Background:Diabetes mellitus is now affecting individuals of all age group and socioeconomic status. Besides other complications of the diabetes mellitus, skin is affected by the acute metabolic derangements as well as by chronic degenerative complications of diabetes. To evaluate the prevalence of skin manifestations in patients with diabetes mellitus. To analyze the prevalence and pattern of skin disorders among diabetic patients in North part of Uttar Pradesh.
Methods: This Prospective study was conducted on 40 diagnosed Type 2 diabetic patients having skin lesions attending the Department of Medicine, Ananta Institute of Medical Sciences & Research Center, Rajsamand, Rajasthan were included in our study on the basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Out of 40 patients, only 25 patients were completed the whole study done during the duration of 3 months (March 2016 to May 2016.
Results: The common skin disorders were: diabetic dermopathy (44%), Xerosis (36%), skin tags (32%), cutaneous infections (31%), and seborrheic keratosis (30%).
Conclusions: Skin is involved in diabetes quite often and the manifestations are numerous. Most of the patients were affected from Diabetic dermopathy.


The survival of conidia of Acremonium cucurbitacearum in autoclaved soil at six moisture levels and in water was compared during a 3-year period. Although the survival was not clearly influenced by soil moisture levels, A. cucurbitacearum survived better at 50-75% water-holding capacity in soil, but the number of viable propagules per gram of soil remained at a low level at the end of the study. The greater recovery occurred at water conservation. This study reveals that chlamydospores are the specialized resting structures of this fungus in soil. Water conservation is recommended for the storage and maintenance of A. cucurbitacearum.


As one of the candidates of the next generation non-volatile memory (NVM), phase change memory(PCM) has been paid more attention. But there are many open issue in simulation and phase-change mechanism. In this work, an electrothermal simulation is implemented, which can provide an evaluation method for PCM geometry and scaling design. At the time, a threshold-switching mechanism is discussed. A threshold-switching curve is achieved using device simulator, results show that this mechanism can explain the threshold-switching phenomenon.


Improving integration between environments and applications. We are interested in exploring the boun-daries between runtime systems and higher level environments in order to expand the scope of our optimization techniques. Several paths will be explored concurrently: 1) the proposal of functional extensions to existing programming interfaces that will reduce the amount of unusable functionalities; 2) the exploitation of information generated by a program analyzer to improve the quality of internal runtime system heuristics; 3) the refinement of application code through a code specializer provided some feedback given by the runtime system at the deployment time, etc. research projects us realize that despite their different natures these environments actually share a large number of requirements with parallel programming environments as far as efficiency is concerned with regard to critical operations such as multiprogramming or communication handling). An important research effort should hence be carried out to define a reference runtime system meeting a large subset of these requirements. This work is expected to have an important impact on the software development for parallel architectures. The research project we propose is thus a logical continuation of the work we carried out over the last few years, focusing on the following directions: the quest for the best trade-off between portability and efficiency, the careful study of interactions between various software components, the use of realistic performance evaluations and the validation of our techniques on real applications.


These views of Earth from 2019 were taken with a variety of different science instruments and data tools, all helping us see our planet more clearly.


Studies to determine the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are important in biological system due to cellular damages provoked by reative oxygen species that include H2O2. An alternative to detect H2O2 is through an optical nanosensors based on silver nanoparticles, which have great potential for chemical and biological sensing applications. Here we demonstrate that attenuated total reflectance (ATR) from interaction of silver nanoparticles and hydrogen peroxide were able to detect very low levels of H2O2 around 0,001mM.


With the ongoing trade disputes between China and the US in recent years, Chinese companies have struggled with their acquisitions in the US. Some studies have mainly focused on how Chinese companies should respond to US national security reviews, while there is a lack of unified recommendations on the responses of the two governments. Therefore, based on the case of the acquisition of Snapdragon by Asymchem, a case study approach is used to explore the tripartite role of Chinese companies, the Chinese and US governments in the national security review system. The analysis concludes that the security clearance issues faced by Chinese companies acquiring US companies are: industry attributes and sensitive technologies, derogation agreements and political risks. Corresponding strategies are therefore proposed for the three parties to respond: rights-limiting acquisition options, lobbying and a US-China bilateral investment agreement to facilitate bi-national investment with the joint role of companies and both governments.


To investigate the 3-D characteristics of the flow around a finite-height
 circular cylinder, this study was based on the CFD technology. The flow was
 numerically simulated between Re = 1000 and 10000 using the large eddy
 simulation method to verify and analyze the results. Comparing the
 instantaneous contours of vorticity for different heights at the same
 Reynolds number, it can be seen that the free end influences vortex
 shedding. The instantaneous contours of vorticity for a complete period of
 vortex shedding were analyzed to explain the causes of lift force
 generation. Analysis of the effect of Reynolds numbers on the Strohal
 number was done. The analysis focused on the wake structure of the column at
 Re = 1000 and Re = 10000, and a significant difference was found between the
 two cases.


Two new studies confirm what many junior doctors have long known—that shortening the length of on-call shifts improves doctors' performance, and in turn, patient outcomes.

In the first study Dr Steven Lockley of the division of sleep medicine at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, and Harvard Medical School, found that interns slept more and performed better when they were part of rotations specifically designed to give them more time to sleep during their shifts ( New England Journal of Medicine 2004;351:1829-37).

The researchers studied 20 interns during their two three-week rotations in intensive care units. Each intern was observed during a traditional rotation schedule …


Easily collected and containing local and systemic-derived biomarkers, oral fluids may offer the basis for patient-specific diagnostic tests for periodontal disease. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is a physiological fluid as well as an inflammatory exudate originating from the gingival plexus of blood vessels in the gingival corium, subjacent to the epithelium lining of the dentogingival space. The presence of fluid in the gingival crevice has been described since the nineteenth century (11, 66). Waerhaug's classic studies further described its composition and flow in response to periodontal diseases (74, 75). Originally, most investigators classified GCF as an inflammatory exudate (18). However, there is evidence to suggest that GCF from clinically normal tissue is an altered serum transudate that only becomes an inflammatory exudate when disease is clinically present (76). The recognition in the last decade that neutrophils migrate into the periodontal crevice even in health tends to obfuscate the characterization of GCF as an inflammatory exudate vs a physiologic transudate. Furthermore, it is clear that the composition of the GCF differs in terms of microbial composition and the concentration and composition of molecular biomarkers when one compares healthy sites from diseased individuals vs healthy sites from periodontally healthy individuals. Additionally, there are clear changes in GCF composition during disease progression and certain mediators can be used to predict future patient-based or site based disease outcomes. Taken together the findings suggest that the composition of GCF can potentially be used to detect subclinical alterations in tissue metabolism, inflammatory cell, recruitment and connective tissue remodeling. Currently, most medical fields are searching for useful biological diagnostic markers that can indicate the presence of a disease process before extensive clinical damage has occurred. GCF is composed of serum and locally generated components such as tissue breakdown products, inflammatory mediators and antibodies in response to oral microorganisms present in the dental biofilm thus it offers great potential to reflect the response that the cells and periodontal tissues promote to attempt regaining homeostasis and also how certain periodontopathogens co-opt these response mechanisms to promote bacterial survival within the gingival crevice and pocket. The aim of this review is to describe the historic evolution of GCF as a diagnostic marker for periodontal disease and its current application to diagnose and predict periodontal disease activity.


A multilayer capillary fiber was designed for optical sensor applications and its optical properties were evaluated by using a fluorescent layer immobilized on its inner surface. This fiber structure combines a large interaction surface (the inner wall of the capillary fiber) for binding of fluorescent indicators with evanescent wave fluorescence measurement, whichmay facilitate the design ofpseudohomogeneous assays without separation ofthe bound from nonbound fluorescent indicator. The inner surface of the capillary was derivatized by aminosilanization, followed by biotinylation and addition of streptavidin. This biotin-streptavidin coating facilitates subsequent immobilization of any biotinylated species (e.g. antibodies, antigens etc.) participating in specific molecular recognition. We have evaluated some properties of this capillary fiber design by using fluorescent proteins immobilized on the inner wall of capillary by biotin-avidin-interaction. Fluorescence was excited by a HeNe-laser (fluorescent indicator APC; Aem —660 fllfl) d by a Arlaser (fluorescent indicator RPE, 'em 578 fliT!),and measured with a spectrum analyzer.

Key words: capillaryfiber, capillaryfluorescence, opticalfiber sensor, fluorescence sensor, biotinavidin bridge, biotin-streptavidin coating, fluorescent indicator, fluorescent protein, APCfi uorescence, RPE-fluorescence


-Males and females of many avian species may show no plumage dimorphism, but often can be sexed by differences in body measurements. Sex determination of many Cory's Shearwaters Calonectris diomedea, was possible by multiplying bill length by bill depth. In this study, discriminant analysis of six measurements (bill length, bill depth, wing, tail, tarsus and mass) was performed on Cory's Shearwaters breeding on Linosa Island (Sicilian Channel), Italy and the efficiency of sex determination was compared with the univariate method. Results show the advantages of the discriminant functions. Bill depth is the best parameter (up to 92% correct classification), followed by mass (84% correct classification); using mass is simple and causes less disturbance to the birds. Received 10 August 2000, accepted 2 February 2001.


This paper proposes an X-fault model for fault diagnosis of physical defects with unknown behaviors by using X symbols. An efficient X-fault simulation method and an efficient X-fault diagnostic reasoning method are presented. Based on these, an X-fault diagnosis method is described to improve the failure analysis for a wide range of physical defects in complex IC circuits.


User resistance to information systems (IS) implementation has been identified as a main reason for insufficient success of new systems. Even though numerous studies have investigated the driving factors for user resistance, up to now there is no study that is exclusively focused on the concept of user resistance for the mobile service domain. Within this work in progress paper we examine user resistance for mobile services and investigate the falling short of expectations of mobile services success. Based on a literature review, our findings clearly reveal user-, service-, and provider-related factors that trigger user resistance towards mobile services. These are incorporated into a resulting user resistance framework. This article provides researchers with a framework for future research in this domain and provides practitioners with an improved understanding of mobile service customers and corresponding managerial decisions.


The total impact of tourist spending in developing countries is often reduced by varied and sometimes extensive foreign exchange leakages. The leakage through the importation of foodstuffs into the Bahamas is examined and an assessment is made of the impact on the economy of a significant reduction of these food imports. A conservative estimate is made of the extent to which domestic pro duction could substitute for current tourism sector food imports. The input-output method is used to estimate the indirect effects of the import substitution. Overall, significant net benefits are "likely to accrue to the Bahamas economy in terms of output and employment.


Purpose: the aim of this study was to define the role of coronoid condylar index (CCI) in diagnosis of elongated coronoid process. Patients and Methods: Eight patients with unilateral coronoid hyperplasia were included in this study, six patients were males and two patients were females, their ages ranged from 19-28years with a mean of 23.5 years. All patients were evaluated both clinically (through detection of range of mouth opening, range of mandibular deviation towards the affected side, presence of palpable crepitation or audible grating in the TMJ and finally vision of movement of the coronoid process in the infratemporal fossa during mouth opening ) and radiographically (from the lateral projection three dimensional computerized tomography of the lower jaw). Results: regarding to the mouth opening, the mean of mouth opening for all patients was 25.3 mm. the mean of deviation of the mandible towards the affected side was 3.5mm. Palpable crepitation and audible grating of the temporomandibular joint had been detected only in three cases. Vision of the coronoid process movement in the infratemporal fossa had been detected only in four cases, particularly during mouth opening. Radiographic evaluation revealed, the mean of the coronoid condylar index (CCI) to all the examined patients was 1.22mm. Conclusion: The CCI is considered as simple and rapid method for determination of any discrepancy in both coronoid and condylar processes of the lower jaw.


Endodontics is a branch of dentistry, in which the development of materials is particularly evident. This is due to increasingly higher standards of treatment, providing more and better tretment results. The aim of the study was to gather information on the properties of the MTA material. Materials and methods constituted a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature published in the years 1990-2015 in the database PubMed and GBL on the use of MTA in endodontics. The results and conclusions of the work indicate that this material perfectly fulfills its role in the cases of pulp capping, perforations, resorptions, apeksogenesis apeksyfication - procedures, which are important challenges of modern endodontics.


Under the two-dimensional components of seismic action, the seismic response spectrum method was applied to irregular structures that were constructed in order to replicate the main powerhouse of a large thermal power plant with a frame-bent in the transverse direction and a frame-shear wall in the longitudinal direction. An elastic-plastic time history analysis of the model, subjected to the one- and two-dimensional components of ground motion, was performed. A practical value and theoretical significance were obtained by modifying the combination formula of the seismic response in Chinese seismic codes based on the calculated ratios of the seismic effect of a one- or two-dimensional earthquake.


A cancer vaccine consisting of ALVAC, a highly attenuated poxvirus strain derived from the canarypox virus. ALVAC-CEA (6D)-B7.1 vaccine expresses both a highly immunogenic analogue (6D) of the immunodominant epitope of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and B7.1 (also known as CD80), the natural ligand for the T -cell antigen CD28. T his agent was designed to stimulate host immune responses against tumor cells that express CEA. (NCI04) Qeios · Definition, February 7, 2020


On the condition that demand and lead time are both randomly,the article studies a simple two-echelon inventory system,that is,the optimization problem of one supplier and one retailer.They both use s,Q strategy to manage inventory,and both the order quantity Q_r and Q_s are constant,on this basis,to get the system′s optimization strategy s_r,s_s,optimization function of the system has been established in the object of minimizing expectation total cost of system running during each planning period,and at last solving arithmetic and numerical example have been given.


Preserving the biodiversity and avoiding the fragmentation of a land is an area that has been the subject of research since it is important to ensure that species are not put at risk when changing the available land for them. The wildlife conservation problem can be divided in two sub-problems. Given a land, that is split into smaller areas called sites that can have an utility and a cost value associated, the first sub-problem consists in, given certain key sites, finding the a continuous path with most utility between them under a certain cost constraint. The second consists in finding minimum amount of sites that are not scattered and that keep the maximum biodiversity (i.e. the sites must have at least one of each species represented). Those are important approaches and both are covered in this document. Recent work has developed either dedicated algorithms or integer linear programming approaches to solve this problem. Our goal is to solve this problem using answer set programming, which is based on a declarative language and has been successfully applied to different domain problems. We described the answer set programming language, including the semantics and syntax, and also referred one of the tools available to draw solutions, called ASPviz. The ASP programs to solve the two problem variants are in detail, including the impact of the choices. We compared the results obtained in answer set programming with one of the previous implementations and discuss the obtained results.


Talking to insurance brokers can be like coming to this planet from a different place and time. Their language is strange and unintelligible. Why is this so? First, most insurance companies don ' t unde r s t and landscape contractors and aren't interested in learning about the green industry. The insurance industry, for the most part, views a landscape contractor as something smaller than a small business, operating out of a garage, with a pick-up truck or two, and merely mowing lawns and planting bushes. They also think the pickup truck is loaded with illegal aliens ready to tumble out the back gate at the first corner. Obviously, this small and morally unstable group of contractors isn't worthy of the insurance industry's understanding because they don't develop sufficient premiums to justify any attention. It remains rather pathetic that this perverse and grossly inaccurate perception is the norm within the insurance industry, with only a few exceptions. Well, folks, there's a glimmer of hope. Those handfu l of insurance companies that do have a more accurate understanding of landscape contracting will be the ones you want to build relationships with over time. As with the recent stock market crash, the insurance industry will become difficult again. Then, you'll want do business with those companies that understand you.


parent was a single parent, and in some cases both parents are convicted and imprisoned for the same offence simultaneously. This paper examines the fate of these 'orphans of justice',3 looks at the provision for children to accompany their mothers to prison and whether it meets the children's needs, considers the role of health care and other professionals in the care of these children, and makes recommendations for improvements in the provision of services for families caught up in the criminal justice


A high gain flat continuous transverse stub (CTS) beam scanning antenna array operating at X band is proposed. A novel compact corporate-feed network consisting of an H-plane horn and a flat Luneburg lens is designed. The lens converts the cylindrical wave generated by the horn into plane wave to feed the CTS antenna. By moving the H-plane horn on the surface of the lens, the beam scanning is realized. A 12-element array is designed and simulated. The simulation results show that the scanning range of −30° ∼30° is achieved by moving the horn. The maximum gain of the antenna is 20.6 dBi and the sidelobe level is −25.2 dB. The proposed antenna can be a good candidate for radar systems and satellite communication terminals, which require low cost and high gain.


In December of 2011, Louis CK began selling videos of his most recent standup show - Live at the Beacon Theater - on his web


A cylindrical linear induction motor (CLIM) has no coil ends, and therefore it has higher propulsion force and power factor compared with a flat linear induction motor. The purpose of this study is to investigate of the application of CLIM to actuators of machine tools. First, a CLIM trial machine increasing effective flux and reducing eddy currents, which has good performance and simple structure, was manufactured. Next, a CLIM device for machine tools using the CLIM trial machine and commercially available accessories, such as a motor driver and a linear encoder, was manufactured and tested for practical application.From the test results, the effect of excitation frequency on propulsion force, the effect of velocity on the ripple of propulsion force and its positioning performance are clarified. It was also found that the device using the CLIM and commercially available accessories has enough potential performance to be used for the actuator of the practical machine tools.


The invention belongs to the technical field of grease machines and relates to a pneumatic high-pressure oil filling device. An oil filling pump, an oil filling gun connected with the oil filling pump, a push-and-pull armrest and a rolling wheel are arranged on a barrel body. Reciprocating motion of an air cylinder piston rod is achieved by a piston rod control reversing valve. The reversing valve comprises a gas distribution group cover, and an installing portion is arranged in the middle of the gas distribution group cover. A conduit connector, a silencer installing connector and a silencer are arranged on one side of the gas distribution group cover side by side, three annular grooves and three strip-shaped holes are arranged on a cylindrical face on the other side of the gas distribution group cover. The middle strip-shaped hole is communicated with the silencer installing connector, the strip-shaped hole on one side is communicated with the conduit connector and then communicated with an upper cavity of the piston, and the strip-shaped hole on the other side is communicated with a groove on the middle annular groove and then communicated with a lower cavity of the piston. Gas distribution sliding blocks are arranged in the cylindrical grooves and driven by a poking sleeve fixed on the piston rod, and seal rings are arranged on the annular grooves on two sides of the cylindrical face. The pneumatic high-pressure oil filling device has the advantages of being simple in structure, small in noise, convenient to disassemble and decorate and suitable for various oil filling devices.


The energy dependent dose response curves obtained for a small size planar silicon diode are calculated using a classical Monte Carlo method which enables an individual treatment of each outgoing pulse. These response curves are given in both irradiation (air and water) but mainly deep tissue-equivalent dose units, they allow discussion of the sensitivity of the detector as well as the limits of the energy band in which the detector response is of a sufficient accuracy to fulfil international requirements. All the calculations are done here for individual or associated 7.5 mm 2 silicon sensors, bare or mounted behind shielding material (filters or electron radiators) and for various electronic conditions: pulse height cut-off, integration time, free carrier lifetime


A mourns the loss of a good friend of the journal and of Arthurian studies internationally with the passing of Jeremy duQuesnay Adams on May 2, 2016. Jeremy, a historian of early medieval Europe, was Centennial Professor of History at Southern Methodist University, where he taught since 1974 and is remembered by many former students as a passionate and inspiring lecturer. Prior to joining the faculty at SMU, Jeremy taught at Isidore Newman School in New Orleans (his hometown) and at Yale University. Earning his PhD in History from Harvard in 1967, Jeremy's early scholarship centered on socio-political terminology among the Church Fathers and later on ethnic identity in Visigothic Spain and the political culture of Capetian France. His first book, Patterns of Medieval Society (Prentice Hall, 1969), showed Jeremy's attraction to the history of ideas, social patterns, and political authority. His second, The Populus of Augustine and Jerome (Yale, 1971), winner of the National Catholic Book Award in 1972, was an early and influential study of Patristic terminology in Late Antiquity. While he continued to publish and present on late Roman and early medieval historical topics, his wide-ranging intellect took him into other areas as well, especially Arthurian studies and chivalry. He translated Régine Pernoud and Marie Véronique-Clin's Joan of Arc: Her Story (St Martin's, 1999), for example, and, in Arthuriana, he wrote about the intellectual world of fifth-century Gaul inhabited by one candidate for an historical Arthur, Riothamus. To many he was one half of a partnership presiding over medieval studies with grace and grandeur, benevolent patrons to two generations of scholars. With his beloved wife and founding editor of Arthuriana, Bonnie Wheeler, he created the interdisciplinary Medieval Studies Program at SMU, taught students in the SMU-Oxford Program at St John's College, and started many a tradition—both social and academic—at the International Medieval Congress in Kalamazoo. The editors, staff, and authors of Arthuriana convey our thoughts of consolation and prayers to Bonnie and the rest of Jeremy's family. We have lost a friend, a gentleman and a gentle man. His kindness, his humor, and his erudition will long be remembered.


Low carbon‐footprint hydrogen generated from water splitting has attracted wide attention, which can satisfy future industrial requirements as a promising method. Compared with the scarcity of available freshwater, seawater splitting becomes worldwide research focus due to abundant seawater resources. Nevertheless, precious metal catalysts featured with high cost and low stability in seawater restrict its practical application. Recently, great progress of transition metals' (TM) compounds has been made toward seawater electrolysis, which made the process more practically feasible due to its abundant reserve and corrosion resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the recent advances and challenges of TM‐based electrocatalysts in seawater; wherein few reviews have been reported so far. Herein, in this review, a comprehensive introduction of recently reported TM‐based electrocatalysts and advanced strategies for seawater electrolysis are provided. In particular, the challenges and perspectives of TM‐based electrocatalysts in the field of commercial application are briefly concluded at the end.


Outside the expected venues of art photography and reportage, we see individuals, communities, and organizations addressing environmental problems through the creative use of imaging and communications technologies. The three projects briefly presented here suggest some of the ways that these technologies — both widely accessible and highly specialized — are being used to support environmental interventions in China, Tibet, and Indonesia.


Multifilament conductors have been fabricated using niobium tubes with a sheathed tin‐copper alloy inside and pure copper matrix outside. These composites have good workability, cold drawn without any intermediate heat treatment. Reactions and their effect upon superconducting properties have been checked for temperatures in the 625–800 °C range and various inner filament sizes ranging from 18 to 1154 μm. The Nb3Sn layer thickness grows as t0.8 in most of the reaction time, which cannot be explained by an ordinary diffusion process. The pinning force is found to be inversely proportional to the square root of the grain size measured through a fractographic technique in the 0.1–0.3‐μm range. Also, the activation energy of the Cu/Sn‐Cu diffusion couple is obtained as 47 kcal/mol from the reaction‐temperature–time relation. These results have been discussed and compared with others.


Now the mortality of cancer is high, which seriously threatens the safety of human life. It is very difficult to accurately segment small objects such as cancer lesions or cells. In order to improve the accuracy of small object segmentation, this paper proposes to use RPN module to frame and select small objects, then use FSRCNN to enlarge the low resolution picture, and finally use a simple U-shaped segmentation model to segment small objects. The model has been evaluated on the cell data set and achieved good results.


To some they were ungainly, to others magnificent - but the Roll-on-Roll-off motor vehicle carriers were the last regular cargo ships to unload in the Port of Sydney. Museum photographer Andrew Frolows documented their final visits for an exhibition now on display, as Sydney Harbour took yet another step away from its working roots.


Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are key regulators of apoptosis and are frequently dysregulated in ovarian cancer. It was hypothesized that blocking IAPs with birinapant would increase tumor cell death and result in objective responses for women with platinum‐refractory and ‐resistant ovarian cancer.


Four approaches at different scales or levels of understanding are proposed to study the propagation of phase boundaries and domain walls in thermo-deformable solids: (i) a microscopic one relying on a lattice model that yields the representation of the thin transition zone as a solitonic structure; (ii) a thermodynamic macroscopic one that is based on the use ofjump relations associated with the canonical formulation of continuum mechanics on the material manifold, (iii) a mesoscopic continuum approach using directly a mixed viscosity-strain-gradient modelling, and (iv) a global quasi-particle viewpoint which, although accounting for the structure of the transition zones, is also canonical and allows for the study of transient motions of these zones. The common points and respective interests of the approaches are discussed.


In this article, an explicit formula is derived for determining appropriate number of simulation runs to estimate the parametric yield or violation probability of VLSI circuits. The formula involves no approximation and thus offers a rigorous control of the statistical error of estimation. Moreover, the formula is substantially less conservative than existing methods and hence can be used to avoid unnecessary computation. The application of the formula is illustrated by the timing analysis of an n-input NAND gate with a capacitive load.


This report describes the findings from a detailed analysis of the long term uncertainty of the Pacific Northwest electric system. The purpose of the study is to quantify the extent to which performance standards for new homes and buildings reduce the uncertainty in the system. We demonstrate that standards make the system more predictable and thereby reduce the cost of insurance needed to defend against uncertainty. 7 refs., 20 figs.


Baggage abandoned in public places can pose a serious security threat. In this paper a two-stage approach that works on video sequences captured by a single immovable CCTV camera is presented. At first, foreground objects are segregated from static background objects using brightness and chromaticity distortion parameters estimated in the RGB colour space. The algorithm then locks on to binary blobs that are static and of 'bag' sizes; the size constraints used in the scheme are chosen based on empirical data. Parts of the background frame and current frames covered by a locked mask are then tracked using a 1-D (unwrapped) pattern generated using a bi-variate frequency distribution in the rg chromaticity space. Another approach that uses edge maps instead of patterns generated using the fragile colour information is discussed. In this approach the pixels that are part of an edge are marked using a novel scheme that utilizes four 1-D Laplacian kernels; tracking is done by calculating the total entropy in the intensity images in the sections encompassed by the binary edge maps. This makes the process broadly illumination invariant. Both the algorithms have been tested on the iLIDS dataset (produced by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch in partnership with Security Service, United Kingdom) and the results obtained are encouraging.


A new soil test method for determining soil available sulfur (S) using an anion exchange resin strip, a specially pretreated anion exchange membrane encased in a plastic applicator-Plant Root Simulator Probe, was evaluated. Samples of 18 China soils were collected from the 0–20 cm layer, dried, sieved, and analyzed for available S using four chemical extracting solutions: 0.01 mol calcium chloride (CaCl2) L−1, 0.01 mol calcium dihydrogen phosphate [Ca (H2PO4)2] L−1, 0.016 mol potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) L−1, and 0.5 mol sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) L−1 (pH 8.5). Available S in soils was also extracted by a resin strip method with 24-hour and 2-week burial times. Pot experiments were conducted to compare plant response to determined soil-available S. Results showed that soil-available S extracted by the resin strips at 24 hour and 2 week burial times was significantly correlated with S extracted by the chemical methods, especially highly and significantly correlated with available S by 0.01 mol Ca (H2PO4)2 L−1 (r2=0.725*** and r2=0.600***) and 0.016 mol KH2PO4 L−1 (r2=0.706*** and r2=0.540***), respectively. Results also showed significant correlation between S availability by the resin strips at the two burial times and plant S uptake (r2=0.594***, r2=0.401** for corn and r2=0.773***, r2=0.546*** for rice). Furthermore, results showed significant correlation between determined S by the resin strip at the 24 hour burial time and relative dry matter yield for corn (r2=0.494**) and rice (0.687***), respectively. An anion exchange resin strip was found to be a suitable alternative method in the evaluation of S bioavailability in soils.


In this paper, the problem of adaptive finite-time control is considered for a class of nonlinear systems with parametric uncertainties. A novel adaptive command filtered backstepping control method is proposed, and the adverse impact caused by the command filter is eliminated by introducing modified error compensation mechanism with consideration of parametric uncertainties. Combined with the designed adaptation laws, the error compensation mechanism can be finite-time stable. Rigorous proof is achieved to show that the tracking error converges to a small neighborhood of zero in finite time with online parameters adaptation and error compensation. Finally, numeral simulations are presented to validate the effectiveness of the proposed adaptive finite-time control scheme.


The phenomenon of domain magnetic shielding by the magnetic sample of external and intrinsic magnetostatic field has been revealed. In this work, we investigate the possibility for detection of the shape and size of magnetic impurity based on the shape of magnetic domain configuration in magnetic film. We show that due to the influence of magnetostatic field of stripe domain structure in magnetic film on the magnetostatic field of magnetic impurity, one can determine the shape and size of this impurity.


A computer program based on the matrix method is presented for analysingthe electron diffraction patterns with high order haue zone and the patterns fromtwo phases or twins.It is also used for analysis of the rotation in crystals.


Quality Functions Deployment (QFD) is a mechanism which helps to provide product competitiveness. But we should not oversee the fact that this approach is based on the analysis of consumers' opinions, therefore specifics of human perception should be considered while using QFD. From the Weber-Fechner law it is known that improvement of one of product characteristics does not always lead to changes in consumer perception of product qualities. Therefore, consumer assessment of product quality as well as comparison of two competing products should be used in calculations considering the Weber-Fechner law. The fact that consumer assessment should not be used as a linear scale leads to revision of importance calculation of product characteristics and to the need of specifying plans of product improvement.


AIDEN distributes its products through online store, exhibitions, and consignment. The problem happens when there is no exhibition. In such event, the sales will decrease. On the other hand, sales improve when an exhibition is held. No proper attention has been given to the company's facilities, inventory, transportation, communication, and unitization. Facts suggest that AIDEN needs an effective and efficient distribution strategy to increase its sales. The purpose of this study is to design a Distribution Mix to increase AIDEN's sales. Purposive sampling is used to select the study samples, which include competitors and customers. This research is a qualitative research with interview and observation as data collection methods. Study results suggest that the company's physical distribution can be made effective using exhibitions, online media such as websites, social media such as Instagram, and market places. Conclusively, the outcomes of this research can be used to design a Distribution Mix strategy for AIDEN.


In order to propose relevant pesticide mitigation strategies within agro-systems, i.e. grass strips or storm basins, it is necessary to identify the areas that mostly contribute to pesticide losses in surface water. At the agricultural catchment scale, this identification requires assessing the hydrological connectivity between plots and the river network. Indeed, a plot can be disconnected from the hydrological network if landscape components such as hedges block or limit the runoff generated. Conversely, some elements as ditches or road network can facilitate the runoff from upstream to downstream areas and increase the pesticide losses. This study is aimed at analysing the hydrological connectivity on a vineyard catchment located in the Alsatian piedmont (Rouffach, France). The Hohrain catchment, 40 ha, comprises more than 120 farming plots and a dense, mostly impervious road network. The transport of pesticides in surface water represents regionally a main threat because the runoff produced on the vineyard area rapidly flows towards downstream water bodies, which are closely linked to the large Rhenan aquifer. The physically-based model LISEM (Limburg Soil Erosion Model) is retained to perform this analysis. This fully distributed model allows taking into account the spatial and temporal variability of hydrological processes within the catchment. The simulated contributive fields approximately encompass only 12% of the total catchment. The results are consistent with direct rainfall-runoff events based observations in terms of contributive fields and contributive part of the road network. This study showed that a detailed integration of the connectivity at the catchment scale is crucial to closely assess the spatial variability of pesticides losses.


Understanding a visual scene goes beyond recognizing individual objects in isolation. Relationships between objects also constitute rich semantic information about the scene. In this work, we explicitly model the objects and their relationships using scene graphs, a visually-grounded graphical structure of an image. We propose a novel end-to-end model that generates such structured scene representation from an input image. Our key insight is that the graph generation problem can be formulated as message passing between the primal node graph and its dual edge graph. Our joint inference model can take advantage of contextual cues to make better predictions on objects and their relationships. The experiments show that our model significantly outperforms previous methods on the Visual Genome dataset as well as support relation inference in NYU Depth V2 dataset.


A rechargeable steam cleaner is provided to improve the convenience of use and to implement easily recharge by electrically contacting a cleaner body with a rechargeable board pre-heated via supplying the power to the light emitting body while recharging the rechargeable battery. A rechargeable steam cleaner comprises a cleaner body(10), and a rechargeable board(20). The cleaner body is composed of a water tank(11) installed at the inner part and stores the water, a light emitting body(12) installed at the inner part of the water tank, heating the store water and generating the steam, a steam injecting unit(13) communicated with the water tank and including a steam discharging hole communicated with the lower surface, and a rechargeable battery(14) supplying the power to the light emitting body. The rechargeable board includes a rechargeable circuit(21) installed at the inner part to recharge the rechargeable battery in the contact condition of the cleaner body, and is pre-heated by supplying the power to the light emitting body while recharging the rechargeable battery.


Mobile devices are well-known communication tools. People, especially young people, cannot go even one step without them. Technological advancements provide better features, but at the same time, such systems still face security risks. Protective layers do exist, but some systems are automated and engineered, while others rely on humans. This work begins with examining some critical points related to the weakest link in the security chain: the human factor. Errors are given in the view of the Swiss Cheese Model by emphasizing the role of latent conditions in "holes". We found that the Swiss Cheese Model has some limitations. In order to enhance it, we have used the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis risk matrix methodology. Thus, we represent its application on mobile devices to demonstrate that it can give us more accurate results by identifying the most critical points where manufacturers should focus on. This work is based on qualitative data, and it provides the basis for quantitative research. In the end, we suggest that in order to obtain more accurate findings, the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis can be further extended.


The objective of this work is to characterize the impregnation step in terms of physical phenomena (capillarity and diffusion) and chemical phenomena (surface interaction) in order to identify the key descriptors of this step in order to improve the preparation hydrotreating catalysts. This involves monitor spatial and temporally the transport of the species in the impregnation solution within the porosity, more particularly in the case of Ni(Co)MoP/?-Al2O3 catalysts preparation.An original MRI approach has been developed to follow in-situ the impregnation step from a solution of mixed nature with more than one metal precursor in the presence of an additive. MRI provides access to the spatial distribution of all species within the catalyst with a spatial resolution of 39 × 39 µm. Raman imaging allows an identification of the chemical nature of the species in solution with a spatial resolution of 16.2 × 16.2 µm.First, the phenomena involved in the impregnation of model solutions composed of Ni (or Co), were studied by modifying the parameters of the solution. These experiments were then used as the basis for the development of a mathematical model to rationalize the impregnation step. In a second part, this study was extended to the preparation of hydrotreatment catalysts. Several phenomena have been evaluated here, notably the impact of the presence of phosphorus on the transport of Mo species, possible competition of adsorption between P, Co and Mo and the effect of the presence of citric acid.This study allows a better control of the impregnation step and thus of the distribution profile of the active phase, which has an impact on the catalytic performance


To understand the 14 elements contents in P.heterophylla and planting soil in Wudang District of Guiyang and the effects on the genuineness of herbs in P.heterophylla,and provide a reference for developing P.heterophyllaindustry,the 14 elements contents in P.heterophylla and planting soil were determined and analyzed by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry(ICP-AES)and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS).Results:The contents in P.heterophylla followed the sequence of KPSCa Mg NaFeZnCu NiCo MoSn,and P.heterophylla had an obvious enrichment effect to Ca,P and S.The contents in the planting soil was FeKMgMnPCaNaSZnNiCuCo MoSn,and the soil had an enrichment to the element of Fe,Mn,P,S,Co,Ni,Cu,Mo and Sn.There was a positive significant correlation of the element of Na,Ca and Mg in P.heterophyllaseparately with Na,Ca and Ca in the soil,and a negative significant correlation of the element of Zn,Mn,K,Ca,Na,Na and Na in P.heterophyllaseparately with Fe,Ca,Na,K,Co,Ni and Cu in the soil.There was approached or a little better that the genuineness of herbs of P.heterophylla in Wudang District where was inducing to planting compared with the genuine producing area of Jurong in Jiangsu and the introduced area of Shibing Guizhou.


A research report on the comparison of the Copper-T (TCu) and Lippes loop size D IUDs is presented. The results are from 1-years experience in the double-blind study conducted under the cooperative Statistical Program of the Population Council. 945 TCus and 750 loop Ds were inserted. Rates of expulsion were considerally lower for the TCu than for the loop D. The termination rate for 1 year of use was 23.5/100 1st insertions for the TCu and 29.8/100 for loop D. Excluding Clinic A which accounted for 11 pregnancies with use of TCu or about 2/3 of the pregnancies during the 1st year the pregnancy rate was less than 1/100. Expulsion and removal rates for bleeding and/or pain for the TCu were about 1/2 the comparable rates of loop D. Total event rates were 21 for the TCu and 28.6 for loop D (p less than .02 for pregnancies and p less than .01 for expulsion removals for bleeding and/or pain and total event rates).


Metal-free different catalytic systems have been investigated for [3+2] cycloaddition reaction of glycosyl azides with nitro-olefins for the synthesis of 1,5-disubstituted-1H-1,2,3-triazolyl glycoconjugates. A competitive study between p-TsOH and diverse ammonium salts including phase transfer catalysts and room temperature ionic liquids as environmentally benign medium have been described to search the best one for glycoconjugation. Tetra butyl ammonium bromide was found to be the most appropriate catalyst and a series of 1,5-disubstituted glyco-triazoles has been achieved in good yield. All the developed glycoconjugates were characterized using spectroscopic analysis (IR, MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR).


1. A case of giant-cell tumour of the proximal end of the humerus treated by resection and fibular grafting twenty-nine years ago is reported. An excellent functional result has been maintained.2. The literature is reviewed and the results claimed by earlier workers are noted.3. The present field of application of the operation is probably in cases of advanced or recurrent giant-cell tumour of bone.


The article introduces Paolo Sylos Labini's 1962 testimony at the "Commission on the limits to competition" of the Italian Parliament. There, Sylos Labini recalls his oligopoly theory, but he also extends his remarks to a full range of necessary structural reforms for Italy at the time. The present article explains the theoretical basis of Sylos Labini's remarks, and highlights the relevance of the testimony for subsequent (and indeed contemporary) policymaking. Keywords : barriers to entry, Sylos Labini, structural reforms, Italy JEL codes : L13, D43, B20


This paper examines the shielding effect of the mean flow and refraction of sound in non-axisymmetric jets. A general three-dimensional ray-acoustic approach is applied. The methodology is independent of the exit geometry and may account for jet spreading and transverse as well as streamwise flow gradients. We assume that noise is dominated by small-scale turbulence. The source correlation terms, as described by the acoustic analogy approach, are simplified and a model is proposed that relates the source strength to 7/2 power of turbulence kinetic energy. Local characteristics of the source such as its strength, time- or length-scale, convection velocity and characteristic frequency are inferred from the mean flow considerations. Compressible Navier Stokes equations are solved with a k-e turbulence model. Numerical predictions are presented for a Mach 1.5, aspect ratio 2:1 elliptic jet. The predicted sound pressure level directivity demonstrates favorable agreement with reported data, indicating a relative quiet zone on the side of the major axis of the elliptic jet.


Due to the frequent occurrence of geological disasters in our country, which seriously endangers the safety of people's lives and properties, in view of the slope disasters caused by the slide and collapse of dangerous rock slopes, this paper proposes a set of Harris corner detection algorithm based on digital image processing technology. The characteristic corner detection is studied to improve the algorithm. At the same time, the real-time video sequence of the slope scene is collected, and the target slope area is monitored for collapse using the characteristic corner detection and matching algorithm, so as to monitor the safety status of the slope. The ground is suitable for real-time monitoring of dangerous rocks on subgrade slopes, and effectively prevents dangerous rock disasters on slopes.


The most important heritage that a society possesses are its rich culture, literature and art. Cultural wealth is the first requirement of social construction and social progress. This is only possible with a langugaege which is processed. Turkish culture and literature are among the world's biggest and most advanced cultures with its rich accumulation and products for centuries. It is needlees to state that Turkish and relevant mechanisims are responsible for the development. Language is the most important factor that reflects the mentality of a society and displays the identity of the society. Sophistication of the ideas of the communities can be understood by looking at the people's language skills and how they possess their language. Turkish language which exists for centuries has added more wealth on its wealth and more strength on its strength in every new age. As a result of this accumulation, folk literature has emerged. Turkish folk literature is a great literature in which the most beautiful examples of Turkish language are given and the most sensitive and the most unique products of it are displayed. Riddles, one of these products, is not only the most beautiful works of the language with its structure and use but also the most important material of folk literature that will improve creative and associative thinking. Society's ability to cope with problems and that it has problem-solving skills is directly related to the creative and associative thinking. Today, these thinking skills are taught with formal education in modern countries. However, these new ways of thinking that the world has just realized have already been gained with riddles by individuals for centuries. In this study, Turkish folk riddles are considered in terms of improving creative and associative thinking and the subject is supported with examples which will improve creative and associative thinking.


Geotechnical structures such as levees, dikes, canals and tailing dams, when subjected to extreme climatic conditions, such as flooding and drawdown, are prone to failure on the upstream and downstream sides due to transient seepage conditions. Therefore, it is imperative to physically replicate such conditions in the actual stress state to understand the performance of these geotechnical structures. Hence, the objective of this paper is to present the performance of an in-flight simulator developed to simulate flooding and drawdown (ISFD) events at enhanced gravities. The working principle, design details, various components of the developed simulator, and calibration at normal (1g) and high gravities are discussed. In the present study, the calibration and performance of the ISFD setup were demonstrated on a model levee section in a 4.5 m radius large beam geotechnical centrifuge facility available at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, India. The rate of flooding and drawdown varied from 2.2 m/day to 7 m/day and 1.65 m/day to 4.4 m/day (in prototype dimensions), respectively, obtained with the help of pore-water pressure transducers placed on the upstream and downstream sides of the levee section. A total of three centrifuge model tests were conducted on a scaled-down levee section (with and without internal drainage layers) constructed with silty sand type material to validate the ISFD capabilities. In addition, seepage and slope stability analysis for the centrifuge models was carried out using Plaxis-2D geotechnical software which compared favourably with physically observed tests results.


The recession in India and the UK peaked in 2017 due to the implications of new policy initiatives. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic at the beginning of 2020 intensified the crisis, causing a drastic decline in aggregate demand and output. India and the UK have resorted to monetary and fiscal stimulus packages to face the economic crisis. This study investigated the inflation–unemployment dynamics during the recession and COVID-19 times in India and the UK. Using a generalized additive model (GAM), the results of this study revealed that the recession had given way to stagflation in India. In contrast, in the UK, it has led to a more severe recession in the short-run. During the downturn, policy initiatives aggravate the recession and eventually turn to stagflation in India due to inflation caused by the weak supply side. However, in the UK, the policy initiatives during this downturn pushed the economy into a deeper recession due to reduced demand. The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a similar recessionary impact on both economies. A time horizon based recovery plan is suggested to help the economies recover from stagflation and even deeper recession. This framework could enable policymakers to choose the right path of recovery within the shortest possible time.


As part of taxonomic studies on Korean Chironmidae, the adult midges collected in mostly Asan-gun area of Chungchong-namdo were slide-mounted for permanent preparation and 21 species were identified , of which two species (Polypedilum masudai and Pentapedilum uncinatum) are the first findings in Korea and three species are found to be new. They are named Pentapedilum pseudotritum, n.sp. Cladotanytarsus sinjongensis, n. sp. and Rheotanytarsus dogoensis, n.sp. As a result , the Korean fauna of chironomidae consists of 36 species, 22 genera.


This paper studies auctions in a setting where the di erent bidders arrive at di erent times and the auction mechanism is required to make decisions about each bid as it is received. Such settings occur in computerized auctions of computational resources as well as in other settings. We call such auctions, on-line auctions. We rst characterize exactly on-line auctions that are incentive compatible, i.e. where rational bidders are always motivated to bid their true valuation. We then embark on a competitive worst-case analysis of incentive compatible on-line auctions. We obtain several results, the cleanest of which is an incentive compatible on-line auction for a large number of identical items. This auction has an optimal competitive ratio, both in terms of seller's revenue and in terms of the total social eAEciency obtained.


This editorial refers to 'Head-to-head comparison of contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging and electroanatomical voltage mapping to assess post-infarct scar characteristics in patients with ventricular tachycardias: real-time image integration and reversed registration', by A.P. Wijnmaalen et al . doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehq345

Based on the evidence of benefit from large multi-centre randomized, controlled trials, implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) have long provided the gold standard of care for patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) in the context of structural heart disease.1 Indeed their appropriateness for most patient situations, ease of deployment, and success in preventing sudden cardiac deaths have led some to conclude that the continued search for better therapies is inappropriate. However, if we can infer anything from the almost universal uptake of catheter ablation for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, it is that arrhythmia abolition rather than detection and repeated termination is the solution patients would really prefer. Historically, prior to the widespread availability of device therapy, surgical endocardial resection was able to abolish arrhythmias in patients with post-infarction VT by addressing arrhythmia substrates comprehensively.2 However, despite its anti-arrhythmic success, the magnitude of that intervention—combined with the comorbidities in typical patients needing it—had an unacceptably high mortality rate.3 In contrast, ablation aims to abolish VT using a minimally invasive procedure with low morbidity and negligible mortality. Theoretically, catheter ablation offers a superior anti-arrhythmic endpoint to ICDs at low risk. Developments in this form of therapy should, therefore, be of great interest to clinicians managing patients with structural heart disease and VT.

At present catheter ablation has an established, adjunctive role in the management of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy or post-infarction, who already have an ICD implanted but who experience unacceptably frequent arrhythmias.4 …

*Corresponding author. Tel: +44 191 213 7131, Fax: +44 191 223 1400, Email: john.bourke{at}nuth.nhs.uk


Tiziana Margaria is chair of service and software engineering at the Institute of Informatics, Potsdam University, Germany. Her research focuses on model-based system and service engineering. She is president of the European Association of Software Science and Technology, member of the Board of FMICS (the ERCIM Working Group on Formal Methods for Industrial Critical Systems), member of the steering committee of European joint Conferences on Theory and Practice of Software (ETAPS), and initiator of IsoLA, the series of International Symposia on Leveraging Applications of Formal Methods, Verification and Validation.


In the non-destructive inspection field, we invest a lot of time and resources in developing the radiation source system to ensure the safety of the workers. However, the probability of accidents is still high. In order to prevent potential radiation accidents in advance, it is necessary to directly verify the position of the radiation source, but the research is still insufficient. In this study, we developed a monitoring system that can detect the position of the radiation source in the source guide tube in the gamma-ray irradiator. The characteristics of the radiation detector are estimated by monte carlo simulation. As a result, the radiation detector for Ir-192 gamma-ray energy was analyzed to have secondary electron equilibrium at 150 μ m regardless of the semiconductor material. Also, it is expected that the gamma ray response characteristic is the best in HgI 2 . These results are expected to be used as a basis for determining the optimal thickness of the radiation detector located in the detection part of the future monitoring system. In addition, when developing a monitoring system based on this, radiation workers can easily recognize the danger and secure safety, as well as prevent and preemptively respond to potential radiation accidents.


Although corporate social responsibility has been declared in realizing the three main pillars of development, namely reducing the number of unemployed (pro-job), reducing the number of poor people (pro-poor) and increasing economic growth (pro-growth), however serious efforts need to be made in realizing it, so that community empowerment is based on community needs. The purpose of this study is to determine and analyze the implementation of CSR programs based on community needs. The results of the study show that social responsibility emphasizes the dimensions of developing potential for empowerment and human resource development, institutional cooperation, and sustainable development. The characteristics of the targets of the empowerment program must pay attention to the communities surrounding the company, local potential for growth, capacity building (education and training), the program is sustainable and minimizes charity, provides added value, both economically and socially and to support and synergy with government programs. Identification of the type and level of need empowerment programs that increase independence based on the potential in the community, programs or more specific needs that can be done in a certain period in accordance with the strategic planning and work plan of the company while still based on the performance to be achieved by the company


The emission intensity from the dipole-forbidden state in a GaAs quantum-ring was increased via close proximity with an aperture fiber probe to induce a near-field interaction between the probe apex and the quantum-ring. As a result, a significant decrease was observed in the decay time of the emission from a dipole-forbidden energy state.


The aim of this study is to analyse the impact of price regulation and BPS on the profitability of OMCs. Four Companies that were in the operation before and after the introduction of price regulation and BPS used for analysis. In order to maintain confidentiality, these companies will be anonymously named as Company "A", Company "B", Company "C", and company "D". The study covers a period from 2011 to 2013. Secondary data from audited financial statements and management reports were collected and analysed. Profit margin and return on investments were calculated to establish the profitability of oil companies. Data collected was analyzed using SPSS. Regression model and trend analysis of profit margin before and after the introduction of price regulation and BPS was also carried out. The study found that after the introduction of price control and bulk procurement system company "B", is the most affected in its financial performance compared to other companies. In addition, the study found that, there is a relationship between dependent and independent variable. The study concluded that introduction of price control and BPS slightly reduced the profit of OMCs. However, it stabilize the price and ensure sustainable profit to OMCs at the sometimes protect customer and create an equal playfield for all OMCs. The study recommends that EWURA as a regulator should investigate further to improve suitability and applicability of price cap formula. The investigation should focus on protecting the profitability of wholesalers and retailers without jeopardize the welfare of the customer and the economy at large. On the other hand, the study recommends that OMCs should strive to reduce operational costs so as to increase their operating profits. The OMCs should make sure that they work efficiently by minimizing their operating expenditures so as to increase their profitability. The importing company should use money market to hedge against the risk of rising international oil prices as this constitutes a significant proportion of their direct costs. Keywords: Bulk Procurement System (BPS), Price regulation, petroleum products, profitability, OMCs


Let {Sn}∞n=0be such thatSn?S+?∞j=1aj?njasn?∞, with 1>|?1|>|?2|>?, such that limj?∞?j=0. A well-known result by Wynn states that when the Shanks transformation or its equivalent?-algorithm is applied to {Sn}∞n=0, then?(n)2k?S?ak+1?ki=1(?k+1??i)/(1??i)]2?nk+1asn?∞. In the present work we extend this result (i) by allowing some of the?jto have the same modulus and (ii) by replacing the constantsajby some polynomialsPj(n) inn. Sequences {Sn}∞n=0with these characteristics arise frequently, e.g., in fixed point iterative solution of linear systems and in trapezoidal rule approximation of finite range integrals with logarithmic endpoint singularities and their multidimensional analogues. The results of this work are obtained by exploiting the connection between the Shanks transformation and Pade approximants and by using some recent results of the author on Pade approximants for meromorphic functions.


Non-human primates (NHP) serve as important reservoirs of parasites that cause diseases to man as close interactions between humans and NHP create pathways for the transmission of zoonotic diseases. The aim of this study was to carry out a survey of the intestinal parasites of NHP in Jos Zoological garden. Stool samples were collected from thirty one (31) NHP and examined using direct wet mount, floatation and sedimentation methods. Of this, helminths and protozoa were recorded. Trichuris trichiura recorded the highest (58.06%) prevalence of the helminths, followed by hookworm and Ascaris lumbricoides which recorded prevalences of 38.71% and 19.35 % respectively. For the protozoan parasites recovered, Entamoeba coli was the most prevalent (93.55%) followed by Entamoeba histolytica/nuttali (74.19%), while Cyclospora spp recorded the least prevalence (12.90%). Among the NHP observed, baboons, chimpanzees and patas monkeys were infected at different levels with all the three helminths recorded while Mona and tantalus monkeys were only infected with T. trichiura and hookworm. The entire protozoans recorded were found in baboon and Tantalus monkeys while chimpanzees, mona and patas monkeys were infected with E. coli and E. histolytica/nuttali. Regular parasitological examination and treatment of NHP should be carried out to prevent zoonotic infection of zoo keepers and park visitors.


Although substantial advancements have been achieved in robot-assisted surgery, the blueprint to existing snake robotics predominantly focuses on the preliminary structural design, control, and human–robot interfaces, with features which have not been particularly explored in the literature. This paper aims to conduct a review of planning and operation concepts of hyper-redundant serpentine robots for surgical use, as well as any future challenges and solutions for better manipulation. Current researchers in the field of the manufacture and navigation of snake robots have faced issues, such as a low dexterity of the end-effectors around delicate organs, state estimation and the lack of depth perception on two-dimensional screens. A wide range of robots have been analysed, such as the i²Snake robot, inspiring the use of force and position feedback, visual servoing and augmented reality (AR). We present the types of actuation methods, robot kinematics, dynamics, sensing, and prospects of AR integration in snake robots, whilst addressing their shortcomings to facilitate the surgeon's task. For a smoother gait control, validation and optimization algorithms such as deep learning databases are examined to mitigate redundancy in module linkage backlash and accidental self-collision. In essence, we aim to provide an outlook on robot configurations during motion by enhancing their material compositions within anatomical biocompatibility standards.


Objective
To investigate the protective effect of flurbiprofen axetil combined with protective mechanical ventilation on lung function and the levels of inflammatory factors, levels of beta-EP and PGE in patients undergoing thoracic surgery.

Methods
90 patients in July 2015 to July 2017 year in in our hospital for the treatment of open radical resection of thoracic esophageal cancer, according to randomly divided into A, B, C three groups, A group were treated with protective mechanical ventilation treatment, B group were treated with flurbiprofen axetil combined with conventional mechanical ventilation therapy, group C used flurbiprofen axetil combined protective mechanical ventilation. The operation, PaO2, OI, lung function abnormalities, inflammatory factors, and levels of beta-EP and PGE were compared between the three groups.

Results
There was no significant difference in the time of mechanical ventilation, the time of single lung ventilation, the amount of blood loss, the volume of fluid infusion and the operation time between the three groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P>0.05). The level of PaO2 increased in three groups after 1 and 4 hours, and the level of PaO2 decreased after 2, 3 and 5 hours; the level of PaO2/FiO2 increased after 1 and 4 hours, and decreased after 2, 3 and 5 hours. After 2 hours treatment, the levels of PaO2 and PaO2/FiO2 in the three groups were significantly different, with statistical significance (P<0.05). Three groups of patients did not appear before the treatment of abnormal pulmonary function, intraoperative varying degrees of abnormal pulmonary function, postoperative only A, B, two groups of patients with abnormal pulmonary function. The incidence of postoperative pulmonary dysfunction in the three groups was significantly different, with statistical significance (P<0.05). After 4 hours treatment, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 increased in the three groups. After treatment for fifth hours, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 decreased significantly. After fourth hours treatment, the concentrations of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in the three groups were significantly different, with statistical significance (P<0.05). The levels of beta-EP and PGE in the three groups increased significantly during the first three hours, but decreased after fifth hours. After 5 hours treatment, the levels of beta-EP and PGE in the C group were higher than those in the B group, and the level of B group was higher than that of the A group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusions
Conclusion flurbiprofen axetil combined with protective mechanical ventilation has better lung protective effect and can inhibit the production of inflammatory factors in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. It is worthy of clinical use.

Key words:
Flurbiprofen axetil; Protective mechanical ventilation; Lung protection; Inflammatory factors


On the basis of a vast amount of GPS data (from June 1998 to December 1999) collected from GPS automatic monitoring system of outside deformation for Geheyan Dam, in this paper the 3- dimentional relative positioning precision for tow working datum marks about lkm long of this system was analyzed and evaluated. Results showed that the precision of 2h solutions was ±2.86 mm(NS direc- tion) ±2.50 mm(EW direction) and ±6.52 mm(U direction), that of 6h solutions was ±2.06 mm(NS direction)±1.77 mm(EW direction) and ±4.49 mm(U direction), and the precision in vertical compo- nent was about 2.5 times greater than in horizontal directions. The statistic analysis results had the char- acteristic oflarge Sample quantity, reflected veriy the 3-dimentional relative positioning precision for a single short baseline, and provided reference data for the design of GPS used for precise engineering sur- veying and deformation monitoring.


Planning a Statewide Computing Infrastructure Ohio was once heavily dependent upon automobile-related tax revenues. When the auto industry collapsed in the early 1980s the search began for other sources of jobs and revenue. As in many states, the notion of encouraging the growth of high-technology industry was strongly appealing. But this implied a correspondingly strong commitment to computer-related education. So in 1982 the Board of Regents of Higher Education decided to take the lead. It commissioned a study of the computing needs of the state's higher-education system. A group of computing professionals appointed a committee of four people to develop the study reported here. Assumptions Since computing will permeate every field of human endeavor, one extremely strong assumption involved the provision of computing access for students in every discipline. Though everyone agreed that computing access would generally be quite different among disciplines, some disciplines may hold similar computing-access needs. Therefore, the committee decided to try to develop a few categories of computing-usage needs and fit the various disciplines into them. Another assumption of the study excluded computing needs for administrative applications. The emphasis was to be placed on student access. Because there are a wide variety of ways to satisfy academic computing needs, and because different people possess different biases on how best to provide a mix of mainframe, mini- and microcomputing services, the committee needed to develop a common denominator. That turned out to be "workstations." That is, a workstation was considered the standard way a student accessed computer technology and its applications. The major question then was how many workstations were needed for adequate instructional programs. The workstation might be a dumb terminal connected to a mainframe or minicomputer; a smart terminal containing some intelligence; a word processor with, perhaps, some special-purpose intelligence; or a general-purpose microcomputer. All of these variants may meet special needs cost-effectively. Therefore, given a budget and a need for a specific number of workstations, the campus would be able to determine the optimum mix deriving from its unique programmatic needs. Another assumption invoked the need to network workstations. If a terminal is connected to a mainframe, it is automatically networked to some extent, but a microcomputer requires additional investment to provide that level of connectivity. To neutralize the differences in the level of computing power required, the degree of networking required, and the mix of these, the committee tried to determine the number of workstations required for a campus, assuming a common value for each workstation regardless of its power or intelligence. The mix of needs would be left to the campus administration to optimize. It was decided that the "common cost" of a workstation would be fixed at $5,000. This was derived from the following analysis: To purchase a 40-terminal VAX computer system, for example, would cost about $200,000. This would include 40 terminals at $500 each, a central processor for $100,000, disk drives for about $50,000 and some software for $30,000. The cost per terminal station was therefore around $5,000. On the other hand, a microcomputer workstation system could cost about $2,500 for the computer, $900 for a network card, $700 for a share of a network server, $800 for software and perhaps $100 for security. So $5,000 seemed acceptable as an average price. Though all the institutions that we looked at possessed varying degrees of research, instruction and service missions, a simplifying assumption was that each student in a discipline had the same computing needs across the state. The next step was to determine the number of computers needed by the students in each discipline. …


The cyclohexane ring in the title compound, C 14 H 20 N 2 S, is in a chair conformation. There are N-H...S hydrogen bonds present in the structure.


Ever since the sixteenth century, a state's naval prowess has been the instrument for projecting national political and economic objectives across the sea. In the past century, such power has also secured a life-line for any state relying on overseas commerce for survival. Today, as much as in the days of the great battleships, great naval strength is dependent upon a state's industrial and technological capacity. Only two states now have the capacity and the global interests that encourage the maintenance of a superpower navy-the United States and the Soviet Union. An understanding of naval capabilities and developments is central to the debate about both American defense requirements and American-Soviet relations. International Security has asked two prominent American retired admirals-with notably different opinions-to discuss the two navies within the context of general superpower relations. Each officer sets forth his views on how the United States Navy should be structured for the optimal fulfillment of its missions. -The Editors


Glutamate carboxypeptidase II (GCPII) is elevated in active inflamed biopsies of both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients and is a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of IBD. We have previously presented the development and characterization of a first-in-class, gut-restricted, and orally active GCPII inhibitor, (S)-IBD3540, and have shown that oral (S)-IBD3540 attenuates disease severity in multiple murine colitis models, including acute dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Here, we extend our knowledge regarding (S)-IBD3540's anti-inflammatory effects in spontaneously occurring colitis of interleukin 10 (IL10-/-) mice by performing longitudinal measurement of inflammatory biomarker fecal lipocalin 2 (LCN2) and terminal colon cytokine and chemokine measurements.

 Female BALB/cAnNTac-Il10em7Tac mice (Taconic, Germantown, NY) were acquired at 4 weeks of age and monitored three times weekly for the onset of clinical signs, including alterations in stool consistency. Following onset of symptoms, groups were randomized and treatment was initiated with vehicle or 100 mg/kg eq. (S)-IBD3540 once daily by oral gavage. Prior to treatment, and biweekly thereafter, fecal LCN2 was quantified using a mouse Lipocalin-2/NGAL DuoSet ELISA (R&D Systems). Upon study termination, proximal colon homogenates were prepared and analyzed by a mouse Cytokine/Chemokine 31-Plex Discovery Assay Array (Eve Technologies).

 Impressively, despite initiating treatment in highly symptomatic mice 100 mg/kg oral (S)-IBD3540 was found to reverse abnormalities in stool consistency. Additionally, (S)-IBD3540 had potent anti-inflammatory effects. As expected, fecal LCN2 was observed to increase throughout the study period in vehicle treated mice, however, fecal LCN2 was significantly decreased in (S)-IBD3540 treated mice (p<0.05). Similarly, colon multiplex analysis identified significant reductions in multiple cytokines and chemokines implicated in IL10 colitis pathobiology, with notable reductions in cytokines TNFa, IL-12p40, and IL-17, and chemokines IP-10 and MIP-2.

 (S)-IBD3540 is a novel, gut-restricted, GCPII inhibitor that has robust anti-inflammatory activity in IL10-/- colitis. Encouragingly, we have now found that in this model (S)-IBD3540 reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines/chemokines that are the targets of existing IBD medications. Studies to compare efficacy to one of these agents, anti-IL-12p40, are in progress.


We introduce in this paper the notions of noncommutative (shortly, NC) CW-complex, noncommutative Serre fibration and show that up to homo-topy, every NC CW-complex algebra morphism is some noncommutative Serre fibration. We then deduce a six-term exact sequence for the periodic cyclic homology and for K-theory of an arbitrary noncommutative Serre fi-bration, or of a morphism in the category of NC CW-complexes.


A simple theory of hydrogenic screened orbitals was studied theoretically at least as early as 1981 and empirically since the 1930s. Its present form is appropriate for undergraduate students. This presentation begins with the Rydberg atom, which has been known to be a reductive case for the electron orbital since at least 1928. The existence of such a limiting case has been denied in the philosophy of chemistry.


The micro-mesh gaseous structure (Micromegas) has been significantly developed since it was proposed in 1995 at Saclay (France). Some new construction methods different from ``bulk'' etching technique are under R&D. Here we report the results of several prototypes manufactured with thermal-bonding method, The details of this method and the performances of the chambers are presented. For a 200 × 200 m 2 prototype, the energy resolution of 16% (FWHM) for 5.9 keV x-rays is achieved at a gain of 2000–4000. In addition, the sparking-resistant chammber with a Gemanium anode is under studying.


A new species of Tetranchyroderma, T. garraffonii, is described from sublittoral sediments off the coast of Florida, USA. The new species possesses mixed scale types in the form of feathered biancres – a novel discovery for the genus – as well as feathered triancres and ordinary triancres. Biancres consist of a round scale base, a pair of ancre shafts that arise individually from a v-shaped cuticular ridge on the scale, and feathered ancres. Triancres are similar in appearance but have a different ridge pattern. Ordinary triancres occurred in two forms on the lateral sides of the body: a bowl-shaped ancre and a 'pitchfork' shaped ancre. Other distinguishing characteristics of the new species include the presence of cephalic tentacles, a papillated fringe to the oral hood, and a single pair of lateral and dorsolateral adhesive tubes at the posterior end. Confocal microscopy verified the presence of a muscular caudal organ and partly muscular vas deferens.


TH IRTY-FOUR years ago this summer, a group of 11 persons gathered in New York City and organized this Council. It was 20 years ago that I attended my first annual meeting of the International Council for Exceptional Children. The occasion was somewhat different from this, the 34th meeting. This audience tonight is three to four times as large. Twenty years ago there were only four or five teacher education institutions represented. Tonight I assume there are at least 4.0. A half-dozen states were represented through their departments of public instruction. I'm certain that at least two-thirds of our states will be represented at this meeting. Many of the teachers 20 years ago had little background of specialized preparation. This audience is made up primarily of teachers who hold special credentials, special certificates, master's degrees; and I am sure I can count 50 persons with doctor's degrees in this audience. You are the best trained, the wisest, the best collection of leaders in special education that can be assembled today. During the life of the Council we have witnessed the development of our extensive state programs. While there were fragments of state programs earlier, it wasn't until the 20's that full scale statewide services became established in what we now consider our "older" states. I want to discuss some of the problems related to special day school classes, as they are a part of our state programs.


The consolidation of weak soils caused by embankments or land fills is described. The application of vertical drains e.g. sand drains, Kjellman-drains and fabrics to accelerate the consolidation process is discussed as well as the properties and installation techniques of vertical drains. A particular application of fabrics used in a quay is given as an example. Conclusions are drawn. /TRRL/


Long‐term collaborative participant observation of street murals in New York City shows many ways in which aspects of culture are flexible and mutable. Even the concept of self‐defined ethnic identity, supposedly a bedrock notion within culture, changes greatly. Ethnic identity moves back and forth across a continuum, extremely exclusive at one end and comprehensive at the other. The degree of exclusivity or comprehensiveness depends on the mural's theme. Important factors determining this process are the global/local infrastructure, the process of perception itself, and time‐honored muralists' conventions such as representational ambiguity.


In 1992, state legislatures considered more than 1300 measures dealing with abortion, family planning, sexuality education, infertility, maternal and infant health, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS. Fewer than 115 bills were approved, and 21 were later vetoed. 320 abortion bills (2/3 antiabortion measures) were introduced. There were 2 abortion referenda, 31 measures on women's right to abortion were introduced in 17 states, and 24 bills to prohibit most abortions were submitted in 10 states. 3 of the 63 parental involvement measures were approved. 41 counseling or waiting period bills were introduced in 24 states, but just one, in Kansas, was enacted. 16 bills to protect clinic employees, and patients from violence were introduced in 10 states, and 2 were enacted. 62 bills introduced in 26 states concerned family planning and contracepted issues, with many related to hormonal implants; one was enacted and one was vetoed. 73 bills on sexuality or health education were introduced; 5 were enacted, 1 was vetoed and 2 resolutions were adopted. 35 bills on teenage pregnancy prevention and care programs were proposed, with 2 enacted. 22 bills on school health services were proposed, with 1 enacted. 380 bills were introduced on early intervention for prenatal and infant care, prevention and treatment for pregnant women using alcohol and drugs, infertility insurance coverage, and family or medical leave for mothers. More than 40 were signed into law. Several of the 103 measures on prenatal care programs and insurance coverage dealt with Medicaid. Most of the 62 bills pertaining to the abuse of substances during pregnancy dealt with testing and treatment, the rest addressed criminal charges against the pregnant or postpartum women involved. 20 bills regarding infertility insurance benefits were introduced; none was enacted. 34 bills were enacted of the 455 introduced on issues related to STDs and AIDS. By the end of 1992, 33 states mandated some form of HIV or AIDS education in the public schools, 14 states encouraged it, and 3 had no policy.


Seismic sections used in interpretation are actually images. We often superimpose colour-coded pictures of seismic attributes on seismic sections. Thus, it seems straightforward to use image processing algorithms to enhance the quality of the seismic images.

From an image processing point of view, seismic horizons can be thought of as edges on the seismic image. We present a novel approach to detecting seismic horizons, which includes the 2D median filtering of the instantaneous phase attribute and applying an edge detection algorithm. The resulting edge magnitude picture provides a skeletonized image of the seismic section, on which the structural and stratigraphic patterns can be better recognized.


The objective was to estimate the (co) variance, genetic parameters and trends for the characteristics, days to gain 160 kg (D160) in the pre-weaning phase, and days to gain 240 kg (D240) in the post-weaning phase, in Nellore cattle, grown in Northern Brazil. Records analyzed were of animals raised on pasture in northern Brazil, provided by the Brazilian Association of Zebu Breeders - ABCZ, and collected from 1997 to 2007. Contemporary groups (herd, year, birth season and gender) were used as a fixed effects model, and age at calving as a covariant. Estimates of (co) variance were obtained using the MTDFREML software. The averages observed for D160 and D240 were 235 ± 46 days and 578 ± 171 days respectively. Estimates of heritability for D160, due to the additive genetic and maternal effect, were 0.27 ± 0.03 and 0.35 ± 0.04, respectively. For D240, the heritability for the additive genetic effect was 0.28 ± 0.03. This indicates that selection for any of the characteristics will result in genetic progress. Potential genetic gains due to the additive genetic effect, were 1.02 and 3.17 days per year for D160 and D240 respectively. This corresponds to 0.43 and 0.55% of the average of days to gain 160 kg (pre-weaning) and 240 kg (post-weaning) respectively. Although weight is currently used as the selection criteria, the genetic trends for D160 and D240 indicated the existence of genetic progress when using these characteristics as the selection criteria.


Noninvasive high-frequency ventilation (NIHFV) is a new form of noninvasive ventilation which distends positive pressure continuously with oscillations superimposed on spontaneous tidal breathing, through a noninvasive interface.NIHFV, which provides the advantages of nasal continuous positive airway pressure and high frequency ventilation, can rapidly improve oxygenation, effectively remove carbon dioxide, and does not require synchronous techno-logy.It is considered as a new and effective noninvasive ventilation mode.In this paper, the application of NIHFV to neonates were reviewed, including mechanics of gas exchange, research advances and approach to the use of NIHFV.

Key words:
Noninvasive high-frequency ventilation; Infant, newborn; Respiratory failure; Noninvasive respiratory support


Providing a coating having a fluorinated lubricant additive, an article having a fluorinated coatings, and methods of making articles having a coating of fluorinated. More specifically, the fluorinated coating from the curable coating composition prepared from a composition comprising both fluorinated silane and a fluorinated polyether oil. Generally adjacent the curable coating composition is administered siliceous substrate, then cured. The resulting cured article may have an outer surface, said outer surface having a good tactile response, wear-resistant, easy to clean, or combinations thereof.


This paper,from the perspective of cultural context during the period of" May 4th" Movement,carries out a study on XU Zhi- mo's selection of translated texts,his choice of proper Chinese and translating methods.It aims at illustrating how the specific historical and cultural context has influenced XU's translating activities so as to have an objective and fair evaluation of Xu- Zhimo's translation. Based on the perspective of historical and cultural context,some strategies on translation criticism are suggested .


In culture and information transmission, signifier and signifier of symbols have changed into a new field with the change of ideology. For characterization of out of control and illegal ethnic composition for structural analysis of the existing culture, through the interactive relations between social groups - personal interpretation of the change of the psychological development, from the "social identification gradient" and "ideology", "the dilemma of characterization in different areas of the" three aspects to explore group psychological factors of kinetic energy release at the same time through the group of the unconscious psychological construct reshaping symbol categories,"maximum-minmum value new dynamic psychological field. Through the analysis of experience in the field of culture phenomenon, this paper proposes experience world was generated from surface world by inner-spirit selection. The main information of experience world was awaken by interactive ceremony that the public participated. Although information is an extension of the "self" image in the communication, the mirror is not the result of individual choice. The mirror is only from the guide and the interaction of internal spirit of the world, and finally forms our cognitive field.


On 23 September 1998 there was a 3B/M7.1 flare event starting at 06:40 UT with more than 100 minute duration radio bursts of 1134 sfu peak flux at 2840 MHz and accompanying a CME. In this paper, the event is analyzed with the data observed by Beijing Astronomical Observatory (BAG), OSRA-Tremsdorf (AlP) and SSRT-ISTP. In particular, we compare the fine structures (FS) during the triggering phase revealed in different regimes and discuss their implications.


The study analyzes the environment pollutants in the construction process,including the dust and architectural slurry etc.,and points out the management strategies and the environmental protection measures for this kind of pollutants,so as to reduce the environmental pollution maximally and ensure the healthy work and living environment for residents.


The aim of our paper is to represent the intermediate research results of the case study of the Ydria Motors company which produces products for household appliances. The company focuses on prototypes of new products and manufacturing machines. In the Slovenian regional area the company is an important member and co-founder of the supply cluster. Knowledge and development will provide the needed supplier base cluster, which will become an important factor in the supply chain for the companies of household appliances in the EU and beyond. Within our survey we examine closely the development of management models for the people, products, and society.


Robo-AO is the first autonomous laser adaptive optics system and science instrument operating on sky. With minimal human oversight, the system robotically executes large scale surveys, monitors long-term astrophysical dynamics and characterizes newly discovered transients, all at the visible diffraction limit. The average target-to target operational overhead, including slew time, is a mere 86 s, enabling up to ~20 observations per hour. The first of many envisioned systems went live in June 2012, and has since finished 78 nights of science observing at the Palomar Observatory 60-inch (1.5 m) telescope, with over 9,000 robotic observations executed as of August 2013. The system will be augmented in 2014 with a low-noise wide field infrared camera, which will double as a tip-tilt sensor, to widen the spectral bandwidth of observations, increase available sky coverage as well as enable deeper visible imaging using adaptive-optics sharpened infrared tip-tilt guide sources.


Mandarin differentiates four tones (T1: high level (ā), T2: high rising (a), T3: dipping (ǎ), T4: high falling (a)). Learning these lexical tones is known to be difficult for those from non-tonal language background (e.g., English). What about listeners with no knowledge of Mandarin but have varying experience with tones or pitch variation? This study examined the discrimination of 6 Mandarin tone contrasts (T1-T2, T1-T3, T1-T4, T2-T3, T2-T4, and T3-T4) by native speakers of Japanese (pitch-accent language) and Thai (tonal language). The listeners' tone discrimination accuracy was assessed in a categorical discrimination test developed by Jim Flege and colleagues. Both non-native groups were less accurate than the native group, in particular, for the T1-T2, T1-T3, T1-T4, and T2-T3 contrasts. Despite using lexical tones in their first language (L1), Thai listeners did not have a distinct advantage over Japanese listeners and the two groups showed a similar pattern of results. Overall, discrimination accuracy of contrasts involving T1 was lower than other contrasts with the exception of T2-T3. Both Japanese and Thai listeners had greatest difficulty with T2-T3. Since previous knowledge of L1 tones may interfere with the perception of non-native tones, these results will be discussed with reference to a Thai tonal system.


Abstract The aim of this article is to understand to what extent the introduction of performance management systems has affected the roles and influences of the key actors in the governance of universities, especially the role of academics, and whether or not the introduction of these systems has altered accountability regimes within universities. Results from a high performing English university show that, in spite of a substantial increase in the measurement of performance in most areas, there seems to be a lack of action, especially regarding individual performance. In relation to the key actors in the governance of the university, it is clear that they are now held more accountable, especially in a managerial way, mainly resulting from pressures coming both from the State and the market, and their roles have changed.


A new hypothesis for friction forces between two elastic bodies is proposed. The hypothesis is based on contact mechanics problem. The study concentrates on the problem of a railway wheel rolling on rail under tractive effort and normal load. The effect of friction force in developing adhesion is considered. Based on the proposed hypothesis, new design of a railway wheelset has been developed and tested on Moscow Metro and tramcar.