Floods are among the global natural disasters that are known to have major negative societal effects. The extent of floods can determine the degree of impact to be made. Floods can cause extensive economic losses, consequently affecting livelihoods, businesses, infrastructures and basic services. This study investigated the impact of floods in communities within the Oshana Region in the northern areas of Namibia. Primary and secondary data were collected in efforts to understand the impact of floods, and the causes of vulnerability to such events. Loss of field crops, destruction of houses, destruction of roads and other infrastructure, and loss of human lives were the major flood impacts that have been identified. The study findings revealed that vulnerability to floods is mainly due to lack of resources, poverty, poor infrastructure, limited budget, inactive disaster risk management structures in the region, rapid population change, non-existing Early Warning System (EWS), lack of awareness of the flood impacts, low income, and the fact that many houses are headed by females. In the absence of coping strategies, communities mainly depend on external relief, particularly for temporary shelter and provision of basic needs. It was concluded that the ability of communities and individuals to cope with flood impacts is related to their culture, history, knowledge system, power dynamics and governance. A further conclusion was that, the vulnerability of communities in the Oshana Region resulted in reduced household resilience to flood disasters.

The study recommended a further investigation into other flood prone regions in Namibia. Other notable recommendations included:

• the availing of information on climate variability and best coping strategies in flood prone communities,

• flood hazards awareness,

• developing and implementing mitigation measures for flood disasters,

• development of a policy on the construction of houses in efforts to avoid flood risks,

• and the development of information communication channels for EWS.


This article discussed the safty and the proctection of computer using in different aspects.and let us get to know the importance of the internet safty and then take some protective measures according to the specific problems.


sBrain scanning using various radiopharmaceutical complexes is now well established as an invaluable diagnostic tool in the delineation of intracranial lesions. In this paper 300 cases with suspected intracranial pathology are presented and a comparative analysis of the 48 positive pick ups made with EEG and skull X-ray results.


The thermal stability of Cu/Ta/Cr/Si structure is analyzed and compared with that of Cu/Ta/Si and Cu/Ta/Cr/Ta/Si structures. The Cu/Ta/Si and Cu/Ta/Cr/Ta/Si systems retained their structures up to 600 °C without increase in resistivity but the Cu/Ta/Cr/Si structure was degraded after annealing at 400 °C. In the latter case, the degradation was dominated by the outdiffusion of free Si, probably released from the substrate in the formation of CrSi2. It is suggested that the released Si is reactive and its outdiffusion through Ta layer is facilitated by the high affinity of Si toward Ta, as expected from the large negative value of mixing enthalpy between Ta and Si.


Objective This study analyzed the feasibility of upfront surgical resection for pediatric PRETEXT III and IV hepatoblastoma (HB). Summary Background Data Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with PRETEXT III and IV HB to obtain a chance of curative surgery. However, chemotherapy can cause toxic side effects and adverse outcomes, and the PRETEXT staging system may overstage the patients. Therefore, whether preoperative chemotherapy is necessary for HB patients remains unclear. Methods The clinical data of 37 children who underwent surgical resection for PRETEXT III and IV HB at our hospital were obtained retrospectively. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant chemotherapy group (NCG; n = 19) and the routine surgery group (RSG; n = 18). Clinicopathologic characteristics, treatment regimens, and outcomes were compared between the groups. Results The RSG had a lower incidence of portal vein involvement than the NCG (p < 0.002). The estimated 3-year event-free survival rates were similar (RSG: 89 ± 0.7% and NCG: 79 ± 0.9%, p = 0.3923). The RSG underwent fewer courses of chemotherapy than the NCG (five vs. six; p < 0.001). Furthermore, the RSG had lower incidences of febrile neutropenia, myelosuppression, and gastrointestinal reactions (all p < 0.05). The severity of surgery-related complications did not differ significantly. Conclusion Upfront surgical resection in children with PRETEXT III and IV HB is safe and feasible, and reduces the total number of courses and side effects of chemotherapy. The degree of vascular involvement is the most important consideration when evaluating resectability during diagnosis.


This communication presents an algebraic method for constructing arbitrary-order, divergence-conforming basis functions on hexahedral volume elements. The appropriate constraints within and on the boundaries of elements are provided. In particular, the handling of faces where quantities are discontinuous is discussed. The resulting bases are numerically characterized in terms of error convergence and system conditioning for a moment method discretization of the electric field volume integral equation for dielectric scatterers. Results show the accuracy of the proposed method as well as the low system matrix condition number that can be maintained as the basis order and mesh discretization are increased.


Gathering a group of mobile agents is a fundamental task in the field of distributed and mobile systems. This can be made drastically more difficult to achieve when some agents are subject to faults, especially the Byzantine ones that are known as being the worst faults to handle. In this paper we study, from a deterministic point of view, the task of Byzantine gathering in a network modeled as a graph. In other words, despite the presence of Byzantine agents, all the other (good) agents, starting from possibly different nodes and applying the same deterministic algorithm, have to meet at the same node in finite time and stop moving. An adversary chooses the initial nodes of the agents (the number of agents may be larger than the number of nodes) and assigns a different positive integer (called label) to each of them. Initially, each agent knows its label. The agents move in synchronous rounds and can communicate with each other only when located at the same node. Within the team, f of the agents are Byzantine. A Byzantine agent acts in an unpredictable and arbitrary way. For example, it can choose an arbitrary port when it moves, can convey arbitrary information to other agents and can change its label in every round, in particular by forging the label of another agent or by creating a completely new one. Besides its label, which corresponds to a local knowledge, an agent is assigned some global knowledge denoted by GK that is common to all agents. In literature, the Byzantine gathering problem has been analyzed in arbitrary n-node graphs by considering the scenario when GK = (n, f) and the scenario when GK = f . In the first (resp. second) scenario, it has been shown that the minimum number of good agents guaranteeing deterministic gathering of all of them is f + 1 (resp. f + 2). However, for both these scenarios, all the existing deterministic algorithms, whether or not they are optimal in terms of required number of good agents, have the major disadvantage of having a time complexity that is exponential in n and L, where L is the value of the largest label belonging to a good agent. In this paper, we seek to design a deterministic solution for Byzantine gathering that makes a concession on the proportion of Byzantine agents within the team, but that offers a significantly lower complexity. We also seek to use a global knowledge whose the length of the binary representation (that we also call size) is small. In this respect, assuming that the agents are in a strong team i.e., a team in which the number of good agents is at least some prescribed value that is quadratic in f , we give positive and negative results. On the positive side, we show an algorithm that solves Byzantine gathering with strong teams in all graphs of size at most n, for any integers n and f , in a time polynomial in n and the length |lmin| of the binary representation of the smallest label of a good agent. The algorithm works using a global knowledge of size O(log log logn), which is of optimal order of magnitude in our context to reach a time complexity that is polynomial in n and |lmin|. Indeed, on the negative side, we show that there is no deterministic algorithm solving Byzantine gathering with strong teams, in all graphs of size at most n, in a time polynomial in n and |lmin| and using a global knowledge of size o(log log logn). This work was performed within Project ESTATE (Ref. ANR-16-CE25-0009-03) and Project TOREDY. The first project is supported by French state funds managed by the ANR (Agence Nationale de la Recherche), while the second project is supported by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Hauts-de-France region.


The fitting of cochlear implants as well as hearing aids requires information on the hearing threshold as well as on the uncomfortable loudness level. Due to its very subjective nature, the estimation of the uncomfortable loudness level is particularly challenging and represents a clinically unsolved problem. Using a computational monitoring of the habituation processes in single sweeps recordings of late auditory evoked potentials (LAEP), we propose a method that might be able to objectively determine the uncomfortable loudness level in non--cooperative patients such as newborns. Here we presented preliminary results of an ongoing study. Single sweep recordings of LAEP were performed at 2 stimulation levels, 50dB and and 100dB hearing level (HL) with an interstimulus interval (ISI) of 1s. In a group of 10 voluntary adult subjects with normal hearing, our scheme based on the analysis of single sweeps recordings and the calculation of time-scale phase coherence, the 1.12% reduction of time-scale phase coherence index for 50dB HL and 0.30% for 100dB HL were observed. Therefore, habituation of 50dB HL stimulus had successfully been detected and no significant difference in sweeps evolution for 100dB HL stimulus (Wilcoxon test, significance level p <0.05). It is concluded that the proposed method possibly allows for the reliable detection of habituation and differentiation of comfortable from uncomfortable loudness levels in cochlear implants and hearing aids fitting.


The traditional view of stock splits as cosmetic transactions that simply divide the same pie into more slices is inconsistent with the significant wealth effect associated with the announcement of a stock split. Streetlore attributes the price reaction to improved liquidity. The empirical evidence, however, suggests that there is no appreciable change in the trading volume of firms after a stock split. This is especially surprising given that Lamoureux and Poon (1987) among others report a substantial increase in the number of shareholders for splitting firms. This suggests that any increase in liquidity is potentially a function of the ownership structure of the firm. This paper examines the impact of firm ownership composition on liquidity changes following stock splits. Our analysis yields three main results. First, our analysis indicates that changes in liquidity, measured by volume of trade, are negatively related to the level of institutional ownership prior to the split. This indicates that firms with low institutional ownership prior to the split achieve the largest liquidity benefit following the split. Second, the largest post-split increase in institutional ownership occurs for firms that had low institutional ownership prior to the split. This result indicates that the large increases in trading volume for firms with low institutional ownership prior to the split is the result of increased institutional ownership following a split. Last, we find that the abnormal return following a split is negatively related to the level of institutional ownership prior to the split. This is consistent with the notion that the market rewards those firms that have the largest increase in liquidity following a split. These findings are important as they shed new light on the source of stock split announcement returns.


In this paper, a statistic based time skew calibration method for time-interleaved ADCs is presented. By comparing the mean value of the multiplication of signals in two adjacent channels, the time skew can be estimated. Subsequently, a capacitor array based digitally controlled delay block placed in sampling clock path is adopted to compensate the time skew. In addition, the precision of calibration is further improved through using a monotonic small capacitor array. In a 4-channel 1GS/s 12-bit TI-ADC system, the spurious free dynamic range (SFDR) can be improved to 77.5dB with 0.25ps LSB in the digitally controlled delay block.


Stenosis is abnormal narrowing of blood vessels. The presence of stenosis in arteries may cause critical flow conditions. It may finally lead to stroke and heart-attack. A clinical study has been done on more than 130 patients along with computational study using 2D axisymmetric rigid model of stenosis in the carotid artery. Assumed shapes of deposition zone and the degree of occlusion used in the analysis were taken from clinical data. The Navier-Stokes equations for incompressible fluid flow have been considered as the governing equations and it has been solved with varying flow parameters using standard CFD software package. The radial velocity profiles at various points of the flow field, the centerline velocity plot and the centerline pressure plots have been obtained from computational study and compared with the clinical data.


In this paper, we focus on the transformation of the functional view of the process model to the ontology description. Elements, their relations and attributes are described in the diagrams and then transformed to the ontology description. The transformation is bi-directional; it means that we can for example create the diagram of previously defined ontology description.


The occurrence of resistance of codling moth (CM, Cydia pomonella L.) to Cydia pomonella granulovirus (CpGV) used as biological control agent revealed the need for fast and reliable resistance monitoring methods. Here, we describe the development of a laboratory resistance test that is directly performed on larvae extracted from infested apples. This test is based on a 14‐day bioassay at a discriminative CpGV concentration of 2 × 105 occlusion bodies/ml diet and can be applied to L1–L4 larvae. Information on virus resistance can be obtained within <4 weeks. In a survey, CM larvae were isolated and tested from 6698 apples from 10 different orchards in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy and the Netherlands. We identified seven CM populations resistant or partly resistant to CpGV isolates. Although some of the orchards were treated with commercial CpGV products, this method allowed us to obtain reliable information about the resistance status of the examined populations.


The aim of this study was to observe the numbers of Conception Rate,
Service per Conception, Calving Rate, Days Open, and Calving Interval of beef
cattle at the areas of animal health's technical work in Kedamean, Gresik. This
study used survey method. Data were obtained from primary and secondary data.
Primary data was taken from interviews with breeders, namely about the acceptors
of insemination and pregnancy number. While secondary data was reproduction
record from inseminators. Data were retrieved from records of the last three years,
with 50 cattles per year as sample and the total samples were 150 cattles. The
result of this research, especially about reproductive efficiency beef cattle at the
areas of animal health's technical work in Kedamean, Gresik indicated that
average component of efficiency reproductive's value showed that number was
under normal condition, proved by number of CR (56,7%), DO (114,48 days) and
CI (395,5 days) but number S/C (1,43) and CvR (75%) were better.


efrigerant used in air conditioning and refrigeration (ACR) industries has come to a full circle since the beginning of the industrial revolution. With concerns on issues relating to the environment, such as the global warming and climate change, caused by the use of harmful gases as refrigerants. Therefore, it is of outmost importance to mankind, to find suitable alternative gases as refrigerants, which are not detrimental to the ozone layer and does not adversely affect the climate. In view of this, hydrocarbons (HC) which were previously used as refrigerants are being reintroduced gradually because its lower GWP and which does not inhibit ozone layer, as replacement refrigerants. ACR industry players have blended in by introducing some new equipment and components that specifically designed for HC use. Malaysia too has targeted a 10 % reduction in hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) consumption, commencing in 2016; with the banning of ACR equipment of 7.03 kW and below from using HCFC 22 [chlorodifluoromethane, (CHClF2)]. Instead, hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) 410a [50 % difluoromethane (CH2F2) and 50 % pentafluoroethane (CHF2CF3)] is being introduced as replacement for HCFC 22. In fact, in other countries, the use of HFC, has already been phased down. HC has good potential to replace HCFC completely as refrigerant in the future; its performance, matches that of HCFC and the flammability issue can be overcome, with the use of effective and safety enhanced design. Their use can be facilitated further with the adaptation of a specific standard and by proper enacted legislation.


Abstract In research programme realized was carried out analysis of the properties of the spinning solutions of cellulose in NMMO-H2O system. Based on rheological properties of cellulose solutions and measurements useing FTIR and NMR methods was confirm that liquid crystals of cellulose appear in NMMO-H2O system. Liquid crystal phenomena was observed not only in the high concentrated cellulose solutions in stationary state but also in cellulose solutions in dynamic state when spinning cellulose solutions flow across spinneret hole. In this last case existence of the liquid crystals in stimulated by preasure and ingredients.


Nowadays, satisfying user needs has become the main challenge in a variety of web applications. Recommender systems play a major role in that direction. However, as most of the information is present in a textual form, recommender systems face the challenge of efficiently analyzing huge amounts of text. The usage of semantic-based analysis has gained much interest in recent years. The emergence of ontologies has yet facilitated semantic interpretation of text. However, relying on an ontology for performing the semantic analysis requires too much effort to construct and maintain the used ontologies. Besides, the currently known ontologies cover a small number of the world's concepts especially when a non-domain-specific concepts are needed. This paper proposes the use of Wikipedia as ontology to solve the problems of using traditional ontologies for the text analysis in text-based recommendation systems. A full system model that unifies semantic-based analysis with a collaborative via content recommendation system is presented.


India is the largest manufacture of tractors in the world. The growth has been continuous and good for several years. In the current year, sales have declined by a good 12 per cent in the first six months. With new entrants fighting for market share, competition is intense. There is a welcome focus on R&D directed towards greater fuel efficiency and longer life. Decades of oligopoly and cartelization may, hopefully, give way to competitive market-orientation that would provide some consumer delight. The tractor industry in India has developed over the years to become one of the largest tractor markets in the world. From 50,000 units in the early eighties, the size of the tractor market in the country has grown upto over 200,000 units. Today the industry comprises of 14 players, including three MNCs. The opportunities still are huge considering the low farm mechanization levels in the country. After a downturn during the last three to four years, the industry is back on a growth path, which we believe would sustain in coming years as well. During the fiscal 2003-04, the industry volumes as a whole reached 1,89,000 units, the first growth year since 1999-2000. The trend continued in the first half of fiscal 2004-05 as well. Tractor sales during this period have grown by 45 per cent to 1,11,000 units against 76,000 units in the corresponding period of last year. During the period 1998-2000, tractor manufacturers had build up large inventory levels at the dealer's end, in the race for cornering greater market share.


Abstract : A complete set of thermal conditions, mechanical loads, geometry as well as thermal, elastic, fast fracture, and time dependent material properties was furnished by AMMRC for the hub of a gas turbine disc. A finite element computer model was prepared for the disc from this data. The temperature and stress distributions, the fast fracture and the time dependent reliabilities were calculated. The results were presented in iso-stress and iso-thermal plots and in graphical data. (Author)


Summary Actinomycin D was administered at varying times after the administration of aldosterone to rats in order to determine if this inhibitor would either enhance or prolong the antinatriuretic action of aldosterone. No such effects were found, thus it would appear that an actinomycin D sensitive "represser" is not involved in terminating the sodium retaining action of the adrenocortical steroid hormone, aldosterone.


1 Wildlife Biology Program, D e p a r tm e n t of E co sy s tem and C onserva t ion S c iences , College of Forestry and Conservation , University of M ontana , Missoula , MT, USA 2 KORA, Murl, Switzerland 3 N o r th ea s t Normal University, Jllln Province, Changchun , China 4 Russ ia Program, Wildlife Conserva tion Society, Vladivostok, Russia 5 N o r th ea s t Normal University, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China 6 Heilongjiang A c ad e m y of Forestry, Wildlife Conservation Institute, Heilongjiang Province, Harbin, China 7 World W id e Fund for Nature (WWF) Germany, Frankfurt, G erm any 8 Jllln A c ad e m y of Forestry, Jllln Province, Changchun , China 9 Russian Far E as te rn Branch, World W ide Fund for Nature (WWF), Vladivostok, Russia 10 Beijing Office, World W id e Fund for Nature (WWF), Beijing, China


The Seonjamdan altar of the Joseon Dynasty is the only remaining medium sacrifice-grade altar in Seoul. This study investigates the characteristics of the original altar, and explores changes in the Seonjamdan area in addition to historical conservation efforts. The construction of Seonjamdan in a northeastern region outside the capital city was an attempt by Joseon to fully comply with an exemplary Chinese tradition. The Seonjamdan altar was erected twice during the Joseon Dynasty: the first was built during the founding of the dynasty and its historical remains have recently been unearthed, and its second incarnation was in the 18th century and remained active until the country was liberated from Japanese rule. After the liberation, however, Seonjamdan served different purposes and was damaged through urban development and the invasion of urban infrastructure. As a result, the historical remains of the latter Seonjamdan, which was retained until the colonial era, completely lost their integrity and authenticity. In spite of its physical destruction and regardless of its authenticity, various measures have been taken in the Seonjamdan area for the protection and preservation of its intangible value.


The salient features of Intrex have been reported in prior literature. They are updated here and are included as a preamble to the three companion papers being presented at this conference on several technical features of Intrex.


The paper deals with the research of air oxidation kinetics of silver-based composite. Oxidation kinetics of silver-based composite material, containing 10 weight percent of nickel, was studied. Changes of specific weight gain experimental curves in air in the 500-900oС temperature range are well described by the law of complex parabola. On the basis of this equation calculation formulas are obtained allowing constructing theoretical oxidation curves of the studied objects, which practically coincide with the experimental results. The temperature dependence of linear and parabolic constants of oxidation process is defined.


Shigeru MURAMATSU, Chief Engineer Masafumi FUKUSHIMA, Chief Engineer Hiroshi MATSUNAGA, Engineer, Compressor Division, (PANASONIC), Noji-cho, This study presents experimental results on the rotary crankshaft behavior, the cylinder pressure and mechanical vibrations o£ a rolling-piston rotary compressor after shut down of the motor. It is shown as a conclusion that the most importantfactor characterizing transient compressor vibrations is the instantaneous crank angle at shut down of the motor, and with the instantaneous crank angle kept within a predetermined range, the transient compressor vibrations and the associated noise generation are attenuated whenever the compressor is stopped, thus permitting a more stable shut-down process of the compressor.


Adult L2 learners have difficulties in perceiving and producing L2 speech sounds. In analyzing learners' L2 speech learning problems, this study provides research data from a series of studies on L2 speech perception, production, and training. Section 1 investigates how the L1 sound system influences L2 speech perception. A recent study shows that phonetic differences and distances between English and Mandarin consonants predicted the perceptual problems of Mandarin consonants by native English learners of Chinese. Section 2 explores the relationship between L2 speech perception and production and reports a subsequent study on Mandarin consonants that shows English learners of Chinese performed better in perception than production on Mandarin retroflex sounds but vice versa on palatal sounds. The lack of alignment between perception and production suggests the relationship between L2 speech perception and production is not straightforward. In Section 3, two training experiments are reported and compared to explore the effects of phonetic training on the learning of English vowel and Mandarin tone contrasts.


Brain Computing Interface (BCI) has been proved helpful for the different streams of technology, considering the sensitivity of data in the current era it is required to build new security protocols and authentication models. Just like other fields of technology Brain Computing Interface could also be useful for making the data security better by using BCI as an authentication method without any hard physical inputs. The focus of the issue shifts to 'recognition' of EEG signals pattern and making the authentication model self-learning to increase its efficiency. This leads us to involve Artificial Neural Networks in the authentication system to make it efficient and intelligent.


We compared breeding bird populations in North Dakota using surveys con- ducted in 1967 and 1992-93. In decreasing order, the five most frequently occurring species were Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris), Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater), Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta), Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), and Eastern King- bird (Tyrannus tyrannus). The five most abundant species-Horned Lark, Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus), Red-winged Blackbird, Western Meadowlark, and Brown-headed Cowbird-accounted for 31-41% of the estimated statewide breeding bird population in the three years. Although species composition remained relatively similar among years, between- year patterns in abundance and frequency varied considerably among species. Data from this survey and the North American Breeding Bird Survey indicated that species exhibiting significant declines were primarily grassland- and wetland-breeding birds, whereas species exhibiting significant increases primarily were those associated with human structures and woody vegetation. Population declines and increases for species with similar habitat asso- ciations paralleled breeding habitat changes, providing evidence that factors on the breeding grounds are having a detectable effect on breeding birds in the northern Great Plains. Received 30 January 1996, accepted 18 September 1996. THE DECLINE OF BREEDING BIRD POPULATIONS in forests of eastern North America has received considerable recent attention (Askins et al. 1990, Hagan and Johnston 1992, Finch and Stangel 1993). The status of bird populations in grass- lands and midcontinental areas, however, has received far less attention. Yet, analyses of North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data in- dicate that more breeding species are declining than increasing in the prairie regions of North America (Droege and Sauer 1994). Also, grass- land species show greater and more consistent patterns of decline at the continental level than do other ecological guilds, including long-dis- tance migrants in eastern forests (Askins 1993, Droege and Sauer 1994). These declines have been most pronounced in areas of intensive ag- riculture, such as the Midwest (Herkert 1991, 1995; Warner 1994) and the northern Great Plains (Johnson and Schwartz 1993, Reynolds et al. 1994). Although the BBS is the best source of quan- titative data on trends of breeding bird popu- lations in the midcontinent, it has several lim- itations, including sparse coverage in central North America and biases associated with road-


Gastrointestinal complications after the termination of cardiopulmonary bypass are uncommon; however, they can lead to serious consequences. We encountered an unusual case of an 11-month-old infant who developed gross abdominal distention, leading to ventilatory and haemodynamic embarrassment following separation from the cardiopulmonary bypass. This presumably was a severe manifestation of the inflammatory response observed with extracorporeal circulation, which manifested as bowel oedema and was diagnosed using point-of-care ultrasound. As a rescue measure, urgent abdominal decompression was performed by cutting open the abdominal wall, which restored the ventilator and haemodynamic parameters to almost normal values.


This paper uses a benefit incidence analysis (BIA) to evaluate whether public health expenditure in Ecuador is regressive or progressive. This paper overcomes several limitations of previous BIA analyses in developing countries: a) it develops a framework to allocate the operational and administrative government expenditures among providers at a centralised level according to their level of activity; b) it uses a household health survey in which an individual's consumption of medical care can be tied to a specific health provider. We rank the economic status of medical care users according to the consumption per adult equivalent, and using an index obtained from the availability of durable goods in the household. The findings suggest that the Ministry of Public Health expenditure is progressive, while the Ecuadorian Social Security Institute expenditure is regressive. We offer policy suggestions to increase the efficiency and equity of public health expenditures in Ecuador.


A novel optical driver circuitry is proposed to improve the optical eye diagram for the VCSEL operating below the threshold current. The circuitry enables the operator to balance between the energy efficiency and optical signal quality.


Highly conductive n-type microcrystalline (/spl mu/c) silicon layers were deposited by conventional 13.56 MHz PECVD in a commercial multichamber deposition system for amorphous silicon solar cells. A conductivity up to 80 (/spl Omega/ cm)/sup -1/ was obtained. In addition to optical and Raman characterization, the film structure was analyzed by TEM and electron diffraction, revealing a tight assembly of near-spherical clusters of /spl ap/100 nm size, which are built up from smaller crystallites. Information on the process recipe to be used in stacked cells was obtained from the use of /spl mu/c n-layers in pin cells, and by depositing thin /spl mu/c films on thick amorphous layers, which permits to determine the conductivity for device-relevant conditions. A strongly reduced n-p contact resistance was found in comparison to amorphous n-p contact systems. The prepared pinpin stacked cells employing the /spl mu/c films exhibit improved fill factors of up to 75% and an improved short-circuit current as compared to the ones with amorphous n-layers in the inner n-p contact.<<ETX>>


Waste water systems cause airborne and structure-borne sound, which depending on the particular building conditions differently contribute to the resulting noise level. That's why airborne and structure-borne are determined separately. For this purpose first a measurement with closed pipe clamps is performed, which provides the levels L1,closed and L2,closed. Then the clamps are opened, so that the pipe is disconnected from the wall. The level L2,open, measured in this state, is only due to the airborne sound radiated by the pipe. From the measured values the relevant noise components, L2,s and L1,a, can be calculated by:


degree Essay, 'Nude as Universal Forms', by photography specialist Amy Conger degree 96 black and white photographs covering the breadth of the photographer's career degree Essay, 'Nude as Universal Forms' in Spanish degree List of Works degree Resume of the photographer


Appearance of a new disease can be seen as a raising a question to the established medicine system. If the problem can not be solved, the established medicine system becomes a degenerating program. So, the process of discovering the nature of a disease and giving a medical explanation was studied focused on smallpox.


Background:The Supply Chain department at the division Sandvik Machining Solutions within Sandvik AB have found a need of introducing a process for managing innovation within the organization in or ...


Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) remains one of the most aggressive cancer with a 5-year survival rate of ~8%. PDA is considered an "immunologically-cold" tumor because of the abundant desmoplastic immune-suppressive microenvironment and low presence of neo-antigens. Moreover, it is characterised by a complex inflammatory response in which the role of the IL17 and T helper-17 remain controversial. We have demonstrated that a DNA-based vaccination strategy targeting a PDA-associated antigen, namely alpha-enolase (ENO1), significantly prolongs survival in genetically engineered mice (GEM). We have also observed that the absence of IL17 strongly modified PDA microenvironment, improving CD8 T cell recruitment. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the role of IL17-targeting in combination with the DNA-vaccination. GEM crossed with IL17 knockout mice (GEM/IL17−/−) were vaccinated and monitored weekly to obtain a Kaplan-Meier survival curve. GEM vaccinated in absence of IL17 showed higher level of anti-ENO1 antibodies and IFNγ-secreting ENO1-specific T cells. The analysis of the tumor infiltrating cells revealed an increase of antigen-presenting cells and effector/memory T cells. To translate the experimental model into a clinical setting, mice orthotopically injected with PDA cells, were treated with anti-IL17 mAb in combination or not with ENO1-DNA vaccine. Only the combination elicited a significantly reduction in tumor growth that paralleled the induction of cytotoxic T cells not observed after ENO1-vaccine or anti-IL17 Ab alone. Overall, the depletion of IL17 opens new possibilities for combination to design more effective immunotherapeutic strategies to be associated with conventional one.


This special issue of Community Development introduces the Food and Fitness community partnerships and their work to increase access to healthy, locally grown food, and opportunities for physical activity, in vulnerable communities across the country. Established in 2007 and funded by the WK Kellogg Foundation, the partnerships are increasing the capacity of communities to participate in policy and systems change to positively affect their health and well-being. These articles together provide an illustration of how funders, grantees, and partners can work together to create sustainable change at the neighborhood level to ensure that all children and families are able to thrive.


In this paper we investigate completely homogeneous Ltopological spaces. The smallest completely homogeneous Ltopology on a set X containing an Lset f is called the principal completely homogeneous Ltopology generated by f . Here we also study the principal completely homogeneous Ltopological spaces generated by an Lset and characterize completely homogeneous Alexandroff discrete Ltopological spaces. 2010 AMS Classification: 54A40, 03E10


During the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for video calling and video conferencing is at peak and continues to grow. Integrating Augmented Reality (AR) with a regular video call can deliver a more interactive, immersive, and collaborative communication experience. This paper presents an AR video calling system that uses WebRTC protocol for establishing real-time video communication and uses AR SDK such as Google AR Core for adding AR features over the lively streaming video feed. To evaluate the performance and feasibility of the proposed AR video calling system, we implemented it on an Android mobile device and measured the relevant performance data, such as frame rate, CPU usage and network usage. The experimental results suggest that the proposed system is practicable and stable.


Small grains of monticellite disseminated through a dolomite from the Dewey mine, Ivanpah Quadrangle, San Bernardino County, California, proved on analysis to be the purest of any described monticellite. The total percentage of other isomorphous bases, FeO and MnO, replacing the MgO, is less than 1.50. The indices of ref ract ion, a:1.641, 0:1.649, T:1.655 are l ikewise lower than those of any published measurements for the natural mineral. The components of the isomorphous series MgO'CaO SiOz (monticell i te)-FeO. CaO' SiOrMnO' CaO' SiO2 (glaucochroite) are discussed and their indices of refraction given as:


F or more than a year now, we have looked at life through the lens of COVID anxiety. Fear of infection, dire outcomes, and transmission to loved ones have been reflected in every aspect of daily living—from wiping down our groceries in the early days to the endless handwashing and mask-wearing and more recently, the ceaseless searching on multiple electronic devices for that precious first vaccination appointment, all the while coping with mindnumbing isolation, when even a simple hug takes on enormous peril. It is no wonder that upticks in telemedicine visits for hair loss, gastrointestinal symptoms, irregular periods, insomnia, and other stress-related problems are being reported in this prolonged era of uncertainty. It was within this context that I read the work by Enomoto et al who report in this issue of Menopause on factors associated with the prevalence and severity of self-reported palpitations in middle-aged Japanese women. Study participants were ages 40 to 59 attending a Tokyo menopause clinic between 2007 and 2020 (presumably pre-COVID). The report is significant because it is one of the few studies to specifically evaluate risk factors for palpitations—a symptom often recognized as a menopause manifestation but seldom the focus of study. Palpitations or ''the uncomfortable awareness of a beating heart'' are typically thought to be harmless in healthy individuals, caused bypremature atrial/ventricular beats or stress-induced sinus tachycardia (a normal increase in heart rate). Frequently associated with panic disorder, anxiety, depression, and decreased health-related quality of life (QOL), palpitations are one of the most common problems of outpatients who present to internists and cardiologists. As defined by the American Heart Association, they can be brought on by anxiety, fright, strenuous exercise, excessive smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake, medications, and recreational drugs, and are especially prevalent in women. One cross-country survey of 1,100 mid-life community women in the United States, Spain, Morocco, and Lebanon demonstrated prevalence rates of 29% in cohorts from both the United States and Spain, 34% in Morocco, and 47% in Lebanon.


Coherent transition radiation (CTR) produced by the hot electrons generated when solid targets are irradiated by high-intensity lasers is examined. The theory is extended to include the effects of collisions on the generated hot electron beam. The collisional effects on electron transport, blooming and straggling, leads to transverse and longitudinal loss of coherence of the electron beam structure, resulting in a decrease in efficiency in the CTR. The directionality of the electrons leads to measurable non-radial components for the polarization of the CTR. With these effects accounted for, the properties of this radiation can give valuable information on the high-energy tail of the fast electrons produced at the target front side and transported through the solid-density material, such as temperature, direction and size of the filaments composing the beam.


1. Kami Jow, MD

Is there any benefit, theoretically or clinically, to alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen in the treatment of fever?

# Answer {#article-title-2}

1. Janet R. Serwint, MD, Consulting Editor

Counseling parents to alternate acetaminophen and ibuprofen has become a more common practice among pediatricians. Mayoral and associates (1) found that the single reason given most frequently by pediatricians who adopted this practice was that they thought this …


ABSTRACT This study investigated intimate partner violence (IPV) victims' emotion-focused coping efforts, as well as their retrospective ratings of the perceived helpfulness of these efforts, in the context of a longitudinal study of battered women's experiences over time. Four hundred and six primarily African American, low-income battered women who had experienced IPV within the previous 12 months were interviewed. Patterns of coping use and perceived helpfulness were explored. The correlation between prevalence of use of emotion-focused coping strategies and perceived helpfulness of these strategies was examined, and results showed that the strategies used by more battered women were less helpful in dealing with feelings about abuse. Implications for clinical interventions with battered women are discussed.


To evaluate the distribution of circulating adiponectin isoforms in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and compare isoform distribution changes 12 months after delivery.


Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) is a source for compounds of high nutritive value. Within that process of extraction, exocuticles (shells) accumulate which are currently disposed. A valorization of the compounds of the exocuticle such as chitosan would be beneficial to avoid waste and to obtain a versatile polymer at the same time. In contrast to previous investigations focusing on chitosan production from whole krill, we applied and optimized process stages of the chitosan production from the exocuticles, performing a comprehensive analytical evaluation of the whole process, the side streams and the products for the first time. Degreasing was the first step resulting in a krill oil yield of 6.2% using ethanol. The fatty acid profile exhibited high contents of phospholipids (21.2%). Citric acid offered a demineralization efficiency of 93%. Deproteinization investigation revealed 2 M NaOH and 90°C for 2.5 h to be the best parameters, resulting in a deproteinization efficiency of 99.9% and a chitin content of 92.8%. The spectroscopic investigation indicated that the chitin has a crystallinity index of 76% and an acetylation degree of 88%. The deacetylation degrees of the resulting chitosans is determined to be 74%–88%, the molecular weight ranges from 102 to 126 kDa.


Progress in Transplantation, Vol 10, No. 2, June 2000 Just as demand for transplantation has increased, so has its cost. Transplant programs now find themselves having to contain costs and also continue to offer quality care within fixed budgets. Reimbursement is no longer guaranteed at a dollar-for-dollar amount, and hospitals are being forced to be more cost efficient in today's business environment. The evaluation process for transplantation needs to be efficient and effective at identifying those patients deemed suitable for transplant, especially as managed care companies are beginning to look at the pretransplant phase more closely. The process must also identify early those patients not suitable for transplant, before they incur the full cost of the transplant evaluation. Early identification will keep costs down. The cardiopulmonary exercise test is one of the most controversial and influential tests performed during the evaluation phase for heart transplantation. The measurement of oxygen consumption at peak exercise (peak aO2) is an important tool for assessing potential transplant candidates and assessing mortality in this group of patients with end-stage heart failure. The best results are seen after optimization of medical therapy and if the patient is able to exercise to anaerobic threshold. Patients presenting in New York Heart Association class IV heart failure will rarely be able to exercise to this level, and the test may well be forgone Reducing transplant evaluation costs by early identification of unsuitable patients


Abstract In these post-Cartesian times, adult educators are retrieving the body as a significant site of learning. In this article we explore this in two linked ways: conceptually, in the light of broader perspectives in the social sciences, in policy analysis, and in philosophy; and also through empirical evidence, from adults' workplace learning experiences, and from adult literacy classrooms. We conclude that from practical embodied actions (that is, from ontology), significant epistemological claims can be generated, such as could shape adults' learning for, and in, the workplace.


Abstract : Shear flow past a perforated or slotted plate, with a cavity on its backside, can give rise to highly coherent, self-sustained oscillations. In fact, the coherence and magnitude of these oscillations can actually exceed those from the corresponding open cavity. The fundamental features of such oscillations are determined using a technique of high-image-density particle image velocimetry. A cinema version of this technique allows space-time representations of the flow structure. Global instantaneous and phase-averaged patterns are interpreted in conjunction with spectral and cross-spectral analysis of the unsteadiness on either side of the perforated or slotted plate. Using these approaches, a new type of instability has been defined. It is centered on development of a large-scale structure along the surface of the plate, in accord with the evolution of patterns of small-scale structures within each of the perforations or slots. By interpreting the phase shifts associated with the streamwise propagation of the disturbance on either side of the plate, relative to the phase shift of the unsteady volume flux through the plate, it is possible to arrive at a detailed physical model. This model is a generic one, valid for a range of perforated and slotted plate configurations. The consequences of the geometrical parameters of the plate, including the plate thickness and the scale of the individual perforations/perforations or slots, are shown to have a substantial influence. Furthermore, the detailed flow structure is interpreted in accord with the dimensionless frequency and amplitude of oscillation. Understanding of the basic flow physics leads to proposed concepts for attenuation of these oscillations.


The aim of this work is to assess a published method [1] that proposes to use only limited impact test coupons to establish the damage tolerance performance of carbonepoxy composites. Transverse stiffness of impacted plates measured by quasi-static load tests was used to relate to the compression-after-impact (CAI) strength. Results were compared with the CAI strength obtained by standard test method, which requires substantial amount of test coupons and are sensitive to the coupon size and boundary conditions. The equivalence of quasi-static load test and low-velocity impact tests in terms of the critical and maximum impact forces was established; therefore the critical impact force to initiate impact damage can be predicted by testing or FE modelling under quasi-static loading. The work is meaningful in the development of a suitable test programme using limited test coupons. Potentially this method may also solve the size effect problem due to different sample dimensions and boundary conditions leading to its application to the damage tolerance assessment of large structural components.


The application of indium requires high purity indium as material. 5N high purity indium had been prepared by the method of a combination of chemically smelting and electrolysis. Smelting time was 10 min, the abstraction rate of cadmium was 80%-90% when used solution of I2-KI and glycerine to smelt indium. 4N metal indium was used as anode, high purity indium as cathode, In2(SO4)3-H2SO4 system as electrolyte, and In content is 100 g/L, pH 2-3 and current density 80-100 A/m2. The thallium was removed by smelting indium using 15% NH4Cl-glycerine solution for 20 min and tin by smelting indium using NaOH and NaNO3 for 20 min. The removed rate of tin was 60%.The product quality of indium reached national standard of 5N high purity indium.


The repairs strategy adopted is replacement of damaged materials without dealing with the real problems. Many engineers unintentionally attempt treating the symptoms, instead of dealing with the cause. Such an approach may offer a quick action with minimum inconvenience to the occupants. But in this process, there is a strong possibility that the source and cause for the distress remain unattended and continue to cause problem even after the superficial repairs have been executed. If structural defects are dealt with in this fashion, it remains only as defects camouflaged beneath finishes, which gives a false sense of safety to the occupants allowing the problem to continue without getting treated. A rational approach to any repair and rehabilitation work to consider the source of the problem and the symptoms together identified on a standard scale is needed. Repairs, maintenance , rehabilitation is an integral part during life span of the structure. Neglecting or avoiding the same results in a potential loss of structure which may ultimately result in loss of human life. Structural Audit is the most commonly used parameter/system which gives a detailed structural information regarding the actual insight of the structure. There are also detailed systems available as far as repairs or rehabilitation is concerned. There is a gap which needs to be bridged between the assessment and the actual repair process. There needs to be a standard system developed which will act as a protocol regarding assessment of the degree of deterioration of the structure.


Many publications list algodystrophy as one of the most common and disabling complications of distal radius fractures. Presented data suggest many possible factors leading to its development, where median nerve injury is an important risk factor. the aim of the study was to present our experience with such complications after hybrid external fixation of distal radius fractures. The operative procedure, as well as clinical symptoms of algodystrophy are described in details. material and methods. Among 14 patients with neglected or after secondarily displaced distal radius fractures treated with hybrid external fixator three developed algodystrophy, in two cases refractory to our management protocol. The operation was performed at three to five weeks after injury. All cases with algodystrophy had a period of overdistraction of bone fragments. These patients had electromyographic studies performed. This examination revealed serious damage to the median nerve in all cases. Additionally all of them presented with serious bone atrophy of the wrist as documented on radiograms. Results. A year after fracture all have persisting radiographic symptoms of wrist osteoporosis and two have poor functional result despite union of bone fragments in good anatomic alignment. conclusions. Prolonged overdistraction of bony fragments in distal radius fractures may produce injury to the median nerve and result in algodystrophy.


The Naval Research Laboratory's Geospatial Information Database (GIDBTM) Portal System has been extended to now include an extensive geospatial search functionality. The GIDB Portal System interconnects over 600 distributed geospatial data sources via the Internet with a thick client, thin client and a PDA client. As the GIDB Portal System has rapidly grown over the last two years (adding hundreds of geospatial sources), the obvious requirement has arisen to more effectively mine the interconnected sources in near real-time. How the GIDB Search addresses this issue is the prime focus of this paper.


A 6-month-old infant had two episodes of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Diagnostic studies and craniotomy revealed that the hemorrhages were due to a hemangiopericytoma of the left parieto-occipital region. A literature review has located only three prior cases of brain tumor, with subarachnoid hemorrhage as the initial symptom, during the first two years of life. None of these was a hemangiopericytoma. This tumor is exceedingly rare in infancy.


This note is concerned with the adaptive stabilizing control problem for jump-Markov systems. A new control law is proposed based on a simple set of algebraic sufficient conditions. It is shown that this approach can be used for a class of stochastic models for which the more restrictive solution proposed by Caines and Zhang (1992) does not apply. >


The consultancy Environmental Resources Management (ERM) has conducted a study for the European Commission on the inventory and reporting methods for greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) which are currently employed by companiesi. Its main objective was to identify, analyze and share the leading methods and initiatives in the field of corporate GHG emission inventories, as a basis for the development of future policies. This work is part of an ambitious initiative that aims to assess the need to define a common methodology for organizations to report on their performance in the environmental arena. The following article explains the most important results of the study and its main conclusions.


Funding announced under Intake Three of COMRIF to replace the Huron Street and Joseph Street bridges in the Municipality of Brockton.


Abstract Thirty-nine male and 25 female Jerusalem medical students participated in a class exercise to determine their own risk factors for coronary heart disease. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures, body-mass index, and proportion of smokers were all lower in females and gave them a significantly lower estimated coronary heart disease (CHD) risk function. There was no sex difference for measures of serum cholesterol. A comparison of the Israeli data with those from three studies of American medical students revealed that Israelis smoke more than their American counterparts but otherwise appear to have similar risk profiles. The authors felt that the exercise was useful in helping these soon-to-be physicians understand the significance of the concepts of risk factors and risk and hope it will induce some of them to improve their own modifiable risk factors.


The invention provides a recovery method for cleaned crushing material of a building template. The recovery method comprises following steps: manually deslagging; carrying out shredding operation by a signal-shaft shredder; performing friction cleaning operation at high speed by a friction cleaning machine; rinsing and settling; performing cleaning operation by a horizontal friction cleaning machine; utilizing clean water to rinse and settle; carrying out centrifugal dewatering; drying a pipeline; and filling materials into a ton bag. The recovery method for cleaned crushing material of the building template has following advantages: cement on the surface of the template can be cleaned; the template can be recycled for use at 100% so that waste of material is decreased and pollution to the environment is reduced, thereby improving an economic effect; and a cleaning process is eco-friendly without pollution.


Exhibition curated by the 'we love your books collective' curated by Melanie Bush and Emma Powell. "All books were based on re word(s). For example: release, remote, reject,reassemble etc. Wonderful books were submitted from book artists and students from all over the world including: Finland, The Ukraine, Russia, Spain, Australia, Italy, Canada, Hong Hong, Hungary, Germany, Portugal, Sweden and USA." Jackie Batey was invited to exhibit her bookwork, 'Reboot'. Tour dates: 12th – 29th May 2008, The Gallery, The University of Northampton, Northampton, NN2 6JD, UK. 14th July–14th August, Artworks MK, Milton Keynes, UK 5th-14th November 2008, University of Portsmouth , CCi Space, Eldon Building, Portsmouth, UK


【Objective】To discuss the feasibility and security of SLPA under general anesthesia during laparo-scopic cholecystectomy.【Methods】One hundred and twenty patients with laparoscopic cholecystectomy were ran-domly assigned to SLIPA group and endotracheal intubation(TT) group.After pneumoperitoneum,mechanical venti-lation model is low tidal volume and faster respiratory rate in SLIPA.Conventional mechanical ventilation in TT group.Map,SPO2,HR,Ppeak,Compl and PetCO2 were recorded.countercurrent mistake inhalation was observed.Agitation,cough,sore throat,hoarseness and bloodstain on catheter were recorded.【Results】Success rate of im-plantation in SLIPA group is 98.33%,SPO2,PetCO2 were all normal after pneumoperitoneum,There were no signifi-cant difference between two groups(P 0.05).MAP and HR increased greatly when catheter implanting and pulling out(P 0.05).The incidence of agitation,cough,sore throat,hoarseness and bloodstain on catheter in SLIPA group was significant lower than that in TT group(P 0.05).【Conclusions】SLIPA with general anesthesia can be safely used during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.It can reduce the catheter stimulation to the throat and airway,maintain stable hemodynamics,insure the clear airway and effective ventilation.


Age at time of FMT (years), mean (SD) 65.9 (17.9) Sex (men) 41 (30%) Ethnic background Caucasian 107 (79%) Black or African American 11 (8%) Hispanic or Latino 6 (4%) Other 3 (2%) Not reported 8 (6%) Long term care resident 19 (14%) History of inflammatory bowel disease 17 (13%) History of irritable bowel syndrome 18 (13%) Medications at time of FMT Proton pump inhibitors 53 (39%) Immunosuppressive agents 33 (24%) Laxatives 3 (2%) Anti-motility agents 26 (19%) Horn index (of disease severity) 1 (mild) 7 (5%) 2 (moderate) 62 (46%) 3 (severe) 45 (33%) 4 (extremely severe) 7 (5%) Not reported 14 (10%) Received antibiotics prior to CDI diagnosis 81 (60%) Health care-associated CDI 34 (25%) Initial CDI diagnosis method* Toxin A or B 42 (31%) Polymerase chain reaction 89 (66%) Anaerobic culture/other 2 (2%) Not reported 12 (9%) CDI treatment prior to FMT* Vancomycin 84 (62%) Metronidazole 59 (44%) Fidaxomicin 2 (2%) CDI type* Refractory CDI 48 (37%) Recurrent CDI 101 (77%) Average number of recurrences, mean (SD) 3.0 (1.9) Inpatient admission to hospital 79 (61%) NAP-1 strain of C. difficile 9 (7%) FMT delivery modality Colonoscopy 81 (60%) Enema 10 (7%) Flexible sigmoidoscopy 2 (2%) Oesophagogastroduodenoscopy 15 (11%) Nasogastric tube 10 (7%) Nasoduodenal tube 2 (2%) Other 11 (8%) Not reported 4 (3%) Colonoscopy preparation 95 (74%) Proton pump inhibitor prior to nasogastric tube 8 (80%) Frozen FMT thaw methods Water bath 73 (56%) Room temperature 40 (30%) Time between FMT and non-response (days), mean (SD) 15.3 (12.8) Patient decontaminated toilets at home Yes 51 (38%) No 26 (19%) Not reported 58 (43%) Assessed for post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome 41 (30%)


This paper deals with the relation between matroid and concept lattice by constructive ways and gets that up to isomorphism, every matroid is a concept lattice, but not vice versa. The result makes it become reality that the properties of concept lattice are utilized to the research in matroid theory. Especially, the conclusion is fundamental to the applications of those algorithms for concept lattice construction methods and particularly that having been operated in computer successfully to construct matroids. On the other hand, theoretically, it presents a basis for matroid theory to be an auxiliary tool in studying on concept lattice theory.


ABSTRACT The incompressible Navier–Stokes equations with heat transfer are solved by an implicit pressure-correction method on unstructured Cartesian meshes. An immersed boundary method is also implemented to treat arbitrary solid bodies in the flow field. The domain occupied by the immersed bodies is viewed as being occupied by the same fluid as outside, with a prescribed velocity and temperature field. With this view, the pressure inside the immersed bodies satisfies the same pressure Poisson equation as outside. Multigrid methods are developed to solve the difference equations for pressure, velocity, and temperature field. Various forced-convection and natural-convection test problems are computed to validate the present methodology.


Tanguar haor is located in the north-eastern region of Bangladesh and frequently experienced extreme events such as high rainfall that affect the haor basin area with flash floods on a regular basis. Tanguar haor is usually foreseen to severe disastrous conditions for the reason of changes in rainfall patterns and water extent. The study was conducted at Tanguar haor of Sunamganj district. This study mainly focuses on the year to year rainfall variability (2001-2018) and water extent (2002-2018) in the Tanguar haor area. The specific objective of the study was to explore the effect of rainfall variability and water extent in Tanguar haor. Information and data were collected mainly from secondary sources. Analysis of data and assess the ecological effect of changes in rainfall patterns and water extent were the main activities of the study along with others. The findings of the study were changeability in rainfall patterns and water extent frequently caused a flash flood in pre-monsoon and monsoon season in the Tanguar haor area. Flash flood causes a vast amount of financial loss for the living people of the Tanguar haor that makes them more vulnerable to live well. The result of this study may help to gather new knowledge on the consequences of rainfall variability and water extent in the haor basin area. It may add significance to the management of flash flood and severe stress in the haor basin area.


The present invention relates to a signal transmission device, which permits a measuring probe (1), in particular a pH measuring probe or an oxygen measuring probe, to be linked to an evaluation unit (3). The device comprises a differential amplifier (OV) with a non-inverting input, to which an input signal (u10) that is emitted by an electrode (15; 16) of the measuring probe (1) can be fed and from which a corresponding output signal (u1) can be emitted with a low impedance to a transmission line (L), which is used to transmit the output signal (u1) to the evaluation unit (3). According to the present invention, the output of the differential amplifier (OV) is connected to the transmission line (L) and to the inverting input of the differential amplifier (OV) via a first resistor (R1) and to the input (inp) of a first control unit (TR1), which records signals such as clock pulse signals and/or data, the signals being applied by the evaluation unit (3) to the transmission line (L).


Tool life varied when different workpiece materials were machined, even the same tool under the different machining environments. If cutting tools match with workpiece materials correctly and rationally, it can efficiently improve the machining and greatly reduce the machining cost. With the advantage of Case-Based Reasoning (CBR), the case description, similarity, attributes weight and decision-making process are discussed in this paper. Intelligent selection strategies of tool materials are discussed under such respects as mechanical, physical and chemical properties. An intelligent selection system for tool materials based on CBR is also developed. Under the control of this system, combining the selection strategies with constraint-based adaptation conditions, the matching results can be properly selected on the basis of previous successful matching cases, which is helpful for the selection of tool materials.


Distance bounding protocols are a critical mechanism of wireless technologies such as RFID or ZigBee. They aim to enforce a stronger definition of authentication by preventing any kind of the relay attack, namely the distance fraud, the mafia fraud and the terrorist fraud. This paper aims to define the Boolean functions used in the distance bounding protocols based on the work of Hancke and Kuhn. Indeed, the choice of these functions has never been discussed despite the considerable literature. We define the criteria on the function needed to defeat each fraud.


Peters Plus Syndrome is a rare autosomic recessive disorder, clinically characterized by abnormal formation of various structures including anterior eye chamber, genitourinary tract, skeletal system and central nervous system. PPS is due to defective B3GALTL gene encoding for a glycosyl-transferase that plays a crucial role during embryogenesis. Here we report on a 12-year old boy affected by Peters Plus syndrome who showed peculiar additional features such as absence epilepsy and recurrent bacterial infections.


Ken Conca, Governing Water: Contentious Transnational Politics and Global Institution Building (MIT Press, 2005). Transparency International, Global Corruption Report 2008: Corruption in the Water Sector (Cambridge University Press, 2008). Transparency International, "Building Integrity to Ensure Effective Water Governance," Policy Position, 2008. UN Development Programme (UNDP), "Water Governance for Poverty Reduction: Key Issues and the UNDP Response to Millennium Development Goals, 2004." Peter Rogers and Alan W. Hall, "Effective Water Governance," Global Water Partnership Technical Committee (TEC) Background Papers No. 7, 2003.


The paper presents the application of the Wavelet Transform (WT) analysis to identify electrical appliances operating in the end-user household. The generic approach to the non-intrusive devices identification, i.e. using aggregated current and voltage signals is described. Next, the novel approach to extract features from the signals using WT coefficients is introduced. This allows for monitoring the appliance in the transient state, during the on-off event or while changing its mode (in the multi-state devices). This approach may replace or support the traditional steady-state analysis. Features extracted during switching the specific appliance in the laboratory conditions are then used to train the artificial intelligence-based classifier. It is further responsible for identifying the devices in the on-line mode. As the classifier, the random forest was applied. Its evaluation on the available data proves the usefulness of the proposed approach.


Since the 1960s, droughts have caused significant degradation of Sahelian ecosystems, particularly resulting in a reduction in tree cover. Despite the challenges posed by climate change, the rural Sahelian population continues to depend on natural resources for pastoral livestock farming, which remains a critical source of livelihood. To address this issue of land degradation, Sahelian states and international coalitions are prioritizing efforts to restore pastoral land through reforestation programs. These initiatives aim to enhance ecosystem services, generate new income for the population, and safeguard biodiversity.In practice, however, reforestation has often led to a depletion of resources for communities due to enclosure policies. This paper explores various land management models for reforestation within a pastoral context through provisioning ecosystem services (PES) modeling.This study quantifies the economic potential of PES offered by reforestation programs in Senegal. It employs a quantitative methodology to assess the profitability of these operations from the perspective of pastoral economies. The analysis reveals that the PES benefits of reforestation can significantly enhance the economic potential of sylvo-pastoral productions if resource access is negotiated collaboratively between pastoralists and forestry extension services during reforestation activities and after. From an investment perspective, the economic viability of reforestation operations in drylands is questionable. The findings suggest that when evaluated solely in terms of PES profitability, these programs may not be financially sustainable. The sustainability of these investments would require taking into account supporting and regulating ecosystem services.


Rode my bike in town today for the first time in months -- and it's true what they say. I had not forgotten how.


PROPOSED NEW soap bars comprising A) 70 to 85% by weight of salts of fatty acids, B) 0.5 to 10% by weight of fatty acids, C) 1 A 10 wt% ether-alkyl sulfates, D) 0.1 to 1% by weight of alkyl and / or alkenyl, and possibly other auxiliaries and additives. THESE NEW soaps are distinguished by a creamier, more suds, GOOD FOR disperse based soaps CAL, an excellent acceptance COSMETIC SKIN properties and mechanical stability. It is also observed improved stability COLOR when made soap bars, particularly temperature.


Two new species and one subspecies from Georgia, Parachiptcria gcorgica, spec. nov., Ceratozetes colchica, spec. nov., and Acrogahttnna longipluma adjarica, subspec. nov. are described. Some datas of Parachipteria georgica, spec. nov. and P. nkokti Berlese, 1883, as most related species, have been treated statistically. The combination of main characters body length, length of anterior notogastral setae and shape of border of pteromorphae confirms two well separated species. Maka Murvanidze, Institute of Zoology of Georgian Academy of Sciences, Chavchavadze av. 31, 380079 Tiblisi, Georgia


This paper studies the direct relationship among temperature, dye fixation, fastness properties and breaking strength of cured dyed jute fabric. Jute and jute-cotton union fabric was dyed with direct dyes by the continuous method with very good fastness properties and dye fixation. By curing the dyed sample fabrics at 150 0 C for 1 minute, maximum dye fixation of 89% was achieved. The corresponding fastness properties of the dyed fabric such as washing, rubbing and light fastness were found to be 5, 5 and 7 respectively. The findings of the study indicate that jute and jute-cotton union fabrics can be successfully dyed in a continuous dye process with direct dyes.


In 1998, as a postgraduate student in London, I had my first encounter with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I seem to remember that the entire document fits—just—on a single sheet of A4 paper. A document so light that it threatened to skate off the desk when I opened my textbooks. Yet what this Charter contained was anything but lightweight. Even now, a decade later, I am only just beginning to appreciate its enormity. Comparison of the Charter to the newly-issued Human Rights Act 1998 was irresistible and inevitable on so many levels (not least of all length . . .) and I found that I was by no means alone in my desire to further explore what appeared to me to be an exciting, critical and politicized jurisprudence. Fortunately for me, an entire organization existed—the BACS Legal Studies Group—which sympathized completely, and following an invitation from the Secretary of the group, I joined as a member of their executive committee, later to be elected as Chair.1 Founded in 1987 as a specialist group of the larger British Association for Canadian Studies, the Legal Studies Group acts as a focus for comparative work in the field.2 The group's constitution states that it exists 'to advance and actively promote education, learning, research and the dissemination of knowledge focusing on comparative


The high- intensity soft X-ray beams forma.tion and control are important for a large number of basic and appl ied researches. The ma.in types of soft X-ray sources are the synchrotron (SR) sources and high temperature plasma. sources. The specialized SR sources [1] are the most convenient and advantageous for technical appl ications, X-ray l ithography, for example. Whereas SR sources are very complexly bui lt and expensive apparatus. The high temperature plasma sources (laser plasma., pinch, etc.) are reliable and of moderate cost apparatus. The laser plasma sources have high efficiency and high spatial stabi lity of emission poi nt and wide waverange of soft X-ray emission [2-4]. But soft X-ray emission of al1 plasma sources is accompanying by intensive flows of plasma expansion products. To get rid of the plasma. expansion products various types of soft X-ray optics are used. The la;er irrad iation conversion into soft X-ravs prov ided by -6 focusing multi layer mirrors is about 10 [ 5, 6J . We have proposed to use wide-range wavegui de focusing soft X-ray optics with a laser plasma source to increase the conversion [ 7].


Many real-world applications produce networked data such as the world-wide web (hypertext documents connected via hyperlinks), social networks (for example, people connected by friendship links), communication networks (computers connected via communication links) and biological networks (for example, protein interaction networks). A recent focus in machine learning research has been to extend traditional machine learning classification techniques to classify nodes in such networks. In this article, we provide a brief introduction to this area of research and how it has progressed during the past decade. We introduce four of the most widely used inference algorithms for classifying networked data and empirically compare them on both synthetic and real-world data.


The method for calculating the electronic transmission coefficient for elastic electronic transport through a layered structure with spatially variable anisotropic effective mass and one-electron potential energy is proposed. In this method, the transmission coefficient is evaluated by means of a certain matrix quantity assigned to any region of the sample. Thismatrix is determined by functional shapes of the reciprocal effective mass tensor and a one-particle potential energy in a given region as wellas by the energy and group velocity of an incident electron. As an example, the transmission coefficients are calculated for a triple-barrier structure as well as for a structure obtained by replacing the inner potential barrier by an anisotropic conductive layer.


The grandson of a local beekeeper sparked other children's interest in the pollinators by sharing what he knew about them on World Bee Day. By Annette Rawstrone


O shore oil slick tracking buoy can be used to lock and locate oil trajectory when oil spill occurs. The adsorp- tion capacity of oil-absorbing material inside buoy and the ocean winds has a great influence on positioning capability of buoy. The stronger adsorption capacity, the more closely integrated with oil and better positioned. First, from the analysis of oil- absorbing material stress, this paper measures the wind load of oil- absorbing material by using the principle of lever amplification in laboratory, and studies the variation trend of wind load along with disc diameter. The result is that wind load increases linearly along with increasing disc diameter. The study on adhesion of material along with increasing disc diameter indicates that adhesion has quadratic relations with the disc diameter. With the increase of disc diameter, the adhesion increases sharply. Second, studies suggest that adhesion should be composed of intermolecular force, surface tension and viscosity shear force. Intermolecular force is the main force, and surface tension and viscosity shear force is less than intermolecular forces from 1 to 2 orders of magnitude. Finally, based on the principle that adhesion force should


Introduction: Due to scientific advances, there is a growing number of pediatric patients surviving cancer. In general, for children who suffer from central nervous system tumors, this survival is associated with secondary adverse effects, such as cognitive deficits. Objetive: To assess cognitive functions and quality of life in children with infratentorial and supratentorial brain tumors. Methods: An analytical observational and prospective study was conducted. The total sample consisted of 51 subjects. The following measurement instruments were used: Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC IV), Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), Test of Memory and Learning (TOMAL), Graffar Scale; and Peds Quality of Life 4.0 Results: The comparison of the results did not show significant differences between infratentorial and supratentorial tumor location. All patients that were evaluated in the post-cancer-treatment period reveled a similar significant impairment in all the areas studied compared with the level expected in the general population. The most severely affected cognitive functions were processing speed and attention span, mainly on the planning tasks. The findings also show that quality of life at school is severely affected in these children. Conclusions: This is a preliminary study whose results may define a general trend of neurocognitive status, analyzing its impact on quality of life of the study population an posing useful questions for future research.


A scheduling-event driven modeling method of material flow process was proposed for scheduling in petrochemical industries.Continuous process was divided into several steady sub-processes according to scheduling events,and materials,units and their relations were built on this basis.In this way,the production process and the scheduling event were connected with each other,realizing events drive model.The realized system is able to simulate petrochemical production process under the effect of scheduling events such as mode-switching and material-transferring,and stochastic events such as equipment fault.It helps schedulers to pre-evaluate the performance of candidate schemes,supporting scheduling optimization.


Abstract New York University characterizes itself as a global-network university. It currently offers (or soon will) engineering and business/management curricula leading to baccalaureate degrees on campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. The programs are designed to be interoperable, i.e., students (and faculty) can move from campus to campus while staying on track in their particular course of study. This objective of interoperability raises interesting issues regarding the internationalization of engineering and technical education. Additionally, at Abu Dhabi and Shanghai, the engineering and business management programs are tightly integrated with classical, western liberal arts education. This paper will explore the variety of educational and philosophical issues of this approach. The paper will offer a favourable assessment of the approach while acknowledging the profound challenges it entails.


Evidence of Palaeolithic occupation in Epirus discovered in 1962 by the late E. S. Higgs is re-analysed, especially that from Asprochaliko and Kastritsa. The paper also presents the results of the first season's excavations at the rock-shelter of Klithi, which throws light on problems connected with the interpretation of the earlier excavation and the different functions of the two sites. The new excavations demonstrate that Klithi contains a rich Palaeolithic deposit, perhaps dating within the period 20,000 to 12,000 years ago.


Standard therapy of aggressive glioblastoma (GBM), which includes maximum safe surgical resection and concurrent radiation/temozolomide (RT/TMZ) followed by maintenance TMZ, is associated with poor progression-free survival (PFS) and overall


The applicability of hydrodynamic equations of arbitrary order to the dynamics of stellar systems is discussed. Analysis of the system of moment equations for steady-state spherical systems demonstrates that excess in the velocity distribution will be absent if and only if the velocity dispersions satisfy the standard relations of ellipsoidal dynamics.


How to select a proper financing model to solve the problems of small and medium-sized enterprises in financing predicament is of important significance to boost the rapid development of small and medium-sized enterprises and continuous growth of national economy.Based on the perspective of financing efficiency,this paper measures the financing efficiency of the small and medium-sized enterprises from such six aspects as financing cost,capital exploitation ratio,payment capacity,financing risk,liberalized degree of financing main body and the market maturity degree,and furthermore,constructs comprehensive evaluation model based on hierarchic structure and grey association degree to conduct comparative research on different financing models.Research results show that with regard to small and medium-sized enterprises,the preferential order of financing model is endogenously financing,bank loan,civilian borrow-lend,issuing stock shares and private equity.


The N-p-nitrophenylmethacrylamide (N-pNPhMA) was synthesized by the interaction of p-nhrophenylamine with methacryloyl chloride in the presence of triethylamine. This monomer was characterized by IR. and 1H NMR method.The N-p-NPhMA-co-MMA bulk copolymers have been prepared and characterized by IR and 1H NMR.The reactivity ratios of copolymerization of the N-p-NPhMA with MMA were obtained (r1 = 5.05±0.02 for MMA, r, = 0.29±0.02 for N-p-NPhMA) by using of a 'H NMR method.The N-p-NPhMA-co-MMA bulk copolymers are golden and transparent.


Background: Washing hands with soap on right a time is an effort to change bad attitudes which does not support the expected health's status. Washing hands with soap couldn't succeeded if there was not clean water access. This analysis purposed to know the relation between clean water access with washing hands with soap's attitudes on household with children under 5 years based on region's type in Indonesia. Method: This analysis used chi-square's and log-regression's test with Riskesdas 2007 data as analysis units. It showed that 243.396 children under 5 years on 104.109 urban's households and 139.287 rural's households. Result: The result showed that the clean water access 90% either in urban or rural was good, but the attitude washing hands with soap were still low, under 60%. Chi-square test showed there was a relation between the clean water access and the outcome level with washing hands with soap's attitude. Log-regression test showed that tended based on the outcome level in avarege and poor households, and did not differs between urban and rural. Conclusion: There were relations between the clean water access and outcome levels with washing hands with soap. Washing hands with soap 's attitude with clean water or not still on the low level, either on urban or rural. Household with poor economic's and avarege's status tended to low washing hands with soap's attitude againts the wealthy one. This study recommended to improve health's education to all community, to understand the importance of washing hands with soap using clean water for all activities, especially before eating, before preparing the food, after loosen the bowels/babies' care, and after holding the animals. Keywords: clean water access, washing hands with soap, household with children under 5 years


Computer game engine always takes an important role in the history of AI development. The relative research give huge contribution to the AI development and also have general impact on both social and academic world. Here we give our ways of improvement on computer game. We can implement a good computer game engine based on it. The Chinese chess engine based on it has got the 2nd price of national computer game contest 2007.


Lightweight cryptography is a rapidly developing research field. Its main goal is to provide security for devices with fewer resources. These limited‐resource devices implement reliable ciphers that use very little power and computation. The lightweight cipher should be built for high performance while using the fewest resources possible, such as memory and power. In this article, we compare block ciphers and several other stream ciphers based on criteria such as input size, output size, structure employed, key size, number of rounds, vulnerable attacks, chip area, gate equivalent, memory use, throughput, and security features. Moreover, this article provides a detailed analysis comparing all cryptographic algorithms and their use in day‐to‐day life activities. This paper also discusses some lightweight ciphers, stream ciphers, and hybrid ciphers. Moreover, it shows the cryptanalysis of some block ciphers like DES.


ABSTRACT Developing self-directed employees is often regarded as a key factor for achieving sustainable and continual organizational success in business. Recently, some leading business organizations have introduced and implemented autonomy supporting managerial practices. However, not all business organizations have been able to reap the benefits of those practices. The purpose of this study is to identify and understand the impact of employee positivity on the self-directed employee behavior in a non-western work context. This study investigates the relationships between employee perception of autonomous work environment (AWE), positive psychological capital (PsyCap), and self-directed behavior (SDB) in large Korean automotive parts manufacturing companies. In total, 331 surveys from 43 teams in six organizations were gathered and analyzed using multiple quantitative techniques. Results indicated that the PsyCap significantly mediated the relationship between AWE and SDB for subordinates (Sobel B = .513, SE = .059, p < .001) and for supervisors (Sobel B = .704, SE = .193, p < .001). Results of this study indicate that autonomy supporting managerial practices would not be effective in promoting self-directed employee behavior without nurturing employee positivity. Several strategic HRD interventions such as PsyCap training and performance management system improvement were proposed to enhance self-directed employee behavior.


Unlike wired networks, packets transmitted on wireless channels are often subject to burst errors which cause packet losses. Most wireless LAN data link layer protocols recover from packet loss by retransmitting the lost frames, but this leads to bad utilization for the wireless channel because this channel is in a burst error state, so most of the retransmission attempts will fail. Furthermore, when multiple sessions sharing the wireless link, FIFO packet scheduling can cause the Head-Of-Line (HOL) blocking effect, which cause unfair sharing between real-time and non real-time flows. All of these facts have led to a new class of packet dispatching methods which explicitly taking the wireless channel characteristics into consideration when making packet dispatching decisions. This paper proposes two channel aware MAC layer solutions which are Failure Mirror (FM) and Adaptive Retry Limit (ARL) algorithms for a noisy wireless environment. The simulation results of this paper showed that both of the proposed algorithms reduce the delay by more than 59% and increase the throughput by minimum 179% more than that of the WIFI in the error-prone channels.


Abstract The rotational-torsional spectrum of DCOOCH3, the symmetric, singly deuterated isotopomer of methyl formate, has been extended into the millimeter-wave and submillimeter-wave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. A total of 885 lines belonging to the A and E torsional substates of the ground (νt = 0) torsional state has been measured through rotational quantum number J = 30 up to a frequency of 377 GHz. These lines have been added to 27 previously measured microwave lines and the combined data set was analyzed using a global internal axis method. A root-mean-square deviation of 85 kHz has been obtained by varying 31 rotation and internal rotation parameters. The newly measured spectra reported should be useful for interstellar searches for DCOOCH3, which has yet to be detected unambiguously in interstellar clouds despite the existence of copious numbers of observed transitions for methyl formate.


The imaging optical system (7) has an object field (M6 from M1) a plurality of mirrors for forming the image field (8) of the (4) an image plane (9) of the object plane (5). The imaging optical system (7) has a pupil obscuration. Last mirror (M6) is in the beam path of the imaging light (3) between the object field (4) and the image field (8), through openings for the passage of imaging light (3) (18) a. Penultimate mirror (M5) is of the object field (4) and the imaging optical system in the beam path of the imaging light (3) between the image field (8) (7), imaging light (3) no through openings for the passage. The result is a small and imaging errors, the manufacturing manageable, good yields and controllable imaging optical system combination is obtained of for imaging light. .FIELD 2


We apply to lattice QCD a bosonization method previously developed in which dynamical bosons are generated by time-dependent Bogoliubov transformations. The transformed action can be studied by an expansion in the inverse of the nilpotency index, which is the number of fermionic states in the structure function of composite bosons. When this number diverges the model is solved by the saddle-point method which has a variational interpretation. We give a stationary covariant solution for a background matter field whose fluctuations describe mesons. In the saddle-point approximation fermionic quasiparticles exist which have quark quantum numbers. They are confined in the sense that they propagate only in pointlike color singlets. Conditions for chiral symmetry breaking are determined, to be studied numerically, and a derivation of a mesons-nucleons action is outlined.


Units, symbols and definitions Obtaining information under water Acoustic waves, beams and echoes Basic principles of simple sonar systems Processing sonar signals from fish The use and limitations of fishing echo--sounders Horizontal beam sonars: types and applications for fisheries Other types of sonar Glossary of terms.


In her 1993 annotated bibliography to the medieval Charlemagne tradition, Susan Farrier notes that critics outside of Belgium and the Netherlands have generally neglected the medieval Dutch Charlemagne romances in spite of their importance for the international Charlemagne tradition (Farrier, 1993, p. xvii). Although obviously the language barrier plays a part, Low Countries' scholarship must also be held responsible for the lack of knowledge about Middle Dutch Charlemagne literature among the international academic community. Having acknowledged their negligence, a group of Dutch chansons de geste specialists decided some time ago to publish a series of essays on Middle Dutch Charlemagne romances in Olifant. These contributions were meant to complement a number of general non-Dutch articles on the tradition which have appeared in recent years, including Evert van den Berg and Bart Besamusca's "Middle Dutch Charlemagne romances and the oral tradition of the chansons de geste" (1994), Hans van Dijk's "Das Bild Karls des Groβen in den Niederlanden" (2004), and two subsequent contributions by van Dijk: "Des originaux franҫais perdus a la transmission orale" (2008) and "Die Chanson de geste im Niederlandischen zwischen dem Franzosischen und dem Deutschen" (2010). In previous issues of Olifant, the following articles, which were mostly structured according to an identical pattern, have been published:


The objective of the study was to assess the types of various vascular anomalies in terms of their diagnostic criteria, ages of presentation, location, sex distribution, and management in a government tertiary care setup. Relevant clinical data (demographicage, sex, place, occupation) including history was obtained from the patient. A detailed clinical examination was performed. Design followed was case series in a multidisciplinary clinic in a medical college. Study involved sample population of 20 patients with vascular anomalies seen from January 2013 to December 2013.Main outcome measured was diagnosis before and after hospital visit, symptoms, and treatment recommendations, age of onset, age at clinic visit, location of lesion, sex, and type of referring physician. A total of 10% of patients had cutaneous involvement, 80% of patients had vascular malformations, and 10% had infantile haemangioma. Five percent of vascular malformations were first noted at birth and 80% were noted at later than 10 years of age. Eighty-percent of patients were symptomatic from their vascular lesion. . Further diagnostic workup was recommended in 90% of cases, and treatment recommendations were made in 80% of cases. Significant confusion still exists regarding the appropriate terminology, diagnosis, and management of vascular anomalies. Multidisciplinary clinics effectively address these complicated and troubling disorders by providing accurate diagnoses, clear treatment recommendations.


Some basic research issues of biomechanics modeling and analysis were discuissed using a forward dynamics model of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the index finger, which combines musculotendon dynamics and muscle excitation contraction dynamics. The model numerically analyzes the 60° angular fast flexion of the MCP joint of the index finger using the optimal control theory. The result shows that during a fast flexion the short time average angular speed is nearly constant, but the instantaneous speed appears to be a fluctuation wave. This model provides a basic analysis tool for the simulation of MCP joint movement including the neural control signals and is of further significance for analyzing the mechanism for redundant movement control of the human hand.


Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is one of the deadliest gynecological cancers currently diagnosed in women with approximately 20,000 new cases and 15,000 deaths per year. Ovarian cancer can be stratified into distinct subtypes of which high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) comprises 90% of all cases and has the highest mortality rate. Reducing the high mortality rate associated with HGSOC currently has two primary barriers: 1) most HGSOCs are diagnosed at a post-metastatic stage and 2) up to 70% of patients recur within 5 years. Both of these limitations are due to the fact that the drivers of tumor initiation are poorly understood. In order to change the status quo of the last 30 years, a new approach that focuses on understanding the origins of HGSOC is required. Our lab has recently discovered that miR-181a promotes key hallmarks of HGSOC progression in fallopian tube secretory epithelial cells (FTSECs) which are precursor cells of HGSOC. We show that enhanced expression of miR-181a in FTSECs results in increased proliferation, survival, and anchorage independent growth in vitro . Furthermore, FTSECs with miR-181a overexpression are able to form tumors in vivo whereas FTSECs that overexpress a control scramble miRNA cannot. Using cell cycle analysis, dynamic live-cell imaging, and SNP array analysis, we also found that miR-181a overexpression increases aneuploidy and genomic instability in FTSECs. We show that miR-181a promotes defects in nuclear structure, ruptures in the nuclear envelope, as well as mitotic and cytokinetic defects affecting proper chromosome segregation. A combination of global mRNA expression profiling and target prediction software identified the tumor suppressor retinoblastoma (RB1) as a target for miR-181a mediated FTSEC tumorigenesis. Using an RB1 3'UTR luciferase assay, along with stable expression of an shRNA against RB1 in FTSECs, we are able to show that miR-181a directly targets RB1 and that knockdown of RB1 phenocopies miR-181a mediated tumorigenesis. Taken together, our data shed light on a novel mechanism that promotes genomic instability and tumorigenesis in the early phases of HGSOC development. Our results suggest miR-181a as a promising early detection biomarker as well as a prognostic tool to guide patient treatment. Citation Format: Matthew Knarr, Lily Kwiatkowski, Anil Nagaraj, Ronny Drapkin, Analisa DiFeo. miR-181a is a key driver of genomic instability and ovarian cancer tumorigenesis through the regulation of RB1 [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3557.


The torsional vibrations which occur on the fuel injection pump of an automotive diesel engine were investigated. Calculations and tests showed that as well as vibrations transmitted from the crankshaft, the fuel pump could vibrate at the natural frequency of the torsional system consisting of the pump and the drive coupling against an infinite mass. This was excited by harmonic torques produced by the pump.Calculations were made to show the effect of variables on the natural frequency of the pump system including the instance when a crankshaft natural frequency coincided with a pump natural frequency. Calculations were also made of the effect of the engine harmonic torques on the pump vibrations. The results were verified by experiments.