In this digital era, Internet has become an integral part of human lives. Internet and social networks have become very popular, allowing anyone to easily share pictures, text, audio and video files. Among all the applications, WhatsApp has become quite famous due to its ease of use and it has replaced almost all the other messaging apps. Apart from sending messages, images and videos over it, one more reason for the heavy usage of WhatsApp is the exchange of study notes and materials by the students during the time of the examination and end up with a lot of images to be deleted at the end of each semester. And also the notices and brochures in every semester gets mixed up with other images and these needs to be separated for easy reference. As the WhatsApp folder may have many other images, selecting the study material images, brochures, etc., one by one from the other images and then deleting them is a tedious process. Henceforth, this research work has utilized machine learning to build a model for detecting and extracting the images from the WhatsApp images folder. Further, the proposed model classifies the study notes images into printed and handwritten notes. Notices and brochures received on WhatsApp are separated into a new folder. And also, screenshots and photos are grouped into separate folders. The proposed model has been built by using a deep learning concept called the Convolutional Neural Network [CNN] and by using Python's Keras library. It takes an image and decides its category and then the action is taken accordingly.


Joosub Lee,† Ki-Seung Seo,† Chan Woo Lee, ‡ and Jong-Man Kim*,†, ‡ † Department of Chemical Engineering, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea ‡ Institute of Nanoscience and Technology, Hanyang University, Seoul 133-791, Korea e-mail: email@example.com Materials and Instruments. 10,12-Pentcosadiynoic acid (PCDA) was purchased from GFS Chemicals. The rest of chemicals used were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich. The optical images of the samples were taken using an Olympus (BX51 W/DP70) microscope. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were obtained using a JEOL (JSM6330F) FE-SEM at an accelerating voltage of 15 kV. Each sample was coated with Pt for 30 s before analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images were recorded using a JEOL JEM-2100 (performed at 120 kV). FTIR spectra were recorded on a MAGNa-IR ESP (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.). Film thicknesses were measured using an alpha step instrument. 1H and 13C NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian Unitylnova (300 MHz) spectrometer. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) spectra were obtained using a Rigaku M2500 (40 kV, 100 mA, λ = 1.54 A). UV-Vis spectra were obtained using a single beam Agilent 8453 UV-visible spectrophotometer. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was obtained using Bruker TG-DTA 2000SA. Hysteresis curve was obtained using Vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) Lakeshore 735. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was obtained using a XE-100 with a scan rate of 0.5 Hz and 0 V tip bias. Scans were performed in a noncontact mode. Calcination was done using a Digital Program Muffle Furnace CRFH13-P (Cerin Ceramics Co.). Preparation of PCDA-coated magnetite nanoparticles. PCDA-coated magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles were synthesized as follows. Iron(III) chloride hexahydrate (FeCl3•6H2O, 0.54 g, 2.0


The third biggest lie in the universe is that 'P values' measure the strength of relationships. It pervades the clinical literature and subverts the minds of unwary readers. Let me illustrate. The following table details three comparisons, each comparing proportions of 10% and 20%. In other words, the magnitude of the difference between the groups – what biostatisticians call the 'effect size'is fixed. The comparisons were made using two-tailed chi-square tests with Yates's continuity correction:


This study aimed to compare the analgesic efficacy of three different protocols involving meperidine or tramadol on postoperative pain in cats undergoing ovariohysterectomy (OSH). A total of 42 cats undergoing elective ovariohysterectomy in a double-blind study were used. The animals were randomly divided into three groups (n = 14). PET received meperidine (6 mg/kg); TRA 2, Tramadol (2 mg/kg); and TRA 4, Tramadol (4 mg/kg) IM, all associated with acepromazine (0.1 mg/kg). Subsequently, the anesthesia was induced with propofol (3-5 mg/kg) and maintained with isoflurane. The effectiveness of each analgesic regimen was evaluated 1, 3 and 6 hours after extubation, by physiological parameters, serum cortisol levels and subjective pain scale (Brondani, scores 0-30) whereas cats with scores > 8 received analgesic rescue with the same opioid used in the premedication, IM. After analysis of variance (ANOVA), Tukey and Dunnett tests for parametric data and Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric data were performed. No cardiovascular changes were observed. There was no significant difference in pain scores (p>0.05), but the number of rescues was significantly higher in the PET (5/14) group compared to the TRA 4 (0/14, p <0.05). Two animals required analgesic rescue in the TRA 2 group. Serum cortisol concentrations were significantly higher in the PET group (p<0.05) at times 1, 3 and very significantly higher (p<0.01) at 6 hours after extubation, compared to baseline (TIND). Between groups, the cortisol values were higher in PET than in TRA 2 and TRA 4 after 6 hours (p<0.05). Tramadol promoted adequate analgesia and was more effective than meperidine for at least 6 hours for the animals evaluated. At the highest dose (4 mg/kg), tramadol is probably more effective, since rescue analgesia was not required.


Hybrid production of isoprene from biomass-derived sugar as a feedstock for renewable rubber is a three-part process comprising glucose fermentation to itaconic acid, liquid-phase hydrodeoxygenation to 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran, followed by vapor-phase dehydra-decyclization to isoprene. Here, we investigate a multifunctional catalyst design for itaconic acid hydrodeoxygenation to 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran. The production of 3-methyl-tetrahydrofuran from itaconic acid is a multistep process involving hydrogenation, acid-catalyzed dehydration, and hydrodeoxygenation of multiple organic functionalities. A detailed kinetic analysis of this multistep reaction network over a Pd/C catalyst revealed a kinetic bottleneck in the reduction of methyl-γ-butyrolactone to 1,4-methylbutanediol, which was accelerated through the use of Re as an oxophillic promoter. Varying ratios of Pd:Re indicated a maximum overall rate of lactone ring opening with a 3.5:1.0 Pd:Re ratio, likely due to the combined capability of Pd to hydro...


The scope of the present paper is concerned with the numerical prediction of the confined air flow characteristics and thermal convection patterns in sealed attic spaces in roofs with upper inverted V-shapes and horizontal suspended ceilings of conventional houses and buildings. For these isosceles triangular cavities, two relevant cases involve prescribed wall temperatures wherein the bottom base wall is cooled/heated and the upper two inclined walls are symmetrically heated/cooled during the summer and winter seasons. Based on finite element analysis, the COMSOL code is implemented to perform numerical solutions of the two-dimensional system of coupled NavierStokesBoussinesq and energy equations. The computational domain is made coincident with the physical domain to handle potential non-symmetric velocities and non-symmetric temperatures that may occur when exposed to vigorous air flows. The numerical solution via finite elements provides the two velocity fields u (x, y), v (x, y) and the temperature field T (x, y) for the confined air flows. Overall, the target design quantity is the mean wall heat fluxes w q varying with the attic aspect ratio and the temperature difference at two opposing walls. The predicted w q values match the experimental measurements for the two distinct cases related to summer and winter seasons. At the end, comprehensive correlation equations are constructed for the quantification of the mean Nusselt number in terms of the Grashof number and the attic aspect ratio, which could be used in building science research.


Abstract Purpose This study aims to construct new models and methods of academic genealogy research based on bibliometrics. Design/methodology/approach This study proposes an academic influence scale for academic genealogy, and introduces the w index for bibliometric scaling of the academic genealogy. We then construct a two-dimensional (academic fecundity versus academic influence) evaluation system of academic genealogy, and validate it on the academic genealogy of a famous Chinese geologist. Findings The two-dimensional evaluation system can characterize the development and evolution of the academic genealogy, compare the academic influences of different genealogies, and evaluate individuals' contributions to the inheritance and evolution of the academic genealogy. Individual academic influence is mainly indicated by the w index (the improved h index), which overcomes the situation of repeated measurements and distortion of results in the academic genealogy. Practical implications The two-dimensional evaluation system for the academic genealogy can better demonstrate the reproduction and the academic inheritance ability of a genealogy. Research limitations It is not comprehensive to only use the w index to characterize academic influence. It should also include scholars' academic awards and academic part-timers and so on. In future work, we will integrate scholars' academic awards and academic part-timers into the w index for a comprehensive reflection of scholars' individual academic influences. Originality/value This study constructs new models and methods of academic genealogy research based on bibliometrics, which improves the quantitative assessment of academic genealogy and enriches its research and evaluation methods.


Reverse engineering encompasses a wide spectrum of activities aimed at extracting information on the function, structure, and behavior of man-made or natural artifacts. Increases in data sources, processing power, and improved data mining and processing algorithms have opened new fields of application for reverse engineering. In this book, we present twelve applications of reverse engineering in the software engineering, shape engineering, and medical and life sciences application domains. The book can serve as a guideline to practitioners in the above fields to the state-of-the-art in reverse engineering techniques, tools, and use-cases, as well as an overview of open challenges for reverse engineering researchers.


We investigate the behavior of an array of Bose-Einstein condensate tubes described by means of a Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian. Using an anisotropic non-polynomial Schrodinger equation we link the macroscopic parameters in the Bose-Hubbard Hamiltonian to the ones that are tunable in experiments. Using a mean field approach we predict that increasing the optical lattice strength along the direction of the tubes, the condensate can experience a reentrant transition between a Mott insulating phase and the superfluid one.


Advertisement is the unity of opposites between the culture and the business. The modern life can be without the advertisements that must be honor. Advertisements have a lot of features, among which the honor is best necessary, and so is the artistic exaggeration. But both of them should be inside the "degree", that is, they should be temperate. If not, they may be false ones. Of course, some advertisements have vague ideas. It is only by well dealing with these relations that the development of the ads trade can be improved.


Methodical bases of the approach to an ekologo-economic estimation of expediency of creation of open sites of lines and stations of underground in the conditions of a megacity are led.


A complex model of XeCl selfsustained discharge laser and two simple models based on different approximations are used to study a small and a large volume device. It is found that both simple and complex models reproduce satisfactorily the experimental results obtained for the small volume device, while they give too long a laser pulse when applied to the larger one. A one-dimensional modeling is performed to study the possibility of a discharge contraction, and as an open problem the recombination kinetics of positive ions is discussed.


(57) Abstract: The selected word line of the plurality of word lines in the flash EEPROM, a second selecting first mode selecting positive voltage and ground throat forces, and either negative voltage and ground in mode, the word line drive circuit for driving at a selected voltage. First supply voltage selector supplies a positive voltage during the first mode, supplies a second mode reference voltage, such as ground in the second mode. Second supply voltage selector supplies the first mode reference voltage such as ground in the first mode, and supplies a negative voltage in the second mode. Inverter driver input for receiving a word line select signal, are connected the output connected to a word line, a first supply voltage input coupled to the first supply voltage selector, and the second supply voltage selector a second supply voltage input. The inverter driver the first supply voltage input, the word line select signal is connected to the word line at a low state, the second supply voltage input, the word line when the word line selection signal is high level to connect to. The second inverter is connected to the feedback through the inverter driver to hold the input of the inverter driver during the negative voltage Dekoto the value of the word line selection signal. The word line selection signal is sent from the address decoder. Isolation circuit is provided between the inverter driver and said address decoder, separating the decoder from the negative voltage generated at the output of the second inverter when the negative voltage decoding state.


A physical theory without interpretation is mathematics. Since there are no paradoxes in science, only incorrect interpretations of phenomena or inadequate theories, it is necessary to use a consistent interpretation of quantum mechanics that makes physical sense and satisfies the experimental facts. Quantum "teleportation" provides such an example because the current treatments rely on unexplained connections between separated correlated particles. In this comment, a mechanism is suggested that avoids the instantaneous wave function collapse between non-interacting entangled particles at space like separations. This mechanism requires a statistical ensemble interpretation of the wave function.


Climate change is impacting socioeconomic and biophysical environments at both Global and local scales. This paper presents the results of the assessment study of student perception on the information sources, occurrences, causes, impacts and solutions of climate change in the public universities of Ethiopia. A questionnaire survey was conducted on a total of 357 university students attending undergraduate and postgraduate courses to generate the required data. The data gathered in this way was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The results indicated that over 57% of the students get climate change information from different sources. The main climate change information sources identified by the students include television, radio, friends, internet, government reports and school teachers. Among these, teachers are the major (82%) of the studied students. Over 60% of the students reported that they do not have sufficient knowledge about climate change. Giving special concern to climate change information, obeying the laws of nature, limited interference in nature, developing awareness among the public and adopting safe industrial environments are suggested solutions to minimize the hazards of climate change. It is suggested that state agencies should design ways to deliver climate information to the wider public so as to develop awareness on the causes and consequences of climate change among the public. Local agencies and land users need also to adhere with the natural laws and adapt proper interferences in the local natural environment.


In order to decrease LPC spectral degradation in the USA FED STD 1016 4.8 kbit/s CELP speech coder, application of a robust LPC parameter estimation is proposed. Robust LPC methods, based on Huber's M-estimation theory and a heuristic sample-selective two-stage robust procedure, are considered. Comparative experimental analysis is carried out based on the cepstral distance, as an objective spectral measure. Presented experimental analyses justify the use of the robust LPC methods in the standard CELP 4800 bit/s speech coder, showing that the best results are obtained by using the combined sample-selective robust LPC procedure.


Purpose of this research is to forecast the development of sand bodies in productive sediments based on well log data and seismic attributes. The object of the study is the productive intervals of Achimov sedimentary complex in the part of oil field located in Western Siberia. The research shows a technological stack of machine learning algorithms, methods for enriching the source data with synthetic ones and algorithms for creating new features. The result was the model of regression relationship between the values of natural radioactivity of rocks and seismic wave field attributes with an acceptable prediction quality. Acceptable quality of the forecast is confirmed both by model cross validation, and by the data obtained following the results of new well.


The objectives of the research were to know the use of scrabble game can reinforce EFLYoung Learners vocabulary. The writer was applied pre experimental with one group pre-test and post-test. This research was conducted at SMPN 35 Makassar sub-district of Biringkanaya, Makassar city. In this research, the population was the seven grade students of SMPN 35 Makassar in academic year 2016/2017. The total numbers of population were 240 students. The researcher was used total sampling technique. The total number of samples was 30 students from class VII-1. In analyzing the numerical data, the writer used SPSS for windows. After conducted the research, the writer concludes that the use of Scramble Game in teaching English vocabulary enriches the students' vocabulary; it is proved by the mean score of the students' in pre-test and posttest. The mean score of the pre-test before the treatment was 57.40 and after the treatment the students gained score 74.67. The t-test of the students' vocabulary achievement in posttest was smaller than α. The researcher found that the p-value (probability value) was lower than α (0.00 < 0.05) and the degree of freedom was 29. The t-test value of pre-test and post-test was remarked significantly different.  It indicated that the alternative hypothesis (H1) was accepted and, of course, the null hypothesis (H0) was rejected.


J as our bodies teem with microbial life, so, too, do the homes, offices, schools, and other indoor spaces where we spend the majority of our lives. Scientists across the globe are now taking a closer look at the bacteria and fungi that live alongside us. They want to better understand whether indoor microbes affect our health and whether we—through the ways we design and live in buildings— shape their communities. Researchers in this emerging field known as the microbiome of the built environment come from varied backgrounds, including architecture; ecology; evolution; and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) installation. But many of them share the same goal: to design buildings to encourage microbial ecosystems that benefit human health. Considering these microbes may be especially critical for designing healthy green buildings. "Green buildings have generally focused on energy efficiency and the carbon footprint," explains Jeffrey Siegel, a mechanical engineer who studies the microbiome of building materials at the University of Toronto. "What we can end up with is a building that is better for the world in the sense of carbon emissions but is less healthy for the inhabitants." Research exploring the micro biome of the built environment began in earnest in the early 2000s, when the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation began recruiting scientists to join the field. The Sloan Foundation had previously funded researchers who were looking for ways to protect buildings from biological threats. The foundation and the scientists soon realized that buildings were full of microbial life—both good and bad. "It seemed that looking for the biological threats in a building was like looking for a needle in a haystack of all sorts of other things," explains Paula Olsiewski, the program director for the Sloan Foundation's microbiology of the built environment research portfolio. "Given that we spend 90 percent of time indoors, we thought it would be interesting to study the haystack," she says. The Sloan Foundation has awarded $45 million in grants to ecologists, building scientists, engineers, and others in this emerging field.


With characteristics of "synthesis,multi band and rapid message updating",ETM image has been regarded as a most important technology in the study of resources and environments.Aiming at the need of constructing ecology Greenland information system in Shenzhen city,this paper focuses on the best methods of obtaining Greenland information of Shenzhen city.Because optimal bands selection is the most important parts in remote sensing image enhancement,we introduce three methods in image enhancement,such as basic bands combination,minus operation,NDVI combination with other bands.Studies show that NDVI combination with other bands is an ideal method for extracting Greenland information in Shenzhen city,meet the need of monitoring ecology Greenland of city,using this method to analyze distribution of urban Greenland cover can help government to plan and manage green land.


Perceptions of Administrators, Teachers, and Coaches on Instructional Coaching: Implications for Instructional Practices by Tosha Latrece Quattlebaum MA, Lesley University, 2010 BA, University of South Carolina, 1994 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2017 Abstract Instructional coaching is designed to positively impact instructional practices, yet not enough is known about whether administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches have similar perceptions about this approach. The purpose of the case study was to examine the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches concerning instructional coaching, the impact instructional coaches have on instructional practices,Instructional coaching is designed to positively impact instructional practices, yet not enough is known about whether administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches have similar perceptions about this approach. The purpose of the case study was to examine the perceptions of administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches concerning instructional coaching, the impact instructional coaches have on instructional practices, and barriers encountered by instructional coaches. Guided by Knowles' theory of andragogy, the research questions were designed to explore the relationship between collective and individual actions of adult learners when acquiring information and learning new concepts. The case study involved a purposeful sample consisting of 3 instructional coaches, along with their administrators and teachers who work within the same school district. Qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews and a questionnaire. Qualitative analysis techniques involved categorizing the data to determine themes regarding the phenomenon of instructional coaching. Identified themes included the following: assistance, receptiveness, instructional benefits, and nonevaluative role. Professional development training sessions were developed to increase administrators' awareness concerning the roles and barriers associated with instructional coaching. Implications for positive social change include increasing educators' understandings of collaborative partnerships among administrators, teachers, and instructional coaches. Such understandings may result in the use of professional learning communities to establish or maintain shared goals for improving classroom instruction and increasing student achievement. Perceptions of Administrators, Teachers, and Coaches on Instructional Coaching: Implications for Instructional Practices by Tosha Latrece Quattlebaum MA, Lesley University, 2010 BA, University of South Carolina, 1994 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education Walden University May 2017 Dedication This study is dedicated to my daughter Tyrecia and my mother Patricia. Since Tyrecia entered this world, she has been the reason why I strive to accomplish my goals and dare to make my dreams reality. I am truly blessed to have her as my greatest motivator and constant cheerleader. My mother has always supported my academic endeavors and fostered in me a confidence that ultimately leads me to believe I can accomplish anything that I put my mind to achieving. Acknowledgments I would like to acknowledge several pertinent individuals. I would like to thank my chair, Dr. Katherine Norman, for her ceaseless support and encouragement, especially when I felt as if my doctoral journey was becoming hopeless and needed to end. I would like to thank my committee member, Dr. Joanna Karet, whose well-timed feedback allowed me to realize there was an emerging light at the end of my tunnel. I would like to thank Dr. Mary Ellen Batiuk for asking the questions that indicated clarity and alignment were still out of reach. I also would like to thank Dr. Scott Mertes for providing another perspective in ensuring my work promotes social change. You all were instrumental in me remaining focused and determined to complete this work. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and friends. Both the Livingston and Quattlebaum clans for providing never-ending love, support, and encouragement that I certainly needed in order to believe in myself. Thanks Micki for the numerous venting sessions. Your constant support and advice allowed me to regroup and continue to write numerous times.


The people of today's society have multiple social media platforms that they can use to communicate with other people all around the world. By doing so, they are getting affected by each other's th ...


In the SENSCIS trial in subjects with SSc-ILD, nintedanib reduced the rate of decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) over 52 weeks by 44% compared with placebo.To investigate the effects of nintedanib on circulating biomarkers of extracellular matrix (ECM) turnover, epithelial injury and inflammation in the SENSCIS trial.Subjects had SSc with first non-Raynaud symptom in the prior ≤7 years, extent of fibrotic ILD on high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) ≥10% and FVC ≥40% predicted. Patients were randomised to receive nintedanib or placebo stratified by anti-topoisomerase I antibody (ATA). Blood samples were taken at baseline and at weeks 4, 24 and 52. Fold changes in adjusted mean levels of circulating biomarkers were analyzed using a linear mixed model for repeated measures. Data were log10 transformed before analysis and estimates of change from baseline were back-transformed.A total of 576 subjects received trial drug (288 nintedanib, 288 placebo). A transient increase in fold change from baseline in C-reactive protein (CRP) (a marker of inflammation) was observed in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo at week 4. After an initial increase at week 4 in the fold change from baseline in CRP degraded by MMP-1/8 (CRPM) (a marker of ECM turnover), a trend to decreasing levels was observed in subjects who received nintedanib compared with placebo at week 52. Decreases in the fold change from baseline in collagen 3 degraded by MMP-9 (C3M) and N-terminal propeptide of type VI collagen (pro-C6) (markers of ECM turnover) were observed in subjects who received nintedanib compared with placebo from week 24 and week 4, respectively. A decrease in fold change from baseline in Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) (a marker of epithelial injury) was observed in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo at week 52. A decrease in fold change from baseline in cancer antigen 125 (CA-125) (a marker of epithelial injury) was observed in subjects who received nintedanib versus placebo from week 4 (Figure 1).Data from the SENSCIS trial suggest that nintedanib reduced circulating levels of markers of ECM turnover and epithelial injury in subjects with SSc-ILD.The SENSCIS trial was funded by Boehringer Ingelheim. Masataka Kuwana, Toby M Maher and Oliver Distler were members of the SENSCIS trial Steering Committe.Shervin Assassi Speakers bureau: On speaker bureau for Integrity Continuing Education, Consultant of: Abbvie, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, CSL Behring, Novartis, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Asahi Kasei Pharma, Astellas, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chugai, Eisai, GlaxoSmithKline, Janssen, Nippon Shinyaku, Tanabe-Mitsubishi, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, MochidaKissei, Grant/research support from: Boehringer Ingelheim, MBL, Ono Pharmaceuticals, Christopher P Denton Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Consultant of: Abbvie, Acceleron, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, GlaxoSmithKline, Roche, Grant/research support from: ARXX Therapeutics, GlaxoSmithKline, Horizon Therapeutics, Servier, Toby Maher Speakers bureau: Boehringer Ingelheim, Galapagos, Genentech, Consultant of: AstraZeneca, Bayer, Blade Therapeutics, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Galapagos, Galecto, GlaxoSmithKline R&D, IQVIA, Pliant, Respivant, Roche, Theravance and Veracyte, Grant/research support from: AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Claudia Diefenbach Employee of: Claudia Diefenbach is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Carina Ittrich Employee of: Carina Ittrich is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Martina Gahlemann Employee of: Martina Gahlemann is an employee of Boehringer Ingelheim, Oliver Distler Speakers bureau: OD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for systemic sclerosis and its complications in the last three calendar years:Speaker fee: Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Janssen, Medscape, Consultant of: OD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for systemic sclerosis and its complications in the last three calendar years:Consultancy fee: Abbvie, Acceleron, Alcimed, Amgen, AnaMar, Arxx, AstraZeneca, Baecon, Blade, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Corbus, CSL Behring, 4P Science, Galapagos, Glenmark, Horizon, Inventiva, Kymera, Lupin, Miltenyi Biotec, Mitsubishi Tanabe, MSD, Novartis, Prometheus, Roivant, Sanofi and TopadurOD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for arthritides in the last three calendar years:Consultancy fee: Abbvie, Grant/research support from: OD has/had relationships with the following companies in the area of potential treatments for systemic sclerosis and its complications in the last three calendar years:Research Grants: Boehringer Ingelheim, Kymera, Mitsubishi Tanabe,


The paper uses the ridge regression analysis to analyze the data(from 1991-2003)of the consumption and factors which influence consumption of residents in Xinjiang,and obtain the expenditure model.The result shows that the increase of resident's income makes the greatest contribution to the increase of the consumption level.Besides that,there are also other different factors that can influence the consumption level of residents,such as increase of peasants' income,bank rate,finance expenditure,population growth,education development and so on.Based on the analysis,the paper makes some useful suggestions which may improve the consumption of Xinjiang.


Human detection aims to monitor how people are moving in an area of interest. There are many potential applications such as asset security monitoring, emergency management, and elderly care, etc. With the development of wireless sensing technique, Wi-Fi-based human detection method carries great potential due to advantages of pervasive accessibility and coverage flexibility. Previous studies have investigated the detection of human movements via signal variations. However, affected by noises, such as multi-path effect and device difference, existing approaches cannot achieve high accuracy and low false alarm rate at the same time. In this paper, we propose FreeSense, a novel Wi-Fi-based approach for human detection. Different from previous studies that characterize the variation of temporal wireless signals or calculate the deviation of Channel State Information (CSIs) from a normal profile, we will detect human movements by identifying whether there is any phase difference between the amplitude waveforms of multiple receiving antennas. In addition, we also model the sensing coverage for movements of different granularities in open space and propose a method to estimate the coverage range. Extensive experiments demonstrate that FreeSense can achieve an average false positive rate (FP) of 0.53% and an average false negative rate (FN) of 1.40%. The coverage range estimation method can achieve an average accuracy of 1.36 m, sufficient to guide the deployment of devices for human detection indoors.


The vegetation of the highlands of Papua New Guinea is reviewed. Varied montane rainforests are extensive, but have been (and continue to be) cleared over large areas. Much forest variation can be related to altitude; past disturbances may also have been important. After clearance, forests are replaced by a range of non-forest vegetation types including gardens, both actively used and fallow. Over larger areas, especially in more densely populated parts of the highlands, frequently-burned grasslands also occur, and soils and vegetation are probably becoming progressively degraded. Mountain grasslands occur at high altitudes and their range has been extended by fire. The effects of stress and disturbance upon vegetation (as opposed to individual plants) are discussed. Vegetation responses to stress, disturbance, and combinations of both, involving reduction in stature and structural simplification, are described for the area above 3,300 m on Mt. Wilhelm.


The objectives of the testing program were: (1) evaluate the effectiveness and performance of the 'Inflataband' restraint system as a viable method of occupant protection in a simulated head-on automotive crash, and (2) evaluate the kinematic performance of anthropometric dummies and human volunteers under simulated impact conditions when restrained by the 'Inflataband'. The program formulated to satisfy the objectives consisted of 69 dynamic sled tests (30 dummy tests and 39 human tests). Test results indicate that (1) the 'Inflataband' provides acceptable restraint for the impact mode utilized and (2) that the dummy response to impact is more exaggerated than that observed with the human volunteers, but the discrepancies diminish with increasing impact severity.


The World Health Organization (WHO) no longer regards the Spanish flu pandemic as a worst case scenario as the basis for contingency planning, as to how to meet a possible pandemic with hypervirulent H5N1 influenza. The worldwide fatality rate among confirmed cases has increased from 43% in 2005 to 69% in 2006, while in Indonesia it was 82% in 2006. What the world now needs to be prepared for is a pandemic with something that is equally as transmissible as ordinary influenza virus, but which may have a case fatality rate of 80% or more, if not treated with therapeutic methods much better than those available today (i.e. treatment methods that have not been sufficient to hinder the average case fatality rate from climbing to as much as 82% in Indonesia in 2006). Not only are current treatment methods not efficacious enough, but the situation is also very far from satisfactory as regards vaccine development and production – which means that the world must still be considered to be almost totally unprepared, if a pandemic with hypervirulent H5N1 influenza should start tomorrow. A very detailed description of new experimental work is given to make it possible to understand better some of the main elements of the attack strategy used by the enemy – so that this 'military intelligence' information can be used as the basis for a hopefully more rational strategy of defense. The enemy neutralizes a system used for very early detection of invasion with RNA viruses, leading to total or partial immobilization of associated early response defensive weapon systems. The proposed defense strategy comprises two elements: 1) keeping the patient alive until rescue forces (i.e. a good adaptive immune response) can arrive, and 2) making it possible for the rescue forces to arrive as soon as possible. Some tactical principles and weapons that may be used for defense purposes are also proposed, partially on the basis of animal experiments with both lethal influenza and other highly lethal viruses. A main challenge is to reduce pulmonary inflammation causing alveolar edema without simultaneously hindering the development of a good adaptive immune response. Several practical suggestions are given as to how this possibly might be done. However, it is imperative that the suggested new defense strategy (or therapeutic strategy) should be tested as soon as possible both in experimentally infected animals and in spontaneously occurring human cases of hypervirulent H5N1 influenza.


With the development of computer architecture, even for embedded systems, GPU devices can be integrated, providing outstanding performance and energy efficiency to meet the requirements of different industries, applications, and deployment environments. Data analytics is an important application scenario for embedded systems. Unfortunately, due to the limitation of the capacity of the embedded device, the scale of problems handled by the embedded system is limited. In this paper, we propose a novel data analytics method, called G-TADOC, for efficient text analytics directly on compression on embedded GPU systems. A large amount of data can be compressed and stored in embedded systems, and can be processed directly in the compressed state, which greatly enhances the processing capabilities of the systems. Particularly, G-TADOC has three innovations. First, a novel fine-grained thread-level workload scheduling strategy for GPU threads has been developed, which partitions heavily-dependent loads adaptively in a fine-grained manner. Second, a GPU thread-safe memory pool has been developed to handle inconsistency with low synchronization overheads. Third, a sequence-support strategy is provided to maintain high GPU parallelism while ensuring sequence information for lossless compression. Moreover, G-TADOC involves special optimizations for embedded GPUs, such as utilizing the CPU-GPU shared unified memory. Experiments show that G-TADOC provides 13.2× average speedup compared to the state-of-the-art TADOC. G-TADOC also improves performance-per-cost by 2.6× and energy efficiency by 32.5× over TADOC.


Purpose
This paper aims to empirically investigate how structural barriers affect the relationship between total quality management (TQM) practices implementation and organizational performance in service industries.

Design/methodology/approach
This research hypothesized the moderation effect of structural barriers on the relationship between TQM practices implementation and organizational performance. A questionnaire was adopted to collect data form 153 Egyptian service companies. Moderated regression analysis was used to test the study hypothesis.

Findings
The empirical analysis suggests that structural barriers partially moderate the relationship between TQM practices implementation and organizational performance. The analysis reveals that the effect of Quality Improvement, Process Improvement, External and Internal Relations and Employee Development – being as TQM dimensions – on performance is moderated by structural barriers. While the results provided insufficient evidence on the moderating effect of structural barriers on the relationship between both Performance Management – being as a TQM dimension – and performance.

Research limitations/implications
This research presents a new perspective for researches to understand the TQM–Performance relationship in the light of the contingency theory. However, the adopted sampling technique and the small sample size might limit the generalizability of the research findings.

Practical implications
This study provides useful insights for service organizations about the necessity of developing suitable structural platform for supporting their TQM efforts to boost their performance which, in turn, improves their competitiveness.

Originality/value
This research proposed and empirically validated how structural barriers play a significant role as moderators to the relationship between TQM implementation and organizational performance within service organizations context.


The article analyses the «volunteering» through the prism of philosophy. Volunteering is presented as nonmaterial side of being an individual. It is based on the ideas of morality, gratuitous and generous support for the benefit of another, spiritual development, moral values, inherent to human society of different historical periods. The scientists of different ages talked about disinterested love of neighbour and its role in the development of a humane and just society, the attitude human as the highest value and implementation to himself selfless actions. The author observes different categories such as «blessing», «good», «virtue», «charity », «altruism», «humanism», «wellbeing». This analysis helps to understand the nature, essence and concept of «volunteering»


Matched filtering is a well-known method frequently used in digital signal processing to detect the presence of a pattern in a signal. In this paper, we suggest a time variant matched filter, which, unlike a regular matched filter, maintains a given alignment between the input signal and the template carrying the pattern, and can be realized recursively. We introduce a method to synchronize the two signals for presence detection, usable in case direct synchronization between the signal generator and the receiver is not possible or not practical. We then propose a way of realizing and extending the same filter by modifying a recursive spectral observer, which gives rise to orthogonal filter channels and also leads to another way to synchronize the two signals.


This cross sectional study was carried out during a four months period from December, 2012 to March, 2013. A total of 140 fresh and frozen ground beef samples were purchased from local butchers and supermarkets in Alexandria. Each of the ground beef sample was analyzed for its microbiological quality (Aerobic plate count, total coliform count and E. coli count) as well as for the presence of E. coli O157:H7. Out of the 140 studied ground meat samples, 75(53.6%) proved to be unsatisfactory according to the three tested parameters. None out of 140 examined ground meat samples showed E. coli O157:H7.


In a prospective study of community-dwelling people 60–90 years of age, we examined the coverage of influenza vaccine during 1992–3 and 1993–4, the efficacy of vaccination in reducing serologically-confirmed clinical episodes of influenza A during 1993, and the effect of cigarette smoking. During 1992 and 1993, influenza vaccine was given to 106/215 (49%) and 120/204 (59%) people with risk conditions, and 84/225 (37%) and 103/235 (44%) without risk conditions. Influenza vaccination and general practitioner consultations during 1992 were independent predictors of vaccination in 1993, but current smoking was a negative predictor. Of 209 unimmunized people, 8/35 (23%) smokers had clinical influenza as compared with 11/174 (6 %) non-smokers (OR 4·4, 95% CI 1·6 to 11·9). Of 371 non-smokers, 1/197 (0·5%) vaccinees had influenza as compared with 11/174 (6 %) non-vaccinees (OR 0·075, 95% CI 0·587 to 0·009). No cases of influenza occurred among 21 current smokers who were vaccinated.


Blended Learning or B-learning refers to a learning system where most part of the contents are transmitted in distance courses, normally by internet, however, it includes necessarily face-to-face moments. It can comprises remote and virtual experimentation, live or interactive videos, games and other learning instruments.
This Special Issue collects an interesting set of papers describing different works in the context of B-learning.


Inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) is an early response gene that is transcribed from an intronic promoter of the CREM gene. ICER and other CREM transcripts are expressed in pineal gland, pituitary gland, sertoli cells, as well as bone and are thought to have a role in the physiology of circadian rhythms and spermatogenesis. ICER proteins consist of the DNA binding domains of CREM and act as dominant negative repressors of gene transcription. Parathyroid hormone induces ICER expression in osteoblastic cells through the cAMP/PKA pathway. Prostaglandins also work through the cAMP/PKA pathway and have a myriad of effects on bone metabolism. To determine whether prostaglandins induce ICER expression in osteoblastic cells, MC3T3-E1 cells and mouse calvariae were treated with 1 gM PGE2, 1 gM PGF2a and 10 nM PTH. The RNA extracted from these osteoblastic cells and calvariae was analysed for ICER and osteocalcin expression using RT-PCR and/or Northern blot analysis. PGE and PGF both induced ICER expression, but PGFwas a weaker agonist. This induction was maximal at 10 gM PGE2 and 1 gM PGF. and returned to basal levels by 0.1 nM. ICER expression was also time dependent with a peak at 2 h that returned to baseline by 10 h. We also studied the relation between cell differentiation and the expression of ICER by treating MC3T3-E 1 cells with or without ascorbic acid for up to three weeks. Ascorbic acid was not absolutely necessary for the differentiation of MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells. However, induction of ICER increased as MC3T3-E1 cells differentiated with ascorbic acid. We conclude that protaglandins Ez and F induce ICER expression in MC3T3-E1 osteoblastic cells and neonatal mouse calvariae and this induction is greater as the cells differentiate. ICER may play a role in prostaglandin mediated gene expression in bone.


ABSTRACT Despite indications that password sharing is prevalent among early adolescents, limited empirical research has sought to understand why young teenagers share their passwords with others. This exploratory study aims to address this research gap by investigating early adolescents' perceptions of the motivations and consequences of sharing passwords with friends. In February and March 2020, we conducted nine focus groups with 51 participants (n = 24 boys, 47%; n = 27 girls, 53%). The participants were between 13 and 16 years old (M age = 14.35; SD age = 0.74). The results indicate that password sharing is normative among adolescents. We identified five main motivations for sharing passwords. The results indicate that password sharing can either be a very deliberate behavior or occur rather spontaneously. The respondents perceived impersonation, hacking, and posting insulting content as the main negative outcomes of password sharing. The results of our exploratory study provide stepping stones for future theory-driven research and underscore the need for media literacy research to focus on practical technical skills as well as interpersonal skills to educate early adolescents about unsafe password sharing. IMPACT SUMMARY Prior State of Knowledge: Prior studies show that password sharing with friends is a common behavior among early adolescents. The context, motivations and consequences of password sharing behavior within adolescents' friendships are poorly understood. Novel Contributions: The results of our study indicated that password sharing can either be a very deliberate behavior or occur rather spontaneously. The respondents perceived impersonation, hacking, and posting insulting content as the main negative outcomes of password sharing. Practical Implications: Educational programs should focus on technical skills for keeping accounts safe after a password has been shared and should discuss the interpersonal aspects of password sharing (e.g. teaching how to tell someone that they no longer want to share a password).


In this paper, we investigate the use of Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) to estimate the dynamical parameters of a low-cost DC motor. In terms of the manufacturing tolerance, consistency, each low-cost DC motor produced may have different dynamical and electrical properties such as back electromotive force and torque constant, rotor resistance, friction coefficients, etc. We consider dynamical model of DC motor using lumped parameters that account all the mentioned parameters. The model has the form of first order differential equation with two lumped parameters. For precise control of a DC motor by dynamic compensation, we need to use these parameters for designing controller. UKF which exhibits good performance in estimating state and parameters is considered in this work. We are able to estimate the dynamical parameters successfully and accurately with it. We also provide the steps to design a feed-forward PD controller based on the root locus method and take Coulomb friction as disturbance into account in the simulation model. The effect causes by friction, which occur at near zero velocity was eliminated significantly. The results of the simulation confirm the stability of the control system with good performance.


The demand of two-dimensional source coding and constrained coding has been getting higher these days, but compared to the one-dimensional case, many problems have remained open as the analysis is cumbersome. A main reason for that would be because there are no graph representations discovered so far. In this paper, we focus on a two-dimensional finite type constrained system, a set of two-dimensional blocks characterized by a finite number of two-dimensional constraints, and propose its graph representation. We then show how to generate an element of the two-dimensional finite type constrained system from the graph representation.


The article discusses tunnel equipment which contributes to an increase of traffic safety (signalization, signals, telephones, warning devices, closed circuit TV, radio and traffic sensors). Special attention is paid to anti-fire protection (sensors, fire extinguishers and fire engines). It also points to the fact that each tunnel is a special case which requires specific solutions.


In the world economy and development, understanding changes are occurring, with the EU integration process of developments and understanding of planning priorities when considered as together, "city" scale development approach and an appropriate planning system, that is the basis of Turkey`s administrative division and the national management system, should be improved self-rises. To reduce disparities among regions to an acceptable level and development of relatively underdeveloped regions and cities, naturally, a development and planning system even starting from the city and province levels, is required. In today's sustainable understanding and evolution tools, burden important functions to local units, as "participation" in the foreground stands out in the stages of planning and execution of the development strategies. Regional and city development plans and strategies as the center of rapid and balanced development dynamics are sensitive to local needs and local initiatives are required in being a trigger level. The study is done with Goal Directed Project Management methodology, and in the study city level taken as an example of city scale development approach and an appropriate planning system.


Abstract Traditional Knowledge (TK) is a qualitative and quantitative living body of knowledge developed locally and regionally across generations over thousands of years. This study aims to show through authentic voice the importance of centering TK systems and cultural needs to provide equitable geoscience education programs. TK can be communicated through a variety of methods, such as story and song, dance, paintings, carvings, structures, and textiles. TK is interdisciplinary within anthropological and ecological subsistence and provide enhanced cultural and spiritual context. Research findings are enhanced by the exploratory and inquiry-based design of TK and provide insight into the anthropogenic impacts on the environment allowing researchers to gain a rich understanding of human behaviors and patterns when collecting and analyzing data. This study examines factors influencing Indigenous students' participation and retention in the geosciences, specifically gauging opinions on the incorporation of TK systems into geoscience education. Data was collected using an electronic survey to identify factors that inform students' decision to enter geoscience disciplines and better understand the importance of role models and mentors for retention. Our findings indicate that Indigenous students were interested in using both TK and Western science in geoscience learning spaces, Indigenous role models played an important role in sense of belonging and identity in the geosciences, and the incorporation of culture into learning experiences played an important role in retention. Findings from this study, if operationalized, would allow geoscience departments to increase retention of Indigenous students and faculty, provide equitable educational opportunities, and to better understand how to effect cultural change in the geosciences by providing a welcoming and affirming space for Indigenous scholars.


The present study aims to predict the mechanical properties of similar and dissimilar aluminium alloy friction stir Welded joints. The present research also addresses the challenges in joining aluminium alloys Al5083 and Al6061 of 5mm thickness at varying process parameters. A total number of 24 joints have been fabricated with a set of eight joints each for Al6061(similar), Al5083(similar) and a combination of Al5083 x Al6061(dissimilar alloy) as per the experimental plan by Taguchi technique using L8 orthogonal array. The dimensions of the plates are chosen in such a way that the weld length is fixed to 150 mm. The tensile strength and the micro hardness of the welded joints as well as micro structures have been examined. Taguchi technique has been utilized to study the optimized value of the process parameters. The process parameters for joining these have been identified as rotational speeds at 1000 and 1600 rpm, traverse speed 40 and 160mm/min and axial force of 2.5 and 3.5kn.


Purpose – Interaction with robot systems for the specification of manufacturing tasks needs to be simple since the paper targets the widespread use of robots in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). In the best case, existing practices from manual work could be used, to ensure current employees a smooth introduction to robot technology as a natural part of their work. The aim of the paper is to simplify the robot-programming task by allowing the user to simply make technical drawings on a sheet of paper. Craftsmen use paper and raw sketches for several situations: to share ideas, to get a better perspective of the problem, or to remember the customer situation. Currently these sketches have to be either interpreted by the worker when producing the final product by hand, or transferred into CAD files using an appropriate software tool. The former means that no automation is included, the latter means extra work and considerable experience in using the CAD tool. Design/methodology/approach – The approach is to use a digital pen and paper, both based on the Anoto technology, as input devices for SME robotic tasks, thereby creating simpler and more user-friendly alternatives for the programming, parameterization and commanding actions. To this end, the basic technology has been investigated and fully working prototypes have been developed to explore the possibilities in the context of typical SME applications. Based on the encouraging experimental results, it is believed that drawings on digital paper will, among other means of human-robot interaction, play an important role in manufacturing SMEs in the future. Consequently, a fully working test-case welding example is presented and explained, allowing a complete demonstration of all the developed features. Findings – This paper explores the utilization of digital pens for the task of programming industrial robot manipulators, i.e. the possibility of obtaining robot programs from technical drawings on a sheet of paper. A practical implementation was presented to demonstrate how to use digital pens and CAD applications to program industrial robots. The results clearly show that the digital pen based on Anoto technology, integrated with CAD interfaces and code generation interfaces, is very useful and powerful for the planned task. The next steps will be to adopt a software infrastructure and develop the necessary services to allow system integrators to consider this type of device as an advanced user-friendly robot-programming method. Originality/value – This is the first time that digital pens have been used to program robot manipulators.


. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between selected anaerobic power tests and isokineticpeak torque values and a criterion power measure established by the sum of several isokinetic power outputs. Forty college-age men participated in the study. The selected anaerobic power tests included the Margaria-Kalaman stair test, vertical jump, and leg and arm cranking power. Peak torque values were obtained from knee and elbow flexion and extension at 60 and 240 deg/sec. The results showed correlations (r) between the tests and the criterion ranged from r = 0.43 to r = 0.84 (p < 0.01). Multiple regression analysis was used to determine the percent of variance in the criterion that could be explained by the selected tests. Three significant (p < 0.01) equations were developed with multiple correlations (R) ranging from R = 0.84 to R = 0.92. Up to 85% of the variation in the criterion can be explained by the following test performances (in order of influence): the Margaria-Kalaman, summed peak elbow torques at 240 deg/sec, and leg cranking power.


We study non-gaussianity effects, using the $\delta N$ formalism, in a multi-field inflationary model consisting of K\"ahler moduli derived from type IIB string compactification in the large volume limit. The analytical work in this paper mostly follows the separable potential method developed by Vernizzi and Wands. The numerical analysis is then used in computing non-gaussianity beyond slow-roll regime. The possibility of the curvaton scenario is also discussed. We give the condition for the existence of the curvaton and calculate the non-guassianity generated by the curvaton decay in the large volume limit.


Thapsigargin (TG), a plant‐derived sesquiterpene lactone, inhibits several isoforms of both the sarcoplasmic and endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+‐ATPases. Thus, intracellular Ca2+ stores found in the endoplasmic reticulum can be released by this compound. The mammalian sperm acrosome reaction (AR) depends on influx of extracellular Ca2+. However, few reports have presented evidence for the involvement of putative Ca2+ stores and intracellular Ca2+ mobilization in the AR. Thus, we designed experiments to evaluate the effect of TG on the hamster sperm AR. Thapsigargin stimulated—in a dose‐dependent manner—the AR of spermatozoa previously capacitated for at least 3 hr, not affecting sperm motility. A maximal stimulatory effect was apparent 3 min after addition of TG to spermatozoa previously capacitated for 4 hr and was dependent on external Ca2+ since ethyleneglycol‐bis‐(b‐amino‐ethyl ether) N,N′‐tetra‐acetic acid added 1 min before TG completely inhibited AR stimulation. The Ca2+ channel blockers diltiazem and nifedipine also abolished the TG‐stimulatory effect when added to capacitated spermatozoa 10 min before the inhibitor. In addition, the trypsin inhibitors p‐nitrophenyl‐p′‐guanidine‐benzoate hydrochloride and benzamidine added to the sperm suspensions 10 min before TG inhibited by 70–80% the TG‐induced AR. These results indicate that putative Ca2+ stores release may be involved in stimulation of extracellular Ca2+ influx required for the occurrence of the AR. In addition, a sperm trypsin‐like protease may be part of the mechanism by which TG induces the hamster sperm AR. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 51:84–91, 1998. © 1998 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Observational evidence of transient flares which produce conspicuous changes in the total brightness and in the spectra of dwarf stars is limited, at present, to a small number of faint late-type stars. The outbursts take place with extraordinary rapidity and the duration is usually only a few minutes or hours. Accompanying spectral changes such as veiled and fuzzy absorption lines, greatly increased intensity of the bright lines of hydrogen and helium, and the appearance of an emission continuum shortward of λ 3750, have been reported.


This paper explores Benjamin Franklin's 1735 defense of Rev. Samuel Hemphill, a Presbyterian minister who was convicted of heresy for preaching heterodox ideas. Though small and local, and fought with familiar weapons, the "Hemphill affair" illuminates something new and important: the emergence of a world in which the primary sites of toleration are defined by the ways in which religious communities produce and maintain orthodoxy.


BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) denotes vascular disorder which peripheral artery's obstruction or constriction is found. PAD with diabetic history is more susceptible to ischemic ulcer than PAD with no diabetic. The presence of Diabetes mellitus (DM) in PAD can speed up 4 times greater risk of developing Critical Limb Ischemia. In our hospital, difficulty performing extremity perfusion assessment is often found because those examinations are not available, so possibility of PAD can be missed. Therefore, optimalization use of Doppler Ultrasound (DUS) is important in our case. AIM: The purpose of our case writing is to give information about substantial parameter of DUS in determine presence of PAD and define the role of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) in PAD. The earlier PAD discovered, faster further treatment conducted, especially PTA. CASE REPORT: A 65-year-old female patient with intermittent left calf pain for 7 months who went to internal medicine outpatient has reported. She has history of type 2 DM and significant hyperlipidemia. On physical examination, vital signs revealed normal value. Body mass index was 28 kg/m 2 . Resting ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement was 1.14 and 1.12 at the right and left dorsalis pedis, respectively. DUS showed spectral narrow, reversal flow and no clear spectral window in superficial femoral artery. There are clear spectral window, spectral narrow, and reversal flow in poplitea artery. No clear spectral window, no spectral narrow, and no reversal flow in anterior tibia artery. Clear spectral window, reversal flow, and no spectral narrow are appear in posterior tibia artery. Arteriogram of left inferior extremity showed middle part partial stenosis of anterior tibia artery. Dilatation with standard balloon for 1 min was done. After that, no stenosis in same location and she wasn't feel calf pain again. CONCLUSION: Compared with two other parameters, reversal flow in DUS is most important parameter to establish presence of stenosis. PTA is adequate to give revascularization stenosis in PAD.


This paper presents a novel concept of utilizing solar photovoltaic (SPV) generating systems to improve the power factor to unity or to regulate a voltage at point of common coupling (PCC) of a three phase system. A three-phase VSC (voltage source converter) of this system eliminates harmonics currents, balances loads and compensates reactive power for power factor correction (PFC) or zero voltage regulation (ZVR) at AC mains. The VSC consists of a DC bus capacitor at its DC bus which is fed by SPV energy. DC voltage PI controller regulates the DC bus voltage at the time of load variation. The grid interfaced solar PV power generating system is tested for PFC and ZVR mode of operation along with harmonics currents elimination and load balancing of linear and nonlinear loads.


In this paper, a class of 3-DOF, 4-legged parallel manipulators are enumerated. The general architecture of such manipulators consists of a moving platform, a fixed base, and four supporting legs that meet the fixed base at four distinct points and the moving platform at four distinct points. One of the four legs is passive whereas each of the remaining three legs is driven by a linear actuator. To gain a better understanding of the mechanisms, a methodology for analyzing the kinematics of such manipulators is presented. The Tricept manipulator is used as an example to illustrate the methodology.Copyright © 2002 by ASME


Selective anthranilamide pyridine amides as VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 inhibitors are described their preparation or use as medicament for the treatment of diseases induced by sustained angiogenesis. The compounds according to the invention, psoriasis, Kaposi's sarcoma, such as a stent-induced restenosis, such as restenosis, endometriosis, Crohn's disease, Hodgkin's disease, leukemia, arteritis, such as rheumatoid arteritis, hemangioma, fibroma, diabetic retinopathy, ocular diseases such as neovascular glaucoma, glomerulonephritis, diabetic nephropathy, malignant nephrosclerosis, thrombotic microangiopathy syndromes, renal diseases such as transplant rejection and kidney glomeruli sclerosis, fiber forming diseases such as liver cirrhosis, mesangial cell proliferative diseases, arteriosclerosis, after balloon catheter treatment, mechanical devices such for holding-open blood vessels, such as an artificial blood vessel instrumentation Nyutoki or such stents in injury and prevention of reocclusion vascular neural tissue after use, as immunosuppressants, it can be used as an aid in wound healing without scarring, senile plaques, contact dermatitis The compounds according to the invention can be used as VEGFR-3 inhibitors in lymphangiogenesis in proliferative and dysplasia changes in lymphatic system as well.


To press solid is the finally work in construction of road.If we adopted to preface high quality material in building road,the mix spread machines are excellent.Also we have a good construction technique.We could make the construction all previous work undone.So,we must pay high attention to the press solid work preface.


Abstract Background Sleep problems are prevalent in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and include psychophysiological insomnia, and sleep disturbances caused predominantly by circadian dysregulation. Studies using motion sensing wearables (including actigraphy) have shown a diverse range of rest activity patterns, including mis-timed sleep, irregular sleep, or non-24hr (free-running) sleep patterns. Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances impact negatively on functioning and quality of life, and long term poor sleep is linked to weight gain, and other serious physical health conditions. Many of the factors supposed to cause or maintain poor sleep in this group are modifiable through behavioural and environmental alterations. Methods An expert consensus study (Delphi study) was conducted to examine and explore the views of relevant experts, regarding the appropriate contents and format of an occupational therapy intervention to improve sleep in schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Experts were recruited with expertise in: occupational therapy, sleep, insomnia, circadian rhythm, and schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Experts with clinical and/or research expertise were sought, as well as service users and carers. We conducted three rounds of online surveys, individual interviews, and a day of content presentation, comments and voting, and discussion groups with service users and carers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and presented graphically for comparisons. Qualitative data (survey comments and interviews) was analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis and data collection was iterative; with later rounds exploring views raised during earlier rounds. The results informed the development of the intervention now being tested in a single group feasibility study recruiting twenty participants. Using mixed methods, this study will evaluate acceptability, homework adherence and trial related procedures, informing adjustments prior to larger scale testing. Results The Delphi study recruited and retained participants well (n=82 of target=85, 66% uptake from professionals approached, 97% completion), suggesting a high level of interest in this topic. Participants reached consensus regarding relevant content within the initial assessment, increasing daytime natural light exposure (when possible), approaches to evening routine, and the approach to activity and occupation. Views varied regarding the relative importance of sleep restriction and building 'sleep drive', versus reducing arousal such as through relaxation, mindfulness, or cognitive approaches to anxiety. Often service users' and carers' views reflected those of professionals, however on some areas views between these groups differed, such as acceptable levels of intervention burden, and regarding wearables. Overall views highlighted the importance of a tailored intervention, with adjustable and selectable elements. The tailoring of recommendations will be achieved through a thorough assessment, including longitudinal use of light and movement sensing wearables, and a detailed initial interview. Many intervention components are optional based on needs, and the homework recommendations from 'core' intervention elements will vary depending upon individual needs, preferences, and baseline problems and situation. Discussion The diversity of sleep disturbance presentations within this group poses a unique challenge when developing a brief first-line intervention. Individually tailored recommendations can be derived through the combination of wearable technology and self-report, and a growing body of work informing models of sleep disturbance in this group.


seriously. In his surveys of changes in the labor force, for example, he abjures statistics, tables, and graphs in favor of extended impressionistic summaries that will be unhelpful to students and annoying to their teachers. Second, and more important, this is largely an external history of the labor movement, a concise and well-written summary of the unions' role in the public arena, in Zieger's apt phrase a "civic history" of organized workers (p. ix). It includes almost nothing that a newspaper reader of mature years will not recall—the conflicts of the New Deal years, the rise of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, the Second World War experience, the unions' postwar role in politics, the purge of leftists, and the unions' bargaining triumphs in the 1950s and 1960s. Conversely, it includes virtually nothing about the internal operations of unions, the dynamics of organization, or the economics of union activity. Devotees of the organizational synthesis will be unimpressed. It is hard to imagine two more dissimilar volumes than Zieger's work and that of Christopher L. Tomlins, The State and the Unions (1985), which also emphasizes events of the 1930s and 1940s. There are, however, good reasons for not disregarding this book. Zieger is one of the best-read contemporary labor historians, as his splendid annotated bibliography clearly demonstrates. Business historians will find his narrative and bibliography an invaluable guide to a literature that is both abundant and diverse. Zieger's narrative also provides intriguing clues to a central paradox of modern economic life, the decline of the labor movement in a period of rising employment and wages. Interestingly, he barely mentions the usual bogeymen of prounion accounts, the new legalistic antiunionism that has flourished among some employers in recent years. Instead he points to several factors that suggest an affinity with the organizational historians. He notes in passing that collective bargaining triumphs distorted the unions' internal structure, transferring power from the line to the staff and creating a system-side preoccupation with negotiation rather than organization. He also emphasizes that most union political successes occurred when labor joined other interest groups and pushed for general welfare state objectives rather than narrow union gains. The effect was similar, an absorption with external affairs at the expense of internal growth. Zieger's comments hardly add up to a systematic assessment of union decline, much less a critique of union policy, but they provide an informed starting point for the latest and perhaps the most notable chapter in the "civic history " of the labor movement.


The Advection-Diffusion Multilayer Method (ADMM) emerged to address the solution of advection-diffusion equations with variable coefficients in the context of pollutant dispersion modeling. The ADMM is based on the piecewise-constant approximation of the variable coefficients and the application of the Laplace transform. Applications of ADMM in other areas are potentially relevant for modeling the behavior of heterogeneous media. However, if such heterogeneity is characterized by rapidly oscillating coefficients, the direct application of the ADMM would increase the computational effort needed, as it would require a very fine discretization of the domain. In order to overcome such a drawback, in this contribution, an alternative approach combining the ADMM with the Asymptotic Homogenization Method (AHM) is presented. The ADMM-AHM integrated approach is compared to the direct application of the ADMM in order to assess the accuracy of the estimations of the solution of the original problem, and the computational efficiency.


test and the ultra-violet spectrum type which had been so decisive in the case of haemoglobin Bart's. The variant described here differs from all hitherto described human haemoglobins excepting that observed by Vella (1959) and then referred to as the F & P type. There is even one difference from that described by the Greek authors: the present pigment does not separate from haemoglobin A on acid electrophoresis. Another pigment migrating on alkaline paper electrophoresis behind J and in front of A is haemoglobin K. Haemoglobin K, however, moves slightly slower than the pigment described here and does not separate from haemoglobin A on chromatography. We cannot be sure that the present haemoglobin is truly a variant of haemoglobin F. It could conceivably be a recessive character in the adult series. After consultation with Dr. Vella (Siulgapore), Mwe have decided on the provisional designation haemoglobin "SingaporeBristol." Summary Of two " fast " haemoglobins seen in infants, but not in their parents, one moves more slowly than haemoglobin J on paper electrophoresis at alkaline pH, and the other faster. The second has been described as haemoglobin " Bart's " and is now thought to be the unnamed abnormal foetal haemoglobin seen by Fessas and Papaspyrou in 1957 (Fessas, 1959b). The other moves more slowly than haemoglobin J, and two new examples in infants of mixed marriages are described. This pigment has previously been referred to as the haemoglobin of Fessas and Papaspyrou (" F & P "); it is now redesignated haemoglobin "Singapore-Bristol," and its properties are described.


Sequential processing of monolithiated tertiary propargylamines with 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl isothiocyanate and t-BuOKDMSO results in the intro-duction of a highly reactive 2-(vinyloxy)ethyl group at the position 1 of the pyrrole ring thus formed. In this way, a series of new 5-sulfanyl-1-[2-(vinyloxy)ethyl]-1H-pyrrol-2-amines was obtained in a yield of up to 92%. The latter in the presence of t-BuOKDMSO system (110120 C, 1015 min) eliminates vinyl alcohol to give rare-functionalized 1-vinylpyrroles, namely 5-sulfanyl-1-vinyl-1H-pyrrol-2-amines, inaccessible by the known methods.


With the failure of the Kerensky-Off ensive the latest, war in East Central Europe acquired a new shape distinct not only from the norms of the Western Front but equally distant from the pre-1916 local situation. The most notable feature of the post-imperial order were new military units, either national or revolutionary, that gradually took over the leading role from imperial armies. The article analyses some basic characteristics of these new armed forces, such as uniforms, provisions, recruitment, rules of conduct and tactics. Special attention is given to the role of railways both in military operations and on the home-front as well as to the phenomenon of the 'green cadres', deserter bands cum peasant armies destabilizing large territories in the wake of independent statehoods in East Central Europe.


In this paper, we propose to analyse the practical task of dealing with uncertainty for security management by Transmission System Operators in the context of day-ahead planning and intraday operation. We propose a general but very abstract formalization of this task in the form of a three-stage decision making problem under uncertainties in the min-max framework, where the three stages of decision making correspond respectively to operation planning, preventive control in operation, and post-contingency emergency control. We then consider algorithmic solutions for addressing this problem in the practical context of large scale power systems by proposing a bi-level linear programming formulation adapted to the case where security is constrained by power flow limits. This formulation is illustrated on two case studies corresponding respectively to a synthetic 7-bus system and the IEEE 30-bus system.


AbstractINTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND Our understanding of carcinogenesis in liver and other tissues has progressed steadily with the use of a sequential analytical approach (1-5). Persistent nodule hepatocytes which are potential precursors for cancer were shown to be resistant in vivo relative to the surrounding hepatocytes to cytotoxic and mitoinhibitory effects of hepatocarcinogens and hepatotoxins (6,7). A working hypothesis was that one population of initiated hepatocytes has this resistance property (1,3-9). To test this hypothesis of resistant hepatocytes as products of initiation with Farber and co-workers (1,9-13), we used single exposures to a variety of chemical carcinogens as initiators. This work showed that focal populations of hepatocytes were present in the liver after initiation which were resistant to cytotoxic and mitoinhibitory effects of 2-acetylaminofiuorene (2-AAF) and were manifest as nodular proliferations in response to resistance-selection with 2-AAF (9-14) or lasiocarpine (15). ...


Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing serious public health problem worldwide. Clinically, AD is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a global cognitive decline. There is significant evidence that reactive oxygen species‐mediated reactions, particularly of neuronal lipids, are extensive in those AD brain areas directly involved in the disease processes. Traditional views claim that oxidative‐mediated tissue injury in the AD brain is the result of neurodegeneration. In recent years, numerous investigations have pointed to the functional importance of oxidative imbalance as a crucial event in mediating AD pathogenesis. The availability of specific and sensitive markers to monitor in vivo oxidative imbalance, in combination with studies performed in living patients with clinical diagnosis of AD, are helping to elucidate these issues. Here, I summarize some of the most recent research on the relevance that oxidative imbalance and lipid peroxidation have in AD. The evidence accumulated so far clearly indicates that oxidative imbalance is an early event during the evolution of this devastating disease. This new concept implies that this phenomenon may play a more important role in AD pathogenesis than previously anticipated. Drug Dev. Res. 56:446–451, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The work presented is on the synthesis and characterisation of inorganic transition metal oxides for potential multiferroic and photocatalytic applications and chemical control of the materials has been used to tune the structure and properties of the materials


Background Group consultations are a relatively new concept in UK primary care and are a suggested solution to current workload pressures in general practice. However, little is known about the experience of implementing and delivering this approach from staff and organisational perspectives. Aim To explore the experience of implementing and delivering group consultations in general practice. Design Methods Topic guides explored the perspectives and experiences of general practice staff on the implementation and delivery of group consultations. Data analysis adopted principles of the Framework Method underpinned by Normalisation Process Theory. Four themes were identified: sense making of group consultations; the work associated with initiating group consultations; the experiences of operationalising group consultations; and sustaining change. Group consultations made sense to participants as a mechanism to reduce burden on primary care, enhance multi-disciplinary working, and provide patient-centred care. required strong leadership from a 'champion', and a facilitator had a pivotal role in operationalising the approach. The associated workload was often underestimated. Barriers to embedding change included achieving whole practice buy-in, competing practice priorities, and system-level flexibility. This novel qualitative interview study has utilised an implementation theory (NPT) to understand the dynamics of implementing and embedding group consultations (a complex intervention) in UK primary care. This study is the first, to our knowledge, to explore the experiences of staff from general practices in England in implementing and delivering group consultations. Findings illustrate that clinicians enjoyed group consultations due to enhanced multi-disciplinary working and the ability to provide more patient-centred care. However, a range of motivators influence the engagement, or coherence, of the approach by practice staff. Factors required to initiate (cognitive participation) and sustain group consultations include clear leadership (from a group consultation champion), an implementation plan at the outset, clarity regarding roles and responsibilities and wider support from policy mechanisms (e.g. tariffs) and CCGs. Findings highlight the significant workload associated with initiating and embedding group consultations and the need to measure this locally and nationally to inform future implementation and delivery. This study illustrates the important role of champions in encouraging engagement of the whole practice team. This aligns with the cognitive participation construct of NPT which describes the work needed to initiate a new set of practices and how key individuals are driving them forward whilst ensuring the involvement of others. A systematic review of reviews exploring the causes of the implementation gap identified how influential champions who were respected and trusted by staff to drive change had a positive impact on implementation (22). A recent qualitative study by our group (23), exploring the uptake of a model of care for osteoarthritis in UK primary care, found that profession, project, and patient specific champions, were instrumental in implementation and enabling change, although a clearer definition of the role is needed to promote consistency and increase visibility. relational and operational work required (cognitive participation and collective action) within a practice. The facilitator role is multi-faceted and was shown to enhance collective action and the 'doing' phase of implementation (including communicating with practice staff to maintain confidence in the approach and organising processes and systems within a practice). Findings illustrated that the often-underestimated workload, including planning and preparatory work, often fell to one or two individuals who assumed responsibility for driving forward implementation within a practice. In some instances, the reliance on these individuals and lack of whole practice engagement meant that the approach failed to become embedded.


The European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), is a major maize pest throughout the maize-growing regions of the U.S. A survey was conducted to determine the parasit...


Background and aims: Epilepsy burden in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has increased dramatically in the last 20 years. People with epilepsy (PWE) are estimated to be over 20 millions, with about 1 neurologist every 3-5 millions inhabitants, meaning more than 90% of epileptic patients are managed by health workers (HW) with insufficient education in Epilepsy, and 75% of them have no access to treatments. Moreover COVID-19 pandemic is affecting epilepsy management in SSA through care disruption. Teleneurology has the potential to improve this situation, although poor education of HW is associated with its underutilization. We measured the changes of teleneurology requests from primary cares in SSA after an education program on epilepsy. Methods: Global Health Telemedicine (GHT) offers remote advices and education to HW of the Disease Relief through Excellent and Advanced Means (DREAM) program active in 10 SSA countries. GHT-DREAM recently started an epilepsy program in Malawi and Central African Republic (CAR) with education and training courses delivered both locally and remotely. Results: In Malawi and CAR DREAM follows 18,770 patients, 569 (3,0%) suffering from epilepsy. The total number of teleneurology requests increased from 91 in 2019 to 141 in 2020 to 802 in 2021;>90% were for PWE. Conclusion: Education and training in epilepsy increased the number of tele-requests by improving knowledge and communication between SSA HW and European neurologists. Partnerships can bring neurologists where there are none, contributing to limit COVID-19 care disruption thus reducing the treatment gap in SSA. Our results move towards the Intersectoral Global Action Plan 2022-2031 in SSA. (Figure Presented).


A field trial was carried out with rice (BRRI 64) grown in saline soil at Kuakata of Patuakhali District to evaluate the potential of rice straw, rice hull and saw dust each applied at the rates of 0, 4, 8 t ha in moist and saturated conditions. Growth parameters and yield of rice were found to increase significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with the increased rates regardless of kinds of organic treatments under both the conditions. The highest plant heights (89 cm in moist and 101 cm in saturated condition) were recorded at maturity in the treatment, which received the combination (RH8RS8SD8) of highest rates of these 3 organic amendments. The lowest plant heights (73 cm in moist and 77 cm in saturated) were recorded in control condition (RH0RS0SD0). The maximum numbers of tillers were observed in RH8RS8SD8 and RH8RS4SD8 followed by RH8RS8SD4, RH8RS4SD4 and RH4RS8SD8 treatments at saturated condition. The straw dry matter and grain yields of rice were also found to vary significantly (p ≤ 0.05) due to single application of rice hull, rice straw, saw dust and moisture conditions but their combined effects were found to be significantly better at the higher levels. The highest grain yield (6.6 t ha) was recorded in RH8RS8SD8 treatment followed by RH8RS8SD4, RH8RS4SD8, RH8RS4SD4 and RH4RS8SD8 at saturated condition. Growth and yield of rice were attained better at saturated condition than that of the moist soil.


Interactions between value and fundamental approaches: the road toward demand side approach. Demand side approach, innovation, entrepreneurship and startegic management. Demand side approach, a case study: Mozzilla Firefox vs Internet Explorer. Demand side approach: toward expanded boundaries model.


CB271 offshore platform of single wildcat is a kind of unaided pillar-supporting structure which has recently been used in the area of Chengdao, Bohai Ray. The time-history of wave force and sea current force are calculated according to Morison equation and theoretical formula, and finite element analysis method model is established with Shell93 and Mass21. From the results of dynamic analysis, it can be easily found that the σ_(max)is 6.85 MPa,M_(max)is 3.95 kN·m, τ_(max)of the Pedestal shear is 140 kN, Y displacement of deck is 14 mm, and the supporting-capacity is also discussed as well.The safe application of the structure is proved theoretically, and the foundation for test on spot is laid.


Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the comorbidity of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE); it is an urgent public health problem. The primary cause of venous thrombosis is endothelial dysfunction caused by vascular injury and inflammation or overexpressed procoagulant
 factors. Previous studies have shown that vascular endothelial cell apoptosis is involved in venous thrombosis, causing vascular wall damage. The pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-17 (Il-17A) induces endothelial cell apoptosis and promotes thrombosis. However, it remains unclear whether
 other IL-17 family cytokines are involved in thrombus formation. Among the IL-17 family, IL-17B is less well-characterized. Several studies have reported that IL-17B could stimulate TNF-α, IL-1, and IL-6 expression in macrophages. Furthermore, IL-17B induced activation of the
 ERK1/2 pathway, upregulating Bcl-2 family anti-apoptotic proteins in breast tumors. However, it is unclear whether IL-17B is involved in thrombus formation by regulating endothelial apoptosis. Therefore, this study aimed to examine whether IL-17B could affect endothelial apoptosis by promoting
 thrombus formation.


This study aimed to investigate the effect of effective microorganisms (EM) on the chemical and physical properties of the soils and the subsequent effects of the application of such soils to the plantation of maize. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness ofEM in improving the organic materials in the soils and hence the nutrient content and the yield of maize. Two formulations of fertilizers were prepared: (i) quail dung, rice brain, Tongkat Ali, water, molasses, EM activation solution and (ii) quail dung, saw dust, palm kernel cake, zeolite water, molasses, EM activation solution. Pure soil was also use as control. The results showed that EM can increase the concentration of macronutrient and micronutrient for the quail dung following EM treatment compared to quail dung without EM treatment. The physical properties ofthe soils such as moisture and ash content have also been significantly increased with EM treatment. These results showed that EM positively increased the organic materials, nutrient content and the dry matter of the fertilizer. EM fermented compost has also promoted the health ofthe maize plant as all maize produced were free from visible nutritional deficiency symptoms. On the other hand, in the absence of EM, deficiency symptoms were found on the grains, ears corns and leaves of the maize plant. These results indicated that the application of EM promoted plant growth, grain yield and the photosynthetic activity of the maize by increasing root development and root activity. It was concluded that the incorporation of a mixture of EM intensified the biological soil activity and improved the physical and chemical soil properties, hence contributing healthier plant growth and development.


To the Editor:

We read the article by Park et al1 about the relationship between C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and drug-eluting stent (DES) thrombosis. Interestingly, the authors found that when CRP values were incorporated into a model containing the conventional clinical, lesion, and procedural risk factors, the C statistic increased significantly for the prediction of stent thrombosis (C statistic of the multivariable model without CRP is 0.723, which increased to 0.772 with the incorporation of CRP; estimated change=0.049; P <0.05).

The inflammatory response caused by percutaneous coronary intervention in stent implantation has provided a suitable clinical model to assess the …


A computational procedure is developed for the determination of the propagating modes of cylindrical acoustic/electromagnetic waveguides. The geometrical cross-section of the waveguide is completely arbitrary. The waveguide may be filled with any inhomogeneous isotropic material either dielectric or magnetic. For the discretization of the resulting Helmholtz-type equation(s), we utilize the Control Region Approximation which is a generalized finite-difference method previously applied to open-region scattering. Comparisons are made to analytical and published solutions and results are presented for a laser waveguide and an electro-optic modulator which are both configurations of great industrial importance.


This paper proposes a modified approach for analyzing and presenting the value generation, capture, and distribution from organizational adoption of new technologies. The focal technology used is emotion detection, and technical approaches and possibilities, as well as some of the inherent challenges and limitations are briefly described. For this technology potential, a novel framework for value generation, capture, and distribution is developed using a design science approach. The framework allows organizations to select appropriate adoption areas and derive methods for risk and problem mitigation. This framework is then demonstrated within the selected setting of emotion detection capabilities.


Between l99l and 2000, butterflies were monitored once a week from early May to late September on a2.7 km transect on agricultural land at Joutseno, SE Finland. During 213 counts a total of56 species and ll 105 individuals were recorded. The effects ofthe shift from conventional farming to organic farming and adjacent pine forest cuttings on butterfly communities were compared in four field margin habitats. Between the two five-year periods, both beneficial and adverse impact on butterflies was recorded.


Enhancement type InP metal‐insulator‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors were fabricated using plasma anodic aluminium oxide as the gate insulator. The effective electron mobilities in the surface channel are 1250 cm2/Vs and 2000 cm2/Vs at 300 and 80 K, respectively. The drift of the drain current at 300 K ceases a few minutes after applying a gate voltage and stable dc operation is observed over several hours.


ABSTRACT The paper discusses the chemical-physical-petrographic features and decay processes of San Nicola Church (11th−14th century) building materials, one of the most representative Medieval Churches in Sardinia, stylistically attributable to the Romanesque architecture. The monument was built up into two stages and shows a characteristic size uniformity of the ashlars. The masonry is mainly made up of rhyodacitic pyroclastites belonging to the Sardinian Eocene-Miocene magmatic phase (38–15 My). These volcanic rocks were widely used in Medieval architecture for the excellent workability, but its minero-petrographic features greatly favor the decay, due to the action of chemical-physical alteration processes. Although the alteration degree and macroscopic forms of decay vary from zone to zone in the monument, according to the different compositional features of the volcanic stones, weathering and exposure condition, the pyroclastic rocks are generally affected by greater alteration than other igneous lithotypes, due to their petrographic-volcanological characteristics (e.g., low-medium welding grade, medium-high porosity). The results concerning mineralogical and petrographic features, respectively, carried out by the application of X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD), Optical Microscope (OM), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques, both on fresh building rocks and associated alterations, are here presented and discussed. Furthermore, the relationships between fresh pyroclastites and alteration processes affecting these rocks will be discussed.


The increasing need for compact and low-power computing solutions for machine learning applications has triggered significant interest in energy-efficient neuromorphic systems. However, most of these architectures rely on spiking neural networks, which typically perform poorly compared to their non-spiking counterparts in terms of accuracy. In this paper, we propose a new adaptive spiking neuron model that can be abstracted as a low-pass filter. This abstraction enables faster and better training of spiking networks using back-propagation, without simulating spikes. We show that this model dramatically improves the inference performance of a recurrent neural network and validate it with three complex spatio-temporal learning tasks: the temporal addition task, the temporal copying task, and a spoken-phrase recognition task. We estimate at least 500x higher energy-efficiency using our models on compatible neuromorphic chips in comparison to Cortex-M4, a popular embedded microprocessor.


Polyvinylamine (PVAm) is a kind of attractive multi-purpose polymer with amino groups which provide a series of exceptional potential reactivities. In this work, metallic compound Pd(OAc)2 catalyzed the synthesis of poly- vinylamine by one-step method, with PVC as raw material and NH3 as aminating agent. Structure of the target product PVAm·HCl was characterized by FT-IR and NMR and amination degree of polyvinylamine was determined by electro- conductivity titration. The yield and amination degree of the product over Pd(OAc)2 reached 46.5% and 78.5%, respec- tively, at 40˚C, 4.5 h.