the generation of test cases for software is an active area of research. Specification based test generation is an approach in which a formal representation of a method is analyzed to generate valid test cases. Constraint solving and state space exploration are important aspects of the specification based test generation. One problem with specification based testing is that the size of the state space explodes when we apply this approach to a code of practical size. Hence finding ways to reduce the number of candidates to explore within the state space is important to make this approach practical in industry. Korat is a tool which generates test cases for Java programs based on predicates that validate the inputs to the method. Various ongoing researches intend to increase the tools effectiveness in handling large state space. Parallelizing Korat and minimizing the exploration of invalid candidates are the active research directions. This report surveys the basic algorithms of Korat, PKorat, and Fast Korat. PKorat is a parallel version of Korat and aims to take advantage of multi-processor and multi-core systems available. Fast Korat implements four optimizations which reduce the number of candidate explored to generate validate candidates and reduce the amount of time required to explore each candidate. This report also presents the execution time results for generating test candidates for binary tree, doubly linked list, and sorted singly linked list, from their respective predicates. This report presents a survey about the tool Korat and two other improved versions of Korat - PKorat and Fast Korat. PKorat is a parallel version of Korat which contains parallelizing techniques to take advantage of the ubiquitous multi core and multi processor systems available. This report concentrates on the major parallelizing techniques incorporated in this tool. The technique for parallelizing state space search is implemented using a master-slave process configuration. The master maintains the queue of candidates to be explored, from which the slave processes de-queues the candidates and executes the predicate to check their validity. Fast Korat [18] is a latest version of Korat that contains optimizations that reduce the exploration of invalid candidates. The optimizations are; dynamic analysis of predicates, accumulating constraint violations, separate constraint validation phases, and focused generation for test selection. This report also presents the execution time results for generating test candidates for binary tree, doubly linked list, and singly linked list. All these experiments are run in an MPI-based parallel computing environment.


The present invention relates to novel polypropylene composition for the production of foamed molded articles of the finished part, such as in the automotive industry.


Client puzzles are cryptographic problems that are neither easy nor hard to solve. In this paper, we solve the problem of constructing cryptographic puzzles that are secure in the standard model and are very efficient. To prove the security of our puzzle, we introduce a new variant of the interval discrete logarithm assumption which may be of independent interest, and show this new problem to be hard under reasonable assumptions. Our experimental results show that, for 512-bit modulus, the solution verification time of our proposed puzzle can be up to 50x and 89x faster than that of the existing puzzles.


Nowadays, the smart city trend has attracted an important number of municipalities, enabling to control and manage smartly the city environment and provide the citizens with value‐added urban services. In this regard, Internet of Things and fog computing play a key role in providing smart city services, simplifying the decision making for city authorities and improving the quality of experience (QoE) for citizens. In this article, we address the problem of selecting appropriate urban service providers and their sequencing given the citizen request for a set of urban services (eg, banks, laundries, carwashes, gas stations, bakeries) considering a number of quality metrics. This latter can be translated into a service composition problem with the aim of optimizing the QoE of citizens, the load of service providers and the roads traffic. In such a context, the first contribution of this article consists of proposing a fog‐based fault‐tolerant architecture capable to address the scalability and reliability issues of smart cities, while processing efficiently and reactively the service composition requests of citizens. In addition, we map the QoE‐aware service composition problem in smart cities to a generalized traveling salesman problem and propose three metaheuristics based on genetic algorithms, particle swarm optimization, and artificial bee colony to solve this problem in a timely manner. The results obtained based on the developed prototype of our proposal demonstrate the superiority of our proposed approach compared with other existing service composition alternatives.


The influence of lubricant viscosity and additives on the average wear rate of spur gear pairs was investigated experimentally. The gear specimens of a comprehensive gear durability test program that made use of seven lubricants covering a range of viscosities were examined to measure gear tooth wear. The measured wear was related to the as-manufactured surface roughness, the elastohydrodynamic film thickness, and the experimentally determined contact fatigue lives of the same specimens. In general, the wear rate was found to be inversely proportional to the viscosity of the lubricant and to the lambda ratio (also sometimes called the specific film thickness). The data also show an exponential trend between the average wear rates and the surface fatigue lives. Lubricants with similar viscosities but differing additives and compositions had somewhat differing gear surface fatigue lives and wear rates.


Hyperaminoaciduria was found to be frequent in mentally deficient children in an institution for mental defects. Most of the cases with hyperaminoaciduria belonged to the group with imbecility and idiocy with familial incidence of mental retardation (genetic defects). In these patients mean amino‐acid excretion was significantly higher than in other patients and than normal. In the group of children with mental defects associated with multiple congenital malformations the incidence of hyperaminoaciduria is also increased. Possibly the cases with hyperaminoaciduria in this group are also caused by genetic disturbances, though familial incidence was not always found. In mild oligophrenics and children with perinatal or postnatal brain damage aminoacid excretion was within the normal range.


The rural people use inefficient traditional mud cookstove for cooking and space heating in the hilly region due to severe winters resulting emission of pollutants inside the kitchen. A study was carried out to determine the altitudinal based thermal efficiency of wood burning traditional mud cookstoves and their emitted pollutants in Drang block of Mandi district. The calorific value of the preferred oven dried fuelwood species in study area ranged between 4282.52 kcal/kg for Populus deltoids and 5623.96 kcal/kg for Quercus leucotrichophora required for determining thermal efficiency. The average thermal efficiency of the mud cookstove was found to be 8.02% and power output was 0.43 kW. The distance travelled and time taken to collect fuelwood by the rural women had decreasing trend with increase in altitude. The daily fuelwood consumption increased with increase in altitude and per capita fuelwood consumption was found to be 4.57 Kg/day. The emission of particulate matter (PMR10R) and volatile organic compounds increased with increase in altitude from 31.91 μg/mPP and 2.52 ppb at lower altitude to 80.22 μg/mPP and 5.81 ppb at middle altitude to 92.63 μg/mPP and 8.71 ppb at higher altitude, respectively.


The nanocomposite of graphene oxide and silver nanoparticles with uniform particle distribution was successfully green synthesized for bioactive assessment and hydrogen peroxoide electro-sensing application.


This studio-based doctoral research has investigated the gaps in visual culture pertaining to native Australian bird extinctions by critiquing representations of extinct species as they were in "life": a convention widely used in art a


Presented here is the unusual redox reaction induced structural transformation among three new copper coordination polymers with different structures, which shows that a chain structure [CuII2(tmdpy)(2,6-pdc)2]·(DMF) (1; tmdpy = 1,3-di(4-pyridyl)propane; 2,6-pdc = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate) can irreversibly transfer to a layer structure [CuIICuI(tmdpy)(2,6-pdc)1.5]·(DMF) (2) and 2 can reversibly transfer to another chain structure [CuII(tmdpy)(2,6-pdc)]·(DMF) (3) through changing the reaction temperatures. The results demonstrate that temperature plays a dominant role on controlling the redox reaction and the structural transformation.


With the increasing pace of industrialization and economic growth, the continuous increase in household waste has become a great concern all over the world. Residents' participation in household waste sorting is an effective way to promote the recycling of household waste. How to effectively promote more residents to participate in waste sorting has become an important issue of the government. Previous research mainly used two methods in exploring residents' intention to sort waste: qualitative case studies to explore potential causal descriptions and statistic studies with the structural equation modeling. These researches, however, consider one special case or the net effect of a single factor, which fails to present the comparisons across international contexts and hardly clarifies the complex pathways to residents' participation. In this research, a novel method fsQCA (fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis) is applied to explore the pathways both from a macro-level perspective and in different national contexts. Results suggest four different pathways influence residents' participation in waste sorting. In the four pathways, GDP level and source separation system are key causal conditions to influence residents to sort waste, but different configurations of these conditions influence whether residents participate in waste sorting at a high rate. Only when the external conditions and the socio-demographic conditions are combined in a specific form, residents participate in waste sorting at a high rate. At last, the findings provide some exercisable suggestions for decision makers in developing countries to design promotion programs and waste sorting policies.


Through clever use of information solutions in a wide sense, a business can facilitate its operations and promote its strategies. However, as careful considerations are needed to understand and lev ...


Multi-level run-length-limited (ML-RLL) modulation on optical storage channels is a promising method to increase the recording density effectively. In this paper, some experimental results of 4-level RLL modulation on digital versatile disc (DVD) read-only discs are firstly presented. A new DC-free 4-ary RLL (2.8) code with code rate of 8/10 (bits/symbol) is designed, and partial-response maximum-likelihood (PRML) detection is used to evaluate the bit error rate (BER) performance of multi-level readout signals. Experimental and simulation results show the feasibility of 4-level RLL modulation on DVD channels


Pre-sowing seed treated with Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) believed to be a potential priming agent to increase the germination, seedling growth and water relation behavior of crop plants under salt stress condition. With this view, a lab investigation was carried out to find out the effect of PEG on the germination, seedling growth and water relation behavior of wheat under different salt levels. Seeds of ESWYT 5, ESWYT 6 wheat genotypes and BARI Gom 28 were pre-soaked in 10%PEG solutions for 9 h and allowed to grow under 5 levels of salt concentrations viz.,0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 dSm-1.Findings of the research work showed that seed priming with 10% PEG solution for 9 h had significant effect on germination, seedling growth and water relation behavior of wheat genotypes under salt stress condition. Among three wheat genotypes, ESWYT 5 performed the best regarding germination, seedling growth and water relation behavior where wheat genotypes ESWYT-6 performed moderately and BARI Gom 28 showed poor performance. With increasing the salinity level the decreasing of germination, seedling growth and water relation behavior was normal phenomena but in this experiment, priming helped to reduce the magnitude of reduction. These results suggest that seed priming had significant effect to trigger the germination, seedling growth and water relation behavior of wheat genotypes under salt stress condition.


In this paper, a new algorithm is proposed to calculate the value of friend score in a graph. The main goal is decreasing the running time and accuracy of calculation. Even though similar estimations have been done, the proposed method is faster because it increases the speed of computation with ignoring calculation of not involved nodes. This feature makes this method an acceptable candidate for large networks analyses like search engines and social media friend recommendation techniques. Based on the experiments done in this study, the FOF algorithm increases the speed of calculation by a factor of 28 on the two test datasets, namely, Amazon and Facebook.


Non ‐ linear friction between the rotor and the rotor support mandrels would occur during the movement of the permanent ‐ magnet spherical motor (PMSpM). The friction which varies with the position causes PMSpM jitter or even stop it when running at low speeds, and the system operation accuracy is reduced. To solve these problems, this work proposes a parameter identification method of the Coulomb friction model. First, a dynamics model with the Coulomb friction of PMSpM is established by using generalised Euler angles and the Lagrangian energy method. Then, a parameter identification method of the Coulomb friction model based on COMSOL Multi physics coupled simulation and MEMS experiment is proposed to obtain the friction torque data of the PMSpM. Finally, the friction torque compensation in a closed ‐ loop control experiment is completed by using the friction data. The results show that the accuracy


Provided is a skin topical composition having exceptional UV absorbing ability and feel on use. A skin topical composition containing (A) polyether-modified silicone wax, (B) an ultraviolet absorber, and (C) a water-soluble thickener is prepared.


The Forest Service has administered prescribed fire to hardwood forests in southern Ohio since 1996 in order to study the ecological response of the mixed-oak community to prescribed burning. One component of the project involved studying the effects of the fires on forest floor invertebrates. The primary objective of this study was to monitor ground beetle populations for any significant changes that may indicate critical effects of fire on the forest floor community.


Abstract Kant is widely admired – and sometimes also widely criticized – as the founding father of transcendental philosophy. But in much of my own writing, I have been concerned with a very different Kant: an impure rather than a pure Kant, an a posteriori rather than an a priori Kant, a naturalistic rather than a transcendental Kant. This other Kant has often been overlooked by professional philosophers, and when not overlooked, he is often regarded as shallow and unoriginal. My aim in this paper is to demonstrate not only the existence but also the importance and originality of Kant, the naturalist. Without Kant's naturalism, we lack what he called the empirically-informed "eye of true philosophy" that gives its possessors a necessary "broadened way of thinking" and provides philosophy with "dignity, i. e., an absolute worth."


Objective To provide a reference for the hospital clinical rational drug use,we investigated the status and problems of the hospital clinical use of antibiotics in our hospital.Methods We utilized Hospital Management Information System to analyze the data that the antimicrobial drug use in outpatients and inpatients from May to October 2011,and carried out a comprehensive analysis,according to the "Guiding principles of the clinical use of antibiotics" and the clinical use of antibiotics special rectification activities that Ministry of Health require.Results The antimicrobial drug prescriptions of outpatients in our hospital accounted for 27.05%,combination using medicine accounted for 40.25%;The utilization rate of inpatients is 69.41%,combination using medicine accounted for 75.96%,medications that used more than a week accounted for 14.75%.Conclusion the rate using of antibacterial drugs and combination medicine are still higher,and have a longer medicine time.Although the special rectification activities have achieved a certain result,the required gap is still large,standardized management of the antimicrobial agents should be further strengthened in our hospital.


Assoc Prof Robert Cincotta Cincotta RB, Ashton LJ, Marr SM, Stemm AY Antenatal detection of vasa praevia: we can make a difference Vasa praevia is a condition in which fetal vessels, unsupported by the umbilical cord or placenta, run on the fetal membranes in the lower uterine segment near the cervix. Rupture of these vessels prior to or at the time of delivery can be associated with a very high perinatal mortality rate. Antenatal diagnosis of this condition with ultrasound is readily available, alters management and signifi cantly decreases the risk of fetal loss. We performed an audit of prenatally diagnosed cases of vasa praevia and the clinical outcomes from a tertiary referral ultrasound centre, over a fi ve-year period. Th ere were 34 cases suspected in 25,492 scans over fi ve years. Th ere was one loss from an APH, which occurred prior to planned elective admission to hospital. Th e characteristics of these cases that led to their diagnosis, outcomes and the risk factors will be described. Th e presentation will discuss how to identify vasa praevia on ultrasound. Demonstration of the various artifacts that sonographers encounter that may lead to a misdiagnosis will be discussed. Diagnosis of this uncommon condition can make such a huge impact on survival. We will present guidelines for sonographers when performing an obstetric examination, to help identify vasa praevia.


Patient safety relies on the interaction between healthcare professionals, organisational systems and clinical equipment. While this interplay is frequently complex, similar themes often emerge when adverse events are reviewed. One of the commonly described contributory factors is the rigid hierarchical structure of clinical teams within the National Health Service (NHS) which, despite these observations, frequently remains.1 2 This is particularly relevant to cardiologists because of our reliance on effective teamworking across a range of clinical settings. Furthermore, given the potential risks of procedures performed in the catheter laboratory, which are often time-critical, effective teamworking is essential.

In the 1970s the aviation industry noted that a steep hierarchy was an element in a number of catastrophes.1 One contributor to this hierarchy is the use of titles based on seniority because it creates a status difference, akin to the asymmetrical address used between adults and children.3 The aviation industry therefore mandated the use of first names within the team regardless of seniority.3 4

In common with the aviation industry, a number of healthcare organisations have also recommended using first names …


Indexes were prepared to provide additional access to tue conferences whose proceedings were abstracted in NSA Volumes 11 to 16, 1957 to 1962. The indexes are of the computer-made Key Word in Context'' kind and consist of the following parts: permuted titles and cities, dates, numbered conferences, report number, and title list. (D.L.C.)


Ultrasound pulses of very short duration are sent through the skin into the artery to be measured. Echoes from different tissue layers and the artery are detected, amplified, and displayed by a beam of a dual‐beam cathode‐ray oscilloscope. The artery is identified by observing the beat of wall echoes, and an amplitude‐sensitive trigger circuit is put into action. This trigger gets such an adjustment that it starts the high‐velocity sweep of the second beam of the CRO with the arrival of the first echo from the near surface of the artery. By this method, the second beam displays only the arterial echoes in a very large scale, allowing a precise measurement of the lumen. A further, higher, sweep speed provides the measurement of wall thickness of the artery down to the micron sensitivity. Echoes from the far side wall of the artery will naturally move in a back‐and‐forth motion, corresponding to the pulsation of the artery giving an opportunity to elasticity evaluation of it. Percentage of diameter changes ...


Abstract : The following main results were completed during the previous grant period. A photoelastic technique to measure plastic flow and instability has been developed and measurements for shear band characteristics have been obtained. An innovative biaxial experimental apparatus for determining the evolution of the yield loci with plate specimens has been designed and manufactured. Constitutive models incorporating the effects of anisotropy, texture, material rotation, and inhomogeneity have been developed and successfully used to interpret available experimental data such as axial effects in torsion. Numerical evaluations for shear band and plastic instability problems have been performed resulting in new information about the effects of anisotropy and texture on the stability of plastic deformation. (AN)


Karl Rahner has been aptly called the 20th century's "Church Father" and "quiet mover of the Roman Catholic Church." Born in Freiburg (Breisgau), Germany, Rahner entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1922 and was ordained priest in 1934. After advanced studies in Freiburg (where he attended seminars taught by Martin Heidegger) and Innsbruck, he taught theology at Innsbruck (1949–1964). During this period, he was appointed one of the official theological experts (periti) of the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) — a council whose theological outlook he profoundly influenced. He then became successor to Romano Guardini (d. 1968) in the Chair of Christianity and the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Munich (1964–1967) and was later appointed professor of dogmatic theology at the University of Munster (1967–1971). After retiring from university work, he lived at the Jesuit writers' house in Munich (1971–1981) and afterwards in Innsbruck, and continued his unrelenting worldwide lecturing, writing, and pastoral activity until his death a few weeks after his 80th birthday.

Keywords:

Rahner, Karl (1904–1984);
Karl Rahner, "church father" and "quiet mover… ";
"supernatural existential";
"the immanent trinity which is the economic trinity";
christ, the high point of God's self-communication


A major challenge facing hospitals is to provide efficient medical services. Healthcare supply chain management (HSCM) using Discrete Event Simulation (DES) has received in literature considerable attention for more than two decades. Despite the widespread literature on this topic, efforts to review and analyze previous studies are very limited. For this reason, this paper proposes a new conceptual classification scheme to classify current developments of the use of the DES in Healthcare Management research. More than 30 papers published studies within 2003-2013 were classified and analyzed. This proposed conceptual classification scheme is based on the healthcare facilities application, the type of decision making (strategic, tactical and operational), and the application category. It could be useful for researchers as a starting point to facilitate further improvement in the HSCM field because it provides a faster access and understanding of the relevant literature. This paper offers a comprehensive reference work, which groups the publications into the application fields and gives brief summary on the background, application and methodology applied for each reviewed article.


Abstract This paper aims briefly to review literature on tourism development in Central and Eastern Europe, to highlight major contemporary issues and to indicate future research needs and suggest a research agenda. It does this by addressing the EU enlargement context, conceptions and applications of 'transition', the 'mobility turn' and issues of identity within post-communist processes. It concludes with a proposed research agenda that emphasizes the need to interrogate a number of issues flowing from the policy neglect of tourism within the institutions of the EU.


Bioventing is soil ventilation intended to enhance the biodegradation of petroleum hydrocarbon contaminants in soils by providing a supply of oxygen. Soil microbes are capable of consuming fuel at an accelerated rate if they are provided with a supply of oxygen. To investigate the feasibility of bioventing at sites across the nation, the U.S. Air Force funded a bioventing initiative that included pilot testing activities at 145 petroleum-contaminated sites across the U.S. To illustrate the successes and shortcomings of the bioventing technology, three case studies from the initiative and follow-up project have been provided: one where regulatory closure was achieved following the test pilot, one where system expansion was required for full-scale treatment following a successful pilot test, and one where bioventing was found to be an inappropriate remediation technology. Measured in terms of cost per square yard, bioventing is significantly lower than that of excavation and disposal, and provides an excellent low-cost technology for the removal of toxic, risk-driving compounds from soil.


Periodic hypokalemic paralysis can be of genetic origin or secondary to other causes of hypokalaemia. The thyreotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis (THPP) usually occurs among asian subjects. It is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency which may lead to life-threatening complications due to hypokalaemia and muscle weakness. The potassium supplementation is followed by a complete recovery after a few hours. We underlined the interest of thyroid assays in patients having an acute muscular paralysis associated with hypokalaemia.


"The future of the nation is taking shape in the classroom. This statement of the Kothari Commission report is familiar to all. The important burden of shaping the future rests on the shoulders of teachers. Therefore, inculcating values and developing skills in the student teacher who aspires to be a teacher is of utmost importance. -The State Teacher Training Board has been responsible for the development of suitable pre-service courses since 1968. Diploma in Primary Education course is a milestone in this development.


Flow cytometry and microscopy are equally important in cell analysis. However, few reports have compared the optical data (cell size, internal complexity and fluorescent signal) from flow cytometry and microscopy. In this study, we compared the scattergram from XN-series, a flow cytometry based hematology analyzer with microscopic images of similarly treated leukocytes, and investigated the correlation between the appearance in the scattergram and cell size, internal complexity and fluorescence intensity. Healthy human peripheral blood was analyzed using the XN analyzer. For microscopic comparison, five types of leukocytes (monocytes, lymphocytes, basophils, neutrophils and eosinophils) were isolated from the peripheral blood by centrifugation and magnetic cell sorting, treated with a specific reagent and analyzed using electron microscopy, laser microscopy and confocal laser microscopy. Cell size, residual internal structures and fluorescence intensity correlated with intensity of forward-scattering, side scattering and fluorescent light. In this study, optical data from a clinically used hematology analyzer was clarified using microscopic images.


A segmentation algorithm for digital image sequence based on spatio temporal continuous wavelet transform (CWT) is developed. A separable motion filter is used to extract the motion feature parameters, and the segmentation based on the estimating of motion is achieved. Because of the separability of the wavelet function or motion filter, the computational complexity of multi dimentional CWT is decreased. Sequential searching and hierarchical clustering are used to improve the efficiency of segmentation. Different algorithms are used to do simulation by using real traffic image sequence, the simulation results illustrate that the segmentation algorithm based on motion feature is accurate and robust, even in the circumstance of lower signal noise ratio.


The objective of this study was to determine the effects of travelling speed and reel index on harvesting loss of Hommali rice of combine harvester. Four levels of speed of 3, 4, 5, and 6 km/hr, three levels of reel index of 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 and three levels of grain moisture content of 23.08, 25.20, and 27.02% wb were used for studying. The results indicated that the travelling speed of 5 km/hr, reel index of 3.0 and grain moisture content of 23.08% wb or 32 day after heading was considered to be appropriated for harvesting Hommali rice.


The article analyses theoretical foundations of a learnerand activity-oriented approach to pedagogical support of first year students' independent learning. It presents a model for structuring and monitoring freshman independent learn-ing through an educational website and outlines the factors that ensure this model's efficiency in providing pedagogical support for young adult learners' autonomy.


Cryptococcus is a fungus found in soil where birds live, mainly pigeons. Of the various species of Cryptococcus the only one pathogenic for man is Cryptococcus neoformans. The most common manifestation of this infection is meningoencephalitis, which mainly affects immunocompromised patients. Miliary tuberculosis is a rare entity in the extrapulmonary presentation of tuberculosis in immunocompetent patients. However, in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus, the percentage affected is around 10%. The case report is about a patient that presented this form of tuberculosis. Case Report: A 53 year old male with chronic diarrheal intermittent stools, daily fever, postprandial vomiting 4 to 5 times a day, 3 month history, severe headache for 10 days, concurrently presented a tonic clonic seizure a week ago. Also reported chronic cough with whitish sputum and hemoptysis. The Physical examination showed bilateral cervical microadenopathies, bilateral pulmonary hypoventilation, and tongue deviation to the right corner of the lips, decreased strength in both lower extremities and in the upper right extremity. HIV testing was performed, which is positive, with 10 CD4 cell count; lumbar puncture was done obtaining slightly turbid spinal fluid, India ink and cryptococcal antigen are positive. The patient is diagnosed with HIV / AIDS, central nervous system cryptococcosis, miliary tuberculosis (X-ray pattern), and meningoencephalitis. An antibiotic and antifimic coverage was started, to which the patient responded favorably.


Clinically nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) mostly arise from gonadotroph cells and account for about one-third of all pituitary tumors. Because they are not associated with hormone hypersecretion, these tumors are often diagnosed late when they are large and locally invasive. Consequently, the complete surgical removal of NFPAs is hard to achieve and they tend to recur. Medical treatment of NFPAs is still challenging because they are usually resistant to mainstay peptide receptor therapy with somatostatin (SRIF) analogs (octreotide and lanreotide) or dopamine agonists (bromocriptine and cabergoline). Indeed, although these agents may be useful in some cases to prevent residual tumor growth (1), their efficacy has not been confirmed in larger studies. Recently, SOM230 (pasireotide), a broad-range SRIF analog with affinity for SRIF receptor subtypes 1 to 3 and 5 (2) and BIM-23A760 (dopastatin), a chimeric agent interacting with both SRIF receptor and dopamine receptors were developed (3). However, NFPAs only partially respond to these compounds, at least in vitro (4, 5). After the discovery that NFPAs display overactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin pathway (6, 7), compounds inhibiting this signaling cascade at various levels have been tested against these tumors. The results are very promising, especially for dual inhibitors such as BEZ235 and XL765, which inhibit both mammalian target of rapamycin and the upstream phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and exert a potent antiproliferative activity against primary human NFPA cells (8), rodent pituitary cell lines (9), and primary rat gonadotroph adenoma cells in vitro (10). In vivo studies are now required to prove or disprove the efficacy of these agents. Conventional chemotherapy has been one of the major medical advances of the last decades, but it is usually associated with poor specificity for the cancer cells and high toxicity to the normal cells. To overcome these limitations, it would be ideal to identify ways to deliver a biologically effective concentration of anticancer agents to the tumor tissues with very high specificity. To reach this ultimate goal, extensive efforts have been undertaken to develop tumor-selective drugs by conjugating therapeutic agents to hormones, antibodies, and vitamin derivatives. Among them, folic acid holds great promise as a tumor-homing agent (11). Folate (or folic acid) is an essential B vitamin, which plays a pivotal role in cell survival by participating in the biosynthesis of nucleic and amino acids. Folate is internalized into the cells via a low-affinity reduced folate carrier protein or via high-affinity folate receptors. The best studied isoform of these receptors is folate receptor(FR ), a cell surface glycosyl phosphatidylinositol-anchored glycoprotein that can internalize bound folates and folate-conjugated compounds via receptor-mediated endocytosis (12). Whereas FR has a very restricted expression pattern in normal tissues, it is expressed at a high level in various human cancers, particularly epithelial carcinomas, including nonmucinous ovarian carcinoma, cervical carcinomas, and testicular choriocarcinomas, and less frequently in breast, endometrial colon, and renal cell carcinomas (13, 14). Due to its selective expression in tumor but not normal cells, FR has become one of the most investigated cellular surface antigens for targeted delivery of a variety of molecules, including imaging agents, chemotherapeutic agents, oligodeoxynucleotides, and macromolecules. Various types of drug carriers have been conjugated to folate such as liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, polymeric nanoparticles, polymers, and micelles filled with the molecule that needs to be delivered (11). FR -targeted liposomal


MedPAC also warned that continued increases in healthcare costs, the retirement of the baby boomers and Medicare's new prescription drug benefit will cause Medicare spending to skyrocket.


PURPOSE: To provide the device and method for generating signals and data to execute chaotic behavior. CONSTITUTION: Plural delay elements 10-14 are serially connected, the output of the delay element 10 in the front step is impressed to a non-linear function element 30, and the outputs of the other delay elements 11-14 are respectively impressed to coefficient elements 41-44. The outputs of these non-linear function element 30 and coefficient elements 41-44 are added by an adding element 50, and the added result is fed back to the delay element 10 in the front step. The operation is started by simultaneously applying initial values from initializing elements 20-24, and the operations of delay, non-linear function arithmetic, coefficient multiplication and addition are repeated in the cycle of any proper time Δt. COPYRIGHT: (C)1993,JPO&Japio


TITLE PAGETitle: Retiring as a Physician during the 2020 Coronavirus PandemicAuthor: Philippa G. Sprinz, MD, MScHasbro Children's HospitalDivision of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology593 Eddy StProvidence, RI. email@example.com Author: Philippa G. Sprinz, MD, MScHasbro Children's HospitalDivision of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology593 Eddy StProvidence, RI. firstname.lastname@example.com: (401) 444-5171fax: (401) 444 -8845Main Text Word Count: 1194 wordsNo Tables, Figures or other materialKeywords: Retiring, Pandemic, COVID 19,Congratulations! Well done! Bravo! Our compliments and best wishes! I sat outside, looking up at the night sky trying to make sense of everything. I could not. I had hoped, in the silence of night, that I might be able to find some peace and understanding, something positive to hold on to, some equipoise with where I was at in my life, in the midst of a global pandemic. Unfortunately, the cloud ceiling was too low; there were no stars to be seen, to add perspective to my life. I could not grasp my retirement from clinical practice, at this globally distressing time.My retirement was planned before Covid-19 was a name in the medical lexicon.I thought I had planned appropriately. Our son-in-law matched for his clinical fellowship some 2600 miles away. I was 65 years old, and had had a wonderful career as a pediatric hematologist/oncologist, training in the UK but moving to and practicing in the US for almost 40 years. My new job was going to be to help with grandchildren, so our children could pursue their own medical careers. As I clearly could not work and commute 2600 miles on a regular basis, I reasoned that I should retire from clinical practice.Practicing as a physician has been incredibly satisfying. It has been my identity. It is how I presented myself to my family, colleagues and friends. I have given so much of my life to my work. At the same time, unfortunately, I had not taken the time to develop other skills that were anywhere near as rewarding. I acquired some hobbies: diversions from the responsibilities of helping and supporting 'my' patients and colleagues, but not skills to keep my mind or body active when I stopped working. As I contemplated no longer working clinically, I developed an anxiety for 'my' patients. I knew I had excellent colleagues to hand my patients on to, but I could not escape the thought that I would be letting my patients down by not continuing to care for them, myself. I argued that I knew their health care needs 'best'. Only, surely I was doing right by our kids and grandkids by helping them at this time.I found myself thinking over my years in practice. During that time, I saw the five-year survival rate of children with a cancer diagnosis increase from 58% to 86% (1); Hodgkin Lymphoma essentially became straightforwardly curable (5 year survival rate of 99.5% by 2016) (1). Even brain tumors experienced a twenty percent increase in their overall cure rate, (57.2% to 76.3%)(1). For individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) (my particular area of expertise) the survival gain has been more modest: in the 1970s (ten years before the start of my fellowship) 80% of individuals with SCD died by age 30 years (2). In the 1990s females with sickle cell anemia had an average life expectancy of 48 years and males 42 years (3). Despite these improvements, the care of individuals with SCD still needs new drugs and better curative approaches. Life expectancy, for patients with SCD, is currently 54 years for both sexes (4). This is still signifiantly less than the non-SCD population of 76 years in the US(4). I do, nevertheless, look to the future in my field with optimism. Immunotherapy is in the forefront of cancer care, and sensitive molecular tests are allowing earlier diagnoses and hopefully, more successful treatments. There are a number of new, albeit expensive, drugs now being marketed for SCD. Stem cell transplantation is accepted as a 'curative' option for the disease, and gene therapy is not too far in the future.Then February 2020: SARS-CoV-2 arrived in the US. This virus has impacted so many lives in so many ways, in circumstances much, much worse than mine. For me, however, it reformatted my retirement. I could not travel to help our children: borders were closed and international travel all but halted. I would stop work with 'nothing to do'. I suddenly needed to understand 'Retirement from being a full time MD', without a 'plan B'. I recognised that not having to share life-threatening diagnoses with families, would take a weight off my shoulders. Instead, nonetheless, I would cease to be one of a team working painstakingly to help children and their families understand life-impacting illnesses: to hopefully feel better, for at least some periods of time. Despite sadnesses, 'pedi heme-onc' definitely has many rewards. Retirement from it includes the loss of deep family relationships and also daily interactions and stimulating meetings with friends and colleagues.I then wondered: why does one retire when one has a secure job (and no new occupation to move on to), with rewarding work, and a sense of serving 'the greater good'. This, particularly if one is without 'burn-out' that over the years I have watched some of my colleagues experience? Does one really have to retire? A critical aspect of retirement may be to afford practices the opportunity to replenish the workforce with younger, more adaptable workers. Individuals trained recently on newer, clinical approaches and disease management present new skills and may improve efficiency. Does the fact that junior doctors have lesser salaries than those who have been in practice for many years make a difference? Recognising my predicament, I suggested I could help part-time during the pandemic. The coronavirus was not causing so many childhood illnesses, however, to need more pediatric staff and I am no expert in adult medicine.Notwithstanding concerns over my retirement, I did have an excitement to think that my leaving would afford a younger physician the opportunity to take a leading role in patients' care and eventually have as rewarding a career in pediatric hematology/oncology as I had. So, I took stock: maybe I could volunteer in the community? I reached out to a number of organisations, all of which were very happy to have my help, 'just not now', in the middle of a pandemic. I listened in to as many medical and non-medical on-line lectures as I could. I 'attended' virtual conferences, easily, regionally and nationally, without any travel, and contributed to 'Zoom' teaching at my own institution. I worked for an online publishing company and reviewed manuscripts. I was in touch with 'everyone' and tried to support all the vulnerable people I knew.Ten months into the pandemic, nevertheless, I am still struggling to come to terms with not being a clinician. Did I devote too much time to my patients – that could not be? Should I have paid more attention to hobbies and have developed a 'Plan B'? Probably 'yes'. Will there be a time, after the pandemic has passed, when again I can contribute to 'the greater good' and do more clinical work? Perhaps it is true: 'once a doctor, always a doctor'. But it is more than that: having spent all of my working days caring for others, with responsibilities of making accurate diagnoses, recommending potentially curative management and providing compassionate care when the cure did not come, I now have to learn a new life: a life of giving back without the rewards of clinical practice.References:SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program,) 2017Platt O et al Mortality in sickle cell disease. Life expectancy and risk factors for early death: N Eng J Med. 1994, Jun 9; 330(23):1639-443) Lanzkron S, Carroll CP, Haywood C Jr. Mortality rates and age at death from sickle cell disease: US, 1979 – 2005. Public Health Rep. 2013; 128: 110-116 4) Lubek et al Estimated Life Expectancy and Income of Patients With Sickle Cell Disease Compared With Those Without Sickle Cell Disease: JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(11):e1915374. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.15374, accessed 12/26/2020


This paper reports results of comparison of three digital fringe signal processing methods implemented in the same free-fall absolute gravimeter. A two-sample zero-crossing method, a windowed second-difference method and a method of non-linear least-squares adjustment on the undersampled fringe signal are compared in numerical simulations, hardware tests and actual measurements with the MPG-2 absolute gravimeter, developed at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light, Germany. The two-sample zero-crossing method realizes data location schemes that are both equally spaced in distance and equally spaced in time (EST) along the free-fall trajectory. The windowed second-difference method and the method of non-linear least-squares adjustment with complex heterodyne demodulation operate with the EST data. Results of the comparison verify an agreement of the three methods within one part in 109 of the measured gravity value, provided a common data location scheme is considered.


Objective:Analyse clinical common otopoint and its indications in an attempt to direct clinical practice.Method:Choose 955 periodical articles which are related to therapy of otopoint between January,1979 to February,2006,get statistical advantaged kinds of diseases and selected otopoints,compare them with acupoint's scope of indications in the 《National name and position of otopoint of the People's Republic of China》(GB/T13734-92 name and position of otopoint in short)that is promulgated and implemented in May,1993.Result:We discover that therapy's clinical applying scope of otopoint is broaden in range,in order to lay the foundations of optimizing prescription of therapy of otopoint.


High-quality solar cells have been fabricated by utilizing localized argon-ion laser decomposition of silver neodecanoate spun onto diffused silicon substrates and subsequent electroplating. Early adhesion problems during electroplating have been carefully studied and finally solved using a novel coating procedure. The laser-metallized solar cells have been characterized using lighted and dark current-voltage measurements and compared with baseline cells metallized using standard photolithographic procedures. Non-AR-coated cell efficiencies ranging from 10 to over 11% have been obtained for the laser-metallized cells, comparable with the best baseline cells. The laser-metallized cells have 30 to 40% lower series resistance than the unsintered baseline cells, indicating that in-situ sintering takes place during laser writing. A dramatic new and simpler laser metallization process on which patent protection is currently being sought has yielded non-AR-coated cell efficiencies as high as 12%.


It is suitable pattern that writing articles for sport concept study.The author of this paper has finished writing his first special one in 1989,and he considers that the property of sport is human body exercise,the difference of exercises has two sides and one is strengthen physical power,another is nonproduction.He continued studies this subject for more than 20 years,and now a system of sport concept that consist of 4 levels is made already.


Objective To analyze the mechanism of Jieguqili chip and simvastatin in promoting fracture healing,and to compare the difference between the combined use of the Jieguqili chip and simvastatin and single use of Jieguqili chip or simvastatin in promoting fracture healing.Methods The Jieguqili chip and simvastatin tablets were dissolved with distilled,dubbed a certain concentration of solvent.Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups,and their bilateral radius and ulna 1/3 of unarmed were broken,which created the closed complete bone fracture.No external fixation was done.After the technique,the 1st group was treated the Jieguqili chip solution,once a day,continually 28 days.The second group was treated with simvastatin solution,once a day,continually 28 days.The third group was treated with Jieguqili chip solution combined with simvastatin solution,once a day,continually 28 days.The 4th group was the control group,whose stomachs were filled physiological saline 1 mL,once a day,continually 28 days.Results In terms of the general performance,X performance,histomorphology,callus dry weight,the Jieguqili chip group and simvastatin group showed statistical difference with the combined group(P0.05).Conclusion This study suggests that the Jieguqili chip and simvastatin in the process of fracture healing,can increase the osteoblast activeness,cause the osteoblast massive proliferations,promote of bone formation of scabs,and improve the quality of callus.The combined use of Jieguqili chip and simvastatin is better in promoting fracture healing than the single use of Jieguqili chip or simvastatin.


Within the EFORWOOD project new approaches to assess the sustainability impacts of forest-wood chains (FWC) using indicators of environmental, social and economic sustainability were developed.


While jackknife and bootstrap estimates of the variance of a statistic are well–known, the author extends these nonparametric maximum likelihood techniques to the estimation of skewness and kurtosis. In addition to the usual negative jackknife also a positive jackknife as proposed by BERAN (1984) receives interest in this work. The performance of the methods is investigated by a Monte Carlo study for Kendall's tau in various situations likely to occur in practice. Possible applications of these developments are discussed.


conspiracy of silence, including economic, political and media interests, which prevents effective action on such topics as alcohol, tobacco and nutrition, and he asks why we accept Rabindranath Tagore's assessment that 'Fate has allowed humanity such a pitifully meagre coverlet that, in pulling it over one part of the World, another has to be left bare'. Dr Mahler suggests that, as forecast by MacLuhan, the world is now a global village. However, he omits a key factor: why is it not yet a healthy village and why is humankind's coverlet still so sparse? This factor is not fate, but derives from the policies of many of the world's governments, in the form of the global arms race.


Aldehyde production by cells of a methanol utilizing yeast, Hansenula nonfermentans KYP-1 was improved when they were grown in a methanol-limited continuous culture, in comparison with cells grown in a batch culture. A higher cell yield was also obtained in continuous culture than in batch culture. This could be due to the fact that a lower methanol concentration was maintained in the jar fermentor to minimize growth inhibition by methanol. A maximum cell productivity of 0.219 g. and a cell yield of 47% were obtained at dilution rates of 0.1 and 0.06 hr{-1}, respectively. The greatest amount of aldehyde was measured at a dilution rate of 0.08 . Under optimum reaction conditions, 915.7 mM of acetaldehyde was produced from 1.5 M ethanol after 21 hours reaction, with a conversion rate of 61%. Propionaldehyde and acrolein were produced with conversion rates of 32.7% and 44%, respectively.


By using a bandwidth-extending transmitter with an $8 \times 4$ digital spectral weaver, CMOS DACs, and an optical phase-interleaving modulator, we achieved transmission at net bit rate beyond 1.6-Tbit/s/λ.


acetyltransferase reporter geneconstructs. Several novel features ofthisregulation were observed. Duringtheearly stages ofT-cell activation bymitogens orantigens, strong promoter induction was exhibited withtheproximal 43bpofthe DRA promoter whichcontains aTATTAmotif. Addition ofupstream X andY DNAelements augmented the response.Thiscontrasts withdatafromtransformed cell lines inwhichtheproximal 43bpproduced no detectable promoter function, andtheinclusion ofX andY elements isessential forbasal level expression. Mutation oftheTATTA motif orsubstitution withafunctional butdifferent TATA element produced errant initiation andgreatly reduced geneexpression. Interestingly, T lymphocytes froma normal donor were DR' prior toinvitro stimulation, andagain, strong promoteractivity was observed with43bpofproximal sequence.Unexpectedly, thepresenceoftheX andY elements correlated witha suppression ofclass H promoter function andsurface antigen expression. Thisstudy ofnontransformed lymphocytes reveals several novel features ofDRA generegulation andunderscores thevalue andnecessity ofsuchstudies. Class IIhumanleukocyte antigens (HLA)arecentral for immuneresponsiveness toforeign antigens. A variety of immunecells displays different patterns ofclass IIexpression. Forexample, B cells anddendritic cells andsome macrophages expressclassIIantigens constitutively, whereas other macrophages, microglia, astrocytes, vascular endothelium, andhumanT cells donotnormally express class IIunless stimulated byantigen, cytokine, ormitogen (3,7,14). Theunderlying molecular mechanisms which regulate thecomplex patterns ofexpression inthese various immunecells areonlypartially understood. A numberofcis-acting andtrans-acting promoter elementsimportant forthetranscriptional regulation ofclass II geneshavebeenidentified byusing transformed cell lines as reviewed previously (1,3,7,14,27,37).Mostclass II promoters contain three conserved proximal upstream sequences: theW/Zelement, X element, andY element. The HLA-DR-alpha (DRA)genealsocontains anadditional octamerelement originally foundinthepromoter andenhancer ofimmunoglobulin genes. Theminimal length ofthe DRA promoter required forproper geneactivation includes theregion containing aTATA-like element aswellastheX andY elements collectively knownastheclass IIbox.The TATAelement actsasatarget sequence forthetranscription factor, TFIID(TBP), whichinitiates theassembly ofthe transcription complex(15). Further upstream fromthe TATA,theY element contains areversed CCAATbox,and itformsDNA-protein complexes withspecific transcription factor YB-1(8) orNF-Y/YEBP(16, 45). TheX element is divided intothe5'X1and3'X2sequences whichinteract


We study experimentally the transmission of an electromagnetic waveguide in the frequency range from 160 to 300 GHz. Photo-mixing is used to excite and detect the fundamental TE10 mode in a rectangular waveguide with two orders-of-magnitude lower impedance. The large impedance mismatch leads to a strong frequency dependence of the transmission, which we measure with a high-dynamic range of up to 80 dB and with high frequency-resolution. The modified transmission function is directly related to the information rate of the waveguide, which we estimate to be about 1 bit per photon. We suggest that the results are applicable to a Josephson junction employed as a single-photon source and coupled to a superconducting waveguide to achieve a simple on-demand narrow-bandwidth free-space number-state quantum channel.


ABSTRACT The distinctness of each person's life and experience is an important consideration in dominant accounts of how democratic institutions should distribute basic rights and liberties. Drawing on recent social movements, philosophers like Iris Marion Young, Miranda Fricker, and Axel Honneth have nonetheless drawn attention to the distinctive claims and challenges that plurality and difference entrain in democratic societies by analysing how the dominant discourses on rights and justice tend to elide, obscure, or reify the lived experiences of individuals belonging to disadvantaged and oppressed groups. In this essay, I offer an independent justification for why we should take such lived experiences seriously. I show how the lived experiences of disadvantaged and oppressed individuals can be a resource for deep and meaningful social change. I propose a distinctive kind of social change in which the disadvantaged and oppressed themselves drive the process of transformation whereby they change the oppressive frames of difference relating to their race, class, sex, or ability. I call this kind 'organic social change'. I also show that organic social change is distinctively important in that the disadvantaged and oppressed get to enact an empowering mode of cooperation that harnesses their singularities when they are the ones driving the process of their own and one another's transformations.


In this paper airborne laser radar background signal is modelled with chaos (here the background signal means that received signal is back from sea surface and sea bottom without target such as submarine in the signal path). Based on the chaos definition we show in a convincing way that the background signal is chaotic by presenting the results of a detailed experimental study using real-life data collected from different experiment location. Based on the chaotic model a deep sea target detection method is presented which shows a satisfying performance.


The present invention belongs to the technical field of carbon fibers, in particular the present invention relates to a method for preparing high performance carbon fiber is polyacrylonitrile. Preparation of high performance polyacrylonitrile carbon fibers, comprising the steps of: acrylonitrile, an oil-soluble azo initiators, copolymerizable monomer mixture and alcohol capping agent, is heated in dimethyl sulfoxide in an organic solvent to obtain a reaction dope, the dope obtained in step a de monodesilylation after brewing a spinning solution, spinning the spinning solution obtained after the carbon fiber strands, c) of the carbon fiber precursor obtained in step b is after pre-oxidation to obtain carbonized carbon fiber, carbon fibers made using the method according to the present invention can be obtained to achieve a bulk density of 1.7-1.8g / cm3, a tensile strength exceeding 4.9 GPa, a tensile modulus greater than 230GPa.


This paper proposes a new VE methodology caUed "Target Cost Allocation Technique" as used by the Motor Division of Goldstar Company, Ltd. It adjusts for the target cost of final products by setting component cost based on functional analysis. across each function to attain accurate cost targets for each component, and then inducing activities such that this process is achieved will be effective in meeting final cost targets.


Khellin, a natural furanochromone, was isolated from the fruits of Ammi visnaga L. by using a rapid and easy technique. It was then hydrolyzed with 10% KOH to obtain khellinone. From the Claisen-Schmidt condensation of khellinone with terephthalaldehyde, a new benzofuran derivative bis-chalcone was synthesized and its spectroscopic properties were investigated in details.


To test applicability for continuous flow treatment of ultrasound technology, sonolysis of TCE aqueous solution using 584 kHz multi irradiation reactor was performed under batch and continuous flow conditions. Under batch condition (3 and 4 sides irradiation, 600 W), first order degradation rate constant of TCE was higher under 4 sides than 3 sides irradiation conditions, while the generation of and chloride was similar under both irradiation conditions. Under continuous flow condition with 4 sides irradiation, removal efficiencies of TCE in steady-state were decreased from 83 to 48% with increasing flow rate from 67 to 300 mL/min at 600 W, and were increased from 14 to 75% with increasing acoustic power from 100 to 600 W at 100 mL/min. Removal efficiency of TCE in groundwater was decreased 10% compared to in distilled water at 100 mL/min and 600 W.


The two essential aspects of axial dispersion in gel permeation chromatography have been studied: (1) the relationship of axial dispersion to the continuity equations of chromatographic transport, and (2) the relationship to molecular size and the system parameters of an individual column. Theoretical analyses are presented for both of these problems and are applied to an experimental study of axial dispersion by both zonal (small-zone) and frontal (large-zone) experiments with a series of macromolecular species having discrete, precisely known molecular weights. Theoretically predicted non-Gaussian elution profiles were observed for the small-zone experiments, and axial dispersion coefficients for each molecular species were determined as a function of flow rate. Resulting values were found to be in good agreement with the theoretical equation relating axial dispersion to molecular size, flow rate, and two "calibration constants" of the column. These results provide a rational basis for axial dispersion effects in terms of the fundamental processes and system parameters of gel columns. Extension of the analysis to multicomponent systems is discussed.


The purpose of this study is be seemed to the revitalization method through the application of interaction design in Community Centers. After applying a method and the medium which are selected in shared space made an imagination simulation and the residents executed a survey in the object. Compared the before and after imagination simulation and produced a result. The results are as follows : First, from interaction design methods, the case of external space prefers the fact that interaction occurs in circumferential situation, and external space and the expressive medium with the fact that prefers the light which is the possibility of getting an information most with Circumferential situation and interaction of external space. It was evaluated the resident convenient function being activated. Second, the case of hall space was formed with contact and act of the various people and directly the hall space and under interaction with the fact that prefers the thing. In expressive medium, the image which is the possibility is highest from expressive medium, was evaluated the resident convenient function being most activated. Third, we executed a before and after evaluation of simulation in the residents. The satisfaction of the execution resultant residents appeared external space and hall space now, far more highly was evaluated, and simulation applying the resident convenient function being most activated. Forth, the result which comparison analyzes an evaluation of the specialist group and the resident group about Community Center function, It appears that the resident convenient function is activated most about external space and hall space.


Machine learning has been increasingly used to solve various software engineering tasks. One example of its usage is to predict the outcome of builds in continuous integration, where a classifier is built to predict whether new code commits will successfully compile. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of fifteen software metrics in building a classifier for build outcome prediction. Particularly, we implemented an experiment wherein we compared the effectiveness of a line-level metric and fourteen other traditional software metrics on 49,040 build records that belong to 117 Java projects. We achieved an average precision of 91% and recall of 80% when using the line-level metric for training, compared to 90% precision and 76% recall for the next best traditional software metric. In contrast, using file-level metrics was found to yield a higher predictive quality (average MCC for the best software metric= 68%) than the line-level metric (average MCC= 16%) for the failed builds. We conclude that file-level metrics are better predictors of build outcomes for the failed builds, whereas the line-level metric is a slightly better predictor of passed builds.


Abstract: Independent protein kinases in the synaptic junction (SJ) isolated from rat cerebrum were characterized. SJ showed a protein kinase activity, phosphorylating intrinsic proteins, even in the absence of cyclic AMP or Ca2+ plus calmodulin (CaM) exogenously added. The activity was affected neither by Ca2+ concentrations in the physiological fluctuation range nor by the addition of specific ligands such as glutamate, aspartate, acetylcholine, and concanavalin A. The activity was not due to cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase in SJ, since the activity was not inhibited by an inhibitor protein for cyclic AMP‐dependent protein kinase, and since synapsin I was not specifically phosphorylated whereas cyclic AMP‐dependent kinase appeared to phos‐phorylate selectively the protein in SJ. Phosphorylation of SJ proteins by the independent kinases was about one‐third of that of the Ca2+/CaM‐dependent protein kinase intrinsic to SJ. The apparent Km for ATP was estimated to be 700 μM. Proteins of 16K Mr and 117K Mr were specifically phosphorylated under the basic condition (in the absence of the substances known to activate specifically protein kinases), as well as six other proteins both under the basic conditions and in the presence of Ca2+ and CaM. The phosphorylation of 150K Mr, 60K Mr, 51K Mr, and 16K Mr SJ proteins was enhanced after prephosphorylation of SJ proteins by intrinsic kinase in the presence of Ca2+ and CaM. This fact suggested that a part of the independent kinase activity was attributable to the autonomous form of Ca2+/ CaM‐dependent kinase which was derived from its auto‐phosphorylation, and that the Ca2+/CaM‐dependent auto‐phosphorylation affected the microtubules in the postsyn‐aptic region inasmuch as the 16K Mr protein occurred in both brain cytosol and microtubule protein fraction prepared from rat brain.


In the current round of Ontario's health care restructuring the consolidation of community medical laboratory services in private, for-profit hands is going relatively unnoticed. The final act in this transfer of public health care money to the private sector, specifically three multinational companies, Lifelabs,[1] Dynacare and CML, is the demise of the community operations of two non-profit providers: the Hospital In-Common Laboratories (HICL), and the Hamilton Health Service Laboratory Program (HHSLP). Their forced closure ends 40 years of quality, cost-effective, accessible health care delivery that demonstrated that community and acute care services can be integrated to mutual benefit. Ironically, the end of these services comes at a time when the provincial government is restructuring health care ostensibly to increase integration and control costs.


According to the present invention there is also provided an apparatus for estimating the fibre fineness of a known mass of fibres, the apparatus including: an image capturing device for capturing either i) all of the fibres selected for testing or ii) a fraction thereof, in one or more images; a computer capable of automatically determining the total length of fibre or fibres in the or each image; and a means for estimating the fibre fineness of the fibres using the total fibre length in the image(s).


Based on a case study of a non-neurotic patient, treated psychoanalytically during some ten years, Bernard Brusset proposes the re-articulation – starting with the drives – of the two Freudian topographies, emphasizing the developments in theory and practice in the last fifty years. In particular, he refers to Wilfred Bion, Andre Green and Donald Woods Winnicott. Must we consider this as an enrichment or rather as a third topography, developed in the course of the analytical relationship ? Bernard Brusset points to this topography as the condition for the two others to exist as well as subjectalization and objectalization.


Objective To construct a recombinant Salmonella vaccine strain expressing the disintegrin domain of human fertilin β. Methods The cDNA fragment expressing the disintegrin domain of human fertilin β was obtained by PCR, and then inserted into the high copy number plasmid pYA3339 to get recombinant plasmid pYA3339/hf279, which was then transformed into murin Salmonella vaccine strain X4550 to get the recombinant Salmonella vaccine strain X4550 (pYA3339/hf279). Results The vaccine strain could express stably the recombinant protein HF93 recognized by polyclonal antibody of human fertilin β. The molecular weight of the protein was about 16×10 3. Conclusion The construction of the recombinant vaccine strain X4550 (pYA3339/hf279) has laid a foundation for further studies of immunocontraceptive vaccines based on human fertilin β as the target antigen.


A novel technology of north-finding is introduced. Taking the relatively stable distribution of the skylight polarization as the information source, the angle between the carrier's long axis and the solar meridian is obtained by using the polarization-sensitive compass designed firstly. And then the angle is rectified by using the sun's current azimuth to determine the angle between the carrier's long axis and the geographical north-south finally to accomplish the task of north-finding. The experiment result shows that the angle between the carrier's long axis and the solar meridian is achieved effectively and the north can be found instantly.


We thank Tang et al. for their interest in our study and correspondence on an important clinical question. In May of 2020 when our literature search was last updated, we did not identify any case series, cohort studies, or randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the role of hydroxychloroquine as prophylaxis for COVID-19. Consequently, our analysis was unable to address this issue. The authors should be commended for their efforts to conduct an RCT during the early phases of the pandemic when there was widespread misinformation about antimalarials. We empathize with the difficulties they encountered, which highlight broader issues impacting the COVID-19 research agenda.


Seigneur Dildoe, as this dissertation will contend, was a fixture in Restoration literature and culture (1660-1700). But what was his provenance, by what means did he travel, and why did he come? This dissertation provides a literary history of the fascinating and highly irreverent dildo satire tradition, tracing the dildo satire's long and winding progress from antiquity to Restoration England, where the tradition reached its early modern zenith. Adding breadth, context, and texture to existing treatments of the trope's political and sexual potency, this dissertation investigates the dildo satire's roots in both Greek comedy (Aristophanes, Herodas) and Latin invective (Martial, Juvenal), its influential association in early modern Italy with Catholicism and monastic life (Aretino), and its introduction in early modern England (Nashe), where it cropped up in the works of a surprising number of literary giants (Shakespeare, Jonson, Donne, Marvell). In Restoration England, we find in the satiric dildos of Butler, Rochester, and the contextually rich "Seigneur Dildoe" articulations of a dildo gone viral: the mock-heroic Seigneur deployed as a politically central motif symptomatic of its society's acute patriarchal fissures. Throughout I argue that the dildo satire's longevity is due not to a uniformity of purpose or signification (misogynist, anti-Catholic, emasculating, or otherwise), but to its innate versatility and ambiguity as a fugitive sexual and political figure. I also argue that what does in fact unite the satiric dildo's variety of contingent ends, against what has been assumed in the scholarship, is its status as a markedly anti-Phallic figure.


A Schrödinger equation and system with magnetic fields and Hardy-Sobolev critical exponents are investigated in this paper, and, under proper conditions, the existence of ground state solutions to these two problems is given.


A Beowulf Cluster is an excellent tool to use to teach the topic of parallel computing. A cluster is inexpensive to buy or build. The concept of a cluster is understandable to students and the coar...


When researchers choose to identify and exclude outliers from their data, should they do so across all the data, or within experimental conditions? A survey of recent papers published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology: General shows that both methods are widely used, and common data visualization techniques suggest that outliers should be excluded at the conditionlevel. However, I highlight in the present paper that removing outliers by condition runs against the logic of hypothesis testing, and that this practice leads to unacceptable increases in falsepositive rates. I demonstrate that this conclusion holds true across a variety of statistical tests, exclusion criterion and cutoffs, sample sizes, and data types, and show in simulated experiments that Type I error rates can be as high as 29%. I then replicate this result in the context of a recent paper excluding outliers per condition (Cao, Kong, and Galinsky, 2020). Using the authors' original data, I show that excluding outliers at the condition level can bring the likelihood of a false-positive result up to 47%, and demonstrate that the exclusion strategy reported by the authors is associated with a 56% Type I error rate. I conclude with a list of alternatives to withincondition exclusions.


Objective To compare the safety,
side effects and failure rates of contraception copper intrauterine device
(IUDs) in the immediate postpartum period after a vaginal delivery and during a
cesarean section. Patients and methods This was a descriptive and
analytical study, conducted in Gynecology and Obstetrics departments hospital Pikine
and Abass Ndao hospitals. It compared two groups of women with IUDs in the
immediate postpartum period after a vaginal delivery and during cesarean
section. Our sample consisted of 215 patients. We had divided them into two
groups: group 1 consisted of 115 patients who delivered by cesarean section;
Group 2 consisted of 100 patients who delivered vaginally and whom the
insertion was made in post placental or within 48 hours after birth. The variables studied were the
sociodemographic characteristics, characteristics of pregnancy and childbirth,
insertion procedures, follow up with the assessment of side effects and
complications. Results and comments The socio-demographic
characteristics were superimposed in both groups. Nine patients were lost to
follow up, 4 in group 1 and 5 in group 2. The complaints such as pain (3.7% for
Group 1 against 2.6% for group 2), vaginal bleeding (2.1% for group 2, and 1.8% for group 1) were rarely reported and stackable
in both groups. After 6 months of follow up, the menses was observed in 42.8% of group 2 against 43.1% of group 1. The abnormal menstrual flow, evaluated by the Higham
score, was noted in 29.6% of group 2 and 25% of group 1, and was dominated by excessive
bleeding. They motivated IUD removal in two patients. A significant difference
was found in the perception of IUD strings, it was effective in 95.4% of patients in group 2 against 50.5% for group 1. The evictions were 9
at 3-month follow-up 7 related group 2
and 2 for Group 1. It was partial (isthmic IUD) and total expulsion. At 6
months follow-up, 3 cases of partial expulsion were noted and concerned only
group 2. This made a total expulsion rate
of 5.3%, with 9.5% for group 2, and 1.8% for group 1. no cases of pregnancy or
uterine perforation had been reported during this study. A vaginal sampling was
performed in all our patients and the results were generally comparable in both
groups and normal in most cases. However, we noted 17.6% of infection in group 2, and 16.2% in group 1. Conclusion From
the results of our study, we can say that IUD insertion in the period of
immediate postpartum remains safe and effective regardless of the way of delivery. The risk of expulsion is minimal so acceptable.


The tremendous growth in video data calls for efficient and flexible access mechanisms. In this paper, we propose an ontology-driven framework for presentation video annotation and access. The goal is to integrate ontology into video systems to improve users' video access experience. To realize ontology-driven video annotation, the first and foremost step is video segmentation. Current research in video segmentation has mainly focused on the visual and/or auditory modalities. In this paper, we investigate how to combine visual and textual information in the hierarchical segmentation of presentation video data. With average F-scores over 0.92, our experiments show that the proposed segmentation procedure is effective. After a video is segmented, video annotation data can be extracted. To extract annotation data from a video and its segments, and to organize them in a way that facilitates video access, we propose a multiontology based multimedia annotation model. In this model, a domain-independent multimedia ontology is integrated with multiple domain ontologies. The goal is to provide multiple, domain-specific views of the same multimedia content and, thus, better address different users' information needs. With extracted annotation data, ontology-driven video access explores domain knowledge embedded in domain ontologies and tailors the video access to the specific needs of individual users from different domains. Our experience suggests that ontology-driven video access can improve video retrieval relevancy and, thus, enhance users' video access experience.


This study evaluated the effects of varying levels of Baobab seed-meal (BSM) on spermiogram of Shika Brown® breeder cocks. Thirty  apparently healthy cocks aged 30 weeks with average body weight of 1.78 ± 0.03 kg were used for this study. They were acclimatized and randomly divided into three groups of 10 each. Group A (control), fed 0% BSM growers diet, groups B, (5%) and group C, (10%) BSM diets. Semen samples were collected from each cock twice weekly for 28 days and spermiogram evaluated. Results indicated significant (P< 0.05) difference for mean volume, percentage live spermatozoa, sperm gross motilities and concentration between the treatment groups (B and C) and the control group (A). Mean abnormal sperm of cocks in groups B and C were significantly (P<0.05) lower compared to group A. It was concluded that BSM is likely to improve semen characteristics in breeder cocks. Therefore, it is recommended that BSM at 5% and 10% is safe and should be incorporated into breeder cocks diet by farmers for enhanced semen characteristics.
Keywords: Baobab, Shika Brown®, spermiogram, semen, breeder


Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of cardiovascular death. This study aimed to propose an effective method for mining cardiac mechano-electric coupling information and to evaluate its ability to distinguish patients with varying degrees of coronary artery stenosis (VDCAS). Five minutes of electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram signals was collected synchronously from 191 VDCAS patients to construct heartbeat interval (RRI)–systolic time interval (STI), RRI–diastolic time interval (DTI), HR-corrected QT interval (QTcI)–STI, QTcI–DTI, Tpeak–Tend interval (TpeI)–STI, TpeI–DTI, Tpe/QT interval (Tpe/QTI)–STI, and Tpe/QTI–DTI series. Then, the cross sample entropy (XSampEn), cross fuzzy entropy (XFuzzyEn), joint distribution entropy (JDistEn), magnitude-squared coherence function, cross power spectral density, and mutual information were applied to evaluate the coupling of the series. Subsequently, support vector machine recursive feature elimination and XGBoost were utilized for feature selection and classification, respectively. Results showed that the joint analysis of XSampEn, XFuzzyEn, and JDistEn had the best ability to distinguish patients with VDCAS. The classification accuracy of severe CHD—mild-to-moderate CHD group, severe CHD—chest pain and normal coronary angiography (CPNCA) group, and mild-to-moderate CHD—CPNCA group were 0.8043, 0.7659, and 0.7500, respectively. The study indicates that the joint analysis of XSampEn, XFuzzyEn, and JDistEn can effectively capture the cardiac mechano-electric coupling information of patients with VDCAS, which can provide valuable information for clinicians to diagnose CHD.


The study was on stress and stress management among students of the University of Education, Winneba at the Winneba Campus. The objective of the study was identify the common stressors that affected the academic performance of students and to further determine the strategies students adopt in managing stress during stressful situations on campus. The survey method was used for the study and a sample size of 500 students was used for the study. A questionnaire was designed for the study. Frequency counts and percentages were used in the analysis of data collected. High cost of food staffs, lack of accommodation on campus, too many assignments and quizzes as well as uncondusive lecture halls were some of the causes of stress among of the University of Education, Winneba. It was discovered that students resort to watching television, resting in bed, visiting friends and drinking alcohol as a way of managing stress. It was recommended among others that orientation programmes and symposiums on how to manage stress be organized for freshers and continuing students to reduce the stressful situations that they faced in the course their studies. Keywords; Chronic, Depression, Anxiety, Psychological, and Physical threats


PRINCIPLE OF THE FORFEITURE SEALING AND ITS APPLICATION IN FINES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH TAX OBLIGATIONS ACCORDING TO BRAZILIAN JURISPRUDENCE. AUTHOR: Samanta de Freitas Iensen ADVISOR: Andrea Nárriman Cezne The present study analyzed the application of the principle of sealing to confiscation by noncompliance of obligation accessory, checking percentages and occasions where the application should occur. Firstly, was performed a conceptual and historical approach of principle of fence to confiscation, in particular in Brazilian law, its application in fiscal fines, noncompliance with ancillary obligations and their applicability to them. Subsequently, case studies were carried out in the State Courts of Justice, Federal Regional Courts and the Federal Supreme Court, in order to verify the applicability of the principle of sealing to confiscation in the said fines and the percentage applied, investigating eventual divergences and fix the main precedents on the subject. Through the deductive approach, set out for an general premise of the principle of sealing to confiscation, for carry out a thorough investigation the application of this in the fines for noncompliance with accessory tax obligations, through the doctrine and the study of cases from Brazilian jurisprudence. Through the monographic method and the bibliographical research, it was determined what is principle of fence confiscation, constitutional forecast and its characteristics. Using the comparative method and the documentary research, the jurisprudence of these Courts was analyzed, comparing the decisions found in order to verify how the principle in question is applied the fines for non-compliance with an accessory tax obligation. It was concluded that although there are still differences, the principle of sealing to confiscation is applicable to fines for noncompliance with ancillary obligations, and should be analyzed casuistically what would be considered confiscatory, however, having as a maximum limit, the value of the Tribute linked to said obligation.


Given the lack of academic research linking open innovation with the clusters literature, this paper analyze the determinants of open innovation adoption in clusters, based on the Portuguese case. This paper is structured as follows: 1) introduction; 2) methodology; 3) theoretical analysis of clusters and open innovation; 4) cluster policy evolution in Portugal; 5) results of an online questionnaire launched to the Portuguese clusters members, identifying the main constraints for the development of open innovation activities; 6) conclusions and implications. The factors that hinder the use of open innovation by clusters members are related to internal problems (e.g., management skills) and external factors (e.g., funding access). This paper also allows the understanding of the importance of belonging to a cluster for the usage of open innovation activities, contributing to the discussion of the necessity of having a more open innovation policy approach in Portugal.


The ultimate limitations to the performance of a bolometer made from a classical metal are discussed and an expression derived for the noise equivalent power input of such an instrument operated under optimum conditions. This is found to be twice the value for a perfect thermal detector working at the same temperature.Details of the construction and performance of some bolometers made from thin platinum strip are given, the bolometers being operated both at room temperature and under cooled conditions.


A new method for recognizing the start and the end of each word in a Chinese continuous sentence is discussed. We define a new recognition characteristic called periodic gradual change (PGC). A continuous speech sentence can be separated into many single words by a combination of the new method of PGC and other characteristics such as zero crossing rate (ZCR), instantaneous swing (E characteristic) and linear predictive coding (LPC) parameter. The recognition rate is improved for continuous speech segmentation by the new method.


Applications often require fitting straight lines to data that is input incrementally. The case where a data range [<italic>α<subscrpt>k</subscrpt></italic>, <italic>ω<subscrpt>k</subscrpt></italic>] is received at each <italic>t<subscrpt>k</subscrpt></italic>, <italic>t<subscrpt>1</subscrpt></italic> < <italic>t<subscrpt>2</subscrpt></italic> < … <italic>t<subscrpt>n</subscrpt></italic>, is considered. An algorithm is presented that finds all the straight lines <italic>u</italic> = <italic>mt</italic> + <italic>b</italic> that pierce each data range, i.e., all pairs (<italic>m, b</italic>) such that <italic>α<subscrpt>k</subscrpt></italic> ≤ <italic>mt<subscrpt>k</subscrpt></italic> + <italic>b</italic> ≤ <italic>ω<subscrpt>k</subscrpt></italic> for <italic>k</italic> = 1, … , <italic>n</italic>. It may be that no single line fits all the ranges, and different alternatives for handling this possibility are considered. The algorithm is on-line, producing the correct partial result after processing the first <italic>k</italic> ranges for all <italic>k</italic> < <italic>n</italic>. For each <italic>k</italic>, the set of (<italic>m</italic>, <italic>b</italic>) pairs constitutes a convex polygon in the <italic>m</italic>-<italic>b</italic> parameter space, which can be constructed as the intersection of 2<italic>k</italic> half-planes. It is shown that the <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic> log<italic>n</italic>) half-plane intersection algorithm of Shamos and Hoey can be improved in this special case to <italic>O</italic>(<italic>n</italic>).


This article analyses the problems and importance of mechanical basic courses teaching,and puts forward the improvement measures.This improvement includes integrating the contest content into theory teaching,and practice of curriculum design,combining the metal technology with the requirements of disciplinary contest,parallelizing the theory course and the practical course,to make the engineering education accompany the whole process of basic course teaching.Practice has proved that this teaching reform not only improves the students' professional level and practical ability,but also means the cultivation of engineering quality of students during their university study,which is of great significance for students to improve their engineering ability and meet the requirements of social development.


y Employment opportunities for the class of 1978 a t Alfred University were most available to students in technical fields, including m a thematics, nursing, ceramic engineering and accounting, said Charles H. Schultz, director of career planning and counseling services. " I believe the job m a r k e t for technical fields is as good now as the l a t e 1960's-and 1968 and 1969 were peak employment yea r s for techn i ca l l y t r a ined s t u d e n t s , " * Schultz said. * According to a questionnaire distributed to August 1977, and J a n u a r y and May 1978 graduates , 71 per cent of B.S. degree-recipients in the New York State College of C e r a m i c s found f u l l t i m e employment. An additional 20 per cent of the class is continuing studies in gradua te school. Among quest ionnaire respondents in the College of Nursing and Health Care, 94 per cent a re employed in full-time jobs. In the School of Business and Administration, 71 per cent of the respondents a r e working fullf t ime. Schultz said 50 per cent of the respondents from the College of Libera l Arts a r e continued on page 2 •'»gprb-


In Sterkiella nova, α and β telomere proteins bind cooperatively with single-stranded DNA to form a ternary α·β·DNA complex. Association of telomere protein subunits is DNA-dependent, and α-β association enhances DNA affinity. To further understand the molecular basis for binding cooperativity, we characterized several possible stepwise assembly pathways using isothermal titration calorimetry. In one path, α and DNA first form a stable α·DNA complex followed by the addition of β in a second step. Binding energy accumulates with nearly equal free energy of association for each of these steps. Heat capacity is nonetheless dramatically different, with ΔCp = -305 ± 3 cal mol-1 K-1 for α binding with DNA and ΔCp = -2010 ± 20 cal mol-1 K-1 for the addition of β to complete the α·β·DNA complex. By examining alternate routes including titration of single-stranded DNA with a preformed α·β complex, a significant portion of binding energy and heat capacity could be assigned to structural reorganization involving protein-protein interactions and repositioning of the DNA. Structural reorganization probably affords a mechanism to regulate high affinity binding of telomere single-stranded DNA with important implications for telomere biology. Regulation of telomere complex dissociation is thought to involve post-translational modifications in the lysine-rich C-terminal portion of β. We observed no difference in binding energetics or crystal structure when comparing complexes prepared with full-length β or a C-terminally truncated form, supporting interesting parallels between the intrinsically disordered regions of histones and this portion of β.


Improvement in optical and electrical properties were observed after sulphur passivation of gallium antimonide surface. Enhancement of photoluminescence intensity up to 60 times, reduction in surface state density by two orders of magnitude, and reverse leakage currents by a factor of 20-30 were obtained as a result of surface passivation. While the reduction of surface recombination is attained, the surface is not unpinned.


In this publication an integrated dielectric sensor with read-out circuit in SiGe BiCMOS technology at 125GHz is presented. The sensor consist of a 500 µm shorted half-wave coplanar waveguide transmission line in the top metal layer. Read-out of the sensor is performed by measurement of its reflection coefficient with an integrated multiprobe reflectometer and signal source. The MMIC has been fabricated in a 190-GHz fT SiGe:C BiCMOS technology and assembled on a printed circuit board. Functionality of the sensor is demonstrated with a stimulus frequency from 118 to 133GHz with immersion of the sensor into a binary methanol-ethanol mixture.


In this paper I review Halliday and Hasan's contributions to the study of meaning beyond the clause, and its recontextualization in my work on discourse semantics. The relation of text structure to cohesive devices is illustrated through a text synthesis. The discussion subsequently focuses on the nature of discourse structures and their relation to discourse systems drawing on Lemke's concept of covariate relations and Bateman's invocation of Peirce's concept of abduction. It is suggested that because they involve passages of discourse of indefinite extent, discourse semantic systems can be positioned stratally and metafunctionally in an SFL model of language, but are not for the most part organized by rank.


This research was aimed to find out the relationship between the diameter of follicle and the different of follicle number on oocyte quality of local goat. The oocyte originated from the ovary was taken from the Slaughterhouse in Banda Aceh. The ovary was aspirated in the Histology Laboratory of Veterinary Medicine Faculty of Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh. This experiment consisted of two stages, the follicles were selected and divided into 3 groups according to their diameter size. The small diameter size 5 mm. The second, the ovaries were divided into three groups based on number of follicle, i.e; 1(≤5; 2(6-10); and 3 (≥11). The diameters of oocyte taken from the three groups of follicle size were measured by using eyepiece micrometer, while the oocyte morphology was categorized into 4 groups. The result of regression data indicated that the biggest follicle diameter yielded the oocyte that had bigger diameter, too. The model of regression is y = 0.955 + 0.157x, y is the diameter of oocyte and x is the diameter of follicle. The close relationship (r) between the diameter of follicle and the diameter of oocyte was 0.967. There are significant differences (P<0.05) between the size of follicle and the morphology of oocyte. The oocytes originated from larger follicle tend to have better morphological appearance than the oocyte originated from smaller follicle. Keywords: oocyte, follicle


In the dental domain, the periapical x-rays play a key role in finding the tooth lesions. However, it's a challenging for a dentist to correctly predict the existence of lesion as well as its breed using the radiographs due to opaque disposition of x-rays. This work aims at developing an application which can automatically detect the type of lesion in periapical x-rays. Two different experiments were performed for this work. In first experiment, the features were extracted using the pretrained network (Alexnet), and then on these extracted features the conventional classifiers Support Vector Machine (SVM) and K-Nearest Neighbor (K-NN) were trained. In Second experiment, the pretrained Alexnet model was fine-tuned on training data. This fine-tuned network was used as feature extractor as well as used to classify the test images using SoftMax function. The seventh Fully Connected (FC) layer of this retained model was used as output for extracted features. On these extracted features the SVM and K-NN classifiers were trained. This second experiment was carried out in two ways. In first way, the pretrained Alexnet model was fine-tuned with augmented data, and in second way, the pretrained Alexnet network was fine-tuned without using the data augmentation technique. The classification accuracy was used to evaluate the performance of both approaches. The highest classification accuracy achieved was 98%.


Abstract This paper attempts to reframe identities as interculturalities in the multimodal ways in which language is used for identity construction, specifically as responses to questionnaires, articulations within limited narratives, on-line interactions and in community ways of speaking a localised variety of English. Relying on a framework of analysis that was initially developed for reconceptualisng culture (Nair-Venugopal, 2003a) in intercultural communication, these interculturalities in the Malaysian context are taken to refer to the ways in which identity constructions of personhood and nationhood are produced within local contexts of interaction, quite apart from demographic categorisation, organisational membership, social roles and other more traditional dimensions of identity construction. These interculturalities may be taken to be trajectories of both personhood as social identity, and of nationhood as national identities, in the intercultural encounters among members of heterogeneous groups in Malaysia. Viewed as multimodal identity constructions, they represent avenues for cross and intercultural adaptation in a plural yet seemingly multicultural country such as Malaysia that contribute to the evolving discourse on Bangsa Malaysia or national identity.


A study was designed and conducted to determine the background noise levels in the home environment. This is an important factor in determining the acoustic performance of the computing devices that go into these environments. A specialized methodology was developed and measurements were carried out in homes in the United States, Sweden, Germany, and China. The sound levels in three rooms in 15–18 homes in each country were collected over 24‐h periods. The results indicated that the background noise levels ranged between 30 and 40 dBA across the four countries. Variations in the background noise levels between the different rooms in the homes were minimal. No significant variations were found between home types (detached, semi‐detached, and apartment) and community types (urban, suburban). However, European homes were quieter than United States and Chinese homes. The variations between countries were statistically significant. In addition to the background noise levels, the acoustical characteristics of t...


Background: The studies on Acne vulgaris conducted in many parts of the world show that it is very common in adolescents but little is known from Nepal. Objectives: To assess knowledge and attitude regarding Acne vulgaris among school students. Methods and Materials: This was a descriptive study conducted among 100 students of class 9 & 10 of Kumudini Homes Higher Secondary School, Pokhara, Nepal. Tools were demographic proforma, knowledge questionnaire & attitude scale on Acne vulgaris. Data was collected by self administered structured questionnaires using simple random sampling. Data was analyzed using Excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: Most of the students belonged to age group15-17years (82%). Majority were boys (65%) and most were non-vegetarian (91%). The study showed that 52% of them had good knowledge while 48% of them had average knowledge on Acne vulgaris. The study also revealed that majority (69%) had favourable attitude and rest of them had moderately favourable attitude (31%). Hundred percent were aware that Acne is also known as pimples and occur most commonly in adolescents. Students had some misconceptions regarding acne as they thought it is not necessary to use medicine if acne is gone once (56%) and using extra medicine can make acne go away (33%). Conclusion: The findings of the study pointed out that the students were surrounded by the myths & misconceptions on acne. It shows that this important adolescent health issue needs to be addressed through the introduction of related educational programs at schools.