Vibration exercise is a mechanical stimulus that can be determining by the amplitude, frequency, and the magnitude of the oscillations. After the Russian scientists introduced the vibration training to the resistance training program, there have many commercial vibration machines been developed around the world. The use of vibration exercise to enhance muscle performance probably results from the vibration simultaneously stimulates the muscle spindle and tendon to induce the tonic vibration reflex and the inhibition of antagonist. Whole body vibration (WBV), the mostly common vibration exercise type, can transmit the oscillations from the vibration platform through the total body to obtain the maximal vibration stimulus. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to demonstrate the acute and chronic physiological effects of WBV training, and also was to provide the application and the safety consideration in practice.


The Care Quality Commission failed to respond to early warning signs of problems and took too long to recognise and act on risks to residents at a care home in West Sussex. An inquest subsequently found that neglect had contributed to the deaths of five people there and that other residents experienced "suboptimal" care, the CQC has found in an analysis of its role in the case.1

The CQC's report comes after a serious case review carried out by West Sussex Adults Safeguarding Board that found that the CQC's assessment of the care home, Orchid View, …


The effects of increasing concentrations of lead nitrate on growth characteristics of Trapa natans including root length, leaf area and biomass production was studied. Estimation of bio concentration factor is very much important. It indicates that the species is more favorable to tolerate higher concentrations of heavy metals and also helps a lot in decontamination of the land, water etc. To understand the effects of heavy metals upon plants and the resistance mechanisms, would make it possible to use plants for cleaning and remediating heavy metal polluted sites. In this study increasing concentration of lead showed higher accumulation capacities and may be better treatment option for lead by means of phytoremediation. Trapa natans have great potential to accumulate heavy metals and can be effectively used in phytoremediation. The present study also reveals that Trapa natans can be effectively used to cleanup aquatic ecosystems.


In Belgium, Dutch is one of the three official languages, apart from French and German. German is spoken by about 80,000 people in a small region in the eastern part of the country. French is the commonly used language of four million people in the southern part of Belgium, Wallonia, and it is the predominant language in Brussels, the country's capital (Corijn and Vloeberghs 2009). Dutch is the language of the six million Flemings who live in the northern part of Belgium. Dutch as spoken in Flanders, which we could call 'Belgian Dutch', differs slightly from the Dutch spoken in the Netherlands. In former days, Netherlandic Dutch was the norm for Flemish speakers of Dutch, but throughout the last few decades, the language used in the Flemish media has taken over this position (Van der Sijs and Willemyns 2009; Willemyns 2003). With Belgian Dutch determining its own course, apart from the developments in Netherlandic Dutch, Dutch can be seen as a pluricentric language (cf. Clyne 1992; De Caluwe 2012). The bicentric character of Dutch coincides with different internal developments in both linguistic centres. For example, Netherlandic Dutch is currently confronted with 'norm relaxation' phenomena, manifested by more accent variation in the spoken standard (Grondelaers and Van Hout 2011), a growing phonological influence of non-standard varieties such as Poldernederlands or 'Polder Dutch' (Stroop 1998, Van Bezooijen 2001) and morphosyntactic changes such as the rapid spread of the object form hun of the 3 rd person personal pronoun in


This paper describes how the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) operates the second busiest heavy rail transit system in the country. The system serves 3.5 million people over a 1,500 square-mile service area. Ridership on Metrorail has continued to rise steadily since service started in 1976, driven by system expansion and regional growth. The 2007 Metrorail Passenger Survey, released in October 2007, further shed insights on the Metrorail growth trends and the effects of transit investments on a growing region. Some of the key findings include significant growth at stations in the downtown area and in the revitalizing neighborhoods, increasing social and recreational trips on Metrorail in the evening, and an increasing number of passengers accessing the system by walk, bicycle and bus. This paper presents the characteristics and emerging trends of the Metrorail transit market and identifies the drivers of ridership growth in the Washington metropolitan region.


Fetal reduction, as one of the most valuable achievements of mankind, is a new phenomenon and there are legal gapes in regard to difference aspects of it. Therefore, it is not clear if fetal reduction is permissible. This Article tries to answer whether fetal redaction entails civil responsibility from sharia and the law's standpoint. According to the data gathered, parents of a fetus and physicians could be the ones who bear responsibility. Parents of a fetus or embryo assume most parts of the responsibility since they decide to conduct fetal reduction which could affect fetal life and health. As for physicians, they are responsible in the event of non-compliance with regulations and technical standards, committing medical errors at any stage including diagnosis or treatment during or after fetal reduction, and failure in obtaining consent and the acquittal of the patient or its legal guardian.


A ny discussion of psoriasis treatments must include the setting in which such treatments are administered. Traditionally these comprise in patient hospitalization, ambulatory day-care-center treatment such as with the Ingram or Goeckerman regimens, outpatient phototherapy with ultraviolet B (UVB) or with psoralen and ultraviolet A (PUVA), and home care under the supervision of a physician in a private office or clinic-based facility; however, the milieu encompasses far more than the physical setting. Self care, patient education, group therapy, stress reduction techniques, and other support systems are important adjuncts to all of these therapies. Climatotherapy or heliotherapy is an option for selected patients, particularly those in Europe and those who can travel to the Dead Sea or other spa-treatment facilities. Historically, there has been a shift from inpatient hospitalization for severe widespread psoriasis to outpatient treatment with the availability of new modalities such as calcipotriene, PUVA, etretinate, and cyclosporine, among others. Changing health-care systems, particularly with regard to managed care in the United States, have promoted outpatient care and emphasized the roles of the dermatologist as consultant to the primary care physician. Medical informatics, including the use of computerized software systems to effect medical decision making and systems that provide immediately accessible medical records are being increasingly utilized. Telemedicine, a new approach, is well suited to a visually oriented specialty such as dermatology that can serve those in remote areas. Factors affecting choice of treatment include the severity and extent of disease, degree of disability, response to previous treatment, and personal considerations, such as convenience and cost (Table 1). First and foremost, the type of psoriasis is a prime factor in determining the treatment setting.' Different options are presented to patients with localized plaques, generalized plaques, erythrodermic, palmoplantar and pustular psoriasis (Table 2). With the current use of combination and rotational therapies, treatment settings are likely to overlap or change over time with any individual patient. In the geriatric patient, issues of physical


The Al2O3 films doped with Ce3+ were deposited on slides by the medium-frequency reaction magnetron sputtering process, to which the power is constant, Ar flowrate 23 sccm, O2 flowrate 5sccm and sputtering time 90min at room temperature. The relationship between the luminescent properties of Al2O3:Ce3+ films and the dopod amount of Ce3+ in the films was studied. The presence of Ce3+ and stoichiometry of those films were determined by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS). It was observed that the total luminescence intensity increases and the peak positions are strongly dependent on Ce3+ concentration in the films. And the reason of the dependence was analyzed. The analysis of luminescent excitation spectra showed that the luminance of the films is due to the Ce3+ concentration in the cerium chloride aggregate formed in the films. The luminescent Al2O3:Ce3+ films are available to apply to the panel display which needs blue light emission.


The invention discloses a multimedia file browsing system and a multimedia file browsing method. The method includes: converting content in a character recognition area when a multimedia teaching file is played into image text information; after acoustical signals in the multimedia teaching file are converted into acoustical text information, generating index files containing the image text information and corresponding image time information and generating index files containing the acoustical text information and corresponding acoustical time information; after the image time information and the acoustic time information, corresponding to inputted keywords, are read in the index files, displaying the multimedia teaching file according to the read image time information and the read acoustic time information. Therefore, display contents of multimedia teaching files can be searched, and contents related to the searched keywords can be quickly displayed.


Abstract This article investigates the impact of ego development on the course of psychiatric illness in a group of 37 psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents ages 12 to 16. The subjects, 21 males and 16 females, were evaluated at time of admission and again after 9 months of hospitalization. Using the Loevinger Sentence Completion Test (Loevinger, Wessler, & Redmore, 1970), two ego pathway groups were defined: progressors, those subjects who had advanced at least one-half stage in ego development, and nonprogressors, those who did not progress at least one-half state in ego development. Significant differences in clinical course were found between the two groups. Progressors demonstrated more significant decreases in psychiatric symptoms as measured by the Achenbach and Edelbrock (1987) Youth Self Report and had a significant change in their use of coping and defense processes compared with the nonprogressors. The findings are discussed in the context of a constructivist approach to developmental psychopathology.


Based on the analysis of traditional high power shaker,a brand-new shaker of single-skeleton,dual-coil style is introduced to eliminate the steep troughs and peaks existing in the frequency curve produced by traditional high power shaker.At the same time,the shape of the skeleton is optimized which minimizes additional mass effect on the evaluated object and broadens the shaker frequency range.


Audit committees (ACs) are a powerful tool in effective corporate governance. This study examines the functioning of ACs in Bahrain from the responses of 30 companies listed on the Bahrain stock exchange. Data were collected from questionnaires from companies and the audit firms. The study primarily focuses on the extent to which companies in Bahrain have been following the standard recommendations and guidelines provided by the blue ribbon committee (BRC). Size, type of auditors and industry type influence the establishment of ACs in Bahrain. The establishment of ACs have been slow yet, most of the companies have been following by and large BRC's recommendations. However, the concept of independent ACs is yet to be popularized in Bahrain. ACs do not report their findings to shareholders, but other functions seem to accord with the BRC's recommendations. However, some perceptions of audit firms negate the claims of the companies to comply with BRC recommendations.


Some important physical effects appear due to molecular short range correlations in nematic liquid crystals. When the orientational pair potential including the higher order terms, recent theories are not yet able to give reliable calculations. This paper is devoted to developing a new numerical method to solve the equation for equili-brium state, based upon the cell theory. We do not use any empirical expansions for the orientational distribution function but obtain the accurate molecular orientational distrbutions. Then we give the accurate numerical results of the order parameter at the phase transition, the entropy change etc., and obtain the correction for the Sene-ralized mean field theory made by the short range correlations.


The performance of a battery pack, composed of multiple connected cells, can be increased with the additional of a charge balancing system. This work explores the dynamic performance of charge balancing systems and how their ability to equilibrate the state of charge depends on the design of the underlying charge balancing network. The performance of the charge balancing system is shown through simulation studies to be related to the properties of the underlying graph of the balancing connections.Copyright © 2012 by ASME


Ischemic colitis (IC) is the condition that results when blood flow to the colon is reduced to a level insufficient to maintain cellular metabolic function.

 A 36 year old female; diabetic, hypertensive, with history of CVA and IHD, presented in ER with complaints of sudden onset, severe, colicky abdominal pain. Examination revealed a mildly tense, tender abdomen at left iliac fossa with a palpable ill-defined mass. Her TLC was 31.6/L and hemoglobin 9.3 g/dL. Serum amylase, lipase and lactate levels were normal. CECT abd/ pelvis showed thickened, edematous sigmoid and descending colon, with extensive mesenteric haze and stranding. Colonoscopy showed an illdefined, obstructing growth in rectosigmoid region at 25 cm from anal verge. There were multiple ischemic patches and underlying erythema and ulceration with bleed to touch mucosa at few sites. Scope could not be passed further. Biopsy showed active non-specific colitis with no evidence of malignancy. Patient improved on conservative management and was discharged. Patient presented in ER 2 weeks later with a long tubular structure that was expelled per-rectum. The histopathology of this structure revealed intestinal tissue with marked autolytic and ischemic changes. Patient again presented in ER with abdominal pain and vomiting with increased TLC. A diagnosis of severe ischemic colitis (ACG guidelines 2005)presenting as rectosigmoid mass was made and left hemi-colectomy was planned.

 This is a rare case of colonic mucosal shedding in ischemic colitis only described once in literature.

 This case demonstrates the unusual way in which colonic ischemia can present.


In this study, we consider the problem of designing functional interval observers for a class of singular fractional-order systems. The goal of this work is to design not a full state interval observer for singular fractional-order systems, but to design an observer for state functions of this kind of systems. Conditions for the existence of such functional interval observers are given and an effective algorithm for computing unknown observer matrices is provided in this study. Two numerical examples and simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed design method.


Purpose We performed this study to determine the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and refractive status in adolescents aged 12–19 years. Methods Cross-sectional study using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2001 to 2006. We used weighted multivariate linear regression models to assess the association between serum vitamin levels and adolescent refractive status and then built a smooth curve fitting to investigate their internal non-linear relationships. Finally, subgroup analysis was performed according to gender, and the threshold effect of serum vitamin D levels on spherical equivalent degree was analyzed using a two-piecewise linear regression model. Result A total of 5,901 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years were included in this study. After adjusting for all confounding factors, the multiple linear regression model showed no significant correlation between adolescent spherical equivalent degree and serum vitamin D [0.0019 (−0.0018, 0.0046)]. However, smooth curve fitting analysis showed an inverted U-shaped curve relationship between spherical equivalent degree and serum vitamin D levels in adolescents (turning point: 58.1 nmol/L). In analyses by gender subgroup, this inverted U-shaped relationship was found to be more pronounced in female adolescents (turning point: 61.6 nmol/L). Conclusion Our results suggest that the correlation between refractive status and serum vitamin D in adolescents differs by gender. When serum vitamin D concentrations were <61.6 nmol/L in female adolescents and <53.2 nmol/L in male adolescents, the spherical equivalent degree showed a positive correlation with serum vitamin D levels. However, there was no significant correlation when adolescent vitamin levels exceeded this threshold.


Although the exponential growth of the internet has made it easier than ever to carry out plagiarism, it has also made it much easier to detect. This paper will give an overview of the many different methods of detecting web-based plagiarism which are currently available, assessing practical matters such as cost, functionality and performance. Different types of plagiarism detection services will be briefly outlined by broad category. The paper will then consider the relative advantages and disadvantages of the different methods, referring to comparative studies where possible. It will also draw out some of the more general drawbacks of electronic detection, ranging from practical matters such as technical restrictions, data protection issues, and cost, to the human impact on staff and students alike. It will counterbalance this by outlining the many possible benefits of implementing online detection in academic institutions, aside from the obvious pragmatic time-saving if dealing with large cohorts of students. It will argue that if online detection is used in conjunction with the many valuable 'anti-plagiarism' resources and tutorials available on the web, it really can become a positive teaching aid for staff and students alike, rather than a threatening online policing system. The paper will conclude with a brief forecast for the future of plagiarism detection, and will emphasise that any form of online detection service can only act as a mere diagnostic tool to highlight possible cases of plagiarism, with human judgement always needed to investigate further.


This manuscript uses a statistical mechanical approach to study the effect of the adhesion, through MOCA protein, on cell locomotion. The MOCA protein regulates cell-cell adhesion, and we explore its potential role in the cell movement. We present a series of statistical descriptions of the motion in order to characterize the cell movement, and found that MOCA affects the statistical scenario of cell locomotion. In particular, we observe that MOCA enhances the tendency of joint motion, inhibits super-diffusion, and decreases overall cell motion. These facts are compatible with the hypothesis that the cells move faster in a less cohesive environment. Furthermore, we observe that velocity distribution tails are longer than those predicted by Maxwell-Boltzmann in all cases studied here, indicating that cell movement is more complex than that of a liquid.


Both the fungi were readily isolated on PDA and pathogenicity was established by spraying the spore suspension of the fungi on healthy leaves. The characteristic symptoms developed on inoculated plants. Upon reisolation the causal fungus was similar to one used for inoculated. the symptoms appeared as circular to oval, which later became irregular, often coalesced to form larger. In early stage, the spots were chlorotic but soon became tan coloured, surrounded by dark reddish brown border. Yellow halo surrounded the spots coalescing to result in complete blightening (Sohi 1990). In case of C. pallescens, the fungus initially caused angular leaf spot on mature leaves. The spots were brownish without light halo. Several spots that coalesced formed necrotic patches resulting in crinking of leaf lamina. This is the first report of C. pallescens causing blight of gladiolus from Maharashtra state. Following the Koch's postulates the pathogenicity proved. The organism when inoculated on healthy plants of ABSTRACT


In this paper, our aim is to obtain new fixed-disc results on metric spaces. To do this, we present a new approach using the set of simulation functions and some known fixed-point techniques. We do not need to have some strong conditions such as completeness or compactness of the metric space or continuity of the self-mapping in our results. Taking only one geometric condition, we ensure the existence of a fixed disc of a new type contractive mapping.


The purpose of this research was to compare the design of Dose Error Reduction Software (DERS) between smart pumps to determine which features affect the ability of nurses to safely and efficiently program intravenous medications. A high-fidelity usability experiment was conducted. Twentyfour Registered Nurses completed a series of infusion tasks, in a simulated clinical environment, using three smart pumps (Cardinal Alaris System, BBraun Infusomat, and Hospira Symbiq). Results found significant differences in nursing performance across the smart pumps. Nurses were more likely to override clinically inappropriate soft limit alerts when using BBraun Infusomat, than when using Hospira Symbiq or Cardinal Alaris System. Furthermore, when asked to program an infusion over a specific duration, nurses were found to make significantly more parameter entry errors when using Hospira Symbiq than when using Cardinal Alaris System. Results from this study will help set DERS design principles, and assist hospitals during their procurement processes.


Films of resorcinol-formaldehyde latex (RFL) films were made by casting on mercury. The tensile stress-strain curves and tensile and bending moduli were determined for films with different heat-curing conditions and different resin/latex ratios. The heat treatments (240° for 30 min conditions were more severe than in normal hot-dipping and vulcanizing) showed no significant change on the mechanical properties of the films. Changes in the latex/resin ratio produced gradual (not sudden or stepwise) changes in the mechanical properties. The dynamic Young's modulus and loss factor for a standard formulation film from -20°C to +120°C showed small changes, indicating a one-phase system of resin and latex. This evidence was supported by microscopic and electron microscopic evidence. Standard RFL film was shown to be a tough material of adequate extensibility (16%) and a modulus (2.3 × 106 g. cm-2) Intermediate between that of rubber skim stock and nylon tire cord. Its mechanical loss factor shows that it does not contribute unduly to the heat generated in a tire.


Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) sample girds were coated with recognition element functionalized polymer 2 and exposed to solutions of a Mixed Monolayer Protected Gold Cluster (MMPC) functionalized with a complimentarily recognition element. Interactions between the polymer and MMPC bound recognition elements provide a driving force for the formation of nanoparticle aggregates. Characterization of the resulting structures by TEM revealed that anisotropic growth of structures in the sub-micrometer size regime rapidly occurred. This process was shown to be the result of the specific hydrogen-bonding interactions between the two components. Casting films of polymer 2 from solutions of decreasing concentration achieved control over the process. This lead to the increased formation of regular, circular structuresand a decrease in random nanoparticle adsorption by the film. Analysis of the size of the circular structures revealed that a maximum diameter of approximately 1150 nm was achieved after 30 minutes exposure to MMPC 1 solutions. This size was independent of the concentration of polymer 2 solutions used to cast films.


We describe continuous-wave, quasi-continuous-wave and gain-switched operation of moderate power Cr:ZnSe lasers. We have demonstrated CW output powers as high as 1.83 W, quasi-CW power of 3.6 W at 10% duty cycle, and 0.35 mJ gain- switched pulses at a repetition frequency of 1000 Hz.


Restless legs syndrome is a sensorimotor neurological disorder of the limbs that impairs quality of life and disturbs sleep. However, there has been progress in understanding the disease involving the dopaminergic system as well as iron metabolism. The exact pathophysiological mechanisms of restless legs syndrome remain elusive. We tried to elucidate the underlying mechanisms in iron metabolism in restless legs syndrome subjects on a systemic, cellular, and mitochondrial level.


Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (sCJD) is a rare neurodegenerative prion disease that presents with symptoms of rapid neuropsychiatric decline including dementia, behavioural abnormalities and loss of higher cortical function. Patients commonly present with rapidly-progressive neuromotor symptoms such as ataxia and myoclonus. Very few cases of CJD have been reported in which the patient initially presents with stroke symptoms such as hemiparesis as their primary presenting symptom. We present a case of a 56 year old male who initially presented to the stroke unit with waxing and waning left sided weakness and a non-corresponding ipsilateral left-sided acute parietal infarct on diffusion-weighted MRI. Over four weeks, his condition progressively worsened with declining cognitive function, motor dysfunction, sphincter dysfunction and eventual death.

 Methods used to confirm the suspected diagnosis included: (1) Periodic sharp wave complexes are the most classical EEG finding for CJD and are seen in two third of the patients diagnosed with sporadic CJD, (2) The presence of the 14–3-3 protein in CSF has been found to be a sensitive and specific marker for sporadic CJD, (3) Neuroimaging plays a vital role in the diagnosis of CJD including serial MRIs and EEG sufficient to exclude other differential diagnoses.

 MRI brain revealed an acute cortical infarct within left parietal lobe measuring 3 mm.A n EEG demonstrated periodic sharp wave complexes occurring maximally in the left centro-temporal region. EEG finding was suggestive of a diagnosis of a prion disease. CJD Surveillance Unit confirmed the cerebrospinal fluid analysis was positive for RT-QuIC indicating sporadic CJD.

 In cases of patients presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of a stroke with subsequent ipsilateral neurological findings on MRI, CJD should be included as a differential diagnosis. Additionally, a lumbar puncture, not routinely recommended in stroke patients, should be performed early to aid in early detection of CJD in order to confirm diagnosis and optimise the ceiling of care.


The thesis presents phase stability studies for the Compact Linear Collider (CLIC) and focuses in particular on CLIC Drive Beam longitudinal phase stabilisation. This topic constitutes one of the main feasibility challenges for CLIC construction and is an essential component of the current CLIC stabilisation campaign. The studies are divided into two large interrelated sections: the simulation studies for the CLIC Drive Beam stability, and measurements, data analysis and simulations of the CLIC Test Facility (CTF3) Drive Beam phase errors. A dedicated software tool has been developed for a step-by-step analysis of the error propagation through the CLIC Drive Beam. It uses realistic RF potential and beam loading amplitude functions for the Drive and Main Beam accelerating structures, complete models of the recombination scheme and compressor chicane as well as of further CLIC Drive Beam modules. The tool has been tested extensively and its functionality has been verified. The phase error propagation at CLIC has been analysed and the critical phase error frequencies have been identified. The impact of planned error filtering and stabilisation systems for the Drive Beam bunch charge and longitudinal phase has been simulated and the optimal specifications for these systems, such as bandwidth and latency time, have been calculated and discussed. It has been found that a realistic feed-forward system could sufficiently reduce the longitudinal phase error of the Drive Beam, hence verifying that a satisfactory CLIC luminosity recovery system is possible to develop. Alternative designs of the Drive Beam accelerator, the recombination scheme and the phase signal distribution system have also been analysed. Measurements of the CTF3 Drive Beam phase have been performed. The source of the phase and energy errors at CTF3 has been determined. The performance of the phase feed-forward system prototype for CTF3 has been simulated. The prototype's specifications have been defined so that it will provide a sufficient test of the feed-forward correction principle. The prototype based on the defined specifications is currently in development and is to be installed at CTF3 in the second half of 2013.


Could cell-free RNA (cfRNA) in culture medium be non-invasive strategy to select in vitro fertilized (IVF) embryos?

 CfRNAs in culture medium could be potential markers correlated with embryo qualities.

 Infertility is a critical component of reproductive health and couples with infertility may choose assisted reproductive technology (ART) to increase their chances of conception. However, the effectiveness remains low. One way to improve the outcome is to screen the embryo prior to implantation. Noninvasive testing opens new perspectives in analyzing embryo qualities and current pending includes microscopy images coupled with artificial intelligence and omics analysis of the spent blastocyst medium (SBM). Cell-free DNA in SBM could be used to identify the embryo ploidy and metabolomic/proteomic markers could be correlated with embryo potential, while the research of cfRNA is lacking.

 We developed a new library method of polyadenylation ligation-mediated sequencing (PALM-Seq) to capture the low amount of cfRNA and collected twelve culture mediums of in vitro embryos on Day 3 and five samples of embryos on Day 5.

 We employed PALM-Seq on culture medium of embryos generated by IVF or Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Owing to the new method, we could comprehensively profile the cfRNAs, including miRNA, tRNA, piRNA, lncRNA and mRNA. The morphology and fragmentation of the recruited embryos were also recorded.

 Generally, thousands of genes could be detected in all culture mediums and the number greatly increased in SBM. We identified several reported miRNA markers in our study, such as miR-21-5p and miR-92a-3p, while highly expressed miRNAs varied across samples and stages. We indeed found piRNA in mediums and several specific piRNAs had large amount of expression. In contrast, detected number and expression of tRNA were stable across samples. Besides of reported mRNA markers, we could profile the expression of all detected mRNAs and no differences were found between embryos with and without fragmentation. We found that the majority of mRNA fragments were shorter than 30 nucleotides. In addition, some granular-specific expressed mRNAs could be detected in medium on Day 3 and they decreased of medium on Day 5.

 We have only conducted preliminary exploration in the culture medium of pre-implantation embryos and studies of larger sample size are needed.

 Our research proved the feasibility of performing high-throughput sequencing of cfRNAs in SBM. It opens new perspectives on defining non-invasive markers and selection of embryos with the most potential. Our results also contribute a new insight on improving the treatment of infertility.

 2018YFC1004900


This paper intends to provide both the current state of empirical knowledge and a framework for global analysis to consider the evolution of juvenile delinquency in France since the 1970s. Beyond the moralizing stereotypes of the media-political debate and naive behaviorist approaches, what we propose here is to demonstrate that the analysis of the evolution of juvenile delinquency is inseparable from the evolution of criminal law, the operation of criminal institutions, the criminal system's referral procedure, and the economic, social and political trends that run in favor or against the social integration of youths. This global framework of analysis articulates the three concepts of criminalization, prosecution and ghettization.


The drift in resistance at a fixed temperature of a variety of carbon composition resistance thermometers has been measured in the temperature range 0.03–6 K. It is found that the drift in terms of an apparent ΔT/T is smaller for resistors having a smaller temperature sensitivity, and that these thermometers therefore have a better reproducibility in the usual meaning of the word. It is also shown that baking a resistor at temperatures of 300 to 400°C produces units essentially identical to unbaked resistors having the same room temperature resistance as the baked unit.


A general method for flood forecasting, suited to telemetered rainfall and river stage data, was developed using data from eight major floods on the Waimakariri River. Rainfall-stage and upstream stage-downstream stage relationships were identified as autoregressive moving-average (ARMA) models with time-varying parameters. Parameter values were estimated in adaptive real-time mode by incorporating the ARMA models into the Kalman filter algorithm. The method is an acceptable alternative to the RORB model with lower data and operational resource requirements. Implementation requires only commercial PC-based software


The essence of sustainable development is that the progress of the current generation does not go against the interests of future generations. In the classical definition, the balance between generations is understood as the balance of needs. However, the word "needs" can be interpreted differently. First, we can talk about the ability to meet the needs in the context of the availability of natural resources. This means that we must leave to future generations the same amount of resources that we have, so that they can meet their needs with these resources. Secondly, we can talk about the ability to meet the needs as a standard of living. This means that for future generations it should be at least the same as the standard of living of our generation. At the same time, it is absolutely not necessary that this be achieved due to the availability of natural resources. For example, we can now invest some resources in the development of human capital and knowledge, and future generations will provide a higher standard of living through the growth of knowledge. Consequently, the factor of human capital, determining the pace of introduction of innovative technologies and moving away from resource-intensive industries, will determine sustainable development in the process of transition to a post-industrial economy.


FACULTY OF SOCIAL, HUMAN AND MATHEMATICAL SCIENCES Mathematical Sciences Doctor of Philosophy USING SIMULATION AND SURVIVAL ANALYSIS TO FORECAST OUTCOMES AND ECONOMIC COSTS OF THE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY PROGRAMME IN ZAMBIA by Mushota Evans Kabaso Of the approximately 35 million people living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa in 2013, over 1.9 million were in Zambia. The country is among the hardest hit by what is described as a generalised HIV epidemic with a prevalence of 14.3 percent of the sexually active population living with the virus. Limited information on the long–term survival and related economic costs of providing Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) to the needy population is a challenge to planners and others interested in mitigating the effect of this problem. A two-pronged study has been undertaken to address this paucity of information whose objectives are: 1) To provide better estimates of long term survival estimates of people on ART; and 2) Estimate the number of people on ART in the future and the related economic cost of providing them with ART over the next decade. Survival analysis techniques were employed to estimate distributions of time each patient spent on ART before exiting the system for one reason or the other. These distributions served as input parameters in the Discrete Event Simulation (DES) model which was used to model the number of people on ART in Zambia and provide projections for the cost of providing ART in the future. HIV-infected patients enter the model when they commence ART and then change their health states stochastically until they exit the system due to death or stopping treatment. Economic costs are calculated from the public sector perspective and we anticipate the tool being used for planning purposes in Zambia. The development of the model was with extensive consultation of different staff involved in the running of the ART program in Zambia from clinicians and support staff managing the patients at the clinics to provincial and national ART coordination staff who are involved in managing and planning of the interventions at the macro level.


The new sci-tech revolution makes the modern periodical externalize a series of n ew features. In the periodical service, the university library should make great efforts to developing the network periodicals, purchasing and utilizing the CD periodicals actively, managing and utilizing the book periodicals with the new t echnique and equipment, and creating the new situation of the periodical service .


The kinetics of methyl methacrylate(MMA) polymerization initiated by 4,4′-Azobis(4-cyanopentanoyl(p-dimethylamino)anilide(ACPMA)/dibenzoyl peroxide(BPO) redox system in N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF) was studied by dilatometer method.The influence of concentrations of ACPMA,BPO,monomer and temperature on the polymerization rate and molecular weight of polymers were inspected.The reaction order and the activation energy were determined.The results indicated that the polymerization rate increases with increasing the concentrations of ACPMA,BPO,monomer as well as the reaction temperature.The molecular weight increases with increasing the concentration of monomer.The molecular weight decreases with increasing the concentration of ACPMA,BPO and the reaction temperature.The system has the characteristic of a redox initiation system.The equation of the polymerization rate is Rp=K0.570.711.63 with an apparent activation energy of 38.06 kJ·mol-1 for MMA polymerization.


High-speed vehicles created using forebodies constructed using the Osculating Flowfield Method of waverider generation can include multiple characteristics favorable for the integration of ramjet and scramjet air-breathing propulsion systems. A preliminary examination of ramjet/scramjet integration using such waverider forebodies has been performed, directed towards cruise aircraft applications. A range of waverider forebodies are introduced to demonstrate the flexibility and utility of the Osculating flowfield Method in this application. An example of using such waverider-based forebodies as the basis of a representative hypersonic vehicle is shown. Such vehicles have been analyzed to quantify the potential for both propulsion and aerodynamic performance improvements when using Osculating Flowfield waverider forebodies. Nomenclature go = gravity acceleration h = height of the ramjet/scramjet engine module hPR = heat of reaction of fuel n = power law body exponent r = local body radius rb = power law body base radius


The molecular engines that drive enhanced magnesiations are unveiled through structural elucidation of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidide (TMP) Hauser base and its turbo model (see structure; Mg green, Li violet, C purple, O red, N blue, Cl yellow).


The Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) Annular Core Research Reactor (ACRR) (a Hazard Category 2 nuclear reactor facility) was defueled in early 1997 to convert the reactor core and control system to produce medical radioisotopes for the US Department of Energy (DOE) Medical Isotope Production Program. The DOE determined that an operational readiness review (ORR) per DOE 5480.31 or DOE 420.1 was required to confirm the readiness of management systems, personnel, and the physical plant to refuel the reactor and begin operations within the revised safety basis. DOE stated that this was the first reactor ORR conducted within the Complex. The authors address the lessons learned from the ACRR ORR, emphasizing cost savings and the use of the ORR to confirm authorization-basis implementation.


Based on wireless data transmission,the paper brings forward a display and alarm system design method,which chooses SCM as its kernel microprocessor.The basic hardware circuit structure is given in this paper.The software program design of the wireless module setting and the program flow of the LCD driving are also mentioned in this paper.The intelligent alarm system mentioned in this paper has the function of receiving wireless alarm signal,showing alarm information as well as voice or light alarm.


(1) Sex-linked lethal mutations furnish good material for a quantitative analysis of the mutation process. (2) When the intensity of the X-ray beam is increased by raising the voltage over a range of 40 to 99 kilovolts, the number of mutations is increased accordingly. Taking the amount of ionization in air as a measure, the mutation rate seems to vary approximately in direct proportion to the intensity. (3) There is some evidence that gene mutations are due not to a number of causes, but to one, the beta particle, and that it is because X-rays and radium both produce beta radiation that they are successful agents in inducing gene mutations in the laboratory. Similarly, it is suggested that some kind of earth radiation producing beta particles may be responsible for mutant types in nature. Recent measurements by Muller and MottSmith (1930), however, seem to indicate that natural radioactivity is far "inadequate to explain the frequency of 'natural' mutations."


1) Research problem:
Defenders and environmental activists, both globally and in Colombia, have been implicated in their lives when threatened and persecuted by different actors who seek some benefit from natural resources, and see them as an obstacle to achieving their own interests; when simply what these people seek is to act peacefully, without recourse to violence, to promote and protect the universality and indivisibility of the rights of peoples and individuals. Which are often violated by governmental and non-governmental actors, while a large number of the projects that are executed and of which citizens and environmental human rights defenders are afflicted, have negative consequences for the population, and unfortunate for the environment.
For the specific case of Colombia, it is worrying, since the figures have been increasing in recent years. It must be said that it is during the Government of Juan Manuel Santos that some very worrying figures have been recorded, while from 2010 to 2017 there were 174 murders of environmental activists according to the reports of the Global Witness Organization. It should be noted that these figures do not cover all environmental defenders, but only activists, and even then, it is not believed that these numbers represent all activists because there may be many cases that have not yet been known.
For this, then, international regimes would turn out to be very important, since they represent the legal and moral regulations that govern the international scenario and that in turn have an influence at the national level. For what is believed that they can be key to address the problem of violation of rights and quality of life of defenders of environmental human rights, which are essential for the defense of environmental rights and other human rights. However, we must bear in mind that many times the agreements established there are not binding, so they are not an obligation of the States to comply and give rise to this type of actions to continue to meet the economic wishes of different very powerful actors that end up violating vulnerable populations.
2) Justification:
The violation of the fundamental rights of environmental defenders is a situation that afflicts the world and especially Colombia, mainly because it is a very vulnerable population that has not been properly classified or taken into account, but until recent years. The concept of environmental human rights defenders, largely worked by UN Special Rapporteur John Knox, has begun to be promoted.
Therefore, this research will seek to develop and promote the relatively new concept in order to generate awareness and understand the scope and use of it. Which is expected to be a contribution for academic and social use. Mainly, because for the current situation, it is not possible to leave the problems simply reneged at the state level but also the appropriation of civil society must be allowed, especially in the environmental issue, which is the means by which many of the rights fundamentals can be enjoyed.
In short, the environment is vital for the development of all living beings and therefore of the human being. Reason why, and personally, I dare to say that I was astonished to read through newspapers how the numbers of activists killed each year were growing, and how much this worries me because it seems not to improve but to tax each more time I also have to emphasize my interest in environmental issues, which made me even more sensitive. This is why, through the development of this research, I hope to expose some positive aspects and errors that are currently being made on this issue, as well as provide more knowledge, so that effective action plans can be formulated by the Colombian Government at the State level to confront this problem, as well as providing tools and information to the public so that they can also face this problem.
3) Research Question:
How has been the protection regime that the government of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018) has built to protect the Defenders of Human Rights in the Environment (DDHHA) in Colombia?
4) General objective:
Determine how the protection regime that the government of Juan Manuel Santos (2010-2018) has built to protect the Defenders of Human Environmental Rights (DDHHA) in Colombia has been.


Graphite has recently been the focus of numerous exploration companies, particularly due to developments in battery technologies related to the emerging electric vehicle and green energy market.


Among many issues related to solid waste, one stands out more and more, due to recent legislation linked to the area (National Policy on Solid Waste - Law 12.305/2010), which stresses the concept of reverse logistics, in which the producer is responsible for waste disposal related to the products manufactured by them. This study aims to perform an analysis of the disposal process of electronic waste from computers within the city limits of Contagem/ MG, in order to understand the reality of these wastes disposal, analyzing the population view, the management bodies and a recycling company, within the logic of reverse logistics. Data collection was the methodological procedure. The results showed that when it comes to recycling, there isn´t a chain that can incorporate these waste efficiently yet, showing the presence of only one company in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte, considering that the majority of screened waste is sent out of the State of Minas Gerais and abroad. In relation to the population, there is a repetition of the same mistakes from the past, with the overvaluation of economic growth at the expense of environmental issues. Finally, regarding the work, several limitations were found as lack of historical sales data, lack of data on the equipment life, the virtual absence of data from these items recycling.


The paper discusses aspects of cultural analysis of family sitcoms on contemporary Russian television, the possibility of the influence of family sitcoms on broadcast television audience, the modeling of family relations. There are argued the scientific interest in the family sitcom.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS) in the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.

METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the TRUS manifestations of 87 cases of midline prostatic cysts.

RESULTS
Of the total number, 33 cases were diagnosed as Müllerian duct cysts, 21 cases ejaculatory duct cysts and the other 33 cases undifferentiated midline prostatic cysts; 19 cases had dilated seminal vesicles, 19 seminal vesicle agenesis, 9 seminal vesiculitis and 5 dilation of the ejaculatory duct.

CONCLUSION
TRUS, convenient, sensitive, safe and non-invasive, is a desirable method for the diagnosis of midline prostatic cysts.


CAN J ANESTH 55: 5 www.cja-jca.org May, 2008 therapeutic doses of this drug combination (MAOI + SRI). If such drugs have been used, the clinician needs to have a low threshold for suspecting a serotinergically-mediated adverse drug reaction, and to act even if the full gamut of typical symptoms are not yet present. Thus, if an overdose of moclobemide plus an SSRI has been ingested, one should not wait for symptoms to emerge, one should prepare to act as if they are likely to manifest soon and severely. One should also note anesthetics, benzodiazepines and muscle relaxants will substantially alter the picture by suppressing and masking symptoms. Indeed they constitute 'treatment', and withdrawing them may precipitate an exacerbation. It is only drugs with SRI properties that need to be avoided preoperatively for a few days (depending on half-life: fluoxetine may need a 30-day washout): drugs with other mechanisms of serotonergic action will not be dangerous. Further detailed information, references and discussion is available through my web site www.psychotropical.com


Holographic functional methods are introduced as probes of discrete time-stepped maps that lead to chaotic behavior. The methods provide continuous time interpolation between the time steps, thereby revealing the maps to be quasi-Hamiltonian systems underlain by novel potentials that govern the motion of a perceived point particle. Between turning points, the particle is strictly driven by Hamiltonian dynamics, but at each encounter with a turning point the potential changes abruptly, loosely analogous to the switchbacks on a mountain road. A sequence of successively deepening switchback potentials explains, in physical terms, the frequency cascade and trajectory folding that occur on the particular route to chaos revealed by the logistic map.


The present work determined whether there was a change in the state of DNase Ⅰ sites in the chromatin of anterior pituitary tumors induced by estradiol in SD rats by Southern blot hybridization. The results indicated that the PRL gene in the chromatin of anterior pituitary tumors induced by estradiol was more sensitive to digestion by DNase Ⅰ than the control group. This suggested that PRL gene in the chromatin of anterior pituitary tumors induced by estradiol was in a more active state than the normal anterior pituitary.


Abstract Background Tuberculosis (TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and is among the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Multidrug-resistant TB is increasing, with almost 480,000 new cases. According to drug resistance surveillance data, 3.9% of these are new cases and 21% previously treated TB cases. The aim of this study was to compare the results from the conventional drug susceptibility test (DST) and the sequencing method. Methods The study included 122 individuals with TB. Drug susceptibility was tested by the conventional DST and sequencing. We calculated the drug resistance rate of each anti-tuberculosis agent and compared the resistance pattern according to each method. Results The resistance rates by conventional DST were 6.3, 9.4, 3.1, 7.0, 0.8, and 4.8% for rifampicin, isoniazid, streptomycin, ethambutol, fluoroquinolones, and pyrazinamide, respectively, in the newly diagnosed group, and 4% for both isoniazid and fluoroquinolones in the previously treated group. The resistance rates by sequencing were 6.3, 9.2, 2.0, and 5.8% for rifampicin, isoniazid, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide, respectively, in the newly diagnosed group and 21.1, 28.6, 5.0, and 13.0% for rifampicin, isoniazid, streptomycin, and pyrazinamide, respectively, in the previously treated group. The concordance rates of isoniazid were 70% for resistance and 95% for susceptibility; rifampicin, 80% for resistance and 98% for susceptibility; ethambutol, 98% for susceptibility; pyrazinamide, 17% for resistance and 96% for susceptibility; streptomycin, 98% for susceptibility; and fluoroquinolones, 98% for susceptibility. Conclusion The resistance patterns of rifampicin, isoniazid, and pyrazinamide by both methods were analogous to each other in the newly diagnosed group. In addition, the concordance rates of drug susceptibility were high. Therefore, it is helpful to perform both the conventional DST and sequencing method for more precise detection of drug resistance of M. tuberculosis. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


The research of laminated magnetostrictive shell under thermal vibration was computed by using the generalized differential quadrature (GDQ) method. In the thermoelastic stress-strain equations that contain the terms linear temperature rise and the magnetostrictive material with velocity feedback control. The dynamic equilibrium differential equations with displacements were normalized and discretized into the dynamic discretized equations by the GDQ method. Two edges of laminated shell with clamped boundary conditions were considered. The values of interlaminar thermal stresses and center displacement of shell with and without velocity feedback control were calculated, respectively. The purpose of this research is to compute the time responses of displacement and stresses in the laminated magnetostrictive shell subjected to thermal vibration with suitable controlled gain values. The numerical GDQ results of displacement and stresses are also obtained and investigated. With velocity feedback and suitable control gain values are found to reduce the amplitude of displacement and stresses into a smaller value. The higher values of temperature get the higher amplitude of displacement and stresses. The GDQ results of actuating magnetostrictive shells can be applied in the field of morphing aircraft (adaptive structures and smart materials) to reduce and suppress the vibration when under aero-thermal flutter.


Pericentric inversion of chromosome 4 can give rise to recombinant chromosomes by duplication or deletion of 4p. We report on a familial case of Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome characterized by GTG-banding karyotypes, FISH, and array CGH analysis, caused by a recombinant chromosome 4 with terminal 4p16.3 deletion and terminal 4q35.2 duplication. This is an aneusomy due to a recombination which occurred during the meiosis of heterozygote carrier of cryptic pericentric inversion. We also describe the adulthood and prenatal phenotypes associated with the recombinant chromosome 4.


The piston and first sloshing modes of two-dimensional moonpools with recess are investigated. Dedicated forced heave experiments are carried out. Different recess lengths are tested from $1/4$ to $1/2$ of the length of the moonpool at the mean waterline. A theoretical model to calculate the natural frequencies is developed based on linearized potential flow theory and eigenfunction expansion. Two numerical methods are implemented: a boundary element method (BEM) and a Navier–Stokes solver (CFD). Both the BEM and CFD have linearized free-surface and body-boundary conditions. As expected, the BEM over-predicts the moonpool response significantly, in particular at the first sloshing mode. The CFD is in general able to predict the maximum moonpool response adequately, both at the piston and first sloshing modes. Both numerical methods fail to predict the Duffing-type behaviour at the first sloshing mode, due to the linearized free-surface conditions. The Duffing behaviour is more pronounced for the largest recess. The main source of damping in the proximity of the first sloshing mode is discussed.


Measurements were made on the angular distribution of ions radially accelerated from a 0.001-in. dia. tungsten wire immersed in a cesium atomic beam. Due to surface migration, ions are emitted from the shadowed side of the wire, allowing measurements of the surface diffusion length and the ion lifetime under ion emission conditions and of the surface diffusion coefficient. The surface diffusion lengths under ion emission are about 1 μ . The surface diffusion constant was higher than anticipated and was strongly temperature dependent. Ion lifetimes on the oxygenated tungsten are comparable with those from clean tungsten, but the neutral lifetimes are much larger. This longer neutral lifetime will proportionately reduce the neutral evaporation from any given distribution of coverage on any ion source.


According to the characteristics of instrument analysis experiment and in order to solve the existing problems in the instrument analysis experiment teaching,the exploration and studies were performed from experiment teaching contents,teaching modes,assessment methods and experiment teaching reform project.


The facile bottom-up fabrication of a perfect preferentially-oriented MOF nanofilm, NAFS-1 on a solid surface, which is endowed with highly crystalline order both in the out-of-plane and in-plane orientations to the substrate, as determined by synchrotron X-ray surface crystallography, was achieved by the unique combination of a layer-by-layer growth technique coupled with the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method.


President Bush announced on 26 July that his administration has begun implementing the recommendations of the New Freedom Commission on Mental Health to "improve mental health services and support for people of all ages with mental illness" through comprehensive screening.

The plan states that schools are in a "key position" to screen the "52 million students and six million adults who work at the schools" and includes recommendations for screening preschool children (19 June, p 1458).

Mr Bush's announcement comes after new reports showing that increasing numbers of toddlers and children are being prescribed amphetamines, anti-depressants, and antipsychotic drugs. Concern that widespread screening will only increase the number of young people taking drugs …


This paper presents an analysis of the Brazilian Regulation on Distributed Generation for the national power system. This regulation is in charge of the Agencia Nacional de Energia Elétrica - ANEEL, the regulator authority for electricity sector in Brazil, that made it through the Normative Resolution N° 482, approved in April 17, 2012, adopting the model of net metering. It also presents the implementation results of this regulation for Brazilian power system.


When a uniform plane electromagnetic wave is incident upon the small circular aperture in an infinite conducting plane, the transmitted power t P through the aperture is very small. More specifically, the transmission cross section(TCS) T of the aperture whose diameter D is much smaller than the wavelength λ is proportional to (D/λ)4 · D2 according to the Bethe's theory. Here the TCS T is defined so that the transmitted power P t through the aperture may be given by the multiplication of the incident power density P inc [W/m2] and T [m2], i.e., P t = P inc T.


Six European organisations, led by UK utility RWE npower,* have conducted a four year research project, MINORTOP (Minimising the Impact of NO x Reduction Technology on Operability and Performance), aimed at quantifying the deleterious effects of introducing NO x reduction technologies, culminating in a series of guidelines for operators of European coal-fired power plant.


The paper analyzes the legislative purpose and practical significance of the illegal operating of kindred business crime in Criminal Law by comparing with the relevant legislation and judicial practice of the system of forbidding of competing business in both Anglo-American law system and Continental law system. Combined with regulations settled in Corporation Law, the article points out that Criminal Law and Corporation Law are complemented to each other on the issue of forbidding of competing business. Meanwhile, the paper also presents some advice about the consummate of the regulations and law of China.


Understanding mechanisms controlling plant growth is essential to maintain and increase productivity in managed ecosystems. However, the lack of information on below ground growth compared to above...


The production of paper is the third biggest energy consumer in the US, requiring more than 10 percent of all energy consumed in the industrial sector. And at the end of a paper's life, if it's thrown in the trash and left to decompose in an oxygen-deprived landfill environment, it releases methane gas, a greenhouse gas that's 20+ times more efficient at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.


The invention discloses a micropower magnetic domain motion type power unit, which belongs to a power unit. The power consumption of the conventional power unit is great, and the conventional power unit is large. A cylinder cavity and a magnetic domain motion cavity communicating with both ends of the cylinder cavity, which are formed into an annular closed cavity, are formed in an internal shell, an external shell is arranged outside the internal shell, a clearance is kept between the external shell and the internal shell, a coil is arranged in the clearance, both ends of the coil are respectively connected with two lead terminals arranged on the external shell, the cylinder cavity is provided with a piston, the piston is connected with a piston rod which is extended out of the external shell, a magnetic domain as a motion source is mounted in the annular closed cavity, a displacement sensor is arranged for the piston, a voltage converter is arranged for the coil, and the displacement sensor timely instructs the voltage converter to change the direction of the current supplied to the coil, so that the motion direction of the magnetic domain can be changed. Because the current-carrying capability of the superconducting coil is hundreds of times higher than the current-carrying capability of ordinary copper wires and aluminium wires and the superconducting coil cannot generate working internal resistance and magnetic hysteresis loss like ordinary coils do, the micropower magnetic domain motion type power unit realizes micropower input and high-power output.


We consider a long fiber-optical link consisting of alternating dispersive and nonlinear segments, i.e., a split-step model (SSM), in which the dispersion and nonlinearity are completely separated. Passage of a soliton through one cell of the link is described by an analytically derived map. Numerical iterations of the map reveal that, at values of the system's stepsize (cell's size) L comparable to the pulse's dispersion length, SSM supports stable pulses which almost exactly coincide with fundamental solitons of the averaged NLS equation. However, in contrast with the NLS equation, the SSM soliton is a strong attractor, i.e., a perturbed soliton rapidly relaxes to it, emitting some radiation. A pulse whose initial amplitude is too large splits into two solitons; splitting can be suppressed by appropriately chirping the initial pulse. If the initial amplitude is too small, the pulse turns into a breather, and, below a certain threshold, it quickly decays into radiation. If L is essentially larger than the soliton's dispersion length, the soliton rapidly rearranges itself into another soliton, with nearly the same area but essentially smaller energy. At L still larger, the pulse becomes unstable, with a complex system of stability windows found inside the unstable region. Moving solitons are generated by lending them a frequency shift, which makes it possible to consider collisions between solitons.


This review discusses the use of evaporation, chemical vapor deposition, and sputtering as the three main dry deposition techniques currently available for fabricating perovskite solar cells. We outline the distinct advantages that each method offers in terms of film quality, control, and scalability. Additionally, recent advancements in process optimization and the integration of dry deposition with other fabrication techniques are highlighted. Thus, this review provides valuable insights into the potential of dry deposition processes to produce high-performance perovskite solar cells and aids researchers and industry professionals in selecting the most suitable technique for the fabrication of efficient and stable devices.


In this paper we identified the presence of two taxa of turtles so far not mentioned in the known paleontological area of Arevalo (Avila). This region was known from the first half of the twentieth century by its findings in fossil turtles. Some specimens of giant tortoises were identified there. However, no other taxon of turtles has been, until now, described in Arevalo. The association of the three taxa recognized here is very common in the Cenozoic continental deposits of the Iberian Peninsula.


For several thousands of years, humanity has availed himself of the freedom to distance himself from the rules of nature, pushing considerably forward in the "torture of nature to find out her secretes" (F. Bacon). We have now reached a point of technological and scientific development from which to enable to start of a new cycle of the natural-artificial relationship: a society that works as an ecosystem among ecosystems. Biomimicry is a science that imitates the natural world in order to reproduce artificially structures, shapes and materials. After almost 10 years from the first draft of this book, the biomimetic science has grown significantly becoming a consolidated research branch in a world in where the contrast between natural and artificial is becoming less and less evident. The theoretical framework and definitions included in this book can help the reader to approach biomimicry by looking at several possible implications with particular regard to architectural and urban topics.


According to the Safe Motherhood National Policy and Strategy dated December 1997 postabortion care shall be included in the Minimum and Complementary Packages of Activity and can be performed by midwives. Also in the Abortion Law of 1997 it is stipulated that abortion below 12 weeks of pregnancy can be done by trained midwives. However so far midwives do not receive any formal training to perform abortion during their studies. Some of them who work at the hospitals Obstetric and Gynecology Departments learn this skill from obstetrician through practice. Although the Directorate of Reproductive Health at the Ministry of Health has developed guidelines for training in safe abortion these guidelines have not yet been accepted by the Ministry. Therefore there is no formal training on safe abortion for midlevel providers or any other health staff. (excerpt)


We explore the proof theory of fixed point modal logic with converse modalities, commonly known as 'full mu-calculus'. Building on nested sequent calculi for tense logics [2] and infinitary proof theory of fixed point logics [1], a cut-free sound and complete proof system for full mu-calculus is proposed. As a corollary of our framework, we also obtain a direct proof of the regular model property for the logic [4]: every satisfiable formula has a tree model with finitely many distinct subtrees. To obtain this result we appeal to the basic theory of well-quasi-orderings in the spirit of Kozen's proof of the finite model property for μ-calculus [3].


An asymmetry of attention was observed when subjects attempted to perform concurrent, relatively independent tasks with the two hands: right-handed subjects performed very much better on a dual task which required them to follow the beat of a metronome with the left while tapping as quickly as they could with the right than with the converse arrangement. It is suggested that attentional strategies which have evolved to allow guidance of interdependent skilled bimanual activities are also used when subjects attempt to perform relatively independent concurrent bimanual movements, which are not observed in the naturally occurring motor repertoire. Thus, interactions between hand, hand preference and nature of task are an important factor in dual task performance.


Objective
To explore the effect of skin expansion by B-mode ultrasound with modified Seldinger technique (MST) on preventing puncture site bleeding after the catheterization in breast cancer patients.

Methods
One hundred chemotherapy breast cancer patients who need to be catheterized PICC were recruited to participate in a randomised controlled trial in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute & Hospital, China. Fifty were assigned to the experimental group (using Intra-thecal intubation sheath), and 50 were assigned to the control group (expansion skin by scalpel). The two groups used modified Seldinger technique (MST) during the procedure of ultrasound guided PICC insertion, Patients errhysis and average frequency of dressing-change were collected for 1 week since catheterization to compare the effects of the two methods.

Results
Patients' errhysis and average frequency of dressing-change were (0.491±0.241) ml, (1.060±0.239) times in the experimental group, significantly lower than (2.903±1.046) ml, (3.500±0.646) times of the control group (t=15.889, 25.049, P < 0.01).

Conclusions
This study showed a lower incidence errhysis of skin expansion by intra-thecal intubation sheath used for PICC insertion. This technique deserved clinic application in PICC.

Key words:
Catheterization, central venous; Skin expansion; Errhysis; Ultrasound guided


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to draw on available data regarding the historical event of the major Lisbon earthquake of 1755 in order to understand the governance structure that was set to rebuild the city of Lisbon, as well as to elaborate on Max Weber's theory of authority. Design/methodology/approach – The present study aims to extend our knowledge on the role of leadership in organizational transformation, by examining the authority structure of governance in the aftermath of a major catastrophic event, using the study of an extreme case to generate new management theory. Findings – The study founded evidence that the successful rebuilding of Lisbon after the earthquake was accompanied by a certain kind of governance structure that included an authority structure that simultaneously incorporated Weber's authority types of charisma, tradition and rationality; and there was a clear distinction between the roles of each kind of authority, as well as the inviolable respect and sacredness of each...


The implementation of multipath routing provides guarantee for reliable running of mobile Ad hoc network (MANET). Most of existing node-disjoint multipath routing focuses mainly on establishment issues of multiple node-disjoint paths and efficiency issues of identifying multiple node-disjoint paths. Multiple Node-Disjoint Paths (MNDP) has secure faults in the secure model of active adversary. To address this issue,a provably Secure Multiple Node-Disjoint Paths source routing (SMNDP) is proposed in this paper. Error-check scheme is used for the transmission of the route quest in the algorithm of route request for SMNDP. In addition,the schemes such as the message authentication and the digital signature are used in the algorithm of route reply for SMNDP. The concept of plausible route is extended in this paper,and the definition of plausible-route set is given. And then,security definition of multiple node-disjoint paths routing is presented. The security of SMNDP can be reduced to the security of the message authentication code and the digital signature.


The main purpose of this study is to outline and identify the influences of employees' job and organizational engagement on their scouting behavior. The study investigates the structural mechanisms between the effectiveness of quality of organizationemployees relationship, intrinsic motivation, creative process engagement, and training effectiveness, as well as their effectiveness on employee scouting. The study was conceived and carried out using the form of Quantitative Analysis. Iraq has identified the survey community; a total of 150 respondents have received from employees of oil and gas companies. Simple and multiple regression analysis was used to analyzing the hypothesis of study. The present study builds on the connectivity parameters of employees at both personal (e.g., intrinsic motivation of creativity, innovative process involvement) and organizational or administrative levels (e.g., the quality of employees' perceived relationship with their organization, perceived training effectiveness) when developing a model that connects the scouting behaviors of employees and their context in a comprehensive measured way. Simple and multiple regression methods were demonstrated between the variables to the examinations of the hypothesis in our study, and by analyzing our data we could support the relationship between the variables and the hypotheses


The one-dimensional asymmetric exclusion process (ASEP) is a paradigm for nonequilibrium dynamics, in particular driven diffusive processes. It is usually considered in a canonical ensemble in which the number of sites is fixed. We observe that the grand-canonical partition function for the ASEP is remarkably simple. It allows a simple direct derivation of the asymptotics of the canonical normalization in various phases and of the correspondence with one-transit walks recently observed by Brak et al.


Dual descent methods are used to solve network optimization problems because descent directions can be computed in a distributed manner using information available either locally or at neighboring nodes. However, choosing a stepsize in the descent direction remains a challenge because its computation requires global information. This work presents an algorithm based on a local version of the Armijo rule that allows for the computation of a stepsize using only local and neighborhood information. We show that when our distributed line search algorithm is applied with a descent direction computed according to the Accelerated Dual Descent method [18], key properties of standard backtracking line search using the Armijo rule are recovered. We use simulations to demonstrate that our algorithm is a practical substitute for its centralized counterpart.


In this paper we investigate optimal pricing strategies for an online grocery retailer who derives its profits from delivery fees and grocery sales. We base our theoretical framework upon the well-established work of Schmalensee (1981) in two-part pricing, while allowing for repeat purchase occasions as in Phillips and Battalio (1983). We derive testable implications that we take to data using a unique dataset detailing transaction information from an online grocery retailer in a Western European country. We find that the number of transactions and the average size of grocery baskets purchased are positively correlated. We also observe two customer groups in our data that differ in their willingness to pay. This observation together with robust evidence that price-sensitive customers buy larger baskets are consistent with an optimal pricing strategy that offers discounts for B2B customers and charges higher prices to households for grocery delivery. We conclude that firms may increase profits by implementing alternative and simpler pricing strategies that combine second and third degree price discrimination schemes.


Abstract Background and aim: A significant number of patients with diabetes do not always seek help when they develop a foot problem such as an ulcer. This delay in patients presenting with foot problems has been attributed to poor outcomes such as lower limb amputation and premature mortality. The aim of this study was to explore patients' reasons for delay in seeking help with foot problems. Methods: A qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which used semi-structured interviews. A purposeful sample of six patients with delayed help-seeking behaviour were recruited from a diabetic foot clinic, in the United Kingdom. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, then analysed in a six-step model using the IPA method. Results: The study identified nine superordinate themes associated with delay in seeking help with foot problems, these included: the level of prior foot care information; awareness of the foot problem; the ability to perform foot care behaviours; ulcer presentation and risk perception; competing priorities; the use of self-management strategies for the foot problem; the presence of specific help-seeking triggers; comorbid conditions and concurrent illness; and delayed secondary referral. Conclusions: The findings of this preliminary study suggest that, to reduce patient delay, there is a need to increase awareness among patients as well as health professionals of the risks of foot problems. Ongoing foot care education needs to be given to patients in order to enhance knowledge on foot care, including the early warning signs of foot problems and what they should do to get help. It is also necessary to ensure that patients who have problems in being able to self-monitor their feet are subject to enhanced surveillance.


The performance of the underwater acoustic (UWA) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system is often restrained by time-varying channels with large delays. The existing frequency domain equalizers do not work well because of the high complexity and difficulty of finding the real-time signal-to-noise ratio. To solve these problems, we propose a low-complexity neural network (NN)-based scheme for joint equalization and detection. A simple NN structure is built to yield the detected symbols with the joint input of the segmented channel response and received symbol. The coherence bandwidth is investigated to find the optimal hyperparameters. By being completely trained offline with real channels, the proposed detector is applied independently in both simulations and sea trials. The results show that the proposed detector outperforms the ZF and MMSE equalizers and extreme learning machine (ELM)-based detectors in both the strongly reflected channels of the pool and time-variant channels of the shallow sea. The complexity of the proposed network is lower than the MMSE and ELM-based receiver.


Combined percentage size frequency histograms for Hyale grandicornis associated with Celidium prisioides on St. Croix Island in Algoa Bay, South Africa show that small size classes dominated throughout the year. On average 82% were less than 4 mm total length and there appears to be continuous recruitment of juveniles to the population. Very few large specimens were found to be associated with G. pristoides and of the 1436 amphipods measured, less than 0.5% were ovigerous females. G. pristoides thus appears to be a nursery for juveiles. H. grandicornis is extremely motile and the numbers associated with Gelidium decreased during high tide and increased again at low tide. Using Spearman's rank correlation for H. grandicornis (numbers per gram dry mass of Gelidium against tidal height) this rhythmicity was found to be highly significant (p <0.01; 12 d.f.). Observations on the behaviour of H. grandicornis revealed that the amphipods remain in the littoral zone. As the tide rises and water splashes into the Gelidium belt the amphipods become active and move about on the shore only to take shelter again as the tide recedes.


As many as 405 patients of therapeutic, surgical hospitals and ambulatory clinic patients are examined. Dysbacteriosis is revealed in 40,2% of the cases. The disorders of the intestine microbiocenosis are characterized by the tendency to allergization of the organism (high level of IgE).


In 1998, the soybean aphid Aphis glycines Matsumura severely infested soybeans in previously unfested areas and unprecedented damage levels in Suihua District. Damage by soybean aphids caused huge losses. Yield losses in the district were up to 30% on average with a yield reduction of 112.5 million kilograms. The development characteristics, cause and control strategies of soybean aphids in 1998 are presented as follows.


Calcium oxide injected in a slagging combustor reacts with the sulfur from coal combustion to form sulfur-bearing particles, which are deposited on the liquid slag layer on the combustor wall. Due to the low solubility of sulfur in slag, it must be rapidly drained from the combustor to limit sulfur gas re-evolution. Analysis indicated that slag mass flow rates in excess of 400 lb/hr should limit sulfur re-evolution. The objective of this 36 month project was to perform a series of tests to determine the factors that control the retention of the sulfur in the slag. 19 days of testing were completed prior to 9/30/97. In the present quarterly reporting period ending 12/31/97, 13 tests days were completed on co-firing coal and a high ash, rice husk biomass, which was selected to produce a high slag flow rate. Most of the test effort focussed on developing methods for feeding the very low density rice husks into combustor. Various levels of mineral matter from coal ash, rice husk ash, calcium sulfate, and calcium oxide was injected in the combustor during these 13 tests. The peak mineral matter, injection rate was 592 lb/hr for a period of about one-hour. No significant sulfur concentration was measured in the slag removed from the combustor. This may be due to the brief test duration, and longer duration tests are planned for the next quarter. The two major accomplishments in this quarter are the successful co-firing of coal and biomass in the slagging combustor. This is a major technical milestone due to its application to greenhouse gas emission reduction. It was not in the original project plan. Also, the total of 31 test days completed by 12/31/97 is double the number originally planned.


The background of the development of the experiment equipment was introduced.The basic principle of the AC regulating circuit was explained.The design idea and results were given.At last,the reliability of the equipment was given,which can meet the needs of the experiment for undergraduate students.


PERFORMANCE CHARACTERIZATION OF HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETES UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS By Wasim Khaliq (Advisor: Prof. Venkatesh Kodur) Monday, April 30, 2012, 1:00 pm CEE Conference Room (EB 3546D) In recent years, high performance concretes (HPC) are finding increasing applications in buildings and infrastructure due to numerous advantages, such as higher strength and durability, these HPC offer over conventional concretes. The use of HPC is most effective in reinforced concrete (RC) columns since the high compressive strength can be better utilized. Structural members made of HPC when used in buildings; have to satisfy the fire resistance requirements specified in building codes and standards. Although conventional concrete members have good fire resistance, same may not be true for HPC members due to faster degradation of strength with temperature and occurrence of fire induced spalling, which is attributed to differences in high temperature thermal and mechanical properties of HPC. The spalling in HPC members can be overcome either through the addition of fibers in the mix or by provision of modified 135° bent ties in RC columns. For evaluating the fire resistance of HPC columns, as well as to account for beneficial effects of fibers and 135° tie configuration on spalling mitigation, high temperature material properties of HPC (plain and with different fiber combinations) and integration of effect of tie configuration is required. However, there is lack of data on high temperature properties specific to different HPC (plain and with fibers) as well as established mechanism with which fire resistance in RC columns is enhanced with provision of modified 135° tie configuration. To overcome these knowledge gaps, an experimental and numerical study is undertaken as part of this thesis. In the study, performance of HPC at both material and structural level (specifically columns) was evaluated. As part of material characterization, thermal and mechanical property tests were carried out in 20-800°C temperature range on different HPC mixes (plain and with different combinations of fibers). Thermal properties included of thermal conductivity, specific heat, thermal expansion, and mass loss, whereas mechanical properties comprised of compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, elastic modulus, and stress-strain curves. Data from measured property tests was utilized to develop the high temperature material property empirical relations. As part of structural characterization, fire resistance tests were carried out on two fly ash concrete (FAC) and two high strength concrete (HSC) columns with different fiber combinations. These columns were well instrumented and tested under non-standard fire exposure to collect extensive data which included axial and lateral deformations, cross-sectional temperatures and strain in steel rebars. In the numerical part of study, a macroscopic finite element (MFE) model, originally developed to evaluate fire resistance of RC columns was extended to include the effect of tie configuration. The proposed tie sub-model is based on the approach used in seismic design and involves calculation of force acting on ties by evaluating stresses resulting from pore pressure, mechanical loading and thermal effects in RC columns under fire exposure. The force on ties is compared against temperature (time) dependent bond strength (tie-concrete interface) to evaluate the failure of ties. Data from the material property and fire resistance tests was utilized to validate the numerical model by comparing concrete and rebar temperatures, deformations and tie failure times in HPC columns. The validated model was then applied to carry out parametric studies to quantify the influence of HPC material properties and effect of tie configuration on fire performance of HPC columns. Results from high temperature material property tests show that HPC exhibit thermal properties similar to that in conventional concrete. However, mechanical properties degradation is much more severe (faster rate) in HPC as compared to that in conventional concrete. The addition of fibers into HPC slows down the degradation of mechanical properties namely, tensile strength, elastic modulus and stress-strain response. Results from fire resistance tests show that plain HPC columns exhibit lower fire resistance due to occurrence of fire induced spalling and faster degradation of strength. However these HPC columns can endure fire exposure (burnout conditions) without failure with addition of different fiber combinations in concrete mix. Parametric studies show bond strength in ties decreases at a faster rate due to fire induced spalling and direct exposure to fire. Higher pore pressure due to low permeability in HPC and higher applied loads on HPC columns lead to increased force on ties resulting in opening up/yielding ties.


Abstract : The performance of the equipment and software of the SAAC (LASA) system is presented in the report. The system operates in two parts. The Detection Processor performs data acquisition and signal detection. The Event Processor selects detections to process as events, refines locations and publishes an earthquake bulletin. The performance of both processors was high. The Detection Processor operated 97% of all available time throughout the second half of the year. The Event Processor report coverage was virtually the same as DP recording coverage throughout most of the year.


: The need for a fair trial is the fundamental goal of every society. This is most evident in the preliminary procedure, when the suspect faces restrictions and suspension of his freedoms and rights, although his guilt has not yet been determined by a final court verdict. Therefore, the dilemma is posed - how to preserve his assumed innocence, while at the same time ensuring his presence in all stages of the criminal procedure. Instead of requesting the decision to determine the detention measure, the same goal can be achieved with greater use of precautionary measures, such as: 1. prohibition of leaving the dwelling, that is, the place of residence; 2. obligation of the defendant to appear occasionally to a certain official person or to a competent state body; 3. temporary seizure of a road or other document for crossing the state border, ie ban on its issuance and others. They can achieve the same effects, without the negative effects that detention has on human rights and freedoms.


This is a study of the effect of English majors' tolerance ofambiguity on their scores of TEM4. The subjects for the surveyare 193 English major students. Statistical results of the surveyshow that the students' tolerance of ambiguity distributesnormally and their scores of listening comprehension and totalscores are significantly correlated with their tolerance ofambiguity. A weak positive correlation is also found betweentheir scores of dictation, cloze as well as reading comprehensionand tolerance of ambiguity. Students' scores in writing,structure and vocabulary are not significantly correlated withtolerance of ambiguity. The author makes some analysesassociating the results of the investigation with some scholarlyinferences and gives some suggestions on foreign languageteaching.


Objective: To test the validity and reliability of arabic - language version of the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score physical function short form to measure the physical function in knee osteoarthritic patients. Method: Sixty nine patients with knee osteoarthritis (bilateral osteoarthritis considered 2 cases) were recruited and 150 sheets (test and retest sheets) were filled out and three expert panels (each consists of ten ex perts) participated in this study, forward translation, development of preliminary initially translated version, backward translation, development of the pre - final version and testing of pre - final version using experts then testing of the final version on patients was done. Clarity index, expert proportion of clearance, index of content validity, expert proportion of relevance, descriptive statistics, missed item index, Cronbach's alpha and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used for statistical a nalysis. Results: The study showed that scale index of clarity equals 100%, scale - level clarity index universal agreement equals 100%, scale index of content validity equals 97.14%, scale - level content validity index universal agreement equals 71%, the scale items were filled by 99.4% in all sheets, the scale needed less than five minutes to answer in about 99% all sheets, Cronbach's alpha equals 0.848 (0.789, 0.896) and all Spearman's correlations between test and retest results were statistically signi ficant. Conclusion: Arabic - language version of the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score physical function short form is valid and reliable enough to measure the physical function in knee osteoarthritic patients.


Scattered reports of hepatic dysfunction during TPN led us to review the incidence of abnormal liver function tests (LFT) in patients receiving TPN. Sufficient data for analysis were available in 52 of 93 patients. None had liver disease or other explanations for the abnormal LFTs. The number of patients in each diagnostic category in whom abnormalities developed and the incidence of specific abnormalities are shown:None of 18 patients who received TPN fewer than 21 days but 11 of 34 who received TPN longer than 21 days developed persistent SGOT/SGPT>100 IU and direct bilirubin>2 mg/dl. Definite worsening of biochemical abnormalities occurred in 14 of 21 patients monitored during reinstitution of enteral feeding. Histological changes of intracellular and canalicular cholestasis with steatosis were seen in the 5 biopsy and 9 post-mortem specimens examined.In our experience, most patients receiving TPN develop hepatic dysfunction. Although the etiology is unknown, it is suggested that failure to maintain normal bile flow and/or alterations in bile production play a role.


Corpus Glossariorum Latinorum, Vol. I. : De Glossariorum Latinorum Origine et Fatis, scripsit GEORGIUS GOETZ. Leipzig (Teubner), IQ23 ; pp. vii+431 ; 22 sh. AT last the veteran professor of Jena University has finished his monumentum aere perennius, begun in 1888. Congratulations to him and homage. In this crowning volume the information scattered through the prefaces of Vols. II.-V. and his article ' Glossographie ' in PaulyWissowa is collected in revised form. But since the new material is mainly found in a supplement by Professor Wessner (pp. 309-91), entitled De Ilndsayi eiusque Discipulorutn Studiis Glossographicis, I have asked Dr. Mountford to relieve me of the task of reviewing it.


In the present study, the reproduction potential and survival capability of the soil nematode Pristionchus maupasi was followed in 10 cm 2 Petri dishes at different constant temperatures: 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 o C. The experiment started by placing nematode eggs on each dish. The minimum number of days from eggs, at start, to adult egg producing nematodes, de- creased from 7 days at 10 o C to 3 days at 25 o C. At 5 o C no eggs hatched, and at 30 o C the released larvae did not develop into egg producing adults. After 7 days all eggs had hatched in the interval between 15 and 30 o C and 87 % at 10 o C. From hatched eggs the 1 st generation nematodes evolved. At day 4, the number of 1 st generation nematodes was almost similar at temperatures ranging from 10 to 25 o C, while the num- ber at 30 o C was significantly lower. The 1 st generation adult nematodes gave rise to a 2 nd generation, which did not develop to fertility, but became arrested 3 rd stage "dauerlarvae", maybe due to reduced food supplies and increased concentration of wastes. From 100 'eggs at start', 10000 to 14000 2 nd generations "dauerlarvae" developed at temperatures between 10 and 20 o C. In the interval from 10 to 25 o C, a substantial number of these survived more than 2 months.


The responses of the seagrass Amphibolis griffithii to different experimental shading conditions were examined by characterising biomass, morphological and physiological features. In an in situ experiment, the intensity (ambient, moderate shading (13 to 19% of ambient) and high shading (5 to 11% of ambient)), duration (3, 6, 9 mo) and timing (post-summer, post-winter) of light reductions were manipulated. We observed interactive effects of all 3 factors, the most notable being with timing. When moderate shading was imposed at the end of summer there was a 57% loss of leaf biomass and 67% loss of rhizome carbohydrates within 3 mo. The same shading imposed at the end of winter caused no loss of leaf biomass and only a 25% decline in rhizome carbohydrates. This con- trasting effect of time reflects the plant's photo-physiological characteristics under the water temper- ature and light conditions. More prolonged or higher intensity shading produced more consistent responses at both times of year: moderate shading resulted in more than 93% loss of leaf biomass after 9 mo and high intensity shading resulted in more than 99% loss after 9 mo. The results highlight the importance of time of year when attempting to predict seagrass responses to shading. The study identified 14 potential early indicators of light reduction; these included leaf δ 15 N, which may reflect changes in the allocation of nitrogen in the photosynthetic apparatus. There is no evidence that A. griffithii is more susceptible to shading than larger seagrasses such as Posidonia spp.


Abstract The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how the construction of a knowledge-based system (KBS) to support nowcasting, can be used to guide and facilitate the development of objective pattern recognition algorithms for use with meteorological data. We believe that a KBS based on the semantic interpretation of weather data, using the concept of weather scenarios, can assist the development and use of objective algorithms for pattern recognition in two ways: 1) it focuses the development of pattern recognition algorithms on only those phenomena which are most useful to operational forecasters; 2) its top-down logic constrains when, where, and how objective algorithms should be applied. We first describe our understanding of nowcasting expertise and the use of pattern recognition ("manual") by human forecasters. We then briefly review the current use of automatic pattern recognition in nowcasting, present the elements within a scenario and discuss a KBS architecture for using scenarios. Finally, w...


A range of complexes based on the high-nuclearity {W 36 } isopolyoxotungstate cluster, [H 12 W 36 O 120 ] 12− , with a triangular topology has been isolated by using the organic cation, protonated triethanolamine. In analogy to an 18-crown-6 crown ether with six oxygen donors on a ring, the cluster can form alkali and alkaline earth metal complexes {M⊂W 36 } 1–6, respectively). Compounds 1–6 were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy. Comparisons between the structures of 1–6 and 18-crown-6 as well as the symmetry directing influence of the organo-cations in the isolation of the overall cluster architecture are discussed.


A composite flywheel is designed using a composite of low density and high strength for the center portion, with constant stress as the design criteria and a constant thickness outer portion using a high density composite attached at the boundary of the constant stress disk. This combination produces the maximum energy density for a flywheel energy stor age system.