Doxorubicin, an old chemotherapy drug known as "the red devil" because of its distinctive hue and toxicity, remains a key treatment for many cancer patients. But a new study reports the drug can be tweaked to reduce its most punishing side effect, cardiac damage, without blunting its ability to curb tumors. The work, from a team in the Netherlands, upends conventional thinking about doxorubicin and related drugs, suggesting they do not need to directly damage DNA to kill cancer cells. The Dutch team now plans to test two potentially safer versions of doxorubicin9s drug class in people. But the scientists have found little corporate interest, and one onlooker is skeptical of their plan to develop the drugs on their own.


Some nonfluorescent N-substituted maleimides react selectively with thiol compounds to form fluorescent derivatives.)-6 We previously reported that NV [4-(2phthalimidyl)phenyl]maleimide (PPM) having a phenylphthalimidine moiety as a potential fluorophore is a preferable fluorescent thiol reagent.6 Recently, we found that the fluorescent intensity of the dimethoxyphthalimidyl group is higher than that of the nonsubstituted phthalimidyl group. This paper concerns the preparation of N-[4-(5,6dimethoxy-2-phthalimidyl)phenyl]maleimide (DPM) and its applicability to the fluorescence labeling of some thiols.


Abstract Phylogenetics is a widely used concept in evolutionary biology. It is the reconstruction of evolutionary history by building trees that represent branching patterns and sequences. These trees represent shared history, and it is our contention that this approach can be employed in the analysis of Galactic history. In Galactic archaeology the shared environment is the interstellar medium in which stars form and provides the basis for tree-building as a methodological tool. Using elemental abundances of solar-type stars as a proxy for DNA, we built such an evolutionary tree to study the chemical evolution of the solar neighbourhood and published in Jofré15 et al. (2017). In this proceeding we summarise these results and discuss future prospects.


It is almost conventional wisdom that human rights norms emerged in the process of political, economic, and social modernization. Specifically, that civil and political norms emerged as tribal confederations, kingdoms, and empires, including colonial empires, became states, and the residents within them evolved from being subjects of chiefs, kings, or emperors to being citizens of the newly emerged states. At the same time, new social and economic norms emerged as agriculture, mining, and craft production for subsistence and local consumption were replaced by plantation agriculture, large-scale mining, and industrial production for distant markets. In some iterations this long-term global modernization process presents itself as teleologically progressive. But, in fact, these modernizing processes were massively disruptive, dislocating, exploitative, and violent. Many states were created by internal or external wars. Even more states determined their boundaries through warfare with neighboring states. Additionally, the states that were formed out of kingdoms and empires in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries were not the abstract state of liberal political theory. Rather they were, as World Divided makes vividly clear, nationstates—the idea, still very much alive in today's world, that a "state" should be associated with a particular "national group" or sometimes "national groups." As Eric Weitz seeks to tell us, in the course of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, nation-states became the predominate model of the modern world. Parts of this story, including the ethnic mayhem, are well known, or at least have been told before, for example in Andreas Wimmer's social science survey, Waves of War: Nationalism and Ethnic Conflict in the Modern World.1 What Weitz adds to this story, which he tells in multiple "emblematic" accounts is the explicitly human rights part of these struggles. In particular, most of the new nation-states took the form of republics, in which, at least nominally, power was held by the people and their elected representatives. Thus, nation-state formation usually provided the institutions of classic republicanism—real or supposedly representative government bodies and parliaments, a judiciary, and a constitution that recognized and protected rights. After 1948 or so it is possible to speak of international human rights, but as Weitz notes, "[i]n our divided world of 193 sovereign nation-states, we have rights, first and foremost as national citizens."2 And this invariably entails that each sovereign nation-state has to decide who within it gets to be a rightsbearing citizen, that is, who has "the right to rights." Answering this fundamental question necessarily results in what Professor Weitz terms "population politics"—which all too often turns out to be large-scale massacres, what we now call "ethnic cleansing," or what was euphemistically termed "population exchanges" or "population unmixing." Thus, both nation-state formation and the emergence and application of human rights norms


K-best detection is known to be a useful breadth first tree search detection technique for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems. In the process of the tree search a number of possible transmitted symbols are searched and the error performance of the K-best detection depends on this number. More the number of visited symbols, better the error performance. However this relationship is not straightforward and needs to be analyzed. In this paper, a tight upper bound on the error performance of K-best detection for MIMO systems with linear modulation scheme has been derived. In particular upper bounds for M-ary pulse amplitude modulation (M-PAM) and for 4-ary quadrature amplitude modulation (4-QAM) with Rayleigh fading channel have been established. This upper bound requires the K-best error performance for single-input singleoutput (SISO) systems. Hence we first derive an exact expression for M-PAM as well as for 4-QAM with K-best detection for SISO systems and use this to establish the upper bound. Finally we compare the derived upper bound with the simulations. It is found that the upper bound is close to the results obtained through simulations.


applied prospectively. A central effort in implementation analysis is the attempt to generate a general model by isolating the crucial variables that make or break successful policy. It seems that everyone has a favorite list (Edwards, 1980; Sabatier and Mazmanian, 1980; Van Meter and Van Horn, 1975). On reflection, these lists are essentially variations on a theme, with some being more detailed than others. Further, these various models examine the process from a retrospective attitude. Accordingly, they focus on many variables-communication, resources, commitment, etc. Although this is the standard procedure, it is not the only technique for conducting an implementation study. It is possible to assess the success of a policy's implementation even as the earliest steps toward actualization are being made. This is a prospective attitude. Such a strategy is exceptionally helpful to practitioners and theorists because, as previous implementation studies show, effective implementation is contingent upon many factors unforeseen at the legislative phase (Pressman and Wildavsky, 1973; Edwards, 1980; Nakamura and Smallwood, 1980). Knowing the initial array of factors and forces surrounding the process through an early examination can reveal potential problems and weaknesses in the process that threaten success. This allows for an preemptory or midcourse correction by those charged with enforcement and application. Alternatively, it can also reveal those elements working in favor of the policy's actualization, the influence of which can be encouraged and not accidentally impeded. This predictive analysis enjoys the advantage of letting the implementation scholar and practitioner make a positive contribution to the process, rather than restricting him or her to bemoaning and illuminating yet another policy failure.


In our country, the study of sociocultural anthropology (ethnology) has always focused on the study of the society, the history, and the culture of the minorities. Such research originates based on its inheritance from academia in foreign countries, and has a domestic social and historic background. After World War II, especially since the 1960s, instead of merely studying the non-Western social cultures as it traditionally had, sociocultural anthropologists in Europe and America developed the concept of studying their own society and culture while reflecting on traditional "Euro-American ethnocentrism." In view of the ongoing large-scale changes in our society, economy, and culture, sociocultural anthropologists in our country should break the shackles of the tradition that limits their studies only to the society and culture of the minorities, and they should embrace the study of the society and culture of the Han nationality as part of their main area of research.


The current data paradigm is seeking a more integrated and comprehensive framework to make sense of data and its derived issues. From the perspective of the data life cycle, we argue that computational and social approaches complement each other to confront data challenges. Computational approaches consist of ETL (extract, transform, and load), modeling, and machine learning techniques; social approaches include policy and regulations, data sharing and reuse behavior, reproducibility, ethical and privacy issues. In this panel, we frame these two approaches as data acumen and data stewardship. The merging of these two perspectives allows data not only to become discoverable, accessible, and interoperable, but also to further the value of revealing meaningful patterns and become supportive evidence for important decision making. In this panel, the opening facilitator and three panelists will report on their recent studies in terms of this convergence of both data acumen and stewardship while sharing their recent research insights on case studies in three disciplines: agriculture, biomedicine, and archeology.


Blood components collected from blood donors are an invaluable part of modern‐day medicine. A healthy blood donor population is therefore of paramount importance. The results from the Danish Blood Donor Study (DBDS) indicate that gender, number of previous donations, time since last donation and menopausal status are the strongest predictors of iron deficiency. Only little information on the health effects of iron deficiency in blood donors exits. Possibly, after a standard full blood donation, a temporarily reduced physical performance for women is observed. However, iron deficiency among blood donors is not reflected in a reduced self‐perceived mental and physical health.


Objectives:To investigate the autonomic nerve dysfunction related to diabetes mellitus.Methods:The sympathetic skin response(SSR) was determined by means of electrical stimulation in 32 patients with DM and 35 normal controls.Results:SSR waveform of normal controls were divided among type P,type N and type M.Type M was easy to produce adaptation,and was easy to be influenced by skin temperature,stimulus intensity and deep breath,et al.The rate of SSR latency abnormality was 53% (17/32).The latency of SSR was prolonged and the amplitude was decreased significantly as compared and the normal controls( P 0 01).A significant difference of both the latency and amplitude was noted in patients with the normal subjects.But only the latency prolongation was significant as compared with those patients with disease course over 5 years.Although the amplitude was decreased,there was no significant differnce.Conclusions:SSR(esp.the latency) might evaluate objectively the auto nomic nerve dysfunction related to DM,and might be used as an active index of observation.


Quality of agricultural soils is largely a function of soil organic matter. Tillage and crop management impact soil organic matter dynamics by modification of the soil environment and quantity and quality of C input. We investigated changes in pools and fluxes of soil organic C (SOC) during the ninth and tenth year of cropping with various intensities under conventional disk-and-bed tillage (CT) and no tillage (NT). Soil organic C to a depth of 0.2 m increased with cropping intensity as a result of greater C input and was 10% to 30% greater under NT than under CT. Sequestration of crop-derived C input into SOC was 22 (cid:6) 2% under NT and 9 (cid:6) 4% under CT (mean of cropping intensities (cid:6) standard deviation of cropping systems). Greater sequestration of SOC under NT was due to a lower rate of in situ soil CO 2 evolution than under CT (0.22 (cid:6) 0.03 vs. 0.27 (cid:6) 0.06 g CO 2 –C g (cid:255) 1 SOC yr (cid:255) 1 ). Despite a similar labile pool of SOC under NT than under CT (1.1 (cid:6) 0.1 vs. 1.0 (cid:6) 0.1 g mineralizable C kg (cid:255) 1 SOC d (cid:255) 1 ), the ratio of in situ to potential CO 2 evolution was less under NT (0.56 (cid:6) 0.03) than under CT (0.73 (cid:6) 0.08), suggesting strong environmental controls on SOC turnover, such as temperature, moisture, and residue placement. Both increased C sequestration and a greater labile SOC pool were achieved in this low-SOC soil using NT and high-intensity cropping. # 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.


Since 1999, Taiwan joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), the local insurance market trend to more open and internationalization, in the same way, the insurance industries are also facing strong competition of foreign financial group pressure and many challenges.Within limited markets, along with local and overseas peers highly competitive situation, whether the insurance companies or insurance professionals (such as: insurance broker and or insurance agent, in order to win the favor of customers, price competition is the most popular method.However, a healthy insurance market, there should not only price competition, enterprises should ensure that the overall profitability, to break the fix thinking pattern – " sale is the sole purpose of marketing" . They have to think the customer lifetime value, should aim to bring customers more long-term value, and to create more long-standing customer relationships to maintain.Such as: service quality, brand image, to meet customer satisfaction and other related strategies, so that they could achieve ultimate business continuity requirements. Therefore, how to break , how to create the company added value in terms of enterprise managers will be an important issue. This study analyzes by the consumer viewpoint of insurance agents brand equity, service quality and marketing strategies on consumer behavior is related, and through questionnaire surveys, statistical analysis found that: 1.Consumers of insurance agents in the perceived quality of brand equity will significantly affect their purchase intention, the higher its perceived quality, would make the higher purchase intention.2.Consumers of insurance agents in the reliability of the service quality will significantly affect their purchase intention, consumers think that the higher the reliability of an insurance agent, would make the higher purchase intention.3.Consumers of insurance agents non-monetary promotion strategy will significantly affect their purchase intention, consumers think that non-monetary insurance agent marketing strategies more likely to make the higher purchase intention.4. In the field of the insurance company's brand, the brand equity of insurance agents, there is an interference effect in the perceived quality on consumer purchase intention.


Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that presents major health problems for mothers and their babies. It is a major cause of maternal mortality, especially in developing countries, where it may account for 80% of maternal deaths.1 Even in developed countries, perinatal mortality is increased 5-fold. The last figure is especially tragic. Many of these infant deaths are secondary to iatrogenic prematurity, because the management remains as it has for the last 100 years (early delivery to terminate the process). Understandably, preeclampsia has been a major target of research to improve pregnancy outcome, yet it remains an enigmatic "disease of theories." Nonetheless, in the last 10 years, an approach to understanding the disorder that addresses features other than simply the accompanying hypertension has rapidly accelerated understanding.2 In this issue of Circulation , Dechend and colleagues3 present another in their fascinating series of observations demonstrating that preeclamptic women manifest agonistic antibodies to angiotensin-1 (AT1) receptors. They demonstrate that these antibodies have the capability to activate the production of tissue factor by vascular smooth muscle cells in vitro. How does this observation fit into emerging concepts of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia?

Eclampsia was described nearly 2000 years ago as seizures occurring during pregnancy that abated with delivery. It was not until the turn of this century that it was recognized that increased blood pressure and proteinuria accompanied, and in most cases preceded, eclampsia, hence "preeclampsia."4 With this recognition, it was rapidly evident that these signs, even unaccompanied by seizures, signaled a disorder that could rapidly progress to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Despite the value of these signs in aiding in recognition of the syndrome, it is abundantly evident that preeclampsia is more than "pregnancy-induced hypertension." The pregnant woman with preeclampsia manifests alterations in many organ systems. …


The article examines the issues of calculating the return on invested capital according to the financial statements. Proposals are given to implement the results of the methodology on the practice of joint- stock companies. The use of the method of factor analysis in this direction when calculating the profitability of capital investments based on financial data used in developed foreign countries has a positive result. In particular, the increase in profits under the influence of the factor of turnover of capital and profitability of income allows you to calculate the return on investment.
 Keywords: invested capital, financial statements, discounting, discount rate, profitability of income, capital turnover.


On May 29, 2003 at 6:45 p.m. a male from Carollia Sowelli was captured in Tortuguero National Park (10 ° 25'24ˮN, 83 ° 29'48ˮW) that had the end of the right wing white (approximately half of the membrane area between fingers III and IV). Could not take pictures of this individual before releasing. On April 20, 2017 at 8:58 p.m., a female of Carollia perspicillata with white spots was captured in the Barbilla National Park (9 ° 56'31ˮN, 83 ° 25'12ˮW; Figure 1). The most prominent spots were found under the left ear and the right shoulder. Other less noticeable spots were found behind the right ear and near the left armpit.


An event sample enriched in semileptonic decays of b hadrons is selected using an inclusive lepton selection from approximately 3.0 million hadronic Z 0 decays collected with the OPAL detector. This sample is used to investigate B meson oscillations by reconstructing a proper decay time for the parent of each lepton, using a jet charge method to estimate the production flavour of this parent, and using the lepton charge to tag the decay flavour. We measure the mass difference between the two B 0 d mass eigenstates ∆m d = 0.444 ± 0.029 +0.020 −0.017 ps −1. For the B 0 s system, we find ∆m s > 3.1 ps −1 at the 95% confidence level. This limit varies only a little if alternative limit setting approaches are adopted. Regions at higher ∆m s values are also excluded with some methods for setting the limit. By studying the charge symmetry of the B 0 d mixing structure, we are able to constrain possible CP and CPT violating effects. We measure the CP violation parameter


Disclosed are liquid to highly viscous oligocarbonates and polycarbonates containing as polyol components polyols having more than 20 C atoms, in particular so-called dimer diols or their commercially available technical mixtures. Also disclosed are the production of said polycarbonates and the use of said oligocarbonates and polycarbonates in plastic materials.


Feminist political and academic discourses have become increasingly internationalized, but the power and influence of different national feminisms are far from equal. The transnational dialogue tends to take place in spaces created by Western wealth and influence. Western feminists can take advantage of their countries more developed media, publishing and distribution capacities, and greater resources for education, travel, conferences, public advocacy, etc. (Heitlinger and Manicom 1996). Since 1989, a variety of approaches to the situation of women in East Cental Europe has been generated, both in East Central Europe and in the West. Nora Jung (1994a, 1994b), has found important differences in perspectives among East European scholars who were bom, raised and remained in Eastern Europe, emigres who left their countries and now live in the West, and Western scholars lacking first-hand knowledge of local languages and culture. Western feminist scholars have tended to rely on secondary sources and on interviews with the same 'key informants', thus repeating the knowledge produced by previous authors. Moreover, the dominance of English in international feminist exhange allows local speakers with proficiency in English greater access to Western researchers and audiences. Thus perspectives of East European scholars and activists who speak English, who are familiar with Western feminist politics and academic discourses, and who have contacts with Western feminists, tend to be privileged. Knowledge couched in (inappropriate-yet-familiar)'Westem'feminist terms not "only distorts thexomplex postcommunist reality, but also perpetuates the hegemony of Western feminist discourses.


According to a study, construction materials account for more than 65 percent of a project's entire cost. Material Planning efficiency is critical to completing a project on scheduled time and on budget. This research paper focuses primarily on inventory control and materials planning using BIM process as this are the important pillars of material management. The S-curve analysis is used to determine how much the estimated materials cost differs from the market materials cost. Engineers and contractors are interviewed to determine the main reasons for this. Inventory management techniques such as ABC classification and economic order quantity (EOQ) analysis are performed. In most cases, S-curve analysis shows that actual material costs are greater than estimated material costs. BIM-based ABC and EOQ analyses are used to continuously maintain sufficient inventory, protect inventory materials from damage, reduce inventory costs, solve inventory problems, and maintain optimal inventory levels. A sensitivity check is applied to the results of the EOQ analysis. "The use of ABC classification and EOQ analysis can help to alleviate the stock-out of A class and B class materials that occur on building sites. Following the implementation of these easy inventory control strategies, the total inventory expenditure is reduced".


Ureteral endometriosis, albeit rare, can be complicated by potential loss of renal function. A laparoscopic approach to treatment is based on the extent of the disease and its localization.


Chakhwajeom can be stabilized at a desired position in the burner ducts, and to eliminate the occurrence of the flickering phenomenon provides (爐) to the upper hot-air combustion in a combustion having a high efficiency burner and the burner duct. As the heat storage chamber 4 and the upper of the combustion chamber (3) combustion with a hot-air (10) top to the configured placed in the by having a burner system, the heat storage chamber 4, and the burner system, the fuel gas pipe (1c) the air tube (1b), is composed of a burner (1) and a burner outlet (1a) and the burner duct (2) in communication with the burner 1 having the (1d), a burner duct (2) for combustion burner duct via the outlet (2b) and communicated to the combustion chamber 3, a burner duct (2) during the burner across the duct outlet (2b) a burner duct (2) diameter (D1) the diameter enlarged portion (2c-up of the ) are is formed, is made so that the burner duct 2 vortex stream (ED) of the combustion chamber 3, a gas mixture (MG) flowing toward the aperture formed in the expansion part (2c).


BACKGROUND A combination of diseases is a rare phenomenon. Their clinical manifestations can vary, and the diagnosis can be challenging. Intestinal duplication is a rare congenital malformation, whereas retroperitoneal teratoma is a tumor in the retroperitoneal space, derived from the remaining embryonic tissue. There are relatively few clinical findings on adult retroperitoneal benign tumors. It is hard to believe that these two rare diseases can happen to the same person. CASE SUMMARY A 19-year-old woman complaining of abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting was admitted. Abdominal computed tomography angiography was suggested for invasive teratoma. Intraoperative exploration revealed that the giant teratoma was connected to an isolated intestinal tract in the retroperitoneum. The postoperative pathological examination revealed that mature giant teratoma was present with intestinal duplication. This was a rare intraoperative finding that was successfully treated surgically. CONCLUSION The clinical manifestations of intestinal duplication malformation are various, and difficult to diagnose before the operation. The possibility of intestinal replication should be considered when intraperitoneal cystic lesions are present.


Finite element modelling of multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) is presented. The stress distribution due to thermo-mechanical loads is estimated. Thermal cool down after soldering process is considered and afterwards a three point bending test has been done. Once the critical stress regions on ceramic are estimated, a fracture mechanics analysis has been performed. Cracks are initiated and fracture parameters were estimated using a direct approach, based on the crack opening displacement and also an energy approach by calculating the J-integral parameter. Finally the fracture mechanics parameters are used for investigating the crack bifurcation.


PROFESSOR INGERMAN makes two basic criticisms: (1) my conclusions do not apply to all the rapid-growth industries, and (2) the behavior of the electric machinery industry can be explained in terms of a change in the composition of this industry over the period of observation from higherto lower-wage subindustries. I agree with the first point and disagree with the second. The article, as indicated in its title and conclusions, is a study of the electronics industry, loosely defined as SIC 36. This industry is not taken as representative of the behavior of rapid-growth industries, but as an exception to be explained. Both ordnance (SIC 19) and machinery (SIC 35) were rapid growth, and their average hourly earnings behaved as expected. The use of the plural "industries" in my findings (2) and (4) was unfortunate and should be changed.' The fact that SIC's 19 and 35 were each dominated by a single firm (Lockheed and IBM, respectively) precluded their use as a control or as a test of any general hypothesis. There are other reasons as well: SIC 35 has undergone marked changes in composition. Although estimated employment in IBM's manufacturing division remained stable from 1957 to 1964, employment in laboratories mushroomed from less than 20 percent to over half of total IBM employment.2 Transfer of IBM from SIC 35 to SIC 36, as apparently approved by Ingerman,3 would eliminate SIC 35 as a rapidgrowth industry.


Understanding how technology changes over time is important for industry, science, and government policy. Empirical examination of the capability of technologies across various domains reveals that they often progress at an exponential rate. In addition, mathematical models of technological development have proven successful in deepening our understanding. One area that has not been shown to demonstrate exponential trends, until recently, has been space travel. This paper will present plots illustrating trends in the mean lifespan of satellites whose lifespans ended in a given year. Our study identifies both Wright's law and Moore's law regressions. For the Moore's law regression, we found a doubling time of approximately 15 years. For Wright's law we can see an approximate doubling of lifespan with every doubling of accumulated launches. We conclude by presenting a conundrum generated by the use of Moore's law that is the subject of ongoing research.


Studies have shown the feeding diversity of teleostean fish, which is conditioned by environmental characteristics or the biology of the different species. Analysis on the morphology of the digestive system (DS) of fish made it possible for researchers to know the food regimen of several species at different stages of life. On the other hand, it is known that food habits may lead to morphological changes in the DS the same way that different food habits may be imposed by morphological limitations of this system. Among the species of greater commercial importance in Brazil, Micropogonias furnieri is highly representative of fish in south-eastern Brazil. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyse the morphology of the DS of M. furnieri. Results on the morphology of the DS observed in this study were similar to the patterns determined for the morphology of teleostean fish. In this study, it was observed that the DS of the Whitemouth croaker is directly related with the shape of the peritoneal cavity; these fish showed oesophagus, stomach, pyloric caeca and intestines. The pyloric caeca showed morphological adaptations in relation to sexual maturation, with well-developed caeca found in sexually mature animals.


The degradation products of glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables, organic isothiocyanates (ITCs), inhibit carcinogenesis in numerous animal models including cancers of the lung, esophagus, forestomach, colon, mammary gland, and pancreas. To assist investigations aimed at understanding the role of dietary ITCs in the protection of human cancers, we examined ITC contents in various cooked vegetables frequently consumed by Singapore Chinese, whose cancer profile is distinct from that of U.S. whites (e.g., much lower rates of cancers of the breast, colon, rectum, and pancreas). Using an HPLC method to quantify the cyclic product of ITCs and 1,2-benzenedithiol after treatment of vegetable juices with myrosinase, we analyzed a total of 102 vegetable specimens. The results show considerable variation in ITC contents in the nine types of cruciferous vegetables analyzed, ranging from 4.9 μmol/100 g wet weight in bok choi (Brassica chinensis) to 81.3 μmol/100 g wet weight in watercress. ITCs were not detected i...


The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the trade insurance utilization of exporting small enterprises and their effect on...


Outlier detection is a classic task having many different ways to solve. However, in a number of tasks, it is important to find less pronounced deviations from the natural flow of a certain process. This article proposes to search for such deviations using Stepanets approach for classification of functions describing the corresponding process. It is shown that in some cases this approach allows to reveal better the deviation from standard behavior than a direct comparison of it with current behavior. The proposed approach is illustrated by the example of the analysis of data on the results of football matches in the 2013/14 season in the French Ligue 2.


The theoretical benefits of quantum computation have been known for decades, but it was not until the discovery of algorithms that showed exponential decreases in computation time on quantum computers that they received significant attention as a field of research.[1] The potential power of quantum parallelism as applied to computation and the difficulties posed by decoherence are reviewed. The background of quantum computation and the basic operation of a quantum computer are described and contrasted to classical computing, in order to emphasize the advantages of quantum computers and the unique difficulties in constructing them.


Moderately. and severely retarded adults have traditionally either been excluded from community recreation activities or involved in segregated programs. This article presents a rationale for providing opportunities for mentally retarded adults to be integrated into community recreation programs by reviewing current literature. The review focuses on aequisition and generalization ofage-appropriate leisure skills, and critiques recent models developed for community integration. Finally, the article presents a model designed to facilitate community integration. The model is divided into three interrelated phases: assessment, implementation, and evaluation. The first two phases are designed to be conducted by a therapeutic recreation specialist or community service worker in the field of mental retardation. Phase III can be implemented by parents/caregivers, and increases the possibility that the leisure activity will be continued. The model is unique because it is designed to circumvent the traditional programming problems of transportation, person.. nel, and finances. It provides a continuum of leisure options based on individual ability level and available community recreation facilities.


Purpose: Key research fi ndings suggest that attenuating meta fl ammation in adipose tissue might be a strategic step to prevent the metabolic syndrome and its associated disease outcomes. The anti-in fl ammatory effects of 1 α ,25(OH) 2 D 3 have been con fi rmed in our previous studies, but adverse effects induced at high concentrations restrict its potential clinical translation. Two synthetic 1 α ,25(OH) 2 D 3 analogs ZK159222 and ZK191784 have manifested promising tissue-speci fi c immunomodulatory actions, but limited data are available on adipose tissue. Hence, in this study, we investigated whether ZK159222 and ZK191784 act on preadipocytes or macrophages to attenuate meta fl ammatory responses via modulating in fl ammatory and metabolic signaling in macrophage-induced preadipocytes. Methods: Preadipocyte-speci fi c effects of ZK159222 and ZK191784 on macrophage-induced preadipocytes were tested by pre-incubating and incubating preadipocytes with the analogs and MacCM. Separately, macrophage-speci fi c effects of both analogs on macrophage-induced preadipocytes were tested by incubating preadipocytes with analog-MacCM or MacCM. The effects of 1 α ,25(OH) 2 D 3 were also examined and set as the positive control. Meta fl ammatory responses were determined as the concentrations and gene expression of major pro-in fl ammatory cytokines including IL-1 β , IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES, measured using ELISA and qPCR. In fl ammatory and metabolic signaling including NF- κ B and MAPK were probed using Western blotting. Results: ZK159222 and ZK191784 act on preadipocytes and macrophages to decrease the secretion and gene expression of the major pro-in fl ammatory cytokines in macrophage-induced preadipocytes. The anti-in fl ammatory effects were at least as potent as 1 α ,25(OH) 2 D 3 , and no preadipocyte apoptosis was induced at high concentrations. In addition, mostly at high concentrations, both analogs moderately decreased the phosphorylation of relA, p44/42 and p38 MAPK in macrophage-induced preadipocytes. Conclusion: ZK159222 and ZK191784 act on macrophages and preadipocytes to attenuate meta fl ammatory responses in macrophage-induced preadipocytes, by decreasing phosphorylation of relA/NF- κ B, p44/42 and p38 MAPK.


The essence of the phenomenon of delayed demand as an engine for the development of post-covid tourism is revealed. The opinion of prof. Simon Hudson on the peculiarities of tourism development in the covid and post-covid periods, according to his published work "Covid-19: Travel Impacts, Responses and Outcomes". The tendencies of development and recovery of the world tourism industry in the post-covid period are highlighted, taking into account the effect of the delayed demand factor. The peculiarities of the development and restoration of the tourism industry and hospitality in Ukraine in the post-pandemic period are shown, citing examples from the country's practice of outbound (foreign), inbound (foreign) and domestic tourism. Among the examples of the practice of outbound tourism in Ukraine during the pandemic period, is the phenomenon of massive growth in demand for in the past expensive, elite tours – to the Maldives, the Dominican Republic and more. Possibilities for the development of domestic tourism in Ukraine during the pandemic times are shown in the example of Camino Podolico – pilgrimage route "Vinnytsia – Kamyanets-Podilsky" using the experience of Spain, where are dozens of European hiking routes – Camino, by which annually thousands of pilgrims and tourists pass.


Biological oscillations, despite their vast range of periodicities, can be described mathematically by stable limit cycles. Therefore, a general theory characterizing the effects of perturbations applied to such limit cycles allows predictions of qualitative features of a particular oscillation subject to perturbation. In this chapter, we summarize this topological approach and discuss ways in which the theory breaks down, mainly for neuronal and cardiac oscillators. In particular, we describe experimental and computational studies that demonstrate apparent discontinuities in the response to perturbations, and others where there is not a rapid return to the limit cycle following a perturbation. Finally, we discuss differences between the topological and the excitability-type descriptions of neuronal oscillators.


The objective of this research was to identify the most important attributes related to fish quality by consumer groups residing in the city of Corumba, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire according to the Likert five-point scale, comprising items related to the consumption and fish quality. A group of 105 consumers was interviewed with average age of respondents of 34.67 years (± 13.65); with a predominance of women (52.4%) and single women (40.0%). Regarding consumption, the main barrier is the high price of fish (36.2%). Most respondents (60.9%) consider important that the fish not contain spine bones and 60.0% prefer to buy fish in bulk. Regarding preservation, 62.9% prefers the cooled product. The most consumed fishes (90%) were "pacu" (Piaractus mesopotamicus) and "pintado" (Pseudolatystoma corruscans). The results describe the fish consumer group profile of the city of Corumba and indicated that the sensory factors and related product quality are the key drivers for fish consumption in this group.


Many of the short-lived radioactive nuclei that were present in the early solar system can be produced in massive stars. In the first paper in this series, we focused on the production of 26Al in massive binaries. In our second paper, we considered rotating single stars; two more short-lived radioactive nuclei, 36Cl and 41Ca; and the comparison to the early solar system data. In this work, we update our previous conclusions by further considering the impact of binary interactions. We used the MESA stellar evolution code with an extended nuclear network to compute massive (10–80 M ⊙), binary stars at various initial periods and solar metallicity (Z = 0.014), up to the onset of core collapse. The early solar system abundances of 26Al and 41Ca can be matched self-consistently by models with initial masses ≥25 M ⊙, while models with initial primary masses ≥35 M ⊙ can also match 36Cl. Almost none of the models provide positive net yields for 19F, while for 22Ne the net yields are positive from 30 M ⊙ and higher. This leads to an increase by a factor of approximately 4 in the amount of 22Ne produced by a stellar population of binary stars, relative to single stars. In addition, besides the impact on the stellar yields, our 10 M ⊙ primary star undergoing Case A mass transfer ends its life as a white dwarf instead of as a core-collapse supernova. This demonstrates that binary interactions can also strongly impact the evolution of stars close to the supernova boundary.


AbstractThe present paper is the second part of a two-part study on empirical modeling and prediction of climate variability. This paper deals with spatially distributed data, as opposed to the univariate data of Part I. The choice of a basis for effective data compression becomes of the essence. In many applications, it is the set of spatial empirical orthogonal functions that provides the uncorrelated time series of principal components (PCs) used in the learning set. In this paper, the basis of the learning set is obtained instead by applying multichannel singular-spectrum analysis to climatic time series and using the leading spatiotemporal PCs to construct a reduced stochastic model. The effectiveness of this approach is illustrated by predicting the behavior of the Jin–Neelin–Ghil (JNG) hybrid seasonally forced coupled ocean–atmosphere model of El Nino–Southern Oscillation. The JNG model produces spatially distributed and weakly nonstationary time series to which the model reduction and prediction m...


The author of this study deals with a current topic of integration of ethnic minorities in Germany. The study is mainly focused on the Turkish minority living in Germany. The first part of the study will be concentrate on the history of this minority, which will research when, how and under which circumstances they came to Germany. The second part focuses on their everyday life problems. In different sectors such as education, religion, labour market or all day life will point out their problems and successes. At the end of the study the results will be summarised.


Information on the International Genetic Classification of Noble Corundum is given. The scheme of location of the main deposits and occurrences of ruby-bearing complexes of the world is attached: 1 – magmatic; 2 – metamorphogenic; 3 – sedimentary (residual ancient crusts of chemical weathering, alluvial and dealluvial-alluvial placers). The location of ruby objects is shown, including the largest areas of depleted, currently operating and promising for the near future ruby deposits in 36 countries around the world. The main typological features of rubies are described. It is emphasized that all properties of rubies are determined by their primary indigenous origin. The typology of rubies is based on the principles of the relationship between magmatism and metamorphism in the formation of the groups under consideration. Hydroblasting and selective crushing methods for mining of corundum-bearing complexes are characterised. The trend towards increased research into the commercial exploitation of the primary sources of ruby-bearing complexes is highlighted. In countries with highly developed mining industries, underground mining is the main way to extract gemstones.


is probably the most significant difference between the Saudi-based school often termed Wahhabi or Salafi and the vast majority of other Islamic scholars throughout the world, who maintain that God intended Islam to be a flexible religion. These scholars see differences of opinion as a blessing which allows for such flexibility under different and changing circumstances rather than as obstacles which humans need to work on to overcome as they come closer to some one truth. The strain of thinking which Vogel espouses is clearly in the minority and is often criticized by scholars outside of Saudi Arabia as leading to an especially confining vision of Islam. To the consternation of other scholars, Salafi scholars often assert that they have found the one right answer to some minor question of jurisprudence, rendering all other opinions incorrect. From matters as mundane as where one should place his or her hands when praying to issues involving Islamic political or economic rulings, most scholars recognize that there may be more than one correct answer. Salafis, on the other hand, often insist that any deviation from the opinion of the scholars of their own school on these matters is a grave error. By adopting such a minority and confining strain within Islamic law (and incorrectly stating that it is in the majority [p. 33]) Vogel not only errs in the explanation of one legal concept but also, as is clear from some passages in the rest of the book, displays a Salafi bias which often clouds some of his other explanations of Islamic law. However, to the credit of the book, this bias does not infringe too much upon the aspects of Islamic law that are at the heart of the inquiry, namely Islamic banking and finance. Perhaps this is because Salafis have not yet themselves come to a consensus on many of the relatively new issues now coming to the attention of scholars in this field, but more likely it is because in the chapters that examine the Islamic law itself, rather than the methodologies by which the law is elaborated, Vogel examines in detail various interpretations, principles, and rationalizations which have been used to explain Islamic injunctions concerning the relevant issues and concepts. In these sections, Vogel reveals a very well-grounded background in the classical sources of Islamic law. Despite some very minor shortcomings, the book will undoubtedly prove to be an extremely important contribution to the literature on Islamic financial law. The lucid, detailed analysis can serve the dual purpose of introducing scholars to Islamic banking as well as taking experts in the field into new areas of inquiry. The book is a must for anyone interested in Islamic banking and finance and is also a useful new English-language text for those interested in Islamic law in general.


A case report on a 49-year-old female with diagnoses of ocular hypertension in her left eye (LE) treated with 250 mg/day acetazolamide for 2 years. During the slit-lamp examination, complete occlusion of both iridocorneal angles was detected. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 10 and 35 mmHg in the right eye and LE, respectively. Phacotrabeculectomy was performed in the LE. After 1 month of the procedure, the patient developed a slowly progressive miopization from −1 to −3 diopters (D) the following months. Approximately 3 months after surgery, the patient developed an episode of acute pain, athalamia, and IOP 45 mmHg in her LE. Late-onset malignant glaucoma was suspected and the patient was treated with topical hypotensive and cycloplegic agent until a prompt vitrectomy was performed. Deepening of the anterior chamber and restoration of IOP to normal range was obtained after surgery.


When the rate of urea excretion is determined for successive periods of time of short duration (15 to 75 minutes) changes in the rate are frequently noted which cannot be accounted for by synchronous alterations in the concentration of urea in the blood. Such a change in the rate of urea excretion may be produced in man by the intravenous injection of pituitrin (Parke, Davis & Co.). Immediately after the injection there is a decrease in the rate of urea excretion without any corresponding alteration in blood urea concentration. In rabbits whose kidneys were placed under conditions calling for a maximal exercise of their urea-excreting function by the administration of 5 grams of urea by stomach tube, the subcutaneous injection of 0.25 c.c. of pituitrin was accompanied by a decrease in the hourly rate of urea excretion, although the blood urea concentration was not lower than in control experiments, in which no pituitrin was given. Adrenalin (Parke, Davis & Co.) injected subcutaneously in doses of 0.5 C.C. of I in 1,000 solution into rabbits under the same conditions did not alter the hourly rate of urea excretion, although the blood urea concentration was not so high as in the control experiments without adrenalin. Pituitrin therefore decreases, and adrenalin increases, the ureaexcreting capacity of the kidneys.


This paper describes how the tramway is used as a modern mode of transportation that consolidates many useful characteristics but works with some limitations. For example, the tramway needs, for its function, certain space on the road, exclusively for it. The papers demonstrate the main advantages and disadvantages that occur with the operation of a tramway system in an urban environment, like the one that is under study in the capitol of Greece, Athens. It examines the capabilities of applying such a system in addition to the existing public transportation networks (trolleys, buses, metro, etc.). It also examines the necessity for applying a tramway system related to the alternative means of public transportation and it s complementation. Features concerning the planning demands, the infrastructure and the superstructure of a tramway system, will be mentioned.


Some equipment of special types can be stored for a very long time. During storage, the equipment can be affected by temperature, humidity, mechanical stress, and so on, and the study on their storage reliability is very significant. Many theories and methods are proposed for storage reliability assessment in the literature, but few are applied into practice or verified by the actual conditions of the engineering project. Besides, the performance degradation of the equipment with a long storage time is not evident, the performance degradation model is hard to build. Thus, in this article, a storage reliability assessment method under periodical inspection for the equipment with a long storage time is studied. In the method, the storage reliability curves of "repaired as good as new" and "degenerated after repaired" are constructed to describe the different states of the stored equipment after periodical inspection, the environmental factor is used to deal with the data coming from accelerated life tests, and the study is based on an engineering project, thus the effectiveness can be verified.


i n t e r a c t i o n s / j a n u a r y + f e b r u a r y 2 0 0 7 SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS ARE USERS TOO! While computer security usability research has largely been focused on end user issues such as password authentication, browser transactions, and Email handling, the needs of system administrators (sysadmins) have been relatively ignored [2]. The size and complexity of the services and issues that sysadmins manage continues to grow, involving yet more components and interdependencies between systems. In addition, sysad-mins are responsible for a wide range of tasks requiring disparate skill sets ranging from installation and configuration to monitoring, patching, and debugging. While some system administration is automated , far more of the work involves manual intervention than many people assume [2]. Sysadmins are still very much in the loop, especially during emergencies, and as we consider next, during hacking attacks. Imagine you are put in charge of protecting 1000 users on an organi-zation's network from Internet hackers. What tools would you like at your disposal to help you in this task? You would think you should have tools to answer basic questions like: Is there a problem? Where is the problem? What is the prob-lem? The need is for both a broad overview of the overall state of the system and the activity within it as well as for detailed information about particular threats, both potential and actual. State-of-the-art tools to help answer these basic questions either do not currently exist or if they do exist they may be so unreliable as to be ineffective. Because of this, the job of a security sysad-min is similar to a detective piecing together clues with decision-making under uncertainty. This situation is less than ideal, particularly as we would prefer to prevent attacks rather than reacting to a security event after the fact. Visual Splendor There are effective security visu-alization tools, but they do not seem to get used. Why? Empirical results show that visual interfaces consistently outperform text, auditory, and tactile interfaces [9]. There have been three " Visualization for Computer Security (VizSEC) " workshops dedicated primarily to visual tools [10] and there are visual tool contributions consistently at the annual Usenix Large Installation System Administration (LISA) conference [6]. Many of these visual tools have been designed with user-centered best practices based on Shneiderman …


The thesis work deal with polygeneration, the combined production of more than one energy vectors from a single primary energy source, in residential and tertiary sectors. In particular the thesis focuses on micro or small polygeneration systems that are placed immediately at the consumer's site. This concept, often referred as distributed polygeneration, differs from the dominant architecture of the current electricity system based on large scale centralized power generation. Compared to the separate production, polygeneration leads to primary energy saving and greenhouse gas benefits. However, in order to ensure a high market penetration of these promising technologies in residential and tertiary sector, it is essential to deal with some issues, such as the high investment payback period and the potential negative effects on the electricity network related to a large diffusion of distributed generation. In order to overcome this issues different possible solution were investigated by means dynamic simulations. One interesting solution could be the load sharing approach, which consists in the introduction of a small electric and thermal micro-grid allowing the sharing of electric, thermal and cooling loads among a group of diversified end users. By sharing the load among different types of final users (residential, commercial, institutional, etc.) it is possible to increase the operating hours of the MCHP system. Moreover the introduction of an energy service company that manages a large number of systems distributed on the territory, often referred as virtual power plant, could obtain some advantages related to the managing of a high number of polygenerator system. Others possible solutions analyzed in this thesis are related to the increasing share of self-consumed electricity "produced" by the MCHP system. In this way it is possible to reduce the potential impact related to the large diffusion of distributed polygeneration systems and improve the economic performance of the MCHP. In order to increase the share of self-consumed electricity two different strategies are analyzed. The first consists in the careful selection of the user in which the MCHP system is installed, while the second relies on the interaction between the MCHP system and the electric vehicles charging. Another interesting solution analyzed in this thesis refers to the introduction of hybrid energy system that combine two or more energy conversion devices, that when integrated, overcome limitations inherent in either. Finally the use of Urban Energy Maps to locate an urban area suitable for the introduction of a polygeneration system is investigated. The methodology was applied to the historical centre of Benevento in order to design a polygeneration system and a district heating and cooling network able to meet the energy requirements of a cluster of users. The findings of this thesis confirmed the energy and environmental advantages related to the diffusion of distributed polygeneration systems. In addition to these advantages, already shown in scientific literature, this work identified different solutions in order to overcome the main disadvantages of this promising technology. In particular, the load sharing approach, the introduction of virtual power plant managed by an energy service companies, the integration of electric vehicle charging with an MCHP, the careful selection of the end users in which the MCHP system is installed, the introduction of hybrid MCHP system, the use of urban energy maps in energy planning problems, are promising solutions that can concur to the overcame the main issues that hinder the diffusion of distributed polygeneration system.


Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) belong to the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. It's a kind of secretory protein with multiple biological functions. Researches indicates that BMP2 not only can induce the formation of bone cells, but also can promote emesenchymal stem cells to adipocytes, and plays a critical role in the formation of fat. This review summarized recent research progresses in gene structure, expression and function of BMP2.


An Application of Predictive Vegetation Mapping to Mountain Vegetation in Sweden. (December 2005) Janet Alexis Green, B.S., Texas A&M University Chair of Advisory Committee: Dr. David Cairns Predictive vegetation mapping was employed to predict the distribution of vegetation communities and physiognomies in the portion of the Scandinavian mountains in Sweden. This was done to address three main research questions: (1) what environmental variables are important in structuring vegetation patterns in the study area? (2) how well does a classification tree predict the composition of mountain vegetation in the study area using the chosen environmental variables for the study? and (3) are vegetation patterns better predicted at higher levels of physiognomic aggregation? Using GIS, a spatial dataset was first developed consisting of sampled points across the full geographic range of the study area. The sample contained existing vegetation community data as the dependent variable and various environmental data as the independent variables thought to control or correlate with vegetation distributions. The environmental data were either obtained from existing digital datasets or derived from Digital Elevation Models (DEMs). Utilizing classification tree methodology, three model frameworks were developed in which vegetation was increasingly aggregated into higher levels of physiognomic organization. The models were then pruned, and accuracy statistics were obtained. Results indicated that accuracy improved with


This study aims to analyze prospective science teachers' self-confidence in computational thinking skills on three main points: (i) prospective science teachers' self-confidence in computational thinking skills, (ii) differences in prospective science teachers' self-confidence in computational thinking skills as per gender, and (iii) differences in prospective science teachers' self- confidence in computational thinking skills as per expertise (Biology and Physics). A quantitative cross-sectional survey methodology was used as the research design. A total of 1023 prospective science teachers (biology and physics) were randomly selected as the research sample from the 1959 total population. Data were collected using a self-confidence questionnaire on computational thinking skills. The adaptation results were assessed first by five experts before being tested on 74 prospective science teachers from different universities. The results show that prospective science teachers' self-confidence in computational thinking skills was generally high (Mean = 78.57). The Mann-Whitney U test found no difference in prospective science teachers' self-confidence in computational thinking skills as per gender (Mean= 78.05, SD= 9.03 for male, Mean= 78.73, SD= 6.86 for female, with a value of F= 6.028, Z= -0.891, Sig= 0.373 0.05). The Independent Sample t-test also showed no difference in prospective science teachers' self-confidence in computational thinking skills as per expertise. This study concludes that prospective science teachers have high self-confidence in computational thinking skills as crucial skills in the science teaching profession.


This study aims to explore the effect of liquid film thickness on the electrohydrodynamic-driven instability of the interface separating two horizontal immiscible liquid layers. The fluids are confined between two electrodes and the light and less conducting liquid is overlaid on the heavy and more conducting one. Direct Numerical Simulations (DNSs) are performed using a front tracking/finite difference scheme in conjunction with Taylor-Melcher leaky dielectric model. For the range of physical parameters used here, it is shown that for a moderately thick lower liquid layer, the interface instability leads to formation of several liquid columns and as a result of competition between these columns eventually a big column is formed. On the other hand, for a thin lower layer the lower electrode strongly influences the growth of the instability, leading to a short and a longer column that are connected together by a thin liquid film. When the film becomes too thick, more columns are formed, but the fluid system does not reach a steady state because the liquid columns grow so rapidly that they hit the top electrode. The flow structure is examined and the variation of the steady state kinetic energy of the system with the film thickness and the applied electric voltage is explored.


The hygroscopicity of aerosol nanoparticles with the high number concentration in atmosphere significantly affects atmospheric chemistry and visibility, global climate, and human health. Therefore, it is critical to analyze the hygroscopicity of aerosol particles in an atmospheric ambient, where the aerosol's chemical compositions and physical states determine its capability of water uptake. In this work, with the advantages of non-destructive detection, highly sensitivity, and wide-field imaging, a planar photonic chip-based dark-field microscope is developed for real-time imaging and sensing the hygroscopic growth dynamics of single aerosol nanoparticles (diameter around 100 nm) in a label-free manner. The experimental results of single-component and multi-components are well consistent with the calculation results based on extended aerosol inorganic model. This photonic-chip based dark-field microscope can be extended to investigate the physicochemical reactions of various aerosols in real atmospheric environment.


This product is part of the RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment working paper series. RAND working papers are intended to share researchers' latest findings and to solicit informal peer review. They have been approved for circulation by RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment but have not been formally edited or peer reviewed. Unless otherwise indicated, working papers can be quoted and cited without permission of the author, provided the source is clearly referred to as a working paper. RAND's publications do not necessarily reflect the opinions of its research clients and sponsors. is a registered trademark.-iii-PREFACE ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT Managing organizational security risks requires understanding how people behave when working in the context of organizational security policies and systems. Experience has shown that systems and policies developed without this understanding are at best ineffective, and at worst can increase the risks to the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of an organization's information. Developing this understanding requires the theories and methods of social science to construct an evidence base that can inform the construction of behaviorally-aware security policies and practically effective security systems. The paper represents an early step toward developing such an evidence base. The paper applies behavioral decision theory to develop hypotheses about how users choose passwords, and uses those hypotheses to suggest novel ways to help users choose passwords that are both memorable and secure. Behavioral experiments are proposed that could test the hypotheses and evaluate the new approaches. The paper examines a specific choice – user password choice – to highlight the more general importance of an explicitly cognitive perspective on human behavior in security contexts. (ISE). The mission of RAND Infrastructure, Safety, and Environment is to-iv-improve the development, operation, use, and protection of society's essential physical assets and natural resources and to enhance the related social assets of safety and security of individuals in transit and in their workplaces and communities. Homeland Security Program research supports the Department of Homeland Security and other agencies charged with preventing and mitigating the effects of terrorist activity within U.S. borders. Projects address critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, terrorism risk management, border control, first responders and preparedness, domestic threat assessments, domestic intelligence, and workforce and training.


This study investigated the mechanical and transport properties of the important factors of fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) for the design of durable concrete structures. The fibers that are commonly used in industry, such as 1% steel, 0.5% polypropylene (PP), and 0.75% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers, were evaluated. The addition of PP, PVA, and steel fibers, as they have been known, had little or no effect on compressive and tensile strengths but significantly affected postcracking behaviors and the critical transport mechanisms. The change of the permeable pores seems to depend on the material property of fibers between the fiber and the matrix interface. Among the fiber types used in this study, hook end steel fibers showed the best performance for both the mechanical and transport properties. Generally, as the permeable pore spaces increased, the strength as well as the resistance of transport properties also decreased. However, the effect of the permeable voids on the transport properties was much greater than that of the compressive strength. When the transport properties obtained are employed for the design of durable FRC, major properties such as the permeable voids and absorption by capillary action are important factors to be considered first for resisting movement of harmful substances into concrete.


In this paper we propose a generally applicable frequency domain equalization and radio frequency (RF) impairment compensation technique for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. RF impairments such as in-phase quadrature-phase (IQ) imbalance and carrier frequency offset (CFO) are unavoidable in low-cost analog front-end systems, but can result in a severe performance degradation. In this paper, a digital compensation scheme is developed for joint transmitter and receiver IQ imbalance along with front-end filter mismatch, CFO and frequency selective channel distortions in OFDM based MIMO systems. This scheme can also be extended for the multi-user scenario where each user signal suffers from a different frequency offset along with IQ imbalance.


A new and operationally simple procedure for the one-pot synthesis of triarylpyridines (III) mediated by PEG-400 under solvent-free and microwave irradiation conditions is described.


This item includes a segment of an instructor interview in a Writing Intensive course in Tropical Plant and Soil Sciences at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. The interview was conducted in 2013, and in this clip the interviewee is responding to the question 'When you designed assignment(s), what learning goals for students did you have in mind?'


Background: The SCR is an operational indicator for the DOTS strategy of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme (RNTCP) in india. The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between sputum smear grading and smear conversion rate among the category I smear positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients undergoing DOTS. Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out among category I pulmonary smear positive patients registered at the DOTS centres of District TB centre Karuvelipady, Government hospital Ernakulam ,Government hospital Paravur. The patients with pre-treatment sputum grading 3+ were placed in High positive cohort (HP cohort) and those with pre-treatment sputum grading as 2+,1+ and scanty were placed in Low positive cohort (LP cohort) were followed periodically at two months (end of Intensive phase ),at three months (after one month extension of Intensive phase),at two months of Continuation Phase and then at the end of the treatment to record the sputum AFB result and treatment outcome as per the RNTCP guidelines. Accordingly, a total of 397 category I patients with 213 in HP cohort and 184 LP cohort were enrolled in the study during November 2016 to January 2017. Data were analyzed using Medcalc Online calculator. Results: After two months (end of the intensive phase), SCR was 53.52% (114 of 213) among the High Positive and 69.56% (128 of 184) in the Low Positive cohort (p-0.001).After three months (one month's extension of intensive phase),cumulative SCR was 74.17% (158 of 213) in the High positive and 84.25% (155 of 184) in the Low Positive cohort(p-0.01).Cure rate was 68.07% (145 of 213) in the High Positive and 77.71% (143 of 184) in the Low Positive cohort. Default rate was 23% (49 of 213) in the High Positive and 12.5% (23 of 184) in the Low Positive cohort. Failure rate was 3.28% (7 of 213) in the High positive and 4.89% in the Low positive Cohort (9 of 184).Twelve patients (5.63%) died in HP Cohort, nine patients in LP Cohort (p-0.23). Treatment outcome was further compared among the patients according to their sputum status achieved at two and three months of the treatment after ignoring their initial sputum status. The cure rates for the patients who converted at two months was 92.56% (224 of 242) and for those who did not convert at two months, was 55.65% (64 of 115) (p0.00001). Similarly, the cure rate for the patients who converted at three months was 78.04% (64 of 82) and for those who did not convert at three months was 0% (74) (p0.00). Interpretation: Patients with higher grades of sputum positivity at the beginning of the treatment have significantly lower SCR at the end of intensive phase and even after extending the intensive phase for one month. Hence, they are likely to remain infectious for a longer duration and continue to transmit infection in the community. Therefore, these patients demand to have more stringent self-precautionary measures to break the chain of infection in the community. The SCR at two months and three months as an operational indicator should be given more importance rather than being practised only as a documentation and academic exercise.


This article describes the results of recent academic research conducted at the Department of Social Economics at Ghent University concerning the macroeconomic effects of pension reform. We also formulate some important policy recommendations that can be derived from this research. Furthermore, we evaluate the propositions of the Commission Pension Reform 2020-2040 in the light of our recommendations. Our evaluation of the Commission's propositions is mostly positive, considering the progress they imply on criteria such as working longer, pension system sustainability and inequality-reduction. We believe however that pension system reform proposals should also take into account the impact of the pension system on schooling decisions, productivity and long-run growth, and fertility. In this respect, we put forward some complementary adjustments to the Commission's propositions.


Fuzzy logic controller has been the main focus for many researchers and industries in motor drives. The popularity of Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) is due to its reliability and ability to handle parameters changes during load or disturbance. Fuzzy logic design can be visualized in two categories, mamdani design or Takagi-Sugeno (TS). Mamdani type can facilitate the design process, however it require high computational burden especially with big number of rules and experimental testing. This paper, develop Self-Tuning (ST) mechanism based on Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy type. The mechanism tunes the input scaling factor of speed fuzzy control of Induction Motor (IM) drives Based on the speed error and changes of error. A comparison study is done between the standard TS and the ST-TS based on simulations approaches considering different speed operations. Speed response characteristics such as rise time, overshoot, and settling time are compared for ST-TS and TS. It was shown that ST-TS has optimum results compared to the standard TS. The significance of the proposed method is that, optimum computational burden reduction is achieved.


Corresponding Author: Karolin E. Ginting, MD, Department of Surgery, The Jewish Hospital, 4777 E. Galbraith Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45236, USA. Email: kginting@ mercy. com The American Surgeon 2020, Vol. 86(9) 1224–1226 © The Author(s) 2020 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub. com/ journalspermissions DOI: 10. 1177/ 0003 1348 20933596 journals. sagepub. com/ home/ asu Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection After Intravenous Drug Injection: A Multidisciplinary Approach to Surgical Management at a Community Hospital


Neuroimmunology has led to advanced diagnostics of previously cryptic disorders, using autoantibody testing against neurological targets. Neuropsychiatric syndromes and autoimmune encephalitis can now be routinely diagnosed using specialized antibody tests such as immunofluorescence and immunoblot assays in specialized laboratories. This helps in early and accurate diagnosis, leading to favorable patient prognosis. Here, we briefly review the diagnostics for Neuroimmunologic and related disorders including autoimmune encephalitis, demyelinating diseases, neuropathies, paraneoplastic syndromes, stiffperson syndrome, inflammatory myopathies as well as Alzheimer's disease. R E V I E W A R T I C L E


This chapter speaks about the open literary response to Manichaeism, the former religion. Van Oort is a professor of theology in the Netherlands, a lively and Prolific student of Augustine's Manichaean connections, and current president of the International Association of Manichaean Studies.It speaks on the Manichaean Legacy' which holds a threefold meaning: positive association with Manichaeism,his subsequent reaction to it, and its influences on him."Anti-Semitismt is a complete and irrational philosophy of life based on a Manichaean conception of the world". The Elect were the real instruments for effecting the release of light from its material prison in this world, the real saviours . The Elect were required to practise a rigorous asceticism, more than all other members of the human race,they had to be as uninvolved with matter as possible for the achievement of their task of releasing light.Keywords:Anti-Semitism; asceticism; Augustine's Manichaean Legacy; elect; International Association; philosophy


China's English language teaching began to adopt Communicative Approach in the late 1970s,but its application in China and the results of this approach seem unsatisfying.This paper tries to discuss some potential and misleading problems easily to be overlooked when applying CA in foreign language teaching.


We present a new method for time delay estimation using band limited frequency domain data representing the port responses of interconnect structures. The approach is based on the spectrally accurate method for causality characterization that employs SVD-based causal Fourier continuations, which was recently developed by the authors. The time delay extraction is constructed by incorporating a linearly varying phase factor to the system of equations that determines the Fourier coefficients. The method is capable of determining the time delay using data affected by noise or approximation errors that come from measurements or numerical simulations. It can also be employed when only a limited number of frequency responses is available. The technique can be extended to multi-port and mixed-mode networks. Several analytical and simulated examples are used to demonstrate the accuracy and strength of the proposed technique.


Let m(n) denote the maximum size of a family of subsets which does not contain two disjoint sets along with their union. In 1968, Kleitman proved that m(n)=nm+1+⋯+n2m+1 if n=3m+1 . Confirming the conjecture of Kleitman, we establish the same equality for the cases n=3m and n=3m+2 , and also determine all extremal families. Unlike the case n=3m+1 , the extremal families are not unique. This is a plausible reason behind the relative difficulty of our proofs. We completely settle the case of several families as well.


Alfalfa is the most important forage grown in Mendoza. It represents 4.1% of the cultivated area in the province and the 60% of the forages grown in it. Envi...


This study aimed to develop a microsimulation model for optimizing toll plaza operations in relation to operational cost and level of service for users. A well-calibrated and validated simulation model was developed in PTV Vissim, and several scenarios were simulated to test their efficacy at improving toll plaza operations. Data collected included classified entry traffic volume at the toll plaza, service time for different payment categories, percentage of lane utilization, and travel time while crossing the toll plaza. For modeling lane selection for vehicles, the PTV Vissim component object model application programming interface—which enables dynamic route choice—was used. From the results it was observed that the simulation model accurately represented the current operations at the toll plaza. Scenarios, such as implementing a number plate recognition technology and segregating lanes for different vehicle types to improve the level of service, were evaluated with the simulation model.


In this thesis I identify spatio-temporal patterns of European heat waves between 1979 and 2020, cluster them into meaningful families and analyze their influence on vegetation. For this I introduce a novel definition of heat waves, which defines them as phenomena with a spatial and temporal extend. With two clustering algorithms I cluster the detected heat waves temporally by their occurence during the year and spatially by their spatial overlapping. After the detection of these spatio-temporal heat wave clusters I correlate di↵erent heat wave features with normalized di↵erenced vegetation index data anomalies to assess the influence of heat waves on vegetation in di↵erent regions in Europe and during di↵erent seasons of the year. The results reveal interesting insights into the spatio-temporal distribution of heat waves over Europe and suggest an approach on how to detect influences of heat waves on vegetation.


This study aims to identify the spatial distribution of robberies in Makassar city by using crime mapping (crime analysis) through Geographic Information System in order to find a novel solution to deal with them. This study employs spatial analysis and snowball sampling to analyze and collect the data. The results show that the spatial pattern of robberies between 2015 and 2016 was cluster consisted of three categories high, medium and low crime density, and it also reveals that there was significant increase the number of robberies from 76 to 140 cases in 2015 and 2016 respectively. In addition, based on the time series analysis, it shows that in 2015 the high crime occurred in August, September, and April meanwhile the low crime was in January, October, November, and December. In 2016, the high crime was in March, September and October while medium crime happened mostly in January, April, Mei, June, July and August, and there was not low crime recorded in 2016.


Based on available borehole temperature logs and the thermal conductivity determination of core samples in northeastern Sichuan Basin, 12 estimated terrestrial heat flow values are presented. The results show that the present-day geothermal gradients range from 18 to 25°C/km, with an average of 21°C/km, and that the paleo-heat flow varies from 41 to 57mW/m2, with a mean of 49mW/m2, which is much lower than the average value in the continental area of China. Thermal history reconstruction in northeastern Sichuan Basin using vitrinite reflectance data indicates that the maximum paleo-heat flow (62~70mW/m2) was reached at ~255Ma, and then decreased to the present, which is quite different from the Bohai Bay basin, eastern North China. The maximum erosion occurred on the Mesozoic-Cenozoic unconformity and reached as much as ~2100m. The abnormal high pressure in the area was formed under geotemperature background characterized by low paleo-heat flow.


Purpose

Based on a literature and practice review, the purpose of this paper is to examine the theoretical and clinical basis for using wordless books with patients who have intellectual disabilities (ID) and/or autism.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review identified seminal peer-reviewed English language articles relating to the neuroscience of information and emotion processing for adults with ID and/or autism. In addition to published examples, illustrative case examples were contributed by clinicians regularly using wordless books.

Findings

Many people, including those with ID, selectively attend to visual information. Minimising the cognitive load by using wordless pictorial narrative reduces anxiety, and empowers the patient. Clinicians using such resources describe positive clinical outcomes. Only the Beyond Words wordless books have been identified in published clinical trials.

Research limitations/implications

Although existing evidence suggests a strong positive impact, further research into the use of wordless books for people with ID is needed.

Practical implications

Wordless books are reported to help develop staff skills and empathy for supporting adults with ID. The books facilitate some legally required reasonable adjustments to increase service access. Staff training is needed for effective use of wordless books.

Originality/value

Wordless books specifically designed with and for adults with word processing difficulties, ID and/or autism to enhance health literacy and explore their own narratives and emotional responses around health experiences and personal traumas are a unique approach. This paper may also offer the first exploration of their neuropsychological underpinnings.


A new gas gun technique has been developed in which a small mass fragment is impacted in a precise orientation by a thin metal disk and then recovered. The metal disk is placed inside a hollow sabot that also contains a miniature soft-recovery chamber. After impact, the sabot with the fragment inside is recovered in rags. The fragment will be found either in front of the impactor disk or behind it in the soft-recovery chamber, depending upon whether the disk was perforated. This technique can be used to determine accurate ballistic-limit velocity measurements for fragments with masses less than 0.6 gm. Thirty-six experiments have been performed using this technique for masses in the 0.2–0.6 gm range. Results are presented for several experiments.


The goal of MicroWEX-9 was to conduct a season-long experiment that incorporated passive microwave observations as well as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) observations for a growing season of elephant grass. The variety of sensors would allow for further understanding of the land-atmosphere interactions during the growing season, and their effect on observed passive microwave signatures at 6.7 GHz and 1.4 GHz, as well as LiDAR scans. This 72-page fact sheet was written by Tara Bongiovanni, Pang-Wei Liu, Karthik Nagarajan, Robert Terwilleger, Alejandro Monsivais-Huertero, Jasmeet Judge, Juan Fernandez-Diaz, Daniel Preston, Tyler Cheney, Jason Motsinger, and published by the UF Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, January 2013.
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ae494


The development and practice of hyperbolic reinforced concrete cooling towers are described. The collapse of three large towers in England caused concern and it initiated research in this field in Belgium and England, both through analysis and with wind-tunnel models. Unlike ordinary structures for which projected wind forces are acceptable, hyperbolic towers have to be analyzed for the rapidly changing positive and negative wind pressures. The solution lies in the membrane theory preferably including the moments caused by deformations. To protect against ovalling, a strong top ring is recommended, while the transition between the thin shell and the diagonal columns has to be designed as a deep beam. Unyielding foundations are mandatory, otherwise prohibitive flexural moments effect the membrane forces. Continuous heavy ring footing are recommended either directly on soil or on pilings or caissons.


Most of the preceding information has dealt with fundamental aspects of nutrition, hormone or enzyme changes in a maize of organs in a spectrum of species. This paper deals primarily with intact people with hormones, enzymes, and nutritional elements working in harmony in our patients. Thus what we present will be the result of infinite reactions subject t o infinite variations. Nevertheless the physician's responsibility is to decipher the total response. Thus with temerity we would present very simple metabolic studies of people, men and women, fat and lean. Our interest in this area was prompted by the fact tha t women (during the child bearing years) partake of food comparable in composition and in similar amounts t o tha t consumed by men. Somehow these women escape the vascular disease frequently found in the men. Inquiry into differences in the two sexes other than those charming superficialities indicated definite hormonal contrasts but few metabolic differences. Two previous observations were challenging: 1) the historical absence of long term fasts by women; 2) Devel and Gulicks' observation tha t women are more ketogenic than men during fasting. Examination of the data generally accepted t o support the concept of increased feminine ketogenesis revealed tha t studies were limited to urine excretion.' This historical set prompted us to do something often considered pass6 in this space age-to repeat the earlier experiments on fasting and obtain blood as well as urine levels of ketones. Men and women, obese and lean were compared in the study. The ketone values of the obese have been published previously* but have been re-analyzed in this study.


ABSTRACT In this article, we consider a non standard renewal risk model, in which pairs of claim sizes and its corresponding inter-arrival times are identically distributed, and each pair obeys a dependence structure. By assuming that the claim sizes form a sequence of extended negatively dependent random variables with consistently varying tails, moderate deviations for the aggregate amount of dependent claims are obtained.


The phytomass of herbaceous and woody plants is the main source of feed for pastoral livestock in the Sahelian savanna. The assessment of the available feedstock plays a key role in national livestock policies and generally requires many field measurements of both herbaceous and woody plants. In this study, we tested the possibility of using a red-green-blue (RGB) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to evaluate the phytomass of both woody and herbaceous species. We thus mapped 38 one hectare plots with a Dji Spark UAV in Northern Senegal. The herbaceous phytomass was measured on the ground. For the woody communities, we evaluated the leaf phytomass using dendrometric parameters combined with allometric equations. We performed partial-least square regressions between UAV-based three-dimension and color indices and phytomass. Results showed a Q² (cross validation results for each response variable) of 0.57 for woody phytomass, 0.68 for herbaceous dry mass, and 0.76 for their fresh mass. This study confirmed the relevance of using low-cost RGB UAV to assess savanna phytomass.


Hemangiopericytoma is a rare mesenchymal tumor derived from pericytes of Zimmerman.[1] It accounts for <1% of all central nervous system (CNS) tumors. Recurrences in meningeal hemangiopericytoma may occur either at the primary site or at distant sites. This may be a late event occurring 5-10 years after initial detection of the disease. The present case report highlights the rarity of this tumor and the incidental detection of liver metastases 8 years after treatment for the primary tumor. A 54-year-old man presented in 2004 with headache and abnormal movements of the right upper limb of 3 weeks duration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain was suggestive of parasagittal meningioma [Figure 1a and b]. Left parietal craniotomy was done [Figure 1c]. Biopsy revealed grade II hemangiopericytoma. Postoperative radiotherapy to the brain to a dose of 54 Gy was given. Eight years later he was detected to have liver lesions on ultrasound abdomen on a routine health check-up. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen was suggestive of liver metastases [Figure 2]. Fine-needle aspiration cytology of liver lesions was positive for CD34 in vessels of neoplastic fragments confirming metastases from meningeal hemangiopericytoma [Figure 3a-e]. He then received palliative chemotherapy with ifosfamide and doxorubicin. Interim CT scan indicated partial response. He has received six cycles of chemotherapy and is asymptomatic at 10 months follow up. Hemangiopericytomas were described in 1942 by Stout and Murray.[2] Begg and Garret first described meningeal hemangiopericytoma and proposed the term hemangiopericytoma.[3] The most common sites of involvement are the lower extremity, pelvis, and retroperitoneum.[4] Meninges are uncommon sites of presentation. Intracranial hemangiopericytomas were earlier classified as angioblastic meningioma, but now they are considered a separate entity with different biologic characteristics and immunohistochemistry profile as compared to meningioma. Headache is the most common symptom. A few patients may present with features of raised intracranial tension due to mass effect or hydrocephalous. Extensive disease or local recurrences may present with cranial nerve palsies. Hemangiopericytomas are dural based and show white matter buckling. Guthrie et al.,[5] reported the common sites of occurrence of primary meningeal hemangiopericytoma as parasagittal, posterior fossa, and tentorium. Hemangiopericytomas are dural-based, vascular, extra-axial masses. These tumors lack hyperostosis and calcification, which is a feature observed in meningioma.[6] Hemangiopericytomas are characterized by a narrow based dural attachment unlike meningiomas that have a broad based attachment.[7] They typically appear as hyperdense heterogeneous tumors on unenhanced CT scans and isointense on T1-and T2-weighted images and show heterogeneous enhancement on contrast. Histopathology reveals spindle-shaped cells with multiple vascular spaces. There is a high degree of cellularity. High power view commonly shows vesicular nuclei with nucleoli and six to eight mitotic figures. Immunohistochemistry is positive for vimentin, S-100, smooth muscle actin, muscle-specific actin, CD34, and factor XIIIa. Lesional cells do not stain for factor VIII. Presence of mitoses, necrosis, and vascular invasion predicts aggressive behavior and poor prognosis. Certain chromosomal abnormalities such as t (12; 19) and t (13; 22) have been reported.[4] Local recurrences are common and vary from 45 to 90% in most case series. Most of the recurrences occur at the primary tumor site. In a study by Galanis et al.,[8] 59% recurrences occurred at the primary tumor site, 34% at Parasagittal hemangiopericytoma with late presentation of liver metastases: Case report and review of literature Letter to Editor


Facial nerve schwannomas (FNSs) are usually painless, slow-growing, and without specific symptoms, so that early diagnosis may be difficult. They are particularly liable to being misdiagnosed as parotid gland origin benign tumor before surgery, which can lead to unnecessary parotidectomy or unexpected facial nerve injury. To prevent these complications, it is important that the correct diagnosis is performed at least in intraoperative time. When an adhesion between the mass and the facial nerve is exist or when electrical stimulation of the mass triggers facial movement, FNS is highly suggested diagnosis. In such cases, frozen section analysis should always be performed. In this case, the pre-operative diagnosis from clinical examination and MRI was pleomorphic adenoma. However, intraoperative features led us to suspect that the mass originated from facial nerves, and intraoperative frozen section analysis yielded results consistent with a schwannoma. Based on this intraoperative diagnosis, we carried out a successful conservative treatment with preservation of facial nerve.


Alzheimer's disease T . K A N , * Y . K IT A , Y . M O RO H A S H I , Y . T O M IN A R I , S . H O S O D A , T . T O M I T A , H . N A T S U G A RI , T . I W A T S U B O , T . F U K U Y A M A * ( U N I V E R S I T Y O F S H I Z U O K A A N D T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F T O K Y O , J A P A N ) Convenient Synthesis of Photoaffinity Probes and Evaluation of Their Labeling Abilities Org. Lett. 2007, 9, 2055-2058.


FARMS AND ACREAGE IRRIGATED, IRRIGATION WORKS1 COST OF CONSTRUCTION,. COST OF OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AND CROPS GROWN UNDER IRRIGATION Prepared under the supervision of LE GRAND POWERS, Chief Statistician for Agriculture, by R, P. TEELE, Special Agent In Charge of Irrigation (Reprint oC <Jhapter 14, pages <121-432 of tlte Abstract oC the Thtrt()enth Census.}


Citing a new congressional study that found 26 different draft or final federal radiation protection standards, Sen. John Glenn called for the EPA to craft a uniform government-wide approach to protecting the public from excessive radiation exposure. The General Accounting Office study documents a federal regulatory regime for radiation that is inconsistent, overlapping and incomplete. According to Glenn, the GAO finds large disparities in the standards established by different agencies and no consensus emerging on what those standards should be. A coherent federal approach to these issues is long overdue.


In recent years, some emerging technologies, such as back propagation (BP) neural network and recurrent neural networks (RNN) with long-short term memory (LSTM), have been adopted in many fields. Hence, we firstly design four decoders based on the classical Wiener filter and Kalman filter, and the emerging BP neural network and RNN with LSTM, and compare the performance of these decoders offline. Secondly, considering the advantages of the model predictive control (MPC), we design an auxiliary controller based on MPC algorithm to form a closed-loop BMI system, and compare the performance of four decoders online.


In the article and modulated by the processes of currency in circulation and the turnover capital of the company, selected a new concept - the reproduction cost, that allows to determine the distribution processes on her on the first and third stages of the circulation of capital in cash.


In this paper it is proposed a methodology through which we can get profiles of marginal incidence, i.e: there is a series of values for each quintile in accordance to the program size. The empiric case is about the implementation of the Argentinean Education Reform of 1997, whose main objective is to modify the participation choices at the secondary school. Up to now we do not have a methodology to measure the capture sequence of a program. For this I propose to use (no lineal) probability models to consider no proportional cases. I show that the group most benefited whit this Reform varies with the program size. It is also because the response differ with sex and age, in the same way that we do not expect a benefit incidence be constant for everybody, we must not expect marginal incidence be homogeneous for all group of people.


Deep-learning-based video compression technique has been rapidly growing in recent years. This paper adopts the Conditional Augmented Normalizing Flow video codec (CANF-VC) [8] as our basic system. To improve the quality of the condition signal (image) for CANF, we propose a two-layer structure learning-based video codec. At low cost of extra bit rate, the low-resolution base layer provides side information to improve the quality of motion-compensated reference frame through a super-resolution module with a merge-net. In addition, the base layer also provides information to the skip-mask generator. The skip-mask guides the coding mechanism to reduce the transmitted samples for the high-resolution enhancement layer. The experiment results indicate that the proposed two-layer coding scheme can provide 22.19% PSNR BD-Rate saving and 49.59% MS-SSIM BD-Rate saving over H.265 (HM 16.20) on the UVG test sequences.


This study proposes a constraint-based agent negotiation mechanism to enhance the learner-to-instructor interaction in order to promote learning effectiveness. Through the negotiation process, the instructor can reflect on the appropriateness of the learning sequences and adjust instructional goals, approaches and schemes by gradually perceiving the learners' feedback. The instructor can thus provide more adaptive teaching based on learners' specific needs. An illustrative example expresses that the proposed methodology can adjust the learning sequences according to learners' preferences and instructors' cognition. The experimental results indicated that the methodology could improve learning performance, enhance their learning motivation and increase the flexibility in learning.


(51) Int. Cl. HOIL 2L/44 (2006.01) (52) U.S. Cl. ................................ 438/669; 257/E21.476 (57) ABSTRACT A resist film is formed on a substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the resist film. The resist film is exposed to an electron beam. The conductive layer is removed by a remover whose temperature is equal to or higher than 30° C. and equal to or lower than 35°C. The resist film is developed to form a predetermined pattern. Therefore, the conductive layer can be removed without leaving a removal residue, so the pattern after developing is formed at high uniformity within wafer.