Coagulase-negative staphyloccoci (CoNS) are the most frequently isolated micro-organisms from infected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts and temporary ventricular drainage catheters, used in modern neurosurgery. CoNS originate from the skinflora of the patient or the surgeon and gain access to the surface of the implant at the insertion, but the infection can erupt up to a year later or more. Immediately after insertion host proteins are adsorbed to the surface of the implant. These are vitronectin (Vn), fibronectin, fibrinogen, thrombospondin, collagen, complement factors, coagulation factors and immunoglobulins. The CoNS express binding of these components, and several of them, have been shown to mediate bacterial adherence. The binding of a CoNS strain, BD 93 5703, from an infected CSF shunt to polymers exposed to human CSF was investigated. It was shown that CoNS adherence was lowered to CSF preexposed catheters. Anti-Vn antibodies could furthermore block the adhesion of the mentioned strain, but not of other strains tested. No other protein was shown to mediate staphylococcal adhesion in this thesis. The strain, which adhesion was dependent on Vn was shown to express four binding proteins in its cell wall. Of these four proteins, from 16, 21, 38 and 52 kDa molecular weights, the 52 kDa protein had the highest affinity for Vn. Complement activation is a complication to insertion of implants in contact with blood. Vn is known to inhibit the terminal complement complex, C5b-9, of the complement system, by forming SC5b-9. Immobilized Vn was shown to retain this function. Vn-binding CoNS could block the formation of SC5b-9, letting the complement activation go on as if no Vn was present. Vn and terminal complement complex were shown to be present in CSF and on removed CSF shunts. The level of Vn was higher in pathological than in normal CSF, due to plasma leakage into the CSF. Vn found on temporary catheters and shunts was identified as a dimer, which natural habitat is plasma. Dimeric Vn is not activated and its biological functions are intact. The Vn-binding in CoNS can thus have an important role in the pathogenesis of CSF shunt infections. It can mediate adhesion to the shunt surface and it can also block the inhibitory effect of Vn on the complement system.


In this paper, a calculation method of the sheath circulating current is introduced, taking the different grounding types, laying environment, structural parameters of cables into account. Due to the parameters in practice, the circulating currents in sheath are calculated and measured under the conditions of singlepoint grounding and both-end crossbonded grounding. The possible causes, which lead to high circulating current, are discussed based on the calculation method.


The human corneal endothelium has limited regeneration capacity. Several methods have been developed in an attempt to repair it. Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is commonly performed on patients with endothelial dysfunction. However, donor demand far exceeds donor supply. Here, we prepared fish-scale collagen membrane (FSCM) and seeded it with CECs in preparation for corneal endothelial transplantation. The fish scales were decellularized, decalcified, and curved. The FSCM was inspected by fluorescence microscopy, SEM, and TGA to validate decellularization, microstructure, and decalcification, respectively. The cytotoxicity of FSCM and the viability of the cells in contact with it were evaluated by LDH and WST-1, respectively. CEC tight junctions and ZO-1 structure were observed by SEM and confocal microscopy. FSCM seeded with CECs were implanted to rabbit anterior chambers to evaluate host tissue reactions to it. FSCM biocompatibility and durability were also assessed. The results showed that FSCM has excellent transparency, adequate water content, and good biocompatibility. The cultivated CECs mounted on the FSCM were similar to normal CECs in vivo. The FSCM plus CECs developed here have high potential efficacy for endothelial keratoplasty transplantation.


The notion of an unexpected curve in the plane was introduced in 2018, and was quickly generalized in several directions in a flurry of mathematical activity by many authors. In this expository paper we first describe some of the main results on unexpected hypersurfaces. Then we summarize two offshoots of this theory. First we look at sets of points in $\mathbb P^3$ whose general projection is a planar complete intersection (so-called {\it geproci} sets). Although we now know a lot about these sets, much remains mysterious. Then we describe an interesting measure of unexpectedness called {\it $AV$-sequences}, which have a surprising structure that is not yet fully understood.


The detection of Salmonella typhimurium ATCC 14028 using real-time PCR on powdered traditional medicinal products was carried out in the microbiology and molecular biology testing laboratory of the Food and Drug Administration in Gorontalo. This research aims to provide a reference for alternative testing methods in testing the products of traditional powder preparations on the market. The sample consisted of 10 traditional powder preparations spiked with positive control of S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 phase 2. The method used in the study was real-time PCR analysis using the SYBR® Green method, while DNA isolation using the direct PCR method. Data analysis was performed by analyzing the sample's melting temperature (Tm) curve and comparing it with positive control. The results showed that S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 was detected in samples at an average Tm value of 84.18°C, with ranges of 84.0-84.5°C. For positive control, the Tm value was at 85.2°C, while for the negative control, the Tm value was not detected. Based on these data, it can be concluded that S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 in traditional medicine products powder preparations can be detected using real-time PCR.


Recently, e–learning technology has been applied to every kind of specialised education field. However, these systems are developed based on a browser and HTML environment. The major capabilities of these systems are limited to presenting course contents to students. Because of the framework limitations for developing e–learning systems, students' practical abilities cannot be performed or disciplined through a developed e–learning system. Currently, practical training is still applied on the shop floor to discipline students' practice abilities. How to build up students' practice ability through an e–learning system is an important research issue. This study employs virtual reality techniques to develop an interactive virtual laboratory to discipline students' practice ability using the internet. Four kinds of manufacturing technology are established in this system: turning, milling, spraying and laser marking. This system allows students to select different process parameters to learn entire manufacturing processes in real time. Further, this study applies information theory to develop a semantic interface for students to present their queries in nature language. This study has opened up an opportunity of change to the traditional practical training method. The developed system provides students with a syntactic and semantic way to learn manufacturing technology.


This paper presents EASYPAP, an easy-to-use programming environment designed to help students to learn parallel programming. EASYPAP features a wide range of 2D computation kernels that the students are invited to parallelize using Pthreads, OpenMP, OpenCL or MPI. Execution of kernels can be interactively visualized, and powerful monitoring tools allow students to observe both the scheduling of computations and the assignment of 2D tiles to threads/processes. By focusing on algorithms and data distribution, students can experiment with diverse code variants and tune multiple parameters, resulting in richer problem exploration and faster progress towards efficient solutions. We present selected lab assignments which illustrate how EASYPAP improves the way students explore parallel programming.


Black silicon, produced by irradiating the surface of a silicon wafer with femtosecond laser pulses in the presence of a sulfur-bearing gas, is widely believed to be a potential material for efficient multi-intermediate-band silicon solar cells. Taking chalcogen as an example, we analyse the loss of sunlight for silicon with two impurity bands and we find that loss of the sunlight can be minimized to 0.332 when Te0(0.307 eV) and Te+(0.411 eV) are doped into microstructured silicon. Finally, problems needed to be resolved in analysing the relationship between conversion efficiency of the ideal four-band silicon solar cell and the position of the introduced two intermediated bands in silicon according to detailed balance theory are pointed out with great emphasis.


The generation of terahertz (THz) radiation by two-color laser pulse induced gas plasma is an actively researched topic since its exploration [1]. It is a tabletop, powerful spectroscopic tool in the far-infrared spectral regime. The THz spectroscopy is capable to identify chemicals in a nondestructive way [2]. It is capable to generate THz radiation by remotely more than 100m from the laser system [3], the remote sensing of the THz radiation also possible [4]. By the combination of the former mentioned features, the THz spectroscopy is a powerful tool to identify drugs, poisons and explosives with remotely in a nondestructive way.


Based on the growth of Internet technologies and the development of 3D shopping environments, the presented research deals with the issue of virtual experience on such realistic virtual universes. An exploratory study was conducted (8 focus groups, 35 individual interviews) and qualitative data were analyzed through an interpretative process by being constantly confronted to theory. Main findings highlight the central influence of the consumer-avatar, embodiment and sensory realism. The concept of presence is discussed as a relevant proxy to study immersion and virtual experience in such an environment. Academic and managerial contributions and research perspectives on virtual experience are highlighted.


We present a list of the anuran amphibians from "restinga" of Grumari, part of the Parque Natural Municipal de Grumari (PNMG), Rio de Janeiro municipality, state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil. This study was carried out from May 2009 to December 2010 using two active sampling methods: quadrant plots and acoustic/visual transects. We recorded 22 anuran species distributed in six families: Bufonidae (1 species), Craugastoridae (1), Hylidae (14), Leptodactylidae (3), Microhylidae (2) and Strabomantidae (1). The presence of endangered and endemic species evidence Grumari's importance as an area for conservation of the "restinga" habitat remnants in Rio de Janeiro. Grumari is also one of the richest known areas in terms of amphibian species among the "restinga" areas studied to date in Brazil, second only to Mata de Sao Joao, Bahia.


INTRODUCTION
Decompression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel by section of the flexor retinaculum is the generally accepted treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome and is usually effective in relieving the symptoms. Following postoperative observations we proposed the hypothesis that incisional pain following open carpal tunnel release could be partly explained by injury to the fat pad situated between the palmar carpal ligament and the flexor retinaculum.

METHOD
We performed an anatomical study on 20 fresh adult latex injected upper limbs.

RESULTS
The sus-retinacularis fat pad is a real anatomical structure, clearly delineated and located inside a defined fibrous space with its own innervation from the ulnar nerve. It lies in the path of the normal carpal tunnel approach.

DISCUSSION
Although most postoperative scar tenderness is attributed to neuroma formation because of injury to transverse branches of the palmar cutaneous nerves, we nevertheless consider that injury to the preretinacular fat pad also plays a part. We propose a modified approach to the carpal tunnel. This is a safe and simple method which respects the integrity of the sus-retinacularis fat pad so as to minimise the extent of scar tenderness.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether topical ocular application of 1% morphine sulfate would change corneal sensitivity and to identify the duration of action.

ANIMAL STUDIED
Eight healthy adult horses.

PROCEDURE
Corneal touch threshold (CTT) was measured in the center of one randomly selected eye of each horse by Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometer (Luneau Cochet-Bonnet Esthesiometer; Western Ophthalmics, Lynnwood, WA, USA). Immediately following baseline CTT measurement, 0.3 ml of 1.0% preservative-free morphine sulfate (Morphine Sulfate 25 mg/ml Preservative-free; Hospira, Lake Forest, IL, USA) (3 mg) was applied to the tested eye. The same volume of artificial tear (LiquiTears; Major Pharmacauticals, Livonia, MI, USA) solution was then applied to the control eye following acquisition of baseline CTT. Corneal touch threshold was then subsequently measured at 1 min after medication application, followed by every 5 min until 60 min post administration. If the corneal touch threshold had not returned to baseline by 60 min, measurements were continued at 15-min intervals until corneal sensitivity returned to baseline CTT measurement up to 180 min post administration if needed. The control eye was treated identically and measurements on the control eye stopped when the corresponding treated eye returned to baseline.

RESULTS
Mean baseline CTT of both eyes was 21.8 mm with an identical range of 15-30 mm. Mean corneal touch threshold was not statistically different between morphine-treated and control eyes (P = 0.22). There was a large degree of inter- and intrasubject variation in the CTT measurements obtained. All but three horses were considered to be at baseline values by 60 min.

CONCLUSIONS
Topical ophthalmic 1% morphine sulfate did not have a clinically significant analgesic effect on the corneal touch threshold of intact healthy equine corneas.


Objectives We investigate how different types of high school romantic involvement are associated with women's and men's patterns of college enrollment (four‐year college, two‐year college, and no enrollment). Methods We analyze restricted‐access longitudinal data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health) using multinomial logistic regression. Results Controlling for baseline educational, romantic, sociodemographic, and family context variables, results show gender‐specific associations between romantic involvement and college enrollment. For women, negative associations between romantic involvement and four‐year enrollment dissipate after accounting for changes in grade point average and educational and marital expectations. However, a negative association between women's casual dating with sex and two‐year enrollment persists, after controlling for these factors. In contrast, casual dating with and without sex is associated with higher likelihood of men's four‐year enrollment accounting for these covariates. Conclusions Our findings provide directions for future research on associations between gender, adolescent romance, and educational transitions.


Static and dynamic type systems have well-known strengths and weaknesses. Gradual typing provides the benefits of both in a single language by giving the programmer control over which portions of the program are statically typed and which portions are dynamically checked based on the presence or absence of type annotations. A compiler for a gradually typed language infers where the dynamic checks are needed and inserts casts into the intermediate language to perform these checks. Herman, Tomb, and Flanagan noticed that casts in higher-order languages can cause space leaks proportional to the execution time of the program. They developed a solution that merges sequences of casts. On a separate front, Findler and Wadler developed blame tracking for a language similar to the intermediate language of gradual typing. Blame tracking solves the problem of tracing a run-time cast failure back to the source of the error. Findler and Wadler proved that well-typed portions of a program can't be blamed. Blame tracking requires extra information to be stored in casts and whether this information can be merged to obtain space efficiency is an open question. This paper answers the question in the affirmative by developing a dynamic semantics for gradual types that is both space efficient and tracks blame. This paper also improves the precision of blame tracking by reporting what part of the cast caused the error.


The formation of autophagosomes in rat hepatocytes was investigated during degradation of excess peroxisomes. Rat liver peroxisomes were markedly proliferated by administration of dioctyl phthalate (DEHP) for 2 weeks. When the animals were fed on normal diet for a week further, the number and size of the peroxisomes recovered to normal. The recovery process was confirmed by the assay and immunoblot analysis of acyl-CoA oxidase and catalase. During the recovery process, only a few autophagosomes were noted. However, when leupeptin (2 mg/100 g body weight) was injected into these animals, there was a marked accumulation of autophagosomes in the hepatocytes. Using this as an experimental model, the early stage of the autophagosome formation was analyzed by electron microscopy. Twenty minutes after the injection, isolation membranes surrounding the target organelles appeared. They were characterized by double layers with a narrow cisternal space and were sometimes continuous with the rough endoplasmic reticulum. Between the inner membrane of the isolation membranes and the enclosed organelles, electron-dense bridges were noted. Forty minutes after leupeptin injection, the lumen of the isolation membranes were enlarged and the inner membrane attached to the entrapped material. Enzyme cytochemical staining showed that the isolation membranes were negative for acid phosphatase and thiamine pyrophosphatase, but were strongly positive for glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase). The enlarged cisternae of the isolation membranes of the early autophagic vacuoles were in part positive for this enzyme, but gradually became negative with time. Similarly, the G6Pase activity was lost when the inner membrane was degraded. The results suggest 1) that the process of degradation of excess peroxisomes is rapid and carried out by the autophagic system in hepatocytes and 2) that the isolation membranes enclosing the target organelles are derived from the endoplasmic reticulum.


Induction motors are inexpensive and robust which plays a significant role in safe and efficient running of any industrial plant such as pumps, fans, and blowers to home appliances. Early detection of abnormalities in the motor would help to avoid a costly breakdown which improves the speed, efficiency, cost and life of the motor. In this paper, the three phases brushless direct current motor (BLDC) uses a modified vector control unit. Unlike field oriented control (FOC), a modified vector control unit does not require any current regulator, PWM signals generator and a consequence timers. FOC is very sensible to the parameters like torque and flux. The proposed motor solution designs the BLDC with minimal pulsating torque and is more cost effective. A modified Vector control unit have made possible the application of induction motors in high performance applications. The speed regulation problem for permanent motor synchronous motor (PMSM) system under vector control framework is studied. A speed regulation scheme based on standard internal model scheme has been designed. It has been designed based on the difference between the speed and current. The linear adaptive law has been developed by analysing relationship between the internal model and identified inertia. A fuzzy adaptive law based on IMC method is developed based on experimental test. It can be able to automatically tune up the parameter of speed controller of identified inertia. In this case, the two different type of adaptive law has been proposed.


Recurrent endometrial cancer has grave prognosis. Chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are mainstays of palliative treatment. Unfortunately the frequency of complete response and duration of progression-free interval are limited. This case report describes a patient with recurrent metastatic endometrial cancer who was initially treated with radiotherapy followed by surgery. Her recurrent tumor progressed during treatment with external radiation and a progestogen. She received paclitaxel (135 mg/m2 i.v. infusion over 24 h) and carboplatin (AUC 7.5 microg x h/ml) every 4 weeks with complete remission after 8 months which has persisted for 22 months. Paclitaxel and carboplatin combination should be considered for the treatment of endometrial cancer.


In this paper, the anomalous behaviour of polymer composites subjected to hygrothermal aging is discussed in reference to the results of a characterization study on polyester matrix fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Hygrothermal aging, the combination of moisture and elevated temperatures, has been proven to affect the durability of FRPs. Significant structural degradation can be expected as a consequence of hygrothermal aging, however it has been shown that some material properties exhibit a strong non-linear and even beneficial behaviour as a consequence of hygrothermal exposure, indicating the presence of different competing mechanisms. To study these different mechanisms which control the structural performance of an exposed material, FRP samples were exposed to short-term hygrothermal aging for 112 days. Moisture absorption characteristics and mechanical performance were assessed at prescribed time frames throughout aging. With a view to examining any induced intrinsic and surface characteristics, Computed Tomography scan (CT-scan) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) were also employed. Lastly, impedance spectroscopy was used as an innovative tool to efficiently follow moisture absorption during aging.


An earlier report on antenatal screening for Down syndrome in a South Wales district identified sub-standard and variable practices. A multidisciplinary Professional Advisory Group was set up in 1996 to review the service and recommend a model of care, as well as quality outcome measures to form the standards for audit and evaluation. The programme drew heavily on evidence-based practice and the opinion and aspirations of the pregnant women. This was the first organised attempt at standardisation of the screening practices for congenital abnormalities in Wales. A year later, several goals had been achieved. Each obstetric unit now has a named Screening Midwife Specialist. The first genetic course in the UK specifically tailored for midwifes has been established. Lack of leadership in fetal medicine and ultrasound scanning was identified in one maternity unit, resulting in the appointment of two additional sonographers and a consultant obstetrician. The Professional Advisory Group produced a new, district-wide, annually updated information booklet for expectant mothers. A new information system was installed in each maternity unit to facilitate audit of outcome. Several clinical, biochemical and cytogenetic indicators were specified as quality outcome indicators and were collated and compared with the recommended standards. The uptake of serum screening has declined from around 95 to 75% in two units (to 62.9% overall, closely resembling the percentage expected based on the findings of a local survey of pregnant women). The rate of amniocentesis was significantly reduced by 28.7%, as women thought more clearly about their options and the limitations of tests. This suggests that women have a better understanding and more autonomy in making decisions regarding tests. An enthusiastic public health lead was essential in initiating and maintaining the changed programme.


A significant new knowledge acquired in the last decade on the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, immunology and treatment of acute diarrhoea provided a solid basis for the immediate attack on the problem. Although acute diarrlioeal disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality among children yet only few studies on diarrhoea related morbidity and mortality are available. An attempt was Made in the present study to determine the magnitude of the problem of diarrhoea among preschool children and prevailing health practices so as to plan the action for the control of diarrhoeal diseases among preschool children in rural community.


This study intended to answer the following research
questions. (1) What are the verbal expressions showing
anger uttered by Javanese working-class families at jalan
Demak Barat I when they are quarelling or teasing one
another? (2) What are the specific reasons underlying the
verbal expressions showing anger uttered by Javanese
working-class families when they are quarelling or teasing
one another?
The data of this study were collected with a tape
recorder and a diary. The recorded data were transcribed
and analyzed under the parameters of: Setting and scene,
participants, act sequence and personal emotions.
The data analysis results show that the subjects
mostly cursed Javanese swearing words, whenever they got
angry. Taboo words often used as swearing words. The
taboo words uttered were: 'goblok' (stupid), 'jangkrik'
(an euphemism word for 'diancuk' , 'ndhasmu' (your head) ,
'diancuk' (fuck you), 'asu' (son of bitch), 'silit'
(anus), 'taek' (bullshit/human waste), 'dhemit' (evil),
'utekmu' (your brain), 'kenthir' (crazy), 'setan' (evil),
'lonthe' (whore), 'gathel' (hair around the anus),
'munyuk' (monkey), 'gendheng' (absent-minded) and 'gombal'
(old clothes). Then the most taboo words used as
swearing words were: 'jangkrik' and 'diancuk'. The subjects
mostly uttered these words because they are the
suitable words to be expressed whenever the subjects got
angry.
The specific reasons underlying these anger verbal
expressions were mainly due to the subjects':
(a) Low education
(b) Neighbourhood
(c) Life problems
(d) Exasperation
(e) Besides they used these words because they were
forced to;
(1) respond to the inappropriate level Javanese
addressed to them
(2) respond to swearing words addressed to them
(3) react against being accused unfairly or insulted
(4) react against being interfered by other persons
Furthermore they uttered these angry expressions
because:
(a) They could not stand the laziness of the people
around them
(b) They were disturbed when they had to rest
(c) They were disappointed because of being betrayed
by their beloved ones
This study, the writer believes, is far from perfect
as there are likely several shortcomings in terms of
its scope, instruments, the procedures of analysing the
data and many others. Hence, it is suggested that future
studies on verbal expressions showing anger be emphasized
in upper. middle or low classes. It can be taken place in
another writer's neighbourhood themselves with more
sophisticated instruments and procedures of analysing the
data.


BACKGROUND
Asthma is an increasing problem worldwide, particularly among women. Sex differences in acute asthma presentation, management, or outcome would have important medical and economic implications.

OBJECTIVE
To compare emergency department (ED) visits for acute asthma among women vs men.

METHODS
We performed a prospective cohort study as part of the Multicenter Asthma Research Collaboration. Patients in the ED, aged 18 to 54 years, who presented with acute asthma underwent a structured interview in the ED and another by telephone 2 weeks later. The study was performed at 36 EDs in 18 states. Pregnant women with asthma were excluded (n=53).

RESULTS
Of 1228 patients, 64.3% were women. Women did not differ significantly from men by age or education level, but women were more likely to be insured, have a primary care provider, and use inhaled corticosteroids. Women had a higher mean+/-SD peak expiratory flow rate than men, both early (expressed as percent predicted) (53%+/-21% vs 41%+/-18%; P<.001) and late (77%+/-24% vs 65%+/-21%; P<.001) in the ED stay. Despite this, women were more likely to be admitted to a hospital (multivariate odds ratio, 2.2; 95% confidence interval; 1.3-4.0) than men. At 2-week follow-up, women had not experienced more relapse events (odds ratio, 1.1) but were 1.5 times more likely to report an ongoing exacerbation (95% confidence interval; 1.0-2.4).

CONCLUSIONS
Of adults who presented to the ED with acute asthma, women were almost twice as common as men. Although men received less outpatient care and had worse pulmonary function, women were more likely to be admitted to the hospital and to report an ongoing exacerbation at follow-up. Further studies are needed to better understand the complex relationship between sex and acute asthma.


The article describes the newly developed innovative methods that allow monitoring the dynamic processes occurring in the city and evaluating it as an open, complex and dynamic system. Based on these methods, an information accumulative interactive model of analysis of functioning and development of the city was developed. The developed model is the basis for a cognitive research model that allows: identifying the necessary and sufficient number of indicators of sustainability, crises and possible disasters in the city; forming step-by-step strategies for rehabilitation of urban areas; interactively analyzing the reaction of the urban environment to planned adjustments to optimize its vital processes.


Introduction: Vertical root fracture (VRF) is a root-canal treatment complication and is a major reason for extraction of the root-canal-treated teeth. The diagnosis of VRF can be complicated because of absence of specific signs, symptoms, and radiographic features. A combination that includes the presence of deep pocket and a sinus tract in root-canal-treated tooth was proposed as a pathognomonic for VRF. The purpose of this study was to systematically search and evaluate the literature regarding the correlation between the clinical signs considered pathognomonic for the diagnosis of VRF, with the actual reference standard by means of systematic review of the literature. Methods: A systematic search of the literature was performed to identify studies evaluating the clinical signs considered pathognomonic for the diagnosis of VRF. The following databases were searched: Medline (PubMed), Scopus, and Cochrane Central. The identified studies were subjected to strict inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Initially, 1141 possible relevant articles were identified. After title and abstract screening, 40 articles were subjected to a full-text evaluation, 3 articles met the inclusion criteria and contained data regarding the prevalence of the pathognomonic combination in VRF's-confirmed teeth. The presence of deep pocket and a sinus tract in endodontically treated teeth was found in 28% of the cases. Conclusion: To date, the current scientific knowledge regarding the correlation between the clinical symptoms considered pathognomonic for VRF diagnosis in the root-canal-treated tooth and the actual reference standard is quite low.


: In the previous study, a cationic rolling oil containing cationic and non-ionic emulsifiers was developed and was used for sheet gauge rolling in a tandem mill. In this study, the previously developed cationic rolling oil was further improved and applied to tinplate rolling, and it generated higher friction and pressure in the roll-bite than in sheet gauge rolling. The improved oil was formulated with a special agent to enhance its lubricity during high-speed rolling, and its emulsion stability was also improved by adjusting the emulsifier. The emulsification stabilities and plate-out properties of conventional non-ionic, the previously developed cationic, and the improved cationic rolling oils were investigated on a laboratory scale. In the emulsification stability test, the av-erage particle size of the improved cationic oil solution was found to be reduced to less than half that of the previously developed cationic oil. In addition, the amount of plate-out film of the improved oil was three times higher than that of the conventional non-ionic rolling oil at 170°C. The plate-out properties on high-temperature specimens at 200°C with and without the special agent were also verified. Furthermore, the effectiveness of the improved oil was verified in an actual mill. The maximum rolling speed of improved oil was faster than that of the current rolling oil with nonionic emulsifier. Based on this result, the improved oil having better lubricity was confirmed. In conclusion, the improved oil can be used for tinplate production to maintain stable coolant with a high level of ESI.


Moralization is the process through which preferences are converted into values, both in individual lives and at the level of culture. Moralization is often linked to health concerns, including addiction. It is significant because moralized entities are more likely to receive attention from governments and institutions, to encourage supportive scientific research, to license censure, to become internalized, to show enhanced parent-to-child transmission of attitudes, to motivate the search by individuals for supporting reasons, and, in at least some cases, to recruit the emotion of disgust. Moralization seems to be promoted in predominantly Protestant cultures and if the entity is associated with stigmatized groups or harmful to children. The recent history and current status of cigarette smoking in the United States are used to illustrate moralization.


Modeling machining processes with conventional finite element methods (FEM) is challenging due to the severe deformations that occur during machining, complex frictional conditions that exist between the cutting tool and the workpiece, and the possibility of self contact due to chip curling. Recently, the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (SPH) method has emerged as a potential alternative for modeling machining processes due to its ability to handle severe deformations while avoiding mass and energy losses encountered by traditional FEM. The method has been implemented in several commercial finite element packages such as ABAQUS and LS-DYNA for solving problems involving localized severe deformations.Numerous control parameters are present in a typical SPH formulation. The purpose of this work is to evaluate the effect of the three most important parameters, namely, the smoothing length, particle density, and the type of SPH formulation. The effects of these parameters on the chip morphology and stress distribution in the context of orthogonal machining of AISI 1045 steel are investigated. The LS-DYNA finite element package along with Johnson-Cook material model is used for this purpose. Results from the parametric study are presented and compared with the previously reported results in the literature. In addition, the sensitivity of chip morphology and stresses to Johnson-Cook parameters for AISI 1045 steel is also investigated by considering five different sets of values reported in the literature for this steel.Copyright © 2015 by ASME


In this paper, we explore the economic aspects of routing/relaying in a profit-driven opportunistic spectrum access (OSA) network. In this network, primary users lease their licensed spectrum to secondary radio (SR) providers, who in turn provide opportunistic routing/relaying service to end-users if this service is profitable, i.e., if the payment offered by the end-user (a.k.a. the price) exceeds the SR's relaying spectrum cost. This cost is considered private information known only to SRs. Therefore, the end-user has to rely on costs reported by SRs to determine his routing and payment strategy. The challenge comes from the selfish nature of SRs; an SR may exaggerate his cost to achieve greater profit. To give incentive to an SR to report the true cost, the payment must typically be higher than the actual cost. However, from the end-user's perspective, "overpayment" should be avoided as much as possible. Therefore, we are interested in the "optimal" route selection and payment determination mechanism that minimizes the price of the selected route while simultaneously guaranteeing truthful cost reporting by SRs. We formulate this problem as finding the least-priced path (LPP), and we investigate it without and with link capacity constraints. In the former case, polynomial-time algorithm is developed to find LPP and calculate its truthful price. In the latter case, we show that calculating the truthful price of the LPP is in general computationally infeasible. Consequently, we consider a suboptimal but computationally feasible approximate solution, which we refer to as truthful low-priced path (LOPP) routing. A polynomial-time algorithm is proposed to find the LOPP and efficiently calculate its truthful price. A payment materialization algorithm is also developed to guarantee truthful capacity reporting by SRs. The effectiveness of our algorithms in terms of price saving is verified through extensive simulations.


The clinical and angiographic diagnosis of rostral brain stem vascular insufficiency is reviewed. The various possibilities for surgical revascularization of this area include anastomosis of the superficial temporal or occipital artery to the main stem of the posterior cerebral or superior cerebellar artery of their branches. A new technique for anastomosing the superficial temporal artery to the posterior cerebral artery in the tentorial incisura is presented, and other methods of rostral brain stem revascularization are considered. Indications for revascularization of the rostral brain stem are not clearly defined, but should include clinical and angiographic evidence of upper brain stem ischemia.


Prefetching is a widely adopted technique for improving performance of cache memories. Performances are typically affected by the design parameters, such as cache size and associativity, but also by the type of locality embodied in the programs. In particular multimedia tools and programs handling images and video are characterized by a bi-dimensional spatial locality that could be greatly exploited by the inclusion of prefetching in the cache architecture. In this paper we compare some prefetching techniques for multimedia programs (such as MPEG compression, image processing, visual object segmentation) by performing a detailed evaluation of the memory access time. The goal is to prove that a significant speedup can be achieved by using either standard prefetching techniques (such as OBL or adaptive prefetching) or some innovative and image-oriented prefetching methods like the neighbor prefetching described in the paper. Performance are measured with the PRIMA trace-driven simulator.


A method for making an inorganic oxide supported catalyst involves impregnating an inorganic oxide component with a catalytic metal using an aqueous, acid bath. More specifically, the method involves forming and washing an inorganic oxide component, such as a silica gel or a silica co-gel, for example a silica-zirconia co-gel. The washed inorganic oxide component is then contacted with the acidic bath to effect the impregnation with the catalytic metal, such as cesium, to form an activated inorganic oxide component. Subsequently, the activated component is dried to form the catalyst. The resulting catalysts possess increased surface area, which is beneficial with respect to accessibility and amount of catalytically active sites.


We introduce the idea of a symbolic description of a complex human learning task, in order to contribute to better understand how we learn. The learner is modeled on the basis of knowledge from learning sciences with the contribution of cognitive neurosciences, including machine learning formalism, in the very precise framework of a task, named #CreaCube reviewed here, related to initiation to computational thinking presented as an open-ended problem, which involves solving a problem and appealing to creativity. We target problem-solving tasks using tangible interfaces for computational thinking initiation, and describe in details how we model the task and the learner behavior in this task, including goal-driven versus stimulus-driven behavior and the learner knowledge construction. We show how formalizing these elements using an ontology offers a well-defined computational model and the possibility of inferences about model elements, analyzing and predicting the learner behavior. This operationalization of a creative problem-solving task is still at a preliminary stage, but an effective proof of concept is described in this study.


Thirty-nine children with Kawasaki disease have undergone coronary revascularization since 1976. The attrition rate of saphenous vein grafts (SVG) was so high that we have used the internal thoracic artery (ITA) as the graft since 1984. ITA showed excellent early and mid-term patency. We, however, still had to use SVG for the distal portion of right coronary artery (RCA) and left circumflex artery (LCx) where ITA was difficult to reach. In 1988, we first successfully applied the right gastroepiploic artery (GEA) for revascularization to the posterior descending artery of a six-year-old boy. Nine children were then bypassed with the combination of ITA and GEA. GEA was anastomosed to the distal portion of RCA (7 cases) and the branch of LCx (2 cases). In 4 cases GEA showed string sign 1 month after surgery, but the angiographic finding revealed improvement after 1 year interval in 2 cases. The patency of GEA grafts was excellent after 1 month (100%:9/9) and 1 year (100%:9/9), respectively. The use of GEA in addition to ITA as the arterial graft may contribute to the improvement of long-term graft patency in revascularization of children with Kawasaki disease.


Local bundle adjustment (LBA) has recently been introduced to estimate the geometry of image sequences taken by a calibrated camera. Its advantage over standard (global) bundle adjustment is a great reduction of computational complexity, which allows real-time performances with a similar accuracy. However, no confidence measure on the LBA result such as uncertainty or covariance has yet been introduced. This paper introduces statistical models and estimation methods for uncertainty with two desirable properties: (1) uncertainty propagation along the sequence and (2) real-time calculation. We also explain why this problem is more complicated than it may appear at first glance, and we provide results on video sequences.


Computer Applications for Business- This course introduces basic concepts and principles underlying personal productivity tools widely used in business, such as word processors, spreadsheets, presentation tools, and web navigation.


The distribution of and time trends in congenital defects of development (CD) influencing viability of children in the Kursk region were studied on the basis of 4517 autopsy reports for the period 1985-1994. A total of 880 children had CD (5.40%). The incidence of CD in towns (6.38%), was higher than in country regions (4.91%), p < 0.001, being the highest in the central parts of the region. Among the stillborns the specific proportion of congenital defects was 14.53%, perinatal deaths occurred in 16.96%, deaths during the 1st year of life in 22.10%. The percentage of multiple congenital defects, the defects of cardiovascular system, developmental anomalies of digestive system, the defects of central nervous system and organs of sense was 39.77, 27.16, 10.11 and 8.30, respectively.


This research is an exploratory in nature and by conducting a case study in one automotive corporation in Middle East, the influence of stakeholders' network on ERP project decision-making processes are studied. The result of this research revealed that in the stakeholder network certain persons playing the gateway role for transferring information to decision-maker. Since, these people are often out of project stakeholder list, they usually are not considered by project manager. Based on the results of this research a guidance framework for identifying and analyzing the effect of stakeholder network on decision-making processes in an ERP implementation is developed.According to this model, the stakeholders are not limited to the people who have formal relationship with the project, the informal relationships between stakeholders as well as the stakeholders' relationship with other people or organizations make another layer of stakeholders which are often concealed to stakeholder analysis efforts.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of 12 diets, containing small quantities (1%) of different Chinese spices, on plasma lipids, lipid peroxides, and glucose, and liver lipids in mice. The mice were fed with experimental diets containing one of 12 different spices and control diets for 90 day. There was a significant reduction in plasma triacylglycerol concentrations in mice in the star anise, clove and tsao-ko diet groups, and it was significantly higher in cassia diet group. The TBARS values were remarkably reduced in mice in the white pepper and tsao-ko diet groups, and it were significantly increased in the mice administered star anise and fennel. Plasma glucose concentrations were evidently lower in animals in the cassia and tsao-ko diet groups. In conclusion, some spices used in the preparation of Chinese food may have some positive effects on maintaining human health and preventing life-style diseases.


s and Commentaries: A new link between obesity and heart disease Danielle Feuvray University of Paris-Sud 11 and CNRS UMR 8162, Marie Lannelongue Hospital, Le Plessis Robinson, France Correspondence: Danielle Feuvray, University of Paris-Sud 11 and CNRS UMR 8162, Marie Lannelongue Hospital, 92350 Le Plessis Robinson, France. e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com Conflicts of interest: None. Adipocyte Fatty Acid-Binding Protein Suppresses Cardiomyocyte Contraction. A New Link Between Obesity and Heart Disease Lamounier-Zepter V, Look C, Alvarez J, et al. Circ. Res. 2009;105:326-334. Obesity is a major risk factor in the development of the metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases, and seems to be directly related to heart failure independently of other risk factors. Indeed, a direct relationship between increased body mass index and increased risk for heart failure has been demonstrated. Several potential mechanisms are under discussion to explain this correlation, including hemodynamic changes with cardiac overload and left ventricular remodeling, and lipid accumulation into the myocardium, leading to lipoapoptosis in cardiomyocytes. These mechanisms, however, do not fully explain the development of heart dysfunction in obese individuals. Adipocytes are known to produce and release a wide variety of bioactive molecules into the bloodstream. On the basis of these data, the authors have recently demonstrated that mature human adipocytes release substances that strongly and acutely suppress the contraction of cardiomyocytes by attenuating intracellular Ca2þ concentrations. Their previous findings have revealed a hitherto unknown acute depressant effect of adipocyte-derived factors on cardiac contraction, suggesting a new direct role of adipose tissue in the pathogenesis of myocardium dysfunction. The authors further characterized cardiodepressant activity by fractionating adipocyte secretory products according to molecular weight and proteomic analysis, identifying adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) as the active agent. FABPs are members of a highly conserved family of cytosolic Heart Metab. 2010; 48:35–38 proteins showing a high affinity for long-chain fatty acids and other hydrophobic ligands. FABP4 is predominantly expressed in adipose tissue, and accounts for approximately 1% of total cytosolic protein in human adipose tissue. Cytoplasmic FABP4 is involved in trafficking intracellular fatty acids and other lipid signals by interaction with functional targets. In experimental animal models, FABP4 deficiency protects against the development of diabetes and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in both genetic and dietary forms of obesity. Humans with a functional genetic variant of the FABP4 gene, resulting in reduced adipose tissue expression of FABP4, have lower serum concentrations of triglycerides, and are at significantly reduced risk for type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease. In a recent cross-sectional study, a correlation was observed between circulating concentrations of FABP4 and metabolic syndrome. Together, these clinical and experimental data support a key role for FABP4 in the development of metabolic and cardiovascular complications in obesity.


We previously found that half-strength (5%) povidone-iodine solution significantly reduced the bacterial flora of the conjunctiva. To compare the antibacterial effect of a topical combination antibiotic (Neosporin ophthalmic solution) given three times daily for three days preoperatively with that of half-strength povidone-iodine solution given as part of the preoperative preparation, conjunctival cultures were studied from 35 patients undergoing ocular surgery. When used individually, the antibiotic and povidone-iodine solutions caused a similar and substantial decrease in the number of colonies and species of bacteria cultured. When both drugs were used together, the decrease was even more striking, making 83% of the conjunctivae sterile. To minimize bacterial flora before ocular surgery, we recommend that a broad-spectrum topical antibiotic be given for three days preoperatively and that half-strength povidone-iodine solution be used as part of the preoperative preparation.


This study was carried out to elucidate the impacts of zinc (Zn) treatments on growth, development, quality and yield of commonly sown bread wheat cultivars under field conditions of Cukurova Region. Three different bread wheat cultivars (Adana-99, Ceyhan-99 and Pandas) were experimented in randomized complete blocks-split plots experimental design with 3 replications. Field experiments were performed by two different Zn application methods; via soil and via soil+foliage. In the both trials, 0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 kg ha-1 pure Zn doses were applied to the soil. 0.4% ZnSO4.7H2O solution was used for foliar Zn applications. Current findings revealed that Zn treatments had significant effects on grain yield, grain Zn concentration, grain phosphorus (P) concentration and thousand grain weight of bread wheat cultivars, but significant effects were not observed on grain protein concentrations. Soil+foliar Zn treatments were more effective in improving grain Zn concentrations. It was concluded that 10- 20 kg ha-1 Zn treatment was quite effective on grain Zn concentrations.


Purpose: This paper aims to share how it was possible to change the way business was conducted in a short period in order to continue the academic semester and seek alternatives to manage the day-to-day university affairs in the midst of a pandemic crisis at a higher education setting As a result, the authors' experiences have created new norms and opportunities for the university Design/methodology/approach: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Brunei Darussalam is an evolving situation with extraordinary challenges for staff and students of the university Although the campus remains open and essential services were continuously provided, the university had to implement and adapt to new norms instinctively to minimise the potential pathways for community spread of the coronavirus and at the same time minimise interruption in teaching and learning Findings: Firstly, structured blended learning will be the basis of teaching and learning, alongside ensuring the highest quality of online education and successful achievement of the intended learning objectives Secondly, blended learning will open more opportunities to offer programmes in a more flexible, personalised, student-centric and lifelong learning manner, with the option of taking a study hiatus at students' convenience Thirdly, there will be more global classrooms and the exchange of online modules with international partner universities Fourthly, short programmes such as the Global Discovery Programmes will be modified and improvised to become an online learning experience And finally, there will also be the opportunity to understand and consider the physical and mental well-being and durability of the university community in overcoming a national crisis situation Originality/value: This paper is intended to be a conceptual paper where the authors describe novel experiences during the pandemic The authors' views, interventions and experiences may result into a new model for higher education that will reposition students to the new global markets and economy © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited


The diagnosis of acute renal infarction (ARI) is often delayed or unrecognised because of its non‐specific presentation and the rarity of the disease. We evaluated the clinical presentations, laboratory findings, underlying medical conditions and treatment of 18 Chinese patients with ARI who presented to the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary teaching hospital from 1995 to 2004. We identified 14 non‐trauma and four trauma patients with ARI. The mean duration from the onset of symptoms to the diagnosis of ARI was 1.9 days. The prevalence of concurrent events was 39%. About 64.5% of non‐trauma patients had histories of atrial fibrillation, structural heart diseases or previous embolic events. The laboratory characteristics were neither specific nor sensitive for the diagnosis of ARI. Conservative treatment, local intra‐arterial thrombolytic and i.v. thrombolytic therapies were provided in nine, five and two patients respectively. Decreased effective renal plasma flow in affected kidneys was found in three of three patients. Serum creatinine (Cr) was normal or elevated not more than 25% of baseline in 16 cases. ARI may resemble many non‐renal diseases; however, repeated evaluation and a high index of suspicion are required for early diagnosis. Concurrent injuries or thromboembolism in other foci should be noticed. Early contrast‐enhanced computerized tomography scan should be considered for high‐risk patients. Patients with ARI should be followed by functional studies rather than serum Cr level.


To clarify the indications and clinical value of "protective colostomy" in cases of low colorectal anastomoses, some recent series are analyzed and compared to the experience of the authors, which includes 65 low anterior resections of the rectum for cancer, with colorectal anastomosis at less than 10 cm from the anus. "Protective colostomy" seems not to prevent the onset of anastomotic fistulae, but appears effective in reducing its clinical effects. "Protective colostomy" seems convenient when there is an increased risk of fistulization, as indicated by a series of factors defined by the authors. In doubtful cases "protective colostomy" may be performed but not opened. So the patient will be given the maximum safety, and not submitted to the uneasiness of an open colostomy unless needed.


Indonesia is a country rich islands cultural diversity. This leads to a lot of other nations came to Indonesia to enjoy the beauty of Indonesian culture and learning. But the Indonesian people themselves are less familiar with their own culture so much territory and national culture in claims by other nations. Therefore we aim to provide knowledge about the area and culture through the medium of JAVA IN PUMA (POP UP MAP) with a fun simulation method to produce a generation that knows the area and understands his homeland in the uniqueness of its culture.


This research is developed on the basis of analytical construction focusing on two ideologies in Islam, namely  Sunni, and Shi'ite. These two mainstreams of school of thoughts often create social conflict in the region of Puger. This research attempts to offer practical solutions. To explore deep understanding,  a phenomenological approach involves eight participants, consisting of religious leaders, government officials, and community leaders. An in-depth interviews is used for the main data collection, such as the interview protocol instrument. All data are analyzed by data reduction theory, starting with identifying, determining, and narrating. This study has found that there are some factors trigger the conflict between two groups in the region of Puger including religious sect differences, rivalry existence in pesantren (Islamic boarding school), provocateurs, and allegations of discrimination against particular ideologies. Additionally, this study also affirms that there are other ideologies involved in this conflict. This study suggests intensive communication among the communities in the region of Puger, Jember, East Java, could potentially reduce the issues.
Keywords: Islamic ideologies, social conflict, resolution, rivalry


This paper reports iodine (127I and 129I) and cesium (137Cs) isotope concentrations in groundwater of confined and unconfined aquifers in the vicinity of the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (FDNPP). 127I and 129I concentrations range from 2–13 µg/L and 5 x 107–8 x 1010 atom/L respectively, resulting in 129I/127I atomic ratios from 5 x 10–9 to 2 x 10–6. In all samples, 137Cs concentrations were below detection limit. The deep-sealed groundwater from the confined aquifer did not contain significant quantities of Fukushima-derived 129I compared to the groundwater in the unconfined aquifer. The minimal 129I/137Cs activity ratios in the groundwater are more than 2–500 times higher than the FDNPP source ratio. These data can be explained by rainwater infiltrating through the surface soils, with the more water-soluble 129I preferentially extracted into the aqueous phase and the 137Cs preferentially retained in the soil.


This study investigates prospective teachers' understanding of the connections between algebraic and graphical representations of the functions and their development of the concept via process-object conceptions in each of these situations. The results indicated that most of the participants were dependent upon an algebraic expression to think about a function and use it in the processes of derivative and integral. Development of a process conception of function appears to be more complicated than it is considered. The participants successfully employed this quality of thinking when the situation was familiar to them; yet they had great struggle to cope with a function process when they were given an unfamiliar situation. The research findings also suggest that the possession of an object conception of function could enable one to move freely between algebraic and graphical representations. On the other way around, students' capability at shifting between algebraic and graphical representations of the functions appear to be crucial stage to develop an object conception of function.

 Key words: Prospective teachers, function concept, algebraic and graphical representations, connections between the representations, process and object conceptions.


Introduction Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is a recessively inherited disease characterized by recurrent attacks of fever and sterile polyserositis. Recently, some proteins originating from adipose tissue have been demonstrated to play a critical role in the inflammatory process. Asprosin is a new adipokine secreted by adipose tissue, and proinflammatory cytokines have been determined to increase with the decrease of circulating asprosin. This study was designed to evaluate the level of asprosin in the acute attack and attack-free period in FMF patients. Materials and methods A total of 65 FMF patients were evaluated for this cross-sectional case-control study. Those who were obese and had concomitant diabetes mellitus, hypertension, heart failure, and rheumatological disease were excluded from the study. The patients were divided into two groups: attack-free period and attack period. Fifteen healthy individuals who were not obese and had no additional disease were included as the control group. Demographic data, gene analyses, laboratory findings, and symptoms were recorded at the time of diagnosis. Serum asprosin level was studied by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test in the outpatient clinic controls of the patients. Asprosin levels and other laboratory findings were compared between the attack, attack-free, and control groups. Results Of the patients included in the study, 50% were in the attack period, and 50% were in the free-attack period. The mean age of the FMF patients was 34±10 years. Asprosin level in the control [median (interquartile range (IQR))=30.4 (21.5-57.7) ng/mL] group was significantly higher than the attack [median (IQR)=21.5 (17.5-28) ng/mL] and attack-free [median (IQR)=19(18.7-23) ng/mL] groups (p=0.001). C-reactive protein and sedimentation levels were significantly higher in the attack group compared to the other two groups (p<0.001). There was a moderate correlation between C-reactive protein and asprosin levels (Ro=-0.314, p=0.01). The cut-off value of serum asprosin level was determined as 21.6 ng/mL; sensitivity was 78%, and specificity was 77% (p<0.001). Conclusion The study demonstrated that the serum asprosin levels of FMF patients with acute attack were lower than those in the attack-free periods and healthy controls. Asprosin is likely to have a role in the anti-inflammatory cascade.


The differential polarization visibilities RQ and RU of an object are the ratios of its visibilities corresponding to orthogonal polarizations, the interferometric analogs to Stokes Q and U intensity images. The measurement of differential polarization visibilitites can be used e.g. for constraining inner parts of circumstellar envelopes of young or evolved stars at the diffraction limited resolution of the feeding telescope. Here we demonstrate the estimation of both amplitude and phase of RQ and RU from data obtained using SCExAO VAMPIRES through the full pupil of the 8-m Subaru telescope using the Differential Speckle Polarimetry technique. The correction for biases arising due to instrumental polarization effects is discussed. The accuracy of RQ, RU measurement with VAMPIRES is limited by imperfect knowledge of instrumental polarization and amounts to 5 x 10-3.


In this work we study the entanglement entropy of a uniform quantum Ising chain in transverse field undergoing a periodic driving of period τ. By means of Floquet theory we show that, for any subchain, the entanglement entropy tends asymptotically to a value τ-periodic in time. We provide a semi-analytical formula for the leading term of this asymptotic regime: It is constant in time and obeys a volume law. The entropy in the asymptotic regime is always smaller than the thermal one: because of integrability the system locally relaxes to a generalized Gibbs ensemble (GGE) density matrix. The leading term of the asymptotic entanglement entropy is completely determined by this GGE density matrix. Remarkably, the asymptotic entropy shows marked features in correspondence to some non-equilibrium quantum phase transitions undergone by a Floquet state analog of the ground state.


This document was developed by the Pacific iCLIM Project and SPREP, in consultation with Fiji, Tonga and Vanuatu Government representatives working in the areas of environmental management, climate change and disaster risk management. Regional development and information management experts from organisations in the Pacific region including SPREP, SPC, GIZ, PARBICA, UNDP and USP were also consulted.
The purpose of this document is to guide the development of strategic frameworks for managing data, information and knowledge relevant to sustainable development and the related areas of climate change and disaster risk management. This guidance is for governments, agencies, regional bodies and other organisations in the Pacific region. Summary advice on key information management issues is provided as an Annex.
In addition, these framework guidelines are accompanied by a set of guidelines that provide greater direction on selected information management topics and practices.


Aimed at problems such as profile error increasing and acceleration enlarging and tool machine working instability and quality decreasing of workpiece surfaces in processing complicated curved surfaces because of several variable curvatures, an improved method of NURBS interpolation is adopted. According to self-adaptive programming principles, self-adaptive control of profile errors and accelerations and speed-converting is realized with increasing or descending self-adaptive control strategy. This method meets real-time and high-precision requirements of high speed and precision processing, and solves various problems caused by several variable curvatures of a complicated surface.


What good is a soul in the modern age? What would you lose by giving it up? In this work of ethics fiction, the narrator checks into a hotel run by the Devil so he can give the Devil his soul. The Devil visits him in his room and, at first, is confused. Doesn't he want to trade it for fame, money, or immortality? Nope, he just wants to be rid of the thing; it's more trouble than its worth, and doesn't seem to serve a useful purpose in a modern society anyway. The Devil takes his soul, offers him dinner, and a free night at the hotel. The man wakes the next morning, refreshed, as a maid knocks on his door. She wants to leave the hotel, but doesn't have the courage. He agrees to help her leave, but their project fails. He ends up leaving on his own.


To clarify the clinical characteristics of large noncleaved lymphoma (LNC‐FCC; intermediate grade, large cell, noncleaved, Working formulation), 53 patients were studied. Thirty‐one were male and 22 female. Median age was 54 years. Initial symptoms included lymphadenopathy (40%), pain (34%), and B symptoms (21%). Stage I disease was present in 6, Stage II in 9, Stage III in 14, and Stage IV in 24 (72% Stage III or IV). Gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement was present in 13. Central nervous system (CNS) disease was present at diagnosis in two patients, occurred during therapy in two, and was the sole site of relapse in two. Bone marrow involvement was found in 7 of 50 patients (14%). Complete remission was attained in 60% of all patients. Twenty‐nine Stage III and IV patients received intensive multiagent chemotherapy; complete remission (CR) was attained in 69%. In contrast, zero of nine patients with Stage III or IV disease who did not receive an anthracycline‐containing regimen, attained CR. Median survival for the entire group was 25 months. It was concluded that, in our patients with LNC‐FCC, GI involvement was prominent (25%) and CNS disease was not uncommon (11%). Long‐term disease‐free survival may be achieved in patients with more advanced disease after the administration of anthracycline‐containing combination chemotherapy.


When a piezoelectric material is subjected to a quasi-static electric (or mechanical) load, part of the input energy is converted to the mechanical (or electric) domain. The piezoelectric coupling factor k2 is defined as the ratio between the converted energy and the supplied energy. This factor is often considered as a measure of the transduction efficiency of the material. Another definition of the coupling factor is a non-dimensional ratio of material coefficients. To examine the compatibility between these two different definitions, we consider several quasi-static loading cycles of a simple one-dimensional problem. We show that in some specific cases, the two definitions are equivalent, but that in other cases they are incompatible. In addition, we show that in specific quasi-static loading cycles, the converted energy may be increased by a slight modification of the unloading part of the cycle.


In this paper we propose a test for the significance of categorical predictors in nonparametric regression models. The test is fully data-driven and employs cross-validated smoothing parameter selection while the null distribution of the test is obtained via bootstrapping. The proposed approach allows applied researchers to test hypotheses concerning categorical variables in a fully nonparametric and robust framework, thereby deflecting potential criticism that a particular finding is driven by an arbitrary parametric specification. Simulations reveal that the test performs well, having significantly better power than a conventional frequency-based nonparametric test. The test is applied to determine whether OECD and non-OECD countries follow the same growth rate model or not. Our test suggests that OECD and non-OECD countries follow different growth rate models, while the tests based on a popular parametric specification and the conventional frequency-based nonparametric estimation method fail to detect any significant difference.


Background Takayasu arteritis (TA) is a chronic large vessel vasculitis of unknown etiopathogenesis. The serological and radiological parameters currently used to assess the disease activity are not highly specific and there is a pertinent need for a biomarker discovery. In our previous study [1], NMR based serum metabolomics had revealed distinctive metabolic signatures in patients with TA compared to age/sex matched healthy controls. In this study we sought to investigate whether these distinctive metabolites correlate with disease activity. Objectives To identify the discriminatory serum metabolic profiles and their correlation with disease activity. Methods Patients with TA fulfilling ACR criteria were assessed for disease activity by ITAS 2010, with a score of 4 or more, considered as active. The serum metabolic profiles of active and inactive TA patients were obtained at 800 MHZ NMR spectrometer and were compared using multivariate orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) to identify metabolites that changed in response to disease activity [based on PLS-DA VIP (variable importance on projection) score >2.0 and permutation test, p-value <0.01]. Results 88 patients were categorized into active (34) and inactive (54) groups. Median age in active and inactive groups was 25 years and 27 years respectively. Female to male ratio was 3.4:1 in the active group and 5:1 in the inactive group. Majority had class V disease. Mean duration of illness was 4.0±3.5 years in active TA and 6.5±5.5 years in inactive TA group. An exquisite separation in OPLS-DA score plot showed metabolic differences between active and inactive TA patients (Fig. 1A). The key metabolite entities identified with highest discriminatory potential (VIP score >2) were glucose, glutamine, glycine, N-acetyl glycoprotein (NAG), choline, and low/very-low density lipoproteins (LDL/VLDL). Of them glucose, glycine, and NAGs were elevated in the sera of active TA patients, whereas glutamine, choline and LDL levels were decreased in these patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed NAG has the highest potential to discriminate active from inactive TA patients (area under the ROC curve was 0.75 (p-value <0.0001) (Fig. 1B, 1C). Conclusions The study revealed discriminatory metabolites between active and inactive TA patients and evaluated the possibility of NAG as a clinical biomarker for activity judgment in this disease. However, more work needs to be done to validate the results in a large cohort of patients in a longitudinal manner. References Guleria A, Misra DP, Rawat A, Dubey D, Khetrapal CL, Bacon PA, Misra R, and Kumar D, NMR based serum metabolomics discriminates Takayasu Arteritis from Healthy Individuals: A proof of principle study" Journal of Proteome Research (2015), 14 (8), 3372–3381. Disclosure of Interest None declared


This paper proposes the concept of zombie infrastructure to understand the entangled histories of railroad colonialism, Indigenous dispossession, and corporate power in the California desert. I examine debates over the Cadiz project, a contemporary water project that proposes to take water from a California desert aquifer and transport it to the California coast. I argue that the life of the Cadiz project depends on Cadiz Inc.'s ability to revive the legal rights and body of a little-used railroad shortline, thus bringing back a legal infrastructure and corporate power from the late nineteenth century in the service of a new corporation. In so doing, the Cadiz project enlivens the racialized dispossession of land and labor that the railroad initially required. Routing the politics of a contemporary infrastructure project through the railroad and its octopus past, I argue, places the politics of infrastructure at the intersection of laws, monstrosity, and dispossession. Drawing on economic and legal geography, this paper proposes the concept of zombie infrastructure, a concept that builds on what activists call zombie projects in order to show the life and death of infrastructure, and reveals how contemporary capitalists enliven old infrastructures for new purposes.


Background: Benign prostatic enlargement, the most common cause of lower urinary tract obstruction in elderly
men is commonly associated with Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS). Open prostatectomy is considered the
operative treatment of choice. The aim of this study was to review our ten-year experience with open prostatectomy
for huge prostates.
Patient and methods: We retrospectively reviewed all patients that had open prostatectomy in University of
Maiduguri Teaching Hospital from January 2001-December2010, whose prostates weighed 200 g or more.
Results: Twenty-nine patients aged 60-97 years with a mean age of 76.3 ± 8.9 years were analyzed. The age
group 80-89 years accounted for highest number of patients. All patients presented with lower urinary tract symptoms
of frequency, poor urinary stream, and difficulty in passing urine, urgency/urge-incontinence, nocturia, and hesitancy.
Others were incomplete bladder emptying, post-micturition dribbling, and overflow incontinence. Complications of
bladder outlet obstruction at presentation were acute urinary retention, renal impairment, stones and haemorrhoids.
Intercurrent medical conditions were mainly hypertension and diabetes.
Conclusion: Open prostatectomy is the best option for patients with huge prostates, especially when associated
with complications in elderly patients with intercurrent medical conditions.


The 10 MW Dynamic Nacelle Testing Laboratory of Fraunhofer IWES provides a controlled environment for performing electrical and mechanical tests on a wind turbine nacelle. Apart from physical testing, system level simulations are another paradigm in the framework of nacelle testing. In this contribution, the development of a dynamic model of the load application system for the 10 MW nacelle test bench is presented. The test bench load application system controls are integrated in the model via co-simulation in Simulink. The model is evaluated using experimental results. By utilizing the modal strain recovery method, a direct comparison of the strain results of the model with the experimental results is achieved. Moreover, it is shown that the actual applied loads on the device under test can be estimated by analysing the strain readings. The developed model provides a platform for developing a high fidelity virtual nacelle test bench.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the results of screening for hereditary tyrosinemia (HT) in newborns and its clinical features and genotype.

METHODS
The HT screening was conducted among 2 188 784 newborns from November 2013 to November 2018. The tyrosine (TYR)/ succinylacetone (SA) levels were detected by tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). The clinical characteristics, genetic results and following up data of identified patients were analyzed.

RESULTS
The normal ranges (0.5%-95.5%) of TYR and SA were 34.5-280.0 μmol/L and 0.16-2.58 μmol/L, respectively. Three HT cases were confirmed with a detection rate of 1∶729 595. There was 1 case of tyrosinemia type Ⅰ (HTⅠ) (homozygous variations of c.455G>A in FAH gene), 1 case of tyrosinemia type Ⅱ(HTⅡ) (heterozygous variations of c.890G>T and c.408+1G>A in TAT gene), and 1 case of tyrosinemia type Ⅲ (HT Ⅲ) (homozygous variations of c.257T>C in HPD gene). The variations of c.890G>T, c.4081G>A of TAT and c.257T>C of HPD were novel. The positive predictive value of the screening was 3.4%. Case 1 (HTⅠ) with TYR and SA values of 666.9 μmol/L and 3.87 μmol/L respectively, presented cholestasis, mild elevated of liver enzyme and lactic acid, who were although fed with TYR and phenylalanine free milk, but died at 2 months of age. Case 2 (HTⅡ) with higher TYR (625.6 μmol/L) and normal SA at screening, received medical milk treatment; during the 7 months of follow-up the baby showed normal score of Bayley assessment and normal TYR without eye and skin symptoms. Case 3 (HT Ⅲ) with TYR of 1035.3 μmol/L and normal SA at screening; during the 29 months of follow-up the value of TYR fluctuated from 532.1 μmol/L to 1060.3 μmol/L due to irregular medical milk treatment, while the score of Bayley assessment was normal.

CONCLUSIONS
HT is rare in the southern Chinese population, and the gene spectrum is scattered. Early treatment with nitisinone is recommended in children with HTⅠ, otherwise the prognosis is poor; the prognosis of children with HTⅡ is good when early treated with special diet; the prognosis of children with HTⅢ needs to be determined with more data.


With the advent of monoclonal antibodies and the trend towards simple extra laboratory tests a very wide variety of alternative immunoassays are booming in the present day market, even though immunoassay principle basically originates from radio immunoassay. Comparisons are made between radioimmunoassay and alternative immunoassay on various aspects. Radio immunoassay is better than alternative immunoassay.


Social media platforms such as Twitter have become a breeding ground for unverified information or rumors. These rumors can threaten people's health, endanger the economy, and affect the stability of a country. Many researchers have developed models to classify rumors using traditional machine learning or vanilla deep learning models. However, previous studies on rumor detection have achieved low precision and are time consuming. Inspired by the hierarchical model and multitask learning, a multiloss hierarchical BiLSTM model with an attenuation factor is proposed in this paper. The model is divided into two BiLSTM modules: post level and event level. By means of this hierarchical structure, the model can extract deep information from limited quantities of text. Each module has a loss function that helps to learn bilateral features and reduce the training time. An attenuation factor is added at the post level to increase the accuracy. The results on two rumor datasets demonstrate that our model achieves better performance than that of state-of-the-art machine learning and vanilla deep learning models.


Abstract Antarctic calcified macroorganisms are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification because many are weakly calcified, the dissolution rates of calcium carbonate are inversely related to temperature, and high latitude seas are predicted to become undersaturated in aragonite by the year 2100. We examined the post-mortem dissolution rates of aragonitic and calcitic shells from four species of Antarctic benthic marine invertebrates (two bivalves, one limpet, one brachiopod) and the thallus of a limpet shell-encrusting coralline alga exposed to acidified pH (7.4) or non-acidified pH (8.2) seawater at a constant temperature of 4°C. Within a period of only 14–35 days, shells of all four species held in pH 7.4 seawater had suffered significant dissolution. Despite calcite being 35% less soluble in seawater than aragonite, there was surprisingly, no consistent pattern of calcitic shells having slower dissolution rates than aragonitic shells. Outer surfaces of shells held in pH 7.4 seawater exhibited deterioration by day 35, and by day 56 there was exposure of aragonitic or calcitic prisms within the shell architecture of three of the macroinvertebrate species. Dissolution of coralline algae was confirmed by differences in weight loss in limpet shells with and without coralline algae. By day 56, thalli of the coralline alga held in pH 7.4 displayed a loss of definition of the conceptacle pores and cracking was evident at the zone of interface with limpet shells. Experimental studies are needed to evaluate whether there are adequate compensatory mechanisms in these and other calcified Antarctic benthic macroorganisms to cope with anticipated ocean acidification. In their absence, these organisms, and the communities they comprise, are likely to be among the first to experience the cascading impacts of ocean acidification.


The analytical review examines the modern Russian literature and is devoted to the history of Russian liberalism of the 1840s–1880s and to its theorist Konstantin Dmitrievich Kavelin. The article is dedicated to the 200th anniversary of the thinker and covers such problems of historiography as the genesis and typology of Russian liberalism, its division and features of the main trends. The authors reveal the dynamics of the historiographical process development, specifically dwells on the debatable problems, different interpretations of which led to the formation of separate historiographical directions. Attention is drawn to the relevance of the topic associated, on the one hand, with the use of modern methodological approaches to the study of liberalism, and on the other, with reflections on its prospects in Russia of the XXI century, the acuteness and relevance of some theoretical provisions of the program of liberals of the past. It is emphasized that the study of the views and personality of K.D. Kavelin (1818–1885) gives new opportunities for understanding the history of Russian liberalism as a whole. The review analyzes and classifies the main modern interpretations of the theoretical heritage and activities of the liberal, reveals the contribution of individual scientists in the coverage of his multifaceted work, in the definition of the role in the social movement of the country. The results of the research are summed up, the prospects for further development of the topic are outlined.


The increase of metals pollution in soil is a worldwide problem that affects the health of humans and environment. The use of green technology such as phytoremediation is one of the environmental friendly techniques, in which plants and other microbes are used to reduce the level of metals contaminants in soil and lower its uptake towards plants tissues. Studies report that a number of cereal crops such as wheat accumulates heavy metals in their tissues at higher concentrations. In the present study, we investigated the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) on wheat plants with the increase of three different zinc (Zn) concentrations (0, 100, 300 and 900 mgkg -1 ) in soil. After eight weeks of pot experiment, roots colonization, shoot and root biomass, growth, heavy metals contents and other biochemical parameters were assessed. The results indicate mycorrhizal inoculated (M) plants performed better at moderate Zn concentrations (300 mgkg -1 ). In AMF associated plants, Zn contents were lower in shoot part of plants as compared to roots. In addition, higher P contents were observed in M treated plants as compared to NM plants. The decrease of nutrient contents, growth and antioxidant enzymatic activities were found at the highest applied Zn concentrations (900 mgkg -1 ). Results indicate that AMF inoculum exhibit different tolerance strategies to reduce metals toxicity in host plants. The effective mycorrhizal symbiosis was observed with wheat plants and can be useful for phytostabilization of Zn contaminated soils which can play a vital role in the increase of food productivity and safety. Key words: Wheat, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, phosphorus, nutrient contents, antioxidant enzymes.


Vitamin D (VD) insufficiency is a concern, particularly among young females. The VD status shows seasonal variations, since it correlates with duration of sunlight exposure. VD insufficiency in indoor athletes is therefore suggested in winter. The aim of the present study was to determine seasonal variations in VD and bone status among indoor and outdoor female athletes. The prospective study was conducted in participants aged 20-22 years old. The participants comprised of 15 indoor and 15 outdoor athletes. The biochemical markers and bone parameters were measured in March, June, September and December. The serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-VD) concentration showed a seasonal oscillation, with a nadir in March (indoor, 19±4.0 ng/ml; outdoor, 32±2.7 ng/ml) and a peak in September (indoor, 32±6.6 ng/ml; outdoor, 39±5.7 ng/ml). The amplitude of oscillation was greater in the indoor compared to the outdoor athletes. Seasonal variations in serum calcium exhibited a similar pattern, while the parathyroid hormone showed an inverse pattern to serum 25-OH-VD. The nadir in bone mass, measured as speed of sound, occurred in June after peaking in December among the indoor and outdoor athletes. The pattern followed 3 months after the changes in 25-OH-VD. Indoor sports athletes are more susceptible to VD insufficiency compared to outdoor sports athletes. Insufficiency is most likely to arise in winter, and could affect bone mineralization observed 3 months after.


The publication of Linked Data on the Web regarding several application domains leads to new problems related to Requirements Engineering, which needs to take into account aspects related to new ways of developing systems and delivering information integrated with the Web of Data. Tasks such as (functional and non-functional) requirements elicitation and ontology-based conceptual modeling can be applied to the development of systems that publish Linked Data, in order to obtain a better shared conceptualization (i.e., a domain ontology) of the published data. The use of vocabularies is an intrinsic activity when publishing or consuming Linked Data and their choice can be supported by the elicited requirements and domain ontology. However, it is important to assess the risk when choosing external vocabularies, as their use can lead to problems, such as misinterpretation of meanings due to poor documentation, connection timeouts due to infrastructure problems, etc. Thus, risk identification, modeling and analysis techniques can be employed, in order to identify risks and their impacts on stakeholder goals. In this work, we propose GRALD: Goals and Risks Analysis for Linked Data, an approach for modeling goals and risks for information systems for the Web of Data.


By providing effective access control mechanisms, enterprise information security technologies have been proven successful in protecting the confidentiality of sensitive information in business organizations. However, such security mechanisms typically reduce the work productivity of the staff, by making them spend time working on non-project related tasks. Therefore, organizations have to invest a signification amount of capital in the information security technologies, and then to continue incurring additional costs. In this study, we investigate the performance of administrators in an information help desk, and the non-productive time (NPT) in an organization, resulting from the implementation of information security technologies. An approximate analytical solution is discussed first, and the loss of staff member productivity is quantified using non-productive time. Stochastic Petri nets are then used to provide simulation results. The presented study can help information security managers to make investment decisions, and to take actions toward reducing the cost of information security technologies, so that a balance is kept between information security expense, resource drain and effectiveness of security technologies.


Environmental influences have an increasing effect on the performance degradation and durability of modern aircraft engines. The study provides information on environmental effects using in-flight engine data and results of engine overhauls performed at MTU Maintenance. According to these investigations global regions are classified into erosive and anthropogenic polluted areas. Both types of regional effects significantly degrade performance and engine durability. The investigation, which is based upon the in-flight data taken from Engine Trend Monitoring (ETM), provides one approach for the estimatation of environmental effects on aircraft engine performance degradation. The results of the monitored engines provide detailed information on the environmental effects atlocal airports. The Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) that has been measured under flight conditions is compared with a calculated EGT of a calibrated fully thermodynamic gas path engine model (MOPS). Therefore, the EGT also serves as an indicator for performance degradation, increase of specific fuel consumption and the need for on-wing maintenance actions. Further information provided by the engine shop visit data at MTU Maintenance allows for an estimation of environmental influences on durability and overhaul costs. The on-wing time of maintained shop visit data is compared with a model for on-wing time calculation, whereas variations in durability were observed and analyzed under the aspects of environmental influences. Depending on the variations, corrections were made by defining the factors contributing to the classifications of environmental effects. These corrective factors provide information on reduced durability and increased operating costs. The result of the ETM performance degradation analysis shows significant variations in engine performance degradation as a result of specific regional operation. The analyses of maintenance data as well as performance degradation measured by ETM show remarkable environmental effects on engine durability and an increase in maintenance costs.Copyright © 2010 by ASME


Detailed maps of free-air, Bouguer, and residual gravity anomalies for a survey area 250 km wide across the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between 45° and 46 °N have been compiled. The Bouguer anomaly was terrain-corrected to a radius of 40 km. The residual anomaly was computed from the terrain-corrected Bouguer anomaly using an empirical linear relationship between the Bouguer anomaly and the bathymetry to predict a 'regional' Bouguer anomaly from the depth data. North–south and east–west trends in the gravity data are enhanced in the residual anomaly; and it is suggested that at least one short east–west transform fault may offset the ridge in a right-lateral sense. The offset is presumably a response to a change in sea-floor spreading direction from west–northwest/east–southeast to west/east about 10 m.y. ago. A change in spreading rate may have occurred at the same time. A difference in accretion rate on either side of the ridge axis is indicated by asymmetry in the gravity data and by differences in the topograp...


Natural language processing (NLP) methodologies have been widely adopted for readability assessment and greatly enhanced predictive accuracy. In the present study, we study a well-established feature, the frequency of a word in common language use, and systematically explore how such a word-level feature is best used to characterize the reading levels of texts, a text-level classification problem. While traditionally such word-level features are simply averaged for all words of given text, we show that a richer representation leads to significantly better predictive models. A basic approach adding a feature for the standard deviation already shows clear gains, and two more complex options systematically integrating more frequency information are explored: (i) encoding separate means for the words of a text according to which frequency band of the language they occur in, and (ii) encoding the mean of each cluster of words obtained by agglomerative hierarchical clustering of the words in the text based on their frequency. The former organizes frequency around general language characteristics, whereas the latter aims to lose as little information as possible about the distribution of word frequencies in a given text. To investigate the generalizability of the results, we compare cross-validation experiments within a corpus with cross-corpus experiments testing on the Common Core State Standards reference texts. We also contrast two different frequency norms and compare frequency with a measure of contextual diversity. ∗Xiaobin Chen is also affiliated with the South China University of Technology, where he holds a lecturer position.


A randomized study using spleen-derived lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is reported. We induced cytotoxic lymphocytes from resected spleen of HCC. The effect of recombinant interleukin-2 (rIL-2)-activated spleen cells for prevention of recurrence of HCC after hepatic resection was studied. Enough mononuclear cells could be harvested from the resected spleens. The induction of activated spleen cells was carried out by culture in fresh medium containing 1,500 JU/ml of IL-2. The cytotoxicity of the activated spleen cells maintained high levels during the culture period ranging from 3-30 days. These autologous activated spleen cells were administered to patients 2 days after the intra-arterial infusion of Adriamycin. A randomized study using these spleen LAK cells resulted in lower recurrence rates in the LAK IL-2-treated group. No severe side effects were observed. The lymphocytes derived from resected spleens were useful as the source of effector cells in clinical adoptive immunochemotherapy for HCC, because of their higher cytotoxicity and the simplicity of gaining a large amount of cells.


Dislocations would be induced after plastic deformation, which might change the mechanical properties of solids. FeCrNi austenitic model alloy and its Mo-diluted alloy were cold rolled with different degree of thickness reduction. Positrons are sensitive to point defects, which are easily trapped and annihilated around the trapping sites. The mean positron lifetimes have been used to estimate the average dislocation concentration in solids. Meanwhile, the trapping efficiency μ was calculated from the lifetime results. The trapping efficiency value is estimated about 3.31×10-7 cm3s-1 for FeCrNi alloy and 3.31×10-7 cm3s-1 for Mo-diluted alloy, respectively. The increment of the hardness value during plastic deformation is related to the increase of the dislocation density and dislocation pile up in solids.


With the development of compression technology, objective metrics (e.g. PSNR, MS SSIM) cannot satisfy our need, especially in extreme low bit-rate compression, thus more attention is being paid on perceptual quality. Since people have different standards for objective evaluation. For this reason, we simplify the topic with the consideration that people will strict more on interested region, so a ROI(region of interest) based image compression model is proposed with team name 'Sub201'. For the ROI, we expect its reconstructed part to be more accurate, while the background, server distortion is tolerable, and fake texture can be generated. Firstly, a weighted mask from saliency map is used. Secondly, to balance the difference of ROI and background area, different losses are applied separately. What's more, GAN and LPIPS are utilized to generate more texture in background. At last, variable rate method is adopted to realize rate control, and it performs well with perceptual metric. Experiment shows that our method can achieve better performance both in visual and objective quality.


Product development companies are collecting data in form of Engineering Change Requests for logged design issues and Design Guidelines to accumulate best practices. These documents are rich in unstructured data (e.g., free text) and previous research has pointed out that product developers find current it systems lacking capabilities to accurately retrieve relevant documents with unstructured data. In this research we compare the performance of Search Engine & Natural Language Processing algorithms in order to find fast related documents from two databases with Engineering Change Request and Design Guideline documents. The aim is to turn hours of manual documents searching into seconds by utilizing such algorithms to effectively search for related engineering documents and rank them in order of significance. Domain knowledge experts evaluated the results and it shows that the models applied managed to find relevant documents with up to 90% accuracy of the cases tested. But accuracy varies based on selected algorithm and length of query.


— Flood routing is used in estimating the travel time and attenuation of flood waves as they move downstream a river or channel. The routing procedure is usually classified as hydrologic or hydraulic. Hydraulic methods utilize the equations of continuity and motion. Kinematic routing, a hydraulic technique was used in routing Asa River at Ilorin. The river is of agricultural and industrial importance to Ilorin, the capital of Kwara State, Nigeria. This paper determines the kinematic parameters of kinematic wave velocity, time step, time required to traverse, weighting factor and change in length. Values obtained were 4.67 m/s, 19 secs, 21 secs, 0.75 and 100 m, respectively. These parameters adequately reflect the watershed and flow characteristics essential for the routing. The synthetic unit hydrograph was developed using the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) method. 24-hr 10yr, 25yr, 50yr and 100yr storm hydrographs were developed from the unit hydrograph using convolution procedures and the outflow hydrographs were obtained for each of 24-hr 10yr, 25yr, 50yr and 100yr indicating 0.11 m 3 /s, 0.10 m 3 /s, 0.10 m 3 /s and 0.10 m 3 /s attenuations respectively.


The authors consider a quantum spin chain with S=1/2 and anisotropic exchange (XXZ model) with Delta =-3/2. This integrable system has a partial mapping to an S=1 chain with pure biquadratic exchange. They calculate the magnetisation curves at zero temperature which are identical for the two systems. They also use the integral equations obtained by Gaudin to study the specific heat as a function of temperature and magnetic field. The results are compared with numerical calculations for short chains of the S=1 system. The maximum occurs at approximately the same position for the two systems, but the shapes of the curves differ considerably.