Working from home (WFH) is increasingly popular in Western and European developed countries. The Asians such as Japan, Hong Kong and India have followed suit and it has been growing in popularity as most occupations suitably adopt WFH. It is not uncommon that people are always searching for a quality life; better household income, more family time and lower stress level. For organizations, cost savings in facilities is the main force behind employee WFH. For employees, benefits are better work-family balance and a comfortable work. WFH studies claimed to have it all. However, a comprehensive search of relevant databases and journals primarily from the built environment shows hardly any empirical studies that examine the home offices of employees employed by organizations. This paper attempts to determine the nature of works and IT literate among quantity surveying (QS) firms in relation to WFH. The on-going study is at initial stage to embark on proposing a model of WFH for the Malaysian QS employment. A preliminary survey had been carried out to nine principals of QS firms to identify the types of task and level of information technology (IT) literacy among QS firms' employees in order to WFH. The preliminary results will form a basis of further research studies of WFH in QS employment. Keyword: Quantity Surveying (QS), Working From Home (WFH),


Olefins in FCC naphtha and LPG were converted to aromatics by using a catalyst containing NiO/HZSM-5 additive. Thus, the olefin content of FCC naphtha reduced with minimum octane loss. The performance of the catalysts with different dosages of NiO/HZSM-5 additive was studied, and comparison of catalysts with other additives, such as CoAPO-11 and APO-11/HZSM-5 complex, was conducted. The test results indicated that NiO/HZSM-5 additive was the best one for enhancing aromatization reactions in FCC process; at an additive adding dosage of 5% the olefin content of FCC naphtha decreased by 5.8 percentages and aromatics content increased by 9.7 percentages. The mechanism of coupling catalytic cracking reactions and aromatization reactions was briefly discussed.


All grey bin collections will be suspended from Monday 24th December 2018 and will re commence from Monday 7th January 2019.


Objective To investigate the characteristics of ultrasonography of hilar cholangiocarcinoma and to explore its clinical value in early diagnosis.Methods The sonographic findings and clinical appearance of 12 patients with pathological proof of hilar cholangiocarcinoma were retrospectively analysed.Results Ultrasonic features of hilar cholangiocarcinoma was divided into 4 types:papilla(1 case),round mass(5 cases),abruption(4 cases) and stenosis (2 cases).On sonography,other signs could be observed such asdilated intrahepatic bile ducts,intraductal mass at the confluence of the right and left intrahepatic ducts,enlarged portal lymph nodes,and lobar atrophy.Conclusions The ultrasonography has higher diagnostic and differential value for hilar ehotangiocarcinoma,and the application of early diagnosis should be further explored.

Key words:
Uttrasonography; Cholangiocarcinoma


ABSTRACT Objective: In the present study, confluent canals in the mandibular first molar's mesial root were investigated in an Italian population by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: A total of 200 molars, selected from the CBCT examinations of 130 patients who required this type of X-ray study as part of their dental treatment, were examined. The evaluated parameters were number of canals, root canal system configuration, presence of apical confluences, distance between confluences and apical foramina, which canal had a higher degree of curvature, and symmetry between left and right elements in the same individual. Statistical Analysis Used: Percentages of the cases were reported. Results: All the examined roots presented two canals. In 59% of cases, a Vertucci Type IV canal configuration was observed, while in 41% of cases, a Type II configuration was observed. Apical confluences were present in 41% of cases. The average distance between confluences and apical foramina was 2.85 mm. When confluences were present, the mesiobuccal canal showed a higher degree of curvature in 78% of cases. Symmetry in Vertucci configuration was seen in 88% of cases. Conclusions: Apical confluences in the mesial roots of mandibular molar can be present in a significantly high number of cases, and their recognition is essential to prevent the iatrogenic errors during canal instrumentation.


When designing a building, an experienced architect implicitly applies his aggregated knowledge to the new sketch. In this early design phase, called conceptual design, most architects do not elaborate their sketches using a CAD system. They rather work with pencil and paper. Without being directly aware of, the architect considers design rules, functional requirements, economic and legal restrictions. Constructive elements, like walls, windows or doors are used with their conceptual meaning, namely to form organizational areas or rooms, to guarantee e.g. light and ventilation, or to ensure accessibility. These conceptual elements, therefore, form a functional view of the design structure which, however, is not explicitly defined. Existing CAD systems give no support for this creative conceptual design. There is no smooth transition to constructive design. The architect manually elaborates the constructive design, now using a CAD system. He replaces the functional elements of the sketch by constructive ones, e.g. ventilation by a window, the access by a door etc. The conceptual information he had in mind gets lost. Furthermore, there are many changes within the development process. E.g., if the client is not satisfied, the architect has to go back to the conceptual design. The modified conceptual data are lost again after the next transformation step. Such iterations are risky and expensive in terms of time and money.


This paper describes a general methodology for simplifying the design and analysis of BAR protocols. BAR protocols allow the participation of Byzantine, Altruistic, and Rational players. Because BAR protocols tolerate both arbitrary behaviors by some nodes and selfish behavior by the rest, they are appropriate for service and applications spanning multiple administrative domains. We focus our attention on IC-BFT protocols that (a) guarantee a set of safety and liveness properties to all non-Byzantine nodes and (b) insure that rational nodes follow the protocol faithfully. We rely on existing techniques to show that safety and liveness are maintained when all non-Byzantine nodes follow the protocol. In order to show that rational nodes follow the protocol faithfully, we decomponse the BAR game corresponding to the problem specification into a combination of a n-player benefit game and a collection of n 2-player cost games. We provide a set of sufficient properties to show that the protocol is a CBE in the benefit game and that rational nodes will thus follow the protocol faithfully. We present the first synchronous IC-BFT TRB protocol, basing our protocol design on these properties. University of Texas at Austin Computer Sciences Technical Report 06-25


Zakat is one of the pillars of Islam that must be done for all Muslims. People who fulfill zakat are called muzakki and people who receive zakat are called mustahik. However there's main problems of the Amil Zakat Agency related to distribution of zakat funds which are sometimes not fulfill on the target needed. Based on these problems, this study aims to analyze the comparison of the C4.5 and Naive Bayes algorithms for the classification of mustahik determination. The results of the study concluded that it was found that the use of the C4.5 algorithm is better than the Naive Bayes algorithm, proved by the level of accuracy starting from 75% 100%, while using the Naive Bayes algorithm the level of accuracy starts from 50% 100% and the execution time of each algorithm was similar which is 0 s. The results of the accuracy in this research are obtained through RapidMinerStudio tools using split validation.


Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) has emerged as a novel technique for the rapid and effective separation of serum proteins (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8). Recently, a multichannel automated system for CZE of human serum proteins (Paragon 2000 clinical capillary electrophoresis system; Beckman Instruments) became commercially available; this system offers a clinically reliable alternative to cellulose acetate and agarose electrophoresis. CZE has the advantage of automation, improved precision, and a faster turnaround time (6)(8).

In the conventional methods, quantification of the protein fractions is based on dye binding, whereas CZE uses ultraviolet detection at 214 nm for direct protein quantification via the peptide bonds. We asked whether intravascular agents such as radio-contrast media that absorb at 214 nm would simulate a monoclonal component on CZE.

We performed high resolution agarose electrophoresis with the Hydrasys analyzer (Sebia), using Hydragel 15 HR gels (Sebia) according to the …


New constructions of 3-dimensional optical orthogonal codes are presented. In each case the codes have ideal autocorrelation a = 0, and cross correlation of c = 1. All codes produced are demonstrated to be optimal. The constructions utilize a particular automorphism (a Singer cycle) of PG(k; q), the finite projective geometry of dimension k over the field of order q, or its affine analogue in AG(k; q).


Immunoglobulin M (IgM) nephropathy is described as mesengial proliferative glomerulonephritis with diffuse mesengial IgM deposition. We report a patient diagnosed with IgM nephropathy and concomitant autoimmune hemolytic anemia syndrome associated with cold-reacting autoantibodies. Complete remission was achieved with systemic corticosteroid and plasmapheresesis.


Chloroquine (or hydroxychloroquine hereafter referred to as chloroquine), is currently being speculated, amidst growing controversy, as a treatment method for SARSCoV-2 (also known as COVID-19). Exposure to chloroquine for individuals with disorders involving red blood cell function, such as glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, increases their risk for severe hemolytic anemia. In recent clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment with combined chloroquine and azithromycin, scientists have been cautious not to include G6PD-deficient patients. G6PD contributes significantly to the formation of ribose 5-phosphate and the production of NADPH in mature red blood cells. G6PD deficiency is one of the most common enzyme deficiency-related diseases worldwide. Its prevalence ranges between 3.8% and 5.2% in Europe and the United States. The highest reported incidence is in sub-Saharan Africa (8.5%). The disorder is also common in the Mediterranean area (7.2%). A study conducted in Lebanon in 2007 on a group of adult males showed that 22.2% of G6PD-deficient individuals were unaware of their condition. It is indeed well documented that many affected individuals may be asymptomatic and, unless investigated, may remain oblivious of the disease. Environmental factors, including some types of food (such as fava beans in the Mediterranean variants) and medications such as antimalarial drugs that exert excessive oxidative stress on the organism, can elicit an acute hemolytic anemia crisis, which would require blood transfusion. In 1996, screening for G6PD deficiency was introduced as part of the national program for neonatal screening in Lebanon. It has been shown to be highly cost effective, although nationwide implementation has been challenging with only 50% compliance over the total number of newborns. Undiagnosed G6PD deficiency may be challenging for the treatment of COVID-19. Therefore, we recommend testing for G6PD deficiency before initiating chloroquine treatment in patients with COVID-19, in order to prevent unnecessary detrimental consequences. Awareness of a potential adverse outcome should be disseminated in view of the high tendency towards self-medication often described in the Lebanese public. ORCID iD


Pacific abalone, Haliotis discus hannai, is a high commercial seafood in South-East Asia. The aim of the present study was to determine effects of cryopreservation on gene expression and post thaw sperm quality of Pacific abalone. Two ions, Na+ (459.1 ± 3.1 mM) and Cl– (515.9 ± 1.1 mM), were predominant in the seminal plasma (pH: 6.8 ± 0.1; osmolarity: 1,126 ± 3 mOsmL–1). Cryopreservation reduced mRNA expression levels of protein kinase A (PKA-C) and heat shock proteins (HSP70 and HSP90) genes in sperm. Fluorescent technique was used to compare morphological defects, acrosome integrity (AI), plasma membrane integrity (PMI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and DNA integrity of sperm cryopreserved with five different cryopreservation solutions (8% Me2SO, 8% EG, 6% PG, 2% GLY, and 2% MeOH). Droplet in tail and coiled tail defects was not observed for sperm cryopreserved with 8% Me2SO or 2% GLY. Sperm cryopreserved with 8% Me2SO showed improved DNA integrity and lower cryodamage than sperm cryopreserved with other cryoprotectants. Sperm to egg ratio of 10,000:1 was found to be the most suitable ratio for in vitro fertilization among different ratios tested. The fertilization rate of sperm cryopreserved with 8% Me2SO was not significantly (p > 0.05) different from that of sperm cryopreserved with 2% GLY. DNA fragmentation showed strongly negative relationships with sperm quality parameters. Sperm cryopreserved with 8% Me2SO showed higher post thaw quality and mRNA expression of sperm motility associated gene than those cryopreserved with other cryoprotectants. The present research suggests to use 8% Me2SO for cryopreservation of Pacific abalone sperm as well as for hatchery production.


ABSTRACT This study presents the first comparison of Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) and Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) in identifying soil salinity using soil physiochemical, spectral, statistical, and image analysis techniques. By the end of the century, intermediate sea level rise scenarios project approximately 1.3 meters of sea level rise along the coast of the southeastern United States. One of the most vulnerable areas is Hyde County, North Carolina, where 1140 km2 of agricultural lands are being salinized, endangering 4,200 people and $40 million USD of property. To determine the best multispectral sensor to map the extent of salinization, this study compared the feasibility of OLI and MSI to estimate electrical conductivity (EC). The EC of field samples were correlated with handheld spectrometer spectra resampled into multispectral sensor bands. Using an iterative ordinary least squares regression, it was found that EC was sensitive to OLI bands 2 (452 nm – 512 nm) and 4 (636 nm – 673 nm) and MSI bands 2 (457.5 nm – 522.5 nm) and 4 (650 nm – 680 nm). Respectively, the R2Adj and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.04–0.54 and 1.15 for OLI, and 0.05–0.67 and 1.17 for MSI, suggests that the two sensors have similar salinity modelling skill. The extracted saline soils make up approximately 1,703 hectares for OLI and 118 hectares for MSI, indicating overestimation from the OLI image due to its coarser spatial resolution. Additionally, field samples indicate that nearby vegetated land is saline, indicating an underestimation of total impacted land. As sea levels rise, accurately monitoring soil salinization will be critical to protecting coastal agricultural lands. MSI's spatial and temporal resolution makes it superior to OLI for salinity tracking though they have roughly equivalent spectral resolutions. This study demonstrates that visible spectral bands are sensitive to soil salinity with the Blue and Red spectral ranges producing the highest model accuracy; however, the low accuracies for both sensors indicate the need of narrowband sensors. The HyspIRI to be launched in the early 2020s by NASA may provide ideal data source in soil salinity studies.


What Lenny Bruce once said about the institution to which Roman Catholics belong—the only the Church—applies to the only the Party, and the historiographical controversies spun out of its legacy can be compressed into two questions: (a) is Communism analogous to Nazism, so that what is repugnant in the latter ought to be unforgivable in the former?, and (b) should any slack be cut to Party members who were mostly on the right side in championing the rights of workers, the claims of racial minorities and the benefits of peace? John Earl Haynes and Harvey Klehr are clear that the answers are (a) yes, and (b) no. Their book begins and ends with the insistence that the crimes of Nazism against humanity are mirrored in the record of Stalinism, and that those historians who find alibis for the policies of an anti-democratic Party to rectify the injustices of capitalism, imperialism and militarism are no more credible than the cranks engaged in denial of the Holocaust. The title of the book under review, therefore, is carefully chosen, though its authors specify other intellectual sins besides the flagrant denial of atrocity: texts are willfully misread, self-contradictions result from the struggle to face challenging evidence, the obvious is parsed or tortuously explained. In Denial is littered with cases of duplicity (whether rooted in self-deception or in conscious manipulation). Even the crime of espionage is justified in the accounts of pro-Communist scholars, whose sentiments and whose excuses regularly produce what Huck Finn called "stretchers." In Denial names names. Its targets range from historians who specialize in Communism or anti-Communism (Athan Theoharis, Ellen Schrecker, Robin D. G. Kelley) to those who made their reputations in other fields but cannot resist defending the Party (Eric Foner, Gerda Lerner). Some occupy leading perches in the profession; others are just starting out with doctoral dissertations and first books. Haynes and Klehr do not try to distinguish the views of influential voices from those whose monographs will barely register on the Richter scale. The biographies of particular agents who were run from Moscow and who were caught up in the second Red Scare are likely to be of current interest only to specialists, and a sympathetic stance toward such espionage therefore poses an ethical problem for the guild in general that is readily contained. However, more vexing are reference works, which are presumed to be authoritative. When the editors of the American National Biography (1999) assign "Rosenberg, Ethel and Julius" to a committed Communist, Norman Markowitz, who identifies them as "spies" but then discredits the archival evidence of the couple's guilt, the elusive but indispensable ideal of objectivity is besmirched. When the editors of the Encyclopedia of the American Left (1998) assign "Hiss Case" to a pro-Communist journalist named William A. Reuben, the reliability of such a reference work is torpedoed, since he traduces the proof of Hiss's guilt and includes in the bibliographic note two books by William A. Reuben but not Allen Weinstein's Perjury. Haynes and Klehr do not inspect the textbooks by which most young Americans learn about their past. However, In Denial does notice something of a generational fault in the study of the CPUSA; and of the historians who could be the children of those scholars who contributed in the 1950s to the series on Communism in American Life,


Global Climate Model, CGCM2 predicted that annual average temperature of northeastern China will rise about 3 in 2050 year, and about 6 in 2100 year, annual precipitation will change. To explore the response of Northeastern forests to the climate warming scenarios, Logistic regression models were developed to analyze the relationships between seven constructive species of northeast forest (Larix gmelinii, Pinus koraiensis, Picea jezoensis, Abies nephrolepis, Larix olgensis var. changpaiensis, Quercus mongolica, Betula platyphylla) and 11 environmental variables (annual average temperature, annual precipitation, altitude, slope, aspect, soil clay, soil silty, soil sand, soil depth, soil organic matter, soil total nitrogen). The predicted distributions of the seven species under the two global warming scenarios were derived on the logistic regression models. The result showed that in 2050, the coverage of all species would decrease in different degree, respectively. The Picea jezoensis, Abies nephrolepis would disappear. in 2100, another two species, Larix gmelinii, Pinus koraiensis would disappear. In whole, the climate warming could have great impact on the constructive species of northeast forest. Key-words:logistic regression model, constructive species, northeastern China, climate changing, CGCM2


The combinative effects of thermal annealing and additive processes on the performance of all-polymer bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells with composites of different donor polymers (PTQ1, P3HT, PTB7-Th) and poly[1,8-bis(dicarboximide)-2,6-diyl]-alt-5,5′-(2,2′-bithiophene)P(NDI2OD-T2) [PolyeraActivInk N2200] were investigated. We found that devices treated with both processes show significant improved performance compared with those treated with either process alone. To reveal the mechanism of this enhancement in device performance, the optical and electrical properties of all-polymer blends were carefully investigated in the PTQ1/N2200 system. The synergetic effect of both processes can largely enhance the polymer aggregation, especially for N2200, leading to improved absorbance, improved charge mobility, and thus higher device performance. In addition, the device efficiency can be further enhanced by postannealing which can improve the interface between the active layer and Al cathode, as revealed by ...


Background: Although bilateral same day myringoplasty scores over unilateral myringoplasty in terms of convenience and conservation of resources, it is rarely performed because of theoretical risk of postoperative sensorineural deafness. Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate single sitting bilateral myringoplasty. Materials and Methods: Twenty five patients (50 ears) opted for single sitting bilateral myringoplasty and underwent mini-endaural and permeatal routes with or without tympanomeatal flap. Other 25 patients (25 ears) opted for unilateral myringoplasty by post auricular route. Temporal fascia was used for graft by underlay technique in all patients. Results and Observations: Perforation closure was successful in 90% ears with single sitting bilateral myringoplasty and in 88% ears in the other group. Post operative assessment of hearing improvement started after 1.5 months in 90% ears of both the groups. None of the patients developed iatrogenic sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusion: Single sitting bilateral myringoplasty by any of conventional routes can be performed in most patients without much discomfort or apprehension of sensorineural hearing loss and results are comparable to that of other methods.


Note on legal citations and legal sources discrimination based on age the right to make decisions - informed consent and refusal legal interventions for incapacitated older adults regulating geriatric services and settings confidentiality - rights, responsibilities and limits family law issues and older persons legal aspects of death and dying research with older human subjects.


The corn straw were substituted partially by the good grasses according to 3∶1 ratio of sibirian wildrye grass (Elymus sibiricus L.) to smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss.) to feed 14 Holstein cows,and the milk yield and quality were measured and analyzed. The results showed that the daily intake of DM had no obvious difference between the experiment and contrast groups. However,the daily milk yield of 4% FCM increased by 8.19%,but had no significant difference. The milk crude protein and SCC had significant difference (P0.05),the milk fat percentage,lactose and DM were not different (P0.05) between the experiment and contrast groups. The daily profit of each cow in the experiment group could be increased by 2.47 yuan compared with that of the contrast group. Therefore,that the partial corn straw were substituted by the good grasses to feed cows was an efficient way which can not only improve the milk quality,but also increase the farmer's profit.


Since the late 19th century, the traditional feminine costume of Arles (Provence, France) has served as a shibboleth, a mechanism for differentiating insiders and outsiders. This article develops a new definition of shibboleth and, drawing on concepts of "descent" and "consent," suggests that different types of shibboleths might monitor the boundaries of different sorts of imagined communities. By outlining the emergence of the Arlesian costume as a shibboleth, tracing its transformation into the complex practice it is today, and describing my own experience in wearing the dress, I suggest that shibboleths can both impede and facilitate the assimilation of newcomers into a community, while encouraging conformity among community members. I CLIMBED SLOWLY up the concrete steps, lifting my heavy silk skirts and placing my feet with care. I couldn't risk tripping and dislodging my pins or, worse still, tearing my fragile costume. I paused momentarily at the threshold. This was it. In a moment they would look at me and they would know-and so would I. I had spent more than a year in Aries (Provence, France) studying the elegant local costume and documenting the diverse aspects of this complex tradition.' I had listened to Arl&siennes explain to me the significance of their costume, how it had


The optical response of a fabricated nanostructure can be used to determine distances in three dimensions. Plasmon rulers can be used to determine nanoscale distances within chemical or biological species. They are based on the spectral shift of the scattering spectrum when two plasmonic nanoparticles approach one another. However, the one-dimensionality of current plasmon rulers hampers the comprehensive understanding of many intriguing processes in soft matter, which take place in three dimensions. We demonstrated a three-dimensional plasmon ruler that is based on coupled plasmonic oligomers in combination with high-resolution plasmon spectroscopy. This enables retrieval of the complete spatial configuration of complex macromolecular and biological processes as well as their dynamic evolution.


There is growing evidence that changes in family structure, such as divorcee and remarriage, are associated with academic and psychological problems for children and that such problems vary with the age of the child. In this study, we investigated the incidence of school-related emotional and behavioral problems associated with variation in family structure in young adolescents using a large and nationally representative sample of eighth graders from the National Education Longitudinal Study of 1988 (Ingels et al., 1989b). Such problems, although more common in boys, are much more prevalent in families in which the natural mother is absent, especially in father-stepmother families. Using a multinomial-logit model, the unique association of family structure with these problems is evaluated after adjusting for demographic differences. An important finding is that interactions between the young adolescent's gender and that of the custodial parent critically influence outcomes, suggesting increased problems f...


In this study, 'concept cartoon', an alternative learning-teaching and assesment tool that is functionally useful in mathematic education, is studied. In the first part of the study, the need of 'concept cartoon' as the result of well accepted concept of mathematics education and its effects on the curriculums is mentioned. Then, the origins, structure, features and usage areas of the 'concept cartoon' are explained. In the next part, some findings and results of the some researches have been done on 'cartoon concept' usage in mathematics education is given. In the last part, eight 'concept cartoon' examples that have been proposed by the authors and which can be used in different levels of the education are proposed and some suggestions on the use of these cartoons are given.


Moringa oleifera is a natural coagulant which can be used for water treatment in tropical developing countries. This study presents the results of production of natural coagulant from processed Moringa oleifera with simple technique (oil extraction, salt extraction, and microfiltration with 0.2 μm). The optimization study on physical factors was carried out for coagulation-flocculation process. Low initial turbidity water samples (synthetic and river water) were used with turbidity less than 50 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). The response surface methodology (RSM) was used, and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed to validate the developed regression model. The residual turbidity obtained was 4.514 NTU for synthetic water and 1.598 NTU for river water by applying the optimum conditions of 40 rpm (low speed), mixing time of 41 minutes, and Moringa oleifera dosage of 0.75 mg/L.


Chemotherapeutic agents used for blood and marrow transplantation are admin istered at doses up to 10 times greater than what would be used in conventional treatment of malignancies. This aggressive use of chemotherapy, with or without concomitant radiation, is associated with multiple organ toxicities. Common, and frequently life-threatening toxicities include cardiac toxicity, veno-occlusive disease of the liver, idiopathic pneumonia, neurotoxicity, renal failure, and oral mucositis. Often these toxicities are difficult to distinguish from other treatment-related complications, such as infection. The precise mechanisms of these injuries are poorly understood, but may relate to depletion of antioxidants. Although preventative strategies do not appear to be particularly effective, prompt recognition of the problems may be life-saving.


Paper presented to the panel 'Morality, political scandals and the detachment of citizens from the political process I' at the 60th Annual Conference of the UK Political Studies Association, Edinburgh, 29 March – 1 April 2010.


The protective painting of new ships during construction by the practice of blast cleaning and ship priming is discussed. The importance of complete removal of millscale and techniques of airless blast cleaning are described. Criteria that primers must meet are given, and the advantages and disadvantages of various organic and inorganic formulations are examined. Methods of measuring film thickness and the application of subsequent paint coats are discussed. A method of calculating total primer costs is given.


Small UAS have highly constrained payload capacity, which dictates what sensors and transmitters can be selected as part of the electronics suite. We present elements of a sense and avoid (SAA) system which enables UAVs to track intruder aircraft not broadcasting ADS-B. Such SAA methods help assure safety in cases of late encounters with non-cooperative threats. This paper presents an approach to selecting a multi-modal sensor suite and fusing measurements without reliance on ADS-B broadcasts. Dubbed ASSIST (AsynchronouS Sensor fusIon SysTem) for UAS, the system fuses whatever sensors are available when ADS-B is not available, such as camera, ground-based radar (GBR) and airborne-based radar (ABR) measurements with Mode C Transponder information to achieve threat estimation accuracy similar to that obtained using ADS-B. By using the GBR as the baseline, ASSIST effectively removes both ground and aerial clutter.


Two-dimensional echocardiography is the noninvasive di agnostic technique of choice for identifying intracardiac thrombi. Left ventricular thrombi, a complication of myocardial infarction and dilated cardiomyopathy, are reasonably well visualized by conventional transthoracic echocardiography, which has surgery- and autopsy-documented sensitivity of 77% to 95% [1, 2]. However, two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiographic identification of left atrial thrombi is less successful because of the posterior location of the left atrium and frequent difficulty in imaging the atrial appendage. The sensitivity of transthoracic echocardiography for detecting left atrial thrombi is only 39% to 63% [3-5], with more limited success for identifying thrombi in the left atrial appendage. Even with modified views [6], the left atrial appendage may be visualized in less than 20% of patients [7]. Transesophageal echocardiography is a recently introduced, moderately invasive diagnostic imaging technique that allows superior visualization of posterior structures such as the left atrium and the atrial appendage. Transesophageal echocardiography is frequently done in the search for atrial thrombi among patients presenting with acute thromboembolism [8, 9]. It has also been used to exclude atrial thrombi before procedures that are considered to be associated with a higher risk for thromboembolism if atrial thrombi are present, such as percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty [10, 11] and cardioversion [12, 13]. Although small surgical series [7, 14] have suggested that the positive predictive value of transesophageal echocardiography is high, no large, consecutive, intraoperative series have been reported. We determined the accuracy of transesophageal echocardiography for identifying and excluding left atrial thrombi by doing intraoperative transesophageal studies in patients who were having cardiac surgery and in whom direct visualization of the left atrial contents was planned. Methods Patients The study sample consisted of 231 consecutive adult patients who had transesophageal echocardiographic examination before elective cardiac surgery between 1 October 1989 and 25 August 1995. Visualization of the left atrial contents was planned as part of the surgical procedure. Patients included 128 women and 103 men (mean age SD, 64 13 years). The indications for repair or replacement of the mitral valve included rheumatic mitral valve disease (86 patients), mitral valve prolapse (71 patients), ischemic mitral regurgitation (30 patients), prosthetic valve dysfunction (22 patients), endocarditis (11 patients), cardiomyopathy (3 patients), and radiation-induced mitral valve injury (1 patient). Seven additional patients were having excision of a left atrial myxoma. Eighty-three patients (36%) were experiencing atrial fibrillation at the time of transesophageal study, and 46 additional patients (20%) had a history of atrial fibrillation. Four patients were experiencing a paced rhythm and 144 patients, a sinus rhythm. Thirty-nine patients (17%) had a history of thromboembolism, and 106 patients (46%) were receiving warfarin during at least part of the month before surgery. Transesophageal Echocardiography Transesophageal echocardiography was done after induction of general anesthesia and sternotomy using a commercial 5.0-MHz monoplane (48 patients) or biplane (69 patients) probe or a 5.0/3.5-MHz multiplane probe (114 patients) and a Sonos 1000, 1500, or 2500 echocardiograph unit (Hewlett Packard Co., Medical Products Division, Andover, Massachusetts). The left atrial appendage was initially viewed in the horizontal (0-degree) plane with the tip of the probe slightly flexed; the probe was gently withdrawn until the bifurcation of the pulmonary artery was visualized. Initial imaging of the left atrial appendage in the vertical (90-degree) plane was followed by posterior and anterior rotation of the probe until the coronary sinus and aorta were visualized, respectively. Multiplane imaging was done at 0 degrees and 90 degrees as described above, followed by imaging of the left atrial appendage in the horizontal (0-degree) plane and 5- to 10-degree stepwise rotation of the imaging sector from 0 degrees to 180 degrees during continuous visualization of the appendage. An atrial thrombus was reported when at least one observer identified a well-circumscribed, echo-reflective mass that was of different texture than the atrial wall and that had a uniform consistency [15]. Spontaneous echo contrast (a marker of blood stasis) was defined as dynamic smokelike echoes within the atrium [16]. The extent of mitral regurgitation was assessed by color Doppler and graded on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). Images and Doppler data were recorded on videotape; independent decisions on the presence of a thrombus were made by an observer performing the study in the operating room and by a second observer who reviewed the videotape at a later date without knowledge of the first observer's conclusions. Both observers made decisions without knowledge of the patient's clinical history. All observers were attending physicians with extensive training and experience in transesophageal echocardiography (> 150 studies) [17]. Nine observers were used, although five observers read 91% of the studies (WJM, 34%; CAW, 21%; PS, 14%; JMH, 14%; ADM, 8%). Transesophageal echocardiographic data on the presence or absence of a thrombus were initially withheld from the surgeon unless they were considered to affect patient care (for example, a mobile thrombus in the body of the left atrium). Two hundred twenty-nine patients were studied during surgery immediately before the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass. Two patients had elective transesophageal echocardiographic study that showed left atrial appendage thrombus and that was followed within 1 week by mitral valve surgery. Transthoracic Echocardiography Data from conventional transthoracic echocardiographic examinations done within 30 days of surgery were available on 143 patients (62%). Two-dimensional imaging had been done using a Hewlett Packard Sonos 500, 1000, or 1500 combined imaging unit and a Doppler echocardiograph unit equipped with a 2.0- or 2.5-MHz phased-array transducer. The M-mode left atrial dimension was measured in the parasternal long-axis view. We considered ventricular systolic function to be abnormal if evidence suggested global or regional hypokinesis. Surgical Confirmation All patients had cardiotomy under cardiopulmonary bypass, which was done using moderate hypothermia (28 C) and aortic arterial and bicaval venous cannulation under one period of continuous aortic cross-clamping. Cold crystalloid or blood-potassium cardioplegia was administered antegrade, retrograde, or in combination every 15 to 20 minutes. In most patients, the left atrium was then entered through an incision in the interatrial groove. In patients with left atrial myxomas, the left atrium was approached either through the right atrium and atrial septum or through a biatrial incision [18]. The surgeon then visually inspected the body of the atrium and the appendage. If a thrombus was identified, its size and site were recorded. Statistical Analysis All data are expressed as the mean SD. We compared categorical variables using the chi-square test with continuity (Yates) correction for small numbers (Statview II, Abacus Concepts, Berkeley, California). We compared continuous variables using analysis of variance. In all analyses, tests were two-tailed, and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. We calculated the sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy for the identification of left atrial thrombi by transesophageal echocardiography; we used surgical identification or exclusion as the reference standard. The hospital Investigational Review Board approved the study. Results Transesophageal Echocardiography Transesophageal imaging of the body of the left atrium was done in all patients without complication. The left atrial appendage was evaluated in 229 patients. Two patients had previously had cardiac surgery, during which the appendage had been amputated. Transesophageal echocardiography identified 14 left atrial thrombi. Thrombus size ranged from 3 to 80 mm (7 patients had thrombi ranging from 3 to 10 mm, 4 had thrombi ranging from 11 to 20 mm, and 3 had thrombi that were greater than 20 mm). Eleven thrombi were confined to the atrial appendage (Figure 1, top left), 1 thrombus was located within the body of the atrium and extended into the appendage (Figure 1, top right), 1 thrombus was located entirely within the body of the left atrium (Figure 1, bottom left), and 1 thrombus was identified across the interatrial septum (Figure 1, bottom right). Three thrombi were identified with the use of the single-plane transesophageal probe. Five thrombi were identified during biplane probe examination, and 6 thrombi were seen with the use of the multiplane transesophageal probe. Ten of 11 thrombi identified with the biplane or multiplane probe were seen in both the horizontal (0-degree) imaging plane and in the vertical (90-degree) and intermediate imaging planes. One thrombus imaged during biplane examination was visualized only in the vertical plane (Figure 2) and was not apparent in the horizontal (0-degree) plane. Two of 14 left atrial thrombi were identified by only one observer. In both of these cases, thrombi were apparent on transesophageal echocardiography in the distal appendage in patients with rheumatic mitral valve disease, atrial fibrillation, and severe left atrial spontaneous contrast. These thrombi included 1 thrombus observed during monoplane study and another during biplane study. Figure 1. Transesophageal echocardiograms. Panel A. white arrow Panel B. white arrow Panel C. white arrow Panel D. white arrows Figure 2. Transesophageal echocardiograms obtained


The purpose of this research is focuses on a micro electroforming by using the UV-LIGA technology. Fabricate micro cantilever on a stainless substrate (SUS301) through lithographic technology. Electroforming of a copper sacrificial layer and stacked a nickel structure layer. Remove copper sacrificial layer after that to make a micro cantilever which suspended in midair. The parameters and .influence of the lithographic and electroforming technology are discussed. A negative photoresist JSR-120N is used in the lithographic process. Hence the process parameters of the soft bake, exposure, development and resolvability of copper sacrificial are investigated. Pulse current is used to make nickel micro cantilever in the electroforming process.. Micro cantilever structures come into being by using a copper sacrificial layer and a nickel structural layer.


This paper discusses a support system of Kaizen activity for effective sharing useful cases among multi-site factories. After the framework of the support system which consists of three basic elements, that is, Kaizen case-base, model-base and user-interface, is described quoted by Decision Support System (DSS), a design of a procedure of new case development which is put in the user-interface particularly is the focus. Furthermore, Kaizen technology applied to the new case development is Visual Management (VM) technology as one of the useful technologies. The proposed procedure consists of the following five phases: 1) identification of current burden, 2) selection of useful case, 3) new case design for improving direct burden, 4) improved designed case for enhancement of technological level and 5) improved designed case for contribution to overall system. In addition, a case study is performed to assure the relevance of the proposed procedure by put the emphasis on VM of chemical plant. Then the proposed procedure is qualified based on systematic evaluation and experts' opinion as useful method to Kaizen knowledge transfer through collaboration with a factory eager to implement VM.


In the last decade, there has been an increase in national insecurity in the country, which has resulted in many people being killed, kidnapped, and misplaced. Despite different measures put in place by the government, national security has not been well noticed in Nigeria. As a result, this study empirically examined the effect of national security on inflows of foreign direct investment in Nigeria, covering the period 2005–2021. The study measured foreign direct investment using the net inflow of foreign direct investment, while measuring national security by the budgets of external defence and internal security. Control variables are gross domestic product and trade openness. Secondary data were sourced from the CBN Statistical Bulletin and estimated using an auto-regressive distributed model. The study found that both government expenditure for external defence and internal defence had positive effects on foreign direct investment, while only government expenditure for external defence was found to significantly impact foreign direct investment in the long run at a 5% level of significance. This implies that continuous expenditure by the government to combat national insecurity would ensure a serene environment, which would assure the citizenry's desire for national security. The study concluded that national security has a significant effect on foreign direct investment in Nigeria. The study recommends that the government ensure that the expenditure on both external and internal defence is well utilised and directed to the necessary quarters to reduce insecurity, which would increase the influx of foreign direct investors in the country. Furthermore, the government should also ensure that the armed forces and paramilitary squads are well motivated to increase their morale to fight insecurity so as to ensure national security and peace of mind for all the people within the country.


The Romanian economic spectrum considered on a slightly increasing trend in the general aspects of the national economy, feels increasingly the need for a development in the cost management issue. One of the modern methods of cost calculation that can fill this gap in the Romanian business practice in management accounting is the target costing method. The overall objective of this case study is to demonstrate the applicability and usefulness of this method in the cost controlling activity, widely used in the field of managerial accounting practice in the developed economies. The financial accounting and the managerial accounting converge in terms of ultimate interest for the company, i.e. value creation and performance increase in a sustainable way. After performing the case study with real financial data, we conclude that the target costing method is applicable and particularly useful in the construction industry and the results may provide support for decision-makers.


Book review by Glenn E. Robinson of: The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict: A People's
War, by Beverley Milton-Edwards.
London and New York: Routledge, 2008.
205 pages. Chron. to p. 209. Bibl. to p. 222.
Index to p. 228. $140 cloth; $39.95 paper.


Abstract Large quantities of P fertilizer are applied to savanna soils of northern Ghana to increase crop yield. Little is known about the influence of this fertilizer on the activity of nitrifying bacteria in these soils. This study was conducted to ascertain the possibility of using the population of nitrifying bacteria as an index of the effect of applied P on nitrifiers in the soils. The most probable number method was employed to enumerate nitrifying bacteria in soils from two experimental corn fields fertilized at rates of 30, 60, and 90 kg P ha-1 in northern Ghana. Nitrite oxidizing bacteria were not significantly stimulated by P application. There was however, a distinct and large increase in total population of nitrifying bacteria with increasing P application. Correlation between total P content of the soils and population of nitrifying bacteria was significant (p≤0.05), indicating that P application influenced the growth of nitrifying bacteria in these soils.


The compounding agent A is used as modification agent to improve the scorching and solubility property of damping rubber. The results show that as the compounding agent A content is 0.6%(mass), the scorching of the modified damping rubber is excellent, it increases by a factor of 5 in solvable time, and the sound absorbing effect of the modified damping rubber increases by a factor of 50%. Adhesion strength of the modified damping rubber is somewhat decreased, but it can meet the demand for application on radar.


With the development of polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (PolSAR), quantitative parameter inversion has been seen great progress, especially in the field of soil parameter inversion, which has achieved good results for applications. However, PolSAR data is also often many terabytes large. This huge amount of data also directly affects the efficiency of the inversion. Therefore, the efficiency of soil moisture and roughness inversion has become a problem in the application of this PolSAR technique. A parallel realization based on a graphics processing unit (GPU) for multiple inversion models of PolSAR data is proposed in this paper. This method utilizes the high-performance parallel computing capability of a GPU to optimize the realization of the surface inversion models for polarimetric SAR data. Three classical forward scattering models and their corresponding inversion algorithms are analyzed. They are different in terms of polarimetric data requirements, application situation, as well as inversion performance. Specifically, the inversion process of PolSAR data is mainly improved by the use of the high concurrent threads of GPU. According to the inversion process, various optimization strategies are applied, such as the parallel task allocation, and optimizations of instruction level, data storage, data transmission between CPU and GPU. The advantages of a GPU in processing computationally-intensive data are shown in the data experiments, where the efficiency of soil roughness and moisture inversion is increased by one or two orders of magnitude.


We analyze very deep HST, VLT, and Spitzer photometry of galaxies at 2 < z < 3.5 in the Hubble Deep Field-South. The sample is selected from the deepest public K-band imaging currently available. We show that the rest-frame U - V versus V - J color-color diagram is a powerful diagnostic of the stellar populations of distant galaxies. Galaxies with red rest-frame U - V colors are generally red in rest-frame V - J as well. However, at a given U - V color a range in V - J colors exists, and we show that this allows us to distinguish young, dusty galaxies from old, passively evolving galaxies. We quantify the effects of IRAC photometry on estimates of masses, ages, and the dust content of z > 2 galaxies. The estimated distributions of these properties do not change significantly when IRAC data are added to the UBVIJHK photometry. However, for individual galaxies the addition of IRAC can improve the constraints on the stellar populations, especially for red galaxies: uncertainties in stellar mass decrease by a factor of 2.7 for red [(U − V)rest > 1] galaxies, but only by a factor of 1.3 for blue [(U − V)rest < 1] galaxies. We find a similar color dependence of the improvement for estimates of age and dust extinction. In addition, the improvement from adding IRAC depends on the availability of full NIR JHK coverage; if only K band were available, the mass uncertainties of blue galaxies would decrease by a more substantial factor of 1.9. Finally, we find that a trend of galaxy color with stellar mass is already present at z > 2. The most massive galaxies at high redshift have red rest-frame U - V colors compared to lower mass galaxies, even when allowing for complex star formation histories.


In order to meet the demand of eco agricultural construction in the loess hilly gully region,it is important to establish the benefit evaluation index system of eco agricultural construction.The authors generalized the concept of the index system and discussed the targets and rules of organizing the index system. Based on analyzing the systematic characteristic of eco agricultural construction,the relationship between indices and the structure of the index system, the benefit evaluation index system suited to eco agricultural construction was established in the loess hilly gully region. And then,the index system was applied to Yangou watershed and the result of the case study showed that the index system is applicable for the benefit evaluation of eco agricultural construction in the loess hilly gully region.


The work of this dissertation is the culmination of five years of research in the field of marine natural products chemistry. It involves the investigation of halogenated constituents isolated from Indo-Pacific marine sponges associated with cyanobacterial symtionts. The primary goal in the UCSC research group is to seek out novel and interesting secondary metabolites produced by marine organisms, specifically marine sponges, isolate and elucidate their chemical structures and determine their biological activity against cancer.


© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2022. No commercial reuse. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. DESCRIPTION A woman in her mid70s with a history of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and on oral prednisolone of 2.5 mg per day presented with a 4week history of progressive weakness with diffuse myalgia. On admission, neck stiffness and tenderness on the posterior neck, shoulders and thighs were appreciated. Notably, pupils were dilated and nonreactive to light bilaterally. Bilateral visual acuities and auditory functions were impaired. Horizontal ocular movements were full and smooth, but the vertical gaze was impaired. Bilateral papilledema was noted. Motor and sensory functions were intact in all modalities. Deep tendon reflexes were diffusely absent. Her gait was shortstepped and retropulsion was detected. Her higher cerebral function was almost intact, except for working memory. Laboratory findings included elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 90 mm (reference range 3–15) and C reactive protein of 146.6 mg/L (0.0– 1.4). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed opening pressure of 32 cmH2O (5–20), protein level of 156 mg/dL (15–45) and white blood cell counts of 21 (mono 19, poly 2) ×10/L cells/ mm (0–5). Gram stain and acidfast stain of CSF detected no organism, and cultures were negative for bacteria, fungus or mycobacterium. No malignant cells were detected on the cytopathology. Gadoliniumenhanced brain MRI showed diffuse thickening of the entire meninges with late gadolinium enhancement without evidence of tumour or abscess (figure 1A,B: horizontal; C: sagittal; D: coronal). Although there was a finding of enlarged supratentorial ventricles without cerebral cortical atrophy, the aqueduct was not obviously occluded. Serum ACE, immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4), antinuclear antibody and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were negative. She was diagnosed as idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (HP) and treated with three courses of intravenous pulse steroid therapy, followed by maintenance therapy with oral prednisolone and cyclophosphamide. Although a followup imaging study would have been ideal, we did not conduct that. At 3 months of followup, her myalgia, weakness, shortstepped gait and hearing loss improved, while her sight remained unchanged. HP is a disease associated with chronic meningeal inflammation and dural thickening, typically resulting in progressive cranial nerve palsy, headache and cerebellar dysfunction. The diagnosis of HP is often difficult, because of its rarity and its nonspecific neurological symptoms and signs, 2 as seen in this case. HP can be classified as either idiopathic or secondary. The causes of secondary HP encompass tumours, infections, IgG4related diseases and inflammatory conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis and vasculitis. The causal relationship between HP and PMR is not clear, but the reported association between rheumatic disease and HP may at least suggest the association between HP and PMR. The diagnosis was made with gadoliniumenhanced contrast MRI in this case, as described in the past reports as useful. In retrospect, the learning point from this case is that in patients with rheumatic disease and multiple cranial nerve abnormalities of unknown causes, HP should be listed as


The effect of the filler upon the modulus of compounded rubber has been calculated with the aid of some simplifying assumptions. From these calculations it is found that the increase in modulus, caused by the filler, is directly proportional to the volume loading, and is independent of the particle size of the filler. The stress system in the vicinity of a spherical filler particle has also been calculated. A series of experiments has been made to check these calculations. From the results of these experiments, it has been deduced that carbon black is flocculated in rubber; and that P‐33, Thermax, and Gilder's whiting are completely dispersed in rubber. These last‐named fillers give increases in modulus substantially in agreement with the calculations. It has further been found that Kadox and XX zinc oxide give unusually large increases in modulus. These are ascribed to alteration of the type of cure of the rubber matrix. Catalpo clay showed excessive modulus because of high calender grain.


(57) Abstract: The present invention has a discharge passage for discharging the supply path and the reformate supplying starting material has at least one member evaporating liquid starting materials, at least for the modification one of having a member, the thermal energy having at least one member to generate catalytically, with at least one member reduces the carbon monoxide content of the reformate, using the reforming reaction from the liquid fuel of the hydrogen-containing a relates to an apparatus for generating hydrogen rich gas Te, in this apparatus, at least two of the members is arranged in a common plate comprises a porous layer this plate is formed by pressing catalyst material, the reaction the starting material flow over and / or medium layer.


In a batch manufacturing process a cross-correlation exists among dimension deviations of different parts. The modelling and control of these deviations are essential to improve product dimension quality. Traditional dimension deviation statistical control methods have been focused on retrospectively analysing part dimension feature, while based on the spatial relationship between part dimensional features and error sources showed in part dimension error propagation model, this paper presents a method to control part dimension deviation in batch manufacturing that focuses on error sources. At each operation, total part deviation is separated into three components corresponding to three error sources. Therefore, a multivariate exponentially weighted moving average (MEWMA) chart for error sources is proposed to control part dimension deviations with identified error sources attribute to part dimension deviation. Efficiency and reliability of this model were verified by simulation analysis in common error source abnormal patterns, and the model is proved to be effective for detecting small deviations in a batch manufacturing process.


Summary It is hypothesized that mental impairment decreases in patients with atherosclerosis treated with Premarin. One hundred and one patients were studied, 51 who had had cerebral thrombosis and 50 who had recovered from an acute myocardial infarction. The Rorschach test was first administered when the patients began either Premarin or placebo therapy, and was repeated after 6 to 16 months of treatment. The tests were assessed for indications of impairment in thinking, and each patient received a score denoting amount of increase or decrease in impairment after treatment. There was considerable overlap in scores between Premarin and placebo patients, and gains were relatively small for individual patients. Nevertheless, improved mental functioning was found in both cerebral and cardiac patients treated with Premarin in comparison with those on placebo, and a positive association was observed between Premarin therapy and decreased mental impairment.


Aiming at discrete nonlinear system,combine neural network with fuzzy technology,combine fuzzy neural network with self-tuning control project,and design a fuzzy neural network self-tuning control system.It consists of FCP network identification and RBF network controller.Simulation result shows its validity.


Growth and changes of electronically conducting polypyrrole (PPy) in the form of thin films polymerized on metal electrodes were investigated by electrochemical and in situ three-parameter ellipsometry methods at the wavelength of 632.8 nm. Although the optical equations produced multiple sets of solution, it was possible to determine a unique set of thickness and the optical constants of a film by auxiliary measurements and/or physical reasoning. The changes in the thickness and the optical properties of the polymers during polymerization and electrochemical oxidation/reduction was successfully followed by the three-parameter ellipsometric technique. The optical properties of the polymers continuously changed as the film grew. The imaginary part of the refractive index of polypyrrole seemed to be dominantly determined by the existence of an absorption band around the visible range.


Detecting the presence of subspace signals with unknown clutter (or interference) is a widely known difficult problem encountered in various signal processing applications. Traditional methods fails to solve this problem because they require knowledge of clutter subspace, which has to be learned or estimated beforehand. In this paper, we propose a novel detector, named volume-correlation subspace detector, that can detect signal from clutter without any knowledge of clutter subspace. This detector effectively makes use of the hidden geometrical connection between the known target signal subspace to be detected and the subspace constructed from sampled data to ascertain the existence of target signal. It is derived based upon a mathematical tool, which basically calculates volume of parallelotope in high-dimensional linear space. Theoretical analysis show that while the proposed detector is detecting the known target signal, the unknown clutter signal can be explored and eliminated simultaneously. This advantage is called "detecting while learning", and implies perfect performance of this detector in the clutter environment. Numerical simulation validated our conclusion.


Monitoring patients who have been treated for gynecologic cancer is a controversial issue. The aim is to detect treatable relapses, to identify complications of the initial treatment and to screen for second cancers. Although the objectives may be theoretically valid, the real cost/benefit relationship and psychological impact cannot be ignored. We present here our surveillance scheme at the Gustave-Roussy Institute with detailed modalities for each type of gynecology cancer. For some of them, our scheme may appear excessive during the first years following initial treatment, but it is during this time that most relapses occur. A pluridisciplinary approach is essential, associating the efforts of the surgical, radiotherapy, gynecology and oncology teams with those of the attending physician and patient.


The International Musicological Congress in Hamburg in September, 1956, devoted one of its four general subjects to "Ethnological Music Research," thereby indicating the significance of this young branch of musicology.From the aspect of folklore, the Hamburg ethnologist Kunz Dittmer spoke on the role of music in universal ethnology. He emphasised the views of modern ethnology against the origin and evolution theories of the cultural groups doctrine held by the Viennese school, and against the isolated consideration of individual characteristic of style. He pleaded for an integral conception of the culture of foreign races, most particularly of primitive races.


Undeniable signatures were proposed to limit the public veriflcation property of ordinary digital signature. In fact, the veriflcation of such signatures cannot be obtained without the help of the signer via the conflrmation/disavowal protocols. In this paper, we reconsider the security of the undeniable signature scheme proposed by Yuan et al. at ICICS 2007, and point out their scheme does not satisfy the security model of invisibility the authors presented.


Objective To quantify the influence factors on esophageal cancer in Chinese population. Methods Relevant casecontrol studies on influence factors on esophageal cancer were gathered with Meta-analysis by CMA v2 after data abstraction.Results 36 articles were eligible for inclusion in the Meta-analysis, while the cumulative cases and controls were 9 037 and 11 599,respectively. The OR value(95%CI) of each influence factors were calculated, and sixteen of them were statistically significant.Conclusion Rough food, smudging food, smoking, fried food, irregular diet, quick eating, heavy-salty food, mental irritation, acid food, moldy food, preserved food are the risk factors of esophageal cancer in the Chinese population, while fruits and legume are protective factors.


A computer simulation of functional neuromuscular stimulation (FNS)-assisted bipedal gait shows that it is difficult, but possible, to attain undisturbed, level gait at normal speeds provided the electrically stimulated ankle plantarflexors exhibit near-normal strengths or are augmented by an orthosis, and at least seven muscle groups in each leg are stimulated. A combination of dynamic programming and an open-loop, trial-and-error adjustment process was used to find a suboptimal set of discretely varying muscle stimulation patterns needed for a 3-D, 8 degree-of-freedom dynamic model to sustain a step. An ankle-foot orthosis was found to be especially useful, as it helped to stabilize the stance leg and simplified the task of controlling the foot during swing. It is believed that the process of simulating natural gait with this model will serve to highlight difficulties to be expected during laboratory and clinical trials.<<ETX>>


In satellite-based Internet of Things (S-IoT) system, the timely status updating of terrestrial sensing user equipments (UEs) to satellite could be hampered by the long propagation delay, especially in massive machine type communications (mMTC). To guarantee the information freshness in S-IoT, a new performance indicator called age of information (AoI) is exploited to analyze the average AoI (AAoI) in the overload case of mMTC, and a grant free age-optimal (GFAO) random access protocol is proposed to lower the AAoI. Specifically, the closed-form expression of AAoI is derived by tracing the instantaneous AoI evolution of each UE through Markov analysis. Then, the proposed GFAO random access protocol is proved to achieve a minimum AAoI and a maximum throughput in S-IoT, by adjusting the number of access time slots in each transmission frame in the overload case of mMTC. Extensive simulations are conducted to validate the theoretical analysis, and show that there exists different optimal value of access time slots in system load region from 0.2 to 3, which can minimize AAoI and maximize throughput in the proposed GFAO random access protocol.


This study aims to determine: (1) The effect of the Problem Based Learning (PBL) learning model on the critical thinking skills of Class VI students of SD Negeri 14 Tanjung Medan in the 2021/2022 academic year; (2) The effect of learning motivation on students' critical thinking skills; (3) The interaction effect of Problem Based Learning (PBL) learning model and learning motivation on students' critical thinking skills. The sampling technique in this study was carried out in two classes, 36 students in class VI1 as an experimental class with Problem Based Learning (PBL) learning model and class VI2 as a control class with 32 students taught using the Direct Instruction learning model. Data collection instruments using: (1) motivation questionnaire in the form of a statement as many as 30 items; (2) Critical thinking test in the form of multiple choice as many as 15 items. This research method is quasi-experimental with data analysis techniques using the 2-way Anova test with a significant level of = 0.05. The results of this study showed that: (1) There is an influence of learning motivation on students' critical thinking; (?=0.05, p=0.000); (2) There is an effect of learning model on students' critical thinking; (?=0.05, p=0.008); (3) There is an interaction between the learning model and learning motivation towards critical thinking; (?=0.05, p=0.012).


The aim of this study is to examine urine-zinc values of footballers living and doing training in industrial region and footballers living and doing training outside industrial region. In the research,14 amateur footballers , whose age-average is 24,00 ± 3,46 year, height-average is 1,76 ± 0,05 meters, body weight average is 70,79 ± 6,70 kg and sports-age average is 11,71 ± 3,49 year and who do training in industrial region and 10 amateur footballers , whose age-average is 20,40 ± 0,84 year, height-average is 1,75 ± 0,07 m, body weight average is 69,70 ± 7,81 kg, sports-age average is 6,50 ± 1,84 year and who do training outside industrial region , were participated voluntarily. One tube of urine specimen was taken from the footballers participated in the research. The urine specimen taken was analyzed in Biochemistry laboratories through Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (ASV). A statistical difference has been determined between zinc values of footballers participated in the research considering their doing training in industrial region and outside industrial region. (P<0,05).The zinc values of footballers living and doing training in industrial region have been found to be higher than the zinc values of footballers living and doing training outside industrial region in the research. To conclude, it is thought that the trace elements in human body are affected by working and living environment and as well, it can be said that this situation should be taken into account by the trainers.


Lots of models have been proposed to address wheel-terrain interaction (WTI) problem, however, there is no clear boundary among these models' applicable range. In this paper, four classic models have been compared and evaluated. Convergence factor is chosen as the indicator to evaluate each models' suitability and applicability, thus on different terrain we could select the most suitable WTI model, which are also discussed. The experimental results demonstrate that the evaluation methods could quantify the difference between the classical wheel model and practical data.


Peptides are frequently studied as candidates for new drug development. Recently, synthesized peptide library is screened for a certain functionality on a microarray biochip format. In this study, in order to replace the conventional cellulose membrane with glass for a microarray chip substrate for peptide library screening, we modified the glass surface from amines to thiols and covalently immobilized the peptides. Using trypsin-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) conjugate that could specifically bind to a trypsin binding domain consisting of a 7-amino acid peptide, we checked the degree of surface modification. Because of the relatively lower hydrophilicity and reduced surface roughness, the conjugation reaction to the glass required a longer reaction time and a higher temperature. It took approximately 12 hr for the reaction to be completed. From the fluorescence signal intensity, we could differentiate between the target and the control peptides. This difference was confirmed by a separate experiment using QCM. Furthermore, a smaller volume and higher concentration of a spot showed a higher fluorescence intensity. These data would provide the basic conditions for the development of microarray peptide biochips.


In colocated multi-user Virtual Reality applications, relative user positions in the virtual environment need to match their relative positions in the physical tracking space. A mismatch between virtual and real relative user positions might lead to harmful events such as physical user collisions. This paper examines three calibration methods that enable colocated Virtual Reality scenarios for SLAM-tracked head-mounted displays without the need for an external tracking system. Two of these methods—fixed-point calibration and marked-based calibration—have been described in previous research; the third method that uses hand tracking capabilities of head-mounted displays is novel. We evaluated the accuracy of these three methods in an experimental procedure with two colocated Oculus Quest devices. The results of the evaluation show that our novel hand tracking-based calibration method provides better accuracy and consistency while at the same time being easy to execute. The paper further discusses the potential of all evaluated calibration methods.


The Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) has touched individuals from all walks of life in recent years, and the movement of people and commodities has become a crucial route for the disease's spread. Reasonable control of the transportation industry has become a vital to the epidemic's prevention and control. Simultaneously, a succession of tight blockade inspection measures in the transportation business have significantly restricted the movement of people and commodities, putting a strain on the industry. As a result, it is crucial to study the transportation industry's comprehensive measurement in this environment for future regulation and prevention. In this paper, the transportation industry's freight and passenger transport are used as indicators to assess the economy, and the data source is multi-source time series data from government statistics. To anticipate future economic trends in the transportation business, we chose freight and passenger transportation in the air, land, and marine industries, respectively. Due to the significant amount of missing data, this paper develops a time series data imputation approach for its specific missing situations in order to fill in the gaps and make future prediction tasks easier. In addition, this paper builds a long and short-term memory network to train the data in order to predict future transportation industry economic trends.


Both Reference-Oriented Approach and Logical-Analysis Approach are applied to analyze the implementation of "combination of sport training and literacy learning" before a serial of problems have been summarized as follows: 1) great contradictions between literacy learning and physical training in the monotonous mode of education;2) backward recognition of education confined by the outdated outlook of values;3) the goal of education blocked by the shortage of faculties;4) low effect of education caused by the separation of the sport-training mode and the literacy-learning mode.This paper provides appropriate strategies for the problems mentioned,which might give insights for developing strategies of competitive sports.


Background:The skin temperature of the knee joint changes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), and these changes are easy to detect and can be measured simply and accurately, but its significance is not clear.Methods: A total of 205 patients who underwent unilateral primary TKA were selected; the bilateral knee skin temperature, inflammatory indicators, pain score, knee range of motion (ROM) and quadriceps muscle strength of the patients were measured from preoperatively to 6 months postoperatively; and the relationships between the differential skin temperature and inflammatory and functional prognosis were analyzed.Results: The differential skin temperature was significantly correlated with the inflammatory index, pain score, ROM and muscle strength. A difference in skin temperature between the two sides of >0.52°C at 2 weeks after the operation suggested that the level of c-reactive protein increased (sensitivity 81.4%, specificity 39.8%) and affected the ROM at 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the operation, as well as the muscle strength at 6 weeks and 3 months after the operation. A difference in skin temperature of >2.15°C at 2 weeks after the operation suggested that the level of c-reactive protein increased by more than three times (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 95.2%) and affected the ROM at 3 months and 6 months after the operation and muscle strength at 6 weeks and 3 months after the operation.Conclusion: The difference in the knee skin temperature between the operated side and contralateral side is closely related to functional recovery and the magnitude of increase in inflammatory indicators in patients after TKA. Skin temperature measurements can be used as references for predicting functional recovery and inflammatory indicators.Trial registration:Medical Ethics Committee of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University,QYFYKYLL2327945,2015-03-01


Liquid penetrant testing (PT) methods represent a multi-process procedure and require substantial time costs, which decrease the testing efficiency. Therefore the both problems, the optimization of all technological stages of PT and the search for additional possibilities to increase the efficiency of PT, are of principal importance. Some results of investigations, which enable increasing the efficiency of PT are presented: development of up-to-date means for quantitative evaluation of product families' sensitivity; thermal actions to intensify PT; optimization of PT technological stages and others. The widely used liquid penetrant testing is a reliable, high-sensitive non-destructive method to detect surface discontinuities. The method is based on a whole complex of physical processes. Therefore, both to optimize the technological process of PT and to develop new, high-sensitive product families (penetrant, remover and developer) one needs to establish quantitative description of physical correlation between these processes. General principles of PT theory were described about 20 years ago in [1]. Later the experimental and theoretical results we summarized in the book [2]. One effective instrument for quality evaluation of product families is application of machine vision system developed by us. As the device for recording images of test surface, the television system is used allowing detecting and automatically recording defect's indications of small size and poor contrast. The important advantage of such system is the opportunity of carrying out a fast and reliable quantitative assessment of product families' quality. The developed software allows performing a quantitative evaluation of defect's indications by its optical and geometrical characteristics. Simple coefficients for a complex evaluation of geometrical and optical characteristics of defect's indications revealed on the test surface are offered. We carried out special experiments to define optimal regimes for all technological stages of the penetrant testing process, providing the high detectability of defects in tested parts. Optimum values of the main characteristics of various technological stages for some widely used product families were defined. Incorrect observance of optimum technological regimes in penetrant testing can lead to the significant decrease in sensitivity. The influence of various parameters of the main technological stages of the penetrant testing upon detectability of defects was investigated. Two certified test panels corresponding type 1 of international standard ISO EN 3452-3 [4] were used. Quality of pre-cleaning of a test surface has the major (sometimes determinative) importance in practice of penetrant testing. However when operating with test panels, for example, during certification of product families when flaws cavities do not get contaminated with difficultly washed off pollutions, and the test surface is smooth, qualitative process of cleaning is carried out for very short time. Comparison of images of defect's indications on the same test panel, gained under various conditions of pre-cleaning a test surface with other things being equal, shows the following. Brightness and contrast of indications at dwelling time of test panel in cleaning liquid during only 5 minutes with the ECNDT 2006 Th.1.8.1


Recognition memory for pronounceable pseudowords (PWs), real words, and degraded photographs of unfamiliar faces, was examined in 45 patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), before and after Anterior Temporal Lobectomy, to test predictions from two accounts of hemispheric differences in memory functioning: (1) The 'material-specific' account predicts that left TLE (LTLE) patients would be impaired in memory for both familiar (real words) and unfamiliar (PWs) verbal stimuli, while memory for novel complex visual stimuli (unfamiliar faces) would be impaired in right TLE (RTLE) patients. (2) The 'familiarity' account predicts that memory for familiar stimuli (such as words) will be impaired in LTLE patients, while memory for both linguistic and nonlinguistic unfamiliar stimuli should be disrupted in RTLE patients. Results were consistent with the 'material-specific' hypothesis suggesting that both familiar and unfamiliar linguistic stimuli are processed for memory in the left medial temporal lobe (MTL), whereas unfamiliar nonverbal stimuli are processed for memory in the right MTL.


The binding interaction of lovastatin with calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) was studied using UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence emission spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), viscosity measurement and molecular docking methods. The experimental results showed that there was an obvious binding interaction of lovastatin with ct-DNA and the binding constant (Kb ) was 5.60 × 10(3) M(-1) at 298 K. In the binding process of lovastatin with ct-DNA, the enthalpy change (ΔH(0)) and entropy change (ΔS(0)) were -24.9 kJ/mol and -12.0 J/mol/K, respectively, indicating that the main binding interaction forces were van der Waal's force and hydrogen bonding. The molecular docking results suggested that lovastatin preferred to bind on the minor groove of different B-DNA fragments and the conformation change of lovastatin in the lovastatin-DNA complex was obviously observed, implying that the flexibility of lovastatin molecule plays an important role in the formation of the stable lovastatin-ct-DNA complex.


The application of scattering matrix theory in optics has usually been limited to multilayer propagation of plane waves but the analysis of spatial diffraction, the most characteristic effect of any optical element, has had to be considered through techniques much less competent. This paper describes the use of a generalized modal scattering matrix theory as a fast, efficient approach to the analysis of optical systems. In contrast with other methods, the new technique uses a type of optical vortices, called Bessel beams. This rigorous modelling technique has interest in areas of optics as diverse as optical communications, spectrometry, and remote sensing systems. The tactic allows solving both multilayered reflections problems and spatial diffraction phenomena using scattering parameters associated with the transmitted and reflected vortical spectrum.


The anisotropy in the lattice dynamics of NiI2 and CoI2 was studied by polarized far-IR-reflection spectroscopy at 4.2-300 K. The static and high-frequency dielec. consts., the frequencies of the transverse and longitudinal optical modes, and the damping consts. were detd. The anisotropy arises from dipole oscillations. [on SciFinder(R)]


In this paper, the authors propose a new concept for an optimal traffic signal cycle method that reduces the average vehicle waiting time and improves average vehicle speed. An optimal traffic cycle with fuzzy rules and a neural network to prevent overvlow and reduce waiting time is proposed. This method is capable of considering vehicle length for passing vehicles.


The Red Line, a 14-mi light rail line, currently in preliminary engineering phase, is much more than a transportation project. It will be a driver for community and neighborhood development, a way to improve the environment across Baltimore City, and a model for responsiveness and civic engagement. The Red Line will bring more employment opportunities, business ventures, and local investments to keep the city moving forward. It will connect the region's largest employers to the downtown business and residential communities of Baltimore City. Woodlawn is home to the headquarters of two federal agencies and more than 12,500 government workers. The Red Line project creates quick, efficient transit along a congested, transit-deficient route. Public participation is key to implementation. The train's route is roughly the same as the uncompleted end of Interstate 70, which was defeated by a "freeway revolt" in the 1970s. Hundreds of homes were taken by eminent domain and residents relocated. Scars from this contentious period remain today in the form of two disjointed highway stubs and a lingering distrust for large projects. Baltimore City's Red Line Community Compact defines the success of the project and requires early public participation and engagement, beginning at the planning stage through construction. Baltimore City Department of Transportation in coordination with the Maryland Transportation Administration has engaged community leaders, businesses, institutions, and organizations in a conversation about how to maximize the benefits of the Red Line. Some of the accomplishments as identified in the Community Compact include getting a state law passed that prohibits the involuntarily taking of homes for construction of the Red Line, a job study that identifies the type of education, training, and skills necessary for the Red Line construction, and the creation of an Economic Empowerment Office to create a pipeline for job training, contractors, and entrepreneurs.


The increase in power density of integrated circuits has given importance to area and power dissipation design measures. This paper enumerates an area, power efficient flip-flop design by analyzing different flip-flop topologies. This design comes with efficient structure to incorporate logic functions, with low area. The comparative power analysis helps to propose a flip-flop design that is suitable for high-performance digital designs where the area and power dissipation is of major concern. Tanner v7.0 tool is used for verifying the simulation results. The CMOS0.18μm technology is used for performance comparisons of the proposed design.


Introduction:  Juvenile xanthogranuloma (JXG) is an uncommon benign cutaneous fibrohistiocytic, self-healing, class II non-Langerhan's cell histiocytosis (NLCH). JXG accounts for 80-90% of cases of NLCH. It occurs most commonly on the head and neck of infants and young children and resolves spontaneously. Case:  A one year-old boy presented with asymptomatic, multiple yellowish, shiny, and firm nodules with telangiectasia on the surface, measuring  around  1 centimeter in diameter, on the face, the trunk, the arms, and lower extremities. The first lesion appeared on the face 8 months prior to consultation then spread gradually to other areas. He was referred from another hospital and was diagnosed as molluscum contagiosum (MC) with differential diagnosis of syringoma. Enucleation had been performed but failed to produce the molluscum bodies. Initial histopathological examination provided the diagnosis of syringoma. The second histopathological examination showed dermal inflammatory cells consisting of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and histiocytes with marked foam cells and giant cells. Eccrine  sweat  glands were  normal.  Some lesions decreased in size at subsequent follow-ups; observation was advised until 3-6 years. Discussion:  JXG should be suspected in cases with multiple yellowish nodules appearing in the first year of life. MC usually presents with whitish papules, whereas syringoma is more rarely appeared, presenting with yellow-to-brownish papules. Histopathological examination can easily differentiate the suspected diagnoses; however, selection of lesion, timing and complete clinical information was crucial in reaching the final diagnosis. In this case there was a good clinicopathological correlation that the diagnosis of JXG was made with certainty. There was no eye and other organ abnormalities. Keywords : juvenile xanthogranuloma, clinicopathological correlation Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE


Prof. Parsons (Stokes Hall) 2/21/64; Sociology - Philips Visitor; Objectivity and Values in Social Science; Max Weber Centennial Lecture; SCAP 22; Recorded at 3 3/4; Monophonic; 1 Track


Winning the relay: The first total synthesis of stemaphylline N-oxide has been completed utilizing a bistandem relay ring-closing-metathesis (RRCM) strategy, necessitated by the conformation of the requisite tetraene. This effort also gave unnatural 9a-epi-stemaphylline and 9a-epi-stemaphylline N-oxide.


A DNA MICROARRAY-BASED ASSAY FOR THE DETECTION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PLUM POX VIRUS AND GENOTYPING OF ITS ISOLATES TO THE VIRAL STRAINS. M. Barba1, G. Pasquini1, F. Faggioli1, A. Hadidi2, H. Czosnek3, K. Çaglayan4, H. Mazyad5 and G. Anfoka6. 1CRA, Centro di Ricerca per la Patologia Vegetale, Via C. G. Bertero 22, 00156 Rome, Italy. 2Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. 3Institute of Plant Sciences and Genetics in Agriculture, Faculty of Agriculture, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot 76100, Israel. 4Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Mustafa Kemal University, 31034 Antakya-Hatay, Turkey. 5Plant Pathology Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Giza 12619, Egypt. 6Department of Technology, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Al-Balqa' Applied University, Al-Salt 19117, Jordan. E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com


Objective To explore the change of inhibitors expression by bone marrow stromal cells(BMC S)after radiation injury in mice.Methods The mouse model of radiation injury was repared by radiating mice by 6GyCo 60 ?TNF α?TGF β 1and MIP 1αwas detected by radioimmunoassay and ELISA methods respectively,at same time the relationship between the levels of inhibitors and the quanitity of hydrocortisone and numbers of bone marrow cell(BMSC S)was showed. Results The levels of TNF α?TGF β 1 and MIP 1α was dramaticly increased in 3d?7d,in BMSC S culture medium after radiation injury,hydrocortisone can obviously inhibit the expression of inhibitors,levels of inhibitors was markedly related to the numbers of BMCS. Conclusion The disfunction of hematopoiesis after radiation injury was related to the increased levels of inhibitors,hydrocortisone has obvious suppression effect on expression of inhibitors.


We report the results of our analysis of period variations and mode changing of the RR Lyrae variable, V79 in M3, based on 1810 photographic and 7530 CCD observations obtained over the interval 1895 to 2009. Our analysis suggests that mixed mode pulsations and the Blazhko effect are both the result of resonances between different radial modes.


This study investigated the needs and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples in Central Luzon. First, it described the profile of the Indigenous Peoples. This also discussed the Needs and Aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples and identify the issues, problems, and concerns they experience in attaining such. Through this, the study formulated programs, projects, and activities to solve such problems. The study used a descriptive research design and three (3) instruments in gathering data, namely: interview guide; observation, and document analysis. As synthesized in the findings of the interview the needs and aspirations of the Indigenous People in Central Luzon are as follows: Livelihood, education, clean water source, road improvement, health services, legal services, ancestral domain, respect and implementation of rights, preservation and showcasing of arts, culture and tradition and leadership. The Problems Encountered Affecting the Needs and Aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples in Central Luzon are as follows: Conflicting Claims, Issues in Relocation, Leadership, Isolated Area of Habitat and Injustices, Presence of Lawless Elements and Recruitment of Communist Terrorist Groups. Lastly, the proposed recommendations to address the problems encountered affecting the needs and aspirations of the Indigenous Peoples in Central Luzon are as follows: Resolution of Conflicting Claims, Relocation, Leadership Guidance and Training, Education, Culturally Sensitive Development within Isolated Area of Habitat and Justice, Implementation of the Law and Protection and Education regarding the dangers of the communist terrorist struggle. Keywords: Needs, Aspirations, Indigenous Peoples, Central Luzon


This work was supported in part by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan.


A study has been carried out on the forward bias dark current and the short circuit current open circuit voltage characteristics of a-Si:H p-i-n solar cells over wide range of illumination intensities. Results are presented with superposition of these characteristics over extended current voltage regimes. This and the observed separation between these characteristics are consistent with the arguments presented based on first principle arguments. The conclusions drawn about the role of photo-generated carrier lifetimes, the densities of defects and the potential barriers in the i-layers adjacent to the n and p contacts are confirmed by numerical simulations. The key role of these potential barriers to the split in the characteristics offer new insight into both why the lack of superposition has been observed and the erroneous conclusions drawn about carrier transport for a-Si:H solar cells in the dark and under illumination.


The invention discloses a taxi safety system which comprises an image collecting module, a sensor module, an A/D conversion module, a GPS (global positioning system) positioning module, a microprocessor module, an alarming module, a power source module, a wireless communication module and a remote public security system. The image collecting module comprises a camera, a metal detector and an image processing and analyzing module, an output end of the image collecting module is connected with an input end of the microcomputer module, the sensor module comprises an air-sensitive sensor, an output end of the air-sensitive sensor is connected with an input end of the A/D conversion module, an output end of the A/D conversion module is connected with the input end of the microprocessor module, an output end of the GPS positioning module is connected with the microprocessor module, an output end of the microprocessor module is connected with the alarming module, a data transmission end of the microprocessor module is connected with the remote public security system through the wireless communication module, and an output end of the power source module is connected with a power source input end of the microprocessor module.


The present research examined the relationship between the efficacy of intercollegiate coaches and their leadership style. Specific predictions between the multidimensional nature of efficacy and leadership were made. An international sample of 224 coaches (165 male, 58 female) completed Feltz et al.'s Coaching Efficacy Scale, and the Leadership Scale for Sports (Chelladurai & Saleh, 1980). Two of the three regression models were significant, with coaching efficacy accounting for up to 42% of the variance in leadership style. Motivation and technique efficacy served as significant predictors for both models. These results are in accordance with the framework of coaching efficacy and leadership within sport, and offer further validity to the construct of coaching efficacy.


The paper aims to analyse the management of projects on European funding, taking into account two major directions, namely the efficiency and effectiveness of management. In order to achieve these objectives, a number of issues are examined, such as: the achievement degree of the indicators proposed by the project, the most efficient use of existing funding and the analysis of project sustainability, considering both market realities as well as the provisions of the initial project. Important in the analysis are both the results obtained during the implementation period of the project and the values recorded after the completion of the projects and the way in which, in the absence of financial support, there is continuity in the conduct of the activities..


we focused on the role of Uric Acid (UA) as a possible determinant of Heart Failure (HF) related issues in Acute Coronary Syndromes (ACS) patients. Main outcome were acute HF and cardiogenic shock at admission, secondary outcomes were the need of Non Invasive Ventilation (NIV) use and the admission Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF).

 we consecutively enrolled 1269 ACS patients admitted to the cardiological Intensive Care Unit of the Niguarda and San Paolo hospitals (Milan, Italy) from June 2016 to June 2019. Hyperuricaemia was defined as a value higher than 6 mg/dl for females and 7 mg/dl for males.
 All the evaluated outcomes occurred more frequently in the hyperuricemic subjects (n = 292): acute HF 35.8 vs. 11.1% (P < 0.0001), cardiogenic shock 10 vs. 3.1% (P < 0.0001), NIV 24.1 vs. 5.1% (P < 0.0001) with lower admission LVEF (42.9 ± 12.8 vs. 49.6 ± 9.9, P < 0.0001). By multivariable analyses, UA was confirmed to be significantly associated with all the outcomes with the following odds ratio (OR): acute HF OR = 1.119; 95% CI: 1.019–1.229; cardiogenic shock OR = 1.157; 95% CI: 1.001–1.337; NIV use OR = 1.208; 95% CI: 1.078–1.354; LVEF β = −0.999; 95% CI: −1.413 to − 0.586.

 The main result of our study was the finding of a significant association between UA and acute HF, cardiogenic shock, NIV use and LVEF. Due to the cross-sectional nature of our study no definite answer on the direction of these relationship can be drawn and further longitudinal study on UA changes over time during an ACS hospitalization are needed.


The objective of the present invention is to provide a contrast medium temperature-maintaining and injecting system which reduces the injection pressure of a contrast medium being injected, and with which it is easy to inject the contrast medium. A contrast medium temperature-maintaining and injecting system (100) according to the present invention is provided with an injecting device (I) and a pump control device (10f), and is characterized in being provided with a pump head unit (10a) and a small-diameter syringe (30) and additionally provided with an outer peripheral temperature-maintaining heater unit (10c) attached to the outer periphery of the small-diameter syringe (30), and in that the outer peripheral temperature-maintaining heater unit (10c) is connected to a heat source output terminal provided in the pump head unit (10a).