It is well-known that multidisciplinary approaches allow to heal foot ulcers in 70–95 % of diabetic patients. In order to make an effective, local treatment, it is important to consider all pathogenic components of the wound healing process. Foot ulcers in diabetic patients tend to be chronic. The main objective of the local treatment is to create an optimal environment for tissue regeneration. The management of exudating, infected wounds usually represents the biggest difficulties in terms of selecting an optimal dressing. An overview of the results of the research shows that a new silver alginate dressing Fibroclean Ag has high strength and absorbency, which allows changing the bandage less and by this reducing the risk of spontaneous trauma. An additional atraumatic quality of the dressing is specified by the presence of the hyaluronic acid in the structure. The results of the research show that the antibacterial activity Fibroclean Ag corresponds to the spectrum of microorganisms most frequently encountered in diabetic foot ulcers. At the same time the bandage is effective against strains in the form of a biofilm, and outside of it. The important quality of this dressing is a reasonable cost. Thus, we can talk about a feasibility of using Fibroclean Ag in the local treatment of heavily exudating diabetic foot ulcers. At the same time, it should be remembered that the local treatment of wounds can be just as effective as part of a comprehensive treatment. For the detailed study of the properties of the dressing, it is necessary to conduct an additional research about the effectiveness of its usage in different groups of patients with diabetic foot ulcers.


The purpose of this paper is to develop a new non-parametric method to price options based on normalized Multipoint Pade Approximants. Following the seminal paper of Pade (1892), we propose to approximate the risk-neutral distribution by a rational function of polynomials that can accommodate the asymmetric and leptokurtic characteristics of the implied state price densities. After recalling the general framework of Pade Approximants we present an analytical formula where we use a power series expansion of the risk-neutral density in order to infer the coefficients of the rational function of polynomials. A suitable alternative to this method will be to use various points of local expansion, resulting from the capability of the Pade to respect such a confluence. By manipulating the base option pricing formula with risk-neutral density (see Cox and Ross, 1976), both of these methods is implicitly satisfying the martingale constraint (see Longstaff, 1995 and Jurczenko, et al., 2006). We then investigate from simulated option prices the shape of the risk-neutral density Pade approximations to compare their radius of convergence.


*The Ear and Auditory Research Laboratory, ÞSchool of Biomedical Engineering, þDepartment of Anatomyand Neurobiology, §School of Human Communication Disorders, and kDivision of Otolaryngology,Department of Surgery, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova ScotiaHypothesis: Different bone-anchored hearing aids (BAHAs)processors have different output vibration characteristics,which depend on the mechanical load and the volume set-ting. Responses will differ between live heads and dry orplastic skulls.Background: The BAHA is an implantable bone-conductiondevice. Three different BAHA models are available. Theiroutput vibrations have not been reported using a noncontactmethod with differing impedance loads, including the BAHA-fitted patient head.Methods: Using a laser-Doppler vibrometer, vibrationresponses with sound input of 70- to 80-dB sound pressurelevel were measured on unloaded BAHAs, a dry skull, aplastic skull, and on the abutments of three live BAHA-fitted patients. Responses at different volume settingsand distances from the vibrator were also tested. Fre-quency responses were calculated for displacement, velocity,and acceleration.Results: Unloaded BAHA accelerations were approximately30 to 50 dB higher than live-head accelerations. Live-headaccelerations were similar to dry skulls in frequencies ofmore than 500 Hz, but much higher than the plastic skullresponses. Live-head responses were more damped. The Cor-delle II outperformed the other two processors by approxi-mately 20 dB. The Classic 300 had better low-frequencyresponses than the Compact. The volume settings had littleeffect on vibration output overall. Acceleration peak was atapproximately 2.5 kHz for all conditions.Conclusion: The BAHA processors differ in the output accel-eration they can achieve with differing loads. The volumecontrol setting has little impact on accelerations produced formost processors. The live-head responses are similar to the dryskull in frequencies of more than 500 Hz. Key Words: Bone-anchored hearing aidsVHearing aidsVLaser-Doppler vibro-metryVSkull impedance.Otol Neurotol 27:519 Y 530, 2006.


In Mexico, beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) are grown mainly in poor rainfed environments, where drought cause low grain yields. We evaluated grain yield of ten bean genotypes under three planting methods and number of plants per hectare: a) furrow at 0.76 m in a single row (90 000 pl ha -1 ); b) beds in 1.52 m with three rows (145 000 pl ha -1 ) and; c) beds of 1.52 m with six rows (260 000 pl ha -1 ) and two humidity conditions: Rainfed (T) and Rainfed plus two supplementary irrigations (T+RS) applied in the reproductive phase. The materials used were: type Pinto (Centauro, Libertad, Centenario, Saltillo, Bravo and Coloso); Flor de Mayo (Guanajuato, Dolores and Eugenia) and; Azufrado. The experiment was located in Pavilion and Sandovales, Aguascalientes; sowing was on July 31 th and August 1th , 2012. The drought susceptibility index (ISS) was estimated between both humidity conditions. Sowing methods significantly (p< 0.01) affected the yield in both humidity conditions, being the highest with six rows, followed by the one with three rows and finally the single row, with yields of 2.94, 2.18 and 1.72 t ha -1 for T + RS and 1.14, 0.93 and 0.71 t ha -1 for T, respectively. The response of the genotypes was significant


Despite high‐level evidence supporting the use of pharmacotherapy therapy for the prevention of kidney stones, adherence to medications is often poor because of side‐effects, inconvenience and cost. Furthermore, with a desire for more 'natural' products, patients seek dietary and herbal remedies over pharmacotherapy. However, patients are often unaware of the potential side‐effects, lack of evidence and cost of these remedies. Therefore, in the present review we examine the evidence for a few of the commonly espoused non‐prescription agents or dietary recommendations that are thought to prevent stone formation, including lemonade, fish oil (omega fatty acids), Phyllanthus niruri and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet. While the present review includes only a few of the stone‐modulating recommendations available to the lay community, we focussed on these four due to their prevalent use. Our goal is not to only dispel commonly held notions about stone disease, but also to highlight the lack of high‐level evidence for many commonly utilised treatments.


The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanisms of behind SO2 formation and elevated cause of reducing power in purple bamboo salt (PBS) along with an analysis of physicochemical properties, content of sulfur compounds, oxidation reduction potential (ORP), mineral contents of salt type (MSS, mudflat solar salt; BS, bamboo salt), and addition of raw bamboo (RB). SO2 content of 630 ppm was detected in PBS. SO2 was not detected in MSS, BS, or RB, whereas SO2 (782 ppm) from K2SO4 was detected after heating a NaCl, KCl, MgCl2, MgSO4, MgO, CaCl2, K2SO4, and FeSO4 with RB. SO2 content of BS increased with baking time, and it originated from BSRB1 (13.88 ppm) to BSRB4 (109.13 ppm). SO3 originated only from MSSRB4 and BSRB2~BSRB4. Sulfate ion content decreased along with increasing SO2 and sulfite ion contents. ORP increased with baking time of MSS and BS, and it was present at higher levels in BSRB4 (-211.40 mV) of BS than MSS. Insoluble content was higher in BS than MSS. Further, Ca, K, and Mg ion contents decreased in MSS and increased in BS with baking time. BSRB4 had 1.4 fold higher levels of Ca, 1.5 fold higher levels of Mg, and 1.8 fold higher levels of K than BS. Li, Al, Mn, Fe, and Sr in MSS as well as Al, Fe, and Ni in BS increased with baking time. Anions (Cl, NO3, and Br) and heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) between MSS and BS were not significantly different. These results suggest that the reducing power of BS was due to SO2 and sulfite ion. To increase the amounts of these compounds and reducing power, higher melting temperature and longer baking time are necessary along with BS, which is created by the addition of RB to roasted salt.


This paper discusses expressivity and accuracy of the By-Example Structured (BESt) Query paradigm implemented on the SWiPE system through the Wikipedia interface. We define an experimental setting based on the natural language questions made available by the QALD-4 challenge, in which we compare SWiPE against Xser, a state-of-the-art Question Answering system, and plain keyword search provided by the Wikipedia Search Engine. The experiments show that SWiPE outperforms the results provided by Wikipedia, and it also performs sensibly better than Xser, obtaining an overall 85% of totally correct answers vs. 68% of Xser. Among all answered questions, we obtain a precision of 100% and recall 96%. SWiPE is also able to answer more questions than the other systems. A formal characterization of the set of SPARQL queries supported by the BESt Query paradigm is also provided.


Solar energetic particles are mainly protons and originate from the Sun during solar flares or coronal shock waves. Forecasting the Solar Energetic Protons (SEP) flux is critical for several operational sectors, such as communication and navigation systems, space exploration missions, and aviation flights, as the hazardous radiation may endanger astronauts', aviation crew and passengers' health, the delicate electronic components of satellites, space stations, and ground power stations. Therefore, the prediction of the SEP flux is of high importance to our lives and may help mitigate the negative impacts of one of the serious space weather transient phenomena on the near-Earth space environment. Numerous SEP prediction models are being developed with a variety of approaches, such as empirical models, probabilistic models, physics-based models, and AI-based models. In this work, we use the bi-directional long short-term memory (BiLSTM) neural network model architecture to train SEP forecasting models for 3 standard integral GOES channels ($>$10 MeV, $>$30 MeV, $>$60 MeV) with 3 forecast windows (1-day, 2-day, and 3-day ahead) based on daily data obtained from the OMNIWeb database from 1976 to 2019. As the SEP variability is modulated by the solar cycle, we select input parameters that capture the short-term, typically within a span of a few hours, and long-term, typically spanning several days, fluctuations in solar activity. We take the F10.7 index, the sunspot number, the time series of logarithm of the x-ray flux, the solar wind speed, and the average strength of the interplanetary magnetic field as input parameters to our model. The results are validated with an out-of-sample testing set and benchmarked with other types of models.


Leachate was treated by using coagulation-flocculation. Coagulation-flocculation as a relatively simple physical-chemical technique was applied in this study. This study examined micro zeolite combination with coagulant and coagulant aids in treating a stabilized leachate, and compared the results in respect to the removal of suspended solid (SS), chemical oxygen demand (COD), color and ammoniacal nitrogen. The optimum pH for the tested coagulants was 7. The dosages were 2000 mg/L for PAC, alum and ferric chloride combination with 10 mg/L dose of polymer. the dose of micro zeolite were 1000 mg/L for PAC, 4000 mg/L for alum and 2000 mg/L for ferric chloride. The micro zeolite was sieved in 6 different of particle size. Among the experiments, micro zeolite combination with PAC and cationic polymer showed the highest SS removal efficiency (99.7%), color removal efficiency (96%), COD removal efficiency (76%), ammoniacal nitrogen (68%) and with settling time for 30 minute. Keywords—Leachate, coagulation-flocculation, coagulant, micro zeolite


The quality of speech representation is the key to the success of unsupervised speech recognition. Self-supervised models contain a variety of audio information, and non-speech content information is not beneficial or even harmful to speech recognition, so removing speaker information can greatly improve the accuracy of unsupervised speech recognition. To effectively remove speaker information, this paper first analyzes the audio features extracted by wav2vec 2.0 and HuBERT self-supervised model qualitatively and quantitatively, and derives the mean value of each sentence as a representation of speaker information. The extracted speech representations are then speaker normalized to obtain valid features to be fed into the unsupervised speech recognition model for training. Experimental results on the TIMIT dataset show that the speaker normalization method can significantly reduce the error rate of unsupervised speech recognition.


Helical computed tomography (CT) scans are often performed to obtain three-dimensional images of an object that is longer than the detector. However, the existing quasi-exact and exact reconstruction methods, such as re-binning and Katsevich algorithm, generate interpolation errors or require high computational power. In this work, we propose a method to reconstruct helical CT projections by iteratively reducing helical artifacts. In each iteration, a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based denoising technique is used to accurately segment the prior image (bone and soft tissue image). The results indicate that the proposed algorithm reduces helical artifacts to a significantly greater extent than the existing single slice re-binning (SSR) and weighted filtered backprojection (W-FBP) methods.


Device comprising: a transistor formed above a silicon-on-insulator substrate comprising a substrate 30A, a buried oxide layer 30b and an active layer 30c, the transistor having a gate electrode 36 and the bulk substrate 30a with a dopant to a first concentration level is doped; and a first doped region 42a which is formed over the substrate 30A, wherein the first doped region has 42a a dopant material that is of the same type as the dopant material of the solid substrate, the first region 42a of a higher concentration level of dopant material than said first concentration level and wherein the first doped region is substantially aligned to the gate electrode of the 36th


Host has been a visiting card of a column by the acceleration of TV column dissemination in recent 30 years,and host of favorite column becomes a professional mark.From end of 1990s,column dissemination developed at high speed contributes to the sovereign level and use of hosts,and produces unshakeable dissemination effects.Almost all the hosts share a common that they are growing up by continuous accumulation of time and experience,but such process is obviously not matched with " fast rhythm" of presenting TV column.Therefore,group hosting mode of TV column has appeared in recent years,and it shows unique aesthetic meanings and practical values in column dissemination.


Antioxidants play an important role in inhibiting and scavenging radicals, thus providing protection to humans against infections and degenerative diseases. The present article focuses on the synthesis and antioxidant activity studies of a variety of 2-aryl thiazolidine -4-carboxylic acids. A series of twenty fully characterized 2-aryl thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acids have been synthesized by nucleophilic cyclization of L-Cysteine hydrochloride with aromatic aldehydes including some novel moieties. The series is screened for their total antioxidant activity, Nitric oxide, DPPH radical scavenging activity and are also studied for kinetic studies on ABTS radical scavenging. We observed that, the aromatic substituent at position 2 in thiazolidine ring influences the antioxidant potential of the moiety. The nature of the substituent and their position on aromatic ring has been correlated with observed antioxidant activity. Though, CH3 group on aromatic ring shows better radical scavenging property than other groups like Cl, Br, OCH3 , N(CH3), NO2, COOH; the presence of phenolic OH on aromatic ring has demonstrated a vital role in enhancing radical scavenging activity. The diphenolic aromatic substituents have exhibited merely equivalent antioxidant properties in comparison with ascorbic acid.


This work proposed an online detection method of abnormal data based on multilayer perceptron(MLP) and rolling-learning prediction mechanism.In this method,latest historical data with fixed length of data window is used to train an MLP model,and then a one-step-ahead prediction is obtained with the trained MLP model.Secondly,a confidence interval with probability p is calculated with the help of the one-step-ahead prediction and the model residual.New measurement is identified as normal one,if it falls inside the prediction interval;or an abnormal record when it is located out of the prediction interval.Instead of the real measurement,the prediction value is used to update the historical data if abnormal data occurs.Furthermore,through on-line test of real process data collected from a 300 MW coal-fired power generation unit,the effectiveness of the proposed method was verified.


Wind-induced along-wind dynamic interference effects of tall buildings are studied by a series of wind tunnel tests.Interference excitations of upwind buildings with various heights in different upwind terrains are considered.Interference characteristics are investigated by artificial neural network(ANN) method and correlation analysis.The results show that two upstream buildings cause more adverse dynamic effects on the downstream building than a single upstream building does.Significant correlations are found in the distributions of the envelope interference factors of different configurations and upwind terrains,a series of relevant regression equations are therefore proposed to simplify the complexity of the multi-parameter wind-induced interference effects among three tall buildings.Recommendations about the along-wind dynamic interference effects on three tall buildings are also given as the reference for improving the design code of wind loads.


Several authors1,2 have studied the lossless beam splitter on a quantum mechanical basis. In this approach the action of the beam splitter is described by unitary transformations that act on the operators for the radiation fields present. In this paper we study quantum mechanically the general case of reflection and transmission from a boundary. We obtain the quantum analog of the classical Fresnel relations. We find that the general operators that describe reflection and transmission at a boundary are a series of unitary operators involving appropriate radiation fields. The generalization for the nonlinear media presents many interesting situations where the classical laws of reflection and refraction are modified. This provides an interesting description of phase conjugation.


Study Design. A cross-sectional survey by anonymous self-assessment questionnaire was given to 3600 high school students from 30 high schools. Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of neck and shoulder pain (NSP) and its effects among high school students in Shanghai, China. Summary of Background Data. NSP has become a problem in many countries in recent years among adolescents. No recent studies have estimated the prevalence of NSP in Chinese school populations. Methods. A total of 3600 high school students from all 3 grades chosen from 30 random schools participated in this study. Participants were asked to fill out a questionnaire on NSP and to provide information on demographic items, family factors, schooling, and lifestyles. &khgr;2 tests were used to compare the incidence of NSP, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to obtain influencing factors of NSP. Results. In total, 3600 questionnaires were distributed, and 2842 were valid. The cross-sectional prevalence of NSP was 41.1%, with more girls (653 of 1478, i.e., 44.2%) reporting having NSP than boys (514 of 1364, i.e., 37.7%) (odds ratio = 0.764; 95% confidence interval = 0.657–0.888; P < 0.05). The frequency, duration, and degree of NSP in girls were also higher than in boys. For high school years 1, 2, and 3, the incidence of NSP was 40.1%, 40.7%, and 45.4%, respectively. The multivariate logistic regression indicated that sex, family history of NSP, school furniture, long sitting time, computer use, insufficient rest time, sleep time, commuting method, perceived schoolbag weight, and smoking had a significant effect on NSP. Conclusion. The incidence of NSP in high school students in Shanghai is quite high. The occurrence of NSP is related to several factors including sex and school year, as well as some factors related to family, schooling, and lifestyles. Level of Evidence: 3


cases of the thoracic vertebral canal stenosis were reported. The lower thoracic levels are particular vulnerable to this degenerative process. The manifestations are variable degree of paralysis caused by thoracic spinal cord compression. CT and MRI scans are valuable for guiding diagnosis and surgical treatment. Among the patients, 14 cases were operated and complete laminectomy decompression were performed. We removed herniated disc through one or both side of anterolateral direction of the dura for the cases that associated with disc protrusion. 11 cases were followed up for 5 to 103 months and 9 had satisfactory results.


In Agave salmiana Otto ex Salm. var. salmiana grown for 4 1/2 months in open-top chambers, 55% more leaves unfolded and 52% more fresh mass was produced at 730 than at 370 μmol CO 2 mol -1 . A doubling of the CO 2 concentration also stimulated growth in another highly productive CAM species, Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Miller, leading to earlier initiation and 37% more daughter cladodes. Substantial net CO 2 uptake occurred earlier in the afternoon and lasted longer through the night for A. salmiana at 730 than at 370 μmol CO 2 mol -1 , resulting in 59% more total daily net CO 2 uptake. The Michaelis constant (HCO 3 - ) for PEPCase was 15% lower for A. salmiana and 44% lower for O. ficus-indica when the CO 2 concentration was doubled ; the percentage of Rubisco in the activated state in vivo was on average 64% higher at the doubled CO 2 concentration. Thus the substantial increases in net CO 2 uptake and biomass production that occurred in these two CAM species when the ambient CO 2 concentration was doubled resulted mainly from higher inorganic carbon levels for their carboxylating enzymes, a greater substrate affinity for PEPCase, and a greater percentage of Rubisco in the activated state.


Purpose Candidemia infection is common in the clinic and has a high mortality rate. Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, and Candida krusei are very important and common pathogenic species. Candida is difficult to isolate from clinical samples and culture, and immunological detection cannot distinguish these related strains. Furthermore, Candida has a complex cell wall, which causes difficulties in the extraction of DNA for nucleic acid detection. The purpose of this study was to establish a protocol for the direct identification of Candida from serum. Materials and Methods We synthesized Fe3O4@PEI (where PEI stands for polyethylenimine) magnetic nanoparticles to capture Candida and prepared positively charged silver nanoparticles (AgNPs+) as the substrate for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Candida was directly identified from serum by SERS detection. Results Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used as the multivariate analysis tool. Principal component analysis confirmed that this method can clearly distinguish common Candida. After 10-fold cross-validation, the accuracy of training data in this model was 100% and the accuracy of test data was 99.8%, indicating that the model has good classification ability. Conclusion The detection could be completed within 40 minutes using Fe3O4@PEI and AgNPs+ prepared in advance. This is the first time that Fe3O4@PEI was used in the detection of Candida by SERS. We report the first rapid method to identify fungi directly from serum without breaking the cell wall to extract DNA from the fungi.


Abstract : This article looks at a possible solution to help overcome the impact of time to deploy CONUS-based Combat Service Support (CSS) forces to the European Theater during the first few critical weeks of the next war. As of 30 September 1987, there were about 8617 Department of the Army Civilians (DAC) assigned to U.S. Army, Europe. However, only about 2000 are categorized as Emergency Essential employees considered essential to support theater mobilization and wartime missions. The remaining employees are expected to depart the theater in accordance with established Noncombatant Evacuation Operations rules. Many of these personnel have skills, knowledges and abilities that can be utilized to operate essential military support systems or, as a minimum, provide for a quicker theater transition from forward deployed to fully mobilized status.


We identify "anchoring CEOs" based on whether CEOs' insider trading anchors on their firms' 52-week highs. We hypothesize that these CEOs imprint anchoring heuristic for personal decision-making on corporate decisions of similar nature, i.e., equity trading. We find that firms with anchoring CEOs tend to issue seasoned equity offerings near the 52-week high, and anchoring bidder CEOs anchor on the target firms' 52-week highs for offer price decisions. This behavioral consistency depends on valuation uncertainty and corporate governance, and it destroys shareholder value. Overall, we provide evidence that some CEOs rely on the same anchoring heuristic in personal/professional equity trading.


To a surge protector (1) having a spark gap (2), the opposing electrodes (3), with a light source for generating a Zundlichtes in response to trigger signals of a control unit, wherein the inflammable for direct ignition of the spark gap (2) is arranged, provide, by which a reliable ignition of the spark gap is provided, an optical waveguide (15) for guiding the Zundlichtes to the spark gap (2) is proposed.


The thesis begins by examining the general Scottish theatrical situation at the end of the nineteenth century and seeks to establish both the amount of theatrical activity, and how much, if any, of it could be regarded as distinctively Scottish. Attention is given to the heavy dependence of Scotland on the London theatre at this time and to the general view of the situation as reflected in the press of the largest Scottish city. Attention is then turned to the first attempt to establish a Scottish repertory theatre, the Glasgow Repertory Company. Its progress is charted through the short period of its existence until its sudden termination on the outbreak of the first world war and then the work of the Scottish dramatists who wrote for it is discussed. The situation in the interwar period is the central focus of study in this thesis and after a general survey and some discussion of various smaller theatrical ventures, the work of the Scottish National Players is carefully scrutinised. After discussing the rise and decline of the Players, the thesis moves on to a consideration to the kind and quality of plays which were written for and produced by the Players. Two dramatists, John Brandane and George Heston Malloch, are discussed at length and thereafter the work of a number of other playwrights is considered. Finally an attempt is made to evaluate the worth of this dramatic writing and to relate it to the Scottish experience. The next chapter takes the form of a critical essay on the plays of James Bridie which seeks to ask the same kinds of questions about the worth of his contribution to the Scottish theatre and to examine how he tackled the problems which had faced the S.N.P. dramatists. After a survey of the war period in Scotland, the thesis moves on to the post war situation and attempts to delineate the various tendencies which can be discerned both in the development of theatrical facilities and in dramatic writing. The conclusion draws together the threads of the argument and seeks to explain the rather disappointing progress that has been made towards establishing a vigorous Scottish dramatic tradition.


believe that no need exists for a specialized type of education for teachers in rural areas. "Education," they say blandly, "is education wherever it is." This is true only to a certain extent. There is general agreement that the larger objectives in education are the same, the differences lie in the materials and methods by which these objectives are attained. These differences are significant, however, because in the educational process the means is greatly influenced by the end, and vice versa. Indeed, it is not too much to say that one takes character from the other. The term education as used by the average theorist is interpreted to mean both a process and an end. As a process, education is usually conceived as a series of experiences through which the child develops into a social and rational adult. For these experiences the school is only partly responsible; community organizations, including the home, share this responsibility. If a child is normal and his experiences are intelligently guided he will arrive at social, physical, and psychological maturity in his own time and season. However, at the end of the controlled educational period, for which the school is responsible, society expects something more than individual maturity. It expects the adult to have achieved a common cultural pattern characteristic of the society of which he is a part, in our case one which is uniquely American. All this, of course, seems to verify the original assumption that, things being equal, no matter where a child is educated in America he should come through the process with similar results. conditioning factors


This paper focuses on three contemporary Italian novels that operate within the apocalyptic paradigm and voice a sense of collapsing reality that characterized Italy in the wake of the global financial crisis. Ruggero Cappuccio's Fuoco su Napoli (2010), Gianni Miraglia's Muori Milano muori! (2011), and Francesca Genti's La febbre (2011) represent worlds in which the disruption of daily life exposes the invisible conventions that make it possible. In shaping narratives in which their characters attempt to cope with the fact that their worlds are coming to a definitive end because of their relationship to profit, power, and spectacle, the authors articulate an underlying critique of the present socio-economic system and its ancillary effects. From this perspective, these novels highlight the ways in which the neoliberal economic system of the long downturn undermines the conditions that guarantee the future of social and biophysical life as we know it. I argue that the manipulation enacted by the authors in relation to established genre paradigms invites a rearrangement of values and of human relations with respect to homo oeconomicus, thus envisioning a new ethics as the pulsing core for activating a political shift and bringing about a new future.


The importance of character education as the direction and estuary of national education, bring the consequences of education to make the nation"s character strong positive (sturdy, unshakable in the holding the good values which sourced of religion, culture-tradition or the state of philosophy). However the issues about the character or moral that happen at the present time, far more and complex compared with education character issues that happened in the previous time. There are some strategies that has done to give character education for child that started from family environment its self, because the child character formed from family education. The character issues that more complexs make the person aware the importance of review the theory of Prophet Muhammad SAW from hadis (traditional collection of stories relating words or deeds of Muhammad the chief source of guidance for understanding religious questions) to give the appropriate education character for child. Here the writer will present The Relevance of Family Education Character Perspective Adab al-Mufrad and Tarbiyah al-Aulad fi al-Islam Book toward the context of Education Character that happen at the present time.


Real paths to profit in the fastest-growing online opportunity yet--business-to-business e-commerce.. Companies on the Internet fast track are all abuzz about the unquestionable potential of B2B e-commerce. Reliable estimates suggest that a trillion dollars will be transacted over the Web in the next few years--and the bulk of that will occur in the business-to-business space. For all of the discussion, however, this vast frontier of Internet commerce is still unexplored by most companies with the potential to profit. They simply don't know how to get started. B2B provides the first definitive blueprint for creating a profitable business-to-business Web strategy. It describes huge B2B success stories such as Cisco Systems and Dell Computer, and smaller trailblazers including VerticalNet and eCredit.com, to illustrate how any company can navigate this space. Written by a frontrunner in the field, B2B breaks down a previously cryptic topic into easy-to-understand steps, and provides a how-to game plan for succeeding at the greatest opportunity yet in online commerce. }In B2B, its not a matter of winning or losingits getting into the game that matters.Companies on the Internet fast track are buzzing about the unquestionable potential of B2B e-commerce. And why not? Reliable estimates suggest that trillions of dollars will be transacted over the Web in the next few yearsand the bulk of that will occur in the business-to-business space. For all of the discussion, however, this vast frontier of Internet commerce is still unexplored by most companies with the potential to profit. They simply dont know how to move beyond the hype to get started. B2B provides the first definitive blueprint for creating a profitable business-to-business Web strategy. It describes phenomenal B2B success strategies such as those used by VerticalNet, Travelocity, and Cisco, and details smaller operations moving into the B2B market to illustrate how any company can navigate this space. Michael Cunningham, a leading expert in B2B strategy and technology, breaks this previously cryptic topic down into actionable steps. B2B, Cunningham explains, is as old as business itselfwhat is new is the speed at which new and more efficient business connections and services can be made. He describes specific ways B2B cuts transaction expenses, aggregates buying power, and exploits the efficiencies of single and specialized markets. Not to be missed, B2B is the first book to provide a how-to game plan for succeeding at the greatest opportunity yet in online business. }


Public debate about same-sex marriage has spectacularly intensified in the wake of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision in Goodridge v. Department of Public Health.1 But amid the twisted faces, shouts, and murmurs surrounding that decision, a bit of old-fashioned common-lawmaking has been lost. Some have criticized the Goodridge court for its apparently result-oriented approach to the question of whether, consistent with the Massachusetts Constitution, the commonwealth may deny marriage licenses to same-sex couples.2 Others have defended the decision, both on the court's own rational basis terms and on other grounds, including sex discrimination and substantive due process. 3 This Comment contends that both sides are partly right. I join those commentators who find Goodridge's reasoning flawed but its outcome correct.4 Where I part ways is in recognizing the vital importance but untapped potential of the Supreme Court's decision in Turner v. Safley.5 The Turner Court held unconstitutional a Missouri prison regulation denying inmates the right to marry except for "compelling reasons." 6 It is a familiar case, frequently invoked in legal arguments over same-sex marriage to support the proposition that marriage is a fundamental


In this paper, we present a low-complexity linear precoding and power allocation scheme for downlink massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. The optimization criteria adopted for the proposed precoding and power allocation scheme are maximization of the sum rate and maximization of the minimum user rate, respectively. The presented precoder is based on a matrix polynomial and can closely approach the sum rate and the minimum user rate of the optimal regularized zero forcing (RZF) precoder, which requires a matrix inversion, and performs substantially better than the simple conjugate beamforming (BF) precoder. Our simulation results show that the proposed precoding scheme with a low order matrix polynomial can approach the sum rate and the minimum user rate of the optimal RZF precoder. We also present analytical results for the asymptotic sum rate and the asymptotic minimum user rate.


In our research it is established that the priming of creativity goals allows participants to overcome inadvertent plagiarism. Moreover, the rebound effect (i.e. higher accessibility of features of the examples after they have been suppressed successfully) is not found after creativity priming. Subsequent research further suggests that typical associations between stimuli and concepts are less likely to be activated after being primed with creativity. This is tested first in the important domain of stereotyping. We expected that the African American stereotype would be less likely to be automatically activated after seeing the face of an African American when people were primed with creativity beforehand (compared to a control condition). The "think different" mindset was shown to break the typical association, thus allowing people to free their thoughts from the shackles of the stereotype. People primed with faces of Africa Americans had stereotypes triggered in control conditions, but not when primed with creativity goals. In another experiment this effect of "inhibiting typical associations" was found to generalize to the underlying phenomenon: the automatic activation of any "typical" associations was reduced by priming creativity. Thus, associations between "bread and butter" and "doctor and nurse" that have been broadly replicated in research paradigms using lexical decision tasks were found to not exist when creativity goals were being unconsciously pursued. Taken together, being primed with creativity allows for generating original ideas because one is able to think differently without the unwanted side effects of suppressing thoughts triggered by the intention to suppress them. The "thinking different" mindset induced by priming creativity operates by reducing the automatic activation of typical associations, all without the person's conscious intent or awareness. Importantly, this preconscious goal pursuit allows for the control over automatic stereotype activation. Advantages to this method of stereotype control are that a) it is a proactive strategy of stereotype control, one that prevents stereotypes from ever coming to mind (as opposed to strategies that require one to suppress the use of stereotypes after the fact or attempt to prevent these activated concepts from biasing one's judgment; e.g., Devine, 1989), and b) it is not restricted to preventing the activation of a single stereotype, but most likely undermines the automatic activation of any stereotype and other unwanted thoughts (unlike interventions using the training of new associations, goals and intentions, and developing new expectancies; e.g., Blair & Banaji, 1996; Kawakami et al., 2000; Monteith et al., 2002; Moskowitz et al., 1999, 2000, 2003). The unconscious mind is not only smart, it is an efficient goal pursuer, and thus can be highly creative.


BACKGROUND
Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common, highly heritable neurobiological disorder of childhood onset, characterized by hyperactivity, impulsiveness or inattentiveness.

AIM
To search for differences in risk for ADHD and its components among Chilean native and mixed populations and to look forpossible associations with dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) and dopamine transporter 1 (DAT1) polymorphisms.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
School teachers were requested to complete the Conners test, which uses DSM-IV criteria, to screen for ADHD risk among Aymara and Rapa-Nui students.

RESULTS
Rapa-Nui children from Easter Island had the highest risk of hyperactivity/impulsiveness. Aymara children from the Arica-Parinacota Region had lower scores. Although inattentiveness scores had lower differences between groups, overall ADHD score differences among studied populations were highly significant. DRD4 and DAT1 alleles had a heterogeneous distribution. Easter islanders had more divergent frequencies, mostprobably as a result of separate migration routes utilized at different timeperiods during the colonization of America and Polynesia.

CONCLUSIONS
The comparison of ADHD risk parameters between Rapa-Nui and Aymara children showed marked differences. Allele distri-bution of dopamine polymorphisms in Easter Island was also significantly different from northern Chile, due probably to different colonization histories. These findings suggest that higher ADHD risk scores in Easter Island children may be linked to the presence of different DRD4 alleles.


The numerical simulation of the Forming Limit Diagram(FLD) test was carried out to calculate the limiting dome height(LDH: ISO12004-2) for aluminum alloy sheet Al6061-T6. The finite element analysis was used as an effective method for evaluating formability and diagnosing possible production problems in sheet stamping operations. To predict fracture during the stamping process, several failure models such as Cockcroft-Latham, Rice-Tracey, Brozzo and ESIWilkins-Kamoulakos(EWK) criteria were applied. The predicted results were discussed and compared with the experiments for Al6061-T6.


Freeze-thaw tests were conducted with mortar specimens in air and in water,respectively.In the experiments,the variation of freeze-thaw deformations and temperature in the mortar during freeze-thaw process were measured.By analyzing the measured data,the behavior of frost shrinkage and expansion in the concrete was clarified.By measuring the dynamic elastic modulus before and after freeze-thaw process, come to the relative dynamic elastic modulus can be indirectly reflected in the residual specimen deformation of freeze-thaw.


The purpose of this paper is to present the results obtained in the first two years of operation of the grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) systems installed in the named "Solar XXI" building. One PV system, made with multicrystalline silicon modules, has a peak power of 12 kW and was installed on the facade; another system made with amorphous silicon modules has a peak power of 6 kW and was installed in the surrounding park area near the building. From 1 st February 2006 until 31 July 2008, the measured daily average, of the building electrical energy consumption, was about 75 kWh and the two PV systems produced in average about 72 % of this energy. The averaged measured Performance Ratio of the systems was about 0.84 for the PV Facade and about 0.76 for the PV in the Park.


Microscale iron particles (MZVI) have been recently studied for application in groundwater remediation. Thanks to their small size, they can be directly injected into the subsurface for a targeted treatment of contamination. The present work reports laboratory tests and numerical modelling concerning the mobility of MZVI suspensions in porous media. The efficacy of shear thinning "green" fluids in improving colloidal stability and mobility of MZVI was proved with column transport tests, injecting highly concentrated iron suspensions (20 g/L) dispersed in xanthan gum (3 g/L) and guar gum (1.5-4 g/l). A numerical model for MZVI transport was then developed (E-MNM1D, Enhanced Micro-and Nanoparticle transport Model in porous media in 1D geometry). It is designed as a tool for inverse modelling of laboratory transport tests, and as a support in the design of field-scale applications of MZVI and NZVI-based remediation.


The addition relation for the Riemann theta functions and for its limits, which leads to the appearance of exponential functions in soliton type equations is discussed. The form of addition property presented resolves itself to the factorization of the N-tuple product of the shifted functions and it seems to be useful for analysis of soliton type continuous and discrete processes in the N + 1 space-time. A close relation with the natural generalization of bi- and tri-linear operators into multiple linear operators concludes the paper.


Cuius regio, eius historia – Macedonian Historiography and Identity Narratives, 1944–2011Macedonian historians – by calling upon certain past events perceived as traumatic and mobilizing deep-rooted stereotypes and prejudices against the neighboring countries – sought to manipulate public opinion. It seems that also today many representatives of the Macedonian elite still see the fight for position in the historical culture as a primary aim of their existence in the public sphere. They linked the current political and social situation to the so-called historical traditions and saw Macedonian national identity threatened by Albanian, Bulgarian, Greek, and Serbian nationalists. Past and current events are explained in such a way that they became part of mythological narrations.


Structural Analysis is a branch which involves in the determination of behaviour of structures so as to predict the responses of different structural components due to impact of loads. ETABS (Extended 3 Dimensional Analysis of Building Systems) is a software which is incorporated with all the major analysis engines that are static, dynamic, linear and non-linear etc. The main purpose of this paper is to design Multi-storeyed building with a static method, since an effective design and construction of earthquake resistant structures are important all over the world. This project deals with seismic effect on "analysis, design and comparison of multi-storey residential building of stilt+17 floors in zone-iii and zone-iv using ETABS". It is an attempt to study the behaviour of a residential building using ETABS in different zones and areas with same soil bearing capacity. Analysis and design has been carried out as per IS1843-2002 (Part-1) and IS 456:2000. The more drifts and displacements have been noticed in zone 4 compared to zone 3


Chinese national ideas such as Laozi,Zhuangzi,Confucius,Mencius and Guanzi in Huaihe River basin,whose ideas had already exceeded the time and space,influenced the world as a culture quintessence.Laozi and Zhuangzi is the source of Chinese local Taoism culture,and the thought of people of Guanzi is a foundation to build Harmonious Society.Through the studying on Huaihe Culture,it leads the culture study to become scattere for the different ideas,different culture contexts and different ways.To coordinate different theory,it is the most important to dig the essential quality in studying the Huaihe Culture,to complement each other in ways,to seek common ground in Values.


(Note: With the exception of the correction of typographical or spelling errors that could be a source of ambiguity, letters and reports are not edited. The original formatting of letters and referee reports may not be reflected in this compilation.) We have now heard back from two of the three referees who accepted to evaluate the study. Given that their recommendations are very similar and in the interest of time, I prefer to make a decision now with the available reports. As you will see, the referees find the topic of your study of potential interest and are supportive. They raise however a series of concerns and make suggestions for modifications, which we would ask you to carefully address in a revision of the present work. The methodology used in your study should thus be carefully discussed in the light of the alternative method of metabolic labeling. One point that was not raised by these reviewers but that seems of importance is to provide information and discuss the abundance ratios of isoforms with different turnover rates. Please include a 'Data availability' subsection to Materials & Methods where you list the accession number of the datasets produced and analyzed in this study. It is a great idea to include a Sweave .rnw document. Please include it within a zipped folder together with a README text file explaining how to compile it, list possible dependencies (R libraries) and what needs to be modified. If there is a way to make it generic (eg without reference to local directories and files), that would be great.


Acknowledgements Preface Sara Mills 1 Introduction 2. The Myth of Chinese Politeness, Problems, Framework, Data 3. Politeness in Historical China 4. Politeness in Contemporary China 5. The Transitional Period: What Happened to Honorifics? 6. Deconstructing Chinese Politeness Bibliography Appendix I: Chronological List of Chinese Dynasties Appendix II: Newsmaker Labeling in People's Daily and Guangzhou Daily Appendix III: Fonts in People's Daily and Guangzhou Daily Appendix IV: Font Size in People's Daily and Guangzhou Daily Appendix V: The Chinese Extracts (With Simplified Characters Transcription and Word-by-word translation) Index of Names Index of Chinese Politeness Expressions.


Chilli is an important vegetable as well as spice crop grown in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. In India chilli is an important commodity used as a vegetable, spice, medicinal herb and ornamental plant. It is also used as an ingredient in industrial products. Crop improvement largely depends on existence of genetic variability. Improvement in any crop is based on the extent of genetic variation present in it and, the degree of improvement depends on magnitude of the available, beneficial genetic variability. The plant breeder has to identify the sources of favourable genes, incorporate them in breeding populations and aim for isolation of productive genotypes and cultivars. Thus, improvement in any crop is based on the extent of genetic variation and the degree of improvement depends upon the magnitude of available beneficial genetic variability.


Abstract Incoming global solar irradiance measured at the surface at the South Pole unexpectedly decreased steadily by 15% from 1976 through 1987 during the late austral summer season, whereas no trend is apparent for September through December. February's irradiance trend, − 1.24% yr−1 on the average, is statistically significant at greater than the 99.9% confidence level. The irradiance observations were made continuously with the same calibrated sensor and are confirmed by a second simultaneous solar irradiance measurement series. Associated changes in seasonal sky cover (clouds) and surface air temperature were also observed. Seasonally increasing cloud cover is directly associated with the decreasing irradiance trends, whereas temperatures show a warming trend significant only in March, followed by a cooling trend significant only in May. Cloudiness and temperature records for 32 years suggest that the observed cloudiness trend began in the late 1970s, while the temperature trends become apparent onl...


We have read with great interest the paper published in a recent issue of ISRN Urology by Bantis et al. [1] entitled "can tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 be used as prognostic markers of infection following ureteroscopic lithotripsy?" in which they report preoperative and postoperative serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in patients with urolithiasis. In their paper, authors report these inflammatory markers' level and speculate that high preoperative levels of serum TNF-α and IL-6 may indicate a predisposition for postoperative inflammation and infection. In this regard, we would like to make some comments with respect to the authors' interpretations of biochemical markers.

IL-6 is a cytokine which is secreted by macrophages and T-cells to stimulate immune response. Additionally, smooth muscle cells also produce IL-6 as a myokine, and its level is elevated in response to muscle contraction [2]. The intensity and duration of muscle contraction determine the magnitude of increase of plasma IL-6 [3]. IL-6 acts as both a proinflammatory and an anti-inflammatory cytokine. IL-6's role as an anti-inflammatory cytokine is through its inhibitory effects on TNF-α and IL-1 [2]. When IL-6 is signaling in monocytes or macrophages, it creates a proinflammatory response, whereas IL-6 signaling in muscle is anti-inflammatory [4].

Urolithiasis is a disease which is characterized by the formation of stones within the parts of the urinary system. As is known, these stones cause severe pain and intense muscular contractions. On the other hand, urinary stones damage the endothelium and cause the inflammatory response. In this case, there are two different mechanisms for IL-6 secretion in urolithiasis. Endothelial damage may increase the risk of infection [5], but muscular contractions cannot generate such an effect alone. For these reasons, suggesting IL-6 as an indicator of inflammatory predisposition, without determining the source of IL-6, may be objectionable.

Muscle contraction, patients' pain degree, and treatment regimen and agents which are used in general anesthesia were not stated in their paper. In order to eliminate confusion on this issue, if there is any patients complaining from pain as renal colic, these patients should be excluded, and these issues should also be stated in their paper. Furthermore, serum IL-1 levels could be useful to determining the anti-inflammatory effects of IL-6.

In conclusion, the explanation of these concerns will certainly provide clearer information for the readers.


In this paper we aimed to discuss about a controversial topic: the causes of attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder. To achieve this objective we made a synthesis of the most relevant research. The etiology is discussed in the literature in the field of genetics; the exact causes have not been yet fully elucidated. ADHD seems to come from a combination of several genetic and environmental factors that alter brain developing.


The era of precision cosmology allows us to test the composition of the dark matter. Mixed ultralight or fuzzy dark matter (FDM) is a cosmological model with dark matter composed of a combination of particles of mass $m\leq 10^{-20}$ eV, with an astrophysical de Broglie wavelength, and particles with a negligible wavelength sharing the properties of cold dark matter (CDM). In this work, we simulate cosmological volumes with a dark matter wave function for the ultralight component coupled gravitationally to CDM particles. We investigate the impact of a mixture of CDM and FDM in various proportions $(0\%,\;1\%,\;10\%,\;50\%,\;100\%)$ and for ultralight particle masses ranging over five orders of magnitude $(2.5\times 10^{-25}\;\mathrm{eV}-2.5\times 10^{-21}\;\mathrm{eV})$. To track the evolution of density perturbations in the non-linear regime, we adapt the simulation code AxioNyx to solve the CDM dynamics coupled to a FDM wave function obeying the Schr\"odinger-Poisson equations. We obtain the non-linear power spectrum and study the impact of the wave effects on the growth of structure on different scales. We confirm that the steady-state solution of the Schr\"odinger-Poisson system holds at the center of halos in the presence of a CDM component when it composes $50\%$ or less of the dark matter but find no stable density core when the FDM accounts for $10\%$ or less of the dark matter. We implement a modified friends-of-friends halo finder and find good agreement between the observed halo abundance and the predictions from the adapted halo model axionHMCode.


Outlines the possibility for wave power generation at artificial islands by construction of a breakwater. Reviews the development of wave energy systems, and describes several wave generators, e.g. the Mauritius lagoon system, the Nodding Duck, the oscillating cylinder, the oscillating water column and the Lancaster Bag. Applications and costs are outlined. (C.J.U.)


The popular press is rife with examples of how students in the United States and around the globe are learning to pro-gram, make, and tinker. The Hour of Code, maker-education, and similar efforts are advocating that more students be ex-posed to principles found within computer science. We propose an expansion beyond simply teaching computational thinking skills, by including an aesthetic framework that highlights the beauty and elegance inherent within the craft of coding. This approach not only introduces students to authentic experiences of computational work, but can result in higher levels of retention and achievement. Delivering science content through an aesthetic lens has been successful in other areas of science education. Such an approach in programming extends the possibility of reaching students that previously may not have been interested in the field.


This article describes a research project that sought to establish technical ceramic manufacturing styles used by potters of agropastoral societies that live...


In this study, we are taking step to actively manage osteoarthritis that may help gain control over osteoarthritic pain and delay the degenerative changes in articular cartilage in future. We transiently over expressed cartilage transcriptional factor, human sox-9 gene in chondrocytes derived from consented osteoarthritic patients after joint surgery. The expression vector carrying human sox-9 gene, pAdTrack-sox9 was transformed into One Shot TOP 10 Chemically Competent E. coli according to the manufacturer protocol. Plasmid purification was performed in accordance with QIAGEN (R) plasmid purification kit procedure. We compared the efficiency between two transfection techniques i.e. lipofection using Lipofectamine (TM) 2000 kit from Invitrogen, USA and nucleofection using Human Chondrocytes Nucleofector (R) kit from Amaxa Biosystem, Germany. Chondrocytes were cultured and transfected with sox-9 gene at passage 1 according to the manufacturers' protocols. Transfected chondrocytes were expanded until passage 3. Expression of chondrogenic markers namely collagen type H, aggrecan core protein and sox-9 were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR method using iScript (TM) One Step RT-PCR Kit with SYBR Green, BIO-RAD. Chondrogenic dedifferentiation marker, collagen type I was also analyzed using the quantitative RT-PCR method. Expression level of each targeted gene was normalized to the housekeeping gene, human glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Overall efficiency ranging from 50% to 60% could be achieved using both transfection techniques. Transiently transfecting cells demonstrated remarkable competency sustaining specific chondrogenic genes namely collagen type H, aggrecan core protein and sox-9, significantly better than in the non-transfected cells. It is believed that this preliminary finding has to be extended to develop its full potential since sox-9 transcription factor is essential for chondrocyte differentiation and cartilage formation. Sox9 gene therapy would delay the degenerative changes in articular cartilage which is consistent to the up-regulation of cartilage-specific markers especially collagen type II synthesis in vivo.


Significance
 Such expectations will be difficult to meet because of the financial constraints imposed by debt accumulated to fight the pandemic and address its economic consequences. Many governments will seek to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing-based solutions to meet new needs.

 Impacts
 Cybersecurity spending could add pressure on public debt loads.
 More developing countries will adopt data protection legislation, but enforcement will be patchy.
 The privatisation of government data may harm developing-country open data initiatives.


The spin Hamiltonian parameters (the anisotropic g factors, the hyperfine structure constants and the ligand superhyperfine parameters) for the tetragonal Rh2+ centers in MgO and CaO are theoretically studied from the perturbation formulae of these parameters for a 4d7 ion in tetragonally elongated octahedra. In these formulae, the related molecular orbital coefficients as well as the ligand unpaired spin densities are determined quantitatively from the cluster approach in a uniform way. The above centers are attributed to Rh2+ occupying divalent cation sites in MgO (and CaO), associated with a relative elongation of 0.5% (and 1.4%) along the [001] (or C4) axis due to the Jahn–Teller effect. The calculated spin Hamiltonian parameters based on the Jahn–Teller elongations are in good agreement with the observed values. The local structures of the impurity centers are discussed.


A very sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a reduced graphene oxide film impregnated with antimony nanoparticles was prepared and applied to the electroanalysis of platinum group metal ions of Pd(II), Pt(II) and Rh(III). The electrochemical behavior of platinum group metals at the modified electrode was studied by adsorptive differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry in the presence of dimethylglyoxime as chelating agent. Several operational parameters were optimised to enhance the electroanalytical performance of the modified glassy carbon electrode sensor. The results showed sharp stripping peaks and a relatively constant peak potential with a good linear behaviour in the examined concentration range from 40 to 400 pg L−1 for all metal ions investigated. The detection limit was found to be 0.45, 0.49 and 0.49 pg L−1 (S/N=3) for Pd(II), Pt(II) and Rh(III), respectively. The developed electrochemical sensor also exhibited good precision with a relative standard deviation of 4.2 %, 2.55 % and 2.67 % for 5 successive measurements for Pd(II), Pt(II) and Rh(III), respectively. The proposed nanostructure showed good sensitivity and stability, which has promising potential applications in electrochemical sensors.


The three essential factors of the Juska–Harrison stress activated phase transition (SAPT) deformation model are analyzed. Based on the concept of "mechanical melting", a formula for the theoretical melting stress is derived from thermodynamics. A comparison of experimental and calculated results for a number of polymers shows that the strain energy is high enough to induce isothermal "mechanical melting" during extension, and the observed yield stress has the same order of magnitude as the theoretical melting stress.


This report discusses the new modular SCHRACK-SYSTEMS INC. system for data transmission and remote control on highways. The road monitoring system consists of an indoor central computer, central remote control equipment, bidirectional data transmission (cable and/or radio telemetry), outdoor remote control equipments with meteorological sensors, road condition radar (RCR), emergency call boxes, traffic acquisition and traffic control equipment and other remote controlled devices. The central station displays all information graphically on high resolution color monitors with road maps and symbols. Dangerous or very significant situations are specially marked by optical and acoustical signals. Data representation on text screens is implemented. The three-hour road condition forecast is useful for economic and environmental friendly supply of deicing agents in winter maintenance. The existing systems are in use at the Austrian highways A4, A10 and A11 as well as in Slovenia.


The concept of plug and play has become increasingly popular in consumer electronics because of the ease of use and low maintenance, it now appears possible to apply this concept to motor drive design. New generations of DSP controllers, such as the Texas Instruments TMS320C240 ('C240) DSP controller, by integrating the high performance of a DSP core and the powerful on-chip peripherals of a microcontroller into a single-chip solution, have made this possible. The paper describes the practical implementation of a linear induction motor drive, which consists of power module and a single DSP controller, which will both reduce the cost and the complexity of the design. In order to save space and enable continuous operation, a linear induction motor has been specifically built for this study.


Visual Effects Have Been Measured In Patients With A Confirmed Diagnosis Of Gilles De La Tourette Syndrome (Ts), A Neuropsychiatric Disorder Characterized By Motor And Vocal Tics, And Behavioral Anomalies. Of The Visual Manifestations Revealed, The Authors Consider Anomalies In The Measured Kinetic Paracentral Visual Field And The Visual (And General) Fatigue Effect In This Paper. All 24 Individuals With Tourette Syndrome Studied To Date Exhibit Paracentral Kinetic Visual Field Defects (Arcuate Anomalies, Nasal And Temporal Steps, Enlargement And/Or Baring Of The Blind Spot), And About Half Of These Same Patients Exhibit Loss In Sensitivity In Time Which The Authors Term 'Fatigue' Effects. The Visual Acuity Of These Patients Was Good To Excellent. Visual Field Alterations Were Prechiasmal, Generally Nonsymmetric, And The Most Commonly Affected Isopters On The Goldmann Perimeter Were For Targets I/2e To I/Lb. After Careful Examination And Ophthalmological Consultations, It Was Clear That None Of The Indivi...


Digital envelopes were invented to obtain the advantage of secret and public key cryptographies. In practice public-key algorithmswhich increase security are used together with secret key algorithms which increase encryption speed in such called "digital envelope"principle. The algorithm of digital envelope successfully can be used in RSA digital signature scheme. Entity A signs the message andencrypts it with entities B public key. Entity B receives the message and decrypts it with its private key and verifies authenticity ofdigital signature. Using RSA digital signature scheme working in digital envelope algorithm in case of different modules sizes reblockingproblem can occur. To solve re-blocking problem we can use such solutions as reordering, using two modules or prescribingthe modules form. Bibl.5 (in Lithuanian, summaries in Lithuanian, English, Russian).


Background : Because of the importance of lung cancer worldwide, as well as the deaths from it. So far, various studies have been conducted on this cancer. Epigenetic changes are one of the factors contributing to lung cancer that the most important of these changes are DNA methylation. Various biomarkers such as microRNAs can be used to detect cancer. In addition, many studies have been performed on the relationship between cancer and microRNAs. In this study, the methylation status of mir-210 was investigated in NSCLC tissues. Method: The methylation status of mir-210 was checked in 30 patients with NSCLC and 30 adjacent normal tissues using the MS-PCR method. Results: This paper reported that there was no significant difference between methylation level of tumor samples and adjacent normal samples. so that all of the normal samples were in methylated state and only 4 (13.33%) cases of tumor samples were in a unmethylated state (P>0.05). The results obtained from our study confirmed that hypomethylation and therefore overexpression of mir-210 didn't occur in early stages of non-small cell lung cancer.


We consider the interfacial flow in and around porous structures in coastal and marine engineering.* During recent years, interfacial flow through porous media has been repeatedly simulated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) based on algebraic Volume Of Fluid (VOF) methods [1] [2]. Here, we present an implementation of a porous medium interfacial flow solver based on the geometric VOF method, isoAdvector [3] [4]. In our implementation, the porous medium is treated without resolving the actual pore geometry. Rather, the porous media, pores, and rigid structure are considered a continuum and the effects of porosity on the fluid flow are modelled through source terms in the Navier-Stokes equations, including Darcy-Forchheimer forces, added mass force and accounting for the part of mesh cells that are occupied by the solid material comprising the skeleton of the porous medium. The governing equations are adopted from the formulation by Jensen et al. [1]. For the interface advection using isoAdvector, we also account for the reduced cell volume available for fluid flow and for the increase in the interface front velocity caused by a cell being partially filled with solid material. The solver is implemented in the open source CFD library OpenFOAM®. It is validated using two case setups: 1) A pure passive advection test case to compare the isolated advection algorithm against a known analytical solution and 2) a porous dam break case by Liu et al. [5] where both numerical and experimental results are available for comparison. We find good agreement with numerical and experimental results. For both cases the interface sharpness, shape conservation as well as volume conservation and boundedness are demonstrated to be very good. The solver is released as open source for the benefit of the coastal and marine CFD community (code repository https://github.com/InterFlowers/porousInterIsoFoam) and as of OpenFOAM-v2112 the new functionality is integrated in the official interIsoFoam solver.
* This article is an updated version of the conference paper Missios et al. 2022 [6] presented at the Marine2021 conference.


Background: Chromium (Cr) potentiates the action of insulin in the cell and improves glucose tolerance after long-term supplementation. Objective: We hypothesized that Cr may also have acute effects and might be beneficial in lowering the glycemic index of a meal. Methods: We studied the effects of short-term Cr supplementation using a randomized crossover design. Thirteen apparently healthy, non-smoking young men of normal body mass index performed three trials each separated by one week. Test meals, providing 75 g of available carbohydrates, consisted of white bread with added Cr (400 or 800 μg as Cr picolinate) or placebo. Results: After addition of 400 and 800 μg Cr incremental area under the curve (AUC) for capillary glucose was 23% (p = 0.053) and 20% (p = 0.054), respectively, lower than after the white bread meal. These differences reached significance if the subjects were divided into responders (n = 10) and non-responders (n = 3). For the responders AUC after 400 and 800 μg Cr was reduced by 36% and 30%, respectively (Placebo 175 ± 22, Cr400 111 ± 14 (p < 0.01), Cr800 122 ± 15 mmol · min/L (p < 0.01)). Glycemia was unchanged after addition of Cr in the non-responders. Responders and non-responders differed significantly in their nutrient intake and eating pattern, and total serum iron concentration tended to be lower in the responder group (p = 0.07). Conclusions: Acute chromium supplementation showed an effect on postprandial glucose metabolism in most but not all subjects. The response to Cr may be influenced by dietary patterns.


Independent filmmakers have crafted non-standard methods and artistic vocabularies to realise a form of "independence" that frequently runs counter to commodity relations which position cultural production in terms of consumption and cultural producers as industry professionals. I argue that as a practice, independent Indian documentary has developed an artisanal mode of production that is deprofessionalised in contrast to the focus on professional specialisation and standardisation of creative processes in industrial modes of media production. This is a critical feature as it permits a radical re-imagination of documentary as signifying practice existing in the everyday that produces a system of references to interpret social process and actors, dismissed by mainstream media representation.


With the development of production technology, the mechanical structure has become more and more complicated, which makes the simulation process of the corresponding computer model very time-consuming. As a result, the reliability analysis needs to consume huge time resources. To deal with this problem, an improved method, which balances the accuracy of failure probability and the efficiency of computation, is proposed. The novelty of the proposed method is the use of an efficient point selection strategy, the $k$ -means algorithm, and the constraint of correlation among the training points. The $k$ -means algorithm can divide the candidate points into a few groups. Therefore, we can update the Kriging model by selecting several sample points which have large contributions to improve the accuracy of failure probability in each iteration. Meanwhile, a constraint is applied to control the relative location among points of DoE to avoid redundant information. The efficiency and accuracy of the proposed method are verified through two numerical examples. Finally, a type of artillery coordination system as a representative of the complex mechanisms is mentioned. And the proposed method is applied to calculate the reliability of the position accuracy of the coordination process, which proves the significance of the proposed method in engineering practice.


Background and Purpose Renal artery aneurysm is a rare occurrence. We report our experience in the management of 2 symptomatic renal artery aneurysms with laparoscopic approach. Material and Methods Two patients, male and female, mean age 44 years (range: 43 to 45 y), diagnosed with left renal artery aneurysms during routine hypertension work-up, underwent laparoscopic aneurysm reconstruction. Results Operative time was 180 and 150 minutes with a warm ischemia time of 46 and 15 minutes and an estimated operative bleeding of 50 and 0 mL, respectively. The patients were discharged home on postoperative day 2 and 5, respectively. A selective left renal arteriography showed normal caliber of the repaired arteries in both patients. A follow-up of 45 and 7 months, respectively, has been uneventful. Conclusions In well-selected patients, vascular surgical techniques may offer excellent results. Laparoscopy provides the advantages of the minimally invasive approach while achieving adequate vascular control. However, advance training in laparoscopic reconstructive surgical techniques is required before attempting this procedure.


This paper addresses the study of a pyro-gasification plant designed, built, and operated to recover inert metals from different types of solid waste. Experimental tests were carried out using pulper as the solid waste. However, while a reliable composition analysis of the produced syngas was carried out, a precise composition evaluation of the pulper used during the experimental activities was not performed and the related data were characterized by unacceptable uncertainty. Therefore, with the aim of reliably characterizing the plant operation, a thermochemical model of the gasification process was setup to simulate the equilibrium operation of the plant and a vector optimization methodology was used to calibrate the numerical model. Then, a decision-making problem was solved to identify the most suitable optimal solution between those belonging to the Pareto optimal front, thus obtaining reliable composition data for the adopted pulper waste. In particular, four different identification criteria were applied for the selection of small subset of solutions over the 3138 dominant solutions found. Among them, the solution (i.e., set of calibration parameters) that minimizes the experimental-numerical difference between the lower heating value of the produced syngas seemed to provide the most reliable approximation of the real plant operation. Finally, a possible plant configuration is proposed for the energetic valorization of the pulper waste and its overall conversion process efficiency is estimated.


A new empirical field calibration equation is presented. This relationship is obtained from a detailed numerical study of the field distribution within a real field ion microscope. The equation separates the important shank angle effect from the other geometric influences. Comparison is made of the predicted field with actual values.


Against the backdrop of an ever-changing and challenging operating environment, retailers must find new ways to attract customers, encourage them to purchase and then gain their loyalty. Despite the growth of multi-channel retailing, the bricks-and-mortar store remains the most important channel, with some 94 percent of retail sales derived from physical stores. Academics, retailers, architects, and interior designers have long acknowledged the positive impact of the in-store experience on customer reactions. Although millions of dollars are invested in refurbishing stores, few retailers evaluate such efforts.

The positive impact of store refurbishment on customer reactions is documented in the literature. However, academic inquiry into store refurbishment effects on customers is limited. Existing research does not consider the impact of a store's "initial reference point" (the condition of the store prior to refurbishment) on customer reactions. Yet it is likely that the greater the change in a store resulting from refurbishment, the more impactful the refurbishment will be on customer reactions. In addition, past research has not investigated the relative impact of refurbishing specific store attributes on customer reactions.

This thesis addresses these gaps in knowledge based on a longitudinal quasi-experiment conducted in the field, involving two stores that underwent a major refurbishment and two matched control stores. Importantly, the treatment stores were of contrasting initial reference points such that one had a Low Initial Reference Point (LIRP) and the other a High Initial Reference Point (HIRP). Thus, two treatment and two control stores were involved in the study, and a customer panel was drawn from a department store's loyalty program. Psychological and objective data were gathered for each panel member and matched using a unique customer identifier. Psychological data were collected using a longitudinal study and objective transaction data were extracted from the retailer's loyalty program database.

The findings show that refurbishing a LIRP store is more impactful on customers' psychological responses in the short and medium-term, compared to refurbishing a HIRP store. Both store refurbishments increase customers' objective spending behaviour in the long-term; however, the impact is significantly greater for a LIRP store (22% compared to 15% for a HIRP store). This finding is critical as the bottom line for most retail decisions is the impact on sales. In addition, refurbishing store flooring, exterior design, lighting, and layout drives customers' psychological responses, however the relative impact of these attributes differs. Moreover, the relative impact of refurbishing these attributes on customers' psychological responses differs between a LIRP and a HIRP store. For a LIRP store, the refurbishment of lighting drives employee conduct perceptions, flooring and exterior design drives store image perceptions, exterior design and lighting drives store satisfaction perceptions, flooring drives feelings of hedonic value, lighting drives feelings of place attachment, and lighting drives positive WOM intentions. For a HIRP store, the refurbishment of flooring and layout drives employee conduct perceptions, lighting and layout drives store image perceptions, exterior design and layout drives feelings of place attachment, and layout drives positive WOM intentions. These findings represent critical contributions to theory and managerial practice as a store can be refurbished in many ways, but its ultimate success relies in part on consideration of the store's initial reference point and the key attributes that optimise its overall impact. Awards: Winner of the Mollie Holman Doctoral Medal for Excellence, Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture, [2014].


The possibilities of standard vertical electrical sounding, using Schlumbrger array, are compared with crossed square resistivity sounding in complex geological conditions created by faulting in electrically anisotropic sediments. The comparison was based on the experimental investigations performed on two parallel test lines about 750 m distant and supported by the transient electromagnetic (TEM and LOTEM) as well as high resolution seismic reflection methods. We had also at our disposal well log data from several wells, the closest one being about 500 m distent. This additional geophysical data were obtained along the shorter test line (400 m long) during experimental investigations with differently defined and with rather broader goals.


Across the globe, students begin and continue learning the piano for various reasons. For many this can be an engaging and enjoyable activity which enhances their commitment to learning. Foundational in this process, practice is an essential part of piano learning. Without the excitement of performing for others, for some practice may become uninteresting and repetitious. Ultimately, boredom may affect piano learners and obstruct their commitment and progress. In this article, we explore what motivates upper primary and secondary school piano learners to practice and how piano teachers can stimulate piano learners' intrinsic motivations. We observed 34 upper primary and secondary school piano learners' lessons in Melbourne, Australia. Subsequently, we interviewed the participants. Following thematic analysis, the findings revealed that students' engagement with practice is influenced by their emotions, and by extrinsic factors such as parental support for practice. We offer new interpretations of how to connect self-determination theory to self-regulation learning based on previous scholar's works. This article can inform music educators in motivating students' piano practice and leading students to achieve progress.


The morphology of terebelliform polychaetes was investigated for a phylogenetic study focused on Terebellidae. For this study, specimens belonging to 147 taxa, preferably type material or specimens from type localities or areas close to them, were examined under stereo, light and scanning electron microscopes. The taxa examined were 1 Pectinariidae, 2 Ampharetidae, 2 Alvinellidae, 8 Trichobranchidae, and 134 Terebellidae, which included 8 Polycirrinae, 15 Thelepodinae, and 111 Terebellinae. A comparison of the morphology, including prostomium, peristomium, anterior segments and lobes, branchiae, glandular venter, nephridial and genital papillae, notopodia and notochaetae, neuropodia and neurochaetae, and posterior end, was made of all the currently recognized families of terebelliform polychaetes, with special emphasis on Terebellidae. A discussion of the characters useful to distinguish between genera is given. This character set will be used in a subsequent phylogenetic study (Nogueira & Hutchings in prep.)A morfologia de poliquetas terebeliformes foi analisada para um estudo filogenetico focado em Terebellidae. Para esse estudo, foram examinados especimes pertencentes a 147 taxons, sob estereomicroscopio, microscopio optico e microscopio eletronico de varredura, preferencialmente material tipo ou especimes das localidades tipo, ou de suas proximidades. Os taxons examinados foram 1 Pectinariidae, 2 Ampharetidae, 2 Alvinellidae, 8 Trichobranchidae e 134 Terebellidae, dos quais 8 Polycirrinae, 15 Thelepodinae e 111 Terebellinae. Para este estudo, foi feita a comparacao entre a morfologia das familias de poliquetas terebeliformes atualmente reconhecidas, com especial enfase em Terebellidae, em relacao ao prostomio, peristomio, segmentos anteriores e lobos, brânquias, superficie glandular ventral, papilas nefridiais e genitais, notopodios e notocerdas, neuropodios e neurocerdas, e extremidade posterior. Uma discussao dos caracteres uteis para distinguir os generos e fornecida. Este conjunto de caracteres sera utilizado para um estudo filogenetico subsequente (Nogueira & Hutchings em preparacao).


This study examines the effect of job satisfaction on job performance with self esteem and self efficacy as an intervening variable. The purpose of this study is to find empirical evidence about the presence of a) the positive effect of job satisfaction on self esteem, b) the positive effect of job satisfaction on self efficacy, c) the positive effect of job satisfaction on job performance, d) the positive effect of self esteem on self efficacy, e) the positive effect of self esteem on job performance, f) the positive effect of self efficacy on job performance. The respondents of this study are the students of Magister Science of Gajah Mada University, especially those who are lecturer that come from many universities in Indonesia. The collecting data used the direct distribution questionnaire. Data were analyzed using path analysis. The result from this study are the positive effect of job satisfaction on self esteem, job satisfaction on self efficacy, job satisfaction on job performance, self esteem on self efficacy, self efficacy on job performance.


Expression of the actin gene family was studied during early sea urchin development using in vitro translation and nucleic acid hybridization techniques. Poly(A)+ RNA from four-cell and gastrula-stage S. purpuratus embryos was translated in vitro and the translation products were monitored for the presence of actin. In addition, poly(A)+ and total RNA were prepared from various stages of development, electrophoresed on agarose gels, transferred to diazobenzyloxymethyl paper, and then hybridized with a cloned actin cDNA probe. Results of these experiments indicate that there is a sharp increase in the level of RNA coding for actin during early development, and that there are two forms of actin specific RNA exhibiting different patterns of control.


The project aims at to enable nitrogen removal using an Anammox granular sludge technique to mainstream wastewater treatment, which could result in reducing treatment aeration costs by 50%, space requirements by 75% and operating costs by 30% compared to conventional treatment processes. Anammox technology is currently effectively applied only in the side-stream because mainstream wastewater has low temperature and low concentration of ammonium, conditions where Nitrite Oxidizing Bacteria (NOB) competes with Anammox bacteria for NO2 . Ammoniumoxidizing Archaea (AOA) were found to have high affinity for NH4 , much higher than ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB), and therefore could be able to successfully outcompete NOB in mainstream conditions. The Winkler Lab at the University of Washington is combining AOA with Anammox bacteria to enable Anammox processes in the mainstream, however reactor stabilization at target mainstream conditions requires innovation in online sensing. This thesis lays the groundwork for development of a sensing strategy to maintain the reactor condition optimal for growth of the target microbial (AOA/Anammox) community (ammonia concentrations down to 10μM). This requires understanding reactor chemistry and response patterns for commercial sensors under these conditions. Samples were taken from the test reactor and were measured for concentration of Na, K, Mg, Ca using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The concentrations were evaluated on the basis of their interdependence and their statistical distributions. Using these trends a set of 50 synthetic samples was generated to be analyzed using ion selective electrode sensors (nominally responsive to Na, K, Ca, NH4 , Cl and NO3 ) which are also installed in the UW lab reactor . Ammonium concentrations were uniformly distributed between 10-40μM (target operating conditions). The synthetic samples were also measured for their pH and conductivity. It was determined that inclusion of carbonates in the creation of synthetic samples (rather than assuming atmospheric equilibration) was critical for achieving target pH. Outputs of these analyses provide a training dataset for use in machine learning approaches for online sensor design.


The influence of the modulus (n), concentration (C ss ) of water gla ss and the replacement of ground carbonatite with ground blast-furnace slag ( M s) on the strength of alkali carbonatite-slag cementitious material (ACSCM for short) in the presence of retarder were studied in this paper. And the micr o image of hydrate and micro pore distribution of this material were analyzed as well. The results showed that with appropriate n, C ss and M s, A CSCM with 3 d and 28 d compressive strength could be over 50 MPa and 90 MPa, res pectively. Their strengths have been increased with the time lasting.


Summary: We work out the continuous dependence, on initial values and parameters, of solutions on maximal intervals of existence (or global solutions) to Caputo fractional order systems, benefiting from a very recent continuation result.


A set of rules was established in order to assign to each phoneme of a sentence a duration matching the observed duration for a given French speaker reading paragraph‐length texts. The model, which presents some analogy with Klatt's model for segmental durations in English [in Frontiers of Speech Communication Research, edited by B. Lindblom and S. Ohman (1979), pp. 287–299], is summarized by the following formula: DUR (vowels) = DI×Vi×mc and DUR (consonants = DI×Cj, where DI is the intrinsic duration of a segment in ms (as observed in nonsense CVC and VCV sequences spoken in short carrier sentences), Vi and Cj are the percentage of shortening or lengthening depending on the position of the segment in the word and in the sentence, and mc is the percentage of shortening or lengthening of the vowels due to the influence of the following consonant. The input to the model is a string of phonemes and markers. These seven markers indicate content and function words, the location of predicted short and long paus...


Anthony N. Akosa, MD, MBA M ost physicians would define utilization management as purely a hassle. Its official definition, according to the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission, is the evaluation of the medical necessity, appropriateness and efficient use of health care services, procedures and facilities under the provisions of the patient's health benefits plan. Health plans consider utilization management important for quality assurance and cost control, which explains why they usually focus their efforts on inpatient admissions, orthopedic procedures, potential cosmetic procedures, alternative and complementary medical services, and expensive imaging studies. Utilization management can complicate physicians' lives by requiring them to submit precertification paperwork, deal with the fallout of denied services and participate in time-consuming appeals. While these processes aren't going away, the right approach can make them less painful.


Looking in depth and from new angles at Les Demoiselles d'Avignon, this essay brings gender and race to bear as categories of analysis on the foremost icon of modernist art history. The focus is on the reception of the work and the central but changing role it has long assumed in art-historical discourse. An attempt is also made to outline new roles the picture may yet serve for some viewing constituencies. Les Demoiselles d'Avignon functions here, too, as the entry point for an argument as to how Cubism, more broadly, might be interpreted in gendered terms.


Functional programming languages are mathematically sound and possess a very simple semantics. Their wide-spread use, however, has been hampered as functional programs can be highly inefficient. One source of inefficiency is the lack of type information at compile-time.
A type system for Backus's style of functional programming (FP) is described. The type system is based on the methodology of type inference and does not require type declarations. One may, however, supply optional type declarations which may be useful for recursive functions that operate on recursive data structures. The type system can detect many programming errors and compute the type of every type-correct functional expression at compile-time. It removes the restrictions commonly imposed on sequences and conditional expressions by other type checking systems for functional programming.
A comparison is made between the performance of two FP systems; one observes Backus's definition of FP and the other incorporates the type system. The comparison shows that the type system does improve the run-time performance as it eliminates all or most of the dynamic type checking.


This letter presents the design methodology of a textile rectangular patch antenna with increased bandwidth. The broadening of the antenna operating band is obtained by using a proximity coupling feed line cascaded to a quarter‐wave impedance transformer. The design parameters used to enhance the antenna bandwidth are the widths of the feed line and impedance transformer. The proposed design procedure has been applied to the design of four antennas centered at 2.45 GHz using denim substrate and conductive fabric. All antennas have the same patch dimensions, but they were designed using different values for the widths of the feed line and impedance transformer. The measured 10‐dB return loss bandwidth of the antenna prototypes are 11.2%, 13.4%, 17.0%, and 24.0%, in good agreement with simulated results. The effect of human body proximity and antenna curvature on the performance of the designed antennas has also been analyzed. The antenna configuration investigated has demonstrated to be able to increase the antenna operating band. The proposed design procedure is flexible, allowing the design of antennas with a variety of bandwidth values. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 58:1906–1912, 2016


In twentieth-century's poetry, the city has become an important and complex theme because when writing about cities, poets tend to re-formulate and re-define their relation with literary and cultural traditions. The city poses a particular challenge for the modern poet who – because of his commitment to social and cultural traditions – feels that his role has been fused to simply responding to the social, moral, cultural and psychological transformations that the city symbolizes. In dealing with the poetry of the city, I intend to establish a contextual reference framework, within which two poems by T. S. Eliot and Salah Abdel Sabour can be compared and analyzed in order to explore the Arab poetic attempt to integrate western modernism into Arab poetic canon. Two approaches were adopted in this study: the biographical and the new critical approaches. The paper concluded that Abdel Sabour and other modernist Arab poets, due to the great influence of Eliot's poetry, which was marked by a smear of loneliness, alienation, frustration, and lack of inner peace, considerably turn to similar imaging of the "City" for their own use of symbolism. The modern city has given rise to new and unusual poetic images and experiences, and thus had their direct impact on the poetic form.


The significance of resorption of leaf resources for shoot growth in evergreen and deciduous woody plants from a subarctic environment


Given the problem of weapon coordinated fire distribution of ground assault equipment, against a background of small-scale assault, a fire distribution model is established based on the background of small-scale assault warfare, combining the damage efficiency against the enemy and our operational losses;, the fire distribution model is built; NSGA-II algorithm is selected to solve the problem, and dynamic crowding calculation strategy is adopted, and adaptive crossover and mutation operators are introduced to improve the optimization performance of the algorithm. Finally, the simulation results suggest that the improved NSGA-II algorithm can improve the distribution of the solution set, improve the convergence of the algorithm, and effectively solve the problem of weapon coordinated fire distribution of ground assault equipment.


The sources of life and professional stresses, including the risks of the "new global reality" determined by artificial intelligence, are generalized and differentiated (according to the levels of the professional-labor and individual-psychological environment). Psychological aspects of occupational health are indicated by the structural phenomenology of occupational stress, in the variants of activity stresses (physiological, subject-activity and informational) and relationship stresses (business and personal). The introduction of programs to increase stress resistance among pilots, military personnel, medical workers and teachers has shown that stress resistance is polydetermined by the circumstances of individuality, training, experience, status, and should be considered as a universal vital professional competence amenable to development. Four approaches to the introduction of anti-stress technologies are identified: through the organization of the conditions of the professional environment; training and training of specialists; correction of states and consequences of stress; integration of personal characteristics and lifestyle (mastering stress management and health management). We introduce a three-level instrumental concept of applying stress management methods at the level of strategic self-determination, resource allocation, and removal of physiological discomfort.


Described are select polyarylethersulfones polymers which are useful for molding into a circuit board substrte. When metal is electroplated onto such a substrate, there is a high degree of adhesion of the metal to the circuit board.