In this paper, we analyze 1-D and 2-D arrays of photonic crystal waveguide section lasers in a square lattice of air holes. These arrays can provide much higher emitted power than a single microcavity laser, without significantly increasing the threshold power. We also propose a few ways to reduce the emission of light from the side lobes, and to collect light emissions from distinct elements in a 2-D array and couple them into a single-mode waveguide.


Brake Pad material is a heterogeneous material and is composed of a few elements and each element has its own function. The ideal brake material should have constant coefficient of friction under various operating conditions such as applied loads, temperature, speeds and mode of braking. During adverse braking conditions excessive frictional heat is generated which results in the drop of coefficient of friction of the brake pad material. This drop in coefficient of friction is due to the degradation of resin which is associated with the loos of its binding ability. In order to maintain constant coefficient of friction at higher temperature new brake pad material has been formulated which retains the binding ability of the resin. The formulation of new brake pad material includes four friction composites containing 13 ingredients including phenolic resin and banana peel powder as a modified binder. A reciprocating friction monitor is used to carry friction and wear tests. Three tests via t1, t2 and t3 with different loads and temperatures were conducted for duration of 10 minutes. The results showed that the coefficient of friction increased at higher temperature and friction and wear characteristics indicate that banana peel powder can be effectively used to increase the binding ability of phenolic resin at higher temperature.


Summary:
 A new species from Thailand, Ceropegia thailandica Meve (Apocynaceae-Asclepiadoideae-Ceropegieae) is described and illustrated. The new species is related to the Indian C. spiralis, and belongs to a group of tuberous, non-twining, grass-like species that are widespread on the Indian subcontinent. The single, exeedingly long-stalked flowers with ovoid basal inflations and very long, tightly spiralled corolla lobes, leaving only small and characteristically auriculate openings for insect visitors, make the new species an unrivalled appearance in Ceropegia.


Carbon tax and cap and trade are two main policy tools for market-based mechanisms aimed at curbing carbon dioxide emissions. But, their implementation requires a careful calibration of the price of carbon, on which a carbon tax is levied, or which helps price carbon credits in an emissions trading system. Hence, setting a price on carbon, tuned to the fundamentals of the local economy, is a profound question in environmental economics, important for benchmarking the price of many goods and services dependent on fossil fuel energy for material input or function. One approach to setting a price on carbon is to progressively increase the price of carbon through regulatory statute from an initial low price. This would help industries and the economy to gradually adapt to a marketplace where there is an additional regulatory price on carbon in addition to a material and services price. On the other hand, a one-off approach at setting the final price of carbon in the economy may deliver a severe demand and supply shock, which may have repercussions beyond businesses needing to factor the price of carbon in their economic calculus. Thus, whether a progressive price increase in carbon or setting the final price, pricing carbon is a delicate economic issue with significant implications for the functioning of an economy choosing either the carbon tax or cap and trade system for regulating carbon dioxide emissions.


This paper uncovers new manifestations of the homoclinic snaking mechanism in the post-buckling regime of a pressurized thin cylindrical shell under axial load. These new forms tend to propagate either wholly or partially in a direction that is orthogonal to the direction of the applied load and so, unlike earlier forms in Woods & Champneys (1999, Heteroclinic tangles in the unfolding of a degenerate Hamiltonian Hopf bifurcation. Phys. D, 129, 147–170), are fundamentally 2D in nature. The main effect of internal pressurization on the snaking mechanism is firstly to transition the circumferential multiplication of buckles from a one-tier pattern to a three-tier pattern. Secondly, internal pressurization can induce oblique snaking, whereby the sequential multiplication of buckles occurs in a helical pattern across the cylinder domain. For low levels of internal pressure, the single dimple remains—as in the unpressurized case—the unstable edge state that forms the smallest energy barrier around the stable pre-buckling equilibrium. For greater levels of pressure, the edge state changes to a single dimple surrounded by four smaller dimples. By tracing the limit point that denotes the onset of these edge states in the parameter space of internal pressure and axial load, we justify and validate the empirically derived design guideline for buckling of pressurized cylinders proposed by Fung & Sechler (1957, Buckling of thin-walled circular cylinders under axial compression and internal pressure. J. Aeronaut. Sci., 24, 351–356).


Recently, there have been many researches and developments in optical disc drive by high density of track and high access speed. Therefore, the optical pick-up should guarantee highly accurate dynamic characteristics for the wide bandwidth in order to cope with this trend. These demands for optical pick-up actuator can be solved by improvements of lens-holder through the following methods. The first way is the analysis of the sensitivity matrix of design variables for vibration modes after appropriate design parameters are selected like shapes and local dimensions of a lens-holder. The second way is the optimization of design variables by calculating sequential linear programming after the problem of extending bandwidth are converted to problem of minimizing adequate objective function. In the result, modified FE model is obtained through several iterations by finite difference scheme(FDS). While results of the first way show better convergence of the target frequency, the second result shows better reduction of mass increase.


Beamforming is critical to the function of most sonar systems. The conspicuous noseleaf and pinna shapes in bats suggest that beamforming mechanisms based on diffraction of the outgoing and incoming ultrasonic waves play a major role in bat biosonar. Numerical methods can be used to investigate the relationships between baffle geometry, acoustic mechanisms, and resulting beampatterns. Key advantages of numerical approaches are: efficient, high-resolution estimation of beampatterns, spatially dense predictions of near-field amplitudes, and the malleability of the underlying shape representations. A numerical approach that combines near-field predictions based on a finite-element formulation for harmonic solutions to the Helmholtz equation with a free-field projection based on the Kirchhoff integral to obtain estimates of the far-field beampattern is reviewed. This method has been used to predict physical beamforming mechanisms such as frequency-dependent beamforming with half-open resonance cavities in the noseleaf of horseshoe bats and beam narrowing through extension of the pinna aperture with skin folds in false vampire bats. The fine structure of biosonar beampatterns is discussed for the case of the Chinese noctule and methods for assessing the spatial information conveyed by beampatterns are demonstrated for the brown long-eared bat.


Christianity, the church, and pastors are undergoing a number of changes in the 21st century, and therefore a number of challenges. Although Christianity is growing in the global south, membership and attendance in churches in the United States are declining. What church growth there is seems to be in both smaller and larger churches, posing a different set of challenges for pastors in those respective venues. Many pastors are leaving their churches, primarily because of the perceived expectations and even demands being placed on them by their congregations. A number of new leadership initiatives are currently being offered to pastors to help them deal with this changing and challenging environment. This paper is an assessment of the first cohort in a new executive training initiative called LEADERLABS, the 10 Essential Skills Executive Leadership Program, which is built on a foundation of both biblical and social science research. A quantitative analysis of pretests and posttests suggests that the training had a substantial, and at times statistically significant, impact on the participants, with potential for this new knowledge about leadership to be integrated into staff and congregational operations.


In this article, we explore how young women encounter and counter discourses of smoking-related stigma. Twenty-seven young Australian women, smokers and ex-smokers, took part in interviews. A sub-sample of 18 participants took photographs to document their smoking experience, and took part in a second interview. Data were analyzed through Foucauldian discourse analysis. Four discourses were identified: "smoking as stigmatized," "the smoking double standard," "smoking as lower class," and "smokers as bad mothers." The women negotiated stigma in a variety of ways, shifting between agreeing, disagreeing, challenging, and displacing stigma onto "other" smokers. These experiences and negotiations of smoking-related stigma were shaped by intersecting identities, including gender, cultural background, social class, and mothering, which at times, compounded levels of stigmatization. It is concluded that tobacco control measures should consider the negative implications of smoking-related stigma, and the potential for women to experience compounding levels of stigma.


A multivariate cross-sectional design was used to investigate the psychological impact of challenging behaviour on parental primary carers of adults with learning disabilities and challenging behaviour. The sample consisted of 54 parental primary caregivers in families containing an adult with a learning disability and exhibiting challenging behaviour, identified and recruited from 15 local learning disability services in and around the boroughs of London. Parental primary caregivers, mainly mothers, were requested to complete a booklet of self-report questionnaires, which included questions about their health, satisfaction with life, personal attitudes and traits, family and social relationships, coping styles and the nature of the challenging behaviour and learning disability in their sons/daughters. A taped interview, using a semi-structured interview schedule, was also conducted with caregivers' in their homes to explore their personal views, perceptions, needs and experiences relating to professional contact and services. The relationships between potential stressors, coping resources, coping strategies and psychosocial adaptation were investigated using multiple regression analyses. Significant associations were found between the outcome variables of psychosomatic health and perceived satisfaction with life and the predictor variables of challenging behaviour, marital satisfaction, neuroticism and coping strategies. Taped interviews were transcribed and coded to examine any patterns in service use and professional contact, levels of satisfaction, the nature of caregivers' needs in relation to caring for their sons/daughters and their observance of any gaps and limitations in service delivery and organisation. The implications of the study's results and findings for service organisation and delivery, clinicians and practitioners in clinical practice and also research practice are discussed.


This article presents application of an optimized robust and nonlinear controller approach for dynamic stability of a multi machine power system integrated with VSC-HVDC transmission. To improve dynamic stability of the system, a super twisting Sliding Mode Control approach, whose gains are optimized by multi objective flower pollination algorithm is designed to enhance the system stability over a various operating conditions, such as three phase fault, dc link fault, converter and inverter parameter change, increase of the mechanical input of the generator and change of active and reactive power. The super twisting sliding mode controller is designed for its superiority in robustness and chattering free actions over conventional siding mode controller in which a hyperbolic tangent function is chosen for the sliding surface. A multi objective flower pollination algorithm is applied to find optimized gains of the super twisting Sliding mode controller, in order to improve the capacity of the controller and the dynamic stability of the system. The results are compared with STSMC and conventional PI controller. It is shown from the result that the proposed controller is more capable in settling the system in steady state from any abnormal condition quickly than SMC and PI controller


Traffic Engineering (TE) aims at distributing traffic through routes to suit a specific goal. BGP addresses TE in a very specific way: it is a single path system, and mixes traffic control and route dissemination by letting attributes influence the choice of the best path. Several techniques have been proposed but due to BGP characteristics they have high complexity requirements such as the need for coordination and information about the network that is not locally available. and, in most cases, the use of tunnelling. In a previous work we proposed an inter-domain routing architecture DTIA (Dynamic Topological Information Architecture) that builds a robust multipath routing system based on the inter-AS relationships and routing policies. DTIA separates traffic control from route dissemination and seems to have less complex requirements to provide TE. The aim of this paper is to assess the ability of such a system to provide TE maintaining the complexity overhead to a minimum. We propose a simple feedback protocol to avoid congestion and achieve better traffic distribution at inter-domain level using only local available traffic information and DTIA's routing information.


Conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion architectures are often forced to trade off efficiency and cost for increased power production. The differential power processing approach overcomes this limitation by enabling each PV element to operate at its maximum power point (MPP) while only processing a small fraction of the total power produced. This paper analyzes several differential energy conversion architectures and the associated local controls. Models are developed to describe operation of PV-to-PV and PV-to-bus differential converters. The overall power output of each system under various environmental conditions is compared. A Monte Carlo approach is used to compare three differential conversion implementations over a range of MPP conditions. Experimental results are included for a PV-to-PV, buck-boost differential converter to demonstrate the potential for increased energy production.


In this study, we report an accurate method to determine the parental origin of sex chromosome aneuploidies or polyploidies and to detect low percentage mosaicisms. We have amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) five polymorphic markers along the X chromosome (DXS1283E, DYS II, DMD49, AR and DXS52) and three markers along the Y chromosome (SRY, DYZ3 and DYZ1). False-negative results were discarded by the simultaneous amplification of Y markers and of internal controls. We have applied this protocol to a series of 14 Turner syndrome patients with a 45,X karyotype. We have detected sex chromosome mosaicisms in two patients. The parental origin of the syndrome has been determined in the other 12 patients.


Novelty of this paper consists in simultaneous analysis of the traffic of some tram vehicles taking into consideration the criterion of the electric energy consumption minimum. Problems of traffic disturbances have been also included. First of all the influence of the light signalling at the crossing has been analysed to reduce the energy use caused by long stops forcing necessity of quicker subsequent ride to liquidate delay in relation to the time-table. Within the elaborated methodology, the tram route is divided into parts in keeping with different motion resistances for individual route fragments. Such simulation is more real and precise for tram ride conditions in the city. The paper deals with modernized trams driven by DC series motors supplied from modern choppers. For the stage of the vehicle running with the constant speed, the best choice of the value of the field-weakening coefficient can increase the motor efficiency.


Abstract : Nicaragua plays an essential role in the stability and security of the Central American sub region. The de-stabilizing influence of Sandinista policies in the 1980s gave way to the possibility of a cooperative security community in the 1990s. However, border disputes and increased arms and drug trafficking have recently threatened the trend toward increased stability and sub regional security. Sub regional confidence-building measures adopted immediately following the election of Violeta Chamorro have collapsed in the last two years. This collapse of confidence-building measures has led to increased tensions between Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica. The U.S. should promote Nicaraguan participation in regional confidence-building measures in order to reduce these tensions. In addition, the relationship between the U.S. and Nicaragua is still strained from the policies of the Sandinista and Reagan administrations. Although relations have been normalized between the two countries, steps should be taken to expand the current passive relationship into a more active one. Confidence-building measures between the U.S. and Nicaragua will help to alleviate some of the strain between the two countries. This thesis recommends U.S. involvement and participation in re-establishing confidence-building measures in the sub region. A perceived gap in U.S.-Nicaraguan civilian engagement could be filled through the implementation of a comprehensive military engagement plan. The use of confidence-building measures in military engagement will foster stability and security in the sub region and strengthen U.S.- Nicaraguan relations.


Scalar-tensor theories are the best motivated alternatives to general relativity and provide a mathematically consistent framework to test the various observable predictions. They can involve three functions of the scalar field: (i) a potential (as in " quintessence " models), (ii) a matter–scalar coupling function (as in " extended quintessence " , where it may also be rewritten as a nonminimal coupling of the scalar field to the scalar curvature), and (iii) a coupling function of the scalar field to the Gauss-Bonnet topological invariant. We recall the main experimental constraints on this class of theories, and underline that solar-system, binary-pulsar, and cosmological observations give qualitatively different tests. We finally show that the combination of these data is necessary to constrain the existence of a scalar–Gauss-Bonnet coupling.


The objective of this in vitro study was to evaluate the microleakage in extensive class II preparations in extracted human third molar teeth restored with a visible light-cured composite resin (Visio-Molar) used in conjunction with a low viscosity bonding resin (Visio-Bond) and three cement linings (Ca(OH)2, polycarboxylate cement and glass ionomer cement). Half of the restored teeth were subjected to temperature cycles in water between 5 degrees C and 55 degrees C for 24 h and half were left in distilled water at 37 degrees C for 24 h respectively. The restored teeth were immersed in a fluorescein dye solution and after sectioning the restorations, dye penetration at the restoration tooth interface was assessed and quantified using an optical incident fluorescein microscope. The results showed: 1. Microleakage was observed at the cervical wall of all the restorations. 2. No significant difference in marginal microleakage was found when the restored teeth were subjected to thermal cycling treatment (p greater than 0.05). 3. The use of a glass ionomer cement lining significantly (p less than 0.001) reduced the extent of cervical marginal leakage.


Internet of Things (IoT) with its growing number of deployed devices and applications raises significant challenges for network maintenance procedures. In this work, we formulate a problem of autonomous maintenance in IoT networks as a Partially Observable Markov Decision Process. Subsequently, we utilize Deep Reinforcement Learning algorithms (DRL) to train agents that decide if a maintenance procedure is in order or not and, in the former case, the proper type of maintenance needed. To avoid wasting the scarce resources of IoT networks we utilize the Age of Information (AoI) metric as a reward signal for the training of the smart agents. AoI captures the freshness of the sensory data which are transmitted by the IoT sensors as part of their normal service provision. Numerical results indicate that AoI integrates enough information about the past and present states of the system to be successfully used in the training of smart agents for the autonomous maintenance of the network.


To determine foot plantar pressure during the day to day activities and real-time analysis, one needs a compact system capable of measuring foot pressure and providing accurate results. This project presents a low cost, reliable, compact foot plantar pressure acquisition system which we are developing. Strengths and boundaries of present-day structures are discussed and a foot plantar pressure device is suitable for measuring excessive stress distributions under the foot with excessive accuracy and reliability. This device is primarily based on highly linear strain sensors without a hysteresis. Various applications would need a different number of sensors spread over inside the shoe-sole. In this work, our investigation is restricted to simple applications like measuring the foot pressure when the person is standing still, or the speed when the person is moving, or whether she/he is escalating up or down the stairs. Our Project provides unique insight on foot function, helping clinicians conduct more complete assessments and objectively evaluate treatments. It includes a small sensor module that determines the foot pressure distribution in actual time that allows us to visualize and analyze the information. At the end of the experiment, real-time results in the form of intensity graph and graphical data of pressure point with a particular weigh have been achieved. A reference study of this data with the ideal situation will lead us to the early detection of joint issues.


Data availability in mobile information systems is lower than in traditional information systems due to its limitations of wireless communication such as low bandwidth, instability, and easy disconnection. Cooperative data caching is an attractive approach to this problem. This paper proposes an efficient approach for cooperative caching in mobile information systems. We use references to share data among client's caches. We evaluated and demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach by experiments on simulation datasets.


(1) Background: Snoring is a cardinal symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and has been suggested to potentially increase sympathetic activity. On the other hand, sleep itself usually leads to a decrease in sympathetic activity. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a non-invasive technique used to assess autonomic nervous system function. However, there is limited research on the combined impact of sleep and snoring on sympathetic activity in individuals with OSA, particularly during the first hour of sleep (non-rapid eye movement sleep). The current study aims to investigate the net effect of sleep and snoring on sympathetic activity and explore factors that might contribute to increased sympathetic activity in individuals with OSA during the first hour of sleep. (2) Methods: The participants were referred from the outpatient department for OSA diagnosis and underwent whole-night polysomnography (PSG). Electrocardiogram (EKG) data from the PSG were downloaded for HRV analysis. HRV measurements were conducted in both the time and frequency domain, including the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD) and the ratio of the absolute power of the low-frequency (LF) band (0.04–0.15 Hz) to the absolute power of the high-frequency (HF) band (0.15–0.4 Hz) (LF/HF ratio), respectively. (3) Results: A total of 45 participants (38 men and 7 women) were included in the analysis. The RMSSD gradually increased from 0–5 min to 50–60 min (p = 0.024), while the LF/HF ratio decreased (p < 0.001) during the first hour of sleep (non-rapid eye movement sleep). The LF/HF ratios of the "S" (snoring) episodes were compared with those of the pre-S episodes. An elevated LF/HF ratio during the S episode was associated with the first snoring episode occurring more than 20 min after lying down to sleep (Odds ratio, OR = 10.9, p = 0.004) and with patients diagnosed with severe OSA (OR = 5.01, p = 0.045), as determined by logistic regression. (4) Conclusions: The study observed an increase in the value of RMSSD and a decrease in the value of the LF/HF ratio during the first hour of sleep for patients with OSA. Higher LF/HF ratios were associated with the first occurrence of snoring while lying down for more than 20 min and with patients with severe OSA.


Understanding factors that determine haemosporidian prevalence is critical in predicting how parasite and avian host populations will respond to environmental change. Here, we used molecular screening of blood samples from migrating northern saw‐whet owls Aegolius acadicus in eastern North America to characterize haemosporidian infections and examine parasite prevalence with respect to abundance of migrants, timing of migration, climatic conditions at the breeding grounds, and avian host age. We identified three haemosporidian genera (Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium, and Haemoproteus) and discovered a new lineage of Leucocytozoon that is thus far specific to the northern saw‐whet owl. We found no significant relationship between parasite prevalence and northern saw‐whet owl abundance or timing of migration. After‐hatch‐year birds were significantly more likely to be parasitized by Leucocytozoon than hatch‐year birds, whereas prevalence of Plasmodium was higher in hatch‐year birds. Of the three climatic variables analyzed at owl breeding grounds (temperature, precipitation, and snowpack days), lower average annual temperatures significantly increased the chance of a bird being parasitized by Leucocytozoon; no significant temperature‐dependent relationship was found for Plasmodium. This study contributes to our general understanding of the relationship between parasite prevalence and host density, host age, resource abundance, and abiotic factors such as temperature and precipitation.


The world's first "in-chip cell-free protein synthesis from DNA" in biochemical IC chips was demonstrated. A luminous protein of the firefly "Luciferase" was synthesized from DNA and monitored in real time. Compared with conventional protein synthesis process with a living cell, this in-chip method provides low-cost, high-throughput protein production. This micro chemical laboratory was constructed by prefabricated biochemical IC chips proposed and developed by the authors. Each chip was three dimensionally fabricated by using "hybrid micro stereolithography". In addition, advanced biochemical IC chips made it possible to improve both the productivity and the reliability of protein production. The results provide the powerful new method demanded by post-genome research to find the relationship between gene and protein. User assembled versatile biochemical IC chips provide reduced experimental throughput time and lower the cost of expensive biochemical reagent and apparatus for various kinds of protein synthesis. DNA originated cell-free protein synthesis is one of the biggest key technologies not only for life science but also medicine and drug discovery.


. The relevance of the macro-context for understanding political trust has been widely studied in recent decades, with increasing attention paid to micro–macro level interactive relationships. Most of these studies rely on theorising about evaluation based on the quality of representation, stressing that more-educated citizens are most trusting of politics in countries with the least corrupt public domains. In our internationally comparative study, we add to the micro–macro interactive approach by theorising and testing an additional way in which the national context is associated with individual-level political trust, namely evaluation based on substantive representation. The relevance of both types of evaluation is tested by modelling not only macro-level corruption but also context indicators of the ideological stances of the governing cabinet (i.e., the level of its economic egalitarianism and cultural liberalism), and interacting these with individual-level education, economic egalitarianism and cultural liberalism, respectively. As we measure context characteristics separately from people's ideological preferences, we are able to dissect how the macro-context relates to the levels of political trust of different subgroups differently. Data from three waves (2006, 2010, 2014) of the European Social Survey (68,294 respondents in 24 European countries and 62 country-year combinations), enriched with country-level data derived from various sources, including the Chapel Hill Expert Survey, are used in the multi-level regression analyses employed to test our hypotheses. We found support for the micro–macro level interactions theorised by the evaluation based on the quality of representation approach (with higher levels of trust among more-educated citizens in less corrupt countries), as well as for evaluation based on substantive representation in relation to cultural issues (with higher levels of trust among more culturally liberal citizens in countries with more culturally liberal governing cabinets). Our findings indicate that the latter approach is at least equally relevant as the approach conventionally used to explain context differences in political trust. Finally, we conclude our study with a discussion of our findings and avenues for future research.


This paper describes a BDI-inspired abstraction layer that is implemented in Soar to increase the scalability and flexibility of knowledge engineering in Soar-based agent systems. We motivate the BDI abstraction with a specific example of a multi-agent system that is being developed to explore human command and control of heterogeneous robotic entities. We then describe how we have implemented deontics and communication aspects of Joint Intentions via the abstraction layer and illustrate the strengths, limitations, and lessons learned in this approach.


According to long-term studies in High Performance Computing Centers (see e.g. [Rab99]), almost all parallel applications are using collective communication operations. The broadcast function MPI_Bcast (), which is a part of the MPI-1.1standard, is one the most heavily used collective operations for the widely used message passing programming paradigm. Inefficient implementations of this function can therefore cause a disastrous performance loss of the whole application. This thesis will try to make use of a feature called multicast , which is supported by several network technologies (like Ethernetor InfiniBand) and notwithstanding often goes to waste, to create a more efficient MPI_Bcast () implementation, especially for large communicators and small to medium sized messages. Several problems in conjunction with this feature (like re-establishment of reliability) needs to be solved to comply with the semantics of the target function. Existing solutions will be analysed, and new solutions will be proposed based on theoretical deductions and conclusions. The analysis of existing real-world applications (theHPL benchmark andAbinit) as well as a generalization of the broadcast behaviour using statistical assumptions lead to a solution which does not only perform well for synthetical benchmarks but also even better for a wide class of parallel applications. The finally derived broadcast algorithm has been implemented for the open source MPI library Open MPIusingIP multicast . Instead of creating just another "experimental" prototype, special care has been taken to make the implementation portable and stable enough for productive utilization. The achieved microbenchmark results prove that the new broadcast is usually always better than existing point-to-point implementations when the number of MPI processes exceeds the 8 node boundary. For as little as 13 nodes, the broadcast of a 4 KiB message needs 49.1% longer when the original implementation of Open MPIis used instead of the new broadcast. With 28 MPI processes the same message can be transferred twice as fast. Since the the new broadcast scales independently of the number of involved processes, the performance (compared with point-to-point algorithms) differs more and more when the communicator size increases further. For 342 nodes and an8 KiB message, the difference amounts a factor of4.896! Real-world applications can benefit even more from this new implementation, because it uses the intermediate phase of the broadcast operation more efficiently and because it achieves a pretty balanced behaviour. These additional improvements will be exemplarily verified with the HPL benchmark, which achieves a higher GFLOPSrate with the new and general broadcast algorithm, than with the supplied and purpose-built broadcasts. The original (PDF) version of this document can be found here: http://archiv.tu-chemnitz.de/pub/2006/0182 Siebert, Christian: Efficient Broadcast for MulticastCapable Interconnection Networks Diploma Thesis, 2006 Chemnitz University of Technology


The objective of this study was to establish the relationship between working capital management and profitability in the dairy industry with a case study of New KCC Ltd. 1 he aim study this was to find out effects of profitability by exploring the major variables that constitute working capital. The key factors explored by the study were: Inventory, debtors, cash and creditors. This was compared to net income which was a measure of profitability. The research study drew its focus into these factors which addressed the research objectives and research questions. A detailed literature review with theoretical review and critical analysis was presented. Also summary and gaps to be filled had also been identified. The data was derived from the financial statements of New KCC Ltd for a period of four years 2008-201 1 to analyse the relationship between working capital variable on the net income a measure of profitability. Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used to analyse data. There was a positive relationship between net income and accounts payable outstanding days and a negative relationship with inventory outstanding days, accounts receivables outstanding days which in turn influenced the cash conversion cycle. The results proposed optimal inventory levels to be maintained, prompt debt collection measures to be adopted as well as negotiated extended credit facilities with suppliers without compromise of their favourable relationship. This enhanced cash inflows that will provide revenue generation resulting to increased profitability. It is recommended that training and working capital awareness is vital as it will promote adoption of working capital management practices for the dairy firms staff .Academicians will have useful information critical to financial management especially in the working capital management thus are able to develop more robust working capital models. Policy makers will formulate policies that promote sound business environment especially during economic instabilities. Adoption of sound working capital management practices eventually promote profitability which in turn result to growth and more profitable investments amidst volatile economic market, increased costs of production, challenging weather conditions and a tough competitive regime.


Classic Autoencoders and variational autoencoders are used to learn complex data distributions, that are built on standard function approximators, such as neural networks, which can be trained by stochastic gradient descent methods. Especially, VAE has shown promise on a lot of complex task. In this paper, a new autoencoder model - classification supervised autoencoder (CSAE) based on predefined evenly-distributed class centroids (PEDCC) is proposed. To carry out the supervised learning for autoencoder, we use PEDCC of latent variables to train the network to ensure the maximization of inter-class distance and the minimization of inner-class distance. Instead of learning mean/variance of latent variables distribution and taking reparameterization of VAE, latent variables of CSAE are directly used to classify and as input of decoder. In addition, a new loss function is proposed to combine the loss function of classification, the loss function of image codec error and the loss function for enhancing subjective quality of decoded image. Based on the basic structure of the universal autoencoder, we realized the comprehensive optimal results of encoding, decoding and classification, and good model generalization performance at the same time. Theoretical advantages are reflected in experimental results.


In recent publications, the authors have shown that the exhaust gas fuel reforming technique has the potential to provide a way of controlling diesel engine exhaust emissions. The technology involves the incorporation of a reformer in the engine exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) loop. Fresh fuel is injected in the reactor, where it is reformed by catalytic reaction with exhaust gas. The produced hydrogen-rich gas is then fed back into the engine as reformed EGR (REGR). Thus, in this way, the engine in effect operates in dual fuel operation mode. In the present study, the particulate emissions of the diesel−hydrogen fueled engine were studied using an electrical low pressure impactor (ELPI). The work was performed by simulating the operation of an optimized engine−reformer system by feeding the engine with simulated reformate containing 24% hydrogen. The particle size and mass distribution were not affected significantly, but the particle total number and mass were reduced considerably, compared to the stand...


Advanced diffusion MRI (dMRI) has enabled noninvasive microstructural assessment that can be only conventionally measured with histology1-9. However, analytical dMRI models are limited by their restrictive model assumptions, lack of validation, and biased microstructural measures. We have developed Diffusion-MRI based Estimation of Cortical Architecture using Machine-learning (DECAM), a data-driven dMRI-based method accurately estimating cortical soma and neurite densities (SD and ND) in the cortex10 leveraging a variety of complementary dMRI contrasts. By providing high-fidelity estimated soma and neurite density maps validated with histology, DECAM paves the way for data-driven noninvasive virtual histology for potential applications such as Alzheimer's diseases.


Background Neonatal lupus syndrome is an acquired disease caused by the transplacental passage of anti-SSA/Ro antibodies. Congenital heart block (CHB) represent the most serious manifestation. The rate of CHB in anti-SSA/Ro positive pregnant woman varies among studies ranging from 1 to 5% in different populations. Aim of our study was to assess the prevalence of CHB in a cohort of anti-SSA/Ro positive pregnant women prospectively followed up in 2 Italian tertiary referral centers. Methods Patients underwent monthly clinical examination and data regarding the disease and pregnancy course were recorded. Moreover, fetal heart rates were assessed weekly by Doppler ultrasound from the 14th to the 26th gestational week. Results Between 2010 and 2018 we recorded data of 286 pregnancies, with the following maternal diagnosis: SLE in 73 (25.3%), Sjogren Syndrome in 52 (18%), undifferentiated connective tissue disease in 59 (20.6%), asymptomatic Ro/SSA carriers in 50 (17.4%) and other connective tissue disease in the remaining. In 5 pregnancies (1.7%) a third-degree CHB was diagnosed. In all these 5 pregnancies, anti-SSA/Ro positivity was established after CHB detection and the mothers were initially labeled as SSA/Ro carriers. Conclusions Even if the incidence of CHB as a whole was comparable to that reported in previous studies, none of the pregnancies prospectively followed before and during pregnancy developed CHB. These data suggest that a strict follow up and proper treatment of anti-SSA/Ro positive patients with an established autoimmune disease before and during pregnancy can reduce the risk.


This article traces the development of German politics of deporting Afghans. Since the greatinflux of refugees in 2015 – which doubled the number of Afghans in Germany – the asylumacceptance rate of Afghan refugees has been reduced while at the same time the government hasmade efforts to increase the number of deportations, arguing that parts of Afghanistan are"safe" for deportees, in spite of increasing violence in the country. Using a logic of deservingness,politicians maintain that the only persons deported are those who refuse to "integrate". Infact, however, more "well-integrated" Afghans are deported than persons with a criminal record.Within the context of an increasingly restrictive asylum system, the emphasis on deportationshas to be understood as an attempt to counter the rise of right-wing populism in Germany.Yet activists who support individual refugees and rejected asylum seekers, trying to preventtheir deportation, increasingly contest this approach. By pointing out that particular personswho are threatened by deportation are "well integrated" and therefore deserve to stay, theseactivists essentially accept and reinforce the logic of deservingness. The article argues that thedeportee epitomises the current reterritorialisation of nation-states and global system of unequal(im)mobility.


ABSTRACT In this preliminary study, mathematical models based on Quantitative Structure Property Relationships (QSPR) were applied in order to analyze how molecular structure of chloroprene rubber accelerators relates to their rheological and mechanical properties. QSPR models were developed in order to disclose which structural features mainly affect the mechanism of vulcanization. In such a way QSPR can help in a faster and more parsimonious design of new chloroprene rubber curative molecules. Regression mathematical models were calibrated on two rheological properties (scorch time and optimum cure time) and three mechanical properties (modulus 100%, hardness, and elongation at break). Models were calculated using experimental values of 14 accelerators belonging to diverse chemical classes and validated by means of different strategies. All the derived models gave a good degree of fitting (R2 values ranging from 84.5 to 98.7) and a satisfactory predictive power. Moreover, some hypotheses on the correlat...


Introduction A recent randomized clinical trial showed that minimally invasive surgery led to poorer survival compared with open surgery in early stage cervical cancer. We determined the trends in adoption of minimally invasive surgery and 5-year overall survival outcomes after open, laparoscopic-assisted, and robotic-assisted hysterectomy for stage II uterine cancer with cervical stromal involvement. Methods Data for patients with stage II uterine cancer were acquired from the National Cancer Database from 2010 to 2015. χ2 testing, Kaplan–Meier methods, and Cox models were used for statistical analyses. Results Of 2949 patients, 44.3% underwent open hysterectomy, 13.9% underwent laparoscopic hysterectomy, and 41.8% underwent robotic hysterectomy. The proportion of robotic cases increased from 26.8% in 2010 to 48.3% in 2015 (annual percent change 10.1%), with a decrease in open hysterectomy from 63.3% to 34.3% (annual percent change –12.5%). The overall 5-year survival was 77.6% in robotic, 76.8% in laparoscopic, and 72.5% in open hysterectomy (p=0.045); however, after adjusting for known prognostic factors, robotic (HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.21; p=0.97) and laparoscopic hysterectomy (HR 1.09, 95% CI 0.83 to 1.44; p=0.54) did not portend for improved survival compared with open hysterectomy. Black women (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.25 to 2.02; p<0.001) and individuals with co-morbidities (HR 1.45, 95% CI 1.21 to 1.75, p<0.001) had worse adjusted survival and the highest rates of open hysterectomy. Conclusion The use of minimally invasive surgery for stage II uterine cancer has increased over time, with comparable adjusted 5-year survival after robotic or laparoscopic hysterectomy compared with open hysterectomy. Black women and those with co-morbidities had lowest rates of minimally invasive surgery and the poorest adjusted survival.


The reaction sequence leading from O2+ to H3O+· H2O was examined in He, Ar, N2, and O2 carrier gases in a flowing afterglow system. The rate constants for the reactions were measured and the kinetic analysis for their determination is presented. For M=N2, two new steps involving the formation and reaction of O2+· N2 were proposed and examined. The rate constants are discussed and compared with other experimental values.


ABSTRACT Emerging evidence indicated circadian clock gene Rev-erbα was involved in cartilage metabolism, however the contribution of Rev-erbα to growth plate chondrogenesis remains unknown. Here, we found that Rev-erbα exhibited the spatiotemporal expression model in growth plate. Moreover, Rev-erbα antagonist SR8278 inhibited longitudinal elongation of metatarsal bone ex vivo. And morphological analysis exhibited SR8278 led to the reduced height of growth plate and hypertrophic zone. Furthermore, blocking Rev-erbα suppressed the proliferation and hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes in growth plate. Similarly, knock-down Rev-erbα inhibited the proliferation and differentiation of primary chondrocytes in vitro. The mechanistic study indicated that knock-down Rev-erbα up-regulated MAPK-ERK1/2 pathway in chondrocytes. However, restraint of MAPK-ERK1/2 pathway alleviated partially SR8278-inhibited longitudinal elongation of metatarsal bone and growth plate development. Therefore, our results provide evidence of the vital role of Rev-erbα on growth plate chondrogenesis.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of MRI navigation in identifing the safe surgical margin of the maxillofacial malignancy.

METHODS
The pathology results of the surgical margin identified by the technique of MRI navigation form 20 patients with maxillofacial malignancy were compared with those of 45 patients with maxillofacial malignancy who underwent the routine operation without MRI navigation.

RESULTS
There was no difference between the two groups of patients in age, sex, size of tumor, tumor stages, pathologic diagnosis (P > 0.05). The negative rate of the surgical margin of the lesions treated by surgery with the technique of MRI navigation was significantly lower than that of the lesions treated without MRI navigation (P = 0.007) and highly correspondent with the pathology results.

CONCLUSIONS
MRI navigation was helpful in identifying the safe surgical margin of the maxillofacial malignancy.


. Under the condition of incomplete information, the guarantee institution charges the premium and the counter-guarantee product will change the enterprise's income function, thus reduces the enterprise's income and makes some enterprises that unable to provide the counter-guarantee exit from the credit market, leading to the credit guarantee paradox. The government financial subsidy can effectively alleviate the credit guarantee risk of SME, and realize the win-win of bank and guarantee institutions through the amplification effect of guarantee loan scale.


Has the occurrence of "extreme capital flow movements"-episodes of sudden surges, stops, flight and retrenchment—changed since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC)? And was the period at the outset of the Covid Crisis any different? This paper addresses these questions by updating and building on the dataset and methodology introduced in Forbes and Warnock (2012) to calculate the occurrence of sharp capital flow movements by foreigners and domestics into and out of individual countries The results suggest that the occurrence of these extreme capital flow movements has not increased since the GFC, including during the early phases of the Covid Crisis (the first half of 2020) The drivers of these episodes, however, appear to have changed since the GFC Extreme capital flow movements are less correlated with changes in global risk and more correlated with changes in oil prices More generally, what used to be large global "waves" in international capital flows have more recently become more idiosyncratic "ripples"


Purpose: As education sector becomes more and more quality conscious, the nature of work involved in teaching profession undergoes dramatic changes. The various management concepts such as creativity, innovation, continuous improvement and change management become a common jargon for teachers in the current scenario. All these factors impose greater pressure and uncertainty on teachers. In the midst of all these challenges, there are multiple parameters to evaluate the performance of teachers. This sudden shift in the profession really resulted in teachers experiencing a stressful environment. The predicament of whether to focus more on traditional teaching methodology or student centric quality parameters exerts pressure on them. The New Education Policy (NEP 2020) will of course demand more involvement from teachers. In this juncture, this study proposes to conduct an analysis of various issues and challenges related to work engagement of teachers.
Design/Methodology/Approach: Literature review is conducted to analyse the concept of work engagement, work engagement of teachers and the factors influencing work engagement of teachers.
Findings/Result: Quality consciousness, innovation driven environment and implementation of National Education Policy, 2020 makes it important to be concerned about the work engagement of teachers. The transition towards a student centric curriculum is challenging and inevitable. In this context, work engagement of teachers should be given utmost importance.
Originality/Value: The antecedents and consequences of work engagement in the volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous environment is evaluated.
Paper Type: Conceptual Research.


This paper considers the nature and sedimentary significance of rip currents. Rip currents are the main factor responsible for the transport of coarse sediments from the littoral zone to greater depths. Such sediments, deposited outside the zone of wave deformation, may be identified as storm rip current increments within sediments deposited during fair weather. Composite beds deposited during a given wave cycle by storm rip currents are closely similar to 'turbidites' and many so called 'fluxo-turbidites' described from flysch deposits.Using data gathered in studies conducted on the modern Baltic coast, supplemented by experimental work and theoretical considerations, a sedimentary model is proposed. The model may be used to interpret possible rip current deposits among shallow water 'turbidites', and both modern storm sediments and ancient 'tempestites'. Language: en


In this present work, the synthesis of a new family of upper critical solution temperature (UCST)-thermoresponsive polymers based on N-cyanomethylacrylamide (CMAm) is reported. It is demonstrated that the thermally initiated reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of CMAm conducted in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) is well controlled. The homopolymer presents a sharp and reversible UCST-type phase transition in pure water with a very small hysteresis between cooling and heating cycles. It is demonstrated that the cloud point (TCP ) of poly(N-cyanomethylacrylamide) (PCMAm) is strongly molar mass dependent and shifts toward lower temperatures in saline water. Moreover, the transition temperature can be tuned over a large temperature range by copolymerization of CMAm with acrylamide or acrylic acid. The latter copolymers are both thermoresponsive and pH responsive. Interestingly, by this strategy sharp and reversible UCST-type transitions close to physiological temperature can be reached, which makes the copolymers extremely interesting candidates for biomedical applications.


The starting point for this dissertation was the interest in dissemination and utilization of research-based knowledge in practice. The interest in research utilization in USA has spread to nursing from foremost the social sciences. In Sweden there are some studies in research utilization from different fields. The aim of the study was to explore, describe and understand midwives' approaches to midwifery research utilization. The study is of a phenomenographic character using contextual analysis, which explores the aspects and components of the investigated phenomenon and their relations to each other and to the phenomenon as a whole. The theoretical perspective is that research utilization involves learning to know and to act. Twenty-two (22) midwives participated in the empirical investigation. Data were collected through in-depth interviews. The analysis had an exploratory, descriptive and interpretative character and was carried out in several phases. The main result is four qualitatively different categories describing approaches to research utilization. Category A/ professional; Category B/ realistic; Category C/ personal and Category D/ considerate approach. With a professional approach using results from midwifery research in practice is natural. With a realistic approach it is important to understand in which way the research findings improve midwifery practice. With a personal approach it is crucial to feel comfortable with the research findings. With a considerate approach the midwives compare the scientific research with their approved experience. The study shows that it is possible for the midwives to use midwifery research findings within their field of professional competence. In order to promote a homogeneous approach to research utilization and a research utilization culture in the midwifery practice, it is, in line with the results in this thesis, essential for midwives; a/ to consider continuous seeking for new information as natural, b/ to increase the understanding of ways of expressing research-based knowledge and how this knowledge benefits practice, c/ to be confident in the professional role as midwife and d/ to be critical in examining new research findings in comparison with approved experience.


One of the key roles and responsibilities of academic staff in a university is to develop the intellectual capacity of their learners by imparting knowledge and skills. They also play a fundamental role in moulding the behaviour and character of their learners. To be able to carry out these roles, the university's academic staff must exhibit standard of conduct that is beyond reproach. Given their high standing in the world of academia, coupled with the roles expected of them, the society expects university academic staff to be role-models and mentors to their learners. They must exhibit professional competence, integrity, trust and respect as these are crucial attributes to the all-round growth of their students. The academic staff, like other professionals, should cooperate and work as a team for the good of their learners. This study therefore, focused on evaluation of the conduct of academic staff in selected public universities in Kenya from the perceptions of their learners. It was an exploratory study that involved a sample of 50 students who were randomly selected from three public universities in the country. The findings indicate that the academic staff exhibited fairly morally acceptable conduct on some behavioral characteristics but not on others.


The experiments described were designed to calibrate a hexagonal array of VEMCO VR2 receivers and transmitters (model V9P-6L-S256) in isothermal and stratified water columns off the south coast of South Africa. The array, configured with 500 m between receivers, was designed to study the influence of water temperature and turbidity on the spawning behaviour of chokka squid Loligo reynaudii. Range tests comprised fixing a single VR2 receiver 2 m from the seabed and placing a V9P transmitter at distances of 0 m, 75 m, 150 m, 225 m, 300 m, 375 m, 450 m and 500 m from the receiver for periods of 10 minutes at each position under isothermal conditions and in the presence of a thermocline. The data indicated a range of 300 m for the former and 75 m for the latter conditions. The field performance of the V9P transmitter in a non-stratified water column compared well with the theoretical range of 352 m calculated using software to calculate range. System saturation was investigated by repeating the range test using four, eight and 14 transmitters simultaneously. Field data indicated a significant decrease in signal detections due to signal collisions when more than eight transmitters were active simultaneously. It was demonstrated that the hexagonal configuration of VR2s is optimal during isothermal conditions but inadequate during stratified conditions when acoustic dead zones of 350 m between VR2 receivers can occur.


Thyroid carcinoma scans in the immediate post-therapy period after therapeutic doses of l-131 for well-differentiated thyroid carcinoma showed additional lesions in ten of 24 (42%) patients or on 13 of 42 (31%) occasions, whereas the corresponding pretreatment diagnostic scans done with a small test dose failed to reveal the lesions. In four patients, lesions were only discernible on the regional rectilinear scan views and not on the total-body images. The value of post-therapy scans and the importance of obtaining the regional views are emphasized.


We find a new representation of the simple Lie algebra of type $E_7$ on the polynomial algebra in 27 variables, which gives a fractional representation of the corresponding Lie group on 27-dimensional space. Using this representation and Shen's idea of mixed product, we construct a functor from $E_6$-{\bf Mod} to $E_7$-{\bf Mod}. A condition for the functor to map a finite-dimensional irreducible $E_6$-module to an infinite-dimensional irreducible $E_7$-module is obtained. Our general frame also gives a direct polynomial extension from irreducible $E_6$-modules to irreducible $E_7$-modules. The obtained infinite-dimensional irreducible $E_7$-modules are $({\cal G},K)$-modules in terms of Lie group representations. The results could be used in studying the quantum field theory with $E_7$ symmetry and symmetry of partial differential equations.


AbstractCetuximab (Cetux)/Bevacizumab (Bev) treatments have shown considerably survival benefits for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) in the last decade. But they are costly. Currently, no data is available on the health economic implications of testing for extended RAS wild-type (wt) prior to Cetux/Bev treatments of patients with mCRC. This paper aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of predictive testing for extended RAS-wt status in mCRC in the context of targeting the use of Cetux/Bev.Markov model 1 was conducted to provide evidence evaluating the cost-effectiveness of predictive testing for KRAS-wt or extended RAS-wt status based on treatments of chemotherapy plus Cetux/Bev. Markov model 2 assessed the cost-effectiveness of FOLFOX plus Cetux/Bev or FOLFIRI plus Cetux/Bev in extended RAS-wt population. Primary base case data were identified from the CALGB 80405 trial and the literatures. Costs were estimated from West China Hospital, Sichuan University, China. Survival benefits were reported in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was calculated.In analysis 1, the cost per QALY was $88,394.09 for KRAS-Cetux, $80,797.82 for KRAS-Bev, $82,590.72 for RAS-Cetux, and $75,358.42 for RAS-Bev. The ICER for RAS-Cetux versus RAS-Bev was $420,700.50 per QALY gained. In analysis 2, the cost per QALY was $81,572.61, $80,856.50, $80,592.22, and $66,794.96 for FOLFOX-Cetux, FOLFOX-Bev, FOLFIRI-Cetux, and FOLFIRI-Bev, respectively. The analyses showed that the extended RAS-wt testing was less costly and more effective versus KRAS-wt testing before chemotherapy plus Cetux/Bev. Furthermore, FOLFIRI plus Bev was the most cost-effective strategy compared with others in extended RAS-wt population.It was economically favorable to identify patients with extended RAS-wt status. Furthermore, FOLFIRI plus Bev was the preferred strategy in extended RAS-wt patients.


BACKGROUND
Fetal microchimerism (FM) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). The aim of the study was to investigate the presence of FM in PBC patients.

PATIENTS AND METHOD
FM was studied in 28 women, 14 with PBC and 14 healthy controls.DNA was extracted from peripheral blood cells, and a PCR analysis to detect a specific Y-chromosome sequence was performed. Specificity was confirmed by Southern-blot analysis.

RESULTS
The Y-chromosome sequence was amplified from peripheral-blood cell DNA in only one PBC patient and in none of the controls.

CONCLUSIONS
FM does not seem to play a major role in patients with PBC.


The purpose of this investigation was two-fold. The first, to explore the relationship between ingestion (measured by the phagocytic index method), iodination (measured by the neutrophil iodination micromethod) and intracellular killing (measured by the methylene blue test) of Candida albicans by human polymorphonuclear leucocytes. The second, to determine the effects of complement and antibody on ingestion and intracellular killing of C. albicans. Optimal phagocytosis of C. albicans was observed in fresh untreated human serum. Phagocytosis was present but reduced, in serum depleted of either antibody (by absorption) or complement (by heating at 56 degrees C for 30 min). Whilst in the complete absence of serum, or in FCS the levels were reduced still further. The percentage killed of ingested C. albicans remained constant irrespective of the number of organisms ingested, thus the greater the number ingested, the greater the number killed. Maximal intracellular killing expressed as a percentage of ingested Candida occurred in fresh untreated serum. Intracellular killing did occur in heat-inactivated serum and absorbed serum, although the levels were significantly reduced. The results suggest that C. albicans opsonized in fresh normal PHS are phagocytosed as well as killed more efficiently than those opsonized with only complement or antibody.


Despite the rapid pace of gadgets released on the market, research in the area of usable interfaces for wearables is lagging behind. Smartglasses are new wearables that embed diverse sensors but also have small displays, and this makes it hard for the wearer to visualize real-time data. To bridge this gap, the contribution of this paper is threefold. First, we propose a data representation model to combine applications and services that match user activities and contexts. Second, we present an approach of showing relevant services to the user based on `tiles' (such as those in recent Microsoft Windows interfaces) while considering the device constraints. Finally, we suggest that combining those two aspects can open the way to personalized services for the end user, creating new ways of interacting with applications and devices.


The triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) is a validated biomarker of insulin resistance. Its power to predict major cardiovascular events (MACE) in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) is unclear and is addressed in the present study. We enrolled 1032 consecutive patients with angiographically proven CAD. Prospectively, cardiovascular events were recorded over a mean follow-up period of 10.1±5.1 years. At baseline, the TyG index was significantly higher in patients with T2DM (n=346) than in nondiabetic subjects (9.3±0.7 vs. 8.7±0.5; p<0.001). During follow-up, 435 of our patients suffered MACE. The event rate was significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in nondiabetic subjects (48.7 vs. 39.4%; p=0.005). The TyG index in Cox regression models adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, smoking, body mass index, and LDL cholesterol independently predicted MACE in the total study population (standardized adjusted HR 1.40 [1.20-1.65], p<0.001); HRs in patients with T2DM and in nondiabetic subjects were 1.51 [1.18-1.93], p=0.001 and 1.16 [0.89-1.50], p=0.271, respectively, with no evidence of an interaction between TyG and T2DM (p=0.440). With T2DM additionally entered into the regression model, TyG on tee total study population predicted MACE independently from the presence of T2DM (HR 1.32 [1.10-1.57], p=0.003) while T2DM remained independently predictive of MACE after adjustment for TyG (HR 1.29 [1.04-1.59]; p=0.020). From our data we conclude that the TyG index and T2DM are mutually independent predictors of MACE in patients with established CAD.

 T. Plattner: None. A. Vonbank: None. A. Mader: None. L. Sprenger: None. M. Maechler: None. B. Larcher: None. A. Leiherer: None. A. Muendlein: None. H. Drexel: None. C.H. Saely: None.


Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic abnormalities including abdominal obesity, insulin resistance, hypertension and atherogenic dyslipidemia and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease caused by plaque biofilm, which shares risk factors with the major noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and chronic respiratory disease. Many cross-sectional studies have investigated the link between periodontal disease and metabolic syndrome showing that the odds of periodontitis increase with the number of metabolic syndrome components present in an individual although the causal relationship between them has not been determined yet. In this paper, the research progress on the relationship and mechanism of periodontitis with the main characteristics of metabolic syndrome are presented in order to provide new evidences for the prevention and intervention of metabolic syndrome and periodontitis.


Background:
 Low birth weight is related to adult-onset diabetes, although this association has been sparsely investigated in developing countries. Given reports of sexual dimorphism in fetal programming, we aimed to investigate heterogeneity, by sex and maternal diabetes, in the association of low birth weight with type 2 diabetes in participants from a large Brazilian cohort.

 Methods:
 We used baseline (2008-2010) data of 12,066 participants aged 35-74y from the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health (ELSA-Brasil). Diabetes was defined by self-reported information and laboratory measurements (OGTT or HbA
 1c
 ). We employed multivariable-adjusted Poisson regression models with robust variance to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI).

 Results:
 Nine hundred and ninety participants (~8% of the total) reported low birth weight (defined as <2.5 kg). Low birth weight was associated with higher prevalence of diabetes in a fully-adjusted model in women (PR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.32-1.80 vs. birth weight of 2.5-4kg), but not in men (PR 1.09, 95% CI 0.91-1.29;
 P
 heterogeneity
 <0.01). Additionally, the association was stronger among participants who had mothers with diabetes (PR 1.60, 95% CI 1.33-1.93), than those who did not (PR 1.18, 95% CI 1.01-1.38;
 P
 heterogeneity
 <0.05). When jointly stratified by sex and maternal diabetes, the low birth weight-diabetes association was observed for women with (PR 1.67, 95% CI 1.28-2.19) and without (PR 1.50, 95% CI 1.25-1.81) maternal diabetes. In contrast, in men, low birth weight was associated with diabetes in participants with maternal diabetes (PR 1.51, 95% CI 1.17-1.93), but not in those without (PR 0.93, 95% CI 0.74-1.18). High birth weight was marginally and homogenously associated with lower prevalence of diabetes.

 Conclusions:
 Low birth weight was variably associated with higher prevalence of diabetes in Brazilian adults. The heterogeneity observed supports complex and sex-specific intra-uterine environmental effects on adult metabolic health.


Current acoustic practices deem that concave surfaces do not provide good acoustical performance. However, old cathedrals, churches, and enclosed performance spaces with concave interiors seem to perform well. Part I of the current investigation analyzes the acoustical performance of spaces with curved surfaces. The main focus of the current investigation was to research the uniformity of the sound field produced by curved surfaces by analyzing sound pressure level distribution throughout the audience space. It studied the impact of the focal plane on the overall sound distribution within an enclosed space. To analyze the effect of curved surfaces at different frequencies, three enclosed rooms with curved surfaces were used to measure the sound pressure levels throughout an audience space: the Paul Cocker Gallery in the Ryerson Architecture Building, Toronto; St. Martin-in-the-fields Anglican Church, Toronto; and Wigmore Hall, United Kingdom. The evaluations were achieved with both experimental methods, and computer simulations using hybrid-ray-image methods. Computer simulations were validated by the initial on-site measurements in the Toronto locations. After these evaluations were performed, results showed that in these conditions, the curved surfaces had minimal negative impact as perceived by the audience. The results of the investigation will be presented in this paper.


We have investigated actin gene expression during the annual spermatogenic cycle of Pisaster ochraceus by Northern blot analyses of testes RNAs pooled from defined spermatogenic stages. Specific probes for cytoplasmic (Cy) and muscle (M) actin gene products detect 2.3 and 2.1 kb transcripts, respectively. In addition, actin-coding sequence probes detect a third, much larger (3.5 kb) transcript designated FAT. Preliminary sequence analyses of two cDNAs representing portions of the FAT transcript show over 90% homology to Pisaster Cy actin at the amino acid level but only 80% nucleotide identity. The expression patterns of these three transcripts, plus two spermiogenic indicator transcripts (H3 histone and beta-tubulin), were determined over the cycle. The Cy transcript is seen at all stages but is ten- to 100-fold higher early in the cycle when mitotic activity predominates. The M transcript appears at the onset of gonadal growth and is maintained at constant levels through spermatogenesis consistent with the expansion of the muscular sheath surrounding the testes. The FAT, H3 histone, and beta-tubulin transcripts reach their highest levels in ripe testes when spermiogenic activity is maximal. The homology of the FAT transcript to actin, and its pattern of expression, suggest the hypothesis that this transcript may encode acrosomal actin.


At present, cast iron foundries are facing increasing competition along with increasing demand for ductile iron. Therefore, there is no other way than to improve the technological processes of casting production and use other possibilities for more efficient management of their quality by means of 3D scanning of dimensional accuracy in critical production nodes. The paper is based on the gained experience with the study of the potential of the method of non-contact 3D measurement of shape and dimensional accuracy of the patterns and castings, which is to be used in optimizing the process parameters of gravity casting of ductile iron castings. The ROMER Absolute Arm 7525SI portable laser measuring arm is used. The dimensional accuracy of newly manufactured patterns is monitored. Then, it can be confronted with the original 3D model. Subsequently, the patterns are scanned over their life cycles to identify critical dimensional deviations. All in connection with the control of dimensional deviations in molds, but especially in castings. The study of dimensional stability of the patterns, molds, and castings will allow monitoring the actual state in connection with the implementation of our own casting technology. As it turns out, it is possible to identify critical production parameters in terms of compliance with the dimensional accuracy of castings. The entire measuring system is connected to a professional program for measuring, dimensional evaluation according to the GD&T methodology, comparison with 3D objects, fitting, and export to a CAD system as STL 3D objects.


This paper presents the design of a Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) operated by speech commands. A person from a base station can comfortably control the motion of the MAV by issuing speech commands. This system proposes to have two units, one in the base station which is the control unit and the other is a flying machine. The base station unit consists of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) which performs a speaker dependent speech recognition algorithm for a predefined command library. The DSP generates control signals which are wirelessly transmitted to the MAV. A Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) is placed in the MAV for on-board operations. The FPGA receives the wirelessly transmitted control signals and alters the motion of the MAV based on the control signals received. The MAV consists of a single rotating wing with two rotors placed on either side of the fuselage, providing it with the capability of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL).


A servo-method is described which can provide an equal-energy or equal-quanta spectrum, as well as any other type of spectral energy distribution desired for biological or physical experiments, by installation of the appropriate empirically determined cam. A grating monochromator driven by a reversing motor provides a continuous spectrum which may be scanned repeatedly at selected bandwidths, the visible range being traversed in 15 sec with a maximum error of plus or minus 3%. Also the system can be made to produce spectra which elicit responses of arbitrarily fixed magnitude from retinal preparations, equal-response spectra. The results would be in terms of deviation from an equal-energy, equal-quanta, or any other type of chosen spectrum depending on the cam employed. This servo-method has the advantage of immunity to the aging of lamps and filters and permits replacement of a defective lamp by another of the same or of an entirely different type without calibration being required. An alternative to the use of mechanical cams, intended to produce similar results employing the photoformer principle, also is described briefly.


Several recent efforts in statistical natural language understanding (NLU) have focused on generating clumps of English words from semantic meaning concepts (Miller et al., 1995; Levin and Pieracini, 1995; Epstein et al., 1996; Epstein, 1996). This paper extends the IBM Machine Translation Group's concept of fertility (Brown et al., 1993) to the generation of clumps for natural language understanding. The basic underlying intuition is that a single concept may be expressed in English as many disjoint clump of words. We present two fertility models which attempt to capture this phenomenon. The first is a Poisson model which leads to appealing computational simplicity. The second is a general nonparametric fertility model. The general model's parameters are boot-strapped from the Poisson model and updated by the EM algorithm. These fertility models can be used to impose clump fertility structure on top of preexisting clump generation models. Here, we present results for adding fertility structure to unigram, bigram, and headword clump generation models on ARPA's Air Travel Information Service (ATIS) domain.


Many physicians and decision makers have reacted too strongly to the findings of the Royal College of General Practitioners concerning the negative side effects of oral contraceptive use; they are denying the pill to women who have taken the pill for more than 5 years or who are over 35 years of age whether they are at high risk or not. Women over 35 years of age who smoke and take the pill are at increased risk of circulatory diseases; however since smoking is the primary contributor to this increased risk it would be more sensible to urge these women to quit smoking than to refuse to prescribe oral contraceptives for them. In addition the number of cases of cardiovascular disease reported in the British data on oral contraceptives users is too small to confirm a relationship between pill use and these diseases. Similarily the observed relationship between these diseases and patients who used the pill but later discontinued pill usage is also based on an insufficient number of cases.


The article analyzes the role of socially oriented non-profit organizations (SONPOs) in the economy by expanding the field of participation of the "third sector" in the provision of services to the population in the social sphere, their participation in social policy and, as a result, the formation of a new social design in modern Russia. The author studied the leadership potential and civic engagement of SONPOs' leaders. The hypotheses that had been put forward by the author are confirmed: SONPO becomes a significant agent (resource) for solving socially significant issues, accumulates social capital only when it reaches a sufficient level of trust-based multiple subject-object institutional relations (donor – recipient – resource, society – government – business).


In 1895, a Mandaean priest was captured near the town of Chabāyish in Iraq and brought to the jailhouse in Basra. Shaykh Ṣaḥan was accused of murdering his nephew and, more significantly, of supporting an Arab tribal rebellion against Ottoman authority. Using archival sources and Mandaean oral history, this article analyzes the case of Shaykh Ṣaḥan within the context of state centralization, Ottoman-British rivalry, and the internal conflicts among the Mandaeans. The case is significant because it sheds light on how large-scale transformations affected vulnerable minorities like the Mandaeans, and the way these communities struggled to survive in turbulent times.


In previous studies, it has been shown that the microstructure of prismatic dental enamel presents differences between the external and internal zone. Radial enamel is found in the outer third of enamel and has higher microhardness values than enamel with Hunter- Schreger Bands (HSB) that occupies the inner 2/3. Our aim was to evaluate the mechanical behavior of radial enamel and HSB due the action of a non-alcoholic beverage in vitro. Longitudinal sections of dental crowns were embedded in polymer, worn and polished with sandpapers of decreasing granulation. The samples were immersed in a flavoured natural water for 12 minutes. Nanohardness tests (Triboindenter Hysitron) were performed on the radial and HSB enamel before and after the exposure to the drink. Hardness determinations "H", reduced modulus "Er" and contact depth "hc" were obtained. The percentage of reduction of hardness was determined. The values found in healthy radial enamel were H: 5.48±0.23 GPa; Er: 86.97±8.11 GPa; hc: 149.73±4.25 nm and in HSB H: 4.24±0.43 GPa; Er: 75.24±7.09 GPa; hc: 176.36±11.29 nm. After exposure to beverage, it was found in the radial enamel H: 2.22±0.31 GPa; Er: 58.73±10.79 GPa; hc: 270.29±21.22 nm, and in HSB H: 1.54±0.42 GPa; Er: 48.11±6.54 GPa; hc: 350.10±63.33 nm. After the drink action, the values of hardness of the radial enamel and HSB decreased and the trend observed in healthy enamel remained, where the highest values corresponded to the radial enamel. The percentage reduction of H in the radial enamel was 59.48% and in the HSB enamel it was 63.67%. The contact depth increased by about 50%.The decrease in hardness is related to the mineral loss produced by the acids contained in the drink. We conclude that the action of the non-alcoholic beverage produces a decrease in the mechanical properties in both the radial enamel and the HSB. The lower values in the reduced module Er indicate the formation of a superficial softened layer, the enamel with HSB being more vulnerable.


The presented work is an investigation of fluid-particle separation phenomena and compression stress resistance performance of magnetorheological (MR) fluids under squeeze mode. The squeeze mode is very significant to MR machining application. Material used in this study was silicone oil based MR fluid with 20% volume fraction of carbonyl iron particle. Compression test was performed by integrating the developed squeeze mode testing rig with a 50 kN Universal Testing Machine (UTM). The tests were conducted at constant speed and current. Each test was conducted at an initial gap of 2 mm and was stopped at a final gap of 0.5 mm. Force-displacement data was recorded and was analysed using TestExpert® II software. Full factorials with 27 experiments were designed using Design Expert 7 software. Three factors investigated in the design of experiments were carrier fluid viscosity, supplied current, and compression speed. Responses measured were strain energy and compression stress at maximum strain. Macro images of the phenomenon were recorded and evaluated qualitatively. From the compression stress-strain results, carrier fluid viscosity was significant to vary the MR fluid properties. The observed phenomenon shows that fluid-particle separation occurred in the low viscosity carrier fluid, low compression speed and high applied current. The parameters effect on strain energy and compression stress suggests that the fluid-particle separation is significant to the squeeze mode MR fluid performance. The relationship between stress resistance performance and fluid-particle separation phenomena were significant in designing innovative MR fluid devices.


The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of the Tropical Milking Criollo cattle (TMC) breed in Mexico through parameters derived from pedigree and genomic information assessment. The pedigree file consisted of 3780 animals. Seventy-nine bovines were genotyped with the medium-density single nucleotide polymorphism chip and considered a reference population for pedigree analysis. The effective population size and the probability of gene origin used to assess the evolution of genetic diversity were calculated with pedigree information. Inbreeding coefficients were evaluated based on pedigree (FPed), the genomic relationship matrix (FGRM), and runs of homozygosity (FROH) of different length classes. The average inbreeding was 2.82 ± 2.66%, −0.7 ± 3.8%, and 10.9 ± 3.0% for FPED, FGRM, and FROH, respectively. Correlation between FPED and FROH was significant only for runs of homozygosity > 4 Mb, indicating the FPED of a population with an average equivalent complete generation of five only recovers the most recent inbreeding. The parameters of the probability of gene origin indicated the existence of genetic bottlenecks and the loss of genetic diversity in the history of the TMC cattle population; however, pedigree and genomic information revealed the existence of current sufficient genetic diversity to design a sustainable breeding program.


A test-chip in a low-power 45nm technology, featuring uniaxial strained Si, has been built to study variability in CMOS circuits. Systematic layout-induced variation, die-to-die (D2D), wafer-to-wafer (W2W) and within-die (WID) variability has been measured and analyzed. Delay is characterized using an array of ring-oscillators and transistor leakage current is measured with an on-chip ADC. Results show that systematic variations are small and layout-induced variation is dominated by strain effects.


Nine cases of homogenous leukoplakia and 21 cases of lichen planus (11 reticular and 10 erosive) were studied under the electron microscope. The changes found in leukoplakia were limited to occasional breaks in the basal lamina and modest changes in the cytoplasm of the basal cells. The basal lamina in lichen planus was found to exhibit 3 distinctly different pictures reflecting the clinical types of lichen planus. The structural abnormalities in the basal cells increased with increasing severity of the lesions. The inflammatory infiltrate in lichen planus was found to contain mainly small-to-medium-sized lymphocytes but plasma-cells with widely dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum containing a granular substance were frequently seen. Similar changes are seen in other disorders and, therefore, specific diagnostic criteria cannot be established on the basis of the present material.


which binds them together in a common philosophy of attitude would seem to be the emphasis on the examination of the reactions of the one to whom help is being offered or given. I was particularly interested in the non-specific factors which appear to be more vital in the outcome of therapy than any of the proponents of the variety of schools of therapy might be prepared to admit. They point to the fact that more concentra tion on the non-specific factors rather than on the specific ideology of the therapy school itself might bring about a better result. This book is by no means a bedside reading. The quantity of research in every individual case is so great that it becomes almost overwhelming. At the same time it is a vitally important book for anyone working in the helping professions and perhaps even more for those who are in charge of training in these fields.


Artificial Intelligence for computer games is an interesting topic which attracts intensive attention recently. In this context, Mario AI Competition modifies a Super Mario Bros game to be a benchmark software for people who program AI controller to direct Mario and make him overcome the different levels. This competition was handled in the IEEE Games Innovation Conference and the IEEE Symposium on Computational Intelligence and Games since 2009. In this paper, we study the application of Reinforcement Learning to construct a Mario AI controller that learns from the complex game environment. We train the controller to grow stronger for dealing with several difficulties and types of levels. In controller developing phase, we design the states and actions cautiously to reduce the search space, and make Reinforcement Learning suitable for the requirement of online learning.


Background: The mode of presentation, clinical, radiologic and laboratory characteristics of patients with acromegaly and the outcome following various modalities of treatment are not well documented in South Africa. Aim: To evaluate treatment outcome and follow-up of patients with acromegaly over a period of 10 years. Methods: The study is a retrospective record review of patients with acromegaly attending Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, 2003–2013. Results: The study included 27 patients (16 female and 11 male) with a mean age at diagnosis of 44.2 ± 14.0 years. The mean growth hormone (GH) at diagnosis was 51.8 ± 32.6 μg/l and mean IGF-1 956.8 ± 432.9 μg/l. In 25 patients (92.5%) pituitary macroadenoma was identified; microadenoma was present in 2 (7.4%) patients. Trans-sphenoidal surgery was employed in 26 (96.3%) as the initial therapy; only 1 patient was treated medically. Adjunctive medical therapy was used in 23 (88.5%) and radiotherapy in 6 (22.2%). After a mean follow-up of 4.4 ± 3.4 years, 9 (33.3%) subjects were cured (normal age-matched and gender-matched IGF-1 and random GH < 1.0 μg/l). No deaths were recorded and post-procedural hypopituitarism developed in 22 (84.6%) patients. Conclusions: Patients with acromegaly in KwaZulu-Natal present with advanced clinical features and large pituitary adenomata. The overall cure rate is lower than reported from developed countries.


Recently, Content-Centric Networking (CCN) was introduced and is expected as a new concept of future internet architecture. Even though CCN is initially studied for wired networks, recently, it is also studied for wireless environment. In this paper, we discuss improvement method for efficient content flooding over wireless CCNs. The proposed scheme of this paper use MAC Address of nodes when Interest and Data Packet are forwarded in order to limit the area of flooding of packets. The proposed protocol not only reduces the spread of Data packets, but also offers priority of forwarding to nodes of shortest path. As a consequence, it reduce content download time which is proved by extensive simulations.


The minimum spanning tree (MST) of a graph is an important concept in network design, the basic MST problem can be solved efficiently, but the multi-criteria MST (mc-MST) is NP-hard problem. In this paper, a discrete particle swarm optimization (PSO) approach is developed to deal with this problem. The principles of mutation and crossover operator in the genetic algorithm (GA) are incorporated into the proposed PSO algorithm to achieve a better diversity and break away from local optima. In the end, an enumeration method of Chen's is used to evaluate the algorithm's performance and the results show that this algorithm is efficient and feasible.


Diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity are major risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) . Access to and awareness of health education programming is often low in ethnic/racial minorities and individuals of low socioeconomic status experience a higher prevalence of T2D, hypertension, CVD and stroke. Additionally, underserved, at-risk patients face barriers to accessing traditional in-person diabetes self-management education and support (DSME/S) due to transportation, caregiving, and work conflicts. To address this gap, the ADA's Know Diabetes by Heart (KDBH) initiative partnered with Project Dulce, an evidence-based culturally and linguistically modified DSME/S program to overlay an innovative digital approach to diabetes support programming and resources in the community. In response to COVID-restrictions, Project Dulce sessions integrating KDBH content were delivered via telehealth group sessions and text messaging to encourage heart healthy self-management behaviors. Pre/post surveys assessed knowledge and self-management, and clinical metrics were evaluated via electronic health records. The KDBH/Project Dulce DSME/S program was delivered to 5 health systems in California: 2 Federally Qualified Health Centers, 2 County health clinics and 1 large community-based health system near the US/Mexico border. Of the N=553 who received KDBH/Project Dulce education, 47% were White, 36% Hispanic, 14% African American, Asian, Native American, Pacific Islander, and 3% other. Of all enrollees, 58% were female, and 15% were </= 45 y/o, 50% were 46-65 y/o and 35% were >/= 66 y/o. Participant feedback indicated acceptance of both the group virtual and texting programs. Findings demonstrate the feasibility of disseminating important heart healthy interventions to diverse ethnic/racial minority groups via a variety of digital and telehealth methods.

 M.Ruiz: n/a. A.L.Fortmann: Consultant; Ascensia Diabetes Care, Employee; Dexcom, Inc. H.Sandoval: None. A.Philis-tsimikas: Advisory Panel; Bayer AG, Novo Nordisk, Research Support; Lilly Diabetes, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Novo Nordisk, Viking Therapeutics. M.Chichmarenko: None. S.R.Bagsic: None. J.Boyer: None.

 American Diabetes Association/KDBH;


A new bamboo weaving machine, in which automatic control system is employed, is introduced in this paper. The system deals with the images firstly, and then controls bamboo weaving by means of electromotor and transmission devices. Different algorithms, such as lift wavelet, bivariate rational interpolation and Ostu are used in image processing. The minimum width of the bamboo filament is 0.7mm. The maximum number of the bamboo filament in the warp and weft direction is 360 and 430 respectively. Various beautiful bamboo artware can be weaved automatically by this machine in a short time.


The results of the study of using the end-type heads based on permanent magnets for polishing flat surfaces of ferromagnetic parts on standard metal-working equipment are presented in the work. The possibility of a highly efficient achievement of the roughness of flat surfaces up to Ra < 0.05 μm with the initial Ra > 1–2 μm with removing of the heredity of the machining in the form of microwaves obtained in the face milling operation was shown. Based on the results of the analysis of the process of dispergation of the material was analyzed the influence of the magnetic field gradient the intensity of the magneto-abrasive machining of flat ferromagnetic surfaces by heads, which form a magneto-abrasive tool in the shape of a "brush" and "half of torus". The influence of technological process parameters: the rotation speed of the working heads, the sizes of the working gap, the technological feed on the character of the change in the microgeometry of the machined surface were investigated. The machining conditions, under which occur the preferential machining of micro peaks or micro valleys on a rough surface, were identified. It was determined that the rational conditions of the magneto-abrasive machining of flat ferromagnetic surfaces are: the rotation speed of the working heads 900 rpm, the gap size between the machined surface and the working surface of the head 2.5–4.0 mm and the working feed 10–15 mm/min.

Keywords: finishing, roughness, polishing, permanent magnet, magneto-abrasive tool.


The effects of model and process parameters on the predicted chilling time and mass loss of a beef carcass during chilling were studied by validated computer simulation. The effects of surface heat transfer coefficient, and thermal diffusivities of fat and muscle on the chilling time were significant as well as the effects of surface heat transfer and mass transfer coefficients on mass loss. However, the effects of moisture diffusivities on the chilling time and mass loss were insignificant. All of the process parameters significantly affected mass loss and chilling time. A decrease in relative humidity or an increase in air velocity or ambient temperature increased mass loss. An increase in air velocity or a decrease in ambient temperature decreased the chilling time. Based on the parametric analysis of the process parameters, air velocity in the chiller should be less than 1 m/s and the relative humidity of the chiller should be more than 80%.


This research is based on fifty one interviews with twenty one students drawn from two cohorts who were undertaking a two year postgraduate course leading to the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work. The students were interviewed in depth about their work with one client or client group at key stages of their education and training. The aims of the research were threefold: to ascertain whether different approaches to practice could be described on the basis of the students' accounts of their work, thus making a contribution to the development of evaluative methods in the field of social work education; to explore the influence of training on students' approaches to practice; and to contribute to understanding of the use of theory in social work practice. The information generated in relation to the first of these three aims derives from the construction of a typology of three approaches to social work practice grounded in the students' accounts of their work. The three approaches have been termed an everyday social approach, a fragmented approach and a fluent approach to reflect their key distinguishing features. In turn, the description of these distinguishing features constitutes a contribution to understanding of the use of theory in social work practice, since they revolve partly around the extent to which the students drew on the type of knowledge which is usually described as theoretical, and partly around the ways in which this type of knowledge was used. It was beyond the scope of the research to assess the relative effectiveness of the three approaches, and the typology cannot, therefore, be regarded as representing a hierarchy of performance levels. It is, however, a central premise of the thesis that the typology represents a model within which the development of the students' ability to make use of course content in practice can be understood. Three tentative conclusions emerge about the influence of the students' education and training on the development of their practice in this respect. Firstly, although some aspects of academic teaching appear to have played a significant part in the development of the students' practice, the teaching approaches employed may have imposed constraints on the extent to which they were able to make use of course content in practice. Secondly, the practice teaching approaches encountered by the students appear to have been closely associated with the development of their practice. Finally, the research suggests that the learning milieux provided by the students' placement agencies could also have some bearing on the development of their practice. I declare that this thesis has been composed by myself and that the research it describes is my own work. .