evaluation of some financial aspects of a project contained in different models of a project: the Bill of Quantities and a work activity plan. It introduces a technique for comparing these models and then for automating the budgeting of construction. Discussion of some results and problems in the work so far follows. these numerous techniques have been developed for managers to use on projects. Amongst the most common techniques are barcharts, networks, line-of-balance and time-chainage charts. Each of these techniques is preferred in different circumstances and uses a different method for the presentation of the resultant plan. within construction the use of `traditional', algorithmic computer programs as aids to planning and plan presentation is widespread. In construction management research there is a growing movement towards the development of `intelligent' planning that expert systems and other artificial intelligence computing techniques. producing plans of work and function either as intelligent planning assistants or independently. of the most notable these are in the of Ibbs Hendrickson and Levitt An of but important research is the the or


GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT ABSTRACT New 1,2-alkadienylphosphonates and diphenyl(1,2-alkadien-1-yl)phosphine oxides were synthesized by a convenient and efficient method. These compounds are useful as intermediates in the preparation of 2-(diethylphosphoryl)-3-(3-phenyl-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5-yl)-2H-azirines, 2-(diethylphosphoryl)-3-vinyl-2H-azirines and diphenyl(3-isopropenyl-2H-azirin-2-yl)phosphine oxides.


The goal of building health care capacity in developing countries is dependent upon establishing clinical and research Communities of Practice (COP). There is a need for infrastructure, funding, high-level support, advocacy and a community vision. Particularly, to function in the knowledge economy, Communities of Practice require the capacity to generate, disseminate, absorb and respond to knowledge. Information literacy, research development programs and the availability of trained information professionals are key.


Background: Cholinergic dysfunction is an early feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). Results: Soluble oligomers of the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) bind to cholinergic neurons and inhibit choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity before any cell death or lesion. Conclusion: ChAT inhibition might impair acetylcholine production and cholinergic function in AD brains. Significance: This novel effect of Aβ oligomers may be relevant in early stage AD pathology. Dysregulated cholinergic signaling is an early hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD), usually ascribed to degeneration of cholinergic neurons induced by the amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). It is now generally accepted that neuronal dysfunction and memory deficits in the early stages of AD are caused by the neuronal impact of soluble Aβ oligomers (AβOs). AβOs build up in AD brain and specifically attach to excitatory synapses, leading to synapse dysfunction. Here, we have investigated the possibility that AβOs could impact cholinergic signaling. The activity of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT, the enzyme that carries out ACh production) was inhibited by ∼50% in cultured cholinergic neurons exposed to low nanomolar concentrations of AβOs. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, lactate dehydrogenase release, and [3H]choline uptake assays showed no evidence of neuronal damage or loss of viability that could account for reduced ChAT activity under these conditions. Glutamate receptor antagonists fully blocked ChAT inhibition and oxidative stress induced by AβOs. Antioxidant polyunsaturated fatty acids had similar effects, indicating that oxidative damage may be involved in ChAT inhibition. Treatment with insulin, previously shown to down-regulate neuronal AβO binding sites, fully prevented AβO-induced inhibition of ChAT. Interestingly, we found that AβOs selectively bind to ∼50% of cultured cholinergic neurons, suggesting that ChAT is fully inhibited in AβO-targeted neurons. Reduction in ChAT activity instigated by AβOs may thus be a relevant event in early stage AD pathology, preceding the loss of cholinergic neurons commonly observed in AD brains.


The relationship between economic development, human development and financial intermediation is examined using regression analysis. The Human Development Index (HDI) is used as a measure of the improvement of the human condition. Gross Domestic Product is used as a measure of the improvement in the economic condition. Various measures of money and financial market development are used to measure monetary and financial depth. A sample of 118 countries is divided into four subsamples ranging from highly developed to least developed countries based on GDP per capita. The findings suggest that development of financial market depth is important in explaining human development even before it becomes important in explaining economic development.


This paper presents a new formula for the failure-rate function (FRF), derived from a recently introduced 4-parameter family of distributions. The new formula can be expressed in terms of its Cdf, is characterized by algebraic simplicity, and can replace more complex hazard functions by using routine distribution fitting. When the actual Cdf is unknown and partial distribution-information is available (or can be extracted from sample data), new fitting procedures that use only first-degree or first- and second-degree moments are used to approximate the unknown FRF. This new approach is demonstrated for some commonly used Cdfs and shown to yield highly accurate values for the FRF. Relative to current practice, the new FRF has four major advantages: it does not require specification of an exact distribution thus avoiding errors incurred by the use of a wrong model; since estimates of only low-degree (at most first- or second-degree) moments are required to determine the parameters of the FRF, the associated mean-square-deviations are relatively small; the new FRF can be easily adapted for use with censored data; and simple maximum likelihood estimates can be developed.


This report discusses the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the discharge of pollutants from any "point source" to waters of the United States unless authorized under a permit that is issued by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or a qualified state. The act also expressly defines confined animal feeding operations (CAFOs) as point sources.


Methodological issues in psychological research in prisons / David A. Crighton -- The modern context of psychology in corrections : influences, limitations and values of what works / Brian A. Thomas-Peter -- The needs of offenders and the process of changing them / Brian A. Thomas-Peter -- Psychological research into reducing suicides / David Crighton -- Psychological understanding of self-injury and attempted suicide in prisons / Louisa Snow -- The effective management of bullying in prisons : working towards an evidence-based approach / Jane L. Ireland -- Drug misuse intervention work / Graham Towl -- Research into high intensity training (HIT) with young people / Derval Ambrose -- Military corrective training centre : an evaluation / David P. Farrington, Kate A. Painter and Darrick Jolliffe -- Psychological research into life sentence offenders / David Crighton and Jo Bailey -- Psychological research into sexual offenders / David Crighton.


Housing insecurity is a major barrier to leaving domestic violence; it may force abused women to live in inadequate conditions or to return to their abusers. Immigrant women face additional barriers. Longitudinal interviews with 37 abused immigrant women living in three Canadian cities investigated key causes of housing insecurity. Results show a need to target systemic factors, a diversity of issues foregrounded along pathways into and out of homelessness, and complex indicators of risk. Advocacy is key to exiting abuse and obtaining secure housing, and cultural competency in services is needed to adequately support immigrant women experiencing domestic violence.


Heat exchanger system is widely used in chemical process industries, including petroleum refining and petrochemical processing, especially in the hazard zones because its convert the fluid from high range of temperature and pressure from the storage tanks to the pipe lines. A heat exchanger consists of two main modules, the first module is mechanical (vessel, shell, tube) It happens inside heat transfer, the second module is the controller circuit which controls the mechanical module by opening and closing the valves according to the set point temperature. This paper will focus on improving the performance of control circuits which is used in the heat exchanger. Genetic controller will replace the PID and the Fuzzy controller to obtain the best solution. As a consequence, the overshoot ratio and the settling time is reduced to 0.03% and 110 seconds respectively. General Terms Heat exchanger, Genetic algorithm, PID control.