Recently, the electronic field develop rapidly especially in creating robotic. Many competitions have conducted to compare technology, from hobbies until robotic industries are never bored to talk. Industrially, automotive robotic needed in order to make the work more efficient, then it save cost of a production. Automotive robotic used also in entering dangerous area, that there is unable to handle by human for safety reason.In this paper, there are two automotive robotic that created, which able to follow line and stop when it detects any obstruction at front side. This robotic designed by Microcontroller AT89551, ultrasonic sensor as obstruction detector and  it also have four infrared and photodiode sensors as line detector which through by feet. Automotive robotic will run following designed line, if there is any obstruction then it will stop as long as those obstructions are there and it run again if the ultrasonic sensor do not detect obstruction anymore. By regulating PWM signal (Pulse Width Modulation) from microcontroller, then the automotive robotic can walk straightly, turn and will stop if there are any obstruction detected.From the experiment and test  which performed, robot is able to pass the turn with 60 cm of diameter, while  for movement fork  it is only perform straightly and stopped, exactly if robot finding the obstruction it can stoped in the distance 40 cm. It shows that there is lack of sensor, which used in designing, then for particular fork, robotic is only able to stop and walk straightly. Keywords: Microcontroller AT89S51, Lines Follower, Obstruction Detector


In the present study, based upon their total serum bilirubin values ranging from 0.3-30.8 mg/dl, 47 patients visiting OPD and IPD of HIMS were divided into five groups. Their serum creatinine levels were estimated by the Jaffe's and the Enzymatic methods. Total serum bilirubin concentration was estimated by the timed endpoint Diazo method. Results obtained during the studies revealed that in all the five groups, estimation of serum creatinine by the Jaffe's method always gave significantly higher values (p< 0.01) as compared to their estimated values by the Enzymatic method at the identical serum bilirubin concentrations. The differences in the mean values of serum creatinine obtained between the two methods were found to significantly increase with the increase in the serum total bilirubin concentrations. At serum total bilirubin concentration of < 2.0 and >20.0 mg/dl, the mean differences between the Jaffe's and Enzymatic methods were found to be 0.2206  0.0508 and 0.6786  0.0530 mg/dl respectively, resulting in an approximately three-fold increase in the difference in the estimated serum creatinine concentration by the two methods. The highly significant enhancement in the differences in the estimated values of serum creatinine, between the Jaffe's and the Enzymatic method, with an increase in serum bilirubin concentrations, are attributed to the negative and positive interference in creatinine estimation caused by lower and higher concentrations of total serum bilirubin respectively.


Given a hypergraph H = (V, E), a coloring of its vertices is said to be conflict-free if for every hyperedge S \in E there is at least one vertex in S whose color is distinct from the colors of all other vertices in S. The discrete interval hypergraph Hn is the hypergraph with vertex set {1,...,n} and hyperedge set the family of all subsets of consecutive integers in {1,...,n}. We provide a polynomial time algorithm for conflict-free coloring any subhypergraph of Hn, we show that the algorithm has approximation ratio 2, and we prove that our analysis is tight, i.e., there is a subhypergraph for which the algorithm computes a solution which uses twice the number of colors of the optimal solution. We also show that the problem of deciding whether a given subhypergraph of Hn can be colored with at most k colors has a quasipolynomial time algorithm.


Bacterial infections in medical devices and drug resistance of bacteria can cause chaos in the world due to loss of lives in addition to the cost of device revisions, quarantine, disinfection of infected areas, and patient treatment. Antibacterial coatings of essential oils on medical devices can prevent bacterial attachment and reduce costs. Linalool is an antibacterial constituent of essential oils. Herein, we examine for the first time the fabrication and characterization of radio frequency (RF) plasma polymerized hydrophilic thin films from linalool (ppLin) by varying deposition parameters (RF power and deposition time) and the behavior of ppLin with two bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) commonly related to microbial contamination of medical devices. While a dramatic reduction in E. coli and S. aureus attachment was observed on ppLin films, their hydrophilic surface was also bactericidal to S. aureus. Additionally, ppLin films were shown to be adherent and noncytotoxic to human fibroblast cells. ppLin can be potentially integrated into medical and other clinical devices as a promising low-cost biocompatible antimicrobial coating.


Diamond pad conditioner or dresser can determine the efficiency of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) processes and the quality of polished wafers. Conventional diamond pad conditioners are made by adhering discrete diamond grits on a flat substrate. The size distribution of diamond grits coupled with the deformation of the substrate often make the tips of diamond grits lying at different heights. Instead of attaching individual diamond grits to a metal substrate, a revolutionary design of pad conditioners is based on carving a structure out of sintered polycrystalline diamond (PCD) matrix. The PCD dresser is manufactured by wire electro discharge machining to form cutting pyramids of a specific size with a designed shape. The dressing characteristics of pad surface textures are studied by comparison with conventional diamond pad conditioner. Experimental results indicate that the PCD dresser can dress asperities of the pad more uniformly than the conventional diamond dresser due to PCD dresser having identically shaped tip and the same height diamond. In addition the cutting rate of PCD dresser for IC1000 pad not only is reduced by about 30% but also it can dress pad more effectively than conventional diamond dresser.


Attempts to reform planning systems often draw into question the attitudes and commitments of the planners charged with realising change. Since 2001 the English planning system has been subject to a complex series of reforms designed to modernise its workings. Central to this have been calls for a culture change, focusing on professional planners in the public sector. The discourse of culture change is rooted in the managerialist thinking that has been central to long-term processes of state restructuring. Du Gay describes this as a project designed to change the identities of public servants. This article therefore explores the messy ways in which reform has sought to re-regulate the identities of English planners, and the response from planners themselves as they have begun to negotiate these changes to their identities and practices. It is argued that attentiveness to the lived experience of change can help to inform a more critical and nuanced account of the normative promises of planning reform.


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In this paper, we propose a reduced complexity parallel least mean square structure (RC-pLMS) for adaptive beamforming and its pipelined hardware implementation. RC-pLMS is formed by two least mean square (LMS) stages operating in parallel (pLMS), where the overall error signal is derived as a combination of individual stage errors. The pLMS is further simplified to remove the second independent set of weights resulting in a reduced complexity pLMS (RC-pLMS) design. In order to obtain a pipelined hardware architecture of our proposed RC-pLMS algorithm, we applied the delay and sum relaxation technique (DRC-pLMS). Convergence, stability and quantization effect analysis are performed to determine the upper bound of the step size and assess the behavior of the system. Computer simulations demonstrate the outstanding performance of the proposed RC-pLMS in providing accelerated convergence and reduced error floor while preserving a LMS identical $O(N)$ complexity, for an antenna array of $N$ elements. Synthesis and implementation results show that the proposed design achieves a significant increase in the maximum operating frequency over other variants with minimal resource usage. Additionally, the resulting beam radiation pattern show that the finite precision DRC-pLMS implementation presents similar behavior of the infinite precision theoretical results.


Crystal (2001: 47–48) has suggested the [text-based] language of the internet, including MOO (Multi-User Domain Object Oriented)-discourse, is "a new species of communication" that is "more than an aggregate of spoken and written features". Since some researchers and teachers (e.g., Chun, 1998) believe learners' spoken performance in L2 (the target language) to have been enhanced by using synchronous text interaction, we have been engaged in analysing and describing MOO-discourse corpora according to "written" versus "oral" linguistic indicators in an attempt to address the question as to whether MOO can really be considered an appropriate rehearsal arena for face-to-face interaction. As reported elsewhere (Weininger & Shield, 2001), our analysis of NS (native speaker) MOO-discourse has suggested that while this may be classified as 'written speech', the discourse model advanced by Koch and Oesterreicher (1994), which places MOO-discourse towards the 'proximate' end of a continuum ranging from language of proximity to language of distance (where these concepts replace the problematic labels of 'oral' and 'written' language) seems to offer a more appropriate description. This model defines discourse of any sort in terms of its linguistic content and the context of its communication setting, rather than merely by the medium employed. In this paper, we apply discourse analysis techniques and word frequency counts to samples of NNS (non-native speaker) MOO-discourse and compare the results with those of our earlier analyses of NS MOO-discourse to find out if online learner language complies with NS usage. We compare teacher-led with teacherless NNS MOO-discourse, asking whether there is any evidence of variation according to situation and context. Returning to the question of the efficacy of MOO as a rehearsal arena for face-to-face interaction, we attempt to answer three questions about NNS MOO-discourse and, in conclusion, indicate areas that we believe require further investigation.


1. Sheep adipose tissue retained responsiveness to catecholamines when maintained in tissue culture for 48 h; both the rate of basal lipolysis and sensitivity to /-agonists were increased after tissue culture. 2. Tissue culture in the presence of growth hormone resulted in an increased maximum response and sensitivity to the fl-agonist isoprenaline, but had no effect on basal lipolysis. 3. Tissue culture in the presence of insulin increased the basal rate of lipolysis and increased the ratio of the rate of noradrenaline-stimulated/isoprenaline-stimulated lipolysis, indicating a decrease in the az2-adrenergic effect of noradrenaline. 4. Tissue culture in the presence of growth hormone increased ligand binding to , -adrenergic receptors. 5. Tissue culture in the absence of exogenous hormones increased ligand binding to a2-adrenergic receptors; this was prevented by actinomycin D and partly prevented by insulin. 6. These studies show that both growth hormone and insulin chronically modulate the adrenergic system of sheep adipose tissue; the effects of growth hormone are primarily on the fi-adrenergic system, whereas insulin modulates the a2-adrenergic system.


Executive Summary: A BITAG member and Internet Service Provider (ISP), Comcast, has observed large-scale Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) Reflected Amplification Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These attacks are significant and have been observed to result in tens of gigabits to over one hundred gigabits per second of SNMP traffic sent to attack targets from multiple broadband networks. These attacks have been hours long in duration, disruptive for attack targets, and very challenging for targets to mitigate. The conditions that make this attack possible exist on many types networks, regardless of access network technology (DOCSIS, DSL, fiber, etc.), and regardless of geographic location. The general conditions making this possible include: Some networks do not perform ingress filtering, which makes it possible for users of those networks to spoof packets, making it appear that the packets originated elsewhere. Networks have hosts that are infected with malware, and are under the control of bot networks. Some home gateway devices (a.k.a. routers) ship with SNMP turned on by default, using a well-known community string such as "public.�? To conduct the attack, the following steps are taken by an attacker: Initiation: An attacker sends instructions to a bot network to conduct the attack. These instructions include the bots to use to distribute the attack, the home gateways to reflect and amplify the attack, and the IP address of the attack target. Distribution: Infected hosts participating in a bot network, which happen to be located in a network that cannot or has not taken sufficient steps to prevent spoofing, receive the attack instructions. Thus, one attacker distributes the attack activity to many individual hosts. Each of the multitude of bots sends a small SNMP query to home gateway devices that are listening for particular SNMP queries on their public Internet network interface. This query is forged to make it appear that it was sent from the victim's IP address, so that all responses will be directed to the target rather than back to the bot network's hosts. Reflection: Home gateways that were listening for SNMP queries, receive the forged queries from the bot network's hosts. They then send an SNMP response to the target. Amplification: The size, in bytes, of the SNMP response is larger than the SNMP query sent by the bot network. So the bot network is able to amplify the amount of data directed at the attack target, compared to a smaller amount of data sent by the bot network. Device makers as well as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and Application Service Providers (ASPs) should be aware of this issue and may need to consider a range of potential network management or other responses. The recommendations of the BITAG include: End-user devices should not be configured with SNMP on by default. End-user devices should not be routinely configured with the "public�? SNMP community string. ISPs, ASPs, and other network or systems administrators should not routinely use the "public�? SNMP community string on an unsecured basis. Users should be allowed and encouraged to disable SNMP. ISPs should take reasonable steps to prevent address spoofing. ISPs may implement appropriately targeted filtering/blocking of SNMP traffic. ISPs should be transparent with respect to network management policies that may impact SNMP traffic. ISPs should provide mechanisms to re-enable SNMP on a case-by-case basis. ISPs and attack targets should be willing to share relevant and non-proprietary information related to SNMP-based attacks with appropriate communities.


A direct current motor servo system was designed using FPGA as the core microprocessor in this paper. Feedforward-feedback control algorithm was adopted and the fuzzy-PID was taken as the control algorithm of feedback. The position loop, velocity loop and current loop control in the system improved both the dynamic performance and the static characteristic. The feedforward and PID control algorithm were achieved by DSP Builder, and simulated in MATLAB Simulink. The whole system's analysis, synthesis, simulation and configuration were completed by Quartus II. Finally, application in DC motor servo system indicates that this method improves the system responding speed, and the tracking precision.


Drift is the process by which gene frequency changes erratically in a population. Random sampling of gametes at reproduction is the main cause of drift, and therefore the population size of a species is most important, that is often measured by the effective size. Homozygosity and inbreeding may increase by drift. The significance of drift has become clear in studies of population genetics and evolution at the molecular level by the expansion of genome data. The effects of drift are estimated by statistical analyses of molecular data on polymorphisms and divergence among related species. In particular, the interplay of drift and selection is most important in understanding the evolution of interaction systems at various levels. Epigenetic mechanisms have significant influences on the interplay. Drift, selection, environmental factors, and epigenetics are thought to work together here.

Key Concepts:

Random sampling of gametes at reproduction is the major cause of drift in a finite population.

Interplay of drift and selection is essential for evolution of complex systems, and the two become inseparable.

Robust genetic systems enhance the effects of drift.

Epigenetics gives opportunities for drift and selection to respond to environmental changes.

Keywords:

stochastic process;
selective neutrality and near-neutrality;
effective population size;
interplay of drift and selection;
evolution of complex systems


A significant proportion of cord blood CD5+ B cells express the activation molecules CD23, CD25, and transferrin receptor; react with the cell-cycle-associated monoclonal antibody (MoAb) Ki67; can be induced to enter the S phase of cell cycle by interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, or low-molecular-weight B-cell growth factor (Imw-BCGF) and, exposed to IL-1 and IL-2, acquire the features (sIgD-, CD5-, CD10+, CD38+) of B blasts proliferating in the germinal centers of secondary follicles. These findings indicate that CD5+ B cells are preactivated and, in the proper microenvironment, may give rise to CD5- B cells.


This study examined the species composition of 47 paired stands on submesic sites on the Appalachian Plateau of West Virginia. Paired stands consisted of a mature stand adjacent to a young clearcut that was < 20 years old. The species composition in the mature stands was compared to that of the upper canopy (dominant and codominant) in the clearcuts. The objective of this comparison was to determine if there was evidence of potentially lasting shifts in species composition resulting from clearcutting. This objective was addressed through three research questions related to common regeneration concerns in the region: (1) is there evidence of a shift towards more mesophytic species? (2) Is there evidence of an increase in red maple (Acer rubrum L.); and (3) is there evidence of a decrease in oak (Quercus spp.)? There were significant differences in species composition between the clearcuts and mature stands. These differences were largely due to increases in fast-growing, shade-intolerant pioneer species {e.g., black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.), pin cherry (Prunus pensylvanica L.), sassafras [Sassafras albidum (Nutt.) Nees], etc.}, black cherry (Prunus serotina Ehrh.), and yellow-poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera L.). Significant differences were not found for mesophytic species, red maple, or oaks. The results of this comparison suggest that future species composition of the young clearcuts may differ only slightly from previous rotations.


Residual stress relaxation of butt-welded small scale steel specimens under static and cyclic mechanical loading was investigated. The experiments were carried out on different types of steel with yield strengths between 300 and 1200MPa. The x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques were applied for the residual stresses analysis. The maximum values of initial residual stresses were measured at the weld bead centerline and were not as frequently assumed as high as the yield strength of the material. From fatigue point of view the internal stresses at the weld toe are of importance. It was observed that only a fraction of maximum residual stress accommodated in the weld bead centerline, is available at the weld toe. Under static tensile and compressive loading by increasing the load level the residual stress field relaxes continuously. The relaxation sets in with delay under compression since the tensile residual stresses should be first overcome. Under cyclic loading, once the first relaxation takes place further cyclic relaxation is either not considerable or continues moderately depending on loading conditions. In high cycle fatigue the residual stresses are stable until 2x106 cycles. In low cycle fatigue however the variation of the residual stresses continues until failure. This variation is partly related to crack initiation and propagation. The von Misses failure criterion with the local yield strength as material resistance against plastic deformation was able to describe the relaxation of surface welding residual stresses in low cycle fatigue.


[© Brookings Institution] This paper summarizes and evaluates the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act. Enacted in 2001, EGTRRA is the biggest tax cut in 20 years, and features income tax rate cuts, new targeted incentives and estate tax repeal. Our central conclusions are that EGTRRA will reduce the size of the future economy, raise interest rates, make taxes more regressive, increase tax complexity, and prove fiscally unsustainable.


This manuscript reports a combination of crystallographic analysis (Cambridge Structural Database) and theoretical DFT calculations in chalcogen bonding interactions involving radicals in both the Ch bond (ChB) donor and acceptor. As a radical ChB acceptor (nucleophile) we have used benzodithiazolyl radical (BDTA) and as Ch bond donors (electrophile) we have used dithiadiazolyl and diselenadiazolyl radicals of the general formula p-X-C6F4-CNChChN (Ch = S, and Se). We have evaluated how the para substituent (X) affects the interaction energy, spin density and charge/spin transfer from the electron rich BDTA radical to the electron poor dichalcogenadiazolyl ring. The ability of the latter rings to form ChBs in the solid state has been examined by a comprehensive search in the CSD; several cases are used to exemplify the preferred geometric features of the complexes and they are compared with the theory. The molecular surface electrostatic potentials calculated for these ChB donors allow for a very precise rationalization of the self-assembly motifs most frequently adopted in the crystalline state and of their relative robustness.


Many research findings about animal play apply to children's play, revealing structural and functional similarities with mammals in general and primates in particular. After an introduction to life-history theory, and before turning to humans, the author reviews research about the two mammals in which play has been studied the most extensively: laboratory rats and monkeys. He looks at the development of play, deprivation studies, gender segregation, and the functions of gender-differentiated forms of play. The gender segregation and sex differences in play parenting and rough-and-tumble play observed in many primates are also evident in children. Vigorous social-play benefits all children physically by developing strong bones and muscles, by promoting cardiovascular fitness, and by encouraging exercise habits that help prevent obesity. Unsupervised play also helps hone the skills of communication, perspective taking, and emotion regulation. For boys especially, rough-and-tumble play in early childhood provides a scaffold for learning emotion-regulation skills related to managing anger and aggression.


Genetic factors contribute to the risk for developing alcohol use disorder (AUD). In collaboration with the genetics company 23andMe, Inc., we performed a genome-wide association (GWAS) study of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT), an instrument designed to screen for alcohol misuse over the past year. Our final sample consisted of 20,328 research participants of European ancestry (55.3% females; mean age = 53.8, SD = 16.1) who reported ever using alcohol. Our results showed that the 'chip-heritability' of AUDIT score, when treated as a continuous phenotype, was 12%. No loci reached genome-wide significance. The gene ADH1C, which has been previously implicated in AUD, was among our most significant associations (4.4 × 10−7; rs141973904). We also detected a suggestive association on chromosome 1 (2.1 × 10−7; rs182344113) near the gene KCNJ9, which has been implicated in mouse models of high ethanol drinking. Using LD score regression, we identified positive genetic correlations between AUDIT score and AUD, high alcohol consumption, and cigarette smoking. We also observed an unexpected positive genetic correlation between AUDIT and educational attainment, and additional unexpected negative correlations with BMI/obesity and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). We conclude that conducting a genetic study using data from a population unselected for AUD and responding to an online questionnaire may represent a cost-effective strategy for elucidating the etiology of AUD.


Clear cell sarcoma of the kidney (CCSK) is the second most common renal malignancy in children. The prognosis is poorer in CCSK than in Wilms' tumor, and multimodal treatment including surgery, intensive chemotherapy, and radiation is required to improve the outcome for children with CCSK. Histological evaluation is required for the diagnosis. However, biopsies of tumors to obtain diagnostic specimens are not routinely performed because of the risk of spreading tumor cells during the procedure. Recently, internal tandem duplication (ITD) of BCOR has been recognized as a genetic hallmark of CCSK. We herein established a novel BCOR‐ITD‐specific polymerase chain reaction method with well‐designed primers, and then performed a liquid biopsy for cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) obtained from plasma of three children with nonmetastatic renal tumors (stage II) and from one control. BCOR‐ITD was positively detected in the cfDNA of two cases, both of which were later diagnosed as CCSK based on histological feature of the resected tumor specimen, while it was not detected for a normal control and a patient diagnosed with Wilms' tumor. Our study is the first one of preoperative circulating tumor DNA assay in pediatric renal tumors. The liquid biopsy method enables less invasive, preoperative diagnosis of CCSK with no risk of tumor spillage, which can avoid iatrogenic upstaging.


This paper presents planning models for hybrid distributed generation systems, as well as the results corresponding to a distribution system planning problem obtained using a new computational tool based on a Geographic Information System, GIS. This computational tool is a powerful instrument for analyzing energy resources and energy conversion technologies that can be used for the distribution networks expansion. It has been used in the economic evaluation of energy produced by hybrid systems. Thus, suitable models and techniques have initially been applied to obtain maps of solar and wind energy resources in a user defined area and maps of costs for hybrid systems, identifying the geographical locations that offer the best economic potential in distributed generation with renewable hybrid systems, supported (or not) with fuel to supply internal-combustion electric generators. Accurate evaluations of the cost of the produced energy need the use of geographic distributed costs corresponding to refuelling, installation and maintenance of the hybrid system. The developed software tool is flexible, appropriate for studying different scenarios, and enables geographical analysis of the economic competitiveness of the hybrid systems with different distributed generation resources (photovoltaic, wind, hydraulic or biomass energy systems), and it is suitable to study the optimal expansion of existing power distribution networks (isolated hybrid systems versus connected ones).


Dietary marine lipids reduce both mortality and the severity of glomerulonephritis in inbred murine strains which develop spontaneous autoimmune disease. The protective effects of marine lipids appears to be accounted for by the major n-3 fatty acids in these preparations, 20:5 and 22:6. The n-3 fatty acids in dietary fish oil are extensively incorporated into several lipid classes in the spleen of autoimmune mice, including phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylethanolamine, plasmalogens and saturated ether-linked phospholipids as well as diacylphosphoglycerides. The effects of dietary marine lipids on autoimmune disease in experimental models are highly specific. Careful controlled trials will be required to establish the role of dietary marine lipids in the therapy of human autoimmune disease.


Resonant photoemission involving dissociative core excited states has been the subject of a great number of experimental and theoretical investigations in recent time. The resonant decay of such dissociating systems has been shown to lead to semiatomic Auger electron emission spectra, with particular angular behavior. In the present paper a detailed theoretical analysis of dissociative resonant photoemission spectra of homonuclear diatomic molecules is presented. The theory addresses both fixed in space and randomly oriented homonuclear molecules and emphasizes the Doppler effect and the role of the interference between channels referring to the Doppler split atomic fragments. It is shown that peaks originating from decay in the atomic fragments can be asymmetric and structured due to the Doppler interference effect. The predicted strong non-Lorentzian behavior of the substructure on the top of the Doppler broadened atomiclike contribution is traced to the interplay between decay channels leading to gerade and ungerade final states. Simulations based on wave-packet theory are compared with experimental data for molecular oxygen. Our numerical simulations of the atomiclike resonance of fixed in space molecules show that the spectral profile is very sensitive to the shape of interatomic potentials of core excited and final states. It is shown that the Doppler effect in the decay spectra depends upon the symmetry of the core excited state.


After the destructive earthquake, it is urgent that the damaged houses, infrastructure and industrial projects and other related equipment and facilities are to be rehabilitated and restored. How to carry out reconstruction investment plans of various sectors became a major concern to the government. To meet the needs of rapid recovery of production and life in affected areas, the method based on BP neural network is proposed to estimate the post-earthquake rehabilitation cost of industrial, agricultural and service projects. That method considers the macro-economic characteristics of every damaged area. It can provide some guidance for the government that need to make decisions of post-earthquake recovery and reconstruction plans.


Abstract Michael Oakeshott's distinction between the practical and the historical past has been the focus of much discussion in contemporary theory of history. This is primarily due to Hayden White's appeal to Oakeshott's distinction in several recent works. However, the philosophical underpinnings of Oakeshott's distinction are seldom discussed. This essay provides a philosophical elaboration and critique of both Oakeshott's distinction and White's use of it. Oakeshott's distinction is expounded as an integral part of his idealist philosophy. My contention is that in order to properly understand the distinction, we must first understand Oakeshott's theories about different modes of understanding to which different kinds of past belong. Besides comparing White and Oakeshott, this essay will also develop a critique of the distinction between history and practice. The main claim of the essay is that there are important internal connections between history and practice that Oakeshott's distinction neglects. In conclusion, I argue that the ethical and existential dimension of history can only be appreciated by dissolving Oakeshott's absolute distinction between the practical and the historical past.


BALB/c mice can be protected against a normally fatal Leishmania major infection by immunization with a partially purified, soluble subfraction of the parasite (fraction 9). In this study, we demonstrate that a T cell line established against fraction 9, designated line 9, transfers protection equivalent to that obtained by active immunization. In contrast, T cell lines (lines 1 and 9.2) responsive to a nonprotective soluble fraction (fraction 1) not only failed to protect BALB/c mice against L. major, but exacerbated the infection. Most importantly, in addition to differing in their antigen specificity, protective and exacerbative T cells lines could be distinguished on the basis of the lymphokines produced, a characteristic previously used to separate murine Th cells into two subsets, designated Th1 and Th2. We found that the protective cell line, line 9, displayed the Th1 property of secreting IL-2 and IFN- gamma, while the exacerbating lines secreted IL-4 and IL-5, a characteristic of Th2 cells. Our results demonstrate that Th1 and Th2 cells may have dramatically different effects on the outcome of an infection, and suggest that susceptibility and resistance in experimental leishmaniasis may depend upon a balance between the Th subsets induced.


Production deferment due to wellbore sanding issues is a major risk for heavy oil field development. The heavy oil reservoir in Kuwait is a multi-stacked unconsolidated formation, which is prone to sanding. Currently there are two steam flood pilots in inverted 5-spot pattern configuration with pattern areas of 5 and 10 acres. The wells were operated for two cycles of Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS), before their conversion to steam flood.
 Different Sand Control equipment is field tested in some pilot wells to optimize production in this viscous oil-saturated unconsolidated sandstone reservoir. This paper will discuss the operational challenges and the difference in the performance of cold production and after thermal CSS cycles of the installed Stand-Alone Sand Screens (SAS), which were retrofitted in the pilot wells. The mesh size of the SAS was designed based on the particle size distribution and well operating condition.
 A comprehensive reservoir and well surveillance program was conducted to monitor and gather necessary data to characterize the reservoir and well performance in the pilot wells equipped with sand control equipment. The primary objective was to determine the optimal sand control strategy, moving forward in to the commercial phase of field development.
 This paper will discuss the learnings from the pilot wells. The various SAS used were partially successful in mitigating sand production. More piloting with advanced sand controlling technologies at both laboratory and field levels may be required to reach to the optimum design for the field-specific cases.
 The well trials using SAS was mainly to assess the screens regain permeability (skin) versus crude oil production while minimizing sand movement within the wellbore. This helped to improve the artificial lift pump run life and minimize sand debris from entering the pump.


Background: Research suggests that participants do not always adequately understand studies. While some consent interventions increase understanding, methodologic challenges have been raised in studying consent outside of actual trial settings. This study examined the feasibility of testing two consent interventions in actual studies and measured effectiveness of interventions in improving understanding. Methods: Participants enrolling in any of eight ongoing clinical trials were sequentially assigned to one of three different informed consent strategies for enrollment in their clinical trial. Control participants received standard consent procedures for their trial. Participants in the first intervention arm received a bulleted fact sheet summarizing key study information. Participants in the second intervention arm received the bulleted fact sheet and also engaged in a feedback Q&A session. Later, patients answered closed- and open-ended questions to assess patient understanding and literacy. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon -Mann -Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were generated to assess correlations; regression analysis determined predictors of understanding. Results: 144 participants enrolled. Using regression analysis, participants receiving the second intervention scored 7.6 percentage points higher (p = .02) on open-ended questions about understanding than participants in the control, although unadjusted comparisons did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Our study supports the hypothesis that patients receiving both bulleted fact sheets and a Q&A session had higher understanding compared to standard consent. Fact sheets and short structured dialog are quick to administer and easy to replicate across studies and should be tested in larger samples.


The present studies were designed to test the hypothesis that changes in angiotensin II (ANG II) receptors might modulate the altered target tissue responsiveness accompanying estradiol administration. Estradiol was infused continuously in oophorectomized female rats by employing minipumps to achieve plasma estradiol levels and simulating pregnancy levels in the rat. Aldosterone was also infused in control and experimental animals to avoid estrogen-induced changes in renin and ANG II. ANG II binding constants were determined in radioreceptor assays. Estradiol increased binding site concentration in adrenal glomerulosa by 76% and decreased binding sites of uterine myometrium and glomeruli by 45 and 24%, respectively. There was an accompanying increase in the affinity of ANG II binding to adrenal glomerulosa and uterine myometrium. Because estrogen is a potent stimulus of prolactin release from the pituitary of rodents, studies were also designed to test the hypothesis that prolactin may mediate some or all of the estrogen-induced effects observed. Hypophysectomy abolished estradiol stimulation of prolactin release and most ANG II receptor changes. The only effect that persisted was a 41% decrease in the density of uterine receptors. Prolactin administration to pituitary intact rats was associated with a 50% increase in receptor density of adrenal glomerulosa simulating estradiol administration. However, the changes in glomeruli and uterine myometrium were opposite in that both tissues also increased receptor density, suggesting that prolactin was not the sole mediator of the estrogen-induced receptor changes. In conclusion, regulation of ANG II receptors in a number of diverse target tissues by estradiol is complex with contributions from estrogens and pituitary factors, which include but do not exclusively involve prolactin.


A detection scheme is described that allows one to accomplish dual-energy scanned projection digital radiography without switching the x-ray tube voltage. The method employs a high/low atomic number detector sandwich that simultaneously separates the x-ray beam transmitted by the patient into low and high energy components. To test the method, the response of a scanning linear array of energy-sensitive detectors was simulated, and bone and soft tissue images of an anthropomorphic chest phantom were obtained at 140 kVp. These were compared with similar images obtained by switching the x-ray tube voltage from 80 kVp to a heavily filtered 140 kVp. For comparable entrance skin exposures, the dual-energy detector images required a lower tube load and resulted in higher noise levels. The latter is attributable to the fact that the separation in energy between the high and low energy components is smaller with the dual-energy detector than with the voltage switching technique, and to misregistration problems associated with the simulation methodology. A detector design is also discussed that would result in improved energy separation and lower noise levels. In view of this possibility and the tube loading advantage, the method looks promising for digital scanned projection radiography.


Who provides the European Union with information? Are these sources of information biased? Who are excluded and who are included? What can the informational bias tell us about decision making in the European Union? The paper examines patterns of participation in the large and organized expert group system under the European Commission. We explore competing propositions about the character of the Commission's information system with reference to different theoretical conceptions of the role of information in decision-making. We separate between three kinds of information providers: the scientific community, societal actors and governmental officials. The empirical section of the paper builds upon a quantitative analysis of a new data set covering all of the European Commission expert groups (N=1237). Our analysis reveals that although scientists, and various interest groups, industries and NGOs play an important role in providing information to the European Commission, the informational foundation is strongly biased towards officials from the national administrations. We argue that these distinct patterns of participation increase the ability of the Commission to anticipate reactions to its proposals and initiatives.


As medical students, understanding and appreciating the diverse histories, identities, aspirations, cultures, and values of Aboriginal peoples is a crucial first step in the delivery of culturally-safe health care. Cultural immersion placements in Aboriginal communities represent one emerging initiative in helping medical students better understand how to deliver health care in culturally safe ways to and with Aboriginal peoples. Medical students across Canada would therefore be well served by the establishment (or expansion) of cultural immersion placements in partnership with Aboriginal communities through their home faculties of medicine.


This paper aims to identify trade trends for primary products from the Western Cape agricultural, forestry and fisheries sector for the period 2000 until 2008. Annual trade data was received from the South African Revenue Service (SARS). The postal code information were used to identify from which province exports were sent or for which province the imports were destined. The postal code provided is that of the exporter or importer, and thus does not reflect the final destination in South Africa of imports or the origin (province) of our exports. Traded goods are classified using the Harmonised System (HS) that is used internationally. Results indicate that in South Africa and the Western Cape, the value of total imports are more than total exports, but in the agricultural sector of both South Africa and the Western Cape exports still dominate, i.e. South Africa and the Western Cape are still net exporters of agricultural products. For the Western Cape horticultural products, especially fruits, are at the top of the list of agricultural exports. The two main export countries for horticultural products are the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Agricultural imports to the Western Cape are mostly field crops such as wheat, rice and tobacco, mainly from Argentina, Thailand and the United States of America. The values of exports and imports of fisheries and forestry from 2000 to 2008 indicate that the value of fish trade varies over time and the main trading partners also changes notable every year. The value of forestry trade is more stable than fish trade and since 2004, the main export country was Vietnam, but the United States dominates for imports. Nominal values are reported.


1. Five normal subjects were given 100 ml of aluminium hydroxide gel per day for 28 days. 2. The phosphorus balance became more positive in one subject, less negative in two and changed from negative to positive in the other two subjects. This was accompanied by a rise in the concentration of the fasting morning plasma phosphorus. Calcium balance did not change. 3. The normal subjects absorbed 0-3-3-6 mmol of aluminium/day, which is significantly less than that absorbed by five patients with chronic renal failure, three of whom were studied before, and two after, the observations on the normal subjects had been completed. 4. In a further five normal subjects on 100 ml of aluminium hydroxide gel/day the 08.00 hours concentration of plasma phosphorus did not fall, though there was a fall at 11.00, 14.00 and 17.00 hours.


Central catadioptric omnidirectional images exhibit serious nonlinear distortions due to quadratic mirrors involved. Conventional visual features developed based on the perspective model are hard to achieve a satisfactory performance when directly applied to the distorted omnidirectional image. This paper presents a parameterized neighborhood model to efficiently calculate the adaptive neighborhood of an object based on the measurable radial distance in image plane. On the basis of the parameterized neighborhood model, a distortion invariant joint-feature framework implemented with contour-color fragment mixture model of Gaussian is proposed for visual tracking in catadioptric omnidirectional camera system. Under the framework of Gaussian Mixture Model, the problem of feature matching is converted into feature clustering. A weight contribution mechanism is presented to flexibly weight the fragments based on their responses, which makes the system robustly guided by limited visible fragments even when serious partial occlusion happens. The experiments validate the performance of the proposed algorithm.


This paper describes several practical aspects of shielding provided by openings such as ventilation vents acting as waveguides. Fundamental properties of electromagnetic waves in the interior of a hollow conducting cylindrical tube are presented. Then the guidelines for oscillator's design and harmonic generation by nonlinearities are presented. A consequent wideband setup having low cost and common devices as well as high dynamic range is proposed to perform reliable measurements from 50 MHz to 1.5 GHz. Measurements of circular cylindrical waveguide effectiveness point out the simplicity of the systematic procedure and illustrate the effects of apertures on shielding walls. Shielding loss achieved by these apertures at frequencies below cutoff allows engineers to gain more insight into analysis and design of shields with intentional discontinuities used to exclude and to confine electromagnetic interference.


Solving linear regression problems based on the total least-squares (TLS) criterion has well-documented merits in various applications, where perturbations appear both in the data vector as well as in the regression matrix. However, existing TLS approaches do not account for sparsity possibly present in the unknown vector of regression coefficients. On the other hand, sparsity is the key attribute exploited by modern compressive sampling and variable selection approaches to linear regression, which include noise in the data, but do not account for perturbations in the regression matrix. The present paper fills this gap by formulating and solving (regularized) TLS optimization problems under sparsity constraints. Near-optimum and reduced-complexity suboptimum sparse (S-) TLS algorithms are developed to address the perturbed compressive sampling (and the related dictionary learning) challenge, when there is a mismatch between the true and adopted bases over which the unknown vector is sparse. The novel S-TLS schemes also allow for perturbations in the regression matrix of the least-absolute selection and shrinkage selection operator (Lasso), and endow TLS approaches with ability to cope with sparse, under-determined "errors-in-variables" models. Interesting generalizations can further exploit prior knowledge on the perturbations to obtain novel weighted and structured S-TLS solvers. Analysis and simulations demonstrate the practical impact of S-TLS in calibrating the mismatch effects of contemporary grid-based approaches to cognitive radio sensing, and robust direction-of-arrival estimation using antenna arrays.


A new ligand was synthesized from condensation of 2-aminophenol and 2-acetylbenzimidazole. This ligand (HAPAB, 6) was characterized based on elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR and MS spectral spectra. The complexes of the ligands, HAPAB (6) and 2-acetylfruan benzoylhydrazone (HAFBH, 3), with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), encoded a-d, were prepared by reaction of their methanolic acetate salts with the ligands in methanol in 1:2 metal to ligand mole ratio. These complexes, M(II)L2, 7a-d and 8a-d, were similarly characterized based on their physicochemical data by elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR, MS, molar conductance and electronic absorption spectra. The complexes consist of two ligands that give six coordinate bonding to each metal ion on a meridional plane through binding with the acetylfuran-O, the azomethine-N and the oxygen donor atom in the enol form of the hydrazone 3 and the 2-acetylbenzimidazole-N, the azomethine-N, and the phenoxo-O atoms of the imine 6 respectively. The ligands function as monobasic ONO- and NNO-trifunctional donor ligands where the deprotonated enolic form is preferred in the coordination producing distorted octahedral complexes. Key words: metal (II) complexes, Schiff bases, NNO-tridentate ligand, ONO-tridentate ligand


OCEARCH is a recognized world leader in generating important scientific data about shark species in an attempt to address the globally limited understanding of such species. These species include, amongst others, the IUCN vulnerable white sharks. During the expeditions, sharks are caught, restrained, and supplied with water to assure the flow of oxygen while data are collected within 15 min, whereafter the shark is released unharmed. Within the period from March through May 2012, such an expedition took place along the south and west coasts of South Africa. As part of this expedition copepods were collected from the external surfaces of the captured sharks. They were fixed and preserved in 70% ethanol and examined using microscopes. The copepods recovered represented seven species with the majority of individuals assigned to the Pandaridae and Dichelesthiidae, while only two specimens representing Caligidae.


Existing processes for patients' vital data collectionrequire a great deal of labour work to collect, input and analyze the information. These processes are usually slow and error-prone, introducing a latency that prevents real-time data accessibility. This scenario restrains the clinical diagnostics and monitoring capabilities. We propose a solution to automate this process by using "sensors" attached to existing medical equipments that are inter-connected to exchange service. The proposal is based on the concepts of utility computing and wireless sensor networks. The information becomes available in the "cloud" from where it can be processed by expert systems and/or distributed to medical staff. The proof-ofconcept design applies commodity computing integrated to legacy medical devices, ensuring cost-effectiveness and simple integration.


Residential burglaries are increasing. By visualizing patterns as spatial hotspots, law-enforcement agents can get a better understanding of crime distributions and trends. Two aspects are investigated, first, measuring the accuracy and performance of the KDE algorithm using small data sets. Secondly, investigation of the amount of crime data needed to compute accurate and reliable hotspots. The Prediction Accuracy Index is used to effectively measure the accuracy of the algorithm. The data from three geographical areas in Sweden, including Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö are analyzed and evaluated over a one year. The results suggest that the usage of the KDE algorithm to predict residential burglaries performs well overall when having access to enough crimes, but is capable with small data sets as well.


Aim: To assess whether the application of an alternative court model with fixed teams of lawyers operating on a rolling basis in the NSW District Criminal Court resulted in greater efficiency in the resolution of indictable criminal matters relative to the regular operation of the NSW District Court, and to identify the successful elements and mechanisms of the Rolling List Court (RLC) model. Method: A randomised controlled trial was conducted in the NSW District Criminal Court (NSW DCC), where eligible matters were balloted with 50:50 odds to the RLC or the general list of the NSW DCC. The proportion of early guilty pleas relative to late guilty pleas, trials reaching a verdict and no-bills were compared between the courts, and survival analysis was used to analyse the time taken to reach a guilty plea and to finalise matters in both courts. Stakeholder interviews were conducted to identify the key mechanisms behind the RLC, as well as any other benefits or drawbacks of the model. Results: More than half (58.0 %) of the matters balloted to the RLC resolved in a guilty plea before the trial date, compared to 22.0 per cent of the matters randomised to the general list of the NSW DCC. There were marked improvements in the average time taken to reach a guilty plea (t=-3.43; p-value<.001), to list matters for trial (t=-5.14; p-value<.001) and to finalise matters (t=-3.93; p-value<.001) in the RLC. Further evidence of faster resolution in the RLC was found through survival analyses of the time taken to reach a guilty plea (HR=1.73; 95% CI (1.08, 2.78); p-value=.023) and to finalise matters (HR=1.90; 95% CI (1.29, 2.79); p-value=.001). Stakeholders interviewed indicated that early briefing and negotiation was crucial to obtaining earlier guilty pleas, and further benefits to efficiency arose from the fixed-team composition of the court. Conclusion: The RLC proved effective at obtaining early guilty pleas and reducing delay in the processing of indictable criminal matters. The findings suggest that efforts to introduce some elements of the RLC, such as early briefing of practitioners and pre-trial negotiations, could have benefits for the NSW DCC's efficiency.


: Arrangement of repetitive and single copy DNA sequences in the DNA of 8 Echinodermata species (sea urchins, starfishes and sea-cucumber) has been studied. Comparison of the reassociation kinetics of short and long DNA fragments assayed by hydroxyapatite binding indicates that the pattern of DNA sequence organization of all these species is similar to the so called Xenopus pattern found in genomes of most animals and plants. Interspecies differences consist mainly in the quantities of sequences of various repetition degrees and their interspersion with each other and with single copy sequences. Measurements of the size of S1 nuclease resistant reassociated repetitive sequences show variability in the relative quantities of long and short repetitive sequences of different species. Difference in the arrangement of single copy and repetitive sequences between Echinodermata species are not related to their evolutionary proximity.


Blends of alternating 'push–pull' donor/acceptor (d/a) co-polymers with soluble fullerenes as active materials have shown promise for increasing power conversion efficiencies in organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices. We investigate morphology-dependent optical and electronic properties of poly[2,6-(4,4-bis-(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-cyclopenta[2,1-b;3,4-b′]dithiophene)-alt-4,7(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole)] (PCPDTBT) blended with [6,6]-phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) using electronic absorption and resonance Raman spectroscopies. Selective resonance excitation spanning the entire PCPDTBT absorption envelope (∼400–900 nm) was used to probe via Raman spectroscopy the degree of composition- and conformation-dependent charge transfer character along the polymer backbone. Raman intensities of characteristic PCPDTBT backbone donor/acceptor moieties vary with excitation wavelength. We perform density functional theory (DFT) calculations to assign Raman-active vibrational modes and correlate polymer backbone conformations to the degree of intra-chain donor/acceptor charge transfer character. We find the best agreement between experimental and simulated spectra for planarized PCPDTBT backbone consistent with strong charge transfer character along the backbone, which also gives rise to a new red-shifted absorption band appearing in PCBM blends. Resonance Raman and photocurrent imaging experiments were next used to spatially map morphology-dependent vibrational signatures of PCPDTBT donor/acceptor moieties within functioning solar cell devices. Solvent additives were applied using 1,8 octanedithiol (ODT) to modify PCPDTBT:PCBM morphologies and compared to as-cast blends. Raman and photocurrent images indicate a well-mixed morphology that we propose induces planarization of the PCPDTBT backbone.


The Voice Harvester is an exploratory interactive installation that embodies human voice in physical materials. Sound input is processed, amplified and transmitted through audio drivers connected to a thin, flexible membrane that agitates the material on it. The title "Voice Harvester" is derived from the original design brief, which called for an object able to elicit non-linguistic, expressive, and naturalistic human vocal sounds to explore the full range of capability of the human voice through use of a novel, playful, and embodied interaction. This paper describes the intention, design process, construction, technical details, interaction, and planned/potential uses of this design exploration.


The aim of this research is to experimentally study the effect of strengthening aluminum scrap by iron powder in order to achieve better mechanical properties. Aluminum scrap is melted in a heated furnace to form a melt composition. The melt is adjusted to form the present composition, consisting essentially of iron, 1,2,3 and 5 wt%. The alloys were made by melting scrap aluminum using an induction furnace, and then iron powder was added to the melt. The composition is then casted into steel moulds to be later machined to produce tensile tests specimens. The mechanical and metallurgical characteristics of the fabricated alloys were studied through optical, Hardness survey, and tensile testing. Superior properties were obviously manifested in the cast aluminum with 1 wt% iron addition. Ultimate tensile strength and elongation to fracture and Vickers hardness were all increased by 72 %, 60%, and 7% respectively.


Over the past several decades, motherhood has gained a heightened visibility in U.S. popular culture. A combination of disparate phenomenon - the increased media coverage of celebrity moms, the development of targeted marketing strategies, the appearance of "mommy lit" and "mommy memoirs," the prominence of mama bloggers in cyberspace, and the growing political advocacy of mother's rights - has propelled increasing numbers of images of motherhood, as well as mothers' voices, into the public sphere. Many of the books, magazines, essays, websites, and blogs penned by mothers have reflected the full complexity of mothers 'lives and experiences, thus challenging cultural narratives about what it means to be a "good" mother (Hewett 2006a, 2006b). Yet despite this outpouring, and despite evidence of a growing diversity among the mothers who are writing and speaking, few if any of these narratives reflect the experiences of immigrant mothers. During the same period of time, quite a few negative images of immigrants have surfaced. These images have a longer history; as scholars such as Leo Chavez (2001, 2007) and Katrina Irving (2000) argue, racist images of, and mythologies about, immigrants have circulated throughout the twentieth century. The 1980s and 1990s have been marked by the flourishing of a "new nativism" movement that has publicly voiced multiple objections to immigration, particularly from Latin America (Perea 1997; Chavez 1997). This recent surge of anti- immigration sentiment has focused on immigrant women's bodies, most of all those of Mexican immigrant women (Chavez 1997, 2007). The resulting narratives in the popular media portray immigrant women (particularly their reproductive rates) as posing "serious threats to the nation" (Chavez 2007, 87) - a nation that continues to be defined by Anglos, its "legitimate" citizens (88). Chavez (2007) further observes that anti -immigrant discourses and images do not simply remain in the popular realm but can have real political consequences. Indeed, since 9/11, increased consciousness about national security has led to stepped-up deportations, increased workplace raids, increased border security, the construction of hundreds of miles of a border wall, the confinement of undocumented immigrants in detention centers, the separation of families, and incidents of human rights violations. Given this hostile climate, one can understand the obstacles preventing immigrant mothers from sharing their stories - as well as the need for them. One exception to this silence lies in the ongoing research by a group of feminist social scientists studying gender and migration, who not only have begun to analyze and theorize the experiences of immigrant women but also have started to collect personal narratives from many of their subjects. Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo and Ernestine Avila (2007) identified the increasing phenomenon of "transnational motherhood," the practice of mothers living and working in different countries from those of their children, thus resulting in a "care deficit" in many third world/global South nations (Ehrenreich and Hochschild 2003, 8). These scholars are examining the impact of transnational mothering on families as well as on mothers themselves, asking whether the practice of taking on new duties as breadwinners enables immigrant mothers to break free of oppressive ideologies of motherhood - or whether gendered ideologies remain rigid and unforgiving, demanding performances of "supermothering" across the borders of time and space (Parrenas 2005, 103). As a feminist literary critic, I have found much of this research instructive and useful. Indeed, the insights provided by social science, on the one hand, and cultural productions such as literature and film, on the other, can prove quite illuminating when considered together. Literary studies reminds us that creative texts do not provide transparent windows onto the world, but rather individually crafted frames that require us to ask questions about issues of representation and interpretation - to think about how we see in addition to what we see. …


This study was undertaken to assess the potentials of the extract from Neem plant leaves, Melia azadirachta, as a potential intervention against coccidiosis. The extract concentrations used were 15% for Treatment 1, 20% for Treatment 2, 5.0% for Treatment 3 and 0.5% which was used as control for Treatment 4. A total of 48 Anak broilers, raised from day old in deep litter were used for the study. The birds came down at three weeks of age with a mixed infection of coccidiosis. Thereafter, the birds were divided into four (4) groups of 12 birds each. One bird from each group was subjected to post-mortem inspection prior to and after the administration of the intervention while faecal samples of the birds were taken and analyzed prior to and after the administration of the intervention. Three different concentrations of the neem extract were prepared and standardized at 15, 10 and 5%. The various concentrations of the intervention were then administered to each group of birds for a continuous period of five days. Post-mortem examinations carried out revealed that the birds were moderately to heavily infected before and after the administration of the intervention. The study revealed that the initial level of coccidiosis infection of the birds were heavy infection (+++) for Treatments 1 and 2, moderate infection (++) for Treatment 3 and very low infection (+) for Treatment 4. The final levels of infection after the administration of the intervention were low (+) for Treatment 1, moderate for Treatments 2, 3 and 4 while the differences in the levels of the initial and final infections were (-2, -1, 0, +1) for Treatments 1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. The first Treatment (T1) with 1.5% concentration, the level of infection was considerably, treatment 2 (T2) with 10.0% concentration reduced the level of infection was reduced a little; treatments 3 (T3) with 5.0% concentration had no effect on the level of infection while in treatment 4 (T4) the control with 0% concentration there was an increase in the level of infection, because there was no intervention here the parasitic organisms grew without hindrance hence the level of infection increased. By inference therefore, treatment 1 (T1) with 15.0% concentration of the intervention was the most effective against coccidiosis in broiler birds.


The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on cochlear blood flow (CBF) in pigmented guinea pigs. NPY was administered with or without noradrenaline (NA) by systemic perfusion or perilymphatic local perfusion, and CBF was measured using a laser Doppler flowmeter. The systemic and perilymphatic administrations of NPY with NA induced greater prolongation of the increase in and recovery of CBF than the administration of NA or NPY alone. Continuous reduction in CBF induced by NPY may play an important role in the pathogenesis of stress-induced sensorineural hearing losses, such as sudden deafness.


In the field of pattern recognition multiple classifier systems based on the combination of outputs from different classifiers have been proposed as a method of high performance classification systems. The objective of this work is to develop a fuzzy Gaussian classifier for combining multiple learners, we use a fuzzy Gaussian model to combine the outputs obtained from K-nearest neighbor classifier (KNN), Fuzzy K-nearest neighbor classifier and Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) and then compare the results with Fuzzy Integral, Decision Templates, Weighted Majority, Majority Naïve Bayes, Maximum, Minimum, Average and Product combination methods. Results on two benchmark data sets show that the proposed fusion method outperforms a wide variety of existing classifier combination methods.


In a practical quantum key distribution (QKD) system, imperfect equipment, especially the single-photon detector, can be eavesdropped on by a blinding attack. However, the original blinding attack may be discovered by directly detecting the current. In this paper, we propose a probabilistic blinding attack model, where Eve probabilistically applies a blinding attack without being caught by using only an existing intuitive countermeasure. More precisely, our countermeasure solves the problem of how to define the bound in the limitation of precision of current detection, and then we prove security of the practical system by considering the current parameter. Meanwhile, we discuss the bound of the quantum bit error rate (QBER) introduced by Eve, by which Eve can acquire information without the countermeasure.


The comparative clinicopharmacological studies established the ability of hepatotropic agents with the membrane stabilizing properties and metabolic activity--trophopar, aika-phosphate and essential to stimulate to various degrees the processes of microsomal oxidation of antipyrine in hepatocytes at their insufficiency in patients with lesions of the hepatobiliary system of the alcohol and viral etiology. The studied drugs improve also the condition of the intrahepatic hemodynamics according to the findings of rheohepatography. The correlations between the positive dynamics of the values of antipyrine clearance, the degree of arterial blood filling (the rheographic index) and the increase of serum albumin content were found that confirms the ability of trophopar, aika-phosphate and essential to exert the complex influence on the systems and mechanisms of the realization of the liver antitoxic function.


The aim of this thesis is to present a rounded picture of British efforts to obtain information on German science and technology, both military and civilian, after the Second World War. This endeavour was conducted for numerous reasons - to secure some form of reparations, to improve defence capabilities for any future conflict, and to ensure that Germany possessed no lasting scientific war potential - and in various ways - the examination of laboratories and factories, the confiscation of equipment and documents, and the interrogation of experts. In some cases, these same experts were detained, brought to Britain, and occasionally offered work at government research establishments or private companies, in order to exact long-term benefit for Britain from the occupation of Germany. Unsurprisingly, an endeavour of this nature encountered difficulty from multiple quarters, including public opposition in Britain, conflict with other initiatives, such as reconstruction, in Germany, and competition with foreign powers, most notably the Soviet Union. As a result, this thesis sits at the intersection between various fields of historical inquiry. It incorporates elements from the history of intelligence, such as the necessarily secretive nature of many of the exploitation operations and the involvement of high-level intelligence bodies in the direction of the programme; from diplomatic history, not least how exploitation was affected by the reconfiguration of Britain's status on the world stage as it was steadily eclipsed by the United States and the Soviet Union; from the history of science, as the programme encompassed some of the most significant technological developments of the period, including the atomic bomb, the jet engine and guided missiles; and from military history, both because the first units and individuals concerned with the initiative were military and because many of the most valuable spoils removed from Germany were of a warlike nature. Ultimately, though, the narrative presented in this thesis is primarily concerned with British policy - policy towards occupied Germany, science and technology, and the nascent Cold War - and how this evolved throughout, and was shaped by, the deeply transformative period surrounding the end of the Second World War. The story of the British exploitation of German science and technology is, therefore, a crucial, but thus far understudied, facet of Britain's adjustment to the new post-war era in 1945.


Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ) is situated to Zhuankou area, Wuhan. WEDZ is a national level development zone approved by the State Council of P.R.C. in April 1993. With nearly 20 years development history, WEDZ has grown into an important engine in economic development of Wuhan City. Meanwhile, atmospheric environment quality has become more and more worse, and paid on more and more attention. Great importance is attached to the identification of the sources of ambient particulates. The purpose of this study was to identify and estimate the contribution of major sources to atmospheric total suspended particulate (TSP) matter in Zhuankou area, Wuhan. In the study, the technique of factor analysis (FA) was employed to identify and quantify the major sources of atmospheric pollutant in Zhuankou area, Wuhan. The results indicate that the major sources of atmospheric pollutant in Zhuankou area are mainly construction and soil fugitive dust, coal-firing and motor vehicle.


THE subtitle of this useful book is ' A Survey of Modern Approaches,' and its aim is to provide a review of the work of the various schools, and to indicate their relationship and points of convergence. Each chapter is devoted to the point of view of a particular authority, but there is throughout a thread of criticism and comparison which seems to bind together the mass of material. After a short historical introduction the teachings of Morton Prince, Freud, Adler, Jung, Rivers, and Watson are successively described. The four following chapters deal with the approaches in which a definite attempt is made to correlate a psychological with a physiological or chemical attack. Here is included the work of Kempf, Berman, Kretschmer, and the biochemists. In a final chapter on ' Combined Schools,' Dr. Nicoleendeavours to summarise and classify the views of the various authorities, and to indicate the large class of writers who adopt an eclectic standpoint and make use of conceptions drawn from several of the principal schools of thought. He has some excellent remarks to make on the confusion which at present exists, and effectively criticises the prevalent tendency to use the same word to denote different things, and different words to denote the same thing.


In Reply. —We appreciate the comments by Dr Gross and his colleagues regarding their description of a similar inexpensive air pump for vitreoretinal surgery in the British Journal of Ophthalmology . We apologize for having missed this description during our survey of the literature. Apparently, both groups independently developed a simple, inexpensive, and reliable air pump for use in vitreoretinal surgery. Hopefully, these two articles will facilitate the use of such inexpensive air pumps throughout the world, particularly in areas where cost is an important component in the level of available care in the vitreoretinal field.


Rationale: Internal fixation is considered a reliable method for an undisplaced intracapsular fracture and also for displaced intracapsular fractures in young patients. A unipolar or bipolar hemiarthroplasty is preferred for these fractures in elderly patients with low functional demands. However, controversy exists regarding the choice of prosthesis in patients with displaced intracapsular femoral neck fractures in relatively young and active adults. Design: 45 patients with displaced intracapsular femur neck were randomized to undergo a Total hip arthroplasty or a Bipolar hemiarthroplasty. The outcome was assessed with the use of the Harris hip score and the Mobility score of Parker and Palmer. Results: The mean age of the patients was 63.54 years. The mean blood loss was higher in Group 2 (THA) [545.24 ±134. 07 ml] as against Group 1 (BH) [443.75± 88.84 ml] (p= 0.004). The mean duration of surgery in Group 2 [121.90 ±20. 40 mins] was significantly higher as compared to that in Group 1 (BH) [87.50 ±10. 52 mins]. No significant difference was observed in the mean postoperative Mobility Score at the end of 6 months amongst the 2 groups. The Harris Hip Score at the end of 6 months was Excellent for 9 patients, Good for 27 patients, Fair for 6 patients and Poor for 2 patients. 40 patients were able to do their daily activities and 4 were unable to do so owing to their general medical condition. Conclusion: Total Hip Arthroplasty offers better functional outcome in early follow-up and can be used for treating for these fractures in this age group.


The eukaryotic mitochondrion was formed by the endosymbiotic association of an αproteobacterium and a primordial phagocytic eukaryote. A second, and later, endosymbiosis between the eukaryote and a cyanobacterium gave rise to the chloroplast of plants. Following each of these events most of the organellar DNA was exported to the nucleus. A system evolved wherein proteins produced on cytosolic ribosomes are targeted to organelle protein translocators by N-terminal targeting sequences. Protein sorting between the chloroplast and the mitochondrion in the plant cell by the general import pathways shows remarkable fidelity despite a lack of sequence conservation among transit peptides and pre-sequences and despite very little sequence difference between these two targeting peptides. There is evidence for a hydrophobic recognition motif in mitochondrial presequences, and a similar motif has been proposed for the chloroplast transit peptide. We have developed novel motif-finding methods and applied them to our own chloroplast proteome data and to literature mitochondrial data. We fail to find a hydrophobic motif that discriminates the chloroplast and the mitochondrion. Another little understood phenomenon of organelle protein trafficking is how the targeting sequence is acquired after transfer of organelle DNA to the nucleus. It has been hypothesized that the transit peptide is acquired by exon shuffling. We find no correlation of transit peptide lengths with exon boundaries. Furthermore, using highly expressed cyanobacterial proteins conserved in plants, we find that the transit peptide appears as likely to be attached within the primordial sequence as without, indicating a more stochastic process for the origin of the transit peptide.


Several studies have reported neurological soft signs (NSS) to be common in individuals with schizophrenia. The majority of these studies are based on clinical samples exposed to neuroleptic treatment. The present study reports on 200 treatment-naïve and community-identified cases of schizophrenia and 78 healthy individuals from the same area, evaluated using the Neurological Evaluation Scale (NES). The median NES score was 5.0 for cases of schizophrenia and 1.5 for healthy subjects. The impairment rate of NSS in cases with schizophrenia was 65.0% against 50.0% in healthy subjects, and the difference was statistically significant ( h 2 = 5.30; df = 1; P < 0.021). NSS abnormality is as common in treatment-naïve cases as reported in many studies in those on neuroleptic medication. There was no significant relation between the NSS impairment and duration of illness, remission status, positive symptoms, negative symptoms and disorganized symptoms.


This guide is designed to assist the students in the Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMPD) to find resources available to them in the Library and Learning Commons Find book on reserve for your course.


Environmental volunteering and environmental citizen science projects both have a pivotal role in civic participation. However, one of the common challenges is recruiting and retaining an adequate level of participant engagement to ensure the sustainability of these projects. Thus, understanding patterns of participation is fundamental to both types of projects. This study uses and builds on existing quantitative approaches used to characterise the nature of volunteer engagement in online citizen science projects, to see whether similar participatory patterns exist in offline environmental volunteering projects. The study uses activity records of environmental volunteers from a UK environmental charity "The Conservation Volunteers," and focuses on three characteristics linked to engagement: longevity, frequency, and distance travelled. Findings show differences in engagement patterns and contributor activity between the three UK regions of Greater London, Greater Manchester, and Yorkshire. Cluster analysis revealed three main types of volunteer engagement profiles which are similar in scale across all regions, namely participants can be grouped into "One-Session," "Short-Term," and "Long-Term" volunteer. Of these, the "One-Session" volunteer accounted for the largest group of volunteers.


The purpose of this research was to present a straightforward and achievable online strategy in the form of a structured conceptual framework for hotel accommodation providers and practitioners that was extensive and holistic yet easy to understand and achievable. The basis of this framework was achieved through critical analysis of the literature around the online hotel accommodation process under two main headings (1) online hotel accommodation behaviour and (2) online hotel accommodation thoughts and emotions. Each of these main headings were examined under the influencing factors which were internal to the online process (the individual, search engines, third parties / social media and hotel accommodation websites) and external to the process (online access devices and device visual interaction).
The data collected was extracted from the 100 individual in-depth observational interviews, the 3,107,281 individual online searches extracted from the online analytics of 18 different hotels over an 18 month period and the interviews of the managers of these 18 hotels.
Analysis of the data reinforced the conceptual framework structure providing a standardised map of online hotel accommodation behavioural, thoughts and emotional process patterns. The analysis also revealed mismatches with current perceived norms. Mismatches noted between the requirements of online consumers and the online experience being presented prevent targeted personalisation and individualisation difficulties such as single individuals using multiple devices, multiple individual using single devices, complex multiple segments within single individuals and individual behavioural differences within a single travelling group. Other areas analysed with complex behavioural mismatches included travel stage behavioural differences and psychological advertisement blindness.
The thesis culminates in the presentation of the conceptual framework structured on the internal and external factors, the process factors and the sub factors. All these factors and sub factors are correlated through the structure of the thesis, starting from the literature review going through to the research methodology, the data collection and analysis and ending with the recommendations and conclusions.


This paper presents an heuristic Genetic Algorithm for solving 3-Dimensional Single container packing optimization problem. The 3D container loading problem consists of 'n' number of boxes being to be packed in to a container of standard dimension in such a way to maximize the volume utilization and inturn profit. Furthermore, various practical constraints like box orientation, stack priority, container stability, etc also applied. Boxes to be packed are of various sizes and of heterogeneous shapes. In this research work, several heuristic improvements were proposed over Genetic Algorithm (GA) to solve the container loading problem that significantly improves the search efficiency and to load most of heterogeneous boxes into a container along with the optimal position of loaded boxes, box orientation and boxes to be loaded by satisfying practical constraints. In this module, both the guillotine and non-guillotine moves were allowed. In general, these heuristic GA solutions being substantially better and satisfactory than those obtained by applying heuristics to the bin packing directly.


This work presents a new approach to design the controllers for MEMS gyroscopes based on the robust $H$∞ synthesis. A systematic and flexible method for designing digital controllers for the drive and sense modes of a Coriolis vibratory gyroscope is proposed. Furthermore, the sinusoidal signals are directly controlled instead of their amplitude and phase, so that (de)modulation is not required in the control loops. This fact allows us to simplify the electronic design and to provide formal guarantees of stability and performance. First practical results are presented, proving the implementability of our approach.


Since the Paleozoic, the tectonic evolutionary process of eastern Eurasia has been affected by at least three paleo-ocean regimes: the Paleo-Asian Ocean, the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean, and the Paleo-Pacific Ocean. However, the tectonic transition among these ocean regimes is not well understood. Recently, the Heilongjiang Ocean was proposed to play an important role during the transition from the Paleo-Asian Ocean regime to the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean (and later the Paleo-Pacific Ocean) regime. Here we report on a new combined study of petrological, geochemical, and geochronological data of biotite−plagioclase gneisses from the Qinglongcun Complex in the west Jiamusi-Khanka Block to better understand the tectonic evolution during this transition period. The results show that the protoliths of these biotite−plagioclase gneisses are medium-K calc-alkaline rhyolites that were derived from a volcanic island arc environment related to paleo-oceanic subduction that occurred at ca. 260 Ma. Integrated with previous studies of the Permian arc-affinity rocks within the Jiamusi-Khanka Block, we identified two island arc magmatic belts with ages of ca. 290 Ma and ca. 260 Ma at the east and west margins of Jiamusi-Khanka Block, respectively. The east island arc magmatic belt was related to subduction of the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean during the Early−middle Permian, which provided a driving force for the opening of the Heilongjiang Ocean. Subduction of the Heilongjiang Ocean during the middle−Late Permian resulted in the west arc island magmatic belt. These two belts provide key evidence for understanding the tectonic transition from the Paleo-Asian Ocean to the Mongol-Okhotsk Ocean to the Paleo-Pacific Ocean during the late Paleozoic to early Mesozoic.


Design students return from field trips abroad brimming with new ideas and a greater understanding of their chosen discipline. However, if their observations and knowledge are not soon applied, the students hold only fond memories of a fun trip abroad. We believe that student's retention and application of concepts will increase if educators give students greater autonomy on the trip and also expect and enable opportunities to apply their accrued knowledge on their own projects upon returning home. Nine third and fourth-year industrial design students Brigham Young University participated in a weeklong field study abroad to Dutch Design Week (DDW) in Eindhoven, Netherlands. A week after the completion of the study abroad the students filled out a survey about their motivations, feelings, criticisms, and aspects of the trip that influenced them as designers. Three and a half months later the students took a second survey asking about how they have applied insights gained from participation in DDW to their current projects. The results from the both surveys suggest the impact of the field study trip decreased over time. The observations and more open-ended questions in the survey helped determine if and how the students applied their conceptual knowledge to their current projects as well as other outcomes of the trip. In addition, the paper suggests possible strategies and research opportunities for future field study experiences.


Very limited literature is available relating to gas production from ultradeep (>9000 ft [>2700 m]) coal seams. This paper investigates permeability enhancement in ultradeep coal seams of the late Carboniferous and early Permian to Late Triassic Cooper Basin in central Australia, using a time-lapse pressure transient analysis (PTA) approach for a pilot well. The gas production history and three extended shut-in periods are used to construct the time-lapse PTA for the study well. A new approach is introduced to construct a permeability ratio function. This function allows the calculation of permeability change resulting from competition between the compaction and coal-matrix shrinkage effects. Pressure transient analysis indicates that gas flow is dominated by a bilinear flow regime in all extended pressure buildup tests. Hence, reservoir depletion is restricted to the stimulated area near the hydraulic fracture. This implies that well-completion practices that create a large contact area with reservoirs, such as multistage hydraulically fractured horizontal wells, may be required for achieving economic success in these extremely low-permeability reservoirs. The permeability ratio is constructed using the slope of the straight lines in bilinear flow analysis. Because of uncertainty in average reservoir pressure, probabilistic analysis is used and a Monte Carlo simulation is performed to generate a set of possible permeability ratio values. The permeability ratio values indicate that coal permeability has increased during the production life of the wellbore because of the coal-matrix shrinkage effect. Permeability enhancement in this ultradeep coal reservoir has offset the effect of permeability reduction caused by compaction, which is beneficial to gas production.


Experimentally obtained partial discharge pulse forms are compared with those derived theoretically, using a mathematical model of a short gap. The calculations indicate that, with overvolted short gaps, the apparent absence of the protracted ion current tail in the overall pulse form is due to the large excess of the electron current component generated by strongly enhanced cathode emission by the photoeffect and other phenomena. Under conditions of high overvoltage the ion-impact-induced emission, the ion fluxes and, consequently, the ion current component are greatly reduced as compared to the electron current. The long ion current tail, representing not more than a few percent of the total current, passes undetected. Pulseless and pseudo-glow discharges are considered. Preferred terms to designate the different forms of partial discharges are suggested. >


Background : Family size preferences and birth rate vary across culture, gender, religion, race/ethnicity, and time; yet little is known about how or when people decide how many children to have. Sociobiology suggests that women should invest more time and effort into the decision than men. Objective : The study's purpose is to examine family size preferences in a sample of male and female college students. Methods : A sample of childless, college-aged participants (n =394; 58.7% women) completed a survey about their desires concerning procreation (e.g., "How many children do you want to have?" "How committed to that number are you?" "How old were you when you picked this number?"). Results : Women reported deciding how many children they ideally wanted at a younger age than men, being more committed to that number, and having given it more careful thought. Women also wanted to have their first child at a younger age than men, although men wanted marginally more offspring overall. Participants who used birth control wanted fewer children than those who did not. There were few differences as a function of religion or race/ethnicity. Conclusion : Family size preferences were consistent with sociobiological predictions, with women knowing how many children they wanted at a younger age than men, being more committed to a specific number, having given the matter more careful thought, and wanting to start childbearing at a younger age. Thus, despite recent cultural and societal changes, biological imperatives still appear to influence decision making about this most fundamental of behaviors.


Computer-Support Cooperative Work (CSCW) reflects the change in emphasis from using computers to solve problems to using computers to facilitate human interactions. Most studies, however, have focused on the use of the technology rather than on the human-human interaction (HHI) in these environments due to: the varied perspectives of the investigators; and the lack of a consistent variables. Although numerous studies exist on a variety of products, only limited research has been conducted with the most prevalent of the technologies in the marketplace, Lotus Notes™. This field study, conducted using Lotus Notes™, operationalizes a model proposed, but not tested, for the study of group decision-making in CSCW environments put forth by Kraemer and Pinsonneault (1990). This study examines the use of CSCW in the group decision-making process, the participation rate for group decision-making in CSCW environments, and the criteria for determining quality in group decisions in CSCW environments. The study also proposes a new perspective for examining technology using the human context, recommends extensions for the group study framework and explores areas for future research.


The records of 56 patients with proved acute aortic dissection were studied for factors bearing on the applicability of vigorous drug therapy to reduce arterial pressure. Fourteen patients had an arterial pressure of 120 mm Hg systolic or less. Fifteen additional patients had evidence of occlusion of a major branch of the aorta. More than half of the 56 patients, therefore, could not have received antihypertensive drugs. The presence of a contraindication to drug therapy marked a patient for an early death. All 29 died within 2 weeks. Twelve of the 27 in whom no contraindications to drug therapy were observed survived more than 2 weeks and six survived more than a year even though none were placed on a vigorous antihypertensive regimen. Assessment of the efficacy of drug therapy of dissecting aortic aneurysm should take into account these facets of the natural history.


Our research is mainly focused on modeling the "Productivity Index" of a two-layered reservoir well system with linear Darcy flow. In particular, we consider two systems. For the first system, the permeability of the top layer is relatively small and is approaching to 0. The permeability of the top layer is exactly equal to 0 in the second system. For the Pseudo Steady State regime, we want the Productivity index of the former case to be convergent to the latter case.

From the governing equations of the fluid flow in porous media, we develop a theoretical model for the system. Since we do not get the required convergence with the existing definition of the Productivity Index, we introduce a new definition to the Productivity Index taking porosity of the porous media into account. With this new definition, it was conjectured that under certain restrictions to the porosity, the first system converges to the second system. This conjecture was validated by the simulation results.


Morphemes are not independent units and attached to each other based on morphotactics. However, they are assumed to be independent from each other to cope with the complexity in most of the models in the literature. We introduce a language independent model for unsupervised morphological segmentation using hierarchical Dirichlet process (HDP). We model the morpheme dependencies in terms of morpheme trigrams in each word. Trigrams, bigrams and unigrams are modeled within a three-level HDP, where the trigram Dirichlet process (DP) uses the bigram DP and bigram DP uses unigram DP as the base distribution. The results show that modeling morpheme dependencies improve the F-measure noticeably in English, Turkish and Finnish.