This research project seeks to understand why the Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) performances are perceived to be inconsistent and sometimes poor. As a critical delivery agency for the government's National Skills Development Strategy, the inability of these organisations to be perceived as effective has significant implications for the implementation of the development of South Africa's human resources and, hence, its potential competitive economic position. Performance and Organisational Developmental theories were used to inform the research. The research first established the context in which the Setas operate and the performance criteria that are used in the measurement of their performance. The Setas were then classified into bands of performance and the organisational developmental stage of each band investigated. The research showed that the organisational developmental stage of the Seta provides a strong explanation for the inconsistent and sometimes poor performance of the Seta. As the Organisational Developmental model chosen is a prescriptive model, it offers the potential to not only understand Seta performance, but also to use the model to enhance this performance.


Recurrent cystitis was diagnosed in a three month old Bull calf with anorexia, colic and turbid urine. Microbial cultures of urine, yielded Staphylococci sp. Calf was treated with Amoxicillin and Cloxacillin for two weeks along with supportive therapy. Animal recovered uneventfully.


Abstract IGF-II is known to induce the growth of keratinocytes and the level was significantly elevated in the tissue fluid of psoriatic lesion. However, the role of IGF-II in psoriasis is not well defined. Because an inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6) is overexpressed in psoriatic lesions, we explored whether IGF-II has some role in psoriasis through induction of IL-6. Therefore, the expression of IL-6 was analyzed after treatment of IGF-II in primary cultured psoriatic cells and human keratinocyte cell line, HaCaT. We found that IGF-II induced the IL-6 mRNA expression significantly. To investigate the inducing mechanism of IL-6 by IGF-II, we examined the promoter activity of IL-6 and the DNA binding activity of NFκB, a strong regulator of IL-6. Interestingly, IL-6 promoter activity and the binding activity of NFκB were remarkably increased by IGF-II. Western blot data that IκB was reduced by IGF-II significantly suggest that NFκB activation by IGF-II may be mediated through the downregulation of IκB. Therefore, these results suggest a novel role of IGF-II in psoriasis possibly by inducing IL-6 through the activation of NFκB mediated by downregulation of IκB.


The survey of customary farm practices for improving the cropping system in Guyan Prefecture of Ningxia Autonomous Region, which is located at the western part of the Loess Plateau in China, was carried out. This work has been conducted as a part of the research project on the "Fundamental study of the establishment of grasses and crops on the Loess Plateau in China" sponsored by the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan. In this paper, we described the farm practices of flax, millet and pea, of which there were consisted crop rotation. We have already reported in our previous paper about wheat, which is one of the rotation crops.1) Flax is an important oil crop in this area. however, farmers have made little effort to improve its cultvation because increasing the yields of food crops like wheat has been considered more important. In the cultivation of flax, farmers plowed their fields three times in autumn, this was the same as in the case of wheat cultivation, but generally they did not apply any organic fertilizer at that time. In spring, after finishing stirring tillage for weeding, farmers sowed the seeds with the same seeder as that for wheat sowing. During the growing season, farmers weeded only once with a hoe. For the harvest system, farmers pulled out the plants, bound them, and then shocked them in the fields. After drying plants, farmers piled them up and then threshed them whth a stone-made roller. The labor requirements for the flax cultivation was 43.5-50.5hr/10a, which was the lowest value among all the rotation crops. The reason for the low labor hours was that farmers did not have to carry and spread any organic fertilizer for this crop.2) Proso millet and foxtail millet have been cultvated in this area for many years. In recent years, however, the planted areas of those crops have been gradually decreasing because of an increase in wheat production. The method of land preparation in autumn for proso millet was the same for flax. In spring, farmers sowed the seeds with a seeder 10 to 15 days after spreaping organic fertilizer and plowing. In the process of crop rearing, farmers gave trampling with a roller to the young plants and weeded by hand. The harvest system for proso millet was almost similar to that of wheat. However, the plants were not piled up because the proso millet would not dry easily. The labor requirements for proso millet cultvation was 51.5-58.5hr/10a, whch was smaller than that for wheat cultivation.3) Pea is mainly cultivated for keeping soil fertility high. Farmers cropped with pea in the fields after having harvested millet in late-September. Because the suitable period for autumn land preparation for pea was very short, farmers could plow the fields only once. In following spring, farmers plowed the fields, sowed the seeds by hand, spread organic fertilizer, and covered the seeds with turned soil of the next furrow, as a series of farm practice. During the growing geason, farmers weeded only once. The harvest system of pea was very similar to that of wheat. The labor requirements for pea cultivation was 49.0-59.8hr/10a, which was nearly equal to that for proso millet.


A novel Ti3O5/TiP2O7@MPCNFs nanocomposite was facilely prepared by electrospinning, sol–gel ripening and H3PO4 pre-impregnation activation treatment. The Ti3O5/TiP2O7@MPCNFs as a binder-free anode showed a synergistic lithium storage effect due to its topographical surface morphology, hierarchical nanostructure and special heterogeneous composition.


The phenomenon of Iks was first found by anthropologists and biologists, but it is actually a problem of human geography. However, it has not yet drawn extensive attention of geographers. Based on the relationship between urbanization and ikization, this paper is devoted to constructing a model to explain ikization. The research methods include literature-based analogy, mathematical modeling, empirical analysis, and numerical experiments. The main findings are as follows. First, the generalized production function can be used to model the behavior of ikization resulting from dramatic changes in the geographical environment and sudden cultural rupture. Second, nonlinear replacement dynamic models can be used to explain the possibility of rapid urbanization leading to ikization. Observational data is utilized to verify the fast urbanization mode, and numerical experimentation is employed to reveal the possible key factor causing ikization. The principal conclusions can be reached that social transition should adopt a relatively mild approach to changing, and protecting the geographical environment and reviving traditional culture contribute to national sustainable development.


This article describes the replacement of traditional methods of colour measurement and turbidity evaluation (both usually based on visual interpretation by an operator) by spectrophotometer-based tests. The approach is to introduce the new techniques (principles, theoretical aspects), to compare the old and new ways in practical lab tests and to present conclusions and recommendations.


The goal of this paper is to prove the wellposedness of scalar field equation on spatially compact spacetime of Riemannian manifold. We construct the equation of motion from the Lagrangian of scalar field with non-minimal coupling, where the coupling interaction of the scalar field ϕ is proportional to the scalar curvature of the spacetime. The equation of motion has the form like non-linear wave equation. The next step is to prove local existence of solutions. We have show that both the k th linear energy and energy norm are bounded for the finite time with the initial data in H k+1 × H k. Finally, we prove the uniqueness and smoothness properties of the solution.


SiC MOSFETs have received great attention due to their excellent electrothermal properties. Accurate junction temperature information of SiC MOSFETs ensures safe operation and helps effective thermal management. However, the existing thermal models have limits to correctly predict the thermal behaviors, whose parameter extraction processes are normally complicated. Most of the thermal models generally omit the temperature effects, which greatly impairs their usefulness and effectiveness. Here, a temperature-dependent physical resistor–capacitor (RC) network model is proposed, which can accurately characterize the thermal behavior of SiC MOSFETs particularly under high-temperature conditions. Meanwhile, the boundary conditions are fully investigated and modeled, which guarantees the adaptation of the proposed model for different real-field applications. The proposed method can remarkably simplify the process of parameter extraction since only the steady-state temperature distribution information is required with the assistance of finite-element method (FEM). Finally, the effectiveness and the robustness of the proposed model are validated by FEM simulation and experiments.


This article describes a one-semester course on qualitative research methods presented for faculty members in a university school of education. The course was one significant "cultural event" in an ongoing change process toward the inclusion of qualitative methods in a strongly positivistic setting. The inclusion of qualitative methods required a profound adjustment by participants in this culture. The change was eased by official sanction of the course and by faculty members' ability to find entry points to the ideas through established patterns of communication with the course presenters, most of whom came from within the faculty. The author is new to both the university and the country, and her own cultural adjustments, together with her role as one of the course presenters, leads her to reflect anew on the transaction between subjective and objective in qualitative research.


Two inter-regional input–output tables for the UK are used to consider three questions relating to regional policy. The two regions considered are Scotland and The Rest of the UK (RUK). It is shown that the feedbacks from RUK to the Scottish economy are of the order of 3.5%. The paper demonstrates that expenditures by government (amongst others) will have different total effects depending on the location of the initial injection. Finally, the paper shows that the input–output framework may be used to provide an estimate of the cost of regional policy where that policy is designed to create jobs, and provide a comparison of different ways of increasing employment.


Among many demographic changes, one of the most evident now is the aging of the population, the consequences of which are increasingly leaving a mark on the directions of social policy. In connection with the aging of the population and positive aspects, manifestations of ageism, based on stereotypes and negative attitudes toward older people, are also more and more noticeable. Sometimes, these are discriminatory practices against older people encountered in the health sector, the labor market, public offices, and others. The research presented in the article aimed to identify age discrimination and its manifestations among older people. The purposive sampling technique was used to choose the research sample – the assumption was to examine active older people related to a  large city who get involved and participate in various activities and projects carried out for them by nongovernmental organizations. The method of a diagnostic survey with a questionnaire, which included both closed and open-ended questions, was used in the research. The research was intended to help answer the following questions: do older people notice age discrimination, and have they experienced worse treatment because of their age? How many of the surveyed seniors experienced worse treatment and what forms (most often) did it take, and where did it happen?


The purpose of this study was to obtain empirical evidence and analyze the impact of budget planning, budgeting politics and organizational commitment to the budget document by document synchronization of RKPD in Central Lombok District Government for Fiscal Year 2017. The type of research is associative, this research searched the correlation between one variable with another variable. Data analysis was performed using the method of partial least square (PLS) PLS smart program of version 3.0. Research shows that the budget planning, budgeting political and organizational commitment have a positive and significant impact on the budget document with document synchronization of RKPD in Central Lombok.


Diagnostic recommendations Preliminary remarks Testing of potentially infectious material (swabs from the upper or lower airways including pha‐ ryngeal, nasopharyngeal, and nasal swabs, sam‐ ples of sputum, saliva, and bronchopulmonary washing) regardless of the test used (molecular, antigen, or serological) should be performed in strict compliance with the epidemiological safety procedures to minimize the risk of transmitting infection to the staff. The results of molecular and antigen tests do not determine the repli‐ cation activity or infectivity of SARS ‐CoV ‐2, so the periods of infectivity should be defined on the basis of in vitro tests and not the results of diagnostic tests. There are no firm data available regarding the period of infectivity in immuno‐ deficient individuals and it may be prolonged.14


Purpose: To know the experiencies and perceived needs of children and teenagers with cancer and their care givers regarding the received care and their oncological process. To identify proposals for improving care. Methodology: A qualitative study based on individual semistructured interviews and focus interviews with children and teenagers diagnosed of cancer was designed. Results: Hospitalization, therapeutic and diagnose procedures, side effects and isolation when neutropenia, were identified as the main traumatic experiencies suffered by children and relatives. These issues were related to physic, psycologic, social and educational problems. Mothers showed sad and other depression feelings, although those feelings changed as the process of the illness evolved. Some improvement proposals were made by relatives, including the need of a better correlation between health resources and patient/relatives needs. The proffesional support and the care received were given great value. Conclusions: The illness was associated to physic, psycologic and social consequencies for both patients and relatives. Taking their opinion into account is very useful to improve the quality of the health servicies offered to children with cancer and their family.


To review the safety and feasibility of a transradial (TR) approach during transcatheter structural or congenital heart disease interventions when utilized as either as a primary or secondary arterial access site.


Since the oil price has been significantly jumped for recent some years, the diesel engine of the merchant ship has been mainly used the heavy oil of low quality. Thus, it has been often exposed to severely corrosive environment more and more because temperature of the exhaust gas of a combustion chamber is getting higher and higher with increasing of using the heavy oil of low quality. As a result, wear and corrosion of the most parts surrounded with combustion chamber is more serious compared to the other parts of the engine. Therefore, an optimum repair welding for these parts is very important to prolong their lifetime in a economical point of view. In this study, 0.5Mo filler metal was welded with SMAW method in the forged steel which would be generally used with piston crown material. And the corrosion properties of weld metal zone, heat affected zone and base metal zone were investigated using electrochemical methods such as measurement of corrosion potential, anodic polarization curves, cyclic voltammogram and impedance etc. in 35% H2SO4 solution. The heat affected and base metal zones exhibited the highest and lowest values of hardness respectively. And, the corrosion current density of the heat affected zone indicated the lowest value, having the highest value of hardness. It appeared that the corrosive products with red color was wholly covered on the surface of the base metal zone, while its products was not observed in the heat affected zone. The microstructure of the pearlite with black color was more or less observed in the base metal zone with patterns such as crystal and needle, in particular, the crystal pattern of ferrite microstructure with white color was considerably included in the base metal and heat affected zone, and the ferrite microstructure was significantly observed in the weld metal zone. In particular, the polarization characteristics such as impedance, polarization curve associated with corrosion resistance property were well in good agreement with each other. Keywords: Forged steel, Microstructure, 0.5Mo filler metal, SMAW, Weld metal zone, Electrochemical method, Corrosion current density, Hardness.


The safe and economic operation of an LMFBR is dependent on many diverse and in some cases conflicting design considerations. In particular, the judicious choice of a reactor core design can play a significant role in meeting safety and economic constraints. The main interest of this study is to compare the relative merits of two core concepts, homogeneous and heterogeneous, with respect to their neutronic performance.


Blood viscosity is not a simple entity. Even when only the first coefficient of viscosity is considered, and when determination is carried out under controlled conditions, the viscosity of blood depends on hematocrit, on the degree of aggregation of red cells [and on morphology of aggregates), on the rigidityldeformability of red cells, on plasma viscosity, on the presence or absence of blood coagulation products, and furthermore on the temperature and geometry of the viscometer. In the human circulation, the flow of blood will depend on the geometry of the blood vessels, on the presence or absence of platelet aggregates or coaggregates, on the rate of shear existing during flow, on possible arrangement of abnormal stenotic regions, and on possible presence of vortices. Perhaps the most remarkable feature of blood is that it remains fluid even at very high hematocrits, even as high as 95 or 99%.''3 In contradistinction to blood, suspensions of rigid particles exhibit the consistency of concrete at concentrations above 65%. In effect, blood behaves as an ideal e m u l s i ~ n , ~ , ~ although there are changes in the internal fluidity of red cells between different blood samples. [FIG. 1). At high flow rates, or high shear rates, the viscosity of blood depends primarily on the hematocrit and on the rigidity or fluidity of red cells. At low flow rates, low shear rates, the aggregation of red cells may become of paramount importance. The aggregation-disaggregation process is a dynamic one, depending on the flow velocity or shear rate. Breakdown and reformation of aggregates takes longer at lower shear rates than at higher. Above a certain critical shear rate no aggregation is present, but this critical shear rate is much lower for normal blood and much higher for blood in various diseases. The potential size of the aggregate [or, in other words, the potential for producing aggregates) depends, other factors being equal, on the size of the vessel. In small vessels only small aggregates can be observed. The microstructure of aggregates depends on the health or pathology of the patient's or subject's condition. Pathological tissue perfusion depends on the presence of rigid red cells and/ or on the presence of red cell aggregates that show a specific type of morphology (specially nonorientated) which required very high shear rates for disaggregation (see FIG. 2). Both aspects of blood rheology may be greatly amplified in the


THE black bowler hat which I am showing was obtained in the following circumstances s-> A normal healthy boy, 16 years of age, was found on the ground dead in a quiet country lane early in the morning of March 15th, 1926. He had a bullet wound through the head; the bullet entered in the right temple and emerged above and behind the left ear, tho course of the bullet being from right to left and slightly backwards. There was no singeing of the hair, or blackening or tattooing of the skin round thc entrance wound. An automatic (.\lauscr) pistol lay on the ground on the left side of thc body; it contained five live and one spent cartridge; three live cartridgcs were also found in one of his pockets. No blood was found npon the weapon. The cartridges were ·311 semi-smokeless. The hat was lying on tho ground brim downwards on the right side of the body, A partly smoked cigarette was found in the boy's left hand between the thumb and first finger. The body was cold, rigor mortis was fully developed, and he had therefore been dead for somo hours. On examining the hat, tiny spots of blood were found distributed widely over the outer surface on the right side; thoy also extended forwards to the front, of the hat, and downwards within the curve of the brim. There were few spots on the under surface of the brim close to the entrance wound. if the hat was on the head, but towards the front of the brim on the right side were large bloodstains running forwards to the middle line, and similar stains extended over the leather lining of the hat in front and across to the lcft side. On the under surface of the brim on the left side close to the position of the exit wound were several spots of blood.


Abstract : The volt-ampere characteristics of a coaxial plasmatron with magnetic arc stabilization are analyzed for a broad range of change of gas flow rate, magnetic field and geometric dimensions. The findings are generalized on the basis of theory. (Author)


PURPOSE: A method for supplying a transmission section of a reverse message in a mobile communication system is provided to distribute a back-off time in consideration of a capacity of a random access channel and the number of terminals, thereby preventing an interference caused when the plural terminals simultaneously transmit a predetermined reverse message through the random access channel. CONSTITUTION: A system calculates RACH(Random Access Channel)_RESOURCE_ASC(Access Service Class) values for each ASC(800). The system applies weight to the calculated RACH_RESOURCE_ASC values to add up the values, and calculates a PRACH_RESOURCE value(802). The system calculates an NO(Number)_UE(User Equipment)_X_Y_CONNECTED value and an NO_UE_X_Y_IDLE value(804,806). The system adds up the calculated NO_UE_X_Y_CONNECTED/NO_UE_X_Y_IDLE values, and calculates an NO_UE_X_Y value(808). The system finally calculates a BOW(Back Off Window)_X_Y value(810).


Traditional BPM approaches are well understood for hierarchical organizations that cope with highly repetitive and welldefined processes. Unfortunately, they do not work well for the most prevalent types of processes and exclude most of the employees from participation. Especially collaborative ad-hoc processes in a team-based organization are not covered by BPM methods. Social software is a widely accepted and promising approach to support participation but lacks mechanisms for controlling processes. The paper presents a novel approach using roles. Based on a systematic literature review, this paper contributes a solution-architecture for collaborative BPM and presents collaboration patterns expressed through role models. This helps overcoming the model-reality-divide and lost innovation in the business process modeling area. Furthermore, rolemodel based collaboration patterns can be used to monitor and control collaborative ad-hoc processes.


A lipid peroxidation disease marker detected in the serum, biological fluids, and cell cultures using ELISA immunoassay kits. It is increased in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, and hypertension.


Objectives: Qualitive and quantitive evaluation of cardiovascular states in patients with hyperuricemia (GU). Methods: In therapeutical department of University Clinic in Odessa National Medical University were analyzed 56 case histories. The main group consisted of 36 patients with GU and in the group of comparison were included 20 patients with normal level of uric acid. Presence and severity of cardiovascular diseases and concomitant diseases were evaluated, comorbidity index (CI) by Charlson was calculated [Charlson M.E. et al., 1987]. Results: 69.4% of patients with GU had primary hypertension (PH) which was more than in comparison group – 50.0%. Third stage of PH was revealed in 28.0% in patients with GU and in 20.0% - in comparison group. Angina pectoris was diagnosed in 22.2% of patients in the main group and in 10.0% - in comparison group. What is more - high functional classes (III-IV) of angina pectoris were revealed more often in patients with GU, &khgr;2 = 7.2, P < 0.05. Chronic heart failure was more frequently diagnosed in patients with GU than in comparison group – 47.2% vs 38.9%. Also in the patients of the main group decrease of ejection fraction of left ventricle was determined more often than in comparison group (17.7% vs 12,5%, &khgr;2 = 0.373, P > 0.05). CI rates weren't different in both groups – 3.70 ± 1.26 (main group) and 3.64 ± 1.29 (comparison group), P > 0.05. It also should be mentioned that in patients with GU encephalopathy was revealed more rarely than in comparison group (11.0% vs 25.0%). Conclusion: Obtained results allow to conclude that there is an association between severity of cardio-vascular pathology and hyperuricemia.


The article considers one of the basic problems of socioecological education of the youth – the formation of socioecological stereotype of students' behavior. According to this the research reveals the essence of this foundational category, determines the stages of forming the studied stereotype and its specific content.


JOHIN HARDIMAN, aaed 60, was admitted into the accident ward, under the care of Mr. Birkett, on August 5th, 1859. According to the statement of the friends, this man received a blow from the fist of another man, which knocked him down, and he fell upon his occiptit, remaining totally insensible for some hours; after which, he became partially conscious-in fact, insensi. bility and partial consciousness alternating from time to time up to hiis admission, which was two days subsequient to the injury. The patient, a spare man, and otherwise lhealthv in appearance, when admitted was labourinD under some symptomns of compression, with a full and low pulse, 58, but with contracted pupils. When roused, he answered either indis. tinctly or in a surly manner (raising hlis lhand to his head), and immediately relapsing into a state of stupor. The evacuations passed involuntarily, the skin was warm, and the tongue coated. August 6tlh. He had eleven convulsive fits during the day, which resembled epilepsy; and it was at first imagined, from the peculiar character of these fits, that the patient might be producing thelll voluntarily. Each fit lasted about seven or eight seconds; durincg which period the pulse iniereased 10 or 12, and the suirface of the body became hot and pea-spiring; particularly tlle muscles of inspiration were affected, so that the breathing was sonorous. Auigust 7th. Ho is improved; he speaks nmore distinctly when roused. The skin is warm-'i and moist; pulse quicker, 62. He took foocl, beef-tea, etc. August 8tlh. He is improving ; and is m-lore sensible. August tlth. The pupils are sensible to light. He complains of paini in the head. The bowels are confined. A purgative was prescribed, and a dose of quinine mnixture three times a day. Augtust 10th. He is not so well; he has relapsed into his former state, and has taken no food. Auguist 12th. He is better. August 14th. He continues improving. August 16th. He is not so well. The pulse is slow and labouring. He comnplains of pain in the right tenmple. The evacuations can be passed voluntarily. Aug,ust 17th. He is better; the pain is abated. He slept well, and his appetite is improved. The pulse is higher, and diminished in fulness. August 18th. He has been assisting the nurses in arranging the. beds, etc. August 21st. He is progressing satisfactorily. Augiust 26th. He was ordered to be discharged whlen the bed was required; and was discharged on Sept. .5th, cured.


The PI Expert 6.5 expert system is a kind of popular single chip switch mode power supply computer aimed design software based on PC.Using the software,user can complete the topological circuit design of Flybackrd,Forward, Buck or Buck-Boost single chip switch mode power supply in few minutes.Firstly,the main characters and four navigation tools of PI Expert 6.5(Chinese menu)are introduced.Then the optimization design example and note items are expatiated.


Forestry education has always had to adapt to global changes and accommodate students and society's needs To address the issues of the day, forestry education has cultivated human capacity to understand the complexity of ever-changing environments, master resource management technologies, and engage in global issues Educational technology and online learning are important in providing flexible, accessible, and effective forest education at the rate and scale needed within the forestry sector The transition during the COVID-19 pandemic further illustrates the role of online learning in worldwide education In this context, this paper shares a case study from the Sustainable Forest Management Online Program led by the Faculty of Forestry, University of British Columbia (UBC) and Partner Universities This study shows that appropriately integrating educational technologies into an internationally developed and recognized high-quality curriculum is an effective way to create accessible and affordable forestry education in meeting the demand of evolving societal and environmental conditions © 2020, North American Business Press All rights reserved


A microstrip array antenna with advantages of high gain and easy integration was designed and fabricated for the transceiver of motor anti-collision radars.New simple parallel feed network was improved and used in order to reduce feeder loss and stray radiation on the condition that each element of the antenna array was excited by the same amplitude and phase.These improved the antenna gain,polarization purity and reduce the antenna size.The measured results show that the bandwidth(VWSR1.4) of the 4×8 antenna array is 24.0–24.2 GHz,the maximum gain reaches 19 dBi,and its size is only 80 mm×36 mm.


We study orthogonalization and parametrization of convolutional filters within the framework of the image and video compression method based on machine learning. We use the convolutional filters to interpolate less sparse video frame meshes based on sparser video frame meshes. We consider superresolution neural networks and decision trees as machine learning algorithms at the interpolation stage. Decision trees adaptively select an interpolating function from a predefined set of convolutional filters with parameterized orthogonal weights. The use of adaptive functions can significantly improve the accuracy of interpolation. Optimization of machine learning algorithms makes it possible to use the adaptability of interpolators in the most efficient way. We use orthogonalization and parametrization of convolution filter weights to increase the efficiency of the machine learning interpolation algorithm, which in turn leads to an increase in the efficiency of the image and video compression method in general. Computational experiments demonstrate the advantage of the proposed algorithm in real videos.


In order to provide more security on double-spending, we have implemented a system allowing for a web-of-trust. In this paper, we explore different approaches taken against double-spending and implement our own version to avoid this within TrustChain as part of the ecosystem of EuroToken, the digital version of the euro. We have used the EVA protocol as a means to transfer data between users, building on the existing functionality of transferring money between users. This allows the sender of EuroTokens to leave recommendations of users based on their previous interactions with other users. This dissemination of trust through the network allows users to make more trustworthy decisions. Although this provides an upgrade in terms of usability, the mathematical details of our implementation can be explored further in other research.


Cuejdel Lake is the largest aquatorium among the Romanian natural dam lakes and one of the top 5 largest natural dam lakes in the Romanian Carpathians (surface – 13.88ha, max. depth – 14.9m, total volume – 815,986m 3 in 2013). The lake was generated by a large landslide that dammed the Cuejdel brook (in Ștânișoarei Mountains, Eastern Carpathians) during the summer of 1991. Cuejdel Lake was officially designated a national natural reserve by the Governmental Decision 2151/2004 regarding the creation of new protected areas and the conservation of natural flora and fauna habitats. Since 2011, our team has monitored the lake and studied the evolution of this limnosystem at the level of the lacustrine depression and its reception basin. Our research results indicated that, after 20 years of evolution and negative changes in the value of its morpho-bathymetric parameters (surface – 2.37ha, max. depth – 2.3m, total volume – 26.77⋅10 4 m 3 ), the lake is now in a relative hydrodynamic equilibrium with the obstructive dam. This paper is aimed to highlight the ecological features of this limnosystem that could further help to identify better solutions for the conservation of the lacustrine cuvette, in the context of an increasing anthropic pressure (deforestations, water pollution, uncontrolled tourist impact etc). The research indicates that the integration of the Cuejdel natural reserve and its reception basin within the Vânători-Neamț Natural Park could be the best solution to preserve this hydro-morphological site and its biodiversity.


An extract of fig leaf is prepared from the fig leaf through extracting in water or alcohol. Its can be used for preparing the medicines to kill the herpes simplex virus and the frequently encountered pathogenic bacteria.


Technologies used in wireless access telecommunications networks, particularly those of mobile telephony, are constantly advancing, achieving this through the development of new techniques and methods that allow reaching an adequate level in very important aspects for a communication system. This article presents the extreme learning machine (ELM) with regularized parameter as a suitable alternative to perform channel equalization in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) schemes subject to standard wireless communications. To study their performance, other extreme learning machines proposed as equalizers are also considered. For various signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) and diverse model channels, the bit error rates are exposed, by showing that the superiority of a certain method depends on the adopted wireless link.


The Micro-Accelerator Platform (MAP), an optical-scale dielectric laser accelerator (DLA) based on a planar resonant structure that was developed at UCLA, has been tested experimentally. Successful acceleration was observed after a series of experimental runs at SLAC's NLCTA facility, in which the input laser power was well below the predicted breakdown limit. Though acceleration gradients were modest (<50 MeV/m), these are the first proof-of-principle results for a resonant DLA structure. We present more detailed results and some implications for future work.


To promote transparency in black-box machine learning systems, different explanation approaches have been developed and discussed in the literature. However, training dataset information is rarely communicated in these explanations despite the utmost importance of training data to a system trained with machine learning techniques. We investigated explanations that focus on communicating training dataset information to end-users in our work. In this position paper, we discuss our prototype explanations and highlight findings from our user studies. We also discuss open questions and interesting directions for future research.


Summary Humanoid robots (HR) equipped with a sophisticated facial character analysis (FCA) algorithm can able to initiate crucial improvements in human–robot interactions. This paper, for the first time in the literature, proposes a three-stage FCA algorithm for the HR. At the initial stage of this algorithm, the HR detects the face with the Viola–Jones algorithm, and then important facial distance measurements are obtained with the geometric-based facial distance measurement technique. Finally, the measured facial distances are evaluated with the physiognomy science to reveal the characteristic properties of a person. Even though the proposed algorithm can be implemented to all HR, in this paper, it has been specifically applied to NAO HR. The reliability of the developed FCA algorithm is verified by analyzing each terminal decision about the character and its connection with the measured facial distances in the anatomy science.


AVAIL came into being as a means of connecting more or less isolated professionals working with visual arts collections, ARLIS/UK & Eire (as it then was) having failed to meet the needs of colleagues in Ireland. The idea of an association for Ireland was hatched at a conference organised by ARLIS/UK with the IFLA Section of Art Libraries in April, 1992; AVAIL was subsequently inaugurated the following October. AVAIL is inter-national, in that it represents the whole island of Ireland; it also represents the broad spectrum of visual arts information management, not just librarianship. As one of its first tasks AVAIL is preparing a directory of visual arts information providers in Ireland. AVAIL'S very existence has apparently persuaded the Department of Library and Information Studies at University College Dublin to incorporate some specialist art training as an option in their programme of education for librarianship, and AVAIL – perhaps in cooperation with ARLIS/UK & Ireland – plans to meet the training needs of its members. AVAIL has adopted as its aims not only to provide a cooperative network for the provision and exchange of visual arts information, but also to ensure preservation and conservation of all Irish visual arts materials. AVAIL is working closely with ARLIS/UK & Ireland, and a joint conference of the two bodies is to take place in Dublin and Belfast in 1995. (This article is a revised version of a paper presented at the 25th Anniversary Conference of ARLIS/UK & Ireland, London 7th-10th April 1994).


For female pop stars, whose star bodies and performances are undisputedly the objects of a sexualized external gaze, the process of ageing in public poses particular challenges.

This chapter explores the strategies used by Madonna to destabilise the compelling weight of expectations around ageing by employing resistance through persona re-invention and postmodern intertextuality.

It also examines whether older women can compete in an ageist industry, or whether they should redefine it on their own terms.


This paper introduces a novel TV FLIR tracking module. This tracking board uses the advanced digital processor TMS320C6201 and FPGA EP1K100 in order to realize the functions of image freezing, object detection and tracking.


Excerpt An astounding feature of Lutembacher's syndrome is the ability of many patients to endure the marked lesion for many decades. One woman lived to the age of 741and passed successfully throug...


Background Over the past decade, courts and administrative agencies increasingly have considered cases that involve clashes between charter school proponents and teacher unions. While these cases have focused on a range of education policy issues, some cases have focused on arguably the most important legal and policy distinction applicable to charter schools— whether a charter school should be considered public or private. Purpose This study examines the intersection of the public/private distinction in U.S. law and policy, and the shifting political positions of teacher unions and charter school proponents, in courts and agencies. We examine the history of the public/private distinction in U.S. law and policy and specifically in education, in addition to conducting an in-depth analysis of three recent decisions involving charter schools and teacher unions in which courts and agencies determined whether charter schools were public or private organizations. Research Design This article is a legal analysis and historical case study. Findings Three recent and high-profile education cases in agencies and courts reflect the continuing breakdown of the public/private distinction in law and policy. Courts and agencies have hinged their decisions about the applicability of federal and state collective bargaining laws on this distinction and have grounded decisions about the basic constitutionality of state charter school laws in this distinction as well. However, there is little consistency in how the public/ private distinction has been applied in legal clashes between teacher unions and charter schools. Conclusion Our analysis underscores the limitations of the current debate over the public/ private nature of charter schools and teacher unions, particularly in the institutional settings of courts and agencies, because this debate is largely untethered from issues of teaching and learning. However, our analysis also suggests that the public or private nature of charter schools still appears "up for grabs" in the legal arena. As such, courts and agencies might offer reformers a useful venue compared to the legislative arena for influencing how the public/private distinction applies to charter schools.


Prestimulation testing on Devonian shales has proved to be complicated because of the long duration of wellbore storage distortion that must be exceeded during flow and shut-in periods to obtain an analyzable test. This paper presents field examples of four prestimulation well tests that illustrate the practical difficulties in obtaining analyzable data. The authors were not able to analyze these tests with conventional semilog and type-curve methods. To understand the cause of the difficulties, they simulated a prestimulation well test to verify that the actual wells had not been produced long enough to exceed wellbore storage distortion. The authors then history-matched the actual test data from two wells using a finite-difference simulator. Because they lacked good estimates of many formation properties, they performed a sensitivity study that indicated that the calculated permeability-thickness product is only slightly affected by errors in porosity and net pay estimates. The authors conclude with guidelines to aid in the design and implementation of a prestimulation test in Devonian shales.


According to the article, Neurath's reflexive epistemology—expressed by the metaphor of the ship in need of reconstruction on the open sea—represents a philosophical alternative to the classical and contemporary forms of scientific realism and ethical cognitivism, including Popper's falsificationism. Against Quine's reductive interpretation of Neurath's boat argument as the basis for a 'naturalized epistemology,' the article maintains that the metaphor suggests the idea of an insuperable situation of linguistic and conceptual circularity. This prevents any attempt at self-foundation in scientific knowledge, as well as in ethics and politics, and rules out any 'constructive philosophy' aiming to break circularity in pursuit of some methodological beginning.


Solid polymer-ceramic composite electrolytes (PCEs) have attracted vast attention for developing solid-state batteries. However, slow ion transport at ambient temperature impedes unlocking their potential. Improving ionic conductivity of PCEs remains a major challenge, because ion transport mechanism in complicated composites is not currently available. This article, for the first time, demonstrates that segmental motion and interfacial polarization are directly coupled, both quantitatively determine ion transport in PCEs. Adding small-molecule additives enhances ionic conductivity in PCEs, by increasing concentration of ions participating in transport and by equally accelerating segmental motion and interfacial dynamics. Accordingly, an ionic conductivity achieves 1.3 (cid:1) 10 (cid:3) 3 S/cm at 30 (cid:4) C, simultaneously with high mechanical strength and toughness (solid and flexible, shear modulus G ' > 1 MPa). The results may shed a light for better analysis and improved design of solid composite electrolytes, toward meeting material demands for next-generation electrochemical energy storage.


A small fraction 8%) of elliptical galaxies contain kinematically-decoupled cores (KDCs), where the kinematical properties of the central region of the galaxy are distinct from those of the main body of the galaxy. KDCs are difficult to detect in dwarf elliptical (dE) galaxies because of their low central surface brightnesses. There was only one statistically robust detection of a KDC in a dE prior to our study. We present spectroscopic evidence for KDCs in two Virgo cluster dEs, VCC 1183 and VCC 1453, that were studied as part of the SMAKCED project. These KDCs have radii of 1.8$''$ (0.14 kpc) and 4.2$''$ (0.33 kpc), respectively. They are distinct from the main body of the galaxy is three ways: (1) inverted sense of rotation; (2) younger and more metal-rich stellar population; and (3) rounder isophotal shape. The frequency of occurence of KDCs and their properties provide important constraints on the formation history of their host galaxies. We discuss different formation scenarios for these KDCs and for dEs in general. The fact that dEs represent the most common galaxy class in clusters and have never been seen in isolation suggests that they are products of environmental processes that transformed their progenitors. However, it is unclear which types of galaxies are dE progenitors and which environmental processes are the most important. These KDCs provide new clues. Dwarf-dwarf wet mergers and gas accretion are argued to be the only mechanisms that can simultaneously explain all of the properties of these KDCs. Both of these mechanisms require that the progenitor had a close companion with a small relative velocity. Thus, we conclude that KDCs in cluster dEs were formed in galaxy pairs residing in poor groups or in isolation whose subsequent infall into the cluster quenched their star formation. This research was supported by a Fulbright fellowship and by a grant from the National Science Foundation.


Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumonia (hvKP), typically linked with the hypermucoviscous phenotype, has evolved as a clinically significant pathogen responsible for catastrophic disseminated infections including osteomyelitis, pyogenic liver abscesses (PLA), and endophthalmitis in an otherwise younger and healthier population. Methods: Mansoura University Hospitals, Egypt have utilised VITEK® 2 to identify clinical K. pneumoniae isolates. The Kirby Bauer's disc diffusion method was employed to asses sensitivity to antimicrobial. String test for detecting microvasculitis, Serotyping, and Bio-typing are among the phenotypic methods employed. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to amplify capsular serotype-specific genes (K1 and K2) as well as virulence-associated genes (rmpA and magA). Results: Over two-years, 100 hypermucoviscous phenotype K. pneumoniae and 100 classical K. pneumoniae strains were isolated and screened by string test. Hypermucoviscosity Serotyping revealed that 76 isolates had K1-type capsules, 19 had K2-type capsules, and 5 were non-K1/K2 isolates. Among the positive hypermucoviscusisolates, the prevalence of rmpA gene was 79 %, and magA gene was 40 %. Although, the prevalence of these two genes in classical Klebsiella pneumoniae (cKP) isolates was very low 11% and 7%, respectively. Aside from that, the occurrence of K capsular genes in hvKP isolates were; K1 gene 66% and K2 gene 63%.However, the occurrence of these genes in cKP isolates were limited. Conclusion: In our geographical area, hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae hvKP isolates were infrequent among K. pneumoniae isolates (El-Mansoura, Egypt). This study summarized and concentrated on the epidemiology, hypervirulence-associated variables, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of hvKP strains. This was done to let the microbiologist or clinician know that the infecting strain could be hvKP, which is more dangerous than cKP. As a result, detecting these hypervirulent strains, which harbor resistance variants, should be a top goal priority.


Abstract This article presents a case study on the risk assessment of geohazards along Cheng-Kun railway line. Cheng-Kun railway passes through a region of highly varied elevation and faults and the operation of Cheng-Kun railway has been frequently interrupted owing to geological disasters. A hybrid method via integrating triangular fuzzy number (TFN) and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) (here after simply call TFN-AHP) into a geographic information system (GIS) is employed in this study to perform the geohazards assessment. The assessment results showed that TFN-AHP with GIS can effectively predict the distribution of geohazards risk in the study region within the last 10 years. The results also showed that the TFN-AHP method is more efficient in identifying high-risk areas compared with using original AHP. Based on the assessment results, prospective management measures to prevent risk are recommended.


Pyrimido[4,5-b]carbazole derivatives were synthesized by a copper- or palladium-catalyzed sequential amidation and cyclization process in which a C–N bond formed at the 2-position of a 3-formylcarbazole afforded a new 9-substituted N-(3-formyl-9H-carbazol-2-yl)amide.


ABSTRACT This article reports on a study that aimed to assess the impact of the 2015 drought in South Africa on commercial livestock producers, with specific reference to the associated drought adoption strategies. The study was based on primary data collected from 350 commercial livestock producers from seven different provinces. The findings revealed that the effect of drought had a significant impact on average herd size, livestock feeding, and sheep flock. Commercial livestock producers did not receive any form of assistance from the government. The majority of the farmers did not have any preventive measures in place during the drought. The study recommends that the government and policymakers should introduce a mechanism to support commercial livestock farmers when drought strikes.


Redundancy is necessary for fault tolerance, but the overhead introduced by redundancy may degrade system' performance. In this paper, we propose efficient replication-based algorithms for fault-tolerant mobile agent execution, which enable parallel processing in the agent execution to reduce the overhead caused by redundancy. We also investigate failure detection mechanisms and identify the problems of the heartbeat style failure detection approach and modify it for use in our proposed algorithms. Performance evaluation has been performed to compare the proposed algorithms with the existing algorithm. Both analytic and simulation results show that our new algorithms can significantly improve the system performance.


This study has investigated how average effective leaf area index (LAIe) derived from full-waveform and discrete LiDAR data changes depending on the size of the grid used, over a 150 m by 80 m area of orange orchard. The full-waveform data, acquired with RIEGL LMS-Q560, were decomposed and optimized with a trust-region-reflective algorithm using a custom decomposition procedure focused on extracting denser vegetation point clouds. LiDAR effective LAI (LAIe) estimates were derived in two ways: (1) from the probability of discrete pulses reaching the ground without being intercepted (discrete point method) and (2) from raw waveform canopy height profile processing adapted to small-footprint laser altimetry (waveform method). The LAIe estimates for the orange orchard were derived for the whole site as well as in various decreasing grid cell sizes. The discrete point method provided estimates that were 5-10% higher than those of the waveform method, and this difference increased with the decreasing grid cell size. The only exception was the smallest grid (2.5 m) for which the relation was opposite. This was due to the discrete method being limited by the point density. Furthermore, percentage of vegetation cover in the test area was estimated based on aerial photography, and used to derive an average single tree effective LAI depending on the grid cell size. Consequently, to test the effects of vegetation discontinuity on LAI estimation the values of LAIe for the whole site were simulated based on a set of increasing single orange tree LAIes (from 0.2 to 5 with 0.2 increments) and known vegetation cover in the test area. This was done by predicting the LAIe of the orange tree covered area and averaging it with the LAIe of the bare soil area (LAIe=0). These 'average' LAIe values were compared to the 'overall' LAIes calculated for the whole site from summed probabilities of penetration for the orange tree area and ground area (PgapG=1). As expected, with the increasing LAIe of a single tree, the area LAIe increased as well. However, as the LAIe of single tree increased, the difference between the 'average' LAIe values and the 'overall' LAIe values increased significantly, from 5% for a single tree LAI of 0.2 to 73% for a single tree LAIe of 5.0, showing underestimation of LAIe by the latter method. The LiDAR LAIe estimates for the whole study area (simulated large-footprint laser system) differed to those computed as the mean LAIe value in a 5m by 5 m grid by 14% with the latter estimates agreeing well with simulated LAIe values of the whole area when the 'average' approach was used (mean single tree LAIe of 1.6).


Abstract— Does host cell reactivation (HCR) or UV‐enhanced reactivation (UVER) of UV‐irradiated Herpes simplex virus (UV‐HSV) vary during the host mammalian cell cycle? The answer could be useful for interpreting UVER and/or the two‐component nature of the UV‐HSV survival curve. Procedures were developed for infection of mitotically‐synchronized CV‐1 monkey kidney cells. All virus survival curves determined at different cell cycle stages had two components with similar D0's and intercepts of the second components. Thus, no single stage of the host cell cycle was responsible for the second component of the virus survival curve. When the cells were UV‐irradiated immediately prior to infection, enhanced survival of UV‐HSV occurred for cell irradiation and virus infection initiated during late G1/early S phase or late S/early G2 phase but not during early G1 phase. For infection delayed by 24 h after cell irradiation, UVER was found at all investigated times. These results indicate that: (1) HCR is similar at all stages of the host cell cycle; and (2) the "induction" of UVER is not as rapid for cell‐irradiation in early G1 phase. This latter observation may be one reason why normal, contact‐inhibited cells do not express UVER as rapidly as faster growing, less contact‐inhibited cells.


As system-on-chip (SoCs) become more complex, high performance interconnection mediums are required to handle their complexity. Network-on-chips (NoCs) enable integration of more intellectual properties (IPs) into the SoC with increased performance. In the recent MARTE (modeling and analysis of real-time and embedded systems) profile, a notion of multidimensional multiplicity has been proposed to model repetitive structures and topologies. This paper presents a modeling methodology based on that notation to model the delta network family of interconnection networks for NoC construction.


While indigenous Chileans are believed to experience higher poverty rates than non-indigenous Chileans, evidence is typically based on surveys that are not representative by ethnicity. We adapt poverty mapping methodologies to estimate poverty and poverty


Abstract In this article, members of the Critical Religious Studies in Higher Education (CRSHE) network respond to Glanzer's Recognizing Christian Complexity and Secular Privilege in Higher Education. We aim for the following goals: making explicit our fundamental assumption about Christian privilege and Christian hegemony, and their relationship to secular privilege; detailing our thinking about definitions, historical influences, social phenomena, and higher education practices related to critical theories of religion; and welcoming scholars from outside the CRSHE network into conversation about the topics of Christian privilege and critical theories of religion, so that we may, in community, move the theories forward.


Pairing of wireless mobile devices requires an initial secure channel. A common approach is to use human as the secure channel or use an alternative medium such as a USB cable. However, we would like to minimize the involvement of users in the process. We propose a secure channel mechanism based on restricting the physical layer coverage for the initialization phase. Our system allows secure pairing between heterogeneous devices. After the pairing, the devices can be used even in multihop networks and through multiple interfaces, if available. The approach is general and thus can be applied to varying key exchange protocols and physical layer technologies


This research is the development process of unidirectional solidifications in aluminum casting fishing boat propellers so that the resulting structure of columnar dendrite to improve the mechanical properties of the material. The alloy material was melted on a crucible furnace with sand casting methode. Casting technique is performed by water cooling chiller, flowed with a boost pump. Testing spectrometer is used to determine the chemical composition of the aluminum material. Rockwell hardness testing method is used with a steel ball indenter diameter of 1/16 inch with a major load of 100 kg (HRB).The results of this study indicate that the unidirectional solidifications casting with water cooling chiller can increase the hardness of aluminum propellers material for 3.99% of the 60.5 HRB becomes 62.9 HRB HRB


Abstract— The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) anthracene was oxidized by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation in H2O ice under simulated astrophysical conditions, forming several anthracene ketones (9‐anthrone, 1,4‐anthraquinone, and 9,10‐anthraquinone) and alcohols (1‐anthrol and 2‐anthrol). Two of the ketones produced have been detected in the Murchison meteorite but, to our knowledge, there has been no search for the alcohols or other oxidized anthracenes in meteorites. These results seem consistent with the possibility that interstellar ice photochemistry could have influenced the inventory of aromatics in meteorites. Since quinones are also fundamental to biochemistry, their formation in space and delivery to planets is relevant to studies relating to the habitability of planets and the evolution of life.


e investigated
the effects of alveolar macrophage(Am) conditioned media from interstrtial lung disease(ILD)
patients on lung fibroblast proliferation and pro-collagen mRNA expression in cells. 13 patients
withILD and 8 patients with bronchial carcinorma (BC) re-ceived bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL).
The BAL fluidwas collected and centrifuged to obtain cells of twogroups. The cells were washed
and incubated at 37℃and 5% CO2 for 2 hours in DMEM with 10% FCS.Then the adherent Am
was added with DMEM with0. 1% FCS. (2ml/106 cells), and cultured at 37℃ and5% CO2 for 24
hours. The supernatant was obtainedby centrifugation and stored in -20℃ for experiment.Lung
fibroblasts were planted in 96 well microtitleplate and cuhured to confluence. Each well was
added100ul Am conditioned rnedium and incubated for 16hours, then added 5 uci 3H-TdR for
measuring the fi-broblast proliferation and incubated till 24 hours. Thecells were coliected and
counted. The DMEM with0. 1% FCS was used as control. When stimulated wilhAm condrtioned
media from ILD patients. fihroblastproliferation increased 71%, but for media froni BCpatients, rt
Just increased 14% (P0.05).After stimulated with condrtioned rnedia for 24hours, the cells were
trypzied, collected, ashed andisolated total RNA with guanine rnethod. Severalsamples' total
RNA was subjected to electrophoresis in1% agaroseformaldehyde gel to test specifility of
pro-collagen al (Ⅰ) and al (Ⅲ) cDNA probes. 10ug totalRNA of each sample was bloted to nitrit
membraneand baked at 80℃ for 2 hours. Prehvbridized in 68℃for 4 hours and hybridized for
16 hours with nicktranslation-labled probes using 32 pdCTR. The rela-tive intensities of the dots
on the autoradiographs weremeasured by scanning densitornetry. The procollagenal (Ⅰ) mRNA
stimulated with Am conditioned mediafrom ILD patients was increased 21. 30%. al (Ⅲ)
in-creased 37. 2%(P0. 05). It increased 12% for me-dia from BC patients, but there was no any
differencebetween two groups.We considered that Am from IlirD patients may bein activa[ed
state and can release some growth factorsto stiniulate fibroblast prolferation and promote
collagen DNA expression


THz imaging holds a strong potential for applications such as industrial quality assurance. However, the slow scan speed still limits the broad market introduction. In this paper, we present three different approaches based on photoconductive antenna transmitters and receivers, which aim to increase the speed of THz time-domain imaging. Firstly, multi-channel measurements, with several transmitter and receiver pairs will be discussed. Secondly, a single transmitter / multiple receiver scheme using THz beam splitters is investigated. Thirdly, a rotational scanner, transforming the translational movement of a raster scanned sample into a rotational movement of a THz reflector, will be explored in detail. Experimental verification of all three imaging schemes will be presented on hand of line scans.


A method for precise measurement operation of a micromechanical rotation rate sensor comprising at least one seismic mass, at least one drive means for driving the seismic mass in the primary mode (q


Abstract. A simple and accurate theoretical investigation is presented, based on a novel, effective, and straightforward ABCD matrix technique, in relation to estimation of optimum coupling efficiency between the laser diode and the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) with a hyperbolic microlens (HML) on its tip. By tailoring different parameters, such as the air-filling factor and lattice constant of the PCF, the criteria for achieving maximum coupling are predicted and reported for two different light wavelengths of practical interest. It is observed that such fiber parameters play a crucial role in predicting the optimum focal length of HML for a particular wavelength. The formulation should find application in the design of HML, for achieving a long working distance between the laser source facet and the fiber tip.


This paper reports the results obtained in the Knoevenagel condensation between benzaldehyde and malononitrile using various alkaline and alkaline-earth carbonates as catalysts. Within each carbonate series, the catalyst basicity increases with increasing ionic radius of the metal. Also, the catalytic activity increases with increase in the solid basicity.


THE emergence of the bureaucratic type of organization in modern governments has laid the formation for a body of civil servants who work for the government as a lifetime career. The very presence of such a professional body of trained men is expected to exert a 'rational' influence on the entire decision-making processes. Consequently, the element of 'rationality' has come to be recognised and emphasised as the characteristic working approach, and is regarded as an outstanding contribution of the modern governmental organization,1 no matter whether the State is liberal or totalitarian.


Although the ethics and the needs of the different attributes,they are unified in the life of particular social life.They not only subordinate to and serve the people's lives,but also their value targets directly to people's lives.Morality is a value orientation,moral life is a kind of value life,but the value contains the need,the need for the pursuit of value.The value of philosophy from the point of view,moral education must be concerned about people's needs.


It was shown possible to use Polysorb S-40/100, a synthetic sorbent, for after treatment of sewage from antibiotic production. Kinetic relationships between the sorption and sorbent regeneration are presented.


In the period of International Decades of Natural Disaster Reduction (IDNDR), plenty of comprehensive investigation, research, monitoring and prevention has been carried out. Hundreds of geological hazards, typified by the Lianziya dangerous rockmass and the Huanglashi landslide, have been stabilized so as to effectively reduce losses caused by geological hazards. This paper introduces two hazards that occurred in 2000: Yigong rapid huge landslide in Tibet and regional rain-induced geological hazard in Ankang, Shaanxi Province. To respond to the International Strategy of Disaster Reduction proposed by UN, the paper also presents a warning system and risk management on geological hazards.


Videos compressed using modern compression techniques, such as HEVC, typically have the property of unequal importance. When a video with intra and inter coded frames is transmitted through a network, its different frames can suffer from quality degradation depending on their sizes and channel coding schemes. Moreover, errors in a reference frame can propagate forward and backward over several frames, while errors in a non-reference frame are localized within the same frame. In this paper, we design a system that dynamically determines the coding parameters of layer-aligned multipriority rateless codes depending on the video content and channel condition. For this purpose, we estimate the strength of error propagation and develop a model to estimate quality degradation of a transmitted video accurately. Through minimizing quality degradation, we are able to calculate optimal parameters for the system.


Abstract The federally supported state climatologist program ended in 1972. Thereafter, most states supported these endeavors in coordination with the National Climatic Data Center, but the current state programs vary widely. One of the functions of state climate programs that evolved since 1972 is acting as a liaison between the National Weather Service and various state agencies. This role is most apparent and controversial in coordinating state and local government response to severe weather and extreme climate anomalies such as drought, flood, winter storms, and tropical cyclones. The activities of the climate office in South Carolina during Hurricane Hugo in September 1989 and the October 1990 floods reveal how these interactions occur in one state that mandated these activities. The state climate office had to react to shifting weather conditions and to variable political conditions that affect public organizations. The climate office in South Carolina acts to interpret weather information, develop ...


This paper presents a new way of dealing with drinkable water shortness all over the world. The developed devices' functionality is based on the well-known and established SODIS (SOlar DISinfection) method. The whole device, Scipio—Scientific Purification Indicator, is designed in a way, that it is self-powered by solar cells and can be placed inside a bottle in order to provide best measurements. The device is capable of communicate via Bluetooth with other devices. Thus, an observation or control of the correct application of the SODIS method can be established. The paradigm shift we offer in terms of development aid not to simply help the people but to empower them to care for themselves. It is a very important that everyone can purify their own drinking water without the need of subsequent supplies.


A number of tin enolates react cleanly with tricarbonylcyclohexadienyliumiron cations, in cases where the use of lithium enolates or silyl enol ethers is problematic; this new carbon–carbon bond-forming reaction allows diastereoselective construction of proximate quaternary centres and provides a key step in a short synthesis of (±)-trichodiene.


Various levels of  Jerusalem Artichoke Tubers (Helianthus tuberosus L.) (JAT) powder and Sprout Germinated Barley (SGB) powder were added to diets of young common carp fish (Cyprinus carpio L.) with a content of 30% of crude protein in this study to detect their effect on growth performance, for a period of ten weeks. It's a Weight Gain (WG), Daily Weight Gain (DWG), Relative Growth Rate (RGR) and Specific Growth Rate (SGR), and feed utilization, it's a Feed Conversion Rate (FCR), Feed Efficiency Rate (FER) and Protein Efficiency Ratio (PER). The (JAT) powder was added at the rate of 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g/kg, for the first, second, and third treatments, respectively, and adding (SGB) powder 2.5, 5 and 7.5 g/kg for the fourth, fifth and sixth treatments, respectively, then control without addition, The third treatment 7.5 g/kg JAT outperformed significantly p<0.05 for all parameters over all treatments, and this significant p<0.05 superiority involved the sixth 7.5 gm/km SGB treatment for two criteria were WG and RGR, and did not differ significantly p<0.05 from the rest of the trial treatments, except for the control group which decreased significantly p<0.05 for all treatments and for all criteria. The feed utilization criteria significantly p<0.05 outperformed both the third treatment, 7.5 gm/kg JAT and the sixth treatment, 7.5 gm/kg, for the terms FER and PER. And criteria FCR, the same treatments recorded the best ratios for feed transfer significantly p<0.05 on all transactions, while the worst one was the control significantly p<0.05 for all treatments and all criteria.


The shaping of the nebula is currently one of the outstanding unsolved problems in planetary nebula (PN) research. Several mechanisms have been proposed, most of which require a binary companion. However, direct evidence for a binary companion is lacking in most PNs. We have addressed this problem by obtaining precise radial velocities of seven bright proto-planetary nebulae (PPNs), objects in transition from the asymptotic giant branch to the PN phases of stellar evolution. These have F–G spectral types and have the advantage over PNs of having more and sharper spectral lines, leading to better precision. Our observations were made in two observing intervals, 1991–1995 and 2007–2010, and we have included in our analysis some additional published and unpublished data. Only one of the PPNs, IRAS 22272+5435, shows a long-term variation that might tentatively be attributed to a binary companion, with P > 22 yr, and from this, limiting binary parameters are calculated. Selection effects are also discussed. These results set significant restrictions on the range of possible physical and orbital properties of any binary companions: they have periods greater than 25 yr or masses of brown dwarfs or super-Jupiters. While not ruling out the binary hypothesis, it seems fair to say that these results do not support it.


Nanoparticle modification with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is a widely used surface engineering strategy in nanomedicine. However, since the artificial PEG polymer may adversely impact nanomedicine safety and efficacy, alternative surface modifications are needed. Here, we explored the "self" polysaccharide heparosan (HEP) to prepare colloidally stable HEP-coated nanoparticles, including gold and silver nanoparticles and liposomes. We found that the HEP-coating reduced the nanoparticle protein corona formation as efficiently as PEG coatings upon serum incubation. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed the protein corona profiles. Heparosan-coated nanoparticles exhibited up to 230-fold higher uptake in certain innate immune cells, but not in other tested cell types, than PEGylated nanoparticles. No noticeable cytotoxicity was observed. Serum proteins did not mediate the high cell uptake of HEP-coated nanoparticles. Our work suggests that HEP polymers may be an effective surface modification technology for nanomedicines to safely and efficiently target certain innate immune cells.


This paper studies the use of Global Positioning System GPS timing technology torealize synchronize data acquisition.Designing a kind of a DSP-based data acquisition system,synchronized by the GPS pulse per second under the data acquisition.Collection of data treated for their marked time and location labels and with USB 2.0 interface to realize real-time measurement data high-speed uploading whichprovides a convenient off-site data analysis and processing.


To achieve effectiveness and optimized design for light weight vehicle body, many concept design methodologies have been studied. However, study using database would be not conducted yet. Therefore, this paper presents body structure development process using joint database and multi-disciplinary design optimization. The suggested process was constructed with 4-phase. First phase is knowledge-based template construction. Knowledge-based template is consisted of geometry database and performance database. To construct joint database, it is necessary to evaluate joint's cross section. In second phase, body structure conceptual design using joint database is progressed. For joint's section selection, what-if design method is used. In addition, implicitly parametric geometry model is used to realize easily shape or topology changes. Parametric geometry model was constructed using SFE CONCEPT. In the last phase, body structure detail design using robust design optimization method is fulfilled. Considering the deviation of thickness design variables, six-sigma terms added into the inequality constraints for bending stiffness and torsional stiffness and equality constraints for 1st bending mode and 1st torsion mode.


Meadow pipits were tested for their responses to the nest predator (stuffed hen harrier placed close to the nest). The predator was mobbed by groups of birds consisting of 1–6 individuals. A single pipit distracted the predator less intensively than groups of two or more birds. However, distraction displays by a pair and larger groups did not differ in respect of the number and proportion of the most risky displays. These findings suggest that one or two birds (probably parents of the threatened offspring) actively mobbed the harrier whereas other individuals were fairly passive. The level of defence by birds displaying to the predator was constant during the breeding cycle and breeding season. The variance in the intensity of nest defence resulted from differences in the number of active mobbers. They tended to ignore the predator at the beginning of breeding cycle and late in the breeding season. As a result, the intensity of nest defence significantly increased in the breeding cycle and declined as the...


According to status quo and plugging mechanism of polymer injection well in Bohai oilfield SZ36-1 tract, the rock flour and encrustation sample collected were dissolved by four acid systems. Based on the test results, the acid type and acid concentration suited for the reservoir were optimized, and the oxidant was also optimized by degradation experiment of polymers. The deep blocking remover formulation was obtained by the combination of acid and oxidant. The core flow experiments showed that the blocking remover could resolve the plugging of polymer injection well.


The issue of transportation in various forms is one of the main problems faced by the world's cities, including cities in Indonesia. Growth in the vehicle, increasing the intensity of the traffic of goods and services as well as increased user population associated disproportionate availability of roads and supporting facilities resulted in a wide range of crucial issues. Traffic congestion is one of the main problems in the transportation system. Coupled with the specific transportation community awareness so that adds a level of congestion becomes worse. Signs and traffic lights play an important role in regulating the traffic lane so that the public transport can be wise in using the road, especially in city traffic Bandar Lampung (according to Law no. 22/2009 on Traffic and Transportation: tool signaling traffic or APILL) are lights that control traffic flow that is attached at a crossroads, pedestrian crossings (zebra crossing), and the flow of other traffic. In this issue resolve conducted a study of traffic lights (trafficlight) that exist today. With the aim to build a traffic light system which only uses LED panel (Light Emitting Diode). Where to control the color and symbol lights can be set automatically using a microcontroller to change color, and in complete text runs to update the traffic so that traffic lights easier to understand and informative. For that I am interested to analyze the workings of Led Panel Schematic, such as what and how.


Epoxy-inlide resins were obtained by curing Araldite GY 250 (diglycidyl ether of hisphenol-A and epichlarohydrin; difunctional) and Araldite EPN 1138 (Novolac-epoxy resin; polyfunctional) with N-(4and 3-carbo~heny1)trimellitimides derived from 4and 3-aminobenzoic acids and trimellitic anhydride. The adhesive lap shear strength of epoxy-imide systems at room temperature and a t 100,125, and 150°C was determined on stainless-steel substrates. Araldite GY 250-based systems give a room-temperature adhesive lap shear strength of about 23 MPa and 4966% of the rwm-temperature adhesive strength is retained at 150°C. Araldite EPN 1138-based systems give a room-temperature adhesive lap shear strength of 16-19 MPa and 100% retention of room-temperature adhesive strength is observed at 150°C. Glass transition ternp+rdturrs of the Araldite CY 250-based systenls are in the range of 132-139°C and lhosr # o f Lllr Arald~u. EPN 1138-baed svscpms are in the ranee of 158-170°C. All these systems are thermally stable up to 360"~ . The char residues of Araldite GY 250and Araldite EPN 1138-based systems are in the range of 22-266 and 41-42% at 900"C, respectively Araldite EPN 1138-based systems show a higher retention of adhesive strength at 150°C and have higher thermal stability and T, when compared to Araldite GY 250-based systems. This has been attributed to the high crosslinking possible with Araldite EPN 1138-based systems arising due to the polyfunctional nature of Araldite EPN 1138. O 2000 John Wifey & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sei 78: 1729-1736.2000


In the title compound, C 19 H 19 BF 2 O 6 (1), boron is tetrahedrally coordinated to two F atoms and to the two O atoms of the bidentate 2,3-bis(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-3-oxopropanalato ligand. Average B-O and B-F bond distances are 1.478 (12) and 1.337 (7) A, respectively. The 3-oxopropanalato group is planar to within 0.05 A and the B atom is displaced by only 0.13 A from this plane


Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) have attracted increasing attention from researchers in many fields. They have proved to be one of the most powerful tools in the domain of forecasting and analysis of various time series. The ability to model almost any kind of function regardless of its degree of nonlinearity, positions ANNs as good candidates for predicting and modelling self-similar time series such as TCP/IP traffic. Inspite of this, one of the most difficult and least understood tasks in the design of ANN models is the selection of the most appropriate size of the learning rate. Although some guidance in the form of heuristics is available for the choice of this parameter, none have been universally accepted. In this paper we empirically investigate various sizes of learning rates with the aim of determining the optimum learning rate size for generalization ability of an ANN trained on forecasting TCP/IP network traffic trends. MATLAB Version 126.96.36.1997's Neural Network toolbox version 5.0.2 (R2007a) was used for our experiments. The results are found to be promising in terms of ease of design and use of ANNs. We found from the experiments that, depending on the difficulty of the problem at hand, it is advisable to set the learning rate to 0.1 for the standard Backpropagation algorithm and to either 0.1 or 0.2 if used in conjunction with the momentum term of 0.5 or 0.6. We advise minimal use of the momentum term as it greatly interferes with the training process of ANNs. Although the information obtained from the tests carried out in this paper is specific to the problem considered, it provides users of Back-propagation networks with a valuable guide on the behaviour of ANNs under a wide range of operating conditions. It is important to note that the guidelines accrued from this paper are of an assistive and not necessarily restrictive nature to potential ANN modellers.


Abstract : Metal liquid-like films consist of a layer of metal deposited between two immiscible liquids. The films are glossy, and have rheological properties similar to a liquid, but are not conductive. We have carried out studies on these films under high pressure, to alter their structure, and after the film has dried, to study their use as coatings. Pressure does not severely alter the form of the MELLF, though temperature and pressure may combine to affect their long term stability. Coatings on silica gels successfully maintain the properties of reflectivity and non-conductivity; spectra indicate no change in the chemical properties occurred. Further work will include long term stability measurements and more work on the coating procedures.


Three aspects have been studied and developed aiming at the common problems of current asphalt mixture quality monitoring system.Firstly,the intelligent monitoring and warning platform,which can filter changing mixture and other incidental factors,were developed.And it can improve the effectiveness of the alarm to avoid unnecessary interference to the user.Secondly,the dual control of the mixture quality was realized on the basis of real-time monitoring data and laboratory data,and material source anomaly,abnormal measurement system and data fraud can be found in time.Lastly,the mobile terminal system was developed,and it can help the field technicians to view more detailed exception data.Through the verification of several entity projects,the system has strong practicality,and meets the need of the actual engineering quality control,and can effectively improve the engineering construction quality.


ObjectivesTo test the efficacy of reaction time measures derived from cognitive psychology as measures of subclinical cognitive slowing in individuals with HIV-1 infection. DesignCognitive slowing is the primary deficit in AIDS dementia. One measure of cognitive slowing is decision-making speed, the discrepancy between simple and choice reaction times, which represents an index of central information processing time. MethodsNineteen HIV-seropositive and 13 control subjects performed a detection and decision task in a reaction time procedure. All subjects were administered measures of simple and choice reaction time, a control measure of rate of verbal encoding, and measures of psychological distress. ResultsCompared with controls, both symptomatic and asymptomatic HIV-seropositive subjects had significantly longer decision times, but performed the control task of rate of encoding normally. Simple reaction times correlated significantly with depression scores, but choice reaction times were unrelated to psychological distress. ConclusionsThe results support mental slowing as the initial cognitive disturbance of HIV-1 infection and emphasize potential use of reaction times as markers of central nervous system involvement in HIV-1 infection.


An analysis device for a gaseous sample comprises a mass spectrometer (6) comprising a measuring space and a leading into the measuring chamber inlet (5), and a laser irradiation unit (30, 3). The analysis apparatus is arranged to convey the gaseous sample by means of a gaseous sample comprising flow to the inlet. The laser irradiation unit (30, 3) is arranged with a laser beam (2 ') in the flow (4) to ignite a plasma (1).


Aiming at the characteristics of strong heterogeneity and limited computing ability of IoT nodes, this dissertation proposes a Trust Authorization Model based on detection feedback in IoT, combined with the current trust model of IoT and implement storage and other tasks by calculating and storing the cluster head node with strong ability to facilitate the data transmission and search for energy consumption, and help the local network be not limited by the computing power of the device. In terms of trust calculation, the threshold value is based on the recommendation. Simulation results show that this model has lower energy consumption than other similar models, has good coping ability for attacks such as malicious recommendation and malicious slander, and has a higher detection rate and response rate to attack nodes. Keywords—Internet of things; trust evaluation; cluster


ndupress .ndu.edu In the world of competitive triathlons, there is a saying: "You might not win the race in the swim, but you can certainly lose it there." The maxim emphasizes how initial actions lay the foundation for success or failure. For leaders, decisions on organizational structure are similar to the triathlon swim; it may not be the key to organizational success, but failure to recognize the importance of structure selection and maintenance—and the impact it has on employee performance—could easily be the source of downfall. Next to choosing the organization's strategy, the selection of organizational structure is arguably the next most important decision leaders make. In Designing Organizations, Jay Galbraith points out, "By choosing who decides and by designing processes influencing how things are decided, the executive shapes every decision made in the unit."1 In today's fast-paced, competitive environment, organizations can ill afford to neglect the advantages that come from organizational design. Despite this reality, large traditional organizations such as the Department of Defense (DOD) continue to maintain stifling, rigid bureaucracies that hamstring talent and place the organization at a disadvantage.


Objective To establish a mouse model of acute lung injury (ALI) and pulmonary fibrosis by low dose lipopolysaccharide(LPS) intermittent intraperitoneal injection,and to explore the pathogenesis of ALI and pulmonary fibrosis induced by endotoxin.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group,a 3-days LPS group,a 2-weeks LPS group,and a 4-weeks LPS group,with 10 mice in each group.LPS was injected intraperitoneally at dose of 5 mg/kg for three consecutive days in the three LPS groups.Equivalent normal saline was injected by the same way in the control group.The mice lung tissues were obtained respectively 3 days (the control group and 3-days LPS group),2 weeks (the 2-weeks LPS group),and 4 weeks (the 4-weeks LPS group) after LPS or saline stimulation.HE staining,Van-Gieson collagen staining,and Ashcroft fibrosis score assessment were applied to evaluate the development of inflammation and fibrosis in lung tissue at various stages of ALI after LPS-stimulation.The mRNA expression of type Ⅰ procollagen and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were detected by real-time PCR.The deposition of collagen and fibrosis in lung tissue were detected by hydroxyproline assay.The survival condition of each group was also recorded.Results Acute inflammation occurred in mice lung tissue 3 days after intraperitoneal injection of LPS.Collagen deposited in pulmonary interstitium 2 weeks after LPS-stimulation and formed typical pulmonary interstitial fibrosis 4 weeks later accompanying with increase of Ashcroft fibrosis score.Real-time PCR and hydroxyproline assay showed that the expression of collagen and α-SMA increased 3 days after LPS-stimulation and reached the peak 4 weeks later.The animals were all survived up to the endpoint of experiment.Conclusions Accompanying with inflammation,pulmonary fibrosis initiated at early stage of ALI induced by LPS.Intraperitoneal injection of LPS at dose of 5 mg/kg for three consecutive days was able to establish the mouse model of ALI and pulmonary fibrosis with high success rate and low animal mortality,which provide an ideal experimental platform for further investigation.


PERSPECTIVE ONE: THE MEDIUM "I think we could start an appellate journal. A faculty-edited journal. No one else is doing anything like that." Tom Sullivan made the pitch to then-dean-candidate Rod Smith in an informal meeting in the faculty lounge that afternoon. I could tell Rod was intrigued, although whether it was the idea itself or Tom's enthusiasm that had gripped him, I wasn't sure. I like to think that one of the reasons Rod accepted our offer was that he wanted to be a part of that new journal and faculty enterprise. But it is one thing to have (or to recognize) a good idea, and it is another thing to find a way to realize it. We were fortunate: Once he became dean, Rod supported the creation of The Journal, both financially and in terms of the academic recognition he could garner for a fledgling publication. There were so many things to decide in those early days: * Who is our target audience? That was an easy question to answer, and we are glad that you are reading The Journal and this essay. * How many issues can we realistically publish a year? Having a small staff, we figured two a year was doable; it was and is. * Where will we find our articles? From our own experience looking for these kinds of articles in the general-interest law reviews, we knew that bringing such works together in a single publication would be a service to the bench, the bar, and the academy. We were sure that a journal like this would be the ideal vehicle for both theoretical and practical scholarship on the foremost issues facing appellate judges and practitioners. But this was in the days before BePress and ExpressO, and it wasn't as if we could advertise. We had to go begging--at first. Former Dean Larry Averill had served as Administrative Assistant to then-Chief Justice William Rehnquist, and so the Chief Justice gave us permission to publish one of his speeches in our first issue. We all called judges and professors we knew, and Tom even sweet-talked me into writing an article about an interesting development in "vendor-neutral" citation. Eventually, as authors discovered that publishing their work here assured them of getting their ideas before their most desirable readers, submissions started coming in over the digital transom. But when we were soliciting articles for that first issue, all we had was hope. * How is this journal going to look? We wanted a journal with an attractive, reader-friendly layout. We were more concerned about having an issue that a busy judge or lawyer could toss in a briefcase for leisure (or airplane) reading than we were in conforming to the bulky approach so popular in the student-edited reviews. Tom did a mock-up of the front cover that we still have on the wall of the Journal office. It had just the right look. I photographed one of the Art Deco-style vents on our beautifully renovated 1930s building and we used that as the graphic that marked the end of each article. That worked too. And the colophon on the back cover featured a digitally modified picture of the sculpture that graces the front lawn of the law school. It too was just the thing. These subtle markers of The Journal's origin are still part of our distinctive look. * Who will print this journal? This was a bigger question than many might realize, given the State of Arkansas's low-bidder preference. Rod authorized the use of private funds so we could hire Joe Christensen, Inc., the law-journal printer recognized as the best in the business. This is one of the wisest decisions we made. * Speaking of private funds, how will we pay for this new journal? Williams and Anderson, a prominent Little Rock law firm, agreed to sponsor the first issue of the Journal; this generous gift got us off the ground. Rod persuaded the Donaghey Foundation to match gifts from other donors. Tom contributed proceeds from the Death Penalty Institute programs he organized and presented, and then he and I started the Eighth Circuit Appellate Practice Institute, and we contributed all our profits from those many programs to help fund The Journal. …


Diamond machining of materials for optical applications is becoming an important fabrication process. This report describes current development work in material-removal technology to better understand the mechanics of the diamond-turning process, its limitations, and applications. The technique is presently limited to a select group of metals, most of which are of a face-center-cubic crystal structure. Machinability studies were done which were designed to better understand diamond compatibility and thus expand the range of applicable materials. Nonconventional methods such as ultrasonic tool stimulation were investigated. Work done to determine the machinability of infrared window materials indicates that this is a viable fabrication technique for many materials, although additional effort is needed to optimize the process for particular materials.


Foreword by Richard Gregory Preface 1. The celestial illusions 2. The real sizes of the moon and sun 3. Perceiving size 4. Measuring the moon illusion 5. Atmospheric refraction 6. Aerial perspectives 7. In the eye of the beholder 8. The vault of the heavens 9. So near and yet so far 10. Sizing up the moon 11. The angle of regard 12. A question of balance 13. Conclusions and conundrums Epilogue Appendix: Summary of scientific developments relating to the moon illusion


Objective To investigate the efficacy and complications of therapeutic ERCP for patients over 80 years. Methods Data of 80 patients aging over 80 years, who tnderwent therapeutic ERCP from August 2007 to August 2009 were retrospectively studied. The etiology, complications and therapeutic effects were evaluated. Results A total of 51 patients (63. 8% ) were accompanied by cardiovascular diseases, and 43 patients were diagnosed as having malignant bile duct stricture (53. 8% ). The overail therapeutic efficacy was 96. 3%. The incidence of post-operative complications was 12. 5% (10/80). Occurrence of complications in patients with malignant tumors ( 18. 6% ) was significantly higher than that in patients with bile duct stones (5.6% ,P 〈0. 05). Incidence of complications in those with cardiopulmonary diseases was similar with that in patients without (11.8% vs. 13.8%,P〉0.05). Conclusion Age more than 80should not be considered as contraindication of ERCP. Therapeutic ERCP is effective in senior patients. Patients with advanced ages shows a relatively high incidence of complication after ERCP, which may not be related to other accompanying diseases.

Key words:
Age, 80 and over;  Cholangiopancreatography, endoscopic retrograde;  Therapy


The regional government holds the mandate of the central government in implementing regional autonomy and has a role in resource management which in turn can improve the welfare of the community. To be able to improve the welfare of the community, one measure can use an analysis of regional financial independence and regional financial capacity by assessing the original regional income compared to total regional income and the balance fund. And see the effect on the percentage of poor. The results obtained, the regional financial independence of Bogor Regency is still in the range of 0% - 25% so that it is categorized as very low, while the regional financial capacity is at 24.07% or it can be said that it is sufficient. Meanwhile, the results of multiple linear regressions for regional financial independence and regional financial capacity have an influence on the percentage of poor people. The expected result is that Bogor Regency can do more to increase its base of tax and retribution revenues so as to minimize budget dependence from the central government and local governments.


Abstract The clot density constitutes the difference of the optical densities of plasma before and after clotting. It can readily be determined spectrophotometrically utilizing a modification of the one-stage Quick prothrombin method and has been found to be directly proportional to the fibrinogen concentration of the plasma. A comparison of the clot density with the corrected sedimentation rate was carried out on 450 patients. It was found that a general correlation exists between the two determinations. A comparison of the clot density with the corrected sedimentation rate in acutely ill patients performed consecutively every other day revealed a closely similar pattern for both tests. The clot density as a clinical test seems to be of practical value in patients undergoing anticoagulant therapy.


Flat dies are used for the extrusion of a wide range of flat products. In general, the main requirement to the die design is to get products with a good mass distribution. It is known that a die can be designed well but its performance may become much worse due to uneven material properties at the die inlet. Such a behavior can be studied by a 3D simulation. The described study uses a 3D FEM analysis to investigate an effect of an uneven temperature distribution at the die inlet on the final distribution. The temperature inhomogenity is modeled in two ways. At first a temperature profile created by the heat dissipation is used. In the second case, an L-shaped spindle (valve) is used to generate the temperature irregularity. The spindle orientation was horizontal or vertical to the die axis. In all cases, the influence of the temperature inhomogenity on the final distribution at the die outlet was studied.