Submitted for the TSF16 Meeting of The American Physical Society Relaxation of Radiation Effects on the Optical Transmission of Polymers ALEXANDRA HUGHLETT, TYLER KIPPEN, JR DENNISON, Utah State University, MATERIALS PHYSICS GROUP, PHYSICS DEPARTMENT, UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY TEAM — Changes in optical transmission of polymers over time were studied to determine the factors contributing to relaxation of defect states induced by intense radiation doses. Samples of low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polypropylene (PP), and polyimide (PI) received doses up to 500 MGy. These doses were intended to simulate long-term exposure of common spacecraft materials in geosynchronous orbit. Features and absorption edges can be related to energies associated with various defects previously observed in these highly disordered materials. Recent work has suggested that such radiation-induced defect states are sensitive to atmospheric exposure and that the radiation-induced effects would begin to relax. Upon prolonged exposure, the material would return to its original state. These findings have called in to questions the usefulness of many previous studies of radiation effects on spacecraft materials. After irradiation, transmission spectra were collected as soon as the samples were exposed to oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere. Between irradiation and the time data collection began, the samples were stored in anaerobic environments. The spectra were collected periodically over several weeks in order to allow for accurate comparisons and to determine the relation rates and final equilibrium states. Alexandra Hughlett Utah State University Date submitted: 26 Sep 2016 Electronic form version 1.4


One of the key challenges in fnancial distress resolution is to fnd the way to renegotiate the debts. Financial troubled firms may apply either court or out-of-court resolution process. Under court supervision, frms have to follow Indonesian bankruptcy law which ofers a moratorium on debt repayment through a system of court supervision and liquidation proceedings. Alternatively, frms may apply out-of-court workout. This paper is written to examine process of both resolutions, problem in executing the law and the reasons for least likelihood of fling court solution in Indonesia. In addition, it shows study on bankruptcy fling in East Asia countries.


The basic task in various applications like automotive control, video surveillance, etc is human body detection. For such applications to be successful, high accuracy and high speed performance are crucial. Image feature description determines accuracy and hence it should be robust against occlusion, rotation, and changes in object shapes and illumination conditions. Till date, many such feature descriptors have been proposed. Many of them are based on histogram of oriented gradients (HOG) along with support vector machine (SVM) classifier. Limitation of this method is high time consumption though it achieved good performance for Pedestrian Detection. To counter this limitation, a Two-step framework was proposed. It consisted two steps — full-body detection (FBD) and head-shoulder detection (HSD). Zhen Li proposed fusion of Haar-like and HOG features for better performance, and HSD step utilizes Edgelet features for classification and detection. But this method results in low detection rate and less computation speed. To counter these limitations, we have proposed an advanced method to improve both detection rate and speed. We achieve this by combination of Haar-like and Triangular features for FBD and Edgelet/Shapelet for HSD. We have achieved an average 95% detection rate and 60% faster speed for this proposed method.


In the Westerwald area clay quarries are in production. In order to assess the stability of the slopes the geotechnical characterisation of these quarries needs to be improved. This report provides the justification for a working plan for a thorough but quick assessment of existing slopes in clay mines. Literature is consulted for the information for the types of measuring and monitoring equipment for slopes, what instabilities look like in the field, how the safety factor are calculated, what information can be gathered outside the mine and what a field investigation should concern. To come to a working plan a field investigation was conducted to try out the different measurement equipment. For field testing, the needle penetrometer and hand vane shear came out as useful tools for correlating undrained shear strengths parameters of different layers. For thorough correlations, between layers and a dataset of geotechnical parameters, Atterberg limits are used to minimise the number of geotechnical parameters that have to be tested. The parameters are tested with different machines based on the timespan over which the slope has to be stable. Short-term slopes with insitu conditions are best tested with triaxial tests, but UCS and a theoretical strong shear box can provide useful data as well. Long-term slopes are better tested with either a shear box or ring shear because remoulded or weathered properties are needed. Monitoring is found to be done best by using InSAR monitoring provided a suggestion is added to increase the number of data points inside the mine. The working plan is presented as a flowchart for a good overview.


Acanthopanax trifoliatus or 'Phak Paem' is a deciduous shrub in Araliaceae which is commonly found in the north region of Thailand. This plant was traditionally used in Southeast Asia for ginseng-like purposes as a tonic to improve general weakness and for treatments of tuberculosis, lung hemorrhages and ulcers. Young leaves and the shoots are also popularly consumed as vegetables in northern Thai traditional cuisines. Leaf extracts of phak-paem were reported to promote some interesting biological effects including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety activities. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant properties of leaf extracts of A. trifoliatus collected from different seasons and quantitatively analyzed for both total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Eleven decoction extracts from the leaves of A. trifoliatus collected from different durations of a year were tested for free radical scavenging activity using DPPH scavenging assay and inhibition of lipid peroxidation of rat brain homogenate using TBARS method. Free radical scavenging activities of samples were evident while inhibitory effects to lipid peroxidation were evident too. Total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the extracts were determined using colorimetric methods. It was found that climatic condition such as temperature and rainfall had no effect to overall antioxidant activity of plant samples. However, samples collected in the winter especially in January and November were detected in high amount of total phenolic and flavonoid. This data suggests the optimum period for harvesting of plant raw material.


OBJECTIVE To investigate the types,counts,drift patterns and distribution features of airborne pollen in spring and autumn of Taiyuan city.METHODS A survey of airborne pollens was conducted by the aggregation of gravity in Taiyuan from July 2008 to June 2009,and the survey result was contrasted and analyzed with the investigation result of airborne pollens in 1977 to 1978.RESULTS The total type of the pollens collected was 30 and the three airborne pollen peaks occurred in spring of 2008-2009.The total type of the pollens collected was 22 and the airborne pollen peaks occurred in April of 1977-1978.The total type of the pollens collected was separately 8 and 20 in fall of 1977-1978 and 2008-2009.The airborne pollen peaks in fall all occurred from August to September.CONCLUSION More warmer climate now was the main reason that the spring airborne pollen peak occurred earlier and last longer for 3 months and the autumn airborne pollens were spread last out and strong for 2 months.The fall airborne pollen peak was delayed to September.Some airborne pollen would be reduced by vegetation changed.The composing of the airborne pollens would be changed by the greening of the cities.


This report describes changes between 2019 and 2020 in the percentage of New York City residents giving birth outside of New York City by race and Hispanic origin of the mother, and makes comparisons with changes occurring between 2018 and 2019.


Abstract : Operational Maneuver from the Sea (OMFTS) breaks tradition with current amphibious doctrine and focuses upon dominant maneuver to influence operational objectives. Reliant upon surprise, speed, and tempo to overwhelm the enemy's decision cycle, OMFTS shifts emphasis from an initial force requiring a substantial build-up of supplies and combat power ashore to a light, flexible, aggressive force dependent upon seabased logistics and fires. Without a credible operational fires capability, OMFTS will fail.


HAEMOPHILIC pseudotumours of bone are due to extra-articular collections of blood under pressure. The first case recorded in the literature was by Starker in 1918. The swelling in his patient developed in the thigh. Treatment consisted of needle aspiration which was followed by fever and eventual death. By the end of 1966 Wessler and Avioli noted that 52 cases of haemophilic bone cyst had been reported in previous papers. The various sites were as recorded in Table 1. We have been unable to find any references to lesions involving the temporal bone.


In General, LPI radar's detection probability by ES equipments is lower than that of conventional pulsed radar because of very low transmitting power and high antenna gain etc. LPI radar is a kind of RF stealth technique such as RCS reduction design. Therefore the ultimate goal of LPI radar is detection probability reduction by opponent. If one of the two, RCS value or LPI radar performance is not sufficient, own platform will be found first by opponent. In this paper, some considerations are suggested for detection probability reduction.


Analyzing the usufruct of the surviving spouse under Belgian inheritance law, with special attention to the possibilities for conversion of usufruct into capital and arguing how such conversion should be made. The article explains that conversion methods resulting in a higher value of usufruct and nude property than the total value of full property, erroneously ignore the fact that the usufruct valued in a conversion transaction is not a usufruct in going concern, but merely a usufruct that is coming to an end. To the extent that the judge would be of the opinion that such value of usufruct would endanger the living standard of the surviving spouse, the correct response is not to over-value the usufruct, but rather to reject the request for conversion of the usufruct and keep the usufruct into existence to the benefit of the surviving spouse.


The stimulus described uses a high‐output, red, light‐emitting diode (LED) as a light source. The luminance of the LED is kept constant by solid state cooling under feedback control. A specially developed 16 °, soft‐edge field target is presented to the observer through Maxwellian view optics with a 1.6 mm artificial pupil. An adjustable, three‐point head restraint holds the observer fixed relative to the stimulus, which itself can be aligned with the observer in three dimensions. These adjustments are resettable to within ±0.5 mm for repeat sessions on one observer. A two‐alternative forced choice paradigm is used in conjunction with a modified staircase method of limits under on‐line computer control. The stimulus is presently being used in a clinical research facility in the investigation of psychoactive drugs effects on flicker sensitivity.


THE DISCOVERY that a series of substances such as thiourea and sulfa-compounds inhibit thyroid secretion (Mackenzie, Mackenzie and McCallum, 1941; Kennedy, 1941; Astwood, Sullivan, Bissell and Tyslowitz, 1943) has opened a new field in thyroid physiologyand a better approach to the study of the mechanism of synthesis of the thyroid hormone In this connection, the study of the oxidation-reduction potential of the thyroid follicle, and especially of its two fundamental constituents, thyroid epithelium and colloid secretion, in the normal state and after the action of inhibitors such as those mentionedabove, was particularlyinteresting. This is so because the level of the oxidationreduction potential is determined by the activity of the enzymatic systems located in the cells and the colloid, by the O2 pressure, and by the nature and concentration of the substrates (Stiehler and Flexner, 1938); such a study mayalso indicate how energy of oxidation can be utilized in the secretory mechanism.


In this paper,1050 bacterial strains were isolated from the rhizosphere soil and roots of watermelon,cucumber,and eggplant in Inner Mongolia,Xinjiang,Anhui,Henan,Jiangsu and Jiangxi province.Among the tested strains,9 strains could inhibit mycelia growth of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.niveum,Alternaria brassicicola,Phytophthora capsici and Botrytis cinerea.Two strains,NBT-15 and PL-82,had strong inhibitory activity against F.oxysporum,with inhibition rate of 60.5% and 55.3%,respectively.In pot experiment,control efficiency of NBT-15 and PL-82 against F.oxysporum after 30 days' treatment were 80.4% and 75.6%,respectively.Based on their morphology,physiological and biochemical characteristics and 16S rDNA sequence,the strains NBT-15 and pL-82 were identified as Bacillus subtilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa,respectively.


The complex [(ButC5H'4)2YbCl]2, crystallized in the triclinic system,space group P1, with a=8. 392(3), b=9. 402(3), c=12. 418(5) , a=68. 78(3),P= 77. 43(3), γ=86. 41 (3)°, V= 891. 4(5) , Z=1, Dc= 1. 68 g/cm3, Mr=901. 79, λ=0. 71069, F(000) = 464, μ= 56. 49 cm-1. T= 298 K. Final R=0.073, Rw= 0.081 for 2214 reflections with I 3σ(I0). The molecule has a dimerstructure with two asymmetrical chlorine bridges. Two Bu5C5H4 and two chlorineatoms around the central atom Yb form a distorted tetrahedral geometry.


In this study a methodology to evaluate fatigue life of the electronic parts for the fighter radar unit under random vibration loading is presented. To do this, one parameter for the 3- RMS quation of Steinberg fatigue model is modified to come up with a printed circuit board(PCB) with multiple electronic parts, while fundamental frequency and dynamic deflection of the PCB are calculated from a MATLAB based finite element computer code. For the RIFA structure selected in this study, the 3- RMS fatigue limit displacement is reduced to 0.741 times as much as the Steinberg model. This investigation allows to assess the life of multiple electronic parts mounted on the PCB with reinforced metal cover/body showing non-sinusoidal deflection patterns.


This guide includes information on services and policies at the OCCC Library. Policies for borrowing items at the OCCC Library


trans-Microtactic poly[oxy(hexamethylcyclotetrasiloxane-2,6-diyl)]s of different stereoregularity of the main chain (μ = transects ≥ 68/32) were studied using DSC and X-ray diffraction. Increasing μ led to an increase in crystallinity, a slight increase in phase transition temperatures, and had almost no effect on the temperature-mediated evolution of the phase states of the polymer. The polymers with μ ≥ 68132 were shown to be mesomorphic compounds ; structural characteristics of the two mesomorphic modifications were determined. By using molecular mechanics it was demonstrated that the 2 1 conformation is the only one feasible for the molecules of trans stereoregular polymer. Interplay between the hierarchy of energy states of the trans isomeric macromolecule and the thermotropic hierarchy of the phases of the corresponding polymer was discussed. Resting on the energy criteria of the molecular mechanics and the data of X-ray diffraction, a scheme of two-level conformational disordering was suggested. It was demonstrated that the existence of mesomorphic state in polymers with μ ≥ 68/32 is associated with a certain conformational order retained in the trans sequences at temperatures above the melting temperature of the crystalline phase. The most probable models for the structure of mesomorphic modifications were selected by minimization of the potential energy of the systems. It was found that an increase in the symmetry of planar unit cell in the basis plane during the polymesomorphic transition is due to the growth of the area per macromolecule in the 2 1 conformation in the ordered plane rather than to the conformational changes in the macromolecules.


Walking Time is a hybrid attempt to go for walk while reading. It is a description of an actual walk as well as a prompt. It is a visual approach to a text containing memories evoked by walking and an invitation to the sensorial presence of the reader.


In raises the government efficiency,reduces the government scale and the relaxation rules and regulations for in the characteristic global public administration reform,the Social organization starts in this globalized,in the informationization reform to play more and more vital role.In the international vision,carries on forward-looking on the Social organization searches analyzes,urgent needs relates under the Social organization and the international field of vision public administration reform,carries on the multiple perspectives and the multi-way theoretical analysis.This article plans under the discussion international field of vision in the public administration reform difficult position,the tracing overseas related research's most recent development,take the resources conformity,the citizen participation and the community policy carries on the forward-looking as under the master line to public administration reform field of vision Social organization's function analysis:Including the public opinion communication and promotion public,raise the modern citizen's quality,the stimulation society and the individual potential,the advancement organization's full scale development,strengthened community policy ability,makes good use of the public administration the transaction cost and so on.


†The daytime interaction of the land-surface with the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) is studied for two case study days representing pre-monsoon and monsoon conditions during the Land Surface Processes Experiment (LASPEX) field program which was carried out in the tropical semi-arid region in the northwest Indian state of Gujarat. In this study, a one -dimensional (column) ABL model which has a land -surface scheme that interacts with the ABL is used. Results indicate that in coupled land–atmosphere simulations, realistic daytime surface fluxes and atmospheric profiles are produced, though improvement is needed, particularly in the transpiration and soil heat flux formulation.


Balanced scorecard is a strategic information system and a performance measurement system. It integrates almost all the interests of stakeholders and mainly comprises four perspectives: management, operational, marketing, and knowledge.


In this paper, we propose an optimization method for estimating the parameters that typically appear in graph-theoretical formulations of the matching problem for object detection. Although several methods have been proposed to optimize parameters for graph matching in a way to promote correct correspondences and to restrict wrong ones, our approach is novel in the sense that it aims at improving performance in the more general task of object detection. In our formulation, similarity functions are adjusted so as to increase the overall similarity among a reference model and the observed target, and at the same time reduce the similarity among reference and "non-target" objects. We evaluate the proposed method in two challenging scenarios, namely object detection using data captured with a Kinect sensor in a real environment, and intrinsic metric learning for deformable shapes, demonstrating substantial improvements in both settings.


Software components are imperative parts of a system which play a fundamental role in the overall function of a system. A component is said to be secure if it has a towering scope of security. Security is a shield for unauthorized use as unauthorized users may informally access and modify components within a system. Such accessing and modifications ultimately affect the functionality and efficiency of a system. With an increase in software development activities security of software components is becoming an important issue. In this study, a fuzzy logic based model is presented to handle ISO/IEC 18028-2 security attributes for component security evaluation. For this purpose an eight input, single output model based on the Mamdani fuzzy inference system has been proposed. This component security evaluation model helps software engineers during component selection in conditions of uncertainty and ambiguity.


The changes in distribution of several important mineral nutrients (N, K, Ca, Mg, Mn, and Fe) were studied in relation to monocarpic senescence (measured as leaf yellowing) and fruit development in hydroponically-grown (and to a lesser extent field-grown) Anoka soybeans with particular emphasis on the leaves and seeds. Only N shows a clear redistribution from the leaves to the seeds as the seeds grow, and this transfer starts before visible leaf yellowing. K, Ca, Mn and Fe do not seem to redistribute, but Mg may undergo limited redistribution. Depodding prevents the drop in the amounts of minerals in attached leaves by blocking leaf shedding and/or redistribution and also creates some quantitative changes in mineral distribution. On a g fresh weight basis, only the N content of leaf blades decreases during yellowing; the K, Mg, Ca, Mn and Fe contents do not decrease. Therefore, depletion of the latter minerals from the leaves cannot be responsible for their yellowing. Although N deficiency alone could cause foliar chlorosis, the monocarpic yellowing pattern is distinctly different from that induced by N deprivation. THE CONTENT of at least some minerals (particularly nitrogen) appears to decrease in senescing plant organs (see Gregory, 1937; Miller, 1938; Williams, 1955; Howell, 1960; Ohlrogge, 1963; Hanway and Weber, 1971; deMooy, Pesek, and Spaldon, 1973; Kollman et al., 1974; Nooden and Leopold, 1978). Often, this loss from senescing organs is counterbalanced by a corresponding increase in storage tissues of developing fruit and therefore seems to represent withdrawal from the senescing organs. In general, these studies are concerned with the relationship of mineral distribution to fruit development rather than with senescence. From these data, one cannot determine how the start of changes in mineral distribution relates to the start of senescence or how the rates of these two processes are related. Furthermore, the apparent decrease in mineral content may in many cases be the result of shedding of the senescing organs rather than redistribution. This apparent redistribution of minerals from the vegetative parts to the developing fruit of monocarpic plants has given rise to the suggestion that the fruit kill the plants by depleting their vegetative parts (especially the leaves) of needed minerals (see Nood6n and Leopold, 1978). This theory is supported by the observations that removal of the flowers or young fruit (the apparent sinks) can prevent or at least delay senescence in l Received for publication 11 May 1977; revision accepted 18 July 1977. Supported in part by research grant number 416-15-79 from the USDA Cooperative State Research Service under P.L. 89-106. 2Present address: Department of General Botany, University of Istanbul, Suleymaniye, Istanbul, Turkey. many monocarpic plants including soybeans (Leopold, Niedergang-Kamien, and Janick, 1959; Lindoo and Nooden, 1976; Nooden and Leopold, 1978). Furthermore, any of several mineral deficiencies can produce leaf yellowing (Sprague, 1964), though no single deficiency syndrome precisely matches the yellowing patterns which develop during monocarpic senescence of soybeans. Because it is essential to have a clear picture of mineral withdrawal or redistribution in relation to senescence, we have analyzed the distribution of certain essential minerals in relation to the time course of fruit development and senescence of soybeans and also the effect of depodding (which prevents monocarpic senescence in soybeans) on mineral distribution as part of a study on the physiology of monocarpic senescence in soybeans. MATERIALS AND METHODs-Plant culture and measurement of development-Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill cv. Anoka) seeds were sown in vermiculite, and when the primary leaves had unfolded (at approximately 10 days), the plants were transferred to plastic freezer containers with about 1 liter of full strength, modified Hoagland's solution plus iron EDTA (Arnon and Hoagland, 1940). Two plants were placed in opposite corners of each container. The level of the solution was restored daily with distilled water, and every 14 days, the solution was replaced with fresh Hoagland's solution. Solutions were aerated at a rate of 30 ml/min with air previously bubbled through water. The plants grew vigorously under these conditions with no sign of min-


A parallel study was conducted of the inclusion of alkyl parabens (guests) in the host β-cyclodextrin (β-CD). 1H NMR data indicated an insertion of the guest phenyl ring into the β-CD cavity. The stoichiometry of each complex was 1:1, as determined by a continuous variation method that utilises the chemical shifts of the host protons. These chemical shifts were additionally used to determine the association constant yielding K values of 1631, 938, 460 and 2022 M− 1 at 298 K for the methyl-, ethyl-, propyl- and butyl paraben solution state complexes, respectively. NOE experiments conducted on the methyl paraben solution complex indicated that the phenolic group of the guest was located at the secondary rim of the cyclodextrin cavity. Solid state structure analyses of the methyl and propyl paraben β-CD complexes were performed. Both complexes crystallised at ambient temperature in the space group C2, Z = 4 with a host to guest ratio of 1:1. Additionally, a second crystal structure between methyl paraben and β-CD is reported. This complex crystallised at 7oC in the space group P1, Z = 2 with a 1:1 host–guest stoichiometry. 1H NMR and solid state structure analyses were conducted on the inclusion of alkyl parabens in the host β-cyclodextrin. Both indicated an insertion of the guest phenyl ring into the β-CD cavity.


Two centuries ago, Goethe wrote in his Farbenlehre about blue as a receding colour, against yellow/red as a colour 'piercing into the organ'. Though any verification of these psychological attributes seems to be absent, this depth effect in colour still seems to be taken for granted in art history. In visual science, the completely different and far better documented colour stereoscopic effect, known as chromostereopsis, prevails. A historical account is given of the development of ideas about this chromostereopsis, often by amusing trials and errors. The original explanation by Bruecke in terms of chromatic aberration (in present‐day literature usually indicated as transverse chromatic aberration) and a temporal off‐axis position of the fovea still forms the basis of present‐day understanding, even though Bruecke rejected his own explanation. It had to be complemented by an additional off‐axis effect of the pupil, not in an anatomical sense, as Einthoven presumed but failed to find but in a functional sense by a non‐centric Stiles‐Crawford effect. Although a comprehensive individual experimental proof is still missing, the evidence available indicates that a satisfactory quantitative explanation has been reached.


Solar cooking has received considerable attention recently as an alternative to cooking with woodfuel. This paper determines the effective solar collection area required, and examines the different design features to optimize the available heat from a small collection area. A quasi-parabola was developed and tested alongside two other prototypes. The locally-made cooker was preferred by Sudanese women for its speed of cooking. Solar cooking was seen to have potential as a complementary means of cooking, especially for light foods.


Objective: To investigate synergism and attenuation effects of oxymatrine(OMT) on cyclophosphamide(CTX) anti-S180 tumor-bearing mice.Methods: The model of S180 tumor-bearing mice was established.The groups of synergism experiment were divided into 5 as following: the model group,cyclophosphamide 10mg/kg,20mg/kg group,cyclophosphamide(5mg/kg) +OMT(50mg/kg) group,cyclophosphamide(10mg/kg) +OMT(50mg/kg) group.The following indexes were detected including: the tumor weight,tumor inhibition rate,thymus index,and spleen index.There were 6 groups designing in attenuation experiment as following: control group,cyclophosphamide 100mg/kg group,cyclophosphamide(100mg/kg) + oxymatrine low-dose(25mg/kg) group,cyclophosphamide(100mg/kg) + oxidation middle-dose(50mg/kg) group,cyclophosphamide(100mg/kg) + oxymatrine high-dose(100mg/kg) group.White blood cell count,thymus index and spleen index were be assayed.Liver and kidney function were detected by marketable kits.Results: In the synergism experiments,the treatment group could significantly improve tumor inhibition rate compared with the model group,the index thymus in binding groups were increased compared with cyclophosphamide.In attenuation experiments: the number of white blood cells was increased in oxymatrine high-dose and low-dose combination with cyclophosphamide group which is significantly difference compared with cyclophosphamide group.The activities of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase were significantly decrease in Cyclophosphamide combination with Oxymatrine compared with Cyclophosphamide treatment only.Conclusion: Combined with cyclophosphamide,Oxymatrine not only can improve the inhibition rate and white blood cell count,but also reduce the cyclophosphamide-induced liver damage.


Gamification is the use of computer videogame design elements such as a component of challenge (through 'mechanics' – points systems, score keeping, levels, leaderboards, badges) in non-game contexts, used ostensibly with a view to motivating customers to engage with the brand 'beyond purchase'. Although popular with industry (in 2011 Gartner estimated some 70% of Global 2000 businesses would have a gamified customer offer, with a reported $938M being spent on gamification software in 2012), the effectiveness of gamification as a means to engage customers has not been well researched or reported by those adopting the approach. Indeed some have criticised the approach as 'marketing bullshit, invented by consultants as a means to capture the wild, coveted beast that is videogames' (Bogost 2011 2 ). Drawing on 'customer engagement' and 'engagement behaviour' theories, the authors theorize how it may facilitate emotional and physical interaction with firm brands, potentially leading to positive attitudes towards brands. The research evaluated the relationship between a gamified platform, customer engagement (and behaviours) and outcomes by analyzing Samsung's website and customers participating in the Samsung Nation experience which overlaid the website.


Abstract: Pesantren will not be separated from the mastery of the yellow book. To understand this, an approach was taken. The learning of the yellow books in pesantren many still use the traditional approach of using Arabic pegon as the target language in translating. This study aims to determine the application of learning, supporting factors and obstacles in increasing the ability to read the yellow book through Arabic pegon learning in Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Anwar Cangkringrandu Perak Jombang. This research is a qualitative research. The data source of this research is primary data & secondary data obtained from Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Anwar Cangkringrandu Perak Jombang. Data collection techniques used in this study were observation, interview and documentation. Analysis of the data used in this research is descriptive analysis ,. The results of this study indicate that. First: the process of teaching reading the yellow book with Arabic pegon reveals three things namely the content or message, linguistic elements and extraliungistic elements of the text. Second: the inhibiting factors of yellow book teaching with Arabic pegon in Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Anwar Cangkringrandu Perak Jombang which include linguistic factors including morphological and siktasis and non-linguistic factors include lack of mastery of the source language and target language. Third: The advantages of teaching yellow books with Arabic pegon in Madrasah Tsanawiyah Al Anwar Cangkringrandu Perak Jombang include: a) showing all the elements of the existing text, b) students can know the position of each sentence, c) get a lot of vocabulary, d) preserve the treasury of the archipelago.


This report is about the experience by Fundacao Casa Grande  – Memorial do Homem Kariri, located in Nova Olinda, in Vale do Cariri, Ceara, Brazil. That space, which is currently a Communication and Culture School, provides children and young people with the opportunity of performing several cultural activities, such as producing documentaries and radio and TV shows, musical and theater activities, among others. Besides activities for youth education and theater, Fundacao Casa Grande plays an important role in transmitting and, as consequence, adding value to the local cultural patrimony, and has turned out to be a touristic pole, attracting thousands of visitors every year and contributing to the regional economic development.


In the recent era, treatment of cancer is a very challenging issue as more and more peoples are becoming the victims of various forms of cancers either, due to exposure to pollutants and radiations or other things. Various forms of treatments are available, each have their own advantages and disadvantages. In this review various forms of anti -cancer therapeutic agents from different sources such as animals, plants and other metal complexes have been discussed.


Multivariate public key cryptography is one of the main approaches to guarantee the security of communication in a post-quantum world. One of the most promising candidates in this area is the Rainbow signature scheme, which was first proposed by J. Ding and D. Schmidt in 2005. In this paper we develop a model of security for the Rainbow signature scheme. We use this model to find parameters for Rainbow over GF(16), GF(31) and GF(256) which, under certain assumptions, guarantee the security of the scheme for now and the near future.


The invention discloses a modular structure of a window-type image sensor chip, the modular structure comprising a first substrate; a chip disposed on the first substrate and provided with a first contact pad and a sensing region; a second substrate disposed on the first substrate and provided with a perforated structure and a second contact pad, wherein the chip is disposed in the perforated structure and the first contact pad is electrically connected to the second contact pad through a welding wire; and a lens holder configured on the second substrate, with a lens located above the lens holder and a transparent substrate disposed on the lens holder or the second substrate, wherein the lens is directed to the transparent substrate and the sensing region.


A device has been developed for hot‐gripping cylindrical specimens subjected to biaxial (tension/torsion) loading. By supporting the specimen very near the hot zone, the influence of thermal stresses on ultimate or yield strength as well as endurance limit can be minimized. This design thus increases the reliability of high‐temperature biaxial mechanical properties data for materials, such as ceramics or other brittle composites, which are sensitive to thermal stresses. Features of this apparatus include high‐temperature dimensional stability via in situ load pin adjustability and adaptability to various specimen and furnace geometries.


The current study explored issues and challenges faced by religious Teachers for using ICT in e-learning and teaching. The study was quantitative based on descriptive survey design. The questionnaire was constructed using five point Lickert Scale and data were collected from 150 Religious teachers currently teaching to the students in Madaris at District Vehari of Punjab, Pakistan. The data were analyzed on SPSS through descriptive analysis. The findings of the study revealed that religious teachers face various issues and challenges like non-availability of the computers and laptops, shortage of electricity, lack computer education, theoretical based course work, lack of interest from the senior teachers towards learning or using computers, insufficient time for ICT use. Besides, many female religious teachers who cannot operate computer, they have to do domestic duties and resultantly too, they cannot afford extra time for learning computers. The study concludes that without addressing these issues, inculcating the use of ICT is a complex phenomenon in Pakistanni Maddaris. Hence, the policy makers, stake holders and administrative staff should target these issues so that advantages of ICT in teaching of religious education may be provided to religious teachers in Pakistani Maddaris.


Job 42.6 has been interpreted in various ways by ancient translators and modern scholars. The traditional interpretation of a repentant Job, found in most Bible versions, has its own problems and difficulties. A re-examination of the words used in Job 42.6 leads to the conclusion that Job is both overwhelmed and comforted. A new rendering of Job 42.6 is proposed, with the alternative interpretations listed in a footnote.


The social identity construction of international students studying in the United States is important to the field of second language learning and the study of identity. A Social Identity and Communities of Practice (CoP) framework were used to understand how participation in a CoP informed the identity of non-native speaking university international students studying in the U.S. The focus of this study was to investigate how participation in a CoP informed the identity of non-native speaking international university students studying in the U.S. I proposed that these frameworks provided a foundation for understanding how participation in a CoP for non-native English-speaking university students informed their international student identity. Furthermore, this study showed how participation in a CoP contributed to the participants' sense of belonging. Data collected for this study included audio recordings of the group and individual interviews, notes from the observation of the CoP, audio recordings of the CoP observations, and notes of researcher's thoughts. Several major themes emerged including: Identity, Language, and Aspects of Communities of Practice. These themes described why this group of students decided to belong to this


Dude food is a culinary genre of playful excess, sentiments animated by the dude and closely related to the mid-2010s phenomenon of the dad bod. Food brands exploited the tensions of dude food as they marketed convenience, packaged, snack, and fast food to men. Contemporary cookbooks written for men also deployed conventionally manly and millennial dude tropes to convince men that cooking at home would not diminish their masculinity. The chapter considers these cookbooks' titles, imagery, recipes, headnotes, and organizational structure.


The rapid variations in potential of the electrodes in an electrolytic cell when closing or interrupting the current were made visible on the screen of a cathode-ray oscillograph as a repeating image. This was achieved by using a periodically interrupted current, obtained by means of an electronic interruptor.

Indication of time was realized by means of a periodic suppression of the cathode ray.

A particular feature of the measuring equipment is the possibility of complete synchronisation of its different parts.


A noise reduction method is proposed to reduce background noise in noisy speech. We have investigated a noise reconstruction system using a linear prediction error filter (LPEF) and a noise reconstruction filter (NRF). An input signal of a LPEF becomes a white signal. Assuming that background noise is generated by exciting a linear system by a white signal, the background noise can be reconstructed from white noise by estimating the linear system. The NRF estimates the linear system. However, since residual speech is included in an input signal of a NRF, it is necessary to use a small step size, which enables us to update coefficients of a NRF without estimating a speech signal. Therefore, it becomes difficult for a NRF to track non-stationary noise. In order to solve the problem, a noise reconstruction system using step size control is proposed.


An experimental investigation was conducted to determine the mechanical properties and microstructural characteristics resulting from thermomechanical processing by warm rolling of an AI-8.0^Mg-0.5%Li-0. 1 5%2r alloy and an AI-8.0^Mg1 .O^Li-0. 1 5%Zr alloy. At ambient temperature, yield strengths were 38 to 44 Ksi (262-303 MPa), ultimate tensile strengths were 60 to 65 Ksi (414-450 MPa), with 10-12^ elongation to fracture. Both alloys were moderately superplastic at 300*C; an elongation of 340% was attained with the I.O^Li alloy. Behavior of the alloy is consistent with continuous recrystallization during annealing and deformation at warm temperatures, and is very similar to that of previously studied Al-Mg-X alloys.


Abstract This paper examines the stylistic use of language by West Indian men. A verbal duel is explored and related to an opposition between two West Indian value systems. The concept of 'vertical code switching', such as in diglossia, is found to be inadequate to account for the verbal behavior. More significant is a type of 'horizontal' switching which involves phonological and suprasegmental features. (Multilingualism, creole languages, code and style switching, 'lente' and 'allegro' speech, ethnography of communication; San Andrés Island, Colombia.)


This research is a research and development (research & development) which aims to find out how to make an integrated physics module STEM-PjBL, how to develop an integrated physics module STEM-PjBL, the feasibility of an integrated physics module STEM-PjBL, and learning outcomes using the integrated physics module STEM-PjBL on direct current electrical materials and the advantages and disadvantages of the STEM-PjBL integrated physics module.The results of the study show that there is an increase in student learning outcomes after using the STEM-PjBL integrated physics module, based on the average n-Gain result of 0.66 in the medium category which means that the use of the STEM-PjBL integrated physics module is good in improving student learning outcomes


While corporate scandals in the East and West have generated practical interest in the development of an effective enterprise risk management system to safeguard interests among stakeholders, organisations in the public sector with a wide spectrum of stakeholders are requested to present prudent accountability. The weighted regulatory focus on internal control and compliance, however, might create an imbalance in the emphasis away from an integrated performance measurement system that nurtures the development of knowledge capital to enhance sustainable growth. This paper explores a framework to apply the taxonomy of Intellectual Capital (IC) embedded in an integrated enterprise risk management system that institutes a cycle of knowledge capital development in order to balance the management of performance and risk. Through structured gap analysis of a case in the public sector, this article reveals the opportunities and challenges to develop such an integrated system.


H.265/HEVC is the latest video coding standard, which offers superior compression performance against H.264/AVC at the cost of greater complexity in its encoding process. In the intra coding of HEVC, a Coding Unit (CU) is recursively divided into a quad-tree-based structure from the Largest Coding Unit (LCU). At each level, up to 35 potential intra modes should be checked. However, examining all these modes is very timeconsuming. In this paper, an intra mode decision algorithm is proposed that reduces the required computations while having negligible effect on Rate-Distortion (RD) performance. A rough mode decision method based on image component sampling is proposed to reduce the number of candidate modes for rough mode decision and RD optimization. To balance the quality and performance, the decision to reduce the full search is made with a thresholds that is dynamically updated based on the Quantization Parameter (QP) and CU size of each recursive step. Experiments show that our algorithm can achieve a reasonable trade-off between encoding quality and efficiency. The saving in encoding time is between 30.0% to 45.0% while BD-RATE may increase by up to 0.5% for H.265/HEVC reference software HM 16.9 under all-intra configuration.


This study had two purposes: (a) to identify the characteristics of high-quality classroom assignments and how they are best explained, as indicated by teachers, students with learning disabilities (LD), and students without LD; and (b) to determine the effects of training teachers to use an assignment completion routine based on these characteristics. Multiple-probe and comparison-group designs were used in combination to show the effects of learning the routine on the teachers' planning, explanation, and evaluation of assignments. Results indicated that the teachers initially performed few of the behaviors associated with the assignment characteristics and explanation factors, but could effectively be taught to use them in an assignment completion routine with their students.


A famous theorem of Dixmier-Malliavin asserts that every smooth, compactly-supported function on a Lie group can be expressed as a finite sum in which each term is the convolution, with respect to Haar measure, of two such functions. We establish that the same holds for a Lie groupoid. Most of the heavy lifting is done by a lemma in the original work of Dixmier-Malliavin. We also need the technology of Lie algebroids and the corresponding notion of exponential map. As an application, we obtain a result on the arithmetic of ideals in the smooth convolution algebra of a Lie groupoid arising from functions vanishing to given order on an invariant submanifold of the unit space.


With the use of three-dimensional finite element numerical analysis method and with ANSYS finite element analysis software as calculation platform,the distribution of field magnitude in the sprue runner was obtained.Based on the result and with mobile equilibrium as the criterion,the influence of the die structure on the extrusion flow and the application of certain extrusion flow law in the design of extrusion forming die were analyzed and discussed.


Farmers will generally support and patronize technologies, including those that utilise genetic modification, to the extent that these reduce their costs of production, improve yields, enhance the quality and acceptability of their products, and increase their incomes and overall economic welfare. Farmers would, however, have special concerns and apprehensions regarding long-term access to GM seeds and other modern technologies of their choice, especially if proprietary rights over such technologies are controlled by and/or concentrated in a few large companies. GM technology may also turn out to be too expensive or complicated for small resource-poor farmers to use, or may not yield expected results due to the lack of support facilities and structures in the environments of under-developed countries. In turn, excitement over GM crops may divert attention and support away from traditional or local varieties and technologies with which farmers are already comfortable and to which they have become inured. Although farmers in developing countries will normally be more concerned with the immediate gains from GM technology, sustainability and other longer-range concerns rightfully have to be given equal consideration. Farmers will be the ultimate victims if the environment is damaged by the haphazard use of GM technology. Consumers will stop buying their products if food safety concerns are not properly addressed. Given their perceptions, fears and concerns regarding GM technology, farmers must be given the support and leeway necessary to survive and prosper if they are to continue providing food for an increasingly crowded planet.


Abstract We reconfirm that the overdamped B 2 mode measured first by Kaminow and Damen, is the so-called soft mode responsible to the ferroelectric phase transition. It does not consist of two modes, narrow relaxational mode plus another non-ferroelectric mode, but a single mode which continuously gets narrower and stronger as T → Tc . In the ferroelectric phase, the central part of spectra is still the soft mode and the additional side peak near 140 cm−1 is not so. The soft mode of KDP type crystals far above Tc has oscillatory nature and crosses over to the relaxational motion in the vicinity of Tc . The temperature dependence of the soft mode is well explained by considering that the γ' is proportional to |T - Tc |, where the γ' is the characteristic frequency of the mode and is equal to |ω1| of the pole ω1 of the susceptibility χ(ω).


TV advertisements play a key role in the portrayal of models, values and roles. Children may interiorize and use them in the construction of their own identities. Previous studies on body image portrayed by media focused on the characters' weight appearance, and concluded that media strongly emphasize the 'ideal slim'. However, no studies have focused on the TV advertisements consumed by children under 9. The objective of this research is to describe the portrayal of the characters represented in the television commercials most consumed by 5-8 year-old Spanish children. The body, intellectual and social features of 427 characters from the 133 most consumed commercials by children is content analyzed. Results show that these characters tend to be children or young adults, white skin, brown hair and slender. These characters tend to be portrayed alone, active and happy, and dressed casually. The main characters can only be further characterized by being shown in body or medium shots with a prominent use of sound effects. These results confirm the physical, intellectual and social ideals and add to the theory in this field.


In this study the effect of chute bed roughness height on energy dissipation has been investigated. To do so first general non dimensional relationship was developed. Then series of experimental tests were conducted in a physical model using three different bed slopes (15, 22.5 and 30 degrees) and three different uniform roughness heights (1.1, 1.43 and 2.1cm). Total of 48 tests were conducted with flow discharges ranged between 15 and 45 lit/sec. Results show that in comparison with the smooth bed, nearly 12 to 48 percent of the flow energy was dissipated on the roughened bed chute. Maximum energy dissipation occured for slope of 22.5 degrees and the minimum energy was dissipated on 30 degrees chute. A relationship was developed for prediction of energy slope on this type roughened bed chutes and the results obtained were compared with the results of previous works.


Background: Assess changes in apical bone height / bone gain for up to 8 years after implant placement combined with simultaneous elevation of the internal sinus from the sinus floor (ISFE) without the use of a graft.
Methods: 217 implants were placed in combination with ISFE without graft and successfully integrated into the posterior maxilla of 138 patients. Radiographs after surgery over an evaluation period of up to 8 years were analyzed. Changes in the apical and marginal bone height related to the implants were measured. Differences in bone height over the study period were assessed using the Wilcoxon test. To identify possible factors influencing apical bone gain and marginal bone loss, regressive linear regression selections and mixed linear regression models were performed.
Results: In the apical aspects of the implants, significant mean vertical bone gain of 2.4 mm (mesial) and 2.6 mm (distal) was observed after 6 months (p <0.05). Radiographic analysis produced an additional bone gain of up to approximately 3.5 mm during the study period. The small initial bone height was crossed with a more pronounced apical bone gain (p <0.05).
Conclusions: If the implants are placed in combination with the ISFE without a graft, a significant vertical bone gain can be expected, especially in the first postoperative year. Lower initial bone height is associated with a greater probability of greater bone gain.


Citation analysis holds a vital part in defining the worth of the author, institution and or university, and journal. A reference is the acknowledgment that one document gives to another. A citation is the acknowledgment that one document receives from another; It is a clear reference in a research text to another author's published text. This one is the part of bibliometrics that covenants by the analysis study of its associations. Citation analysis considering not only citation count but also sentimental analysis, and the comments or tweets about the article. In this paper we are presenting the challenges in citation analysis.


databases: • ASSIA: Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts (CSA Illumina) • Australian Education Index (Dialog DataStar) • British Education Index (Dialog DataStar) • Computer and Information Systems Abstracts (CSA Illumina) • Educational Research Abstracts Online • ERIC (CSA Illumina / Dialog DataStar) • Social Sciences Citation Index (Web of Knowledge) Full-text databases: • ACM Digital Library • Cambridge Journals • EdITLib Digital Library for Information Technology and Education (AACE) • Emerald • IEEE Xplore • Informaworld • Ingenta Connect • MetaPress • SAGE Full-text Journal Service • ScienceDirect • SpringerLink • Teacher Reference Centre (EBSCO Host Research Databases) • Wiley InterScience


Studies have demonstrated that ECMO leads to pharmacokinetic changes, with alterations in volume of distribution, clearance and drug sequestration by the circuit. We describe a successful dosing approach for daptomycin and micafungin for the treatment of VRE faecium bacteremia and C. glabrata fungemia in a patient receiving veno‐venous ECMO and CRRT.


The first seven years of railway reform in Russia have demonstrated a solid progress so far, especially in the freight sector. The three-stage reform plan called for: (1) opening rail infrastructure for access by private non-integrated operators (like in Germany); (2) developing competition in the downstream market (operations); (3) promoting private investment in freight wagons and (possibly) locomotives. The infrastructure owner - Russian Railways JSC (or RZD) - encouraged the establishment of new operators competing with its downstream affiliate and welcomed investment in rolling stock since it faced the shortage of wagons coupled with the lack its own sources for investment. As a result about RUR 80 billion have been investedin private freight wagons during the first four years of reform. The traffic share (in tons) generated by dozens of private operators have increased from 27.2% in 2003 to 33.8% in 2005. It is expected that more than half of the wagon fleet will be owned by private companies within the next few years. In the presence of uncertainty about the future structure of vertically integrated industry the non-integrated rival will invest more in capacities the lower is the probability of vertical divestiture when it competes with RZD in prices given the pre-commited rolling stock capacities. Thevertically integrated industry structure may be compared favorably towards the vertically separated one in terms of welfare even when RZD can raiserivals costs to undermine their competitiveness (thus resorting to some discriminative activities that cannot be perfectly monitored by the regulator). The empirical analysis relies on the original set of data on investment in different types of freight rolling stock during the first years of railway reform in Russia. The data set covers about 2200 private wagon owners classified by the type of wagon. Data were also used on production and import of railway rolling stock in Russia available for the period of 1999-2005. The analytical framework developed is designed to model the 'without a map' approach to railway reform in Russia. The basic stylized facts ofthe reform to fuel the debate about the optimal future structure of the industry are considered. The problem of optimal structure of vertically related industry with price-setting firms competing downstream and having their capacities constrained is considered. For the covering abstract see ITRD E145999


This research investigated the use of polycarbonate, a plastic polymer, as a plate to intaglio printing. The main objective of this research was the approach of intaglio printing from the point of view of its practice, trying on direct, indirect and additive engraving techniques, also searching for other procedures to use on polycarbonate, therefore exploring its expression possibilities. The relation concerning the hand, the tool and the plate on the results of intaglio practice was also researched, as well as the chemical and material aspects of polycarbonate linked to this practice. The engraving and printing process described here shows results obtained from moments of approximation and spacing on traditional intaglio printing. At the end, twenty three stamps made of polycarbonate plates are presented.


It is not my intention to enter into any detailed description of the external characters of the several interesting organic remains which are found imbedded in the limestone of Burdiehouse, that being a task which belongs to their distinguished discoverer Dr Hibbert. As little do I mean to describe the geological relations of the limestone bed, that being equally the province of Dr Hibbert. It will be sufficient to state generally, that it forms one of the lowest members of the carboniferous group, being inferior in position even to the Encrinal mountain limestone of its immediate vicinity; and that besides its numerous animal remains, some of which will be mentioned in the sequel, it contains throughout its entire mass numerous impressions of land and fresh-water tropical plants.


It discloses a mobile communication system resource allocation and transmission / receiving resource allocation information method. Method of receiving data in a mobile communication system, the method comprising: receiving a first field and a second field via a control channel, wherein the first field is used to indicate the resource allocation type, and the second field includes a bit map, said bit map is used to indicate a resource allocation according to the resource allocation type; interpreting the first field and the second field, for resource allocation; and receiving the control channel phase corresponding data, wherein, if the first resource allocation type is indicated, one or more resource block groups (RBGs) indicates the bitmap is allocated to the user equipment is scheduled, wherein, if the second resource allocation type is indication, then the indication bitmap is allocated to one or more of the user equipments scheduled resource block (RB) (RGB) set in the resource block groups.


"Clinical Neuropsychology and Cost Outcome Research" is the initial volume of the National Academy of Neuropsychology Book Series, "Neuropsychology: Scientific Basis and Clinical Application." The editors of the book, who are well-known for both their clinical expertise and research accomplishments, have arranged for other well-known leaders in the field to author the individual chapters of this book.


Construction of the orbit analytical solution of a Mars orbiter is a must for the study of its law of motion.This will involve the analytical ephemerides of the two natural satellites of Mars,Phobos and Deimos,and their orbit analytical solutions should be constructed first.Considering the similarity of the Mars and the earth,the method used in artificial earth satellites is used to construct the analytical solutions of Phobos and Deimos.The formulas of analytical ephemerides are obtained by removing the short-period terms from analytical solutions.The ephemerides are in good agreement with the ephemerides from JPL website.The result verifies validity of the mathematical model and the method used to construct the analytical solution with desired accuracy.


In Scott's (1987) letter in the October issue of BJR he asked "Is a tumour an early-responding tissue?" and emphasized the difficulties of deriving α/β ratios for tumours. He questioned the clinical implications of the findings of Williams et al (1985), who reviewed the literature and found relatively high values of α/β, resembling those of early reacting tissues. Williams et al had only considered experiments where reoxygenation was minimized by the use of clamping, hyperbaric oxygen or misonidazole, and they were aware that proliferation in the tumour could lead to decreased values of α/β.


In this paper, we consider the bit rate maximizing problem and power minimizing problem with integer bit allocation. We will derive the duality between these two problems. We will show that if a transceiver is optimal for the power-minimizing problem, it is also optimal for the rate maxi-mizing problem, and the converse is true. For the power minimization problem with integer bit allocation, the solution has been found in the literature. However, there is no solution yet for the rate maximization problem with integer bit allocation. The duality allows us to develop an algorithm for finding the rate-maximizing transceiver with integer bit allocation using the solution of power-minimizing system. In the simulations, we will compute the optimal solution for the rate-maximizing problem using the proposed algorithm.


Darmawati Aras 1 , Abdu Hamid Habbe 2 and Arifuddin 2 . 1. Master of Accounting Depatrtment, Faculty of Economics and Bussiness, HasanuddinUniversity. 2. Faculty of Economics and Bussiness,Hasanuddin University. ...................................................................................................................... Manuscript Info Abstract ......................... ........................................................................ Manuscript History Received: 14 December 2018 Final Accepted: 16 January 2019 Published: February 2019


Six I-section steel beams had been fabricated and tested to understand the influence of prestressing strand on the load deflection behavior of steel beam. All tested beams are simply supported having the same gross sectional area with clear span (2850) mm, five beams strengthened by two low relaxation seven wire strands, while sixth beam is the reference one. The strengthening beams were subjected jacking stress equal to (1120MPa) and subdivided according to prestressing strand positions (eccentricity). From the experimental tests, it can be noted that, the load deflection curves for strengthened beams are stiffer as compared with reference beam and the percentage of ductility for strengthened beams were decreased when the eccentricity positions change form (0 to 96)mm respectively, on the other hand, the percentage of increasing in maximum applied load for strengthened beams were increased with increasing of strands eccentricity and the maximum applied load reaches to 61.74% as compared with reference, also, the percentage increasing in maximum deflection at middle span for strengthened beams decreases with increasing of strands eccentricity and the minimum percentage of decreasing at middle span of strengthened specimens reaches to 36.31% as compared with the reference beam.


PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a neural semi-conductor chip including a neuron unit which is composed of plural neuron circuits to which a signal is supplied by various kinds of buses. SOLUTION: The respective neuron circuits adds a means for generating the local result signal of an 'ignition' type and the local output signals of distance or a category type in the respective buses. An OR circuit 12 executes OR concerning the whole corresponding local result signals and the local output signals and generates respective first global result signals and global output signals in the respective buses which are integrated to an on-chip common communication bus shared by the whole neuron circuits of a chip. Then, an additional OR function is executed between the whole corresponding first global result signals and the global output signals by a dot processing in an off-chip common communication bus inside a driver block in order to generate the second global result signals and the global output signals.


Despite occasional experimental hints, medium-range structural order in covalently bonded amorphous semiconductors had largely escaped detection until the advent of fluctuation electron microscopy (FEM) in 1996. Using FEM, we find that every sample of amorphous silicon and germanium we have investigated, regardless of deposition method or hydrogen content, is rich in medium-range order. The paracrystalline structural model, which consists of small, topologically ordered grains in an amorphous matrix, is consistent with the FEM data; but due to strain effects, materials with a paracrystalline structure appear to be amorphous in diffraction measurements. We present measurements on hydrogenated amorphous silicon deposited by different methods, some of which are reported to have greater stability against the Staebler-Wronski effect. FEM reveals that the matrix material of these samples is relatively similar, but the order changes in different ways upon both light soaking and thermal annealing. Some materials are inhomogeneous, with either nanocrystalline inclusions or large area-to-area variation in the medium-range order. We cite recent calculations that electronic states in the conduction band tail are preferentially located around the boundaries of the nm-scale paracrystalline regions that we have identified. This is new evidence in support of spatially inhomogeneous conduction mechanisms in a-Si. The key discoverymore » in our work is that all samples of amorphous silicon must be described as having nm-scale topological crystalline order. This strongly modifies the long-standing model of a covalent random network. Our new understanding of medium-range order must be considered in all future models of electronic properties and the Staebler-Wronski effect.« less


Published by the Harvard-Yenching Institute HJAS 75.2 (2015): 471–476 revolutionary momentum but an "involutionary" thrust, underlined by entropic desire and self-reflexive ambivalence. Its meaning cannot be elucidated, only brought to prominence by poetic means. Lu Xun's literature, or for that matter, revolution, instantiates the desolate struggle of a lonely soul between "calling to arms" and "wandering."


A method and device for freeze-drying medicine and liposome powder assisted by a variable-frequency alternating-current electric field, the method comprising the following steps: (1) preparing a medicine-liposome suspension sample; (2) dehydrating the sample under a 1-10 kHz, 3-10 kV high-voltage alternating current; (3) freezing and drying the sample treated in step (2) at -20 to -40oC, under a 10-25 kHz, 0.2-1 kV high-voltage alternating current, and until the freezing process is completed; (4) heating and drying the sample in a vacuum until sublimation and desorption are completed, and obtaining the medicine and liposome freeze-dried powder. The device comprises a preparation bin (1), a metering pump (2), a dehydrator (3) and a high/low-temperature treatment chamber (4) sequentially connected to each other. Electrode plates (32) are respectively provided above and below a sample tank (31) in the dehydrator (3). Electrode plates (42) are respectively provided above and below a sample tank (41) in the high/low-temperature treatment chamber (4). The electrode plates (32, 42) are connected to a high-voltage variable-frequency alternating-current power supply control cabinet (8). The high/low-temperature treatment chamber (4) is further connected to a vacuum pump (5), and configured to perform freeze-drying and heat-drying processes on the sample. By using the method, the device greatly shortens a freezing and drying time, and controls a size of nuclei and ice crystals, further ensuring a quality of the freeze-dried powder.


This paper assumed stock price jump process for a special kind of renewal jump process,that is incident time interval for independent and subordinate to Gamma distribution random variable sequence.We obtain the European bi-direction option pricing formulas with jump diffusion model under the stochastic interest rates by simply mathematical induce by means of martingale method.


The C-CUP method suitable for both compressible and incompressible fluids is extended to the general curvilinear coordinate system. In this paper, a staggered square grid in the transformed space is used, and the numerical viscosity, which does not depend on the change of metrics due to the rotation of the grid, is proposed. The equation of pressure is solved by the iteration method. As numerical examples, a shock-tube problem, a two-fluid flow and a flow field around a two-dimensional wing were calculated. Numerical results of the shock-tube problem show that the proposed numerical viscosity for the curvilinear coordinate system is effective to stabilize the solution. For the viscous two-fluid flow, the sharp interface between the two fluids is traced by using the density function.


The present invention relates to in vitro methods for predicting the evolution of a patient diagnosed with colorectal cancer after the administration of a therapy, monitoring efectode said therapy in the subject or predicting the clinical response of said patient to the therapy with respect to levels basal expression. Such methods comprises the quantification of the expression level of the TFF3 gene or the protein encoded by said gene.


Background and Aim: A systemic immune disorder elicited by dietary gluten in people who are genetically predisposed to it is referred to as a celiac disease. D1 had been ruled out as a biopsy site due to concerns about Brunner's glands, peptic duodenitis, gastric metaplasia, and presumed reduced villous height. Due to histological confounding factors, the duodenal bulb (D1) as a biopsy site was traditionally avoided. The present study aimed to assess the duodenal bulb biopsy role in the diagnosis of celiac disease. Methodology: This multicenter cross sectional study was conducted on 108 celiac disease patients in the department of Gastroenterology, Bacha Khan Medical Complex, Swabi, North West General hospital Peshawar and Pir Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani Institute of Medical Science Gambat Khairpur, Sindh from September 2020 to July 2021. All the celiac disease patients were clinically symptomatic and had anti-tissue transglutaminase (anti TTG IgA) positive antibodies. Endoscopically, six mucosal biopsies were taken from each patient, four each from the distal duodenum and two additional biopsy separately labelled was taken from bulb. Modified Marsh grading was used for morphological grading. Results: Of the total 108 Celiac disease patients, 60 (55.6%) were females and 48 (44.4%) were male patients. the overall mean age was 32.62±6.4 years. Prior to diagnosis of Celiac disease, symptoms median duration was 5.4 years with a range of 6 months to 40 years. The most prevalent clinical presentation were iron deficiency anemia 43% (n=46) and chronic diarrhea 32% (n=35) respectively. Other clinical presentation were chronic pain abdomen, infertility, short stature, and cirrhosis. Elevated TTG of 117.1 ± 49.82 U/ml was measured in all the patients with a range of 20 to 250 U/ml. The incidence of similar and different modified Marsh grade was in 66 (61.1%) and 42 (58.9%) respectively at both site. Out of 42 different modified March grade patients, higher mucosal atrophy in bulb and descending duodenum showed higher grade in 16 and 26 patients respectively. Isolated bulb involvement was seen in nine patients. Due to bulb biopsy, Celiac disease diagnosis was correctly done in these patients. Conclusion: The present study supported the villous atrophy and intraepithelial lymphocytosis patchy nature in biopsy specimens of celiac disease. The diagnosis of celiac disease improved with inclusion of duodenal bulb biopsies in our sampling protocol. Celiac disease patchy nature and distribution demonstrated different Marsh grades in different biopsy sites. The celiac disease diagnostic yield is increased by combining the bulb and the descending duodenum biopsy. Keywords: Celiac Disease, Duodenal bulb biopsy, Modified Marsh grade


In this study, the leaderless consensus issue is considered for general linear multi-agent systems with physically interconnected network under an undirected connected graph. Based on the local states information feedback, a novel fully distributed controller that uses adaptive event-triggered protocol is developed, which can ensure that every agent achieve consensus without requiring continuous communication and global network information. Meanwhile, it is proved that the Zeno behavior isn't exhibited by demonstrating the lower-bound of minimum inter-event interval is strictly positive under the proposed control protocol. Compared to the existing related papers, the salient feature of this paper is that both physically interconnected network and communication interconnected network of the multi-agent systems are considered on the premise that the designed event-triggered consensus protocol are fully distributed, asynchronous. Therefore, this makes the systems are more comprehensive and practical. Finally, the performance and effectiveness of the protocol are displayed by a example.


In the paper we aim to introduce a statistical dating and detection of turning points giving them a first economic interpretation. The main advantage of the proposed approach is represented by the fact that classical and growth cycles are jointly considered both in the dating and in the detecting stage. A key result of this choice is a better description of different economic phases as well as a more accurate investigation of the economic cyclical behaviour. The proposed approach considerably improves the relevance of information delivered to users in comparison with a standard analysis based only on classical or growth cycle components.


We fabricated a sensor for measuring the water level and water temperature using GMR-SV (giant magnetoresistance-spin valve) device, simultaneously. It could be applied to the medical cooling system of the potassium titanylphosphate KTP) laser system for the therapy of a benign prostatic hyperplasia. The middle point of GMR-SV device was set to the near position of a high magnetic sensitivity with 2.8%/Oe. The sensitivity for the water level and water temperature of the fabricated sensor were and , respectively.


Because of real introduction of distributed power generation (DG) such as photovoltaic power generation, wind power generation, co-generation system and so on, it becomes necessary to investigate some technical measures of the utility distribution system to cope with the introduction of DG. The METI organizes about the directionality of technical development for the distribution system by some committees. Focusing on the result of the governmental investigations, this paper describes development trend and subjects of future new distribution network system which makes it possible to achieve smooth introduction of DG and to utilize DG successfully for load leveling, keeping power quality, enhancement of supply reliability and so on.


This paper describes a synchronous machine model that can be used to simulate internal fault waveforms for power system protection studies. The need to develop the machine model in the direct phase domain is explained and a method to calculate the inductances involving the faulty windings is outlined using a four pole lap wound machine. The machine equations are then solved using a suitable numerical technique. Comparisons are made between the simulated waveforms and recorded waveforms to verify the accuracy of the model.


Based on the analysis of flow and composition of sand bed and forces on sand gain, the equation of rolling sand gain is established, the formula of non - uniform classification starting shear stress is given. The influence of inhomogegeity of sand gain is considered and the additional force G is introduced in the formula. The practice indicates that the experimental data and the result computed by the formula are identical.


Standard amount of water required progressively mount along growth of resident and industry. Exploiting of river as source of standard water require to utilize and fulfill standard amount of water required of society. Sei Salak reservoir pond  one of the form exploiting of river as source of standard water. To evaluate ability of pool to fulfill society amount of water required needed a study to calculate pool reliability of Sei Salak reservoir pond. Source of Sei Salak reservoir pond  come from year rainfall data 2000 up to year 2014 at station of inhil and of intake through salak river influenced by ebb. Stream debit inflow simulation pool with debit outflow with intake of water equal to 61 litre / second. The simulation results operational for 8 hours reservoir pool memilkik 100% reliability. The simulation results operational for 10 hours a reservoir pond memilkik reliability of 99.98%. The simulation results operational for 12 hours a reservoir pond memilkik reliability of 99.93%.  Keywords: reliability, amount of water required, reservoir pond, pool simulation


Occurrences of chromium mineral exist in Benin within the external nappes of the Pan-African Dahomeyides belt. These chromite deposits are podiform types and hosted in the serpentinite. Blackish color, the chromite appears under microscope in transmitted light, as cracked phenocrystals with tangles of the serpentinite venules. Chemical analyses using X-ray fluorescence spectrometer showed the chromite ore consists of about 38% Cr2O3 and total (Cr2O3 + Al2O3) is 60%. This chromiferous mineralisation resulted from the magmatic cumulates formation by fractional crystallization of an ultramafic magma.


Interleukin (IL)‐34 is a hematopoietic cytokine promoting proliferation and differentiation of macrophages. Because abnormal activation of macrophages is involved in the development of systemic sclerosis (SSc), we investigated serum IL‐34 levels in patients with SSc. Serum IL‐34 levels were significantly increased in diffuse cutaneous SSc compared with limited cutaneous SSc and healthy controls, while there were no significant differences between limited cutaneous SSc and healthy controls. In addition, SSc patients with increased serum IL‐34 levels more often had interstitial lung disease (ILD) than those with normal levels. Moreover, in SSc patients, serum IL‐34 levels negatively correlated with the percentage of predicted vital capacity, while they positively correlated with ground‐glass opacity score and fibrotic score on chest computed tomography. Collectively, increased serum IL‐34 levels were associated with greater frequency and severity of ILD in SSc patients. Serum IL‐34 levels may be a useful serological marker for SSc‐associated ILD.


A new issue of The Coat of Arms (CoA), journal of The Heraldry Society, is published and distributed this week. Of interest to medieval heraldry are articles by Sir John Baker on early heraldic harness pendants (drawing for illustration on his own collection of these items; shown here a pendant found at Fincham in Norfolk bearing the arms of Richard of Cornwall, Count of Poitou) and Robert W. Jones on the significance of the livery badge on the medieval battlefield, taking as its start point ...


3 Abstract: Nanocid is a nanosilver base disinfectant commonly used in poultry production. Excessive consumption of this disinfectant can risk poultry health. The present study embarked on examining the effect of the disinfectant nanosilver (nanocid) on some functional and structural indices of the heart using echocardiography on 270 Ross broiler chickens. In this study the internal diameter of the left ventricle at the end of systole (LVIDs) and diastole (LVIDd), the left ventricle fractional shortening (LVFS), the ejection fraction (EF), the stroke volume (SV) and the inter-ventricular septum at the end of systole(IVSs) and diastole (IVSd) were evaluated. nanosilver was added to the consumption water for 6 days in 5 different dose. Chicken echocardiograms were taken using a 10 MHz linear probe in dorsal recumbent position. In chickens received 7 ppmnanosilver, the internal diameter of the left ventricle at the end of systole and diastole and the stroke volume had the highest measure. The fractional shortening, ejection fraction and inter-ventricular septum at the end of diastole had the lowest measures among the groups. The present study showed that nanosilver consumption leads to a change in cardiovascular function and forming different degree of ascites in broiler chickens.


Powerful new analytical capabilities are becoming available as the result of coupling various separation techniques with modern atomic spectrometry. These approaches can provide the analyst with tremendous insight into the elemental composition of each eluding constituent. The very factors that allow atomic emission to provide element-specific detection for virtually the entire periodic table can cause major problems when trying to apply the technique to separation techniques such as gas and liquid chromatography. The resulting transient signals and background effects over a large-wavelength region, coupled with the relatively narrow atomic-line band width, present problems in both detection and data manipulation. These problems will be reviewed, and various potential solutions considered. A new approach that holds great promise for handling these problems is presented. This technique employs array detectors capable of simultaneously observing a very large number of wavelengths, providing analyztical, background, and diagnostic data. When used in conjunction with appropriate software, an entirely new dimension of intelligent instrument becomes possible. Operational capabilities of such instrumentation are presented, including data from a variety of chemical systems.


GLS has been shown to be subject to "Physiologic Variations" and loading conditions depending on patient demographics (age, gender, race), clinical factors (heart rate, blood pressure, weight or body surface area) [2]. Thus, it would be interesting to know the ethnicity of the included patients, their heart rate, blood pressure, volume status, and body surface area, and if there were any associations of these parameters with GLS.


Biological activity of Aconitum alkaloids may be related to their toxicity rather than to a specific pharmacological action. A Quantitative structure‐activity relationships (QSAR) analysis was performed on the following two groups of alkaloids: compounds with an aroyl/aroyloxy group at R14 position (yunaconitine, bulleyaconitine, aconitine, beiwutine, nagarine, 3‐acetyl aconitine, and penduline), and compounds with the aroyloxy group at R4 position (N‐deacetyllappaconitine, lappaconitine, ranaconitine, N‐deacetylfinaconitine, N‐deacetylranaconitine). The LD50 (μmol/kg) of the 12 alkaloids were obtained from the literature. LD50 was significantly lower in group 1 than in group 2. The steric and core–core repulsion energies were significantly higher in group 1. The total energy and heat of formation and electronic energies were significantly lower in group 1. The reactivity index of N, C1′, C4′ and C6′ were similar between groups. The reactivity index of C2′ was significantly higher and the reactivity index of C3′ and C5′ were significantly lower in group 1. Log P and pKa were similar between groups. Molecular weight was significantly higher in group 1. A significant linear relationship was observed between log LD50 and either analgesic log ED50 or local anesthetic log ED50. The LD50/analgesic ED50 obtained from average values was 5.9 for group 1 and 5.0 for group 2. However, the LD50/local anesthetic ED50 was 40.4 and 318, respectively. The study supports that the analgesic effects of these alkaloids are secondary to their toxic effects whereas alkaloids from group 2 are susceptible to be further studied as local anesthetic agents.


Star-tracker plays an important role in satellite navigation. Considering the satellites on near-Earth orbit, the system usually has two optical systems: one for observing the profile of Earth and the other for capturing the positions of stars. In this paper, we demonstrate a novel kind of dual-channel optical observation system of star-tracker with non-blind area PAL imaging system based on dichroic filter, which can combine both different observation channels into an integrated structure and realize the feature of miniaturization. According to the practical usage of star-tracker and the features of dichroic filter, we set the ultraviolet band as the PAL channel to observe the Earth with the FOV ranging from 40°-60°, and set the visible band as the front imaging channel to capture the stars far away from this system with the FOV ranging from 0°-20°. Consequently, the rays of both channels are converged on the same image plane, improving the efficiency of pixels of detector and reducing the weight and size of whole star-tracker system.


In this article the comparative and legal analysis of the mechanism of appointment and removal from a position of the head of local governments in Russia in the second half of XIX the beginning of the XX century and modern Russia is carried out.


Polymer-supported 4-aminofonnoyldiphenylammonium triflate (PS-AFDPAT) is an efficient catalyst for the esterification between equimolar amounts of carboxylic acids and alcohols under mild conditions, which can be recycled without loss of activity.


To improve the quality of the automatic transmission shift,the authors analyzed the process of automatic transmission shift through controlling shift clutch joint and apartness by controlling solenoid valve,then established a model of shifting solenoid valve control system based on Simulink,including solenoid valve working logic control and solenoid valve opened and closed curve control.The effect of solenoid valve control on shift was also analyzed.To further test the correctness of development direction and control strategy,automatic transmission experiments were designed based on dSPACE rapid control prototyping.The results show that this shift solenoid valve control system can reduce shift jerk and improve shift quality.


There is provided an operator selecting apparatus and a method for selecting a home operator for each communication device in a group. In some embodiments, the first selecting unit of the operator selecting apparatus selects, for each quality-oriented communication device in the group, a candidate operator out of the plurality of the candidate operators that is determined based on the quality information to provide the best quality of service to the communication device. Then, the second selecting unit of the operator selecting apparatus selects, for each cost-oriented communication device in the group, based on the billing system and a number of quality-oriented communication devices assigned to the each candidate operator as a result of the selection by the first selecting unit, a candidate operator out of the plurality of the candidate operators such that a total cost for all the communication devices in the group becomes lowest.


Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks can easily cripple victim hosts or networks, yet effective defenses remain elusive. Normal anycast can be used to force the diffusion of attack traffic over a group of several hosts to increase the difficulty of saturating resources at or near any one of the hosts. However, because a packet sent to the anycast group may be delivered to any member, anycast does not support protocols that require a group member to maintain state (such as TCP). This makes anycast impractical for most applications of interest. This document describes the design of Stateful Anycast, a conceptual anycast-like network service based on IP anycast. Stateful Anycast is designed to support stateful sessions without losing anycast's ability to defend against DDoS attacks. Stateful Anycast employs a set of anycasted proxies to direct packets to the proper stateholder. These proxies provide DDoS protection by dropping a session's packets upon group member request. Stateful Anycast is incrementally deployable and can scale to support many groups. Thesis Supervisor: Karen R. Sollins Title: Principal Research Scientist


Background Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most common malignancy and one of the most common causes of cancer-related death worldwide. Robotic-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) has gradually become a prevalent surgical method for patients with NSCLC. Previous studies have found that body mass index (BMI) is associated with postoperative outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of RATS compared to video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of NSCLC with different BMI, in terms of perioperative outcomes. Methods The baseline and perioperative data, including BMI, of 849 NSCLC patients who underwent minimally invasive anatomic lung resections from August 2020 to April 2021 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Propensity score matching analysis was applied to minimize potential bias between the two groups (VATS and RATS), and the perioperative outcomes were compared. Subgroup analysis was subsequently performed. Results Compared to VATS, RATS had more lymph nodes dissected {9 [inter-quartile range (IQR), 6–12] vs. 7 (IQR, 6–10), P<0.001}, a lower estimated bleeding volume [40 (IQR, 30–50) vs. 50 (IQR, 40–60) mL, P<0.001], and other better postoperative outcomes, but a higher cost of hospitalization [¥83,626 (IQR, 77,211–92,686) vs. ¥75,804 (IQR, 66,184–83,693), P<0.001]. Multivariable logistic regression analysis indicated that RATS (P=0.027) and increasing BMI (P=0.030) were associated with a statistically significant reduction in the risk of postoperative complications. Subgroup analysis indicated that the advantages of RATS may be more obvious in patients with a BMI of 24–28 kg/m2, in which the RATS group had more lymph nodes dissected [9 (IQR, 6–12) vs. 7 (IQR, 5–10), P<0.001] and a decreased risk of total postoperative complications [odds ratio (OR), 0.443; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.212–0.924; P=0.030] compared to the VATS group. Conclusions Both, RATS and VATS can be safely applied for patients with NSCLC. Perioperative outcome parameters indicate advantages for RATS, however at a higher cost of hospitalization. The advantages of RATS might be more obvious in patients with a BMI of 24–28 kg/m2.


In this paper, the Vlasov-Poisson-Boltzmann system is studied in the context of Newtonian cosmology. An explicit background solution which describes the evolution of our universe is constructed, and global existence of homogeneous solutions that are perturbations around the background solution is obtained. Depending on the rate of expansion of the universe it is observed that the solutions have different behaviours at a large time. At a slow rate of expansion the solutions tend to an equilibrium state, but it turns out that such a slow rate is not physically well-motivated. At a rapid rate of expansion it is showed that the solutions behave like solutions of the Vlasov equation.


Objective:To search for common epitopes of(H5N1) from different areas in the world in order to develope epitope-bacterin by the way of immunoinformatics.Methods:Firstly,homologous degree of the amino acid sequence of VIA from different areas was compared on the basis of the database in Genebank with soft-ware ClustalW1.83.The common epitopes which were able to bind strongly to MHCⅠ molecule were selected.Results:Though homologous degree of amino acid sequence of VIA from different areas was not completely similar,there were some common epitopes among these strains analyzed.The common epitopes were shown to bind strongly with MHCⅠ molecule.Conclusion:These common epitopes may be used to develope epitope-bacterin for preventing infection of AIV(H5N1).


We demonstrate the enhancement of 250-fs pulses in a passive resonator to 400 kW of average power. Thermal effects are investigated and mitigated by custom mirrors and optimized cavity designs.


An International Conference on the Care of the Kidney Transplant Recipient was convened in Lisbon, Portugal from February 2– 4, 2006 under the auspices of the National Kidney Foundation and Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), and in cooperation with The Transplantation Society. Conference participants included over 100 experts and leaders in kidney transplantation, representing more than 40 countries from around the world, including participants from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North American, and South America (Appendix). The goal of the conference was to develop recommendations to improve the outcomes of kidney transplant recipients worldwide with regard to the following basic medical issues: cardiovascular disease (Work Group I), cancer and infection (Work Group II), and anemia, bone disease, reproductive issues, growth and development (Work Group III). Work Groups I, II, and III addressed the preand posttransplant care of kidney transplant recipients by the following components: timelines of preand posttransplantation, immunosuppression, level of kidney allograft function, and burden of disease (prior history of dialysis or preemptive transplant and how that history affects outcome). A graft maintenance section (Work Group IV) addressed: 1) recipient (and donor) selection; 2) surgical aspects and immediate posttransplant care of recipients including consideration of minimal surgical infrastructure; 3) immunosuppression including an assessment of the incremental expected value of more complex and expensive regimens in comparison to simpler and less expensive regimens, generics, midand long-term immunosuppression; 4) living donor versus deceased donor transplantation; and 5) midand long-term posttransplant care and monitoring of allograft function. In addition, conference participants were asked to examine the issue of applicability of the recently published Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative (KDOQI) clinical practice guidelines for chronic kidney disease (CKD) in kidney allograft recipients (1). Specifically, Work Group V addressed the role of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in monitoring kidney function after transplantation, as well as the stratification for intervention according to eGFR values.


We deal with the introduction of life insurance and pension decisions in the personal financial problem of optimal lifetime consumption of lifetime income. We introduce in Section 2 the classical notion of reserves and present well-known differential equations characterizing these. We start with the survival model and discuss also the case where pension saving takes place in a bank. We then analyze the disability model and the multi-state model that are generalizations of the survival model. This structure is repeated in all sections of the paper. In Section 3 we introduce the notion of utility reserves that makes it possible to compare the different contracts offered by the insurance company, and present differential equations characterizing these. The utility reserve is the basis for static optimization of payment streams in Section 4 and for dynamic optimization of payment streams in Section 5. In particular in the case of dynamic optimization, the differential equation characterizing the utility reserve plays a crucial role since the so-called Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation characterizing the optimal solution is based on it. Sections 2-5 are ended by a continued numerical example illustrating our findings for the survival model. We conclude by further remarks on generalizations and applications.


This paper investigate the problems of standard container port handling capacity in establishing national port development plan in Korea. Considering container port developing, it's not easy to adopt container port service quality parameters such as lay time constraint of very large container ships by using the standard guideline of container port handling capacity. A simple methodology that connects vessel waiting to service time(w/s) and berth occupancy to costs has been used to evaluate the performance of a container terminal. But the total handling capacity have to be calculated by the performance of the handling system and number of equipments and layout of terminal by using computer simulation that represents of reality events needs to be performed by probabilistic techniques. A simulation model of estimation of container terminal capacity is introduced in order to establish a hub terminal for very large container ships that focus the port's quality of service and also suggest as tool for policy maker to justify a required port investment.


Seeds of three winter wheat bread cultivars (Triticum aestivum L.): Sadovo 1, Sadovo 772 and Katya, and three durum wheat cultivars (Triticum durum Desf): Progress, Vazhod and Beloslava were used. The accessions have been submitted to sorbtion drying to low moisture content (water activity aw = 0,116). No essential changes were observed in the initial seedling growth. In evaluation of peroxidase isozyme spectra of seedlings no significant changes were
detected as a result of sorption drying to low seed moisture and subsequent storage at -18оС. Field evaluation of the main structural plant yield elements uncovered no statistically significant unfavorable effects on the regeneration capacity of wheat seeds as a result of drying (water activity aw = 0,116) and cool storage (-18oC).