Instability and propagation process of multiple penny-shape interlaminar delaminations in circular axi-symmetric nonlinear plates subjected to a quasi static transverse load, which is an idealized problem of damage accumulation in composite laminates due to low velocity impact loading, is numerically studied through a finite element analysis. A fracture element proposed to simulate the crack propagation is modified for elements with mid-node. The condition for crack propagation is also changed to make the convergence of the solution with element size more smooth. Both failures due to maximum stress and fracture mechanical instability are possible to be considered by using the present element. The element is applied to a problem of a penny shape crack propagation in an infinite body. The results converge smoothly to the theoretically predicted solution with a quite rough element division. Then, the element is used to simulate the propagation of multiple delaminations in a laminate, where nonlinearity due to finite deflection is considered. The early stages of the damage propagation depend on the initial delamination size. When the plate size used in CAI test standard is considered, the effect of the nonlinearity is not significant for ordinary composite laminates except plates of very high interlaminar toughness. The finite element results are consistent with the failure process inferred from the energy release rate distribution theoretically obtained in the precedent studies[5].


Abstract We examined the effects of hatchery rearing on FL, weight, egg size, fecundity, relative fecundity, and reproductive mass of female spring Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha from a population that had been in captivity for 0 (natural-origin), 18 (hatchery-origin), and 48 (captive-reared broodstock) months. Age-4 captive-reared broodstock females that were reared for their entire life in the hatchery environment had significantly lower mean FL, weight, fecundity, relative fecundity, and reproductive mass, but had significantly larger eggs than age-4 females from the other groups after correcting for body size. Hatchery-origin females had significantly lower fecundity than natural-origin fish. Our findings illustrate a phenomenon of lower overall reproductive potential for hatchery-reared fish in the form of reduced fecundity that decreases as time spent in the hatchery environment increases. We also observed that progeny of captive-reared broodstock parents, released as smolts and recaptured ...


This paper describes a series of four ortho-nitrobenzyl substituted bis(norbornene) crosslinkers that are suitable for the preparation of photoresponsive organogels and hydrogels through ring-opening metathesis polymerization. As measured by several techniques—visual inspection, rheology, and release of network-bound polymers—organogels preapred using these four crosslinkers varied in their sensitivity to UV irradiation by about two orders of magnitude. The reactivity of the gels show qualitative correlation with the stability of the intermediate benzylic radicals. Gels with larger crosslink densities required longer UV irradiation time to dissolve than gels with smaller crosslink densities. Together, these results demonstrate how rational changes to the structures of crosslinkers and gels can tune photosensitivity. Finally, we show a proof-of-concept photochemical release experiment of a physically entrapped fluorescent polymer from a photolabile ROMP hydrogel.


In this paper, the authors present a general table of the present extension of ciguatoxism in the Mascarene Islands. A statistically significant relation exists between the variations of poisonous fish proportions and the periods of tropical cyclones in this fishing area. The tests showed that the ciguatera known from Mauritius, Rodriguez, Chagos and Saya-de-Malha Islands, is also present in the Amirantes Islands. The coastal ichtyosarcotoxism of the Reunion was also studied; this phenomenon does not constitute an obstacle to the activity of the artisanal fishery.


The effect of laser focusing condition on the emission and charge-induced current characteristics of the copper plasma induced by a Q-switched Nd-YAG laser (37 mJ, 8ns) at reduced pressures of air has been studied to examine the excitation process of the ablated atoms in the secondary plasma. The charge-induced current measurement has been conducted by placing a partially transmitted nickel mesh in front of the sample surface at a certain distance. Also by using the rainbow interferometric technique, the density jump in the secondary plasma could be clearly observed. The relationship analysis on the secondary plasma emission intensity, the charge-induced current and the average velocity of the shock front as a function of laser irradiation focusing condition revealed clearly the role of the shock wave in the excitation mechanisms of the secondary plasma, proving the electron collision and the electronion recombination are not major processes.


A case of a 32-year-old male patient is reported. He was admitted with complaints of burning dysesthesias over his right upper limb and chest and spasticity in the legs. Investigations revealed a long segment intramedullary tumor, image intensity of which matched lipoma. Imaging of craniovertebral junction suggested atlantoaxial "facetal" instability. Atlantoaxial fixation was done, and the intramedullary lipoma was not physically handled or manipulated during surgery. The patient improved in his neurological condition following surgery. The follow-up imaging showed that the intramedullary lipoma reduced significantly in its dimensions. From the case, it appears that the presence of "fat" and "water" in the intramedullary location might have similar pathogenesis.


In this paper, we address the problem of center lane detection algorithm for autonomous driving. Color information for center lane is gathered by analyzing a row line color distribution of road in front of a vehicle. The candidate pixels for center lane are extracted from the histogram of road colors. Morphological filtering and clustering process are applied to the candidate pixels to extract the exact center lane. We predict a expected area of center lane and search only the regions in subsequent frames, that reduces the time required for center lane detection.


Ten years ago, the future of medicine changed forever – the distinct possibility emerged that we could achieve cures for many serious diseases or injuries that would otherwise require life-long therapies. It was in November 1998 that Jamie Thomson and his team at the University of Wisconsin first reported the successful derivation and sustainable culturing of human embryonic stem cells [1]. Whilst this remarkable achievement gave hope to millions of patients it also led to a storm of public and political debate. The most high profile being the televised address to the American nation by President Bush on the evening of August 9th 2001 [101]. In his short communication of approximately 1700 words, the President set out his view of the debate surrounding human embryonic stem cells and the future deployment of US federal funds. He "concluded that we should allow federal funds to be used for research on these existing stem cell lines, where the life and death decision has already been made". Not a total ban, and indeed by July 2006, President Bush declared, possibly even with pride, that his administration had "made available more than $90 million for research on these lines. This policy has allowed important research to go forward..." [102]. However, overall the federal policy was deemed by many experts to put the USA at a tremendous disadvantage in the global stem cell race. A recent interview with one of the early trailblazers, John Gearhart (University of Pennsylvania), best sums-up the sentiment of the sector, "The truth is that the US's position as a leader in this field is at risk; federal policy has really limited us in terms of competing with many foreign countries..." [2]. Americans being Americans with their strong 'can-do' attitudes, resulted in many enlightened individuals championing the stem cell cause during the subsequent wilderness years. To mark the third anniversary of the launch of the journal Regenerative Medicine, this issue contains interviews with three stem cell pioneers who are internationally recognized to be at the forefront of their respective sectors; Bob Klein, Governor Jim Doyle and Bernie Siegel [3]. All three are outstanding leaders and between them they represent the necessary strong pragmatism to get the job done coupled with real vision as to the power of stem cells for the benefit of both patients and society.


The best time to write the abstract is after the manuscript is completed. The length of the abstract will be clearly stated by the journal and it is prudent to adhere to the length requirements. Sentence writing should be concise and succinct in the abstract, given the length requirements. Additionally, be careful to adhere to the formatting guidelines, as each journal has unique subheadings that must be used. In general, the abstract should provide an overview of the paper that makes sense when read alone and when read with the paper. The abstract should provide enough information for the casual reader to understand what the manuscript is about. Include information from each section of the manuscript in the abstract, being careful to include, highlight or emphasize important data and takehome messages, as often the abstract is the only part of the manuscript that is read. The abstract should not contain information that is not included in the manuscript. However, there may be some data in the manuscript that is not necessary to include in the abstract if it is not germane to the overall conclusion of the paper.


The present invention relates to a method for determining the oscillation amplitude of a sonotrode excited by a converter, wherein the converter is connected to a current generator and the current IE(t) provided by the current generator and flowing through the converter is measured. According to the invention, in order to provide a method for determining the oscillation amplitude of a sonotrode excited by a converter, the voltage UE(t) applied to the converter by the current generator is measured and the oscillation amplitude of the sonotrode or a field quantity of the electrical oscillation system comprising the current generator and the converter, said field quantity being related to the oscillation amplitude of the sonotrode, is calculated from the measured voltage UE(t) and from the measured current IE(t).


The article presents the results of research for the mathematical model for estimating the probability of risk of incompetent specialist graduation. The mechanisms and tools to determine the probability of risk of incompetent specialist graduation have been developed in the course of the research. The goal tree method has been used as a mechanism to determine the relationship between the structural components of the educational process and the educational program. Using this method, the structuring of 9 criteria by which the educational program quality is evaluated has been carried out. That is, its strengths and weaknesses have been identified. In turn, as a tool for estimating the probability of an educational process (educational program) risks and the graduation of an incompetent specialist, it has been proposed to use a regression mathematical model. To build a mathematical model, an active experiment, a qualimetric approach, a method of regression analysis, and 16 conditional educational programs that met the "Standards and Guidelines for Quality Assurance in the European Higher Education Area" (ESG) have been used. The construction of the model has been carried out according to a specially designed scheme, which included 5 stages. In the first stage, a group of experts was formed and their consistency was determined with the help of the "HEI Experts" software. In the second stage, six groups of indicators were identified, which further estimated the educational process (educational program) quality. For this purpose, the experts used the method of pairwise comparison to select 9 unit indicators, which further estimated the levels of compliance of 16 conditional educational programs. The estimation was conducted according to standardized quality indicators that are inherent in the real educational process (educational program). In the third stage, a robust plan of the experiment was constructed using the method of pseudo-random LP-τ numbers uniformly distributed in multidimensional space. According to the plan, a working matrix of the experiment was formed. Then, the group of experts formed in the first stage carried out the percentage estimation of the probability of risk of incompetent specialist graduation. In the fourth stage, a mathematical model was built using the PRIAM (planning, regression, and model analysis) software. This model allows us to assess nine factors that affect the probability of risk of incompetent specialist graduation. In the fifth stage, the statistical characteristics of the model were tested. According to the test results, it was proved that the model is informative, adequate, and stable, both in terms of structure and calculations. At the same stage, the marginal surfaces were constructed and the forces of influence of regressors (indicators) on the probability of risk of competent/incompetent specialist graduation were determined. According to the results of research, it has been proved that such indicators as compliance of the applicants (bachelors) level with the second Master's level and the level of considering labor market employers (stakeholders) requirements have the strongest impact on the competence of the future specialists. The proposed model allows us to estimate the factors influencing the efficiency (effectiveness) of the educational process and to determine the probability of the risk of competent/incompetent specialist graduation.


Why the continuing search for ultralow temperatures ? Possible motives include the prospect of exotic new phases, of observing macroscopic vacuum quantum tunnelling and of amplifying the ultra-weak interactions postulated in particle physics.


To the Editor. —The study reported by Drs Minakami and Sato 1 describing the optimal estimated date of delivery for multifetal pregnancies based on live born and stillborn infants of singleton and multiple pregnancies in Japan between 1989 and 1993 has limited applicability in the United States for several reasons. First, births to Asians or Pacific Islanders comprise less than 4% of total births in the United States. 2 Second, Asian infants, regardless of country of birth or socioeconomic status, have similar birth-weight distributions, whereas Asian infants and white infants (78% of US births), even of the same socioeconomic background, have different birth-weight distributions. 3 Third, by grouping all infants of multiple births together, the authors have blurred the vastly greater risks experienced by infants of triplet and higher-order births. The optimal birth weight and gestational age associated with the lowest risk of morbidity and mortality for infants of multiple


The product formation of 1,3 cycloaddition of cis-cyclooctene to a low-molecular-weight polystyrene as well as to some monoaromatic and diaromatic model compounds is investigated. Information on the structure of the products mainly with respect to the number of phenyl rings attacked within the molecules is obtained by mass spectrometry.


The explosive growth of interest in prostaglandin research is nothing short of remarkable. It is surprising even the experts. By one estimate, two papers are appearing each day on the subject, and, since this summer, each week sees the filing of a new patent application. In the opening address at an international conference on prostaglandins last month in Vienna, Austria, Dr. Sune Berstrom of Sweden's Karolinska Institutet pointed out that the number of publications on the subject moved up from 68 in 1965 to 521 last year. He also noted that Upjohn Co., which spearheaded much of the early research in the field, has met requests for some 6000 samples of prostaglandins and their analogs during the past six years. To cope with the growth in information, three research workers at Yale University last January started a monthly review called Prostaglandins . Last month the Worcester Foundation for Experimental Biology at Shrewsbury, Mass., in collaboration with ...


Identification of the source mechanism and measurement of source strength are important requirements for wider field application of the acoustic emission technique. It is difficult to relate a given source event to resulting acoustic emission waveforms in experimental results. However, it is practical to simulate such source events using numerical simulations and examine the resulting waveforms. The present paper uses such an approach to identify the patterns embedded in the waveforms and their variation with relative positions of the source and sensor. Important elements in the waveforms are shown to have strong variation with respect to the relative positions of the source and sensor. The resulting amplitude variations should be taken into account in the measurement of acoustic emission source strength. In addition, it is shown that the shear horizontal wave has a prominent component in the normal stresses in the radial direction. Acoustic emission waveforms obtained from the numerical simulations were also used to demonstrate pattern classification of these waveforms and identify the source mechanisms. The three elements of the waveforms, So, Ao, and Shear, were considered as the basic elements of the waveform. These elements have different frequency bandwidths that are directly related to the impulse duration of the incremental crack growth. Correlation coefficients between these elements and the acoustic emission waveforms were used as a means for identifying the source type.


Optimal control problems with inequality constaints are often solved by penalty function methods. This letter describes a new penalty function approach extending to optimal control the recent work of Fiacco and McCormick in the mathematical programming area. The most important theoretical results are also summarized.


Patients with acute coronary syndromes commonly harbor multiple complex coronary plaques. Plaque instability is probably a widespread inflammatory process throughout the coronary vessels.1 Such a notion makes selection of the "culprit lesion" difficult. A recent clinical example from our coronary care unit is shown in the Figure. The patient is a 62-year-old man who experienced his first episode of severe anterior chest pain. The initial electrocardiogram showed an acute ST segment elevation anterior myocardial infarction. The emergency physician selected thrombolytic therapy and the patient was referred to our coronary care unit. His ST segments reverted to baseline. Early that same afternoon, a second episode of chest pain occurred. This time, his electrocardiogram showed a shift in axis and ST segment elevation in the inferior leads. At cardiac catheterization, the left anterior descending coronary artery was open, albeit diseased. The right coronary artery was occluded but could be opened. The second episode of ST segment elevation resolved as well. What is responsible for the generalized plaque instability in patients with an acute coronary syndrome? How does inflammation contribute? What role does the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) play, and can the system operate locally? The study by Neri Serneri et al in this issue may provide some mechanistic answers.2 They tested the notion that the RAAS acts locally to cause generalized inflammation in the smaller coronary vessels of patients with unstable angina pectoris.

The patient had crushing anterior chest pain when the electrocardiogram on the left was performed. He received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and the precordial ST segment elevation resolved. A second episode of acute chest pain occurred 5 hours later. This time, the ST segment elevation was in the inferior leads. The tracings indicate that generalized plaque instability was present.

The hypothesis seems a …


Measurements of hydraulic conductivity, K, on four forest catchments that show substantial differences in hydrological behaviour are reported. Field descriptions of principal profile forms and extended profile forms were used as criteria for determining catchment uniformity. Simple and rapid measurement methods for K were necessary. These are described, and one, the well permeameter method, has been further evaluated. Results of many measurements indicated that K distribution was very nearly log-normal for all catchment components and depth intervals studied. Strong variability with respect to K was apparent within each 'uniform' component; however, most of this variability was already present within very small areas. Subdivision of catchments using principal profile forms explained differences in mean K of an order of magnitude, extended principal profile form descriptions were useful to distinguish smaller, but significant, differences in mean K. The usefulness of these catchment conductivity data, for inter-catchment comparison, and for explaining storm-hydrograph shapes of individual catchments, is indicated.


Options researchers have argued that by averaging together implied standard deviations, or ISDs, calculated from several options with the same expiry but different strikes, the noise in individual ISDs can be reduced, yielding a better measure of the market's volatility expectation. Various options researchers have suggested different weighting schemes for calculating these averages. In the forecasting literature, econometricians have made the same argument but suggested quite different weighting schemes. Ignoring both literatures, commercial vendors calculate ISD averages using their own weightings. We compare the averages proposed in both the options and econometrics literatures and the averages used by major commercial vendors for the S&P 500 futures options market. Although some averages forecast better than others, we find that the question of the best weighting scheme is of secondary importance. More important is the fact that the ISDs are upward biased measures of expected volatility. Fortunately, this bias is stable over time, so past bias patterns can be used to obtain unbiased volatility forecasts. Once this is done, most ISD averages forecast better than time series and naive models, and the differences between the averages produced by the various proposed weighting schemes are small. © 2002 Wiley Publications, Inc. Jrl Fut Mark 22:811–837, 2002


This paper discusses the dependability of the maximum like-lihood estimator (MLE) when the dynamical model is specified as vector autoregression (VAR). When the size of the data vector in VAR is enlarged a little, the distributions of the estimates by the MLE become too wide to satisfy the precision requirement. Consequently, it is necessary to largely increase the length of the tested data for sharpening the distributions and obtaining the suitable estimates. In this paper, we give an explanation of this phenomenon and analyze the convergence relation of each parameter.


This paper presents three algorithms for modelling of self-similar network traffic, based on the fractional Gaussian noise (FGN). These algorithms use different manners to compute the power spectrum of FGN. In the paper was made comparative analysis between them in terms of the computation speed and the accuracy in generating self-similar traffic with given Hurst parameters. The obtained results shown that both of the algorithms are with high agree of accuracy and they can be used in practical computer simulation studies.


The cross-ratio degree problem counts configurations of n points on P^1 with n-3 prescribed cross-ratios. Cross-ratio degrees arise in many corners of combinatorics and geometry, but their structure is not well-understood in general. Interestingly, examining various special cases of the problem can yield combinatorial structures that are both diverse and rich. In this paper we prove a simple closed formula for a class of cross-ratio degrees indexed by triangulations of an n-gon; these degrees are connected to the geometry of the real locus of M_{0,n}, and to cluster algebras.


Signification of garden ground cover plant was elaborated,and its main properties were pointed out in garden ordonnance.According to its application in fact,the classification and selection criterion of the garden ground cover plant were introduced.Present situation and prospect of garden ground cover plant were analyzed.It is considered that there are a lot of enable utility valuable garden ground cover plants with high resistance cold,dry,salt,and enable ornamental leaf,flower and fruit in Qinghai greening.


In this study, taking almond and fresh goat's milk as materials develops a set of the production technology of almond feta cheese. It was studied by using orthogonal test, confirming the best technological parameter and carrying on the sensory evaluation, the results showed that: the ratio of fresh goat's milk and almond liquid was 93∶7, the inoculation quantity was 1.4%, The amount of rennet added was 1.4‰, the temperature of clabber was 41 ℃. After stretching, molding and cooling, the product was placed at 2~6 ℃ though vacuum packaging, and maturing for 6 months could get finished. The product was milky white, uniform color, smooth with elasticity, the creamy and almondy flavor coordination, without mutton and other smells.


Dust and fume evolved during the sintering of zinc and lead sulphide concentrates can give rise to in-plant lead hygiene problems if adequate ventilation facilities are not provided and proper control is not exercised. To protect employees, hygiene standards must be of the highest order. At the same time it is necessary to eliminate the possibility of any health hazard to the community living in the vicinity of the Smelter. A description is given of the factors involved in the design and installation of a new ventilation and scrubbing system installed at the sinter machine discharge end and commissioned during August, 1973. This system comprises a cyclonic wash tower and variable throat venturi scrubber capable of handling 80 000 m{3}/h of ventilation gases at scrubbing efficiencies in excess of 99.5%.


1 The Subject 66 2 Legal Framework 66 3 The Relationship between Secrecy and Protection of Whistler-Blowers 68 4 Men with many Hats 70 5 The Nature of the Sanction 72 6 Now You See It, Now You Don't 75 7 Conclusion 77


I. THE RIGHT TO EFFECTVE REPRESENTATION AND JUDICIAL REVIEW OF TENNESSEE DEATH PENALTY CASES 306II. THE SURPASSING DIFFICULTY OF EFFECTIVE DEFENSE REPRESENTATION IN DEATH PENALTY CASES 316A. The Unique Posf-Furman Procedure in Tennessee Death Penalty Cases 316B. The Challenge of Effective Representation in Death Penalty Cases 318III. TENNESSEE FAILS TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE DEFENSE REPRESENTATION IN DEATH PENALTY CASES 323A. Tennessee Does Not Meet the Prevailing Standards for Effective Representation in Death Penalty Cases......3241. The ABA Guidelines Set the Prevailing Standards for Effective Representation in Death Penalty Cases 3242. Tennessee Does Not Meet the Prevailing Standards Set by the ABA Guidelines 325B. The Existing Attorney Qualification Standards in Tennessee Death Penalty Cases are Ineffective and Counterproductive 328C. Tennessee Fails to Provide Adequate Compensation and Supporting Resources for Indigent Capital Defense Representation 3331. Tennessee Fails to Provide Adequate Compensation for Defense Counsel in Death Penalty Cases.......3332. Tennessee Fails to Provide the Extra-Legal and Supporting Resources Necessary for Effective Defense Representation in Death Penalty Cases .338D. Tennessee Has No State-Wide System for Expert Death Penalty Defense Counsel to Provide Direct Representation in Death Penalty cases or to Supervise the: (1) Recruitment of Qualified Death Penalty Defense Counsel to Represent Death Penalty Defendants, (2) Setting of a Standard for Effective Defense Representation in Death Penalty cases, or (3) Provision of Resource Assistance to Appointed Death Penalty Defense Counsel 341E. Defense in Tennessee is Subordinated to the Prosecution 3491. The Imbalance of Resources Devoted to the Prosecution and Defense Functions 3492. The Imbalance of Autonomy and Independence between the Prosecution and Defense 3513. The Erroneous Presumption of a Legitimate Prosecutorial Interest in the Judicial Administration of the Defense Function: Three Examples 352a. Example One: The Resources Available to the Defense in Individual cases 352b. Example Two: The Compensation of Defense Counsel 355c. Example Three: The Public Defenders' Caseload and Budgetary Issues 357IV. CONCLUSION 360APPENDIX A 363Tennessee Death Penalty Cases in Which Relief Was Granted on Conviction or SentenceAPPENDIX B 365Tennessee Death Penalty Cases in Which Relief Was Granted due to Ineffective Assistance of Counsel (IAC)APPENDIX C 368Tennessee Death Penalty Demographic ChartAPPENDIX D 393Tennessee Death Penalty Cases in Which Relief Was Granted in State Post-Conviction (Second Tier)APPENDIX E 404Tennessee Death Penalty Cases in Which Relief Was Granted in Federal Habeas Corpus (Third Tier)APPENDIX F. …


Objective: To investigate the effects of vitamin B 1, C and orange juice on human lung cancer cell proliferation in vitro. Methods: Vitamin C degradation in culture medium was evaluated. The methods included: methy thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, colony forming assay and 3H TdR incorporation test. The final concentrations of factors in medium were: orange juice (vitamin C 30,60,120 μg/ml), vitamin C(30,60,120 μg/ml), vitamin B 1 (0.01,0.1,1 μg/ml). Results: (1) In MTT test, orange juice at each level had significant inhibitory effect on the growth of lung cancer cells (P0.05). Vitamin C and B 1 at middle and high levels showed inhibitory effects (P0.05). (2) In colony formation assay, all substances inhibited the colony formation of cancer cells (P0.05). (3) In 3H TdR incorporation test, orange juice, vitamin C at middle and high levels, vitamin B 1 at high level showed significantly inhibitory effects on DNA synthesis of lung cancer cells (P0.05). Inhibitory effects of all 3 treatments were in dose response and time response manners (P0.05). Moreover, the inhibitory effects of orange juice was greater than that of vitamin C and B 1. Conclusion: The results suggest vitamin C and B 1 may play important roles in protecting people against lung cancer. Fruits and vegetables may play more important role than pure chemicals such as vitamin C and B 1.


The aim of this bachelor thesis was to acquaint the reader with a program for creating of 3D models Google SketchUp, its history, settings, and supported options. Further it was described the comparison with similar CAD systems and the possibility of integration with GIS and Google Earth. The practical part focuses on the demonstration of 3D models creation and the tools and the possibilities of the program Google SketchUp are presented. Some models were placed in the web gallery of 3D objects (3D Warehouse), and some in the Google Earth application. In conclusion it was created an electronic manual about creating of the 3D models in the form of web pages.


The invention discloses a method and system for controlling multimedia play progress. The method and system for controlling the multimedia play progress are applied to a mobile terminal. The method comprises the following steps: A) receiving a gravity control trigger signal input by a user; B) detecting action information of the mobile terminal once every a preset time, wherein the action information comprises inclination directions relative to a horizontal plane and angles; C) according to the pre-stored mapping relation of the inclination directions and angles and progress adjustment information, searching the progress adjustment information corresponding to current action of the mobile terminal; and D) calling out the progress adjustment information, and adjusting the play progress based on the progress adjustment information, and the mobile terminal playing corresponding multimedia based on the adjusted play progress. With the technical scheme in the invention, compared with the method of dragging a progress bar on a touch screen to control the play progress, the method and system for controlling the multimedia play progress can carry out more precise progress positioning.


This paper makes the long-range correlation analysis on the natural monthly runoff in past 45 years at Lancun Station located in the upstream of the Fenhe River and calculates the scale index by using the detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA). The analytic results indicate that the evolution of runoff in the upstream of the Fenhe River has a character of positive long-range correlation and the state of attenuate trend evolution about the historical runoff is basically consistent in the upstream of Fenhe River, and this state of attenuate trend will continue to be maintained in the future evolution.


A Democracy of Distinction is a provocative reassessment of how Aristotle conceived of politics and responded to the democratic regime of fourth-century Athens. According to this book, Aristotle took the city to be the worst form of tyrannical, mob-led democracy (142); it also represented the final stage in a downward spiral of class relations (148–49). Although Athenian society had once been dominated by traditional, close-knit familial bonds, fifth-century elites inaugurated a form of mass politics, inviting "the many" into the political process in exchange for their own power and honor. This friendship of expediency lasted but a short time; torn apart by the stress of the Peloponnesian War, Athens descended into a series of oligarchic and democratic revolutions that ended in a democratic victory and a social order about which Aristotle had major misgivings. Jill Frank is interested in arguing against anyone who might think that Aristotle reacted to this democratic outcome by retreating into elitism, embracing naturalistic and abstract philosophical positions in an attempt to push the many back out of politics. In chapter 1, she argues that Aristotle never committed himself to the (infamous) position that some human beings should be permanently barred from politics because of deliberative faculties that are defective by nature. In chapter 2, Frank argues that Aristotle's conception of property bridges the private/public distinction in such a way that the rich are discouraged from hoarding private wealth and from making their own status and profile the object of public expenditures. In chapters 3 and 4, Frank argues that Aristotle's conceptions of justice and the rule of law do not involve positing abstract, rational rules whose regularity would be accessible and appreciated only by educated elites and whose formality would act as a barrier to the rules of (democratic) men. Frank's strategy for defending these claims centers on her interpretation of Aristotelian virtue. For her, Aristotle completely rejects any kind of essentialism and, instead, emphasizes that human beings are to be understood by their "prohairetic activity." Cast in this role opposite essence, prohairesis (which is often translated as "decision" or "choice") becomes much more than just one among many intellectual virtues; rather, it serves as the quintessential feature of human beings who not only exist but exist temporally. Frank captures this aspect of prohairetic activity by repeatedly stressing that it is not mere behavior, or only motivation and intention, but a dynamic, reciprocal process that includes both: the action chosen depends on the motivating and judgment-altering habits of the agent, but these habits are themselves the result of past actions. Virtue is then defined in terms of this process: it is "a mode of being by way of prohairetic activity, more a verb than a noun" (34). Understood thus, virtue never refers to


The first and second freestanding semiconductor body (40N, 40P) formed on the substrate (10) is a MOS device having a. The first portion of the first freestanding semiconductor body (40N or 40P) is disposed in a non-orthogonal and non-parallel orientation with respect to the first portion of the second freestanding semiconductor body (40P or 40N) . These portions of the first and second freestanding semiconductor body (40N, 40P) has a first and a second crystal orientation, respectively. First gate electrode (60), a first freestanding semiconductor body at least partially with a non-right angle intersection of the first portion of the (40N or 40P), a second gate electrode (60), second to at least a portion and a non-right angle intersection of the first portion of the freestanding semiconductor body (40P or 40N).


The prediction of the N-box paradox, that whichever box is opened will contain the record of the particle having passed through it, is traced to a failure to specify whether the other boxes are distinguishable or indistinguishable. These correspond to different ways of lifting the degeneracy of a certain measurement, and have incompatible consequences.


Simulation and formal models are becoming an accepted part of the early stages of system design. This paper discusses the use of executable system models during system design and implementation.

RTI recently developed an abstract executable model of the operating system developed for an avionics test bed based on the PAVE PILLAR architecture.

The target hardware consisted of two processing clusters, each with five VHSIC 1750A modules connected by a parallel bus and a system mass memory. The three components are connected by two optical high-speed data busses. The modeling was done while both the hardware and software were under development. The process of developing and validating the models produced a significant V&V payoff for the design teams. Formal modeling forced early consideration of hardware/software, inter-module, and inter-application interfaces that were overlooked during the system design process. This led to forecasting system problems that normally would not have been discovered until system integration. This paper will review the modeling effort and show, in a systems engineering context, how abstract modeling can serve as a powerful method for early discovery of interface errors normally not found until integration.


China has already become an automobile sales market with highest growth in the world.Private automobiles have brought people much convenience and pleasure.No one doubt the role they play in expanding the domestic need,improving the economic development,and raising the living standard of both urban and rural residents.However,the high development of the private cars has also brought the bad effects such as traffic jam,energy shortage and environmental pollution.This paper elaborates the definition of negative externality and the economists'thoughts about solving this problem,analyzes various negative externality problems by closely combining with our country's present reality,and puts forward the countermeasures on the basis of some useful foreign experiences.


Microfiltration and reverse osmosis are used to produce high quality industrial reclaimed water in a reclaimed water plant of Beijing.Owing to the usage of pipeline made of ductile iron with cement mortar lining,the quality of reclaimed water deteriorated after being transported to the end users.The experiment and research showed that the mismatch between pipeline materials and the features of reclaimed water led to the water quality change and potential corrosion on the pipeline.The reclaimed water was low in buffering capacity to acid and alkali and poor in chemical stability,while the cement mortar lining surface was high in soluble alkaline content.The following improvements were performed: NaOH was added to the finished water before entering the pipeline to regulate pH to about 7,and NaClO was added to ensure residual chlorine was left at the end of the pipeline;PE pipe with high corrosion resistance would be used in the second-stage pipeline.


A heat exchanger of a condensing boiler, comprising: a sensible heat exchanger unit, which is provided at a lower portion of the burner, and heat exchange column tube integrally formed with the sensible heat exchange; disposed on one side of the heat exchanger a first sensible heat exchange circuit cover, inside which is formed with a plurality of first flow passage guide groove, integrally protruding on the outer side of the exhaust pipe; formed inside the plurality of second flow passage guide groove, the other in the above-exchanger side of the second heat exchange circuit substantially cover; the heat exchanger portion disposed at a lower portion of the latent heat exchanger and the exhaust pipe, the membrane having a latent heat exchanger tube formed integrally; integrally projecting at the lower portion of the latent heat exchanger provided the exhaust hood; provided at a first side of the latent heat exchanger latent heat exchange circuit lid portion, is formed with a plurality of inner flow passage of the guide groove 3; the second latent heat exchanger disposed in the other side part the latent heat exchange circuit cover 4 is formed with a plurality of passage guides. It can maximize the efficiency of the heat exchanger to achieve a lightweight and compact.


In this study, we report a new kind of chiral hybrid material which was prepared through three-dimensional (3D) assembly of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) into a 3D blue-phase (BP) polymer nanostructure template by in situ reduction of silver nitrate. A feature signal at plasmonic wavelengths of Ag NPs could be found in the circular dichroism spectra after assembly of Ag NPs within the 3D BP template due to the localized surface plasmon resonance of Ag NPs. Additionally, the chiral hybrid material not only shows a sensitive response to different amounts of Ag NPs but also exhibits pronounced sensitivity to different surrounding dielectric environments. These kinds of chiroptical hybrid materials can be valuable in a wide range of applications such as refractive sensing, protein inspection and other biomedical fields.


The present work proposes a comparison between three solar-powered district heating and cooling systems, namely: 1) centralized district heating & cooling (DHC) system; 2) 5th-generation district heating & cooling (5GDHC) system and 3) individual AC plants (HHC, Home Heating and Cooling), in different climate conditions. Thermal loads are evaluated by transient simulations of a residential compound featuring 56 detached houses for three different Italian climates: (1) a Mediterranean region on the seaside (Palermo, I), (2) a temperate climate in Central Italy (Roma, I), and (3) a cold-temperate climate in Northern Italy (Bolzano, I). The DHC system shows the highest efficiency in terms of energy-savings, whatever the location. The 5GDHC system reaches a compromise between installation and operational costs.


ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate indirect compomer and composite resin onlay restorations of severely damaged primary molars in vivo. Materials and Methods: At the study, 48 restorations, in seven girls and ten boys totally 17 patients aged 4–8, was evaluated clinically with using USPHS criteria for 15 months. Results: The study results revealed that the clinical success rate of compomer and composite onlay restorations was 79% and 96%, respectively. No significant differences were found statistically between the materials. Conclusions: In the children severely damaged primary molars, onlays are usually worked with an indirect technique in clinics. One of the advantages of indirect technique is being most similar to its original form morphologically.


Cooperative supply is an approach to solve the dilemma of collective goods supply in urban community.But the cooperative model is constraint with individual cognitive adjustment and inner institutional environment.This article takes the elevator maintenance and supply in Nanjing residential for example,and finds out that the inner institutions involving individual habit,community convention and formal regular play an important role in the creation of cooperative supply model.As the change of inner institutions is relative to the adjustment of individual cognitive and faith,we should take the "cognitive trigger" to facilitate the creation of cooperative supply convention of collective goods in urban community.


The invention relates to a system and method for adjusting battery pack state of charge thresholds. Systems and methods for operating a battery pack supplying power to propel a vehicle are disclosed. One example method includes, increasing a battery pack state of charge window in response to a negative grade of a section of road a vehicle is traveling. The method also includes decreasing the battery pack state of charge window in response to the vehicle transitioning from traveling down a section of road having a negative grade to traveling down a section of road that has a positive or zero grade.


A large number of clinical studies indicate that bariatric surgery leads to improvement or resolution of type 2 diabetes. The outcomes vary depending on procedure adopted. Biliopancreatic diversion(BPD) is associated with the highest cure rate(98%), followed by Roux-en-Y gastric bypass(RGBP)(80%). However, the mechanism is still unclear and controversial. The changes of many hormones after surgery are different between BPD and RGBP, especially some gastrointestinal hormones such as GLP-1 and GIP,however it cannot be fully explained by the widely known hindgut hypothesis and the foregut hypothesis. This review is intended to compare the anatomical structures and postoperative gastrointestinal hormones GLP-1 and GIP changes between the two procedures according to the latest researches in the world, and discussed different mechanisms which may take effect in improving diabetes.


In the II Vatican Council the category of "testimony" has the value of a "form of revelation", as it is expressed by DV, LG and GS. It's also shown as a "reason of credibility especially in AG. The interpretative key of all the texts can be found in Karol Wojtyla's reflection. Then, the article goes through the main texts of the Post-conciliar Pontifical Magisterium and deals with some open theological problems about the Christian mission that presents the Truth of Jesus Christ in a multicultural world.


THE AUTHOR REPORTS ON ONE OF THE RESEARCH PROJECTS CARRIED OUT BY THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR TRANSPORTATION AT DRESDEN. BASED ON THE TARGET RESIDENTIAL DENSITY OF 300 - 330 PERSONS PER HECTARE IN THE GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC, A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT POSSIBILITIES FOR THE HOUSING OF PARKED CARS HAVE BEEN INVESTIGATED, INCLUDING THE NECESSARY AREA REQUIRED AND THE REQUISITE CAPITAL INVESTMENT. THE CURRENT DOMINANT SURFACE PARKING OF CARS EMANATES FROM A MISTAKEN ASSESSMENT OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF MOTORISATION. IN THE INTEREST OF QUALITY THE NUMBER OF PARKING PLACES PROVIDED ON THE STREETS OF A RESIDENTIAL AREA SHOULD BE KEPT TO THE MINIMUM. ATTRACTIVELY FURNISHED PARKING PLACES SHOULD BE STRIVEN FOR ON THE EDGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT AT A SUITABLE DISTANCE FROM ALL DWELLINGS. AT THE SAME TIME THIS REDUCES THE SURFACE REQUIREMENT PER RESIDENT FOR PARKING. SURFACE REQUIREMENT VALUES FOR PARKING PER RESIDENT (4.94 M2/PERSON TO 7.73 M2/PERSON) HAVE BEEN CALCULATED, BASED ON A MOTORISATION FACTOR OF 3 PERSONS/VEHICLE AND ON DIFFERENT PLANNING SITUATIONS (ALL CARS ON COMMUNAL PARKING PLACES, MIXED USE OF 50% OF KERBSIDE PARKING, MIXED USE OF PARKING PALETTES). FINALLY, RECOMMENDATIONS ARE GIVEN FOR THE AREAS REQUIRED FOR PARKING AT 6.0 M2/ PERSON WHERE SPACES ARE NOT RESERVED AND 7.0 M2/PERSON FOR RESERVED SPACES FOR VEHICLES KEPT IN THE ESTATE. ONLY A PART OF THESE AREAS SHOULD BE CONSTRUCTED IMMEDIATELY. THE VALUES GIVEN IN THESE GUIDELINES SHOULD BE CONSIDERED WHEN AREAS ARE ALLOCATED IN ORDER THAT A CLEAR IDEA OF THE FUTURE SOLUTION OF THE PARKING PROBLEM IN RESIDENTIAL AREAS MAY EXIST AT THE PLANNING STAGE.


To minimize the coordination efforts among design teams and expedite the design process via parallel workflow, this paper proposes a framework of decentralized optimal design. The framework consists of two major components. The first component is the characterization of team-based interactions in engineering design via the notions of responsibility and controllability. This characterization helps us to understand what kind of role a team can perform in a decentralized design environment. The second component is the application of the Lagrangian relaxation approach to support concurrent decision making (i.e., parallel workflow) during the team-based design process. The framework has been demonstrated through the welded beam design example, and the results are promising in view of future development in this research direction.


Background: The objective of the present research was to study clinical profile of rheumatic patients having infections including correlation of infection with different parameters and DMARDS and to study incidence pattern of various infections.Methods: All patients of various Rheumatic diseases with infections who fulfil inclusion criteria who were enrolled in this study. Duration of study was six months. A total of 300 patients where studied out of which 50 were cases and the rest were control.Results: Incidence of infection was high in extremes of age. Overall incidence of infection was slightly higher in females. Infection rate was 16.66%. Incidence of infection was highest among vasculitis group. Kidney was the most common organ involved. Incidence of infection was more in patients having anemia and leukopenia. Tuberculosis was the most common infection found in Rheumatic patients.Conclusions: Infection was more common at extremes of age and more common in females. SLE was most common disease encountered while kidney was most common organ to get involve in disease process. Patients with anemia and leukopenia had statistically significant incidence of infections. Tuberculosis is most common infection encountered in Indian rheumatic patients.


With their emphasis on reviewing new publications and their interest in determining literary value, Romantic periodicals were uniquely positioned to problematize the fact that an author was alive. ...


The discrepancies between English and Chinese modes of thinking give rise to difficulties for Chinese students' English writing.Based on the analysis of the impact of Chinese and English modes of thinking on respective written discourse,it is found,through an investigation,that the Chinese modes of thinking have greatly influence on Chinese EFL students' writing in two aspects: thesis statement and the development of discourse.Therefore,the proposal is put forward that college English teachers should focus on the training of the students' ability of thinking in English in teaching practice.


The Mössbauer spectra of 119Sn in PbZr1−xSnxO3 compound were studied from 30 to 300 °C with particular emphasis on the regions of phase transitions. Some changes of the Mössbauer spectrum near the phase transition temperatures were observed, as expected from the change in the crystal structure. The measurements also showed that the Mössbauer fraction considerably drops near the temperature of the phase displacive transition between two antiferroelectric phases (AFE1–AFE2), whereas this drop is considerably smaller at Curie point. Little difference was found in the center shift of the spectrum, indicating that the bonding character is not affected by the phase transitions. The obtained results were interpreted according to Dvorak's suggestion that in antiferroelectrics the frequency over the entire optical branch may soften at particular phase transitions. According to the theory, the mode softening should manifest as a decrease in the Mössbauer–Lamb recoil‐free fraction (f‐factor) due to the increasing vibrational amplitude of the soft mode. Such softening was already observed in Raman scattering measurements in the PbZr1−xSnxO3 single crystals.


Basal red, blue, and green radiolarian claystones and sandstones (chiefly montmorillonite and illite) of probable Santonian age (Hole 315A, Line Islands) have a chemistry that differs both from modern and ancient spreading-ridge sediments and from Pacific pelagic clays. Relative to deep-sea Pacific clays, the 315A basal sediments are enriched in Fe and Ti; however, their trace element levels generally are lower. This chemistry roughly matches that of the underlying volcanics. The iron may thus derive from submarine weathering of basalt; the titanium is probably specifically related to the presence of detrital clinopyroxene and authigenic anatase. The chemistry of these Line Islands sediments is comparable with that of the red claystones lying on the altered volcanics of Meiji Guyot (Emperor Seamounts); the implication is, therefore, that oceanic islands are characterized by a specific type of basal deposit in the genesis of which geothermal systems and "hydrothermal solutions" play a negligible role.


The second generation of optical networks with wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) is based on the notion of two layer networks, where the first layer represents a logical topology defined over the physical topology of optical fibers and the second layer represents multiple traffic requests combined (multiplexed) over the paths established in the logical topology. Because the design of both of these layers is challenging by itself, researchers have mainly focused on solving these problems either independently or in a sequential fashion. In this paper, we look at the WDM optical network design problem with nonbifurcated traffic flows and propose an exact branch-and-price procedure that simultaneously solves logical topology design and traffic routing over the established logical topology. The unique feature of the proposed algorithm is that it works with a row-incomplete mathematical formulation and two types of variables that exponentially grow in number with the problem size. We discuss computational issues related to the use of this procedure and propose two approximate branch-and-price procedures that can be used to obtain lower and upper bounds for this problem. Finally, we present the results of our computational experiments for two design objectives and alternative optical network settings.


A fixture (20) and method for repairing supcralloy articles. The fixture (20) ideally holds the article in place if repairs are made. An interface between the fixture (20) and the article facilitate transfer of heat between the article and the fixture (20) so that the article can be differentially heat treated. A portion of the article extends from the fixture (20). This portion of the article, which may be repaired within the fixture (20) or may be repaired elsewhere, is solution heat treated while in the fixture (20) so that the area extending from the fixture (20) is solutioned, while heat is transferred from the article through the fixture (20), thereby preventing the temperature of the portion of the article within the fixture (20) from being elevated so as to modify its microstructure. The solutioned portion can then be heat treated, while in the fixture (20), to precipitation harden it as desired.


Conventional foreign language programs commonly fail to lead to fluency because their sequential (cue-and-response) approach provides insufficient access to the natural flow of language. A novel technique introduced here can offer systematic and controlled practice in connected discourse while emphasizing the oral discourse features of the target language: rhythm, tempo, and pausing, as well as the alternation of suprasegmental patterns and contours typical for connected speech. A simultaneous mode of cuefeeding makes it possible for the learners to listen to, read along with, and imitatively record texts concurrently. The resulting discourse practice helps them assimilate and gain familiarity with the properties of fluent speech in the target language. The paper explains the principles of Audio-Lectal Practice (ALP) and the fifth skill required to master this technique, and it discusses how such a program operates. First test results on the effect of imitative speech practice on spontaneous speech and its fluctuation in fluency are cited from an experimental ALP program at the University of Tuebingen.


* Preface * Acknowledgments * Introduction * One. The Magical and the Instrumental: Nature in the Pre-Hispanic World * Two. The Spanish Resolve: Conserving Resources for the Crown * Three. Conservation during Unfavorable Times: Independent Mexico until the Revolution * Four. Miguel Angel de Quevedo: The Apostle of the Tree * Five. Conservation for the Commonweal: The Cardenas Years * Six. The Waning of Conservation: 1940-1970 * Seven. Against the Tide: The Conservationists' Crusade * Eight. For Humankind and Nature: The Pursuit of Sustainable Development * Nine. Reconsidering: Mexican Environmental Policy * Ten. The Green Revolution: The Mexican Environmental Movement * Conclusion * Appendix One. The Political History of Mexico from Independence to Revolution * Appendix Two. Mexican Presidents, 1911-1994 * Appendix Three. Chronology of Conservation in Mexico * Notes * Bibliography * Index


The plaintiff sought damages for pain and suffering resulting from a stillbirth that occurred during the thirty-fourth week of pregnancy. She claimed that her physician had not reacted to signs that there was a problem with the fetus and, thus, had failed to admit her to a hospital in time to save the fetus. The defendant responded by arguing that a fetus was not a person and, thus, could not be the subject of a claim for pain and suffering. The High Regional Court at Oldenburg, Germany, rejected this argument, holding that injury to a fetus also signifies injury to the pregnant woman. It also ruled, however, that, in this case, the plaintiff had not shown sufficient causation between her physician's failure to make a correct diagnosis and the injury to the fetus.


Although earlier research on leader-member exchange (LMX) theory supported a negative linear relationship between LMX quality and role stressors, recent studies suggest that a more complex, nonlinear relationship may exist between LMX quality and variables traditionally associated with it. Based on communication research of LMX and social exchange theory, the aim of this article is to revisit the relationship between LMX quality and role stressors by reconceptualizing their associations and testing the hypotheses of an inverted U relationship. A survey study among immigrant employees revealed differential effects of LMX quality on role stressors. In particular, with role conflict and role overload LMX quality was found to have an inverted U relationship, but a negative linear relationship with role ambiguity. These findings challenge the prevailing assumptions and carry significant theoretical and practical implications.


AbstractIn this chapter the anatomical and physiological features of the skeletal system, cardiovascular, respiratory system, digestive, urinary system, reproduction, and integuments of reptiles and fishes were discussed.


The diagnosis of THS has to be made following clinical evaluation and neuroimaging. There are many other causes for compressive lesions in the cavernous sinus, notably aneurysm, fistula, neoplasia, thrombosis or lymphoma, that can cause the same clinical presentation which have to be ruled out prior to the the diagnosis of THS. The International Headache Society supplied a specific diagnostic criteria for THS (Table 1).


This paper has discussed on the qualification and quantification for grade standard divided of drought and drought disaster , and puts forward to the application condition to adapt to the need of drought and drought disaster assessment in production management.


The investigations on determining permissible concentrations of fluoride-ions in composition of nitrate liquid radioactive wastes for their underground disposal into Layer-collector bypassing open surface storage have been carried out using real samples of deep storage rock. The permissible concentrations of fluoride-ions for these wastes with optimal molar ratio [Fe3+]:[F-] as applied to the new operating wells were determined. Maximum permissible fluoride concentrations at which their negative action on materials of deep storage may be neglected were determined.


The Long-Short-Term-Memory Recurrent Neural Network (LSTM RNN) is a state-of-the-art machine learning model for analyzing sequential data. It, however, has low training throughput and is limited by memory capacity when running on GPUs. Our results from profiling the LSTM RNN-based Neural Machine Translation (NMT) model reveal that the feature maps of the attention layers form the major memory bottleneck and the fully-connected layers form the runtime bottleneck when training on a modern GPU. We identify the key reason why the attention layers disproportionately consume so much GPU memory: their computation exhibits an O-shape (i.e. small input and output size, but large amounts of intermediate values). We observe that the repetitive nature of LSTM RNNs can be exploited to improve performance of the fully-connected layers by better utilizing the GPU memory hierarchy. Based on these observations, we propose EcoRNN that incorporates two optimizations that significantly reduce the memory footprint and runtime. (1) Partial forward propagation reduces the memory footprint by stashing the small input values of the attention layers and then recomputing the feature maps during the backward passes, instead of saving them in memory. (2) Data layout optimization boosts runtime performance of fully-connected layers by transposing the data between row-major and column-major layout. It is transparent to programmers since EcoRNN automatically selects the best implementation using model hyperparameters. We integrate EcoRNN into MXNet and evaluate it on the NMT and word-level language modeling task. On the NMT model, EcoRNN halves the memory consumption without losing any training accuracy or runtime performance. This memory footprint reduction can be converted into a 1.5× reduction in training time and energy consumption by training with a larger batch size. On the word-level language modeling task, EcoRNN improves the training throughput by up to 2× over the MXNet default implementation and 1.2× over cuDNN, the state-of-the-art deep learning library.


It is necessary that I myself clarify a number of inaccuracies which have been spread around about me. I am starting with the rectification of a lie, which was probably spread by its author in order to take revenge on me. Dr. Paul Stefan for whom I apparently showed my contempt a little too distinctly claims that I was influenced by a painter; and Dr. Wellesz, the other biographer with whom I am blessed, copies it in print, with the modification that I was intluenced by Kokoschka. Really to recognize these lies as such it is enough: 1. To know that Dr. Stefan, when he wants to tell the truth still lies, for which reason his biography is teeming with inaccuracies. One could now believe that, if he wants to lie he would have to tell the truth. But the truth is for him unrecognizable and above all, inexpressible and so he just simply tells another lie. 2. One only needs to look at my pictures that were painted in 1910 (ten) and to realize that, if able to be influenced I would have to be influenced by the pictures of a painter, and indeed as a painter. 3. However, if one compares my pictures with those of Kokoschka one has to recognize forthwith their complete independence. I painted 'Gazes,' which I have already painted elsewhere. This is something which only I could have done, for it is out of my own nature and is completely contrary to the nature of a real painter. I never saw faces but, because I looked into peoples' eyes, only their 'gazes.' This is the reason why I can imitate the gaze of a person. A painter, however. grasps with one look the whole person-x-I, only his soul. 4. However, if one thinks of this certain Mr. Gerstl then the matter stands thus. When this person invaded my house he was a student of Keffler for whom he supposedly painted too radically. But it was not quite so radical, for at that time his ideal, his model, was Liebermann. In many conversations about art, music and sundry things I wasted many thoughts on him as on everbody else who wanted to listen. Probably this had confirmed him in his, at that time, rather tame radicalism to such a degree, that when he saw some quite miscarried attempts of mine, he took their miserable appearance to be intentional and exclaimed: 'Now I have learned from you how one has to paint.' I believe that Webern will be able to confirm this. Immediately afterwards he started to paint 'Modern.' I have today no judgment if these pictures are of any value. I never was very enthusiastic about them.


Developmentally healthy 9-month-old boy brought for evaluation of congenital pale pink 2-cm plaque on left parietal scalp. Lesion relatively unchanged since birth. No history of birth trauma or scalp electrode monitoring in the intrapartum period. Mother denied varicella infection during pregnancy.


A hair shaping topical composition comprising materials that emit electromagnetic radiation at wavelengths that affect tertiary structure (breaking of disulfide) bonds in human hair, and that bring about changes in secondary structure of hair proteins. The intensity of the radiation is controlled and sufficient to cause or facilitate altering of protein structure. The invention includes methods of using such topical compositions. Testing indicates that the hair reshaping is permanent and there is no damage to hair of the type characteristic of chemical treatments.


determine the evaluation of electrophysiologic charaters of entrainment pacing in understanding atrial flutter mechanism raising successful rate,reducing recurrence rate.Methods:Entrainment pacing was performed in the patients with typical atrial flutter in high right atrium,ostium of coronary sinus,isthmus between inferior vena cava (IVC) and tricuspid valve annulus (TVA) after inducing atrial flutter.Activation sequence was analyzed,then ablation line was done at isthmus between IVC and TVA.Results:Reentry with counter clockwise in right atrium and concealed entrainment were found in isthmus between IVC and TVA,high right atrium,lower right atrium,and ostium of coronary sinus.Overt entrainment was found in left atrium and fossa ovalis (FO) during entrainment pacing.Complete block in isthmus between IVC and TVA was achieved after 9±6 delivery of radiofrequency (RF) energy.P waves morphology changed in lead Ⅱ,Ⅲ and aVF of ECG during pacing ostium of coronary sinus.Conclusions:Concealed and overt entrainment are useful for evalution of isthmus dependence of atrial flutter.Changes of activation sequence of intracardic electrogram and P wave morphology during pacing ostium of coronary sinus are a marker of complete block of isthmus during RF ablation of atrial flutter.[Chinese Journal of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology,2000,14(3):177~179]


Thermode composed of two thin-walled stainless steel hypodermic needles and cooper-constantan thermocouple or small thermistor to indicate temperature at point of perfusion is used to measure brain temperature in animals. Because of relatively small size of thermode, structural damage to brain is minimized.


Dendronized hyperbranched polymers (DHPs) can provide advantages of both hyperbranched polymers and dendrimers, making them promising structure platform for high performance second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) materials. Herein, we report a new A3 +B2 -type DHP (HP2) through facile and efficient [2+2] cycloaddition polymer postfunctionalization, in which tetracyanobutadienyl-based moieties are introduced as the main chromophores while isophorone-bridged moieties serve as the isolation chromophores. Benefiting from this unique hyperbranched structure design, the measured d33 value of HP2 can reach up to 96.6 pm/V with high thermal stability, making it a good material candidate for second-order NLO applications. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


Following on the success of the joint call for papers from Journal of Gerontology Social Sciences and Psychological Sciences on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in 2020, we issued a call in early 2021 for a second round of papers examining the longer-term impacts of the pandemic. Although early studies on COVID-19 and older adults focused largely on descriptive analyses, the "COVID-19 and Aging 2.0" was a call for scholars to focus on mechanisms, change over time, and comparative analyses. This was timely because many individual studies had sufficient time to complete data collection and pandemic supplements to ongoing panel and cohort studies were coming available. Many of the first published studies on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on older adults focused on the initial "stay at home" phase, such as examining the impact of sudden isolation (Fingerman et al., 2021) and digital barriers that exacerbated feelings of isolation (Seifert et al., 2021). As the pandemic stretched into its second year, our scientific focus has shifted away from the immediate impacts to the longer-term fallout from the pandemic. The studies in this issue reflect this next wave of inquiry, allowing us to take a longer view. In some cases, resources and resilience in the early weeks may have waned under the long-term strain and/or exposed the fragility of support systems. In other cases, consequences of isolation, financial strain, or anxiety about COVID-19 start to take their psychological and physical toll on people. Finally, the extraordinarily high rates of infection and death have increased the likelihood that older adults or persons close to them have been directly affected by the virus. This collection of papers represents the newest advances in our knowledge about the pandemic and its impact on older adults. Some of the studies take advantage of COVID19 supplements to ongoing cohort and panel studies, including Health and Retirement Study, National Health and Aging Trends Study, SHARE, and Longitudinal Aging Study of Amsterdam. Other studies utilize data collected through existing surveillance designs, such as the Understanding America Study. Still others designed COVID-19-specific studies such as the Fuller and Huseth-Zosel (2021) study of older adults in the urban and rural regions of the Midwest United States. These studies cover a broad range of topics such as the economic precarity due to furloughs and job loss (Abrams et al., 2021; Choi et al., 2020; Taylor et al., 2021), loss of loved ones to the COVID-19 virus (Lin & Liu, 2021; Wang et al., 2021), and downstream impact of extended loneliness and isolation (Freedman et al., 2021; Robbins et al., 2021). Below, I briefly comment on the major themes that coalesce in this issue.


Sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one}, RO-13-8895 {acetone-O-[d-2-[p-[α,α,α-trifluoro-p-tolyl-oxy]phenoxy] propionyl] oxime}, and KK-80 {4-[4-[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenoxy] phenoxyl]-2-pentenoic} were evaluated for potential use for controlling quackgrass [Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv., # AGRRE] in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. 'NK200'), smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis Leyss. 'Sac'), orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L. 'Nordstern'), timothy (Phleum pratense L. 'Climax'), Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L. 'Park'), Reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinaceae L. 'Rise'), meadow fescue (Festuca elatior L.), and red fescue (Festuca rubra L.). The three herbicides, when applied postemergence at 1.1 kg ai/ha, caused severe injury to all species except red fescue. 'Pennlawn', 'Ruby', 'Dawson', MN67123, MN673, and MN6354 red fescue entries were tolerant to the three herbicides in both greenhouse and field experiments. Sethoxydim and RO-13-8895 effectively controlled quackgrass in Pennlawn red fescue, but KK-80 was not effective.


Numerical study of the strongly nonlinear extreme wave interaction with a floating structure based on the open source package OpenFOAM is presented. The numerical solver is based on the Navier-Stokes equations, and the Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is employed to capture the complicated free surface. A two-dimensional numerical wave tank is established, which can generate various types of waves by given the free surface position and the water particles velocity at a fixed boundary according to wave theories. By means of the 6 degree-offreedom (6DoF) motion solver and the deformed mesh technique, the simulation of body motion is achieved. The linear waves and focused wave are generated and compared with theoretical results to validate the numerical wave tank firstly, and then the strongly nonlinear wavestructure interaction is simulated. The motion responses of the floating structure under extreme wave are predicted. Both the motion responses of structure and the complicated free surface are compared with corresponding experimental measurements and show satisfactory agreements. The flow field and the green water phenomena are analyzed based on the numerical results. It implied that the present numerical model is efficient and accurate for dealing with the strongly nonlinear wave-structures interaction problem with both the violent free-surface flow and large amplitude body motion.


In this paper, our interest is in the identification of a special class of electromechanical systems: a motor‐drive system using the continuous wavelet transform method. This new modal analysis technique is evaluated in terms of its accuracy in the estimation of the modal parameters, its ability in distinguishing and separating several modes, its resistance to noisy conditions, and its usability with different excitations types. For this investigation, two models of elastic drive systems are considered: the two‐mass model and the three‐mass model. Simulation results of the study are presented, and the effectiveness of the developed identification method is discussed. © 2012 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.


An insulated wall can be supported internally by thin steel studs. There will be extra heat loss caused by the metal U~studs, but slitting the web a/the V-studs perpendicular to the heatflow direction reduces this heat loss. Calculation of the heat transmittance is a difficult numerical problem due to the high ratio of thermal conductivity between the insulation and the steel. This study presents results of calculations in three dimensions. The proper choice of the numerical mesh is discussed. Simplified equations for the V-factor are derived and implemented in a computer program. The heat transmittance is quickly calculated for different parameters-thermal conductivity of insulation and steel, steel thickness, distance between studs, and additional insulated layers (with or without cross-laid steel studs), Afew results from hot box measurements are also presented. INTRODUCTION An insulated wall may be supported internally by steel studs, and there will be extra heat loss caused by the metal. Several authors estimate a 30% to 50% reduction of the wall thennal resistance due to the metal studs (Brown and Stephenson 1993; Kosny and Christian 1995; Trethowen 1988). Slitting the web of the studs perpendicular to the heat flow direction is an efficient way to reduce the thermal bridge effect. Calculation of the heat transmittance is a difficult numerical problem due to the high ratio of thermal conductivity between the insulation and the steel. This study presents threedimensional numerical calculations for a particular problem of this type. The proper choice of a numerical mesh is discussed. The dependence of the obtained U-factor on a number of different parameters is dealt with. Simplified equations for the U-factor are derived and implemented in a handy PC-program. The heat transmittance is quickly calculated for different parameters-thelmal conductivity of insulation and steel, steel thickness, distance between studs, and additional insulated layers (with or without cross-laid steel studs). The PC-program HEAT3 (Blomberg, 1998) has been used for the three-dimensional calculations. Figure I shows the structure of a wall in which insulation is contained between two gypsum boards of 13 mm thickness each. The distance between the metal U-studs is denoted by Lg• There is an extra heat loss caused by the metal V-studs. Slitting the web of the U-studs perpendicular to the heat flow direction, as shown in Figure 2, can reduce this heat loss. The thickness of the stud is denoted by t. The stud considered is a typical one that has been in use in Scandinavia for the last five to ten years. DATA FOR NUMERICAL CALCULATION The problem is not perfectly symmetrical due to different flange lengths (40 mm and 46 rnm, see Figure 2). However, this is neglected in the calculations, and the left flange length ~ l' I I I I \ I! \ \ \ \ I I I \ \ I \ \ \ \ \ I \ \ \ I I I \ I I \ I \ I \ \ \ I \ \ \ I \ I \ I \ \ n I \ I I \ \ \ \ \ I \ \ \ I \ \ \ \ \ \ \ I \ \ I \ \ \ \ \ I I \ \ \ \ \ I \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ I I 15 1\ \ ~ \ \ \ \ I I \ \ ,


Objective
To study the role of garlicin, vitamin C and vitamin B6 and the mechanism in preventing and treating non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in mouse.

Methods
Eighteen C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 3 groups according to the random number table: preventing group, treating group and control group with 6 mice in each group. In preventing group, the mice were fed with high fatty diet and were infused intragastrically with garlicin (0.02 mg/g), vitamin C (0.50 mg/g) and vitamin B6 (0.02 mg/g) by weight everyday at the same time for 4 weeks. In treating group, the mice were infused intragastrically with the above drugs for 1 week after 4 weeks of feeding with high fatty diet. In control group, the mice were fed with high fatty diet and were infused intragastrically with equivalent normal saline at the same time for 4 weeks. After processing, the levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), free fatty acids (FFA), levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), content of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) of iNOS, pathological changes and infiltration of Kupffer cells of liver tissues in 3 groups were observed. The differences of measurement data in 3 groups were compared using one-way analysis of variance and LSD-t test.

Results
The mean levels of serum ALT were (30±7), (34±7), (44±6) U/L in preventing group, treating group and control group respectively, which were significantly lower in preventing group and treating group than that in control group (LSD-t=3.815, 2.748; P<0.05). The levels of serum AST were (46±6), (43±8), (103±7) U/L in preventing group, treating group and control group respectively, which were significantly lower in preventing group and treating group than that in control group (LSD-t=12.400, 16.371; P<0.05). The levels of serum FFA were (196±10), (223±12), (254±31) mmol/L in preventing group, treating group and control group respectively, which were significantly lower in preventing group and treating group than that in control group (LSD-t=4.335, 2.271; P<0.05), and it was significantly lower in preventing group than that in treating group (LSD-t=4.154;P<0.05). The levels of serum SOD were (128±17), (119±30), (82±13) kU/L in preventing group, treating group and control group respectively, which were significantly higher in preventing group and treating group than that in control group (LSD-t=5.413, 2.850; P<0.05). The levels of serum MDA were (5.5±1.9), (5.7±1.9), (7.9±0.9)μmol/L in preventing group, treating group and control group respectively, which were significantly lower in preventing group and treating group than that in control group (LSD-t=2.818, 2.527; P<0.05). The expression of iNOS protein in liver tissues of mice in control group significantly increased, compared with that in preventing group and treating group. The mRNA contents of iNOS in liver tissues of mice were (3.6±0.5)×10-4, (3.3±0.5)×10-4, (7.5±0.3)×10-4, which were significantly lower in preventing group and treating group than that in control group (LSD-t=13.273, 13.976; P<0.05). Obvious fatty liver was observed in mice of control group, while it was milder in preventing group and treating group. The activated Kupffer cells in liver tissues significantly decreased in preventing group and treating group, compared with that in control group.

Conclusions
Combined use of garlicin, vitamin C and vitamin B6 is effective in preventing and treating NAFLD. The mechanism may be related with alleviating lipid peroxidation damage, enhancing the oxidation resistance of liver, suppressing cytoactive of Kupffer cells and decreasing the levels of serum FFA.

Key words:
Fatty liver; Garlic; Vitamins; Kupffer cells; Lipid peroxidation


Based on the Gramian assignment technique, a continuous fuzzy controller for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems is developed. These nonlinear systems considered are represented by Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models. The design of this fuzzy controller can be accomplished by assigning a certain common observability Gramian for each rule of these Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy models.


Background: There is evidence that physical exercise leads to reduced metabolic derangement in persons with diabetes mellitus 2 (DM2). Objetive: To learn about the effects of physical exercise in controlling DM2. Methods: A pre and post treatment quasi-experimental study was conducted from January to May, 2011. 40 DM2 subjects were assessed. Two subgroups were formed: one with 20 patients (the experimental group) and another one with the remaining 20 patients (the control group). The variables analyzed were: age, sex, body mass index, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose levels, cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic). We designed an aerobic exercise program that was applied to the experimental group. We measured the variables for both groups at baseline, at week 6 and 12. Results: Obese people predominated in both groups, with a


Depressed mood, with its accompanying mental and physical stresses, could affect the progression and severity of several diseases e.g. hypertension, myocardi al infarction, gastritis, peptic ulcer. The present animal study was done to investigate the potential antioxidant effect of paroxetine, as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor, to protect against chronic restraint stress -induced oxidative damage in th e liver.Thirtyalbino rats were divided into 3 equal groups. Group 1 was control, non -stressed non-treated group. Group 2 was exposed to chronic restraint model by placing them in wire mesh cages exactly fit to their size for 6 hours daily for 21 days. Gr oup 3 were also exposed to chronic restraint model for 21 days while they were administered by paroxetine 1 mg/kg/day ip during the restraint period. At the end of the study, liver transaminases were determined by commercial kits. The hepatic levels of glu tathione peroxidase, catalase and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance were also determined by spectrophotometric methods. Glutathione repletion ability by hepatic cells with and without paroxetine treatment was also determined in all tested groups. The results showed a significant (p<0.05) increase in serum levels of transaminases and liver anti -oxidant enzymes while levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in paroxetine-treated group compared with non-stressed non-treated control rats. Glutathione repletion ability was also significantly (p<0.05) increased in treated group to a level comparable to the control non -stressed non-treated values.


The cognoscenti wearily deride these shortcomings even while they acknowledge their importance. After all, who really wants to talk about getting old? Similarly, the subject of productivity is described as too dull, or worse, too threatening for Canadians. It is said to imply working harder, not smarter, or to promote job losses rather than income gains. These debates are thus thought best confined to the policy wonks, in order that our diagnoses and prescriptions can occur in a parallel, forgotten universe.


An historic first took place in Portcullis House on 10 June. The UK All Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) on global health and mental health convened a joint hearing to discuss global mental health. The event, chaired by Lord Nigel Crisp together with James Morris MP, was the first of two oral evidence sessions to address the question of whether the UK government should be "doing more or doing differently" to address the treatment gap in global mental health. Three additional Parliamentarians, Meg Hillier MP, Vicount Eccles and Peter Bottomley MP, were also in attendance.


Summary form only given. A measure of the worth of one's life is his/her contributions to Society. By this measure Dr. Rudolph Henning was a TRUE STANDOUT. The speaker will attest to this as a result of knowing him for over 52 years - as an employer, as an employee, and, most importantly, as a valued Colleague.


We present the investigation of the amplification of a laser diode emitting at 976 nm in a single mode ytterbium-doped fiber in order to develop a blue laser source at 488 nm by second-harmonic generation. An optimization of the non-linear frequency-doubling process is described theoretically. First results on the amplification of the laser diode are presented.


Membrane separation processes have a wide application in liquid and gas purification industries. They enjoy advantages such as convenient processibility, easy and lower production and operational costs. Thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) process, due to its wide advantages, has won special attention in recent decades. In this process, a homogenous solution of polymer-diluent at a temperature above the polymer melting point is formed and the solution is then cast in the favorite shape. In order to create a porous structure, the diluent is extracted. In this work, microporous LLDPE membrane is fabricated and full factorial experimental design is used to evaluate the individual as well as mutual impacts of polymer concentration, membrane thickness and cooling bath temperature on the porosity and mechanical strength of the membrane. The results obtained from the analysis of variance of membrane porosity and mechanical strength, showed that the impact of cooling bath temperature is much more important than polymer concentration and membrane thickness. Higher cooling bath temperature, lower polymer concentration and membrane thickness result in higher porosity.


Several computer programs are developed on a portable microcomputer for demonstration purposes to aid a teacher in classroom instruction in the physics of electronic devices at the undergraduate level. These programs and their in-class usage are described. Their impact on the students is evaluated.


Prepared series of bulk polycrystalline La 1 x Ag xMnO 3 by conventional solid state reaction processing in air, x ranging nominally from 0 to 0.5, and studied their microstructure, magnetism and giant magnetoresistance (GMR) for the first time. The Curie temperature of the samples increases rapidly with the increasing of Ag content when x0.25 and it of the samples is all about 310?K when x≥0.25. The increasing of the sample's Curie temperature is attributed to the enhancement of the double exchange interaction. X ray diffraction patterns show that: the crystal structure is single rhomobohedral perovskite phase for the samples with x≤0.25 and the samples are composed of two phases which are rhomobohedral perovskite and Ag rich phase when x0.25. This result indicates the solid solubility of Ag 2O in LaMnO 3 is limited and the critical solubility is at x~0.25. When x0.25, the Ag rich phase will appear. The room magnetoresistance effect is largely enhanced in such an inhomogeneous granular system due to the spin dependent scattering of electrons at the interface of the two phases.


Based on critical theory, this paper reviews the discourse and the research approach concerning the education of students with disabilities in Taiwan. Three main obstacles that might inhibit the development of inclusive education are indentified. Firstly, relevant legislation and policy in Taiwan are dominated by the deficit discourse; different forms of exclusionary artefacts are formulated in order to compensate students' defects. Secondly, inclusive education is often reduced to a placement strategy, and least restrict environmental (LRE) is applied to determine an educational placement for students with disabilities. As such, excluding some students with disabilities to special classes or out to special schools is deemed appropriate. This might suppress the reflections upon the exclusionary practice. Thirdly, the governmental affirmation for valuing positivism as a superior research methodology might further limit the development of inclusive education. The (potential) contributions alternative methodologies could make in enhancing inclusive practice might be overlooked. In overcoming these difficulties, I am arguing for using inclusive education as a discourse to reflect and reconstruct educational practice in a more inclusive way; and embrace the multiplicity of research methodologies in discussing inclusive education.


Energy density limitations of layered oxides with different Ni contents, i.e., of the conventional cathode materials in Li-ion batteries, are investigated across the first discharge cycle using advanced spectroscopy and state-of-the-art diffraction. For the first time unambiguous experimental evidence is provided, that redox reactions in NCMs proceed via a reversible oxidation of Ni and a hybridization with O, and not, as widely assumed, via pure cationic or more recently discussed, pure anionic redox processes. Once Ni-O hybrid states are formed, the sites cannot be further oxidized. Instead, irreversible reactions set in which lead to a structural collapse and thus, the lack of ionic Ni limits the reversible capacity. Moreover, the degree of hybridization, which varies with the Ni content, triggers the electronic structure and the operation potential of the cathodes. With an increasing amount of Ni, the covalent character of the materials increases and the potential decreases.


Previous theoretical treatments of the thermodynamics of high‐polymer solutions have assumed that the entropy of mixing is independent of the magnitude of the heat of mixing. The present treatment considers energy interactions on a molecular scale and includes these in the configurational partition function. This leads to the derivation of expressions for the heat of mixing and the entropy of mixing which reflect the effect of solvent‐solute interaction. One result of particular interest is an explicit expression for the temperature dependence of osmotic pressure.


Engineering is and important and learned profession, which has a direct and vital impact on the quality of life for all people. Accordingly, engineers must provide their services on the basis of honesty, impartiality, fairness and equity, and must be dedicated to the Protection of public health, safety, and welfare. Engineering failures are often found to stem from deficiencies in engineering ethics and engineers are responsible for their actions to their employers and customers. Engineers have to be aware of ethics in decision making during their Professional practice and they should not think only about profit, because when things go wrong, there is always an ethical dimension.


Unauthorized and illegal access of secure contents or data, along with manipulation of multimedia files over internet or wireless channels has been strongly noticed in the past few years. Lots of work is going on for the development of robust and efficient technique that can hide the secure data with high security and also have robustness against the various attacks often occurred after transmission of data in the wireless channels or internet. Most of the time a secure image which has to be transmit securely is first embedded on a cover image and the cover image will be then transmitted instead of original secure image. This process is known as invisible watermarking or also known as image data hiding. This is the most important and crucial process for transmitting a secure image over open communication channel. To effectively address this problem recently some hybrid transform techniques have gained attention due to their higher image data hiding efficiency. One of the most important candidates in this regard is DWT-SVD with AES encryption based image data hiding system [16].This paper present the robustness analysis of DWT-SVD with AES encryption based image data hiding system for various attacks. a novel technique for highly secure image data transmission based on discrete wavelet transform (DWT) and Singular value decomposition (SVD) based image data hiding along with advance encryption standard (AES) to enhance the security level. Particularly DWT and SVD based image data embedding over cover image is proposed to achieve higher robustness against various attacks, while AES ensures higher efficiency of transmission security. This hybrid technique leads to optimize both the fundamentally conflicting requirements. To present complete data security efficiency of the proposed technique various parameters like, peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR), mean square error (MSE), embedding rate (ER) and bit error rate (BER) have been employed.


We propose a new approach based on a generalization of the classic logit model to improve prediction accuracy in US bank failures.
We introduce mixed-data sampling (Midas) aggregation to construct financial predictors in a logistic regression. This allows relaxing the limitation of conventional annual aggregation in financial studies. Moreover, we suggest an algorithm to reweight observations in the log-likelihood function to mitigate the class-imbalance problem, that is, when one class of observations is severely undersampled. We also address the issue of the classification accuracy evaluation when imbalance of the classes is present. When applying the suggested model to the period from 2004 to 2016, we show that it correctly classifies more bank failure cases than the reference logit model introduced in the literature, in particular for long-term forecasting horizons. This improvement has a strong significant impact both in statistical and economic terms. Some of the largest recent bank failures in the US that were previously misclassified are now correctly predicted.


The Russian Far East occupies the northeastern part of Eurasia. Its northern coast has access to the Arctic and the Pacific through the Laptev, East Siberian, and Chukchee seas, while its eastern coast borders on the Bering, Okhotsk, and Japan seas. The region stretches from north to south, and its nature, climatic zones, flora, and fauna are extremely diverse. As a result, the Russian Far East has an enormous potential for tourism. Its transport and transit potential also means unique opportunities for the regional social and economic development. For instance, the macroregion has a good background for close cooperation with the large emerging markets of the Asia-Pacific countries. However, the sectoral structure of the Far-Eastern economy is mainly represented by mining and manufacturing industries. The current strategic task is to increase the share of non-commodity and non-energy exports in the overall structure of the country's exports. Pacific Russia needs new strategic opportunities while its touristic potential needs new assessment means. The present research featured tourism as a strategic branch of the economy of the Russian Far East. The author believes that the unconditional competitive advantages of this macro-region will eventually boost the domestic tourism development strategy. The article introduces an analysis of strategic opportunities, as well as economic, financial, labor, and time resources. This research is the first and most important stage in the analysis of the external environment of the object of strategizing. The fundamental importance of this stage lies in the fact that the window of opportunities is short-lived. Therefore, the global touristic prospects of this vast resource-rich territory depend on the timeliness of management decisions, i.e., a systemic integrated development of the industry based on a single strategy document. The analysis made it possible to outline some strategic guidelines for the diversification of the Far Eastern economy and improving the quality of life in the microregion. The further research will involve a comprehensive assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, and competitive advantages of the region.


Model compression is a widely-used approach for reducing the size of deep learning models without much accuracy loss, enabling resource-hungry models to be compressed for use on resource-constrained devices. In this paper, we study the risk that model compression could provide an opportunity for adversaries to inject stealthy backdoors. In a backdoor attack on a machine learning model, an adversary produces a model that performs well on normal inputs but outputs targeted misclassifications on inputs containing a small trigger pattern. We design stealthy backdoor attacks such that the full-sized model released by adversaries appears to be free from backdoors (even when tested using state-of-the-art techniques), but when the model is compressed it exhibits a highly effective backdoor. We show this can be done for two common model compression techniques—model pruning and model quantization—even in settings where the adversary has limited knowledge of how the particular compression will be done. Our findings demonstrate the importance of performing security tests on the models that will actually be deployed not in their precompressed version. Our implementation is available at https://github.com/yulongtzzz/Stealthy-Backdoors-as-Compression-Artifacts.