We report the results of neutron scattering on a powder sample of Gd3Ga5O12 at high magnetic fields. We find that in high fields (B & 1.8 T) the system is not fully polarized, but has a small canting of the moments induced by the dipolar interaction. We show that the degree of canting is accurately predicted by the standard Hamiltonian which includes the dipolar interaction. The inelastic scattering is dominated at large momentum transfers by a band of almost dispersionless excitations. We show that these correspond to the spin waves localized on ten site rings, expected for a system described by a nearest neighbor interaction, and that the spectrum at high fields B & 1.8 T is well-described by a spin wave theory. The phase for fields . 1.8 T is characterized by an antiferromagnetic Bragg peak at (210) and an incommensurate peak.


Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is a promising approach to achieve higher data rates with sufficient performance. However a measure of channel state is desired in order to decide upon transition to these rates. Signal-to-Noise Ratio (S1NR) is such a measure and an estimator operating in low transmission rates, such as BPSK or using the preamble data would be proper. In this work two online SNR estimators are developed for OFDM systems, operating on BPSK modulation or on the preamble data. It is shown that the convergence of the algorithms to the actual SNR value is achieved from about 0 dBs or even lower. The impact of the channel estimation used on the SNR estimation accuracy is given and improvements, regarding the computational cost, on one of them are given. Finally a transmission procedure for an OFDM modem using these SNR estimators is given.


Objectives Some of community mitigation efforts on COVID-19 created challenges to ongoing public health programs, including HIV care and prevention services among men who have sex with men (MSM). The goal of the current study was to explore sociodemographic factors and the impact of COVID-19 on HIV testing among Chinese MSM during state-enforced quarantine. Methods We conducted a community based survey between May 1st to June 30th, 2020 on COVID-19 related impacts on HIV testing among 436 China MSM during the COVID-19 state-enforced quarantine. Results One-third (33.7%) of MSM received HIV testing during the quarantine period. Few participants reported difficulty accessing facility-based testing (n = 13, 3.0%) or obtaining HIV self-test kit online (n = 22, 5.0%). However, 12.1% of participants reported being afraid of getting facility-based HIV test due to concerns about the risk of COVID-19. In the multivariate logistic regression model, participants who were married (aOR: 1.89, 95%CI: 1.19–3.01), reported increased quality of sleep (aOR: 2.07, 95%CI: 1.11–3.86), and increased difficulty in accessing health care (aOR: 2.34, 95%CI: 1.37–3.99) were more likely to get an HIV test during the state-enforced quarantine. Conclusion The mitigation measures of COVID-19 have created various barriers to access HIV related prevention services in China, including HIV testing. To mitigate these impacts on HIV prevention and care services, future programs need to address barriers to HIV-related services, such as providing high-quality HIV self-testing. Meanwhile, psychological services or other social services are needed to those experiencing mental distress.


A pure-water Yagi monopole operating at 1.62 GHz is presented in this paper, which comprises a probe-fed water monopole as the driven element and a water cylinder as the parasitic element. Both the driven and parasitic elements are isolated from the ground plane of infinite size using a thin layer of Teflon. By varying the diameter and radius of the parasitic element and the spacing between the two water cylinders, a unidirectional far field pattern can be obtained. Simulation results show that a maximum gain of 9.3 dB and a fractional bandwidth of 24.7% are achieved. The operating frequency can be tuned by changing the heights of the cylinders, covering a wide range from 1.22 GHz to 2.08 GHz.


In this paper the mechanical stresses taking place in diamond like thin films prepared by the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition onto silicon single crystal substrates are studied. For determination of the stress values the Stoney's formula is used. The values of the film thicknesses are determined using the combined method of variable angle spectroscopic ellipsometry and near-normal spectroscopic reflectometry. The values of the curvature radii of the deformed silicon substrates in consequence of the film stresses are evaluated using interferometric method based on two-beam interferometry and chromatic aberration method. The dependence of the mechanical stress inside these films on their thickness values is determined. It is found that this dependence can be approximate by the straight-line. The results achieved for the mechanical stresses obtained by both the optical methods, i.e. by the interferometric and chromatic aberration method, are compared. It is shown that within the experimental accuracy the stress values determined using both these method are identical. Thus, it is shown that the chromatic aberration method is suitable for measuring the mechanical stresses inside the thin solid films and it is the competitive method for the other optical methods utilized for this purpose so far.


Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is a biocompatible polymer with good mechanical strength, thermal and chemical stability and is suitable for magnetic resonance and X-ray imaging. Moreover, density and elasticity of PEEK is closer to bones compared to metals. Nevertheless, the hydrophobicity of the PEEK surface causes a soft tissue formation at the bone/implant interface that prevents direct bone apposition. Although numerous methods have been developed for improving PEEK's bioactivity, the most widely used and accepted method have been coating the surface with a thin layer of osseointegrative material by thermal spraying. Most widely used coating materials in the manufacture of orthopaedic implants have been hydroxyapatite (HAp) and titanium. Thus, this review focuses on the recent progress on HAp and Ti coatings deposited by plasma spraying methods on PEEK implants.


Objective To discuss the effect of oxcarbazepine(OXC) on the cognitive function of the young rats with epilepsy(EP) induced by pentylenetetrazol(PTZ),then to provide the theoretical basis of its application safely to epileptic children.Methods The models of the epileptic young rats were established by PTZ,then the epileptic rats were divided into 3 groups and were given OXC,phenobarbital(PB) and 9 g.L-1 sodium chloride,respectively.In 3 phases of the experiment,they were appraised for the cognitive functions by Morris water maze test and compared with those of the normal rats(checking their sensibilities and movements before the test for getting rid of the errors).Results 1.The grades of sensibilities and movements of each group were not different statistically.2.The spatial orientation capabilities of epileptic rats were damaged,but the damage recovered after training,but the capabilities of epileptic and normal rats taking OXC were not affected.3.The effect of EP on the studying rate of progress was not obvious,the progress of epileptic rats taking PB was damaged,and the da-mage to epileptic and normal rats taking OXC was not obvious.4.EP could damage the long-term memory of the rats transitorily,the damage to the epileptic rats taking PB was durable,and the memory of epileptic rats taking OXC was protected.5.The effects of EP and taking PB or OXC on the capability of the short-term memory were not obvious.Conclusions EP does not affect the sensibilities and movements of the young rats,but it can affect their cognitive functions transitorily.OXC can alleviate the early cognitive function damage(especially on the capability of the spatial orientation and the long-term memory) of the epileptic young rats,and normal young rats do not have the obvious cognitive function damage after taking OXC.


Data mining methods make it probable to look for large amounts of information for characteristic rules and patterns. They can be used to detect intrusions, attacks and/or anomalies when applied to network monitoring data recorded on a host or in a network .In this paper, we introduced a novel machine learning algorithm "K-Prototype + ID3" which is used to classify normal and anomalous activities in a computer network. First we apply "k-prototype clustering algorithm" which is a partition based clustering algorithm that works well for data with mixed numeric and categorical features for classifying anomalous and normal activities in a computer network. The k-prototype method first partitions the training instances into k-clusters using dissimilarity measurement. On each cluster representing a density region of normal or anomaly instances we construct an "ID3 decision tree". The decision tree on every cluster filters the decision boundaries by learning the subgroups within the cluster. At last, to get final decision on classification, the results of K-Prototype and ID3 methods are combined using two phases namely Candidate Selection phase and Candidate Combination phase on the test instance to predict normality or anomalistic. We perform experiments on Network Anomaly data (NAD) data set. Results show that KPrototype+ID3 have high classification accuracy of 96.84 percent on NAD compared to individual K-Means, ID3and KMeans+ID3. Keywords— Data mining, Classification, K-Means clustering, KPrototype, Decision trees, Intrusion Detection.


[Purpose]To evaluate the clinical efficacy of permanent implantation of radioactive iodine 125 combined with chemotherapy in the recurrent nasopharyneal cancer patients.[Methods]Sixty cases accepted the permanent implantation of iodine 125 combined with chemotherapeutics or only chemotherapeutics respectively. [Results]Recrudescent focus had 15 cases,CR;12 cases,PR;3 cases,SD of the group of permanent implantation of iodine 125 seeds combined with chemotherapy group and the control group had 3 cases,CR;9 cases,PR;15 cases,SD;3 cases,PD. There was 27 cases descend,3 cases stabilization of EB virus antibody titer in the group of permanent implantation of iodine 125 seeds associated with chemotherapeutics,12 cases descend,15 cases stabilization,3 cases ascend in the control group. The ESR cross-reference of the group of permanent implantation of iodine 125 seeds combined with chemotherapeutics was prominent(P=0.029),and the descender range(2.84±0.67) was prominent(P=0.0009) compared with control group(1.46±0.63). Adverse events cross-reference of two groups was not prominent. [Conclusion]There are high control rate and slight adverse events for recurrent nasopharyneal cancer patients treated with the implantation of iodine 125 combined with chemotherapy. It is worthy of popularization in clinic.


The invention discloses a picoamp/nanoamp-level DC current source high-precision calibration system, and relates to the technical field of semiconductor device DC characteristic measurement. The picoamp/nanoamp-level DC current source high-precision calibration system comprises a digital multimeter, a high value resistor/ short-circuiting device, a linear regulated power supply and an active calibration adapter. The resistance signal input end of the active calibration adapter is connected with the high value resistor/ short-circuiting device, and the resistance voltage signal output end of the active calibration adapter is connected with the digital multimeter. The power signal input end of the active calibration adapter is connected with the linear regulated power supply. The active calibration adapter is provided with a picoamp/nanoamp-level DC current source current signal input end port. The picoamp/nanoamp-level DC current source high-precision calibration system solves the problems of use limitation (a calibration system is only suitable for micro currents of a protection terminal output) and large measurement errors (voltage of the protection end and voltage of a high value resistor are equal in a default mode, and the protection end output has no linearity in a default mode) in the prior art, and has high market popularization value.


Water is not found in its purest from nature. It is always contaminated with physical, chemical and biological impurities. Proper filtration is of much importance to prevent low pressure diffuser like emitters from clogging. Inline filtration is a technology that has been used for portable water filtration. The inline filter is composed of a metallic body, gear crown, main drain, opening valve (backwashing), a pump for injecting clean water to the nozzles and a geared motor for rotation crown and measure and control elements running. The filtering element is a special screen, fixed to the rotation crown, for filtering all kinds of dirt particles, with a hydrodynamic profile that provides low head loss and reduces turbulences, reduces head losses and avoid dirt particles accumulation. All the materials are top-quality, in all the mechanic elements that are in contact with water it is used stainless steel or similar. The filter body is made of carbon steel. The mechanic elements are in the "clean water" side (water under the screen) in such a way that no foreign object can affect its performing or deterioration. Inline filters fit directly to the pipe by means of flanges, as it was one more element of the pipe. Only the electric and control elements require installation. It is a self-backwashing automatic filter that has minimum maintenance and low consumption. Water goes through the rotative screen and all the dirt particles bigger than the screen holes get filtered. When the default pressure differential, backwashing starts, this is made area by area, collecting waste materials to be expelled to the exterior. The backwashing cycle starts when the default differential pressure is detected on both sides of the screen. At that moment, filtration process is completed.


Simple Summary Strategy for the protection and welfare of farm animals, and the sustainable animal production is dependent on the thorough understanding of the adaptation physiology. Real-time, continuous, and precise measurement of the multi-dimensions and complex intricacies of adaptive capacity of farm animals namely the mental, behavioral, and physiological states are possible only through the sensor-based approaches. This paper critically reviews the latest sensor technologies as assessment tools for the adaptation physiology of farm animals and explores their advantages over traditional measurement methods. Digital innovation, diagnostics, genetic testing, biosensors, and wearable animal devices are important tools that enable the development of decision support farming platforms and provides the path for predicting diseases in livestock. Sensor fusion data from a multitude of biochemical, emotional, and physiological functions of the farm animals not only helps to identify the most productive animal but also allows farmers to predict which individual animal may have greater resilience to common diseases. Insights into the cost of adoption of sensor technologies on farms including computing capacity, human resources in training, and the sensor hardware are being discussed. Abstract Despite recent scientific advancements, there is a gap in the use of technology to measure signals, behaviors, and processes of adaptation physiology of farm animals. Sensors present exciting opportunities for sustained, real-time, non-intrusive measurement of farm animal behavioral, mental, and physiological parameters with the integration of nanotechnology and instrumentation. This paper critically reviews the sensing technology and sensor data-based models used to explore biological systems such as animal behavior, energy metabolism, epidemiology, immunity, health, and animal reproduction. The use of sensor technology to assess physiological parameters can provide tremendous benefits and tools to overcome and minimize production losses while making positive contributions to animal welfare. Of course, sensor technology is not free from challenges; these devices are at times highly sensitive and prone to damage from dirt, dust, sunlight, color, fur, feathers, and environmental forces. Rural farmers unfamiliar with the technologies must be convinced and taught to use sensor-based technologies in farming and livestock management. While there is no doubt that demand will grow for non-invasive sensor-based technologies that require minimum contact with animals and can provide remote access to data, their true success lies in the acceptance of these technologies by the livestock industry.


The analysis of the causality is important in many fields of research. To obtain the causal effects in a causal log-linear model I propose a theory, using the odds ratio and the concepts proposed by Pearl, whenever possible. I start calculating the effects in a simple mediation model where I analyze a new interaction effect, which I call cell. After I calculate the effects in a mediation model with two parallel mediators. If they are correlated, Pearl's theory cannot be used and no alternative theory has been proposed so far. To resolve this issue I present a new concept of causality. The mediation models are essential in the marketing, then to it, for a more complex analysis, I apply my causal theory.


A device for controlling and monitoring a GIS(Gas Insulated Switchgear) is provided to simplify a wiring operation by integrating components in one case. A case body(12) includes a control signal output terminal, an operation information input terminal, and an alarm signal input terminal. An operation panel(11) indicates a mimic bus. The operation panel is detachably combined in the front side of the case body. A temperature and humidity setting unit sets the temperature and the humidity. A heater and a fan control the temperature and the humidity inside the case body. The heater circuit board drives the heater and the fan according to the set state of the temperature and humidity setting unit. The main circuit board turns on and off an operation state lamp(11-2) of the operation panel according to the operation state information inputted from the operation information input terminal. The alarm circuit board turns on and off the alarm lamp(11-3) of the operation panel according to the alarm signal inputted from the alarm signal input terminal.


Studies concerned with modernity, mission Christianity, and sexuality generally address how western, Christian gender ideologies have affected women or how they have affected modernization. This article approaches the nexus of modernity, Christianity, and sexuality from a different angle. One of the notable consequences of modernization was that young people in industrializing nations began demanding the right to choose their own spouse and marry for love. Several scholars have noted the connection between modernization and spouse self-selection, but none have explored the relationship between Christianity's endorsement of spouse self-selection and its global appeal during the mid-twentieth century. This article examines a collection of letters written by young Africans to missionary Walter Trobisch after reading his popular 1962 book, I Loved a Girl. These letters suggest that Christianity's endorsement of spouse self-selection and marrying for love gave it a kind of modern appeal for young people who were eagerly adopting the modern values of individualism and self-fulfillment. The practice of prayer provided relief to young people who were struggling to navigate the unfamiliar realm of dating in the modern world.


Analytical expressions in the form of a convolution of two functions have been derived for the gravity and magnetic anomalies due to inhomogeneous distribution of magnetization and density in a localized region. These expressions show explicitly that the anomalies are completely determined by the divergence of magnetization and the first vertical derivative of density. It is thus analytically established that when a body with uniform magnetization or density is considered, the impulsive change in the physical property of the rock mass at the boundary of the body is responsible for generating an anomalous magnetic or gravity field. These properties are utilized to derive efficient algorithms for computing gravity and magnetic anomalies. An example is given to demonstrate the usefulness of the derived algorithm in computing the anomaly due to magnetization of an irregularly shaped topography.


The RESPECT INVENTION CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT POLYPROPYLENE CONTAINERS, AND METHOD OF MAKING. DONE ON MELT RESIN POLYPROPYLENE FOR A BLOW MOLDING, AT A TEMPERATURE THAN JUST SOUND MELTING POINT, ON FORM A CLEAR THIS MELT RESIN MOLD ON THE MELT IN A BODY TUBE AGAINST SURFACE COLD MOLDING AND pOLISHED AND THEN BROUGHT ON THE BODY MOLD THICKNESS, THE LENGTH AND DIAMETER REQUIRED FOR MAKING A BOTTLE 10 DESIREE CAPACITY FOR AN BLOW MOLDING WITH DRAWING. BOTTLES OF INVENTION ARE USED FOR PACKING MATERIAL SUCH AS WASHING LIQUID, sHAMPOOS, OF PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS AND SOLUTIONS FOR INJECTION INTRA-VENOUS.


Experiments are reported which clarify the influence of temperature on dormancy of seed of Avena fatua. Temperature treatments administered at two stages of the life cycle, during seed development (stage 1) and during the period immediately following seed maturation (stage 2), influence the duration of dormancy in all families (pure lines) so far investigated. There is evidence for induction of thermodormancy by relatively high incubation temperatures. This effect is most evident in seed which experienced relatively low temperatures during maturation. The significance of dormancy in the adaptation of "nondormant" (ND) families is discussed.


This monograph presents a working description of a special class of acoustical outputs, termed extra-complex sonorities that are the result of desynchronizing robust parameters involved in the production of sound within scaled and multidimensional networks by instruments and voices. The purpose of such a description is to provide a framework for understanding the mechanical and perceptual aspects of extra-complex sonorities in order to develop a theory that will guide the practitioner and listener towards finding the relevant landmarks of those performances and/or compositions that feature radical sound production maneuvers. Fundamentally different from the non-scalable extended technique aesthetic (such as using an exaggerated heavy bow pressure to achieve a singular, nondevelopmental gesture, i.e. "pitchless scraping"), desynchronization in this context relies on scaling the entire range of any parameter between minimal and maximal values (such as between the fastest to slowest bow speed, regardless of tempo or left-hand behavior). Such methods are still relatively novel and are investigated to continue research relevant to music composition. (Less)


The Cl units occurring in metabolism are the methenyl, the methylene and the methyl groups, derived from formate, formaldehyde, and methanol respectively. Enzymic reactions not only catalyse the transfer of the C1 units but also their mutual interconversions. They require tetrahydrofolates as binding and activating cofactors. The character- istic feature of the folate cofactors is the ethylene-diamine bridge, connecting their two cyclic moieties, which represents the reaction centre. All the naturally occurring Cl-folyl compounds carry the C1 group on either one of the two ethylene-diamine nitrogens or bridging them. Activation, transfer, and also interconversions may be mimicked by model compounds of the class of substituted diaryl ethylenediamines, e.g. the formation of methylene tetrahydrofolates from serine by the pyridoxal-requiring transhydroxy- methylase reaction. With similar but refined models the kinosynthetase reaction of formate with tetra- hydrofolate, yielding 1O-formyltetrahydrofolate, is also recognized as a process, in which a phos- phorylated intermediate polarizes formic acid, followed by an electrophilic exchange. Probably, the cyclic anhydroformyl compound is during the of the reaction. models is less nucleophilic folates, serving as in formyl the of rats mice. Observations were made with the following 35S-labelled sulphate esters: phenyl sulphate, glucose 6-0-sulphate, p-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid 0-sulphate, L-tyrosine 0-sulphate, L-tyrosylglycine 0-sulphate, glycyl-L-serine 0-sulphate, L-seryl-glycine 0-sulphate, L-threonine 0-sulphate, p- nitrophenyl sulphate, nitrocatechol sulphate cortisone 21-sulphate.


The Limestone Massif of northern Syria constitute an extraordinary group of archaeological settlements. They include over 700 sites from the Roman and Byzantine periods in a wide region bordered by Turkey in the north, Apamea in the south, the Afrin and Oronte's valleys in the west and the plain of Aleppo in the east. These sites are not only important for their profusion, but also for their rural nature. The recent and detailed study of the well preserved remains of one of these settlements, Sergilla, located in the gebel Zāwiye, offered the opportunity to explore various aspects of the daily life of a rural community and its evolution between the 4th and the 6th centuries AD. Three houses among others, built during different phases of the development of the village, are emblematic of this evolution.


As my time as editor ofMedia Practice and Education comes to a close at the end of this volume, this outgoing editorial is given over to a conversation with Deborah Gabriel, founder and director of Black British Academics and editor of Transforming the Ivory Tower. The reason for giving this space over to the discussion will be obvious as the conversation unfolds. But its pertinence was (further) reinforced during an editorial board meeting about the future direction of the journal and the importance of diversity. In occupying the editorship of this journal for several years, in combination with a Professorship – with all of its affordances to speak and be heard, write and be read -, leading a research centre, running a doctoral programme and convening a conference, I have enjoyed the usual privileges of a White, male space whilst, intentionally or unconsciously, overseeing the gatekeeping practices common to a journal editor's role, practices which grant or close off access to the pages, multiple spaces and discursive framings of MPE's community of practice. This is all the more problematic, given the desires and ideal subjectivities of media practice research to be about transformation, praxis, de-centering, transdisciplinarity voice and change. So it was a necessarily uncomfortable exchange, but for that reason this challenging conversation with Deborah seems the right way to 'sign off'. Julian McDougall, July 2020


This text provides a concise, up-to-date record of New Zealand's economic performance over the last 40 years, and uses this information both to explain why reforms were necessary in the mid 1980s and to evaluate the legacy of these reforms that remain the subject of political debate.


Boron and arsenic low-energy (200–5000 eV) implants are studied after implantation, prior to annealing. We present results of optical measurements that provide new information on the damage depth profile. In addition, a method for simultaneous determination of implant dose and energy is proposed. Thermal wave and spectroscopic methods are observed to support each other in the analysis of arsenic ultrashallow junctions. New results are reported on the boron induced implant damage and the necessity for a combined technology is addressed. A combination of optical spectroscopy and thermal wave techniques are shown to provide a highly repeatable, nondestructive metrology to assist in ultrashallow junction fabrication.


An understanding of soil moisture content variability is fundamental in hydrological studies of peat soils, whose preservation depend on water‐related processes. Dehydration of fens and adapting them for agricultural production have contributed to the degradation of peat soils. The goal of this study was to determine how the critical soil moisture content (CSMC) and soil water repellency (SWR) affect soil moisture patterns in a degraded peat‐muck soil profile. SWR was measured under laboratory conditions using the water drop penetration time test, and then the CSMC was assessed. An investigation of moisture patterns was based on soil moisture data collected over short distances in a grass‐covered peat‐muck soil profile on seven dates. Observed differences in moisture patterns demonstrate that the CSMC can be used for the prediction of preferential flow occurrences in peat‐muck soils. Lower values of the CSMC and lower levels of SWR persistence in muck layers than in peat layers indicate that degradation of peat soils improves their wettability. The relatively low values of CSMC and the low shrinkage potential in the muck layer suggest that preferential water flow in the degraded organic soils can occur when heavy rains are preceded by long periods of summer drought. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


From the long-term point of view,the breeding capability of the super fast reactor(SCFWR) is an important issue.SCFWR has the potential for proliferation,for the reason that the coolant density of the supercritical water reactor is only equivalent to 1/3 of that of the current boiling water reactor(BWR),coupled with the grid layout.In order to explore the proliferation of SCFWR,a multi-group 3-D diffusion core calculation methods based on the finite difference method were used.And a series of examples with different factors on the proliferation of SCFWR,such as,the core coolant flow type,the use of stainless steel and ZrH1.7,the type of reactor layout,fuel rod size,the share of PuO2 in the MOX,core burnup and core size,were calculated.As can be seen from the results,there are several ways to get greater core conversion ratio: adopting convection flow pattern,adding ZrH1.7,adopting the appropriate core layout,increasing the fuel rod diameter,increasing the share of PuO2 in the MOX and increasing the size of the core to decrease the core leakage and so on.The results of those calculations provide a reference basis for improving conversion ratio of the SCFWR.


Increasing reports of anecdotal cases of acute adverse effects associated with the consumption of energy drink have been expressed by international bodies. This has necessitated the need to assess toxicological effects of Red Bull (RB) energy drink in this study. Eighteen adult rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups of 6 rabbits (3 males and 3 females). Rabbits in groups 1, 2 and 3 (control) received daily oral doses of 23.1 ml RB, 11.5 ml RB and water respectively for 21 days. Venous samples were collected on days 1 (baseline), 14, 21 and 28, and animals were sacrificed on days 21 and 28. Biochemical assessment of liver and renal functions, and muscle activity were carried out by spectrophotometry, in addition to haematological and histological studies. Mortality of 11.1% was recorded, involving 2 female rabbits in group 1. For male rabbits in this group, significant increase (p<0.05) in total protein (TP) concentration and in activity of ALT and ALP occurred on days 14 and 21, with significant decrease in platelet counts. For female rabbits in group 2, significant increases in TP concentration and ALT activity were observed with significant decrease in albumin concentration and AST activity. Apart from slight increase in ALP activity of female rabbits, there were no significant differences in mean values of all rabbit parameters measured in the control group. Histology of rabbits in group 1 showed congestion and balloon degeneration of hepatocytes. This result showed that administration of RB to rabbits at doses lower than the manufacturer's recommended equivalent daily human intake of 500 ml caused adverse effects. There is need for caution in consumption of this drink.


In this paper, we extend the heterogeneous panel data stationarity test of Hadri (2000) to the cases where breaks are taken into account. Four models with different patterns of breaks under the null hypothesis are specified. The moments of the statistics corresponding to the four models are derived in closed form via characteristic functions. We also provide the exact moments of a modified statistic that does not asymptotically depend on the location of the break point under the null hypothesis. The cases where the break point is unknown are also considered. For the model with breaks in the level and no time trend and for the model with breaks in the level and in the time trend, we can allow for the number of breaks and their positions to differ across individuals for cases with known, unknown breaks and the modified statistic. The asymptotic distributions of all the statistics proposed are derived under the null hypothesis and are shown to be normally distributed. Finally, we show by simulations that our suggested tests have good performance in finite samples.


Elder discusses Jocelyn's one-of-a-kind articles of clothing, performance, and art works, foregrounding the artist's interest in mythology and the dichotomy between fiction and reality. Biographical notes.


This study examines human reproduction and its causal links to the socioeconomic conditions of society within the framework of the demographic transition. A theoretical fertility model for 100 countries -- 28 more developed countries (MDCs) and 72 less developed countries (LDCs) -- is subjected to path analysis. Findings for the 100 countries were mainly a function of the LDCs. Stronger support was found in the LDCs for the indirect fertility-inhibiting effect of economic development than for its fertility-promoting effect. This indirect effect was by far the most important cause of fertility decline, although there were smaller positive direct effects of economic development and government attitudes towards family planning. When education/literacy was controlled, economic development became a negative, but insignificant, influence on fertility, and the effect of government attitudes toward family planning exhibited no effect on fertility. These findings suggest strongly that improvement of education and literacy may be an answer to fertility control. Changes in health service and infant mortality seem natural results of the betterment of education and literacy. This study reconciles the 2 distinct views as to whether fertility increases or remains stable and high while mortality declines during early demographic transition. Both offer valid explanations for the transition in LDCs. Results for the LDCs are compared with those for the MDCs, and policy implications are discussed.


The system of team relationship management during the implementation of the project to improve the activities of the enterprise raises a number of issues that are currently insufficiently studied. In particular, the differences that arise during the implementation of projects to improve the activities of the industrial enterprise; features of the project team performing such a project; opportunities to improve this management system. The article analyzes: knowledge about the specifics of project implementation at existing enterprises; features of the structure and functioning of project groups in such projects; components related to relationship management in the project team. Ways to improve the relationship management system in the project team are proposed.


The history of radio and television public service broadcasting (PSB) in France presents a singularly French situation??"one that has been dominated by some dire political and economic warnings. In the political sphere, the dependence of French radio and television on the executive was reflected particularly by the concept of the "Voice of France," and the 1982 predications about independent PSB have been difficult to substantiate. In the economic sphere, the privatization of TF1 in 1986 is a unique illustration (with no European equivalent) of the triumph of a new market rationality, expressing a correspondingly severe undervaluation of issues inherent in PSB. Entry into the digital age carries a number of these inherited problems.


Kinetics have been measured and Arrhenius parameters calculated for the reactions of some 2-, 6-, or 8-methylthio1-, -3-,-7-, or -9-methylpurines, 2-methylthio-1 (and 3)-methyl-1,3,5-triazaindene, and 2-methylsulphonyl-1-methylbenzimidazole with methoxide ions in methanol. The positional order of reactivity in the 1-methylpurines was 6 > 2 > 8 and in the 3-methylpurines 6 > 8.


Credible demonstration of policy or program impacts depends on understanding the distinction between inputs, outputs, outcomes and indicators. Moreover, in order to be trusted, public reports on a programs' performance need to focus more selectively on identifying the key measures of performance. In the first place, the aim of the article is to provide those involved in the practice of program evaluation with enhanced understanding of the current literature, reports and documentation on estimating impacts and results of government programs and policies. Secondly, it is designed to share definitions and guidelines used to determine economic impacts. Finally, this article includes current best practices involved in measuring incremental impacts, all of which, we contend, enable program evaluation staff providing them with new ways of approaching measurement, effectiveness and accountability in a strategic and comprehensive manner.


Careful monitoring of disease progression is vital to ensuring that patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension receive maximal therapy before the onset of overt right-sided heart failure. Routine follow-up includes the evaluation of symptoms, functional class, and exercise capacity and assessment of pulmonary pressures and right ventricular (RV) function. Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) offers a noninvasive and fairly reliable technique for monitoring pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) and structural changes of the right side of the heart. However, TTE does not reliably assess cardiac output, right-sided filling pressures, or pulmonary venous pressure. Pulmonary artery catheterization may be particularly useful in patients who have inconsistent findings, such as a reduction in PAP measured by TTE in the presence of worsening symptoms or other signs of disease progression. An increase in RV end-diastolic pressure, usually above 10 mm Hg, is a concern and warrants consideration of additional therapy even if other hemodynamic and clinical parameters are unchanged. (J Respir Dis. 2009;30(1-2)


Wear degree detection of gears is an effective way to prevent faults. However, due to the interference of high-speed meshing vibration and environmental noise, the weak vibration signal generated by the gear is easily covered by the noise, which makes it difficult to detect the degree of wear. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel gear wear degree diagnosis method based on local weighted scatter smoothing method (LOWESS), wavelet packet transform (WPT), and least square support vector machine (APSO-LSSVM) optimized by adaptive particle swarm algorithm. According to the low signal-to-noise ratio characteristic of gear vibration signal, LOWESS is first used to preprocess the signal spectrum. Then, the characteristic parameters used to characterize gear wear are extracted from different decomposition depths by WPT and, finally, combined with APSO-SVM to diagnose the degree of gear wear. Compared with the basic least squares support vector machine, the improved method has better performance in sample classification. The experimental results show that the method in this paper can effectively reduce the diagnosis error caused by background noise, and the diagnosis accuracy reaches 98.33%, which can provide a solution for the health status monitoring of gears.


Characteristic pattern which was observed on the surface of etched as-evaporated As2S3 film has been investigated and ascertained to be composed of As2O3micro-crystals. Etching rate difference between as-evaporated film and argon ion laser irradiated one has been discussed. Using the difference of etching rate, holographic grating has been formed on the amorphous As2S3film.


In this chapter we examine the conceptualization of vulnerability in particular health care situations and consider how useful it is in a regulatory context. Vulnerability, and potential exploitation, are often used as justifications for the imposition of legal restrictions to protect the rights of those thought to be susceptible to harm. We will use the examples of assisted suicide and surrogacy to explore some ways in which constructions of vulnerability operate to underpin legislative prohibitions in relation to cross-border health care. These areas were selected purely as two examples that represent the global health impacts of using vulnerability as a basis for legal regulation. The chapter begins with a brief theorisation of the nature of vulnerability to determine whether it can be understood as a universally applicable concept in health care law, before focusing on the ways in which it has an impact on the provision of health care. The discussion will centre on whether it is possible always to characterize specific individuals or groups as inherently vulnerable, or whether instead a more nuanced understanding is required if the law is to succeed in protecting vulnerable individuals


A Similar Exposure Group (SEG) can be created through the evaluation of workers performing the same or similar task, hazards they are exposed to, frequency and duration of their exposures, engineering controls available during their operations, personal protective equipment used, and exposure data. For this report, the samples of one facility that has collected nearly 40,000 various types of samples will be evaluated to determine if the creation of a SEG can be supported. The data will be reviewed for consistency with collection methods and laboratory detection limits. A subset of the samples may be selected based on the review. Data will also be statistically evaluated in order to determine whether the data is sufficient to terminate the sampling. IHDataAnalyst V1.27 will be used to assess the data. This program uses Bayesian Analysis to assist in making determinations. The 95 percent confidence interval will be calculated and evaluated in making decisions. This evaluation will be used to determine if a SEG can be created for any of the workers and determine the need for future sample collection. The data and evaluation presented in this report have been selected and evaluated specifically for the purposes of this project.


People who hold public power are supposed to receive public supervision.In practice,however, impediments exist in people's mind and in system construction as well.For these impediments,the situ- ation of China and history springhead should be analyzed in order to elevate cognition.Meanwhile the remnant of feudalism should be swept in order to build up citizen's modern consciousness.Herein the advantages and disadvantages of the bourgeois multiparty system will be discussed,and lessons from regimes changes in Soviet Union and East Europe will be drawn.The construction of supervision mechanism is important,and needs to improve with the consideration of real situation in China.


A common approach to study the bounded plasma problem is to model the plasma and the sheath separately. When this approach is used for finite non-neutrality, the plasma-sheath interface cannot be considered as a single point where the plasma ends and the sheath begins, but rather as a transition region between the plasma and the sheath. The goal of this paper is to investigate the change in size of the transition region depending on the low frequency voltage at the wall or electrode. Solutions of the plasma and sheath models are compared with corresponding solutions of the bounded plasma problem for a collisionless plasma. The results that are obtained show that only for very high voltages, the transition region becomes small, and the solutions of the plasma and the sheath models can be combined to approximate the bounded plasma problem in the plasma and the sheath regions.


We address the problem of rating or wmparing nav 'lgat1On algorithms, or more generally navigation pack ages. For a given environment a navigation package consists of a motion planner and a sensor to be Hsed during navigation. The ability to rate or 'Tr/.eaStlre a TUm19ation package is important in order to address 1ssues like sensor C'I1stomization for an environment and choice of a motion planner in an environment.


Active networks have been proposed to allow the dynamic extension of network behavior by downloading application-specific protocols (ASPs) into network routers. We demonstrate the feasibility of the use of ASPs in an active network for the adaptation of distributed software components. We have implemented three examples which show that ASPs can be used to easily extend distributed applications, and furthermore, that such adaptation can be safe, portable and efficient. Safety and efficiency is obtained by implementing the ASPs in PLAN-P, a domain-specific language and run-time system for active networking. The presented examples illustrate three different applications: audio broadcasting with bandwidth adaptation in routers; an extensible HTTP server with load-balancing facilities; and a multipoint MPEG server derived from a point-to-point server.


The restricted singular value decomposition (RSVD) is the factorization of a given matrix, relative to two other given matrices. It can be interpreted as the ordinary singular value decomposition with different inner products in row and column spaces. Its properties and structure are investigated in detail as well as its connection to generalized eigenvalue problems, canonical correlation analysis and other generalizations of the singular value decomposition. Applications that are discussed include the analysis of the extended shorted operator, unitarily invariant norm minimization with rank constraints, rank minimization in matrix balls, the analysis and solution of linear matrix equations, rank minimization of a partitioned matrix and the connection with generalized Schur complements, constrained linear and total linear least squares problems, with mixed exact and noisy data, including a generalized Gauss-Markov estimation scheme. Two constructive proofs of the RSVD in terms of other generalizations of the ordinary singular value decomposition are provided as well.


Orthodontists have their own preferences in selecting the reference line for evaluation of the upper and lower lip in treatment planning and post treatment results. The reference line should provide the orthodontist with objective assessment of the facial esthetics. The reference plane selected should be sensitive, reliable with consistency. The commonly used reference line are: Rickett's E-line, Holdaway's line, Steiner's S1-line, Burstone's B-line and Sushner's S2-line and Merrified Z-angle. This article reviews the planes and the studies evaluating them.


4248 Background: Pancreatic adenocarcinoma carries one of the worst prognoses among all cancers. This study aimed to determine the exact disease free and overall survival data of patients with a pa...


The HEAO‐2 Einstein solid state spectrometer (SSS; 0.5–4.5 keV) and monitor proportional counter (MPC; 1.2–20.0 keV) carried out an extensive survey of 50 low mass x‐ray binaries (LMXB). Simultaneous SSS plus MPC spectra, selected on the basis of their intensity, were fit with a set of simple and complex spectral models. For all the sources, including Eddington‐limited bulge sources, bursters, dippers, the soft spectrum black hole candidates, and a few transients in decline, the spectra could be fit acceptably with combinations of thermal bremsstrahlung and blackbody spectra or a Comptonized spectrum and a blackbody. The results rule out optically thick disk models for the bright (Z) sources and for the bursters power law models are unacceptable. The SSS can confirm only the strongest of previously reported low energy emission lines due to OVIII or Fe L transitions. The data does not support a unique physical interpretation.


The reorganization of classic literature make it lose the Chinese traditional special features gradually, already directly affect the art of classic literature. The classic literature reorganization should follow the spirit of original works, and then make it have modern features. Thus our traditional classic literature works head for the modern society.


A compact dual-band bandpass filter (BPF) using coupled three-section stepped-impedance resonators (SIRs) has been proposed and analyzed in this letter. By its symmetrical merit, the even-odd mode analysis method is used to obtain the input admittance of its bisection circuits. After the Richard's transformation, each bisection circuit is derived as an equivalent LC circuit. Combining these two LC circuits, the equivalent circuit for the proposed filter is built with its design parameters as a function of even-/odd-mode impedances of the coupled SIR. The proposed circuit is then classified into two distinctive parts, a transversal structure for the first two resonances and a Π-shaped inductor network for the mutual coupling between the source/load. Thus, there are two reflection zeros appearing in each passband and five transmission zeros (TZs) generated to improve the out-of-band rejection. A prototype dual-band filter has been designed and fabricated to verify the predicted filtering performance and the accuracy of the presented design principle.


The arising application of neural networks (NN) in robotic systems has driven the development of safety verification methods for neural network dynamical systems (NNDS). Recursive techniques for reachability analysis of dynamical systems in closed-loop with a NN controller, planner or perception can over-approximate the reachable sets of the NNDS by bounding the outputs of the NN and propagating these NN output bounds forward. However, this recursive reachability analysis may suffer from compounding errors, rapidly becoming overly conservative over a longer horizon. In this work, we prove that an alternative one-shot reachability analysis framework which directly verifies the unrolled NNDS can significantly mitigate the compounding errors, enabling the use of the rolling horizon as a design parameter for verification purposes. We characterize the performance gap between the recursive and one-shot frameworks for NNDS with general computational graphs. The applicability of one-shot analysis is demonstrated through numerical examples on a cart-pole system.


Natural catastrophes caused by torrential rain, for example, are of major concern nowadays since they can disrupt the functioning of a city's vital network, causing even irreversible damage to the socio-urban structure. It may be something dynamic, counterposed to the circumstantiality of the externalities to be realised in the concreteness of the local existence. Thus, fragile, inadequate or deteriorated infrastructure potentialises risks of natural catastrophes. On the other hand, the possible interconnections of the urban systems: infrastructure, design and planning, may present significant potential, from the perspective of resilience, to sustain the quality of life, and, above all, to ensure the survival of the city and its inhabitants. The central point of this study is to rethink such urban vulnerabilities in order to better explain the implications of the presence of resilience in the city. This reflection is based on Projeto Blumenau 2050, which has presented a plan with guidelines and projects for this city in Santa Catarina State, Southern Brazil, with respect to the territorial planning, devised after identification of its susceptibility to flooding, caused by torrential rainfall, mainly due to the El Niño phenomenon, which has hit this city over the last five years. Although adequate infrastructure is essential to urban design, according to the Brazilian Chamber of Commerce in 2013, the percentage of such investment in the country is much less than the average in cities in other emerging countries. www.witpress.com, ISSN 1743-3541 (on-line) WIT Transactions on Ecology and The Environment, Vol 204, © 2016 WIT Press doi:10.2495/SC160401 This paper is part of the Proceedings of the 11 International Conference th on Urban Regeneration and Sustainability (SC 2016) www.witconferences.com


A memory-efficient and high-speed low-density parity-check (LDPC) encoder is proposed, which uses a memory efficient parity-check matrix, called a differential parity-check matrix. The partially parallel architecture is also proposed for use in high-speed encoding. The proposed two-stage cyclic shifter is appropriate for a differential parity-check matrix and partially parallel architecture with low complexity. The proposed LDPC encoder is implemented with a 21% reduction in memory. The speed of the proposed partially parallel LDPC encoder is three times faster than the existing serial LDPC encoder.


The given paper is aimed to introduce a fuzzy model for evaluating regional eco-environmental security proposed by its authors. Seeing the complicated nature of the assessment criteria and the weights caused by the multi-objective decision-making of regional ecological security, the paper has proposed a fuzzy pattern recognition model as a result of its comprehensive study of the problems involved. While paying attention to the subjective and objective factors in decision -making and taking into consideration the indicator weight not wholly dependent on the project sets, we have introduced such conceptions as fuzzy duality contrast weight, the amendment for subjective weight to impersonal weight, the objective weight and the relative membership degree of alternatives in this paper. Since the present model has taken into account among other things the objective intentions of the decision-maker and the natural property of the alternative, it is possible to make the ranking of the alternative more feasible and reasonable than those in the former methods. While trying to test the efficacy of the model, the paper has taken 14 coastal cities of Liaoning as our case study so as to establish an index system on the basis of the pressure-state-response (PSR) framework. Furthermore, a fuzzy circular iteration model has been used to calculate the indicators' iterative fuzzy weight and relative membership degree by means of the field survey data of 2007. The results of the initial application of the model show that in keeping the ecological safety, the urban area of Dalian and its surrounding counties, Dawa County, Zhuanghe City and Xingcheng City stand higher whereas Huludao City and Suizhong County—lower. While Wafangdian City, Zhuanghe City, Pulandian City and Dalian City experience upper eco-environmental safety pressure, Changhai County and Yingkou County experience inferior ecological safety pressure, with Linghai City, Pulandian City and Suizhong County enjoying upper ecological safety response ability, with Wafandian City, Panshan County and Huludao City—inferior. However, on the whole, Dalian City in addition to Changhai County, enjoy higher relative membership degree of ecological safety, with Zhuanghe city in particular, keeping the highest level of ecological safety. Thus, it can be said that the assessment results are in conformity with the practical survey results, which helps to prove the applicability of the model.


A method to predict the quality of tobacco by three-layer single output Neural Network based on radial basis function is proposed. First standard the general chemical index and sensory quality index get though experiment. Second train the network well though training-samples and obtained the best network parameters vector. Third make use of the successfully trained network to predict the quality of the testing-sample, the study show that the output of the network agree with the fact in some degree. the method provides better result than other reported ones and has promising in tobacco industry.


$Na_xCoO_2$ has a fascinating and complex magnetic phase diagram that can be further manipulated by doping. Here, we investigated the effect of electron doping on the magnetic coupling among $Co^{4+}$ ions in $Na_xCoO_2$ using density functional theory based on Hartree-Fock hybrid functional. We found that electron doping through substitutional $Sb_{Co}$ dopants flip the in-plane ferromagnetic coupling among $Co^{4+}$ ions in the undoped compound to antiferromagnetic. Electron doping through interstitial $Cu_{Int}$, however, does not have a similar effect as $Cu_{Int}$ dopant leaves the compound ferromagnetic, just like the case of the undoped compound. The results demonstrate the critical dependence of magnetic phase in $Na_{0.5}CoO_2$ on the dopant and its incorporation site.


This paper will discuss applications in power management and load shedding systems for production facilities. In several recent projects in Angola and Nigeria the requirements for power management were similar. The paper will detail how to optimize and balance the energy systems across the facilities and how this was key to maintaining critical applications while keeping the operators out of the dark. Capacity planning, balance and control of the generators, was for the most part, the main concern for these areas and has historically caused the most headaches. Additionally, it will cover emergency load shedding as a means of avoiding black start situation during energy system disruptions and upsets. Design of the load shedding schemas will be touched on. Emergency load shedding schemas were difficult to complete because multiple power sources were present. Arriving at the list of load to be shed was a bone of contention in the planning stages. It needed to be done very quickly, but system reaction times (output to the breaker) varied. The final results and lessons learned during the execution of several projects will be detailed in this paper.


The reseach purpose formulated the specific strategy for Rumah Makan Padang business development.  The research method is descriptive qualitative. Data analysis techniques will be divided into three activities: 1) The input stage uses the Delphi technique, 2) the adjustment stage by weighting technique which used a reciprocal rank method and 3) The decision determination stage analyzed by the quantitative strategic planning matrix method. The recomendation strategy are: do the supply chain management with trusted suppliers, make the collaboration with the government to facilate and  grant all permits related to halal, health, safety and food security accreditation, develope financing, delivery and promoting throug digital technology, innovate the  menus and keep to maintaining unique building concepts and service techniques.


The geostationary satellite orbit has a finite capacity for communication satellites operating in the frequency spectrum available, but saturation could be delayed for a long time if various practices and principles of system design and use were agreed internationally and applied. Three broad areas are identified where action is needed, namely system engineering for an interference-limited environment, intersystem coordination of the use of orbit and the spectrum, and the ordering of the use of orbit and spectrum so that systems with radically different characteristics do not interfere. In each of the three areas, the main factors of concern ate identified, the benefits that would be achieved are deduced in broad terms, and the practical and economic feasibility of actually securing the benefit is reviewed for each factor.


Differences in the dissociative ionization pattern of CH[sub 4] obtained in interactions with intense laser fields, and by fast-ion impact, are discussed in terms of molecular-alignment effects.


The main objective of this research was to study, understand and expose the main effects on the mental health of people who have been separated from their work activities in an organization that offers funeral services in the city of Quito, this study was structured under the guidelines of the qualitative research since it mainly interested in knowing the problematic through the direct experience of the chosen individuals and for this it was determined to the semi-structured interview like main tool to obtain the necessary information. It is important to emphasize that one of the discoveries that I carry this work was that in the Ecuadorian context there is a lack of investigation in knowing the mental effects that cause the dismissal and to watch over the same, therefore this became one of the reasons to contribute with this titling work. For the development of this research, it was considered key to use a theoretical framework with previous studies that endorse the content and the objectives of this writing, in addition to main concepts such as dismissal, self-esteem, mental health, among others, with the aim of To give a clearer understanding of the proposed topic. Throughout this investigative work was seen the need to implement an intervention strategy titled as the Humanization of Labor Dismissal where it was based basically on the human aspect of the Outplacement, therefore this strategy seeks not only useful for the Chosen organization but that serves for many more companies of the Ecuadorian context so as to change this lack of concern for the mental health of the people dismissed. Finally it was possible to conclude that it is necessary to make visible the repercussions caused by the loss of work in the people and the treatment that they receive when they are notified by this thanks to Psychology and everything that it represents for the study and understanding of the mind and human conduct, it was possible to develop this work in its entirety.


The present invention discloses an intelligent system APD array readout apparatus A includes an input module, a power conversion module B, C-DC converter module, and intelligent control module APD array reading system D and E; A input module for mains input rectification filter; B power converting module for mains voltage rectified smoothed into a DC voltage stabilized multiplex (negative voltage); C-DC converter module for converting a DC voltage to the power output further transition module B more precise DC voltage required for the reading system; DC converter module for the intelligent control module C D E power and readout system. The present invention also discloses a method of forming Correcting APD array, including the standard image capture, image calibration and automatic alignment of three steps. The present invention is a high precision, small size, and intelligent.


The main task of emergency decision-making is to select an optimal scheme from some alternative emergency plans efficiently after the occurrence of emergency. In this paper, an improved TOPSIS method is presented based on the comprehensive consideration of the subject weight, object weight and feedback weight. Then a scheme selection decision model of emergency decision-making is established based on the method above. This model which proposes a more realistic intergrated weight based on the effects of precious plans executed sorts the alternative plans of emergency decision-making by the degree of the approximation to ideal solution, and selects the best scheme.Finally, the study of a case indicates this decision model's validity and feasibility.


A rapid and simple method based on chip capillary system equipped with a laser-induced fluorescence detector was developed and applied to simultaneous analysis of the multiplex polymerase chain reaction(PCR) products of salmonella and Listeria monocytogenes in food samples.Two pairs of oligonucleotide primers were designed to exclusively amplify invA gene of Salmonella and hly gene of Listeria monocytogenes.The parameters of the multiplex PCR reaction and the chip capillary electrophoresis were optimized.The PCR products were separated and detected by the chip capillary system.The proposed method was employed to simultaneously detect the multiplex PCR products of two foodborne pathogenic bacteria under the optimal conditions within 6 min.The within-day relative standard deviations(RSD)of migration time was in the range of 0.20%~1.7% and the inter-day RSD were from 3.7%~4.5%.


This paper completes the proof of the group configuration theorem for simple theories started in [1]. We introduce the notion of an almost hyperdefinable (poly-)structure, and show that it has a reasonable model theory. We then construct an almost hyperdefinable group from a polygroup chunk.


The level densities of {sup 44}Sc and {sup 47}Ti have been determined from measurements of particle evaporation spectra from the compound nuclear reaction {sup 3}He+{sup 45}Sc with an 11 MeV {sup 3}He beam. The level density of {sup 44}Sc has been compared to the level density obtained from an independent experimental method based on an analysis of {alpha}-{gamma} coincidences from the transfer reaction {sup 45}Sc({sup 3}He,{alpha}{gamma}){sup 44}Sc. The good agreement between the two experiments indicates the reliability of the level density obtained. Some level density systematics have been tested against the experimental data. New Fermi-gas level density parameters have been derived.


This paper is devoted to the effect of different physical and chemical properties of contacting media on the hydrocarbon spreading process on the water surface as well as the comparison of analytically acquired expressions for the form of the hydrocarbon slick observed in experiments. The equations that define the quasi-stationary form of the hydrocarbon slick are presented and numerically solved. Experiments on the compact oil slick field growth under different physical conditions are made. It is shown that the growth of the oil spill slick area with time is greater on fresh water than on saline and also depends on the oil volume and its properties. The dependency of spreading area size on the salinity of water is also revealed.


Recently, deep convolutional neural network sho-ws significant improvement for intensity-guided depth map enhancement. The most networks focus on either increasing depth or easing features propagation via residual learning and dense connection. However, it has not been explicitly considered yet to mitigate the artifacts caused by the differences of the distributions between the depth map and the corresponding color image, e.g., edge misalignment. In this paper, a novel depth-guided affine transformation is used to filter out the unrelated intensity features, which is further used to refine the depth features. Since the quality of initial depth features is low, the depth-guided intensity features filtering and the intensity-guided depth features refinement are iteratively performed, which progressively promotes effects of such tasks. To make full use of the iterations, all the refined depth features are dense connected followed by a 1 × 1 convolution layer. In addition, to improve the performance in the case of large upsampling factors (e.g., 16×), the depth features are enhanced from coarse to fine. In each frequency-dependent refinement of the depth features, the above iterative subnetwork as well as the residual learning are introduced. The proposed method is tested for the noise-free and noisy cases which compares against 16 state-of-the-art methods. Our experimental results show the improved performances based on the qualitative and quantitative evaluations.


The research focuses on the issues, concerning the national identity of mass media in the era of globalization. It was the attempt to examine the linguistic situation in the multi-ethnic society, which consists of clearly defined groups of national minorities. Revealing the problems and consequences of language groups' shift through mass media became the main objective of the research. The retrospective data on the Russian language mass media prevalence in the Eastern European countries (for example, of Estonia) were used as an analytical background. In Estonia, almost half of the Russian-speaking population cannot follow mass media due to limited knowledge of the language. These particularities for 1998-2013 were described in this article. The obtained results led to the conclusion that the major part of the Russian-speaking population of Estonia mainly follows the Russian television channels and, therefore, is more integrated in the Russian information realm than in Estonian. The multidirectional dynamics of mass media activity on prevalence was revealed. The contradictions between the Russian and Estonian mass media, Estonia and the EU on multilingual social mass media role were highlighted in the article.


Discharges for patients hospitalized with heart failure rose from 377,000 in 1979 to 978,000 in 1998, making heart failure the leading discharge diagnosis in the Medicare population in the United States. Currently, 4,800,000 Americans are living with this disease. Approximately 550,000 new cases are diagnosed each year and 200,000 deaths related to heart failure occur annually. Patients admitted to a hospital for the treatment of this disease have readmission rates as high as 30% to 60% within 3 to 6 months after initial discharge. The Survival and Ventricular Enlargement (SAVE) trial demonstrated that once patients with heart failure were hospitalized because of an acute exacerbation, their mortality rate after 4 years increased from 25% to nearly 60%, despite optimal medical management. Inpatient admissions for the treatment of heart failure are increasing in prevalence and are associated with an increased risk of both readmission and subsequent death. The presentations of heart failure that require hospitalization may be classified into 3 categories: 1) newonset heart failure secondary to a precipitating factor such as a large anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI); 2) acute decompensation of chronic heart failure (ADHF); and 3) end-stage or refractory heart failure that responds poorly to medical therapy. This review focuses on acute exacerbations of chronic heart failure (CHF) resulting in hospitalization and discusses medical therapy for and clinical outcomes in patients with this complex clinical syndrome.


Purpose: This paper reflects on the professional liability of auditors from perspective of Common Law and Statute Law in Australia. Design/methodology/approach: The approach applied in this paper is analogous with a narrative investigation of the historical and legal precedence culminating in the ensuing legislative position. Findings: As this is not an empirical study the analysis presented of the key legal developments pertaining to the professional liability of auditors. Originality/value: This analysis provides the background to the development of professional liability and the impact upon the legal transition of professional liability in the context of the auditing profession.;


In this note based on paper [3] we deal with domains D (i.e. connected open subsets) of a Finsler manifold (M, F ). At first we carry out a comparison between different notions of convexity for their boundaries. Then a careful application of variational methods to the geodesic problem yields that the convexity of ∂D is equivalent to the existence of a minimal geodesic for each pair of points of D. Furthermore multiplicity of connecting geodesics can be obtained if D is not contractible.


Aircraft infrared radiation characteristic is the important basis of penetration performance evaluation. When we use ground-based infrared radiation measurement system test aircraft in the out-field, goals are often in the clouds, the clouds of infrared radiation absorption and scattering makes the transmittance and background luminance change, which aifect measurement accuracy. Radiative transfer equation is derived and the discrete coordinate method of solving equations. Based on MODTRAN, common cirrus clouds, for example, in the existing infrared wavelengths in different types of transmittance and background brightness under the cirrus simulation analysis. The results showed that the cirrus cloud thickness changes on the transmittance and affect the background brightness, small influence on height change. The thicker the cloudiness its background brightness is large and stable.


336 children with lymphoproliferative syndrome were examined to determine and develop criteria for predicting the risk of developing the primary form of Epstein-Barr viral infection, recurrent respiratory diseases, adenovirus infection.
On the basis of the obtained results, criteria were developed for predicting individual risk of developing diseases with lymphoproliferative syndrome, the main parameters of which were significant risk factors revealed during the study. The method of prediction of risk and early diagnostics of diseases with lymphoproliferative syndrome convenient in use to pediatricians, infectologists and specialists of medical institutions, which allows to isolate children with high risk of developing lymphoproliferative syndrome and to diagnose in a timely manner the primary form of Epstein-Barr viral infection, recurrent respiratory diseases, adenovirus infection tonsillary form.


An engine inlet anti-icing system comprises a heat exchange channels, a bleed air, an annular duct and the exhaust duct minutes. A heat exchanger disposed in an annular sub-passage tube, provided with openings in the annular duct points, near the inlet end of a bleed air inlet is connected to the opening. Wherein the annular duct having a throat portion and a sub lip, the lip extending in the direction of inlet towards the inlet of the rim, is attached to an adjustable guide blade cascade in the lip, the adjustable inlet guide vanes and the gate angled surface, the drive mechanism by adjusting the angle of guide blade cascade. The engine of the present invention is capable of inlet ice protection system for different anti-icing condition, the control flow rate and flow of hot air to achieve the best effect of anti-icing anti-icing at different inlet conditions and different positions.


Abstract Introduction: To explore and develop effective treatments is crucial for patients with Alzheimer's dementia (AD). In pathology, the amyloid deposits of AD result in disruption of the balance between long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) of neuronal cells and synaptic plasticity. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proposed to affect long-term synaptic plasticity through LTP and LTD, thereby improving cognitive ability. Although an increasing number of studies have been concluded a positive therapeutic effect on cognition in AD, tDCS studies to date are limited on exploring the duration of its efficacy. In this pilot study, we investigate the effects of tDCS in AD and verify its extending beneficial effects for 3 months follow-up period after the end of stimulation. Method: 34 AD participants aged 55-90 years (mean age 75.9 (66-86)) were included in a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled crossover study. All participants were randomly assigned to receive 10 consecutive daily sessions of active tDCS (or sham) and switched groups 3 months later. The anodal electrode was on the left dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex and the cathodal electrode was on the right supraorbital area. In each active session, we applied a current intensity of 2 mA and an electrode size of 25 cm2 for 30 min in the active group. All subjects received a series of neuropsychological assessments including CDR, MMSE, CASI and WCST at baseline and in 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-tDCS (or sham) 10 sessions. Chi-square tests, Wilcoxon signed rank tests and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to assess the differences in participant demographic characteristics and to compare the differences of test scores between groups. Results: The active tDCS group showed significant improvements on CASI total scores from baseline to 2-weeks, 1-month and 3-months after active stimulations, though the improvement declined over time. There are also different presentations in total correct items, conceptual level responses, failure to maintain sets of WCST between active tDCS and sham groups. There is no difference in MMSE, CASI and WCST scores in the sham groups. Conclusion: These results suggest a long term-beneficial effects of tDCS in AD.


The goal of this paper is to propose a new derivational metric for parsing: Destroy. The general claim that underlies this proposal and that I will defend here is that local ambiguities can be solved by simply looking at the way the sentence is generated (its derivational history). Following Phillips (96), I assume that the sentence is built incrementally and lineary. This entails that the insertion of an item in the derivation can destroy the preceding constituent to create a new one. By selecting the derivation which destroys the most the structure already assembled, Destroy is the first parsing principle which works in a truly derivational way, contrary to traditional metrics (Right Association Kimball, 73 and Minimal Attachment, Frazier & Fodor 78, for instance). The article shows that a metric for parsing that appeals to the history of the derivation, such as Destroy, accounts not only for well-known cases of local ambiguity, but also provides an explanation of the contrast between garden-path sentences and local ambiguities which do not create any processing difficulties (easy reanalysis).


Ƞ Our knowledge is constantly shifting from analog to digital literacies, industrial to information societies, paper to screen literacies, and mono-modal to multimodal literacies, for which digital technology has become a disruptive force. Whether we realize or not, we are invariably encountering digital technologies and are embracing such knowledge shift/epistemic shift in business, science, education, and engineering alike. This epistemic shift demonstrates that digital literacy has become an inescapable element in the twenty-first century's networked communities. Based on the epistemic transformation, this article discusses potentials of teaching writing in the cloud, such as how instructors can welcome this epistemic shift in the writing classes; how instructors can engage students in cloud environment; how students can share a complex set of linguistic and cultural narratives; and how students can collaborate and cooperate to create their realities in the context of the networked first-year composition classrooms.


Objective To explore the relationship between animal derived food antigens and diabetes. Methods Serum samples were collected from 29 diabetic patients with intake of common animal derived foods( fish,crayfish,milk and eggs). Serum IgG levels were detected using ELISA plates coated with food antigens. Moreover,serum TNF-α,IL-1β and IFN-γ levels were examined by ELISA. Results were compared between diabetic patients and normal controls. Results Among the 29 patients,large intake of crayfish in 4( 13. 79%),large intake of milk in 11( 37. 93%),large intake of fish in 22( 75. 86%),and large intake of eggs in 19( 65. 52%). Compared with normal control group,the levels of serum IgG,IL-1β,TNF-α and IFN-γ were significant higher in diabetic group( all P 0. 05). Conclusion Specific animal derived foods may cause inflammatory response. The increase in inflammatory factors during inflammatory reaction is closely related to the occurrence of diabetes.


Torque ripple is a major concern in interior permanent magnet (IPM) machines, which is usually above 20% in conventional IPM machines, and for some cases, such as spindle motors, this value is too high to be accepted. In this paper, armature windings with fractional-slot per pole pair are employed to reduce the torque ripple. First, it is theoretically explained why this windings are helpful to lower torque ripple without the cost of average torque. Then, the effect of slot pole combinations on torque ripple is investigated. Moreover, the electromagnetic performance, such as back EMF, cogging torque, and torque ripple of an IPM machine with the proposed windings is compared to that of the IPM machine with conventional integral-slot distributed windings (ISDW). It is shown that the cogging torque of IPM machine with fractional-slot per pole pair windings could be as low as 0.2%, and torque ripple is only 3% without any other special measures such as skew or dummy slots.


Patient: Female, 27-year-old Final Diagnosis: Sarcoidosis Symptoms: Pain and swelling in her left breast Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Rheumatology Objective: Rare disease Background: Sarcoidosis is a benign systemic granulomatous disorder of unknown etiology that affects multiple organs. Patients diagnosed with sarcoidosis usually present with nonspecific symptoms: fatigue, fever, weight loss, and respiratory symptoms such as cough and dyspnea; 50% of the patients are asymptomatic at the time of diagnosis. In 90% of patients, sarcoidosis targets hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes. In rare cases, it presents solely in the breast with no other symptoms. The diagnosis is established based on compatible clinical and radiological findings and supported by histological evidence in 1 or more organs of non-caseating epithelioid cell granulomas in the absence of organisms or particles. Case Report: We herein present a unique case of a 27-year-old woman who presented with pain and swelling in her left breast. On examination, the left breast revealed multiple, firm-hard, and tender masses. Breast ultrasound showed large loculated focally dilated ducts with significant periductal vascularity and inflammation. Fine-needle aspiration (FNA) showed an inflammatory process with granulomatous formation. An ultrasound-guided core biopsy, which was histologically consistent with granulomatous mastitis, and elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) levels confirmed a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The patient was started on IV steroids followed by oral prednisolone and azathioprine. During treatment, the mass size decreased and the pain substantially improved. Conclusions: It is important to consider sarcoidosis in a patient who presents with only pain and swelling in the breast to ensure early diagnosis and initiate treatment, improving the patient's overall prognosis.


The acoustic emission (AE) characteristics of the three point bending concrete beams of different kinds of concretes were investigated during the entire loading period. It was found that the fiber in the concrete influenced the AE characteristics significantly. With fibers in the concrete, the occurrence of AE events decreased obviously. Weibull function was adopted to analyze the influence of material properties on the AE characteristics, the fracture characteristics and brittleness of concrete quantitatively. It was also revealed that the two parameters θ and m had special meanings. θ and m indicated the brittleness determined by the geometries of concrete specimens and material properties respectively.


In this paper,the attitudes of passing on and promoting national costume of Chinese,Japanese and Korean was investigated by using questionnaire.The statements and differences of shopping and wearing national costume were analyzed in order to develop our national culture and clothing.


The invention discloses a method for driving a liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal display device and a method for compensating light spots. The method for driving the liquid crystal panel includes the steps that the panel is driven according to the physical positions of pixels and compensation values corresponding to the pixels; the compensation values correspond to deviation values between reference brightness and brightness of the positions of the light spots of the liquid crystal panel before compensation. The brightness of all the pixels is compared with the reference brightness, one compensation value is accordingly added as long as the deviation value generated by comparison of the brightness with the reference brightness is over the error range, the brightness is reduced, the difference between the brightness and the reference brightness is conveniently reduced, and therefore the light spots are faded and even eliminated.


In a study on the measurement of customer orientation of salespersons, Thomas, Soutar, and Ryan (2001) proposed a shorter version of the 24-item selling orientation–customer orientation (SOCO) scale developed by Saxe and Weitz (1982). This revised version is a 10-item scale, where, the selling orientation and the customer orientation dimensions are measured by five items each. Thomas, Soutar, and Ryan claimed that their version of the SOCO scale is reliable and valid, and the reduction in items from 24 to 10 will reduce response fatigue and acquiescence bias. Further, sales researchers can incorporate the ten-item SOCO scale in larger studies with other constructs. Our study attempted to cross-validate this revised version of the SOCO scale in a business-to-business setting. The results established the generalizability of the revised scale.


The Basics Introduction Basic Math Operations Units of Measurement and Conversions Statistics Forest-Based Biomass: Heat Energy, Weight Considerations, and Estimations Forest Biomass Sampling Timber Scaling and Log Rules Forest-Based Biomass Bioenergy Biomass: Plant Basics Forest-Based Biomass Feedstock Biomass Conversion/Power Generation Technologies Forest Biomass Removal: Environmental Impact Glossary Appendix: Answers to Chapter Review Questions Index


The object of this Note is to extend the discussion of the recursive dynamic programming solution of discrete allocation problems found in the first two chapters of Bellman and Dreyfus, Applied Dynamic Programming, Princeton University Press, 1962. These problems frequently involve a continuous state space, characterizing a total amount of resource, and optimum return and policy functions that can change over small segments of this space. In order to compute these functions recursively, it is necessary to replace the continuous space by a discrete grid and compute values of the functions on this grid. The possibility of rapid changes in these functions makes impossible the accurate interpolation of values of an optimum partial return function from those of its predecessor if the grid is chosen arbitrarily. Instead, when problem constants are positive rational numbers, there is a unique grid size that essentially scales the problem to a minimum equivalent solvable all-integer problem.


Hole-shape optimization for opening structures can effectively alleviate the hole-edge stress concentration; however, it requires high precision of stress analysis and high geometrical deformation capacity of the hole-edge curves. Therefore, the finite cell method is adopted in this work for high-precision numerical analysis within the fixed mesh, and the smoothly deformable implicit curve is proposed to describe the boundary to be optimized. After deriving analytical sensitivity analysis formulas, we built a hole-shape optimization design framework having high precision and high efficiency. Through hole-shape optimization in opening structures under different load boundary conditions, the proposed framework exhibited several advantages such as no mesh updating, simple sensitivity derivation, high analytical precision, and large design space.


While dealing with Roman policy towards the Jews of Rome, Philo states that Augustus "was aware that the great section of Rome on the other side of the Tiber was occupied and inhabited by Jews, most of whom were Roman citizens emancipated. For having been brought as captives to Italy they were liberated by their owners and were not forced to violate any of their native institutions."1 This passage is taken at face value in many works dealing with the beginning of the Jewish settlement at Rome, but it certainly deserves a closer examination. Let us start from the end. That in Augustan times the Jews were not forced to violate any of their native institutions is plausible. Several Roman documents cited by Flavius Josephus2 attest to Augustus' endorsement of tradition-


In India, the Past majority of ethanol is produced from sugarcane molasses, a by-product of sugar. In the future it may also be produced directly from sugarcane juice. The main objective of this study is to develop an economic framework to determine the implications of the 2017 blend mandate for India's food and energy security and allocation of land and water between food and fuel production. In the present work, studies were carried out on the ethanol production by Saccharomyces cerevisiae under stationary culture. Cane molasses in different concentration was used as sugar source for maximum conversion of reducing sugar into ethanol. The substrate was optimized after maintain- ing different levels of sugar concentrations (15-30%), medium pH (4.0-5.5), incubation temperatures (25-40°C), volume of fermentation medium (200-350 ml) and yeast cells gave significant results up to four consecutive batches. Rate of ethanol production was maximal with the free cells. From studies with PEGz strain, it is revealed that the strain is as efficient as the IIS strain, But due to its transformation and mutation, the strain showing resistance to high sugar conc and have much temperature tolerance, than IIS particularly much efficient in ethanol production.


in Kerala. A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in 750 institutionalized treated leprosy patients residing in 6 different leprosy care centres (three government sanatoria and three non governmental leprosy institutions) in Kerala. Treated leprosy afflicted persons (LAPs) who provided consent to participate in the study were included. The oral health status was assessed by clinical examination and findings were recorded using WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (1997). Among 750 leprosy patients examined, 393 were males and 357 were females. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions was 57 (7.6%). Oral Candidiasis 18 (2.4%) was the most prevalent oral mucosal lesion followed by palatal ulceration 12(1.6%). The proportion of persons having extra oral lesions was 531(70.8%). Temporo-mandibular-joint (TMJ) disorders were present in 352 (47%) subjects. Periodontal status of the subjects were poor, 570 (76.8%) subjects were having calculus or pockets. Majority of the subjects 411(54.8%) had periodontal pocket of 4mm or more. 581 (76.8%) subjects had http://www.ijl.org.in


In order to determine the effects of fermented compound protein stuffs( FCPS) with microbes on pig growth performance and nutrient digestibility,seventy growing pigs( Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire) were divided randomly into 7 groups,including the control group,groups 1 to 3 added with FCPS at 6% to 7%, 12% to 14%,18% to 21% levels,groups 4 added with 12% to 14% unfermented compound protein stuffs, group 5 added with 12% to 14% FCPS with the same digestible energy as the control,and group 6 added with 12% to 14% fermented soybean meal,with 10 replicates per group and 1 pig per replicate. The results showed that average daily gain in group 1 was the same as group 6( P0.05),while higher than that in the control and the other groups( P0.05). Average daily gain and nutrient digestibility in group 2 were higher than those in group 4( P0.05). The digestibility of crude protein,crude fat and calcium in group 6 was the highest,and significantly higher than that in the other groups( P 0. 05) except that there was no significant difference in calcium digestibility between group 2 and group 6( P0.05). The nutrient digestibility in group 4 was the low-est,and significantly lower than that in the other groups( P0.05). The fecal E. coli counts in group 6 were lower than those in the other groups( P 0. 05); however,the fecal Lactobacillus counts in groups 1 and 6 were the same as groups 2 and 5,and higher than those in the other groups( P 0.05). The good economic profit could be obtained by replacing the same amount of soybean meal with 6% to 7% FCPS or 12% to 14% fermented soybean meal. It is concluded that adding 6% to 7% microbial fermented compound protein stuffs in growing pig diets to replace soybean meal can increase average daily gain,apparent nutrient digestibility and economic profits.


Classical Philology. XXX. i . January, 1935. Jefferson Elmore, A New Dating of Horace's De Arte Poetica: the date 28/7 A.b. removes the difficulties of the reference to Cascellius (whose birth E. places in n o , against Mommsen's 104) and of the age of Cn. Piso's sons. J. W. Hewitt, The Image in the Sand : Arist. Nub. 975 conceals a reference to erasure of traces of the body as a precaution against Spurzauber, though Ar. wilfully misrepresents the reason : H. finds in this a trace of Pythagoreanism in the education of the Sticaios \6yos and attempts to detect others in the prohibitions against crossing the legs, giggling, etc. E. T . Salmon, Rome's Battles with Etruscans and Gauls in 284-2 B.C.: extracts a coherent account by comparison of the Polybian and Livian traditions. E. E. Burriss, The Place of the Dog in Superstitions as revealed in Latin Literature : catalogues taboos, magical beliefs, etc., largely from Pliny. J. N. Hough, The Development of Plautus' Art: postulates three stages in P.'s use of Greek models, classifies the plays as well-constructed non-farces, poorly constructed farces and well-constructed farces, and finds that the order of plays reached on this basis agrees with accepted chronology. A. E . Pappano, The Pseudo-Marius: a vivid and well-documented account of the career or the impostor Amatius in 45/4 B.C. J. E. Powell, Notes on the Oedipus Tyrannus: 132-3 are spoken by the Priest, so that o-u refers to O. and eirunpo<$>riv to his resolve in 131: 420-1 Kidaiptov is the subject of both clauses and Xifi^v and o-v/î wvos both predicates: 463 for tfa-e read jjSe (from aei'Sa>): 677 read imos and assume a following line lost: 718 apdpa iroSoiv merely periphrastic for irdfies: 704-5 the third road is that from Thebes: 865-70 vd/ios and <f>va-i.s axe sharply contrasted: 1469 ff. Ant. and Is. must have entered with Cr. before O. expressed his wish to hold them. J. H . Drake, Again Hoc Age: maintains against Rolfe (C.P. 28-47) that hoc age in PI. Capt. 444 = ' do this' —i.e. pledge his faith by hand-grasp. Howard Comfort, The Date of Catullus liii: Calvus's attack on Vatinius cannot be dated 56 B.C, for Cat. was still abroad when the conference at Lucca was in progress and after Lucca an attack on V. would have been impolitic. A. W. Fraser explains xOl*^V TravvTrepraTT] of Ithaca as ' grounded in the sea (as opposed to floating islands like that of * 3), most elevated of all.' L. R. Lind (1) summarizes the case against Virgil's military service, (2) defends in Nonnus, Dion. 1. 69.


Three nursery growers describe their compost specification, use and results. Advantages cited include moisture retention, improved soil structure and plant health.


Abstract A series of constant observations on Amblyseius largoensis (Muma) on excised avocado leaves in the laboratory revealed that the hunger level of this predator directly affected the time spent feeding on individual prey, the relative aggressiveness, the frequency of successful captures, the length of digestive pause, and the speed of movement. Feeding and nonfeeding periods occurred in constantly recurring cycles. Hungry predators captured 2–4 prey in succession; after each capture a digestive pause followed, the length of which increased (up to 7–8 h) as the predator became increasingly satiated. This cycle was repeated 2–3 times in 24 h. Several thresholds appeared to be responsible for this behavior pattern.


A study of the features of matching an electric generator with an electromechanical energy transducer in process of constructing radiation path for a system of electromechanical transducers made from piezoelectric ceramics was conducted. Two approaches to the construction of equivalent circuit of electromechanical energy transducers in the problems of matching them with exciting electric generators are presented. These approaches are associated with the representation of the computation models of transducers in the form of systems with lumped or distributed parameters.


To analyze the influence of the material batch, the structure of the manufacturing process chain, and the process parameters, four different material batches of the quenched and tempered steel SAE 4140 were used to manufacture samples with tension screw geometry. Five different, manufacturing process chains, consisting of the process steps heat treatment, turning, and grinding, were applied. After selected process steps, light and SEM micrographs as well as fatigue experiments were performed. The process itself as well as the process parameters influences the properties of the surface layers and the fatigue behavior in a characteristic manner. For example the variation of the feed rate and cutting speed in the hard‐turning process leads to significantly different mechanical properties of the surface layers and residual stress states, which could be correlated with the fatigue behavior. The cyclic deformation behavior of the investigated components can be benchmarked equivalently with stress–strain hysteresis as well as high precision temperature and electrical resistance measurements. The temperature and electrical resistance measurements are suitable for component applications and provide an enormous advantage of information about the fatigue behavior. The temperature changes of the failed areas of the samples with tension screw geometry were significantly higher, a reliable identification of endangered areas is thereby possible. A new test procedure, developed at the Institute of Materials Science and Engineering of the University of Kaiserslautern, with inserted load‐free‐states during constant amplitude loading, provides the opportunity to detect proceeding fatigue damage in components during inspections.