Laboratory simulation can contribute to the science of understanding the planets surface by complementing direct observation, by testing/calibrating instrumentation and by providing a test bed for computer modeling. It can also lead to the development of new investigative technologies. In the case of Mars, understanding the structure and evolution of the near surface environment and its interaction with the atmosphere is of fundamental importance to climatology and to the search for extra terrestrial habitats [1,2]. Specifically the facility will be used for the multidisciplinary scientific study of aerosol formation and transport (on Mars and Earth), granular electrification, magnetic properties, erosion, cohesion/adhesion, water transport, UV induced mineralogy, bacterial survival and many others. In addition to this scientific role the facility can aid in dealing with the hazardous environment on Mars with regard to instrumentation and manned exploration. As well as hazards such as the low pressure and temperature, fine grained dust is actively transported though the Martian atmosphere and constitutes a major hazard. This facility will be accessible to national and international collaborators and space agencies for instrument testing, calibration and qualification.


The technical concepts of a method for the generation of 3D block-structured grids are presented. The generation process is decomposed in four more or less sequential steps. 1. Topological block decomposition. 2. Geometrical modeling of known and unknown coordinate functions. 3. Grid initialisation by multi-linear transfinite interpolation. 4. Elliptic cell partitioning.

 The elliptic method is based on simple partial differential equations representing locally decoupled ID stretchings followed by 3D rotations. Mesh-size and smoothness control occurs with user-provided weight functions that are inversely proportional to desired mesh sizes. Test results are shown.


Online platforms and educational printed materials on health issues are creating an informed patient who actively participate in decision making, prevention and management of cardiovascular diseases. Yet the degree in which these educational printed materials create an awareness and understanding among the people is not well known. The purpose of this paper is to validate the educational materials such as brochures, pamphlets given by different hospitals like government, private, specialty, professional and charity. The objective of this paper is to understand the effectiveness of the educational materials and to evaluate if these material help the population are able to effectively make use of these materials in understanding and comprehending the content of it. The research methods adapted was mixed method using both qualitative and quantitative techniques for the qualitative method the educational materials distributed in the five kinds of hospitals 1. Government 2. Private 3. Specialty, 4. Professional and 5. Charity meeting the following criteria were sought for inclusion in the study: print format, content addressing behavioral management of cardiovascular disease (CVD) or CVD risk in individuals with diabetes, material written for an adult audience, and English language 14 and evaluated for ease of reading, understanding and comprehending using the Gunning Fog's index. Following it up with a survey questionnaire for a sample of 50 using snowball sampling method to respondents above 21 age group and those of them who have visited the hospitals for these ailments in three months. The data collected were analyzed using the Gunning Fog's Index.


The article is devoted to a research of the influence of financial and industrial policy on harmonization of European and Asian integration processes. Considering geopolitical and macroeconomic risks, real opportunities for the growth recovery of the national economics and sustainable financial policy are limited. They also require integrated development of effective measures of state support for the recovery of national economic growth by supporting the number of main industries. The development of anti-crisis policy should be accelerated in order to create a favorable investment climate in Russia, increase the business activity of economic agents, decrease capital outflow, and reduce the amount of unsecured budgetary commitments.


This paper is an attempt to develop the new discipline of ecodynamics as a quest for evolutionary physics and ecoinformatics. Particular attention is devoted to goal functions, to relation of conceptualizations surrounding matter, energy, space and time and to the interdisciplinary approach connecting thermodynamics and biology. The evolutionary dynamics of complex systems, ranging from open physical and chemical systems (strange attractors, oscillating reactions, dissipative structures) to ecosystems has to be investigated in terms of far from equilibrium thermodynamics (Prigogine). The theory of probability is discussed at the light of new theoretical findings related to the role of events, also in terms of entropy and evolutionary thermodynamics. © 2005 by MDPI (http://www.mdpi.org). Reproduction for non commercial purposes permitted.


At the German Aerospace Center in Stuttgart a laser damage test bench is run to evaluate damage thresholds of various optical components. The system setup is based on the current ISO standards 11254 [1-3] for single shot and multiple pulse operation. The laser damage test bench contains two repetitively pulsed laser sources, a Ti:Sapphire and a Nd:YAG laser, operating at wavelengths of 775 nm and 1064 nm, respectively. Harmonic wavelength converters to the visible spectral range are available. Both lasers are supplying the same damage testing rig. Online damage assessment techniques like sensitive scatter probe monitoring and video microscopy monitoring are used. The system is suited and has been tested extensively in the past for dielectric coated optics like beam turning mirrors, reflectors and windows, nonlinear optical components, semiconductors, and laser crystals. The damage test bench is located in a class 10,000 cleanroom environment under a laminar flowbox providing an additional isolation factor of >103. The tests can also be performed in sealed optical compartments in partial vacuum and under long term irradiation conditions. All experiments are supported by theoretical simulation of laser-material interactions, down to the sub-ps timescale [4].


Graeme Bell is one of those people who wakes up every morning and just can't wait to get to work. There in his laboratory, all this wonderful information that no one else knows about is constantly being generated. Information that he can sit and think about, assimilate, and develop. "Information is my drug," says Graeme Bell, PhD, Investigator at Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of Chicago, Illinois. A professor of biochemistry and molecular biology, a professor of medicine, and a professor of genetics, Dr. Bell gets his "information fix" at the molecular level. Then he shares his information with others in the scientific community so they can do what Dr. Bell calls their own favorite experiments. He clones genes others have not been able to and provides the genes to those who need them. "He's a great collaborator," says Richard Kahn, PhD, ADA's Chief Scientific and Medical Officer.


Introductory physics students who actively sought out information from multiple peers were less likely to solve well structured problems compared to those who did not seek help; for ill-structured problems, this effect depended on the features of the learning environment.


....................................................................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ................................................................................................. iii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................... viii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ............................................................................................. ix CHAPTER IINTRODUCTION ....................................................................................... 1 Group Contingencies ...................................................................................................... 3 Tootling ........................................................................................................................... 8 Purpose .......................................................................................................................... 25 CHAPTER IIMETHODS ............................................................................................... 27 Participants and Setting ................................................................................................ 27 Materials ....................................................................................................................... 29 Problem Identification Interview (PII)...................................................................... 29 User Rating ProfileIntervention Revised (URPIR) .............................................. 30 Children's Usage Rating Profile (CURP) ................................................................. 30 Dependent Measures ..................................................................................................... 31 Data Collection ............................................................................................................. 33 Design ........................................................................................................................... 35 Procedures ..................................................................................................................... 36 vi Screening................................................................................................................... 36 Baseline ..................................................................................................................... 37 Training ..................................................................................................................... 37 Intervention ............................................................................................................... 38 Traditional Tootling .............................................................................................. 39 Comparison Writing Procedure ............................................................................ 40 No-treatment Control ............................................................................................ 40 Interobserver Agreement (IOA) ................................................................................ 41 Procedural Integrity .................................................................................................. 42 Treatment Integrity ................................................................................................... 43 Data Analysis ................................................................................................................ 44 CHAPTER IIIRESULTS ................................................................................................ 46 Classroom A.............................................................................................................. 46 Classroom B .............................................................................................................. 49 Classroom C .............................................................................................................. 52 Effect Sizes ................................................................................................................... 59 Social Validity .............................................................................................................. 64 URP-IR ..................................................................................................................... 64 CURP ........................................................................................................................ 65 CHAPTER IVDISCUSSION ......................................................................................... 66 vii Research Questions ....................................................................................................... 66 Question 1 ................................................................................................................. 66 Question 2 ................................................................................................................. 67 Question 3 ................................................................................................................. 69 Question 4 ................................................................................................................. 70 Question 5 ................................................................................................................. 72 Limitations .................................................................................................................... 72 Future Directions .......................................................................................................... 75 Conclusion .................................................................................................................... 75 APPENDIX AInstitutional Review Board Approval Letter........................................... 77 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................. 78


Ionomeric polymers are a promising class of intelligent material which exhibit electromechanical coupling similar to that of piezoelectric bimorphs. Ionomeric polymers are much more compliant than piezoelectric ceramics or polymers and have been shown to produce actuation strain on the order of 5% at operating voltages between 1 V and 5 V. This performance indicates the potential for self-actuating devices manufactured from ionomeric polymers, such as deformable mirrors or low pressure pump diaphragms. This paper presents a variational approach to the dynamic modeling of ionic polymer plates in rectangular coordinates. A linear matrix equation, which relates displacement and charge to applied forces and voltage, is developed to determine the response of the structure to applied forces and applied potentials. The modeling method is based on the incorporation of empirically determined material properties, which have been shown to be highly frequency dependent. The matrices are calculated at discrete frequencies and solved frequency-by-frequency to determine the response of the ionomeric plate structures. A model of a thin rectangular plate is developed and validated experimentally. Simulated frequency response functions are compared to experimental results for several locations on the plate. The response of the plate at certain frequencies is computed and compared to experimentally-determined response shapes. The results demonstrate the validity of the modeling approach in predicting the dynamic response of the ionomeric plate structure. These spatial solutions are also compared to experimentally determined response shapes.


The invention provides a production system for an anti-pollution chemical coating on the surface of metal in water. The production system comprises a solid melting furnace, a stirrer and a liquid storage tank, wherein a feeding pipe is arranged between the solid melting furnace and the stirrer, a discharging pipe is arranged between the stirrer and the liquid storage tank, the stirrer comprises an outer shell, an inner shell and a top cover, a mixer shaft is arranged in the inner shell, stirring blades are arranged on the mixer shaft, a stirring motor is mounted on the top cover, the output shaft of the stirring motor is connected with the mixer shaft, a spiral separator plate is arranged between the outer shell and the inner shell, the upper parts of the outer shell and the inner shell are provided with a liquid inlet pipe, the lower part of the outer shell is provided with a liquid outlet pipe, and the liquid inlet pipe and the liquid outlet pipe are both connected with a heat exchanger. According to the invention, heat exchanging liquid between the inner shell and the outer shell of the stirrer is allowed to uniformly flow from top to bottom around the inner shell, uniformity of heating of each part at the periphery of the stirrer is maintained, so the problem that some parts are too hot while some parts are too cold during heating of the periphery of the stirrer is overcome, and a liquid coating is maintained at an excellent environment during stirring, thereby guaranteeing that properties of the chemical coating maintain optimal.


It was found that diamidophosphate eould be formed by the hydrolysis of trimeric phospherus niuide diamide in a sodium hydroxide selutien, and the identification of the hydrolysis produet with the PO(ONa)(NHs)2 prepared by Stokes' methed, the rate constant of the hydrolysis, the reaction mechanism and the behavior of NsPs(NH2)e in an acid solution were investigated.In a 2 N NaOH solution NsP, NH2be was converted into PO(ONa)(NH2)2 by boiling it for 2hrs, An oily product was deposited by the addition of alcohol to the solution; as this had been separated from the mother liquor, it could be crystallized by the addition of alcohol, The atemic ratio of P to N in the resulting products was exactly 1: 2; however, the Na content was more than that calculated for PO(ONa)(NH2)2. lt was confirmed, from the results of the paper chromatogram, the ion-exchange chromatogram, the X-ray diffraction pattern and the IR spectra, that the hydrolysis product and the PO(ONa)(NH2)2 obtained by Stockes' methed weite the same.On the basis of the results of the chromatograms, NgPs(NH2)e was directly converted into PO(ONa)(NH2)2 by alkaline hydrolysis; no intermediates were found. The rate of the alkaline hydtolysis accorded with that of a first-order equation, and the activation energy of the reaction was 21 kcal/mol. On the other hand, NsPs(NH2)e in an aqueous acid solution was sucqessively hydrolyzed into ammonium orthophosphate via intermediates such as amidodiphosphates and amidophosphates.


The concept of lean is ever-expanding and has continuously been researched upon. But, the question of how lean a system is has been frequently overlooked. In this study, we have researched upon the capability of a multi-level model to calculate the leanness of a system based on studies conducted in various manufacturing industries. The major issue studied and addressed in the problem is the evaluation of wastes in the system through the inhibitors of lean manufacturing in an industry. The different levels of the assessment model deal with the lean dimensions in the first and topmost level, the eight major wastes in lean manufacturing in the second level and the inhibiting factors affecting lean behaviour in the final level. Leanness as a metric is then calculated through the implementation of variability source mapping and data envelopment analysis techniques on the specific data collected through our research instrument. The obtained results have been assessed through plotting all dimensions simultaneously on a radar chart for evaluation. The results have been presented and the model's validity has been assessed. Inferences were drawn from findings of the study.


The article deals with the development of woodworking industry in the medieval settlements of Northern Bukovyna which for a long time remained poor studied. During the Middle Ages this territory was covered with significant forest areas, in which there were 22 local breeds of both industrial and rare trees. Accordingly, the woodworking industry here, as well as throughout the territory of Old Rus, had many branches. Being well acquainted with the technical properties of wood the local masters widely used this knowledge depending on the physical and mechanical properties of the breed. Constructing fortifications they used mainly oak and beech, for residential and commercial buildings they used pine and fir. Hardwood (maple, ash) was spread in manufacturing of dishes, while spoons were made from the yarrow, juniper. The remains of precise or carved wooden dishes were discovered in the settlements of Northern Bukovyna. Beech and oak were used in the craft. Containers were made from lime to store loose materials. Local carpenters were aware of various ways of connecting individual wooden elements to each other in a particular product or construction. When erecting dwellings or household structures in corners, the main method was to connect the locks, and when connected horizontally, direct, overhead, spit joints were widely used. At the archaeological sites of Northern Bukovyna, as the open settlements were almost not explored, considerable woodworking toolkit was discovered. It is represented as forms and fragments of blades, ax, bits, drill bits, knives, nail, etc. Their typology has wide analogies among archeological materials from other territories of the Old Rus state and is fully integrated into the generally accepted typology. Thus, materials that characterize the woodworking industry of Northern Bukovyna completely allow trace the evolution of the woodworking business, which developed in terms of economic development of Old Rus.


The government is getting creative to find ways to increase employment such as the HIRE act of 2010 which basically offered firms an 6.2% $1,000 subsidy to hire an unemployed person. This paper analyzes the unemployment problem as an inventory problem, analyzes the HIRE Act and offers an aggressive solution called a Job Surge SWAP program. In the Job Surge SWAP proposal, I suggest the Government would offer firms to pay 30% of an employees first $50k in salary as long as unemployment rate is above as set amount of 8%. Further discounts can be offered at 20% and 10% if the unemployment rate is at 7% and 6% respectively. This larger discount to the unemployed inventory is meant to put some price flexibility into the labor market and encourage hiring. It puts the government in a position where they can take on the collective risk businesses face when making hiring decisions by reversing a prisoners dilemma. Finally, I suggest some more controls and show how this can be paid for within the pay as you go rules.


A signal converter circuit (10) includes an analog to digital (21) Appl. No.: 09/675,039 converter (14) for converting an input analog signal into a (22) Filed: Sep. 28, 2000 digital signal. The circuit (10) also includes a DAC 16 with Segment Shuffler for Shuffling the digital Signal Segments (51) Int. Cl." ...................................................... H03M 1/12 output by the analog to digital converter (14) to improve (52) U.S. Cl. ... 341/155; 341/143: 341/156 linearity of the converted digital Signal. In addition, a shuffle (58) Field of Search ..................................... 341/155, 143, controller (24) connected to the DAC (16) is for adaptively 341/144, 145, 156, 158, 110, 115, 116, turning the shuffler of DAC (16) on and off based on a 117, 126 parameter, Such as amplitude, of the input analog Signal. The adaptive Segment shuffling enables a lower performance (56) References Cited data converter to be used in devices requiring a high dynamic range for converting Signals over a wide range of U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS Signal amplitudes.


The present investigation was carried out to determine the possible bioactive components of tuber of Ruellia tuberosa L. (Acanthaceae) using GC-MS analysis. Twenty five compounds were identified. The prevailing compounds in the ethanol extract of tuber of R. tuberosa were Lupeol (68.14%), Stigmasterol (8.89%), a-Sitosterol (3.99%), Sucrose (2.24%), Cholest-5-ene, 3-bromo-, (3a- (2.24%), Octadecane, 2-methyl- (2.10%), Nonadecane, 2-methyl- (1.93%), Eicosane, 2-methyl- (1.79%) Heptacosane (1.43%) and Heptacosane (1.29%).


The recent economic crisis has highlighted the issue of unequal distribution of vulnerability among categories of employees, which is exacerbated in times of perceived uncertainty. One major line of labour market segmentation in terms of security is between national citizens and immigrants, as illustrated by the seminal work of Piore (1979): immigrants may then carry an over-proportional burden of uncertainty and act as a 'buffer' in cases of employment level shocks, alongside other peripheral employment groups such as women, youth and aged workers. Immigrant workers may be subjectively more prone than those other peripheral groups (especially women) to accept high levels of flexibility, mobility and overall uncertainty. Moreover, such an arrangement has the political advantage, for national policy makers, of shifting the burden of uncertainty on to non citizens, who cannot punish the government through their democratic vote and therefore their unemployment or forced mobility may be less costly. Alternatively, immigrants might even abandon the country in case of downturns, whether freely or forcedly. Within a context of increased labour market uncertainty, the distribution of it between different groups is of increased political and social relevance (Crouch 2011). However, an intentional use of migrants as secondary segment of the workforce implies a high degree of integration between migration policy and labour market policy, or the demographic consequences of unplanned immigration may be even more costly, politically, than labour market uncertainty as such.


A large number of studies examine the causes and the consequences of crime control at both the micro and macro levels of analysis. This paper focuses on the macro studies. Most macro research on crime control is loosely organized and weakly linked to theoretical perspectives. Studies are reviewed that relate to one of two general sociological perspectives-structural functionalism and conflict; and these perspectives are contrasted with the economic perspective. Empirical studies are employed both to specify more clearly and to evaluate the causal structures and processes implied by the perspectives.


The present invention relates to novel cis table carbonyl leukotrienes (particularly LTD4) antagonists, primarily quinoline represented by the following general formula (I), kwinok saline or benz [c] thiazole derivative, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a production method thereof, and to a mammal use of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of diseases, related to the animal, more in particular in a human system table carbonyl leukotrienes:


The world record 1915 Çanakkale Bridge across the Çanakkale Strait in Türkiye is carrying a new highway connecting Europe and Asia. The suspension bridge has a main span of 2023 m and a tower height of 318 m. The towers are manufactured in steel primary to reduce the construction time and comprise of approximate 36000 tonnes. The H-shaped towers with three cross beams consist of closed steel boxes. The inclined tower legs have a base dimension of 11.0 x 10.5 m which reduces to 8.0 x 7.5 m just below the tower saddles. The butterfly shaped cross beams have a constant width of 4.0 m and varies in height from 5.0 m at centre to 8.0 m at the leg intersection. The tower legs are divided into 32 erection blocks which are lifted as full blocks with a floating crane or divided into panels and lifted by a heavy-duty tower crane. The tower block assembly is carried out by skin plate welding combined with friction grip bolting of the longitudinal stiffeners. The design of the steel towers is carried out in accordance with Eurocodes. The design philosophy is explained along with a presentation of the governing load situations; ultimate limit state, ship impact, and temporary bridge erection phases. Also, the special areas at the tower base, bridge deck and cross beams, where additional strengthening is needed will be touched upon. The towers are designed with focus on maintenance costs with smooth outer surfaces and internally protected by a dehumidification system.


This paper provides an overview of the results presented at the 25th IAEA Energy Conference in the sessions on confinement, plasma–material interactions and plasma performance. An important highlight of the conference is the on-going progress in combining the empirical approach to achieve fusion relevant conditions with physics understanding to predict burning plasma behaviour, where fast particle dynamics would have an important impact.


Outgrower Schemes have been implemented in different parts of the world to provide wood to forest and other companies and as income alternatives for farmers in rural areas. They have been considered by some researchers and practitioners as important advances in the area of planted forest and promoted by governments and forest companies in partnership with rural farmers and communities. Considering the importance of subsistence crops and forest products to smallholders and consumers and the economic viability of agroforestry, attention is given in this paper to Outgrower Schemes that combine tree planting with agroforestry, to contribute to food security and environment preservation in developing countries. The issue of Outgrower Schemes through integrated crops-tree systems was raised in a previous study of Outgrower Schemes in Brazil, commissioned by the FAO. This paper examines, based on the research done for that study, the views and perspectives of the companies' personnel, the tree growers that participate in the programs studied, and other stakeholders' related institutions involved in such schemes with regard to the promotion of Outgrower Schemes through integrated crops-tree systems, linking them with agroforestry, which is a way those Outgrower Schemes can contribute to food security and environment preservation goals.


A filler surface was modified by siloxane-coupling agent and the self-developed agent respectively. The influence of the modification methods on mechanical properties of coating was investigated. SEM was used to study the dispersion of filler in resin. It was shown experimentally that the filler treated by the latter had better compatibility with resin, which made the modified coating have significant increase in mechanical properties.


Twelve dogs were subjected to a similar increase in maximal rate of rise of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt) by isoproterenol, glucagon, or calcium. Augmentation of myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) was less with glucagon (p<0.025) or calcium (p<0.01) than with isoproterenol. In contrast to isoproterenol, glucagon or calcium induced no increase in myocardial uptake of free fatty acids (FFA). The additional rise in MVO2 with isoproterenol was probably caused by a metabolic stimulation of high FFA.


In light of ignoring the effect of backlash on mesh stiffness in existing gear dynamic theory, a precise profile equation was established based on the generating processing principle. An improved potential energy method was proposed to calculate the mesh stiffness. The calculation result showed that when compared with the case of ignoring backlash, the mesh stiffness with backlash had an obvious decrease in a mesh cycle and the rate of decline had a trend of decreasing first and then increasing, so a stiffness coefficient was introduced to observe the effect of backlash. The Fourier series expansion was employed to fit the mesh stiffness rather than time-varying mesh stiffness, and the stiffness coefficient was fitted with the same method. The time-varying mesh stiffness was presented in terms of the piecewise function. The single degree of freedom model was employed, and the fourth order Runge–Kutta method was utilized to investigate the effect of backlash on the nonlinear dynamic characteristics with reference to the time history chart, phase diagram, Poincare map, and Fast Fourier Transformation (FFT) spectrogram. The numerical results revealed that the gear system primarily performs a non-harmonic-single-periodic motion. The partially enlarged views indicate that the system also exhibits small-amplitude and low-frequency motion. For different cases of backlash, the low-frequency motion sometimes shows excellent periodicity and stability and sometimes shows chaos. It is of practical guiding significance to know the mechanisms of some unusual noises as well as the design and manufacture of gear backlash.


Howard Slater, Anomie/Bonhomie & Other Writings London: Mute Books, 2011, 152pp. ISBN 978-1-90649-672-2'Work' is the activity which is often used to define the human as a species. It is frequently regarded as an activity which emancipates us from nature; which sets us apart from more instinctually-driven life-forms. It can be a means for creatively expressing ourselves. The effort we put into work can be ennobling; the material resistance we encounter when we strive to produce something can help us grow ... However, there currently appears to be a growing disillusionment with work, at least with dominant working practices and how they are managed. Slater's book contributes to this important growing literature.Slater's collection of energetic essays is written in a refreshingly non-academic style, whilst drawing on a range of important contemporary texts. His free style reinforces his political and cultural claim for 'the force of language as raw material' (p.9), the importance of keeping it open to 'proto-meaning' (p.33) and of accepting, even encouraging 'radical indeterminacy' (p. 145) - notably through artistic practice - as a means of resisting its alienating capture by 'corporate slogans and set-texts' (p.90). Slater is surely right to suggest, in effect, that we should always refuse to go on 'annual leave' and only accept 'holidays'.Slater is advocating that the most powerful response to the oppressive nature of the current climate has to be affectively charged so as to challenge dominant regimes of compliance. Slater draws on Ranciere's theories of the 'redistribution of the sensible', Fourier's 'passionate attraction' and Benjamin's passing reference to the 'affective classes'. Like them he wishes to explore ideas and practices which could constitute a 'new collective ethos', one that is nourished by 'relational affinity' and not based on an alleged homogeneous group identity', such as "The Working Classes'.For me an indicator of the richness of this short and unapologetic book is the reference to Too Loud a Solitude: Hrabal's masterpiece is surely one of die most compact explorations of the place of 'living labour' as a form of creative expression and how it is abused by regimes of power. Slater refers to Hrabal's humorous, and yet piercingly critical novella, when he is taking stock of the fate of 'working class identity' (p.69). He does this in an unabashedly direct way, presuming upon his addressee: 'We have been worried rotten about the non-appearance of the working classes as a proletariat ...' (p.69). Hrabal provides him with a parodie account of how this 'subject' was ideologically instrumentalised under the communist regimes of 'Eastern' Europe. However, Hrabal could also have provided Slater with a counterpoint to his advocacy of 'exodus' (following Virno) from the workplace as we now know it (p.5). Hrabal's anti-hero, Hanta loves his job, despite the pain it brings him: he compacts books and thereby unwittingly bears witness to the passing trends of who is in and out of favour. Those writers who are wiped out of history end up in his cellar to be pulped, but Hanta symbolically retrieves some of them from oblivion, either by taking some of the books to his already overcrowded hovel, or by creating beautiful bales which are decorated with specially chosen passages from particularly meaningful texts, such as those of Kant, before being sacrificed. …


Tourism has become a monetary and social event with economic, social, cultural and political activities, it creates important results in national economies and international economic and political relations. For all countries, tourism sector and tourism expenditures are important and can contribute greatly to the economy of many countries which have high current account deficits. In this study the similarities or differences of tourism variables in Mediterranean countries have been tried to be determined. For this purpose, countries were divided into two or more groups basing on their similarities and multidimensional scaling analysis was performed. Thus, the unknown relations between objects (countries) could be identified by using distances between objects. Accordingly, in the first dimension, the size of Spain, France, Italy and Turkey are separated by a substantial margin from other countries, while the other countries are in the second. Looking at the difference matrix, Montenegro and Algeria, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Malta were identified as similar countries with values close to zero. France and Algeria were identified as least similar countries. Turkey was identified as most similar to Spain. In terms of tourism Turkey has a quite good position according to the variables used in the analysis and the dimension in which Turkey is located.


The translational and rotational velocities of a sphere rolling down an inclined plane at low Reynolds number were measured as a function of the angle of inclination of the plane. Both 140 μm glass and 6350 μm diam acrylic particles were used. A theoretical model including the effects of particle surface roughness was developed, and is in quantitative agreement with the measurements. In addition, statistically significant velocity fluctuations were measured and are explained by variation in the coefficient of friction of the sphere. The disagreement between the measurements of Carty (B.S. thesis, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1957) and the theory of Goldman et al. [Chem. Eng. Sci. 22, 637 (1967)] is explained.


SYNOPSIS: This paper examines factors that influence job applicants' willingness to apply for positions in internal auditing. We predict and find evidence that job applicants are dissuaded from applying for internal audit positions. In two separate experiments involving participants at seven universities, we discover that this phenomenon is most prevalent for applicants with business experience. Experienced applicants are 20 and 33 percent less willing to apply for a position if it is labeled as "internal audit" versus "accounting" in the two experiments, respectively. In addition, we find that the only experimental condition that increases interest in applying for an internal audit position for experienced applicants occurs when the position advertises the combination of (1) a short stint in internal auditing and then a move from internal audit into a management position, and (2) work primarily related to consulting services rather than assurance services. As a potential explanation for these findings, w...


Abstract The early modern city remains a slippery historical phenomenon. Jan de Vries's landmark study of populations, European Urbanization (1984) first established 1400–1800 as unique for cities on demographic grounds. For de Vries, as for Fernand Braudel, the period bracketed by the Black Death and Napoleon's ascendance was distinct and coherent for towns, but at the same time charged with a certain heterogeneity. Commonly defined in rclation to what it was not — either 'late medieval' or 'protoindustrial' — the city before 1800 was in reality anything but singular; individual locales remained economically as well as culturally unique. De Vries showed how somt' would-be metropolises (London, Paris, Amsterdam) gTew steadily after the fifteenth century, while others (Naples, Madrid) watched their populations explode briefly and then stagnatc until the nineteenth. Recent books like Christopher Friedrichs's (1995) affirm tllese conclusions in some respects, discount them in others, but in general wrestle with tlleir inlplications for source material — do the 0et's face it) dlY data of court records and agricultural returns really have completE authOlity in determining some city as 'early modern?' Friedrichs's look at daily life, for example, found little to suggest that the quotidian changed at all for most urban dwellers between 1100 and 1800. COILstructing such periodizations with statistical material alone has become increasingly sllspect, particularly when interdisciplinary urban studies (such as Christine Boyer's 199.J, book) provide evidence of multiple, intermingled modernisms. The portrait of urban culture btfore industrialization as 'static and undifferentiated may change in light of different sources. Contextualizing thc premodern city's role as site and subject of self-representation in images is now a task for more than just the historian of art.


The equivalent circuit model of rocket ball has been constructed in accordance to the theory analysis and experiment. Anti-electrostatic performance of short-electrostatic clip has been analyzed depending on electrostatic energy absorbed by the ignitor of rocket ball. It has been proved that low resistance ignitor absorbed less electrostatic energy than high resistance ignitor did on the same electrostatic condition. This explains the limitation of bypass principle of short clip. Safety resistance value of short clip on certain electrostatic condition has been given. It provides technical basis for production and inspection.


Objective To explore the feasibility of anti-85B and ESAT-6 monoclonal antibodies targeted contrast agent of CT by the murine acute tuberculosis animal model.Methods Preparation the targeted contrast agent of computed tomography by iodine atoms coupled with anti-85B and ESAT-6 murine monoclonal antibodies after purified.Calculate the label rate and the quality of 127Ⅰ of the targeted contrast agent solution,and dilute the contrast agent solution to the required concentration (5μg I/ml) to spare.There were twenty mice of acute tuberculosis animal model,which were divided into four groups by completely randomized digital table and each group was five animals.According to the different antibody named as 85B group and ESAT-6 group of targeted contrast agent,common contrast agent and blank control separately.The common contrast agent group was injected with diluents of iohexol,which was diluted into the same concentration with the targeted contrast agent.The control group was injected with antibody diluents pH 7.4 Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS).All the animals were scanned before and after injection the contrast agent in different time,such as immediate,6 hours,12 hours and 24 hours.Observe the display and changes of the murine tuberculosis lesions,and measurement the CT value,which was regarded as evaluating mark.Enhancement ratio was also calculated.Two sample mean differences with t test and the multiple sample mean differences with ANOVA.Results The volume of anti-85B contrast agent solution was 2.52 ml,and the quality of antibody and 127Ⅰ were range from 210 to 255 μg and 10.5 to 16.6 μg respectively.The volume of anti-ESAT-6 contrast agent solution was 2.93 ml,and the quality of antibody and 127Ⅰ were 147 μg and 20.58 μg respectively.The lesions of the control group showed no visible density changes before and after injection of PBS.The CT value of the lung lesions in the targeted contrast agent group were gradually increased with time,and the lesion showed visible enhancement after the contrast injection twelve hours(t12),and also remained visible enhancement after injection twenty-four hours(t24)[85B group t12 =(-125.04 ± 13.58) HU,t24 =(-117.37 ± 12.28) HU and ESAT-6 group t12 =(-122.14 ± 19.01) HU,t24 =(-114.23 ± 17.08) HU],which is significant difference compared to the common contrast agent [t (85B-24 h) =4.05,t (ESAT-6-24 h) =6.39,P < 0.05].Conclusions The targeted property of anti-85B and ESAT-6 murine monoclonal antibody contrast agent of CT had been partly proved by the acute tuberculosis animal model.Also provided an experimental basis for further study of tuberculosis targeted contrast agent.

Key words:
Tuberculosis, pulmonary ;  Models, Animal;  Tomography, X-ray computed ; Antibodies, monoclonal ;  Contrast media


a Physiatrist, U Hospital, Helsinki b Professor of N University Central Submit requests Unit of Physiatry, 340, Helsinki 0002 Paper submitted 2006; accepted Ap 0161-4754/$32. Copyright D 20 doi:10.1016/j.jm Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the occurrence of pelvic asymmetry in neurologic patients with symptoms not explained by their neurologic diagnosis. Methods: We analyzed 150 consecutive neurologic patients referred to physiatric consultation based on their clinical examination findings. Results: We observed pelvic asymmetry associated with either C-type or S-type scoliosis and apparent leg-length difference in 87% of the patients. Symmetry could be reestablished by all patients, although 15% showed immediate or imminent relapse. Maintenance of symmetry showed a highly significant (P b .001) correlation with improvement in functional ability and reduction of pain as evaluated during the last visit to the physiatrist. In the follow-up questionnaire, 78% of the patients reported improvement in functional ability and reduced pain. Conclusions: Our results support the view that leg-length difference and scoliosis may be more often of reversible nature than previously considered. Acquired postural asymmetry of the sacroiliac joint may be a neglected cause of several neurologic and other pain-related symptoms that can be relieved by a simple and safe treatment. (J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2006;29:561Q565) Key Indexing Terms: Leg-length inequality; Scoliosis; Sacroiliac joint C ommon causes of postural asymmetry include leglength difference, pelvic obliquity, and scoliosis. According to current clinical practice, radiologic or ultrasound examination has been used to assess leg-length difference. If differences in the level of the proximal ends of the femur or the ceiling of the acetabulum are observed, then differences in the bone length of the extremities are presupposed. Pelvic asymmetry is often caused by a dysfunctional sacroiliac (SI) joint. Unilateral rotatory malposition of the SI joint has also been referred to as subluxation, upslip, or compressed SI joint rotated anteriorly or posteriorly. Scoliosis (ie, abnormal lateral curvanit of Physiatry, Helsinki University Central , Finland. eurology, Department of Neurology, Helsinki Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. for reprints to: Jussi Timgren, MD, Physiatrist, Helsinki University Central Hospital, PO Box 9, Finland (e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com). October 24, 2005; in revised form February 28, ril 26, 2006. 00 06 by National University of Health Sciences. pt.2006.06.024 ture of the vertebral column) is considered to be most often structural and of spinal origin. The cited separate features of postural asymmetry have been studied over the past 90 years. However, the biomechanical interdependence of the 3 factors and even more so their clinical significance in causing symptoms are still controversial and clinical studies are lacking. Interdependence is called for, for example, by observations that innominate rotation inevitably brings about a tilted sacrum and that an uneven sacral base results in a compensatory lateral curve of the spine. The relation of postural asymmetry and clinical symptoms is under discussion. A positive correlation between low-back pain and leg-length difference and/or innominate rotation has been shown by some studies, whereas it remains a contentious issue in others. -8 Pelvic asymmetry is common among symptomatic and asymptomatic persons. No information is available on the prevalence of lateral curvature caused by unilateral innominate rotation. Because some patients showing asymmetry are asymptomatic, their abnormal posture is not predictive of pain. Although the correlation of asymmetry to symptoms such as low-back pain has remained contradictory, reestablishment of symmetric posture by applying a foot lift has resulted in significant relief from pain in symptomatic patients.


High-intensity X-ray beams are usually characterized by their kVp (kilovoltage peak) value and half-value layer (HVL). While the first parameter is reasonably well known (apart from accelerating potential fluctuations), on the second, there is a greater deal of uncertainty. The HVL depends on the used filtration, the effective kVp value and on some of the X-ray tube mechanical features, such as the anode angle. This last parameter is not always provided by the tube manufacturer, so we may question if the HVL dependence on the anode angle can be used to extract information on this angle. We tried to give an answer to this question using two different numerical models and a full Monte Carlo (MC) program to simulate the photon field produced by the X-ray tube for several anode angles. One of the numerical models was developed by the Institute of Physics and Engineering in Medicine and gives X-ray spectra and HVL values for a wide range of kVp values and anode angles. The other model, named SpekCalc, is based on a theoretical work developed by Gavin Poludniowski and Phil Evans. The MC simulation was done using the PENELOPE code for coupled electron-photon transport. Using the computed photon spectra, HVLs were obtained and compared with experimental HVL values obtained with a Philips PW 2184/00 X-ray tube with a 26° tungsten anode and accelerating potentials in the range of 40–90 kVp. We are now able to show the PENELOPE simulation can deliver the correct anode angle value. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The low lying states in Be are believed to have a two-alpha cluster structure and hence a large intrinsic quadrupole deformation. An earlier calculation showed a large collective enhancement in gamma transition probability between the low lying states leading to a 4 to 2 gamma branch of ∼10 and a resonant radiative cross section of 134 nb for the α+ α entrance channel. We report here the first experimental evidence for this transition through a γ−α−α coincidence measurement in the reaction He(α, αγ)He using a gas target. The measured cross sections on and off the 4 resonance are 165 ± 41 (stat) ±35 (sys) nb and 39 ± 25 (stat) ±7 (sys) nb, respectively.


This article introduces an image classification approach in which the semantic context of images and multiple low-level visual features are jointly exploited. The context consists of a set of semantic terms defining the classes to be associated to unclassified images. Initially, a multiobjective optimization technique is used to define a multifeature fusion model for each semantic class. Then, a Bayesian learning procedure is applied to derive a context model representing relationships among semantic classes. Finally, this context model is used to infer object classes within images. Selected results from a comprehensive experimental evaluation are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.


Digital watermarking is the field of digital image processing which deals with hiding information in a digital content. In this paper, performance analysis of DCT (Discrete Cosine Transform) based digital image watermarking using color spaces is done. Mostly, images that are taken for digital watermarking experiments are in RGB (Red, Green and Blue) color space. Eight different color spaces are considered for evaluation viz. RGB, YCbCr, JPEG-YCbCr, YIQ, YUV, HIS, HSV, CIELab and the performance of proposed algorithm is tested to check for which color space the algorithm works well.


The transfer of liquefied gases comprises a special hazard potential. Therefore special equipment and expertise is necessary. It is not possible for every HazMat base to hold its own equipment. Therefore in Switzerland the Flussiggaspikett der Ostschweiz and DSM Nutritional Products, Sisseln, can be called out to provide help if incidents with liquefied gases occur. A case study of a real mission is presented. Furthermore technical specifications of key items and the experience of the author are provided.


In this world, there are some condition that divide into two opposition. Like dark
and light, dawn and night, young and old. In the other hand, there are two another
opposition about social life. There are about rich and poor. The rich one because
they have a lot of money, they have power. Beside that, the poor one need to work
hard in order to get the same position like the rich. This kind of social issue is
becoming as the usual in our life, because two of them are living together. It is
also usual showed in movie as the part of life. Beside the other film, there is a film
that showed this with different feel. It called as Upside Down. From this film, the
writer want to analyse the representation of rich and poor people which live in
different side of world. Also, the writer will analyse how the struggle of poor
people in order to feel the same position with the rich one. For this research,
writer will use qualitative research approach and use narrative and non narrative
as the methodology. For the theory, writer will use Marxist by Karl Marx as the
basic. In Marxist, Marx divide the social life as bourgeoisie and proletariat.
According to Marx, social class is a relation between people mediated by their
relation to the means of production. From this film, we can see that everyone can
change their social class. But in the case of proletariat, they can successfully
survive and change their life better with the help from bourgeoisie.


Systems and methods for providing a loyalty system with a social media platform are disclosed. The loyalty system maintains records of the total amount of purchase from vendors in a set of vendors and for each of one or more specific vendors or group of affiliated vendors. The user may then obtain rewards based upon each type of tracked purchases. Furthermore, the social media platform provides other ways of obtaining rewards such as meeting certain challenges in a game play manner. Furthermore, the system uses user account information to determine information to provide to the user in order to direct relevant product and vendor information to the user.


Metabolites are known to characterize the functional responses of a cell. Therefore, a quantitative measurement of metabolite profiles can provide insight into the underlying effect of genetic or environmental actions on cell metabolism. It follows then that the study of the metabolite profiles of bivalve mollusks, such as oysters, can be particularly worthwhile in assessing changes in physiology, pharmacology and toxicology that result from their adaptation to changing environments. We have determined the metabolic profiles of three different organ groups in freshwater mussel and oysters by using H (proton) and C (carbon) NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectroscopy following the infusion of C glucose or C glycine, respectively. The result shows infused glucose formed glycogen by glycogen synthesis, alanine by glycolysis, and glutamate and aspartate through the Krebs cycle and glycine formed serine by the glycine cleavage system in oysters. Decrease in adenosine triphosphate (ATP), glucogen, putrescine and ornithine were observed in the fasting state freshwater mussel. Our result opens the possibility that organ specific metabolic fingerprints can be established to interpret functional adaptations to environmental and nutritional challenges using NMR spectroscopy.


We briefly survey recent proposals that seek to capture in numerical terms the resilience and the robustness of a graph. After a brief introduction and the establishment of notation and terminology, we catalogue characterizations proposed in journal articles published within the last two decades. We then describe some of the numerous application areas for such characterizations. We experiment with implementations of numerous characteristics on several graph-generation models, after which we conclude with a discussion of open problems and future directions.


Model-based approach usage is increasing in interactive application design. Models are used to express the viewpoints of every design participant (particularly the user). This paper presents an approach for checking consistency between task models and dialog models during iterative application design. At the end, an example of the proposed approach is presented. It is based on the K-MAD task model, the IH dialog model (hierarchical interactors) and the use of Praxis (on witch rules are expressed).


A field experiment was conducted to study the effect of different nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer rates on the growth and yield tomato at Northwestern Zone of Tigray during 2016-2017 cropping season under irrigation condition. It is the most cultivated and high market value of vegetable crops in Tigray Northern Ethiopia. However, tomato production is limited due to low fertility of soil and inappropriate fertilizer rate. Six different levels of nitrogen (0, 23, 46, 69, 92 and 115 kg N /ha) and six different levels of phosphorus (0, 46, 69, 92,115 and 138 kg P2O5/ ha) were used and laid out in randomized complete block design with three replication. (Melkasalsa) tomato variety was used as a testing variety. The current findings showed that the highest marketable tomato fruit yield (61.16 t/ha) were obtained in 115 kg N/ha (250 kg urea/ha) and 92 kg P2O5 (200 kg Di Ammonium Phosphate DAP /ha). But, the profitable yield obtained was at N2P2 (46 kg N & 69 P2O5 kg ha -1 ) that is 100 kg/ha of Urea combined with 150 kg/ha of DAP yield was obtained 48.25 t ha and the profit was 235502 birr per ha with the maximum Marginal Rate of Return of 26.16%. Therefore, 100 kg/ha of urea with 150 kg/ha of DAP was recommended for the growers to improve tomato fruit productivity in the study area. Original Research Article Gebremichael and Gebretsadikan; ARJA, 11(4): 1-7, 2019; Article no.ARJA.52674 2


Sn-Co alloy as novel anode materials for lithium-ion batteries with large capacity was prepared by ball milling from Sn and Co element powders.The formation mechanism and electrochemical properties of Sn-Co alloy were investigated.The experimental results show that the intermediate phases,CoSn3 and CoSn2 are observed firstly,and finally CoSn2 phase forms.The gain size of CoSn2 decreases first and then tends to stability with further milling.The refinement of grain is beneficial for improving the initial reversible capacity and cycle performance.After 50 h of milling,the initial reversible capacity closes to the maximum,426 mAh /g and the capacity retention is about 67.1% after 30 cycles.After heat treatment,the phase of Sn-Co alloy is converted into CoSn phase and leads to the impvorment in cycle performance,the capacity retention is up to 73.7% after 30 cycles.However,the growth of grain and particle during heat process results in decreasing the initial reversible capacity.


A good design of passive solar house is to reduce the auxiliary heat demand by utilizing heat gain and thermal storage capacity of building envelope.Basing on one-dimensional thermal circuit network model and auxiliary heat demand formula with temperature control method,the change of auxiliary heat demand and indoor air temperature under different auxiliary heat control constant and set-point temperature were determined,and the effect of set-point temperature on thermal storage of wall was also discussed.This study provides the basic theory of auxiliary heating system design for passive solar house.


For several years Norwegian road authorities have carried out studies and trials utilizing new technologies in order to measure section related traffic parameters in real time. Focusing on recognition of vehicles based on AVI tags and WIM sensors, the Norwegian project is a success. The output is accurate traffic information and more reliable criteria for traffic control derived from travel time and delays. Further research is going on and implementation of the system will soon be on its way.


We explore the distribution of a monodisperse solid in a semibatch bubble column with two immiscible liquid phases. Experiments were carried out in a plexiglas bubble column with an internal diameter of 10 cm. They were conducted at atmospheric pressure and 25 °C. The gas used was atmospheric air. The liquid phase was kerosene and mixtures water-kerosene. The solid phase consisted of monodisperse spherical glass beads of diameter equal to 110 μm and density equal to 2,800 kg/m 3


This paper presents effective extensions of our previously proposed algorithm for controlling multiple robots. The robots are connected by communication networks, and the controlling algorithm is based on a specific Ant Colony Clustering (ACC) algorithm. Unlike traditional ACC, we implemented the ants as actual mobile software agents that control the mobile robots which are corresponding to objects. The ant agent migrates among robots to look for an available one. Once the ant agent finds an available robot, the robot physically moves along the instructions of the ant agent, instead of being conveyed. We also implemented pheromone as mobile software agents, which attract many robots to some clusters by diffusing themselves through the migration, so that the pheromone agents enable the robots to be efficiently assembled. In our new approach, we take advantage of the pheromone agents not only to assemble the robots but also to serialize them. The serializing property is desirable for particular applications such as gathering carts in the airports. We achieve the property through migrations of the pheromone agents within a cluster and synthesizing them. We have built a simulator based on our algorithm, and conducted numerical experiments to demonstrate the feasibility


One hundred and eight compounds and mixtures were evaluated as fumigants for eggs and larvae of the oriental fruit fly ( Dacus dorsalis Hendel). These compounds and mixtures plus those previously evaluated against this insect bring the total to 350. In addition, 62 of the above compounds and mixtures were evaluated as fumigants for eggs and larvae of the Mediterranean fruit fly ( Ceratitis capitala (Wiedemann)). Materials toxic to one species were generally toxic to the other. Most of the halogenated esters, ethers, and alcohols had LD-95's higher than 20 mg./liter for both eggs and larvae. Of the total of 333 chemical compounds (mixtures not included) evaluated thus far, 12% of 114 non-halogenated compounds and 12% of 219 containing halogens had LD-95's of less than 20 mg./liter for both stages. The compounds most toxic to eggs and larvae of fruit flies were the iodides and the isothiocyanates, all of which were injurious to treated papayas.


Results are presented of a retrospective study of the 189 Norplant insertions done between March 1993 and March 1995 at the family planning center of the Orangers maternity clinic in Rabat Morocco. Women accepted into the study had at least 1 child weighed less than 70 kg had no contraindications to progestins and were followed regularly. The average age was 30 years and the average weight was 63 kg. Almost all were urban women. 60% of the women had previously used oral contraceptives 27% had used IUDs 10% had used barrier methods and 4% had used no method. 96% were followed up at 1 week 91% at 1 month 70% at 3 months 59% at 6 months and 50% at 18 months. 13% experienced pain at the insertion site and ecchymosis. After insertion 57% reported menstrual irregularities with spotting or menometrorrhagia occurring in 37% and amenorrhea rarely continuing past 3 months in 20%. 10% reported headaches. Weight gain was usually in the range of 2-5 kg. Hair loss irritability nervousness dizziness and pelvic pain were less frequent. Blood pressure did not vary significantly. 37 of the 189 devices were removed during the 2 years. The reason for removal was menstrual irregularity in 70% of the women. The continuation rate was 90% at 1 year and 87% at 2 years. No pregnancies were reported. The number of Norplant users at the clinic has declined because menstrual irregularity is poorly tolerated among Moroccan women due to religious prohibitions against intercourse or prayer during menstruation.


The invention discloses a tension control device, which comprises a main driving wheel control mechanism, a rubber roller control mechanism, a synchronous belt, and a belt wheel. The main driving wheel control mechanism comprises a motor, a first synchronizing wheel, a servo reducer, and a main driving wheel which are coupled in turn, wherein the motor drives the first synchronizing wheel to rotate synchronously and indirectly drives the main driving wheel to rotate by driving the servo reducer. The rubber roller control mechanism comprises a second synchronizing wheel, a stepless reducer, a precision reducer, and a rubber roller which are coupled in turn. The second synchronizing wheel is connected with the first synchronizing wheel through the synchronous belt and rotates synchronously, and indirectly drives the rubber roller to rotate by driving the stepless reducer and the precision reducer. The belt wheel is arranged between the main driving wheel and the rubber roller. The belt tension between the main driving wheel and the material belt wheel can be controlled through fast drive of the rubber roller and slow drive of the main driving wheel, and the tension control device has the advantages of simple structure, easy control, and stable tension.


Grant Thornton is expanding in the north east of Scotland with the establishment of a new location in Aberdeen. The office will open in the heart of the city's financial district at the end of October as part of a strategy to explore opportunities north of the central belt.


In this paper, we study compressed sensing algorithm and image authentication algorithm, present a grayscale image vulnerability authentication system based on compressed sensing. The system extracts the original grayscale image edge information by prewitt algorithm and observes the edge information by compressed sensing algorithm of OMP to generate the observation matrix . Then, the system scrambles the observation matrix by arnold transform algorithm and embeds it into the original grayscale image by singular value decomposition algorithm. We make experiment in order to test the system. The result is shown that the algorithm has good imperceptibility and can resist copying attack.


ants, and it can be very difficult to differentiate clinically and histologically from benign naevi. Most cases are retrospectively diagnosed because they lacked clinical suspicion. Nevertheless, prognosis of this entity appears to be similar to that of other aggressive melanoma variants, and early detection is also desired. Although clinical diagnosis of some uncommon melanoma variants might be challenging, dermoscopy helps to increase the accuracy of melanoma detection. The paper by Longo et al. in this issue of the BJD gives new insights into the clinical and dermoscopic features of naevoid melanoma. Lesions were divided into three major dermoscopic groups: naevus-like, amelanotic and multicomponent tumours. Almost half of the lesions were in the first group, showing a papillomatous surface with a cobblestone dermoscopic pattern. The authors highlight that the presence of atypical vessels and/or irregular dots and/or globules in such lesions should be suspicious of the disease. The most relevant and applicable clinical lesson from the paper is that dermoscopy can be very helpful in detecting this rare melanoma variant. The decision to perform the technique also in papillomatous lesions, which could be initially considered nonsuspicious, leads the physician to a conflicting scenario in which clinical examination does not correlate with the dermoscopic pattern. Clearly lesions that lack clinical– dermoscopic correlation should be promptly considered for excision. The presence of irregular vessels usually corresponds to tumoral neovascularization, and the presence of irregular dots or globules is associated with proliferating melanocytic nests. Both observations might also be seen in other melanoma variants. Visualization of vascular structures is especially useful for the diagnosis of hypomelanotic or amelanotic melanomas, but it can also be relevant in other lesions showing equivocal dermoscopic melanocytic patterns. Additionally, irregular dots and/or globules should always bring attention to the diagnosis of melanoma. It is clear from previous reports that naevoid melanomas are difficult to diagnose, especially due to their clinical and histological appearance. Indeed techniques like fluorescence in situ hybridization have proven helpful in differentiating naevoid melanomas from naevi after excision. The study described here suggests that performing dermoscopy also seems to play an important role in the 'in vivo' diagnosis of this entity, especially increasing the level of suspicion in papillomatous lesions. Dermoscopy is a noninvasive, less expensive diagnostic tool that works as an interface between clinical and histological examinations. The results of the paper show its use in this clinical scenario. Moreover, accurate dermoscopic descriptions of papillomatous lesions will possibly provide significant additional information for dermatopathologists in the evaluation of this rare melanoma variant.


Focal atrial tachycardia (AT) is a relatively uncommon cause of supraventricular tachycardia, but when present is frequently difficult to treat medically. Atrial tachycardias tend to originate from anatomically determined atrial sites. The P-wave morphology on surface electrocardiogram (ECG) together with more sophisticated contemporary mapping techniques facilitates precise localisation and ablation of these ectopic foci. Catheter ablation of focal AT is associated with high long-term success and may be viewed as a primary treatment strategy in symptomatic patients.


In the field of Electroretinography (ERG), new clinical studies begin to show interesting applications of the harmonic analysis of electrophysiological signals obtained in response to flicker-type stimulation of the central retina (macula). The clinical information within this type of signal can be fully exploited only if the experiments are performed using high quality devices, having low distortion and a wide operation range for the stimulation parameters. In this view we developed a stand-alone stimulator that takes advantage from the use of recent optoelectronic devices (the ultra-bright LEDs) and embedded microprocessor control. The instrument, being of simple and reliable operation, was intended as a mean to encourage the introduction of some of the most recent and interesting results of neurophysiological and psychophysical research in the eye clinic.


The Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape is one of the key biodiversity areas (KBAs) in the Philippines due to its unique biophysical characteristics. Most of the studies conducted in the area focused on biodiversity assessment and limited data and resources are available on the potential of this area in carbon (C) sequestration. Thus, this study was conducted to assess the potential of trees in Mt. Iraya for C sequestration. Five circular plots were established from 100–300 masl, and five circular plots were also established from 301–500 masl. To determine the aboveground and belowground biomass of each tree, allometric models were used as cutting of trees and excessive trampling activities are strictly prohibited in the protected area. The C was determined using the suggested value in the Philippines, which is 45% of the biomass. Results showed that the total biomass in elevation class I (100–300 masl) is 1036.74 Mg ha–1, whereas it is 1422.68 Mg ha–1 in elevation class II (301–500 masl). Furthermore, the C and CO2 sequestered in elevation class I is 466.53 MgC ha–1 and 1712.17 MgCO2e ha–1, respectively, whereas the C sequestered in the elevation class II is 640.21 Mg ha–1 and 2349.56 Mg ha–1 for CO2. The biomass density in Mt. Iraya is higher compared to other forest ecosystems in the Philippines. This only shows that the forest in Mt. Iraya must be protected to further enhance its potential as a C sink rather than the source of emission.


Author(s): Keles, Mehmet | Advisor(s): Frye, Mark A | Abstract: As we move through the world, our visual system constantly detects and tracks objects around us, using cues such as movement, texture, brightness, color and shape. A solid mechanistic understanding of how an object is distinguished from its background has eluded researches examining this question across many model organisms. In this thesis, we describe a novel object-detecting neuron class in the fly optic lobe by characterizing its anatomy and physiology. We then show direct evidence that inhibitory currents play a major role in mediating object-selectivity. To find origins of inhibition, we screen publicly available libraries and identify candidate presynaptic input neurons. In addition, we examine the receptor expression profile of object-detecting neurons and identify receptor types that are likely to mediate inhibition and excitation. Our results provide insights into the only known object-detector neuron in Drosophila.To elucidate the possible behavioral contributions of object-detecting neurons, we investigate the object tracking behavior in flies. We show that luminance and motion cues contribute to object tracking behavior in distinct ways. Specifically, flies exhibit quantitatively and qualitatively distinct behavioral responses to luminance-defined and motion-defined objects. Our results complement previously published research and demonstrate the existence of parallel visual streams carrying different information (motion or luminance) that are relevant for object tracking behaviors.


How often this week have we heard the phrase "but I was only following the rules" as details of MPs' expense claims were splashed across the media? They may have been following the rules but we expected something better: that they would follow their consciences.

Just obeying the rules has long been insufficient for doctors. The judges at Nuremberg made clear that obeying commands from superiors didn't remove personal accountability. Doctors couldn't deviate from their ethical obligations even if a country's laws allowed or demanded otherwise. The World Medical Association is meeting as I write. Its most noteworthy contribution has been the drafting …


Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can present at any age from the neonatal period to adulthood. Pediatric PH is similar to adults but differentiates itself as in a growing child the lungs are still developing (1). It is a hemodynamic condition defined by an increased pulmonary artery mean pressure above or equal to 25 mmHg (1). This can be associated with multiple clinical conditions forming different etiological groups with specific and diverse pathological and pathobiological characteristics (1). When implying an abnormal reduction of small pulmonary arteries section due to endothelial dysfunction, medial proliferation, and adventitial fibrosis, the disease is called pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). PAH induces typically a severe and devastating PH that leads to right heart failure and premature death.

Until recently, the vast majority of studies published on PH were in the adult population but, as highlighted by the series of manuscript published in this issue of frontiers in pediatrics, awareness about pediatric PH is growing. In this line, a specific subgroup was dedicated to pediatrics at the last world symposium on PH with the publication of an excellent summary (1). Manuscripts not only on clinical research but also on basic science further highlight the interest in pediatric PH.

Epidemiologic data, mainly sourced from national and international registries, have recently been published, but the content of these registries varies depending on the center involved and the inclusion criteria (2). Indeed, most of the registries, including centers from developed countries, do not report children with PAH associated with HIV, in contrast to reports coming from developing countries (3). This may be due to the absence of this problem in developed countries in association with aggressive antiretroviral therapies or the absence of screening. L'Huillier et al. report the data from a Swiss cohort of patients with HIV (4). No patient presented with PH, but screening of PH was not systematically performed. This must be kept in mind when analyzing epidemiologic data.

In pediatrics, there is a need and a constant search for non-invasive assessments of PH, mainly because right heart catheterization, whenever it is still considered as the gold standard for hemodynamic evaluation and PH diagnosis is associated with potential risk in this particular population. So, the development of non-invasive tools for hemodynamic evaluation is not only desirable but mandatory in pediatrics. To this purpose, echocardiography gives invaluable information during the follow-up. Jone and Ivy did an excellent review of the current knowledge application of this approach in pediatric PH (5) and offer a basis for the remaining work dedicated to validation of most of the discussed parameters. Similarly, Day et al. reported their experience with the use of oxygen and sildenafil for assessment of pulmonary vascular reactivity in children (6). The response to vasoreactivity testing is crucial for orientation of treatment strategy as responders can be treated with calcium channel blockers with an excellent survival rate. This was clearly demonstrated in adults (7) but we still have to work to define a similar approach in children. Here, a major question still remains: what is the definition of a responder? The manuscript of Day et al. brings some more information with regards to vasoreactivity assessments in pediatric PH.

Still in the field of non-invasive assessment and potential markers of disease, Latus et al. reported their experience with the analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) showing that this parameter may be altered in pediatric patients with PH (8). HRV may indeed be related to disease severity and serve as an additional marker for PH evaluation.

Although there is still no cure for PAH, quality of life and survival have been improved significantly with specific drug therapies (9). Nevertheless, management of pediatric PAH remains challenging and depends mainly on results from adult clinical trials, a few specific pediatric studies and pediatric experts' recommendations. Any additional report of the use of targeted therapies in children is of interest. Siehr et al. reported their experience with the use of sildenafil and concentrated on its potential side effects (10). One must remember that a question was raised on the use of sildenafil in children as the STARTS study reported an increased risk of death using high doses (11, 12). This led to a warning from the FDA and the approval of the medium dose by the European Medical Authorities. Even, if Siehr et al. reported no new side effects, they mention that the incidence of vascular, gastrointestinal, and neurologic side effects in pediatric patients on sildenafil therapy was 30%. Side effects were more common in patients on combination therapy with an endothelin receptor antagonist and/or a prostacyclin than in patients on sildenafil monotherapy.

Prior to the development of new therapeutic pathways, recognition of all pathobiological pathways involved in the development of pulmonary vascular disease are needed. Van loon et al. (13) reported their experience with erythropoietin (EPO) (10). In experimental PAH, EPO treatment restored the number of circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) to control level, improved pulmonary vascular remodeling, and showed important interplay with heme oxygenase (HO) activity. Inhibition of increased HO activity in PAH rats exacerbated progression of pulmonary vascular remodeling, despite the presence of restored number of circulating EPCs. It may be that both EPO-induced HO and EPCs are promising targets to improve the pulmonary vasculature in PAH.

Different specific issues related to pediatric PAH have been reported and highlight the need to continue active research in this field. It is of paramount importance to better understand the pathobiology of the disease, its behavior and discover new treatment pathway in order to finally curing this devastating disease.


Bone-forming cells fabricate a highly ordered collagen matrix (osteoid) which subsequently mineralizes. A variety of cell culture systems exist for osteogenic cells, yet none of these is optimal for the organized formation of a mineralized matrix. We have generated collagen substrates which have different degrees of fibrillar orientation, and have cultured osteogenic cells on these matrices. In this format, von Kossa-stained sections show that highly oriented collagen matrix starts to calcify in 6–7 days, while a random fibrillar matrix does not mineralize even after 21 days. Mineral has been detected only within the collagen matrix with a narrow, unmineralized region between the cells and the mineral.


In this study, a meta-analysis was conducted to assess the effects of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) polymorphisms on the risk for development of liver fibrosis in the Chinese population. Studies were identified using PubMed and Chinese databases through March 2016. This meta-analysis identified 7 studies, including 874 liver cirrhosis cases and 889 controls. In the overall analysis, a non-significant association between the TGF-β1 polymorphisms and liver fibrosis was found in the Chinese population. In the analyses based on consistency with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) for controls, significantly increased risks for liver cirrhosis in association with TGF-β1 -509C/T variants were found. Furthermore, a significantly increased risk of TGF-β1 +869T/C variants was found in the population-based studies. Our meta-analysis showed that TGF-β1 -509C/T and +869T/C variants appear to influence the risk for liver cirrhosis in Chinese individuals. Studies with larger sample sizes and wider population spectra are warranted to verify this finding.


Objective:To determine the method of related substances (dicyandiamide) of metformin hydrochloride enteric - pellets capsules by HPLC. Method: Condition of the HPLC method was : Inertsil - ODS - 3 (4. 6 mm × 150 mm, 5 μm) was used, aeconitril - 0. 05 % sodium heptanesulfonate (16: 84) as the mobile phase, at detection wavelength 218 nm,at a flow rate of 1 mL · min~(-1). Results:The linearity of peak area was good when the injected quantity of dicyandiamide was in the rang of 0. 5 -5 ng(r =0. 9998 n =6). The recovery of this method was 99.4%, the precision RSD = 0.5 % ( n = 6).


Enforcement under the Drainage Act is an important topic for municipalities, drainage superintendents and engineers. Having the right enforcement procedures and tools in place to deal with obstructions, damage, connections and disconnection to a drainage works is fundamental to protecting the overall system. This is particularly true as the drainage community incorporates more environmental features (e.g. riparian buffers, wetlands, etc.) into communal drains.
This presentation will review Sections 80, 82 and 65(5) of the Drainage Act and provide some thoughts and suggestions on how they can be used by municipalities and drainage superintendents to protect the drainage works. It will also provide some thoughts on how drainage engineers can assist with the enforcement of the Act through the Engineers Report.


We review Monte Carlo methods for solving the Boltzmann equation for applications to small-scale transport processes, with particular emphasis on nanoscale heat transport as mediated by phonons. Our discussion reviews the numerical foundations of Monte Carlo algorithms, basic simulation methodology, as well as recent developments in the field. Examples of the latter include formulations for calculating the effective thermal conductivity of periodically nanostructured materials and variance-reduction methodologies for reducing the computational cost associated with statistical sampling of field properties of interest, such as the temperature and heat flux. Recent developments are presented in the context of applications of current practical interest, including multiscale problems that have motivated some of the most recent developments.


[Objective] To explore an apoptosis of CBRH-7919 cells induced by INF in vitro and its expression of BAX.[Method] The cells line CBRH-7919 was treated with interferon(IFN) with different concentrations at different time,its morphological change was observed under microscopy.The DNA ladder of cell apoptosis was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis.The expression changes of BAX genes were detected by immunohistochemical method under interferon(IFN) treatment with different concentrations at different time.[Result] After IFN treatment,the typical apoptosis was characterized by a decrease in cell volume,condensation nuclei,chromatin condensation,nuclear fragmentation,chromatin fragmentation,formation of apoptotic bodies,etc.The result of agarose gel electrophoresis showed that typical DNA LADDER appeared with the increasing interferon concentrations.The expression of BAX gene increased obviously in 48 hour.[Conclusion] IFN could induce the apoptosis of CBRH-7919 cells,which might be resulted from the reason that IFN upregulated the expression of BAX genes and enhanced its role in the apoptosis of hepatoma cells.


Evidence has shown that antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is effective in preventing transmission among couples. Additionally, newer ART medications have greater effectiveness and tolerability and lower toxicity, making treatment for longer timeframes more easily achievable. ART can even be effective in persons with HIV infection for whom treatment previously failed or in those with resistance to medications. The International Antiviral Society—USA Panel has provided recommendations for management of HIV infection with ART.


IRRIGATION DEPTHS AND NITROGEN RATES IN COVERAGE IN THE DRY BEAN The irrigation of the dry bean during the winter season has resulted in productivity above the annual average, mainly due to increases in technology and nitrogen fertilizers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the response of the dry bean to different irrigation depths and nitrogen fertilization in Aquidauana, MS, Brazil. The experiment was conducted at the Unidade Universitaria de Aquidauana- Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso Sul, using the dry bean cultivar "Perola" sown in July 2005. A randomized block experimental design was used with split plots consisting of three blocks and two replications in each block. The plots consisted of three irrigation depths (16.5, 27.6 and 30.5 mm) corresponding to 50, 30 and 27% of the field capacity, respectively, and four nitrogen fertilizer levels (0, 50, 100 and 150 kg ha-1). We evaluated the number of pods per plant, grain number per plant, grain number per pod, weight of 100 grains, grain yield per plant and grain yield, and agronomic efficiency. It was concluded that irrigation depths based on field capacity do not influence the production components and grain yield of the dry bean. The number and yield of grains per plant and the weight of 100 grains are influenced by the coverage nitrogen rates in dry bean.


Airspace structure is a key factor influencing controller cognitive complexity as it forms a basis for abstractions simplifying controller mental models of air traffic situations. In evaluating the feasibility of new Concepts of Operations (Con-Ops), it is important to consider the effects of changes to the structure of the system and its related impacts on controller cognitive complexity. Examples of key cognitive complexity considerations for future ATC systems are identified by examining three opportunities to modify airspace structure. A part task experiment was used to further investigate the impact of one of those opportunities on controller cognitive complexity, the introduction of time-based control. The hypothesis of structure's impact on controller complexity was supported through an innovative aircraft complexity assessment technique Benefits of time-based control were shown both in terms of controller performance and subjective complexity rating results.


Since the 1950s, economic growth rates in industrialized countries have declined. Whereas the per capita growth rate of gross domestic product in industrial countries was 3.7 in the 1950s ind 4.2 in the 1960s, the growth rate came down to 3.0 in the 1970s and to 2.1 in the 1980s (Table 1). This picture of declining growth rates is even stronger when the growth rate is not expressed on a per capita basis.


Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) is the second most common benign liver tumour and typically do not require any treatment. An accurate non‐invasive diagnosis is therefore vital to avoid unnecessary intervention and to reassure patients. This article discusses the demographics and pathology of FNH and reviews the appearance of FNH at MRI using liver‐specific contrast agents.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse social media issues that give rise to employment-related legal and ethical dilemmas, with reference made to recent case law development, and offer recommendations for employers and employees. Design/methodology/approach – Prior research, statistical trends, and case laws are reviewed. Findings – Employers using social media for employment decisions may risk crossing the lines of discrimination, infringement on personal privacy, and/or interference with employees' concerted activities protected by US law. However, employers not using social media may face negligent hiring and damages for improper employee messages posted. For employees, while social media provides a connection tool, messages posted off-duty and thought to be "private" may still be used as evidence in support of disciplinary actions. Practical implications – Employers, employees, and their unions must be cognizant of the ethical and legal implications of using social media in the employment ...


The research was aim to determine the degree of relationship between syndrome FOMO (Fear of missing out) and written language students of Secondary Educational Institution "Jose Antonio Encinas" of Juliaca city, 2017. They used the descriptive-correlational design of such non-experimental, positivist paradigm and approach quantitative. The sample was intentional and not probabilistic, made up of students from the fifth grade of secondary, the which they were evaluated with instruments: the questionnaire Fear of missing out syndrome to measure syndrome Fear of missing out and a second questionnaire to measure written language. At the end of the investigation it was identified that the students present Fear of missing out syndrome, very frequently at a very high level, with a frequency that represents 41.37%. Likewise, it has been identified that 63% of students do not respect the spelling regulations, all evidenced in the level of use of the written language Chat. The results indicate that there is r = 0.89 **, of correlation between the two variables, which implies a high positive relationship between Fear of missing out syndrome and written language.


Listen online Generation Zel! Radio - pop. Station plays Top 40, Hits, EDM and Hip-Hop. Generation Zel! Radio is broadcasting in English from Canada, Brantford.


The finite element method has been applied to clarify the relation between magnetic characteristics of the electrical steel and power transformer iron losses. Three material constants which represent the magnetic characteristics are used for this study. The computed results have contributed to understanding of factors which increase the transformer iron losses.


Fragment mass distribution study in the relatively neutron deficient Hg-Pb region is considered very important to look for possible anomalies in the mass distribution data [1]. The unexpected observation of quasi-fission (QF) in the fission of certain nuclei in the said region has led to the renewed interest to further explore similar reactions using mass distribution as a probe [2]. QF represents the decay of excited composite system before achieving the full equilibration and relatively broader mass distributions for select reactions in the studied energy domain signify the presence of QF. Considering the theoretical interpretation of the QF process, we still lack any comprehensive model which could predict and describe the properties of the said process. The statistical model calculations of the width of the mass distribution are carried out assuming the saddle point temperature (T) and mean square angular momentum (¡l¿) dependence of the variance of the fragment mass distribution having a functional form [3]


A synthetic juvenile hormone mimic has been shown to cause premature metamorphosis of the cyprid larva of an acorn barnacle in concentrations as low as 10 parts per billion in filtered seawater. The effect of a juvenile hormone mimic on a crustacean has not previously been demonstrated.


We propose a multilevel Monte Carlo-FEM algorithm to solve elliptic Bayesian inverse problems with"Besov random tree prior". These priors are given by a wavelet series with stochastic coefficients, and certain terms in the expansion vanishing at random, according to the law of so-called Galton-Watson trees. This allows to incorporate random fractal structures and large deviations in the log-diffusion, which occur naturally in many applications from geophysics or medical imaging. This framework entails two main difficulties: First, the associated diffusion coefficient does not satisfy a uniform ellipticity condition, which leads to non-integrable terms and thus divergence of standard multilevel estimators. Secondly, the associated space of parameters is Polish, but not a normed linear space. We address the first point by introducing cut-off functions in the estimator to compensate for the non-integrable terms, while the second issue is resolved by employing an independence Metropolis-Hastings sampler. The resulting algorithm converges in the mean-square sense with essentially optimal asymptotic complexity, and dimension-independent acceptance probabilities.


Seventeen different kind of fabrics for knitted garment were bonded with fusible interlining,and the properties of the bonded complexes such as their tensile,drape property,wrinkle recovery and thickness were measured by experiments.The result shows that adhesion technology is of great effect on the improvement of the property of the knitted fabric,meanwhile fault effect ought to be avoided.


Traditional approaches of image classification, such as maximum likelihood and the band thresholding method, involve the per-pixel approach to delineate the water spread area of a reservoir. One of the limitations of these approaches is that the pixels representing the reservoir border, containing a mixture of water, soil and vegetation, are classified entirely as water, thereby resulting in inaccurate estimates of the water spread area. To compute the water spread area accurately, the sub-pixel approach has been used in this study. The water spread areas extracted using per-pixel and sub-pixel approaches from IRS-1D and P6 satellite image data were in turn used to quantify the capacity of the Singoor reservoir, Andhra Pradesh, India. The estimated capacity of the reservoir using the per-pixel and sub-pixel approaches was 727.75 Mm3 and 716.11 Mm3, respectively. The validation shows that the sub-pixel approach produced much less error (1.08%) than the per-pixel based approach (3.14%).


Rationale/Background: Evidence shows that individual physicians are poor at self-assessment and as a result, fail to evaluate their own learning needs accurately. In an era of practice improvement and physician enhancement programs, physicians require support to collect, interpret and analyze practice data in order to identify and address gaps in knowledge and practice. In partnership with the BC College of Family Physicians, the UBC CPD has designed and implemented an online, self-guided practice improvement tool that walks family physicians through the process of identifying and addressing personal learning needs.


The present invention in the fuel reformer burner of the fuel cell system generation system which converts the chemical energy directly into electrical energy through a chemical reaction is used, and oxygen to hydrogen contained in the material of a hydrocarbon series, such as methanol, ethanol, natural gas, the present invention relates adopt a premix combustion and to reduce the carbon monoxide emissions due to incomplete combustion, and is easily applied to a home fuel cell system, by enabling the design of a compact heat exchanger and the length of the flame so short, the anode-up It will be resolved by the backfire chance of the gas to maximize performance. A fuel cell system, a burner, the burner tube, the air / fuel mixing mechanism, the spark plug ignition rod


Electronic apparatus and methods of operating the electronic apparatus include less than a frequency associated with a generated waveform. In various embodiments, an apparatus using a differential analog-to-digital converter can perform low frequency noise rejection that can be implemented in a variety of applications. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.


Graft copolymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) nonwoven initiated by low temperature plasma was studied. The effects of various conditions on graft reaction and the grafting rate were investigated. SEM images showed that PPS nonwoven was grafted, and the graft copolymerization only occurred on the surface of PPS. It may be due to the chain transference going with the graft copolymerization. It was found that with the increasing of plasma power, treatment time, space between electrodes, monomer concentration, and temperature of graft polymerization, the grafting rate increased at first, went to the top, and then decreased. The PPS nonwoven surface graft reaction could be optimized by the following processing conditions: 120 s of plasma treatment time, 50 W of plasma power, 1.5 cm of space between electrodes, 30% (w/w) of monomer concentration, and 50°C of temperature of graft polymerization. Measurement of XPS showed that the peak of C1s of graft polyacrylic acid was existed, and the peak area increased with the increase of the grafting rate. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 5884–5889, 2006