A process aimed at the recovery of terbium from liquid solutions using activated carbon (AC) derived from spent coffee grounds (SCG) was assessed. AC was obtained using the hydro-alcoholic treatment of SCG, followed by the physical activation of the as-obtained product. The AC exhibited both microporous and mesoporous structures, which were shown by the corresponding nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images. In addition, a certain graphitic character was found in the micro-Raman measurements. By use of this AC, terbium adsorption was investigated, and the influence of solution pH, temperature, and the adsorbent amount on terbium uptake was tested. In addition, adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies were also evaluated. The best fit was found for the type-1 Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics model. Thermodynamic studies revealed that terbium adsorption is an endothermic and spontaneous process. Terbium desorption by the use of acidic solutions was also investigated. This work demonstrated that it is possible to recover this valuable metal from liquid solution using the present AC.


We consider a class of games in which the first player chooses a positive function and the second player chooses a number. We show that under certain conditions, the minimax strategy for the first player is an exponential function. The results obtained are applied to several search games.


The maximum thickness of galvanized strip could be reached 1.8mm or 2.0mm from 1.6mm,and the galvanized strip and galvalum with 40~350g/m~2 zinc coat could be produced by technology improvement and optimization at Tangshan Iron Steel Co.,Ltd.The improved and optimized measures were aimed at welding parameters,temperature setting of every areas of annealing furnace,surface treatment and groove type of sink roll,air knife parameters and drying temperature of roller coating machine.


Objective To introduce the self-designed XN-1 CT simulation system and its application in radiotherapy. Methods The system was consisted of localization frame and simulation software. The frame was reported in detail previously. The software was designed based on Windows system with 3D tool OpenGL. During the process of simulation, CT images were scanned into the computer and the stereotactic coordinate system was created on the basis of the markers on the frame. The contours of tumor and other structures were defined and outlined respectively. They were reconstructed and displayed in 3D mode. The isocenter of target, the angles and sizes of radiation fields were setup and optimized with the help of Beam's Eye View so that the CT simulation could be successfully finished. The function and accuracy of the system were verified with a Philips MC-P50 simulator to a phantom target. For patients with brain tumor and esophageal carcinoma were also verified with the two simulation modalities. Results The simulation parameters obtained by the CT simulation system were coincident with those with the simulator. For the clinical cases, the results were also accordant with those by the stimulator. Conclusion The XN-1 CT simulation system has strong simulation function and it can meet nearly all the needs of simulation for conventional radiotherapy. It has the advantages such as high accuracy, friendly interface, easy operation, and low cost.


The article points to examination of informative possibilities of a motivological comparative dictionary of Russian and English as a new type of dictionary. The purpose of the motivological comparative dictionary is to present motivated, semi-motivated and non-motivated vocabulary in systematic view, to give broad information about motivated lexical units. The printed Motivological Comparative Dictionary of Russian and English: Phytonyms contains 400 entries. The structure of an entry consists of a Latin name of a plant with its translation, a plant name and its lexical meaning, the results of psychologicallinguistic experiment, a sign of motivated/ non-motivated lexical unit, motivated and nominated signs, phytonymic and etymological references. This dictionary is a source for research of lexicological and lexicographic problems. It also allows examining lexical units of the compared languages from linguo-cultural point of view. This information contains in the inside form of a word and in a set of motivated signs of plant names. Comparison of motivated phytonyms allows defining the peculiarities of the national character and national culture of a particular ethnos manifested in motivated signs and in the inside form of these names. The motivological level of language research is a favourable ground for analysis of national specifics of language as the nature of a motivated word itself is mainly connected with language conscience of speakers. Names of plants are directly connected with the objective and cognitive speakers' activity and also with social and cultural originality of language community life and its ethnographic peculiarities. According to the stated peculiarities of plant names, the linguo-cultural aspect of motivological comparative analysis is conducted in the following directions: 1. By means of the exposed set of motivates signs for thematic groups of the compared languages the peculiarities of perception of surroundings by native speakers in the process of objective and cognitive activity have been revealed. 2. The plant names with national and cultural specificity have been singled out in the researched material, which allows tracing the peculiarities of the national character and national culture of a particular ethnos manifested in motivated signs. In the issue of this analysis it is possible to find out the spheres of national culture, which are widely presented in the names of biological objects of Russian and English and, therefore, they are most important for every language community. In the total of the linguo-cultural aspect of motivological comparative analysis the distinctive features of phytonymic vocabulary of the compared languages connected with the specificity of the national culture and psychology have been marked.


The ventilation system is an important component of the mine safety production system, which directly affects the mine production capacity and on-site safe and efficient production. Taking the air demand and ventilation capacity of the Xinyuan coal mine as the research object, the air demand of the coal mining face, excavation face, backup face, chamber, and other air consumption tunnels were analyzed and calculated. The ventilation capacity of the mine ventilation system was verified, and the actual total air demand of the Xinyuan coal mine was determined to be 15943.6m3/min. After verification, its ventilation capacity can meet the daily safety production needs of the mine.


This paper put forward an image encryption algorithm based on the parameters of chaos control for permutation-diffusion structure.In this algorithm,Tent-Logistic map is used to generate permutation phase of the control parameters,analyze high correlation between shuffle image and permutation image pixels.In the diffusion stage,Tent-Logistic map for different initial conditions and control parameters generate initial state of Hopfield chaotic neural network,iterate that neural network,and generate the key stream for diffusion stage.Algorithm simulation experiment and numerical statistics analysis shows that the algorithm has good performance against the attack,reach the corresponding safety level.


One of the most important problems in the operation of gas condensate fields is the formation of gas hydrates. Depositing on internal walls of pipes, hydrates sharply reduce a channel capacity of pipes that can lead further to an emergency shut-down. Costs of the oil and gas companies for control and prevention of gas hydrate plugs are a significant part of the cost of operating fields and transporting gas. Therefore, reducing the cost of control and prevention of hydrate formation in gas production system and for its further gas transportation is of interest to many operating companies in the oil and gas industry. Hydrate formation is a process that occurs when temperature and pressure drops, which lead to a decrease in the elasticity of water vapor and the capacity of the gas, and, consequently, the formation of unstable hydrocarbon compounds with water, i.e. hydrates. Hydrates are white crystals that look like snow or ice. Crystal hydrates consist of one or more gas molecules (methane, propane, carbon dioxide) and water. The main factors determining the conditions for the formation of hydrates are the composition of the gas, its pressure, temperature, full saturation of the gas with water vapor. In this paper, the gas condensate field of the Republic of Kazakhstan is considered. A brief geological characteristic of the reservoir, the component composition of the gas-condensate mixture and a review of methods to control gas hydrates deposits are given. As the main method, the use of the multi-segment valve of the Severn Glocon company was adopted. An assessment of the advantages and disadvantages of the valve design was made, on the basis of which conclusions about the advisability of further valve use were made.


In this paper, we investigate online learning-based MIMO-OFDM symbol detection strategies focusing on a special recurrent neural network (RNN) – reservoir computing (RC). We first introduce the Time-Frequency RC to take advantage of the structural information inherent in OFDM signals. Using the time domain RC and the time-frequency RC as building blocks, we provide two extensions of the shallow RC to RCNet: 1) Stacking multiple time domain RCs; 2) Stacking multiple time-frequency RCs into a deep structure. The combination of RNN dynamics, the time-frequency structure of MIMO-OFDM signals, and the deep network enables RCNet to handle the interference and nonlinear distortion of MIMO-OFDM signals to outperform existing methods. Unlike most existing NN-based detection strategies, RCNet is also shown to provide a good generalization performance even with a limited online training set (i.e, similar amount of reference signals/training as standard model-based approaches). Numerical experiments demonstrate that the introduced RCNet can offer a faster learning convergence and as much as 20% gain in bit error rate over a shallow RC structure by compensating for the nonlinear distortion of the MIMO-OFDM signal, such as due to power amplifier compression in the transmitter or due to finite quantization resolution in the receiver.


Population: 67.8million (2011 est.) GDP per capita: US$451 (2010 est.) Human development index: 0.286 Unemployment: not available Key economic sectors: agriculture and forestry, services, mining, manufacturing Principal exports: diamonds, gold, copper, cobalt, wood products, crude oil, coffee HIV and AIDS prevalence: 1.6% (2009 est.) Gross primary enrolment ratio: 94% (2010) Gross secondary enrolment ratio: 38% (2010) Gross tertiary enrolment ratio: 6% (2009)


The invention discloses an acrylonitrile copolymer spinning solution and a preparation method thereof. The spinning solution is a dimethyl sulfoxide solution of the acrylonitrile copolymer; the acrylonitrile copolymer is made from the polymerization of a first monomer acrylonitrile and comonomer, and the comonomer contains unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers; the mass of the first monomer acrylonitrile is 90-99.5% of the total mass of the monomers, and the mass of the comonomer is 0.5-10% of the total mass of the monomers; the percentage concentration by mass of the monomers in the spinning solution is 15-30%, and the percentage concentration by mass of the dimethyl sulfoxide in the spinning solution is 70-85%. In the acrylonitrile copolymerization process, by the way of continuously adding a second comonomer in drops during a certain period of the reaction, the invention effectively controls the range of the second comonomer content change in the reaction solution, which ensures that the content of the second comonomer is still in a specific range during a certain period of the reaction to stabilize the instantaneous composition of the acrylonitrile copolymer and produce the acrylonitrile copolymer spinning solution with uniform chain structure, high molecular weight and narrow molecular-weight distribution.


A mechanistic temperature-dependent model for preemergent growth coupled with spawning and river temperature data is used to evaluate early life history strategies for chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in the Methow River, Washington, U.S.A. Since the model provides a predictable coupling between time of spawning and fry emergence, it helps explain the spatial and temporal patterns observed for the sympatric stocks. The model suggests that progeny of August-spawning chinook in upper river habitats emerge at button-up (no visible yolk sac) over a wide range of days in the early spring. The eggs grow efficiently, which maximizes fry mass. The progeny of October-spawning downstream chinook can exploit a wide range of habitats in the river because their emergence mass is not sensitive to location in the river, but the adults must spawn later in the season to avoid summer high temperatures. Late spawning forces fry to emerge prior to button-up to avoid scouring flows but synchronizes their emergence ti...


There is a long wave with average span of 50 years during the development of capitalist economy. Every cycle can be split into two periods,prosperity and depression. There are several views towards the contributing factors of economic long waves. The influential standpoint argues that the main motivation is the transformation and renovation of fixed assets. Long wave,whose promotion is significant creation,goes following a complex circle and exists worldwide. Although the particular emphasis of long wave theory is different from Marxism cycle theory,both of them consider that economy is developing with a certain cycle. Nowadays,the financial crisis has swept the globe; we must make good use of the theory of economic long wave to contribute to the development of our country,giving scope to the advantage of socialism and relieving the depression.


No matter in vegetable simulation or in RS image interpretation,the colors are extremely an important factor.How can we reproduce the true color of features and make it process a certain significance of radiation?Based on the XYZ space-based system of CIE(the Commision Internationale De Eclairage)and reflection spectrum measured by the ASD ,combined with computer-based methods in order to accurately calculate the RGB color value,we can display the color computer screen directly.The results showed that:the experimental results and theoretical analysis matches quite well.


and the patient insisted on having the operation performed on the 8th of December, 184X. It was decided that the opening should be made in the right lumbar region, on account of the presumed disease at the left side. M. Amussat made a transverse incision midway between the crista ilii and the last rib, a.nd then divided the subjacent tissues, until a fold of intestine was seen; this was enveloped in fatty tissue, and an artery ran close upon it; the vessel, whiclh had been accidentally divided, was twisted. Here, however, a great difficulty presented itself-Was the intestine, seen at the bottom of the wound, a portion of the colon or of the small intestines ? In this uncertainty nothing remained but to expose the muscular coat of the gut, and trust to chance; a needle armed with a ligature was passed through the intestine, and immediately some gaz, having a fcecal odour, escaped. A tenaculum was now fixed close to the point where the ligature had been applied, and the intestine being steadied by these means, a small incision was made with the scissors; this was enlarged with a probe-pointed bistoury, and the finger then introduced into the gut; on withdrawing the finger, a considerable quantity of gaz and facal matter escaped. Three enemata were now injected into the artificial opening and came away, bringing with them three washhand basinsful of fnces, containing the seeds of grapes and pears, which the patient had eaten about two months previously. The intestine was fixed to the anterior angle of the wound by four points of snture; the patient felt im4wedi4te relief from the operation; the size of the abdomen was considerably reduced, and the breat}ing was much freer. It is unnecessary to transcribe the daily reports of the ease; en the the 14th (7th day), M. Amussat divided the sutures by which the intestine was fixed to the wound; the patielt was allowed to have a little broth. On the 10th day he passed a very copious stool, hard and cylindrical, through the anus, a circumstance which showed that the intestinal obstruction was not complete; on the 13th day the patient was able to come down stairs from the sixth story of the house in which he lodged. From this period to the 50th day after the operation the patient continued to pass his evacuations through the artificial opening; but a quan. tity of muco-purulent matter was daily discharged through the anus. On the 50th day the patient returned to his family in the country, having made a journey of thirty.-ine leagues without any inconvenience. On the 22nd of February, 1842, M. Aniusat 1ward from his indical attendant that he continued in an excellent state, but that occasionally fetid purulent matter was dischaged through the anus. The object, then, of the operation in this case, was fully attained. During forty days the obstacle to the evacuation of the feeces was so great that the patient was reduced to imminent danger, and would, in all probability, have speedily perished; he has now a chance of living for a considerable time. Since the operation just described, M. Amussat performed a sixth ofthe same kind on an infant affected with congenital imperforation of the rectum. M. Am=as5t had tried to open the rectu through the anus, but was unable to find the gut; he then made an artificial opening in the left lumbar region and tha infant, now two months old, is well. This is the sixth successfiul case which has occurred in the practice of M. Amussat.-Gaz des Hop., No. 37.


This paper deals with the design, fabrication and preliminary experimental characterizations of a novel integrated dual-axis tuning fork gyroscope (DTFG). The DTFG is fabricated by high-aspect-ratio silicon-on-glass (SOG) process and vacuum packaged by glass frit bonding. Furthermore, a CMOS drive/readout ASIC chip, which is fabricated by a 0.25 μm 1P5M standard CMOS process, is integrated with the fabricated DTFG by directly wire-bonding. The experimental results of DTFG demonstrate that the rate sensitivities of Z-axis and X-axis sense modes are 1.47 mV/DPS and 0.18 mV/DPS respectively and the associated R2-linearity are 0.9995 and 0.9996. The noise-floors are 0.030 DPS/ Hz1/2 and 0.247 DPS/Hz1/2 for Z-axis and X-axis sense modes respectively.


The scale of the destruction caused when typhoon Haiyan struck the Philippines on 8 November 2013 was staggering. The emergency response provided life-saving support to millions of people in the affected region. But the challenge now is to ensure that recovery efforts leave devastated communities better able to pursue diverse livelihoods, access safe shelter and withstand future shocks. A recovery agenda is needed that focuses on poverty reduction and is based on the strengthened capacity of local authorities and communities. This will be critical for building a better future for Haiyan's survivors living in the shadow of the storm.


During the last decades, the increase of population had led to urban sprawl and a change in the spatial structure of urban areas. Indeed, the costs in land settlement represent a high post for municipalities, and more broadly for local authorities. It not only implies challenges in terms of environment and sustainable development of urban areas, but also concerning the weakening social tie. The aim of public policies is to insure the social diversity to avoid urban stratification. In this work, we aim to analyze the location of population regarding on socio-professional characteristics. We suppose that residential locations depend not only on households' preferences but also on land use concurrence. Basing our study on data extracted from the French National Population Census, we study the difficulties that public policies have to face to, in the second largest urban area of France. We mobilize the tools of urban economics and highlight the disparities in residential locations of households. The urban area of Lyon is characterized by a strong city-center gathering a large part of employment and sociocultural activities. Looking at population as a whole, the city-center is the only place that significantly impacts the distribution of people. However, distinguishing workers and unemployed, and then high-skilled and low-skilled people reveals differences in accessibility to work place, and more generally to social activities.


We demonstrate a novel one-step solution approach to prepare perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 films by adding CH3NH3Cl (or MACl) to the standard CH3NH3PbI3 precursor (equimolar mixture of CH3NH3I and PbI2) solution. The use of MACl strongly affects the crystallization process of forming pure CH3NH3PbI3, leading not only to enhanced absorption of CH3NH3PbI3 but also to significantly improved coverage of CH3NH3PbI3 on a planar substrate. Compared to the standard one-step solution approach for CH3NH3PbI3, using MACl improves the performance of CH3NH3PbI3 solar cells from about 2% to 12% for the planar cell structure and from about 8% to 10% for the mesostructured device architecture. Although we find no significant effect of using MACl on charge transport and recombination in mesostructured perovskite cells, the recombination resistance for planar cells increases by 1–2 orders of magnitude by using MACl. These results suggest that this new one-step solution approach is promising for controlling CH3NH3PbI3 growth to ach...


To the Editor:

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is a naturally occurring analogue of l-arginine and functions as an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). ADMA is an established risk factor for cardiovascular disease and contributes to chronic endothelial dysfunction [1]. Recently, it has been proposed that ADMA is also a mediator of allergic airways disease, with animal studies indicating a possible role in the development of airway hyperresponsiveness, lung inflammation and fibrosis. Exogenous administration of ADMA has been shown to augment airway responsiveness to methacholine in murine models of asthma and increased ADMA levels were observed in lung homogenates and sputum specimens from humans with asthma [2]. However, human data on the relationship between ADMA and asthma are limited. Therefore, we examined the relationship between systemic ADMA levels and current asthma in a cohort from the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS).

Study subjects included 314 8-year-old children from Sydney, Australia. They were originally enrolled prenatally into a randomised controlled trial of house dust mite avoidance and dietary fatty acid modification implemented from birth to 5 years. All subjects had one or more parents or an older sibling with asthma or wheezing illness. The details of this trial have been published elsewhere [3]. Of the 616 subjects who were enrolled prenatally, 314 had clinical and laboratory data available for analysis at age 8 years for the present study. The study was approved by the local human research ethics committee and the parent or legal guardian gave written informed consent.

Current asthma at 8 years of age was …


The inhibition of sodium alginate on AZ31 magnesium alloy corrosion in simulated automotive coolant was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) and polarization curves measurement.Results show that sodium alginate of 0.005 g/L had good inhibitive effect on the corrosion of AZ31 magnesium alloy.Sodium alginate is a cathodic type corrosion inhibitor and retards the hydrogen evolution of AZ31magnesium alloy.


Particle contamination in processing plasma reactors that are designed for deposition, etching, and sputtering applications e.g., for solar cells, flat panel displays, and chip production often plays a crucial role in the quality and the yield of the processed products. Although plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) is presently still the workhorse of the semiconductor industry, it is also suffers from the drawback of dust production, which is linked to the use of plasma. For instance the formation of dust, caused by the positive potential in the bulk of the plasma, which traps negatively charged particles, is a serious issue. The reduction or removal of such particles poses a major technological challenge for plasma-assisted processing, which needs to be addressed.


narratology', may be disappointed. As compensation, however, the reader will be well advised to consult Bode's invaluable updated reading list to satisfy her curiosity in such developments. Moreover, Bode's clarifications of concepts, jargon and theories, as well as his persuasive emphasis on the 'possibilities of the generation and construction of meaning' (p. 256), will make the reader return to this multi-layered and meaningful introduction.


Cancer is a disease in which cells grow uncontrollably, potentially causing harm tosurrounding healthy tissue and organs. Breast cancer is a specific type of cancer that affectsthe breast and is the second most common cancer among women worldwide. Symptoms ofbreast cancer include a lump or tumour, swelling, nipple discharge, and swollen lymphnodes. Breast cancer is staged, with stage 0 being the earliest stage with minimal symptomsand stage 4 indicating the cancer has spread to other parts of the body. The future burdenof breast cancer is predicted to increase, with over 3 million new cases and 1 million deathsin 2040. Early detection is crucial for successful treatment and recovery, and machinelearning can be used to predict the likelihood of breast cancer based on symptoms. So wepropose in our research to use machine learning algorithms such as CART, SVM, NB, andKNN to analyse and build models for breast cancer detection. These findings offer asummary of relevant machine learning methods for breast cancer detection as it will help tocurb it and we got an accuracy of 98.2% compared to the state of art methods which hasaccuracy of 99%. It proves to be a valuable tool in the early detection of breast cancer andcan improve the accuracy of existing diagnostic methods.


The catalytic aquathermolysis becomes an important area for investigation to solve some of the problems during exploration of heavy crude oil. It has been reported in 1982 by Hyne et al. that metals can accelerate the aquathermolysis and thereafter the uses of several catalysts on this reaction have been studied. It is believed that superheated water passes heat to the hydrocarbon, and some asphaltene molecules are broken down by thermal heat to small molecules. Hence the viscosity as well as flow properties of heavy oil are improved. Moreover, the added heat provides driving force or pressure so that the viscous oils can flow easily and increases the oil production. When the catalyst is present on this reaction system, the viscosity is reduced very deeply. In general the catalysts employed for aquathermolysis are mineral, water-soluble, oil soluble, and dispersed catalyst. The viscosity reduction with these catalysts is in the order of mineral < water-soluble catalyst < oil-soluble catalyst < dispersed c...


Contemporary we are witnessing the lighting revolutions where fluorescent and incandescent lamps are replaced by LEDs. There is very important to achieve by this replacement the same quality of lighting in given application. The color quality of light sources can be described by nearest color temperature CCT, chromaticity coordinates x,y and color rendering index CRI. The values of CCT and x,y are describing light source color. The CRI is describing the visual color quality of objects lighted by given light source under consideration. In the case of LEDs light sources, is well known that evaluating the color quality of lighting by CRI could be inadequate and misaligned [1-3]. Introduced in the 1960s, by the International Lighting Commission CIE metric CRI [4] is still obligatory. Nowadays were under development so many lighting metrics for describing color rendering of light sources. The North American Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) in 2015 recommended the use of the TM-30-15 method in the United States, which is based on the introduction of two color rendering benchmarks the color fidelity index, which is equivalent to CRI described by CIE 13.3-1995 and the color gamut index, i.e. the index referred to as Gamut Area Index [5]. The new measure meets the recommendations of the CIE in technical report CIE: 177:2007 "Color rendering of White LED Light Sources" and can be applied to all types of light sources [6]. The new color rendering index TM-30-15 introduces more color samples, and a more homogeneous color space (CAM02-UCS) eliminates many of the errors highlighted in the CIE CRI system and present results in vector diagram gives a lot more information about the color appearance of the illuminated items than was available at CIE CRI. Despite many improvements, it is important to remember that both CIE CRI and TM-3015 are comparative methods for which the source of light is the pattern. This article aims at presenting the IES and CIE metrics and comparing their performance on the example of spectral distributions of typical indoor light sources. We examine the difference between the newly developed IES TM-30-15 color indices and some of the most common previously established by CIE 13.3-1995 CRI color rendering index for typical indoor contemporary light sources.


The monograph was prepared following the results of the XX All-Russian Conference and the XXX All-Russian school-seminar "Integration of Russian universities into the world educational and scientific space, taking into account regional peculiarities". The conference and the school-seminar were devoted to the discussion of: the processes of deformation of the professional personnel link in the management of the international activities of Russian universities that have occurred in recent decades, and the need to take operational measures to stabilize the professional personnel resource in order to optimally use the potential of Russian universities for the full implementation of the National Security Strategy of the Russian Federation and the Concept of Humanitarian Policy of the Russian Federation abroad; issues of state legal regulation of educational migration in the changed geopolitical conditions; analysis of best practices and new solutions for attracting foreign students to study at universities of the Russian Federation; analysis of the features of the development of intellectual migration processes in modern conditions, the place and role of the Russian language and culture in them.
The proposed materials can be useful to specialists of the Department of the education system of Russia and its regions, employees of federal and regional authorities and management, as well as regional associations of academic mobility.


West Java area is located on the Pacific Circum and Mediterranean Circum routes, this causes West Java area to be an unstable area that is characterized by many active working volcanoes and frequent earthquakes. An analysis of the grouping of earthquake data in West Java Province area is urgently needed. The purpose of this study was to classify areas based on the density of earthquake occurrence areas in West Java using Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Application with Noise (DBSCAN). The population in this study are all earthquake events occurred in 2021. While the sample used in this study is data on the location of the distribution of earthquakes in West Java Province in 2021 taken from the BMKG online data website at dataonline.bmkg.go.id. This research began with nearest-neighbor analysis to see patterns of data distribution. If the data distribution pattern is grouped, then DBSCAN analysis can be continued. The DBSCAN algorithm uses a combination of parameters, namely minimum points (MinPts) and epsilon (Eps). Cluster results are evaluated using the silhouette coefficient. Then, in this study, deeper data exploration was carried out in three ways, namely: (1) Clustering based on the highest silhouette value, (2) clustering by lowering the MinPts value, and (3) clustering based on the smallest upper limit (supremum) value of the silhouette coefficient. The data exploration here aimed to form more clusters while still considering the silhouette coefficient value limits so that there are more areas prone to earthquakes but also maintaining the validity of the results obtained. Next, determine the best cluster results by comparing the cluster results obtained. The best cluster results were obtained at Eps=10000 and MinPts=3 which formed 12 clusters with a silhouette coefficient value of 0.713, which means that the clusters have a strong structure. It is hoped that the information regarding the grouping of areas where earthquakes frequently occur can be used as a form of earthquake disaster mitigation and minimize the impact of losses due to the earthquake.


A critical challenge facing the ICT for development (ICT4D) field today is how to promote sustainable approaches for scientific and indigenous knowledge mobilization. They must go beyond a supply-side driven diffusion of technology and to encourage grassroots, or "inclusive innovation" that builds capacity within communities through collaboration, particularly those residing in the lowest socioeconomic category known as 'base of the pyramid' (Mansell, 2012; Heeks et al, 2013 and 2014). In the context of agriculture, our research is anchored on the question: "can a Technology Stewardship approach be a catalyst for sustainable knowledge mobilization in ICT-enanced agriculture communities of practice?" The project conducted a series of field experiments termed as "campaigns", involving agriculture communities, were conducted in the Kurunegala, Matale, and Batticaloa Districts in Sri Lanka. Farmers identified various knowledge mobilization activities, ranging from exchanging local crop price information, to alerting on elephant attack, to disease control, general inquiries, announcements, so on and so forth. Data were collected at various times during the campaigns using a mixed method approach. The results of this study suggest that a technology stewardship model can be usefully conceived of as a micro-level innovation system. This is an important starting point for directing resources to more effectively promote the adoption and use of new communications services and as a step toward creating local capacity for ongoing collaboration to promote inclusive innovation in a developing country context.


On examination.-Pale, dry skin with absent axillary and scanty pubic hair. Atrophic genitalia. Some pigmentation of parts exposed to sun. Investigations.-Radioiodine studies (Dr. A. W. G. Goolden): Reduced extrarenal disposal rate. T=2-4 (normal 2-8-13). Water clearance test: Delayed water excretion. 17-ketosteroid excretion: 3 2 mg./twenty-four hours. Chest X-ray: Bilateral apical fibrosis. Progress.-Much improvement with cortisone and thyroid. Comment.-This patient presents a classical picture of post-partum pituitary necrosis. Subsequent pregnancies in such patients are rare, but usually result in recovery by producing hypertrophy of the remaining pituitary tissue (Sheehan, 1939). Pulmonary tuberculosis, active or quiescent, is very common in these patients (Simpson, 1883). It is interesting that diagnosis in such a patient can be delayed for eighteen years. Much chronic ill-health must result from post-partum hypopituitarism, though this complication is now less frequent with modern methods of transfusion and the use of ergometrine during delivery.


...............................................................................................................................v Chapter 1: Introduction ........................................................................................................1 Reference .................................................................................................................8 Chapter 2: Density functional theory studies of hydrostatic and uniaxial compression in organic energetic materials .................................................................10 2.1 Response of TATB to static compressions ......................................................10 2.2 Computational details for practical DFT calculations and brief discussion of results .........................................................................................12 Reference ...............................................................................................................14 Chapter 3: MW-MD Simulations of shock-induced solid-liquid phase transitions in crystalline solids ......................................................................................................16 3.1 Propagation of melting shock wave along different directions in solids .........16 3.2 Single Al crystal shock-induced melting within MW-MD simulations ..........18 Reference ...............................................................................................................22 Chapter 4: Molecular-dynamics study of detonation .........................................................24 4.1 AB model of simple solid energetic material. .................................................24 4.2 Technical approach to steady detonation simulations of AB explosives .........25 Reference ...............................................................................................................30 Conclusions ........................................................................................................................31 Appendix 1: Hydrostatic and uniaxial compression studies of 1,3,5-triamino2,4,6-trinitrobenzene using density functional theory with van der Waals correction .....................................................................................................................33 Appendix 2: Hydrostatic equation of state and anisotropic constitutive relationship in 1,3,5-triamino2,4,6-trinitrobenzene (TATB) .....................................43


We investigate the decay of f1(1285)→πKK¯ with the assumption that the f1(1285) is dynamically generated from the K*K¯+cc interaction. In addition to the tree level diagrams that proceed via f1(1285)→K*K+cc→πKK¯, we take into account also the final state interactions of KK¯→KK¯ and πK → πK. The partial decay width and mass distributions of f1(1285)→πKK¯ are evaluated. We get a value for the partial decay width which, within errors, is in fair agreement with the experimental result. The contribution from the tree level diagrams is dominant, but the final state interactions have effects in the mass distributions. The predicted mass distributions are significantly different from phase space and tied to the K*K¯+cc nature of the f1(1285) state.


Abstract : Dental surgical procedures have developed over the years based on strong clinical impression and empirical practices. Important advances have been made in the field of clinical trials both in measurement of conditions and in analysis of clinical data. Many articles in the past have dwelled upon methods of handling soft tissues and bony defects, while recently there has been interest in the treatment of the diseased root surface. This report is a review of the literature in 1980, and highlights the biological nature of the healing dentogingival junction. (Author)


Providing competence education is the main trend in current education,competence education in teachers colleges and universities should improve educational effectiveness on its own initiative.Firstly,it is to pay more attention to the optimization of the educational view and establish the educational sense,quality sense and talent sense.Secondly,it is to speed up the key link of the optimization and to wholly optimize the relative levels of the management system of competence education.Thirdly,it is to actively optimize the operational mechanism,quickly develop the quality management model in teachers colleges and universities with Chinese characteristics, sustainable development and open door creation,and then organically mix these together into the lively Chinese higher education system.


Three synchronization issues, i.e., symbol time, phase, and frequency, have to be properly controlled to achieve distributed beamforming gain. In this paper, the impacts of synchronization errors in distributed beamforming are analyzed for OFDM systems. For symbol timing error of cooperating signals, high frequency subcarriers are more susceptible as compared to low frequency ones. The desired signal loss due to phase and frequency offset is independent of subcarrier number. However, frequency offset is critical in OFDM systems since it leads to interference from the other subcarriers as well as power loss in the desired signal. Performance degradation due to three synchronization errors is shown with various numbers of cooperating signals and offset values. It shows that the performance analysis is well matched with simulation results.


great luminaries performing basic research. The copious boxes give more consistent examples of scientific endeavour on topics such as Svante Arrhenius's pioneering studies on global warming (p. 118), Agnes Pockels's research on physical phenomena at surfaces (p. 121), the work of Masataka Ogawa on nipponium (p. 304), or that of Gen'itsu Kita and the formation of the Kyoto School (p. 386). The book under review is representative of narratives written by chemists and mainly addressed to chemists, with its roots in the works of nineteenth-century chemist-historians such as Thomas Thomson or Hermann Kopp. The main aim of these works was to legitimate the progress of chemistry and its ability to improve living conditions. However, Hirota is aware of the dramatic political, economic, and environmental changes of the second half of the twentieth century. He admits that the relationship between science and society is more complex today, and he regrets with some nostalgia "the tendency to emphasize research with short-term objectives" (p. 675). He employs lessons from the past to reveal that the "history of chemistry provides ample evidence that groundbreaking discoveries often resulted from serendipitous findings during the course of ordinary research" (p. 689). To face challenges of the new global society and the "intensely competitive of American society and its philosophy of neoliberalism" (p. 693), the author advocates a radical change in the apprenticeship model. The author's historical "distance" (p. 4) as a retired scientist allows him to recognise the limits of the linear model of science diffusion and its limitations for producing a positive image of chemistry. In this sense, Hirota's book is certainly an excellent up-to-date work.


The collaborative outlook. The modern family. Development in the family whose child has a disability. Parentsa responses to their childa s disability. The responses of siblings and grandparents. Familiesa service needs. Collaboration with parents. Communication skills. Resolving ethical dilemmas in family--centred work.


Summary Many patrons in an academic setting have preconceived attitudes regarding the use of particular formats of indexes and other materials. These attitudes can frequently interfere with a patron's more successful retrieval of needed resources because of the use of their preferred format rather than the use of the best means of access for their information need. The impact of these preconceived views is explored in terms of providing reference service in the present day.


Background: Neurotropic viruses in the family Rhabdoviridae, genus Lyssavirus, are what cause rabies, an acute, progressive, and highly lethal encephalomyelitis. Aim: Evaluation of the used diagnostic techniques to determine the most simple; rapid and accurate test for rabies virus (RABV) recognition in different specimens aiming to reach a rapid diagnosis as a step aid in the disease control and to prevent or even minimize the suspected hazard. Method: The used techniques included an infection trial of Swiss mice with the mice-adapted challenge rabies virus followed by the detection of the virus in the infected mices' brains. Virus detection was carried out through the application BHK21 cell line infection; fluorescent antibody technique; latex agglutination test (LAT); direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA); rabies antigen detection kit ELISA; conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: It was found that virus inoculation in mice and BHK21 cell lines needs 5–7 days with positivity of 90% and 100%, respectively. Rapid antigen kit was able to detect rabies antigen in mice brains suspension and BHK21 infected fluid within 3–5 minutes with percentages of 60% and 55.5%, respectively. In 1–1.5 hours, the direct fluorescent antibody method (DFAT) detected 90% and 100% of the rabies antigen in BHK21 cell line infection and brain impressions, respectively. Latex agglutination showed clear results with 88.8% with BHK21 infected fluid within 3–5 minutes while it did not carry out on brain emulsions to prevent falsely positive results brought on by the presence of tissue fragments. Conventional one-step PCR revealed 100% positivity with either brain or cell culture preparations within 2 days. Direct ELISA showed 88.8% positivity with BHK21 infected fluid with 1 day of work. Conclusion: Mice inoculation test, cell culture infection; DFAT and PCR are the most accurate techniques for the detection of RABV with a positivity of 90%–100% followed by LAT and ELISA with a positivity of 88.8%, and lastly, rabies antigen ELISA kit (RAK) with a positivity of 55.5%–60% taking in consideration the required time for each. In addition, the positivity % of the applied tests revealed their sensitivity and specificity.


Purpose: To investigate the parameters affecting upper limb function in the early period in subjects with upper limb burn injury. Material and Methods: This study included a total of 34 (26 F; 8 M) individuals with upper limb burn injury. Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (QuickDASH) for upper extremity functions of subjects, Jamar hand dynamometer for grip strength, Tampa Kinesiophobia Scale for kinesiophobia level and Visual Analogue Scale for pain level were used. Results: QuickDASH score, kinesiophobia and pain levels were higher while grip strength was lower in individuals with joint involvement of burn injury (p˂0,05). There was no difference between individuals with bilateral and unilateral burn injuries in terms of upper limb function, kinesiophobia, grip strength, and pain parameters (p˃0,05). According to the multiple regression analysis results, the presence of joint involvement of burn injury and pain levels were determined as significant predictors of upper extremity function (p˂0,05). Discussion: It was shown that the presence of a burn injury in a joint in the hand and increased pain level adversely affects upper extremity functions in the early period. In addition to the upper limb functions of individuals with burn injuries in the joint, pain severity, kinesiophobia and grip strength were also negatively affected.


We present the application of the method of light‐cone sum rules to the determination of baryonic form factors at intermediate momentum transfer. After reviewing the current status of this field we give some outlook on possible future projects.


BACKGROUND/AIMS
The availability of truly maturated cardiomyocytic subtypes is a major prerequisite for cardiovascular cell replacement therapies. Pluripotent stem cells provide a suitable source for the development of new strategies to overcome enormous hurdles such as yield, purity and safety of in vitro generated cells.

METHODS
To address these issues, we have refined existing forward programming protocols by combining forced exogenous overexpression of the early cardiovascular transcription factor Nkx2.5 with a αMHC-promoter-based antibiotic selection step. Additionally, we applied small molecules such as ascorbic acid to enhance cardiomyogenic differentiation efficiency. Subsequently, we evaluated the cell fate of the resulting cardiomyocytes on the mRNA as well as protein levels. The latter was performed using high-resolution confocal microscopy. Furthermore, we examined the response of the cells` beating activities to pharmacological substance administration.

RESULTS
Our results reveal an apparent influence of Nkx2.5 on the cell fate of ESC-derived cardiomyocytes. Resulting single cells exhibit characteristics of early ventricular cardiomyocytes, such as sarcomeric marker expression, spontaneous beating frequency, and distinct L-type calcium channel occurrence.

CONCLUSION
Therefore, we demonstrate cardiovascular subtype forward programming of ESCs using a combination of transcription factors along with small molecule administration. However, our findings also underline current assumptions, that a terminal maturation of PSC derived cardiomyocytes in vitro is still an unsolved problem which urgently needs to be addressed in the field.


Twenty genotypes of China aster [Callistephus chinensis (L.) Nees] were evaluated for 12 quantitative traits to study the character association and path coefficient analysis in a randomized complete block design with three replications during 2012–13. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the characters. In correlation studies, number and weight of flowers/plant were significant and positively correlated with plant height, number of branches/plant, number of leaves/plant and flower stalk length. Path coefficient analysis was carried out using correlation coefficients to know the yield-contributing traits having true associations with flower yield/plant. In path coefficient analysis, days to 50% flowering recorded maximum positive direct effect on weight of flowers/plant, followed by flower stalk length, flowering duration, number of branches/plant, plant height and number of flowers/plant, revealing that indirect selection for these traits would be effective in improving flower yield/plant. Days to 50% flowering showed highest positive indirect effect on yield of flowers, followed by flower stalk length, plant height, flowering duration, number of branches and flowers/plant. There was a direct positive influence on weight of flowers/plant from duration of flowering, days taken to 50% flowering, flower diameter and number of ray florets/flower.


We probe the transient change of near-infrared optical absorption in orthoferrites induced by coherent spin precession motion due to intense terahertz (THz) excitation. It has been found that under strong incident THz magnetic field strengths, the time profile of absorption exhibits periodic oscillation that is double the frequency of impulsively excited spin precession. The observed phenomena can be described by dielectric function which involves spin-spin exchange interaction. Our result demonstrates the potential of intense THz magnetic field in observing and controlling the fundamental interactions in magnetically ordered materials.


A series of bis (n-decylammonium)tetrachlorometallates(Ⅱ)(n-C_(10)H_(21 )NH_(3))_(2)MCl_(4)(C10M, M=Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg,Mn, Co, Ni)were synthesized and elementary analysis was Carried out. Their solid-solid phase transitions were studied using DSC and IR. Transition temperature of the C10M compounds between 32~80℃, solid-solid phase transition enthalpy of C10Mn, C10Co, C10Zn and C10Cu between 55~83(J/g), their are potential thermal energy storage materials.


In my presentation, I will start from the perception of the child as powerless and help needing individual, an "empty bottle" in which we "pour" the knowledge. An alternative to this perception is the competent child, especially stressed in Reggio Emilia approach. In the research and education project on Faculty of Education at the University of Ljubljana (2009–2013), we encouraged about 200 Slovene teachers to introduce the Reggio Emilia elements (participation and listening to children, the advantage of learning before teaching, hundred languages of children, project work in small groups, documentation...), to their preschool practice.


The aims of this research are to improve student's motivation and their achievement in learning Mathematics at Mathematics lesson students class VIIA SMP Negeri 3 Temanggung year 2012/2013. The action hypothesis of this research is the open-ended approach in studying Mathematics can improve the learning motivation and student's achievements in learning Mathematics for students class VIIA SMP Negeri 4 Temanggung year 2012/2103 .The research belongs to class action research that happened by collaborating with Mathematic teachers. The subjects of this research are the students of VIIA SMP N 3 Temanggung that consist of 32 students. The data collecting technique of this research are by using observation sheets, questionnaires sheets and test. The data analysis technique for the observation sheet and the questionnaires sheet is by counting every indicator. Then for the students achievement is counted by counting the average score of the test. The finding of this research shows that after the open-ended approach used in teaching Mathematics, the student's learning motivation and their achievement in learning Mathematics are improved. Those are seen from the progress of the percentage result of the average on the observation of student's motivation in every cycle, that is pre cycle on 73, 13% and improve on the cycle 2 on 80, 38%, besides that, the result of the questionnaires sheet also been supported by the result of student's learning motivation questionnaires which are improve for each cycle, that are pre cycle on 71,00% then improve again to 81,00% and improve again on the cycle 2 to 88,97%. Besides that, the average of the students achievements on Mathematics study are improve from the first competence 70,23 become 80,17 on the cycle 1 and for the cycle 2 become 86,45. Remembering the open-ended approach can improve the learning motivation and can improve the student's achievement on Mathematics, the researcher hopes schools can use and implement the approach as the learning model


Purpose :  in the article we have carried out research of efficiency of investment and innovative-technological activity in the mechanical engineering of the regions involved in the Program development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Presented the approach to the assessment of efficiency of investment and technological innovation activities in these regions and influence the development of mechanical engineering. Purpose :  in the article we have carried out research of efficiency of investment and innovative-technological activity in the mechanical engineering of the regions involved in the Program development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. Presented the approach to the assessment of efficiency of investment and technological innovation activities in these regions and influence the development of mechanical engineering. Methods: suggested and used the tools of forecasting and analytical studies of the effects that result from the impact of the investment and innovative-technological factors on the development of industry in the regions, with priority mechanical engineering. Results: as a result, we have got a quantitative evaluation of investment and innovative factors for the development of regional economies. We also have built integrated indicators of economic and technological effects arising from the investment and innovative-technological activity involving machinery production in these regions. Conclusions and relevance : i nterpretation of the results shows that in most regions innovation and investment activities have a significant impact on the competitiveness of manufactured machinery products and on the export potential of the region. The potential of regional economic development lies in the interaction of domestic production and the innovative technological component. In the course of the implementation of the Arctic project, the demand for new technologies and scientific results is formed, the specific consumption of natural resources is reduced through the use of resource-saving technologies, investment activity is activated, ensuring the growth of production fixed assets and improving the balance of payments in foreign trade in industrial products.


Background: The literature on youth entrepreneurship indicates that young people, especially those from developing countries, typically face numerous challenges in their bid to start a business. Such obstacles are most often exacerbated in times of emergencies   like  COVID-19 thus, posing a serious threat to youthful innovation. Equally, how young potential entrepreneurs evaluate their role in times of COVID-19 is largely unknown.  Objective: The primary objective of the study was to examine how young Nigerian potential entrepreneurs assess their readiness, engagement, motivations and limitations with regards to building a business during COVID-19. Methodology: We used a web-based survey design to elicit data from a total of 1,067 young adults aged 18-35 years.Results: Findings revealed that although young adults in our sample showed impressive entrepreneurial readiness and motivations, they did not actually engage in entrepreneurial activities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Gender and prior entrepreneurial experience have significant positive effect on young adults' perceived entrepreneurial readiness during COVID-19. Perception of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on businesses was found to have mediated the influence of young adults' demographic variables on entrepreneurial engagement. While certain socio-cultural as well as institutional variables were found to have prevented young adults' from engaging in productive businesses, their educational level and age category provided interesting insights into basic entrepreneurial outcomes in times of COVID-19. Unique contribution: The study provides pathways for improving entrepreneurial recovery processes during and after the pandemic. The study specifically contributes to inclusive entrepreneurship policy programmes that can be adopted by developing economies.   Conclusion: Based on these findings, we have reasons to believe that young adults are losing confidence in the capacity of the business environment to protect their interests especially during public health emergencies like COVID-19.


Curriculum construction is an important factor to push community education forward,and it is also an effective method to realize the purpose of community education.To meet a variety of community residents' needs and community self development requirements,the paper explores a regional curriculum development system and proves its effectiveness.


Various methods are reported (1-6) for preparation of plasma samples before assay of endogenous digoxin-like imniunoreactive substance (DLJS). To standardize sample pretreatment, we compared three reported (16) methods. In all cases we also assayed the DLIS in plasma directly, using an RIA as previously described (5). The first method consisted of the heating of plasma after dilution (1). Plasma samples from 11 newborns (umbilical cord) and from 11 normal adults were diluted threefold with deionized water, heated to 100 #{176}C for 5 mm in a boiling water bath, then promptly assayed. Compared with nontreated samples, the mean (±SD) digoxin-like imniunoreactivity after boiling (corrected for dilution) increased significantly, both in adults (145 ± 56 ng/L digoxin equivalents vs 39 ± 11 ngfL, P 0.0005) and in newborns (338 ± 98 ng/L vs 133 ± 49 ng/L, P 0.0005). The average ratio of the immunoreactivity measured after heating to that measured before was, respectively, 3.7 for adults and 2.5 for newborns. The second method (2-4) consisted of heating the plasma without prior dilution. Two 3-mL pools of plasma from newborns were placed in boiling water for 5 mm without dilution; after cooling, the resulting clot was homogenized and centrifuged (20 mm, 4#{176}C, 15000 x g). The concentration of DLIS in the supernate was only about 50% of that of the nontreated samples (nontreated plasma 168 ± 32 ngfL, supernate after boiling 88 ± 23 ng/L). To assess whether any immunoreactivity had been adsorbed to the precipitate, we suspended the precipitate in 2 mL of methanol, centrifuged at 15 000 x g, dried this supernate under reduced pressure, then reconstituted it in buffer and assayed by RIA. Repeating this extraction procedure three times yielded respective concentrations of DLIS of 242 ± 30,113 ± 22, and 89 ± 54ng/L. Thirdly, we compared the DLIS concentrations of plasma samples of 10 newborns and nine normal adults before and after extraction with C18 reversed-phase cartridges (Sep-Pak). We passed 2 mL of whole plasma through each cartridge, washed each with 40 mL of water, and eluted with methanol as previously published (6). The mean recovery of DLIS was 85 ± 12% without significant differences between the two groups of subjects. A similar recovery was obtained also for five plasma samples diluted threefold and boiled (84 ± 10%). Our findings that DLIS concentration increases in plasma that is heated after dilution confirm the observation of Valdes and Graves (1) and are consistent with the hypothesis that DLIS is bound to proteins. However, the ratio of immunoreactivity we measured after heating to that measured before was approximately one-half of that of Valdes and Graves; also at variance with their results, the difference between our adults and newborns did not attain statistical significance. Finally, our results show, on one hand, that significant amounts of DLIS remain adsorbed to the protein coagulate when plasma is boiled without prior dilution and, on the other, that satisfactory recoveries can be obtained with SepPak cartridges. In conclusion, our data show that the treatment of plasma samples before the assay can profoundly affect the values for DLIS concentrations. The consistent decrease observed after boiling without predilution makes this method inadequate, especially for plasma from adults, whose DLIS concentrations are much lower than in newborns. On the other hand, boiling after dilution, followed by partial purification (and concentration) by Sep-Pak cartridges, seems to be the method of choice, because it (a) allows measurement of higher concentrations of DLIS and (b) removes possible interferents (e.g., ions and proteins), which is of particular importance in biological assays.


Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text. Background and Purpose: Approximately 8% of Blacks have sickle cell trait (SCT), and there are conflicting reports from recent cohort studies on the association of SCT with ischemic stroke (IS). Most prior studies focused on older populations, with few data available in young adults. Methods: A population-based case-control study of early-onset IS was conducted in the Baltimore-Washington region between 1992 and 2007. From this study, 342 Black IS cases, ages 15 to 49, and 333 controls without IS were used to examine the association between SCT and IS. Each participant's SCT status was established by genotyping and imputation. For analysis, χ2 tests and logistic regression models were performed with adjustment for potential confounding variables. Results: Participants with SCT (n=55) did not differ from those without SCT (n=620) in prevalence of hypertension, previous myocardial infarction, diabetes mellitus, and current smoking status. Stroke cases had increased prevalence in these risk factors compared with controls. We did not find an association between SCT and early-onset IS in our overall population (odds ratio=0.9 [95% CI, 0.5–1.7]) or stratified by sex in males (odds ratio=1.26 [95% CI, 0.56–2.80]) and females (odds ratio=0.67 [95% CI, 0.28–1.69]). Conclusions: Our data did not find evidence of increased risk of early-onset stroke with SCT.


1. Over the past 50 years considerable evidence has been reported suggesting that endogenous opioids participate in the control of renal function.


Vermillion, 2013 PB, 224pp, £10.99 978-0091947859

Flying with Confidence is a 200-page paperback written by Patricia Furness-Smith, a psychologist and specialist in flying phobias, and Captain Steve Allright, a British Airways (BA) pilot with 20 years flying experience.

BA has been running a 'Flying with Confidence' course for 25 years but as a place on the course costs from £250 this book at £10.99 is a more affordable guide to help overcome the anxieties and phobias people may have about flying.

The book is divided into two sections with the first part covering the technical side of flying while the second provides the reader …


From 2005 to 2014 was observed a rapid growth of Gross Domestic Product with rising employment and real wages, but from the next year these trends will slow down or reverse. From 2015 until 2017 was implemented a fiscal adjustment policy which had as its objectives declared, reducing the fiscal deficit and inflation; the main instruments were the control of money supply and the contraction of public investment, price increases of public companies, containment salaries and pensions increases. In a context of falling external demand, economic policy did not propose to compensate it with an increase in domestic demand, which could be achieved with higher wages and taxes on capital to finance an increase in public investment and reduce the fiscal deficit.


Correspondence Wolff Schmiegel Knappschaftskrankenhaus und Berufsgenossenschaftliche Kliniken Bergmannsheil, Ruhr-Universit t Bochum In der Schornau 23 – 25 44892 Bochum, Germany email@example.com An annual gFOBT above age 44 had been part of the national cancer screening program in Germany since 1976. This screening was free of charge. Apart from measuring attendance rates, there was no formal evaluation of the screening results so that the efficacy of the program was unknown. Compliance was poor, with only 14% of eligible men and 34% of eligible women taking part. In October 2002, this screening program was updated to incorporate CRC-screening using colonoscopy. The new program includes an annual gFOBT between age 50 and 54. The age at which CRC-screening begins was increased to 50 as it was felt that starting earlier was unlikely to be cost-effective. Anyone above age 55 is entitled to a screening colonoscopy, which, if negative, can be repeated once after 10 years. Anyone 55 and older who is unwilling to undergo colonoscopy can continue FOBT biennually. The costs for screening are covered by the health insurance companies which cover more than 90% of the population (the rest have private insurance which will also pay for screening colonoscopies). To ensure a high quality program, licences for performing screening colonoscopies are limited to endoscopists who have performed more than 200 colonoscopies and 50 polypectomies within the last two years. In order to maintain the license, 200 colonoscopies and 10 polypectomies are required annually. Numbers and completeness of exams are checked by regional bodies. Infection control measures include annual external microbiological testing of colonoscopies. The completeness of colonoscopy (cecum), findings and acute complications (self reporting) of every screening colonoscopy have to be documented by the endoscopist. Otherwise there is no reimbursement for the examination ("no cecum, no money"). The documentation was initially done on paper and was replaced by an online form this year. These forms including the histological results are centrally evaluated. Up to January 2007, more than 2.2 million screening colonoscopies have been performed. An evaluation is available for exams up to December 2005. Between 2002 and 2005, 1.7 million screening colonoscopies were performed i.e. a cumulative attendance rate of 10.2% of all eligible women and 8.8% of all eligible men between ages 55 and 74. The average age of screenees was 65.1 years for men and 64.5 years for women. The majority of colonoscopies were performed using sedation (86.4%). Colorectal cancer was diagnosed in 0.8%, the majority in an early tumor stage (UICC I45.1%, UICC II23.0%, UICC III 21.3%, UICC IV10.6%). Adenomas were found in 20.4%, with a higher detection rate in men than in women. Advanced adenomas (adenomas ‡10 mm, high-grade dysplasia, villous histology) were detected in 6.6% of patients, again with a higher detection rate in men (8.6%) than in women (5.0%). In both sexes there was an age-dependent increase in incidence of advanced adenomas. Complications were documented in 1177 patients in 2003 (3.9/1000 colonoscopies) and 1494 patients in 2004 (2.8/1000 colonoscopies) and 1379 patients in 2005 (2.7/ 1000 colonoscopies including a perforation rate of 3/10000 colonoscopies. Four deaths occurred that were related to the exam. There are 1759 endoscopic sites performing screening colonoscopies, the vast majority ( > 99%) of which are private practices and not hospital based. In order to be able to evaluate the effect of screening colonoscopy on colorectal cancer incidence and mortality, a prospective study has started in one of the states of Germany (Saarland) with a high-quality cancer registry. The number of FOBT performed has dropped sharply since introduction of the new program from more than 8.2 million in 2001 to 4.5 million in 2005. It is unclear to what extent this drop was caused by the introduction of colonoscopy screening, the age increase from 45 to 50


The current needs analysis aims to find out the EFL learners' preferred learning styles and motivation,strategies and weakness,as well as how they cope with difficulties in learning English in Kaili University by using a questionnaire.The rationale for doing this is to point out the most helpful activity and situation making English learning easier for the EFL learners and maximizing learners' learning outcomes.The further syllabus design and textbook/instructional materials selection will be recommended based on the present needs analysis.


[Objective] To study on the antioxidation of polysaccharides from PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATAE.[Method] Isolation and purification of polysaccharides from PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATAE were conducted by hot water extraction method.Extraction rate of polysaccharides from PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATAE was determined by phenol-sulfuric acid method.Clearance effect of ·OH was studied by salicylic acid method.[Result] Polysaccharides content in PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATAE was 6.32%;polysaccharides from PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATAE at different concentrations had clearance effect on ·OH,which was produced by Fenton method.With the increase of concentration,the clearance rate gradually enhanced.In other words,there was certain dose-effect relationship between clearance rate and polysaccharides dosage.[Conclusion] Polysaccharides in PERICARPIUM CITRI RETICULATAE had significant antioxidation and had clearance effect on ·OH.


O&e&es. This sludy sot&t to determtue the e&t w traos- thorack lmpedaace ol placement of deMrilla&m eMrodes on the hole brertst versus m&cent to or under tbe breast, Bx+oued. Tmnstborack impedaace is a m&w determiaaut of transtboracic curreat Row in deflbrlllstioa. For a glvea eaergy setting, 8 high traosthoraeic impedaace reduces curreat flow and may adversely a&t lhc ability of ekctrk shocks to accomplish detibrillattoo. We hypothesized tbat the h-eased ioterekctrode tissue associated with placement of tbe apes deiibrtllatioa elec- trode oa tbe female breast woutd result in lacreased trpnsthorack impedance compared with electrode placemeat lateral to or under the breast. Methad, Traastborack impedance was measured q oniavasively by passiq a S-V, 31.25kliz square wave carrent tbmugb Ihe chest and cocspariag tbe low level cun-ent flow to ti re&mxs. We memtretf ttnnstborack impedance assodated with thee dt#mt apex det%illation ekctrode pusitioutioa the breast, u&r tbe breM ~'4 ,ateral to the breast-h 25 wxwnen (brasskre size 34A to 4W. ' ,5 to 75 years old, body weigbt 128 to 328 lb [Se


The results of a survey of the natural enemies of moth plant or "tasi", species of Araujia (Apocynaceae, Asclepiadoideae), present in Argentina are shown in this paper. 57 species of insects were recorded of which 17 are cited as natural enemies of these species for the first time. Their specificity was determined and their potential use as biological control agents for Araujia hortorum Fourn. was hypothesized. Pseudosphex noverca Schaus (Lepidoptera, Arctiidae), is recorded for the first time in the Buenos Aires province, Argentina.


A self-refrigerated suit using dry ice as cooling agent and allowing the wearer to move about freely is described. Its efficiency during exposure to heat (dry bulb temperature, ta = 46 C; wet bulb temperature, twb = 35 C) and heavy physical work on a treadmill has been demonstrated by experiments on 26 subjects. The heart rate is reduced and the body temperature is decreased. The way in which this self-refrigerated suit reduces the heat load is discussed and the usefulness of its application is emphasized.


Abstract Tsushima Yûko's 2013 novel, Yamaneko dômu (Wildcat Dome), centers around multiracial orphans who were born to Japanese women during the occupation period and whose fathers were US servicemen. The novel opens in May 2011 and then moves back and forth between moments in time from the past sixty years, revealing the inner thoughts of different characters, both dead and living. The novel's centrifugal force is the haunting presence of a friend who might have been murdered, and who plagues the main characters for decades because of their fear that they may have been culpable for their friend's death. This fatal incident serves as a powerful symbolic event, evoking other deaths that remain unaccounted for in Japan, and elsewhere, both during and after the Cold War. I argue that Wildcat Dome calls forth a remembrance of the past in post-disaster Japan that directly engages with the question of complicity posed by the unmourned dead.


A simple method for the conversion of (sp(3))C-F bonds of alkyl fluorides to (sp(3))C-X (X = Cl, C, H, O, S, Se, Te, N) bonds has been achieved by the use of a hexane solution of organoaluminum reagents having Al-X bonds.


The utility model relates to a self-suction drainage system for a barrier lake. The system comprises a drainage pipe, a siphon, a water filling pipe, an upper control valve, a lower sealing valve and a water storage pipe, wherein the upper ends of the drainage pipe and the siphon are connected through a transverse pipe; the water filling pipe with a water filling port is arranged on the top of the drainage pipe; one end of the water storage pipe is connected with the water filling pipe, and the other end of the water storage pipe is free; the upper control valve is arranged on one side of the water filling pipe; and the lower sealing valve is arranged on the outer side of the tail end of the drainage pipe. The tail end of the siphon is put into the barrier lake, the lower sealing valve is closed, the drainage pipe is filled with water through the water storage pipe, the upper control valve is closed, the lower sealing valve is opened, and lake water automatically flows out of the siphon and the drainage pipe, so that time and labor are saved.


3. S T U D Y J U S T IF IC A T IO N .......................................................................................................... 29 4. S T U D Y O B J E C T IV E S .................................................................................................................. 31 4.1 BROAD OBJECTIVE................................................................................................................................3 1 4.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES............................................................................................................................ 3 1 5. M E T H O D O L O G Y .............................................................................................................................. 32 5.1 STUDY DESIGN............................................. v.......................................................................................................................32 5.2 STUDY POPULATION............................................................................................................................................................. 32 5.3 Study period..............................................................................................................................................32 5.4 inclusion criteria.................................................................................................................................... 32 5.5 Exclusion criteria................................................................................................................................... 32 5.6 Sample selection and size....................................................................................................................... 32 5.7 Screening and r e c r u it m e n t ........................................................................................................................................34 6. D A TA A N A L Y S IS ........................................................................................................................... 43 7. E T H IC A L C O N S ID E R A T IO N S ................................................................................................... 44 8. R E S U L TS 45 8.1 BASELINE CHARACTERISTICS.............................................................................................................46 8.2 NEUROPATHY.......................................................................................................................................... 53 8.3 PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE...................................................................................................... 58 8.4 FOOT DEFORMITY.................................................................................................................................. 62 8.5 FOOT CARE............................................................................................................................................... 65 8.6 RISK. STRATIFICATION...........................................................................................................................67 9. D IS C U S S IO N ........................... 68 10. C O N C L U S IO N S .............................................................................................................................74 11. R E C O M M E N D A TIO N S ............................................................................................................... 75 12. S T U D Y L IM IT A T IO N S .................................................................................................................76 13. R E F E R E N C E S ............................................................................................................................... 77 14. A P P E N D IC E S .............................................................................................................................. . 88 list of ta b les TABLE PAGE Table 5.71 Interpretation of Body Mass Index 36 Table 5.72 European Society of Hypertension criteria 37 Table 5.73 IWGDF risk stratification criteria 42 Table 8.1.10 Previous ulcer vs. gender 52 Table 8.1.11 Previous amputation vs. gender 52 Table 8.2.1 Neuropathy vs. gender 53 Table 8.2.2 Neuropathy vs. age 54 Table 8.2.3 Neuropathy vs. duration of diabetes 54 Table 8.2.4 Neuropathy vs. random blood sugar 55 Table 8.2.5 Neuropathy vs. systolic blood pressure 55 Table 8.3.1 Peripheral Arterial Disease vs. age 59 Table 8.3.2 Peripheral Arterial Disease vs. gender 59 Table 8.3.3 Peripheral Arterial Disease vs. random blood sugar 60 Table 8.3.4 Body Mass Index vs. Ankle Brachial Index 60 Table 8.3.5 Systolic Blood Pressure vs. Ankle Brachial Index 61 Table 8.4.1 Deformity vs. age 63 Table 8.4.2 Deformity vs. gender 63 Table 8.4.3 Deformity vs. neuropathy 64 Table 8.6 Risk stratification of study subjects 67


Objective:To study the effect of trunk control training on balance and lower limb function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke.Method:96 patients were randomly divided into treatment group(48 cases) and control group(48 cases). The patients in the two groups were given regularly rehabilitation training. Selective trunk activities were emphasized in treatment group as well.The trunk control function was assessed with Sheikh. The balance and lower limb functions were assessed with Fugl-Meyer. Result:The trunk control function scores and FMA scores in each group and between the two groups had significant difference(P0.05). The gain of scores in the treatment group was obviously superior to that in the control group(P0.001).The trunk control function was positive correlation to the balance and lower limb(r=0.783 and r=0.746). Conclusion:The trunk control training on the patients with hemiplegia after stroke may obviously improve the balance and lower limb function.


The success of the correction of spherical aberration in the electron microscope has revolutionized our view of oxides. This is a very important class of materials that is promising for future applications of some of the most intriguing phenomena in condensed matter physics: colossal magnetoresistance, colossal ionic conductivity, high T_c superconductivity, and ferroelectricity. Understanding the physics underlying such phenomena, especially in low dimensional systems (thin films, interfaces, nanowires, nanoparticles), relies on the availability of techniques capable of looking at these systems in real space and with atomic resolution and even beyond, with single atom sensitivity; in many cases, the system properties depend on minuscule amounts of point defects that alter the material's properties dramatically. Atomic resolution spectroscopy in the aberration-corrected electron microscope is one of the most powerful techniques available to materials scientists today. This article will briefly review some state-of-the-art applications to oxide materials: from atomic resolution elemental mapping and single atom imaging to applications to real systems, including oxide interfaces and mapping of physical properties such as the spin state of magnetic atoms.


Palliative care is designed to help patients to experience the best possible quality of life. The purpose of this study is to ascertain how far palliative care services are provided for cancer patients in Gaza. Patients treated at the oncology departments of three governmental hospitals had completed the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer/European Society for Medical Oncology (MASCC/ESMO), and PEACE international tool after introducing some modifications, and a twelve-item demographic questionnaire. A total of 374 respondents out of 396 (94.4%) positively responded and participated in the study. The overall mean percentage of all items for all domains, which reflects the availability of palliative care, is 68.72%, which means that the provided palliative care services are reasonably moderate. The medical aspect of care provided by physicians elicited the highest score (74%); meanwhile, the nursing aspect of care scored less (68%). Younger patients, whose malignancies were discovered at early stages and those who were treated in one single hospital, elicited higher scores with statistically significant differences in comparison to their counter groups. Despite being available, palliative care services are not well-framed in Gaza's hospitals. The study recommends that psychosocial care, home management and the adoption of multi-disciplinary team approach in palliative care require greater attention.


We propose a new hydrograph separation method for runoff source modeling based on continuous open system isotope mixing using a variable source area and three isotopic reservoirs. The three reservo ...


BACKGROUND. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) using single-shot echo-planar imaging (ss-EPI) is prone to artifacts, signal-intensity dropout and T2* blurring. Readout-segmented echo-planar imaging (rs-EPI) may improve image quality in DWI of the sacroiliac joints. OBJECTIVE. The purposes of this study were: 1) to compare image quality between ss-EPI and rs-EPI DWI of the sacroiliac joints; and 2) to evaluate whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values derived from ss-EPI and rs-EPI can differentiate disease activity in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS. This retrospective study included 75 patients who underwent ss-EPI and rs-EPI DWI of the sacroiliac joints. Patients were classified into ax-SpA (n=50) and no-axSpA (n=25) groups based on Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society criteria. Patients in the axSpA group were assigned to one of four activity states using Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-reactive protein (ASDAS-CRP). Two radiologists independently assessed qualitative (overall image quality and diagnostic confidence) and quantitative (ADC, signal-to-noise ratio [SNR], and contrast-to-noise ratio [CNR]) imaging parameters. RESULTS. Rs-EPI provided significantly better overall image quality, diagnostic confidence, SNR and CNR than ss-EPI (both readers, P<0.001). In patients with axSpA, correlation of ADC values and ASDAS-CRP values was 0.456-0.458 for ADCss and 0.537-0.558 for ADCrs. ADC showed progressive increases with increasing activity state for both sequences, although these increases were more substantial for ADCrs. ADCss was 0.234-0.243×10-3mm2/s for inactive, 0.411-0.412×10-3mm2/s for moderate, 0.447-0.499×10-3mm2/s for high, and 0.575-0.671×10-3mm2/s for very high activity (P<0.05). ADCrs was 0.236-0.236×10-3mm2/s for inactive, 0.477-0.483×10-3mm2/s for moderate, 0.692-0.727×10-3mm2/s for high, and 0.803-0.902×10-3mm2/s for very high activity (P<0.005). ADCss values were significantly different only between the inactive and very high disease activity groups (P<0.0083 [Bonferroni-corrected threshold]). ADCrs values were significantly different between the inactive and high, inactive and very high, as well as the moderate and very high disease activity groups (P<0.0083 [Bonferroni-corrected threshold]). CONCLUSION. Rs-EPI significantly improves the image quality of DWI in sacroiliac joints imaging. In patients with axSpA, activity states are better differentiated by rs-EPI than by ss-EPI. CLINICAL IMPACT. Rs-EPI is a more robust tool than ss-EPI for imaging of axSpA and should be included in routine clinical protocols for MRI of the sacroiliac joints.


This paper introduces the fundamental principle and system type of residential central air conditioning system(RCACS), and analyzes the different technical ways carried by the United States, Japan and China. With the description of the present development situation of RCACS in China, and the situation characteristics of China, the developrnent direction of RCACS is analyzed.


This work demonstrates how studies of life support systems can be used to advance the understanding of environmental principles. Efficient waste recovery systems that are developed for the Advanced Life Support System used in space explorations can be utilised on Earth. As an example, we explored three different ALSS scenarios, each having different waste recovery technologies. The results are compared in terms of the overall waste generation rates. It is concluded that physicochemical waste recovery systems, with their low level of uncertainty in operating conditions and high recovery efficiencies, are the best choice for a 600 day mission to Mars.


This study aims to determine the effect of zeolite, compost and its combination on some of the chemical properties of soil sand and the growth of caisim plants. The experiment used Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 12 treatments and 3 replications, where the treatment consisted of various level of zeolite (Z0 = without treatment (control), Z1=1.25 gr polybag−1, Z2=2.50 gr polybag−1, Z3=3.75 gr polybag−1), various level of compost (K0=0 gr polybag−1, K1=10 gr polybag−1, K2=20 gr polybag−1, K3=30 gr polybag−1), and a combination of zeolite and compost level (ZK0=0 gr polybag−1, ZK1=1.25 gr zeolite+10 gr compost polybag−1, ZK2=2.50 gr zeolite+20 gr compost polybag−1, ZK3=3.75 gr zeolite+30 gr compost polybag−1). Observation parameters consist of plant height and number of leaves, as well as chemical analysis parameters of planting media consisting of pH, CEC, organic-C, and P-available. The results showed that the use of ameliorant material in the form of zeolite, compost and a combination of compost and zeolite could improve the chemical properties of the planting medium in the form of quartz sand, and affect the growth of caisim.


Glucose-insulin interaction in an insulin-dependent diabetic patient has been simulated using an overall and a detailed model based on pharmacokinetic diagrams of insulin and glucose. Both models are capable of predicting the blood glucose and insulin levels, total glucose uptake and the renal glucose excretion. The simulator is integrated with a graphical user interface to provide a user-friendly environment. The package may be used to perform virtual experiments with various characteristics, diet and exercise conditions.


This paper presents a description of a novel mining system which mines the different occurrences (instances) of the same object from a video file. The framework of the system consists of four steps: segmenting the video file into stable tracks, extracting objects and their features from the tracks, grouping these tracks into clusters based on their residing objects, and finally mining the instances of each object in the shared pool of configurable computing resources within cloud environment for more security. The paper also presents a critique and feedback for the system and proposes an idea to improve its performance.


Abstract More and more, anthropologists will be forced to direct their attention towards the mega-urban areas that, increasingly, are dominating societies in Asia, Africa and Latin America. In this contribution based on the closing lecture delivered at the IUAES Inter- Congress held in Beijing, 28 July 2000, Peter J. M. Nas emphasizes the fundamental social transformations that are taking place moving us towards an urbanized and informational society. He makes a case for anthropological research on different types of mega-urban regions and their cultural and symbolic characteristics. Cities and urban regions are containers of rituals and symbols. They have to be studied holistically.


Given that the real exchange rate in Iran has undergone several shocks due to policies for the uniformization of the exchange rate and the reduction of oil revenues, as well as price fluctuations, the study of these fluctuations on the stock market has beneficial results, in empowering investors and managers. Considering the importance of the petrochemical industry as a strategic activity in Iran's economy, this study examines the relationship between exchange rate fluctuations and oil prices with stock market price in Iran's petrochemical industry through seasonal data from petrochemical companies, accepted in the Stock Exchange, using the VECM method, during the period of 1992-2015. The results indicate that exchange rate fluctuations and oil prices have a positive relationship with the stock market prices of petrochemical industry.


In this paper, the constraints of the sequential optimization of the lexicographic approach are relaxed in order to obtain a simple alternative approach to solve multiobjective problems. In other words, we allow the decision-maker to deviate from the optimal solution of each iteration if he/she prefers. Some properties of the obtained solutions are studied and the relationship between these solutions and those of the weighted sum scalarization and the ϵ-constraint scalarization and also the elastic ϵ-constraint scalarization are investigated. Finally, some examples are provided to show more details.


Background  Endometriosis is a condition where endometrium‐like tissue forms lesions at ectopic sites outside the uterus. In women, oral contraceptive pills and progestins are often prescribed as therapy for early stage endometriosis. In contrast, in macaques the disease is frequently advanced at the time of diagnosis and ovariectomy is the standard therapy. However, surgery is contraindicated in many patients. A review of 15 endometriosis cases over the past 10 years at the Oregon National Primate Research Center (ONPRC) revealed that 5 failed to show improvement after ovariectomy and were subsequently euthanized. Therefore, our goal was to assess the feasibility of treating endometriosis in macaques with chronic progesterone (P) as an alternative therapy for the disease.


Consider Colic Hx (including birth hx, feeding hx, vaccine hx) and PE to rule out concern for: Trauma / burn, hair tourniquet (digits, penis, clitoris, uvula), foreign body (eye, ear, nose), glaucoma, OM/OE, oral lesions, teething, CHF, respiratory illness, bowel obstruction or acute abdominal process, testicular / ovarian torsion, anal fissure, osteomyelitis or septic arthritis, cellulitis, abscess, rash, meningitis, hydrocephalus, dehydration / hunger / underfeeding or improper formula mixing Rules out: UTI, Tox, Ischemia or dysrhythmia, corneal abrasion, & gives time to observe


This study aims to represent the developing status of pronunciation teaching in a context of comparison and contrast, and tries to illustrate the learners' and lecturers' positions, roles and most importantly responsibilities required by today's methodology of pronunciation teaching. In this context, it is argued that pronunciation teaching methodologies have changed over decades since the Reform Movement. The exact status of teaching pronunciation appeared first in the Audio Lingual Methods and continued in the Communicative Language Teaching methods; however, the ways of teaching pronunciation has explicitly a long history and the principles of Reform Movement affects the approaches of the following teaching methods. The current approaches provided the scholars with new perspectives, and Penny Ur is one of these scholars whose ideas and principles are analysed here. Even though Ur's claims about nondeliberate teaching of pronunciation, the results gotten from the questionnaire and sound analyses conducted in KTU-FEF show that pronunciation should be taught deliberately. More importantly, learners and lecturers' roles and responsibilities should be considered in terms of the learners' approaches towards the L2 and the course as well as following the current and upcoming technological developments in the methodology of pronunciation teaching, and furthermore, the individual problems dealing with pronouncing sounds revealed in the study. The study outlines the current conditions in the department and gives new insights into how to teach pronunciation. In this sense, the purpose of the study is to judge neither the learners nor the lecturers but it does reflect a critical perspective.


Research in terahertz (THz) technology is now receiving strong attention worldwide. Devices using this band are predicted to become important in a very wide range of applications. The number of research in this field has increased rapidly in applications such as information and telecommunications, ultrafast computing and energy harvesting technology. Even with such excellent potentials, investigation to explore the properties of devices structure in this band is still lacking. To excite the THz band field response, micro or nano structures are required. In this thesis, a patch structure with enhanced elements are designed and investigated for energy harvesting application at thermal radiation spectrum which lies from 20 THz to 40 THz. A conventional rectangular structure is initially designed to understand the behaviour of performances in THz region. Then a perturbation slit is introduced at the center of the rectangular structure to trap the THz field. Hence, the electrical field is guided into a single collection area named slit tunnel for energy conversion purposes. The relationship between the structure parameters and performances are then analysed and recorded. Through the proposed structure, a broader field bandwidth is achieved which can cover most of the thermal radiation spectrum. Importantly, the amplitude of the electrical field that concentrates on the perturbation slit is increased up to 110.6 V/m with receiving field of 1 V/m which can produce an enhancement factor of 110.6. A promising receiving beamwidth of approximately 850 is also achieved where the THz field can be collected from various directions. Next, the proposed structure is integrated with a Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diode to form antenna-coupled diode. The structure integrates well with the MIM diode to produce approximately 0.495 A/m of magnetic field. The performances obtained are suitable for the proposed structure to be energy harvesting device which can collect the abundant thermal radiation and convert it into usable energy.


Pig farming has the biggest portion of the livestock industry in Korea and is still growing. The continuous price increase of crops in global market triggered feed price rise and overall production cost of the pig farming. In this study, an android based pig feeding application for is suggested. Using the application, users can monitor and manage the feeding status easily and minimize the waste in the feed. It is expected that the application will increase the feed efficiency, reduce the cost, and boost the income of pig farming.