After many years spent by paleomagnetists studying the directional behavior of the Earth's magnetic field at all possible timescales, detailed measurements of field intensity are now needed to document the variations of the entire vector and to analyze the time evolution of the field components. A significant step has been achieved by combining intensity records derived from archeological materials and from lava flows in order to extract the global field changes over the past 12 kyr. A second significant step was due to the emergence of coherent records of relative paleointensity using the remanent magnetization of sediments to retrace the evolution of the dipole field. A third step was the juxtaposition of these signals with those derived from cosmogenic isotopes. Contemporaneous with the acquisition of records, new techniques have been developed to constrain the geomagnetic origin of the signals. Much activity has also been devoted to improving the quality of determinations of absolute paleointensity from volcanic rocks with new materials, proper selection of samples, and investigations of complex changes in magnetization during laboratory experiments. Altogether these developments brought us from a situation where the field changes were restricted to the past 40 kyr to the emergence of a coherent picture of the changes in the geomagnetic dipole moment for at least the past 1 Myr. On longer timescales the field variability and its average behavior is relatively well documented for the past 400 Myr. Section 3 gives a summary of most methods and techniques that are presently used to track the field intensity changes in the past. In each case, current limits and potential promises are discussed. The section 4 describes the field variations measured so far over various timescales covered by the archeomagnetic and the paleomagnetic records. Preference has always been given to composite records and databases in order to extract and discuss major and global geomagnetic features. Special attention has been devoted to discussing the degree of confidence to be put in the data by considering the integration of multiple data sets involving different techniques and/or materials.


New transportation systems representative of LRT (Light Rail Transit) are developing in cities around the world. When introducing LRT to a city center with high-density land use, the distribution of road space is very important because it can make cars, public transport, bicycles and pedestrians share the road resources in a good traffic environment.Therefore, the authors targeted 54 cities that introduced LRT in their city centers as the subject of study. With GIS and city maps, a database ofthe current state of LRT and the distribution of roads in these city centers can be built, and the connection between LRT, pedestrian zones, and trunk roads configuration in the central part of the city also be analyzed.


An oriental medicine functional horse cleansing composition according to the present invention comprises: cocamidopropyl betaine; 20 wt% of C12-20 alkyl glucoside; 10 wt% of glycerophosphoric acid; 1 wt% of combination perfume (lemon scent); 25 wt% of functional additives; and 10 wt% of purified water balance. In addition, a preparation method for an oriental medicine functional horse cleansing composition comprises: (a) a step of filling 140-160L of water in a 600L reaction mixing tank and elevating the water temperature to 50-70℃ (S11); (b) a step of opening a valve and stirring using a circulation pump (S12); (c) a step of introducing 100L of cocamidopropyl betaine and 50L of C12-20 alkyl glucoside into the reaction mixing tank (S13); (d) a step of introducing 5L of glycerophosphoric acid at a rate of 500 ml per minute after stirring for 8-12 minutes (S14); (e) a step of introducing 250 g of lemon scent after stirring for 8-12 minutes (S15); (f) a step of introducing functional additives (S16); (g) a step of filling purified water up to the 500L indication line and stirring for 8-12 minutes (S17); and (h) a step of putting the finished composition into a packaging container (S18).


The Vickers microhardness was measured on the basal (0001) plane of sapphire single crystals in the temperature range from 25to 1000. The substructure surrounding the indents was investigated using selective chemical polishing and etching, optical microscopy, and trasmission electron microscopy (TEM). At room temperature, cracks were predominant, and at intermediate temperatures (400and 600), extensive rhombohedral twinning was observed. On the other hand, at higher temperatures, prism plane slip bands on prism plane {1120}(원문참조) were dominant in the microstructure. TEM observations revealed that the dislocation substructure at the vicinity of the indents consisted of fairly straight dislocations lying in basal and/or prism planes and aligned along the and directions. The details of the glide dissociation of perfect screw dislocations into three collinear 1/3 partials on the prism plane and the Peierls potential for sapphire single crystals were discussed.


This study aims to analyze the role of management ownership in moderating the effect of liquidity on firm value in Manufacturing Companies on the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the 2017 – 2021 period. Using purposive sampling, 135 companies were selected as research samples. The data was processed by multiple regression analysis using help of the IBM SPSS Statistic 26 application. The results showed that liquidity had no significant positive effect on firm value. The results of testing the moderating variable indicate that management ownership does not moderate the effect of liquidity on firm value. The managerial implication is the existence of managerial policies that can be carried out by management in an effort to increase the value of the company. The level of liquidity ratio needs to be maintained in a safe position to ensure the company's ability to meet short-term obligations, but does not cause large amounts of idle funds.


Cancers of the breast, cervix and prostate are the commonest malignancies in Zimbabwe. Monitoring changes in serum calcium levels could assist in management of complications of these cancers; as they sometimes involve calcium, so-called paraneoplastic hypercalcemias. The objective of this study was to determine serum calcium and albumin levels in patients with cancer of the breast, cervix and prostate. Total serum calcium and albumin levels were determined in samples of 30 breast cancer patients, 30 cervical cancer patients and 30 patients with prostate cancer. Samples were analysed using automated colometric methods. Serum calcium levels were significantly higher than normal in all three groups. Prostate cancer patients have the highest prevalence of elevated serum calcium (46.7%) and cervical cancer patients have the lowest prevalence (30%). The monitoring of hypercalcemia may be of biochemical and clinical relevance to cancer patients in our setting, as it was highly prevalent in prostate, breast and cervical patients studied.


This research aims to examine the feasibility of implementing a corridor that connects the urban areas North and East to the city Center of Manaus through the Igarape da Lavanderia, Petropolis neighborhood, located in the south of the city. To this end, was done a dynamic system through implementation of the program Vensim PLE to determine the feasibility of deployment. For the system we used two models, the ideal model, which should be implemented, and the real ones, which make a comparison to other road projects recently executed in the city. In the first case, as expected, it was found that it is possible to deploy the corridor. In the second, due to features such as non-compliant comfort and security flaws or no other items of mobility (access ramps and walkways), congestion on access routes, costs due to unscheduled maintenance and poor preservation of the route, it was concluded, after feeding the system with the coefficients previously defined, that if not reviewed the concepts and the importance of accessibility and mobility of managers of transit and transportation, will be not technically feasible the implementation of this project.


the section on the Impress Service provides a useful corrective to popular images of it as just the directing hand of the brutal press gangs. He discusses the reasons why volunteering may have been more prevalent than expected in the war against France, placing it in the context of popular participation in the war as well as the more usual incentive and coercive systems that were in place. Dancy has made an extremely important contribution to the history of the Royal Navy in the French Revolutionary War. He acknowledges that there are limitations to the study, which open up opportunities for future scholars. The hidden compulsions of seamen who volunteered and took the bounty when impressment looked almost inevitable, is an unknown factor. The manning of squadrons in the Mediterranean, East and West Indies need to be looked at with equal care to see how they might change the overall picture of service. Changes in the complements on these stations where sickness, desertion and long commissions might have a significant impact of the gross statistics need to be factored in for a more complete understanding. This type of study is also needed for earlier wars to see how applicable the method and the information are to the development of British naval power over the century. Equally, it needs a companion study covering the years 1803–1815. The rising trajectory of pressed men in the service up to 1801 is noticeable and the growing demands for manpower which peaked between 1810 and 1813, suggest that additional studies will add detail and precision to the whole period of 1793–1815. None the less, Dancy has produced an excellent study which allows judgements to be made on firmer quantitative grounds than ever before. He has opened a rich seam of information on the social and professional backgrounds of those on the lower deck, and shone a clearer light on to how the manning system of the Royal Navy worked in this critical period.


Some Ball Grid Array suppliers are migrating their sphere alloys from SAC305 (3% Ag) or 405 (4% Ag) to alloys with lower silver contents. There are a numerous perceived benefits to this move in terms of cost and performance, but process compatibility and reliability concerns have yet to be addressed. Process compatibility concerns stem from the fact that the low-silver SAC replacement alloys have higher melting temperatures than SAC305, approximately 227C as


The aim of this report is to evaluate the training in braking on low friction road surface. It consists of the following three parts: 1) measurement of braking distances immediately prior to and after the regular training course, 2) studies of the effects of a radical increase of the number of trials and, 3) statistics from the regular training course. A VW Rabbit was used as experimental vehicle, equipped with a fifth wheel and a microcomputer for the registration of response times and distances. No significant change in braking distances could be found as an effect of the small number of trials in the existing training program. An increase from 4 to 25 trials caused a significant reduction of braking distances. An analysis of the learning curve revealed that almost all of the reductions had been achieved after approximately 15 trials. (Author/TRRL)


We investigated the effect of external pH, ionic strength, and applied voltage to control the transport of ions through porous PCTE/Au/acid thiol membranes with pore radii of 4.0−5.9 nm. Electroless gold was deposited on the inside surfaces of the nanopores of the membrane. The thiols 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (HSC10H20COOH) and 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (HSC3H6SO3H) were used to form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on the gold surfaces of the pores. The ionic permeant through the pores of the membranes was the organic ion benzene sulfonate (BS). The transport of benzene sulfonate in porous membranes modified with SAMs of the HSC10H20COOH weak acid thiol was highly affected by external variation of the pH; the BS flux could be changed by a factor of 100. However, transport of benzene sulfonate in membranes modified with SAMs of the HSC3H6SO3H strong acid thiol was influenced less by external pH than transport in membranes modified with SAMs of the HSC10H20COOH weak acid thiol. Increasing the ion...


The effective signal geophones could receive some types of interference waves in seismic data acquisition.Geophone array was generally used to suppress the interference waves and predominate effective waves.The difference of the direction of propagation and apparent velocity between the effective waves and interference waves was used to improve the signal-noise ratio.The basic principles of conventional and linear geophone array and Chebyshev geophone array are introduced,and the difference between them is analyzed.The simple linear geophone array is equivalent to a low-pass filter with the increase of N,d and Δt,the low-pass filter's pass-band gets narrow,and its stop-pass gets wide,so the role of filter is enhanced.Chebyshev geophone array is primarily applied in laboratory and theoretical analyses,it can provides reference for simple linear geophone array in the fields to suppress interference waves more effectively and improve the signal-noise ratio.


A wide variety of human-computer information and operator control interfaces are employed in the Surface Development and Test Facility (SDTF) at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California. This multi-user, full scale air traffic control research simulator provides the "look and feel" of an actual level 5 airport tower cab through the use of virtual reality technology and other techniques (Haines 1997, Haines et al. 1997, . The SDTF offers its users a variety of state-of-the-art information displays and controls representative of those now used in large U.S. airports and also advanced, futuristic displays and controls.


Biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) was compounded with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) by twin-screw extrusion at weight ratios of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, and 60/40. The blends were investigated based on their phase morphology, thermal and mechanical properties, and shape memory properties. The tensile results showed that PLA was successfully toughened by TPU. When the TPU content was 40%, the elongation-at-break increased to 400%. The SEM morphology showed that TPU was dispersed uniformly in the PLA matrix; DMA and DSC results indicated that the two polymers were immiscible. Most interestingly, it was found that the blends exhibited a shape memory behavior and, unlike most of the existing shape memory polymers (SMPs), the PLA/TPU blends could be deformed at room temperature without an extra heating and cooling step. During the deformation process, TPU acted as a toughening agent that prevented the PLA/TPU blends from breaking; thus, the temporary shape could be kept and internal stress was stored in the blends. Upon heating to above the glass transition temperature of PLA (about 60°C), the deformed parts regained their original shapes quickly along with the release of the stress. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 55:70–80, 2015. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers


Modernization of the Japanese National Railways freight-transportation system is proceeding rapidly and is demanding better cushioning from car draft gears. This report presents a practical method which numerically simulates freight car motions due to impact, not only between single cars but also between groups of cars under various conditions.


Summary Isatin (indole 2,3-dione) and its 5-chloro and 5-bromo derivatives have been reacted with 3-(4'-pyridyl)-4-amino-5-mercapto-4-(H)-1,2,4-triazole to form Schiff bases and the N-Mannich bases of these compounds were synthesised by reacting them with formaldehyde and several secondary amines. Their chemical structures have been confirmed by means of their IR, 1H-NMR data and by elemental analysis. Investigation of antimicrobial activity of compounds was done by agar dilution method against 27 pathogenic bacteria, 8 pathogenic fungi and anti-HIV activity against replication of HIV-1 (III B) in MT-4 cells. Among the compounds tested 1-(piperidinomethyl) 5-bromo 3-[3'-(4"-pyridyl)-5'-mercapto-4'-(H) 1',2',4'-triazol 4'-yl]imino isatin showed the most favourable antimicrobial activity.


In this study, an optimization method to design simple truss structures for the evaluation of the optimal stock of existing elements is introduced. To achieve this goal, the well‐known Bin Packing Problem (BPP) will be implemented within the structural optimization procedure. Specifically, among all the BPP variants, one of the most common applications in real‐world cases is the Cutting Stock Problem (CSP) in which the objective is to produce dj copies of each item type j by employing the minimum number of bins. In the civil engineering field, structural optimization is often employed aiming to improve the load‐bearing capacity of the structure itself, i.e. maximization of the performance ratio through the minimization of the structure weight. However, this goal doesn't guarantee maximum efficiency in terms of minimization of waste during the industrial production phase. To overcome these limits, authors propose a stock‐constrained structural optimization in which a heuristic search technique is adopted and the best arrangement of bars whit the lowest cut‐off waste is obtained for a 10‐bar‐truss case study. For completeness reasons, a comparison between the solution obtained by the classic minimum weight optimization problem and the stock‐constrained one is discussed.


The law of temperature distribution of underground spherical caverns in the converctive heat transfer edge condition was given in this paper.By the model of multi thick globe cased with elastic theory,it gave the stress computation method of underground spherical cavern in the combined action of thermal load and uniform internal water pressure.And the exact solution formula of elastic temperature autogenous stress ( σ r h,σ h θ) and elastic restraining stress ( σ rh ,σ θh ) in concrete lining was built.At last,it introduced the detailed calculated process by an example.


Abstract : This project envisions a novel concept of mechanical damping: using nanoparticles or microparticles as a damping medium and the interfacial forces as the absorbing mechanism. For thrust damping or radial damping, the mechanical components of the dampers are filled with selected particles. The advantages of particle damping over the conventional damping mechanism are as follows: (1) The performance of the small particles will be temperature independent and therefore the damping device can work in all temperature ranges; (2) The particle size is much smaller than the scale of the container surface roughness, therefore the particles will fill the asperities and create an ideally smooth mating surface allowing uniform transmission of shock force from one surface to another; (3) Since the absorbing function is provided by particle reassembly, fatigue is not expected to occur.


INTRODUCTION: A larger femoral head size reduces the incidence of hip dislocation [1-6] and impingement [7-8]. However, the general concern in the use of larger femoral heads is increased wear [4]. Previous clinical studies of large diameter femoral heads [7] show very low polyethylene wear, which appears to be independent of head size when using highly crosslinked polyethylene. Larger heads are accompanied by a concomitant reduction in liner thickness. A sequential crosslinking and annealing process for treating ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been developed and previously described [9]. Wear performance combined with functional fatigue characteristics [10] suggest that this material may be applied to larger articular diameter, and thinner acetabular liners. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of polyethylene thickness and femoral head size on the wear performance of the sequentially crosslinked acetabular inserts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 5 sets of test samples were evaluated. Trident design (Stryker Orthopaedics, Mahwah, NJ) liners with internal diameters ranging from 32mm to 52mm and wall thicknesses from 3.8mm to 7.9mm evaluated here. These liners were machined from compression molded GUR1020 UHMWPE that had been γ-irradiated to 30 kGy followed by annealing 3 times (total dose=90 kGy, X3). After machining inserts were gas plasma sterilized. A set of control samples (n=12) was machined from GUR 1050 UHMWPE, packaged in a nitrogen environment and then γ-radiation sterilized (30 kGy). The control liners had an internal diameter of 32mm, with a wall thickness of 7.9mm. Appropriate diameter CoCr femoral heads were mated against the inserts. See Table 1for sample details. A hip joint simulator (MTS, Eden Prairie, MN) was used for testing with the cups positioned anatomically (superior) and oriented at 50° of abduction. Testing was run at 1 Hz with cyclic Paul curve physiologic loading applied axially, at a maximum of 2450 N [11]. Component assemblies were lubricated using Alpha Calf Fraction serum (Hyclone Labs, Logan UT) diluted to 50% with a pH-balanced 20-mMole solution of deionized water and EDTA (protein level ≈ 20 g/l). The serum solution was replaced and inserts were weighed for gravimetric wear at least every 0.5 million cycles. Dynamically loaded soak control specimens were used to correct for fluid absorption with weight loss data converted to volumetric data (by material density). Statistical analysis was performed using the Student's t-test (p<0.05). Testing ran for 5 million cycles. RESULTS: Results are shown in Figure 1, and Table 1. Statistically significant wear rate reductions of more than 90% were seen for all X3 inserts compared to the control samples (p<0.009 for all). There was no statistical difference in wear rate between any of the X3 inserts regardless of size and thickness (p>0.1 for all). Additionally, an average of all X3 liner wear rates (all sizes) showed a 96% (p=0.00001) reduction compared to the 32mm diameter control liners. Figure 2 and 3 show wear rates plotted against both head size and liner thickness. These plots shows poor correlation between wear rate and head size (R=0.2751) and poor correlation between wear rate and liner thickness (R=0.0055). Visual examination of worn inserts revealed typical wear scars and features on the articular surfaces of all sizes/material, including polishing and some scratching. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Wear results demonstrate that during this test, head size or liner thickness did not statistically change wear rate or volume loss for the X3 liners. These results suggest that this material may be applied to larger articular diameter, thinner acetabular liners. All sizes and thicknesses evaluated here demonstrated significantly lower wear than 32mm controls. Sequentially cross-linked liners up to 52mm in inner diameter and down to 3.8mm in wall thickness are anticipated to clinically outperform predicate control liners. Figure 1. Plot of wear rate


This study aims to analyze the influence of RGEC (Risk Profile, Good Corporate Governance, Earnings, Capital) against potential distress financial Islamic Banks in Indonesia from 2011 until 2016. The dependent variable as a variable dummy where 1 codes for Islamic Banks experiencing financial distress and code 0 for Islamic Banks are not experiencing financial distress. Categories of financial distress was measured with a negative net income of at least one year. The independent variable in the form of ratios RGEC health assessment includes a non performing financing, financing to deposit ratio, good corporate governance, return on assets, return on equity, operating expenses to operating income, net reward and capital adequacy ratio. This type of research is quantitative descriptive. Subjects were enrolled Islamic Banks in Bank Indonesia from 2011 until 2016. The sampling technique purposive sampling. The data source of documentation. The data analysis technique is logistic regression. The results showed that the non-performing financing significant positive effect while the return on assets statistically significant negative effect on the probability of distress financial Islamic Banks. Variable financing to deposit ratio, good corporate governance, return on equity, operating expenses to operating income, net yield and capital adequacy ratio does not significantly affect the probability of distress financial Islamic Banks.


About 60% of women report menstrual-associated migraine attacks, characterized by a higher intensity and duration and more pronounced treatment resistance. Often, preventive treatment with drugs aimed to relieve menstrual attacks – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and triptans – is difficult in these patients due to a high risk of medication-overuse headache. In addition, due to a hormonal trigger – a perimenstrual decrease in estrogen – the effect of hormonal contraceptives on migraine attacks has been studied for a long time. This article discusses the results of studies indicating the successful administration of specific hormone therapy regimens, especially in patients with concomitant gynecological pathology or in patients using these drugs for contraception.


Concepts in chrono-pharmacology substances for which both basic and clinical chrono-pharmacology are already well documented substances as well as conditions from which data are available pumps as devices for clocking medications.


We prove a vertex domination conjecture of Erdos, Faudree, Gould, Gyarfas, Rousseau, and Schelp that for every $n$-vertex complete graph with edges colored using three colors there exists a set of at most three vertices which have at least 2n/3 neighbors in one of the colors. Our proof makes extensive use of the ideas presented in [D. Kral' et al., A new bound for the 2/3 conjecture, Combin. Probab. Comput. 22 (2013), pp. 384--393].


This presentation will attempt to demonstrate the capability inherent in GPSS beyond the original intent of the language developers. For the efficient use of GPSS it is necessary to determine what you want to do and then determine how best to represent it. It is often necessary to change the perspective of the problem—e.g., model the buffer management problem rather than the data-base management problem—to effect a simple and efficient solution. The effective application of user chains in all their different aspects can appreciably reduce the analyst's efforts and at the same time increase the efficiency of the simulation. This position was demonstrated in a head-to-head competition with SIMULA and a GPSS/360 equivalent (4). It required eight times longer to complete the task using a traditional implementation in GPSS 1100.


SARS-CoV-2 is a causative agent of an enormous pandemic, initiated from Wuhan, China in 2019 and then spread around the world. This virus infects not only the human respiratory tract but also other organs such as the heart, kidneys, testis, etc. by interacting with ACE2 and TMPRSS2 proteins. Until now, evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infectability in women's reproductive tract, zygotes, embryos, and risk of vertical transmission is limited. Furthermore, some results from several studies are still incompatible. Cells of women's reproductive system may have less susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. However, human oocytes and embryos may be more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 because of the difference in co-expression of two transmembrane proteins - ACE2 and TMPRSS2, in those cells. SARS-CoV-2 increases the risk of negative impacts on different levels in different stages of pregnancy, as well as has a potential risk of vertical transmission. The recent evidence suggests that we need to pay more attention to taking care of SARS-CoV-2 infected pregnant women, especially in the first trimester of pregnancy.


Behçet's Disease (BD) is a multi-systemic disorder with an increased inflammatory (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-a) and Th1 type (IFN-a, IL-2) cytokine and chemokine profile (1). A significant amount of data suggests that interferon-a (INF-a) might be therapeutically beneficial in BD, especially for arthritic and ocular manifestations (2, 3). However, IFN-a treatment produced BD-like symptoms in three patients with CML and pathergy reaction became positive in 24% of IFN-a treated CML patients, suggesting that IFN-a modulates a complex cytokine profile (4). In this study, effects of IFN-a on serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokines (IL-6, IL-8) and TNFa and anti-inflammatory 55 kD (p55) and 75 kD (p75) soluble TNF-receptors are studied in 15 male patients with active BD uveitis. Eight (mean age 30.4¡7.2 years) were taking part in an open 6-months trial assessing the efficacy of the combination treatment of interferon-a-2b 5 million units 3 times per week and azathioprine 2.5 mg/kg/day, and clinical results of these patients have been given previously (5). The remaining seven patients (mean age 28.6¡6.2 years) had similar disease characteristics and were put on azathioprine treatment 2.5 mg/kg/day only. Venous blood samples were taken from the patients before therapy (BT), in the first and third months and 1 month after stopping interferon (AT) and kept at 280 C̊. Levels of IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-a (Endogen, USA) and soluble TNF-a receptor p55 and p75 (Hycult Biotechnology, Holland) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. IL-8 levels increased in patients taking only azathioprine in the first month compared to BT (12.6 pg/mL vs 24.1 pg/mL, p 0.051) (Table 1). In patients taking combined azathioprine and IFN-a, sTNF-R p75 levels increased significantly in the first and the third months of the study compared to BT and AT (BT: 3628 pg/mL, first month: 5108 pg/mL, third month: 5705 pg/mL, AT: 3490 pg/mL, BT versus first month: p50.04, BT versus third month: p50.008, AT versus first month: p50.02, AT versus third month: p50.002). Serum IL-8 levels also increased in the third month (BT: 11.2 pg/ml, third month: 23.1 pg/mL, AT: 10.8 pg/mL, BT versus third month p50.08, AT versus third month p50.13) without reaching statistically significant levels. Serum levels of IL-6, TNF-a and sTNF-R p55 did not change significantly during and after therapy. We observed elevated sTNFR p75 levels with IFNa treatment in BD patients in our study, supported by studies in healthy volunteers in which IFN-a increased s-TNFR levels (6). However, in another study in BD, IFN-a was observed to decrease serum e-selectin, TNF-a, and sTNFR levels (7). Although investigators explain their results by suppression of endothelial damage and immune activation by IFN-a in BD, increased levels of sTNFR, an Letters 75


First-order energies have been calculated for the He2 system using a number of He wave functions. The convergence to the Hartree-Fock limit has been studied and a two-term expansion in Slater orbitals gives about 98 per cent of this limit. The effect of correlation has been examined by adding s′2 and p 2 configurations to the wave function and a change of approximately 10 per cent in the effective first-order energy has been noted.


Recent studies of new, fuel-efficient transport aircraft have considered designs, which make use of two principal lifting surfaces to provide the required lift as well as trim and static stability. Such designs include open tandem-wings as well as closed joined and box-wings. As a group, these aircraft can be termed dual-wing designs. This study developed a new analytic model, which takes into account the downwash from the two main wings and is sensitive to three important design variables: the relative areas of each wing, the streamwise separation of the wings, and the center of gravity position. This model was used to better understand trends in the dual-wing geometry on the stability, maneuverability, and lift-to-drag ratio of the aircraft. Dual-wing aircraft have been shown to have reduced the induced drag compared to the conventional designs. In addition, further drag reductions can be realized as the horizontal tail can be removed if the dual-wings have sufficient streamwise stagger to provide the moments necessary for trim and longitudinal stability. As both wings in a dual-wing system carry a significant fraction of the total lift, trends in such designs that led to longitudinal stability can differ from those of the conventional aircraft and have not been the subject of detailed investigation. Results from the analytic model showed that the longitudinal stability required either a reduction of the fore wing area or shifting the center of gravity forward from the midpoint of both wings' aerodynamic centers. In addition, for wing configurations of approximately equal fore and aft wing areas, increasing the separation between the two wings decreased the stability of the aircraft. The source of this unusual behavior was the asymmetric distribution of downwash upstream and downstream of the wing. These relationships between dual-wing geometry and stability will provide initial guidance on the conceptual design of dual-wing aircraft and aid in the understanding of the results of more complex studies of such designs, furthering the development of future transport aircraft.


Background: Phosphorylase kinase (PhK) activity is induced by injurious stimuli, which is known to precipitate pso- riasis. We had previously reported that elevated PhK activity in psoriatic epidermis correlated with increased psoriatic activity, and that suppression of PhK activity by its inhibitor, curcumin gel, correlated with disease resolution. Objec- tive: We evaluated the efficacy of a strategy of combining PhK inhibition by topical curcumin with elimination of PhK-generating precipitating factors from various injurious stimuli in producing improvement of psoriatic activity, aiming at complete resolution. Patients and Methods: We studied a cohort of 647 consecutive patients with mild to severe psoriasis in a single center. Our therapeutic regimen consisted of curcumin gel, topical steroids, strict avoidance of contact allergens, avoidance of dairy products in lactose-intolerant patients, and treatment of infections to eliminate bacterial superantigens. Results: PASI scores at 0 wk was 24.7 +/- 17.1 (SD), n = 647. PASI scores improved signifi- cantly at 4 weeks to 11.5 +/- 8.1 (n = 638; p < 0.0001), at 8 weeks to 4.5 +/- 4.2 (n = 636, p < 0.0001), and at 16 weeks to 0.9 +/- 2.5 (n = 641, p < 0.0001). At 16 weeks, 72.2% of patients were completely clear of psoriatic activity (PASI = 0). Co nclusion: Our results indicate that a regimen of PhK inhibition by topical curcumin with elimination of PhK-generating factors is effective in producing significant reduction of psoriatic activity at 16 weeks, with complete clearance of psoriasis in 72.2% of patients.


In the historical geography before Tang Dynasty,"Jiangnan" usually referred tothe area south of the middle Yangtze River in the context of Chu State.Only since the end of Eastern Han Dynasty did "Jiangnan" begin to refer to the area south of the lower reach of Yangtze River.At that time,the northerners thought that Jiangnan is a backwards area where people live by the slash and burn method in miasma,while in real life,guilty officials were also demoted and sent into exile in Jiangnan.But in poetic geography,"Jiangnan" was referred to today's Jiangsu and Zhejiang Province long before,and the light-hearted and delightful Jiangnan ballads changed the literati's impression of Jiangnan.After the Eastern Jin expanded southwards across Yangtze River,the countryside landscape became the aesthetic objects in poetry,characterized by mountain district in East Zhejiang,Xunyang countryside and Jianghan waterside village.Typical images of poetic Jiangnan consist of beautiful girls in waterside village,cheerful scenes of lotus-picking,extraordinary natural landscape and peaceful and leisured countryside.


In Experimental Chinese Literature Tong King Lee explores how translation, technology, and text come together in the works of contemporary Chinese authors in the creation of a material poetics.


• How have Wisconsin's forests changed? Acreage by stand age class, forest type and size class • What are the major species and how have they changed? Growing stock volume by major species • Who owns our forests? Timberland ownership by group • What types of forests do we have? Acreage and map of Wisconsin's timberland by forest type • How much wood do we have? Growing stock volume by species and year • How fast are our forests growing? Average annual net growth by species and year • How healthy are our forests? Average annual mortality by species and year • How much wood do we harvest? Average annual removals by species and year • How much biomass do our forests contain? Short tons of aboveground biomass by species and year Acreage in timberland in Wisconsin stands at over 16.4 million acres, which has remained relatively study since 2010. These forests are becoming middle-aged with major increases in stands 80+ years old. However, acreage in very young stands has decreased in the last three decades. Most forest land is privately owned and located in northern and central parts of the state.


The chromosome numbers for 137 populations of 24 species are reported. First reports of n = 5 are given for Chrysopsis decumbens, C. floridana, C. hyssopifolia, C. lanuginosa. C. latisquamea, and C. scabrella and 2n = 18 for C. cruiseana. The occurrence of the diploid 2n = 8 for C. mariana is also reported for the first time. The base number of Heterotheca is x = 9, while the base numbers of Chrysopsis are x = 4 and 5 and.x2 = 9. A realignment of sections included in the two distinct genera is proposed.


This paper reviews the art of air-pollution control equipment design, and compares commercial practice with the state of the art. Adequate knowledge of the latter can save the user of air-pollution control equipment substantial costs both in equipment installation and in operation. Some possible research projects are identified.


The current study's aim is to assess the impact of organizational climate on teacher's competence regarding the different demographic factors of the secondary school teachers. This study's population included all Secondary School Teachers (male and female) and all 10th grade students from urban and rural areas in Punjab's secondary public schools. The instruments used to collect the responses from the target sample were Organizational climate index (OCI) for organizational climate, Teacher's competence scale (TCS) for rating the Teacher's competence and an observation schedule for rating the organizational climate. 360 Secondary school teachers and 900 students of grade 10th participated in this study. According to data analysis through SPSS (V-21) the findings of Pearson Correlation between Organizational Climate and Teachers' Competences showed that organizational climate being independent variable positively influence the dependent variable i.e., teacher's competence. It was concluded that Organizational Climate was positively and significantly correlated with Teachers' competence. This indicates that by improving the organizational climate scores, the teacher's competence can be improved. he Comparison of male and female teachers on organizational climate through independent samples t-Test was conducted. There is a major gap in leadership phase of male and female teacher


Objective To study economical effectiveness of four ELISA reagent Kits for detecting Hepatitis B virus surface antigene preS1 peptide.Methods The costs(only kits) and total accordance rate of four ELISA reagent Kits(Weihai Weigao Biotechnology Co.,Ltd,Shanghai Alpha Biotechnology Co.,ltd.,Beijing Xingshengyuan Medicinal Materials Co.,Ltd.Shanghai Fosun Long March Medical Science Co.,Ltd,) were evaluated by the cost-effectiveness analysis.Results The costs(only kits) of the four reagent kits were 8.44,7.91,8.13,8.44 yuan(RMB) respectively.The total accordance rate of four ELISA reagent Kits was 0.55,0.63,0.82,0.65,respectively;cost-effective ratio was 16.8,12.56,9.92,12.99,respectively.Conclusion The ELISA reagent Kits of Weihai Weigao Biotechnology company is the most cost effective reagent Kits in four ELISA reagent Kits.


If some intelligence underlies the universe, as is suggested by a host of modern-day considerations, then why does not that intelligence intervene to allay the oft-horrible destinies that are the lot of so many sentient beings?


Through the analysis of a representative
sample of schools' behaviour management
policies, we argue that there is a
philosophical and tangible tension between
the competing views on what ought to be
the motivation and rationale for schools to
promote good behaviour in England. Our
research suggests that typical secondary
schools usually opt to establish academic
achievement as the moral principle upon
which they seek to build a rationale for
desired attitudes and behaviours in their
pupils. We conclude with a
recommendation for the adoption by
schools of a more virtue-oriented approach
to their behaviour management policies.


A new technique is used to obtain the Gutzwiller ground-state energy functional for the Anderson lattice model with no orbital degeneracy (ALM). For the Hubbard model, known expressions are derived with ease and simplicity. For the ALM, we derive the ground-state energy functional of Varma, Weber, and Randall. As a check on our Gutzwiller functional, we find an independent analytical upper bound for the ground-state energy of ALM with a dispersionless f band. For the case of a dispersionless f band and momentum-independent hybridization, in the Kondo regime, we derive analytical expressions for the ground-state energy, charge, and magnetic susceptibilities. For the special case of infinite Coulomb repulsion, we recover results of Rice and Ueda and of Fazekas and Brandow, notably the negative value of the magnetic susceptibility. The negative magnetic susceptibility persists in the entire Kondo region, i.e., finite-U effects do not stabilize the nonmagnetic Kondo state. This suggests that nonzero orbital degeneracy in the Anderson lattice model must be retained to describe heavy-fermion materials with a normal Fermi liquid ground state.


Background: Current guidelines recommend implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in heart failure (HF) patients (pts). The DANISH trial challenges guidelines, because no significant effect of ICDs on long-term mortality was seen among pts with non ischemic cardiomyopathy. In previous studies 123-iodine metaiodobenzylguanidine imaging (123-I MIBG) identified HF pts at high risk of SCD, who may benefit of ICD, independently from left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). [Heart/mediastinum (H/M) ratio ≤1.6 and a summed score (SS) >26]. Purpose: The aim of our study is to evaluate the role of 123-I MIBG to predict malignant ventricular arrhythmias (VA) causing appropriate ICD therapy in pts with non ischemic cardiomyopathy. Methods: We enrolled 146 patients consecutively admitted to our hospital with diagnosis non ischemic HF (LVEF ≤35%, NYHA class II and III) who underwent 123-I MIBG imaging. Summed score of 26 was used as cut-off to identify low risk (Group A) versus high risk pts (Group B). All pts underwent to ICD implantation. Results: 98 pts (62.87±13.19 years old; male 83.67%) were included in Group A and 48 pts (age 63.21±13.54 years old; male 83.33%) in Group B. Pts of two groups were comparable in term of LVEF. After a median follow up of 36 months, the incidence of VA were significantly higher in Group B compared to Group A (31.25% vs 16.00%; p=0.03). No difference of mortality rate was observed in the two groups (Table 1).


The author discusses an ansatz for the eigenfunctions of the x2+ λ x2/(1+gx2) interaction introduced by Blecher and Leach (1987). The author shows that the ansatz provides pairs of solutions in five cases having λ and g connected by λ =-(6g2+4g) and conjectures the possible existence of an infinite number of such solution pairs.


Based on the features of one-through boiler unit,a model is proposed for heat value measurement of the coal fuel,in which the dynamic performance of both the pulverizing system and the boiler proper has been considered.An identification of model parameters has been performed by using operating data of a domestic 1 000 MW ultra super-critical power unit,while the model precision verified.Results show that the model is quite accurate,insensitive to disturbance from boiler side,and therefore may be used for real-time monitoring of coal heat value.


While archaeologists have long examined settlement abandonment and collapse, Maxime Lamoureux-St-Hilaire and Scott A. Macrae's volume adopts a comparative approach to reframe the process as detachment from place. Unlike abandonment, which implies a complete severing of ties, detachment is a "decisive social process" (p. 5) wherein migration differentially changes or erases the relationship between people and places. Although "sedentism ... is a historical illusion" (p. 4) and migration defines human history, this volume presents case studies from around the world and from different time periods to demonstrate how sites are rarely completely abandoned; instead, they are revisited, repurposed and reimagined by people old and new. The volume thus shifts emphasis from abandonment to interrogate how and why people leave places, how leaving impacts people and landscapes, and how people engage with 'abandoned' landscapes.


Systems for testing thermal imagers offered commercially are built from the same modules: an off-axis reflective collimator, a motorized rotary wheel, a set of IR targets, a black body, a black body/wheel controller, a PC and some software. The classical solution is that all these components are located horizontally on an optical table. However, it is also possible to use a vertical configuration of the test system when the rotary wheel is put on the collimator and the black body is put on the rotary wheel. It was shown in this paper that when the vertical configuration is used, then better temporal stability and spatial uniformity of the thermal images projected by the test system can be achieved.


To examine sensitivity of the local critique plots of the SAVIAH application to minor modifications or elaborations of the model, we consider two alternative model formulations, called SAVIAH2 and SAVIAH3. SAVIAH2 The prior choice that each of the three risk categories contribute with equal fractions of the overall disease rate is somewhat arbitrary and may be too influential. We now imagine having prior information on the means for β 0 , β 1 and β 2 , which happen to correspond to the fractions of disease rates attributed aposteriori to each risk category by the original model. This is achieved by setting τ 0 = 15α 0 ¯ Y , τ 1 = 5.4α 1 ¯ Z ¯ Y and τ 2 = 1.4α 2 ¯ Y. Of course, the variances are also affected by this change. The local prior variances of β 0 and β 1 decrease, while the variance of β 2 increases. The π and ψ functions are the same as for the original SAVIAH model, as seen in the paper. The local critique plots for this alternative model (SAVIAH2) can be seen in Figure 1 and 2. We see that the marginal posterior distributions of β 0 and β 1 are now using almost all of their local priors. The posterior samples of β 2 are still located only in a small part of its local prior, but not as far out in the tail as before. The marginal posterior distribution of β 0 has changed substantially compared to the one for the original SAVIAH model, with the posterior mean, median and standard deviation approximately halved from SAVIAH to SAVIAH2. The marginal posterior distributions of β 1 and β 2 are relatively unchanged (results not shown). The local critique plots for the γ j 's are very similar to those seen for SAVIAH in the paper.


Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) is a rapid and sensitive technique in genetic diversity analysis of insect pests. Fifteen arbitraryprimers (OPA01, 05, 07, 13, 14, 15 OPC 08, 15 OPE 02, 06, 08 OPAA16 OPAB 11, 12 and 18) were used for RAPD analysis and generated scorable PCR products by amplifying the template DNA with Taq polymerase. The RAPD products generated a total of 162 fragments with an average of 10.8 fragments per primer and the fragments were found 100% polymorphic. Themaximum number of polymorphic bands (12) were obtained with primer OPE-02, OPE-08 and minimum number (6) were obtained with primer OPAB-18 and OPA-14. OPA-01, 05, 07, 13, 15; OPC 15; OPAB 11, 12, 18 showed 100 per cent polymorphism, OPC 15 exhibited 92.30 per cent polymorphism, OPC 08 depicted 90.90 per cent polymorphism, OPA 14 and OPE 08 displayed 85.71 per cent polymorphism, OPE 06 showed 80 per cent polymorphism and OPAA16 exhibited 70 per cent polymorphism.The similarity index values obtained for each pair wise comparision among the 9 citrus butterfly population (C1, C2, C3, N1, N2, N3, K1, K2 and K3) based on 162 RAPD fragments ranged from 250bp to 3.0kb. The maximum genetic similarity value was 0.730 between K3 and K1 followed by 0.679 between C3 and C2. The lowest genetic similarity value of 0.318 was found between citrus population of K2 and N2. Generation of higher number of markers or alleles in the present study indicated higher amount of genetic diversity among different populations of citrus butterfly.


The effect of a coating layer on the apparent viscosity of water in a tube is evaluated experimentally over a wide range of Reynolds-numbers (200-2000). In this study, a gelatin-coated glass tube, a paraffin-coated glass tube and a glass tube without a coating are used. The conclusions are summarized as follows: 1) At a low Reynolds-number region (20-500), the gelatin layer has the effect of decreasing the apparent viscosity by about 4%, but the paraffin layer does not have an effect on the apparent viscosity. 2) At a high Reynolds-number region (1000-2200), the gelatin layer suppresses the increase in the apparent viscosity due to the turbulent transition and a similar effect occurs in case of the paraffin layer.


To improve machining quality and processing efficiency, the Taguchi analysis method is employed to design the milling tests of titanium alloy TC17. According to results based on the signal-to-noise ratio method, the cutting depth plays a critical role in improving the surface roughness and tool wear. The grey correlation analysis is a multi-objective optimization method that can help to acquire process parameters combination of the optimal surface roughness and the optimal tool wear. Finally, the correctness of multi-objective optimization results is verified through comparison experiments. The research results can provide process guidance and data reference for the actual production processing.


Abstract: An argument is presented for Southeast Asian archaeologists to replace the Birds Eye View/Rear View Mirror paradigm prevalent during the mid-twentieth century with a forward-facing, "emergent" paradigm in alignment with current trends in archaeological theory. An earlier version of this text was prepared for a keynote address at the European Association of Southeast Asian Archaeologists (EurASEAA), 14 th International Conference that took place at in Dublin, September 18-21 2012.


Space ofAppearance by George Baird or Studies in Tectonic Culture by Kenneth Frampton deal with issues of architectural theory. In February, the Wood Auditonum of Columbia University was busthng with students interested in a discussion of Frainpton's book. The debate focused on issues such as "art-form" and "core-form," or the relation of construction and cladding in architecture, which would have hardly generated any attention a few years ago, except for a narrow circle of scholars. What explains this sudden interest in the theories of nineteenth-century architects like Carl Botticher or Gottfried Semper? Is it just the impact of the media success of architects, who are more versed in the marketing of their ideologies than in design? Or is it the recognition that if architecture wants to regain its social relevance, architects have to understand the ways it communicates? The changing interpretational schemes of traditional architectural history, however, are telling us more about the interpreter and the context than about the buildings.


We present the optical design of an S-band seven-feed cryogenic radio astronomy receiver for illuminating the 64-m diameter Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) dish from the primary focus. The feeds are arranged in a compact hexagonal configuration with a central one and are cryogenically cooled at 20 K inside a cryostat. Each feed accepts two linear polarizations and use a circular waveguide with a single outer corrugated section to achieve a nearly constant beam width and low cross polarization across the 3.0–4.5 GHz band. The simulated radiation pattern of the SRT telescope is obtained by coupling the array of feed-horn beam patterns (optimized with the electromagnetic software CST) with the 64-m parabolic dish (through a physical optics analysis carried out with GRASP). We compare the simulated beam pattern of an isolated feed with those of the same feed embedded in the dense array and analyze the effects of an absorber located inside the cryostat around the cryogenic feeds. We found that the absorber improves the overall system performance by decreasing the cross-coupling effects between the feeds while adding negligible noise to the system.


INFECTION caused by Escherichia coli serotype O157:H7 was first recognised to be associated with haemorrhagic colitis, haemolytic uraemic syndrome and thrombocytopenic purpura in human beings in the early 1980s. E coli O157:H7 is now classified as belonging to the recently defined enterohaemorrhagic E coli pathotype. This pathotype is recognised worldwide as being the leading cause of both haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic uraemic syndrome (Nataro and Kaper 1998). Transmission of E coli O157:H7 is via the oral-faecal route (Pepin and others 1997, Locking and others 2001), with cattle and sheep being recognised as major reservoirs of the bacterium (Griffin and Tauxe 1991, Chapman and others 1997). Other reservoirs include feral animals, rabbits and gulls, among other species (Griffin and Tauxe 1991, Pritchard and others 2000), and evidence is accumulating to suggest that goats' milk and goats are also potential sources. Shukla and others (1995) reported cases of bloody diarrhoea in human beings that were traced to a farm visitor centre in Leicestershire. Strains of E coli O157:H7 phage type (PT) 2 with identical restriction fragment length polymorphism patterns were isolated from these cases and from six goats and four cattle at the centre. Three other incidents in the UK have implicated goats on visitor farms as being potential sources of infection (Chapman and others 2000, Pritchard and others 2000, Payne and others 2003). In Europe, Heuvelink and others (2002) reported that two of 11 petting zoos that had goats were positive for E coli O157:H7. In Bohemia, Bielaszewska and others (1997) detected identical isolates of E coli O157:H7 PT2 in four cases of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in children, an asymptomatic human carrier who drank goats' milk, the source goat and unpasteurised goats' milk. An outbreak of E coli O157:H7 associated with unpasteurised goats' milk has also been described in Canada (McIntyre and others 2002), while in the Bergamo region of Italy, Foschino and others (2002) reported a 1·7 per cent incidence rate of E coli O157:H7 in samples of raw goats' milk intended for cheese making, although it was not associated with infection in human beings. Despite these incidents involving goats as a source of E coli O157:H7, the biology of E coli O157:H7 in this host is not properly understood. In addition, little is known of the prevalence of E coli O157:H7 in goats, with only a few reports suggesting very low prevalence rates in the region of 0·2 per cent (Cid and others 2001, de la Fuente and others 2002, Blanco and others 2003, Dontorou and others 2004). Wales and others (2005) showed that six-day-old conventional kids may be colonised by E coli O157:H7, and small attaching and effacing (AE) lesions induced by E coli O157:H7 in the mucosa of the large intestine were observed after deliberate oral inoculation. While these data suggest that kid goats are susceptible to colonisation by E coli O157:H7, it is unclear whether older goats are also susceptible to colonisation by E coli O157:H7 and whether transmission from affected nannies to presumed susceptible neonate kids at foot is a risk factor in the management of goats on petting zoos and farms. This short communication describes an experiment in which nannies with kids at foot were inoculated orally with E coli O157:H7 to determine the course of the dosed organisms. All animal procedures were approved following ethical review at the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, and complied with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986; the procedures were performed under Home Office licence 70/5722. Previous studies in another small ruminant model, lambs and sheep, made use of E coli O157:H7 strain NCTC 12900 Nalr. This strain does not produce verocytotoxins and can be used at containment level II; it also generates a localised adherence phenotype on cultured HEp-2 and bovine primary epithelial cells with actin rearrangements characteristic of the AE lesion (Dibb-Fuller and others 2001, Cookson and Woodward 2003). Furthermore, this strain forms AE lesions in the large intestine of orally inoculated six-day-old goats (Wales and others 2005), in the large intestine of six-week-old lambs (Wales and others 2001b) and on the mucosa in ligated large intestinal loops in six-month-old lambs (Wales and others 2002). Additionally, it persists in six-week-old and six-monthold conventional lambs (Cookson and others 2002, Wales and others 2001a, 2005, Woodward and others 2003). NCTC 12900 Nalr was inoculated into 100 ml aliquots of Luria-Bertani broth in 250 ml conical flasks. After incubation for 16 hours at 37°C with gentle agitation, the bacterial cells were harvested by centrifugation at 3000 g for 10 minutes, and resuspended to one-fifth of the original volume in phosphatebuffered saline. The bacterial suspensions contained approximately 1 x 109colony-forming units (cfu)/ml, as determined by serial dilution and plating, and 10 ml of this was used as the oral inoculum for each animal. Five pregnant nannies (goats 1 to 5), approximately five years of age, were housed indoors and provided with standard rations and water ad libitum. Rectal swabs were taken before parturition and treated by immunomagnetic separation and plating on cefixime-tellurite sorbitol MacConkey (CT-SMAC) agar as described by Wales and others (2001a, b) in order to detect E coli O157:H7. None of the nannies was positive for E coli O157:H7, but all harboured sorbitol-fermenting commensal E coli. After parturition, the kids remained with their nanny and sucked. Rectal swabs from each of the kids were taken on day 6, after which each nanny was challenged with E coli O157:H7 strain NCTC 12900 Nalr prepared as described above. No kid was Veterinary Record (2005) 157, 659-661


After short peptic digestion of bovine serum albumin between pH 3.6 and 3.9, a limited number of well defined fragments are found. The isolation and characterization of some fragments, probably placed in the C-terminal part of albumin, have been given in a previous paper. This paper describes the isolation, characterization and localization of a number of N-terminal fragments of bovine serum albumin. The investigation comprises molecular weight determination, amino acid analysis, N-terminal amino acid determination, copper binding studies and SH-group determination. It is concluded that cleavage of albumin by pepsin between pH 3.6 and 3.9 preferentially occurs in the C-terminal moiety of albumin. This leads to the appearance of large fragments with the same N-terminal end as albumin. The mechanism of the digestion by pepsin is discussed in relation to the structural model of albumin and the conformational change at low pH (N-F transition).


A method for the preparation of novel pyrrolidine substituted (trialkylsilyloxy)acrylic esters has been developed. The protocol involves a rhodium-catalysed O-insertion/rearrangement reaction between N-functionalised 2-pyrrolidinones and α-silyl α-diazoacetates to form the corresponding acrylic esters in moderate to high yields.


The Maasai are cattle pastoralists, living on the grass savanna in southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. This article, which deals with Kenya, describes Maasai women as "heads of houses". The house as a physical structure shelters and symbolically embodies a matrofocal unit of consumption and resource sharing which is the smallest unit of Maasai society. In terms of livestock property, such units are subordinated to larger, patriarchal units. According to the author, the relative autonomy of Maasai houses, and in particular women's control over food resources is significantly decreasing. The reason for this is the present commercialization of Maasai production.


Researchers at the U.S. Bureau of Mines are conducting a long-term groundwater monitoring and site characterization program at an abondoned 10-hectare, acid-producing, copper-gold tailings impoundment in north-central Washington State. The purpose is to investigate contaminant release and transport, and attenuation mechanisms in the tailings, sediments below the tailings, and gravels downgradient of the impoundment. The report summarizes the monitoring results and physical properties of the tailings, the sediments below the tailings, and the groundwater system associated with the tailings.


All kinds of arts have the chance to be represented in digital forms, and one of them is the sound art, including ballads by word of mouth, classical music, religious music, popular music and emerging computer music. Recently, affective computing has drowned a lot of attention in the academic field, and it has two parts: physiology and psychology. Through a variety of sensing devices, the authors can get behaviors which are represented by feelings and emotions. Therefore, the authors may not only identify but also understand human emotions. This work focuses on exploring and producing the MAX/MSP computer program which can generate the emotional music automatically. It can also recognize the emotion identified when users play MIDI instruments and create visual effects. The authors hope to achieve two major goals: 1 Producing the performance of art combined with dynamic vision and auditory tune. 2 Making computers understand human emotions and interact with music by affective computing. The results of this study are as follows:1 The authors design a corresponding mechanism of music tone and human emotion recognition. 2 The authors develop a combination of affective computing and the auto music generator. 3 The authors design a music system which can be used with MIDI instrument and also be incorporated with other music effects to add the Musicality. 4 The authors Assess and complete the emotion discrimination mechanism of how mood music can feedback accurately. The authors make computers simulate even have human emotion, and obtain relevant basis for more accurate sound feedback. The authors use System Usability Scale to analyze and discuss about the usability of the system. Also, the average score of each item is obviously higher than the simple score four points for the overall response and the performance of music when we use "auto mood music generator". There are average performance which is more than five points in each part of Interaction and Satisfaction Scale. Subjects are willing to accept this interactive work, so it proves that the work has the usability and the potential which the authors can keep developing on.


Over the last decade, Mexico changed from being the poster child for trade liberalization and a strong proponent and advocate of FTAs to a timid actor in bilateral and regional trade negotiations. This deviation from Mexico's strategy to open new markets for its products cannot be explained by the adoption of a new trade policy model; Mexico did not move away from export-oriented development nor did it cease to depend on external markets —international trade, FDI, oil revenue, tourism and remittances— for its domestic growth. This paper examines organized interests and institutions to explain these apparently contradictory trends in Mexican trade policy: a slowdown in trade negotiations even as Mexico liberalized trade unilaterally. I argue that Mexico's institutional design helps us explain Mexico's trade policy suboptimal outcome: tariff liberalization without


development. The Finnish method consists in assembling as complete a list of versions as possible,1 in dividing the story into a series of episodes, in 1 Of course we must not forget hat assembling a complete or even relatively complete collection of versions is a very laborious undertaking and one not to be assumed lightly. In this insistence on completeness the Finnish method differs from the earlier methods generally, in so far as we can perceive any definite procedure in them. Max MUiller, for example, appears to have used the versions which came to hand without searching for others. The much-talked-of psycho-analytic "method," if it can be called a method at all, is quite as casual in its selection of versions for closer study. De Keyser ("Het Lied van Halewijn; een psycho-analytisch onderzoek," Nederlandsch Tijdschrift soor Volkakunde, XXVII [1922], 165-74) takes a text which illustrates most strikingly the points which he wishes to make and then treats it as primitive and original without more ado. Jan de Vries ("Het Lied van Halewijn: over het goed gebruik van wetenschappelijke methoden," ibid., XXVIII [1923], 1-17) calls him to order, but doubtless unavailingly. I cannot see that other psycho-analytic studies in traditional materials are better in this regard. Except for the article on "Cinderella," Saintyves (Lee contes de Perrault et les recits paralliles [Paris, 1923]), who may be cited as representative of those seeking origins in prehistoric rituals, appears to rest his case on versions which chance to fall into his hands rather than on an exhaustive collection of materials, and for Cinderella he relies on Miss Cox's famous book. The ethnological method of Andrew Lang would, one might expect, demand completeness of its disciples. But examples of the method are hard to find, at least examples of its detailed and thorough application are practically non-existent. Lang, in his study of the Cupid and Psyche story, aims at bringing together examples of savage custom, and so does MacCulloch in his Childhood of Fiction. The older and the more scattering the examples the better. But a really painstaking determination of what constitutes the Cupid and Psyche story does not occur to a member of the ethnological school, although such a determination might seem to be a prerequisite to explaining the story. I cannot pass over unmentioned Karsten's review of HaLstesko, Laneisuomalaiset tautien loitsut ("West Finnish Charms against Sicknesses") in Za. des Verein. f. Volkak., XXI (1911), 426-27. Karsten says, "Die Ergebnisse, zu denen der Verf. gelangt, und die von ibm angewandte Methode sind indessen, wie mir scheint, sehr anfechtbar. Die Methode ist die in Finnland besonders von Prof. K. Krohn vertretene historisch-geographische Entlehnungsmethode, die a priori von der Voraussetzung ausgeht, dass sowohl die Zauberlieder selbst wie die ibnen zugrunde liegenden magischen oder religi~sen Vorstellungen tiberhaupt nichts Allgemein menschliches darstellen, sondern bei einem einzelnen Volke entstanden und von diesem allmihlich durch Entlehnung zu andern gekommen selen." Two things


The Fifth Louis Bteriot Lecture was given in Paris at the Soctete des Anciens Eleves Ingenieurs Arts et M&ieres, Avenue d'Kna, on the 12th March 1952, under the auspices of the Association Francaise des Ingenieurs et Techniciens de l'A^ronautique, by Mr. Henry Knowler, A.M.I.C.E., F.R.Ae.S. The Lecture was attended by several members of Council of the Royal Aeronautical Society and by the Secretary, Dr. A. M. Ballantyne, T.D., A.F.R.Ae.S., as well as by a number tof members of the Society and the British Aircraft Industry. Monsieur Jules Jarry, President of A.F.I.T.A., presided and welcomed the visitors. He regretted the absence of the President of the Society, Major F. B. Halford, C.B.E., F.R.Ae.S., and on behalf of members of A.F.I.T.A. hoped that he would soon have fully recovered his health. He welcomed particularly Air Commodore F. R. Banks, C.B., O.B.E., F.R.Ae.S., who deputised for the President, not only because he was a friend of A.F.I.T.A.'s but because he had given the First Louis Bleriot Lecture. Air Commodore Banks, speaking in French, conveyed the sincere regrets of the President whose health prevented him from being present, his best wishes for the success of the Lecture and for the prosperity of A.F.I.T.A. and the continuation of the happy relations between A.F.I.T.A. and the Royal Aeronautical Society. He then introduced the Lecturer, Mr. Henry Knowler, Head of Research and a Director of Saunders-Roe Ltd. Mr. Knowler, also speaking in French, expressed his regret at his inability to read his lecture in French and his gratitude to Monsieur Benoit for doing so on his behalf. The Lecture was then read by Monsieur Benoit, Administrative Adviser of O.N.E.R.A.


This study examines the proposed prepaid water meters by Zimbabwean local authorities focusing on the Harare City Council. The study reveals that without attending to contract management capacity issues, the prepaid meter technology meant to be installed in all Harare households would be a challenge to residents. Public and private water utility management organisations are guided by different sets of incentives. Whatever the mix, public and private utility organisations operate best with clear lines of authority and responsibility buttressed by a technical competent managerial team with the ability to make long-term investments. The paper concludes with a set of recommendations that are designed to assist local government authorities interested in charting and bankrolling the prepaid water meter system with relevant information that can be utilised in their quest for an efficient water delivery and cost recovery system.


The invention discloses a method and a device for preparing graphene precursor two-dimension nanoscale graphite powder by adopting an airflow crushing and peeling method. The device comprises an air source system, a crushing and peeling system and a gas-solid separation system; in the crushing and peeling system, an A return pipe, a B return pipe and a riser pipe form a material circulation loop of an airflow crushing and peeling process; an A gas guide pipe, a B gas guide pipe and a C gas guide pipe form an airflow crushing passage of the airflow crushing and peeling process. The graphene precursor two-dimension nanoscale graphite powder is prepared by adopting three supersonic speed jet flows to carry graphite particles together; through collision and friction of strip jet flows, high-purity crushing and peeling of the graphite particles are realized; through circulated and continuous crushing and peeling of the graphite particles, the two-dimension nanoscale graphite powder is obtained. The process is adopted for crushing and peeling the graphite powder, the crushing and peeling of the graphite powder are realized by utilizing mutual collision and friction among the graphite powder, friction of other media does not exist, and thus the two-dimension nanoscale graphite powder with high purity can be obtained.


Objective To explore the features and experience of children's patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)and made a comprehensive evaluation on the its efficacy.Methods 37 patients with patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)were chosen using transthoracic echocardiography(TTE),and were checked with ECG and chest X-ray before the operation;36 of them were pure patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)and 1 was PDA complicated with aorta descending stenosis.The defect closure was performed under the guidance of TTE and X-ray;followed-up was carried out with ECG,chest X-ray and TTE after the procedure.ResultsThe successful rate was 97.3%;one operation failed and changed into abnormity rectification in CPB;small quantity of residual shunt was observed in two patients;there was no significant difference in measurement by TTE before and after the transcatheter procedure;86.1% and 47.2% of the patients were followed up for 3~6 months and for 12 months respectively after the closure;TFE and chest X-ray checking demonstrated that right atrium and right ventricle of all the patients diminished,ECG demonstrate no obvious arrhythmogenesis.Conclusion With high successful rate and safety,transcatheter closure patent ductus arteriosus(PDA)has good efficacy and few complications;TTE and X-ray play an effective role in transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA).


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background: Angioplasty with stent placement is a therapeutic option for patients with acute thrombotic, postthrombotic, and nonthrombotic obstruction of the iliofemoral veins or inferior vena cava. Previous studies of steel-alloy stents described variable patency rate across indications. Methods: The prospective Swiss Venous Stent Registry includes patients treated with self-expandable nitinol stents for deep venous obstruction. Routine follow-up visits include serial duplex ultrasound for stent patency assessment. The primary outcome was primary stent patency. The secondary outcome was venous thromboembolisms. We studied the rate of stent occlusion and potentially contributing factors. Results: We included 379 patients: 160 with acute thrombotic, 193 with postthrombotic, and 26 with nonthrombotic deep vein obstruction. The mean age was 46±18 years; 55% were women. The cumulative 3-year primary patency rate was 80.5% (95% CI, 73.0%–88.0%) for acute thrombotic, 59.2% (95% CI, 50.4%–68.0%) for postthrombotic, and 100% for nonthrombotic obstruction (log-rank, P<0.0001). Annualized rates of stent occlusion or venous thromboembolism were 7.8 (acute thrombotic), 15.0 (postthrombotic), and 0 (nonthrombotic) events/100 patient-years. In a multivariable Cox regression model, postthrombotic femoral veins at baseline (hazard ratio, 2.64 [95% CI, 1.53–4.56]) and the number of stents (hazard ratio, 1.22 [95% CI, 1.06–1.40]) were associated with stent occlusion after conditioning for age, sex, and clinically relevant factors. Conclusions: The rate of stent occlusion (patency loss) and venous thromboembolism varies substantially across indications, also with dedicated venous nitinol stents. Patients with postthrombotic femoral veins and those who received multiple stents were characterized by the highest risk. Registration: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02433054.


In spite of almost universal agreement on the need for graduates to possess generic skills and knowledge, the assessment of these graduate attributes remains a challenge for educators. Traditional approaches to assessment have not typically focused upon the measurement of generic graduate attributes (eg. critical thinking, teamwork, communication etc.) nor identified frameworks for assessing student progression towards work-readiness. Yet construction and built environment employers are increasingly demanding the development of employability attributes, stressing the need for measurement of student performance against these qualities (Curtis and Lucas 2001).


Reconstruction algorithm is essential to reconstruct temperature field image in boiler temperature field survey. This article puts forward a new algorithm based on RBF neural network. The algorithm firstly does discrete cosine inverse transform to temperature distribution T(x,y) of 'typical section' in the boiler to construct mapping relationship between low step item coefficients vector and average temperature vector of gas medium on sound wave flight path, and then implements the mapping using RBF neural network because it has strong functional approach ability. Through training the network with orthogonal least square method, the temperature field can be reconstructed. Simulation reconstruction experiments are done to different temperature distributions using this algorithm and the reconstruction results are compared with those using least square method. Simulation results show that the algorithm has high reconstruction precision, quick speed and good anti-interference ability


Entrepreneurship is certainly not a simple job and does not generally ensure a 100% achievement. Numerous basic features must be set up to empower entrepreneurs to attain a proportion of progress. SMEs therefore deserve attention, especially with regards to the entrepreneurial attributes as well as the business practices of the entrepreneur. The study investigates the effect entrepreneurial features and business practices on the continuing endurance of SMEs.Descriptive research method was employed to obtain a picture of the effect of entrepreneurial features as well as corporate practices on the continuing endurance of SMEs in Ghana. A mixed method strategy was employed to reach conclusions that are accurate, reliable and reproducible. The population of the study focused on entrepreneurs in the small, medium and large enterprises in the Kumasi metropolis. In all, 100 questionnaires distributed, the researchers were able to retrieve 90 representing 90% of the response rate. Interviews, as well as questionnaires, were the main intruments utilised to gather the required information for the study.Findings revealed that entrepreneurs require to have some entrepreneurial qualities for continuing endurance and that specific attributes make some entrepreneurs more fit to maintaining a fruitful business than other, the principle on which this research work concludes. It was realised that characteristics, values and assumptions of entrepreneurs in SMEs may impact their selection of management practices and consequently the presentation of their firms. The crucial determinant for the adoption of Deming Management Model of Total Quality in SMEs is to intensify awareness and motivate all workers on satisfying clients. It was further revealed that Creativity, Self-assurance, and Ability to Adapt negatively influence Teamwork, Risk Management and Planning of business activities among the SMEs surveyed.


The dynamics of intense ultra-low-frequency (ULF) activity during three successive strong magnetic storms during 29–31 October 2003 are considered in detail. The spatial structure of Pc5 waves during the recovery phases of these storms is considered not only from the perspective of possible physical mechanisms, but as an important parameter of the ULF driver of relativistic electrons. The global structure of these disturbances is studied using data from a worldwide array of magnetometers and riometers augmented with data from particle detectors and magnetometers on board magnetospheric satellites (GOES, LANL). The local spatial structure is examined using the IMAGE magnetometers and Finnish riometer array. Though a general similarity between the quasi-periodic magnetic and riometer variations is observed, their local propagation patterns turn out to be different. To interpret the observations, we suggest a hypothesis of coupling between two oscillatory systems—a magnetospheric magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) waveguide/resonator and a system consisting of turbulence + electrons. We propose that the observed Pc5 oscillations are the result of MHD waveguide excitation along the dawn and dusk flanks of the magnetosphere. The magnetospheric waveguide turns out to be in a meta-stable state under high solar wind velocities, and quasi-periodic fluctuations of the solar wind plasma density stimulate the waveguide excitation.


Describes life before, during and after Czechoslovakia's Velvet Revolution in 1989. It is the story of Pavel, a middle-aged film maker, a not-quite-dissident working uneasily within the boundaries set by the regime. He is paralysed rather than liberated by the coming change.


This chapter review some of the principal personal and situational factors established through recent international research that contribute to explain the phenomenon of cyber-victimization and cyber-aggression among adolescents, as well as its relations with socio-demographic variables (age, sex, grade level). Personal factors, like emotions, motives, normative beliefs, and moral disengagement were discussed jointly with situational factors, as the role of peers, friends, school and family environments, in addition to the possible interactions of these variables on cyber-bullying. The chapter ends with a discussion of future directions about the research on this phenomenon, namely in what concern educational programs that can use digital technology to help adolescents, schools and families to deal with cyber-bullying.


Cities appear to display similar features and mechanisms across different geographies. This phenomenon seems to hold despite planning intentionality. In questioning the nature of this convergent behaviour and the role of path dependence in urban evolution, an attempt is made in this presentation to examine how cities retrieve their relational dependencies between street structures and other formal and functional attributes after the imposition of large scale planning interventions. For the purpose of this investigation, empirical models of historical data are constructed in order to identify the effect of planning on the natural organisation that entwines urban dependencies. The hypothesis is that where planning interventions are more dominant, this natural organisation will be destabilized. The results confirm the hypothesis true for Manhattan and Barcelona. In general, the cases under study are found to share a natural dependency between the network structure of streets, street width, building height and retail land uses. This relationship is thought to characterise the overall trends that cities converge to in the process of urbanisation. An explanatory theory on how cities arrive at this convergent behaviour is thought to be vital for urban design and planning policies.


To narrow basins, following the example of previous reports from our clinic, we include those basins, Conj. ext. which are less than 18 centimeters and from cans with conj. ext. 18 centimeters those where narrowing of other sizes, or anamnesis, or deviations from the usual mechanism of childbirth made it possible to suspect an irregularity in the device of the pelvis.


The importance of writing cuts across all levels of education. Its effectiveness hinges on the ability to use thegrammar of language appropriately especially in a second language (SL) situation. This paper compares the writingskill in English Language of eighty 100 level students and forty of those in 500 level core Agriculture colleges whowere randomly selected for grammatical assessment in a Nigerian University. The research was carried out after bothgroups had gone through English and Communication Skills courses. The results show that students have problemswith almost all aspects of grammar – tense, punctuation, spelling, concord, abbreviation, preposition, and wordamalgamation. At the 100 level, tense and spelling errors were the most frequent while punctuation and tense errorswere most prominent in 500 level scripts. Tense errors were common to both groups as a result of negative transferfrom the first language (L1), though the environment in which they occurred differ. The study also reveals animportant relationship between a mastery of the speaking skill and effective writing. The implications of the findingson the teaching and learning processes were discussed and suggestions were made on how to improve students'writing capability.


A modification of the matrix formalism for studying acoustic wave propagation in anisotropic piezoelectric multilayers is developed. The modification is based upon the use of the compound matrices, well known from the theory of the matrices. Using the modified method, analytical expressions for the relationship between the real and imaginary parts of the determinant of the boundary conditions are derived. One of the advantages of the method is demonstrated for thick plates and thick film structures. On considering the dispersion curves for thick multilayers, the slow dispersion regions inherent for anisotropic materials are discovered. The regions are related with the cutoff velocities of the bulk waves in the film materials.


A circuit arrangement with a time-continuously operating according to the Σ-Δ principle circuit comprising the following elements: - at least one integrating circuit (I) with an integrator (R - at least one comparator circuit (CP) which is supplied with a clock signal (T) which is coupled on the input side to the output of the integrating circuit (I) and outputting a least one bit digital output signal dependent on a comparison of an applied to the input signal with a reference signal (U - a device for signal feedback, which is connected to the output of the comparator (CP) and connected to the input of at least one integrating circuit (I) and for feedback to a charge accumulator (C


Christine Barber, now working with Durham LEA's Special Educational Needs Support Service (SENSS), discusses some of the issues arising from the integration of a very able pupil with Asperger Syndrome into an 11 - 16 comprehensive school. Her case study considers not only the use of acceleration, as a means of ensuring that the pupil reaches his full potential, but also emphasises the need for a structured programme to develop social skills, promote acceptable behaviour, and prepare for life in the adult world.


Relational interdependence, relationship thinking, and relational communication are theorized to distinguish among the stages of dating relationships. This study analyzes their comparative ability to distinguish dating relationship stages and suggests some of their related‐ness. Results indicate that relational interdependence (indexed in the perception of relationship alternatives, satisfaction, investment, and commitment) distinguishes among each stage of the dating relationships. Relationship thinking (measured in positive affect thinking and partner thinking) and relational communication (measured in trust and composure) also distinguish among relational stages, but differences in relational interdependence appear to predate and predicate the positive development of relationship thinking and relational communication.


Objective To study the effect of intra-catheter ATP on no-reflow phenomenon during percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)for acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods From June 2008 to September 2010,46 consecutive patients with AMI who had no-reflow phenomenon during PCI were randomized into verapamil group(group A,n=22)and ATP group(group B,n=24).Verapamil or ATP 200 μg was administered intra-catheter to distal vascular bed of target vessel.The administration was repeated when necessary.Targets to be observed consisted of corrected TIMI frame count(CTFC),parameters of hemodynamics(blood pressure,heart rate)during PCI,the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF)7 days after PCI and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)until discharge.Results The TIMI 3 ratio and CTFC were similar in two groups(90.1% vs 91.7%,26.5±14.6 vs 24.8±10.3,P0.05).The amplitude of blood pressure degression in verapamil group was markedly higher than that in ATP group[(13.4±10.6)mmHg vs(8.7±5.6)mmHg,P0.05].The number of patients that need to be protected by IABP in group A was more than that in group B(7 vs 3,P0.05).No significant difference was found in the complications and the incidence of MACE between group A and group B.Conclusion Intra-catheter ATP on no-reflow phenomenon during PCI can improve perfusion instantly,which may be an effective and safe method to reverse no-reflow for AMI patients.


Reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ground transportation is increasingly becoming one of the most important issues for automobile manufacturers to achieve environmental sustainability in the transportation sector. As a result, recent research has paid considerable attention to the use of alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs) that may help reduce GHG emissions. However, due to the lack of an initial infrastructure, which would include alternative-fuel refueling stations, the use of AFVs is still in their early stages. In order to commercialize AFVs in a given region, it is necessary to set up an initial set of refueling stations on the region's road network. In this paper, we develop a mathematical model to determine optimal locations for a pre-determined number of refueling stations whose objective is to maximize the traffic flows covered on a tree network, which is a common structure of toll roads in many states. After collecting the necessary origin/destination traffic flow data, the model is applied to the Pennsylvania Turnpike network.


Cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes, especially type 2, are closely intertwined and growing health threats in the US and many other regions of the world. Fully one-third of coronary artery disease (CAD) is attributed to or at least accompanied by diabetes, and in turn it is responsible for 60–80% of mortality in type 2 diabetes. Death from CAD is markedly increased by diabetes in both men and women.


Higher order thinking skills (HOTS) are one of the skills that is emphasized in the 21st century learning environment. Students with high ability in thinking skills will be able to compete and gain a place in the global market. Self-efficacy is one of the elements that can be a catalyst for the achievement of HOTS among students. Therefore, this study was conducted with the main purpose to examine the relationship between students' self-efficacy and HOTS. In addition, this study was also conducted to identify the level of HOTS and self-efficacy among Accounting students. This study uses questionnaires and achievement tests as instruments to collect data. A total of 467 Form Four Accounting students were selected as the study sample using proportional stratified random sampling techniques. The Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES) instrument is used to measure students' self-efficacy. Meanwhile, the students' HOTS achievement is measured based on the total score obtained in the administered achievement test. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential using correlation analysis using IBM SPSS version 23. The findings of the study indicated that there is a significant positive relationship between students' self-efficacy and HOTS. The findings also show that the level of students' self-efficacy and HOTS is at a moderate level. Hence, when the level of selfefficacy of students increases, then the level of HOTS also will increase. The implication, teachers need to give emphasis to increase students' self-efficacy and thus increase HOTS in the teaching and learning process.


Irrigation scheduling, which is used to determine the frequency and dosage of irrigation applications, is required to optimize water use while at the same time maximizing crop yield and farm profit. This paper describes the broad principles and applications of a computer-assisted irrigation scheduling system, namely AISSUM (Automatic Irrigation Scheduling System of the University of Montreal). AISSUM is user-friendly and has the potential for optimizing water use and enhancing crop production. AISSUM is based on the water-balance approach to irrigation scheduling. The requisite weather and soil data are collected by a solar-powered, portable micrometeorological system (SEWBS). Crop evapotranspiration (ET) is calculated using a customized software package, EDA. Irrigation scheduling is performed by the software package AIS.IRRIG. The test results for AISSUM for an okra crop in Trinidad and a raspberry field in Quebec are presented. In addition to providing real-time estimates of irrigation scheduling, AISSUM gives superior results when compared to the cycle method.


The invention relates to a surgical thread, in particular for the avoidance of suture hole bleeding, comprising a polymeric core and a surrounding the polymeric core polymeric sheath, wherein the polymeric sheath is swellable in body fluids. Furthermore, the invention also provides a surgical kit manufacturing method for the surgical thread as well as the use of the surgical thread as a suture is concerned, in particular to avoid suture hole bleeding.


Against the background of research on Italian parliamentary debates on immigration, ter Wal looks at the ideological positions of the extreme-right Alleanza nazionale (AN) concerning both immigration and integration policy. In order to unravel the ideological implications she focuses on examples of various rhetorical strategies enacted in speeches by several of the party's MPs: including stategies of self- and other-presentation, and of justification and causal explanation. This analysis shows how the AN manages to propagate an ideology of ethnic nationalism that eschews the egalitarian norms and cultural pluralism necessary for full participation by migrants. The AN's transformation and re-interpretation of the meaning of the key values of equality andsolidarietafunction as a justification for the restriction of migrants' rights. Speakers shift the perspective from immigrants' problems to the socio-economic problems of Italians in order to recommend a policy of 'the own people first'. While the AN's disc...


Infusible thermoplastic Elium® family of resins from Arkema have garnered much attention in recent years as a possible replacement for thermoset resins in laminate and sandwich composite manufacturing for wind blade applications due to its ease of recyclability and the ability to utilize existing manufacturing processes without imposing complicated variations. However, physical and mechanical properties of the proposed Elium® based thermoplastic composites must be comparable to existing epoxy (thermoset) based composites using manufacturing processes relevant for large wind turbine blades. A 13-meter-long demonstration blade was manufactured for that purpose and sandwich samples were obtained from that project for a detailed study. This paper details three-point flexural properties of unidirectional E-glass fiber reinforced acrylic and epoxy based sandwich panels with identical balsa wood core materials. In addition, to evaluate the relative merit considering debond failure mode, the interfacial critical strain energy release rate, predominantly in mode-1, was compared via single cantilever beam testing. In sandwich composites constructed with balsa wood core material, resin uptake by the balsa core is traditionally impeded via the insertion of a scrim material at the facesheet to core interface. Results revealed that inclusion of scrim mesh layer at the facesheet to core interface reduced flexural properties and strain energy release rates in panels infused with acrylic resin but did not significantly reduce these properties in epoxy infused facesheets.


Since STRASBURGER has described in i 88o about the mode of cell division by furrowing in the pollen-mother-cells of TroJaeolum majus, L. in his well known work " Zellbildung u. Zelltheilung," we have no further cytological researches about this plant, so I have undertaken a cytological investigation about it, and could confirm his observation, that the tetrads formation takes place by furrowing. At the same time I found some interesting features in heterotypic division, and in regard to chromosome numbers, the brief account of which will be given in the following pages.


Power system comprises of different sections like transmission lines and distribution lines. Among those, distribution network plays vital role. Most of the short circuit (SC) and open circuit (OC) faults can occur frequently in distribution lines, which are caused by lightning strikes, storms, growing vegetation, over currents and falling trees etc. these faults leads to interruptions in the power supply, which interns reduce the quality of power. To provide uninterrupted power supply to the consumers and to maintain the power quality for safeguarding the power system, the respective authority needs to detect, localize and restore the fault as early as possible. Localizing the fault manually consumes more time. This paper introduces a new methodology based on the direct and indirect measurements to detect and localize the open circuit and short circuit faults. This method uses Direct measuring voltage sensor and faraday's law based indirect measuring current sensor. Based on the sensors output we developed an algorithm to detect and localize the fault. we Implemented the algorithm on the experimental setup and tested to validate the proposed method.


Field experiment was conducted during (2005-07) in a sandy loam soil at Bhubaneswar,Orissa to study the effect of 2 different irrigation regimes (irrigation at 1.0 and 0.5 IW/CPE) and 4 nitrogen rates (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg N/ha/year) on the herbage yield, oil yield, nitrogen uptake and oil quality of 'OD-19' lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud.) J.F.Wats.]. Herbage and oil yield under the irrigation level I 1 (irrigation at 1.0 IW/CPE) was more than that under I 2 (irrigation at 0.5 IW/CPE) by 13, 19, 12 and 13% in the second, third, fifth and sixth harvests, respectively. The increased rate of N application up to 90 kg N/ha/year has resulted in an increase in nitrogen uptake by 38.8, 60.4 and 80.4% in N 30 , N 60 and N 90 , respectively over the No. However, 'citral a' and 'citral b' showed no variation in relation to irrigation regimes and nitrogen rates. The benefit: cost ratio was found to be superior with treatment receiving irrigation at 0.5 IW/CPE and N rate @ 90 kg/ha/year in both the years with 1.68 in 2005-06 and 2.99 in 2006-07.


A self-catalytic ampicillin-metal (Fe3+)-organic gels (AMP-MOGs (Fe))-H2O2 CL system, which is not influenced by transition metal ions, was studied. A method for CL detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) based on the AMP-MOGs (Fe)-H2O2 CL system was achieved. A superior detection limit of 31 CFU mL-1 toward S. aureus was obtained with near-zero background noise.