Feathers are a widely used nesting material and whilst they may serve to provide thermoregulatory benefits, to repel ectoparasites and/or act as a sexual signal, their exact function remains unclear. Here, we describe a two-part study that examined the function of feathers in Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) nests. In the first part, we supplemented (experimental) Blue Tit nests with individually-marked feathers during nest building and incubation, and examined the fate of those feathers: remain in the original nestbox; removed (i.e. lost); or moved to neighbouring nestbox. Parents' responses to them and their reproductive success was compared with unsupplemented (control) pairs. Blue Tits at experimental nests generally removed the feathers provided during nest building but generally kept the feathers provided during incubation, providing no support for a thermoregulatory function of feather nest constituents; they retained feathers more often when ambient temperatures were higher later in the spring. As ectoparasite load did not differ between experimental and control nests, feathers appeared to function primarily as sexual signals. We suggest that males during nest building generally removed additional feathers because their introduction mimicked another male attempting to cuckold the resident male. In the second part of the study, we searched for evidence of conspecific nest prospecting and nest material theft by placing individually-marked feathers into the two nestboxes neighbouring each experimental nestbox used in the first part of the study, again both during nest building and incubation. We found no evidence of nest material theft or therefore of conspecific nest prospecting, even when one or both of the neighbouring nestboxes were empty. This suggests that feather availability is not limiting and we conclude that feathers serve primarily as a sexual signal in Blue Tits. However, we were unable to provide any evidence of nest material theft and studies that film both of the parents' responses to the feathers would be useful.


Electro Encephalo Gram (EEG) is a monitoring method used in biomedical and computer science to understand brain activity. Therefore, the analysis and classification of these signals play a prominent role in estimating a person's behavior to certain events. Manually analyzing these signals is very tedious and time-consuming, so an automated scientific tool is required to analyze the brain signals. In this work, the authors are explored various pre-processing segmentation techniques that are helpful in an automatic machine and deep learning-based classification methods available for EEG signal processing. Most of the machine and deep learning methods are followed pre-processing as a common step in classification. Extraction of the basic sub-band components from EEG signals such as delta (δ), theta (θ), alpha (α), beta (β), and gamma (γ) is very important in the pre-processing stage. These sub bands of EEG signal have extraordinary evidence related to multiple neurophysiological processes, which are useful for further prediction & diagnosis of diseases and other emotion-based applications. This review paper elaborates various elementary ideas of extracting EEG sub-bands and the role of EEG in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) in the classification.  (Submitted To IEEE reviews in Biomedical Engineering)


Mobile technologies have been utilised in all aspects of life including education. Research on implementing these technologies in educational settings has been flourishing in recent years, yielding a new field of research called mobile learning (mLearning). This field of research has been given a significant focus in many countries across the world. Although rnLearning has been employed in schools in Oman since 2005, there has been a struggle to implement it due to weak network coverage and lack of training. Moreover, there is a gap in this research area in schools in Oman. This study aims to explore the perceptions of teachers, students, headteachers and school IT technicians in regard to exploring the opportunities and challenges at their schools with the aim to inform the implementation of mobile technologies in more schools in Oman. Two private mixed gender schools in Oman were involved and a total of 16 teachers, two headteachers, two IT technicians and 237 students responded to questionnaires, while seven teachers, two headteachers and three focus groups of 13 students were involved in interviews in order to explore how mobile technologies are used in these two schools.
The results indicated that each school had a different time scale in implementing rnLearning. The first school had a longer time in the process of implementation than the second school. All participants taking part in the questionnaires and interviews believed that mobile learning enhances students' learning and engagement, provides authentic and situated learning opportunities, and enhances communication and collaboration.
The results also revealed that teachers and students face a number of challenges with mobile learning, such as considering a cognitively demanding environment for students and technical problems for both teachers and students. Moreover, most teachers complained about the difficulty to control the behaviour of their classes when their students were using the mobile devices, which distracted their attention and affected their understanding. This study also showed that most teachers use mobile technologies as a substitution of other resource tools like desktops or books, using them mainly for searching purposes, which ultimately affects their confidence in using these devices.
During the interviews, three factors that help implementing rnLearning were suggested financial support, a social contract between teachers and students, and teacher collaboration groups to share effective usages of these devices in each subject area.
The results of this study indicated that mobile technologies can be effectively employed in the classrooms if these considerations of technical support, teacher training and curriculum resourcing are addressed. Teachers have a significant role in the implementation of mobile learning in classrooms and their professional development should be considered when starting any mobile learning project. Furthermore, students should be educated about the appropriate and inappropriate uses of mobile technologies in schools.


Branded bus services have been implemented in many cities to make the bus network more legible, to improve the image of bus transit and to increase the awareness of bus services for greater patronage. Branded bus services have been classified into three broad categories for local or CBD shuttles, radial routes to the CBD from suburban areas and orbital or crosstown connector routes. The key attributes of these types of branded bus services, such as the vehicle livery, route design, service frequency, infrastructure, signage, information and promotion, are examined with examples from cities in Australia, New Zealand and North America. The recent experience with branded bus services in various major cities was investigated and described, including examples from Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Vancouver and York Region in Canada, and Washington, DC and Los Angeles, California in the USA. A basic assessment method with criteria under the headings of branding image and livery, route legibility, service frequency, infrastructure and information was used to rate the quality of these branded bus routes. Based on this evaluation, the factors that make a successful branded bus route are identified and discussed. Guidelines for implementing high quality branded bus services are proposed. Branded bus routes must be planned carefully with the objective of creating a more simplified and legible network. A critical element for success is to keep the branding concept simple to make it easy for the public to recognise and understand.


SUMMARY

The answer to the above question depends on the definition of earthquake prediction. We discuss several definitions and possible classifications of earthquake prediction methods. We also consider various measures of prediction efficiency, review several recent examples of earthquake prediction, and describe the methods that can be used to verify prediction schemes. We conclude that an empirical search for earthquake precursors that forecast the size of an impending earthquake has been fruitless. Despite considerable effort in several countries, no statistically rigorous validation of proposed precursory phenomena is available: therefore, reported cases of precursors can be explained by random noise or by chance coincidence. We present evidence that earthquakes are non-linear, chaotic, scale-invariant phenomena. The most probable consequence of earthquake self-similarity is a lack of earthquake predictability as popularly defined, that is a forecast of a specific individual earthquake. Many small earthquakes occur throughout any seismic zone, demonstrating that the critical conditions for earthquake nucleation are satisfied almost everywhere. Apparently, any small shock can grow into a large event. Thus, it is likely that an earthquake has no preparatory stage. This sceptical view of current earthquake prediction efforts should not be interpreted as a statement that any further attempts to mitigate the destructive effects of earthquakes are futile. The seismic-moment conservation principle, when combined with geodetic deformation data, offers a new way to evaluate the seismic hazard, not only for tectonic plate boundaries, but also for areas of low seismicity, that is the interiors of continents. Earthquake clustering with a power-law temporal decay (Omori's law) can be used to estimate the rate of future earthquake ocurrence. Realtime seismology can facilitate relief efforts after large earthquakes and eventually provide an immediate warning of severe shaking a few seconds or tens of seconds before the shaking starts.


Background: Intestinal parasitic infections are among the major public health problems in resource-poor countries such as Ethiopia. Certain segments of the population such as psychiatric patients are believed to be at higher risk of infection because of their poor hygiene practices. However, information on the prevalence and contributing factors among psychiatric patients is limited in Ethiopia. Methods: A facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 432 psychiatric patients attending Felege Hiwot Comprehensive Specialized Referral Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia from May to July 2020. Participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data on socio-demography and associated factors were collected using a pre-tested structured questionnaire. Stool sample was collected and processed for parasitological examination using direct wet mount, modified Richie's concentration, Kato-Katz and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining techniques following standard protocols. Data were entered and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software version 20. The prevalence of intestinal parasitosis and associated factors were computed by descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression at 95% confidence interval (CI), respectively. Association between variables was considered statistically significant only if P -value <0.05 at 95% confidence level. Results: A total of 168 (38.9%) participants were positive for at least a single species of intestinal parasite. Hookworm, Entamoeba histolytica / Entamoeba dispar and Ascaris lumbricoides were the most frequent parasites, detected in 74 (17.1%), 47 (10.9%) and 37 (8.6%) participants, respectively. Double infection was detected in 16 (9.5%) participants where 8 (4.8%) had hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides co-infections. Not washing raw fruits and vegetables before eating (adjusted odds ratio = 8.402; 95% CI: 3.055–23.109; P <0.001) and having a psychiatric diagnosis other than bipolar disorder (adjusted odds ratio = 3.104; 95% CI: 1.334–7.222; P = 0.009) were significantly associated with intestinal parasitic infections. Conclusion: The prevalence of intestinal parasites among psychiatric patients was significant. Therefore, improving hygiene practice and implementing regular screening for intestinal parasitic infection among psychiatric patients are recommended so as to control parasite transmission and improve the health of psychiatric patients.


BACKGROUND: A range of protein-based nanoparticles has been developed for cancer drug delivery and diagnostics. This includes the E2 protein derived from the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in Geobacillus stearothermophilus which assembles into a 60-subunit protein cage structure that is capable of encapsulating cancer therapeutics. In this study antibody fragments targeting the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) were tethered to the surface of E2 protein nanoparticles to determine whether the protein nanoparticles could be specifically targeted to EGFR overexpressing cancer cells. RESULTS: Variants of the anti-EGFR antibody fragment and the E2 protein containing specific cysteine residues (E2ΔN17A186C) were conjugated using a maleimide-specific crosslinker. Electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analysis indicated that the cysteine modified E2 protein correctly assembled into a 25-30nm particle. The conjugation of the anti-EGFR antibody fragment (26 kDa) with a subunit of the E2 protein (26 kDa) was confirmed by mass spectrometry with an estimated molecular weight of 52 kDa. The binding of the conjugated E2 particle to native EGFR on MDA MB 231 cells and recombinant EGFR was confirmed using flow cytometry and biolayer interferometry, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, proof-of-principle that an EGFR-targeting scFv can be stably conjugated to the cysteine variant E2ΔN17A186C protein nanoparticle without loss of targeting capability has been demonstrated. Conceptually scFv antibody fragments reactive with other important cancer targets could be utilized and presents the opportunity for generation of multi-targeted protein nanoparticles by conjugating various scFvs with different specificities on the same particle.


In this study, we introduce EyeHacker, which is an immersive virtual reality (VR) system that spatiotemporally mixes the live and recorded/edited scenes based on the measurement of the users' gaze. This system updates the transition risk in real time by utilizing the gaze information of the users (i.e., the locus of attention) and the optical flow of scenes. Scene transitions are allowed when the risk is less than the threshold, which is modulated by the head movement data of the users (i.e., the faster their head movement, the higher will be the threshold). Using this algorithm and experience scenario prepared in advance, visual reality can be manipulated without being noticed by users (i.e., eye hacking). For example, consider a situation in which the objects around the users perpetually disappear and appear. The users would often have a strange feeling that something was wrong and, sometimes, would even find what happened but only later; they cannot visually perceive the changes in real time. Further, with the other variant of risk algorithms, the system can implement a variety of experience scenarios, resulting in reality confusion.


In this paper, the penalty function method for constraining the Coulomb gauge of magnetic vector potential in the finite element analysis of 3-D magnetic field problems is introduced. The Galerkin method of weighted residual equations for the corresponding boundary value problems is derived. The numerical properties of the penalty factor are investigated using FEM modeling. These include the improvement of condition number of the FEM matrix equation system, satisfaction of divergence-free condition of the magnetic vector potential and the effect on the solution of the magnetic problem.


We study bandlimited signals with fractional Fourier transform (FRFT). We show that if a nonzero signal f is bandlimited with FRFT F/sub /spl alpha// for a certain real /spl alpha/, then it is not bandlimited with FRFT F/sub /spl beta// for any /spl beta/ with /spl beta//spl ne//spl plusmn//spl alpha/+n/spl pi/ for any integer n. This is a generalization of the fact that a nonzero signal can not be both timelimited and bandlimited. We also provide sampling theorems for bandlimited signals with FRFT that are similar to the Shannon sampling theorem.


Frequency-dependent hypotensive effect of cardiac pacing (CP) regarding type of circulation and stimulation regime under programmed changes of impulse frequency from 50 to 90 imp/min was studied in 92 patients (53 males, 39 females) with essential hypertension of the first, second and third degree and isolated systolic arterial hypertension. The rise of the above frequency over 80 imp/min was accompanied with a significant fall in systolic arterial pressure (SAP) in patients with hyperkinetic circulation while heart rhythm under 60 imp/min resulted in a significant lowering of diastolic arterial pressure (DAP) in patients with eukinetic and hypokinetic type of circulation. In regime VVI both SAP and DAP lowering was more pronounced than in AAI regime. The most prominent hypotensive effect was seen in VVI-stimulation complicated by ventriculoatrial conduction. Reprogramming of impulse frequency normalized arterial pressure in 43.3% patients with hyperkinetic type of circulation. Thus, a frequency-dependent hypotensive effect of programmed CP can be used for non-pharmacological correction of arterial hypertension and optimization of effectiveness of anti-hypertensive treatment in paced patients.


This paper compares pre-death charitable testamentary expectations with post-death distributions for deceased panel members in the 1995-2006 Health and Retirement Study. Most respondents who reported having a charitable estate plan in the survey wave immediately prior to their death ultimately generated no charitable estate gift after death. Cross-tabulations, linear probability models, and probit analysis all demonstrated that the likelihood of generating a charitable estate gift was significantly higher for respondents who had a funded inter vivos trust than for respondents who had only a will. This difference persisted even after controlling for wealth, income, and other demographic differences. Reasons for the differential effectiveness of these planning documents and implications for financial and gift planners are examined.


In the Caribbean, particularly Guyana and Jamaica, the boundaries of the state started to shift to privatisation with the adapting of their structural adjustment programmes and the conditionalities. In discussing pre-privatisation and post-privatisation governance, it is important that we realise that legitimacy is not primarily about ownership but about control, regardless of whether this is effected through regulation, or direct ownership or whether economic activity should be guided by the market, subject to only general competition (Newberry 2000). The greatest detriment to private participation in infrastructure is the regulatory environment. If the regulation is unlimited in scope, unclear in operation and inclined towards micromanagement, private investors will be detracted and simply seek a more compatible environment. The regulatory regime must be limited, transparent, fair and consistent and government must keep its promises. Investors are now not only wary of direct expropriation, but also of administrative or incremental expropriation, depriving the private firm of legitimate recovery of costs and profits. The conduct of the regulator has to be such that he is considered an important referee where the objective is to optimise output, rather than reflecting the interest of the political groups. The regulation of infrastructure has to deal with asset specificity on the part of the firm, bounded rationality on the part of the regulation, and opportunism by both parties. In addition, it has to protect agreements against intervention by other parties. A major threat here is not just directly from the government, but treaties and domestic and international pressure groups may cause the need for legislation in areas such as safety and environmental issues after the signing of the compact that could significantly affect the operations of the entity. In summary, a government can effect privatisation by committing itself credibly to post-privatisation governance that serves the public interest. Finally, Government macroeconomic policy that will encourage the creation of employment is essential to governance of privatisation in the Caribbean context, as jobs produce consumers who can pay user fees. This holds true whether we are discussing potable water supply where there is a great need or toll roads, which may be dependent on higher incomes for the purchase of transportation services and vehicles.


Among 38 cases of hypoparathyroidism, 32 patients were found to have hypocalcemic cataract. The morphology and mechanism of cataract formation were studied by clinical observation and biochemical calcium determinations, which indicated that the development of hypocalcemic cataract was related to the calcium level in blood but not to the duration of disease. The results suggest that early diagnosis and treatment of hypocalcemia may be useful in controlling the development of cataract. Calcium determinations showed that the blood calcium level was related to that in the aqueous humor. It is probable that the blood calcium content may reflect the calcium level in the aqueous humor, thus evaluating the tendency for cataract development.


Most financial markets are mostly efficient most of the time. Inefficiencies– opportunities to add value proportionate to marginal systematic risk– appear sporadically and unpredictably. To improve the information ratio, the manager must search constantly and widely for inefficiencies. That is, manager performance depends crucially on broadening manager scope. The author argues that clients and their scope by structuring mandates in ways that are not accurately conventional. Managers can also broaden their scope by organizing themselves as teams with specialist and generalist portfolio managers who cooperate to diversify across not only countries and currencies but also investment styles. Widening scope should also improve a management team's skill.


Introduction Genicular nerve radiofrequency (RF)denervation appears to be a promising treatment for knee pain in patients with degenerative osteoarthritis of the knee, when candidates are not suitable for arthroplasty. This study aimed to assess the accuracy and reliability of ultrasound-guided placement of RF cannulas in cadavers for genicular nerve treatment, by measuringthe needle-to-nerve proximity. Materials and methods Five soft-fix human cadavers were included in this study, totaling 10 knees (meanage 93.8 years). Using the ultrasound-guided technique,which we have described previously, RF cannulas were directed toward the superolateral genicular nerve(SLGN), the superomedial genicular nerve (SMGN) and the inferomedial genicular nerve (IMGN). Indocyaninegreen (ICG) dye (0.1 mL) was infiltrated. An anatomical dissection was performed and the distance from the center of the ICG mark to the genicular nerve concerned was measured. Results The mean distances from the center of the ICG mark to the SLGN, SMGN and IMGN were 2.33 mm(range 0.00–6.05 mm), 3.44 mm (range 0.00–10.59mm) and 1.32 mm (range 0.00–2.99 mm), respectively. There was no statistical difference in distances from the center of the ICG mark to the targeted nerve between the different nerves (p=0.18). Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate that ultrasound-guided treatment of the genicular nerves is feasible. However, for RF ablations, there are some limitations, which mostly can be overcome by using appropriate RF ablation settings.


Neoliberalism as a religious movement is an economic doctrine that can only be accepted by faith. This neoliberal faith is based on the power amassed by a decentralized network of institutions, and the militarily "advanced" nations it profits, which in turn verifies the universality of its economic doctrines. There can be no salvation outside the global market forces of "free trade." An alternative to the spirit of neoliberalism can be found within the faith of the people. Within the present post-modern condition, a space has been opened—perhaps inadvertently—for the sacred. In this space, the faith and/or spirituality of the people can directly challenge global capitalism. The alternative to neoliberalism, the hope for the vast majority of the world's population, will be found within their own faith traditions—specifically, how those faith traditions equip the marginalized within their midst to seek their own liberation. Although the actual tenets of any faith are important, the poor and disenfranchised usually approach their faith tradition differently than those who usually serve as the academic or ecclesiastic spokespersons of the faith. Any attempt to understand the faith of the people from the margins of the community will find itself rooted in the everyday, attempting to discover how their faith provides the means of surviving the condition of their disenfranchisement.


By Vienna Sa University of the Pacific 2019 The purposes of this study are to investigate the effect of the Music Attention Control Training (MACT) on three types of attention (sustained, selective, switching) in pre-adolescents (10-14 years old) with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and to identify the impact of the level of severity (mild, moderate, severe) on changes in attention scores. This modified replication study included 23 participants randomly assigned to treatment and control group stratified based on severity of ASD. Significant results via two-tailed paired-sample t-test (p< .10) indicated significant positive trends with the treatment group for the 3 out of 4 subtests of selective attention: Hector Cancellation, Hector-B Cancellation, and Hecuba Visual Search; 1 out of 4 subtests of sustained attention: Sustained Attention Response Test (SART); and the single subtest of switching attention: Red & Blues, Bags & Shoes (RBBS). Results call for modifications to further support the role of MACT on attention skills with pre-adolescents with ASD. Implications for future research and contributions to clinical practices in music therapy


Abstract. The present study has developed the time series database surface soil moisture over India, for June, July and August months for the period of 20 years from 1991 to 2010, using data products generated under Climate Change Initiative Programme of European Space Agency. These three months represent the crop sowing period in the prime cropping season in the country and the soil moisture data during this period is highly useful to detect the drought conditions and assess the drought impact. The time series soil moisture data which is in 0.25 degree spatial resolution was analyzed to generate different indicators. Rainfall data of same spatial resolution for the same period, generated by India Meteorological Department was also procured and analyzed. Geospatial analysis of soil moisture and rainfall derived indicators was carried out to study (1) inter annual variability of soil moisture and rainfall, (2) soil moisture deviations from normal during prominent drought years, (3) soil moisture and rainfall correlations and (4) drought exposure based on soil moisture and rainfall variability. The study has successfully demonstrated the potential of these soil moisture time series data sets for generating regional drought surveillance information products, drought hazard mapping, drought exposure analysis and detection of drought sensitive areas in the crop planting period.


Commercial web search engines are usually deployed on data centers, which leverage thousands of servers to efficiently answer queries on a large scale. Thanks to these distributed infrastructures, search engines can quickly serve high query volumes. However, the energy consumed by these many servers poses economical and environmental challenges for the Web search engine companies. To tackle such challenges, we advocate the importance of quantifying the energy consumption of a search engine. Therefore, in this study we experimentally analyze energy consumption on a per query basis. Our aim is to evaluate how much energy is consumed by a search server to answer a single query, i.e, its query energy consumption. To perform such measurements, experiments are conducted using the TREC ClueWeb09 collection and the MSN 2006 query log. Results suggest that solving queries require an amount of energy directly proportional to the query processing time.


In this paper, we present a scalable, decentralized task allocation algorithm for a group of unknown number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which are equipped with GPS receivers, synchronized clocks and omni-directional sensors with a finite, but known field-of-view to identify neighbors. The algorithm assigns subgroups of UAVs, whose initial positions are randomly scattered in a bounded space, to a finite set of independent tasks. The key features of the proposed algorithm are: (1) the algorithm does not require any communication between the UAVs; (2) the task allocation is achieved in finite time. The analysis and simulation results respectively prove and verify the correctness of the proposed algorithm.


Summary: The aim of this study was, after induction of labour in women with a previous Caesarean section, to compare the outcome in women with a history of a previous vaginal delivery with women who had never delivered vaginally. A retrospective analysis was performed over a 2‐year period, in a Dublin teaching hospital. One hundred and three women who had had 1 previous lower segment Caesarean section had labour induced. Particular attention was given to delivery outcome, history of a vaginal delivery, cervical effacement at induction, influence of epidural analgesia, indication for induction and incidence of uterine rupture. The repeat Caesarean section rate after induction was 20.4%. Of the 51 women who had never previously delivered vaginally, the repeat section rate was 37.3% compared with only 3.9% of the 52 women who had previously delivered vaginally (p < 0.01). Fourteen women who had never delivered vaginally had an uneffaced cervix at induction and the repeat Caesarean section rate in this group was 64.3%. The commonest indication for induction was a postdates pregnancy. The use of epidural analgesia was greater in women who had never delivered vaginally. There were 2 cases of uterine scar rupture. Induction of labour following Caesarean section is associated with a significantly higher incidence of repeat Caesarean section in women who have not had a previous vaginal delivery. If the cervix is not effaced at induction, the repeat Caesarean section rate is higher than if the cervix has started to efface.


ABSTRACT PURPOSE OF REVIEW This article provides an update on the clinical diagnosis and management of immune-mediated myelopathies, including the relevance of imaging, ancillary testing with an emphasis on autoantibody biomarkers, recognition of myelitis mimics, and therapeutic approach. RECENT FINDINGS The imaging characterization of immune-mediated myelopathies and the discovery of neural autoantibodies have been crucial in improving our ability to accurately diagnose myelitis. The identification of autoantibodies directed against specific central nervous system targets has led to major improvements in our understanding of the mechanisms underlying inflammation in myelitis. It has also allowed distinction of these myelopathy etiologies from noninflammatory etiologies of myelopathy and from multiple sclerosis and provided insight into their risk of recurrence, treatment response, and long-term clinical outcomes. Prompt recognition and appropriate testing in the setting of acute and subacute myelopathies is critical as timely administration of immunotherapy can help improve symptoms and prevent permanent neurologic disability. A patient should not be classified as having "idiopathic transverse myelitis" without a comprehensive evaluation for a more specific etiology. Achieving the correct diagnosis and learning to recognize noninflammatory myelitis mimics is crucial as they have therapeutic and prognostic implications. SUMMARY Identifying the clinical and radiographic features of immune-mediated myelitis and recognizing mimics and pitfalls will help clinicians treat confirmed autoimmune myelitis appropriately.


In a group of 64 patients (29 men and 35 women) all aged 65 or over referred for electrocardiography in this Department, there were 30 (16 men and 14 women) with no recorded clinical evidence of major cardiovascular disorders, past or present. Of these ;clinically negative' patients 19 (ten men and nine women) showed codable abnormalities when their electrocardiograms were read and classified according to the Minnesota code.In a group of 121 patients (63 men and 58 women) aged 42-64 only seven (six men and one woman of 58) ;clinically negative' patients showed codable abnormalities in their electrocardigrams. It is suggested that the high yield of codable abnormalities in the former group reflects incomplete and misleading cardiovascular histories or atypical clinical presentations in that group and a plea is made for a more widespread use of routine electrocardiography when trying to sort out the often multiple and confusing clinical problems of the elderly.


AIMS
To explore patients' and mental healthcare professionals' perceptions of supportive and restrictive indicators of adherence to treatment in patients with mental health problems.

BACKGROUND
People with mental health problems may have difficulties adhering to their treatment, causing relapses and hospitalizations. It is, therefore, important to learn more about how patients' treatment adherence can be supported and what jeopardizes adherence.

DESIGN
A descriptive qualitative study.

METHODS
Nine focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted in Finland during 2010-2011. The patients (n = 19) were recruited from patient associations and the healthcare professionals (n = 42) from healthcare organizations. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

FINDINGS
Participants agreed that treatment adherence can be supported. Suggestions focused on treatment planning mindful of both patient involvement and needs. A structured daily routine helps patients manage their everyday issues and further facilitates adherence. On the other hand, patients found that their adherence was affected by factors related to the mental health system, including arrangements for follow-up care, access to services, the receptiveness of providers to meet patient needs and a disconnect time between hospital and community life.

CONCLUSION
Patient adherence should already be taken into account when treatment is planned. The content of treatment should be individually designed according to the patient's activities of daily life. In addition, stressing the importance of medication and listening to the patient's opinions and experiences of taking medication may improve the patient's willingness to adhere.


IntroductionAdministrators and researchers of community and hospital based palliative care services have relied on Vital Statistics for place of death information without knowing the full extent of its accuracy. We sought to understand and document whether Vital Statistics' place of death is confirmed by other data sources.
Objectives and ApproachUnderstand the degree of confirmation of Vital Statistics' place of death with multiple data sources using a first found cascading method. The following order of cascading data sources were used: Discharge Abstract Data (DAD), National Ambulatory Care Reporting System (NACRS), Strata Health Pathways (hospice), ACCIS (LTC), and PARIS (supportive living). Hospital deaths were first confirmed using DAD. If not found, we searched the next data source NACRS (Emergency Department) followed by hospice, long term care, and supportive living. If the death was not found in these five sources, death was classified as 'Other" and the residency of home was inferred.
ResultsOf 7,176 deaths recorded in Vital Statistics (VS), 4,749 were confirmed of which 78% (N=2580) of VS hospital deaths, 96.2 (N=1179) of VS home deaths, and 60.3% (N=990) of VS Nursing Home deaths were confirmed. Inferred nursing home death were recorded as Hospital (N=147), Auxiliary Hospitals (N=61), and Other (N=41). Inferred home deaths were classified as Other (256), Hospital (84), Nursing Home (33), Unknown (7), and En Route (7). Inferred en route or emergency department death were classified as hospital (360). Supportive living deaths, not a category in Vital Statistics, were classified as Other (N=81), Nursing Home (N=51), At Home (N=33). Hospice death, no longer a category in Vital Statistics since 2012, were classified as Nursing Home (N=563), Hospital (N=152), Auxiliary Hospital (N=168), Other (N=334).
Conclusion/Implications66% of 7,176 Deaths in Vital Statistics were confirmed by other data sources. Using multiple data sources, hospital deaths would decrease by 22%, confirmed nursing home death would increase by 25%, and hospice deaths would no longer be misclassified into hospital (N=152), Aux. Hospital (N=168), and Other (N=334).


Based on the vehicle dynamic equation in starting engine in-motion process for HEV, theoretical derivation is conducted to obtain the impact hardness equation in the process. By using matlab/simulink, the law of influence the parameters have on the impact hardness equation is analyzed. Then, coordinated control stategy between the clutch pressure and motor torque, and between motor torque and engine torque is proposed based on the influence law. At last a test bed of the starting engine in-motion for HEV is implemented. The test results show that the change rate of clutch pressure, motor torque and engine torque, can effectively coordinate the change relation between the clutch pressure, the motor torque, and the engine torque. And the test results satisfy the requirements of ride comfort in starting engine in-motion process for HEV well.


Abstract The levels of psychological symptoms (anger, anxiety, and depression) among 595 college students in an ethnically diverse urban public college were surveyed. The students reported a wide range of symptoms that were quite similar to those reported by a representative sample of adults in the United States in the 1990s. Among these Asian, Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, White, and other ethnic minority students, women's levels of symptoms were higher than men's (although the differences were small). Older students reported lower levels of anger and depression (the differences were even smaller), and ethnic groups did not differ in manifestations of psychological symptoms. Some of these students, however, reported problematic levels of psychological symptoms that were similar to those reported by more traditional college and university students.


To clarify the origin of the flow-induced voltage generation in graphene, we prepared a new experimental device whose electrodes were aligned perpendicular to the flow with a non-ionic liquid. We found that significant voltage in our device was generated with increasing flow velocity, thereby confirming that voltage was due to an intrinsic interaction between graphene and the flowing liquid. To understand the mechanism of the observed flow-induced voltage generation, we systematically varied several important experimental parameters: flow velocity, electrode alignment, liquid polarity, and liquid viscosity. Based on these measurements, we suggest that polarity of the fluid is a significant factor in determining the extent of the voltage generated, and the major mechanism can be attributed to instantaneous potential differences induced in the graphene due to an interaction with polar liquids and to the momentum transferred from the flowing liquid to the graphene.


Significant liver disease developed in 14 patients after renal transplantation. Nine patients had morphologic and functional evidence of chronic active hepatitis. In general, these patients had few symptoms of liver disease, even though the course of chronic active hepatitis was progressive. Despite large doses of prednisone, cirrhosis ultimately developed in five patients. The cause of chronic active hepatitis could not be related to azathioprine or methyldopa therapy because there was no perceptible change in the course of liver disease after treatment with these drugs was stopped. Three patients were persistently positive for hepatitis B surface antigen. Isolated instances of granulomatous hepatitis (Mycobacterium kansasii) and of prolonged intrahepatic cholestasis were encountered in patients with chronic active hepatitis. Two patients had acute cytomegalovirus hepatitis. There was one episode each of fulminant herpes simplex hepatitis and severe fatty metamorphosis.


Thin-film solar technology is the subject of considerable current research. The classical material platform of amorphous silicon (a-Si) has been complemented by organic solar cells and more recently by solar cells based on quantum dots or organo-metal-halide perovskites. The majority of effort is focused on the synthesis, characterization and optimization of the photo-active components as well as on the invention of novel device architectures. Low-cost, low-weight, flexibility and the opportunity to create semi-transparent devices are among the most frequently claimed selling points of thin-film solar cells. It is clear that the full potential of this technology and the ability to fulfill its promises are intimately linked with tailored concepts for transparent electrodes beyond established avenues. Transparent electrodes, that can be realized at a large area, at low costs, at low temperature, which are flexible (or even elastic), and which afford a conductivity and transmittance even better than those of indium-tin-oxide, are still vigorously pursued. Even though metal based semi-transparent electrodes have a notable history, there is an ever increasing effort to unlock the full potential of metal nano-structures, especially ultra-thin films (2D) or metal-nanowires (1D) as semitransparent electrodes for thin-film solar cells. This article will review the most recent advances in semitransparent electrodes based on metal-nanowires or metal thin-films. Aside from providing general considerations and a review of the state of the art of electrode properties like sheet resistance and optical transmittance, we aim to highlight the current efforts to introduce these electrodes into solar cells. We will demonstrate that by the use of metal based semitransparent electrodes not only a replacement for established transparent conductors can be achieved but also novel functionalities can be envisaged.


Kidney catalase [EC 184.108.40.206] was doubly labeled by injecting a mixture of [14C]-leucine and delta-amino[3H]levulinic acid (ALA) into normal and allyliso-(2-isopropyl-4-pentenoyl)urea (Sedormid)-treated rats. Shortly after the injection of a tracer dose or the precursors, catalase in microsomes showed the highest specific radioactivities among catalases from various cell fractions. On the other hand, peroxisomal catalase was labeled gradually, reaching a plateau at about 90 min. The patterns of incorporation of both isotopes were similar to those obtained previously with rat live catalase, except that the 3H-radioactivities were much higher. From the results obtained it could be postulated that kidney catalase is synthesized on polysomes and then transferred to peroxisomes, directly or via the soluble phase. The ratio of 3H/14C incorporated was lowest in microsomal catalase, highest in microsomal catalase, highest in peroxisomal enzyme and intermediate in catalase of the soluble fraction. The increment with time was large in the latter two catalases, while the former showed a rather small change. The evidence suggests that nascent catalase contains less heme than the completed molecule; further addition of heme to this intermediate seems to occur in the cytosol, and possibly also in peroxisomes. Administration of a porphyrinogenic drug, (2-isopropyl-4-pentenoyl)urea, produced a remarkable decrease in the incorporation of [3H]ALA into kidney catalase, with no significant effect on that of [14C]leucine.


The paper proposes a segmentation and classification technique for fracture detection in X-ray images. This novel rotation-invariant method introduces the concept of local entropy for de-noising and removing tissue from the analysed X-ray images, followed by an improved procedure for image segmentation and the detection of regions of interest. The proposed local Shannon entropy was calculated for each image pixel using a sliding 2D window. An initial image segmentation was performed on the entropy representation of the original image. Next, a graph theory-based technique was implemented for the purpose of removing false bone contours and improving the edge detection of long bones. Finally, the paper introduces a classification and localisation procedure for fracture detection by tracking the difference between the extracted contour and the estimation of an ideal healthy one. The proposed hybrid method excels at detecting small fractures (which are hard to detect visually by a radiologist) in the ulna and radius bones—common injuries in children. Therefore, it is imperative that a radiologist inspecting the X-ray image receives a warning from the computerised X-ray analysis system, in order to prevent false-negative diagnoses. The proposed method was applied to a data-set containing 860 X-ray images of child radius and ulna bones (642 fracture-free images and 218 images containing fractures). The obtained results showed the efficiency and robustness of the proposed approach, in terms of segmentation quality and classification accuracy and precision (up to 91.16% and 86.22%, respectively).


Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak have major implications in conventional surgical practice. As the number of patients with this diagnosis is rising, the infection risk for the surgical staff will be higher. Few publications have addressed the surgical management of patients diagnosed with COVID-19. Objective: To assess recommendations for care of patients and surgical team during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method: MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (April 2020) were searched the key words "COVID-19", "PROTOCOL" and "SURGERY". Relevant recommendations, guidelines and cases series were checked for the most accurate information for apply to our center. Results: We found 379 papers that included the key words. A total of 25 papers were included in the manuscript based in the pertinence of the recommendations. Three major topics were selected: perioperative, intraoperative and postoperative. Conclusion: As an attempt to regulate the surgical team approach, we present recommendations to preserve patients and surgical staff safety with high quality standards of care through reproducible strategies applicable in most hospital centers.


Alienation of land to public corporation for specific land use rights must be conducted in accordance with the present law in force namely Undang-undang Pokok Agraria Nombor 5 1960 (UUPA). The concept of land rights is provided under section 41, 42 and 43 of the UUPA but are general in nature. The objective of this study is to examine whether the concept of specific land use rights can be officially applicable under the Indonesian national land law. Issues relating to legal policy, use of name, duration of time as an object, the corporation as a right of subject which are under the concept of specific land use rights have been explained. This is a qualitative and descriptive study applying the method of interview where the
collection of data was made through interviews of respondents from different backgrounds in Indonesian. The inductive method is used to discuss the findings of secondary data and results of interview with the respondents. The study has indicated that a specific law governing specific land use rights does not exist in Indonesian national land law. However, land law policy regulating land rights has substantively incorporated the features of the concept of specific land use rights. This study also found that the characteristics such as national land as an object, public corporation as a subject, unspecified duration of time, incapability of transfer of land and liability rights are all supportive to the characteristics of specific land use rights in question. All of these characteristics are applied by the authorities without using the name of specific land use rights instead they use the term land rights of the government. This
study proposes that the law on specific land use rights and the land therein be accepted as national assets in order to ameliorate the concept of specific land use rights which are still non-existent under the Indonesian national land law.


Abstract This paper is concerned with asymptotic stability and stabilization of nonlinear uncertain stochastic switched discrete time-delay systems. The system to be considered is subject to interval time-varying delays, which allows the delay to be a fast time-varying function and the lower bound is not restricted to zero. Based on the discrete Lyapunov functional, a switching rule for the asymptotic stability and stabilization for the nonlinear uncertain stochastic discrete time-delay system is designed via linear matrix inequalities. Numerical examples are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the results.


This paper reports the use of a MRI device to pull a magnetic microrobot inside a vessel and control its trajectory. The bead subjected to magnetic and hydrodynamic forces is first modeled as a nonlinear control system. Then, a backstepping approach is discussed in order to synthesize a feedback law ensuring the stability along the controlled trajectory. We show that this control law, combined with a high gain observer, provides good tracking performances and robustness to measurement noise as well as to some matched uncertainties.


After the U.S. and Australian withdrawal from the Kyoto Protocol, and the extension of national quotas in the Bonn- and Marrakesh-agreements, meager environmental effects and a low price of emission permits is likely to be the outcome of implementation. This paper provides an analysis of these prospects for the Kyoto Protocol and the international permit market based on different assumptions related to the baseline scenario. Possible strategic behavior in the permit market is emphasized: A contribution of the paper is to take into consideration potential conflicting Russian interests in the market for natural gas in Europe and the market for emission permits under the Kyoto Protocol. The Russian Federation is a large supplier with the potential for exercising market power in both these markets. The analysis shows that the Russian interests in the gas market may lead Russia to increase export of emission allowances and consequently contribute to a low permit price. The applied analytical tool is a partial equilibrium model of the market for emission allowances and the fossil fuel markets.


Target motion, particularly in the abdomen, due to respiration or patient movement is still a challenge in many diagnostic and therapeutic processes. Hence, methods to detect and compensate this motion are required. Diagnostic ultrasound (US) represents a non-invasive and dose-free alternative to fluoroscopy, providing more information about internal target motion than respiration belt or optical tracking. The goal of this project is to develop an US-based motion tracking for real-time motion correction in radiation therapy and diagnostic imaging, notably in 4D positron emission tomography (PET). In this work, a workflow is established to enable the transformation of US tracking data to the coordinates of the treatment delivery or imaging system – even if the US probe is moving due to respiration. It is shown that the US tracking signal is equally adequate for 4D PET image reconstruction as the clinically used respiration belt and provides additional opportunities in this concern. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the US probe being within the PET field of view generally has no relevant influence on the image quality. The accuracy and precision of all the steps in the calibration workflow for US tracking-based 4D PET imaging are found to be in an acceptable range for clinical implementation. Eventually, we show in vitro that an US-based motion tracking in absolute room coordinates with a moving US transducer is feasible.


In the high-velocity tennis serve, the contributions that the upper limb segments' anatomical rotations make to racket head speed at impact depend on both their angular velocity and the instantaneous position of the racket with respect to the segments' axes of rotation. Eleven high-performance tennis players were filmed at a nominal rate of 200 Hz by three Photosonics cameras while hitting a high-velocity serve. The three-dimensional (3-D) displacement histories of 11 selected landmarks were then calculated using the direct linear transformation approach, and 3-D individual segment rotations for the upper limb were calculated using vector equations (Sprigings, Marshall, Elliott, & Jennings, 1994). The major contributors to the mean linear velocity of the center of the racket head of 31.0 m · s-1 at impact were internal rotation of the upper arm (54.2%), flexion of the hand (31.0%), horizontal flexion and abduction of the upper arm (12.9%), and racket shoulder linear velocity (9.7%). Forearm extension at t...


The agri-food sector was given remarkable amounts of funding by all German federal states in the framework of the Measure g 'Improving Processing and Marketing of Agricultural Products' within the rural development programs. Based on literature and data we obtained by evaluating this program we identified some indicators representative for illustration of sustainable development. Apart from project data we used the official statistics and the method of case studies. Via selected indicators we received some signs of sustainable development in enterprises of the agri-food industry that also influence the development of rural areas. Some statements are restricted because net effects can not be determined. The need for subsidies is discussed as well as possibilities and limits of case studies.


Abstract. Biomass-burning organic-aerosol (OA) emissions are known
to exhibit semi-volatile behavior that impacts OA loading during plume
transport. Because such semi-volatile behavior depends in part on OA
composition, improved speciation of intermediate and semi-volatile organic
compounds (I/SVOCs) emitted during fires is needed to assess the competing
effects of primary OA volatilization and secondary OA production. In this
study, 18 laboratory fires were sampled in which a range of fuel types were
burned. Emitted I/SVOCs were collected onto Teflon filters and solid-phase
extraction (SPE) disks to qualitatively characterize particulate and gaseous
I/SVOCs, respectively. Derivatized filter extracts were analyzed using
comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with time-of-flight mass
spectrometry (GC × GC-TOFMS). Quality control tests were performed
using biomass-burning relevant standards and demonstrate the utility of SPE
disks for untargeted analysis of air samples. The observed chromatographic
profiles of I/SVOCs in coniferous fuel-derived smoke samples were well
correlated with each other, but poorly correlated with other fuel types
(e.g., herbaceous and chaparral fuels). Emissions of benzenediol isomers
were also shown to be fuel dependent. The combined Teflon and SPE filter
data captured differences in gas-particle partitioning of the benzenediol
isomers, with hydroquinone having a significantly higher particle-phase
fraction than catechol due to its lower volatility. Additionally, the
speciated volatility distribution of I/SVOCs in smoke from a rotten-log fire
was estimated to evaluate the composition of potentially volatilized primary
OA, which was entirely attributed to oxygenated (or other heteroatomic)
compounds. The isomer-dependent partitioning and the speciated volatility
distributions both suggest the need for better understanding of gas-phase
and heterogenous reaction pathways of biomass-burning-derived I/SVOCs in
order to represent the atmospheric chemistry of smoke in models.


Five-plus years after the Affordable Care Act became law, the US health care system is finally undergoing the changes it needs to care for all of its patients. Regardless of politics, the law has spurred substantial gains in coverage and catalyzed new models for managing the delivery and payment of care.

Even the most optimistic agree that the promise of affordable, comprehensive, person-centered care is still a point on the horizon. However, this destination can be reached, but the road is long and everyone, regardless of politics, needs to share the journey. According to an old African proverb, "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together."


ABSTRACT Estimating the dynamics of furbearer populations is challenging because their elusive behavior and low densities make observations difficult. Statistical population reconstruction is a flexible approach to demographic assessment for harvested populations, but the technique has not been applied to furbearers. We extended this approach to furbearers and analyzed 8 yr of age-at-harvest data for American marten (Martes americana) in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Marten abundance estimates showed a general downward trend from an estimate of = 1,733.3 ( = 861.3) animals in 2000 to =1,163.9 ( = 520.1) in 2007. The harvest probability of martens increased nearly 5-fold from 0.0542 ( = 0.0250) in 2000 to 0.2637 ( = 0.1154) in 2007, which corresponded to a 5-fold increase in trap-nights. Continued monitoring of martens in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, and a reassessment of current harvest regulations are necessary given the estimated decreases. Moreover, we do not encourage the use of harvest indices as the sole technique to assess the status and trends of marten and fisher populations. Auxiliary studies in the Upper Peninsula, Michigan, will allow for continued use and improvement in the application of these models.


Workplace bullying, mobbing or harassment describe a situation where an employee is the target of systematic mistreatment by other organizational members (i.e., colleagues, supervisors, subordinates) that may cause severe social, psychological and psychosomatic problems in the targeted employee. Since the appearance of the book "The harassed worker" by Brodsky (1976) and initial studies by Heinz Leymann (1986, 1990), workplace bullying research has developed into a huge and still massively growing research area that is conducted all over the globe. Especially, when related concepts are considered, a vast amount of studies have researched prevalence, risk factors, consequences, and, very recently, psychological mechanisms of workplace bullying exposure. A literature review revealed that existing workplace bullying exposure self-report inventories exhibit some weaknesses. Therefore, the first study (Chapter 2) aimed to develop a new short scale, the Luxembourg Workplace Mobbing Scale (LWMS) in three different language versions (i.e., Luxembourgish, French, German). Furthermore, it investigated the psychometric properties and the validity of this scale and examined if the three language versions exhibit measurement invariance. The LWMS revealed good psychometric properties in terms of its internal consistency and its factor structure. Furthermore, metric and partial scalar invariance across the three language versions could be established. Initial validation tests revealed high criterion validity of the LWMS. In line with recent workplace bullying exposure research, the LWMS was meaningfully linked with other working factors and measures of psychological health. The second study (Chapter 3) aimed to test the LWMS's factor structure and measurement invariance across possible risk groups of bullying exposure (i.e., gender, age, and occupational groups). Moreover, based on recent theories and findings on workplace bullying the study aimed to further elucidate the LWMS's nomological net with relevant psychological (i.e., psychological well-being, work engagement, sleeping hours, suicidal thoughts) and physiological health measures (i.e., physiological health problems, alcohol and smoking consumption, body mass index) as well as with important organizational criteria (i.e., work performance, turnover intention, absenteeism) and with self-labeling victim status. Evaluation of different measurement invariance models confirm metric and (partial) scalar invariance across all compared groups. Neither age, gender, nor the most frequent areas of occupation in Luxembourg represent important risk factors for workplace bullying exposure. Regarding criterion validity, with the exceptions of alcohol and smoking consumption, all proposed psychological and physiological health measures as well as organizational criteria are meaningfully associated with the LWMS. In summary, the LWMS is especially useful, when the identification of workplace bullying exposure risk groups or cross-cultural research is of concern. The third study (Chapter 4) aimed to test specific organizational risk factors of the occurrence of workplace bullying. Specifically, competition and passive avoidant leadership style were tested as risk factors of workplace bullying (exposure and perpetration) assessed with two assessment methods (behavioral experience and self-labeling method). Consistent with theoretical reasoning and prior research, results demonstrated that competition as well as passive avoidant leadership style are important risk factors of workplace bullying exposure. Moreover, results showed that the same effects showed up for perpetration. Even more interesting, passive avoidant leadership style acted as a moderator on the effect of competition on workplace bullying exposure. In line with theory, competition is stronger related to workplace bullying exposure, when passive avoidant leadership is high. Thus, passive avoidant leadership style can be considered a disruptive factor reinforcing the negative association with competition. Regarding workplace bullying perpetration the same moderation effect was only found for the self-labeled assessment method. The fourth study (Chapter 5) aimed to identify different psychological mechanisms (i.e., psychological contract violation and frustration of basic needs) that link being target of workplace bullying and health, attitudinal and behavioral outcomes. Furthermore, their relative impact and importance on different outcomes were highlighted. Psychological contract violation was an important mediator for decreased job satisfaction and higher turnover intentions, whereas frustration of autonomy mediated the effect between workplace bullying exposure and increased levels of burnout, frustration of competence mediated the effect of bullying exposure on decreased work performance and frustration of relatedness was strongly associated with decreased well-being and vigor. Results showed that feelings of psychological contract violation and frustration of basic needs accounted for unique variation in many outcome variables, pointing to the individual contribution of both psychological mechanisms. The present thesis deepens our understanding of the organizational circumstances under which workplace bullying is more likely and the psychological mechanisms that link the bullying exposure with several outcomes. These results can guide possible prevention and intervention strategies.


Most democracies fail to provide equal representation and tend to have an over-representation of men from upper-class and the majority racial/ethnic group. We investigate public support for increasing the number of women and indigenous Māori MPs in the New Zealand Parliament , both in general and through specific mechanisms such as quotas and reserved seats. We offer three explanations: descriptive (group identity), substantive (issue alignment), and symbolic (socioeconomic and political equity concerns). Using data from the 2014 New Zealand Election Study, we find that shared identity (descriptive) matters for all measures of increased representation, but especially for Māori respondent support of increased Māori MPs . Support for increasing the proportion of Māori MPs is also strongly driven by substantive concerns, as measured by support for keeping the Treaty of Waitangi in law. Support for increasing women MPs is driven most strongly by symbolic concerns (measured as increased government social spending and efforts to reduce income differences). Overall, respondents favor keeping the current number of reserved seats for Māori MP representation, whereas informal efforts (rather than quotas) are strongly preferred for increasing the number of women MPs.


Persons with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), in the absence of complications, have a decreased exercise performance compared with nondiabetic subjects. However, degree of impairment and factors associated with reduced exercise performance have not been fully characterized. Maximal exercise performance using a graded treadmill protocol was assessed in 10 sedentary persons with uncomplicated NIDDM (aged 51 +/- 7) and 10 healthy age- and activity-matched controls. Potential correlates of exercise performance measured included fasting and post-exercise glucose concentrations and fasting insulin concentration, hemoglobin A1C, hematocrit, and whole blood viscosity. At maximal exercise, diabetic persons had a 24% lower maximal walking time and 20% lower maximal VO2 than controls (both P < 0.05), while hemodynamic measures did not differ between groups. During graded exercise, at work loads below the maximal one, the relationship between VO2 and work load was significantly lower in persons with NIDDM than controls by an average of 16%. No correlations were found between peak exercise performance and any of the potential correlates of exercise performance measured. We conclude that persons with NIDDM have an impaired peak exercise performance not associated with degree of glycemic control. The reduced rate of increase in oxygen consumption during increasing submaximal work loads in NIDDM suggests that limitations in oxygen delivery may impair exercise performance in otherwise healthy persons with diabetes.


In this study I will analyze the correlation between earnings and education in Somalia, study will also consider variables that might have an influence on income other than education such as experience, gender and health problems. The research paper will empathize and explore the correlation between educational attainment and the level of earnings. Moreover, the research paper will also try to find whether there are other factors that have an effect on earning-Education correlation. The study will use cross sectional data from World Bank (WB), United Nations Fund for Population Fund (UNFPA), Ministry of National Planning and International Cooperation(MNPIC) and Kimetrica. The method of choosing the who is going to take part in this study is going to be simplified. The data will be analyzed by using SPSS, multiple regression analysis, Pearson correlation test and other econometric tests will be conducted.  This cross-sectional research paper is subject to change if more advanced and highly structured but a similar research shows a different result related to income-education correlation. Such changes can be led by the improvement in education system, government policies related to minimum wages and sometimes but not always the gender distribution of the population.


Interpretation of catalytic performance during the MTH process is hampered by heat transport phenomena. We demonstrate that large temperature rises can occur during fixed bed labscale catalyst testing of ZSM-5, even when a large catalyst bed dilution is applied. Formation of mesopores in ZSM-5 leads to partial mitigation of these effects because of a lower generation of heat per unit catalyst volume and weakening of the zeolite acidity.


This paper presents the study of characteristic including (mechanical, thermal, and some dielectric properties) of chestnut shell filler/ epoxy composite. Composite plate was made by hand-layup technique. The filler content was 5% by weight. The tensile, impact, hardness, flexural strength and compression were showed to be increased while Young's modulus was little increased. The dielectric strength, dielectric constant, and volume resistivity were evaluated. The bending (Young's modulus values) and hardness tests were also estimated as a function of water submersion time at room temperature for a period up to 8weeks. The obtained results indicated that the composite has responded to water absorption. ﻲﺳﻛوﺑﯾﻷا بﻛارﺗﻣ صﺋﺎﺻﺧ / ﺔﻧﯾﺟﮭﻟا ءﺎﻧﺗﺳﻛﻟا ةرﺷﻗ ةوﺷﺣ


Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the investment-savings, liquidity-money (IS–LM) model used in the traditional macroeconomic theory as an important tool to analyze the dynamics of product and money market. The IS curve represents product market equilibrium condition and the LM curve represents money market equilibrium condition. However, the traditional IS–LM model was formulated mainly keeping in mind the dynamics of the product and money markets of developed economies. Thus, there was an urgent need to explore the pre-established IS–LM model in the light of existing enormous, illicit underground economies prevalent all around the world.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, an exploratory attempt has been made to review the IS–LM model in the light of various illicit practices and by incorporating some assumptions that are relevant to this discussion. In this model, ISil curve could be defined as a locus of points each representing a combination of evaded tax and output of the illicit economy that will keep the illicit economy in equilibrium and, the LMil curve could be defined as a locus of points each representing a combination of illicit supply of money and output of the illicit economy that will keep the illicit economy in equilibrium.

Findings

This paper is aimed at analyzing the traditional IS–LM model from a different perspective, namely, the pervasive underground economy thriving all around the world regardless of the stages of growth and development. A sincere attempt has been made to keep the assumptions simple and closest to the real-world scenario as well as pertinent to the logic of economic theory. In this paper, two major factors of illicit practices, i.e. tax evasion and bribery, are given prime importance and the discussion is focused on those two factors of corruption.

Originality/value

This paper has been prepared keeping in view the standard technical procedures and findings that are described in the relevant academic materials like textbooks and journal publications (mentioned under the "References" column). The analysis and findings appearing in the article are based on logical explanations and are completely free from plagiarism.


ABSTRACT The overwhelming majority of sports-related sudden cardiac deaths in mature athletes is attributed to coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary plaques of mature athletes appear to be more calcified compared to sedentary individuals and thus may be more stable and less likely to be associated with an acute coronary event. Cardiac computed tomography (CT), including unenhanced CT for coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) and contrast-enhanced coronary CT angiography, is characterized by very high negative predictive value to rule out CAD. Cardiac CT has been shown to have additional diagnostic value for detection of CAD in athletes over and above exercise electrocardiogram. Moreover, measurement of CACS possibly enables a more precise cardiovascular risk stratification of mature athletes. The main advantage of cardiac CT is its noninvasive nature. Although cardiac CT appears to increase the overall cost of cardiac examinations, this additional cost is much lower than the cost of unnecessary invasive coronary angiographies that would be performed in case of false positive results of exercise electrocardiograms. Radiation exposure may not be a major concern for the application of this modality to pre-participation screening of athletes, since recent technical advancements have resulted in low radiation dose of cardiac CT. Highlights Coronary computed tomography angiography can be used in pre-participation screening of mature athletes to increase the negative predictive value for excluding coronary artery disease. The identification of coronary artery calcium score = 0 in an athlete can improve risk stratification, since this athlete can be reasonably managed as an individual with low cardiovascular risk.


Increased demand for livestock products and the regime switch from import substitution to export orientated industrialisation has put pressure on the livestock sector in Thailand to expand production and exports. One of the constraints to expansion is the production and trade effects of diseases endemic to Thailand. The economic effects of livestock diseases and their control are reviewed. A change in the disease-free status of the Thailand livestock sector is investigated using a computable general equilibrium model. Three scenarios are hypothesised. In the first scenario, where disease control increases livestock production, resources shift out of manufacturing and into the agriculture and tertiary sectors leading to a decline in GDP and household welfare. In the second scenario, where control increases livestock exports, exports increase for all sectors and resources shift out of the agriculture and tertiary sectors and into manufacturing leading to an increase in GDP and household welfare. In the third scenario, where disease control increases livestock production productivity, there is a resultant decline in livestock output and exports as factor input prices rise. The flow-ons to the rest of the economy are negligible. The results show that disease control programs in the Thai livestock sector would not produce major benefits to the economy unless they were undertaken with a concurrent elimination of export restrictions.


: Focal molography is a new method for label-free molecular interaction analysis in crude samples. In contrast to refrac-tometric optical sensors, focal molography is insensitive to nonspecific molecular interactions. This unique property is achieved with a special 2D nanopattern of molecular binding sites on a chip, termed mologram. A mologram is designed such that molecules bound to it diffract light constructively into a focal spot. The intensity of the focused light is measured to quantify the amount of bound molecules. In biological samples, highly abundant off-target molecules readily adsorb to the surface of the sensor. Yet, this process is completely random and the off-target molecules do not bind to the ordered binding sites of the mologram. Thus, their scattering is uniform in all spatial directions and therefore they hardly contribute to the measured light intensity in the narrow solid angle of the focal spot.


PV power generation, which directly converts solar radiation into electricity, contains a lot of significant advantages such as inexhaustible and pollution-free, silent and with no rotating parts, and size-independent electricity conversion efficiency. Positive environmental effect of photovoltaics is replacing electricity generated in more polluting way or providing electricity where none was available before. This paper shows the novel simple method to abstract the whole parameters of solar cell. In development, design and operation of PV power generation systems, a technique for constructing V-I curves under different levels of solar irradiance and cell temperature condition using basic characteristic values of PV module is required. Everyone who has done manual acquisition and analysis of solar cell I versus V data would agree that the job is tedious and time-consuming. A better alternative is to use an automated curve tracer to print out the I versus V curves and compute the four major parameters; V/sub OC/, I/sub SC/, FF, and /spl eta/. Generally, V-I curve tracer indicates only the commonly used solar cell parameters. However, with the conventional V-I curve tracer it is almost impossible to abstract the more detail parameters of solar cell ; A, R/sub S/ and R/sub Sh/, which satisfies the user, who aims at the analysis of the development PV power generation system; advanced simulation. In this paper, the proposed method gives us the satisfactory results to abstract the detailed parameters of solar cells; A, R/sub S/ and R/sub Sh/.


THERMAL PROPERTIES OF COMMONLY USED CLEAR ALIGNER SYSTEMS AS-RECEIVED AND AFTER CLINICAL USE Louis Wenger, D.M.D. Marquette University, 2017 Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the thermal properties, particularly glass transition temperature, of the polymers that are used to fabricate three different types of modern orthodontic aligners. Invisalign, (Align Technology, Inc, Santa Clara, CA, USA), Simpli5 (Allesee Orthodontic Appliances, Sturtevant, WI, USA), and ClearCorrect (ClearCorrect, Round Rock, TX, USA) were examined both as-received and after clinical use to determine if any differences were present both between and within aligners. Materials/Methods: Orthodontic aligners were collected from three different patients using the systems under investigation after two weeks of intraoral use. Duplicate, un-used samples were obtained from the manufacturers for direct comparison. The aligners were then sectioned into sizes that were compatible with the instrumentation being used to analyze them. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) was used to individually analyze the thermal properties of each sample. The resulting thermograms were then compared to investigate potential differences between brands and conditions. Of particular interest was the temperature at which each polymer went through the glass transition phase. Enthalpy relaxation, recrystallization temperature, and melting point were also analyzed. Results: There was no statistical difference in glass transition temperature between as-received and after use Invisalign, ClearCorrect, or Simpli5 aligners (p>0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in recrystallization peak and recrystallization enthalpy between as-received and after use Simpli5 aligners (p>0.05). There was a significant decrease in melting peak and melting enthalpy between asreceived and after use Simpli5 aligners (p<0.05). A lack of recrystallization and melting peaks indicates that Invisalign and ClearCorrect are a thermoset material while the presence of these peaks indicates that Simpli5 is thermoplastic. All materials possessed a glass transition temperature above the maximum temperature that is found intraorally. Conclusions: Glass transition temperature did not significantly change after clinical use in the tested orthodontic aligners, indicating the stability of this property throughout normal treatment. All three types have a glass transition temperature above the maximum temperature that is found intraorally, which has been shown to be a benefit to an aligner's mechanical properties. Melting peak and melting enthalpy showed a small decrease after use in Simpli5, indicating some structural aging intraorally.


Business Incubators can play a major role in helping to turn a business idea into a technology-based organization economically efficient. However, there is a shortage in the literature regarding the efficiency evaluation and productivity evolution of the new technology-based firms (NTBFs) in the incubation scope. This study aims to develop a model based on the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) methodology, which allows the incubated NTBFs to evaluate and improve the efficiency of their management. Moreover, Malmquist index is used to examine productivity change. The index is decomposed into multiple components to give insights into the root sources of productivity change. The proposed model was applied on a case study with 13 NTBFs incubated. In the case study it was possible to conclude that inefficient firms invest excessively in Research and Development (R&D), and on average, firms have a productivity growth in the period of study.


The Dunning R 3327 AT tumor is a rapidly growing, androgen insensitive, serially transplantable rat tumor of prostatic origin. In early passages, the AT tumor had a very low rate of distant metastases (less than 1 per cent); however, after 60 serial subcutaneous passages, the AT tumor has given rise to a new tumor line which has an extremely high metastatic rate. Greater then 75 per cent of all animals inoculated with this late passage tumor develop lymph node metastases alone or in combination with lung metastases. This high passage tumor seems to be distinct from the original AT tumor since it has a substantially faster doubling time and a massively increased metastatic potential; it has therefore been named the Dunning R 3327 MAT LyLu tumor (metastatic AT tumor able to disseminate to lymph nodes and lung). The MAT LyLu tumor, like the parent nonmetastatic AT tumor, is androgen insensitive with regard to its growth rate, rate of distant metastases and mean survival time. This newly characterized MAT LyLu tumor provides an appropriate animal model system for testing the potential effectiveness of a variety of therapeutic approaches specifically aimed at limiting the metastatic spread of prostatic cancer.


The molecular mechanisms that govern the survival, maturation and export of thymocytes are the subject of intense study, and candidates for involvement in these processes might be identified by their differential expression during thymocyte selection. One such molecule is the tetraspanin CD53, which is not expressed on most CD4(+)CD8(+) double-positive (DP) cells in the normal mouse. We have examined CD53 expression on DP from several class I- and class II-restricted TCR transgenic (Tg) mice, and have found a strong correlation between CD53 expression and positive selection. CD53 expression in DP was formally demonstrated to be dependent upon MHC recognition as evidenced by studying DP from MHC-deficient mice which totally lack expression of this molecule. This link between selection and CD53 expression was reminiscent of CD69, and indeed the majority of selected DP from normal mice that express CD53 also express CD69. We compared CD53 and CD69 induction in vitro using pre-selected thymocytes from TCR-Tg mice that were stimulated either with mAb against TCR or with antigen-presenting cells (APC) pulsed with peptides. The data shows that with either stimulus, CD69 is induced rapidly on the thymocyte surface with expression detected in as little as 2 h. CD53 induction is slower with maximal expression taking up to 20 h. We also stimulated pre-selected thymocytes from the OT-1 TCR-Tg strain with APC pulsed with peptides of varying affinities for the TCR. Here low-affinity peptides which induce CD69 expression poorly were able to induce significant levels of CD53 expression. These data demonstrate that the induction of CD53 and CD69 upon selection is not identical. Thus a combination of the CD69 and CD53 selection markers may be a powerful tool to isolate thymocytes that have either been very recently selected or have arisen from differing MHC--TCR affinity interactions during selection.


When designing Affective Health, a mobile stress management tool using biosensors, we gradually understood how severely limited inferences can be when we move from laboratory situations to everyday usage. We also came to understand the strong connection between our subjectively perceived resources for dealing with stress and healing. Therefore, rather than employing a diagnose-and-treat design model, we propose that designers empower users to make their own reflections and interpretations of their own bio-sensor data. We show how this can be done through encouraging reflection, alternative interpretations and active appropriation of biosensor data – avoiding a reductionist, sometime erroneous, mediation of automatic interpretation from bodily data to emotion models or, in this case, stress diagnosis.


Until recently, the dominant phonics material to teach Iranian Young Learners of English was Jolly Phonics originated by Sue Lloyd and Sara Wernham in 1970s. However, a growing body of national and international researches has questioned the efficacy of Jolly Phonics in over 100 countries where they are being taught either in public educational institutions or private ones. In Iran, orthographic and phonological differences between Farsi and English are accounted as the main cause of such inefficacy. Therefore, after a period of two years of field observation, library research, and learners' assessment, the researcher set seven unique linguistic and pedagogical principles ahead to develop a new phonics material, Magic Phonics (2012), which has been greatly welcomed by private language schools specializing in early literacy of Iranian EFL Young Learners. In this study, the researcher shares with the audience the "Seven Linguistic and Pedagogical Principles" that has been considered as the foundation of his work in authoring Magic Phonics series. The International Academic Forum


Objectives Several factors mediating vascular responses appear to play an important role in the increased resistance of cerebral blood vessels during hypertension. The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanisms by which hypertension increases the basal tone of the basilar artery in vivo. Methods Using a cranial window, we examined effects of inhibitors of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels (nicardipine) and Rho-associated kinase (Y-27632) on the baseline diameter of the basilar artery in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and compared to the responses in normotensive Wistar–Kyoto (WKY) rats. Results Topical application of nicardipine (10−8, 10−7 and 10−6 mol/l) produced dilatation of the basilar artery. Nicardipine-induced vasodilatation was enhanced in SHR compared to WKY rats. Nicardipine (10−6 mol/l) dilated the artery in WKY rats and SHR by 9 ± 2 and 24 ± 4%, respectively. Topical application of Y-27632 (10−7, 10−6 and 10−5 mol/l) produced dilatation of the basilar artery in WKY rats in a concentration-related manner. The vasodilatation produced by Y-27632 was markedly enhanced in SHR compared to WKY rats. Y-27632 (10−5 mol/l) dilated the artery in WKY rats and SHR by 14 ± 2 and 45 ± 6%, respectively. We also tested the effects of inhibitors of nitric oxide synthase (NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester, l-NAME), ATP-sensitive potassium channels (glibenclamide) and large-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (tetraetyhlammonium, TEA). l-NAME and, to a lesser extent, glibenclamide produced similar constriction of the basilar artery in both strains. TEA did not affect the baseline diameter of the basilar artery in WKY rats and produced small but significant vasoconstriction in SHR. Conclusions These results suggest that the activity of L-type calcium channels and Rho-associated kinase is enhanced in the basilar artery during hypertension in vivo. The enhanced contractility may contribute to the increased resistance of the basilar artery during chronic hypertension in vivo.


The chapter presents a new and modern method to study the transient phenomena that occur when connecting the reactive charges to an AC power source using the MATLAB-Simulink software package. It is known that NI-USB data acquisition systems manufac‐ tured by National Instruments are not recognized by the Simulink software package in 64-bit systems. That is why a 32-bit system is obligatory. From this point of view, the article presents a method by which this disadvantage is eliminated, making the data acquisi‐ tion process possible in the Simulink software package.


This thesis discusses two different problems in motion planning for autonomous driving. The first is the problem of optimizing a lattice planner control set for any particular autonomous driving task, with the goal of reducing planning time for that task. The driving task is encoded in the form of a dataset of trajectories executed while performing said task. In addition to improving planning time, the optimized control set should capture the driving style of the dataset. In this sense, the control set is learned from the data and is tailored to a particular task. To determine the value of control actions to add to the control set, a modified version of the Fréchet distance is used to score how useful control actions are for generating paths similar to those in the dataset. This method is then compared to the state of the art lattice planner control set optimization technique in terms of planning runtime for the learned task. The second problem is the task of extending the Responsibility-Sensitive Safety (RSS) framework by introducing swerve manoeuvres in addition to the nominal braking manoeuvres present in the framework. This includes comparing the clearance distances required by a swerve to the braking distances in the original framework. This comparison shows that swerve manoeuvres require less distance gap in order to reach safety from a braking agent in front of the autonomous vehicle at higher speeds. For more realistic swerve manoeuvres, the kinematic bicycle model is used rather than the 2-D double integrator model considered in RSS. An upper bound is then computed on the required clearance distance for a swerve manoeuvre that satisfies bicycle kinematics. A longitudinal safe following distance is then derived that is provably safe, and is shown to be lower than the following distance required by RSS at higher speeds. The use of the kinematic bicycle model is then validated by computing swerve manoeuvres with a dynamic single-track car model and Pacejka tire model, and comparing the single-track swerves to the bicycle swerves.


Shape-persistent conjugated macrocycles are challenging synthetic targets with interesting properties and potential for a number of applications. In contrast to the standard kinetic approaches to macrocycles, reversible Schiff-base condensation offers a one-step, thermodynamic route to large macrocycles. These macrocycles, which feature "salen"-type coordination environments and an interior that resembles a crown-ether have interesting properties themselves and are novel substrates for supramolecular chemistry. This short review article places conjugated [3+3] Schiff-base macrocycles in the context of shape-persistent macrocycles and discusses their synthesis. In addition, specific examples of supramolecular chemistry with these macrocycles highlight their unique behavior when compared to conjugated carbon-based macrocycles and flexible crown-ethers.


Abstract The current study explores the feasibility of an extensive reading programme in the context of a low-income country (Mozambique), as well as the influence of extensive reading on academic reading. The programme took over 4 months and was conducted among 30 students majoring in Journalism at the Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique in 2013. The study applied a reading comprehension pre-test and post-test design, as well as three-minute reading speed pre- and post-tests. Using SPSS statistical analysis, three paired-samples t-tests were administered and the progress from the reading speed pre-test to the post-test was found to be significant. Study results indicate that reading speed and reading comprehension are complementary abilities, since students who achieved higher reading speed also scored higher marks in the academic reading comprehension tests. Moreover, the reading comprehension results showed that extensive general reading transfers to academic reading skills. However, students' motivation to read did not show a considerable improvement. It can be concluded that an extensive reading programme is indeed feasible and desirable among Mozambican university students, but that there are still problems concerning requirements for the implementation of such extensive reading programmes.


MOST MODELS OF BIDIRECTIONAL ASSOCIATIVE MEMORIES INTEND TO ACHIEVE THAT ALL TRAINED PATTERN CORRESPOND TO STABLE STATES; HOWEVER, THIS HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE. ALSO, NONE OF THE FORMER MODELS HAS BEEN ABLE TO RECALL ALL THE TRAINED PATTERNS. IN THIS WORK WE INTRODUCE A NEW MODEL OF BIDIRECTIONAL ASSOCIATIVE MEMORY WHICH IS NOT ITERATIVE AND HAS NO STABILITY PROBLEMS. IT IS BASED ON THE ALPHA-BETA ASSOCIATIVE MEMORIES. THIS MODEL ALLOWS PERFECT RECALL OF ALL TRAINED PATTERNS, WITH NO AMBIGUITY AND NO CONDITIONS. APPLICATIONS OF ALPHA-BETA BIDIRECTIONAL ASSOCIATIVE MEMORIES AS FINGERPRINT RECOGNITION AND TRANSLATOR ARE PRESENTED.


Zirconia Toughened Alumina (ZTA) Nanocomposites were prepared using Nano sized Zirconia (ZrO2) powders doped with 3% mol of yttria (Y2O3) nanopowders. Diffusion of α-alumina (Al2O3) nanoparticles as well as yttria into the Zirconia lattice network drives monoclinic – tetragonal martensitic transformation. Zirconia toughened alumina (ZTA) composites containing different amount of partially stabilized Zirconia (PSZ) 5, 10, 15 and 20% mol, were prepared via wet mixing and axial pressing. After sintering at different temperatures,1450, 1550 and 1650 °C, phase change in the samples were monitored. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that at constant composition, tetragonal zirconia was increased by temperature increasing due to intensification of diffuse coefficient of alumina and yttria in the system. At constant temperature, remained monoclinic zirconia was increased with Zirconia content increasing.


Destination managers are investing considerable effort (i.e., time, resources, and money) to market their destinations on the Internet. In addition to official destination websites, many unofficial websites are populating the results pages of search engines, diffusing almost the same contents as official destinations websites. The aim of this study is to investigate the information market available to the traveler searching for destination-related information in the so-called online tourism space. Search engines are indexing not only official websites, but also any other websites such as blogs, review websites, wikis, reviews, etc., which are available online. Starting from a log file analysis for a given destination, a set of nine keywords was used to perform search activities on two major search engines (Google and Yahoo!). Search results were first organized and described in order to describe the destinations' information competitors. Second, a content analysis study was performed in order to examine topics and arguments of the retrieved results that are shaping the Web reputation of destinations. The article shows that unofficial sources of information are equally important with respect to officially provided information. Hence, destinations need to manage their brand and online reputation holistically by attempting to coordinate the players offering information about themselves and also amalgamating the entire range of information and service providers on platforms of experience creation.


In the field of industrial automation there is a huge demand for real time communication networks and there are several different protocols like EtherCAT, PROFINET IO, SERCOS competing each other in the market. Many of the products in this industry are subjected to hard real-time communication requirements. The purpose of this thesis is in introducing tools to automatically test the various requirements that are helpful in deciding the performance of real time communication systems. Developing a well-defined test framework is one of the important tasks in this thesis project. The end users of the test framework can focus more on managing and analyzing the results from the framework instead of the design process.The thesis work presents the test requirements, design of test system and automating the measurement process by selecting appropriate hardware. The report also explains the design of commands, method used for communication between different systems and also discusses the different methods that could be applied for measuring the performance, the limitations of some of these methods when applied to the framework. The architecture and the working of the framework is covered in later chapters. The framework uses EtherCAT master communication stack developed in-house at ABB. EtherCAT is just used as a pilot test case, but in general the framework could be applied to other Ethernet based industrial communication protocols with suitable hardware or software modifications.


Nanometer-sized particles possess characteristic physical and chemical properties different from those of bulk materials due to an increase in surface-to-volume ratios as well as of confinement of electrons, excitons, and photons into small volumes. Therefore it is worthwhile to discuss the thermal behaviours of powders constituted by nanometer-sized particles. The heat transfer in the powder composed of nanoparticles is experimentally investigated in this paper. The understanding for thermal properties of the powder is advantageous to the advancement of the processing technologies such as laser cladding, laser sintering, powder metallurgy and its other applications. The powder is wrapped up in the slender tube made of insulating material. One end of the slender tube filled with powder is maintained at temperature 0°C and the other end is kept at room temperature. The temperature histories at two different locations in the slender tube are recorded using thermal couples. The results show that the thermal diffusivity in the powder composed of nanoparticles is larger than that in bulk material. The pressure on the Al powders enhances the rate of heat transport due to the increase of contact area for thermal conduction.