Banking, foreign exchange, bonds, equities and insurance services are now provided through an increasingly global marketplace. In financial services, as in other activities, globalization can be seen as a process opening up national economies and markets, widening the extent and form of cross-border transactions, deepening the international character of productive activity. As such, globalization is propelled by liberalization of trade and deregulation of capital markets, underpinned by technological change which is lowering communication and transport costs and enhancing the international tradeability of services.


AIM: To observe the effects of pioglitazone combined with atorvastatin on lipids and endothelial function in patients of type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 65 cases of type 2 diabetes patients were randomly divided into two groups,30 cases were divided into control group(Group A),receiving routine hypoglycemic therapy with atorvastatin 10 mg/d;the experimental group(Group B),35 cases on the basis of the control group with pioglitazone 15 mg/d.The levels of blood glucose,Glycated hemoglobin,lipids,nitric oxide(NO),endothelin-1(ET-1) and the change rate of brachial artery flow mediated dilatation(FMD)were assessed before and after 12 weeks of the treatment. RESULTS:Compared with pre-treatment,the levels of blood glucose after treatment were significantly decreased in two groups(P0.01).there was no significant difference between two groups(P0.05).The ET-1 levels in two groups were decreased(P0.05),and the levels of nitric oxide(NO) and FMD were increased in two groups,compared with pre-treatment,there was significant difference(P0.01).However,the levels of nitric oxide(NO) and the change rate of brachial artery flow mediated dilatation(FMD) in Group B were higher than those in Group A,there was significant difference in two groups(P0.05).After treatment,the BMI was improved in patients of two groups(P0.05,P0.01). CONCLUSION: Pioglitazone combined with atorvastatin can adjust blood lipids and improve the function of vascular endothelium in type 2 diabetes mellitus


An improved fuzzy judgement method on individual comprehensive qualities was given. The classical fuzzy judgement method on individual comprehensive qualities which based on the maximum subordinated degree principle couldn't reflect the students' individual comprehensive qualities fairly and exactly under some conditions. Non-suitablility of maximum subordinated degree principle was discussed and an improved method that based on reliability code was presented.


Home automation is a technology that is often viewed as a luxury and not a necessity. The means of achieving home automation is always considered expensive and inconvenient in the long run. Due to this there is no success in achieving this technology. Our aim is to make life much easier, more comfortable, and much more convenient and reduce our daily workload. To achieve this, our approach was to make a highly compact and simplified product that would be affordable to middle-class families by using familiar applications like blynk and machine learning - for making the home automation personalized to every specific user. Not only that but also to take utmost care of the privacy of our users.


A wavefront correction near the focus of a Pettawatt laser system is demonstrated. After correction, the Strehl ratio of focus is improved to 0.90, and the focal spot size using the f/4 off-axis parabola is reduced to 6.20 × 6.77 μm2. With full peak power, the peak intensity of 2.46 × 1021 W/cm2 is obtained.


Inhibition of spoilage mold of common contaminant of bakery goods in modal agar system by potassium sorbate and calcium propionate in wide range of concentration (0 - 2000 ppm) at different pH (5.5 - 7) was investigated. All Samples were examined daily for mold growth. Results showed that both potassium sorbate and calcium propionate can be used effectively to inhibit mold growth and the effectiveness of these preservatives is enhanced by increasing the concentration and decreasing the pH. The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) comprised of 60% or 80% CO2 (balance N2) and oxygen absorbents on the growth of mold was also studied on the agar system. The results indicated that mold growth was prevented up to 42 days in packs flushed with 60% or 80% CO2 (balance N2). It was also evident that all samples did not show mold growth for >40 days when packaged in the presence of oxygen scavenger sachet.


This paper first explores the relationships between the Yangtze River Delta FDI in the services sector and the economic growth on the basis of a model.The research indicates that the Yangtze River Delta FDI in the services sector has a strong push to the economical growth,but depending on the economic output increase is not sufficient enough to further attract foreign direct investment,the key is the system construction and perfection.


With the research methods of literature study and logic reasoning and on the basis of experiences of successful sports competitions,the paper discusses the operation mode,space development mode,sponsors and ticket of the Asian Games.


Mongolian saline lakes have been rarely studied. In particular, physicochemical composition of small shallow lakes of the Gobi Desertregion in western Mongolia is simply unknown. Objectives were to characterize chemical composition and describe biogeochemical characteristics of saline lakes in the Gobi Desertregions and steppe mountains, with an emphasis on environmental parameters associated with heavy metal ions. Major physicochemical parameters were determined in 14 lakes (with varying degrees of salinity) located in western Mongolia and associations with geographic variation and distance were determined. Vertical profiles for temperature, specific conductance, and dissolved oxygen were characterized. Salinity and pH were measured with multiparameter submersible profilers. Heavy metal ions (i.e., As, Pb, and Cd) and microelements (i.e., K, Na, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cr, and Co) were analyzed with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. Hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, nitrite, and nitrate were also determined by commercial kits for elemental analysis. Overall, 43 environmental parameters were determined from 31 water samples from various locations, representing distinct geographic features, including Gobi Desert, mountain range and steppe area. Several of these lakes had harmful concentrations of arsenate (< 0.34 mg/L). Heavy metal concentrations were correlated with selected physico-chemical variables of lake salinity and geographic specificity. We inferred that various environmental features, in addition to environmental pollution and mining activity, may be responsible for increased heavy metal concentrations in the Gobi Desert of the western Mongolia. The outcome of this study not only provided insights into lake chemistry, but should also be valuable for water resource management to mitigate potential poisoning and improve public health.


Abstract Single pass, autogenous flat butt welds were made on 6 mm thick duplex stainless steel (2205) plates using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. Four of the welding process parameters, i. e., arc current, welding speed, shielding gas flow rate and arc gap, were varied each at four levels and welding trials were conducted as per an L16 orthogonal array derived using the Taguchi methodology. Bead geometry parameters, depth of penetration and aspect ratio (width-to-depth ratio) were measured on polished and etched samples using microstructural image analysis. Tabulated results were subjected to analysis of variance and effects of each parameter on bead geometry were calculated. It has been found that welding current and welding speed are the dominant parameters determining the bead geometry. Gas flow rate also plays a key role in influencing the aspect ratio of the welds. Equations have been presented to predict depth of penetration and aspect ratio of the weld.


This study was conducted in order to determine herbage yield of some annual legume forage crops (Vicia pannonica, V. villosa, V. sativa, V. narbonensis, V. faba var. major, Lathyrus ochrus) grown in between vineyard rows and their effects on the grape yield and quality in Odemis experimental vineyard of Odemis Vacational High School of Ege Univ. during 2005-2007. The experimental design was a randomised complete blocks with four replications. Lolium multiflorum was used as a reference crop for determining N fixation. Results indicated that, V.faba+V.villosa, V.faba+L.ochrus and V.faba+V.sativa mixtures had the highest herbage, dry matter and crude protein yields. The mixtures also provided the highest N fixation (~180 kg.ha) from soil atmosphere.


This work focuses primarily on the growth and development of Antrodia cinnamomea fruiting bodies on China fir. We also analyzed the triterpenoids isolated from the fruiting bodies of A. cinnamomea and investigated their ability to scavenge DPPH by HPLC mapping analysis to identify the differences in the compositions of the fruiting bodies. Previous studies have shown that fewer fruiting bodies grow upon culture with China fir, yielding a triterpenoid level of 3.25% and a DPPH scavenging power of 67.25% (0.01 mg/ml), than upon culture with A. cinnamomea, yielding a triterpenoid level of 4.31% and a DPPH scavenging power of 72.31% (0.01 mg/ml). HPLC mapping analysis also revealed a number of differences in their composition. We used ultrasound techniques to efficiently extract and purify triterpenoids from fruiting bodies growing on China fir and found that different alcohol concentrations, temperatures, and liquid-to-solid ratios determine the efficiency of the triterpenoid extraction. Using a reverse methodology, we achieved the most efficient conditions using an alcohol concentration of 74.38%, a temperature of 60.41°C, and a liquid-to-solid ratio of 1 g/104.81 ml. We used a molecular template technique to effectively separate different triterpenoid compounds within different extractions. Separation rates of 68.47% and 85.31% were achieved using squalene and 18-β-glycyrrhetinic acid as the molecular templates, respectively. Our results show that A. cinnamomea fruiting bodies can be cultured artificially on China fir. Useful components can be effectively separated using the molecular template technique, thus enhancing the productivity and pharmaceutical value of A. cinnamomea fruiting bodies.


To ensure the quality of healthcare provision, nurses must continuously enhance their professional knowledge and competencies via continuing education. As compared to traditional learning, electronic learning (e-learning) is a more flexible method for nurses' in-service learning. Hence, e-learning is expected to play a key role in providing continuing education for nurses. The main purpose of this study is to examine whether system quality, information quality, service quality, and user-interface design quality as the antecedents to nurse beliefs can affect nurses' intention to use the e-learning system. A cross-sectional design was used to investigate the effects of information systems quality on nurses' acceptance of the e-learning system. This study gathered sample data from nurses at three hospitals in Taiwan. A total of 450 questionnaires were distributed, and 320 effective questionnaires were analyzed in this study, indicating an effective response rate of 71.1%. Collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling. The main research results are summarized as follows. System quality, information quality, and user-interface design quality have significant effects on perceived usefulness (PU), perceived ease of use (PEOU), and perceived enjoyment (PE), and service quality has significant effects on PU and PEOU. Besides, PEOU has significant effects on PU and PE, and the effects of PU, PEOU, and PE on intention to use are significant. User-interface design quality is the most key antecedent that can make significant impacts on nurses' PU and PE, more efforts should be made to develop friendlier user interface via designing useful and enjoyable features to induce nurses to use the e-learning system. Besides, system quality can make the greatest impact on nurses' PEOU, thus medical institutions should effectively enhance the system quality to deliver benefits and pleasures to boost nurses' usage intention of the e-learning system via reducing the complexity.


Three matrix multiplications on CPU and four CUDA-based matrix multiplications on GPU are described,the causes of high performance are analyzed and the common characteristic of efficient algorithm is that data are properly organized and rationally utilized,and therefore the access cost effectively reduced and the speed is greatly improved.The best optimized implementation on CPU gain more 200 times fast than the common one,the best optimized implementation on GPU gain about 6 times fast than the best one on CPU.


Arsenic is considered as one of the highly hazardous elements in the environment and a serious carcinogen for the human health. More attention has taken towards the arsenic due to its presence in ground water in India, China, Bangladesh, Inner Mongolia and several other regions of the world. It's been a challenge to remove arsenic due to the lack of its efficient detection approach in the complicated environmental matrix. The proposed method describes an enzymatic method for arsenic determination using arsenite oxidase, which catalyzes the oxidation of arsenite to arsenate. Hence, a colorimetric PVC strip with immobilized arsenite oxidase has been developed to detect the arsenic concentration and also having potential for the field-testing. The influence of the optimal conditions i.e. pH, temperature, storage stability, and reusability of free and immobilized enzyme were evaluated and compared. The results have shown that the stabilities were significantly enhanced compared with free counterpart. Residual activity of the immobilized enzyme was 43% of the initial activity after being recycled 10 times. We approve that this novel low cost immobilized carrier presents a new approach in large scale applications and expected to act as a model for establishment of indigenous arsenic sensor in miniature form.


A multi-step Analog-to-stochastic Converter for special use in measuring and control technics will be presented. This converter is based on the combination of stochastic and deterministic conversion. On that way a signal is generated, whose average output value is connected with the analog input signal by a linear characteristic curve and whose standard deviation has to be related to one quantization step only. Finally an application of such converter is given by a wide-band correlator. Für die Dokumentat ion: Stochastische Signalverarbeitung / Analog-Stochastik-Codierer / adaptive Signalcodierung / Korrelator


In this thesis, the performance of the wireless Internet is studied with a focus on TCP over GSM/GPRS. To this end, we have developed a GSM/GPRS test bed for TCP measurements. We present measurements conducted in the test bed with TCP over both GSM and GPRS. The GSM measurements show that TCP interacts efficiently with the radio link layer in GSM, also under very poor radio conditions. The only cases when some inefficiency is detected occur due to sudden variations in delay. In GPRS, delay is, among other things, caused by buffering in intermediate nodes and by dynamic resource sharing. The GPRS measurements indicate that if the buffers in intermediate nodes are reduced, then the delay can be decreased significantly with almost retained throughput. Dynamic resource sharing is often configured to give preemptive priority to voice calls, which implies that all GPRS resources may be lost. Measurements with preemptive priority indicate that TCP performance is degraded more than necessary due to inefficient buffer management. The situation would improve if data was buffered during preemption and if the data was transmitted immediately as GPRS resources become available again


We are living an age where there is a calling for "Informational Society", and considering that we are still going through various changes. When we look at social networks as new media, we are changing the history of communication, they sometimes change the way the media act in society. The line of communication is more open and free to comment on society, act and interact with the world. The network promotes the "extinction" of geographical boundaries, where Internet users can chat and get to know new cultures, people and events through the network. From this "extinction" of geographical boundaries, I will examine how consumer habits are performing in the media and how much important is being spent on social networks.


According to IEEE 802.17 Standards,all link failures are treated as bidirectional in Resilient Packet Ring(RPR).Therefore,a unidirectional link failure leads to unnecessary loss of bandwidth in the ring.An improved steering protection switching scheme proposed in this article utilizes three reserved bits in the extendedControl field in the TP(Topology) frame header to transfer more failure information.A unidirectional link failure can then be distinguished from a bidirectional failure for more efficient re-routing.Analysis results show that the excessive consumed bandwidth caused by the link failure is reduced by approximately 17%.The simulation results verify that with unidirectional link failures the scheme significantly increases the throughput of the ring,remarkably decreases the mean traffic delay,and reduces the congestion in the ring.The scheme is easy to implement and has many potential applications.


The rate at which people seek for the dissolution of their marriages in Nigeria is becoming quite alarming. Why would a couple who celebrated their union with so much fanfare, pomp and pageantry suddenly find themselves incompatible? The study was carried out in Irhirhi Community, Southern Nigeria using a triangulation of the qualitative and quantitative methods. A total of four hundred and fifty respondents and thirty-five interviewees were sampled. The study used the functionalist perspective to explain the perception of married couples on the issue of divorce. The findings of this study revealed that there were several causes of divorce amongst which are childlessness, adultery, financial difficulties and incompatibility of the couples. It was also discovered that divorce does not occur at the snap of the fingers but is an accumulation of happenings which were left unattended to. Interestingly, the study found that the married couples in Irhirhi Community, Southern Nigeria are basically not aware of the existence of laws on divorce. Based on these findings, the study recommended that the Religious, Non-Governmental Agencies, the family and the mass media should wake up to their responsibilities by inculcating the right family values in their members. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2016.v7n4p454


Kidney-Urine-Belly computed tomography (KUB CT) analysis is an imaging modality that has the potential to enhance kidney stone screening and diagnosis. This study explored the development of a semi-automated program that used image processing techniques and geometry principles to define the boundary, and segmentation of the kidney area, and to enhance kidney stone detection. This can be done by different filtering technique. In our work, we have present ideal, median and Butterworth filter. The performance of these filter is analyzed on the basis of MSE, PSNR,SNR. After analyzing all the parameter it is conclude that Median filters are best fitted for enhancement of kidney stone Images.


Deterioration of the stator windings continues to be one of the predominant causes of large motor and generator failures. Over the past several years, much research has been done to develop technologies to provide plant maintenance personnel with better, more objective methods of assessing the condition of machine windings. Through this work, practical methods have been developed for measuring the partial discharge activity in the high voltage insulation of stator windings, since partial discharges are a symptom of most of the major insulation failure mechanisms. One test, called the PDA test, has been successfully used by utilities for many years, and can be performed by plant maintenance personnel during normal operation of a hydrogenerator. A similar partial discharge test, called the TGA test, has now been specifically developed for turbine generators and high voltage motors and is described in this paper. The TGA test allows motor and generator users of machines rated 4 kV and above, to reliably perform an in-service partial discharge test and through interpretation of the test results to confidently assess stator winding condition and plan machine maintenance requirements. Since the test is done by plant personnel during normal motor or generator operation, testing costs are also very low.<<ETX>>


Background: The municipal solid wastes (MSWs) are disposed in open dumps, which have no leachate collection and removal system, in the Caspian region of Iran. Leachate readily reaches the nearby water resources such as streams, rivers, lakes, and sea. Therefore, understanding the quality and quantity of open dump leachate is vital to the proper treatment of leachate. Methods: The leachate samples from 18 open dumps were monitored and analyzed in terms of 21 different variables, namely pH, EC, temperature, TS, TSS, TDS, VSS, COD, BOD5, PO4 3- -P, SO4 2- , NH4 + -N, TKN, and NO3 - -N based on the priority to analyze parameters as prescribed by accepted procedures outlined in "Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater". Moreover, Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Na + , K + , total Fe, Mn 2+ and Zn 2+ elements were determined using a Shimadzu flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer, Model 67OG. Results: The mean values of parameters in the sites' leachate samples of the three provinces were compared. The results of comparing the mean values of the parameters in the leachate samples from these provinces demonstrate that Golestan province had a significantly higher concentration of the parameters than Mazandaran and Gilan provinces. Conclusion: These results may be due to the warmer weather conditions in Golestan province in comparison with other provinces. Furthermore, relatively low pH (6.15-6.90), high COD concentration (2607-25307 mg/l), high BOD5/COD ratio (0.56-0.87), and high heavy metal concentration indicated that the open dumps were representative of the acid phase and/or the end of the acid phase and the beginning of the methanogenic phase.


The objective of this study was to investigate the use of a new, two-stage nanofiltration technique (demalication) to decrease the concentration of malic acid in musts. Control model trials were first performed to illustrate the chemical principles of this method. The technique was then used in an enological context with several grape varieties and compared with malolactic fermentation. With an average treatment intensity of 57% (i.e., 57 L permeate per 100 L must), the malic and tartaric acid concentrations decreased by 34% and 8%, respectively, with a very low variation of pH. This technique had a good selectivity for malic acid and the selectivity remained in wines after cold stabilization and bottling. Without malolactic fermentation, it was relatively simple to determine the intensity of demalication in must because the acidity level of the treated must was similar to the acidity level of its wine. It was also possible to decrease the titratable acidity (TA) of must by 0.6 g/L for 1 g/L malic acid to achieve a deacidification comparable to malolactic fermentation. During the treatment, must pH and TA were linear functions of initial pH and initial TA, respectively, and treatment intensity. The ease of control and the selectivity for malic acid could make this technique an interesting alternative to malolactic fermentation.


This month's column highlights the value of nurse executive leaders in leveraging their experience, role, and partnership in empowering advanced practice RNs to work at the top of their education, clinical training, and license, optimizing the triple aim, even quadruple aim, in healthcare.


Brian H. Mayall,2 James D. Tucker, Mari L. Christensen, Lucas J. van Vliet, and Ian T. Young Biomedical Sciences Division L-452, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94551 (B.H.M., J.D.T., M.L.C.); Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, California 94143 (B.H.M.); Faculty of Applied Physics, Delft University of Technology, Delft, The Netherlands (L.J.V., I.T.Y.)


In the article the author makes an attempt to analyze the metaphorical models functioning in D. Rubina's trilogy "People of the Air" from the perspective of their connection with figurative and conceptual structures of the literary text. It is proved that the key issues of the novel cycle have been resolved by D. Rubina basing upon the potential of the prevailing (functioning in several parts of the novel cycle) key textual metaphorical models. Their functional classification into the prevailing nuclear and the background key textual metaphorical models is grounded.


Objective To investigate the characteristics of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) in patient with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using high-resolution ultrasound. Methods Fourteen healthy volunteers (17 wrists) and 31 patients with CTS (41 wrists) were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound. All patients were classified into three groups based on the electrophysiologic CTS impairment severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Using high-resolution ultrasound, the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the PCBMN were measured at the proximal wrist crease, bistyloid line, and distal wrist crease, and the largest CSA was defined as the maximal CSA. Results The maximal CSA of the PCBMN of the control, mild, moderate, and severe CTS groups were 0.27±0.08, 0.30±0.07, 0.35±0.10, and 0.47±0.13 mm2, respectively. The maximal CSA of the PCBMN was significantly larger in the severe CTS group than in the other groups. Conclusion The PCBMN could be concomitantly affected in patients with severe CTS.


Aviation biofuel is technically viable and nearing the commercial stage. In the last ten years, biofuels have moved from relative obscurity to a point where certain types of fuel have become fully certified for commercial use in up to 50% blends with standard jet fuel and commercial partnerships between airlines and biofuel producers are being established. Yet despite numerous successful test flights, aviation biofuels have yet to become widely commercialised. Drawing on the findings of in-depth interviews with leading global aviation biofuel stakeholders undertaken between October and December 2011, this paper identifies and examines the perceived factors that are affecting the market development of biofuels for aviation. The paper illustrates that market development is being driven by the combined effects of rising jet fuel prices, the potential future impact of emissions legislation and concerns about fuel (in)security. However, commercialisation is being constrained by high production costs, limited availability of suitable feedstocks, uncertainty surrounding the definition of the sustainability criteria, and a perceived lack of both national and international political and policy support for aviation biofuel. The implications of these findings for commercial aviation and the future development of global market for aviation biofuel market are discussed.


The present work was carried out to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of Tinospora cordifolia fruits extracts in three different solvents against Escherichia coli, Aspergillus niger, and Candida albicans. Extracts were prepared in 70% methenol, ethyl acetate and hot distilled water separately. Antimicrobial screenings were done through well diffusion method. Through the experiments it was found that methanolic extract posses highest antimicrobial potential followed with ethyl acetate and then distilled water.


This thesis describes the design and evaluation of personalized situation awareness support (role and user) by showing a labeled grid with highlighted explored areas, assigned area per operator and safe/ unsafe areas in TDS. Relation to WP This thesis contributes to T3.3 Sentient dialogue for tailored SA, since the design of situation awareness support is tailored to specific roles and taking into account task load of the user. Availability Unrestricted. 2.2 S. Speckens (2017), "Situation Awareness enhanced tactical display system features for first and successive USAR sorties" Bibliography S. Speckens (2017), "Situation Awareness enhanced tactical display system features for first and successive USAR sorties". MSc thesis, Department of Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands. Abstract This thesis describes the influence of the presentation in the TDS of timeliness of robot and robot-camera direction and location trace on confidence, accuracy, timeliness and workload of a UGV operator.This thesis describes the influence of the presentation in the TDS of timeliness of robot and robot-camera direction and location trace on confidence, accuracy, timeliness and workload of a UGV operator. Relation to WP This thesis contributes to T3.3 Sentient dialogue for tailored SA, since the design of situation awareness support is tailored to specific roles and taking into account task load of the user. Availability Unrestricted. EU FP7 TRADR (ICT-60963) 22 Tailored Shared Situation Awareness Interfaces Pahlke et al. 2.3 N.J.J.M. Smets, M.A. Neerincx, C.M. Jonker, F. Baberg (2017), "Ontology-based situation awareness support for shared control" Bibliography N.J.J.M. Smets, M.A. Neerincx, C.M. Jonker, F. Baberg (2017), "Ontology-based situation awareness support for shared control". Extended abstract HRI 2017 Abstract Situation Awareness (SA) during tele-operation in robot-assisted disaster management has a major impact on the effectiveness and efficiency. Data perceived by the human and robot agents should be processed and shared in such a way that these agents can understand and direct the other agent's behaviors. E.g., for safe and effective tele-operation, the human (team leader and/or operator) and robot need to be aware of (1) the state, location, position and movement of the robot platform and its arms, and (2) the state of robot's environment (such as obstacles, etc.). This paper presents an SA-ontology that formalizes the effects of SA-components on the shared control performance. It is based on literature research, interviews with subject matter experts and a field test during a disaster management exercise. The SA-ontology captured all information needs for the teleoperation, and provided further requirements for SA-support functions.Situation Awareness (SA) during tele-operation in robot-assisted disaster management has a major impact on the effectiveness and efficiency. Data perceived by the human and robot agents should be processed and shared in such a way that these agents can understand and direct the other agent's behaviors. E.g., for safe and effective tele-operation, the human (team leader and/or operator) and robot need to be aware of (1) the state, location, position and movement of the robot platform and its arms, and (2) the state of robot's environment (such as obstacles, etc.). This paper presents an SA-ontology that formalizes the effects of SA-components on the shared control performance. It is based on literature research, interviews with subject matter experts and a field test during a disaster management exercise. The SA-ontology captured all information needs for the teleoperation, and provided further requirements for SA-support functions. Relation to WP This abstract contributes to T3.3 Sentient dialogue for tailored SA, the SA-ontology formalizes the effects of SA components on the shared control performance.TBD Availability Restricted. Not included in the public version of this deliverable. 2.4 Sengupta, S., Nabizadeh, N., Racioppa, S., Kruijff-Korbayová, I. (2017), "Speech Interaction Processing in TRADR" Bibliography Sengupta, S., Nabizadeh, N., Racioppa, S., Kruijff-Korbayová, I. (2017), "Speech Interaction Processing in TRADR". Unpublished technical report. Abstract This report describes the usage and analysis of speech as an input to (a) interact with the TDS system and (b) keep track of tasks performed by the team in the context of a rescue mission with the TRADR system. For (a) we describe the design of the multimodal interaction functionality developed so far. It enables the users to input information about points of interest by a combination of mouse clicks and speech and refine it in short dialogues. For (b) we examined the human-human conversations of the TRADR missions to understand the communicative acts that needThis report describes the usage and analysis of speech as an input to (a) interact with the TDS system and (b) keep track of tasks performed by the team in the context of a rescue mission with the TRADR system. For (a) we describe the design of the multimodal interaction functionality developed so far. It enables the users to input information about points of interest by a combination of mouse clicks and speech and refine it in short dialogues. For (b) we examined the human-human conversations of the TRADR missions to understand the communicative acts that need EU FP7 TRADR (ICT-60963) 23 Tailored Shared Situation Awareness Interfaces Pahlke et al. to be modeled in order to track the tasks assigned in the team. The report also describes the integration of a cloud-based speech engine (Nuance Mix NLU ASR) to improve the accuracy of speech recognition, and presents the results of an evaluation of this ASR with the audio data collected from the previous years. Relation to WP This technical report describes enhancements made to the speech processing framework which contribute to improving Joint Situation Awareness. Availability Restricted. Not included in the public version of this deliverable. EU FP7 TRADR (ICT-60963) 24


Based on the characteristics of error distribution of flood forecast presented in the limited area,the error distribution of flood volume forecast is established using the principles of maximum entropy,and the maximum entropy model of error distribution of flood volume forecast is put forward.The corresponding solving method is also given in details.The computation results show that the runoff forecast error is always inclined to a constant value with the rainfall volume increasing.And the constant values of several different basins are obtained using this method.After that,the comparison analysis between the obtained model and the normal distribution is done in details.The results show that the probability distribution of error obtained by the method of maximum entropy can describe the characteristics of error distribution of flood volume forecast.The method can be used to determine the different maximum likelihood probability distribution of error according to the different real-time precipitation.At the same time,it can also be used to provide the basic reference for risk analysis on different levels of flood forecast.


Abstract. Several abrupt shifts from periods of extreme cold (Greenland stadials, GS) to relatively warmer conditions (Greenland interstadials, GI) called Dansgaard–Oeschger events are recorded in the Greenland ice cores. Using cryo-cell UV-laser-ablation inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (UV-LA-ICPMS), we analysed a 2.85 m NGRIP ice core section (2691.50–2688.65 m depth, age interval 84.86–85.09 ka b2k, thus covering  ∼  230 years) across the transitions of GI-21.2, a short-lived interstadial prior to interstadial GI-21.1. GI-21.2 is a  ∼  100-year long period with δ18O values 3–4 ‰ higher than the following  ∼  200 years of stadial conditions (GS-21.2), which precede the major GI-21.1 warming. We report concentrations of major elements indicative of dust and/or sea salt (Na, Fe, Al, Ca, Mg) at a spatial resolution of  ∼  200 µm, while maintaining detection limits in the low-ppb range, thereby achieving sub-annual time resolution even in deep NGRIP ice. We present an improved external calibration and quantification procedure using a set of five ice standards made from aqueous (international) standard solutions. Our results show that element concentrations decrease drastically (more than 10-fold) at the warming onset of GI-21.2 at the scale of a single year, followed by relatively low concentrations characterizing the interstadial part before gradually reaching again typical stadial values.


Different peptizaters were added into alumina carriers during preparing.They have different influence on pore structure,particle strength and acidity.The quantity of different petizaters lead to difference on property of carrier.


Use: in medicine, namely in ophthalmic surgery. SUMMARY: for increasing quality, reduction and simplification of technology for manufacturing of biological lenses. The donor cornea 1 is fixed in the device 2, which is secured in the chuck section 3 4 mikrotorma. Apparatus 2 and fixed therein cornea 1 is rotated at a speed of 300 to 1200 rev / min about the optical axis - the donor cornea. Knife 5 are embedded into the cornea 1 at a rate of 0.5 to 5.0 mm / s. 2 yl.


Previous reports have shown that dibutyryl 3', 5'adenosine monophosphate (DBc-AMP) suppresses growth of actively dividing tumor cells, accelerates normalization of cellular metabolism and elevates the intracellular level of cyclic AMP. In an effort to study this mechanism further and define its significance, studies were performed on pregnant rats with ethylnitrosourea (ENU) induced gliomas and human subjects with malignant gliomas. RNA and DNA were detected in remarkably high concentrations in the tumor tissue with a significant reduction after treatment with DBc-AMP. The reduction was more pronounced with RNA. Free amino acids were noted in relatively low concentrations in tumor tissue. However, treatment with DBc-AMP resulted in a significant elevation of their value. The levels of glutamic acid, aspartic acid and GABA increased to levels corresponding to the composition of free amino acids in normal brain tissues. Lysosomal enzyme activity in tumor tissue was 10 times greater than that in normal brain tissue. This activity dropped significantly after administration of DBc-AMP. In rats with ENU induced glioma, the uptake of radiocative [H3] DBc-AMP by tumor tissue occurred in a volume 2-3 times that of normal tissue. However, the ratio of [H3] cyclic AMP/cyclic AMP was less than that in normal tissue, implying that an enhanced synthesis of endogenous cyclic AMP occurs after administration of DBc-AMP.


Note: Abstracts: World '95, World Environmental Congress, Promoting the Science, Technology and Business of the Environment, London, Ontario, Canada, September 17-22, 1995 Reference LBE-POSTER-1995-003 Record created on 2005-03-02, modified on 2016-08-08


The Community Based Emergency Relief Services (CBERS) of Thailand pioneered a new approach to solving the problem of assisting Cambodian refugees. In 1980 following the influx of more than 150,000 Cambodians into Thailand CBERS proposed family planning to address the potential infant and maternal health threat posed by hazardous conditions within the refugee camps. Based on a survey CBERS launched a voluntary family planning and maternal and child health care program which offered oral contraceptives (OCs), IUDs, and injectables through existing health units, mobile service vans, and community-based distributors. Approximately 1500 Khmer leaders were trained in family planning and mass media techniques passed the information to the general population. Movies were shown and desensitization techniques were used. Each acceptor was counseled about choice and method as well as use of contraceptives and appropriate health education; sessions were held in groups of 30 women. A total of 8236 women chose to practice family planning during the campaign with 95% of all acceptors choosing the injectable contraceptive. Following service delivery a community-based family planning program was initiated to provide followup services. Other services provided by CBERS include sanitation services, vector control, and waste disposal as well as agriculture and skills development programs to train the refugees. By the end of 1981 over 12,000 people received specialized training. These programs have heightened the refugees' self esteem and they are well prepared to begin their return to Cambodia.


The enzymatically controlled growth of cupric ferrocyanide nanoparticles in the presence of glucose oxidase, its ferricyanide electron acceptor, and copper ions is described. The biocatalytically stimulated growth of these nanoparticles on the surface of carbon-paste electrodes results in an amplified electrochemical detection of the glucose substrate. This concept can readily be expanded for monitoring a wide range of biocatalytic processes involving the ferricyanide electron acceptor.


Many systems approaches speak to the importance of respectful mutual curiosity in supervision rather than linear teacher–learner didacticism. This paper provides an overview of collaborative approaches to supervision in family therapy. It then focuses on Bowen family systems and encouraging differentiation in the relationship process between supervisor and supervisee as a useful approach towards equal collaboration. The authors use case examples to illustrate what impedes and fosters mutuality in the supervision process where both supervisor and supervisee learn from each other.


Human perception tests have been performed by Night Vision Electronic Sensor Directorate (NVESD) addressing the process of searching an image with the intent of detecting a target of military importance. Experiments were performed using both real thermal imagery and synthetic imagery generated using 'Paint the Night' simulation. It was demonstrated that trained observers acquire targets much more quickly than previously expected. This insight was gained by changing the instructions the observers were given for the test. Rather than telling the observers that they were being timed, the observers were given a time limit, as short as 3 seconds. When time limited, the observers found targets quicker. Although false alarms per second increased with the shorter time limits, the ratio of false alarms to detected targets did not increase. A modification to the traditional NVESD search model has been developed and incorporated into Army war games and simulations.


Personal names are an important part of people's social identity, and they function socially as labels that both identify and distinguish an individual from others (Watzlawik et al., 2012). Cheang (2008) suggests that personal names can be a vehicle of self-presentation/self-promotion (cf. Goffman, 1980), not just a passive label, if the names are selected by the name bearers themselves. Although self-naming is also observed with a small minority of people who have changed their names given by their parents or close relations, the most common cases of self-presentation/self-promotion seem to be entertainers' adopted stage names.


In this paper, the conventional anti-collision algorithms, such as Channel Monitoring algorithm and Pulse Protocol algorithm are analyzed. To decrease tag identification time, and increase system throughput and efficiency, we propose a new reader anti-collision algorithm, Pulse Protocol-based Hybrid Reader Anti-collision Algorithm, using Slot-occupied Probability under dense reader environment. The proposed algorithm uses Slot-occupied Probability to improve the performance of Pulse Protocol Algorithm. That is, A reader checks Slot-occupied Probability after generating random backoff time. If Slot-occupied Probability is greater than 0, it uses another new random backoff time to avoid reader collision. We also compare the performance of the proposed algorithm with those of Channel Monitoring and Pulse Protocol algorithms in respect of identification time system throughput, and system efficiency. Simulation results show that the proposed algorithm has an increment of 5% of identification time and system throughput as increasing the number of readers.


This paper explores the effectiveness of an anomaly detection algorithm for downward-looking ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic inductance (EMI) data. Threat detection with GPR is challenged by high responses to non-target/clutter objects, leading to a large number of false alarms (FAs), and since the responses of target and clutter signatures are so similar, classifier design is not trivial. We suggest a method based on a Run Packing (RP) algorithm to fuse GPR and EMI data into a composite confidence map to improve detection as measured by the area-under-ROC (NAUC) metric. We examine the value of a multiple kernel learning (MKL) support vector machine (SVM) classifier using image features such as histogram of oriented gradients (HOG), local binary patterns (LBP), and local statistics. Experimental results on government furnished data show that use of our proposed fusion and classification methods improves the NAUC when compared with the results from individual sensors and a single kernel SVM classifier.


Mechanical circulatory support for heart failure, including the Total Artificial Heart (TAH, Syncardia, Tucson, AZ, USA) has increased in recent years. This report describes bleeding complications associated with the device.


Welding wire is a major type of welding consumable, which needs to be winded onto spools for sale. Currently, the winding process is accomplished manually due to obstacles such as automatic spool loading and clamping. When loading the spool, the angular position of the spool is a prerequisite for matching the drive rod on the spindle and drive bore on the spool. Therefore, this paper proposes a template-matching method combined with area-based matching and feature-point detection to measure the angular position of the spool, and presents a mechanical system that can rotate the spool to match the drive rod and push the spool onto the spindle. A novel feature-point distribution density (FPDD) method was developed to accelerate the matching process and improve matching reliability by pre-locating the searching area. The robustness and accuracy of the template-matching-based measuring method were validated using a built prototype of the mechanical system. The comparison result shows that the proposed method was superior in robustness, accuracy, and speed, and it was efficient for automatic spool loading in the welding wire winding process.


In view of new data on moments of the subleading shape functions and on other input parameters we revisit our analysis of the resolved contributions to the inclusive decays B̄ → Xs,d`` and also comment on recent work on the resolved contributions to the inclusive decay B̄ → Xsγ. Within a systematic approach we find some significant reduction of the nonperturbative uncertainties in the inclusive decay B̄ → Xs,d``, but not in the inclusive decay B̄ → Xsγ. ar X iv :2 00 6. 00 62 4v 1 [ he pph ] 3 1 M ay 2 02 0


A hydrogen complex denoted as [${\mathrm{H}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$${]}^{0}$ has been detected using optical-absorption techniques. The local mode of the hydrogen in the anion sublattice resonates at 1037 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$ and a broad absorption peaking at 400 nm characterizes the electronic transition of this complex. It is shown to be the predominant electron trap involved in the photoconversion process of F\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${F}^{+}$ centers. It is metastable at room temperature, giving rise to the F phosphorescence (the thermoluminescence which peaks at 260 K). We further demonstrate that this complex is not the defect identified previously as an ${\mathrm{H}}^{2\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ ion by electron paramagnetic resonance at low temperature.


1. Adjustment Disorder 2. Panic Disorder 3. Obsessive Compulsive Anxiety Disorder 4. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 5. Major Depressive Disorder 6. Bipolar Mood Disorder 7. Schizophrenia 8. Stress-Related Disorder 9. Alcohol Dependence 10. Premature Ejaculation 11. Pedophilia 12. Borderline Personality Disorder 13. Antisocial Personality Disorder 14. Attention Deficit Hyperactivitiy Disorder 15. Bulimia Nervosa 16. Dementia of the Alzheimer's Type


Although osteoporosis isamajor public health concern, theeffect ofthis condition onoral bonehasnot beendetermined. Using theovariectomized ratasamodel, weexamined whether acute estrogen depletion affects the mandible oftheovariectomized ratwithandwithout maxillary molar extraction. Twenty-two ovariectomized and20sham-ovariectomized


Vitex of verbena plant arbors or shrub, about 2eng50 species, mainly in tropical and temperate regions, China has 14 species, 7 subspecies, three kinds of primary produced in the south of the Yangtze River. In our country there are seven kinds of medicinal, namely: Vitex canescens, Vitex negundo,Vitex trifolia,Vitex rotundifolia, Vitex agnus-castus,Vitex peduncularis and Vitex quinata. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that some plants of the genus or its components have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-tumor, inhibit lymphocyte and hormone regulation, anti-oxidation, molting, deworming and other effects. Vitex contained in the chemical composition of the type of plant is rich, in the main phenolic constituents are flavonoids, phenylpropanoid compounds such as class and organic acids. In this paper, Vitex anti-tumor effects of plant extracts are summarized as follows:


Objectives: To assess the incidence, causes, risk factors and adverse
outcomes of antepartum severe maternal morbidity (SMM) Design:
Population-based case–control study Setting: 119 Maternity hospitals, 6
French regions Population: All women with antepartum SMM (cases, N=601),
a randomly selected control sample of women who gave birth without SMM
in the same hospitals during the same period (controls, N=3650) Methods:
Uni- and multivariable logistic regression with multiple imputation Main
outcomes measure: Antepartum SMM, defined as a morbid event occurring
from 22 weeks of gestation and before the onset of labour Results:
Antepartum SMM complicated 0.33% of pregnancies (95%CI, 0.30-0.36).
Rates of prematurity, neonatal mortality, and transfer to the neonatal
intensive care unit were 10 times higher for babies whose mothers had
antepartum SMM than for the control mothers. Similarly, emergency
caesarean and general anaesthesia were more frequent in women with
antepartum SMM. Risk factors for antepartum SMM were maternal age
>35 (aOR 1.55; 95% CI, 1.22-1.97), increased body mass
index (aOR for 5kg/m2 increase, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.14-1.36), maternal
birth in sub-Saharan Africa (aOR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.29-2.53),
pre-existing medical condition (aOR, 2.56; 95% CI, 1.99-3.30),
nulliparity (aOR, 2.26; 95% CI, 1.83-2.80), previous pregnancy-related
hypertensive disorders (aOR, 4.94; 95% CI, 3.36-7.26), multiple
pregnancy (aOR, 5.79; 95% CI, 3.75-7.26), irregular prenatal care (aOR,
1.86; 95% CI, 1.27-2.72). Conclusion: Antepartum SMM is rare but
associated with a massively higher incidence of adverse delivery and
neonatal outcomes.


Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) are important measures of the quality of service in cellular networks. There are multiple efforts by cellular carriers and 5G standardization on the use of crowdsourcing to minimize drive tests (MDT) and self-organize the network while improving KPIs via a user feedback loop. Since propagation highly depends upon the environment, readily-available geographical data could be coupled with the crowdsourced user data to infer performance. In this paper, we build a framework to infer KPIs by establishing a relationship between geographical data and crowdsourced channel measurements via neural networks. In particular, for a specific user location, we leverage delay spread measurements in the region to design a cone-shaped filter for the geographical and user data extraction. Then, a location-specific received signal power prediction is obtained via the neural network trained using the extracted geographical and user data. We study the impact of the angle chosen for the cone and various features selected on location-specific KPI prediction. We then leverage the location-specific inference by repeating the prediction over a set of locations in a region to infer the path loss in a given environment. In both types of KPI inference, we compare against state-of-the-art solutions and show that significant improvement in KPI prediction accuracy is achieved using the proposed strategy. Furthermore, for network planners, we show that our framework can use only geographical information to predict KPIs with a negligible error in user locations that lack signal quality data. By employing the proposed framework to predict location-specific and regional KPIs, we achieve an accurate estimation of network coverage and a 7-fold reduction in throughput estimation error compared to a state-of-the-art solution.


The accurate control of the combination of mica paper, appropriate resin, and accelerator are important contributors to the overall mechanical and electrical properties of the high voltage coil groundwall insulated with mica paper tapes and impregnated with a high temperature epoxy resin. This paper presents the results of the dielectric performance when using special designed mica tapes for vacuum-pressure-impregnated (VPI) groundwall insulation. The objectives are to develop a glass backed mica tape with higher dielectric properties than commercially available tapes. Custom tapes were developed; working with a number of tape manufacturers. These tapes were used to make up insulated test bars and the best performing tape was applied to full size coils. This paper reports the final results of this investigation to develop the next generation stator groundwall system.


Energetics of the major atmospheric teleconnection patterns of the Northern Hemisphere winter are examined to investigate the role of baroclinic and barotropic energy conversions in their growth. Based on characteristics of the energetics and the horizontal structures, the patterns are classified into three general types: meridional dipole (D-type), wave (W-type), and hybrid (H-type). The primary energy conversion term that differentiates these patterns is the baroclinic energy conversion of the available potential energy from the climatology to the eddy field associated with the teleconnections. For this conversion term, D-type patterns exhibit the comparable conversion of potential energy via the eddy heat flux across the climatological thermal gradient in both the zonal and meridional directions. In contrast, baroclinic conversion for W-type patterns occurs primarily in the meridional direction, while H-type patterns exhibit a structure that combines the characteristics of the other two pattern types. An important secondary factor is barotropic conversion from the climatology to the eddy field, which takes place mainly in the regions where the climatological shear is strong. For the D-type patterns, conversion occurs on the flank of the climatological jet exit, while it occurs at the center of the jet exit for the W-type patterns. Last, for all the patterns, synoptic-time-scale eddies make a negative contribution via the baroclinic process, but a positive contribution via the barotropic process. Damping by diabatic heating weakens the temperature anomalies associated with the patterns.


The integration of high-penetration of renewable generation has caused sustained reduction of system inertia but also create new capability for frequency regulation. The common understanding is the loss of inertia is the main reason why the system frequency stability deteriorates. In this paper, considering swing dynamics with the primary frequency control, we identify the key factors that mostly affect frequency stability through sensitivity analysis on maximum frequency deviation. Surprisingly, we find that the droop coefficient of the primary frequency control has the most significant influence on the frequency response and hence the frequency stability, while the inertia is the least important, which is somewhat opposite to the common sense. Simulations on the simplified Northwest Chinese power system empirically justify our theoretical results well.


Purpose
The purpose of this study is to develop a reliable and valid measurement of employee learning agility for use in human resources development.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper analyzed a total of 365 cases collected from Korean organizations. This paper conducted exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and Rasch analysis to validate the measurement. This paper conducted a measurement invariance (MI) test to confirm the generalizability of the measurement and used Harman's single factor test to assess the common method variance (CMV).

Findings
This paper derived a learning agility measurement with six subfactors (Cronbach's α = 0.893). This paper verified that it could be applied equally to supervisors and subordinates using an MI test. Factor analysis confirmed the feasibility of CMV. Based on I-ADAPT theory, the learning agility measurement can be applied to assess not only leader competency but also general employee competency.

Research limitations/implications
Practitioners may use this model of learning agility for developing competency-based training programs and evaluations. This study is meaningful because it extends the concept of learning agility. In particular, the MI test indicated that there are no differences between supervisors and employees regarding the utility of the concept.

Originality/value
This study is meaningful because it extends the concept of learning agility. In particular, the MI test indicated that there are no differences between supervisors and employees regarding the utility of the concept. The concept in this paper is distinguished from other studies by applying the Rasch model from an item response theory perspective.


In the presented paper is assessed fire risk of pellets made from spruce wood (Picea abies L.) without bark, processed by hot pressing without the use of additional chemicals. Fire risk was assessed on the basis of heat release rate (HRR), the specific carbon monoxide production rate (SCPR) and the time dependence of the induction period of spontaneous ignition on temperature. HRR and SPCR were determined on the cone calorimeter test performed according to ISO 5660-1:2002 standard. Samples were loaded by 20 kW/m2 heat flux during the test. The maximum HRR was 229 kW/m2 and average HRR was 55 kW/m2. Maximum SCPR was 0.37 g/(m2s) and the average SCPR was 0.16 g/(m2s). The dependence of the induction period of spontaneous ignition on temperature was determined by a modified test performed according to ISO 871:2006 standard. Modification of the test procedure was based on measurement of the induction time period of the spontaneous ignition on temperature, and temperatures higher of 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 °C than spontaneous ignition temperature. The obtained data proved an exponential dependence of the induction period of spontaneous ignition on temperature.


Health care in the twenty-first century is delivered within a context of increasing ethnic diversity, but diversity cannot be divorced from inequities in access to health. Providing equitable access to health care in ethnically diverse societies is not just a matter of what members of the dominant culture do with the 'others' but what they do with 'themselves'. Cultural safety as opposed to cultural competence requires health professionals who can reflect on themselves and their practices. 'Unlearning' pre-conceptions may be just as important as learning new knowledge and skills. There is evidence that students can commit to addressing health inequity in theory at least. Equipping them with the skills and practices to effectively do so requires more debate, discussion and research. With increasing global migration, there is no doubt that health care in the twenty-first century is delivered within the context of ethnic diversity. Originally, this migration had its roots in eighteenth and nineteenth century colonialism with its impact on indigenous peoples of the world. More recently, it has been associated with humanitarian crises or escape from oppression. As a result, diversity cannot be separated from questions of dominance or inequities in access to health, employment, education and welfare. The paper by Seeleman et al. (2011) in this volume provides some sound educational understanding on teaching communication skills for working with ethnic minority


Mining make which can build environmental problems if not disposed by sales or agglomeration. Beneficiation of both iron and manganese ore fines are essential for increase raw material resources. Agglomeration by sintering and palletisation for provide for iron making units is essential; though individual mine can ill manage to pay for the heavy capital investment unless they are able to generate additional funds by sales at global price. Once agglomeration of beneficiated fines is initiated, the logical process is to produce iron and steel. Thus evolution from ores to finished steel completes the value addition process for sustainable mining of natural resources.Availability of manganese ore for ferroalloy production is necessary for full utilization of installed capacity and discouragement of custom free import. No power intensive ferroalloy industry can become viable without concessional power tariff or captive power. These aspects are discussed in the paper for forward incorporation.


PurposeThe aim of this study is to analyze the influence mechanism of real estate enterprises' status on debt default risk and explore the heterogeneity effect of the characteristics of enterprises.Design/methodology/approachAgainst the background of the "three red lines" regulation of the financing of real estate enterprises and the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors select 123 real estate enterprises listed on China's Shanghai and Shenzhen A-shares markets from the first quarter of 2021 to the second quarter of 2022 as a research sample. The social network analysis method and Z-score financial risk early warning model are used to measure real estate enterprises' status and debt default risk. The authors construct a panel regression model to analyze how the status of real estate enterprises influences their debt default risk.FindingsThe results show that the status of real estate enterprises negatively and significantly affects their debt default risk. Economic policy uncertainty and financing constraints play negative moderating and mediating roles, respectively. Further research has found that the effect of real estate enterprises' status on debt default risk is characterized by heterogeneity in equity characteristics, i.e. it is significant in the sample of nonstate-owned enterprises but not in the sample of state-owned enterprises.Practical implicationsIt is helpful for real estate enterprises to attach importance to the value of social networks, and the authors provide policy suggestions for real estate enterprises to constantly improve their risk management systems.Originality/valueUsing economic policy uncertainty as the moderating variable and financing constraints as the mediating variable, the authors analyze how the status of real estate enterprises influences debt default risk, which contributes to a better understanding of the formation of the debt default risk of real estate enterprises.


A novel reactive ultraviolet absorber for cotton was synthesized with cyanuric chloride and resorcinol.By changing the reactant ratio,solvent,temperature and time,the optimum reactive conditions were obtained:reacted at 25 ℃ for 8 h,n(resorcinol):n(cyanuric chloride)=1.2:1,n(catalyst aluminium trichloride):n(cyanuric chloride)=1.1:1,the product yield was 87.2%.In addition,the reactive ultraviolet absorber was characterized by IR、1H-NMR and ESI+-MS.The ultraviolet absorber was used on anti-ultraviolet finish of cotton fabric.The ultraviolet transmissibility and whiteness of finished fabric was measured.The results showed that the ultraviolet transmittance was smaller than 5% in 200~400 nm and the whiteness was good.


The brain slices were incubated with uniformly 14C labelled glucose and ammonium nitrate labelled with 15N in the ammonium nitrogen for 60 min at 37 °C. It was shown that ammonia was readily incorporated by the brain slices into glutamine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, but only to a small extent into γ-aminobutyric acid, glycine and alanine. The significance of the low incorporation of labelled nitrogen into γ-aminobutyric acid with respect to the high specific activity in glutamic acid is discussed.


One day a man of the people said to Zen Master Ikkyu: 'Master, will you please write for me some maxims of the highest wisdom?' Ikkyu immediately took his brush and wrote the word 'Attention'. 'Is that all' asked the man. 'Will you not add something more?' Ikkyu then wrote twice running: 'Attention. Attention.' 'Well' remarked the man rather irritably, 'I really don't see much depth or sublety in what you have Just written'. Then Ikkyu wrote the same word three times running. 'Attention. Attention. Attention.' Half-angered the man demanded: 'What does that word 'attention' mean anyway?' And Ikkyu answered gently: 'Attention, means attention.'


It is fitting to remember Avery Weisman in Psycho‐oncology. In order to better understand humane medical care and relief of suffering, he devoted many years to the study of cancer patients and how they cope with the experience of life‐threatening illness. He listened to the patient with the ear of a man trained in philosophy, psychiatry, neurology, and psychoanalysis. He was listening to the deeply felt truths that the patient speaks only to those who sit down eyeball‐to‐eyeball and offer respect. To the bedside, he brought humility and compassion; to the academic dogmas of the day, he brought skepticism. He died on January 2, 2017, at the age of 103 in Scottsdale, Arizona. His wife Erma Carman had died in 1982, and wife Lois London in 2012. Dr Weisman was born on December 13, 1913, in Detroit, Michigan, received a BA, BS, and MD from University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and studied neuropathology and general pathology at the Mallory Institute of Pathology, Boston City Hospital. He intended to be a neurologist when he came to Massachusetts General Hospital and the department led by Stanley Cobb, but he wanted a year in psychiatry to round out his training. He took boards in both Neurology and Psychiatry but made his career in psychiatry and trained as a psychoanalyst. In 1956, he was asked by Erich Lindemann to start an inpatient psychiatry consultation service for medical and surgical patients at high vulnerability. In this role, he was seeing patients who were seriously ill and developed with Tom Hackett the concept of a therapeutic interview and consultation. He was an early thanatologist, influenced by the books on death and dying in the library of William Osler. He adapted to the


GENTAMICIN DOSING AND MONITORING approaches are quite variable. In addition, practice guidelines have evolved over the years as we have learned more about the drug's efficacies, toxicities, and pharmacokinetic parameters within various population subgroups. Dosing recommendations in pediatric populations differ, depending on a number of variables; however, age and weight appear to have the most dramatic effects on clearance.' The gentamicin volume of distribution expressed in liters per kilogram is well defined in most age ranges. When these values, coupled with the patient's weight, are considered in dosing algorithms, peak concentrations are clinically predictable.' In pediatric patients with normal renal function, age is also a very good predictor of gentamicin halflife. Proper application of predicted half-life in the calculation of dosage intervals results in predictable trough concentrations.P The Logsdon and Phelps' study validates the earlier report on gentamicin and tobramycin by Massey et al.s In the current report,' desired peak concentrations greater than or equal to 4 ug/ml. and trough concentrations less than 2 ug/ml, were achieved in 96% and 100% of 150 patients, respectively. It should be emphasized that the study validates this reliability only in pediatric patients between the ages of 3 months and 15 years who have normal renal function. Massey et al.s validated the reliability in patients up to 18 years old. Therefore, it appears that the only pediatric patients with normal renal function requiring arninoglycoside serum concentration monitoring are those younger than 3 months of age. Impaired renal function in patients of all ages should continue to be monitored closely. A baseline serum creatinine concentration should be obtained in all patients receiving aminoglycosides. It would


The first examples of mixed halide−chalcogenide hexatungsten clusters as the molecular complexes, [W6Se8-xClx(PEt3)6]+, were prepared via the reaction of W6Cl12 with Na2Se and PEt3 in refluxing toluene. Single crystals of the mixed chloride−selenide cluster cationic complexes were grown from chloroform solution. The structures of two crystals from different preparations, using Na2Se and K2Se as reagents, were determined and found to have different compositions, [W6Se7.0Cl1.0(PEt3)6][Cl(CHCl3)6] and [W6Se6.4Cl1.6(PEt3)6][Cl(CHCl3)6], respectively. In the latter case the crystal contains both the 20-electron cluster [W6Se7Cl(PEt3)6]+ and the 21-electron cluster [W6Se6Cl2(PEt3)6]+ in the mole fractions 0.40 and 0.60, respectively. The two crystals were isomorphous:  hexagonal, R3, Z = 3, a = 18.921(4) A, c = 21.275(4) A and a = 18.908(5) A, c = 21.306(5) A, respectively. The bridging chlorine and selenium atoms are disordered over all the bridging ligand sites in both structures. In the unique [Cl(CHCl3)6]-...


Tujia is one of our 55 minorities,mainly in the tea-planting area.There is profound Tujia tea culture in the region because people there have been growing tea,making tea,drinking tea and even eating tea.Jinfu village in Chang Yang county is one such typical example and the author takes it to analyze the rich resource of Tujia tea culture and stresses the value of its development.Some modes of development have been put forward here.


This interesting subjective phenomenon is characterized by the appearance of figures, minute in size and usually living, but always with surrounding objects that are seen in their proper proportions. And while the observed tiny creatures may be picturesque, fantastic or grotesque, they are never terrifying, but are prone to induce a pleasant or a humorous frame of mind. The phenomenon should not be mistaken for micropsia, a combined subjective and objective manifestation well known in ophthalmology, and which is an illusion in which real objects are seen, all of them uniformly reduced in size. It is stated that the experience of diminutive visual hallucinations is first mentioned in the "Lives of Saints," in which Father Macaire, of the fourth century, told of having seen many little black creatures playing unseemly pranks on some priests. For years there have been occasional case reports showing this condition, and writers of fiction have


This paper provides some empirical estimates on how tightly is it feasible to control inflation in a very small open economy such as Iceland. Estimated macroeconomic models of Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States are used to derive efficient monetary policy frontiers that trace out the locus of the lowest combinations of inflation and output variability that are achievable under a range of alternative monetary policy rules. These frontiers illustrate that inflation stabilization is more challenging in Iceland than in other industrial countries primarily because of the relative magnitudes of the economic shocks.


Ti3SiC2/MgAl2O4 composites were fabricated by reactive hot pressing method.Effect of the content of MgAl2O4 on the densification,microstructure and mechanical properties of the composites was investigated.The results show that good chemical compatibility is found between MgAl2O4 and Ti3SiC2 phases under the preparation condition.The presence of MgAl2O4 has no obvious effect on the densification of Ti3SiC2/MgAl2O4 composites.MgAl2O4 grains are embeded in the layers of Ti3SiC2 grains and these two kinds of grains are mutually bridged and lapped,which can effectively prevent the propagation of crack.The mechanical properties of Ti3SiC2 can be improved with proper addition of MgAl2O4 in composites.When the content of MgAl2O4 is 20%,the flexural strength reaches 421.4 MPa and when the content of MgAl2O4 is 10%,the fracture toughness reaches 4.27 MPa·m1/2.


The New Party was never at the centre of the concerns of the Communist Party of Great Britain (CPGB). However, the CPGB had to take a line on the new organisation when it was formed, and tried to use it to smear Labour and Independent Labour Party politicians as enemies of the working class. As the 1931 political crisis unfolded, the New Party became increasingly an irrelevance at the side of the much more tangible threat of the National government, although communists did campaign against Mosley in late 1931. Ultimately, the New Party was significant for the communists because it seemed to offer some vindication of the 'class against class' line; because it suggested that the CPGB was not always wrong in its analysis; because it led to increased attention to the party's youth movement; and because it led to the leading left-wing polemicist of the 1930s, John Strachey, working with the CPGB for almost a decade.


AbstrcatObjetive:To evaluate the effect of memory alloy plate osteosynthesis for treatment of complicated fractures of long bone.Methods:Memory alloy plate was used to treat 52 cases of complicated fractures of long bone.Results:All cases were followed up.The follow-up time ranges from 8 to 18 months,and the average time is 12 months.No case was delayed union and disunion.Conclusion:Memory alloy plate osteosynthesis is an easy and safe method to treat complicated fractures of long bone.In addition,patients can do functional exercises early,so it deserves generalization..


Transportation has become an integral part of people's everyday life. At certain times, in large countries like India, people are forced to travel more than 200 km from their work place to their place of residence. People with disabilities in limbs have difficulties in travelling and cannot travel these long distances. They use devices such as wheel chair, crutches, and artificial limbs for mobility. These however cannot be used for long distance outdoor transportation. Therefore, the aim of this study is to design and fabricate a 3 wheeler with dual steering system for people with locomotive disabilities and armless people. A greater steering effort is required in the case of a four wheeler compared to a three wheeler. Hence, a three wheeler was selected instead of a four wheeler. In this case, handle bar steering system and leg steering system can be individually steered with hands and legs respectively, enabling its utility people with disabilities in limbs. Sprocket chain system was used in leg steering system. A 98cc Kinetic Honda Engine was used as the power source and the engine was placed towards the rear end of the vehicle. Single Rated and double rated suspension spring was used in the front and rear drive shaft respectively. Sprocket chain system was used in leg steering system. Furthermore, the driver sprocket and the driven sprocket was analysed for the design load using ANSYS.


The aim of the study. To compare the effectiveness of methylprednisolone, dexamethasone and tocilizumab in patients with severe coronavirus disease. Identify the most appropriate treatment option.
Materials and methods. Patients of group 1 (n=20) received for anti-inflammatory purposes tocilizumab at a dose of 600–800 mg. Patients in group 2 (n=82) received pulse therapy with methylprednisolone. Patients in group 3 (n=20) received dexamethasone 6 mg / day. Data are presented as M [25–75]. Statistical analysis of the results was performed using the program "Statistica 10". Significance of differences in indicators was assessed using the nonparametric Wilcoxon test. The results were considered reliable at values of p <0.05.
Results. The severe course of coronavirus disease with the development of cytokine storm and respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by an increase in markers of inflammation: in group 1 the median CRP was 89.2 g / l, in group 2 – 64.2 g / l, and in 3 – 76.2 g / l, and did not differ significantly between groups (p> 0.05). The level of IL-6 in group 1 was 61.8 pg / ml, in group 2 – 64.6 pg / ml, and in group 3 – 46.5 pg / ml without significant differences between groups (p> 0.05). The level of ferritin in all groups exceeded normal values.
Conclusions The most favourable result was obtained when using methylprednisolone: it was possible to reduce the mortality rate to 59.8 %. The relative risk of developing VTE was significantly higher in groups 1 and 3 (RR12 6.8 [2.7–16.8] p12 <0.0001, RR23 0.15 [0.06–0.35] p23 <0.0001), which gives grounds to confirm the presence of anticoagulant activity in methylprednisolone


The wavelength-hopping/time-spreading scheme for optical code-division multiple-access (OCDMA), also known as the 2-D scheme, has been studied by many researchers for more than a decade. In all of previous analyses, the light sources were modeled as perfectly incoherent, which requires infinite bandwidth, and chip-synchrony was assumed for mathematical simplicity. Therefore, it is important to study how the system actually performs with true asynchrony and practical light sources. The amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) source is a desirable source for the incoherent OCDMA system because of its broad bandwidth, large power, and low cost. In this paper, each chip generated by the transmitter is a rectangular ASE pulse with a Gaussian-distributed electrical field. The coherence time is much smaller than the chip duration, but non-zero. Because of this partial coherence of the light source, beat noise will occur when multiple pulses are combined. In addition, interfering pulses may only partially overlap with the pulses from the desired user due to the asynchrony, which introduces more randomness into the decision statistic. Both factors are taken into account when the distribution of the decision statistic is derived mathematically. Simulations of the bit-error rate (BER) are performed, and the results show that the coherence time may be the major limiting factor on the system performance. For example, when the coherence time is only 1/100 of the chip duration, the BER is 1-4 orders of magnitude worse than that of the ideal case.


Considering the increasing rate of energy consumption, dramatic lack of energy sources and approaching energy crises in the world the increase in the efficiency of electrical appliances and using renewable energy has recently become indisputable part of new technologies. Consequently, in this article an attempt will be made to introduce a new and simple method to increase the efficiency of On-site Distributed generators through CHP (combined heat and power) techniques and the result of using this method will be compared to SHP(single heat and power) techniques in the field of efficiency and environment. As it will be shown, employing this method will exert significant influences on the efficiency of generators.


Noise suppression conflicts with high accuracy in image edge detection.A multi-scale edge detection model with dominating opponent inhibition was proposed from physiological point of view.The presented model made extension of dominating opponent inhibition mechanism to processing at multiple scales.Image noise can be adaptively suppressed by dominating inhibition from the opponent path of lateral geniculate nucleus.Sharp edges were obtained through the non-linear combination of simple cell subfields.Finally multi-scale processing results were combined to obtain boundary contour.Theoretical analysis and experimental results indicate that the proposed model performs well in noise suppression and accurate edge detection through the combination of dominating opponent inhibition and multi-scale processing.Meanwhile,it is biologically plausible,simple and efficient.


OF: PARADISE FALLEN: ISLANDS, ARCHIPELAGOS AND XENOEPISTEMICS Zen Marie, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, Braamfontein, 2050, South Africa. Email: <email@example.com>. Submitted: 16 October 2019


Digging device for underground continuous wall forming an upper frame constructed on the mobile trolley and the trolley which runs on the surface of the sheet. The drilling apparatus also includes a guide post for varying in length by the height in the vertical and provided vertically movable at one side of the upper frame on the trolley is connected to enable so separated through the flange height supplement diamond member. Chain sprocket is on the guide post at the lower end thereof, and each providing at one end the lower side of the chain sprocket at the upper end of the guide post. The endless chain is stretching the chain sprocket around which is driven by at least one rotation of the chain sprocket. A plurality of drilling devices member kit is provided on the infinite-less chain at appropriate intervals to form the endless chain type cutter version Kit.


Objectives This study aims to provide foundational insights for effective instruction and learning by examining the synonymous verbs '붓다 (to pour)' and '쏟다 (to spill)'. The research focuses on analyzing the co-occurring words and semantic relationships within a corpus and visualizing the results through language networks.
Methods Based on the examination of vocabulary usage in everyday conversation and spoken corpora of native Korean speakers, as well as the investigation of co-occuring words found in Korean language learner corpora, the semantic relationship and specific patterns of usage for '붓다' (to pour) and '쏟다' (to spill) were explored and visualized through language network analysis.
Results The results of this study are as follows: while native Korean speakers use various extended meanings of '붓다' (to pour) and '쏟다' (to spill), Korean language learners tend to rely on a limited set of co-occuring words provided in Korean textbooks. It indicates an insufficient understanding of the expanded meanings of these synonyms among learners. Additionally, even intermediate and advanced Korean learners have been found to lack a comprehensive understanding of the co-occuring words of '붓다 (to pour)' and '쏟다 (to spill)', leading them to mistakenly interchange the two terms.
Conclusions This study employs componential analysis to examine the distinctive characteristics of semantic relationships through the co-occurring words of '붓다 (to pour)' and '쏟다 (to spill)'. Furthermore, we propose a suggested order of presenting meanings and representative co-occurring words for Korean language learners at different proficiency levels.


Abstract In this paper we examine some of the major planning challenges facing the Paris region and we locate these in the context of problems of institutional coordination and cooperation. Finding the right institutions for metropolitan governance is a challenge for most of Europe's large cities. Our approach to the Paris region emphasizes the need to understand the evolution of institutions of governance and the struggles between political actors around these institutional legacies. Political competition motivates key actors in the multi-level governance of the region. We examine the struggle to develop new social housing and conflicts around transport policy in Paris. Political conflict and different perspectives on regional planning stand in the way of solutions to current problems. In the final part of the paper we discuss how potential political and institutional solutions might develop.


Introduction: Over 300,000 infants are born with sickle cell disease (SCD) every year worldwide, including at least 1,000 in the US. Prenatal diagnosis by amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling is available; but high cost, invasiveness, and risk of miscarriage limit their use. Recently, non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has become commonplace for aneuploidies, including Trisomy 21. These non-invasive tests operate by genetic analysis of the cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) present in maternal blood. The safety and accuracy of NIPT have been key drivers for its rapid and widespread adoption. Yet, no NIPT for SCD or other hemoglobinopathies have been commercialized to date, despite the large numbers of patients affected in the US and worldwide. While de novo mutations can only be of fetal origin and can be identified by available next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods, NIPT for recessively inherited disorders is more challenging. This is because a mother who is a carrier for a recessive disorder contributes a high level of background pathogenic DNA molecules. Therefore, a key technical challenge of NIPT for recessive disorders is developing an assay sensitive enough to detect <5% deviation from 50% allele fraction. To overcome this challenge, we have developed and optimized an NIPT for SCD by assessing the relative mutation dosage of fetal SCD and beta-thalassemia DNA through a novel molecular counting strategy using NGS.
 Objectives: The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of a novel NIPT for sickle cell disease.
 Methods: The SCD NIPT assay and associated custom bioinformatics analysis were performed on cfDNA obtained from a training cohort of non-pregnant compound heterozygotes for SCD. The SCD NIPT assay was then performed on a validation cohort of pregnant women with either SCD or sickle cell trait (SCT). The accuracy of the SCD NIPT was evaluated by comparison with newborn screening results.
 Results: Non-pregnant individuals with genotype HbSE, HbSC, or HbS/beta-thalassemia were included as a training cohort to establish the precision and accuracy of the assay for measuring HbS allele fraction from cfDNA. As expected, the HbS allele fraction in these individuals was 0.500 (standard deviation = 0.011, n = 26), and there was no detectable fetal fraction in these samples. Both training and validation cohort results matched the theoretical limit of detection set by the number of cell-free HBB DNA molecules in plasma. The precision and accuracy of the HBB assay on cfDNA were then used in conjunction with >1000 pre-clinical samples (mixtures of sheared SCT and SCD genomic DNA) to determine analytical sensitivity >98% and specificity >99%, even in the absence of paternal DNA.
 Conclusion: We have developed an assay for non-invasive prenatal testing of sickle cell disease. The results obtained to date indicate that the assay reliably detects fetal SCD when the fetal fraction is as low as 5%, the same limit as aneuploidy NIPT. A fetus with SCD has already been identified, and follow-up is ongoing with >20 pregnancies. Since the HBB NIPT is highly targeted, sequencing cost is <$30 per sample. The ability to ascertain fetal SCD status based only on maternal blood will be valuable in clinical settings where the father is unavailable or sample collection would be inconvenient or time-consuming. Several Phase I/II and Phase III trials for curing SCD or beta-thalassemia using autologous gene-editing of stem cells are currently in progress. SCD NIPT could be particularly useful for deciding to bank umbilical cord blood as a source of stem cells for future gene-editing cures.

 Tsao: BillionToOne: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties. Atay:BillionToOne: Employment, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties.


Observations on the life history of 'Argynnis hyperbius inconstans' Butler are recorded from material collected near Gympie, southeast Queensland. The larval food plant is 'Viola betonicifolia' Sm.


We investigate an action which resembles the effective action of brane-antibrane system derived from boundary string field theory. We find that the action has smooth vortex solutions which saturate the Bogomol'nyi bound.


The effect of ground planes on the current-induced critical states and flux penetration for a thin superconducting strip carrying a microwave current has been calculated numerically. The nonlinear response represented by the dependence of the surface resistance and reactance were also calculated. We find that when the distance d between the ground planes is smaller than the width a of the strip, i.e., d⩽a, the ground planes affect the nonlinear response significantly. In particular we study the effects of ground planes placed at a distance d=a/5. We compare and contrast these effects with the results of similar models without the ground planes. The ground planes reduce the current crowding at the film edges, thus reducing the nonlinearities arising from critical state flux motion. The numerical procedure can be incorporated into computer-aided design of superconducting microwave circuits.


A new family of Ru(II)‐based photosensitizers was synthesized and systematically characterized. The ligands employed to coordinate the ruthenium metal center were the commercially available 2,2′‐bipyridine and a pyridine‐quinoline hybrid bearing an anthracene moiety. The complexes obtained carry either PF6− or Cl− counterions. These counterions determine the complexes' hydrophobic or hydrophilic character, respectively, therefore dictating their solubility in biologically related media. All photosensitizers exhibit characteristic, relatively strong and wide UV–Vis absorption spectral profiles. Their high efficiency in generating cytotoxic singlet oxygen was established (up to ΦΔ ~0.8). Moreover, the interaction of these photosensitizers with double‐stranded DNA was studied fluoro‐ and photospectroscopically and their binding affinities were found to be of the order of 3 × 107 M−1. All complexes are photocytotoxic to DU145 human prostate cancer cells. The highest light‐induced toxicity was conferred by the photosensitizers bearing Cl− counterions, probably due to the looser ionic "chaperoning" of Cl−, in comparison to PF6− , leading to higher cell internalization.


Abstract : The steady breakers at an infant stage are investigated through the numerical simulation. The appearing condition and characteristics of the sub-breaking waves are reviewed by analysing bow waves. The instability analysis is po ssibly done through the relationship between the free-surface curvature and circumferen tial force, which is obtained from the momentum equations. Navier-Stokes equations a re solved by a finite difference method where the body-fitted coordinate system, the wall function and the advanced mesh system are invoked. The numerical result shows th at the gradient of M/U s is greatly influenced by the Froude number and the decrease of M/U s indicates that the flows are unstable. Additionally flows with plunging o r spilling are simulated successfully, but the application of breakers to the severely b roken wave still remains to be settled in the future. Key words :Steady breaker(정상쇄파), Sub-breaking(쇄파), Finite difference method( 유한차분법), Free surface flow(자유표면유동), Navier-Stokes(나비에스톡스)


In the article "The Dispersion Staining Technique and Its Application to Measuring Refractive Indices of Non-opaque Materials, with Emphasis on Asbestos Analysis" by Shu-Chun Su (The Microscope Volume 69, Second Quarter 2022), the Figure 7 illustration on page 59 is an error and does not depict the "light path of the phase contrast microscope," as stated in the caption. It is the light path of a darkfield microscope. Also, "Table 5. λm and t to RI Conversion for Chrysotile in Cargille 1.550 (E)" on page 63 has incorrect temperature ranges for α and γ. Download/view the PDF of Table 5 with the corrected temperature ranges, 17° to 29° C. The Microscope regrets the errors.


The problem of processing shortest pa th queries in graphs arises in application areas such as intelligent t ranspor ta t ion system (ITS), geographic information system (GIS), and robotics. In this paper, we present an efficient algorithmic solution for processing shortest pa th queries in undirected planar graphs with non-negative edge weights. Previous algorithms for this problem on planar graphs all have a tradeoff between the query t ime and the da ta structure space used by the solutions. The previously best known trade-off on an n-vertex planar graph G in the worst case is O(v/-r) t ime for a pa th length query and O(v/-r + L) t ime for report ing an actual shortest path, with a da ta structure of O(n2/x/~) space, where r is an integer parameter with 1 < r _< n and L is the number of edges on the output shortest path. We present a new scheme, called frame search, that exploits the graph planari ty in a novel fashion. Wi th this scheme, we build an improved da ta structure of O(n + pv/-r + p2/r) space (in O(n + p2/v/~ + pr 3/4) time), where p is the minimum cardinality of a face-covering of the planar embedding of G with 1 < p < O(n), and r is an integer parameter with 1 < r < p. This da ta structure enables us to process each length query in O(v/-rlog r + a(n)) t ime and report an actual shortest path in an addit ional O(L) time, where a(n) is the inverse of Ackermann's function. In the worst case, our approach reduces the previously best query t ime by a factor of up to O(n 1/4) if the same amount of space is used. Our technique can also be applied to improve the previous query algorithms for some geometric shortest pa th problems on the plane.

http://ce.sharif.ac.ir/~ghodsi/archive/d-papers/STOC/2000/Shortest path queries in planar graphs.pdf