We study query containment in three closely related formalisms: monadic disjunctive Datalog (MDDLog), MMSNP (a logical generalization of constraint satisfaction problems), and ontology-mediated queries (OMQs) based on expressive description logics and unions of conjunctive queries. Containment in MMSNP was known to be decidable due to a result by Feder and Vardi, but its exact complexity has remained open. We prove 2NExpTime-completeness and extend this result to monadic disjunctive Datalog and to OMQs.


Pancreatic diseases benefit from early and appropriate diagnosis and therapeutic intervention. Variety of imaging technologies give clinicians an unparalleled set of tools to help in every day clinical practice and decision-making. The basal techniques include computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), radionuclide imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in selected patients. Аdvances in all these technologies and development of molecular-based imaging could enable clinicians to identify diseases at an earlier stage and, thereby, improve patient outcomes. CT is introduced in late 1970s. Since tnen there has been dramatic improvement in pancreatic imaging. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Date of Submission: 08-11-2018 Date of acceptance: 21-11-2018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


This study discussed the effects of methyl bromide fumigation at different dose on the storage quality of apple and mangosteen at 20 ℃.The results showed that the fumigation treatment could inhibit respiration during the treatment and reduce the water loss.However,no significant influence was observed in the flesh hardness and the changes of color were fastened.No significant effect was found on the contents of total soluble sugar in both the two fruit varieties while the total acidity of apple increased and that of mangosteen had no obvious change.


This work investigates the performance of GaAs-based solar cells towards 30% efficiency for space applications. GaAs has a bandgap of 1.42 eV and it is lightweight and flexible. GaAs can absorb higher number of photons and thus exhibit high efficiency. This work has been performed using SCAPS-1D software with the main focus on optimizing the absorber layer thickness in terms of solar cell performance metrics such as fill-factor (FF), efficiency (η), Jsc, and Voc. The highest efficiency of 30.16% has been obtained for the optimized value of the absorber layer thickness of 200 µm, with values of 1.0275 V, 33.168453 mA/cm2, and 88.49% for Voc, Jsc, and Fill Factor respectively. Thus, GaAs-based solar cell paves the way for space applications.


The tekhnolgichniy process of making of biopropellant is resulted on the basis of vegetable butters, the
comparative analysis of fiziko-mechanical properties of diesel biopropellant is executed from different oilbearing
cultures, and the considered parameters of work of diesel engine on diesel biotfuel.


In order to get high level expression of HIV 1 gp41 gene, a fragment (690 bp) encoding N terminal of gp41 from all sequence of HIV 1 was amplified by PCR. After digesting by restriction enzyme EcoRI/Sal I, the fragment was cloned into pET28a plasmid which was digested by the same restriction enzyme, then recombinant plasmid was transformed into the E.coli BL21 (DE3). After inducing by IPTG, the bacteria produced the protein. Then the protein was purified through chelating Sepharose. Using indirect ELISA, SDS PAGE and Western blot test, it was found that the protein had good antigenicity, good specificity and high purification (99%), and its yield was about 45% of the total bacteria protein.


During the last decades, cases of anorexia, bulimia and other eating disorders have increased exponentttially, especially among adolescents. Although causes of these disorders are varied, scientific research has tested the influence of the media and other sociocultural factors in the symptomatology of eating disorders. Media messages repeatedly emphasize the beauty and thinness as a sign of prestige and social success for women. In this article, we analyze how is built a new mystique of femininity from a gender perspective, associated with the appearance and the desire for thinness, and their relationship to eating disorders.


Phase‐change memory (PCM) is a promising candidate for neuro‐inspired, data‐intensive artificial intelligence applications, which relies on the physical attributes of PCM materials including gradual change of resistance states and multilevel operation with low resistance drift. However, achieving these attributes simultaneously remains a fundamental challenge for PCM materials such as Ge2Sb2Te5, the most commonly used material. Here bi‐directional gradual resistance changes with ≈10× resistance window using low energy pulses are demonstrated in nanoscale PCM devices based on Ge4Sb6Te7, a new phase‐change nanocomposite material . These devices show 13 resistance levels with low resistance drift for the first 8 levels, a resistance on/off ratio of ≈1000, and low variability. These attributes are enabled by the unique microstructural and electro‐thermal properties of Ge4Sb6Te7, a nanocomposite consisting of epitaxial SbTe nanoclusters within the Ge–Sb–Te matrix, and a higher crystallization but lower melting temperature than Ge2Sb2Te5. These results advance the pathway toward energy‐efficient analog computing using PCM.


Introduction Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) had been regarded as the first-line therapy for acute ischaemic stroke patients. The sex differences in post-MT treatment outcomes were analysed by randomised controlled trial (RCT) studies with inconsistent conclusions. We suggest the results from the real-world data may differ from RCT containing studies. Therefore, the sex difference in non-clinical trial populations needs to be clarified. Methods and analysis In order to obtain relative studies comprehensively, we will search the main document databases, consisting of Web of Science, Medline in Ovid, Embase in Ovid and Cochrane Library, and trials registers, including Clinical Trails register. The clinical outcomes of real-world studies published between January 2015 and March 2022 will be included. The assessment methods of bias risk will be performed according to study type. The inclusion of studies, evaluation of risk and publication bias, data extraction will be implemented by two reviewers, respectively. The primary outcomes include successful recanalisation and 90-day favourable outcome. Secondary outcomes include vascular complication, hospital-related complications, death during hospital stay and follow-up, and intracerebral haemorrhage. The risk bias of observational studies will be evaluated by Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. I2 statistic will be used to perform the assessment of study heterogeneity. Ethics and dissemination With no need of ethics approval in this review, results in this review ground on public data. The results of the study will be eventually presented at international conferences or in a related journal. PROSPERO registration number CRD42021242597.


We show that second-generation gravitational-wave detectors at their design sensitivity will allow us to directly probe the ringdown phase of binary black hole coalescences. This opens the possibility to test the so-called black hole no-hair conjecture in a statistically rigorous way. Using state-of-the-art numerical relativity-tuned waveform models and dedicated methods to effectively isolate the quasistationary perturbative regime where a ringdown description is valid, we demonstrate the capability of measuring the physical parameters of the remnant black hole and subsequently determining parameterized deviations from the ringdown of Kerr black holes. By combining information from $\mathcal{O}(5)$ binary black hole mergers with realistic signal-to-noise ratios achievable with the current generation of detectors, the validity of the no-hair conjecture can be verified with an accuracy of $\ensuremath{\sim}1.5%$ at 90% confidence.


The postoppositional identity work of urban high school students is described. The youths had engaged in oppositional identity work that led to breakages with their worlds. Lona was a central figure who forged symbolic and social links that enabled the youths to construct "true" selves and to express identities in ethical relation to others. Lona's links engendered a politics of reconciliation that empowered marginalized youths to resituate their selves within, and transform, their worlds.


ABSTRACT T uberculosis in children can not be separated from the history of contact with smear-positive tuberculosis patients as a source of infection. The aims of this study was to identify and analyze the risks tuberculin test results among children who had contact with patients with smear-positive tuberculosis in health center Bangil and health center Raci Pasuruan. The design of this study was cross sectional using systematik random sampling technique. Sample were drown from children with history of contacts with smear positive tuberculosis patients during 2012. This studies was from January until Juni  2013. The independent variables included age, sex, BCG immunization status, nutritional status, the average duration of exposure per day and residential density, the dependent variable was the tuberculin test results. It was found that from the study the results that a positive tuberculin test result was 28.57%. There was a significant relationship between age, nutritional status, the average duration of exposure per day, residential density of the tuberculin test, and there was no significant relationship between sex and status of BCG immunization results and tuberculin test results. Male and a dense residential density increases the risk of a positive tuberculin test results. While a good nutritional status is a protective factor for tuberculin test result positive. Keywords : tuberculin test, children, history of contacts of smear positive


A guide to assist residents, junior faculty, and students in completing projects from presentating to publishing and assist in the research process.


The association between αext
 and RH can be obtained through empirical model fitting for each location and period with collocated in-situ measurements of VIS, RH and PM concentration.


This paper presents a novel dual-band bandpass filter design based on hybrid structure of substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) and substrate integrated coaxial line (SICL), which is implemented by multi-layer printed circuit board process. The hybrid structure is realized by inserting the SICL resonator into the volume of the SIW cavity which enables the hybrid structure to support the co-transmission of two orthogonal transmission modes (TE10 in SIW and TEM in SICL). Exploiting the two transmission modes, filter with dual-band transmission characteristic can be realized with the upper frequency band determined by the coupled SIW cavity resonators and the lower frequency band controlled through the SICL resonators. Therefore, it brings great flexibility to design dual-band filters as the two passbands can be independently designed. In order to validate the proposed concept, a prototype for Ka-band local multipoint distribution service (LMDS) application is designed, fabricated and measured. Good agreements can be observed between the simulation and the measurement.


During wind-tunnel experiments on parachutes, it is common to either fix the apex of the canopy to maintain a specific angle of attack or only fix the confluence point of the suspension lines to allow the canopy to move freely. These no-swinging and free-to-swing conditions affect considerably the aerodynamic characteristics of the parachute. This paper investigates the influence of these conditions on the aerodynamic characteristics and dynamic motion characteristics of both symmetric cross parachutes with eight equal suspension lines, and asymmetric cross parachutes with two (of eight) shortened suspension lines. The research reveals that the canopy of a no-swinging cross parachute exhibits a spinning motion around its axis. The free-to-swing parachute undergoes a conical swing motion around the suspension-line confluence point. The frequency of spin and conical swing increases in proportion to [Formula: see text]. The magnitude and direction of the lift force varies periodically owing to the conical swing of the free-to-swing parachute. Conversely, the no-swinging parachute, at a fixed angle of attack, maintains a comparatively stable lift force. The free-to-swing asymmetric cross parachute produces a stronger lift force because of the larger swing angle compared to the symmetric parachute. The resultant asymmetry in the aerodynamic shape caused by the shortening of suspension lines has minimal effect on aerodynamic characteristics.


The theory of switched systems which focuses on stability and control synthesis of systems with multiple modes or different dynamics, has gained significant attention from control theorists, computer scientists, and practicing engineers. Switching between motor controllers due to sensor faults, faster response, or targeted dynamics, open a new dimension of shaping a motor drive's performance. There are three main types of control strategies for induction motor drives: constant volts per hertz (V/f) control, field-oriented control (FOC), and direct torque control (DTC). Multi-mode-controlled induction motor drive can be modelled as a switched system where each control mode results in different motor dynamics. In this paper, a comprehensive state-space model of an induction motor drive under different control mode is developed11This work is supported by the National Science Foundation under Award 1752297.. Detailed analysis as well as simulation results are included to demonstrate the validity of the state-space representation for induction motor under different mode.


Health-related quality of life QoL is an important aspect of assessing disease handicap and the impact of treatment, and a powerful tool to compare these concepts across quite different types of disease. This paper describes for the first time the effect of treatment on QoL in alcoholic subjects in a large multinational European study. Methods: All patients were treated with acamprosate and associated psychotherapy for six months. An open-label, uncontrolled design was chosen to reproduce as closely as possible standard conditions of care in Europe. Health-related quality of life was evaluated with the SF36 questionnaire, assessed at baseline, three months and six months. Results: The study evaluated 1250 patients, of whom 740 provided follow-up data after treatment. Multivariate Analysis of Variance showed quality of life to be dramatically reduced in the alcoholic patients compared to an healthy reference population.


Objective: To determine the feasibility of audiological screening in low-risk neonates, using Otoacoustic Emissions (OAEs), at various test times following birth. The achievability of a screening programme within the Midwife Obstetric Unit (MOU) 3-day assessment clinic at the Phola Park Community Health Centre (PPCHC) was deliberated. Participants: Two hundred and seventy two neonates were included in this study. Design: A prospective and longitudinal design was employed. Methods and Materials: Case history interviews, otoscopic examinations and Distortion Product Otoacoustic Emissions (DPOAEs) were carried out at two sessions. The initial session took place within 6 hours after birth and the second session at approximately 3 days after birth at the MOU 3-day assessment clinic. Data Analysis: Data was collected as ―pass‖ and ―refer‖ screening results, the number of births was compared to the number of participants at the two sessions. The number of ―pass" and ―refer" results per session were analysed and results per participant at the two sessions were compared to detect false-positives. The return for follow-up rate was considered. Results: Screening is possible within hours of birth but is more practical and efficient at the MOU 3-day assessment clinic. During the study, 260 neonates were born at PPCHC, 38.07% of these were screened at session 1 and a total of 268 newborns were screened at session 2. The pass rate was 16.16% at session 1 and 99.25% at session 2; rendering a false-positive rate of 82.10% at session 1. Time of birth relative to discharge, resources, environmental factors, noise levels, return for follow-up rate and referral rate have been identified as factors that may impact the practicability and efficiency of screening. Conclusion: Outcomes of the study highlight the importance of studying methodologies to ensure effective reach for hearing screening within the South African context. Based hereon, screening neonates immediately after birth is possible. However, it is recommended that


The aim of this study is to examine the effects of extended micro-teaching practices on foreigners' views on motivation, anxiety and process of learning Turkish. In the study, an exploratory sequential design, one of the mixed research designs in which quantitative and qualitative research techniques are used together, was applied. The study population consisted of 37 A2 level students studying at a private university in Istanbul, Turkey. In the study, the Turkish Learning Anxiety Scale of Foreigners to measure the anxiety of learning Turkish as a foreign language, the Motivation Scale for Learning Turkish as a Foreign Language to measure their motivation during learning Turkish, and the semi-structured scale interview form to evaluate students' opinions about the process were used. While simple and predictive statistical techniques were applied in the analyses of the data obtained through scales before and after the experimental process, the descriptive analysis technique was used in the analysis of the data obtained with the interview form. According to the findings of the study, the extended micro-teaching practices increased the motivation of foreigners during learning Turkish and reduced their language learning anxiety to a normal level. Besides, interviews with the students confirmed these results.


In this study we employ several rating systems to generate predictions for the outcome of 2016 European Championships in association football. To this end, we first estimate probabilities of match results between all competing nations using the rating systems. Secondly, via Monte Carlo simulations we compute probabilities of advancing past a given stage of the tournament. The approach was developed for the Euro 2016 Prediction Competition organized within Sport Analytics Workshop at ECML/PKDD 2016.


Outline of algorithm Heterogeneity is a challenge when computing our model: at any time t, productivities Ait and prices Pit will differ across firms. The Calvo model is popular because, up to a first-order approximation, only the average price matters for equilibrium. But this property does not hold in most sticky-price models, in which equilibrium quantities depend on the whole time-varying distribution of prices and productivity across firms. To address this issue, we apply Reiter's (2009) solution method for dynamic general equilibrium models with heterogeneous agents and aggregate shocks. As a first step, the algorithm calculates the steady-state general equilibrium in the absence of aggregate shocks. Idiosyncratic shocks are still active, but are assumed to have converged to their ergodic distribution, so the real aggregate state of the economy is a constant, Ξ. The algorithm solves a discretized approximation of the underlying model; here we restrict real log prices pit and log productivities ait to a fixed grid Γ ≡ Γ × Γ, where Γ ≡ {p, p, ...p#p} and Γ ≡ {a, a, ...a#a} are both uniformly spaced (in logs). We can then view the steady state value function as a matrix V of size #×#, comprising the values v ≡ v(p, a,Ξ) associated with prices and productivities ( p, a ) ∈ Γ.1 Likewise, the price distribution can be viewed as a # ×# matrix Ψ in which the row j, column k element Ψ represents the fraction of firms in state (p, a) at the end of any given period. To calculate steady state general equilibrium, we can guess the wage w, then 1In this appendix, bold face indicates matrices, and superscripts represent indices of matrices or grids.


SmB6 behaves as a nonmagnetic semiconductor at low temperatures. Gd‐ and Eu doped samples have been prepared. The paramagnetic behavior of the doped materials shows that Eu remains divalent and consequently it does not alter the low‐temperature electrical properties appreciably. Gd, on the other hand, increases the electrical conductivity and the paramagnetic behavior corresponds to the trivalent Gd ion. The paramagnetic susceptibility flattens out below 0.1°K indicating a magnetic ordering of the Eu samples in contrast to the pure SmB6.


Framework Plan for Day Care Institutions of Norway is composed of three main parts: aims and background conditions,content and working methods,result and evaluation.A model for the content of day care institutions is introduced in focus.The view of children,knowledge in framework plan is discussed.Two important topics including care and basic competence are also involved.


With the increasing growth of industrialization and mechanization of workplaces, electric accidents are becoming quite common, and many workers and individuals are unconscious of the potential electrical hazards that their workplaces present and increase their vulnerability. Electrical currents have a wide range of impacts on the human body, from a barely slight tingling to sudden cardiac arrest. Therefore, a sound understanding of the engineering perspective and the occupational health and safety risk assessments are essential to prevent and manage these hazards. The severity of electrical current effects on the human body depends on various factors and based on their values stimulate different physiological impacts. Electrical current exposes workers to serious, extensive, and widespread occupational hazards which cause injuries and harm in many circumstances. Practically, due to the high number of accidents and potential risks, working people are exposed to electrical power while performing their daily tasks. In fact, the lack of awareness and concern for safety is the primary cause behind these tragedies. The first step to avoiding these hazards begins with safety awareness. The awareness of electrical hazards and safety precautions of employees and individuals plays an important role in increasing the safety of lives, property, and the environment. To this end, a comprehensive risk assessment and point of view regarding the electrical current and its effects on the human body, and from an electricity source to first aid for electrical shocks are considered in this study. At first, the nature of electricity and the basic principles are provided, then it presents the effects and consequences of electrical current passing through the human body, as well as how the electrical hazards occur and make danger. Lastly, it comprises the basic guidance of safety requirements needed to prevent or minimize the electrical current hazards or risks to the human being.


In this article we describe and discuss a three-year case study of a course in web literacy, part of the academic literacy curriculum for first-year engineering students at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Because they are seen as 'practical' knowledge, not theoretical, information skills tend to be devalued at university and rendered invisible to the students. In particular, web-searching skills are problematic, given the challenges that the Web poses to academic values and traditional research practices. Consequently, the technical skills of web searching are often taught separately from academic curricula or left entirely unaddressed. We illustrate an alternative, integrated approach to the development of this aspect of information literacy. We apply a critical action research methodology to document, evaluate and reflect on students' use of evaluative frameworks. Focusing on the facilitation of critical and evaluative use of the Web for exploratory learning, we interrogate the role of 'cultural capital' and evaluate the effectiveness of the scaffolding provided by the course design. We find important connections between developing knowledge of academic discourse and successful academic use of the Web, and note that, for students to transfer their skills to a range of contexts, these skills will require sustained attention throughout the undergraduate curriculum. We present evidence that the most effective strategies integrate everyday practical knowledge of research techniques with teaching about academic discourse and building students' knowledge in a specific domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]


During last years, meticulous increase of number of operative interventions is marked and rising of surgical activity and increase of number of operations implemented on urgent indications. The analysis of law awareness of physicians concerning provision of emergency medical care exemplified by traumotology service was implemented. The questionnaire survey was organized on the basis of sampling of 100 traumotologists of different qualification categories and concerning provision of round-the-clock emergency traumatologic care to patients aged 24-62 years. The attempt is made, on the basis of sociological survey data, to establish main causes of development of conflicts between physicians and patients and to consider preventive measures too.


Amulo, one of the earliest western witnesses for the Toledot Yeshu, uses 'adulterata' to describe the mother of Jesus. Some scholars have claimed that the word 'adulterata' implies that she was raped either by force or by deception. Forcible rape is questionable based on a linguistic argument: Latin usage of 'adultero', both classical and Christian, normally refers to a woman with the accusative case or the passive voice and distinguishes clearly between adultery and violent rape. It is possible that narratives such as the one about Jesus' mother played a role in the conversion of the palace deacon Bodo to Judaism.


Ringworm infection continues to be problem the world over. In our earlier study, barbing shop was reported as the most frequently incriminated source of ringworm disease and necessitated this study. A total of 78 randomly selected Barbers were enlisted in the survey. Questionnaires were served to determine the knowledge and attitudes of the barbers toward ringworm infection. Disinfectant agents used by barbers to decontaminate their clippers were tested for sporicidal activity against fungi. Seventy five (96%) of the barbers were aware that their clippers could transmit different diseases, including ringworm. All the barbers (100%) habitually decontaminated their clippers either by exposure to chemical agents or by flaming with chemical agents; the most frequently applied agent was methylated spirit (57 or 73%). Twenty seven (35%) of the barbers decontaminated their clippers by flaming with petrol, while 13 (16%) flamed with methylated spirit. In vitro evaluation of the chemical agents for fungicidal activity showed that sodium hypochlorite was the most effective, with a minimum disinfectant contact time of 5min; flaming of clippers with methylated spirit or petrol, did not inactivate fungal spores on clippers. It is concluded that the current clipper- decontamination options be reviewed.


Light is one of the most important environmental factor influecing the growth and development of maize(Zea mays L.).Sufficient light during the growing period is the basis of high yield formation of maize.However,there are always prolonged rainy days during maize growing season in the Huang-huai-hai region,which are detrimental for maize yield formation.And prolonged rainy days at flowering stage bring more severe damage to maize production.Low-light environment leads to a decrease in photosynthetic rate,a reduction and redistribution of biomass,an extension of anthesis to silking interval,and a significant reduction of ear kernel number and grain yield.And there are significant differences in maize genotypes responses to low light stress.Previous studies have elucidated the effects of endogenous hormones on the apical kernels abortion and under low-light stress.However,whether the endogenous hormones have influence on the whole ear development process is unknown.A split plot experiment was conducted under field conditions during 2010 and 2011,to study the effects of shading and light recovery on the growth and development of maize ear and endogenous hormones of two maize hybrids.The main plots are light treatment(natural light and 50% shading) and sub-plots are cultivars(low light sensitive hybrid YY22 and low light tolerance hybrid ZD958).In the low light treatment,maize plants were shaded with 50% transmittance shading nets from 3 days before tasselling to 10 days after silking.The results showed that the growth and development of maize ear was delayed,ear length,ear diameter,ear dry weight,ear row number,kernel number and kernel sink capacity were significantly decreased while barren tip increased under low light conditions with low light sensitive maize hybrids changed more.Spikelet ovary in ear apical showed signs of abortion at silking stage.The abortion progress of the kernel could not be disrupted by the recovery of natural light.ABA and ZR content of both maize hybrids ears increased under low-light stress while GA content and GA/ABA ratio of both maize hybrids decreased.IAA content and IAA/ABA ratio of ZD958 was increased while YY22 decreased.The recovery of natural light in a short time had little effect on the established hormone synthetic mechanisms.


Many sites display high collision rates only under wet pavement conditions. Sites were selected for investigation using Caltrans safety engineers' field reports, Wet Table C "investigation required" locations, and a new approach called Continuous Risk Profile (CRP). The geometric features at the sites were studied via field visits and review of as-built plans. Vertical and horizontal curve in short distance, narrower lane width, lack of median, and wider total freeway width were some of the notable geometric features observed at these sites. Findings showed significant differences in wet and dry collision distribution across traveling lanes at some locations. Speeding remained the primary collision causative factor regardless of pavement condition, but was more dominant under wet than dry pavement conditions at all observed locations.


Abstract A unified approach to synchronization based on adaptive observers and passification is extended to nonpassifiable nonlinear systems, particularly to systems with relative degree greater than one. A synchronization scheme based on augmented error adaptive observer is proposed. Conditions of parametric convergence of the parameter estimation are established for the noiseless case. Robustness of the scheme to the bounded measurement error is established. The results are illustrated by examples of text and image transmission by means of chaotic Lorenz system.


Robert A. Harris is the author of The Plagiarism Handbook: Strategies for Preventing, Detecting, and Dealing with Plagiarism. Diane M. Waryold is the Executive Director of the Center for Academic Integrity at Duke University. Interview with Dr. Harris Berg: Given the current climate in which students are often viewed as customers, and the popularity of online distance learning and hybrid internet classes, is academic fraud still a relevant issue? Harris: I think both the customers as students and future employers are interested in degrees that have integrity since the degree helps them to get a job. Employers use the institutional degree as a measure of quality. It provides some certification of competency, maybe integrity. If students are allowed to cheat at a given institution, the degree is going to lose its value, employers won't trust the institution's graduates and students will want to go someplace else. There is a recent case where Harvard University revoked its offer of admission to a prospective student after learning that she had plagiarized five articles for a local newspaper. Her excuse was, "Well, I didn't write those for a class." Nevertheless, Harvard took it seriously enough to revoke their offer of admission. Another way of looking at what she did is to say that plagiarism is stealing someone else's words and then lying about having written them. I don't think lying and stealing rules have been relaxed or should be. Even though the atmosphere has changed, I don't think academic fraud is becoming irrelevant. Berg: Do you think the standards used when we were undergraduates are different for today's undergraduates? Have the standards that I was raised with 20 years ago been relaxed? Harris: My argument would be the standards are more important than ever because we have shifted into an information economy where virtually all of the graduates of the university are going to be knowledge workers. Intellectual property considerations are extremely important now because if you steal a co-worker's idea and hand it in to the boss, that's going to have real repercussions. If you've gotten into the habit of taking other people's ideas and presenting them as your own, that's much more significant now when so many more people are working in information related jobs than there were 20 years ago. Berg: I know from Internet searches that students find the same words on multiple pages because the paragraphs or phrases have been cut and pasted. They've also grown up with MP3 and file sharing. Do you think these activities have changed the way students regard what stealing is? Harris: As far as intellectual property goes, yes. The whole Napster mentality, if you want to call it that, has taken over. Software copying--even before Napster, back when personal computers first became available--was so easy that it just didn't seem like stealing. The same is true with grabbing words off a Web page and dropping them into a word-processing document. It's hard to recognize as a crime. Students who would never walk out of a store with a stereo under their arm will nevertheless download music that has been stolen or copy software and so forth. That's not only a cultural phenomenon, but a matter of education. Students need to be taught that stealing is wrong, and stealing involves certain things. They need an attitude change. I agree that the atmosphere now makes plagiarism, for example, a lot more common and easier. In surveys, students report that cheating just isn't that big a deal to them. Complicating that is some anecdotal evidence that it may not be as serious to parents as it should be. One columnist I was reading recently said he's discovered that parents are more upset if they find out their child has been caught smoking than if he's been caught cheating. This is, of course, middle and high school. Berg: That brings up the issue of high schools. What should I know about the attitudes of students who are just graduating high school? …


Abstract Ninety college men were assigned to one of three control-resistance conditions to determine the effects of artifically increased mass (moment of inertia) on performance and learning of a continuous rotational-type fine motor tracking task. All subjects performed the first 25 trials under their respective conditions: (C), intermediate mass (E-1), and heavy mass (E-2); after a 5-min. rest all groups completed the last 10 trials under control conditions. While the pretest performance of E-2 was significantly depressed compared with C and E-1, and significant learning occurred within each groups, there was no difference in the amount learned among groups. There was little relationship between static strength (measured on the tracking leg in the movement position) and either performance or learning scores. Also, there were no changes in strength performance either within or among groups. The belief that effective motor learning depends on so called "optimal conditions" was seriously questioned.


Studies of the composition and physicochemical properties of heavy and extra heavy crude have been of great importance and interest to academia and the petroleum industry, due to the ability of these oils to form water in oil emulsions. Water in oil emulsions are known to form during crude oil production, oil sands extraction processes, and oil spills in aquatic environments. Often, these water-in-oil emulsions are undesirable since they can cause several problems including: production of an off-specifications crude oil (high solids and water content, >0.5%); corrosion and catalyst poisoning in pipes and equipment for water settling; and environmental issues when oil spills occur in rivers and oceans. Treatment of these emulsions is still a challenge in the petroleum industry due to their high stability versus coalescence. These emulsions are very stable, this stability is attributed largely to the adsorption of compounds with interfacial activity, such as asphaltenes, resins and carboxylic acids present in the oil, at the water – crude interface. Asphaltenes are a complex mixture of high-molecular weight compounds, where 90% or more of the mass is composed of carbon and hydrogen; the sulfur, oxygen, and nitrogen contents in asphaltenes are approximately 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, and trace quantities of other heteroatoms are present the high molecular weight components of crude oil. Reported data has shown that asphaltenes, are adsorbed at the crude oil-water interface. For instance, the high stability of the w/o emulsions could be due to strong interfacial films formed by asphaltenes. These films would be very resistant to coalescence (Yarranton et al, 2000; Ortiz et al, 2010; Spiecker, & Kilpatrick, 2004; Pauchard et al, 2009; Chaverot et al, 2010; Sjoblom et al 1992; McLean et al 1997)


System to obtain a levitation motor without penalizing a wide range of cruise plans. It comprises a gas turbine 44, a blower 20 upstream of the gas turbine, this blower being oversized air pumping Actions relative to cruise needs of the gas turbine; a low pressure variable area turbine 60 receiving power of rotation of the gas turbine to drive the fan at varying speeds; a remote lift thrust augmentor 14 where the airflow derivative is led, mixed with fuel and burned to produce a thrust levitation system; an orientation nozzle thrust vector 84, and a bypass channel 76, which sends the stream derived in the nozzle direction of the thrust vector when the speed is other than the mode of support. Application DAV aircraft and STOL.


Although medical therapies are now available for patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), lung transplantation remains an important therapeutic option, especially for those patients not re


Concerning Lk. 24.26 and 44, a scholarly consensus agrees that Luke's reference to a 'scriptural' suffering Messiah is an oxymoron; some hold that Luke's overt reference to psalms is a consequence of his use of them in his Passion Narrative; most urge that Luke's 'Messiah must suffer' is probably a meld of Davidic Messiah and Isaianic servant motifs. However, because the underlying logic is questionable and its use of Lukan evidence problematic, this consensual case for an Isaianic Servant concept controlling Luke's passion narrative is flawed. Replying to this consensus, a sixfold, cumulative argument demonstrates that Luke's statement—that the Messiah must suffer and be raised—more probably emerges from a single David-model derived from the book of Psalms. This cumulative argument begins from Luke's appeal by name to the book of Psalms, establishes the frequency and density of Luke's use of psalms, examines occurrences of 'David' and 'Messiah' in relation to Luke's using psalms, explores a Davidic autobiography implied in those psalms featuring in Luke's subtext, reveals that apostolic speeches are arguments textured from psalms and rooted in a comparative biography of David and Jesus, and demonstrates that distinctive elements in Luke's Passion Narrative are associated with the context-fields of psalm allusions in his portrayal of Jesus' death and burial. Luke was right; his critics mistaken.


Non-invasive sensor technology is used as an interface to a computer system to collect physical movement data that controls elements of a virtual environment. The environment is used for rehabilitation training i.e. physiological learning, for people with profound disabilities, and often no verbal competence. Movement of the human body is sourced as feed-forward kinetic data and empowered to control multimedia feedback content, e.g. audio, visual, or robotic feedback. It is delivered to be as a direct and immediate feedback so as to optimise user-awareness and association. The feedback is selectable as either figurative or abstract in form and can be art or game based. Inherent to the programming design of the data collection is the creation of stillness zones which generate nul data. The stillness zones have been found significant for participant augmented communication. The uses of these stillness zones for this targeted community have been subject to limited exposure. This paper describes how these zones are used in rehabilitation training. Findings are presented from the established SoundScapes body of research that has existed for two decades.


In Turkey, particularly in Istanbul, almost all of the surface and underground water sources contain ferrous iron [Fe(II)] at high concentration levels, which generate serious problems in use of water for industrial processes and at drinking water treatment plants. Ferric iron [Fe(III)] on the other hand precipitates as Fe(OH)3 and blocks the filters installed at water treatment plants, decreasing efficiency. Also, the period for re-wash of fi lters shortens which increases the cost. In natural waters, high iron concentrations are found together with natural organic and inorganic substances. Humic substances found in underground water sources prevent the oxidation of Fe(II). It was shown in recent studies that oxidation of Fe(II) was decreased dramatically by organic compounds found in humic substances. Although atmospheric oxidation of Fe(II) is a well known method in practice over decades, effects of organic and inorganic substances on the oxidation rate have only recently been investigated. Literature ...


The role of the sun in the aetiology of malignant melanoma is
controversial.
In 1992 Schuster1 wrote provocatively, 'Despite the lack of
evidence of a causal link between sun exposure and melanoma,
fear has been used shamelessly to frighten people out of the sun
and into pigmented lesion clinics.' He claimed that the main
reason for the supposed increase in incidence of melanoma
was that many lesions, previously regarded as benign, were
being classified as malignant, and that melanomas were being
invented not found. South African Medical Journal Vol. 97 (8) 2007: pp. 568-571


(PbSe)100-xCdx thin films of thickness 3000 with variable concentrations of Cd (x=5, 10, 15 and 20) were prepared by thermal evaporation on glass substrates at room temperature at a base pressure of 10-6 Torr. The structural, optical and electrical properties of these films were studied. X-ray diffraction patterns were used to determine the crystal structure of the films. Films were of polycrystalline texture over the whole range of study. Optical constants of all films were determined by absorbance and reflection measurements in a wavelength range 4001200 nm. Analysis of the optical absorption data showed that the rule of direct transitions predominates. The values of the absorption coefficient (α), extinction coefficient (k) and imaginary part of the dielectric constant were found to increase with increasing Cd content in lead chalcogenides while the refractive index (n) and real part of dielectric constant were increased with increasing Cd concentration up to 15% and then they decreased with 20% of Cd content in PbSe. These results were interpreted in terms of the change in concentration of localized states due to the shift in Fermi level. The dc conductivities and activation energies of the films were measured in the temperature range 298398 K. It was observed that the dc conductivity increases at all temperatures with the increase of Cd content in lead chalcogenide system. The experimental data suggests that the conduction is due to the thermally assisted tunneling of the carriers in the localized states near the band edges. The activation energy and optical band gap were found to decrease with increasing Cd concentration in lead chalcogenide.


Abstract : The purpose of this thesis is to simplify analog and digital device control inside the Phoenix autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). Phoenix is required to process many data information streams associated with a variety of different sensors. Real time processing is required both for input sensing and for output directing. As presently configured, hardware devices aboard the Phoenix are manually connected and configured using parallel ports, serial ports, analog to digital (A/D) and digital to analog (D/A) controller hardware. Current hardware control within Phoenix connects all devices individually to a single computer. This approach is cumbersome, error prone and does not scale. This project investigates the feasibility of using Echelon LonWorks hardware and LonTalk protocol as a faster and scalable networked robot control system. LonWorks/LonTalk is a flexible A/D D/A hardware networking technology that provides reliable communication, decentralized topology with no single point of failure, easy extensibility, excellent throughput, and interoperability for a wide variety of hardware. This project builds and tests a prototype LonTalk network that connects all Phoenix devices. This network demonstrates the capability of using LonWorks to control various types of hardware and support rapid component integration onboard the Phoenix. Successful demonstration of a LonTalk solution eliminates a critical barrier to Phoenix progress and makes robot execution much more robust.


Fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method is used and seven factors are chosen as the main related factors for evaluating the dangerous degree of debris flow in Lijiadagou.The result is compared with those by other methods.It has been proved in practice that fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method for debris flow hazard assessment has good applicability.


The occurrence,field symptom and control of main diseases and pests on sunflower in Inner Mongolia were studied,the results showed that there were 6 main diseases existed in sunflower,which were sunflower sclertiniose,verticillium wilt of sunflower,sunflower leaf blight,sunflower alternaria leaf spot,sunflower brown spot and sunflower broom rape,3 main peset of sunflower,which were sunflower moth(Homeosoman nebulella),meadow moth(Loxostege sticticalis) and double-spotted leaf beetle(Monolepta hieroglyphica).Based on these diseases and pests,some suggestions for future research were put forward,which include carrying out survey of diseases and pest in sunflower,systematic studying main diseases and pest,deeply research pesticide applying technology,strengthening local varieties application research and variety quarantine.


In the face of competition a business must have tips that can differentiate itself from competitors competitors. One way is to provide a service that can make customers satisfied or satisfied all his needs. In business-sales service of Toyota the most important factor is to provide satisfaction to customers. Because customer satisfaction is what will be the attraction of the business so that customers become loyal to that company. The main objective of other research in the framework of Scientific Writing is to know the level of customer satisfaction and service to the Workshop Page. Setiajaya Mobilindo Depok. The analysis method is the measurement Linkert scale and Chi Square. Where in this analysis used the five critical dimensions that affect customer service which consists of the dimensions of Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, Tangible and Emphaty.. And with the Chi Square analysis showed that count of the five dimensions of the Chi Square value of 28.62 count is greater than table Chi Square of 26.29 with a real level 5%, so that Ho refused and Ha is received which states that customers are satisfied with the overall dimensions There on the Workshop Page. Setiajaya Mobilindo Depok.


AN OUTLINE IS GIVEN OF RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEMS DEVELOPED DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS, IN MOST OF WHICH THE WHEEL HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ANOTHER MEANS OF SUPPORT, FOR EXAMPLE, VARIOUS TYPES OF AIR CUSHION AND MAGNETIC LEVITATION. REFERENCE IS MADE TO THE USE OF THE LINEAR INDUCTION MOTOR IN THE MAGNETIC LEVITATION VEHICLES. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE GREATEST PROBLEM WITH THE MAGNETIC LEVITATION OF VEHICLES IS THE CONSUMPTION OF ELECTRICAL ENERGY, THE ENERGY DISTRIBUTION AND THE WEIGHT OF THE INSTALLATIONS ON THE VEHICLE.


Medical concern prompts lifestyle judgments

Editor,--The implication that disapproval of a lifestyle has an appreciable influence on the quality of care offered to a patient is distressing. Situations in which the doctor may not approve of a patient's lifestyle occur daily in doctor-patient relationships. In fact, disapproval of some aspects of …


Micro-Doppler features can be regarded as a unique signature of ISAR targets and provide critical information for target recognition. This paper proposes an ISAR micro-Doppler feature extraction and recognition method based on combination algorithm of principle component analysis (PCA) and independent component analysis (ICA). In order to decrease computation burden, PCA algorithm is first applied to reduce dimension and second order correlation, and then ICA decomposes micro-Doppler represented in time frequency domain into a set of independent basis components, which consist the micro-Doppler feature subspace. Target recognition is transformed to calculate the projection coefficient in the subspace. The experimental results verify the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed method.


In the article the generalized results of researches on selection winter wheat on high adaptability in the conditions of a varying climate of northern Caucasus of Russia are resulted


Sterner, T.E. 1976. Dutch elm disease vector populations are low within Fredericton, N.B. sanitation area. Bi-Monthly Research Notes 32(4): 20. Sanitation, the annual removal of potential elm bark beetle breeding material (newly dead elm wood) is the basic recommendation to municipalities for control of Dutch elm disease. Little effort has been made to monitor beetle populations, and consequently, information on beetle density within sanitation areas is lacking. Fredericton was deemed an ideal location to obtain such information about the native elm bark beetle because a 24-year sanitation program has left the City with a healthy elm population, while up to 75% of the elms in the surrounding areas are dead or infected. In Fredericton, beetle catches per unit trap area were significantly lower (t-test, .05 level) than in the outside areas, indicating that sanitation has restricted the beetle population. Ninety-five percent of all beetles collected were trapped after July 25, and 83% of these were on the upper portion of the trap, indicating that the beetles were moving downward. The largest catches were made on eight elms outside Fredericton that became infected during the season. This suggests that infected and dying trees are more attractive to the beetles than healthy trees. Nault, L.R., M.E. Montgomery, and W.S. Bowers. 1976. Aphid alarm pheromone role in ant-aphid association. Ohio Report 61(5): 77-79. Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that feed on plants. Their sedentary, gregarious habits make them particularly vulnerable to predator attack. Aphids have countered this threat by evolving a dual, selfserving, and altruistic defensive system involving the aphid's cornicle secretion. When attacked by predators, aphids secrete cornicle droplets. These "sticky" droplets can impede an attacking predator and result in the release of aphid prey. The droplets also contain hydrocarbons which serve as alarm pheromones that inform nearby aphids of impending danger. Aphids then fall, jump, or walk away to escape. It was suspected that ant-associated aphids may depend more on ants for protection than on their own dispersive powers. This hypothesis was tested under controlled conditions in the laboratory and a marked difference was found in alarm behavior between ant-associated and nonant-associated aphids.


> "And the seasons, they go round and round
>
> And the painted ponies go up and down
>
> We're captive on a carousel of time"
>
> (Joni Mitchell 1970)

The 1910 Flexner report is credited with beginning the modern era of medical education.[1][1] Since that time, a regular calliope of


Pan-sharpening is an important preprocessing step for remote sensing image processing tasks; it fuses a low-resolution multispectral image and a high-resolution (HR) panchromatic (PAN) image to reconstruct a HR multispectral (MS) image. This paper introduces a new end-to-end bidirectional pyramid network for pan-sharpening. The overall structure of the proposed network is a bidirectional pyramid, which permits the network to process MS and PAN images in two separate branches level by level. At each level of the network, spatial details extracted from the PAN image are injected into the upsampled MS image to reconstruct the pan-sharpened image from coarse resolution to fine resolution. Subpixel convolutional layers and the enhanced residual blocks are used to make the network efficient. Comparison of the results obtained with our proposed method and the results using other widely used state-of-the-art approaches confirms that our proposed method outperforms the others in visual appearance and objective indexes.


At the National Institute of AgriculturalSciences a breeding program was developed aimed at toobtain Flor de Jamaica varieties of high productive potentialun...


A microwave detection method was applied to study weak localization and antilocalization in epitaxial graphene sheets grown on both polarities of SiC substrates. Both coherence and scattering length values were obtained. The scattering lengths were found to be smaller for graphene grown on C-face of SiC. The decoherence rate was found to depend linearly on temperature, showing the electron-electron scattering mechanism.


Skin detection is a process of finding skin colored pixels and regions in an image or a video. Skin detection is a primary step in variety of image processing applications right from face tracking, gesture analysis, video surveillance, image content filtering, and video annotation to various human-computer interaction domains. Effective skin detection is the process of identifying human skin colors of different ethnic and under different illumination conditions. Different skin detection however has been successfully applied but they are prone to false skin detection and also not able to cope up with the variety of human skin colors across different ethnic. Additionally requires high computational costs. In this project a dynamic threshold approach is proposed which would reduce computational costs by eliminating training stage to improve the accuracy of skin detection despite wide variation in ethnicity and illumination. An eye detector would be used to refine the skin model for a specific person. Additional feature would be implemented i.e. fusion of a smoothed 2-D histogram and Gaussian model for automatic human skin detection in color image(s) to improve the results of skin detection.


This paper introduces a novel origami pattern that enables the construction of polyhedral shapes from a planar sheet. The proposed polyhedral origami exhibits rigid foldability, which means that it can be folded without deforming its facets. The folding motion to a polyhedral shape can possess a single degree of freedom under the symmetric condition. A range of shapes, including pyramidal and prismatic shapes, can be created, depending on the design variables; and they can be folded into compact shapes for storage. Considering geometry, we derive mathematical conditions for the pattern design and investigate the folding process through kinematic analysis. Additionally, we conduct a parametric study of the effective volume and radius of its operational state. The proposed origami design will serve as a basic framework for developing foldable three-dimensional structures. It can have potential applications such as foldable space shields or deployable shelters made of thick materials for protection against space radiation.


In this paper, the Space-Time Conservation Element and Solution Element method (or the Space- time method) was used to study transient, one- dimensional detonation phenomena. The governing equations are formulated based on the conservation of mass, species, momentum, and energy with detailed chemical kinetics included. In order to enhance the resolution of the detonation wave, a new local mesh refinement technique developed based on the space-time conservation concept was employed. The resultant scheme was then used to numerically investigate the following two ignition methods, i.e., the shock ignition method and the hotspot ignition method. For the shock ignition method, the strength of the spark and the grid sensitivity of numerical solutions are explored. For the hotspot ignition method, both the step-wise and the linear temperature distribution configurations are studied.


Abstract In the present study, the extrusion die of an auto rubber seal was designed by inverse extrusion simulation with Polyflow CFD software, and it was verified by real extrusion test. After the ethylene propylene diene mono rheological data were analysed, Bird-Carreau rheological model was employed. Three different structures of extrusion die flow channels were considered: one was straight channel with constant cross-section, another was adaptive channel with variational cross-section, and the third was compositive channel with constant and variational cross-section. In the production of rubber seal, the extrudate swells after flowing out of the die shape, and then shrinks because of the traction extrusion. So the extrusion die and flow channel gotten by inverse simulation need to be zoomed in with some expansion ratio, which are called expanded die and expanded channel. According to the structure of the expanded die and channel, a real extrusion die was manufactured and an extrusion test was carried out. Meanwhile, direct extrusion simulation was performed. The extrudate of direct simulation was coincident to that of test, so the extrusion die designed by inverse simulation was reasonable. Moreover, from the results of die inlet pressure, the adaptive channel with variational cross-section is better than the straight channel and compositive channel.


Hydrothermal reaction of zinc perchlorate, tricarballylic acid (H3tca), and bis(4-pyridylmethyl)piperazine (bpmp) resulted in generation of {[Zn3(tca)2(bpmp)(Hbpmp)2](ClO4)2·5H2O}n (1), which possesses an unprecedented self-penetrated two-dimensional (2-D) layered topology with threaded-loop type linkages. A similar reaction using zinc sulfate as precursor afforded the oxoanion-free phase {[Zn3(H2O)4(tca)2(bpmp)2]·8H2O}n (2), which manifests a new yet simple 3-fold interpenetrated (63)(658) 3,4-connected three-dimensional (3-D) binodal network. Both materials undergo blue-violet luminescence upon exposure to UV radiation.


An ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor is designed and constructed for the quantitative detection of squamous cell carcinoma antigens (SCCAs). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) hybridized and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane functionalized graphene sheets (Ag@APTES-GS) serve as the platform to immobilize primary antibodies (Ab1). The mesoporous AgNPs-decorated silica KIT-6 (Ag@KIT-6) with a large specific surface area is utilized to label the electron mediator thionin (TH) and secondary antibodies (Ab2) by physical adsorption and chemical bonding. Carboxymethyl chitosan (CMC) doped with ionic liquids (ILs) is used to facilitate electron transfer and prevent leaking of TH resulting in multiple signal amplification. In addition to the excellent detection limit (17 fg mL−1, S/N = 3) and wide linear range (5 × 10−5 ng mL−1 to 102 ng mL−1), the immunosensor shows good selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. Providing quantitative detection of SCCA in serum, the sensor has great potential in clinical and diagnostic applications.


Four culinary-medicinal fungi and mushrooms (Cordyceps sinensis, Termitomyces albuminosus, Antrodia camphorata, and A. salmonea) were individually inoculated into different cooked grains, and new products were formed after fungal fermentation and their antioxidant properties studied. The effectiveness of ethanolic extracts in antioxidant activities was in the descending order: the grains > products > mycelia. EC50 values of the hot water extract from four products in reducing power were 2.14-10.11 mg/mL, whereas those of the ethanolic extracts were 2.56-71.34 mg/mL. With regard to scavenging ability, all EC50 values of both extracts from 12 samples were less than 13 mg/mL, except for the hot water extract from A. camphorata mycelium. EC50 values of both extracts from four products in chelating ability were 1.50-9.96 mg/mL, except for the hot water extract from Cordyceps-fermented polished rice and the ethanolic extract from A. camphorata-fermented embryo rice. Total phenol contents of both extracts from mycelia, products, and grain substrates were 2.45-12.26, 3.24-13.13, and 1.15-7.74 mg/g, respectively. Overall, four medicinal mushroom and fungi-fermented products were relatively effective in the antioxidant properties assayed and might be potential antioxi- dants for application in food products.


Bayesian optimization has recently attracted the attention of the automatic machine learning community for its excellent results in hyperparameter tuning. BO is characterized by the sample efficiency with which it can optimize expensive black-box functions. The efficiency is achieved in a similar fashion to the learning to learn methods: surrogate models (typically in the form of Gaussian processes) learn the target function and perform intelligent sampling. This surrogate model can be applied even in the presence of noise; however, as with most regression methods, it is very sensitive to outlier data. This can result in erroneous predictions and, in the case of BO, biased and inefficient exploration. In this work, we present a GP model that is robust to outliers which uses a Student-t likelihood to segregate outliers and robustly conduct Bayesian optimization. We present numerical results evaluating the proposed method in both artificial functions and real problems.


Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS), which mainly affects women and young adults in their most productive years of life. Given to fact that the disease is unpredictable and has uncertain outcomes, the grater are physical and emotional efforts that an individual has to take, and that inevitably causes additional exhaustion. Assessment of disease severity based only on an objective clinical finding is not enough, because it does not give insight into the subjective experience of disease symptoms and difficulties with which these patients meet in everyday life life. Most MS sufferers most likely will experience a wide range of physical, psychological and social problems. Physical disability, fatigue, motor incapacity and sexual dysfunctions that occur with the progression of the disease, most often lead to the deterioration of the quality of life in people with MS. In addition to these factors, changes in psychological status are inevitable. Depression is the most common psychiatric comorbidity of MS that worsens the health condition of the patient. Studies on psychiatric comorbidities and ways of coping with MS generally highlight the connection between depression and alexithymia in MS. Prevalence alexithymia in MS patients goes up to 50%, it is associated with anxiety and significantly contributes to the severity and severity of depression. When it comes to the therapy of depression in MS of cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy (CBT) is recommended as the first line of treatment, but also the application of pharmacotherapy i.e. administration of sertraline and escitalopram with short-term use of alprazolam, and more recently, more and more studies are investigating neuroprotective effect of antidepressants, and recommend the use of fluoxetine. Directing preventive measures to improving social activities and prevention institutionalization ie. combining medical rehabilitation, psychosocial help and social support prevent that the disease from becoming a disability leading to complete isolation. It is also necessary to direct resources to adequate treatment of depression as determining factor of quality of life, mental health and prognostic factor of the clinical picture and course of MS.


Large-scale community-based content management requires "good" domain abstractions and, therefore, a serious investment into application ontology. In an interdisciplinary project with our Art History colleagues who are working in the subject domain of "Political Iconography" we are gaining substantial insight into their subject-oriented working (SOWing) modes and into initial requirements for a generic SOWing environment. We outline the conceptual and terminological aspects of our approach and sketch the systems architecture and services suitable for a wide variety of personalized SOWing applications.


The usual presentation of bacterial cerebral abscess is subacute, evolving over days or weeks, with 80% of all cases presenting within 1 month of the onset of symptoms.' We report a patient who presented with "stroke-like" onset of hemiparesis and who had a large edematous lesion on CT scanning, reflecting an underlying brain abscess. Case report. A 58-year-old right-handed white man from northern Ohio with a history of hypertension and coronary artery disease presented after sudden onset of a right hemiparesis while fishing. He was fishing in a sitting position when he suddenly could not move his right leg. When he attempted to cast, he also noticed right arm weakness. The weakness did not progress or improve after onset. He was able to walk only with significant assistance. There was no associated sensory symptom, facial droop, dysarthria, dysphagia, headache, nausea, vomiting, vertigo, change in consciousness, or dizziness. He was in his usual state of health until the day of admission. His medications were verapamil sustained-release formulation 240 mg p.0. every morning and 120 mg p.0. every evening, atenolol 50 mg p.0. every day, albuterol inhaler p.r.n., and nitroglycerin 0.4 mg sl p.r.n. chest pain. He smoked one and one-half packs of cigarettes a day and drank approximately six beers a week. He denied any illegal drug use. His medical history included hypertension, diagnosed 3 years prior to admission, mild chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and severe coronary artery disease, documented by coronary vessel angiogram, with stable angina. On presentation to the hospital, vital signs were temperature 36.3 "C, heart rate 92 beats per minute, respiratory rate 24 breaths per minute, and blood pressure 145183 mm Hg. He was awake, alert, fully oriented, and a good historian. There was no evidence of aphasia. General physical examination was unremarkable, except for mild bilateral diffuse expiratory wheezes. Neurologic examination showed 4+/5 strength of right shoulder shrug with strength of the right extremities as follows: 3/5 deltoid, 5-15 biceps and triceps, 5/5 wrist flexion and extension and grip, 415 hip flexion, 415 knee flexion and extension, and 315 ankle flexion and extension. Deep tendon reflexes were 314 a t the right biceps, knee, and ankle, but were 214 elsewhere. Plantar reflexes were downgoing bilaterally. Routine blood chemistry panel, prothrombin time, and partial prothrombin time were within normal limits. There was a peripheral white blood cell count of 9,200 cells/mm3, with a differential of 65 polymorphonuclear leukocytes, six bands, 20 lymphocytes, th ree eosinophils, and two basophils. ECG showed normal sinus rhythm, with a n old anterior septa1 myocardial infarction, left ventricular hypertrophy, and intraventricular conduction defect. A noncontrasted head CT done 6 hours after the onset of symptoms showed a 3-cm by 4-em left frontal hypodense lesion (figure, A). A follow-up CT with contrast the day after admission showed a ring-enhancing lesion within the left frontal hypodensity, with some enhancement a t the margins of the hypodensity (figure, B). The patient's condition worsened the day after admission, when he developed seizures. Four days later, he became delirious. His deterioration prompted a left frontoparietal craniotomy, which revealed a bacterial abscess. Cultures grew Streptococcus mi l ler i . Postoperatively he was moving all extremities, but suffered a large myocardial infarction later on the day of surgery, with elevation of creatine phosphokinase to 667 and creatine phosphokinase-MB fraction to 85. He died on postoperative day one. Autopsy was refused. Discussion. This patient had sudden "stroke-like" onset of symptoms. Review of the literature showed prior articles2s3 reporting sudden onset of symptoms in brain abscess cases. However, these cases presented with either headache, transient focal neurologic symptoms, or seizures. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of a brain abscess to present with a monosymptomatic hemiparesis. The neuroradiologic examination is consistent with a n abscess in the stage of ~ e r e b r i t i s . ~ Kurlan and Griggs3 postulated tha t their sudden-onset cases had ischemic strokes leading to abscess formation, but the CTs of their first two cases were more consistent with abscesses in the cerebritis stage.4 There is precedence for mass lesions presenting with sudden onset of symptoms. Brain tumors, without evidence of hemorrhage, occasionally present with the abrupt development of focal neurologic signs mimicking ~ t r o k e , ~ , ~ as can chronic subdural he ma to ma^.^ Past theories for this phenomenon have included a sudden increase in the amount of edema associated with the lesion, chemical or mechanical stimulation of the cortex causing the spreading cortical depression of Leiio, and mass effect of the lesion causing compromise of cerebral blood flow, leading to i ~ c h e m i a . ~ Since venous thrombosis is a common complication of brain abscess, it could also be responsible for the rapid onset of symptoms. Given the extreme importance of early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial brain abscess, this case reemphasizes the need for prompt neuroimaging with CT or MRI in patients with sudden onset of localizing cerebral symptoms.


In this paper, we highlight lessons learnt from our experience in the development of three applications for two small remote communities in Sarawak, a state of Malaysia, which has been provided with access to information and communication technologies. The applications developed include a digital library employed to capture oral traditions of the Kelabits; a website to promote tourism in Bario, and a word processor localised to accommodate the Kayan language. The Kelabits and Kayans are two of 27 ethnic groups found in Sarawak. The lessons highlighted will be discussed vis-à-vis the technological, operational, logistical, and strategic aspects of systems development for remote communities.


The connotation of professional certification of engineering education is that a professional certification evaluation organization conducts a comprehensive evaluation of engineering professional disciplines set up by educational institutions. The entire evaluation process consists of specialized occupations, industry associations, industry federations, professional societies and education in this field. Experts and enterprise experts in related industries work together to ensure that these engineering professionals have sufficient professional qualities and abilities when entering the real industrial social environment. At present, the whole process of engineering education professional certification in China mainly relies on manual audit applications. In order to realize the interconnection between applicants and evaluators, an engineering education professional certification and evaluation system is needed. Through this platform, the docking between universities and evaluation expert groups can be realized, and the evaluation results can be visualized. This paper is a part of the basic work of the evaluation system. Its main work is: using data analysis and expert method to analyze the general standard of engineering education professional certification; By using data analysis and expert method, this paper analyzes some relevant standards of Engineering Education Accreditation in China; The specific indicators of the engineering education accreditation evaluation system are screened out by using the expert method; According to the whole process of evaluation and certification, combined with the characteristics of other evaluation systems, the index system of evaluation system is designed; Completed the functional and non functional analysis of the evaluation system. These works lay a solid foundation for the design and implementation of the subsequent engineering education accreditation evaluation system.


The effects of addition of elastomers [with and without grafted maleic anhydride (MA)] on the morphology and mechanical properties of polyamide 6 (PA6) blends were studied. The Molau test was adopted to confirm the formation of a graft copolymer between PA6 and ethylene-propylene elastomer (EPM); rheologial properties also indicated the graft reaction. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) were employed to obtain some detailed quantitative analyses of the morphology of the elastomer particles and the melting and crystallization behavior for these blends containing 80 wt% PA6 and 20 wt% total elastomer. The impact strength and tensile strength were also measured. It was clear that the addition of ethylene-propylene elastomer grafted maleic anhydride (EPM-g-MA) to PA6/EPM blend could be an effective way for reducing the dispersed particle size, and decreasing the crystallinity. However, for these systems, toughness was not improved significantly in spite of the morphological changes. Blends based on the PA6/EPM/EPM-g-MA (with the ratio of 80/10/10) gave the most beneficial balance between the mechanical properties and morphological parameters; it had the maximum impact strength (52.0 kJ/m2) and the most homogeneous elastomeric particle size.


Two new species of the genus Schiedeella Schltr. (Orchidaceae), S. jean-mulleri Szlach., Rutk. & Mytnik and S. esquintlensis Szlach., Rutk. & Mytnik, are described and illustrated. Their taxonomic position is briefly discussed. The taxonomic status of representatives of Spirantheae Lindl. has been the subject of study for over 200 years. The milestones in the systematics of the Stenorrhynchidinae Szlach. were published as monographs by Schlechter (1920), Garay (1982), Burns-Balogh (1982), Szlachetko (1995) and Szlachetko et al. (2005). Different concepts of genera and species, and divergent interpretations of original diagnoses resulted in significant differences between the authors. In 1995, Szlachetko published 'Systema Orchidalium' and there he presented an original system of Spirantheae distinguishing 3 subtribes: Spiranthinae s. s. and two new taxa; Cyclopogoninae Szlach. and Stenorrhynchidinae. His classification was based on the results of his original studies of the reproductive structures of orchids, especially rostellum and viscidium. Three years earlier (Szlachetko 1992), he published a revision of Schiedeella Schltr., a genus being one of the most controversial and consisting of the highest number of species within Stenorrhynchidinae. Schiedeella is a genus from central America characterized by nearly erect gynostemium and a needle-like rostellum. The rostellum remnant is narrowly triangular and usually distinctly 3-dentate with the central tooth being the longest. The viscidium is nearly sheath-like, and the column foot is reduced. The lip is basally nearly erect or only slightly arcuate with flat claw and more or less thickened auricles. Floral and cauline bracts are herbaceous, or occasionally sub-scarious. During a field study in Guatemala conducted by Fred Muller, two specimens of Schiedeella were found, which were different from all other previously described specimens. We concluded that they deserve to be described as new species.


Facial angiofibromas (AF) have the potential to cause disfigurement in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Facial disfigurement can impact the quality of life (QoL) of individuals and their families, leading to negative psychosocial outcomes. QoL has not been studied in TSC patients with AF.


For over a quarter of century Ireland's statutory special measures framework, as originally enacted by the Criminal Evidence Act 1992, remained largely unchanged, falling beyond the reformative gaze of successive Irish governments. This period of political inertia, however, came to an abrupt end in 2017 when Irish policymakers, motivated by developments at a European Union level, introduced two landmark legislative instruments which promised to reimagine the availability and diversity of Ireland's store of statutory testimonial accommodations, namely the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017. By interrogating these newly-commenced instruments in light of the experience of crime victims with intellectual disabilities, this paper surveys the current procedural landscape governing the treatment of vulnerable crime victims in Ireland and is intended to go some way towards exposing the embedded evidential barriers which continue to prejudice efforts aimed at securing their best evidence in court.


In this article, author introduces installation methods of spatial steel pipe truss of hyperbolic dome steel structure roof of Ji'nan International Airport.Based on the analysis of mechanics character of spatial steel pipe truss, engineers adopt "three segments" integration installation method,"two segments" installation method,"one segment" installation method during construction of main truss.


This study investigated the use of carboxymethylated corn starch with sodium alginate for films preparation. The rheological properties as well as water absorption and mechanical properties of aqueous solutions and films of corn starch, carboxymethylated starch, sodium alginate and mixtures of starch and sodium alginate were studied. It was found that application of modified starch allows obtaining of water resistant films characterized by better physical-mechanical properties comparatively to the corn starch based films. It was found that mechanical strength of the formed films is due to the fact that alginate and carboxymethylated corn starch are hydrocolloids with an unbranched structure. This composition is characterized by stronger structure gels and higher viscosity of the solutions.


ABSTRACT The high-power hydraulic rock drill is the key to the development of modern hydraulic drill rig. With the increase of power and frequency of new type rock drill, the rebound of drill tool will be obvious during drilling, which will seriously affect the structural safety and operation efficiency. For this phenomenon, it is necessary to research the characteristics of double damping system to absorb the rebound energy of drill tool. A new model of incident stress wave is revised on the basis of rectangular wave. By combining the reflected stress wave with the model of damping system, the pressure fluctuation of damping system is analysed. Based on the theory of stress wave transmission, the rebound model of drill tool is established, and the transmission law of incident wave and reflection wave in drilling process is analysed. The stress wave experiment was designed and the incident wave shape was obtained by testing. Based on the experimental results, the incident wave in the rebound model is corrected by Fourier transform principle. The accumulator model and the double damping internal structure model are established. The two parameters that can independently change the energy absorption effect of the double damping system are summarised.


Let R be a Noetherian commutative ring and a α1,…,αn commuting automorphisms of R. Define T = R[θ1,…,θn;α1,…,αn] to be the skew-polynomial ring with θir = αi(r)θi and θiθj= θjθi, for all i,j ∊ (1,…,n) and r ∊ R, and let S = Rθ1,θ1:-1,…,θn:,θn;-1;α1:,…,αn] be the corresponding skew-Laurent ring. In this paper we show that S and T satisfy the strong second layer condition and characterize the links between prime ideals in these rings.


This paper fosters the idea that deep learning methods can be sided to classical visual odometry pipelines to improve their accuracy and to associate uncertainty models to their estimations. We show that the biases inherent to the visual odometry process can be faithfully learned and compensated for, and that a learning architecture associated to a probabilistic loss function can jointly estimate a full covariance matrix of the residual errors, defining an error model capturing the heteroscedasticity of the process. Experiments on autonomous driving image sequences and micro aerial vehicles camera acquisitions assess the possibility to concurrently improve visual odometry and estimate an error associated to its outputs.


The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of human beta-defensins (hBDs) on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) proliferation and hBD expression in vitro. BHY-OSCC cell lines were stimulated with hBD-1, -2, and -3. Proliferation of BHY cells was ascertained and hBD-mRNA expression was evaluated by real-time PCR. Proliferation of BHY cells decreased by 25% in response to hBD-1 stimulation but increased after stimulation with hBD-2 and -3. HBD-1 stimulation enhanced hBD-3 expression, whereas HBD-2 stimulation decreased early hBD-3 expression. HBD-3 stimulation enhanced hBD-1 expression. HBDs profoundly impact on OSCC proliferation and hBD expression in vitro. Therefore, hBD-1 might function as a tumor suppressor gene in OSCCs, while hBD-2 and -3 might be protooncogenes.


be quickly directed to a particular spot, but that a concentration of such personnel can if necessary be speedily made anywhere. Figure 6 illustrates the tactical disposition of motor patrols in a mixed industrial and residential area of 16,000 acres, designed to work in co-operation with a burglar alarm system. There are 6 Motor Patrol Areas, on each of which there invariably is a patrol vehicle during the 24 hours, waiting to deal with any calls, either from the burglar alarm apparatus or from members of the public. These vehicles change position periodically during a tour of duty, their current position being disclosed by lighted points. It will be seen in Figure 6, that in this instance there are 4 vehicles on duty only, i.e., one each on Nos. I, 2, 5 and 6 Motor Patrol Areas. It is advisable not only for all concerned to know exactly what to do should certain premises be attacked, but for tactical exercises to be practised from time to time to this end. A careful record should be kept of all burglar alarm system calls, as illustrated in Figure 7.


Objective To determine the levels of periodontal disease and dental caries in subjects with cleft lip and palate and to compare them with matched noncleft control subjects. Design A total of 32 subjects with cleft lip and palate, ages 10 to 28 years, and a similar number of noncleft control subjects were examined for plaque biofilm deposits, gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental caries by using the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and the decayed-missing-filled-teeth (DMFT) index, respectively. Setting Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Prince Rashed Hospital, Royal Medical Services, northern Jordan. Results Scores for PI, GI, PPD, and DMFT were significantly higher in subjects with cleft lip and palate than in control subjects. Conclusion Subjects with cleft lip and palate are at an increased risk for dental caries and periodontal disease when compared with a noncleft population.


Production of hard white wheat, is increasing for domestic and foreign markets, especially those in Southeast Asia for steamed breads and noodles. The 1988 Klasic crop had a range of wheat protein from 8.1 to 14.0%. Dough and bread properties of the flours reflected this wide range in protein. Gluten properties were strong, tough, and bucky-characteristics that could be modified by blending with Anzatype wheat, which has weak, extensible gluten


Twenty-nine vaccinees, 18 males, 11 females, aged 2-61 years (median 12 years) received PCEC intradermally for post-exposure prophylaxis during February to May 1989. Twenty-one cases received 4 sites of 0.1 ml ID on days 0, 3, 7 and 1 site ID on days 28 and 90. Four cases received 4 sites ID on days 0, 3, 7 and 1 site on days 14 and 28. The other 4 cases got the different schedules of ID by the poor compliance. Blood specimens were taken from these vaccinees at 2, 6 or 7, 9, 12 and 16 months after the initial dose. Neutralizing antibodies were measured by standard mouse neutralization test used WHO rabies antiserum as reference. All 65 tested sera showed positive neutralizing antibody. The GMT of antibodies at months 2, 6 or 7, 9, 12 and 16 were 17.68, 2.01, 1.56, 0.88 and 0.56 IU/ml respectively. Mild itching at injection sites was reported in 3 cases and low fever with malaise in 1 case.


Detecting objects from images captured by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) is a highly demanding task. It is also considered a very challenging task due to the typically cluttered background and diverse dimensions of the foreground targets, especially small object areas that contain only very limited information. Multi-scale representation learning presents a remarkable approach to recognizing small objects. However, this strategy ignores the combination of the sub-parts in an object and also suffers from the background interference in the feature fusion process. To this end, we propose a Fine-grained Target Focusing Network (FiFoNet) which can effectively select a combination of multi-scale features for an object and block background interference, which further revitalizes the differentiability of the multi-scale feature representation. Furthermore, we propose a Global–Local Context Collector (GLCC) to extract global and local contextual information and enhance low-quality representations of small objects. We evaluate the performance of the proposed FiFoNet on the challenging task of object detection in UAV images. A comparison of the experiment results on three datasets, namely VisDrone2019, UAVDT, and our VisDrone_Foggy, demonstrates the effectiveness of FiFoNet, which outperforms the ten baseline and state-of-the-art models with remarkable performance improvements. When deployed on an edge device NVIDIA JETSON XAVIER NX, our FiFoNet only takes about 80 milliseconds to process an drone-captured image.


Molecular ions formed in cold hybrid ion–atom experiments may find interesting applications ranging from precision measurements to controlled chemical reactions. Here, we investigate the electronic structure of the Sr2+ molecular ion, which may be produced by photoassociation of laser-cooled Sr+ ions immersed in an ultracold gas of Sr atoms or by ionization of ultracold Sr2 molecules. Using ab initio electronic structure methods, such as the coupled cluster and configuration interaction ones with small-core relativistic energy-consistent pseudopotentials and large Gaussian basis sets, we calculate potential energy curves for the ground and 41 excited electronic states, and electric dipole transition moments between them. We show that alkaline-earth molecular ions, despite their apparently simple structure with only three valence electrons, are challenging for state-of-the-art quantum chemistry methods due to their multireference nature and high density of states. Finally, we calculate and analyze Franck–Condon factors governing the photoionization of ground-state Sr2 molecules into Σu+2 and Σg+2 states of Sr2+ molecular ions. The present results may be useful for studying and guiding the formation and spectroscopy of cold Sr2+ molecular ions.


Widening participation, diversity and inclusion have become the main goals to achieve in the UK higher education expansion and widening participation agenda. In April 2018, the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Unit was awarded £50,000 from the Office for Students to undertake a two-year project and programme of work to tackle religious and race based hate crime at the Durham University. The current study is a survey investigation of the extent of hate crime incidents and patterns of reporting the incidents. All staff and students were invited to take part in the anonymous survey, generating the sample of 2,254 respondents. Of those who responded 27% indicated that they experienced a hate incident and only 20% of those who experienced also reported the incident. The survey results showed very small differences in the patterns of experiencing hate incidents motivated by race or religion across different subgroups in the sample. Reporting attitudes across ethnic minorities are different and are mainly associated with the type of hate incident experienced. The findings have research and policy implications. There is a need for establishing clear institutional polices on reporting pathways and procedures maintaining an effective system for information, help, support and advice. Research in this area must include large samples and comparative designs in the analysis.


Nowadays the decision making becomes very difficult and risky process due to complexity of the sociotechnical systems, which are information capacious. Due to the reasons mentioned above topical are the requirements for situations forecasting before the decision making. For solving the problems mentioned above the varied simulation tools and environments are used. Unfortunately some serious problems still exist related with standards compatibility, formats harmonization, concepts consistency and access. Today does not possible to design highly functional distributed simulation models without the specific knowledge in programming, therefore common access to the models created before in different industries and environments are still limited for IT non-professionals. The aim of the report is to clarify the situation and to offer some ways how to solve the problems related with distributed simulation access.


The feasibility of assimilating satellite altimetry data into a global ocean general circulation model is studied. Three years of TOPEX/Poseidon data are analyzed using a global, three-dimensional, nonlinear primitive equation model. The assimilation's success is examined by analyzing its consistency and reliability measured by formal error estimates with respect to independent measurements. Improvements in model solution are demonstrated, in particular, properties not directly measured. Comparisons are performed with sea level measured by tide gauges, subsurface temperatures and currents from moorings, and bottom pressure measurements. Model representation errors dictate what can and cannot be resolved by assimilation, and its identification is emphasized.


ABSTRACT With the acceptance of expert witness testimony on the battered woman syndrome in the late 1970s, courts recognized that inherent in such physical violations are psychological deprivations as well. These detriments, which have become of great interest to the psychological community in learning about and making accurate diagnoses, can be used as evidence in cases where a battered woman kills her husband and claims self-defense. This article examines the utility of employing the battered woman syndrome and assesses how diagnostic language can affect the admissibility of expert evidence in battering cases. It provides an analysis of the battered woman syndrome and other disorders with symptoms characteristic of the reactions battered women experience. I conclude that diagnostic constructs should not be used in battering cases within the self-defense context because they create unnecessary stereotypes in which all women may not fit and often exclude relevant testimony that could help assist the fact finder in determining the ultimate issues. Rather, it is the case-specific and idiosyncratic reactions, without a diagnostic label, that will allow the factfinder to understand the perceptions the defendant had at the time she killed her mate.


We establish a new Easton theorem for the least supercompact cardinal κ that is consistent with the level by level equivalence between strong compactness and supercompactness. This theorem is true in any model of ZFC containing at least one supercompact cardinal, regardless if level by level equivalence holds. Unlike previous Easton theorems for supercompactness, there are no limits on the Easton functions F used, other than the usual constraints given by Easton's theorem and the fact that if δ < κ is regular, then F (δ) < κ. In both our ground model and the model witnessing the conclusions of our theorem, there are no restrictions on the structure of the class of supercompact cardinals.


though the Section sponsors the Studies, the authors are free to develop their topics as they wish. The Section welcomes the submission of manuscripts for publication in this and its other series. Please see the Notice to Contributors at the back of this Study. The microstructure of the foreign-exchange market: a selective survey of the literature All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews, no part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopy, without written permission from the publisher.


Stability of convective motion generated by a lateral temperature difference in a variable-viscosity fluid contained in a vertical slot was studied experimentally. The experiments were carried out in a narrow tank 30 cm high × 11.5 cm deep × 2 cm wide with glycerin–water solutions of 70, 80 and 90% glycerine. The onset of instabilities was detected by means of shadowgraphs. As the critical temperature difference was exceeded, a regular array of convection cells appeared. The critical Rayleigh number showed a slight decreasing trend as the Prandtl number of the fluid was increased, with a concomitant increase in the viscosity variation. The critical wavenumber remained practically constant for the three solutions used. At large Rayleigh numbers, approximately seven times the critical value, boundary layers along the walls became unstable and the cellular convection pattern became disrupted.


Vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are being reconsidered as a complementary technology to the more commercially used horizontal-axis wind turbines (HAWTs) because of their economical installation and maintenance. The selection of the blade numbers is one of the crucial concerns for VAWTs. This study focuses on the effects of the blade numbers on the fatigue lives of VAWT tower bases subjected to wind loading. Three straight-bladed VAWTs, with the same solidity ratios but different blade numbers, varying from two to four, were designed. The aerodynamic loading incurred by the VAWTs was computed using the corrected double-disk multistreamtube (DMS) model. The dynamic equations of the turbine systems were solved using the explicit central difference method. Then, a fatigue assessment model, including the crack-initiation and crack-propagation stages, was developed for the turbine tower bases. The results indicate that the three- and four-bladed VAWTs always presented better performances than the two-bladed VAWT in terms of the fatigue life. Moreover, increasing the number of blades from two to three improves the fatigue life of the tower base more than increasing it from three to four at lower wind speeds, while the latter is the more effective way to improve the tower-base fatigue life at higher wind speeds.


Two new xanthones, 1-hydroxy-3,5,7,8-tetramethoxyxanthone [1] and 1,7-dihydroxy-3,5,8-trimethoxyxanthone [2], have been isolated from Swertia cordata and their structures were determined by using 2D-nmr techniques such as HMQC, HMBC, and HOHAHA experiements


It is shown that the effect of coherence on bremsstrahlung radiation from plasma is negligible for a nonrelativistic plasma. (C.E.S.)


Present state of the study of nonlinear "integrable" systems related to the group of area-preserving diffeomorphisms on various surfaces is overviewed. Roles of area-preserving diffeomorphisms in 4-d self-dual gravity are reviewed. Re- cent progress in new members of this family, the SDiff(2) KP and Toda hierarchies, is reported. The group of area-preserving diffeomorphisms on a cylinder plays a key role just as the infinite matrix group GL( 1) does in the ordinary KP and Toda lattice hierarchies. The notion of tau functions is also shown to persist in these hierarchies, and gives rise to a central extension of the corresponding Lie algebra.


The approach to formation of the maintenance of a school course of computer science in conditions fundamental nature of education.


A numerical investigation was made of flow in the channel of an MHD generator with solid and ideally sectionalized electrodes with application to large-scale MHD generators. The fields of the gasdynamic and electrical parameters are found. The volt: ampere and load characteristics of the work of the generator are found. A comparison is made with the results of a calculation in a one-dimensional approximation.