The ability to make a lesson in a foreign language is one of the most important conditions for the effectiveness of the teacher. It can be developed in the framework of University training of students of linguistic and pedagogical directions in the study of the course "Methods of teaching foreign languages" through the use of methodological tasks. In this article we describe the value of methodical tasks for the formation of project skills of students, identified the most common types, examples of educational and methodical tasks of each type. Keywords—pedagogical project, methodical skills, methodical task


This contribution investigates the didactic potentialities offered by a programmable robot with a bee-shape, with respect to children development of spatial competences. The theoretical framework addresses the delicate relationship between space as lived in everyday experience vs space as a mathematical notion, and takes a multimodal perspective on mathematics teaching and learning. An experimental study has been conducted in kindergarten school. The qualitative data analysis of video-recordings constitutes the background against which children spatial development is discussed.


The linear relationship between the amount of absorbed radiation and dry matter production by crop communities has long been known, and the proportionality constant between them is known as the radiation use efficiency (RUE). To analyze and predict crop production using RUE, the assumption is often made that RUE is not sensitive to radiation intensity and that dry matter production rate (DMPR) is a linear function of radiation intensity.However, there is evidence in opposition to this assumption, including reports of increasing RUE in shade tests, and hyperbolic response of photosynthetic rate to radiation intensity. The following model was developed and used to analyze the response of DMPR and RUE to daily radiation RS:DMPR=DMPRmax(RS)*g(α)where DMPRmax (RS) is the DMPR of a hypothetical soybean community absorbing all radiation, and g(α) represents the effect of radiation absorptivity (α). A hyperbolic curve and a straight line were employed for DMPRmax (RS) and g (α), respectively. Field experimental data including shade tests were used to determine the parameters for the modet. Two sets of parameters were required to cover the entire experimental period. DMPRmax (RS) had an apparent curvilinear relationship with RS. The model successfully described dry matter production under successive low radiation conditions, which could not be estimated by a model with RUE insensitive to radiation.


This article presents an intensive experimental work for investigating the effect of rectangular slots and pier groups with various arrangements on the scour around bridge piers. Slots near the bed through an oblong pier with different arrangements and replacing the solid pier by two pier groups were provided to show their influence on the variation of scour dimensions under clear-water conditions. Water flow rate is varied four times (18, 15, 12.5 and 10.5 lit/s), while the water depth covers a range of Froude number from 0.089 to 0.25 which is suitable for Egyptian canals. The scour hole dimensions and water depths are measured using calibrated point gages. The factors impacting the scour problem are normalized with the help of dimensional analysis theory. The experimental results show the efficient method that decreases the scour hole dimensions is the pier groups (pier type 7), where the scour depth, width and length reduced by 93, 73, and 79 % respectively. Slots within the oblong piers decrease the scour dimensions (depth, width and length) by 92, 53, and 69 %, respectively. These findings can easily safeguard the bridge piers and dramatically reduce the maintenance efforts and costs as well as improve the hydraulic performance of the water structures.


Wind loads on structures under the buffeting action of wind gusts have traditionally been treated by the gust loading factor (GLF) method in most major codes and standards around the world. In this...


Quantum Computing offers a new paradigm for efficient computing and many AI applications could benefit from its potential boost in performance. However, the main limitation is the constraint to linear operations that hampers the representation of complex relationships in data. In this work, we propose an efficient implementation of quantum splines for non-linear approximation. In particular, we first discuss possible parametrisations, and select the most convenient for exploiting the HHL algorithm to obtain the estimates of spline coefficients. Then, we investigate QSpline performance as an evaluation routine for some of the most popular activation functions adopted in ML. Finally, a detailed comparison with classical alternatives to the HHL is also presented.


Nursing students were asked to look after bags of flour as if they were real babies as part of their maternity placements in one of the more bizarre stories of the year.


Question In patients who present to the emergency department (ED) with acute gout, is prednisolone equivalent to indomethacin for reducing pain? Methods Design Randomized controlled trial (RCT). Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN 45724113. Allocation {Concealed}*. Blinding Blinded {patients, clinicians, data collectors, and outcome assessors}*. Follow-up period 14 days. Setting 4 EDs in Hong Kong. Patients 416 adults 18 years of age (mean age 65 y, 74% men) who presented to the ED within 3 days of onset of gout symptoms (rapid onset of severe pain, swelling, tenderness, and erythema of a joint, which reached a maximum within 6 to 12 h). Patients had to have 1 of metatarsophalangeal joint involvement; or knee, ankle, wrist, or elbow joint involvement with gouty tophi, past joint aspiration confirming gout, hyperuricemia, or 1 previous clinical gouty arthritis attack. Exclusion criteria included use of corticosteroids or indomethacin in the past 24 hours, past bleeding disorder or anticoagulant use, suspected septic arthritis or other joint disease, absence of monosodium urate crystals on joint aspiration, unstable cardiac conditions, comorbidities that could interfere with assessment, allergy to study drug, or estimated glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min/1.73 m2. Intervention Oral prednisolone (n =208) or indomethacin (n =208). Patients in the prednisolone group received 30 mg/d for 5 days plus placebo for indomethacin. Patients in the indomethacin group received 50 mg of indomethacin 3 times/d for 2 days, then 25 mg 3 times/d for 3 days, plus placebo for prednisolone. Outcomes Joint pain (100-mm visual analogue scale [VAS]) at rest and with activity. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and study drug discontinuation. 318 patients were needed to detect noninferiority of oral prednisolone compared with indomethacin for joint pain (expected success rate 85%, noninferiority margin for treatment difference 13 mm, 2-sided =0.025, 80% power). Patient follow-up 90% (intention-to-treat analysis). Main results Groups did not differ for change in pain score or for achieving a clinically important change in pain (13 mm on the VAS) during the first 2 hours in hospital or at day 14 (Table). Fewer patients in the prednisolone group had adverse events in the first 2 hours (6.3% vs 19%, P <0.001); groups did not differ for adverse events during days 1 to 14. 1 patient from the prednisolone group and 7 in the indomethacin group discontinued treatment at the physicians' request due to suspected serious clinical signs or symptoms. Conclusions In patients who present to the emergency department with acute gout, prednisolone was equivalent to indomethacin for pain reduction. Prednisolone vs indomethacin in patients who present to the emergency department with acute gout Reduction in pain Mean reduction from baseline Difference in reduction from baseline(95% CI) Prednisolone Indomethacin At rest at 2 h (mm/h) 5.05 6.54 1.49 (0.64 to 3.61) With activity at 2 h (mm/h) 11.38 11.69 0.31 (1.8 to 2.42) At rest at 1 to 14 d (mm/d) 1.68 1.80 0.12 (0.32 to 0.55) With activity at 1 to 14 d (mm/d) 3.19 2.96 0.22 (0.70 to 0.25) CI defined in Glossary. Pain measured on a visual analogue scale (VAS), range 0 mm (no pain) to 100 mm (worst pain ever). Groups were equivalent (minimal clinically important difference of 13 mm on the VAS was not achieved). Commentary Treatment of acute gout is based mainly on anecdotal clinical experience rather than scientific evidence. It is reasonable to expect that a short course of prednisolone will probably be at least as effective as, and safer than, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but this has not been adequately tested. The RCT by Rainer and colleagues found that prednisolone was as effective as, and safer than, indomethacin. Given the high incidence of concomitant medical problems and the relatively high average age of patients, the findings will be welcomed by prescribing doctors and patients. Prednisolone is indeed a better choice than indomethacin. As Rainer and colleagues point out, there are grounds for caution. The diagnosis of gout was not rigorously proven in study patients. The pattern of medical supervision in the treated community means that there was no long-term follow-up to establish the accuracy of the gout diagnosis or the cumulative morbidity of prednisolone or indomethacin in this cohort of patients with a high incidence of other medical problems. The relatively high incidence of tophi also indicates that other measures to prevent recurrent gout had usually not been taken. Moreover, the trial could not establish the long-term efficacy and safety of prednisolone. In this trial, prednisolone was superior to indomethacin. However, indomethacin was not compared with other NSAIDs, which might prove to be at least as safe and effective as prednisolone. Rheumatologists who have found that a particular NSAID is as effective as prednisolone in some patients will continue to prescribe those drugs in preference to prednisolone. The situation may change if other NSAIDs are tested in RCTs as rigorous as this one and prednisolone is consistently shown to be the best choice. The choice of prednisolone or other drugs to treat gout will also depend on the clinical circumstances of individual patients.


Summary: As a first step toward the use of cats with Gm2 gangliosidosis as models for enzyme replacement therapy, we studied plasma clearance, organ disposition, and subcellular localization of human β-hexosaminidase in normal cats. Plasma half-life of placental β-hexosaminidase at low doses was 3–4 min; both Hex A and Hex B were cleared at approximately the same rate. The half-life of human plasma β-Miexosaminidase in contrast, was >60 min. Clearance curves at higher doses approached zero order kinetics, suggesting the existence of a saturable clearance mechanism. Injection of periodate-treated placental β-Miexosaminidase resulted in a plasma half-life of ∼50 min, strongly suggesting that rapid clearance of both Hex A and Hex B was mediated by carbohydrate-specific mechanisms. Circulatory bypass of liver resulted in plasma half-life of the enzyme of ∼60 min, indicating that the liver was the main clearing organ. As both main feline β-Miexosaminidase isozymes did not crossreact with antihuman β-Miexosaminidase immune sera, independent evidence of preferential hepatic uptake was obtained by immunofixation clectrophoresis; immunoelectrophoresis, and immunotitration. The human enzyme detected in liver accounted for ∼80% of the injected dose; small amounts of exogenous enzyme were detected in spleen and kidney. Subcellular fractionation of liver showed that human Hex A and Hex B had entered the lysosomal-vacuolar apparatus of hepatic cells.Speculation: Therapeutic applications of lysosomal enzyme replacement in patients with storage diseases are fraught with difficulties. Normal cats infused with human β-Miexosaminidase can be used to develop enzyme replacement methodologies to be tested in cats with genetic Gm2 gangliosidosis. This unique animal model makes it possible to explore in vivo rational approaches to therapeutic intervention in human patients.


Massachusetts student Stephen Cooley launched a "Nickels for NASA" fundraising project. The school community responded in a big way, and in June he sent a check for more than $100 to the agency.


One could hardly hope in a brief paper to exhaust a subject so extensive, nor could one expect in such a learned body to in struct, for I have'nothing specially new to present; but if I can show the subject in a new light, or if I can get you to consider the matter, the object of this paper will be accomplished. In hospital practice our staff regarded it as a duty due the patient to examine every organ in all obscure cases; the ears, the eyes, the nose, the respiratory and digestive tracts, the genital organs, the muscular system, etc., were all interrogated systematically


Multi-level PWM rectifier requires fewer semiconductor switches compared with its bidirectional multi-level converter counterpart. Though three-level (multi-level) PWM rectifiers are known for more than 10 years, no multi-level PWM rectifier carrier based voltage modulation strategies were reported so far. After multi-level PWM rectifier topologies introduction and classification, the paper presents a three-phase multi-level PWM rectifier phase shifted multi-carrier voltage modulation strategy based on appropriate discontinuous voltage commands transformation. Suggested formalism naturally allows derivation of a multi-level PWM rectifier voltage amplitude (modulation index) vs. voltage-current phase angle operation envelope without making use of space vector calculus. PWM rectifier operation envelope becomes less restrictive with levels count increase and full utilization. Suggested approach is not limited to a three-phase case and is applicable to a general multi-phase case.


Stimulation of vestibular receptors produces changes in respiratory muscle activity as well as alterations in sympathetic outflow. Unlike vestibular reflexes acting on the limbs, vestibulo‐respiratory and ‐sympathetic responses are elicited by otolith organ inputs, particularly those generated by body rotations in the pitch plane. Recent studies have shown that thoracic interneurons make connections with respiratory motoneurons and sympathetic preganglionic neurons, but the responses of these cells to vestibular stimulation have not been explored. In the present study, recordings were made from thoracic interneurons in decerebrate, paralyzed cats. 60% of thoracic interneurons were activated by electrical stimulation of vestibular afferents at short latency. The majority of these cells exhibited response dynamics similar to those of otolith organs. 75% of the units were activated by tilts in the roll plane or the planes of the vertical semicircular canals; few cells responded best to pitch rotations. These data show that vestibular signals to thoracic interneurons are distinct from those transmitted to the cervical and lumbar spinal cord; however the spatial properties of the responses of the cells to body rotation differ from that of respiratory and sympathetic outflow. Presumably, the latter responses are synthesized through the integration of signals.


Background Cough represents a cardinal symptom of acute respiratory tract infections. Generally associated with disease activity, cough holds biomarker potential and might be harnessed for prognosis and personalised treatment decisions. Here, we tested the suitability of cough as a digital biomarker for disease activity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and other lower respiratory tract infections. Methods We conducted a single-centre, exploratory, observational cohort study on automated cough detection in patients hospitalised for COVID-19 (n=32) and non-COVID-19 pneumonia (n=14) between April and November 2020 at the Cantonal Hospital St Gallen, Switzerland. Cough detection was achieved using smartphone-based audio recordings coupled to an ensemble of convolutional neural networks. Cough levels were correlated to established markers of inflammation and oxygenation. Measurements and main results Cough frequency was highest upon hospital admission and declined steadily with recovery. There was a characteristic pattern of daily cough fluctuations, with little activity during the night and two coughing peaks during the day. Hourly cough counts were strongly correlated with clinical markers of disease activity and laboratory markers of inflammation, suggesting cough as a surrogate of disease in acute respiratory tract infections. No apparent differences in cough evolution were observed between COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 pneumonia. Conclusions Automated, quantitative, smartphone-based detection of cough is feasible in hospitalised patients and correlates with disease activity in lower respiratory tract infections. Our approach allows for near real-time telemonitoring of individuals in aerosol isolation. Larger trials are warranted to decipher the use of cough as a digital biomarker for prognosis and tailored treatment in lower respiratory tract infections. Smartphone-based cough monitoring delineates individual cough trajectories of hospitalised pneumonia patients correlating with disease activity. Cough count levels depend on daytime and are associated with clinical markers of oxygenation and inflammation. https://bit.ly/3klUBqf


The intramolecular interaction between the hydroxyl group and the oxirane ring has been detected by means of studying the infrared spectra in the 3μ region of various hydroxyalkyloxiranes. The O–H stretching absorptions of several compounds which have limiting structures in the sence of the conformational preference have been closely examined. The results indicate that the intramolecular interaction takes place between the hydroxyl group and the electron orbitals involved in the formation of the C–O bond, while that involving the electrons of the C–C bond can be neglected.


•  The dynamics of the second messenger Ca2+ are tightly controlled by Ca2+‐binding proteins (CaBPs). •  The diffusional mobility of a given CaBP, such as calretinin (CR), defines how it affects the range‐of‐action of Ca2+ but, if unexpectedly low, may also indicate that the CaBP acts as a Ca2+ sensor, undergoing specific protein interactions. •  Here we quantified the diffusional mobility of CR in dendrites of cerebellar granule cells using microscopic methods. •  We find that CR diffuses unexpectedly slow, that its mobility is further reduced when Ca2+ levels are elevated and that a distinct region of CR interacts with specific targets in a Ca2+‐dependent manner. •  Our findings indicate a new 'sensor' role for CR, which may allow for Ca2+‐dependent feedback control of neuronal excitability.


Discourse power has now become a new force that all countries struggle for. The rivalry for discourse power is, in essence, the competition for ideological dominance which concerns a country's survival. As Marxism is the dominant ideology in contemporary China, the enhancement and consolidation of its discourse power has a direct bearing on the success or failure of the people, the state and the Party. Therefore, it is necessary for the Marxist ideology to have its discourse power expanded and enhanced and to play a role of domination and leadership.


Summary. Introduction: Professional populations have significant differences related not only to the specifics of working conditions, but also to numerous socioeconomic circumstances of their formation (education, income, lifestyle, etc.). This fact impedes selection of adequate occupational groups for comparison and identification of workers requiring priority therapeutic and preventive measures. Materials and methods: We compared three different cohorts of workers exposed to occupational hazards by indicators of cardiovascular performance, body weight, anthropometric parameters, results of a questionnaire-based survey and clinical examination. According to a developed method of visualization of individual parameters, we established the employees with the most significant deviations from the average group values, especially those of blood pressure, heart rate, and whole-body fat percentage. Results: The comparison of three groups of workers demonstrated a possible dependence of health status not only on occupational but also on social and household factors. Examples of identifying individuals with the most altered health indicators using radar charts are presented. Conclusions: The proposed method of individual health risk assessment in industrial cohorts based on comparing personal parameters with the group averages contributes to elaboration and better choice of preventive programs. The use of visual presentation of individual indicators against group averages in radar charts helps identify risk subgroups requiring special attention.


A novel in-capillary droplet-based DNA extraction method was developed,using the principle of water-in-oil droplet formation in the highly hydrophobic polytetrafluoroethylene capillary.By sequentially introducing droplets containing sample or reagents,all the steps related to blood hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA extraction,including sample injection,DNA binding,magnetic beads rinsing and DNA elution were continuously implemented in the capillary.Experimental results showed that proteinase K lysis and elevated elution temperature facilitated higher extraction efficiency.With optimized conditions,an extraction was completed in 25 min with microliter level sample/reagent consumption.The droplet-based method achieved an extraction efficiency of ~60% that is comparable to that of a commercial method.However,the RSD of extraction efficiency was relatively higher.In summary,the droplet-based DNA extraction developed is simple,fast and low-cost.It has the potential to be integrated into a micro-total nucleic acid analysis system.


In recent years,with the electric power industry's continuous reformation,it breaks the monopoly system and introduces the market mechanism Along with the scale's amplification for electric power and the deepness of operation and management for electric power market,also it brings forward the new request of dispatching system.The paper brings forward the general technique demands of dispatching system development under electricity market,to studys and analyses the system's operation and management under electricity market,as well as analyses and introduces the electricity market's new development to the dispatching system's influence,and expounds the security problem of dispatching network information system in electricity market.


Coaching is the art and science of facilitating self-directed change. It requires helping a person think through a situation with greater depth and clarity than they could do on their own and assist them in discovering their own solutions. In previous columns we've presented multiple tools and techniques for achieving this objective. Employing these techniques in a real-time coaching encounter, however, can be very challenging without an overall framework— a blueprint—to serve as a guide. Let's take a look at a blueprint to help you navigate the coaching process. Keep in mind, however, that it's not a linear process; there will be times when you might have to loop back and re-cover ground that you've already been over. To draw a blueprint, you have to have a clear idea of what you're trying to accomplish. Coaching carries a very different objective than mentoring or teaching. Mentoring is the sharing of your own knowledge or professional experience, while teaching involves providing a framework for understanding based on an objective body of knowledge. In both of these roles, you function as a knowledgeable and trusted advisor. This is not the role of a coach, however. Keep in mind that your objective as a coach is to facilitate self-discovery, not provide the answer. A coaching blueprint


This work studies the impact of silica nanoparticles on the dielectric properties of synthetic ester oil. A stable nanofluid is prepared by addition of surfactant. With addition of nanoparticles there is an increment in dielectric constant and decrement in dielectric loss constant. An attempt is made to understand the conduction mechanisms in uniform field and non-uniform electric field configuration by means of analysing the mobility of ions. Under uniform electric field stress (<0.1 kV/mm), by means of conduction current measurement with polarity reversal, the ionic mobility, conductivity, ionic concentration and ionic radius are deduced. There is a reduction in ionic mobility by addition of nanoparticle and surfactant. To understand the conduction mechanisms in high electric field condition, the current-voltage characteristics of the nanofluid are measured. Using this data, apparent mobility due to electrohydrodynamic motion is estimated, giving a lower mobility in the case of nanofluid, which could be the cause of the increased corona inception voltage.


ABSTRACT Capsule The experimental removal of either the male or female from breeding pairs of Cinereous Tits Parus cinereus revealed that both sexes could increase their nestling provisioning rate to compensate fully for the loss. However, single females but not males delivered lower quality food. Aims Parents would benefit from transferring the burden of costly parental care onto their mates, which leads to sexual conflict. Here, we tested how each sex might change their investment when their partners were temporarily removed. Methods We used video recordings at nests of 24 pairs of Cinereous Tits to compare the nestling provisioning rate and prey quality of parents before, during and after the experimental, temporary removal of the other parent. Results Under biparental care, male and female parents had the same rate of food delivery to their broods, but females provided a higher proportion of higher quality food. When either parent was removed, the remaining parent increased their provisioning rate to equal that of the pair before the removal. However, while males increased the quality of food items to compensate for their removed females, females provisioned with lower quality food when their males were removed. Conclusions Our results suggest that males and females face different energetic costs when provisioning nestlings. We also show the importance of considering food quality, as well as food quantity, when considering parental care compensation that might arise as a result of sexual conflict.


This paper describes continued modeling efforts of the Aerospace Corporation's Integral Master Oscillator Power Amplifier (IMOPA) line selection concept for HF and DF chemical lasers. The initial goal was to examine the potential use of the IMOPA for the Mid-Infrared Advanced Chemical Laser (MIRACL), and secondly, to anchor and support modeling efforts on the Aerospace line selection design and experimental efforts.


We present fluxgate gradiometric maps obtained at the Piracanjuba archaeological site. Our geophysical study allowed the identification of an ancient fire hearth place that was important to site understanding and coal sampling for C14 dating.


Alternating current (ac) motors are the most widely used in industry. Industry's preference for ac motors springs from their simplicity, low cost, and efficiency. with the requirements for reducing emissions and improving fuel economy, automotive companies are developing electric, hybrid electric, and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles. This paper presents the design, analysis and implementation of a proposed combined three phase induction motor and its drive system to meet the demand of low-voltage electrical system for hybrid and electric cars, avoiding the high voltage human risks, expensive and complex requirements of the higher voltage insulation and power electronic devices. A conventional 220V 3-ph induction motor has been rewound in order to get the required 48V 3-ph motor. The simulation results are obtained using MATLAB/SIMULINK software. Keywords— Variable Speed Drive, Power Electronics, Electric Vehicle, Motor Rewinding, Three phase induction motor.


For the magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer (MCR WPT) applications with high-power level and medium-range distance, the low coupling coefficient brings severe challenges to the system efficiency and reliability, as the coil loss and the voltage/current stress on compensation network components are both considerable, meanwhile, the high operating frequency that contributes to improve the power density will result in high switching loss and related electromagnetic interference. In this paper, a parameter design methodology for high-power and medium-range-distance MCR WPT applications was proposed to achieve high system efficiency. The accurate time-domain system model was built to obtain the relationship among voltage/current stresses on the compensation network, zero-voltage-switching conditions of power switches and system parameters. The key parameters, including the coil self-inductance, the compensation inductance, etc., are designed to realize wide-range ZVS and reduce voltage/current stresses. Double-layer coil configuration was adopted instead of the traditional single-layer coil to reduce coil losses, and the series compensation capacitors in TX and RX coils were split to achieve current sharing between double-layer coils. Meanwhile, the LCCL-TT compensation network was used to achieve the optimal load and maximize the system efficiency. Finally, a 1kW MCR WPT prototype within 100cm transmission distance was implemented in the laboratory for experiments, and the system efficiency under the rated condition is 80.62%.


Otoplasty, which is matched to an auditory canal and can be connected by means of a sound tube in a hearing aid, with - having a fastening device firmly connected to the earpiece and a bore (11), in which the sound tube is inserted to attach, wherein is difficult, a security element is disposed in or on the bore which presses with an edge (14) directly against the sound tube in the inserted state, so that a withdrawal of the sound tube from the bore (11), - characterized, in that - the edge (14) by a first wall (15) facing the insertion side (12) of the bore (11), and by a second wall (16), which faces the outfeed side (13) of the bore (11) is formed, and the first wall (15) with the sound tube in the inserted state forms a more acute angle than the second wall (16).


5535 Background: As positron emission tomography (PET) becomes more utilized in the clinical setting, the finding of an incidental focal thyroid uptake (thyroid incidentaloma) presents a diagnostic challenge. We evaluated the incidence of thyroid malignancies in the setting of a PET-positive thyroid incidentaloma.

METHODS
We reviewed our database for all patients who underwent a 18fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) at our institution from January 1, 2000 to November 30, 2003. From this database, information on all patients who had focal thyroid uptake without any history of thyroid disease were culled. Available follow-up data were documented.

RESULTS
There were 6,241 PET scans performed during the study period, of which 76 patients (1.2%) had focal thyroid uptake. Records of sixty-two patients (82%) were not available because of incomplete follow-up data or because the patients had other prevailing medical conditions that precluded further work-up. Of the remaining 14 patients (18%) who had further work-up for their incidentalomas, a fine needle aspiration of the abnormal thyroid was performed in 13 patients and a thyroid lobectomy was done in one patient. The following pathology was identified (Table 1). Table 1 [Figure: see text] * Patient refused surgery Conclusions: FDG-PET thyroid incidentalomas occurred with an incidence of 1.2% at our major referral institution. The incidence of malignancy was 28.6% for those individuals who underwent further evaluation for their incidentalomas. Given the relatively high frequency of malignant pathology in these patients, we recommend that further work-up for these incidentalomas is warranted. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


Researchers at the Visual Detection Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, have been studying ways to optimize the presentation of changeable message signs (CMS) on roadways. These signs, also known as variable message signs (VMS) are being used to aid in traffic control as well as in providing driver information alerts. Through laboratory-based examinations of how message structure can impact its intelligibility, researchers have studied ways to match CMS content to the visual needs of drivers. Areas of focus include recall, duration of message, and layout of the message. Using results from laboratory testing, researches are now positioned to conduct field tests of proposed improvement strategies.


The report presents a modelling approach for forecasting Bulgarian net exports of electricity based on an empirical analysis of the factors affecting trade with this specific commodity. A brief overview of the models and approaches for forecasting the production and export of electricity is made and their adequacy is assessed regarding the situation of the electricity market in Bulgaria and the region. On this basis, a modelling approach is foreseen to predict the net exports of electricity by 2035, taking into account the current situation and prospects for the development of the electricity sector in Bulgaria and Europe.


The invention discloses a neural bionic device based on a TiO neural bionic layer. The neural bionic device comprises a Pt/Ti/SiO /Si substrate, a neural bionic layer and an Ag electrode layer; the neural bionic layer and the Ag electrode layer are sequentially formed on a Pt film of the Pt/Ti/SiO /Si substrate; and the neural bionic layer sequentially comprises a TiO film layer, a first TiO and Ag mixed film layer, a second TiO and Ag mixed film layer and a third TiO and Ag mixed film layer from bottom to top. The invention further discloses a preparation method of the neural bionic device. Two ends of the device prepared by the invention are a presynaptic stimulus and a postsynaptic stimulus respectively; the resistance can be changed according to the time difference between the resynaptic stimulus and the postsynaptic stimulus; biological synaptic characteristics can be simulated; the resistance value of the resistance can be changed by applying different electric pulse stimulus; high and low resistance states can be slowly changed; furthermore, the range is steady; in a condition that the electric pulse stimulus is repetitively applied, the change state can be remembered; the high and low resistance conversion repeatability is high; and thus, the neural bionic device disclosed by the invention is relatively steady in performance and relatively wide in application prospect.


The principal task of general baccalaureate colleges is cultivating applied innovative talents.This paper studies how to construct the cultivating mode of applied innovative talents.By the construction of the cultivating mode,the practical ability,adaptive faculty and innovative ability of students are trainned,which can meet the requirement of applied innovative talents in present economic circumstance.


The complexity of mobile, ad hoc, and wireless networks requires thoroughly founded models capturing their essential characteristics and new optimization techniques building upon such models. Insights into both the theoretical aspects of these problems as well as practical methods and tools are necessary. This symposium, building upon the two successful WiOpt workshops, intends to bring together researchers and practitioners working on optimization issues from different perspectives, including performance analysis, mobile networking, wireless communication, and optimization theory. Contributions to this conference should show new modeling and optimization techniques suitable for mobile/wireless networks or innovative applications of these techniques to improve network operation. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: • Modeling techniques and tools for mobile/wireless networks • Performance characterisation & optimisation of mobile/wireless networks and systems • Mobile network optimisation: Applications, algorithms, and tools • Protocol design for optimal mobile network utilisation • Models and optimization approaches for energy efficiency, QoS, bandwidth economy and other aspects of mobile/wireless networks • Models and optimization techniques for non-standard network paradigms like sensor, vehicular, body area networks • Security and co-operation models for mobile networks • Pricing and incentives in mobile and ad-hoc networks


In this paper, we consider the problem of distributed network beamforming for a bidirectional cognitive relay network which consists of two secondary transceivers and K cognitive relay nodes and a primary network with a transmitter and receiver, over the same spectrum. For effective use of spectrum, we propose a two-step two-way relaying scheme for cognitive networks. Our aim is to design the beamforming coefficients to maximize quality of service (QoS) for the secondary network while satisfying tolerable interference constraint for the primary network. We show that this approach yields a closed-form solution. Our simulation results show that the maximum achievable SINR improved while the tolerable interference on primary receiver increased.


This research proposes a new method for computing consideration set size as the sum of the associative penetrations (or the 'mental' repertoire). This multi-cued non-attitudinal measure represents the chances of retrieving brands from memory, or the average number of salient brands. It is consistent with developments in memory theory and conceptually similar to a behavioural measure, i.e. purchase repertoire size. As such, it offers a stronger conceptual framework and a more robust empirical basis for comparisons between the cognitive and behavioural dimensions of consumer choice. This measure and the underlying theoretical approach is validated through empirical analysis across multiple categories, which includes: (i) appraisal of the extent to which the 'mental' repertoire is larger yet correlated with the behavioural (or purchase) repertoire; (ii) appraisal of the extent to which this relationship reveals the expected usage effect in brand image data; and (iii) a clarification of whether the interplay between retrieval propensities and purchase propensities in determining repertoire size is borne out by observation. The new approach enables individual brand-level diagnostic benchmarks to be specified. It also provides insights for marketing practice, including a framework by which marketing strategies may affect retrieval and purchase propensities differently.


Abstract This study aimed to investigate breast cancer screening practices and associated factors among Chinese‐Australian women. A cross‐sectional quantitative survey method including convenience and snowball sampling was used to recruit 115 Chinese‐Australian women living in Sydney, using a self‐administered survey. In all, 69.8% of participants reported recent clinical breast examinations and 73.3% had mammograms. Age, religion, employment status, and length of residence were associated with having a clinical breast examination. Income was related to having a mammogram. Associations between knowledge of breast cancer, cancer‐related beliefs, and screening participation were found. Length of residence in Australia was the strongest predictor of having a clinical breast examination and mammogram. The most common barrier to mammography was if women felt that doctors did not recommend it to them. Chinese‐Australian women need to be educated about awareness of their usual breast health to be aware of any changes, especially if women are not eligible for mammography or have difficulty in accessing health services. Tailored programs, improving screening experiences, and minimizing perceived barriers are needed to promote early detection of breast cancer among Chinese–Australian women.


MEDICAL TOXICOLOGY BRANCH SUMMARY OF TOXICOLOGY DATA FLUVALINATE SB 950-320, Tolerance # 50241 December 5, 1986 Revised 03/07/88 I. DATA GAP STATUS Combined, rat: No data gap, possible adverse effect Chronic toxicity, dog: No data gap, possible adverse effects Oncogenicity, mouse: No data gap, possible adverse effect Reproduction, rat: No data gap, possible adverse effect Teratology, rat: No data gap, no adverse effect Teratology, rabbit: No data gap, possible adverse effect Gene mutation: No data gap, possible adverse effect Chromosome: No data gap, no adverse effect DNA damage: No data gap, no adverse effect Neurotoxicity: Not required at this time ______________________________________________________________________________ Possible adverse effects are dermal lesions: no oncogenic response observed. Possible adverse effects are dermal lesions: this study is not flagged for adverse reproductive effects.


An important element of Conrad's writing rests on the experiences he had while chief mate in the Vidar, to which, in sailor parlance, he belonged from 22 August 1887 to 2 January 1888.1 These experiences are recounted with varying degrees of detail and accuracy by various commentators. Significant for the writer's Asian fictions were his meetings in Berau in east Borneo2 - one of the Singapore-based Vidar1 s ports of call on its regular route to Borneo and the Celebes (now Sulawesi) - with two traders resident there, Willem Carel Olmeijer3 - the name becoming that of "Almayer" in Almayer's Folly and An Outcast of the Islands - and Jim Lingard. Not only were these men a fruitful influence on a number of Conrad's works, but Conrad also claimed about the former: "But if I had not got to know Almayer pretty well it is almost certain there would never have been a line of mine in print" (A Personal Record, 83).4 Nevertheless, the fictional Almayer is not Olmeijer, and John Dozier Gordan conveys the nature of the translation from life to fiction when he writes that "Almayer's Folly was not a record of the life of William Charles Olmeijer but an expansion of the impression made upon the novelist by the man's personality" (1940: 39).A Wedding PhotographInformation about Olmeijer is of considerable interest for our understanding of Conrad's Eastern experience. A highly evocative wedding photograph, taken on 14 July 1917 and recently provided by Walter Oliemans (Fig. 1), gives not only an image - possibly the first known to Conrad scholars - of one of Olmeijer's children, but also of a wedding group that covers three generations and enables us to trace a little more of the Olmeijer family's history and, by establishing its historically specific context, to add to our understanding of DutchIndonesian relations and lives of the period.5 It also offers an opportunity to recall in outline some of the knowledge we already have about that family, its place in Berau,6 and its relations with the Lingard family, an outline all the more useful given the relatively complex variety of sources that produced our present knowledge.Walter Oliemans provided the following information about the photograph. The woman second from the right is Johanna Elizabeth Olmeijer (born 13 January 1876 in Berau),7 daughter of Conrad's "Almayer"; the bespectacled man at the back is her husband, Andrew Gray, Walter Oliemans' great-grandfather (born 17 February 1859 in Portsay, Scotland, died 1 January 1943 in Java). The bride is Annie Gray, Walter Oliemans' great-aunt; and the groom is a Mr Roelofs. The little boy in a Scottish outfit is Walter Oliemans' father, Andrew Flendrik Oliemans (born 4 May 1912 in Tarakan, Borneo, died 11 March 1974 in the Netherlands); the little girl with the fringe on his left is Andrew Flendrik Oliemans' sister, Josephine Johanna, (born 14 September 1913 in Samarinda, died 28 December 2000 in the Netherlands).The remaining individuals in the photograph are four of the five children of Andrew Gray and Johanna Elisabeth Olmeijer - Betsy (far left), Maggy (second from left), Agnes (far right, born 1 November, 1898), and Mary (the little girl with a ribbon in the front row). Another son, not present, was Alexander ("Alex") Charles, born 4 June 1900.Andrew Flendrik Oliemans and Josephine Johanna Oliemans were the two children of Annie Gray's sister, Josephine Gray (born 6 March 1889 in Banjermasin, died 23 August 1945 in Surabaya) and her first husband, Flendrik Cornelis Oliemans (1872-1916), who were married on 1 January 1910. Josephine Gray is not in the photo because, having been widowed (she would later remarry one Franz Lodeizen), she had to find work and was employed in Batavia (present-day Jakarta) as a shop assistant, having left her two children in the care of her father and his wife, her stepmother. Annie and Josephine Gray were Andrew Gray's two children from a relationship prior to his marriage with Johanna Elizabeth Olmeijer. …


Purpose - Despite the reported high bankruptcy rate among small businesses (SMEs) in Nigeria, this study is the first to develop failure prediction models specifically for SMEs using financial and non-financial variables. Methodology - The study employed logistic regression to a sample of 344 SMEs during the period 2000–2014. Findings- The increased in the predictive accuracy of the model shows that data relating to the age of business and location make a significant contribution. Additionally, the study finds that high leverage and operational expenses and low profitability are associated with SMEs failure. The prediction accuracy rate was 92.1 and 93.8 percent for model 1 and model 2 respectively. Conclusion- The findings will serve as an early warning signal for management to take proactive measures to overcome the threats of failure. Financial institutions such as banks will benefit from this study as it will help them set their internal control systems and procedures to manage credit risk for SMEs.


This research project investigated the formation of flow instabilities and probed this formation using Magnetic resonance imaging. The coupling of hydrodynamic instabilities was investigated with regards to four different systems.

The formation of 3-dimensional viscous fingers has been investigated in a packed bed using magnetic resonance imaging. Fingering patterns are produced as a result of two different chemically reactive interfaces and one non-reactive interface. By the formation of a highly viscous wormlike micelle solution formed at the interface between solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and sodium salicylate (NaSal) viscous fingers were produced under flow. Both a non-reactive and reactive system with a pre-existing viscosity gradient, which remains unchanged throughout the experiment, is studied. The structure of the fingering patterns, which were found to be sensitive to flow rate, were analysed using histogram plots characterising the distribution of pixels containing High signal fluids. We also present an alternative method for plume visualisation and direct measurement of velocities within a solution of Chlamydomonas nivalis cells. We have carried out experiments to investigate the applicability of magnetic resonance imaging to investigate behaviour in this system.


Background: Abruptio placentae is an obstetric emergency where placenta completely or partially separates before delivery of the baby. It occurs approximately in one in 120 deliveries. It is an important cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: This was a prospective hospital-based study design conducted over a period of 2 years, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai comprising of 60 cases.Results: The incidence of abruption placentae in Present study is 0.51%. Authors had perinatal mortality in 6.6% of the cases. Out of 60 cases, 2 deaths occurred in utero. Out of the remaining 58 cases, 24 babies needed NICU care, out of them, 22 went home alive and 2 had neonatal deaths. Perinatal morbidity in the form of hyperbilirubinemia, CNS depression, septicemia, neonatal anemia and neonatal DIC were noted.Conclusions: High incidence of perinatal mortality in abruptio placentae is because of increased number of still births. In our studies, the perinatal mortality is 6.6% as compared to all other studies. This decline in perinatal mortality is due to improved obstetric care and excellent NICU facilities which are required for a majority of the cases.


In this paper, the author made a useful exploration on undergraduate courses such as microbiology teaching practice, to determine the microbiology involved in the theory of knowledge and industrial processes linked to guide student learning, to stimulate student interest, the paper in the hope that the students have to understand and promote the role of the reader to discuss with teachers readers to study the teaching law of the course.


Background : Generation Planning is a program developed in the context of preparing and planning family life for adolescents. One of the main focuses in this program is the maturity of marriage age for adolescents. The purpose of this study was to describe the knowledge of adolescents about the Generation Planning program and the attitudes of adolescents in the maturity of the marital age at SMA Negeri 4 Batam. Method : This study used a descriptive research design. The length of the research was 6 months with a population of all students of class X and XI SMA N 4 Batam as many as 737 students, the sampling was systematic random sampling with a sample size of 88 respondents. , Result : as many as 53 respondents (60.2%) and good as many as 35 respondents (39.8%). Frequency distribution of the majority of adolescents' attitudes have positive attitudes as many as 63 respondents (71.6%) and those who have negative attitudes are 25 respondents (28.4%) conclusion : Adolescent knowledge about the Planning Generation program at SMAN 4 Batam is the majority of the knowledge is Less as many as 53 respondents (60%) The attitude of adolescents in the Maturity of the Marriage Age at SMAN 4 Batam is that the majority are positive as many as 63 respondents (71%)


Gender-based violence(GBV) is a term describing any harm perpetrated against a person that results from unequal power relationships determined by social roles ascribed to males and females.While recognizing that boys and man may be exposed to gendered violence,the inequality of power that is the foundatione of GBV ,coupled whith women's inferior status in virtually all societies,means that women and girls are the primary targets of GBV around the globe.As such ,the term GBV continues to be used principally in reference to violence against women and girls.ln a definition put forth 1993 that is stilo widely referenced today.the United Nationes classified violence against women as "any act of gender -besed violence that result in,or is likely to result in,physical,sexual,or psychological harm or suffering to women ,including threats of such acts,coercion,or arbitrary deprivation of liberty.wether occurring in public or private life"(United Nationes 1993). This definition highlights that violence against women encompasses a broad range of abuses,from assault to emotional and institutional abuse or the thread of such abuse.As such,manifestations of GBV might variously include,exploitation,trafficking of women and girls,denial of rights,exclusion from social benefits and other forms of discrimination,and cultural practices that have harmful implications for women and girls. Source: Alwesson, Mac & Billing Yvone Duet 1997 (Understanding Gender and Organizations)


After the Anti-Japanese War,Beiping City launched the requisition work of Japanese technicians according to some actual needs: established specialized agencies for requisition;drew up the regulations in short time and supervised each department to execute;managed Japanese technicians who were requisitioned.The requisition of Japanese technicians in Beiping City was conducive to the economic construction objectively alter the war.However,due to the corruption of the government,there was a number of perverse phenomena in the process of requisition which had an adverse impact on the requisition.


The influence of different agriculture systems and measures of basic tillage on nutrient regime, its relation to the number of microorganisms involved in transformation of organic matter in typical black soils was studied. Direc tion of the formation processes of some physiological indices in the field of wheat winter was investigated. It was found that the most favorable conditions of nutrition and soil microflora development, as well as indices of crop growth and development are created when using ecological system of agriculture.


This datasheet on Sea lice (Caligidae) infection of fish covers Identity, Overview, Associated Diseases, Pests or Pathogens, Hosts/Species Affected, Diagnosis, Pathology, Epidemiology, Prevention/Control, Further Information.


The report briefly discusses various methods for waste heat disposal and minimization of the consequent effects of this disposal on the environment. Conservation of thermal energy is also of interest.


The feasibility of measuring four profile parameters, i.e,, total etch depth, critical dimension (CD), thickness of remaining poly hard mask, and sidewall angle, for the metal-0 trench of DRAM by a single technique was investigated in this study. Broadband spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to provide non-destructive profile information. The results prove its capability for providing the required profile information, traditionally measured on 4 different metrology tools, by a single measurement. This capability could significantly simplify the process flow for metal-0 trench.


"the basis of 2D design"course is the core of the basis of Art and Design courses In the past it has changed the basic course design and the teaching of the concept of fault,a prominent student teaching in the practical ability to cultivate the creative thinking of students Capacity,but as a new course,"the basis of 2D design"in the classroom will face many practical problems,this article on the basis of two-dimensional design of teaching and learning process and results of the discussions explores the basis of two-dimensional design of teaching,the form and content,clear design arts training with the idea of the direction.


The non-symbolic truth is not that God lives, but only that he is the ground of life. Similarly if we speak of a personal God, this in nonsymbolic language would mean, not that he is a person, but that he is "the ground of everything personal." Or again, if we speak of God as an individual, this means, non-symbolically, that he is the ground of all individuation. There is, however, another possible view, and one that most will find to consort better with the Christian revelation, namely, that neither is essence more ultimate than existence nor existence than essence: that ultimate reality is at once being and existence, at once universal and concretely individual; and that therefore God is in himself both personality-as-such (and therefore the ground of all other personality), and at the same time a concrete living Person; or, in Platonic terms, that God is both the form of the God and a soul. Probably most of the major difficulties which many readers are likely to have with Professor Tillich's construction are closely connected with this fundamental one. There is in places a flavor of Origen, a flavor of Mediaeval realism, a flavor perhaps of Spinoza and more certainly of Hegel, which not all will relish. But all will acknowledge with deepest respect the masterliness of the work as a whole, and with profoundest gratitude the stimulus they have received from the reading of it.


Cu- and Ni-codoped FeZnO
particles with the wurzite structure were successfully synthesized at low
temperature by a co-precipitation method. The samples were characterized using
a vibrating sample magnetometer, X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray
spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectrophotometry and electron spin resonance. The results
demonstrated that room
temperature ferromagnetic order was observed in both samples and the
magnetization was higher than that of Fe-doped ZnO. The correlation between the
structural and magnetic properties is discussed.


Author(s): Gerber, Richard; Allcock, William; Beggio, Chris; Campbell, Stuart; Cherry, Andrew; Cholia, Shreyas; Dart, Eli; England, Clay; Fahey, Tim; Foertter, Fernanda; Goldstone, Robin; Hick, Jason; Karelitz, David; Kelly, Kaki; Monroe, Laura; Prabhat; Skinner, David; White, Julia | Abstract: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) High Performance Computing (HPC) facilities are on the verge of a paradigm shift in the way they deliver systems and services to science and engineering teams. Research projects are producing a wide variety of data at unprecedented scale and level of complexity, with community-specific services that are part of the data collection and analysis workflow. On June 18-19, 2014 representatives from six DOE HPC centers met in Oakland, CA at the DOE High Performance Operational Review (HPCOR) to discuss how they can best provide facilities and services to enable large-scale data-driven scientific discovery at the DOE national laboratories. The report contains findings from that review.


In this paper a hybrid Token-CDMA based medium access control (MAC) protocol is considered. The MAC scheme is analytically modeled as a multiserver multiqueue (MSMQ) system in the case of a gated service discipline. We present an approximated discrete time analysis for the queue inside the system where the analysis is concerned with the general case in which the system accommodates several traffic classes. Each queue in the system is assumed to incorporate the input model, the vacation model and the buffer model. The packet arrival process is assumed to be a Poisson distribution, with the same rate for the queues in each traffic class, and data rate quality of service (c) is incorporated to regulate the input. Packet service time is modeled with independent, identically distributed random variables with geometric distributions. Moments of the packet delay are derived using the probability generating function approach.


The main principles of the publishing policy of the journal "Technical Electrodynamics" are considered, namely the observance of the principles of academic integrity. The concept of academic integrity, types of its violation - plagiarism, self-plagiarism, falsification, fabrication are explained. There are some legal documents developed in Ukraine on this issue, which must be followed by every scientist and scientific publications. References 10.


Frogs of the subfamily Mantellinae (Amphibia: Anura: Mantellidae) are a species-rich and diverse lineage endemic to the Madagascan region. The major synapomorphy of this clade is a derived reproductive mode including an unusual mating behaviour (loss of strong mating amplexus, egg deposition outside of water) and associated morphological adaptations (evolution of femoral glands, loss of nuptial pads). However, the evolutionary steps towards this unique character complex remain obscure. We here describe a recently discovered new frog, Tsingymantis antitra gen. nov., sp. nov. from the moderately dry karstic massif Tsingy de Ankarana in northern Madagascar. The new species is not referable to any existing genus or species groups. A phylogenetic analysis, based on DNA sequences of four mitochondrial genes (12S and 16S rRNA, tRNAVal, cytochrome b) and one nuclear gene (rhodopsin) placed Tsingymantis without significant support as sister taxon of the Mantellinae which was found to be a well-defined monophyletic group (100% Bayesian and 99% bootstrap support). The position of Tsingymantis as the most basal clade of the Mantellinae is in agreement with several morphological and osteological characters, suggesting that this subfamily including Tsingymantis may be a monophyletic group whereas the Boophinae could represent the most basal clade of the Mantellidae. We therefore include Tsingymantis in the Mantellinae in a preliminary way, pending further study. In contrast to the large majority of recent mantellid species which are adapted to humid rainforests, the most basal clades of the three subfamilies show adaptations to relatively dry conditions, indicating that the climate during the early radiation of mantellids (probably in the Eocene) may have been drier than in recent times.


The upper paleozoic reservoirs in the south of Ordos basin(Gaoqiao region) are mainly composed of sandstones of Shanxi and Xiashihezi formations.The target stratum of this study is the eighth member of Xiashihezi formation.Research results show that this stratum mainly develops braided delta sedimentary system,and it develops leading edge underwater distributary channel microfacies,repeating channel migration in the horizontal,multiphase superposition in the vertical,sand bodies blanket distribution in the large area.The lithology of this stratum is controlled by provenance,quartz sandstone is massively distributed,the solution vug is main type of voids,the reservoir porosity is 2.0% to 10.0%,the average is 8.3%;the permeability is 0.1 to 1.0 mD,the average is 0.748 mD,the reservoir quality is expressed as low-porosity and low-permeability,it has reservoir conditions for formation of large gas reservoirs.Reservoir distribution of this stratum is controlled by sand body distribution of drainage line,the denudation is very important to improve capacity of the reservoir.


Water repellence affects approximately 5 million hectares of agricultural land in Australia. However its occurrence in texture-contrast soils is not widely reported or understood. This manuscript details seasonal variations in the potential water repellence of a texture-contrast soil, and explore the mechanisms and consequences of unstable flow development at high and low antecedent moisture content.


Freshwater mapping is a crucial element for water resource planning and conservation. Recently, the estimation of surface area and its temporal changes have been made easier due to the availability of remote sensing data. However, the quantification of water body volume is limited because the existing remote sensing technologies cannot estimate bathymetry data. In this study, Lake Victoria's surface water extent and volume are estimated by combining the remote sensing and bathymetry data. The surface water extent is determined by feature extraction and classification using Machine Learning (ML). Gaussian Naïve Bayes (GNB), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Light Gradient Boosting Machine (LightGBM), and Categorical Boosting (CatBoost) are the ML algorithms considered. Landsat ETM+images have been used for experimentation. Experimental results concluded that LightGBM and DT are the best and least performing ML algorithms for determining surface extent and volume.


Based on the investigation from 1997-1999 and the historic data, this paper presents the rules of locust distribution in areas surrounding Qinghai Lake, elucidating the relationship between the locust plague with factors of habitat including topology, soil property and vegetation types. Results of the study would be of importance for setting up models of locust plague forecast and prevention.


IN POWER PLANTS WITH GAS TURBINE AND STEAM WITH A CONNECTED TO THE SOLAR STEAM TEAM, there is the problem that the vapor produced SOLAR MODE WILL PROVIDE IN SUCH A WAY TO STEAM TURBINE THAT THIS DESPITE SOLAR THERMAL POWER fluctuating MAY BE USED WITH THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATE OF PERFORMANCE, YET CAN ALSO POWER PLANT WORK WITH LACK OF SOLAR RADIATION. For this, the invention provides for the installation (10,116) for solar steam generation, CONNECTED TO SUPPLY WATER SUPPLY (30, 48, 88, 98) PLANT STEAM TURBINES (4,114), AND CONDUIT STEAM (96) SOLAR INSTALLATION TO STEAM, THIS SYSTEM CONNECTED TO MEDIUM PRESSURE STEAM PLANT STEAM TURBINE. The invention is usable POWER PLANTS WITH GAS AND STEAM TURBINE WITH AN ATTACHED TO THE SOLAR STEAM TEAM.


OBJECTIVE: To describe the atypical clinical presentation of a patient with an SCN9A mutation. BACKGROUND: Erythromelalgia is characterized by recurrent episodes of burning pain and redness of the extremities and is caused by heterozygote gain-of-function mutations in the SCN9A gene, coding for the NAv1.7 channel. It usually presents as a pure sensory-autonomic disorder. We describe a patient with an SCN9A mutation and an usual phenotypic presentation of gross motor delay, childhood-onset erythromelalgia, extreme visceral pain episodes, followed by hypoesthesia and automutilation. DESIGN/METHODS: The investigation of the patient9s motor delay included various biochemical analyses, an EMG, a muscle biopsy, and a quantitative PCR of SMN1 . Once erythromelalgia was suspected, the SCN9A gene was sequenced. Sequential therapeutic trials of amitriptyline, gabapentin, carbamazepine and mexiletine were attempted. RESULTS: The EMG, CGH, EEG and metabolic tests were negative. The sural nerve biopsy showed an axonal neuropathy, whereas the muscle biopsy showed signs of neurogenic atrophy. Sequencing of the SCN9A gene revealed a heterozygote missense mutation in exon 7; p.I234T. CONCLUSIONS: We present the first case of global motor delay and erythromelalgia associated with an SCN9A mutation. The gross motor delay might be attributed to the extreme pain episodes or to a developmental perturbation of sensory-motor integration. Disclosure: Dr. Meijer has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vanasse has received personal compensation for activities with Janssen as a speaker. Dr. Vanasse has received research support from L9Institut de recherche Yves Ponroy. Dr. Nizard has nothing to disclose. Dr. Robitaille has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rossignol has nothing to disclose.


years, which sets stringent limits on the GUT scale. These limits are obtainedunder 'reasonable' assumptions about the size of the hadronic matrix elements. In this paper wepresent a non-perturbative calculation of the hadronic matrix elements within the chiral bag modelof the proton. We argue that there is an exponential suppression of the matrix elements, due to non-perturbative QCD, that sties proton decay by orders of magnitude { potentially O(10


When participating in the job market, an individual must determine the amount of work hours to offer, a situation illustrated by economic theory through the income and substitution effects. This paper reports the results of the econometric estimation of a three-stage model of the hours of individual work for Colombia, based on the 2012 Quality of Life Survey. In the first stage, a model of the probability of being employed is made; then, a Mincer Equation corrected by selection bias is estimated and, finally, an equation of work hours is estimated using the Tobit model, in terms of wages predicted to correct endogeneity. Results show that the substitution effect takes precedence over the income effect; that age (up to a threshold), being head of household, having children under five years of age, being married or living in a common-law marriage and, finally, having a written employment contract, have a positive effect on the number of hours offered; on the other hand, unearned income has a negative effect on the number of hours offered.


We present an experimental prove of high robustness of epitaxial 4H-SiC graphene to oxidation processes. During a post-fabrication cleaning procedure we noticed that epitaxial graphene is extremely stable to ozone treatment. We analyse graphene properties using both electron transport measurements and numerical calculations. We ascribe this effect to the substrate topography, which significantly affects the graphene stability under UV/ozone treatment.


Traditional research into values has tended to dichotomise young people into categories of self and other orientations. In the present study values were explored within a contemporary context and analysed into more complex value sets. The sample comprised of 111 girls and 133 boys, aged 11-16 (mean = 13.2, SD = 1.14), who responded to four open-ended sentences designed to tap philosophies of life, fears and underlying values. The pleasures in life for girls tended to centre on relationships with family, friends and boys, whereas boys enjoyed activities such as sport. Many desired to win the National Lottery, although they also concurrently held humanistic values. The potential impact of these value sets on development during adolescence is discussed. For these young people, the best things in life are free but, like many adults, they dream of fame and fortune.


Studies in northeastern Maine in 1956 and 1957 showed that egg deposition by Myzus persicae (Sulz.) and Macrosiphum cuphorbiae (Thos.) started soon after the first eggs matured, whereas Myzus solani (Kltb.) retained matured eggs until the abdomen was packed and distended. The number of eggs deposited by a healthy ovipara depends upon the duration of favorable weather conditions. Indications are that parasitized aphids lay no eggs.


This research concentrated on impact of micro finance banks on developing economies –evidence from Nigeria. The recent emphasis on micro, small and medium enterprises, and the licensing of microfinance bank in Nigeria viz-a-vis the dwindling economy of developing countries prompted this study. The data for the study was mined from the Central Bank of Nigeria's statistical bulletin from 1992 to 2020. The E-view tool of analysis, and the Autoregressive Distributed Lag model were used. The research answered a question of whether microfinance banks contribute to economic growth or not. The unit root test showed that all parameters were stationary at first difference. Consequently, it was established that generally, there was a long run relationship between microfinance banks and economic growth in Nigeria while specifically, loans and deposits of microfinance banks showed significant and positive coefficients. Similarly, a causality test indicates that there exists a unidirectional causality between microfinance bank loans and economic growth, and microfinance bank deposits and economic growth. The researcher among other recommendations opined that Central Bank should be more objective in monitoring microfinance banks to avoid failure in that sub-sector which is likely the cradle of economic growth in the developing countries.


It is enacted in our Criminal Law that the crime of embezzlement is such a case that no trial without complaint. That means the public security organization has no power to deal with this kind of cases. But in the practice of justice, the public security organization often disobeys this rule, why? The limitation of our contemporary law has restricted the public security organization to this case. And that made the victims' legitimate interests can't be protected properly. Now how to deal with the crime of embezzlement under the frame of contemporary law is a difficult problem to the public security organization.


This study seeks to achieve the following objectives: (i) Introducing e-learning and blended learning, (ii) Introduction to university education, (iii) The study focused on the concept of total quality in education and standards and quality assurance requirements for blended learning, (iv) The study focused on highlighting the criteria for the success of blended learning and its benefits, (v) The study identified obstacles to the application of blended learning, (vi) Preparing a proposed design for the blended learning program. We adopt the descriptive-analytical method in collecting opinions, information, facts, and concepts related to the axes of the study, to build an integrated knowledge system, and to benefit from it in presenting what is referred to about the aspects related to the concept of blended learning, its application, quality assurance, success criteria, and benefits in the educational process. We hope that this study can give information for Mixed Education and Quality Standard in the University Teaching.


AbstractThe rusty-red, irregularly shaped areas known as foxing or fox spots are prevalent on rag paper used in books from the sixteenth to the nineteenth century. Foxing may vary in size from just visible spots to large areas covering most of a page, and in some cases the stain migrates through successive pages. The present study investigated the role of fungi in foxing, and the location and cause of the discoloration in these spots. Using light microscopy and staining with aqueous aniline blue, it was observed that the initial cause of the foxing was a group of separated conidia (spores) which had been deposited on the surface of the paper prior to printing and had germinated in situ during the slow drying of the paper. The colour in the foxed areas is due to an alkaline-soluble rusty-red material and an insoluble straw-coloured stain in the paper fibres. Observations of migrated stains support the theory that fox spots are part of three-dimensional stain structures which are generated in stacks of pape...


In the contemporary history, the Middle East and China are the focus of global attention. Though Middle East has fought an ideological struggle with regard to religious extremism in the region, yet the quest for power energy sources cannot be overlooked. While Chinese policy frame , revolving around its approach of non-interference, economic development and a desire of having multi-polar global system is serious challenge for the US which on one hand, advocates democracy, human rights, but with the policy of intervention. Today, the world powers are competing each other for the supremacy of power resources where oil and gas are not an exception. China is the second largest consumer of world's oil after the United States (Bajpaee, 2006). China is making an effort to build an economic, political and military influence in the region without involving the military force. Though future will reveal many truths yet it is anticipated that a new triangular balance of power comprising of China, Saudi Arabia and Russia might emerge on the global scene, owing to their inter-connected dependencies. China is looking forward by pursuing the policy of wait and see for the appropriate moment This study primarily focuses on their bilateral relations and deals with China's Middle East policy, its increasing activities in the region and implications for Pakistan. For Pakistan, the nature of future relationship with Middle Eastern multi-dimensional crisis is very important because it is the ―Arc of crisis‖. The neutral role of Pakistan in this situation is much hazardous, carrying both challenges and opportunities along with the security repercussions.


This paper discusses how environmental considerations will affect tax policy in the decades ahead. It argues that, in the future, interactions between tax and environmental policy are likely to go well beyond recent discussion of double divided issues, and that internalization of environmental externalities via tax policy will be the goal, which inevitably will involve the particular rather than the general. As a result, notions of neutrality which dominate current thinking on tax design will come under challenge; and in ways which will go well beyond current discussion of special treatment for particular goods and industries on environmental grounds. special treatment of environmentally harmful methods of production, more so than of goods and industries as under present tax policies, will be the name of the game. Moreover, the informational requirements of such an approach to tax policy are likely to be large. The paper concludes by pointing out that if environmental quality is a luxury good, as many suppose, with income elasticity of demand greater than one, then high income households will gain disproportionately from internalization of the externalities at issue. This may fuel pressures for more redistribution elsewhere in the tax system than is currently the case.


As the forging manipulator receives the impact vibration during work,it is necessary to provide buffering device for it.This paper analyzed and calculated the impact force and impact stroke of the buffer device of mechanical manipulator and hydraulic manipulator.It has certain reference value for setting appropriate buffering device for forging manipulators.


A large degree of freedom of the clock frequency that can be set by each core, the operating decisive (deterministic), the communication latency is small and highly reliable, it is to provide a technique capable of communication between the cores. The object of the present invention analyzes the factors that affect the communication history in the semiconductor device in the performance of the semiconductor device, by reflecting on the next-generation semiconductor device, to provide a highly reliable semiconductor device is there. A semiconductor device of the present invention, in synchronization with the core A to transmit data in synchronization with a clock signal clkA, at a certain period in the clock signal clkB that matches the rise or fall of the clock signal clkA data comprising a core B that receives, and a control unit which controls the communication between the core a and core B. Control unit controls so that the only data that arrives before the set-up of the clock signal clkB can receive core B. Furthermore, the history storing status of communication between the cores.


DOI: 10.21276/sjams.2018.6.5.24 Abstract: The present study was conducted in 100 control and 100 cases who were admitted under Medicine Department /Medicine OPD or Superspeciality Dept. of Endocronology & Neurology in Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, during interval of 1 year from March 2016 to August 2017. In our study, 100 cases of DM were taken and 100 controls were included who had stoke. There were 10(10%) patients in the age group of 40-50 years, 26(26%) in the age group of 51-60 years, 34(34%) in the age group of 61 to 70 years, 24(24%) in the age group of 71 to 80 years and 06(6%) in the age group of >80 years in each group. There were 06(6%) patients in the age group of 40-50 years, 30(30%) in the age group of 51-60 years, 34(34%) in the age group of 61 to 70 years, 26(26%) in the age group of 71 to 80 years and 04(04%) in the age group of >80 years in each group to match the age approximation. There were 52(52%) males and 48(48%) females in each groups (diabetic & non-diabetic) studied both among case and controls. There was a male preponderance in comparison to the females. Out of 100 cases, 60(60%) had ischemic stroke, 30(30%) had hemorrhagic stroke and 10 (10%) had TIA in aech group. Serum magnesium level was estimated in above all cases (200 patients). Mean serum magnesium level were lower in stroke cases compare to the control group. Mean magnesium level of control group (100) were compared with our Ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients and p value showed significance but TI patients had no significant p value when compared with control. The serum magnesium level between diabetics and non-diabetics among case were observed, which showed low serum magnesium in diabetes patients. The serum magnesium level between diabetics & non-diabetics were also compared. Low magnesium level among non-diabetics who has stroke but was more so in diabetics. So, irrespective of diabetes status, hypo magnesaemic patients are more prone to develop stroke/neurological complication. The significance of this study is that low serum magnesium level is associated with acute neurological complication like ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke.


Large body-size and heterogeneously integrated packages have become essential for high-performance computing applications. As an example, designs such as silicon interposer-based 2.5D packages have enabled the integration of high-performance silicon and memory in close proximity, greatly increasing the bandwidth and throughput of these devices. Within such a package, the interaction among the many sub-components and materials creates a complex thermo-mechanical response in the interconnections, which includes micro-bumps and C4 bumps. In addition, such components frequently require a high-layer count and high-thickness PCB, which creates a challenge for the reliability of the solder joints. As a result, the overall reliability of PCB assembly needs to be evaluated at every level of the interconnect. In this study, a large 2.5D flip chip package was subject to temperature cycling testing. This component was also attached to a PCB, and the entire assembly went through temperature cycling as well. Over the duration of testing, a series of microstructure evaluations were performed at the micro-bump, C4 bump, and solder joint level. Each analysis included polarized optical imaging, SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), EBSD (Electron Backscatter Diffraction) and strain contour analysis. With these techniques, the methodology was able to not only observe the degradation and microstructure evolution, but was also able to reveal the damage by collecting high-resolution strain / stress distribution data at critical locations such as corner bumps and solder joints. These data provided insight into metallurgical processes that alter the grain structure of solder joints at different dimensions and locations, and ultimately the details of the failure mechanisms and processes.


To investigate the prevalence, bacterial spectrum of mastitis, and antimicrobial resistance of the causative staphylococci in Algerian dromedary camels, a total of 200 lactating camels were first examined for clinical mastitis and the healthy quarters were examined for subclinical mastitis using the California Mastitis Test (CMT). Milk samples from the affected quarters were collected aseptically and analysed using conventional bacteriological isolation and identification procedures. Staphylococcal isolates were then analysed for antimicrobial resistance. The overall prevalence of mastitis in camels based on CMT and clinical examination was 35 % (70/200), of which 7.5 % (15/200) was clinical mastitis and 27.5 % (55/200) was subclinical mastitis. At the quarterly level, the overall prevalence was 11.87 % (95/800), of which 2.62 % (21/800) was clinical mastitis and 9.25 % (74/800) was subclinical mastitis. A total of 98 bacterial isolates were identified from the 95 cultured milk samples. Staphylococci (70.4%) were the predominant isolates, with 31.63 % identified as coagulase-positive staphylococci (CPS) including S. aureus at 25.51 % and 38.77 % identified as coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS). The remaining isolates were Micrococcus sp., Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp., E. coli, and Enterococcus. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed that 24 (34.78 %) of the isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial drugs tested, while 21.73 % (15/69) were multidrug resistant strains. The highest resistance rates were found for penicillin, tetracycline and erythromycin with 33.33 %, 31.48 % and 21.74 %, respectively. Therefore, the implementation of integrated approaches in the study is of great importance for the prevention and control of mastitis to improve the quality of camel milk, minimize economic losses and avoid significant public health risks.


Due to a favourable strength-to-density ratio, aluminium and its alloys are increasingly used in the automotive, aviation and space industries for the fabrication of skins and other structural elements. This article explores the opportunities for and limitations of using Single- and Two Point Incremental Sheet Forming techniques to form sheets from aluminium and its alloys. Incremental Sheet Forming (ISF) methods are designed to increase the efficiency of processing in low- and medium-batch production because (i) it does not require the production of a matrix and (ii) the forming time is much higher than in conventional methods of sheet metal forming. The tool in the form of a rotating mandrel gradually sinks into the sheet, thus leading to an increase in the degree of deformation of the material. This article provides an overview of the published results of research on the influence of the parameters of the ISF process (feed rate, tool rotational speed, step size), tool path strategy, friction conditions and process temperature on the formability and surface quality of the workpieces. This study summarises the latest development trends in experimental research on, and computer simulation using, the finite element method of ISF processes conducted in cold forming conditions and at elevated temperature. Possible directions for further research are also identified.


We identify two sources of heteroskedasticity in high-frequency financial data. The first source is the endogenous changing participation of heterogeneous speculators to the market, coupled with the time varying behavior of the market maker. The second source is the exogenous flow of market relevant information. We model the first one by means of a Markov switching (MS) SVAR process, and the second one by means of a GARCH process for the MS-SVAR structural errors. Using transaction data of the EUR/USD market in 2016, we detect three regimes characterized by different levels of endogenous volatility. The impact of structural shocks on the market depends on both sources, but the exogenous information is channeled to the market mostly through price. This suggests that the market maker is better informed than the speculators, who act as momentum traders. The latter are able to profit from trade because, unlike noise traders, they respond immediately to price shocks.


The purpose of this research was to identify the cockroach species infesting public buses, determining its distribution and its infestation degree, and analyze the factors causing its infestation. The observation of the existence of cockroach was performed on 30% of buses found in 6 bus pool in Bogor City. Observations was focused on 6 sites inside the bus: 1) seats, 2 floor), 3) gaps, 4) shelves, 5) window, and 6) toilets. Cockroach were manually colletcted put in a labeled plastic pouchs. Observations was done within 30 minutes each bus. The degree of cockroach infestation was scored as zero, light, moderate, high, and very high infestation. The factors causing cockroach infestation in public buses measured using an enclosed questionnaire. A total number of 1626 individuals were collected identified as Blattella germanica cockroach (1353 individuals) and Periplaneta americana cockroach (273 individuals). The highest infestation of Blattella germanica was found in the buses in the pool-6 area with with average amount of 66.4 individuals per bus (very highly infested). While Periplaneta americana was found very highly infesting buses in the pool-5 area with average amount 25.3 individuals per bus. The cockroach infestation spreading in the gap (48.68%) with the highest number for the presence of both species. The shelves found as site with lowest infestation (12.60%). There was a weak correlation between cockroach infestation in the pool bus area with personal biosecurity (r = -0.116), medium relationship with places/equipment biosecurity (r = -0.406), and strong correlation with environmental biosecurity (r = -0.841).


An Adaptive Quantum Clustering algorithm (AQC) and its incremental training approach are proposed. AQC employs Schrödinger Equation to find core data. The equation is equipped with density estimation and a new metric that are learned from support vector clustering process. Based on core data, the grouping method of AQC assigns core data into clusters. AQC is trained incrementally through selecting valuable data from coming batch. Experiments suggest AQC improves clustering accuracy and efficiency over its counterparts, and achieves competitive performance with some state of the arts.


In this paper, new Gaussian mixture classifiers are designed to deal with the case of an unknown number of mixing kernels. Not knowing the true number of mixing components is a major learning problem for a mixture classifier using expectation-maximization (EM). To overcome this problem, the training algorithm uses a combination of covariance constraints, dynamic pruning, splitting and merging of mixture kernels of the Gaussian mixture to correctly automate the learning process. This structural learning of Gaussian mixtures is employed to model and classify Hyperspectral imagery (HSI) data. The results from the HSI experiments suggested that this new methodology is a potential alternative to the traditional mixture based modeling and classification using general EM.


The muscarinic receptor was solubilized from rabbit ileum by the mixed solution of 0.5% 3[(3cholamidopropyl)dimethylammonio]1propanesulfonate and 0.35% digitonin. About 30% of the muscarinic receptors was solubilized. The solubilized receptors were of better stability. Kinetic studies and Scatchard analysis of QNB binding to receptors showed that there were two populations of binding sites with similar affinities in both solubilized and membranebound receptors. The results obtained suggest that the system used for solubilizing is powerful and mild.


Being overweight is becoming normalised in the UK and obesity is forecast to increase to over half of all adults and a quarter of children by 2050. Obesity has serious health implications and is demanding an increasing percentage of health care budgets, however the NHS has insufficient capacity to meet these needs. In addition, weight loss is rarely sustained following completion of dieting programmes. Commercial slimming club programmes have greater success rates in achieving weight loss than the NHS or self-help methods. The NHS relies on the dissemination of knowledge to effect behavioural change, whereas commercial weightloss programmes focus on techniques to promote behavioural change, such as modest energy restriction, physical activity, behavioural strategy and long term follow up. The knowledgeattitude-behaviour relationship is complex. Research indicates that nutrition knowledge is poorly correlated with dietary behaviour. Furthermore, the majority of obese individuals have high levels of nutrition knowledge. The use of educational methods to encourage a change in behaviour rather than the dissemination of information is an important distinction. Therefore this review investigates how nutrition knowledge influences clients' dietary behaviour particularly in relation to commercial slimming clubs.


China's urbanization is developing very fast.Large number of peasants flood into the cities that has become threat to the local people.This research chooses two typical examples,the output space(Jiuyuan Village)and input space(Nanluo Alley).With quantitative and qualitative methods,the research focuses on spatial environment evolution under the circumstances of urbanization.Among the two research subjects,local residents of Nanluo Alley choose to express their wills instead of compromising,especially when the local people experience the disturbance.On the other side,people of Jiuyuan Village take the passive method and choose to bear or lower their physical and mental expectation of urbanization.On the other hand,the population flows from the village to the urban area.The push power of Jiuyuan Village is the shortage of public service facilities and cutting down of agriculture.The push power of Nanluo Alley is the aging of residential architecture and the commercialization of local settlement.


The origin of the aromatic characteristics of porphyrins (1 a) and related systems remains the topic of considerable debate. Although porphyrins and related macrocycles are often considered to be examples of bridged annulenes, some theoretical studies have concluded that the aromatic properties of porphyrinoids are primarily due to the individual pyrrolic rings. 7] However, the extent to which the pyrrolic nitrogens contribute to the aromatic properties of porphyrins has been brought into question. 2] In particular, dideazaporphyrins 2, which lack these pyrrole-type nitrogens, have been shown to be strongly diatropic and to possess porphyrin-like electronic absorption spectra. 8] In previous studies, we have probed the aromatic properties of porphyrinoids by replacing one or more of the pyrrolic subunits with carbocyclic rings. 6] Monocarbaporphyrins related to 1b have been investigated in detail, but far less is known about dicarbaporphyrinoid systems. In principle, these investigations could be extended to quatyrin (1c), the theoretically important hydrocarbon analogue of the porphyrins, although severe crowding within the macrocyclic cavity may make this system inaccessible. Syntheses of opp-dicarbaporphyrinoids 3 and 4 with two carbocyclic rings interspersed by pyrrolic moieties have been reported, but these porphyrin analogues proved to be rather unstable. Nevertheless, dicarbaporphyrin 3 exhibited strongly diatropic characteristics and the UV/Vis spectrum for this species closely resembled the spectra for true porphyrins. 14] More recently, examples of adj-dicarbaporphyrinoid systems have been reported 16] including carbaazuliporphyrin 5. These porphyrinoids proved to be far more stable than 3 and 4 and exhibited significant macrocyclic aromaticity. Unfortunately, to date no examples of adj-dicarbaporphyrins 6 with two adjacent cyclopentadiene rings have been synthesized. In our investigations into monoand dicarbaporphyrins, indene units have usually been used in place of cyclopentadiene moieties because of synthetic considerations. 6] For this reason, we set out to target dibenzo-macrocycles related to porphyrinoid 6. It is well known that indene reacts with aldehydes under basic conditions to afford fulvenes (Scheme 1). We anticipated that bis(3-indenyl)methane 7 could similarly be used


SUMMARY

Multidomain ferro- and ferrimagnets carrying a thermoremanent magnetization (TRM) display a maximum in remanent magnetization just below the Curie temperature Tc when continuously demagnetized in zero field. We interpret this demagnetization peak to be indicative of the presence of TRM domain wall moments that grow in a small temperature interval (near Tc) upon heating where the domain wall volume increases at a rate faster than the decrease in spontaneous magnetization Msp. Hysteresis measurements in the vicinity of Tc on a single crystal of magnetite show that the spontaneous magnetization may be orders of magnitude smaller than the strong field magnetization measured in Ms/T curves. Micromagnetic calculations using experimentally determined Msp/T data suggest that the single domain (SD) threshold for magnetite can increase by more than an order of magnitude from room temperature to just below Tc in support of the domain wall moment model.


The longidorid nematode Xiphinema coxi Tarjan, 1964, ssp. europaeum Sturhan, 1985 is reported for the first time in Italy. It occurred in soil collected from a replanted vineyard in the Province of Treviso in north-east Italy.


This paper presents an investigation of cross ring/disc antenna for UWB applications. A coaxial cable fed cross the ring antenna with satisfactory -10 dB return loss bandwidth is firstly designed. In order to minimize the radiation pattern distortion at 9 GHz, an extended ground plane is then introduced. A comparison of performance of four different kinds of cross ring/disc antennas is also illustrated.


A method of image-based 3D scene reconstruction using DSP chip is proposed,which consists of camera calibration,image collection and scene reconstruction.In the process of camera calibration,camera is utilized as measuring device in order to compute the intrinsic and extrinsic parameters,which is more convenient than measuring the camera directly.The image collection is carried out by the real-time image processing platform of SEED-VPM642,the camera and the computer system.The image transmission between DSP chip and PC is achieved by PCI.The 3D scene reconstruction is accomplished by the means of voxel coloring at last.


Developing a distributed application is hard due to the complexity inherent to distributed communication. This paper proposesan incremental approach to allow a divide and conquer strategy. It presents a design pattern and a framework for distributed object communication. The proposed solution decouples distributed object communication from object specific functionalities. It further decouples logical communication from physical communication. The solution enforces an incremental development process and encapsulates the underlying distributionmechanisms. The paper uses a stage-based design description which allow design description at a different level of abstraction than code.


This paper is devoted to the analysis of systems of mixing biomass in biogas plants. Design features and scope of various types of mixing systems. It was found that the use of combined systems mixing allows for a more uniform particle distribution of biomass and temperature throughout the volume of the bioreactor and significantly increases the effectiveness of the specific yield of biogas.