The single neutral top-pion production process is studied in the framework of the top-colour-assisted technicolour model. The results show that the cross section can be significantly enhanced with the centre of mass energy increasing or the incoming beams being polarized. The cross section is over 0.1 fb provided or with polarized incoming beams. The flavour-changing channel is the best one to search for the neutral top-pion due to the clean background. Such a process offers a complementary method to probe for neutral top-pion if enough luminosity is collected at the future colliders.


The accompanying sketch illustrates a method of protecting nurses and doctors while spraying throats with an atomizer. The x-ray film affords good visibility and protects not only the face but the hand of the operator if the film is extended low enough to cover the hand holding the atomizer. This can be made in five minutes from the materials usually found in a doctor's office.


Simple analytical functions derived from point source Monte Carlo calculations on the combined attenuation and scatter factor, B exp(- mu r), for 60Co, 137Cs, 198Au, 192Ir, 241Am, 125I (models 6702 and 6711) brachytherapy sources and the nuclide 99Tcm, for water spherical geometries of radii R=15 and 20 cm are presented. Results for the broadly used 60Co, 137Cs, 198Au and 192Ir brachytherapy sources can be compared directly and found in excellent agreement with the widely accepted data of Meisberger et al in the limited distance range for which the latter are valid. The present authors' data, however, can be used with high accuracy outside this distance range. Dose rate distributions are proposed in accordance with the recommendations for calibration of the brachytherapy sources in terms of reference air kerma rate and were found to be in good agreement with data available in the literature.


The downscaling of IC design rule has increasingly imposed tighter overlay tolerances together with high cost of lithography equipment. Foundries are required to optimize tools utilization in order to be cost effective. To run with the same process flow using different exposure tools, the effect of the different process parameters needs to be characterized. This paper explores the feasibility of using the same W-CMP process for two different alignment systems employing different alignment marks. An evaluation of the alignment performance was done using marks placed in the scribe line of Tower's products. Exposures were performed using two different DUV scanners at BEOL layers, with process splits performed prior to the W-CMP phase. Robustness of alignment mark is critical, as the scanner's alignment system requires accurate signal to precisely align a pattern layer to a pervious layer. Data taken by the scanners on various tool/mark/recipe combinations is analyzed to provide indication of the overlay performance robustness to the process parameters. To investigate the effect of different W-CMP processes on alignment marks in back-end processing, an evaluation was performed through which both mark design and process parameters were varied. The robustness of typical long-term process variation at the W-CMP step in a production environment was evaluated.


Germany colonized South West Africa in 1884, then lost the country (present-day Namibia) after World War I. In order to escape the apartheid perpetuated by subsequent occupier South Africa, many black Namibians fled to support the SWAPO liberation movement, based in neighboring Angola. After South Africa bombed a camp that was home to many SWAPO supporters in 1978, SWAPO sent the first of a series of 428 Namibian three-to-five-year-olds to East Germany (a.k.a. the GDR) for protection, education, and socialist training. A decade later, they were unexpectedly "returned" after Namibia's first all-race elections fell the same week as the Berlin Wall. Placing them with surviving relatives in the rural North seldom succeeded for more than a short period because the children no longer spoke their native language competently and frequently felt allegiance primarily to their other returning "siblings." Members of SWAPO and of Namibia's 30,000 ethnic Germans laid claims to these "GDR Kids," but most children who had spent over eight years in Germany were enrolled in Namibia's German-speaking schools. This article concludes that by integrating these and other Namibian German institutions, the GDR Kids altered the margins of what is considered German in this most German of former German colonies.


Modelling scenarios on driving simulators is a critical and complex task for behavioural researchers. It requires specific technical and programming skills, for which researchers are typically not formally trained. The main reason for this complexity is the lack of User-Centred Design (UCD) in scenario authoring tools, including an unintuitive and user-unfriendly interaction environment. This could account for some of the challenges faced by behavioural researchers in achieving their objectives with driving simulators. In this chapter, we discuss the problem in detail and propose a user-centred solution, which has been evaluated by users. We also propose a meta-language and an interoperability framework to generalise our solution, so that our approach could be used on most driving simulators.


259 Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and cytotoxic activities of the methanolic extract of Callistemon citrinus leaves. Disc diffusion method was carried out to evaluate antibacterial activity using kanamycin as standard. The methanolic leaf extract showed potential antibacterial activity against both gram positive and gram negative pathogenic bacteria. This extract showed highest activity against Bacillus megaterium and Escherichia coli with 29 mm and 27 mm zone of inhibition. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined that showed potential efficacy against the bacteria. The extract exhibited MIC with 64 μg/ml and 64 μg/ml for B. megaterium and E. coli respectively. The cytotoxicity of the leaf extract was investigated by brine shrimp lethality bioassay using vincristine sulfate as standard. The extract showed significant cytotoxicty with LC50 value of 9.84 μg/ml as compared with LC50 value of 6.05 μg/ml of standard.


The invention discloses a preparation method of n-propylamine sulfonamide serving as a macitentan intermediate. The preparation method comprises the following steps: by taking n-propylamine and sulfonyl chloride as start raw materials and taking triethylamine as an acid-binding agent, preparing an n-propylamine sulfonamide coarse product through two-step reaction, and performing post-treatment distillation, so as to obtain the n-propylamine sulfonamide. According to the preparation method disclosed by the invention, raw materials which are low in cost and readily available are used; reactions and operations in all the steps are simple; the reaction steps and the reaction time are short; the n-propylamine sulfonamide is easy to popularize, high in yield, low in cost and suitable for industrial large-scale production.


Abstract A relativistic two-particle system with time-asymmetric scalar and vector interactions in the two-dimensional space-time is considered within the frame of the front form of dynamics using the dynamical symmetry approach. The mass-shell equation may be represented in terms of the nonlinear canonical realization of the Lie algebra of the group SO(2, 1). This allows us to quantize the system and to obtain a closed form for the mass spectrum.


RECENT discussions about the machinery of Cabinet govemrqent are welcome for adding to our knowledge and understanding of its functioning, and as evidence of a new interest in its problems. However, at the core of this discussion is an assumption that is rarely questioned. It is the conventional wisdom, originating in the early years of this centuq, that as small Cabinets work well, we should not have large Cabinets.1 All parties accept this view; Sir Alec DouglasHome was expected, if he had won the election, to reduce the size of his Cabinet; Mr. Wilson, when intimations of power were crowding about him, said that, should he form a government, the Cabinet would be smaller.2 It is this orthodoxy that I wish to question. Because the functioning of the Cabinet is shrouded in secrecy it is difficult securely to establish any proposition about it. The hypothesis to be discussed below is based on sufficient evidence to suggest that it merits serious consideration whilst the grounds for the orthodox view on the other hand are not such as to silence scepticism. There is no public proof that the size of Sir Alec Douglas-Home's Cabinet was responsible for any malfunctioning nor has Mr. Wilson yet told us that his expectations of March 1964 have been borne out by the inefficiency of his present large Cabinet, and there is no dispassionate investigation. One way in which we can advance our knowledge in this realm is to stimulate discussion, which is the object of this paper. The argument advanced here is rooted in the belief that we still have a system of government that can properly be described as a Cabinet system. It is put forward also in the belief that the problem of providing an efficient organization for policy-making and coordinating and directing the administration can be solved within the Cabinet system. The really significant recent modification in Cabinet government has not been a move towards government by Prime Minister, but the development of the Cabinet committee structure comprising a wide range of committees of various sizes, functions, and powers. Problems concerning the efficiency of the Cabinet system have been at least partially solved by this development, and could come even nearer to solution if this adaptation were properly recognized and camed further. There are perhaps three alternative models for a British Cabinet system--first, the 'traditional' pattern, second, the 'recommended' system, and third, the 'actual'. The 'traditional' model is still the popular one, consisting basically of the early twentieth century conception of the Cabinet, plus a range of committees and a secretariat which together slightly reduce the amount of work falling upon the Cabinet and organize the rest more coherently. In this conception the Cabinet committee structure is yery secondary to and dependent upon the parent body. The Cabinet (with the Prime Minister) remains the main workshop for co-ordination and policyand decision-making whereas, except for defence, the committees, where used, merely do the rough or detailed work. If this were an accurate sketch of what is indeed attempted, the excessive load on the Cabinet since 1900 would be. immense, and in view of the short and infrequent meetings of the Cabinet, problems and decisions would receive the most perfunctory treatment. Since much popular discussion of Cabinet organization has assumed this portrayal to be substantially correct, no wonder t h m is continued concern with the arguments for a smaller Cabinet, with or without radical reconstruction of the type advocated by L. S. Amery. In practice such a radical recox~~tructim is never undertaken, and far from getting smaller, the size of the Cabinet tends to


A new form of vacuum tube voltmeter that has certain merits not possessed by existing instruments is described by this paper. Advantage is taken of the properties of a bridge circuit, one of whose arms is the plate-filament impedance of a common three-element pliotron to permit the building of very sturdy instruments of unusual sensitivity and dependability.


Commonwealth reforms have led to staff of the Department of Health and Aged Care needing a greater knowledge of public health, to more effectively evaluate evidence and to quickly acquire competence in new emerging areas. The department's requirements of a training program could not be met by existing university‐based public health courses. A consortium of five universities and the department worked together to develop an industry‐based course that would meet the Commonwealth's needs. The course was constituted within university regulations; had an incremental and articulated structure with exit points at certificate, diploma and Masters levels; was relevant to the work of staff; offered subjects which complemented the staff's existing skills, training and career aspirations; drew upon expertise across the universities; and was flexible in its delivery. The Commonwealth's and universities' experience has been sufficiently positive to conclude that a corporate public health postgraduate program has a place alongside university‐based programs.


Aerolysin is a channel‐forming toxin that binds to glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)‐anchored proteins, such as Thy‐1, on target cells. Here, we show that subnanomolar concentrations of aerolysin trigger apoptosis of T lymphomas. Using inactive aerolysin variants, we determined that apoptosis was not directly triggered by binding to GPI‐anchored receptors, nor was it caused by receptor clustering induced by toxin oligomerization. Apoptosis was caused by the production of a small number of channels in the cell membrane. Channel formation resulted in a rapid increase in intracellular calcium, which may have been the signal for apoptosis. Overexpression of the antiapoptotic protein bcl‐2 blocked aerolysin‐induced apoptosis, although this effect was overcome at higher toxin concentrations.


A synthetic approach to obtain renewable phthalic anhydride (PA) from 5-hydroxymethfurfural (HMF) with a yield of 63.2% using MoO3/Cu(NO3)2 as a catalyst in one pot.


Objective To develop and internally validate a prediction model for 6-year risk of stroke and its primary subtypes in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population. Design This is a retrospective cohort study from a prospectively collected database. Participants We included a total 3124 adults aged 45–80 years, free of stroke or myocardial infarction at baseline in the 2009–2015 cohort of China Health and Nutrition Survey. Primary and secondary outcome measures The outcome of the prediction model was stroke. Investigated predictors were: age, gender, body mass index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), total cholesterol (TC), hypertension (HBP), drinking status, smoking status, diabetes and site. Stepwise multiple Cox regression was applied to identify independent predictors. A nomogram was constructed to predict 6-year risk of stroke based on the multiple analysis results. Bootstraps with 1000 resamples were applied to both C-index and calibration curve. Result The overall incidence of overall stroke was 2.98%. Age, gender, HBP and TC were found as significant risk predictors for overall stroke; age, gender, HBP and LDL-C were found as significant risk predictors for ischaemic stroke; age, gender, HBP, BMI and HDL-C were found as significant risk predictors for haemorrhagic stroke. The nomogram was constructed using significant variables included in the model, with a C-index of 0.74 (95% CI: 0.72 to 0.76), 0.74 (95% CI: 0.71 to 0.77), and 0.81 (95% CI: 0.78 to 0.84) for overall stroke, ischaemic stroke, and haemorrhagic stroke model, respectively. The calibration curves demonstrated the good agreements between predicted and observed 6-year risk probability. Conclusion Our nomogram could be convenient, easy to use and effective prognoses for predicting 6-year risk of stroke in middle-aged and elderly Chinese population.


Interaction of allyl iodide with MoO3 catalysts presenting different crystal habits shows that acrylaldehyde formation is correlated with the presence of the (100) MoO3 face; consequences of this result on the mechanism of propene oxidation are discussed.


This paper introduces an integrated design and control method for improving the header height control performance of combine harvesters. Due to the legacy design of the mechanical system, the bandwidth of feedback control is limited, which induces a performance bottleneck in further improving the harvesting productivity. To solve this problem, the integrated design for both the mechanical system and controller is proposed. This integrated method optimizes both the plant and controller parameters during the design process, and takes the closed loop performance as the ultimate design goal. As a result, the plant is redesigned automatically to achieve a local optimized control performance within parameter constraints.


In this paper we examine the allowed amount of intergalactic (IG) dust, which is constrained by extinction and reddening of distant Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) and the thermal history of the intergalactic medium (IGM) affected by dust photoelectric heating. Based on the observational cosmic star formation history, we find an upper bound of X, the mass ratio of the IG dust to the total metal in the Universe, as X ≤ 0.1 for 10 A ≤ a ≤ 0.1 μm and X ≤ 0.1(a/0.1 μm) for 0.1 ≤ a ≤ 1 μm, where a is a characteristic grain size of the IG dust. This upper bound of X ∼ 0.1 suggests that the dust-to-metal ratio in the IGM is smaller than the current Galactic value. The corresponding allowed density of the IG dust increases from ∼10 -34 g cm -3 at z = 0 to ∼10 -33 g cm -3 at z ∼ 1, and keeps almost the value toward higher redshift. This causes IG extinction of ≤0.2 mag at the observer's B band for z ∼ 1 sources and that of ≤ 1 mag for higher redshift sources. Furthermore, if E(B-V) ∼ 0.1 mag at the observer's frame against z ≥ 1 sources is detected, we can conclude that a typical size of the IG dust is ≤ 100 A. The signature of the 2175-A feature of small graphite may be found as a local minimum at z ∼ 2.5 in a plot of the observed E(B-V) as a function of the source redshift. Finally, the IGM mean temperature at z ≤ 1 can be still higher than 10 4 K, provided the size of the IG dust is < 100 A.


The author believes that the sameness of the goal of logistics management and that of supply chain management cannot prove that they are the same in working character.Then the author points out that logistics management and supply chain management are related and coincide with each other, anyway, they have their respective operational rules. Finally,the author suggests that to make clear the difference of logistics management and supply chain management is important in developing logistics talents and in enterprises management.


Abstract A polythiophene film which was electrosynthesized in BF3-dither ether solution of thiophene under optimized conditions possesses such a compact structure instead of its fibrous structure obtained in other systems that the large ions can be prevented from incorporating into the polymer. Not only anion-sieving but also cation-sieving effect was observed.


The invention relates to the field of medical endoscopic applications, in particular an electronic endoscopic navigation system, comprising an operation desk, an annular scanner and a magnet which isfixed in an electronic endoscope, the operation desk penetrates the center of the annular scanner and is parallel to the axial direction of the annular scanner, a plurality of electromagnets are radially distributed in the annular scanner, and controlled by a control device. The electronic endoscopic navigation system generates a magnetic field by the electromagnets in the annular scanner, thus being taken as the power for the movement of the pellet endoscope; the movement of the pellet endoscope is controlled by an operator by changing the strength and the direction of the magnetic field, andthen image information is conducted by the pellet endoscope, thus achieving the operations of observation, taking pictures, photography and so on of bladder, stomach and other parts of human body. The electronic endoscopic navigation system can freely move and change the direction of a lens without other contact operations and controls, thus having favorable adaptability and maneuverability.


Langerhans-cell histiocytosis (LCH) is a rare myeloid neoplasia (about 3 cases per 1 000 000 children yearly). Lung involvement is rare, usually as a part of multisystem disease. Clinically these lesions manifest with signs of respiratory insufficiency like dyspnea, cough and desaturation. Imaging shows nodules that are gradually transforming into thick- or thin-walled cysts. Rapture of these cysts leads to the pneumothorax which requires drainage. Our report shows clinical case of use of elective pleurodesis to prevent life-threatening complications of histologically confirmed LCH with lung involvement, which can develop either as a result of the disease or due to chemotherapy.


The present invention relates to a transparent heat-insulating coating composition, a resin emulsion (Emulsion resin) 50 ~ 80% by weight; Silica airgel (Silica aerogel) 5 ~ 30% by weight; Indium tin oxide (Indium-tin oxide, ITO) 0.1 ~ 2% by weight; Wax emulsion (Wax emulsion) 1 ~ 5% by weight; Diethylene glycol ester-based plasticizers (Plasticizer) 0.01 ~ 5% by weight; Anti-foaming agents (Antifoaming agent) 0.01 ~ 5% by weight; Glycol (Glycol) 1 ~ 10% by weight; Ethyl alcohol (Ethyl alcohol) 1 ~ 10% by weight; Thickening agents (Thickener) 1 ~ 5% by weight; It characterized in that formed in a proportion of calcium carbonate (Calcium carbonate) 5 ~ 10% by weight. Transparent heat-insulating coating composition of the present invention Sikkim applying and curing a coating solution containing such silica airgel (Silica aerogel) and indium tin oxide (ITO), calcium carbonate (CaCO The transparency of the heat insulating coating composition of the present invention is a wax emulsion (Wax emulsion) in due peeling (peeling) property is good when removing the coating liquid applied to the medium and using the environmentally friendly plasticizer harmful organic solvents on the human body contained in the coating liquid since the problem does not occur at all due to have an environmentally friendly advantages.


Transition from IPv4 to IPv6 has been made possible through various transition mechanisms, categorized as dual-stack, tunneling and translation. However, period of transition may take years to complete which both protocols will coexist due to Internet services deployed are widely in IPv4. So, a successful IPv6 transition is depended on the compatibility with the large installed base of IPv4 hosts and routers, as well as maintaining security of the network from potential threats and vulnerabilities of both Internet protocols. This paper classifies potential security issues in the transition period and identifies prevention mechanisms to the problems identified. As dual-stacked host or network is the most simple IPv6 deployment any enterprise can settle for now, this paper focuses on possible implementation of distributed firewall in a dual-stacked environment which involves packet filtering at the edge router as well as the host-based firewall.


The National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA) was enacted on 23rd of August 2005 and got presidential assent on 5th of September 2005 expressing the consensus of the state to use fiscal and legal instruments to address the challenges of unemployment and poverty. The national coalition government described MGNREGA as revolutionary, and maintained that it would impact on poverty in a major way by building infrastructure and enhancing growth in rural areas.Right of unhindered access to all the diverse types of rural assets enhance peoples' employment availability and also generate income aspect, which if prudently nurtured can place them on the path of a sustainable livelihood. However local peoples' increased willingness and earnestness to take part in MGNREGA asset creation jobs, in the early years, is extremely important as otherwise in its absence or laggard progress of these activities there may be a deficiency in the requisite amount of rural infrastructure which stands in the way of sustainable income generation process.


One potential weakness of all divisional profitability schemes is their inability to capture synergies among business units. One way of managing this problem is to design a transfer pricing scheme that attempts to assign common costs and benefits to different business units. What makes transfer pricing both so interesting, and such a challenge, is that the solution involves finding a way to encourage divisional managers whose pay is likely to depend on such transfer prices to reveal their private or unbiased information about the firm's costs in a way that serves the interest of the rest of the firm. With that end in view, the authors provide a general analytical framework for setting transfer prices and go on to discuss the costs and benefits of each of the most common transfer‐pricing methods: (1) market pricing; (2) marginal cost pricing; (3) full‐cost pricing; and (4) negotiated prices. (This abstract was borrowed from another version of this item.)


In the Jaynes–Cummings model a two-level atom interacts with a single-mode electromagnetic field. Quantum mechanics predicts collapses and revivals in the probability that a measurement will show the atom to be excited at various times after the initial preparation of the atom and field. In retrodictive quantum mechanics we seek the probability that the atom was prepared in a particular state given the initial state of the field and the outcome of a later measurement on the atom. Although this is not simply the time reverse of the usual predictive problem, we demonstrate in this paper that retrodictive collapses and revivals also exist. We highlight the differences between predictive and retrodictive evolutions and describe an interesting situation where the prepared state is essentially unretrodictable.


AbstractWork in this paper investigates the effects of woody vegetation on soil hydraulic conductivity and the related probability of exceeding deformation-based performance limit states. A summary of results obtained from laboratory and field hydraulic conductivity tests for four levee sites is presented. Limit states, as defined based on the framework of critical state soil mechanics, are developed and simple probability analyses are used to quantify the probability of exceedance under hydraulic loading. A case study of Elkhorn Levee near Sacramento, California, is presented to demonstrate the applicability of the limit states concept. The field and laboratory hydraulic conductivity data obtained from the four levee test sites show no clear trend to support the notion that woody vegetation leads to either high or low values of hydraulic conductivity; site-specific testing is needed to discern such an effect. Even though the levee case used in this study (Elkhorn) was in a marginal condition of stability...


THE problem of ammonia detoxication in brain continues to attract the attention and effort of many investigators, for there has not yet evolved a definitive and comprehensive picture of the manner in which the brain handles the potentially toxic substance ammonia. In an excellent review of the field, STRECKER (1957) has surveyed the data which suggest that the glutamic acid-glutamine system is the most likely candidate for ammonia removal in brain. He also notes that 'although free ornithine, citrulline, and arginine are present in brain (TALLAN, MOORE and STEIN, 1954), the e m e systems participating in urea synthesis via the Krebs mechanism (KREBS and msmm, 1932) have not been described thus far in nervous tissue.' Recently, we have described a new method for studying metabolic pathways in the brain of the intact animal, and have shown that rat brain can synthesize ornithine and arginine from proline (SPORN, DINGMAN and DEFALCO, 1959). It was suggested that this pathway might supplement the glutamic acid-glutamine system in detoxifying the brain. The present experiments, which utilize the same method that enabled us to demonstrate that brain can metabolize proline to arginine, indicate that brain can also metabolize arginine to urea. It thus appears that the living brain is capable of urea synthesis.


Study Design. Comparison of melatonin receptor mRNA expression in bilateral paravertebral muscles in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). Objectives. To investigate the change of melatonin receptor mRNA expression in bilateral paravertebral muscles in AIS, congenital scoliosis (CS), and control in order to analyze its association to the pathogenesis of AIS. Summary of Background Data. Muscle imbalance and asymmetry of stretch receptors in the paravertebral muscles of patients with AIS were supposed to have a large role to play in the development and production of the deformity. Melatonin is a focus of studies of the mechanism underlying the development of scoliosis, and there is no research on the expression of melatonin receptors in the paravertebral muscles of patients with AIS. Methods. Twenty cases with average age of 15.1 ± 2.2 years and average Cobb angle of 56.2° ± 16.1°, including 10 cases with Cobb angle >50° and 10 cases with Cobb angle ≤50°, were included in AIS group. The apical vertebrae were from T6 to T11. Twelve cases with an average age of 11.6 ± 3.2 years and average Cobb angle of 59.2° ± 33.3°were included in CS group. The apical vertebrae were from T7 to T12. Ten cases without scoliosis were in the control group. The mRNA expression of melatonin receptor subtype MT1 and MT2 was detected by the RT-PCR method. Results. The MT2 mRNA expression on the concave side of the paravertebral muscle was higher than that on the convex side in AIS and CS groups (P < 0.05), but the MT1 mRNA expression showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). In the AIS group, the ratio of MT2 mRNA expression on the concave side compared with the convex side in cases with Cobb angle >50° and cases with Cobb angle ≤50° showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The MT1 and MT2 mRNA expression showed no significant difference in control group (P > 0.05). Conclusion. The melatonin receptor expression in bilateral paravertebral muscles in AIS is asymmetric, which may be a secondary change. The bilateral asymmetry in force exerted on the scoliotic spine may be the cause.


The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, which took effect in February 1994, sets minimum nationwide requirements for the sale of handguns and establishes a national criminal-background information system. Each of these thrusts of Brady involves fundamental issues of federalism. The first involves the traditional give-and-take between the states and the federal government in sorting out specific authority over the prohibition of firearm sales. The second thrust, establishing a national information network, requires cooperation of all the states and the federal government. This article reviews Brady in the context of twenty-five years of federal gun-control activity, examines its impact on federal-state relations, and addresses the development of a national criminal-history information network linking the states and the federal government.


Walnut pollen nutrients were analyzed to evaluate its nutritive value in this paper.The results showed that, compared with other pollens,walnut pollen had a higher content of protein (26.59%),fat (5.45%) and amino acids (23.70%),while it had a lower content of reductive sugar and sucrose (5.70% and 1.68% respectively).The essential amino acids content was 9.61%,and E/T was 40.55%.The limiting amino acids were methionine and cystine with the amino acid score of 75.14.Vitamin C was the highest (114.46 mg/100 g) in 8 vitamins detected.The content of potassium,magnesium,phosphorus and calcium in walnut pollen was higher (920 mg/100 g, 190 mg/100 g, 650 mg/100 g,and 150 mg/100 g respectively),while the content of sodium was lower (2.8 mg/100 g).There was a higher content of Zn and Se (5.7 mg/100 g and 0.017 mg/100 g)in 10 microelements detected in walnut pollen,compared with the other pollens.


This article uses the theory of government failing to analyze the problem of China's government's expenditure on administration,and gives some ideas,such as reducing the departments of government,introducing the law of market competition to the governments and perfecting the administration systems,to cut down the government's expenditure on administration and improve the efficiency of administration.


This study aims to analyze tectonic concepts and expressional characteristics in architectural spaces of Herzog and De Meuron. An approach from the perspective of existentialism ontology would be find to explore the essence of expressional characteristics in their architectural spaces. Especially, the tectonic viewpoint is one of ways to explore them. First of all, this study considers general, conceptual features of tectonic from the modern and classical views. As a tectonic with an ontological meaning, not a general one, their architectural spaces have logics and standpoints close to the essence. This study then extracts characteristics of methodologies what they want to express architecturally with their essential views of architecture through analysis of works and discusses them.


Due to the progressive volume and changes of stope in ore body, the stability of rock wall is getting worse, and resulting high possibility of catastrophe. This article analyzes the fluctuating laws of underground pressure and the stability of rock wall during mining by using FEM with ANSYS program. Based on this, the key parts of instability and the main influence factors have been pointed out. This research provides a theoretical foundation for adopting the necessary preventive measures, which has attained great safe benefit and social and economical results.


The purpose of this paper is to suggest a desirable direction of cultural interchange especially in theatre between Korea and China through the examination of the state of 10 years after entering into diplomatic relations. Korea and China maintained a very near relationship for a long time till early 20th century, sharing Chinese characters and Confucius values. But we felt pretty strange each other when we met again because of the diplomatic break of half century. As we know, cultural interchange is the most effective way to improve mutual understanding. My research was started from the discussion of the difference of theatrical culture between two countries. Because without those understandings, we can't establish a proper doctrine or even can't find a effective way of exchanging. I also examined how things went during these 10 years in two aspects: one in the aspect of performances done on the real stage, one in the field of research and translation. While our theatre leans somewhat to the western style and has relatively poor tradition of traditional theatre, China has a strong theatrical tradition, not only in a long history of traditional theatre but also in a very diverse theatrical culture from folk theatre to refined theatre. So we may find better ways to develope our traditional theatre from the Chinese experiences, also can communize abundant contents of Chinese traditional theatre. Though we are cheered by "Korean stream" these days, during these 10 years the interchange couldn't go far from the beginning point. There were many performances of introductory pack of traditional performing arts, but few enough to show the highly estimated contemporary arts. In case we invite, we didn't consider enough the diversity of Chinese traditional theatre in its style and region, while in case we visit, we couldn't send many of our good creative works. There were many papers on the Chinese classical theatre, but few really related with the performances. Also only a few works of translation was done. interchanges in modern theatre including contemporary ones, is much poorer than those of classical theatre. The exchange should be done continuously and reciprocally. For a good example, the BeSeTo theatre festival which is held every fall in Korea, Japan or China in turn inviting one or two troupe per country under the annual theme, has continued S years from 1994 in a reciprocal way of support by the host country. Through this festival, the community of theatre in three countries could establish a firm faith among each other. On this faith we hope to continue our dialogue.


The interactions of nature and society are intimately reflected in the degradation of the vast, yet diverse, landscapes and ecosystems of arid western China. The development of agriculture, especially irrigation, has altered rivers, soils and ecosystems so much that major ecological rehabilitation and restoration efforts have been needed since 1950. The catchments of the Tarim River in southern Xinjiang (the Tarim Basin) and of the Black River (Hei He) in Gansu Province and western Inner Mongolia provide examples of the benefits, difficulties and conflicts involved in dryland water management. In the early stages of the human development of these catchments, agriculture depending on irrigation using water from these inland rivers was encouraged. The over-exploitation of these water resources led to such ecological problems as desiccation of lakes, drying out of rivers, degradation of soils and vegetation and lowering of groundwater levels, with consequent environmental and economic impacts. Since 1990 several high-cost, national projects to re-establish ecosystems have been initiated. Water is now released from dams in the headwaters of the rivers in order to restore water flows to the dried out lake basins. Such schemes have inevitably led to social problems and difficulties for the people who depended on the water from the dams for local irrigation. The contrasts in adjustments and attitudes over the use of water for agriculture and other economic activities, as opposed to schemes of restoration of ecosystems and ecological engineering, stem largely from two issues; inconsistent provision of information from the scientific community, and differing ideologies, namely environmental protection versus economic development.


The utility model relates to an automatic fish feeder, which comprises a feeding hole funnel, a fixed sliding block, a feeding sliding block, a transmission connecting bar, a driving electric motor, a motor box body, a baffle plate, a supporting gusset and a static fixed bracket. Under the control of a circuit timer, the driving electric motor drives the connecting bar mechanism, so that the feeding sliding block can realize the reciprocating movement; the feeding sliding block is provided with a feeding port; during the withdrawing process, the feeding port aims at the feeding funnel so as to fetch the material; and during the sending movement, the feeding sliding block extends out of the baffle plate of the box body, and under the gravity effect, the fish feed drops into the fish cylinder, thereby realizing the automatic feeding. By adjusting the timer, the work frequency of the electric motor can be set up, thereby realizing the automatic quantitative fish feeding function. The fish feeder has simple structure, convenient application, low energy consumption, high reliability and beautiful shape.


DLR provided to the Innovative Future Air Transport System (IFATS) project a tool that simulates aircraft flying a 4D contract. With this tool one day traffic over Frankfurt airport with all the aircraft arriving and departing in Frankfurt (approx. 1000) was simulated. Normal situations were demonstrated together with disturbances such as thunderstorm, degraded performance aircraft and aircraft facing an emergency. At the DLR Air Traffic Simulator simulations were conducted with "real" ATC and pseudo-pilots in comparison to fully automatic IFATS mode.


In mathematics, more specifically in the area of modern algebra known as field theory, an algebraic extension is a separable extension if and only if for every , the minimal polynomial of over F is a separable polynomial (i.e., has distinct roots). [1] Otherwise, the extension is called inseparable. There are other equivalent definitions of the notion of a separable algebraic extension, and these are outlined later in the article. The class of separable extensions is an extremely important one due to the fundamental role it plays in Galois theory. More specifically, a finite degree field extension is Galois if and only if it is both normal and separable. [2] Since algebraic extensions of fields of characteristic zero, and of finite fields, are separable, separability is not an obstacle in most applications of Galois theory. [3] [4] For instance, every algebraic (in particular, finite degree) extension of the field of rational numbers is necessarily separable. Despite the ubiquity of the class of separable extensions in mathematics, its extreme opposite, namely the class of purely inseparable extensions, also occurs quite naturally. An algebraic extension is a purely inseparable extension if and only if for every , the minimal polynomial of over F is not a separable polynomial (i.e., does not have distinct roots). [5] For a field F to possess a non-trivial purely inseparable extension, it must necessarily be an infinite field of prime characteristic (i.e. specifically, imperfect), since any algebraic extension of a perfect field is necessarily separable. The study of separable extensions in their own right has far-reaching consequences. For instance, consider the result: "If E is a field with the property that every nonconstant polynomial with coefficients in E has a root in E, then E is algebraically closed." [7] Despite its simplicity, it suggests a deeper conjecture: "If is an algebraic extension and if every nonconstant polynomial with coefficients in F has a root in E, is E algebraically closed?" [8] Although this conjecture is true, most of its known proofs depend on the theory of separable and purely inseparable extensions; for instance, in the case corresponding to the extension being separable, one known proof involves the use of the primitive element theorem in the context of Galois extensions. Informal discussion The reader may wish to assume that, in what follows, F is the field of rational, real or complex numbers, unless otherwise stated. An arbitrary polynomial …


The article mainly analysis this problem from the respect of corporate governance structure.Our enterprises have unreasonable corporate governance structure.The defects of the delegate-deputize system such as profit inconsistency and information asymmetry between owners and managers of the enterprise fail to obtain effective control.Based on the legal and economical environment in our country,the article tries to probe the prevention strategies of accounting information disclosure lacking fidelity.These strategies include to reform the system of property rights,to identify the functions between the stockholders commission,the directors board and the management,and solve the incentives and constraints on the management.


Phishing is an attempt by an individual or a group to thieve personal confidential information such as passwords, credit card information etc from unsuspecting victims for identity theft, financial gain and other fraudulent activities. A simple username and password based authentication is not sufficient for web sites providing critical financial transactions. Where as a technique is needed for the websites to have a system which has the capability of differing human users and computer programs in reading images of text. Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Human Apart (CAPTCHA) is such a defense system against Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. OCR can be defined as a software which work for defeating CAPTCHA images and make countless number of registration on the websites. This study focuses on a new method which is splitting CAPTCHA images into several parts with random rotation values, and drawing random lines on a grid background. Lines are in the same color with the CAPTCHA text and they provide a distortion of image with grid background. In this paper, the algorithm of splitting and rotating method is introduced in detail. KeywordsPhishing, Optical Character Recognition, image, CAPTCHA , Splitting & Rotating.


positive at 48 and 96 hours. These results were consistent with a delayed type IV reaction. In another patient, urticaria was caused by a preparation containing phosphatidylcholine, lipoic acid, vitamin B3, and N-acetylcysteine. No allergological tests were performed; however, according to the authors, phosphatidylcholine was responsible for the urticaria because it is a histamine liberator. Mesotherapy is currently regarded as a safe procedure for the cosmetic treatment of localized fat deposits. However, allergic reactions, although apparently rare, should be kept in mind.


Designers often explore novel applications of their technologies for innovation. However, such searches relied on experiences, expertise or gut feeling. Here we propose the use of a technology space map to enhance the creativity of such a human ideation process for new design opportunities of a given technology. We present an example map in which the domains are approximated as international patent classes and their proximities are quantified using patent data. Designers can browse the map to navigate various technology domains organized by their knowledge proximities throughout the technology space to conceive design opportunities that relate the current technology to other domains for new applications. The map is aimed to facilitate ideation across distant domains. We present one case study of using the map to conceive novel design application opportunities for artificial neural networks. On this basis, a computer system (i.e., InnoGPS) to aid in interactive digital map browsing and design information retrieval is developed.


Two experiments were carried out during the rainy season of 1987, in Parana state, Brazil, with an objective of evaluating the chemical control of the common bacterial blight of bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in the Rio Negro cultivar. The chemicals streptomycin plus oxitetracidlin, copper oxychloride plus zineb, copper oxychloride plus mancozeb and copper oxychloride were sprayed three times under field conditions. A low efficiency in the control of that bacterial disease was observed by the occurrence of a high severity of this disease on leaves; high incidence of pods with the disease and a high level of X. campestris pv. phaseoli on the seeds were also observed. There were yield increases due to chemical treatmentments with copper oxychloride plus zineb and copper oxychloride plus mancozeb


Introduction Surgical site infections (SSIs) after surgery are usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). In low income countries, methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MR-CNS) surgical site infections are particularly associated with high treatment cost and remain a source of mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and the sensitivity to antibiotics of MRSA and MR-CNS isolated from SSIs. Methods Wound swabs were collected from 130 hospitalized surgical patients in two major hospitals of Kinshasa. S. aureus and CNS strains were identified by standard microbiological methods and latex agglutination test (Pastorex Staph-Plus). The antibiotic susceptibility of all staphylococcal strains was carried out using disk-diffusion method. Results Eighty nine staphylococcal strains were isolated. Out of 74 S. aureus and 15 CNS isolated, 47 (63.5%) and 9 (60%) were identified as MRSA and MR-CNS respectively. Among the MRSA strains, 47 strains (100%) were sensitive to imipenem, 39 strains (89%) to amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and 38 strains (81%) to vancomycin. All MR-CNS were sensitive to imipenem, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and vancomycin. The isolated MRSA and MR-CNS strains showed multidrug resistance. They were both resistant to ampicillin, cotrimoxazole, erythromycin, clindamycin, ciprofloxacin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime. Conclusion The results of the present study showed a high prevalence of MRSA and MR-CNS. Imipenem, amoxycillin-clavulanic acid and vancomycin were the most active antibiotics. This study suggests that antibiotic surveillance policy should become national priority as MRSA and MR-CNS were found to be multidrug resistant.


The challenges of insufficient residence time for crystal growing and transfer line blockage in conventional continuous MSMPR operations are still not well addressed. Periodic flow crystallization is a novel method whereby controlled periodic disruptions are applied to the inlet and outlet flows of an MSMPR crystallizer in order to increase its residence time. A dynamic model of residence time distribution in an MSMPR crystallizer was first developed to demonstrate the periodic flow operation. Besides, process models of periodic flow crystallizations were developed with an aim to provide a better understanding and improve the performance of the periodic flow operation, wherein the crystallization mechanisms and kinetics of the glycine-water system were estimated from batch cooling crystallization experiments. Experiments of periodic flow crystallizations were also conducted in single-/three-stage MSMPR crystallizers to validate the process models and demonstrate the advantages of using periodic flow operation in MSMPR stages. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


ABSTRACT This study examines the effects of Internet use on political participation in East and Southeast Asia. Data came from the Asian Barometer Survey, gathered in two waves: 2005–07 and 2010–11. The results show that Internet use is positively associated with unconventional political participation, while it is not with institutionalized action. Also, the data reveal the mechanism by which the technology influences interpersonal discussion and self-efficacy, in turn leading to participation. Furthermore, Internet use is found to provide mobilizing capacities for those who lack organizational membership as a traditional agent of political action.


Summary: Purpose: Ictal studies of atonic seizures in children with epilepsy are rare. To clarify the neurophysiologic mechanism of such seizures, we describe a cluster of atonic seizures in a 6‐year‐old girl with cortical dysplasia.


The utility model provides a long-distance voice remote control system. The long-distance wireless voice remote control system comprises a remote voice control command transmitting end capable of transmitting a voice control command, a voice control command receiving end, a voice recognition module, a wireless emission module and a wireless receiving module. The remote voice control command transmitting end transmits a voice control command signal. The voice control command receiving end receives the voice control command. The voice recognition module analyzes the received voice control command and emits the command through the wireless emission module. The wireless receiving module makes various kinds of controlled objects execute operation of the command after receiving the command. By using the long-distance wireless voice remote control system and a method thereof, automatic control of the long-distance voice can be realized and the operation is easy and convenient.


In this work, chitosan hydrogels crosslinked with genipin and reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were developed and characterized with the aim of future biomedical applications. CNC was produced by acid hydrolysis and characterized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Chitosan/CNC nanocomposite hydrogels were produced with different CNC concentrations (w/w): 0%, 2%, 4%, and 6%. The genipin was used as a crosslinking agent in a genipin/chitosan molar proportion of 1:8. The hydrogels were characterized by porosity measurements, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling test, and mechanical compression test. No significant differences were observed concerning the porosity of the hydrogels; however, a trend of decreasing porosity was observed with increasing CNC content. The SEM images showed a better pore structure as the CNC concentration increased. A decrease in the swelling degree with increasing CNC content in the chitosan/CNC nanocomposite hydrogel was verified in the swelling tests. An increase in the CNC concentration in the chitosan/CNC nanocomposite hydrogel caused a gradual increase in the maximum stress and maximum strain as observed in the compression tests, showing a significant difference between chitosan/CNC 6 wt % and neat chitosan hydrogel.


Measurements of the drift velocity and lateral diffusion of positive potassium ions in nitrogen at room temperature (290-300?K) are reported for values of E/N (E is the electric field strength in v cm?1, N the gas number density in cm?3) up to 320?10?17 v cm2. The zero-field reduced mobility of the ions was found to be 2?53?0?02 cm2v?1s?1, the mobility of the ions increasing above E/N = 30?10?17 and decreasing above E/N = 220?10?17. The ions are shown to have remained within 5% of thermal equilibrium with the gas molecules for E/Nless, similar25?10?17. The variations of drift velocity and lateral diffusion with E/N are compared with other available data.


IN THE latest edition of Cicero's Somnium Scipionis by Ziegler (Leipsic, 1929) very little attention is paid to the thirteenth-century Greek translation of the text by Maximus Planudes. In fact, in only one place does Ziegler use it as the source of an emendation. Of the earlier editions, those to which I have had access, namely, that of Osann (Gottingen, 1847) and of Jan (Quedlinburg and Leipsic, 1848), while they record an occasional variation in Planudes' version, never attempt a constructive study to determine what evidence his divergences may present for variants and improvements of the Latin text. Such is the purpose of this paper. The text of Planudes on which this study is based is a transcript made in Florence by myself of Cod. Laur. Ashburnhamensis 1641, a paper manuscript in a small and graceful fifteenth-century hand, with few abbreviations and very few obvious errors of reading. I shall present first several noteworthy readings derived from Planudes' version and not supported by any one Latin manuscript.


We show that every n-point tree metric admits a (1 + e)-embedding into l1C(e) log n, for every e > 0, where C(e) ≤ O ((1/e)4 log 1/e)). This matches the natural volume lower bound up to a factor depending only on e. Previously, it was unknown whether even complete binary trees on n nodes could be embedded in l1O(log n) with O(1) distortion. For complete d-ary trees, our construction achieves C(e) ≤ O (½e2).


Abstract : Response of the flow variables to external driving forces is non-linear for shear flows. For the turbulent boundary layer case, surface shear stress fluctuations of magnitude as great as the mean value are observed. For flow near the surface Prandtl's turbulent boundary layer approach of employing averaged Reynolds equation and a turbulence closure model is insufficient to account for surface shear fluctuations. A model which incorporates a discrete time dependent solution for the inner region of the turbulent boundary layer is proposed. The model requires stochastic averaging of the time dependent solution to account for the random aspect of the flow. The physical model for the flow near the surface is based on the bursting cycle observed in the inner region of a turbulent boundary layer. In order to confirm the time dependent model assumptions, measurements of the probability distribution and cross-correlation of the longitudinal turbulent velocity and the surface shear stress were evaluated. Results show that the mean value of surface shear and the large magnitude fluctuations of surface shear stress were reduced significantly. The variation in surface shear was found to be extremely sensitive to slight angle of attacks of the plates.


In tropical countries like Thailand, a defect called soda bloom is a common problem for glass manufacturers, particularly in a rainy season. Soda bloom occurs from the reaction between sodium in glass surfaces and water in the atmosphere. The presence of soda bloom depends directly on the hydrolytic resistance of glass. The poorer hydrolytic resistance is the more and easier soda bloom generates. Surface treatments are very promising for improving the hydrolytic resistance of glass surface. The purpose of this project was to find the treatment method that was not expensive but effective. 2.5wt% of alum (KAl(SO4)2·12H2O)), 5wt% of alum, 5%wt of citric acid (C6H8O7), 5wt% of ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 and 5wt% of acetic acid (CH3COOH) were used as solutions for surface treatments. The glass were rinsed by the solutions then cleaned and dried at 110 °C for 20 minutes. Results of the hydrolytic test (ISO 4802-1) showed that 5wt% of alum gave the most satisfying result. For the untreated glass, the consumption of 0.01M HCl solution per 100 ml of the extraction solution was 2.5 ml, while the treated glass with 5wt% of alum is only 0.9 ml. This indicated the decrease of leached sodium, in other words, the increase of hydrolytic resistance with only 0.05% margin increasing.


The Regional Transportation District (RTD) FasTracks Program is a multi‐billion dollar transit expansion plan to build 122 miles of new commuter rail and Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines, and 18 miles of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in the Denver region.


Abstract One new compound (1) and fifteen known phenolic compounds (2–16) were isolated and identified from the roots and rhizomes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, including ten flavonoids, four coumarins, and two benzofurans compounds. Their structures were identified by NMR and MS analysis. Most of these compounds showed weak PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory activities with the inhibition ratios from 30 to 65% at 100 uM. To our knowledge, it is the first time that their PD-1/PD-L1 inhibition activities were reported. Graphical Abstract


Mongu was selected for a PLACE study because data from antenatal clinics and official projections suggest that the level of HIV prevalence in Mongu is high. HIV prevalence among pregnant women attending antenatal care was 28.2% in 2004. Official projections estimate an overall prevalence in Mongu district around 21% in 2006. Urban Mongu a provincial capital has an active harbor and many markets and serves as a crossroads for commerce and trade. Increasingly large numbers of people from other parts of Zambia neighboring countries and international tourists pass through Mongu every year. Business men tradesmen migrants and tourists meet and socialize with each other and with the local population and this social mixing can create opportunities for HIV transmission. While the focus of the study was in the provincial capital of Mongu anecdotal reports and discussions with key stakeholders suggested that fish camps along the Zambezi River were also likely areas of high risk behavior for transmission of HIV. Therefore a sample of individuals from four fish camps in Mongu District were interviewed as part of this PLACE study. (excerpt)


One of important tasks in link allocation policies in multirate circuit switched loss models is sharing of link capacity between service classes. For quality of service guarantees the most interesting are sharing policies that maximize throughput and keep the per-class blocking probabilities under some GoS constraints. In this work is suggested a model and associated computational technique for compression on partial overlap ATM transmission link to which CBR/VBR and ABR classes offer calls. A model with two parallel queues is under investigation where each queue is receiving traffic flows with standard distributions. The aim research is to investigate the compression of the cluster classes, which takes into account blocking probability constraints for the CBR/VBR calls and a throughput constraint for the ABR calls and is minimizing blocking probability during compression. The examples for a network with 70 steady states prove the efficiency of the compression technique.


Threat analysis of voting systems is an increasing field of interest. While it is important to verify the system itself, it has been found that certain vulnerabilities only become apparent when taking a "system-based" view, i.e. considering interactions between the various components of a scheme. In this paper we apply a model for systembased analysis [22] to carry out a systematic threat analysis of the ThreeBallot voting system [18] and Pret a Voter [8].


Loblolly pine seedlings were grown under flooded and drained conditions in a greenhouse pot study. Flooded roots developed aerenchyma tissue within the stele between the xylem poles, extending from...


This paper aims to examine the existing relationship between the prices of different stocks traded in the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) and the Tanzanian Shillings – United States dollar exchange rates (TZS/USD). In this study, we use the daily data sets covering a period of six years from August 15, 2011 through July 28, 2017 making 1455 observations. Vector Autoregressive (VAR) – Granger Causality model is employed accompanied with several tests conducted on the variables and the model itself. The findings conclude that, there is a short-term association between Stock Prices (SP) and Exchange Rates (ExR). Additionally, Stock Prices Granger Causes Exchange Rates as evidenced by Granger Causality and the Impulse test. These findings are supported by the fact that shocks in the Exchange Rates have no effect in the Stock Prices. This could mean that an investor can invest in short term at the DSE.


We measured both the differential cross section ($\sigma_{p,p^\prime}$ $=d^2\sigma/d\Omega dE_{x}$) and the $\gamma$-ray emission probability ($R_\gamma(E_x)$ $=\sigma_{p,p^\prime\gamma}$/$\sigma_{p,p^\prime}$) from the giant resonances excited by $\rm^{12}C$(\textit{p,p}$^\prime$) reaction at 392 MeV and 0$^\circ$, using a magnetic spectrometer and an array of NaI(Tl) counters. The absolute value of $R_\gamma(E_x)$ was calibrated by using the well-known $\gamma$-ray emission probability from $\rm^{12}C^* ( 15.11$ MeV, $ 1^+$, $T=1$) and $\rm^{16}O^* ( 6.9$ MeV, $2^+$, $T=0$) states within 5\% uncertainty. We found that $R_\gamma(E_x)$ starts from zero at $E_x=16$ MeV, increases to a maximum of 53.3$\pm$0.4$\pm$3.9\% at $E_x=27$ MeV and then decreases. We also compared the measured values of $R_\gamma(E_x)$ with statistical model calculation based on the Hauser-Feshbach formalism in the energy region $E_x=$ 16-32 MeV and discussed the features of $\gamma$-ray emission probability quantitatively.


In recent decades, one of the main management's concerns of professional engineers is the optimal integration of various types of renewable energy to the grid. This paper discusses the optimal allocation of one type of renewable energy i.e. wind turbine to the grid for enhancing network's performance. A multi-objective function is used as indexes of the system's performance, such as increasing system loadability and minimizing the loss of real power transmission line by considering security and stability of systems' constraints viz.: voltage and line margins, and eigenvalues as well which is representing as small signal stability. To solve the optimization problems, a new method has been developed using a novel variant of the Genetic Algorithm (GA), specifically known as Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm II (NSGA-II). Whereas the Fuzzy-based mechanism is used to support the decision makers prefer the best compromise solution from the Pareto front. The effectiveness of the developed method has been established on a modified IEEE 14-bus system with wind turbine system, and their simulation results showed that the dynamic performance of the power system can be effectively improved by considering the stability and security of the system.


This paper is dedicated to the study of prenosological status of students under influence of low-frequency electromagnetic radiation. The hygienic description of main external and internal sources of low-frequency electromagnetic fields has been given; subjective reaction of organism to low-frequency electromagnetic fields in real living conditions with the use of physiological and hygienic research methods has been studied.


The wholly aromatic liquid-crystalline polyester resin compound and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. Disclosed is a wholly aromatic liquid-crystalline polyester resin compound comprises at least one of polyethylene-based resin and a polypropylene resin as an additive. In addition, the method of manufacturing wholly aromatic liquid-crystalline polyester resin compound is disclosed comprising the step of adding at least one of a polyethylene-based resin and a polypropylene resin as an additive.


We introduce two types of generalized θ-contraction mappings in complete metric spaces. For each type, we study the existence of fixed points. The obtained results in this paper generalize several existing fixed point theorems in the literature. We end this work with some open questions. c ©2017 All rights reserved.


We report two cases of x-linked dominant hypophosphatemic rickets involving a man and his daughter. The family tree consists of 44 members with 13 of them having short stature and bowing of the lower limbs. The study of this family tree strongly suggests an x-linked dominant inheritance.


P s Q i Methods: A cross-sectional study of subjects recruited prospectively from January to November 2019 in the neurootology department of a tertiary/quaternary city teaching hospital. Twelve adults, (age 19-55 years; 6 women) presenting with unilateral hearing loss were investigated with a fitted adhesive fixed bone-conduction device. Tests of sound field 4 frequency (500, 1000, 2000, and 3000 Hz) averaged pure tone audiometric hearing thresholds, pitch pattern test (PPT), and duration pattern test (DPT) scores were performed under 3 conditions: (1) unaided without masking noise, (2) unaided with masking noise in the normal-hearing ear, and (3) aided with masking noise in the normal-hearing ear. The nonparametric Wilcoxon's signedranks test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Results showed that under condition 1, the median (interquartile range [IQR]) aided pure tone audiometric average at 4 frequencies (PTA4), percentage accuracy of DPT and PPT were 21.9 dB hearing level (HL; IQR = 5.4), 94% (IQR = 12%), and 96% (IQR = 7%), respectively. Under condition 2, the above outcomes were 36.9 dB HL (IQR = 7.2), 0% (IQR = 0%), and 0% (IQR = 0%), respectively. Under condition 3, the outcomes were 28.1 dB HL (IQR = 4.7), 46% (IQR = 27%), and 30% (IQR = 15%), respectively. and significantly improved compared with condition 2 (P < .01). Conclusions: An adhesive affixed bone-conduction hearing aid can improve auditory temporal processing in patients with unilateral hearing loss.


When Lev Tolstoi emerged as a religious teacher in the 1880s, taking a sharply polemical stance against the Orthodox faith, the leadership of the Russian church groped for ways and means to stem the spread of the pernicious new heresy among the Russian public. The most ambitious but also the most disastrous attempt was made in 1901 when the synod promulgated an official pronouncement (poslanie) against him. This document, which created a worldwide scandal, was undertaken by the church itself and not, as has been widely assumed, at the instigation of the state authorities. In its poslanie the synod declared that Tolstoi could not receive an Orthodox burial unless he repented. This strategy badly backfired, since Tolstoi under no circumstances wanted such a burial and therefore made no move toward repentance. At the same time many Russians, including fervent believers, felt that the church itself with its requiem ban had sinned against the Christian injunction of all-embracing love. When Tolstoi died in 1910 and the burial issue became acute, the synod strenuously, but unsuccessfully, searched for a way out of its predicament.


The strategy of "maximal reasoning+least variables" to solve 3D geometric constraint loop satisfaction problem is presented. The approach of DOF propagation can recognize the geometric constraint loops in the dynamic process of solving constraints. The method of geometric reduction simplifies the loop to a reducibility tree and clarifies the structure of the loop. The vector loop model with the least variables contained in the constraint equations is created. The variables have unambiguous geometric meaning, so it is easy to assign the initial value to the variables to cope with multi solution and under constrained problems.


Characteristic types of reductive elimination reactions involving transition-metal complexes have been revealed on the basis of a review of the literature data.


The present invention provides an adsorbent capable of without causing the elution of the impurity in the liquid or gas, high water permeability, absorption of trace components in liquid, gas in tugiryang, concentration, separation, removed. The present invention is a thermoplastic resin particles having no functional group having the adsorption capacity, the functional group having an ability to adsorb the polymer chain through grafting of the mixture of the sintered body with the resin particles bonded to the surface thereof. Sintered body, the resin particles, the adsorption capacity, the graft polymerization


INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is a malignant endocrine tumor. Due to high tumor recurrence rate, the post-operative disease-free survival of ACC is low. Our research aims to explore the role of Emerging immune checkpoint gene, B7-H3, in the prognosis prediction of ACC. METHODS: Clinical and genetic data of ACC were retrieved from the ACC dataset of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database (n=75). The retrospective analysis of 65 patients diagnosed with adrenocortical carcinoma between 2009 and 2017 in our hospital was performed. The archived, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were collected for Immunohistochemical(IHC) analysis of B7-H3. Kaplan-Meier curve method and log-rank test were used in survival analyses. RESULTS: The expression level of B7-H3 was significantly correlated with overall survival (HR=2.4, P = 0.033) and disease-free survival (HR=3.7, P=0.00049) of ACC patients. Also, the higher expression of B7-H3 was associated with advanced pathological stage of ACC (P = 0.0276). Furthermore, the analyses of B7-H3-related IHC score validated the positive correlation between B7-H3 and multiple clinical features, such as OS, tumor stage, local recurrence and distant metastases of ACC (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: B7-H3 plays a crucial role in ACC. The high expression of B7-H3 suggests poor prognosis of ACC patients. Its potential molecular mechanisms warrant further investigation. Source of Funding: none


The editorial touches upon the problem of the possible impact of COVID-19 on CKD patients, mediated by the forced reorganization of the health care system in a whole, the redistribution of its resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lack of regular outpatient monitoring, delayed diagnosis and therapy in patients with kidney dysfunction are factors of adverse clinical outcomes - accelerated disease progression, ESKD development and the need for KRT, life-threatening complications, reduced quality of life and survival. The data of a pooled analysis of the impact of the pandemic on specialized renal care and its availability in a number of regions of the Northwest Federal District of Russia and the Moscow Region are presented: a fall in hospital admissions, outpatient consultations and a decrease in the use of hospital beds (on average, by 37 %, 40 % and 32 %, respectively). Principles and conditions of the functioning of health systems associated in the COVID-19 pandemic have been discussed. The main approaches to maintaining the standard level of renal patients care have been formulated, aimed at preventing an unfavorable patient-oriented CKD outcomes.


Dysmenorrhea is the most common gynecological problem among females and it is defined as cramping pain in the lower abdomen occurring just before or during menstruation.Despite the high prevalence, dysmenorrhea is often poorly treated, and even disregarded, by health professionals, pain researchers, and the women themselves, who may accept it as a normal part of the menstrual cycle.This problem occurs because of luxurious life,lack of physical exercise,oily ,spicy and salty constituents of food.Due to laziness,eating and timepass habbits females do not take care of their personal hygiene.This subject is chosen because females are suffered by this problem commonly and it's enough to disturb the daily work ,in this subject I explained that what diet must be taken in this menstrual phase to avoid other complications.


This research quested for dent and/or scratch problem in spindle motor for a hard disk drive industry. It initiated the vital few of cost of poor quality in the sample company. The Alpha-1 at OD position, spindle motor's model, in rotor assembly process was the scope of this study which can reflect the problem. The proportion, dent and/or scratch at OD position of total production input, was 710 ppm and management aimed at 280 ppm. Principal Component Analysis founded the first component contributed for 75.6% of total variation. The subjective interpretation of contributor was human error. To achieve the target, problem must be reduced 60.8% of total problem which mathematically implied 80.4% of total human error. The research journey started at measurement system evaluation and analysis which founded those effectiveness indices of measurement system, dent and scratch at OD position, were unacceptable in both of miss alarm (IMISS) indices and false alarm (IFA) indices. To eliminate the causes from measurement, method of inspection was improved and operators were retrained after improvement. In RCA part, human error was analyzed by system approach. It generated the hypothesizes which were physical fatigue of operators, circadian rhythm of operators, work environment between morning shift and night shift, lack of an accountability system, the difference method between machines and the difference skill of operators from team rotation. The 2Proportion test was implemented to prove the causes from human error. The study founded that the difference skill of operators from team rotation and lack of an accountability system was significant for improvement. The P-Values of the average proportion of dent and/or scratch at OD position were 0.0001 and 0.0019 respectively. In order to counter the causes, operation was redesigned to reduce skill-related work and process of accountability was fulfilled in operation. The result of these countermeasures shall reduce the operation which relies on operators' skill and shall increase human awareness. The average proportion of dent and/or scratch, OD position, shall approximately achieve the target at 276 ppm.


The paper addresses the problem of the practical stabilisation of manipulation robots which are in the contact with a dynamic environment. The model uncertainties represent the crucial problem in the control of robots within such tasks. Therefore, it is of practical interest to require a relaxed stability condition, the so-called practical stability of the system. A new method for analysis of a practical stability of robots is presented following the basic idea of a decomposition/aggregation method for the stability analysis of large-scale systems. The objective of the paper is to establish for the first time less conservative conditions for the practical stability of the robots around the programmed motion and interaction forces with the environment. The approach appears to be particularly suitable for the analysis of the so-called decentralised control laws. The elaborated procedure is demonstrated on an example.


By investigating the early Australian feature films, through the Australian Copyright Act 1905, begins a discussion on the emerging industrialisation of patent and copyright law, which did not recognise celluloid pictures as matter that could be copyrighted. With the Act formed to provide authors greater powers to stop the proliferation of degraded versions of their work, film-makers came to adaptation as a strategy to legally protect their moving pictures from copyright infringements. By concentrating on the Australian cinema's early tradition of adaptation, during the nascent period of film production (1906–1911), in this article, I will discuss how film-makers at, and outside of, the cinema were encouraged to engage with feature films as adaptation – and what this culturally meant. In a time of uncontrolled piracy and plagiarism 'rip offs', adaptations of popular works became a means for producers to copyright their films. And it was through this Act that the tradition of Australian adaptation began. By investigating the industrial factors behind where, why and how this tradition was culturally and socially shaped will identify by what means adaptation was spawned from the industry of copyright in a time where film-makers were trying to distinguish their works in a crowded field of film production and exhibition.


A structure is simple, the mounting is convenient, low manufacturing cost, widely applicable to various types of cranes, moreover, provide the crane boom having a cooperative structure to improve the strength and stability of the entire crane boom. The invention relates to the arm portions includes an interlocking portion and the support structure, wherein the arm portion is fixedly connected with harmony with the interlocking portion, the upper end of the support structure upper end sides of the arm portion to be fixedly connected, the lower end of the support structure is fixedly connected to the lower end of the corresponding side of the interlocking portion, corresponding side of the intermediate portion sides and interlocking portions of clause arms of the support structure providing cooperative structure of the crane boom which is fixedly connected to a connection point between. .Field


Highly ordered single-crystal films of cubic zinc sulphide are grown epitaxially on silicon substrates by sublimation in u.h.v. The electro-optic coefficients are measured using a sensitive a.c. method and values of r41 up to 6.73×10-13 mV-1 are reported.


Objective: It is to assess clinical effect in rheumatoid arthritis patients with Bitongkang pill plus nonsteroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) therapy compared with NSAIDS alone. Methods: One hundred and thirty two active rheumatoid arthritis patients were randomly divided into Bitongkang pill group and control group. All the patients were followed up twelve weeks. Results: The overall response rate in Bitongkang pill group was 88% and that in control group was 65%. There was significant difference between the two groups ( P 0.001). The Bitongkang pill group had a great improvement than the control group ( P 0.05). Conclusion: Bitongkang pill therapy is effective for the active rheumatoid arthritis patients in the improvement of clinical symptom.


Today video is being used in different facets supporting the e-learning experience. With
a resurging interest and reduced barriers of entry to experience virtual and augmented reality
applications, 360-degree video technology is becoming relevant as an option to produce and
consume content for VR/AR applications. 360-degree video offers new features, which can prove
useful in teaching & learning scenarios with a need for self directed control of view direction,
immersion and a feeling of presence. Current adoptions of 360-degree videos are integrated
manually for specialized activity-oriented learning scenarios. However, in order to adopt 360-
degree video on a larger scale, a sufficient technical integration is required and knowledge of
application scenarios needs to be communicated. To approach this challenge, workflow steps are
analyzed, challenges are identified and scenarios are described in the context of creating 360-
degree video content for higher education. We identify open gaps, which need to be addressed in
order to integrate 360-degree video technology in an automated video processing tool chain.


Abstract In this article, Weingarten's (2000) ideas about witnessing are applied to the events and aftermath of September 11, 2001. A discussion that occurred among marriage and family therapy faculty, supervisors, and students about the events of September 11 is examined from a systemic perspective. Structure, process, and patterns are identified through participants' responses on a questionnaire as well as the author's experience. Witnessing is seen as a collaborative, systemic process of creating hope, affected by structure and social context. Implications and reflections are also discussed.


The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for manufacturing a reforming fuel by adding water to a fuel oil which provide a reforming fuel having high versatility and stabilized atomization and state. The manufacturing apparatus comprises a water tank, an ultrasound or electric field generation chamber, a fuel oil tank, a mixing tank for stirring and mixing the water and the fuel oil, and one or more coupling chambers in which the mixed fuel oil passes through. The reforming oil manufactured can suppress the generation of nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), or particulate matters (PM) generated by the combustion of fuel oil, thereby can reduce the environmental load.


This paper presents two neural network design strategies for incorporating a pri-ori knowledge about a given problem into the feedforward neural networks. These strategies aim at obtaining tractability and reliability for solving complex classiica-tion problems by neural networks. The rst type strategy based on multistage scheme decomposes the problem into manageable ones for reducing the complexity of the problem , and the second type strategy on multiple network scheme combines incomplete decisions from several copies of networks for reliable decision-making. A preliminary experiment of recognizing on-line handwriting characters connrms the superiority relative to a single large neural network classiier.


By observing the failure behavior of the recorded survival data, we aim to compare the different processing approaches or the effectiveness of the devices or systems applied in this non-parametric statistical test. We'll apply the proposed strategy of used better than aged in Laplace (UBAL) transform order, which assumes that the data used in the test will either behave as UBAL Property or exponential behavior. If the survival data is UBAL, it means that the suggested treatment strategy is effective, whereas if the data is exponential, the recommended treatment strategy has no negative or positive effect on patients, as indicated in the application section. To guarantee the test's validity, we calculated the suggested test's power in both censored and uncensored data, as well as its efficiency, compared the results to other tests, and then applied the test to a variety of real data.


In this paper,we show the following basic separation theorem: let(S,χ) be a random normed module over the scalar field K with base (Ω,A,μ)(a σfinite measure space),G S a closed Mconvex set and p0∈S\G, then there exists a nonzero a.s.bounded random linear functional f∶SL(μ,K)such that(Ref)(p0)?弄ゞ∈G(Ref)(g).


To the Editor: We read with interest the article by Sanavia et al (1) published in the recent issue of Critical Care Medicine. This prospective study was conducted over a period of 4 years in a tertiary care PICU involving 100 children in the age group of 1 month to 16 years admitted to PICU and who received continuous IV infusion of sedative or analgesic drugs for greater than 4 days. The authors designed a sedative and analgesic drug rotation protocol and monitored the level of sedation, analgesia, and withdrawal syndrome with appropriate scales and studied the relationship between compliance to the protocol and the prevalence of withdrawal syndrome. In only 35% of cases, the sedative and analgesic drug protocol was followed properly and 67% had withdrawal syndrome. In the cohort of children in whom the protocol was followed properly, there was a lower prevalence of withdrawal syndrome (34.3% vs 84.6%; p < 0.001), shorter duration of PICU stay (16 vs 25 d; p = 0.003); and shorter duration of infusion of opioid (5 vs 7 d for fentanyl; p = 0.004), benzodiazepines (5 vs 9 d; p = 0.001), and propofol (4 vs 8 d; p = 0.001). The results of the study by Sanavia et al (1) are impressive and an important contribution to the literature available on the use of sedation and analgesia in critically ill children. There are a few concerns about the study by Sanavia et al (1) in addition to those highlighted by Traube (2) in the editorial. As the study was conducted over 4 years and it is a well-known that efficacy changes over time, it is important to know whether the same team was involved throughout the study period. If multiple teams were involved, how did the authors ensure the training and continuum of care as per protocol? This can lead to selection bias in sicker patients or patients requiring multiple interventions may have difficulty in following a drug rotation protocol. It is the standard practice to monitor for sedation and pain score for any child in PICU who is on mechanical ventilation and sedation-analgesia infusion. The authors have aptly used the COMFORT score for sedation and Sophia Observation withdrawal Symptom scale for pain assessment. However, it is not clear what was the target COMFORT score and how many children achieved the target of both the scores. Authors have not discussed the severity of illness, organ dysfunction, and interventions required in their cohort. These factors can have a direct association with length of PICU stay as shown by Pollack


The inevitably low value of glycerol has led to extensive investigations on glycerol conversion to value-added derivatives. The esterification of glycerol with oleic acid is currently a very important industrial process. In this work, a novel heterogeneous acid catalyst featuring hydrophobic surface is developed on modified ZrO2–SiO2 support as water-tolerant solid acid catalyst is vital for biphasic esterification reactions that produce water. The novel ZrO2–SiO2–Me&Et-PhSO3H catalyst was prepared through silication and surface modification with trimethoxymethylsilane and 2-(4-chlorosulfonylphenyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane. This work showed that it is possible to control the acidity and hydrophobicity of the catalyst by tailoring the amount of surface modification agents. It was found that the hydrophobicity of the catalyst decreased as its acidity increased. Furthermore, at constant catalyst acidity, the more hydrophobic catalyst showed a better yield.


Acute ataxia in childhood is often caused by toxin ingestion. With the increasing number of paediatric patients on antiretroviral medication, we are seeing more side-effects of these drugs. We report two cases of efavirenz toxicity causing ataxia.


The present study aimed to evaluate the PCR assays (using Universal and specific primers) for detection of the major pathogens of bubaline subclinical mastitis directly from 160 buffaloes milk samples compared to bacterial examination. The bacteriological examinations showed incidence of 23.75%, 15.62%, 3.12% and 0.62% for E. coli, S. aureus, S. agalactiae and S. dysgalactiae respectively. PCR was better in sensitivity and specificity than the conventional culture as it detected more positive results in culturally negative milk samples. The level of sensitivity achieved in our experiments (5x10 1 CFU/ml of milk) is applicable to milk sample analysis without sample enrichment. The results suggest that PCR assay especially the one working with universal primers could be used as an alternative method in routine diagnosis for rapid, sensitive, and specific simultaneous detection of E. coli, S. aureus, S. agalactiae and S. dysgalactiae in milk samples. (Journal of American Science 2010; 6(10):652-660). (ISSN: 1545-1003).


This study was performed in order to evaluate the irradiative effect of Nd: YAG laser on surface anesthesia. Eleven students at Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine participated in this study as subjects. Experimental sites were gingivobuccal areas of mandibular canines. The right area was irradiation site, and the left area was control site without irradiation. A pulsed Nd: YAG laser was applied to the areas coated with indian ink, twice for 30 seconds, using 120mJ pulses at 10pps. The judgement of the effect was made through the measurement of the penetrating distance of 30G catridge needle, and the measurement was performed immediately after the irradiation and after a week. The efficasy of pain was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The mean penetrating distance of needle at the irradiation sites revealed 3.8±1.4mm (Mean±SD) at immediately after the irradiation compared to the control sites 1.7±0.9mm, and in 6 cases needle was inserted into periosteum without pain. There was a significant difference (p<0.01) between the irradiation sites and the control sites. The VAS value revealed 2.7±2.9 at the irradiation sites, and 4.2±2.6 at the control sites. The penetrating distance of needle at the irradiation site after a week revealed 0.6 ± 0.4mm, and at the control sites of 1.6±1.0mm. The anesthetic effect of the irradiation of Nd: YAG laser was lost after a week. It was suggested that the irradiation of Nd: YAG laser has anesthesic effect on gingival surface, and that the effect will disappear within 1 week.


The invention relates to a method and apparatus for reducing a color error band (color error band) generated by the sudden brightness difference between sub-pixels in the video signal display apparatus. Formed of a plurality of pixels, according to one embodiment of the invention wherein the pixel displays an image signal from the image display device composed of at least two sub-pixel is a pixel belonging to an edge portion of the image from the input image sensing, and a step of changing the pixel value of the sub-pixels constituting the pixel belonging to the edge portion, and a step of driving the display according to the changed pixel value. RGB, LCD, PDP, display, color error bands


An investigation was made on a way to put bean-curd refuse (okara) to practical use in moulding vessels and other utensils. The mixture of bean-curd refuse, pulp (fibres of paper) and calcium hydroxide in the ratios 100 : 10 : 5 (by dry weight) was suspended in 200 times its volume of water and heated at 50 to 80 °C for more than two hours. Some vessels or utensils were moulded from the residue of the filtered mixture and dried in a drying oven. The resulting products exhibited desirable characteristics — light, hard and waterproof, and had adequate strength for use for vessels such as gardening pots or dishes for serving food. Moreover, they degraded within about three months when buried underground. The products are not only suited to the practical use of bean-curd refuse but are also friendly to the environment. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Dynamic asset rating (DAR) is one of the number of techniques that could be used to facilitate low carbon electricity network operation. Previous work has looked at this technique from an asset perspective. This paper focuses, instead, from a network perspective by proposing a dynamic network rating (DNR) approach. The models available for use with DAR are discussed and compared using measured load and weather data from a trial network area within Milton Keynes in the central area of the U.K. This paper then uses the most appropriate model to investigate, through a network case study, the potential gains in dynamic rating compared to static rating for the different network assets-transformers, overhead lines, and cables. This will inform the network operator of the potential DNR gains on an 11-kV network with all assets present and highlight the limiting assets within each season.


A critical review of writings on this subject reveals that the effect of certain Islamic injunctions on aggregate consumption has been studied within Keynesian consumption theory, no attempt being made to come up with an alternative theory. Refuting the conclusions of some previous writers, it is established that while the effects of zakah and infaq (charitable spending) on consumption, ceteris paribus, are expansionary, and that of Islamic moderation contractionary, the net effect cannot be determined a priori. It depends on empirical values of some parameters. Sensitivity analysis performed on likely values of relevant parameters, confirms that the net effect of Islamic injunctions on the marginal propensity to consume will be neutral.


Accurate prediction of pan evaporation (Ep) is critical for water resource management. This article investigates the capabilities of three different soft computing methods at estimating monthly Ep at six stations in the Yangtze River Basin using climatic factors, including the air temperature (Ta), solar radiation (Rg), air pressure (Pa) and wind speed (Ws) for the period of 1961–2000. The first part of the study focused on testing and comparing model accuracy levels at each station using local input combinations. The results indicate that the fuzzy genetic (FG) model generally produces better results than adaptive neuro‐fuzzy inference systems with grid partition (ANFIS‐GP) and M5 model tree (M5Tree) specifications in terms of the root mean square error , mean absolute error and coefficient of determination values. The performance of the above models was also examined using cross‐station applications (estimating Ep without local input or output data) in the second part of the study. The third part focused on estimating Ep using generalized FG, ANFIS‐GP and M5Tree models. Collectively, the results demonstrate that the FG model can be successfully used to estimate Ep without any local inputs and outputs and that a single generalized FG model can also be used at six different locations.


This paper introduces the Euclidean, Hamming, and the generalized distance measures for picture fuzzy soft sets and discusses their properties. The numerical examples of decision-making and pattern recognition are focused. We also develop a robust VIKOR method for PFSSs. The relative and precise ideal picture fuzzy values (PFVs), robust factors and ranking indexes are defined. Different algorithmic procedures of robust VIKOR based on the relative and precise ideal PFVs, relative and precise robust factor, precise and picture fuzzy weights and relative and precise ranking indexes are proposed. In the end, the investment problem is solved by using the proposed method.


This article explores whether allowing such expansive arbitration is a wise idea for the United States (and other western democracies). Like all arbitration, religious arbitration starts with a contract to arbitrate, but frequently does not invoke the law of the United States as the law to be used to resolve disputes, but instead allows parties to resolve disputes according to their own religious principles, both procedurally and substantively. The article is organized into two substantive parts. One part explores the strengths and weaknesses of the seven arguments against faith-based arbitration, which are (1) one law for one people; (2) religious arbitration produces substantive injustice; (3) religious arbitration produces procedural injustice; (4) religious arbitration is often subtly coercive to its members; (5) liberal society has a difficult time policing religious arbitration; (6) enforcement of religious arbitration sometimes violates people's rights to religious freedom; and (7) allowing religious arbitration promotes isolation and non-integration of religious communities. The next part explains and criticizes the five arguments in favor of religious arbitration, which are (1) religious arbitration is a religious freedom imperative; (2) religious arbitration can resolve some commercial disputes more accurately than secular courts can; (3) religious arbitration is the only way to resolve certain religious problems; (4) secular regulation of religious arbitration helps moderate and integrate religion; and (5) religious arbitration promotes value sharing between religious and secular cultures and as such enriches public discourse. The article concludes with an endorsement of the value of religious arbitration subject to reasonable procedural and substantive limitations.


This paper analyzes the effects of gamification in the social network of a massive online course. An educational social-networking platform gathered information about the contributions of participants and about the social networks that were formed during the course. A gamification layer with three game elements (points, badges, and leaderboard) was then implemented in the online learning platform. Social network analysis (SNA) and principal component analysis (PCA) were used to analyze the differences between a treatment and a comparison group (N = 591 and N = 427), using a set of 20 variables for each participant which quantified contributions to the learning platform as well as position and influence in the social network. The results of SNA show that gamification influences the structure of the social network of the course. The results also suggest that the variables cluster similarly for each group and that the linear combination of variables called the first component (F1) is a good descriptor of students' work and position in the network. F1 can be used to build predictive models of course completion. The models show that the probability of passing the course increases more rapidly in the treatment (gamified) group.


[Objective] To explore the dangerous factors of hyperthyroid heart diseases with arrhythmia by analyzing clinical features of patients.[Methods] To analyze sex,age,progress,FT3,FT4,S-TSH and etiological factors of 293 cases of hyperthyroidism and hyperthyroid heart disease by multiple independent variable stepwise logistic regression.[Results] The cases who suffered from Graves disease or were longer progress,elder and higher FT4 had higher danger of hyperthyroid heart diseases.[Conclusions] Graves disease,longer progress,the elder and higher FT4 are the independent dangerous factors of hyperthyroid heart diseases with arrhythmia.It'll be beneficial to prevention and curing of hyperthyroid heart diseases earlier.