Purpose To determine whether the effects of a patient-centered cultural competence curriculum could be sustained for one year. Method In 2006, 57 fifth-year medical students at National Taiwan University were randomly assigned either to a group that received training in patient-centered cross-cultural communication skills or one that received no training. Students' scores on objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs) were compared in the realms of exploring (1) patient perspectives and (2) social factors related to illness, immediately after training (OSCE1) and one year after training (OSCE2). Results Regarding students' exploration of patient perspectives, the intervention group scored significantly higher than the control group at OSCE1, but there was a significant decrease from OSCE1 to OSCE2 in the intervention group and no significant difference between the intervention and control group at OSCE2. Regarding students' exploration of social factors related to illness, the intervention group scored significantly higher than the control group at OSCE1, with a nonsignificant decrease from OSCE1 to OSCE2 in the two groups, such that the intervention group again scored higher than the control group in OSCE2. Conclusions The effect of a patient-centered cultural competence training curriculum on students' exploration of social factors related to illness was sustained to a significant degree after one year, whereas the effects on students' exploration of patient perspectives were not. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which additional training can prevent the loss of student skills.


Ralph Waldo Emerson's Transcendentalist beliefs had dominated American literature in the Romantic period. It has remained an appealing interest in exploring whether Herman Melville had been influenced by Transcendentalism and in what ways it is embodied in his work. Therefore, this study carries out a detailed analysis of Melville's Transcendentalist tendency in his masterpiece of Moby-Dick. It is found that the characterization of Ahab as a Transcendentalist hero and Ishmael as an Emersonian Individualist are two cases in the point. Furthermore, it also reveals the embodiment of Oversoul in the narration. Altogether, they testify the sign of Transcendental influence over Melville in this novel.


Abstract A Double Shuttle Automated Storage/Retrieval operating on a Four Command Cycle is studied in this paper. A retrieval sequencing heuristic along with an approximation for the expected command cycle time is presented in the system. A lower bound is also developed for the mean four command cycle times for various retrieval block sizes and a number of open locations. The throughput of a double shuttle automated storage/retrievalsystem(AS/RS)working on the four command cycles under the heuristic is compared with the that of a single


This volume deals with the Sarvastivada school of Buddhism, the major philosophical school of Hinayana. First a general outline is given of the school's origin in the (Indian) Buddhist synods. Part one ends with a general survey of Sarvastivada Literature. In the actual corpus the philosophical texts of Sarvastivada are treated in detail. The organization of the work follows the geographical spread of Sarvastivada. In these Parts special emphasis is laid on the Central Asian history of the school, as well as on how the school eventually reached China ('Abhidharma and Kosa Schools'). Treatment is based on the Chinese versions of the major works of the school (Sutrapitaka, Abhidarmapitaka and Vinayapitaka). All in all, this major work throws a new light on the relationship between Sarvastivada and Mulasarvastivada and provides an innovative view on the Darsttantika and Sautrantika Schools.


In the present study, Al2O3-pillared layered MnO2 (p-MnO2) was synthesized using -MnO2 as precursor and Pb(II) adsorption on p-MnO2 and -MnO2 was investigated. To clarify the adsorption mechanism, Al2O3 was also prepared as an additional sorbent. The adsorbents were characterized by X-ray fluorescence analysis, powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption. Results showed that in comparison with pristine -MnO2, Al2O3 pillaring led to increased BET surface area of 166.3 m2 g−1 and enlarged basal spacing of 0.85 nm. Accordingly, p-MnO2 exhibited a higher adsorption capacity of Pb(II) than -MnO2. The adsorption isotherms of Pb(II) on -MnO2 and Al2O3 pillar fitted well to the Freundlich model, while the adsorption isotherm of Pb(II) on p-MnO2 could be well described using a dual-adsorption model, attributed to Pb(II) adsorption on both -MnO2 and Al2O3. Additionally, Pb(II) adsorption on -MnO2 and p-MnO2 followed eavy metal removal the pseudo second-order kinetics, and a lower adsorption rate was observed on p-MnO2 than -MnO2. The Pb(II) adsorption capacity of p-MnO2 increased with solution pH and co-existing cation concentration, and the presence of dissolved humic acid (10.2 mg L−1) did not markedly impact Pb(II) adsorption. p-MnO2 also displayed good adsorption capacities for aqueous Cu(II) and Cd(II). Findings in this study indicate that p-MnO2 could be used as a highly effective adsorbent for heavy metal ions removal in water. © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.


Abstract : FIU research concentrated in the following areas of development: nanoelectronics, bio-nanosensors, and nanomaterials, processes, and characterization. Five projects were supported: next generation information storage devices-both three-dimensional magnetic and protein-based, high power cold cathodes for microwave generators, carbon nanotube-based bio-sensors, silicon/polymer nanophotonics, and doped nanodiamonds and nanoceramic lasers for future devices. In magnetic storage devices, this work has resulted in patterned soft underlayer metallizations to localize the recording and sensitivity fields in 3-D recording media and the development of a prototype using focused ion beam nanomachining to manufacture a 3-D magnetic system including a 3-D patterned media and magnetic transducer. In microwave generators, demonstrated thin-multiwall carbon nanotubes (tMWNTs) with low turn-on field (approx. 0.5 V/micron) and stable operation and synthesized multistage tungsten oxide field emitters with high emission current ( approx. 180 microA/1tip). Demonstrated two electron multiplier concepts using both alumina continuous multiplier and a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC)/Ag dynode structure. Demonstrated both an ultra-small Si ring resonators characterized by a 2 micron radius on a single ring , with a free-spectral range of 50 nm or 6THz and an operating wavelength of 1510-1610nm and a silicon Horizontal Slot waveguide coupler with approximately 80% fiber-chip efficiency.


FIELD: medicine. SUBSTANCE: invention concerns area of hygiene and can be used for absorption of liquid mediums released by an organism. The absorbing product with longitudinal and cross-section directions and with two end edges which are passing in a cross-section direction, and two lateral edges which are passing in a longitudinal direction, contains the clamping constructive element intended for fastening of the absorbing Product. The clamping constructive element contains a strip of a material with longitudinal and cross-section directions and with the first and the second short extremities. The first short extremity of the strip of a material is strongly fixed in the absorbing product, and the strip of a material contains clamping adaptation. The clamping constructive element is formed by the strip of a material combined in zigzag fashion along two lines passing in a cross-section direction of a fold which separate the strip of a material on the first end part on the first short extremity, the second end part on the second short extremity and the average part located between the end parts. The clamping device is located on the second end part on a surface referred aside from an average part when the material stria is in the combined condition. EFFECT: possibility of adjustment of the size and fit of the product substantially. 16 cl, 6 dwg


Relief wells are important seepage control measures to prevent seepage failures of levees. However, the efficiency of relief wells decreases with time due to blockage of well filter and screens. It is essential to take remedial measures to improve relief well performance for disaster prevention and mitigation function. This paper develops an ultrasonic plugging removal system which is suitable for dike relief well. The process of backward silting of the relief well is simulated in a large laboratory permeameter, and the self-developed ultrasonic equipment is used to remove the plug. The performance of the proposed ultrasonic technology is studied through the constant water head permeation test. The experimental results show that the proposed ultrasonic removal technology can significantly improve the drainage capacities of clogged relief wells in the sand confined aquifer foundation. The plugging degree of relief wells and performance of ultrasonic plugging increase with the decrease of confined aquifer sand density. The density of confined aquifer sand sample has a significant effect on the ultrasonic treatment time. The ultrasonic treatment time should be controlled within 60 min and 90 min for the confined aquifer sand density ρ = 1.45 g/cm3 and ρ = 1.50 g/cm3, respectively.


Title Laminar heat transfer in the thermal entrance region of concentric annuli with moving heated cores : Part I : The cases with the first and second kinds of the thermal boundary condition Author(s) Davva, Ganbat; Shigechi, Toru; Momoki, Satoru Citation 長崎大学工学部研究報告 Vol.32(59) p.41-50, 2002 Issue Date 2002-07 URL http://hdl.handle.net/10069/5209 Right NAOSITE: Nagasaki University's Academic Output SITE


The battery banks in many battery storage systems, such as uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems, are placed in unattended or remote locations. Operators have to conduct regular on-site visual inspection of the service condition of the batteries. Unexpected premature battery failure cannot be discovered easily and accurately. To ensure serviceability, those batteries are typically replaced after a few years of service, depending on the site condition and the maintenance practice and experience of the operators. This paper will present a diagnostic cell for conducting real-time estimation of the State of Charge (SOC) and State of Health (SOH) of two series connected batteries, forming a basic unit for diagnosing the health of a large-scale battery bank. Operators can monitor the SOC and SOH remotely, and conduct replacement exercise at optimal time before any failure or incident occurs. The cell could save resources on regular site inspection. As the batteries are to be replaced near the end of their life cycle, it will also reduce undesired electronic waste.


Lyme disease is a tick‐borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu latu. Neuroborreliosis is reported in approximately 10% of patients with Lyme disease. We report a patient with central nervous system (CNS) large vessel vasculitis, ischemic stroke, and tumefactive contrast‐enhancing brain lesions, an unusual complication of neuroborreliosis. A 56‐year‐old man presented with headache and disorientation for 1 month. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed basal meningitis with rapidly progressing frontotemporoinsular edema and (peri)vasculitis. Transcranial ultrasound confirmed stenosed medial cerebral arteries. [18F]GE‐180 microglia positron emission tomography (PET) showed frontotemporoinsular signal more pronounced on the right. [18F]FET amino acid PET demonstrated low tracer uptake, suggesting an inflammatory process. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed lymphomonocytosis (243/μl), intrathecal anti‐Borrelia IgM (CSF/serum index = 15.65, normal < 1.5) and anti‐Borrelia IgG (CSF/serum index = 6.5, normal < 1.5), and elevated CXCL13 (29.2 pg/ml, normal < 10 pg/ml). Main differential diagnoses of neurotuberculosis and perivascular CNS lymphoma were ruled out by biopsy and Quantiferon enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Ceftriaxone (28 days), cortisone, and nimodipine (3 months) led to full recovery. Neuroborreliosis is an important differential diagnosis in patients with CNS large vessel vasculitis and tumefactive contrast‐enhancing brain lesions, mimicking perivascular CNS lymphoma or neurotuberculosis as main neuroradiological differential diagnoses. Vasculopathy and cerebrovascular events are rare in neuroborreliosis but should be considered, especially in endemic areas.


This article is devoted to the study of the role of innovation management in international companies. The article analyzes various views on the concept of "innovation", considers the evolution of its development, gives modern concepts, in particular, provides a classification according to the guidelines of Oslo and the Frascati OECD. Special attention is paid to a review of research by modern scientists in the field of "innovative management".


A 60-year-old female was admitted to our clinic with fever, headache, weakness, and confusion. Her past medical history was unremarkable other than ulcerative colitis (UC), and she received 4 g/day mesalamine, 100 mg/day azathioprine, and 25 mg/day prednisolone on admission. Because of UC activation 1 month previously, azathioprine and prednisolone were initiated at initial doses of 50 and 40 mg/day, respectively. The prednisolone dose was decreased by 5 mg weekly, whereas the azathioprine dose was increased to 100 mg in the second week. Physical examination revealed that her body temperature was 38.4°C. She had right hemiparesis, neck stiffness, and confusion. Laboratory test results were as follows: hemoglobin level, 10.9 g/ dL (11.7–15.5 g/dL); white blood cell (WBC) count, 2×103/μL (4.1–11.2×103/μL); platelet count, 125×103/ μL (159–388×103/μL); neutrophil count, 1.7×103/μL (1.8–6.4×103/μL), and C-reactive protein level, 15.8 mg/ dL (0–0.3 mg/dL). Liver enzyme and creatinine levels were normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of the patient were consistent with meningitis. Lumbar puncture was performed, and cell count of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was 600/mm3 WBCs, with 40% neutrophil and abundant erythrocytes. Gram-positive rods were detected in the Gram stain of CSF. Meropenem plus ampicillin was administered to the patient for a central nervous system (CNS) infection. Azathioprine was discontinued, and the prednisolone dose was gradually reduced (5 mg/1–4 day) because of the infection. The control cranial MRI in the second week revealed a left thalamo-mesencephalic abscess (Figure 1). Listeria monocytogenes (LM) was identified in the CSF culture. Meropenem was switched to gentamicin, and gentamicin plus ampicillin was continued for 1 month. The patient clinically improved, and the control cranial MRI in the sixth week showed a marked improvement of the abscess (Figure 2). She was discharged from the hospital with continuing treatment of 4 g/day mesalamine for UC. Turk J Gastroenterol 2017; 28: 137-9


The design of 3-7 GHz class AB two stages power amplifier (PA) for wireless body area network (WBAN) applications in TSMC 0.18 μm is presented. Source and Load-pull contours are employed in order to maximize power added efficiency. The post-layout simulation results of the proposed UWB-PA indicated that the power gain (S21) is 12 dB ± 0.8; the input return loss (S11) and the output return loss (S22) are less than -10 dB and -11 dB respectively over the frequency range from 3 GHz to 7 GHz. In addition, The PA achieved maximum power added efficiency (PAE) of 38.5% at 5 GHz and an output 1-dB compression of 7.21 dBm at the same frequency. Moreover, a group delay variation of ± 32.5 ps was achieved through the frequency band of interest.


The museum is a dynamic institution and always developed according to its time. The development of the museum is intended so that the museum can always be accepted by the public. The display system of the museum is referred to as one of the most visible parts of the development of the museum because it has a crucial value and can be an indication of the condition of society at that time. Indonesia had experienced at least three periods of development, namely the colonial period, the independence period, and the post-reformation period (present). This question aims to see the compatibility between the participation of the museum and the development of the community. This article used two data, primary and secondary data. The primary data were obtained from direct observation, while secondary data was derived from a literature study. The data is then described, comparatively explanatively analyzed, and then interpreted. The results of the interpretation are then used to answer the questions posed. The conclusion obtained is that the exhibition system in the colonial period was associated with efforts to study Indonesian cultural objects, the exhibition system during the independence period was intended to spread the nation's ideology, and the post-reformation period emphasized the social role of museums to society.
Keywords: museum; colonial; independence; post-reformation


During the years from 1954 to 1961 the author had the chance of performing penetrating keratplasty on 23 eyes in 21 cases. The operations were done at the First Army Gencral Hospital and Taiwan Sanatoriun and Hospital of S. D. A. in Taipei. In the first case 4mm trephine and conjunctival flap fixation were used. In the last case 8mm trephine and direct suture were used. In all of the others 5.5mm trephine and overlay suture were used. All grafts were clear after operation except for 2 eyes. In one of them, the graft became completely cloudy with a loss of anterior chamber and mild glaucoma probably due to retrooulbar haemorrhage during the operation. The haemorrhage was caused by retrobulbar injection. The second was a case of cornea dystrophy. Although the graft was clear and the vision had improved to 6/30 during the first three months post operatively, it became cloudy after this period. Regrafting resulted in improvment to 6/20 also for a period of three months, after which the opacity reappeared at the central part of the graft. In one case who suffered from high myopia and cataract, detachment of the retina of both eyes occured after grafting in each eye. The vision in each eye was getting worse in spite of successful grafting. Among the 23 eyes, vision improved in 19 eyes (82.7%), unchanged in 1 eye (4.3%), and getting worse in 3 eyes (13.0%). Among the 19 eyes whose vision improved, 4 eyes improved to 6/4.5-6/10, 11 eyes improved to 6/12-6/60 and 4 eyes below 6/60. The causes of failure in improving vision more than 6/60 in the last group were 1) amblyopia due to strabismus from childhood, 2) premature cataract, 3) retinal degeneration of high myopia and 4) mature cataract. The grafts all were clear in these cases. Among the 23 eyes, 2 grafts were cloudy and 21 eyes were clear. The rate of snccessful operation and obtaining clear graft was 91.3%. The clinical review of the history, present technics and its problems, complications and the statistical results of the operation were also described.


The utility model relates to a portable semiconductor laser depilation instrument. A front end of a shell of the portable semiconductor laser depilation instrument is provided with a light outlet, and a liquid crystal display screen is disposed on the semiconductor laser depilation instrument. The semiconductor laser depilation instrument is also provided with an LED indication device, an energy selection button, and a switch, wherein the energy selection button adjusts the intensity of the laser, and the switch is used for controlling a power supply of the semiconductor laser depilation instrument to turn on or turn off. A rear end of the shell of the semiconductor laser depilation instrument is provided with a skin detection window. The portable semiconductor laser depilation instrument employs an ergonomic structure design. The portable semiconductor laser depilation instrument is compact in entire structure, convenient to operate, adjustable in laser intensity, safe and reliable in performance, and suitable for persons having different skin colors.


In the UK, the term Synthetic Environment (SE) extends conventional Modelling and Simulation (M&S) by 'link(ing) a combination of models, simulations, people or real equipment into a common representation of the world'. The integration of SE into the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) acquisition process is known as Synthetic Environment Based Acquisition (SeBA) and is defined as the 'consistent and coherent application of modelling, simulation and SE technology within, and across, both acquisition phases and programmes to facilitate the attainment of the Smart Acquisition goals of faster, cheaper, better'. The SeBA concept is akin to the US vision for Simulation Based Acquisition (SBA). It is based on the application and management of a knowledge base, with an information repository shared amongst the stakeholders, but it extends through the life of a programme from capability gap analysis through to equipment disposal. Government and industry share the vision for SBA and SeBA; the concept has been discussed at length at the conference circuit and is generally accepted by the acquisition community (interpretation of the terms vary widely!). It is believed that much of the SeBA-enabling technology is here today and the processes have been defined, but has SBA/SeBA really had any impact to date? This paper will summarise the UK's four-year collaborative (MoD/industry) research programme into SeBA, and will conclude by discussing the issues concerned with the full implementation of SBA/SeBA


Background: Group B streptococcus (GBS) was identified as the leading cause of neonatal disease in developed countries. The surrogate for early onset neonatal disease caused by GBS is rectovaginal colonization of pregnant women before delivery. In this study we sought to determine colonization rate of GBS among pregnant women and their new born, vertical transmission rate and serotype distribution at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital (TASH).Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at TASH from March 2015 to August 2015.  280 pregnant women and their newborn were screened for GBS. Isolated GBS were serotyped by using serotype specific antisera. Structured questionnaire was used to collect socio-demographic and obstetric data. Logistic regression was used to compare colonization rate obtained from pregnant women and their newborn with different risk factors. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Result: Maternal, newborn GBS colonization rate and vertical transmission rate were 65(23.2%), 95% CI [18.6-28.9], 32(11.3%), 95% CI [7.8-14.8] and 32/65(49.2%) respectively. GBS serotype distributions were: Ia 22(22.7%), Ib 16(16.5%), II 29(29.9%), III 7(7.2%), V 18(18.6%), and non typeable 5 (5.2%).Conclusion: GBS colonization rate in this study was high. Serotype II was the predominant serotype followed by serotype Ia. In the future concerned bodies should consider implementation of prevention strategy to minimize the burden of disease. Vaccine formulation which include serotype II, Ia, V, Ib, and II may prevent majority of neonatal disease the study area.


That hydroquinol is converted by oxidation in neutral and acid solutions into quinone, with the intermediate formation of quinhydrone, was first demonstrated by Wohler in 1844.2 This reaction appears to proceed quantitatively and the change can be brought about by the use of a great variety of oxidizing agents. When we turn, however, to the oxidation of hydroquinol in alkaline solution the situation is far more complicated and at present we must admit that we have not an accurate understanding of the various changes which take place. The writer's interest in this phase of the subject resulted from the observation that an aqueous solution of hydroquinol, made strongly alkaline with methylamine, rapidly absorbs oxygen gas at ordinary temperatures with formation of a brilliant purple colored compound which is characterized by its pronounced crystalline habit. It is of course well known that alkaline solutions of hydroquinol absorb oxygen, but if one will substitute an aliphatic amine, like methylamine, for the alkali usually employed he will observe an absorption of oxygen which is unusual both for its rapidity and in regard to the quantity consumed. The characteristic reactions which take place under these conditions appear to have not been studied. For example, if hydroquinol is dissolved in a strong aqueous solution of monoor dimethylamine and this solution is placed in a tube and exposed to oxygen, the liquid rapidly assumes a brownish red color and within an hour the deposition of a considerable quantity of beautiful red plates is observed. At the end of twenty-four hours the solution is almost filled with these brilliant crystals and for each gram of hydroquinol used there is absorbed about 250 cc. of oxygen. If the oxidation is continued for two or three days more the total absorption will increase to 500-600 cc. of oxygen per gram of hydroquinol, or from 10 to 12 equivalents of oxygen for


Lateral wave propagation in a wedge shaped region is examined. The geometry consists of two media, the lower one of which is bounded from below by a conducting plate. The plate intersects the interface between the two media from below at an oblique angle. The transmitting antenna is an infinite, time harmonic, electric line source located close to the interface between the two media, and oriented to make the problem two dimensional. The wavenumber of the upper medium has a magnitude which is much greater than that of the lower medium. The lateral wave travels downward from the source into the second medium, along the interface, and back up to the point of observation in the first medium. The problem cannot be easily solved in closed form as the boundary conditions at the interface do not permit solution by separation of variables techniques. An approximate analytical method is therefore used in which the two media are separated from one another at each step of an iterative procedure using impedance boundary conditions. The simpler single medium problems which result are more amenable to analysis. The lateral wave field is expressed either as a modal series or image series depending on the angle the plate makes with the interface and on the location of the source and receiver. The decay of the wave in the direction parallel to the interface is shown to be algebraic, even in the presence of the plate. The results are valid subject to the restrictions that the source and receiver are close to the interface and are not too close to each other or the edge of the plate. There will be other waves present which are not considered in this paper if the upper region is not conducting, although the expression for the lateral wave remains valid.


Purpose – This article aims to construct a performance evaluation system for the e‐library in universities in Taiwan. The paper uses actual university cases as the target for analysis for in‐depth research so as to provide an evaluation reference.Design/methodology/approach – This article reviewed the library performance evaluations found in the literature of the UK, Germany, USA and Taiwan and constructed primary performance evaluation indicators. The Delphi Method was then used to summarize the opinions of experts in completing the construction of a performance evaluation model for e‐library. With all the factors of e‐library, user satisfaction and input of libraries as the basis, Analytic Hierarchy Process is used to illustrate the problems and combine the two to establish the hierarchy structure for the performance evaluation of this research. The weights of all indicators within hierarchies are calculated and then the weight of the overall hierarchies are worked out.Findings – The e‐library plays two...


Given elevation, hydrologic, soil, and sunlight data can we predict what type of tree would be in a small patch of forest? Our project attempts to predict the predominant type of tree in sections of wooded area. Understanding forest composition is a valuable aspect of managing the health and vitality of our wilderness areas. Classifying cover type can help further research regarding forest fire susceptibility, the spread of the Mountain Pine Beetle infestion[1], and de/reforestation concerns. Forest cover type data is often collected by hand or computed using remote sensing techniques, e.g. satellite imagery. Such processes are both time and resource intensive [2]. In this report, we aim to predict forest cover type using cartographic data and a variety of classification algorithms.


SEVERAL interesting fungi were recorded in course of our investigations on the etiology of the condition of tea bushes locally known as "Hattialli Disease ". In the following paper is described a new member of the Dematiace~e which was very often encountered in association with Chalara terrestris Agnihothrudu et Barua (1962) and Thozetellopsis tocklaiensis Agnihothrudu (1958) on incubated segments of tea roots.


BACKGROUND
A US federal mandate that school districts devise and implement local wellness policies (LWPs) has potential widespread impact on the nutritional content of foods and beverages available in schools and on the amount of physical activity that students engage in; however, evidence concerning the mandate's effectiveness is limited. This study describes the content of LWPs of 6 US school districts and steps taken toward their implementation and evaluation.

METHODS
During visits to 6 school districts, we interviewed 88 school and community representatives about the content of their district's LWPs and how the LWPs were being implemented and evaluated.

RESULTS
The 6 LWPs were consistent with the federal mandate, although they varied in content and degree of specificity, and none had been fully implemented. All 6 districts were pursuing strategies to ensure that foods and beverages available at school met nutrition standards but did not offer nutrition education to all K-12 students. All 6 districts offered students only limited opportunities for physical activity, and all 6 collected data to monitor process and outcomes of their LWPs.

CONCLUSIONS
Partial implementation of LWPs in the districts we visited resulted in significant improvement in the nutritional quality of foods available at district schools, but only slight improvement in students' opportunities for school-based physical activity. We provide recommendations for school districts on implementation and evaluation. Future research is needed to determine the impact of these LWPs on students' health.


To isolate and identify the constituents of the fruit galls of Actinidium polygama as well as evaluate the anti-inflammatory effects of the isolated compounds, a total of five triterpenes were isolated including $2{\alpha},3{\alpha},24$ -trihydroxy-12-ursene-23-al-28-oic acid (1), corosolic acid (...


: In this work, a detailed study is proposed on the challenges about "digital job - generating platforms" in Colombia in the midst of the fourth industrial revolution. To this end, we review what they are about and how we can rate them. Secondly, we define the essential elements of the employment contract and their related regulatory framework. In the third place, we are presenting you some contracting modalities that are used in an alternative way in Colombia and we identified the new legal problems originated as a result of the digitization of work, in contrast to the bills that are being advanced and the national and international jurisprudence regarding the future of this kind of work


In lymphoproliferative neoplasms including chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), hairy cell leukemia and even multiple myeloma, the biology of the monoclonal cells as well as the surrounding cells which are called microenvironment of the bone marrow are known to be in an interplay. Before the understanding of the importance of microenvironment, these malignancies were treated with cytotoxic agents which are aimed towards the actively DNA replicating cells. As the low grade lymphoproliferative malignancies replicate much slower, these agents generally did not achieve an adequate response despite their heavy treatment related burdens like toxicities.


FIELD: automatic control of electric circuits. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes counting of time equal to delay in operation of network automatic load transfer center plus operating time of its circuit breaker protective gear from moment of inrush short-circuit current flow through main power supply transformer bus at the same time checking for inrush short-circuit in standby power supply buses, and if it appears upon ON-operation of automatic load transfer center circuit breaker and inrush short-circuit current fails to disappear at moment of total time reading termination, fact of failure of automatic load transfer center OFF-operation with its circuit breaker turned on to respond to steady short circuit in ring circuit is ascertained. EFFECT: enlarged functional capabilities. 1 cl, 2 dwg


Motivated by practical constraints in online advertising, we investigate single-parameter auction design for bidders with constraints on their Return On Investment (ROI) -- a targeted minimum ratio between the obtained value and the payment. We focus on ex post ROI constraints, which require the ROI condition to be satisfied for every realized value profile. With ROI-constrained bidders, we first provide a full characterization of the allocation and payment rules of dominant-strategy incentive compatible (DSIC) auctions. In particular, we show that given any monotone allocation rule, the corresponding DSIC payment should be the Myerson payment with a rebate for each bidder to meet their ROI constraints. Furthermore, we also determine the optimal auction structure when the item is sold to a single bidder under a mild regularity condition. This structure entails a randomized allocation scheme and a first-price payment rule, which differs from the deterministic Myerson auction and previous works on ex ante ROI constraints.


Past work on "programming for the grid" for computeintensive applications have largely focused on two extremes, either loosely-coupled, cycle-scavenging, desktop grid environments such as BOINC or Condor vs. tightlycoupled metacomputing systems such as MPICH-G2 or GridMPI. Neither is really appropriate for class of applications that are middle-tier, e.g., fine-grained branchand-bound master-worker applications where the running time of individual jobs may range from less than tenth of a second to few minutes, and communication intervals being further fine-grained. Our new grid programmingmiddleware and framework, Jojo2, allows efficient programming of fine-grained, hierarchicalmaster-worker applications on a grid-of-clusters environment. During programming, much of the complexities associated with hierarchy and changes in the underlying resources are hidden away or isolated, and the user need not be aware of physical configuration of the resources. Even during execution, new compute resources can be explicitly be added via batch submissions, and are subsequently automatically detected and incorporated in the system. Evaluation of Jojo2 on real master-worker applications proved very positive, both on TSUBAME, a supercomputing cluster with 10,000 nodes, as well as a nationwide testbed involving more than 800 CPUs and a number of 100-node class clusters. In both cases, applications on Jojo2 not only scaled very well, but autonomously adapted to bulk changes in the order of hundreds of underlying resources, both resources being added as well as those going away.


OBJECTIVE: To compare TLC fingerprints between different batches of compound Herba taraxaci enemas (CHTE) ant to lay a foundation for establishing a more stable preparation technics and quality standards for CHTE. METHODS: The chloroform extract of 2 batches of CHTE were chromatographed by TLC and the samples were scanned by TLC scanner at a single wavelength of 280nm,the difference between different batches was compared. RESULTS: The TLC of chloroform extracts was well-separated,there were 6 common peaks and 2 non-common peaks in the TLC of 2 batches of samples, with some of the peaks identified in terms of the medicinal material categories, but there was a significant difference in contents among the common peaks. CONCLUSIONS: It was hard to guarantee the relative conformity in numbers of components and the contents between different batches of preparations,the preparation technics and quality standard of raw materials remain to be further optimized and the quality standard for Chinese herb medicinal preparations in hospital should be improved further.


The dynamics of cold bosonic atoms held in an optical lattice can be profoundly modified by using a periodic driving potential to induce the quantum interference effect termed coherent destruction of tunneling. In this way the entanglement and localization of individual particles [1] can be very precisely controlled, pointing to the attractive possibility of using these systems for quantum information processing. This tunneling control also allows the effects of inter-particle interactions to be manipulated in a novel fashion, thereby giving precise control of the quantum phase transition [2] between the Mott insulator and the superfluid, and also providing a convenient means to manipulate the self-trapping effect [3].


This project developed an asynchronous web-based instructional module to best inform the rental household target population about their options for greater energy efficiency and their benefits. A PowerPoint was presented on April 24, 2014 at the 19th Annual Technology, Colleges, and Community Worldwide Online Conference.


Market economy is a kind of credit economy that is supposed to be a contractual credit. Along with the changing from the traditional planned economy system to market economy system, the credit relations of our country are experiencing a transformation of credit from the natural, planned economy credit to the contractual credit. Only in the light of contractual credit to the contractual credit. Only in the light of contractual credit to set up the credit relations of the market economy, a credit order, which is adapted to the market economy development, can be established.


Introduction The improvement of heat dissipation in electric and electronic devices has become a very important issue recently, because operating currents and circuit densities in devices show a consistent tendency to go up in various systems. Although the thermoset resins are mainly used for insulating materials, they have quite low thermal conductivities, usually a 1 3 order lower than those of ceramics and metals. So the technical key point should be to use insulating materials having higher thermal conductivities. One approach is generally known and is used to apply composites of thermosets with inorganic ceramic powders having high thermal conductivities. This is effective for heat diffusion to some degree, but usually affects working, molding and processing and have high elastic moduli and low flexibilit ies. Intrinsic solutions for this problem should be to improve thermal conductivities of the insulating resins 'themselves'. These afford the higher thermal conductive composites with the same amounts of ceramic powder and the same thermal conductive composites with smaller amounts of ceramic powder. We have developed the novel material design to improve the thermal conductivity of isotropic resins 'themselves' by controlling the higher order structure.


The objective of this research is to develop an instructional Indonesian syllabus to fulfil the students' need as well as the teachers of Junior High School level. This study followed the stages developed by Jolly and Bolitho. This study was carried out in Palembang City. The data collecting techniques were used: observation, questionnaire, and interview. The data gained from observation and interview were analyzed by using content analysis. The data gained from questionnaire were analyzed quantatively.
The results of the research are as follows: (1) content dimension containing basics competencies, topics, and language/literary features, (2) process dimension discusses the learning strategies for the relative topics and are arranged procedurally covering the starting steps toward the end of the learning process to reach the goal setting, (3) product dimension contains the learning outcomes which are expected from the students after a certain topic being taught consists of two orientations, namely knowledge orientation and skill orientation, (4) sources, and (5) evaluation.
Based on the results above, it can be concluded that the syllabus which is developed has fulfilled the criteria of scientific both from the content aspect and methodological one.
 Therefore, in developing syllabus for the instruction of Indonesian at Junior High School level should consider the some aspects, covering the users need, theories of syllabus development, and following the scientific stages in order to yield a good syllabus.


We report on a new technique for measuring transverse mode node locations in cantilever sensors using a simple experimental arrangement. The technique relies on measuring resonant frequency response as liquid immersion depth is varied at a constant rate. When the air–liquid interface traverses a node, resonant frequency change decreases considerably and is discernable by a simple correlation analysis. The accuracy of the approach is verified using uniform cross-section cantilevers, whose node locations of the first three modes were measured and the values were within 5.1% of theory. For further testing of the technique, node locations of non-uniform cross-section cantilevers were measured, and the results compared favorably with three-dimensional (3D) finite element models were within 6.6%.


Post-annealing effects on the crystal structure and superconductivity of the lithium- and hexamethylenediamine (HMDA)-intercalated superconductor Lix(C6H16N2)yFe2−zSe2 have been investigated. Through the post-annealing, a two-step reduction of the interlayer spacing between neighboring Fe layers, d, has been observed. It has been found that a new phase of Lix(C6H16N2)yFe2−zSe2 with d = 10.30(2) A and Tc = 41 K different from the as-intercalated phase is stabilized owing to the possible stable inclination of HMDA intercalated between FeSe layers. This result supports the domic relation between Tc and d in the FeSe-based intercalation superconductors. The reason why Tc increases with a decrease in d through the post-annealing is discussed.


In this paper we consider the energy levels and the polarization ratios of an impurity pair in mixed molecular crystals using the one‐particle Green's function method. The off‐diagonal matrix elements of the weighted density of states function for the first singlet exciton band in crystalline benzene have been obtained and applied for the splitting of the energy levels of an isotopic impurity pair. An extension of Rashba's formula for the polarization ratio of the impurity pair has been derived.


Purpose. We recently showed that enteroviruses (EVs) andenterovirus species C (EV‐C) in particular were abundant in faecal samples from children who had been diagnosed with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Nigeria but declared to be EV‐free by the RD‐L20B cell culture‐based algorithm. In this study, we investigated whether this observed preponderance of EVs (and EV‐Cs) in such samples varies by geographical region. Methodology. One hundred and eight samples (i.e. 54 paired stool suspensions from 54 AFP cases) that had previously been confirmed to be negative for EVs by the WHO‐recommended RD‐L20B cell culture‐based algorithm were analysed. The 108 samples were made into 54 pools (27 each from North‐West and South‐South Nigeria). All were subjected to RNA extraction, cDNA synthesis and the WHO‐recommended semi‐nested PCR assay and its modifications. All of the amplicons were sequenced, and the enteroviruses identified, using the enterovirus genotyping tool and phylogenetic analysis. Results. EVs were detected in 16 (29.63 %) of the 54 samples that were screened and successfully identified in 14 (25.93 %). Of these, 10 were from North‐West and 4 were from South‐South Nigeria. One (7.14 %), 2 (14.29 %) and 11 (78.57 %) of the strains detected were EV‐A, EV‐B and EV‐C, respectively. The 10 strains from North‐West Nigeria included 7 EV types, namely CV‐A10, E29, CV‐A13, CV‐A17, CV‐A19, CV‐A24 and EV‐C99. The four EV types recovered from South‐South Nigeria were E31, CV‐A1, EV‐C99 and EV‐C116. Conclusion. The results of this study showed that the presence of EVs and consequently EV‐Cs in AFP samples declared to be EV‐free by the RD‐L20B cell culture‐based algorithm varies by geographical region in Nigeria.


Background: There is controversy regarding various aspects of simultaneous bilateral total knee replacement (SBTKR). We found disparity in the postoperative outcomes and complications associated with the procedure in the literature linked with the topic. Objective: To retrospectively analyze the need for blood transfusion after surgery and complications associated with total knee replacement according to the type of procedure (SBTKR or unilateral). Methods: Retrospective cohort analytical study. We included 251 patients with severe knee osteoarthritis that were divided into two groups. 124 (49%) who underwent SBTKR and 127 upon whom unilateral total knee replacement (UTKR) was performed. Demographic data, days of hospitalization, complications within the fi rst 90 days after surgery (thromboembolic events, super fi cial and deep infection, stiffness, death); and percentages of patients transfused with blood products during hospitalization were evaluated. Results: There were no statistical differences in the analysis of postoperative complications in the fi rst 90 days after surgery. In the SBTKR group, 8 patients (6.5%) presented some thromboembolic complication during the postoperative period, while this event was observed in only 2 patients (1.5%) from the other group. The analysis showed a statistically signi fi cant drop in postoperative hemoglobin, on average that of 0.8 g/dl, in the SBTKR patient group compared to the UTKR group (95% CI 0.44 – 1.13; p < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients who required transfusion were observed in the SBTKR group (40%) (OR ¼ 7.12; 95% CI 3.3 – 16; p < 0.001). We analyzed the cause of postoperative transfusion in the patients who required transfusion taking into account two parameters: hemoglobin less than 8 g/dl and the clinical needs of the patients (symptoms of hypotension, decay, dif fi culty to rehabilitate without pain, dyspnea). 59 patients received transfusion (50 in the SBTKR group and 9 in the other group). Of these, 19 patients (32.2%) did not meet any transfusion criteria. Conclusion


Resources to help navigate the digital world, screen time, social media etc. Some useful guidelines for children going online for the first time.


High performance multiprocessor database machines have been made feasible with the advent of cheap, powerful microprocessors and large main memories. However, exploiting these platforms to support high speed complex query processing has lagged behind the hardware technology. The thrust of this dissertation has concentrated on developing strategies for efficiently processing join queries consisting of on the order of 10 joins in a parallel database machine with hundreds of processors. Although the algorithms were developed with a shared-nothing architecture in mind, the algorithms can be applied to shared-memory systems with little modification.
For queries that join only a few relations, we have found that the parallel Hybrid hash-join algorithm dominates under most circumstances, except when the join attribute values of the building relation are highly skewed.
For multi-way join queries, a subset of the optimization search space of query plans called right-deep query plans is identified as being particularly important in this highly-parallel environment. Several algorithms are proposed for processing right-deep query plans and results from a simulation model are presented that demonstrate that right-deep plans can indeed offer significant performance advantages over the more traditional left-deep plans under many conditions. ftn*This research was partially supported by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under contract N00039-86-C-0578, by the National Science Foundation under grant DCR-8512862, by a DARPA/NASA sponsored Graduate Research Assistantship in Parallel Processing, by a Digital Equipment Corporation External Research Grant, and by a research grant from the Tandem Computer Corporation.


A computer search system has been proposed whose characteristic consists in the high efficiency of search due to the use of peak intensity data in the matching process and in the reduction of search time due to the use of a subfile system. A test search using 100 measured spectra as a sample proved the excellent performance of the present search system.


This article describes a framework for managing the life cycle of knowledge in organizations. The framework emerges from years of work with the laboratories and facilities that are under the direction of the United States Department of Energy (DOE). The article begins by describing the background of the work from which the framework emerged; this is followed by describing the problem of identifying the "right†knowledge for the "right†people at the "right†time and how the use of performance objectives addresses this problem. Next, the phases in the life cycle of knowledge in an organization, the theoretical foundation for the framework, and the other aspects of the framework (Work Processes, Learning Processes, and Methodologies) are described. Finally, a discussion section summarizes the framework and discusses future directions for enhancing and extending the framework.


ReliefF Matching Feature Selection (RMFS) is proposed in the paper, which can solve the problem of individual specificity and global threshold mismatch of emotion recognition. Firstly, EEG was decomposed into six emotion-related bands by wavelet packet, then EMD was employed for extracting the 10 categories of features of wavelet coefficient and IMF component of the reconstructed signal; Secondly, the optimization formula of the feature group weight was proposed based on feature sets selected by ReliefF, and it can get the weights of different test features, which were the global optimal matching feature group and the corresponding matching channel, so it can eliminate the redundant information and solve the problem of individual specificity. Finally, SVM was employed to identify the test feature group data to obtain emotional recognition results. The experimental results show that the average correct rates of RMFS for two-category of the valence and the arousal are 93.28% and 93.32%, and the four-categories are higher than 83%. The efficiency of the single subject using RMFS is improved by 42.65%, which is better than the traditional ReliefF algorithm.


The main components of the aroma matter in flue--cured tobacco were identifiedand qualitatively determined by GC/MS. The smoke flavor of individual componentswas also evaluated. The results indicated that the main components of the aroma matter of NC89were neophytidiene; nicotine; solanone; benzene-acetaldehyde; 10--isopropye--3, 7,13--trimethy--2, 6, 11, 13--tetradecaenl--al; 1,3,6, 10--cyclotetradecatetraene; 4,6 (z),8(E)-- megastigmatrien--3--one; prenylsolanone; tetradecanoic acid; hexadecanoicacid and 2--buten--1--one, 1(2--6, 6--trimethyl--1, 3--cyclohexadien--1--YL)etc.The evaluation on smoke navors of individual components indicated that low molecu-lar weight matter, particularly carbonyls are more important to the aroma and flavorof flue-cured tobacco. Organic fertilizer tended to make neophytidiene, benzene; 2--furancarboxaldehyde;solanone; β--damascone; benzeneethanol and hexadecanoic acid contents higher inthe aroma matter, but those of 1, 3, 6, 10--cyclotetradecatetraene--3, 7, 11--triethyland benzalhyde lower. Mineral fertilizers tended to make the contents of10--iso--prophyl--3, 7, 13--trimethyl--2, 6, 11, 13--tetradecatetraen--1--al; benzene;1--ethyl--cyclohexene and 2--furancarboxaldehyde lower and solanonehigher. The relative contents of 1, 3, 6, 10--cyclotetradecatetraen--3, 7, 11--triethyland 10--isoprophyl--3, 7, 13--trimethyl--2, 6, 11, 13--tetradecatetraen--1--al arehigher in mixed fertilizer than in mineral fertilizer. The contents of benezalhyde; 2--furancarboxaldehyde and 10--isoprophyl--3, 7,13--trimethyl--2, 6, 11, 13--tetradecatetraen--1--al were the highest in fully ripenedcured leaves. The order of the relative contents of neophytidiene; solanone;prenylsolanone in cured 1eaves were immatureoverripenedripened. The relativecontents of benzenee--thanol; β--damassone, benzene and hexadecanoic acid were thehighest in immature than in ripened and overripened cured leaves.


Since concepts such as general systems theory complex systems and restoration ecology, proposes a methodology to recover degraded areas by anthropogenic disturbances in paramo. We describe the ecosystem, their problems and actions that will lead to identifying the sites, species and weather conditions that favor a process of ecological restoration for that the paramo ecosystem will can to regenerate faster Keywords: Disturbance, Stability, Index, Paramos, Recovery, Resilience.


An X-ray apparatus for inspecting a syringe cap (3) having a cannula, X-ray source and (5), X-ray detector (9), the beam path of a syringe cap (3) (13) in X-ray device is proposed which comprises a holding device for holding the inspection point (15). The X-ray apparatus, the longitudinal axis of the syringe cap (17) is to match the longitudinal axis of the beam path (13) (19), a syringe cap (3) is provided in the beam path (13) and wherein the are. .FIELD 1


Purpose — This study aims to analyze the perception of millennial tourists towards Gedhe Mataram mosque in terms of five components: attractions, amenities, accessibilities, human resources, and prices.Method — This qualitative descriptive research involves multiple millennial informants. Observation at Gedhe Mataram mosque area, interviews with 16 millennial visitors, and field documentation comprise the data gathering methods. A random sample of millennial visitors visiting Gedhe Mataram mosque area was selected using the informant selection technique. All discovered data is examined using the Spradley model.Result — The results indicated that Gedhe Mataram mosque area's overall attractions, amenities, accessibilities, human resources, and prices are satisfactory in the eyes of tourists.Contribution — This study contributes some recommendations to managers to develop this destination based on constructive criticism and suggestions from millennial tourists.


The effect of metoclopramide and propantheline preadministration on the plasma levels of orally administered griseofulvin was studied. Griseofulvin was administered as an aqueous suspension in 0.5% polysorbate 80 or as a 100% polyethylene glycol 600 solution. Metoclopramide preadministration increased the gastric emptying rate, but propantheline retarded it. The effect on griseofulvin absorption induced by metoclopramide and propantheline was sharply dependent upon the dosage form of griseofulvin administered. When griseofulvin was administered as a suspension dosage form following metoclopramide administration, the griseofulvin peak plasma concentration was reduced by 59% while a concurrent 50% reduction in relative bioavailability was observed. Pretreatment with metoclopramide resulted in a shift of the time required for attainment of the peak plasma griseofulvin concentration. In contrast, metoclopramide administration prior to a dose of griseofulvin dissolved in 100% polyethylene glycol 600 sharply increased both the relative bioavailability and the maximum plasma level of griseofulvin by 234 and 145%, respectively. Propantheline administration prior to a single dose of griseofulvin suspension decreased the maximum plasma level by 30% and delayed the time of its attainment from 5.78 to 19.00 hr with a 50% increase in relative availability. When griseofulvin was administered as a 100% polyethylene glycol solution dosage form, propantheline preadministration reduced both the maximum plasma level and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve by 64 and 44%, respectively.


We present a study of Lyman continuum (LyC) emission in a sample of ∼150 Lyα emitters (LAEs) at z ≈ 3.1 in the Subaru-XMM Deep Survey field. These LAEs were previously selected using the narrowband technique and spectroscopically confirmed with Lyα equivalent widths (EWs) ≥ 45 Å. We obtain deep UV images using a custom intermediate-band filter U
 J that covers a wavelength range of 3330 ∼ 3650 Å, corresponding to 810 ∼ 890 Å in the rest frame. We detect five individual LyC galaxy candidates in the U
 J band, and their escape fractions (f
 esc) of LyC photons are roughly between 40% and 80%. This supports a previous finding that a small fraction of galaxies may have very high f
 esc. We find that the f
 esc values of the five LyC galaxies are not apparently correlated with other galaxy properties such as Lyα luminosity and EW, UV luminosity and slope, and star formation rate (SFR). This is partly due to the fact that these galaxies only represent a small fraction (∼3%) of our LAE sample. For the remaining LAEs that are not detected in U
 J, we stack their U
 J-band images and constrain their average f
 esc. The upper limit of the average f
 esc value is about 16%, consistent with the results in the literature. Compared with the non-LyC LAEs, the LyC LAEs tend to have higher Lyα luminosities, Lyα EWs, and SFRs, but their UV continuum slopes are similar to those of other galaxies.


We make an improved analysis on the flow of neutrinos originating from WIMP annihilations inside the Sun and the Earth. We treat both neutrino interaction and oscillation effects in a consistent framework. Our numerical simulations are performed in an event based setting, which is useful for both theoretical studies and for creating neutrino telescope Monte Carlos. We find that the flow of muon-type neutrinos is enhanced or suppressed depending on the dominant WIMP annihilation channel.


Several vehicle run-off areas along a strip of Interstate 65 in Chilton County, Alabama, were identified as being in need of widening in order to comply with Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) safety requirements. The project scope included clearing existing terrain and revegetating the rights-of-way. This article highlights the use of a hydraulic erosion control product to provide rapid revegetation on the steep roadside slopes. The product, called HydraCX2 Extreme Slope Matrix, is made with mechanically processed straw fibers, reclaimed cotton plant material, and proprietary performance-enhancing tackifiers that form a protective layer to hold soil in place. The product contains nutrients which are important for plant growth. HydraCX2 also is absorbent and has a beneficial water-holding capacity, which assists with germination and encourages the establishment of vegetation. HydraCX2 can be used an alternative to traditional double-net straw blankets. In the Alabama project, all land areas were first prepped to Alabama Department of Transportation specifications. Crews applied HydraCX2 mixed with a standard summer seed mix at a rate of 3,500 pounds per acre over land comprised of sand, rock, and clay and reaching slopes of 3:1 and greater. Wattles were used along the toe of the slope as an extra measure to ensure no sediment migrated onto the roadway or caused harm to local waterways. The real test came when a severe storm arrived one day after the erosion control product was applied. In spite of heavy rain and a five-day growing disadvantage compared with already installed straw blankets, the sections of the rights-of-way receiving HydraCX2 germinated and established grass more rapidly and thicker than the areas covered by the straw blanket. Within 8 months, grass growth was full and lush along the 11-mile stretch. Roadside safety had been restored with newly widened rights-of-way that not only complied with FHWA requirements, but also beautified the area.


The relative effect of ramp profile and spindle speed on head-disk contact during rotary load/unload was examined using laser Doppler vibrometry and acoustic emission. At large radial loading velocities, the cycloidal ramp profile shows a significant reduction in the magnitude of the head-disk contact as compared to a standard inclined ramp profile. Spindle speed, by comparison, has only a small effect on head-disk contact. >


A numerical rate equation model for a continuous wave iodine laser with longitudinally flowing gaseous lasant is validated by approximating two experiments that compare the perfluoroalkyl iodine lasants n-C3F7I and t- C4F9I. The salient feature of the simulations is that the production rate of the dimer (C4F9)2 is reduced by one order of magnitude relative to the dimer (C3F7)2. The model is then used to investigate the kinetic effects of this reduced dimer production-especially how it improves output power. Related parametric and scaling studies are also presented. When dimer production is reduced, more monomer radicals (t-C4F9) are available to combine with iodine ions, thus enhancing depletion of the laser lower level and reducing buildup of the principal quencher, molecular iodine. Fewer iodine molecules result in fewer downward transitions from quenching and more transitions from stimulated emission of lasing photons. Enhanced depletion of the lower level reduces the absorption of lasing photons. The combined result is more lasing photons and proportionally increased output power.


We describe a method for identifying XMM‐Newton observations that have been affected by solar wind charge exchange (SWCX) emission within the XMM‐Newton Science Archive. The method is based on detecting temporal variability in the diffuse X‐ray background. We judge the variability of a low energy band, taken to represent the key indicators of charge exchange emission. We compare this to the variability of a continuum band, which is expected to be non‐varying, even in the case when SWCX enhancement has occurred. We find 11 unpublished cases of SWCX‐enhancement.


Projects need to be managed successfully so that they can reach their objects on time and in determined cost limits. Project management is realized by project planning techniques. In this study, PERT and CPM, project planning techniques, are examined and a case study on application of PERT Technique has been done in constuction sector.


Behavioral properties discovery of the systems is a difficult task since it has two important dimensions to address namely- static and dynamic. The Static behavior in UML is addressed by Use Cases. It can be noted that the Use Cases are efficient and effective in addressing the functional requirements only. It does not address the non-functional requirements or the abilities of the system. The other significant point about the Use Cases is that their derivation is based on the structure of the functional requirements meaning that if structure exists for functional requirements then the structuring capabilities can be effectively mapped to Use Cases. Based on Use Cases the Product Development Life Cycle can continue till a diagnosis report of Use Case realization is received in terms of correct Test Cases. It should be noted that the use Cases are capable of addressing Static behavior only. The claim is made due to the reason that the dynamic behavior happens due to message-orientation, event-orientation or action-orientation. Other related analysis diagrams such as State, Sequence and Activity diagrams address the dynamic aspects. This paper focuses on important issues that are required to be observed while addressing the behavioral properties of the system under construction. It also indicates the dependencies and interaction between Use Cases that are legitimate and beyond the scope of traditional Use Case relationships.


Abstract Jet fuel vapor exposures were measured using industrial hygiene sampling techniques at three domestic U.S. Air Force installations. Breathing zone samples were collected from within three general job categories at each location: aircraft maintenance, fuel handling, and flightline positions. These samples were analyzed using gas chromatography and flame ionization detector techniques. Mean exposure concentrations for all samples collected were 0.01 ppm benzene [standard deviation (SD) = 0.01] and 1.33 ppm naphthas/jet fuels (SD = 1.95) for the aircraft maintenance positions (n = 63), 0.01 ppm benzene (SD = 0.01) and 0.61 ppm naphthas/jet fuels (SD = 0.90) for fuel handling positions (n = 16), and 0.004 ppm benzene (SD = 0.005) and 0.33 ppm naphthas/jet fuels (SD = 0.40) for flightline positions (n = 8).


Biogas production at beef cattle feedlots is hard to justify because of the large amounts of dilution water required and the high cost to design and operate conventional water-based digestion systems. Laboratory and field experiments were conducted to determine the feasibility of producing biogas using "dry" aged beef cattle manure scraped from open-lot feedyards. Biogas production rates were measured at 21°C in the laboratory at four total solids contents using a water displacement technique. Biogas yields were 0.180, 0.210, 0.190 and 0.005 L per gram volatile solids (VS) at solids contents of 20, 30, 40 and 50 percent, respectively. Biogas was produced steadily for 300 days before declining and eventually ceasing after 450 days. The biogas contained 52 to 60 The authors are solely responsible for the content of this technical presentation. The technical presentation does not necessarily reflect the official position of the American Society of Agricultural Engineers (ASAE), and its printing and distribution does not constitute an endorsement of views which may be expressed. Technical presentations are not subject to the formal peer review process by ASAE editorial committees; therefore, they are not to be presented as refereed publications. Citation of this work should state that it is from an ASAE meeting paper. EXAMPLE: Author's Last Name, Initials. 2002. Title of Presentation. ASAE Meeting


Objective To evaluate the value of portal vein image reconstruction technique in diagnosis of liver carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis using multi-slice CT after multi-phase enhancement.Methods Sixty cases of liver carcinoma with thrombosis under went portal vein image reconstruction with 64-slice spiral CT,including multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),maximum intensity of projection(MIP)and volume rendering(VR).Results The creconstruction technique of MIP,VR did simultaneous multi-phase contrast observation on identical slices,and clearly showed thrombosis in the main portal vein,the portal invation by adjacent tumor and portal branches vessles;MPR directly showed the whole shape,the extent and lumen narrowing caused by carcinoma thrombosis.Conclusion The portal vein image reconstruction technique is an effect diagnostic method for liver carcinoma with portal vein thrombosis.


We present the exercise of entire Western Electricity Coordinating Council (WECC) region with security constrained unit commitment (SCUC) program over two months outlook. In addition to market based optimal SCUC, some ancillary tools have been utilized for forecasting demand, hydro, and wind over the entire study period. Unlike traditional SCUCs which dispatch all generating resources, all wind, pumped-storage, and hydro units are assumed to be as self-scheduled units and as price takers. The SCUC model has been first calibrated over one year (the entire 2008) study period with actual demands, hydro generation and imports/exports, then it has been utilized to forecast major WECC hub prices from Jan through Sep 2011. All monthly generation dispatches, capacity factors, monitored interface flows and daily prices have been compared with IIR data records and ICE prices respectively.


It was not the "Korean" who initiated the issue of 'Adoption' in modem Korean society. The issue has been positively promoted by the so-called 'Western' institutions, stemmed in Europe and the USA, or affiliated persons who have had serious concern toward the 'neglected' children with a background of various reasons. When it comes to 'adoption,' especially an adoption across blood relations, contemporary Koreans as well as the traditional ones are all thumbs up. Korean society, built upon the tradition of the monogenetic identity and Confucian lineal piety, still holds a family structure, mainly based on blood relationships. They seem to be reluctant to adopt children who are out of their direct blood line. In the midst of such a 'closed' tendency of society, however, there seems to be a little bit of meaningful 'change' recently. It is not difficult for us to hear the voice, raising the issue of 'Adoption for both sides'; "Give children to the parents who do not have any descendants, match parents with children who do not have any relatives." The slogan necessarily includes the adoption campaign across blood relations. The trend of change seems to be influenced by the customs of adoption as done in the "Western" world. In some part, the "Western" way of behavior concerning adoption seems to be indebted to the teachings of the Bible. As the backbone of the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Bible freshly teaches a parent-children relationship with the meaning of a 'non-possessive' one. Though the children are born through their parental contribution, they do not belong them, in a sense of 'possession.' Parents are the devices through which God sends life to this Earth. Every parent can be counted as a kind of 'Adoptee' in the family of God. With such a biblical teaching in mind, the writer deals with the issue of 'adoption,' especially the 'adoption in the cross-cultural background' in context of contemporary Korean society. The article includes the traditional and contemporary way of adoption in Korea. It also deals with the biblical teaching and actual cases of adoption. The western way of adoption, focusing on Northern Europe and America, is mainly reviewed. The recent theory of socio-religious analysis is used for understanding the background of 'Western behavior' for adoption.


The Project Linthal 2015 is an expansion project of the existing pump storage power plant LinthLimmern (High Alps, Switzerland). The expansion consists of a new underground pump storage plant. This article deals with the excavation of two 43° inclined pressure shafts. During tunnelling several difficult geological conditions were encountered (stress induces spalling, discontinuity controlled failures, karst voids filled with sediments) which were not predicted to that extent. In horizontal tunnelling these conditions are better manageable whereas in inclined shaft they are major challenges. Thanks to the constructive co-operation between contractor, consultant and owner to overcome these obstacles safely, sustainably and economically. INTRODUCTION The Project Linthal 2015 is an expansion project of the existing pump storage power plant Linth-Limmern in canton Glarus, Switzerland. The existing power stations belonging to Linth-Limmern AG (KLL) were built between 1957 and 1968. They use the water inflow from a catchment of around 140 km2 in the headwaters of the River Linth. The existing capacity is 450 MW. The expansion consists of a new underground pump storage plant with pump and turbine capacity of 1000 (4x250) MW. The new underground pumped storage facility will be used to pump water from Lake Limmern back up to Lake Mutten which is 800 m higher (Fig. 1). The project is located in the High Alps of Switzerland at an altitude between 1,680 and 2,480 m a.s.l.. The construction site is only accessible by cable car with a capacity of 25 t. The construction of 1 km long Mutten Dam at an elevation of 2,480 m a.s.l. and underground constructions of power house cavern (27.527 m x 50m, 149.6m long), transformer hall cavern (21.142 m X 31.0 m, 131.00m long), access tunnel (1508.176m Long, 5.5m Dia. D-shaped), inclined pressure shaft (1010 m long and 5.2m dia. ,circular), surge shaft (10.5m dia. Circular , 127m high), valve chamber (22.91m x 21 m and 66.2 m long) and tail race tunnels (6.7 m x 6.7 m, 55.0 m long) are the technical, logistic and human challenges of this project. This article deals with the excavation of two 43° inclined pressure shafts (L 1010 m, D 5.2 m). Fig. 1 Overview of the Project Linthal 2015. THE GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT Geologically the project area lies in a massive limestone (Quintnerkalk, Malm) and is characterized by two major fault zones, shear zones, secondary thrusts. It is known that the rock mass hosts a well developed karst groundwater system with explored caves systems up to a length of 3.5 km. This karst system drains the rock mass, so that the excavation of the underground structures was possible under vadose hydrogeological conditions. Other than these complex ground conditions the rock was good, stable and moderately strong. THE CHOISE OF THE EXCAVATION TECHNIC For excavation an open gripper tunnel boring machine was used (D 5.2 m) which was equipped with additional rear gripper to prevent an accidental sliding of the TBM in case of a failure. With this additional device the machine was supported against the tunnel wall between two drillings to prevent sliding. The machine has a length of around 140 m. The evacuation of the excavated muck was done by a steal channel down the bottom of the excavated shaft. All material and passenger transports within the shaft up or down the machine are done by a special cable car. The tunnel boring Inclined Pressure Shaft Dr. Marco Filipponi & Sudip Ganguly machine was equipped with a shotcrete machine and two rock bolting machine which can be operated simultaneously to provide support for unfavourable geological condition. LOGISTICAL CHALLANGES The difficult accessibility to the construction site (transport by cable car) (Fig. 2) as well within the underground construction site (narrow access tunnels) requires that the TBM is transported in elements of maximum 25t and in a limited volume to the bottom of pressure shaft and is assembled there in a small cavern. It took almost three months to transport the TBM in small segments and assembled there (Fig. 3). Fig. 2 Transport of a dumper with the cable care to the construction side. Fig. 3 Assembly of TBM in a small cavern at the bottom of pressure shaft. THE EXCAVATION OF THE PRESSUR SHAFTS The experienced tunnelling team of Marti Tunnelbau AG had made an advance up to 25 m per day taking care of all safety requirements simultaneously. During tunnelling several difficult geological conditions were encountered mainly stress induces spalling, discontinuity controlled block failures, karst voids filled with sediments which were not predicted to that extent. In horizontal tunnelling these conditions are better manageable whereas in inclined shaft they are major challenges. Thanks to the constructive cooperation between contractor, consultant and owner to overcome these obstacles safely, sustainably and economically. DRIVE A TBM THROUGH A LARGE KARST CONDUIT WITHIN AN INCLINED SHAFT Almost after one half of the drive of the first of the two parallel pressure shafts a large sediment filled karst conduit was encountered. To have a better knowledge of the dimension, nature and extent of the karst conduit and planning to negotiate the associated problems with this karst conduit (sediment inflow, breakdowns, problems of griping the TBM, clogging of the TBM, etc.), several probe drills where executed from the TBM. The analysis of the drills allowed us to describe the geometry and the nature of the karst structure. The collected data allowed to generate a 3D model of the pattern of the 16 m large, completely filled with sediment (large boulders and clay) karst conduit (Fig. 4), as base for choose and decide the appropriate measures and further excavation methods. The karst structure was crossed by drilling a pipe umbrella around the excavation to prevent the collapse of the karst filling as well as to guarantee the orientation of the TBM drive. Pipe umbrella at the bottom of the shaft was done to prevent the sinking of the cutter head and secure the orientation of the shaft. Furthermore liner plates (Fig. 5) where used to increase the stability of the inclined shaft and safety of the workers. However, these ground improvements were still not sufficient to allow gripper to take reaction in this zone to move the TBM. Therefore it was also needed to change the gripper force distribution. These remedial measures allowed us to cross this hazardous zone with a high degree of security, tunnel stability and precisions of the alignment required for the TBM to allow the long backup systems to pass. This system also proved to be economical as well. Successful TBM Drive in Inclined Pressure Shaft under difficult ground conditionsA Case Study Fig. 4 3D model of the encountered karst conduit. Blue: already excavated part of the pressure shaft; white: to excavate; red/green: section of the probe drilling where karst was/was not encountered. Fig. 5 Steal reinforcements (Liner Plates) for crossing a large sediment filled karst conduit. THE SECOND PRESURE SHAFT After the breakthrough into the valve chamber, the TBM was brought back through the inclined shaft to the bottom of the second parallel inclined shaft without major dismantling or assembling work and new TBM drive had been started. Couple of probe holes have been drilled from the first inclined shaft to second inclined shaft to decipher the geometry and nature of the karst in the second shaft. The probe holes have been investigated with borehole scan and borehole camera. These investigations facilitated to understand the orientation and extend of the karst conduit. CONCLUSIONS The inclined shaft excavation using a TBM proved as a safer, fast and more economical, despite of the logistical difficulties and geological conditions, as compared to other possible methods (drill and blast, raise drill). This excavation method also allowed negotiating even larger geological problems. Fig. 6 A small part of the TBM team after breakthrough. Proceedings of Indian Geotechnical Conference December 13-15,2012, Delhi (Paper No. D402) SEEPAGE IN TUNNELS UNDER DIFFERENT FIELD CONDITIONS A. Usmani, Deputy Manager, Engineers India Ltd., firstname.lastname@example.com G. Kannan, Senior Engineer, Engineers India Ltd., email@example.com A. Nanda, Deputy General Manager, Engineers India Ltd., email@example.com S. K. Jain, Associate Professor, Jaypee University of Information Technology, firstname.lastname@example.com ABSTRACT: Water inflow and water pressure controls are needed in the design and construction of tunnels. Uncontrolled water behaviour causes mechanical instability, hostile to construction progress and causes adverse environmental impacts in and around the surrounding area. In the present study numerical studies were carried out on circular tunnel in order to study effect of different flow parameters like hydraulic conductivity characteristics and grouting effect on overall seepage estimation using two dimensional models. A circular shaped tunnel was adopted in this study as being the most basic case with availability of various close form solutions. Results obtained from numerical model were thus compared with existing closed form solutions. It is noted from the analysis that grouting parameters like thickness of grouted zone and mix composition contributes to major flow contribution inside a tunnel. Hydrogeological analysis of two adjoining tunnels is also addressed in this paper for arriving at an optimum spacing of tunnels for a homogenous rock mass configuration. A case study of water curtain tunnel, 6.5 m X 6.5 m in size, having a D-shaped cross-section is also presented in this paper where the actual field data obtained during seepage monitoring is compared with the theoretical results obtained. Water inflow and water pressure controls are needed in the design and construction of tunnels. Uncontrolled water behaviour causes mechanical instability, hostile to construction progress and causes adver


Purpose – The major objective of this paper is to develop holistic e‐content for postgraduate students for library and information science with an aim to benefit the learners about and beyond a syllabus. The objectives of the initiative are: develop e‐content in library and information science subject at postgraduate level drawing expertise from subject experts in colleges, universities and R and D libraries; impart training to subject experts in the process of e‐content creation; make e‐content available to students and peers using different delivery modes to impart formal and informal education and for supplementing and complementing the process of teaching and learning; and promote usage of e‐content amongst students and peers and teachers in library and information science.Design/methodology/approach – Moodle software (www.moodle.org) and GSDL (www.greenstone.org) were downloaded and installed. Moodle was used as front end layer and GSDL was in back end layer as a backend repository system. The front ...


The paper concerns building up one exhaust valve of composite-steel and two intake ceramics-steel valves of a hypothetical adiabatic engine. The input temperatures were computed using three diverse FORTRAN95 programs, solving a shortened optical integral equation with radiative transfer, transient differential equation while starting and switching off the engine and a rod like diff. Equation with 'progonka' (Thomas) solution. The ANSYS11 programme was fed up with the output of the programs. It turns out that, generally, a mineralogical, crystal-chemical approach to the joining of materials results in stresses known from the common metal engines. Such problems as CTE enhancing (partly hypothetical) by means of doping the anionic compounds by cationic ones, swelling of structures, compressibility versus coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) , compatibility of crystal motifs while joining, thermal shock resistance, switching the bonds, mechanical longevity, radiation protection etc were addressed. It turns out that true nature of the temperature and stress field, especially of the exhaust valve is closer to the FORTRAN temperature computation than, e.g. from the heat film coefficients (ANSYS11).


Graduate global health education has grown in popularity over the past decade. The Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health has defined global public health competencies for Master of Public Health (MPH) degrees, but there are no similarly established lists of learning outcomes for other types of master's degrees in global health. The objective of this study was to examine the program goals, curricula, and applied learning requirements for non-MPH master's degrees in order to understand how global health is being defined and operationalized by these programs. We identified the 14 universities in the United States and Canada offering Master of Science (MS) or Master of Arts (MA) degrees in global health in 2019. Their program descriptions typically emphasize applied research skills, interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approaches, health disparities, and globalization. Both MS and MA degree pathways use a similar research-oriented core curriculum in which (1) foundational courses introduce the social and environmental determinants of health and global burden of disease trends in the context of globalization, global health ethics, and health systems and policy; (2) a research core develops competencies in biostatistics, epidemiology, and quantitative and qualitative research methods; and (3) a thesis or other written capstone project synthesizes and applies knowledge. Only 4 of the 14 programs require an international field experience, but most encourage applied experiential learning activities. Global health appears to be maturing as an academic discipline, with non-MPH graduate degrees in global health emphasizing similar knowledge areas, research skills, and competencies.


Spreadsheets are intensively used for crucial management activities by several organizations. Collaboration through spreadsheet is recognized to be a powerful means to enhance crucial activities carried out in Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SME). However, the main obstacles to its realization appears to be the small size and the limited human and financial resources, which usually characterize SMEs themselves. We present a collaborative environment for spreadsheet-based activities, that overcomes such limitation allowing a smooth shift from single user to multiple user spreadsheet application deployment.


Aging is a normal physiological process that affects all organs in the body including the cerebellum. Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug that is used in some age-related diseases. Regenerative medicine using adipose tissue derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) is an emerging promising strategy.

 to compare between the role of ADMSCs and metformin on the age-related structural changes of the cerebellum in female albino rats.

 Fifty-five female rats of different ages (4, 12 and 24 months) were included in this study. They were divided into three groups according to their ages: Group I (Adult rats), Group II (Old rats) and Group III (Senile rats). Group II and Group III were subdivided into three subgroups, Subgroup a: rats were left without treatment, Subgroup b: rats were given a single dose of 1X106 ADMSCs via tail vein. Subgroup c: Rats received300 mg/kg metformin/day orally. Rats were sacrificed after four weeks. The cerebellum was collected and processed for H&E, Toluidine blue and immuno-histochemical reaction using glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP).

 Histological examination of the cerebellum of the subgroups IIa and IIIa revealed age-related structural changes in comparison to group I. Purkinje cells appeared distorted with irregular outline. Some Purkinje cells were seen shrunken while others appeared ballooned. Focal loss of Purkinje cells was also noticed. Granular layer contained small widely separated granule cells. GFAP reaction revealed an apparent decrease in number of astrocytes and their processes. The structural changes were more obvious in subgroup IIIa. In ADMSCs treated subgroups (IIbandIIIb); more noticeable improvement of these changes was noticed compared to the corresponding metformin treated subgroups (IIc and IIIc).

 ADMSCs was more effective than metformin in preventing some age-related structural changes of the cerebellum.


We define "a crossed product by a paragroup action on a subfactor" as a certain commuting square of type II1 factors and give their complete classification in a strongly amenable case (in the sense of S. Popa) in terms of a new combinatorial object which generalizes Ocneanu's paragroup. In addition to the standard axioms of paragroups, we have the intertwining Yang-Baxter equation as the new additional axiom. We will show that Rational Conformal Field Theory in the sense of Moore-Seiberg and orbifold construction in the sense of D. E. Evans, the author, and F. Xu produce paragroup actions on


The main objective of this paper is the integration of safety analysis in a SysML-based systems engineering approach in order to make it more effective and efficient. It helps to ensure the consistency between safety analyses and system design and then to avoid late errors and to reduce system development time. To achieve this purpose, we tackled the following axes: 1) formalizing a SysML-based design methodology that will be the support for safety analyses; 2) providing an extension of SysML to enable the integration of specific needs for safety concepts in the system model; and 3) performing an automated exploration of the SysML models to generate necessary information to elaborate safety artifacts such as failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) and fault tree analysis (FTA). The proposed methodology named safety integration in systems engineering (SafeSysE) is applied to a real case study from the aeronautics domain: electromechanical actuator (EMA).


Photopolymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in the system containing anthraquinone (AQ) sensitizer and solvent under nitrogen at 30°C. Hydrocarbons, alcohols, and mixtures of both, for example, cyclohexane and isopropanol, were used as solvents. The maimum yield of polymerization was observed at a certain concentration of alcohol in hydrocarbon, a phenomenon which is discussed from measurements of polymer molecular weight and the UV spectrum of irradiated AQ.


The purpose of this research is to describe the errors of Back Propagation (BP) technique that could be applied in river water quality prediction. ANN was trained by using the upriver data to forecast the downriver quality in two approaches of long-distance forecasting and short-distance forecasting respectively. It showed that the predicted results from short-distance approach were more accurate than those of long-distance forecasting. It is indicated that the proper numbers of river segments could be chosen according to the predicted errors in the practical river water quality forecasting.


In this paper the results of ten months monitoring of the microgrid supplied by the photovoltaic generator and operating in the Mediterranean area have been presented. The microgrid architecture and control strategy have been described. Further, the analysis of the energy exchange between the microgrid and the main grid have been analyzed. A particular attention has been given to the optimization of the renewable energy management as to power the microgrid loads and consequently, to increase the photovoltaic energy self — consumption rate. This was possible thanks to implementation of the energy storage system, coupled with the photovoltaic generator. The obtained results demonstrate the technical feasibility of the microgrid, pointing out how the introduction of the storage improves the photovoltaic energy management. Moreover, it has been shown how the microgrid improves the integration of the photovoltaic system with the main grid. The economic evaluation of the costs incurred for the development and maintenance of the microgrid has been carried out. The analysis has been reported also in terms of levelized cost of energy. The results show that the cost effectiveness of the microgrid is increasing with the system operation life time.


The political regime in Mexico has remained in power as a result of its ability to coopt pressure groups in society by means of a clientelist system in which the State provides tangible benefits in exchange for the group's support of the regime. Thus, many groups in the informal economy - squatters, collective taxi drivers and street vendors - have been able to organize to gain access to public spaces to exercise their profession. However, during the Salinas and Zedillo administrations, the neoliberal interest of the government in formalizing the informal sector has threatened to undermine the relation between these groups and the PRI. This article analyzes data from a survey on street vendors relocated during the recent program to construct malls in Mexico City's Historic Center. The authors found that the vendors attribute the problems they have experienced in the new malls and the fall in sales to the authorities and the political system and recorded a significant decrease in their support to the PRI at both the individual and the corporate level


Although previous studies have examined microbial loads on food contact surfaces in blueberry packing plants, there is currently no information regarding microbial risks associated with mechanical berry harvesters used in commercial blueberry production. In this study, we surveyed up to nine fruit contact surfaces on seven mechanical harvesters in each of 2015 and 2016 in the field. These surfaces included the shaking rods at the front of the harvester, the sidewalls of the harvesting tunnel behind the shaking mechanism, the catcher plates collecting the detached berries, horizontal and vertical fruit conveyor belts, and berry lugs collecting the fruit at the back of the harvester. Swab samples were collected from each surface three times a day (morning, noon, and evening) and assessed for environmental and fecal indicator organisms including total aerobes, total yeasts and molds, coliforms and fecal coliforms, and enterococci. At the same time points, fruit samples were assessed for microbial loads before the fruit entered each harvester and after they exited the harvester. Results showed statistically significant differences in microbial loads among harvester surfaces, whereas the effect of sampling time was generally not significant. High levels of total aerobes and total yeasts and molds were recorded, especially on horizontal surfaces and/or those located at the bottom of the harvester such as the lower sidewall, the catcher plates, and the horizontal conveyor belt. These surfaces therefore should be targeted by cleaning and sanitization practices. There was also statistical evidence that passage through the harvester may increase the levels of the environmental microorganisms on fruit in the field. In contrast, fecal indicator organisms such as fecal coliforms and enterococci were detected only sporadically and at very low densities on harvester surfaces and blueberry fruit, and there was no evidence that passage through the harvester increased their levels on the fruit. Berry lugs consistently harbored microbial loads, and given their movement back and forth between the field and the packing plant, deserve particular attention with regard to cleaning, sanitization, and storage protocols.


The essential trace metallic elements, zinc and nickel as well as non essential metal, cadmium were investigated for toxicity in a freshwater green alga, Chlorella vulgaris, which was greatly influenced when the cells were immobilized. A general reduction in growth, photosynthetic activity, nitrate reductase (NR) and alkaline phosphatase (Apase) was observed in a concentration dependent manner and this effect was more pronounced in free state of cells. On treatment with Ni, a highly significant increase (P<0.001, ANOVA) in NR activity of immobilized cells was observed. Relative study of the two-enzymatic behaviour revealed that Apase was more sensitive to metals especially to Zn and Cd. The two states of cells showed significant variation for 14 CO 2 -fixation and O 2 -evolution. Supplementation of LC 50 of Ni and Cd resulted in two-fold increase in carbon-fixation of immobilized cells over free cells. Lower concentration of Ni and Zn stimulated 14 CO 2 -fixation in the immobilized state. Between the two photosynthetic activities tested, O 2 -evolution was more sensitive compared to carbon-fixation when treated with metal independent to the state of cells.


We mainly apply for Panel data econometric models and economics methods to analyze the relationship between FDI in Shandong province and economical increases,and among them,several case models may be made out.We also,in the last part of this article,put forward some suggestions on attracting foreign investments.


The lack of women's presence in firms' top management positions reflects gender equity problems, especially in South Asia, including Pakistan, and contours a firm's financial behavior. Based on the underpinning of the conceptual framework developed by a combination of fourteen femininity theories, the current study investigates women's induction in top management and its impact on a firm's financial behavior. We collected data from annual reports of 60 non-financial firms listed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) for 2013–2019. The study uses the return of assets (ROA), firm's stability (FSTB), and risk-taking behavior (RTB) as dependent variables. Meanwhile, board gender diversity (BGD), female CEO (FCEO), female director-general (FDG), and female in audit committee (FIAC) are taken as independent variables. A multiple regression diagnostics approach is applied to analyze the data. The study reveals the positive impact of BGD on ROA and FSTB. However, this effect is adverse to RTB. The FIAC shows a positive (negative) impact on ROA (RTB). It also finds a negative impact of FCEO and FDG on ROA and FSTB.


An initial trial on children between 2 years 4 months and 4 years 9 months showed that good reproducible results for peak expiratory flow rates could be obtained from children over the age of 3 years using the low-range Wright Peak Flow Meter. Results on 92 normal children between the age of 3 and 5 years are reported.


ABSTRACT: In this study, the viscoelastic properties of a low-density polyethylene (LDPE) filled with glass beads (GBs) are measured at 150 C by means of a capillary rheometer to identify the effect of the particle size on the melt viscoelasticity. The volume fraction of the GB was 8.4%. The surface of the particles has been treated with a silane-coupling agent and the diameter range was from 4 to 180 mm. The results showed that either the entry pressure drop (Pen) or the entry elongation stress (e) is a linear function of shear stress (w) at the channel wall. The values of both Pen and e of these composite melts are close to each other. This illustrates that the influence of the bead size and its distribution on them is insignificant at low filler concentration. The die-swell ratio (B) increases nonlinearly with an addition of w. When the diameter (d) of the beads is less than 50 mm, B decreases dramatically with an increase of d, especially at low shear stress level, and then it decreases slightly under the given shear stress level.