PREFACE NCAR's Statistics Project held a Colloquium \Applications of Statistics to Modeling the Earth's Climate System" from 6 July through 19 July 1994. The Statistics Project is sponsored by the Division of Mathematical Sciences of the National Science Foundation (DMS-9312686). Its goal is to encourage the use of modern statistical techniques in the geophysical sciences. NCAR participants in the program are Principal Investigators Besides encouraging interactions between scientists and statisticians at NCAR, an important mission of the project is to facilitate an exchange of ideas and to interest new researchers in problems involving statistics and modeling and analysis of the climate system. Twenty-seven graduate students and 5 recent Ph.D. recipients who expressed an interest in applying statistics to the geophysical sciences received nancial support to attend the Colloquium. There were tutorials on climate, objective analysis, scaling, and spatial ARMA (autoregressive moving average) processes. In addition, there were more specialized lectures on a wide variety of statistical problems in atmospheric and ocean sciences. There were 19 distinguished visiting scientists speaking at the colloquium, along with nine NCAR scientists. The participating students were assigned to take notes of the colloquium lectures. These notes, which are contained in this volume, were edited to various degrees by the lecturers and the colloquium coordinators. They are not intended to cover the lectures comprehensively, but it is hoped that they and the listed references will provide good starting points for study of the topics. Besides the lectures summarized in these notes, there were presentations by the following NCAR researchers: Dennis Shea on climate data (Shea, D. 1990: Statistical comparison of spatial elds in model validation , perturbation, and predictability experiments. 851-865). Finally, Tim Hoar of NCAR prepared and supervised a \hands on" working session designed to familiarize students with accessing atmospheric and oceanographic data via Internet. We would like to take advantage of the opportunity aaorded by the publication of these notes to thank the students and lecturers who made the colloquium successful and Dennis Shea for his reading and constructive comments on the entire document. This workshop is an experiment in cross-disciplinary communication between atmospheric and ocean scientists, whom I will refer to simply as \scientists" (or \geophysicists"), and statistical scientists to whom I will refer to as \statisticians". Coming together as we have here presents a rare opportunity for stretching our minds to explore concepts that are new to us and to expand our …


The form and characteristics of hot water heating system for high-rise buildings are in- troduced,and the selection principle of hot water heating system for high-rise buildings is discussed.


A derivat ion of the Schr6dinger equat ion f rom Newton ian mechanics has been eminent ly achieved by means of a statistical model, a) The electron is regarded as a point particle of mass m constant ly undergoing a Brownian mo t ion with the diffusion coefficient of (h/2m), where h is the Planck 's constant h divided by 27r. As a consequence of the stochastic model, we can interpret the uncer ta inty action s, defined to be the product of the root mean square


The possibility of using a constellation of small spacecraft as receiving satellites, when "highlighting" the sea surface from existing (navigational, communication) or specially created spacecraft—to form a wide-area (about 1 000 km) radar survey zone at a given resolution (about 10 m)—is under consideration. Such a constellation could provide operational monitoring of fast-moving atmospheric cyclones, measuring directly the parameters of storm waves (altitude and orbital velocity)—which would replace the existing constellation of microwave scatterometers, providing operational monitoring of the World Ocean surface in the 3 H (H—altitude of the satellite's orbit) field of view with a resolution of about 10 km—but with calibration of the received images by wind speed and direction, which leads to huge errors when trying to introduce altitude calibration in the Small spacecraft have many advantages over large satellites. For example, they are relatively inexpensive to build, take minimal time from design to launch, are easily modified to solve a specific problem, and create less radio interference. The approach under consideration consists in redistribution of tasks to be solved between the constellation of satellites in orbit. High orbiting navigation satellites, for example, can be used as transmitter carriers (of the illumination of the surface) that use the necessary broadband signal with acceptable periodicity. Receivers of reflected signals are placed on board small spacecraft, and at formation of wide-band radar image of sea surface with necessary resolution ∼10 m (that only on order exceeds acceptable on small spacecraft size of receiving antennas)—in flight direction is necessary to use synthesized aperture of receiving antenna. This work has the character of "staged" research.


The hot deformation behavior of IF steel in austenite region、ferrite region andγ-αregion was investigated by using multi-pass compression test in THERMECMASTOR-Z thermal simulator. According to the stress curve of IF steel deformed in α region, it was found that dynamic restoration occurs not dynamic recrystallization . The stress of deformation in the high temperature range of ferrite region is nearly the same as or lower than that of in austenite region, which prove that resistance of IF steel deformed in ferrite region is not the restrict factor.


The emergence of economic, political, social, and health crises brings to light the fact that, in a globalised world, isolated state responses are insufficient to face upcoming international challenges. Cooperative action, not only between states but also between regions, has become crucial. A salient case is the relationship between the European Union and Latin America. This biregional partnership is characterised by its foundation on common values inherited from a shared historical background. These values are closely related to a liberal standpoint that promotes multilateral cooperation as a way to find solutions to global issues. By studying this case, this paper aims to understand how interregional dialogue can become a driver of multilateralism and how it might reflect a political will to foster multilateral agreements. The expected result is a complex assessment of the EU – Latin American interregional dialogue examining how the official speech on multilateralism has evolved over the years and identifying whether multilateralism is a priority in the biregional agenda.


Stochastic systems that undergo random restarts to their initial state have been widely investigated in recent years, both theoretically and in experiments. Oftentimes, however, resetting to a fixed state is impossible due to thermal noise or other limitations. As a result, the system configuration after a resetting event is random. Here, we consider such a resetting protocol for an overdamped Brownian particle in a confining potential $V(x)$. We assume that the position of the particle is reset at a constant rate to a random location $x$, drawn from a distribution $p_R(x)$. To investigate the thermodynamic cost of resetting, we study the stochastic entropy production $S_{\rm Total}$. We derive a general expression for the average entropy production for any $V(x)$, and the full distribution $P(S_{\rm Total}|t)$ of the entropy production for $V(x)=0$. At late times, we show that this distribution assumes the large-deviation form $P(S_{\rm Total}|t)\sim \exp\left[-t^{2\alpha-1}\phi\left(\left(S_{\rm Total}-\langle S_{\rm Total}\rangle\right)/t^{\alpha}\right)\right]$, with $1/2<\alpha\leq 1$. We compute the rate function $\phi(z)$ and the exponent $\alpha$ for exponential and Gaussian resetting distributions. In the latter case, we find the anomalous exponent $\alpha=2/3$ and show that $\phi(z)$ has a first-order singularity at a critical value of $z$, corresponding to a real-space condensation transition.


Purpose : The purpose of this study is to suggest policy directions for curriculum and licensure examination system for competent optometrist that meets the demands of a changing society. Methods : The education system, curriculum and licensing system for optometrist in the US, the UK and Germany were collected and compared to the ones in Korea. A survey was conducted by Korean optometrists across the country to figure out the status of Korean optometrist, the curriculum content and the national licensing system for optometrist. Results : The US and UK had the laws for optometrist, while Germany had no legitimacy. The courses of study and the licensing exams were standardized and certified by the national board licensing agency in each country, while the ones in Korea has been nearly no change in the legitimate scope of practice of optometrist since the legitimacy was initially enacted in 1987. There were even discrepancy of the course period, lack of standardized curriculum and field practice under the course. That resulted in failure of workforce supply and did not ultimately meet demands of Korean society expanding. Without a reasonable amendment of Korean optometry system, it will be hard for the public health to make gradual progress in eye health care, which will consequently result in the negative effect on the national eye health care. The results of the survey by Korean optometrist corresponded to the claim of the study to change the education and licensing system. Conclusion : There need to be changes in the legitimate scope of practice of Optometrist to reflect the demands of our changing society. The current school system such as, curricula, workforce supply, field practice and licensing exams need to be revised and standardized for the improvement of profession and Korean eye health service.


To those who have never played Wordle it may present as random patterns of coloured boxes, but to Wordle players it stimulates thinking and builds a special camaraderie in the virtual world, especially when most people are still working and studying remotely. For the past two years of medical school, students have been learning virtually, as mere faces in boxes on a screen, experiencing medicine through a merry-go-round of tabs and windows on Zoom. The Health and Care Bill 2021, for example, will reorganise the architecture of the healthcare system, giving the health secretary more powers to make important decisions, with unclear consequences for patients.2 The covid-19 pandemic presents an opportunity to reimagine the healthcare system, to make it more efficient and sustainable for our population.


The invention discloses a frequency synthesizer applied on a digital TV tuner and the synthesizer comprises: a voltage controlled oscillator which covers a frequency range with a double width, a phase locking loop, a frequency eliminator unit and a multiplexer; wherein, the phase locking loop decides the oscillator output frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator by a frequency control signal. The frequency eliminator unit comprises a plurality of first frequency eliminators to form a series connection; the first frequency eliminators receive the oscillator output frequency of the voltage controlled oscillator so as to generate frequency elimination signals in sequence. The multiplexer receives the frequency elimination signals and select a plurality of frequency elimination signal outputs according to one frequency selection signal so as to become a local oscillation frequency, thus achieving the goal that the output frequency of the frequency synthesizer can cover the range of the current digital TV signal DVB-T/H.


In 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, university funding in Ukraine suffered significant losses due to unprecedented quarantine measures. The challenge for universities is to diversify funding sources, develop effective approaches to minimize existing and prevent future threats to ensure their financial stabilization (sustainability) in the post-pandemic period. The paper aims to consider financial sustainability of a university (the case of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv) due to COVID-19 using the objective calculative approach on the statistical sample of data for 2011–2020. The tasks for achieving the aim are seen in determining, using regression methods, the number of lost receipts from general and special funds in the short and medium term, which will maintain a constant value of receipts at constant assets. The main idea of the paper is that financial sustainability is considered as a condition, and stabilization is considered as a process towards stability/sustainability. The modeling approach reveals a fragile list of factors for the future preventing measures of the University to sustain. It is estimated that the University's top management should consider financial strategy in dollar terms only. The challenge is that funding in hryvnia seems to be quite increasing and linear, but indeed, funding of the University is non-linear and has a quite intensive downward trend. Thus, for the financial sustainability strategy, this fact should be crucial.The results indicate the need for a significant increase in university funding to mitigate the impact of macroeconomic instability due to various crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
AcknowledgmentThe study is carried out under the grant funded from the National Research Fund of Ukraine within the competition Science for Human Security and Society, topic 2020.01/0265.


The paper deals with the issue of Poland's Eastern policy after joining the European Union. It focuses on relations with Ukraine and Belarus, the closest Poland's neighbours. According to all conceptions of Poland's foreign policy that were announced after regaining sovereignty by Poland in 1989, its Eastern direction remains one of the most important. The membership in the EU has brought many hopes for a "new opening" in relations with Poland's Eastern neighbours. The paper is a critical summary of the results of a decade of membership in the EU in that field. The paper consists of some parts: it discusses changes in Poland's foreign policy towards Eastern Europe after the biggest enlargement of the EU in 2004, then presents bilateral relations with Ukraine and Belarus, and general conclusions. The author states that despite of some successes Poland, failed to achieve its main goals. There was no clear conception of relations with both partners. Despite of very good atmosphere of Ukrainian-Polish relations after the Orange Revolution, various declaration of strengthening cooperation, there was no real effects in that field. After 2010 bilateral contacts consistently lost their dynamics. Regarding Belarus, Poland continued ineffective critical policy, accusing Belarusian authorities in undemocratic tendencies. Poland's attempt to be a European leader in Eastern policy also generally failed. Polish-Swedish initiative Eastern Partnership Programme, that was launched in 2009, is not in the focus of all members of the EU. It is seen as a tool of antiRussian politics, while some EU members favours relations with Russia then with Ukraine or Georgia. The author concludes, that Polish diplomacy is facing strong need of a new formula of relations with Eastern neighbours. It should respond to new geopolitical challenges, be more clear and attractive for Ukraine and Belarus.


Objective To evaluate high resolution computed tomography(HRCT)findings of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis(PAP).Methods A retrospective analysis was made of HRCT findings of 4 cases of confirmed PAP.Results The HRCT of PAP showed characteristic features: diffused patchy shadows or ground-glass shadow with sharply defined margins and geographical appearance of the two lungs,as the "crazy-paving"pattern.Conclusion We can make a reliable diagnosis based on the characteristic features of PAP HRCT together with its clinical history.


E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com (C.-J. Wang); email@example.com (X.-L. Zhou)Received March 31, 2012, Accepted May 9, 2012A novel mononuclear supramolecule of copper(II) has been synthesized with Ippyt ligand (Ippyt=3-(4'-imidazole phenyl)-5-(pyrid-2''-yl)-1,2,4-triazole) (1). Compound 1, namely [Cu(Ippyt)


Research suggests that, in some cases, mechanical restraints may function as positive reinforcers. In this study, we conducted a functional analysis of severe aggression exhibited by an individual with a history of wearing arm splints. The results of this functional analysis demonstrated that his aggression was maintained by access to the arm splints. Copyright # 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Historically, mechanical restraints such as arm splints have been used to prevent severe self-injurious behavior (SIB) as well as to minimize the injury that may result from SIB (Griffin, Williams, Stark, Altmeyer, & Mason, 1984; Sturmey, 1999). In many cases, the use of mechanical restraints can function as punishment or extinction (Mazaleski, Iwata, Rodgers, Vollmer, & Zarcone, 1994), which effectively decreases SIB. However, in some cases, prolonged use of mechanical restraints may lead to the restraint becoming a positive reinforcer. For example, Favell, McGimsey, and Jones (1978) used mechanical restraints as part of a differential reinforcement of other (DRO) treatment for severe SIB with three individuals with mental retardation. They found that providing access to the restraint contingent in the absence of SIB for prespecified periods of time resulted in a reduction in SIB. They subsequently showed that an arbitrary response (placing a marble in a box) could be reinforced by access to mechanical restraints. In light of these findings, it is possible that the loss (or removal) of mechanical restraints may lead to increase in problem behavior. That is, if mechanical restraints are a reinforcer, then the loss of the reinforcer may serve as an establishing operation (i.e., deprivation) resulting in an increase in the reinforcer value of the restraint. This in turn may lead to an increase in the future probability of problem behavior that may be associated with access to mechanical restraints. Therefore, the purpose of this


PURPOSE: A sheet for fabricating an optical recording medium and the optical recording medium are provided to exactly reproduce recorded information even though the information is recorded/erased or repeatedly reproduced. CONSTITUTION: A sheet(1) for fabricating an optical disk consists of an adhesive layer(11) and a protecting sheet(12). The sheet(1) is deposited on an information recording layer(3) formed on an optical recording medium substrate(2). The information recording layer(3) is composed of a reflecting film(31), a dielectric film(32), a phase change film(33), and a dielectric film(32').


Spectrally selective absorption coatings for solar thermal energy conversion applications should exhibit a high absorptance in the 0.4 - 1 micrometers wavelength range of the electro magnetic spectrum. Additionally, a low emittance in the thermal radiation range has to be attained. Niobium films displaying such optical properties were obtained by sputtering onto Si(100) and Mo substrates and suitable variation of the preparation parameters. The sputtered films were characterized by in situ photoelectron spectroscopy, and not in situ optical reflectometry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Emittance and absorptance were determined as function of temperature by the `dynamical vacuum technique.' It is found in particular that the as prepared films show a dendritic surface structure as revealed by SEM. In addition, the wavelength of transition from highly absorbing to reflecting character is shown to correlate with the inter-dendrite distance.


with Elsey and Kindt that the narrow example of propranolol does nullify several previously raised ethical concerns about memory modification, other forms of reconsolidation, such as reconsolidation-based enhancement, could still carry with them a host of significant and distinct risks. As we assemble an ethical vocabulary regarding memory modification, we must be careful not to conflate issues regarding separate mechanisms and, as the target article's authors emphasize, always strive to keep our discussions in line with current science.&


Introduction: Oral cancer is often associated with various factors, such as betel nut consumption, which usually causes specific premalignant lesions. The most common oral cancer is oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) which has a low 5-year survivor rate because early detection of the malignancies is not widely used and not routinely carried out in dental practice. Early detection of malignancy can be done by measuring the salivary Ki-67 level and micronucleus assay from the buccal smear. Aims and Objectives: The study aimed to examine the potency of the salivary Ki-67 level and micronucleus assay for early detection of OSCC in betel nut chewers. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in 17 betel nut chewers and 17 healthy people as a control group. Saliva was collected with the passive drooling technique and then analyzed using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Buccal smears were taken, then a cytological slide was made and stained using Papanicolaou. Settings and Design: This study was a cross-sectional analytic survey that was conducted in the Banyumas District of Indonesia with a post-test- only control group design. Statistical Analysis: The statistical analysis used is a non-parametric test using Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. Results: There was a significant difference between the Ki-67 level and micronucleus in the betel nut chewers group and the control group. There was a significant difference between Ki-67 and micronucleus levels in the various types of oral lesions that were found in the betel nut chewer's group. Conclusion: Examination of Ki-67 and micronucleus assay is effective as an alternative early biomarker for OSCC.


Abstract Introduction: The purpose of this paper was to determine the effectiveness of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) on improving adaptive behaviors, quality of life, and the self-efficiency of students with mild depression. Method: This clinical trial study included two experimental and control groups, with pre-test and post-test. Thirty students who lived in Tehran were studied in 2018 and were randomly divided into two groups including experimental and control groups (n=15 person per group). The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHO-QOL-BREF), Beck Depression, Scherer's Self-efficiency, and Vineland Adaptive Behavior questionnaires were used to collect information in this study. The participants of the experimental group received MBCT sessions and the control group received no interventions. The pre-test and post-test were conducted in both groups. Data was analyzed by using SPSS 22 software. Results: The results showed that 24.2%, 50.2%, and 55.6% of personal differences according to an impact factor in the post-test scores of adaptive behaviors, quality of life, and the self-efficiency of students with mild depression was related to the effects of MBCT and significance levels were higher than 0.05. (p<0.05) Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study it can be concluded that MBCT is effective in improving the adaptive behaviors, quality of life and self-efficiency of students with mild depression.


A standard naming convention for mechanical parts is proposed in this paper. We refer to this naming convention as the component basis. The component basis is a first step at classifying an exhaustive list of human-made mechanical transmission artifacts as functional forms, geometric shapes, simple machines, and natural forms. The proposed component basis provides a framework for the development of a suite of computational conceptual design tools. This suite of design tools includes a function-based computational concept generator and a product evolution methodology.


We have simultaneously measured [3H]methyltriphenylphosphonium+ and "Rb+ distribution across the mitochondrial and plasma membranes of pig mesenteric lymphocytes. At low concentrations the K+ ionophore valinomycin depolarizes the mitochondria but does not increase Rb+ fluxes across the plasma membrane. At high concentrations of valinomycin the plasma membrane becomes permeable to Rb+ and both TPMP+ and Rb+ distribution give a measure of the K+ diffusion potential.


Flaky single crystals of a new high-Tc oxide Bi2Sr2CaCu2Oy with dimensions of the order of 1×1×0.1 mm3 have been prepared using a CuO flux method. The electrical resistivity shows a sharp superconducting transition at 80.6 K. The upper critical field Hc2 was determined to be very anisotropic. The values of -dHc2/dT for H//c-axis and H⊥c-axis are 0.39 T/K and 7.3 T/K, respectively. The ratio of -dHc2⊥/dT to -dHc2///dT is 19. The value of Hc2⊥(0) for H⊥c-axis is estimated to be as large as 400 T. The Ginzburg-Landau coherence length along the c-axis at 0 K ξ//(0) is 2.1 Å, suggesting quasi-two-dimensional superconductivity.


A program is described to establish calibration diagrams by weighted, linear, least-squares regression of unbalanced response arrays. Whatever the confidence level, the number of analysed standard solutions and of their available replicates, the program allows (i) testing for scedasticity, linearity, outliers and normality, (ii) evaluation of slope and intercept of the calibration function and their confidence interval and (iii) evaluation of an unknown concentration and its confidence interval by interpolation/extrapolation. For negative results of the linearity test, the program structure allows a rapid evaluation of data to be discarded to attempt entering the linear range. The program was validated by analysing response arrays obtained by adding a Gaussian noise to known response/concentration functional relationships. The results of validation tests led to the implementation of an empirical but efficient way to correct regression results when certain experimental situations lead to unjustified over-weighting of some responses. The analysis of some real calibration data sets allows the versatility of the software to be evaluated.


The cyclopropapyrrolo[1,2-a]indolequinone (3), cyclopropane analogue of a biologically active aziridinomitosene derived from mitomycin A, has been synthesised from the benzaldehyde (4).


Building on an intra-personal self-signaling game, the paper pro- vides an economic model to show that the sunk cost effect may stem from an attempt to overcome the under-investment problem associ- ated with present bias. The current self may take a costly action (which is a sunk cost for the future self) to signal the individual's ability that motivates his future self-disciplining behaviors. In equi- librium, a higher level of sunk cost gives rise to a higher probability for the individual to continue the project.


29 soil factors of different plantations in different experimental sites(Xiaohengshan、Lingzhuang and Mohe) in Yuanmou County,Yunnan Province,were determined.By the method of PCA,five synthesized factors were selected as targets for evaluating soil fertility.The results were quantified,scored and sequenced to the collected data relevant to the soil fertility in the selected plots by using PCA.The result showed that the score of 13 years-old Eucalyptus camalduensis pure plantation was lower than that of the corresponding comparison.It revealed the fact that soil degradation exists in Eucalyptus camalduensis pure plantation.While the score of others artificial plantations were higher than that of the corresponding comparison. It showed that the effect of those artificial plantations on soil fertility improvement was obvious,and the effect of 13 year-old Acacia glauca pure plantation on soil fertility improvement was the best.Except 13 year-old Acacia glauca pure plantation,the scores of mixed plantations were much higher than those of the pure plantations in Xiaohengshan site.It revealed that the effect of those mixed plantations on soil fertility Improvement were better than that of the pure plantation.


Electron Multiplying Charge Coupled Devices (EMCCDs) are CCD cameras with potentially single-photon detection ability. Signal amplification is achieved by way of a unique electron-multiplying structure built into the silicon, and the gain can be varied in order to overcome the read-noise floor, which is the usual limiting factor in reading out a conventional CCD at high frame rates. In combination with its high quantum efficiencies, the EMCCD holds great promise for time-resolved photometry. We report here results from two observing campaigns aimed at assessing the suitability of EMCCD technology for detecting short-timescale, low-amplitude variability in blazars. Data were taken on the 2.2m telescope at Calar Alto using both front-illuminated and back-illuminated EMCCD cameras from Andor Technology's iXon range. Approximately 410,000 science frames were recorded over 10 nights. The results presented here illustrate the photometric stability achieved with the cameras, under typical observing conditions. In general, photometric precision down to the level of a few millimagnitudes is found to be possible. We argue that reliable photometry is best achieved with high data collection rates (typically 4 frames per second) coupled to ultra-low-noise detectors such as the EMCCD.


Polyaspartates are highly biodegradable alternatives to polyacrylate based scale inhibitors. This paper presents laboratory testing data on polyaspartate inhibitors of calcium and barium mineral scales. The optimum molecular weight for polyaspartate inhibitors of calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate and barium sulfate mineral scales was determined to be between 1,000 and 4,000 Mw (weight average molecular weight as calculated by Size Exclusion Chromatography). For inhibition of calcium carbonate and barium sulfate, polyaspartates in the range of 3,000-4,000 Mw were most effective. For calcium sulfate inhibition, the optimum molecular weight lies in the 1,000 to 2,000 Mw range. Biodegradability data (OECD 301B Ready Biodegradability) on polyaspartates of a variety of molecular weights is also presented which demonstrates the high biodegradability of this class of mineral scale inhibitors.


The work was carried out in line with the current idea of the Internet as a global media that interacts with various sign systems and influences the structural and compositional features of the verbal text. The relevance of the study is due to the formation of the concept of intermediality in the context of a new cultural direction, called "metavirtualism". The aim of the article is to characterize the principles underlying the structure and composition of the network poetic "book". Russian-language poetic cycles are considered, the structural and compositional features and expressive means of which are associated with Internet technologies. Such aspects as the type of intermediality and ways of organizing the structure and composition of the network "book" are analyzed; the reader's way of getting acquainted with the work and the degree of freedom of this way; manifestation of the category of ephemerality. It is concluded that technological poetry, paradoxically, strengthens traditional book forms, but also has an independent value, visualizing poetic images and metaphors. Internet technologies can be "embedded" into the structure and composition of a poetry book at various levels: it can be relative autonomy; interaction at the level of a conceptual metaphor explicated with the help of Internet media (Google maps); almost complete fusion of media.


Spray prints of thermal spray coatings were created on glass slides for air-plasma-sprayed 8-wt%-yttria-partially-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) deposits. The spray parameters such as carrier gas flow rate, standoff distance, and torch power were systematically changed to investigate the influence of these parameters on the YSZ deposit characteristics. The deposit properties such as deposition efficiency (DE), substrate coverage, deposit thickness, and roughness were measured. The deposits sprayed with a 3.5–4.0 L/min carrier gas flow rate at an 80 mm standoff distance exhibited higher values of DE within the range of studied process parameters. The DE increased as much as 25% by varying the carrier gas flow rate from 2.0 to 4.0 L/min. The deposits sprayed at a higher standoff distance and low torch power gave poor deposit characteristics. The deposit characteristics were compared with the in-flight particle parameters and revealed that the deposit characteristics strongly depended on the in-flight particle temperature. Using the in-flight particle properties, the flattening ratio and the splat thickness were calculated. The average size of particles adhering to the substrate was found to drastically change with a change of process conditions, being much less than the average size of the starting powder.


A reciprocating motor comprises a mover (400) including an opening unit formed as a ring with an opening on (110) its one side; a first stepped unit (120) in which the inner interval of the opening (110) unit is narrowed gradually toward the entrance; and a second stepped unit (130) continued with the first stepped unit (120) and forming the entrance of the opening unit. According to that, the length of the permanent magnet (420) is decided and the entrance width of the opening unit in which the winding coil (300) is located is reduced, thereby the amount of high price permanent magnet used is reduced, reciprocating movement of the mover getting out of the outer core is minimized, flux on the outer core and the inner core flows smoothly, and leakage of the flux is reduced so the function of the motor can be improved.


An electronic support (ES) system is used by the military for intelligence gathering, threat detection, and as a support to the electronic attack system. Its main feature is to determine the frequency parameters and pulse characteristics of the received radar signal. The estimated signal parameters are then used as input to a classifier network to determine the identity of the received signal. This paper describes airborne radar signal type analysis and classification (ARTAC) system that uses the spectrogram to obtain the time-frequency representation (TFR) and apply analysis tools such as the instantaneous energy, instantaneous frequency and other related tools to estimate various signal parameters. The estimated parameters are used as input to the rule-based classifier which classifies the signal appropriately. Monte-Carlo simulation is then carried out to determine the accuracy of signal classification at various signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) in additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN). The method used achieves 90 percent classification accuracy at SNR of 6.2dB.


An electric boat hybrid power system design is proposed. The system uses a wind turbine that is driving an induction generator as the first renewable energy power source, solar PV panels with Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) system as the second renewable energy power source, and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell for the third renewable energy power source. The hybrid power system is used to drive the AC motor for the electric boat. Circuit breaker blocks are used to switch between using wind turbine and other renewable sources to operate the boat based on wind speed. The proposed system which has three elements is simulated using SIMULINK. The simulation results will be demonstrated to show the continuous operation of the electric boat regardless the changes in weather conditions such as solar irradiance and wind speed.


In this article, the historical localization of Hebrew Bible Wisdom Literature is discussed firstly with regard to the literary development of the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. By examining these books one can make several observations that help to reconstruct the history not only of the individual books, but also the history of Wisdom Literature as a whole. Wisdom Literature is understood in this context as the result of a process of discussion, interaction, and interdependence, and thus the documentation of a broader discourse surrounding Wisdom topics. This discourse is reflected in the whole of Wisdom Literature of the Hebrew Bible. From this point of view, the differentiation between the Wisdom books and some other Wisdom texts, such as the Wisdom Psalms or the book of Ben Sira, is finally placed within an era overview, and thus a short history of Wisdom Literature is presented.


The categories 'public' and 'private' continue to play a central role in histories of women and gender. Ever since Leonore Davidoff and Catherine Hall's classic Family fortunes, the importance of the 'separate spheres'model of gender experience has provoked debate, and several authors whose works are discussed here acknowledge their debt to their work. Kathryn Gleadle, for instance, has previously contributed to the ongoing reappraisal of Family fortunes, emphasizing its insistence on the essentially unstable nature of the dichotomy between


All marketing decisions are based on the assumptions and knowledge of consumer ́s behaviour. Examining consumer ́s decision-making and behaviour is a challenging process, but it is very important for companies and marketers to understand them. For a good understanding of a consumer it is necessary to know consumer ́s habits, needs, preferences and ideas in purchasing process. Recently, emphasis has also been put on the use of sensory stimuli for communication between consumers and retail. An important role in consumer decision-making also plays particular product brands. The presented document deals exactly with the issue of the production of brands, concretely the private brand. Under the expression "private brand" we can understand products manufactured for specific retail chains. The practical part of this document is based on a questionnaire survey, and one of its parts is a blind test. Two different products are tested through the blind test, and these ones are from the same manufacturer. Based on primary results, we can claim that 77% of consumers prefer "branded" products. Their behaviour is largely influenced by the brand itself. This trend, however, has a decreasing trend as consumers are becoming more educated in the food market. However, on the basis of sensory properties (taste), the products we studied have almost the same rating.


Gas exchange rates have been determined in the tidal Hudson River by injecting 2 inert gases, 3 He and sulfur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) and monitoring their decline with time. Their distributions along the main axis of the river were approximately gaussian and maximum concentrations of excess 3 He and SF 6 observed during each transect decreased from about 6500 × 10 -16 cm 3 STP g -1 and 250 ppt (part per trillion by volume), respectively, to values close to atmospheric equilibrium concentrations over a period of 16 days. Throughout the experiment, vertical gradients in tracer concentration were observed. After 3 days of mixing, tracer concentrations in bottom samples were 0–19% greater than in surface samples. Gas transfer velocities were calculated from the temporal change in the depth averaged excess 3 He/SF 6 ratio from stations having maximum tracer concentrations. They ranged from 1.5 to 9.0 cm h -1 and correlated well with mean wind speed. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1994.t01-2-00003.x


Features extracted from rolling bearing signal usually contain a great deal of noise and other redundant information which may reduce the efficiency of fault diagnosis. In this paper, a new method based on adaptive treelets transform is proposed for fault diagnosis of rolling bearing, which is proved to be an effective method. Treelets transform is a local multi-scale analysis method, and it is especially well-suited for high-dimensional and unordered signal with noise. Unlike the basic theory of treelets, this paper defines the similarity matrix from the point view of graph-theoretic based on geodesic distance, which can easily capture the intrinsic structure of original vibration signal of bearing. Because of the bearing signal collected by accelerometers cannot fully describe fault information, this paper select initial feature from the phase space. Treeles decomposition is then used for further feature extraction, which can not only reduce the disturbance of noise but also achieve the effect of dimension reduction. Finally, features are input to the model of SVM, the experimental results indicate that this proposed method can accurately identify different fault states of rolling bearing only by one-dimensional feature, and it is very robust to noise.


In this study, the effect of different doses of zinc (Zn) fertilizer applied to the soil, on the yield and some quality parameters of coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) were investigated. The study was conducted 2019-2020 vegetation period under Siirt ecological conditions. In the study, five different doses of fertilizer with zinc (Zn0= 0 kg da-1 Zn, Zn1= 0.5 kg da-1 Zn, Zn2= 1 kg da-1 Zn, Zn3= 1.5 kg da-1 Zn, Zn4 =2 kg da-1 Zn)  has been considered as the subject of research. According to the results, it was determined that Zn doses had significant effects on seed yield, some of the agricultural properties effective on yield, essential oil ratio, and essential oil yield. In the study, the highest branch number, number of umbellet in the main umbel, seed yield, essential oil ratio and essential oil yield were obtained at Zn3 dose. The highest values in terms of plant height and thousand grain weight were determined in Zn3 and Zn4 doses. The highest value on account of number of seed in the main umbel was obtained from Zn2 and Zn3 doses. According to Zn doses, plant height, branch number, number of umbellet in the main umbel, number of seeds in the main umbel, seed yield, thousand-grain weight, essential oil, essential oil yield were ranged between 68.25-84.00 cm, 4.98-6.19 plants-1, 5.83-7.08, 37.28-45.73, 103.09-173.45 kg da-1, 9.95-10.87 g, 0.30-0.35% and 0.31-0.61 L da-1, respectively. It was concluded that 1.33 kg da-1 zinc can be applied in terms of seed yield in coriander cultivation in soils with low zinc content.


The east of the southern fringe of Junggar basin Uygur Autonomous Region of Xinjiang is an important oil and gas exploration region in Junggar basin.The forming conditions of the reservoirs are studied,the patterns of the reservoirs are established and the potential of hydrocarbon resources is predicted with the techniques of basin analysis,effective source rock evaluation,reservoir prediction,basin modeling and fluid inclusion with the theories of basin evolution,hydrocarbon generation,and reservoir formation.It is demonstrated that the three source rocks of Upper Permian,Upper-Middle Triassic,and Middle-Lower Jurassic are developed in this area with Upper Permian as the main source rock and the main zone of hydrocarbon resources.The main reservoirs are the Upper Permian of Chaiwopu Block,and Middle-Lower Triassic and Middle-Lower Jurassic of Miquan Block with rather poor petrophysical properties,being a good gas-bearing reservoir as a whole,and the main exploration target for hydrocarbon.There are two types of patterns of reservoirs,i.e.,self source-lateral expulsion of hydrocarbon,and external source-vertical expulsion of hydrocarbon;the northern part of Chaiwopu sag and Miquan Block is still a favorable oil and gas exploration region in the east of the southern fringe of Junggar basin.


Abstract The structures of two complexes of neodymium(III) with pvndine-2.6-dicarboxvlic acid of formula (NH4), [Nd(C7H3NO4)3]-7H2O (1) and (NH4)[Nd3(C7H3NO4)5 8H2O]-5H2O (2) have been determined by X-ray diffraction. Crystals of 1 are monoclinic, P21/c, a = 17.925(4). b = 10.198(2), c = 18.707(4) A, β = 112.22(3)°. Z = 4. Crystals of 2 are monoclinic C2/c, a = 22.205(4), b = 13.774(3), c = 17.783(4) A, β = 112.55(3)°, Z = 4. Both structures were solved by the heavy-atom method and refined to R = 0.032 for 7568 reflections (1) and 0.030 for 3267 reflections (2). The water molecules and NH+ 4 groups in both crystals participate in a network of hydrogen bonds.


This paper shows that there is a quantum-physical and evolution-biological perspective for (libertarian) free will, and that the so-called scientific arguments against it are in reality metaphysical arguments and insufficient. The paper also develops the idea of a nonphysical organ of higher organisms: the Domindar (Detector of macroscopic indetermination, and restrictor).


The vibration sieve for well-drilling liquid is a key equipment in the solide phase control system, and the screen is the main structural part of the sieve. Increasing of the screen serviceable life is a important way to increase the well-drilling speed and to decrease its cost. In order to achieve automated operation some improvements of the bonding quality of the screens, compounding and applying of the adhesives, pressure curing and increasing of coating spot number etc. So that the serviceable life of the plate laminated screens was increased by 3 to 5 times.


A campus may impact the surrounding area in various ways, such as by the noise emissions. We analysed the campus noise emissions from the viewpoint of total activity volume and measured the noise levels within a new university campus, and at selected points in a neighbouring village, over a 10-year period. The results of the analysis confirm that the long-term evolution of noise emissions was correlated with the volume of activity on the campus. This study can provide guidance on how to conduct an environmental impact assessment for a campus, or assist in determining the most suitable location for a campus.


Soilbags have been widely used to reinforce foundations since they effectively reduce vibrations. The vibration reduction effects of soilbags were illustrated through vertical excitations and the d...


The current educational phenomenon is the large number of children with physical disabilities at the legs. One the reason is the environment that does not provide opportunities for them to grow and develop with their conditions. Conducive and pleasant educational environment for children with physical disabilities at the legs in grades 2 and 3 of elementary school can create a better psychological condition with a sense of enthusiasm and interest to improve academic understanding of mathematics learning. Kuda Baja or Wheelchair Playing and Learning presents as a form of author's effort to overcome these problems. The author prepare this article is using the method of literature study. So in this article Kuda Baja as a wheelchair at once includes learning media with a playing method. There are two-dimentional figure puzzle, stacking numbers, abacus, napier bar tables, and is equipped with a whiteboard and a smartphone stand.


African Psychology is the recognition and practice of a body of knowledge which is fundamentally different in origin, content, and direction than that recognized and practiced by Euro-American psychologists. The differences between African Psychology and Euro-American Psychology reflect the differences between Black people and white people or, in terms of basic culture, between Africans and Europeans.


This artist's impression shows a young galaxy, about two billion years after the Big Bang, accreting material from the surrounding hydrogen and helium gas and forming many young stars. New results from ESO's Very Large Telescope have provided the first direct evidence that the accretion of pristine gas alone, without the need for violent major mergers, can fuel vigorous star formation and the growth of massive galaxies in the young universe. Credit: ESO/L. Calçada


Abstract Giant parathyroid adenoma Background: Primary hyperparathyroidism is the most common cause of hypercalcemia. On ultrasound PTH adenomas are typically homogenous, hypoechoic, oval or bean-shaped with peripheral vascularity. Clinical Case: A 60 year old woman with a history of calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis presented with fatigue, worsening depression, body aches of 3 months duration. Labs showed a serum calcium 11.1 mg/dl (normal range 8.5–10.1 mg/dl), PTH 114.3 pg/ml (normal range 12–88 pg/ml), 25 OH Vitamin D 11 ng/ml (normal range above 29 ng/ml), alkaline phosphatase 137IU/L (normal range 27–120 IU/L), spot urine calcium 34.8 mg/dl, spot urine creatinine 92.1 mg/dl (estimated 24 hour urine calcium 415 mg/dl). She was started on Vitamin D 1000 IU daily. A PTH scan with SPECT/CT showed a right parathyroid adenoma and possible thyroid nodules. A neck ultrasound demonstrated a left 1.5 cm thyroid nodule and a right 3cm lesion. She underwent FNA of the left thyroid nodule and pathology was suggestive of a benign follicular nodule. She underwent parathyroid gland exploration with resection of the right lesion which was a 3.5 x 2.5 x 1.4 cm right superior 5.68 gm PTH adenoma. Postoperatively her serum calcium normalized to 10.1 mg/dl, PTH was 8.4 pg/ml, 25 OH vitamin D was 15 ng/ml. Her Vitamin D dose was increased. Clinical Lessons: A normal parathyroid gland typically weighs 30–60 mg and is 3–4 mm in size. The differential diagnosis for large parathyroid lesions is parathyroid carcinoma vs giant parathyroid adenoma. Although there is not a definitive size cutoff to define giant parathyroid adenomas, a size greater than 3.5 gm has been used (1). On ultrasound giant parathyroid adenomas are homogenous with smooth borders whereas parathyroid carcinomas are large lobulated heterogeneous hypoechoic lesions (2). A depth/width ratio on ultrasound may be the ultrasound parameter with greatest discriminatory capacity as a depth/width ratio greater than or equal to 1 had 94% sensitivity and 95% specificity for parathyroid carcinoma (2). Whether vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for the development of large parathyroid glands is controversial as there has been conflicting data on this (1,3). Because there is no serum calcium level that distinguishes parathyroid carcinoma from a parathyroid adenoma neck ultrasound may be a helpful tool in evaluating these patients. References: 1. Spanhemier PM, Stoltze AJ, Howe JR, et al. Do giant PTH adenomas represent a distinct clinical entity? Surgery. 2013 Oct; 154(4):714–719. 2. Hara H, Igarashi A, Yano Y, et al. Ultrasonagraphic features of PTH carcinoma. Endocr J. 2001 April 48(2):213–217. 3. Rao DS, Honasoge M, Divine GW, et al. Effect of vitamin D nutrition on PTH adenoma weight: pathogenetic and clinical implications. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2000 Mar 85(3): 1054–1058.


The complexes in this study were designed to exhibit antitumor activity and therefore it was important to test the complexes in vitro and study the structure activity relationships. It was apparent that the new titanocene derivatives should display antitumor activities as they were derived from titanocene dichloride for which the antitumor activities have been established. The candidates were selected based on their stability and composition. Two cell lines were selected for the in vitro tests. They are HeLa cells, a human cervix epithelioid carcinoma, and CoLo cells, a colorectal carcinoma. Titanocene dichloride was very successful in inhibiting colorectal carcinomas. One use of the test results will be for screening purposes and another to optimize the composition of the complexes. With this information available, by refining the structural features and studying their mode of antitumor action, new improved drugs could be designed. The results will also be discussed with respect to the structural features of the complexes and evaluated against the proposed mechanism of action and possible interaction with DNA.


This paper, using AMR (Automatic Meter Reading) electricity data accurately measured in real time, analyses the characteristics and patterns of temperature effect on the industrial electricity usage. For this goal, the paper constructs and estimates a model which captures the properties of AMR time series including long-term trends, mid-term temperature effects, and short-term special day effects. Based on the estimated temperature response function and the temperature effect, we categorize the whole industry into two groups: one group with sharp temperature effect and the other with weak temperature effect. Furthermore, the industry group with sharp temperature effect is classified into a summer peak industry group and a winter peak industry group, based on the estimates of the temperature response function. These empirical results carry practical policy implications on the real time electricity demand management.


Models incorporating interactions between surface and subsurface flow are commonly based on the conductance concept that presumes a distinct interface at the land surface, separating the surface from the subsurface domain. In these models the subsurface and surface domains are linked via an exchange flux that depends upon the magnitude and direction of the hydraulic gradient across the interface and a proportionality constant (a measure of the hydraulic connectivity). Because experimental evidence of such a distinct interface is often lacking in the field, a more general coupled modeling approach would be preferable. We present a more general approach that incorporates a two-dimensional overland flow simulator into the parallel three-dimensional variably saturated subsurface flow code ParFlow developed at LLNL. This overland flow simulator takes the form of an upper, free-surface boundary condition and is, thus, fully integrated without relying on the conductance concept. Another advantage of this approach is the efficient parallelism of ParFlow, which is exploited by the overland flow simulator. Several verification and simulation examples are presented that focus on the two main processes of runoff production: excess infiltration and saturation. The usefulness of our approach is demonstrated in an application of the model to an urban watershed. Themore » influence of heterogeneity of the shallow subsurface on overland flow and transport is also examined. The results show the uncertainty in flow and transport predictions due to heterogeneity. This is important in determining, for example, total maximum daily loads of surface water systems.« less


This paper is to simulate a solar water heating system under the several patterns of heat load by the dynamic simulation code(TRNSYS). This system consists of evacuated solar collector, a water-storage tank, an electronic heater, pump, controller, auxiliary heater and so on. The results of simulations will be presented on an annual data base for a Active Solar System, which provides domestic heating & hot water for a four-person family. The simulation model is used to evaluate the annual variation of annual energy performance, the solar fraction with respect to demand hot water temperature required, difference of space heating temperature and preset storage tank water temperature, and consumption profile of the domestic hot water demand.


Intergenerational income mobility is the extent to which children's income depends on their parents. The increasing of intergenerational income mobility can relieve the social pressure caused by the income gap and provide the incentive for hardworking and human capital investment. Using microdata and economic empirical technique, this study analyses the time trend and structural mechanism of China's intergenerational income mobility in 1988–2005. The results suggest the intergenerational income mobility improves in the early period, then becomes stable and even shows a deteriorating sign recently. Human capital, social capital and wealth explain more than 60 per cent of the intergenerational income mobility in China, with wealth contributing the largest proportion. Promoting education equality, eliminating the labour market segmentation and deepening the market–oriented reform are suggested to help improve the intergenerational income mobility in China.


Extracting efiective features to describe texture is always a key problem in writer identiflcation. This paper proposes a novel method for texture feature extraction by integrating Gabor fllter and Gauss Markov Random Field (GMRF). That is to say, the handwriting images are flrstly flltered by a bank of Gabor fllters in which global features such as directional information can be detected; then GMRF models are developed for every flltered image that is ∞exible enough to capture the local spatial structure and the model parameters of all GMRFs are concatenated as texture features for writer identiflcation, and flnally, Support Vector Machine (SVM) is applied to evaluate the performance of calligraphic artist identiflcation. The experimental results show that this method can achieve a classiflcation rate of 98%, which has outperformed the traditional Gabor fllter method.


A linear theoretical model models of equivalent salt deposit density(ESDD),non soluble deposit density(NSDD) of the transmission line insulators based on atmospheric environmental quality is established by measuring the quantity of pollution of outdoor grid insulators and real time monitoring the main factor of atmospheric environmental pollutions(SO2,NO2,PM10) of each city of Hunan province in recent years,and then the pollution severity of the insulators are classified according this model.The results show that the atmospheric environmental quality index have a good relativity to the EDSS and NSDD of insulators,and the pollution severity of the power grid can be classified and adjusted automatically,through real time monitoring the area atmospheric environment data.


The concept of covenant occupies a central place in the Qurʾān but has been understudied and underrepresented in discourses about Islam. This article contributes to redressing this lacuna by applying the method of content analysis to the Qurʾān, specifically the terms 'ahd and mīthāq that refer to the concept of covenant. The aim of this article is to identify the maqāṣid (higher objectives) of covenants in Islam and discuss their implications for education about Islam and contemporary Islamic thought. This content analysis finds that covenants in the Qurʾān provide an overarching paradigm governing human existence and coexistence across six covenantal relationship categories. Covenants establish the terms and conditions of God-human and intra-human relations for human existence on Earth in relation to the afterlife, the dissemination of the divine message, the promotion of righteousness, welfare and wellbeing, and restricting the use of armed force to self-defense in response to treaty violation for preserving peace and security. This article recommends that the study of Qurʾānic covenantal knowledge ought to be integrated into courses and discourses about Islam commensurate, with its centrality in the Qurʾān and Prophet Muḥammad's approach to building peaceful interreligious relations between Muslims and non-Muslims.


We propose a classification of the reflection K-matrices (solutions of the boundary Yang–Baxter equation) for the Uq[osp(2)(2|2m)]=Uq[C(2)(m+1)] vertex-model. We found four families of solutions, namely, the complete solutions, in which no elements of the reflection K-matrix is null, the block-diagonal solutions, the X-shape solutions and the diagonal solutions. We highlight that these diagonal K-matrices also hold for the Uq[osp(2)(2n+2|2m)]=Uq[D(2)(n+1,m)] vertex-model.


The Consorzio per la Tutela del Grana Padano' has recently asked for our laboratory co-operation in order to better characterize, thanks to a sequence of analytical investigations, the Grana Padano cheese lipidic components. In view of the peculiar characteristic of this kind of food, such as its high digestibility, protein content of biological value and the presence of short chain easily bioavailable fatty acids, it seemed to us of interest outlining the lipidic profile of some Grana Padano samples with regard to their seasoning time, to find out the cheese fatty acids composition, to verify eventual modifications of the lipidic components with regard to the seasoning process and to assess possible change to the phospholipid composition, which is nutritionally relevant but rarely investigated. In the total lipid extract, our results show an increasing percentage of C6 and C8, with regard to the cheese seasoning time ; moreover we found a high percentage of oleic acid (≃23%). In the phospholipidic fraction we found a statistically significant increase (during the seasoning time) of C10, C14 and C16 percentage, with a paralel decrease of C18 :1 and C18 :2. These results indicate that mature cheese shows a decrease of the unsaturated fatty acids amount event though C18 :1 remains the most representative fatty acid.


Effects of IBA concentration, collection time and cutting length on hibiscus cutting propagation Vegetative propagation by tip cutting can be influenced by factors such as collection time, cutting length, auxin concentration and cutting physiological status. The ornamental Hibiscus ( Hibiscus sp.) is commercially propagated by cuttings. Therefore, there is a need to study the influence of these factors on the rooting capacity of this specie. The aim of this work was to evaluate the IBA effect, cutting length and collection time on Hibiscus tip cutting propagation. The experiment was carried out in the plant production sector of the Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana, Campus Dois Vizinhos, Dois Vizinhos, PR (Brazil). The experiment was arranged in a 3 x 2 x 2 factorial completely randomized block, (IBA concentration x cutting length x collection time), with four replications, with each plot consisting of ten cuts. Two collecttion times (June and September), two shoot cutting lengths (6 and 12 cm) and three IBA concentrations (0; 1 and 2 g L -1 ) were tested. At the two collection times, after 77 days, the rooting percentage, number


Objective:To study clinical effects of the over articular external fixator combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of Pilon fractures caused by high energy. Methods:From September 2003 to April 2011,36 patients with Pilon fractures caused by high energy were treated with the over articular external fixator combined with limited internal fixator. There were 25 males and 11 females,ranging in age from 16 to 72 years old,with an average of 38 years old. The diagnoses of all patients were determined by conventional X ray examination or three dimensional spiral CT examination. The AOFAS scoring criteria was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects. The patients with comminuted fractures were treated with screw or Kirschner wire fixation without uncovering periost so as to enhance stability between fracture end and bone blocks,followed by the fixation with over articular external fixators. Results:All the patients were followed up,and the duration ranged from 4 to 27 months,with an average of 13 months. Thirty two patients got wound healing at the first stage. And the bone union duration ranged from 2 to 6 months,with a mean of 3 months. According to the AOFAS ankle hindfoot subjective scoring standard,13 patients got an excellent result,20 good and 3 fair,with an score of 88.2±3.6. Twelve patients had infections at pinhole,5 patients had pinhole pain. One patient had the fixator broken induced by over loading,who was cured after treatment. There were no complications such as nerve or vascular injuries,or osteomyelitis. Conclusion:The over articular external fixation combined with limited internal fixation for the treatment of Pilon fractures caused by high energy is an ideal method,which has such advantages as reliable fixation,simple operation,coincidence with principles of biomechanical fixation,and benefit for fracture healing.


With the development of information technology,the network has transformed to an important social communication means and tool from an initial simple information technology platform.The university BBS provides the students a new social communication method.Based on the BBS of Anhui Normal University,this paper explores the diachronic changes of cyber community from virtualization to reality,and destructs the potential functions of cyber community on university students by using the functional paradigm in sociology,so as to discuss the strategies which lead university students to use the network correctly.


Abstract In the present investigation, a piezo-stack actuator coupled with a flexible diamond shaped frame has been investigated for its mechanical amplification property. The piezo-stack under electrical excitation produces a longitudinal strain along major diagonal of the frame which gets amplified due to its diamond shape along the shorter diagonal. The effect of the thickness of flexural hinges used in the diamond frame on amplification has been studied with a view to optimize the stress and displacement. The effectiveness of the piezoelectric mechanical amplifier actuator as a nano-indenter has been studied and discussed in this paper.


Today, more and more project teams are formed to achieve organisational objectives as organisations generally recognized the importance and benefits of project teams. Rationales for this study include: (a) it is unclear from literature what kind of relationships among performance outcomes, team attitudinal outcomes and team behavioural outcomes in a project setting, (b) it is unclear from literature what are the team outcome factors that can predict project performance, and (c) what kind of result team outcome factors can produce in a project setting whereby there is resource and time constraints compare to normal work teams which are ongoing and operational in nature. This study developed a research model underpinned on Cohen & Bailey's (1997) Team Effectiveness Framework to empirically analyze some team outcome factors. Result showed that when project team trust is high, this will improve project performance, team satisfaction, team effectiveness and team cohesion. At the same time, strong team cohesion also increases team satisfaction. However, strong team cohesion is not predicting project performance and team effectiveness positively. On the contrary, strong team cohesion is actually deteriorating the project performance. The intervention of team satisfaction can improve project performance and team effectiveness. Insignificant relationship between team effectiveness and project performance suggests that team effectiveness alone cannot predict project performance directly. Discussion, conclusion and limitations are also included in this article.


This paper extends the intertemporal present value model,integrates the residents' durables consumption,and uses times series data of China from 1982 to 2012 to conduct empirical test. The test results show that the extended model which includes durables has improved the predictive ability to current account balance,the model's efficacy is improved,the durables consumption becomes an important factor influencing the China' s current account fluctuations. Therefore,increasing residents' durables consumption to prompt consumption structure upgrading is an effective way to promote the development of economy and adjust the balance of payments.


monarchies, the Portuguese continually moved their spatial courts from city to city (either for political or seasonal motives), and maintained many royal residences. In addition to these, the monarchs also habitually visited other noble houses as a way to show favor and maintain loyalty. The frequent movement of the court solidifi ed the concept of the court organism as both the space where the king resides and the members of the court existing around him. Finally, Chapter 5, "Court Times," emphasizes the "uses" (customs) and important ceremonies in the daily life of the court. Many of these ceremonies were religious in nature (funerals, births, baptisms, etc.) and most were of a political mien (coronations, swearing of oaths between king and vassal, etc.). The section of "Daily Life" emphasizes eating practices, royal vestments and living spaces, and the organization of the chapel for royal use.1 The text also contains an impressive bibliography and an extensive index, which allows for quick reference and further reading on a wide variety of topics. Rita Costa Gomes's The Making of a Court Society accomplishes the main premise as established in the introduction: to depict how the space of the "court" became organized in Portugal, who the individuals of that court were and "in which ways they were bonded together" (4). In blending genealogy and prosopography (individual bibliographies, family recollections and period-based social classifi cations), she portrays the medieval Portuguese Court as a functioning entity consisting of many individuals with varied group functions. By focusing on generations of kings and families instead of one particular king or family, she fully illustrates how the court operated and evolved throughout several key periods of Portuguese history. In this way, Rita Costa Gomes amply fulfi lls her primary goal of the text: to show "the emergence of a specifi c social form, that is the court in Europe, prior to the nineteenth century" (1).


There is an impetus to develop replacement refrigerants for chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) due to increasing concerns for the damage that the ozone-depleting CFCs present to the environment. Economically viable synthesis and separation routes remain a critical issue in the pathway to commercialization of many of the most promising new refrigerants. Key to the development of advanced production methods is the role of surface chemistry in both the synthesis and separation steps. Although an enormous effort has been given to the development of environmentally benign refrigerants such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), there is still much to be learned about their properties, chemistry, and interactions with surfaces of solids. Inelastic neutron scattering methods were used in conjunction with Raman spectroscopy to probe the vibrational density of states of the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 134 (HF{sub 2}C-CF{sub 2}H) and 134a (F{sub 3}C-CFH{sub 2}) adsorbed in the cages of dehydrated Na-X zeolite. A comparison of the vibrational spectra of the encaged HFC species with those of their gas-phase analogs indicates that the HFCs adsorb nondissociatively at room temperature and are most likely associated with Na cations in the supercages at the S{sub III} sites. Guest-host interactions are manifested by adsorption-induced perturbations of the gas-phase torsional and C-H stretchingmore » vibrations and the presence of additional features presumably due to low-energy whole-molecule vibrations and adsorbate-coupled zeolite framework vibrations. Moreover, although the 134 trans conformer is favored by 5 kJ/mole in the gas phase at 300 K, the gauche conformer seems to be more prevalent in the zeolite at this temperature and below. This suggests that a sizeable fraction of the Na-X adsorption sites provides a stabilizing configuration for the otherwise higher-energy gauche conformation, perhaps due to hydrogen-bonding interactions with the zeolite framework.« less


The estimator holding the central place in the theory of the multivariate "errors-in-the-variables" (EV) model results from performing orthogonal recession on variables rescaled according to the covariance matrix of the errors [7]. Our first principal finding, via Monte Carlo on the univariate model, essentially relegates this estimator to use only in large samples on very well-behaved data, i.e., with no trace of outlier contamination. A modification, requiring a robust preliminary slope, is proposed that essentially sets out the generalization to EV of the w-estimator in regression. It is demonstrated that the modification is robust to outlier contamination even in small samples, given a sufficiently good preliminary estimator. A candidate for a preliminary slope estimator based on the data is proposed arid its performance under simulation examined. Least-absolute residuals estimation in EV is cited as an alternative candidate.


Curled textlines segmentation is a necessary initial step for the hand-held camera-captured document image processing. Curled textlines information is often used as an intermediate step for camera-captured document image dewarping. Curled textlines information can also be used for other camera-based document image processing tasks, like layout analysis etc. So far no work has been done for the performance evaluation and the comparison of already reported curled textlines segmentation algorithms on the standard datasets and performance evaluation metrics. In this paper, we use publicly available camera-captured document image dataset and vectorial performance evaluation metrics to compare different algorithms. We present performance evaluation results on previously reported curled textlines segmentation algorithms.


Objective To investigate the effect of CdCl_2 and ZnCl_2 on intracellular concentration of Cd~(2+) and Zn~(2+) in Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cells(V79)in culture and to explore the mechanism on genotoxicity of Cd~(2+).Methods The mass spectrograph and the fluorescent probe of H_2O_2(DCFH-DA)combined with Confocal Scanning Laser Microscope(CSLM)were carried out to investigate the intracellular content of Cd~(2+) and Zn~(2+)ions and H_2O_2 respectively after the treatment with CdCl_2 alone or with ZnCl_2 simultaneously.Results The intracellular concentrations of Cd~(2+) and H_2O_2 both increased linearly with the content of CdCl_2 in the culture medium,while ZnCl_2,when added to the culture with CdCl_2 simultaneously,could inhibit Cd~(2+) ion from entering the cells,it could also decrease the production of H_2O_2 in V79 cells.The difference between CdCl_2 group and the corresponding CdCl_2+ZnCl_2 group showed statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusions The mechanism on the genotoxicity of CdCl_2 might be of direct and indirect ways,while Zn~(2+) could inhibit the effects of Cd~(2+) through these two ways.


In Res. 1373 (2001), the Security Council laid down the duty to bring terrorists to justice and to deny them safe haven. Whereas such duty expressed a clear political imperative in the aftermath of 11 September 2001, it is less clear how national authorities are supposed to translate it into a set of enforceable legal obligations. If it is interpreted as obliging states to prosecute and try terrorists, as the Security Council Counter Terrorism Committee seems to suggest, the power of prosecutors to decide whether or not to bring a case to court may be severely impaired. An unconditional obligation to bring terrorists to court would not necessarily strengthen states judicial response to the threat of international terrorism. A sensible exercise of prosecutorial discretion may be instrumental in articulating a flexible and more effective response in various circumstances. Moreover, a rigid interpretation of the requirement to bring terrorists to justice does not find support in Security Council and General Assembly resolutions on terrorism. Far from mandating that alleged offenders be unconditionally brought to trial, the universal counter-terrorism conventions and protocols limit themselves to requiring that the jurisdiction of national courts be established, which is conceptually different from imposing its actual exercise.


The disclosed interconnection apparatus comprises a buried layer on the inside of the buffer layer and the buffer layer formed on the through-hole and through-hole inner surface formed through the substrate and the substrate, this wiring apparatus of the plating layer and the packaging substrate is applied to a protective cap for a device package, to mitigate the thermal expansion coefficient difference is eliminated from being breakage packaging substrate when a thermal shock is applied. Wiring devices and forming a buffer layer in a predetermined thickness on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole, including when the upper surface of the stage and the substrate to form a step, and a through-hole in the substrate for forming a plating seed layer on the substrate, removing the horizontal plane of the buffer layer the method comprising, and is manufactured by forming a plated layer on the inside of the buffer layer. Further, the device manufacturing method packages the protective cap for applying these wiring manufacturing process is provided.


The carbonation behavior and decarbonation annealing of a protective (Mg,Ca)O layer for flat panel plasma discharge devices were investigated. Compared with a conventional MgO protective layer, the (Mg,Ca)O protective layer showed both high and low discharge voltages. Quantitative X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses indicated that the high discharge voltages were caused by Ca carbonation. The progression of Ca carbonation was enhanced by exposure to air containing H2O but not by exposure to dry air. In addition, once (Mg,Ca)O is carbonated, it is impossible to decarbonate Ca by annealing in air at the temperature applied during the production process. We propose the use of annealing in vacuum as an effective method to promote the decarbonation of Ca and maintain a low discharge voltage for plasma discharge devices with (Mg,Ca)O protective layers.


The present invention relates to a method based on MPEG-4 Simple Profile all phase encoding method and apparatus biorthogonal transform, which solves the MPEG-4 video compression method obvious blockiness in video block reconstruction boundary, complex and quantization table requires a large storage space, require large technical problem of computing the compression ratio is changed, which includes an I-frame coding and P-frame coding, I frame encoding is used instead of the conventional two-dimensional discrete cosine transform all phase biorthogonal transform, all transform coefficients using uniform quantization. The present invention is widely used in the field of video compression techniques.


Abstract The starting point of this paper is the idea that a comprehensive understanding of the earth and its systems calls for consideration of bygone views of the world. Creating facsimiles of antique globes in the form of digital globes provides a new opportunity to make such bygone world views accessible to a wide scientific audience. However, up to now, little practical experience in applying digital technology on globes has been made. Considering these attempts by thorough synopsis, this article deduces a comprehensive approach on virtual representations of antique globes that can be described by the superordinate concept of virtual representation. This concept comprises facilities of data acquisition of the original globe, ways of visualising the digitised globe and its final cartographic preparation. Applications that arise from this procedure are exemplified through both virtual hyperglobes and tactile hyperglobes. New findings on a 16th century earth globe are encouraging results of the presented virtual representation approach, which may offer a sustainable visualisation platform of interdisciplinary research.


This paper proposes the analysis of investigations on various tapered Coplanar Waveguide (CPW) structures to achieve increase in phase shift per unit length and the reduction in line length. The analysis of the tapered CPW is important in order to obtain the characteristic impedance and phase velocity of the transmission line. The step tapered CPW structures proposed have the center conductor, the gap/ground or both the widths varying having constant characteristic impedances for a fixed line length. The conformal mapping method is applied to the proposed tapered CPW structures to obtain the electrical parameters of the transmission line. The obtained impedance can be utilized in the design of RF circuits such as phase shifter using MEMS bridges.


We describe new concept of object-oriented factographic database. The goal is to collect data of different types, to store and to analyze them by means of SQLcompatible database management system (DBMS). Such DBMS should not require any changes in the database structure in order to add a new object class and, consequently, make structure hidden (encapsulated) for end user.


Objective To investigate the significance and change of the amount of T lymphocytes,B lymphocytes,natural killer cells and Kupffer cells in the liver tissues of chronic hepatitis B.Methods By using immunohistochemical technology,CD3,CD57,CD20 and CD68 positive cells were detected in 58 liver-aspiration-biopsy-specimens from chronic HBV infection patients and in 20 normal liver-surgical-specimens from hepatic haemangioma patients.The positive staining cells were counted and analysed by pathological image instrument system.Results The numbers of T lymphocytes,B lymphocytes,natural killer cells and Kupffer cells in chronic hepatitis B liver tissues were significantly higher than that in normal liver(P0.01).The number of B lymphomcytes increased with the grades of hepatitis(P0.01).Conclusions The immune cells have played an important role in pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis B and might be responsible for the injury of liver cells.


We evaluated the diagnostic performance of a genomic DNA amplification method for Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis compared with culture isolation. Aliquots from B. pertussis and B. parapertussis cultures were added to sterile physiological saline or sterile distilled water to give bacterial suspensions of 108 cells/ml and serial dilutions were prepared. Suspensions in physiological saline were cultured on charcoal agar medium; bacterial growth was observed up to dilutions of 10−7. Suspensions in distilled water were subjected to DNA extraction and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on the extracts; the PCR was positive up to dilutions of 10−8 for B. pertussis and 10−9 for B. parapertussis. Since the efficacy of culture isolation, regarded as the standard for the detection of B. pertussis and B. parapertussis, declines after the first stage of pertussis or with prior vaccination or antibiotic therapy, PCR, although not yet standardized, may provide an alternative diagnostic tool.


In an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system using DQPSK, such as DAB, channel equalization is considered to be unnecessary. The reason for this is that there is no relative phase rotation due to the multipath channel in successive OFDM symbols, provided the channel delays are all shorter than the guard interval of the OFDM symbol. However, delays greater than the guard interval result in inter-carrier and inter-symbol interference to the OFDM system. In this paper, we present a blind adaptive equalization algorithm which uses the cyclic prefix data of the OFDM signals to equalize the multipath channel. This algorithm is ideal for systems such as DAB in which no pilots are available for the channel estimation yet the long delays nevertheless can cause significant performance degradation if no channel equalization is done. Our simulation results shows improved BER performance for the equalized system over the non-equalized system when long channel delays are present.


In this study we challenge the paradigm of using the Boyle van 't Hoff (BvH) relation to relate cell size as a linear function of inverse extracellular osmotic pressure for short time periods (~5 to 30 mins). We present alternative models that account for mechanical resistance (turgor model) and ion-osmolyte leakage (leak model), which is not accounted for by the BvH relation. To test the BvH relation and the alternative models, we conducted a meta-analysis of published BvH datasets, as well as new experiments using a HepG2 cell line. Our meta-analysis showed that the BvH relation may be assumed of the hypertonic region but cannot be assumed a priori over the hyper- and hypotonic region. Both alternative models perform better than the BvH relation but are nearly indistinguishable when plotted. The return to isotonic conditions plot indicated neither alternative model accurate predicts return volumes for HepG2 cells. However, a combined turgor-leak model accurately predicts both the BvH plot and the return to isotonic conditions plot. Moreover, this turgor-leak model provides a facile method to estimate the membrane-cortex Young's modulus and the cell membrane permeability to intracellular ions/osmolytes during periods of osmotic challenge, and predicts a novel passive method of volume regulation without the need for ion pumps.


This case study examines asynchronous interaction and engagement with Business School undergraduate and graduate students over a three year period; few other studies have investigated online engagement over an extended length of time. It illustrates an overall course redesign process in response to learning experiences that attempts to: increase student interaction with course materials independently of tutorials and lectures, encourage more reflective practice on essay writing capabilities (from both the tutor and student perspective), and allow more productive use of face-to-face instructional time.


PurposeFor this purpose, Teacher Self-Regulation Scale (TSRS), Emotions Questionnaire for Teachers (EQT) and Grasha's Teaching Style Inventory (TSI) were employed to gauge the influences of teacher self-regulation on university teachers' emotions and preferred teaching style. The participants of this study were 320 university teachers, majored in different branches of English (English Literature, English Teaching, English Translation), teaching in different universities of Iran. To shed light on the causal associations, a path analysis was run using LISREL 8.80.Design/methodology/approachFollowing the pivotal role of effective teaching on educational well-being, the present study delve into three significant teacher-related variables i.e. teacher self-regulation, emotions and teaching style. For this purpose, TSRS, EQT, and Grasha's TSI were employed to gauge the influences of teacher self-regulation on university teachers' emotions and preferred teaching style. The participants of this study were 320 university teachers, majored in different branches of English (English Literature, English Teaching, English Translation), teaching in different universities of Iran. To shed light on the causal associations, a path analysis was run using LISREL 8.80.FindingsBased on the findings, teacher self-regulation predicts pleasant emotions positively; whereas, it predicts unpleasant emotions in a negative direction. The results also demonstrate that teacher self-regulation positively and significantly predicts student-centred styles (Facilitator and Delegator), and the reverse is true for teacher-centred styles (Formal Authority, Personal Model, and Expert).Research limitations/implicationsFuture studies may advance the possible relationships among the subscales of teacher self-regulation, teacher emotion and teaching style. Also, further investigations are suggested to target the teacher self-regulation, teacher emotion and teaching style in enhancing language learners' achievement.Practical implicationsIn effect, the findings of the current study contribute to the fields of teacher psychology and teacher education. The implications of this study may open another perspective into university teachers' psychological well-being and professional development.Social implicationsThe implications of this study may redound to the advantage of policy makers, curriculum designers, teacher educators, as well as university teachers.Originality/valueThe implications of this study may redound to the advantage of policy-makers, curriculum designers, teacher educators and university teachers.


The determination of satellite orbits for use in geodesy using range-only data has been examined. A recently developed recursive algorithm for rectification of the nominal orbit after processing each observation has been tested. It is shown that when a synchronous satellite is tracked simultaneously with a subsynchronous geodetic target satellite, the orbits of each may be readily determined by processing the range information. Random data errors and satellite perturbations are included in the examples presented.


ABSTRACT Sand fabrics were fixed with polyester-resin without disturbing the spatial arrangement of granular particles. Thin sections prepared from thus fixed sand specimens were studied under the optical microscope to find the preferred orientations and spatial relations of constituting grain particles with the following conclusions: (1) The characteristics of configuration relations of nonspherical particles are determined not only by the shape of particles but also by the method of compaction. Sands which are composed of flat or elongated particles indicate strong anisotropic feature of fabric character. (2) The initial fabric of granular material as sand has important influences on the mechanical properties such as mobilized stress ratio and secant deformation modulus.


Cytochrome P450 2J2 (CYP2J2) plays important roles in the metabolism of endogenous metabolites such as arachidonic acid as well as therapeutic drugs. CYP2J2 is overexpressed in human cancer tissues and cancer cell lines, as well as in epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and CYP2J2-mediated metabolites, and prevent apoptosis of cancer cells. This study aimed to screen marketed drugs for inhibitory potential on CYP2J2 isoforms using human liver microsomes. The initial screen isolated 4 compounds, from 120 marketed drugs, that inhibited the CYP2J2-mediated astemizole O-demethylation more than 50% in the following the order: haloperidol (75%) > terfenadine (56%) > aripiprazole (55%) > miconazole (52%). Miconazole strongly inhibited CYP2J2-mediated ebastine hydroxylation (IC 50 =11.2 μM) and terfenadine hydroxylation (IC 50 =2.2 μM), and terfenadine also inhibited CYP2J2-mediated ebastine hydroxylation (IC 50 =13.6 μM) in a dose dependent manner. The present data suggest that these drugs are potential candidates for further evaluation for their anti-cancer activities.


Spontaneous diabetes mellitus has been reported in a number of animal species, including cattle, horses, pigs, sheep, dogs and cats. Reports of spontaneous diabetes in rodents were nonexistent until the recent discovery of an hereditary type in inbred strains of Chinese hamsters. Estimates of the relative frequency of spontaneous diabetes in larger domesticated animals vary considerably, although the reported incidence for dogs, for example, ranges from 1:260 to 1:800, and that for cats, approximately 1:1,000 to 1:1,500. Personal observations of some 30,000 dogs and cats would indicate that the disease is much more frequent, roughly 1:200 for dogs and 1:800 for cats. The relative frequency of diabetes in cattle, horses, pigs and sheep is unknown, but judging from the literature, the condition seems to be infrequent. The present paper is intended as a review of the literature concerning spontaneous diabetes mellitus of animals; it also describes the clinico-pathologic findings in each species and compares them with those of human and experimental drug-induced diabetes.


Objectives: To determine the frequency and pattern of mental health morbidity in children attending "Psychiatry Clinic" in Paediatric OPD of a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at psychiatric clinic of Paediatric OPD at civil hospital Karachi. Two hundred children upto the age of 14 years were included in the study. These children were assessed by a semi-structured interview based on P-CHIPS (Child Interview for Psychiatric Syndrome) and diagnosis of various psychiatric illnesses was further confirmed by DSMIV diagnostic criteria. Results: Psychiatric disorders were more frequent in males 126 (63%) compared to females 74 (37%). Majority of patients affected were between 5-10 years of age (62.5%). Among the psychiatric disorders, oppositional defiant disorders were (20%), ADHD were (17%), elimination disorders and anxiety disorders were (11%) each. Other less frequent psychiatric problems were mood disorder, somatoform disorders, specific developmental disorders, emotional and habit disorders. Conclusion: Mental health morbidity is an important issue in children attending the psychiatry clinic in the Paediatric OPD. Sensitization of parents, teachers and physicians is required, so that timely referral for psychiatric consultation is ensured before a critical illness develops.


...................................................................................................................x CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................1 1.1 Background of Study.................................................................................................1 1.1.1 Strategy Management process...........................................................................2 1.1.2 Strategy Implementation...................................................................................3 1.1.3 County Governments in Kenya.........................................................................4 1.1.4 Nairobi City County.........................................................................................5 1.2 Research Problem.......................................................................................................6 1.3 Research Objectives...................................................................................................8 1.4 Value of the Study.....................................................................................................8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................10 2.


This chapter focuses on multilevel analyses, and empirically examines the effect of religiosity and some control factors such as religious denomination, education, sex, age, and income at the micro level, on attitudes towards a free market economy and confidence in traditional, modern, and post-modern civil society organizations. In addition to these, the chapter compares the contextual effects of religious tradition, socioeconomic conditions, and history of political democracy on these democratic values in various religious societies, namely predominantly Islamic, predominantly Christian, and predominantly Buddhist, Hindu, and folk-religion societies. It presents a multivariate comparison of Islamic societies to examine, among other things, the difference between Shiite and Sunni Islamic countries. And finally the results of findings are discussed. In order to have a comprehensive perspective about the relationship between all micro as well as macro-level variables and dependent variables, these relationships were analyzed in 5 different ways.Keywords: folk-religion societies; free market economy; Islamic societies; macro-level variables; micro-level variables; political democracy; post-modern civil society organizations; religiosity; religious denomination; socioeconomic conditions


Abstract : The formation of highly ordered polymer networks using liquid-crystalline (LC) monomers was studied in the context of developing new polymers for use as piezoelectric, dye laser host, and membrane materials. Photopolymerizable, crosslinkable monomers based on thermotropic and lyotropic LC's were sought for these purposes. A precursor to a suitable chiral smectic C monomer for the formation of noncentrosymmetric polymer networks has been synthesized. Two new crosslinkable dye molecules have been developed for alignment and polymerization studies inside LC monomer host matrices. Finally, two lyotropic LC monomers have been developed that result in ordered nanoporous polymer networks when photopolymerized.


A pre‐existing anticyclonic anomaly over Scandinavia/western Russia played a crucial role in the persistent low temperature event over southern China in January 2008. This anticyclonic anomaly extended eastward along the arctic coast of the Eurasian continent, and then induced the persistent low temperature over southern China. Considering that anticyclonic anomalies over Scandinavia/western Russia rarely extended eastward to central Siberia, the simultaneous presence of this feature along with the vigorous Rossby wave propagation along the African‐Asian jet stream is found to be a fundamental factor in the occurrence of the persistent event. Copyright © 2011 Royal Meteorological Society


This paper proposes a novel postprocessing technique for reducing blocking artifacts in low-bit-rate transform-coded images. The proposed approach works in the transform domain to alleviate the accuracy loss of transform coefficients, which is introduced by the quantization process. The masking effect in the human visual system (HVS) is considered, and an adaptive weighting mechanism is then integrated into the postfiltering. In low-activity areas, since blocking artifacts appear to be perceptually more detectable, a large window is used to efficiently smooth out the artifacts. In order to preserve image details, a small mask, as well as a large central weight, is employed for processing those high-activity blocks, where blocking artifacts are less noticeable due to the masking ability of local background. The quantization constraint is finally applied to the postfiltered coefficients. Experimental results show that the proposed technique provides satisfactory performance as compared to other postfilters in both objective and subjective image quality.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for reducing the phenomena caused by IFN-γ in an individual, a tissue, a cell or the like of an application object and inhibiting the development of the phenomena while suppressing the load on the individual, the tissue, the cell or the like, and to provide a method for evaluating a skin-whitening agent. SOLUTION: The expression inhibitor of the INF-γ-associated factor contains an extract of Moutan Cortex. The method for evaluating the skin-whitening agent comprises evaluating whether the expression of at least one kind of factors selected from the group consisting of CXCR3, IP10, Mig and I-TAC or the expression of the nucleic acid encoding the factor is inhibited or not by the presence of a test material. COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT