Using protecting silyl groups, catalyzed transesterification, and stereochemically controlled S N 2 mechanisms examples of well-defined 2-, 3-, 6-, and 2,6-ethers, esters, resp. amino derivatives of cellulose, starch, and related polysaccharides have been synthesized and characterized by two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy. Supramolecularly structured polymer matrices useful in biosensors could be developed by immobilization of enzymes like glucose oxidase and aromatic redox-chromogenic structures at 6-deoxy-6-(4-aminophenyl)-aminocellulose. Cellulose tubes grown biotechnologically from D-glucose in the culture medium of Acetobacter xylinum represent novel types of artificial blood vessels because of their unique highly-swollen nanofiber network-structure.


Magnetic resonance studies of polyimide films thermally decomposed in flowing N2 at 520°C reveal the presence of two very different magnetic resonance spectra at room temperature. One spectra is a sharp temperature independent paramagnetic resonance line having a g value of 1.990, typical of a free radical. The other much broader line centered at lower field displays a marked broadening and shift to lower magnetic field as the temperature is lowered, characteristic of a ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) signal. Measurements of the AC susceptibility as a function of magnetic field strength confirm the existence of ferromagnetism at room temperature. Magnetic force microscope (MFM) imaging at room temperature show evidence of long thin ferromagnetic regions in the decomposed polymer.


Reference-based representation scheme achieves significant reduced dimensionality and better discriminability compared to using original image features. More specifically, a greater degree of diversity among the reference-set increases the probability that the descriptor of different images will be unique and well-spread in the data space while maintaining low redundancy. To ensure good diversity of reference-set, we study and compare five different methods to automatically construct the reference-set, including max-variation scheme, max-mean scheme, max-correlation scheme, min-correlation scheme, and affinity propagation algorithm to the task of scene categorization on some benchmark datasets. Extensive experimental results demonstrate that the proposed reference-set selection methods improves reference-based scene categorization method and outperforms state-of-the-art methods.


LGJ150/25 steel core aluminum stranded wires were selected as the test wires, and the aeolian vibrations which work in different cycle times of wire that is under the conditions of dry and acidic corrosion were simulated by the self-made test bed. The electronic number of corona discharge of each pre-set conductor was measured, when applying AC high voltage on the wearing wires step by step,so that the corona inception voltages of the conductors could be confirmed. And the effect of the vibration cycle times and environmental conditions on the corona discharge was researched. Taking the sum of all aluminium stands wear area of a pre-set wire as the fretting wearing capacity, the relationship between the wire wearing capacity and the corona discharge was studied. The results indicate that the corona inception voltages of the conductors decrease with the increase of the cycle times and the wires wear capacity. In general, the wear capacity of the acidic corrosion conductors is larger, and its corona inception voltage is lower. Therefore the decrease of the conductor fretting wear can effectively reduce the corona loss of transmission lines and other hazards.


Ready for launch by the end of 2016, the Doppler lidar mission AEOLUS from the European Space Agency (ESA) will be the first High-Spectral Resolution Lidar (HSRL) in space. Operating in the UV, it implements two detection channels for aerosol and molecular backscatter. The system is primarily designed for the measurement of winds, but the HSRL capability enables the measurement of the particulate backscatter and extinction coefficients without any a priori assumption on the aerosol type. The level-2A (L2A) processor has been developed for these measurements and tested with synthetic data. The results show good aerosol backscatter profiles can be retrieved. Extinction coefficients are reasonable but do not reach the quality of backscatter coefficients. A precise, full, radiometric calibration of the lidar is required. A major limitation of the system is a single polarization component of the light is detected leading to an underestimation of backscatter coefficients when the atmospheric particles are depolarizing. The vertical resolution goes from 250 meters in the lowest part of the atmosphere, to 2 km in the lower stratosphere. The maximum altitude can reach above 20km. The basic horizontal averaging is 90km. Averaging on shorter distances (down to a few km) are possible but require a sufficient signal to noise ratio.


Example la sketches the Tarnhelm motive from Das Rheingold as first heard; ex. lb sketches the modulating middle section of the Valhalla theme, again as first heard. For many years I had sensed some underlying relation between the two passages, without being able to put my finger on it. In my recent book, Generalized Musical Intervals and Transformations, I tried to work out a suitable relationship using networks of Klang transformations. Figure 1 reproduces figure 8.2 from the book.' There is a misprint: what is incorrectly written as "(G ,-)" on the left of figure la should be written as "(G ,-)." The bracketed harmonies on the figure are understood as interpolated transformational stages in the networks. LT signifies Riemann's Leittonwechsel transformation: the two notes spanning the minor third of a triad are preserved, while the third note moves a semitone to form a new triad of the opposite mode. The transformation SUBM makes a given triad the submediant in the key of the transformed triad. I was eager to assert SUBM between the opening and final harmonies of figure la; this made me assert B major, but not B minor, to be functional at the end of ex. la. (Wagner uses both major and minor harmonizations in the course of the Ring and Tristan.) In the book (p. 178), I say that exs. 2a and 2b "make visually clear a strong functional relationship" between the two passages, "a relationship which it is difficult to express in words." The relationship is difficult to express because the analysis is bad. It is bad for at least three methodological reasons that I can spot. Criticism (a): There is no point asserting "a strong relationship" without being able to 19th-Century Music XVI/1 (Summer 1992). ? by The Regents of the University of California.


Based on achievements and problems existed on teachers team construction,combined with requirements that the Construction Plan of National Demonstrating Higher Vocational Colleges demands,the paper puts forward countermeasures on how to develop teachers team,the team leader,dual-quality teachers and part time teachers in the Eleventh five-year plan,as well as some suggestion on the guarantee system.


The article is devoted to theoretical and methodological categorization and systematization of institutionally-procedural and politically-behavioral attributes and features of semi-presidentialism. The author identified at least two groups of causes and factors, i.e. exogenous and endogenous, that define and categorize semi-presidentialism: the actual content of a constitution, the combination of traditions and circumstances (exogenous causes and factors), the composition of parliamentary majority and the position of a president in relation to parliamentary majority (endogenous causes and factors). It was motivated that, within the same constitutional delineation, a specific semi-presidential country can be classified in practice, first of all in the cut of varying institutional rules and formal/actual powers of presidents, governmental cabinets/ prime ministers and parliaments. The researcher found out that taking into account the place and role of political institutions in inter-party competition and party hierarchy has a significant influence on this process. That is why semi-presidentialism was generalized as a system of government, which is comprehensively updated and taxonomied formally and actually. At the same time, it was recorded that semi-presidentialism uses specific hierarchical and transactional relations in the triangle "the head of state–governmental cabinet–parliament". Their combination affects the formal and actual positioning and taxonomy of different types of heterogeneous semi-presidentialism. It was generalized that semi-presidentialism is definitively and permanently characterized with: a restrained and moderate model of separation of powers and appropriate system of checks and balances; popular election of a president for a fixed term; the collective responsibility of a prime minister and a cabinet to a legislature; the actual "securitization" of a president from interference in his or her activities by other institutions and branches of state power; actual (or at least formal), but multi-step and different deconcentration or dualization of the executive between a president (the head of state) and a prime minister (the head of governmental cabinet); double or dual nature of the origin and implementation of the executive, but not a double or dual nature of the responsibility of the executive.


Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is a disease which affects the kidneys presenting with acute kidney injury (AKI), microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia (MAHA) and thrombocytopenia. In 90% of cases it is precipitated by shiga-toxin producing E coli [1]. The remaining 10% of cases have been termed atypical haemolytic uraemic syndrome (aHUS) and complement system overactivation is the underlying mechanism [2]. This can take the form of autoantibody production or complement gene mutations [2]. Eculizumab has been proven to significantly ameliorate disease progression [3]. In this series, we sought to explore the West of Scotland's experience with this ultra-rare population evaluating outcomes and access to therapies.

 This is a retrospective case series. We extracted data from the west of Scotland renal electronic patient records database Strathclyde Electronic Renal Patient Record ("SERPR") provided by VitalDataClient. We ran a query to identify patients in whom TMA and/or MAHA and/or HUS was inputted as a diagnosis. 363 patients were identified. Filtering for aHUS in the adult population, 22 patients were identified spanning 19 years.

 The incidence rate is 0.43/million of the population. 14 patients had either genetic mutations (n=13) or acquired antibodies. Genetic mutations: C3, n=5; Complement Factor H (CFH) n=5; Complement Factor I (CFI)+CD46 n=1; CFI alone n=1, variants of uncertain significance n=1. One patient with CFH mutation was positive for the nephritic factor; another with CFH mutation had detectable Factor H autoantibodies. The only acquired patient without a genetic mutation had Factor H autoantibodies. The mean levels of biochemical markers at presentation are: Haemoglobin (g/L) 72; Creatinine, (μmol/L) 603; Platelet count, (×109/L) 89; Lactate dehydrogenase (IU/L) 1853; and Total Bilirubin, (µmol/L) 30. Eculizumab is an available treatment for aHUS utilised in coordination with The National Renal Complement Therapeutics Centre. The outcomes of patients with and without genetic defects and/or antibodies, with the number in parenthesis denoting those who received Eculizumab, are listed below, stratified by CKD staging. Those with identifiable genetic/acquired defects: Recovered 2(2); CKD3 3(3); CKD4 1(0); CKD5 1(0); Renal replacement therapy dependent 7(6)*. Total 14(11). Those with no identifiable defect: Recovered 2(2); CKD3 2(0); CKD4 0; CKD5 0; Renal replacement therapy dependent 4(3)**. Total 8(5). *4 of the 6 have successfully functioning transplants. **Of the 3 patients who received Eculizumab, 2 had a brief trial. The third received it after transplantation but the transplant failed.

 It is clear from the above data that long term renal outcomes are poor for these patients with the majority being left with residual impairment to some degree. Furthermore, in those for whom transplantation is being considering, it is imperative that Eculizumab is introduced, if already withdrawn, to cover transplantation and is maintained to prevent recurrence in the new organ. Even in those without RRT requirements, use of the C5 inhibitor is necessary to stabilise and allow for recovery of at least some native function. Therefore, clinicians in encountering MAHA and TMA in their practice should always consider aHUS and liaise with the Newcastle centre promptly to ensure diagnostics are sent and treatment can be commenced, otherwise the outcomes can be catastrophic.


Genotoxicity assessment is an important process to keep human and animal health and aims to identify the safety of many kinds of substances. There are many in vitro mutagenicity prediction tests. The recent in vitro/in vivo genotoxicity assays and accepted common test methods may give critical information for the assessment of genotoxic and probable carcinogenic potential of suspected substances. Micronucleus (MN), MN-FISH, MN-based flow cytometry analysis done alone or done with chromosome instability assays and/or comet assay are some of assays that may be used to assess clastogenic and aneugenic effects of substances like pesticides, food additives, pharmaceuticals, chemicals used in cosmetics, veterinary drugs and living organisms like bacteria or virus. In this mini-review, the studies about the tests mentioned above are included. In summary, MNbased genotoxicity tests and accepted common test methods may provide important information for the assessment of genotoxic and probable carcinogenic potential of suspected substances.


A macro scanning camera system generates a large image format using a moving linear or array sensor scanning the image plane. Such scanning systems offer a very high resolution connected with moderate costs in comparison to full format high resolution digital cameras. An obvious deficit of the camera concept is the fact that image acquisition takes some time, limiting the concept to static applications. In addition, the accuracy potential is limited by mechanical parts involved in the image formation process. In the paper the scanning system Scan 5000 (Figure 1), made by Pentacon (Germany), will be presented and its accuracy will be investigated in detail. The system comprises a linear RGB CCD-sensor with 8192 pixel per colour, moving through the image plane in 12000 steps. In this way it simulates a 94 megapixel 24-bit RGB array sensor and represents a very suitable tool for applications in the field of architectural photogrammetry and cultural heritage documentation. The camera offers the potential to substitute analogue large format cameras, which are still frequently used in this field. The paper will concentrate on the question whether the high resolution of the camera is accompanied by an appropriately high accuracy. For this purpose multiple images sets of a 3D test field were captured and processed in a bundle block adjustment. The results will be presented and analysed. In addition, the test field was captured with the digital 14 megapixel array sensor camera Kodak DCS Pro 14n in order to compare the geometric accuracy potential of the line scanning camera with that of a full frame digital camera. It was found out that – despite the different sensor size of 14 vs. 94 megapixel – the area sensor camera shows a slightly better accuracy potential. However, the Scan 5000 allows recognizing very small details due to its high resolution and is therefore particularly suitable for applications, where image interpretation and interactive measurement is required. Figure 1. Line scanning camera Pentacon Scan 5000 1. CAMERA PENTACON SCAN 5000


The rate of amino acid incorporation into the mouse retina proteins was measured in dynamics of dark adaptation and at different terms of their stimulation by light. It was found that variations in dry weight of the ganglion retinal cells and in the incorporation of amino acids into their proteins occurred rhythmically, with the period of about one hour.


PURPOSE: A shampoo composition reduces physical stimulation applied to scalp and hair, removes contamination from scalp and hair without using water, and makes hair quickly dried. CONSTITUTION: A shampoo composition includes a contamination-removing powder, a thickener, and a solvent. The contamination-removing powder is one or a mixture of two or more selected from monosaccharide, polysaccharide, silicon-based, siloxane-based, and acrylate-based copolymer, acryl-based polymer, amide-based polymer, vinyl-based polymer, urethane-based polymer, and cosmetic natural minerals. The amount of the powder included is 0.01-10 wt% based on the entire shampoo composition. The tackifier is one or a mixture of two or more selected from bentonite, clay, silica, acryl-based polymer, vinyl-based polymer, cellulose, and gum.


This contribution covers four aspects of the topic. First, I would like to develop some anthropological reflections on the understanding of digital culture and show how comprehensively digital culture determines our self-image. Then I would like to present key findings on how young people deal with digital culture in seven countries. The results show how strongly the environment of young people is determined by digital culture and artificial intelligence. I shall also show how important learning machines or robots are in key areas of society and what developments looming here. Finally, I would like to examine the extent to which there is an inherent dynamism of digital culture and learning machines connected with the dynamics of industrialization and globalization in the Anthropocene, which is always about acceleration, control and the optimization of rational processes. Then I would like to raise the question whether learning machines, "deep learning", artificial intelligence and digital culture can contribute to a less violent relationship of man to nature, to the other and to oneself and promoting education for sustainable development. With a focus on artificial intelligence to correct the global aberrations of the Anthropocene, numerous new anthropological and ethical issues are raised.


For digital inkjet inks, particle size analysis is important to ensure proper jetting of the ink through the printer head and is an indicator of color development and transparency. The measurement of particle size of pigments in the nanometer range, such as those used in inkjet inks, brings with it a number of challenges. In this paper, the authors briefly review particle size measurement methodologies and will specifically address the challenges faced by formulators and analysts when making these measurements. In order to obtain meaningful information, one must understand the measurement principles and limitations of the methodology selected, the criticality of sample preparation, and understand the measurement parameters and variables and how they can affect the results. Examples will be used to illustrate the potential impact of many of these variables and recommendations will be offered to assist formulators and analysts collect valid data from which meaningful information can be drawn.


.................................................................................................................... iv Glossary ................................................................................................................. viii 1 Motivation – Platinum and its role in the renewable energy concept ................. 1 1.1 Electrochemical conversion of energy from renewable sources ............................... 2 1.2 Stability – the challenge for Pt catalysts in electrochemical energy conversion ...... 3 2 Importance, aim and general approach of the study ........................................... 5 2.1 Political-economical aspects and perspectives ............................................................. 5 2.2 Brief overview on platinum dissolution and open questions ..................................... 7 3 Theoretical background and literature review ..................................................... 9 3.1 Electrode reactions ........................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Anodic corrosion of metals ........................................................................................... 10 3.3 Electrochemistry of platinum ....................................................................................... 12 3.3.1 Oxide layer ............................................................................................................... 13 3.4 Dissolution of platinum ................................................................................................. 17 3.4.1 Polycrystalline surfaces ........................................................................................... 17 3.4.2 High surface area Pt catalysts ................................................................................ 20 3.4.3 Structural changes ................................................................................................... 22 3.4.4 Theoretical model ................................................................................................... 23 4 Technical background ....................................................................................... 25 4.1 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) .................................. 25 4.2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy .............................................................................. 27 4.3 Scanning Kelvin Probe microscopy ............................................................................. 27 5 Automated system development – from design to implementation ................. 29 5.1 Hardware – between commercial and custom solutions .......................................... 30 5.1.1 Rotating Disc Electrode (RDE) ............................................................................ 30 5.1.2 Scanning Flow Cell system (SFC) ......................................................................... 31 5.1.3 Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) .......................... 34 5.2 Software development .................................................................................................... 35 5.2.1 Software architecture – modular approach ......................................................... 35 5.2.2 User interface – friendly and efficient design ..................................................... 37


This work aims at contributing with a structured parallel programming abstraction for Rust in order to provide ready-to-use parallel patterns that abstract low-level and architecture-dependent details from application programmers. We focus on stream processing applications running on shared-memory multi-core architectures (i.e, video processing, compression, and others). Therefore, we provide a new high-level and efficient parallel programming abstraction for expressing stream parallelism, named Rust-SSP. We also created a new stream benchmark suite for Rust that represents real-world scenarios and has different application characteristics and workloads. Our benchmark suite is an initiative to assess existing parallelism abstraction for this domain, as parallel implementations using these abstractions were provided. The results revealed that Rust-SSP achieved up to 41.1% better performance than other solutions. In terms of programmability, the results revealed that Rust-SSP requires the smallest number of extra lines of code to enable stream parallelism.


V.W.-W. Yam, K.M.-C. Wong: Luminescent Molecular Rods - Transition Metal Alkynyl Complexes.- D.K. James, M. Tour: Molecular Wires.- C. Chiorboli, M.T. Indelli, F. Scandola: Photoinduced Electron/Energy Transfer Across Molecular Bridges in Binuclear Metal Complexes.- E.A. Weiss, M.R. Wasielewski, M.A. Ratner: Molecules as Wires: Molecule-Assisted Movement of Charge and Energy.- F.C. Grozema, L.D.A. Siebbeles, G.H. Gelinck, J.M. Warman: The Opto-Electronic Properties of Isolated Phenylenevinylene Molecular Wires


As a major component of the national innovation system,universities occupy pivotal positions in technological innovation,development of high-tech industries and technology transfer.In this paper,combining with Bootstrap-DEA method,we use the relevant data of the 24 universities in China to evaluate and analyze the efficiency of university technology transfer.On this basis,we apply panel Tobit model to test the factors such as regional endowments,the degree of financial development,and industrial structure which affect the technology transfer.The empirical results show that,in 2001 and 2002,there are significant differences in technology transfer efficiency between the western and the eastern regions,however,there is no significant difference between the west and central regions,also between the eastern and central regions.In 2008 and 2009,there are significant efficiency differences among the three regions.Regional endowments and industrial structure has a significant impact on university technology transfer efficiency,whereas the impact of financial development is not significant.


This paper analyzes the problems in P. E. curriculum in colleges and universities of China. In the following parts, a curriculum system suiting the needs of the knowledge economy era is constructed with the aim of providing essential reference for the P. E. reformation and development.


Terror acts always begin with the cultivation of radicalism. For this reason, it is necessary to take preventive measures to block the spread of these radicalisms. One form of radicalism that needs to be watched out for is social radicalism. Religious radicalism has recently shown an increase. This activity aims to foster a preventive attitude in order to counteract the streams of radicalism in the people of the Gunungpati District of Semarang City against the streams of terrorism and radicalism and provide input to the government regarding the forms of action that must be taken in order to provide legal protection for the people of the Gunungpati District of Semarang City against religious sects. -terrorism and radicalism. This activity is in partnership with the Ats-Tsaqofah Semarang Foundation as a community empowerment institution, especially in the development of religious morals for community members. The method used in the activity is the lecture and dialogue method, as well as focused discussion. In addition, the brainstorming method from the audience will also be used, as an effort to extract their initial knowledge about terrorism and radicalism. From this activity, it is hoped that preventive attitudes will grow to counteract the streams of radicalism that enter society.


A practical framework for evaluating the ethical dimensions of a proposed course of action for managers and executives. Learning Objective: To teach ethical decision making for business decisions.


The toughest of all car segments is probably the entry level. You need to find a safe, economic, robust car with the sportiness to impress and yet the frugality to remain economical to run.


Self-organizing nematic liquid crystals (LCs) impart their orientational order onto dispersed carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and obtain CNT-self-assembly on a macroscopic dimension. The nanotube-long axis, being coupled to the nematic director, enables orientational manipulation via the LC nematic reorientation. Electric-field-induced director rotation of a nematic LC+CNT system is of potential interest due to its possible application as a nanoelectromechanical system. Electric field and temperature dependence of dielectric properties of a LC+CNT composite system have been investigated to understand the principles governing CNT assembly mediated by the LC. In the LC+CNT nematic phase, the dielectric relaxation on removing the applied field follows a single-exponential decay, exhibiting a faster decay response than the pure LC above a threshold field. The observed dielectric behaviors on field cycling in the nematic phase for the composite indicates an electromechanical hysteresis effect of the director field due...


Industrial growth has increased the volume of wastes generated from energy production, mining, industrial processes and civil works. For economic and related reasons, the use of waste materials in construction as partial or full replacements for conventional geomaterials has increased. This proceeeings, Utilization of Waste Materials in Civil Engineering Construction, consists of papers that discuss policy issues, current practices, performance requirements, engineering characteristics and the potential uses of a wide variety of waste materials in geotechnical systems, highway pavements and construction products. Among the waste materials covered are: 1) Incinerator ash; 2) flue gas desulfurization sludge; 3) coal mine waste; 4) microsilica; 5) rubber tires; 6) phosphogypsum; 7) carbide lime waste; and 8) sewage sludge.


The history of scientific and educational activities of the Kola Science Centre RAS in the 1930-1940, when the foundation for future research on the history of academic science was laid, is presented on the basis of archival documents review in the article.


Due to the advantages of easy recovery and low cost,supported photocatalyst has great potential application in the photocatalytic field. In this paper,types of photocatalyst supported on the surface of attapulgite,preparation and characterization,methods to increase catalyst activity and application were summarized. The existing problems so far and prospects of photocatalyst supported on the surface of attapulgite were also addressed.


Background and Objective: The development of the COVID-19 pandemic makes it necessary to conduct various studies on this topic. One of the key questions is the study of the dynamics of the development of this disease. It is important to know for each country. At the same time, the study of the dynamics of the development of COVID-19 for countries in a particular region is relevant. The main objective of this study is to analyze the main indicators of the development of the COVID-19 epidemic for individual countries in the eastern Mediterranean.abbreviations if possible. Materials and Methods: We review statistics that characterize the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19, total number of recovered, total number of deaths. This is cumulative data. These data are considered for each individual country from the selected region. Also summarized data for the selected region are considered. To analyze the data, we use estimates of the wavelet coherence values. Results: We obtained estimates of wavelet coherence values for countries such as: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Turkey and Cyprus. These estimates reflect the depth of the relationship between total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and total number of recovered, between total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 and total number of deaths. This makes it possible to assess the degree of influence between the series of data that are being investigated. This allows us to draw conclusions about the development of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: The results are obtained that explain some aspects of the dynamics of the COVID-19 pandemic in individual countries of the selected region


This paper describes a scheme for providing low-level control of a multi-link serial manipulator. The goal was to achieve adaptive behavior without making assumptions about the environment. This report describes research done at the Artificial Intelligence Laboratory of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Support for the laboratory's artificial intelligence research is provided in part by the Advanced Research Projects Agency of the Department of Defense under Office of Naval Research contract NOOO14-75-C-0643. Digital Control of a 6-Axis Manipulator


It is considered that encorders which are used for positioning control of motors representing Linear motors are improving on the resolution year by year in order to obtain higher positioning accuracy.However, increasing the resolution and increasing the traveling speed are contradicted each other due to the characteristic of encorders. In general, when the resolution is pursued, traveling speed has to be sacrificed.To overcome this problem we represent the high resolution technology for encorders which is compatible with high speed response and not affected by various speeds. And we also represent new method of rectifying positioning errors which enable us to obtain high accuracy relating with high resolution of the encorder.It is considered that these newly introduced methods can be utilized for high speed positioning control which is represented by a Linear motor drive.


Protection systems against ship collision are studied in the first report for this thesis. Based on this initial study a number of 10 protection systems for bridge piers at deepwater (>100 m) are developed. As an example a proposed bridge pier for a bridge over the Strait of Gibraltar with a foundation depth of 300 m is chosen. The major problems are to absorb the enormous amount of energy of vessels up to 400.000 dwt which passes the Strait and the foundation depth of 300 m. Based on these conditions a few protection structures against ship collision are proposed. By using a selection matrix one of these is chosen for further study.


The article analyses problems of origin of public organizations of Islamic clergy of Volga and Pre-Ural area, and mainly concentrated on structure and activities of the All-Russian Union of'ulamahs (20 July 1917).


A new technique for feline carbon dioxide laser onychectomy can further minimize postoperative pain and complications in any age animal. This procedure is accomplished by resection of the redundant epidermis over the ungual crest. Resection of the redundant epidermis allows complete dissection and removal of the claw from a strictly cranio-dorsal approach, thereby minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissues and post- operative complications. The laser setting is preferred at four to six watts continuous power. The epidermis of the ungual crest is resected in a circumferential manner at its most distal edge. This tissue is pushed proximally over the ungual crest. A second circumferential incision is made 3 mm proximal to the first incision. Deeper subcutaneous fascia is also pushed proximally over the ungual crest. An incision of the extensor tendon is made at its insertion on the ungual crest keeping the redundant epidermis proximal to this incision. The incision through the extensor tendon is continued deeper to the synovium of PII and PIII. Gentle traction in a palmar direction will disarticulate the joint space between PII and PIII. Incisions into the lateral and medial collateral ligaments from a cranio-dorsal origin in palmar direction further disarticulate the joint. Care must be exercised to preserve all epidermal tissue lying immediately adjacent to the collateral ligaments. Continual palmar traction will expose the base of PIII and the insertion of the flexor tendon. A dorsal incision is made into the flexor tendon in a palmar direction. Extreme palmar rotation of PIII will allow the dissection of the subcutaneous tissue of the pad from PIII. The redundant epidermal tissue will now cover the majority of the onychectomy site. No sutures or tissue adhesive are advised.


Comrade Mao Ze - dong was always attaching great importance to the issues of agriculture, rural areas and farmers. After the foundation of the P. R. C . , according to the condition of the history, he guided the farmers to take the road to mutual aid and cooperation in good time, and started the course of agricultural modernization. Basing on this, he pointed out that the fundamental way out for agriculture lies in mechanization, moreover, he drew up a plan of rejuvenating the agriculture through science and technology. Meanwhile, he also conducted plenty of hard exploration about how to accomplish agricultural modernization in China,such a large country being backward in both economy and culture, and left a great deal of valuable experience for us.


The surface moisture of the ground is an important parameter to describe the exchanges of water and energy between the ground and the atmosphere. Studies have showed that passive microwaves sensors could be used to scan the moisture of surface of the grounds. The solution which has been retained by the team associated with mission SMOS ( Soil Moisture and Ocean Salinity) consists in using a radiometer (1.4 GHz) in order to improve the knowledge of the microwaves emissions of the grounds. Thanks measurements it is possible to know an equivalent permittivity of the measured grounds. However, the effect of the cover of vegetation, the temperature of the ground, the snow cover, the topography or the variations of moisture have a considerable role in the microwave emission of the surface. The objective of this work which we present in this paper is to develop a numerical model to simulate complex geological structures. The goal of this model is to characterize these geological structures by calculating their equivalent permittivity in order to be able to associate each measurement of the radiometer to an equivalent moisture.


SIGOP STANDS FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL OPTIMIZATION PROGRAM; IT IS USED FOR OPTIMIZING THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL SETTINGS BY MINIMIZING DELAYS AND STOPS AND PRESENTING THE RESULTS AS A SYSTEM COST. THE ARTICLE DESCRIBES AN EXPERIENCE IN MODESTO, CALIFORNIA, USING SIGOP, BASED ON THE "TRAFFIC SIGNAL OPTIMIZATION COMPUTER PROGRAM USER'S MANUAL", 1968.


Objective To explore the reformation of urban basic medical insurance system by reforming the assistance methods for outpatient treatment expenses of chronic diseases in patients enjoying urban basic medical insurance.Methods The advantages and disadvantages of the reform on the assistance methods for outpatient treatment expenses of chronic diseases were analyzed by comparing their effects.Results The new assistance method better adapted to the current needs of China's urban medical insurance reform,and had won the approval of many patients with chronic diseases.Conclusion We should perform and deepen continually the reform of assistance methods,adapt to the new development of medical insurance business,and increase the work efficiencies of medical insurance management.


"A Malaysian Journey" is written by Rehman Rashid, a Malaysian Bumiputra, born in Taiping (p 25), whose father is of Arab –Indian parentage while his mother is from a Tamil –Eurasian parentage (p39-41). The text describes two journeys, the first being a physical journey that Rehman Rashid, the writer himself undertakes upon his return home to Malaysia, while the second journey is an emotionally critical, highly personal, expressive and hopeful journey on Malaysia's pre and post independence history and its impact on the him as an individual and on the multiethnic Malaysian society. Both journeys, however, attempt to introduce readers to the social matrices, politics, religion (practiced by the majority) and culture of Malaysians. The goals are here to challenge reader's existing socio-political perceptions on pre and post independent Malaysia and to shape writer's own discernment and consciousness on his social cultural background.


Describes the new generation of satellites that EUTELSAT is planning to introduce as a replacement of its current second generation of satellites. Information is provided on the choices which have been made on the technical characteristics of its satellites, and indicates the status of procurement and schedule associated with the different programmes. EUTELSAT ordered two different families of spacecraft for the continuity and growth of its services. The first is the HOT BIRD family, optimized for high power analogue and digital television transmissions, deployed at 130 degrees East, the orbital position dedicated to entertainment programmes. The second family, presently called the EUTELSAT III W24 satellites, is optimized for a range of telecommunications services.


Pir Ali Muhammad Rashdi was an eminent Politician, literary figure, writer, journalist and a biographer, born in 15th August 1905 and died on 14th March 1987۔ He wrote more than one thousand articles in several News Papers like Jang, Wagan, Al-Rashid, Sindh Zamindar etc and he produced more than twenty books like Uhee Denhin Uhee Shenih and Cheen jee (diary), Now I want to critical view on his articles that were published in Daily Jang from 1964 to 1968, and they are selected۔


The period 1958–1962 is seldom considered a memorable era for British popular music. Commentators have tended to view it as an uneventful "interim" period, bridging the gap between the emergence of rock and roll in the mid-fifties and the rise of the Beatles in 1963. The music of this era is usually characterized as "dull" or "bland," no longer appealing primarily to youth. This article examines the cultural circumstances which gave rise to such a perception, and presents a reappraisal of this much-maligned era in which rock-and-roll music transformed into an eclectic entity which became known as "beat."


This paper reviews how work strategies and skills differ in a transformational labour market by describing and discussing findings from a transitional study (2014- ). This initiative arose from a strategy developed by members of the E-skills Observatory of Information-Documentation Sector and teachers from NOVA University on the development of information management and curation competencies in Portugal.
The aim of this study is to explore the extent to which librarians consider the actual transformational labour market have already impacted on their professional roles, competencies and individual development. A range of case studies/narratives/stories from professionals provided part of the evidence base for this research. Data was also collected from written documentation at events and focus groups. Thus, we incorporated not only the perspectives of current professional, but also former ones, analyzing early-, mid- and later-career transitions.
The findings presented in a model of transitions reflected the importance of training more transferable skills through the life course and strategies of career management (adaptability, positivity, action-taking, networking) that facilitate their transitional process.


Objective To study the application of individual three-dimensional digital manikin (3D-DM) in endoscopic anatomy of petroclival region via subtemporal keyhole approach , and to investigate its value in clinical application. Methods 10 adult cadaveric heads (20 sides) after perfused were scanned by CT. The images were imported to 3Dview software and reconstructed individual 3D-DM. Day rhombus were oriented and then the related anatomic structure distance were measured. The petroclival region and adjacent structures were proceed endoscopic anatomy in 3D-DM-assistance by subtemporal keyhole approach ,the visions and data between 3D-DM and endoscopic anatomy were compared. Results The images of 3D-DM were clear and vivid. The data was not significant different between approach related measurement and endoscopic anatomy. The internal auditory canal could be accurately located by combined anatomic landmarks such as the foramen spinosum ,foramen ovale,arcuate eminence, geniculate ganglion, malleus, eustachian tube, greater superficial petrosal nerve and so on. The upper-middle clivus structure could be fully exposed through subtemporal keyhole approach ,after removal of petrous apex bone. Conclusions 3D-DM can be used to simulate bone window formation of petrous apex preoperatively ,which can improve the accuracy and security of the surgery. The combined anatomic landmarks can improve the accuracy of intraoperative localization of the internal auditory canal. Through the endoscopic subtemporal keyhole approach , the structures of the upper-middle clivus can be fully exposed.


FIELD: biochemistry. SUBSTANCE: disclosed is a material for cultivation or eukaryotic cell delivery. Material comprises plant derived, mechanically disintegrated cellulose nanofibres and/or derivatives thereof, in a form of a hydrogel or membrane in a wet state. Diameter of cellulose nanofibres or nanofibre bundles in cellulose nanofibres and/or derivatives thereof is less than 1 mcm, preferably less than 200 nm, more preferably less than 100 nm. Material is obtained by mixing plant derived, mechanically disintegrated cellulose nanofibres and/or derivatives thereof with water. Also disclosed is a cell culture or cell delivery matrix, comprising living cells and said material, forming a hydrogel, wherein cells are present in said matrix in a three-dimensional or two-dimensional arrangement. To perform cell culturing, method includes contacting obtained cells with matrix forming material, wherein cell culturing occurs in a three- or two-dimensional arrangement. Also disclosed is use of said material for laboratory and/or industrial purposes as a medium or component of medium for storage of cells in vitro. EFFECT: group of inventions provides stability of cells in a matrix, as well as homogenous distribution thereof in said matrix. 22 cl, 15 dwg, 11 ex


The last decade has seen tremendous advances in the field of semiconducting-polymer optoelectronics as a result of a concerted chemistry, physics and engineering effort. For example, ink-jet-printed full-color active-matrix thin-film display prototypes with semiconducting polymers as the active layers have already been demonstrated. The key advantages of this technology lie in its full-color capability, scalability to both large-area and micro- displays, as well as low-cost associated with simplicity and solution processability. In a number of related inorganic device technologies, the control of optical properties using photonic structures has ben crucial to the performance of the devices. In principle, polymer devices can also benefit from such control if appropriate polymer optical building blocks that retain the processing advantages can be found. Here we will show that the refractive index of poly(p- phenylenevinuylene) (PPV) can be tuned over remarkable ranges from 1.6 to 2.7 at 550-nm wavelength by dispersing 50-angstrom-diameter silica nanoparticles into its matrix. This is achieved without incurring significant optical scattering losses. Using these semiconducting-polymer composites, we have demonstrated efficient distributed Bragg reflectors in the green spectral region from relatively few periods of quarterwave stacks of the high- and low-index materials. Controlled chemical doping of these photonic structures fabricated polymer microcavity light-emitting diodes in which current is injected through the polymer DBR with adequate confinement of photons and electron-hole pairs. We have also fabricated photo pumped all-polymer microcavity structures.


A genetic algorithm system is described which builds on an existing implementation for modifying the parameters of a software-based guitar synthesizer in real time. The current version replaces the standard linear genome with a hierarchical arrangement of genes on a tree structure. Different tree topologies organize into different species; methods for breeding and modifying species are described.


In recent years, the requirements of power system for load monitoring in the substation area are increasing. Aiming at the problem of abnormal load identification under the background of unknown household appliances load, this paper proposes a non-invasive on-line identification method for charging load of electric vehicles based on AOA-SVM. Firstly, the multi-dimensional features are sorted and screened by reliefF algorithm to get the optimal feature subset. Then, the arithmetic optimization algorithm (AOA) is used to optimize the parameters c and gamma of the support vector machine, and the AOA-SVM classifier is obtained. Finally, the anti-jitter mechanism is used to filter out the false alarm events and accurately identify and detect the charging load of electric bicycles at home. The real data obtained in the low-voltage area are used for experimental verification, and the experimental results prove that the method in this paper has good applicability and accuracy under the background of unknown household appliance load.


Zhuliangomyces pakistanicus is described and illustrated as a new species from Pakistan based on morphology and phylogeny. It is characterized by a depressed sticky creamy white pileus, an ixo-trichodermal pileipellis with lageniform terminal elements, a glutinous stipe, and obovoid smooth basidiospores. Phylogenetically, this is a distinct species compared to all other species of Zhuliangomyces .


The paper describes the power system performance improvement initiatives which the UK's South Western Electricity (SWEB) have undertaken in the last two years. On a comparative basis, SWEB are showing the biggest improvements of all the UK's Regional Electricity Companies with a 45% reduction in average minutes lost and 28% overall reduction in interruptions to date. SWEB are determined that despite the difficulties of operating an electricity network in one of the most sparsely populated remote areas of the United Kingdom, they will continue to strive to keep their customers satisfied with the service that they provide.


Eight maize rice line, developed by low energy ion beammediated transferring maize DNA into rice EI213, have stronger root system and exhibit purple red character of maize in shoot, glumal tip and stigma. Also the photosynthetic efficiency of maize rice have increased by averaged 84% compared with that of the EI213. Genomes of the 8 maize rice, original EI213 and maize were analyzed by RAPD with 40 10mer primers. Polymorphic fingerprints were obtained from 36 primers. Different kinds of amplified bands in RAPD patterns were calculated and analyzed, the similarity of maize rice and EI213 ranged 91.295.5%. The variant bands between maize rice and EI213 counted for 8.917.7% of the total bands of each line. The result indicated that exogenous DNA introduced into rice induced remarkable variation in progeny genomes. Those hereditary changes in plant phenotype and physiology may due to the genomes variation.


To cope with the ever increasing demand for bandwidth and increasing number of users, future wireless networks will be designed with the radio resource allocation techniques able to get good performance with low complexity and feedback. In this paper we study an allocation problem for OFDMA networks formulated with the objective of minimizing the load of each cell in the system or maximizing the number of accessing users subject to the constraint that each user meets its target rate. We formulate the two problem as one framework of finding the maximum weighted independent set (MWIS) in graph theory. In addition, we propose a minimal weighted-degree greedy (MWDG) algorithm. The control information requested to perform the allocation is limited and the computational burden is shared between the base station and the user equipments. Simulations have been carried out under constant bit rate traffic model and the results show MWDG has excellent performance and outperforms all other techniques.


Estimating future sea level rise (SLR) projections is important for assessing coastal risks and planning of climate-resilient infrastructure. Therefore, in this study, we estimated the future projections of SLR from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 6 (CMIP6) models for three climate targets (1.5 °C (T15), 2.0 °C (T20), and 3.0 °C (T30)) described by the Paris Agreement. The global SLR projections are 60, 140, and 320 mm for T15, T20, and T30, respectively, relative to the present-day levels. Similarly, around the Korean Peninsula, SLR projections become more intense with continuous global warming (20 mm (T15), 110 mm (T20), and 270 mm (T30)). Ocean variables show a slow response to climate change. Therefore, we developed the Emergence of Climate Change (EoC) index for determining the time when the variable is not following the present climate trend. The EoC of SLR appears after the EoC of sea-ice melting near the time of T15 warming. Moreover, the EoC of thermal expansion appears around the 2040s, which is similar to the time of the maximum of the T15 warming period and the median of the T20 warming period. Overall, our analysis suggests that the T15 warming may act as a trigger and SLR will accelerate after the T15 warming.


Introduction: Acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) is a leading cause of transplant related mortality following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). The most widely used aGVHD prophylaxis regimen is a combination of a calcineurin inhibitor and a short course of methotrexate. Results of studies on the optimal blood levels of the calcineurin inhibitor tacrolimus to prevent aGVHD are mixed, with some showing no correlation and others indicating that trough levels between 7-15 ng/mL required to adequately prevent aGVHD. Currently, the established target trough level for this agent is 10 to 20 ng/mL. We retrospectively evaluated the relationship between tacrolimus blood concentration and the incidence of grade II-IV aGVHD in a large cohort of adult patients following allogeneic HCT from either an HLA-matched related or matched unrelated donors.

Methods: We evaluated all related/unrelated allografts between January 2004 and December 2012 at the Cardinal Bernardin Cancer Center at Loyola University. Inclusion criteria included age 18 years or older, first allogeneic HCT for a hematological malignancy, and use of tacrolimus and short term methotrexate for aGVHD prophylaxis. Donors included human leukocyte antigen (HLA) identical sibling (Allo-Sib) or unrelated donors (MUD) either fully matched or 1 antigen mismatched (10%). Both myeloablative and non-myeloablative conditioning regimens were included. Disease risk was defined by the ASBMT classification and Co-Morbidity Index by Sorror et al (HCT-CI). Infusional tacrolimus was initiated on day -2 of HCT at dose of 0.03 mg/kg/d and AM trough blood concentrations measured every other day during the entire hospital stay with the goal of maintaining a level of 10-15 ng/ml and then twice weekly after discharge. Dose adjustments or withholds were based primary on serum creatinine and trough levels per a set protocol that withholds for levels greater than 20 ng/ml or creatinine greater than 2.0 mg/dl. Acute GVHD was graded based on the International Bone Marrow Transplant Registry System. Univariate and multivariate analyses exploring all risk factors for aGVHD were performed.

Results: A total of 428 patients met the inclusion criteria. Median age was 48.5 years with a male predominance (60.6%). HCT-CI was evenly distributed with 121 (28.2%) low risk, 151 (35.3%) intermediate risk, and 156 (36.4%) high risk. Per ASBMT disease risk classification, more patients had high disease risk (n=211, 49.3%); 64 (15%) with intermediate risk, and 153 (35.7%) with low risk. Acute GVHD II-IV developed in 186 (43%) patients in this largely myeloablative patient population (89%), with donor source split nearly evenly between MUD (45%) and Allo-sib (55%). An extensive univariate analysis for the factors associated with the development of aGVHD was developed (Table 1). The strongest predictor of aGVHD was a level of tacrolimus < 5 ng/ml in weeks 3 and 4 after transplant: of those with no aGVHD only 16.9% had a level < 5 ng/ml during these weeks vs 27.4% with aGVHD (p = .009). Other tacrolimus trough cut points, i.e. 10 ng/ml, 2.5 ng/ml and the mean (13.4 ng/ml in each group) were not associated with a higher rate of aGVHD. In the univariate analysis, AML and allo-sib grafts were noted to be associated with lower risk of aGVHD. In multivariate analysis (Table 2), tacrolimus levels less than 5 ng/ml in weeks 3 or 4 was found to be the most statistically significant factor in predicting aGVHD incidence (Odds ratio 82 95% CI 1.13-2.94; p = .01); other significant factors include HCT-CI (p = .02) and graft source (p = .04).

Conclusion: In one of the largest retrospective studies examining the correlation of early tacrolimus blood concentrations and acute GHVD incidence, we show that trough tacrolimus levels less than 5 ng/ml in weeks 3-4 following Allo-Sib or MUD HCT is a strong predictor for an increased risk of aGVHD. We affirm that higher HCT-CI and donor source are risk factors for aGVHD after allografts. This not only helps define more accurately the lower limits of acceptable tacrolimus levels, but appears to emphasize the importance for close monitoring and dose adjustment of these levels at a time when patients are typically discharged to the outpatient setting.

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Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

 [1]: pending:yes


(71) Applicants: UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE, (57) ABSTRACT NEWARK, DE (US); AMGEN A method of determining the activation energy E for degra THOUSAND OAKSCA (US) s dation of a chemical species includes in sequence the steps of s a) simultaneously incubating a plurality of samples of the (72) Inventors: CHRISTOPHER.J. ROBERTS, WEST chemical species in a single unitary device at a plurality of GROVE, PA (US); GREGORY v. constant temperatures T. in each case for an incubation time t BARNETT PLAINSBORO NJ (US); selected to result in loss of at most 20 mol % of the amount VLADIMIR I. RAZINKOV s originally present; b) quenching each of the samples to stop THOUSAND OAKS CA (US); BRUCE degradation; c) determining the mole fraction m of the chemi A. KERWIN BAINBRIDGE ISLAND cal species remaining in each of the quenched samples, rela WA (US) s s tive to the amount present before incubating; d) determining for each sample a reaction rate coefficient k according to (73) Assignees: UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE, the equation NEWARK, DE (US); AMGEN, THOUSAND OAKS, CA (US) 1 n(T k(T) = 2. (21) Appl. No.: 14/942,117


Abstract An important part of migration represents the brain drain, especially the migration of physicians. Romania has a health system in continuous reform, facing for over 3 decades a shortage of employees. Moreover, employed specialists and young physicians migrated, the health care system registering a medium efficiency. The number of migrant physicians from Romania followed an ascending trend, and this had negative consequences on Romanian population health. The main objective of this paper is identifying the profile and the dynamics of the migrant physician from Romania. Other objective is highlighting the Romanian counties where most physicians migrated from and the preferred destination countries.


Global estimates reflect that almost more than one billion people live with some kind of disability. The concerns of disabled individuals compound extensively in low resource settings in which they are often exposed to multiple challenges. The concept of community-based rehabilitation (CBR) is developed with an aim to considerably improve the accessibility of disabled individuals to rehabilitation care by facilitating optimal usage of local resources. Although, CBR is in existence for more than three decades and have delivered favorable results in heterogeneous aspects, nevertheless multiple bottlenecks and barriers have been ascertained in successful implementation of CBR across variable settings. In conclusion, community-based rehabilitation not only offers a wide range of welfare services for the holistic development of the disabled persons, but even is a key approach to reduce the burden on the health care delivery system, especially in developing countries.


The T matrix is derived for the potential scattering of electrons in an elliptically polarized ultra- strong laser pulse. Special attention has been paid to the scattering of electrons that are initially nonrelativistic, but, due to the effects of the strong laser pulse, the full relativistic treatment has been applied. Possible energy ranges of the scattered electrons are discussed versus the laser field intensity. The detailed expressions in the first Born approximation are derived for linearly and circularly polarized laser fields. Numerical results for the angular distributions and energy spectra of the scattered electrons on the Yukawa-type potential in circularly polarized laser fields are presented.


Adiabatic calorimetry has been applied to concentration effects in binary glasses in the SiO/sub 2/-B/sub 2/O/sub 3/, SiO/sub 2/-GeO/sub 2/ and SiO/sub 2/TiO/sub 2/ systems. The oxides of boron, aluminum, germanium, and titanium have differing effects on the specific heat of silicon dioxide, which is due to differences in the way the cations enter the structure.


Nonradiating current configurations attract attention of physicists for many years as possible models of stable atoms in the field theories. One intriguing example of such a nonradiating source is known as anapole (which means without poles in Greek), and it was originally proposed by Yakov Zeldovich in nuclear physics. Recently, an anapole was suggested as a model of elementary particles describing dark matter in the Universe. Classically, an anapole mode can be viewed as a composition of electric and toroidal dipole moments, resulting in destructive interference of the radiation fields due to similarity of their far-field scattering patterns. Here we demonstrate experimentally that dielectric nanoparticles can exhibit a radiationless anapole mode in visible. We achieve the spectral overlap of the toroidal and electric dipole modes through a geometry tuning, and observe a highly pronounced dip in the far-field scattering accompanied by the specific near-field distribution associated with the anapole mode. The anapole physics provides a unique playground for the study of electromagnetic properties of nontrivial excitations of complex fields, reciprocity violation, and Aharonov-Bohm like phenomena at optical frequencies.


Machine Learning approaches are good in solving problems that have less information. In most cases, the software domain problems characterize as a process of learning that depend on the various circumstances and changes accordingly. A predictive model is constructed by using machine learning approaches and classified them into defective and non-defective modules. Machine learning techniques help developers to retrieve useful information after the classification and enable them to analyse data from different perspectives. Machine learning techniques are proven to be useful in terms of software bug prediction. This study used public available data sets of software modules and provides comparative performance analysis of different machine learning techniques for software bug prediction. Results showed most of the machine learning methods performed well on software bug datasets.


ABSTRACT This paper examined the nature and limit to which regular schools contain learners requiring special support in education. The study used the mixed methods approach and the post-positivist research paradigm was adopted. A sample of 80 teachers and 4 principals pooled from the four primary schools involved in the study were used to generate data. Questionnaires with closed items, interviews which are semi-structured, observations in classroom as well as documents were used to provide information. Many schools were moving towards inclusivity as established in the present study. In regular schools, there was relative prevalence of learners requiring special support in education. The study established as well, that in regular schools, learners requiring special support in education were faced with difficulties for example inadequately trained teachers, classroom shortages, class sizes, inappropriate equipment and materials. These affected the quality of access to education for these learners. Major recommendations were that schools are adequately resourced, class sizes be reduced and teachers quality be improved.


Conference paper published by Ashkal Alwan: The Lebanese Association for Plastic Art, (eds: Christine Tohme, Mona Abu Rayyan, 2003).

On 3rd April 2002, Al-Ani presented a paper in Beirut at 'Home Works' a forum on identity, cultural practice and the Middle East. The forum included films screenings, performances and exhibits as well as the lecture presentations. Papers transcripts were published alongside exhibition documentation, performances and film screenings. Other contributors included Catherine David, Akram Zaatari and Tirdad Zolghadr. The book texts appeared in English and Arabic.

'Scenes and Types' focused on Al-Ani's practice in relation to the research she had carried out on Orientalism in European art and photography with particular emphasis on the image of the veil in historic and contemporary artworks. It directly referred to early photographs and postcards produced for consumption by the growing European market to suggest ethnographic variety as part of a broad and benign anthropological agenda. The paper raised issues of how meaning is constructed and determined through the visual arts in any given environment and what structures of identification can be adopted or dismissed in order to create meaning for audiences in the Middle Eastern and Western contexts simultaneously.

In addition to her own practice-based research, Al-Ani presented the work of artists included in 'Veil', a touring exhibition that was organised by the Institute of International Visual Arts and co-curated by Al-Ani. It included photographs from one of the most significant bodies of work on the veil by the French psychoanalyst Gaetan de Clerambault and a selection of portraits of Algerian women taken by Marc Geranger while working as a military photographer during the final years of the French Occupation. Part of Al-Ani's interest in this subject is the differences in the gaze of the photographer's and their subjects when the veil is removed.


We examine cosmological constraints from high precision weak lensing surveys including super-sample covariance (SSC) due to the finite survey volume. Specifically, we focus on the contribution of {\it beat coupling} in the intrinsic alignments as a part of full cosmic shear signal under flat sky approximation. The SSC-effect grows by going to lower redshift bin and indicates considerable footprint on the intermediate and high multipoles for cumulative signal to noise ratio (SNR). The SNR is reduced by $\approx 10\%$ as a consequence of including the intrinsic alignments super-sample covariance, for the full cosmic shear signal, depending on the amplitude of intrinsic alignments, the ellipticity dispersion and the survey redshift ranges, while the contribution of photometric redshift error can be ignored in the cumulative signal to noise ratio. Using the Fisher-matrix formalism, we find that the impact of large modes beyond the volume of the surveys on the small modes alters the intrinsic alignments. However, corresponding impact on the cosmological parameters estimation is marginal compared to that of for gravitational weak lensing, particularly, when all available redshift bins are considered. Our results also demonstrate that, including SSC-effect on the intrinsic alignments in the analytical covariance matrix of full cosmic shear leads to increase marginally the confidence interval for $\sigma_8$ by $\approx 10\%$ for a sample with almost high intrinsic alignments amplitude.


The aim of this work was to verify the effect of size classification on the physical and physiological quality of Eucalyptus spp. seeds to optimize the selection for covering. The seeds were separated in sieves with six size classes: 850, 710, 600, 500, 425 μm, and a non-perforated bottom (< 425 μm). Were evaluated the sieve retention, purity, weight of a thousand seeds, germination, and first count of germination. Sieve classification is effective for the separation of materials according to the best physical and physiological qualities. E. grandis seeds from the 710 μm sieve, E. robusta from the 850 μm sieve, and E. urophylla from the 710 and 850 μm sieves can be selected for covering, as they present maximum physical and physiological quality. For the three species, the smallest materials, retained in the 500, 425, and bottom <425μm sieves, must be discarded due to low purity and germination potential.


When the kernel of a Fredholm integral equation of the second kind is a Green's function (which is the case in a wide variety of physical problems), the process of solution can be significantly simplified by exploiting the general properties of the Green's function. In particular, the solution of the Fredholm equation can be obtained from the solution of the corresponding Volterra equation.


Human-machine co-driving is the main driving mode in the currently automated driving stage. The driver's state has a direct impact on the takeover behavior during co-driving. Therefore, this article considers the effect of driver fatigue on takeover performance based on human-machine co-driving simulation experiments. The experimental time was divided into three periods: morning, afternoon, and evening. The subjective evaluation was used to collect the driver's fatigue values during the experiment. The data was processed by mean calculation, T-test, and interpolation fitting. It was indicated that there has a significant correlation between takeover reaction time and fatigue data through the value of correlation coefficient ($\rho {_(X,Y)} = 0.9$). Takeover reaction time was chosen as the indicator to represent takeover performance. The threshold of takeover reaction time should not exceed 3.3 s in the afternoon and 4.2 s in the evening through the analysis of the effect of driver fatigue on takeover performance. This study can provide theoretical support for the threshold setting of takeover reaction time in the future research of human-machine co-driving.


Contemporary architectural notation looks to have evaded the need for an increasingly complex description of the elements, actions and conglomerate realities that add up to form a project. The notion of diagram as strategic device in order to enable certain effects comes at odds with the traditional plan or abstraction as understood since the 18th century. This book explores the progressive shift from "representation" to "diagram" based on some late sixties examples, conceptualizing the work of figures such as Reyner Banham and Cedric Price in their move towards a performative architecture and the use of its associated tools of validation such as organization, strategies of timing, non-planing, or sets of instructions.


SUMMARY Pasteur's work demonstrating the fermentation of wine by yeasts and the causative effect of microbes in some infectious diseases, led to the establishment of microbiology as a discipline separate from pathology and histology. The setting up of the bacteriology laboratory at the Student's Residence in Madrid is described, together with brief biographies of the founding director, Paulino Suarez, and of the people principally responsible for the development of the institution, most of whom were physicians. The creation of this laboratory by the Junta de ampliacion de Estudios e Investigaciones Cientificas (Board for the Advancement of Scientific Research) contributed to the progress of microbiology in Spain.


Poly(styrenesulfonate)-poly(ethylene glycol)(PSS-MPEG)copolymers were prepared by using methoxypolyethylene glycol(MPEG),isophorone diisocyanate(IPDI),hydroxypropyl acrylate(HPA),and styrene sulfonic sodium(SSS)as raw materials.The resulting copolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)and gel permeation chromatography(GPC).The copolymer had a molecular weight between 40000—140000.Poly(3,4-ethylenedidxythiophene)(PEDOT)/PSS-MPEG aqueous dispersions were then synthesized by chemical oxidation using copolymer PSS-MPEG as the template and dopant.The kinetics of EDOT polymerization was investigated with gas chromatography(GC).Ultra-violet visible absorption,thermal stability and sheet resistance of the films of PEDOT/PSS-MPEG were investigated.The PEDOT dispersion with MPEG showed larger particle sizes than that of PEDOT/PSS.The PEDOT/PSS-MPEG dispersion showed better film formability and gave a smoother surface of the film than that of PEDOT/PSS.It was also found that the film of PEDOT/PSS-MPEG had a lower sheet resistance,which might be due to that PEDOT/PSS-MPEG provided a better film with less defects and MPEG improved the compatibility of PEDOT and PSS phases.


Realism dominated the modern study of international systems. Contemporary realists, who claim Thuc dides, the ancient historian of the Peloponnesian War (fought 431-404 bc), as the founder of their school, most often cite 1.23.5-6, his summary of the causes of the war, in support of their claim. This article argues that important realist conclusions drawn from Thucydides rest on the habitual use of careless translations. They leave the impression that he explains the outbreak of the war in terms of a system-level process whose outcome is inevitable. The Greek of 1.23.5-6 will not bear this meaning. Nonetheless, the passage, properly read, together with remarks on the causes of the war at 1.88 and 1.118.2, shows Thucydides' affinity with the fundamental propositions of realism, in particular the impact of a power-transition crisis within a state system. Thus, the article steers between realists who on the basis of inaccurate translations take their descent from Thucydides to be incontestable, and the increasing numbers of political scientists who downplay the link between Thucydides, realism, and international systems theory.1 Contemporary realism is founded on three pessimistic assumptions. First is the state of anarchy: the interstate world consists of a multiplicity of sovereign polities which recognize little by way of international law, and have devised no effective means of enforcing it. Second is the ruthless self-seeking to which anarchy leads all states. In the absence of international law, states must provide for their own security, which takes power; hence self-help and power-maximizing behaviour become prevalent. It originates primarily in fear, not greed,


The single stage photovoltaic microinverter with the new topology based on the couple of two-switch DC-DC flyback converters has been investigated. The microinverter is characterized by the high efficiency and simple design. The impact of flyback transformer parameters and impact of parameters of switch transistors on the microinverter efficiency have been investigated. The results were obtained for the cases when CL and LCL output low pass filters were used. The investigation results show that the efficiency of microinverter can reach 98% at 50 W and 96% at 150 W output power if the parameters of flyback transformer and MOSFET transistors of switches are chosen properly. The obtained results show that the efficiency of the investigated photovoltaic microinverter based on the LCL output low pass filter is higher as compared to the case when the LC output low pass filter is used. The efficiency of microinverter with the LCL output low pass filter remains practically constant and does not decrease up to 70 W output power. However, in the case when CL output low pass filter is employed the efficiency decreases with the power even at low power values.


Background: Pelvic fractures have been associated with rates of mortality up to 20%, with open injuries approaching rates up to 50%. This study compares differences in patients with open and closed pelvic ring injuries sustained during combat. Methods: Retrospective review of 114 patients who sustained a pelvic ring fracture and were alive upon presentation to the United States. We collected demographics, associated injuries, transfusion requirements, and outcomes to include residual bowel or bladder dysfunction and ambulatory status. Results: There were 114 patients, 98% male, with 75 closed and 39 open injuries. Average age was 26.6 yr. An average of 8.1 and 28.1 units of red blood cells were transfused in closed and open injuries, respectively (P<0.0001). Bilateral lower extremity amputations occurred in 11% of closed and 59% of open injuries (P<0.0001). Unstable fracture patterns occurred in 39% of closed fractures compared to 51% in open fractures (P=0.233). The time to weight bearing was 93 and 126 days for closed and open injuries (P=0.039). At latest follow-up, abnormal bladder and bowel function both occurred in 10% of closed and, respectively, 39% and 33% of open injuries (P=0.006). The rate of ambulation was 94% for closed injuries and 89% for open injuries (P=0.439). Conclusions: In the largest report of combat-related pelvic fractures in surviving patients, the incidence of open fractures was 34%. Although there are significant differences in associated injuries, transfusion requirements and time to weight bearing, patients with open pelvic fractures are able to return to a similar level of ambulatory function as those with closed fractures.


In this era of globalization and rapid expansion of world economy, intellectual property and the corresponding rights over intellectual property are crucial to the economic, social and technological development of any country beyond doubt. Globalization also has made the Intellectual property rights a subject matter of international concern. All nations who want to promote and project their development in all aspects must protect the rights over intellectual property by granting legal veil through exclusive enactments. Realizing this fact, all industrialized nations and by now most developing countries of the world have enacted laws for the protection of 'works of mind'. To comply with the international obligations Bangladesh also has introduced intellectual property rights protection system. This research paper explores to seek how enforcement mechanisms in Bangladesh are intrinsically precious, effective and thenceforth, worth in protecting t h e r i g h t s o f I P h o l d e r s . A s a n o bvious flow of discussion the paper reiterates to look beyond the constraint and formulation of a comprehensive legal framework for IP protection.


OBJECTIVE
We developed an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) by the recombinant VP1 protein of duck hepatitis virus (DHV) expressed in Escherichia coli to detect antibodies against DHV.

METHODS
The VP1 gene of DHV was amplified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and cloned into pMD18-T and pET-32a vectors to get a prokaryotic expression vector pET-32a-VP1. DHV VP1 gene was expressed and analyzed. A method of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed and studied.

RESULTS
We obtained the recombinant plasmid pET-32a-VP1 with correct sequence and orientation. DHV VP1 gene was expressed in E. coli BL21 (DE3) at a high level and had good immunoreactivity by SDS-PAGE and western blot. The optimum working concentration of antigen was 5.0 microg in 100 microL per well, the working concentration of serum samples was 1 : 100 dilution and the critical value was OD450 > or = 0.302 for the ELISA assay. The rate of coincidence of ELISA and virus neutralization test (VN) was 97.5% by detecting 80 serum samples. The method was specific, sensitive and could be applied for antibody detection of maternal antibody and the rule of antibody growth and decline in immunizing ducklings.

CONCLUSION
The ELISA method developed by the purified recombinant protein could be used to detect antibodies against DHV.


The widening need of DC back-up throughout broadband networks, coupled to reduced power consumption and growing need for DC power back-up, has brought remote powering technologies to a wider use in the last two years. Alpha Technologies has supported Telecom Italia in installing more than 20.000 "Fiber to the Cabinet" (FTTCab) nodes, equipped with Alpha Technologies Remote powering equipment units, tailored and customized throughout the full installation process, in co-operation with Alcatel-Lucent, to fulfill Telecom Italia's requirements. This paper describes how the successive power solutions have been addressed and designed by Alpha Technologies to support the fast and massive deployment of small Optical Network Units (ONU) from early 2013 until today in 2014, in the main cities of Italy.


Firstly,this article compare the east area with the west area through the several affects factors of TFP,and draw a conclusion that the TFP of Shanghai should be higher than that of Hubei and Sichuan;Secondly we introduce the Solow model and collect the three local data to carry on the real analysis examination,confirm this point through the examination,but simultaneously discover the TFP through Solow surplus calculating,compared with the nation,is quite low;Finally we draw the conclusion from this article and give the suggestion how to enhance the western area TFP,The conclusion is TFP through Solow surplus calculating was underestimated at the not developed district,the policy suggestion is to pay great attention to the average human capital the enhancement and fully displays their own comparative superiority in order to enhance the TFP of the western area.


Growth patterns of 182 cows [73 Angus (AA), 31 Charotais (CC), 38 Charolais x Angus (CA) and 40 Holstein x Angus (FA)] were studied from birth to maturi ty. Breed type significantly affected weight and condition at all ages. Crossbred cows were heavier than AA and lighter in weight than CC cows (P<.01) at all periods. Differences between CA and FA cows were small. The CA cows were somewhat heavier than FA cows, but when weight was adjusted for condition, these two groups reversed rank at 56 and 68 mo. Differences in weight among breed types increased from birth to 44 mo and stabilized thereafter. Weights at early ages were influenced more by environmental effects than were weights at later ages. Adjustment for condit ion significantly reduced phenotypic variation in weight at all ages. Two growth models (Brody and Richards) were fitted to the weight-age data for each breed type. Differences in growth were expressed in terms of differences in mature weight and maturing rate. The AA cows were smallest at maturi ty and matured most rapidly; CC cows were largest and matured least rapidly. The FA and CA cows were intermediate and similar in mature size and maturing rate. Crossbreeding may have increased maturing rate somewhat when weights were not adjusted for condition. The four-parameter Richards model did not


Available types of text corpora are considered. It is concluded on the basis of the analysis of scientific papers that there are only few text corpora which reflect certain linguistic or culture phenomena (genre, language and so on). The necessity of creation of the corpus of student essays in Russian is justified.


OBJECTIVE
To study a new quick method for detecting serum IgG against Trichinella spiralis (T.s).

METHODS
Membrane antigen of muscle larva of T.s was isolated and combined with the nitrocellulose membrane. Goat anti-human IgG was conjugated with the golden pellets of colloidal state which was used as marked antibody for the experiment of dot-immunogold filtration assay to examine specific IgG.

RESULTS
T.s IgG and its corresponding antigen reacted on the membrane by filtration, and the result could be observed with naked eyes within 10 min. In the examination of 76 clinical serum samples, the positive rate was 94.7%. It was not significantly higher than that of ELISA (chi 2 = 2.83, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION
The dot-immunogold filtration assay is rapid and simple for performing and reading in the detection of IgG against T.s with high sensitivity and specificity.


Several analytical procedures available in literature, for the evaluation of wind induced fatigue damage of structures, either assume the wide band random stress variations as narrow band random process or use correction factors along with narrow band assumption. This paper compares the correction factors obtained using the Rainflow Cycle (RFC) counting of the measured stress time histories on a lamp mast and a lattice tower, with those evaluated using different frequency domain methods available in literature. A Bi-modal spectral method has been formulated by idealising the single spectral moment method into two modes of background and resonant components, as considered in the gust response factor, for the evaluation of fatigue of slender structures subjected to "along-wind vibrations". A closed form approximation for the effective frequency of the background component has been developed. The simplicity and the accuracy of the new method have been illustrated through a case study by simulating stress time histories at the base of an urban light pole for different mean wind speeds. The correction factors obtained by the Bi-modal spectral method have been compared with those obtained from the simulated stress time histories using RFC counting method. The developed Bi-modal method is observed to be a simple and easy to use alternative to detailed time and frequency domain fatigue analyses without considerable computational and experimental efforts.


This paper describes an experiment in which the turbulent boundary layer (TBL) over a f la t plate excites bending waves in that plate predominantly through low-wavenumber components in the pressure fie ld having the same wavenumber as the bending waves of the plate. The plate design is such that contributions to the bending waves from the convective peak of the TBL pressure and from acoustic noise are minimal. The level o f response of individual modes o f the plate is used to measure the in ten sity of these low-wavenumber spectral components in the TBL wall pressure.


Let x be a complex random variable with mean zero and bounded variance σ2. Let Nn be a random matrix of order n with entries being i.i.d. copies of x. Let λ1, …, λn be the eigenvalues of . Define the empirical spectral distributionμn of Nn by the formula The following well-known conjecture has been open since the 1950's: Circular Law Conjecture: μn converges to the uniform distribution μ∞ over the unit disk as n tends to infinity. We prove this conjecture, with strong convergence, under the slightly stronger assumption that the (2 + η)th-moment of x is bounded, for any η > 0. Our method builds and improves upon earlier work of Girko, Bai, Gotze–Tikhomirov, and Pan–Zhou, and also applies for sparse random matrices. The new key ingredient in the paper is a general result about the least singular value of random matrices, which was obtained using tools and ideas from additive combinatorics.


Numerical simulation liquid-solid coupling modal analysis of storage tank is performed by using ANSYS software on the basis of the three-dimensional finite element model. The calculating results are compared to verify the precision. The influences of geometry parameters,material parameters and the stiffness of the base on the seismic response are calculated. The results show that the value of simulation and the literature value for the first mode of storage tank are 0. 294 Hz and 0. 275 Hz respectively. The maximum relative error is 6. 9%,which verifies the correctness of the model.


Surface flow is estimated from a dual-beam along-track interferometric synthetic aperture radar at the mouth of a tidally-driven estuary. The measurements show strong variation in the surface flow around jetties and seem to be associated with bathymetry. The surface flow estimates compare well with in situ drifter measurements made around the same time.


Resources associated to mining environments, such as mine water and exothermic waste rock, allow a reduction of installation costs of ground source heat pump systems. Compared to other environments, caution is required when designing systems in mining environments because of enhanced hydraulic conductivity created by mine voids or heat generation due to oxidation of minerals. The objective of this study is to simulate the operation of geothermal systems on mine sites to demonstrate energy savings and promote installation. Numerical modeling approaches are developed with the program HydroGeoSphere applied for case studies conducted at the Gaspé Mines in Murdochville and at the South Dump of the Doyon Mine in Abitibi. A groundwater heat pump system at the Gaspé Mines is optimized with a numerical model, where 1D and 3D elements are superposed to adequately represent the mine voids. The simulations show that the system can be operated using former mining shafts to avoid drilling boreholes. Waste rock of the South Dump is initially characterized with a conventional thermal response test analyzed with the lines-source equation and the superposition principle accounting for variations of heat injection rates. A numerical method is also developed to analyze the test that was affected by the heterogeneity of materials and the strong geothermal gradient. The overburden and the host rock below the dump are characterized with a novel thermal response test using heating cables. Numerical simulations then reproduce the temperature distribution during typical tests, which homogenizes rapidly during the recovery period allowing the analysis of temperature inside the borehole without knowing the position of the sensor. The operation of a ground-coupled heat pump system installed under the South Dump is finally simulated. The optimization of heating loads indicates that the heat exchanger located beneath the waste pile can provide more thermal energy than an exchanger located in a conventional environment, reducing bore length required for a given system.


This paper contains a confusing series of assumptions, (lack of capital in rural areas) arguments, (financial factors are a necessary but not suf ficient condition for growth) and hypotheses (bank size and loan/asset ratios are positively related). The meager evidence that is presented supports the hypothesis that large banks and small banks have different asset portolios and therefore size and behavior are related. From this limited information the authors push for more liberal branching to encourage larger banks which will stimulate regional economic growth. The data do not strongly or consistently Support any of the hypotheses of the study since the differences betweenbanks is slight beyond the $10 mil lion member banks and $25 million non-member banks. The results do not justify any strong policy statements. Beyond the limited value of the present results the authors claim sev eral unique features which are not in fact unique. Bank size and performance have been shown to be related in almost every variety of performance mea sures (see Bell and Murphy, Hester, Benston, etc.) due largely to scale economies of banks. However, it is the point at which these economies oc cur or disappear that needs to be discovered. The authors claim funds


Methods: A total of 16 children with Down syndrome from rehabilitation center of Noor Abad City were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups of control (n=8) and experimental (n=8). At the pretest and posttest, subjects' static balances were evaluated by modified stork stand test. The training program was conducted in 8 weeks, 3 times a week, and each session lasted 45-60 minutes. Statistical analysis was done by dependent and independent t-test using SPSS version 21 (P≤0.05).


To improve hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) fuel efficiency further, the decision as to whether the internal combustion engine (ICE) should start or stop is important. This paper presents a novel optimization method of the ICE start-stop by using the model predictive control (MPC) based on equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS). The optimization method and flow of the ICE start-stop are described in detail. Three torque-split control strategies are proposed for the comparison purpose. From the ICE operating points, the fuel consumption and the battery SOC, simulation results reveal that the transient MPC strategy with ICE start-stop has a huge potential for improving the overall fuel economy.


Perameles gunnii is a small to medium-sized omnivorous marsupial. We measured milk components from Week 4 until weaning at Week 8; these showed marked quantitative and qualitative changes. The milk produced in the early stages of lactation was dilute, ~28% solid (w/w). At four weeks carbohydrate, protein and lipids were also at low levels: 2.0 g (100 mL)–1, 4.5 g (100 mL)–1 and 3.1 g (100 mL)–1 respectively. At the mid-phase of lactation solids reached 36%, carbohydrate 5.5 g (100 mL)–1, protein 10.0 g (100 mL)–1 and lipids 8.5 g (100 mL)–1. The energy content of the milk at 4 weeks of lactation was 2.25 kJ mL–1 while at pouch vacancy it reached 8.86 kJ mL–1. At 8 weeks the pouch young was almost weaned and all the constituents but carbohydrates had increased significantly. We compared the milk components of the eastern barred bandicoot with those of other marsupial species and with the Wombaroo milk formula used by zookeepers and carers to hand-raise orphaned bandicoots. We found the milk formula to be deficient in both protein and lipid.


Recently, there has been increasing demand for high-rise buildings or wide-span bridges. These structures are constructed with a mount of mass concrete. However, the concrete might be susceptible to brittle fracture if the curing process is inadequate. Therefore, to prevent this drawback, it is essential to predict the strength development of concrete during the curing process. In addition, real-time monitoring of the curing strength is important for reducing the construction time and cost because it can determine the appropriate curing time to achieve sufficient strength to progress to the next phase safely. The in-situ strength of concrete structures can be determined with a high precision by performing the strength testing and/or material analysis on core samples removed from the structure (Irie et al., 2008). However, this method might destroy the concrete structure. Therefore, a range of methods based on the thermal, acoustical, electrical, magnetic, optical, radiographic, and mechanical properties of the test materials have been developed to monitor the strength development without damaging the host structures (ACI Committee 228, 2003; Lamind and Pielert, 2006; Metha and Monterio, 2005). These methods typically measure certain properties of concrete from which the strength and/or elastic constants can be estimated. Among these techniques, several methods using a Schmidt hammer or an integrated temperature have been normally used. However, these are unsuitable for use at construction sites because they do not allow real-time monitoring of the curing process of concrete structures at inaccessible places. The recent advent of smart materials, particularly piezoelectric materials, can provide a solution for the real-time monitoring for strength development. Electromechanical impedance techniques that employ piezoelectric materials have emerged as a potential tool for the implementation of a built-in monitoring system for civil infrastructures (Park G. et al., 2000, 2003; Park S. et al. 2005, 2006, 2011). This technique utilizes high-frequency structural excitation, which is typically > 20 kHz from surface-bonded PZT (Lead-ZirconateTitanate) patches, to sensitively monitor the changes in the mechanical impedance of the test structures. Furthermore, the recent advances in online monitoring, including actuation and sensing, on-board computing, and radio-frequency (RF) telemetry, have improved the


In learning systems based on clustering (e.g. TIC, KBG) and in instance based learning (e.g. RIBL), a measure of the distance between objects is an essential component. Good measures exist for distances between objects in an attribute value representation. Recently there is a growing interest in using more expressive rst order representations of objects and in upgrading propositional learning systems into rst order learning systems (e.g. TILDE, ICL, and CLAUDIEN). The upgrading of clustering and instance based learning systems requires to develop a measure for the distance between rst order objects. Some proposals for distance measures between atoms and clauses exists. They use Hausdorr metrics to extend distances between atoms into distances between sets of atoms (clauses or models). This has two drawbacks. Firstly, the value of the Hausdorr metric depends very much on the most extreme value in both sets. Secondly, the similarity due to occurrences of the same subterm (constant, variables, ...) in diierent atoms of the same clause has no innuence on the value. Other authors use rather ad-hoc measures of similarity which do not comply with all axioms of a distance, in particular with the triangle axiom (d(x; z) d(x; y) + d(y; z)). In this paper we develop a framework for distances between clauses and distances between models. The framework can be parametrised by a measure for the distance between atoms. It takes into account subterms common to distinct atoms of a set of atoms in the measurement of the distance between sets. Moreover, for a constant number of variables, the complexity of the distance computation is polynomially bounded by the size of the objects. Initial experiments show that the framework can be the basis of good clustering algorithms. The framework consists of three levels: At the rst level one chooses a distance between atoms. The second level upgrades this distance to a distance between sets of atoms. We propose a framework that is a generalisation of three polynomial time computable similarity measures proposed by Eiter and Mannila, and an instance which is a real distance function, computable in polynomial time. We develop also a binary prototype function for sets of points. Prototype functions for atoms, are described in 1]. At the third level, we develop a distance function d r 0 (A; B) which takes into account the \similarity" of the atoms in the sets by computing the minimal distance between a variant of …


To investigate the value of the resistive index (RI) of intratesticular arteries, and to establish diagnostic criteria for normal and pathological sperm counts on the basis of quantitative colour Doppler ultrasonography (CDUS), as the assessment of the testicular RI is widely used to measure intratesticular blood flow.