Due to the randomness of the initial phase of the vector network analyzer, there will be a large error when the polarization characteristic parameter $\mathbf{H}/\overline{\alpha}$ measured by using it. In this paper, a method of measuring and calibrating the full polarization scattering matrix by using vector network analyzer is proposed to obtain the polarization characteristic parameter $\mathbf{H}/\overline{\alpha}$. Firstly, the measurement system of the full polarization scattering matrix is constructed, and then the polarization scattering matrix is calibrated by the disk, 0°and 22.5°dihedrals. Finally, the error caused by the randomness of the initial phase of the vector network analyzer is eliminated, and the accurate measurement of the polarization characteristic parameter $\mathbf{H}/\overline{\alpha}$ is realized. The results show that the error of the scattering angle $\overline{\alpha}$ obtained by polarization calibration is less than 3 degrees compared with the theoretical value, which indicates that the polarization characteristic parameter $\mathbf{H}/\overline{\alpha}$ of the target can be accurately obtained by measuring and calibrating the amplitude and phase of the polarization scattering matrix.


A design methodology for observers and controllers for a class of single-input, single-output non-linear systems is developed. A non-linear observer form is defined, and a corresponding observer using non-linear observer gains is specified. The resulting error dynamics, which are non-linear, are asymptotically stable for a proper choice of those gains and bounded inputs and outputs. A non-linear controller form is defined and a corresponding controller, which results in linear closed-loop dynamics with arbitrary eigenvalue placement, is devised. Transformations from the class of interest to the defined forms are derived. In the observer case, the transformation to the observer form and the non-linear entries in the state matrix of that form can be determined separately, leading to a system of linear partial-differential equations—a major simplification. In the controller case, a simple, well-known system of linear partial-differential equations is obtained. The efficacy of the developed methodology is sho...


By adopting bibliometric analysis,the paper has analyzed various data in Library and In Information Service 2007.The paper has examined issues include numbers of published papers,authors and citations,and put forward suggestions for improving the quality of periodicals in library and information science.


Single-agent regorafenib is approved in Canada and in the US for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have failed previous lines of therapy1. Identification of prognostic biomarkers is crucial to ensure the best therapeutic strategies for mCRC patients. The goal of this clinical study (NCT01949194) was to explore putative molecular signatures of response and resistance to regorafenib in metastatic tumors and serial blood samples. We used a multi-omics approach to profile metastatic tumor tissues and serial blood samples from 47 mCRC patients who received single-agent regorafenib as second-line therapy after failing first-line therapy with an oxaliplatin or irinotecan-containing regimen with or without bevacizumab. Whole exome sequencing was performed to assess both the mutational and copy number (CN) landscapes of metastatic tissues from 29 patients and the transcriptome was interrogated using RNA sequencing. A 14-gene panel was used to profile serial plasma samples. Molecular aberrations were then correlated with lesion-specific treatment response using RECIST 1.1 and progression free survival (PFS) to investigate potential associations.The copy number aberration (CNA) landscape of metastatic tumors was assessed using Nexus Copy Number Software and 20 significant focal aberrations were identified using Genomic Identification of Significant Target in Cancer (GISTIC) test (q-bound Citation Format: Karen Gambaro, Maud Marques, Suzan McNamara, Mathilde Couetoux du Tertre, Cyrla Hoffert, Archana Srivastava, Sophie Mathieu, Anna schab, Thierry Alcindor, Adrian Langleben, Lucas Sideris, Mahmoud Adbelsalam, Mustapha Tehfe, Gerald Batist, Petr Kavan. A Phase II exploratory study to identify biomarkers prognostic of clinical response to regorafenib in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer who have failed first-line therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 4325.


Abstract Background Sedentary time (ST) is considered as a major public health concern. Children are particularly vulnerable as their ST increase with age. Therefore, school-based interventions aimed to reduce and prevent children ST are burgeoning. Previously a review found that school-based interventions proposing multiples components which include standing desks appeared to be more effective compared to uni-component studies (Hegarty et al., 2016). However, this result only depended on 11 records published before 2016 and must be verified since the growing number of school-based interventions are proposed. Objective: To continue the evaluation of the effectiveness of school-based interventions published since the previous review (2016). Methods A total of 4 databases were examined: PubMed-Medline, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. The search was conducted using keywords in English, the main ones being: 1) "Sedentary Time" 2) "Intervention" 3) "Child", 4) "School". Records published between August 2016 and August 2019 with objective measure of ST were analysed. Data were collected and compiled by an author according to PRISMA criteria. Results 14 studies were included: 9 studies were multi-components (64%) and 5 were uni-component (36%). The method of measurement used in all studies was accelerometry. Environmental and organizational changes were the most used components. Among fourteen, nine studies reported significant results on post-intervention: respectively, with three being uni-component and six being multi-components. The long-term effect remain undetermined. Conclusion Uni component studies used only environmental reorganization which reduces ST in the short term. This finding had already been supported in previous interventions studies using standing desks that had been identified by the last systematic review (Aminian et al., 2015; Clemes et al., 2016). The uni- and multi-components studies do not differ clearly in the results obtained. However, multi-components interventions seem to be the more promising strategy to reduce ST and to develop healthy habits at long term. Interventions with follow-up measures at long term are required.


Abstract Introduction: Although the clinical significance of type II endoleaks remain controversial, management strategies continue to expand. The laparoscopic approach is a minimally invasive method for persistent type II endoleak repair after endovascular aneurysm repair. Patient concerns: A 70 - year - old male patient with a history of endovascular aneurysm repair with left internal iliac artery embolization presented with persistent type II endoleak from the lumbar arteries 2 years ago. The aneurysm sac size had increased more than 10 mm during follow up period. Diagnosis: Persistent type II endoleak after endovascular aneurysm repair. Interventions: Transarterial embolization was attempted and failed. A minimally invasive laparoscopic lumbar artery ligation was then utilized. Outcomes: The patient was discharged without any complications after surgery. Follow-up computed tomography angiography has shown the complete disappearance of the type II endoleaks. Conclusions: Laparoscopic lumbar artery ligation may be a safe and effective alternative treatment for type II endoleaks, especially in high resource settings.


One of the principal determinants of population growth is mortality. The level of female child mortality is often taken as indicator of health conditions, but these may be in general regarded as an indicator of the development of a society and an important indicator of overall development of a country. In this paper, the probability model for number of female child death among women, have been derived. The application of the model in the paper is illustrated through its application to the data from Raebareli district of Uttar Pradesh from Concurrent Assessment of Health & Family Welfare Programs and Technical Support to District of Uttar Pradesh (CATA, 2005-06). The models are estimated on the basis of observed set of data and are tested for their suitability.


Faraday shield is integrated in the flex circuit optical sensor. Conductive trace layer disposed on the substrate, are used to form a conductive grid which shields the surface of the photodetector. Conductive ink layer is formed on the opposite side of the substrate trace layer. Rear and side portions of the detector is shielded by the flex circuit flaps, these flaps has a conductive ink layer substantially excludes trace layer, it adheres to the detector folds the detector body. The shielded substrate flaps, detector shielding separate becomes unnecessary, which is advantageous. The detector shield are generally prepared by the etched copper parts must be attached to the flex circuit before mounting the detector.


The Galvanic test has been studied as a test of equilibrium. However, it has been less applied clinically than other tests, partly because analysis of the ENG records is difficult due to contamination by electric stimulation. In this study, to overcome this problem, we recorded and analyzed galvanic nystagmus using infrared video-oculography.The subjects were 14 healthy volunteers (8 males and 6 females; mean age 32.6 years).Electrodes were taped to the mastoid processes in both ears. The right electrode was the cathode, and the left electrode was the reference electrode. Direct current stimulations at 1, 2, 3, and 4 mA each with a 30 second duration were applied using a direct current stimulator.Nystagmus was provoked toward the cathodes in all subjects. The threshold of provocation was 1 mA in 10 and 2 mA in 4 of 14 subjects. The average frequency of nystagmus was 0.645 Hz at 1 mA, 1.088 Hz at 2 mA, 1.348 Hz at 3 mA, and 1.592 Hz at 4 mA. The average slow phase velocity was 2.121, 5.053, 7.564, and 9.130 deg/sec, respectively. Both the frequency of nystagmus and average slow phase velocity tended to increase linearly with the intensity of the electric current.Since nystagmus was provoked toward the cathode, the cathodic current is considered to have increased the firing of the vestibular afferent pathway. Zinc et al., who performed experiments using an infrared video-oculography and a similar stimulation pattern, reported that there was a difference in the threshold of provocation by galvanic vestibular stimulation between the otolith and semicircular canal. According to our results, nystagmus was provoked at 1-2 mA, and the threshold of provocation by galvanic stimulation is not considered to differ between the otolith and semicircular canal.


INTRODUCTION Magnetic Resonance first pass perfusion (MR-FPP) imaging is as a highly appropriate method for the non-invasive detection of coronary artery disease (CAD) and the assessment of ischemic heart disease . Fermi deconvolution modeling applied to cardiac MR-FPP has been demonstrated to provide accurate measurements of myocardial blood flow (MBF) in CAD . However, the limitations placed on spatial resolution by the requirements of high temporal resolution and the presence of motion and susceptibility artefacts, mean that absolute quantification of MBF requires further validation. The relatively high spatial resolution of Multi-Detector Computed Tomography (MDCT) makes it a robust method for direct evaluation of stenosis in CAD . Although the latest generation of MDCT scanners is capable of improved spatial resolution and image quality at lower radiation doses, the main limitation to the dynamic investigation of cardiac perfusion with MDCT is still radiation exposure. Stenotic lesions readily identified during routine MDCT coronary artery imaging may therefore only currently be assessed using MDCT "snapshot" perfusion techniques . Variability in heart rate under stress and rest conditions mean that acquisition of snapshot MDCT images at peak contrast infusion at both rest and stress are challenging. Assessment of snapshot MDCT perfusion imaging therefore also requires further validation. Our group has applied a cross-validation perfusion study by comparing absolute MBF values measured using MR-FPP with transmural perfusion ratios (TPR) measured with MDCT in a population of CAD patients. TPR has been shown previously to be lower in patients with CAD . The aim is to use a multimodality assessment of perfusion by using the merits of each technique and establishing a range of comparable cross-validated perfusion assessments.


The invention discloses a factory testing method and system for a modular television. The method comprises the following steps: receiving infrared waveform information sent by an infrared remote controller; analyzing the infrared waveform information to obtain corresponding key value information, and judging whether the infrared remote controller is in a factory infrared remote controller mode or not; and, if judging that the infrared remote controller is in the factory infrared remote controller mode, continuously judging whether the modular television enters a factory testing mode or not, and if so, sending a factory testing functional key value in the key value information to a screen side or an intelligent card side to be processed. By using the invention, when the infrared remote controller is in the factory infrared remote controller mode and the modular television is in the factory testing mode, the key value information including the factory testing function is sent to the screen side and the intelligent card side of the modular television, such that the television is controlled to perform a factory test; and thus, the problems that factory testing items of the modular television are various and complex by directly using the common remote controller currently can be solved.


A method and apparatus for descrambling a DVD player to improve operational reliability. Comprising the steps of: setting a predetermined bit in each partition represents a data portion of the ID value data comprises descrambling the initial value of the ID data, using the value of this bit in the data descrambling process; bit value based on the ID data error ; If an error occurs, correct the error and ID data; and, according to the descrambled data partition units. The advantage is that a bit value can substantially unchanged a particular data block and data block between substantially continuous, thereby minimizing the erroneous operation due to an error in the ID data in the data descrambling caused.


Time-average shear wave velocity at top 30 m depth ( V S30 ) is extensively used for site characterization and amplification parameters estimation. However, due to various reasons, the shear velocity profile ( V S ) does not reach to 30 m depth. In this study, using the multichannel analysis of surface waves, V S profiles at 275 locations have been determined in the Indo-Gangetic Basin (IGB). Further using V S profiles, new correlations between V S30 and V S Z (where z is the average depth) have been developed for z \ 30 and z [ 30 m. For z \ 30, second degree polynomial equation has been used for deriving V S30 and V S Z correlation for z ranging from 5 to 29 m in 1 m increment. Whereas for z [ 30, both linear and second-order polynomial equations have been used. Based on the variation of residual with V S30 , it has been observed that second-order polynomial equation derived using orthogonal regression is performing better in both cases. Additionally, new correlations between V S30 and SPT-N Z , with z equals to 5, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 m, have been derived. This correlation is further used in deriving the N 30 map of the IGB as per BIS:1893 useful for Indian scenario. Further, the depth corresponding to one-quarter of wavelength for various periods has been studied. The velocities known up to 30 m depth are relevant for site amplification at period up to 0.5 s. This is the first time such extensive study has been carried out in the IGB for correlation of V S30 and V S Z , for both deep and shallow depths.


The consequences of spatial localization of Lower Hybrid waves in a tokamak plasma are discussed. A threshold value of the electric field amplitude for a nonlinear interaction is determined, and the role of short-wavelength Fourier components is considered.


Peach Prunus persica (L.) Batsch is self-compatible and largely self-fertile, but under greenhouse conditions pollinators must be introduced to achieve good fruit set and quality. Because little work has been done to assess the effectiveness of different pollinators on peach trees under greenhouse conditions, we studied 'Okubo' peach in greenhouse tunnels near Beijing between 2012 and 2014. We measured pollen deposition, pollen-tube growth rates, ovary development, and initial fruit set after the flowers were visited by either of two managed pollinators: bumblebees, Bombus patagiatus Nylander, and honeybees, Apis mellifera L. The results show that B. patagiatus is more effective than A. mellifera as a pollinator of peach in greenhouses because of differences in two processes. First, B. patagiatus deposits more pollen grains on peach stigmas than A. mellifera, both during a single visit and during a whole day of open pollination. Second, there are differences in the fertilization performance of the pollen deposited. Half of the flowers visited by B. patagiatus are fertilized 9–11 days after bee visits, while for flowers visited by A. mellifera, half are fertilized 13–15 days after bee visits. Consequently, fruit development is also accelerated by bumblebees, showing that the different pollinators have not only different pollination efficiency, but also influence the subsequent time course of fertilization and fruit set. Flowers visited by B. patagiatus show faster ovary growth and ultimately these flowers produce more fruit. Our work shows that pollinators may influence fruit production beyond the amount of pollen delivered. We show that managed indigenous bumblebees significantly outperform introduced honeybees in increasing peach initial fruit set under greenhouse conditions.


Due to the need for propagandizing to outsides,the Shanghai Municipal Council established a special Department,Informa- tion Department,as well as to meet the demands of taxpayers and mass medias that the authority should be more open to publics.As a spokesman of the S.M.C,Information Department not only released various information about government,but also focused on the strategies of propagandism.Therefore,a positive comment was given by the S.M.C on its works.


This includes books published in Iceland, 1578-1844, in Mr. Fiske's col lection, not to be found in the library of the British Museum. The arrangement is chronological. Titles are given in full for books printed earlier than the nineteenth century, with full collation and contents and historical notes, as well as a description and history of the copy in Mr. Fiske's possession, and the names of libraries possessing copies.


Temperature dependence of the electron spin-lattice relaxation time T 1 , of 63 Cu doped metal dithio;ene matrices were studied by coninuous wave and time-domain EPR methods. Measurements were made in the temperture range from 10-300K for (n-Bu 4 N) 2 Pt(dtsq), (n-Bu 4 N) 2 Pt(dcmdtcroc)2, (n-Bu 4 N 2 Pd(dtcroc) 2 and (n-Bu 4 N) 2 'Ni(mnt) 2 Matrices where (dtsq) is dithiosquarate (dcmdtcroc) is dicyanomethylinedithiocrocanate, (dtcroc) is dithiocrocanate and (mnt) is maleonitriledithiolate. In all systems T 1 seems to be of the order of a few μs above 80K. In (n-Bu 4 N) 2 [ 63 Cu/Pt(dcmdt croc) 2 ], the T 1 values have been found to vary between 0.52 and 770 μs between 300K and 20K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the electron spin-lattice relaxation rate is about T 3 . Temperature-dependent T 1 values thus obtained have been interpreted in terms of both direct and Raman processes.


Core–shell porous Fe3O4@C (CP-Fe3O4@C) microspheres were synthesized using an environmentally viable hydrothermal method. Carbonization can reduce Fe2O3 and provide a conductive coating simultaneously. CP-Fe3O4@C microspheres as an active material for Lithium-ion batteries demonstrate pseudocapacity for improved rate performance. With a distinct nanostructure and pseudocapacitive effect, the CP-Fe3O4@C microspheres show excellent electrochemical performance (∼785 mAh·g−1 at 0.3 A·g−1 after 200 cycles). Capacity measurements of CP-Fe3O4@C microspheres suggest near 90% pseudocapacitance at relatively low scan rates (5 mV·s−1).


A pregnant woman presented with increasing exertional dyspnea and was found to have complete heart block with a junctional escape rhythm. The complete heart block did not resolve with exercise testing, suggesting infranodal disease. A presumptive diagnosis of mild viral myocarditis was made, having been exposed to her toddler with a viral exanthem days before. After giving steroids to preemptively accelerate fetal lung maturity and several days of close observation, the AV block resolved. She was discharged in stable condition without need for temporary or permanent pacing and later delivered a healthy infant.


Present study has been undertaken to propose an alternative use of unmodified marine red alga (Kappaphycus alvarezii) (UMRA) as biosorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The biosorption studies were conducted in batch adsorption system as a function of contact time and initial metal ion concentration. The adsorption system attained equilibrium after 150 min of contact time for Pb (II), Cu (II), Zn (II) and Cd (II). The removal efficiency of red alga improved as metal ions concentrations were lowered. The equilibrium sorption data was better explained by Langmuir isotherm model suggesting that the adsorption of metal cations observed monolayer sorption pattern. Pseudo-first-order model, pseudo-second-order model and intraparticle diffusion model were utilised to test the sorption kinetics involved in the process. It was observed that pseudo-first-order kinetic model could better describe the adsorption kinetics. A comparison of maximum sorption capacity of several agro-based waste material showed that red alga can be a suitable alternative to use as biosorbent in the removal of toxic heavy metals from aqueous solutions


Educational social psychology originated in 1930s in the United States,which is an interdisciplinary subject between the education psychology and social psychology.A new discussion on how to establish the theoretical framework to keep a close contact with main subject makes the theory more meaningful.This paper discusses how to integrate the positive psychology which focuses on the individual development and training with the main research topic of education social psychology.


Uterine leiomyomas are the most common solid pelvic tumors in women and endometriosis is an exceedingly common gynecologic problem. The most common site of endometriosis is the ovary, and other organs affected are posterior cul-de-sac, anterior uterovesical peritoneum, uterosacral ligaments, tube, uterus, rectovaginal septum, sigmoid colon, cervix and vulva. Cevical endometriosis is usually regarded as an uncommon lesion. We experienced a case of endometriosis of ovary and cervix with huge uterine myoma.


From time immemorial, the medical practitioners used audible‐frequency diagnostic methods (percussion, pulse tone analysis, lung, heart and abdominal sound listening) for diagnosing and treatment of ailments without much help from other tests. During the last century, despite the fact that the stethoscope became the sign of the physician, auscultatory techniques are becoming outmoded and are often considered of little clinical value in comparison with many other modern diagnostic technologies. But obviously, there is rich information on the normal and diseased states of human organs in audible‐frequency signals since characteristic times for many physiologic processes and resonance frequencies of anatomical structures are in that frequency range. In recent years, numerous emerging technologies started to bring new life into the ancient diagnostic approaches using low‐frequency signals. Significant part of these new technologies are based on ultrasonic methods such as remote detection of tissue oscillation using the Doppler technique and especially on emerging ultrasonic technologies based on the use of acoustic radiation force. This talk presents an overview of current trends in the development of methods realizing the tremendous untapped medical diagnostic potential of sonic range acoustics.


At present, a number of economic actions undertaken by the Russian enterprises for development, directly or indirectly, lead to water and air pollution, nuclear radiation and many other perverse outcomes. The environment destruction is closely related to the enterprises activities that implement minerals and natural resources in their performance. If an enterprise establishes a reliable organizational management process, analyses the research and production process and implements modern equipment, then it can, to a certain extent, avoid environmental pollution, thereby preserving space for the economic activity.


number of causal scenarios to a variety of outcomes This research examined how people simulate causal may serve to reduce likelihood estimates, whereas sim-scenarios. Several factors affect the perceived likeli-ulating several scenarios to the same outcome may in-hood of a given causal scenario. causal scenario was affected by the number of causal little attention is how people judge the likelihood of scenarios the participant constructed. Experiment 2 particular causal scenarios. Previous research has fo-manipulated the likelihood of the scenarios the participants constructed; the judged probability of the focal cused on how people judge the likelihood of particular causal scenario was affected by the likelihood of the outcomes, but little research has focused on the factors scenarios constructed by the participants. The results that affect the perceived likelihood of a particular of both experiments suggest that participants use sev-causal scenario that leads to a given outcome. Figure eral scenario-evaluation mechanisms to " prune " the 1 illustrates several possible ways that a person might set of causal scenarios under consideration. These mentally simulate one or more causal scenarios. The mechanisms involve consistency checking and search-far left square represents the initial state of the sce-ing for leading contenders. ᭧ 1997 Academic Press nario, the open circles represent the possible intermediate states, and the filled circles to the right represent the possible outcomes. The links between the various Considerable research has investigated the overconfi-states in the decision problem represent various paths dence phenomenon in decision making. Recently, Hirt that could be simulated. Notice that it is possible for a and Markman (1995) and Koehler (1994), among oth-person to mentally simulate several paths leading to ers, have investigated how people simulate scenarios each of several possible outcomes (Fig. 1a), one path leading to different outcomes. The main focus of these leading to each of several outcomes (Fig. 1b), several studies has been to determine the extent to which peo-paths leading to a single outcome (Fig. 1c), or a single ple construct and simulate alternative states of the path leading to a single outcome (Fig. 1d). Most of the world (cf. Kahneman & Tversky, 1982; Tversky & Kah-previous research has studied how generating multiple neman, 1973) and to what extent the construction of outcome states affects the perceived probability of a those alternatives reduces overconfidence. This re-given outcome state (e.g., Hirt & Markman, 1995; Ko-search suggests that one overriding factor affecting the riat et al., …


Traditionally, virtual reality systems use powerfull 3D computer graphics to model and render virtual environments in real-time. Traditionally too, virtual reality systems use 3D computer graphics to model and render virtual environments in real-time, and his approach usually requires laborious modeling and expensive special purpose rendering hardware. The rendering quality and scene complexity are often limited because of the real-time constraint. This book presents a new approach which uses 360-degree cylindrical panoramic images to compose a virtual environment. The panoramic image is digitally warped on-the-fly to simulate camera panning and zooming. The panoramic images can be created with computer rendering, specialized panoramic cameras or by "stitching" together overlapping photographs taken with a regular camera throught its nodal point. Walking in a space is currently accomplished by "hopping" to different panoramic points. The image-based approach has been used in the commercial product QuickTime VR, a virtual reality extension to Apple Computer's QuickTime digital
multimedia framework.This aplication uses cilindric 360o panoramas to build virtual enviroments, endeed, images.
This software was chosed for the experiments related with this research cause it has all necessary ability to produce virtual enviroments image-based. This text describes the architecture, the file format, the authoring process and the interactive players of the VR system. In addition to panoramic viewing, the system includes viewing of an object from different directions and hit-testing through orientation-independent hot spots.


The paper is focused on the evaluation of characteristics of passengers, who use the special bus line "Cycle bus" for transportation in urban bus transport (UBT) in Nitra. In the introduction is defined the role and mission of transport as a service and its contribution to inhabitants. Subsequently there is presented a characteristic of the selected bus line within the frame of particular vehicle, its routing and traffic features. The main part of the paper lies in the analysis of realized questionnaire survey among passengers, which synthesis consists in the introduction of model types of passengers travelling by the Cycle bus. Finally, the acquired findings are summarized and areas that may be improved in the future are pointed out.


Abstract Studies of diet suggest that skinks are opportunistic predators. However, there is little information on actual diet preferences because most studies do not evaluate the availability of prey in the environment. We analysed the diet selection of a population of the little-known skink Chalcides parallelus from the Chafarinas Islands in North Africa. This species is considered highly threatened, and diet selection is an important basic point on which to support the design of conservation plans. We specifically examined diet estimated from faecal material collected from live skinks, and compared diet with availability of invertebrates in the microhabitats used by skinks (under rocks and in the leaf litter). Results indicated that the diet of C. parallelus skinks consisted of the same types of invertebrates that are more commonly found in the habitat such as beetles (54.8% of prey), cockroaches, spiders and snails. This diet could be considered generalist, and probably opportunistic. However, the comparison of proportions of prey types in the diet and those available in the habitat revealed that C. parallelus did not eat prey at random, but selected some particular prey types (beetles, cockroaches, and pseudoscorpiones) while others (ants and isopods) were consumed less than expected by their abundance. Invertebrates available and consumed did not differ in size, but skinks consumed beetles that were smaller than the average size of those available. We discuss how diet preferences could be due to selection of the more profitable or easily captured prey.


Objective To clarify the effect of stromal cell-derived factor-1α(SDF-1α) on the biological function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells(EPCs) in the patients with glucose metabolism disorders.Methods The peripheral blood was collected from the 60 normal adults,78 patients with impaired glucose tolerance,71 T2DM patients without vascular complications,and 60 T2DM patients with vascular complications.The isolation of mononuclear cells was by density gradient centrifugation,followed by identification of EPCs.The amount,migration,adhesion,proliferation,and in vitro angiogenesis of EPCs were measured respectively.SDF-1α was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The differences in SDF-1 and EPCs between different groups were analyzed.The correlation of SDF-1α with EPCs′ amount,migration,adhesion,proliferation,and angiogenesis in vitro were observed.Results In the normal control group,SDF-1α was 6.52±1.04 μg/L;in the IGT group,it was 6.23±1.02 μg/L;in the T2DM without vascular complications group,it was 5.98±0.97 μg/L;and in the T2DM with vascular complications group,it was 5.39±0.85 μg/L.EPCs′ amount,migration,adhesion,proliferation,and angiogenesis in vitro were 53.7±6.7 cell/200,35.17±4.39 cell/200,25.98±4.39 cell/200,17.24±2.15 cell/200,9.7±2.2 cell/200,6.27±1.42 cell/200,4.11±0.93 cell/200,2.35±0.53 cell/200,22.9±4.3 cell/200,17.36±3.26 cell/200,12.36±2.32 cell/200,7.73±1.43 cell/200,0.62±0.04 cell/200,0.51±0.03 cell/200,0.38±0.03 cell/200,0.29±0.02 cell/200,11.3±1.8 tubules/200,8.82±1.32 tubules/200,5.69±0.91 tubules/200,and 4.10±0.65 tubules/200(P0.01).The correlation analysis showed that SDF-1α was positively correlated only with the amount of EPCs in the IGT group(P0.05),while it was correlated positively with the amount,migration,adhesion,proliferation,and angiogenesis in vitro in the T2DM with and without vascular complications groups(P0.05 or P0.01).Conclusion In the patients with glucose metabolism disorders,SDF-1α impairs EPCs.This finding provides a new theoretical basis for making strategy in treatment of T2DM.


As is well known, the word cholesteatoma has for neurologists and otologists an ambiguous meaning. On the one hand, it is applied to certain rare intradural tumours, characterized by glistening pearly epithelial capsules, which envelop amorphous masses of keratin, cholesterol and degenerate squamous cells. These tumours are especially found in the cerebello-pontine angle, lateral ventricle, and suprasellar region. It is agreed that they are of developmental origin, and better designated as epidermoids. But on the other hand, there is a much commoner condition also styled a cholesteatoma. This is the aural cholesteatoma, a chronic cavitating lesion arising in relation to an infected middle ear. It may be lined with stratified squamous epithelium, and usually contains waxy or oily debris: but it is generally considered to be of inflammatory origin. In this view (Tumarkin, 1954; Young, 1950) the aural cholesteatoma or cholesteatosis is wholly unrelated to the intracranial epidermoid: it arises as a consequence of otitic suppuration, probably by metaplasia of the squamous cells lining the middle-ear cleft, or perhaps from ingrowth of the tympanic epithelium. (It must, however, be said that some writers still doubt that this is so, and contend that some or all of these so-called "secondary" cholesteatomas are inclusion cysts become secondarily infected. (Volk, 1951.))


communication lines from power transmission lines is one of the most signif-icant factors to maintain the reliable operation, and its predictive evaluation is quite important. There exist various simulation soft-wares for the purpose. However it is not easy to understand the physical nature of the induced voltages based on the simulation re-sult, and is hard to explaine the phisical meaning of the smulation result. This paper has developed an analytical method of solving electromagnetically induced voltages and currents on a pipeline and / or a communication line from a power line based on a solution of a di ff erential equation expressing the electromagnetic induction on a distributed line system in Fig. 1(a), by adopting an artificial induced current per unit length given in the following form. This paper has proposed an analytical method of solving electromagnetically induced voltages and currents on a pipeline and / or on a communication line from a power line. The method is based on a solution of a di ff erential equation expressing the electromagnetic induction on a distributed line system, and is formulated in the same manner as a four-terminal parameter circuit equation by introducing an ideal induced current which is given as the ratio of the induced voltage and the induced circuit impedance. The application of the method is exactly the same as that of an well-known two-port circuit analysis. The method is applied to induced voltages on a pipeline. Analytical results evaluated by the method are compared with EMTP simulation results, and the accuracy of the method is confirmed to be high. Also, a qualitative characteristic of the induced voltages is made clear based on the analytical results of various grounding resistances, including currents and circuit composition.


The lichenized fungi are symbiotic associations between a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria, resulting in the formation of a vegetative structure, the lichen thallus, not known in other non-lichenized fungi. These fungi are able to colonize a great variety of substrates, depending on the physical and chemical conditions of the substrate and environmental conditions. This study aimed to: (i) know the diversity of the lichenized mycota in Brejos de Altitude of Pernambuco; (ii) compare the richness and composition of corticolous crustose lichens between the studied areas; (iii) determine the environmental factors influencing the occurrence of lichenized fungi in the different Brejos de Altitude. There were two field visits in each study area, in August and October/2013 and June/2014. Samples were collected in a transect of 200 m in length in each area, along which sampling points were marked every 10 m, selecting the nearest tree at a point that had lichen coverage. A total of 112 lichen species were identified, representing 14 families and 34 genera. The greatest species richness was recorded in Caruaru, followed by Triunfo and Serra Negra, being influenced by altitude and total transmittance and canopy openness. The species composition indicates that Triunfo differs from the other studied areas, and is significantly affected by the diameter at breast height (DBH) of the selected host and luminosity. Caruaru and Serra Negra showed significant correlation with altitude. The results reveal that the community of lichens in Brejos de Altitude (montane forest) is influenced by abiotic and biotic factors.


Sports and health programs are influenced and restrained by various factors in terms of objectives,content,methods,organizations and evaluation.In that sense,sports and health curriculum reform and development could not be divorced from social and development needs.Physical Education of colleges should update their concepts and innovative thinking,reform the existing educational model of college sports and further expand the connotation of sports programs so that sports programs develop towards health and social development to meet the needs of talent cultivation.


A method of manufacturing a resin molded body of the present invention to provide wood meal containing capable of reducing the amount of the thermoplastic resin so as to reduce the weight, and has excellent mechanical strength. Wood-containing resin molded body 1 made of thermoplastic resin containing wood flour, having a non-foamed layer formed on the surface of the foam layer 2 and 3 formed inside. 3 from the side of the foam layer from the surface near the foamed layer including a first 3a, 3b having a second foamed layer of small bubbles than the first average pore size of the foamed layer 3a having an average pore diameter than the first foamable the third large bubble foam layer 3c layer 3a. Wood-containing resin molded body 1 comprising aromatizing ingredient.


The headwork of water diversion tunnel is protected by a concrete plug predetermined in the reservoir side.The angle of horn-shaped concrete plug is level.The asphalt felt and steel pipe set between the plug body and the rock to form a weak surface plates and linoleum.By adopting domestic waterproof emulsion explosive,electronic detonator,and a series of technology,such as,double network,millisecond delay detonator,peripheral hole no using pre-splitting blasting,rock ballast treatment without slag collecting pit or buffer pit,the plug blasting was very successful.


Atomic layer deposited Al2O3/GaN metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) diodes with and without post-metallization annealing (PMA) were irradiated with gamma-rays. Capacitance–voltage measurements were made before and after irradiation to investigate trap formation in Al2O3 films and interface states between Al2O3 and GaN. Negative flat-band voltage shifts were observed. The flat-band voltage shift depends on the Al2O3 thickness, showing different distributions of gamma-ray-induced positive charges for samples with and without PMA. The interface state density of the PMA sample slightly increased after irradiation, but was lower than that of the sample without PMA before irradiation.


A central claim in favor of decentralization is that it will improve access to public services, but few studies examine this question empirically. This paper, the policyoriented companion to Faguet and SAinchez (2009), explores the effects of decentralization on the uses and spatial distribution of public investment, and on access to health and education services in Colombia. I show that investment shifted from infrastructure to social services and human capital formation, and resources were rebalanced in favor of poorer districts. Decentralization improved enrollment rates in public schools and access to public health services. In both cases, poor people benefitted most. Four important lessons emerge. For decentralization to work well, (i) local governments must face harder budget constraints; (ii) central government must be scaled back; (iii) decentralization is composed of distinct, separable components, the sequencing of which is important.


Dædalus Summer 2004 Malaria, tuberculosis, and the strains of hiv common in Africa kill 5 million people each year, almost all of them in lowincome countries. Effective vaccines against these diseases are desperately needed. Yet there is a striking dearth of research and development (r&d) on vaccines and treatments for diseases primarily affecting poor countries. Of the 1,233 drugs licensed worldwide between 1975 and 1997, only 13 were for tropical diseases, and only 4 of these were speci1⁄2cally developed by commercial pharmaceutical 1⁄2rms to treat tropical diseases in humans. Half of all global health r&d in 1992 was undertaken by private industry, but of that, less than 5 percent was spent on diseases speci1⁄2c to poor countries. The scienti1⁄2c challenges of developing vaccines for diseases such as malaria are formidable, but biotech and pharmaceutical 1⁄2rms often take on dif1⁄2cult scienti1⁄2c challenges. So what explains this underinvestment in r&d? A key factor is that expected markets for these products are small, with most vaccines sold in poor countries currently priced at pennies per dose. The small expected market size is partly due to the poverty of these countries–but it also reflects severe distortions in markets for such vaccines. Typically, once pharmaceutical companies have invested in the r&d necessary to develop products, governments have often used their powers as regulators, dominant purchasers, and arbiters of intellectual property rights to keep prices low. In addition, because r&d on vaccines is an international public good, with the bene1⁄2ts of r&d advances spilling over to other countries, no country has the incentive to unilaterally offer to pay higher prices. Because 1⁄2rms anticipate low prices for products aimed at developing countries, they have limited incentives to invest in r&d. In a forthcoming book, Strong Medicine: Designing Pharmaceutical Markets to Treat Neglected Diseases, Rachel Glennerster and I argue that foreign-aid donors should issue advance contracts committing to 1⁄2nance purchases of needed products such as malaria vaccines. This would provide vaccine developers with an incentive to invest in r&d and would help ensure that once vaccines were Michael Kremer, a Fellow of the American Academy since 2003, is Gates Professor of Developing Societies in the economics department at Harvard University, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and the cofounder and cochair of bread, the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development. He is cochair of the Center for Global Development's Policy Research Network working group on pull incentives for vaccines. He is also the author, with Rachel Glennerster, of "Strong Medicine: Designing Pharmaceutical Markets to Treat Neglected Diseases," which will appear later this year. Michael Kremer


This is a commentary on a Cochrane review, published in this issue of EBCH, first published as: Yeoh B, Woolfenden S, Wheeler DM, Alperstein G, Lanphear B. Household interventions for prevention of domestic lead exposure in children. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2008, Issue 2. Art. No.: CD006047. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006047.pub2.
Further information for this Cochrane review is available in this issue of EBCH in the accompanying Summary article


Abstract : This study was conducted to determine the relative merits of supplementing aircraft visual/annunciator panel malfunction warning systems with a general alerting tone or with a voice recording identifying specific malfunctions. When a malfunction occurred, subjects pushed the one illuminated switch of sixteen malfunction indicators located on the annunciator panel. Subjects also performed a navigation task in which they momentarily positioned, under cross hairs, a series of navigational checkpoints displayed on rear- projected aerial strip photography. The photographic imagery moved across a 10- by-10-inch viewing screen at three simulated aircraft speeds: 340, 1160, and 2260 knots. One malfunction warning occurred during the last half of each test period. Although navigation performance (number of navigational checkpoints detected) decreased as simulated speed increased, this performance did not vary with the warning systems. The strictly visual annunciator panel malfunction warning system was the poorest system tested. The addition of a general alerting tone resulted in quicker and usually less variable responses at all aircraft speeds than did any of the other systems.


Despite much research on thinking biases such as the representativeness, availability, and anchoring heuristics, a psychometrically sound measurement instrument for assessing the degree of heuristic thinking is still missing. Therefore, it was the goal of this study to develop and validate a new test to assess the degree of heuristic thinking associated with three particular thinking heuristics (i.e., the representativeness, availability, and anchoring heuristics). The resulting Objective Heuristic Thinking Test (OHTT) was evaluated with regard to its internal consistency, factor structure, construct validity, and stability in an internet sample (N = 300) and an independent laboratory sample (N = 55). Exploratory factor analyses resulted in three latent factors that represented the three OHTT subscales (i.e., representativeness, availability, and anchoring factors). Results revealed a low to sufficient internal consistency for each of the three scales. Further analyses indicated convergent correlations of...


The objective of this research was to isolate a nicosulfuron degrading strain of N80(Serratia marcecens), and determine its degradation characteristic in remediation of a nicosulfuron-contaminate soil. The experiment condition of best growth of N80 was pH value 7.0, glucose 1 g/L, yeast 1 g/L, sodium chloride 10 g/L. The strain was incubated in shaker at 30 °C, 160 r/min speed. The soil degradation test indicated that nicosulfuron and its degrading bacterium could move in 0-15 cm soil column. Strain N80 distribution was 0-15 cm soil. The degradation rate of nicosulfuron was 85.5% in 0-5 cm soil .


In this paper, we investigate zeros of difference polynomials of the form $f(z)^nH(z, f)-s(z)$, where $f(z)$ is a meromorphic function, $H(z, f)$ is a difference polynomial of $f(z)$ and $s(z)$ is a small function. We first obtain some inequalities for the relationship of the zero counting function of $f(z)^nH(z, f)-s(z)$ and the characteristic function and pole counting function of $f(z)$. Based on these inequalities, we establish some difference analogues of a classical result of Hayman for meromorphic functions. Some special cases are also investigated. These results improve previous findings.


Abstract : This report provides detail descriptions of the results and findings of the 3-year project. Focusing on workgroup tasks and communicative interactions the methodology developed in this study portrays the fine-grained, dynamic structure of the workday of members of workgroups. Major tradeoffs were found between the resources individuals need to complete their solitary work and those required to support effective communication and cooperation among workgroup members.


Proton decay with the modes and rates predicted by the original SU(5) grand unification scheme conserving (B-L) is not observed experimentally. There are reasons to expect that (B-L) might not be conserved in nature. Among possible observable manifestations of (B-L) non-conservation are Majorana masses of neutrinos, neutrinoless double-beta decay, decay of protons to lepton + (X), and neutron to anti-neutron transitions. Feasible progress in experimental search for some (B-L) non-conserving processes is discussed here.


As the number of cancer survivors increases, so will the number of second primary cancers, including breast carcinoma after cancer at another site. Limited information is available regarding the clinical characteristics of breast carcinoma after a primary at another site.


Locomotor patterns are ranges of complex skills which must be learned and practiced — which both limit and facilitate other aspects of primate life. Since locomotor skills are differentially distributed in the normal living group at any one point in time, ideally such groups can be considered as units, internally structured with respect to patterns of movement. An exhaustive study of the total locomotor pattern of a primate population would include many details of ecology, social behavior and morphology, as well as postures, gaits and locomotor abilities. This paper presents, at least roughly, certain qualitative components of such a description for several troops of gray langurs (Presbytis entellus thersites) in Ceylon.

Descriptions are given of the features of the home range commonly used by the gray langur, the kinds of postures and locomotor skills used there, as well as the sorts of social activities that occur in these places and postures. The importance of play in the acquisition of skill and confidence in movement is stressed. Material on toque macaques (Macaca sinica) and purple-faced langurs (P. vetulus philbricki) is added when informative contrasts occur among the three varieties of primates using the same trees.

Descriptions of this kind can form the basis for an assessment of the evolutionary importance of behaviors and related morphological features, particularly in the interpretation of the locomotor behavior and ecology of fossil specimens. Certain problems, which arise when a classification of locomotor types in primates is made without the benefit of such descriptions, are discussed.


The utility model relates to an oxygen enrichment preparation device adopting a low-pressure membrane method, which can effectively solve the problems of high production and operation costs and low oxygen preparation efficiency. The technical scheme is that the device comprises a low-pressure blower, oxygen-enriched membrane components and a low-pressure vacuum pump, wherein a plurality of oxygen-enriched membrane components are connected onto a pipeline between an air outlet of the low-pressure blower and an air inlet of the low-pressure vacuum pump in parallel, and a permeable oxygen outlet pipe is mounted at an air outlet of the low-pressure vacuum pump. The oxygen enrichment preparation device adopts a method of addition of the oxygen-enriched membrane components, thereby effectively reducing the production and operation costs, improving the production efficiency, and having remarkable social and economic benefits.


ABSTRACT
Strategy of the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) in Increasing Understanding of Religious Moderation. Case Study at MUI Village, Ciampea District, Bogor Regency. Islamic education study program. Sirojul Falah Bogor Tarbiyah College. This study aims to determine how the strategy of the MUI in Ciampea Village in increasing understanding of religious moderation and the obstacles faced in carrying out its programs.
This type of research uses a qualitative approach, with a case study method while the data analysis method is descriptive. The data sources used are primary data, and secondary data. Data analysis techniques were carried out by reducing data, presenting data, and taking data obtained from sources related to the local MUI program.
The results obtained are that with the running of programs and activities carried out by MUI, it can pay attention to improving the quality of public understanding so that they understand more about religion and knowledge taught in Islam which are then conveyed by scholars and scholars to every community, especially minorities.

Keywords: Strategy, MUI, Religious Moderation


Background and Objective: According to the fact that neonatal infection is a challenging diagnosis field, several studies have tried to test sensitivity and specificity of diagnostic tests. This study was conducted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of procalcitonin (PCT) as a single early marker of neonatal sepsis. Materials and Methods: In this study, 150 neonates admitted to NICU and neonatal ward in Shahrekord Hajar hospital were enrolled. A full workup including blood cultureand other tests and PCT was conductede. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for PCT was determined. Results: It was found out that 8 patients had definite infection, 15 patients had possible infection, and 127 patients had no infection. Although PCT was not able to significantly differentiate between those with definite and possible infections (p>0.05), but there was a significant difference for frequency of abnormal PCT between non-infectious patients and other patients. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of PCT was 87.5%, 87.4%, 30.4%, 99.1%, and 87.41% respectively. Conclusion: Beside the limitation of the sample size, the satisfactory diagnostic characteristics of PCT highlight it as a good measure for diagnosis of neonatal sepsis. Further studies are essential to be carried out.


A coordination polymer Zr-CIA was developed and employed as a stable and effective catalyst for the alkylation of amines with alcohols or benzyl amines. The Zr-CIA as a new coordination polymer was prepared from 1-(carboxymethyl)-1H-indole-3-carboxylic acid and ZrCl4 through a simple and effective solvothermal method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), nitrogen adsorption-desorption and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS). The polymer exhibited not only high catalytic activity for the alkylation reaction, but also good reusability in more than five cycles. Meanwhile, mechanistic investigations were carried out to study these reactions.

In summary, we reported a simple and effective method for the synthesis of a new Zr-containing coordination polymer, which was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. This kind of coordination polymer Zr-CIA revealed good catalytic activity in the alkylation of amines with alcohols in high yields with good recovery cycle performance.

No.


The purpose of this study was to validate low radiation dose, contrast‐enhanced, multi‐detector computed tomography (MDCT) as a non‐invasive method for measuring ovarian volume in macaques. Computed tomography scans of four known‐volume phantoms and nine mature female cynomolgus macaques were acquired using a previously described, low radiation dose scanning protocol, intravenous contrast enhancement, and a 32‐slice MDCT scanner. Immediately following MDCT, ovaries were surgically removed and the ovarian weights were measured. The ovarian volumes were determined using water displacement. A veterinary radiologist who was unaware of actual volumes measured ovarian CT volumes three times, using a laptop computer, pen display tablet, hand‐traced regions of interest, and free image analysis software. A statistician selected and performed all tests comparing the actual and CT data. Ovaries were successfully located in all MDCT scans. The iliac arteries and veins, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix, ureters, urinary bladder, rectum, and colon were also consistently visualized. Large antral follicles were detected in six ovaries. Phantom mean CT volume was 0.702±SD 0.504 cc and the mean actual volume was 0.743±SD 0.526 cc. Ovary mean CT volume was 0.258±SD 0.159 cc and mean water displacement volume was 0.257±SD 0.145 cc. For phantoms, the mean coefficient of variation for CT volumes was 2.5%. For ovaries, the least squares mean coefficient of variation for CT volumes was 5.4%. The ovarian CT volume was significantly associated with actual ovarian volume (ICC coefficient 0.79, regression coefficient 0.5, P=0.0006) and the actual ovarian weight (ICC coefficient 0.62, regression coefficient 0.6, P=0.015). There was no association between the CT volume accuracy and mean ovarian CT density (degree of intravenous contrast enhancement), and there was no proportional or fixed bias in the CT volume measurements. Findings from this study indicate that MDCT is a valid non‐invasive technique for measuring the ovarian volume in macaques. Am. J. Primatol. 72:530–538, 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


In this paper we describe a pipeline for the geometric processing of 3D meshes obtained by whole body scanners, aimed at providing support for anthropometric measurements. The output of whole body scanners is a cloud of points, usually transformed in a triangulated mesh through the use of specific algorithms in order to support the 3D visualization of the surface and the extraction of meaningful anthropometric landmarks and measurements. Anthropometric analysis is usually performed by using device specific and closed software solutions provided by scanner manufacturers, and requires often a careful acquisition, with strong constraints on subject pose. This may create problems in comparing data acquired in different places and performing large-scale multi-centric studies as well as in applying advanced shape analysis tools on the captured models. The aim of our work is to overcome these problems by selecting and customizing geometrical processing tools able to create an open and device-independent pipeline for the analysis of body scanner data. We also aim at developing and validating methods to extract automatically feature points, body segments and relevant measurements that can be used in anthropometric and metabolic research. The paper presents a general description of the proposed processing pipeline and the currently developed modules (hole filling, skeleton-based segmentation, heat kernel based landmark location), showing their usefulness in the automatic and computer assisted evaluation of anthropometric data.


High-dimensional data with hundreds of thousands of observations are becoming commonplace in many disciplines. The analysis of such data poses many computational challenges, especially when the observations are correlated over time and/or across space. In this article, we propose flexible hierarchical regression models for analyzing such data that accommodate serial and/or spatial correlation. We address the computational challenges involved in fitting these models by adopting an approximate inference framework. We develop an online variational Bayes algorithm that works by incrementally reading the data into memory one portion at a time. The performance of the method is assessed through simulation studies. The methodology is applied to analyze signal intensity in MRI images of subjects with knee osteoarthritis, using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative. Supplementary materials for this article are available online.


Objective:To provide anatomical basis for transposition of the medial tibial periosteal flap pedicled with the inferior patellar branch of the descending genicular vessels for repair of genicular articular surface.Methods:The origins,courses,branches and anastomosis of the inferior patellar of the descending genicular arteries were observed on 30 adult cadavers perfused with red latex.Results:The inferior patellar of the descending genicular arteries desended from the surface of adductor muscle tendon and adductor tubercles and then crossd the surface of the articular capsule at the level of articular space.The inferior patellar branches gave off 2~5 tibial periosteal branches.These branches anastomosed with perosteal branches of the medial inferior genicular arteries and saphenous arteries to supply the superior and middle parts of medial tibial periosteum.Conclusion:The medial tibial periosteal flap pedicled with the inferior patellar branches can be transposed for the treatment of the defect of genicular articular surface.


PURPOSE
The study aimed to determine how culture can affect mental healthcare delivery in order to make recommendations for improving care pathways supported by culturally competent care.

METHODS
Three international databases were systematically and independently searched by two researchers. FİNDİNGS: The results were grouped under three themes-quality of cross-cultural mental health care, expectations of people receiving cross-cultural mental health care, and perspectives of healthcare providers on cross-cultural mental health care. CONCLUSİONS: The study indicates how important it is for nurses to understand the complex interplay between culture and mental health and to develop cultural awareness and sensitivity. PRACTİCE IMPLİCATİONS: The study seeks to identify best practice and make recommendations for enhancing positive attitudes toward the cultural needs of people with mental health problems.


The main goal of the paper is to critically review the concepts of studying the impact of the implementation of innovation projects on the value of the company and their critical assessment, as well as to identify the conditions affecting the choice of an appropriate method for valuing innovation projects.


Previous studies of underwater flow excited cavity resonance in streamlined towed models have shown that large amplitude acoustic oscillations can be achieved at frequencies under 40 Hz for towing speeds in the range of 5–15 kn. The present investigation aims to develop an understanding of the phenomenon that could permit its utilization as a nonpowered low‐frequency underwater tone source. A resonant cavity was constructed in the form of a rectangular box with a vertical slot cut in the side, allowing uncomplicated prediction of wall vibration and radiation. The box was then mounted in a fiberglass fairing to produce a uniform turbulent boundary layer at the location of the slot. Before towing, identification of those vibration modes that provoke flow into and out of the cavity was performed in the laboratory, using modal analysis. Early tow tank runs are showing that tonal radiation seems to occur at expected range of speeds and frequencies, though the level of the sound is less than desired. Further "voicing" of the device is underway (sharpening the edge of the slot, raising the Q of the resonator by using more resilient mounting. etc.).


DNA-hosted silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) are a set of metallic fluorescent nanodots that possess high quantum yields and photostability. Here, we show the in situ hosted synthesis of AgNCs by single-stranded DNA preorganized on the self-assembled DNA nanostructure templates, which results in the site-specific formation of AgNCs with the specific fluorescence wavelengths. The excitation/emission properties of AgNCs were tuned by adjusting the distance between nucleation site and the template, the template configuration, and the location of the nucleation site on the template. Mass spectra analysis of AgNC products was performed to study the cluster sizes. The 5′ and 3′ ends of freely diffusing and template-supported host strands were labeled with a donor and an acceptor, and the FRET efficiency was evaluated to reveal the conformations of the host strands and their complexes with Ag+. It is indicated that the rigid template guided the synthetic pathway toward the preferential synthesis of AgNCs with a specif...


A compact circularly polarized circular microstrip tag antenna designed for RFID UHF band is presented. A cross slot of unequal arm lengths embedded in a circular patch is used to achieve compact CP operation. By choosing the proper lengths of two short-circuited arc microstrip lines and its coupling distance, good complex impedance matching can be obtained. The measured 10-dB return-loss bandwidth of the tag antenna is 40 MHz (901-941 MHz), while its 3-dB axial-ratio bandwidth is 6 MHz (912-918 MHz). Further experiment shows that the tag antenna can provide better reading range when mounted on a metallic surface.


Introduction: Dynamic changes in dimensions of left ventricle (LV) during cardiac arrest might influence the efficacy of CPR. However, the relationships between change in LV dimensions during cardi...


Despite intensive studies led to on cellulose pyrolysis kinetics,the still remaining controversies on the apparentkinetics different explanations for the cellulose pyrolysis mechanism.The reaction kinetics and pyrolysis mechanism were studied in detail in this work.The cellulose pyrolysis process has five dis- tinct phases as temperature increases.The third phase in which the huge amount of volatile is released causing cellulose weightdecrease,plays a main role in the whole process.The TG curve moves toward the direction of higher temperature as the heating rate increases,because of the increase in thermal lag.Fur- thermore,high heating rate promotes volatile production while inhibits char formation.The apparent acti- vation energy and pre- exponential on the third phase of the cellulose pyrolysis process were calculated by differential quotient method.Using60 0 K as break point,the activation energy in the lower temperature zone was calculated to be2 67k J/mol,but only1 74k J/mol in the higher temperature zone.Cellulose py- rolysis is a complicated process controlled by both kinetics and heat- mass transfer.The various kinetic pa- rameters of cellulose pyrolysis reported by others were mainly due to the different experimental conditions and heat- mass transfer processes.


This paper is based on the experience of financial crisis of Listed Companies in China. By studying the principal component analysis method of operational research, the y-score model of early warning mode of financial recruitment of listed companies, and through the sample indicators selected in this study, it preliminarily determines the evaluation area of financial situation of enterprises and predicts financial crisis for enterprises. A scientific and feasible prediction method is provided.


This master thesis investigates on the possibility and impact of integrating the IEC 61850 Manufacturing Message Specification (MMS) protocol over the Long Term Evolution (LTE) network to support the remote control communications in electricity distribution grid. This research includes a literature study of IEC 61850 MMS protocol focusing on its requirements to support remote control communications, and simulation-based experiments to verify the performance of IEC 61850 MMS remote control communication traffic over LTE network.
Within this research, the full stack of MMS communication protocols has been designed and implemented in the NS3 LENA simulation environment together with some popular human-to-human applications (which are considered as background traffics) such as VoIP, video streaming, web browsing…etc. in order to conduct several sets of experiment with different combination of traffic. More importantly, a new LTE QoS-aware packet scheduling strategy has also been designed and implemented to differentiate and assign priority to the mission-critical remote control communication traffic.


Based on the use of our own original technology of polyploid genome recombination (PGR), at VNIIMK, Krasnodar, frost-resistant parental reploid germplasm was obtained, and then a line k-4207 highly resistant to negative winter temperatures was isolated. In 2019, the frost-resistant line of oil flax k4207, under the commercial name "Snegurok", was submitted to the State variety testing. Four-year field trials during winter sowing have shown that the new winter oil flax variety Snegurok is highly resistant to winter, including snowless frosts, and can withstand negative temperatures down to 20-23 °C without significant cryo-damages. In the conditions of the Krasnodar region, the flowering phase of this variety begins after 20th of April. Ripening of plants begins after 10th of June, when the spring sowing varieties of oil flax are in the flowering phase. The growing season of the variety, taking into account the winter period, is 238–244 days. The yield of the variety, on average for 2018–2019, was 2.27 t/ha, which exceeded the same indicator for the standard variety FLIZ of the spring sowing period, on average by 0.61 t/ha. The winter variety of oil flax Snegurok may be of commercial interest for agricultural producers in the dry steppe regions of southern Russia with rainfall up to 250–350 mm/year. It is developed for cultivation in the Central Black Earth, North Caucasus and Lower Volga regions of Russian Federation.


Simple Summary The coral reef is the crucial habitat for numerous marine creatures, and scleractinian corals are building blocks of this community. Therefore, the health condition of scleractinian corals is an essential factor for the sustainability of coral reef ecosystems. Recent studies indicate that global warming, seawater acidification as well as coral diseases are the main threats to scleractinian corals. In addition, coral endoparasites may impact the health of scleractinian corals by consuming coral tissues and potentially transferring disease pathogens. However, we have limited knowledge about the distributions of coral endoparasites across scleractinian corals. It may lead to the assessment bias on the health condition of the coral reef community due to no consideration on the impact of the interaction between corals and their endoparasites. Here, we performed an elaborate survey on a widely distributed scleractinian coral species, Psammocora columna, and discovered two new parasitic copepod species, Xarifia yanliaoensis and Xarifia magnifica. We also summarized a classification key of morphological characteristics for the identification of Xarifia copepods in Psammocora corals. The findings of this study present new records of copepod-coral relationships in the Indo-West Pacific for the biological resource database. Furthermore, these are the footstone knowledge for further studies on coral reef conservation. Abstract A comprehensive knowledge of relationships between coral and coral-associated organisms is essential for the conservation studies of the coral reef community, yet the biodiversity database of coral-inhabiting copepods remains incomplete. Here we surveyed in a widely distributed scleractinian coral, Psammocora columna Dana, 1846, and newly discovered two endoparasitic copepod species, Xarifia yanliaoensis sp. nov. and Xarifia magnifica sp. nov. These two new species are described based on specimens collected in Taiwan, and they share several common morphological characters of Xarifia copepods, i.e., region dorsal to fifth legs having three posteriorly directed processes unequally. However, X. yanliaoensis sp. nov. is distinguishable from other species by the morphology of the endopods of legs, antenna, maxilla, and maxilliped (in both genders). The morphological characters of X. magnifica sp. nov. are the endopods of legs, leg 5, and maxilliped in the male. Including the two new species described in the present work, the genus Xarifia Humes, 1960 belongs to the cyclopoid family Xarifiidae Humes, 1960 currently consists of 94 species, and eight of them live in association with the Psammocora coral. A comparison table and a key to the species of Xarifia from Psammocora corals are given herein.


The concentration of fluorine-atom in DF/HF chemical laser's flow field played an important role in its operation.In order to study the distribution of fluorine-atom,the wall surface reaction model was applied to compute wall-recombination of fluorine.The numerical results was also compared with CHAMBER's.The comparison indicates that the model in FLUENT can be used directly after modified.


The wireless communication is highly deployed due to it convenience of mobility. The wireless local area network, WLAN is dominated by IEEE802.11 standard. Wired local area network (LAN) is the network backbone of the WLAN. Almost all the new desktops' motherboard are equipped with the Ethernet connecter and all new notebooks are equipped will IEEE802.11 WLAN. This evoked us to develop a wireless audio transceiver that compatible with IEEE802.3 and IEEE802.11 protocols. The VHDL modelling is done to model transceiver that convert the audio signal to IEEE802.3 packets to be transmitted through IEEE802.3 and IEEE802.11. The VHDL is selected to model the transceiver and VHDL is defined in IEEE as a tool of creation of electronics system because it supports the development, verification, synthesis and testing of hardware design, the communication of hardware design data and the maintenance, modification and procurement of hardware [1]. The transceiver consists of two individual modules, the transmitter and the receiver. The original audio signal is segmented to UDP packets that compatible with the IEEE802.3 protocol. The audio packets are broadcasted out through wireless access point (AP). After the audio packets received by the wireless clients through IEEE802.11 and IEEE802.3, the receiver will convert the audio packets back to audio signal. By broadcasting the data packets, all receiving speakers will be able to receive the data packets and convert the digital bits into audio wave. This gives the user the flexibility to place as many speakers as they want. The Cyclic Redundancy Check algorithm is not included in the transceiver because audio steaming is real time application, there is always not enough time to retransmit the audio packets that are corrupted. The proposed transceiver achieves 12kbps and sufficient to support audio streaming.


Previous research into the biomechanics of pushing tasks focused on shoulder moment to measure operator shoulder stress, without employing a biomechanical model of the shoulder complex. The goal of this research was to explore the process of developing analysis and design tools that input easily measured parameters to quantify the stress of pushing tasks, suggest maximum acceptable loads for pushing tasks and suggest optimal handle heights and pushing styles. Shoulder loading analysis modules were used to produce a look-up table which allows ergonomists to estimate the percentage of maximum muscle force generated by the subscapularis muscle, which is considered to be a marker variable for increased risk of subacromial impingement syndrome. Two methods were developed to determine maximum acceptable pushing forces: a look-up table and an empirically derived equation. The second design tool was replaced by a design recommendation: push with a cart handle near waist height with arms extended.


Abstract This article describes a previously undescribed script from Laos. The script was used by a political leader as part of his resistance effort against the colonial French, used to symbolize his power more than to communicate factual content. The script is unique in the way it has separate symbols for syllable onsets and codas.


The education system always seeks out new ways to improve learning experiences of children with diverse abilities and needs. In this regard, we present Reciprocal Peer Tutoring (RPT) strategy that involves a collaborative interaction between students with alternating tutor and tutee roles. Evidence shows that it is an effective method to improve learners' cognitive gains as well as social skills. With robots becoming commonplace in society, there is a great potential in using them in education. Combined, our paper discusses the possibility of using the RPT strategy for child-robot interaction.


Mobile sinks are needed in many sensor network applications for efficient data collection, data querying, localized sensor reprogramming, identifying and revoking compromised sensors, and other network maintenance. Employing mobile sinks however raises a new security challenge: if a mobile sink is given too many privileges, it will become very attractive for attack and compromise. Using a compromised mobile sink, an adversary may easily bring down or even take over the sensor network. Thus, security mechanisms that can tolerate mobile sink compromises are essential. In this paper, based on the principle of least privilege, we first propose several efficient schemes to restrict the privilege of a mobile sink without impeding its capability of carrying out any authorized operations for an assigned task. To further reduce the possible damages caused by a compromised mobile sink, we then propose efficient message forwarding schemes for depriving the privilege assigned to a compromised mobile sink immediately after its compromise has been detected. Through detailed analysis and simulations, we show that our schemes are secure and efficient, and are highly practical for sensor networks consisting of the current generation of sensors.


An otherwise healthy 64-year-old male presented to the emergency department with a 2-month history of constipation and tenesmus. He had seven admissions in the emergency department within the last 6 weeks and was already under laxative therapy, but it was ineffective. His physical examination was unremarkable, except for dehydration and diffuse abdominal pain. Blood tests demonstrated a mildly elevated serum creatinine. Abdominal radiography was performed and documented severe fecal impaction (Fig. 1). Computed tomography confirmed the presence of a fecal impaction with marked


The present research offers novel understandings of the reproductive biology of Pseudecheneis sulcatus (McClelland, 1842) found in the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, a biodiversity hotspot. Reproductive characteristics of Pseudecheneis sulcatus, including their maturation age, fertility, spawning season, and maximum body size, constitute important aspects of its life-history traits. We collected a total of 310 specimens from the Yarlung Zangbo River's Motuo reach between March and November 2016 and found the male-to-female ratio to be 0.73:1, markedly different from the anticipated 1:1. The total length of individuals ranged from 72 to 207 mm, while overall weight ranged from 2.5 to 65.0 g. Their length at first maturity was estimated as 131 mm in males and 132 mm in females. Based on the adult proportion and fluctuation in the monthly gonadosomatic index (GSI) and size distribution of oocytes, spawning was determined to occur from March to June. The absolute fecundity ranged between 247 and 2886 eggs, while the fluctuation in average relative fertility ranged between 16.8 and 77.1 eggs/g of fish. The fecundity of P. sulcatus was linearly correlated to the overall weight and length of the fish along with the ovarian weight. In conclusion, P. sulcatus spawned synchronously in spring and early summer, exhibiting low fecundity and large oocytes. Our results provided basic information in understanding how this species adapted well to the unique canyon environment, which may be useful for developing a sustainable conservation plan for P. sulcatus at the lower reach of the Yarlung Zangbo River.


For the nonlinear and uncertain complicated system,effective and rapid control is a very difficult problem.In this paper,a new algorithm based on Immune system for Multiple Model Control(IMMC)was proposed.Inspired by the discriminating ability to the uncertain antigen in the biological immune system,the IMMC simulates the interaction of the Antigen,Antibody,TCR and MHC in immune system to control nonlinear and uncertain complicated system.The result of the computer simulation shows that this algorithm has good performance,which can be rapidly adapted to the sudden changes in the control system.The algorithm was successfully applied to the settlement control during a Double-O Tunnel(DOT)shield boring.


The emf of cells of the type Mo, WO/sub 4/ (electrolyte with anionic conduction), Fe, Fe/sub 0.947/O, and Mo was measured at 900 to 1100 deg F in order to determine thermodynamic constants. The comparsion electode was an equilibrium mixture of iron and wustite. A solid solution of 0.85 ZrO/sub 2/ (0.15 CaO) was used as the electrolyte, since it possesses purely anionic conduction at 600 to 1100 deg C. The electromotive force and the free energy of the reaction (2/6) WO/sub x + sigma / = (2/ sigma ) WO/sub 4/ + O/sub 2/ varied linearly with temperature. The emf increases with an increasing oxygen content of the oxide. A plot of the isotherm lg Po/sub 2/ as a function of the composition of the tungsten oxide shows the existence of a two-phase region at 850 to 900 deg K for values of x of 2.72 to 2.89. Above 1000 deg K there is only a single-phase region. This behavior can be explained either by the oxidation of W(IV) to W(VI) or by the formation of cation vacancies. (TTT)


Protein ECT2 (914 aa, ~104 kDa) is encoded by the human ECT2 gene. This protein plays a role in the regulation of GTPase-dependent signaling.


Hyperspectral (HS) pansharpening aims at fusing a low-resolution HS image with a high-resolution panchromatic (PAN) image to obtain a HS image with both higher spectral and spatial resolutions. However, existing HS pansharpening algorithms are mainly based on multispectral pansharpening approaches, which cannot perfectly restore much spectral information in the continuous spectral bands and much broader spectral range, leading to spectral distortion and spatial blur. In this paper, we develop a new hyperspectral pansharpening network architecture (called Hyper-DSNet) to fully preserve latent spatial details and spectral fidelity via a deep-shallow fusion structure with multi-detail extractor and spectral attention. First, to solve the problem of spatial ambiguity, five types of high-pass filter templates are used to fully extract the spatial details of the PAN image, constructing a so-called multi-detail extractor. Then, a multi-scale convolution module and a deep-shallow fusion structure, which reduces parameters by decreasing the number of output channels as the network goes deeper, is utilized sequentially. In final, a spectral attention module is conducted to preserve the spectrum for a wealth of spectral information of HS images. Visual and quantitative experiments on three commonly used simulated datasets and one full-resolution dataset demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed Hyper-DSNet against the recent state-of-the-art hyperspectral pansharpening techniques. Ablation studies and discussions further verify our contributions, e.g., better spectral preservation and spatial detail recovery.


Consider the ring $\mathbb{K}\langle z\rangle$ of single-variable convergent power series of one real/complex variable and with real/complex coefficients. Here we study the "structure space'', or the space of maximal ideals of $\mathbb{K}\langle z\rangle$ under the usual Stone topology, which turns out to be a compact $T_1$ space, and more importantly, the bijective continuous image of a special subspace of the Stone-\v{C}ech compactification $\beta \mathbb{K}$ of $\mathbb{K}$. Using the last mentioned fact, we establish that $\mathbb{C}\langle z\rangle$ (ring of complex entire functions) and $\mathbb{R}\langle z\rangle$ (ring of real analytic functions) are not isomorphic. We also prove that the extensions of real and complex analytic functions (of several variables) on $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $\mathbb{C}^n$ respectively are point-separating on $\beta \mathbb{R}^n$ and $\beta \mathbb{C}^n$ respectively.


Significant luminance and chrominance discrepancies between the different camera views can often be observed in multiview video sequences.In this paper,a luminance and chrominance correction algorithm based on partially overlapped local histogram matching is proposed.In the histogram matching method, a mapping function is established by matching the histogram of the original image to that of the reference image.Then the mapping function is applied to the original image to obtain the corrected image.There are two branches of histogram matching according to the mapping function used: global histogram matching and adaptive local histogram matching.Global histogram matching uses the same mapping function for the whole image,so its performance is relatively low.Adaptive local histogram matching can calibrate the luminance and chrominance effectively by using the local histogram for each pixel,but the computational complexity is very high.In the proposed partially overlapped local histogram matching method,the same mapping function is applied to a block of pixels.A conditional block reduction filter is utilized on the boundaries of all the adjacent blocks to eliminate the blocking effect.The proposed algorithm can be used as a preprocessing tool in the multiview video system.Experiment results show that it can improve the performance of the multiview video encoder.


Endoparasitic Ascodipterinae (Streblidae) were collected from bats from southeast China and northern Vietnam. Among this material, the new genus and species Maabella stomalata is described. The dealate females of this new taxon from China were attached over the joints of the wings of Rhinolophus affinis Horsfield and Rhinolophus macrotis Blyth. They were also removed from the wings of Rhinolophus paradoxalophus (Bourret) and R. macrotis from Vietnam. Clarification of the relationships of the streblid genera Ascodipteron Adensamer, 1896, Maabella, and Paraascodipteron Advani and Vazirani, 1981 is discussed. Techniques are presented for the preparation and preservation of these small obligate parasites.Key words: Ascodipteron, bat flies, endoparasite, neosome, Paraascodipteron, Rhinolophus


The brachiopods of the Subfamily Neospiriferinae (Order Spiriferida) Neospirifer dunbari , N. pantojai n. sp., N. amplia n. sp., Septospirifer mazateca n. sp. and ? Septospirifer sp. are described for Pennsylvanian rocks of southern Mexico. The material was recovered from the type section of the Ixtaltepec Formation, near the town of Santiago Ixtaltepec, in Oaxaca State. Mexican Neospirifer species are associated with the Neospirifer cameratusdunbari lineage, a typical North American group, and their presence in Oaxaca confirms the Morrowan-Desmoinesian age for the Ixtaltepec Formation and the faunistic similarity that exists between Carboniferous faunas from southern Mexico and those from the Midcontinent region of North America. Septospirifer species represent the first record of the genus for Mexico and the third occurrence worldwide. Brachiopods , Mexico , neospiriferids , Neospirifer , Pennsylvanian , Septospirifer .


In the article that appeared on page 1580 of the 19.9 issue, the order of the author names appeared incorrectly. The correct appearance of the names should be as follows: Karen Yael Hannuna, MD, Lorenza Putignani, PhD, Evelina Silvestri, MD, Roberto Pisa, MD, Roberto Angioli, MD, and Fabrizio Signore, MD* This error has been noted in the online version of the article, which is available at www.ijgc.net. REFERENCE: Yael HK, Lorenza P, Evelina S, Roberto P, Roberto A, Fabrizio S. Int J Gynecol Cancer. 2009 Dec;19:1580Y1584. ERRATUM


A piston head comprising: a face (42); and a concavity (44) recessed piston face (42) and having: side (50) input; a lower side (52) opposite the side (50) input; a restriction (86) between the side (50) input and the lower side (52); a reentrant portion (60) on the underside (52); and a lateral annular surface (54) extending between the side (50) input and the restriction (86), wherein the lateral annular surface (54) at least partially defines a space (82) which widens the direction of the restriction (86).


The present invention provides a novel display device which is excellent in convenience or reliability. Or a display device with low power consumption and high display quality. A display device having a first display element, a second display element, a first transistor, and a second transistor, wherein the first display element has a first pixel electrode and a liquid crystal layer, and the second display element has a second pixel And a light emitting layer, wherein the first transistor is electrically connected to the first pixel electrode, the second transistor is electrically connected to the second pixel electrode, the first transistor and the second transistor have an oxide semiconductor film, The pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode have at least one or more metal elements contained in the oxide semiconductor film.


Designing an optimal power delivery network (PDN) is a time-intensive task that involves many iterations. This paper proposes a methodology that employs a library of predesigned, stitchable templates, and uses machine learning (ML) to rapidly build a PDN with region-wise uniform pitches based on these templates. Our methodology is applicable at both the floorplan and placement stages of physical implementation. (i) At the floorplan stage, we synthesize an optimized PDN based on early estimates of current and congestion, using a simple multilayer perceptron classifier. (ii) At the placement stage, we incrementally optimize an existing PDN based on more detailed congestion and current distributions, using a convolution neural network. At each stage, the neural network builds a safe-by-construction PDN that meets IR drop and electromigration (EM) specifications. On average, the optimization of the PDN brings an extra 3% of routing resources, which corresponds to a thousands of routing tracks in congestion-critical regions, when compared to a globally uniform PDN, while staying within the IR drop and EM limits.


Over-consumption groundwater use is one of the major drivers in the hydrology of many major cities in the world, particularly in delta regions. However, a global assessment to identify cities with declining groundwater table problems has not been done yet. In this study we used the global hydrological model PCR-GLOBWB (10 km resolution) to do so. Using this model, we calculated groundwater recharge and river discharge/surface water levels, as well as groundwater abstraction. The output of PCR-GLOBWB model was then used to force a groundwater MODFLOW-based model simulating spatio-temporal groundwater head dynamics, including groundwater head declines in all major cities - mainly in delta regions - due to escalation in abstraction of groundwater to meet increasing water demand. Using this approach, we managed to identify a number of critical cities having groundwater table falling rates above 25 cm/year - average in the period 2000-2010 - such as Jakarta, Barcelona, Houston, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Rome and many large cities in China, Libya, India and Pakistan, as well as in the Middle East and Central Asia regions. However, our results overestimate head declines in Tokyo and some other places where groundwater depletion has been aggressively managed (e.g. groundwater abstraction has been minimized and replaced by importing surface water from other places).

Currently, we are expanding this modeling simulation for the future period (i.e. until 2100), considering different climate scenarios (RCPs: 4.5 and 8.5) and socio-economic conditions (SSPs: 2 and 5). Our simulation results show that new and more cities with falling groundwater head problems would occur in the future, not only due to climate change (i.e. in areas that become dryer), but also due to increasing population, as well as expansion of existing urban areas and development of new urban areas.


Writing in the December newsletter of the Reinsurance Committee, Mitchell L. Lathrop of Luce, Forward, Hamilton dE Scripps, New York City, discusses a case on judicial review of arbitral awards: Most reinsurance treaties and many facultative certificates contain arbitration clauses. While the precise wordings may vary, the overriding principles are essentially the same: solve disputes with respect to the reinsurance contracts through binding arbitration, typically conducted by those familiar with customs and practice in the reinsurance industry. General or specific clauses Arbitration clauses can be as general or specific as the drafter desires. The method of selecting arbitrators, choice of law, rules of evidence (or lack thereof) and the forum in which arbitral proceedings will be conducted are all things that can be specified in arbitration agreements. Conferring or requiring the exercise of judicial review, however, is quite another matter. Where the parties to an arbitration agreement are citizens of the same state, U.S. federal jurisdiction cannot be conferred by agreement of the parties. Naum v. Brown, 604 F.Supp. 1186, 1188 (E.D. N.Y. 1985). In every case, federal jurisdiction must be derived from the Constitution or a specific act of Congress. See, e.g., 28 U.S.C. 1330, et seq. See also, Hargrave v. Oki Nursery Inc., 646 F.2d 716 (2d Cir. 1980); Pavolini v. Bard-Air Corp., 645 F.2d 144 (2d Cir. 1981). At the same time, however, the parties can specify that the provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), 9 U.S.C. 1 et seq., will apply in whole or in part. Absent such a provision, applicable state arbitration statutes will probably govern the conduct of the arbitration. If diversity of citizenship exists, the FAA will apply and federal jurisdiction will be available to enforce an arbitral award. 28 U.S.C. 1332. If the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards of 1970 (the convention) applies, federal jurisdiction will also be available unless waived by the parties, and arbitral proceedings can even be ordered to take place outside the United States where the arbitration agreement so provides. 9 U.S.C. 201 et seq. Enforcement of private agreements The law seems clear that the primary purpose of the FAA is to ensure the enforcement of private agreements to arbitrate in accordance with the provisions in the arbitration agreements. In Volt Information Sciences Inc. v. Board of Trustees, 489 U.S. 468 (1989), the Supreme Court held that the FAA preempts state laws which "require a judicial forum for the resolution of claims which the contracting parties agreed to resolve by arbitration," even in the absence of federal jurisdiction or where the arbitration agreement does not call for the application of the FAA. But what of judicial review of an arbitral award, whether under the FAA or the convention? In LaPine Technology Corp. v. Kyocera Corp., 130 F.3d 884 (1997), the Ninth Circuit agreed with the Fifth Circuit (Gateway Technologies Inc. v. MCI Telecommunications Corp., 64 F.3d 993) that federal judicial review of an arbitration award can be expanded beyond the FAA's grounds when the parties to the arbitration agreement have so agreed and have specified the extent of the expansion of judicial review. Under the FAA (9 U.S.C. 10), judicial review of awards is limited. Awards may be vacated only (a) where the award was procured by corruption, fraud, or undue means; (b) where there was evident partiality or corruption in the arbitrators; (c) where misconduct of the arbitrators is shown; (d) where the arbitrators exceed their powers or fail to make a final award on the matter submitted; or (e) where an award is vacated and a subsequent award is not made within the time within which the arbitration agreement required an award to be made, in which case the court may order a rehearing by the arbitrators. Although the Seventh Circuit suggested, but did not hold in Chicago Typographers Union v. …


In a reconnaissance study, we investigated the potential of γ‐ray induced production of 38ArK from 39K for geochronological applications. For this purpose, various age monitors commonly in use for the established 40Ar/39Ar‐method were co‐irradiated for 60 h at 17.6 MeV maximum energy in the ELBE facility, Dresden‐Rossendorf, Germany. Because the available energy was low, total production of 38ArK was depressed, leading to low J38‐values of (2.1–4.1) × 10‐6 and hence resulted in only minor 38Ar excess when compared with atmospheric 38Ar/36Ar ratios. In spite of these restrictions, ages of younger monitors could be reproduced within error, whereas older age reference materials showed discrepancies due to the low production rate. We observed Ca‐derived contributions on 36Ar in analysed CaF2 reference materials, and calculated a limit for Ca‐interference on 38ArCa of (38Ar/36Ar)Ca = 0.07 ± 0.03 (1s). In addition, we investigated a potential recoil redistribution of 38Ar by stepwise heating experiments, but could not quantify this further because of concurring processes. More work at higher photon energies is necessary to resolve other open issues, in particular the potential of utilising 40Ar/37Ar ratios for age determination and the possibility of 42Ar production from 44Ca, which would allow correction for Ca‐interference reactions on other Ar isotopes. This would be a pre‐requisite for dating extra‐terrestrial rocks.