Orofacial clefts are one of the most common congenital anomalies with a prevalence of 10.48 affected infants per 10,000 live births for cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL/P) and 6.39 for cleft palate (CP) alone, accounting for approximately 6,800 national cases annually [Canfield et al., 2006]. However, the rate of occurrence of isolated CL/P varies among different ethnic groups, with the highest prevalence observed in Whites (0.81/ 1,000 births), followed by Asian (0.76/1,000), Hispanics (0.74/1,000) and Blacks (0.41/1,000) [Tolorová and Cervenka, 1998]. Clefts can compromise respiration, swallowing, speech, articulation and hearing, and frequently demand multiple surgical procedures and medical interventions that are costly. In addition, families often struggle with cosmetic and communicative restrictions that influence the cognitive, social, and educational status of their child. ''Typical'' orofacial clefts are the commonest form of clefting and consist of unilateral or bilateral cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP) or the combination of cleft lip and palate (CL/P). CP can also include a submucous cleft of thepalate. Typical orofacial clefts canoccur as isolated anomalies or as part of a multiple congenital anomaly (MCA) syndrome with other non-cleft malformations. In a study using data derived from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program (CPDMP) between the years 1983 and 1997, CP was found in 0.7/1,000 births, with 71% of patients having additional anomalies, while CL/P was found in 1.1/ 1,000 births, with 60% of patients having additional anomalies [Shaw et al., 2004]. For many of the concurrent malformations, the relative risks were similar among births with CP or CL/P. The study of racial and ethnic variations in birth defects is of high importance for the definition of factors that contribute to the etiology of the birth defects. Many previous epidemiological studies that have investigated the relationship between orofacial clefts and ethnic variability have relied on birth certificates or birth registries for data collection and these studies are therefore limited in terms of the phenotypic data available. We have examined 296medical records from theUniversity ofCalifornia, San Francisco (UCSF) craniofacial clinic database in order to determine if there were ethnic differences in the frequency of patients who have CL/P with additional congenital anomalies (syndromic CL/P), or CL/P as an isolated finding (isolated CL/P). The UCSF craniofacial clinic is a tertiary referral center that serves the pediatric population in the Bay Area and central California. All patients are entered into the clinic database (FileMaker Pro 5.5) by a single, clerical staff member after initial and subsequent clinic visits, using the chart and reports fromPediatric specialties. In our study,we includedall patientswho were referred with CL/P and CP to the UCSF craniofacial clinic for their initial visit from January 2000 to January 2006. We recorded patient age, sex, the typeof cleft, thepresenceof additional anomalies


The invention relates to a nano bamboo-tea brush wire and a manufacturing method thereof. The nano bamboo-tea brush wire comprises polyamide nylon yarn core and a nano bamboo-tea powder layer, wherein the nano bamboo-tea powder layer covers the surface of the yarn core and consists of a mixture of nano bamboo powder and tea polyphenol. The nano bamboo-tea brush wire provided by the invention has biologic degradability and environmental compatibility to solve the technical problems that the current toothbrush has high manufacturing method, wastes an energy source, can not be recycled and is harmful to human bodies.


In vitro blastogenic response of sensitized human lymphocytes to specific antigens was significantly enhanced by Vibrio cholerae neuraminidase treatment. No such enhancement was noted when the unsensitized lymphocytes were treated with this enzyme. An enhancement effect of neuraminidase on the lymphocyte response to concanavalin A or pokeweed mitogen (weak mitogens) was also noted; the enzyme had no effect on phytohaemagglutinin (strong mitogen)-induced blasto-genesis. The increased reactivity of lymphocytes is probably related to changed physical and functional properties of the cells after treatment with neuraminidase.


Aim To assess the effectiveness and outcome of repeated percutaneous transhepatic balloon dilatation combined with targeted intramucosal corticosteroid injection in patients with benign biliary stricture. Methods This single-center pilot study, conducted between February 2014 and June 2016, involved five patients with benign biliary stricture (4 men and 1 woman, mean age 58.2 years). The study included only patients in whom previous surgical or/and non-surgical treatments failed or could not be performed due to patients' medical history and local status. Results We successfully developed an alternative treatment for patients with benign biliary stricture and performed it without side effects. There were no major complications, and the only one minor complication was cholangitis. In the median follow-up period of 30.24 months (range 14.5 to 44.6 months), no re-occlusion was detected. The disease-free survival, calculated after excluding the first patient (who died of heart attack), was 34.175 months. Conclusion Percutaneous transhepatic corticosteroid injection combined with balloon dilatation could provide an alternative method for the treatment of benign biliary strictures that is effective in the long term and results in positive outcomes.


In the production of hydraulic systems for use in mines as mechanized props, particular importance attaches to precision checks on working characteristics after assembly, especially leakage in working cavities and safety valves. A new algorithm is described for testing hydraulic props, which has been used in a computerized test system. The sensitivity in leak testing has been improved considerably by using differential gauges with low limiting nominal pressure differences, including for estimating the pressure drop as a function of time when safety valves operate.


The present study investigated the factors that influence the feasibility and competitive advantage of a digital freight forwarder through a binary logistic regression model. The research is a concrete application of sustainable entrepreneurship in the transport and supply chain sector. The novelty of this topic presents a research gap that needs to be covered with dedicated studies. After the literature review and concept clarification, the article presents quantitative research involving an online questionnaire administered among a sample of transporters in Romania. Through analysis of the data collected from 405 respondents, it was found that the most important factors when selecting a digital freight forwarder are the existence of both sales and dispatch departments. Furthermore, apart from greening the industry, a digital freight forwarder has several other advantages for all stakeholders and society. The study concludes that the concept has the potential to disrupt the entire industry through a unique combination of efficiency, transparency, and sustainability.


Wireless power transfer (WPT) technology has shown its significant role in various applications, such as electric vehicles and consumer electronics. In this paper, an input-parallel output-series circuit topology based on a compact double-sided decoupled coupler is presented to upgrade the power capacity of the WPT system with low-power and low-cost semiconductors. To avoid the potential risk of magnetic saturation, the phase difference between the transmitter currents is controlled to be 90° to achieve a symmetrical magnetic flux distribution for the magnetic coupler. Most importantly, an analytical model, which illustrates the relation between the efficiency and the ratio of the output voltages of the transmitter-side inverters under various misalignments, has been derived. Based on this, a control strategy is developed to maximize the energy efficiency under various misalignment conditions. The experimental results based on a 2.5-kW laboratory prototype show that, in comparison with the traditional method with identical inverters output voltages, the overall efficiency is improved by 2.32% by using the proposed method.


Jini is a framework for building scalable, robust, distributed systems using java. According to the characteristic and principle of jini, a solution based on agent is provided, aiming at the problem existing in jini system structure. Jini system structure is improved and its performance is also analyzed.


We explore the optimum growth space for a 47.0 A InAs/21.5 A Ga0.75In0.25Sb superlattices (SLs) designed for the maximum Auger suppression for a very long wavelength infrared gap. Our growth process produces a consistent gap of 50 ± 5 meV. However, SL quality is sensitive to the growth temperature (Tg). For the SLs grown at 390−470 °C, a photoresponse signal gradually increases as Tg increases from 400 to 440 °C. Outside this temperature window, the SL quality deteriorates very rapidly. All SLs were n-type with mobility of ∼10 000 V/cm2 and 300 K recombination lifetime of ∼70 ns for an optimized SL.


FIELD: computer engineering. SUBSTANCE: method involves passing synthesized voice through post-filter which operates using next and previous data. Data frames are split into sub-frames for setting calculation points. EFFECT: increased correlation of synthesized and source voices. 10 cl, 5 dwg


Oxidation of inositol (INOS) by hexachloroplatinate(IV) complex (HCP) in perchlorate solutions in the presence of palladium(II) catalyst was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction rate was very slow in the absence of the catalyst. The reaction exhibited a first order dependence on [HCP], and fractional-first order dependences with respect to [INOS], [H+] and [Pd(II)]. Increasing ionic strength and dielectric constant was found to increase the oxidation rate. A probable oxidation mechanism has been suggested and the rate-law expression has been derived. Both spectral and kinetic evidences revealed formation of a 1:1 intermediate complex between INOS and Pd(II) prior to the rate-controlling step. The final oxidation product of inositol was identified by both spectral and chemical analyses as the corresponding monoketone derivative, namely inosose. The activation parameters of the second order rate constant were evaluated and discussed.


A method has been developed for parallel connection of the ohmic heating (OH) coil. The method involves subdividing the OH-coil into a number of parallel connected subcoils, with each subcoil having about 20 turns. Each of the field shaping coils (F-coils) also contains 20 turns, so that when connected to a common power supply, the OH and F-coils are decoupled. The advantages resulting from the scheme are numerous: (1) each F-coil contains a much smaller number of turns compared with the previous design concept, thus the construction and maintenance will be easier; (2) the parallel connected OH-coils form a constant flux envelope, resulting in an inherently lower error field at the plasma and the TF coil region, and this low error field is not sensitive to the variation in location of the OH-coils; (3) the voltage and current ratings of the individual OH coil conductors are reduced; and (4) the low impedance of the OH-coil system greatly improves the possibility of using a homopolar motor generator as a means of achieving flux reversal during startup and plasma current control during the burn cycle.


Issues concerning urban resilience have now become a great challenge to the world as a result of rapid urbanisation. Malaysia is ranked among East Asia's most urbanised countries and its urban population has continued to increase rapidly from 27 % in 1970 to 74 % in 2014. To cope with the issue of sustainability, urban planning has emerged at creating and managing network of green spaces. The establishment of green corridor has accelerated as a response to global concern about issues regarding the fragmentation, climate changes and loss of landscape connectivity resulted from the urbanisation. To ensure that network of green spaces can be established, the fragmented of green spaces must be first identified and located. An analysis of fragmented green spaces has been conducted by using Object Oriented procedure to the high-resolution satellite image of SPOT-6 dated June 2016. Results showed that big and small fragmented green spaces existed with the total area of 84 km2 out of 243 km2 total areas of Kuala Lumpur. The highest total area of green spaces was recorded to be in the Damansara Penchala zone which is 26 km2 and the lowest record is in the Kuala Lumpur City Center area which is only 5 km2 in area. It was concluded that urban green spaces are more fragmented where there are more built-up areas. In this paper, city center has the least ratio of area of green to the urban area compared to the other five zones because the green space in the area was smaller and fragmented.


: Environmental systems are complex systems. They are composed of many heterogeneous agents interacting in nonlinear ways within environment. Consequently, capturing the dynamics and understanding these systems are often similarly complex. To understand complex systems, hierarchy theory proposes to decompose these systems to levels (vertical structures) and subsystems (horizontal structures). Hierarchical perspectives could help in understanding complex environmental systems. However, existing modeling platforms lack of an appropriate abstraction which supports hierarchical structuring of systems. Consequently, the application of hierarchy theory has been limited to observational purposes. In this paper, we present a hierarchical simulation platform and a software package developed to facilitate the development of hierarchical dynamic models. This platform is not restricted to one simulation approach. Agent-based, system dynamics and Discrete-event sub models can be dealt with as well as hybrid models. In this platform every system can be conceptualized as levels and subsystems which can contain agent, stock and flow, queue and process structures. Modelers can model the process involved at each level using either agent-based or system dynamics formulations. We demonstrate different aspects of this hierarchical simulation platform with an example related to energy transition.


In this paper we have two objectives. The first is to investigate the restriction of a metaplectic cover to an arbitrary torus in GL2. This will be explained at greater length below, and the main results are Theorems 1 and 2. The second is an application of the same ideas to introduce the arithmetic function P, which has already appeared in a special case in [9], and to prove the fundamental property given by Theorem 3. These theorems will be proved in §§ 2 and 3. In §§ 4 and 5 we remark on the appearence of the function P in the formula of Loxton and Matthews [5], [6] for the biquadratic Gauss sum and discuss the structure of this formula.


Geo-hazards are common form of natural hazard that can cause significant loss of life and social-economical consequences.Risk assessment is a very common approach in technological and engineering risk procedures and the applications of these concepts in Geo-hazards received increasing attention in the last years and is becoming more practical and acceptable.Nevertheless,the use of some basic concepts of Geo-hazards risk assessment and management is in confusion at present in China.In allusion to the embarrass situation,based on the latest research development at home and abroad,the definitions of some basic concepts related to geo-hazards risk,risk evaluation,risk criteria,risk assessment and risk management etc,were reviewed and differentiated.These observations were considered to make the use of these concepts more uniform and would be meaningful to promote the development of Geo-hazards risk assessment and management research.


Formaldehyde solution, or commonly called formalin, an illegal food additive, was still widely found in the market as a food preservative. In the traditional markets in the center of Surabaya, formalin were suspected found. Therefore, in order to monitor whether there was formalin in a foodstuff, qualitative as well as quantitative test are needed, chromotropic acid in concentrated sulfuric acid will produce the colour of red purple if react with formalin. Standardization of formalin obtained the concentration of formaldehyde was 36,60%. The result showed that the maximum wavelength of complex formaldehyde and chromotropic acid was 567,5 nm. The linear regression equation was y = 0.2235 x + 0.0142 with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.9956. Detection limit and Quantitation limit were 0,156 ppm and 0,521 ppm, respectively. Percent (%) recovery was (77,43±7,342) %. The method was applied for determination of formalin in the chicken meat which were taken from the Center of Surabaya's markets shows were not detected in all of samples.


1. Objectives This paper was tried to find out the clinical use of Gwanjung-tang by comparing patients' chief complain and natural symptom. 2. Methods The study was researched as clinically with medical records of 88 patients who visited a certain oriental medicine clinic which is in Seoul during January, 2000 and June, 2006. 3. Results 1) The male patient who was treated with Gwanjung-tang(寬中湯) is rare. The rate of patients who visited clinic in her forties is 27.3%, in fifties is 18.2%, in thirties is 15.9%, in sixties is 12.5%, in twenties is 10.3%. 2) Chief complain which made patients to visit clinic is a chest pain(19.3%), back pain and shoulder pain (15.9%), edema (12.5%), headache (9.1%), irregular menstruation (8.0%), dyspepsia (8.0%), fatigue (8.0%), insomnia (5.6%), menopausal disorder (4.5%), lumbago (4.5%), abnormal condition of stools (2.3%), and abnormal condition of urine (2.3%). 3) Natural symptom is classified into appetite, digestion, stools, urine, sweat, and sleep. The rate of patients who complained abnormal condition of digestion is 71.6%, of sleep is 59%, of stools is 52.3%, of urine is 47.7%, if sweat is 34.1%, and of appetite is 30.7%. 4) The rate of patients who is treated with Gwanjung-tang between thirty and forty packs is 43.2%, twenty packs is 39.7%, between fifty and sixty packs is 5.7%, between seventy and eighty packs is 2.3%, and between ninety and hundred packs is 3.4%. 5) The rate of patients who is treated with Gwanjung-tang during 15 days is 45.5%, between 16 and 30 days is 26.2%, between 31 and 60 days 7.9%, between 61 and 90 days 3.4%, between 91 and 120 days is 4.5%, and more than 120 days is 12.5%. 6) There are not many cases that chief complain was abnormal condition of digestion (8.0%), sleep (5.6%) stools (2.3%), and urine (2.3%). But the rate of patients who complained discomfort of digestion(71.6%), sleep(59%) stools (52.3%), and urine (47.7%) is significantly high. 7) According to "Sasang Sin Pyeon", Gwanjung-tang was used in To-sa-gwak-ran (吐瀉藿亂), Hae-su (咳嗽), Jeok-chui (積聚), Pyo-han -bu-jong (表寒浮腫), Chang-man (脹滿), Chil-gi (七氣), Dam-um (痰飮), Dam-goe (痰塊), Seom-jwa-yo-tong (閃挫腰痛), Bi-tong (臂痛) of Soeumin, and it is corresponds with clinical cases for various components. 4. Conclusions Gwanjung-tang is a medicine of reconciliation, and it makes Stomach to be warm and take down Yin Qi. The most important effect of Gwanjung-tang is Sun-qi(順氣). So it is considerable that Gyejibanhasenggang-tang (少陰人 桂枝半夏生薑湯), Hyangsayangwi-tang (少陰人 香砂養胃湯), and Gwakhyangjunggi-san (少陰人 藿香正氣散) is also effective to symptoms above, because these are medicines of reconciliatio.


This butterfly needle assembly (10) includes: a butterfly needle (12) which has a needle body (16) and a wing member (18); and a protector (14) which, when moved in the direction of the tip relatively to the butterfly needle (12), covers the needle body (16) with the wing member (18) in a folded state. The wing member (18) has a shaft (28) fixed to the needle body (16), and a pair of elastically deformable wings (30a, 30b) extending in mutually opposite directions from the shaft (28). The base-side end (36) of each of the pair of wings (30a, 30b) is inclined so as to come closer to the shaft (28) towards the base direction.


The current study aimed to identify the effect of administrative bullying on organizational commitment and job satisfaction among secondary school teachers in the city of Jerusalem. The researcher adopted the quantitative descriptive approach to achieve the study's goals and objectives. The study population consisted of all secondary school teachers affiliated to the Palestinian Directorate of Education in the city of Jerusalem. The study sample included (200) male and female teachers who were chosen by the simple random method. The results showed a statistically significant effect of the behavior of administrative bullying on the organizational commitment of secondary school teachers in the city of Jerusalem, and the results showed a statistically significant effect of the behavior of administrative bullying on the organizational commitment of secondary stage teachers in the city of Jerusalem. In light of the results, the study recommended encouraging workers to be creative and innovative and the need to enhance self-confidence (150).


A hvbrid ooticallelectronic A D conversion techniaue is , ~ ~1~ .~ described which uses eleckooptic sampling and b e demultiplexing together with multiple electronic AID converters. The system sampling rate is equal to the drive frequency of a pulsed laser while the sampling rate of the individual electronic An, converters is reduced by the demultiplexing ratio. Analysis of a system which includes an actively mode-locked diode laser operating at 4 GHz, and a 1:8 time demultiplexer, indicates that precision approaching 6 hits should be attainable. Measurements which simulate one channel of a similar system are presented together with tests of some of the principal components. Introduction A technique which has been successfully used to increase the sampling rate of electronic analog to digital (AD) converters involves operating multiple digitizers in parallel in a timeinterleaved manner [I] . In rhis paper, optical sampling and demultiplexing techniques are applied prior to the set of parallel electronic digitizers in order to extend the sampling rate of a time-interleaved A D converter beyond the rate currently available using all-electronic deinterleaving. Figure 1 depicts the architecture selected for this hybrid opticaVelectronic AID converter (OEADC) approach. A pulsed laser operating at a frequency Fs is used to sample an analog


Let R be a commutative ring with non-zero identity and Z^∗(R) be the set of non-zero zero-divisors of R. The zero-divisor graph of R, denoted by Γ(R), is a simple undirected graph with all non-zero zero-divisors as vertices and two distinct vertices x, y ∈ Z^∗(R) are adjacent if and only if xy = 0. In this paper, the eigenvalues of Γ(Zn) for n = p^2q^2, where p and q are distinct primes, are investigated. Also, the girth, diameter, clique number and stability number of this graph are found.


Peptide for the prophylactic or therapeutic treatment of skin tumors at early stages. It comprises an inhibitor of TGF- \ beta1 for use in the preventive or therapeutic treatment of skin tumors in early stages, wherein the peptide is disitertide or derivative thereof, peptide and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount peptide for said use.


In May 2006, a task was issued by the U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology (DUSD (A&T)) to develop a Systems of Systems Engineering Guidebook. The Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) convened a small group of Government, Industry and Academia, and selected the Stevens Institute of Technology to lead the project. During the summer and autumn of 2006, the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) was honored to be invited to provide a global representation of the systems engineering community in support of the OSD writing of a Systems of Systems, Systems Engineering (SoS SE) Guide.


In the next 20 years the number of electric vehicles (EV) will significantly increase and will reach more than 40 million in EU. The energy required for charging EV, usually recovering in private parking places for many hours, will be mainly provided through smart charging boxes connected to the LV network. In all other cases, EVs will be charged in fast charging stations (FC) or battery swap stations connected to the MV network. Such charging stations require high power during the day, especially when the network could be overloaded, hence there is the need to model and analyze the impact on the grid. The paper describes the 2030 scenario for the metropolitan area of Milan, and explains how power demand due to Fast Charging stations for electric mobility can represent an issue for the electric grid, and how it is possible to face such problems using storages and power electronics. (3 pages)


The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of deferred tax expense to earnings persistence and earnings management. This research use samples from manufacturing companies which listed on Stock Exchange from 2010-2014. The methods of sample collection is by purposive sampling. There are 41 companies with total 205 observations for samples. This research use deferred tax expense as independent variable. The dependent variable consists of the persistence of earnings and earnings management. Earnings persistence is measured by using regression coefficients between accounting profit accounting profit of the current period with last year period, while the profit menajamen measured using income distribution approach. Simple linear regression is used for the variabel test. The results showed that the deferred tax expense don't have any efffect to perrsistensi income and deferred tax expense also don't any effect affect to earnings management. It shows that the deferred tax expense can not determine the persistence of earnings and can not detect the presence of earnings management in a company, because the tax burden expense majority increasing because of the differences in financial reporting regulations fiscal and commercial financial statements.


Early in the excavation of Nestor's palace at Pylos it was apparent that the palace was a place of large-scale communal feasting. Both Homer's literary account of Nestor ' sf east sf rom the Odyssey and the overwhelming number of kylikes in the pantry rooms provided obvious evidence of this. It has only been later, after the decipherment of Linear B and reconstruction of the megaron frescoes that the purposes, reasons, and organization of the feasts began to be explored. This paper will examine the physical remains, specifically the pottery from the pantries, the wine magazine, and the faunal evidence along with the interpretive evidence found in the Linear B documents and megaron frescoes, to reveal a hierarchical society that offered sacrifices to Poseidon shortly before it destruction. The feasts of the society will then be considered in a simple anthropological context, so the feasts move from the realm of Bronze Age Greece to the larger sphere of common human behaviors. Early on in the excavation of Nestor's palace at Pylos it was apparent that the palace was a place of large-scale communal feasting. Both Homer's literary account of Nestor's feasts from the Odyssey and the overwhelming number of kylikes (drinking vessels) in the pantry rooms provided obvious evidence of this. It has only been later, after the decipherment of Linear B, an early Greek language, and various reconstructions of the megaron frescoes that the purpose of the feasts began to be explored. Anthropologists Dietler and Hayden (2001) believe this has been long-overlooked topic of archaeologists, and both agree that it is a topic worthy of examination. Hayden writes "feasting is emerging as one of the most powerful cross-cultural explanatory concepts for understanding an entire range of cultural processes and dynamics ranging from the generation and transformation of surpluses, to the emergence of social and political inequalities, to the creation of prestige technologies including specialized domesticated foods, and to the underwriting of elites in complex societies" (24). By examining the physical remains, specifically the pottery from the pantries, the wine magazine, and the faunal evidence along with the interpretive support found in the Linear B documents and megaron frescoes, a hierarchical


Generalized two-dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy has been applied to the study of the composition-dependent near-infrared (NIR) spectral changes in 11 different ethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers with vinyl acetate (VA) content from 6 to 42 wt %. The 2D synchronous correlation analysis of the 11 NIR spectra has separated the bands due to ethylene units from those due to the VA units. The obtained results are consistent with those reached by the calculation of the second derivative and by chemometrics analysis reported in our previous paper. However, the 2D correlation analysis has given clearer evidence for the band separation. Two-dimensional asynchronous correlation analysis has revealed out-of-phase variations between some bands due to ethylene and some bands due to VA and has determined the order of intensity change between them. On the basis of the order of intensity change, the bands of ethylene in the orthorhombic crystalline phase have been discriminated from those in the amorphous and disordered phases. This paper discusses the potentials of three powerful techniques, 2D correlation analysis, the calculation of the second derivatives, and that of regression coefficients in chemometrics, in unraveling rather complicated NIR spectra.


Silicon carbide (SiC) is an important material for fabricating high-power, high-temperature and high frequency devices [1]. The semi-insulating (SI) form of 4H-SiC is useful for making microwave devices [2] because it helps in lowering the stray device capacitances, thereby in‐ creasing the maximum operating frequency of the device. Selective area ion implantation is regarded as an attractive doping method for fabricating MESFETs in bulk SI 4H-SiC [3–5] due to the ease of inter-device isolation without the loss of planarity.


Powder injection molding is an important processing method for producing precision metallic or ceramic parts. Experience, intuition and trial-and-error have been the practice for the design and process optimization of such molding operations. However, this practice is becoming increasingly inefficient and impractical for the molding of larger, more complicated and more costly parts. In this investigation, a numerical method for simulating the mold-filling phase of powder injection molding was developed. The flow was modelled using the Hele-Shaw approach coupled with particle diffusion transport equation for the calculation of powder concentration distribution. The viscosity of the feedstock was evaluated using a power-law type rheological model to account for the viscosity dependency on shear rate and powder concentration. A numerical example is presented and discussed to demonstrate the capabilities and limitations of the simulation algorithm, which has the potential as an analytical tool for the mold designer. The variation of powder density distribution can be predicted, which is ignored by the existing simulation packages. Preliminary simulation indicated that powder concentration variation could be significant. Non-isothermal analysis indicated that most of the key parameters for filling process would change due to a change in powder concentration distribution.


23 In this study we present a methodology to study the properties of convective precipitation in a 24 holistic way. We apply a tracking algorithm to X-band radar retrievals to store rain cells 25 properties in a Lagrangean framework. The Center of Activity (COA), the altitude with the 26 highest contribution to the cell's Vertically Integrated Liquid (VIL), is presented as a new 27 perspective to study convective clouds. It is shown that the combination of COA and VIL 28 provides a useful phase space to compare the properties of different rain cells. In our 29 methodology, rain cells present high COA (around 4.0 km to 4.5 km) and high VIL (~3.0 kg m -2 ) 30 upon detection and evolve towards lower COA and VIL values throughout the lifecycle. The 31 COA-VIL space is also used to constrain the microphysical study of the cells. Averaged 32 polarimetric variables and gamma Droplet Size Distribution (DSD) parameters indicate that 33 collection, melting and evaporation processes are almost in balance at COA independently of the 34 rain cells lifecycle stage. High COA and negative DSD shape parameters (μ) at COA were found 35 10 minutes before peak accumulated rainfall in low levels and are also likely associated to 36 lightning activity and differential reflectivity (Zdr) columns. Overall, the results presented here 37 can help nowcasting applications by providing expected microphysical characteristics from 38 COA-VIL calculations. Contrary to microphysical retrievals, computations of COA and VIL do 39 not depend on dual polarization. 40


hydrocarbon gas purification method of the HS and CO, comprising feeding to an absorber gas to be purified under a pressure of 5 ÷ 8 MPa, absorption of acidic components from the gas to be purified aqueous activated methyldiethanolamine, weathering saturated acidic gases activated methyldiethanolamine solution successively in two stages, weathering solution in the first stage at elevated pressure, and weathering solution in the second stage at a low pressure, flowing to the second division stage weathering gruboregenerirovannogo pa creates two parts, followed by feeding the greater part in the middle of the absorber, and a smaller part - in the stripper for a thin heat recovery and feeding the effluent from the stripper tonkoregenerirovannogo solution on top of the absorber, characterized in that the effluent from the first stage weathering solution is fed into the pump, where its pressure was raised to 0.5 ÷ 1.0 MPa and fed to the recuperative heat exchanger for the heating of the desorber tonkoregenerirovannym resulting solution up to 100 ÷ 105 ° C prior to the second stage weathering flowing out regeneratively second heat exchanger tonkoregenerirovanny solution was cooled and divided into two parts, a lower part of which is mixed with a larger part gruboregenerirovannogo solution effluent from the second stage of weathering and after cooling is directed into the middle part of the absorber, and a large part - is fed to the top of the absorber, and the amount supplied to the mixing tonkoregenerirovannogo smaller part of the solution is adjusted HS concentration and / or COv purified gas.


Until now, the major part of NMR Imaging studies were finalized to diagnostic goals. Hence the main subject of imaging works were the water mobile molecules of biological tissues. Other fields of recent interest were the ima ging of nuclei different from protons and high spatial resolution (NMR microscopy). Another branch of great intere st is the imaging of the broad band components of biological tissues or in general of the solid-like systems. As the main sources of broad band spe£ tra in biological tissues are proteins, amino acid etc., the knowledge of their large band components distribution cha racterize in a specific way the normal or pathologic state of living tissues. In spin systems with large bandwidth, the imaging induced broadening needs very intense gradients to get a good spatial resolution Ar. Actually the fundamental imaging relation


A system comprised of three dielectrics with one metalized inner surface is considered. The general conditions for the transmission maximum and minimum of microwaves through the system were found. A resonance has been confirmed by experimental investigations. The dependence of the transmitted power through the system on the surface conductivity of the metallization was investigated. The ratio of transmission maximum to minimum was found to be up to 24 dB. These findings can be used for obtaining the maximum or minimum of shielding effectiveness for modern low-E (low-emissivity) double glazed windows.


The virus was isolated from one flock chicken which might be infected H9 subtype avian influenza virus,which could agglutinate the red blood cell of chicken.The pathogen was identified as H9 subtype avian influenza virus by HI test,Neutralization test of chicken embryo and RT-PCR,and it was named CH02 strains.The HA titer was 27.67±0.58;the hemagglutination feature could be inhibited by the standard positive serums which against avian influenza virus H9 subtype,and the HI titer was 7log2;50% egg infectious dose of the purified virus was 10-8.68/0.1 mL;the mean death time of the minimum lethal dose which caused embryo death was 85.6 h;the intracerebral pathogenicityindex of the one day-old chicken(ICPI) was 0.625;the nucleotide sequences of itsNSgene was compared with A/duck/ Hong Kong/Y280/97,A/duck/Nanjing/97,A/chicken/Beijing/1/94,A/chicken/Shantou/2005/ H6 N1,A/chicken/Korea/38349/96,A/chicken/Pakistan/2/99,respectively,and the homology were 88.6 %to 100 %;phylogenetic analysis showed theNSgene was belong to A/duck/ Hong Kong/Y280/97-like.


© Krivoruchko A.S., Drachenko K.G., Drachenko S.K., Korol A.R., 2019 Introduction Radiation damage to the eye is most commonly caused by sunlight. Ultraviolet keratitis [1, 2] and solar retinopathy [3-6] are attributed to sunlight-induced ocular damage. The Sun is a natural source of light and produces electromagnetic radiation across a wide range of wavelengths, from radio waves to X-rays. Visible sunlight can get to the retina and cause pathological changes in retinal structures, which may lead to impaired visual function [7]. Solar retinopathy (damage to the retina from solar radiation) is a clinical entity specifically recognized in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) version 10 nomenclatures [3-6]. Although the name of the disease includes the word "retina", it is, rather, the macula that is affected in this disorder. Our lids act as the first barrier protecting the eye from a sudden, intensive illumination. UV-A and visible sunlight can get to the retina and cause pathological changes in retinal structures, which may lead to impaired visual function [7]. Another protective mechanism is a reflexive response to light (iris contraction) [8]. In addition, protective antioxidative pigments such as the kynurenines, located in the human lens, and melanin, in the uvea and retina, absorb ambient radiation and dissipate its energy without causing damage [5]. The macular pigments (lutein, zeaxanthin and meso-zeaxanthin) absorb light (with maximum absorption taking place at ~460 nm) are estimated to absorb 40% to 90% of incident blue light, and therefore, function as an intraocular filter and play an important role in fundus protection against visible shortwave radiation [9]. The melanin within the RPE cells absorbs light that has not been captured by the photoreceptors, thus preventing excessive light scattering within the eye and enhancing visual system resolution [8, 9]. Retinal damage severity depends upon the transparency of the ocular media. Young individuals are mostly affected since their ocular media are relatively transparent to radiation [10, 11]. Histopathological studies have demonstrated that it is the RPE and retinal photoreceptor outer segments that are most susceptible to sunlightinduced damage [3, 12]. The purpose was to report a case of retinal damage following exposure to reflected sunlight with a favorable outcome. Filatov Institute of Eye Disease and Tissue Therapy; Odesa (Ukraine)


This paper studies a class of nonautonomous cellular neural networks with reaction-diffusion terms. By applying differential inequality technique and Poincare mapping theorem, we give some sufficient conditions ensuring the boundedness and globally exponential stability of the solutions for the general nonautonomous system. Particularly, when the nonautonomous system becomes the periodic system, we give sufficient conditions of the existence and globally exponential stability of periodic solutions. The results obtained extend and improve the earlier publications. Finally, two examples with their numerical simulations are provided to show the correctness of our analysis.


The purpose of this research is to diagnose the communication strategies of the Occupational Health, Occupational Health and Environmental Management Department for the prevention of emergencies and disasters at the National University of Chimborazo, using techniques and instruments for gathering information such as: surveys, interviews, questionnaire sources, which will allow teachers, employees and workers a timely response to an emergency or disaster.
Our starting point is communication where we will define the importance and how communication networks influence in the face of an emergency or disaster, and then identify the communication strategies of the Occupational Risk, Occupational Health and Environmental Management Department for the prevention of emergencies and disasters in the National University of Chimborazo.
Once the analysis of the communication strategies was done, the level of efficiency of the strategies in the prevention of emergencies and disasters was determined, for which observations were made of eventualities that have appeared in the National University of Chimborazo during the June- December 2016.


We examine evidence for the structuring of fish communities from stream and lake systems and the roles of biotic, abiotic, and spatial factors in determining the species composition. Piscivory by fish is a dominant factor in both stream and lake systems whereas evidence for the importance of competition appears less convincing. Within small streams or lakes, the impact of predation may exclude other species, thereby leading to mutually exclusive distributions and strong differences in community composition. Within a geographic region, abiotic effects frequently dictate the relative importance of piscivory, thereby indirectly influencing the composition of prey species present. The spatial scale of studies influences our perceived importance of biotic versus abiotic factors, with small-scale studies indicating a greater importance of competition and large-scale studies emphasizing abiotic controls. The scale of the individual sites considered is critical because smaller systems have higher variability and ...


Polyurethane polyols were synthesized by reacting the diols with polyisocyanates. Viscosity of their 50% (w/w) solutions in various solvents has been determined at different temperatures by using Haake Roto Visco RV12 Rotational Viscometer. The temperature dependence of viscosity data was solved by Levenberg Marquardt's algorithm by using nonlinear regression models based on WLF, Vogel, and Arrhenius equations. The Tg values obtained from WLF and Vogel equation are comparable to each other and these equations can be satisfactorily used for the analysis of temperature dependence of viscosity data of oligomer solutions. The residuals are random and the absolute average percentage error in analyzing the viscosity data by these equations is minimum. The values of constants in WLF equation are found to be system dependent and adjustable parameters. The predicted In η values obtained from WLF and Vogel equations fit well with the plots of experimental In η values as a function of temperature. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


It has been shown recently that the effective conductivity Keff of anisotropic media depends on the shape of correlations [Indelman and Abramovich, 1994]. This property results from the analysis of the second‐order expression of Keff in the log conductivity variance σ2, which is derived in terms of quadratures and calculated by numerical integration for two‐ and three‐dimensional flows and for exponential and Gaussian covariances. The present paper is a continuation of this study and aims at deriving an analytical closed‐form expression of Keff at order σ4 for the case of two‐dimensional flow in lognormal anisotropic media of Gaussian log conductivity correlation.


The article deals with the actual theoretical and methodical problem of improving the professional training quality of pedagogical disciplines by future teacher in the conditions of the master's studies. The attention is focused on the creation and implementation in the educational process of the of higher education institution the organizational and pedagogical conditions that ensure the formation of teacher's readiness for professional activity. The purpose of the article is to substantiate the theoretical and methodological foundations of future teacher preparation on the basis of an andragogical model. The model is based on the organization of the future teachers' independent work through the use of different theories and innovative technologies. Structural and functional model includes such elements as: aim, motivation, educational process organization, ways to activate students' independent activity and its result as the readiness of higher education students to teach pedagogical disciplines in higher education institutions. The investigated work allows us to argue that the organization of the educational process on the basis of personal, contextual, theoretical, methodological and activity approaches with the use of undergraduate educational projects in the independent work provided the experimental methodology with sufficient efficiency.


Le sociologie invisibili - In Italy, the acknowledgement of practical relevance and usefulness of the sociological knowledge is still an open problem, in the frame of a general condition of weakness of knowledge workers, both in society and in the labour market. Anyway, beside the "visible sociologies", that is the "official" and legitimate ones, which mainly find place in the academic world and health services, others sociological approches are emerging. These latter are "invisible", because not recognized in specific professional profiles, even if they find place in many different public and private working places. Keywords: sociology, visibility, professional, legitimate knowledge, association. Parole chiave: sociologia, visibilita, professionale, saperi legittimi, associazione.


A survey of community and junior colleges' collection development policies with examples of 11 complete and seven partial policy statements.


The present invention relates to a single-liquid-nickel-zinc battery anode, comprising a substrate, a constituent material in situ on the substrate surface of the growth or adhesion of the nickel hydroxide bilayer nanotubes. The two-layer tubular material is nickel hydroxide nano zinc oxide nanotube as a template, prepared from a nickel by brine solution. The special structure of the battery positive electrode material so that both zinc-nickel super capacitors and the characteristics of the single flow cell having a high energy density, long cycle life, low cost, simple structure and manufacturing process characteristics.


Background Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is an organized infiltration of immune cells, showing features of germinal center (GC) commonly seen in secondary lymphoid organs. However, its relationship with tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs) has not been studied and we hypothesized that TDLN may influence maturation of intratumoral TLS in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Tissue slides of 616 patients that had undergone surgeries were examined. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to assess risk factors of patients' survival, and logistic regression model was used for their relationship with TLS. Single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed to explore transcriptomic features of TDLNs. Immunohistochemistry, multiplex immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were performed to analyze cellular composition. Cellular components of NSCLC samples from The Cancer Genome Atlas database were inferred with Microenvironment Cell Populations-counter (MCP-counter) method. Murine NSCLC models were used to dissect underlying mechanisms for relationship between TDLN and TLS maturation. Results While GC+ TLS was associated with better prognosis, GC− TLS was not. TDLN metastasis reduced the prognostic relevance of TLS, and was associated with less GC formation. Primary tumor sites showed reduced B cell infiltration in TDLN-positive patients, and scRNA-seq revealed diminished memory B cell formation in tumor-invaded TDLNs, together with an emphasis on weakened interferon (IFN)-γ response. Murine NSCLC models revealed that IFN-γ signaling is involved in memory B cell differentiation in TDLNs and GC formation in primary tumors. Conclusions Our research emphasizes the influence of TDLN on intratumoral TLS maturation and suggests a role of memory B cells and IFN-γ signaling in this communication.


Collaboration in different forms has been a commonly used activity by farmers for a long time. These collaborations can take many different shapes and forms, from being simpler farmer clubs to multi-national cooperatives. However, most of them fill the function of being an intermediary between producer and market. In Sweden, Lantmannen is the largest agricultural cooperative with business both in Sweden and around the Baltic region. The association has up to 25 000 independent members. However, studies have shown that the growth of cooperatives may affect the trust and commitment of fellow members, as they feel further separated from the core decisions. In the latest years characterized by low profitability for agricultural firms, another form of collaboration has arisen. Producer organizations have been forming around Sweden, which often include a number of farmers in a local region who through collective negotiations try to lower prices on production factors and raise prices when selling grain. This type of collaboration between farmers that are members in Lantmannen could have a future impact on the Swedish grain market. This study aims to investigate and expand the understanding surrounding farmer's collaboration through producer organizations and local associations. This is analyzed through a framework of drivers and trust within a collaboration as well as trust and loyalty towards the cooperative the farmers are a part of.
The conclusion of this study shows that these collaborations have a financial and social effect on the respondents' farms, that trust is high and that the trust towards the cooperative is varied however, the loyalty and frequency of trade still is high.


This paper develops a synchronization-based scheme for calculating auto/cross ambiguity functions (AF/CAF) of the wide-band chaotic signals. In the direct implementation, the formulation of the time-scaling chaotic signals takes much computational load and its accuracy determines the quality of the calculated AF/CAF diagrams. By exploring the generation of the chaotic signal, it is found in this paper that the generalized synchronization theory can be used to produce its time-delay and time-scaling versions. With this theory, the AF/CAF diagrams can be accurately obtained. Numerical simulations show the performance of the proposed scheme


I don't think I will watch animation the same way again. Because the work illuminates the physics aspect of drawings, I will no longer enjoy cartoons so much as decompose them and make critiques on realistic motion. On the flip side, I now have greater appreciation for the artistry inherent good animation. For live action films, solid physics and related effects are a given and a lack thereof will garner the ire of critics and audience alike examples abound. Animation, however, has a bit of leeway in this regard. It is meant to be mimicry of real life to comic effect and physics is not necessarily on the mind of the audience, but as the work reflects, it is on the audience's mind. The cinematic quality of Disney animation sets it apart from all others, and with this is an understanding of motion.


86 world in technology development. From the perspective of communications and networking technologies, as well as associated algorithms, protocols, and controls, APL's efforts include providing the following: • Maximum wireless communication capability out of limited spectrum, especially in challenging communication environments, including intermittent and unpredictable link availability because of terrain, obstacles, weather, jamming, etc.; large delays in satellite-based communication and very large delays in interplanetary communication; and underwater acoustic communication • Reliable communication among highly mobile users with minimal infrastructure support • Very high data rates without the benefit of fixed optical infrastructure (e.g., between airborne platforms and between an airborne platform and a ground station) For several decades, researchers at APL have developed and applied expertise in communications technologies for the benefit of their government sponsors. Early focus was on satellite communication (SATCOM) and end-to-end network solutions for specialized combat systems. However, as wireless and optical communication and Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking stormed the commercial world during the last two decades, APL's sponsors began exploring ways to exploit advances in commercial communication and networking technologies to multiply force effectiveness. The concepts of network-centric warfare and the Global Information Grid were born. APL initiated a broad-based effort to help its sponsors address critical challenges in realizing the vision created by these concepts. Special focus has been on sponsors' needs that were not addressed adequately by the commercial technologies and on situations in which APL's sponsors must lead the commercial Communications and Networking Technologies: Guest Editors' Introduction


The case of a seven-years-old girl with features of Maroteaux-Lamy's pycnodysostosis associated with external genital envolvement is reported. Considering the apparent and gradual increase of the clinical traits in this condition, this case may represent some contribuition to its nosography. Additionally dermatoglyphs technique and analysis were done which peculiar results are discussed.


Existing studies of South Korean youth unemployment do not place focus on social reproduction, including the reproduction of labour power. This is despite youth unemployment in South Korea being often ascribed to oversupply of college graduates. The latter is a result of the college establish boom to meet clerical labour demand of South Korean capitalism during the era of rapid economic growth and (2) the scarcity of good jobs, which satisfies the standard of labour power reproduction. This paper, hence, introduces social reproduction as a core category in analysing youth unemployment in South Korea. It is argued that the lack of emphasis of social reproduction has resulted in insightful but fragmented analyses and misleading solutions. The paper outlines a combination of phenomena that characterises South Korean youth unemployment issue, such as the high tertiary education rate, higher unemployment rate of college graduates than that of high school graduates, low youth employment-to-population rate at a time of labour power shortage in some sectors and occupations. This paper explains these phenomena by focusing on how they have originated in the history of South Korean capitalist development and through which institutions or mechanisms they have been reproduced.


Objectives : The purpose of this cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the status of bowel health behaviors, prevalence of constipation and risk factors related to self-reported constipation in high school students. Methods: The study subjects were 1,882 students of six high schools located in a metropolitan city, who were selected by the accidental sampling from June to August, 2002. We analyzed the data by frequency analysis, chi-square test, and multivariate logistic regression using SPSS ver. 10.0. Results: The result of this study were summarized as follows: 1. A prevalence rate of self-reported constipation was 25.2%. A rate in male students was 13.4% and in female students 36.5%. 2. In regard to therapeutic behavior, 52.1% of study student with change in bowel habit had not find particular counsellor, 38.9% of the student had counselling with parents, 10.3% of students in constipation group had taken laxative medicine for treating the constipation, but 48.0% in normal group. 41.6% of the student in constipation group had a experience of rectal bleeding after defecation, but 23.7% in normal group. So constipation related symptoms distribution bad showed statistically significant difference between two group. 3. From the multivariate analysis by self-reported method, the risk factors related to the constipation were sex(female), experience of diet for weight reduction, absence of the breakfast and intake of vegetable more than 3 times per weeks. Conclusions: We had reconfirmed that we should improve eating habits to prevent and treat the constipation in a result of this study. Intervention that is target to girl students, abstain from weight reduction diet, regularity of taking meals, intake more vegetables, stress management should be provided to prevent the constipation especially in Korean high school students. Further prospective designed study are needed to establish the causal-effect relationship between so many risk factors with constipation.


Urinary tract infections (UTI) have a prevalence of 1% in boys and about 1-3% in girls. It is more common in boys under 1 year of age after which the incidence is higher in girls. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is synthesized in the skin epithelial cells and also obtained from diet. It has an important role in bone formation and deficiency of vitamin D leads to rickets in children. Objective: To determine the mean levels of vitamin D in children with first episode of urinary tract infection. Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Study was conducted at Department of pediatrics, Fauji Foundation Hospital Rawalpindi from 16th Nov, 2021 to 16th May, 2022. Materials and Methods: 50 patients fulfilling the criteria for first episode of urinary tract infection included. All patients age, gender, height and weight were noted. Samples were inoculated on culture media and were examined at 24-48hrs for colony counts and bacterial identification. All patients who were tested positive for urinary tract infection had their serum Vitamin D 25(OH) D3 levels done, a deficiency was defined as values of less than 25ng/ml. Data was entered and analysed in SPSS version 22.0 Results: Mean age (6.70+3.9) with ranges from 02 to 12 years and Mean height (cm) and weight (kg) were (121.76+31.58), (25.64+12.36) respectively. There were 12 (24.0) male and 38 (76.0) female patients who were included in the study according to the inclusion criteria. Mean vitamin-D levels in children with first episode of urinary tract infection in the study was (23.46+1.68). Mean vitamin-D levels in children with first episode of urinary tract infection in children ages 02-06 years was (23.36+1.36), whereas mean vitamin-D levels in children ages 7 – 12 years was (23.54+1.91), Mean vitamin-D levels in among male and female children with first episode of urinary tract infection was (22.83+1.26) ( 23.66+1.76) which was statistically not significant (p-value 0.139). Mean vitamin-D levels in children with first episode of urinary tract infection in children have height between 101 – 175 cm, was (23.50+1.18). Mean vitamin-D levels in children with first episode of urinary tract infection in children having weight between 21 – 50 kg was (23.63+1.88). Conclusion: The study concluded that average vitamin D deficiency was substantial among children with urinary tract infection. Keywords: Urinary tract infections. Vitamin D levels, E coli


The paper is intended to study the cultivated land stability and provide reference for cultivated land protection,based on the possibility of cultivated land conversion into construction land. This paper examines the cultivated land situation in Daxing district of Beijing in 2006. On the basis of natural,geographical,social and economic factors of cultivated land resource,an evaluation system was constructed by plot dimension and the stability grade of cultivated land was analyzed. The cultivated land in study area was classified by different stability grades and divided into different zones. The results show:(1) the cultivated land stability in Daxing district could be divided into four grades;(2) there are a total of 1861 unstable or relatively unstable cultivated land plots in Daxing,taking up 36.33% of total cultivated land;1703 relatively stable plots,33.25% of the total;and 1558 stable plots,30.42% of the total;(3) the unstable cultivated land plots in Daxing are mainly located in the north part of developed area,whilerelatively unstable plots are along the roads in belts;(4) basing on cultivated land stability evaluation,the cultivated land in Daxing was classified for protection from both macro and micro perspectives,which is beneficial to future cultivated land preservation.


Using the most rigorous approach of direct diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix constructed in the complete basis states (364 in number) of the Er3+ ion the observed magnetic susceptibility and anisotropy data of erbium sulphate octahydrate were simulated and the set of crystal field parameters was evaluated. This procedure automatically includes the effect of intermediate coupling and the J-mixing under the crystal field. It was also demonstrated that such rigorous calculation using complete basis states is necessary in order to evaluate the correct set of parameters which may wideJy differ from the values obtained from approximate calculations previousły performed using partial number of basis states of the ion concerned.


Correlations between the crystal structures of polymers consisting of the hydrogen-bonded molecular sheets and anisotropy of the linear compressibility (K0) of the crystal were studied at 20°C under hydrostatic pressures up to 6 kbar. For nylon-6, it was found that K0 is more than four times larger in the direction normal to the hydrogen-bonded sheet than in the parallel direction. The inversion of the sheet direction involved in the α → γ transition of nylon-6 was clearly reflected in the anisotropy of the linear compressibility. For atactic poly(vinyl alcohol), K0 in the c-axis direction was 1.6 times larger than that in the a-axis direction, which is consistent with a structure model with the hydrogen-bonded sheet parallel to the a-axis. Theoretical calculations by Tashiro et al. indicate, however, the anisotropy does not necessarily correspond to the sheet structure when the direction of the hydrogen bonds strongly deviates from the plane of the sheet.


Using the symmetric property of diffracted image rays generated from a 360° viewable disk-type multiplex hologram, we designed a stable optical system for holographic copying as a reflection hologram. The production of the master hologram and the design of a single-beam copying system for the fabrication of transfer holograms are described in this paper.


Background: Comfort is a positive result of effective care and is directly related to nursing science. Knowing the level of comfort of patients treated in psychiatry clinic will determine the level of meeting the needs of individuals and measure the effectiveness of the care provided. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine the level of comfort perceived by patients in psychiatry clinic of a hospital and the factors affecting their comfort levels. Methods: The study was conducted with 106 patients hospitalized in psychiatry clinic of a private hospital serving in Istanbul. Data; It was obtained with the Introductory Information Form and General Comfort Scale and evaluated by number, percentage, mean, t-test, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: In the study in which the general comfort levels of the patients included in the study were evaluated between 1-4 points, the general comfort level score average was 2.67 ± 15; When the General Comfort Scale total score was examined, it was found that the highest score was at the relaxation level with 2.84 ± 32 and the lowest score was at the relief level with 2.48 ± 31. When the sub-dimension scores are examined, the highest score is 3.31 ± 47 at the sociocultural dimension of relaxation; It was determined that the lowest score was 2.05 ± 45 at the physical level of relaxation. A statistically significant difference was found between the General Comfort Scale scores of the patients according to their length of stay. General Comfort Scale scores of patients with a hospitalization period of 11-15 days were found to be higher than those of other hospitalization periods. Conclusion: As a result of the research, the comfort level of the patients in the institution where the study was conducted was determined to be above the middle and it was suggested that appropriate interventions should be made to evaluate and increase the comfort level of the patients hospitalized in psychiatry clinics at certain intervals.


The work is aimed at demonstration of special methodical approach borrowed from natural sciences, and first of all soil science, to the description of palaeosoils of complicated multilayer barrows (like Bolshoy Ipatovsky kurgan, or BIK, in Stavropol krai). The main attention is paid to the soil stratigraphy of the kurgan, and, to a less extent, the reconstruction of palaeoenvironment. Practically immediately after the kurgan had been constructed, the natural processes began that affected the mound: the erosion, suffosion, soil formation, and diagenetic processes active at any artificial earthen construction in the steppe zone. The initial mounds and secondary ones comprised in complicated multilayer kurgans were constructed quickly, while the processes of transformation of mounds and ditches by the mentioned processes took relatively long time. It is necessary to discriminate between the following in description of the complicated kurgans, like BIK: 1 - secondary mounds and diluvium tails, 2 - the material of the mound, both affected by soil-formation processes and intact, 3 - the material of the mound changed by diagenetic processes, 4 - ditches and the zones of drainage. Taking into account the development of soil formation it becomes possible to evaluate the periods of time separating successive secondary mounds; the state of material in the mound and ditches points to the time when the mound was exposed on ground surface, and how fast the the ditch was filled with diluvium. The technology of constructing mounds and ditches can be reconstructed, as well as the knowledge and technological abilities of the builders. Specifics of soil formation on the mounds and in the ditches show the climatic characteristics and point to the intervals when climatic changes occurred.


The purpose of this study is shorten the process as a hybrid method development through the integration of Waterproof and Root layer method. winter construction and Speedy work is possible to dry method. And, we maximize the eco-friendly construction methods as lightweight artificial soil and vegetation unit manufacturing technology development. In particular, the development of a durable PE SHEET by reducing or omitting the plain concrete thickness is maximizing the green of the technology.


Physicians often treat alopecia areata with topical steroids, but there is a dearth of double-blinded studies to document the efficacy of such agents for this condition. In this study from Bangkok, investigators compared 0.25 percent desoximetasone cream with placebo.

Seventy patients applied desoximetasone cream or …


The study of Ottoman pottery centres has lately become a growing field of interest within Ottoman archaeology. Two types of pottery centers could be identified for the Ottoman era, one producing for intra- and interregional markets and the other only for intra-regional trade and consumption. The Çömlekçi Quarter in Trabzon is one of the most common examples of the latter. However, our archaeological information on the potters' workshops at Çömlekçi is completely lacking. This work examines the aspects of pottery production that once flourished in the Quarter of Çömlekçi in the light of Ottoman written sources and the narratives of Western travellers who visited the city during the 19th century. Available historiographical records help us to shed light on several aspects of pottery making at the Çömlekçi workshops, including the scale of production, the types of pots, how the pots were used, the architectural features of a potter's workshop, the identity of potters, and the distribution of finished products.


Abstract A study of the metabolism of the herbicide, Banvel-D-(2-methoxy-3,6-dichlorobenzoic acid), in a dairy cow is reported. At 5ppm in the feed no residues were detected in milk or feces. Excretion of the intact compound in the urine accounted for 73% of the total ingested. Analyses were made by electron affinity gas chromatography of the methylated herbicide acid.


Objective To study the antidepressant activities of Isoquercitrin on desperate rats model.Methods ICR Mice were randomly divided into control group,fluoxetine hydrochloride group,Isoquercitrin and Isoquercitrin mixture of different dose groups.The Frost Swimming Test(FST) and the Tail Suspension Test(TST) in mice were applied to evaluate antidepressant activitie.Results Compared with the control group,low dosages(0.3 mg/kg,3mg/kg) of Isoquercitrin and 10% Isoquercitrin mixture had significantly reduced the immobility time in the behavior tests(P0.01).Conclusions Low dosage of Isoquercitrin showed some antidepressant activities,which was related to antioxidative effect and inhibiting of adrenocortical hormones.


Landslides, which can cause significant losses of lives or property damages, result from several different environmental factors whose influences are very complex. Thus, the statistical multi-layer perceptron (MLP) and heuristic analytical hierarchy process (AHP) are employed in the evaluation of landslide susceptibility. However, the landslide susceptibility maps drawn by these two methods are always affected by subjectivity and randomness. In the present study, we introduce variable weight theory (VW) to improve the MLP and AHP methods, and two novel hybrid models, AHP-VW and MLP-VW, are respectively proposed. VW theory is used to redistribute the weights of the factors in the two constant weight evaluations. This is so that the weights of the factors change with different evaluation units, thereby eliminating the subjectivity and randomness problems. The landslide susceptibility maps of the study area were categorized into very low, low, moderate, high, and very high susceptibility grades. The landslide susceptibility maps of the four models are validated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The area under the curve (AUC) is 0.825 for the AHP model, 0.879 for the MLP model, 0.873 for the AHP-VW model, and 0.915 for the MLP-VW model. The results show that the landslide susceptibility map drawn by statistical MLP is better than that drawn by heuristic AHP, which is consistent with many other current research results. Furthermore, VW can significantly improve the performance of constant-weight single models. Landslide susceptibility maps drawn by the statistical MLP model hybrid VW can be used for regional land use planning and landslide hazard mitigation purposes.


We report the experimental resource-efficient implementation of the variational quantum eigensolver (VQE) using four-dimensional photonic quantum states of single-photons. The four-dimensional quantum states are implemented by utilizing polarization and path degrees of freedom of a single-photon. Our photonic VQE is equipped with the quantum error mitigation (QEM) protocol that efficiently reduces the effects of Pauli noise in the quantum processing unit. We apply our photonic VQE to estimate the ground state energy of He--H$^{+}$ cation. The simulation and experimental results demonstrate that our resource-efficient photonic VQE can accurately estimate the bond dissociation curve, even in the presence of large noise in the quantum processing unit.


Regional scores (e.g. strain, perfusion) of the Left Ventricle (LV) functionality are playing an increasing role in the diagnosis of cardiac diseases. A main limitation is the lack of normality models for complementary scores oriented to assessment of the LV integrity. This paper introduces an original framework based on a parametrization of the LV domain, which allows comparison across subjects of local physiological measures of different nature. We compute regional normality patterns in a feature space characterizing the LV function. We show the consistency of the model for the regional motion on healthy and hypokinetic pathological cases.


Drawing on Levelt's(1983,1989) classification of repair mechanisms in spontaneous speech,this paper attempts a detailed analysis of a small corpus of English-Chinese simultaneous interpretation(SI).The analysis supports Jones'(2002) and Petite's point of view that repairs in SI are not only for the correction of errors but also the decisions made by the simultaneous interpreter in view of the input,output and personal preferences.They reflect the ongoing monitoring of the quality of SI on the part of the simultaneous interpreter and his/her efforts to strike a balance between appropriateness and relevance and the fulfillment of the task at hand.


We present the data structures and algorithms used in the approach for building domain ontologies from folksonomies and linked data. In this approach we extracts domain terms from folksonomies and enrich them with semantic information from the Linked Open Data cloud. As a result, we obtain a domain ontology that combines the emergent knowledge of social tagging systems with formal knowledge from Ontologies.


What is the dialogue that will engage public citizens in recognizing – and participating in – a new era of nuclear energy? The basic elements of productive interaction are conversations that (a) create closure of the past, (b) initiate a new possibility, (c) support a dialogue for understanding, and (d) create new agreements for performance. These four elements can be assembled to construct a dialogue that will help people discuss, learn, and develop new ideas for a "nuclear renaissance", i.e., a time of new perspectives, a resurgence of learning, and greater intellectual awareness and expression regarding nuclear energy.


Because the distance between CCD camera and scenery is very far, the resolution of aero-image is not good. To abtain high resolution d igital image, the methods of interpolation are usually used. A method of magnify ing image based on two dimension discrete wavelet is introduced. In this paper, compared with traditional interpolation methods, it not only enhanced resolution of the aero-image, but maintained the detail character of the image. Experiment results have shown that it is good method for enhancing aero-image.


The experiment results showed that Ginaton Injection, composed of the extract of Folium Ginkgo, possessed the improvement on the action disturbance of higher cerebral function induced by cerebral blood depletion. In this experiment, 100 patients suffering from cerebral infarction were given Ginaton Injection by intravenous drip, 70mg per day for 2 successive treatment courses. The curative effect was satisfactory. The effective rate was 85%. And 50 patients suffering from cerebral infarction, as the control group, were given compound Danshen Injection by intravenous drip, 20ml per day. The curative results showed a significant statistic meaning. There were considerable differences in language, lower and upper extremity joints and combination function before and after treatment between treatment group and control group. According to the syndrome differentiation of traditional Chinese medicine, Ginaton Injection was particularly advisable for the patients with stagnation of blood circulation by qi deficiency or wind phlegm.


We reported a comparative study of bone mineral density (BMD) of the proximal tibia with age, sex, weight and height.We measured the BMD of the proximal tibia of 74 healthy men and 76 women from the 2nd to 8th decades, with dual photon absorptiometer, LUNAR DP3, using gadolinium 153.BMD of the proximal tibia decreased according to age particularly in women. Age-related decreases of BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar supine were also recognized. The linear regression coefficient of the proximal tibia on age was greater than that of other skeletal sites. The most relative factor of BMD of the proximal tibia was age in women and weight in men. And BMD at medial and lateral sides of the proximal tibia, which were the weight bearing area, was higher than that of central side, non-weight bearing area. The value of the BMD of the proximal tibia may be influenced by physical activity other than aging.


Analyzing the space-borne observation platform's line-of-sight measurement error (SOPLME) is of great significance for the improvement of the space-borne optical tracking system. In this regard, we consider the space-borne observation platform (SOP) as a multi-body system and build both the target imaging model from the inertial space to the optical camera image plane and the line-of-sight measurement model. The relationship between the SOPLME and the satellite's orbit error, attitude error, platform angular vibration error, inner and outer frame rotation error, and position quantization error of target image point is deduced theoretically. However, since there are many error sources and the modeling process is highly nonlinear, the amplification of the output range caused by the "wrapping effect" may occur when using the interval calculation method to analyze the output range of the SOPLME. To solve this problem, we propose a novel method of interval analysis by using statistical information. This method combines the convenience of interval representation with the high accuracy of probability calculation, which can effectively avoid the overestimation problem caused by the inherent "wrapping effect" of the interval calculation method. Firstly, we describe the parameters of each error source with the interval constructed by upper and lower bounds. Secondly, the optimal Latin hypercube sampling (LHS) matrix of error source parameters is designed by the quasi-optimization method. Then we use the Gaussian mixture model (GMM) to approximate the distribution function of the SOPLME. Finally, the output range of the SOPLME is estimated by Taylor expansion. The simulation test verifies the reliability of the model and interval calculation method in this paper. The simulation example shows that the proposed method can get a more reliable error output interval with less sampling amount, which is suitable for analyzing the dynamic process of the output interval of the SOPLME.


The main process leading to the destruction of the cast elements of gas-collection bell of electrolyzer, made of grey cast iron, is the oxidation of iron by oxygen, SO2 gas and sulfur vapors to form magnetite, hematite and pyrrhotin. The simultaneous formation of iron oxides and sulfides does not prevent further corrosion, since scale is formed with a loose structure that does not have protective properties. Reducing the length of the interfacial boundaries inside the material of the cast enables to reduce the rate of corrosion destruction, which can be achieved by modifying the cast iron to change the shape of graphite inclusions, i.e. obtaining high-strength cast iron with a spherical shape of graphite inclusions. However, the obtaining spherical graphite in cast iron using magnesium modification does not exclude the access of aggressive gases to the surface of the products and the possibility of their diffusion along the grain boundaries. It was shown that alloying can be an alternative, which leads not only to the exclusion of lamellar secretions of graphite in the structure of cast iron, but also to the formation of surface oxide layers based on the alloying element preventing the corrosion. Alloying with chromium gives cast iron high abrasive resistance due to the presence of a carbide component in the structure, as well as corrosion resistance due to the alloying of the metal base, heat resistance due to increasing the electrochemical potential of the metal base and creating a strong neutral oxide film on the surface of the castings, heat resistance, etc. An experimental comparative analysis of the corrosion resistance of cast iron used for manufacturing of gas collecting bell of electrolyzers showed that chromic cast iron ЧХ3 has a higher corrosion resistance than high-strength cast iron with spherical graphite ВЧ50 and much higher than grey cast iron with lamellar graphite. However, chromic cast iron ЧХ3 has low casting properties, is very sensitive to the cooling rate and has a large heterogeneity in structure, which makes it difficult to use it for the manufacture of gas collecting bell of electrolyzers.


Method of estimating optimal power supply performance parameters with comparison of two different power measurement data analysis methods is introduced. Application of estimating optimal infeed supply converter performance parameters for industrial DC microgrid with multiple DC supplied industrial manipulators and an spot welding process has been analyzed.


The article focuses on methods of teaching academic writing in Russia. Intrinsic motivation is the key to effective foreign language acquisition. The author examines factors that make motivation to use English for academic purposes (EAP) wane. The researcher suggests different solutions in the area of writing for academic purposes. They all stand within the learner-centered approach, and they are aimed at humanising the process of teaching academic writing. Additionally, they link students' interests with the real demands of the Russian policy in higher education and science. A teacher may resort to various sources of motivation, both global and situational, or task oriented: social demands, "intellectual curiosity" (showing future perspectives), professional achievements, and genuine communication with the readers' feedback. The author concludes that intrinsic motivation creates a unique educational environment which contributes to easier perception of academic writing numerous conventions.


Objective To explore the necessary for elderly individuals to immunize with pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent,antibodies of several isotypes and subclasses that specific to streptococcus pneumoniae capsular polysaccharide(CPS) in serum.Methods The specific antibodies in serum were measured in 85 health adults and 18 elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD) by indirect Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay(ELISA).Results The health adults were split into aged,meddle-aged and young groups.The level of IgA in aged group was not lower than other two groups in statistics(P0.05),the levels of IgM in aged group and middle-aged group were both significantly lower than that those in young group while it was opposite in the level of IgG4(P0.05).The differences of total IgG between elderly group and other two groups were no statistically significant(P0.05).The level of IgM in health individuals negatively correlated with age(r=-0.274,P0.05) while the level of IgG4 positively correlated with age(r=0.342,P0.05).The differences of all measured antibodies between elderly COPD patients and health aged person were no statistically significant(P0.05).Conclusions There is no significant decline on overall levels of the protective antibodies in serum of health aged individuals and elderly patient with COPD,so it does not support introducing pneumococcal vaccine polyvalent to those populations as common practice.


Policy analysts have not paid much attention to a Park-and-Ride (P&R) facility suitability model that is tailored for a small-sized metropolitan planning organizations (MPO). This paper proposes and describes such a model. The proposed model has two phases, and each phase requires different input data and generates different information of interest to MPO staff. Phase 1 produces information that allows MPO staff to narrow down to a few suitable areas to site the P&R lots. Phase 2 generates information to identify a manageable number of suitable parcels within the suitable areas that are most suitable for P&R lots. This model was implemented in a small-sized MPO in Iowa and proved to be effective.


Through to analysis of the journal literature of the domestic scholars research on"tourism talents cultivation" in thirty years,found that these studies showed fruitful,the integrity of the research system,the level of research subjects,research methods multi-perspective,Mainly concentrated in the tourism talents cultivation mode,way,direction,status quo,strategy,training target college curriculum and faculty these aspects,the difficulty of the tourism talents cultivation in Chinese Universities tourism personnel training of lies in the improvement of research methods,the widening of the field of study,The research results should be actively into applications these three areas in the future.


A new, flexible, gas barrier material has been synthesized by exfoliating organically modified nano-clays (MMT) in the blends of Surlyn (PEMA) using a copolymer of vinyl alcohol (EVOH) and demonstrated as a gas barrier material. The materials were characterized by Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) and UV-visible spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and tensile studies. The oxygen and water-vapor permeabilities of the fabricated films were determined by calcium degradation test and a novel permeability setup based on cavity ring down spectroscopy, respectively. Hierarchical simulations of these materials helped us to understand the effect of intermolecular interactions on diffusivities of oxygen and water molecules in these materials. Schottky structured poly(3-hexylthiophene) based organic devices were encapsulated with the fabricated films and aging studies were carried under accelerated conditions. Based on permeability test results and accelerated aging studies, the fabricated PEMA/EVOH/MMT composites were found to be effective in decreasing the permeabilities for gases by about two orders of magnitude and maintaining the lifetime of organic devices.


This paper presents the design of inchworm motor for high precision actuator system of large-displacement and high-force. The inchworm motor can realize the long stroke with high load capacity and resolution by clamping and extending sequences of the PZT. It can attain high resolution and high force from the accurate displacement of extension and contraction motion. The proposed inchworm actuator consists of two clamping parts on the top and the bottom side of the inchworm body, and one extension part in the middle of the actuator. The two clamping PZT are provide the holding force and the extending PZT is provide the displacement of tool guide. In generally, PZT has the low tensile strength and shear. Therefore, design of the inchworm motor has been focused on optimizing the pre-load housing mechanism to reduce the shear force. The preload also creates additional return forces to aid in the release of the clamping mechanisms. The detailed design of the pre-load mechanism was performed using finite element analysis. A prototypeof the inchworm motor was fabricated and tested with respect to the variations of the serial and parallel connection of the PZTs.


Accompany with the energy crisis and pollution, came the energy plant. "energy plant" has the characters of environmental protection, low cost, reproduction, safety and the stability. It is a part of the green world, and a valid ways to solve the world energy crisis and pollutio. It will bring the new hope to mankind economic societies sustained development.


Summary Grade I South African Pine timber is not equal to the best imported softwood timber: The object of this investigation is to determine whether South African timber superior to the present Grade I South African Pine can be produced economically. As the above may indicate a rotational age differing from that advocated by Dr. I. J. Craib it is discussed and accepted that the size of logs required and for the highest rate of interest earned on the investment determines the rotational age. Pinus radiata grown on first quality sites was selected as a sample for the investigation. As the required growth figures (diameter and height at various ages), were not available for relatively mature trees, the following data of Pinus radiata grown on first quality sites were used: (1) Measurements supplied by the Research Division of the Department of Forestry of trees in: (a) C.C.T. Sample plots, (b) Permanent Sample plots. (2) Stem analysis (by the writer) of sample trees from two small stands, more than 60 years...


Background: The use of computer-animated surgical instruments for various cardiac operations has been shown to be feasible, but to date, the available information regarding the operative and technical details of these procedures is still inadequate. Methods: We used the ZeusTM (Computer Motion Inc., Goleta, Calif, USA) telemanipulation system to perform the internal mammary artery (IMA) takedown in 56 patients, in 12 of whom we used the newest model with MicroWristTM (Computer Motion Inc., Goleta, Calif, USA) technology. Port orientation was based on thoracic anatomy, the decisive landmarks being the mammillary line and the axillary line. The distance between ports was at least 9 cm, and the patient's arm was positioned with the left shoulder raised and angulated by not more than 90 degrees. Results: Mean setup time was 44 ± 18 minutes for the first five patients and 16 ± 7 minutes for the last five patients, with an overall average of 24 ± 12 minutes. IMA harvest time at the beginning reached a mean of 95 ± 23 minutes and decreased to 44 ± 18 minutes in the last five cases. Average IMA takedown time was 58 ± 17 minutes. The IMA was patent with a good flow in all 56 patients. Conclusions: The introduction of robotic technology into clinical routine has resulted in safe procedures with a short learning curve. However, basic training in the modality is a must in order to achieve technical excellence. (J Card Surg 2003;18:1-5) Cardiac surgery was first practiced more than 50 years ago. Since then there has been vast experience in performing increasingly complex surgery on patients ranging from the newborn to octogenarians. The technical approach to most operations actually remained nearly unchanged in the last few decades, the heart-lung machine being the means of gaining access to the internal and external structures of the heart. Enormous efforts were made both by companies and surAddress for correspondence: Arndt-H. Kiessling, M.D., Klinik für Herzchirurgie, Herzzentrum Ludwigshafen, Bremserstrasse 73-D-67063 Ludwigshafen, Germany. Fax: 49 6215034060; e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com geons to improve the instruments and the skills needed to operate successfully. Extracorporeal circulation has been substantially reengineered, with the aim of improving biocompatibility, and has now reached a level of near perfection.1 Therefore, it is hardly surprising that something new had to become a focus of interest. Less than ten years ago2 the first cautious attempts were made to perform coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) without using a heart-lung machine. However, that was not a truly radical innovation since beating heart surgery is a relatively old approach in cardiac surgery, with the first off-pump coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) successfully completed by Kolessov,3 and subsequently performed 2 ISGRO, ET AL. J CARD SURG ROBOTIC SURGERY 2003;18:1-5 by Subramanian and others.4 Today, beating heart coronary revascularization is the technique undergoing the greatest development with very promising results in terms of early and late patency, low morbidity and mortality, and reduced hospitalization to corroborate the validity of minimally invasive techniques.5 At a certain point, however, the reduction in the length of incisions could go no further, and attention became focused on implementing endoscopic techniques for CABG and mitral valve surgery. Damiano, Reichenspurner, and colleagues introduced robotic-enhanced endoscopic internal thoracic artery (ITA) harvesting using a voice-controlled robot arm (AESOPTM) for the positioning of the endoscope, and they later were among the first cardiac surgeons to use a telemanipulator system (Zeus,TM Computer Motion Inc., Goleta, Calif, USA) for a totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB).6,7,11 Other techniques followed, pioneered by Mohr and colleagues and Loulmet, Carpentier, and colleagues, using a different robotic system with improved motion control and wrist technology (da Vinci,TM Intuitive Surgical, Mountain View, Calif, USA).8,9,10 At present, there is a steadily expanding number of cardiac centers that use one of these two robotic systems, and reports of the first clinical applications are encouraging.11-13 The latest development is the introduction of robotic technology in an operative setup that is orientated toward the least invasive manipulation during CABG. This procedure championed by Boyd13 and Vassiliades6 is called endoscopic atraumatic CABG. We have been using the ZeusTM telemanipulation system since November 2000. We are the first cardiac surgical unit worldwide to have used the completely redesigned system with MicroWristTM technology (Computer Motion Inc., Goleta, Calif, USA), permitting the free movement of instruments specially designed to enhance surgical performance. However, state-ofthe-art robotic equipment is not a guarantee of safe and successful operations. Moreover, training and education are crucial prerequisites for establishing robotic-enhanced operations as part of the clinical routine without the risk of early failure. In this regard, it is worthwhile to discuss a possible approach to this new operative procedure including the step-by-step transfer of lab experience to the operating room. MATERIALS AND METHODS During a nine-month period, beginning in November 2000, three out of five steps of a training protocol were elaborated. The first part of step one consisted of practicing simple movement patterns in the dry laboratory using a surgical glove for ten hours. The next stage of training comprised anastomosis of human vein segments to the left anterior descending artery (LAD) of 20 isolated porcine hearts from the slaughterhouse. System setup time, the duration of anastomosis, and patency were recorded for quality control. Step two, initiated in January 2001, saw the introduction of robotically supported ITA takedown and opening of the pericardium with subsequent localization of the LAD target vessel. A total of 56 patients undergoing elective coronary revascularization surgery were operated on using the ZeusTM telemanipulator system for the surgical instruments and AESOPTM as the voicecontrolled optic positioning system. Port orientation was based on thoracic anatomy, the decisive landmarks being the mammillary line and the axillary line. The distance between ports was at least 9 cm and the patient's arm was positioned with the left shoulder raised and angulated by not more than 90 degrees. In the last 12 patients we used the beta version of the new ZeusTM prototype with integrated MicroWristTM technology and improved 3-D visualization. Setup time, ITA takedown time, and ITA flow were recorded for each patient and stored in a database. For harvesting the ITA we used the HarmonicTM Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA) following insufflation of CO2 in the thoracic cavity with a pressure of 5 mmHg. Overlapping between the clinical application (step three) and the previous steps of the training protocol was initiated. Complexity of suturing a graft to the LAD in a moving operating field was practiced in a ventilatorassisted model for off-pump surgery (VAMOS). We used this animal-sparing model for 15 veinto-LAD anastomoses under "beating heart" conditions. Step four, which has already begun and which will be discussed in future publications, will comprise 15 ZeusTM ITA-LAD anastomoses in patients undergoing conventional bypass surgery. Following that will be the last practice step prior to TECAB, namely the open chest, beating heart suturing of the ITA to LAD in another ten patients. Step five of the training pyramid will start with J CARD SURG ISGRO, ET AL. 3 2003;18:1-5 ROBOTIC SURGERY


The unawareness of value-based performance measures when allocating investments could lead to destroying value. This paper presents comparison of three groups of performance measures being accounting-traditional measures, market-based measures and value-based measures with special focus on EVA Momentum calculated as (¦¤EVA / Trailing Sales). The study covers UAE stock exchanges from 2008 to 2013. A methodology is designed to determine the right transformation of panel data then deciding on the appropriate regression technique among Fixed Effects, Random Effects or Pooled OLS model. Advanced modeling techniques as Driscoll-Kraay and Prais-Winsten models are used to examine serial correlation and heteroskedasticity.


ABSTRACT As the Internet diffuses into the economy and firms adopt web advertising, firms have a need to understand current customer trends towards technology. Web advertising, only six to eight years old, is in its infancy and may not be fully understood by many advertisers. This paper suggests a deconstruction of web advertising's value chain that may lead to answers for advertiser–which may lead into question several standard methods of evaluating Web advertising, such as banner ads and intrusive pop-ups. The current challenges faced by the industry will cause Web-based advertising agencies to improve the ads they develop, and Web-based ads in the future promise to become more dynamic, interactive, and targeted. Major obstacles to overcome in the world of Web advertising include methods of measuring ad performance and the ethical issues associated with the gathering of customer information on the Web. Once these obstacles are addressed and ad technologies currently in development become more widespread, Web-based advertising will begin to meet its vast potential as an advertising medium.