Designers of systems that involve condensers often need to predict the amount of process vapor that accompanies the noncondensable gases that are vented from the condensers. An approximation is given that appears to provide, in many cases, reasonably accurate values for the mole ratio of process vapor to noncondensable gases in the vented mixture. The approximation is particularly applicable to flash and direct-contact power systems for geothermal brines and ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). More regorous relationships are available for exceptional cases.


The aim of the study was to evaluate the physiological activity of Lycium ruthenicum to investigate their potential as a raw material that can be used in the cosmetic industry. L. ruthenicum fruit extracts were obtained using 70% methanol(LRM) and hot-water(LRW). The DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging abilities were higher in the LRM extract than in the LRW extract. The FRAP value of LRM was about 1.3-fold greater than that of LRW. The polyphenol contents of LRM and LRW were 31.883±1.395 mg/g and 27.748±2.741 mg/g respectively. LRM inhibited the generation of NO in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. LRM also attenuated the expression of COX-2, PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α induced by LPS. These results suggests that L. ruthenicum fruits could be use as a source of natural antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agent in cosmetic products.


The electronic, magnetic and orbital structures of KCrF3 in the cubic phase are studied by first principles method. In the cubic phase, the three Cr-F bonds distance are equal. If the Jahn–Teller distortion is the origin of the orbital polarization, the orbital ordering would disappear. However, our theoretical calculations show that the orbital ordering exists even without the Jahn–Teller distortion. By studying how the orbital polarization changes with the electron correlation and the Jahn–Teller distortion, we found that the origin of the orbital polarization should be the electron correlation and the Jahn–Teller distortion can reinforced such polarization.


The purpuse of my study was to investigate how two preschool teachers creates mening around musik throughout their lives. I wanted to see which experiences thats been meaningful for both their priv ...


BACKGROUND
Dengue fever is caused by mosquito-borne arboviral infection that has become a public health concern globally. Recently, an alarming rise of dengue has also been seen in India. Hence the study was undertaken to know profile of clinical manifestations and laboratory findings during the evolution of dengue fever.

METHODS
In this study, retrospective data analysis was done in 216 seropositive dengue patients admitted between January to December 2014 in department of medicine at a north Indian care hospital. The tests analyzed were blood counts, serum electrolytes, liver function tests, kidney function tests, chest x-ray and other relevant investigations.

RESULTS
Males were commonly affected and the most exposed age group was found to be18-35 years. The seropositive case rate for dengue was 56% for NS1 antigen and 36% for IgM. There was rural dominancy of cases with a peak in September. Fever was the most common clinical feature followed by headache, myalgia, backache, nausea and abdominal pain. Petechia was most common haemorrhagic manifestation. Common laboratory findings included 89.35% decreased Platelet counts (<100 000/cmm), 67.59% increased hematocrit (>45%) and 58.33% deranged liver function test. There was no reported mortality in dengue.

CONCLUSIONS
From prompt and proper treatment could prevent deaths in moderate and severe dengue. Atypical presentations of dengue should be kept in mind so as not to miss the cases. Increased community awareness and vector control measures need to be strengthened during peri-monsoon period to reduce burden of dengue cases.


This paper describes the method and findings of the first independent survey of smallholder farmers in the Republic of South Africa designed to explore the economic benefits of their adoption of Bt cotton. The study found that the Bt variety generally resulted in a per hectare increase in yields, value of output and reduction of pesticide costs which outweighed the increase in seed costs to give a substantial increase in gross margins. There are several surveys being carried out at the moment on different aspects of the Makhathini experience. The Monitor will be reporting on their results as these become available.


This study aims to obtain empirical information about the game due to an increase in sepak takraw game through a series of 3 posts at primary school students Tarub 01 Sub Tarub Tegal regency. This study consists of four stages, namely planning (planning), action (action), observation (observation) and reflection (reflection). Data collection methods in the implementation of this action research, the researcher uses qualitative data is data that contains information on the form of sentences that give an idea of the level of students' understanding of a subject (cognitive), views or attitudes of the students towards the new learning method when obeying subjects (affective ), attentive, enthusiastic in learning, confidence, motivation to learn and the like, can be assessed qualitatively. Engineering Data Analysis To determine the effectiveness of a method in the learning activities necessary to hold the data analysis. The results can improve performance through a series of sepak takraw post grade 3 V. Application of instructional media innovation through a series of 3 sepak takraw ball hanged postal and proven to improve student achievement sepak takraw Elementary School District 01 Tarub Tarub Tegal regency. This is evidenced by mastery learning of the three aspects of assessment (cognitive, psychomotor, and affective) increased by 19.35.


In connection with new welding regulations for surface vessels of the West German Navy, theoretical and experimental investigations have been made for the formulation of dimensional requirements for knee connections. Several investigations were carried out by Germanischer Lloyd in co-operation with the Institut fur Schiffbau, Hamburg University, and further theoretical studies were conducted at the University of California. The Authors, of Germanischer Lloyd, present and discuss a summary of the results of the various investigations, which included two- and three-dimensional linear and non-linear finite-element calculations with a model of a knee connection. Overall behaviour of the connection was examined in two-dimensional investigations, and detail design, in particular the stress distribution in the welds, was studied with three-dimensional models of parts of the structure. The dimensioning formula proposed by Germanischer Lloyd, which is based on a triangular stress-distribution in the weld, was shown to be adequate. Order from BSRA as No. 49,585.


Models are the most important core of Science, Technology and Designing. Display based ways to deal with software advancement and system building utilize technology to incorporate graphical demonstrating languages. Model driven software development is an approach of using models to automatically create the source code implementation of a software structure. The Model Driven Architecture (MDA) approach has been getting position as the Model Driven Approach of an option since its use of Unified Modeling Language(UML). The MDA solution is to produce all code of a system from models and give attention to maintaining models merely in the software development. But, due to shortage of code production tools and the UML language itself, an accurate MDA does not understand by developers. The critical proposal is to identify system functionality with a Platform Independent Model and next to convert this model into Platform Specific Models and completely generate executable source code from model. Model conversion creates the most important component of MDA approach. Generating models and source code from other models by using MDA technology tools is the key standard of MDA approach. Therefore, manual conversion is an extremely time and other resource consuming work in software development. This paper describes not only generating code from model but also generates model from code or it also describes reverse engineering(Code-Model conversion). Keywords: Model-Driven, Code Generator, Model, Software Development, UML, MDA, platform, Model Transformation.


A good speech can make or break a political career. And Kevin Rudd's inability to communicate effectively should be a warning to all aspiring politicians explains Dennis Glover.


Purpose The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between six different dimensions of political risk in a country and its spread for a sample of 12 Latin American countries. Design/methodology/approach The methodology applied consists of panel estimators with fixed effects. In addition, a panel data model with instrumental variables is considered to tackle with potential problems of endogeneity in the model. Findings The results show there is a strong positive relationship between political risk and sovereign spread in Latin America, i.e., greater political risk is associated with greater sovereign spread. This effect is particularly significant when the political risk is associated with a weak rule of law or low-quality regulation in the country. Research limitations/implications The main limitation of this study concerns the potential risks of endogeneity which might exist between sovereign risk and political risk measures, which may not have been completely eliminated with the econometri...


Although accountancy has played a part in business reporting for centuries, it is only since the Companies Act 1929 that financial reporting has become income orientated. Prior to that Act, a statement of comprehensive income was of minor importance. It was the statement of financial position that mattered, providing a list of capital, assets and liabilities that revealed the financial soundness and solvency of the business. According to some commentators, this scenario may be attributed to the sources of capital funding. Until the late 1920s, as in present-day Germany, external capital finance in the UK was mainly in the hands of bankers, other lenders and trade creditors. As the main users of published financial statements, they focused on the company's ability to pay trade creditors and the interest on loans, and to meet the scheduled dates of loan repayment: they were interested in the short-term liquidity and longer-term solvency of the entity. Thus the statement of financial position was the prime document of interest. Perhaps in recognition of this, the English statement of financial position, until recent times, tended to show liabilities on the left-hand side, thus making them the first part of the statement of financial position read. CHAPTER 3


OBJECTIVE To study the epidemiological characterization and factors of injuries in elder people and provide scientific evidence for the prevention measures to injuries. METHODS 1 086 elder people (≥60) were selected by multi-phases cluster random sampling and epidemiological investigation and studies were conducted by method of questionnaire. Factors caused injuries were analyzed by multinomial Logistic regression. RESULTS Annually incidence rate of injuries was 15.6%. The male to female ratio was 1︰2.9. The incidence rate in winter and spring was higher. And injuries often took place during the daytime, especially in the morning (56.2%). The first three injuries (78.1% of the total injuries) were fall, wrench and traffic accident in turn. Multinomial Logistic regression analysis showed that female, younger, hypertension and nape waist pain were the risk factors (OR﹥1, P﹤0.05) of injuries. CONCLUSION Many factors all together lead to the incidence of injuries in elder people. Injuries threaten the health of the elder people, so a series of intervention measures to the risk factors should be taken to prevent and control this disease.


Friction stir welding is a solid-state method of joining thermoplastic materials. This paper studied the effect that varying process parameters (rotational speed, welding speed, and attack angle) had on the weld quality of polyethylene sheets. Experiments were performed at rotational speeds of 1000, 1200, 1400, 1600, and 1800 r/min, welding speeds of 12, 16, and 20 mm/min, and attack angles of 1° and 2°. A strength value of 75 per cent of that of the base material was achieved at the isolated optimum welding condition. Changes in the weld zone microstructure were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The observed microstructures were used to explain the reduced value of the strength.


Abstract Fish from six strains of rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) were fed the starter diet SD7 until reaching an average weight of 1.5 g. In the second segment of this trial, 1.5-g fish from the six strains were fed the experimental diet X263 for 180 days. At the end of both trial segments, body composition varied significantly among strains of fish. After 180 days of diet X263, growth and feed conversion also differed significantly among strains. Changes in body composition averaged for all strains combined after 180 days of the diet X263 were as follows: crude protein decreased 8.2%; moisture decreased 5.7%; ash increased 6.2%. Data from the first segment of this trial give the strongest support to the hypothesis that variations of body composition of rainbow trout are influenced by genotype.


The synchrotron radiation spectra of toroidal grating monochromators (TGM) often contaminated by significant amounts of higher orders. Quantitative estimation of order contamination is essential in order to perform quantitative spectroscopy measurements. At Indus-1 reflectivity beamline higher order contaminations from TGM monochromator are experimentally determined using a reflection grating analyzer. It is found that the order contamination in wavelength range of 50-200 A is less than 15%. Use of edge filters reduces the order contamination level below 5% in this wavelength range.


PURPOSE: A production method of a metal nanoparticle is provided to produce the metal nanoparticle with high yield and high capacity with a single reaction using glyme capable of being used as a surfactant, a reducing agent, and a solvent. CONSTITUTION: A production method of a metal nanoparticle comprises a step of adding a metal precursor to tetraglyme, and stirring the mixture at 0-300°C. The tetraglyme is capable of being used as a solvent, a surfactant, and a reducing agent. Ethylene glycol ether is added to the addition process of the tetraglyme. The production method additionally comprises a step of removing the tetraglyme using a solvent after stirring, and a step of separating the metal nanoparticle. [Reference numerals] (AA) Glyme; (BB,EE,GG) Metal precursor; (CC,FF,HH) Metal nanoparticle; (DD) Ethylene gloycol ether


An empirical model of the Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor (CNTFET) is used in MATLAB and Simulink to analyze the performance of the model compared with the ideal characteristics of CNTFET. A small deviation has been found in the characteristic curves. The characteristic curves in terms of CNT channel Diameter variation are also shown. The given parameters for the empirical model does not show proper characteristics while implementing SRAM. In this research, we found out the proper empirical model parameters that should be implemented for designing SRAM. And comparisons has been shown between the empirical model and the ideal CNTFET.


1. A method for producing silica and sodium sulfite by using sodium sulfate, characterized in that: quartz sand, sodium sulfate and carbon are mixed in a weight ratio of 118,3-147,9: 100: 4-12, and then placed in an oven and heated at a temperature of 1200-1500 ° C to produce solid sodium silicate and sulfur dioxide; ! said solid sodium silicate and sulfur dioxide is used to prepare silica and sodium sulfite by the following steps: (1) said solid sodium silicate is dissolved in water in a weight ratio of 100: 180-488 and filtered to produce a sodium silicate solution; into said sodium silicate solution was added sodium bisulfite at a concentration of 1-40% in a molar ratio of sodium sulfite to sodium silicate of 2: 1 and the mixture was subjected to reaction at a temperature of 70-95 ° C for 1-4 hours to produce precipitated silica and sulfite solution sodium and the resulting mixture was filtered; ! (2) One part of the filtrate obtained at the end of step (1) is brought into contact with the sulfur dioxide obtained during the production of sodium silicate at a temperature from 20 to 50 ° C to form sodium bisulfite which is reused for the reaction in step ( one); ! (3) pH value of the pressed filter cake obtained at the end of step (1) is adjusted to 3.5-6, followed by filtration, washing and drying to obtain silica; but ! (4) The other part of the filtrate obtained at the end of step (1), concentrated and dried to obtain solid sodium sulfite. ! 2. A method for producing silica and sodium sulfite according to Claim 1, characterized in that said thermally insulated furnace is a fired furnace.


Tube feeding in patients with liver disease is often approached with trepidation because of fears of bleeding with tube placement due to the presence of esophageal varices or coagulopathy. However, the amount of published data supporting these fears is limited. This manuscript examines the issues surrounding tube feedings in patients with liver disease.


This business plan has been develop to meet the need for personal care services for children in the city of Quito. Fashion Kids will offer more than traditional beauty services; it will provide a unique experience through specialized services based on the kids needs, within a safe environment and a value added called fun. It will also seek to contribute positively to educating children about the importance of hygiene in their lives, through workshops and self-care tips. According to the expert in the early childhood, Maria Alexandra Clavijo (2014), children need to receive services according to their needs, which are different from those of an adult. In addition, if the kid practices a culture of hygiene during its childhood, he will maintain the good habits throughout his live. The target market of this project are children from 6 months to 11 years old, who live in the urban area of Quito and belong to the upper middle class...


The article discusses the relationship among parties, elections, and democracy in the Brazilian current context. The main concern is examining how much the democratic and electoral experience has contributed to the consolidation of parties, party system, and democracy in Brazil since 1985. It defines the meanings of "party," "elections," and "democracy" in order to establish analysis parameters. It then analyses the recent electoral experiences highlighting its primordial role in assuring minimal conditions for a democratic polity. It finally discusses the current party experience, as well as its main aspects and problems. It concludes with a brief reflexion on the relationship between both the electoral and party experience and the consolidation of democracy in Brazil.


Cotton, the white gold, is the king of textile, fibers and it is an important worldwide cash crop. The productivity of cotton in Gujarat state is about 659 lakhs bales. The sowing of cotton is labour intensive as its planting requires 3-4 man days/ha. The single row cotton planter was tested in laboratory as well as in field as per IS code: 6316-1993 with specific objectives. The cost of planting cotton by manually method is approximately Rs. 400 to 450 /ha, whereas the cost by this machine is Rs. 142.42 /ha. The field evaluation of manually cotton planter was done at speed of 1.62 km/hr with field capacity of 0.132 ha/hr and field efficiency of 79.52 %. The bulk density and moisture content of soil were 1.3 gm/cc and 20 per cent, respectively. The seed uniformity of cotton planter was observed higher as compared to manual sowing. The average labour requirement for sowing cotton in manually operated cotton planter was 15.15 man hr/ha.


A wireless sensor networks is a collection of sensor nodes(SN) that are organized to collaborate data. To retrive the sensor readings effectively from the sensor nodes, mobile sinks are placed at the vehicles like buses which provides ideal infrastructure. In the wsn each node has their own battery life, so care should be taken for the energy management. In the exisisting systems for the data retrival either involves single hop or multi hop transfer of data with in the reachable range have high buffering overhead, processing overhead and reduces network life time. We made survey to overcome from this issues, in our survey we are using clustering technique. By making cluster structures we can reduce the buffering overhead and processing overhead. In the cluster structure we need to identify cluster head(CH) and Rendezvous nodes(RN).Rendezvous nodes are identified based on the energy of nodes. Cluster Head consists all the necessary informations like routing information of their member nodes and it also performs data filtering. Then the filtered data will sent to the Mobile Sinks with the proper energy management through RN's. So this technique is well suited to improve the network lifetime and network


Motorized modes of transportation, whether car or plane, bus or train, play a major role in developed societies. As they essentially trade energy against distance and speed of travel, their share in the overall consumption of energy and materials is high, making the reduction of that share an important objective for sustainability. This calls for both the systematic evaluation of environmental performance and the eco-design of transit modes. This twofold objective is addressed in the paper, which applies a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to a transit mode, encompassing both infrastructure and vehicle fleets. The methodology is applied to a case study of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Martinique, a French Caribbean island. The results show the contributions of the project's subsystems and life cycle phases to its environmental impacts, as captured by a set of 13 indicators. Impacts are normalized per passenger-kilometer. Comparison with other modes demonstrates the influence of vehicle occupancy rates and therefore the relevance of demand estimates in ex-ante evaluation. Finally, a sensitivity analysis is conducted to underline the respective impacts of input parameters on environmental impacts and to assess the potential of eco-design for BRT modes.


The purpose of this descriptive research is to evaluate the Bachelor of Nursing Science Curriculum (Revised, B.E. 2555) of the Royal Thai Army Nursing College in terms of context, input, process, and product, based on the CIPP Model. There are 376 participants in this study, including 51 administrators and teaching staffs, 240 nursing students, 35 teaching support personnel, and 50 professional nurses. The tools of the study were the questionnaires for assessment of the Bachelor of Nursing Curriculum in terms of context, input, process, and product. The content validity of the tools was evaluated by 5 experts which IOC > 0.5.
Furthermore, descriptive statistics comprising of percentage calculation, arithmetic mean, and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. The research findings were: The philosophy of the curriculum was apparently consistent with the objectives of the curriculum. The objectives of the curriculum were paralleled with the social change and needs. The amount of credits of the curriculum structure was high. The amount of the credits of the teaching-learning arrangement in each subject of the curriculum, the teaching staffs' competencies, and the sufficiency of the supporting factors were highly appropriate. The teaching-learning arrangement was evaluated at the highest level. Furthermore, the curriculum administration was evaluated at high level. The learning achievement of the second, third, and fourth year students were evaluated at moderate level. The opinions of the administrators and teaching staffs, the professional nurses, and the second, third, and fourth year nursing students themselves toward the nursing students' personal characteristics were evaluated at high level. The results of this study could be a baseline information to improve and develop nursing curriculum.


The recently developed two-directional unconditionally stable single-field (US-SF) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method is generalized to a 3-D. The method is based on the application of the Crank–Nicolson scheme to only one of Maxwell curl equations which leads to an unconditionally stable finite-difference solution of the 3-D vector wave equation in the time domain. The method is designated as a single field because only the electric (or magnetic) field is updated in each time step. The implicit equations for each time step can be solved using a tridiagonal matrix algorithm without a need for matrix inversion. To achieve this, we introduced a new modified time-splitting scheme for the multilevel difference equations. Unlike the existing time-splitting method used to solve such equations which results in instability when dealing with inhomogeneous media, the presented method remains stable. As an important feature of the proposed US-SF-FDTD method, the updating of the three field components can be executed simultaneously (in parallel) by applying multithreading, thereby significantly reducing runtime. The unconditional stability of the proposed method is proved analytically. The accuracy and computational efficiency of the proposed method are demonstrated by providing numerical examples and by comparison to other FDTD methods and to the analytic solution when available.


The term social service is one of the most frequently used concepts in the Ukrainian media field. The term is universal and is used in the compositional sense of both state-political institutions and church organizations. However, given the same addressee, the same and the ultimate goal of such action, the approaches in the implementation of the "social programs" of the Church and the state are completely different.
The Catholic Church's social ministry's (deaconium) programs are based on a comprehensive doctrine, the Social Doctrine, which is the most effective tool in the formation of valuable anthropological ideas, worldviews, and denominational beliefs about the place and role of the Christian in the world. It is this that necessitates the study of the principles of the development of the social doctrines of the Christian churches, the analysis of their influence on the social phenomena and the processes of formation of the Christian worldview. Social concepts in modern Christianity are the main means of reforming the Christian notion of man.
Therefore, this article is devoted to the analytical retrospective of the social policy issues of the Catholic Church against the background of the permanently glowing ideologies of Europe. The processes of social triumph, decadence, and fin de siecle (end of the world) are analyzed. Against this background, we characterize the reaction of the Catholic First Hierarch Leo XIII and his successors to the question of the status of workers and society as a whole.
 Encyclical Pope Leo XIII's "Rerum Novarum" took into account the so-called "labor issue" around which political struggles were unfolding in the most economically developed regions of Europe, and which resulted from the rapid industrialization of the economy and the involvement of the masses of the population in hired labor, mainly through industry of labor market. Controversial with the political doctrines that developed the ideology of class confrontation, Pope Leo XIII offers, as an alternative, a social Catholic doctrine of the fundamental ideas of solidarity and subsidiarity, the public good and private property. It is these principles underpin the Christian social paradigm and democracy.
Keywords.


Ballism is a rare movement disorder characterized by proximal, large-amplitude involuntary movements. We present the case of a 73 years old patient with history of repeted strokes and chronic renal failure who develops ballism. The article contains a review of the literature regarding this rare hyperkinetic disorder.


Research ofworkflow instance migration is one of the most important problems in the field ofworkflow evolution.At present, most of workflow instance migration based on version control can not migrate to the new model immediately.The dynamic change bug during the workflow instance migration is analyzed and a new workflow instance migration algorithm based on the Petri net model is pro- posed.The new algorithm with the time complexity of polynomial confirm whether a instance can migrate or not,according to the reach ability of the instance state.


This paper details our experiences in assessing a customer`s needs, designing an integrated system, installing a fuel cell and constructing the balance of system, as well as operating, maintaining and monitoring the complete system to assure that performance meets or exceeds customer and company expectations. Specifically, it will deal with the design, installation and operation of a 200 kilowatt phosphoric acid fuel cell to provide high reliability/high quality electric power to critical laboratory and computer loads. The project was installed at the Crawford Hill laboratory of AT&T Bell Laboratories. Fuel cells have the unique capability to address both power quality and reliability needs in one package providing what is known as {open_quotes}premium power.{close_quotes} Our decision to engage in this project, which is the first such {open_quotes}premium power{close_quotes} application of fuel cells in the world, was a direct effort to address Bell Labs need for this service. In addition, since fuel cells produce very low air emissions, as well as providing a thermal benefit, they represent a generation technology which is both customer and regulatory {open_quotes}friendly,{close_quotes} thus eminently {open_quotes}siteable{close_quotes} as a form of distributed generation.


This paper introduces the fast quarantining methods for dormant larvae of pine wood nematode Bursaphelenchus xylophilus with combination of physical and chemical means systematically.The methods can break larval dormancy period in wood packaging,accelerate the speed of dormancy larvae changing into adult,increase the number of dormancy larvae isolated,shorten the quarantine time,and increase the detection rate of pine wood nematode.


This paper puts forward the idea and effective method about case database construction of Statistcs courses for agricultural economics and management major,under the background of lacking of systematic and effective case database,which has important meaning to statistics courses teaching.


The purpose of this paper is to explore the value to librarians of seeing Research Data Management (RDM) as a "wicked" problem. Wicked problems are unique, complex problems which are defined differently by different stakeholders making them particularly intractable. Data from 26 semi- structured in-depth telephone interviews with librarians was analysed to see how far their perceptions of RDM aligned with the 16 features of a wicked problem identified from the literature. To a large extent RDM is perceived to be wicked, though over time good practices may emerge to help to "tame" the problem. How interviewees thought RDM should be approached reflected this realisation. The generic value of the concept of wicked problems is considered and some first thoughts about how the curriculum for new entrants to the profession can prepare them for such problems are presented.


Introduction Bone is a dense, compact, yet very porous material. It is possible to distinguish three different levels of bone porosity, namely the vascular porosity, the lacunar-canalicular porosity that surrounds the osteocytes and is connected to the vascular porosity, and the collagen-apatite porosity of the mineralized matrix. The vascular porosity and lacunar-canalicular porosity are directly involved in interstitial fluid flow, thought to play an important role in bone's mechanosensory system. Measurements of human, canine, and rat bone have found the vascular porosity to range from 1.5 to 6% and the lacunar-canalicular porosity to range from 2 to 5%, with the overall cortical bone porosity estimated to be approximately 9% [1-7]. However, in our recent work quantifying the 3-D microstructure of the osteocyte lacunar-canalicular system [8], we observed that the lacunar-canalicular network is quite extensive in the mineralized bone volume, raising the possibility that previous studies might have underestimated the interstitial fluid porosity. Accurate porosity measurements are important for determining realistic bone permeability values that can be used in poroelastic models that assess the response of bone to mechanical loading. In addition, it has been proposed that an alteration in osteocyte viability due to osteoporosis could alter the interconnectedness of the osteocyte network, affecting interstitial fluid flow and altering the mechanical stimulus experienced by the bone cells [9]. To address these issues this study was undertaken to measure the vascular and lacunar-canalicular porosities in both normal and osteopenic bone, using an ovariectomized rat model and confocal scanning laser microscopy to provide a high-resolution analysis of the bone microstructure.


In this work, we propose and encourage the sending of an IoT-based domestic systems conditions small scale programmable framework for grid-tie matrix converter that can efficiently be executed with low-control equipment plan with quick execution capacity. The proposed framework for matrix grid-tie converter has been performed based on an adaptive fuzzy sliding technique and furthermore monitors the grid status through an IoT server. The adaptive fuzzy sliding method was connected to the framework, and a unity power factor was fulfilled alongside the wanted sinusoidal input and output results. The proposed AFS-based matrix converter has been validated through simulation using MATLAB software. The control clock signals are generated for the positive and negative clock pulses of the sequence. Here the sinusoidal reference signal is compared with the switching frequency of the triangular carrier frequency. The hardware results were also verified to validate the simulation. When diverged from other standard techniques, the proposed AFS technique has achieved 97.23% efficiency in full load conditions.


On the Dilldown Unit of the Delaware-Lehigh Experimental Forest in Pennsylvania, several planting studies have been made with the aim of finding the most economical and practical methods of converting scrub oak areas to productive high-forest types. These studies have already shown the need for site preparation prior to planting. Seedlings planted on prepared areas grew significantly faster than those in the untreated areas.


In order to meet the requirements of socialism market economy and private enterprise spanning development, Combining actuality of human resource plan of Chinese private enterprise, This paper respectively to medium and small private enterprise as the research object, discover the problems of human resource plan, analysis the key reason, further more construct human resource plan modeling of private enterprise based on spanning development strategic, probe into effective measure by which modeling can be put into practice successful, summarize method and stratagem of establishing practice and valid evaluation mechanism of enterprise human resource plan. Human resource plan must be a core guarantee for enterprise development, it can improve core competition of Chinese private enterprise on strategic level and offer power human resource for practice of spanning development stratagem.


The rapid movement of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite can improve geometric diversity, which contributes to the rapid convergence of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) precise point positioning (PPP). However, the LEO onboard receiver clock cannot be used directly by PPP users as the LEO satellite clock because the LEO onboard receiver clock and LEO satellite clock absorb different code delays when receiving and transmitting signals. In this study, a real-time estimation approach for the LEO satellite clock based on ground tracking stations was proposed for the first time. The feasibility for the rapid convergence of the LEO satellite clock was analyzed using the satellite time dilution of precision (TDOP) that one satellite is relative to multiple ground tracking stations. The LEO constellation of 168 satellites and observations for 15 ground tracking stations were simulated to verify the proposed method. The experiment results showed that the average convergence time was 31.21 min for the Global Positioning System (GPS) satellite clock, whereas the value for the LEO satellite clock was only 2.86 min. The average root mean square (RMS) and standard deviation (STD) values after convergence were 0.71 and 0.39 ns for the LEO satellite clock, whereas the values were 0.31 and 0.13 ns for the GPS satellite clock. The average weekly satellite TDOP for the LEO satellite was much smaller than that for the GPS satellite. The average satellite TDOPs for all LEO and GPS satellites were 19.13 and 1294.70, respectively. However, the average delta TDOPs caused by satellite motion for all LEO and GPS satellites were both 0.10. Therefore, the rapid convergence of the LEO satellite clock resulted from the better geometric distribution of the LEO satellite relative to ground stations. Despite errors and the convergence time of the LEO satellite clock, the convergence time and positioning accuracy for LEO-augmented GPS and BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) PPP with the real-time estimated LEO satellite clock can still reach 10.63 min, 1.94 cm, 1.44 cm, and 4.18 cm in the east, north, and up components, respectively. The improvements caused by LEO satellite for GPS/BDS PPP were 59%, 30%, 31%, and 33%, respectively.


In this paper, a force control method for robotic manipulators which utilize a neural network model is proposed with consideration of the dynamics of objects. The proposed system consists of a standard PID controller and a multilayered neural network model, which optimizes a set of controller's parameters via a process of learning. The neural network model has not yet been applied to force control problems, but the proposed method is shown to be applicable to force/compliance control problems. The stability of this system and a wider applicability are verified by simulation studies.


The present invention provides a prism sheet having a function for preventing damage while assuring light collecting performance, and a liquid crystal display employing it. The prism sheet (6) has a first major surface on which light from a light source impinges, and a second major surface from which the incident light exits. A plurality of first prism rows (6a) having triangular cross-section are formed in parallel on the second major surface. A plurality of second prism rows (6b) having a round top and higher than the first prism rows (6a) are also provided on the second major surface.


The last decade and a half has seen an explosive growth in the synthesis of diamond materials by a variety of chemicalvapor-deposition (CVD) processes driven by both scientific curiosity and technological exploitation for diverse applications in the fields of hard coatings, tools, optics, passive and active electronics, thermal management, corrosion protection, and radiation detection. Beginning in the 1980s, micron-sized diamond particles were reported by a few groups using hot filaments and a seemingly magical (alchemical) recipe of hydrocarbons and hydrogen. Now near the end of the 1990s, the basic science of diamond growth by CVD is well-understood. Diverse plasma- and thermal-based techniques have been developed for deposition of diamond. Polycrystalline films several mm thick and over 12 in. (30 cm) in diameter are a reality. Many companies are commercializing a wide range of products, and the cost of deposition has dropped by over three orders of magnitude. This article reviews these developments and highlights challenges for the future. It is organized along two themes: scientific advances and technological progress.


In order to shed some light on the current discussion about f(R)-gravity theories we derive and discuss the bounds imposed by the energy conditions on a general f(R) functional form. The null and strong energy conditions in this framework are derived from Raychaudhuri's equation along with the requirement that gravity is attractive, whereas the weak and dominant energy conditions are stated from a comparison with the energy conditions that can be obtained in a direct approach via an effective energy-momentum tensor for f(R) gravity. As a concrete application of the energy conditions to locally homogeneous and isotropic f(R) cosmology, the recent estimated values of the deceleration and jerk parameters are used to examine the bounds from the weak energy condition on the parameters of two families of f(R)-gravity theories.


Abstract Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamic association between lifestyle factors and both positive and negative effect in middle-aged African Americans. Methods: Study participants (N = 69, Mean age=51 years, 80% female) were recruited from two African American churches in the Deep South. Participants completed daily surveys on positive and negative effect, physical activity, sedentary behavior, diet quality, and sleep quality daily for up to 10-days. Mixed-effect models were used to examine associations between the variables of interest. Results: On days that participants were more active, they experienced higher mean positive effect (P = .015) and lower mean negative effect (P = .028) scores. Conversely, more time spent sitting in lagged models (i.e., T-1) was associated with higher mean negative effect (P = .001) and lower mean positive effect (P = .040) scores. In lagged models, better sleep quality was associated with higher positive effects (P = .007) scores but reported lower negative effects (P < .0001) scores on the same day. Lastly, on days where diet quality was higher, positive effect scores were higher (P < 0.05). Association between diet quality and positive effect was moderated by age (P = .025). Conclusion: The data suggest that same and previous day health behaviors may have a significant impact on the health and well-being of middle-aged African Americans. More research is needed to determine whether these behaviors can be targeted in real-time as a means of improving mental health outcomes in this population.


The direct digital multiplication of complex numbers is examined. The proposed technique bypasses the classical method based on the identity (A + Bj)(C + Dj) = AC − BD + (AD + BC)j. The complex multiplication is considered as one operation and is examined in the bit-level. Various multipliers, such as the parallel or serial-parallel types and the realisation through microprogramming on an arithmetic unit, are presented, all of which are based on the above technique.


Intact leaves of N. glauca and C. avellana were exposed to a range of humidities and their gas exchange monitored. Rates of transpiration and assimilation of carbon dioxide, and their sensitivities to changes in total conductance (leaf and boundary layer) were determined. The ratio of these sensitivities, δE/δA, remained substantially constant over the range of humidities. The results represent the first experimental support for a recent hypothesis that stomata vary their apertures in such a manner as to keep δE/δA constant, which optimizes carbon gain with respect to water loss.


We report in deposition of highly transparent and conductive thin layers of ZnO‐In2O3 by the electron beam gun. The effects of the composition of (ZnO)(1 − x)(In2O3)x (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 at%) films on the structure and physical properties were investigated. The films were strongly oriented along the (002) plane. The X‐ray diffraction analysis showed that as the In2O3 content increases to 6% of the doping level, the grain size increases and the lattice decreases, and then reverse occurs at 8% to 10% of In2O3 content. The surface of the ZnO‐In2O3 thin films was examined by the atomic force microscopy. By constructing a three‐layer model to analyze the spectroscopic ellipsometry experimental data, the optical parameters and energy gap were extracted. As the In2O3 content increased, the energy gap decreased from 3.37 to 3.312 at the expense of ZnO. The electrical characteristics of the (ZnO)(1 − x)(In2O3)x films were measured using the four‐point probe method. We show that the resistivity and sheet resistance of (ZnO)(1 − x)(In2O3)x decrease with increasing the In2O3 concentration. The resistivity was found to attain minimum value of 4.5 × 0−4 Ω cm and sheet resistance of 45 Ω/sq at 6% of the In2O3 content. The carrier concentration and the carrier mobility increase with In2O up to 6% of the doping level of In2O3 and then decreases. The presented physical properties of the grown (ZnO)0.94((In2O3)0.06 films recommend it for optoelectronic and solar cell applications.


It introduces the significance of research, structure, constitution, functions, designing priciple, main technical parameters and use with the operation of laser measuring instrument for electric railway OCS. Offers a feasible means for measuring height of conductor, clearance and stagger value of electric railway OCS.


A method is proposed to recognize realtime ping-pong player's action in Microsoft Kinect Sensor environment. A model containing three angles is established to represent ping-pong arm action features through skeletal data. Constructing an equalratio filter to calculate the likelihood probabilities for every action type in every skeletal frame data. The filter considers most poses and employs a coefficient to adjust the weights of the arm poses. The experimental results show that this method not only keep high real-time performance but also has high accuracy.


Implement a proper method in multimedia data management is important to support multimedia application's domain. The method is to ensure that the process of data store, retrieving and manipulation in a distributed environment can be conducted in an efficient manner. A reliable or appropriate format of record structure in multimedia data management tool is required in order to trace validation and transaction of multimedia data. Hence, the concept of temporal database can be applied to overcome this situation. The paper presents the development of the temporal based multimedia data management model. The two elements of time will associate into the model to fulfill the requirement. Transaction time and valid time will monitor the changes (event) and transaction that happen to the multimedia data stored in a database. The use of time elements provided a new schema to query multimedia data based on past, current and future time. The designed model is implemented under web services based environment by utilizing J2EE platform. Applying this implementation approach is believed to provide application sharing under multiple environments, reduce complexity and cost savings.


Auditory neuropathy is a type of hearing loss that is caused by an abnormality in the transmission of nerve impulses travelling from the inner ear to the brain. Both ears are usually affected. There is no cure, but hearing aids and cochlear implants may help improve hearing.


This paper focuses on mobile radio downlinks in which an access point (AP) supports a number of mobile terminals (MTs). As a special feature of the considered downlinks, both the AP and each MT are equipped with multi-antennas so that each of the partial downlinks from the AP to one of the MTs has a MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) structure, and the total downlink is one of the type multi-user MIMO. First, a generic mathematical model for such downlinks was developed, which allowed the inclusion of frequency selective channels. Then, receiver oriented multi-user MIMO downlinks were introduced which were characterized by the fact that, in contrast to conventional downlinks, the algorithms to be utilized in the receivers were a priori determined, whereas the transmitter algorithms resulted a posteriori based on the receiver algorithms and on channel state information. The rationale behind receiver orientation implies the opportunity to transfer implementation complexity from the MTs to the AP and was specially suited for mobile radio systems utilizing the duplexing scheme TDD (Time Division Multiplexing). A favorable choice of the receiver algorithms was proposed, and the theoretical findings were completed by some illustrative simulation results.


Study of quality indicators of honeysuckle seedlings propagated by green cuttings. Conducting an experiment in the conditions of the agricultural complex "Maysky stud farm".


The J-PARC linac is to be upgraded from present 181 MeV to 400 MeV and the peak current to 50mA. This paper presents results of machine errors studies performed with 3D simulation code IMPACT. It is intended to validate the design, to predict possible beam situations at the RCS injection point and to be helpful for the coming commissioning.


The ability to measure the concentration of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in solution is critical for quality assessment and control in many disparate applications, including wine, aviation fuels and IVF. The objective of this research is to develop a rapid test for the hydrogen peroxide content that can be performed on very low volume samples (i.e. sub-μL) that is relatively independent of other products within the sample. For H2O2 detection we use suspended core optical fibers to achieve a high evanescent field interaction with the fluid of interest, without the constraint of limited interaction length that is generally inherent with nanowire structures. By filling the holes of the fiber with an analyte/fluorophore solution we seek to create a quick and effective sensor that should enable detection of desired species within liquid media. By choosing a fluorophore that reacts with our target species to produce an increase in fluorescence, we can correlate observed fluorescence intensity with the concentration of the target molecule.


The testing of digital logic circuits has become quite complex owing to miniaturisation and its associated increase in circuit function per unit area. Methods have been devised for testing ASIC products and, latterly, board level products. A new method (BILCO) is presented for probing asynchronous combinational logic circuits using a novel development of scan path principles.


This paper is concerned with the application of distributed Interleave-Division-Multiplexing Space- Time Codes (dIDM-STCs) in relaying systems with error-prone relays applying Decode-and-Forward (DF). In case of erroneous decoding at the relays, error propagation occurs which is not considered by the original detection scheme for IDM-STCs. Hence, a new Reliability Aware Iterative Detection Scheme (RAID) is proposed which takes the decoding success of the relays as well as their decoding reliability into account. By optimally incorporating this knowledge in the detection process at the destination, substantial performance gains compared to the original detection scheme are achieved. The proposed RAID scheme even outperforms adaptive relaying as it explicitly exploits also erroneous relays, which is not the case for the adaptive scheme.


Modern portfolio optimization is centered around creating a low-risk portfolio with extensive asset diversification. Following the seminal work of Markowitz, optimal asset allocation can be computed using a constrained optimization model based on empirical covariance. However, covariance is typically estimated from historical lookback observations, and it is prone to noise and may inadequately represent future market behavior. As a remedy, information filtering networks from network science can be used to mitigate the noise in empirical covariance estimation, and therefore, can bring added value to the portfolio construction process. In this paper, we propose the use of the Statistically Robust Information Filtering Network (SR-IFN) which leverages the bootstrapping techniques to eliminate unnecessary edges during the network formation and enhances the network's noise reduction capability further. We apply SR-IFN to index component stock pools in the US, UK, and China to assess its effectiveness. The SR-IFN network is partially disconnected with isolated nodes representing lesser-correlated assets, facilitating the selection of peripheral, diversified and higher-performing portfolios. Further optimization of performance can be achieved by inversely proportioning asset weights to their centrality based on the resultant network.


The hybrid deicing system combines the traditional electrothermal deicing system with the electro impulse deicing system. Firstly, the prototype design of the ice wind tunnel hybrid deicing system is carried out, and the electrothermal deicing system and the electro impulse deicing system are integrated in the airfoil model. Then, through the laboratory plate deicing experiment to study the deicing effect of different heating and excitation combinations, explore the work control law of the hybrid deicing system, and finally verify the effect of the hybrid deicing system through the ice wind tunnel test. The plate panel test found that with the increase of the surface temperature of the skin, there is a minimum binding force between the ice and the skin. In the ice wind tunnel deicing experiment, the prototype of the hybrid deicing system shows a good deicing effect with less energy consumption.


Some topics of the recent LHD (Large Helical Device) experimental results related with the extension of the operational regime to the fusion reactor are reviewed. LHD experiments can demonstrate the high ion temperature discharge with confinement improvement similar to the internal transport barrier. Super high density and high pressure plasmas with IDB (internal diffusion barriers) are obtained. The central electron density exceeds 1.1x10m and IDB discharges enable good confinement regime to be extended to the high density operation regime. 5.1% volume averaged beta plasma is transiently produced by pellet fuelling and 5% plasma is maintained in quasi-steady state by gas-puff fuelling. By using an IDB, high central beta plasma comparable with standard high beta operation has been achieved. On the steady state operation, the pulse time with high input power operation is extended by the replacement of the divertor plate with good heat conductivity. The future subjects on LHD experiments to reactor are also discussed.


Slag-metal-coal reactions in the iron-bath smelter were analyzed based on a reaction model. It was concluded that the productivity and carbon content of the hot metal produced in a smelter can be controlled by adjusting the slag volume and iron oxide content in slag. Furthermore, iron oxide content is determined by the slag volume and the stirring intensity of the slag.


The study of nanocrystalline ceramics is currently very popular. There are at least three reasons for this interest: N the possibility to realise high levels of properties and service characteristics using nanostructured ceramics N the truly interdisciplinary nature of these studies – many chemists, physicists, biologists, material scientists, technologists, and specialists in computer science and in Earth science have a strong interest in nanoceramics N this topic has revealed many gaps not only in fundamental, but also in technological, knowledge. This special issue of Advances in Applied Ceramics does not cover all directions in nanoceramics research. It was considered of interest to focus attention on the state-of-the-art of development of consolidated bulk nanomaterials. It is well known that the main difficulty in the preparation of bulk nanomaterial is achieving full densification while preventing recrystallisation and retaining the nanostructure. Different approaches in this area are described in the reviews and papers of Drs Chaim et al., Khasanov and Dvilis, as well as Ragulya. Some of these results, developed in Russia and Ukraine, are not widely known in other countries. New information on colloidal processing, hard oxidation-resistant nanocomposites, nanoceramic biomaterials, and sinteractive 3Y-TZP powder is also presented (papers and review of Drs Boccaccini, Musil et al., Ignjatovic and Uskokovic, Ghosh and Tech).


Paper presented at the annual meeting of the Information Management Working Group of the European Association of Development Research and Training Institutes (EADI), 6–9 September 2000, Bergen, Norway. Outlines work in progress regarding knowledge management development within the development and relief charity, Oxfam. In the initial stage, knowledge management is being handled as a project. The Project Sponsor is a senior manager and member of the corporate management team. A three-year knowledge management strategy has been developed. The first phase comprises three pilot projects, dealing respectively with: knowledge mapping in emergencies response; assessing the effectiveness of Oxfam programmes on African land rights issues and HIV/AIDS; Knowledge Management for Shop Managers in the Trading Division. Knowledge management has been identified as a core competency for staff within Oxfam. Knowledge management activities will be assessed in individual annual performance reviews.


: This study aims to determine the relationship of maternal interpersonal communication participation in Posyandu activities in KutaBlang Health Center, Bireuen Regency. This research is descriptive and cross sectional in mothers who have children under five years as many as 91 people through interviews with questionnaires. The results showed participation mothers in Posyandu activities amounted to 68.1%, there was a significant interpersonal communication relationship (openness with RP = 2.3 95% C1 = 1,321 to 4,296 • empathy 2.6 95% CI = 1,560 to 4,586; support with RP = 2 , 5 95% CI = 1,432 to 4,504; positive attitude with RP = X3.0 95% CI = 1,632 to 5,577 and equality with RP = 2.6 95% CI = 1,394 to 5,038) with maternal participation. Interpersonal communication has a significant relationship with maternal participation because it has a p-value < α 005. The most dominant relationship with maternal participation in Posyandu cadre activities is position, which has a relationship of 8,616 times (2,352 to 31,569). It is recommended to posyandu cadres to show good empathy in interpersonal communication with mothers, and toddlers mothers should provide good participation.


background The characteristics of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) observed among relatives of people affected with autism are referred to as broader autism phenotype (BAP). Among the components of BAP are language and communication skills. Research to date on these skills amongst the relatives of individuals with ASD is inconclusive. Furthermore, limited data are available about preschool-aged siblings of children with ASD.


This paper describes the design, development, and flight-simulation testing of an artificial-immune-system-based approach for the evaluation of different aircraft subsystem failures/damages. The evaluation consists of the estimation of the magnitude/severity of the failure and the prediction of the achievable states, leading to an overall assessment of the effects of the failure on reducing the flight envelope. A supersonic fighter model is used, which includes model-following adaptive control laws based on nonlinear dynamic inversion and artificial neural network augmentation. Data collected from a motion-based flight simulator were used to define the self for a wide area of the flight envelope and to test and validate the proposed approach. Example results are presented for failure-magnitude evaluation and flight-envelope-reduction prediction for abnormal conditions affecting sensors, actuators, engine, and wing structure. Successful failure detection and identification are assumed before evaluation. The results show the capabilities of the artificial-immune-system-based scheme to evaluate the severity of the failure and to predict the reduction of the flight envelope in a general manner.


Political culture is a broad and capacious term. For the purposes of this article I have acknowledged that it is a set of views, attitudes and beliefs prevalent in a given community. Analyzing from this angle the behavior of the inhabitants of the land of Brandenburgia and the former Gorzowskie Voyvodship, I have tried to demonstrate common features, as well as differences between the communities of the border region. Both communities had to cope with a difficult period of system transformation, which in addition to benefits, posed a lot of problems.


: Many real environments are dynamic, such as in a stock exchange where participants are arriving and departing at different times, Selling seats on an airplane to buyers arriving over time, selling adverts on a search engine to a possibly changing group of buyers and with uncertainty about the future supply of search terms and allocating tasks to a dynamically changing team of agents. In above mentioned environments at least one of the following is true: either agents are dynamically arriving or departing, or there is uncertainty about the set of feasible decisions in the future. The existing solutions for static settings are inappropriate in the dynamic settings.


In this paper description of complex impedance measurement system for environmental sensors characterization is described. Device can be used as standalone device but it also can be connected to the PC through serial communication. Color display is used for local graphical presentation of measured values while for online PC analysis specialized application was developed. System verification was done in frequency range from 5 to 100 kHz for impedance range from 100 'Ω to 100 k'Ω. Verification of impedance magnitude and phase angle measurement results as done as proof that developed system can be used for characterization of sensors for air, soil and water pollution monitoring developed within SENSEIVER project.


The Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) field of research is an interesting topic in the research community these days, because of its applicability in various fields such as civilian and medical research applications. Due to the resources and energy constraints in WSNs, routing can be considered as one of the most important issues in these networks. Every routing protocol designed for WSNs should be reliable, energy-efficient and prolong the network lifetime. This research proposes a beacon-enabled least-time and energy-efficient routing protocol with one-level data-aggregation using an IEEE 802.15.4 which is suitable for Low-Rate Wireless Personal Area Networks as WSNs, because of its low power consuming feature. The proposed protocol is compared to popular ad hoc and WSNs routing protocols i.e., Ad hoc On-Demand Distance Vector, Dynamic Source Routing, Destination-Sequenced Distance Vector routing, Directed Diffusion and Minimum Cost Forwarding. The propose work is simulated using network simulator 2. The simulation results show that the proposed protocol outperformed the routing protocols in the literature in terms of latency, throughput, average energy consumption and average network lifetime.


Context: The main chronic diseases are heart disease, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, and they are among the leading causes of death worldwide. Problem: Risk factors related to chronic diseases are correlated with people's lifestyles, and early changes can prevent many chronic disease deaths. Solution: This article proposes an ontology called B-Track Onto that classifies behaviors that attenuate or worsen the risk factors associated with chronic diseases. This ontology works with user behavior profiles and makes recommendations for healthier behaviors. B-Track Onto serves as a knowledge model for information systems that aim to track behaviors associated with risk factors for chronic diseases. SI Theory: The Behavioral Decision Theory was approached, mainly in the incorporation of real patterns of decision making. Method: The ontology has axioms and semantic rules used to provide queries and inferences about its instantiated base. The definition of seven questions allowed inferences to evaluate the ontology. Summary of Results: The MIMIC-III dataset was used as base to import 21 patients from the clinical samples. B-Track Onto inferred all imported patients and categorized them in the expected classes. Besides, this work executed SPARQL queries to answer the competence questions, which returned the expected results for each question. Contributions and Impact in the IS area: B-Track Onto is the first ontology to correlate human behavior and risk factors of chronic diseases, being a potential tool for classifying preventive and non-preventive behaviors. A specialist can use these classification results as part of an Information System in a decision support platform.


MusicSG is a non-profit digital archive set up to digitize, archive and provide access to all forms of published Singapore musical works. It brings together a collection of music composed or published by Singaporeans, music produced or published in Singapore, and music related to Singapore. Set up by the National Library Board, Singapore (NLB), MusicSG aims to raise awareness of Singapore music as well as provide resources for research and discovery. This initiative also contributes to NLB's role in the preservation of Singapore's artistic heritage and legacy. Background It took several years for MusicSG to take its current form. The idea for a digital archive of recorded music from Singapore was first mooted in 2006. The intent then was to have a startup database of endangered local music that would later be expanded to include popular and traditional music from the Asian region. Initially titled ARCAsia (ARChive of Music Asia), the project's objective was to provide access to recorded music from the 1940s to 1980s in a digital format to support scholars, researchers, composers and students in their study and research. There was a need to develop an archive of this nature due to fears that audio collections held by disparate sources such as government agencies, music associations, and private individuals might become obsolete or have quality loss over time. It was thus deemed important to bring together these audio collections, which might otherwise be lost, and find a way to digitize and preserve them. Not only would there be a single repository that would greatly enhance searching for long-lost melodies and folk-songs but also current and future generations of users could access these collections with greater convenience. As music and audio-visual librarians are well aware, musical recordings are fraught with complex rights issues. Multiple streams of clearances need to be sought in order for an institution to be able to digitize and provide access to a wider audience. This issue is further compounded for music tracks recorded in decades past where provenance may be near-impossible to verify or come from recording companies that may have become defunct. Against this backdrop, prior to MusicSG's original launch in November 2010, ARCAsia was repositioned to be a digital archive on recorded music from Singapore. This was largely due to rights issues and the complexities navigating right clearances for music beyond Singapore. However, this repositioning led to the birth of MusicSG. Major Developments in 2013 First launched in 2010, the original MusicSG website was in need of a make-over and injection of new content. Due to organisational and project-related changes, there was a brief hiatus in on-going operational work and outreach activities. The website, however, continued to receive a sizeable number of hits and page-views but it was also decided that the content could be better packaged. With a dedicated project manager on board as well as funding to refresh the portal in 2013, exciting developments were soon underway. The following sections highlight the new additions and changes to MusicSG, in 2013, which then made possible the launch of the revamped portal. Content highlights MusicSG's collection is built primarily by music contributions received from the public and music industry players, who share and deposit their published works in the music archive. Intellectual property copyrights must be cleared before the National Library can provide access to the music resources. The refurbished MusicSG portal provides a one-stop music resource for users who want to conveniently access music resources and learn more about how Singapore's music scene has evolved over the years. From its initial collection of 6,000 works in 2010, MusicSG's resources have grown to over 13,000 works (end of 2014). The resources include both audio and text material: tracks, scores, lyrics, biographies, videos, articles and more. …


Modern democratic politics is mainly characterized by citizens' participation.Political participation of College students is an important way of campus construction,and also it will help to improve socialist democracy and maintain social stability.The paper defines the connotation of university students' political participation and analyzes the significance and important methods,the existing problems of university students' political participation.Finally it puts forward the measures to improve the university students' political participation.


The GaAs metal semiconductor field effect transistors called mesfets are the most active components used in microwave applications. To better exploit the performance of these components circuits, it is necessary to develop techniques for sophisticated numerical computation based on physical mechanisms that govern the operation of these devices. The static properties of GaAs MESFET could be determined from an original analytical study based on the resolution of the semiconductor fundamental equations. Then we will study the equation of thermal resistance as a function of the physical parameters of MESFETs by analogy electric thermal resistance RTH will be determined as the ratio of the difference of temperature on the thermal dissipation. The model took into account the difference between the temperature of the component and the ambient temperature and the effect of temperature on the parameters of the component.


Part 1 Water, purity and hygiene: new knowledge new objectives the triumph of hygiene. Part 2 Mass diffusion: the power of the press the role of the hospital schools and the moulding of attitudes. Part 3 The effects of the conquest: water becomes an industrial product the development of the infrasctructure water in everyday life. Conclusion: the significance of change.


Greece after 1400: 'The wealth of the Mycenaean world appears to have suddenly dried up. Here we have one of the surest indications of that dangerous population increase which was beginning to threaten the Achaean world. Peace had lasted a long time; the women were, clearly, all too fertile, and devoted to the worship of the Great Mother, the goddess of fecundity; the men, in so far as we can tell from their skeletons, were handsome, virile specimens, and the fine Greek climate did the rest.' In actual fact the Mycenaean civilization expanded and flourished for long after 1400 B.c., as archaeological evidence (e.g. Mycenaean trade in the eastern Mediterranean, and the palace at Pylos) clearly shows; and the remarks about Cyprus, Pylos and Rhodes, in the bibliographical note and Appendix I, are no excuse for ignoring so much of the evidence. But what can we expect? The bibliographical note warns us that in Greek Bronze Age studies there are three basic groups of works-those of Schliemann, Evans, and Ventris. Those of the Schliemann group are 'now no more than archaeological curiosities', while those of Evans and his adherents are still widely used-wrongly, in the author's opinion. 'If, however, we reject the works of Schliemann, Evans, and all their followers . . . the ground is quickly cleared, and the choice of reading matter much reduced.' The author does not actually say that he has reduced his own choice in this way. Nor is it just a matter of omissions. We are informed, as though it were fact, that in the Bronze Age agriculture was still relatively unimportant, that the Cadmean dynasty 'was, beyond any possible doubt, founded by Cadmus . . . about the middle of the fourteenth century B.c.', that 'Greece has yielded up countless tombs of the Geometric period, but very few from the Bronze Age' (there were over 50 at Prosymna alone), that 'slavery as such was virtually non-existent in Achaean Society' (here at least the translator interposes a note that 'somewhat different views' are held by others), 'that Aristaeus (who discovered how to produce bees from a dead bull) was a historical figure (Jloruit shortly after 1400 B.c.), that 'the mere fact that the second temple at Delphi was a sacred beehive is proof enough'-for whom?'that Achaeans were settled in Phocis, and that their Delphic prophecies were uttered under the influence of hydromel' (Greek for mead). Mead, we learn, was the drink of the cattle-herding Achaean chiefs, who lived around the swampy


Text, talk and videotapes - on the social construction(s) of reading in an eight-grade class. Paper presented at EARLI Conference in Gothenburg


We propose a novel approach to realize unidirectional radiation in an asymmetric single resonator without using an external mirror, which is based on mutual coupling between two degenerate resonant modes through the background scattering of the asymmetric resonator. In the proposed approach, only one of the resonant modes experiences optical gain and the other works just as an internal reflector. So, our approach is conceptually to mimic a one-port system by introducing the internal reflector in a two-port system. Due to this intuitive and simple operation concept, the design of such devices is straightforward. We described the operation principle by using the temporal coupled-mode theory, from which a practical design method was derived. An example device of the proposed approach was designed based on guided-mode resonances in a slab waveguide grating and its performance was analyzed with the finite-difference time-domain simulation. A ratio of 4.6 x 104 between the upward and the downward radiations was numerically demonstrated.


This study conceptualizes founding team human capital with three multi–item scales that are related to critical functional areas in new service ventures: marketing capabilities, market–linking capabilities, and service design capabilities. We develop and empirically test a theoretical framework linking founding team capabilities to service venture performance through two strategic positional advantages: scalability and protectability. Our results provide insight into previous inconsistent findings regarding founding teams' impact on new venture performance, offer important managerial implications, and point to future research directions.


The mechanical behavior of wheel-tract system in the new light train with rubber felloe is different to that with steel wheels.Also,it is not the same with the mechanical behavior of wheel-ground system of vehicle.Numerical analysis has been conducted to study the mechanical behavior of the new wheel-tract system based on a parameterized rigid-flexible wheel-rail contact model.Deformations of three dimensions of the wheel have been obtained.An equivalent stiffness is introduced to reflect the relationship between the rubber deformation and load.Through this equivalent stiffness,the mechanical model of wheel-tract system in the new light train with rubber wheels can is simplified by treated the rubber wheel as a tri-axial spring.


The central role played by parliament in the political life of early modern England has naturally ensured that parliamentary studies whether of the institution generally or of individual parliaments continue to occupy an honoured place in early modern English historiography. Indeed, it has hardly ever been otherwise. The three books under review here are all to some extent products of a relatively new methodological orthodoxy regarding parliamentary history which is generally referred to (however imprecisely) as revisionism. Collectively, they embody an approach which eschews teleology thereby freeing these studies of the burden of explaining the rise of modern democracy and which attempts to recreate these meetings in their proper (and singular) political contexts; which recognizes the bicameral nature of parliament and, accordingly, pays as much attention to the house of lords as to the house of commons; and which attempts to consider the wider political world outside Westminster and its impact on both the expectations and the outcomes of particular meetings. The stated purpose of the collection of essays edited by Dr Dean and Professor Jones is to broaden our understanding of Elizabethan parliaments by placing them in their proper historical setting, principally by explaining exactly what these parliaments did and did not do, and how their activities were actually perceived by contemporary Englishmen. Historians of the past, the editors suggest, have failed to ask the right questions of the records, or have been predisposed to look only for those answers which supported a predetermined interpretation. As a consequence, the picture they have presented is incomplete, or worse, misleading. Clearly, the principal villain here is Sir John Neale, and the unstated though obvious aim of this collection is to continue the process, pioneered by Sir Geoffrey Elton, of systematically correcting the misapprehensions of the Neale interpretation. Neale's Elizabethan parliaments were, characteristically, occasions for confrontation between the crown and an increasingly sophisticated and powerful house of commons. (The upper house disappeared from Neale's equation almost entirely). The Commons, Neale suggested, reached its maturity as an institution during Elizabeth's reign and its members came to recognize and refine their powers and procedures in order to challenge the crown for the political and religious high road. It was, for Neale, a crucial chapter in the evolution of parliament. That premise is challenged here from the start. In an opening discussion of the nature of early-modern representation, the editors point out that contemporaries would have been altogether unfamiliar with modern notions of political accountability. M.P.s were sent to Westminster to advise and consult on public business. In so doing,


had a transient left hemiparesis and in 1984 a right hemianopia. She has subsequently had two episodes of weakness and multiple episodes of tingling affecting the hands. Her clotting profile was investigated hy haemostatometry^ and showed a thromhotic tendency and inhibited thromholysis. These abnormal haemostatic findings were corrected to within the normal range hy aspirin and nifedipine and she remained symptom-free with normal haemostatometry for 2 years, until she became pregnant. Haemostatometry then showed a marked thrombotic tendency with hyperactive platelets, hypercoagulation and no thrombolysis. Despite increase in antiplatelet medication to aspirin, 300 mg daily and nifedipine, 60 mg daily, there was no improvement in her coagulation profile and in May 1990, when 34 weeks' pregnant, she had a left-sided transient ischaemic attack. This resolved within 6 h leaving no residual neurological deficit. She had an elective Caesarian section in June 1990 under intravenous heparin and was delivered of a healthy, normal male. She was then anticoagulated with warfarin for 5 months and, when warfarin was stopped and her antiplatelet medication with aspirin and nifedipine recommenced at the previous dose, she remained very thrombotic with no thrombolysis and has had two further transient ischaemic episodes.


Background Two congenital bleeding diatheses have been identified in Thoroughbred horses: Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) and a second, novel diathesis associated with abnormal platelet function in response to collagen and thrombin stimulation. Hypothesis/Objectives Platelet dysfunction in horses with this second thrombasthenia results from a secretory defect. Animals Two affected and 6 clinically normal horses. Methods Ex vivo study. Washed platelets were examined for (1) expression of the αIIb‐β3 integrin; (2) fibrinogen binding capacity in response to ADP and thrombin; (3) secretion of dense and α‐granules; (4) activation of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)‐protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway; and (5) cellular distribution of phosphatidylinositol‐4‐phosphate‐3‐kinase, class 2B (PIK3C2B) and SH2 containing inositol‐5′‐phosphatase 1 (SHIP1). Results Platelets from affected horses expressed normal amounts of αIIb‐β3 integrin and bound fibrinogen normally in response to ADP, but bound 80% less fibrinogen in response to thrombin. α‐granules only released 50% as much Factor V as control platelets, but dense granules released their contents normally. Protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation was reduced after thrombin activation, but mTOR Complex 2 (mTORC2) and phosphoinositide‐dependent kinase 1 (PDK1) signaling were normal. SH2‐containing inositol‐5'‐phosphatase 1 (SHIP1) did not localize to the cytoskeleton of affected platelets and was decreased overall consistent with reduced AKT phosphorylation. Conclusions and clinical significance Defects in fibrinogen binding, granule secretion, and signal transduction are unique to this thrombasthenia, which we designate as atypical equine thrombasthenia.


During April and May 1964, high-speed polarization measurements of 42-MHz auroral backscatter were made at Saskatoon with a time-sharing polarimeter capable of measuring fading rates up to about 100 Hz. The fading is often very deep and quasi-periodic with pronounced power in the 5–25 Hz range and major peaks near 10 Hz. The spectral power becomes greater in the 5–10 Hz range when the auroral scatter intensity increases. The relationship between the scatter bursts and pulsating primary electron flux is discussed.


With the high demands on the quality of high-tech products for consumers, assuring the lifetime performance is a very important task for competitive manufacturing industries. The lifetime performance index CL is frequently used to monitor the larger-the-better lifetime performance of products. This research is related to the topic of asymmetrical probability distributions and applications across disciplines. Chen lifetime distribution with a bathtub shape or increasing failure rate function has many applications in the lifetime data analysis. We derived the uniformly minimum variance unbiased estimator (UMVUE) for CL, and we used this estimator to develop a hypothesis testing procedure of CL under a lower specification limit based on the progressive type-II censored sample. The Bayesian estimator for CL is also derived, and it is used to develop another hypothesis testing procedure. A simulation study is conducted to compare the average confidence levels for two procedures. Finally, one practical example is given to illustrate the implementation of our proposed non-Bayesian and Bayesian testing procedure.


The thermal decomposition of uranyl chloride and its interaction with uranium dioxide in a chloride melt of NaC1 -- KC1 was investigated. It was demonstrated that the decomposition products of uranyl chloride and the products of its interaction with uranium dioxide are uranium octoxide and tetrachloride. An explanation was given for the nonstoiehiometry of the cathodic deposits of uranium dioxide produced in the electrolysis of chloride melts containing uranyl ions. It is known that uranium dioxide can be used as a nu~ear material for the preparation of fuel elements. One of the promising methods for producing the crystalline dioxide is the electrolysis of chloride melts containing uranyl ions; in this case a deposit whose density and stoichiometric composition are close to UO 2 is obtained at the cathode. Inasmuch as the process of electrolysis is carried out at comparatively high temperatures (450-850"C), the question of the thermal stability of uranyl chloride under these conditions, as well as that of the nature of the interaction of uranium dioxide with the electrolyte, must be resolved. Wilks [1] believes that uranyl chloride dissolved in a molten mixture of sodium and potassium chlorides is partially decomposed into uranium octoxide and gaseous chlorine, while in [2] it was shown that the decomposition results in the formation of uranium dioxide and chlorine. The information on the interaction of uranium dioxide with a chloride melt containing uranyl ions is just as contradictory. Some authors [1] assert that uranium dioxide is enriched with oxygen in such melts and approaches the composition UO2.02_2~ , while Adams [3] on the basis of spectralmeasurem ents and Stromatt [4] from an analysis of cathodic and anodic chronopotentiogr ams concluded that UO 2 interacts in molten chloride with UO2C12, resulting in the formation of a compound of pentavalent uranium UO2C1. As was shown earlier [5], the electrode potential of uranium dioxide in molten chlorides of the alkali metals, containing uranyl ions, is more electronegative than the chloride reference electrode by ~ 0.6 V. This is evidence that the equilibrium pressure of chlorine above the melt will already be substantial (N 10-6 atm). Consequently, if the partial pressure of chlorine in the gas phase is somehow reduced (evacuation of the cell, purging of chlorine with inert gas or its absorption by acid metals ), then the reduction of hexavalent uranium to the lower valence forms may be expected in the melt. In this case, the redox potential of the system will decrease, which may be ascertained with the aid of an indicator electrode that is indifferent to the investigated melts. An analysis of the reduction products makes it possible to investigate the reactions that occur in this process.


Why do incumbents in competitive authoritarian regimes continue to win elections or lose power? Employing a time-series cross-national analysis of election outcomes, I show that autocratic incumbents or their parties endure despite poor economic performance, economic modernization, and trade openness. Instead, I demonstrate that incumbents in competitive authoritarian regimes that permit meaningful electoral competition persist in power if they can create partisan advantages by politicizing public resources. Conversely, such regimes meet their doom when privatizations put the state's fiscal power out of their reach. The argument has implications for the fate of competitive authoritarian regimes, transitions to democracy in hybrid systems, and the study of incumbency advantages and electoral fairness in comparative politics.


The practical situation of the people in Hun society from the central land like Yuchang and the practicality unearthed from the tomb of Noyan Uul both shown the fact that there was no rupture ideology between Han and Hun peoples in Hun region in the two Han Dynasties.It is the fact that Hun marched southward to invade the bordering counties,but the main purpose is for gaining economical material for their living.The dispute between Han and Hun was only happened in some parts of the region temporarily.The main stream of the relationship between Han and Hun was to tread peacefully and exchange goods fairly.


Ten emergency departments in Colorado volunteered to participate in a Colorado Hospital Association project [2] to reduce the use of opioids over a six-month period in 2017. Data collected upon completion of the project showed a 36 percent reduction in opioid use, far exceeding the project goal of a 15 percent reduction. All ten hospital emergency departments posted opioid prescription rates beat the 15 percent reduction goal.


The CAD/BIM Technology Center receives numerous questions throughout the year regarding the development of a Record Package that shows as-built conditions. While the Center does produce Standards on the look and organization of CAD drawings that are used to show as-built conditions, users wanted guidance on the Record Package development. The Chicago District had undertaken the development of such guidance, but a formal document was never officially released. The CAD/BIM Community of Practice (CoP) Work Structure Committee finished this guidance and their efforts are reflected in this document.


Two coherent optical methods of performing a second-order nonlinear (quadratic) transform on a two-dimensional signal are investigated. Both methods are based on a modal expansion of the transform as a sum of linear transforms each followed by a squaring operation. The first method is based on computing the transforms associated with the modes sequentially (by use of, for example, acousto-optic scanning). The second is a parallel method (employing, for example, a holographic optical element).


We report the results of retrospective study about 529 cases of envenomation by sting of scorpion in the provincial hospital in Beni-Mellal during 2006. In the end of our study, we relate following points : Incidence equal to 0,55%° . The medium age of patients is 21,49 years. Male and female are almost touched, sex-ratio to 1,18. 93,96% of our patients are of farming origin. 47,26% of our patients were stings during the months of July and August. 63,32% of stings were produced during the first half of night (18h to 24h). 94% of stings were located on the limbs. 57,5% of the cases were in home area. Black scorpion was implicated in 64,28% . The average delay between sting and care is 3h50mn. Local pain is noticed in 76% of our patients. The medium delay between sting and the first symptom is 23,1mn. The symptomatology is dominated by digestive (37,99%), vegetative (25,14%) and neurological (16,06%). In our study, we have adopted ABROUG's classification : -Class I : 70,89% -Class II : 19,47% -Class III : 9,64% 80,72% of our patients have stared with traditional treatment. None of our patients have received the SAS. Among 529 cases, 327 patients were observed during 4hours (61,81%) and 150 patients were admitted to the hospital (28,35%). 11 cases of death were declared, that is to say 2,08% of our patients. The rationalization of medical care given to the poisoned patients and rationalization of medicine consumption are the results of the strategy of hospital care for scorpion poisoning. However, the occurrence and the death of poisoning cases are still high yet, wish point to the insufficient of material in the reanimation and prevention program.


Abstract The SO2 sorption characteristics of a commercial H-mordenite and an aluminum-deficient mordenite with a molar SiO2/Al2O3 ratio of 75, prepared from the H-form, were investigated. The sorption isotherms and the reduced sorptive diffusivities were determined in the temperature range 298–358 K and at pressures up to 0.2 atm. It was found that the partially irreversible SO2 sorption on the H-form became completely reversible by the removal of structural aluminum, while the absolute sorption capacity was decreased by 10–40% and the rate of sorption was improved by 50%.


Miniaturized low-power, high-speed scanners are tremendously useful in a variety of applications. Besides MEMS micromirrors, the in-plane vibratory grating scanner is a development in this area which possesses several unique features. The in-plane scanning mechanism minimizes the dynamic non-rigid-body out-of-plane deformation of the mirror surface, allowing for higher-resolution displays. The dispersive element permits splitting the incoming beam into its constituents for analysis. Coupling a grating platform to an in-plane moving structure is also useful for real-time motion measurement which would otherwise be difficult to pick-up. The past developments till the current design are explored in this paper. Possible alternative applications besides image display, for example spectral imaging and realtime motion sensing are also described.


Review(s) of: Globalisation and Higher Education in the Arab Gulf States, by Gari Donn and Yahya Al Manthri, Symposium Books, 2010, ISBN 978-1-873927-31-1. Includes references.


Objective To research the effect of sputtering power on the deposition rate, structure and surface roughness of TaN thin films prepared by the magnetron sputtering that directly bombardment the TaN target. Methods In this paper, TaN thin films were deposited on SiO2 substrates by a reactive radio frequency magnetron sputtering system that directly bombardment the TaN target under different sputtering powers at room temperature. The thickness of the films is obtained by cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy (SEM) views. The phase structure and surface roughness of TaN film is investigated by X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy. Results The results show that the film deposition rate increases with the increasing sputtering power, and sputtering power expresses a good linear relationship with deposition rate. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the film is amorphous when the sputtering power is 100W, and crystallization effect will be getting better with the increasing power without heat treatment. Also, the films display excellent (111) crystalline orientation compared with the conventional reaction sputtering. Atomic force microscope (AFM) results showed that the effect of sputtering power on the surface roughness of the films is complicated. When the puttering power is less and greater than 200W, the surface roughness increases with increasing power. However, the surface roughness is relatively small when the power is 200W. Conclusion The film prepared by magnetron sputtering is compact and smooth, and exhibits fine adhesion. Sputtering power has an important influence on the deposition of TaN films. When the sputtering power is 200W, films with good performance can be obtained.


The southwestern coast of southern Africa is one of the driest regions in the world. It is not surprising that the arid to hyperarid conditions there lead to a very low expanse in vegetation cover and to a huge amount of barren sediments that are prone to wind erosion. In fact, a number of studies have already proven the importance of southern African dust sources for the atmospheric dust load from both, large scale features like salt pans as well as small geomorphologic features like ephemeral river basins along the coastline.


According to our conclusions on the official data analyzed in thirteen meteorological stations in this region of southwestern Europe, for the 1961-2010 annual series, more than 43% of the autumn-winter days with prevailing winds from the South, or South Wind, register average temperature values (T) higher than their respective autumn-winter average. Likewise, in eleven of the thirteen stations analyzed, for the same annual series, the average relative humidity (H) record corresponding to the set of autumn-winter days with predominant South Wind is lower than the respective mid autumn-winter and in the other two seasons both records are equal.


The tolerance of spirulina to Pb~(2+) in water is studied. Experiments show that Pb~(2+) acts as an inhibitor on the growth of spirulina, as the growth of the spirulina decreases with the increasing of the concentration of Pb~(2+). Spirulina has tolerance to Pb~(2+), and the 72h EC_(50) is 11.46mg/L. It also indicates that pH of the spirulina solution increases with the culture time.


on of family examination fi nd-ings for for his hypertension. Biochemical investigations revealed elevated serum adjusted calcium of 3.02 mmol/L, elevated serum parathyroid (PTH) of mmol/L, and 24-h calcium excretion of 19.7 mmol/24 Renal function was normal (serum mL/min/1.7m


SUMMARY Objectives: To describe the syndromes that share overlapping clinical features with fibromyalgia [FMS]. Findings: There are a number of semantic terms currently used to described systemic syndromes that share overlapping features with FMS. These include chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple chemical sensitivity, somatoform disorders, and Gulf War Illnesses. There are also a number of regional or "organ-specific" syndromes that overlap with these conditions that have as their common features regional pain, with and without dysfunction of internal organs. Conclusions: In aggregate, chronic multisymptom illnesses such as FMS are extremely common. Hallmarks of these syndromes include non-nociceptive pain, fatigue, memory difficulties, and dysfunction of visceral organs.


The use of opioids to treat chronic noncancer pain is controversial because of concerns about safety, efficacy, and the potential for addiction and abuse. Clinicians must therefore continue to seek out alternatives to opioids, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, muscle relaxants, benzodiazepines, and antidepressants.


A promising novel topology specially designed with the aim to reduce the effective size of the Split Ring Resonator (SRR) for sensitive and high resolution imaging applications is proposed. This is achieved by modifying the conventional SRR by slightly raising the split region of the outer ring structure perpendicular to the plane of SRR. The proposed design topology is such that the localized field at the projected portion of the structure is isolated from the remaining portion of the SRR. After identifying the needed projection height of the split region of this specially designed scanning probe, objects with dimensions very much less than operating wavelength is scanned and identified, which will not be possible by using a normal SRR. The experimental results are verified using high frequency stimulation software to authenticate the results of this newly designed sensor which may find applications in enhancing the sensitiveness of all types of SRR based sensors.