Due to the fibrous structure of the enteric nervous system, standard microtome-based planar microscopy cannot provide an integral view of the 3-dimensional (3-D) neural networks. In this research, we integrated immunostaining, optical clearing, and confocal microscopy to develop a microtome-free method for in-depth, 3-dimensional (3-D) visualization of the mouse intestinal innervation. The pan-neuronal marker PGP9.5, the sympathetic neuronal marker tyrosine hydroxylase, and the glial marker S100 were used as the staining targets after paraformaldehyde fixation and Triton X-100 permeabilization of the mouse ileum. The immunolabeled nerve tissues were immersed in the optical-clearing solution, FocusClearTM, to improve light transmission to facilitate deep-tissue confocal microscopy. The improved photon penetration resulting from optical clearing of the tissues led to high-resolution image acquisition of the neural network. In addition to optical clearing, tissue permeabilization by Triton X-100 was essential to increase the signal-to-noise ratio in immunostaining/imaging. We provide a convenient and straightforward method to acquire a continuous flow of the anatomic neural information in situ. This approach will change our conventional planar view of the enteric nervous system into a 3-D panorama to better understand the intestinal physiology and diseases.


The spleens and cervical lymph nodes from mice exposed to a single dose of 500to 800 r x radiation were removed at periods varying from one hour to forty- five days post-irradiation. The tissues were analyzed for nucleic acids, acid and sllutline phosphatase activity, glycogen content, and sulfhydryl groups. The nucleic acids contert began to drop 8 hours after irradiation, the acid phosphatase activity increased markedly after irradiation, the alkaline phosphatase activity increased slightly after irradiation. The sulfhydryl groups decreased immediately after irradiation, mainly owing to the change of erythrocytes in the spleen. There was no change in sulfhydryl content of the lymph nodes. The immediate and marked decrease of sulfhydryl groups in spleen is attributed to a series of processes including the ionization of water molecules in the tissue into oxidizing agents. The degree and duration of the histochemical changes were in proportion to the x radiation dosage used. 51 references. (C.H.)


As a problem of reconstructing the original signal from phaseless short-time Fourier transform (STFT) measurement, STFT phase retrieval (PR) is widespread in many fields. The existing PR algorithms for STFT measurement can uniquely determine the original signal (up to a global phase); however, they are invalid when outlier interference exists. Aiming at this problem, we propose a weighted convex optimization PR method by introducing a weight matrix that can identify outliers. Meanwhile, a two-channel phaseless measurement structure based on the mask technique and the corresponding calculation algorithm are proposed to obtain the weight matrix. In particular, by accumulating the measurement results of all short-time segments, the support of outliers can be well-identified in the weight matrix calculation. Simulation and hardware experiments demonstrate the performance improvement of the proposed approach compared with the existing methods, which shows its effectiveness in suppressing outlier interference.


An author's methodological approach to the development of an innovative strategy of an organization is presented, worked out on the basis of its intellectual capital development, which provides the stability of competitive advantages; the structure of an intellectual capital is substantiated.


This paper aims to describe how the role of the library for students is. And it also aims to describe how to maximize the role of the library as an educational media using descriptive analysis method. Maximizing the library management for student must be supported by a professional management and modern library by the school so that people can see concrete changes of a library. There are several things that can be done by the school in order to change the social stigma of the existence of the school. First, the library should be managed more professional. Second, the library should be developed with adequate facilities. Based on the role and duties of the library, the library needs to conduct educational programs or users so that the available library collection can be disseminated and used effectively and efficiently.


Mine discharge is an important index to the hydrogeological condition of coal mine. This paper taking a coal mine as an example, through the use of the big well pumping test、hydrological geological comparison method and Q-f(s) correlation analysis method(diagram) three kinds of mine water inrush prediction methods being mine inflow prediction. By comparing several methods, analysis the applicability, targeted and conditions etc, recommend the final selection of prediction methods.


Summary Personality disorders are a group of conditions characterised by an inability to get on with other people and learn from experience. People with a personality disorder may find that their beliefs and attitudes are different from those of most other people. Others may find their behaviour unusual, unexpected or perhaps offensive. In this paper, we discuss a case of a twenty-four-year-old young woman with avoidant personality disorder and subsequent depression, worry, lack of motivation, feelings of inadequacy, and non-assertive behaviour in her romantic relationship and professional career. With a properly selected homeopathic medicine, the patient experienced symptom improvement in self-confidence, somatic complaints, stress and worry, anxiety, and depression, suggesting that homeopathy is quite useful in the treatment of such personality disorders.


Using local materials to construct building elements as well as transport road facilities, including highways, intercity roads, and roads, in remote areas is a top topic of scholarly research all over the world. The main reason for that is the fact that these kinds of materials not only ease the intensity of material transportation but are also cost-efficient. In desert areas, aeolian sand is a commonly used local material and it has been investigated in unbound and cement-stabilized pavement base/subbase applications. However, the production of cement is associated with a high carbon footprint, leading this research to seek alternative low-carbon binders. This research investigated the strength properties and the carbon footprint of fly ash (FA) and a ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (S)-based geopolymer-stabilized aeolian sand. Setting time, compressive strength, California bearing ratio (CBR), and temperature shrinkage measurements of the stabilized aeolian sand were carried out in this research. The maximum strength of the stabilized aeolian sand was found at the optimal ratio of Si/Al ratio of 2.5 and Na/Al ratio of 1.0. The compressive strength increased as the geopolymer stabilizer content increased. A stabilizer content ranging between 8% and 20% is recommended in practice. The carbon footprint of the geopolymer-stabilized aeolian sand was lower than that of cement-stabilized aeolian sand. This tendency became more evident in the samples with higher strength, indicating the effectiveness of geopolymer as an alternative green soil stabilizer to traditional Portland cement.


Abstract A significant proportion of persons presenting for mental health treatment has concurrent substance use disorders. Differentiation of the diseases is problematic, and the scope of the problem difficult to quantify The administrative separation of mental health from alcohol and drug treatment decades ago has resulted in MISA clients being denied service because of exclusionary criteria maintained by the distanced agencies. The individual might spend years bouncing between the systems, or might fall directly through the cracks between them, ending up untreated, on the streets, or in the penal system. In this article the author describes her experiences providing addictions training to clinicians in the Illinois mental health system, and observing the increasing integration of mental health and addictions care in this system.


In order to eliminate the interference of cross-terms during time-frequency analysis on multicomponent LFM signals,a new PWD(peudo Wigner distribution)in fractional Fourier transform(FRFT)domain is proposed.After 2-dimensional search on parameter plane,the transformation orders are determined.Then,PWD in corrsponding FRFT domain is calculated.The interference of cross-terms is effectively eliminated.Simulation results prove that it is effective with low signal-to-noise ratio(SNR).


This paper presents a new method to synchronize different chaotic systems with disturbances via an active radial basis function (RBF) sliding controller. This method incorporates the advantages of active control, neural network and sliding mode control. The main part of the controller is given based on the output of the RBF neural networks and the weights of these single layer networks are tuned on-line based on the sliding mode reaching law. Only several radial basis functions are required for this controller which takes the sliding mode variable as the only input. The proposed controller can make the synchronization error converge to zero quickly and can overcome external disturbances. Analysis of the stability for the controller is carried out based on the Lyapunov stability theorem. Finally, five examples are given to illustrate the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed synchronization control strategy.


As the trend towards smaller, lighter and more powerful computers continues, mobility and wireless connectivity become increasingly important. The MosquitoNet project is studying issues in wireless and mobile computing, and this paper presents our performance analysis and observations of one of the emerging wireless technologies: the Metricom Microcellular Digital Network (MCDN). Metricom provides one of the best combinations of bandwidth, coverage area and cost for a wireless data network. We find that the throughput of their radio devices is comparable to a modern modem, but the latency, or round-trip delay, is much higher. The maximum throughput we measured was 30-40 Kbits/second, but the minimum latency for even the smallest IP packet is at least 60ms. We have experimented with both the datagram and Hayes modem emulation modes of Metricom's wireless radios. We are early users of the datagram mode, and our comparisons of these modes confirm two well-known but sometimes forgotten principles. First, packet switching allows more efficient sharing of resources than does circuit switching. Second, interfaces that are satisfactory for use by human beings often show their flaws, ambiguities and omissions when used as programming interfaces for software control of devices.


AbstractDifficulties in collecting feral cats under adverse climatic conditions on Marion Island, prompted construction of live traps fitted with 27 mHz transmitters signalling trap release. Construction and application of the apparatus is described and discussed.


Introduction: Microwaves violently vibrate the water molecules in food, thus creating internal friction. The radiation, created by microwaves results in the destruction and deformation of food molecules, plus the formation of new radiolytic compounds.. Methods: In our present study, the susceptibility of microwave radiations on food fed to rats is studied by measuring antioxidant enzymes catalase, reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase as well as measuring the level of TBARS (Thiobarbituric Acid Reacting Substances). Results: It was observed from the result that the activities of antioxidant enzymes decreased drastically (p<0.05) in rats fed the microwaved food as compared to their controls. Conclusion: Microwave radiation affects the oxidative state of the liver and brain macromolecules. Damage caused by free radicals is aggravated by a reduction in protective antioxidant enzymes caused by the MW interactions in biological tissues leads to production of ROS that eventually affect the status of the measured physiological parameters.


t it les and presentation t imes of the DoD MHS analysis and the two Medicare analyses are as follows: Comparisons of All-Cause, Strokeand Major Bleeding-Related Medical Costs Among Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients Who Init iated Oral Anticoagulat ion Therapies in the U.S. Department of Defense Military Health System – November 12, from 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST Risk of Stroke and Major Bleeding for Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin Compared to Apixaban Among Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients in the United States Medicare Populat ion – November 13, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. PST Effect iveness and Safety of Apixaban versus Other Oral Anticoagulants in Older Adults With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion and Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease or Peripheral Arterial Disease – November 14, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. PST As observational studies lack randomization, they can only analyze associat ions and not causality. In these studies, comparisons between groups of patients can be subject to potential select ion bias and other limitat ions such as confounding. The source and type of database may also limit the ability to generalize the results and endpoints to the overall populat ion. Therefore, real-world data should not be used as stand-alone evidence for treatment evaluation. Below is a complete list of BMS-Pfizer Alliance presentations during the AHA Conference. Abstracts can be accessed through the AHA Scientific Sessions 2017 Online Program Planner. Title Presenting Author/Type Date/Time (PST) Location/Session Clinical/Medical Data Mult imorbidity is Associated With Greater Risk of Thromboembolism and Bleeding in Patients With Atrial Fibrillat ion but a Constant Benefit of Apixaban: Results From ARISTOTLE Sessions: Atrial Fibrillat ion-Related Stroke Prevention: How To Do It Right Alexander KP, et al./Poster Nov. 12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Clinical Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Patients With Good Adherence to Study Medication Have Better Outcomes: Insights From the ARISTOTLE Trial Sessions: Atrial Fibrillat ion-Related Stroke Prevention: How To Do It Right Xavier D, et al./ Poster Nov. 12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Clinical Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Variat ion in Patient Characterist ics Does Not Explain Regional Differences in Outcomes: Findings From ARISTOTLE Sessions: Atrial Fibrillat ion-Related Stroke Prevention: How To Do It Right Bahit MC, et al./ Poster Nov. 12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Clinical Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Obesity Paradox on Outcome in Atrial Fibrillat ion Maintained Even Considering the Prognostic Influence of Biomarkers: Insights From the ARISTOTLE Trial Session: Obesity in CVD Risk and Prevention Sandhu RK, et al./Poster Nov. 14, 12:00-1:15 p.m. Populat ion Science Section, Science and Technology Hall HEOR/Epi Data Strokes Prevented: Biosurveillance of NVAF Patient Cohorts CHA2DS2-VASc and HAS-BLED Scores Using Natural Language Processing and SNOMED CT Session: Stroke Elkin PL, et al./ Poster Nov. 12, 11:30-12:45 p.m. Clinical III Section, Science and Technology Hall Comparisons of All-cause, Strokeand Major Bleeding-related Medical Costs Among Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients Who Init iated Oral Anticoagulat ion Therapies in the US Department of Defense Military Health System Session: Contemporary Investigations in Outcomes Research Gupta K, et al./Poster Nov.12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Populat ion Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Effect iveness and Safety of Apixaban Compared to Other Oral Anticoagulants Among Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients with Coronary Artery Disease or Peripheral Arterial Disease: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of Four Large Databases Session: Quality Assessments in Big Data Lip GY, et al./Poster Nov. 12, 3:15-4:30 p.m. Populat ion Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Effect iveness and Safety of Apixaban, Dabigatran, and Rivaroxaban Among Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients: A Propensity Score Matched Analysis of Four Large Databases Session: Quality of Care Deitelzweig S, et al./Poster Nov. 13, 3:00-4:15 p.m. Populat ion Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Risk of Stroke and Major Bleeding for Dabigatran, Rivaroxaban, and Warfarin Compared to Apixaban Among Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients in the United States Medicare Populat ion Session: Quality of Care, Outcomes Research and Health Policy Amin A, et al./Poster Nov. 13, 3:00-4:15 p.m. Populat ion Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Effect iveness and Safety of Apixaban versus Other Oral Anticoagulants in Older Adults With Non-Valvular Atrial Fibrillat ion and Concomitant Coronary Artery Disease or Peripheral Arterial Disease Session: Risk Predict ion and Modificat ion Lopes R, et al./Poster Nov. 14, 10:3011:45 a.m. Populat ion Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Routine Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Interrogation at the Point Of Care— Implicat ions for Stroke Prevention and Management Session: Stroke Risk Strat ificat ion and Prevention in Atrial Fibrillat ion Pugh M, et al./Poster Nov. 14, 10:3011:45 a.m. Clinical Science Section, Science and Technology Hall Eliminate Thromboembolism: Improving Anticoagulat ion in NonValvular Atrial Fibrillat ion Patients' (ELITE) Registry – Insights From the Baseline Results Session: EP in a Heartbeat: Rapid Abstracts Sharma A, et al./ Oral Nov. 14, 10:5010:55 a.m. Clinical Science Section, Science and Technology Hall About Eliquis Eliquis (apixaban) is an oral select ive Factor Xa inhibitor. By inhibit ing Factor Xa, a key blood clott ing protein, Eliquis decreases thrombin generation and blood clot formation. Eliquis is approved for mult iple indications in the U.S. based on efficacy and safety data from mult iple Phase 3 clinical trials. Eliquis is a prescript ion medicine indicated to reduce the risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillat ion (NVAF); for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), which may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE), in patients who have undergone hip or knee replacement surgery; for the treatment of DVT and PE; and to reduce the risk of recurrent DVT and PE, following init ial therapy. ELIQUIS Important Safety Information WARNING: (A) PREMATURE DISCONTINUATION OF ELIQUIS INCREASES THE RISK OF THROMBOTIC EVENTS, (B) SPINAL/EPIDURAL HEMATOMA (A) Premature discontinuation of any oral anticoagulant, including ELIQUIS, increases the risk of thrombotic events. If anticoagulation with ELIQUIS is discontinued for a reason other than pathological bleeding or completion of a course of therapy, consider coverage with another anticoagulant. (B) Epidural or spinal hematomas may occur in patients treated with ELIQUIS who are receiving neuraxial anesthesia or undergoing spinal puncture. These hematomas may result in long-term or permanent paralysis. Consider these risks when scheduling patients for spinal procedures. Factors that can increase the risk of developing epidural or spinal hematomas in these patients include: use of indwelling epidural catheters concomitant use of other drugs that affect hemostasis, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), platelet inhibitors, other anticoagulants a history of traumatic or repeated epidural or spinal punctures a history of spinal deformity or spinal surgery optimal timing between the administration of ELIQUIS and neuraxial procedures is not known Monitor patients frequently for signs and symptoms of neurological impairment. If neurological compromise is noted, urgent treatment is necessary. Consider the benefits and risks before neuraxial intervention in patients anticoagulated or to be anticoagulated.


Introduction Deficits in control of the trunk muscles have been demonstrated in people with recurrent low back pain (LBP) (1,2). These changes can persist despite resolution of symptoms (1) and is thought to be associated with recurrence and chronicity. One approach that has been shown to reduce symptoms and prevent recurrence involves rehabilitation of trunk muscle control, rather than training the strength and endurance of the trunk muscles. Although we have recently shown that this rehabilitation strategy induces immediate changes in coordination (3), no study has investigated whether improvement can be maintained in the long-term. Using the model of changes in control of the deep abdominal muscle, transversus abdominis (TrA), in people with LBP(1), this study aimed to investigate whether four weeks of training of repeated voluntary TrA contractions could induce long-term changes in control of the trunk muscles. Methods Nine volunteers with recurrent LBP trained isolated voluntary TrA contractions twice per day for four weeks. Coordination of the abdominal muscles was assessed during single rapid arm movements and walking. Measures were made before and after initial training, before and after training at week two, at week four, and at six months. Recordings of electromyographic activity (EMG) were made from trunk and deltoid muscles. Feedback of contraction during training was provided during training at the initial session and at 2 weeks with real-time ultrasound. TrA EMG activity was maintained at 5% maximum root-mean-square EMG. Onsets of trunk muscle EMG was identified during arm movement and coefficient of EMG variation (CV) was calculated during walking. Results Onset of TrA EMG was earlier during arm flexion and extension immediately after a single session of training, and was further improved with four weeks of training (p 0.05). Discussion The results suggest that four weeks specific motor control training is associated with consistent changes in motor control of the trained muscle during functional tasks. Although improvements in symptoms were also identified, future randomized clinical trials are required to confirm these changes and their association with the changes in coordination of the trunk muscles.


This research paper is directed toward obtaining a better understanding of in-vehicle congestion influence on choice of public transit mode. Considering the complexity of survey respondents, a revealed preference survey and stated preference survey combined survey method is provided. According to orthogonal test principle, composite design is carried out for variables and levels in stated preference (SP) survey. Based on a large-scale survey for tourists in all urban rail transit lines of Shanghai, this paper advances the method to describe and classify congestion degree according to density of standing passengers, so as to establish the discrete choice model including time, cost and congestion, and analyze congestion influence on travellers' desire for choice of traffic mode through elasticity analysis of congestion. From model calibration result it can be found that travellers are more sensitive to in-vehicle time, and change of congestion will obviously influence travellers' choice of travel mode. Through analysis of elasticity, it can be reached that travellers choosing conventional public transit are very sensitive to congestion degree, and after congestion decreases, travellers' sensitivity to travel time and travel cost also decreases; and change of rapid transit service level will make more influence on demand for conventional public transit.


The invention discloses a construction method that a composite soil pressure balanced shield machine passes through a shallow sand layer rich in water, pertaining to the technical field of tunnel construction. When the composite soil pressure balanced shield machine passes through the shallow sand layer rich in water, an injecting system is arranged at the position of a pressure plate and a cutter head of the shield machine so as to inject a matter-a foaming agent, or bentonite, or a macromoleclar polymer, or the mixture of the three, which has the performances of rapid volume expansion and viscosity increase after absorbing water, into the front shallow sand layer rich in water; the shallow sand layer rich in water is rapidly expanded, soil entering an integral pressure cabin is caused to form plastic flow state, and the soil is caused to reach the permeability coefficient of lower than the magnitude of 10 cm/s which is needed by the construction and the caving degree of 10 to 15cm. The technical proposal is scientific and reasonable, simple and easy to implement, can acquire obvious technique effect, adopts the composite soil pressure balanced shield machine for passing through the shallow sand layer rich in water successfully and acquires satisfactory construction quality as well as guarantees the construction period.


The essay offers a brief introduction to Bartolomeo Mastri's life and thought, a vast introduction to the history of University philosophy in the age of Schools during the Aristotelian period, and the abstracts of the essays published in the volume


Through the investigation and statistical analysis of the students in school, the thesis points out three aspects of the necessity of accelerating the educational reform of institutions of higher and professional after joining in WTO, that is increasing effective requirements, improving the work tactics and reinforcing the reform of practical education. So it can be adapt to the basic requirement of the situation to the work of graduate obtaining employment.


We explore the spin-boson model in a special case, i.e., with zero local field. In contrast to previous studies, we find no possibility for quantum phase transition (QPT) happening between the localized and delocalized phases, and the behavior of the model can be fully characterized by the even or odd parity as well as the parity breaking, instead of the QPT, owned by the ground state of the system. The parity breaking mentioned in our case is completely different from the spontaneously broken symmetry relevant to the conventionally defined QPT in previous studies. Our analytical treatment about the eigensolution of the ground state of the model presents for the first time a rigorous proof of no-degeneracy for the ground state of the model, which is independent of the bath type, the degrees of freedom of the bath and the calculation precision. We argue that the QPT mentioned previously appears due to incorrect employment of the ground state of the model and/or unreasonable treatment of the infrared divergence existing in the spectral functions for Ohmic and sub-Ohmic dissipations.


Axle bearing is a critical machine element in the railway system to the operation reliability and safety in the transportation. The failure of the axle bearing can lead to derailment. In order to assure the transportation safety, this paper discusses the cause of the axel bearing failure, and proposes the counter measurement to reduce the risk. Due to the failure of previous implemented counter-measurement, this paper suggest implementing the condition monitoring system to monitor the axle bearing, aiming to confine the bearing failure in control. In order to improve the failure diagnosis accuracy, this paper suggests collecting signal from various perspectives, for example, vibration, current, voltage, temperature etc. on the axle bearing for the condition monitoring system. The various signals should be analysed by using physical model and data driven model, for the maintenance policy optimization.


An electroless composite coating of(Ni-Fe-Co-P) /TiO2 nanoparticles on PET fabric was prepared by electroless composite plating process.The nano addition volume on the morphology,composition and crystal structure of the coating was discussed.It was determined that when the dosage was 4~6 g/L,the bath stability and deposit morphology were better.The electromagnetic shielding performance and infrared emissivity of the(Ni-Fe-Co-P)/TiO2 composite coating were also tested.The results show that its electromagnetic shielding performance can be up to 80 dB in 20~1 500 MHz frequency range.The infrared emissivity of the TiO2 composite coatings is very low,only 0.333.Compared with the value 0.906 of polyester fabric itself,this value is much lower,so it has certain applications in infrared stealth.


Bioassay was conducted to evaluate the interactive effect of low concentration buprofezin with Metarhizium anisopliae var.acridum on the mortality of brown planthopper (BPH),Nilaparvata lugens, nymphs and adults.Three treatments were included in the experiments:2.5μg/mL buprofezin,10~7 conidia/ mL,and 2.5μg/mL buprofezin +10~7 conidia/mL.Three developmental stages of BPH,young nymphs(1- 2 instars),old nymphs (3-5 instars) and adults,were tested in each treatment.The results showed that a significantly increased efficacy of M.anisopliae var.acridum against BPH when combined with low concentra- tion buprofezin was achieved.The LT_(50) estimates decreased 22 d to young nymphs,57 d to old nymphs and greatly to adults compared to those in the treatments of buprofezin alone.The LT_(50) estimates decreased 1-2 d to all the nymphs and adults compared to those in the treatments with M.anisopliae var.acridum alone.The virulence sequence of 2.5μg/mL buprofezin +10~7 conidia/mL M.anisopliae var.acridum against N.lugens was in the order of adultsold nymphsyoung nymphs.


The Old Testament has always been something of an embarrassment to the Christian church. The book was Scripture and its heroes were to be taken as examples. Nevertheless there was much in their conduct which ran counter to the prevailing Christian ethics. A problem thus arose both in exegesis and in ethics. Were the patriarchs to be justified? Should they be imitated? Marcion evaded the difficulty by simply rejecting the Old Testament, pointing out the complete antithesis, for example, between the precept, "Let not the sun go down upon your wrath," and the conduct of Joshua, who kept the sun up till his wrath went down. In the main the fathers resolved such difficulties by allegory, but even this key did not suffice. There was no denying that Moses really slew the Egyptian, that the Israelites robbed them, that Abraham lied, that Jacob was polygamous, and that Samson committed suicide, not to mention the deeds which made it appropriate to attribute to David the penitential psalms. Origen, the prince of allegorists, admitted that the incest of Lot and the polygamy of Abraham and Jacob were "mysteries not understood by us."


We present a simplified and novel fully convolutional neural network (CNN) architecture for semantic pixel-wise segmentation named as SCNet. Different from current CNN pipelines, proposed network uses only convolution layers with no pooling layer. The key objective of this model is to offer a more simplified CNN model with equal benchmark performance and results. It is an encoder-decoder based fully convolution network model. Encoder network is based on VGG 16-layer while decoder networks use upsampling and deconvolution units followed by a pixel-wise classification layer. The proposed network is simple and offers reduced search space for segmentation by using low-resolution encoder feature maps. It also offers a great deal of reduction in trainable parameters due to reusing encoder layer's sparse features maps. The proposed model offers outstanding performance and enhanced results in terms of architectural simplicity, number of trainable parameters and computational time.


Cultural landscapes are regarded to be complex socioecological systems that originated as a result of the interaction between humanity and nature across time. Cultural landscapes present complex-system properties, including nonlinear dynamics among their components. There is a close relationship between socioeconomy and landscape in cultural landscapes, so that changes in the socioeconomic dynamic have an effect on the structure and functionality of the landscape. Several numerical analyses have been carried out to study this relationship, with linear regression models being widely used. However, cultural landscapes comprise a considerable amount of elements and processes, whose interactions might not be properly captured by a linear model. In recent years, machine-learning techniques have increasingly been applied to the field of ecology to solve regression tasks. These techniques provide sound methods and algorithms for dealing with complex systems under uncertainty. The term 'machine learning' includes a wide variety of methods to learn models from data. In this paper, we study the relationship between socioeconomy and cultural landscape (in Andalusia, Spain) at two different spatial scales aiming at comparing different regression models from a predictive-accuracy point of view, including model trees and neural or Bayesian networks.


Prediction of flow and transport in fractured media requires characterization of the major mechanisms influencing movement of water and solutes within individual fractures. Among the tests utilized to parametrize these mechanisms are hydraulic and chemical tracer tests. Results from these tests have shown that the apertures estimated from hydraulic and tracer tests do not agree. In the project, the discrepancy between these estimates was investigated through numerical analysis and field tests involving combined hydraulic and chemical tracer tests. The theoretical results led to an explanation for the observed difference between these estimates based on the degree of anisotropy in the distribution of the aperture within the plane of a fracture. Field results were obtained which were consistent with the results predicted by the theory. In addition, the work has led to improvement of several field techniques for location of fracture interconnections. Included are a thermal monitoring technique and an improved heat-pulse flowmeter. Finally, initial field results demonstrated that particulate tracers can be transported between boreholes. It was observed, however, that at the flow rates utilized (approximately 0.06 liters/second), the background concentration of particulates makes analysis of field samples difficult.


Task-based dataflow programming models and runtimes emerge as promising candidates for programming multicore and manycore architectures. These programming models analyze dynamically task dependencies at runtime and schedule independent tasks concurrently to the processing elements. In such models, cache locality, which is critical for performance, becomes more challenging in the presence of fine-grain tasks, and in architectures with many simple cores.
 This paper presents a combined hardware-software approach to improve cache locality and offer better performance is terms of execution time and energy in the memory system. We propose the explicit bulk prefetcher (EBP) and epoch-based cache management (ECM) to help runtimes prefetch task data and guide the replacement decisions in caches. The runtimem software can use this hardware support to expose its internal knowledge about the tasks to the architecture and achieve more efficient task-based execution. Our combined scheme outperforms HW-only prefetchers and state-of-the-art replacement policies, improves performance by an average of 17%, generates on average 26% fewer L2 misses, and consumes on average 28% less energy in the components of the memory system.


With the exponential growth of vehicles on our streets, the need for finding an unoccupied parking spot today could most of the time be problematic, but even more in the coming future. Smart parking solutions have proved to be a helpful approach to facilitate the localization of unoccupied parking spots. In many smart parking solutions, sensors are used to determine the vacancy of a parking spot. i.e use of sensors can provide a highly accurate solution in terms of determining the status of parking lots. However, this is not ideal from a scalability point of view, since the need for installing and maintaining each of the sensors is not considered cost-effective. In the latest years vision based solutions have been considered more when building a smart parking solution, since cameras can easily be installed and used on a large parking area. Furthermore, the use of cameras can provide more advanced solution for finding a vacant parking spot and also for providing the safety of the car on the public parking area. This paper is aimed at the developing a Neural-Network based Image Recognition Method for Smart Parking.


The formation enthalpy of the In Ga defect in GaAs was calculated ab initio by a hybrid method consisting of an atomistic- and a continuum calculation. The atomic relaxation of the lattice near the defect was treated with an atomistic calculation, whereas the long-ranged elastic strain energy was obtained from a linear elastic continuum calculation. The solubility of InAs in GaAs at room temperature and the maximum temperature of the miscibility gap in the solid solution phase were determined from the defect formation enthalpy. The results are in good agreement with a thermodynamic assessment. The effect of lattice coherency on the c/a ratio of epitaxial InAs monolayers grown on (100) GaAs substrates is determined. The stability of such InAs layers with respect to the Ga-rich In x Ga 1-x As solid solution is predicted.


Connecting renewable energy-based distributed generations (DGs) through a DC-Link can create autonomous power supply units (APSUs). Three phase four-leg inverter is a beneficial solution to supply unbalanced loads which is inevitable in a typical APSU. The four-leg inverter can provide sinusoidal-shaped voltages but a high performance control method should be used. Sliding mode control (SMC) is a well-known non-linear control method with high robustness, high stability in a wide range of operation and fast dynamic response. However, it mainly suffers from high chattering problem, variable switching frequency and steady-state error which deteriorate all the previous advantages. In this paper, first, detailed model of the four-leg inverter in the abc reference frame considering the inductor series resistance is derived. Second, a high performance SMC method with zero steady-state error, fixed switching frequency and considerably reduced chattering voltage is proposed to control the output voltage of the four-leg inverter. The proposed method guarantees fast dynamic response and high robustness against model parameter mismatches and load variations. Finally, an improved SMC is also proposed to attenuate the chattering problem more effectively. Several experimental results on a 3-kW test bench are presented to verify the superior performance of the proposed methods.


Rare bird documentation form for a Marbled Godwit at Big Marsh near Parkersburg in Butler County, IA on April 5, 1981.


The present study was conducted on sixteen clinical cases of upper gastrointestinal tract disorders using flexible endoscopy after overnight fasting under general anaesthesia. The affection like GERD, oesophageal hyperemia, oesophageal stricture, foreign body, oesophageal polyps, haemorrhagic gastritis, gastric ulcer, gastric foreign body, pyloric stenosis and petechial haemorrhage were diagnosed and managed accordingly.


A summary of work currently in progress at the University of Hartford Research Laboratory [under sponsorship of the U. S. Office of Naval Research] concerned with noise created by fluids moving through piping systems at various flow rates. The purposes of this project are to develop adequate test methods for determining the noise level within the pipe at any given point along the system and from analysis of test data to predict the behavior of both discrete and random input signals as they pass through the piping network. The signals under consideration here are low frequency in the range from 20 cps to 1 kc/sec. Discussion of problems involved include the selection of an input transducer capable of giving the desired performance (i.e., frequency response and signal strength) and the installation of the transducers and test equipment in the system. A brief indication is given of the results obtained thus far from the analysis of test data.


For better business performance or continuous process improvement of an enterprise, real-time measurement and analysis of the performance of managerial activities is essential. Business Activity Monitoring (BAM) which provides real-time access to key performance indicators or business processes is one of core elements for successful BPM system. Since performance measurement cannot be managed independently of business processes, BAM system needs to monitor performance metrics in terms of business process. This paper proposes BAM framework based on the process-based performance measurement model, in which monitored KPIs are closely related with business processes. To show the applicability of proposed framework, BAM system prototype was also developed using a real case.

This paper is expected to be a practical help to the practitioners who are planning and executing the BAM system implementation for the continuous process improvement.


e13584 Background: Neuroblastoma is an aggressive malignancy that accounts for 15% of pediatric cancer deaths. There are limited well characterized neuroblastoma models for use in preclinical trial...


This paper describes dielectric measurements at transformer insulation models made of Transformerboard barriers and oil channels. It was intended to quantify the water content in barriers and to distinguish the influences of water and geometric structure. Recovery-voltage measurements (RVM) did not show a clear correlation with water content, probably because of "parasitic" influences like oil parameters, geometry and parallel resistances. Better correlations were found for insulation resistances i. e. for polarization currents. Network simulations show that common circuits - normally used for homogeneous materials - are not able to explain the measurements. Therefore circuits had to be adapted to the geometric structures of the insulation. Thereby it could be shown that recovery voltages are dominated by interfacial polarisation between oil channels and barriers. Signals are strongly dependent on oil resistivities, possibly "masking" the influence of water in the barriers.


The Black–Scholes model (1973) is developed under the concept of the riskless hedged portfolio by hedging the call option against the underlying stock. If the riskless hedged portfolio is feasible, investors' preference is independent of option pricing and the implied growth rate of stock price will be the riskless interest rate. Noticeably, the feasibility of this concept is based on the perfect market assumptions and no riskless arbitrage opportunity. However, none of the conditions of perfect capital markets is true in real capital markets. Therefore, whether the growth rate of the hedged portfolio is the riskless interest rate is an interesting and challenging topic. The purpose of this article is to provide a theoretical relationship between the return of the hedged portfolio and risk in imperfect markets. This theoretical foundation can be viewed as a supplementary work to Hsu and Wang (2004) and Wang and Hsu (2006).


The utility model discloses a track traffic motor testing device, comprising an AC (Alternating Current) input control switch, a voltage regulator, a first control switch, a second control switch, a first rectifier module, a silicon rectifier module, a power transformer, a second rectifier module, an operating console, a computer control unit, and a voltage current detection circuit. The track traffic motor testing device of the utility model has the advantages of simple structure, convenient test, reliable operation, capacity for providing comprehensive tests for parameters such as withstand voltage, rotating speed, current balance, efficiency, and power factor, and capacity for satisfying requirements of motor tests in a track traffic system.


Postpartum Depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental disorder that affects approximately 20% women after giving birth worldwide. The common PPD symptoms include loss of appetite, suicidal thoughts, withdrawal from loved ones and babies. PPD not only affects mothers' mental health but also results in mother-infant attachment and bonding problems. Though the exact PPD etiology remains poorly understood, cumulative studies have demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy is associated with PPD, and vitamin D3 supplementation during pregnancy greatly reduces PPD. This article specifically reviews the recent studies in the relationship between vitamin D3 deficiency and PPD, vitamin D3 treatment for PPD prevention, and the potential mechanisms by which vitamin D3 deficiency results in PPD.


Using the 500 Air freight forwarders as investigation objects, the paper studies the relevance between service quality, customer satisfaction, relationship quality and customer loyalty of the industry and, through factor analysis, isolates 9 factors, including stability and tangibility of service quality, satisfaction elements of customer satisfaction, commitment, conflict and dependence of relationship quality and finally price tolerance, purchasing intention and complaints of customer loyalty whose relativity is explored using multiple regression method, with results indicating strong relevance and mutual predictability among the four.


Several studies have identified distortion-induced fatigue as the leading cause of cracks in steel bridges built prior to the mid 1980s. Exper im ntal and computer simulations of a 914-mm (36-in.) deep girder-cross frame subassembly subjec ted to cyclic loading were carried out to study the effects of distortion-induced fatigue and to evaluate the effectiveness of various retrofits. Previous repair methods for distortionnduced fatigue damage have attempted to increase the flexibility of the web-gap region or t restrain the lateral motion by fixing the connection plate to the top flange. A new approach was investigated in this study based on reducing the web gap stress demand by re-distributi ng the force at the girder-cross frame connection over a larger area. A new retrofit detail is proposed based on this app roach, which consists of adding steel angles connecting the girder web and the connection plate, and a steel bar on the back side of the girder web to distribute the lateral force over a w ider region of the web. Experimental and computer simulation results are presented showing t hat this repair method is very effective in preventing the growth of horseshoe-shaped cracks ar ound the web-cross frame connection and of horizontal cracks near the junction between the fla nge and web. Introduction and background Fatigue cracks in steel girders are frequently foun d during inspections of older bridge structures (Lindberg and Schultz, 2007). These cra cks generally initiate in areas of a bridge that 9 contain large stress concentrations induced by geom etric discontinuities. A national survey on the types of fatigue cracks observed in steel bridg es was performed as part of a study on distortion-induced fatigue sponsored by the Minneso ta Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) (Lindberg and Schultz, 2007). In response to the s urvey, DOT engineers from various states reported 11 different types of commonly observed fa tigue cracks. One of the most frequently reported areas exhibiting fatigue damage were trans verse stiffener web gaps in positive and negative moment regions of girders (Keating, 1994). This is consistent with a study by (Roddis and Zhao, 2001) which states that out-of-plane dist ort on was one of the main reasons for fatigue cracks in nationwide bridges. Roddis and Zhao, (20 01) also stated that the positive moment region is more vulnerable to fatigue cracks than th e negative moment region Roddis and Zhao, (2001). Deformations induced by out-of-plane disto rtion are illustrated in Figure 2-1. When adjacent girders experience different vertical defl ections due to passing traffic, transverse stiffeners can cause out-ofplane distortion on th e girder web. Out-of-plane distortion of the web gap region and the high localized deformations caused by it induce large stress demands in the web and the connection welds, which dramaticall y decrease the fatigue life of bridges (Jajich and Schultz, 2003). Figure 2-1 : Out of plane distortion in bridge girder 10 A web gap region is created when a connection plate is clipped at the top or bottom, leaving a gap between the edge of the connection pl ate and the unconnected girder flange (Fig. 2-1). This type of connection detail was widely us ed in the United States before the mid 1980s. The connection detail was implemented in this manne r because it is very difficult to achieve a good quality weld at the intersection of the web an d flange (Castiglioni et al., 1988), and because of fears that welding the connection plate to the t ension flange would lead to fatigue damage in the flange similar to that observed in European bri dges early in the last century (Roddis and Zhao, 2001). Roddis and Zhao (2001) indicate that i was common practice not to weld connection plates to the compression flange also to avoid the introduction of AASHTO fatigue category E connection details. Retrofit techniques documented in the literature at t mpt to reduce the high localized stress demand by making the plate-to-web connection m re flexible or by adding connectivity and increasing the stiffness. The flexibility of t he web gap region can be increased through several alternatives, including the introduction of a slot at the edge of the connection plate, cropping the stiffener, and removing diaphragms. Adding connectivity to increase the stiffness of the connection is commonly implemented by weldin g or bolting angles to the flange. Performing this type of repair often requires remov al of the concrete deck (Keating and Fisher, 1987; Fisher, 1990; Cousins and Stallings, 1998) to access the top flange. The drilling of crackstop holes is the most commonly applied retrofit di scussed in the literature, and can be used in combination with the retrofits listed previously.


In Sweden, we have about 300 labyrinths, the highest incidence of labyrinths in the whole world. Yes, they do exist in many other countries as well and are built according to the same geometrical patterns and placed in relation to the energy lines. Our labyrinths are said to be an expression of an ancient fertility cult, a tradition that has survived in Sweden to the present day; a young woman stands in the center, and a young man tries to free her.


Conventional optical fibre structures are typically based on circular symmetric core and cladding profiles. The introduction of additional micro- and nano-structures greatly enhances the possible functionality of such optical fibres. Such additional structures may be implemented locally (e.g. Bragg gratings, surface gratings) or may be incorporated in the core or cladding structure (e.g. photonic crystal fibres, multicore fibres). Especially hole-assisted fibres have become increasingly interesting for different types of applications not only in optical communication but also for fibre light sources and amplifiers and in optical sensing. Due to holey structures, optical transmission properties in terms of wavefield distribution, numerical aperture or dispersion can be modified, or new light guiding principles like bandgap guiding can be applied. Multicore arrays represent structures where several partial wavefields from separate cores may interact. Local structures on or within a fibre allow local modification of guided wavefields. In this way, e.g., the spectral properties are modified or options for switching are introduced.


Humans exploit environmental regularities in sounds to perceptually bind acoustic energy occurring simultaneously at different frequencies. Such abilities influence vowel perception in speech and timbre perception in music. Other animals solve similar binding problems in the recognition of species-specific acoustic signals. Moreover, they commonly do so using auditory systems that differ in notable ways from that of mammals. This study of two treefrog species investigated temporal and spatial coherence as cues that promote grouping of two spectral bands emphasized in their acoustic signals. In two-alternative choice tests, females preferred temporally and spatially coherent calls over alternatives in which the onsets/offsets of the two bands were time-shifted by more than 25 ms or in which the two bands were spatially separated by 7.5° or more. These results, which suggest temporal coherence and spatial coherence promote across-frequency auditory grouping, are notable given differences in how the two spec...


The present invention relates to a respiratory gating system for a patient using a natural breathing method during radiation therapy, and a method for emitting radiation thereby. A respiratory gating system allowing radiation to be emitted by orienting to the position, which varies according to a patient's breathing, of a subject on which treatment is to be carried out, comprises: a breathing respirator for allowing the patient's respiration amount to be measured; external markers to be respectively adhered to triangulation points outside the human body of the surrounding region of the subject, of the patient, on which treatment is to be carried out; an image diagnosis device for imaging the region of the subject of the patient on which treatment is to be carried out, by photographing the same; and a computer program programmed so as to calculate, as position coordinates, the change in position of the subject on which treatment is to be carried out, according to the respiration amount measured by the computed tomography equipment and the each external marker, through a triangulation method and dual polynomial equations, and to transmit the position coordinates, which changes in real time, to radiation therapy equipment, wherein radiation is emitted by the respiratory gating system, and there is an effect of further increasing the accuracy and stability of the entire radiation therapy result by tracking, in real time, the movement of an organ, which is the subject on which treatment is to be carried out according to breathing, through a respiratory gating system which uses natural breathing rather than a breathing method through the training of the patient.


This article highlights the socio-economic importance of the labour market in rural areas. The aim of the research is to study the current state of labour resources and employment of the rural population, to identify the impact of various forms of agriculture on employment, to develop proposals and recommendations for the development of the labour market. The article also identifies promising ways of development of small and private entrepreneurship in rural areas and employment. Scientifically grounded practical recommendations on improvement of the state regulation of the labour market and employment in the village have been developed.


The development of deep neural networks that has been carried out in recent years allows solving highly complex computer vision classification problems. Often, although the results obtained with these classifiers are high, there are certain sectors that seek greater accuracy from these systems. Increasing the accuracy of neural networks can be achieved through ensemble learning, which combines different classifiers with the aim of selecting a winner based on different criteria about them. These techniques have traditionally shown good results although they involve training models of different nature and can even produce an overfitting with respect to the training data, so datasets must be chosen to correctly evaluate the result. In this paper, a Cross-Validation-Voting (CVV) technique for grocery product classification is presented. This technique improves several single state-of-the-art classifiers without combining different ones and avoids the problems of overfitting with respect to the training set. The single classifiers are trained multiple times against distributed sets to show how the results obtained to date from the classification of a well-known dataset are improved. In this dataset, an extensive test set was previously selected by the authors to show comparable results with other papers in the literature. The technique is valid not only for vision nets and can be used to solve numerous problems with different kinds of neural networks and classifiers.


1. As I take the rostrum to present, for the fifth time, the annual budget estimates of the Kingdom, I recall similar occasions and the discussions held in this House in the previous years. Benefiting from the sentiments expressed by the Hon'ble Members on various sessions and from the recommendations and the feedback, which His Majesty's Government receives through normal channels, I have been making efforts to orient the Government's economic policies as well as the budget to meet the demands of our development endeavour. While I can draw some satisfaction from various achievements that we have made in this respect, the fact remains that the continuing basic problems of poverty facing a majority of the population now call for even a greater degree of dedication and fortitude on the part of all of us for a more effective implementation of the policies and programmes that we have adopted.


Malaria is among the deadliest and wide-spread infectious diseases. Although, there has been significant progress in malaria prevention and control through chemotherapeutic approaches and vector control initiatives, half of the world's population still inhabits in malaria endemic regions [1]. The situation is even more alarming due to the emergence of rapid parasitic resistance against commonly used drugs [2-5]. Hence it has become all the more important to design new ways of tackling this deadly infection. Among several variants of plasmodial parasites infecting humans, the most serious pathological condition is caused by Plasmodium falciparum infections. Asexual intra-erythrocytic developmental processes, primarily steps associated with hemoglobin degradation, parasite invasion or parasite release are known to be viable checkpoints for potential chemotherapy development. Identification and detailed exploration of such scenarios requires highly robust and easily adaptable methodologies. Functional proteomics approaches using small molecule inhibitors and Activity-Based Probes (ABPs), present an ideal platform to temporally dissect essential parasitic survival mechanisms against which chemotherapy may be developed.


A new method is proposed for speckle noise suppression and water objects extracting from Synthetic Aperture Radar(SAR) imagery based on sequential nonlinear filtering and Blind Signal Separation(BSS.)The distribution of SAR image data with multiplicative speckle noise is non-Gausssian and its parameters are unknown.Logarithmic quantification is utilized to transform multiplicative speckle noise to independent additive noise.Speckle noise and image data are separated from multi-polarimetric imagery,and the components with the least speckle index are chosen as the object component automatically by means of BSS while the specific distribution of SAR imagery is unnecessary.Water objects are extracted from the separated object component imagery based on sequential nonlinear filtering according to their lightness and region shape features.The experimental results using ENVISAT ASAR polarimetric imagery show that the proposed method can extract water objects rapidly and accurately.


The authors describe a first report of three types of arthritis in the same patient: rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and gouty arthritis. A male patient, 56-year-old, Caucasian, with a known history of essential hypertension and gout was presented. The diagnosis of gout was made by isolation of monosodium urate crystals in synovial liquid when he was 45-years-old. He was diagnosed with psoriasis when he was 32-years-old, initially with extensive cutaneous and nail involvement (scalp, trunk and limbs). Associated with psoriatic changes, he had thickening of both legs skin with multiple nodules of hard …


With the help of C-contractions having a fixed point, we obtain a characterization of complete fuzzy metric spaces, in the sense of Kramosil and Michalek, that extends the classical theorem of H. Hu (see "Am. Math. Month. 1967, 74, 436–437") that a metric space is complete if and only if any Banach contraction on any of its closed subsets has a fixed point. We apply our main result to deduce that a well-known fixed point theorem due to D. Mihet (see "Fixed Point Theory 2005, 6, 71–78") also allows us to characterize the fuzzy metric completeness.


Compared to the traditional method of frequency synthesis,DDS synthesized signal has such advantages,as short time of frequency switching,high frequency resolution,phase change continuously and so on.In the design of the CO laser detection system,the signal generator is required to output four different frequency waves at the same time,and their digital frequency,phrase and magnitude should be flexibly adjustable,so the signal generator of the system uses the FPGA device and the design uses Altera's FPGA-based chip EP2C8Q208C8.After designing and testing circuit,it illustrates the validity of DDS.As the advantage of the programmable of FPGA,it is convenient to modify and optimize the function of DDS.


3. Given BW. Latent Fingerprints on Cartridges and Expended Cartridge Casings. Journal of Forensic Sciences 1976;21:587-594. Over the five year time period spanning from 1998 – 2002 there was an approximate 30% increase in firearm associated crime in the UK (as reported by the Metropolitan Police). The Home Office reported that gun crime had increased from a reported 4,903 offences in 1997/8 to 9,974 offences by 2001/2 [1].


A retrospective study was conducted on a population of 24 patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). This population is divisible into two groups that differ in prime constituents. Group A used 500cc of 6% Hydroxyethyl starch (Hespan) as the colloid, and Group B used 150cc of 25% albumin. No statistically significant differences were found in the preoperative demographics. All of these cases were done using the same perfusion technique and equipment. Intraoperative values displayed levels of significant difference (p <.05) between the two groups with respect to 1) bypass platelet count; and 2) greater usage of protamine in Group A.
Group A Hespan = Platelet count x 1000/ml was 99.90+/-32.4, Blood loss (cc's) was 1033.3+/-305.5, Protamine:Heparin ratio was 1.41:1.0 +/- .37
Group B Albumin = Platelet count x 1000/ml was 153.84 +/- 34.17; Blood loss was 929.6+/- 105.4; Protamine:Heparin ratio was 1.01:1.0 +/- .43
In the postoperative phase which ended when the chest tube was removed, levels of significant difference were as follows:
Group A Hespan = Platelet Ct.#2 x 1000/ml was 124.87 +/- 30.62, Blood loss (cc's) was 1390.25 +/- 405.78, PPF Admin. ratio was 1417 +/- 506.32.
Group B Albumin= Platelet count x 1000 ml was 159.71 +/- 41.22; Blood loss= 1087.0 +/- 385.72, PPF Admin. ratio was 875 +/- 291.94.
From this study it seems as though there are two factors contributing to the increased blood loss seen in Group A that may result from Hespan usage - the intraoperative and postoperative decreased platelet count and the increased amount of protamine used. Furthermore, Group A patients required substantially more PPF postoperatively.


Abstract An improved synthesis of the 7,6‐fused bicyclic lactam is presented starting from readily available chiral starting materials. (S)‐allylglycine is protected as the phthalimide derivative and coupled with (S)‐2‐amino‐6‐hydroxyhexanoic acid methyl ester. Oxidation of the hydroxyl group to the aldehyde followed by enamide synthesis and acyl iminium ion cyclization provide the bicyclic system as a single diastereomer in good overall yield.


Democratic Personality: Popular Voice and the Trial of American Authorship. By Nancy Ruttenberg. (Stanford University Press,1998. Pp. x, 537. Cloth, $65.00; paper, $19.95.) Writing and Postcolonialism in the Early Republic. By Edward Watts. (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1997. Pp. x, 225. $37.50.) In the past decade, prompted in part by the appearance of Gordon Wood's magisterial The Radicalism of the American Revolution, recent historiography surrounding the developing early republic has begun to reexamine the efforts of a republican elite to create a distinctive American identity. While more scholarly attention has been focused on how the seeds of democratization planted by the Revolution would come to full fruit in the years after 1800, and in the process slowly create a distinctive American literary identity, most notably in Cathy Davidson's Revolution and the Word (1986), Richard Brown's Knowledge is Power (1989), and Larzer Ziff s Writing in the New Nation ( 1991), less attention has been paid to what Henry Adams called "the literary class of the United States." That class, and the struggle to create a distinctive national literature, are the twin subjects of Edward Watts and Nancy Ruttenberg in their recent studies of American literature and culture. Ruttenberg's work is the more sophisticated and illuminating. Democratic Personality examines the psychosocial realm, the literary and social representation of what she terms the "democratic impulse." Focusing on public speech and a developing independent American voice, Ruttenberg examines the Salem Witch Trials and finds that the concept of individual action not only created a crisis of credibility for the ministry but had been laid by the Protestant Reformation. Ruttenberg contends that the democratization of the American self is further in evidence during the upheaval caused by George Whitefield and the Great Awakening. Examining the expanded sense of individuality in such writers as Charles Brockden Brown, J. Hector St. John Crevecouer, James Fenimore Cooper, and Herman Melville, Ruttenberg posits that the "democratic personality" critically influenced the development and rise of a truly national literature. The connection between that emerging voice and the advent of a truly democratic voice in our early national literature gradually develops in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, creating an American "aesthetic of innocence," a fictional representation of that "democratic personality" that sought to reconcile the powerful tensions involved in the struggle to create a national literature. Of course, like many other scholars, Ruttenberg finds our national literature scattered with characters who resist incorporation, figures whose expanded sense of individuality and sense of self led them into a world that can be at once both terrifying and liberating. The heroic backwoodsman Natty Bumppo, as Leslie Fiedler reminded us many years ago, is the seminal figure in our early fiction, and his character is the transfer point, asserts Ruttenberg, between the dying republican elite culture and the ascendant democratic one. …


Part A of this bibliography contains 119 references on the magnetic susceptibility of the actinide elements, their alloys, and intermetallic compounds. Part B contains 102 references on methods and instrumentation for measurement of magnetic susceptibillty. (C.J.G.)


This paper is a reflection on a library system migration project from two project managers at two different campuses. The authors discuss challenges encountered, approaches taken, priorities established, and perhaps most importantly, what each would do differently with the benefit of hindsight. For those who are preparing to undertake a system migration, this paper will offer guidance and advice. In 2015, the 23 campuses of the California State University system collectively decided to migrate to a single, unified library management system. The CSU libraries had been purchasing electronic resources as a consortium since 1989, and the management of these resources involved duplication of work across campuses. The libraries were looking for a solution that would streamline electronic resource management as well as open new opportunities for resource sharing and collaborative collection management. After exploring the options available in the library system marketplace, the decision was made to migrate to Ex Libris's Alma and Primo. The CSU system is one of the largest and most diverse public university systems in the United States, with campuses that range in size from 900‐ student Maritime to 40,000‐ student Fullerton. Migrating all of these campuses, each with unique needs, systems, and staffing levels, required both central coordination and local management. Staff in the CSU Chancellor's Office were dedicated to managing the project across the system, and working groups comprised of librarians and staff from all libraries were convened for every functional areas of the library. A migration team from Ex Libris supported all of the work. And each campus selected its own project manager and implementation team to coordinate work on the ground. All 23 campuses went live with Ex Libris in summer 2017. After working with Alma and Primo for several months, every project manager can look back and identify things they would have changed. The aspects listed below are areas that the project managers would ensure were addressed if they had it to do again. • Set realistic goals and timelines and share them • Divide tasks/project areas and assign someone as the lead in each area • Celebrate the milestones • Be flexible; change course if you need to • Get buy‐ in at all levels of the organization • Communicate frequently • Make sure there is at least one expert in each functional area • Understand how people do their work and what they need to do it In this paper, two of these project managers, from Chico and Sonoma State, will share some of the lessons they learned in the migration process, providing a prologue for those who are approaching a similar project. Chico State, Meriam Library Chico State enrolls approximately 15,000 full‐ time equivalent students and is a residential campus in rural northern California. The library employs eight tenure/tenure‐ track librarians and one assistant (adjunct) librarian with about 25 staff. During the migration Chico State experienced administrative turnover in the office of the president, provost, and library dean. The library also had several staff retirements during the migration. The library migrated to Innovative's Millennium in 2007 and had upgraded to Sierra so migration and system changes were not totally new to the Meriam Library faculty and staff. We also utilized SFX and


A novel classification of power quality disturbance has been proposed by analysising of power quality disturbances in the time-domain characteristics of signals.the classification has a more clear physical meaning,so it is useful to evaluation of power quality disturbances.a feature or a number of features determine a disturbance uniquely in order to eleminate error of evaluation.One of the features of disturbances is undepend on any others,so it can accurately identify mixed disturbance.MATLAB simulation results show that this method is effective in classification of single and mixed power quality disturbances,and less time-consuming of calculation.


Studies examining sleep factors and cognition suggest that sleep impacts cognitive performance in college students. The focus of the current study was to examine normal sleep patterns in college-aged students and how their sleep affected their cognitive performance.

 Participants were 51 undergraduate students (18 males), average age M=20.25 (SD=1.78) years, who wore actigraph watches to measure their sleep. After one week, participants completed the Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue (MAF) to assess fatigue and performed a series of cognitive tasks on the computer, including the Stroop Color-Word test. Participants responded to the color of the word presented on the screen instead of the word itself. Stimuli where the color and word did not match were considered incongruent stimuli. Participants also performed a simple reaction time task, where they reacted to an "X" stimulus on the screen.

 Mean sleep efficiency was 82.55% (SD=5.70), mean sleep duration was 6.59 hours (SD=79.19 minutes), and the mean MAF score was 21.17 (SD= 7.64). A Pearson correlation indicated a significant negative association between sleep duration and Stroop congruent errors r(49) = -.467, p = .001. Furthermore, a Pearson correlation indicated a significant positive association between sleep duration and incongruent reaction time, r(49)= .290, p= .039 and a significant positive association between sleep duration and simple reaction time, r(49)= .277, p= .049. MAF scores were positively correlated with simple reaction times, r(49)= .376, p=.008. Sleep efficiency was not correlated with any of the cognitive measures.

 As expected, participants' sleep was short and inefficient. Results were expected in that participants made fewer errors with increased sleep, but, unexpectedly, reaction times also increased with more sleep. Fatigue may have played a role in this relationship. It is important to continue this research in order to learn more about sleep factors and cognitive function in college students.

 None


Don't hang up your hardhat just yet - the massive labour shortages that have plagued the Western Australian resources sector over the past few years may be a thing of the past, but skilled workers will continue to be needed.


The involvement of art in the construction of rural culture has now become an effective measure to beautify the rural landscape, reshape the rural value, and promote sustainable rural development. Due to the complicated nature of involving artistic methods in rural cultural construction, this article starts with the summary of the experience of art intervention in rural culture construction in China and other countries, and analyses the specific strategies of art intervention in rural cultural construction. It is suggested that typical rural folk arts and creative artistic design of rural residential space can be deeply explored. In addition, this article analyses the key strategies to combine artistic creation with rural agricultural product sales and regional tourism to further promote the sustainable development of rural economy and the environment. This article also points out that art intervention in rural cultural construction should be closely integrated with local economic development, cultural inheritance, and environmental improvement. It is believed that those art intervention methods that are deeply rooted in local culture can greatly push forward the sustainable economic, cultural and environmental development in the rural areas.


ABSTRACt Full-text digital libraries (DL) like the HathiTrust open new analytic opportunities for digital humanists and those studying language-specific corpora such as late imperial Chinese books. These analyses rely on DL metadata records to contextualize and validate findings. However, historic Anglo-American cataloging practices introduce difficulties. Our comparative case study of HathiTrust MARC records for Chinese (1,534), English (25,866), and German (7,872) books (the 1500s–1700s) reveals significant problems: data spread across fields; essential data lacunae; lack of normalization; and information transcribed from sources without translation nor explanation. Cataloging practices need updating to support scholars working with Chinese and other Asian materials.


There are more imported blending system used in the distributing oil control system in oil depot at present,because this control system costs high,middle and small oil depots cannot afford them.To dispose this problem,this paper adopt more advance fussy control algorithm,based on thorough research to control Electro-hydraulic valve which own nonlinear character,and have designed ethanol gasoline blending controller based on DSP.This controller possess independent control function and net function,also small volume and cost low,it is suitable for middle and small oil depots.


Using the data of TDI(Taiwan's direct investment) in the Chinese Mainland for recent 20 years, this article analyzes the changes in behavior, as well as the drive mechanism of TDI in the Chinese Mainland on two spatial scales. ESDA analysis model was adopted for analyzing the spatial pattern evolvement of TDI in the Chinese Mainland. The results show that since 1991, the scale of TDI, especially the amount scale, has risen significantly. The accumulative amount of TDI presents a T- shaped spatial pattern. The spatial distribution of TDI presents a spatial autocorrelation and a clear core- periphery- edge model. The hotspots spread towards north during the past 21 years, and are eventually concentrated in the Yangtze River Delta region. This article establishes a driving mechanism system by using grey relational analysis to examine the changes in evolution pattern as well as the driving mechanism of TDI. The major driving forces are communication development, regional market size, labor costs, electricity supply, policy environment, regional opening- up degree,and transportation infrastructure in the initial stage(1991- 2000). The importance of TDI driving forces changed in the later stage(2001-2011), the main driving forces arranged in the order of importance are accumulation of prophase TDI, regional opening-up degree, regional market size, highly qualified labor force, labor costs, regional policy environment, electricity supply, and industrial agglomeration. Main driving forces differ in different economic zones,so the effects of cultural distances should not be neglected.


Objective: Geriatric dermatosis is an emerging branch in the field of dermatology to know about the physiological and
pathological changes related to ageing. This study was done to find out the pattern of distribution of geriatric dermatosis
among elderly patients in a given population. This is a prospective cross sectional Materials And Methods:
observational study carried out on 100 consecutive patients aged above 65 years in the department of Dermato Venereo
Leprology, Kanyakumari Government Medical College Hospital, Nagercoil after fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion
criteria. Out of 100 patients studied, with male to female ratio of 4:1, xerosis was the commonest p Results: hysiological
changes noted followed by wrinkling. Infective dermatosis followed by allergic contact dermatitis were the commonest
pathological conditions observed in our study. A thorough knowledge about the pattern of distributio Conclusion: n of
geriatric dermatosis in a selected population gives some insight regarding the epidemiology as well as gender
distribution of various dermatosis among that area. This helps in the better allocation of resources, distribution of
material, manpower and help the healthcare providers to serve the needy in better way


String graphs, that is, intersection graphs of curves in the plane, have been studied since the 1960s. We provide an expository presentation of several results, including very recent ones: some string graphs require an exponential number of crossings in every string representation; exponential number is always sufficient; string graphs have small separators; and the current best bound on the crossing number of a graph in terms of paircrossing number. For the existence of small separators, the proof includes generally useful results on approximate flow-cut dualities. This expository paper was prepared as a material for two courses co-taught by the author in 2013, at Charles University and at ETH Zurich. It aims at a complete and streamlined presentation of several results concerning string graphs. This important and challenging class of intersection graphs has traditionally been studied at the Department of Applied Mathematics of the Charles University, especially by Jan Kratochv́ıl and his students and collaborators. A major part of the paper is devoted to a separator theorem by Fox and Pach, recently improved by the author, as well as an application of it by Tóth in a challenging problem from graph drawing, namely, bounding the crossing number by a function of the pair-crossing number. This is an excellent example of a mathematical proof with a simple idea but relying on a number of other results from different areas. The proof is presented in full, assuming very little as a foundation, so that the reader can see everything that is involved. A key step is an approximate flow-cut duality from combinatorial optimization and approximation algorithms, whose proof relies on linear programming duality and a theorem on metric embeddings. Acknowledgments. I am very grateful to Rado Fulek, Vincent Kusters, Jan Kynčl, and Zuzana Safernová for proofreading, comments, and corrections. It was a pleasure to teach the courses together with Pavel Valtr in Prague and with Michael Hoffmann and Emo Welzl in Zurich, and to work with Jan Kratochv́ıl on questions in string graphs as well as on many other things. I also thank an anonymous referee for numerous useful remarks and suggestions. ∗Supported by the ERC Advanced Grant No. 267165 and by the project CE-ITI (GACR P202/12/G061). 1 ar X iv :1 31 1. 50 48 v2 [ m at h. C O ] 2 5 A pr 2 01 4 1 Intersection graphs The classes IG(M). Let M be a system of sets; we will typically consider systems of geometrically defined subsets of R2, such as all segments in the plane. We define IG(M), the class of intersection graphs of M, by IG(M) = { (V,E) : V ⊆M, E = {{M,M ′} ∈ ( V 2 ) : M ∩M ′ 6= ∅} } . In words, the vertices of each graph in IG(M) are sets in M, and two vertices are connected by an edge if they have a nonempty intersection. Usually we consider intersection graphs of M up to isomorphism; i.e., we regard a graph G as an intersection graph of M if it is merely isomorphic to a graph G′ ∈ IG(M). In that case we call V (G′) ⊆ M an M-representation of G, or just a representation of G if M is understood. Important examples. • For M consisting of all (closed) intervals on the real line, we obtain the class of interval graphs. This is one of the most useful graph classes in applications. Interval graphs have several characterizations, they can be recognized in linear time, and there is even a detective story Who Killed the Duke of Densmore? by Claude Berge (in French; see [Ber95] for English translation) in which the solution depends on properties of interval graphs. • Disk graphs, i.e., intersection graphs of disks in the plane, and unit disk graphs have been studied extensively. Of course, one can also investigate intersection graphs of balls in Rd for a given d, or of unit balls. • Another interesting class is CONV, the intersection graphs of convex sets in the plane. • Here we will devote most of the time to the class STRING of string graphs, the intersection graphs of simple curves in the plane. • Another important class is SEG, the segment graphs, which are the intersection graphs of line segments in R2. Other interesting classes of graphs are obtained by placing various restrictions on the mutual position or intersection pattern of the sets representing the vertices. For example: • For an integer k ≥ 1, k-STRING is the subclass of string graphs consisting of all graphs representable by curves such that every two of them have at most k points of intersection.1 Some authors moreover require that each of the intersection points is a crossing, i.e., a point where, locally, one of the edges passes from one side of the second edge to the other (as opposed to a touching point).


The response of a van der Pol oscillator with nonlinear damping and an external periodically modulated sinusoidal input is analyzed by using the method of multiple time scales. The modulation appears to provide extended stability. At resonance, the response envelope is highly nonlinear. Away from resonance the modulation causes a periodic switching on and off of a natural frequency limit cycle superimposed on the excitation frequency response. The natural frequency component arises through a parametric excitation. Extensive numerical simulations confirm the analytic results. Stability studies and the application to random modulations are also discussed: [Work supported by NSERC Canada.]


The yielding behaviour of magnetorheological fluids has been investigated by videomicroscopy, ultrasonic and rheometry techniques simultaneously. Particularly, the effect of different factors such as, the magnetic field strength, particle size, surface chemistry of the particles, particle concentration and carrier fluid viscosity has been studied. Special attention has been paid to correlate the yielding information obtained by acoustical, optical and mechanical techniques. As a general trend, independently of the particular field strength and suspension formulation, the steady shear flow curve exhibits three well differentiated regions. In the first region, at small stresses, field-induced structures remain quasistatic and all magnitudes remain constant. For larger stresses the number of aggregates decreases but their size increases. This is identified with the onset of flow, and corresponds to the classical static yield stress and a decrease in time-of-flight and normal stresses. For even larger stress values, the suspensions fully flow. This stress value corresponds to the classical dynamic yield stress and is associated to a minimum in the time-of-flight and normal stresses.


Rainfall is one of the key factors that control soil respiration.Furthermore,studying the relationship between soil respiration and rainfall is an important way to forecast and evaluate the variation of soil respiration in a terrestrial ecosystem.Up to date,the influence of natural rainfall on soil is still limited.To investigate the influence of rainfall on soil respiration,we investigated soil respiration using a closed chamber during 24 hours after the natural rainfall in karst urban green space in Guiyang city,Guizhou Province.Our results showed that the soil respiration rate varied with rainfall intensity.The main reason is that the low intensity of rainfall was favorable for microbial respiration.However,the high intensity of rainfall restrained the microbial activity.A significantly positive correlation between the root respiration rate and the intensity of rainfall was found.An interesting outcome of this study was that different responses were found for the root respiration and microbial respiration on environmental factors.There is significantly negative correlation between temperature and root respiration;while there is a significantly positive correlation between soil water content and microbial respiration.


For the visit, there were two main objectives identified. The first objective was to continue on the agenda for capacity building among the young academics. The second objective was to provide academic training for students and staff through lecture, seminar and reading circles


A two dimensional model is usually used to solve TCP with lingo software at present,while this paper proposes a new Lingo solution with three-dimensional coordinate to solve this problem.The results show that the Lingo software is effective and intuitively easy to handle.


* The sodium phosphate glass (or glassy phosphate) referred to in this article is that molecularly dehydrated form which contains 67 per cent P2O5. Calgon brand sodium hexametaphosphate, a product of Calgon Company Division, Hagan Chemicals & Controls, Incorporated, Pittsburgh, Pa., was used in all the applications described. necting the settling basins with the filters ; [2] cementation of the filter sand because of after-precipitation of calcium carbonate; [3] scale buildup in the distribution system and [4] plugging of domestic hot-water heating coils with lime scale.


1. Recreational use of 'ecstasy': the drug user's perspective Nicholas Saunders, Neal's Yard Desktop Publishing, London WC2H 9DP, UK. Although 'ecstasy' m this country is associated with young people and the rave/dance scene, it is also valued by psychotherapists, seekers of spirituality and people involved with 'personal development'. A study of the psychological effects of 'ecstasy' was made by questioning psychiatrists while they were under the influence of the drug (Liester et al., 1992). The main benefits reported were 'increased ability to interact or be open with others, decreased defensiveness and fear and decreased sense of separation or alienation from others'. Studies of female participants in the dance scene include the papers of Henderson (1992, 1993) based on interviews with women ravers in the north of England. They revealed that a key motivation was the freedom to enjoy warmth, closeness and even physical contact with strangers of both sexes without this being a prelude to sex. This was valued as liberation from the sexual pressure experienced at alcohol-based clubs. 'The atmosphere of the rave inspires confidence and independence, for instance it is common for women to mix outside their social group of friends. This has provided a way for young women to rise above being a visual/sexual object... ' Russell Newcombe's (1994) paper identified the aim as the desire to partake in an altered state of group consciousness. This was greatly valued and not attainable without the use of drugs and dancing for long periods to music with a repetitive beat. Newcombe compares rave culture to trance dancing at tribal celebrations. 'Raving can also be viewed as a transcendental mind altering experience providing psychic relief to alienated people in a secular repressive and materialistic society. Ecstasy and other drugs are the keys that unlock the doors to these desired states of consciousness ... To describe the rave as a mass illusion is not to decry its value ... It is a deeply desired escape from the constraints of the self and normal behaviour, just as holidays provide an accepted form of relief... Indeed the ecstatic state achieved by ravers is arguably an expression of a primeval urge for group revelry... ' The group feelings of uplift induced by dancing on 'ecstasy' have been compared to spiritual experiences, and the rave has also been compared to a religious service in several papers including Saunders (1995). 'Last year I took a 70 year-old Zen monk to a rave party. He was curious enough to overcome his dislike of the music until his face lit up with a revelation. &dquo;This is meditation!&dquo;, he shouted above the noise. Later he explained that the walking meditation he taught involved being fully aware &dquo;in the moment&dquo; without any internal dialogue separating actions from intentions, and that the same definition applied to the dancers all around him.' These reports show examples of the use of 'ecstasy' to facilitate social intercourse, to be liberated from sexual pressure, to escape from social constraints and to fulfil spiritual needs. Why does our society impose restraints on such apparently healthy behaviour to the extent that a drug is required to overcome them? References Henderson S (1992) Luvdup and deElited. Paper presented at South Bank Polytechnic, May 1992 Henderson S (1993) Women, sexuality and ecstasy use-the final report. Lifeline, Manchester Liester M, Grob C, Bravo G L, Walsh R N (1992) Phenomenology and sequelae of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine use. J Nerv Ment Dis 180: 345-352 Newcombe R (1992) The use of ecstasy and dance drugs at rave parties and clubs: some problems and solutions. Paper presented at a symposium in Leeds, November 1992 Saunders N (1995) Face to faith. The Guardian: 29 July 1995 Abstract 2. The shortand long-term physiological effects of MDMA: animal studies of neurotoxicity D. Dafters, Department of Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RT, UK. 3.4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or 'ecstasy',2. The shortand long-term physiological effects of MDMA: animal studies of neurotoxicity D. Dafters, Department of Psychology, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8RT, UK. 3.4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) or 'ecstasy', a ring-substituted amphetamine with psychoactive properties, is now a major drug of abuse with an estimated 500 000 young people using the drug weekly in Britain, according to a poll commissioned by the BBC in 1993. The drug is taken primarily as an adjunct to all night dances or 'raves' and has caused concern over its proven ability to cause occasional death or serious health problems in humans, and clear evidence of its long-term neurotoxicity to central serotonergic (5-HT) neurons in animals. However, the mechanisms of MDMA's toxicity is still poorly understood, as is the relationship between the acute toxic effects of the drug, such as hyperthermia and the longer-term neurotoxic effects, some of the animal research which has addressed these issues is surveyed. Although MDMA was used quite extensively prior to the mid-1980s as a recreational drug, and even occasionally as an adjunct to psychotherapy, reports of adverse effects really only started to appear once it began to be used extensively by young people at raves or all-night dance clubs. The primary acute problem is usually attributed to the rapid body temperature elevation induced by the drug in this situation (hyperthermia) and its subsequent effects on the liver, brain and cardiovascular systems. It was the intriguing interaction between the pharmacological effect of the drug and the environmental conditions in which it was administered which prompted our


A new air drying technique combined with ASG banding has enabled the construction of detailed karyotypes for two species of butterfly, Pieris brassicae L. and Polyommatus icarus Rott. Primary constrictions (primary centromeres) at early mitotic metaphase are clearly visible on chromosomes before they become highly condensed, suggesting that the chromosomes are not holokinetic for the entire cell cycle. Primary centro meres were not seen at meiosis. Confirmation that the female is the heterogametic sex was obtained, and size comparison and banding patterns indicate that the sex chromatin body in the female interphase cells is a heteropycnotic X chromosome. The sex chromosome pair in these species is heteromorphic. In a third species Pieris napi L. which also has heteromorphic sex chromosomes in the female, achiasmatic bivalents were seen in oocyte meioses. Chiasmata were found, however, in the male meiotic cells of all three species.


Fringe projection is a widely used approach for 3D shape measurements. However, it is ineffective for scenarios with a wide range of reflectivity. In this paper, we propose a technique that can measure high-dynamic-range surfaces without changing camera exposure or projected light intensity. With the strategy of time domain superposition, we can use noisy fringe images to recover phase and geometric shapes accurately for low-reflection and high-reflection regions. The measurement accuracy of low-reflection regions obtained by the proposed method is about three times higher than that of the traditional phase-shifting method. Both simulations and experiments are performed to verify the proposed method.


Surface measurements of volcanic emissions can provide critical insight into surface activity and subsurface processes at active volcanoes including the influx or ascent of magma, changes in conduit permeability, and relative eruption size. In this dissertation I employ direct and remote measurements of volcanic emissions to characterize activity and elucidate subsurface processes at three active volcanoes. The 2009 eruption of Redoubt Volcano, Alaska, produced elevated SO2 emissions that were detected by the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) satellite sensor for over three months. This provided a rare opportunity to characterize Redoubt's daily SO2 emissions and to validate the OMI measurements. Order of magnitude variations in daily SO2 mass were observed, with over half of the cumulative SO2 emissions released during the explosive phase of the eruption. Correlations among OMI daily SO2 mass, tephra mass and acoustic energies during the explosive phase suggest that OMI data may be used to infer eruption size and explosivity. From 2007 through 2010 direct and remote measurements of volcanic gas composition and flux were measured at Bezymianny Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia. During this period Bezymianny underwent five explosive eruptions. Estimates of passive and eruptive SO2 emissions suggest that the majority of SO2 is released passively. Order of magnitude variations in total volatile flux observed throughout the study period were attributed to changes in the depth of gas exsolution and separation from the melt at the time of sample collection. These findings suggest that exsolved gas composition may be used to detect magma ascent prior to eruption at Bezymianny Volcano. Karymsky Volcano, Kamchatka, Russia, is a dynamic volcano which exhibited four endmember activity types during field campaigns in 2011 and 2012, including: discrete ash explosions, pulsatory degassing, gas jetting, and explosive eruption. These activity types were characterized quantitatively and uniquely distinguished using a multiparameter


The aim of this thesis is to analyse what ideas the gender politics of the Swedish nationalist party the Swedish Democrats consists of. The purpose of the study is to identify what they mean when talking about gender inequality and how women are portrayed in material concerning this issue. The objects of the study are written texts, pictures and a video produced by their women's association SD-kvinnor together with the part of their party program that concerns family- and gender politics. In order to analyse the concept of their gender politics a critical discourse analysis model is used as the method of the thesis together with the theoretical approach of intersectional feminist theory and social semiotics. The thesis highlights how women are projected in their produced material but also which groups they ignore and how the problems of gender inequality are defined. The result shows that women are mostly projected as mothers and as a part of the nuclear family and that the real threat against gender equality is identified as the increasing violence against women in public spaces.