Objectives: To determine whether a defined approach for debridement of open tibia fractures would result in no change in reoperation rate, but reduce the need for flap coverage. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: Academic Level 1 trauma center. Patients: A total of 66 patients with 68 open diaphyseal tibia fractures were included. Patients under the age of 18 and with orthopaedic trauma association open fracture classification (OTA-OFC) skin score of 3 were excluded. Intervention: Debridement of the open fracture through direct extension of the traumatic wound or through a defined surgical interval. Main Outcome Measurements: Number of operations. Need for soft-tissue transfer. Results: A total of 47 patients had direct extension of the traumatic wound and 21 patients had a defined surgical approach. The groups had similar proportions of Gustilo–Anderson and OTA-OFC subtypes. The average number of surgeries, including index procedure, per patient was 1.96 in the direct extension group and 1.29 in the defined approach group (P = 0.026). Flap coverage was needed in 9 patients in the direct extension group and no patients in the defined approach group (P = 0.048). Conclusions: A defined surgical approach to the debridement of open tibia fractures is safe and may reduce the need for flap coverage in select patients. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.


We have constructed a high-resolution cytogenetic map of human chromosome 2 with 434 newly isolated cosmid markers by means of direct R-banding fluorescence in situ hybridization. Two markers were mapped to the centromeric region, 173 to the short arm, and 259 to the long arm. The clones were evenly distributed along the entire chromosome, although a tendency toward clustering in R-positive bands was observed. The mapped cosmids provide useful landmarks for construction of a contig map and for positional cloning of cancer-associated genes, as well as genes responsible for hereditary diseases.


Electrorheological behaviour of silicone oil suspensions of particles of polyaniline protonated to various doping level with orthophosphoric and tetrafluoroboric acids has been studied. The dynamic yield stress obtained by extrapolation of shear stress to zero shear rate using Herschel-Bulkley equation was used as a criterion of the ER efficiency. At a same molar concentration of doping acids, various protonation effects appeared and the dependences of the yield stress on the acid concentration differed. The comparison of the yield stresses with dielectric characteristics calculated from the Havriliak-Negami equation revealed that the particle conductivity unlike particle permittivity especially at higher protonation degree is dominant in polarization process. Consequently, particle conductivity or dielectric relaxation time proved to be the parameters providing the common dependences of the yield stress regardless of the way of polarization.


Introduction: The gingival morphology plays an important role in determining the final esthetic outcome. Different gingival biotypes respond differently to inflammation, restorative, trauma, and parafunctional habits. Some gingival features are influenced by tooth shape, position, and size, as well as gender and age. The thick biotype is more resistant to gingival recession and thin gingival biotype is more prone to recession, bleeding, and inflammation. Methods: A total of 220 patients of the age group of 20–50 years with well-aligned dentition and healthy gingival tissues, who agreed to be a subject of the study were included. Gingival biotype (GT) was assessed by a single examiner. Crown width/crown length ratio (CW/CL) of both central incisors and canines was determined according to Olsson and Lindhe. Gingival biotype was evaluated and categorized into thick or thin. Papillary Height (PH) was calculated as the distance from the top of the papilla to a line connecting the midfacial soft tissue margin of the two adjacent teeth, and the mean value was calculated. Results: In this study, 103 males and 117 females had participated. CW/CL ratio of the maxillary central incisors and canines, respectively, was 0.80 and 0.82 in males and 0.82 and 0.79 in females. Males had a short, wide form while females had long, narrow form. Thicker gingival biotype was more common in males. 71.84% of subjects with short, wide tooth form of maxillary central incisors had a thick and 28.16% had thin gingival biotype, whereas 48.72% of long, narrow tooth form of central incisors had thick and 51.28% had thin gingival biotype. Thick gingival biotype (62.20%) was more prevalent in young age group. The mean PH was 4.51 mm in males and 4.04 mm in females. Discussion: The determination of thickness of the gingival tissue plays an important role in treatment planning process for orthodontics, root coverage, extractions, and implant placement, especially in the maxillary anterior area. GT is assessed by an invasive and a noninvasive method. Many studies have emphasized the findings that the thicker biotype prevents mucosal recession, hides the restorative margins, and camouflages the titanium implant shadows. It also prevents biological seal around implants, thus reducing the crestal bone resorption. Conclusion: Our study confirmed that the thicker gingival biotype is more prevalent in males and is associated with short, wider form of teeth while thinner scalloped biotype is more common in females and is associated with long, narrow tooth form. Thick flat biotype is seen in younger individuals while thin scalloped gingival biotype in older age. Decrease in PH is observed with thin biotype.


The LAN property is proved in the statistical model based on discrete-time observations of a solution to a L\'{e}vy driven SDE. The proof is based on a general sufficient condition for a statistical model based on a discrete observations of a Markov process to possess the LAN property, and involves substantially the Malliavin calculus-based integral representations for derivatives of log-likelihood of the model.


The C2-C3 intervertebral joint must be regarded as a transitional area situated between the upper cervical spine where most rotation of the neck and little flexion and extension occur and the lower cervical spaces where chiefly motion in the sagittal plane and also somewhat rotation take place. Under normal circumstances the range of flexion-extension reaches 11 degrees, slighter than below (19.5 degrees at C5-C6); on the opposite, the range of rotation attains 7 degrees; less than above but much more than below (0 degrees at C5-C6). The motion in the sagittal and coronal planes is relatively poor because of the location of Penning's motor-axis of C2 which runs far from the vertebral body and the lowness of the intervertebral disc. However, the rotation of C2 with respect to C3 is fair by the peculiar inclination of the articular facets which slope sagittally but also coronally and trace a sphere whereupon C2 may move around its motor-centre in any plane. When C2-C3 is surgically fixed by bone graft, the lack of motion is completed by a "compensatory movement" in the upper cervical spaces and especially at the atlantooccipital joint for flexion-extension. In the same way, C2-C3 may improve its mobility especially in the sagittal plane when the inferior partner is blocked by surgical or arthritic fusion.


Autoimmune bullous disease is very uncommon in non‐human primates. We observed a bullous skin disease in a male rhesus monkey while conducting porcine islet xenotransplantation. Fifty days after the transplantation, multiple bullous skin lesions were observed. There was no mucosal involvement. Skin biopsy results demonstrated a subepidermal blister with no necrotic keratinocytes. Immunofluorescent staining showed linear IgG deposition at the roof of the blister. These skin lesions spontaneously disappeared. Considering these results, this monkey was diagnosed with bullous pemphigoid (BP). As far as we know, this is the first report of BP in non‐human primates.


The study aims at examining the operational challenges facing cargo handling equipment at privately owned terminals within the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Nigeria. Primary data were collected through questionnaire survey randomly conducted on a total of 112 respondents who are staff of the private terminal operators at the port. The data collected were analysed using correlation and regression techniques of data analysis. The results of the regression analysis showed a high correlation value having R 2 = 0.675 with the dependent variable. It was further revealed that inadequate workshop facilities and misuse of equipment were the most significant challenges to the operation of cargo handling equipment at terminals of Lagos port complex. The study recommended that the strategies for successful operation of handling equipment should involve devising ways to compensate for a number of factors that, individually or in combination, act to reduce the efficiency of equipment.


This paper deals with the fluidic actuators in the pulsed mode used in turbulent boundary layer control, in particular as vortex generator (VG) in order to delay separation. Recently the study by Kostas et al (2007) has shown the importance of the transient phase of the VG actuators. In particular, an enhancement of the vortex-generation mechanism has been observed during the transient period, that is responsible for an increase of turbulence stress levels up to 200% relatively to the non actuated case. A large dependency of the exit velocity on the physical characteristic of the feed tube has been detected. This dependency suggests that a precise quantification of the pulsed jet dynamic during the transient period is necessary. In this work the transient behavior of the fluidic actuators used by Kostas et al (2007) is analyzed and experimented. A model is developed to explain the dynamics of the flow inside the actuator. On the whole, experiments show that the role of all physical parameters is consistent with the foreseen properties. The results obtained help to separate the input dynamic of the controller from the controlled flow. Another perspective of this work is to provide a guide for the design of fluidic actuators.Copyright © 2008 by ASME


Abstract Harpacticoid copepods are often one of the most dominant taxa in marine sediments, but there is limited knowledge of the physicochemical sediment characteristics that affect distribution of native New Zealand copepod species. Environmental gradients and abundance of harpacticoid copepods were therefore surveyed in Portobello Bay, an intertidal sand and mud flat in Otago Harbour, New Zealand. Generalised linear mixed models (GLMMs) were used to determine the relationship between physical factors and species abundance as well as to examine interspecies interactions. Six copepod species were present at the study site: Amphiascoides sp., Enhydrosoma sp., Parastenhelia megarostrum, Robertsonia propinqua, and two species of Quinquelaophonte. Distribution of species was found to be significantly correlated to sediment size, organic content, tidal reach, salinity and pH. In addition to these physical factors, species–species interactions also affected copepod abundance. This information is relevant for understanding factors influencing copepod distribution, but also will shape guidelines for use in marine sediment bioassays using harpacticoid copepods.


An ultra-compact bandpass filter has been developed for 2.3-2.7 GHz worldwide interoperability used for microwave access applications. The proposed filter was fully embedded into a multilayered printed circuit board (PCB) with a high dielectric strontium titanate (SrTiO3) composite film layer. In order to reduce the size of the filter and to avoid unwanted 3-D electromagnetic coupling between the embedded passive filter circuit elements, the proposed filter was designed using J-inverter transformation technology. Two grounding via inductors and a single grounding capacitor were also utilized to generate three independent finite transmission zeros to enhance the rejection characteristics at the proper frequency bands. Since the J-inverter transformed filter circuit elements could be designed with relatively small inductance and large capacitance values, the high dielectric composite film was highly effective in reducing the size and improving the performance of the filter. The high dielectric film exhibited a dielectric constant of 17, a tangent loss of 0.01, and a capacitance density of 12.2 pF/mm2 at 1 GHz. The measured maximum insertion loss in the passband ranged from 2.3 to 2.7 GHz was better than 1.8 dB, with a minimum value of 1.58 dB at 2.6 GHz. The return loss was higher than 15 dB in the passband. The transmission zeros occurred at 1.71 and 5.1 GHz, and provided suppressions of 45 dB at 1.71 GHz, and 54 dB at 5.1 GHz, respectively. The measured group delay was less than 0.8 ns in the passband. The embedded bandpass filter had a volume of 2.6 × 2.6 × 0.55 (H) mm3, which is the smallest one found, compared to previously reported devices, the filter, embedded into the eight-layered packaging substrate with the high dielectric composite layer, dramatically reduced the size up to 56%, and its performance was also much improved in comparison to the one embedded into a conventional six- layered PCB.


It is a well known fact that the decisions taken in the early stages of the Information Systems Development process, affects the quality of the final product. Because of that, there are many proposals that address the evaluation of the Information System properties at the requirements stages, by using different models and metrics to measure them. However, most of the proposals do not address all the aspects that have to be considered for such analysis: the construction of the models; the link of the models with requirements; the exploration of alternatives, the definition of metrics for evaluating the alternatives; and, the possible reuse of the final model. The main goal of this thesis is to provide a framework for the effective and reliable generation and evaluation of alternatives in order to inform decisions over requirements models. With this aim, we propose a method that addresses Information Systems Development as a Business Process Reengineering practice. The method is based on well-known Requirements Engineering and Business Process Reengineering techniques and uses i* as its modelling framework.


Chapter 2 presents an interesting and detailed analysis of the psychology behind our choice of foods, and provides an explanation as to why our reactions to "rationally" presented evidence does not always align with the expectations of scientists and policy makers. It appears that our sensitivity to the use of new technologies in producing our food is particularly heightened, and despite the intuitive appeal of all the benefits offered by nanotechnology, the new technology will not receive our automatic acceptance. The chapter also discusses the challenges for the food processing sector and the potential approaches that could be used to assess and inform attitudes. It is evident that effective research and development strategies for this new technology will need to encompass the consumer psychology if this technology is to fulfil its potential. Public engagement and informed dialogue are the key if we are to avoid the furore that has dogged the introduction of other new technologies in recent years such as food irradiation or genetic modification (GM).


We consider the sensitivity of average inventory cost rate when true values of the parameters in the EOQ model are unknown over known ranges. In particular, in the case that the valid range on the true economic lot size are known, we provide a formula for
estimating the lot size under minimax criterion. Moreover, to estimate the valid range, we apply the propagation of errors technique. Then, we present a scheme to find a (valid) lot size, based on the estimated range of the true lot size from the
propagation of errors technique.


We report the case of 47-year-old male who presented with fever, cough and expectoration since 4 months and diarrhoea, malaise and dysphagia since 3 months. He was known to have diabetes mellitus and hypothyroidism and was receiving insulin and thyroxine supplementation. He was evaluated outside and was found to be co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV 1) and pulmonary tuberculosis and was receiving antituberculous treatment. He had hyperpigmented macular and non pruritic rash over his body. Oral thrush was present. Laboratory evaluation showed thrombocytopenia (20,000/μL) with giant platelets; bone marrow aspiration and biopsy revealed normocellular marrow with increased and hypolobated megakaryocytes. The patient was treated with tenofovir, emtricitabine and efavirenz, antituberculosis drugs and oral fluconazole. Insulin and thyroxine replacement therapy were continued. He was diagnosed to have HIV associated thrombocytopenia and was started on dapsone treatment. Two months later, his platelet count had become normal. The present case highlights the importance of being aware of HIV associated thrombocytopenia so as to facilitate the prompt recognition and treatment of this condition.


The thermodynamic uncertainty relation, originally derived for classical Markov-jump processes, provides a tradeoff relation between precision and dissipation, deepening our understanding of the performance of quantum thermal machines. Here, we examine the interplay of quantum system coherences and heat current fluctuations on the validity of the thermodynamics uncertainty relation in the quantum regime. To achieve the current statistics, we perform a full counting statistics simulation of the Redfield quantum master equation. We focus on steady-state quantum absorption refrigerators where nonzero coherence between eigenstates can either suppress or enhance the cooling power, compared with the incoherent limit. In either scenario, we find enhanced relative noise of the cooling power (standard deviation of the power over the mean) in the presence of system coherence, thereby corroborating the thermodynamic uncertainty relation. Our results indicate that fluctuations necessitate consideration when assessing the performance of quantum coherent thermal machines.


The current approaches to the software engineering education fall short to fulfill the industry demand for quality software engineering. A constant need to create and imbibe more effective learning environments is growing in order to manage this demand. This paper discusses the learning disabilities possessed by both the conventional and the non-conventional approaches for teaching software engineering. We propose that case studies can be used as effective teaching mediums and a case study centric learning environment can address these learning disabilities. A case study approach can help the students to gain and retain realistic exposure to concepts of software engineering as they are applied in the real world, and the students of today can be groomed as excellent professionals who have experienced the intricacies and complexities of the real world as well as tried their hands to manage these complexities.


Introduction: Diabetes is a very prevalent problem in Pakistan. Depression along with diabetes affects not only quality of life but compliance and management of patient. Various studies have found high prevalence of depression among T2DM depression. In our study we shall determine the prevalence of depression among T2DM patients in Pakistan. Period: May 2017 to December 2017. Objectives: The objective of this study was to find out the prevalence of depression in Type2 diabetes mellitus patients. Study Design: A cross-sectional study. Setting: Jinnah Post Graduate Medical Centre Karachi. Results: Mean PHQ- Score is 10.83±5.6. 81.9% had PHQ Score > 4. According to PHQ-9 scale, 18.1% (n=30) had no depression, 26.5% (n=44) had moderately severe depression and 3.6% (n=6) had severe depression. In our study females had more severe depression in comparison with male (5.2% vs. 0%). Conclusion: Depression is very common in Pakistan among Type 2 Diabetic patients. Antidepressant has key role to break the vicious cycle of depression and type2 diabetes mellitus diabetes.


Sediment yield from lowland rivers around the globe is often dominated by suspended sediment that also acts as a carrier for pollutants and contaminants. Achieving a deeper understanding of the suspended sediment dynamics is important for river management, but often complicated by short or discontinuous time-series and scattered surveying locations. However, suspended sediment transport is highly variable in space and time, calling for decadal observations that reflect this variability. Here we make use of >130,000 measurements on water discharge (Q) and suspended sediment concentration (SSC) from twelve stations that drain large parts of the central German uplands, to investigate the spatiotemporal variability in suspended sediment flux.
The data has been collected during working days between 1965 and 2018 in context of the suspended sediment monitoring conducted by the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV). The contributing catchments of the twelve monitoring stations range between 2500 and 22000 km2 and cover observation periods between 27 and 53 years.
Despite roughly similar topographic and climatic conditions, average specific (suspended) sediment yield (SSY) varies between ~6 and ~29 t km2 yr-1. Highest specific yields are observed for those catchments that drain the escarpment of the Swabian cuesta landscape. Even more pronounced than the spatial variability is the interannual variability in sediment yield, with SSY for very wet years exceeding SSY for dry years more than tenfold. Separating the hydrograph into base-flow and event-flow components, we find that sediment export during event-flows accounts for 60 to 85% of the long-term SSY, with individual floods accounting for more than 90% of the annual sediment export. We conclude that high specific (suspended) sediment yields in the central German uplands are conditioned by rapidly responding catchments (i.e. large fraction of event-flow contribution) with highly erodible lithologies of the Swabian cuesta landscapes.


The present manuscript intends to propose using the
Google Colab platform to teach and solve physical chemistry problems using
Python computational language. Seven Jupyter notebooks were written and made
available for the students via Google Colab supplementary material of the
physical chemistry course of the chemical engineering course of the Technological
Faculty of the Rio de Janeiro State University. These notebooks include several
problems extracted from the course bibliography and solved with the use of
Python language. The scripts show how the students can perform linear and
polynomial regressions, fit math models to given data, perform numerical
integration and plot creation using Python and its standards libraries. The
Colab platform was chosen because it is free to use, does not require the
installation, setup, and configuration of Python packages and their libraries
in the students' personal computers. It is a multiuser and collaborative
environment, ideal for remote classes. The notebooks can be shared between
instructor and students or between the students, which easy the communication
and track of students' progress. Indeed, this resource can be useful even after
the end of the pandemic. This manuscript describes the platform, its
advantages, how it was applied in our physical chemistry course, and the
students' feedback at the end of the term. All notebooks are available as
Supplementary Material of the manuscript, translated from Portuguese to English
since our course is entirely in Portuguese. I hope the material and experience
shared in this manuscript can be helpful to chemistry instructors who intend to
abroad their pedagogical methods to engage more students in the undergraduate
courses.


Light microscopy was used to analyze the effects of added catalyst at different conditions (temperature and reaction times) in liquefaction testing of a low pyritic sulfur bituminous coal. Quantitative changes in vitrinite/vitroplast reflectance of coal and liquefaction residues were shown to be useful markers in analyzing and understanding the role of catalyst during the initial stage of coal particle hydrogenation. Lower reflectance values corresponded to increased conversions up to about the 60 min and 375°C experimental conditions. Microscopical observation of liquefaction residues also revealed the presence of "wall scales" of varying width.


Abstract Objective: We evaluated the risk of patients contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during their hospital stay to inform the safety of hospitalization for a non–COVID-19 indication during this pandemic. Methods: A case series of adult patients hospitalized for 2 or more nights from May 15 to June 15, 2020 at large tertiary-care hospital in the midwestern United States was reviewed. All patients were screened at admission with the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Selected adult patients were also tested by IgG serology. After dismissal, patients with negative serology and PCR at admission were asked to undergo repeat serologic testing at 14–21 days after discharge. The primary outcome was healthcare-associated COVID-19 defined as a new positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test on or after day 4 of hospital stay or within 7 days of hospital dismissal, or seroconversion in patients previously established as seronegative. Results: Of the 2,068 eligible adult patients, 1,778 (86.0%) completed admission PCR testing, while 1,339 (64.7%) also completed admission serology testing. Of the 1,310 (97.8%) who were both PCR and seronegative, 445 (34.0%) repeated postdischarge serology testing. No healthcare-associated COVID-19 cases were detected during the study period. Of 1,310 eligible PCR and seronegative adults, no patients tested PCR positive during hospital admission (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%–0.3%). Of the 445 (34.0%) who completed postdischarge serology testing, no patients seroconverted (0.0%; 95% CI, 0.0%–0.9%). Conclusion: We found low likelihood of hospital-associated COVID-19 with strict adherence to universal masking, physical distancing, and hand hygiene along with limited visitors and screening of admissions with PCR.


We consider multidimensional hyperbolic systems of conservation laws with relaxation, together with their associated limit systems. A strong stability condition for such asymptotics has been introduced by Chen, Levermore and Liu, namely the existence of an entropy extension. We propose here a new stability condition, the reduced stability condition, which is weaker than the previous one, but still has the property to imply the subcharacteristic or interlacing conditions, and the dissipativity of the leading term in the Chapman–Enskog expansion. This reduced stability condition has the advantage of involving only the submanifold of equilibria, or maxwellians, so that it is much easier to check than the entropy extension condition. Our condition generalizes the one introduced by the author in the case of kinetic, i.e. diagonal semilinear relaxation. We provide an adapted stability analysis in the context of approximate Riemann solvers obtained via relaxation systems.


Abstract— Meteoritic data strongly suggest that most chondrules reached maximum temperatures in a range of 1650–2000 K and cooled at relatively slow rates of 100–1000 K/h, implying a persistence of external energy supply. The presence of fine‐grained rims around chondrules in most unequilibrated chondrites also indicates that a significant quantity of micron‐sized dust was present in chondrule formation regions. Here, we assume that the persistent external energy source needed to explain chondrule cooling rates consists primarily of radiation from surrounding heated chondrules, fine dust, and gas after the formation event. Using an approximate one‐dimensional numerical model for the outward diffusion of thermal radiation from such a system, the scale sizes of formation regions required to yield acceptable cooling rates are determined for a range of possible chondrule, dust, and gas parameters. Results show that the inferred scale sizes depend sensitively on the number densities of micron‐sized dust and on their adopted optical properties. In the absence of dust, scale sizes > 1000 km are required for plausible maximum chondrule number densities and heated gas parameters. In the presence of dust with mass densities comparable to those of the chondrules and with absorptivities and emissivities of ∼0.01 calculated for Mie spheres with a pure mineral composition, scale sizes as small as ∼100 km are possible. If dust absorptivities and emissivities approach unity (as may occur for particles with more realistic shapes and compositions), then scale sizes as small as ×10 km are possible. Considering all uncertainties in model parameters, it is concluded that small scale sizes (10–100 km) for chondrule formation regions are allowed by the experimentally inferred cooling rates.


• Vibration implementation assists metal forming enhancement surface quality. • Effect of low frequency vibration on forming force. • Active damper used to control the vibration. Vibration implementation that assists metal forming has many advantages, such as enhancement of surface equality, reducing the forming force and decreasing the stresses. The technology of single-point incremental forming with all the above-mentioned advantages has been performed with the vibration. This paper focuses on the average surface roughness (Ra) improvement of the final product by using the vibration. The average roughness was found to be affected by vibration of the sheet metal. The combination of vibration produced a better surface quality of the forming shape by using an active damper to control the vibration. For determining the damping ratio, which gives the necessary roughness, an artificial neural network (ANN) was created based on experimental results. A feed forward neural network with Liebenberg–Marquardt back propagation algorithm was utilized for building the artificial neural network model (3-n-1). Confirmation runs were conducted for verifying the agreement between the predicted results of ANN with those of the experimental outcomes. As a result, the product surface quality is increased where the surface roughness was reduced by (18%) from the surface roughness without vibration. The best reduction rate was in the axial forming force at (100 Hz) frequency, where the reduction rate was about (11.64%) from the force without vibration. A R T I C L E I N F O Handling editor: Muhsin J. Jweeg


We investigate solutions of a non-relativistic wave equation in hyperspherical coordinates for a diatomic molecule system interacting with a generalized Kratzer potential. Rovibrational eigenvalues and corresponding wavefunctions of non-relativistic diatomic molecules have been determined within the framework of the asymptotic iteration method. Certain fundamental conditions for the applications of the asymptotic iteration method, such as a suitable asymptotic form for the wave-function and the termination condition for the iteration process, are discussed. N-dimensional bound state eigenfunction solutions used in studying the dynamical variables of diatomic molecules are obtained in terms of a confluent hypergeometric function and a generalized Laguerre polynomial. This systematic approach is tested by calculating the rovibrational energy spectra of hydrogen and sodium chloride molecules.


Diabetes mellitus is a group of metabolic disorders characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Though there are various synthetic drugs available for the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus, they are associated with one or more side effects. Hence herbal drugs are gaining popularity to treat diabetes. The present study was aimed to evaluate the antihyperglycemic effects of Narengi crenulata leaf extracts i.e Narengi crenulata methanol extract (NCME) and aqueous extract (NCAE) in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. Animals were divided into 6 groups (n=6). Group I (normal control), Group II( diabetic control), Group III (diabetic +NCME 500mg/Kg bw), Group IV (diabetic + NCAE 500mg/kg BW), Group V (Diabetic NCME+ 750mg/kg bw), and Group VI (diabetic NCAE+ 750mg/kg.bw). Among these extracts, the aqueous extract NCAE (Group VI) at a dose of 750 mg/kgbw. has produced significant antihyperglycemic effect when compared to the 500mg/kg bwt. dose of NCAE and the two doses of NCME. Blood glucose levels were measured after administration of the extracts at every one hour interval upto six hours in all the groups of rats.


This study aims to describe lexicon variants, and the spread of lexicon variants. This study also describes the typical cluster features and the existence of the distribution of relic lexicons in Magelang District by using language mapping.
 This type of research is a qualitative research Sampling was conducted in four sub-districts, Secang Sub- variants. In addition, this study also describes the typical cluster features and the existence of the distribution of relic lexicons in Magelang District by using language mapping. The data collection is done by using simak method and skill method. The method district, Grabag Sub-district, Kajoran Sub-district, and Mertoyudan Sub-district, especially in Madusari Village, Grabag Village, Sambak Village, and Sukorejo Village. Simak method and skill method is used to collect the data. For the data analysis, writer used descriptive qualitative method. Presentation stage of analysis result presented formal and informal.
The results of the study were 1) javanese lexicon variants in Magelang District have three forms, is innovative, characteristically, and relics. The variant forms appear to indicate sporadic spreading lexicon variants, and in the lexicon spatial distribution grouped by the number of lexicons distributed at the observation point of the lexicon spreading at four observation points, the distribution of the lexicon at three points of observation, the spread of the lexicon at two points of observation, and the spread of the lexicon one observation point. The lexicon has a sporadic spreading range, as well as the lexicon with the most widely distributed at one observation point, 125 lexicons, 2) typical cluster in Magelang district found in 25 clusters. Forms of clusters that have a downward direction of motion found 20 clusters, is [sl], [tl], [dl], [br], [kl], [dr], [gr], [cr], [mr], [ py], [tr], [bl], [jl], [kr], [pr], [sr], [ml], [gl], [ŋl], [ŋr]; the form of clusters with upward motion found 4 clusters, is [mb], [nj], [nd], [ŋg]; and the shape of the cluster that has the direction of of motion from top to bottom found 1 cluster, is [mbl], 3) lexicons of Javanese relics in Magelang District found 179. The existence of spreading of the relics occurs sporadically. The relic form found in BJKM is a form of complete relic based on an ancient Javanese dictionary PJ Zoetmolder.
Keywords: dialectology, lexicon variant, dispersion of lexicon, cluster form, relics


The health effects of smoking are well known and, despite efforts to reduce smoking in adolescence, prevalence of smoking during the teenage years in the UK has remained stable over recent years. This thesis examines smoking uptake during adolescence and identifies the social, psychological and physical factors associated with this process using data from the longitudinal Health And Behaviour In Teenagers study (HABITS). Between 1999 and 2003 over 5000 students from South London were assessed annually from age 11 to age 16. Self-report questionnaires identified smoking status as well as a range of demographic, social and psychological variables. Objective height, waist and weight data were taken and saliva samples provided for cotinine assay. First, analyses examining smoking prevalence and the sociodemographic factors associated with smoking behaviour were conducted. Gender and ethnicity differences were observed, although the association between smoking and deprivation was less clear. The development of smoking behaviour among an understudied group, 'one time triers' of cigarettes, was tracked, revealing that even brief experimentation with cigarettes leads to a lasting vulnerability for later smoking. Second, social factors associated with smoking were examined and the association between smoking by friends, parents and step-parents and adolescent smoking documented. An independent relationship between early dating and later smoking was also revealed. Third, psychological factors associated with adolescent smoking were identified, and the lack of a prospective relationship between attitudes towards smoking and smoking behaviour was confirmed. Fourth, significantly smaller increases over time in BMI and waist, but not height, were observed among smokers compared with non-smokers. Finally, a population level model of the vulnerability and trigger factors associated with smoking, based on an individual level theory of motivation, was constructed. The findings presented extend current literature on adolescent smoking and have implications for effective prevention strategies.


Artificial intelligence is frequently used to control virtual characters in movies and games. When these characters appear in crowds, controlling them is called crowd simulation. In this paper, I suggest that crowd simulation could be accomplished by multi-agent reinforcement learning, a method by which groups of agents can learn to act autonomously in their environment. I present a case study that explores the challenges and benefits of this type of approach and encourages the development of learning techniques for AI in entertainment media.


In a queueing system with the dropping function the arriving customer can be denied service (dropped) with the probability that is a function of the queue length at the time of arrival of this customer. The potential applicability of such mechanism is very wide due to the fact that by choosing the shape of this function one can easily manipulate several performance characteristics of the queueing system. In this paper we carry out analysis of the queueing system with the dropping function and a very general model of arrival process—the model which includes batch arrivals and the interarrival time autocorrelation, and allows for fitting the actual shape of the interarrival time distribution and its moments. For such a system we obtain formulas for the distribution of the queue length and the overall customer loss ratio. The analytical results are accompanied with numerical examples computed for several dropping functions.


Identification of structural equation models remains a challenge to many researchers. Although empirical tests of identification are readily available in structural equation modeling software, these examine local identification and rely on sample estimates of parameters. Rules of identification are available, but do not include all models encountered in practice. In this article we provide 2 rules of identification: the 2+ emitted paths rule and the exogenous X rule. The former is a necessary condition of identification and the latter is a sufficient condition. We explain and prove each of these rules and provide illustrations of their application. These rules extend the coverage of structural equation models that we can check for identification. We also explain how they can be part of a piecewise identification strategy that extends their use even further.


tried and found wanting. But this is an important question if one wants to root the letter in its first-century context. Nevertheless, this is a fresh, lucidly argued examination of a letter that has shaped the church in profound ways. By putting the central claim of the Christian tradition, Jesus' resurrection, front and center for understanding how Paul argues in Romans, Kirk has done the church and the academy a great service.


Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-treated THP-1 cells (macrophage-like cells) were exposed to the C60 fullerene nanowhiskers (C60 NWs) with an average length of about 6.0 μm and an average diameter of about 660 run and observed with an inverted optical phase-contrast microscope for 48 h. The C60 NWs were well and stably dispersed onto the dishes of culture medium during the observation. The number of cells that internalised C60 NWs gradually increased after the exposure to C60 NWs. But no alteration of cellular morphology was observed compared to the control group without exposure to C60 NWs during this period in this pilot study.


Vibration testing is conducted for evaluate the fatigue resistance of responsible system over excitation situations and two kinds of vibration profiles, harmonic or random, are widely used in engineering fields. Harmonic excitation profile is adequate for the rotating machinery that is primarily exposed to the orderly excited force subjected for a rotating speed; Random profile is suitable for the non-stationary vibration input, that is a ground excitation for example. Recently, the sine on random(SOR) testing method was sometimes considered to represent the real excitation conditions since the measured response signals of a target system, expecially for moving mobility, shows usually a mixture of them. So, it is important to understand the accumulated fatigue damage over different excitation patterns, harmonic and/or random, to determine the efficient vibration profile of a target system. A uniaxial vibration testing with a notched simple beam was introduced to evaluate the fatigue damage for different excitation profiles and the best choice of vibration profile was concluded from those comparison of calculated fatigue damages.


The Crescent of Care nursing model is derived from an ethnographic study of the health beliefs and care meanings of Arab Muslim nurses caring for Arab Muslim patients in the Middle East region. This paper presents a detailed explanation of the model as a holistic approach to the spiritual, cultural, psychosocial, interpersonal and clinical caring needs of Arab Muslims within the Middle East region. Professional nursing values are linked to this explanation and combined to create the model. At the heart of the Crescent of Care model are the patient and family as the focus of care, and the concept of shared meanings and spirituality between nurse, patient and family. These are set within a context of psychosocial, cultural, interpersonal, clinical and spiritual elements of care. As a culturally specific model for Arab Muslim populations, the model can be used to guide nurse education curricula in the Middle East region and improve the image of nursing in the Arab world. The model also serves a more general purpose in providing guidance for the care of Muslim patients in other settings.


A novel technology model is presented that simplifies the technical requirements to produce hydrogen and clean energy from water splitting high temperature electrolysis process. Thus the model developed was applied to progress research in water based /hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) with potentials of meeting the carbon footprints targets. Thus, the hydrogen (H2) from water splitting high temperature electrolysis process when reacted with CO2 produces methane (CH4) in their thermodynamic ratio to combust internal combustion engines and power plants. The thermodynamic simulation data derived from Aspen Plus software environment was used to simulate volume–temperature expansion at high pressure which has been applied to further water based/hydrogen internal combustion engine at different thermodynamic temperature requirements of 25°C, 100°C, 400°C, 800°C and 2000°C. A seamless and safe transition from fossil based economy to hydrogen economy is now feasible with new insights in thermodynamics theory where water as a raw material that could power the next hydrogen internal combustion engines and hydrogen power plants for future energy industry offer a cheaper and more sustainable fuel.


TRANSGENIC SPECIESWith the world's fish consumption rising, transgenic fish might alleviate pressure on wild stocks. But researchers worry that genetically engineered fish, if they escaped, could wreak ecological havoc. Most scientists say they simply don't yet understand enough about the potential ecological impacts to approve of raising even sterile transgenic fish in the seas, as some producers propose.


To evaluate the efficacy of amoxycillin in eradicating Campylobacter pylori, endoscopic biopsy specimens were taken from the antral mucosa of 40 children with gastritis before, immediately after, and (in 30 patients) three months after treatment. Immediately after treatment 34 patients (85%) no longer had the organism in the mucosa, and the gastritis had healed in 23 (58%). Three months later the infection had recurred in 22 of 30 patients (73%), and the gastritis had relapsed in all of them. Significantly more children in whom C pylori recurred had family histories of peptic ulcer disease. The results suggest that amoxycillin alone is ineffective in the long term treatment of C pylori gastritis.


UNLABELLED
There are some case reports about excessive heat production in the absorbent canister when sevoflurane or enflurane are washed into a circle containing dried soda lime. This observation was often made in the DRAGER ISO 8 circle system with the gas inlet upstream of the soda lime canister with the gas-flow from bottom to top.

METHODS
The temperature in the center of an absorbent canister was measured 3.0 cm and 7.5 cm above the bottom. Soda lime (DRAGERSORB 800) was dried in an O2 stream for 2-3 days until there was no further loss in weight. 5 Vol% of desflurane, enflurane, isoflurane and sevoflurane in 2 1/min O2 or 4 Vol% of halothane in 2.5 I/min O2 were continuously fed into the canister. The concentration of the respective inhalational agents were measured after the soda lime canister using a DATEX Capnomac. Experiments were performed at ambient temperatures of 20-22 degrees C.

RESULTS
A considerable temperature increase was achieved with all anaesthetics. The highest temperatures were measured at the upper sensor with 56-58 degrees C for desflurane, 76-80 degrees C for enflurane and isoflurane, 84-88 degrees C for halothane and 126-130 degrees C for sevoflurane. IR-detection for some agents was considerably delayed or the time course indicated that other compounds might have formed which absorb at the wavelength monitored.

DISCUSSION
The high temperatures indicate the degradation rather than absorption of the volatile anaesthetics. CO is known to be degradation product of all currently used volatile anaesthetics except sevoflurane. Sevoflurane, however, produced the highest temperatures passing through dried soda lime. There are no reports about new specific breakdown products for sevoflurane on dried soda lime.


To reduce the implementation complexity of a belief propagation (BP) based low-density parity-check (LDPC) decoder, shuffled BP decoding schedules, which serialize the decoding process by dividing a complete parallel message-passing iteration into a sequence of sub-iterations, have been proposed. The so-called group horizontal shuffled BP algorithm partitions the check nodes of the code graph into groups to perform group-by-group message-passing decoding. This paper proposes a new grouping technique to accelerate the message-passing rate. Performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed by a Gaussian approximation approach. Both analysis and numerical experiments verify that the new algorithm does yield a convergence rate faster than that of existing conventional or group shuffled BP decoder with the same computing complexity constraint.


Abstract While it has been shown that languages can select quite different formal resources for performing similar pragmatic functions in social interaction, our focus in this paper is the possibility that some types of form-function mapping are essentially universal. Our case study looks at how polar questions are confirmed. For confirming a polar question like 'Have they gone?', all languages provide two basic alternatives: an interjection type strategy (something like 'Yes') and a repetition type strategy (something like 'They have gone'). Combinations of these are also possible. Does selection of one of these options have a definable pragmatic function? An analysis of cases from English telephone calls shows that interjection type confirmations are used when the confirmation is relatively straightforward in interactional terms, and where the epistemic terms of the question are accepted by the person who is confirming. By contrast, repetition type confirmations are associated with pragmatic functions where the answerer is in some way resisting the epistemic terms of the question, or dealing with a perturbation of the interactional sequence. We argue that the inherent semiotics of the two strategies explain why they have this distribution; i.e., we do not expect that interjection forms would be standardly used for non-straightforward confirmations, etc. In other words, the form-function mapping observed in English is a non-arbitrary one. Given that this semiotic motivation for choosing one over the other alternative for confirming polar questions should be present in other languages as well, we predict that the mapping observed in English will be observed in other languages as well.


Abstract Arne Bjerhammar is well known worldwide mainly for his research in physical geodesy but also for introducing a new matrix algebra with generalized inverses applied in geodetic adjustment. Less known are his developments in geodetic engineering and contributions to satellite and relativistic geodesy as well as studies on the relation between the Fennoscandia land uplift and the regional gravity low. Most likely part of his research has contributed to worldwide political relaxation during the cold war, which deed was honored by a certificate of achievement awarded by the Department of Research of the US army as well as the North Star Order by the King of Sweden. Arne Bjerhammar's pioneer scientific production, in particular on a world geodetic system, towards what would become GPS, as well as relativistic geodesy, is still of great interest among the worldwide geodetic community, while the memories and spirit along his outstanding academic deeds have more or less fainted away from his home university (KTH) only a decade after he passed away.


In this paper we examine the selection of feature points for visual servoing methods using multiresolution critical-point filters (CPF). With the increased number of feature points made available to us using CPF, we hope to improve the robustness of the system by allowing the algorithm to automatically detect usable feature points on virtually any object without any a priori knowledge of the object. Furthermore, the algorithm revises these points at each iteration to account for events that may have otherwise caused feature points to be lost and led to the visual servo method ending in failure.


This qualitative study explores the aspirations and expectations of fifty-two young people attending a Welsh-medium and an English-medium school in the South Wales Valleys (an area which has undergone significant and economic changes as a result of deindustrialisation). These young people were first interviewed at the start of Year 11 when they were considering their futures after compulsory education. Some of these young people were interviewed again approximately a year after to explore whether they were able to achieve their aspirations and to examine whether their long-term aspirations had changed.

This study illustrates how wider trends such as the contraction of the youth labour market and increasing participation rates in further and higher education as well as transformations in the local labour market have changed the way in which young people understand their educational and employment prospects. Different to some of the young people in Brown's (1987) Schooling Ordinary Kids study, all of the young people in this study aspired to stay in some form of education and training after Year 11.

This study also identifies three types of students – The Academic Inheritors, the Academic Strivers and Vocational students – which differ in terms of their orientations to education and occupational futures. There are also variations between these types of students in terms of their social background, educational experiences and the character and usage of their social networks. The different types of students highlight the limitations of accounts which present Rational Choice Theory (associated with the work of Boudon (1974) and Goldthorpe (1998)) and Bourdieu's Cultural Reproduction Theory as opposing/competing explanatory theories.

This study also compared and contrasted the aspirations and expectations of young people who attended a Welsh-medium and an English-medium school. This study shows how school choice has an impact on the social composition of Welsh-medium and English-medium schools in South East Wales, with Welsh-medium schools on average having lower proportions of students from poorer households compared to English-medium schools. School choice provides some explanation for the differences between the aspirations of young people attending the Welsh-medium and the English-medium school in this study.

This study offers a new analysis of the aspirations and expectations of young people finishing compulsory education, in a context of significant social and economic change. It also makes an original contribution by exploring the aspirations of young people who attend a Welsh-medium and an English-medium school – something which has not been explored in depth before by researchers. In addition, this study contributes towards debates regarding the extent that Rational Choice Theory and Bourdieu's Cultural Reproduction Theory are able to explain young people's aspirations and expectations. In attempting to explain differences in student orientations, it also shows that it is extremely difficult to empirically test the relative merits of these theories and as such contributes to existing discussions of educational opportunities and inequalities. This study also has policy implications regarding how key actors such as policymakers and schools can provide support to young people to fulfil and achieve their aspirations.


Diaspora is much talked and celebrated discourse across the disciplines. Confrontation of diasporic community with native community gives rise to multi-dimensional problems. Diasporic community thus undergoes different levels of realities that change their perception as person who migrated from his/her homeland in search of new opportunities. Their perception as a segment in foreign land is marked with the sense of alienation, hybridity, identity crisis and many other mental and physical, cultural-religious, and spatial-geographical turmoil. In a sense they come across the diasporic reality. Diasporic reality is a combined study of Diaspora and problems of migrants. This paper explores the meaning of diaspora through the definitions of different writers and the problems of migrants.  It specifically attempts to trace the problems of identity crisis and hybridity as confrontation with different often contradictory socio-cultural, religious, and different historical backdrop in which diasporic community is located in.


The overproduction of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is a characteristic feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The aim of this study was to use a high-fat diet-induced model of NAFLD in rats to investigate 1) the influence of the disease on hepatic VLDL processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and 2) the potential modulatory effects of dietary coenzyme Q (CoQ). Rats were fed a standard low-fat diet (control) or a diet containing 35% fat (57% metabolizable energy). After 10 wk, high-fat diet-fed animals were divided into three groups: the first group was given CoQ9 (30 mg*kg body wt(-1)*day(-1) in 0.3 ml olive oil), the second group was given olive oil (0.3 ml/day) only, and the third group received no supplements. Feeding (3 high-fat diets and the control diet) was then continued for 8 wk. In all high-fat diet-fed groups, the content of triacylglycerol (TG) and cholesterol in plasma VLDL, the liver, and liver microsomes was increased, hepatic levels of apolipoprotein B48 were raised, and the activities of microsomal TG transfer protein and acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase were reduced. These findings provide new evidence indicating that VLDL assembly and the inherent TG transfer to the endoplasmic reticulum are altered in NAFLD and suggest a possible explanation for both the overproduction of VLDL associated with the condition and the disease etiology itself. Dietary CoQ caused significant increases in apolipoprotein B mRNA and microsomal TG levels and altered the phospholipid content of microsomal membranes. These changes, however, may not be beneficial as they may lead to the secretion of larger, more atherogenic VLDL.


In addition to the operational limits imposed by MHD stability on plasma current and pressure, an independent limit on plasma density is observed in confined toroidal plasmas. This review attempts to summarize recent work on the phenomenology and physics of the density limit. Perhaps the most surprising result is that all of the toroidal confinement devices considered operate in similar ranges of (suitably normalized) densities. The empirical scalings derived independently for tokamaks and reversed-field pinches are essentially identical, while stellarators appear to operate at somewhat higher densities with a different scaling. Dedicated density limit experiments have not been carried out for spheromaks and field-reversed configurations, however, `optimized' discharges in these devices are also well characterized by the same empirical law. In tokamaks, where the most extensive studies have been conducted, there is strong evidence linking the limit to physics near the plasma boundary: thus, it is possible to extend the operational range for line-averaged density by operating with peaked density profiles. Additional particles in the plasma core apparently have no effect on density limit physics. While there is no widely accepted, first principles model for the density limit, research in this area has focussed on mechanisms which lead to strong edge cooling. Theoretical work has concentrated on the consequences of increased impurity radiation which may dominate power balance at high densities and low temperatures. These theories are not entirely satisfactory as they require assumptions about edge transport and make predictions for power and impurity scaling that may not be consistent with experimental results. A separate thread of research looks for the cause in collisionality enhanced turbulent transport. While there is experimental and theoretical support for this approach, understanding of the underlying mechanisms is only at a rudimentary stage and no predictive capability is yet available.


Transmission electron microscopy is used to reveal sub-micrometre, internal fine structure in solids. Materials scientists tend to call this microstructure while bioscientists usually prefer the term ultrastructure. The amount and scale of the information which can be extracted by TEM depends critically on four parameters; the resolving power of the microscope (usually smaller than 0.3nm); the energy spread of the electron beam (often several eV); the thickness of the specimen (almost always significantly less than 1 μm), and; the composition and stability of the specimen. The first and second of these depend largely on the depth of your pocket ‐ the more you spend, the better the microscope parameters. The third is usually determined by your experimental skill while the last depends on luck or your choice of experimental system. The slim book by Goodhew et al. (Goodhew, Humphreys and Beanland,


This paper presents empirical findings of a study on the mobility situation of people of different gender, age and class in two residential areas each in two fast-growing Asian cities with high rates of motorization, Xian in China and Hanoi in Vietnam. Notable class and gender differences in travel patterns were found in both cities. Respondents in the old and poorer residential areas walk more, while better-off respondents in the new areas use motorized transport modes (car and motorbikes) to a greater extent. The main difference in travel modes between the areas in both cities is that non-motorized modes are used as a necessary means of travel for less well-off people in the old areas, while residents in the new (and better-off areas) can choose to switch to motorized modes for longer distance trips. Further class difference can be found in Hanoi in the use of buses and in Xian in the use of cars. The study found that the differences in travel patterns between women and men are similar to those found between the residents of poor and affluent areas: women walk more and men are more motorized. The study also confirms that in both Xian and Hanoi, despite women's high rates of participation in the labour market, men still predominate in livelihood-related transport tasks whereas women are more involved in household-related transport tasks.


THIS CHAPTER endeavors first to indicate where problems in educational research arising out of the philosophy of science are crucial. It also identifies those sources which provide a background in philosophy of science for workers in the "sensitive" areas. Particular attention is given to work of the last three years, inasmuch as this subject was discussed by Brodbeck in the REVIEW in 1957. Here, however, a somewhat different perspective on the topics discussed by Brodbeck is offered.


The role of the kidney in uric acid homeostasis was investigated in 11 patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. Renal clearance studies were performed in all patients before and after the first course o


Five experiments systematically investigated whether orientation is a visual object property that aVords action. The primary aim was to establish the existence of a pure physical aVordance (PPA) of object orientation, independent of any semantic object–action associations or visually salient areas towards which visual attention might be biased. Taken together, the data from these experiments suggest that Wrstly PPAs of object orientation do exist, and secondly, the behavioural eVects that reveal them are larger and more robust when the object appears to be graspable, and is oriented in depth (rather than just frontally) such that its leading edge appears to point outwards in space towards a particular hand of the viewer. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. PsycINFO classiWcation: 2323; 2330; 2340; 2346


One‐dimensional fluid model simulations are performed to investigate how the secondary electron emission arising from ions (γi), metastable atoms (γm), and photons (γp) affect Townsend's second ionization coefficient (γ′) in argon dielectric barrier discharges. Since Townsend's breakdown criterion determines the value of γ′, it is naturally affected by the discharge condition such as the reduced electric field (E/p) as well as the combination of γi, γm, and γp. It also depends on the other contributions from the indirect ionization processes such as cumulative ionizations or metastable–metastable collision ionizations. When the nonionic electron‐yielding processes such as the effects of γm, γp, and the indirect ionizations are considered, the calculated γ′ increases largely under the higher pd (pressure times distance) branch of the Paschen curve. Since the experimental characteristics of γ′, which decreases with E/p, can hardly be explained without such nonionic processes, the contributions of those processes can be quite important in Townsend discharges especially under high pd conditions. These processes tend not to appear and γ′ tends to converge to γi under the lower pd branch of the Paschen curve. The value of γi can possibly be estimated by using γ′ under the lower pd condition. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


We have developed a fast perceptual method for evaluating color scales for data visualization that uses a monochrome photographic image of a human face as a test pattern. We conducted an experiment in which we applied various color scales to a photographic image of a face and asked observers to rate the naturalness of each image. We found a very strong correlation between the perceived naturalness of the images and the luminance monotonicity of the color scales. Since color scales with monotonic luminance profiles are widely recommended and used for visualizing continuous scalar data, we conclude that using a human face as a test patten provides a quick, simple method for evaluating such color scale in Internet environments.


In this Paper we present a continuously extendable and retractable tower construction: The Helix-Tower by Konrad Zuse. From 1989 onwards Zuse worked on the design of the heightadjustable tower. In 1993 Zuse had accomplished the prototype HT1 on a 1:30 scale to test the construction. In 1992 he started sketching up a second model (HT2) on a 1:10 scale, which was planned to be the forerunner of an initial experimentary tower on full scale. The prototype can be extended to a height of 270 cm; the full-scale tower had been schemed to reach 120 m. The analysis of archival documents and reports by witnesses revealed that Zuse intended his tower to be used for wind power installations, for observation and for radio transmission. The prototype of the Helix-Tower, and therefore the only existing model to experience the function of the HT, together with his estate has been at the Deutsche Museum in Munich since 2006.


Purpose:Using Butler's teacher achievement goal orientation as a conceptual framework, we developed this study to validate a teachers' achievement goal instrument for teaching physical education. Methods:A sample of 322 Chinese physical education teachers participated in this study and completed measures of achievement goal orientations and job satisfaction for teaching physical education. Results:An exploratory factor analysis provided preliminary support with the instrument comprising four types of teachers' orientation: mastery, ability-approach, ability-avoidance, and work-avoidance goals. A confirmatory factor analysis and multi-step invariance tests further corroborated the four-factor construct with acceptable reliabilities. Its predictive validity was also confirmed by the associations between job satisfaction and mastery goals and ability-approach goals. Discussion/Conclusion:Overall, the findings lend evidence to the conceptual validation of the structure of teachers' goal orientations. It is su...


In January 2002, CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health received requests for Health Hazard Evaluations from labor unions representing workers employed in buildings in the vicinity of the World Trade Center (WTC). Workers reported persistent physical and mental health symptoms that they associated with exposures from the WTC collapse and ensuing fires. To address these concerns, CDC conducted surveys of workers at four workplaces in New York City (NYC), a high school (high school A) and college (college A) near the WTC site, and a high school (comparison high school B) and college (comparison college B) > or = 5 miles from the WTC site to determine rates of physical and mental health symptoms. This report summarizes the preliminary results of the employee surveys, which indicated that workers employed near the WTC site had significantly higher rates of physical and mental health symptoms than workers employed > or = 5 miles from the site. Intervention programs should be tailored to address the needs of these workers, and the effectiveness of these programs should be evaluated. Further assessment is warranted to describe the nature and extent of illness in specific working groups and individual medical follow-up in those with persistent symptoms.


This study seeks to investigate how prime minister Abiy Ahmed have affected democracy in Ethiopia since he assumed office in April 2018. Ethiopia is a hybrid regime identified with having both democratic and autocratic elements and the country have been internationally acknowledged for its recent democratic progress. The case study is conducted with a structured qualitative textual analysis in the form of a qualitative content analysis. Information have been collected according to a coding frame based on the concept of an uneven playing field and of how an incumbent party benefit from promoting gender equality. The results show that the playing field was initially slightly leveled and the oppositions ability to more equally compete for power with the government was improved. However, as the opposition was empowered and ethnic conflict arose in late 2018 the government under the lead of Abiy Ahmed returned to repressive tactics used under previous regimes to manipulate the playing field. The government is trying to remain in power by once again limiting democracy. Yet, the study concludes that the playing field has overall been leveled but the fruitfulness that Ethiopian democracy once promised under the rule of Abiy Ahmed seems to have vanished.


Complications that arose after 861 percutaneous liver biopsies performed from 1997 to 2001 were reviewed. They were analysed in relation to the underlying liver disease. Minor complications as the severe pain requiring intravenous analgetics administration occurred in 60 cases (6.9%) within two hours after the biopsy. Twelve cases (1.4%) of major complications as haemoperitoneum, haemo- or pneumothorax, severe hypotension due to vaso-vagal reaction, septic shock and puncture of another viscera were noted within 12 hours after procedures. Half of those complications and the most serious ones as haemoperitoneum occurred in cirrhotic patients and were connected with more than one needle pass. No biopsy-related deaths were observed.


This research report investigates the manifestation of hair as a symbol of cultural and gender identity as is seen in selected works of South African artist Tracey Rose, whose usage of her own culturally specific hair and body serves as metaphor through which she critically engages with issues surrounding the gendered and racialized body. The report will explore the ways in which Rose both in her video piece Ongetiteld (1996) and her performance video installation Span II (1997) challenges and subsequently deconstructs the rigidly defined monoliths of 'Woman', 'femininity', and the racially constructed category of 'Coloured', assigned and imposed on her during the Apartheid era. Rose's work, highlighting the extent to which the conceptualization of gender and racial identity are bound and read off the body's corporeality, relates to my own artistic practice, whereby I examine the metaphorical functioning of skin, as a corporeal 'text' and parchment, facilitating the inscription of my own cultural, religious and linguistic Otherness.


Newborn screening has recently been transformed by our enhanced knowledge of medical disorders and our ability to detect and manage them. The Missouri State Newborn Screening Laboratory incorporated tandem mass spectrometry into the newborn screening protocol in 2005. This review will highlight the new capabilities of the newborn screening laboratory and the pitfalls of screening related to preterm birth, blood transfusion and intravenous fluid administration that complicate the interpretation of screening results.


Lipiarmycin (Lprm) (8), a macrocyclic antibiotic also known as tiacumicin (2), is currently under development under the name of OPT-80 (Optimer Pharmaceuticals, Inc., San Diego, Calif.) as a narrow-spectrum antibacterial agent to treat Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (1, 7).

Lprm is a transcription inhibitor, but unlike rifampin and streptolydigin, it preferentially inhibits holoenzyme transcription at a much greater rate than it inhibits transcription of the core enzyme (5, 6). Genetic mapping experiments in Bacillus subtilis indicate that mutants are located between loci determining rifampin resistance and streptolydigin resistance (6). To precisely identify the positions of the mutations, we selected lipiarmycin-resistant colonies and sequenced the domains of the RNA polymerase located between these two loci.

Lprm was produced and purified by fermentation of Actinoplanes deccanensis (DSMZ 43806) by the method of Talpaert et al. (8). Mutant strains were isolated as spontaneous variants of Bacillus subtilis CIP 52.62 that were able to form colonies on nutrient agar plates containing Lprm (40 μg/liter). At this concentration the frequency of resistant colonies was less than 10−7. Among the 10 resistant colonies selected, 8 exhibited an increased MIC for several classes of antibiotics and were likely to be permeability mutants (Table (Table1).1). Two mutants (mut1 and mut2) were highly resistant to Lprm.

TABLE 1.

Antibiotic resistance and transcription activity of Lprm-resistant Bacillus subtilis

To correlate the resistance phenotypes with the activity of Lprm on the RNA polymerase, we tested enzymes from the wild-type and mutant colonies in an in vitro transcription assay by the method of Sonenshein et al. (6). The parent cells (CIP 52.62) and mutant cells specifically resistant to Lprm (mut1 and mut2) showed the same pattern of sensitivity to rifampin. In contrast, the transcription activity of the wild-type cells was more strongly affected by the addition of Lprm than was the activity of either mut1 or mut2. This confirmed the link between resistance to Lprm resistance and transcription. mut3 to mut10 strains were equally sensitive to rifampin and Lprm, suggesting that the resistance was not due to a mutation in the polymerase.

After purification of the genomic DNA, we PCR amplified and sequenced the regions located between the loci determining rifampin and streptolydigin resistance. The following primers were used: 5′-1285CGTGTGGTTCGTGAGAGAATGT1306-3′, 5′-3257TAAGCTTCAAGTGCCCAAACCT3236-3′, and 5′-2524CTTGTTGGTAAAGTAACGCCTA2545-3′ for rpoB and 5′-1163CGTTTCGCACTCTTAATGTTGTG1141-3′, 5′-593CACAAGGACAACGCCGTAC611-3′, and 5′-2804GTTAACTGTGTACCAGGCTCACC2782-3′ for rpoC. A point mutation resulting in the substitution of the R326 of rpoC by L (CG[T/C]TT) was found in mut1 and mut2 in a highly conserved region; no mutation was detected in mut3 to mut10. When the PCR product harboring the R326L mutation was transfected into B. subtilis CIP 52.62, the frequency of lipiarmycin-resistant bacteria was 100-fold higher than the frequency observed for bacteria with the wild-type fragment.

By analogy with the three-dimensional structure of the Thermus aquaticus enzyme (3), R326 is located in proximity to region 3.2 of σ, which in turn occupies the same space as the exiting RNA transcript (3). This could delineate a new binding site for transcription inhibitors.


Background Inflammatory arthritides (IA) are associated with both local and systemic inflammation. Hypoxia and angiogenesis are recognized as important events in the perpetuation of joint destruction in IA. Oxidative stress, which arises from an imbalance between Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and antioxidant defences, also play important role in the pathogenesis of IA1,2. Objectives To examine if hypoxia-induced oxidative stress regulates angiogenic mechanisms in IA. Methods Patients with inflammatory arthritis (IA; n=44) underwent arthroscopy and synovial tissue oxygen (tpO2) measurements, and synovial tissue biopsies and clinical assessment were obtained. Twenty patients pre/post-TNFi therapy were also recruited. Immunohistology (IHC) and dual-immunofluorescence (IF) were performed to quantify vascular factors (VEGF, Ang2 and Tie2), cell specific markers (CD3, CD68) and markers of oxidative DNA damage (8-oxo-dG) and lipid peroxidation (4-HNE). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) synovial primary fibroblasts (SFC) and Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells (HMVEC) were stimulated with 4-HNE (5µM) under normoxia and 3% hypoxia conditions, and proliferation, tube formation and angiogenic growth factors were assessed using crystal violet assay, matrigel tube formation assays and ELISA. Results VEGF, Ang2 and Tie-2 were expressed in the inflamed synovium localised in the lining layer (LL), sub-lining (SL) and vascular regions (VC) with the highest expression of VEGF, Ang2 and Tie2 scored in the VC layer, compared to LL and SL (all p<0.005). VEGF expression correlated with macroscopic synovitis (r=0.41, p=0.031) and vascularity (r=0.40, p=0.034), Ang2 expression correlated with synovitis (r=0.56, p=0.013) and CD68+ cells (r=0.53, p=0.013) and Tie2 correlated with CD3+ cells (r=0.41, p=0.023) and CD68+ cells (r=0.46, p=0.010). Treatment with TNFi showed a significant reduction in expression of Tie2 (p=0.034) and Ang2 (p=0.021), this was paralleled by an increase in mean tpO2 levels (22.8 mmHg-30.3 mmHg). A significant association between increased ΔVEGF, ΔAng2 and ΔTie2 with high DNA damage (Δ8-oxo-dG) and lipid peroxidation (Δ4-HNE) was demonstrated (all p<0.05), suggesting an interplay between oxidative stress and angiogenesis in a progression of chronic inflammatory arthritis. Colocalisation of angiogenic factors VEGF, Ang2 and Tie2 with oxidative damage markers 4-HNE and 8-oxo-dG in inflamed synovium was demonstrated. Functionally, 4-HNE induced RASFC proliferation (p<0.01), HMVEC tube formation (p<0.001) and the effect was significantly potentiated under hypoxic conditions (p<0.001). Conclusions Angiogenesis is closely linked to hypoxia and oxidative stress; both of which promote angiogenic inflammatory cell influx and proliferation in inflammatory athritis. References Hypoxia--a key regulator of angiogenesis and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. Konisti S, Kiriakidis S, Paleolog EM. Nat Rev Rheumatol. 2012 Jan 31;8(3):153-62. Redox balance dynamically regulates vascular growth and remodeling. Shyamal C. Bir, Gopi K Kolluru, Kai Fang, Christopher G. Kevil. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2012 Sep;23(7):745-57. Acknowledgements Translational Research Group, DAMC, SVUH Disclosure of Interest E. Balogh Grant/research support from: MSD, D. Veale Grant/research support from: Abbott, Opsona, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant for: MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Speakers bureau: Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, UCB, J. McCormick: None Declared, Z. Szekanecz: None Declared, C. NG: None Declared, U. Fearon: None Declared, M. Biniecka: None Declared


The present article arises from the reflection on the failure of external educational models applied in emerging contexts without considering situational factors of each town. According to Carnoy (1974) there is a strong tradition between underdeveloped countries of coping the cultural forms and successful models from first world societies, without having prepared beforehand the objective and subjective conditions that would determine its success or failure. The aim of this paper is to analyze the philosophical basis of success behind the Finnish educational system, with the purpose of identify in it, references to overcome problems of educational reality in emerging societies. In this way contribute to the discussion about the failure on adapting external educational models to emerging contexts. It is an exploratory, descriptive and comparative review, and the character of it is bibliographic and qualitative; in addition, it will make use of logical-scientific methods (deductive-inductive) with their respective procedures, supported by phenomenological and hermeneutical philosophical methods. The results of the copy and implementation of changes in education based on successful models from other latitudes, without considering the philosophical and epistemological substratum that sustains it, or preparing the ground for its adaptation, has resulted in poor educational systems that do not respond to the concrete needs of the educational reality of emerging societies, and limit and frustrate the autonomous and original creation of contextualized and relevant educational models too.


A 200‐day study was carried out to investigate the impact of transgenic Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) corn on immature and adult Lumbricus terrestris in the field and in the laboratory. Another objective of this study was to develop test methods that could be used for standard testing of the impact of transgenic plants on different earthworm species in the field and in the laboratory. For this purpose two different experiments were involved, a laboratory experiment with adult L. terrestris and a field experiment with immature L. terrestris. No lethal effects of transgenic Bt corn on immature and adult earthworms were observed. Immature L. terrestris in the field had a very similar growth pattern when fed either (Bt+) or (Bt−) corn litter. No significant differences in relative weights of (Bt+) and (Bt−) corn‐fed adult L. terrestris were observed during the first 160 days of the laboratory trial, but after 200 days adult L. terrestris had a significant weight loss of 18% of their initial weight when fed (Bt+) corn litter compared to a weight gain of 4% of the initial weight of (Bt−) corn‐fed earthworms. Further studies are necessary to see whether or not this difference in relative weight was due to the Bt toxin or other factors discussed in the study. Degradation of Cry1Ab toxin in corn residues was significantly slower in the field than at 10 °C in the laboratory. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay results indicated that earthworms in both experiments were exposed to the Bt toxin throughout the whole experimental time.


Abstract The paper reviews recent literature in the field of animal geographies, a scholarship that reflects a developing interest in the way discursive orderings shape human attitudes to animals, as well as a concern with the spatial outcomes for animals of these discourses. Insights from this literature are employed to narrate the historical geography of Zululand's white rhino population from the late nineteenth century to the 1970s. The paper traces Umfolozi rhinos' changing location within human networks and corresponding spatial contexts. In the 1890s white rhinos were identified by the Zululand authorities as subjects worthy of special care; but in this colonial context their coding as "wild" animals was called into question by local Zulu people. Later, the spatial consequences of protectionist discourses about rhinos saw the removal of many of the latter from the carceral space of Zululand's game reserves, to zoos and wildlife parks in other countries. This animal geography ultimately proved global in its reach.


On average the lack of biological markers causes a one year diagnostic delay to detect amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To improve the diagnostic process an automatic voice assessment based on acoustic analysis can be used. The purpose of this work was to verify the sutability of the sustain vowel phonation test for automatic detection of patients with ALS. We proposed enhanced procedure for separation of voice signal into fundamental periods that requires for calculation of perturbation measurements (such as jitter and shimmer). Also we proposed method for quantitative assessment of pathological vibrato manifestations in sustain vowel phonation. The study's experiments show that using the proposed acoustic analysis methods, the classifier based on linear discriminant analysis attains 90.7% accuracy with 86.7% sensitivity and 92.2% specificity.


We introduce a model of a randomly growing interface in multi- dimensional Euclidean space. The growth model incorporates a random or- der model as an ingredient of its graphical construction, in a way that repli- cates the connection between the planar increasing sequences model and the one-dimensional Hammersley process. We prove a hydrodynamic limit for the height process, and a limit which says that certain perturbations of the ran- dom surface follow the characteristics of the macroscopic equation. By virtue of the space-time Poissonian construction, we know the macroscopic velocity function explicitly up to a constant factor.


Solid waste is an unwanted by product of modern civilization. Land fills are the most common means of solid waste disposal. But, the increasing amount of solid waste is rapidly filling existing land fills, and new sites are difficult to establish. Alternatives to land fills include the use of source reduction, recycling, composting and incineration, as well as use of land fills. Incineration is most economical if it includes energy recovery from the waste. Energycan be recovered directly from waste by incineration or the waste can be processed to produce storable refuse derived fuel(RDF). Information on the composition of solid wastes is important in evaluating alternative equipment needs, systems, management programs and plans. Household surveys are done in six divisions of Eluru Municipal Corporation, A.P, India and percapita waste for the corporation is estimated. Pulverization of municipal solid waste is done and the pulverized solid waste is dressed to form a bed and the bed is fed by vermi's which converts the bed into vermi compost. The obtained vermi compost is sent to recognized lab for estimating the major nutrients i.e., Potassium (K), Phosphorous (P), Nitrogen (N) and Micronutrient values. It is estimated that 59 – 65 tons of wet waste is generated in Eluru per day and if this wet waste is converted to quality compost 12.30 tons of vermi compost can be generated. If Municipal Corporation of Eluru(MCE) manages this wet waste an income of over rupees 0.89 crores per anum can be earned by MCE which is a considerable amount for providing of better services to public.


Inequalities in older adults' health rarely consider life-course aspects of socioeconomic status (SES). We examined the association between lifelong SES and old-age health trajectories, and explored the role of lifestyle factors and depressive symptoms in this association. We followed 2760 adults aged 60+ from the Swedish National Study on Care and Aging, Kungsholmen. SES groups were derived using latent class analysis incorporating seven socioeconomic measures spanning childhood, midlife, and late life. We measured health using the Health Assessment Tool, which combines gait speed, cognition, multimorbidity, and disability. Linear mixed models were used to estimate health trajectories. Four SES groups were identified: High (34.9%), Middle (40.2%), Low (21.2%), and Mixed (3.8%). The Mixed group reported greater financial difficulties in childhood and older age, but varying SES attainment in midlife. Baseline health scores indicated that Mixed SES experienced substantial cognitive and physical deficits 12 years earlier than the High SES group. Compared to the High SES group, the Mixed SES group had the fastest health deterioration (β×time=−0.07, 95% CI:−0.11,−0.02); other groups followed a gradient (High>Middle>Low). Lifestyle factors and depressive symptoms attenuated the gradient but did not explain Mixed group's health disadvantage. Life-long SES measures are crucial for understanding older adults' health inequalities.


A perfect two-dimensional porous alumina photonic crystal with 500 nm interpore distance was fabricated on an area of 4 cm2 via imprint methods and subsequent electrochemical anodization. By comparing measured reflectivity with theory, the refractive indices in the oxide layers were determined. The results indicate that the porous alumina structure is composed of a duplex oxide layer: an inner oxide layer consisting of pure alumina oxide of 50 nm in thickness, and an outer oxide layer of a nonuniform refractive index. We suggest that the nonuniform refractive index of the outer oxide arises from an inhomogeneous distribution of anion species concentrated in the intermediate part of the outer oxide.


This paper presents the chromatic dispersion compensation scheme in long haul communication consisting of the single mode fiber with the help of the FBG (fiber Bragg Grating). During the entire optimization process the major concern are provided to the vital parameter of the FBG in which the Duty cycle, the Input power, the Modulation coding, the band width of the of the FBG are deeply considered. By improving the parameter to the extent and incorporating them into the optimization process the output response improved tremendously. The output response is well elaborated with the help of the minimum BER, Q factor and the various plotting process which practically insists the improvement in the output.


OBJECTIVE
To explore the inhibitory effects of rapamycin on proliferation of chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODS
The effects of rapamycin at various concentrations on cell proliferation of CML cell line K562 cells were analyzed by MTT. The expressions of mTOR, 4E-BP1 and p70S6K at protein and mRNA level in K562 cells with rapamycin treatment were detected by Western blot and RT-PCR. The protein expressions and phosphorylation of mTOR, 4E-BP1 and p70S6K in primary bone marrow cells from CML patients at chronic phase (CP) were also investigated by Western blot, bone marrow cells from healthy people were used as control. Data were analyzed by the χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

RESULTS
The phosphorylation of mTOR, 4E-BP1 and p70S6K were significantly increased in CML bone marrow cells compared with that of normal control (70.6% vs 30.0%, 76.5% vs 40.0%, 73.5% vs 20.0%, respectively, P < 0.05). The proliferation of K562 cells was significantly inhibited with 20 nmol/L and more rapamycin treatment. The phosphorylation of mTOR was decreased after rapamycin treatment, as well as the expressions of 4E-BP1 and p70S6K at protein and mRNA level (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION
mTOR signaling played an important role in CML pathogenesis, and rapamycin could decrease CML cells proliferation by inhibiting the activity of mTOR signaling in vitro.


Animal communication involves the transfer of information between a sender and one or more receivers. However, such interactions do not happen in a social vacuum; third parties are typically present, who can potentially eavesdrop upon or intervene in the interaction. The importance of such bystanders in shaping the outcome of communicative interactions has been widely studied in humans, but has only recently received attention in other animal species. Here, we studied bouts of infant crying among rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) in order to investigate how the presence of bystanders may affect the outcome of this signalling interaction between infants and mothers. It was hypothesized that, as crying is acoustically aversive, bystanders may be aggressive to the mother or the infant in order to bring the crying bout to a close. Consequently, it was predicted that mothers should acquiesce more often to crying if in the presence of potentially aggressive animals. In line with this prediction, it was found that mothers gave infants access to the nipple significantly more often when crying occurred in the presence of animals that posed a high risk of aggression towards them. Both mothers and infants tended to receive more aggression from bystanders during crying bouts than outside of this time, although such aggression was extremely rare and was received by less than half of the mothers and infants in the study. Mothers were also found to be significantly more aggressive to their infants while the latter were crying than outside of crying bouts. These results provide new insight into the complex dynamics of mother–offspring conflict, and indicate that bystanders may play an important role in shaping the outcome of signalling interactions between infants and their mothers.


We fabricate a Mach-Zehnder interferometer-based optical isolator using a silicon-wire waveguide with magneto-optic garnet cladding using direct bonding techniques. Using Si-wire waveguides, the size of the device is greatly reduced from that of our previous device. We investigate surface-activated direct bonding with nitrogen plasma treatment, which shows better bonding results than oxygen plasma treatment. A large magneto-optic phase shift of 0.8π and an optical isolation of 18 dB are obtained at a wavelength of 1322 nm.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the degree of awareness of the graduate students at the University of Jordan towards the concept of information literacy, and the level of their information literacy skills. A questionnaire and a test were built and validated. The sample consisted of (166) graduates from four colleges. Findings demonstrated that students have a high degree of information literacy awareness and a high level of skills related to it. However, the results indicated that students faced difficulties with evaluating information, and they have a misconception about the concept of information literacy. Moreover, the study revealed significant differences between students were to the advantage of those at the humanistic colleges. Recommendations for improving the awareness of information literacy in the Arab world, and concentrating on evaluation skills and the students at the scientific colleges were made.


This research aims to design and build a 3D printer machine using Arduino Mega 2560 and compare it to a standard 3D printer using a 3D printer module and bed temperature. The design simulation between the two machines is compared from the von Mises stress, displacement, and safety factor values. In contrast, testing machine performance by comparing the tensile strength and dimensional accuracy of the printing results. A cost comparison is also presented to complete the analysis. From a design perspective, the von Mises stress ratio is 10.94: 2.24; displacements 0.04: 0.03; and the same safety factor, which is 15 for the newly designed 3D printer and the standard one respectively. In terms of dimensional accuracy and power, the two machines are equivalent. While the new-designed machine can save costs of Rp.1.639.000 or 40% off. It is concluded that the machine with the Arduino Mega 2580 deserves to be used as an alternative to 3D printer machines at a lower cost.


The paper examines the effect electrical phenomena has on damping torsional vibrations of turbine-generator shafts resulting from severe disturbances on the system supply. The effect system impedance and power factor has on time constants for decay of predominant shaft torsional vibrations and on fatigue life expenditure of the shaft following worstcase events is investigated. The impact pole slipping resulting from delayed fault clearance has on peak shaft torque and on accumulative fatigue life expenditure of the shaft is also examined.


Over the last few decades, the astonishing developments of superplasticizers technology allowed great achievements in the conception of concrete mixes exhibiting self-compacting ability. Since the 1980s, some methodologies have been proposed to achieve self-compacting requirements in fresh concrete mixes, based on the evaluation of the flowing properties of these mixes. There still persist, however, some doubts about the most appropriate strategy to define the optimum composition of a self-compacting concrete (SCC) mix, based on a required performance. The behavior of SCC as a structural material can be improved if adequate steel fiber reinforcement is added to SCC mix composition. In fact, the fiber-reinforcement mechanisms can convert the brittle behavior of this cement-based material into a pseudoductile behavior up to a crack width that is acceptable under the structural design point of view. Fiber addition, however, increases the complexity of the mix design process, due to the strong perturbation effect that steel fibers cause on fresh concrete flow. In the present work, a mix design method is proposed to develop cost effective and high performance steel fiber-reinforced self-compacting concrete (SFRSCC). The material properties of the developed SFRSCC are assessed as well as its potentiality as a structural material, carrying out punching and flexural tests on panel prototypes. A material nonlinear analysis is carried out, aiming to address the possibility of calibrating the constitutive model parameters by obtaining, with an inverse analysis, the fracture parameters using force-deflection relationships recorded in simpler laboratory tests, such as the three-point notched beam bending test. The contribution of steel fibers for punching resistance is also discussed.


Global climate change has triggered the increased incidence of extreme disasters like cyclone, flood, soil salinity, etc. in the coastal region of Bangladesh. In the recent past, an amplified number of fatalities happened and the greater impact also acted upon the attitude of coastal people. Badarpur Union under Patuakhali Sadar upazila of Patuakhali District was the selected locale of the concerned study. Data for this research work were personally collected from a randomly sampled 121 farmers from different villages of Badarpur union by using an interview schedule. Attitude of the farmers was ascertained through a five-point-Likert type scale. Co-efficient of correlation (r) was computed to explore the relationships between farmers" attitude and their selected characteristics. The findings revealed that 51.2 percent of the farmers had moderately favourable attitude towards climate change effect while 42.1 percent had slightly favourable and 6.6 percent had highly favourable attitude. The correlation test showed that the education, farming experience, farm size, annual income, training received and agricultural knowledge had positive significant relationships with farmers" attitude towards climate change effect on agriculture while the rest of the characteristics had no relationship in the present study. The focus findings of the present study were that, the attitude of the farmers is changing due to changes in the climatic conditions and there was a positive effect of it on agriculture. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2015, 1(2): 367-379