: Truncated samples arise in a variety of hydrologic situations in which certain values of the variables of interest are unobservable. Remotely sensed data, for example, are truncated below the resolution level of the sensor: all objects smaller than the resolution of the instrument are not detected and their characteristics cannot be recorded. Many other situations occur in hydrologic studies where a sampling procedure or method yields truncated samples. The main results on this work on truncated samples are: (1) a general expression for the probability distribution function of a truncated random variable; (2) a description of the effect of truncation on the distribution function of several important probability models and on their parameters; and (3) development of a parameter estimation methodology for parameter estimation from truncated samples.

From the theoretical results of this paper and the analysis of drought-related data, we have concluded that: (1) truncated sampling can be advantageous, especially when certain ranges of values are difficult or impossible to observe; (2) the developed method for truncated sample analysis leads to efficient and accurate parameter estimation and statistical inference on truncated data; and (3) the developed method for truncated sample analysis can also yield the parameters and the distribution of the entire population when only a subset of that population is observable.


This paper presents a smart thermostat based on ISO7730 standard's thermal comfort model-PMV-PPD model for improving energy efficiency and saving energy. In the smart thermostat, the desirable comfort level (PPD) set by consumers determines the ON/OFF state of the air-conditioner and the control signal is the predicted mean vote (PMV), which is calculated with indoor temperature, human factors and other climate index for precisely estimating people's comfort level. Besides, the potential of applying demand response is discussed theoretically by installing the purposed smart thermostats as a remote controller in order to shave the aggregate peak load of BVAC systems. Finally, a second-order Equivalent Thermal Parameter (ETP) model is applied to simulate 1000 residents in MATLAB/Simulink to test this method. The results have shown that by installing the smart thermostats, energy saving is up to 11.5%.


In the recent days the Delay-Tolerant-Network imposes many challenges in the area of VANET , so it has been taken as a serious issue among the researchers. DTN which is better to be known as Delay Tolerant or Disruption Tolerant Networks which have that much of capability to interconnect the heterogeneous devices in a particular region. DTN is an approach of networking technique, addresses the limitations which are associated with the disconnected, disrupted networks, where the continuous network connectivity may not be presence in the heterogeneous networks. In this paper the survey of various DTN techniques which have been introduced in the past are discussed briefly and the limitations and the challenges associated with the DTNs are elaborated here.


From 20th century,education and artistic qualities of university students' have changed to various professional mutual facilities,making the art of a current new environment shift to the quality education.In the wider art and design education,the professional quality of education remains uneven.From the perspective of the cultural and creative thinking,the paper reviews present IT community how to improve the art and design quality education,and how to redefine the Students' artistic quality education in the humanities and social value in practice.


Alongshore variations in coastline curvature or offshore depth profile can create localised regions of shelf-wave propagation with modes decaying outside these regions. These modes, termed localised continental shelf waves ( $\ell$ CSWs) here, exist only at certain discrete frequencies lying below the local maximum frequency, and above the far-field maximum frequency, for propagating shelf waves. The purpose of this paper is to obtain these frequencies and construct, both analytically and numerically, and discuss $\ell$ CSWs for shelves with arbitrary alongshore variations in offshore depth profile and coastline curvature. If the shelf curvature changes by a small fraction of its value over the shelf section of interest or an alongshore perturbation in offshore depth profile varies slowly over the same length scale then $\ell$ CSWs can be constructed using WKBJ theory. Two subcases are described: (i) if the propagating region is sufficiently long that the offshore structure of the $\ell$ CSW varies appreciably alongshore then the frequency and alongshore structure are found from a sequence of local problems; (ii) if the propagating region is sufficiently short that the alongshore change in offshore structure of the $\ell$ CSW is small then the alongshore modal structure is given in an explicit, uniformly valid form. A separate asymptotic theory is required for curvature perturbations to shelves that are otherwise straight rather than curved. Comparison with highly accurately numerically determined $\ell$ CSWs shows that both theories are extremely accurate, with the WKBJ theory having a significantly wider range of applicability. An idealised model for the generation of $\ell$ CSWs is also suggested. A localised time-periodic wind stress generates an evanescent continental shelf wave in the far field of a localised mode where the coast is almost straight and the response on the shelf is obtained numerically. If the forcing frequency is close to that of an $\ell$ CSW then the wind stress excites energetic motions in the region of maximum curvature, creating a significant localised response possibly far from the forcing region.


For visual analysis of large numerical simulations on mobile devices, we introduce a remote parallelizable visualization method for low-bandwidth and high-latency networks. Based on a mathematical model for multi-layered planar impostor representation of arbitrary complex and unbounded scenes, we derive optimal impostor placement from a derived metric. Using stochastic usage models, we prove the optimal bandwidth consumption order for choosing corresponding viewport impostor sets, leading to bandwidth-efficient remote visualization concepts for high performance computing simulation results.


developed in recent decades in the field of plantation labour, and it even robs ''coolies'' of their human agency. Indeed, Tully unfairly disparages the pioneering Ph.D. thesis of Webby Kalikiti, my former doctoral student, ''Plantation Labour: Rubber Planters and the Colonial State in French Indochina, 1890–1939'', submitted in 2000. Kalikiti's scholarly archival and oral research patiently and carefully showed up many of the weaknesses of the official Vietnamese line, although, sadly, his thesis remains unpublished. Calling this path-breaking research an ''apologia'' for planters, which it certainly is not, will do nothing to hasten its much overdue publication. Most disappointing is the fact that smallholders hardly figure at all in Tully's narrative, even though they produced nearly half the world's natural rubber by the outbreak of World War II. As early as the late 1940s, Peter Bauer's seminal The Rubber Industry: A Study in Competition and Monopoly (London, 1948), demonstrated that smallholders were far more efficient producers of rubber than planters, and that the latter only survived because they were propped up by foolish and racist officials. There have been fine studies of the social world of the smallholder, for example, Bambang Purwanto's 1992 Ph.D. thesis, ''From Dusun to Market: Native Rubber Cultivation in Southern Sumatra, 1890–1940'', which is not cited here. Sadly, the reader learns nothing from Tully about the crucial processes whereby smallholders amassed land and labour, and how they allied with Chinese and other traders to run rings round the plantocracy. Instead, readers are treated to hoary old stereotypes about smallholders as part-time producers. In short, this book is something of a missed opportunity. It would be wonderful to have a global social history of rubber in the modern era, but what we get here is no more than disparate building blocks towards such a project. Nevertheless, some of these building blocks are truly useful. Time and again, I found myself reaching for my pen to take notes, and, almost invariably, this was when Tully had quarried some valuable nugget of information from neglected archival sources.


This paper describes a new real-time and high accuracy data acquisition system suitable for recording of the individual ultra-short pulses generated by a fast terahertz (THz) detector (e.g. YBCO, NbN, Zero Biased Schottky Diode). The system proposed consists of a fast pulse sampling board and a high data throughput readout board. The first board is designed for sampling of the fast pulse signals with a full width half maximum (FWHM) between few tens to hundred picoseconds. For each THz pulse four samples are acquired with a minimum sampling time of 3 ps. The high data throughput board consists of a PCIe - Bus Master DMA architecture used for fast data transfer up to 3 GByte/s. A prototype setup with fast THz detectors and the acquisition system has been successfully tested at the synchrotron ANKA. An overview of the experimental setup and preliminary results with multi-bunch filling pattern will be shown.


Background—Interleukin (IL)-18 is a potent proinflammatory cytokine with potential atherogenic properties. Its expression and role in atherosclerosis, however, are unknown. Methods and Results—In the present study, we examined stable and unstable human carotid atherosclerotic plaques retrieved by endarterectomy for the presence of IL-18 using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical techniques. IL-18 was highly expressed in the atherosclerotic plaques compared with control normal arteries and was localized mainly in plaque macrophages. IL-18 receptor was also upregulated in plaque macrophages and endothelial cells, suggesting potential biological effects. To examine the role of IL-18 in atherosclerosis, we determined the relation between IL-18 mRNA expression and signs of plaque instability using real-time quantitative PCR. Interestingly, significantly higher levels of IL-18 mRNA were found in symptomatic (unstable) plaques than asymptomatic (stable) plaques (P <0.01). Conclusions—These results suggest, for the first time, a major role for IL-18 in atherosclerotic plaque destabilization leading to acute ischemic syndromes.


pretation, such as Daniel Headrick's Tentacles of Progress (1988) and Eric Jones's European Miracle (1981) and Growth Recurring (1988). Technological history is not only the story of invention; it is also a tale of diflusion, dissemination, and transfer. Pacey is surely right in arguing that modifications and adaptation alter and enrich techniques as they are being transferred. In the final analysis, Western and Eastern technologies enriched each other. Chinese cooking has become as much a part of the West as the bicycle has become a part of China. As the world grows smaller and as technological diversity is increasingly replaced by technological convergence and uniformity, one of the richest sources of progress is in danger of being lost.


: To eliminate the negative influence of intrinsic linear servo system time delay on the trajectory tracking performance, the reason behind the negative influence of linear servo system time delay on the tracking accuracy designed based on a typical two-degree-of-freedom controller structure with feedforward-feedback controller is theoretically analyzed. And then a time delay controller is designed to compensate the delay effect based on analysis. To conquer the non-realization of delay controller located in the feedforward path as a lead link the time delay is divided into two parts, one is a integrally multiple of servo cycle for adjusting the ideal trajectory command delay and located in the path of ideal trajectory command, another acts as a time parameter of feedforward control signal filter. And then the Newton iteration method is introduced to identify the optimal time delay control parameter. Simulation and experimental results show that the position tracking error of closed loop linear servo system can be reduced by adding the time-delay controller to the two degree of freedom controllers. Particularly the tracking error of nonzero jerk phases in trajectory is significantly reduced and finally the tracking performance is improved.


The dynamic vibration and stability behavior of a rotor supported in journal bearings is investigated. In the lubricating film of a hydrodynamic bearing, different cavitation phenomena may occur. Cavitation in hydrodynamic bearings is most commonly caused by surrounding air, which is sucked into the bearing gap and also by outgassing of dissolved gases. Cavitation effects have to be considered in order to precisely analyze the performance of rotor/bearing systems. Numerous approaches have been proposed to treat cavitation using appropriate boundary conditions in the REYNOLDS fluid film equation, which is applied to calculate the hydrodynamic pressure distribution in the bearing gap. These approaches are generally divided into two types: non mass‐conserving and mass‐conserving cavitation models. In this paper, a mass‐conserving cavitation model based on a 2‐phase approach (lubricant/air mixture) is applied. For the 2‐phase model, a relationship has to be defined that describes the dependency between density of the oil/gas‐mixture and the pressure. Different density/pressure models are presented and discussed. Numerical run‐up simulations are performed to study the stability of rotor/bearing systems incorporating different cavitation models. The numerical model for the rotor/bearing system consists of a multibody model for the rotor and a finite element model for the fluid film. Both models are coupled by a co‐simulation approach. The different cavitation models are compared. The influence of the cavitation model and the cavitation parameters on the stability behavior of the rotor/bearing system are analyzed. The cavitation approaches are also compared with respect to accuracy and efficiency.


We have been concerned with the functional significance of small poly (A)+ RNAs with partial Menkes mRNA sequence that are found in non-Menkes human cells. One of these RNAs appears to have formed through a splicing event that excised exons 3–15 and formed a union between exons 2 and 16. This variant is common to nearly all the human cells lines that have been examined in this laboratory and, of greater interest, appeared in HepG2 cells and undifferentiated human placental cells that do not express the full-length transcript. The data suggest that the Menkes gene, through splicing modifications, may code for more than one protein. What is presently considered a gene for a single protein may be a locus for a network of proteins involved in intracellular copper trafficking. J. Trace Elem. Exp. Med. 12:331–335, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.


With the development of the computer and electronical technology, it is an irresistible trend to make the multiple intelligent agents cooperate with each other to complete a specific complex task. Due to the high cost of real vehicles, most of the researches are based on simulation softwares. In our project, a few real small smart cars are used, and the design of multi-car cooperation system is completed. A system platform of the small smart cars is established, which can simulate the behavior such as positioning, formation and so on. In the experiment field, a global camera is used to achieve global synchronical positioning. The simulation results show that the multiple smart cars can get collaborating.


We describe a case of a breastfeeding woman with an accidental warfarin overdose resulting in a markedly elevated prothrombin time. The breast-fed infant was evaluated and tested for ill effects. We discuss the use of warfarin while breast-feeding. [West J Emerg Med. 2011;12(2):216-217.] We report a case of an accidental warfarin overdose in a breastfeeding 40-year-old woman. The patient had been prescribed warfarin at a dose of five milligrams per day to treat a pulmonary embolus that was diagnosed shortly after she underwent a caesarian section delivery. At the time of presentation, the patient had been taking warfarin for nearly two months. She had originally been given one-milligram tablets and instructed to take five tablets daily. However, one week prior to presentation, her refill prescription was dispensed as five-milligram tablets. Unaware of the change, the patient continued taking five tablets per day, for a total dose of 25 milligrams daily for seven days. The error was realized when she returned to the pharmacy requesting a refill after only one week, having completely run out of the medication. presentation, the patient was asymptomatic. ratio


IThis essay is a brief summary of the dissertation of the Master in Science of Art, de-fended at the Fluminense Federal University in 2001. The paper gives an introduction to the study of Cuban artistic generations to focus its attention on the "Generation of the Eighties", a group which influenced the development of contemporary art of Cuba in the last two decades of the 20th century. This investigation comprehends a wide view of the Cuban cultural evolution through its recent history. There is a novel approach to the inner works of a generation that had the audacity to defy state's dogmas, accepted as normal by public opinion, while maintaining its identity with the social and political doctrines enforced by the state. Out of this process came a group of artists proposing to unlock doors and tear down walls, and could open windows wide enough to be recognized by Cubans and worldwide as a new artistic phenomenon. These artists included among their goals an unrestricted discussion on extra-artistic problems related with social and political questions, but avoided the banality and the propagandistic diffusion of their ideas. It was a Generation, shaped by a historical moment, that could define their objectives and ideals, and was able to conquer a social and cultural position. It was a Generation that focused on another side of Cuban politics: taking as the starting point the myth of the "new man", these artists brought to a relevant place, and from a new point of view, an open debate about the rights of new generations born within Cuban Revolution.


The present paper reports on our recent achievements including the photoalignment achieved of liquid crystals (LCs) using amorphous chalcogenide semiconductors (AChS) glassy films and the creation of optically addressed spatial light modulators (OASLMs). The photoalignment in this case is based on the phenomenon of photoinduced anisotropy, essentially found to be efficient in the nano‐dimentional (ND, <50 nm) AChS films while the OASLM action is based on their photosensitivity.


The mesoporous molecular sieves Si-MCM-41 was synthesized by hydrothermal method,and the catalysts supported the HRh(CO)(PPh3)3 on the Si-MCM-41 material were prepared.The proper parameters of the Si-MCM-41carrier synthesis were investigated.The isobutene Hydroformylation was studied as a model reaction.The results indicated that the optimum process of Si-MCM-41carrier were selected: n(Si)∶ n(CTAB) =1∶0.2,pH=10,crystallizing temperature=120 ℃,the selectivity of isovaleraldehyde was the best.The good mesopore-structure order of Si-MCM-41 and HRh(CO)(PPh3)3-MCM-41 were proved by BET data and XRD spectra.The uniform pore diameter distribution was beneficial for the selectivity of isovaleraldehyde for isobutene Hydroformylation reaction.


Traditional city planning method,the process of which takes qualitative analysis diagram,lacks for quantitative analysis of low carbon ecological technical support.Using the ecology principle,through the data calculation and contrast analysis method,proposes three quantitative planning strategy: with the method of ecological footprint of carbon emission level and city space form of coupling relation,clears several typical city spatial form effect on carbon consumption;by the method of GIS delineation of ecological sensitive area,builds city carbon sequestration system,and determines the city landscape pattern;using the bottleneck restricting the index,finds the city industry development restriction factor,and adjusts the industrial structure,and optimizes the industrial layout.Low carbon and ecological theory into city planning,will provides technical support from a new point of view for city planning,and makes some qualitative planning intention into practical quantitative index.


This is well-written and lavishly illustrated with photographs and memorabilia. A must for the Addicks addict in your life.' Andrew Baker, The Daily Telegraph


The accommodation of lattice mismatch is studied in Ge 0.15 Si 0.85 layers grown epitaxially on {111}-oriented Si substrates by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 1100°C. Weak beam dark field microscopy reveals a regular misfit dislocation network, which resembles the honeycomb network of edge-type dislocations anticipated by the O-lattice theory. In contrast to the latter, however, the real network exhibits extended nodes where the misfit dislocations dissociate into misfit partial dislocations. Between the partials, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) reveals intrinsic and extrinsic stacking faults. Owing to the presence of these stacking faults, three different atomistic structures of the GeSi/Si interface coexist and compete for the interfacial area according to their energy. The observed configuration is shown to minimize the total energy of the interface.


The optimal strategy of booking plane tickets has been systematically studied in this paper,and a Webbased mathematical experiment is designed and developed by the technology of Java applet embed in Web page. From visualization interface,user can input the purchase price,the retail price,the returns price and the demand probability distribution for the newspaper,the optimal purchase and optimization objective value can accurately be calculated and displayed by two-dimensional graphics. The developed software can provide a study platform with visualization and interactive function.


The article shows the importance of mathematics and has probed some reform for the mathematics teaching in high profession, and also elaborated the principle of "necessity and ede- quncy" for the teaching in education, which is to join up with the professional courses;paying at- tention to the ability of students for mathematical accomplishement and enduring study; empha- sizing the adaptability of fundament, interesting, ability and major with students; and also em- phasizing to merge the mathematical mode into the teaching, so as to raise the ability of students in solving practical problems with the medium of mathematics.


Based on the social comparison theory, we examine the relationship of informal leadership with peers' perceived threat and received voice from peers. Analysis of lagged, multisource data of 231 emp...


As instructors of family science, we understand the challenges our students face in merging our field's multifaceted components. To this end, we conducted a heuristic study examining how instructors perceive their experiences of working with portfolios. Surveys investigated instructor perspectives related to overall useability, effectiveness, and assessment capability of portfolios. Five themes emerged from the data: student buy-in, preparation for the future, formal understanding of learning, application, and portfolio completion. The Family Life Education Portfolio Template and Guide were created based on experiences of the instructors surveyed and our observations of student development of portfolios. Future explorations should assess implementation of the Family Life Education Portfolio Template, other portfolio formats, and feasibility of various formats for instructors to provide feedback.


Central Veterinary Research Laboratories (CVRL), P.O.Box 8067 (Alamarat), Khartoum, Sudan. Abstract: Avian encephalomyelitis (A E) virus was st udied in yo ung (2 wks-broilers) and (adult 18 wks) layer chickens at Khartoum State. Nervous signs, paresis with 3% morbidity and 1.5% mortality were recorded in y oung affected broiler f lock. The adult layer flock showed only 7.5% drop in egg production. AE virus w as iso lated from the two affected flocks a nd confirmed by m eans o f A GID test. Day- o ld chicks experimentally inoculated wi th t he isolated vi ruses (T139 or Sh36) showed clinical signs typical to that o f A E. T his is the first re port o f A E virus iso lated from field cases in Sudan.


Background: Nowadays, ionic polymer–metal composites are widely used in various industries. They are in the group of electroactive polymers and smart materials with electromechanical properties. By applying a small amount of voltage, the nonlinear stress inside them will happen and their deformation can be seen. The energy transformation from electrical to mechanical is observable during the process of giving voltage to a specimen. The aim of this study is to investigate a novel experimental static deflection equation for specific cantilever beam made of ionic polymer–metal composite. Methods: In this paper, an ionic-polymer-metal composite is provided; the main core is based on an electroactive Fluoropolymer named Nafion, and the coated electrodes are made of Platinum. The length of the specimen is 27.131 mm and its width is 5.728mm. Voltage from 1.5 to 4.3V was applied to the specimen used in this study; the y-directional displacement of the IPMC at each step is measured and recorded; then, a finite element analysis was performed. Curve fitting of the data for the experimental analysis was also done. Moreover, the governing relations of IPMC according to the Nernst–Planck equation were investigated in this study. Results: The results have been validated in two forms of finite element method and experimental analysis. The results of finite element analysis showed that the ion flux in the polymer is calculated by the equation: [INSIDE:1]. In other words, this equation, which is called Nernst–Planck, is the basic equation of this type of material. This equation is the main governing equation to describe the transfer phenomena of IPMC materials. Furthermore, in order to calculate the deflection of IPMC membrane, 19 equations designed in this study were used. In the next step, the results of the experimental analysis showed that, based on the field emission scanning electron microscope images, the Nafion surface is completely sandblasted and its area is completely uniform. The right image taken by Dino-Lite shows the thesis effect on the electrode. Furthermore, the results showed that IPMC has high-quality coated electrodes. Conclusions: It is shown that a nonlinear equation governs the behavior of IPMCs' deflection versus voltage.


In search of anti-inflammatory compounds, novel scaffolds containing isonicotinoyl motif were synthesized via an efficient strategy. The compounds were screened for their in vitro anti-inflammatory activity. Remarkably high activities were observed for isonicotinates 5–6 and 8a–8b. The compound 5 exhibits an exceptional IC50 value (1.42 ± 0.1 µg/mL) with 95.9% inhibition at 25 µg/mL, which is eight folds better than the standard drug ibuprofen (11.2 ± 1.9 µg/mL). To gain an insight into the mode of action of anti-inflammatory compounds, molecular docking studies were also performed. Decisively, further development and fine tuning of these isonicotinates based scaffolds for the treatment of various aberrations is still a wide-open field of research.


As the computer network size growing,the complexity of the network increasing,as well as new business network emerging,the understanding and the description of the Internet network traffic characteristics and network behavior model have become acute.This paper designs and implements WinPcap-based network traffic monitoring system From the perspective of network security.


Ionic polymer–metal composites, although with attracting properties such as flexibility, easy processing, resilience, and high sensitivity, have some drawbacks including the fragility of electrodes and strong humidity dependence which limit their practical applications. This study aims to fabricate ionic polymer–metal composites with sputtered gold thin film electrodes and to coat them with a waterproof acrylic material to extend their consistent sensory response over time. For this aim, after explaining the sensing mechanism of ionic polymer–metal composites based on streaming potential hypothesis for compression, bending, and shear modes, the fabrication process of the proposed ionic polymer–metal composites is presented. A signal conditioner is designed based on the measurement results of the equivalent resistance and capacitance of the devices. A shock tube setup is then utilized to obtain the impulse response of fabricated ionic polymer–metal composite devices in different modes of deformation. To verify how this waterproof coating maintains the ionic polymer–metal composite's sensing performance, some experiments are carried out over a period of 6 days after fabrication for both acrylic-coated and uncoated samples. Analyzing the results shows that fabricated ionic polymer–metal composites represent an appropriate linearity, sensitivity, and reliability over time and this coating approach not only suppresses the diluent permeation but also has a negligible effect on the ionic polymer–metal composite electromechanical properties.


The present invention is relative with an electrochemical apparatus including a hydrogen manufacturing and preserving device capable of manufacturing hydrogen and compressing and charging the so manufactured hydrogen. The apparatus includes an electrolytic unit (1) for generating a hydrogen gas on electrolysis, a pressurizing unit (2) for compressing the hydrogen gas generated by the electrolytic unit (1) and a charging unit (4) for charging the compressed hydrogen gas to the hydrogen gas tanks (50 to 58). The pressurizing unit (2) operates as a fuel cell unit run reversible on being supplied with the hydrogen gas from the charging unit (4) and with oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas.


Objective To explore the relationship between course of illness and the degree of multiorgan damage and the prognosis in patents with tsutsugamushi disease. Methods There 127 patents with tsutsugamushi disease were clinically analized. Results The onset time of 72 cases was in 5 days, 59 cases(81.94%) accompanied with a single organ damage, 13 cases (18.06%) with two organ damage. Ther onset time of 28 cases was from 5 to 10 days, 7 cases (25.00%) companied with single organ damage, 16 cases(57.14%) with two organ damage and 5 cases(17.86%) with multiple organ damage. The onset time of 18 cases was from 10 to 14 days, 6 cases(33.33%) accompanied with two organ damage, 12 cases(66.67%) with multiple organ damage. The onset time of 9 cases was over 14 days, 9 cases(100%) accompanied with multiple organ damage. There 63 with onset time of within 5 days were cured (100%). The cure rate of 31 cases with the onset time of from 5 to 10 days was 96.88%. One case died with a fatality rate 3.12%. The prognosis of 19 cases was favorable and thecurative rat was 95.00% and a cases died with fatality rate of 5.00% among 20 cases of diagnosis in 11 to 14 days. The prognosis of 10 cases were favorable and the the curative rate was 83.33%and 2 cases died with fatality rae of 16.67% among 12 cases of diagnosis over 14 days. Conclusion The chance of number of organ damage, multiple organ damage failure and the death rate were high as the onset longer in patents with tsutsugamushi disease. Early diagnosis and effective treatment were important factor for the clinical prognostic in patents with tsutsugamushi disease.


This paper presents some issues that arise in building voice-driven interfaces to complex applications and describes some of the approaches that we have developed for this purpose. To test these approaches, we have implemented a voice spreadsheet and have begun observation of users interacting with it.


In this presentation,we will report the instability behaviors of a Zr-based(Vitreloy 1)bulk metallic glass under nanosecond pulse laser ablation.When the laser energy is relatively low,the Vitreloy 1 target exhibits two types of hydrodynamics instabilities:the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability and the...


Amateur baseball contests, particularly those involving young players, often feature a run limit, which establishes a maximum number of runs that may be scored in a half-inning of play. Although conventional wisdom can be used for designing the batting order under standard baseball rules, the composition of the optimal lineup under run limit is still unclear, and the best batting order could differ significantly from the traditional ordering. In this paper, we consider the impact of run limits on the design of the optimal batting order, by developing a Markov chain model for calculating the expected number of runs scored (ENRS) under 3- and 5-run limits. We apply this model to both a high-quality and a lower-quality team, using the data from the 2011 Little League World Series, and illustrate the effect of run limit on the ENRS and the optimal batting order.


Explosion-proof lighting device (11) with at least one light-emitting electronic component (21), with at least one heat-conducting device (20) with which the light emitting device (21) is thermally conductively connected, with a light-transmissive at least in a partial area of the housing tube (14) having an interior space in which the heat-conducting device (20) and the light emitting device (21) are arranged, with at least two end bodies (16, 17) which are connected to the two ends (15) of the housing tube (14) to form an explosion-proof housing, wherein between the end bodies (16, 17) and the heat-conducting device (20) comprises a heat-transmitting connection is formed.


Prolonged EEG-taped recording is a significant recent improvement in technique, with the 8 channels providing the possibility of exploration of the whole scalp. First used for ambulatory monitoring, it was also tested in comatose patients with status epilepticus. The advantages are: the the good quality of the EEGs even after recording continuously for many days, and without drawback for intensive nursing; the help in recognizing infraclinical seizures, often misunderstood by the nursing staff, and the control of treatment; the participation in prospective chronobiological studies.


What other cell junction factors can be easily characterised from imagery of 4-cell embryos to assist in embryo classification and prediction of viability?

 4-cell embryo grading should not only account for symmetry and fragmentation, but also cell configuration and cell adhesion quality.

 4-cell embryos are clinically classified according to cell number, symmetry and fragmentation without accounting for cell orientation or quality of cell junctions. Our previous work has focused on classification of 4-cell embryos according to overall embryo shape ("tetrahedral" versus "planar") using artificial intelligence. Our work, as confirmed by others, has demonstrated that embryo shape at the 4-cell stage is an important determinant of the ability of the embryo to reach blastocyst, utilisation, pregnancy and live birth. This is thought to be because of variations in intracellular communication between cells in embryos with different orientations, and consequently, different intracellular junction phenotypes.

 Using geometrical principles, possible permutations of 4-cell embryos (excluding redundant mirrored permutations) were identified and further classified based on shape and number of cell junctions. For ease of calculations, cells were assumed to be spherical, with at least one intracellular cell contact and symmetrical in size with other cells in the same embryo.

 The six distances between centroids of permutations for each configuration were calculated relative to the size of the cell, and the shortest distance between cell membranes. Adhesion was characterised from embryo imagery based on the overall shape of the cell, external angle between cells and the length of cell contact (the more spherical the cell, the larger the angle and the longer the cell contact point, the stronger the adhesion, adapted from Winklbauer,2015).

 4-cell embryos may be classified into 13 variant configurations: 1 typical Tetrahedral, 2 quasi-tetrahedral, 10 planar. These variants were classified according to number of cells with 0,1,2 and 3 intracellular contacts, leading to six possible configurations: 0004(tetrahedral), 0022(quasi tetrahedral/planar), 0040 (planar), 0121(quasi tetrahedral/planar), 0301(planar), 0220(planar). The number of total cell junctions in the embryo in each of these configurations was 12,10,8,8,6,6 respectively, with tetrahedral embryos (0004) having twice the cell contacts compared to planar embryos (p < 0.001). Tetrahedral embryos have an advantage over the other embryo configurations in terms of better embryo communication, as demonstrated by the lower average and variation in distance and shorter sum of all intracellular distances between centroids (mean: 0.78 vs 0.94,0.98,1.04,1.09,1.19; stdev:0.06 vs 0.2,0.3,0.3,0.4,0.4,0.3; sum:4.7 vs 5.2,6.3,6.1,6.7,7.0,6.0 cell lengths) and between cells (mean: 0 vs 0.34,0.07,0.39,0.42,0.56; stdev: 0 vs 0.56,0.11,0.51,0.53,0.66; sum: 0 vs 2.71,0.43,3.13,3.38,4.46 cell lengths) observed in tetrahedral embryos versus other five configurations respectively (p < 0.001).
 Cell junctions were classified according to degree of cell adhesion: A:none (cells remain spherical in shape); B:weak (external angle between the cells is acute, there is a narrow visible cell junction); C:strong (external angle between the cells is obtuse with a wide visible cell junction). Limitations, reasons for caution: Follow-up studies will evaluate the impact of different cell shapes,cells without intracellular contact,and asymmetrical embryos. The proposed classification will be validated against a database of known outcome from 8 clinics from 6 countries to quantify the clinical implications of this classification,and the consistency of assessment by humans and AI .
 Wider implications of the findings: It is clear that differences in intracellular communication between cells in embryos with different orientations, and different intracellular junction phenotypes is an important determinant of embryo viability. Our classification system allows for an easy to use and mathematically sound criteria for classifying 4-cell embryo cell junction quality.

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One of the main limitations of GPS positioning is that the vertical component is generally 2 to 3 times less precise than the horizontal components. For high precision applications in relative mode, it is possible to reach horizontal precision of a few millimeters but not so for the vertical component. However, certain applications, such as monitoring deformation of engineering structures, require the same precision both in the vertical and the horizontal components. In (Santerre & Beutler, 1993), it was shown, using simulations, that it is nevertheless possible to improve the GPS vertical positioning precision by using a multiantenna receiver and a precise calibration of the relative hardware delay (the propagation delay between the antennas and the receiver). However, no actual implementation of the system was done to prove the concept until now. The main objective of this research was thus to design and implement such a system and to prove that this will indeed enable an improvement in the vertical precision. To do so, the main challenge was the simultaneous operation of a GPS-over-fiber system and the precise real-time calibration of the relative hardware delay between the fiber optic cables. Once the first prototype and the observation processing software completed and tested, experiences were conducted with a calibration beam used as a very precise reference baseline and proved that, as expected by the theory and the simulations, the vertical positioning precision is improved. Specifically, a 2 to 3 improvement factor was observed in the vertical component precision so that it reached the same level of precision as the horizontal components. These results, which represent an important breakthrough in GPS positioning precision, will enable to use this type of configuration in several applications where the same precision in all 3D components is essential and had not been achieved before with standard relative GPS positioning techniques.


Calcite-mineralized wood occurs in marine sedimentary rocks on Vancouver Island, British Columbia at sites that range in age from Early Cretaceous to Paleocene. These fossil woods commonly have excellent anatomical preservation that resulted from a permineralization process where calcite infiltrated buried wood under relatively gentle geochemical conditions. Wood specimens typically occur in calcareous concretions in feldspathic clastic sediment. Other concretions in the same outcrops that contain abundant mollusk and crustacea fossils are evidence that plant remains were fluvially transported into a marine basin. Fossiliferous concretions commonly show zoning, comprising an inner region of progressive precipitation where calcite cement developed as a concentric halo around the organic nucleus. An outer zone was produced by pervasive cementation, which was produced when calcite was simultaneously precipitated in pore spaces over the entire zone.


According to the comparability of the nonlinear terms and dispersion terms between the variable coefficient modified Korteweg-de Vries (VCmKdV) equation and constant coefficient KdV-mKdV equation, we transform properly the KdV-mKdV equation with known solutions, transplant its solutions to the VCmKdV equation with unknown solutions, and thus construct the transplantation relation between the solutions of two different equations. Utilizing this transplantation method of solutions, we obtain new exact solutions and solitary wave-like solutions of the coupled VCmKdV system, which is derived from a two-layer fluid model with source or sink. Then we compare the Bcklund transformation and this transplantation method, and analyse the influence of source and sink on the amplitude.


It is difficult to solve the equation of half sine wave shock-exited vibration due to the pad's hardening type.In this article,the duffing oscillator shock-exited model is set up and the equation of half sine wave shock-exited vibration is solved with MATLAB,and the a-t curve is plotted when collides.The data by the model in MATLAB is compared with by ASQ700 experiment,and draw the conclusion that the experiment result between ASQ700 and the model in MATLAB is consistent.It is shown that duffing oscillator shock-exited model is reliable.


Background
Program directors (PDs) are essential to more than 12 000 residency and fellowship programs accredited in the United States. Short PD tenure may affect overall program quality. Reasons why PDs leave the position are multifactorial, and little is known about the reasons why PDs stay in the position.

Objective
The authors explored factors related to retention and why family medicine PDs have stayed in their positions long term.

Methods
This was a qualitative study of PDs in their roles for 12 or more years drawn from a national sample of family medicine residency PDs. Interviews with semi-structured and structured questions about long-term PD experience were conducted in October and November 2020. Multiple cycles of comparative coding and code network analysis produced constructs describing reasons why some PDs stay in the position long term.

Results
Among 17 respondents with a mean tenure of 17.4 years, 3 interrelated constructs consistently emerged that supported PDs: developing the program, support systems, and job rewards. Program development reinforces internal and external support systems and enhances experiencing rewards of the job. Strong support systems enable further program development and job rewards.

Conclusions
Family medicine residency PDs who have been in the role 12 or more years continuously work to develop the program, benefit from strong internal and external support systems, and describe many important rewards of the position that help sustain them in the role.


Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films of 5 μm thick were produced by a hydrothermal method on pure titanium substrates. ZrOCl2-8H2O, Pb(NO3)2 and TiO2 were used as precursors and KOH as a promoter. The hydrothermal synthesis of PZT includes nucleation and crystal growth processes at 120°C or 140°C. The crystallization states were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and X-Ray diffraction. Piezoelectric properties were evaluated from unimorph cantilever type actuators made of the films. The relationships between the deflection of the actuator due to piezoelectric transverse effect and applied electric field in the direction of thickness of the films showed good linearity. The output voltage from the films under cyclic compressive loading increased with increasing loading frequency, and is saturated at 10 Hz. The PZT films produced by the present methods are satisfactory as a smart material, and are better than the films produced using TiCl4 as Ti precursor.


This study examined ion throughfall deposition and seepage fluxes in silver birch (Betula pendula L.) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) regenerations a decade after a forest conversion intervention in two continuous cover scenarios (shelterwood cut versus group cut), as well as a 70-year-old control stand of Scots pine. Ion throughfall deposition was significantly influenced by the conversion scenario, being higher in the shelterwood cut than in the group cut. Compared with the control stand, nitrogen and acidifying throughfall deposition was significantly lower (–60%) in all regeneration types except for the birch regeneration under shelter. After shelter removal, ion throughfall deposition was significantly lower in all regeneration types than in the control stand. Seepage of NO3– and SO42– was significantly affected by the tree species, being higher in the birch than the pine regenerations, and SO42– seepage was significantly higher under shelter than in the group cut. After shelter removal, neither...


Doping of few layered 2H WS2 films with Nb by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using ablation targets fabricated from WS2, S and Nb powders is reported. The undoped controls were n-type, exhibited a Hall mobility of 0.4 cm2/Vs, and characterized by a Fermi level at 1.41 eV from the valence band edge. The latter was determined using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. Films doped at 0.5 and 1.1 atomic percentages niobium were p-type, and characterized by Fermi levels at 0.31 eV and 0.18 eV from the valence band edge. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that Nb substitutes on W lattice sites. With increased Nb doping, the hole sheet concentration increased from 3.9 × 1012 to 8.6 × 1013 cm−2, while the mobility decreased from 7.2 to 2.6 cm2/Vs, presumably due to increased ionized impurity scattering. The approach demonstrates the potential of PLD for controlled doping of transition metal dichalcogenides.Doping of few layered 2H WS2 films with Nb by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) using ablation targets fabricated from WS2, S and Nb powders is reported. The undoped controls were n-type, exhibited a Hall mobility of 0.4 cm2/Vs, and characterized by a Fermi level at 1.41 eV from the valence band edge. The latter was determined using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. Films doped at 0.5 and 1.1 atomic percentages niobium were p-type, and characterized by Fermi levels at 0.31 eV and 0.18 eV from the valence band edge. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that Nb substitutes on W lattice sites. With increased Nb doping, the hole sheet concentration increased from 3.9 × 1012 to 8.6 × 1013 cm−2, while the mobility decreased from 7.2 to 2.6 cm2/Vs, presumably due to increased ionized impurity scattering. The approach demonstrates the potential of PLD for controlled doping of transition metal dichalcogenides.


【Objective】 Our aim is to understand properties of soil carbon and nitrogen in an Alnus formosana forest-grass complex ecosystem,and to explore the influence of forest-grass system on soil carbon and nitrogen pools.【Method】 Three models,alder(Alnus formosana) + ryegrass(Lolium multiflorum),alder(Alnus formosana) + limpograss(Hemarthria compressa) and Alnus cremastogyne + natural grass were chosen in this study.Soil samples of each model were collected using soil auger.Moreover,organic carbon and total nitrogen were analyzed.【Results】 The effect size of vegetation on soil organic carbon and nitrogen was different among the three models.The order of soil organic carbon and nitrogen of three models is alder + limpograss model alder + ryegrass model pure alder forest.There was significant differences in soil nitrogen content between two forest-grass models and natural grass system(P0.05).The contents of soil organic carbon and nitrogen decreased with the increase in soil depth(P0.05).The soil C/N of three models was alder + limpograss pure alder forest alder + ryegrass.Significant differences in C/N were observed among the models(P0.05).【Conclusion】 Forest-grass complex system can effectively improve soil fertility.This provides a theoretical basis for fertilizer and water management of forest-grass complex ecosystem.


In this study, the potential possibility of oxygenated fuel such as ethylene glycol mono-normal butyl ether(EGBE) was investigated for the sake of exhausted smoke reduction from diesel engines. And, the effects of combustion method on exhaust emission between DI and IDI diesel engine were examined, too. Because EGBE includes oxygen content approximately 27.1%, it is a kind of oxygenated fuel that the smoke emission of EGBE blending fuel is reduced remarkably compared with commercial diesel fuel. The test was performed with single and four cylinders, four stroke, DI and IDI diesel engines. This study showed that simultaneous reduction of smoke and NOx emissions could be achieved by combination of oxygenate blending fuels and cooled EGR method both DI and IDI diesel engines. And, variation rates of exhaust emission on DI diesel engine was larger than those of IDI diesel engine.


A study was done to investigate the correlation between susceptibility for Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc) race 4 and susceptibility for crude toxins of the pathogen in banana cultivars. The susceptibility of 36 banana cultivars to pathogen was studied by inoculating plantlet roots with Foc race 4 conidial suspension. The susceptibility of 5 banana cultivars to crude toxins was studied by treating plantlets roots and leaves with crude toxins of Foc race 4. The results showed that 4 cultivars,namely Tianbaojiaojiao (AAA),Chaijiao (AAA),Guangfen1 (AAB) and Gongjiao (AA) showed resistance to Foc race 4,and 2 cultivars,namely Costarica (AAA) and Kangku 5 (AAA) showed intermediate resistance to Foc race 4. The susceptible cultivars showed also higher susceptibility to the crude toxins than the resistant cultivars. Analysis of the difference of disease index,wilt index and leaves lesion area of banana plantlets showed that there is a positive correlation between the susceptibility for the pathogen and crude toxins of Foc race 4 in banana cultivars,and a significant positive correlation between disease index and leaves lesion area of 60-day-old pseudo-planting plantlets (PPP). Measuring the leaves lesion area in the middle leaves of PPP after treatment with crude toxins for 72 h could thus be used as an effective method to identify the resistance reaction of banana cultivars to Foc race 4.


A twin-core photonic crystal fiber sensor is proposed for measuring liquid refractive index (RI) and temperature simultaneously. The air holes of the sensor are arranged in a hexagonal pattern, and two planes are introduced by polishing in the cladding. On one side of the plane, the gold film is deposited for RI measurement, and on the other side, the gold film and polydimethylsiloxane are deposited for temperature measurement. We analyzed its sensing characteristics by using the finite element method. The numerical results show that the two channels for measuring RI and temperature have no mutual interference and the arrangement reduces the complexity of the sensing measurement. The maximum spectral sensitivity of the sensor is 20 000 nm/RIU and 9.2 nm °C−1, respectively, when the liquid RI is in the range of 1.36–1.42 and the temperature is in the range of 0 °C–50 °C. The results also show the sensing accuracy was not very sensitive to the change of structural parameters, which makes the sensor very easy to fabricate. Our work is very helpful for implementation of a high sensitivity, easy fabrication and real-time multi-parameter surface plasmon resonance sensor.


We present the selected results of research-and-development activities focused on improving conventional and creating novel passive quasi-optical components of submillimeter-wave instrumentation. Realized as high-performance single- and multi-layered metallized microstructures of sub-wavelength topology, the components include band-pass filters, non-profiled focusing devices, thin-film phase and polarization transformers, and ultra-thin resonant absorbers. The aspects of electromagnetic modeling, fabrication, and characterization of the developed devices are described together with their practical applications.


This paper describes a timing analysis system (ACTAS: ACcurate Timing Analysis System). This system analyzes the logical behaviors of VLSI. It verifies timings at flip-flops and detects timing errors. Then, it calculates path delays of the partial combinational circuits generating the errors. If they do not satisfy timing constraints, the system detects error paths. In this system, the former method based on behavior analysis is called DYNAMIC TIMING ANALYSIS and the latter method based on path analysis is called STATIC TIMING ANALYSIS. By use of this system, it improves the timing analysis efficiency of the complicated timing of VLSI.


A tradition of including trees within traditional farming systems is being given a modern twist in Papua New Guinea by the inclusion of commercially valuable species that also provide in-country opportunities to further develop timber processing ventures.


Abstract An isocratic separation of five porphyrin carboxylic acids using conventional mobile phase conditions was achieved on a commercially available γ-cyclodextrin bonded phase within 30 minutes. The effects of pH, ionic strength, organic modifier as well as the retention and separation mechanisms are discussed. The direct determination of porphyrin levels in blood serum is also discussed.


We have made an experimental study of the tunneling density of states (DOS) in strong ferromagnetic thin films (CoFe) in proximity with a thick superconducting film (Nb) as a function of d{sub F}, the ferromagnetic thickness. Remarkably, we find that as d{sub F} increases, the superconducting DOS exhibits a scaling behavior in which the deviations from the normal-state conductance have a universal shape that decreases exponentially in amplitude with characteristic length d* {approx} 0.4 nm. We do not see oscillations in the DOS as a function of d{sub F}, as expected from predictions based on the Usadel equations, although an oscillation in T{sub c}(d{sub F}) has been seen in the same materials.


A novel feedforward two layer ANN neural network based function approximator model is utilized to forecast electric system hourly load. The forecast model is based on a quantitative weight assignment priority factors for the day type and daytime classes, in addition to the daily average temperature. The forecast vector utilizes scaled historical load data for eight day type classes, four day time subclasses as well as load pattern averaged one-hour, six-hour, 24-hour, and 168-hour filtered historical load. To improve the neural network training load, additional variables such as cross correlation and FFT spectra were utilized. To allow for online implementation, the forecast vector was also augmented with the estimated load first and second differential variations. The new ANN-based short term load forecast (STLF) model was tested using two month data sample of the Singapore Public Utilities Board (PUB) historical data.<<ETX>>


Introduction: Maternal mortality is a public health problem with high prevalence and which can be prevented in most cases. The last decades have shown a decrease in the indexes, however, it is noted that this problem mainly affects regions with greater social vulnerability, among which the Northeast of Brazil stands out, where the state of Bahia is located.Objective: Analyze the profile of maternal mortality in the last decade in the state of Bahia. Methodology: This is an epidemiological, cross-sectional, retrospective and descriptive study, based on the secondary analysis of information available in the Mortality Information System (SIM) in the period corresponding to 2010 to 2019 in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Results: In the corresponding period, a total of 1313 maternal deaths were computed in the state of Bahia, the majority of those affected were aged between 30 and 39 years (44.35%), with a higher prevalence of non-white people (81.11%). As for the cause of death, the study found a predominance of deaths from direct causes (67.21%) that occurred mostly in a hospital environment (90.17%). Conclusions: It is observed through this study that maternal mortality in Bahia constitutes an important health problem, which demands the elaboration of a set of measures in order to guarantee safety to pregnant women and women in the state.
Keywords: Death, Maternal Mortality, Pregnancy, Women's Health .


The purpose of this paper is to develop a new methodology for analyzing astronomical data, in particular, one of the light curves obtained in the PHEMU campaign in 1997, where the mutual phenomena between Jupiter and its satellites were observed from the Earth due to the coincidence of the equatorial plane of Jupiter and the orbit plane of the Earth. The more specific aim of this study is to determine the times of the beginning and the end of the phenomena, and the moment when the recorded light flux was at a minimum. The techniques we applied were based on the wavelet theory, which allows us to study a signal from its approximations and details at different scales. Before applying the designed algorithm to our experimental data, we considered a synthetic light curve in order to check the reliability of our method. It should be mentioned that the results are not relevant from the astronomical point of view, since no corrections for albedo or illumination were applied to the recorded data.


This comparative effectiveness study examines current US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 30-day mortality risk models vs novel risk models for acute myocardial infarction, heart failure, and pneumonia hospitalizations.


The first Eu(3+) chelate-based luminescent probe specific for nitric oxide (NO) has been designed and synthesized for highly sensitive and selective time-gated luminescence detection of NO. Based on the probe, a time-gated luminescence imaging technique was developed for imaging the endogenous NO production in living plant cells/tissues.


With the expectation of hull girder asymmetry and corresponding shift in elastic neutral axis resulting from collision damages and other forms of structural deteriorations, the interaction of vertical and horizontal hull girder capacities become quite significant in the assessment of ship structural safety. This paper therefore extends the application of a previously proposed interactive-numerical probabilistic based methodology for structural safety to assess the hull girder ultimate strength reliability of a damaged ship by means of a user-defined numerical framework. Hull girder capacity is calculated using the NS94D ultimate strength code, which is based on the Smith's progressive collapse method. The resulting deterministic responses have been interactively linked to the NESSUS probabilistic framework so that the reliability of the damaged hull girder is predicted using an implicit limit state function defined based on a transformation of coordinates to appropriately account for any shift in the neutral axis. Random deviations of the constituent variables are directly applied to calculate the ultimate strength deterministic responses, thereby circumventing the need to characterize any correlated strength variable, which is at best subjective. The conventional approach of characterizing ultimate strength by an assumed coefficient of variation and distribution type was found to be conservative in predicting structural safety of ships relative to the proposed method. Application of the interactive-numerical technique for structural reliability is therefore considered significant for problems involving correlated random variables with unknown statistical characteristics. The method is being considered to predict the safety of cracked hull girders by accounting for the residual strength and further load bearing capabilities of deteriorated and adjacent elements.Copyright © 2014 by ASME


Reference is made to the procedures for treatment of the chronically discharging ear, treated unsuccessfully with mastoidectomy. According to the medical histories of 20 patients there was a return of symptoms possibly related to upper respiratory tract infection or the passage of water into the ear. The surgical procedure devised by J. H. T. Rambo and used satisfactorily by the author consists of the introduction of a large tongue of temporalis muscle into the combined middle ear and mastoid cavity following the radical operation. This, with skin flaps developed from the lining of the external canal, effects a primary closure. There has been the added value of improved blood supply.


ALL the world's a stage, as we know, and the concept of a theatrum mundi is a venerable one. So too is the specific idea of politics as theatre. As an idea it may not seem very remarkable. Politics lives off metaphor, after all, and theatrical metaphor might seem especially appropriate to describe political activity. Do we not refer naturally to the political stage, to politicians assuming roles, to dramatic political scenes? This very naturalness, derived from repeated usage, presents a challenge. For one of the tasks of the historian is to show how what has come to seem natural came to seem so: to restore the novelty of artefacts and institutions we take for granted, to recover the impact of ideas and metaphors worn smooth by repetition. I want to argue below that metaphors of politics as theatre can be more than just a figure of speech: that they had specific and revealing meanings in the period of German history from the revolutions of 1848 to the advent of National Socialism.


Anodic alumina membrane enjoys a number of advantages such as uniform diameter,high thermal stability,its unique structure for separation,and it has better commercially applied value as an inorganic membrane.But it is a recognized problem to solve the brittleness of membrane.Aluminum of anodic alumina membrane by first oxidation was electrolyzed in hydrochloric acid as anode.After the membrane had been immersed in phosphoric acid,anodic alumina membrane supported by aluminum with big holes was prepared.The effects of broadening diameter of pore time on pure water flux,mean pore diameter,rejection were investigated.The results show that the mean pore diameter is from 65.5 nm to 119.2 nm.Pore diameter distribution of membrane is narrow;porosity is from 28.6% to 32.7%.Mean pore diameter of membrane and pure water flux increase with the increase of broadening diameter of pore time,while rejection of membrane for PEG 20 000 decreases.When broadening diameter of pore time is 30 minutes,the rejection of membrane is 26.5%.Pure water flux of membrane decreases as time increases.Brittleness of membrane is improved in a certain extent.


This work focuses on Value at Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES) in conjunction with the so called, low price effect. In order to improve forecasts of risk measures like VaR or ES when low price effect is present, we propose the low price correction which does not involve additional parameters and instead of returns it relies on asset prices. The forecasting ability of the proposed methodology is measured by appropriately adjusted popular evaluation measures, like MSE and MAPE as well as by backtesting methods. For illustrative and comparative purposes a real example from the Athens Stock Exchange as well as a number of penny stocks from Nasdaq, NYSE and NYSE MKT are fully examined. The proposed technique is always applicable, but its superiority and effectiveness is evident in extreme economic scenarios and severe stock collapses. The proposed methodology that pays attention not only to the asset return but also to the asset price, provides sufficient evidence that prices could contain important information which could if taken under consideration, results in improved forecasts of risk estimation.


Hyperoxia stimulates breathing and activates putative CO2 chemoreceptor neurons in the caudal solitary complex (cSC). We have previously shown that 95%O2‐the typical level of control O2 used for brain slice studies‐establishes an abnormally high tissue pO2 throughout the slice and is a powerful stimulant of neuronal activity in the cSC when using a lower level of control O2 (40%). Likewise, hyperbaric O2 has similar stimulatory effects on firing rate of cSC neurons, particularly CO2‐excited neurons, which are mimicked by chemical oxidants and abolished by antioxidants. Now we test the hypothesis that 95%O2 increases the rate of production of reactive O2 and N2 species in the cSC in slices maintained in 40%O2 (control). Fluorescence microscopy was used to measure the rate of superoxide (⋅O2‐, DHE) and nitric oxide (⋅NO, DAF‐FM DA) production. Our findings show that the rates of ⋅O2 and ⋅NO production increased, respectively, in 95%O2 vs. 40%O2, but only in the presence of NOS and SOD inhibitors (to prevent consumption of ⋅O2‐ by its reactions with ⋅NO and SOD) or SOD mimetics (to prevent consumption of ⋅NO by its reaction with ⋅O2‐). We conclude that 1) using 95%O2 in slices produces an enhanced redox and nitrosative environment that modulates excitability of cSC neurons, including CO2‐chemosensitive neurons; and 2) measurement of ⋅O2‐ using DHE or ⋅NO using DAF‐FM DA is affected (blunted) by downstream reactions that consume the reactive species of interest.


Introduction NMP has been the solvent of choice for the widely used prepolymer mixing process (PMP) for aqueous polyurethane dispersion (PUD) synthesis. This solvent reduces the prepolymer viscosity during the production steps to enabling smooth handling and dispersing of the prepolymer. This is due to the good solubilizing characteristics of NMP for organic materials and its water solubility. Furthermore NMP supports the coalescence of the dispersion particles when the dispersion is applied to a substrate. [1]


Protease activity of actinomycetes isolated from various soil types of Georgia has been studied. Protease activity strains have been identified among mesophilic and extremophilic actinomycetes. Some strains of mesophilic, alkaliphilic and halophilic actinomycetes are characterized by alkaline protease activity. Their pH optimum for enzyme activity is 10-11. Strains of mesophilic actinomycetes: Streptomyces glaucus 71MD, Streptomyces levoris 114D, Streptomyces coelicolor 774 are of great interest. Their enzymatic activity at pH-11 corresponded 2.5unit/ml, 1.3unit/ml, 2.3unit/ ml, respectively. Alkaliphilic actinomycetes strains Streptomyces streptomycini 204A and Nocardia paloris 206A with protease activity 0.85unit/ml and 1.1unit/ml respectively are also important strains. Optimum pH of enzyme activity is 10. Halophilic strain spp. 387H reveals maximum enzyme activity at pH-10 – 1.2unit/ml. © 2010 Bull. Georg. Natl. Acad. Sci.


Abstract Phymaturus spurcus was described by Barbour in 1921. In 1931, Burt and Burt placed this species in the synonymy of Phymaturus patagonicus based on their comparison of one paratype of P. spurcus with one specimen of P. patagonicus. Additionally, Burt and Burt considered P. patagonicus a subspecies of Phymaturus palluma. Although some subsequent authors accepted the synonymy of P. patagonicus with P. palluma, the synonymy of P. spurcus with P. patagonicus has gone unquestioned. We examined the type series of P. patagonicus and P. spurcus, as well as new material collected from the type localities of both species. Based on 47 morphological characters of squamation, gular and nuchal folds, precloacal pores, and morphometric data, we conclude that P. spurcus is a valid species, distinct from P. patagonicus and all other Phymaturus. We agree with Cei and Castro's study in 1973 that the population located west of Dolavon, Chubut Province, Argentina, is P. patagonicus of Koslowsky' study in 1898 Because in the original description Koslowsky failed to designate an holotype, we designate Museo La Plata S-778 as the lectotype of P. patagonicus and restrict its type locality to 40 km west of Dolavon, Chubut Province, Argentina. We provide a redescription of P. patagonicus Koslowsky and a redescription of P. spurcus based on the type series of Barbour's study in 1921, with additional data on intraspecific variation in both species.


Background: Over multiple years, the didactic concept of "peer-assisted learning" (PAL) has proved to be valuable for medical education. Particularly in the field of the nowadays widely established Skills-Labs, the assignment of student tutors is both popular and effective. The aim of the underlying study is to assess the current status of PAL programs within German medical faculties' Skills-Labs regarding their distribution, extent, structure and content based on a nation-wide survey. Methods: All 36 medical faculties in Germany were contacted and asked for their participation (via telephone or in written form) in the survey encompassing 16 central questions as to the structure of established PAL programs. Data obtained were subject to quantitative and qualitative analysis. Results: 35 of 36 (97.2%) medical faculties participated in the survey. A PAL program was shown to be established at 33 (91.7%) faculties. However, the results show distinct differences between different faculties with respect to extent and content of the PAL programs. Conclusions: Among German medical Skills-Labs, PAL has been established almost ubiquitously. Further studies on the conception and standardization of training concepts appear to be pivotal for the advancement of PAL in the context of Skills-Labs.


Background The increasing popularity of running necessitates the investigation of causative factors for injury. Notably, the incidence of Achilles tendon and calf injuries is particularly high. Among the proposed risk factors are lower limb strength deficits and reduced ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM). However, scarcity of prospective research and conflicting findings limits the ability to draw definitive conclusions. Objective To prospectively investigate the association between isometric muscle torque, dorsiflexion ROM and calf and Achilles injuries among runners. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting A study of recreational novice runners in Ireland.
Participants
 Three hundred and fifteen injury-free recreational runners between 18–65 years were recruited. At the one year follow-up, 21 runners (17 males, 4 females, 42.5±7.4 years) had sustained Achilles or calf injuries. Injured participants were compared to uninjured age and gender matched controls (17 males, 4 females, 42.1±6.8 years). Assessment of risk factors Baseline assessment consisted of measurement of maximum hip abduction and extension, knee flexion and extension and ankle plantar flexion isometric torque (Nm/kg), using a hand-held dynamometer. Dorsiflexion ROM (degrees) was measured with the knee to wall test using a clinometer. Main outcome measurements Isometric muscle torque and dorsiflexion ROM were used as independent variables. Achilles and calf injury status one year post-baseline was used as the dependent variable. Independent sample T-tests were used to compare group means. Linear regression was used to evaluate predictive value of these measures (P<0.05). Results No significant differences existed between groups for any independent variable (P>0.05). The model containing muscle torque and dorsiflexion ROM as predictors did not significantly predict calf and Achilles tendon injuries (R2=0.105, F(6,35)=0.686, P=0.662). No individual predictor was significant (P>0.05). Conclusions Dorsiflexion ROM and isometric muscle torque did not predict future calf or Achilles injury among recreational runners. These results suggest that these measures may not be appropriate for injury prediction protocols in this population.


Elastic and inelastic scattering of 28.5 MeV alpha particles by Ni 60 , Ni 58 , Ti 48 , Co 59 and Al 27 has been studied. The angular distributions of the prominent group from the 2 + first excited state and the 3 - "anomalous" group for even nuclei were fitted by calculations based on Blair model. The angular distributions of the 4 + groups near 2.5 MeV in Ni 60 , near 2.5 MeV in Ni 58 and near 3.3 MeV in Ti 48 were found to have intermediate phase between the corresponding elastic distribution and the corresponding first 2 + inelastic distribution. On the other hand, the angular distributions of the 2 + groups near 3.1 MeV in Ni 60 , near 3.0 MeV in Ni 58 and near 2.4 MeV in Ti 48 were found to be almost exactly out of phase with the corresponding elastic distributions. Large cross sections of the inelastic alpha scattering to the 2.21– and 3.0–MeV states in Al 27 suggest that these states are the members of a K π =5/2 + rotational band based on the ground state.


Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR) is becoming an important tool in the diagnosis and management of various cardiac ailments. One of its unique features is the ability to characterize myocardial morphology and thereby aiding in the early diagnosis ofmyocardial involvement in systemic diseases. Myocardial mapping is a relatively newer concept in CMR and allows very early detection of myocardial fi brosis and diffuse myocardial disease, even without administration of gadolinium contrast material. This has shown promising results in the detection of myocardial pathologies at a preclin-ical stage allowing early diagnosis and therapy initiation. Nonspeci fi c Aorto-arteritis (NSAA) commonly involves young patients and often requires serial examinations to assess the disease activity and response to therapy. MR imaging is currently the front runner in the assessment of these patients due to the lack of ionizing radiation exposure and its ability to demonstrate aortic wall thickening and enhancement. By adding one to two extra sequences, it is now feasible to interrogate cardiac involvement in all such patients. In our institute, more and more patients are under-going MR examinations for the initial analysis/assessment for suspected NSAA. Cardiac involvement in patients with aorto-arteritis is a known complication but can be dif fi cult to diagnose in the earlystages. Various imaging strategies are in use to detect myocardial involvement, including exercise testing, echocardiography, and nuclear medicine single pho-ton emission computerized tomography (SPECT) imaging.


Thermodynamic analysis results revealed that the formation of C_2-oxygenates from syngas is much more unfavorable than the formation of hydrocarbons. Therefore, the crucial and effective method to promote the C_2-oxygenate synthesis is to develop high selective catalysts. According to the mechanism of C_2-oxygenate formation, the natures and the approaches to improve the catalytic performance of the Rh-based catalyst for CO hydrogenation to C_2-oxygenates were the improvement and the balance in CO dissociation and insertion activity, the proper hydrogenation activity, and the optimal Rh size on the catalyst surface. The impregnation and reduction conditions were optimized to suppress correctly the catalytic activity of the Rh-Mn-Li-Fe/SiO_2 catalyst for CO hydrogenation. Consequently, CO insertion competed favorably with hydrogenation, resulting in a maximum selectivity (91.6% in mass fraction) for C_2-oxygenates with a high yield and a much low methane selectivity (6.3% in mass fraction).


The recent Crisis of 2008 strikingly caused a global devastation that was not only reflected in the financial sector, but also in international trade, making the latter decrease more than the fall in economic activity. Therefore, this study aims at assessing the evolution of the relationship between trade and Gross Domestic Product (GDP) applied to Brazil and to what extent the types of commercial partner countries and different types of goods traded can be used to explain the trade-GDP ratio plunge in Brazil compared to other countries and its unrecovered trend to previous levels. A graphical and regression estimates analysis using trade-GDP as the dependent variable was used to investigate the relationship, using annual data from 1990 to 2017 of exports, imports, GDP, types of goods and types of trade partners. Empirically, it is found that structural changes of trade diversification between Brazil's partner countries had a more significant contribution in explaining this effect, rather than being an ordinary cyclical financial effect causing tradeGDP in some goods and countries to have a stagnated recovery. Hence, this study concludes that trade-GDP changed due to primarily capital goods formerly traded with higher-income and the rising upper-middle-income countries as well as raw materials in Brazil's exports base.


Let τ = (τij) be a symmetric complex g = g matrix with the positive definite imaginary part. A theta function of level n means an entire function f(z) in g complex variables z = (zl …, zg ) satisfying the difference relations:


The core problem of this work concerns the need to adapt the school community, due to the
necessary reconfiguration of teaching and learning strategies from the use of new Information
and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as teaching tools in educational environments. The
main objective is to analyze the adaptability process of learners and educators to this process
through the case study of Project New Technologies Experimental Gymnasium (GENTE in
portuguese), developed at Andre Urani Municipal School at Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro. The
secondary objective is to understand how the mediation of media consumption
occurs\happens on the environment in which the use of ICTs has gained centrality. From a
theoretical point of view, we intend to discuss aspects of the interconnections between the
fields of Communication and Education, from a reference that has as its foundation the
production of authors affiliated with the well-known School of Latin American Cultural
Studies, in dialogic position to theories of media education courses, highlighting Educational
Communication and Media-education, as well as some assumptions of the so-called
Education for the twenty-first century. For data collection a primarily qualitative approach
was chosen, using exploratory research, participative\ interactiveobservation and in-depth
interviews. Data analysis was based on the use of the Collective sSbject Discourse theory
(DSC) and the software developed for the application of this technique. Among the main
results that we sought to achieve, we can\should\must emphasize, adding scientific knowledge
that can somehow work with public policies of education and subsequent actions of the use of
ICTs in school public environments through the account of a real case of adaptive collective
commitment to make the use of new technologies an ally in the mission of educating and
preparing students for civic life, without losing sight of the new challenges ineducation, such
as the promotion of autonomy and child and youth participation


The effect of parasitic water mites on a natural population of their mosquito host was investigated by noting differences between the average number of mite stylostomes in 2 age groups of the host. In 6 consecutive samples, the average number of stylostomes was always higher in young than in old hosts, a consequence apparently of the higher mortality suffered by individuals that carried larger mite loads,


The people's market is one of the places to distribute and market agricultural, food and non-agricultural products. The people's market is one of the most obvious indicators to see the standard of economic life of the surrounding community. The people's market does not only involve economic actors in the agricultural and food sectors but also non-agriculture. The agricultural sector development approach that is still being carried out today is the approach through the agribusiness system. The People's Market is part of the agribusiness system, which is included in the subsystem of supporting institutions. The supporting institution subsystem provides services for the upstream agro-industry subsystem, downstream agribusiness subsystem, and marketing subsystem so that transactions between producers and consumers can run smoothly.


Summary form only given. Bacterium genome plasticity can efficiently be studied by long-range PCR: genomes of different strains are split into hundreds of short segments which, after LR-PCR amplification, are used to sketch profiles. The segments have : (1) to cover the entire genome, (2) to overlap each other, and (3) to be of nearly identical size. We address the problem of finding a list of segments satisfying these constraints "as much as possible". Two algorithms based on dynamic programming approach are presented. They differ on the optimization criteria for measuring the quality of the covering. The first one considers the maximal deviation of the segment lengths relatively to an ideal length. The second one automatically finds a segment length which minimizes the maximal deviation.


We have determined the effect of cell cycle in human normal keratinocyte line HaCaT by serum starvation in the study.By using serum-free and low concentration serum DMEM culture medium,cell line HaCaT was cultured;and the cells were collected in 6h,12h,22h,respectively,then cell form was observed by inverted microscope and the results were analysed by flow cytometry.After HaCaT cells in DMEM culture medium containing 0.2%FBS was cultured for 12 h,the cells were adherent growth and 66.5% at G0/G1 phase.The human keratinocytes line HaCaT may be synchronized in G0/G1 phase by serum starvation,so the basement was grounded for later medical filtration.


Careful management of cattle stocking rates needs to be practised to maintain high grass cover. We recommend that grazing in areas of Chromosols and other areas with high gully erosion risk be avoided. Given that gullies generally form close to streamlines (Gilad et al. 2012), maintaining a wide riparian vegetation zone is imperative—this will also help stabilize stream channels and minimize bank erosion. Land clearing alters the landscape's hydrologic balance, resulting in increased rainfall runoff, decreased evapotranspiration, increased subsurface lateral moisture flow along the A-B horizon boundary of duplex soil profiles (where an A2-horizon indicates leaching along this boundary) and gully incision. No land clearing should be allowed around the headwaters of first order streams in order to prevent gully head-cutting. Where gullies are present, excluding livestock from them can assist vegetation to recover naturally but active revegetation may be needed.


At present, more and more sports science and technology are being explored and applied in competitive sports. The birth and popularization of video tracking and capturing technology have provided more fair and just perspectives for many sports events. Track linear capture can replay the player's behavior in real time, the flight path of the badminton can be analyzed in 3D stereoscopic analysis, and the ball's motion trajectory can be calculated more accurately. In this paper, an objective trajectory tracking and prediction model is constructed based on the motion cognition algorithm, and the motion characteristics of the objective are extracted from the limited historical trajectory of the objective to achieve more accurate trajectory tracking. Then, the trajectory tracking model is applied to the objective tracking framework to obtain ideal objective tracking results. At the same time, in order to make use of the interaction between scene information and objective, this paper improves the trajectory tracking model. The trajectory prediction model based on neural network is constructed, which learns the pedestrian motion characteristics from the pedestrian trajectory data of the target tracking scene offline and uses its "memory" online to generate the implicit depth motion characteristics of the target according to the limited historical information of the target. It also predicts the most likely location of the future target and calculates the motion similarity between the targets. Finally, a simulation experiment platform is built to prove the effectiveness of the trajectory tracking model and objective tracking algorithm proposed in this paper. Through the research results of this paper, it can play a role in verifying the referee's judgment on the penalty of some key balls, which is more conducive to maintaining the fairness of the game, and more helpful for athletes to optimize their exercise results according to scientific basis, and has the function of improving their performance.


Involvement of patients and public in research have been disrupted by the consequences of the COVID‐19 pandemic, forcing a rapid transition from face‐to‐face meetings to digital working as an alternative to engage experts by experience. This project presents a co‐production experience of a Participant and Public Involvement (PPI) group implementing a framework in dementia research, during this transition period.


This paper is meant to share our experience on signal processing hands-on opportunities within the formal engineering education at Technische Universität Darmstadt. It is our strong belief that undergraduate students should be offered hands-on opportunities from the very beginning of their studies until their graduation. We describe our projects, lectures and seminars that we provide undergraduate students to gain hands-on experience inside signal processing along the time line of the curriculum. We further describe the variety of laboratories that we offer to expose students to state-of-the-art research and advanced equipment. Finally, we conclude by illustrating how we use competitions to motivate and challenge students with real-world problems.


Chlorophyll fluorescence is a nondestructive, intrinsic probe of photosynthesis. It has been used in a variety of physiological and environmental research. This study attempted to investigate the usefulness of chlorophyll fluorescence as a monitor of ozone induced stress in Quercus rubra L. Chlorophyll fluorescence measurements were taken from mature trees and seedlings in open top chambers located at the Tennessee Valley Authority Air Pollution Research Facility at Norris, Tennessee. Chambers reflected one of three ozone concentration treatments: sub-ambient, ambient, or twice ambient. Spring leaf expansion was also measured as was spring and autumn chlorophyll content of leaves from mature trees. Fluorescence measurements proved to reflect differences between treatments and tree size. The data indicates two response types. The frrst type produces an inducible response at ambient concentrations and homeostasis at twice ambient concentrations. The second type of response is homeostatic at ambient concentrations with apparent injury occurring in twice ambient treatments. These patterns indicate a multiphasic, multisite ozone effect. The fluorescence measurements indicated that seedlings were less sensitive to ozone than mature trees. No fluorescence parameters were sensitive to leaf expansion although some exhibited good correlation with seasonal changes in chlorophyll content. Treatment did not significantly affect chlorophyll content.


Mainstream research on European integration and European social democracy is unambiguously clear in asserting that, from the mid-1980s, the integration process has evolved to strengthen market forces and has effectively reduced national sovereignty in core areas of policy-making. This applies to the negative economic integration of the Single European Market (1987), but also to positive integration, namely Economic and Monetary Union (since Maastricht 1993) and the accompanying Stability and Growth Pact (1997). These integration steps have reduced the ability of the nation state to intervene in markets and to correct the unwanted results of increasingly liberalized capitalism. This might be a desired outcome for liberal and neo-conservative parties. Even Christian democratic parties might accept it (Kersbergen 1995: 236f). However, for social democratic parties the "European path" taken in the 1980s and early 1990s severely challenges their model of economic regulation, policymaking, and social welfare . Since Dahrendorf's depiction of the "end of the social democratic century" (Dahrendorf 1983) many authors have addressed the issue of whether social democracy is doomed to decline . In support of this thesis the erosion of class-based voting, the declining importance of trade unions, socioeconomic changes, altered party competition and coalition opportunities, and the effects of globalization have been put forward. Thus, "Europe" might simply constitute another chapter in the literature on the "end of social democracy." However, European integration not only challenges tried and tested social democratic strategies, but may also provide opportunities for new political strategies to counterbalance the market-liberal orientation of negative integration and to regain the ability to act at the European level (supra -national and intergovernmental),


On the 15th of April 1991 the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody (RCADIC) presented its final report, which made no specific recommendations in relation to Indigenous women. This deficiency of the RCADIC, which had investigated eleven deaths in custody of Indigenous women, has been well commented upon and criticised since (see Brooks 1996:267; Payne 1993:67; Paxman 1993:153; Mackay & Smallacombe 1996: 17). The virtual silence of the RCADIC on Indigenous women is consistent with what Cunneen and Kerley (1995:71) have called the 'profound silence surrounding the issue of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in the Australian criminal justice system'. The extraordinary rates of arrest and imprisonment experienced by Indigenous men and male juveniles in this country have dominated both policy debate and the research agenda (see Gardiner 200 I a). However, there is now a small, but growing body of evidence to show that the criminal justice system is failing Indigenous women as profoundly as it is failing Indigenous men. This evidence shows that Indigenous women are disadvantaged, by race and by gender, at virtually every stage and level of the criminal justice process; a disadvantage compounded by the roles of Indigenous women as the partners, mothers and sisters of Indigenous men who are incarcerated (Payne 1990:9). As Brooks (1996:273) points out: 'In combination, the stigmas of gender and race virtually guarantee Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women the lowest place at law.'


In order to explore the possible ways to regulate the rice root system, the hybrid rice (Shanyou 63) had been breed in the nutrient liquid employed KASAGAI prescription with different dosage of NPK It turns out that the proper dosage of nutrient liquid(A litre of culture solution contains N 20 mg、P4 4 mg、K16 6 mg) may promote the root system to grow energetically;while low dosage(It is half of proper dosage) can induce the root sprawling;while high dosage(It is two times of proper dosage) may depress it from sprawling If we alternate the middle/low dosage of nurient liquid in the early and middle stage,the nutrient liquid can not only promote the growth of the upper and lower levels of crown root and branch root,but also cause crown root to grow fast As a result,the nutrient liquid can inerease the total length of root system as well as its volume,wight and vitality and enhance the production of rice When comparing the later with the treatment of continuous using proper dosage,the total length of root system、volume、 the dry matter wight raised 127%、102% and 90%,α NA of oxidizing of full heading stage added 67%,the production of rice raised 19% In brief,through regulating the nutrient liquid,we are able to control the morphology and function of the rice root system effectively


A test for the convexity (or concavity) of a second-order surface is proposed. The test is shown to be essentially a likelihood-ratio test and some of its properties, along with an approximate power function, are exhibited. Potential applications in a response surface setting are mentioned.


Based on results from recent molecular phylogenetic studies, Solitaria ramellata (F.N. Williams) Gang Yao, S. forrestii (Diels) Gang Yao and S. rhodantha (Pax & Hoffmann) Gang Yao, three new combinations of Caryophyllaceae, are proposed. Additionally, the two names S. ramellata and S. rhodantha are lectotypified.


Blood transfusion therapy is currently the only feasible therapy for severe thalassemia major. Opinions differ, however, on the level at which the mean pretransfusion hemoglobin should be maintained. The hazards of severe transfusional hemochromatosis, including in particular cardiac disease and diabetes, must be balanced against the hazards of chronic anemia. Traditionally, transfusions have been limited to a minimum compatible with survival, implying that the Hb would be allowed to fall as low as 5 g/100 ml before the next transfusion. In 1964 Wolman,l using data from a retrospective study, proposed that children with thalassemia major maintained at a higher mean Hb level had fewer objective side effects, despite an increased iron load. Subsequent experience has been mixed. Improvement in linear growth has been reported by some,?, but not by Parenchymal organ (cardiac, hepatic, pancreatic) function appears to be improved in most patients, at least in the short run, but Wolman and coworkers, in a fotlowup report, noted a high incidence of late mortality due to cardiac or pancreatic failure.' Of the five patients in this series who died of cardiac failure, four had associated diabetes mellitus; all had been on the hypertransfusion program for seven years or more. No one can question the short-term (5-year) benefits of an intensive transfusion program; the long-term effects are still, however, debatable. Additional data on patients maintained on such a regime are therefore useful in aiding the clinician in deciding on treatment for the individual patient.


The present paper analyzes the victim's forgiveness in the criminal procedure as a cause of extinction of criminal liability. As well as analyzing in what situations and under what circumstances it is possible to attribute this effect, it is especially considered the role assigned to the Public Prosecutor and the Judge. Moreover, the author híghlights some problematic aspects of its regulation, in some cases arising from the reform of the LO 15/2003 of November 25.


This paper presents the design and the development of specialized software, by which the characteristics of a photovoltaic panel can be tested and analyzed. The software controls a hardware module, which implements the electrical load of a photovoltaic panel and monitors its voltage. The values, measured by the hardware module, are transmitted to a PC via a serial interface. Then, these values can be visualized in a graphic form by the software, which allows the plotting of the volt-ampere and the power-volt output characteristics of the photovoltaic panel. The elaborated software enables us to set the parameters of the study: initial current and the current increment steps. The measured parameter values are recorded as PC files, allowing subsequent visualization and examination of data.


Aspect Based Sentiment Analysis (ABSA), is a method of sentiment analysis that focuses on identifying aspects/features in text and classifying their sentiment. Recently, many deep learning-based methods have achieved some success. However, they often focus solely on the relationship between aspect entities and sentiment words, overlooking the inherent fuzziness and dynamics of natural language. To tackle this issue, we propose a method that calculates semantic relevance weight based on dynamic noise, and combine it with an attention network to form our model (DNRA). Experimental results on restaurants dataset show that by our approach, accuracy is improved by 0.70%, reaching 83.83% compared to the baseline model. Meanwhile, we obtained the highest F1 scores compared to the baseline models on three datasets: laptops, restaurants, and Twitter, achieving scores of 73.33%, 76.59%, and 75.22%, respectively. In addition, we conducted a series of experiments to explore how different levels of noise affect performance on various datasets.


With Asian American population on the rise, Asian Americans have more power than ever in political elections. While qualitative methods have been used to measure this uptrend in Asian American political participation, a thorough and cohesive quantitative study on the topic has yet to be done. Therefore, we utilize machine learning and dictionary-based matching to identify the most accurate numbers for Asian American political participation, categorized by political affiliations, geography, gender, etc. We find that Asian American political participation tends to the Democratic party, is predominantly male, and is proportional to the population size of the individuals respective state.