The study focused on analyzing biologically potentially valuable forest regional distribution and dynamic between 2005 and 2012 in Latvia. The main data source was State Forest Register. The set of criteria comprising age and compositional parameters were elaborated to select appropriate stands of numerous forest families. The results revealed various trends of area change of forest families at regional level. Generally, forest areas on wet sites were increased relating to both biodiversity aspects. On the contrary, the area of coniferous on dry sites was decreased.


Operation management is the most important thing for a company that relates its
business with pest controlling and services activity. For this project Extreem Jaya Sdn.
Bhd. is the organization under which this project is based on. Inefficiency in information
management and difficulties on gathering needed information in a certain amount of
time are two of the main problems in pest control management. This will affect the
interaction between either company and their customer, company with their supplier or
company with their employee's.
'Sistem
Pengurusan Kawalan Serangga Perosak Extreem
Jaya Sdn. Bhd. Berasaskan Web' objective is to integrate four required management
module which are customer information, operation management, stock control and
allowance/commission management. Although this system combined to minor subsystem
which are stock control and operation management. The reason is to increase productivity
and development feedback in operation process. System development with WebE
methodology was implemented to provide a good web based environment and fulfill the
requirement as a kind of web based system. This system supported by the latest web
development application which are PHPTriad,. Consist 3 major software including PHP,
MySQL and Apache server in 1 module. System analysis and design method is based on
UML Extension. Hopefully, the development of this system will help and give a positive
outcome for pest control management activity.


ABS TRACT Ob jec ti ve: A ret ros pec ti ve study was de sig ned to in ves ti ga te the suc cess and the com p li ca ti on ra tes of dif fe rent types of self-ex pan dab le me tal lic stents in pa ti ents with ino pe rab le ma lig nant esop ha ge al stric tu res. Ma te ri al and Met hods: One hundred fifty five pa ti ents with ma lig nant esop ha ge al stric tu res re ce i ved self-ex pan dab le me tal lic stents un der flu o ros co pic gu i dan ce in our cli nic bet we en the ye ars 1994 and 2008. A to tal of 137 men and 18 wo men aged bet we en 26- 83 ye ars (me an age, 58.9 ye ars) we re inc lu ded in the study. Stent types used inc lu de Strec ker, Wall stent, co ve red Wall stent, Fla min go Wall stent, Cho o Stent and Song Stent. Comp li ca ti ons of dif fe rent stent types and dyspha gi a sco res of the pa ti ents we re eva lu a ted both pri or to the stent pla ce ment and af ter wards. Re sults: Stent de li very tec ni qu e was suc cess ful in all pa ti ents. The ave ra ge dyspha gi a sco re dec re a sed from 3.1 (dyspha gi a to li qu ids) to 1.2 (dyspha gi a to nor mal so lid fo od) pro vi ding a 1.9 im pro ve ment in the dyspha gi a sco re. In eight ca ses (5.2%) early comp li ca ti ons such as mal po si ti on and early mig ra ti on we re de tec ted. In 30 ca ses (19.4%) la te comp li ca ti ons such as in growth, over growth, co e xis ten ce of in growth and over growth, la te mig ra ti on, esop ha gobronc hi al fis tu la and ble e ding we re de tec ted. Conc lu si on: Pla ce ment of self-ex pan dab le me tal lic stents in the pal li a ti ve tre at ment of ma lig nant esop ha ge al stric tu res is an ea sily app li ed, well-to le ra ted and ef fec ti ve met hod which im pro ves the dyspha gi a sco re of the pa ti ents with low comp li ca ti on ra tes. Our re sults are in ag re e ment with the li te ra tu re. The se lec ti on of the ide al stent for each pa ti ent is of gre at im por tan ce.


Lu Yin is one of the excellent women writers in our modern history,who devoted her brief life to building "the female world in the style of Lu Yin".She describes a particular community of the "female world" in her Tokyo Essays,overflowing with exoticism and displaying the life of women in the bottom class.It shows the battle cry of a woman living in a foreign land,in the fresh style of writing and deep affections.


The objective of this pilot study was to compare the effectiveness in maintaining dynamic sitting Position between Wii games and a conventional sitting balance training in paraplegic patients. Eight patients with paraplegia(spinal cord injured T9-T12), ASIA impairment scale A or B, who can sit without hand support for at least 10 seconds and had poor sitting balance participated. They were randomized to either a control group (conventional program) or a study group (Wii games) for sitting balance training. Both trainings took 20 minutes per session, twice a day for 10 days. The modified maximal anterior balance range test (MMABRT) was administered to all participants pre- and post-training. The distances of MMABRT were compared between pre- and post-training for both within and between groups using non-parametric statistics. Results showed that there were no statistical significant differences of the MMABRT between pre- and post-training for both groups. In addition, there were no significant differences of the MMABRT between the two groups both at baseline and post-training. Findings from this pilot study suggests that 10-day balance training using either conventional method or Wii games did not improve the ability to move body in the anterior direction while sitting in patients with paraplegia who suffered from T9-T12 injuries and had ASIA impairment A or B. Due to small sample size and large variability of the data, further studies need to be conducted to confirm the study findings.


The residue dynamics and final residual levels of profenofos in cotton and soil are determined with GC-ECD.A method for pretreatment and analysis of samples is established.The results indicate that when spraying 500 g·L-1 profenofos emulsion to cotton,the primitive quantities of sediment in cotton leaves are 110 mg·kg-1 in Ji'nan and 83 mg·kg-1 in Changsha trial site,and the half-life of both are 0.7 d and 1.4 d,respectively.The primitive quantities of sediment in soil are 4.8 mg·kg-1 in Ji'nan and 7.2 mg·kg-1 in Changsha trial site,and the half-life of both are 0.5 d and 2.2 d,respectively.The max final residues in cotton seeds is 0.049 mg·kg-1 in Ji'nan and 0.13 mg·kg-1 in Changsha trial site,which are all lower than the recommended MRLs of 2 mg·kg-1 by Codex.


Dear Editor: S100 proteins belong to a large subfamily of EF hand Ca21 binding proteins and comprise about 18 small (;10 kDa) members with extensive amino acid sequence similarity (Yang et al., 1999). The S100 proteins are implicated in cell growth, differentiation, intracellular signaling, and transformation (Kligman and Hilt, 1988; Zimmer et al., 1995; Schafer and Heizmann, 1996). The different members of the S100 family show a tissue-specific distribution. S100B is abundant in glial cells of the human brain, astrocytes in the cholinergic neurons of the rat brain, cranial nerves, and also in extraneural cell types like Schwann cells, chondrocytes, and melanocytes (Jiang et al., 1993). S100A4 with its metastasis-inducing effect is upregulated in serum-stimulated or oncogene, or chemically transformed fibroblasts like NIH3T3 or Balb/c3T3 (De Vouge and Mukherjee, 1992). The rat and mouse S100A4 messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) is abundantly expressed in metastatic epithelial cell lines compared to their nonmetastatic counterparts (Barraclough, 1998). Fibroblasts are important interstitial cells, normally responsible for tissue infrastructure and organ remodeling (Strutz et al., 1995). The fibroblast cells are easy to culture and are widely used in transformation studies. A comparative analysis of the expression of S100 in cultured primary, immortalized, and transformed fibroblast cells would be important in understanding the mechanisms of in vitro transformations. The information gleaned from such a study will aid in deciphering the function and role of S100 proteins in cancer biology. We report here, the expression of S100B and S100A4 at the RNA level, in all of the three unstimulated 3T3 cell lines, and a high level of S100 protein expression in NIH3T3 cells. The expression studies for S100 were attempted in mouse embryonic fibroblast cell lines—NIH3T3, Swiss 3T3, Balb/c3T3, and transformed cell cultures—fibrosarcoma 180 and Cloudman melanoma clone M3 which were procured from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC, Rockville, MD). NIH3T3 was maintained in Dulbecco modified Eagle medium supplemented with 10% newborn calf serum and antibiotics (100 U/ml penicillin and 100 mg/ml streptomycin). Clone M3 was maintained in Ham's F10 with 15% horse serum and 2.5% fetal calf serum at 378 C in 5% CO2. Mouse dermal fibroblast (mdf) primary cultures were established from a newborn Swiss mouse on separation of epidermis from dermis by 0.4% dispase (Boehringer Mannheim, Germany) treatment overnight at 48 C (Hybbinette et al., 1999). The expression studies for analyses of S100B and S100A4 were performed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) on extraction of RNA from NIH3T3, Swiss 3T3, Balb/c3T3, and clone M3 by the single step RNA isolation procedure (Chromczynski and Sacchi, 1987). The oligonucleotide primers for studying the S100B and A4 expression were designed from the ENTREZ database of NCBI and were synthesized by Gemini Biotech (Texas). The primers for S100B were derived from nucleotide sequences in the region of exon 3 of murine S100B gene (Jiang et al., 1993) whereas the S100A4 primer sequences were from the mRNA sequence of murine placental A4 homolog of Homo sapiens S100A4 (Engelkamp et al., 1992). The primer sequences for S100A4 and S100B along with sequences for murine b-actin were:


This paper discusses the technology of smart floors as a enabler of smart cities. The discussion will be based on technology that is embedded into the environment that enable location, navigation but also wireless power transmission for powering up elements siting on it, typically mobile devices. One of those examples is the smart floor, this implementation follows two paths, one where the floor is passive, and normally passive RFID's are embedded into the floor, they are used to provide intelligence into the surrounding space, this is normally complemented with a battery powered mobile unit that scans the floor for the sensors and communicates the information to a database which locates the mobile device in the environment. The other path for the smart city enabler is where the floor is active and delivers energy for the objects standing on top of it. In this paper these two approaches will be presented, by discussing the technology behind it.


Many methods exist to monitor the microbial activity of a biological treatment process. These methods have been used mostly for suspended biomass rather than for fixed film processes: the sampling of the biomass in the latter case is more difficult, especially for a full scale plant. For the biofiltration processes, this difficulty can be avoided by the use of the washwaters which however have to be proven to be representative of the biofilter's biomass. The objective of this paper is to assess the microbiological representativity of the washwaters when compared to the fixed biomass of a full scale biofiltration process, Biodrof®. The organisms selected to compare washwaters and fixed biomass are: heterotrophic aerobic bacteria (HAB), Pseudomonas, Flavobacterium, Aeromonas, moulds and yeasts. The vertical distribution of HAB has also been evaluated across the biofilter in order to verify if a vertical stratification occurred in this kind of process. The results showed no significant differences between me...


The esterase from Rhodosporidium toruloides has been used to catalyse the hydrolysis of a series of per-acetylated α-D-hexopyranoses and α-D-hexopyranosides. Per-acetylated glucose 4, mannose 6, N-acetylgalactosamine 8, galactose 10, methyl α-D-glucoside 12, methyl α-D-mannoside 14 and methyl α-D-galactoside 16 have been selectively cleaved at the C-6 position by the esterase to give the 6-OH derivatives 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15 and 17. Acid-catalysed rearrangement of acetates 5, 7, 13, 15, 11, 17 and 9 with 4→6 acetyl migration gives the corresponding 4-deprotected derivatives 22–28, respectively. Hydrolyses of β-D-glucose pentaacetate 20 and α-D-lactose octaacetate 21 have been attempted, but no hydrolyses have been observed. 1,2,3,6-Tetraacylated α-D-hexopyranoses 3 and 22, derivatives of N-acetylglucosamine and glucose respectively, and 2,3,6-triacetylated α-D-hexopyranosides 24 and 25, derivatives of glucose and mannose, respectively, have been hydrolysed by the esterase to the corresponding 4,6-dihydroxy acetates 29, 18, 30 and 31. Acylation of methyl α-D-glucopyranoside 32 catalysed by the esterase provides the C-6 monoacetate 33 and the C-3 monoacetate 34 in 4 and 5% yield, respectively. The sodium salts of N-acetylglucosamine, glucose, N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose and mannose 6-sulfates 38–42, respectively, are prepared in two steps from the 6-deacetylated hexopyranoses 2, 5, 9, 11 and 7, respectively. The sodium salts of N-acetylglucosamine, glucose and mannose 4-sulfates 43–45, respectively, are prepared in two steps from the 4-deacetylated precursors 3, 22 and 26 which are obtained via acid catalysed 4→6 acyl migration of compounds 2, 5 and 7.


This thesis describes the development of a technology to deposit thin films of insulating polymers and composite materials for applications in organic field-effect transitors (OFETs). Composite materials are comprised of a semiconductor and an insulator. The insulator is the binder and the semiconductor the active material. The active materials are either polymers or small molecules. Binders are styrenes, methacrylates or combinations of both. In order to first demonstrate the capabilities of the technology developed, namely Bar Assisted Meniscus Sheering (BAMs), thin films of polystyrene on Si/SiOx were deposited, typical thicknesses in the range of 50 to 80 nm were found, also RMS values in the range of 0.5-0.6 nm were found as well, and confirms very smooth films with tentative application as dielectrics. Poly-(3 hexilthiophene) (P3HT) is widely used is organic field-effect transistors. Composite materials comprised of P3HT and polystyrene were tested. OFETs fabricated based on composites which only use a 10% of the active material exhibited a mobility of 0.1 cm2V-1s-1 such value match the maximum mobility value reported in literature to-date for pure P3HT. It is important to highlight that all OFETs fabricated by BAMS using based on the composites have threshold voltages around zero volts despite the fact that all fabrication and characterization were carried out in air. Polymeric semiconductors plays a very important role inside organic semiconductors, due to their advantage the processability. On the other hand, small-molecules lacks processability but in general possess high mobility than polymeric semiconductors. So, composite materials were devised to add processability to small-molecules, but trying to maintain high mobility. TTF derivatives, dibenzo-tetrathiafulvalene (BET-TTF) were the three small-molecules investigated. First, thermally evaporated films of pure DB-TTF and BET-TTF were investigated and their stability in air assessed, found that both are extremely unstable under the presence of oxygen and water even at ppm levels. The inclusion of BAMs have been proven effective in order to produce OFETs based on composites-insultor binder and TTF-derivatives. First, poly PAMS, and DB-TTF composites were investigated. OFETs fabricated shows stability in air and text-book like output and transfer characteristics, all with acceptable mobilities in the range of 10−3 cm 2V-1 S-1. Also OFETs based on isotactic polystyrene and DB-TTF were investigated reporting mobilities in the range of 10 -2 cm 2 V-1 S-1. Further, and creening of compositions for composites were carried out varying blend contact devices.


This paper originally designs and regards Visual Basic6.0 as the precedent developing software, and selects Access2000 as the database. That the foreground system is developed can accomplish to operate and repair and store the information of machinery and electric equipments stocking management of coal enterprise, and has a pertinence, practical and professional value to them.


Abstract : A model of human cognition is proposed in which all concept properties are context dependent. Concepts are comprised of multiple facets, each motivated by a different functional property. A connectionist implementation is presented in which conceptual modification yields the 'direct inferences' implicit in the structure of a knowledge base.


Two specific aims of this study are :(1) to evaluate the adverse reactions of killed parenteral typhoid vaccine (TAB), and (2) to give recommendations for military typhoid control strategies in Taiwan, R.O.C. Eighty four (82.4%) male soldiers (mean age 21.9±0.7) in one naval ship (total 92 persons, age 20-28y/o) received the TAB vaccine with a dosage of 0.5cc through subcutaneous injection in June, 1994. Seventy three (86.9%) persons answered a structured questionnaire about adverse reactions. Among them, 33 cases (45.2%) had at least one of the following adverse reactions: local tenderness at the injection site, pain and soreness of arm, fever and general malaise, local swelling at injection site, dizziness, diarrhea, and headache. One case with neck lymphadenopathy was finally diagnosed as acute lymphoblastic leukemia which was detected earlier through this immunization. According to adverse reactions and vaccine delivery practices between TAB and Ty21a vaccines, we recommend to stop using TAB vaccine but immunize soldiers with Ty21a vaccine for its better protection and less side effects. Other recommendations include: (1) to screen "stool culture" of typhoid bacilli routinely among food handlers, (2) to set up a periodic bacterial surveillance of water supply, and (3) to immunize hospital diagnostic laboratory personnel with Ty2la vaccine.


National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology is working for the Global Alliance to Eliminate Lead Paint (GAELP) of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), under the cooperation of Iwate Medical University Cyclotron Center and Nishina Memorial Cyclotron Center of Japan Radioisotope Association. In order to demonstrate how the PIXE is useful to monitor lead in human body, hair samples were collected from local communities and analyzed by the PIXE at the University together with the control of office workers. The analysis showed a clear anomaly of lead for factory workers. It is recommended that the PIXE be added as one of the instruments to assist UNEP's lead and other heavy metal studies.


Reactions of lithium salts of the bulky guanidinate ligands, [ArNC(NR2)NAr]− (R = C6H11 (Giso−) or Pr (Priso−)) with BBr3 have given the neutral complexes [Br2B(Giso)] and [Br2B(Priso)]. The reaction of [Br2B(Giso)] with GaBr3 led to bromide abstraction and the formation of the ion separate salt, [BrB(Giso)][GaBr4]. All compounds have been spectroscopically and crystallographically characterized.


The magnetization behaviors of three nanoparticle systems(ZnFe2O4 and MnFe2O4 prepared by chemical co-precipitation and their mixture) were studied in this experiment.Based on their magnetization curves determined at room temperature,ZnFe2O4 showed paramagnetism,and MnFe2O4 and 0.8ZnFe2O4-0.2MnFe2O4 mixture particles showed superparamagnetism.Comparing the experimental curve of MnFe2O4 particles with the interrelationless Langevin theory curve demonstrated a considerable difference between them.Magnetic Strength of the mixture particles is not equivalent to the simple sum of the Magnetic Strength of the two component particles.The magnetization behavior of MnFe2O4 and the mixture particle system can be interpreted according to the effects of interaction between dipoles and fine particle aggregation.


Objective To assay the levels of adiponectin(APN) and endothelin-1(ET-1) in people with different levels of glucose tolerance,and to discuss the correlation of insulin resistance(IR) with APN and ET-1.Methods 70 controls(control group),55 patients with impaired glucose tolerance(IGT group) and 65 patients with type 2 diabetes(T2DM group) were selected and examined the levels of serum APN,FBG,FINS,TG,HDL,LDL and plasma ET-1 in the condition of empty stomach,and examined the levels of serum blood glucose of OGTT 2h.Their body mass index(BMI) and HOMA-IR were calculated.Results Compared with control group,the levels of HOMA-IR,ET-1,LDL were all significantly increased in IGT group and T2DM group,and the levels of APN and HDL were all significantly decreased(P0.01),especially in T2DM group;Serum APN level was negatively correlated with the levels of HOMA-IR,BMI,FBG and LDL,and positively correlated with HDL level(P 0.01).Plasma ET-1 level was positively correlated with the levels of HOMA-IR,BMI,FBG and LDL,and negatively correlated with HDL level(P0.01).APN level was negatively correlated with ET-1 level(P0.01).Conclusion The levels of serum APN and plasma ET-1 were intimately correlated with insulin resistance,body mass index and blood-fat metabolism;and the levels of serum APN and plasma ET-1 are one of the risk factors in the development of type 2 DM.


This paper reports on an ethnographic study of Facebook use amongst a population living through ongoing disruption. We interviewed 45 Iraqi citizens, as well as received survey responses from 218 individuals, who have been experiencing the current Gulf War since March 2003. We show how people in a society experiencing conflict use Facebook in ways that are different to uses in non-war societies. We find that Facebook supports people living in crisis environments at two levels. First, Facebook aids people directly to recover from disruption. People used Facebook to create "safe lists", to seek help and provide assistance, and to re-construct their social scaffolding. But at a deeper level, citizens also used Facebook to maintain and develop new social norms, and to re-direct their country. We discuss how disruption can serve as an opportunity by which people can re-invent their societies and how our understandings of Facebook should evolve.


For all the benchmark tests, we choose the best structures corresponding to the native structures according to the following criteria. Let A and B each denote a native structure. Let A ∩B denote the structures (i.e. stacks or base pairs) that A and B share in common, A−B be the structures that are distinctive to A. Let X = {S1, S2, . . . , Sm} be the set of secondary structures produced by an approach. For each structure Si in X, we state that Si is 'similar' to A, if Si contains both at least a subset of structures that are distinctive to A (i.e. Si ∩ (A−B) ̸= ∅) and at least a subset of structures that are shared in common by A and B (i.e. Si∩(A ∩B) ̸= ∅). Otherwise, Si is not 'similar' to A at all (if either Si∩(A−B) = ∅ or Si∩(A ∩B) = ∅). Among all the structures in X that are 'similar' to A, we select the structure that shares the most stacks with A as the best structure corresponding to A. To break a tie (e.g. in case that many structures share the same number of stacks with A), we then select the structure with the best (smallest) ranking. Besides, we do not allow any structure to be both the best structure corresponding to A and the best structure corresponding to B at the same time. If none of the structures in X is 'similar' to A, then we state that 'A is not found' by the approach. Figures S1 S7 show benchmark tests on riboswitches discussed in the paper, including


Fluctuations of the water level at the edges of temporary water bodies provide favourable living conditions for annual plant communities of the phytosociological class Isoeto-Nanojuncetea. Such communities of periodically flooded ponds within the agricultural landscape of NE Germany are particularly rich in rare plant species of that class. During the past decades drainage, fertilisation and herbicides in the surrounding arable fields have led to a severe decline in diversity of these species. To develop efficient conservation strategies it is essential to understand the factors driving the species composition. Therefore, we studied how varying water regimes, soil properties and agricultural practices affect the diversity and species composition of these temporary ponds. The study was carried out in seven ponds on a conventionally managed farm in NE Brandenburg. At each of these wetlands mixed soil samples were taken to determine the pH, total nitrogen and phosphorus concentration. The plant species were recorded in 177 plots, each covering 1 x 1 m². For each plot, the water level was recorded in April, July and August 2013, respectively, resulting in five 'water level regimes'. Total species number and percentages of Isoeto-Nanojuncetea species were determined per plot, to evaluate water level effects on the vegetation. In addition, mean Ellenberg indicator values for light, moisture and nutrients were calculated to assess the environmental conditions. Kruskal-Wallis tests with subsequent multiple comparisons showed significant differences between water regimes in both total species richness and percentage of Isoeto-Nanojuncetea species. IsoetoNanojuncetea species established best at sites with fluctuating water levels. Fitting environmental variables to NMDS ordination axes indicated that the water regime was the most significant factor for floristic variation. In plots with a more uniform water regime the species composition was explained mainly by the soil fertility. Farming practices showed less pronounced effects on species composition. Our results suggest that maintaining water regimes with fluctuating water levels and keeping nutrient content low are crucial for the successful conservation of Isoeto-Nanojuncetea communities in arable landscapes.


Experimental models for active magnetic bearings, which are intrinsically unstable, can only be obtained by applying closed loop system identification techniques. In this paper, initially, a brief discussion on the difficulties associated with closed loop identification is presented. Using the knowledge of system parameters and analytical equations, the physical model for a laboratory self-bearing motor is established. Based on such model, a stabilizing LQR controller is designed. Once the plant is stabilized, system identification techniques are applied to process the experimental data, and parametric models are obtained for three sample datasets and two model development techniques (PEM and N4SID). Consistency among models developed using the two identification algorithms, as well as for the three different datasets used, can be observed.


The reconstruction of the facial skeleton after surgical treatment is one of the key procedures in oral and maxillofacial surgery. In this context gold standard is the use of autogenous bone grafts to replace lost tissue parts aiming at a complete reconstruction of the original state. Because of the fact that these procedures can be associated with lots of complications and mean additional stress for the patient, new ways to repair defects of bone without the use of autogenous bone grafts are being developed. In the field of tissue engineering a promising approach is the use of growth factors. rhBMP-2 has proved to be an effective growth factor for the regeneration of bone tissue. Many studies have focused on finding the right dosage of growth factor and the right material as carrier accomplishing delivery of rhBMP-2.

The aim of the present study was to find out, if the amount of rhBMP-2 used could be reduced through the simultaneous delivery of the growth factors rhBMP-2 and VEGF and on the other hand if this simultaneous delivery led to an enhanced ectopic bone formation. Finally the intent was to figure out, if the incorporation of the growth factors into the carrier of polylactic acid through the process of gas foaming had a positive effect on the ectopic bone formation.
In order to achieve this aim carriers of polylactic acid modified with calcium carbonate were implanted into the gluteal muscle of male wistar rats. The carriers of polylactic acid were fabricated by the process of gas foaming and were loaded only with rhBMP-2 (3 concentrations), only with VEGF (3 concentrations) or with a combination of rhBMP-2 and VEGF (4 combinations of concentrations). After definite intervalls (4 and 13 weeks) the implants with the surrounding tissue were retrieved. New bone formation was assessed by computer-assisted morphometry.

The results showed that it is possible to induce ectopic bone formation in rats by the simultaneous application of VEGF and rhBMP-2. However, a positive effect of VEGF on the ectopic bone formation during the observed intervall could not be seen. Thus the dosage of rhBMP-2 could not be reduced through the additional application of VEGF.
Moreover the results suggest that the modification of the carriers of polylactic acid with calcium carbonate lead to a more undisturbed new bone formation in comparison to former studies. In addition the incorporation of the growth factors into the polylactic acid material via gas foaming seems to have the effect of a controlled ectopic bone formation staying in the boundaries of the implant.

In conclusion, it is possible to induce ectopic bone formation through the simultaneous application of VEGF and rhBMP-2 in rats. In this context the material of the carrier with its specific characteristics and its type of loading with growth factors is of great importance.
In the future the effects of rhBMP-2 and other growth factors enhancing bone regeneration should be explored to be capable of inducing new bone formation in a more effective way.


In reply to Soderstrom bipolar electrocoagulation can produce complete tubal desiccation comparable to that seen in unipolar coagulation when the power is set at 25 watts in a cutting waveform; under certain conditions the procedure is as effective as unipolar coagulation. The experiment of Soderstrom and colleagues did confirm that the visual end point of the "blanch swell and collapse" of the fallopian tube is an insufficient indicator of complete coagulation with bipolar systems. Further research is needed to maximize the effectiveness of bipolar coagulation and in agreement with Soderstrom health providers should be aware of proper equipment and techniques. Soderstrom suggests that unipolar coagulation be reconsidered as a method of tubal sterilization. The procedure is highly effective; changes in equipment have occurred and experience with the use of electrocoagulation by laparoscopy is now greater. However the relative safety of unipolar coagulation for sterilization remains unclear. Data in this authors study suggests that both unipolar and bipolar coagulation are highly effective; but among women sterilized at a young age bipolar coagulation was less effective. Further efforts are needed to improve the safety of unipolar coagulation and the effectiveness of bipolar coagulation.


The ratio of generalized oscillator strengths for single and double ionization of He, Ne and Ar has been remeasured in the energy-loss range from threshold up to 200 eV, using 8 keV electron impact and time-of-flight ion analysis in coincidence with electrons scattered through zero degrees. The results are in excellent agreement with the recent photoionization (synchrotron) data of Schmidt et al. (1976) and appear to remove the discrepancy which previously existed between photon and electron impact work.


Sir .—Most cases of RHS should never reach the emergency room. The history is so typical and the treatment so simple that over half of these cases can be well managed by a telephone conversation. Most parents can follow the simple supination maneuver and feel the click. Children with RHS only need to be seen if the history is not typical, if the parent is not able to follow the instructions, or if the child does not resume use of the arm soon. If the child is seen, the caretaker should certainly be instructed in the reduction method. Let us aim to keep all subluxed elbows out of the expensive emergency room where so often unneeded roentgenography is performed. Of course, seeing these children in the office is an easy way to be the hero since the cure is dramatic.


We examine the long-run performance of the common stock of firms following calls of both straight and convertible debt from 1945 to 1995. Using a sample of 718 calls of straight debt, we find an average abnormal return in the five years following the call of between 0.16% and 0.34% per month, which compounds to an economically and statistically significant 11% to 22% over the five-year period. This evidence of overperformance following calls shows a distinct symmetry between the straight debt and equity markets. Issues of debt and equity are both followed by long-term underperformance, whereas stock repurchases and debt calls are both followed by long-run overperformance. For our sample of 713 calls of convertible debt, we find little systematic evidence of abnormal performance following the call. Some researchers suggest that calls of convertible debt provide negative signals to the market. Our results provide no support for this claim. In contrast, our evidence of marginal positive long-run returns provides weak support for the model that calls of convertible debt signal the realization of profitable investment options, and for the price pressure hypothesis. 2003 The Southern Finance Association and the Southwestern Finance Association.


We developed a new position-sensitive γ-detector for nuclear accident,measured and analyzed it's characteristic,analyzed the counter-region changes with the dosage of γ-radiation can be detected,compared with the similar production of Canberra company,the result indicates that the new developed γ-camera have a good delicacy.


Among the various components of a tire, this study explores the tread portion, which has the longest contact with the ground during the summer, all-weather, and in the winter. The mechanical properties of three types of tread crack specimens were measured, and a stress–strain diagram for each specimen at low and high speeds was derived. Through the digital image correlation method, the crack tip opening displacement and angle were considered as fracture parameters and derived through equations. Subsequently, the different fracture progression regions were compared and analyzed to confirm the characteristics of the elastic displacement field. It was found that under both low- and high-speed conditions, the maximum elastic strains for the tread specimens were attained in the following order: summer, all-weather, and winter.


This study examines and determines the effect of corporate social responsibility disclosure and firm size on earnings management with profitability as an intervening variable in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. The population in this study are banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2019-2021 period, a total of 43 banking companies. The sampling technique used in this study used purposive sampling, so the research data obtained were 11 banks. The data source used in this study is secondary data in the form of annual financial statements of banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) for 2019-2021. The analytical method consists of descriptive statistical analysis, classical assumption test (normality test, multicollinearity test, heteroscedasticity test) and testing all hypotheses through multiple linear regression analysis, path analysis, t-test and coefficient of determination test. The results show that CSR disclosure has a positive and insignificant effect on earnings management in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Firm size negatively and significantly impacts earnings management in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Profitability positively and substantially affects earnings management in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. CSR disclosure has a positive and insignificant impact on banking companies' profitability on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Firm size positively and significantly affects profitability in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange. Profitability cannot influence CSR disclosure and company size on earnings management in banking companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange.


The classification of reserve and the concept of load reserve are introduced,and the status quo of reserve management of East China Power Grid is analyzed with problems pointed out.The relationship among the peak shifting mechanism of DSM and the unit and load reserves is explained,and the idea of establishing a management system covering reserve planning,monitoring,controlling,and evaluating and checking is put forward.The concept of implementing reserve monitoring is illuminated,and the development of operating reserve monitor platform for units throughout the grid is presented.


This paper expounds briefly the system composition,PLC program control on the antomatic control system of the entry loop of the cold washing line,and analyses the parameter calculation,setting and control prodecure to the system.


The extension of the rules proposed by Cailletet and Mathias for the sum of the saturated vapor and liquid densities and by Guggenheim for the difference of these densities enabled the development of a method for the prediction of liquid densities for binary hydrocarbon systems at saturated conditions. The theorem by corresponding states indicated that unique relationships should exist between the reduced temperature and the sum and difference of the reduced saturated liquid density and the reduced saturated vapor density.

Density data reported by Kay for the systems n-butane—n-heptane, ethane—n-butane, ethane—n-heptane, and ethane—cyclohexane were used to determine the exponents and the coefficients of the resulting equations. The exponents were found to be functions of two temperature parameters, which take into account both the components and composition of the mixture, while their coefficients have been found to depend only on their exponents.

It has been previously shown that critical temperatures of binary hydrocarbon systems can be predicted with the two temperature parameters. In this study it has been found that these two parameters can also be applied to determine the critical densities for these binary hydrocarbon systems. Using these critical properties one can directly obtain the saturated liquid densities of binary systems from the two reduced-density relationship.

The method developed in this work reproduces the saturated liquid densities of the four systems within 4.8%. In addition saturated densities have been calculated for the ethylene—n-heptane system and checked the experimental values within 3.2%.

Because saturated vapor densities are small compared with the saturated liquid densities for conditions removed from the critical point, the sum and difference of the liquid and vapor densities are approximately the same. Thus this method cannot be used with any reliability to determine the densities of saturated vapors.

At present this method can be applied only to hydrocarbon mixtures whose atmospheric dew point does not exceed twice its atmospheric boiling point.


OBJECTIVE:To investigate the expressions of IL-28 and mac-3 in liver of chronic alcoholism mice and withdraw from alcohol.METHODS:The dose of 40%alcohol[8 mg/(g·d)]was administered via gastrolavage once daily for 12 weeks in Kunming mice.The control mice were given the same volume of saline.The experimental mice were sacrified at the end of 4th,8th,12th week and after withdrawal from alcohol 24 hours.Pathologic changes of liver were examined under light microscope after HE staining,expressions of IL-28 and mac-3 were examined by immunohistochemitry.RESULTS:The tissues of treated mice showed various changes of chronic alcoholic hepatitis at the end of 4,8,12 week,such as fatty degerneration,inflammatory and fibrosis,more severe with longer alcohol administration.The expressions of IL-28 and mac-3 were decreased in alcoholic mice but increased in mice withdrawal from alcohol.CONCLUSION:Alcohol could injure Kupffer cells or inhibit their functions.Withdrawal of alcohol may introduce the rebound of IL-28 and mac-3 expressions or temporary inflammation of liver.


Digital banking services have gained much attention in recent years due to their enormous advantages, like convenience, flexibility, and time-savings compared to traditional banking services. However, the low awareness, perceived risk, and security concerns with online banking services led Indian women to deposit their savings in banks, mostly in accounts operated by the husband or a male family member. This study examines women consumers' awareness and intentions to use digital banking during post-demonetization. The study has analyzed the technology adoption model and established a relationship between perceived usefulness, ease of use, trust, risk and behaviour (independent variables) and intentions to use (dependent variable). We have carried out a primary survey and collected 180 responses from the national capital regions of India. The findings show a positive significant influence of perceived usefulness, ease of use, and behaviour over the intentions to use digital banking. According to the outcome, women consumers are ready to adopt digital banking. The results of this study may be utilized to improve financial services, particularly digital banking, and as part of a marketing campaign to promote its usage. It has been difficult to visit the bank physically during epidemics; thus, using digital banking is strongly advised.


In this study, we propose a stereoscopic transparent display that can be viewed with the naked eye. Existing methods for generating realistic high-quality stereoscopic images require wearable devices and the presence of a display, which degrades the sense of presence. Our method increases the sense of presence by making the stereoscopic images blend into the surrounding environment.


Abstract Objectives Umbilical artery aneurysm, a rare structural anomaly of the umbilical cord, is frequently associated with fetal aneuploidy, fetal growth restriction and fetal demise. At present there are no definitive protocols or guidelines for the surveillance and management of this condition. Case presentation The index case is an 18-year-old primigravida who had an ultrasound at 35 weeks and 5 days gestation due to lagging symphysio-fundal height measurement. The ultrasound scan revealed a normal fetus with estimated fetal weight that was appropriate for gestational age. There was a cystic structure with internal echoes originating from the placenta at the point of the umbilical cord insertion, which was determined to be a 1.9 × 1.8 cm umbilical artery aneurysm on 3D and Doppler imaging. On follow up imaging the aneurysm had increased in size and measured 3.06 × 1.79 cm. The patient subsequently had a cesarean section delivery of a live female. Karyotyping subsequently revealed 46 XX. Conclusions A total of 15 cases of umbilical artery aneurysm have been reported in the literature to date, of which there were 5 live born infants with normal karyotype. The remaining 10 cases were intra-uterine fetal demise or trisomy 18 with subsequent neonatal deaths. When monitoring the aneurysms with ultrasound, change in size and Doppler indices play a pivotal role in helping to determine time and mode of delivery and thus allow for a favorable perinatal outcome.


The program carried out in SMA (Junior High School) is an effort to develop students' abilities. However, in its implementation, majors in Junior High School actually cause discriminatory actions against students majoring in social studies (Social Sciences) so that negative labels or stamps appear on students who take the major, both in the school environment and in the community. This study was conducted to find out :1). Causes of discriminatory occurrence in the school environment, 2). Impact on negative stamps/labels of the school environment. The method used is a qualitative method with a direct interview study type in the field. By seeking information from three (3) subjects/speakers, including two students and a permanent teaching teacher there at the high school. The negative label given to students majoring in social studies does not just happen, but there is a cause. The social sanctions given by the school environment stem from the attitudes and behaviors of children majoring in social studies that are not good, and tend to deviate from school rules or regulations.


Barney is having a hard time. His best friend Nick is dying; he has to compete for the county swimming championships; he has school work to contend with; he is just getting to know his first girlfriend; he is coping with his first part-time job. Everything is just about holding together … then what he has been dreading most happens and all sorts of other things go wrong as well.
This is the moving story of how Barney comes to terms with his grief over his friend Nick. We share his pain and eventually his hopes for the future.


Abstract : In the early Spring of 1969, the world was stunned at the spectacle of two 'peace-loving, fraternal' communist powers slugging it out over a tiny island in the frozen Ussuri River. What was the fighting all about. Did Chenpao Island (or Damansky Island as the Russians referred to it) have any special territorial value or was the bloodshed prompted by another issue of greater magnitude. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the territorial aspect of the Sino-Soviet dispute and focus on the two military engagements that erupted along their northeastern boundary in 1969. The ultimate objective is to determine why the violence occurred. To this end, the paper will present a short history of the northeastern border formation, a summary of the territorial issue in the developing Russo-Chinese rift, a description of the two military engagements on Chenpao Island, a brief insight into the frontier claims, and finally, an analysis of Chinese motives.


Introduction: Proximal femoral fracture is common with a high mortality (7% mortality at 30 days). Accurate determination of mortality risk allows better consenting, clinical management and expectation management. Our study aim was to develop a prognostic tool to predict 30-day mortality after proximal femoral fracture, among patients treated within a dedicated hip fracture unit. Materials and methods: We collected data from our hospital concerning 2210 patients with 2287 proximal femoral fractures. The clinical parameters of 97 patients who died within 30 days of surgery were analysed. We used logistic regression to determine if the parameters' relationship with 30-day mortality was statistically significant or not. The statistically significant parameters were used to create a prognostic model for predicting 30-day mortality. Results: The 5 independent predictors of 30-day mortality were gender, age, admission source, preoperative Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS) and American Society of Anesthesiologists Score (ASA). The highest risk was for males >85 years, admitted from institutional care, with low preoperative mental test score and high ASA grade. Using these predictors, we formulated the G4A score. The Hosmer-Lemeshow 'goodness of fit' test showed good concordance between observed and predicted mortality rates. Conclusions: We recommend the use of the G4A score to predict 30-day mortality after surgery for proximal femoral fracture, particularly within dedicated hip fracture units. Further research is needed to establish whether the findings of this study are applicable on a national scale.


Depression is a common mental disorder that presents with depressed mood, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, low energy, and poor concentration. Depressed patients usually respond to antidepressant drugs. Medicinal plants form the major system of medicine in India. Herbs are natural remedies for the disease with higher safety profile and efficacy. Approximately a dozen animal tests for antidepressant agents are commonly used. The Forced swim test and Tail suspension test in mice were mostly used. Hence in the present study Forced swim test and Tail suspension test were used as animal models of depression. In present study immobility time in Forced swim test and Tail suspension test tests was significantly decreased for piper nigrum fruit extract and Imipramine treated groups compared to control group. High dose extract activity was comparable to standard drug Imipramine, but the low dose was less effective. Gross motor activity test demonstrated that treatment does not modified the locomotor activity of mice, which indicates that the plant extract exerts antidepressant effects without modifying significantly locomotor activity. Therefore, it is probable that these effects are not related to the stimulation of general motor activity. Hence the present study confirms the aqueous extract of piper nigrum fruit having antidepressant activity. Further studies should be conducted to confirm whether the antidepressant activity is due to piperine or other chemical constituents are also involved. Further studies may help to find new antidepressant constituents in piper nigrum fruits.


The invention relates to a multiphase clock phase uniformity self-correction system which comprises a sending module, a receiving module, a random code generating module and a control module, wherein the random code generating module is used for generating a random code stream, and converting the random code stream into high-speed serial data by the sending module and then sending the high-speed serial data to the receiving module; the receiving module converts the high-speed serial data into parallel data and then transmits the parallel data to the control module; the control module stores the random code stream, detects the probability having error codes in the parallel data output by the receiving module, and generates a phase adjusting control signal used for adjusting the phase uniformity of a multiphase clock according to the result of error code detection. The invention also provides a multiphase clock phase uniformity self-correction method. The invention effectively eliminates sampling error codes brought by the phase nonuniformity of the multiphase clock.


Economic theories have been used to explain fertility patterns (1,2). Reduced fertility in the Western world has been explained by changes in women's investment from child bearing to education and paid work. The fertility rate in most European countries is now below the replacement rate of 2.0 (3), suggesting a diminishing population if not replaced by immigration. It has been suggested that welfare benefits, which compensate for income loss during parental leave, influence the fertility rate and the relatively high fertility rates in Scandinavian countries have been used to illustrate this point. The fertility rate in Norway is 1.9, among the highest in Europe (3,4). The 10-months with full economic compensation for lack of income during parental leave from work, however, strongly depend on the mother's employment and income before delivery. Since higher age often means higher income, it is conceivable that this welfare system encourages delivery at a relative high age. A 20-year-old woman without income may receive less than 10% of the welfare benefits of a 40-year-old medical doctor. It is not unlikely that such differences influence the timing of pregnancies and the outcome of unplanned pregnancies. In Oslo, the capital of Norway, more than half of the pregnancies among ethnic Norwegian women, less than 25 years of age, were terminated during 200


An experimental study was carried out to assess the mechanical performance of engineered fiber-reinforced composites (ECC) with characteristic of low drying shrinkage. Research emphasis is placed on the influence of water to binder ratio (w/c) on tensile and compressive properties, such as stress-strain curves, strength, and strain values as well as elastic modulus. Four mixtures with w/c of 0.55, 0.45, 0.35, and 0.25 were designed in the experimental program. Experimental results show that composite with compressive strength ranging from 20 to 60 MPa can be obtained by varying w/c from 0.55 to 0.25, while retaining the tensile strain hardening and multiple cracking performances. A significant plasticity, like yielding of metal, is found under compressive load after peak stress, except for the similar behavior under tensile load.


Abstract A linear analysis of conical whirl instability of an unloaded rigid rotor supported on hydrodynamic journal bearings with micropolar lubrication has been presented. In self-excited conical whirling motion, the rotor has 2 degrees of freedom with hydrdynamic film pressure distribution in the bearing clearance. The hydrodynamic film pressure distribution has been obtained by solving the modified Reynolds equation based on the theory of the micropolar lubrication satisfying the appropriate boundary conditions. With the help of the components of dynamic tilting stiffness and damping coefficients, stability characteristics are obtained. The effects of various parameters, namely the non-dimensional micropolar characteristic length, coupling number, clearance ratio and slenderness ratio on the conical stability parameter have been investigated.


Purpose. To compare the clinical and functional outcomes of posterior lamellar keratoplasty using the femtosecond laser (FS-DSEK) and manual microkeratome (DSAEK) for graft preparation. Material and methods . The prospective single-center randomized study included 38 patients (39 eyes) with simultaneous Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and cataract. There were enrolled in the study group 19 patients (19 eyes) following FS-DSEK combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. The control group included 19 patients (20 eyes) following microkeratome-assisted DSAEK combined with phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. Pre- and post-operatively the standard and special diagnostic methods were used (optical coherence tomography, confocal immersion microscopy, keratopachymetry, endothelial microscopy). Evaluation of transplant geometry was performed using the ratio between central and peripheral graft thickness (C:P ratio). The maximum followup period was 1 year. Results. In the study group the corneas were transparent in 89.5% of cases and 95% in the control group. At long-term follow-up periods (6 months and more) postoperatively there were no significant difference of UCVA and BCVA between groups (p>0.05). In the study and control group the median C:P ratio were 0.88 (0.85; 0.95) and 0.55 (0.48; 0.68), respectively (p<0.001). The mean hyperopic shifts in the study group were 27±0.9D and 1.25±0.81D in the control group (p=0.002). A correlation was revealed between hyperopic shift and C:P ratio of transplant, (r=- 0.406; p=0.019). Endothelial cell density loss at 12 months in the study group was higher in comparison to the control group and averaged 64.1±8.8% and 54.6±4.8%, respectively (p<0.001). Conclusion. Clinical and functional results in the early and long-term follow- up periods were comparable between both surgical techniques. The use of femtosecond laser in comparison to microkeratome-assisted DSAEK allows to obtain a more uniform graft creation in its thickness. We detected a correlation between the C:P ratio index and the development of hyperopic shift. For the first time the presence of a smaller hyperopic shift was confirmed (0.27±0.9D) in FS-DSEK compared with microkeratome- assisted DSAEK (1.25±0.81D).


Policy makers often ascribe sports clubs an important societal role as they can encourage integration of people with migration background. Questions then arise as to the extent that members with migration background are integrated in sports clubs and what the factors are that play a role in this integration. The data for this research is drawn from a comparative study of ten European countries. The analyses take a multidimensional approach to social integration and differentiate between the dimensions of understanding/acceptance, interaction, and identification. The results show that members with migration background are relatively well integrated, but less so than other club members. There is a positive association between social integration and the affiliation as volunteer, participation in competitions, long-term membership and sports activities in teams. Introduction European societies face important challenges when it comes to social integration of people with migration background, particularly in times of refugee crisis (e.g. Morsut & Kruke, 2018). Voluntary sports clubs (VSCs) are often promoted as an important medium to meet these challenges as they can provide valuable social settings for integrating these specific population groups within an organisation as well as into broader society (Author, 2016). Membership in a VSC is the initial indication of being embedded in a club context, and therefore represents a necessary condition for further integrative processes. However, formal membership tells relatively little about how well a member is socially integrated into a club. Integration only becomes apparent through the type and depth of involvement of a member within the various and different communication patterns and action contexts of VSCs, for example, the extent a member is accepted, has intercultural friendships, or participates in club activities (Seiberth & Thiel, 2010). Thus, integration is not automatic and is strongly reliant on specific conditions of affiliation in the club. Existing studies indicate an ambivalent picture of the social integration achieved by VSCs. On the one hand, several studies have revealed that VSCs enable the reduction of social differences and a sense of being foreign, as well as create social networks and friendships (e.g. Dagkas & Armour, 2012; Janssens & Verweel, 2014; Seippel, 2005; Theeboom, Schaillée, & Nols, 2012). Additionally, members may participate in decisionmaking procedures, be involved in joint competitions and social club events, take on voluntary tasks, and make use of offers for qualification (e.g. Braun & Finke, 2010; Breuer & Feiler, 2015). Joint activities can strengthen the sense of belonging and the unity between members (e.g. Maxwell et al., 2014; Mutz, 2012). On the other hand, expectations concerning the potential social integration achieved by VSCs have been questioned, with indications of social closure practices such as discrimination, prejudices, and conflicts (e.g. Burdsey, 2011; Elling & Claringbould, 2005; Krouwel et al., 2006; Zacheus, 2010). For example, the underrepresentation of immigrants in high-responsibility roles and positions in VSCs indicates that these positions are difficult to access (Elling & Claringbould, 2005). Several authors have reported that VSCs can be a place where ethnic boundaries and segregation practices may occur, particularly when members with 'inappropriate' behaviour and habits participate (e.g. Elling & Claringbould, 2005; Seiberth & Thiel, 2010; Spaaij, 2013; Zifonun, 2008). Existing findings on social integration in VSCs appear to contain two research gaps: (1) The studies of social integration in VSCs are mostly based on undifferentiated concepts of social integration. A multidimensional measurement concept that corresponds with the complexity of social integration appears to be necessary (Author, 2018). (2) The fact that social integration processes in VSCs can be determined by certain factors such as sociodemographic or membership-related features should be taken into account. Some studies have confirmed such influences, but not in a comprehensive manner. In particular, the role of the specific affiliation with the club (e.g. volunteering, playing sport in a team) for social integration is rarely analysed, particularly for club members with a migration background. To bridge these existing research gaps, this study addresses the following research questions: (1) To what extent are members with migration background integrated in VSCs? This will firstly require a definition of the meaning of social integration in a VSC, and subsequently, to compare the degree of social integration of members with migration background with other members, the development of an appropriate multidimensional concept. The research can then address a second question: (2) Which individual factors (e.g. immigrant generation status, socio-economic background, affiliation and participation in the club) play a role for the different dimensions of social integration of members with migration background? Conceptual background The concept of social integration and its dimensions Current concepts of (social) integration of people with migration background usually differentiate between factors and mechanisms on a societal and an individual level and analyse the relationship of both (e.g. Nauck & Settles, 2001; Esser, 2004, 2006; Penn & Lambert, 2009). Our study focuses on the individual perspective and, following Esser (2004), conceptualises integration as the involvement and social ability to act in different contexts of a (receiving) society without having to completely surrender ethnic and cultural references. This follows a general understanding of multiculturalism (Penn & Lambert, 2009) or bicultural integration (Esser, 2006) that can be characterised as a process of reciprocal exchange and convergence, in contrast to purely assimilative or pluralist concepts. Esser (2006, 2009) differentiates the complexity of the phenomenon into four dimensions of social integration in society (for VSCs see also Author, 2018): (1) Culturation means the acquisition of knowledge and cultural techniques that are required for meaningful actions within the society. (2) Placement contains access to and acceptance of positions and rights within a social setting. (3) Interaction characterises the affiliation in functioning social networks, participation in public life, and the development of social acceptance. (4) Identification points to the subjectively perceived sense of belonging and emotional attachment to the receiving society. Our study does not focus on the process of integration in society but on the specific setting of VSCs. Therefore, we follow the concept of integration in the context of sports (clubs) elaborated by Elling, De Knop, and Knoppers (2001), which has many similarities to the concept of Esser (2009). Elling, De Knop, and Knoppers (2001) in distinguishing three dimensions: structural, socio-cultural, and socio-affective integration. These three analytical dimensions can be used to comprehend the following aspects of social integration. Structural integration means the formal membership and in an aggregated perspective, the unequal representation of certain population groups in VSCs. We will not focus on this issue in this article. Socio-cultural integration means, "the existence and continuous confirmation and challenging of dominant and marginal norms and values" (Elling, De Knop, & Knoppers, 2001, 418). Here we are interested in both the competence of members to know and manage dominant values and norms in VSCs ('understanding') and the accepting of multiculturalism in clubs and among the club affiliates ('acceptance'). This conceptualisation is inspired by the work of Esser (2009), who differentiates between 'assimilation' and 'pluralism'. Socio-affective integration characterises, "sport as an instrumental practice for meeting others" (Elling, De Knop, & Knoppers, 2001, 418). Following Esser (2009), we distinguish socio-affective integration on two sub-dimensions. The first is 'interaction', understood as the social interaction and creation of social networks among members in VSCs. The second dimension, 'identification', means the degree to which members identify with and feel emotionally connected to their VSC and the other club members. Factors relevant for social integration of members with migration background According to the theoretical concept of Esser (2009), the development of social integration of members with migration background in VSCs depends on how individuals with specific characteristics, resources, and competencies use their opportunities for actions. Here, it seems reasonable to particularly distinguish between human capital and club-related social (consumption) capital. Human capital is an important resource for integration processes (Esser, 2009). It can be assumed that the human capital is distributed differently within various groups of migrants (May & Alisch, 2013). In particular, those migrants with their own migration experience more often have a proportionally lower level of education (Tucci, 2013). In contrast to the labour market (Granato & Kalter, 2001), human capital is presumably less relevant for social integration in VSCs. Research conducted among members in VSCs indicates that once affiliated with a VSC, educational level (human capital) has no or only a limited influence on democratic and social participation (e.g. Author, 2013) , due to comparatively low-threshold opportunities for participation. There are even studies that support the assumption that welleducated members of VSCs engage less in the social life (Seippel, 2005; Author, 2014; Author, 2013). Based on these studies of members in VSCs, we hypothesise that for the specific group of members with migration background we will not find effects of human capital on social integration in VSCs. Club-related social (consumption) capital:


Amitabh Kundu argues that the vision of slum-free Indian cities is hampered by poor urban planning and the failure to make adequate land and capital provisions for affordable housing. Click here for part one of this post, which introduces RAY and analyses the inadequate framework for categorising slums.


The reaction between closo-1,2-C 2 B 8 H 10 and NH 2 Bu t resulted in a straightforward cluster expansion to give the 11-vertex azadicarbaborane anti-11-Bu t -arachno-5,10,11-C 2 N B 8 H 12 , characterized by NMR and mass spectroscopy, together with the accompanying syn isomer.


In this letter, a recently proposed clustering algorithm named affinity propagation is introduced for the task of speaker clustering. This novel algorithm exhibits fast execution speed and finds clusters with low error. However, experiments show that the speaker purity of affinity propagation is not satisfying. Thus, we propose a hybrid approach that combines affinity propagation with agglomerative hierarchical clustering to improve the clustering performance. Experiments show that compared with traditional agglomerative hierarchical clustering, the hybrid method achieves better performance on the test corpora.


Objective To understand the immunological status of influenza A(HIN1) among residents in Changping district,Beijing in 2011.Methods A total of 750 residents were randomly selected in 16 communities of Changping district from April 5 to 15,2011 to complete questionnaire survey.Blood samples were collected for the detection of the hemagglutination-inhibition(HI) antibody against influenza A(HIN1) virus.Results There were 113 participants found to be HI antibody positive with positive rate of 15.07%.Among age groups of 0~5,6~15,16~25,25~59 and 60 years and older,the antibody positive rates were 16.50%,25.51%,17.29%,4.85% and 9.80% respectively(χ2=34.16.P0.01).There were significant correlations of antibody with age,regions(urban or rural) and history of vaccination(P 0.01).Conclusions In 2011,although 15.07% residents in Changping district are positive for this protective antibody against influenza A(HIN1),but the level is relatively low.The whole population is generally susceptible to H1N1 virus.Therefore it is suggested that children in schools and nurseries,residents in rural areas and older than 25 years need to be closely monitored during the endemic.


Domestic climate policies play an important part in shifting countries towards a low-carbon development trajectory. Six case studies explore the domestic drivers and barriers for policies with climate (co-)benefits in developing countries. International support can help to overcome these constraints by providing additional resources for incremental policy costs, technical assistance, and technology cooperation to build local capacity. Any such cooperation has to build on domestic stakeholder support for policies with climate co-benefits. Policy indicators play an important role for successful policy implementation. They facilitate monitoring of intermediate policy outcomes, international comparison of best practice, internal management for effective implementation and can be linked to international incentive schemes. As they are more responsive to successful implementation, indicators can be aligned with political time scales to provide early reward and reduce the uncertainty associated with predicting the long-term impacts of transformational policies on emissions reductions.


Malaysia's early formal relation with Saudi Arabia begun since the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj era (the first Malaysian Premier, 1957-1970) until present. During the reign of Tun Dr. Mahathir, the fourth Malaysian Premier, the relation has changed dynamically. Several initiatives have been taken by the Tun Dr. Mahathir regime to shift the pattern of relations from one to two way communication. Apart from successfully securing economic opportunities from the kingdom, this study attempts to relate the significance of the relations to the Tun Dr. Mahathir regime with its efforts to portray religious commitment, both at domestic and international level. The promotion of Islam by Malaysian leaders, both at home, and at the international level, is vital for the continuation of their political survival. Equipped with more liberal-pragmatic Islamic approach has, to some extent, prolonged the survival of the Tun Dr. Mahathir's political regime interests.


The article presents the results of our research project and development of four futuristic scenarios for the Lithuanian school attempting to answer the question: What's the point? The idea of the article matured during the ongoing presentations of the project insights in public academic space, where two questions were often posed: What's the point of this? What are the practical benefits? Therefore, the article features the methodology of scenario development and describes the benefits of these and similar scenarios, why they are created, and the possible benefits of the scenarios developed within the framework of this project.


The invention provides an electric car intelligent charging system and method on the basis of a mobile device and belongs to the technical field of electric car charging positive intelligent control. The system comprises a power grid management center, a station level management server, the mobile device, a charging device and a power battery. The station level management server comprises a data input module, a data processing module, a data feedback module and a historical data memory module and is used for calculating, solving and achieving the real-time optimum order charging scheme, outputting specific charging orders to the charging device and the mobile device and feeding back the charging information. According to the method, the local optimum greedy algorithm is used for solving the real-time optimum order charging scheme, the user interaction character is achieved, and the order charging scheme of an electric car is obtained by carrying out data mining and predicting on the user data and the power grid data and carrying out performance analysis on the power battery. Under the circumstance of ensuring that battery loss is small, the electric car intelligent charging system and the method greatly meet the individual requirements of the users and achieve effective optimization of a power grid.


Executive Overview Although most managers recognize that a firm's competencies are an important source of competitive advantage, many firms encounter difficulties when they attempt to identify and assess those competencies. Specific competencies are often ambiguous to managers, and individual perceptions of a firm's competencies may vary significantly. This lack of specificity may mask significant misunderstanding and confusion about competencies. When this misunderstanding or confusion occurs among middle managers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of these competencies, the implications for an organization can be serious. We identify and examine key characteristics of competencies and the relationship between middle managers' perceptions of competencies and firm performance. We report a study of middle managers at 17 organizations in two industries: textile manufacturing and hospitals. Results demonstrate the linkages between competency characteristics and firm success. In addition, we de...


The reported studies deal with the synthesis of porphyrin chemosensor 2, designed for the detection of the emerging pollutant diclofenac. Owing to the peculiar structure of its molecular frame, which is composed of a tetrapyrrolic platform linked to a rhodamine B residue, receptor 2 reversibly interacts with diclofenac sodium salt (DCF)Na. The resulting 2@DCF adduct was detected by UV-Vis spectroscopy in a large pH range (5.5–9.0) as well as in the presence of competitive analytes. Both static and time-resolved fluorescence, resonance light scattering (RLS) and UV-Vis spectroscopies allowed for the evaluation of the binding behaviour, in terms of the association constant and structural features of the formed 2@DCF. In particular, the host–guest recognition event occurs with the growth of large porphyrin aggregates, as stated by the quenching of the fluorescence emission as well as the enhancement of RLS intensities, and with an overall 1 : 1 binding constant of about 105 M−1.


The text aims to reflect the experience of being a scholarship student in the discipline of nursing management in health services II, in the Undergraduate Program in Nursing at the University of Santa Cruz do Sul – UNISC. This discipline occurs in the seventh semester of the course, being held in a Basic Public Health Unit. Practice happens in groups of six to eight students and during the same period of time there are related themes which are developed in the classroom. This method helps professors and students, allowing them to observe and interact on the way of organizing and managing the Basic Health Unit, in order to be able to collaborate with the necessary improvements. We conclude that it contributes with the professional formation of the student scholarship and academic, guiding him/her to a more comprehensive look at management and decision making in developing health policy


Strong fluctuations of density should be contained by some external pressure. The following model is considered: a wind from the central star is stopped at a shock front. The high-temperature, rarefied gas behind this front pushes a thin, dense shell of H II, with the shock at another (front) side. Weak initial fluctuations of density deform the shock, ard thin filaments with a head at the inner end are formed. The emission measure and radioemission of such nebulae, the presence of several shells, and the highvelocity internal motions are discussed. The model may be applied also to the expansion of a relativistic gas with a magnetic field in an external medium. (auth)


Food is a signifier of identity and status (Hayden, 1998, 2009; Hayden & Villeneuve, 2011; Neill et al., 2015). In traditional times, Māori consumed a range of hunted, gathered, and cultivated foods (Royal & Kaka-Scott, 2013). As a result of this diet, non-infectious diseases were low among Māori due to foods with higher levels of protective chemicals and nutrients (Cambie & Fergusson, 2003).


The method of tail geometry parameters calculation is presented. The decision of the problem is obtained by the combination of panel methods and experimental results.


Introduction: Reintegration into What? 1. Conceptualizing Reintegration Challenges 2. The Advent of the Ex-Combatant: A Critical History of Reintegration 3. Namibia: Jobs for Some 4. Mozambique: Cash for All 5. Sierra Leone: Trained for Jobs that Weren't There 6. Liberia: Reintegration 2.0? Conclusion: 'Like Everyone Else'


This article is related to, and builds on, an earlier article "The Age of the Home Worker – Part 1: Deductibility of Home Occupancy Expenses". The earlier article identified the potential expenses incurred by home workers — home occupancy and home running expenses, and then provided an in‑depth discussion of the deductibility of home office occupancy expenses. This article deals with the measurement of deductions for home occupancy expenses, and in this, appropriate apportionment methodologies are analysed. The article also deals with the problematic question of the amount of the deduction for the home worker where the relevant occupancy expense is jointly incurred, with a partner, spouse or another party. The article also analyses the capital gains tax rule that partially withdraws the full main residence exemption where home occupancy expense deductions are available or are notionally available. Considerable complexity and anomalies arise under the exemption withdrawal rule where a dwelling is jointly owned.


The literature on the pyrolysis of acetylene below 1000 K is reviewed and it is shown that the reaction is a radical chain polymerization initiated by H atoms. The induction period is examined and shown to arise from a rapid autocatalysis produced by the very first product, vinyl acetylene. Data from studies of acetylene polymerization induced by vinyl acetylene and styrene are examined and shown to be in good qualitative agreement with the radical chain process presented. Measured and where needed, estimated rate constants are given to produce numerical estimates of chain length, rates of polymerization, induction period, and rates of initiation. It is further shown that all the products of the polymerization are capable of efficiently initiating chains in the system. An examination of the possible kinetics of vinylidene shows that it does not play any role in acetylene chemistry.


We present a machine-learning approach to modeling the distribution of noun phrases (NPs) within clauses with respect to a fine-grained taxonomy of grammatical relations. We demonstrate that a cluster of superficial linguistic features can function as a proxy for more abstract discourse features that are not observable using state-of-the-art natural language processing. The models constructed for actual texts can be used to select among alternative linguistic expressions of the same propositional content when generating discourse.


Background: Continuous risk of recurrence scores (CRS) based on PAM50 gene expression are vital prognostic tools for breast cancer (BC). Studies have shown that Black women (BW) have higher CRS than White women (WW). Although systemic injustices contribute substantially to BC disparities, evidence for biological and germline contributions is also emerging. We investigated germline genetic associations with CRS and CRS disparity through a Transcriptome-Wide Association Study (TWAS). Methods: In the Carolina Breast Cancer Study, using race-specific predictive models of tumor expression from germline genetics, we performed race-stratified (N=1,043 WW, 1083 BW) linear regressions of three CRS (ROR-S: PAM50 subtype score; Proliferation Score; ROR-P: ROR-S plus Proliferation Score) on imputed Genetically-Regulated tumor eXpression (GReX). Using Bayesian multivariate regression and adaptive shrinkage, we tested TWAS-significant genes for associations with PAM50 tumor expression and subtype to elucidate patterns of germline regulation underlying TWAS-gene and CRS associations. Results: At FDR-adjusted P < 0.10, we detected 7 TWAS-genes among WW and 1 TWAS-gene among BW. Among WW, CRS showed positive associations with MCM10, FAM64A, CCNB2, and MMP1 GReX and negative associations with VAV3, PCSK6, and GNG11 GReX. Among BW, higher MMP1 GReX predicted lower Proliferation score and ROR-P. TWAS-gene and PAM50 tumor expression associations highlighted potential mechanisms for TWAS-gene to CRS associations. Conclusions: Among BC patients, we find differential germline associations with three CRS by race, underscoring the need for larger, more diverse datasets in molecular studies of BC. Our findings also suggest possible germline trans-regulation of PAM50 tumor expression, with potential implications for interpreting CRS in clinical settings.


This paper introduces the concept of a nearly passive reconfigurable intelligent surface where each unit cell can only provide an invariable constant phase-shift. A simple unit cell selection method is also proposed to engineer the incident wave's properties for the benefit of the intended receiver. Rigorous simulation results are provided, which validate the idea of the nearly passive reconfigurable intelligent surface and the unit cell selection method. The presented results show that the proposed nearly passive reconfigurable intelligent surface can provide a similar performance as a conventional reconfigurable intelligent surface. Furthermore, it demonstrates that it is possible to alleviate the complexities related to phase shifter network, and at the same time to reduce the associated control signaling without incurring any performance loss.


Propeller design requirements are nowadays more and more demanding, demanding not only to provide high efficiency and to avoid cavitation, but including also requirements in terms of low induced vibrations and radiated noise. Ducted propellers, consisting of a propeller located inside a foil shaped nozzle, may provide the opportunity to reduce these negative effects. Moreover use of this kind of propulsion may also increase the efficiency of heavily loaded propellers. These different effects can be obtained using different shapes of the duct. This paper presents the development of a measuring device adopted to evaluate the forces on the duct and the results achieved during the tests on two ducted propellers at the cavitation tunnel of the University of Genoa. The measurement tool was designed and realized in house in the framework of a research project partially funded by the University of Genova and it is at the same time the support of the duct to be placed in the cavitation tunnel and the device measuring the acting forces. It basically consists of a light alloy tube where strain gauges were suitably located. By means of the developed measuring device, two ducted propellers with different characteristics (namely with accelerating and decelerating duct), whose design was carried out in cooperation with Fincantieri Naval Vessel Business unit in the framework of the European Project BESST, were tested at cavitation tunnel. The results of these two test series were compared with data acquired at the SVA towing tank showing a good agreement. Moreover, in order to investigate the cavitation behaviour of the two ducted propellers, cavitation test were also carried out, focusing the attention on the phenomena on the duct and on other interesting characteristics, such as thrust breakdown, providing useful data for future validations of numerical propeller design and analysis tool.


In this study, we present an adaptive combined fuzzy sliding mode controller for a class of nonlinear systems with unknown nonlinear dynamics. The proposed control strategy is based on the fuzzy logic and sliding mode control technique (SMC). The adaptive fuzzy logic system type Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) is used to approximate the unknown dynamics of system. In order to assure the robustness on stability and tracking performance, the sliding mode control term is added in the control law. The latter consists to suppress the influence of external disturbances and attenuate fuzzy approximation error. Simulation results illustrate the good performances of the system when the proposed control technique is applied.


We propose a high‐resolution technique for estimating the source time function of a seismic event from only one record. This technique is based on the spectral factorization of the minimum phase wavelet from the most random part of a seismogram: its coda. As the coda non‐stationarity is inconsistent with the classical spectral factorization theory, we develop a two‐step algorithm: first, the diffuse coda field is whitened to remove the non‐stationary attenuation effect; second, the minimum phase wavelet equivalent of the seismic source time function is estimated. Applied to the recordings of the Kursk's wreck, this method gives a source wavelet strikingly similar to the general shape of an underwater explosion, allowing us to infer its depth and yield. Based on the fundamental "random" character of diffusive waves, this approach opens up promising applications for new blind deconvolution methods.


In order to establish a simple, sensitive and rapid method for the determination of azithromycin, the gold electrode modi fi ed with Silica sol/Nano-Au/PVP/Ru(bpy) 32+ was prepared, and the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method was developed for the determination of azithromycin based on the sensitizing effect of azithromycin on Ru(bpy) 32+ . Moreover, the electrochemical behaviors and the electrochemical luminescence behaviors of the Ru(bpy) 32+ system and the Ru(bpy) 32+ - azithromycin system were investigated by ECL respectively. The results show that the proposed electrode showed very good electrochemical activity and electrochemiluminescence response to the Ru(bpy) 32+ - azithromycin system, under the optimum experimental condition, the linearity of azithromycin concentration to ECL intensity was achieved in the concentration of azithromycin from 1.0 × 10 − 7 to 1.0 × 10 − 4 molL − 1 and the detection limit ( S / N = 3) was 1.33 × 10 − 9 molL − 1 . Through the parallel determination of 1.0 × 10 − 5 molL − 1 azithromycin for 8 times, the RSD of results was 1.82%, and the recovery ranging from 97.9% to 101.6% was obtained in the detection of azithromycin tabelets and the RSD was 1.36% ( n = 5). The proposed method showed high selectivity and sensitivity and simplicity, and it could be applied to the analysis of azithromycin with satisfactory results.


Tensile and fracture responses of phenylethynyl terminated imi de oligomer 5-th composition (PETI-5) are studied. Since this polymer serves as an adhesi ve and as a matrix material in composite systems, neat as well as fiber-reinforced forms of PETI-5 are studied under static and dynamic loading conditions. A split-Hopkinson tension bar apparatus is used for dynamic tensile testing on dogbone specimens. The dynamic fracture tests are carried out using 2D digital speckle correlation method and high-speed photography on impact loaded edge-cracked specimens in 3-point bend configuration. Another commonly used epoxy system, EPON 828, is also studied to provide a baselin e comparison. The tensile stress-strain responses show PETI-5 to have excellent mechanical characteristi cs under quasi-static and dynamic loading conditions relative to EPON 828. Fracture behavior under quasi-static and impact loading conditions again shows superior fracture pa rameters relative to EPON 828. The dynamic fracture behavior of a graphite fiber reinforced co mposite system, IM7/PETI-5, is also studied and the results are comparatively evaluated for two fiber orientations. Once again, the IM7/PETI-5 system shows excellent fracture properties in terms of various fracture parameters such as crack initiation toughness, crack speed, fracture surface morphology, and among others.


We proposed a new kind of coil type axial magnetic field (AMF) contact for 126 kV single break vacuum interrupters (VIs). The objective of this paper is to analyze and optimize AMF characteristics of the new contact. Compared with a former coil type AMF contact with 2 segments we developed, the new AMF contact is advantage with stronger AMF and lower electrode resistance. Its AMF characteristics were analyzed by finite element method (FEM) and we optimized AMF characteristics of the new contact by quadratic orthogonal regressive analysis. The optimization design results show that 1) the maximum axial magnetic flux density is 8.84 m T/kA on intermediate plane of contact gap 30 mm at current peak; 2) the maximum axial magnetic flux density is 1.18 m T/kA on intermediate plane of contact gap 30 mm at current zero; 3) the minimum electrode resistance is 7.8 muOmega.


AIM:To clone and identify genes differentially expressed in the EB virus-transformed human B cell.METHODS:Suppression subtractive hybridization was used to construct the library which contains the differentiately expressed cDNAs in EB virus-transformed human B cell .Then the isolated genes were cloned and sequenced and identifed by RT-PCR ,Nucleic acid homology searches were performed using the BLAST program.RESULTS:By this technique,4 differentiately expressed gene cDNA fragments of EB virus-transformed human B cell were obtained .CONCLUSION:SSH is an effective method to isolate differentiately expressed genes.


Suppose there is no spatial symmetry breaking in URu2Si2 at the "hidden order" (HO) transition temperature and only the time-reversal symmetry is broken. As a result of its 4/mmm symmetry, each uranium atom is a three-dimensional magnetic vortex; its intra-atomic magnetization M(r) is intrinsically non-collinear, so that its dipole, quadrupole and toroidal moments vanish, thus making the vortex "hidden". The first non-zero magnetic multipole of the uranium vortex is the toroidal quadrupole. In the unit cell, two uranium vortexes can have either the same or opposite signs of M(r) (ferro-vortex or antiferro-vortex structures with I4/mmm or P_I4/mmm magnetic space groups, respectively). Quantum ESPRESSO simulations predict that the vortex magnetic order of URu2Si2 is rather strong: the total absolute magnetization |M(r)| is approximately 0.9\mu_B per U atom, detectable by neutron scattering in spite of the unusual formfactor. The ferro-vortex and antiferro-vortex phases have almost the same energy and they are energetically favorable compared to the non-magnetic phase.


Training the ability of professional career education needs obeying to the teaching rules,consolidates the same or relevant professional skill knowledge to constitute the different teaching modules,and in order to organize the teaching materials and the implementation of teaching.This paper,combining with our school "logistics facilities and equipment machinery" task of the actual textbook type,compiling teaching materials in reflect "the mission driving,action guide",the implementation of the PIPA teaching.And it puts forward the necessity of compiling task-based teaching materials to write and basic thought process.


non-illusionistic tradition … is deemed a separate, parallel reality, whose modes of construction are radically different from that of life and mundane reality … it draws attention to itself as a distinct phenomenal reality, as opposed to what we get in the mimetic, illusionistic theatre where the production aspires to being so transparent that it becomes that which it imitates -life and actuality. The fundamental aesthetic premises of the Yoruba Travelling Theatre performance derive from a particular heightened form of the non-mimetic, non-illusionistic approach to theatre-making (14 – 15). 24


Gravity data is the result of gravity force field composition by all underground source.Detection object constantly are submerged in background field.Therefore one of the most common problems encountered in gravity data studies is how to separate each anomaly.The wavelet transform operator has recently been introduced in the domain of potential fields both as a filtering and as a source-analysis tool.Here we study the ability of improving resolution gravity anomaly based on wavelet analysis and power spectrum analysis.2D discreet Wavelet transform for the multiscale separation of gravity anomalies,in order to recover the geometric characteristics of density heterogeneities described by simple-shaped sources.In this paper,we first introduce the basic theory of the multiresolution wavelet analysis,its lifting scheme and the spectral factorization method for the gravity power,decompose model and reality gravity data by 2D discreet Wavelet transform,estimate approximately the shape,size and depth of the buried objects,and then compare them with the result of the traditional method,which demonstrated this way is effective for gravity data processing.


Weed control is a significant means to enhance crop production. Weeds are accountable for 45% of the agriculture sector's crop losses, which primarily occur because of competition with crops. Accurate and rapid weed detection in agricultural fields was a difficult task because of the presence of a wide range of weed species at various densities and growth phases. Presently, several smart agriculture tasks, such as weed detection, plant disease detection, species identification, water and soil conservation, and crop yield prediction, can be realized by using technology. In this article, we propose a Modified Barnacles Mating Optimization with Deep Learning based weed detection (MBMODL-WD) technique. The MBMODL-WD technique aims to automatically identify the weeds in the agricultural field. Primarily, the presented MBMODL-WD technique uses the Gabor filtering (GF) technique for the noise removal process. For automated weed detection, the presented MBMODL-WD technique uses the DenseNet-121 model as feature extraction with the MBMO algorithm as hyperparameter optimization. The design of the MBMO algorithm involves the integration of self-population-based initialization with the standard BMO algorithm. At last, the Elman Neural Network (ENN) method was applied for the weed classification process. To demonstrate the enhanced performance of the MBMODL-WD approach, a series of simulation analyses were performed. A comprehensive set of simulations highlighted the enhanced performance of the presented MBMODL-WD methodology over other DL models with a maximum accuracy of 98.99%.


The firesetting literature has predominantly focused on apprehended populations, yet very few perpetrators of deliberate fire incidents are formerly identified or convicted. This research aimed to gather a deeper understanding of un-apprehended firesetting individuals by examining the prevalence of deliberate firesetting in the Aotearoa New Zealand general population, as well as the factors that differentiate between (i) firesetting and non-firesetting individuals, (ii) one-time and repeat firesetting individuals, and (iii) adolescent-limited, adult-persistent, and adult-only firesetting individuals. An anonymous online survey was completed by 626 adults, of which 103 (16.45%) self-reported having deliberately set a fire over the age of 14 years for antisocial or interest purposes. Relative to non-firesetting individuals, firesetting individuals were more likely to report having a high school qualification as their highest educational attainment, a history of a mental health diagnosis, and higher scores on measures of fire-interest, impulsivity, fearful attachment styles, anger, and antisocial associates. The strongest predictor of firesetting status was holding a high school qualification as the highest educational attainment. Relative to one-time firesetting individuals, repeat firesetting individuals were more likely to be older at their last incident of deliberate firesetting and scored higher on measures of fire interest, with age at last deliberate firesetting incident being the strongest predictor of repeat firesetting status. Finally, adolescent-limited, adult-persistent, and adult-only firesetting individuals could be differentiated on number of fires set and ages at first and last deliberate firesetting incidents. The strongest predictor of adult-persistent firesetting status was having a history of a mental health diagnosis. These findings greatly advance our understanding of un-apprehended firesetting behaviour; highlighting the need for tailored, multifaceted prevention initiatives, and theories specific to the unique population of un-apprehended firesetting individuals.


The goal of surface reconstruction is to determine a compact representation of a surface given a finite number of samples from the surface. Reconstruction problems arise in diverse scientific and engineering fields, including: 1) surfaces from range data which is produced by a laser range scanning system; 2) surfaces from contours, e.g., reconstruction of three dimensional structures from stacks of two dimensional contours; and 3) interactive surface sketching, i.e., construction of a surface representation faithful to the unordered collection of points generated by tracking the path of a stylus or mouse as the user sketches the desired shape. Many researchers worked out a number of reconstruction algorithms to solve the above problems. These algorithms generally fall into two categories: approximating and interpolating. Hugues Hoppe, Tony DeRose, Tom Duchamp, John McDonald and Werner Stuetzle[2,3] developed an algorithm to produce as output a simplicial surface (piecewise linear surface with triangular faces) that approximates the unknown surface. Brian Curless and Marc Levoy[4] employed a volumetric method to


The Nb rat prostatic adenocarcinoma model has served as an animal model for testing various chemotherapeutic agents. Herein this preliminary report, the tumor Nb PRST-1 Ca was evaluated in 25 animals with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, orchiectomized and control treatments. Tumor growth curves were determined and show a significant difference on day 13 (T-test) between the control group and treatment groups. Metastases were found in the lungs of all animals and a remarkable rounding of the liver was noted in the androgen treatment groups.