The principles of derivative spectrophotometry have been known for many years, and a variety of instrumentation for producing the first and higher differentials of absorption spectra has been described.1–21 However, despite the advantages of the techniques for intensifying minor changes in spectra, the separation of overlapping bands, or for band sharpening, derivative traces have not been used to a significant extent in infrared spectroscopy.


In aerospace engineering CFD is often applied to obtain values for quantities of interest which are global functionals of the solution. To optimise the balance between accuracy of the computed functional and CPU time we focus on dual-weighted adaptive hierarchical modelling of fluid flow. In this paper we study estimation of the model error in a quantity of interest and present an adaptive modelling strategy to meet the required accuracy for a quantity of interest in a linear elliptic model problem.


We measured the flow-resistance of five commercially available 10 cm H2O expiratory positive-pressure (EPP) valves (n = five per valve type) at bias flows of between 0 and 2,000 ml/s. We found that individual valves of each type and manufacturer functioned similarly. Different valve types, however, functioned differently: with one type, system pressure was higher than rated (p less than 0.05), and with another type, system pressure was significantly flow-dependent (p less than 0.01). The remaining types of valves had no flow-resistive properties and maintained a system pressure of 10 cmH2O. We conclude that system pressure is not similar in all continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) systems using bias flow and EPP valves. The work of breathing imposed by CPAP circuits will be increased in systems whose EPP valves have flow-dependent properties.


During the course of the study of the hydrothermal stability of alanine oligopeptides, a small amount of oligopeptides longer than the starting oligopeptides was found in the reaction products. On the basis of this unexpected finding and the investigation of the reaction mechanism, the elongation of oligopeptides using (Ala)3, (Ala)4, and (Ala)5 was attempted in aqueous solution at 275-310 degrees C within the second time range using a microflow reactor system. The elongation of (Ala)4 and (Ala)5 succeeded in the presence of an excess amount of Ala monomer. This is probably due to the fact that the elongation rate is competitive or somewhat faster than the degradation of peptide bonding. On the contrary, the elongation of (Ala)3 was not possible since it was immediately converted to diketopiperazine.


The results of a study of the characteristics of German-speaking online petitions on the openPetition platform, constituting a spatio-temporal, substantive, collective-personal systemic-communicative dimension of protest; studying the current manifestations of the mediation of politics and Net-thinking as an attribute of modern mediation in the studied communicative practices of protest are presented in the article. The integrative nature of electronic petitions is revealed, which is determined by their multifunctionality, discursive hybridity and stylistic syncretism. The design features in online petitions of a complex addressee (individual addressee and collective co-addressee) and complex addressee (mass and target addressee); relevant communication strategies and tactics of the mass addressee, individual addressee and co-addressees are described. The regularities of the agenda and discursive construction of the problem in online petitions are determined. The methods of forming and maintaining Internet solidarity in the studied protest practice are described. The manifestations of mediation of politics and personality in the analyzed practices are revealed. Attributes and actual reflection in online petitions of a new type of thinking (Net-thinking) as a consequence of the specifics of modern mediation of protest communication are described. The results of the study make a certain contribution to further understanding of the relationship between technological and sociocultural changes.


Recently, the high-tech industries, such as the aerospace industry, the auto industry, and the electronics industry, are growing up considerably. Because of that, high machining accuracy and productivity of precision parts have been required. The tooling system is important part in the machining center. HSK tooling system is more suitable than BT tooling system for that of high speed machining center. It is because static stiffness and machining accuracy of HSK tooling system are higher than those of BT tooling system. In this paper, static and dynamic behavior of the HSK tooling System is analyzed according to bearing characteristics and lightweight parts. In order that, three different models of the HSK tooling system are modelled by using a 3D modeling/design program. More stable one in the models of HSK tooling system can be selected by using the FEA (Finite Element Analysis)


Elastic electron scattering cross sections from the isotopes 24Mg, 25Mg and 26Mg have been measured in the momentum transfer range 0.20-1.15 fm-1. The individual RMS radii and also the differences between the isotopes are investigated. The measured form factors are compared with the predictions of an extended Nilsson model calculation.


abstract The weak dipole moments of leptons and quarks, i.e. those related to their Z–coupling, are reviewed. Standard Model predictions and experimental results may result in a stringent test for both their pointlike structure and also for the Standard Model. Special attention is devoted to the anomalous weak–magnetic dipole moment and to the CP –violating weak–electric dipole moment.


The last 20 years have seen incredible advances in electron microscopy (EM). Cryoelectron microscopy can now resolve protein structures to a previously unimaginable resolution but the advances in cellular EM are just as significant. I will take this opportunity to briefly summarize some of the new developments in cellular EM.


Truck chassis is a major component in a vehicle system. It is often identified for refinement in order to develop vehicles with reduced cost and weight. Nowadays the process of chassis design in the automotive industry has been significantly refined with the high capabilities of advanced computer aided design and engineering tools,. The application of FEA such as structural modification and optimization is used to reduce component complexity, weight and subsequently cost. Because the level of model complexity can be high, the opportunity for error can also be high. For this reason, some form of model verification is needed before design decisions made in the FEA environment can be implemented in production. This paper looks into the application of dynamic correlation techniques for verification of the FEA models of truck chassis. The dynamic characteristics of truck chassis such as the natural frequency and mode shape were determined using finite element method. Experimental modal analysis was carried out to validate the FE models. Initial results from both analysis show that the truck chassis experienced 1st torsion mode for 1st natural frequency, 1st bending mode for 2nd natural frequency, 2nd torsion mode for 3rd natural frequency and 2nd bending mode for 4th natural frequency. However there is a small discrepancy in terms of frequency. Thus, the model updating of truck chassis model was done by adjusting the selective properties such as Modulus Young and Poisson ratio in order to get better agreement in the natural frequency between both analysis. Finally, the modifications of the updated FE truck chassis model was suggested such as by considering adding the stiffener. The purpose is to reduce the vibration as well as to improve the strength of the truck chassis.


From the *Department of Biotechnology, College of Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran; †Department of Immunogenetics, Bu-Ali Research Institute, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; ‡Immunogenetics Research Center, Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran; §Dietary Supplements and Probiotic Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; ¶Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine Department, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran; ‖Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; #Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran; and **Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Submitted for consideration July 2019; accepted for publication in revised form August 2019. Disclosure: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. A.T., A.S.M., and S.E.E. designed and performed the experiments; M.I., M.K., and E.S. wrote the manuscript and helped in the analyses and interpretation of data; F.S. and V.M. helped in the conception, designing, and data analyses and wrote the manuscript and supported financially. Correspondence: Vahid Mansouri, Proteomics Research Center, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Email: email@example.com; and Fatemeh Soleimanifar, Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran. Email: firstname.lastname@example.com. Today, composite scaffolds fabricated by natural and synthetic polymers have attracted a lot of attention among researchers in the field of tissue engineering, and given their combined properties that can play a very useful role in repairing damaged tissues. In the current study, aloe vera–derived gel-blended poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated by electrospinning, and then, PHBV and PHBV gel fabricated scaffolds characterized by scanning electron microscope, protein adsorption, cell attachment, tensile and cell's viability tests. After that, osteogenic supportive property of the scaffolds was studied by culturing of human-induced pluripotent stem cells on the scaffolds under osteogenic medium and evaluating of the common bone-related markers. The results showed that biocompatibility of the PHBV nanofibrous scaffold significantly improved when combined with the aloe vera gel. In addition, higher amounts of alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralization, and bone-related gene and protein expression were detected in stem cells when grown on PHBV-gel scaffold in comparison with those stem cells grown on the PHBV and culture plate. Taken together, it can be concluded that aloe vera gel–blended PHBV scaffold has a great promising osteoinductive potential that can be used as a suitable bioimplant for bone tissue engineering applications to accelerate bone regeneration and also degraded completely along with tissue regeneration. ASAIO Journal 2020; 66:966–973.


Purpose of review In recent years, the view changed from 'product orientated' to 'patient orientated' and a new concept, named 'patient blood management' (PBM), was created with the aim to improve patient care and safety. However, changing long lasting work practice is more than challenging but the outcomes of several recently published studies confirm the concept and warrant the effort. This review will exemplify the need of patient centered treatments and highlight recent findings in the field of PBM. Recent findings Anemia is the biggest predictor for red blood cell transfusion that may by itself be associated with adverse outcome. PBM is a multiprofessional and multidisciplinary composition addressing a patient-centered prevention and treatment of both preoperative and hospital-acquired anemia. Thereby, red blood cell utilization can be reduced and patient perioperative outcome improved. Summary During recent years, a tremendous movement has been observed in respect of patient safety and patient blood use. However, the majority of hospitals hazard with the implementation of PBM practice mostly because the awareness about recent findings and current recommendations regarding PBM is lacking.


Objectives This research aimed to study the effect of microRNA-128-3p (miR-128-3p) on deep venous thrombosis (DVT). Method The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Transwell chamber method, and flow cytometry technique were used in the cell experiments. Potential interconnection between miR-128-3p and silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) was revealed by luciferase activity. The concentration of miR-128-3p and mRNA SIRT1 was assessed by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to test the predictive effect of miR-128-3p in DVT. Results Decreased miR-128-3p expression was beneficial to cell proliferation and migration and inhibited inflammation, apoptosis, and adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The impacts of miR-128-3p on HUVECs were achieved by targeting SIRT1. MiR-128-3p was upregulated in patients with DVT, and it was of great significance in differentiating patients with DVT. Conclusion Overexpression of miR-128-3p might become a biomarker for patients with DVT.


This article discusses a novel framework for trust-based multidevice collaboration services. This framework opens up significant scope for applications and collaboration opportunities among heterogeneous devices mimicking human interaction. We present a topology map middleware service and a distributed querying application service that run on top of this framework. We are currently working on addressing the key challenges presented and developing new middleware, application services, and optimization techniques that leverage heterogeneous multidevice collaboration such as colocation detection, determining colocation pattern, and task offloading.


Introduction: Severe mental illness is a pressing social issue that needs to be immediately addressed in India and globally. Unfortunately, the mental health of many adults in India and other countries has been declining. Fortunately, physical activity has proven to be an effective way to address this issue and provides many beneficial effects. Thus, mental wellbeing stipulates how the person feels when all the associated elements are considered. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between physical activity and adult mental health. Methods: This study will be conducted online using cross-sectional methods. Data will be collected using four validated questionnaires, the Short‑form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) version 2.0, the Warwick‑Edinburg Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS), the Pemberton Happiness Index (PHI), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), all in English. Study implications: The motive of this study is to explore any connections that might lie between physical activity and emotional health. The study will specifically focus on the intensity by which physical activity is done, ranging from lower to higher, and how it affects mental illness symptoms and general mental health.


This paper presents an efficient noise coupling scheme in time-interleaved delta-sigma modulators (DSMs). The traditional voltage domain quantization error extraction is replaced with time domain method which is inherently available in the noise-shaped integrating quantizers (NSIQs). Thus, no digital-to-analog converter is required for the noise-coupling. A modified NSIQ scheme is proposed, which not only allows the use of the NSIQ with an even number of time-interleaving, but also increases the overall noise transfer function (NTF) order. Along with an additional order of NTF in the NSIQ, a higher order NTF can be achieved by interleaving and noise-coupling multiple channel NSIQs and DSMs. The proposed time-interleaved noise-coupling NSIQ can be used as a stand alone analog-to-digital converter, or as a quantizer in time-interleaved DSMs. Mathematical analysis and MATLAB simulation results are provided to prove the efficiency of the proposed scheme.


AbstractAs population ages, the number of older adults with cancer is increasing rapidly. Chronological age per se is a poor guide for an oncologist to determine tolerance to cancer treatment. Older adults have been underrepresented in cancer clinical trials, leading to paucity of guidelines to meet the treatment challenges in this population. To evaluate an older adult with cancer, oncologists must understand age-related changes and identify the subset of population who is vulnerable and at risk of cancer treatment toxicity. Comprehensive geriatric assessments focusing on functional status, multimorbidity, nutritional status, cognitive impairment, and psychosocial support help recognize heterogeneity among older adults, leading to individualized approaches toward cancer treatment. The treatment decisions need to be made in collaboration with the patient's values and preferences.


BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: DTI of normal-appearing WM as evaluated by conventional MR imaging in mTBI has the potential to identify important regional abnormalities that relate to PCS. VBA was used to examine WM changes in acute mTBI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: WM was assessed between 1 and 6 days postinjury with voxel-based DTI analyses in 10 adolescent patients with mTBI and 10 age-matched control participants. In addition to the voxel-based group, analysis used to identify brain pathology across all patients with mTBI, 2 voxel-based linear regressions were performed. These analyses investigated the relation between 1) the ADC and PCS severity scores, and 2) ADC and scores on the BSI of emotional symptoms associated with mTBI. We hypothesized that frontotemporal WM changes would relate to symptoms associated with PCS and endorsed on the BSI. RESULTS: Patients with mTBI demonstrated significant reductions in ADC in several WM regions and in the left thalamus. As expected, no increases in ADC were found in any region of interest. All injury-affected regions showed decreased radial diffusivity, unchanged AD, and increased FA, which is consistent with axonal cytotoxic edema, reflective of acute injury. CONCLUSIONS: Whole-brain WM DTI measures can detect abnormalities in acute mTBI associated with PCS symptoms in adolescents.


A modified blind MMSE multi-user detection (MUD) algorithm based on subspace tracking is presented. The modified MMSE just employs signal subspace and avoids performance deterioration induced by eigenvalue estimation error. The proposed method exploits the orthogonal projection approximation subspace tracking (OPAST) algorithm for subspace estimation, since it guarantees the orthogonality of the weight matrix spanned by the signal subspace in every iteration, which must be meet in the modified detector. The numerical simulation results show the substantial performance improvement of our suggested approach over OPAST MUD and PASTd MUD.


Objective: To report a case of a pseudohypopyon that developed after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for choroidal neovascularization from age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Observational case report. Results: A 62-year-old woman received an intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide for the treatment of a choroidal neovascular membrane that developed as a result of age-related macular degeneration. A layer of yellowish deposits was observed in the anterior chamber 1 day after the injection. The patient denied any pain or reduced vision, and there was no redness noted on examination. The deposits cleared spontaneously on the fourth postoperative day. Conclusions: Pseudohypopyon may develop after intravitreal injection of triamcinolone acetonide. Distinguishing this from a true hypopyon is important because the treatment and prognosis are very different for the two conditions.


An accurate and efficient technique is presented for the analysis of large microstrip antenna arrays. The technique consists of an amalgamation of a spatially discrete scheme, consisting of the CG-FFT method and the complex discrete image (CDI) technique. The unique feature of this approach is the use of the spatially discrete CG-FFT for analyzing microstrip structures. The aliasing and truncation errors are thoroughly eliminated in this approach. In addition, the grad-div operators are transformed from singular Green's functions to differentiable expansion and testing functions by using Galerkin's procedure, thereby improving the accuracy and the rate of convergence. To show the accuracy and efficiency of this technique, a number of microstrip arrays, including a large microstrip reflectarray, have been studied. It is found that the simulations carried out using this technique are in very good agreement with measurements.


Probabilistic quantum cloning (PQC) cannot copy a set of linearly dependent quantum states. In this paper, we show that if incorrect copies are allowed to be produced, linearly dependent quantum states may also be cloned by the PQC. By exploiting this kind of PQC to clone a special set of three linearly dependent quantum states, we derive the upper bound of the maximum confidence measure of a set. An explicit transformation of the maximum confidence measure is presented.


High-quality quaternary ZnSTeSe epitaxial layers were successfully grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). It was found that a ZnS/sub 0.18/Se/sub 0.82/ layer was automatically formed in between the ZnSe buffer layer, and the ZnS/sub 0.17/Te/sub 0.08/Se/sub 0.75/ epitaxial layer, when we increased the ZnS cell temperature. ZnSTeSe metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodetectors were also fabricated for the first time. It was found that we could achieve a photocurrent to dark current contrast higher than five orders of magnitude by applying a 10-V reverse bias. We also found that the maximum photoresponsivity is about 0.4 A/W under a 10-V reverse bias. Such a value suggests that the ZnSTeSe MSM photodetector is potentially useful in the blue-UV spectral region.


In the present work, an attempt has been made to study the influence of phase velocities (gas and liquid), particle size and shape, physical properties of liquids on solid holdup in an internal loop airlift fluidized bed reactor. Water, Commercial grade % % n-Butanol, 60% and 80% glycerol were used as Newtonian liquids and various concentrations (0.25 %, 0.6 % and 1.0 %) of carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) solutions were used as non-Newtonian liquids. Spheres, Bearl saddles and Raschig rings were used as solid phases. Superficial gas velocity was varied from 0.000142 to 0.005662 m/s and superficial liquid velocity was varied from 0.001 to 0.12 m/s. The experimental results showed that an increase in superficial gas velocity increases the solid holdup, whereas it decreased with increase in superficial liquid velocity. The solid holdup decreased with increase in particle size and. increased with increases fluid behaviour index. Based on the experimental results, a generalized dimensionless correlation was developed for the prediction of the solid holdup for both Newtonian and non-Newtonian liquids with a wide range of fundamental and operating conditions.


ABSTRACT Control charts are effective tools to distinguish between special and natural variations and have applications in medical and business industries besides manufacturing industry. Due to the advancement of modern technology, we often deal with the high-quality products, where the traditional process monitoring techniques have certain drawbacks. This article presents a control chart for jointly monitoring time and magnitude based on the renewal reward process. In particular, the focus of this study is to model magnitudes by threshold exceedance. More specifically, assuming a random failure threshold, two cases for magnitude are considered: (i) magnitude is cumulative over time and, (ii) magnitude is non-cumulative or independent over time. A comparative study to show the effectiveness of the proposal is also a part of this study.


Allegations of sectarian violence and discrimination saturate popular and scholarly accounts of developments in the mena region, particularly in the wake of renewed violence in Syria and Iraq. These accounts should sound a warning bell to scholars of religion and politics. The discourse of sectarianism is a modern discourse of religion- in-politics authorized by particular authorities in particular times and places. It relies on a fixed and stable representation of the shifting roles played by that which is named as "religion" or "sect" in politics and society. The complex and often conflicting forces that come together in any given episode of violence or discrimination subvert the stable notions of sectarian motivation and causation that form the bedrock in which such accounts rest. This essay disaggregates and politicizes the discourse of sectarianism, drawing on examples from Egypt, Bahrain, and Israel. It argues for distinguishing between religious difference as construed by those in positions of power, and religious difference as construed and experienced — and at times downplayed or ignored — by individuals and communities that are subjected to, and shaped by, sectarian projects, policies, and narratives.


Historically, it has been assumed that glycolytic metabolism, not mitochondrial metabolism, is essential for tumor cell proliferation. However, most tumor cells have functional mitochondria, and recent studies suggest that the citric acid cycle (TCA) cycle intermediates are precursors for synthesis of nucleotides, lipids, and amino acids. Here we review the accumulating evidence that mitochondrial metabolism plays an essential role in tumor cell proliferation.


Dementia causes a progressive degradation of mental abilities leading the patient to forget and have problems thinking and reasoning. As the disease is progressive it is possible for patients in the early or intermediate stages to manage within their own home; however as the disease becomes more serious and the patient more susceptible to forgetfulness or confusion the health and safety risk within the home increases. This paper outlines a system targeted at monitoring patients in an unobtrusive way to minimize risk exposure within the home and alert a patient when a risk is present or a local authority when a risk is ignored. We proposed the use of Multi-agent systems for ambient assisted living and at present there is no system that combines the information obtained from a range of sensors to provide an ambient assisted living system focused on risk analysis and reduction for dementia patients.


At present, there are problems of energy saving in various areas of human life and in power complexes of industrial plants. One possible solution to the problem of increasing energy efficiency is the use of liquefied natural gas and its cold energy. Pipelines for fuel or gas supply in cryogen supply systems have different length depending on the mutual position of storage and cryogen consumption devices relatively to a start construction. Cryogen supply and transport systems include a lot of fittings of different assortment. Reservoirs can be installed on different elevation points. To reduce heat inleak and decrease cold energy of cryogen product different kinds of thermal insulation are used. Cryogen pipelines provide required operation conditions of storage and gasifying systems. The aim of the thermal calculation of cryogen transport and supply systems is to define the value of cryogen heat. In this paper it is shown values of cryogen temperature rise due to heat inleaks at cryogen's transfer along transport systems for ethane, methane, oxygen and nitrogen were calculated. Heat inleaks also due to hydraulic losses were calculated. Specific losses of cold energy of cryogen product for laminar and turbulent flow were calculated. Correspondences of temperature rise, critical pipeline's length and Reynolds number were defined for nitrogen, argon, methane and oxygen.


Digital protein assays have great potential to advance immunodiagnostics because of their single-molecule sensitivity, high precision, and robust measurements. However, translating digital protein assays to acute clinical care has been challenging because it requires their deployment with a rapid turnaround. Herein, we present a technology platform for ultra-fast digital protein biomarker detection by employing single-molecule counting of immune-complex formation events at an early, pre-equilibrium state. This method, which we term "pre-equilibrium digital enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay" (PEdELISA), can quantify a multiplexed panel of protein biomarkers in 10 µL of serum within an unprecedented assay incubation time of 15-300 sec over a 104 dynamic range. PEdELISA allowed us to perform rapid monitoring of protein biomarkers in patients manifesting post-chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy cytokine release syndrome (CRS), with ~30 min sample-to-answer time and a sub-pg/mL limit of detection (LOD). The rapid, sensitive, and low input volume biomarker quantification enabled by PEdELISA is broadly applicable to timely monitoring of acute disease, potentially enabling more personalized treatment.


Malaysia is moving forward towards a developed country by the year 2020. Therefore, implementation of Private Financial Initiative (PFI) in Malaysia is really needed in order to improve the delivery and quality of infrastructure facilities and public services in this nation. The success of this program can only be made possible by healthy participation from both public and private sectors in Malaysia. The most essential aspect that needs to be fulfilled in this program is value for money (VFM) whereby maximum efficiency and effectiveness of every purchase is attained. Hence, at the preliminary stage of this study, estimating materials price index in Malaysia is the main objective. This particular paper aims to discover the best forecasting method to estimate cement price index by different regions in Peninsular Malaysia since cement is the main material used in construction industry. Cement index data used were from year 2005 to 2011 monthly data of different regions in Peninsular Malaysia. It was found that Backpropagation Neural Network with linear transfer function produced the most accurate and reliable results for estimating cement price index in every region in Malaysia. The neural network models selection were based on the Root Mean Squared Errors (RMSE), where the values were approximately zero errors and highly significant at p<;0.01. Therefore, artificial neural network is sufficient to forecast cement price index in Malaysia. The estimated price indexes of cement will contribute significantly to value for money in PFI and soon towards Malaysian economical growth.


The low carbon transport is the great progress of the human society.The low carbon transport includes the ideas of green,environmental protection,thrifty,controlling,responsibility and innovation.Deepening idea,perfecting the legal system,strengthening responsibility and changing life style are the realization route of low carbon transport.


The effect of intratracheal lidocaine spray (0.5, 1.0, 2.0 mg.kg-1) on blood pressure and heart rate changes to endotracheal intubation was evaluated in 20 ASA I-II patients. After thiamylal induction, 15 patients received lidocaine spray with LTA kit. Mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were recorded for 10 min every 30 sec and analysis of plasma lidocaine concentrations were also performed. In the control group, mean arterial blood pressure increased significantly compared with the pre-anesthetic values for one min, and with all spray groups at one min after intubation. Heart rate increased significantly at 30 sec after intubation only in the control group. Since the plasma lidocaine concentrations at intubation were below 1.5 micrograms.ml-1, we conclude that intratracheal lidocaine spray depresses the circulatory response to intubation by its local surface analgesic effect.


The article discusses the need for economic policy involving a sophisticated internal mechanisms and institutions to ensure the development, with a focus on innovation and industrial development along with the extensive cooperation with leading companies of the EEU, which would increase the country's competitiveness and contribute to its economic development.


In this paper, we consider the problem associated with the fight against slipperiness on roads with a hard type of road surface. It is known that on cement-concrete surfaces, the length of the braking distance is up to 10 times longer than on a snow roll formed on asphalt-concrete surfaces. This phenomenon is especially dangerous in winter, as a sharp increase in humidity (as a result of warming) significantly reduces the strength properties of cement concrete. Chloride de-icers are highly hygroscopic. Being in the pores of cement concrete, chemical solutions begin to absorb moisture from the atmosphere. In asphalt concrete, such phenomena are practically absent. Moisture, which is located in the pores of cement concrete, on its surface occurs "staining" and peeling.
In the article, the authors pay special attention to the climatic conditions of Kazakhstan. The average air temperature of the coldest month on average in the Akmola region is 25-27oC, in the Eastern region-31-36oc, in the North– -26-29 OS, and in the South-3-10 OS. Annual precipitation amounts to 260-300, 340-370, 300-340 and about 150 mm, respectively. the duration of the cold period in the year varies between 6-7, 6-7, 5-6 and 3-4 months. It is climate factors that make it difficult to use chemical reagents as anti-icing materials on roads with a cement-concrete surface.
This article discusses the theoretical basis for the destruction of the crystal structure of snow and ice formations from the influence of chemical reagents. They established a natural dependence of the freezing force of snow and ice formations on the impact of various types of salt solutions. Also, laboratory studies have established the effect of the concentration of salt solutions on the loss of strength of cement concrete over time.


Aims: This study aims to determine the fatty acid, sterol and total polyphenol composition of Ricinodendron heudelotii, Terminalia catappa, Moringa oleifera, Cyperus esculentus, Sesamum indicum and Coula edulis oils. Study Design: Plant material consisting of almonds of Ricinodendron. heudelotii, Terminalia catappa, Moringa oleifera, rhizomes of, Cyperus esculentus, seeds of Sesamum indicum and hazelnuts of Coula edulis were collected in different producing areas of Côte d'Ivoire in 2017. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted between November 2017 and June 2018 at the Laboratory of Industrial Processes, Synthesis, Environment and New Energies, National Polytechnic Institute Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Côte d'Ivoire. Methodology: The extraction of oil from the oil-bearing organs of different plants was carried out by maceration of the crushed parts of these organs in hexane at a crushed/solvent ratio of 1:10 (grams/volume) for 6 hours at cold temperature. These oils were analyzed by gas chromatography Original Research Article Claude et al.; AFSJ, 19(1): 1-9, 2020; Article no.AFSJ.62510 2 for the determination of fatty acid profile, then by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer for the determination of sterols and Ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer for the quantification of polyphenols. Results: The results show a fatty acid composition of the different oils dominated by four fatty acids: oleic (18.89 93.93%), linoleic (1.03 43.2%), palmitic (2.65 35.6%) and stearic (1.09 11.66%). We also note average unsaponifiable matter (0.5 1.71%) and sterols dominated by sitosterol, stigmasterol and campesterol. Concerning polyphenols, the values obtained range from 52.09 to 863.67 μg gallic acid equivalent/g oil. Conclusion: The presence of sterols, phenolic compounds and unsaturated fatty acids in interesting proportions show that these oils are important sources of edible oils beneficial to human health.


Background: Generalized peritonitis from typhoid ileal perforation is a common cause of surgical emergency in the developing countries, associated with high morbidity and mortality. The severity assessment of a disease condition is often useful to prioritise treatment and reduce morbidity and mortality. High severity scores are usually associated with high morbidity and mortality; therefore, these patients may require more intensive treatment than those with low severity scores. Aim: The purpose of this study was to assess the severity of generalized peritonitis from typhoid ileal perforation using modified APACHE II score. Setting and Study Design: A teaching hospital unit serving the rural and semi-urban Nigerian community. It is a prospective study of patients with generalized peritonitis from typhoid ileal perforation. Materials and Methods: Over a period of 7 years, patients had severity of illness assessed using modified APACHE II score. Demographic, clinical, preoperative, operative and postoperative data on each patient were entered into a prepared proforma. Each patient had postoperative outcome and severity of illness were compared to determine the significance of the severity of illness on postoperative outcome. Results: The mean age was of 23.6 + 15.5 years, with 4:1 male: female ratio. Morbidity rate ranged from 8.8-71.3% and mortality in 17.5%. Modified APACHE II score ranged from 0-19, with a mean of 8.2 + 4, 7.6 + 4 for survivors and 9.4 + 2 in those who died. There was no death among the patients who scored 0-4, whereas mortality was 13% in those who scored 5-9, 41.2% in those who scored 10-14, and 50% in patients who scored 15-19 (P<0.05). The modified APACHE II Score significantly influenced mortality, but did not influence the incidence of other postoperative complications. Conclusion: A high APACHE II score was associated with high mortality, but did not predict morbidity rate in the patients studied. More study is needed involving a larger number of patients to further validate our findings.


BACKGROUND
Gastro-oesophageal reflux (GOR) is commonly diagnosed in the neonatal population (DiPietro 1994), and generally causes few or no symptoms (Vandenplas 2009). Conversely, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) refers to GOR that causes troublesome symptoms with or without complications such as damage to the oesophagus (Vandenplas 2009). Currently there is no evidence to support the range of measures recommended to help alleviate acid reflux experienced by infants. Non-nutritive sucking (NNS) has been used as an intervention to modulate neonatal state behaviours through its pacifying effects such as decrease infant fussiness and crying during feeds (Boiron 2007; Pickler 2004).

OBJECTIVES
To determine if NNS reduces GORD in preterm infants (less than 37 weeks' gestation) and low birth weight (less than 2500 g) infants, three months of age and less, with signs or symptoms suggestive of GORD, or infants with a diagnosis of GORD.

SEARCH METHODS
We performed computerised searches of the electronic databases of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (Issue 9, 2013), MEDLINE (1966 to September 2013), CINAHL (1982 to September 2013), and EMBASE (1988 to September 2013). We applied no language restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Controlled trials using random or quasi-random allocation of preterm infants (less than 37 weeks' gestation) and low birth weight (less than 2500 g) infants three months of age and less with signs or symptoms suggestive of GORD, or infants with a diagnosis of GORD. We included studies reported only by abstracts, and cluster and cross-over randomised trials.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently reviewed and selected trials from searches, assessed and rated study quality and extracted relevant data. We identified two studies from the initial search. After further review, we excluded both studies.

MAIN RESULTS
We identified no studies examining the effects of NNS for GORD in preterm and low birth weight infants

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
There was insufficient evidence to determine the effectiveness of NNS for GORD. Adequately powered RCTs on the effect of NNS in preterm and low birth weight infants diagnosed with GORD are required.


Rabies in human beings is always fatal. The commonest source of human infection is the domestic dog, which in turn is infected by wild carnivorous animals. As a result of the widespread outbreak of rabies in recent years in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Americas there have been demands for wholesale slaughter of certain wild animals. The recently published fifth report of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Expert Committee on Rabies recommends control of certain vector species. The danger, as Michael Woodford points out in this assessment of the report, is that the methods used will almost certainly involve the killing of other harmless wildlife.


Studies of in vivo inhalation of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) have demonstrated a transient pulmonary inflammation. This study was done to determine the contribution of airway epithelial cells to the release of inflammatory mediators following NO2 exposure. Confluent cultures of the human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B on Transwell-Col filters were exposed for 1 h to air or NO2 up to 1.5 ppm with the apical fluids removed with 5% CO2 at 37 degrees C. The cells were hydrated with Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution (HBSS) in the basolateral compartment. Sequential reverse transcription and quantitative cDNA amplification (RT-PCR) was used to measure inflammatory mediator mRNA abundance in BEAS-2B cultures. When compared to air-exposed cells, NO2 induced increases in IL-6 (23.4-fold) and IL-8 (30.9-fold) mRNA abundance. The NO2-dependent increases in mRNA expression reached a maximum between 0 and 1 h post exposure and returned to baseline levels within 24 h. IL-6 and IL-8 proteins as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were also elevated in supernatants recovered from NO2-exposed BEAS-2B cells. These studies suggest that exposure to NO2 induces the synthesis and release of inflammatory mediators from airway epithelial cells that may participate in the pathogenesis of airway disease.


Background Ultrasound (US) has shown to be a sensitive imaging tool for the detection of subclinical signs of synovitis in patients (pts) with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); further studies are still required to delineate the impact of US findings in the management of RA pts in daily clinical practice. Objectives To investigate the relationship between US findings indicative of joint inflammation and US bone erosions at joint level in pts with RA. Methods In 2015 an educational event focused on the added value of US in RA pts was held in 22 rheumatology centers in Italy. In every center, the local rheumatologists provided RA pts to be examined by US. Pts signed an informed consent and a brief history of them was collected by the local rheumatologists (previous and current therapy, DAS28, HAQ score). Bilateral US examinations of wrists, metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joints were performed by rheumatologists expert in US, to assess synovitis (joint effusion, synovial proliferation, and power Doppler (PD) signal), and bone erosions, using a Logiq E R7, General Electrics, with a 4.2–13 MHz linear probe. All US findings were scored using a 4 degree semiquantitative scoring system. Results In 465 RA pts, a total of 10.230 joints were scanned. Of these joints, 3.969 (39%) showed joint effusion and/or synovial proliferation and 1.784 (17%) were found positive for PD signal. The most frequently involved joints were the wrists followed by the second MCP joints and first MTP joints. In 749 joints US detected at least one bone erosion. The most frequently eroded joints were the wrists, the second and fifth MCP joints and the first and fifth MTP joints. A total of 226 RA pts showed at least one bone erosions and in 181 (80%) of these pts the eroded joints were found positive for PD signal. Conclusions A high prevalence of PD signal was found in the joints found eroded by US. This is the first study providing such an evidence using a portable US equipment. Disclosure of Interest None declared


: For this study, the effect of the rare earth element erbium (Er) and neodymium (Nd) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Mg alloy investigated. The case study method performed by referring to previous research and journal articles. In the references, the experiments were performed by using optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with electron dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) showed the erbium and neodymium altered the grain size of the alloys. The grain size of the alloys by observation on optical microscopy promised a grain refinement. SEM/EDS results showed that Er and Nd addition gave a new formation of intermetallic phases along the grain boundaries and dissolved into the magnesium matrix. Both additives improved the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and the hardness value of the Mg-Zn base alloys.


This paper designs and implements an automatic network system utilizing UPnP, wireless network and power line carrier technology. We connect home media device and home gateway device via wireless network to build media service subsystem, and connect home applications and home gateway via power line carrier network to make power control subsystem. Then we convert both subsystems into UPnP virtual devices, which can be searched and discovered with GENA protocol. Besides, we implement an UI component with player and UPnP control point component, which can interact with media server and power management server in home gateway. The software development realizes modular design based on an UPnP application framework.


The time course of the blockade effect of propranolol on the sinus node (SN) and the atrioventricular node (AVN) was studied in six normal volunteers. Serial isoproterenol infusions were done before and after oral propranolol administration, 160 mg daily for two days. The inhibition by propranolol of the heart rate increases due to isoproterenol was used to assess the blockade of the sinus node, and the diminution by propranolol of the shortening in the PR interval due to isoproterenol was used to assess the blockade of the atrioventricular node. The blockade effects on the sinus node and the atrioventricular node were identical and persisted more than 24 hours. There was no good relationship between plasma propranolol and blockade effect on sinus node and/or atrioventricular node as propranolol was no longer detectable in the plasma 24 hours after the last dose. A transient hypersensitivity to isoproterenol was present 36 to 48 hours after propranolol withdrawal. The explanation of these phenomena most likely lies in the peculiar nature of beta-adrenergic receptors.


The Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R; R. D. Hare, 1991) is an often-used device for assessment of adult antisociality. This research examined generalizability by replicating the 2-factor model for a sample of 326 male prisoners and assessing its congruence and relative reliability and specificity among 620 substance-dependent patients. Generality was assessed also across addiction subtypes (opioid, cocaine, and alcohol), age, gender, and ethnicity. The 2-factor model was found inappropriate for the substance-dependent samples, whereas a unidimensional model represented by the PCL-R total score was found generalizable across prison and substance-dependent samples.


Good results evaluating material properties using non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques have been achieved for decades. Several studies to understand the influence of temperature and moisture content on NDT have concluded different effects. In this study, NDT parameters were measured on the principal structural Spanish sawn timber species, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). NDT were conducted on 216 specimens of nominal dimensions 20 by 20 by 400 mm. Specimens were divided into several groups and studied at six different temperatures and four different moisture contents. Commercial equipment and techniques applied were Sylvatest Duo (ultrasonic wave technique), Steinkamp BPV (ultrasonic wave technique), and Grindo Sonic Mk5 "Industrial" (vibration analysis technique). Differences in NDT values within specimens at different temperatures and moisture contents were obtained. Main results of this study and relationships that describe changes in NDT values by effect of temperature and moisture content are presented.


Abstract Objectives: To determine the incidence of hypogonadism in men with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS), the most useful serum testosterone measurement and threshold for diagnosing hypogonadism, and the comparative efficacy of 2 testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) 1% gels (AndroGel® [Abbott Laboratories] and Testim® [Auxilium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.]). Design and Subjects: This was a 2-stage observational study. In stage 1, patient records from 2 medical practices specializing in HIV/AIDS were reviewed. Eligible patients were aged ≥ 18 years; had HIV-seropositive status confirmed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot test or HI V-1 viremia confirmed by HIV-1 RNA polymerase chain reaction; and had prior baseline testosterone assessments for hypogonadism (ie, presence of signs/symptoms of hypogonadism as well as total testosterone [TT] and free testosterone [FT] level measurements). Stage 2 included the evaluation of patients from stage 1 who were treated with 5 to 10 g/day of TRT. The stage 2 inclusion criteria were a diagnosis of low testosterone (defined as TT level < 300 ng/dL and/or FT level < 50 pg/mL, as per The Endocrine Society guidelines and presence/absence of hypogonadal signs and symptoms); ≥ 12 months of evaluable sign and symptom assessments and TT/FT level measurements while on TRT with either Testim® or AndroGel®; and ≥ 4 weeks on initial TRT if the initial TRT was switched or discontinued. Results: Four hundred one of 422 patients met the stage 1 inclusion criteria and 167 of 401 patients (AndroGel®, n = 92; Testim®, n = 75) met the stage 2 inclusion criteria. Total testosterone level < 300 ng/dL alone identified 24% (94 of 390) of patients as hypogonadal, but failed to diagnose an additional 111 patients (67.7%) with FT levels < 100 pg/mL and hypogonadal symptoms. Through month 12, AndroGel® increased mean TT levels by 442.8% and FT levels by +66.9%, compared with +178.7% (P = 0.017) and +191% (P = 0.039), respectively, for Testim®. Patients treated with Testim® showed significantly greater improvements in libido, sexual performance, nighttime energy, focus/concentration, and abdominal girth, and trends for greater improvement in fatigue and erectile dysfunction than patients treated with AndroGel®. No patients discontinued therapy due to adverse events. Conclusion: The most useful serum testosterone measurement and threshold for diagnosing hypogonadism in men with HIV/AIDS was FT level < 100 pg/mL, which identified 64% of men as hypogonadal with the presence of ≥ 1 hypogonadal symptom. This is above currently accepted thresholds. Criteria using TT level < 300 ng/dL and FT level < 50 pg/mL only diagnosed 24% and 19% of patients, respectively, as having hypogonadism. Testim® was more effective than AndroGel® in increasing TT and FT levels and improving hypogonadal symptoms.


The adjoint variable method can reduce computation time and save computer resources because it can selectively provide the sensitivity information for the positions that designers wish to measure. However, the adjoint variable method commonly employs exact analytical differentiation with respect to the design variables. It can be cumbersome to precisely differentiate every given type of finite element. This trouble can be overcome only if the numerical differentiation scheme can replace this exact manner of differentiation. But, the numerical differentiation scheme causes of severe inaccuracy due to the perturbation size dilemma. For assuring the accurate sensitivity without any dependency of perturbation size, this paper employs a complex variable that has been mainly used for computational fluid dynamics problems. The adjoint variable method combined with complex variables is applied to obtain the shape and size sensitivity for structural optimization. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed method can predict stable sensitivity results and that its accuracy is remarkably superior to traditional sensitivity evaluation methods.


Context. Providing the problem of fast calculation of the modular exponentiation requires the development of effective algorithmic methods using the latest information technologies. Fast computations of the modular exponentiation are extremely necessary for efficient computations in theoretical-numerical transforms, for provide high crypto capability of information data and in many other applications.
Objective – the runtime analysis of software functions for computation of modular exponentiation of the developed programs based on parallel organization of computation with using multithreading.
Method. Modular exponentiation is implemented using a 2k-ary sliding window algorithm, where k is chosen according to the size of the exponent. Parallelization of computation consists in using the calculation of the remainders of numbers raised to the power of 2i modulo, and their further parallel multiplications modulo.
Results. Comparison of the runtimes of three variants of functions for computing the modular exponentiation is performed. In the algorithm of parallel organization of computation with using multithreading provide faster computation of modular exponentiation for exponent values larger than 1K binary digits compared to the function of modular exponentiation of the MPIR library. The MPIR library with an integer data type with the number of binary digits from 256 to 2048 bits is used to develop an algorithm for computing the modular exponentiation with using multithreading.
Conclusions. In the work has been considered and analysed the developed software implementation of the computation of modular exponentiation on universal computer systems. One of the ways to implement the speedup of computing modular exponentiation is developing algorithms that can use multithreading technology on multi-cores microprocessors. The multithreading software implementation of modular exponentiation with increasing from 1024 the number of binary digit of exponent shows an improvement of computation time with comparison with the function of modular exponentiation of the MPIR library.


Music can be handled in DSP by radio wave demodulation, pulse tone synthesis and sample generation. Only sample generation is applied. A system is considered consisting of a DSP connected to memory (e.g. for databases and tables), a display (for displaying music notation etc.), ADC/DAC (based on sigma delta modulation) and a clock (for synchronization and step timing). This DSP can perform filtering (FIR, IIR etc.), transforms (like FFT), convolution, delaying, solution of equations, interpolation, generation of pulses like window function pulses and editing. It can be programmed in languages like object oriented, for simulation. Also, it can be connected to the Internet which operates using telephone lines, for access from other places. DSP based analysis of sound can be done by spectrum evaluation. Next resynthesis can be accomplished and three resynthesis methods are given. Also an example of note A generation. DSP based processing of sound includes mixing, effects, sequencing, editing and a performance system. DSP based sound synthesis methods are divided into two categories which are described as well as an environment for creating music. (8 pages)


In this paper, the short-term load forecast is conducted by utilizing SARIMA model and Holt-Winters model including load classification by use of k-NN algorithm. With embodiment of a load classification procedure, it could be possible to provide more accurate load data. After load classification using 1-year training set and 1-year test set, forecast was performed through the two models. Although the differences in the results were minor, by measuring their MAPE, Holt-Winters was shown to have better performance in short-term load forecasting.


As technology systems have become more complex, so it is increasingly difficult for human operators to comprehend how the system is behaving. There is a need to better understand the causes of human-error in the context of the situational variables. The specific case under examination is the process of landing an aircraft. This paper applies a production engineering perspective. By production-process, we refer to the set of actions that are necessary to move a system from one state to a desired new state. Such processes involve mechanisms for taking inputs and converting them to the desired outputs, under certain controls and constraints. Human error is thus treated as a constraint on the processes. A novel process methodology is developed to represent how technical systems, situational variables, external factors, and human error evolve over time in a process. The applicability is demonstrated with a dataset of case studies. In parallel, a new categorization of human errors is derived for this situation. The method permits cases to be examined individually, and also collectively for patterns. The results show that the initial landing approach is often the point of error initiation. For the specific case of landing accidents the methodology identifies that the failure causality was the lack of attention to establish procedure at the very start of descent, followed by persistent disregard of disconfirmatory evidence at the initial landing approach, especially under conditions of poor visibility. The paper makes a methodological contribution as well as suggesting new insights for how human error occurs at landing.


Despite the increasing availability of more-sophisticated methods for simulating rainfall–runoff events, the 'rational method' continues to be used as a design tool in many municipal engineering offices. This paper examines the basic assumptions of the method and shows how hydrographs from impervious areas can be accurately simulated by a simple convolution process using the rectangular response function implied in the rational method. The use of the dynamically varying response function appears to give improved results. Moreover, in the example illustrated, routing of the runoff through a hypothetical reservoir appears to be unnecessary.For pervious areas, a method is suggested whereby the runoff coefficient is varied as a function of the time-dependent storage potential in the soil. For events with modest rainfall abstractions, the method appears to give good agreement with observed runoff hydrographs, but inclusion of a routing process through a cascade of reservoirs seems to be necessary in this case....


Technology interaction is nowadays the key player in the society problem solving in all aspects of human live. Recently, mobile health as one of innovative technological tools was introduced to bridge the health quality and capacity gaps. Yet, the proportion of mhealth users still low, especially in developing countries such as Arab World Countries. The past studies developed several theories and concepts with aiming to provide empirical models to improve the use of mhealth. Yet, most of them focused on either mhealth adoption from technological motivations or intention to use. This leaves a gap in the sustainability of mhealth. Therefore, this review paper aims to discuss the related work on mhealth types and its effectiveness in several diseases such as diabetes. The finding of this paper emphasizes that both technological and technological factors based on Technology Task Fit and Technology Acceptance Model are important to address mhealth continuous to use. This study also confirms that both objective and subjective measurements are important to ensure the quality of data analysis


There has been increasing interest in thermal conductivity of materials motivated by the heat removal issues in electronics and by the need of fundamental science to understand heat conduction at nanoscale. This dissertation reports the results of the experimental investigation of heat conduction in graphene and graphene multilayers. Graphene is a planar single sheet of sp 2 nbonded carbon atoms arranged in honeycomb lattice. It reveals many unique properties, including the extraordinarily high carrier mobility. In order to measure the thermal conductivity of graphene we developed an original nonncontact technique based on micronRaman spectroscopy. The samples for this study were prepared by mechanical exfoliation and suspended across trenches in Si/SiO2 substrates. The number of atomic planes was determined by deconvolution of the Raman 2D band. The suspended graphene flakes attached to the heat sinks were heated by the laser light focused in the middle. The Raman G peakrs temperature sensitivity allowed us to monitor the local temperature change produced by the variation of the excitation laser power. A special calibration procedure was developed to determine the fraction of power absorbed by graphene. Our measurements revealed that singlenlayer graphene has an extremely high room-temperature thermal conductivity in the range 3800 n 5300 W/mK depending on the flake size and quality. It was also found that most of the heat near room temperature is transferred by acoustic phonons rather than electrons. Theoretical studies of the phonon thermal conduction in graphene, which included detail treatment of the Umklapp scattering, are in agreement with our experiments. The measurements were also extended to fewnlayer graphene. It was shown that the thermal conductivity reduces with the increasing number of layers approaching the bulk graphite limit. To validate the measurement technique we investigated the thermal conductivity of the polycrystalline graphene films and reduced graphene oxide films deposited on polyethylene terephthalate substrates. In this case we obtained much smaller values of thermal conductivity, which was explained by the strong acoustic phonon scattering on the grain boundaries. Obtained results are important for electronic applications of graphene and may lead to new methods of thermal management of nanoelectronic chips.


Atrial fibrosis is an essential contributor to atrial fibrillation (AF). It remains unclear whether atrial endocardial endothelial cells (AEECs) that undergo endothelial-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) are among the sources of atrial fibroblasts. We studied human atria, TGF-β–treated human AEECs, cardiac-specific TGF-β–transgenic mice, and heart failure rabbits to identify the underlying mechanism of EndMT in atrial fibrosis. Using isolated AEECs, we found that miR-181b was induced in TGF-β–treated AEECs, which decreased semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) and increased EndMT markers, and these effects could be reversed by a miR-181b antagomir. Experiments in which Sema3A was increased by a peptide or decreased by a siRNA in AEECs revealed a mechanistic link between Sema3A and LIM-kinase 1/phosphorylated cofilin (LIMK/p-cofilin) signaling and suggested that Sema3A is upstream of LIMK in regulating actin remodeling through p-cofilin. Administration of the miR-181b antagomir or recombinant Sema3A to TGF-β–transgenic mice evoked increased Sema3A, reduced EndMT markers, and significantly decreased atrial fibrosis and AF vulnerability. Our study provides a mechanistic link between the induction of EndMT by TGF-β via miR-181b/Sema3A/LIMK/p-cofilin signaling to atrial fibrosis. Blocking miR-181b and increasing Sema3A are potential strategies for AF therapeutic intervention.


At the general recognition process, the feature vectors that are obtained from some facial images are transformed into recognition space by Fisher's linear discriminate method (Fisher's method) and principal component analysis (PCA). But at Fisher's method we must recalculate all recognition space when adding a registrant or registrant's learning patterns. In contrast, though at PCA we only recalculate added registrant's pace when adding, the face recognition rate obtained from the conventional PCA is bad, because the aim of the conventional PCA is dimension curtailment for compression of data and isn't dimension curtailment for recognition. Therefore we proposed improved principal component analysis (IPCA) for pattern recognition.


Image foreground extraction is a classical problem in image processing and vision, with a large range of applications. In this dissertation, we focus on the extraction of text and graphics in mixed-content images, and design novel approaches for various aspects of this problem.
We first propose a sparse decomposition framework, which models the background by a subspace containing smooth basis vectors, and foreground as a sparse and connected component. We then formulate an optimization framework to solve this problem, by adding suitable regularizations to the cost function to promote the desired characteristics of each component. We present two techniques to solve the proposed optimization problem, one based on alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM), and the other one based on robust regression. Promising results are obtained for screen content image segmentation using the proposed algorithm.
We then propose a robust subspace learning algorithm for the representation of the background component using training images that could contain both background and foreground components, as well as noise. With the learnt subspace for the background, we can further improve the segmentation results, compared to using a fixed subspace. Lastly, we investigate a different class of signal/image decomposition problem, where only one signal component is active at each signal element. In this case, besides estimating each component, we need to find their supports, which can be specified by a binary mask. We propose a mixed-integer programming problem, that jointly estimates the two components and their supports through an alternating optimization scheme. We show the application of this algorithm on various problems, including image segmentation, video motion segmentation, and also separation of text from textured images.


ABSTRACT: There is an ongoing debate in the U.S. about the effect of book-tax conformity on earnings management in consolidated statements. Although both one- and two-book systems are present in Europe, European data have not been used to contribute to this debate. In this study, we examine the influence of one- and two-book systems on earnings management using consolidated statements and single financial statements of European firm-years from 2004 to 2011. A one-book system is defined as a situation in which financial accounting income and taxable income are highly conformed, whereas a two-book system is characterized by differences between consolidated financial income and taxable income. We find that firms in one-book systems show significantly more (downward) earnings management in their consolidated statements than do firms in two-book systems. With these findings, we contribute to the U.S. policy debate on book-tax conformity and earnings management.


This work deals with the investigation of a steel thin-walled C-column subjected to compression due to temperature increase. These experimental studies of the compressed columns in post-buckling state were conducted to determine their load-carrying capacity. To ensure appropriate supports and keeping of columns, plates with grooves were constructed. The tests of the columns' compression for different preloads were carried out. By comparing the experiment results, numerical calculations based on the finite element method (FEM) and the semi-analytical method (SAM) of solution were performed. The computations were executed with the use of full material characteristics with consideration of large strains and deflections. Furthermore, while observing the deformation of columns, a non-contact Digital Correlation ARAMIS® system was employed whose calculated results of deformations are very close to the results of the numerical method. The paper revealed that maximum recorded loads under temperature rise are comparable regardless of a value of initial load. A good correlation in results between used methods was achieved. The main goal of the present work was to assess of behavior of thin-walled compressed steel columns in a temperature-controlled environment till their full damage.


Central composite design response surface methodology was used to optimize polysaccharide extraction from olive leaves. Effect of three independent variables [extraction time (37 hours), extraction temperature (60100°C) and waterto-raw material ratio (5-25 mL/g)] on extraction yield were studied. Extracted polysaccharide was evaluated for antioxidant properties, total phenolic and flavonoid content and its structure and functional groups were studied using FTIR. Rheological properties and flow behavior of polysaccharide were determined by fitting to power law model. The most important parameter in experimental ranges was temperature and the lowest effect was seen in extraction time. Highest extraction yield was obtained at extraction time of 2 hours, extraction temperature of 80.96°C and water-to-raw material ratio of 17.94 mL/g. Antioxidant properties of extracted polysaccharide were measured using DPPH radical at 517 nm that showed notable antioxidant properties. Rheological property of extracted polysaccharide was studied at 1, 2.5 and 5% concentration. Results showed that at high concentration, polysaccharide shows shear thinning behavior. One of the most important obstacles in native polysaccharide applications is their extraction yield. Extract of olive leaf polysaccharide is highly affected by extraction temperature. Extracted polysaccharide showed good antioxidant properties comparing to BHT and phenolic extract of olive leaf. Moreover it could be used for increasing solution viscosity at higher concentrations.


This paper presents cubep3m, a publicly available high-performance cosmological N-body code and describes many utilities and extensions that have been added to the standard package. These include a memory-light runtime spherical overdensity halo finder, a non-Gaussian initial conditions generator and a system of unique particle identification. cubep3m is fast, its accuracy is tuneable to optimize speed or memory and has been run on more than 27 000 cores, achieving within a factor of 2 of ideal weak scaling even at this problem size. The code can be run in an extra-lean mode where the peak memory imprint for large runs is as low as 37 bytes per particles, which is almost two times leaner than other widely used N-body codes. However, load imbalances can increase this requirement by a factor of 2, such that fast configurations with all the utilities enabled and load imbalances factored in require between 70 and 120 bytes per particles. cubep3m is well designed to study large-scale cosmological systems, where imbalances are not too large and adaptive time-stepping not essential. It has already been used for a broad number of science applications that require either large samples of non-linear realizations or very large dark matter N-body simulations, including cosmological reionization, halo formation, baryonic acoustic oscillations, weak lensing or non-Gaussian statistics. We discuss the structure, the accuracy, known systematic effects and the scaling performance of the code and its utilities, when applicable.


Due to mobility in Ad-Hoc network the topology of the network may change randomly, rapidly and unexpectedly, because of these aspects, the routes in the network often disappear and new to arise. To avoid frequent route discovery and route failure EAOMDV was proposed based on existing routing protocol AOMDV. The EAOMDV (Enhanced Ad-Hoc on Demand Multipath Distance Vector) Routing protocol was proposed to solve the "route failure" problem in AOMDV. EAOMDV protocol reduces the route failure problem by preemptively predicting the link failure by the signal power received by the receiver (pr). This proposed protocol controls overhead, increases throughput and reduces the delay. The EAOMDV protocol was implemented on NS-2 and evaluation results show that the EAOMDV outperformed AOMDV.


The subjects of the inquiry were 13 psychosomatic patients who had all undergone psychotherapy in the special research unit of the University Clinic for Psychosomatics in Giessen (FRG) in 1971. Data collection took place at the beginning (time a) and end (time b) of in-patient treatment, and then again 4 years later (time c). The same test battery was administered each time. The results indicate that a significant change in the patients' self-image came about during in-patient treatment and the catamnesis carried out 4 years later attests to the stability of this development. The question of whether this change reflects the patient's adjustment to the ideals of his therapist--conformity with the 'norm'--or can be interpreted as a criterium for true ego development in the sense of an expansion of his psychic possibilities, is discussed.


CONTEXT
The dominant and nondominant legs respond asymmetrically during landing tasks, and this difference may occur during an inversion perturbation and provide insight into the role of ankle-evertor and -invertor muscle activity.

OBJECTIVE
To determine if there is a difference in the ratio of evertor to invertor activity between the dominant and nondominant legs and outer-sole conditions when the ankle is forced into inversion.

DESIGN
Repeated-measures single-group design.

SETTING
University laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS
15 physically active healthy volunteers with no previous history of an ankle sprain or lower extremity surgery or fracture.

INTERVENTIONS
An outer sole with fulcrum was used to cause 25° of inversion at the subtalar joint after landing from a 27-cm step-down task. Participants performed 10 fulcrum trials on both the dominant and nondominant leg.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
The ratio of evertor to invertor muscle activity 200 ms before and 200 ms after the inversion perturbation was measured using electromyography. This ratio was the dependent variable. Independent variables included outer-sole condition (fulcrum, flat), leg (dominant, nondominant), and time (prelanding, postlanding). The data were analyzed with separate 2-way repeated-measures ANOVA, 1 for the prelanding ratios and 1 for the postlanding ratios.

RESULTS
For the postlanding ratios, the fulcrum outer sole had a significantly greater (P < .05) ratio than the flat outer sole, and the nondominant leg had a significantly greater (P < .05) ratio than the dominant leg.

CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that a greater evertor response is produced when the ankle is forced into inversion, and a greater response is produced for the nondominant leg, which may function better during a postural-stabilizing task than the dominant leg.


Objectives To evaluate new drugs and devices relevant to otolaryngology–head and neck surgery that were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2020. Data Sources Publicly available device and therapeutic approvals from ENT (ear, nose, and throat), anesthesia, neurology (neurosurgery), and plastic and general surgery FDA committees. Review Methods Members of the American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery's Medical Devices and Drugs Committee reviewed new therapeutics and medical devices from a query of the FDA's device and therapeutic approvals. Two independent reviewers assessed the drug's or device's relevance to otolaryngology, classified to subspecialty field, with a critical review of available scientific literature. Conclusions The Medical Devices and Drugs Committee reviewed 53 new therapeutics and 1094 devices (89 ENT, 140 anesthesia, 511 plastic and general surgery, and 354 neurology) approved in 2020. Ten drugs and 17 devices were considered relevant to the otolaryngology community. Rhinology saw significant improvements around image guidance systems; indications for cochlear implantation expanded; several new monoclonal therapeutics were added to head and neck oncology's armamentarium; and several new approvals appeared for facial plastics surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, and comprehensive otolaryngology. Implications for Practice New technologies and pharmaceuticals offer the promise of improving how we care for otolaryngology patients. However, judicious introduction of innovations into practice requires a nuanced understanding of safety, advantages, and limitations. Working knowledge of new drugs and medical devices approved for the market helps clinicians tailor patient care accordingly.


The comparative molecular epidemiology of the related GII.P7_GII.6 and GII.P7_GII.7 noroviruses has not been examined in detail. ORF 1, ORF 2 and ORF 1/ORF 2 RT-PCR as well as sequencing and phylogeny analysis were carried out on faecal specimens from 873 gastroenteritis outbreaks in Victoria, Australia (2012-2014). There were 575 (66%) detected as positive for norovirus by means of ORF 1 RT-PCR and/or ORF 2 RT-PCR. Of these, 24 (4.2%) were GII.6 (ORF 2) outbreaks, 7 (1.2%) were GII.7 (ORF 2) outbreaks, and 1 outbreak (0.2%) involved both GII.6 (ORF 2) and GII.7 (ORF 2) noroviruses. The median age of patients identified with GII.6 (ORF 2) (84 years) was significantly different from that of patients identified with GII.7 (ORF 2) (39 years). ORF 2 GII.6 and ORF 2 GII.7 sequences were always associated with a GII.P7 ORF 1 sequence, and GII.P7 sequences fell into two clusters, with one corresponding to the GII.6 ORF 2 genotype and the other to the GII.7 ORF 2 genotype, thereby indicating that the ORF 1 has been evolving separately for the two viruses. Thus, two closely related noroviruses can have a markedly different incidence and epidemiology.


Abstract Background Supracondylar humerus fractures are usual in children but their recent trends are unclear. Material and Methods A population-based study was performed to determine the epidemiology of childhood supracondylar humerus fractures during the decade, 2000 to 2009, in a geographic area of Oulu, Finland. Altogether, 565 extension-type supracondylar humerus fractures were included. The fractures and their treatment were analyzed according to the Gartland classification. Results Fracture incidence increased by 28%, from 50.9 to 65.2 per 100,000 during 2000 to 2009 (β = 1.03, p < 0.001). The increase was from 41.3 to 57.6 per 100,000 in girls (β = 1.9, p < 0.001). Trampoline-related fractures in particular increased in girls. Type II fractures increased twofold from 7.1 to 16.3 per 100,000 (β = 1.1, p < 0.001), whereas type I fractures decreased from 22.4 to 20.9 per 100,000 (β = −0.3, p = 0.026). Surgical treatment increased during the 10 years study period from 32.6 to 51.8% (p = 0.022); it was in particular due to increase of operative care of type II fractures (from 5.9% in 2000–2001 to 37.1% in 2008–2009; p = 0.011). Lateral pin fixation increased from nil to six (10.7%) (p < 0.001). Conclusion The incidence and surgical stabilization of type II fractures in particular are increasing. There is a trend toward lateral pin fixation.


Every habitation produce a considerable amount of biodegradable wastes that are discarded via dumping at various sites, in landfills, being burnt or in dumped in the river systems. Guyana is no exception - the water ways are polluted with plants, grass is constantly mowed from lawns, huge amounts of market refuse on a daily basis - contributes to unsightly land pollution. Vermicomposting is the best solution to getting rid of these biodegradable waste materials. Composting of grass, water hyacinth and a combination of grass with water hyacinth were successful. Final compost yields were at least 30%. This represents a huge decrease in compost volume. Therefore, vermiculture is a very efficient method to reduce biodegradable solid waste. The physic-chemical and biological properties of the composts were responsible to enhance growth and yield of Brassica chinensis. This was confirmed from final soil analysis. There are two major reasons why vermicomposting is better. Waste is converted faster. Conventional composting takes weeks to months to convert your organic matter to compost and is very labor intensive. By using earthworms, waste is rapidly turned into vermicompost. The vermicompost is far superior to conventional compost. The worm castings in the vermicompost have nutrients that are highly utilizable by plants and the castings have a mucous coating which allows the nutrients to "time release". Vermicompost forms fine stable granular organic matter that assist in the aeration, released mucus that are hygroscopic absorbs water and prevents water logging and improves water holding capacity. Vermicompost added to the soil releases nutrient slowly and consistently and enables the plant to absorb these nutrients more readily. Soils enriched with vermicompost provide additional substances that are not found in the chemicals Earthworms play a major role in the formation of vermicompost. Vermicompost has higher microorganism content and the activities of microorganisms (Actinomycetes, Azotobacter, Nitrobacter, Nitrosomonas and Aspergillus) is responsible for enhanced plant productivity much more than would be possible from the mere conversion of mineral nutrients into more plant-available forms. Also, during this period, these is a reduction of Gram negative cocci bacteria and corresponding increase in Gram positive bacilli as time progresses towards the maturity of the vermicompost in all three compost samples. This would indicate a healthier finished product that is highly beneficial to plant growth.


In this paper we establish some bounds for the solution of a Cauchytype problem for a class of fractional differential equations with a weighted sequential fractional derivative. The bounds are based on a Bihari-type inequality and a bound on the Gauss hypergeometric function.


Bacteria are the most ubiquitous organisms on Earth. In a human body, there are more bacterial than human cells. Bacteria are an essential part of the carbon and nitrogen cycles which make life on Earth possible. The metabolic diversity of bacteria has been harnessed for the synthesis of industrial compounds such as pharmaceuticals, food ingredients and additives, and biocatalysts. However, a small proportion of bacteria are pathogenic, causing harm to humans and agriculture. To combat these bacteria, humans have developed antibiotics and antimicrobials, which drastically reduced mortality from bacterial diseases, increased human life expectancy worldwide, and increased the yield of food production. The widespread use of antimicrobials stimulated bacterial resistance, which has rapidly become a threat to public health and agriculture. The continued discovery of new antimicrobials is needed to avoid a widespread pandemic of antibiotic resistant bacteria and to combat plant diseases more effectively. Once discovered, antimicrobial substances can be chemically modified to improve potency, stability, delivery, or pharmacokinetics. In this thesis we investigated the mode of action of the gold liganded antimicrobial compound 7b-BF4 in the model bacterial organism Bacillus subtilis. We also studied the antimicrobial effect of chalcones BC1 and T9A in B. subtilis as well as in the citrus-infecting bacteria Xanthomonas citri. In studying the mode of action of those substances we have developed techniques that revealed new insights into the cell biology of X. citri that can be used for further studies.


Erectile dysfunction has undergone dramatic advances in diagnosis and therapeutics over the past decade. Increasing numbers of men are currently seeking medical help for their sexual concerns, often from primary health care providers. The Canadian Urological Association (CUA), Guidelines Committee is charged with the responsibility of creating practice guidelines for urologic conditions with the goal of improving physician knowledge and enhancing patient care. These Erectile Dysfunction Guidelines highlight the evolving use of a minimally invasive patient self-directed goal oriented approach to evaluation and treatment using oral agents as first-line therapy based on efficacy, side effect profile and ease of use. Second-line therapies include vacuum devices, injectable agents and intraurethral vasoactive devices. Surgical treatments are reserved for men who cannot use or fail to respond to first and second line treatments.


The new role is brought about by new laboratory practices in the use of stock semifinished and uncut lenses in filling orders and in the changes in standards for design requirements. A partial solution to this problem is proposed.


The widespread use of disposable facemasks during the COVID-19 pandemic has led to environmental widespread concern due to microplastic pollution. Biodegradable disposable facemasks are a first step to reducing the environmental impact of pandemics. In this paper we present high-performance facemask components based on novel poly(ester amide) (PEA) grades synthesized from bio-sourced materials and processed into non-woven facemask components. PEA based polymers present an excellent compromise between mechanical performance and biodegradability. Importantly, the properties of the PEA can easily be tuned by changing the ratio of the ester and amides, or variation of diol and diacid part. We synthesized seven polymers which we optimized for biodegradability and processability. Among them, two grades combined electrospinning process compatibility with full degradation within 35 days, using a normalized biodegradation test. The ultra-thin filters thus developed were evaluated for performance on a custom-made characterization bench. The filters achieved a microparticle capture efficiency and breathability comparable to commercial filters. Another PEA grade was optimized to reach optimal visco-thermal properties that made it compatible with solvent-free melt-spinning process as demonstrated with continuous fibres production. Overall, our environmentally friendly solution paves the way for the fabrication of high-performance fibres with excellent biodegradability for the next generation facemasks.


In laser welding, automatic seam tracking is important to adjust the laser head position in real time as it moves along the seam. Also if the joint gap is occurred, filling the missing material into the joint gap is necessary to prevent welding defects and bad welding quality. In general, the joint gap width is not constant along the seam due to a variety of reason. So it is essential to control the filler wire speed into the joint gap to acquire good welding quality. This paper describes an intelligent filler wire feeding device which can control 3-dimensional seam tracking and the filler wire speed by measuring the gap position and the joint gap width in laser welding. We call this device as Smart Micro Control system(SMC). To achieve this objective, we assessed weld quality in 2㎜ sheets of Al606l which had various gap width by using the developed device. From the experimental results, It was found the possibility that the developed device could be used in welding various 3-dimensional structures.


Dirithromycin is the 9-N,11-O-oxazine adduct formed from 9(S)-erythromycylamine and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)acetaldehyde in which the methoxyethoxymethyl substituent on the oxazine ring possesses the R configuration. Epidirithromycin is its isomer in which the methoxyethoxymethyl substituent has the opposite (S) configuration. Both compounds readily epimerize in solution, reaching an equilibrium ratio of 85:15 in favor of dirithromycin, given sufficient time. The rate of interconversion is dependent upon pH, temperature, and solvent. An enriched sample of epidirithromycin (95% purity) was synthesized by condensing erythromycylamine and 2-(2-methoxyethoxy)acetaldehyde in diethyl ether as the reaction solvent, and the product was fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and high-pressure liquid chromatographic (HPLC) analysis. Both oxazine derivatives readily hydrolyze to erythromycylamine, so all three compounds exhibit the same antibiotic activity in vitro. In order to determine whether dirithromycin itself possesses significant antimicrobial activity without initial hydrolysis to erythromycylmine, inhibition of cell-free ribosomal protein synthesis was measured under conditions which were adapted to minimize hydrolysis, as measured by analytical HPLC in parallel experiments. Under these particular conditions, inhibition of ribosomal protein synthesis by dirithromycin was < 10% of the value measured for erythromycylamine.


Old constant estrous and young cycling control rats were injected with L-dopa, 200 mg/kg, for a period of 14 days. L-Dopa reinstated vaginal cycling in the old rats and it did not affect the vaginal cycling in young rats. Likewise, 200 mg/kg of L-tyrosine reinstated vaginal cycling. The effect of L-dopa on old rats was blocked by pimozide, by high doses of MK-486 and Ro 4-4602, and by fusaric acid. High doses of phenoxybenzamine or L-propranolol did not alter the L-dopa effect on old rats. A low dose of MK-486 or Ro 4-4602 increased the efficacy of L-dopa in reinstating vaginal cycling. These results suggest that L-dopa reinstates vaginal cycling in old rats by stimulating dopamine receptors. The possibility that a simultaneous stimulation of norepinephrine alpha and beta receptors and/or a decrease of central nervous system serotonin is necessary for this effect is discussed.


We present a new model for aggregated network traffic based on /spl alpha/-stable self-similar processes which captures the burstiness and the long range dependence of the data. We show how the fractional Gaussian noise assumption fails and why our proposed model fits well by comparing real and synthesized network traffic. In addition, we show that we can speed up the simulation times for estimation of rare event probabilities, such as cell losses in ATM switches, by up to three orders of magnitude using /spl alpha/-stable modeling and importance sampling.


The call admission problem for a wireless packet-switched network supporting homogeneous applications-such as a cellular voice network-is an old one and has been extensively investigated in the past. The article investigates the call admission region for a TDMA (wireless) system supporting heterogeneous real-time VBR applications with distinct QoS requirements and traffic characteristics. The QoS is defined in terms of a maximum tolerable packet delay and dropping probability; packets may be dropped due to delay violations or channel-induced errors. The call acceptance region is investigated under the assumption that each user's per-frame resource (slot) requests are communicated to the scheduler (resource allocation authority). The call acceptance region is shaped by the QoS that can be delivered by the uplink scheduling policy. Some of the mechanisms employed to inform the scheduler of the users' requests along with the scheduling policies are discussed. While these scheduling policies identify QoS points in the call admission region, they cannot reveal the entire region. An approach is outlined on how to precisely determine the call admission region (largest set of QoS points delivered under any scheduling policy) for a TDMA system. This approach is shown to lead to the precise description of the reduced call admission region in the presence of channel errors. In order to demonstrate the performance improvement provided by an error control scheme, a simple QoS-sensitive forward error control protocol operating over on erroneous channel is employed, leading to an enlargement of the calculated call admission region. Finally, it is shown that feasible scheduling policies exist which do deliver at least the minimum QoS requirement of the applications whose associated QoS vector falls within the determined call admission region.


The function of the robot is being complex and various. The robot with various inputs generates various outputs. A proper controller is needed to control such a complex robot. We introduce a 2-layer fuzzy controller (2LFC). It can control robustly and has the small number of rules in many input variables. It can not only deal with various inputs but also generate various outputs. The main problem in the fuzzy system is how to design the fuzzy knowledge base. For this specific problem, we optimize the fuzzy controller using the schema co-evolutionary algorithm (SCEA) to find a global optimal solution. Through the design of the optimal fuzzy controller using the SCEA and the simulation of the mobile robot, we verify the efficacy of the 2-layer fuzzy controller and the schema co-evolutionary algorithm.


A theoretically rigorous approach to the key problems of molinism leads to a clear distinction between semantic and metaphysical problems. Answers to semantic problems do not provide answers to metaphysical problems that arise from the theory of middle knowledge. The so-called 'grounding objection' to molinism raises a metaphysical problem. The most promising solution to it is a  revised form of the traditional 'essence solution'. Inspired by leibniz's idea of a 'notio completa' (complete concept), we propose a mathematical model of 'possibilistic' (molinist) complete concepts. They ground middle knowledge within the very being of the agents themselves. molinist Complete Concepts can thus serve to reject consequence-style arguments against molinism. They also allow the molinist to safeguard a robustly libertarian notion of the ability to do otherwise.


The need for audiovisual materials in the EFL classroom arises from the fact that the association of visual aids with the new language makes meaning more direct and quick to understand than through verbal explanation, attracts the students' attention and aids concentration. Learning a language through visual aids in collaboration with other peers makes the experience more productive and profitable. Therefore, this work discusses how the use of visual aids in a socio-interactive environment can improve students' ability to learn a language.


Background Xerostomia is the subjective experience of oral dryness and is reported in up to 88% of advanced cancer patients. Despite use of mouthwashes, artificial saliva and hydration, studies reveal that xerostomia persist or deteriorate admission. Thus, newer saliva stimulating agents have become increasingly popular. XyliMelts are an example of this newer alternative.

Aims To ascertain whether using Xylimelts amongst hospice in-patients reduces the degree patients are affected by sore/dry mouth

Methods Data was collected prospective at the Marie Curie Hospice, Cardiff and Vale over a 4-month period. Patients with refractory dry mouth were identified. This was defined as failure to respond to daily use of Glandosane spray and Biotene Oral Balance Gel. Once identified, patients were asked to grade the degree they had been affected by a sore/dry mouth over the past 3 days, using IPOS scores. This score was repeated after Xylimelt use. A score of 4 reflected they were overwhelming affected by the symptom whereas a score of 1 indicated they were only slightly affected.

Results 18 patients received Xylimelts over the 4 months in our 28-bedded hospice. 93% of these patients had a cancer diagnosis. Results suggest that XyliMelt use was effective at alleviating dry mouth with a p-value of 0.007, mean IPOS score of 3.1 (pre-use) and 1.6(post-use). XyliMelt use was well tolerated with no reported adverse reactions amongst our patient group.

Conclusion Xylimelts appears to be effective and well tolerated amongst hospice in patients with refractory xerostomia.


An IIR adaptive filter is presented for the application of tracking sinusoidal inputs. The filter uses a hyperstable update to provide very fast convergence, and is capable of tracking multiple sinusoids, with the order of the filter being twice the number of sinusoids. The convergence of the filter depends on a certain transfer function being strictly positive real (SPR), and necessary conditions are derived, for this transfer function to be SPR. These conditions hold for the completely general case, and can be very simply expressed in terms of the input sinusoidal frequencies, because of the specific application that is addressed, and because of the filter topology (a resonator-based filter structure) that is used. Further, these conditions are derived under the assumption that no post-error filter is used (unlike most hyperstable schemes). Further, these conditions are also shown to be sufficient for convergence, for the case of up to two input sinusoids (4th order filter). For a larger number of input sinusoids, though it has not been possible to prove the sufficiency of these conditions, we have conducted several experiments and obtained convergence in all cases, leading to the conjecture that the conditions are sufficient for convergence, for the general case as well. Simulations of the performance of the filter structure are also provided to support the theory and the conjectured condition for convergence. The capability of the adaptive filter to track fast changes in frequency make it a candidate for applications like demodulating MFSK signals. Alternatively, the speed can be traded for complexity because for slow adaptation (low /spl mu/), the algorithm reduces to a pseudo-gradient-based update that can be implemented very simply.


The space mission TerraSAR-X is the first German space project implemented under a Public Private Partnership (PPP). Cooperation partners are the German Aerospace Centre (DLR) and EADS Astrium GmbH. Within this construct, DLR will be responsible for the scientific use of the TerraSAR-X data, whereas commercial marketing will be undertaken exclusively by Infoterra GmbH, a wholly-owned EADS Astrium subsidiary. In a co-operation between Infoterra GmbH and Joanneum Research, Value Added products and processors have been developed for TerraSAR-X data. These products are mainly oriented at the area of interest or are mapping products which represent a higher level of image processing in terms of radiometric correction and orthorectification, mosaics, subsets and merges. In this paper, these products are described. Further, an insight into the automated and semi-automated production chain is provided.