Abstract. We investigate lower hybrid wave trapping in cylindrically symmetric density depletions in the electrostatic approximation. Our investigation is inspired by previous observations of such trapping by spacecraft in the auroral region at altitudes up to about 2000km, and the recent discovery of this phenomenon at altitudes above 20000km in the inner magnetosphere. No particular shape is assumed for the density depletion, which need not be strictly zero outside some value of the radial coordinate r . Important previously known properties concerning parabolic density depletions extending to finite r are shown to hold also for arbitrary shapes and infinite extent: for a given parallel wave number k z , modes below the ambient lower hybrid frequency f LH are trapped in the density depletion (in the sense that they are evanescent outside the cavity), have a discrete spectrum and rotate in a left-handed sense, while there is a continuous spectrum of freely propagating right-handed rotating modes above f LH . New results are such that even though the density depletion may go to zero slowly with increasing r , and thus be essentially infinite in extent, there is a maximum distance within which a trapped mode with given k z and azimuthal mode number m may propagate. Furthermore, we find that for any monotonic density cavity and given k z , there is a local relation between plasma density gradient and the lowest possible frequency that can be trapped. We combine our theoretical results with spacecraft observations to find an upper bound on k z . Our examples indicate that the length of the cavities is larger than the width by a factor of at least 100.


The primary duty of a court is to do justice. Implicit in this process is the principle that the court should assess the evidence in accordance with current scientific knowledge. Trials by ordeal and combat have long since been abandoned as it was recognised that they did not produce reliable, just outcomes. The law moved with the times. In criminal cases juries are directed that they can only convict 'if they are sure'. The jurors might be sure, but are they correct? There now exists a substantial body of scientific evidence, which indicates that humans are very poor lie detectors, in fact performing at around chance. Given this incongruity in the system, is it not time to re-evaluate how cases are put before the courts, and what weight is placed on oral testimony? This is particularly acute in 'credibility contests' where, it is argued, it is usually unsafe to convict.


A new synthetic method for the covalent linking of fullerenes to polymers is introduced. The Bingel-reaction was used to prepare bromine-functionalized fullerene building blocks that could be covalently linked to hydroxyl groups of model copolymers by the cesium carbonate promoted Williamson ether synthesis. Subsequently, block copolymers with a second block based on styrene and hydroxystyrene or hydroxyethyl methacrylate could be synthesized with a poly(3-hexylthiophene)–TEMPO macroinitiator through NMRP. Fullerene derivatives were linked to these polymers in a controlled manner and donor–acceptor block copolymers with high fullerene contents of near 50 wt % were achieved.


This study takes a sociology of quantification approach in exploring the impact of 'commensurative' processes in data journalism, in which distinct incidents and entities are rendered similar, aggregated, and shaped into elaborate abstract constructs. This literature emphasizes the political-economic contexts of data production and predicts a heavy reliance on government data, use of national over local data, and a tendency to take data categories for granted, with inconsistent scrutiny. A content analysis of data journalism projects at legacy and non-legacy outlets reveals some support for the expectations from this literature. Findings show an increasing tendency to portray events as abstract metrics and decreasing attention to personal, lived anecdotes. Findings also show a growing tendency to provide indeterminate data sources and limited overt and accessible evidence of data scrutiny. We also see a higher percentage of national-level sourcing than local sourcing across all years, and a decline in government sourcing coupled with a rise in self-gathered, crowdsourced data online. Legacy outlets were more likely than non-legacy outlets to use local data sources, to provide anecdotal reporting in connection with the data presentation, and to use government data sources. Non-legacy outlets were more likely to produce complex abstract metrics.


MUHAMMAD REZEKI MUAMMAR. Quality and Quantity Maintenance Method of Plant Ribonucleic Acid (RNA). Under the direction of MARIA BINTANG and TETTY CHAIDAMSARI. The RNA's instability was the main obstacle in maintaining and carying the RNA that will be used as the biotechnological research parameter. The research expected a new innovation in maintained plants' RNA. Isolated RNA incubated in six different treatments. The first treatment, RNA incubated in -40C and concentration counted 1.204 ng/μl for cocoa flowers, 3.408 ng/μl for stimulant latex and 1.374 ng/μl nonstimulant for latex with good RNA's quality for the samples after incubated. Having incubated in second treatment, normal room temperature incubation, RNA was broke. In the third and the fourth treatment, RNA was added with sodium acetate and absolute ethanol then each incubated in 4C and -20C. Having kept for two months, RNA in third and fourth treatment were still maitaining their good quality. The fifth and sixth treatment, RNA was added with absolute ethanol than each kept in 4C and normal room temperature. Having kept for two months, the RNA added with absolute ethanol and incubated in normal room temperature was broke, in contrary, the RNA kept in 4C still maintain its good quality. The highest RNA concentration after incubation period was showed by sodium acetate and absolute ethanol in 4C treatment. Which were 456 ng/μl for cocoa flowers, 2.358 ng/μl for stimulant latex and 1.368 ng/μl for non stimulant latex. The result of RT-PCR RNA without any treatments and the RNA that kept in 4C with addition of sodium acetate and absolute ethanol shown the same gene expression. In summary, RNA can be kept in 4C with the addition of sodium acetate and absolute ethanol. METODE MEMPERTAHANKAN KUALITAS DAN KUANTITAS ASAM RIBONUKLEAT (RNA) TANAMAN


SEM stroboscopic voltage contrast techniques allow one to observe with high voltage resolution the temporal and spatial evolution of latch-up phenomena from the firing event to the final condition. In particular, the authors show by means of an example that in a CMOS IC the firing point may be different from the latch-up site in steady state. Only dynamic observations, therefore, allow a complete understanding of latch-up phenomena and an effective correction of IC layout.


Accounting students are aware of the increasing demand generated from the use of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems within the world's major companies. This paper describes the use of this technology within an undergraduate accounting curriculum. The objective is to teach business processes and integration issues. Students simulated a manufacturing ERP implementation by organizing themselves as an implementation team, developing an implementation plan, designing a simple product and product structures, populating the master records, and executing a system walk-through. Students also script core business processes and develop a demonstration of their implementation system for interested parties in the business school. The paper evaluates the implementation project and offers suggestions for enhancing the benefits capable from such pedagogy.


I am grateful to Fanniff and Alexander (this issue) for so cogently and powerfully articulating why Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) considerations are important for this journal. Social science is conducted by people, within existing systems, and it is increasingly clear that people and systems can be biased in subtle and not-so-subtle ways. There are many potential forms of bias that can influence the design, handling, interpretation, dissemination, and journal review process of research. Fanniff and Alexander point out how racism and other forms of bias are relevant in the research that is published in this journal, given race and ethnicity, gender identity, and sexual orientation can be associated with perpetration, victimization, reporting, law enforcement, and criminal justice and social service processes that in turn influence how we understand sexual exploitation and abuse. In this editorial, I will summarize actions the journal will be taking as part of a JEDI initiative. These actions are the culmination of an extensive process of consultation led by Fanniff and myself with the Editorial Board and other stakeholders. I am committed to the following efforts by Sexual Abuse to begin facilitating sustained change in how this journal operates.


This continuation of the author's series of articles on the recent history of technical education in this country, deals in particular with the problems facing the colleges


Behavior economics has not been widely applied in the analysis of law institution.Taking the prospect theory and the theory of self-control to demonstrate the example for the case of people having a tendency to lost ration and self-control ability under the passion.It is indicated that the behavior economics has tremendous potential in the research of law institution.


Current status of TVR universities in our province is analyzed. The main reasons that caused the decline of open education and adult specialist should be considered. It is necessary to adhere to the scientific development concept and make the education enterprise of TVR universities in our province bigger and more strength. The TVR universities will be the distance open universities with complete modern distance education infrastructure, rich modern distance learning resources, the integrity of modern distance learning support services system, a higher level of distance education team, strong research capacity on distance education.


Objective TO study the phylogram of 100 Staphylococcus aureus(SAU) strains. Methods The genes (pvl,mecA,aac(6')/aph(2"),aph(3')-Ⅲ,ant(4',4"),erm,msrA,tetM and qac) were detected in 100 SAU strains and was analyzed(cluster analysis). Results 100 SAU strains can be divided into two groups. Cluster analysis showed the multiple clones. Conclusion Cluster analysis is essential to the phylogram with the genes of pvl,mecA,aac(6') /aph(2"),aph(3')-Ⅲ,ant(4',4"),erm,msrA,tetM and qac..


Fbxw7 is a tumor suppressor gene through ubiquitination and degradation of multiple oncoproteins. Loss of Fbxw7 expression is frequently observed in various human cancers. In the present study, we examined the role of Fbxw7 expression in both non‐tumor liver tissues and tumor tissues on clinicopathological significance.


To develop a method for Derect determination of Se in salt by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometer-AFS.RSD's obtained were 1.7% . Recoveries were in the range of 98.2%~101.0%. The method is found to be fast and accurate. Therefore,it can be used for Derect determination of Se in salt.


A series of bench-scale blasting experiments was conducted to produce rubble beds for use in retorting experiments. The experiments consisted of blasting oil shale with explosives within a confined volume containing 25% void. A variety of blasting geometries was used to control the fragment size distribution and void distribution in the rubble. The series of well controlled tests provided excellent data for use in validating rock fragmentation models. Analyses of the experiments with PRONTO, a dynamic finite element computer code, and a newly developed fracturing model provided good agreement between code predictions and experimental measurements of fracture extent and fragment size. CAROM, a dynamic distinct element code developed to model rock motion during blasting, was used to model the fully fragmented tests. Calculations of the void distribution agreed well with experimentally measured values. 9 refs., 11 figs., 1 tab.


Summary A prospective study of all patients undergoing chest radiography within 24 hours of a myocardial infarction was carried out over a six-month period. One hundred and sixty-five patients were admitted into this study. Eighty-one per cent of patients underwent chest radiography in a mobile unit and 19 per cent in the X-ray department. Seventy-nine per cent of patients had chest radiographs obtained in the erect position. 42.4 per cent were considered to be clinically in left-sided heart failure and only 23.3 per cent to be radiologically in left-sided heart failure. Only one patient was considered to be radiologically, but not clinically, in left-sided heart failure. There was more likelihood of a patient being in left heart failure both radiologically and clinically following an anterior myocardial infarction than following an inferior myocardial infarction, or if suffer-ing an arrhythmia, or having an elevated creatine phosphokinase level. The chest radiograph is of limited value in detecting clinically occult left-sided heart failure, unless it is obtained in the erect posterior position with a long focus to film distance.


We propose a trilayer pi-junction that takes advantage of the unconventional s(x)(2)y(2)=cos k(x) cos k(y) pairing symmetry which changes sign between electron and hole Fermi pockets in the iron pnictides. In addition, we also present theoretical results


The thalassemias are genetically complex and usually autosomal recessive. We describe 5 unrelated individuals with non-transfusion-dependent β-thalassemia (NTDT), some with apparently dominant transmission, because of a single β-thalassemia mutation coinherited with a triplicated α-globin locus. Each had an initial, incorrect diagnosis of β-thalassemia trait. The correct diagnosis of NTDT was made at a mean of 7 years of age. Despite reports of this compound genotype causing NTDT, it remains unfamiliar to many clinicians. To increase awareness, we highlight its varied and sometimes subtle clinical and laboratory features and the need for comprehensive genetic testing for timely and correct diagnosis.


Commercial Bacillus natto was cultured in the liquid media containing various amino acids, and effect of amino acids on formation of pyrazines was examined. Of all added amino acids, L-threonine promoted formation of pyrazines in the highest yields. L-Serine, the same analogous compound to L-threonine, also yielded pyrazines to the next degree. The main product of the L-threonine-culture was 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, and that of L-serineculture were tetramethyl and trimethylpyrazine.


This report describes two punchout repairs made in a continously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) using precast portland cement panels. The two repairs, one 12 foot by 12 foot, the other 6 foot by 6 foot, were completed and opened to traffic in one afternoon. This technique provides a rapid method of repair that produces a repair that is structurally as good or better than the surrounding pavement. With a trained crew, the repair time can be reduced and thus reduce lane closure time. Since lane closure time is a critical consideration in high volume highways, this method will be cost effective in those areas. (FHWA)


Assuming a pointwise digital model of multiplicative noise, restoration is defined as optimal mean-squared-error estimation from an observed image using known statistical properties of the degrading noise field. An approach to restoration that uses locally adaptive multiplicative operators with the property of multiplicative superposition is formulated. Adaptive point and two-point algorithms that are based on Taylor series expansions of optimal formulas and the normalization of data by local multiplicative sample means are developed. Image preprocessing results on multiplicatively noisy images are demonstrated and discussed.<<ETX>>


Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common type of arrhythmia, which is reported to increase the incidence of stroke by five to seven folds, leading to the irregular ventricular rhythm and adversely impacted life quality, and the mortality could be increased as well by AF per se.[1] Shen Song Yang Xin (SSYX) capsule is a novel traditional Chinese medicine composed of more than a dozen Chinese medicine herbs with significant antiarrhythmic effect. In the current study, the effect of SSYX capsule has been tested in an animal study and it was also indicated by randomized double‐blinded, positive drug‐controlled clinical trials.[2] However, the working mechanism of SSYX capsule as antiarrhythmic drug is not completely clear yet.[3,4] This study tried to investigate the effect of SSYX capsule on the myocardial electrophysiology of acute AF dog model.


This article reports on the electrical properties of Au–oxide–n-InP structures obtained by oxygen plasma oxidation and its influence on the conduction mechanism. A discussion on the evolution of the electrical and physical parameters according to the oxidation conditions is presented. We observed that the treatment time and the plasma power strongly influence the parameters, namely, the tuning coefficient, the barrier height at 0 K, the barrier lowering at zero bias, the correct value of the Richardson constant, the dielectric constant, the oxide capacitance, and the oxide thickness. Moreover, in accordance with the current–voltage–temperature measurements, the electrical and physical parameters describing the Au–oxide–n-InP structures depend significantly on the treatment parameters characterizing the oxygen plasma. The results obtained establish the relationships between the parameters of the conduction mechanism and oxidation conditions.


Abstract We demonstrate the formation of the near field with non-trivial phase distribution using surface plasmon interference devices, and experimental quantitative imaging of that phase with near-field phase microscopy. The phase distribution formed with a single device can be controlled by the polarization of the external illumination and the area of the device assigned to the object wave. A comparison of the experimental data to a numerical electromagnetic model and an analytical model assigns the origin of the near-field phase to the out-of-plane electric component of surface plasmon polaritons, and also verifies the predictive power of the models. We demonstrate a formation of near-field plane waves with different propagation directions on a single device, or even simultaneously at distinct areas of a single device. Our findings open the way to the imaging and tomography of phase objects in the near field.


Notwithstanding my criticisms sketched above, the book is certainly a fitting tribute to a great scholar with great interests in a broad range of Indian and Iranian subjects. Some contributions are absolutely worth mulling over a second or third time, others are fine examples of dedicated research. But there are also articles which may well be on a par with an average paper of a graduate student. Certain shortcomings of books such as this honorary publication are inevitable, when there are so many contributors with a well-established scholarly reputation, whom an editor may choose not to offend by refusing an article on grounds of poor academic quality. Johnny Cheung


Introduction: Pregnancy is considered as a particular systemic condition. In this phase, phisiological transformations and changes occur, produced by hormones generating oral manifestations among them periodontal affections are the most frequently cited. Objective: To identify prevalence and severity of periodontal disease in pregnant patients attended in the Odontological Clinic Manuel Angulo Farrán in the period from July to December 2011. Methods: a prospective observational descriptive study was conducted in 96 pregnant women who attended the clinic Manuel Angulo and agreed to participate in research, which constituted the sample population. Patients were distributed according to age groups and trimester. Patients were examined in dental chair with artificial light, diagnosis set and periodontal probe. The color, consistency and texture of the gum and the presence of periodontal pockets greater than three millimeters, tooth mobility and migration were explored. Results: 51.4% of the affected patients were found predominantly in the group 25-34 years (22.7%) and anterior sectors (29.8%) and posterior (21.6%). Chronic gingivitis was noted mostly in the second trimester (43.3%) and periodontitis in the third trimester (8.2%). Conclusions: periodontal health is often affected in pregnancy, which is accentuated with the progress of pregnancy. Dental care is essential in early pregnancy to prevent functional damage that may be permanent psychological from the periodontal disease leading to tooth loss.


The resolution power of the cutter tables has diminished due to growth in library collections and the increasing incidence of corporate name and title main entries. Heavily used cutter numbers routinely require adjustment to prevent shelflist conflicts and to establish unique call numbers. OCLC's expanded cutter tables balance the distribution of main entries over the cutter table entries and eliminate some of the manual processing required to complete call numbers in Dewey classes with extensive holdings. The expanded cutter tables are compatible with existing two-figure or three-figure schemes, but also include new features that enhance their versatility and facilitate algorithmic cuttering.


: In this article, a metamaterial based semi-circular monopole is presented for multiband applications. Presented antenna built of a simple semi-circular shaped monopole on the top of substrate and 3 × 2 split ring resonators are etched on its ground plane side. Antenna is intended on FR4 material with εr = 4.3 and thickness h = 1.59 mm. The antenna exhibits the multiband characteristic from 1.2 GHz to 4.5 GHz, 5.2 GHz to 11.3 GHz and 12.8 GHz to 18.2 GHz respectively. The radiation pattern of the antenna in the H-plane is virtually omni-directional, while the radiation pattern in the Eplane is directional. The maximum Gain of designed antenna 1.5 dB in the band and it also radiation efficiency is greater than 75 % within the operating band. The antenna has the potential to be beneficial for multiband current civil and military communication systems, as well as medical imaging and vehicle radar.


Stator winding short-circuit faults arising from winding insulation faults are among the most frequent faults in permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSMs). If left undetected, such fault may be rapidly propagated, resulting in phase-to-phase or phase-to-ground faults, even the breakdown of the whole motor. A powerful fault diagnosis method requires the computation of a fault sensitive quantity and an appropriate method to get a diagnostic index and a threshold which present the edge between faulty and healthy conditions. This is particularly critical for stator short-circuit faults, especially in PMSMs which can cause catastrophic damage to the machine in a very short time. This paper proposes a new detection fault approach based on pattern recognition analysis for detecting the stator inter-turn fault in two phases. Firstly, an image of αβ stator currents in healthy and faulty conditions is composed in the 2D plane. Then, the extracted parameters according to the obtained image as areas and angles of rectangle shapes are used to detect the stator winding faults. Finally, a fault severity index (FSI) gives a slight or a serious degree of faults in PMSM. The experimental results are presented in this paper to show the usefulness of the proposed approach.


ABSTRACT NATO's current security doctrine needs to change. It needs to enhance its political will and institutional capacity to manage climate change threats, both within the alliance itself and within the area most vulnerable to its southern flank: the Middle East. NATO will need to evolve into a CATO, a "Climate Alliance Treaty Organization," that deals with the security implications of potential tipping points and develops policies in response. A case study as to how NATO can assume this role can be seen in how the organization dealt with environmental issues in Iraq, in the aftermath of war with the Islamic State.


Introduction Invasive aspergillosis is an opportunistic infection with a high mortality rate that usually occurs in the immunocompromised host.[1] Several risk factors have been associated with the acquisition of invasive aspergillosis, including neutropenia, cardiac surgery, organ transplantation and prolonged treatment, with high doses of corticosteroids or antineoplastic and immunosuppressive agents. Several cases of fungal infections have been reported after cardiac surgery.[2,3] The incidence of infective endocarditis in valvular prosthesis ranges from 7 to 25%.[4-6] The higher risk period comprises of the first six months following valvular replacement, with an incidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis ranging from 1.4 to 3.1% in the first year and decreasing to 0.35% after one year. Fungi may account for up to 10% of the cases, with a predominance of Candida albicans and Aspergillus spp.[4,7] The major predisposing factors for fungal infection are cardiac surgery, the use of intravenous drugs, prolonged intravenous antibiotic therapy, parenteral nutrition and severe immunosuppression. [25] Systemic embolism, predominantly in the brain, is a frequent complication in this type of infection and occurs in 22 to 50% of the cases.[6] We present here a case of Aspergillus fumigatus tricuspid valve endocarditis associated with permanent pacemaker leads.


Abstract. Abidin Z, Setiawan B, Muhaimin AW, Shinta A. 2021. The role of coastal biodiversity conservation on sustainability and environmental awareness in mangrove ecosystem of southern Malang, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 22: 648-658. Southern coast of Malang, East Java, Indonesia has several mangrove ecosystems used for ecotourism, such as Clungup Mangrove Conservation Tiga Warna (CMC Tiga Warna). This area has consistently implemented ecotourism principles. Previously, it was assumed to be vulnerable from the damage due to differences in environmental awareness of ecotourists and local communities. This study aims to (i) describe the strategy of coastal biodiversity conservation to enhance environmental awareness and its sustainability; (ii) analyze the role of conservation on sustainability and environmental awareness, with sustainability as a mediating variable between conservation and environmental awareness. Data analysis was conducted with descriptive and Warp Partial Least Square (WarpPLS). The results indicate that empirical facts of conservation, sustainability, and environmental awareness in CMC Tiga Warna are relevant to the result of statistical analysis. Conservation is believed to form the environmental awareness of ecotourists and local communities and to maintain the sustainability of ecotourism destinations. In addition, the sustainability of ecotourism destinations serves as an effective mediator between conservation and environmental awareness, along with the modeling of environmental awareness enhancement in conservation-based coastal ecotourism. The proposed model explains that sustainability and environmental awareness variances are 23% and 25%, respectively. In summary, Destination Marketing and Management Organization of CMC Tiga Warna ecotourism is believed to improve environmental awareness of ecotourist and local communities by strengthening coastal biodiversity conservation programs in ecotourism areas and in maintaining sustainability.


An inadequate supply of oxygen in the brain may lead to an inflammatory response through neuronal and glial cells that can result in neuronal damage. Tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) is a proinflammatory cytokine that is released during acute hypoxia and can have neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects in the brain. Both TNF‐α and interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) have been shown by a number of research groups to alter synaptic scaling and also to inhibit long‐term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus when induced by specific high‐frequency stimulation (HFS) protocols. This study examines the effects of TNF‐α on synaptic transmission and plasticity in hippocampal slices after acute hypoxia using two HFS protocols. Field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were elicited in the medial perforant pathway of the dentate gyrus. Exogenous TNF‐α (5 ng/ml) attenuated LTP induced by theta burst stimulation but had no effect on LTP induced by a more prolonged HFS. Pretreatment with lipopolysaccharide (100 ng/ml) or TNF‐α but not IL‐1β (4 ng/ml) prior to a 30‐min hypoxic insult resulted in a significant enhancement of LTP post hypoxia when induced by the HFS. Anti‐TNF, 3,6′‐dithiothalidomide (a TNF‐α synthesis inhibitor), and SB203580 (a p38 MAPK inhibitor) significantly reduced this effect. These results indicate an important modulatory role for elevated TNF‐α levels on LTP in the hippocampus after an acute hypoxic event. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


The efficiency of modifying the Ukrainian clinoptilolite-containing rocks to improve their adsorption and catalytic properties was evaluated based on the data of XRD, IR spectroscopy, low-temperature N2 adsorption, and testing in the micropulse catalytic transformation of C6-hydrocarbons. The effect of such modification on the distribution of reaction products was established.


This article proposed the monitoring of the impacts in the São Pedro Dam Basin located in Juiz de Fora (MG) through the CCI applied in the historical series of limnological data of CESAMA between 2006 and 2017. The Classification Conformity Index (CCI) has been proposed by the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). It is based on exceeding water quality standards and aims to determine the "distance" that the variables meet from what is desired. It was possible to notice that the parameters Total Phosphorus, Iron, BOD5,20, Consumed Oxygen, Aluminum and Dissolved Oxygen were the ones that presented the highest percentage of non-compliance in this period. These parameters reflect the generation of organic load and transport of sediments in this Basin from domestic sewage, earthmoving and erosion. Highlight for duplication of the BR-040; the execution of the BR-440 and allotments such as the Condominium Alphaville; and the biggest drought in recent years that generated the worst CCI results in 2007, 2010 to 2012, and 2014, respectively. The ability of this dam to recover and resilience in the years in which it ceased or reduced these interferences with CCI improvement also show the sensitivity of this Index. The São Pedro dam has shown a tendency to improve its water in recent years, drawing the attention of society and public power that need to be mobilized in order to maintain it as a strategic source of public supply.


African leaf plants (Vernonia amygdalina Del.) contain many secondary metabolites, one of which is flavonoids. African leaves are commonly used in traditional medicine. This study aims to determine the extract of African leaf plants can be formulated in the preparation of effervescent granules and is suitable for the criteria for good granules. African leaves were macerated using 96% ethanol as solvent and evaporated to obtain a thick extract. Then, the African leaf extract obtained was formulated into effervescent granules with a concentration of 10%. The production of effervescent granules is based on the principle of the wet granulation method. The results showed that the evaluation of the effervescent granules of African leaf extract was only suitable for the requirements of the haussner factor, porosity, particle size distribution, moisture content, angle of repose, dispersion, and pH but did not suitable for the requirements of compressibility and flowability. The flavonoid content in the African leaf extract is 96,2276% while the effervescent granule is 94,634%.94,634%.


Abstract—Workers are often required to enter unsupported trenches during the construction process, which may present serious risks. Trench failures can result in death or damage to adjacent properties, therefore trenches should be excavated with extreme precaution. Excavation work is often done in unsaturated soils, where the critical height (i.e. maximum depth that can be excavated without failure) of unsupported trenches can be more reliably estimated by considering the influence of matric suction. In this study, coupled stress/pore-water pressure analyses are conducted to investigate the critical height of sloped unsupported trenches considering the influence of pore-water pressure redistribution caused by excavating. Four different wall slopes (1.5V:1H, 2V:1H, 3V:1H, and 90°) and a vertical trench with the top 0.3 m sloped 1:1 were considered in the analyses with multiple depths of the ground water table in a sand. For comparison, the critical heights were also estimated using the limit equilibrium method for the same excavation scenarios used in the coupled analyses.


The means and calculations involved in obtaining the greatest percentage of available energy in a process is discussed. Latent and sensible heat loss are defined and discussed as well as heat-recovery devices used in conjunction with fume incineration equipment. Available energy (energy remaining after subtracting latent and sensible heat losses) is treated as well as calculations of the fuel required for a plant process. A short version of the calculation is presented which agrees with the exact calculation within +- 0.5%. The effect of water in the exhaust stream is also considered. (MJJ)


The multi-period signal control method at one single point is optimized. The changing situation of every 15 minutes in 24 hours of the different dates is analyzed, and the time division methods aiming at the different intersections and different date are studied. The control phase and phase sequence of traffic control in the different traffic operating characteristics are determined, and the corresponding determination methods of the red clearance time and the pedestrian green time are studied. By recording the control effect parameters on the existing scheme, the practical and easy establishment method of signal time scheme is studied, and the control model of the turning-right vehicle according to the existing standard is defined.


The Uyghur is the predominant minority of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.And a lot of ethnic groups and tribes who belonged to Turkish group or lived in the Xinjiang or adjacent regions,in some degree contributed to the constructions of the modern Uyghur populations or mixed with them.Because the historic materials or the archeological evidences did not able to reveal the recent changes of the population structure,so we needs some proper approachs to probe these events.PCR based molecular genetics method was prevalent in population,ethnic migration,even though origination and evolutionary history studies.In this paper we do a brief review to the Progress in the study of mtDNA and Y-STY genetic diversity of Uyghurs.


Based on the complication of recent Japanese teacher education measures and the confusion at where teacher education actually takes place, the main motif of the present paper is to analyze structurally why such a complicated and confused situation is taking place, and to point out basic directions and problems that are necessary for the consideration of Japanese teacher education reform in the future. Specifically, in the first section, I attempt to elucidate a relationship between "university" and "teacher education" in Japan, including issues surrounding teacher images. This relationship is at the back of teacher education policies that seem to be swaying as political power shifts On 'Japanese Style' Teacher Education Reform: Considering Issues of Quality Development under an 'Open System'*


Most of the studies on supply and demand in teaching have been based upon the records collected in state departments of education (18) (26) , 1 colleges, public schools, and college placement offices. A few questionnaire studies were based on replies from appointment offices (5 ) , state superintendents of schools (28) , teacher-training institutions (17) , and commercial teachers' agencies (25) (44) . Most of the studies confined their scope to one state, or to a territory served by a teacher-training institution. Several small questionnaire studies attempted to cover every state or section in the country. The secondary field was studied most often although approximately half of the reports referred to both elementary and secondary fields. Investigations in the college, rural, and administrative areas were seldom reported. A few studies covered only one high-school subject, such as English (2) or commercial studies (31) . A review of 119 reports on supply and demand made between 1924 and 1930 has just been made by Eliassen and Anderson (19) . An annotated bibliography is included. Buckingham's (9) very thorough survey of Ohio for the years 1919-24 has served as the example for several subsequent investigations. In this study the terms and procedures are carefully defined and the many variables recognized. Additional state-wide studies have been made in Ohio by Myers (30) for 1925-26, Foster (21) for 1928-29, and Foster (20) and Anderson (1) for 1929-30. These several studies within Ohio permit to some extent the determination of state trends. Demand has also been gauged by the number of vacancies occurring (10:542) (12:237) (34:4) , the number of inexperienced teachers employed (2:399), the number of calls received in appointment bureaus; and the statements of those in charge of public schools, teacher-placement bureaus, and commercial teachers agencies. The extent to which graduates of teacher-training courses obtained positions within or outside of their fields of preparation (16:18) was also a criterion of demand. Some of the studies determined the annual need for new "teachers." Others reported the need for new "trained teachers," usually specifying two and four years of professional training, for elementary and secondary school teaching, respectively.


Abstract Outsourcing has been a very commonly used strategy to increase productivity in a variety of organizations. In Mexico, it can be said that it has had a positive impact on employment rate. Nevertheless, there is a "dark side" in this strategy, since it has been used as a way to avoid direct hiring of employees and to evade fiscal and social security regulations. This document aims to analyze outsourcing from a regulatory and contractual approach, as well as its role as a way to increase the employment rate, and from a managerial perspective. As a result of this analysis, it was found that in our country outsourcing has been a successfully used strategy by many organizations of different sizes, but at the same time, the lack of an appropriate legislation has originated a series of unethical practices. In Mexico, in 2021 a new legal framework that tries to balance the relationship between firms and employees was approved. This paper ends with a reflection of the possible impacts of this new legislation.


Prevailing environmental conditions impose limitations on the availability nutrients and photosynthetic rate of plants. Therefore, plants possess an array of mechanisms to sense and signal endogenous energy and nutrient availability in order to coordinate growth and development appropriately. Trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) has emerged as an important molecule with a role in signalling carbon availability for the regulation of plant growth and development. This thesis aimed to investigate the extent to which T6P contributes to the regulation of growth over the course of plant development, and also during environmental stress. Plants expressing bacterial trehalose 6-phosphophate synthase (TPS) or trehalose 6-phosphate phosphatase enzymes were used to investigate the effects of increased or decreased T6P contents on growth and development, respectively. It was shown that T6P is required for the normal growth rate and the response to increased carbon availability in early development. Additionally, evidence is provided to implicate T6P in a further role in the crosstalk between sucrose and light- and auxin-mediated growth. T6P was found to be necessary for the acceleration of senescence in response to increased carbon availability and it was shown that sugar signals were sensed during early development. The importance of carbon availability during and after cold stress was demonstrated: sucrose alleviated the damage to the photosynthetic apparatus in mutants of starch synthesis and cold acclimation. It was also shown that T6P, via its effect on sucrose non-fermenting-1-related kinase-1 (SnRK1), is important in the growth recovery following cold stress which provokes sink limitation. A construct was created for the seed-specific over-expression of TPS behind the OLEOSIN1 promoter to alter levels of T6P in developing seeds. This approach may offer an effective method for improving seed yield and quality.


ABSTRACT This study examines management approaches for hydropower generation and irrigation and domestic water supply for the Tekeze-Atbara, a transboundary river between Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan, in above- and below-normal hydrologic conditions, considering current and future water demand scenarios. Satellite data are used to substitute for unavailable or inaccessible ground meteorological and dam data. Based on three examined coordination scenarios, the analysis finds that coordinating the management of the Sudanese dams would bring significant benefits to water supply and energy generation. An optimization analysis is necessary to reveal the full value of coordination of dams in the Tekeze-Atbara Basin.


within 15 min, may not be correct. After 4 h of anesthesia, the inspired and brain partial pressures of isoflurane had equilibrated and the brain isoflurane concentration at MAC was 1.27%, which is 33% less than at 1 h of anesthesia. Therefore, both the inspired and the brain partial pressures that constitute MAC are moving targets in immature rats but not adult ones. Administration of 1 MAC of a volatile agent to immature rats, and possibly also to mice, requires a continuous adjustment of the anesthetic concentration. Figure 1A shows the anesthetic depth of a 7-day-old rat anesthetized for 4 h with the isoflurane concentration determined to be MAC. Using this steady anesthetic concentration, the anesthetic depth initially would be less than 1 MAC, then exactly 1 MAC for a very brief period of time, followed by greater than 1 MAC for the remainder of the anesthetic period. Figure 1, B and C, show that a similar decrease of MAC occurs with increasing duration of sevoflurane and desflurane anesthesia in 7-day-old rats. Figure 1 also suggests that the anesthetic concentrations used by Istaphanous et al. may or may not have been equipotent. Using isoflurane at a steady concentration of 0.6 MAC would result in an anesthetic depth of 1 MAC at approximately 2:30 h and exceed 1 MAC presumably for the remainder of the 6-h anesthetic period, although we cannot exclude the possibility that MAC increases between 4 and 6 h of anesthesia, however unlikely that seems. With sevoflurane, MAC is reached at approximately 1:45 h, and with desflurane, MAC is not reached until 3:15 h. Figure 2 shows that the impression of lack of equipotency is confirmed when expressing the data as percentage of MAC given in figure 1. Using Simpson's method, we calculated the areas under the curves shown in figure 2, which are 328, 336, and 416 for isoflurane, desflurane, and sevoflurane, respectively. If MAC in 7-day-old mice decreases with increasing duration of anesthesia, as is the case for rats, Istaphanous et al. would have used a relatively greater dose of sevoflurane than isoflurane and an even greater dose than that of desflurane. It might be prudent, for the time being, to keep an open mind regarding the relative neurotoxicity of the three volatile agents tested.


The aim of the paper is to examine some of the basis and consequences of the conflicts between proponents and opponents of the evaluation of psychotherapy, in France. The arguments are organized in three steps: first, an analysis of the fundamental anthropological options structuring the positions of proponents and opponents, around 5 axis; second, a re-examination of the fears of the opponents is proposed, based on the detailed analysis of the 7 main results of the psychotherapies evaluation studies by the American psychologist Bruce Wampold; third, we proposed that the defenders of the "socialized and speaking subject" should engage in the field of production and interpretation of psychotherapy evaluation results.


The high investment cost associated with upgrading utility grid to supply remote area's demand for electricity makes the implementation of standalone microgrids inevitable. These microgrids normally consist of a mix of energy sources such as diesel generators, photovoltaic arrays, wind turbines, and fuel cells. In order to improve the microgrid reliability, reduce its operation cost, and address operational challenges, battery energy storages (BESs) are commonly integrated within remote microgrids. There are a variety of BES technologies with different characteristics which makes it crucial to select the BES technology that is best suited for the standalone microgrid. Since the BES capital cost depends on its size, it is also very important to determine the optimal size for the installed BES. In this paper, a mathematical model that combines the optimization of choosing the BES technology (based on the technical characteristics) and size is developed. The objective is to minimize the standalone microgrid annual expansion planning cost while ensuring that critical loads could be supplied without interruption. Value of loss load is included in the objective function to quantify the economic loss of failing to supply the local load. A mixed integer programming method is used to formulate the problem. The proposed model is tested on a standalone microgrid. The results indicate that the BES technology selection and sizing depend greatly on the microgrid configuration and the renewable penetration level.


The technology of electricity generation by solar panels is in a notorious expansion in the world led by the massive investments of China in the technology and already counts on commercial availability of products quite great even in Brazil. Solar energy, together with wind, biofuels and tidal energy, is classified in the so-called "clean energies" group, which are those that do not release residues or gases that cause the greenhouse effect during the production process, contributing with several economic benefits and social. This work aims to build a simulator capable of predicting future production capacity of photovoltaic generating units in operation. The mathematical model that bases the simulator is the Monte Carlo Method and the output results correlate an energy value in kWh to a degree of percentage reliability. For the research are defined the confidence levels of 50%, 70%, 95% and 99%. With the data generated, CELESC's tariff rules are applied considering two scenarios, one in which the consumer unit "sells" all energy to the utility and the one in which all the energy is consumed instantly, called case 1 and case 2 respectively. For each case, the financial concepts of cash flow, internal rate of return (IRR), net present value (NPV) and Payback for a period of 25 years are applied. It is concluded that for all the scenarios treated the investment is economically viable and is more attractive than applying the resource in investments of the financial market like the savings.


Background: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) mapping and biopsy have become the standard of care for axillary staging of a breast cancer patient. Higher rate of use has led to the identification of an absolute failure rate and a subset of patients who fail lymph node mapping due to causes independent of the procedure. Failure of lymph node mapping leads to more invasive procedures with higher morbidity. Body mass index has been associated with higher SLN failure rate. Methods: Retrospective study of patients who underwent Sentinel lymph node procedures between October 2003 to June 2008 at University of New Mexico. After internal board review, electronic medical database was used to identify patients within study parameters, and to collect data needed for BMI calculation and SLN procedure details. Results: BMI of greater than 30 had a failure rate of 44.83% with blue dye and 13.33% with technetium collide tracer (p value 0.05 and 0.04). BMI less than 30 had a failure rate of 30.56% for blue dye and 4.63 for technetium. Odds of success for blue dye were 0.5 and 0.3 for technetium for patients with BMI greater than 30. Failure rates for palpation of sentinel node 41.47% and 50% for BMI less than 30 and greater than 30 respectively. Discussion: Study identified higher failure rate in obese patients compared to overweight to normal weight patients. Study indicates higher failure rates in obese patients than the reported absolute failure rate of SLN mapping. Conclusion: Obesity increases the failure rate of both blue dye and technetium colloid. Obesity does not contribute to the failure to palpate a sentinel node. Obesity alone is not a contraindication for SLN mapping suing Technetium or blue dye, but surgeon must be aware of higher failure rate in obese patients and change their procedural methods to accommodate. Introduction Axillary staging is important because it influences overall staging and future decisions regarding adjuvant treatments. However, Axillary dissection can lead to significant side effects, such as lymphedema, nerve injury, chronic pain, neuromas, seroma formation, and increase susceptibility to infections.Further, self-breast exams, screening mammography and access to good healthcare maintenance have led to a decrease in the number of advanced invasive breast cancers that involve the lymph node basins. Therefore, those patients who are early stage and/or without detectable lymph node involvement will not clinically benefit from an axillary lymph node dissection, but may suffer the adverse effects. A sentinel lymph node is defined as the first lymph node or nodes to which a cancer might metastasize from the primary tumor. In order to identify the sentinel lymph node(s), the surgeon injects a radioactive substance (technetium sulfur-labeled colloid) and/or blue dye peritumorally or in the subareolar/dermal lymphatic plexus.Once the SLN is located, the surgeon removes the lymph node(s). In addition to a decrease in morbidity, SLNB procedures have reported successful lymph node identification rates between 65%-94% 2, 4 with false negative rates between 0%-11% and an absolute failure rate that has been reported to be between 1% to 2%. 1, 2, 5, The efficacy of sentinel lymph node identification is reported as 94% using Isosulfan blue dye technique. 4 Many factors have been associated with SLNB mapping failure. For example, injection methods, inadequate volume of tracer, dispersion of the tracer, and time of massage are considered as extrinsic factors that may influence the ability of the mapping dyes or colloids to reach the lymphatic basin. In addition, inflammation around the biopsy site, compression of the lymhatics by the tumor, affects of neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatments, localized edema dye to blue dye allergy, and other issues such as degree of fatty tissue content have been postulated as possible causes for the failure of SLNB. A potential serious side-effect of blue dye injection is the possibility of severe anaphylactic allergic reaction at the rate of about 0.7% to 1.9% among patient who undergo SLNB 5, . In addition, there are observed corollaries which hypothesize that complete replacement of lymph node by tumor cells can hinder dye or colloid penetration into the lymph node that may contribute to failure of proper lymph mapping. Lymph congestion by tumor cells hypothesis has been made largely by observing large dilated lymphatic channels that terminate abruptly at lymph glands later found to be completely replaced by tumor. Furthermore, even with surgeons experienced in SNLB procedure and progressive accumulation of procedural knowledge, there still remains an absolute failure rate that indicates there might be inherent patient factors that contribute to lymphatic mapping failure in a subset of the patients. Identifying this subset of patients ahead of time can potentially benefit the patient by foregoing a lengthy sampling procedure that may lead to increased operative time and/or yield poor quality information in this particular population. Identifying a group of patients who specifically fail to demonstrate blue dye as a means of sentinel lymph node detection can allow this group of patients to forgo exposure to an additional potential allergen that can have serious side effects in some patients. It is important to identify factors that contribute to the failure of the SLNB procedure, as this can add operative time to a patient's procedure and expose them to potential serious allergens with the use of vital blue dyes. Recent data on SNLB procedural outcomes shows that with an increased use of SLNB procedure, the rate of failure has increased reflexively 2, . In addition, various side effects, such as anaphylactic reactions, 9, 11-13 interference with pulse oximeter, and adverse skin reactions rates will become more prominent. If it is possible to identify the subset of patients or characteristics in patients that would correlate to a higher degree of failure, surgical oncologists may be able to avoid subjecting patients to unnecessary procedures and better inform the patients of the benefits versus the drawbacks, which will help promote the autonomy of the patient and increase the overall quality of care that is offered. We believe that there is a subgroup of breast cancer patients in whom Technetium or blue dyes are unlikely to be efficacious in determining accurate sentinel nodes using standard SLNB techniques. If we can reproducibly identify these patients with preoperative screening criteria, we can potentially save these patients' increased length in operative time and exposure to possible severe allergens. 19 Our main objective is to retrospectively investigate the failure rates of SLNB patients who used blue dye with a BMI greater than 30. SNLB procedural outcomes will be ascertained compared to reported "absolute" failure rate to see if there is a statistically significant difference between our population of interest and reported absolute failure rates with respect to the blue dye, technetium, and the ability of the surgeon to palpate a sentinel node. Methods A retrospective review will be conducted of female breast cancer patients who underwent lymphatic mapping for sentinel node biopsy at the University of New Mexico Hospital from Sep 2003 to June 2008. The data was captured in the University of New Mexico Main Operating Room and Outpatient Surgery and Imaging Services (OSIS) Operating Room operative log database. All patients eligible for our study include those who (1) are female; (2) were 18 years of age or older at the time of treatment; (3) required surgical treatment for diagnosed or suspected invasive malignant breast cancer and also required axillary staging as part of their standard of care treatment, and/or had elected to have therapeutic mastectomy for DCIS, and/or prophylactic mastectomy due to risk factors and had risk of occult invasive malignancy. Patients who were pregnant or who did not qualify for SLNB under current National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) treatment guidelines were excluded from the study. Lymphatic mapping and SLNB were performed at UNM Hospital or OSIS in the standard fashion by surgeons who had met the usual required training and experience with SLNB techniques. Lymph nodes were considered sentinel nodes if they met the following criteria either alone or in combination: (1) blue stained, (2) had a blue lymphatic leading up to the node, (3) had a 10:1 ex vivo ratio of colloid uptake, or (4) were palpable. The axilla was carefully examined at the end of the SLNB procedure, and any additional lymph nodes that were palpable were also removed and sent as additional sentinel nodes. The characteristics of the sentinel nodes were collected from dictated procedure note, operation work sheet, and the finalized pathology report. The data will be used to determine the failure rates between patients whose BMI is less than 30 to patients with BMI greater than 30. The rates will then be compared to reported absolute failure rate to determine if a higher BMI corresponds with higher failure rate in sentinel lymph node mapping. Results Search of University of New Mexico electronic medical data base during the period of September 2003 to June 25, 2008 yielded 560 entries. From the 560 possible entries 198 individual patient records were identified that fit the study parameters. Entries that were rejected were largely due to patient record duplication and Sentinel node mapping other than breast (i.e. skin). Patient age ranged from 24 to 84 with mean age of 55. BMI ranged from 17 to 47 with mean BMI of 29. The ethnic distribution among the patient population reflected Caucasian and Hispanic predominance (Table 1). Figure 1 shows the success and failure rates of sentinel node identification using blue dye, radioactive tracer and palpation for patients with BMI less than 30 and BMI greater than 30. Our analysis showed that patients who have a BMI less than


Pregnancy has traditionally been considered a time of emotional well-being for women conferring protection against psychiatric disorders. But depression during pregnancy affects nearly 20% of women. Depression experienced by obstetric patients frequently remains unrecognized and untreated. Lack of adequate management of depression during pregnancy may result in a potentially devastating consequences that impact upon both mother and baby. So clinicians and patients need up-to-date information to assist with decisions about depression treatment during pregnancy.


Objective:When to start hepatitis C treatment in HIV/hepatitis C virus (HCV)-coinfected patients remains unresolved. Our objective was to determine if a baseline CD4 count ≥350 cells/mm3 predicts a sustained HCV response to pegylated interferon plus ribavirin. Methods:We conducted a multicenter cohort study of HIV/HCV-coinfected patients treated for HIV in hospitals in Nice, Tourcoing, and Marseille (France). Sustained viral response (SVR) was defined as undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks after treatment. The relation between CD4 cell count and SVR was examined separately for patients with HCV genotype 1 or non-1. Results:One hundred seventy-five patients were included. In patients with HCV genotype 1, the rate of SVR was 13% and was not related to baseline CD4 cell count (odds ratio [OR] = 1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.1 to 9.3). In patients with HCV genotype non-1, the rate of SVR was 46% and was not significantly increased by a baseline CD4 count ≥350 cells/mm3 (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 0.6 to 5.9). Conclusions:Higher CD4 cell count at treatment initiation with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin did not improve treatment success probability, regardless of HCV genotype.


Introduction : Physiological changes in menopause can affect women's health. Women's lifestyle is one of the most important factors affecting their health at this time. However, women do not have sufficient knowledge of health-promoting behaviors and do not receive the necessary training in this area. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of health promoting lifestyle training on health promoting behaviors in postmenopausal women. Materials and Methods : The present study was a randomized controlled clinical trial. 84 women referred to health centers of Qazvin (Iran) were selected by convenience sampling and were randomly divided into two groups of 42 intervention and control groups. Data collection tools included demographic questionnaire and HPLP II questionnaire. Both groups before intervention completed questionnaires. Intervention consisted of 4 sessions of lecture-based group training with presentation of slides, booklets, pamphlets and six areas of health promoting lifestyle questionnaire. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Questionnaire was evaluated in two groups one month, two months and three months after the intervention. Results: There was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups regarding the distribution of individual variables. According to the results of the three follow-up periods, it was found that the difference between the groups was significant in terms of changes in mean life style. Mean score of health promoting lifestyle in the experimental group (2.72 ± 0.37 before intervention), (one month after intervention 3.12 ± 0.45), (two months after intervention 3.43 ± 0.068), (3 months after intervention 3.45± 0.7). This result indicated the positive impact of the intervention mentioned. Mean score of health promoting lifestyle in control group (2.7 ± 0.43 before intervention), (one month after intervention 2.9 ± 0.46), (two months after intervention 2.76 ±.069), (three months after the intervention was 2.75 ± 0.71). This indicates that mean life style scores increased significantly in the experimental group during the measurement times but remained unchanged in the control group ( P <0.05). This demonstrates the long-term effects of a significant increase in the health-promoting lifestyle over time. Remarkably, the highest increase was in physical activity and the least in health responsibility. Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that health promoting lifestyle-training intervention is effective on health promotion behaviors of postmenopausal women. Therefore, this intervention is recommended as a simple, practical and low cost educational method for postmenopausal women.


The SALE experiment was carried out in September 1994 in waters of the Southern Tyrrhenian Sea and in Sicilian coastal waters. The aim of the experiments was the test of lidar potential in the simultaneous measurement of atmospheric and marine parameters in this particular environment. A DIAL and fluorescence lidar were successfully employed for the monitoring of volcanic emissions and marine parameters, respectively. the paper describes and discusses the main results of this experiment.


ZY‐3 is the first Chinese civilian high‐resolution stereo‐mapping satellite, designed for 1:50 000 scale mapping. Although ZY‐3 has a very high accuracy for direct image geolocation without ground control points (GCPs), the use of some GCPs is still indispensable for stereo mapping. A novel method is proposed whereby spaceborne Geoscience Laser Altimeter System (GLAS) laser altimetry datasets are viewed as generalised height control points to support a ZY‐3 block adjustment. This method separates planimetric and height control, integrating the latter with GLAS data such that, without other GCPs, the vertical accuracy of ZY‐3 images can be improved significantly. Both flat and mountainous terrain were selected to evaluate the proposed method. The results show that by adding two GLAS height control points for a single image, or spaced every 50 km in the along‐track (orbital) direction for block images, the vertical accuracy can satisfy the requirements of 1:50 000 scale mapping, thus reducing the need for field surveying. Additionally, the method will be valuable for integrating spaceborne laser altimetry data and optical images for global mapping without any GCPs.


Objective. To examine factors associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) screening among Vietnamese Americans. Methods. Telephone survey of Vietnamese aged 50–79 receiving primary care at participating clinics. Results. Among 808 participants, 53% were up to date (UTD) with fecal occult blood test (FOBT), 19% were UTD with sigmoidoscopy, 28% were UTD with colonoscopy. Females were more likely to be UTD with FOBT (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.02, 1.93). Individuals in the U.S. for less than 15 years were less likely than others to be UTD with any CRC screening (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44, 0.96). Patients of female physicians were more likely to be UTD with sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.15, 2.57). Ethnicity and language concordance were not associated with screening. Conclusions. Many Vietnamese people are not receiving CRC screening. Women and patients of female physicians receive more screening.


A periodicity was observed to drive the 1992 late winter formation of stratospheric clouds over McMurdo Station, Antarctica. Lidar and meteorological data show that intense stratospheric coolings, accompanied by generation of clouds, resulted from the transit of air parcels proceeding from latitudes near the edge of the polar vortex. Lidar depolarization measurements show that large cloud particles could survive for several days in undersaturated air. In the occurrence of further coolings, these particles would act as preferential growth nuclei. Depolarization measurements also indicate that most of the late winter inner vortex sulfuric acid aerosol was frozen. Periodically observed transit of vortex airmasses outside the terminator could be the cause of the wintertime ozone losses, occasionally observed at the very center of the continent.


A frayed edge site can be a significant indicator of alterations in illitic minerals in soils evolving under different climates, because illitic minerals are known to enlarge the frayed edge site through vermiculitization. We investigated the relative abundance of this site in soil clays (<2 μm) using Radiocaesium Interception Potential (RIP) methodology, and determined the mineralogical factors controlling its amount (represented by RIP) for soils under ustic soil moisture regimes (northern Thailand, TH) and udic regimes (southwestern Japan, JP; East Kalimantan in Indonesia, ID) in humid Asia. We found three different correlations between RIP and mineralogical‐ or chemical‐indices: positive (amount of illitic mineral and Cs‐fixing capacity), negative (amount of kaolinite and hot‐citrate extractable Al‐Si) and no correlation (amount of DCB‐oxides). The variable that correlated best with the logarithm of RIP in each region was Alcit‐Sicit (JP), amount of illitic mineral (TH) and amount of kaolinite (ID). Under an ustic soil moisture regime in TH, there was little vermiculitization, as was evidenced by the direct correlation between the frayed edge site (or RIP) and the amount of illitic minerals and the very small Cs‐fixing capacity. A distinct dry season restricts water leaching, which may reduce alteration in illitic minerals. For ID soils under an udic soil moisture regime, illitic minerals weather to form vermiculite, which is reflected in the enlargement of the frayed edge site. However, for JP soils, hydroxy‐Al interlayering reduces the frayed edge site formed through vermiculitization. The release of hydroxy‐Al polymers from vermiculitic layers can induce the re‐exposure of the frayed edge site that can be progressive under a podzolization process.


The Problem: A model of object recognition via the feedforwardpath of the ventral visual stream in cortex [9, 10] is composed of a hierarchy of feed-forward layers of neuron-like units, performing one of two basic operations. Either (1) template matching with a Gaussian function to increase feature complexity or (2) nonlinear pooling with a maximum operation to increase translation and scale invariance. However, it is not known how these basic operations could be implemented in cortex.


The spectrum of the sources used with the FDTD method is in general unbounded. This means that an amount of energy may be coupled to the grid at frequencies higher than the cutoff frequency. This question has retained little attention in the literature, despite its potential impact on the accuracy of FDTD calculations. It is addressed with details in this presentation.


The femtocells are very promising concept for wireless networks to significantly enhance system capacity. Nevertheless, a lot of challenges must be still addressed. The paper focuses on a power control mechanism and proposes a novel approach for dynamic adaptation of transmitting power of femtocell access points. The basic idea is to adapt the transmitting power of femtocells according to current traffic load and signal quality between mobile stations and femtocell in order to fully utilize data frame. The advantage of this approach is its potential to decrease interference to users of macro cell or adjacent femtocells at light traffic load. Performed analytical evaluations of our proposed scheme in comparison to the existing power control mechanisms show that femtocell's transmitting power can be significantly reduced while the same Quality of Service level is still guaranteed to the femtocell users.


The regenerative shock absorber has become more attractive to several researchers and industries in the past decade. Due to the roughness of the road surface, vibration has been provided between the road surface and car body when drives on irregular road surface. The function of regenerative shock absorber is to recover the vibration energy which can be dissipated in the form of heat as waste. This paper first introduces the existing research and significance of regenerative shock absorbers and reviews the potential of automotive vibration energy recovery techniques, and then emphatically classifies and summarises the general classifications of regenerative shock absorber. Finally, it analyses the modeling approaches of shock absorbers, actuators and dampers. With the increasingly prominent energy issues, regenerative shock absorber becomes one of promising trends of vehicles.


Note: Proceedings of the International Conference on Aperiodic Crystals. Editors by G. Chapuis and W. Paciorek. World Scientific (1995), Singapore. Reference LCR-CONF-1994-001 Record created on 2006-03-07, modified on 2017-05-12


The apparent popularity of direct democracy, survey after survey, contrasts with rising disengagement of citizens from politics. However, as most citizens remain committed to democratic norms and principles part of the rise in discontent can therefore potentially be explained by increased expectations of 'critical citizens'. Indeed, some argue that such 'dissatised democrats', citizens who support democracy in the abstract but are unsatised with how it works in practice, are said to be demanding more participatory opportunities and thus supposedly are a cause of the increase in institutionalization and usage of direct democracy. In this I paper I use the European Social Survey Round 6 to bring together citizens' democratic ideals with their evaluations of actual institutional arrangements, combining it with data on the institutionalization and use of direct democracy in 25 European countries. I provide evidence that citizens do hold meaningful evaluations of the institutionalization of direct democracy in their country. Further, I show that critical citizens hold more direct democratic aspirations than other citizens but this dierence


Although a rigorous statistical assessment of the VAN earthquake prediction method is
difficult to make, the correlation between the Seismo-Electric Signal (SES) activities
observed with the VAN method and large earthquakes in Greece appears significant. This
correlation suggests that SES is a manifestation of regional geophysical activities caused by
flow of gas and water in the Earth's crust. Such flow is likely to occur in an area of active
extensional tectonics such as Greece. It would be advisable to try to understand the physics
of the VAN method by enhancing the existing programs in Greece with not only electric, but
also seismological, hydrological and other geophysical investigations. It would be unwise,
however, just to export the VAN method to another country as a ready-made prediction tool
If the method is to be investigated in other countries, well designed seismological and
geophysical investigations would be required before its usefulness for earthquake prediction
in the region can be fully evaluated.


wenty elementary school teachers are sitting on hay wagons driven by 7Te as Park Rangers. It is a beautiful moonlit night, and the evening is full of sounds. The teachers hold flashlights, electric lamps, and notepads. The group's task is to locate and record as many species of animals as they can in this ecoregion of Texas known as the Piney Woods. Later, they will record this information, along with their reflections about the experience, in a journal. This expedition is part of a year-long professional development program in science education that immerses teachers in a learning experience quite different from the workshop model familiar to most educators. Funded in part by an Eisenhower Grant for Higher Education, Project Texas is a cooperative effort between the Education Department of the San Antonio Zoo, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the Urban Systemic Initiative. It provides professional development for K-8 teachers from several school districts serving underrepresented populations. One of the purposes of this project is to help develop, through a nontraditional model, teacher knowledge of the seven different ecoregions of Texas. By personalizing their understanding of the Texas ecoregions, the teachers then will be able to develop similar experiences for their students. This program provides a meaningful context that models how to integrate field experiences, investigative activities, problem-solving strategies, and cooperative learning opportunities into K-8 science instruction.


Background Skin cancer is one of the most preventable, curable and treatable of all other cancers. In the past decade, the rates for most cancers, specially the skin cancers increased visibly. Sun exposure is a major causative factor for skin cancer for which prevention is possible. Protection motivation theory (PMT) provides one model for increasing healthy behavior through persuasive communication. We apply this theory for skin cancer prevention behavior. Materials and methods This was an experimental study. Participants were 360 female students from four high schools in Yazd city, Iran that divided in two groups (180 in case and 180 in control group). A self-report questionnaire was used to assess the variables in the PMT model at pretest, post-test and follow-up. The questionnaire was distributed before the intervention (pre-test) and afterwards (post-test) and following at a 2 month lag. For data analysis ANOVA, T-test, Wilcoxon , Pearson's correlation and coefficient were used. Results A significant difference between all variables except fear was noted in the case and control groups in follow-up ( p =0.00). There was significant difference between mean grades score of all of variables in case group, in pre-test and follow up. No significant difference was seen between mean grade scores of variables in control group in pre-test and follow up. There is significant difference between using methods for prevention skin cancer in case and control group after intervention. Conclusion Results support the effectiveness of a PMT-based intervention to change the attitude and behavior associated with skin cancer risk. Theory-based intervention can motivate people to alert their attitudes and behaviors regarding sun exposure.


As musicologists and scholars of American art music, we are forever indebted to Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein for their music, their conducting, teaching, and lecturing, and especially for their writings. It is still a relatively recent phenomenon in the history of music to possess writings from composers that explain, not only their own works, but their perspective on all aspects of the musical world in which they lived. One significant topic which both Copland and Bernstein addressed was the process by which a uniquely American sound began to develop and shape the music of the twentieth century. Through a thorough examination of their writings, supporting research from other scholars, and original analysis of key musical works, this article will trace the beginnings of a nationalistic thread in American art music and identify the musical traits that communicate such nationalism. Both Copland and Bernstein identified influential figures in the development of an American sound, such as Antonin Dvorák, Nadia Boulanger, Charles Ives, George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, William Schuman, Roy Harris, and Carlos Chávez. Also, jazz, folk music, and Latin American music were highly influential to the art music of the twentieth century. Looking back throughout history, there is rarely one defining moment when music changes completely. It is usually a combination of many and varied factors that occur throughout a period of time. In this study, identifying the causes and influences in the development of an American nationalistic sound, we have the distinct benefit of taking cues from some of the most influential figures in twentieth century art music who blessed musicians, music-lovers, and scholars with their words, eloquently bringing to light the serendipitous events that created the art music of the last century.


Azadirachtin mixing with neem oil possessed synergism.CTC were 150 17 and 226 87 when the 3 rd larvae of Spodoptera litura were treated with azadirachtin+neem seed petroleum ether extract or neem oil 1∶10(m/m)for 72 h.Neem oil could protect azadirachtin.The protection effects of neem oil(MeOH∶neem oil=9∶1,v/v)on azadirachtinA and azadirachtinB stored at 54 ℃ for 7 d were 56 96% and 50 86%,and were 26 72% and 38 42% for 14 d.


Optimization of a novel high performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection method, together with accelerated solvent extraction for determining the triglyceride composition of lipids to enable rapid discrimination of goat and cow cheeses is presented. The method was applied to determine adulteration of goat and cow cheeses with vegetable oils/fats, to distinguish cheese analogues from natural cheeses, and to determine the amounts of palm fat added to cheese. Principal component analysis of triglycerides grouped by equivalent carbon number was used for confirmation of cheeses' animal origins. A total of 130 cheeses or cheese analogues were included in this study. The method was calibrated in the range of 0 to 50 % palm fat in milk fat, with recovery values being from 46.50 % to 108.48 %. The content of palm fat found in adulterated cheese was from 10 to 16 %, and 5 to 10 % in cow and goat cheeses, respectively. Due to the rapidity of the method, employment of relatively inexpensive equipment and the reliability of the results, the method proved to be suitable for analytical laboratories that are required to process large numbers of cheese samples in a short time.


A R T I C L E I N F O A B S T R A C T Article history: Received:19 March, 2019 Accepted:12 April, 2019 Online: 26 April, 2019 It is high time to control and prevent power theft by manipulating the meter reading and tampering of the meter. It is possible to deal power theft by developing Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and smart grids. For most of the distribution companies, utility smart meters' data is serving as wealthy source of information beyond billing. There are numerous methods for detection of meter inconsistencies and dishonest behavior like meter tampering based on past data. This paper proposes a "Rule Based" electricity theft detection methodology based on the detection of abnormal readings of phase voltages, currents and power factor communicated by smart energy meters to the central server of the utility in constant time interval of fifteen minute. Individual customer theft detection rate of 94.8% is achieved with 10% False Positive Rate, which is low. The proposed method is tested on real time data collected from smart meters installed in Raipur city of Chhattisgarh State Electricity Board India.


A parabolic free boundary problem with an obstacle and a volume constraint is analyzed. The equation models slow motion of droplets on nonhomogeneous surfaces. We show existence and Holder continuity of a unique weak solution by a combination of smoothing and a variational method called discrete Morse flow. This method can be directly applied to numerical computation.


This paper analyzes the dimension of the perceived value and relationship quality at first,and then hackles the causality of them.Function value,emotion value and social value are the determinants of perceived value.This paper focuses on investigating the effects of each determinant of perceived value on relationship quality,and on analyzing the interrelationship of satisfaction,trust and commitment inside of the relationship quality.The empirical tests are conducted in the retailing.Findings from testing the theoretical models support a priori hypotheses,i.e.function value had a significant positive effect on customer satisfaction and commitment;social value had a significant positive effect on commitment;emotion value had a significant positive effect on every dimension of relationship quality;and both satisfaction and trust had a significant positive effect on commitment.


Shakespeare's play Julius Caesar emphasises the connection between rhetoric and politics. Some scholars, like Gayle Greene and Kim Ballard, point out that rhetoric in Julius Caesar is extremely important for the central political problems and character analysis. They also argue that Shakespeare implicitly criticises and condemns rhetoric that hides moral and political truth. Language is the most influential tool for seizing power in the play. Shakespeare well understands that power comes from those politicians who know how to manipulate the passions of the common people. Shakespeare's soldiers are at the same time skilful politicians who, by manipulating particular words and gestures, try to attain their own ambitious goals. Funeral speeches offer Brutus and Antony a chance to convince people of the value of their own ideology through the power of spoken words. Describing Caesar's murder as the result of the conspirators' efforts to maintain order in Rome, Brutus uses prose and parallelisms to create a sense of balance. Using blank verse, apostrophe, repetition and irony, Antony affects the feelings of the Roman people and causes them to revolt. Shakespeare emphasises that mastering rhetoric results in strong political power and control.


We investigate large‐scale plasma density increases occurring during the 22 October 1999 great storm and focus on storm‐enhanced density (SED) and polar tongue of ionization (TOI) development. Observations include two‐hourly Global Ionosphere Map series coupled with multi‐instrument in situ, space‐based, and ground‐based data plots, with Super Dual Auroral Radar Network two‐cell convection maps and with model‐generated neutral wind vector maps. Results demonstrate the equatorial electrojet events occurring in the Australian and American sectors, the high‐density plasma features, and their underlying plasma transportation processes. During the main phase, a series of four prompt penetration electric field (PPEF) events occurred with subauroral polarization stream E field development forming a plasmaspheric drainage plume. These E field events caused the repeated development of equatorial ionization anomaly (EIA), SED bulge, and SED plume during the local dusk‐midnight hours in those sectors that covered these local times. Showing a westward movement in accordance with their local time dependence, the EIA‐SED structure developed first in the American sector, later on over the Pacific, and finally in the Australian sector. The SED plume plasma found its way into the polar cap through the dayside cusp region, created in the north some large polar cap enhancements reaching up to seven times of the quiet time levels, and evolved in each hemisphere into a polar TOI. We speculate that the enhanced growth of EIA, transporting high‐density solar‐produced plasma to the SED bulge via strong net eastward E field effects, and the mechanical effects of equatorward neutral winds contributed to the polar TOI's increasingly better development.


Dear Editor Back-wall-first microvascular anastomotic technique (BWFT) was first described by Harris, Finseth, and Buncke (1981). It is a widely used technique bymanymicrovascular surgeons, especially in a narrow or deep clinical setting, where rotation of the vessels or maneuvering of the clamps and instruments is difficult. The technique also reduces the risk of grasping both walls by giving clear visualization of the posterior wall and its intima. It can be applied to arteries as well as veins in both end-to-end and endto-side fashion (Nakagawa, Inoue, Iida, & Asano, 2008; Watanabe, Ueda, Ohkouchi, Kajikawa, & Suzuki, 2006; Yamamoto et al., 1999). The conventional description of the technique in end-to-end anastomosis begins by placing the first suture through the vessels in the middle of posterior wall (Figure 1, above left), followed by placing second and third sutures on each side of the initial suture. It is also described that following sutures will be easier to insert, thus facilitating the anastomosis progress (Harris et al., 1981). However in practice, inserting the second suture might not be very comfortable, when there is not enough space in the operation field for maneuvering the needle holder, especially making BWFT harder to be embraced by novice microsurgery trainees, who might not have developed the expertise and finesse of using microsurgical instruments. Several techniques have been introduced, but most of them required additional instruments or alternative suture materials (Miyagi et al., 2008; Miyamoto et al., 2008; Narushima et al., 2009; Okazaki et al., 2006). To address this challenge, we recommend an alternative way of using a needle and a needle holder for the second suture placement on the posterior wall. Conventional placement of a needle on a microsurgical needle holder is either in vertical or semi-vertical fashion. Force is applied to the vessel wall by the rotational momentum of the needle holder, and finally the needle passes through the layers of the vessel in a perpendicular manner. These micro-movements can be achieved by rotation of the fingers and palm with a slight supination of the wrist. However during the placement of the second suture in BWFT, the suturing plane will be less horizontal, thus requiring more supination of the wrist at a smaller angle, which might not be considered as a micromovement and less comfortable in a narrow or deep microvascular anastomosis setting. In order to penetrate the vessel wall more comfortably, the needle is mounted to the same axis of the needle holder, with the needle tip pointing upward (Figure 1, above right). When the needle is in contact with the vessel wall, the tissue must be pressed


A case of chronic renal failure with hypokalaemia presenting electrographically as tall `U' waves simulating tall `T' waves of hyperkalaemia is described. The differentiating points between hypokalaemia and hyperkalaemia on ECG have been highlighted.


The design of a water treatment plant utilizing SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) technology and coconut shell as a capping material for sand in rapid sand filters is presented in this study. The primary objective of the design is to provide safe drinking water by removing suspended solids, organic matter, and other contaminants from the raw water. The treatment process involves several stages, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, rapid sand filtration, and disinfection.
The use of coconut shell as a capping material for sand in rapid sand filters is a novel approach that offers several benefits over traditional sand filters, including increased filtration efficiency and reduced maintenance costs. SCADA technology is utilized to automate the operation of the treatment plant, enabling real-time monitoring and control of the treatment process.
The design of the treatment plant is presented in detail, including the sizing and specification of equipment, process flow diagrams, and instrumentation and control systems. The design parameters are based on local water quality standards and are optimized to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness of the treatment process.
Overall, the proposed design provides an efficient and cost-effective solution for water treatment, utilizing innovative technologies and materials to deliver safe drinking water to the community.


In order to study dynamic mechanical properties of concrete, the impact compression tests of concrete material under three different velocities are conducted using a light gas gun. Flyer and target are made of the same material, the manganin pressure gauge is used to measure the time-pressure curves of the samples. The measured time-pressure curves show that the stress peak will increase with the increase of flyer speed, and the stress peak at different locations will decrease with the increase of dissemination distance. It illustrate that concrete material has obvious rate sensitivity and energy dissipation characteristics. Then, through further analysis of the experimental data, the shock hugoniot relationship is determined, that is a linear relationship between the shock wave speed and the wave particle velocity. Based on the shock hugoniot data of the concrete, the high-pressure polynomial equation of state is fitted.


A low complexity correlation model for the received signal in shadowing in a mobile radio system was proposed. The predicted autocorrelation function is obtained via a site-specific radio propagation tool which uses ray tracing. L2-norm method is used to fit the proposed model to the experimental results and the model parameters of this method is acquired via numerical optimization. The predicted results are compared with the other models in the literature and we report that our model has lower computational complexity and more suitable for hardware emulator implementations than existing models.


The incidemice of cyclopropane-epinephrine induced arrhythmias in twenty dogs has been ascertained during respiratory alkalosis, and again during respiratory acidosis. Similar observations were made using ten more dogs that were first in respiratory acidosis, and later when they were in alkalosis. Three of the thirty dogs went into ventricular fibrillation during alkalosis, and one fibrillated during acidosis. Ventricular arrhythmias were more numerous and significantly more prolonged during alkalosis. A suggestion concerning the etiology of ventricular arrhythmias during carbon dioxide accumulation in human patients with cyclopropane anesthesia is presented.


In this article, Fast Global K-Means (FGKM) for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image change detection is presented. On account of the time-consuming of FGKM algorithm and the real-time demand, we present a Parallel Fast Global K-Means (P-FGKM) algorithm. We parallelize the selection of initial cluster centers which is the most time-consuming step of FGKM algorithm. The proposed algorithm is implemented based on Open Computing Language (OpenCL). The experiments are carried out on a variety of heterogeneous computing devices, such as Multi-core CPU, GPU, Intel HD Graphics, Many Integrated Core (MIC). Experiment results show that the proposed algorithm can achieve a good speedup up to 86 times on such devices.


sidered here were composed between the years 300-320. There is a strange silence from 270 to 300; from 320 to 360 nothing is noted but two minor works of Eusebius and the fanatical treatise of Maternus, De errore profanarum religionum. This suggests that the physical violence of Diocletian's persecution did more to stimulate apologetical writing than did the more dangerous but less spectacular attacks of pagan philosophy and religion. The orientations maîtresses referred to in the title are concretized in answers given to the following questions: (1) To whom were the Apologies of the period addressed? (2) Why were they written? (3) What arguments do they develop in defense of Christianity? In working out the answers to these three questions L. has synthesized a great deal of useful and interesting information. His investigations enable him to show that apologists in the West, Arnobius and Lactantius for example, defend Christianity at a more philosophical level than do contemporary apologists in the East. This is rather paradoxical in view of the fact that pagan philosophy was more of an intellectual force in the East at this time than it was in the West. I t is also observed that Latin apologists of the period almost never argue from Scripture, whereas Greek apologists do so regularly. L. is of the opinion that this may be explained by the contrasting backgrounds of the authors. Those in the West were laymen, rhetoricians, converts to the faith; those in the East were priests or bishops, born into Christian families and therefore, presumably, better acquainted with and more attached to the sacred text. The fact which the author has observed is curious but his explanation is not too convincing. In writing his book L. may have been troubled from time to time by the discouraging thought that he was composing ea quae nee indocti intelligere possent nee docti legere curarent. Happily the disjunction between dodi and indocti is not as complete as it sounds. There is a large group of readers between these extremes who will find pleasure and profit in this careful study, and even specialists in the fields of Church history, patrology, and apologetics will not waste their time in examining it. The bibliography is excellent and there is a good table onomastique.


Article history: Received January 14, 2013 Received in revised format 30 May 2013 Accepted 6 June 2013 Available online June 9 2013 In this research, we use Hofstede method and Noble's framework in strategy execution to evaluate the effect of organization culture on the successful implementation of strategies in a case study of Payam-e-Noor University of Iran. Data Collection is performed with the standard Hofstede survey, an evaluation tool for organization culture, and researchers' survey tool to evaluate the effective implementation of strategies. The reliability coefficient was calculated as 0.846 using the Cronbach alpha. The target population includes 600 senior managers of Payame-Noor university of Iran at the time of data collection Cochran formula was used to calculate the required sample number of 120 individuals. The results show that according to the Hofstede dimensions, the dominant cultural aspects of high power distance, uncertainty avoidance, collectivism, and femininity were identified. The first two have a direct influence on effectiveness of strategies. While individualism is known to have an invert effect on effectiveness of strategies, no connection was identified between masculinity and effectiveness of strategies, and thus, this theory was not confirmed in this research. © 2013 Growing Science Ltd. All rights reserved.


Vanadium dioxide (VO2) monoclinic nanosheets were synthesized by a solvothermal method and carbonized iron-polyaniline (C-FP) nanograins were prepared by pyrolysis of iron-polyaniline (PANI) mixture under nitrogen ambient. An asymmetric device (VO2//C-FP) was evaluated with VO2 and C-FP as positive and negative material electrodes in aqueous 6 M KOH electrolyte respectively. The asymmetric supercapacitor (VO2//C-FP) exhibited a 47 mA h g-1 specific capacity and a specific energy of 30 W h kg−1 with an associated specific power of 713 W kg−1 at a gravimetric current of 1 A g−1 in a potential window of 1.6 V. It also displayed an 89% energy efficiency after 10000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles with a large improvement after ageing test at a gravimetric current of 10 A g-1.


We develop a new class of weight balanced binary search trees called β-balanced binary search trees (β-BBSTs). β-BBSTs are designed to have reduced internal path length. As a result, they are expected to exhibit good search time characteristics. Individual search, insert, and delete operations in an n node β-BBST take O(log n) time for . Experimental results comparing the performance of β-BBSTs, WB(α) trees, AVL-trees, red/black trees, treaps, deterministic skip lists and skip lists are presented. Two simplified versions of, β-BBSTs are also developed.


INTRODUCTION: The choice of restoration material, the general health of the individual, and the distribution of caries in the different age groups is related to the level and the assessment of oral hygiene. In the treatment plan for these patients a preventive regime is necessary to be added, which includes instructions for oral hygiene improvement. AIM: The aim of this article is to examine the level of oral hygiene in primary molars restored with preformed metal crowns (PMCs) and glass-ionomer cement (GIC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Object of the clinical study were 100 teeth with approximal dentin lesions on primary molars in 5- to 7-year-old children. The plaque index (PI) and the gingival index (GI) of Silness-Loe were used. RESULT: In the current study, Silness-Loе PI was assessed before PMC/GIC application, on the 6th month and after the first year of GIC/PMC placement. Around teeth restored with GIC more dental plaque was observed compared with the crowned teeth. PI was 1.35 for the filled teeth and 0.97 for the crowned ones. In both cases we reported moderate plaque accumulation and fair oral hygiene in the area of the first and second primary molar. The higher value of PI in the teeth restored with GIC was due to the higher rate of the minor failures of the fillings, which leads to plaque accumulation. There was no statistically significant difference in the GI for the GIC/PMC restorations at the 6th month and the first year after their application (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: As a result, we concluded that PI for the teeth with PMCs was lower compared with the one in the natural control group of teeth. However, the average values of GI were significantly higher for the teeth with PMCs.


Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea developed in a 46‐year‐old woman with pseudotumor cerebri. The origin of the fistula, the use of contrast computed tomographic cisternography to evaluate this lesion, and its surgical treatment are discussed.