This article presents empirical research for determining the optimal value of the flow and concentration of lubricant when processing SKD11 steel on the surface grinder. In this research, the central composite design is used with a matrix of 13 experimental points when changing the input parameters of the lubrication parameters. The experiment is carried out with 36A60LVgrinding wheel and TECTYL COOL 290MC lubricant. Based on the experimental results, the influence degree of the concentration and the flow of lubricant on surface roughness has been analyzed. The results show that the parameters of the flow and concentration of lubricant as well as the interaction between such two parameters significantly affect the surface roughness of the workpiece, in which the influence degree of the solution concentration on the surface roughness is greater than that of the solution flow. Later, this research also shows the optimal values of the two above parameters.


This LibGuide includes information and resources for the study of the history, politics, economics, and conditions of the Transatlantic Slave Trade that took place across the Atlantic Ocean from the 16th to the 19th centuries.


The Darrieus-Savonius (DS) wind turbine has been widely developed with the aim of improving turbine performance that has been designed. DS wind turbine is a combination of two type of wind turbines, that is Darrieus and Savonius turbine, both turbines are intentionally developed In order to get self-starting on turbine Savonius with low wind speed and able to extract the speed of engine into energy well at high wind speed through Cherrie Darrieus. This study was conducted to analyze the performance of the DS turbine in the wind speed to be energized through the turbine rotation and power to be generated. The DS wind turbine is designed to start rotating at a speed of 8 m/s in velocity of wind, meanwhile the maximum power generated by turbine is 48,23 Watts.


In this paper, we seek to improve the faithfulness of TempRel extraction models from two perspectives. The first perspective is to extract genuinely based on contextual description. To achieve this, we propose to conduct counterfactual analysis to attenuate the effects of two significant types of training biases: the event trigger bias and the frequent label bias. We also add tense information into event representations to explicitly place an emphasis on the contextual description. The second perspective is to provide proper uncertainty estimation and abstain from extraction when no relation is described in the text. By parameterization of Dirichlet Prior over the model-predicted categorical distribution, we improve the model estimates of the correctness likelihood and make TempRel predictions more selective. We also employ temperature scaling to recalibrate the model confidence measure after bias mitigation. Through experimental analysis on MATRES, MATRES-DS, and TDDiscourse, we demonstrate that our model extracts TempRel and timelines more faithfully compared to SOTA methods, especially under distribution shifts.


Erythrovirus B19 has been associated with an expanding range of clinical disorders since its identification as the etiological agent of erythema infectiosum, or fifth disease of childhood: acute arthropathy, dermatologic manifestations, chronic anemia in immunocompromised patients, and transient aplastic crisis in individuals with underlying chronic hemolytic disorders. Furthermore, exposure to and infection by B19 virus can lead to serious complications during pregnancy, which may result in fetal anemia, spontaneous abortion, and hydrops fetalis. Consequently, the B19 immune status of pregnant women should be routinely determined. Because many immunocompromised patients with chronic anemia will respond positively to intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, laboratory confirmation of B19 infection is required. Since Erythrovirus B19 cannot be routinely grown in vitro, diagnostic methods for detecting the presence of B19 by molecular techniques or by investigating the specific immune response should be considered in clinical microbiology laboratories.


Recent results in sensor-based motion planning suggest that the collision avoidance task can be handled automatically, thus freeing the operator for global control. Whole-sensitive arm manipulators bodies are covered with a sensitive skin sensor to detect nearby objects are proposed for this purpose. The data from the sensitive skin is used with the sensor data processing and motion planning algorithms to avoid collisions for the entire robot arm body in an unknown or time-varying environment. The result is a highly efficient, safe, and robust hybrid system in which the shift motion control between the operator and the automatic system is done transparently and in real-time. The motion of the master arm is either executed faithfully, or, to avoid collisions, is used as general guidance for the slave arm.<<ETX>>


Modern research in code generators for dense linear algebra computations has shown the ability to produce optimized code with a performance which compares and often exceeds the one of state-of-the-art implementations by domain ex-perts. However, the underlying infrastructure is often developed in isolation making the interconnection of logically combinable systems complicated if not impossible. In this paper, we propose to leverage MLIR as a unifying compiler infrastructure for the optimization of dense linear algebra operations. We propose a new MLIR dialect for expressing linear algebraic computations including matrix properties to enable high-level algorithmic transformations. The integration of this new dialect in MLIR enables end-to-end compilation of matrix computations via conversion to existing lower-level dialects already provided by the framework.


There are large amounts of cars passing through the streets every day and this increases significantly in the morning or evening rush hours. The automotive industry has evolved greatly and many technologies have been introduced to automate many of its functions. The emergence of driverless vehicles has led to a boom in the world of automotive technology, because of its importance in creating a new environment and new concepts aimed at human conformability and increased productivity. Many solutions have been appeared to offer suitable self-driving vehicles environment that is capable to overcome the arising problems. When the self-driving vehicles are well equipped, the only remaining goal is how to control external communications with other vehicles, with updates that can appear in the road and with main center. This paper proposed code division multiple access as a communication technology to overcome the problems may appeared in time division multiple access. The synergy efforts in both industry and research centers giving powerful push to the intelligent transporting system. The proposed system of robot cars is implemented through high way environment scenario. The communication system is implemented via code division multiple access (CDMA) to realize high security, high quality of services, robustness and high capacity.


The aim of this work was to build a device allowing the measurement of tribocharging during the fluidization and pneumatic transport of automotive powder coatings. The experimental setup included a fluidization unit, a transport pipe and two 'Faraday cups' allowing continuous monitoring of particle charge. Two batches of industrial automotive powder primers, as well as several other types of powders were tested: alumina, silica... The experimental variables were the length of the conveying pipe and the air flow rate. The results showed that the net amount of acquired tribocharge increases with the length of conveying pipe. The experimental device and procedure allowed to well classify tested powders according to their rate of tribocharging and their maximum charge. More specially, this study pointed out a net difference between electrostatic properties of two powder primers, which behave very differently in the industrial application unit.


Stripping crystallization (SC) is introduced in this work for chiral purification of R-phenylglycinol from the enantiomer mixture with an initial concentration ranging from 0.90 to 0.97. As opposed to the solid–liquid transformation in melt crystallization, the three-phase transformation occurs in SC at low pressures during the cooling process. SC combines melt crystallization and vaporization to produce a crystalline product and mixture vapor from a mixture melt due to the three-phase transformation. Thermodynamic calculations were applied to determine the operating pressure for the three-phase transformation during the cooling process in the SC experiments. To consider the possible deviations between the calculated and the actual three-phase transformation conditions, the product purity and the recovery ratio of R-phenylglycinol were investigated within a range of operating pressures during the cooling process.


The vehicle dynamic state is essential for stability control and decision-making
 of intelligent vehicles. However, these states cannot usually be measured
 directly and need to be obtained indirectly using additional estimation
 algorithms. Unfortunately, most of the existing estimation methods ignore the
 effect of data loss on estimation accuracy. Furthermore, high-order filters have
 been proven that can significantly improve estimation performance. Therefore, a
 second-order fault-tolerant extended Kalman filter (SOFTEKF) is designed to
 predict the vehicle state in the case of data loss. The loss of sensor data is
 described by a random discrete distribution. Then, an estimator of minimum
 estimation error covariance is derived based on the extended Kalman filter (EKF)
 framework. Finally, experimental tests demonstrate that the SOFTEKF can reduce
 the effect of data loss and improve estimation accuracy by at least 10.6%
 compared to the traditional EKF and fault-tolerant EKF.


Crystal structure and structural disorder of Ba3MgSi2O8 were reinvestigated by laboratory X-ray powder diffraction. The title compound was found to be trigonal with space group P3m1, Z=1, and unit-cell dimensions a=0.561 453(4) nm, c=0.727 629(4) nm, and V=0.198 641(2) nm3. The initial structural model used for structure refinement was taken from that of glaserite (K3NaS2O8) and modified by a split-atom model. In the split-atom model, one of the two types of Ba sites and that of SiO4 tetrahedra were, respectively, positionally and orientationally disordered. The new crystal structure and structural disorder were refined by the Rietveld method. The maximum-entropy-method-based pattern fitting (MPF) method was used to confirm the validity of the split-atom model, in which conventional structure bias caused by assuming intensity partitioning was minimized. The final reliability indices calculated from MPF were Rwp=6.52%, S=1.36, Rp=4.84%, RB=0.97%, and RF=0.52%. Details of the disorder structure of Ba3MgSi2O8 are shown in the three-dimensional and two-dimensional electron-density distribution maps determined by MPF.


Abstract Analyses of 94 Fund for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education (FIPSE)-sponsored drug-prevention programs and their outcomes used the Core Survey to identify 34 institutions where college students' binge drinking increased (M = 5.44%) and 60 institutions where it decreased (M = -4.59%) during 2 years of program operation. The authors used an inductively derived taxonomy of prevention program elements, student variables, student substance use, use-related variables, and institutional variables to compare the 2 groups of institutions. Only prevention program elements discriminated between groups. Factor analysis of discriminating elements identified 8 prevention factors that improved base-rate prediction of institutional decrease in binge drinking by 28.1%. Factor synthesis yielded a 3-construct binge-drinking prevention model based on student participation and involvement strategies, educational and informational processes, and campus regulatory and physical change efforts. This model improved base-rate prediction of decreased binge drinking by 33.2%.


Capsule: Carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations in the burrows of sand martins Riparia riparia increase with depth but have no detectable impact on fledging success. Aims: To investigate whether burrow depth and CO2 concentrations influence reproductive success in sand martins. Methods: We monitored two Sand Martin colonies along the River Lune, Lancashire (UK) to investigate the effect of burrow depth on reproductive success. We also measured CO2 levels in a sample of burrows to test whether burrow depth predicts CO2 concentration, and to test for a relationship between CO2 concentration and breeding success. Results: Burrow depth was significantly correlated with fledging success, but the correlation was positive in first broods and negative in second broods. The highest CO2 concentration recorded was 73 650 ppm and the mean concentration across burrows was 31 757 ppm. However, while CO2 concentrations were positively correlated with burrow depth after controlling for the number and age of nestlings, they were not correlated with reproductive success. Conclusion: There are reproductive costs associated with deeper burrows in second broods, but these could not be attributed to CO2 concentrations despite the exceptionally high levels recorded. This study highlights the need for further investigation into gas exchange and the potential impacts of, or adaptations to, CO2 accumulation in avian burrows.


Atomic force microscopy (AFM, also called scanning force microscopy) is proving to be a useful technique for imaging DNA. Thus it is important to push the limits of AFM imaging in order to explore both what types of DNA can be reliably imaged and identified and also what substrates and methods of sample preparation are suitable. The following advances in AFM of DNA are presented here. (i) DNA molecules as short as 25 bases can be seen by AFM. The short single-stranded DNAs imaged here (25 and 50 bases long) appeared globular in the AFM, perhaps because they are all capable of intramolecular base pairing and because the DNAs were in a Mg(ll) buffer, which facilitates intramolecular cross-bridging. (ii) AFM images in air of short double-stranded DNA molecules, 100-200 bp, gave lengths consistent with A-DNA. (iii) AFM images of poly (A) show both short bent lumpy molecules with an apparent persistence length of 40 nm and long straight molecules with an apparent persistence length of 600 nm. For comparison, the apparent persistence length for double-stranded DNA from phX-174 under the same conditions was 80 nm. (iv) Structures believed to be triple- stranded DNA were seen in samples of poly(dA.poly(dT) and poly (dG).poly(dC). These structures were twice as high as double-stranded DNA and the same width. (v) Entire molecules of lambda DNA, approx. 16 micron long, were imaged clearly in overlapping scans. (vi) Plasmid DNA was imaged on oxidized silicon, although less clearly than on mica.


Respiratory infections pose a serious threat worldwide, and many new antiviral agents and coatings have been developed to reduce the overall risk of viral infection. Here, we evaluate the methodology used to test these antiviral coatings and developed a novel system that is more similar to "real-world" conditions. Contact infection is largely mediated via contact with saliva containing the active virus released as droplets by coughing or sneezing, with these droplets adhering to objects and surfaces and subsequently entering the human body via indirect contact with the mucous membranes. Here, we evaluated the antiviral effect of a known antiviral coating agent using an artificial saliva based system, where artificial saliva containing phages were sprayed onto the antiviral coating under various conditions associated with viral replication and infectious spread. We used a commercially available antiviral coating in this evaluation, and M13 bacteriophages as model viruses. This method enables simple biomimetic evaluations of any product's antiviral effects.


ABSTRACT: The increase in occurrence of infections due to opportunistic gram-negative bacilli in patients with impaired host defences emphasizes the need for information on the antibiotic susceptibility of the organisms that infects such patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa are becoming increasingly resistant to antimicrobial agents, and serious infections caused by these organisms often require immediate attention as they cause treatment failures. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility data are required for successful therapy because acquired resistance to such antimicrobials as β-lactams, fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides is so prevalent in P. aeruginosa . The study was carried out in Chennai during the period May 2007 and March 2009. 69 isolates of Pseudomonas were isolated from HIV and 24 isolates were isolated from Non-HIV populations with lower respiratory tract infections. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of all the isolates was studied for 12 antibiotics to find the multi drug resistant (MDR) isolates for which the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were studied according to CLSI (2009). KEYWORDS : Antibiotic resistance; P. Aeruginosa ; MDR; HIV; Lower respiratory tract infection; MIC Internet Journal of Medical Update 2012 January;7(1):8-12


We study how past exposure to the transatlantic and Indian ocean slave trade has an impact on present attitude towards public health interventions such as vaccination programs in Sub-Saharan Africa. We elaborate on avenues for investigating causal relationship between cultural norms of mistrust inherited by mothers from different ethnic group and their children vaccination decision. Especially, we provide evidence through a rich sample of Demographic Health Survey (DHS) individual level data that ethnicity through its relationship with cultural trust is a salient causal channel. We find a negative and significant effect of slave trade on parent's likelihood to immunize their children against measles. We show that this negative effect goes both through direct vertical transmission of norms by parents and horizontal transmission from negative spillovers of living in low trustworthy environment. There is evidence that both effects are relatively important. We show that the results are not potentially driven by the size effect of the group or discrimination towards smaller ethnic minorities. As for the magnitude of the effect, we find that past exposure to slave trade has a negative impact nearly offsetting the benefit from membership in the highest 20% income quantile. In addition, the associated estimates are higher than the negative effect of distance to health facility on the likelihood of immunization against measles or the positive impact of being born to an employed mother. Our calibration predicts an important decrease in measles incidence in the Hausa ethnic group form Northern Nigeria had they been a slave free group and thus inherited cooperative norms. Using different strategies, we argue that the observed linked is not picking-up the effect of pre-colonial ethnic group characteristics such as centralization or rigidity of social norms. Moreover, a falsification test with less trust sensitive disease such as malaria supports the argument that slave trade is impacting the vaccination decision through its effect on


Four oleanane-type glycosides were isolated from a horticultural cultivar "Green Elf" of the endemic Pittosporum tenuifolium (Pittosporaceae) from New Zealand: three acylated barringtogenol C glycosides from the leaves, with two previously undescribed 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetylbarringtogenol C, 3-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetylbarringtogenol C, and the known 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetylbarringtogenol C (Eryngioside L). From the roots, the known 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-galactopyranosyl-(1→2)-β-d-glucuronopyranosyloleanolic acid (Sandrosaponin X) was identified. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments and mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). According to their structural similarities with gymnemic acids, the inhibitory activities on the sweet taste TAS1R2/TAS1R3 receptor of an aqueous ethanolic extract of the leaves and roots, a crude saponin mixture, 3-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β-d-glucuronopyranosyl-21-O-angeloyl-28-O-acetylbarringtogenol C, and Eryngioside L were evaluated.


Due to its ability to incorporate and leverage time information in relational data, Temporal Knowledge Graph (TKG) learning has become an increasingly studied research field. With the goal of predicting the future, researchers have presented innovative methods for what is called Temporal Knowledge Graph Forecasting. However, the experimental procedures in this line of work show inconsistencies that strongly influence empirical results and thus lead to distorted comparisons among models. This work focuses on the evaluation of TKG Forecasting models: we describe evaluation settings commonly used in this research area and shed light on its scholarship issues. Further, we provide a unified evaluation protocol and carry out a re-evaluation of state-of-the-art models on the most common datasets under such a setting. Finally, we show the difference in results caused by different evaluation settings. We believe that this work provides a solid foundation for future evaluations of TKG Forecasting models and can thus contribute to the development of this growing research area.


Globally, disasters appear to be growing in frequency, intensity and cost. While national governments provide varying levels of assistance to affected populations and regions, are local agencies doing what they can to prepare for the next disaster? This article discusses what can be done, sometimes at minimal cost, to be better prepared to recover economically from the next disaster.


We examine tax data on U.S.based multinational corporations to study responses to the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Changes under the reform tended to push companies toward excess foreign tax credit positions, which gave companies an incentive to reduce foreign taxes. Countries also had an incentive to reduce tax rates to forestall company responses. We find that average foreign tax rates did decrease substantially between 1983 and 1992. This decrease was not caused by changes in income or dividend repatriation patterns, or by changes in the locations of real investments, but primarily by reductions in country average tax rates. The reductions closely paralleled the reduction in the U.S. statutory corporate tax rate.


Interest in studying human posture, movement, and physical activity is growing due in part to the increasing prevalence of obesity. Accelerometers are commonly used in motion analysis systems to enable researchers to conduct studies outside of the traditional laboratory environment; however the available systems tend to be bulky and unsuitable for long-term studies. Therefore, a need exists for a physically robust, yet compact motion analysis system that can be easily worn for an extended time period without disrupting the person's range of motion. Here we describe our on-going efforts to develop a robust, compact system that can measure body posture and movement using a tri-axial accelerometer, and then store this data on a secure digital memory card. This device can be easily configured to collect accelerometer data for specific applications in human motion analysis. In the future, this device will be used to study physical activity in free-living individuals


The transformation of initially isotropic turbulent flow of electrically conducting incompressible viscous fluid under the influence of an imposed homogeneous magnetic field is investigated using direct numerical simulation. Under the assumption of large kinetic and small magnetic Reynolds numbers (magnetic Prandtl number Pm[Lt ]1) the quasi-static approximation is applied for the computation of the magnetic field fluctuations. The flow is assumed to be homogeneous and contained in a three-dimensional cubic box with periodic boundary conditions. Large-scale forcing is applied to maintain a statistically steady level of the flow energy. It is found that the pathway traversed by the flow transformation depends decisively on the magnetic interaction parameter (Stuart number). If the magnetic interaction number is small the flow remains three-dimensional and turbulent and no detectable deviation from isotropy is observed. In the case of a strong magnetic field (large magnetic interaction parameter) a rapid transformation to a purely two-dimensional steady state is obtained in agreement with earlier analytical and numerical results for decaying MHD turbulence. At intermediate values of the magnetic interaction parameter the system exhibits intermittent behaviour, characterized by organized quasi-two-dimensional evolution lasting several eddy-turnover times, which is interrupted by strong three-dimensional turbulent bursts. This result implies that the conventional picture of steady angular energy transfer in MHD turbulence must be refined. The spatial structure of the steady two-dimensional final flow obtained in the case of large magnetic interaction parameter is examined. It is found that due to the type of forcing and boundary conditions applied, this state always occurs in the form of a square periodic lattice of alternating vortices occupying the largest possible scale. The stability of this flow to three-dimensional perturbations is analysed using the energy stability method.


Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) trends have been gaining a great deal of focus in recent decades, as many studies worldwide show a continued rise in incidence rates. Many researchers have begun analyzing socioeconomic data in relation to ASD in an effort to understand the source of these changing rates and the role of awareness and access to resources. In this study, we aim to contribute to this body of knowledge by examining incidence time trends of ASD in Israel according to socioeconomic factors. While similar studies have been conducted in Israel, this study is the first of its kind to include the total population. Individual‐level data from the Israeli National Insurance Institute were used to determine cumulative incidence of ASD, first for the total population, and then stratified by population group and income categories. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit to analyze associations between income category and both risk of ASD and risk of ASD diagnosis in later age. A total of 431,348 children were examined in this study, with 13,841 cases of ASD. The cumulative incidence of all children aged 8 in 2015 was 0.64%, marking an increase compared to previous literature from Israel. Within our study period, ASD incidence followed this increase until the 2009 birth cohort, where it began to stabilize. Our initial findings from regression models showed strong positive associations between household income and ASD incidence, as expected. After factoring in population group, however, the elevated ASD incidence rates in the highest income bracket decreased. Autism Res 2019, 12: 1870–1879. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


This paper presents an iterative method Predictor-Corrector Hally Method (HM) for finding the voltage of a solar cell single diode model from the equivalent circuit. The purposes of the obtained results are to reduce the number of iterations. Two numerically methods are applied and compared; newton's and Hally methods. The results showed that the proposed is the most efficient compare with NRM. The goal of the present work; the results obtained of PV parameters by means of various techniques and these results are compared and discussed. The acquired results presented the suggested technique (HM) was a sufficient and effective tool for solving the solar cell's model with a least iterations. All the calculations are achieved using Matlab program


Nicotinic acetylcholine α7 receptors (α7 nAChRs) have a well-known modulator effect in neuroinflammation. Yet, the therapeutical effect of α7 nAChRs activation after stroke has been scarcely evaluated to date. The role of α7 nAChRs activation with PHA 568487 on inflammation after brain ischemia was assessed with positron emission tomography (PET) using [18F]DPA-714 and [18F]BR-351 radiotracers after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. The assessment of brain oedema, blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption and neurofunctional progression after treatment was evaluated with T2 weighted and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (T2 W and DCE-MRI) and neurological evaluation. The activation of α7 nAChRs resulted in a decrease of ischemic lesion, midline displacement and cell neurodegeneration from days 3 to 7 after ischemia. Besides, the treatment with PHA 568487 improved the neurofunctional outcome. Treated ischemic rats showed a significant [18F]DPA-714-PET uptake reduction at day 7 together with a decrease of activated microglia/infiltrated macrophages. Likewise, the activation of α7 receptors displayed an increase of [18F]BR-351-PET signal in ischemic cortical regions, which resulted from the overactivation of MMP-2. Finally, the treatment with PHA 568487 showed a protective effect on BBB disruption and blood brain vessel integrity after cerebral ischemia.


Individuals who reproduce asexually have a two-fold advantage over their sexually-reproducing counterparts as they are able to reproduce twice as fast. Explaining why sexual reproduction is favoured over asexual reproduction therefore remains an important challenge in evolutionary biology. Various mechanisms involving resistance to parasites, adaptation to novel environments and helping to purge the genome of deleterious mutations have all been proposed as potential mechanisms which could promote the evolution of sex. A recent article has suggested that spiteful males may help to reduce the two-fold advantage of asexual females. Here I discuss this idea, and further ask whether punishment of asexual females by sexual females could be one way in which sexual reproduction could be maintained in groups of animals; in light of recent research on the repression of competition, it could be possible that asexual females which reproduce faster than their sexual counterparts will be punished for using group resources. It may therefore be possible that the behaviour of sexual individuals towards asexual females could have fitness consequences which could potentially reduce the two-fold advantage they gain from reproducing parthenogenetically.


: This investigation of the impact of microwave radiation on the state of water has indicated that concurrently with thermal exposure, there are cooperative processes that affect the structural and energetic state of its metastable phase.


Abstract The time span between 2014 and 2020 constitutes a new, multi-annual financial framework. During this time, by negotiating with the European Union, Romania received financing through 5 major types of funds which were part of the European Structural Investments Funds (ESIF) and which were structured in six major Operational Programs, the most consistent of which is POIM - The Major Infrastructure Operational Program (MIOP). Within this financial framework, Romania needs to improve its absorption of funds based on the experience gained in the previous framework, with regards to issues like bureaucracy, corruption, lack of qualified personnel for the implementation of projects, the transition from the quantitative side of projects to the qualitative one, and the lack of a strategic vision. The country shouldn't continue with justifications of powerlessness that are divided between political and economic factors. Romania needs a viable solution in terms of absorption, because otherwise economic and social development projects cannot be carried out in the near future. Romania's problem is that, after 2020, it has to absorb an amount of around 80 billion euros in European Funds coming from both the Recovery and Resilience Program and the 2021-2027 allocation.


Tobacco establishing various ecotypes in different ecological zones is one of the crop plants having high genetic variability. In previous years, tobacco ecotypes were conserved by tobacco farming controlled governmentally. But now tobacco sector is privatized. As a result of privatization, companies in tobacco sector have adopted a few ecotypes based on tobacco farming. This phenomenon has increased the risk of extinction for the present genetic variability and now some cultivars are nearly extinct. In this study, conducted to prevent genetic resource erosion, different tobacco ecotypes were determined by visiting the tobacco fields in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia Region. Some morphological, technique and yield characters of the cultivars were compared by farming them in field via seed. 12 characters of the cultivars were tabulated. Seeds of cultivars, characters of which were determined were delivered to Seed Gene Bank of Turkey. many fields of the region, different to each other both ecologically and geographically. Broad leaf webby butt and less webby butt types as well as small leaf webby butt types could be encountered in the region and they had been farmed in their own populations. These researchers indicated the presence of Yayladağ, Malatya, Adıyaman, İskenderun, Diyarbakır, Siirt, Mardin, Muş, Bitlis and Şemdinli populations. The mentioned populations were different from those of Aegean, Marmara and Black Sea regions in terms of their physical and blend characters. "Tombeki" and "Hasankeyf" tobaccos of Nicotiana rustica were also present in the region. Ketenci (1985) reported that tobacco was farmed by using the unaccredited seeds and tobaccos having different appearance from different origins were farmed in the same field in Malatya and Adıyaman-Çelikhan 676, a certificated breeding cultivar for the region was degenerated over time and the cultivar could satisfy neither producer nor management in that its yield and quality. Virginia tobacco, substituted for eastern tobaccos, was tried to farm in Urfa surrounding not to cause the unemployment of farmers from eastern regions, farming tobacco for many years. Results indicated that it was possible to farm Virginia tobacco in this region, but not possible to reach the same quality of that, farmed in its own ecology. Researcher concluded that appropriate farming applications as trashing and using of high quality seed were key factors to increase quality of our eastern tobaccos. On the other hand, it is possible to use thick veined eastern tobaccos in blends at the rate of 10% by paying more attention the farming applications. Tobacco fields of the region constituting significant rate of Turkish tobacco production in total are generally mountainous terrains with high altitude. Tobaccos of region have generally stronger


We studied 16 patients undergoing open-heart surgery and heart-lung bypass, to examine the relationship between ionized calcium and lactate. Blood was sampled at successive stages of the operation for measurement of ionized and total calcium, lactate, blood gases, pH, hematocrit, and other constituents. We found that correlations between ionized calcium and lactate were positive and statistically significant (p less than 0.05), both among and within patients. The linear regression of ionized calcium on lactate remained highly significant (p less than 0.0001) after adjustment for variability among patients and across operative stages as well as after correction for pH and hemodilution. The significant regressions between calcium and lactate, both before and after administration of calcium, indicate a relationship for calcium and lactate in patients undergoing open-heart surgery.


Hexane, the common solvent for extraction of edible oils from seeds is no more considered safe due to the presence of solvent in oil and also solvent vapour, a hazardous air pollutant. We have carried out the experiments with bahera (Terminalia bellerica Roxb) and flax seed (Linum usitatissimum ) oil as these oils are highly used in food for their nutraceutical values. The extraction of edible oil was performed with different solvents and their azeotropic mixtures such as azeotrope solvent Ethyl acetate + water (91.53%+8.47%) and Ethanol + water (95.4% +4.4%).
Of many protic organic solvents such as methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and ethyl acetate, mixture of ethanol and ethyl acetate were found to be of advantageous as organic impurities are minimum compare to absolute non-protic organic solvent extracted oil.
The oil extraction was temperature dependent. The properties such as refractive index, density, saponifiation and free fatty acid values were also affected by type of solvent used in the extraction process.


Non-exhaust emission (NEE) from brake and tyre wear cause deleterious effects on human health, but the relationship with mobility has not been thoroughly examined. We construct an in silico agent-based traffic simulator for Central Seoul to illustrate the coupled problems of emissions, behaviour, and the estimated exposure to PM10 (particles less than 10 microns in size) for groups of drivers and subway commuters. The results show that significant extra particulates relative to the background exist along roadways where NEEs contributed some 40% of the roadside PM10. In terms of health risk, 88% of resident drivers had an acute health effect in late March but that kind of emergence rarely happened. By contrast, subway commuters' health risk peaked at a maximum of 30% with frequent oscillations whenever the air pollution episodes occurred. A 90% vehicle restriction scenario reduced PM10 by 18-24%, and reduced the resident driver's risk by a factor of 2, but not effective for subway commuters as the group generally walked through background areas rather than along major roadways. Using an agent-based traffic simulator in a health context can give insights into how exposure and health outcomes can depend on the time of exposure and the mode of transport.


In this article, the Meixner-like model is used to represent the linear discrete-time system in comparison with the Laguerre model. Furthermore, we propose from input/output measurements a new recursive representation of the Meixner-like model. However, a significant approximation of this model is subject to an optimal choice of Meixner-like parameters: pole, order of generalization and Fourier coefficients. The present research yields a series of computational experiments, through a simulation example of a linear parameter varying (LPV) system. This study tests this approach, verifies the theoretical results and points out the positive outcomes of using the Meixner-like model in comparison with the Laguerre model.


Bjokapakha is the language of the Bjokapa people living in the Bjoka geo within
the Zh'amgang district in south-eastern Bhutan. Since 2012, I have conducted field
research in Geneva with two speakers of the Bjokapakha language. This resulted
in a sketch grammar written as a Master's thesis, representing the first descriptive
account of Bjokapakha. The language belongs to the Tshangla cluster of the
Trans-Himalayan language stock. The Tshangla branch is far from being exhausti-
vely documented, rather most of the varieties remain undescribed which makes in-
depth comparative studies within the Tshangla branch impossible. Major descrip-
tions of Tshangla languages have been crafted by Andvik (2010) and Bodt (2012),
other documentations include the wordlist by Egli-Roduner (1987) and the sketch
grammar on Central Monpa by Das Gupta (1968).
Bjokapakha exhibits several linguistic traits which differ from the Tshangla, as
described by Andvik (2010) and the variety presented as Standard Tshangla in
Bodt (2012). Rather, Bjokapakha resembles some of the archaic varieties of
Tshangla, i.e. the Dungsam dialects, in presenting a number of linguistic features
which are not found in other varieties and which are deemed to be archaic. This
makes Bjokapakha of major interest for a diachronic understanding of the Tshan-
gla subgroup as a whole. In addition to these archaic features, Bjokapakha repre-
sents a particularly intriguing Tshangla variety because the language verges on
several other language groups in Bhutan, such as the East Bodish language
Khengkha and the Trans-Himalayan isolate Gongduk, resulting in various peculiar
contact influences. In this talk, the most salient features of Bjokapakha grammar shall be presented in a synoptic way and the most striking diverging and archaic
traits with respect to other Tshangla varieties shall be shown.

Andvik, Erik (2010). A Grammar of Tshangla. Leiden/Boston: Brill. (Languages of
the Greater Himalayan Region, vol. 5/10).
Bodt, Timotheus A. (2012). The New Lamp Clarifying the History, Peoples, Lan-
guages and Traditions of Eastern Bhutan and Eastern Mon. Wageningen: Monpa-
sang Publications.
Das Gupta, K. (1968). An Introduction to Central Monpa. Itanagar: Directorate of
Research, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Egli-Roduner, Susanna (1987). Handbook of the Sharchhokpa-lo/Tsangla (lan-
guage of the people of Eastern Bhutan). Thimpu: Helvetas. Swiss Association for
Development and Cooperation.


Building on the integrative career competencies framework, we examined the indirect association between career competencies, assessed at graduation, and subjective career success (SCS) via employability activities, both assessed six months after graduation, among a sample of 613 Italian graduates. We also examined the moderating role of three facets of academic satisfaction (i.e., vocational choice, educational goals, and occupational prospects). Our findings showed an indirect relation between career competencies and SCS through employability activities. Furthermore, academic satisfaction acted as a moderator. The results of this time-lagged study, that tapped into the actual transition into work process, have implications for (1) school-to-work transitions, providing insights into graduates' transition into the labor market, (2) employability, focusing on employability activities and providing additional knowledge on their antecedents and outcomes, and (3) career competencies, providing further empirical evidence that career competencies are an important resource that graduates can mobilize to during and after their school-to-work transition.


When holding a "town meeting" during a visit to Strasbourg early in his term of office, President Obama told a German student, "We spend so much time talking about democracy— and obviously we should be promoting democracy everywhere we can. " 1 One might, of course, write a full essay about the extent to which we should or, perhaps more to the point, can, promote democracy throughout the world, but that is not my concern in this essay. Instead, I take it as a given that most Americans, regardless of political affiliation, broadly support such a commitment, even if there might be differences of opinion over the limits suggested by the "we can" at the end. If "ought implies can," after all, then perceptions of practical possibility might well temper the enthusiasm for what I would label the international "democracy project" conducted by American presidents, with various degrees of enthusiasm, at least since Woodrow Wilson (and domestically by their predecessors going back most famously to Abraham Lincoln). The obvious issue presented by the "democracy project," whether foreign or domestic, is what counts as its achievement. If, as is patently the case, "democracy" is a model example of what political theorists have grown to call "essentially contested concepts," then different definitions may have considerably different ramifications, not only for actual effectuation but also for the normative evaluation of what is achieved. So consider President Obama's own elaboration of what he meant by "democracy":


There is a close parallel between the bases for the classic Darlington (passive) network synthesis procedure and the recent Szentirmai active-network synthesis procedure. The two essentially differ only in exchanging oddness for evenness in network parameters and terminations, and reactive power for real power in the basic equation. The somewhat more general basis thus offered for the Szentirmai procedure should stimulate research in active-network synthesis.


The bending strength and fracture behaviors of Ni50Mn29Ga21 alloy with terbium were investigated. The results show that the bending strength of the alloy is increased dramatically with the increase of terbium content. The fracture appearance of the sample without terbium is dominated by grain boundary fracture, while that with terbium is dominated by cleavage fracture with the increase of terbium content.Moreover, the grains are refined obviously and the oxygen content is decreased after adding terbium.


The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that human bladder smooth muscle cells (HBSM) remodel electrospun fibrinogen mats. Fibrinogen scaffolds were electrospun and disinfected using standard methods. Scaffolds were seeded with 5 × 104 HBSM per scaffold. Cultures were supplemented with aprotinin concentrations of 0 KIU ml−1 (no aprotinin), 100 KIU ml−1 or 1000 KIU ml−1 and incubated with twice weekly media changes. Samples were removed for evaluation at 1, 3, 7 and 14 days. Cultured scaffolds were evaluated with a WST-1 cell proliferation assay, scanning electron microscopy and histology. Cell culture demonstrated that HBSM readily migrated into and initiated remodelling of the electrospun fibrinogen scaffolds by deposition of collagen. Proliferation was suppressed during this initial phase with respect to a 2D control due to cell migration. Histology confirmed that proliferation increased during the later stages of remodelling. Remodelling was slower at higher aprotinin concentrations. These results demonstrate that HBSM rapidly remodel an electrospun fibrinogen scaffold and deposit native collagen. The process can be modulated using aprotinin, a protease inhibitor. These initial findings indicate that there is tremendous potential for electrospun fibrinogen as a urologic tissue engineering scaffold with the ultimate goal of producing an implantable acellular product that would promote cellular in-growth and in situ tissue regeneration.


An autoassociative network of Potts units, coupled via tensor connections, has been proposed and analysed as an effective model of an extensive cortical network with distinct short- and long-range synaptic connections, but it has not been clarified in what sense it can be regarded as an effective model. We draw here the correspondence between the two, which indicates the need to introduce a local feedback term in the reduced model, i.e. in the Potts network. An effective model allows the study of phase transitions. As an example, we study the storage capacity of the Potts network with this additional term, the local feedback w, which contributes to drive the activity of the network towards one of the stored patterns. The storage capacity calculation, performed using replica tools, is limited to fully connected networks, for which a Hamiltonian can be defined. To extend the results to the case of intermediate partial connectivity, we also derive the self-consistent signal-to-noise analysis for the Potts network; and finally we discuss the implications for semantic memory in humans.


Introduction: Most patients with papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) have an excellent prognosis. Ki-67 is marker of proliferation, and proliferative index more than 5% as calculated with the MIB-1 antibody indicates a worse prognosis in PTC. This study was performed in order to investigate and evaluate expression of MIB-1 in a cohort of adult PTC patients who were exposed in their childhood to radioactivity from the Chornobyl accident in 1986. Materials and Methods: 70 patients (60 females and 10 males, mean age 30,5 (19-39)) operated on for PTC during 2004-2008 were identified for the study. Two groups were established according to diagnosis. Group 1 consisted of patients with PTC only (n=53). Group 2 consisted of patients with PTC and co-existing chronic lymphatic thyroiditis (n= 17). Proliferative activity was measured by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal MIB-1 antibody against nuclear factor Ki-67. A minimum of 2000 tumor cells were calculated and the percentage of positive cells (MIB-1 index) was compared with clinical data. Results: MIB-1 index was higher in Group 2 (mean 3,65) compared with Group 1 (mean 1,97) (p=0,005). No other clinical features could be correlated with the MIB-1 index. 26% of patients in Group 1 had lymph node metastases, and 23% in Group 2. The mean tumor size was slightly higher in Group 1 (2 cm) compared with Group 2 (1,75 cm). Age at diagnosis (30,5) and age at the Chornobyl accident (11) were identical between the groups. Conclusions: The clinical features of this cohort of adult PTC patients exposed to the radioactive fallout from the Chornobyl accident seem no different to other PTC cohorts. However, a rather large proportion of patients showed signs of coexisting thyroiditis. Whether the elevated MIB-1 index in this group of patients reflects a worse prognosis is yet not possible to say due to the short follow-up time. Still, a closer follow-up may be justified. Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010 because the presenter was unable to attend. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr LB-219.


In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized using Moringa oliefera leaf extract in two phases system of n-hexane-water. The presence of secondary metabolites in n-hexane acts as a weak base source and precursor of Zn(NO3)2, in water were needed for the formation of ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO nanoparticles were further characterized using UV-Vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy(DRS), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-Ray (SEM-EDX), and Tunneling Electron Microscopy (TEM). Based on TEM characterization, the particles size of ZnO nanoparticles was approximately 67 nm. The band gap energy of ZnO was 3.2 eV. The photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanoparticles were observed through the methylene blue (MB) degradation under UV-light irradiation. The percentage of MB degradation was 99 % for 2 h.


Background and aim: The On-X prosthesis is the only mechanical aortic valve available in the market to have a proved safety and feasibility at lower INR regimen. The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the early and mid-term outcomes of the modified Bentall procedure with the O4n-X mechanical conduit. Methods: From January 2012 to December 2016, 108 consecutive patients (mean age 51.9 ± 12.5 years) underwent Bentall operation with On-X in our institution. Main indications were degenerative ascending aorta aneurysms (55.6%) and aortic dissections (20.4%). Seventeen (15.7%) were redo operations. Associated procedures were performed in 40 cases (37.0%); of them, 27 (25.0%) were complete or partial arch replacements. Mean follow-up time was 35.1 ± 16.1 months (97.1% complete). After 2015, a lower INR regimen of 1.5 to 2 was applied in association with aspirin. Results: Overall In-hospital mortality was 2.8%. Morbidity included: 1 stroke (0.9%), 2 acute kidney injuries (2.9%) and 5 re-thoracotomies for bleeding (4.6%). Actuarial survival at 5 years was 95.2 %. Freedom from aortic re-operation was 100%. At 5 years no thromboembolic or haemorrhagic events were observed and only 1 patient had an infective endocarditis (figure 1). Conclusions: The modified Bentall operation confirmed to be a safe and durable operation for the treatment of ascending aorta pathologies. The On-X conduit showed very satisfactory early results even in cases with unfavourable anatomy. This prosthesis also guarantees safe mid-term durability associated with a very low incidence of thromboembolism regardless of the lower INR regimen.


Bacterial wilt and brown rot disease caused by Ralstonia solanacearum species complex (RSSC) is one of the major constraints of potato (Solanum tuberosum) production around the globe. During 2017-2018 an extensive field survey was conducted in six potato-growing provinces of Iran to monitor the status of bacterial wilt disease. Pathogenicity and host range assays using 59 bacterial strains isolated in Iran showed that they were pathogenic on eggplant, red nightshade, pepper, potato and tomato, while nonpathogenic on common bean, cowpea, cucumber, sunflower, zinnia and zucchini. PCR-based diagnosis revealed that the strains belong to the phylotype IIB/sequevar 1 (IIB/I) lineage of the RSSC. Furthermore, a five-gene multilocus sequence analysis and typing (i.e. egl, fliC, gyrB, mutS, rplB) confirmed the phylogenetically near-homogeneous nature of the strains within IIB/I lineage. Four sequence types were identified among 58 IIB/1 strains isolated in Iran. Phylogenetically near-homogeneous nature of the strains in Iran raise questions about the mode of inoculum entry of the bacterial wilt pathogen into the country (one-time introduction vs. multiple introductions), while the geographic origin of the Iranian R. solanacearum strains remains undetermined. Furthermore, sequence typing showed that there were shared alleles (haplotypes) and sequence types among the strains isolated in geographically distant areas in Iran, suggesting intra-national transmission of the pathogen in the country.


This paper presents a mobile-agent and OSGi based three-tier control system architecture for smart home. In the OSGi platform of home gateway, UPnP technology and intelligent agent technology works together to achieve automation of devices discovery, registry, and management. By means of OSGi middleware and mobile agent technology, the proposed hierarchical architecture supports remote devices control and fault diagnosis, dynamic service provisioning, flexible system performance management, integration of heterogeneous devices, and agent-based distributed control.


This study intends to examine the behavioral pattern and small area variations of health service utilization within Wonju city. We selected three small areas in Wonju city as the study site: Haksung-dong(central area of the city), Moonmak-myun (industrial area which is located 25km away from the center of the city), and Gure-myun (agricultural area which is located 32km away from the center). The data were collected by administering questionnaire interviews with 526 people in three areas. The questionnaire include the items on health service utilization behaviors, sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and perceptions. The statistical methods used for the analysis were ANOVA and hierarchical logistic regression. From the analysis, it was found that there was a variation of health service utilization by areas. Compared to those of other areas, the respondents from agricultural area showed a high probability of using health services. When respondents' personal characteristics were taken into account, the effect of dummy variables representing areas disappeared. Instead, the perceived health status became the prime factor of health service utilization. This result showed that the small area variations of health service utilization is due to the demand factor rather than the supply factor.


Children's eating habits form in the family, because family eating habits determine the children's diets. The cooperation between parents and teachers is of importance for development of healthy eating habits of children. The aim of this study was to analyze primary school children eating characteristics at home and at school. The survey was conducted in fourteen schools in Western Lithuania. The survey involved 490 children of 3rd and 4th forms. Study revealed that only about one-third of primary school children eat 3 or 4 times per day. One tenth of children takes dietary recommendations and eats 5 times per day. Breakfast always eat a little more than half of the respondents, lunch and dinner always eat higher proportion of children. On weekdays lunch in the school canteen eat more than half of the respondents. For breakfast, children normally choose sandwiches, porridge, cakes, for lunch - meat, potatoes, soup, fish, and for dinner - fruit, boiled or baked potatoes and meat products. Chocolates and crisps as a snack prefer more boys than girls. They are more likely than girls eat pizza, hot dogs and sweets. When eating in the school canteen, half of them chooses only the second dish and almost the same part of children choose soup plus a second dish. About half of the respondents sometimes speak with their parents about healthy eating, and with families grow their own vegetables and fruit. About one third of the children often or sometimes with their parents prepares meals with healthy food, and buys ecological products.


Abstract This paper develops a framework to enhance the use of Soft Systems Methodology or SSM in Mode 2, with the aim of learning about Online Distance Learning or ODE in the country of Saudi Arabia. Mode 2 focuses on learning by mapping, internalising and reflecting on SSM principles, stages or techniques to make sense of situations as fluxes of events. This mode of use has been scarce in the literature in the last 20 years, partly because of the popularity of a more explicit Mode 1 of use which advocates explicit and participative application of SSM stages and methods. In the case under study, one of us (the researcher) engaged with ODE as an area of exploration; difficulties of access to the situation led her to shift to a Mode 2 of SSM use, and include Kolb's experiential learning theory/model in her framework of ideas (F) to refine her initial learning framework. We discuss implications for SSM use to enhance learning of researchers in the future.


This research examined fatalism, the belief in external control over life chances, as a risk factor for adolescent depression. Data were analyzed from a large (N = 5,423) sample of adolescents attending middle school in an ethnically diverse community in the southwest. It was hypothesized that adolescents who demonstrated greater fatalism would have a higher risk for depression. Bivariate associations between fatalism and depression were substantial, with an odds ratio (OR) of nearly 25 for depression with impairment and nearly 13 for depression without impairment. Adjustment for the effects of 10 covariates drawn from three domains (status attributes, stressors, and personal/social resources) essentially eliminated the association between fatalism and depression with impairment. However, the OR was still 2.6. The significant association between fatalism and depression without impairment (OR = 2.7) remained after adjustment for covariates. The results provide further support for models of depression which emphasize the role of psychosocial deficits. In this case, we found depression was associated not only with greater fatalism but also greater pessimism, lower self-esteem, more passive coping, and less social support.


Large-scale HLA-based simulations are susceptible to performance issues caused by load imbalances. High Level Architecture (HLA) was designed to organize distributed simulations, but it does not provide any mechanism to prevent imbalances. Also, several load balancing schemes have been proposed to properly re-arrange simulation load, but they do not present all the features needed for large-scale environments. A hierarchical, distributed balancing scheme has been designed to support the execution of such simulations, however, due to the balancing inter-relations, heterogeneity of resources, and cyclic load changes, the scheme reacts unnecessarily. Thus, a self-adaptive balancing scheme is proposed in order to dynamically re-configure the redistribution scheme and avoid the ones that are needless. Experimental results showed that the adaption technique improved the balancing efficiency since less migrations were required to achieve similar or better performance.


During a hypothetical severe accident in a nuclear power plant (NPP), hydrogen is generated by the active reaction of fuel-cladding and steam in the reactor pressure vessel and released with steam into the containment. In order to mitigate hydrogen hazards possibly occurred in the NPP containment, hydrogen mitigation system (HMS) is usually adopted. The design of the next generation NPP (APR1400) designed in Korea specifies 26 passive autocatalytic recombiners and 10 igniters installed in the containment for the hydrogen mitigation. In this study, the analysis of the hydrogen and steam behavior during a total loss of feed water (TLOFW) accident in the APR1400 containment has been conducted by using the CFD code GASFLOW. During the accident, a huge amount of hot water, steam, and hydrogen is released in the in-containment refueling water storage tank (IRWST). The current design of the APR1400 includes flap-type dampers at the IRWST vents which are operated depending on the pressure difference between inside and outside of the IRWST. It was found that the flaps strongly affects the flow structure of the steam and hydrogen in the containment. The possibilities of a flame acceleration and transition from deflagration to detonation (DDT) were evaluated by using Sigma-Lambda criteria. Numerical results indicate the DDT possibility could be heavily reduced in the IRWST compartment when the flaps are installed.


Purpose: To examine whether differences exist in interpupillary distance (IPD) and pupil diameter (PD) between professional baseball players compared to non-athletes (males and females). Methods: 149 Major League Baseball (MLB) athletes and 416 non-athletes (NA) were examined on the RightEye IPD/ PD test. One-way analysis of variance with Levene tests for testing assumption of variances were performed. If assumptions were violated, the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to analyze group differences with Tukey and Dunnett (T3) post-hoc tests. Alpha was set to p<0.05. Results: For IPD, there was a significant difference (p<0.0005) between female non-athletes, male non-athletes, and MLB players. IPD did not meet the assumption of homogeneity of variance (p<0.0005). Post-hoc tests indicated that for IPD, all three groups were significantly different from one another. Female non-athletes had the smallest IPD. Male nonathletes had a larger IPD than female athletes. MLB players had the largest IPD. For PD, there was a significant difference (< 0.0005) between female non-athletes, male non-athletes, and MLB players. Post-hoc tests indicated that for PD, male and female non-athletes were not significantly different from one another. MLB players were, however, significantly different from female non-athletes and from male non-athletes. Both male and female non-athletes had a larger PD than MLB players. Conclusions: Past research has shown that IPD and PD affect important visual skills needed for playing baseball, such as stereo acuity, convergence, accommodation, and image quality. Differences in IPD and PD may provide another component in the equation that determines success.


The constant capacitance model, a chemical surface complexation model, was applied to arsenate, As(V), adsorption on 49 soils selected for variation in soil properties. The constant capacitance model was able to fit arsenate adsorption on all soils by optimizing either three monodentate or two bidentate As(V) surface complexation constants. A general regression model was developed for predicting soil As(V) surface complexation constants from easily measured soil chemical characteristics. These chemical properties were cation exchange capacity (CEC), inorganic C (IOC) content, organic C (OC) content, iron oxide content, and surface area (SA). The prediction equations were used to obtain values for the As(V) surface complexation constants for five additional soils, thereby providing a completely independent evaluation of the ability of the constant capacitance model to describe As(V) adsorption. The model's ability to predict As(V) adsorption was quantitative on three soils, semi-quantitative on one soil, and poor on another soil. Incorporation of these prediction equations into chemical speciation-transport models will allow simulation of soil solution As(V) concentrations under diverse agricultural and environmental conditions without the requirement of soil specific adsorption data and subsequent parameter optimization.


Book synopsis: This book explores a variety of perspectives on the making of public policy. Also exploring the impact upon groups and individuals on the 'making' and the 'receiving' ends. Its aim is to bring policy making alive to students and general readers. It deals with policy dynamics at national and other levels of governance. This book comprehensively explores the links between policy and battles over political values, responses to electoral preferences, challenging social and cultural issues, the assumptions of the powerful, and national and international economic and political pressures. It compares and contrasts policy-making across countries, using key case-studies. Different theories of policy-making are also explored, including the role of the public and private sectors in policy making, and recent attempts at restructuring modern welfare states.


Phenylacetate acid (PAA) is transferred by extraction from the fermentation broth filtrate into toluol. The extract is applied to a Silufol plate with an aluminium foil lining (silica gel sorbent, Czechoslovakia). Reference solutions of PAA are also applied to the same plate. The reference and test solutions are applied dropwise (spots of 5--6 x 10(-3)m in diameter). For PAA development the spots are sprayed with a freshly prepared saturated solution of potassium manganate in 6N H2SO4. PAA of the test samples is developed as a dull ring against grey background and that of the reference solution is developed as a circle. The amount of PAA in the spot is determined by using correlation between the spot area and the amount of PAA applied. One plate of 225 X 10(-4) m2 can be used for about 300 analyses. One analysis takes 300--600 seconds.


We prove that for all odd primes $p$ and positive integers $\alpha

\geq 2$, a construction of Batten and Sane yields at least

$(p-1)^3/4$ permutations with a distinct difference property (DDP)

of $\{1,2,\ldots,p^\alpha-1\}$. This proves a conjecture of Batten

and Sane, that at least $(p-1)^2/2$ such permutations exist. We

also pose several research questions for DDP permutations.


The BEACH program, a continuous national study of general practice activity in Australia, gives us an overview of encounters at which chronic musculoskeletal problems were managed. This synopsis provides a backdrop against which articles in this issue of the Australian Family Physician can be further considered.


New ethylene-co-vinyl acetate (EVA, with 60% vinyl acetate content) based nanocomposites were prepared with graphites modified by various techniques and a commercially available expanded graphite (EG). The infrared spectra and the surface energy measurements indicated better oxidation and higher surface energy of the graphite modified by mixed acids followed by high temperature treatment (GO). Interlayer space and surface area were increased as a result. EG possessed higher surface area. GO was found to distribute in finer tactoids of average thickness of 25 nm in the matrix, as compared with the unmodified graphite (UG), having average tactoid thickness more than 40 nm along with aggregation. EG also showed finer dispersion in the EVA matrix with some network formation. The dynamic mechanical and the mechanical properties were superior at the 2 wt % concentration of the GO, beyond which the improvement was less, possibly because of aggregation of GO. Greater EVA-GO interaction at 2 wt % concentration was also supported from the swelling analysis, thermal conductivity, and the thermo-oxidative degradation data of the hybrid composites. The melt viscosity was lower at 2 wt % GO concentration. EG based nanocomposites registered similar properties. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008


This book undertakes to answer questions relating to the creation of deity assimilation statues for young boys, a common mode of commemoration for the Romans. In addition, it demonstrates that many statues traditionally understood to represent youthful divinities actually possess portraits, even and especially if the faces appear joyful. It also proposes that these deity assimilation statues were commissioned primarily as posthumous commemorations. As such, the sculptural examples should be recognized as belonging to and constituting an important class of funerary sculpture; a class which has been, to this point, overlooked. It is also suggested that despite the fact that they were posthumous commemorations, deity assimilation statues of young boys were not necessarily placed in a sepulchral context, rather, it is maintained that images of children assimilated to divinities primarily served a sentimental purpose, and that, in that capacity, they may have been intended for and regularly kept in a domestic context, close to the surviving family.


The evidence for and against the interpretation of the ``second‐order'' transition in polymers in terms of a thermodynamic transition of the second order is reviewed and some new experimental data concerning transition in mixtures of polymers are presented. It is shown that the relaxation theory is insufficient to explain the transition, as observed by mechanical, electrical and thermal measurements. The usual objections which are raised against the assumption of a thermodynamic transition are shown to be invalid. Various molecular processes responsible for a thermodynamic transition are discussed and it is shown that the general mechanism of ``hindered'' rotation (changes in rotational configuration) is the most likely.


We propose a efficient semi-distributed resource allocation scheme for OFDMA relay-enhanced downlink systems. Firstly, an adaptive subframe partitioning (ASP) algorithm that considers user's queue length and achievable data rate is used by base station to assign resources to relay stations. Regarding the slot allocation, we suggest two ways to extend conventional single-hop scheduling algorithms into multihop scenarios: link-based and end-to-end approaches. Simulation results indicate that the ASP algorithm reduces the amount of data buffered in relay stations, and hence increases system utilization and reduces the data loss caused by buffer overflow and handovers. Comparison of link-based and end-to-end approaches on max carrier-to-interference ratio (Max C/I) and proportional fairness (PF) scheduling algorithms shows that algorithms using the end-to-end approach can obtain higher throughput than those using the link-based approach, but at the expense of extra overhead for information exchange between the base station and relay stations. By using the ASP with the end-to-end PF scheduling, our frame-based resource allocation scheme achieves a tradeoff between system throughput maximization and fairness.


This commentary reviews the use of a small number of tests used in the routine management of foot disease in diabetes. The aim is to consider some of the evidence underlying the use of these tests and the difficulties that can be encountered in interpretation. All tests have their limitations and it is important for these to be understood by the clinicians who request them. There are few test results which are categorically diagnostic in the field of the diabetic foot and the majority merely provide supporting evidence for a diagnosis that is either less or more strongly suspected on other grounds.


The aim of this work was to develop a technique to speed up complex joins in an incremental visual query system. When designing a visual, highly interactive interface for ad-hoc (read-only) queries, fast response times are of paramount importance. While a column-oriented DBMS reduces the inherent latency found in relational DBMS, there is still the question of how to index the data, especially so as to support complex joins. Equi-joins that involve a many-to-many relationship are an example of complex joins that arise frequently and whose efficient processing is essential for fast query processing. We present OVI-3, a NoSQL visual query system based on incremental querying that uses a simple directory-based indexing scheme for faster processing of such complex joins. The system has been piloted using real data from a student database at Aalto University. The results demon-strated that for certain complex joins the presented indexing scheme outperforms SQL queries from a data server, especially for queries involving anti-joins (negation), where OVI-3 provided an orders of magnitude speed improvement.


The near and far pressure fields generated by round, isothermal and cold jets of diameter D = 38 mm with Mach numbers varying over the range 0.6 ≤ Mj ≤ 1.6 are investigated experimentally, and characterized in terms of sound spectra and levels. Properties of near-field jet noise, obtained in particular at 7.5 diameters from the jet centerline, are documented. They differ appreciably from properties of far-field noise, and form a database that can be used for the validation of the acoustic fields determined by compressible Navier-Stokes computations. The near pressure fields originating from simulations can thus be directly compared, without resorting to extrapolation methods which might lead to uncertainties in the far pressure fields. In the present paper, sound source localizations are also carried out from the near-field pressure signals. The experiments provide in addition far-field results evaluated at 52 diameters from the nozzle exit, in good agreement with the data of the literature. The classical dependence of jet noise features with the emission angle is observed. The level and frequency scalings of the pressure spectra obtained for subsonic jets in the sideline and downstream directions are also studied. For small radiation angles, the narrow-banded sound spectra measured are found to scale as the Strouhal number, whereas, as previously noted by Zaman & Yu [1], the one-third octave spectra seem to scale as the Helmholtz number.


OBJECTIVES
To assess the oral health and related practices of a group of illicit drug users in Delhi, India; to compare with that of non-drug users; and to assess the impact of illicit drug use on oral health.

DESIGN
Cross-sectional study. Comparison was made with non-drug users to investigate any differences in oral health between illicit drug users and general population.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS
Illicit drug users attending a drug dependence treatment clinic in Delhi (n=126). Equal number of non-drug users attending other outpatient departments in the same setting.

OUTCOME MEASURES
Oral health practices assessed using structured questionnaire; dental caries, periodontal status and oral mucosa assessed using World Health Organization 2004 criteria; oral hygiene assessed using OHI-S.

RESULTS
Mean DMFT and OHI-S scores amongst the drug users were 3.48 and 3.80, respectively. Bleeding, shallow pockets and deep pockets were found as the highest CPI finding in 42%, 44% and 12% of drug users respectively. Premalignant states of leukoplakia and OSMF were diagnosed in 13% and 4% of drug users respectively. Significant differences were found between drug users and non-drug users with respect to oral hygiene practices; DMFT, OHI-S, CPI scores; and leukoplakia. In multivariate analysis, illicit drug use was significantly associated with CPI highest score (OR = 2.21, 95% CI 1.08-4.52).

CONCLUSION
The illicit drug users had significantly poorer oral hygiene practices, oral hygiene and periodontal health; higher caries experience; and higher prevalence of leukoplakia as compared to non-drug users. The findings of the study suggest that illicit drug use is independently associated with poor periodontal health.


The key elements have been constructed for a fast chopper system capable of removing single 2.5 MeV proton bunches spaced at 325 MHz. The average chopping rate is ∼ 1 MHz. The components include a pulse delaying microstrip structure for deflecting the beam, high voltage (1.2 kV) fast (ns rise time) pulsers, and an associated wideband combiner. Various designs for the deflecting structures have been studied. Measurements of the microstrip structures' coverage factors and pulse shapes are presented.


BACKGROUND
The evaluation of the vertebral, local and segmental kyphosis according to Cobb is usual practice in the determination of traumatic, idiopathic and degenerative spinal deformities. The present study compares the inter- and intraobserver reliability of these 3 angles in the lateral X-rays of thoracic spine fractures with spinal kyphosis.

METHODS
From 1999 till 2007 all patients with adequate X-rays, age < 50 years, traumatic, thoracic spine fracture, kyphotic deformity and surgical intervention were included. The vertebral, local and segmental kyphosis were assessed by 3 observers at 2 time-points in the preoperative lateral X-rays.

RESULTS
63 patients, 11 women and 52 men, with a mean age of 34 years could be evaluated. In all cases an adequate trauma had led to the fracture. The most common trauma was an injury with a motorcycle; the 12th thoracic vertebra was most commonly affected. The segmental kyphosis showed 'excellent' results for inter- and intraobserver reliability (Ø-ICC: 0.8189 and Ø-ICC:0.8003). 'Good' results for inter- and intraobserver reliability could be evaluated for the vertebral (Ø-ICC: 0.7797 and Ø-ICC: 0.7797) and local (Ø-ICC: 0.7532 and Ø-ICC: 0.7296) kyphosis.

CONCLUSION
Due to excellent and good results for inter- and intraobserver reliability of the segmental,vertebral and local kyphosis in the lateral X-rays of the thoracic spine, these angles could be a helpful tool, indicating a surgical procedure in traumatic thoracic fractures with kyphosis. Further possible interesting applications in the usage of these 3 angles could be the observation of the vertebral sintering in surgically or conservatively treated vertebral fractures. Appropriate studies should be performed before general recommendations can be given.


abstract:The recent discovery of burial sites associated with Philadelphia's early black community has raised questions about their historical context. This article will situate Philadelphia's African American burials against the backdrop of public health in the 1700s. Public health concerns were omnipresent in Philadelphia as it developed and expanded, and its inhabitants sought to navigate the complex challenges that accompanied such growth. For the black residents of Philadelphia contending with these public health challenges, it was especially difficult given the added burden of their disempowerment in the institutional structure of the city. Thus, before the emergence of African American churches and their accompanying cemeteries in the 1790s, white burial grounds, including churchyards and public lots, functioned as an arena of racial contestation, where members of the black community sought to exercise power within the city. The Free African Society and Yellow Fever epidemic of the 1790s are also considered.


Rats were made tolerant to morphine by a 5-day regimen with increasing doses. The time course of changes in serum anterior pituitary hormone levels, brain endo- and exopeptidase activity, levels of brain biogenic amines and body weight were studied during abrupt morphine withdrawal. Cold stimulated secretion of thyrotropin and the secretion of growth hormone were both decreased whereas that of prolactin was increased. In the hypothalamus both prolyl endopeptidase and dipeptidyl peptidase IV activities were concomitantly increased. The hypothalamic 5 hydroxyindole acetic acid levels were also increased. Changes in hormone secretion, peptidase activity and monoamine turnover had returned to baseline levels by 92 hr. Our results indicate that morphine withdrawal and the associated stress produce alterations in anterior pituitary thyrotropin and growth hormone secretion. Concomitant increases in hypothalamic prolyl endopeptidase and dipeptidyl peptidase activities may contribute to these changes.


Synopsis : A ten-year R & D program to develop advanced gas turbines had been carried out by Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, government research institutions, and Engineering Research Association for Gas Turbines. The ultimate thermal efficiency to be attained in a combined cycle plant was 55% (LHV), for which a high pressure turbine was operated at the gas temperature up to 1 400•Ž. One of the elements to bear this burden was the application of new turbin blade materials with columnar grained structure made through directional solidification (DS). A DS alloy TMD-5 was developed in the advanced turbine program in which: ( 1 ) DS castability experiments were conducted for the alloy development to obtain blades with complex internal channel for cooling, and it was concluded that the ƒÁ' precipitate volume should be at about 58% balanced with optimized mechanical properties. ( 2 ) Various mechanical properties such as tensile strength, creep strength, high cycle and thermal fatigue strength and physical properties of TMD-5 were tested, and found to be superior to those of a cornmercialy available DS alloy with the equivalent degree of anisotropy.


The main objective of this study is to monitor the land infrastructure growth over a period of time using multimodality of remote sensing satellite images. In this project unsupervised change detection analysis using ITPCA (Iterated Principal Component Analysis) is presented to indicate the continuous change occurring over a long period of time. The change monitoring is pixel based and multitemporal. Co-registration is an important criteria in pixel based multitemporal image analysis. The minimization of co-registration error is addressed considering 8- neighborhood pixels. Comparison of results of ITPCA analysis with LRT (likelihood ratio test) and GLRT (generalized likelihood ratio test) methods used for SAR and MS (Multispectral) images respectively in earlier publications are also presented in this paper. The datasets of Sentinel-2 around 0-3 days of the acquisition of Sentinel-1 are used for multimodal image fusion. SAR and MS both have inherent advantages and disadvantages. SAR images have the advantage of being insensitive to atmospheric and light conditions, but it suffers the presence of speckle phenomenon. In case of multispectral, challenge is to get quite a large number of datasets without cloud coverage in region of interest for multivariate distribution modelling.


ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the traits that define the optical properties of the needles of four coniferous species: Picea abies, Picea omorika, Abies alba and Pinus sylvestris. The analysis included measurements of the needles for their morphological and anatomical aspects, reflectances at the upper and lower needle surfaces through their 280–880-nm spectra, and biochemical traits. The needles of these species differed significantly in the majority of morphological and anatomical traits, with the most pronounced differences seen for the thickness of the cuticle and epidermis, the needle width and thickness, the width of the central cylinder, and the position and density of the stomata. The reflectance spectra of the upper needle surface were very similar, while for the reflectance of the lower needle surface, P. omorika reflected light the most efficiently, followed by A. alba. The biochemical properties indicated significant differences in the amounts of UV-absorbing compounds, which were highest in P. sylvestris, and relatively low in A. alba and P. abies. The upper needle surface reflectance spectra were significantly affected by thickness of the cuticle, by pore width and by total mesophyll thickness, which explained 24%, 12% and 4% of the variability, respectively. The needle traits that explained the reflectance spectra variability of the lower needle surface were the hypoderm (28%), needle thickness (4%), density of stomata (28%), length of the outer pores (9%), and amount of UV-A-absorbing compounds (7%). Our data show that the needle reflectance spectra are primarily affected by the physical structure of the needles, and little by the needle biochemistry. This calls into question the methodologies for determination of the biochemical status of conifers based on their reflectance spectra.


The authors present a theoretical analysis and experimental demonstration of optically self-activated polarization switching process in a 90° twist alignment dye-doped nematic liquid crystal. The underlying mechanisms are laser induced dye-assisted director axis reorientation and order parameter modifications. Experimental observations are in good agreement with the theoretical expectations derived from a modified Jones matrix calculation, and demonstrate the feasibility of designing efficient low threshold polarization and fast switching and optical limiting devices for cw and microsecond lasers.


Combustible or harmful gasses noticeable all around are adequate to decimating a geographical region of bringing about a flame, explosion, and venomous exposure. In this paper, a highly sensitive gas sensor based on slotted-core photonic crystal fiber has been presented which can be used as a gas sensor. The guiding properties of the proposed PCF are numerically investigated by employing finite element method (FEM). The Proposed PCF contains slotted core and a hexagonal cladding where the geometrical parameters are varied to optimized. Simulation result reveals that the proposed PCF shows a high relative sensitivity of 48.26%, the high birefringence of 2.17×10-2 and a lower confinement loss of 1.26×10 -5 dB/m. Effective area, Beat length, Splice loss, V-parameter are also reported in this paper.


Background and Aims: EBV is a human herpesvirus that infects more than 90% of the world's population. Although, benign and asymptomatic in most cases, the infection can cause many nonmalignant and malignant disorders of lymphoid and epithelial origins. The objective of this study was detected in IM prevalence in Neyshabur, Northeast Iran from 2010-2014. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive epidemiological survey was performed in Neyshabur between 2010 and 2014 to reveal the prevalence of infectious mononucleosis. A total of 114 patients were studied. Briefly, patients with a positive test for specific IgG and IgM were determined as positive cases. Results: the overall prevalence of IM was 14%. The mean age±SD for infectious mono test is 18.96± 15.79. the age groups of 0-10 and 21-30 years old, were the most positive cases in this period. In addition, 31-40 and upper 50 years were not positive cases. Male patients were significantly more positive and likewise, it was observed that the spring and summer seasons had significantly higher positive cases of IM. Among the five years of this study, it was a decreasing status from 2010 (23.1%) to 2014 (9.1%), although a slight fluctuation was occurring. Conclusions: the prevalence of IM was low in Neyshabur city. Moreover, children and male patients had relatively higher prevalence of the disease. Furthermore, it was observed a higher rate of IM in the spring and summer seasons.


The paper describes the task of performing efficient decision-theoretic troubleshooting of electromechanical devices. In general, this task is NP-complete, but under fairly strict assumptions, a greedy approach will yield an optimal sequence of actions, as discussed in the paper. This set of assumptions is weaker than the set proposed by Heckerman et al. (1995). However, the printing system domain, which motivated the research and which is described in detail in the paper, does not meet the requirements for the greedy approach, and a heuristic method is used. The method takes value of identification of the fault into account and it also performs a partial two-step look-ahead analysis. We compare the results of the heuristic method with optimal sequences of actions, and find only minor differences between the two.


To address the worldwide issue of water scarcity, which is threatening our sustainable economic development and ecological security, an efficient water-collecting surface with fast-capturing capability and easy drainage is essential. Inspired by the fog-harvesting capability of Stenocara beetles in the Namib Desert, this study presents an easy method for fabricating flexible, permanent, electrospun superhydrophobic–hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) nanocomposite fiber mats for atmospheric fog water harvesting. This combination of a hydrophobic PAN domain and hydrophilic nanomaterials causes water to condense on the hydrophilic micro and nanoparticles and roll off the hydrophobic nanofibers. By adjusting the proportion of micro and nanomaterials, we can tune the fog water harvesting efficiency. The superhydrophobic–hydrophilic nanocomposite fibers are fabricated with various proportions of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and aluminum (Al) microparticles using the electrospinning technique followed by stabilization and carbonization to remove all non-carbonaceous materials from the fiber structures. The fiber morphology, surface hydrophobicity, crystal structure, and fog-harvesting performance of the nanocomposite fibers were investigated. A water contact angle of 154.8° was achieved with the addition of a 10% inclusion of combined micro- and nanoparticles. The experimental tests of these nanocomposites demonstrated the feasibility of the freshwater production with a daily water productivity of more than 1.49 liter m−2 of the nanocomposites. It is estimated that the material cost of making such nanocomposites to supply minimum daily water consumption for a household with 2 members (i.e., 6 liters) is only $4.96 (USD). These nanocomposites are cheap and affordable, and require no additional input of energy, and are especially suitable for clean water production in arid areas. This work offers a very feasible and novel tool to achieve the mass production of water-harvesting materials.


As heatwaves are expected to increase in frequency and intensity in the Mediterranean Sea due to global warming, we conducted an in situ mesocosm experiment for 20 days during the late spring and early summer of 2019 in a coastal Mediterranean lagoon to investigate the effects of heatwaves on the composition and function of coastal plankton communities. A heatwave was simulated by elevating the water temperature of three mesocosms to +3°C while three control mesocosms had natural lagoon water temperature, for 10 days. Further, the heating procedure was halted for 10 days to study the resilience and recovery of the system. Automated high frequency monitoring of dissolved oxygen concentration and saturation, chlorophyll-a fluorescence, photosynthetic active radiation, salinity, and water temperature was completed with manual sampling for nutrient and phytoplankton pigment analyses. High-frequency data were used to estimate different functional processes: gross primary production (GPP), community respiration (R), and phytoplankton growth (μ), and loss (l) rates. Ecosystem stability was assessed by calculating resistance, resilience, recovery, and temporal stability in terms of the key functions (GPP, R, μ, and l). Meanwhile, the composition of phytoplankton functional types (PFT) was assessed through chemotaxonomic pigment composition. During the heatwave, GPP, R, μ, and l increased by 31, 49, 16, and 21%, respectively, compared to the control treatment. These positive effects persisted several days after the offset of the heatwave, resulting in low resilience in these key functions. However, GPP and R recovered almost completely at the end of the experiment, suggesting that the effect of the heatwave on these two rates was reversible. The heatwave also affected the PFT composition, as diatoms, prymnesiophytes, and cyanobacteria were favored, whereas dinoflagellates were negatively affected. By highlighting important effects of a simulated marine heatwave on the metabolism and functioning of a coastal Mediterranean plankton community, this study points out the importance to extend this type of experiments to different sites and conditions to improve our understanding of the impacts of this climate-change related stressor that will grow in frequency and intensity in the future.


Lots of efforts in the last decades have been done to prove or disprove whether the set of polynomially bounded problems is equal to the set of polynomially verifiable problems. This paper will present an overview of the current beliefs of quantum complexity theorists and discussion detail the impacts these beliefs may have on the future of the field. We introduce a new form of Turing machine based on the concepts of quantum mechanics and investigate the domain of this novel definition for computation. The main object is to show the domain of these computation machines and the new definition of algorithms using these automata. In section one we give a brief fundamental overview of classical complexity theory, Turing machine and all the fundamental concepts required for the next chapters. In section two we describe various classes of classical complexity automata. In next chapter we introduce quantum complexity featuring quantum Turing machines and discuss its relationship to classical complexity. Section four presents a relationship between quantum complexity classes based on the quantum Turing machines and quantum oracles, and their relationship with corresponding classical complexity classes. And section five presents a discussion on the practical phenomena in problem solving using quantum computers. Finally in section five we speculate briefly on the direction we believe the field to be headed, and what might reasonably be expected in the future


Excessive fines fed to metallurgical plants, power stations and other fixed or fluidized bed reactors can cause major problems by adversely affecting the flow of gas through the solid burden. In this industrial case study, the novel application of machine vision to monitor coal on conveyer feed systems is described. By using an adaptive thresholding and watershed transform, the fines in the stratified coal could be reliably estimated. We use the feature compactness to select and segment rock particles since crushed rocks tend to have round shape. The watershed transform is also used to split touching rock particles segmented from the adaptive thresholding.


Modeling of the kinetics of the synthesis process for calcium sulfate alpha-hemihydrate from gypsum formed by flue gas desulfurization (FGD) is important to produce high-performance products with minimal costs and production cycles under hydrothermal conditions. In this study, a model was established by horizontally translating the obtained crystal size distribution (CSD) to the CSD of the stable phase during the transformation process. A simple method was used to obtain the nucleation and growth rates. A nonlinear optimization algorithm method was employed to determine the kinetic parameters. The model can be successfully used to analyze the transformation kinetics of FGD gypsum to alpha-hemihydrate in an isothermal batch crystallizer. The results showed that the transformation temperature and stirring speed exhibit a significant influence on the crystal growth and nucleation rates of alpha-hemihydrate, thus altering the transformation time and CSD of the final products. The characteristics obtained by the proposed model can potentially be used in the production of alpha-hemihydrate.


This study tests whether Ricardian comparative advantage is valid for value added in exports that does not include intermediate inputs imported from various industries in a number of countries. Using a panel data on valued added contents of bilateral exports, we find that changes in the labor productivity lead to growth of value added in exports. This implies that Ricardian comparative advantage is an important determinant of exports in longitudinal changes. The estimated coefficients of the observed productivity turn out to be larger than those of CDK (2012), implying that Ricardian comparative advantage has greater influence on determining the patterns of trade in a world with global value chains. This study also investigates the role of offshoring and transaction costs in comparative advantage. We use data on value added in exports, offshoring in materials and services, and transaction costs at the country and industry-level for the period 1995-2009 calculated from World Input-Output Table which covers 40 countries and 14 manufacturing industries. Employing a system GMM estimator to alleviate the potential endogeneity problem, we find that services offshoring has positive effects on comparative advantage while material offshoring affects it negatively. We also find that transaction costs have a negative effect on comparative advantage. Moreover, it turned out that there is a magnification effect of transaction costs on the induced value added in exports.