Perhaps the most famous anecdote about the influence of the Federal Writers Project (FWP) on writers in its employ is that about Ralph Ellison, who--while working on the "Living Lore" folklore project in New York City--collected a story about an invisible man, the apparent inspiration for his later novel. More recently, in Go Gator and Muddy the Water, Pamela Bordelon has published many of Zora Neale Hurston's writings for the Florida project, revealing deep connections between Hurston's FWP fieldwork and the settings of her fiction. While Richard Wright is often hailed as the "poster child" for the Writers' Project, not enough has been written about the influence of the FWP on his work. The following previously unpublished essay by Wright, "A Survey of Amusement Facilities of District #35," clearly suggests that his work for the FWP was a major influence on Wright's fiction. Scholars of African American literature now recognize a "Chicago Renaissance," led partly by Wright, as an important follow-up-and radical revision of the aesthetics of--the Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s. Critics such as Robert Bone and Deborah Barnes trace the influence of African American writers in Chicago during this period, many of whom met while working on the Chicago Writers' Project. As early as 1950, Arna Bontemps claimed that while "Harlem got its renaissance in the middle 'twenties .... Ten years later Chicago reenacted it on WPA without finger bowls but with increased power" (46). A friend of Ellison's, Albert Murray, goes a step further, claiming that the FWP "put writers and artists in touch as they never had been before. It was even more intense than the Harlem Renaissance" (Brinkley B7). The Illinois Writers' Project had "a healthier percentage [of African-American staffers] than in any other state," with nine African American writers on board (Rowley 108). Wright was on the payroll along with established and emerging talents such as Margaret Walker, Frank Yerby, and eventually Bontemps himself, who joined the Project in 1937. Given this group of luminaries, Bontemps's declaration about 1930's Chicago rivaling 1920's Harlem makes sense. In his seminal 1986 article proposing a "Chicago Renaissance," Robert Bone also discusses the "Wright generation," since Wright was as much if not more of an influence than geography in shaping the period's aesthetics and agenda. As Bontemps's and Murray's comments suggest, the Chicago Writers' Project was one of the most fertile sources for the Renaissance Wright sparked. A close examination of the extensive and impressive work African American researchers and writers did for the Chicago project from 1936-1941 indicates that they had far more ambitious plans than the Project's ultimate publication record provides. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library (ALPL) in Springfield, Illinois, has the most extensive collection of materials written for the Illinois Writers' Project, including many by the African American unit. Plans exist for a book-length manuscript on The Negro in Illinois and another titled The Negro Press in Chicago [ALPL FWP Box 100]; a lone researcher and author, Kitty Chappelle, penned a nearly 700-page manuscript on "The Development of Negro Culture in Chicago" [ALPL FWP Box 78]; and other writers produced shorter but complete manuscripts on various topics, such as the history of jazz music in Chicago, that seem close to publication readiness. The Illinois Project's focus and goals became clearer as the Project evolved. Started in 1935, it initially focused, as did all the state projects, on amassing materials for a state guidebook, as well as collecting folklore and slave narratives, all duly represented in the ALPL's holdings. However, documents from the early years of the project also suggest that researchers and writers were amassing information simply to be amassing information; numerous summaries of recent books and multiple accounts of the general history of African Americans may partly confirm accusations that the WPA projects were simply "make-work. …


The invention relates to [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices, and a preparation method thereof. The [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices are characterized in that: the slices are composed of a main component of alumina and an auxiliary component of calcium oxide, wherein the weight of the calcium oxide in the [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices equals 0.5% to 5% of the weight of alumina in the [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices. The preparation method is that: a solution containing water-soluble aluminum precursor, calcium precursor and water-soluble flux is mixed with an alkali solution containing alkali phosphate; the mixture is then hydrolyzed to form a mixed gel; the gel is then processed through drying and calcining, such that a finish product is obtained. The [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices have particle sizes greater than or equal to 20 [mu]m, and are well distributed; the thicknesses of the [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices are small (which are smaller than or equal to 0.5 [mu]m) and are uniform; and the radius-thickness ratios of the [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices are large (which are greater than or equal to 80). The appearances of the slices are structured, the surfaces of the slices are smooth, and the slices are rarely inlayed, interlaced or laminated. With good dispersity, the [alpha]-alumina single-crystal slices can be applied in the manufacturing of high performance pearlescent pigments, and are especially suitable in the manufacturing of optically variable pigments.


This article aims to present detailed accounts of central approaches to Critical Discourse Analysis. It focuses on the work of three prominent scholars such as Fairclough's critical approach, Wodak's discourse-historical approach and Van Dijk's socio-cognitive approach. This study concludes that a combination of these three approaches can be useful to critical analysis of texts.


Broadly speaking, this book attempts to trace the contradictory, and frequently counter-posed, currents of sensibility aroused by the phenomenon of political violence in Peruvian society. Its assessment of collective and individual subjectivity, combining as it does both a cultural and historical approach to the problem, stands apart from other work published until now and, therefore, constitutes a valuable contribution towards understanding the context surrounding the emergence, growth and defeat of Sendero Luminoso (the Shining Path).


Due to forces of water from the ocean, high rate of precipitation, and some anthropogenic activities such as coastal settlements and coastal agriculture, the study area is seriously affected by the coastal erosion which is associated with environmental degradation where the most noticeable one in this case is the coastline change. This study mapped and analyzed the coastal erosion vulnerability along Bonny Island coastline using satellite remote sensing. Its objectives were to: determine the extent of Bonny Island coastline for the last 30 years (1987 – 2017); ascertain the trend and change dynamics of Bonny Island coastline during the said period; determine the levels of erosion vulnerability along Bonny Island coastline and to predict the future change dynamics along Bonny Island coastline in the next 24 years. The methodology adopted involved acquisition of Landsat images from earthexplorer.usgs.gov, image preprocessing was done to correct atmospheric errors, image classification was then done to classify and differentiate between land and water after which the coastline for 1987, 1997, 2007 and 2017 were extracted. The statistics of the extracted coastlines were computed and trend and change analysis were performed to determine the trend and annual rate of change. Digital shoreline analysis system was also used to analyze for shoreline change envelope, net shoreline movement and end point rate between 1987 and 2017 and subsequent prediction to 24 years in the future (2041). The results indicated that between 1987-2017 period of time, Bonny Island Shoreline change envelope (SCE) moved from minimum of 67.6m to maximal values of 916.5m. The biggest movement of SCE is noted in western part of the coastline labelled A, C and the southern part of the coastline labelled B. The Net Shoreline Movements (NSM) reported that the level of erosion ranged from -120m up to -318.5m, and that the level of Accretion ranged from 269m up to 658m. According to EPR map generated, the erosion rate was calculated to be from -2.79m/year up to -21.96m/year, the accretion rate is calculated to be from 0.87m/year up to 10.61m/year. The results obtained from the erosion vulnerability revealed high-risk zone occupied 32.85% of the entire coastline, spanning 14.74km, while Moderate risk zone occupied 60.69% spanning 27.23km while low risk zone occupied 6.44% spanning of 2.89 km. The study also indicated that by 2041 the coastline will extent by 3.04km from 44.86km in 2017 to 47.90km, with its highest erosion occurring at the southwestern points A and B of the coastline spanning a distance 4.8km and 1.76km respectively and the highest accretion at southern points A and B of the coastline, spanning a distance of 13.6km. This projection result is recommended as it shows what the coastline will look like in the near future, this can be used for planning and management of the coastline and its subsequent movements in the future.


Demand for underground railways has rapidly increased due to accelerated urbanisation and population growth. This has elevated the importance of tunnel designs with adequate fire safety and protection measures. However, due to intricate modern rail tunnel designs, prescriptive codes are often difficult to implement and lead to over-conservative design. In this study, the current state of tunnel fire analysis was reviewed with a focus on Australia. A large-eddy simulation (LES)-based fire model was applied to investigate the temperature and smoke dispersion from a 2 MW metro tunnel fire case scenario to the cross-passage. A total of 28 cases with various cross-passage ventilation settings were examined, including longitudinal tunnel velocity, cross-passage velocity, train location relative to the cross-passage and fire location. The modelling showed that a 0.84 m/s critical velocity was sufficient for smoke control in the cross-passage. Furthermore, two empirical methods for cross-passage critical velocity were performed, which showed utilisation of the Froude number produced a less conservative critical velocity (0.610 m/s) compared to the dimensionless method (0.734 m/s). Nevertheless, both numerical and empirical results were significantly lower than the standard 1.0 m/s minimum flow rate for smoke control (AS1668.1). The results provide preliminary evidence towards the need for revision of current tunnel fire standards and response protocols.


Abstract This article is a theoretical and conceptual exploration into the study of the dynamics of financial innovations and their consequences in market economies. Drawing upon the works of Schumpeter and Minsky in an institutionalist and evolutionary tradition, the article puts forward the monetary and financial features of the 21st century economies and the recurrent systemic financial instabilities generated within the context of the financialization process. It then calls for alternative regulatory reforms capable of leading to sustainable economic development. The originality of the analysis lies in the fact that the micro-dynamics of innovations may result in both creative and destructive outcomes since there are some crucial differences between entrepreneurial innovations à la Schumpeter as the positive force in economic development, and financial innovations à la Minsky as the source of instabilities. The article then focuses on the weaknesses and inconsistencies of loosely regulated financial markets and suggests a few principles for relevant financial regulation in an endogenously unstable economy. The main contribution of the article is that financial stability must be regarded as a public good to be provided by an economy-wide regulatory framework under the supervision of a visible public hand. The study of the conditions of financial stability proves to be a matter of a specific social dilemma—opposition between private and public interests—that concerns the organisation and management of financial markets at the macroeconomic level. Such a dilemma leads to the ultimate regulatory issue of spurring the innovation dynamics of financial markets while ensuring systemic stability and sustainability through an appropriate regulatory and supervisory environment.


PURPOSE: An assembly structure of a mecanum wheel is provided to improve work efficiency and perform stable driving by facilitating position control of rollers and assembly work of the rollers along the outer circumference of a wheel body. CONSTITUTION: An assembly structure of a mecanum wheel (1) comprises as follows. A guide groove (11) and a guide groove (12) are formed on the outer circumference of a wheel body (10), and a rotary shaft of a roller (20) is connected to the outer circumference of the wheel body. A bolt penetrates a coupling hole formed on both sides of the rotary shaft and is connected to the bottom of the guide groove so that the roller is rotatably installed inside the guide groove. A part of the wheel body is protruding to be taller than the outer circumference of the wheel body and is individually rotated by touching the ground.


Since 2002, the AQUA (MODIS) satellite has been used as a "reference" by the Brazilian National Institute of Space Research to analyze spatial and temporal trends over fire pixel detection in all South America. Since this satellite will stop providing data in the near future, in order to continue the trend analyzes it will be necessary an integration and adjustment between AQUA fire pixels data with the data from the next reference satellite: the Suomi NPP (VIIRS). Therefore, this study has as objective to analyze the differences in fire pixels detection from AQUA and S-NPP satellites at country, state and municipal level. During the 10 years period assessed, the S-NPP detected, on average, 5.13 times more fire pixels than the AQUA on the South America continent. Venezuela was the country with the highest S-NPP/AQUA ratio (6.81) and Chile the lowest (3.87). When analyzing the fire pixels only in the Brazilian states, Acre presented the lowest S-NPP/AQUA ratio (3,72), while in Sergipe the highest (10,07). In the Pará's municipalities, the lowest S-NPP/AQUA ratio was in Quatipuru (2.84), while the highest in Ananindeua (11.25). Despite the differences in the ratio, the number of fire pixels detected by the AQUA and S-NPP presented, almost in all cases, a significant correlation. Only the smallest municipalities in Pará had no significant correlation, probably due to low data and/or detection location errors. The changes in the S-NPP/AQUA ratio occurred probably due to factors such as sampling characteristics (pixel enlargement away from nadir), geographic area analyzed, timing of satellite overpasses, predominant type of vegetation, and others. Therefore, there isn't one unique formula to adjust AQUA data to S-NPP, variations will persist at different locations.


Objective: Observing the effect of YuFeng Grain on Rats.Methods: Rats were closely bilateral common carotid arteries to make the model of incomplete cerebral ischemic and reperfusion injury.The effect of YuFeng Grain on microstructure,ultrastructure and the neuronal apoptosis of brain was examined.Results:Compared with normal control group,The level of TUNEL in brain of model group increased significantly,microstructure and ultrastructure of brain appear notable apoptosis after incomplete cerebral ischemic and reperfusion injury.YuFeng Grain group can relieve the apoptosis of brain cells.Conclusion: YuFeng Grain has signifycantly protective effect on neuronal apoptosis of cerebral ischemic and reperfusion injury in Rats.


In this paper, we propose a switching based median filter for the preservation of better image details while reducing the streaking effect in gray scale images corrupted by impulse noise at higher noise density. The filter is based on the technique of substitution of corrupted pixels prior to estimation. It effectively compressing the noise in two stages. First, it detects the noisy pixel by using the tri-state median (TSM) filter. In the next stage, the noisy pixels are first substituted by the 2D noncausal linear prediction technique and subsequently replaced by the median value. Extensive simulations are carried out to validate our proposed scheme. Experimental results show improvements both visually and quantitatively compared to that of the state-of-the art switching based median filters for the removal of impulse noise at different densities.


We construct a new family of semi-discrete numerical schemes for
the approximation of the one-dimensional periodic Vlasov-Poisson
system. The methods are based on the coupling of discontinuous
Galerkin approximation to the Vlasov equation and several finite
element (conforming, non-conforming and mixed) approximations for
the Poisson problem. We show optimal error estimates for all the
proposed methods in the case of smooth compactly supported initial
data. The issue of energy conservation is also analyzed for some
of the methods.


New ceramic-polymer biomaterials with controlled porosity were synthesized with improved mechanical and tribological properties. These materials contain synthetic hydroxyapatite (HAp) microparticles and two different ceramic particles at different concentrations (alumina microparticles and silica nanoparticles) and posses a morphology that matches the real bone. The particles were agglutinated using solvent-free, mono-component polyurethane. The pores were generated by a chemical reaction between the OH groups of the hydroxylated resin and the ceramic particles with the blocked isocyanate. The porosity grows practically linear with the temperature of the thermal treatment. The materials were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), ICP, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), densitometry, abrasion, and mechanical tests.


THE HEART OF A PRESSURIZED WATER NUCLEAR REACTOR HAS DEVELOPED IN PART ASSEMBLIES DEMONTABLES 10 WHOSE PENCIL TABLETS CONTAINING MIXED OXIDE UO-UOP THESE JOINTS 10 IS DIVIDED INTO AREAS CONCENTRIC 12, 14, 16 A pLUTONIUM CONCENTRATION IN dECREASING FROM THE INSIDE OUTWARDS. AT THE END OF EACH CYCLE OF RADIATION, SHOCK ON THE PENCIL C LOCATED IN THE AREA AND PERIPHERAL 16 TRANSFERRED ON THE PENCIL C, C LOCATED IN OTHER AREAS 12, 14 OUTWARDS ASSEMBLY 10, IN THE ZONE 14, 16 aDJACENT TO THAT PREVIOUSLY they occupied. FINALLY ON INTRODUCED IN THE CENTRAL AREA OF 12 AND RELEASED NEW SINGLE PENCIL CA ENRICHMENT.


Provided in the invention is a heat measuring apparatus of conduction oil. The heat measuring apparatus comprises a restriction orifice plate and a temperature inspection instrument. The restriction orifice plate is arranged on an oil outlet pipeline of heating equipment and is connected with a differential pressure transmitter; and the differential pressure transmitter is connected with a flow totalizer. A first thermocouple and a second thermocouple are connected to the temperature inspection instrument; the first thermocouple is arranged on an oil inlet pipeline of the heating equipment; and the second thermocouple is arranged on an oil return pipeline of the heating equipment. The temperature inspection instrument is connected with the flow totalizer. In addition, the invention also provides a heat measuring method of conduction oil. According to the heat measuring method and apparatus, the structure is simple; the safety and reliability are high; energy management and energy measurement of conduction oil can be realized; the energy losses can be reduced; and the accident can be prevented.


Exercising can contribute to a healthier and fuller life, however, correct and regular execution of the chosen exercises is of great importance. In the current project I investigated the possibilities offered by modern smartphones to enhance the effectiveness of training without a trained supervisor, through automated skill assessment. I implemented a realtime capable algorithm for the assessment of balancing board exercises, and integrated it into an Android application. I concentrated onto accelerometer and magnetometer sensors as means for measuring the orientation of the smartphone, which in turn was used for the analysis of motion patterns. Using a database of recorded exercises I compared the automated scores with scores given by a human expert. The computed score had a linear cross correlation coefficient of above 0.51 with the expert's scores for dynamic and more than 0.76 for static exercises. On a 0 to 100 scale, the absolute difference of human and automatic scores was smaller than 10 points in more than 77% of the dynamic exercises and 89% of the static exercises.


Agricultural wastes, such as Helianthus annus (sunflower), have begun to receive considerable attention in the forest industry in recent years to alleviate the shortage in woody raw materials. This paper mainly focuses on the influence of partial replacement of mixed hardwood NSSC pulp with sunflower stalk NSSC pulp. Experimental cooks were implemented on chips prepared from de-pithed stalks. Optimum cooking obtained reflecting a pulp yield of 43.8±2.08% and kappa number of 82.6±1.67. The pulps were refined and then substituted with mixed hardwood NSSC pulp at three levels of 10, 20, and 30%. The signs of improvement in most paper properties showed the benefits of using sunflower NSSC pulp with freeness of 328 mL CSF and 372 mL CSF up to 30% as a supplementary pulp with MWPI NSSC pulp in making fluting paper. The exclusive 30% of the higher freeness pulp (372 mL CSF) can be applied, provided that at least 5% of unbleached long fiber pulp be added to the mixed pulp.


The legal and constitutional development of the Republic of Croatia and a gradual stabilization of state institutions from 1990 till present day are, in a special way, reflected in the theory and practice of constitutional adjudication. The development of constitutional jurisprudence in Croatia can be compared to the state of affairs in other, so-called, new democracies. The tendency of constitutional courts to build up their reputation and position within political systems is common characteristic of new democracies. This kind of "moderate judicial activism" is justified by and associated with two influential sets of factors. The first set includes a number of different "domestic" circumstances, within and without the Constitutional Court itself: wartime circumstances, during which national political leaders expected no contestation of the "unity of state power" principle from other institutions ; initial unquestionable authority of the head of state and the uncritical position taken by the judges ; gradual adjustment of judges to new values such as the rule of law, separation of powers, and "anti-majority" power of constitutional review ; a search for a more adequate normative tool that would help elaborate constitutional independence and coordination ; constitutional judges having distorted views of "constitutional patriotism", etc. The second set of factors is associated with the type and nature of constitutional review in Croatia. These factors are at the same time arguments that dismiss anti-majority objections to the existing type of constitutional review. The contribution assessment of the Croatian Constitutional Court, which is the representative of the European type of concentrated constitutionality control, is primarily influenced by structural provisions and rules of procedure.


Leakage in heat exchanger tubes can result in unreliable products and dangerous situations, which could cause great economic losses. Along with fast development of modern acoustic detection technology, using acoustic signals to detect leakage in heat exchange tube has been gradually accepted and considered with great potential by both industrial and research societies. In order to further advance the development of acoustic signal detection technology and investigate better methods for leakage detection in heat exchange tube, in this paper, firstly, we conduct a short overview of the theory of acoustic signal detection on heat exchanger tube, which had already been continuously developed for a few decades by researchers worldwide. Thereafter, we further expound the advantages and limitations of acoustic signal detection technology on heat exchanger tube in four aspects: 1) principles of acoustic signal detection, 2) characteristics of sound wave propagation in heat exchanger tube, 3) methods of leakage detection, and 4) leakage localization in heat exchanger tube.


Targeted mutagenesis by
zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) can be used to generate knock-out mammalian cell
lines with high efficiency. A number of different methods have been developed
for the design and assembly of gene-specific ZFNs, making them easily accessible
to researchers. In this study, we used ZFNs assembled through the CoDA
(context-dependent assembly) platforms to generate mutant caprine fetal fibroblasts
cells for the BLG gene. ZFN plasmid was introduced into the caprine fetal
fibroblasts cell by electroporation. ZFN-induced cleavage of the target
sequence was confirmed by the Surveyor nuclease assay analysis. Sequence
analysis revealed that ZFN-induced mutations such as base insertion,
deletion, or substitution were generated in the ZFN cleavage site of BLG. The
simplicity and efficacy of CoDA will enable broad application of ZFN
technology. This technique could be used with homologous arm, which may target
foreign genes into the BLG locus at higher efficiency.


In the article the specificity of somatic ideas in Judaic and Old Believers' traditions is researched on the basis of the methodological grounds of comparative and social-cultural analyses. Wedding ceremony is analyzed, invariant and specific features are revealed. The hypothesis is put forward according to which mono-ethnicity of the researched objects is caused by the interaction of the external and internal factors of the development of analyzed cultures.


Multi-task machines of the silicon ingot according to the present invention also rotates to a silicon ingot silicon ingot is moved caught by the first auto by the apparatus of the first clamping arrangement in the apparatus, wherein said first clamping catch the silicon ingot device to a working position as well as being moved in the longitudinal direction of the main frame, a pair of the cutting device for cutting the both side surfaces of the silicon ingot to be moved and rotated by the first clamping device are respectively installed at the center on both sides of the main frame, the first the top is moved and rotated by the clamping device has a first grinding apparatus two pairs of plane processing unit roughing and finishing of both sides of the silicon ingot is cut by the cutting device at a distance from the back of the cutting device of the central portion of the main frame in the multi-task machines of the silicon ingot comprises from being installed on both sides in turn, the grinding to the grinding apparatus 1 A second auto-loading device is installed to a central portion of the main frame, operations of the second clamping device catches the silicon ingot which is moved by the second auto-loading device silicon ingot to hold moved by raising the silicon ingot from the first clamping device rotation in a position also as well as being moved in the longitudinal direction from the back of the main frame, a pair of the second grinding unit is the first grinding device for grinding both sides of the silicon ingot to be moved and rotated by the second clamping device is made, including a distance from the back, which is installed at the rear upper sides of the main frame, it is also each provided on one side of the first clamping device and second clamping device to move the power in the longitudinal direction at the upper center of the main frame in accordance with the movement of the clamping device, the drain of the first grinding wheel grinding Bathtub second grinding apparatus for grinding a silicon ingot Comprising: a dressing apparatus, wherein said dressing apparatus rack is the actuator which moves together with the loading of the first clamping device and the second being the installation actuator in the lower part of the dressing body are installed respectively on one side of the clamping device, the actuator in addition, the rod and the connected and possibly installation movement in the interior of the dressing body, the pinion being meshed with said rack and arranged in the interior of the dressing body, the axis of rotation at one end on which the pinion is rotatably mounted in the dressing body installation is, there is a rotating body provided on the other end of the rotating shaft protruding in the one surface of the dressing body, the dressing member is provided on the entire side of the rotor comprises a wheel dressing of the grinding apparatus of the multi-task machine. Accordingly, the present invention first a box to one of the silicon ingot installed in a clamping device working with a step of the cutting process and the side plane portion roughing and finishing of the side of the cylindrical ingot as well as processing primarily installed in the second clamping device, and one because of machining a step for chamfering and grinding the silicon ingot, the first clamping when processing the silicon ingot installed in the apparatus for machining a silicon ingot is installed on the second clamping device's side cutting of the silicon ingot, chamfering, grinding staged only can be easily processed as reducing working hours, and can easily keep a constant quality and streamline the machining accuracy and machining time of the silicon ingot, and dressing the surface of the grinding wheel of the grinding machine for grinding silicon ingot dressing and also to the absence as well as the silicon ingot sulfur by installing a dressing apparatus in the first and second clamping devices Because it can auto-dressing in the process of grinding and finishing, can be automatically dressings work only while convenient for the operator, and the processing of silicon inggotreul can also do the dressings work well for roughing and finishing operations of silicon ingots there is the effect such as can be carried out continuously.


Calculation method of evaluation index of ecological environment was introduced.How to use remote sensing technique to design and integrate the eco-environment monitoring function system was discussed.


Distribution of Polychaeta communities in the gradient of environmental factors has been analyzed on data gathered by expeditions of MMBI in the Hornsund-fjord, Gren-fjord, Is-fjord, Sassen-fjord, Nur-fjord, Belsunn-fjord in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008. The trend of polychaetes biomass reduction (with increasing quantity) in direction from the inner part to the outer part of fjords has been estimated. The comparison of dominant species of polychaetes with the literature data has been carried out.


Children are especially sensitive to ionizing radiation and chemical carcinogens, and limiting their cancer risk is of great public concern. Calorie restriction (CR) is a potent intervention for suppressing cancer. However, CR is generally not appropriate for children. This study, therefore, examined to see if adult‐onset CR influences the lifetime cancer risk in mice after early‐life exposure to ionizing radiation. Infant male mice (1‐week‐old) were exposed to 3.8 Gy X‐rays, fed a control 95 kcal/week or CR 65 kcal/week diet from 7 weeks of age (adult stage), and their lifespan and tumor development were assessed. Irrespective of CR, X‐rays shortened lifespan by 38%, and irrespective of irradiation CR extended lifespan by 20%. Thymic lymphoma (TL) and early‐occurring non‐TL were induced by radiation. The liver and Harderian gland were more susceptible to radiation‐induced tumors than the lungs and non‐thymic lymphoid tissues (late occurring). CR reduced the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma, late‐occurring non‐TL, lung tumor, Harderian tumor, and hemangioma but had less impact on TL and early‐occurring non‐TL. Most notably, the effects of X‐rays on induction of lung tumors, late‐occurring non‐TL and hemangioma were essentially canceled by CR. The ability of CR to prevent late‐occurring tumors was the same for non‐irradiated and irradiated mice, indicating that the mechanism by which CR influences cancer is independent of irradiation. Our results indicate that adult‐onset CR significantly inhibits late‐occurring tumors in a tissue‐dependent manner regardless of infant radiation exposure.


A method for direct, copper-catalyzed, auxiliary-assisted fluorination of β-sp2 C—H bonds of benzoic acid derivatives and γ-sp2 C—H bonds of α,α-disubstituted benzylamine derivatives, respectively is developed.


The coefficient of variation is an important parameter in many physical, biological and medical sciences. In this paper we study the estimation of the square of the coefficient of variation in a weighted inverse Gaussian model which is a mixture of the inverse Gaussian and the length biased inverse Gaussian distribution. This represents a rich family of distributions for different values of the mixing parameter and can be used for modelling various life testing situations. The maximum likelihood as well as the Bayes estimates of the parameters are obtained. These estimates are used to derive the estimates of the square of the coefficient of variation of the model under study. Several important data sets are analysed to illustrate the results. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


In this study, a modified two-time-scale model is proposed to overcome the limitations of the existing maneuvering analysis model. To this end, not only wave conditions but also all directions of ship operation velocities are considered in estimating wave drift force and moment. Subsequently, the increment of the drift force and moment induced by steady drift and yaw motion of a ship is imposed up to the first derivative of Taylor series expansion. By introducing this bilinear model, the burden of the drift force computation is reduced so that a more realistic and efficient seakeeping-maneuvering coupling analysis can be performed. A turning circle simulation in a regular short wave is carried out using the modified two-time-scale model. Then, the performance is validated by comparing its results with the direct coupling model. Moreover, quantitative improvement of the present numerical scheme and the influence of the operation velocities on ship maneuvering performance are discussed.


A three dimensional computer model is developed to study the radiative heat transfer in a rectangular enclosure containing a homogenous, absorbing, emitting and isotropically scattering media. The media is exposed to both collimated and diffuse external radiative sources at the top surface. Several conditions are modelled for the top surface including diffuse, both normal and oblique collimated and combined external sources. In addition, the collimated source is either constant or spatially varying. The model uses the P1 spherical harmonics approximation which transforms the integro-differential radiative heat transfer equation to an elliptical partial differential equation in terms of the zeroth moment of the intensity. A finite differencing scheme is used to solve the partial differential equation with its transformed boundary conditions.An example of a possible application of such a model is laser machining. During this process, the ablated material rising from the surface will interact with the incident laser beam and effect energy delivery to the target surface. This is the situation of a spatially varying (generally Gaussian) incident external source with the "enclosure" being the vaporized material. The energy reaching the target is determined from the radiative flux normal to the bottom surface.Besides the different boundary conditions, results of parametric studies of optical thickness, scattering albedo and wall reflectivity are reported. Both the three dimensional and a simplified two dimensional version of the computer model are in good agreement with results reported in the literature for two dimensional models.A three dimensional computer model is developed to study the radiative heat transfer in a rectangular enclosure containing a homogenous, absorbing, emitting and isotropically scattering media. The media is exposed to both collimated and diffuse external radiative sources at the top surface. Several conditions are modelled for the top surface including diffuse, both normal and oblique collimated and combined external sources. In addition, the collimated source is either constant or spatially varying. The model uses the P1 spherical harmonics approximation which transforms the integro-differential radiative heat transfer equation to an elliptical partial differential equation in terms of the zeroth moment of the intensity. A finite differencing scheme is used to solve the partial differential equation with its transformed boundary conditions.An example of a possible application of such a model is laser machining. During this process, the ablated material rising from the surface will interact with the incide...


It seems that virtually every technical paper which describes a new technology to "make the world a better place", includes the term "smart" to refer to some aspect of this new technology. The technical literature is filled with smart capacitors, smart resistors, smart rectifiers, smart op-amps, smart memory, smart circuits, smart cards, smart systems, smart networks, smart partners, smart opinions, smart business, smart anything, smart everything and, yes, smart sensors. At the risk of speaking heresy, it seems that "smart" sensors may not always be a desirable goal. One of the issues with "smart sensors" is that, in some cases, it may not make economic sense to design, fabricate, and field smart sensors. Simply put, it may not always be smart to integrate "smart" enabling electronics to sensor components. Maybe what we really need are "smart" interfaces.


This paper discusses the problem of tracking manipulator end-link trajectories passing through ordinary singularities. It is based on a method developed by J. Kieffer (1992) who suggested to parametrize the end-link trajectory by a parameter which is not time, and to consider this parameter as a dependent variable. We show that this is equivalent to a kinematically redundant mechanism comprising the original nonredundant kinematic chain augmented by one more virtual link. The trajectory is actually mapped onto the joint space augmented by the parameter variable. While the new mechanism performs only a "self-motion" tracking the projected trajectory through regular points and ordinary singularities, the end-link of the real mechanism tracks the desired trajectory. Our solution is based on effective null-space methods which have been so far widely applied to kinematically redundant manipulators. Asymptotic convergence of the tracking error to zero and stability is guaranteed through a conventional closed-loop approach.<
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Abstract A new regioselective and diastereoselective approach to the one-step synthesis of steroid skeleton based on high pressure Diels-Alder reaction of 3-methyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one is described. Structure analysis of the reaction products by NMR spectroscopy is presented.


Regulations require the operators of a national laboratory to report virtually all occurrences that may adversely impact people, programs, or the environment. Thus a basis exists for picking up weak signals of trouble. However, the organization has (of necessity, it could be argued) developed a graded approach to the analysis of these occurrences based on their categorization with respect to specific criteria based on their consequences. Events that involve injuries, substantial harm to the environment or very large dollar losses are thoroughly investigated – others are not.


plexities, Dunham observes, the increasingly promising biochemical investigations raise the possibility that an unknown proportion of schizophrenia is organic rather than functional in its etiology. Thus Dunham suggests the possibility that only &dquo;pseudo&dquo; schizophrenia can be explained sociologically, that the &dquo;real&dquo; disease is biologically based. Although this may appear to represent something of a retreat from earlier enthusiasms, it would seem actually to be an inevitable withdrawal


Scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and morphometric analysis were used to study the morphological changes of the otic placode and vesicle before and during invagination and closure processes. Our results reveal that the otic placode undergoes shaping between stages HH9 and HH12; during this period the rostrocaudal axis is shortened, while the lateromedial axis of the placode lengthens. The presence of long cytokinesis bridges during this period suggests that cellular displacements after mitosis may participate in the shaping of the otic placode. The shaping process appears to facilitate the approach of the otic placode to the neural tube. From stage HH12 on, the otic anlage gradually becomes a U‐shaped structure with its medial portion in intimate apposition to the rhombencephalic neural tube. The coincidence in time between the beginning of intimate otic anlage–rhombencephalon contact and active invagination suggests that these two processes are related.


The authors considered optimal control problem of discrete system with implicit form.For the system that formed with implicit form difference method,the authors gave necessary conditions of optimal control,and extended general systems'results.


(2014). Experiences with sexual content: What we know from the research so far. (2014). The meaning of online problematic situations for children: Results of cross‐cultural qualitative investigation in nine European countries. (2013). Innovative approaches for investigating how young children understand risk in new media. (2013). Zero to eight. Young children and their internet use. (2012). Towards a better internet for children. The EU Kids Online network has been funded by the EC Better Internet for Kids Programme from 2006‐14 to enhance knowledge of children's and parents' experiences and practices regarding risky and safer use of the Internet and new online technologies. For all reports, findings and methodological information, as well as details of national partners, visit www.eukidsonline.net 3 CONTENTS


Aims: The aim of current study was to investigate the genotoxic damage of potassium bromate on sperm cell morphology and the potential defense role of Ruta chalepensis (Rue) against the potassium bromate effects. Study Design: Fifty rats (Strain: Rattus norvegicus) were randomly divided into five groups (10 rats/group) as follows: (Control group) received distilled water daily for 4 weeks, (KBrO3 group) treated with KBrO3 (100 mg/kg/b.w) for 4 weeks, (Rue group) received Rue orally in a daily dose (0.5 g/animal) for 4 weeks, (treatment group) were first provided with oral doses of KBrO3 daily for 2 weeks and then treated orally with KBrO3 in association with Rue for an additional 2 weeks Finally (protective group) was administered with Rue orally for 2 weeks and then administered oral doses of Rue in association with KBrO3 for an additional 2 weeks. Original Research Article Elhaddad et al.; ARRB, 35(2): 41-51, 2020; Article no.ARRB.54933 42 Place and Duration of Study: Department of Zoology and Department of Botany, University of Omar Almukhtar, between July 2018 and September 2019. Methodology: Sperm suspensions, filtered and smears were made according to the standard protocol for sperm morphology assay. The smears were fixed, allow to dry and stained with hematoxylin and then washed under slow running water until the excess stain is removed and were putted in eosin dye. Results: The results were showed that potassium bromate has the ability to cause mutations in the morphology of sperm cells. The highest mutation rates of head, tail and neck reached 16.60, 5.200 and 3.200 respectively in animals. Several types of sperm abnormalities such as hock free, banana type, amorphous, hummer shape after the administration of potassium bromate comparing with the negative control animals that treated only with potassium bromate. On the other hand, the oil extract of Ruta chalepensis significantly inhibited the mutations by declining the abnormality rates of head, tail and neck to 2.600, 1.600 and 0.400 in protective group. Thus, potassium bromate has to be considered as a conceivable line regarding human health. Conclusion: Potassium bromate clearly caused a wide range of sperm cell abnormalities and Rue oil extracts have a good anti-mutagenic effects against potassium bromate by decreasing the sperm cell abnormalities.


Objective: To investigate the clinical utility of hysteroscopy treatment on PCDSD,and to seek for best therapeutic method for treating PCDSD.Methods: From February 2008 to February 2011,60 patients who reported previous cesarean delivery scar defect were randomly divided into two groups.Experimental group was treated with the hysteroscopy treatment,and the control group was treated with conservative drug treatment.The effects of two sets of treatment on patients were compared,and the results were statistically analyzed.Results: In the experimental group,after hysteroscopy treatment,the menstrual period of patients was significantly shorter than the control group,and their menstrual time and menstrual blood volume were significantly less than that of the control group(P0.05),and the irregular vaginal bleeding was no more appeared.Conclusion: Hysteroscopy treatment can effectively cure the patients with previous cesarean delivery scar defect,and can effectively improve the clinical symptoms.It is worth of clinical application.


The Death Drive Revisited: A Reexamination of Psychoanalytic Drive Theory and its Implications for Critical Theory Benjamin Yen-Yi Fong This dissertation is a reexamination of Sigmund Freud's mature drive theory, also known as his theory of the death drive, and its relevance for critical social theory, and in particular that of the so-called "Frankfurt school." By tracing the emergence of Freud's theory in his enigmatic Beyond the Pleasure Principle and then its development in the hands of Hans Loewald and Jacques Lacan, I aim, in the first three chapters, to articulate a drive theory centered around the opposition between what Freud calls the death drive and the drive to mastery, as well as the developmental hazards therein. In the last two chapters, I then attempt to integrate this drive theory into the Frankfurt school's analysis of the intrusion of mass media and state institutions on the developmental process with the aim of both providing historical weight to the dialectic of death and mastery articulated in the first part of the dissertation and also strengthening the psychological component of critical


Ayurveda described the use of Haridra (Curcuma longa Linn., Family-Zingibaraceae)for the management of different disease conditions in classical texts. In this article, an attempt has been made to compile various information related to Haridra from three samhitas, more than 6 samgrahagranthas,12nighantus and other published texts.It is observed that rhizomes of Haridraare used as an ingredient in various formulations, which are effective in more than 40 disease conditions. The main indications include kushtha (skin disease), jwara(fever), kshaya,shvasa(dypnoea), kasa(cough) arsha(piles), vrana(wound), Visa(poisonous), pramehaa (diabetes),pandu (jaundice)etc, rhizomes of Haridra is used in about 13 dosage forms; such as kvatha (decoction),lepa(paste),avaleha (semi-solid preparations),taila (oil),ghrita (fat soluble preparations), vati (pills),churna(powder),rasa (mineral preparations).


Wires are the fundamental means of coupling electromagnetic energy to and from electrical equipment. It is therefore of great importance to the modelling of practical EMC phenomena that any modelling method used should efficiently model wires and wire-like structures. Transmission-line modelling (TLM) is a method used extensively for studying the behaviour of structures in order to derive their EMC performance. There has recently been an upsurge in the interest in efficient methods for wire modelling. This paper extends a general method for the accurate modelling of wires to the modelling of thin wires (wires with diameters smaller than the local node size) placed centrally within a node. A mechanism for modelling wires displaced from the centre of a node is also discussed. Results obtained from the TLM models are validated against those obtained from experimental studies.


A Thesis Submitted to the Department Of Community Health, College Of Health Sciences in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of MPH Degree in Health Services Planning and Management, 2014


There is provided a communication device system and a card-type device, in which an attachable and detachable communication device can be attached later only when a control, maintenance or monitor function and an authentication function are required. A communication function, a function to convert an electric signal of a control object device into another communication protocol, and an encryption/decryption function are concentrated on one card, and this card is obtained only when necessary, and the control, maintenance or monitor can be performed remotely. The card is created by an appropriate certificate authority or a manufacture maker of the control object device, and necessary information can be set.


Injection-locking has long been recognized as an effective method of externall y controlling the spectral characteristics of a laser. This techpique has been employed primarily in applications where high energy yet narrow-]i tie width pulsed laser emission is required. In pulsed injectionlocked systems, line-narrowing is accomplished by injecting a low energy, narrow-linewidth pulse into a high power laser oscillator. If injection occurs prior to the onset of lasing in the high power oscillator, a "headstart" is given to that radiation which is within the spectral band of the injected signal. If this "head-start" is substantial enough, ]a_sing is initiated at the wavelength and the linewidth of the injected signal. In the work presented here, this technique was applied to a cavity-dumped coaxial flashlamp pumped dye laser in an effort to obtain nanosecond duration pulses which have both high energy and narrow-linewidth. In the absence of an injected laser pulse, the cavity-dumped dye laser was capable of generating high energy (` 60mJ) nanosecond duration output pulses. These pulses, however, had a fixed center wavelength and were extremely broadband (` 6nm FWHM). Experimental investigations were performed to determine if the spectral properties of these outputs could be improved through the use of injection-locking techniques. A parametric study to j determine the specific conditions under which the laser could be injectiondocked was also carried out. Significant linewidth reduction (to > 0.0015nm) of the outputs was obtained through injection-locking but only at wavelengths near the peak lasing wavelength of the dye. It was found,


Objective:To explore the relationship between pulse pressure and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR)to aortic pulse wave velocity(PWV)in elder patients with hypertension. Methods:We randomly recruited 354 elder patients with isolated systolic hypertension.Blood pressure,biochemical indicator,urinary samples and UACR were examined in each patient.Automatic pulse wave velocity measuring system was applied to measure carotid-femoral PWV as the index of aortic PWV.The patients were divided as two categories.① pulse pressure 60 mmHg and pulse pressure ≤60 mmHg.② UACR 10.34 mg/g group,UACR =(10.34~25.60)mg/g group and UACR 25.60 mg/g group,n=118 in each group. Results:① The patients with pulse pressure 60 mmHg had higher carotid-femoral PWV than those with pulse pressure ≤60 mmHg,P0.01.② With increased UACR,the patient's carotid-femoral PWV elevated accordingly,P0.05.③ Multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that the age,pulse pressure,UACR and duration of hypertension were positively related to carotid-femoral PWV,P0.05 respectively. Conclusion:Pulse pressure and UACR are both related to aortic PWV in elder patients with isolated systolic hypertension.


Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is considered as a primary source of electrical energy for the DC-DC boost power converter. System's PEMFC/DC-DC boost power converter zero dynamics are analyzed and appeared to be stable. Relative degree approach is applied for direct control of the output load voltage and the fuel cell current in the presence of the model uncertainties. The sliding mode observer is employed for identification of the load resistance, which estimated value is used for generating the fuel cell current command profile. The decoupled traditional SMC and 2-SMC super-twisting sliding mode controller are designed to control the output voltage the PEMFC current respectfully. The efficacy and robustness of the proposed SMC and 2-SMC controllers are confirmed via computer simulations.


In this study, myco-remediation technique was used to asses the bioaccumulation potential of heavy metal (Cd, Zn, Cu, Pd) by mushroom from heavy metal contaminated soils. Mycoremediation is a form of bioremediation in which various strains of fungi are used to decontaminate contaminated environment. Results obtained from the study revealed that mushroom can bioaccumulate heavy metal from metal contaminated soil. Minimum and maximum concentration of Cu accumulation by the mushroom was 10.60 and 41.80 mg kg-1 respectively, with 0 % amendment level accumulating the highest Cu concentration of 41.80 mg kg-1. The bioaccumulation potential of cadmium was the least of the metals in the macro-fungi. Cd concentration ranged from 3.90 to 17.90 mg kg-1. It was observed that the amount of metal accumulation in the mushroom decreased with increased in amount of poultry dropping added to soil.


We consider a two-parameter family of Renyi relative entropies Dα,z(ρ ∥ σ) that are quantum generalisations of the classical Renyi divergence Dα(p ∥ q). This family includes many known relative entropies (or divergences) such as the quantum relative entropy, the recently defined quantum Renyi divergences, as well as the quantum Renyi relative entropies. All its members satisfy the quantum generalizations of Renyi's axioms for a divergence. We consider the range of the parameters α, z for which the data-processing inequality holds. We also investigate a variety of limiting cases for the two parameters, obtaining explicit formulas for each one of them.


We provide new insights into the efficacy of offline word-of-mouth (WOM) and magazine advertising (traditional acquisition methods) compared to online WOM and online search (IS-enabled acquisition methods). We study how three key factors—inter-customer proximity, price benefits, and convenience benefits—affect the performance of each acquisition method. We estimate a multivariate NBD model over new buyer counts at all US residential zip codes. All else equal, favorable local conditions for the three factors benefit WOM acquisitions most. WOM acquisitions rely on customer-to-customer communication and respond to factors that facilitate interaction. Second, traditional offline WOM is more effective than IS-enabled online WOM; since offline WOM recipients are co-located with senders they share the same benefits of shopping online. Third, traditional acquisition modes still matter for online retailers and are complementary—WOM acquisitions dominate in high-performing spatially-clustered markets and magazine advertising acquisitions dominate in low-performing spatially-dispersed markets. IS-enabled methods provide a relatively constant percentage contribution to customer acquisition. Lastly, we provide some evidence that using the model-based predictions to target specific markets leads to improvements in actual click-to-order rates, up to a factor of two.


The current study integrates available findings on the relationship between the Big Five personality traits and collaborative problem solving (CPS), as a specific type of teamwork. Based on a systematic search and screening of the literature, 47 papers were reviewed. Having separately analyzed how individual and group-level traits relate to the processes and outcomes of CPS, we found several meaningful associations. Both individual-level and group-level Conscientiousness and Agreeableness were positively related to the quality of CPS. The former trait contributed more to the enactment of task roles/behaviors in CPS, to task-related team processes and team performance; the latter was dominantly related to the enactment of social roles/behaviors, and to relationship-related team processes and emergent states. The role of the remaining traits in CPS depended on the level of analysis, with individual Extraversion being particularly important for within-group positioning, and group Emotional Stability affecting team cohesion. Unsurprisingly, the effects of group-level traits on CPS also depended on the method of aggregating individual trait scores. The hypothesis that some traits would relate more to CPS processes and others to its outcomes was partially confirmed, while the assumption that team processes would mediate the effects of group-level traits on CPS outcomes received substantial support.


The utility model discloses an integral instant sterilizer, comprising a sterilizing light and a barrel body, wherein the sterilizing light is formed by connecting a lamp holder, a quartz glass sleeve pipe and an ultraviolet light tube. The utility model is characterized in that the lamp holder is formed by combining a rear cover and a base foundation, an electronic ballast is sealed inside the lamp holder, an LED display lamp is disposed in the external of the rear cover, and a power plug is lead out form an outlet opening disposed at the rail end of the rear cover. The base foundation is plastic element which is composed of a circular base board, a circular bench with outer thread and a circular tube, the ultraviolet light tube is bound to the inner circular tube of the base foundation via light adhesive, four heat guide lines is welded with the electronic ballast to form electric connection by passing a small opening disposed in the middle of the base board. One end of the quartz glass sleeve pipe is enclosed, and the other end is open and the external of the other end is coated with a silica gel buffer fixed sleeve which is pressed into the circular bench of the base foundation to be fixed. One end of the barrel body is enclosed, and the other end is provided with an inner thread and an installation conic surface of a seal ring. Seal connection between the installation conic surface and the seal ring is formed by pressing the seal ring after the outer thread of the circular bench disposed on the base foundation of the lamp holder is wound. The lateral surface of the barrel body is provided with a water inlet and a water outlet.


This paper presents a K‐band high‐gain Class‐A power amplifier (PA) with the two‐way combining approach in GSMC 130‐nm radio frequency (RF) complementary metal oxide semiconductor (RF CMOS). At the input, a slow‐wave transmission‐line transformer (S‐TLT) matching network is proposed for simultaneously realizing the impedance transformation and the single‐ended RF signal to differential conversion. Transmission‐line transformers (TLTs) are employed between the stages for coupling and inter‐stage matching. To improve the output power and efficiency, the placing and routing of the transistor layout are considered carefully for power stages to reduce the interconnecting and overlapping parasitics significantly. The PA has been fabricated and achieved good matching at 25 GHz, power gain of 17.8 dB, saturated output power of 14.9 dBm, output 1‐dB compression point of 12.4 dBm, and power added efficiency of 13.7% at a supply voltage of 1.5 V.


The scene of foreign tribute in the tomb of Merire II at Amarna, often called the "durbar," provides the last clear view of the Amarna Period before the accession of Tutankhamun. Dated to the second month of Akhenaten's twelfth regnal year, it shows Akhenaten and Nefertiti together with their six daughters, Meritaten, Meke taten, Ankhes enpaaten, Neferneferuaten Jr., Neferne ferure, and Setepenre. A relief found at Memphis, apparently showing a male king behind a larger figure, has often been cited as evidence of a coregency between Smenkhkare (as the smaller figure) and Akhenaten (as the larger). Among Akhenaten, Neferneferuaten, and Smenkh kare, the first seems a priori the likeliest candidate for Tutankhamun's parent, and is generally considered as such. Keywords: Akhenaten; Amarna succession; Neferneferuaten; Setepenre; Smenkhkare; Tutankhamun


In the market for fast-moving telecommunications equipment, the use of CAD CAM has long been the order of the day. DeTeWe AG & Co - one of the largest suppliers of communications equipment in Germany - has produced a comprehensive CAE system based on the Pro/Engineer volume modelling program and EDA Tools from Mentor Graphics. This offers a significant advantage in that electronic and mechanical components can now largely be developed in parallel.


The results of design of the spatial localization of objects, marked by passive RFID tags, are presented. The system uses a reader with circular polarization compact four-element phased array. The research methodology and main results of an experimental study of the system are presented.


Different wavelengths of light may undergo changes in underwater environment resulting in altered images. For example, the presence of floating particles causes underwater images to appear bluish and blurred. In this study, the authors propose a method called the deep sparse non-negative matrix factorisation (DSNMF) to estimate the illumination of an underwater image. The image under observation is divided into patches and each channel of a single patch is reshaped as an [ R, G, B ] matrix. The DSNMF method deeply factorises each input matrix into multiple layers with a sparseness constraint. The last layer of the factorised matrix is used as the illumination of the patch. The sparseness constraint adjusts the appearance of the final image. After factorisation, the estimated illumination is applied to each patch of the original image to obtain the final image. Compared with state-of-the-art underwater image enhancement methods using no reference image quality assessment, not only does the proposed method outperforms current techniques in terms of its visual effect and IQA, but is also simpler to implement.


The fracture behaviour of polycrystalline sintered and rolled tungsten rods was investigated from −150°C to 950°C by means of three-point bending tests and electron microscopy where special attention was drawn to the influence of the microstructure. This thorough investigation demonstrates the positive impact of the crystallographic and grain shape anisotropy in tungsten. Specimens extracted along the rolling direction exhibit twice as high fracture toughnesses and a significantly reduced brittle-to-ductile transition temperature than the other two investigated orientations. Furthermore, these specimens show a change in their fracture mode from transgranular to intergranular fracture with crack deflection occurring around 270°C. In an in situ SEM fracture test, the origin of this crack deflection could be clarified. Finally, a fracture mechanics model is presented which predicts correctly the transition between the two fracture modes and which gives an energy criterion suitable to interpret experimental fracture results.


The reliability of an electric supply system has been defined as the probability of providing the users with continuous service of satisfactory quality. Generation system reliability indices have been used as a standard for measuring system reliability. Therefore, it becomes essential to predict how these indices vary as system annual peak increases. In this paper, a convolution algorithm has been used to build a risk model by convoluting the load model and the capacity model. The constructed model has been used to calculate the reliability indices of Benghazi North Power Plant (BNPP) using data of one year period (stage I). The same model has been used to determine these indices values after some capacity has been installed (stage II). Testing this model using data from two year period show that the suggested method is effective in calculating the reliability indices and predicting the required installed capacity.


The Monte Carlo method, which can be used to simulate the surface segregation of binary alloys, is discussed. Using our analytic modified EAM potentials, the surface concentrations and concentration depth profiles of Pd\|Au binary alloys are studied with Monte Carlo simulation based on the Grand Canonical Ensemble Statistical Rule. Simulation results show that the topmost surface is enriched with Au, and a damped oscillation of Au concentration is found in the whole composition range. The results are in agreement with the available experiment data and other theoretical values.


Antarctic "gateway" cities have been characterised primarily as portals through which goods and services from around the world can be transported to the frozen continent. However, recent research suggests that this concept should be expanded to address other forms of connectivity, including those felt by people living in these cities rather than simply passing through them. In this article, we explore the meaning of urban relations to Antarctica in the 21st century, focusing on the Australian city of Hobart. We outline evolving understandings of gateway cities, and of Antarctic gateways particularly; examine Hobart's diverse connections to the far south; and analyse current public policy related to the city's "gateway" status. We then report the results of a survey (n = 300) conducted in 2018 to investigate how citizens understand their city's relationship with Antarctica. Survey results show that residents prioritised ecological concerns over economic or political issues and felt strongly that the city should play a custodian role in the future of Antarctica. Hobartians' strong sense of environmental and cultural connectedness with Antarctica suggests a need to rethink the concept of Antarctic gateways if policy is to reflect adequately the meaning of this identity to residents of the cities that circle the southern continent.


The poset of permutations of [n] under Bruhat ordering is studied. We give nontrivial upper and lower bounds for the number of comparable pairs of permutations in both the weak and strong versions of this order. In light of numerical experiments, we conjecture that in either case the upper bound is qualitatively close to the actual number of comparable pairs.


In this study, drying of borax pentahydrate [Na2B4O7·5H2O] (BPH) by microwave energy is investigated. Using 100−700 W and 2450 MHz microwave energy, 5−10% moisture containing BPH placed on a Teflon-lined belt is dried at 60−100 °C selectively, without any loss of water of crystallization. In this process the microwave oven is first set to 70 °C and then wet BPH which is previously heated to 70 °C is placed in it. The sample first heats up to 80−100 °C by the effect of microwave energy, and then its temperature sharply drops, resulting in complete removal of moisture. This process gives way to no decomposition and disintegration of hydrated crystalline molecule and there are no contaminants involved. Therefore, dry borax pentahydrate dried this way retains its original purity and physical form. Since there is no need to heat the drying system and the air and to keep the relative humidity of the air constant, microwave drying is more economical than the conventional process. In addition, a sharp decrease of...


This chapter discusses Charles Dickens's work as a professional author and the ways in which he shaped his career and publications in the rapidly changing world of Victorian print and publishing. It discusses the importance of his self-understandings of authorship within an increasingly 'professionalized' literary world, as well as such shaping pressures as his use of serial publication, his innovative use of illustration and collaboration, and the increasingly international and cross-class nature of his readership. Dickens wrote many different kinds of literary texts for a wide variety of publication, and through these he transformed the ways in which fiction was marketed and read in the Victorian period. He was also an important innovator in magazine publication, particularly in the journals that he edited, Household Words and All the Year Round.


We consider the inverse problem to determine the number and locations of acoustic point sources from single low-frequency partial data. The problem is particularly challenging in the sense that the data is available only at a few locations which span a small aperture. Integrating the deep neural networks (DNNs) and Bayesian inversion, we propose a divide-and-conquer approach by dividing the inverse problem into three subproblems. The first subproblem is to determine the number of point sources, which is formulated as a common machine learning task—classification. A simple DNN is proposed and trained to predict the numbers of the point sources. The second subproblem is to reconstruct the (approximate) locations of the point sources. We formulate the problem as a nonlinear function with the input being the measured data and the output being a carefully elaborated location vector. Then a second DNN is proposed to learn the mapping and predict the location vector effectively. The location vector is post-processed to provide an indicator (image) function for the (approximate) locations of the point sources. The third subproblem is to improve the accuracy of the location prediction, for which we employ a Bayesian inversion algorithm. This divide-and-conquer approach can effectively treat both phase and phaseless data as demonstrated by various examples.


The aim of the article is to review activities of selected European armies during the Covid-19 pandemic aimed at protecting their own forces and supporting societies in danger. The attention is drawn to the importance of protection against the pandemic and its legal and organizational conditions. The analysis is based on the example of the Polish Armed Forces. The method of information exchange in the case of an outbreak of infectious diseases among soldiers and civilians in NATO is presented, taking into account various national solutions. The scope and methods of using chemical troops during disinfection of people, equipment, and infrastructure are analyzed in detail. © 2021, University of Defence, Faculty of Military Health Sciences. All rights reserved.


Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep is characterised by reduced consciousness; thus, studying its neural characteristics acts as a useful indication of what is needed for conscious experience. The integrated information theory (Tononi, 2008) states that the ability of different thalamocortical regions to interact is crucial for consciousness, thereby motivating research concerning connectivity changes in the thalamocortical system that accompany changing consciousness levels. This review aims to discuss investigations of functional connectivity of resting-state and large-scale brain networks, applying correlational approaches to neuroimaging data as well as studies that used brain stimulation to investigate effective connectivity. Most findings suggest a reorganisation of functional brain networks where inter-region connectivity is reduced and intra-region connectivity is stronger in deep sleep than wakefulness.


Abstract A 5-month-old girl developed intractable cerebral seizures and a global mental and motor retardation after a scheduled hexavalent vaccination. In the following years, recurrent fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and a pancytopenia indicated other organ system involvement. At the age of 4 years the diagnosis of a severe systemic autoimmune disorder was made, defined by highly elevated antinuclear antibody (ANA), smooth muscle antigen (SMA), extractable nuclear antigen, and decreased complement factors C3c and C4. Moreover, a low B cell count and an IgA and IgG2 subclass deficiency were found. After initiation of an immunosuppressive therapy as well as monthly intravenous immunoglobulin application, the clinical situation improved dramatically. Despite therapy and clinical improvement, there is still an intermittent elevation of ANA and SMA as well as decreased complement C4, a persistent low B cell count and an IgA deficiency. We propose the possibility of an underlying primary immunodeficiency with subsequent development of a severe systemic autoimmune disease possibly triggered by routine vaccination. The clinical features and laboratory tests are consistent with a systemic lupus erythematosus or lupus-like syndrome.


Increasing motivation is necessary for students in learning English vocabulary. The higher motivation the students gain, the bigger success they achieve in mastering vocabulary. However, most students in senior high schools have less motivation in learning vocabulary, especially in memorizing them. Thus, the teachers need to discover appropriate media for increasing their motivation. Some applications can be used through the smartphone as the need for vocabulary learning. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of using Quizlet Application as the media for increasing the students' motivation in learning vocabulary. Nonequivalent control group design was used in this research. The participants were 65 students who were divided into the experimental and the control groups. The students' motivation was observed during the process of vocabulary learning by using the observation checklist. In processing the data, the Wilcoxon test was used. The results show the use of Quizlet Application is effective to increase the students' motivation in learning vocabulary. Students felt more enthusiastic, did not get bored easily, and thus showed high interest when learning vocabulary via the app. They also did the tasks provided in that application independently.


Youth sport events provide communities with an influx of families who travel to provide their children with primary sport experiences. Decisions to participate in these 'sport-cations' are influenced by overall perceptions about the event, opportunities for socializing, and norms derived from family and friends' support. The study aimed to understand the impact of overall event image on traveling parents' subjective norms (SNs), attitudes, and behavioral intentions to re-attend similar youth sport events. Parents of youth female soccer players (N = 370) were surveyed at a youth tournament. Structural equation modeling analysis was utilized to test the proposed model. The results supported the positive influence of event image on attitudes and SNs and the impact of SNs on intentions. Based on these findings, peer influence becomes important. Efforts at managing event image should involve influencing the social network of parents about the importance of these events to achieve higher return rates.


Ablative therapy for Barrett's esophagus has heralded a new era in therapeutic endoscopy. The foundation of this approach rests on the now decades-old observation that controlled injury to the metaplastic epithelium, when combined with aggressive acid suppression, results in the regeneration of squamous, not columnar, lining [1–3]. Although this lining may be somewhat lacking with respect to mucosal barrier function [4], it expresses no cancer markers [5] and appears otherwise to be phenotypically similar to native squamous mucosa. Most importantly, successful eradication appears to be associated with a marked decrement in cancer risk, in the limited data available on this issue [6,7]. A plethora of techniques have demonstrated efficacy in inducing reversion to squamous epithelium in patients with Barrett's esophagus. Investigators have demonstrated that electrocautery [2, 8], radiofrequency ablation (RFA) [9,10], laser ablation [11,12], photodynamic therapy (PDT) [13, 14], and cryotherapy [15, 16] may all be effective in inducing at least transient reversion to squamous epithelium. Most of these studies are prospective or retrospective cohort studies or case series. Many of them lack long-term follow-up, or have cursory documentation of adverse events or disease progression. On this background, in this issue of Endoscopy, Sie and colleagues from Australia report the late outcomes from two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of argon plasma coagulation in the setting of Barrett's esophagus with either no dysplasia or low grade dysplasia (LGD) [17]. These studies enrolled patients who had either undergone a surgical antireflux procedure or had been managed medically with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs). In both studies, patients were randomized in a 1:1 fashion to either treatment with APC or endoscopic surveillance. While the shortand midterm results of these studies have been previously reported [18–20], the current study reports on outcomes as long as 7–11 years in a large proportion of patients. The outcomes quantified include the percent regression of Barrett's esophagus, the length of the Barrett's esophagus (Prague "M" criterion), and the rate of progression of disease. The main finding of the study is that, while there was some degradation of the effect of APC, the majority of patients retained a good response to therapy. While 97% (61/63) of patients had>95% of their Barrett's revert to squamous epithelium immediately following therapy, in 66% of evaluable patients (21/32) the >95% reversion was maintained in long-term follow-up (>84months). Among those who did have residual disease, the amount of residual disease on average was small (<1cm Prague M length), regardless of whether their gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) had received medical or surgical management. There was a trend toward more dysplasia developing in the surveillance group compared with the APC group in midto long-term follow-up (9 vs. 2 patients), but this did not reach statistical significance (P=0.054). In general, there were no differences in efficacy or complication outcomes between those managed with a surgical antireflux procedure and those managed medically with PPI therapy. These data are a valuable contribution to the literature primarily because of the length of followup involved in the study. Because almost half (59/ 129) of the participants originally allocated in these studies underwent endoscopic follow-up at greater than 84 months after randomization, this study represents one of the few in the Barrett's ablation literature which assesses outcomes at intervals of longer than 5 years. Additionally, because the investigators tracked progression rates to cancer or more severe dysplasia, clinically relevant outcomes were assessed. Also, the investigators assiduously tracked the whereabouts and outcomes of this group, making it unlikely that poor outcomes due to disease progression were


Electrochemical physics, H. Gerischer condensed matter physics in electrochemistry, A.A. Kornyshev computer simulations of ionic solvation, P. Bopp screening in dense ionic fluids, M.P. Tosi statistical mechanics of inhomogeneous polar liquids and ionic solutions, J.P. Badiali adsorption at electrodes, A.T. Hubbard and Ping Gao resonant local modes and enhancement of photoprocesses on a rough electrode surface, A.M. Funtikov fundamental aspects of scanning tunnelling microscopy in polar solvents, J.K. Gimzewski and J.K. Sass quantum electrode kinetics, A.M. Kuznetsov experimental study of the elementary act of proton transfer, L.I. Krishtalik power sources, M.W. Breiter and others.


Abstract : The assumption is made that oxygen is dissolved in solid silver in the form of a chemical compound Ag2O. As a result of thermodynamic considerations, a simple relation between the logarithm of the activity coefficient of Ag2O and temperature was obtained, which is expressed by the formular lg fAg2O - 5.55816 -36.5.10-4 T. Furthermore, the coefficient fAg2O is independent of pressure. On the basis of the accepted assumption, several thermodynamic functions, such as enthalpy, residual entropy, and residual thermodynamic potential, were computed. It wa proved that the curve of solubility in solid silver, which exhibits a minimum at 400 C, results from the natural coordination of thermodynamic functions and does not depend on the additional assu ptions made by other investigators. There is little probability for the formation of silver peroxide (Ag2O2) owing to its more complicated structure and the smaller exothermic effect of the reaction in which this co poun is created. It is demonstrated that oxygen can be dissolved in solid silver in the for of Ag2O when the formation of atomic gas is disregarded and when there is simultaneous retention of the above-mentioned proportionality. Henry's coefficient, as determined from thermodynamic computations wit the acceptance of dissociation of gas molecules into atom , cannot be expressed as a simple functional relation of temperature. (Author a -286 31 1 +++Based on the assumption that oxygen is dissolved in solid Ag in the form Ag2O, the following relationship was derived: Log(to base F) Ag2O equals 5.55816 - 36.5 x 1/10,000 T. Enthalpy, residual entropy, residual thermodynamic potential were computed.


Water markets have been introduced recently as an appropriate alternative to bureaucratic control and allocation of water resources. Water markets increase water use efficiency through the transfer of water to higher value uses. Several studies have been carried out to simulate hypothetical water markets under conditions of both certainty and uncertainty to show the potential gains that can be achieved by market participants. However, the effect of water supply and price risk has seldom been analyzed by the water market models presented. This study endeavours to introduce output and water input price risks into the water market models. For this purpose, an econometric mean-variance model, under output price risk and water market price risk is theoretically developed to derive demand and supply functions. This approach facilitates empirical estimation of demand and supply functions in actually formed water markets.


Learning in this pandemic era has many variations of advantages and disadvantages. For example, it can help teachers and students can continue to carry out learning, even though they are not face to face directly. It also makes it easy to collect assignments and manage time. However, along with the convenience provided earlier, there are also things that must be considered. For example, limited learning time due to reduced learning time so that the material presented is not optimal. Cooperative learning is one of the learning models that can provide opportunities for students to learn and work together in small groups. And one of the cooperative learning models that can be used in the learning process is the TGT (Teams Games Tournament) learning model. One of the learning media that can be developed in the Pandemic era is Autoplay. Autoplay is software in which there are various types of media such as images, sound, video and text into the presentations made, also on the Autoplay media there is a quiz making application that can be used when evaluating students with the TGT (Teams Games Tournament) learning model.


This book contains 38 selections. Some of the titles are: Influence of age on patterns of uptake and excretion of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the rainbow trout embryo; Utilization of nonmammalian test systems to predict human health hazards; Validation of collaborative testing guidelines; Assessment of water contamination by chloropheonlics and resin acids with the aid of fish bile metabolites; and Strategy for whole effluent toxicity evaluations in North Carolina.


The nuclide Ce-129 was produced by a (O-16,4n) reaction with an enriched Sn-117 target. With the aid of a helium-jet tape transport system, the reaction products were transported to a shielded location,where Ce samples were prepared after chemical separation. The neighboring isotopes of Sn-117, Sn-116 and Sn-118,were also bombarded with O-16 beam. Different isotopes of Ce were further separated by comparing the products in the above three reactions. An activity with a half-life of 4.1 min in the chemically purified cerium samples was identified as Ce-129. Based on X-gamma -t and gamma-gamma -t coincidence measurements, the EC/beta (+) decay scheme of Ce-129, including 51 gamma lines, was proposed. Using the observed growth-decay curve of an intense 278.6keV gamma line of La-129 decay, the beta feeding branch from the ground state of Ce-129 directly to the ground state of La-129 was estimated to be (26 +/- 7) %. In addition, the gamma spectra gated by both La-K-alpha-X ray and intense 68.2keV gamma ray of Ce-129 decay as well as the time spectra of typical gamma rays were also presented here.


We synthesized six polyurethane networks from 4,4-diphenylmethane di- isocyanate and polyols based on midoleic sunflower, canola, soybean, sunflower, corn, and linseed oils. The differences in network structures reflected differences in the composition of fatty acids and number of functional groups in vegetable oils and resulting polyols. The number average molecular weights of polyols were between 1120 and 1300 and the functionality varied from 3.0 for the midoleic sunflower polyol to 5.2 for the linseed polyol. The functionality of the other four polyols was around 3.5. Canola, corn, soybean, and sunflower oils gave polyurethane resins of similar crosslink- ing density and similar glass transitions and mechanical properties despite somewhat different distribution of fatty acids. Linseed oil- based polyurethane had higher crosslinking density and higher mechanical properties, whereas midoleic sunflower oil gave softer polyurethanes characterized by lower Tg and lower strength but higher elongation at break. It appears that the differences in properties of polyurethane networks resulted primarily from different crosslinking densities and less from the position of reactive sites in the fatty acids. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 809 - 819, 2004


Objective:To explore the clinical value of MRI with 3D and thin sliced techniques in the diagnosis of cerebello-pontine angle (CPA) tumors and to promote the diagnostic accuracy rate of the tumors.Methods:MR scans,performed with routine and 3D-thin sliced techniques respectively,of 52 surgically proven cases of CPA tumors were collected and reviewed.The findings obtained with the 2 different techniques were evaluated and correlatively compared with the surgical appearances.Results:There were 27 cases of acoustic neurinoma,11 cases of meningioma,4 cases of trigeminal neuroma,4 cases of cholesteatoma,3 cases of arachnoid cyst,2 cases of cavernous hemangioma and 1 case of metastatic tumor in our CPA tumor collection.17 of the CPA tumors were found in the left and 19 in the right side.The MR detection,localization and diagnostic specificity rates with conventional scanning technique were 92,92 and 86 respectively,while those relative rates using MRI 3D and thin sliced techniques were 100,100 and 96 respectively.Conclusion:MR scanning with 3D and thin sliced techniques played an important role in conspicuously demonstrating CPA tumor details and the relationship of tumor surroundings such as relative cranial nerves and vascular structures.Therefore,the clinical application of these MR scanning techniques were worth of advocating in the examination of CPA tumors.


In application of Born lattice dynamics, a simple model allows the calculation of the mean-square displacement of the vibrations of bulk and (0001) surface graphite atoms. In the direction of the sixfold axis, bulk vibrations are characterized by mean-square displacement three times as large as that of atomic motions within the layer. The vibrations of the (0001) surface differ from bulk vibrations only when operating in the direction perpendicular to the surface; the ratio of surface and bulk mean-square displacements is about 1.2 at room temperature. All these theoretical results are generally in good agreement with many measurements previously published by various authors. Yet the validity of the model fails at very high temperature because of anharmonic effects. Then a comment is made on the atomic-scale mechanism of the lattice dynamics of graphite. We demonstrate in particular that very strong angular-return forces bring about the stiffness of the basal plane.


NCT Group has announced that Delphi Automotive Systems has licensed the Company's ClearSpeech noise, acoustic echo and live echo cancellation algorithms for use in their Mobile Multi Media (MMM) Computing Platform for hands-free cellular communications. The ClearSpeech algorithm cancels 95% of background road, tire, wind, engine and traffic noise from hands-free communications, allowing the party receiving the communication to hear voice more clearly. "We believe that ClearSpeech technology will one day be standard in all automobiles," said Michael Parrella, chairman of NCT. The ClearSpeech noise reduction algorithm is designed to remove noise from an input speech signal to improve voice quality. The algorithm is adaptive as background noise changes in either frequency or amplitude, ClearSpeech continues to cancel the noise for consistent performance. The ClearSpeech Acoustic Echo Cancellation algorithm also cancels acoustic echo. More information from NCT (Europe) Ltd, Unit 3 Munro House, Trafalgar Way, Bar Hill, Cambridge, CB3 8SQ UK. Tel: +44(0)1954 205515. Fax: +44(0)1954 205516.


The dramatic increase of human lives in recent years makes the research on longevity more and more important both theoretically and practically.On the basis of assessing the impacts of the traditional means against mortality risks,this article discusses the influence of the changes,such as the global aging,the progress of biology and the concentration of the converging mortality risks,on the longevity in the 21 century.Furthermore,it makes comments on the effectiveness of the longevity controlling methods,such as predicting mortality with biological information,anticipating human lives through "mortality radar" and hedging longevity risks with various financial tools.Finally,this thesis believes that,by employing the professionals with expertise in understanding the linkages between biology and mortality,by offering highly credible population statistics collected by governmental agencies and by creating effective financial tools in the capital market,longevity risks could be more accurately predicted and effectively controlled.


The thiadiazolinecarboxamidine (1a) forms a stable acetate in glacial acetic acid but is diacetylated to give the thiadiazoline (3) using acetic anhydride and mineral acid. Similar treatment of (1c) and (1d) gives, at 60 °C or below, the monoacetyl derivatives (10) and (6) respectively. The acetylthiadiazolinecarboxamidine (6) decomposes at 60–140 °C yielding the 4-acetylthiadiazoline (7), which may also be obtained by acetylation of an oil produced by basic hydrolysis of (1a). Neutral hydrolysis in aqueous methanol converts (1a) and (1b) into the carbamoylthiadiazoline (11); the trimethylthiadiazolinecarboxamidine (1e) into the N-methylcarbamoylthiadiazoline (12), and the diacetylthiadiazolinecarboxamidine (3) into the N-acetylcarbamoylthiadiazoline (5). The thiadiazolinecarboxamidine (1a) reacts with 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds to give 4-pyrimidin-2-ylthiadiazolines (15)–(17), and decomposes in refluxing mesitylene to give, amongst other products, trans-stilbene and 2,5-diphenyl-1,3,4-thiadiazole.


Photographic postcard. Black and white. Image of a group of people by railcars. Five rail cars visible with people standing, mostly in rows, beside the cars. Center of photograph are school girls in dark uniforms with white collars. Railroad employees standing with others; some looking or leaning out windows. A second track visible. Inscription on back, "Zur Erinnerung an den Ausflug nach Bad-Burnas Bahnhof Sarata 29 Mai 1926/ Frieda Heier." Inscribed on note, "May 29, 1926 the students of the "Maedchenlyceum" on an excursion to Bad Burnas on the Black Sea, here at the Sarata/ Bess[arabia] train station/ the girls are in school uniform." Dated May 29, 1926. Courtesy of Dr. Elvire Necker-Eberhardt Collection, 2012.23, GRHC.


A shortened version of this report has been submitted for publication in the IEEE Transactions on Pattern Analysis and Machine Intelligence. Appendices C and D, which begin on page 41 herein, are not included in the published version. Abstract | Curves with thickness, or thick curves, arise naturally in certain applications such as magnetic resonance imaging of the brain; they can also arise through low-level image processing procedures such as morphological dilation. In this paper we describe and analyze an active contour algorithm for the reconstruction and mapping of the central contour of thick curves. We address two issues of theoretical and practical importance: convergence | i.e., is a unique solution guaranteed? | and delity | i.e., will the solution agree with the true central contour? We show that convexity of the active contour model depends strongly on the thick curve itself, but that under certain conditions the problem is convex and a unique globally optimal solution exists. We also nd through a frequency domain analysis conditions under which the solution can agree with the true thick curve. Ideally these two conditions prescribe an interval from which the regularization parameter of the problem should be selected. In cases where such an interval does not exist, however, our results suggest a range over which the regularization parameter may be selected to eeectively balance global convergence versus delity. The active contour algorithm is evaluated on a series of experiments with synthetic curves and with a magnetic resonance image of the human brain.


The invention relates to a circuit for controlling an exciting coil of an electromagnetically driven reciprocating piston pump for use as a fuel injector, in which there is a circuit to control the armature exciting coil (600) which is connected to a power transistor (601) which is connected to earth via a precision resistor (602). The output of a comparator (603) is applied to the control input, e.g. the base, of the transistor (601). The non-inverting input of the comparator (603) is applied a reference voltage obtained, for example, by means of a microcomputer and the inverting input of the comparator (603) is connected to the side of the precision resistor which is connected to the transistor (601).


Drawing 35,000 attendees from all 50 states and 80+ countries, NY NOW is produced twice annually by GLM Shows and is open to the trade only.


Formation of serpentine flora and vegetation is primarily influenced by local geology and they represent an extraordinary area for botanical research studies (from both taxonomical and ecological perspective). During a sixteen-year research of serpentine terrain flora of the Ibar river middle-stream valley in northern Kosovo and Metohija, the existence of 882 taxa grouped into 83 families and 386 genera has been proven. The collected serpentine flora was analysed on taxonomical, ecological and phytogeographical basis. Out of the total number of identified taxa, 73 (8.27%) are endemic, sub-endemic, relict and endomorelic. 31 taxa belong to a group of internationally significant vascular plants. Of these, 14 taxa have been protected by CITES Convention. The taxonomic structure of the serpentine flora of the Ibar river middle-stream valley is compared to the serpentine flora of Mt. Studena and Goleš Mt. (parts of Ibar serpentine massive).


The study of the human exposure to extremely-low frequency (ELF) and very-low frequency (VLF) magnetic fields have been found to cause health effects, such as leukemia, brain tumors and breast cancer. Three most commonly used composite environments, home, school and office, having various field-emitting devices such as a TV, microwave oven, monitor, computer, etc., were chosen for research. Both the magnitudes of the fields emitted by a source and its distribution were measured in isolation and in the composite environments. The analysis of the data revealed that individuals working and living in these environments are getting exposed to varying level of magnetic fields depending on how close and how long they work or live in the environments. Several suggestions were made to minimize the exposure. Since most of the people spend their time in one or more of the three environments, the findings will be relevant and useful to everyone.


An investigation on molecular diversity of Murrah and Mehsana buffalo breeds was done to check primer discriminatory power, banding pattern of primer among fifteen accessions through ISSR. The DNA isolated from 10 ml blood by using the procedure suggested by Hoelzel (1992) who found sufficient for good quality of ISSR analysis. Out of 20 primers used only 15 produced amplicons. The total amplicons generated were 141 with 122 being polymorphic with 86.52% polymorphism. Among Primer A and Primer D could distinguish all the genotypes, the highest discriminatory index (1.0) was obtained. The Jaccard's similarity coefficient generated on the basis of ISSR profiling showed an average similarity of 45% among all the 10 accessions. The diversity range from 23% to 77%. The SAHN clustering based on UPGMA algorithms has put genotypes in three groups, first one with 4 accessions and second one with 3 accessions and third group with 2 accessions and one accession alone. In conclusion buffalo accession harbors a good diversity. It would be valuable resource for breeding purpose.