One of the greatest challenges in the formulation of a vaccine against Leishmania parasites is the discovery of an adjuvant capable of enhancing the efficacy of the vaccine. Lactobacillus delbrueckii UFV H2b20 presents an immunomodulatory effect already known in mice where it induces IL-12, IFN- and TNF- production in vitro, and increases the clearance of pathogenic Escherichia coli in these animals. In mononuclear cells of the human peripheral blood of healthy volunteers, it induced the IL-12 production IFN- and TNF- and stimulated the activation of effectors mechanisms of the innate immunity, leading to the differentiation of naive T lymphocytes in Leishmania amazonensis specific Th1 lymphocytes. In this work, we decided to verify the capacity of the Lact delbrueckii to protect mice BALB/c against infection for Leishmania braziliensis, acting, thus, as an adjuvant inductor of a response that would control this parasite. It was verified that Lact delbrueckii induced the production, in vitro, of high levels of IL-12, IFN- and TNF- for splenocytes from mice BALB/c. However, when inoculated in the presence of L. braziliensis antigen, this bacterium was not able to induce protection in the mice against the inoculation of infective forms of this parasite. This result could be explained by the concomitant induction of IL-10 by Lact delbrueckii, that could cause a suppression of the protective response. We also decided to isolate the molecule that was responsible for the induction of the IL-12 production by the Lact delbrueckii. For this, an extract of the cell wall of this bacterium was prepared. This extract induced IFN- , in vitro, in a peculiar and distinct way to the complete bacterium. The analysis of this extract demonstrated that the probable immunomodulatory molecule may be a low molecular weight carbohydrate. These results demonstrate the importance of more detailed studies with Lact. delbrueckii and other probiotic bacteria in order to characterize its distinct components involved in the induction of determined cytokines.


Background Epilepsy has a high prevalence of 1%, which makes it the most common serious neurological disorder. The most difficult to treat type of epilepsy is temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) with its most commonly associated lesion being hippocampal sclerosis (HS). About 30-50% of all patients undergoing resective surgery of epileptogenic tissue continue to have seizures postoperatively. Indication for this type of surgery is only given when lesions are clearly visible on magnetic resonance images (MRI). About 30% of all patients with focal epilepsy do not show an underlying structural lesion upon qualitative neuroradiological MRI assessment (MRI-negative). Objectives The work presented in this thesis uses MRI data to quantitatively investigate structural differences between brains of patients with focal epilepsy and healthy controls using automated imaging preprocessing and analysis methods. Methods All patients studied in this thesis had electrophysiological evidence of focal epilepsy, and underwent routine clinical MRI prior to participation in this study. There were two datasets and both included a cohort of age-matched controls: (i) Patients with TLE and associated HS who later underwent selective amygdalahippocampectomy (cohort 1) and (ii) MRI-negative patients with medically refractory focal epilepsy (cohort 2). The participants received high- resolution routine clinical MRI as well as additional sequences for gray and white matter (GM/WM) structural imaging. A neuroradiologist reviewed all images prior to analysis. Hippocampal subfield volume and automated tractography analysis was performed in patients with TLE and HS and related to post-surgical outcomes, while images of MRI- negative patients were analyzed using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and manual/automated tractography. All studies were designed to detect quantitative differences between patients and controls, except for the hippocampal subfield analysis as control data was not available and comparisons were limited to patients with persistent postoperative seizures and those without. Results 1. Automated hippocampal subfield analysis (cohort 1): The high-resolution hippocampal subfield segmentation technique cannot establish a link between hippocampal subfield volume loss and post-surgical outcome. Ipsilateral and contralateral hippocampal subfield volumes did not correlate with clinical variables such as duration of epilepsy and age of onset of epilepsy. 2. Automated WM diffusivity analysis (cohort 1): Along-the-tract analysis showed that ipsilateral tracts of patients with right/left TLE and HS were more extensively affected than contralateral tracts and the affected regions within tracts could be specified. The extent of hippocampal atrophy (HA) was not related to (i) the diffusion alterations of temporal lobe tracts or (ii) clinical characteristics of patients, whereas diffusion alterations of ipsilateral temporal lobe tracts were significantly related to age at onset of epilepsy, duration of epilepsy and epilepsy burden.Patients without any postoperative seizure symptoms (excellent outcomes) had more ipsilaterally distributed WM tract diffusion alterations than patients with persistent postoperative seizures (poorer outcomes), who were affected bilaterally. 3. Automated epileptogenic lesion detection (cohort 2): Comparison of individual patients against the controls revealed that focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) can be detected automatically using statistical thresholds. All sites of dysplasia reported at the start of the study were detected using this technique. Two additional sites in two different patients, which had previously escaped neuroradiological assessment, could be identified. When taking these statistical results into account during re-assessment of the dedicated epilepsy research MRI, the expert neuroradiologist was able to confirm these as lesions. 4. Manual and automated WM diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) analysis (cohort 2): The analysis of consistency across approaches revealed a moderate to good agreement between extracted tract shape, morphology and space and a strong correlation between diffusion values extracted with both methods. While whole-tract DTI-metrics determined using Automated Fiber Quantification (AFQ) revealed correlations with clinical variables such as age of onset and duration of epilepsy, these correlations were not found using the manual technique. The manual approach revealed more differences than AFQ in group comparisons of whole-tract DTI-metrics. Along-the-tract analysis provided within AFQ gave a more detailed description of localized diffusivity changes along tracts, which correlated with clinical variables such as age of onset and epilepsy duration. Conclusions While hippocampal subfield volume loss in patients with TLE and HS was not related with any clinical variables or to post-surgical outcomes, WM tract diffusion alterations were more bilaterally distributed in patients with persistent postoperative seizures, compared to patients with excellent outcomes. This may indicate that HS as an initial precipitating injury is not affected by clinical features of the disorder and automated hippocampal subfield mapping based on MRI is not sufficient to stratify patients according to outcome. Presence of persisting seizures may depend on other pathological processes such as seizure propagation through WM tracts and WM integrity. Automated and time-efficient three-dimensional voxel-based analysis may complement conventional visual assessments in patients with MRI-negative focal epilepsy and help to identify FCDs escaping routine neuroradiological assessment. Furthermore, automated along-the-tract analysis may identify widespread abnormal diffusivity and correlations between WM integrity loss and clinical variables in patients with MRI-negative epilepsy. However, automated WM tract analysis may differ from results obtained with manual methods and therefore caution should be exercised when using automated techniques.


The present research explores whether young children display different levels of trust in the testimony of speakers from their own social group (ingroups) versus another social group (outgroups). Three- and 4-year-old children watched through a window as an adult hid a toy in one of three containers. The adult then told the child that she had put the toy in a container different from the one where it was actually hidden (i.e., false testimony). At the end the child was asked to retrieve the toy. The adult was either a Caucasian, native English speaker ingroup) or an Asian English speaker with a noticeable foreign accent (outgroup). Four-year-old children were credulous to the false testimony of the ingroup speaker, despite their firsthand observations, but were skeptical and relied on their own observations when the false testimony was provided by the outgroup speaker. In contrast, 3-year-old children remained credulous to the false testimony of both speakers. These findings were discussed in relation to children's early preferences for ingroup members and the developmental shift in skepticism displayed by 4-year-old, but not 3-year-old children. This research will make a unique contribution to our understanding of how young children selectively learn from other people and why they remain credulous to some speakers, but not to others.


There is a substantial body of literature on the subject of fertility decline in Europe during the first demographic transition. Historical demographic research on this topic started in Western Europe, but, as a result of the discussion of the Hajnal line thesis, the decline in fertility has been more thoroughly explored for Eastern Europe (especially Poland and Hungary) than for areas in between, like Austria. This project and this working paper will seek to close this gap by addressing the question of whether the Austrian Crown lands in the southeast represented not just an administrative, but also a demographic border. Using aggregated data from the political districts, this paper will review the classic research about, as well as the methods and definitions of, fertility decline. Our results show that, even the Crown land level, which was used in the Princeton Fertility Project, is much too high for studying significant regional and systemic differences and patterns of fertility changes and decline. This process is interpreted as a result of economic and social modernization, which brought new challenges, as well as new options. Thus, fertility decline should not be seen as a linear and sequential process, but rather as a process driven by the sometimes paradoxical interdependencies of problems and opportunities faced by families and social groups.


There are six species of cockatoos in Indonesia which are well known as exotic, smart, and they can be trained in a variety of attractions. Thus, many people want to keep those birds as pets. All of pets which have been kept by community should be evaluated from various aspects before being reintroduced to their natural habitat. The examination of sex and species of illegal cocktoos play as a key role for the reintroduction programme. Theobjective of this study was to evaluate the reliability and effectivity of evaluation technique of morphometric and molecular for reintroduction programme of cockatoos. We used the COI gene sequences from 68individuals of cockatoos from pet communities in and around Jakarta and four sequences from GenBank. The phylogenetic analysis used the neighbor-joining method, in which the genetic distance matrix calculations with Kimura 2-parameter models that are implemented on a pairwise distance calculation in the MEGA program version 6:05. The result of the genetic variation of the cockatoo species which shows intraspecific divergence was Cacatua alba (n=4)= 0%, C. galerita (Australia n=9)= 0.6%, C. galerita (Indonesia n=53)= 0.3%, C .goffiniana (n=3)= 0%, C. moluccensis (n=7)= 0.1%, and C. sulphurea (n=2)= 0.3%, with a range of 0-0.6%. The results indicate that the average of intraspecific of COI in the cockatoos community was 0.25±0.055%, and interspecific divergences ranged from 3.1 to 11.6%. The phylogenetic tree shows the monophyletic clade of cockatoo species in Indonesia. In addition, DNA barcode analysis and molecular sexing could correct the error and doubts the result of five individual species identification and two individual sexing identification of C.galerita by morphological identification. The results of morphological examanation base on body weight, body length and head-bill length of C. galerita triton were not significantly different (P?0,5). Finally, 19 individuals C. galerita triton and two individuals P. aterrimus were reintroduced to their natural habitat.


Objective: To define key issues in the diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD), to define features influencing progression, and to make evidence-based recommendations. Two clinical questions were identified: 1) Which clinical features and diagnostic modalities distinguish PD from other parkinsonian syndromes? 2) Which clinical features predict rate of disease progression? Methods: Systematic review of the literature was completed. Articles were classified according to a four-tiered level of evidence scheme. Recommendations were based on the evidence. Results and Conclusions: 1. Early falls, poor response to levodopa, symmetry of motor manifestations, lack of tremor, and early autonomic dysfunction are probably useful in distinguishing other parkinsonian syndromes from Parkinson disease (PD). 2. Levodopa or apomorphine challenge and olfactory testing are probably useful in distinguishing PD from other parkinsonian syndromes. 3. Predictive factors for more rapid motor progression, nursing home placement, and shorter survival time include older age at onset of PD, associated comorbidities, presentation with rigidity and bradykinesia, and decreased dopamine responsiveness. Future research into methods for earlier and more accurate diagnosis of the disease and identification and clarification of predictive factors of rapid disease progression is warranted.


3D hierarchical MnO2 microspheres with an ultrathin nanosheet structure and high specific surface area (184.32 m2 g−1) are synthesized by a rapid microwave heating method in just 10 minutes. In this work, an ionic electrolyte (EMIMBF4/DMF) based asymmetric supercapacitor device is successfully prepared by using 3D hierarchical MnO2 microspheres as the cathode and activated carbon as the anode material. The (EMIMBF4/DMF) electrolyte enables a significant enhancement in the potential windows of individual electrode materials and the asymmetric device which results in much improved electrochemical performance. The asymmetric device operates successfully within a potential window of 3.0 V and exhibits an outstanding energy density of 105 W h kg−1 at a power density of 1494 W kg−1 with good cycling life stability (20% loss after 6000 cycles) at a much higher current density of 6 A g−1. Moreover, 3D hierarchical MnO2 microspheres also exhibit an outstanding Li ion storage performance with a discharge capacity of 715 mA h g−1 even after 200 cycles at a current density of 300 mA g−1. The discharge capacity retention (78% @ the 2nd cycle) after 200 cycles at 300 mA g−1 is the highest amongst those of all the reported anode materials based on MnO2. High specific capacities and outstanding cyclability further indicate their strong potential as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries. The promising energy storage applications can be ascribed to the high specific surface area, mesoporous structure and ultrathin nanosheet building blocks of MnO2 microspheres.


In this research we evaluate how corporate ownership around the world is defined and which variables, related to a firm's characteristics and the countries' infrastructures, influences this. We find that there are a small number of countries where firms present a lower percentage of block holdings. We find that firm's size is the most important determinant of block holdings worldwide, although some variables related with the quality of enforcement also play a crucial role. JEL classification: G32; G38.


We describe the fabrication of miniature alkali atom vapor cells using silicon micromachining and anodic bonding. Such cells consist of cavities etched in silicon, with internal volumes of few mm. Original technique for introducing cesium into the cells is described: based on local heating of alkali dispenser. Cesium absorption and coherent population trapping resonances were measured in the cells.


Material properties are required for the numerical simulation of the impact progressive collapse of metal foam cored polymer composite sandwich beams, using LS-DYNA. As far as the metal foam, Alporas, is concerned, multi-axial tension and compression data is required. This includes large scale crush and tensile rupture. An Arcan test fixture was developed, in which a sample of foam can be subject to tensile and shear deformation simultaneously. The data was also used to calibrate the crushable foam material model in LS-DYNA. For the skin, tensile and compression data was generated for a cross ply glass fibre thermoplastic laminate. The data was then used to calibrate the composite damage material model in LS-DYNA. Inclusion of calibrated material models into the simulation of the progressive collapse of metal foam cored composite sandwich beams will be briefly discussed.


Erythropoietin (Epo), a cytokine hormone produced in the kidney, promotes the formation of red blood cells in the bone marrow. The penicillin-induced epilepsy model is a commonly used experimental model for epilepsy research. The present study was conducted to elucidate the effect of Epo on penicillin-G (500 IU/2.5 μl dose, intracortically (i.c)) -induced epileptiform activity in anesthetized adult Wistar-Albino rats (n=39). The animals were randomly divided into four groups as three treatment groups (groups 1-3) and a control group (no drug application). Rats in groups 1, 2 and 3 were intraperitoneally administered 2.000, 4.000 and 6.000 IU Epo/ kg, respectively. The effects on penicillin G induced epilepsy were compared across groups using electrocorticography. Epo at 2.000 IU/kg did not cause a significant change (P>0.05) in epileptiform spike-wave activity (number/min) and/or amplitude (μV) values, whereas the average number of spike-waves per minute and seizure severity decreased significantly in the 4.000 and 6.000 IU/kg Epo groups compared with the control (P<0.05). Consequently, the results of the present study show that administration of Epo has a dosedependent antiepileptic effect in penicillin induced model of epilepsy in rats.


Welding operation of aircraft engine sheet part will be analyzed in this paper. The sheet part is made of narrow Inconel 706 sheet pieces. During manufacturing process first sheets undergo the process of bending. Subsequently they are welded to produce the final shape. Finite element analysis will be used to model welding operation. The thermal field and its impact on the stress field will be analyzed. The produced results will be used to design the actual welding process. Sheets will be welded using electron beam welding, EBW, method. This method is characterized by high concentration of power which instantly melts metal. As a result small HAZ is produced and comparatively small distortions are introduced. EBW process is characterized mainly by three input parameters: beam voltage, beam current and welding speed. The goal of numerical simulation is to identify the values of input parameters that produce full-depth fusion zone. As a guideline for simulation the actual dependency between input parameters and weld pool geometry will be taken from calibration data for EB welding unit. Calibration was performed using 18-8 steel. Partial least square method will be used to project those data on Inconel 706 alloy.


Using molecular dynamics we investigate the thermodynamics, dynamics, and structure of 250 diatomic molecules interacting by a core-softened potential. This system exhibits thermodynamic, dynamic, and structural anomalies: a maximum in density-temperature plane at constant pressure and maximum and minimum points in the diffusivity and translational order parameter against density at constant temperature. Starting with very dense systems and decreasing density the mobility at low temperatures first increases, reaches a maximum, then decreases, reaches a minimum and finally increases. In the pressure-temperature phase diagram the line of maximum translational order parameter is located outside the line of diffusivity extrema that is enclosing the temperature of maximum density line. We compare our results with the monomeric system showing that the anisotropy due to the dumbbell leads to a much larger solid phase and to the appearance of a liquid crystal phase.


The difficulty of creating the user interface coupled with the complexities of programming in Windows must not become the main concern of Windows applications developers. This paper presents the issues surrounding a Windows-based software, called Simplifier, that caters to this need. Simplifier is a development toolkit for designing user interfaces for Microsoft Windows applications. It is an interactive User Interface Management System (UIMS) with prototyping and code generation capabilities. Basically, Simplifier has three functions - editing, prototyping, and code generation. In editing, the users can create, modify, delete, view, and maintain user interface objects. It uses a set of graphical tools for the creation of the user interface objects. It also uses the library facility to allow users to reuse existing customized user interface designs. The prototyper, on the other hand, provides users with an option to simulate the actual behavior of the user interface being developed. Finally, the code generator will generate the equivalent source code in C programming language.


Learning models that offer robust out-of-distribution generalization and fast adaptation is a key challenge in modern machine learning. Modelling causal structure into neural networks holds the promise to accomplish robust zero and few-shot adaptation. Recent advances in differentiable causal discovery have proposed to factorize the data generating process into a set of modules, i.e. one module for the conditional distribution of every variable where only causal parents are used as predictors. Such a modular decomposition of knowledge enables adaptation to distributions shifts by only updating a subset of parameters. In this work, we systematically study the generalization and adaption performance of such modular neural causal models by comparing it to monolithic models and structured models where the set of predictors is not constrained to causal parents. Our analysis shows that the modular neural causal models outperform other models on both zero and few-shot adaptation in low data regimes and offer robust generalization. We also found that the effects are more significant for sparser graphs as compared to denser graphs.


Abstract While a large number of studies have investigated seafood consumption in various markets, surprisingly little is known about the types of seafood sold in retail outlets or their product forms in the USA. This is particularly true for fresh seafood, which is generally regarded as the most valuable product form of seafood. In this article, a unique dataset on retail in-store seafood sales that includes information about three main product forms (fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable products) was analyzed. Fresh seafood is important, as it makes up 43% of sales revenue. Moreover, some species are almost exclusively sold fresh, with trout and lobster as prime examples. Fresh also includes the greatest diversity of species and, as such, is the most likely product form for new producers to succeed. National sales are dominated by a few species, with salmon and shrimp accounting for a large portion of the fresh (27%) and frozen categories (43%), respectively, and tuna dominating the shelf-stable category (75%). There are also a large number of species with mostly small market shares. There are few differences in regional sales patterns for the main species, with notable exceptions such as whitefish in New England and crawfish in Louisiana and Texas. The degree of urbanization and income level appears as the important drivers for seafood sales. Supplemental data for this article is available online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23308249.2021.1946481


Abstract : A trial wave function describing the ground state of a quantum system of N interacting bosons is written in the Jastrow form, a product of pair functions. With the interaction potential chosen to represent liquid helium four, and with the parameterized form of the pair function chosen to include a long range term which has been found necessary to represent the zero point motion of the long wavelength density oscillations, a variational calculation has been performed using an accurate approximate integral equation for the pair distribution function. The essential results are that including the zero point motion in the wave function tends to lower the energy, raise the equilibrium density, corrects the behavior of the structure function and the momentum distribution of the particles in the low wave number region, and slightly decreases the Bose-Einstein condensate fraction. The value of the lower limit on the wavelength of the density oscillations was determined variationally to be about three interparticle spacings. (Author)


In order to determine the potential utility of trace elemental natural tags to resolve fine-scale stock structure and residency patterns in adult crustaceans, we investigated whether concentrations of trace elements in exoskeleton could be used to resolve capture sites of red rock lobsters Jasus edwardsii. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, we measured ratios of Li, Mg, Mn, Ba and Sr to Ca in samples of exoskeleton from 4 pairs of inner fjord and outer coast sites in Fiordland on New Zealand's southwest coast. Water column salinity structure was characterised at these 8 sites from a 12 yr series of conductivity, temperature and depth casts. Information on capture site, sex, carapace length and moult stage was used in an information theoretic framework to assess the degree to which capture site could be statistically discriminated using trace element signatures of exoskeleton. Using a permutational multivariate analysis of variance, we found significant differences in trace elemental signatures of exoskeleton at the scale of 10 to 20 km for 2 of the 4 fjords. In these same 2 fjords, we found persistent differences in water column salinity structure between sites. A multivariate permutational assignment test (canonical analysis of principal coordinates) successfully reclassified individuals from all 4 pairs of sites better than chance. These results indicate that trace elements can effectively be used to discriminate capture sites of adult rock lobsters between regions with different water mass characteristics. Within these limits, trace elements of exoskeleton may prove effective as natural tags to provide valuable information on fine-scale stock structure and residency patterns for rock lobsters.


The lifespan and economic viability of tidal energy devices are constrained, in part, by the complex degradation of the tidal turbine blade materials due to prolonged immersion in a hostile sub-sea environment. Seawater penetration is a significant degradation mechanism in composite materials. This work aims to investigate the influence of microstructure and hydrostatic pressure on water absorption in four polymer composites which are candidate materials for use in tidal energy devices. These materials are: a glass fibre powder epoxy, a carbon fibre powder epoxy, glass fibre Ampreg epoxy and a chopped fibre glass fibre Polyether Ether Ketone. X-ray computed tomography is used to characterise the voids, resin-rich areas and other manufacturing defects present in each material. These defects are known to significantly alter the rate of moisture diffusion, as well as the total uptake of water at saturation. The samples are then exposed to accelerated water aging and hydrostatic pressurisation in order to simulate a range of expected sub-sea operating conditions. The material micro-structure, the matrix material and pressurisation level are shown to strongly influence both the moisture absorption rate and total water uptake. Significant volumetric changes are also noted for all samples, both during and after aging. X-ray computed tomography scans of specimens also provide a unique insight into the role of voids in storing water once a material has reached saturation.


The shift from ideological politics to politics dominated by the media is characterized by Kundera as the rise of imagology. In Habermas's terms, imagology contributes to the systematic distortion of communication and impoverishes politics by undermining critical public reasoning. His view is shared by much recent research on the media and political communication. Deliberative democracy is proposed by Habermas and others as an antidote to imagology. This paper argues that the above line of reasoning errs by assuming that critical reasoning must take the form of verbal argumentation. This assumption leads commentators to over-emphasize the differences between systematic verbal presentation of ideas (ideologies) and visual and narrative representations (imagologies). Following Jameson and Hall, both forms can be understood as ideology in a Marxist sense. Rather than denigrating images as foreign to rational reflection, it is argued with reference to W. J. T. Mitchell that images are as amenable to critical interpretation as verbal argument.


Some time ago Mr. William H. Wood, of Brownsville, Texas, called my attention to infusion of algerita root, a remedy used by the Indians of Texas and Mexico for many ailments. As many of these ailments were infectious processes, the following experiment was carried out in order to learn whether the infusion possessed any antiseptic or germicidal properties. METHOD Five hundred grams of crushed algerita root was boiled for thirty minutes in 2 liters of distilled water and the liquid filtered through gauze. This infusion was sterilized in the autoclave and used as follows: One-tenth cubic centimeter of a twenty-four hour broth culture of scarlet fever streptococcus was added to each of six test tubes, each containing 10 cc. of ordinary nutrient broth with 0.1 cc. of sterile blood added. To one of these tubes 0.1 cc. of algerita root infusion was added; to four tubes, 0.2 cc., 0.5 cc.,


In situ annealing experiments on individual group III-nitride nanowires (NWs) in a transmission electron microscope demonstrate the encapsulation of GaN wires in crystalline carbon shells in the presence of C at moderate temperatures. The complete encapsulation of GaN wires in carbon shells can be achieved when small indium metal clusters are introduced on the wire surface. No encapsulation is observed on pure GaN wires under the same conditions. The observations suggest a general processing route for the formation of semiconductor core/C-shell NW structures based on surface decoration with small metal clusters.


Nigeria has witnessed crises which have threatened its peace and security since independence. In the last few decades, especially from the usurpation of administrative powers by the military, Nigerian societies have been undergoing difficult times vis-à-vis ethnoreligious conflagrations that impact on the nation's integration. This is as a result of the nature of interactions among the various amalgamated ethnoreligious and regional groups who pursue their objectives through different means to ensure they achieve their ends. These groups who have applied militant approach in carrying out their primary objectives include the Oodua People's Congress (OPC), the Arewa People's Congress (APC), Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) as well as the current Boko Haram sect (our focus), the Fulani Herdsmen crisis, the Niger Delta Avengers, and the Indigenous People of Biafra. The study, hence, examines the challenge of the Boko Haram Mini-review Article Agbaji et al.; AJARR, 2(1): 1-13, 2018; Article no.AJARR.43563 2 insurgency to national integration in Nigeria. To analyze this heinous phenomenon, the study made use of secondary data which include the review of published textbooks, journals, reports, etc., and the social-structural conflict approach was adopted as the tools of analysis for the study. The paper shows that Boko Haram insurgency has posed a great threat to the integration of the Nigerian state, just as it has undermined Nigeria's development by causing the loss of human lives and economic resources, dislocation of people, and increased poverty rate. The paper, therefore, recommends the need for a context-specific and multi-layer conflict resolution, management and prevention initiative(s) encapsulating a broad-based local, regional and international collaboration between all concerned stakeholders; reforms in the nation's educational and infrastructural sectors; and the governments' need to place as their basic attention the welfare of the citizens through well guided policies so as to increase citizens' living standards and support human capital development.


Using 1982 data from 5732 US hospitals, we found that costs were substantially higher in hospitals operating in more competitive local environments than in hospitals in less competitive environments. After controlling for wage rates, patient case mix, state regulatory programs, and hospital teaching role, average costs per admission were found to be 26% higher in hospitals in the most competitive markets (more than ten hospitals within a 24-km radius) than in hospitals with no competitors within a 24-km radius. Average costs per patient-day were 15% higher in the most competitive markets than in hospitals with no neighbors. These findings on the cost implications of nonprice competition among hospitals suggest that the new modes of hospital payment will have a greater disruptive impact on hospital behavior in areas with many, rather than few, hospitals. In anticipating the effects of new modes of payment on hospital behavior, policymakers should consider the nature of quality competition as well as price competition within local markets.


The Cambrian manganese ore of the Ardudwy district of Merionethshire occurs interstratified in that series of rocks which locally forms the lowest Cambrian and which is known as the Harlech Grit series. This series crops out in a broad, irregularly oval, mountainous tract, with the long axis alined north and south. It extends from Barmouth in the south to within about one mile of Ffestiniog in the north and from the coast on the west to the Ganllwyd valley on the east. Ramsay (1881, p. 19) first described these rocks, but no attempt was made to classify the series until in 1893 Good-child grouped them as follows (Dewey and Dines 1923, p. 59):— 4. Upper Mudstones (Lingula Flags and Menevian) with Upper Manganese Bed at base. 3. Upper or Moelfre Grits. 2. Lower Mudstones; Lower Manganese Bed near base. 1. Lower Grits. He thus recognized two manganese horizons separated by at least 850 feet of rocks. Charles Lapworth and T. Stacey Wilson, recognizing only one ore bed, divided the Harlech Grit series of the Survey as follows (Andrew 1910, p. 161):— 5. Gamlan Shale group: grey, greyish green, and sometimes purple shales, slates and flags with occasional grit bands increasing in number eastward. 750–1200 feet. 4. Barmouth Grits: massive grits and conglomerates. 600 feet. 3. Hafotty or Manganese Shale group: grey and green mudstones with rare grits in west, becoming more frequent


The rapid developments in computer technology have resulted in a widespread use of discrete event dynamic systems (DEDSs). This type of system is complex because it exhibits properties such as concurrency, conflict and non-determinism. It is therefore important to model and analyse such systems before implementation to ensure safe, deadlock free and optimal operation. This thesis investigates current modelling techniques and describes Petri net theory in more detail. It reviews top down, bottom up and hybrid Petri net synthesis techniques that are used to model large systems and introduces on object oriented methodology to enable modelling of larger and more complex systems. Designs obtained by this methodology are modular, easy to understand and allow re-use of designs. Control is the next logical step in the design process. This thesis reviews recent developments in control DEDSs and investigates the use of Petri nets in the design of supervisory controllers. The scheduling of exclusive use of resources is investigated and an efficient Petri net based scheduling algorithm is designed and a re-configurable controller is proposed. To enable the analysis and control of large and complex DEDSs, an object oriented C++ software tool kit was developed and used to implement a Petri net analysis tool, Petri net scheduling and control algorithms. Finally, the methodology was applied to two industrial DEDSs: a prototype can sorting machine developed by Eurotherm Controls Ltd., and a semiconductor testing plant belonging to SGS Thomson Microelectronics Ltd.


Norovirus (NoV) is one of the major causes of viral sporadic and outbreak-associated gastroenteritis across all age groups both in developing and developed countries (1). With the implementation of rotavirus vaccines, the rotavirus-associated gastroenteritis cases have continuing declined and NoV infection has become the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children younger than 5 years of age (2-4). The NoV-associated mortality has been estimated in children aged less than 5 years in developing countries up to 218,000 deaths per year (5,6). In addition, NoV-associated deaths in adults in upper middle- and high-income countries have also been estimated at 2,000 to 13,000 deaths per year (7). Currently, no NoV vaccine is available, even though several NoV vaccine candidates are in the process of development (8).


The repeated action of simulated freeze-thaw cycles on Cadalso de los Vidrios Granite, promotes
differential micro-cracking and loss of cr ystals at the surface and therefore decay. It is possible to
establish a relationship between the evolution of the ultrasound waves velocity (Vp) with the number
of freeze-thaw cycles and the generation of microcracks. Intergranular cracks are formed during the
first cycles and these propagate towards the inner part of each individual crystals as the freeze-thaw
cycles advance. Therefore, after 280 freeze-thaw cycles different patterns of microcracking can be
observed depending on the mineralogy. Quartz is the mineral displaying more intense cracking while
biotite shows less cracking, in part due to its more ductile behaviour. Micro-cracks appear preferentially
at the surface of the samples with a maximum length and depth of 1 cm. Thus, these samples showed
limited decay highlighting the good performance of Cadalso de los Vidrios granite against freezethaw.


Lachman claims that the Dynamical Hypothesis (DH) is "untenable." His own position is a version of the "The DH is epistemological, not ontological," objection to the target article, which is dealt with in section R2.3 of my original response (van Gelder 1998r). Additional objections are that the coverage of the hypothesis is "vast" and that the DH presupposes we have reached the end point of scientific theorizing. Indeed, the DH is very broad, but it does not presuppose that science has ended; that's why we call it a "hypothesis."


The laser-induced intermolecular force that exists between two or more particles in the presence of an electromagnetic field is commonly termed ``optical binding.'' Distinct from the single-particle forces that are at play in optical trapping at the molecular level, the phenomenon of optical binding is a manifestation of the coupling between optically induced dipole moments in neutral particles. In other, more widely known areas of optics, there are many examples of chiral discrimination---signifying the different response a chiral material has to the handedness of an optical input. In the present analysis, extending previous work on chiral discrimination in optical binding, a mechanism is identified using a quantum electrodynamical approach. It is shown that the optical binding force between a pair of chiral molecules can be significantly discriminatory in nature, depending upon both the handedness of the interacting particles and the polarization of the incident light, and it is typically several orders of magnitude larger than previously reported.


Arman Pazouki1∗, Radu Serban1† , Dan Negrut1‡ 1 University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1513 University Avenue, Madison, WI-53706, USA Abstract This work outlines a unified multi-threaded, multi-scale High Performance Computing (HPC) approach for the direct numerical simulation of Fluid-Solid Interaction (FSI) problems. The simulation algorithm relies on the extended Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics (XSPH) method, which approaches the fluid flow in a Lagrangian framework consistent with the Lagrangian tracking of the solid phase. A general 3D rigid body dynamics and an Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation (ANCF) are implemented to model rigid and flexible multibody dynamics. The two-way coupling of the fluid and solid phases is supported through use of Boundary Condition Enforcing (BCE) markers that capture the fluid-solid coupling forces by enforcing a no-slip boundary condition. The solid-solid short range interaction, which has a crucial impact on the small-scale behavior of fluid-solid mixtures, is resolved via a lubrication force model. The collective system states are integrated in time using an explicit, multi-rate scheme. To alleviate the heavy computational load, the overall algorithm leverages parallel computing on Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) cards. Performance and scaling analysis are provided for simulations scenarios involving one or multiple phases with up to tens of thousands of solid objects. The software implementation of the approach, called Chrono::Fluid, is part of the Chrono project and available as an open-source software.


Recent penetration of Web 2.0 and social network services (SNS) seems to make information quality (IQ) in those services more important. The main objective of this research is to grasp the impact from system quality to dimensions of information quality and to analyze relationships among those qualities and intention to re-use in Web 2.0 services including SNS. Based on socio-technical approach, information quality research, the updated IS success model and the IS diffusion variance model, the structural equation model is constructed and empirically tested. The result shows that system quality positively affects both intrinsic IQ and contextual and representational IQ, and that the latter exerts more impact on intention to re-use than the former. System quality also positively affects intention to re-use. Researches for the impact from system quality to information quality are scarce, thus our research contributes to this topic. We also found that the role of technical compatibility and user interaction environment on system quality is important and there is little lock-in effect for Web 2.0 services. The result of this research suggests a strategy for practitioners of these services to keep their competitive edge and retain users.


Objective The aim of this multicenter study was to evaluate the feasibility of sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping in clinically uterine confined endometrial cancer. Methods Patients who underwent primary surgery for endometrial cancer with an SLN algorithm were reviewed. Indocyanine green or blue dye was used as a tracer. SLNs and/or suspicious lymph nodes were resected. Side specific lymphadenectomy was performed when mapping was unsuccessful. SLNs were ultrastaged on final pathology. Results 357 eligible patients were analyzed. Median age was 59 years. Median number of resected SLNs was 2 (range 1–12) per patient. Minimal invasive and open surgeries were performed in 264 (73.9%) and 93 (26.1%) patients, respectively. Indocyanine green was used in 231 (64.7%) and blue dye in 126 (35.3%) patients. The dyes were injected into the cervix in 355 (99.4%) patients. The overall and bilateral SLN detection rates were 91.9% and 71.4%, respectively. The mapping rates using indocyanine green or blue dye were comparable (P=0.526). There were 43 (12%) patients with lymphatic metastasis. The SLN algorithm was not able to detect 3 of 43 patients who had isolated paraaortic metastasis. After SLN biopsy, complete pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 286 (80.1%) patients. Sensitivity and negative predictive value were both 100% for the detection of pelvic lymph node metastases. In addition, 117 (32.8%) patients underwent completion paraaortic lymphadenectomy after SLN biopsy. In these patients, sensitivity for detecting metastases to pelvic and/or paraaortic lymph nodes was 90.3% with a negative predictive value of 96.6%. The risk of non-SLN involvement in patients with macrometastatic SLNs, micrometastatic SLNs, and isolated tumor cells in SLNs were 61.2%, 14.3% and 0%, respectively. Conclusions SLN biopsy had good accuracy in detecting lymphatic metastasis. However, one-third of cases with metastatic SLNs also had non-SLN involvement and this risk increased to two-thirds of cases with macrometastatic SLNs. The effect of leaving these nodes in situ on survival should be evaluated in further studies.


Multi-messenger astronomy has experienced an explosive development in the past few years. While not being a particularly young field, it has recently attracted a lot of attention by several major discoveries and unprecedented observation campaigns covering the entity of the electromagnetic spectrum as well as observations of cosmic rays, neutrinos, and gravitational waves. The exploration of synergies is in full steam and requires close cooperation between different instruments. Here I give an overview over the subject of multi-messenger astronomy and its virtues compared to classical "single messenger" observations, present the recent break throughs of the field, and discuss some of its organisational and technical challenges.


Introduction
Philosophy and science may appear as two distinct, even antagonistic disciplines, but this ignores a shared origin as Natural Philosophy. Natural Philosophy, from that start, focuses on grasping Earthly cause-and-effect, and this remains the case for philosophy and science. In realizing a human "information edifice," our success with asking philosophical questions and finding scientific answers yields a fount of knowledge such that philosophy and science now seem divided by that success – the One Thousand Faces referenced in the title.
This presentation reprises the core matter of Earthly cause-and-affect to infer a new foundational/informational vista. The posited view aims to complement and bridge (or perhaps, even, surpass) philosophic and scientific models – by developing a type of "information science" or "core informatics."
Development
This talk begins by recognizing basic issues that underpin all "asking" and "answers" – core informational topics. It then presents one way in which humanity, in partial fashion, addresses those issues. The descriptive-explanatory model used is a common Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and the Information Technology (IT) principles it uses – which affords a "most reductive" (a priori) view. The IT principles referenced are: metadata, to model "meaning-ful" information; and mechanical interpretation, used to designate "meaning-ful" information. Due to time limits, this talk discusses only metadata; while joint coverage of metadata and interpretation is modeled in a detailed accompanying paper (PSYCHE AS AN INFORMATIONAL STRATEGY – General Information Theory [14,000 words]) available at: http://issuu.com/mabundis/docs.
The accompanying paper presents a reductive "functionalist information theory" remedy to historic issues in modeling the human Psyche (consciousness, intelligence, etc.). It uses set IT models to make a contrasted analysis of IT's-Psyche's operations. The paper argues that all information, at a minimum (whether IT or Psyche), has an inviolate dual aspect of "form + content." This unified dual material aspect is then shown to resolve the duality typical of historic views of Psyche (Hard Problem, Signal Grounding Problem). With this dual aspect in mind, the paper next posits a role for natural selection in the formation of Psyche . . . and of all functionalist (cause-and-effect) sense-ability.
To present "a role for natural selection," the paper develops a genus of Shannon's signal entropy, Bateson's differences, Monod's material necessity and chance, and Darwinian reproduction, as enabling a generative/emergent foil contra natural selection. Ensuing events (recurring effective-and-efficient recombinant roles) then bring about an extant ontology and epistemology for Psyche – or, a surviving objective-subjective intelligence. This innately unified vista defines a direct link between material entropy, evident in the world in many forms, and a more personal subjective sense of signal entropy (identity), that is equally evident.
Conclusion
The paper offers a precise (unified) taxonomy as general information theory (GIT) – arguing for the development of effective Universal Theories of Information (UTIs). As such, it significantly expands the classic view of information beyond Shannon's signal entropy and displaces the typical role of thermodynamic entropy as "noise" with "material entropy." The implication of this broad "natural informatics" (thinking like nature) is that it affords a likely organizing principle for multi-state/quantum computers, strong artificial intelligence, cognitive materials, and the like. An 11 minute video of this talk's animated slides (without audio) is available at: http://youtu.be/dlnu-KCQ70o.
References

Abundis, M. (2015). Psyche as an informational strategy (general information theory). Issuu.com [online] Available at: [Accessed 1 January 2014].


In December 2019, a novel COVID-19 infection caused by SARS-CoV-2 has emerged as a global emergency. In a few months, the pathogen has infected millions of people in the world. Primarily SARS-CoV-2 infects the pulmonary system which ultimately leads to ARDS and lung failure. The majority of patients develop milder symptoms but the infection turns severe in a huge number of people, which ultimately results in enhanced mortality in COVID-19 patients. Co-morbid conditions, primarily cardiovascular complications and diabetes, have been reported to show a strong correlation with COVID-19 severity. Further, the onset of myocardial injury secondary to pulmonary damage has been observed in critically ill patients who have never reported heart-related ailments before. Due to drastic health risks associated with virus infection, the unprecedented disruption in normal business throughout the world has caused economic misery. Apparently, newer treatments are urgently needed to combat the virus particularly to reduce the severity burden. Therefore, understanding the crosstalk between lung and heart during COVID-19 might give us better clarity for early diagnosis followed by appropriate treatment in patients with the likelihood of developing severe symptoms. Accordingly, the present review highlights the potential mechanisms that may explain the crosstalk between lung and heart so that effective treatment/management strategies can be evolved swiftly in this direction.


A novel subspace (SS) based blind channel estimation method for multi-input, multi-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems is proposed in this work. With an appropriate re-modulation on the received signal blocks, the SS method can be effectively applied to the cyclic prefix (CP) based MIMO-OFDM system when the number of the receive antennas is no less than the number of transmit antennas. These features show great compatibility with the coming fourth generation (4G) wireless communication standards as well as most existing single-input single-output (SISO) OFDM standards, thus allow the proposed algorithm to be conveniently integrated into practical applications. Compared with the traditional SS method, the proposed algorithm exhibits many advantages such as robustness to channel order over-estimation, capability of guaranteeing the channel identifiability etc. Analytical expressions for the mean-square error (MSE) and the approximated Cramer-Rao bound (ACRB) of the proposed algorithm are derived in closed forms. Various numerical examples are conducted to corroborate the proposed studies.


To alleviate the performance degradation due to the slow non-scalable wirelines in conventional Network-on-Chip Wireless Networks-on-Chip (WiNoCs) have emerged as a promising solution. However, on-chip communication poses several constraints on the wireless layer. Hence, there is the need for simulation and design tools that consider the effect of the wireless channel at the nanotechnology level. In this paper, we present a parameterizable channel model for WiNoCs which takes into account practical issues and constraints of the propagation medium. The proposed channel model demonstrates that total path loss of the wireless channel in WiNoCs suffers from not only dielectric propagation loss (DPL) but also molecular absorption attenuation (MAA) which reduces the reliability of the system.


The final objective of breast reconstruction is to equalise as far as possible the appearance between the reconstructed breast and the contralateral breast. To this end, once the new breast monticle has been obtained through different techniques of breast reconstruction, we employ a different series of surgical techniques that allow us to obtain symmetry. In this way, we act on the one hand on the contralateral breast (either increasing it, reducing it or raising it), and on the other we act on the reconstructed breast, recreating a new nipple-areola complex, which will complete the reconstruction by giving this breast a more real and suitable appearance.


Improvements in the performance of computing systems, driven by Moore's Law, have transformed society. As such hardware-driven gains slow down, it becomes even more important for software developers to focus on performance and efficiency during development. While several studies have demonstrated the potential from such improved code efficiency (e.g., 2x better generational improvements compared to hardware), unlocking these gains in practice has been challenging. Reasoning about algorithmic complexity and the interaction of coding patterns on hardware can be challenging for the average programmer, especially when combined with pragmatic constraints around development velocity and multi-person development. This paper seeks to address this problem. We analyze a large competitive programming dataset from the Google Code Jam competition and find that efficient code is indeed rare, with a 2x runtime difference between the median and the 90th percentile of solutions. We propose using machine learning to automatically provide prescriptive feedback in the form of hints, to guide programmers towards writing high-performance code. To automatically learn these hints from the dataset, we propose a novel discrete variational auto-encoder, where each discrete latent variable represents a different learned category of code-edit that increases performance. We show that this method represents the multi-modal space of code efficiency edits better than a sequence-to-sequence baseline and generates a distribution of more efficient solutions.


In order to reveal the rest-frame V-band morphology of galaxies at z ∼ 3, we conducted AO-assisted K-band imaging observations of z ∼ 3 LBGs whose absolute magnitudes range from MV* − 0.5 mag to MV* + 3.0 mag, with MV*, the characteristic absolute magnitude of z ∼ 3 LBGs, of –24.0 mag. The AO observations resolve most LBGs at a resolution of FWHM ∼ 0.2′′. The median apparent half-light radius, rHL, is 0.23″, i.e., 1.8 kpc at z = 3. LBGs brighter than MV* have larger rHL (0.40″) than the fainter LBGs (0.23″) on average, and there are no bright LBGs with a small rHL. LBGs brighter than MV* have red rest-frame U − V colors (average of 0.2 mag), and most of the fainter LBGs show blue rest-frame U − V colors (average of –0.4 mag). The K-band peaks of some of the LBGs brighter than K = 22.0 mag show a significant shift from those in the optical images. We fit a Sérsic profile to the images of the LBGs with K < 21.5 mag, taking care of the uncertainty of the final PSFs at the position of the targets. The images of all but one LBG with K < 21.5 mag are fitted well with Sérsic profiles with n indexes less than 2, similar to disk galaxies in the local universe. For the fainter LBGs, we examine the concentration parameter instead of fitting a Sérsic profile; the concentration parameters of the LBGs are consistent with those of disk galaxies. Assuming that the LBGs have a disk shape, we compared their size-luminosity and size-stellar mass relations with those of z = 0 and z = 1 disk galaxies. The LBGs are brighter than z = 0 and z = 1 disk galaxies at the same effective radius. The rest-frame V-band surface brightness of the LBGs are 2.2-2.9 mag and 1.2-1.9 mag brighter than the disk galaxies at z = 0 and z = 1, respectively. The size-stellar mass relation of the LBGs shows that the effective radii of the LBGs do not depend on their stellar mass. For LBGs brighter than MV*, the average surface stellar mass density is 3-6 times larger than those of the z = 0 and z = 1 disk galaxies. On the contrary, the size-stellar mass relation of the less-luminous LBGs is similar to those of z = 0 and z = 1 disk galaxies. We also examine the profiles of the serendipitously observed DRGs. They are fitted with Sérsic profiles with n < 2, and their scatter on the C versus rHL plane is similar to that of the z ∼ 3 LBGs. The average surface stellar mass density of the DRGs is even larger than that of the z ∼ 3 LBGs brighter than MV*. The implications of the dominance of the n < 2 population among galaxies at z ∼ 3 and the presence of the high surface stellar mass density disk systems are discussed.


Introduction: Continuous positive pressure in the nasal airways (CPAP) is a non-invasive form of ventilation used in premature newborns in intensive care units. However, it can affect the nose of these patients, even evolving with ischemia and columellar necrosis. Several techniques are described to reconstruct the columella, such as skin grafts, composite grafts, local flaps, and free flaps, but the atrial chondrocutaneous graft has stood out. This study aims to describe a case of columella necrosis using CPAP with reconstruction using posterior atrial chondrocutaneous grafting. Case Report: A brown, female patient, with a history of prematurity and prolonged use of CPAP when she was born due to hyaline membrane syndrome, developed columella necrosis. The patient underwent posterior auricular chondrocutaneous grafting to reconstruct the columella. She presented a satisfactory surgical result, evolving with 100% graft vitality. Discussion: Columellar necrosis associated with the use of CPAP can be aesthetically and functionally debilitating, and represents a reconstructive challenge. The options for obtaining acceptable results are limited. However, the use of ear grafts is technically straightforward, uses structurally similar donor tissues, does not cause additional scarring on the nose, is performed in a surgical period, and generally has an excellent result. Posterior auricular composite grafting for columellar reconstruction proved safe, with satisfactory aesthetic and functional results and minimal morbidity in the donor area. ■ ABSTRACT


In high throughput applications, such as in multimedia, it is preferable to fully utilize computing resources, even at the price of some (bounded) delay. However, in real-time systems, where the maximum admissible delay is modeled by a deadline, most of the theory is developed with the assumption of a task deadline smaller than or equal to the task period. The reason of this limitation is in the intrinsic difficulty of the schedulability analysis in the arbitrary deadline case. The most notable guarantee test for sets of arbitrary deadline tasks was due to Lehoczky in 1990. In this paper, we propose the quadratic utilization bound applicable to tasks with arbitrary deadline, which extends Lehoczky's result. The improvement is made possible by providing some information about the task periods.


This research presents a new modus of electrochemical finishing as a finish process using an effective design of forming sheet electrode on zinc alloys beyond traditional process of die casting on the surface of castings instead of the conventional hand or machines polishing. In the current experiment, the author takes an outer shell of toy vehicle for instance; five types of design electrode are used and supplied with continuous direct current in the experiment of electrochemical finishing. For the design electrodes, a thin plate with small end radius and small wedge angle are associated with higher current density and provides larger discharge space and better polishing effect. The electrode with spherical head performs the best. The electrochemical finishing after die casting saves the need of hand or machines polishing just needs quite short time to make the surface of castings smoothing and bright. An effective and low-cost polishing of the surface of castings is presented.


This thesis focuses on the area of face processing and aims at designing a reliable framework to facilitate face, age, and gender recognition. A Bag-of-Words framework has been optimized for the task of face recognition by evaluating different feature descriptors and different bag-of-words configurations. More specifically, we choose a compact set of features (e.g., descriptors, window locations, window sizes, dictionary sizes, etc.) in order to produce the highest possible rate of accuracy. Experiments on a challenging dataset shows that our framework achieves a better level of accuracy when compared to other popular approaches such as dimension reduction techniques, edge detection operators, and texture and shape feature extractors. The second contribution of this thesis is the proposition of a general framework for age and gender classification. Although the vast majority of the existing solutions focus on a single visual descriptor that often only encodes a certain characteristic of the image regions, this thesis aims at integrating multiple feature types. For this purpose, feature selection is employed to obtain more accurate and robust facial descriptors. Once descriptors have been computed, a compact set of features is chosen, which facilitates facial image processing for age and gender analysis. In addition to this, a new color descriptor (CLR-LBP) is proposed and the results obtained is shown to be comparable to those of other pre-existing color descriptors. The experimental results indicates that our age and gender framework outperforms other proposed methods when examined on two challenging databases, where face objects are present with different expressions and levels of illumination. This achievement demonstrates the effectiveness of our proposed solution and allows us to achieve a higher accuracy over the existing state-of-the-art methods.


Principles of scientific data accumulation and evidence‐based practices are vehicles of professional enhancement. In this article, the author argues that a scientific knowledge base exists descriptive of the relationship between teachers' activities and student learning. This database appears barely recognised however, for reasons including (a) the scientific tradition may not be seen as an appropriate basis for humanistic decision making; (b) personal observations can override impersonal statistics; (c) alternative frames, such as postmodernism, may contribute towards an anti‐science stance; (d) qualitative research may be viewed as representing a sampled universe; (e) educational theorising thrives upon dichotomisations which cannot be mapped against objectively‐secured data; and (f) individuals are relatively unable to undertake the mental processes demanded of theory change. The author also discusses the distinction between scientific reasoning and everyday cognition, as illustrated by research findin...


Human-related activities are known to have deleterious effects on the water quality of aquatic ecosystems, but there is limited information on the impact of these on rivers in tropical regions, such as the Chania River in Kenya. The Chania River is an important source of water for humans and animals and provides habitat for a variety of flora and fauna. This study used a Water Quality Index (WQI) to assess the suitability of the water for human use based on selected physico-chemical parameters (nitrates, Total Dissolved solids (TDS), potassium, sulphates, chlorides, copper, manganese, pH and phosphates). Sample collection was done between October 2018 and February 2019 over the dry and the wet seasons. Generally, the WQI indicated that water quality was fair to good in the dry season (19.67 to 30.10) but fair to poor in the wet season (23.17 to 89.15). It is recommended that the riparian zone of the Chania River be protected from anthropogenic disturbances in the County Kiambu.


Objective: The body size of football players may potentially influence high-level performance. However, increased body mass may increase sleep apnea risks. This study investigated the severity of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and body composition among Japanese rugby union players.
Methods: Subjects were 52 Japanese male rugby union players. The team received routine dental support at the Nihon University School of Dentistry in Matsudo, Japan. Dental services included dental checkups and treatment, and provision of custom-made mouthguards. Outcome measures were the respiratory disturbance index (RDI) recorded from a sleep apnea test and body mass index (BMI), neck circumference (NC) measurements, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). All players were informed of the outcome of the sleep apnea test following completion of assessments, after which eight players desired and received treatment with a monoblock mandibular advancement device (MAD).
Results: OSA was seen in 86.5% of players (29 mild, 14 moderate, 2 severe), with only seven players free of OSA. All players were obese according to BMI, with a large NC (mean, 42.5±3.7 cm). Players with moderate and severe OSA exhibited significantly higher BMI and NC than the normal group (p=0.05 and p=0.02, respectively). NC and BMI correlated positively with RDI and snoring episodes, but negatively with minimum and mean peripheral oxygen saturation. The Youden index (NC cut-off, 40.75 cm) indicated increased OSA risk in 32.7%. Daytime ESS score was high (mean, 11±3.9). MAD treatment in eight of the players with OSA significantly improved RDI.
Conclusion: OSA was identified in 86.5% of rugby players, with potential contributions from the large NC and characteristic facial morphology of Japanese individuals. During dental care for athletes, dentists may be able to identify sleep-related disorders.


Seismic tomography is a powerful tool for understanding Earth structure. In New Zealand, velocity models derived using ray-based tomography have been used extensively to characterize the complex plate boundary between the Australian and Pacific plates. Advances in computational capabilities now allow us to improve these velocity models using adjoint tomography, an imaging method which minimizes differences between observed and simulated seismic waveforms. We undertake the first application of adjoint tomography in New Zealand to improve a ray-based New Zealand velocity model containing the Hikurangi subduction zone and the North Island of New Zealand.
In support of this work we deployed the Broadband East Coast Network (BEACON), a temporary seismic network aimed at improving coverage of the New Zealand permanent network, along the east coast of the North Island. We concurrently develop an automated, open-source workflow for full-waveform inversion using spectral element and adjoint methods. We employ this tool to assess a candidate velocity model's suitability for adjoint tomography. Using a 3D ray-based traveltime tomography model of New Zealand, we generate synthetic seismic waveforms for more than 10 000 source–receiver pairs and evaluate waveform misfits. We subsequently perform synthetic checkerboard inversions with a realistic New Zealand source–receiver distribution. Reasonable systematic time shifts and satisfactory checkerboard resolution in synthetic inversions indicate that the candidate model is appropriate as an initial model for adjoint tomography. This assessment also demonstrates the relative ease of use and reliability of the automated tools.
We then undertake a large-scale adjoint tomography inversion for the North Island of New Zealand using up to 1 800 unique source–receiver pairs to fit waveforms with periods 4–30 s, relating to minimum waveform sensitivities on the order of 5 km. Overall, 60 geographically well-distributed earthquakes and as many as 88 broadband station locations are included. Using a nonlinear optimization algorithm, we undertake 28 model updates of Vp and Vs over six distinct inversion legs which progressively increase resolution. The total inversion incurred a computational cost of approximately 500 000 CPU-hours. The overall time shift between observed and synthetic seismograms is reduced, and updated velocities show as much as ±30% change with respect to initial values. A formal resolution analysis using point spread tests highlights that velocity changes are strongly resolved onland and directly offshore, at depths above 30 km, with low-amplitude changes (> 1%) observed down to 100 km depth. The most striking velocity changes coincide with areas related to the active Hikurangi subduction zone.
We interpret the updated velocity model in terms of New Zealand tectonics and geology, and observe good agreement with known basement terranes, and major structural elements such as faults, sedimentary basins, broad-scale subduction related features. We recover increased spatial heterogeneity in seismic velocities along the strike of the Hikurangi subduction zone with respect to the initial model. Below the East Coast, we interpret two localized high-velocity anomalies as previously unidentified subducted seamounts. We corroborate this interpretation with other work, and discuss the implications of deeply subducted seamounts on slip behavior along the Hikurangi margin. In the Cook Strait we observe a low-velocity zone that we interpret as a deep sedimentary basin. Strong velocity gradients bounding this low-velocity zone support hypotheses of a structural boundary here separating the North and South Islands of New Zealand. In the central North Island, low-velocity anomalies are linked to surface geology, and we relate seismic velocities at depth to crustal magmatic activity below the Taupo Volcanic Zone.
This new velocity model provides more accurate synthetic seismograms and additional constraints on enigmatic tectonic processes related to the North Island of New Zealand. Both the velocity model itself, and the underpinning methodological contributions, improve our ever-expanding understanding of the North Island of New Zealand, the Hikurangi subduction zone, and the broader Australian-Pacific plate boundary.


Poverty, if it is not properly viewed by the public, may lead to the depersonalization of both poor and living in the midst of those who need help. Poverty is experienced by children in a specikc way. They often suher from hunger, they are undernourished, and they have limited access to a variety of goods, including culture and education. This, in turn, is often relected in their self-esteem, a sense of self-dignity. The role of the school in kghting the poverty of the students is shown in this article. The existing forms of aid to poor students are presented, as well as the challenges facing the school in terms of helping marginalized students. It is also crucial for the teachers themselves to be trained in such a way that would promote not only the intellectual development of the students, but most of all – the pro-social attitudes and that would emphasize the value and dignity of a person.


Modern interconnect performance is greatly affected by crosstalk noise because of continuous decrease in wire separation and increase in its aspect ratio with technology scaling. Such noise is highly dependent on data transition patterns, coding techniques have been proposed to alleviate crosstalk delay by controlling these patterns. The complexity of available crosstalk avoidance codes, along with their associated overheads, increase rapidly with bus width. The lack of energy and area-efficient method to implement such codes has so far prevented their use in practical designs. This study presents a generic framework, which allows efficient implementations of crosstalk avoidance codes; the essence of the proposed approach is based on the partial coding concept. Quantitative analysis performed in 32 nm technology shows that substantial savings in area and energy costs can be obtained using the proposed technique compared with both existing coding solutions and conventional methods as shielding and repeater insertion.


Durable write-once (WO) optical disk media have been demonstrated by using silver island films with a protection layer of fluorine-contained polymers. The reflectance of the silver island films is high at the wavelength of 800 nm and can be greatly lowered by laser irradiation, owing to the thermal deformation of the islands. Laser writing has been experimentally confirmed at almost the same line speed as that of compact discs (CDs). Therefore it is expected that a CD-compatible write-once optical disc can be realised.


Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) are toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic compounds. Removal of these compounds has a great importance for environment. Removal of PAHs from soil is difficult as these chemicals are persistent in the soil. In this research, bioremediation of soil contaminated by (PAH) using Bacillus subtilis DSMZ 3256 (B.subtilis) strains was studied. The effect of electrokinetic on biodegradation of PAH was investigated. Fluorene and phenanthrene were selected as PAH and were mixed with soil. The bioremediation experiment was initially performed at 30oC and different humidities. The results represented 12.2 and 11.9% removal of fluorene and phenanthrene at 40% relative humidity after 7 days, respectively. The effects of electrokinetic on this process were studied at different current densities. It was found that the electrokinetic can reduce the biodesulfurization time. According to the results, the removal percents of fluorene and phenanthrene after 4 days under current density 1.82 mA/cm2 were 39.4 and 37.2, respectively.


Recent years have witnessed an increased demand for more powerful computers and continuous miniaturization of electronics. As the drive toward miniaturisation of electronic devices continues, the utilization of the one-dimensional electronic properties would facilitate very fast and functional devices. A system that provides a unique template for studying the one-dimensional electronic behaviour is present in carbon nanotubes, which have been proposed as nanoscale building blocks because of their exceptional physical properties, making them an ideal candidate for future solid-state nanoelectronic devices. For the nanotubes to be part of a larger assembly, their properties, together with their response to different environments need to be examined. An ideal tool for probing tiny structures such as carbon nanotubes is the scanning tunnelling microscope, which has the ability to obtain a direct real space image with extremely high spatial resolution, allowing also investigations of the electron distribution in a material. Measurements performed with the scanning tunnelling microscope of the electronic states of carbon nanotubes are reported and several key electronic phenomena are demonstrated in this study. The explicit relationship between the atomically resolved structure and the corresponding electronic behaviour of carbon nanotubes, as predicted by theory for carbon nanotubes, is revealed by our measurements, which are further validated by calculations. Evidence indicative of interlayer interaction between the two constituent shells of double walled carbon nanotubes is found and the chirality of the inner tube determined, based on a detailed analysis of the tunnelling spectra. Our experiments indicate that the overall electronic structure is dependent on the interlayer interaction and not only on the chirality pairs as was previously suggested. Radial deformations of carbon nanotubes have been studied and found to drastically affect the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes, hi particular, the effect on the electronic properties of a twist-induced deformation was observed to be reversed by the radial collapse of the tube. Due to their dimensions and geometry, carbon nanotubes also provide a unique opportunity of engineering novel one-dimensional structures within their cores. Once successfully introduced into the nanotubes, the effect that the encapsulated filling material (AgNO3, AgI and HgTe) exerts on the encasing nanotube was investigated by scanning tunnelling microscopy. The results are discussed in connection with some of the encountered difficulties that sometimes precluded reliable measurements.


China and Pakistan are frequently touted as "strategic partners" based on the historic journey that has fused both states in a resilient partnership. The bilateral relationship is multisectoral based on diplomatic, defence and socio-economic cooperation. If focus of the bilateral ties is to be pinpointed, it would be defence and security cooperation that has been the defining factor of the relationship. However, the equation transformed with the transformation in the geopolitical context of the South Asian region post-2011. Pakistan signed a major economic venture with China; the China Pakistan Economic Corridor besides opening up to Russia as well. After the launch of CPEC in 2015, the defence centric bilateral relationship between Pakistan and China changed into a mega economic partnership. The paper has attempted to understand this transformation between the two countries and make a case for "strategic interdependence" rather than strategic partnership. Since, interdependence takes a deeper meaning than partnership. Pak. Journal of Int'L Affairs, Vol 4, Issue 1 (2021) From Strategic Partnership to Strategic... -2


FlexRay is a popular communication protocol in modern automotive systems with several computation nodes and communication units. The complex temporal behavior of such systems depends highly on the FlexRay configuration and influences the performance of running control applications. In our previous work, we presented a design framework for integrated scheduling and design of embedded control applications, where control quality is the optimization objective. This paper presents our extension to the design framework to handle FlexRay-based embedded control systems. Our contribution is a method for the decision of FlexRay parameters and optimization of control quality.


This paper describes the outcome of a completely revised course implementation for the course Thermodynamics (15 ETCS), a standard physics course at basic level. Historically, this course has been taught in a traditional way, i.e. almost daily lectures combined with a week of lab classes and a written examination concluded the course. Hence, during the roughly 25-30 lectures during the course, most parts of the literature was covered. However, analyzing the results over a 10 year period, where different lecturers has been teaching the course, it can be observed that there are no significant differences in the examination results due to the teacher effort. This observation is not new and of course somewhat disappointing for an enthusiastic lecturer that has a belief in that he/she can make a big difference for the student. With these observations in mind, we set out to do something radically different where the key question is how we get the student to devote sufficient time to pass the exam. Thus, in the revised course implementation, only eight lectures of overview character were given, usually at the start of a week. After each lecture, the students were given eight assignments that they should prepare for, and be able to present, at a seminar that usually occurred at the end of the week. To increase the students' willingness to actually fulfill the assignment, they were rewarded with a bonus that gave credit at the written exam. The student group performed roughly similar to previous groups on the written exam, but there were a number of differences in the overall performance that will be thoroughly discussed in the paper.


I study the design of environmental policies for a regulator that has incomplete information on firms' emissions and costs of production and abatement (e.g., air pollution in cities with numerous small polluting sources). Because of incomplete information on emissions, there is no policy that can implement the first-best. Since the regulator can observe firms' abatement technologies, however, it is possible to design a quasi-emissions trading program based on this information and show that it can provide higher welfare than command-and-control regulation such as technology or emission standards. I then empirically examine this claim using evidence from a particulate quasi-emissions trading program in Santiago, Chile.


Deregulated NOTCH1 has been reported in lymphoid leukaemia, although its role in chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is not well established. We previously reported BCR‐ABL down‐regulation of a novel haematopoietic regulator, CCN3, in CML; CCN3 is a non‐canonical NOTCH1 ligand. This study characterizes the NOTCH1–CCN3 signalling axis in CML. In K562 cells, BCR‐ABL silencing reduced full‐length NOTCH1 (NOTCH1‐FL) and inhibited the cleavage of NOTCH1 intracellular domain (NOTCH1‐ICD), resulting in decreased expression of the NOTCH1 targets c‐MYC and HES1. K562 cells stably overexpressing CCN3 (K562/CCN3) or treated with recombinant CCN3 (rCCN3) showed a significant reduction in NOTCH1 signalling (> 50% reduction in NOTCH1‐ICD, p < 0.05). Gamma secretase inhibitor (GSI), which blocks NOTCH1 signalling, reduced K562/CCN3 colony formation but increased that of K562/control cells. GSI combined with either rCCN3 or imatinib reduced K562 colony formation with enhanced reduction of NOTCH1 signalling observed with combination treatments. We demonstrate an oncogenic role for NOTCH1 in CML and suggest that BCR‐ABL disruption of NOTCH1–CCN3 signalling contributes to the pathogenesis of CML. © 2013 The Authors. Journal of Pathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.


Altogether 150 patients suffering from lower limb varicosity (LLV, classes 2-5 chronic venous insufficiency /GVL/ according to the CEAP) confirmed by Color Duplex Imaging were examined. The patients' age varied from 21 to 64 years (mean 38 years). There were 30 (20%) men and 120 (80%) women. The CIVIQ was used to assess quality of life (QL) of all patients. The individual typological properties of the personality were defined using the mental diagnostic test (MDT). Based on the physical, painful, social and psychological parameters a significant decrease was revealed in quality of life. The highest correlation was discovered between the appurtenance of the examined to a definite class of unidimensional typology (MDT) according to the "neurotism" factor (psychological asthenicity of the personality) and the positive relative postoperative dynamics of the painful factor of the QL (CIVIQ), of patients with LLV, clasees 2 and 3 CVI (CEAP): r=0.729492; p<0.01. For the social factor (CIVIQ) it is the level of the total activity (r=0.59194; P<0.05), for the physical and psychological factors it is the level of introversion (the degree of social contactness of the personality), (r=0.553448; r=0.536933 respectively,p<0.05). This is not common to patients with LLV, classes 4 and 5 CVI; (CEAP).


Today while there exists a multitude of different approaches and research centres across the globe, complexity research is generating a quiet revolution in both the physical and social sciences. One interest in the approach is that it liberates philosophy and social science from the prison-house of a constraining scientific past based on linear determinism, reductionism and methodological individualism. Another is that it presents a view of science that supports the social sciences claims that history and culture are important. This paper will endeavour to introduce complexity as an approach to both the physical and social sciences, presenting its main common features, and having done so, outline and critically assess the implications for learning and education. It will conclude by assessing the implications of complexity perspective for a normative global ethics of education.


BACKGROUND
Skeletal muscle mass and quality assessed by computed tomography (CT) images of the third lumbar vertebra (L3) level have been established as risk factors for poor clinical outcomes in several illnesses, but the relevance for dialysis patients is unclear. A few studies have suggested a correlation between CT-determined skeletal muscle mass and quality at the first lumbar vertebra (L1) level and adverse outcomes. Generally, chest CT does not reach beyond L1. We aimed to determine whether opportunistic CT scan (chest CT)-determined skeletal muscle mass and quality at L1 are associated with mortality in initial-dialysis patients.

METHODS
This 3-year multicentric retrospective study included initial-dialysis patients from four centres between 2014 and 2017 in China. Unenhanced CT images of the L1 and L3 levels were obtained to assess skeletal muscle mass [by skeletal muscle index, (SMI), cm2 /m2 ] and quality [by skeletal muscle density (SMD), HU]. Skeletal muscle measures at L1 were compared with those at L3. The sex-specific optimal cutoff values of L1 SMI and L1 SMD were determined in relation to all-cause mortality. The outcomes were all-cause death and cardiac death. Cox regression models were applied to investigate the risk factors for death.

RESULTS
A total of 485 patients were enrolled, of whom 257 had both L1 and L3 images. Pearson's correlation coefficient between L1 and L3 SMI was 0.84 (P < 0.001), and that between L1 and L3 SMD was 0.90 (P < 0.001). No significant association between L1 SMI and mortality was observed (P > 0.05). Low L1 SMD (n = 280, 57.73%) was diagnosed based on the optimal cutoff value (<39.56 HU for males and <33.06 HU for females). Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the low L1 SMD group had higher risks of all-cause death (hazard ratio 1.80; 95% confidence interval 1.05-3.11, P = 0.034) and cardiac death (hazard ratio 3.74; 95% confidence interval 1.43-9.79, P = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS
In initial-dialysis patients, there is high agreement between the L1 and L3 measures for SMI and SMD. Low SMD measured at L1, but not low SMI, is an independent predictor of both all-cause death and cardiac death.


Fragmentation of gas-phase chloro-and bromoacetic acid samples, particularly its dependency on the atomic site of the initial core ionization, was studied in photoelectron-photoion-photoion coincidence (PEPIPICO) measurements. The fragmentation was investigated after ionizing carbon 1s and bromine 3d or chlorine 2p core orbitals. It was observed that the samples had many similar fragmentation pathways and that their relative weights depended strongly on the initial ionization site. Additional Auger PEPIPICO measurements revealed a clear dependence of fragment pair intensities on the kinetic energy of the emitted Auger electrons. The modeled and measured Auger electron spectra indicated that the average internal energy of the molecule was larger following the carbon 1s core-hole decay than after the decay of the halogen core hole. This difference in the internal energies was found to be the source of the site-dependent photofragmentation behavior.


Septoria tritici blotch, caused by Mycosphaerella graminicola, is a major foliar disease of wheat. The quantitative traits of pathogenicity are not comprehensively described in this pathosystem. The objective of this study was to identify and quantify the most relevant variables to describe traits of aggressiveness. Four wheat cultivars were inoculated in a greenhouse with four isolates. Inoculation was performed on a limited surface of the two uppermost leaves of adult plants. The dynamics of chlorotic, necrotic and sporulating areas were assessed twice a week. Pycnidia were counted at the same time. A Gompertz model was fitted to the resulting curves. Parameter combinations with easily interpreted biological relevance were examined further as descriptors of aggressiveness. Within each category of descriptor, those which were the most pairwise correlated and which explained the largest part of the variance were retained: incubation and latent period, development rate of sporulating area, maximal sporulating area, pycnidial density, and sporulation capacity. Correlations between these variables were discussed, assuming they reflect biological relationships between the corresponding aggressiveness quantitative traits. It is suggested that the selected variables, providing a good measure of M. graminicola fitness, can be used to estimate quantitative resistance of wheat to septoria tritici blotch, to characterize differences among isolates within a pathogen population, and to study quantitative adaptation of the pathogen to its host and to its environment.


AlN ceramics used in electronic substrates and packages are fabricated by the densification of green bodies with sintering aids such as rare-earth oxides. The homogeneous dispersion of the sintering aids, achieved with the help of the mechanochemical bonding of several types of fine powders, is the key process for obtaining a good sinterability and high performance. In this study, we fabricated the AlN ceramics using AlN and nano-Y2O3 composite particles prepared by mechanical treatment. The AlN powder and nano-Y2O3 powder were ball-milled with Al2O3 balls and a dispersant in ethanol in a plastic pot. The powder mixture of AlN and Y2O3 was composited by mechanical treatment. The composite powder was granulated and pressed to obtain a green body. After dewaxing, the AlN green body was fired at 1800°C in 0.6 MPa N2. The sintered body possessed a fracture toughness of 3.6 Pa•m1/2, higher than that, 3.1 Pa•m1/2, of the AlN ceramics fabricated without the mechanical treatment. An observation of the fractured surface revealed that grain boundary reinforcement enhances the fracture toughness of the AlN ceramics made of composite particles.


The B.S. Agribusiness Program at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos (UPLB) was launched with the end view of producing trained manpower who can pursue and manage their own agribusiness enterprises in the countryside. However, it has been observed that most of the UPLB agribusiness graduates are not being recognized for their entrepreneurship activities. As a result of this shortfall in expectations, school administrators have expressed their concern if its agribusiness students have acquired the needed entrepreneurial competencies in college which are essential in propelling them to pursue self-employment undertakings in agribusiness. The mapping of the students and alternative program designs along relevant entrepreneurial competencies in multidimensional space is a significant input in the formulation of a strategy that can be 'adopted by UPLB to respond to the entrepreneurial competency needs of its agribusiness college students.


This volume contains comprehensive information on the OECD electricity sector. There are over 600 pages on production, consumption, prices and trade in electricity. The report also contains coverage of heat production for OECD countries. The statistics cover 30 OECD countries, providing data for selected years.
Part I provides a detailed summary of the electricity and heat sectors, including production, installed capacity, consumption, electricity trade and prices for electricity and input fuels. These data are presented in a tabular format that permits easy analysis and comparison. Part I also provides a summary of gross electricity and heat production by country in non-OECD countries, including a breakdown of electricity and heat production by combustible fuels.
Part II contains electricity data for each of the 30 OECD countries, and for eight OECD and IEA regional aggregates for selected years. Each country section presents tables containing a comprehensive statistical database on energy consumption, economic and population growth, electricity production and consumption, heat production, electricity imports and exports, sectoral energy and electricity consumption and prices for electricity and electricity input fuels. These data are official country data reported each year to the IEA.


Fatigue crack initiation and subsequent short crack growth behaviour of 2014-5wt%SiC aluminium alloy composites has been examined in 4-point bend loading using smooth bar specimens. The growth rates of long fatigue cracks have also been measured at different stress ratios using pre-cracked specimens. The distributions of SiC particles and of coarse constituent particles in the matrix (which arise as a result of the molten-metal processing and relatively slow cooling rate) have been investigated. Preferential crack initiation sites were found to be SiC-matrix interfaces, SiC particles associated with constituent particles and the coarse constituent particles themselves. For microstructurally short cracks the dispersed SiC particles also act as temporary crack arresters. In the long crack growth tests, higher fatigue crack growth rates were obtained than for monolithic alloys. This effect is attributed to the contribution of void formation, due to the decohesion of SiC particles, to the fatigue crack growth process in the composite. Above crack depths of about 200 μm 'short' crack growth rates were in good agreement with the long crack data, showing a Pris exponent, m = 4 in both cases. For the long crack and short crack growth tests little effect of specimen orientation and grain size was observed on fatigue crack growth rates, but, specimen orientation affected the toughness. No effect of stress ratio in the range R = 0.2-0.5 was seen for long crack data in the Paris region.


Composite materials are essential for many modern applications, including airplanes and cars, energy conversion and storage devices, medical prosthetics, and civil structures. The strength and life of such materials are determined by a complex sequence of progressive nucleation, accumulation, and coalescence of micro-damage that is always related to the micro-morphology of the constituents and their properties. Although detecting and modeling all of the discrete events in that sequence is quite difficult, and in some cases not feasible, it would be very useful to identify observable parameters that indicate the onset of different stages of damage development so that remaining strength and life could be estimated. Recently, the authors have developed a method of following the effect of multi-defect nucleation, growth, coalescence, and fracture plane development based on the measurement of dielectric response of composite materials. The method also enables the prediction of as-manufactured individual sample strength, suggesting that the birth-to-death effect of defects can be followed and interpreted. The present paper postulates the construction of a fundamental fracture mechanics methodology based on this general set of observables that could enable the consistent relationship of all defect and material states during the processing and application life of composite materials as a foundation for a birth-to-death assessment of the effect of defects. The "heterogeneous fracture mechanics" concept is defined and discussed with example data and observations that indicate the success and limitation of the method for as manufactured materials, static and fatigue loadings.