Abstract In this paper, we first investigate the steps to implement a fusion algorithm that determines the quality function through fuzzy theory. Then, we utilize D-S evidence theory for decision-level fusion to identify the target data based on the collected data. The two algorithms, fuzzy theory and D-S evidence theory, are then combined. The affiliation function in fuzzy theory calculates the information collected from the sensors to find out the confidence level and patterns. Finally, the information fusion technology was analyzed in terms of its usage rate in music theory teaching, its impact on piano playing, and its impact on music theory teaching. In terms of utilization rate, 21 student teachers had information fusion technology utilization rate between 50% and 60%, and 21 student teachers had information fusion technology utilization rate between 50% and 60%. In terms of the impact of information fusion technology on the teaching of music theory, a comparative analysis of the pre and post test data T=−6.55 (P<0.0001) showed that the difference in the post test data was significantly higher than that of the pre test. This indicates that the facilitating effect of information fusion technology on music theory teaching is obvious.


Summary.  Hepatitis C virus (HCV) subgenomic replicon has been reported to replicate efficiently and continuously in human hepatoma Huh‐7 cells. To extend the previous results to other isolated HCV clones, we constructed another HCV replicon from HC‐J4, one of chimpanzee‐infectious HCV clones. An HCV replicon derived from HC‐J4 (RpJ4) consists of HCV‐5′ untranslated region, neomycin phosphotransferase gene, the encephalomyocarditis virus internal ribosomal entry site, HCV nonstructural region, NS3 to NS5B, and HCV‐3′ untranslated region. The adaptive mutations known to be required for HCV‐Con1 replicon were introduced in RpJ4 replicon, aa.(amino acids number according to HC‐J4) 2197 serine to proline, deletion of serine at aa.2201, and aa.2204 serine to isoleucine (RpJ4‐S2197P, RpJ4‐S22001del, and RpJ4‐S2204I). RpJ4/ISDR mutant and RpJ4‐S2201del/ISDR mutant were also constructed by introducing six amino acid mutations into the interferon sensitivity determining region (ISDR). After transfection into Huh‐7 cells and G418 selection, RpJ4 and RpJ4/ISDR mutants did not produce any colony. In contrast, G418‐resistant cells were transduced efficiently by RpJ4‐S2197P, RpJ4‐S2204I, RpJ4‐S2201del and RpJ4‐S2201del/ISDR mutant, with the RpJ4‐S2201del/ISDR mutant being most efficient. Hence the HCV replicon derived from HC‐J4 can replicate efficiently following the introduction of adaptive mutations into the upstream region of ISDR. Moreover, additional introduction of mutations into ISDR further enhanced its replication. These findings demonstrate that the genetic structure of the NS5A domain is critical in HCV replications.


Class-specific determination of pesticides prior to chromatographic determination is an attractive approach for broader pesticide monitoring. If the total quantity of a class of pesticides in a sample can be determined and the quantity is less than the maximum residue limits of certain pesticides in the class, the sample can be eliminated from further inspection for those pesticides. Since it is usual that a vast majority of food and environmental samples turns out to be under maximum residue limits of pesticides, the time and cost saved by this approach may be enormous. There have been many studies aimed at developing such a class-specific determination method based on enzyme inhibition 1-5 or immunoassay, 6-8 but they were all very far from being quantitative. This paper describes development of a new quantitative class-specific determination method for carbamate pesticides. Most of carbamate insecticides currently in use have the N-methyl carbamate group (-OCONHCH 3). Carbofuran and methomyl are examples.


This study aims to determine the implementation of the Andragogy Learning Model in Andragogy Competency Training for PKBM Tutors in Kampar Regency. The method used is descriptive qualitative. Researchers used observation, interviews and documentation. Sources of data are 2 tutors 5 students. The results showed that the implementation of the andragogy learning model was the delivery of material from the tutor/training instructor according to the material that had been mutually agreed upon, then there was a question and answer or discussion for joint evaluation. The results of the andragogy learning model showed that there was an increase and change in terms of knowledge, attitudes and skills. In knowledge knowing about andragogy competencies and how to apply them in adult learning. In attitude that the trainees are very good in attitude, behavior and activity so that enthusiasm in learning is very good. In terms of skills, participants have been able to practice in learning about andragogy competencies because they have in-depth understanding of andragogy competencies for tutors after training. The supporting factors are the enthusiasm of the participants, the focus of the participants, supported by PKBM Mutiara Kampar, the network between PKBM and tutors who are able to guide the participants well, and teach the material as expected. The inhibiting factor is the timing and delivery of materials that adapt to the understanding of the participants.


Allylcarbinyl tosylate was found to solvolyze in 98% formic acid 3.7 times faster than n-butyl tosylate. Changes in the rate ratio with nucleophilicity of the solvent suggest different mechanisms for these solvolyses. The formolysis products of allylcarbinyl tosylate, when corrected for secondary rearrangements, were found to be virtually identical with those from cyclobutyl tosylate. Deuterium-labeling experiments indicated complete scrambling of the methylene groups in the ring-closed products. These results are interpreted in terms of formation of bicyclobutonium ion intermediates. The rate acceleration for formolysis obtained upon methyl substitution in the 3- and 4-positions and phenyl substitution in the 4-position have been measured and found to be as large as 4500 for the 4,4-dimethyl substituted allylcarbinyl tosylate. The nature of the initial solvolytic transition state is discussed; the results are shown to be inconsistent with formation of classical carbonium ion intermediates.

1,1,4,4-Tetrafluoro-1,3-butadiene has been shown by dipole moment studies to exist in the s-trans conformation. The F19-F19 spin-spin coupling constants for this compound were found to be very similar to those of bis-4,5(difluoromethylene)-cyclohexene and perfluoro-1,2-dimethylenecyclobutane. These results are discussed in terms of the mechanism of fluorine-fluorine spin-spin coupling.

The dissociation constants of a series of methyl alkyl ketone cyanohydrins have been measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The heats of solution of the ketones and the cyanohydrins in methanol have been measured. The effect of alkyl groups on the heats of solution have been shown to be unimportant in determining the observed dissociation constants of the cyanohydrins of these ketones.


The possibilities of using information and communication technologies for business improvement are numerous, but many studies show that there are significant problems in identifying the real impact of ICT investments and companies' performance. The first large problem arises in the field of definition of ICT in each company and the other one is connected with the link between the specific investment and selected performance measure. There is no standard measurement system and the results of individual studies are not comparable. The aim of this work is to explore this matter in Serbia. In this research we used the case study method, which was conducted in seven companies of different sizes and structures in the field of telecommunications, education, manufacture, accommodation and food service, financial and insurance activities and retail trade. Each of the representatives, mostly top management, gave answers about ICT assets and investments in their companies. The results of our research suggest that most of the companies in Serbia consider ICT assets and ICT investment as duty imposed by the business environment. The management of selected companies do not see obligation to treat the ICT investments as "regular investments" like building new facilities, purchase new machinery or expanding array of services. There is a strong possibility that Serbian companies overestimate or underestimate the value of investments in ICT because they do not use appropriate mechanism to control investments. Also, it is likely that investments do not lead to required results, because there is no control mechanism that measures the impact of certain investment on results or companies' performances..


We consider bond percolation on $n$ vertices on a circle where edges are permitted between vertices whose spacing is at most some number L=L(n). We show that the resulting random graph gets a giant component when $L\gg(\log n)^2$ (when the mean degree exceeds 1) but not when $L\ll\log n$. The proof uses comparisons to branching random walks. We also consider a related process of random transpositions of $n$ particles on a circle, where transpositions only occur again if the spacing is at most $L$. Then the process exhibits the mean-field behavior described by Berestycki and Durrett if and only if L(n) tends to infinity, no matter how slowly. Thus there are regimes where the random graph has no giant component but the random walk nevertheless has a phase transition. We discuss possible relevance of these results for a dataset coming from D. repleta and D. melanogaster and for the typical length of chromosomal inversions.


Paul G. Bahn | Hull, England Catherine Orliac | Paris, France Michel Orliac | Paris, France On a recent visit to Paris, one of us (PB) visited the newly renovated Picasso Museum. One of its most famous exhibits is the simple bull's head of 1942 which the artist made out of a bicycle handlebar (for the horns) and saddle (for the head). On display there was also a photograph taken by Brassaï of the sculpture, and lying across it was a wooden arm and hand which, according to Brassaï, was from Easter Island! (Figure 1). Further investigation revealed something of the background to this photograph. According to Cowling and Golding (1994:31):


In this work we discuss the algorithms for image reconstruction in local tomography. We in troduce the developing processes of local tomography in recent ten years. Specifically, we investigate some general reconstructed algorithms and compare the quality of reconstructed images for different al gorithms. In the end we indicate local tomography would be used in Large Industrial CT and forecast the future development of local tomography.


(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this Rakur, G., Bickel, M., Fehlhaber, H.-W., Harling, A., Hitzel, patent is extended or adjusted under 35 V., Lang, H.-J., Rosner, M., Weyer, R., "2-((2-Pyridylm U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days. ethyl) Sulfinyl) Benzimidazoles: Acid Sensitive Suicide Inhibitors of the Proton Transport System in the Parietal (21) Appl. No.: 09/166,274 Cell", Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm., 128(1): 477 (1985).


Four zones were consistently seen after centrifugation. Each zone was removed separately with a pasteur pipet and washed 3 times with KGS by centrifugation (800 g for 10 min). Blood films from each zone were made on coverslips and stained with Leishman's stain. Reported here is a summary of three experiments (Table I). Zone 1 (top) consisted of cellular debris, hemozoin, and degenerate free parasites. Most noteworthy were zones 2 and 3. The greatest concentration of late developmental stages virtually free of uninfected erythrocytes were observed in zone 2. Zone 3 had a somewhat lower parasitemia but a very high percentage of trophozoites and schizonts. The majority of the ring forms were found in zone 4 along with a large number of trophozoites. The trophozoites and schizonts isolated from zones 2 and 3 have been used for immunological and biochemical studies. Parasites from all zones, except zone 1, were put back into culture where the growth and multiplication of the parasites was observed to be normal. Zone 4 was routinely placed back into culture and processed after 24 to 30 hr of incubation to yield an additional harvest of trophozoites and schizonts. Percoll has many advantages over other density gradient media. Its easy handling and exceptional properties make it useful for the concentration and isolation of large numbers of P. falciparum trophozoites and schizonts. The versatility of Percoll should allow for further modifications of this procedure to yield a single zone of trophozoites or schizonts.


An active implantable medical device having a plurality of connection terminals able to be connected to electrodes placed in at least three distinct respective sites in a myocar dium; circuits for measuring an intracardiac bio-impedance, comprising circuits for injecting a current and circuits for collecting a Voltage at respective poles of a configuration of said connection terminals, and circuits able to deliver at an output a dynamic impedance signal that is a function of the injected current and the collected Voltage; and circuits for evaluating an intracardiac Volume, receiving at in input the impedance signal and delivering at an output a dynamic value of Volume representing an instantaneous absolute value of intracardiac Volume.


The JW Anderson patchwork cardigan from the spring/summer 2020 menswear collection has become an iconic fashion item during the COVID-19 pandemic. Worn by Harry Styles, the cardigan inspired a worldwide TikTok trend of crafting and DIY-ing a replica at home with over 90 million views to date. In response, JW Anderson published the pattern online and the V&A museum acquired the knitwear for its permanent collection. One year later, Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley was pictured knitting in the stands at the 2020 Olympic games – a craft he had picked up during the lockdowns. Both instances are challenging the notion of knitting and needlework as a feminine craft. In the past, men who embroidered, knitted or sewed their clothes were designated as infantile, effeminate and deviant from the hetero masculine norm. In today's post-pandemic climate, these associations are being challenged. Taking the cardigan and the resurgence of needlework as a case study, this article investigates the ways the COVID-19 pandemic influenced contemporary fashion consumption and re-stitched the meaning of male knitting. Focusing on the transformative aspects of slow fashion and gender fluidity in contemporary society, this article draws on a theoretical framework deriving from queer theory and sustainable fashion. Coined by Kate Fletcher, slow fashion encompasses a recalibration towards a focus on high-quality items over quantity and a slower production that does not exploit natural and human resources. Judith Butler's notion of gender performativity exposes gender as a social construct produced and maintained by a stylized repetition of acts, such as commonplace speech or nonverbal communication. Analysing the resurgence of male needlework through this critical lens, this article argues that it is the result of seismographic shifts within the contemporary fashion and popular culture that have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Disrupting the fashion industry profoundly on a global scale, this article discusses how the pandemic can be seen as a catalyst for fashion in renegotiating masculinities.


Semiconductor/metal composite nanoparticles have been synthesized by chemically reducing HAuCl4 on the surface of preformed TiO2 nanoparticles. These gold-capped TiO2 nanoparticles (particle diameter 10−40 nm) were stable in acidic (pH 2−4) aqueous solutions. At low [TiO2]:[Au] ratio (<1:1), these composite nanoparticles are bigger in size (20−40 nm) and readily undergo aggregation. The TiO2/Au nanoparticles with TiO2:Au ratio ≥1:10 were relatively stable to 532 nm laser irradiation. On the other hand 532 nm laser pulse excitation of aggregated nanoparticles ([TiO2]:[Au] ≤ 1:1) led to morphological changes as they fused to produce large-size particles. Laser-induced melting/fusion was confirmed from the growth in the particle size as well as the disappearance of the aggregation absorption band. The process of melting and fusion occurred with an apparent rate constant of 1.25 × 109 s-1. The role of the gold layer in promoting the photocatalytic charge transfer has been probed using thiocyanate oxidation at...


WASHINGTON, Feb. B (.4')-Wlth lho McNal'y·Haugen bill slde-trooked momentarily, the house agriculture committee today directed Its atten· tlon to the export debenture farm relief plan. The Ketcham bl1l bMIld on the debenture Idea WIlS supported by Louis J. Taber on beMlf ot the national grange, ot which he Is the head, and by Representative Can· nally, who recently announced his candidacy for the democrntlc nom· Inatlon to the senate fl'om Texas, Attacb mcklll80n In discussing farm legislation Can· nally assailed Chairman Haugen of tho committee and Representative Dickinson, (republican), Iowa, as· eertlng they had long talked abou t fann relief but failed to act toward that end wh n they had assisted house republicans to table the Mc· Master resolution calling for lower tariffs. The Texan ridiculed the equallz..'l.tlon fee of the McNal'Y·IIau~n bill, elalmlng It would make the farmers "pay tribute" to a bOard which did not N'present them and which 8 t up nn "autocratic tyranny" over agriculture. In reply Haugen argued that the export debenture bill would "fool" the farm" •. Jie defended the equalization fee antI said committee membera should "follow theIr own conscience" In voting on farm measures regard· less of the possibility of another pres!dentlal veto. "I'll not be a bell hop to tho president," Haugen added. "And you needn't think the PI'esldenl 11'111 be a bell hop for you," reo turned Connally. Want Relle' In 1931 Taber told the committee that Ihe national grange, composIng 800,000 larmere, want; l'eJlef legls1ll.tlon "In li/B nnd not In 1931," while he urged acceptance at the Ketcham, he explalne(l that his appearance Will! not In direct opposition to the MeNary·Ha ugen bill, although the national grange 'has not favored legislation endorsed by the agrlcul· ture committee." Contending that the export de· benture plan would "bring the tariff to the fal'me,'," Taber advocated the Kelcham bill on four points. These, he said, wel'e Its slmpUclty, the tact that no large appropriation Is called for, that no legislation delay Is In· volved and that It would adjust fal'm prices equitably.


This study aims to examine the influence of education and training, organizational experience, knowledge about budget towards the role of DPRD's members on financial region supervision. This research is motivated by the facts based on the fact that there is still a weakness in the supervision of regional finances. Dependent variable in this research are the role of DPRD's members on financial region supervision. Independent variables are education and training, organizational experience,knowledge about budget. The data in this research consist of primary data that taken by the questionnaires which distributed directly to respondents. The data are collected from 60 respondents of DPRD members of Manado City, Bitung City and North Sulawesi Province. The Hipothesis of this study are examine by using the multiple linear regression. The result of this research is indicated that is first, education and training have not  effect towards the role of DPRD's members on financial region supervision. Second, organizational experience have not effect towards the role of DPRD's members on financial region supervision. Third, knowledge about budget affect towards the role of DPRD's members on financial region supervision. The Suggestion for further research is the research instrument of education and training variable, organizational experience variable should be developed.Keywords :   Education and Training, Organizational Experience, Knowledge about Budget, The Role of DPRD Members, Financial Region Supervision


Our recent study estimating the incidence of first-episode psychosis using population-based health administrative data (Anderson et al ., 2018), and the subsequent response from Hogerzeil and van Hemert (2019), has opened the door for a productive discussion of the importance of contextualizing incidence estimates. In our original paper, we present findings which suggest that estimates derived from specialized psychiatric services may underestimate population-based estimates of psychotic disorders. The response from authors Hogerzeil and van Hemert make use of these findings, as well as their own prior work in this area, to propose a framework that more clearly delineates the relationship between study design elements and incidence estimates. The authors use a three-dimensional figure to describe these relationships, assigning each axis a domain of study design: accuracy of diagnosis, coverage of services and time frame of diagnosis. Changes to these design parameters will influence the volume of the cube, and correspondingly the size of the incidence estimate. We agree with Hogerzeil and van Hemert that this is a crucial consideration for measuring and interpreting incidence estimates, which has indeed been largely overlooked in the literature to date. Building on


Objective To study the way to lower the concentration of alcohol in alcohol dampening. Methods First,FS12-100 dampening solution and pure water were used to make the original solution with 3% of FS12-100 dampening solution and the surface tension was tested. Then different concentrations of alcohol and the surfactant'6501'were added separately and together to test the different surface tensions. Results Based on the experimental data, addition of 0.1% of'6501'and 5% of alcohol in the fountain solution could reduce the concentration of alcohol from 12% to 5%, achieving the lowest surface tension, 23.37 m N/m. Conclusion Preparation of novel low-alcohol fountain solution by mixing the surfactant '6501' and alcohol was feasible.


The invention discloses an automobile energy absorption box. The automobile energy absorption box comprises an energy absorption box body made of carbon fiber composite, and chamfer angles are formed in the margin of the energy absorption box body ends. The automobile energy absorption box has the advantages that lightweight effect is achieved with the adoption of carbon fiber composite, the weight of the energy absorption box with carbon fiber composite is 52% to 69% less than the common metal energy absorption box, and the comprehensive impact resistance ability and energy absorption effect are high.


Abstract: The historically famous Betwa River is the lifeline of the Ganj Basoda town, as most of the inhabitants of the town, particularly those living around the lake, depend on the river's water for their general use. At present, the lake water is full of odours and harmful suspended particles because most of the waste is being discharged directly into it, particularly from the population located on the periphery of the lake. Similarly, residents of the town's hillock areas are directly discharging waste into open drains. Sewage is 99 percent water and carries domestic wastes originating in the kitchen, bathing, laundry, urine, and night soil. A portion of the wastes go into solution, and the rest are partly in colloidal suspension or true suspension. Sewage is generated by residential, institutional, commercial, and industrial establishments. It includes household waste liquid from toilets, baths, showers, kitchens, sinks, and so forth that is disposed of via sewers. In many areas, sewage also includes liquid waste from industry and commerce. The goal of this study is to analyze the water quality of Betwa river at various points, identify wastewater sources that degrade the river water quality, and propose a sewage treatment plant for Basoda city .Here, samples from four drains and four samples of lake water have been collected, and tests have been conducted to determine various parameters including pH, color, temperature, COD, BOD, conductivity, sulfate, nitrite, suspended solids, total solids, and total coli form.


This Chapter proposes the concept of resilient multi-source streaming using a peer-to-peer overlay network over an urban vehicular ad-hoc network. Peer-to-peer overlay networks with multiple sources have proven to be robust, distributed solutions to multimedia transport, including streaming. To achieve video streaming over a vehicular ad-hoc network overlay, the Chapter introduces spatial partitioning of a video stream based on flexible macroblock ordering. Flexible macroblock ordering is an error resilient feature of an H.264 video codec in which macroblocks can be assigned to slices in non-raster scan order. Furthermore, the Chapter examines the impact of differing traffic densities and road layouts upon a peer-to-peer overlay network's performance when streaming video. The research demonstrates that the vehicles' mobility pattern and their drivers' behaviors need to be carefully modeled to determine signal reception. The Chapter also considers the impact of the wireless channel, which also should be more realistically modeled, compared to the usual two-ray path loss model. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-61350-144-3.ch013


This article analyzes the main problems which the coastal cities face in the course of development,describes the traditional relocation pattern together with its problems,and expounds the adaptability of BT mode in relocation of the old ports.On the basis of relevant laws and regulations in China,we carried out a discussion on the relocation of oil ports applying BT mode.


Aim: According to the world health organization, health means the person is not only free from any physical and psychological illness but (s)he should be fit socially too as well as no health without mental health. The present study aimed to investigate the level and difference of mental health and marital adjustment among single and dual employee married couples. Methods: This study was done on 300 married couples (150 single and 150 dual employees) through random sampling technique. Mithila Mental Health Status Inventory and Marriage Adjustment Inventory were used to collect data. Data were analyzed by using Mean, S.D, t-test and Pearson Correlation. Results: Result proves it no significant difference on mental health's areas of egocentrism, alienation, and emotional un-stability but a significant difference in expression and social nonconformity, among single and dual employee married couples. Single employee married couple would have better marital adjustment than dual employee married couple. High-level positive correlation between mental health and marital adjustment among single and double employee married couples.


Objective To assess the difference between patients with chemotherapy and caregivers to the physiological and psychological stress types and extent.Methods Based on the literature review,questionnaire(Likert-type table)are used to determine the physical and psychological of knitting the side effects of chemotherapy.All of the patients and nursing staff are required to complete the questionnaire; between the two after the completion of the test used to detect the differences.Results Patients and caregivers for the same degree of stress factors have varying degrees of understanding of chemotherapy,and nurses must find a suitable way to properly assess different ages,different cultures,different conditions of the patient physiological and psychological pressure to bear chemotherapy.Conclusion Chemotherapy nurses should undergo a correct understanding the variety of psychological and physiological stress of cancer patients.Patients receiving chemotherapy require self-assessment.


This article provides an insight into the problems of defining the notion "festival" and the classification of various festivals. In respect to the influence of cultural and art festivals, it is indicated that the definition of the objective is a pre-condition for the measurement of influence, so that the re- sults could be objectively accepted. The formulation of an objective by defin- ing the preferable results and the desirable influence corresponds to the basic principles of management and the best practice in the organisation of cultural events. The article analyses the objectives of Latvia's festivals and the cate- gories of influence by applying the method of content analysis, as well as outlines the influence of festivals upon the sector of culture and cultural en- vironment, including the social influence. The author draws a conclusion that the organisers of festivals in Latvia believe that the main objective is to enrich cultural life by offering qualitative cultural events and by diversifying it with something new, thus broadening the worldview of participants and popular- ising a specific genre of art.


Background. Present study was designed to report the effect of 2% creatine monohydrate supplementation for 8, 12 and 15 weeks on hematology and serum biochemical profile of male albino mouse following hypoxic ischemic insult on postnatal day 10. Methods. 66 Blood samples (2% creatine monohydrate supplemented (N = 34) and unsupplemented (N = 32)) were analyzed for various hematological (blood glucose, packed cell volume, total WBC count, total RBC count) and serum biochemical parameters (cholesterol, AST, ALT, HDL, LDL, total protein, triglycerides). Results. ALT had higher concentrations in mice feeding on normal diet for 8 (P > 0.01) and 12 weeks (P > 0.01) following asphyxia and in 12 weeks treatment without asphyxia (P = 0.006) when compared with the creatine supplemented mice. LDL (P = 0.011) and cholesterol (P > 0.01) had higher concentrations in mice on normal diet for 12 weeks following hypoxia ischemia. Cholesterol (P > 0.01) in 12 and glucose (P = 0.006) in 15 week treatment group had significantly lower concentrations in creatine supplemented male albino mice when compared with untreated group following hxpoic-ischemic insult. Conclusion. We concluded that creatine supplementation following hypoxic ischemic insult helps in maintain the normal blood chemistry.


AbstractThe main anthraquinones from the bark of four Rhamnus species were separated with RP-HPLC. The external standard method was used for quantitative determination of anthraquinones.


Often times people are told by government officials that there are limited financial resources to finance different development projects/programmes and to provide assistance for self help. This view is also held by the academic world. This is usually taken as an absolute truth and usually as an excuse for the limited socio-economic development of the citizens and societies. While this may be true, we propose a problematisation of this by gathering and making sense of evidence from the annual audit reports for the Local Government Authorities (LGAs) in Tanzania. The central aim of the proposed paper therefore is to show the fallacy of "the limited resources" by arguing that it is not a matter of limited resources but whether and how the available resources are put to intended use for development and poverty reduction goals. The relevance of this is to shift focus on development resources available to whether and how the extent to which the resources are put to use and to establish whether LGAs are keeping people into poverty by using or not using the available resources.


African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) was introduced into Malaysia for aquaculture purposes.
They often used to produce a hybrid with indigenous catfish (C. batrachus, C. macrocephalus)
due to their rapid growth rate. There are difficulties in differentiating these three species in
their morphology. An experimental study was conducted to identify morphometric
characteristics between these three species. Specimens of each species (C. gariepinus, C.
batrachus and C. macrocephalus) were collected and analysed in term of their morphological
differences. Seventeen characters have been used for conventional morphometric
measurements. Truss morphometric characters for the body consist of 36 characters. Five
meristic characters were counted. All data were converted into a ratio and undergo
Discriminant Function Analysis. Meristic data also tested by non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis.
All analysis were using SPSS 20V. Conventional morphometrics suggested three characters
(Head Widht, Anal Fin Base Lenght and Outer mandibular barbell length) to differentiate the
three species. Meristic characters showed significant differences in dorsal fin rays, anal fin
rays and caudal fin rays. Conventional and truss agreed on similar morphological
characteristics in species identification. Meristic counting can be used as additional
characteristics in identifying these three species.


The cut process ability and suitable extents of high-speed steels,carbide tools,ceramic tools and extra-hard tool materials are expounded.More over,au thor introduced the outline of the mechanical and cut pro cess a-bility in different periods and application extents for domestic and foreign study out the new tool ma terials in the re cent few years.


ing his analysis from any consideration of imperialism as a system articulating external and internal forces leads to a number of particular problems in Geffray's ac count of the war in Mozambique. Firstly, he strains to find explana tions for Renamo activities which seem incompatible with the building of a political base. But his ar guments only clarify that those who formulate Renamo strategy have not been until recently particularly con cerned with its political legitimacy. Geffray asks at one point, for ex ample, why Renamo undertakes the random massacres on the roads. His answer: "Almost all travellers are people from the town and cities or they are country-folk with a network of urban contacts, caught out pre cisely when they were coming or go ing to town. These people belong to the strata of the population whose conditions were profoundly trans formed in the colonial situation: em ployees, workers, traders, artisans, wealthy businessmen engaged in tri lateral or quadrilateral trade, the unemployed living on odd jobs and dealing, women visiting their rural in-laws or coming back with a sack of cassava, families looking for a cousin who has made it in town ... In other words, the travellers in the convoys are people whose condition is op posed to that of those marginalized by the colonial state and left to fend for themselves by the independent state, those who entered into dissijanuary 1992 dence against this state and placed themselves massively under the shel ter of Renamo's weapons" (p.216). In fact, all rural families whom I have met in Mozambique, includ ing in those areas of north-central Nampula which Geffray considers marginalized, have kin and friends on the roads. By stopping the move ment of people and goods in the country Renamo does more than, in Geffray's phrase, "gravely affect the material and social living conditions of the urban and peri-urban milieu." He does not see how debilitating the breakdown of trade has been for ru ral people themselves (even though he has previously noted that this is one of the factors that has led to disenchantment with Renamo in its occupied zones). If we do not as sume that Renamo has been con cerned with building a popular base in the first place, then the reason be hind the attacks on rural transport are transparent. Stopping trade will certainly undermine any pro grams of social or productive invest ment and undermine Frelimo's pop ular base by worsening the standard of living in both country and city. Southern Africa REPORT


Over the past five years, great changes have been made in the development of poultry farming in the Republic of Mari El in primarily meat direction. In many district municipalities of the North-Eastern part of the Republic, modern complexes for broiler poultry cultivation with the use of modern, intensive technology have been built, which greatly facilitates the work of workers. All this contributes to the increase in the gross production of poultry meat. This industry is characterized by a rapid rate of reproduction of livestock, high productivity, lowest cost of production compared to other livestock industries. However, there was a question of the production of hatching eggs at the local level, because it is expensive to buy them on the side, the period of their storage is short, and most importantly, from the development of the economy, it is not profitable. There is a question, what methods and means it is possible to solve the arisen problem in our conditions. The scientific article reflects new approaches to attract investment resources for the development of poultry industry using innovative technologies. The proposed scientific recommendations will contribute to the production and significant reduction in the cost of hatching eggs at the first stage and ultimately to the overall reduction in the cost of finished products – poultry meat. The investments made by the calculations shall be repaid within three years. Thus, they will create a new production base that is not inferior to the existing Western analogues in the production and sale of hatching eggs, both in the Republic of Mari El and abroad, which will contribute to cheaper final products and significantly improve the financial condition of the poultry farm.


Background The treatment of schizophrenia, a chronic disabling psychiatric disorder, mainly relies on antipsychotics to control the disease and improve clinical symptoms. Various medication options are available, and differences in treatment effects, even for the same medication, have been noted. Treatment efficacy is correlated with the patient's sex, age, and physical condition. When a drug fails to achieve the desired effect or the symptoms are unstable, the drug dose is often increased or a change in medication is advised according to the patient's situation. Case presentation We report the case of a 16 years-old girl with schizophrenia and apparent psychotic symptoms. According to the genetic testing results, the symptoms were effectively controlled, and she was discharged from the hospital with the prescription of paliperidone sustained-release tablets. During the follow-up, her symptoms fluctuated during menstrual period, causing her great distress. Furthermore, her compliance gradually declined during the following 2 years of treatment, and the medication was often discontinued. We changed the drug from an oral tablet to an injection preparation while maintaining the active ingredients of the drug. The patient's symptoms were significantly controlled, and no fluctuation of symptoms occurred during the menstrual cycle. Conclusion Long-acting antipsychotic injections can be administered to female adolescents with schizophrenia who experience fluctuating psychotic symptoms during menstruation. This technique can ensure both consistency of medication and improvement in clinical symptoms.


Studies upon breaking the maize grain using a crusher with variable cylinder have been carried out. Grain subjected to the breaking process was of 12, 20, and 30% moisture content. breaking has been performed applying working gaps of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mm width as well as cylinder's speed of 400/400, 400/440, and 400/480 rpm (both cylinders rotational speeds, respectively). Experiments revealed that increasing the rotational speed of one of cylinders in a crusher caused the increase of dusty particles in the achieved product. That increase was observed both at moisture contents change and for different widths of a working gap within the crusher.


The specific and general enzymic activity of some dehydrogenases of the liver, kidneys, heart, thymus and spleen was studied on rats in early postnatal period. Some regularities of the development of enzymes under study were established: ergontic correlations of the "maturing" enzymic organ systems and the coordination of the enzymic status of organs and the lymphocytes circulating in the blood. It may be supposed that the lymphocyte is a carrier of information about formation of metabolic processes of the developing organism. The mechanisms of appearance of coordination of the enzymic activity are discussed.


By using some research methods,such as literature information,expert advice,educational observation,logical ratiocination and so on and on the basis of the analysis of the necessity and feasibility of organising and implementing research learning in PE teaching,the paper focuses on the organization and guidance of research learning in PE teaching: reating contexts and raising questions;launching guidances and initiating strategies;conducting researches and drawing conclusions;representation and communication,evaluation and reflection;and puts forward some problems we should pay attention to in PE in organization and implementation of research learning.


In recent years, metasurfaces have widely been studied due to their ability to offer a spatially varying phase response, low losses, ultrathin size, and easy fabrication. In this paper, a gradient ...


The article reviews the problems faced by the railway station areas of the largest cities in their development process. Such concepts as the landscape and recreational framework of the territory, its functions, the search for possible reserves for spatial development and improving the quality of urban environment ecological compatibility are revealed. Natural and anthropogenic factors affecting the formation and functioning of the framework elements are analyzed.


The carbohydrate level was estimated in the midgut of sixth instar larvae, pupae and adults of Spodoptera mauritia Boisduval. The lowest level was recorded at 24 hr (0.74 ± 0.09 μg/mg tissue) of larval development and the highest on the first day of the pupal development (3.09 ± 0.14 μg/mg tissue). It decreased to half during the adult stage (1.54 ± 0.21 μg/mg tissue). It is suggested that the midgut carbohydrate, a reserve in the first day pupa may act as a source for structural protein and as a source of glucose for chitin synthesis in pharate adults.


ABSTRACT In recent years, special matrix functions and polynomials of a real or complex variable have been in a focus of increasing attention leading to new and interesting problems. In this work, we present matrix space analogues to generalized some functions and polynomials in the framework of matrix setting. Many of the special matrix functions and polynomials are constructed along standard procedures. Recently published papers are also surveyed and we list the most essential ones.


Under the aegis of one of the West's more successful and enduring social contracts of the postwar period, manufacturing unions and the peak union council in Australia have launched a comprehensive campaign, including targeted industry policy and direct intervention at enterprise level, to rescue and modernize the country's crumbling manufacturing sector. This new unionism confounds industrialrelations theorists' pessimism over the movement's ability to go beyond its craft origins to directly address managerial issues. But beyond this, the movement is demonstrating its comparative advantage over government and corporate management in making and implementing industry policy, given the traditionalism of government organs, corporate particularism, the structural and institutional fragmentation of industry, and the substantive requirements of an effective industry policy. If the union movement does represent the primary bearer of an industrial renaissance in the future, then the latter is likely to imply basic organizational change for industry and the unions themselves, including a radical shift in power to organized labour over strategic decision-making and the production process at enterprise, industry and national levels.


Introduction: Simulation training has been practiced in dental schools all throughout. The pertinent use of simulation in any professional education program allows the students to get clarity for their clinical skills without the danger of harming the patient during the learning process. The success of different teaching methods in skill laboratories is still debated in the literature. One of them is Peyton's approach which is designed for student: teacher ratio of 1:1. To overcome this modified Peyton's method was introduce which allows each of the trainees to perform respective skill at least once. Aim: To evaluate and compare Modified Peyton's approach with conventional teaching for skill training among undergraduate students in Prosthodontics. Materials and Methods: This prospective interventional study will be conducted in Department of Prosthodontics at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Wardha, Maharshtra, India, from October 2022 to December 2023. The study will involve 70 third year BDS students randomly divided two groups equally. The study will be conducted in dental setting utilising the dental skill laboratory to make alginate impression. Group A will be taught using conventional method and group B will be divided into 10 groups and taught using modified Peyton method and evaluation will be done using Objective Structured Practical Examination and post-test. Expected Outcome: At the end of the study, student's taught using modified Peyton's method might show better result in OSPE and post-test. Conclusion: Modified Peyton's method will prove beneficial to students learning new skill.


ABSTRACT Block pavements are an attractive alternative to asphalt and concrete pavements, especially in communal areas. Architects and urban planners would like to take advantage of various shapes, colours and textures of paving blocks in order to achieve a higher quality of urban space if the performance of block pavements could be better predicted to avoid large horizontal displacements of chipped stone corners and rutting. Unfortunately, the computational performance prediction of paving block structures is more complex than that for flexible pavements with homogeneous surface layers of asphalt concrete. The influence of the large number of vertical joints between paving blocks on the overall mechanical performance has not been considered sufficiently within computational tools yet. The proposed numerical simulation tool is able to take into account the complex mechanical behaviour of sand-filled joints as well as the non-linear mechanical behaviour of the underlying base courses. Joints are modelled using a Mohr–Coulomb-type friction model with the normal stresses non-linearly related with joint opening. Three different experimental set-ups were developed for the identification of the model parameters. The base behaviour was modelled using the Drucker–Prager cap model. The paper shows that the proposed tool predicts reasonable deformations and stresses in block pavements. The results of the simulations were compared with measured stresses from the full-scale accelerated pavement testing and a good agreement was observed.


To help make a good polymer blend by melt blending, the properties of polycarbonate (PC)/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) systems with various compositions have been investigated. As ABS is blended into PC to form a binary system, Brabender torque is reduced, a phenomenon that results in Improved processability of PC. With increasing ABS content, the mechanical properties of the blends such as tensile strength, modulus, hardness, and shrinkage decrease. However, with the variation of composition, Izod impact strength shows a maximum, while elongation at break exhibits a minimum. These phenomena are discussed with dynamic viscoelasticities and scanning electron microscopic morphological results. The value of ΔTg(TgβPC − TgβABS) is at its smallest when the ratio of PC to ABS is 90:10, However, the value rises with an increase in ABS because the butadiene content of the ABS hinders compatibility in the binary system. At the 90:10 composition, the damping height is optimal. In addition, the dispersed phase of the ABS is most ideal, absorbing the impact force and showing high impact strength. Composition ratios other than 90:10 present high damping as well as undesirable phase separation because of poor adhesion between two phases. As a result, the mechanical properties are reduced.


This study has two chapters. The first uses Ray Fair 's national economic voting model of U.S. presidential elections to pose and answer specific questions about how voting theory works in practice. The results suggest that economic activity in the year of an election is the primary determinant of voters ' perceptions of presidential performance on the economy, while earlier years in the administration 's term are not important. Also , voters hold the incumbent party responsible for economic conditions whether or not that party controls Congress. Finally, the results suggest that economic voting generally operates symmetrically a fall in growth affects the vote as much as an increase in growth does. In the second chapter, a pooled, cross-sectional forecasting model is developed to explain state vote shares in presidential elections from 1972 through 2004. The model takes into account state and national economic conditions and election year political variables. It also controls for states' partisan predispositions in order to produce a forecast using data available prior to the election. The model correctly predicts 88 percent of state results and has an average error of 2.9 percentage points of the state vote. Acknowledgments I would like extend special thanks to Professor Dave Findlay, my thesis advisor, and Professor Reid, the reader for this project. Without their support, econometric advice (and political speculation), this project would not have been possible. All remaining errors are solely mine. I also received support from other faculty members. In the Economics Department, Professor Michael Donihue taught me many of the techniques that I used to complete this project. This was obviously an interdisciplinary project, and I also appreciate the advice I received from Professor Cal Mackenzie and Professor Sandy Maisel of the Government Department, whose suggestions have been perhaps more important than they realize .


The novelty of the implications and consequences of climate change has allowed, among others, the resurgence of mathematical modeling to predict with some degree of certainty different scenarios that facilitate planning to mitigate their different and complex effects. In the area of hydrology research and commercial offers of models adapted with new programming technologies and geographic information system have multiplied.The objectives of the research are to propose two simple and hydrological models (A and B) that allow simulating average monthly flows. One is obtained by innovation and the other by simple concepts of hydrology; In order to show, above all, the university students of the areas that have to do with the water resource, that hydrological modeling is within their reach.The model A to which innovation has been applied is based on the monthly water balance proposed by Thornthwaite and the model B is a very simple conceptual model based on the concepts of basic hydrology. Both models simulated the average monthly flows of the hydrometric station Los Encuentros in Agua Caliente. The Nash-Sutcliffe index allowed us to conclude that the results of the predictions are encouraging.


We consider the dynamics of an inhomogeneously broadened unidirectional ring laser formulated in the traditional Maxwell-Bloch configuration of a two-level atom with transverse modes. We numerically analyze the model for a single-longitudinal mode in the paraxial approximation, using the uniform field limit with cylindrical symmetry and a Gaussian profile for inhomogeneous broadening. Several domains of solutions are found for the resonant case in the good cavity limit. The laser threshold is found to be dependent on the mode spacing as well as on the gain and scaled Doppler broadening. Hysteresis between stable and unstable solutions is obtained in realistic operating conditions for both increasing (decreasing) gain and increasing (decreasing) mode spacing (i.e., for changes in the initial conditions).


The polarized reflectivity spectra of monoclinic SnI 2 crystals were measured at 13 K for polarization parallel and perpendicular to the crystal b -axis. The direct exciton band was found at 2.57 eV. The dichroism of the exciton band indicates a strong axial crystal field along the b -axis.The exciton transition is discussed in terms of the cationic 5 s →5 p excitation in Sn 2+ ions. The fundamental absorption tail was measured at various temperatures. The Urbach rule holds for the tail. The high temperature steepness parameter σ 0 =0.70 indicates the strong exciton-phonon coupling in SnI 2 crystals.


In his grand monography of Radiolaria, Ernst Haeckel originally placed Phaeodarea within the class Radiolaria, together with Acantharea and Polycystinea. Cytological and ultrastructural studies, however, questioned the monophyly of Radiolaria, suggesting the independent evolutionary origin of the three taxa. Some recent molecular analyses based on small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) sequences challenged this classification, supporting the sisterhood of Acantharea and Polycystinea. In order to further test the monophyly of all Haeckel's Radiolaria, and as no data on Phaeodarea were available, we sequenced the complete SSU rRNA gene of three Phaeodarea and three Polycystinea. Our analyses show that the monophyletic Phaeodarea clearly branch among Cercozoa, and confirm that Acantharea and Polycystinea share a common history. This result enhances the morphological variability within Cercozoa, a phylum already containing very heterogeneous groups of protists. Our study suggests that the ability to secrete SrSO4 and the organization of microtubules inside axopodia are better phylogenetic markers than the simple presence of a central capsule and axopodia.


Radio frequency microstrip filter is very important in wireless communication systems.It could extract the desired signal spectrum from a variety of electrical signals.The filter plays an important role in the RF and microstrip systems.Thus a stepped-impedance microstrip filter applied in the radio-frequency system is designed,its parameters are optimized by Gradient method,and the filter performance is enhanced.Finally,the actual layout for the microstrip filter is produced,and the momentum simulation is done,the simulation results of schematic layout are compared,and their differences are analyzed.


The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) currently is working with industry and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish future requirements for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) flying in the National Airspace System (NAS). To work these issues NASA has established a multi-center "UAS Integration in the NAS" project. In order to establish Ground Control Station requirements for UAS, the perspective of each of the major players in NAS operations was desired. Three on-line surveys were administered that focused on Air Traffic Controllers (ATC), pilots of manned aircraft, and pilots of UAS. Follow-up telephone interviews were conducted with some survey respondents. The survey questions addressed UAS control, navigation, and communications from the perspective of small and large unmanned aircraft. Questions also addressed issues of UAS equipage, especially with regard to sense and avoid capabilities. From the civilian ATC and military ATC perspectives, of particular interest are how mixed operations (manned/UAS) have worked in the past and the role of aircraft equipage. Knowledge gained from this information is expected to assist the NASA UAS Integration in the NAS project in directing research foci thus assisting the FAA in the development of rules, regulations, and policies related to UAS in the NAS.


In order to use alum in large numbers for the treatment of low turbidity water, a novel method has been used to treat low turbidity water using bentonite with a reduced amount of alum. Given that bentonite has a negative charge, it is added to the raw water to give the blocks weight. The weight is then added by joining the blocks together to create massive blocks that settle more quickly. In addition to providing a large surface for organic compound adsorption, it increases the suspension's weight and particle density. There are between 10 and 50 mg/l of bentonite clay utilized. In the Karbala water treatment plant, the effectiveness of the water quality index (WQI) at turbidity 20NTU (national turbidity unit) using alum alone was subpar (71.16%). Under the same circumstances, the pilot plant's WQI efficiency was equally low (72%). The turbidity of the water was increased to 120 NTUwhen bentonite was used in the pilot plant, increasing the efficiency of WQI to 97.2%. When bentonite was added to the water, the tur - bidity was increased to 200 NTU and the WQI efficiency was increased to 98.9%. The usage of bentonite produced a high level of WQI efficiency and a cheap substance free from infections or negative effects.

http://www.ecoeet.com/pdf-159730-88006?filename=The Effect of Bentonite.pdf


The invention discloses a method for preparing montelukast acid. The method comprises a reaction b or a reaction a to a reaction b in the following synthetic route: the formula is shown in the description. The method disclosed by the invention can be used for preparing montelukast acid and salts thereof with low cost and high yield by means of simple operations by using low-cost and easily available raw materials, and is of significance and has practical value to prepare montelukast acid and salts thereof with low cost on a large scale.


Background: The study was conducted to observe the prevalence of practice regarding self medication of antibiotics among medical students. Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study which was conducted among the preclinical phase, paraclinical phase and and clinical phase of medical students of four Medical College and Hospital in Chattogram. Total 120 students of four medical colleges participated in the study. Results: Total 120 undergraduates participated in the study. Among them 48(40%) were male and 72 (60%) were female. The prevalence of selfmedication among the medical students was 90(75%) whereas 30(25%) mentioned that they didn't follow or encouraged selfmedication. The most important indication for antibiotic self-medication was cough and cold (60%) diarrhea (40%) then sore throat and dental infection (10%). The most common class of antibiotic self-medicated was Metronidazole (60%) followed by Azithromycin (53.33%) Amoxycillin 24(16%) and Erythromycin 20 (16.66%). Conclusions: This questionnaire based study revealed the higher prevalence of self-medication of antibiotics among the undergraduate especially in preclinical phase. The major and important reason for misuse of antibiotics is lack of proper knowledge on antibiotic resistance. It is important to spread the information and knowledge about antibiotic misuse by selfmedication and its consequent effects. Hence, incorporation of chapter in rational use of antibiotics becomes necessary and restrict the curriculum not only in Pharmacology undergraduate medical study but also should be included in the school books that can emphasizes more on the disadvantages of self medication of antibiotic.
JCMCTA 2018 ; 29 (2) : 22-27


Accurate stock market returns are quite difficult for the company because of the unpredictable and non-linear nature of the financial stock markets. With the development of artificial intelligence and increased computer power, programmed prediction approaches have demonstrated that they are increasingly effective in predicting stock values. In this study, the Artificial Neural Network, LSTM, and LR techniques were used to predict the closing price for the following day for five companies belonging to different business sectors. In today's economy, the stock market or equity market has a profound influence. The prediction of stock prices is quite complex, chaotic, and it is a big challenge to have a dynamic environment. Behavioural finance means that investors' decision-making processes are affected by emotions and attitudes in response to particular news. In order to help investors' judgements, we have supplied a technology for the analysis of the stock exchange. The method combines historical price prediction. For predicting, LSTM (Long Short-Term Memory), ANN and LR are employed. It includes the latest information on trade and analytical indicators. Financial data: Open, high, low and close stock prices are used to build new variables needed for model input. The models are validated with standard strategic indicators: RMSE and MAPE. The low values of these two variables indicate that the models are costeffective.


Paragonimus infection is prevalent in Korea, establishing several endemic foci. Kim(1969) reported an endemic area in Hyeonbuk Myeon. Yangyang-Gun, but thereafter no further epidemiologic study of Paragonimus infection was performed in the Gangweon-Do. Hoengseong-Gun is mountainous area which is located in the southwestern part of Gangweon-Do and borders with Hongcheon-Gun on the east, with Pyeongchang-Gun on the east, with Yeongweol-Gun and Weonseong-Gun on the south, and with Yangpyeong-Gun on west. The author carried out an epidemiologic study of Paragonimus infection by intradermal test with V.B.S antigen, and of intermediate host (crayfish) in Hoengseong-Gun, Gangweon-Do. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The positive skin test reaction to Paragonimus antigen was 14.5% from 2,807 examiness; 16.0% in male and 11.6% in female and no sex or age difference on the skin test positive reactions was noticed among the villages. 2. The positive skin test reactions were 31.3% in Gapcheon-Myeon, 20.5% in Cheongil-Myeon and 19.8% in Woocheon-Myeon. Primary school children in Byeongjibang-ri, Gapcheon-Myeon showed positive in 36.4%. 3. The prevalence by skin test reaction by social strata was 16.1% (226 out of 1,408) in primary school children, 12.8% out of 725) in middle school, 6.4% (11 out of 172) in high school students, and 15.3% (77 out of 502) in inhabitants of Heongseong-Gun. 4. Metacercarial positives of Paragonimus in crayfish were 20.9%. Through the survey results, it is postulated that Heongseong-Gun, Gangweon-Do is to be categorized as an endemic area of Paragonimus infection.


We introduce novel scalable wavelength-converting crossbar switches based on two-dimensional compact integration of quantum well waveguide modulators and surface-normal photodiodes. We demonstrate electrically-reconfigurable 2/spl times/2 arrays that perform unconstrained wavelength conversion in the entire 1530-1565 nm band.


This paper uses two studies to examine taxpayers' knowledge of tax incentives for charitable giving and also explores the consequences of this knowledge on charitable giving decisions. The first study surveys 600 US taxpayers to establish a baseline understanding of how making a charitable contribution affects taxpayers. In the second study, we conduct an experiment with 201 US taxpayers in which we manipulate the knowledge of taxpayers by providing an educational intervention; we also measure, if, how much is donated in a hypothetical scenario under various tax deductibility conditions. The first study indicates fewer than half of participants understand the basic principles of how charitable donations affect tax liability. Our second study reveals that a short educational video is extremely effective at improving taxpayers' understanding and helping them accurately estimate the tax benefit associated with charitable giving. However, through moderated mediation analysis, we also show that participants who received this educational intervention and accurately estimated the tax benefits in turn decreased their charitable giving. We conclude that the majority of US taxpayers do not understand whether they benefit from certain deductions and may be overestimating the benefit they receive from charitable giving, resulting in giving more than they intend.


The three papers that follow are based on drafts prepared for the conference theme "Kierkegaard and the Overcoming of Violence" at Brock University, September 2011. Selected from fifteen, each is a spectrum of ideas on the theme, and together they reflect the range of intellectual concerns that are raised in discussions outside technical seminars and meetings of learned societies. They relate to one or more of four categories: philosophy, religion, theology, and anthropology.


To explore the barriers experienced and perceived by health professionals and patients in the delivery of psychosocial care to adults with cancer.


The light wavelengths experiment using the Fresnel double prism is basic in university physics experiment.It is a sub-wave-front method to obtain coherent light.In the experiment,the double prism is placed in two different ways,depending on whether the prism ridge faces the single-slit or not.In this paper,a detailed theoretical analysis shows that the placement method of the double-prism has no significant effect on the experiment results,and this conclusion has been confirmed by experiments.


Objective This study was performed to evaluate whether cold ambient temperature and dietary rumen-protected fat (RPF) supplementation affect growth performance, rumen fermentation, and blood parameters in Korean cattle steers. Methods Twenty Korean cattle steers (body weight [BW], 550.6±9.14 kg; age, 19.7±0.13 months) were divided into a conventional control diet group (n = 10) and a 0.5% RPF supplementation group (n = 10). Steers were fed a concentrate diet (1.6% BW) and a rice straw diet (1 kg/d) for 16 weeks (January 9 to February 5 [P1], February 6 to March 5 [P2], March 6 to April 3 [P3], and April 4 to May 2 [P4]). Results The mean and minimum indoor ambient temperatures in P1 (−3.44°C, −9.40°C) were lower (p<0.001) than those in P3 (5.87°C, −1.86°C) and P4 (11.18°C, 4.28°C). The minimum temperature in P1 fell within the moderate cold-stress (CS) category, as previously reported for dairy cattle, and the minimum temperatures of P2 and P3 were within the mild CS category. Neither month nor RPF supplementation affected the average daily gain or gain-to-feed ratio (p>0.05). Ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentrations were higher (p<0.05) in cold winter than spring. Plasma cortisol concentrations were lower (p<0.05) in the coldest month than in the other months. Serum glucose concentrations were generally higher in colder months than in the other months but were unaffected by RPF supplementation. RPF supplementation increased both total cholesterol (p = 0.004) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations (p = 0.03). Conclusion Korean cattle may not be significantly affected by moderate CS, considering that the growth performance of cattle remained unchanged, although variations in blood parameters were observed among the studied months. RPF supplementation altered cholesterol and HDL concentrations but did not affect growth performance.


Photographic color slides of crop residue covering soil surfaces were projected onto screens with 100, 200, and 300 randomly located dots and visually evaluated for the number of dots that were coincident with images of residue. The observed residue cover was considerably higher than the calibration values. The dot-screen procedure appears to be consistent enough to obtain relative comparisons among tillage practices with three replications of observations of the same photographic slide


The paper describes characteristics of digital and networked society and clarifies their needs for open and online learning (OOL). Empirical research in the form of online and face to face survey was implemented in order to clarify why and how digital and network society learns (if at all) while spending time online, and what are important characteristics of OOL that motivate digital and network society (NDS) for learning. These and other questions have been raised in the research that is presented in this paper.


To analyse the clinical and epidemiological profiles of dengue haemorrhagic fever (DHF), dengue shock syndrome (DSS) and complicated dengue cases and deaths from 2008 to 2010 that occurred in the state of Minas Gerais, south‐eastern Brazil, and to identify factors associated with death from dengue.


Development of skills in the XXI century, incl. the organization of educational process, time management, critical thinking, now largely depends on the students themselves. Facing new rules of the game, when education goes far beyond the school, students are forced to adapt to the new learning environment. In this regard, the choice of the teaching strategy becomes the most important component of the academic success of the student. The article discusses the choice of teaching strategies for schoolchildren from families with diff erent cultural capital. A factor and regression analysis was carried out that revealed the connection of a set


Fruit vinegar was produced using raisins as raw material after alcohol fermentation and acetic fermentation.Through adjusted different conditions of enzymolysis,The best technological condition of enzymolysis was that,the pH was 4.5,the inoculation was 0.3 %,the ti me was 3 hours,the temperature was 35 ℃,water was more 7 times than grape.


Aim/Objections The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of a central line maintenance bundle in preventing catheter-related (implanted venous access devices, port) Candida bloodstream infections. Methods The study encompassed two distinct time periods, namely, pre-bundle and bundle. The number of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) episodes per catheter days for each timeframe was determined. Findings/Results Upon implementation of the central line bundle, the rate of CRBSI reduced significantly from 4.27 per 1000 central line days in the pre-bundle period to 1.0 per 1000 central line days in the bundle period (p < .001). Discussion Using a central line bundle to avoid CRBSIs in pediatric cancer patients with ports led to a significant decrease in Candida species-related CRBSIs.


Gallini (1989) argues that, "the ability to combine a collection of problems into a meaningful representation, or schema facilitates learning" (p. 244). In a previous study, it was found that introducing a schema-based learning system in the design studio assisted novice designers in a structured, purposeful process, where they began to see patterns of information and use these patterns to develop and refine their design solutions. Their design solutions proved to be significantly better than the other students who did not utilize the instructional interventions. But, does this instructional intervention have any lasting effects with this same group of students? Do these skills transfer to new or novel tasks after a period of time ? The aim of this study is to measure the lasting effects of this learning tool by following this group of students through a new set of transfer tasks approximately one year after the original instructional intervention. Like the previous year study, the effectiveness characteristics were examined from four main areas of a design project: 1) organization of information, 2) categorization of information, 3) application of theory, and 4) overall design. The following research questions were addressed: 1. What are the lasting effects of the schema-based learning tools after one year from the initial implementation of the instructional intervention? Or, what are the problem solving transfer effects of the instructional intervention? 2. Do students, who use these schema-based learning tools, develop projects that are more organized, categorized, more theoretically-based, and have better overall designs, than students who do not use such learning tools? Disciplines Art Education | Educational Methods | Higher Education | Interior Architecture This conference proceeding is available at Iowa State University Digital Repository: http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/ad_conf/1 IDEC 2006 138 Are There Lasting Effects of a Schema-based Learning System in the Interior Design Studio? Lori Brunner, Iowa State University Purpose Gallini (1989) argues that, "the ability to combine a collection of problems into a meaningful representation, or schema facilitates learning" (p. 244). In a previous study, it was found that introducing a schema-based learning system in the design studio assisted novice designers in a structured, purposeful process, where they began to see patterns of information and use these patterns to develop and refine their design solutions. Their design solutions proved to be significantly better than the other students who did not utilize the instructional interventions. But, does this instructional intervention have any lasting effects with this same group of students? Do these skills transfer to new or novel tasks after a period of time ? The aim of this study is to measure the lasting effects of this learning tool by following this group of students through a new set of transfer tasks approximately one year after the original instructional intervention. Like the previous year study, the effectiveness characteristics were examined from four main areas of a design project: 1) organization of information, 2) categorization of information, 3) application of theory, and 4) overall design. The following research questions were addressed: 1. What are the lasting effects of the schema-based learning tools after one year from the initial implementation of the instructional intervention? Or, what are the problem solving transfer effects of the instructional intervention? 2. Do students, who use these schema-based learning tools, develop projects that are more organized, categorized, more theoretically-based, and have better overall designs, than students who do not use such learning tools? Framework This study uses schema theory (ST), viewed by Derry (1996) as a version of the information processing theory. ST and information processing psychologists believe long-term memory stores previously learned schemas, and working memory represents a person's extent of immediate attention. Thinking and learning take place within working memory, where prior knowledge schemata are activated in response to the environmental 1 According the constructivist interpretation of the information-processing model, mental processing involves an active search for understanding, where incoming experience is reorganized and integrated with existing knowledge. Mayer (1996) distinguishes three basic processes in active learning: 1) selecting relevant incoming experiences, 2) organizing them into a coherent representation, and 3) integrating them with existing knowledge. In this view, processing is a coordinated collection aimed at making sense out of incoming experiences.


Questioned document is one of the oldest fields of examination reported in forensic science. Documents are used as physical (nowadays sometimes virtual) traces of human transactions, thus questioning, falsification and counterfeiting certainly have existed since their invention and routine use. This is also the case for biblical texts and art pieces for which authenticity and authorship are often disputed. While mainly handwriting comparison was reported in early works, the composition and characteristics of inks on paper were often briefly discussed (see for example the early works of Demelle or Raveneau in the XVII e century 1 ). Since then, many technological developments have impacted questioned document examination, both with regard to the ink and paper production, as well as to the writing instruments or printing techniques. Nowadays, further progress have changed the world of (questioned) documents, through the introduction of virtual documents using electronic signatures 2 and security documents such as passports using mixed physical and digital biometric data. Thus, the document examiner' expertise has to quickly evolve and adapt to such developments, sometimes necessitating the combination of skills from different disciplines not always co-existing in forensic laboratories (such as chemistry, physics, statistics, engineering, material science, The evaluation of the observed optical properties of the inks under different illumination and observation filters remains mainly visual and subjective. Therefore, only few quantitative results have been reported on the discriminating power of such approaches. Four studies reported discriminating power between 49 and 99 % for ballpoint and gel pens [26-29]. While the discriminating power obtained for gel inks are lower than those obtained for ballpoint inks, the differences might also be due


In this paper, we describe our participation in and the analysis of the interactive Social Book Search tasks as part of the Social Book Search Lab at CLEF 2015. In total, 192 participants from seven different institutions were recruited and completed the experiment. Through the combination of log data and questionnaires, a detailed picture of goal-oriented and open book search sessions was drawn. Our analysis focuses on the usage and assessment of the book-bag features, which allow users to store and annotate books or browse through related content. The categorization of user comments according to intentions for the book selection shows a tendency for personal interest dominated search sessions followed by topic and task or recommendation.


Based on the concepts about modern urban waterfront spaces,the paper analyzed the status and problems of their development and construction.By design analysis of waterfront recreational spaces of Baojia River Park in Ningbo,explored the human-construction of waterfront recreational spaces,so as to provide references for the development of design of modern urban waterfront recreational spaces.


Our understanding of cancer risks associated with Lynch syndrome (LS) has evolved since Dr. Warthin first identified family G in 1913. The current study by Ryan et al provides insight into provider and patient knowledge about gynecologic cancer care options in LS and found that counseling, surveillance, and risk reduction (RR) for these patients vary widely across providers in the UK (BJOG 2020 xxxx). The current study highlights two important points regarding care in LS.


Mechanical ventilation with heat recovery is still not widely used in UK housing, but with insulation and air-tightness standards becoming increasingly strict, it is likely to become more common. Operable windows are almost a given for housing and the UK climate is rarely extreme enough to restrict people's use of those windows for natural ventilation. This is a potential problem for the use of heat-recovery systems and could greatly reduce their energy efficiency. The paper takes the Iroko housing scheme at Coin Street, London, as a post-occupancy evaluation (PoE) case study to investigate the questions raised with respect to how well the occupants of the houses cope with balancing both natural ventilation and mechanical systems to achieve thermal comfort energy efficiently. First, the optimum balance of mechanical and natural ventilation is estimated and used to determine the maximum potential saving it could give when compared with natural ventilation alone. Short-term monitoring of the building in question together with the results of questionnaires showed why this theoretical balance is not achieved and that the energy consumption is likely to be worse than for natural ventilation alone. Noise, perceived control, perceived freshness and misunderstanding are all discussed as possible causes for the apparent disjunction. Misunderstanding on the part of residents was shown to be a critical determinant, so information about the heat recovery system was distributed to the residents and the paper ends by looking at what theoretical energy savings might be made as a result of this act.


In order to make piezoelectric transducer for underwater acoustic detection work effectively, the driving signal is the key, which must have accurate frequency and 50% duty cycle, and frequency multiplication is a necessary operation. So it is very important to design the frequency multiplier circuit for the underwater acoustic signal. However, the resistance and capacitance components may reduce the accuracy of the conventional frequency multiplier circuit. In order to improve the design flexibility and accuracy, the principle of the exclusive-OR frequency multiplier circuit is presented here, and CPLD is employed to design exclusive-OR frequency multiplier circuit. The whole circuit includes three modules: operating frequency range selecting module, delay time measuring module and exclusive-OR frequency multiplier module. At the basic of the system simulation, the hardware experiments are done. The results show: the exclusive-OR frequency multiplier circuit implemented in CPLD is correct, and can stably output the 2N (N<4) multiplication frequency signal for the input square wave below 1MHz.


The possibility of parametric excitation of Langmuir waves in an inhomogeneous plasma by an externally applied space dependent high frequency electric field has been investigated in the WKB approximation. It is shown that growth of waves with frequency equal to half the external field frequency is possible provided the pump field energy density is appreciably higher than the plasma thermal energy density.


This paper demonstrates a multi-stress time-to-failure analysis of selected silicon PV cells due to metallic corrosion. This work indicates that the time-to-failure is a system effect and the kinetics of the reactions are different for different cells.


Introduction Feeding cattle in North Dakota poses some environmental challenges with wind, snow and cold. Wind fence and shelterbelt protection have been proven to be effective in enhancing performance of feedlot cattle in the Northern Plains (Anderson and Bird, 1993). Crop residues used as bedding can make animals more comfortable, improve performance and net return. (Anderson et al., 2005) Ammonia volatilization from animal manure is considered a major pollution source in the environment. While bedding is important for the comfort of the animals and profitability for northern feeders, it may be more important in reducing ammonia volatilization from animal manure. This paper reviews two research projects that explore the effects of bedding and different bedding materials for feedlot cattle fed during the winter in North Dakota.


This paper presents measured results for the dynamic stiffness and damping force coefficients for two tilting-pad journal bearings. Comparison between a bearing with spherical seated ball and socket pad pivots and one with line contact rocker-back pad pivots is made. The bearings tested were preloaded five pad designs with load directed on the pivots. The bearings have length to diameter ratios of 0.75, offset ratios of 0.50, preloads of about 0.320, a journal diameter of 70 mm, and radial machined pad clearances of 113.0 μm. Measurements were made for a range of speedload conditions encompassing a Sommerfeld number range of 0.1 to 2.0. Comparison of the principal stiffness and damping coefficients for the two bearings show the same trends. Nearly zero cross-coupled stiffness coefficients were measured for the bearing with rocker-back pad pivots. For the bearing with spherical seated pad pivots, non-dimensional cross-coupled stiffness coefficients for Kxy ranged from -1.2 to -0.9 and for Kyx ranged from -...


out of sight, let us note at page 95 a misleading reference to the Byzantine "golden b u l l . . . which included duty-free trade" for the Venetians. The explanatory note 135 refers to the privilege of 992. Exemption, however, was not granted at that time but in the privilege of 1082, which by no means "renewed" that of 992 but was radically different. Immediately after, note 137 speaks of a "Venetian company" holding a monopoly of alum together with a Genoese merchant. Actually there were but one Venetian and one Genoese merchant. Books of this kind are frequently described as "very useful in spite of their shortcomings." I cannot agree. If one considers the valuable time put in by the respectable scholar who wrote the book and by those who gave him advice, the exceedingly high cost of the volume to the publishers and to the buying public, and then the time a reader has to spend to have his pick in the 340 pages, the book is a very poor investment. On the other hand, anyone studying a problem such as this, which impinges upon all sorts of political, economic, social, literary, and scientific problems, will feel he has to study it. It will not, however, render a whit less indispensable earlier works such as Strieder's, Bratianu's, Heyd's, and many other monographs that have more forcefully dealt with special aspects of the problem.


Cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, are important causes of death among diabetics. Features of diabetes mellitus (DM) associated with atherogenic risk factors are discussed by a cross-sectional study. It was evaluated 432 families attended by Basic Family Health Unities (FHU), registered at Family Health Program (HIPERDIA) at borough Alto da Maravilha in Senhor do Bonfim, Bahia, Brazil. Among eligible patients, 50 (8.4% of the total) were included in diabetic group (DB), and 80 (9.4% of the total) in the non-diabetic group (NDB). The majority was women (90/ 130) in the age range 48 - 77. The diabetic group showed a high prevalence among analyzed variables, such as hypertension (74.0%) and obesity (46.0%). Significant differences were not found among lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations comparing the DB and NDB groups. The correlation analysis showed significant differences among LDL-C-DB and CT-DB (p < 0.0001), LDL-NDB and CT-NDB (p < 0.0001), LDL-NDB and TG-NDB (p = 0.0034), and CT-NDB and TG-NDB (p = 0.0001). Diabetic and healthy individuals do not present significant differences in the lipid profiles. By the way, the diabetic and health individuals can not present significant differences in the lipid profile, however, probably there are differences in the quality of the lipoprotein molecules between DB and NDB and a divergent tendency of the disease progression, such as a higher disposition to atherosclerosis development in DB. These patients with potential risk to development atherosclerosis or aggravation of diabetes must have more attention about Family Health Program.


The twentieth and twenty-first centuries witnessed many radical adaptations of Shakespeare's plays which either explored contemporary stage practices such as the incorporation of multimedia technology, or challenged gender conventions. Robert Lepage combined both strategies in his one-man show Elsinore, an adaptation of Hamlet which debuted in Montreal in 1995. Elsinore stimulated active participation from the audience through intertextual negotiations and historical references, and in it, Lepage played all the characters, including the Queen and Ophelia. Lepage took these liberties with Shakespeare's text not to move away from the spirit of Hamlet, but to initiate a set of intercultural exchanges between the actual representation of the play and the stage performances given during the Elizabethan era. This form of historical interculturalism can be observed, as this article will argue, in the ways in which Lepage's mise en scène recalls Renaissance aesthetic motifs and constructs a subtext of references to Renaissance humanism. This article analyses Peter Darling's performance of Elsinore given at the Bam-Majestic Theatre in New York on 10 October 1997, and examines how the alterations made to the Hamlet text during the adaptation process reflect significant cultural choices. In addition, it looks at the aesthetic strategies used by Lepage to engage his audience through the use of media in a twentieth-century context. Finally, it studies how Lepage's inventiveness proposes to refresh the audience's experience of meta-theatricality and cross-gender playing, two aspects which are also substantively present in Shakespeare's original play.


In recent years a growing number of complaints have been made about the mathematical shortcomings of school leavers, mainly but not exclusively by groups of employers. This paper attempts to assess the validity of these views of school mathematics by subjecting employers' job specifications themselves to detailed analysis. No simple picture emerges but the information presented makes it apparent that in most employment categories employers do not give consistent mathematical job specifications. The implications of this are discussed.


Designed to automate the process of controlling the supply of the paper in sheet-fed printing machines to improve processing accuracy of measurements, which provides objective measurements in real time based on digital media measurement and processing. Automated delivery system using a sheet of digital software control of technological parameters and their stabilization can prevent paper waste and reduce the chance of stopping the printing machine in real time. Application of statistical processing of measurement results can improve the accuracy of determining the number of pages taken from the feeder sheet printing machine.


Objective To observe and compare the effect of molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) with plasma exchange (PE) plus hemodialysis (HD) in treating hepatic encephalopathy. Methods Sixty patients with acute or sub-acute severe hepatitis and hepatic encephalopathy were enrolled and were divided into 2 groups randomly. Thirty of them were treated with MARS. Others were treated with PE+HD. The mean arterial pressure,(MAP),heart rate, the concentration of serum ammonia, plasma osmotic pressure(POP) and hepatic encephalopathy stages were observed before and after treating. Results The MAP, POP, ammonia concentration of MARS group was(63.5±5.2) mmHg,(81.1±19.3)mOsm/l and (314.1±4.6)mmol/L before treatment. They became (54.0±7.4)mmHg,(37.1±14.6)mOsm/L and(309.9±7.1)mmol/L after 9 hours therapy. The MAP, POP, ammonia concentration of PE+HD group was (64.6±5.7)mmHg, (79.5±19.7)mOsm/L and(312.8±4.9) mmol/L before treatment. And they became (63.7±7.3) mmHg, (84.7±22.1)mOsm/L and(300.9±7.8)mmol/L after 9 hours therapy. There was statistically difference between two groups in MAP, POP and ammonia concentration after treating 9 hours(P0.05). The MAP, POP and ammonia concentration of MARS group changed more stably than those of PE+HD group. After 9 hours treating, the mending rate of hepatic encephalopathy in MARS group was 66.7 %(20/30), and in PE+HD was 10%(3/30). There was statistically difference between two groups(P0.05). Conclusion Compared with PE+HD, MARS ameliorate ammonia concentration, flow kinetic indexes and POP more smoothly. And it is better than PE+HD while curing hepatic encephalopathy.


Preventive thinking as a medical concept is more than prevention as we know it from immunisation, fighting infections (hygiene) or screening. But these are the very activities that are the model for the preventive thinking that has infiltrated into our daily work. This concept has developed over the last 30 to 40 years. Preventive thinking is especially well developed in risk-factor prevention for coronary heart disease and other forms of arteriosclerosis. But there are many other risk factors for many other diseases, such as polyps in the large bowel, leucoplacias in the mouth, pathological glucose tolerance, sunburn in childhood, oesophagitis and Helicobacter. And we give proton inhibitors to patients being treated with NSAIDs to prevent ulcers and to those with reflux even without symptoms; we refer patients with polyps for surgery; we give antidepressants for at least a year even though a shorter period of treatment would be fine. The characterising topics for preventive thinking as a concept are: 1 A statistical risk which tells us that a proportion, usually a very small proportion, of those having the risk will actually develop the diseasdcomplication. 2 Time between finding the risk and the possible diseasdcomplication is usually a period of years. 3 It is usually orientated towards 'zero-risk'.


The corrosion behavior of six choline chloride-based eutectic solvents namely, ChCl-Ur, ChCl-EG, ChCl-Gl, ChCl-MA, ChCl-Ph and ChCl-TG towards copper, mild steel and stainless steel 316 have been investigated. The effect of temperature and moisture content was evaluated. The corrosion rates of the three materials increased with an increase in the temperature and moisture content. Stainless steel was found to be the most resistant under all experimental conditions. The experimental results demonstrated ChCl-Ph and ChCl-Gl to have high inhibition efficiency suggesting these to be a suitable candidate as green corrosion inhibitors for metal and alloys under extreme environments.


ABSTRACT Visbreaking experiments on Quyarah long residue have been conducted in a continuous laboratory-scale visbreaking unit at different temperatures from 435°C to 490°C at one pressure (7 bar) and constant residence time (90 sec.). Data on yield of different products have been reported. Further, thermal cracking experiments on visbroken vacuum gas oil under relatively high severity were also given in the same unit in order to reduce the residual yield of Quyarah crude.


21 psychiatric patients hospitalized in a state institution for at least 3 yr. (LH group) were compared in regard to their psychological distance with 38 patients who had been in private hospitals for less than 3 mo. (SH group). Psychological distance was determined by means of a modified version of Kuethe's social schemata technique which calls for replacement of pairs of figures on a field. Although LH patients were significantly older than SH patients, it was demonstrated that age was not significantly related to distance responses. The SH group consistently placed the figures further apart than the LH, suggesting that long-term hospitalized patients have more of a desire for social involvement than patients hospitalized for briefer periods of time. The possible effects of differential severity of symptoms, differences in the social climate of the hospitals, and prolonged relative social isolation were discussed.


Training and development are now firmly centre stage in most hotels. They have always seen training and development as the heart of the business. Training is a service function in the hotel, and a transformation has been driven by business requirements, particularly the growing pressure on management at all levels to cope with the new environment. Changing organizations and people is no easy task, requiring special skills, and expertise. But many training and development specialist do not own. The aim of this study was to illustrate and analyze the obstacles and problems of the training process, methods, and try to diagnose these problems. A lot of managers and organizations suffering from the failure of most training process- it does not match their needs, the main aim of this research is to find out these obstacles and illustrate some solutions.


A new vector quantization (VQ) coding method based on optimized concentric shell partitioning of the image space is proposed. The advantages of using the concentric shell partition vector quantizer (CSPVQ) are that it is very fast and the image patterns found in each different subspace can be more effectively coded by using a codebook that is best matched to that particular subspace. For intra-frame coding, the CSPVQ is shown to have the same performance, if not better, than the optimized gain-shape VQ in terms of encoded picture quality while it definitely surpasses the gain-shape VQ in term of computational complexity.
A variable bit rate (VBR) video coder for moving video is then proposed where the idea of CSPVQ is coupled with the idea of regular quadtree decomposition to further reduce the bit rate of the encoded picture sequence. The usefulness of a quadtree coding technique comes from the fact that different homogeneous regions occurring within an image can be compactly represented by various nodes in a quadtree. It is found that this image representation technique is particularly useful in providing a low bit rate video encoder without compromising the image quality when it is used in conjunction with the CSPVQ.
The characteristics of the VBR coder's output as applied to ATM transmission are investigated. Three video models are used to study the performance of the ATM multiplexer. These models are the auto regressive (AR) model, the auto regressive hidden Markov model (AR-HMM), and the fluid flow uniform arrival and service (UAS) model. The AR model is allowed to have arbitrary order and is used to model a video source which has a constant amount of motion, that is, a stationary video source. The AR-HMM is a more general video model which is based on the idea of auto regressive hidden Markov chain formulated by Baum and is used to describe highly non-stationary sources. Hence, it is expected that the AR-HMM model may also be used top represent a video source with many activity levels. Simulation results show that, although the AR model seems to give consistent and reliable results, the AR-HMM model does not perform as well.
Unlike the AR model and the AR-HMM model where the queueing delay and the packet loss probability can only be obtained through simulations, the fluid flow UAS model is suitable for queueing analysis. A method for calculating the fluid flow model parameters is described. Then, it is shown that by redistributing the video packets evenly throughout a video frame interval, the fluid flow model can be used to predict the ATM queueing performance with reasonable accuracy.


A discussion is given on the police info-communication system, ROBOT KOBAN, which serves as a 24 hour base living security center in Japan. The main components of a ROBOT KOBAN system are as follows: visiting person's entrance detection system; TV talking system for visiting person to make contact with a police officer at the central police station; automated map guidance system for showing the way; workstation to access the database at the police station or even headquarters; surveillance camera to monitor the KOBAN at the police station; and intrusion and fire detection system to guard KOBAN itself.