The growth of the Internet has impacted on virtually every aspect of society. Survey research is no exception (Solomon, 2001, p. 1). The use of the Internet for social science research is becoming increasingly common (Fox, Murray and Warm, 2003, p. 167). The Internet provides frequent and important opportunities in conducting social research. In this respect, although the Internet questionnaire is effective, no scientific Persian research that directly guides operators, students and researchers to design and implement the method has been found. This article aims to fill the gap. The results of this study demonstrate that the design and implementation of the Internet questionnaire notably web-based questionnaire require regarding both ethical and scientific considerations. These considerations vitally affect the collection of valid and reliable data.
Keywords: Questionnaire; the Internet questionnaire; ethical considerations; scientific considerations


The genus Petroleuciscus was known from the Marmara, Aegean, and Black Sea drainages, as well as southeast Anatolia and Iran. However, studies conducted in recent years have suggested that the species described in southeast Anatolia and Iran belong to different genera. The results and recommendations of these studies were evaluated. On the other hand, in the scope of this study, the taxonomic status and length-weight relationship of several Petroleuciscus ninae populations in Western Anatolia were evaluated. The morphological comparisons revealed that Tahtalı Reservoir, Küçük Menderes and Sarıçay rivers, and Acıgöl Lake`s Petroleuciscus populations recorded as Petroleuciscus smyrnaeus in all previous studies belong to P. ninae which was known only from the type locality Akçay Stream. In addition, the length-weight relationship of P. ninae in the lakes Akgöl and Belevi, Lake Acıgöl, stream Akçay, Sarıçay River, an inflow of Yenişehir Reservoir and inflow of Tahtalı Reservoir were studied. The following research considers some first records and comprehensive information on the length-weight relationship of P. ninae in the Western Anatolia water resources. In study, the constant b changed from 3.101 to 3.389 (Akçay Stream) in all the sampling locations. It is expected that the results of this research might support the conservation of this species and contribute knowledge of its taxonomic status.


This paper presents the development, of a three-stage 155-GHz monolithic low noise amplifier (LNA) using 0.1-/spl mu/m pseudomorphic (PM) InAlAs/InGaAs/InP HEMT technology. This amplifier exhibits a measured small signal gain of 12 dB at 153-155 GHz, and more than 10-dB gain from 151 to 156 GHz. This is the highest frequency amplifier ever reported using three terminal devices.


Summary  Weight gain or loss is not an integral part of epilepsy although a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to weight gain. Pharmacological treatment for epilepsy may be associated with substantial weight changes that may increase morbidity and impair adherence to the treatment regimen. Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) associated with weight loss are felbamate, topiramate, and zonisamide. AEDs associated with weight gain are gabapentin, pregabalin, valproic acid, and vigabatrin and possibly, carbamazepine. Weight neutral AEDs are lamotrigine, levetiracetam, and phenytoin. In clinical practice it is critical to weigh patients regularly and AED selection should be based on each patient's profile without sacrificing therapeutic efficacy.


The iridocorneal angle and the ciliary body are imaged with high precision using high-frequency ultrasound. A long-focus 20-MHz probe provides high-resolution imaging of the optic disk and optic nerve. These improvements mean that glaucomatous patients can be imaged by ultrasound with increased precision.


Background: Researchers have long been struggling to improve the disease severity score in mortality prediction in ICU. The digitalization of medical health records and advancement of computation power have promoted the use of machine learning in critical care. This study aimed to develop an interpretable machine learning model using datasets from multicenters, and to compare with the APACHE IV, in predicting hospital mortality of patients admitted to ICU.Method: The datasets were assembled from the eICU database including 136145 patients across 208 hospitals throughout the U.S. and 5 ICUs in Hong Kong, including 10909 patients. The two datasets were first combined into one large dataset before 80:20 stratified split into the training set and the test set. The XGBoost machine algorithm was chosen to predict the hospital mortality. The variables in the model were the same as those included in the APACHE IV score. The discrimination and calibration of the model were assessed. The model would be interpreted using the Shapley Additive explanations values.Results: Of the 147054 patients in the whole cohort, the hospital mortality was 9.3%. The area under the precision-recall curve for the XGBoost algorithm was 0.57, and 0.49 for APACHE IV. Similarly, the XGBoost reached an area under the receiving operating curve (AUROC) of 0.90, while APACHE IV had an AUROC of 0.87. Additionally, the XGBoost algorithm showed better calibration than the APACHE IV. The three most important variables were age, heart rate, and whether the patient was on ventilator.Conclusions: The severity score developed by machine learning model using mutlicenter datasets outperformed the APACHE IV in predicting hospital mortality for patients admitted to ICU.


The study provides a new insight to extend traditional technology acceptance model (TAM) in to energy–augmented TAM (EA-TAM) model in order to analyze the micro and macro perspectives of green enterprise technology to ensure eco-friendly products. The critical review would enhance analytical abilities to understand the main determinants of the TAM model at both firms' and industry perspective. The study proposed micro and macro enterprise energy–augmented TAM models and found that microenterprise EA-TAM associated with green investment decision that increases the use of renewable energy demand to improve logistics performance, export capabilities, technology advancement, resource inputs, and competitiveness. These factors would largely support to green product innovation, which is fueled by green R&D expenditures. The green supply chain process would develop an attitude and behavioral intention toward the use of technology and green products, which ultimately would bond with green system use. The macro perspective of EA-TAM shows that green factors including green supplier selection, industrial green engineering, green procurement, green consumerism, green product recovery, and green innovation would increase green purchase decisions that convert into perceived ease of green products usage. The eco-product choice faced three compelling issues that could negatively affect the use of green products attitude and intentions, i.e., political constraints, carbon pricing, and consumer willingness-to-pay for public goods. The study concludes that the need for green policies is imperative to regulate firms and the industrial decision to go-for eco-friendly production. The use of renewable energy, carbon pricing and willingness-to-pay for public goods would be recommended for long-term sustainable development.


The minimal dilaton model (MDM) extends the Standard Model by one singlet scalar called dilaton and one top quark partner called t'. In this work we investigate the t'-induced radiative correction to the Higgs-strahlung production process e+e− → Zh at future Higgs factory. We first present the analytical calculations in detail and show how to handle the ultraviolet divergence. Then we calculate the correction numerically by considering the constraints from precision electroweak data. We find that, for sinθL = 0.2 and mt' = 1200 GeV, the correction is 0.26% and 2.1% for , 1 TeV respectively, and a larger value can be achieved as sin θL increases.


Background: The occupational adaptation frame of reference asserts that a person's occupational functioning may be improved through positive changes in his/her adaptive processes. This framework's authors advocate that occupational adaptation theory can be applied to practice with clients of all ages (Schultz & Schkade, 1992). Published literature to date has been focused on the application of this framework with adults and adolescents.

Method: This paper reviews the major theoretical constructs and guide to practice of occupational adaptation theory whilst interweaving descriptions of its application to a paediatric case study conducted within a child and adolescent mental health unit.

Conclusion: While it was shown through the case study that the occupational adaptation frame of reference can guide occupational therapy practice with a child nearing adolescence critical reflections about the experience suggest some challenges for the practitioner and students.


abstract:This article approaches the problem of post-truth and the opposition between philosophical dialectics and sophistic rhetoric. The antagonism is addressed through a reading of Žižek's depiction of the ongoing discussion between Alain Badiou and Barbara Cassin, the "new version of the ancient dialogue between Plato and the sophists," as stained by sexual difference, and the dialectics between Parmenides and Gorgias. The article argues that only through acknowledging the inescapable failure of these sides to ever establish a complete totality are we capable of overcoming the antagonism that resides at their core, thus making a dialectical sophistics, on the basis of Žižek's thought, possible. Thus, only by taking the path through post-truth can we attempt to reach the disavowed core of truth that haunts every failed system.


BACKGROUND: To evaluate and compare the tissue response, in swine, to a biosynthetic stent-graft when implanted in both thoracic aorta and inferior vena cava. METHOD: It was used a self-expanding stainless stent, covered by segment of bovine jugular veins, processed by the method L-hydro, and delivered by Taheri-Leonhardt system (Florida, USA) . The implants were done in the descending thoracic aorta, and in the infra-renal vena cava of 10 swines. Sixty days after, the endoprosthesis were removed and analyzed under macro and microscopic view. The following parameters were analyzed: patency, incorporation to the vessel wall, type of inflammatory reaction, tissue response concerning the layer of the vessel as for the contact with the ring steel. RESULTS: All implanted stent-grafts were patent, and incorporated to the vessel wall. Six presented fibrous bars, and four presented perivascular fibrosis at the venous section. At the arterial section, only one prosthesis developed a very small stenosis, without perivascular fibrosis. We observed chronic inflammatory reaction with a foreign body granulomatous response in 100% of the samples, the medium layer was the more prevalent at the vein section, while the intima layer was more constant at the artery, venous incorporation was stronger than artery incorporation, and tissue response was enhanced in the inner contact between the vessel wall and the ring steel. CONCLUSION: The prosthesis in study presented low thrombogenicity in both systems. It was also present, larger tissue response and low biocompatibility at the venous system, and better biocompatibility at the arterial system.


Objectives: To ascertain the relationship between electronic media use and sleep patterns among secondary school students in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted from July 2021 to December 2021. This study examined eight female secondary high schools, in Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The sampling technique used was the stratification of governmental schools according to their location in the north, south, east, and west. According to the WHO sample size calculator, the sample size was 375. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 26 (SPSS version 26) (SPSS Incl., Chicago, IL) was used for the analysis of data. Results: A total of 388 female students were recruited, from the age group 12 to 40 years, with a mean age group of 16.45 ± 4.25 years. The majority of participants in our research utilized various types of electronic devices before going to bed. Some 335 individuals reported using electronic devices on a daily basis while at school, while 357 reported using electronic devices prior to sleeping on weekends. The more time spent on electronic gadgets, the more sleep is interrupted (p-value = 0.005). This condition was more prevalent among older children: 55% of third-year children and 41% of second-year children reported having it (p = 0.01). More than 20% had difficulty sleeping. Around 5% of respondents reported experiencing frequent nightly awakenings, whereas 23% reported feeling drowsy/sleepy feeling at school. After 10:00 p.m., 43% of the population (mostly the young) headed to bed, while older children remained awake (p = 0.001). Having a mobile phone (odds ratio, OR = 2.5; p = 0.01) or tablet (OR = 2.5; p = 0.05) was a significant predictor of sleep issues in the logistic regression model. Conclusion: The use of electronic media and the amount of time secondary school children spend on it can significantly alter sleep quality, through interrupted rest, and time, from a reduced duration of sleep. Parents and care providers can help by creating awareness about the negative effects of using electronic media on sleep and health among children.


We study absorbing-state phase transitions (APTs) in two-dimensional Voronoi-Delaunay (VD) random lattices with quenched coordination disorder. Quenched randomness usually changes the criticality and destroys discontinuous transitions in low-dimensional nonequilibrium systems. We performed extensive simulations of the Ziff-Gulari-Barshad model, and verified that the VD disorder does not change the nature of its discontinuous transition. Our results corroborate recent findings of Barghathi and Vojta [H. Barghathi and T. Vojta, Phys. Rev. Lett. 113, 120602 (2014)PRLTAO0031-900710.1103/PhysRevLett.113.120602], stating the irrelevance of topological disorder in a class of random lattices that includes VD, and raise the interesting possibility that disorder in nonequilibrium APT may, under certain conditions, be irrelevant for the phase coexistence. We also verify that the VD disorder is irrelevant for the critical behavior of models belonging to the directed percolation and Manna universality classes.


Although small superconducting magnets have been in regular use in many laboratories for several years, it is only recently that the technical difficulties preventing the use of superconductors in large magnet systems have been overcome. A better understanding of the transient thermal and magnetic behavior of such devices has led to various methods of reducing or eliminating the degradation effects present in earlier magnets. The use of large amounts of very high conductivity normal metal in conjunction with the superconductor has resulted in "stabilized" magnets whose behavior is completely predictable and which will not quench except under unusual conditions. Other techniques have been developed to improve "unstable" magnets so that very high field coils can be constructed. These developments are dramatically altering the equipment used in high-energy physics and controlled thermonuclear experiments, and their effect on other areas of technology is already beginning to be felt.


We use a sample of 3791 quasars from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Early Data Release (EDR), and compare their photometry to historic plate material for the same set of quasars in order to study their variability properties. The time base-line we attain this way ranges from a few months to up to 50 years. In contrast to monitoring programs, where relatively few quasars are photometrically measured over shorter time periods, we utilize existing databases to extend this base-line as much as possible, at the cost of sampling per quasar. Our method, however, can easily be extended to much larger samples. We construct variability Structure Functions and compare these to the literature and model functions. From our modeling we conclude that 1) quasars are more variable toward shorter wavelengths, 2) their variability is consistent with an exponentially decaying light-curve with a typical timescale of ∼ 2 years, 3) these outbursts occur on typical timescales of ∼ 200 years. With the upcoming first data release of the SDSS, a much larger quasar sample can be used to put these conclusions on a more secure footing.


The purpose of this study is to develop a scale to determine pre-service mathematics teachers' perceptions related to their pedagogical content knowledge. Firstly, a preliminary perception scale of pedagogical content knowledge was constructed and then administered to 112 pre-service mathematics teachers who were enrolled in a mathematics teacher education programme. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, item analysis, correlation analysis, internal consistency and descriptive statistic techniques were used to analyse the data. Then validity and reliability of the scale were investigated. The analyses resulted in the development of a five-factor scale of 17 items that was proved valid and reliable. We contend that the scale developed has the merit to contribute to pre-service teachers' self-awareness by revealing their perceptions regarding their pedagogical content knowledge. Keywords : pedagogical content knowledge, pre-service mathematics teachers, scale development


Abstract Fern species and growth form diversity peak in tropical rainforests. In such forests, ferns often play important ecological roles. However the distribution and diversity patterns of different growth forms (i.e., epiphytic vs. terrestrial ferns) have not been broadly quantified. We compared the distribution and diversity patterns of epiphytic pteridophytes on the trunks of six individuals of the emergent canopy tree species Hyeronima alchorneoides (Euphorbiaceae) to those of terrestrial species at La Selva Biological Station in Heredia province, Costa Rica. A total of 21 species of epiphytic and 20 terrestrial ferns was recorded, with only one species found as an epiphyte and as a terrestrial species. Epiphytic species also exhibited increasing species diversity with increasing trunk height. Epiphytic species exhibited predictable patterns of distribution along the trunk and were easily grouped into high-trunk, low trunk, or bimodal categories. In terms of percent cover and number of species, simple-leaved ferns dominated the epiphytic growth form, 13 of 21 species, whereas ferns with compound or dissected leaves dominated the hemi-epiphytic and terrestrial floras with 20 of 20 species. These results indicate that there are significant functional differences in the ecology of epiphytic and terrestrial ferns and that reciprocal establishment is difficult and extremely rare.


Abstract : This thesis argues that the involvement of active duty military personnel in white extremist groups and activities, no matter how small in numbers, poses a serious threat to the "good order and discipline" and ultimate combat effectiveness of the U.S. military. The purpose of this thesis is twofold: 1) to produce a reference document for military commanders; and 2) to offer policy and other recommendations. Beginning with a discussion of the two subsets of white extremists and their respective ideologies, the thesis then provides an in depth analysis of nine contemporary groups and a profile of their membership. Following this is a discussion of sociological and psychological explanations for contemporary white extremism. Finally, this thesis outlines the Departtnent of Defense (DoD) policy on extremism, analyzes reports released by the United States Army (USA) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) on this subject and discusses the extent of this problem DoD wide. Recommendations that I advocate beyond those recommended by the USA and the NAACP are: 1) the prohibition of passive participation in extremist groups; 2) that leaders receive periodic training in the indicators of extremist activity and information on local extremist groups; 3) that minorities are spread evenly throughout units so as to be present at the smallest sub units possible; 4) that servicemembers should be assigned to barracks rooms based on these ethinically diverse small units; 5) that the DoD should prohibit the policy of "open installations;" and 6) that the DoD (e.g. the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI)) should consult with those in academia who are subject matter experts on extremism.


ABSTRACT Introduction Antipsychotics (APs), during treatment or overdose, may be associated with respiratory aspiration. Areas covered A PubMed search on 30 September 2022, provided 3 cases of respiratory aspiration during clozapine therapy and 1 case during an AP overdose. VigiBase records of respiratory aspiration associated with APs from inception until 5 September 2021, were reviewed. VigiBase, the World Health Organization's global pharmacovigilance database, uses a statistical signal for associations called the information component (IC). Expert Opinion The ICs (and IC025) were 2.1 (and 2.0) for APs, 3.2 (and 3.0) for clozapine, 2.6 (and 2.4) for quetiapine, and 2.5 (and 2.2) for olanzapine. Cases of respiratory aspiration associated with APs included: 137 overdose/suicide cases (64 fatal) and 609 cases during treatment (385 fatal) including 333 taking clozapine (238 fatal). In logistic regression models of fatal outcomes, the odds ratios, OR, and (95% confidence intervals, CI) of significant independent variables were: a) 2.3–2.6 for clozapine in 3 samples of AP treatment of varying size, b) 1.9 (CI 1.0 to 3.5) for geriatric age in 284 patients on clozapine treatment, and c) 1.8 (CI 1.1–3.2) for antidepressant co-medication in 276 patients on non-clozapine APs. Multiple AP pharmacological mechanisms may explain respiratory aspiration.


Objective Road traffic injuries and violence continue to be important public health problems throughout the Americas. This workshop will describe the role World Health Organization/Pan American Health Organization (WHO/PAHO) Collaborating Centers (CC) play in supporting WHOs goals for violence and injury prevention in the Americas, particularly in achieving the 2011 strategic objectives for the region. Materials and Methods CCs form an inter-institutional collaborative network with seven centres in the PAHO region, which work in the area of Violence and Injury Prevention. PAHO has developed a strategic plan that establishes targets for regional expected results (RER) targeting the development of institutional capacity at the national level, development and implementation of national plans for violence prevention and road safety, strengthening of information systems, and conducting cost analysis. Results In 2009, the PAHO countries had increased their institutional capacity for violence and injury prevention, they had implemented National Plans for violence prevention and road safety, also had established systems for the collection and management of data on violence and road traffic injuries, and they carried out work to understand the cost of injuries. To identify strategies for improving upon these indicators, a meeting of CCs was convened in Sao Paulo in November 2009; targets for 2011 for these indicators were established. Discussion and Conclusion To reach the 2011 targets and adequately address violence prevention and road safety promotion, countries need to learn from each others successes and work together. CC will continue supporting PAHO to achieve these goals.


In a paper, published in 1997 by L. Corry, J. Renn, and J. Stachel, it is claimed that the recently discovered printer's proofs of Hilbert's 1915 paper on the general theory of relativity prove that Hilbert did not anticipate Einstein in arriving at the correct form of the gravitational field equations, as it is widely believed, but that only after having seen Einstein's final paper did Hilbert amend his published version with the correct form of the gravitational field equations. However, because a crucial part of the printer's proofs of Hilbert's paper had been cut off by someone, a fact not mentioned in the paper by Corry, Renn, and Stachel, the conclusion drawn by Corry, Renn, and Stachel is untenable and has no probative value. I rather will show that the cut off part of the proofs suggests a crude attempt by some unknown individual to falsify the historical record.


We introduce the principle on a new high resolution thermal field emission microscope (HRTFEM). The crystalline structures of W(111), W(100), and W(110) tips have been observed. Both theoretical analyses and experiments show that HRTFEM has high resolving power with which atoms can be distinguished clearly. By using this HRTFEM, the states of atoms on tip surface can be studied easily.


Strong cultural heritage management relies on a thorough evaluation of the threats faced by heritage sites, both in the present and in the future. In this study, we analysed the changes in the position of Hiorthhamn shoreline (Svalbard), which is affecting coastal cultural heritage sites, for a period of 93 years (1927–2020). Shoreline changes were mapped by using maps, ortophotos, drone images, terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), and topographic surveys. Also, TLS was used to 3D document the endangered coastal cultural heritage sites. Detailed sedimentological and morphological mapping was made in the field and from the newly acquired drone images in order to understand shoreline-landscape interaction and to depict changes occurring from 2019 to 2020. Short-term (2019–2020) and long-term (1927–2020) shoreline erosion/accretion was made with the help of the Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS) and prompted a subdivision of three sectors, based on change pattern. Compared to a previous long-term analysis (1927–2019), this year's average erosion rate analysis (expressed by the EPR parameter) for the 93-year period is −0.14 m/yr. This shift in mean development is due to a newly formed spit-bar in Sector 2. Referring strictly to Sector 1, where the protected cultural heritage objects are located, the erosion rate increased from the previous analysis of –0.76 m/yr to −0.77 m/yr. The shoreline forecast analysis highlights that half of the protected cultural heritage objects will likely disappear over the next decade and almost all the cultural heritage objects analysed in this study will disappear in roughly two decades. This shows the great danger the Arctic's cultural heritage sites is in if no mitigation measures are undertaken by the local authorities.


Child development teams (CDTs) have been in existence for a quarter of a century, yet little is known of how they function or what they do. This paper originated in a national seminar on how CDTs function and what they seek to achieve. It discusses the wide range of practice in CDTs across Britain and the apparent deficiencies in service provision for certain types of disability. Since each child has a unique set of needs, the composition of the team must be flexible and responsive to the changing circumstances of each child. The need for a philosophical shift to take account of changing parental expectations is stressed. There is a need for further research on a number of topics, including: the patterns of service provision and the differences between districts; the implementation of what is already known about standards of good practice; the possible role of a charter for disabled children and their families; the training needs of future CDT professionals.


: The article tries to examine the effect of GDP growth on the stock prices in India using annual data from 1990-91 to 2010-11. A bivariate regression model is designed to examine the effects of GDP growth on the stock prices and granger causality test is conducted to examine whether there exist any causal linkage between stock prices and GDP growth. Granger causality test confirms that there is unidirectional causality between stock price and gross domestic product running from GDP growth to stock price in India. The regression results of the study indicate that gross domestic product positively influence stock prices in India.


Abstract : This thesis proposes the establishment of a Center for National Catastrophe Planning to address systemic problems in the planning for national catastrophes. The state of the art planning capabilities of the federal government do not include a structure to coordinate, validate and synchronize federal level operational plans effectively. Nor does it include the means to integrate non-federal stakeholders into the planning process. Since the Three Mile Island disaster, the governance structure has been modified after each major catastrophe to address major shortcomings that resulted in poor response performance by the federal government. These failures were consistently attributed to the lack of coordination and synchronization of federal operational plans with key stakeholders. Today, the federal government has a modernized governance framework but the core structure that caused the problems remains in place. The system is based on the assumption that the federal departments and agencies have the required planning capabilities and follow the governance structure as designed to develop, coordinate and integrate operational plans for catastrophes. History has proven the folly of this assumption. The Center for National Catastrophe Planning could effectively bridge these gaps by providing a structure with adequate authorities to integrate and synchronize federal operational plans.


Testing the validity of the new empirical industrial organization (NEIO) proposition is often made more complicated by a lack of reliable cost data. Nevertheless, the author takes advantage of a more sophisticated dataset to directly measure cost in Taiwan's flour market. In contrast to the previous findings, the evidence indicates that the NEIO technique performs reasonably well in estimating both conduct and cost parameters.


Autonomous Digital Actors represent the next step in authoring movies with believable characters, in a way that will allow them to be trained for acting specific roles in a story, suggesting appropriate behaviors during their performance. This article presents an overview of the art of acting and directing and how these concepts were used to elaborate a Virtual Actor metaphor. Also, we present an agent architecture for describing and implementing the virtual actors' acting knowledge base.


We are developing a highly sensitive and selective on-chip chromatography-based chemical sensing system, which has the capability to detect most common ions, such as nitrite, nitrate, fluoride, chloride, phosphate and sulphate, in drinking and underground water, with the sensitivity of PPM to PPB level, and within a few minutes or even fractions of a second. The proposed system consists of two major parts: on-chip chromatography system and chemical sensing system. The integrated chromatography system is built with parylene microfluidic technology. Two sensing techniques, one based on conductivity, the other on surface plasmon resonance (SPR), are being explored for their exceptional sensitivity and miniaturization capability.


Introduction Preferred strategies for evaluation and management of patients with pancreatic cysts remain controversial. EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) of suspected pancreatic cyst tumours for CEA and cytology is often recommended to evaluate malignant potential in order to guide further management. Aim To evaluate the clinical impact of EUS guided cyst aspirate on surgical management of patients with suspected pancreatic cystic tumours. Methods Outcome data of all patients having undergone EUS guided FNA of suspected pancreatic cystic tumours from March 2004 to November 2011 were retrospectively reviewed. Data were collected on demographics, EUS findings, radiological findings, biochemical and cytological findings, clinical outcomes and management. The mean follow-up was 24.5 months. Results Of 123 patients (74F:49M; 64±2.7 years) with suspected pancreatic cystic tumours, only 10 (8%) patients had surgical resection for IPMN with low grade dysplasia (n=7), MCN (n=1), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (n=1) and serous cystadenoma (n=1). Only 3(12%) patients with CEA >192 μg/l and 1 (7%) with CA 19–9 >1000 U/l had surgery. Similarly only 3 (30%) with abnormal cytology were considered for surgery. Although most patients (n=9) who underwent surgery were symptomatic, 18/113 (16%) patients in the conservatively managed group also had symptoms related to the cystic tumours. The size of the cystic tumour in the surgical group, however, was significantly larger than that in the conservative group (4.9 cm vs 2.9 cm, p<0.01). Conclusion Surgical decision making process in patients with pancreatic cystic lesions is complex with multiple factors influencing the choice of surgery. Our data indicate the limited role of pancreatic fluid analysis compared with symptoms and cyst size. Factors that guide and influence the need for surgical resection of pancreatic cystic tumours should be further evaluated. Competing interests None declared. Reference 1. Khalid A, Brugge W. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of neoplastic pancreatic cysts. Am J Gastroenterol 2007;102:2339–49.


Uncertainties of a robot manipulator include the inaccurate transformation between each coordinate, (e.g., robot base, flange, camera, tool, and workpiece) and the inherent variations within each links and mechanical components. In this work we consider the impact of harmonic drive uncertainty in peg-in-hole assembly. We investigate the accumulations of transmission errors within robot dynamic and nonlinear process in rotation. Models of manipulators with uncertainty parameters in harmonic drive systems are developed. The parameters in our harmonic drive model with uncertainty are identified through testing. The transformation metrics between each coordinate are also determined by detecting fiducial pattern and marker with well-calibrated camera. As a result we have a virtual robot model with parameters and uncertainties much closer to the real system. The simulation results show that the accuracy of hole-searching can reach 0.50 mm position error and 0.16 degree orientation error for hole locations that are not known as a priori.


Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act record forAveos Fleet Performance Inc. and Aero Technical US Inc. Includes information on file, company and monitor.


Agricultural activities emit greenhouse gases (GHGs) and contribute to global warming. Intensive plough tillage (PT), use of agricultural chemicals and the burning of crop residues are major farm activities emitting GHGs. Intensive PT also degrades soil properties by reducing soil organic carbon (SOC) pool. In this scenario, adoption of no‐till (NT) systems offers a pragmatic option to improve soil properties and reduce GHG emission. We evaluated the impacts of tillage systems (NT and PT) and wheat residue mulch on soil properties and GHG emission. This experiment was started in 1989 on a Crosby silt loam soil at Waterman Farm, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA. Mulching reduced soil bulk density and improved total soil porosity. More total carbon (16.16 g kg−1), SOC (8.36 mg L−1) and soil microbial biomass carbon (152 µg g−1) were recorded in soil under NT than PT. Mulch application also decreased soil temperature (0–5 cm) and penetration resistance (0–60 cm). Adoption of long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission. Average fluxes of GHGs under NT were 1.84 g CO2‐C m−2 day−1 for carbon dioxide, 0.07 mg CH4‐C m−2 day−1 for methane and 0.73 mg N2O‐N m−2 day−1 for nitrous oxide compared with 2.05 g CO2‐C m−2 day−1, 0.74 mg CH4‐C m−2 day−1 and 1.41 mg N2O‐N m−2 day−1, respectively, for PT. Emission of nitrous oxide was substantially increased by mulch application. In conclusion, long‐term NT reduced the GHG emission by improving the soil properties. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Microbial biofilms are resilient, immune-evasive, often antibiotic-resistant health challenges, and increasingly the target for research into novel therapeutic strategies. We evaluated the effects of a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) on established biofilm. Five microbial strains with known implications in chronic human illnesses were tested: Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus simulans (coagulase-negative, penicillin-resistant), Borrelia burgdorferi, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The strains were allowed to form biofilm in vitro. Biofilm cultures were treated with NEBB containing enzymes targeted at lipids, proteins, and sugars, also containing the mucolytic compound N-acetyl cysteine, along with antimicrobial extracts from cranberry, berberine, rosemary, and peppermint. The post-treatment biofilm mass was evaluated by crystal-violet staining, and metabolic activity was measured using the MTT assay. Average biofilm mass and metabolic activity for NEBB-treated biofilms were compared to the average of untreated control cultures. Treatment of established biofilm with NEBB resulted in biofilm-disruption, involving significant reductions in biofilm mass and metabolic activity for Candida and both Staphylococcus species. For B. burgdorferi, we observed reduced biofilm mass, but the remaining residual biofilm showed a mild increase in metabolic activity, suggesting a shift from metabolically quiescent, treatment-resistant persister forms of B. burgdorferi to a more active form, potentially more recognizable by the host immune system. For P. aeruginosa, low doses of NEBB significantly reduced biofilm mass and metabolic activity while higher doses of NEBB increased biofilm mass and metabolic activity. The results suggest that targeted nutraceutical support may help disrupt biofilm communities, offering new facets for integrative combinational treatment strategies.


The rise in global warming triggered by climate change and increased slush and burn activities particularly in Indonesia has been a major concern for deteriorating air pollution in Borneo regions in last two decades. Brunei Darussalam is facing increasing fire risk particularly during the dry season (February to April) of the year. The study is an effort to focus on the recent rise of fire events in Brunei Darussalam as fires can tremendously downgrade the quality of the country's well-known forestry; affect the economy and most importantly, health of the people. Geographical Information System (GIS) have been widely used by researchers to study fire risk assessment. The ArcGIS software is used for Optimized Hot Spot Analysis, Inversed Distance Weighted (IDW), and Kriging to compare and analyse the data and prepare a map for identifications of hotspot areas. High temperatures due to the El Nino phenomenon and low precipitation contribute greatly to the forest fire outbreaks. Results show that the Brunei-Muara district is mostly affected compared to Tutong and Belait districts. From the hotspots identified, the percentages of forest areas affected are 53%, 64%, 25% in Brunei-Muara, Tutong and Belait districts respectively.


Background Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation has initial evidence of efficacy in migraine and cluster headache. However, little is known about its role in the management of refractory chronic headaches. Methods We evaluated the preventive and abortive effects of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation in 41 consecutive patients with refractory primary chronic headaches in an open-label prospective clinical audit. Headache diaries were used to collect clinical information. Those who obtained at least 30% reduction in headache days/episodes after three months of treatment were considered responders and were offered treatment continuation. Results Twenty-three patients with chronic migraine, 12 with chronic cluster headache, four with hemicrania continua and two with short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with autonomic symptoms (SUNA) were treated. Two of 23 chronic migraine patients, one of 12 chronic cluster headache patients, and two of four hemicrania continua patients were considered responders. None of the patients with SUNA benefited from the therapy. Two chronic migraine patients were able to reduce the pain severity of moderate migraines with non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation. Conclusion Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation may not constitute an effective acute nor preventive treatment in refractory chronic primary headaches. The encouraging effect in hemicrania continua warrants further evaluation in larger studies.


The article considers the results of experimental studies of the rolling resistance of car wheels on a roller stand. Also, the dependence of the coefficient of total resistances during wheel rolling on the stand rollers on the speed was established.
Monitoring and diagnosing the technical condition of the rolling stock of vehicles from the point of view of traffic safety is one of the most important problems. This control is especially important for systems whose technical condition affects traffic safety, first of all, brake systems, as well as the power unit in the traction test mode. Foreign and domestic experience testifies to the effectiveness of instrumental control. Its advantages lie in the reliability of the values of the checked parameters. The diagnostic equipment includes roller stands, on which you can check the braking and traction properties of cars.
As shown by many studies, in particular, carried out at the Department of Technical Operation and Service of Automobiles, KhNADU (HADI), inertial stands provide more reliable information about the technical condition of the car. The inertial test method allows you to reproduce real speed and thermal modes of operation. To improve the accuracy of diagnosing a car on a roller stand, it is necessary to have an idea of the nature of the interaction of the car wheels with the stand rollers.
Studies of wheel rolling on the stand rollers have been carried out by many authors since the 70s of the last century. However, all of these studies were conducted on old bias tires. Now, only radial tires are used on passenger cars, the rolling resistance of which on rollers has practically not been studied. Therefore, returning to the study of this issue is relevant.
The rolling resistance of wheels on the rollers of the stand will significantly affect the nature of their interaction during long-term running tests (due to increased heating of contacting bodies, power losses, violation of similarity conditions, etc.). It was found that the value of the rolling resistance coefficient noticeably depends on the ratio of the radii of the roller and the wheel, as well as the contact load, that is, the radial force of pressing the wheel against the roller, and in addition, on the speed and duration of the mode.
The obtained results of the experiment made it possible to improve the theory of the interaction of a car wheel with the rollers of an inertial diagnostic stand. Also, the results of the experiments can be extended to different types of tires and the ratio of the radii of the wheel and roller.


This paper introduces a new onset detection algorithm for the extraction of percussive attack times from a musical audio signal. The crux of the technique is to search for patterns of increasing noise in the signal. We therefore refer to it as the Stochastic Onset Detection (SOD) technique. This technique is designed for use with complex audio signals consisting of both pitched and percussive instrumental sounds together, and aims to report solely on the timing of percussive attacks. In contrast to most onset detection algorithms it operates in the time domain and is very efficient; suiting our requirements for real-time detection. In this paper we describe our approach to onset detection, compare this with other approaches, outline our detection algorithm and provide preliminary results from musical trials to validate the algorithm's effectiveness.


Received: 05-01-2022 Revision: 13-01-2022 Received : 18-01-2022 Lesbians are a testament to sexual diversity in society, but in reality, the existence of minorities is still faced with the dilemma of norms in society. The condition occurs since people still acknowledge heteronormality or only consider heterosexual orientation deemed normal. This study was designed to describe lesbian performativity and heteronormativity in the novel Lesbian Laki-Laki (Male Lesbian) by Deojha's using the Judith Butler's theory of Queer. This study used a descriptive qualitative research method. The results showed that gender and sexual identity discourse are constructed by language and body markers. The heterosexual discourse of acceptable gender identity only involves masculinity and femininity, then sexually divided into two parts, called male and female. The analysis also proved that although the novel voiced lesbian order but still in the norms of heteronormativity.


The PI3K/mTOR-pathway is the most commonly deregulated pathway in epithelial cancers and represents an important target for cancer therapeutics. Here we show that inhibition of PI3K/mTOR in ovarian and breast cancer 3D spheroids leads to death of inner extracellular matrix-deprived cells, whereas matrix-attached cells are resistant. Resistance to PI3K inhibitors is associated with upregulation of a cellular survival program that involves both FOXO-mediated transcription and a novel translational resistance mechanism. This program is evolutionarily well-conserved and resembles nutrient/growth deprivation, leading to translation of IRES-containing pro-survival mRNAs, previously associated with cellular stress responses. Inhibition of any of several upregulated pro-survival proteins, including Bcl-2, EGFR, or IGF1R, abrogates resistance to PI3K/mTOR inhibition in breast and ovarian cancer cells and ovarian cancer xenografts. These studies provide a platform for rational development of effective drug combinations through the use of 3D-based model systems together with high-throughput proteomics approaches and identify drug combinations for further analysis as cancer therapeutics. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4836. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-4836


In the aftermath of the financial crisis of 2008, economies and governments across the world have progressively recognised the importance of 'technology' and 'entrepreneurship' as the driving forces for creation of economic value and wealth. In the context of microenterprises, firm level characteristics like the ability to absorb 'technology' (i.e. Absorptive Capacity) and to act 'entrepreneurially' (namely, Entrepreneurial Orientation) have become important measurements. This research presents a methodology that integrates the Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) and Absorptive Capacity (ACAP) constructs to explain the performance of microenterprises and identify high performers. The performance of microenterprises has been measured in terms of their potential to create value or wealth. This research validates that a 'forward looking' measure of performance that measures the 'potential value or wealth' is more suitable than the conventional measure, which uses historical data. It also establishes that the EO and ACAP constructs can be successfully integrated to explain a large part of this value or wealth creating potential.

This study covers 165 UK based microenterprises spread across different sectors and industries. Seventy (70) of these microenterprises have been labelled as 'Entrepreneurial Oriented (EO)' type enterprises as distinct and separate from the 95 Small Business Owners (SBO) types. The demarcation between the EO and SBO type has been justified and subsequently validated in this research. The results show that it is possible to demarcate between the EO and SBO type enterprises before their respective internal attributes (EO or SBO) are measured. This is particularly important since the two types of enterprises have different antecedents that drive their performance.

As in previous studies, this research found Entrepreneurial Orientation (EO) to be a uni-dimensional concept. On the other hand, Absorptive Capacity (ACAP), applying the original definition of Cohen & Levinthal (1991) was found to comprise of three components. The predictive model used in this study based on Principal Component analysis (PCA) and Ordinal Regression was able to successfully identify a majority (81.81%) of the high performers. More importantly, none of the low and only one of the medium performers was wrongly identified as high performers. The development of a methodology to predict potentially high value-creating microenterprises has important ramifications for policymaking and economic development both in developed economies like the United Kingdom as well as peripheral and developing economies


The hypothesis was tested that in young children when admitted to the hospital for acute illness, vasoactive hormone levels are raised. The plasma concentration of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and plasma renin activity (PRA) were measured in 103 acutely ill infants and children admitted to the hospital. Compared to 31 control children with elective surgery, plasma AVP and PRA levels were significantly elevated and plasma osmolality reduced in acute illness, indicating non‐osmotic, cardiovascular AVP release. AVP and PRA elevations were found to be independent of the underlying diseases (e.g. respiratory infections, gastroenteritis, bacterial infections and the viral syndrome). Since cardiovascular AVP activation bears the risk of hyponatraemia in the case of hypotonic fluid therapy, initial fluid management should be performed with solutions containing half‐normal or normal saline in acutely ill children.


Detecting high intrinsic motivation and Flow states is key for successful adaptation processes that may be used to improve learning outcome in Simulations and Serious Games. Until now, the method of choice to measure Flow, is the usage of questionnaires. Because of the shortcomings of this method, the ultimate goal is, to establish an alternative measuring method through correlations of physiological sensor data. Beforehand, the theoretical model of Flow is enhanced with the more fine-grained model of immersion plus the design and implementation of an experiment to validate said model is introduced. In conclusion a perspective towards preliminary test results and upcoming data analysis is given.


Observed normal preschool children from 2 through 5.9 years of age and their mothers using 2 established measurements of child compliance: the Compliance Test and the Clinic Task Analog. The diagnosis of oppositional defiant disorder as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (4th ed., American Psychiatric Association, 1994) currently requires subjective integration of interview, questionnaire, and behavioral data. Knowledge of normal child behavior within a parent-controlled task context is needed. Normal 4- and 5-year olds were found to be more compliant than were normal 2- and 3-year olds; no sex effects were detected. The Compliance Test yielded stronger age associations, better observer reliability, and more individual differences than the Clinic Task Analog. Clinic Task Analog data masked child compliance, probably as a result of maternal instruction-giving style. The Compliance Test is recommended for diagnostic purposes over the Clinic Task Analog.


The Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) free electron laser employs an RF photocathode gun that yields a 1nC bunch a few picoseconds long, which must be further compressed to yield the high current required for Self Amplified Spontaneous Emission (SASE) gain. The electron beam from the RF photocathode gun is quite sensitive to microbunching instabilities such as coherent synchrotron radiation (CSR) in the compressor chicanes and longitudinal space charge (LSC) in the linac. These effects can be Landau damped by adding energy spread to the electron bunch prior to compression. They propose to do this by co-propagating an infrared laser beam with the electron bunch in an undulator in the LCLS injector beamline. The undulator is placed in a four bend magnet chicane to allow the Ir laser beam to propagate colinearly with the e-beam while it oscillates in the undulator. The IR laser beam is derived from the photocathode gun drive laser, so the two beams are synchronized. Simulations presented elsewhere in these proceedings show that the laser interaction damps the microbunching instabilities to a very great extent. This paper is a description of the design of the laser heater.


The need for higher data speeds, fast and efficient network services are pushing towards thefuture generation of mobile network, the 5G. It is envisioned as the next big step in mobiletechnology which would offer a giant leap in terms of data speeds and quality of service.Many mobile network architectures and technologies are in the proposal to use with the 5G.Cloud Radio Access Network (C-RAN) is the next generation architecture for the mobile net-work that is able to solve most of the difficulties faced by current cellular service providers.C-RAN introduces an advanced, flexible and scalable base station (BS) architecture for thenext generation wireless and mobile networks. The basic idea behind C-RAN is to divide theBS functionality between a distributed radio unit known as remote radio head (RRH) and acentralized and virtualized baseband-pool (BBU-pool). A C-RAN can be more scalable byuse of proper load balancing technique at both RRH and BBU-pool. In this work, we havedone the resource allocation and load balancing work in a cloud-RAN architecture. The firstphase of this work deals with the packet allocation policy to the virtual box (VB) and the VBallocation to BBU host. We have proposed a resource allocation policy (PBA) for C-RANfor proper resource measurement. The second part of the work deals with different load bal-ancing approaches in C-RAN. We examine the different load situation and mathematicallyformulate the corresponding load balancing situation at both RRH and BBU-pool. For real-time handling of cellular traffic, an advance co-operative load balancing (CLB) algorithmis proposed, which able to balance the load at RRH as well as at BBU-pool. The primaryfocus of the CLB is to maximize the utilization of hardware resources at BBU-pool by usinga cooperative and dynamic load sharing technique at the RRH level. Finally, to validate thedifferent mathematical model and proposed algorithm, extensive simulation has been carried.


There has been an increase in the use of sperm DNA and chromatin integrity tests in the evaluation of the infertile man with the hypothesis that these tests may better diagnose infertility and predict reproductive outcomes. This review discusses the etiology of sperm DNA damage, briefly describing the tests of sperm DNA damage, and evaluates the relationship between sperm DNA damage and reproductive outcomes. A systematic review of the literature allows us to conclude that sperm DNA damage is associated with lower natural, intra-uterine insemination (IUI), and in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy rates. Studies to date have not shown a clear association between sperm DNA and chromatin defects and pregnancy outcomes after intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, we cannot exclude the possibility that very high levels of DNA damage will impact on ICSI outcomes. In couples undergoing IVF or ICSI, there is evidence to show that sperm DNA damage is associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss. A limitation of this systematic review and meta-analysis is that it does not address the heterogeneity of the individual study characteristics. Although the clinical utility of tests of sperm DNA damage remains to be firmly established, the data suggest that there is clinical value in testing couples prior to assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs IUI, IVF, and ICSI) and in those couples with recurrent miscarriages. Additional, well-designed prospective studies are needed before testing becomes a routine part of patient care.


Introducing context to a user query is effective to improve the search effectiveness. In this article we propose a method employing the taxonomy-based search services such as Web directories to facilitate searches in any Web search interfaces that support Boolean queries. The proposed method enables one to convey current search context on taxonomy of a taxonomy-based search service to the searches conducted with the Web search interfaces. The basic idea is to learn the search context in the form of a Boolean condition that is commonly accepted by many Web search interfaces, and to use the condition to modify the user query before forwarding it to the Web search interfaces. To guarantee that the modified query can always be processed by the Web search interfaces and to make the method adaptive to different user requirements on search result effectiveness, we have developed new fast classification learning algorithms.


A retrospective chart review was conducted of 20 older patients treated with clozapine, who were hospitalized for treatment of severe behavioral disruption secondary to psychotic symptoms. The average daily dose of clozapine was 208 mg for an average of 22 hospital days. Follow-up was 12 months after hospital discharge. All patients had significant behavioral improvement; there was modest reduction in psychotic symptoms (hallucinations and delusions). Clozapine was discontinued in two patients who developed respiratory symptoms. One patient developed seizures. Three of 18 patients developed leukopenia during the posthospital period, two at 6 weeks after beginning clozapine and one within 10 weeks. Clozapine was then discontinued and white blood cell count returned to normal. These retrospective observations suggest that clozapine is possibly useful in controlling behavioral disruption in older patients. Older patients may be at greater risk for developing leukopenia because of their higher blood levels of clozapine and possibly norclozapine.


A 90-year-old man presented with a 3-day history of general malaise. He was febrile (39.3°C) but the initial evaluation did not reveal the cause of the fever. After admission, Bacillus subtilis and Fusobacterium nucleatum were grown from multiple sets of blood cultures. In addition, contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed thrombi in the portal vein and superior mesenteric vein; he was diagnosed with pylephlebitis. After receiving antimicrobial treatment and anticoagulation, the patient was cured. Pylephlebitis is a rare condition and may be the cause of unknown fevers. This is the first reported case of pylephlebitis caused by Bacillus subtilis.


This paper studies the effect of trade policy uncertainty on firm-level volatility. Using data on exporting firms from China around its WTO accession, we find that a reduction of trade policy uncertainty between China and the US decreases the volatility of firm-level export to the US and increases the volatility of export to the rest of the world, suggesting a risk-sharing effect among export destinations. In the aggregate level, the shock in trade policy uncertainty has no significant effect on the volatility of total firm export or the volatility of total firm sales.


Several types of experiments showed the existence of negative methane ions CH_{4}^{-} over a period of 50 years but the nature of this elusive species remains unknown. A benchmark study has shown that the experimentally observed species cannot be described by the attachment of an electron in the doublet ground state of CH_{4}^{-}. Here we find CH_{4}^{-} as being a metastable species in its lowest quartet spin state, a CH_{2}^{-}:H_{2} exciplex with three open shells lying ca. 10 eV above the methane singlet ground state but slightly below the dissociation fragments. The formation of charged high-spin exciplexes is a novel mechanism to explain small molecular anions with implications in a plethora of basic and applied research fields.


NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF RADIAL AND TREE-SHAPED VASCULAR CHANNELS FOR SELF-COOLING STRUCTURES In this study, we show experimentally and numerically how a plate which is subjected to a constant heat load can be kept under an allowable temperature limit. Vascular channels in which coolant fluid flows have been embedded in the plate. Three types of vascular channel designs were compared: radial, tree-shaped and their hybrid. The effects of channel design on the thermal performance for different volume fractions (the fluid volume over the solid volume) are documented. In addition, the effects of the number of channels on cooling performance have been documented. Changing the design from radial to tree-shaped designs decreases the order of pressure drop. Hence increase in the order of the convective heat transfer coefficient is achieved. However, tree-shaped designs do not bathe the entire domain. Therefore, additional channels were inserted at the uncooled regions (hybrid design). The best features of both radial and tree-shaped designs are combined in the hybrid of them: the flow resistances to the fluid and heat flow become almost as low as the tree-shaped and radials designs, respectively. Furthermore, this thesis shows how delaying the inlet of the coolant fluid for a given time interval affects the peak temperature. The effect of design on the maximum temperature shows that there should be an optimum design for a distinct set of boundary conditions, and this design should be varied as the boundary conditions change. This result is in accord with the constructal law, i.e. the shape should be varied in order to minimize resistances to the flows.


These four papers present data from the 2011 Census of Population and Housing for the 93 NSW State Electoral Districts (SEDs) as redistributed in 2013. This publication is arranged by selected census characteristics. For each characteristic, three numbers from the 2011 Census are provided for all 93 NSW SEDs: A count of persons/families/dwellings; The count expressed as a percentage of the total electoral division population, or a subset of that population (where relevant); and The electorate's rank in relation to all electorates (in most cases based on the percentage).


Blur removal is an important problem in signal and image processing. The blurring matrices obtained by using the zero boundary condition (corresponding to assuming dark background outside the scene) are Toeplitz matrices for one-dimensional problems and block-Toeplitz–Toeplitzblock matrices for two-dimensional cases. They are computationally intensive to invert especially in the block case. If the periodic boundary condition is used, the matrices become (block) circulant and can be diagonalized by discrete Fourier transform matrices. In this paper, we consider the use of the Neumann boundary condition (corresponding to a reflection of the original scene at the boundary). The resulting matrices are (block) Toeplitz-plus-Hankel matrices. We show that for symmetric blurring functions, these blurring matrices can always be diagonalized by discrete cosine transform matrices. Thus the cost of inversion is significantly lower than that of using the zero or periodic boundary conditions. We also show that the use of the Neumann boundary condition provides an easy way of estimating the regularization parameter when the generalized cross-validation is used. When the blurring function is nonsymmetric, we show that the optimal cosine transform preconditioner of the blurring matrix is equal to the blurring matrix generated by the symmetric part of the blurring function. Numerical results are given to illustrate the efficiency of using the Neumann boundary condition.


Abstract. We undertake a redescription of the equid sample from the Early Pleistocene of Roca-Neyra, France. This locality has been recently calibrated at the Pliocene/Pleistocene boundary (2.6 ± 0.2 Ma) and therefore it is of interest for the first appearance of the genus Equus and last appearance of hipparionine horses. The Roca-Neyra equid sample, reanalyzed herein using morphological, morphometrical, and statistical analyses, has revealed the co-occurrence of Plesiohipparion cf. ?P. rocinantis and Equus cf. E. livenzovensis. The analysis undertaken on several European, African, and Asian "Hipparion" sensu lato species from late Miocene to Early Pleistocene has revealed different remnant Hipparion lineages in the Plio-Pleistocene of Europe: Plesiohipparion, Proboscidippaion, and likely Cremohipparion. The discovery of the first European monodactyl horse, Equus cf. E. livenzovensis correlates Roca-Neyra with other 2.6 Ma European localities in Italy, Spain, and in the Khapry area (Azov Sea region). The morphological description of the Equus cf. E. livenzovensis lower cheek teeth has highlighted intermediate features between the North American Pliocene species Equus simplicidens and Early Pleistocene European Equus stenonis. Our study supports the hypothesis that E. livenzovensis is a plausible evolutionary predecessor for the Equus stenonis group. These observations underscore the importance of Roca-Neyra as an important locality for the last European hipparions and the first Equus in the Early Pleistocene of Europe.


The effects of intramuscular injections of minute amounts of polymyxin B were studied in 42 patients with endotoxemia. Plasma endotoxin was measured by means of an endotoxin-specific Endospecy test (Seikagaku Corp., Tokyo, Japan) after pretreatment of the plasma with a new perchloric acid method that we developed. The normal value of plasma endotoxin is less than 9.8 pg/mL. Polymyxin B was administered at a dose of 12,500 U every 6 hours. Plasma endotoxin rapidly decreased to the normal range in 40 of the 42 patients. Body temperature fell significantly. APACHE II scores were also significantly improved. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6 (IL-6) decreased in survivors, while tending to persist in high values in patients who died. No side effects were observed in any of the patients. In conclusion, intramuscular injections of small doses of polymyxin B were useful in the treatment of endotoxemia.


ABSTRACT This essay examines Maria Edgeworth's rewriting of masculine political power and visibility, focusing on collaborations with her father and brother on explicitly political projects to show how she gained a political life of her own through the personae and authorial disguises she adopted in these "partnership" works. Far from simply "illustrating and manufacturing" her father's ideas, as she claimed, and contrary to her assertion that "all the general ideas [in her writings] originated with him," Edgeworth herself often designed and directed her "collaborative" publications. She thus assumed the dress of a masculine political life in print form, and was to some extent the inventor of her father's public and political identity. This argument runs contrary to views of Edgeworth as simply her father's copyist, and complicates the "question of authorship" identified as a central problem in Marilyn Butler's biography of Edgeworth and much subsequent criticism. I suggest that while Edgeworth drew on her father's conversation and liberally shared stock of experiences and information, we can find evidence of her own political philosophy in the works written by her under male names, culminating in her editing and rewriting of her father's "life" in the Memoirs of Richard Lovell Edgeworth.


Knowledge of the acoustic response of single fish (or Target Strength: TS) is of prime importance for acoustic target classification and abundance estimation. This report investigates the effect of TS~length equation selection on the anchovy and sardine biomass estimates derived from PELGAS acoustic and fishing survey data. We aim at assessing the respective effects of b20 and depth correction terms on anchovy biomass acoustic estimates derived from the PELGAS survey, in order to evaluate the magnitude of a potential non linear effect of fish depth on acoustic biomass estimates. The PELGAS 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016 survey data are re-analysed using several TS equations with different b20 values and/or depth correction terms to assess the respective effects of each single term on PELGAS anchovy and sardine biomass estimates. Our results confirm that the main TS equation parameter influencing the spring Biscay anchovy and sardine biomass estimations is the b20. In comparison, the Ona (2003)'s depth correction term yields marginal and more or less constant changes in the biomass estimates. The hypothesis of a strong and non linear effect of a depth-correction term in the TS equation used to derive acoustic biomass estimates of anchovy or sardine in the Bay of Biscay is invalidated by these results. The annual depth distributions of anchovies, as estimated based on PELGAS catch and ESDU data, show moderate variability, which does not seem to be related to biomass fluctuations.


This manuscript takes the controversy over Burton's "Love" snowboard, which featured Playboy Playmates, as a case study for understanding contemporary practices of gendered lifestyle branding in alternative sport. I employ a feminist political economic critique of the Love as a form of gendered branding that constructs the Burton brand as a "platform for action," inviting male riders to construct "authentic" and countercultural identities and female riders to construct "empowered" postfeminist identities. Drawing on scholarship on the sexual objectification of women in alternative sports media, I argue protests against the board focused only on the board's representations and failed to account for new branding strategies that relegitimate how "sex sells" at the present conjuncture and missed opportunities to build coalitions against sexism within the snowboarding industry.


BACK GROUND: The development of new surgical techniques and recent advances in instrumentation in ACL reconstruction has enabled surgeons to achieve better results. However, varying opinion exist among experts with regard to the ideal technique and graft type to be used. Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus tendon autograft with fixation in the femoral tunnel using endobutton and in the tibial tunnel with hybrid fixation using suture disc and anchored with a cancellous screw and washer is a relatively new technique. We have undertaken this study to analyse the postoperative outcome in our experience with this procedure. METHODS: This was a prospective study of patients with ACL injury who underwent Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus tendon autograft. Postoperatively, all patients were initiated on the same rehabilitation protocol. All patients were followed up for four to six months period at regular intervals using IKDC, LGS scoring systems and a subjective questionnaire (SQ). Functional assessment with hop test was done. RESULTS: 90% of the patients had a favourable outcome as per three scoring systems. All three Scoring systems had a very high correlation as evidenced by the Kendaltau values ranging from 0.464 to 0.923. Statistically, this was found to be highly significant (p value0.000– 0.001). There was good correlation between IKDC and the functional outcome –Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.192 with IKDC and was statistically significant; p: 0.001 with IKDC. The mean limb symmetry index of hop tests were 83.503 +/3.65 [range: 66.36 to 93.33]. CONCLUSION: We conclude that the functional outcome of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus tendon autograft is excellent to good (90%). With proper patient selection and physiotherapy regimen, full occupational and recreational activities can be expected for most of the patients within six months of the procedure.


The paper draws lessons from the French technology foresight exercise 'Key Technologies 2005'. It first describes the exercise as it took place: its context and objectives as well as the methodology that was adopted to identify, select and characterize 120 key technologies. Specifically, the paper describes the criteria used to select among the candidate key technologies, and then presents a specific tool which was developed to describe each technology (a characterization grid relating functional market needs and technological solutions to fulfil the generic need). Finally, twelve lessons are discussed. These deal with both the content of the foresight results and the methodology of running a technology foresight at national level. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The analytical methods for mycotoxin determination used in fully developed countries require sophisticated infrastructure, stable electricity, ready availability of supplies, and qualified and experienced technicians for instrument maintenance. Simple and appropriately validated tools analogous to those used for the management of contaminated bulk commodities at the grain elevator level are needed at the rural level in developing countries. These tools are needed to promote public health and to manage emergency situations in subsistence farming communities with an immediate and severe problem of mycotoxin contamination of food grains, with the goal of working towards feasible reductions in exposure. Two general analytical approaches that require less infrastructure are described here. The first approach is thin-layer chromatography (TLC), which has been used for more than 50 years to analyse mycotoxins. The advantages of TLC include simplicity and proven reliability. Accuracy may be improved by using precision spotters to apply precise amounts of sample to TLC plates and optical readers. The costs of these refinements to TLC are far lower than those of gas or liquid chromatography systems. The disadvantages of TLC include the need for stable supplies of solvents and standards as well as safe conditions for their storage. The second approach described here is based on immunological methods using anti-mycotoxin antibodies. These tests are available as kits, have the necessary standards built in, use little or no organic solvent, and are generally easy to use. The disadvantages of these methods include the need to refrigerate the kits before use and the limited shelf-life. It has been proposed that companies and development agencies could be solicited to develop packages of kits, sampling equipment (e.g. grinders), and training models for deployment in the many areas where mycotoxins are a chronic problem.


The Darrieus turbine was initially developed for wind turbines. An example of its application to water turbines is found in the Darrieus turbine installed in a duct for low head power generation, but no example is known of its application in a natural water channel. The authors have developed a Darrieus turbine that is suitable for tidal current power generation with the aim of establishing tidal current power generation technology through demonstrations in test channels and oceans. The efficiency of tidal current power generation is influenced by the characteristics of the turbine. The characteristics of the Darrieus turbine are mainly affected by the solidity and the number of blades. The Darrieus turbine was tested in test channels to find the most suitable values for the rotor solidity and the number of blades. This paper describes and examines those test results. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electr Eng Jpn, 132(3): 38–47, 2000


Integration of multiple profiling data and construction of functional gene networks may provide additional insights into the molecular mechanisms of complex diseases. Osteoporosis is a worldwide public health problem, but the complex gene-gene interactions, post-transcriptional modifications and regulation of functional networks are still unclear. To gain a comprehensive understanding of osteoporosis etiology, transcriptome gene expression microarray, epigenomic miRNA microarray and methylome sequencing were performed simultaneously in 5 high hip BMD (Bone Mineral Density) subjects and 5 low hip BMD subjects. SPIA (Signaling Pathway Impact Analysis) and PCST (Prize Collecting Steiner Tree) algorithm were used to perform pathway-enrichment analysis and construct the interaction networks. Through integrating the transcriptomic and epigenomic data, firstly we identified 3 genes (FAM50A, ZNF473 and TMEM55B) and one miRNA (hsa-mir-4291) which showed the consistent association evidence from both gene expression and methylation data; secondly in network analysis we identified an interaction network module with 12 genes and 11 miRNAs including AKT1, STAT3, STAT5A, FLT3, hsa-mir-141 and hsa-mir-34a which have been associated with BMD in previous studies. This module revealed the crosstalk among miRNAs, mRNAs and DNA methylation and showed four potential regulatory patterns of gene expression to influence the BMD status. In conclusion, the integration of multiple layers of omics can yield in-depth results than analysis of individual omics data respectively. Integrative analysis from transcriptomics and epigenomic data improves our ability to identify causal genetic factors, and more importantly uncover functional regulation pattern of multi-omics for osteoporosis etiology.


Critical infrastructures encompass various sectors such as energy resources, manufacturing and governmental services, which tend to be dispersed over large geographic areas. With recent technological advancements over the last decade, they have developed to be increasingly dependent on Information and Communication Technology (ICT); where control systems and the use of sensor equipment help facilitate operation. In order to sustain the ever-increasing demands, it is essential that these systems can adapt by integrating various new and existing digital technologies. However, this results in an increased vulnerability to cyber-threats. In addition, the persistently evolving global state of ICT has resulted in the emergence of sophisticated cyber-threats. As dependence upon critical infrastructure systems continues to increase, so too does the urgency with which these systems need to be adequately protected. Unfortunately, the consequences of a successful cyber-attack can be dire, potentially resulting in the loss of life or a devastating effect on the operation of government services and the economy. Despite the seriousness of this problem, the development of new and innovative cyber-security methods are being hampered by the lack of access to real-world data for training, research and testing new design methodologies. As such, the project presented in this paper highlights an in-progress project, funded by UKAIS, for the development of an easily-replicable and affordable critical infrastructure testbed for cyber-security training and research.


Biological organisms are composed of numerous interconnected biochemical processes. Diseases occur when normal functionality of these processes is disrupted. Thus, understanding these biochemical processes and their interrelationships is a primary task in biomedical research and a prerequisite for diagnosing diseases, and drug development. Scientists studying these processes have identified various pathways responsible for drug metabolism, and signal transduction, etc.
Newer techniques and speed improvements have resulted in deeper knowledge about these pathways, resulting in refined models that tend to be large and complex, making it difficult for a person to remember all aspects of it. Thus, computer models are needed to analyze them. We want to build such a system that allows modeling of biological systems and pathways in such a way that we can answer questions about them.
Many existing models focus on structural and/or factoid questions, using surface-level knowledge that does not require understanding the underlying model. We believe these are not the kind of questions that a biologist may ask someone to test their understanding of the biological processes. We want our system to answer the kind of questions a biologist may ask. Such questions appear in early college level text books.
Thus the main goal of our thesis is to develop a system that allows us to encode knowledge about biological pathways and answer such questions about them demonstrating understanding of the pathway. To that end, we develop a language that will allow posing such questions and illustrate the utility of our framework with various applications in the biological domain. We use some existing tools with modifications to accomplish our goal.
Finally, we apply our system to real world applications by extracting pathway knowledge from text and answering questions related to drug development.


Objective: The APOE genotype and serum calcium levels have both been associated with cognitive impairment. Animal studies have shown variation in apoE isoforms to play a critical role in intraneuronal calcium homeostasis, but the contribution of this interaction to cognitive function in man is unknown. Here, we studied whether the APOE genotype modulates the association between serum calcium levels and cognition. Methods: Within the Leiden 85-plus Study, a prospective population-based study of 599 subjects aged 85 years, we measured serum calcium levels and APOE genotype at baseline. During a 5-year follow-up period, cognitive function was annually assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and a standardized neuropsychological test battery. Results: Both at baseline and during follow-up, high serum calcium levels were associated with worse cognitive function in ε3ε4 carriers and to a lesser extent in ε3ε3 carriers, but not in ε2ε3 carriers. The MMSE score during the entire follow-up period differed between those with high and low serum calcium levels, with 5.5 points in ε3ε4 carriers (p < 0.001), 1.6 points in ε3ε3 carriers (p = 0.010), and 0.1 point in ε2ε3 carriers (p = 0.935). Formal testing showed an interaction between APOE genotype and serum calcium levels in relation to global cognitive function (p = 0.003). Conclusions: In old age, APOE genotype modulates the association between serum calcium levels and cognitive function. High serum calcium levels associate with worse cognitive function, especially in APOE ε4 allele carriers, but not in carriers of the ε2 allele.


As the country with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia has Islamic educational institutions, such as the shape of schools, and boarding. Only the Islamic educational institutions have not been managed optimally. This fact is evidenced by a variety of management issues in Islamic educational institutions both in terms of curriculum, educators, learners, educators, financial administration, classroom management, and infrastructure. The complexity of these problems need to be resolved. To that end, this article will discuss in detail the problems of management of Islamic educational institutions that happened and find the right solution to give a discourse to the managers of Islamic educational institutions related to the management of Islamic educational institutions is good and right.


We describe a 45-year-old male patient with an atypical unilateral optic neuropathy who was diagnosed with primary antiphospholipid syndrome. The initially poor vision lasting several months completely recovered and long-term oral anticoagulation therapy prevented potential further systemic thrombotic complications.


A two-dimensional system of classical dipoles on a triangular lattice with isotropic in-plane ordering is studied both in the spin-wave approximation and by Monte-Carlo simulation. It is shown that the mean-square displacement ( theta 2), unlike in the two-dimensional XY model, is finite in this system in the thermodynamic limit-not divergent logarithmically. This boundedness of ( theta 2) is caused, as demonstrated, by the long-range nature of the potential.


Background The genetic influences in human brain structure and function and impaired functional connectivities are the hallmarks of the schizophrenic brain. To explore how common genetic variants affect the connectivities in schizophrenia, we applied genome-wide association studies assaying the abnormal neural connectivities in schizophrenia as quantitative traits. Method We recruited 161 first-onset and treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia and 150 healthy controls. All the participants underwent scanning with a 3 T-magnetic resonance imaging scanner to acquire structural and functional imaging data and genotyping using the HumanOmniZhongHua-8 BeadChip. The brain-wide association study approach was employed to account for the inherent modular nature of brain connectivities. Results We found differences in four abnormal functional connectivities [left rectus to left thalamus (REC.L–THA.L), left rectus to right thalamus (REC.L–THA.R), left superior orbital cortex to left thalamus (ORBsup.L–THA.L) and left superior orbital cortex to right thalamus (ORBsup.L–THA.R)] between the two groups. Univariate single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based association revealed that the SNP rs6800381, located nearest to the CHRM3 (cholinergic receptor, muscarinic 3) gene, reached genomic significance (p = 1.768 × 10−8) using REC.L–THA.R as the phenotype. Multivariate gene-based association revealed that the FAM12A (family with sequence similarity 12, member A) gene nearly reached genomic significance (nominal p = 2.22 × 10–6, corrected p = 0.05). Conclusions Overall, we identified the first evidence that the CHRM3 gene plays a role in abnormal thalamo-orbital frontal cortex functional connectivity in first-episode treatment-naive patients with schizophrenia. Identification of these genetic variants using neuroimaging genetics provides insights into the causes of variability in human brain development, and may help us determine the mechanisms of dysfunction in schizophrenia.


ABSTRACT Finafloxacin is a novel fluoroquinolone exhibiting enhanced activity under acidic conditions and a broad-spectrum antibacterial profile. The present study assessed the pharmacokinetic properties and the safety and tolerability of finafloxacin following intravenous infusions. In this mixed-parallel-group, crossover study, healthy male and female volunteers received single ascending doses (18 volunteers, 200 to 1,000 mg) or multiple ascending doses (40 volunteers, 600 to 1,000 mg) of finafloxacin or placebo. Plasma and urine samples were collected by a dense sampling scheme to determine the pharmacokinetics of finafloxacin using a noncompartmental approach. Standard safety and tolerability data were documented. Finafloxacin had a volume of distribution of 90 to 127 liters (range) at steady state and 446 to 550 liters at pseudoequilibrium, indicating the elimination of a large fraction before pseudoequilibrium was reached. Areas under the concentration-time curves and maximum plasma concentrations (geometric means) increased slightly more than proportionally (6.73 to 45.9 μg · h/ml and 2.56 to 20.2 μg/ml, respectively), the terminal elimination half-life increased (10.6 to 17.1 h), and the urinary recovery decreased (44.2% to 31.7%) with increasing finafloxacin doses (single doses of 200 to 1,000 mg). The pharmacokinetic profiles suggested multiphasic elimination by both glomerular filtration and saturable tubular secretion. The values of the parameters were similar for single and multiple administrations. The coefficient of variation for the between-subject variability of exposure ranged from 10% (≤600 mg) to 38% (>600 mg). Adverse events were mild and nonspecific, with no dependence of adverse events on dose or treatment (including placebo) being detected. Despite a relatively high interindividual variability at higher doses, the level of exposure following intravenous administration of finafloxacin appears to be predictable. Individual elimination processes should be evaluated in more detail. Finafloxacin exhibited a favorable safety and tolerability profile. (This study has been registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under registration no. NCT01910883.)


A culture of diversity maximizes different perspectives,
ideas, and personalities and takes advantage of inclusion; in
order to tap into the prime of talent banks, thereby fostering
innovation and attaining transformative value. This is driven by
the eco system of the all advancing networked society which
enables everyone, everything and everywhere to be connected in
real time and impact on the way collaborations are done. It is an
environment where different ideas, outlooks, and experiences
brought to a sphere of influence are respected, irrespective of
who brings it. It is a setting where individuals are able to
uniquely fulfill their potentials whilst valuing, supporting and
respecting differences. In the gender divide there is a disparity
that does not enhance the value of the female gender and their
contributions. Through varied efforts by organizations and prowomen
societal bodies for gender parity; this has been on a
continuous improvement road map amidst varied cultural,
unconscious bias, etc challenges. These bodies foster the added
value the female gender brings into the specific or related sphere
influence and prove that the inclusivity of the female gender
builds stronger, smarter, financially robust and productive
teams. Inclusive engagement of all workforces especially the
female workforce can improve a company's financial base, as
diversity is maximized through a shared vision and value system,
amidst differences in personalities and perspectives. Inclusion is
a corporate responsibility for any trans-generational
organization that wants to remain relevant and sustain its
essence in a highly competitive environment. The Networked
Society enhances the transformational power of ICT to spur
socio-economic development, promote responsible career and
business practices, as it takes advantage of diverse work place
experiences that have an inclusive culture. This results in more
connections, added communication, new functions and new
behaviors. This would shape the future; create a positive heritage
for generations ahead as the fundamentals of diversity and
conscious inclusion continually form the building blocks for its
sustainability.


In this paper, we propose a decentralized control algorithm of multiple robots handling a single object in coordination. Different from our previous control algorithm the external force applied to the object, including the inertia force, is shared equally by all of the robots. The proposed control algorithm is experimentally applied to three mobile robots, each of which has one degree of freedom. The experimental results illustrate the validity of the proposed control system.


Pneumonia due to Pneumocystis carinii (PCP) is regularly encountered in organ allograft recipients who are immunosuppressed to prevent rejection. Recipients of lung/heart allografts may be particularly prone to pulmonary infection due to systemic immunosuppression and the fact that defense mechanisms in the transplanted lung may be further impaired through tissue incompatibility and the effects of surgery. In this study, we monitored 16 lung transplant recipients for infection with Pneumocystis carinii using serial bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and found the prevalence of Pneumocystis infection of the lung to be 88%. Six episodes were associated with the usual symptoms of pneumonia, whereas 10 episodes were associated with minimal or no symptoms. In 3 of the 6 symptomatic episodes, a concurrent bacterial infection was also found. The total number of cells recovered from the lung by BAL, the proportion of T-lymphocytes, and the number of cytotoxic/suppressor and helper/inducer cells were elevated during infection with Pneumocystis compared to before and after. Spontaneous and interleukin-2-induced proliferation of BAL cells in vitro was also higher during infection, suggesting that there was an increased number of activated T-lymphocytes in the airspaces of the infected allograft. BAL cells cultured with irradiated spleen cells from the donor proliferated at higher levels when obtained after Pneumocystis infection than when obtained before or during infection even for subclinical infections. These results indicate that in the absence of prophylaxis, the prevalence of Pneumocystis infestation is very high after lung/heart transplantation. Impaired defense of the transplanted lung does not seem to stem from the inability of activated T-lymphocytes to accumulate in the allograft.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


A fundamental problem in many network systems is how to allocate limited resources among competing agents, who may have their own incentives. The well-known Vickrey-Clarke-Groves (VCG) mechanism provides an elegant solution to this incentive issue. In particular, VCG implements the socially optimal outcome in dominant strategies. However, it is also well-known that this mechanism can require an excessive amount of communication. Approaches have been studied that relax the communication requirements while also relaxing the incentive guarantees to use Nash equilibria instead of dominant strategies. Here, we take a different approach and study mechanisms with limited information that still have dominant strategy outcomes, but suffer an efficiency loss. We characterize this loss for the case of a single divisible resource. We first consider a mechanism in which information is limited by quantizing the resource into a finite number of units and allocating each of these to one agent via a VCG mechanism. This limits each agent to submitting a finite number of real values. We subsequently consider the case where each value is also quantized before being reported by each agent. Finally, we present numerical examples of the performance of these mechanisms.


An analysis is made of the possibility of determination of the width of a narrow-band emission spectrum of a laser by a modified heterodyne method. This method is based on the dependence of the maximum of the spectrum of beats on the delay time between interfering waves.


Identifying the vegetation and topographic variables influencing the isotopic variability of xylem water of forest vegetation remains crucial to interpret and predict ecohydrological processes in landscapes. In this study, we used temporally and spatially distributed xylem stable water isotopes measurements from two growing seasons to examine the temporal and spatial variations of xylem stable water isotopes and their relationships with vegetation and topographic variables in a Luxembourgish temperate mixed forest. Species‐specific temporal variations of xylem stable water isotopes were observed during both growing seasons with a higher variability for beeches than oaks. Principal component regressions revealed that tree diameter at breast height explains up to 55% of the spatial variability of xylem stable water isotopes, while tree species explains up to 24% of the variability. Topographic variables had a marginal role in explaining the spatial variability of xylem stable water isotopes (up to 6% for elevation). During the drier growing season (2020), we detected a higher influence of vegetation variables on xylem stable water isotopes and a lower temporal variability of the xylem water isotopic signatures than during the wetter growing season (2019). Our results reveal the dominant influence of vegetation on xylem stable water isotopes across a forested area and suggest that their spatial patterns arise mainly from size‐ and species‐specific as well as water availability‐dependent water use strategies rather than from topographic heterogeneity. The identification of the key role of vegetation on xylem stable water isotopes has critical implications for the representativity of isotopes‐based ecohydrological and catchments studies.


The claim that scientific explanation is deductive has been attacked on both systematic and historical grounds. This paper briefly defends the claim against the systematic attack. Essential to this defence is a distinction between perfect and imperfect explanation. This distinction is then used to illuminate the differences and similarities between Aristotelian (anthropomorphic) explanations of certain facts and those of classical mechanics. In particular, it is argued that when one attempts to fit classical mechanics into the Aristotelian framework the latter becomes structurally incoherent. It is suggested that this, together with the fact that classical mechanics embodied the first piece of perfect knowledge, accounts, in part at least, for the historical fact of the rapid demise of the Aristotelian patterns as the new science developed. On the basis of this discussion, the inadequacies of the attack on the deductive model on historical grounds by Toulmin come to be seen.


The wear characteristics between nonmetal and metals have been investigated using a disc on disc system. The specimens of nonmetal are made by the nylon and teflon materials. The specimens of the metal are used as eight kinds of along their hardness. The kinds of metals are copper(Hv96), aluminum(Hv186), brass(Hv234), aluminum bronze(Hv294), stainless steel(Hv327), annealing mild steel(Hv345), mild steel(Hv372), Hard steel(Hv434). In this study, a upper and lower specimens have been used the same size and shape. Using experimental data we figured the relationship between friction coefficient of nonmetal and metals. We figured the relationship between friction temperature of nonmetal and metals. The result had been verified a wear characteristics of nonmetal and metals in the wear tests.


This paper presents a review of available prediction formulae in the literature to estimate shear crack width in concrete members. Influencing factors affecting shear cracking behavior are extensively discussed, and shear crack widths and crack spacing calculated from each design equation are compared with those obtained from available experimental results. Finally, a rational and simplified equation for the calculation of shear crack width for partially prestressed concrete members is proposed.