This paper aims to explore the potential linear and nonlinear causal relationship between electricity consumption and economic growth in Turkey during the time period 1945-2006. The study employs the standard linear Granger causality test and the nonparametric Diks and Panchenko causality test. Electricity consumption is disaggregated into residential and commercial electricity consumption, government offices, street illumination, industrial and other activities electricity consumption, in order to determine the sources of both linearity and nonlinearity. The findings provide evidence for the existence of a unidirectional nonlinear causality between income and electricity consumption at the aggregate level. The results also support the presence of a unidirectional linear flow running from economic growth towards residential, commercial and street illumination electricity consumption as well as a unidirectional nonlinear flow running from the residential and commercial electricity consumption towards economic growth and from income to electricity consumption for street illumination. Policies should focus on promoting electricity consumption, especially in the residential and commercial sectors to drive economic growth.


This paper presents a mathematical formulation of the aggregation kinetics in granular flow. The traditional kinetic theory and its generalised application to granular flow does not allow for particle size to change with time thus cannot be used to describe particle flow with aggregation taking place. In this paper, a collision success factor, quantifying the completely inelastic collision of particles, is introduced into the evaluation of collision rate. The kinetic transport equations are then transformed to include source terms that account for the effects of particle size and aggregation. The analytical solution of the collision success factor is obtained by integrating the relative velocity distribution function over its velocity domain from 0 to a critical value which corresponds a balance between the repulsion and attraction forces in a collision. The factor has been found to depend on the mixture granular energy and the critical relative collision energy.


The paper presents on power electronics controlled rectifier faults diagnose technology based on the combination wavelet packet transformation and neural network mainly. By using the character of wavelet packet multiresolution, fault signal is decomposed at multi-scale, orthogonalation and normalization, extract feature vector, which as training input of neural network, and design classifier of fault pattern. The validity and feasibility of the fault diagnosis method is demonstrated by simulation. this method can quite accurately diagnosis fault and define fault element for power electronics controlled rectifier, and the diagnosis precision is high, the method has very good practical value and apply future on solving power electronics controlled rectifier fault diagnosis.


Design for testability (DFT) has been accepted as a cost saving approach in many applications. The rationale has been demonstrated in several papers by calculations showing how DFT benefits derived outweigh costs. In those cases benefits dealt with cost savings in producing, testing and deploying a product. Apparently, such benefits are bound by an upper limit as the savings could not be greater than the cost of making the product. In this paper, however, we model the revenue generation capability of a product through its life cycle and demonstrate that the impact on profits by poor quality products can be much greater. DFT can mitigate many of the causes for poor quality products. We provide examples of recent economic harm and disaster caused by defective electronics. For these examples we postulate what DFT could have done to mitigate the defects and how much money the companies could have saved if DFT prevented the problems. Benefits derived from DFT in the product life cycle combines with traditionally demonstrated DFT benefits in production, making DFT even more compelling.


This guide provides links to core internet sources on both copyright and plagiarism as well as links to bibliographies on each of these topics.


OVER-THE-COUNTER COUGH AND COLD MEDICATION DOSING INSTRUCTIONS by MELISSA R. GAYNOR (Under the Direction of David Mullis) ABSTRACT The Food and Drug Administration maintains the authority to regulate the labeling of children's over-the-counter cough and cold medications. FDA's primary interests in this area are to protect children from incidences of adverse events due to over-dosing and to ensure that medications are administered correctly so that the patient may receive the proper therapeutic dose. Labeling is only effective if it can be accurately interpreted and followed by caregivers. Published literature and a qualitative pilot study completed in 2010 suggest that caregivers are dissatisfied with the current dosing instructions of children's over-the-counter cough and cold medications. The purpose of this study is to quantitatively examine the findings of previously completed research and to determine the effect of caregiver functional health literacy on their ability to accurately interpret product labeling. Recommendations to enhance FDA's regulations by modifying current product labeling requirements are made.


800x600 Background: Nowadays, mothers are continuously exposed to different sources of electromagnetic fields before and even during pregnancy. It has recently been shown that exposure to mobile phone radiation during pregnancy may lead to adverse effects on the brain development in offspring and cause hyperactivity. Researchers have shown that behavioral problems in laboratory animals which have a similar appearance to ADHD are caused by intrauterine exposure to mobile phones Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the maternal exposure to different sources of electromagnetic fields affect on the rate and severity of speech problems in their offspring. Methods : In this study, mothers of 35 healthy 3-5 year old children (control group) and 77 children and diagnosed with speech problems who had been referred to a speech treatment center in Shiraz, Iran were interviewed. These mothers were asked whether they had exposure to different sources of electromagnetic fields such as mobile phones, mobile base stations, Wi-Fi, cordless phones, laptops and power lines. Results: We found a significant association between either the call time (P=0.002) or history of mobile phone use (months used) and speech problems in the offspring (P=0.003). However, other exposures had no effect on the occurrence of speech problems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate a possible association between maternal exposure to electromagnetic field and speech problems in the offspring. Although a major limitation in our study is the relatively small sample size, this study indicates that the maternal exposure to common sources of electromagnetic fields such as mobile phones can affect the occurrence of speech problems in the offspring. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4


The innovation system is perceived as an ensemble of resources committed to interrelated innovation activities. The question arising is how the innovation system becomes one (a system), i.e., what are the mechanisms that govern the alignment of resources and activities in innovative directions. A system dynamics framework of analysis is presented where alignment stems from institutional arrangements and strategic intent. These operate as mechanisms of stretch and leverage within an environment of co-opetition and connexity. Central amongst them is the evolution of cognitive-cultural elements that, in the form of mental models (worldviews) and intangible assets (such as trust and co-opeting competence), drive economic action and interaction. A system dynamics modelling approach is proposed that facilitates the quantification and exploration of policy alternatives.


This study assesses the role of the Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC)in Qatar and its readiness for FIFA World Cup in dealing with mass casualty events. The goal is to investigate the comprehensiveness of the present Primary care emergency disaster plan and to determine the current preparedness undertaken by PHCC to tackle a mass casualty event during the world cup 2022 in Qatar. A qualitative method was adopted as it was considered more appropriate due to the paucity of research in this area. Semi-structured interviews were conducted amongst primary stakeholders, employing a purposive sampling technique. The findings indicate that PHCC perceives the essentiality of investing in a comprehensive plan covering an all-hazard approach, with the flexibility to accommodate for an event like the world cup. Although the current plan is not ready for the world cup 2022, significant steps have been taken to ensure that the plan is ready for any event of a mass casualty. PHCC has already commenced on a journey which will lead to a comprehensive amendment of its plan to make it more competent, adequate and adaptive to the changing needs it will face in future.


Transport of T3 and T4 across the plasma membrane is the first step in the sequence of intracellular thyroid hormone action. It is generally accepted that this is mediated by specific carrier proteins. The knowledge about these proteins in liver is abundant, but information about thyroid hormone uptake into the heart is scarce. The aim of this thesis was to characterize the cell physiological properties of T3 and T4 uptake in heart and to obtain information on the molecular structure(s) of the transport protein(s).
Experiments with neonatal rat cardiomyocytes showed that T3 and T4 uptake is mediated by an energy- and temperature-dependent mechanism, which is not dependent on the Na+ gradient. Furthermore, T3 uptake is reduced by tryptophan, a ligand for the amino acid system T, suggesting the involvement of an accessory transport mechanism. T3 and T4 uptake have also been explored in the embryonic rat heart derived cell line H9c2(2-1). In these cells, they were found to display similar characteristics as those of the neonatal cardiomyocytes. Interestingly, uptake of T3 and T4 also exhibited mutual inhibition; unlabeled T3 inhibited the uptake of T4, and vice versa. Based on these properties of T3 and T4 uptake and their mutual inhibition, we suggest that heart cells share a common mechanism for the uptake of T3 and T4. This is different from the situation in the liver, where two separate carriers for T3 and T4 have been described.
The potential clinical importance of this tissue-selectivity is the development of thyromimetic agents that improve cardiac contractility and decrease plasma cholesterol without increasing the beating frequency of the heart. A number of thyroid hormone metabolites and analogues were tested for their effects on T3 uptake in neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. Only 3,3'-diiodothyronine (3,3'-T2) and diiodothyropropionic acid (DITPA) were found to interfere with plasma membrane uptake of T3, while triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac) was taken up in significant amounts by the cardiomyocytes but probably by a mechanism different from that of T3.
Because expression cloning in Xenopus laevis oocytes of mRNA, isolated from neonatal or adult rat hearts, did not result in a stimulation of T3 uptake, we were not able to identify the molecular structure of the T3 transporter in heart. On the other hand, uptake studies in oocytes injected with the cRNA encoding the fatty acid translocase (FAT) demonstrated that FAT induces thyroid hormone uptake. Furthermore, T3 uptake by FAT did not depend on the Na+ gradient, which is in accordance with the cell physiological studies described in this thesis. These observations suggest that fatty acid transporters may play a role in thyroid hormone uptake in heart.
In summary, uptake of T3 and T4 in the heart is mediated by a common mechanism which is energy- and temperature dependent, but not Na+-dependent. The molecular basis of this mechanism needs to be further examined as well as the physiological role of transporters like FAT.


We study routing properties of an optical communication architecture for parallel computing. The building block of the system is a model called the Optical Communication Parallel Computer (OCPC). The units of this computer (processors with local memory) communicate with each other by transmitting messages. A processor can transmit a message to any other processor, and to the same processor neither transmission is successful and retransmission must occur. We also consider a 2-stage processor organization scheme, called the 2-stage OCPC, where processors are organized in a two-dimensional array whose rows and columns consist of OCPCs. The problem that motivated this work is the desire to program these architecture models using high-level, general-purpose, and user-friendly programming languages. The languages should be powerful enough to support features like concurrent memory access, virtual processors, barrier synchronization, and both automatic and explicit memory allocation. Such features are captured by the Parallel Random Access Machine and by Valiant's Bulk-Synchronous Parallel Computer model. Both of these models can be implemented using a certain communication pattern called h-relations. We discuss protocols for realizing h-relations on the OCPC and 2-stage OCPC. The protocols primarily deal with contention resolution since contention in an optical system can inhibit message transmission.<<ETX>>


During magma ascent in the volcanic conduit, the decompression of a silicic melt may result in the crystallization of morphologically and compositionally specific crystals, designated microlites. Hence, microlites have been considered as probes of mechanisms and time scales of magma ascent. Some microlites, however, appear to be in strong thermodynamic disequilibrium with their surrounding melt. We present here an experimental data set revealing that these microlites actually grew prior to ascent during mafic recharge of the magma chamber. Therefore, these microlites have no genetic relation to decompression-induced crystallization processes. Their presence may affect the rheological properties of the melt, as well as crystal growth mechanisms and kinetics during magma ascent.


: Changes in the mandibular height and thickness of its alveolar part have been studied, with special reference to the relation existing between the apices of the molar teeth roots and the external and internal surfaces of the mandible and the mandibular canal. The investigation was carried out in 148 male and female sculls having the lower jaw, in 115 maxillodental cuts. It has been stated that the greatest mandibular height is in males at the level of the first premolar teeth (23.4+/-0.82 mm) and the smallest -- at the level of the second molar (32.01+/-0.52 mm). The thickness of the alveolar part at the level of the root apices of the first premolar is the smallest both in males and females (9.578+/-0.301 mm -- 11.068+/-0.69 mm); the greatest -- at the level of the third molar (13.0+/-0.632 mm -- 15.5+/-0.55 mm). The distance between the root apex and the external surface of the alveolar part is the least at the level of the first premolar, at an average 3.12 mm. The mandibular osseous structure and the relation of the tooth root with the mandibular canal are clearly seen in electroroentgenograms.


Several optimal detection frameworks for wideband/multichannel spectrum sensing in cognitive radio networks are proposed. All frameworks search for multiple secondary transmission opportunities over a number of narrowband channels, enhancing the secondary network performance while respecting the primary network integrity and keeping the interference limited. Considering a periodic sensing scheme with either uniform or non-uniform channel sensing durations, the detection problems are formulated as joint optimization of the sensing duration(s) and individual detector parameters to maximize the aggregate achievable secondary throughput capacity given some bounds/limits on the overall interference imposed on the primary network. It is demonstrated that all the formulated optimization problems can be solved using "convex" optimization if certain practical constraints are applied. Simulation results attest that the proposed frameworks achieve superior performance compared to contemporary frameworks. To realize efficient implementation, an iterative low-complexity algorithm which solves one of the optimization problems with much lower complexity compared to other numerical methods is presented. It is established that the iteration-complexity and the complexity-per-iteration of the proposed algorithm increases linearly with the number of optimization variables (i.e. the number of narrowband channels).


. Temperatures are effective indicators of the health of many machines such as the wind turbine gearboxes, bearings, engines, etc. This paper pre-sents a novel wireless temperature sensor node powered by a thermal harvester for monitoring the status of gearboxes. A thermoelectric generator module (TEG) is optimized to harvest the electrical power from a heat source such as the gearbox undergoing such monitoring. The power generation from this method is obtained based on temperature gradients emanated by sandwiching the TEG between the two aluminum plates. One plate is exposed to the heat source and has the role of a heat collector, whereas the other plate, mounted with a low profile heat-sink, acts as a heat spreader. The harvested power is then used to power a wireless temperature node for condition monitoring, resulting in a powerless and wireless monitoring system. To evaluate the system, an industrial gearbox is monitored by the designed temperature node. The node is fabricated using a TEG module; an LTC3108 DC-DC converter for boosting the voltage, a super-capacitor for energy storage and a CC2650 sensor tag for measuring the temperature of the gearbox. The temperature data is transferred via the Bluetooth Low Energy and then monitored using portable monitoring devices, such as a mobile phones. The results obtained show the system can provide a continuous monitoring of the temperature information.


ABSTRACT: Farmers and scientists are using topographic maps resulting from data collected by differentially corrected global positioning systems (DGPS) to identify management zones and characterize the influence of conservation practices and landscape position on soil productivity, erosion, and agricultural sustainability. To develop accurate topographic maps, watershed managers must know positional errors associated with the different types of differentially corrected global positioning systems (DGPS). The objective of this study was to determine under field conditions, the vertical errors associated with real time kinematic (RTK) and real time stop-and-go (RTSG) sampling approaches using a single frequency carrier phase DGPS and RTK using C/A code DGPS. Research was conducted with and without selective availability. This experiment showed that elevation information determined by: I.) a single frequency carrier phase DGPS receiver using RTK and RTSG sampling approaches, measured prior and post selective availability, had consistent results with standard deviations of less than 3.5 cm; 2.) a C/A code DGPS receiver, measured prior and post selective availability, had inconsistent results with relatively large standard deviations (83–100 cm); and 3.) GPS, measured post selective availability, had inconsistent results with relatively large standard deviations (100–200 cm). Results suggest that caution should be used in using elevation information collected from C/A code DGPS or GPS.


The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of two types of answer keys on the learning of grade 8 math students. This was a year long research project involving a group of 5 grade 8 math students each of which had a previous history of being academically weak in the area of mathematics, as defined by one or more final marks in mathematics of less than 60% (at the elementary school level). These students completed the regular grade 8 math course, using the B.C. curriculum, and their homework was delivered in three different styles; without an answer key, with an answer key consisting of only the correct answers, and an answer key consisting of all of the steps (work) written out for each question. The students were interviewed three times during the school year, and their attitude toward the three types of answer keys was explored. The results of this study strongly suggest that an answer key consisting of all of the steps for each question together with the answer made a positive impact on the selfconfidence and achievement of the students involved in the study.


Henry Ford built his first vehicle, which he called the quadricycle, over the course of about six months. Both his wife, Clara, and his friend James Bishop chipped in substantially. A decade and a half later, the Ford Motor Company built its ten millionth automobile. The comparison to Henry Ford's quadricycle effort is stark: the Model T factory employed roughly five thousand times as many laborers and took about 1/2000th the amount of time to build a car. This staggering increase in scale and efficiency was facilitated by the introduction of the assembly line in 1908. Over the coming century, that simple innovation would expand the frontier of manufacturing efficiency to dizzying effect. The assembly line would progressively destroy and reconstitute the global economy in a giant wave of creative destruction—forever optimizing efficiency of production and churning out goods for a world of hungry consumers. Today, that line remains the beating heart of the global manufacturing economy.


Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most commonly observed stress-related conditions following combat exposure and its effective prevention is a high health-care priority. Reports of peritraumatic reactions have been shown to be highly associated with PTSD among combat exposed service members. However, existing instruments measuring peritraumatic symptoms were not specifically developed to assess combat-related peritraumatic stress and each demonstrates a different peritraumatic focus. We therefore developed the Peritraumatic Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ), a new military-specific rating scale focused upon the wide range of symptoms suggestive of combat-related peritraumatic distress in actively deployed Service Members. This study describes the development of the PBQ and reports on the psychometric properties of its self-rated version (PBQ-SR). Methods: 688 Marine infantry service members were retrospectively assessed by the PBQ-SR within the scope of the Marine Resiliency Study after their deployment to war zone. Participants have been additionally assessed by a variety of questionnaires, as well as clinical interviews both pre and post-deployment. Results: The PBQ-SR demonstrated satisfactory internal consistency, convergent and discriminant validity, as well as high correlation with trait dissociation prior to deployment. Component analysis suggested a latent bi-dimensional structure separating a peritraumatic emotional distress and physical awareness factor. The PBQ-SR total score showed high correlation to general anxiety, depression, poorer general health and posttraumatic symptoms after deployment and remained a significant predictor of PTSD severity, after controlling for those measures. The suggested screening cut-off score of 12 points demonstrated satisfactory predictive power. Conclusions: This study confirms the ability of the PBQ-SR to unify the underlying peritraumatic symptom dimensions and reliably assess combat-related peritraumatic reaction as a general construct. The PBQ-SR demonstrated promise as a potential standard screening measure in military clinical practice, while It's predictive power should be established in prospective studies.


Severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is recognised to be a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Identifying the fetus that is truly growth restricted and therefore compromised, from the one that is simply genetically small and not at risk is difficult. Recent work using umbilical artery (UA) Doppler waveform studies have shown that a reduction in the diastolic component of the UA Doppler waveform correlates strongly with poor perinatal outcome. Since this technique can be used to reliably distinguish the truly growth restricted fetus at risk, it is imperative, if we are to understand the pathophysiology of severe IUGR, that the mechanisms by which abnormal Doppler waveforms arise is established. The elaboration pattern of blood vessels within stem villi from IUGR and gestationally age- matched control placentas, was first evaluated by measuring the diameter of 600 vessel profiles, identified by the antibody anti-a smooth muscle actin, within stem villi from randomly chosen areas of placental tissue. The vessels diameters, ranging from 10-160muM, were plotted in 15muM bands and the two groups compared. There was no significant difference in the mean vessel diameter or in the distribution of vessel diameters in the IUGR and gestational age-matched control placentas. Simultaneously, the mean volume of all classes of villous tissue was calculated. There was significantly less villous tissue in the IUGR placentas than in the matched control placentas. This was the result of a selective reduction in the volume of peripheral (intermediate and terminal) villi in the IUGR placentas. Having identified a quantitative difference in the volume of peripheral villi, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to examine the three-dimensional structure of these villi and the blood vessels within them using vascular and villous tissue casts from pregnancies complicated by severe IUGR and normal preterm controls. The peripheral vascular network of capillaries was noted to be distinctly abnormal in the IUGR placentas. Fewer vessels were identified and when present, these resembled elongated drainpipes. This was in contrast to the normal preterm control vascular casts which were characterised by multiple capillary loops comprised of short, coiled, highly branched, networks with sinusoidal dilatations. Similarily, the peripheral villi of the IUGR placentas were abnormal. Terminal villous "buds", which provide a large syncytial surface area for materno-fetal exchange, were rarely identified. In contrast, the terminal villi of the IUGR placentas, like the vessels within them, resembled narrow tubes. The ultrastastructure of these abnormal terminal villi was then determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and compared with the ultrastructure of normal gestational age- matched teminal villi. The terminal villi from the IUGR placentas were significantly smaller in diameter than their preterm counterparts. In addition, there was an increased number of syncytial nuclei, fewer cytotrophoblast nuclei, thickening of the basement membranes and an increase in the number of collagen fibres and basal lamina like material within the villous stroma. To verify these findings and establish if the reduction in cytotrophoblast cell nuclei number was due to increased turnover or depleted proliferation, the samples were examined with the proliferation marker MIB-1. After correcting for the volume of villous tissue present, this confirmed that there were significantly fewer proliferating cytotrophoblast cells in the IUGR placentas than in normal preterm controls. Likewise using antibodies directed against individual collagen types I, II, III, IV, V, laminin and fibronectin the increase in stromal collagen in the IUGR placental villi was confirmed and recognised to result from increased staining for collagens I, III, IV and laminin. Together these data indicate that primary vascular and villous development is abnormal in placentas from pregnancies complicated by IUGR and abnormal Doppler. As a result, though the total number of stem villous vessels may be reduced, the pattern of their distribution is identical to that seen in normal preterm controls. However, quantitative and qualitative differences were seen in the peripheral villi of the IUGR placentas, the major site of gas and nutrient exchange. The alterations observed may explain both the metabolic adaptation of the IUGR fetus and the Doppler UA abnormalities seen in affected pregnancies. The regulation and expression of angiogenic and villous growth factors in placental development therefore requires urgent attention.


Establishing semantic interoperability among heterogeneous information sources has been a critical issue in the database community for the past two decades. Despite the critical importance, current approaches to semantic interoperability of heterogeneous databases have not been sufficiently effective. We propose a common ontology called semantic conflict resolution ontology (SCROL) that addresses the inherent difficulties in the conventional approaches, i.e., federated schema and domain ontology approaches. SCROL provides a systematic method for automatically detecting and resolving various semantic conflicts in heterogeneous databases. SCROL provides a dynamic mechanism of comparing and manipulating contextual knowledge of each information source, which is useful in achieving semantic interoperability among heterogeneous databases. We show how SCROL is used for detecting and resolving semantic conflicts between semantically equivalent schema and data elements. In addition, we present evaluation results to show that SCROL can be successfully used to automate the process of identifying and resolving semantic conflicts.


ABSTRACT Recent research has shown that giving an informed choice to customers can be an effective strategy to offset the damaging effects of service failure. The principle behind this strategy is that customers given an informed choice have increased feelings of self-attributions, share the responsibility for the service failure, feel more regret and stay more loyal. The research has shown that this strategy of informed choice keeps customers more loyal whether they choose a risky or safe alternative. But does this strategy work when service failure does not occur? Would customers still feel responsibility for the outcome and still be more loyal? With good service, customers would not feel the regret found for a service failure. So even if customers did feel responsibility for their decision, what would explain higher loyalty? With a positive service experience, does responsibility for one's choice cause positive emotions that increase loyalty? This study, conducted in a restaurant setting, tests these questions.


Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) represent a form of cell death distinct from apoptosis or necrosis. The imbalance between the formation and degradation of NETs has long been considered to be closely associated with the activity of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Reactive oxygen species derived from the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase pathway or mitochondrial DNA pathway play a key role in the primary stage of NETs formation. The exposure or delayed degradation of abundant autoantigens, such as double-strand DNA, caused by abnormal activation of neutrophils can induce autoantibody to form immune complexes that deposit in local tissues and then induce the plasmacytoid dendritic cells to secrete the interferon alpha and other inflammatory factors. Those inflammatory factors will eventually cause endothelial cell injury. In order to provide a theoretical basis for targeted therapy and diagnosis of childhood-onset SLE, this paper reviews the role of NETs in the pathogenesis of SLE.


We present a representation-driven framework for reinforcement learning. By representing policies as estimates of their expected values, we leverage techniques from contextual bandits to guide exploration and exploitation. Particularly, embedding a policy network into a linear feature space allows us to reframe the exploration-exploitation problem as a representation-exploitation problem, where good policy representations enable optimal exploration. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this framework through its application to evolutionary and policy gradient-based approaches, leading to significantly improved performance compared to traditional methods. Our framework provides a new perspective on reinforcement learning, highlighting the importance of policy representation in determining optimal exploration-exploitation strategies.


Research shows a strong association between attentional bias to threat and emotional regulation difficulties, specifically heightened activation of neural areas known to be involved in emotional processing (amygdala) in individuals who report post-traumatic stress symptoms. Theoretical and research evidence suggests that the enhancing of felt attachment security through security-priming may grant an individual access to effective emotion regulation strategies, which in turn may reduce attentional bias and associated abnormal neural activations. Trauma-survivors with elevated anxiety levels were randomised into an experimental group (secure attachment priming, n=16) where they were primed using positive attachmentrelated pictures, or a neutral control priming condition (n=18) where they viewed nonattachment pictures of people. Participants then completed a dot-probe task to measure attentional bias to threat, and an emotionally threatening face-matching task to probe amygdala activation. No between groups differences were found on measures of attentional bias. Contrary to the hypothesis, participants in the security-priming group showed significantly greater amygdala activation in response to threatening faces. Attachment style was not found to moderate the impact of security-priming on attentional bias or neural activation. Interpersonal trauma experiences make up the majority of the study sample. The impact of this is considered in the context of short-term single exposure to explicit attachment based security-priming interventions and the study paradigm employed to measure amygdala activation, which may act to initially dysregulate and contraindicate activation of a secure attachment representation, respectively.


In this paper, we propose a racial solidarity praxis in mathematics education grounded in Black-, Latinx-, and Indigenous-led scholarship and their respective communities' joining efforts to combat White supremacy. Increased solidarity across racial groups in mathematics education could illuminate new ways of nourishing and affirming Indigenous, Latinx, and Black students' racial identities and cultural strengths. We leverage four frameworks: (1) Whiteness as property (a tenet of Critical race theory) and (2) Tribal Critical Race Theory; (3) Latino Critical Theory; and (4) pedagogy of solidarity, to conceptualize the interdependence required for solidarity work and to expose how White supremacy is maintained overtly and covertly in mathematics curriculum, policies and practices. This study outlines the nuances across each community of scholars, drawing on their strengths to combat oppressive educational structures for students. The authors conclude in solidarity, focusing on the ways our communities have sought to challenge White supremacy and deficit framings of our students, families, and communities. Our hope in bringing these bodies of literature together is to invite others within (and outside of) the field of mathematics education to co-imagine how we might engage our work synergistically. It is through a collectivizing of efforts that we imagine a racial solidarity praxis that begins to erode the power of White supremacy in math education because of the unique and unassimilable strengths and priorities of each community engaged.


In 2016, the European Commission ordered Ireland to recover over € 13 billion in back taxes from Apple. This decision was met with outrage in the United States, where many lawmakers and academics were unfamiliar with the European Union's prohibition on state aid. This prohibition, which has existed since the founding of the European Coal and Steel Community in the early 1950s, aims to uphold competition within the European Union by preventing EU Member States from providing subsidies to specific undertakings.

This Article uses Apple and other recent state aid investigations to illustrate the broad scope and strong enforcement provisions of the EU prohibition on state aid. In response to calls for a more robust anti-subsidy regime at the WTO level, this Article sets out state aid as a model of one such regime. This Article does not argue that the WTO needs a more robust anti-subsidy regime but instead points to the EU's state aid prohibition as an example of such a regime for reformers who have themselves called for greater international prohibitions on subsidies.

This Article also argues that, for reformers who want stronger anti-subsidy rules, the WTO is in many ways a more appropriate space for anti-subsidy rules than the European Union. Imposing the state aid prohibition at the WTO level could remove many of the legitimacy concerns that are at the root of the recent criticisms of the state aid prohibition. Because the European Union and its Member States are WTO members, this could also obviate the need for a state aid prohibition at the EU level. These conclusions do not mean that the prohibition on state aid is without its weaknesses, and this Article does not suggest that all elements of the prohibition should be adopted by other jurisdictions. But the European Union takes a very different approach to policing subsidies than does the WTO, and the differences between the state aid prohibition and the WTO's anti-subsidy rules illustrate how the latter could be strengthened by choosing some elements of state aid doctrine and leaving the rest.


In this talk, I describe a class of electroweak (EW) scale dark matter (DM) models where its stability or longevity are the results of underlying dark gauge symmetries: stable due to unbroken local dark gauge symmetry or topology, or long-lived due to the accidental global symmetry of dark gauge theories. Compared with the usual phenomenological dark matter models (including DM EFT or simplified DM models), DM models with local dark gauge symmetries include dark gauge bosons, dark Higgs bosons and sometimes excited dark matter. And dynamics among these fields are completely fixed by local gauge principle. The idea of singlet portals including the Higgs portal can thermalize these hidden sector dark matter very efficiently, so that these DM could be easily thermal DM. I also discuss the limitation of the usual DM effective field theory or simplified DM models without the full SM gauge symmetry, and emphasize the importance of the full SM gauge symmetry and renormalizability especially for collider searches...


The phase behavior and crystallization of poly(ether ketone ketone)/polyimide blends was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic mechanical analysis, and chemical interactions in the blends were probed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Amorphous blends were miscible over the entire range of composition, although mixing was most favorable at higher thermoplastic polyimide concentrations. Blending suppressed crystallization, especially of the minor component, but crystallization of both components, however, did occur in most of the blends. While blends quenched from the melt exhibited only a single amorphous phase, melt crystallized blends appeared to possess two amorphous phases with different compositions. Shifts in the vibration frequencies of the carbonyl and imide bonds were inconsistent with the development of strong, specific intermolecular interactions, but may be explained by a disruption of the packing of the two homopolymers by nature of the mixing. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 94: 1227–1235, 2004


Samarium doped hydroxyapatite (Sm:HAp), Ca10-xSmx(PO4)6(OH)2 (HAp), bionanoparticles with different xSm have been successfully synthesized by coprecipitation method. Detailed characterization of samarium doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (Sm:HAp-NPs) was carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The biocompatibility of samarium doped hydroxyapatite was assessed by cell viability. The antibacterial activity of the Sm:HAp-NPs was tested against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus). A linear increase of antimicrobial activity of P. aeruginosa has been observed when concentrations of Sm:HAp-NPs in the samples with xSm = 0.02 were higher than 0.125 mg/mL. For Sm:HAp-NPs with xSm = 0.05 a significant increase of antibacterial activity on E. coli was observed in the range 0.5-1 mg/mL. For low concentrations of Sm:HAp-NPs (xSm = 0.05) from 0.031 to 0.125 mg/mL a high antibacterial activity on Enterococcus faecalis has been noticed. A growth of the inhibitory effect on S. aureus was observed for all concentrations of Sm:HAp-NPs with xSm = 0.02.


: An analysis of neuron theory modern state was carried out on the base of data from literature and available material. The idea of anatomic, functional and biochemical polarity self-dependence of a neuron and its histochemical polarity have changed significantly. It is said to be confirmed that neuron does not work on its own, its trophics is impossible without glia and one neuron may contain not one but several mediators combined with modulators and regulatory neuropeptides. Postulates on the nervous system module organization seems to be the most well-grounded.


The exquisite art of bonsai is beautifully demonstrated in this authoritative, practical handbook, which takes the reader from a first foray into the world of miniature trees to a level of considerable expertise. The book covers both indoor and outdoor varieties and is full of practical information about cultivation, propagation and pruning. It is a guide both for newcomers to the art and for bonsai gardeners with some knowledge of the subject. The handbook describes, with clear text and step-by-step artworks and finely detailed photographs, the anatomy and the art of this classic hobby. It describes the rules - and also how they can be broken. It will enable beginners to start up their own bonsai collection, whether of home-grown or bought trees, and to keep their bonsai healthy and in good shape. It will answer questions for those who already have some experience with bonsai. All the tools and the skills needed are described, and a photographic compendium displays the top 24 species, both outdoor and indoor.


The accommodation of machine-to-machine (M2M) terminals in mobile networks is important; therefore, future network architecture supporting M2M services is of intense interest to mobile network operators. We propose an implemental architecture of a virtualized evolved packet core (vEPC) to accommodate M2M services. The proposed architecture deploys dedicated vEPCs based on the functional requirements of services. Every vEPC is optimized by eliminating EPC components or replacing standardized interface protocols with internal application interworking. We confirm the validity of the proposed architecture by experimentally evaluating CPU resource consumption. We also confirm that the proposed architecture reduces CPU time consumption by up to 27% by reducing signaling message volume, and improved performance is observed independently with M2M terminal mobility or communication characteristics.


Purpose/Objectives: The purposes of this article were to describe the challenges that clinical nurse specialists (CNS) face in their role and to examine how CNSs describe the skills and attributes that are needed to promote the use of evidence-based practice (EBP) in their workplaces. This article is based on findings from a dissertation regarding how CNSs promote EBP in a western Canadian province. Design: A sequential explanatory participant selection mixed-methods design was used for this study. Setting: The study took place in a western Canadian province that has a population of 1 million people, with 42.7% of the population residing in the 2 largest cities. Sample: The sample was drawn from a provincial registered nurse database. The sample for the survey was 23, and for the interviews, there were 11 participants. Methods: The telephone survey contained 113 questions grouped into several subcategories. SPSS 18 was used to analyze the survey data. The semistructured interviews were conducted face to face, transcribed, and reviewed for recurrent themes. Interpretive description was used to analyze the themes. Findings: The major challenges faced by CNSs are role strain, lack of support and resources, and role ambiguity. The skills and attributes required to be a CNS are graduate preparation, clinical expertise, and people/communication skills. Conclusions: Clinical nurse specialists can improve patient outcomes by promoting EBP; to do so, they need to work in supportive contexts that give those in the CNS role a set of clear role expectations. Implications: There are challenges faced by CNSs in Canada, and there is a need to strengthen the CNS's role by standardizing the regulatory requirements at a national level.


Dyspepsia is a condition of indigestion and became one of the diseases with a large number of patients in Indonesia. Early detection of Dyspepsia is done to assist in the prevention of the disease. Iridology is a method of early detection in human organs disorders by analyzing the iris patterns. However, the application of Iridology technique often finds difficulties because it requires a high level of precision in the iris image observation. The low quality of the image also leads to the high possibility of human error. Therefore, research in this paper is aimed to build Iridology-based image processing system to detect early Dyspepsia. Stages of feature extraction and classification is important and determines how the performance of the established system. The method of Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is used in the feature extraction stage to reduce the image feature dimension and obtain the features vector of the image that is being observed. Meanwhile, Cascade Correlation Neural Network (CC-NN) is a classification model that is used to determine whether an observed image shows the symptoms of Dyspepsia or not. Based on previous studies, it was shown that the CC-NN with its learning mechanism capable of producing high accuracy in classification problems. With the combination of these two methods, the system can generate fairly high accuracy in detecting Dyspepsia using Iridology-based techniques. The highest accuracy rate that can be achieved by the system is 95.45% for both in training and testing set.


Abstract The Royal College of Pathologists' guidelines for reporting colorectal cancer state that all lymph nodes in a colorectal cancer specimen should be sampled, regardless of site or size. The only means by which one can be certain that all nodes have been sampled is to clear the fat and visualise the lymph nodes. Methods of fat clearance have been available for many years, but few are acceptable in routine practice. Here, a simple, effective and economical solution to the problem is described, which should be amenable to any laboratory with a spare or back-up tissue-processing machine.


Alvin Weinberg is one of the most influential nuclear engineers & physicists in the U.S., having participated in many high profile projects from the early days of nuclear research on into the 1980s. This book is his autobiography and it's peppered with first-hand accounts of major historical events. He writes about the events of December 2, 1942, when Fermi set into motion the first chain reaction in a uranium pile and goes on to describe what happened during the "First Nuclear Era" a period he admits that has now largely run its course. A proponent of nuclear power, Weinberg also exposed its down- side risks and for years remained in the forefront of strong science administration.


The method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to show an interaction of soluble recombinant CD4-receptor (rsCD4) with human apolipoprotein A-1. Competitive interactions between envelope proteins VIH-1 (gp120 and gp41), on the one hand, and human apolipoprotein A-1 with CD4 receptor, present in the cellular membranes of line MT4 human lymphocytes, were demonstrated by the method of flow cytofluorimetry. It was suggested that the competitive interactions between the above proteins could manifest in respect to the apolipoprotein A-1 receptor, which affects the involvement of the latter in the regulation of protein biosynthesis and which leads to a decrease in the body weight of HIV-infected patients.


In 2018, the World Health Organization set a goal to increase the proportion of breast cancers identified at an early stage. Early detection allows for more effective treatment and a reduction in the risk of death from breast cancer. Poor access may restrict participation in screening, diagnostic and treatment services, with flow-on effects on stage at diagnosis and survival. This paper presents spatial analysis of travel time to breast screening services in New South Wales, Australia to measure the geographic accessibility of services to the population they serve. The travel time surface was created using a friction surface that estimates the time required to traverse each pixel within a global grid, and a least cost path algorithm to find the optimised route from each output pixel to the breast screen services. The friction surface was derived using a set of input layers, with the roads layer being the most critical for defining travel times. The generated surface of travel time to breast screen services in New South Wales has shown that over 90% of the population are within 20 min' drive time of either a fixed or mobile breast screen service and that 100% of the population are within 100 min' drive time of a breast screen service. The ability to identify and measure spatial variations in geographic accessibility via travel time is vital to plan breast screening services and reduce inequalities in health outcomes.


INTRODUCTION AND AIMS
People who use drugs (PWUD) face several mental health problems. This report aims to examine the prevalence of and factors associated with psychological distress among Cambodian PWUD.

DESIGN AND METHODS
Data used in our analysis were from the national survey of 1626 PWUD recruited through respondent-driven sampling method in Cambodia in 2012 to 2013. Distress was measured through self-report by using the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). All analyses were weighted.

RESULTS
Approximately half of PWUD had mild to severe psychological distress in the past four weeks (K10 ≥ 20). In the adjusted analysis, being female (odds ratio 1.60; 95% confidence interval 1.22, 2.12) and having experienced living in rehabilitation centres (odds ratio 2.46; 95% confidence interval 1.56, 3.87) were associated with a higher risk of having moderate or severe psychological distress (K10 ≥ 25).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
Psychological distress was prevalent among Cambodian PWUD. PWUD who were female or experienced living in rehabilitation centres were more likely to report distress. Policy makers should consider shifting further from compulsory institutionalised treatment model to community-based treatment program. Mental health assessment and mental health care services should be included in drug treatment programs and should be gender-sensitive. Further research investigating other mental disorders among PWUD are also needed.


A report of significant new additions to the Migel Memorial Library of the American Foundation for the Blind, prepared by Elaine M. Siegel, librarian.


[1] We present a chemical model of magma degassing based on nine volatile species part of S-O-H-C-Fe-bearing rhyolitic melts. It is based on equilibrium, closed-system degassing, and does not take in account the crystallization of mineral phases. For given initial conditions at depth, the model calculates the gas composition as pressure decreases, as well as physical variables controlling conduit flow. We conducted a parametric study of degassing by varying initial conditions at depth within the range typical of arc magmas and characterizing the chemical evolution of the volatile components during the ascent to the surface. The resulting complex patterns of chemical changes are controlled by four groups of interrelated parameters: (1) redox state, fH2, and H2S/SO2 ratio in the gas phase, (2) gas amount, (3) melt water content and fH2O, and (4) relative melt sulfur content, fCO2, and C/S ratio in the gas phase. The other degrees of freedom (temperature, initial pressure, and melt iron content) alter the amplitude of the chemical fluctuations during ascent, but do not change the general degassing patterns. When degassing starts at depth, volatile chemistry has little effect on the amount of degassing as measured by the evolution of porosity. Magma expansion at shallow levels, however, can be greatly affected by degassing chemistry.


Literary works in Indonesia, including novels, both in terms of ideas and content, are heavily influenced by works from abroad. This influence is caused by many things, for example Indonesian writers who idolize foreign writers, similarities in social situations and conditions, or even unplanned similarities because Indonesian writers unconsciously intensively read one of the works of foreign writers. This research attempts to compare the novel Ipung by Prie GS with the novel the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Comparisons are only limited to pouring out the ideas, genres, and motives contained in the two novels. This research is a descriptive qualitative research that describes a number of ideas, genres, and motives concerning the basic issues of creation, and the message can be expressed accuratel. Based on the research results, it was stated that the novel Sang Alkemis by Paulo Coelho influenced Prie GS novel Ipung, both in terms of ideas, genres, and motives.


Abstract. In many technical domains of modern society, there is a growing demand for fast, precise and automatic acquisition of digital 3D models of a wide variety of physical objects and environments. Laser scanning is a popular and widely used technology to cover this demand, but it is also expensive and complex to use to its full potential. However, there might exist scenarios where the operation of a real laser scanner could be replaced by a computer simulation, in order to save time and costs. This includes scenarios like teaching and training of laser scanning, development of new scanner hardware and scanning methods, or generation of artificial scan data sets to support the development of point cloud processing and analysis algorithms. To test the feasibility of this idea, we have developed a highly flexible laser scanning simulation framework named Heidelberg LiDAR Operations Simulator (HELIOS). HELIOS is implemented as a Java library and split up into a core component and multiple extension modules. Extensible Markup Language (XML) is used to define scanner, platform and scene models and to configure the behaviour of modules. Modules were developed and implemented for (1) loading of simulation assets and configuration (i.e. 3D scene models, scanner definitions, survey descriptions etc.), (2) playback of XML survey descriptions, (3) TLS survey planning (i.e. automatic computation of recommended scanning positions) and (4) interactive real-time 3D visualization of simulated surveys. As a proof of concept, we show the results of two experiments: First, a survey planning test in a scene that was specifically created to evaluate the quality of the survey planning algorithm. Second, a simulated TLS scan of a crop field in a precision farming scenario. The results show that HELIOS fulfills its design goals.


This article explores Karl Rahner's conception of the "Liturgy of the World" in light of the theme for the 2019 Annual Convention of the Catholic Theological Society of America, "Another World is Possible: Violence, Resistance and Transformation." Employing Rahner's hermeneutics of worship, violence can be conceived as a denial of this cosmic liturgy, transformation as conversion to it, and resistance as the stance opposing the denial. Resistance entails solidarity with all humanity in liturgical participation and in action for social justice. Metz's political-theological critique of Rahner, with assistance from Bruce Morrill's analysis of Metz's work for liturgical theology, and Rahner's reference to Teilhard's "Cosmic Mass," taken today in light of contemporary cosmology with assistance from Roger Haight's non-dualistic approach to models of God, are among the implications to be considered for engaging Rahner's vision in ongoing efforts at liturgical renewal.


The green space of students' living area is an important part of Chinese university campus. It has a close relationship with students' daily life, study and amusement. In recent years, as the campus has been being newly-built or rebuilt, green spaces in students' living area have been greatly improved. However, a survey shows that many students are not satisfied with these green spaces. In order to find out problems existing in landscape design of these green spaces, this paper, from the perspective of environmental psychology, investigated and analyzed students' behaviors and corresponding psychology in these green spaces by taking Chang'an campus of a university in Xi'an as a case. On this basis, this paper attempts to conclude experiences and lessons in designing green spaces of students' living area, and hopes to provide some useful references for the design of campus landscape.


The transformation of the country towards federalisation with seven federal provinces would require healthcare regulations and councils to be transformed accordingly. Attempts have been made to cover historical background, current scenario of Nepal, scenario in some other countries. Acts governing various councils of Nepal as well as other countries have been studied. Specific steps which would have to be addressed, amended and undertaken because of the federalisation have been pointed out.Areas which need to be addressed have been regarded as: composition of councils, licensure examination, establishment of institution in each province as well as whether or not to form the councils in each province.


BIOTECHNOLOGY
Ralstonia eutropha H16 is a bacterium that can adjust to life on a variety of nutrients (as carbon and energy sources) and can survive periods of anoxia. Two skills are of particular interest: the ability to perform the Knallgas reaction and the storage of carbon in polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) granules. The former refers to the explosive combination of H2 and O2 (in a 2:1 ratio), which Ralstonia carries out in a traditional respiratory fashion, passing protons and electrons separately through membrane-bound carriers until they are added to O2 in a terminal oxidase complex to produce water. The latter was first detailed almost half a century ago and has led to the biodegradable thermoplastic Biopol and to polythioesters.

Pohlmann et al. report the sequence of the two Ralstonia chromosomes (∼7 Mb), providing an inventory of the many candidate enzymes involved in the synthesis, polymerization, depolymerization, and catabolism of PHAs. The large number of genes encoding β-ketothiolases and acetoacetyl-CoA reductases offers the potential for tinkering with substrate specificity to create an intracellular library of three- to five-carbon hydroxyacid monomers. — GJC

Nat. Biotechnol. 24 , 10.1038/nbt1244 (2006).


THis study of the effect of therapeutic measures in Graves' disease provides further evidence of two functions in thyroid physiology. These are: (a) the secreting functions, and (b) the iodo-celloid function. They are not mutually derivative, for it has been shown that iodo-colloid cannot be the mothersubstance of secretion proper, nor secretion proper the mother-substance of iodo-colloid. The relation of the two functions to Graves' disease is shown by the following findings: 1. The secretary activity of the gland is directly related to the thyrotoxicosis of Graves' disease. 2. The thyrotoxicosis is relieved by simple removal of pure secreting tissue. 3. lodo-colloid function has only an indirect relation to the thyrotoxicosis. 4. An absolute loss of a thyroid reserve of iodo-colloid can occur in Graves' disease (48 per cent. of cases). 5. This mobilization of colloid depends upon some factor in the secretion, for the following reason: when iodine feeding is excluded, excision of pure secreting tissue causes, or allows, a reserve of active normal iodo-colloid to reappear in the remainder of the gland. 6. Iodine feeding can also re-establish a reserve of normal active iodocolloid in the gland. 7. However the thyroid reserve of iodo-colloid is re-established it does not abolish the thyrotoxicosis. 8. There is no absolute lack of circulating iodine in Graves' disease, but 9. A relative lack of circulating iodine may complicate Graves' disease (48 per cent. of cases). 10. This relative lack of iodine is relieved by iodine feeding, but the effect on the thyrotoxicosis is not yet clear. E. A. C.


Light weight nano/submicrocrystalline materials are promising group of constructional materials combining low density with high mechanical properties. However, their potential application requires extensive testing of functional properties, e.g. tribological ones, which may be significant and determine their practical use. Available information on abrasive wear and friction coefficients in nano/submicrocrystalline materials is rather poor. Therefore the aim of this paper is to fill the gap in the literature in this field. The AlSi12Fe5Cu3Mg alloy (RS422) produced by rapid solidification and plastic consolidation with grain size of basic phase components in the range from 50 nm to 300 nm was examined. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the materials were determined. Abrasive wear tests, static and kinematics friction coefficients measurement were carried out under the surface condition including dry, wet and oil lubricant. The results have been compared to the values of similar quantities determined in the same conditions for conventionally produced alloy AlSi11FeCuMn (AK11). Substantial increase of friction coefficients for RS442 comparing to AlSi11FeCuMn material was found, however, abrasive wear for nano/submicron grained materials were low in comparison to conventional one. Considerable increase of abrasive wear at water presence and very weak attrition at oil lubrication was observed. Relationship between structure and mechanical properties of tested materials was analyzed.


Padel tennis is played on different surfaces and the padel tennis court is made of different materials. This influences how the ball can be played back after it hits or bounces on them. The aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of shots played to the fence in professional padel tennis. A total of 489 shots to the fence played by the 8 best pairs (16 male and 16 female players) competing in an international professional tournament were recorded. Using an observational methodology, variables such as the distance of the shot to the net, the side of the court from which the shot was played, the trajectory of the shot and the type of shot were analysed and compared according to gender and effectiveness. The results showed that in women's padel, the overhead shot was significantly more used to play the ball to the fence (48.4%) as compared to men's padel (39.9%), where volleys were significantly more used (39.5%) as compared to women's padel (30.5%). Crosscourt shots were significantly more effective (24.2%) than the down the line ones (16.8%). Groundstrokes were the strokes which produced significantly higher number of winners (25.2%) as well as errors (31.1%). As the distance to the net increased, the effectiveness of the shot played to the fence significantly decreased. These data can serve as a reference for padel players and coaches when planning training sessions adapted to the characteristics of the competition.


Signal integrity (SI) losses in the interconnects are the disturbances coming out of their distributed nature of parasitic capacitances, resistances, and inductances at high frequency operation by A. Attartha and M. Nourani (2002). SI losses are further aggravated if multiple interconnect lines couple energy from, or to each other. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the cross-talk coupling effects between the two interconnects, namely the aggressor and victim lines, using the ABCD two-port network model. In order to reduce the simulation time a reduced order modeling of the interconnect line is considered. Furthermore, as stated in various literatures by A. Sinha et al. (1999) the rising (or falling) input signal represented by a simple step function is not accurate enough, therefore in this paper the rising transitions and the falling transitions are represented more accurately using the exponential terms, and based on such input representation the time domain output signal voltage in presence of crosstalk noise, at the far end side of both aggressor line and victim line, is determined. Such output voltage representation is very helpful in estimating the delay, overshoot or undershoot etc., which are believed to cause SI losses in the SoC.


Magnesium alloys have high specific strength, specific stiffness, excellent thermal conductivity and casting properties, which have a great prospects development in the industry, However, its low plasticity and ductility limited its application. Magnesium matrix composites can effectively improve its performance. Magnesium alloy die-casting is the main forming process, the conventional high-pressure die-casting (HPDC) defects in multi-cavity type, easy to volume gas, non-heat-treated. Compared with HPDC, the rheo-diecasting (RDC) process has been greatly developed for near-net shape components. In this paper, Mg2Si /AM60 composites is fabricated by in-situ synthesis and semi-solid magnesium matrix composites which are rheoformed in the die-casting machine are prepared by mechanical stirring. The results indicate that the microstructure of composites is non-dendritic and Chinese script type Mg2Si are fine distributed. The fundamental morphology of microstructure by HPDC is dendrite and liquid-phase distributed between dendrite irregularly. The RDC samples have close-to-zero porosity, less segregation, the most of semi-solid of microstructure in rheo-diecasting is spherical or as-spherical structure.


Abstract The equation of state of Fo90 hydrous ringwoodite has been measured using X-ray powder diffraction to 45 GPa at the GSECARS beam line at the Advanced Photon Source synchrotron at Argonne National Laboratory. The sample was synthesized at 1400°C and 20 GPa in the 5000 ton multi anvil press at Bayerisches Geoinstitut in Bayreuth. The sample has the formula Mg1.70Fe0.192+Fe0.023+H0.13-Si1.00O4 as determined by electron microprobe, Fourier transform infrared and Mössbauer spectro-scopies, and contains ~0.79% H2O by weight. Compression of the sample had been been measured previously to 11 GPa by single crystal X-ray diffraction. A third-order Birch-Murnaghan equation of state fit to all of the data gives V0 = 530.49±0.07 Å3, K0 = 174.6±2.7 GPa and Kʹ = 6.2±0.6. The effect of 1% H incorporation in the structure on the bulk modulus is large and roughly equivalent to an increase in the temperature of ~600°C at low pressure. The large value of Kʹ indicates significant stiffening of the sample with pressure so that the effect of hydration decreases with pressure.


AbstractThat drone warfare may cause "blowback" is a well-established argument – commonly used to contest drones' effectiveness. One of the unintended consequences of drones includes the opportunity it provides terrorists who can use drones in their propaganda. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula's e-magazine Inspire is demographically targeting Western Muslims, and aims to encourage to "homegrown" terrorism and/or recruitment of "foreign fighters." This study examines how drone warfare is portrayed in Inspire, using a qualitative discourse analysis. It is found that the magazine, commonly portray drones as a failing policy that mainly causes civilian deaths and oppress Muslims. Drones are used to further polarize Inspire-readers and the USA, whereas drone warfare is portrayed as cowardly and inhumane. Overall, this portrayal may have implications for the overall effectiveness of drones.


The residue class set of a Hurwitz integer is constructed by modulo function with primitive Hurwitz integer whose norm is a prime integer, i.e. prime Hurwitz integer. In this study, we consider primitive Hurwitz integer whose norm is both a prime integer and not a prime integer. If the norm of each element of the residue class set of a Hurwitz integer is less than the norm of the primitive Hurwitz integer used to construct the residue class set of the Hurwitz integer, then, the Euclid division algorithm works for this primitive Hurwitz integer. The Euclid division algorithm always works for prime Hurwitz integers. In other words, the prime Hurwitz integers and halves-integer primitive Hurwitz integers have the "division with small remainder" property. However, this property is ignored in some studies that have a constructed Hurwitz residue class set that lies on primitive Hurwitz integers that their norms are not a prime integer and their components are in integers set. In this study, we solve this problem by defining Hurwitz integers that have the "division with small remainder" property, namely, encoder Hurwitz integers set. Therefore, we can define appropriate metrics for codes over Lipschitz integers. Especially, Euclidean metric. Also, we investigate the performances of Hurwitz signal constellations (the left residue class set) obtained by modulo function with Hurwitz integers, which have the "division with small remainder" property, over the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel by means of the constellation figure of merit (CFM), average energy, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).


Avocado (Persea americana) – a major fruit crop worldwide – is threatened by root rot caused by Phytoph thora cinnamomi. This pathogen is known to infect the plant via the feeder roots leading to branch dieback, and eventually tree mortality. While it is known that different avocado rootstocks have varying degrees of susceptibility to Phytophthora root rot, little research has been done on the avocado–Phytophthora interaction. In this study, transcript abundance levels of defence-related genes coding for phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, lipoxygenase, pathogenesis-related protein 5, endochitinase, gluthathionine S-transferase and metallothionein were characterised and compared among five rootstocks with varying susceptibility to root rot, after exposure to P. cinnamomi. Root samples were collected at 0 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h post-infection and transcript abundance of the defence-related genes was determined using quantitative real-time reverse transcription PCR. The results indicated the involvement of PR5 and endochitinase in the defence response of all avocado rootstocks to P. cinnamomi but these genes could not be directly linked to the observed phenotypic resistance. PR5 and endochitinase were highly upregulated at 72 h post-infection. Differences in transcript abundance of phenylalanine ammonialyase and lipoxygenase genes were seen when comparing tolerant and less tolerant rootstocks, which may suggest that transcripts of these genes contribute to resistance. These data provide important insights into plant defence and into how different avocado rootstocks may exhibit increased resistance to infection by P. cinnamomi.


Augmented Reality Audio Games (ARAG) enrich the physical world with virtual sounds to express their content and mechanics. Existing ARAG implementations have focused on exploring the surroundings and navigating to virtual sound sources as the main mode of interaction. This paper suggests that gestural activity with a handheld device can realize complex modes of sonic interaction in the augmented environment, resulting in an enhanced immersive game experience. The ARAG "Audio Legends" was designed and tested to evaluate the usability and immersion of a system featuring an exploration phase based on auditory navigation, as well as an action phase, in which players aim at virtual sonic targets and wave the device to hit them or hold the device to block them. The results of the experiment provide evidence that players are easily accustomed to auditory navigation and that gestural sonic interaction is perceived as difficult, yet this does not affect negatively the system's usability and players' immersion. Findings also include indications that elements, such as sound design, the synchronization of sound and gesture, the fidelity of audio augmentation, and environmental conditions, also affect significantly the game experience, whereas background factors, such as age, sex, and game or music experience, do not have any critical impact.


Purpose Hepatic resection is a standard method of treatment for colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). However, the pathologic factors of metastatic lesions that affect tumor recurrence are less well defined in CRLM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of CRLM, focusing on histopathologic factors of metastatic lesions of the liver. Methods From January 2003 to December 2008, 117 patients underwent curative hepatic resection for CRLM were reviewed. Tumor size and number, differentiation, tumor budding, angio-invasion, dedifferentiation and tumor infiltrating inflammation of metastatic lesions were investigated. Results The mean number of hepatic tumors was 2 (range, 1-8). The mean size of the largest tumor was 2.9 cm (range, 0.3-18.5 cm) in diameter. The moderate differentiation of the hepatic tumor was the most common in 86.3% of the patients. Tumor budding, angio-invasion, and dedifferentiation were observed in 81%, 34%, and 12.8% of patients. Inflammation infiltrating tumor was detected in 6.8% of patients. Recurrence after hepatic resection appeared in 69 out of 117 cases (58.9%). Recurrence-free survival at 1, 2 and 5 years were 62.4%, 43.6%, and 34.3%. The multivariate analysis showed the number of metastases ≥3 (P = 0.007), the tumor infiltrating inflammation (P = 0.047), and presence of dedifferentiation (P = 0.020) to be independent risk factors for tumor recurrence. Conclusion Histopathological factors, i.e., dedifferentiation and tumor infiltrating inflammation of the metastatic lesion, could be one of the risk factors of aggressive behavior as well as the number of metastases even after curative resection for CRLM.


Fallen senescent mangrove leaves from three marine mangrove sites in Panay island, Philippines were collected for observation and isolation of straminipilous organisms. A total of 11 mangrove species were sampled. Halophytophthora species were observed on 7 out of 11 mangrove species sampled, with H. vesicula as the most abundant species observed. Halophytophthora epistomium also occurred abundantly on fallen leaves of Rhizophora apiculata and Sonneratia sp. Thraustochytrids, on the other hand, were observed on all mangrove leaf samples except Aegiceras corniculatum. Schizochytrium mangrovei was the most abundant species observed. Their association and ecological role on the degradation of fallen mangrove leaves is discussed.


I am the director of the NSF-funded Real-World Research Experiences for Undergraduates Program at the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma. We have an exciting program that pairs undergraduate students with research mentors to conduct a project in the wide-ranging meteorology, climate, and interdisciplinary topics being researched here. Students receive a stipend, free housing, a travel allowance, and travel funds to present their work at the national conference that best suits them.* In addition to research, I help the students learn more about the many careers in and around meteorology to help them explore and find career options that suit them well. We also have workshops and one-on-one mentoring to help students build skills needed to succeed. Students interested in the program are required to submit an application, two reference letters, and their official college transcript(s). To be eligible for the program students must be enrolled in a 2- or 4-year college degree program and be a US citizen or permanent resident of the US. We traditionally recruit from meteorology, STEM and related disciplines (like computer science), but have a few opportunities for students majoring fields that intersect with meteorology, including psychology, human factors, sociology, communications, and similar. We are also interested in receiving applications from science education majors. All applications and related materials for the 2014 REU are due no later than February 12, 2014 for full consideration.


We try to explore the influencing factors of firm cost stickiness in a novel view. Based on the sample of Chinese A-listed firms with period of 1999-2016, this paper investigates the relationship between economic policy uncertainty and cost stickiness from the perspective of uncertainty at the macro-level. We find that the high level of economic policy uncertainty significantly reduces firm cost stickiness. In order to have a better understanding of the above results, we elaborate the logic from the aspects of adjustment cost, risk hedging and real option in detail.Moreover, we test whether there exist differences between economic policy uncertainty and cost stickiness according to firms' different life cycles and financial slack. The results present that when firms are in stage of decline, the lower cost stickiness induced by economic policy uncertainty is more obvious. Besides, the negative effect of economic policy uncertainty on cost stickiness is more pronounced in the sub-sample with less financial slack. These conclusions are still valid after a series of robustness tests, including changing measurements of key variables, adding other potential influencing factors and so on.This paper makes the following contributions to the existing literature. First, we extend the consequences of economic policy uncertainty at the firm level. We provide evidence that economic policy uncertainty does have an impact on firm cost behavior beyond other decision-making, such as investment, cash holdings and innovation. Second, we enrich the influencing factors of firm cost stickiness from the perspective of the external view, which is explained with the integration of three related theories. Last but not least, we conduct our research in the background of China, which is featured with strong government interference and unique transformation characteristics. In conclusion, our paper explains the mechanism between macroeconomic policy uncertainty and firm cost behavior, providing theoretical basis and practical reference for firms to better implement and promote cost management decisions.


One threat to parrot arises from their attractiveness as "talking" companions to humans, leading to a high demand for trade that involves hundreds of thousands of birds annually on a global basis, and gives parrots a high monetary value. There is an urgent need to change the attitudes of both the many millions who keep parrots, and those who make billions of dollars in trading them. Neither group accepts responsibility for survival of parrots in the wild, and governments find it difficult to establish sustainable use regimes. Additional threats include hunting for food and above all, loss of habitat. This plan is designed to aid managers and researchers entrusted with the conservation of parrot species. It is as much an evaluation of conservation techniques as a set of specific recommendations for individual species


Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), a group of covalently closed non-coding RNAs, serve critical regulatory roles in many human cancers, including oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional role of circular RNA ITCH (circ-ITCH) in OSCC and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: RT-qPCR analysis was applied to detect the expression levels of circ-ITCH in OSCC tissues and cell lines. MTT assay and fl ow cytometer analysis were used to evaluate the effects of circ-ITCH overexpression on the proliferation and apoptosis of OSCC cells. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay were applied to determine the binding relation between circ-ITCH and miR-421 as well as PDCD4 mRNA and miR-421. Results: Our results showed that circ-ITCH expression was remarkably decreased in OSCC tissues and cell lines. Low circ-ITCH expression was strongly associated with adverse clinicopathological characteristics of OSCC patients. Moreover, functional assays demonstrated that circ-ITCH overexpression signi fi cantly inhibited OSCC cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis. Our data further uncovered that circ-ITCH could bind directly to and block its repression on PDCD4 in OSCC. MiR-421 expression was signi fi cantly increased in OSCC tissues and was inversely correlated with circ-ITCH expression. Notably, miR-421 restoration blocked the tumor-suppressive role of circ-ITCH in OSCC cells. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study reveals that circ-ITCH serves as a tumor suppressor in OSCC partly by regulating miR-421/PDCD4 axis.


Object. The subject of our research concerns the measurement of the performance in Primary Health Care Facilities 'PHCF'. Our objective is how to evaluate the performance of quality approaches on the 'PHCF' actor perception. Method. The data collection was made through a questionnaire for the staff who exercises in the ESSP. This questionnaire contains three parts adapted according to the model of Donabedian (Structure, processes and results), understanding seven domains. The first part concerns the Structure dedicated to the Quality Planning, the Leadership and the Human Resources Management. The second part concerns the processes dedicated to the Process Management, the Monitoring and the Analysis. The third part handles the Results of the quality and the user's satisfaction. Result. We note significant differences in the perception of the quality of the care of the health workers general. The steps of ACQ remain a good tool to improve the quality of the care. The satisfaction of the population remains high with a performance of (74 %), the steps of ACQ are effective tools of the organizational change, the impact on the change of professional practices for our case (68 %) have this image, which varies, enters average and low on the CQ. Continuity and integration of the care are assured only in 34 % of the cases.


In this study, we present a modeling approach that investigates how much cultivable land was required to supply a society and whether societies were in need when environmental conditions deteriorated. The approach is implemented for the North-Eastern Peloponnese and is based upon the location of Late Helladic IIIB (1300–1200 BCE) archaeological sites, an assessment of their sizes, and a proposed diet of the people. Based on these information, the areal requirement of each site is calculated and mapped. The results show that large sites do not have sufficient space in their surroundings in order to supply themselves with the required food resources and thus they depended on supplies from the hinterland. Dry climatic conditions aggravate the situation. This indicates that potential societal crisis are less a factor of changing environmental conditions or a shortage of arable land but primarily caused by socio-economic factors.


We extend the scope of a recent method for superimposing two molecules ( J. Chem. Phys. 2009, 131, 124126-1-124126-10 ) to include the identification of chiral structures. This methodology is tested by applying it to several organic molecules and water clusters that were subjected to geometry optimization. The accuracy of four simpler, non-superimposing approaches is then analyzed by comparing pairs of structures for argon and water clusters. The structures considered in this work were obtained by a Markovian walk in the coordinate space. First, a random geometry is generated, and then, the iterative application of a mutation operator ensures the creation of increasingly dissimilar structures. The discriminating power of the non-superimposing approaches is tested by comparing the corresponding dissimilarity measures with the root-mean-square distance obtained from the superimposing method. Finally, we showcase the application of those methods to characterize the diversity of solutions in global geometry optimization by evolutionary algorithms.


Purpose: to establish moderating effect of collaborative capability on the relationship between green procurement and performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. The theoretical background arose from the literature on competitive strategy, firm performance and green supply chain management. Methodology/Material: The study adopted descriptive survey design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The study targeted 943 manufacturing firms in Kenya registered under the Kenya Association of Manufacturers as at the year 2017. A sample size of 330 firms was targeted and obtained by use of stratified random sampling. Primary data was collected using questionnaire that was addressed to firms operational and procurement managers. Descriptive statistics was used aided by Statistical Packages for Social Sciences version 21 to compute percentages of respondents 'answers. Inferential statistics using multiple regression and correlation analysis was applied to assist examining relationship between the research variable. Findings: The findings showed that green procurement had significant and positive effect on performance of manufacturing firms in Kenya. Further, collaborative capacity moderates the relationship green procurement and firm performance. Conclusion/implication: As such, adoption of flexible green procurement practices through appropriate research will help the manufacturing firm to meet diverse yet drastic changing needs as well as address challenges arising from a dynamic global business environment. Therefore, it is utmost necessary for the firms to use inputs with relatively low environmental impacts.


ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the differences in biological performance between a technetium-99m (99mTc)-labelled glucose derivative, the 99mTc-labelled 1-thio-&bgr;-D-glucose 2,3,4,6-tetra-acetate analogue (99mTc-TG) with 18F-fluoro-2-deoxy-glucose ([18F]FDG). MethodsBinding of both tracers was performed in vitro to viable tumour cells and bacteria. Both tracers were injected into mice for targeting Staphylococcus aureus thigh muscle infections and subcutaneous rat lymphoma (RMA) tumours by using scintigraphy, or by radioactivity counts in excised tissues to determine the biodistribution. ResultsIn-vitro binding studies revealed that both tracers bind more effectively to tumour cells expressing the glucose transporter 1 rather than the glucose transporter 2, and this binding was specific for [18F]FDG. 99mTc-TG shows the highest binding to bacteria and, in addition, gives the highest rate of accumulation in infected thigh muscles in mice. Both tracers were rapidly removed from the circulatory system through the kidneys, and the majority of the injected radioactivity accumulated in the urinary bladder. Two hours after the injection radioactivity accumulation in two high-energy-dependent organs, heart, and liver, increased. Within 15 min of the injections, 99mTc-TG visualized the site of S. aureus infection or the tumour. ConclusionWe conclude that the new tracer 99mTc-TG may have potential use as a SPECT agent for infection and tumour imaging.


INTRODUCTION: Surgical and anesthetic advances have allowed an adequate develop at the day surgery programs, with a rational application and cost-effectiveness of the hospital resorts. The aim of this study, is to know the level of quality perceived in surgical treatment in a program of day surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A randomised selection of 204 patients from a series of 751 operated, between April-May 2001 in a day-surgery institution, was done. Phone questionnaire was done following protocol SERCAL (sociodemographic factors and general satisfaction, accessibility, personal assistance, guarantee and fidelity service) with validation for day surgery programs. Absolute and relatives frequencies were evaluated for dichotomous and categoric variables and medium and standard deviation for numeric variables. Possible differences were evaluated by chi2 test in qualitative variables and Student's t and ANOVA test for quantitative variables. RESULTS: Response index was 70.1%. Satisfaction general index was 9.1%, for 18 numeric items (range 0-10). Social and demographic items show that the best validity of treatment were by elderly, women, retired and low cultural patients. Data reduction by factorial analysis showed 4 factors with incidence (total variance 71.62%): Scientific-technical guarantee service and adequate personal treatment (Cronbach's alpha 0.9060), comfortable and security assistance (Cronbach's alpha 0.8708), accessibility to hospital and professionals (Cronbach's alpha 0.0652), accessibility to surgical service. CONCLUSIONS: General satisfaction of the patients treated in the day-surgery program was high, 9.1 (range 0-10). 88.8% patients would recommend this type of treatment to their parents or friends and in 84.3% would repeat the same experience in the surgery unit. The best appreciate items were the direct treatment and relation, respect, intimacy and information along the assistential circuit by implicated professionals. The worst identified item was the time past in waiting surgical list.


In Nigeria, increasing cases of food borne diseases especially diarrhea reported by many families has been linked to consumption of microbial contaminated flour based meals. Exposed and packaged cassava, yam and plantain flour are locally available in our markets. In this study, standard microbiological methods were used to isolate and identify bacterial and fungal isolates from the flour samples. Further characterization of the isolates was done using molecular methods. Our results shows that Bacillus sp. (46.67 %), Staphylococcus sp. (40 %), Escherichia coli (10 %) and Salmonella sp. (3.33 %) is the percentage frequency of occurrence of bacterial isolates; Microsporum audouinii (14.08 %), M. canis (2.82 %), M. nanum (5.63 %), Exserohilum sp. (9.86 %), Trichoderma sp. (7.04 %), Candida tropicalis (5.63 %), C. rugosa (9.9 %), C. krusei (2.82 %) C. glabrata (5.63 %), Aspergillus fumigatus (4.23 %), A. flavus (1.41 %), A. terreus (2.83 %), A. versicolor (1.41 %), A. clavatus (2.82 %), A. niger (5.63 %), Phaeoacremonim sp. (1.41 %), Epicoccum sp. (2.82 %), Exophiala dermatitidis (1.41 %), Penicillium sp. (1.41 %), Cokeromyces sp. (2.82 %), Aureobasidium sp. (1.41 %), Rhodotorula sp. (2.82 %), Fonsecaea pedrosoi (1.41 %) and Phoma sp. (2.82 %) are percentage frequency of occurrence of fungal isolates. Molecular characterization revealed the bacterial isolates to be Bacillus megaterium strain WSH10 16S, Enterobacter sp. strain HZ21, Alcaligenes feacalis strain CGAPGPBS and Acinetobacter junii strain SB132 while the fungal isolates are Aspergillus niger strain NI26, Paecilomyces sinensis strain Gr133 and Tramestes polyzona strain CNRMA14.236. It is recommended that edible flours should be produced under strict hygienic condition and packaged to prevent microbial contamination of the products.


Polycrystalline Ni3Al and TiAl are attractive materials for high temperature structural applications due to their stability in oxidizing and sulphidizing environment upto700 0 C. They possess significantly higher specific stiffness and similar specific strength as that of super alloys. Hence, these materials can replace super alloys for high temperature applications (~900°C). TiAl has lesser density and can be used for reducing component weight up to 50% and suitable for aerospace and automobile (high performance vehicles) sectors. The major difficulty for putting Ni3Al for engineering applications is its extremely low ductility and inter-granular fracture at ambient temperatures. TiAl, apart from the said brittleness it also suffers from high temperature corrosion. However the brittleness of these aluminides can be reduced by micro-alloying and by subjecting them to Thermo Mechanical Treatments, TMT. This paper deals with the recrystallization studies on nickel aluminides, deformed to different extents by rolling. The average grain size dependence with the % elongation is evaluated in the grain size range of 10-35micron. For the nickel aluminide deformed for 50% by rolling, the variation of resistivity and hardness with annealing time is determined. The homogenized TiAl samples were cold worked and annealed at 1000 0 C. Since the aluminide suffers from low ductility at room temperature, an arbitrary parameter, electrical resistivity, was chosen. Corresponding hardness values were also obtained. Finally a qualitative determination of ductility was made by studying the flow behavior of alloy around the hardness indentation. Thus a correlation was developed between resistivity, hardness and ductility values. It was then to some extent possible to investigate the TMT cycles on the microstructure and hence on the ductility of the TiAl without going for the actual tensile tests.


The enhancement of small vessels in MRA imaging is an important problem. In this paper, we propose using local maximum mean (LMM) processing to enhance the detectability of small vessels. At each voxel in the original three-dimensional (3-D) data set, the LMM over the line segments in the cube centered at the voxel is taken and used to form the 3-D LMM data set. The maximum intensity projection (MIP) is then applied to the LMM data to produce the two-dimensional (2-D) LMM-MIP image. Through LMM processing, the variance of background tissue is reduced, thus increasing the detectability of small vessels. Moreover, the single bright voxels are suppressed and the disconnected small vessels can be connected. However, the LMM processing widens the larger, brighter vessels. To keep the advantages provided by both the LMM-MIP and MIP images, it is proposed that weight functions be used to combine them. The performance of the LMM-MIP algorithm is analyzed and compared with the performance of the MIP algorithm under three measures: The vessel voxel projection probability, the vessel receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the vessel-tissue contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Closed forms of the three measures are obtained. It is shown that the LMM-MIP algorithm improves the detectability of small vessels under all three measures. The longer the projection path and the larger the CNR of the original data, then the greater the improvement. Confirming the theoretical analysis, results of an experiment utilizing practical MRA data demonstrate the improved visual quality of small vessels.


Contact hysteroscopy is a new endoscopic technique that allows direct examination of the uterine cavity. The procedure is performed using ambient room light, which is collected by a special light trap incorporated into the body of the instrument. The mechanism for gathering and transmitting light eliminates the need for any electric connections whatsoever. The optical design enables the examiner to see the endocervix and endometrium even in the presence of bleeding. Neither gas nor liquid media are required for observations since the uterine cavity is not distended. An initial appraisal of 80 women with the contact hysteroscope proved successful from the standpoint of technical simplicity, diagnostic accuracy, and absence of complications.


This textbook is for beginning students of Arabic who are seeking to develop communicative oral skills in colloquial Levantine Arabic, the dialect used in Jerusalem and in contemporary Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestine/Israel. It is the first textbook for colloquial Arabic developed according to the principles of the proficiency movement in foreign language teaching, in which the emphasis is placed on the use of meaningful drills, activities that are appropriate to the context in which the language will be spoken, and a balance between linguistic accuracy and active use of the language. The first half of the teacher's manual is devoted to a series of "functions" that focus on specific spoken activities, such as greetings, identifying objects, or asking for information. Each function is accompanied by explication, classroom activities, and suggestions for other activities both in and out of the classroom. The second part provides a series of ten situations in which passages in the colloquial dialect, mostly in the form of narratives, are intended to take the students beyond the level of basic communication to a more descriptive and narrative mode. The text is accompanied by charts and glossaries. A set of audio tapes is keyed to the individual functions and situations. The second part of the teacher's manual is available as a separate book for student use. Levantine Arabic may be used as the primary text for a course designed exclusively to teach colloquial Arabic, or in conjunction with beginning and intermediate courses in Modern Standard Arabic.