The conformational properties of FC(O)SOC(O)CH 3 and FC(O)SOC(O)CF 3 were studied by vibrational spectroscopy [IR (gas phase, Ar matrix), Raman (liquid phase)] and quantum chemical calculations (B3LYP and MP2 methods). For both compounds the syn-gauche-syn conformer with synperiplanar orientation of both carbonyl C=O bonds with respect to the S-O bond, and gauche orientation around the S-O bond (C 1 symmetry) is the most stable structure [73(5) % for FC(O)SOC(O)CH 3 and 82(5) % for FC(O)SOC(O)CF 3] . For FC(O)SOC(O)CH 3 two more conformers are observed in the Ar-matrix spectra, 18(5) % syn-trans-syn with trans orientation around the S-O bond [o(C-S-O-C) = 180°, C 2 symmetry] and 9(5) % anti-gauche-syn with the FC(O) group oriented anti with respect to the S-O bond. The experimental free energy differences for these most stable forms of FC(O)SOC(O)-CH 3 are ΔG o = G o (syn-trans-syn) - G o ( syn-gauche-syn ) = 0.83(17) kcal mol -1 and ΔG o = G o (anti-gauche-syn) - G o (syn-gauche-syn) = 1.27(35) kcal mol -1 , respectively. These values are well reproduced by the B3YLP/aug-cc-pVTZ method (0.76 and 1.23 kcal mol -1 ), but not by the MP2 approximation (2.72 and 1.28 kcal mol -1 ) For FC(O)SOC(O)CF 3 only one more stable conformer, 18(5) % anti-gauche-syn, is observed. The experimental free energy difference between both rotamers of FC(O)SOC(O)CF 3 , ΔG o = G o (anti-gauche-syn) - G o (syn-gauche-syn) = 0.90(17) kcal mol -1 , is reproduced very well by the B3YLP/6-311++G** method (0.82 kcal mol -1 ) and reasonably well by B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ (1.17 kcal mol -1 ) and MP2/6-31G* (1.23 kcalmol -1 ) calculations.


Objective: To describe and understand the experience of hypertension as well as factors that help or hinder treatment adherence in Mapuche patients enrolled in a cardiovascular program in the Arauco health service. Method: Qualitative and descriptive study with a phenomenological focus. Sample was comprised of twelve hypertensive Mapuche patients who were subjects of an in-depth interview. Thematic analysis was carried out for information analysis. Results: The hypertension was experienced with unfamiliarity and in reference to the western health system, focused mainly on physiological symptoms such as headaches and dizziness. Treatment was perceived with distrust and the quality of care was perceived as poor. Family stands-out as a mediator of treatment in adherent patients and absent in non-adherents, and a source of information about medicinal herbs. Patients drink herbal infusions to maximize the effects of prescribed medications. There was no reference to any Mapuche disease category or spirituality, and patients did not seek help from health ancestral agents. Conclusion: Insufficient knowledge of hypertension, lack of trust in the treatment, the replacement of prescribed medication with medicinal herbs are some of the obstacles in adherence to treatment in Mapuche patients. Not consulting health ancestral agents and a lack of reference to any Mapuche disease category and spirituality, may be due to the loss of Mapuche traditions. The definition of the health problem and its treatment from a Western perspective would be showing that the cultural tension is over emphasized and explain lack of treatment adherence.


This study presents two design improvements over conventional microstrip antenna in terms of multiband operation, gain and cross-polarisation (XP) level. The first design (Type-I) consists of a microstrip line on one side and an elliptical slot (ES) on the other side of the substrate. The second design (Type-II) consists of a parasitic elliptical patch inside the ES in addition to the first design. A theoretical analysis using an equivalent circuit model is performed for both antenna designs for estimating the dimensions of each part of the proposed structures. It is found that the size of the wide ES determines the lower operating frequency, whereas coupling between the parasitic patch and microstrip line decides the multiband operation. Experimental results show that the Type-I antenna resonates in three frequency bands at 2.49, 3.7, and 9.76 GHz with peak gain and XP level of 8.66 and 44.43 dB, respectively. With proper selection of the dimensions of the parasitic patch, the Type-II antenna generates five frequency bands at 1.87, 6.42, 10.76, 12.67, and 13.66 GHz. An exceptionally high gain of 16.79 dB with an XP level of 36.15 dB is reported in Type-II antenna. The theoretical and simulation results show a good agreement with the measured results.


Steady MHD Couette flow of class-II of a viscous incompressible electrically conducting fluid in a rotating system is studied. Exact solution of the governing equations is obtained in closed form. Expressions for the shear stress at lower and upper plates due to primary and secondary flows and mass flow rates in primary and secondary flow directions are derived. Asymptotic behavior of the solution for velocity and induced magnetic field is analyzed for small and large values of rotation parameter 2 K and magnetic parameter 2 M to gain some physical insight into flow pattern. Heat transfer characteristics of the fluid are considered taking viscous and Joule dissipations into account. Numerical solution of energy equation and numerical values of rate of heat transfer at lower and upper plates are computed with the help of MATLAB software. The numerical values of velocity, induced magnetic field and fluid temperature are displayed graphically versus channel width variable η for various values of pertinent flow parameters whereas numerical values of the shear stress at lower and upper plates due to


Dystroglycanopathies are muscular dystrophies caused by mutations in genes involved the in O-linked glycosylation of α-dystroglycan. Severe forms exhibit brain and ocular developmental abnormalities in addition to muscular dystrophy. While cerebellar dysplasia is a common feature of dystroglycanopathy, its pathogenesis has not been thoroughly investigated. Here we evaluate the role of dystroglycan during cerebellar development. Brain-selective deletion of dystroglycan does not affect overall cerebellar growth, but causes malformations associated with glia limitans disruptions and granule cell heterotopia that recapitulate phenotypes found in dystroglycanopathy patients. Cerebellar pathology in these mice is not evident until birth even though dystroglycan is lost during the second week of embryogenesis. The severity and spatial distribution of glia limitans disruption, Bergmann glia disorganization, and granule cell heterotopia rapidly increase during postnatal development. Astrogliosis becomes prominent at these same sites by the time cerebellar development is complete. Interestingly, there is spatial heterogeneity in the glia limitans and granule neuron migration defects that spares the tips of lobules IV-V and VI. The full spectrum of developmental pathology is caused by loss of dystroglycan from Bergmann glia, as neither granule cellnor Purkinje cell-specific deletion of dystroglycan results in similar pathology. These data illustrate the importance of dystroglycan function in radial/Bergmann glia, but not neurons, during cerebellar histogenesis. The spatial heterogeneity of pathology shows that the dependence on dystroglycan is not uniform. Cognitive deficits are constant features of severe dystroglycanopathies, yet the precise molecular mechanism leading to neuronal dysfunction in these diseases is not known. Here, we show that dystroglycan interaction with dystrophin is required for the normal clustering of a subset of inhibitory synapses in Purkinje neurons. Using mouse models of dystroglycan mutants, we demonstrate that the 1


The system uses Mitsubishi FX2N Series PLC as the main controller,and carries on the design of hoist signaling system which is according to the work request of Mine hoister in the spot.The system has some functions such as typing the signal number and Chinese characters to synchronously show, memory function, speech communication and the lock function of control signal that adapted to production, this greatly enhances the intelligence degree of system and security.This paper particularly introduces the system composition and function.


With the trend of high-speed train development,the performance and reliability of bearing,a key component of high-speed train,are attracting more and more attention.This article introduces the development process of high-speed train and the primary application of railway bearing in trains,and predicts the development trend of high-speed railway bearing,which will better satisfy future demand for rail vehicles bearing.Parts manufacturers need to design new products to further improve the performance of the vehicle bearing and to expand the range of operating conditions and environment.


Six widely‐used dense gas dispersion models (ALOHA, HGSYSTEM, SLAB, SCIPUFF, PHAST, and TRACE) were used to calculated downwind chlorine gas concentrations following three railcar accidents. The accidents, where as much as 60 tons of chlorine were released, were located at Festus, MO (release from a ruptured 1‐in. line while offloading), and Macdona, TX, and Graniteville, SC (release from a large hole due to an accident). Public sources such as National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports were used to develop input data. Source emissions rates were refined based on source modeling with PHAST and TRACE and derivations using fundamental thermodynamic equations. No chlorine removal mechanisms, such as photolysis, chemical reactions, or deposition were accounted for. Given the same source emissions rates, the models' simulations of 10‐min averaged cloud centerline concentration, at downwind distances ranging from 0.1 to 10 km, agree with each other within plus and minus a factor of two most of the time. For a very large release (Graniteville), the 2,000, 400, and 20 ppm contours are predicted to extend downwind about 1.3, 3.1, and 14 km, respectively, from the source. There is also agreement among the models simulations of the plume widths and heights to the 2,000, 400, and 20 ppm contours. A major conclusion of the study is that estimation of the source or release term is important for reliable results, since the calculated chlorine concentrations are approximately proportional to the mass release rate. It must also be stressed that observed concentrations would be expected to be less than those calculated here, because removal by dry deposition at the surface and by chemical reactions in the plume have not been accounted for. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Process Saf Prog, 2008


The synergistic amalgamation of sparse code multiple access (SCMA) and multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technologies can be exploited for improving spectral efficiency and providing enhanced wireless services to massive users. In this case, however, channel estimation is a burning issue with the increasing number of users and/or antennas. To tackle this problem, we propose a novel non-coherent transmission scheme for SCMA, referred to as NC-SCMA. In the proposed NC-SCMA, each user first maps its binary data to sparse codewords, and then perform differential modulation on the non-zero dimensions. Upon receiving all users' signals, we leverage the channel hardening effect to carry out differential demodulation and multi-user detection without any instantaneous channel state information. In addition, the design of the sparse codebooks in the NC-SCMA system is investigated with the aid of the pair-wise probability. Numerical results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed technique over the benchmark scheme in terms of bit error rate performance.


This study explores the relationship between the Agulhas Current system and El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) events. Specifically, it addresses monthly to yearly variations in Agulhas leakage where the Agulhas Current sheds waters into the Atlantic Ocean, in turn affecting meridional overturning circulation (MOC). Sea surface temperature (SST) data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) combined with sea surface salinity (SSS) from Soil Moisture Ocean Salinity (SMOS) and Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis are used to explore changes in Agulhas leakage dynamics. Agulhas leakage is anomalously warm in response to El Nino and anomalously cool in response to La Nina. The corresponding SSS signal shows both a primary and secondary signal response. At first, the SSS signal of Agulhas leakage is anomalously fresh in response to El Nino, but this primary signal is replaced by a secondary anomalously saline signal. In response to La Nina, the primary SSS signal of Agulhas leakage is anomalously saline, while the secondary SSS signal is anomalously fresh. The lag between the peak of ENSO and the response in SST and the corresponding primary SSS signal of Agulhas leakage is about 20 months, followed by the secondary SSS signal at a lag of about 26 months. In general, increasing ENSO strength increases the extremes of the resulting anomalous SST and SSS signal and impacts the Agulhas leakage region earlier during El Nino and slightly later during La Nina.


An initial study was conducted on the effects of cyclic temperature variations of small amplitudes upon the creep properties of tantalum. The results show a marked weakening of the material when a temperature variation of a few degrees is applied in a sinusoidal manner at a rate of one cycle per hour. Application of a temperature compensated time parameter for the prediction of the cyclic temperature curves is inadequate to explain the observed increase in creep rate. With vacuumn arc-cast tantalum, possessing high initial cold work, relief of the residual cold work strain appears to contribute to the acceleration of the strain rate as evidenced by a reduction in hardness after the cyclic temperature application. (auth)


The purpose of this study was to identify development strategies of high value-added cultural products in order to help promote Jeonnam cultural tourism festivals. In order to achieve this purpose, we carried out a market survey of cultural products sold in cultural tourism festivals held successfully within the Jeonnam area.The subjects of this study were local festivals which were labeled as cultural tourism festivals by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism from 2000 to 2008. The results of this study were as follows: Firstly, a store survey was conducted to analyze the categories of products on offer. As a result, the most frequent product was accessories (46.2%), followed by clothing and miscellaneous goods (25.2%), ceramic products (14.8%), interior decoration products (9.1%), and stationery (4.6%). Secondly, in the design motif used for cultural products, most products did not contain festival or local images. Cultural products with festival images made up 47.2% of the range, while only 2.3% of products on offer contained local imagery. The remaining 50.3% of cultural products for sale did not use festival or local images. Finally, in terms of materials used, most products used metal (36.7%), followed by textiles (32.9%), ceramic (13.8%), wood (6.2%), plastic (6.2%), paper (3.6%), and leather (0.2%). For price range, 52.4% of product were equal to or below 10,000 won, followed by 33.1% between 10,000-30,000 won. The results of this study showed that the cultural products of Jeonnam festivals lacked symbolism of the region or festival itself. Furthermore, items and the price ranges were not diverse enough. A possible solution would be to address this short coming, but more importantly, design a marketing and commercial strategy tailored towards the promotion of cultural products which contain both regional and festival imageries.


PCR-SSO (sequence-specific oligonucleotide) is commonly used for HLA-typing. We recently replaced LabType® SSO HD kit for HLA-C typing with the XR kit (OneLambda, Inc.). We used 137 patients' samples representing unique most likely HLA-C allele combinations to compare these kits performance. The XR kit decreased the number of allele ambiguities with a median of 26.1% (1st -3rd quartiles 20% - 36.2%, range 0% to 96.1%). The XR kit did not resolve all the common, intermediate and well-documented HLA allele ambiguities, which may be important in the clinical setting. The XR kit eliminated 23.6% of null allele ambiguities. In conclusion, the HLA-C XR kit provides a moderate yet valuable improvement of HLA-typing resolution in comparison with the HLA-C HD kit. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.


The investigation of the community structure has recently attracted considerable attention in social networks analysis field. Social Networks defined by the interactions between nodes, they are represented by a graph. The huge data of online social networks need to analyze and discover the hidden relations between nodes. In this research the objective represented the community detection as optimization problem and how to divide the network to communities of nodes. Lion Optimization Algorithm used as effective optimization method to detect the number of communities in social networks. The results show that the algorithm succeed to detect an optimization community structure based on the quality function that used.


3,740,391 THERMOSETTING GELYOXALATED ONEC GLUC0 PYRANOSYL POLYMER AND WET STRENGTH PAPER HAVING A CONTENT THEREOF Laurence Lyman Williams, Stamford, and Anthony Thomas Coscia, Norwalk, Conn., assignors to American Cyanamid Company, Stanford, Cota. No Drawing. Continuation-in-part of applications Ser. No. 47,463, July 2, 1965, now abandoned, and Ser. No. 745,486, July 7, 1968, now Patent No. 3,556,932. This application Jan. 18, 1971, Ser. No. 107,46. Int, C. CO3d 9/06 U.S. C. 260-233.3 R 5 Cains


Based on CFD numerical simulation and experimental investigation,the new shape of blade outlet edge was suggested in order to avoid hump.The result indicates that triangular cutting the outlet edge of blades can avoid hump.The values of head and efficiency at design flow rate change little.But if triangular cutting exceeds a certain critical value,the leakage loss is serious.The efficiency at large flow significantly reduces.And the optimum triangular size is given out for reference.


--This article explores the development of woven crafts in Watunggere and Nida village, Sub-district Detukeli, Ende Regency. It raises the issue of how the people of Watunggere and Nida developed the woven crafts such as nyiru, bags, baskets, and boxes. These local products have benefits to improve the incomes of the local communities in that area. As well as those products can be promoted to be one of the cultural tourism objects in Ende Regency. To collect the data, this research used the descriptive qualitative and quantitative approach which was completed with several methods such as interview, observation, study documents, and descriptive statistic analysis. Moreover, the analysis of descriptive statistics is used to describe the frequencies of respondents' answers. The results of the research indicate that product design is not regularly done or gained from training, but got from the experiences derived from the ancestors. That is why the model of the product is different from the modern trend. Related to the capability of the workers to design the product is just supported by primary school background. Keywords---product, promotion, supervisor, weaving, woven craft.


It has often been claimed that contemporary societies are shaped by globalization; the rapid interconnections of societies, economies, markets, flows and information potentially linking all places ...


In this article, an analysis is made on the actuality and existing problems in oil spill response training, thereby offering ideas and suggestions in strengthening the oil spill response training.


Although the Gravettian technocomplex in the Cantabrian region and the province of Cantabria in particular has long been an understudied area of Upper Palaeolithic research, recent investigation on this topic discovered a large variety of settlement types, comprehensive procurement patterns for lithic raw materials and extensive connections to the French Pyrenees. Unfortunately, lithic technological studies are still rare, which hampers, together with a small and unrepresentative radiocarbon dataset, a deeper diachronic and regional understanding of the observed variability. Therefore, this study contributes new data for the age model and a comprehensive description of the lithic chaîne opératoire from the Gravettian assemblage of Level 4 of Cueva Morín. PALABRAS CLAVES: Gravetiense, región cántabra, datación por radiocarbono, estudios líticos, movilidad. GAKO-HITZAK: Gravettiar, Kantabria eskualdea, Karbono-14 bidezko datazioa, azterketa litikoak, mugikortasuna.


Distributed Joint beamforming and power adaptation algorithms are of interest for MIMO ad hoc networks. Cooperative and non-cooperative games have been presented to decrease interference (mutual) at each sensor node, under receiver signal-to-interference and noise (SINR) constraints. In reduced feedback algorithms, the optimum transmitter node beamformer is selected from a predefined codebook. This paper introduces a cooperative optimal beamformer selection algorithm to minimize the total power consumption for cluster-based network topology under different minimum SINR constraints. The algorithm reduces overhead incurred by 48% and 10% while increasing the convergence rate to the steady-state allocation by 17% and 9% for the cooperative and non-cooperative beamformer selection games, respectively. Simulation results verify the proposed theoretical analysis, and demonstrate the performance of the Enhanced Co-Operative Power Minimization Algorithm (ECOPMA), Reinforcement Learning based Power allocation and Beamformer Algorithm (RLPBA) for the non-cooperative game [1], with state of the art methods and centralized (optimal) solutions as a fair benchmark.


We present a mathematical model for dropwise condensation (DWC) heat transfer on a surface with wettability gradient. We adapt well-established population balance model for DWC on inclined surfaces to model DWC on a surface with wettability gradient. In particular, our model takes into account the effect of wettability gradient and energy released during drop coalescence to determine the drop departure size. We validate our model with published experimental data of DWC heat flux and drop size distribution. Based on various experimental studies on drop motion, we also propose a mechanism that explains how the energy released during drop coalescence on a surface with wettability gradient and in a condensation environment aids drop motion. The mechanism correctly explains the shift of center of mass of two coalescing drops on a surface with wettability gradient toward the drop on high wetting region. Using the model, we analyze the effect of wettability gradient on the DWC heat flux. Our model predictions show that the optimal choice of wettability gradient is governed by differential variations in population density and heat transfer through a drop with change in wettability of the surface. We also demonstrate that contact angle at which there is maximum heat transfer through a drop varies with thickness of coating layer leading to change in optimal wettability gradient. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4039014]


The inverse scattering problem consists of determining the functional form of a scattering potential given the scattering matrix A (k0s, k0s0) for all scattering directions s and one or more values of the wave vector k0s0. In this paper it is shown that within the framework of the first Born approximation the inverse scattering problem as defined above does not possess a unique solution. It is also shown that within the framework of exact (potential) scattering theory the problem does not admit a unique solution given only the scattering matrix for a single fixed value of the wave vector k0s0 as data. The final section in the paper considers scattering experiments using incident fields other than plane waves and where knowledge of the scattered field at all points exterior to the scattering volume is available as data. It is found that, within the framework of exact scattering theory, the data generated by any single such experiment is not sufficient to uniquely specify the scattering potential while, wit...


With consideration of the dynamic contact relationship and structural deformation of balls,raceways and cage,the FEM dynamics model of deep groove ball bearing is established by ANSYS / LS-DYNA. Through simulation,the analysis is carried out on the law of the deep groove ball bearings dynamic characteristics and the regularity with the angular speed of cage as well as on the dynamic contact impact stress. The calculated angular velocity of rotation of ball and cage are then verified by theoretical value. The frequencies of acceleration vibration are verified by test value. Due to the contact and sliding between cage and balls as well as the larger acceleration variety,the dynamic contact stress is larger in the start phase of ball bearings. The large dynamic stress may reduce the fatigue life,or cause the fracture failure of cage. The calculated results have significance in guiding dynamic design and fatigue life analysis of ball bearings.


Based on deep survey,the article analyzes main problems existing in rural public facilities construction,analyzes lagging causes of rural public service facilities construction in Zhangqiu city,and finally puts forward corresponding countermeasures and suggestions for improving public service facility distribution.


With the adoption of the synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) + external Compton (EC) model, investigation has been conducted on the radiation mechanisms of the GeV-bright active galaxy GB 1310+487 through modeling its quasi-simultaneous spectral energy distributions in active and quiescent states. We find that from the flare states to the post-flare state, the magnetic field (B) has experienced a gradual increase, whereas the electron spectrum's prefactor (N0) and break energy ( γ br ?> ) decrease accordingly. The model indicates that the energy of the Poynting flux may be used to accelerate electrons. As for the GeV emission in the source, it is dominated by the EC process while the SSC contribution is negligible. Varying energy distribution of the emitting electrons, rather than location of the radiation blob, appears to be the driving factor for the observed changes in EC emission. Despite the similar total jet power and the same likely energy carrier (cold protons), the radiation efficiency of GB 1310+487 is lower than what is found in bright Fermi blazars.


The future of automated driving system deals with the emergence of autonomous vehicles popularly referred as self-driving cars or driver-less cars. The ability of sensing its environment with or without human interaction is the redeeming feature of autonomous vehicles. The traditional segmentation algorithms mainly uses camera data,whose accuracy is degraded by the effect of shadows, bright sunlight or headlight of other cars. This paper focuses on Lidar sensors which provides 3-D geometry information of the vehicle surroundings with high accuracy. Apart from the previous works which deals only with segmentation using data from Lidar sensor, it deals with predicting the probabilities of detecting things such as human, vehicles, traffic signals, stationary objects etc. Moreover with the use of Ford campus vision and KITTI vision detection bench marks it achieves a high accuracy of about 90 percentage.


The conductances of mixed nickel(II) chelates, [Ni(acac)(N,N,N′,N′-tmen)]X (where acac=2,4-pentanedionato, N,N,N′,N′-tmen=N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine, and X−=ClO4− or NO3−), in alcohols {ethanol (EtOH), 1-propanol (n-PrOH), 2-propanol (i-PrOH), and 1-butanol (n-BuOH)}, ketones {acetone (Me2CO), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), and methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK)}, and nitrobenzene (PhNO2) were measured at 25 °C. The obtained ionic association constants (Ka) of [Ni(acac)(N,N,N′,N′-tmen)]ClO4 which were derived by using the extended Fouss–Hsia function indicated that (1) the perchlorate complex is a normal type of uni-uni-valent electrolyte and (2) it is more dissociated than [Co(acac)2(N,N,N′,N′-tmen)]ClO4 in EtOH, n-PrOH, and n-BuOH. Walden products of the cations suggest that the nickel(II) chelate cation in the alcohols is present as an octahedral form with the coordination of two solvent molecules. On the other hand, Ka of [Ni(acac)(N,N,N′,N′-tmen)]NO3 are much larger than those of [Ni(acac)(N,N,N′,N′...


1. The interaction between reasoning and decision-making: P.N. Johnson-Laird and Eldar Shafir (both of Princeton University). 2. Reason-based choice: Eldar Shafir, Itamar Simonson and Amos Tversky (Princeton University, Stanford University and Stanford University). 3. Focusing in reasoning and decision-making: P. Legrenzi, Vi Girotto and P.N. Johnson-Laird (Universita degli Studi di Trieste, Universita degli Studi di Trieste and Princeton University). 4. Similarity, plausibility and judgements of probability: Edward Smith, Eldar Shafir and Daniel Osherson (University of Michigan, Princeton University and IDIAP, Switzerland). 5. De-bias the environment instead of the judge: an alternative approach to reducing error in diagnostic judgement: Joshua Klayman and Kaye Brown (University of Chicago and National Center for Health Program Evaluation, Australia). 6. Reasoning in explanation-based decision-making: Nancy Pennington and Reid Haste (both at University of Colorado). 7. Reasoning, decision-making and rationality: Jonathan St B.T. Evans, D.E. Over and K.I. Manktelow (University of Plymouth, University of Sunderland and University of Wolverhampton).


In this article behavior of measures on $[0,\infty)$ is studied by considering their Laplace transforms. We present a unified approach that covers many cases when Karamata's and de Haan's Tauberian theorems apply. If the Laplace transform can be extended to a complex half-plane containing the imaginary axis, we prove that the tail of the representing measure has exponential decay and establish the precise rate of the decay. We translate this result to the language of Bernstein functions and give two applications in the theory of non-local equations.


An analysis of firm performance following dividend policy changes was conducted. It is found that operating performance improves following dividend decreases, there is a reduction in financial leverage and an improvement in liquidity. A sensitivity analysis shows that the improvement in operating performance is attributable to the decision to decrease dividends and is not caused by a mean reversion in earnings. Thus, the decision to decrease dividends reverses a declining trend of poor performance, and reduces financial leverage and liquidity problems. Finally, consistent with previous studies, the findings here are that the market reacts negatively to announcements of dividend decreases.


The paper deals with methodological problems of understanding the component elements of a crime in the doctrine and modern science of criminal law. The author analyzes the philosophical approaches to determining the essence of this phenomenon, the influence of the classical school of criminal law on the formation of such concepts as "crime" and "component elements of a crime", reveals the prerequisites and reasons for the multilevel understanding of the component elements of a crime in pre-revolutionary and Soviet criminal law. The ratio between the crime and the component elements of a crime is revealed (based on the features of these legal concepts) and questions are raised about the non-identical understanding of the same phenomena in criminal law. The author states that the component elements of a crime cannot be identified with the concept of "crime" and is the basis for criminal liability. The component elements are always a legislative (regulatory) model, not a reality. The reality is only a committed crime, which entails the emergence of the relevant legal relations. In conflict social relations characterized by the commission of an illegal criminal act, the crime itself exists, but not the component elements of this crime. The author suggests that the component elements should be distinguished within the scope of the crime's illegality, rather than the crime as a whole. From this point of view, it is proved that the disposition of the criminal law norm determines the model of a specific illegal act and its features (objective and subjective), since in real life the composition is associated with those features that are described in the disposition of the legal norm. The disposition does not replace the component elements, on the contrary, the component elements of illegality are revealed in the disposition of the criminal law norm. Research methods used in the course of the study are as follows: formal dogmatic, historical legal, comparative legal.


Pickle is bio-food fermented by lactic acid bacteria.It is a good representation of traditional food with long history in culture.The article summarized current situation and tendency of Chinese pickle.It was first time to have definition and category for pickle.Processing technology,quality evaluation and standard of pickle were studied.Index of sensory evaluation standard of pickle were set up for the first time,and related standard was pointed out not fully accurate for pickle.


Emerging data driven digital economy and Industry 4.0 transforms all sectors including industry, research and business. It requires new types of the general workforce and specialists that can effectively use digital and data technologies, variety of tools and global infrastructure services, and are capable for personal skills management and self-study. The paper provides an overview of the existing frameworks for competences, skills and qualifications that sets up a baseline for further research and definition of the skills for emerging data driven digital economy. The paper analyses the general profile of the modern agile data driven companies, their culture and required competences. The paper shares the experience of introducing professional and 21st Century skills in the bachelor and master courses. The project based learning model is proven to be effective in this cases combining the student initiative and self-organisation given the well defined course objectives and reporting requirements.


In this paper it was shown the advantage of the method of randomized aggregate indices to evaluate the effectiveness of the publication activity of scientific staff of various organizations. Was considered an example of the application of this approach for to building a hierarchy of aggregate indices of two levels which takes into account opinions of two potential of expert groups.


For many years, strains of Leptospira biflexa, the so-called "water leptospirae," were distinguished from the pathogenic leptospirae primarily by their nonassociation with mammalian infections and by their ability to grow in serumfree media (Breed, Murray, and Smith, Bergey's manual of determinative bacteriology, 7th ed., The Williams & Wilkins Co., Baltimore, 1957). Recently, Fiizi and Cs6ka (Zentr. Bakteriol. Parasitenk. Abt. I Orig. 179:231, 1960; J. Bacteriol. 81:1008, 1961; J. Pathol. Bacteriol. 82:208, 1961) drew attention to other characteristics for differentiating pathogenic and saprophytic leptospirae. The two groups could be distinguished on the basis of differences in their relative susceptibility to the oligodynamic action of divalent copper ions in culture medium, in their oxidase activity, and in their decomposition of egg yolk. In these studies, two "pathogenic" leptospirae, the type strains of serotypes L. andamana and L. semaranga, had biological properties of L. biflexa strains. This finding was subsequently affirmed by other workers (Babudieri and Dymowska, Zentr. Bakteriol. Parasitenk. Abt. I Orig. 182:129, 1961; Babudieri, personal communication to Alexander; Kitaoka, personal communication). In previous studies (Yanagawa, Hiramune, and Ishii, Japan. J. Vet. Sci. 21:221, 1959; Yanagawa, Hiramune, and Fujita, J. Bacteriol. 85:875, 1963), it was shown that colonial growth of leptospirae was stimulated in an atmosphere containing small amounts of added CO2 and that pathogenic leptospirae did not form colonies in an atmosphere from which CO2 was removed. Differences between saprophytic and pathogenic leptospirae in their growth on the solid medium in CO2-free air are reported in this paper. Organisms used were nine strains of L. biflexa (received from M. PQzi, Institute of Microbiology, University of Medicine, Budapest, and A. D.


This research deals with the analytical solution of a curved beam with different shapes made of functionally graded materials (FGM's). It was assumed that modulus of elasticity is graded along the thickness direction of curved beam based on a power function. The beam was loaded under pure bending. Using the linear theory of elasticity, the general relation for radial distribution of radial and circumferential stresses of arbitrary cross section was derived. The effect of nonhomogeneity was considered on the radial distribution of circumferential stress. This behavior can be investigated for positive and negative values of nonhomogeneity index. The novelty of this study is application of the obtained results for different combination of material properties and cross sections. Achieved results indicate that employing different nonhomogeneity index and selection of various types of cross sections (rectangular, triangular or circular) can control the distribution of radial and circumferential stresses as designer want and propose new solutions by these options. Increasing the nonhomogeneity index for positive or negative values of nonhomogeneity index and for various cross sections presents different behaviors along the thickness direction. In order to validate the present research, the results of this research can be compared with previous result for reachable cross sections and non homogeneity index.


Transitions in autonomy: The essential caregiving challenge An essay for practitioners Sara Honn Qualls* Families are almost always significant care providers for individuals whose independence is compromised. At any stage in the lifespan, families may be involved in providing emotional, financial, decision-making, and/or direct care support to members who lack full capacity to meet their own needs autonomously. How do families know when and how to step in? Often, they are not very sure of themselves. As I have watched families struggle over how much care to provide, when to cease giving one kind of care, and how to balance their desire for loved ones with limited capacity to be both autonomous and safe, I have come to recognize that some of the greatest difficulties for caregiving families are transitions of autonomy. This essay focuses on the roles that family therapists can play at key moments in the post-childrearing phases of the family life cycle when someone's capacity for autonomy is changing. Autonomy of family members is a key factor in most family transitions, and is a common theme in family therapy (Williamson, 1991). Beginning at birth, family tasks revolve around meeting the needs of the child in ways that are appropriate to his or her capacity for autonomy. Some of the most difficult transitions faced by a child-rearing family occur when the desire for autonomy and capacity for autonomy are out of sync (e.g., the "terrible two's" and adolescence). Similarly, in adulthood, families are challenged when the assumption that adults are mutually autonomous cannot be sustained. For example, an increasingly frail or cognitively impaired aging parent may need assistance, or the parent may be unable to continue to provide assistance to someone else, requiring a shift in how the entire family meets individuals' needs. Occasionally, capacity for self-care is compromised by illness or developmental disability in midlife, such that they need to receive assistance from family members. Family therapists encounter post-childrearing families primarily when a decision regarding healthcare, housing, or service delivery is at hand. Occasionally, other concerns, such as disagreement over one person's choice (e.g., divorce, leaving the family business, childrearing practices) or difficulty agreeing on a new direction (e.g., retirement or spending lottery winnings) can create sufficient conflict to generate a referral for assistance. Typically, however, the issue that brings all-adult families to therapist is their confusion or conflict regarding the condition under which someone should provide assistance to someone else. The question may focus on who within the family should provide services, or who within the community can provide services. Therapists need to be prepared to educate families about normative stresses and options for coping, to negotiate expectations of various members, and to struggle through clashes between values and capacity. In all-adult (post-childrearing) families, negotiations about specific transition occur in the context of a very long history that is complicated by layers of personalities and relationships, varying degrees of knowledge about the needs of the identified patient (IP) and often, ignorance about resources. The three research papers in this section all contribute to the effort to map later life family transitions related to caregiving. Each addresses concerns about the conditions under which families provide or cease to provide assistance to an adult member. Townsend and Franks address the role that marital quality plays in mediating the effects of specific caregiving stressors on caregiving effectiveness. Ishii-Kuntz examines the comparative impact of filial obligation values and contextual variables (e.g., proximity, resources) on patterns of providing emotional, financial, and services support to aging parents in three Asian-American groups. …


The invention discloses a grinding and cutting method of an LED chip. The method comprises the steps that firstly, a semiconductor device with a sapphire substrate is waxed, grinded and polished, laser ablation is conducted on the inner portion of the sapphire substrate to obtain a graphical ablation channel, and then wax removal cleaning, cutting and piece cracking are conducted on the semiconductor device. Due to the fact that the crystal structure of the sapphire substrate is damaged after ablation, stress can be buffered or released to a corresponding point in the processes of wax removal and cleaning, and due to the fact that piece cracking is conducted along a cutting channel, losses caused to the chip by piece cracking are reduced to the maximum extent. Compared with the prior art, the grinding and cutting method can effectively reduce grinding piece cracking rate, improve the product yield and improve cutting precision and cutting efficiency.


There has been little work that explores cryptographic temporal constraints, especially for data sharing in cloud computing. In this paper, we present a temporal attribute-based encryption (TABE) scheme to implement temporal constraints for data access control in clouds. This scheme has a constant size for ciphertext, private-key, and a nearly linear-time complexity. In addition, we implement a prototype system to evaluate our proposed approach. Our experimental results not only validate the effectiveness of our scheme and algorithms, but also show our scheme has better performance for integer comparison than BSW's bitwise comparison scheme.


In this paper, we have studied the moisture absorption and desorption ability of composite humidity-controlling material, which were made by the wet conditioning gel (the high water-absorbent resin adsorbing salts solution), high water-absorbent resin (sodium polyacrylate) and inorganic salt mixed into the matrix material separately.And the matrix material is the gypsum added plant fiber 10%. The different effects of the wet conditioning gel, high water-absorbent resin and inorganic salt on the moisture absorption and desorption ability were discussed in the use circumstance condition. The results indicate that the effects of the wet conditioning gel on the moisture absorption and desorption ability are more excellent than that of high water-absorbent resin and inorganic salt at the same content. When the content of LiCl in the wet conditioning gel is 15%, the moisture absorption and desorption action is best.


Background: Continuing education/continuing medical education (CE/CME) programs that adopt self‐directed, computer‐based instruction formats via the Internet or CD‐ROM can ease the demands placed on clinicians who are required by licensing boards to accumulate CE/CME credits as part of their career‐long learning. Despite the benefits and availability of computer‐based instruction, on‐site programs still dominate current CE/CME delivery modes. In order to increase the use of computer‐based CE/CME programs, it is important to identify the barriers that inhibit their use. Method: A survey was conducted to assess the practices, preferences, and barriers to use of CE/CME delivery methods among physicians, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in Nevada. Results: Of 3,213 surveys sent, 1,120 were completed and returned for an overall response rate of 35%. In‐person conferences (93%) and print‐based methods (66%) were the most frequently reported methods of acquiring CE/CME. The majority of respondents had access to computer‐based technologies. Respondents with more years in clinical practice were less likely to have access to or to use computer‐based technologies. The top three preferred CE/CME delivery modes, in rank order, were in‐person conferences, print‐based self‐study, and CD‐ROM. The least preferred method of receiving CE/CME was interactive audioconference (telephone conference calls). "Not knowing how" was the most frequently reported reason for not using the Internet for computer‐based training and the second most frequent reason for not using a CD‐ROM. Implications: Program planners may wish to offer training in new technologies during on‐site conferences, provide CD‐ROMs as take‐home instructional materials, or promote technology awareness in other ways to help clinicians prepare for changes in the electronic delivery of health care and education.


submersibles for both military and scientific research needs. Although the greatest marine technological breakthrough of the era has been the development of the nuclear-powered military submarine, this development has been paralleled both in numbers and capabilities by the evolution of deep-submergence research submarines. Throughout the design and construction phases of these varied submersibles, one of the basic problems encountered has been the strength-toweight characteristics of their structures. The increased operating depths desired of modem submarines have led to increases in hull weight due to the greater strength required of the hull operating under greater pressures. This has also produced corresponding reduction in weight margins, which often severely limit the payload of such vehicles. The use of supplemental buoyancy has been one method of improving the weight and displacement characteristics of these submarines. A number of articles have been published which review in detail the characteristics of a wide


In this lecture, the new approach for studying the redox features of various enzymes is presented. Details are given about performing an electrochemical experiment with redox active proteins, while attention is paid to theoretical modeling of protein-film voltammetric experiments in cyclic and square-wave voltammetry. The use of this set-up for designing biosensors is also discussed.


: Plastic isone of the most widely used materials in human daily life. Due to its specific properties, it plays important role in domestic as well as in industrial applications but on other hand, its unbound use has raised an environmental concern. Mostly used plastic,i.e. polyethylene which takes around 1000 years of time to decompose. This article presents advanced methodologies used to treat plastic waste for low temperatures.The traditional treatments for the plastic waste management were recycled, incinerated or landfilling. However, these treatments have limitations where gasification and bioconversion are mainly used for organic matter. The Chemical treatment via pyrolysis process is a promising technique for the treatment of plastic waste. Pyrolysis is environment friendly process of thermal degradation of plastic waste in absence of oxygento produce pyrolytic gases and oils which tackles both problems of management plastic waste as well as fuel shortage, economically. Zeolite & silica-alumina is the most common catalyst used for this process. This process providing an alternative source of energy. Thus, the pyrolysis process has now turned into the opportunity to make the best from waste.


As generally known there is no energy transfer between a dc current and a current transformer. After a brief overview of other methods for tapping energy from the high voltage direct current transmission line, this paper presents the concept of a new dc to ac current source converter utilizing a current transformer. The advantage of this converter is that it is connected in series to the dc line and that at any moment in time the current flow is kept continuous. This paper presents the concept of the converter and simulation results.


Strategic initiatives for engineering education in the next decade as planned by the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology are presented. The Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology is a private college in the United States that specializes in undergraduate engineering, mathematics and science education. The initiatives are in response to broad changes in the practice of the engineering profession in its modern global context. The initiatives comprise five strategic thrust areas and five programmatic themes. The thrust areas are: Energy and Environment; Health and Safety; Transportation; Materials; and Information, Computation, and Communication. The programmatic themes are: Excellence in Education; International Awareness; Business Awareness;Service Learning; and Life-long Learning. The objective of these initiatives is to prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st century and to serve as leaders in society.


In this work we discuss experimental data which can explain reasons for the limited energy conversion efficiencies observed in monocrystalline, thin-film CdTe-based solar cells grown molecular beam epitaxy. Two kinds of samples has been investigated and discussed – p- and n-type doped CdTe layers with metallic Schottky barriers and p-i-n heterojunctions (p-ZnTe/i-CdTe/n-CdTe solar cells). Both kinds of junctions exhibit strong rectifying properties with the rectifying coefficient exceeding 105 at 300 K and +/– 1 V. Photovoltaic properties of the solar cells have been determined by I–V measurements under illumination and by spectral characteristics of photocurrent. Based on the spectral measurements it was found that the p-ZnTe/i-CdTe/n-CdTe diodes are sensitive to illumination within the 550–850 nm wavelength range confirming their applicability for solar energy conversion. I–V characteristics measured at 1-sun illumination yield relatively low energy conversion efficiencies below 4.9%. In order to determine the origin of the limited efficiency in the CdTe-based solar cells (theoretical limit for n-CdTe/p-ZnTe solar cells is as high as 20%) the deep level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) technique has been applied. The results of these DLTS studies revealed the presence of deep electron and hole traps. The low-temperature DLTS peaks can be ascribed to the hole traps in the CdTe absorber. The high-temperature DLTS peak changes its sign depending on the sign of the filling pulses acting as a majority trap for negative filling pulses and minority trap for positive filling pulses. The estimated activation energies of the majority- and minority trap level are equal to 0.74–0.78 eV and 1.05 eV, respectively. The sum of these energies is close to the value of the CdTe energy gap, suggesting that this energy level can be assigned to the recombination center present in the CdTe absorber material. Basing on the logarithmic capture kinetics of the traps detected in the high-temperature region we assign the recombination center to electronic states of extended defects, probably threading dislocations. Very similar DLTS results obtained for CdTe Schottky barriers confirm the conclusion. Thus, we conclude that not the point defects but rather extended defect are responsible for the limited energy conversion efficiency in CdTe-based solar cells.


Abstract Background: The chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) epidemic occurs concurrently during historical mass population movements and significant income inequities. Epidemiological studies indicate CMP may occur disproportionately in marginalized populations. Nationalistic rhetoric has arisen, in part, due to perceived concerns over access to healthcare. Political policies directly and indirectly impact healthcare. Objectives: To explore 1) how potential historical, societal, and political factors may contribute to the clinical conversation of pain; 2) the impact ineffective clinical conversations may have on the CMP experience. Methods: Literature Review. Major Findings: CMP is an invisible disease decoupled from normal tissue healing. The clinical conversation is increasingly recognized to impact treatment outcomes. The clinician and the patient bring differing histories, values, and interpretations to clinic visits. Systemic healthcare racism, implicit biases, incongruent provider/patient assessment of pain, and provider stigmatization contribute to olgioanalgesia. As healthcare professional groups become more politically active, providers bring that political experience into the clinic. Marginalized populations, at risk for greater stress, discrimination, and fear bring their own intensified political perceptions into the clinic. We suggest that poor management and discordant clinical conversation may be adversely influenced by the current political climate. Conclusion: Identifying contributing factors to ineffective clinical conversations is important to improve CMP outcomes and to minimize inequities in CMP management. We hope to identify populations that may be more vulnerable to political biases, understand factors in the clinical conversation that are important to patients, and to build opportunities to educate providers and patients on these forces impacting the clinical conversation.


The application of geopolymer materials from industrial waste as binder to cast concrete contributes to a reduction of CO2 than OPC but still contribute to other environmental adverse effect such as freshwater toxicity. The leaching of alkali from geopolymer building materials increases the alkalinity or pH values of affected water body and can cause damage the biotic ecosystem and aquatic organisms. Therefore, the increasing level of alkalinity which is pH values from the leaching of geopolymer materials and OPC caused the lethality of Anabas testudineus (climbing perch) were determined. A 50mm x 50mm x 50mm dimensional fly ash geopolymer paste with 12M NaOH solution (Na2SiO3 : NaOH = 2.5:1) and a 50mm x 50mm x 50mm dimensional OPC with the ratio of (Solid : Liquid = 3 : 1) were immersed accordingly into each cylindrical containers that contained an Anabas testudineus (climbing perch) in 500ml paddy swamp water. The fishes were observed and the pH readings were calculated. The test was ended until the fish dead. Finally, the mortality limit pH value of Anabas testudineus for fly ash geopolymer paste is at pH 11.0, while OPC is at pH 11.5. The peak of alkali leaching of fly ash geoplymer paste is between 0.5 – 1.0 hours while for OPC is between 0.25 – 0.5 hours. As the conclusion, OPC gives severe adverse effects to the mortality of Anabas testudineus than fly ash geopolymer paste due to the leaching of OH- and other alkali anions. Anabas testudineus can live 10 hours in fly ash leaching media but only can live 1 hour in OPC leaching media.


Intertidal boulder fields are heterogeneous mosaics of different micro-habitat patches providing high structural complexity and spatial variability of environmental conditions that shape the heterogeneity of abundance of species. The influence of the spatial scale at which ecological patterns are measured has gained much attention over the last two decades. The adaptations to environmental conditions as well as the ability to disperse vary among species and, consequently, result in species-specific responses to heterogeneous environments. Understanding the causes and consequences of spatial patterns of abundance of organisms is a central problem in ecology and insight in underlying mechanisms may have important implications for fisheries management and conservation biology. The competing demands organisms are subject to require compromises to optimise fitness and facilitate the persistence of a population. Reproductive trade-offs, for example, may be largely the result of adaptive processes, constrained by phylogenetic effects. Generally, trade-offs are regarded as a key to understand the evolution of life history characteristics.  The present study investigates the spatial dynamics and life history adaptations of an aggregating species, the New Zealand half crab, Petrolisthes elongatus. This species has a biphasic lifecycle and occurs in geographically isolated benthic metapopulations that are associated with cobble beaches, where it reaches extremely high densities. Even though sampling was conducted exclusively in the Wellington region, sites at Cook Strait as well as within Wellington Harbour exhibited considerable differences in habitat structure and temperatures as well as wave exposure and food supply. Cobble size was an excellent predictor of both population density and mean carapace width on almost every scale of observation and, therefore, appeared to be an important indicator of habitat quality for P. elongates because cobble size is closely related to availability and size of interstitial space between boulders the crabs utilize as shelters against predation and desiccation pressure. Crab densities were significantly (6-fold) higher within the harbour compared to south coast sites, presumably due to 1) the different availability of shelter space, 2) lower settlement and recruitment rates at Cook Strait, and 3) higher food supply within the harbour. Population structure was mainly influenced by settlement and recruitment, but also by rock size (i.e. shelter size), size selective predation and a higher mobility of larger crabs. Under laboratory conditions, predation rates among small crabs strongly depended on rock size, whereas large crabs were generally rarely to never preyed upon. Migrated distances did not exceed 100cm over 25h in most cases but were different at different sites. While structural complexity could affect mobility (i.e. easier movement among larger rocks), local density and resulting levels of intraspecific competition were possibly the main drivers of limited mobility of adult crabs. P. elongatus exhibits a high phenotypic plasticity of reproductive traits in response to the variable environmental conditions across sites. Female crabs at Island Bay (Cook Strait) showed the highest fecundity, higher percentage of ovigerous females, higher proportion of clutch to body weight (i.e. reproductive output) and higher egg numbers among large individuals compared to similarsized individuals at other sites at the harbour entrance (Breaker Bay) as well as within the harbour (Hutt River mouth). Larvae of P. elongatus strongly responded to waterborne settlement cues released by conspecific adults both in the laboratory and in the field. The average numbers of settlers was 4-fold higher in basket traps deployed in the field if conspecific adults were present. Therefore, settlement patters are strongly influenced by conspecific density, even on a small spatial scale (tens of centimetres). Recently metamorphosed individuals may still respond to conspecific cues, presumably providing guidance to conspecific adults that protect juveniles from predation and desiccation pressure in addition to shelters between boulders. Under laboratory conditions, individual growth rates as well as mortality depended on density but not on food level. Differences in density dependent growth rates and mortality varied with body size and were both more pronounced among smaller crabs. Limb loss significantly influenced the increase in body weight over time, especially among small individuals; however, no differences could be detected regarding changes in body size due to few moults over the course of the experiment. Crabs with removed chelipeds gained more weight over 7 weeks relative to uninjured individuals, presumably due to the limb regeneration process. Reproductive output, however, appeared not to be affected by limb loss and the associated costs of regenerating chelipeds; however, sample sizes were low to reliably detect such differences. The results of my thesis underline the importance of the consideration of spatial scale in ecological studies in order to meaningfully compare results with other studies. Additionally, the present study contributes to elucidate the influence of environmental conditions on density dependence and reproductive traits of mobile intertidal invertebrates.


A portable power tool motor and gearbox combination, the combination portion 11 has a motor and a gear box portion (12). The motor portion (11) comprises a first end and a second end having an opening of the motor housing (19), a first bearing support (20) at a first end of the motor housing, a motor fixed to the housing ( the stator 19), a closed second end opening of the motor housing and supports a second bearing cap (33) (22), a motor shaft (14) relative to the stator, and a motor mounted on the shaft a rotor (15), the motor shaft (14) mounted on an end of the bearing (20) and the other end in a bearing assembly (23). Gear box portion (12) comprises a transmission mechanism is provided and an output shaft (27) of the gearbox housing (26). In a first position at or near the end, the cover motor housing seat (22) is connected to a gearbox housing (26), the cap (22) closed or substantially closed motor housing (19).


Polo is a popular equestrian sport; matches comprise of 4-6 periods or chukkas. Players commonly change ponies between chukkas, but can also change ponies within a chukka, known as 'half-chukkering', anecdotally believed to 'save' the horse by preventing fatigue and facilitating recovery. The current study aimed to test this hypothesis and evaluate the impact of half versus full chukka playing strategies in low goal polo. Resting heart rates (HR) were established for 48 polo ponies competing in low goal tournaments. Riders selected their normal pony playing strategy, either full (n=32) or half (n=15) chukkas. HRs were recorded at the end of play and during recovery; for the full chukka and second half chukka period at 2, 4, 6, 10 and 20 min, or until ponies returned to play after the first half chukka (≥6 min). To enable comparison of recovery from exercise, HR data recorded during recovery was also expressed as a percentage of maximal HR for individual ponies. ANOVA analyses investigated differences duri...


We turn to study the numerical solution of a shallow water of Rosenau-Burgers equation. We propose a scheme to numerically solve this equation. A detailed analysis is carried out for the scheme, and analysis shows that the scheme is unconditionally stable; At last, we use the proposed methods to investigate the asymptotical behavior of the solutions to the shallow water wave equation.


Objective To provide anatomical proof for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of the diseases related to the structures of the canals of themporal bone. Methods The data of each canal were obtained with probe and slide gaud in 32 temporal bone. Results The bony portion of auditory tube averages10.49mm in length,its tympanic opening has an average dimension of 4.46mm3.58mm,and the average dimension of isthmic opening were 2.31mm*1.45mm. THe length of canal for greater petrosal nerve and of semicanal for tensor tympani were 13.93mm and 11.86mm respectively. The height of the vertical portion of carotid canal was7,51mm,and it has the length of 15.79mm in its horizontal portion. The distance between the opening of petrotympanic rimule on the external surface of the base of skull and the center of mandibular fossa averages was 7.42mm. Conclusin It is important to avoid the damage to the adjoining structures close to the bony portion of auditory tube while transmastoid approach is applied to expand the lumen of auditory tube. Surgeon should be cautious of impairing greater petrosal nerve and geniculate ganglion when he segregates the dura over anterior surface of petrous part. The lesion of temporomandibular joint may affect the function of middle ear through the structures passing through petrotympanic rimule.


The probability of a single event effect occurring is generally a function of the energy deposited in a sensitive volume, which is typically expressed as the absorbed dose in that volume. For short segments of high energy particle tracks, the dose due to a single event is proportional to the chord length through the sensitive volume. Thus, the distribution of dose in chord length is likely to relate to the probability of single event effects. For various geometries, a differential chord length distribution was generated and from this the dose distribution, frequency mean chord length, and dose mean chord length were calculated. In every case, the dose mean chord length was greater than the frequency mean chord length by a minimum of 26% and increased with the eccentricity of the volume. The large value of the dose mean chord length relative to the frequency mean chord length demonstrates the need to consider rare, long-chord-length crossings in radiation hardness testing, despite their relatively low probability of occurrence.


Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate how the city is influenced by the ritual of Muharram. The main research question is: what is the relationship between the city and the ritual of Muharram? To answer this question, we examined different intangible layers of this ritual heritage. This study is based on the three components of the sense of place. The research method is qualitative and a context-oriented approach is adopted. The context of the study is the historical texture of the city of Gorgan, Iran. The data were collected through library research and immediate observation. Next, content analysis and data coding were used to obtain a set of thematic categories. The results suggest that, as a kind of ritual-social behavior, the ritual of Muharram has had remarkable, enduring effects on the city over centuries. The non-urban-development dimension has thus allowed for the formation of sense of place in the relationship between people and the urban environment through a different process.


Objective To investigate differential points of clinical symptoms and pathology of solid-pseudopapillary tumor of the pancreas(SPTP)and islet cell tumor(ICT).Methods Fifteen cases of SPTP and twelve cases of ICT were studied in this retrospective research.Clinical symptom,pathologic feature and computed tomography(CT)image of patients with both tumors were analyzed,and the imaging features were compared with pathological results.Results The mean age of SPTP patients was 22.4 year-old.Twelve patients with SPTP presented a palpable abdominal mass as the initial symptom.It was observed that the tumor cells were located in a pseudopapillary pattern with a fibro-vascular core histologically.On the CT images,a mixture of solid and cystic structures could be seen in all the tumors.After taking enhanced CT scan,the solid portion was slightly enhanced in the arterial phase and the contrast intensity increased in the portal venous phase.On the other hand,the mean age of ICT patients was 39.3 year-old.The major symptom was due to the function of islet cell tumor,which was typical in 8 patients,presenting as Whipple triad.Histologically,cells demonstrated in trabecular,massive,acinar or solid patterns,and the blood supply of the tumor was abundant.On the CT images,most small tumors were difficulty to be detected.ICT could be markedly enhanced in the arterial phase and slightly enhanced in the portal venous phase on post-contrast CT scan.Conclusion Clinical symptom,pathologic feature and CT scanning are helpful to differentiate SPTP from ICT.


Abstract High-resolution records of isotope composition (δD) and accumulation of snow have been obtained from 10–12m deep snow pits dug in the vicinity of Vostok station during the 1979/80 and 1999/2000 Antarctic field seasons. We employ meteorological, balloon-sounding and snow-stake data to interpret the isotope record in terms of past temperature changes. Our reconstruction suggests that snow accumulation rate and the near-surface air temperature at Vostok have varied during the past 200 years between 15 and 30 kg m–2 a–1, and between –56 and –55˚C, respectively, with a slight general tendency to increase from the past to the present. Both parameters reveal a 50 year periodicity that correlates with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation index, implying a climatic teleconnection between central Antarctica and the tropical Pacific.


In Alberta, Canada, high rates of human-caused mortality threaten the long-term persistence of grizzly bears. To reduce this threat, the provincial grizzly bear recovery team suggested that core conservation areas of at least 2,400 km 2


Skuas, which are closely related to gulls, frequently use a specialized feeding method (kleptoparasitism) by which they rob other seabirds of their food. This paper tests the idea that skuas have evolved as specialist kleptoparasites.

The fibre type composition of the M. pectoralis, M. supracoracoideus and M. iliofibularis of a great skua Catharacta skua (Brunn.) and a herring gull Larus argentatus (Pontopp.) was determined by three enzyme histochemical methods commonly used for mammalian fibre classification; the reactions for alphaGPDH, NADH-TR and mATPase activity.

In both species slow fibres were present only in the M. iliofibularis, and fast twitch glycolytic fibres were not present in any of the muscles. The M. pectoralis and M. supracoracoideus of both species consisted entirely of the fast twitch oxidative-glycolytic fibres.

The overall metabolic enzyme activities of the muscles were assessed in terms of the proportions of fibres with high, intermediate and low metabolic enzyme activity. The overall levels of oxidative and glycolytic enzyme activity were significantly higher in the M. pectoralis than in the M. supracoracoideus and significantly higher in both of these than in the M. iliofibularis. This was true of both species.

The oxidative and glycolytic activities of all three muscles of the great skua were significantly higher than those of the homologous muscles of the herring gull. This was particularly true of the M. pectoralis and M. supracoracoideus. It is suggested that this difference between great skuas and herring gulls enables the former to be more effective aerial kleptoparasites than the latter.


In the new energy era, ocean wave energy is recognized as one of the most important clean and renewable energy sources. As an advanced energy technology, developing triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) to harvest ocean wave energy has become a promising research direction. However, for most of the current fully enclosed TENGs or liquid–solid TENGs, the industrialization is limited. In this work, a TENG with a new working scheme is proposed for water wave energy harvesting. Through designing the opposite dynamic electric‐double‐layers, the efficient conversion of water kinetic energy into electrical energy is achieved. Moreover, the TENG structure is extended to an array. Under irregular water waves, the TENG array exhibits desired output performance, with the stable output current of 60.0 µA, output voltage of 60.0 V, and average power density of 5.38 W m−3. Finally, the TENG array is demonstrated to successfully power signal spotlights, the digital thermometer and the water quality detector. This study not only broadens the research ideas for TENGs, but also provides a new mechanism for the ocean wave energy exploitation, which is of great significance to the industrialization of TENGs and blue energy.


SUMMARY This article focuses on the need to develop a comprehensive research agenda for crisis management and market recovery in tourism. A review of the literature on research into risk, crisis and disaster management indicates that research has emerged on an ad hoc basis. Analysis of a database of over 2400 relevant references supports the need for a research agenda that will focus on crisis management and market recovery and communications, rather than prevention. The BEST Education Network research agenda on risk and crisis management for sustainable tourism is then presented as a basis for further development of a crisis management and market recovery research agenda. In particular, it elaborates on research issues related to the communication during tourism crises, assessing strategies for market recovery and understanding these issues from the DMO's perspective.


Eight patients with intractable pain of malignant origin were treated by the surgical implantation of externalized catheters for percutaneous injection of morphine into the spinal epidural or the cerebral intraventricular space. Follow-up ranged from 48 hr to 1 yr. Four catheters (50%) malfunctioned mechanically and were repaired. Two were imputed in systemic infection and were removed. One patient developed paradoxical responses and discontinued catheter use. Every patient enjoyed excellent relief for a significant time with full preservation of mental capacities. The attractive simplicity of this morphine delivery system deserves further study.


Kelurahan  were a political region as level as village below the district which was  governed by a lurah. In the history of its development, Kelurahan Bulukunyi had the status of a village until finally it changed its status  became a kelurahan. The aim of this research were to examine the spatial structure and pattern of the Kelurahan Bulukunyi as the capital of the district in order to obtain an overview of the structure and direction of development of the region. The research method used was descriptive qualitative. Technique of data collection was triangulation  with analysis of aerial imagery and field surveys. The collected data will be analyzed by descriptive qualitatively including data reduction and categorization, data display, and conclusions. The results showed: 1). Residential settlements and activity centers in Kelurahan Bulukunyi were regularly patterned or parallel to roads with development following the existence of transportation routes; 2). Sufficiently available public facilities include office facilities, health, economy, education, and worship; 4). The land used was still dominated by agricultural land used.


In this paper we present the OPSS simulator which is designed to simulate a large scale (i.e. in the order of 100K nodes) peer to peer streaming system. OPSS is able to simulate a fair (i.e. "TCP-like") sharing of the uplink and downlink bandwidth of each peer among the different peers that are connected. OPSS is based on an existing simulator for TCP-like bandwidth sharing and it offers the possibility to implement the logic of the P2P distribution algorithm as separate module. Therefore it allows to simulate the behavior of arbitrary tree-based or mesh-based approaches. In this paper, we implemented two trivial tree-based and mesh-based approaches for which we could easily find an analytic model of chunk distribution delay. The results of the model have been compared with the simulation output, showing an excellent fit. Source code of OPSS is available under the GPL license.


As an attractive special tourism product,island tourism was favored by more and more people,and the development of island tourism was rapid and abroad.With the natural resources and human resources advantages,island tourism owned a wide foreground.However,island had lots of disadvantages:far from continent,small area,simple regionally structure,less biology diversity and stability,limited capability and flimsy eco-system.Therefore,research on the eco-risk of island tourism development was necessary.This paper analyzed the character of island tourism development,including advantages of island tourism development,constraints,and the impact of island tourism development on the ecological environment,then pointed out the sources of eco-risk,and put forward some countermeasures on the management of the ecological risks.


The climatic features of winter average temperature in Shandong Province are analyzed by means of Mann-Kendall method. In addition, the paths of cold air intrusion the 500hPa height departure and SSTA(Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly) in the same and preceding months are analyzed.The results show that the winter temperature in Shandong Province has changed markedly in different phases.The shift occurred in 1986. The path of cold air is regarded as one of the most important factors which lead to significant change in winter average temperature. The 500hPa height anomaly of warm winters bears zonal flow in mid- and high-latitudes in Asia-European continent,while longitudinal circulation prevailing in cold winters. In warm winter, the SSTA in the equatorial eastern Pacific is of the ENSO character in the previous spring and summer, and of the La Nina character in the autumn and winter. During the same and previous period in cold winter, the SSTA in the equatorial eastern Pacific and Nino1+2 region is negative.


Based on auto brand image system theory, the paper analyzes the image modeling function of brand mark, discusses the relation between brand mark form and body form , clarifies the meaning and purposes of applying the form elements extracted from brand mark design to auto body design and proposes the methods of extraction and application principles.


An osseointegrated interface allowed long-term stable and bidirectional communication between robotic prostheses and implanted neuromuscular electrodes for intuitive control with sensory feedback in one patient. A Bone-Anchored Arm Prosthetic An artificial limb should not only anatomically resemble its original counterpart but also function and feel just like it. Currently available prosthetic limbs allow for basic functions—closing a door or taking a step—but they often do not support fine-motor control or sensory perception. Ortiz-Catalan and coauthors describe a first-in-human trial of a bone-anchored (osseointegrated) upper-arm prosthetic that attached directly to the bone, nerves, and muscles of the remaining limb. The patient was followed for 1 year, demonstrating finer motor control (grasping, for example, an egg without breaking it) and a greater range of motion (touching toes and reaching arm overhead) compared with a conventional socket prosthesis with surface electrodes. Direct electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves also provided the patient a sense of touch. The study was in only one patient, thus preventing quantification of improvement, which may vary depending on the amount of soft tissue and scar tissue remaining in the stump. Nevertheless, osseointegration could revolutionize the field of neuroprosthetics, giving patients more intuitive control and more freedom of movement. A major challenge since the invention of implantable devices has been a reliable and long-term stable transcutaneous communication. In the case of prosthetic limbs, existing neuromuscular interfaces have been unable to address this challenge and provide direct and intuitive neural control. Although prosthetic hardware and decoding algorithms are readily available, there is still a lack of appropriate and stable physiological signals for controlling the devices. We developed a percutaneous osseointegrated (bone-anchored) interface that allows for permanent and unlimited bidirectional communication with the human body. With this interface, an artificial limb can be chronically driven by implanted electrodes in the peripheral nerves and muscles of an amputee, outside of controlled environments and during activities of daily living, thus reducing disability and improving quality of life. We demonstrate in one subject, for more than 1 year, that implanted electrodes provide a more precise and reliable control than surface electrodes, regardless of limb position and environmental conditions, and with less effort. Furthermore, long-term stable myoelectric pattern recognition and appropriate sensory feedback elicited via neurostimulation was demonstrated. The opportunity to chronically record and stimulate the neuromuscular system allows for the implementation of intuitive control and naturally perceived sensory feedback, as well as opportunities for the prediction of complex limb motions and better understanding of sensory perception. The permanent bidirectional interface presented here is a critical step toward more natural limb replacement, by combining stable attachment with permanent and reliable human-machine communication.


Hybrid poplar boards were subjected to thermo-mechanical densification combined with heat treatment. Hydroscopicity and hygroscopicity of the treated samples were measured. The results showed that dimensional stability of the samples was influenced by compression set significantly. The higher the compression set, the greater the swelling of the samples. On the contrary, the influence of densification temperature and duration was not significant. Thermal modification significantly reduced hydroscopicity and hygroscopicity of the samples. Both higher treatment temperature and longer holding time resulted in better dimensional stability.


Studies on reservoir-induced seismic activity and earthquake location are important foundations for reservoir earthquake research and hazard assessment.In this paper,we discussed seismic activity of Longtan and Xinfengjiang reservoirs,combined with reservoir impoundment process.Using seismic waveforms observed by observation array consisted of intensive observation stations and original observation stations around Longtan and Xinfengjiang reservoirs from 2009 to 2010,we relocated earthquake location by double difference relocation with waveform cross correlation method.Research results show that waveform cross-correlation data by cross correlation method improved earthquake positioning,epicenter distribution was more concentrated and more consistent with reservoir distribution and fracture distribution around reservoirs,focal depth is also somewhat convergent.I hope this method will be applied to studies on reservoir earthquakes in the future.


The present invention discloses a nutrient corn flour containing fruit or/and vegetable and its production method. Said production method includes the following steps: cleaning fruit or vegetable, cutting its edible portion into small block, dewatering in vacuum freeze-drying machine, drying, pulverizing, sieving to obtain fruit or vegetable dried powder, uniformly mixing said dried fruit or vegetable powder and corn flour according to a certain ratio, bagging so as to obtain the invented nutrient corn flour containing fruit or/and vegetable.


Background: Despite wide-spread use of Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) to screen for cognitive impairment, it has been inadequately studied in Indian samples and there is a need to compare it to standard diagnostic criteria. Aim: The current study aimed to (a) assess the optimal cut-off for MMSE to detect delirium, using DSM-IV TR as gold standard (b) assess the relation of MMSE scores to the risk of getting diagnosed with delirium. Method: It was a hospital based, cross-sectional study of 149 consecutive patients referred for behavioral abnormalities from various other departments over a year. MMSE was administered in each case and a clinical diagnosis of delirium was established using DSM IV-TR by a psychiatrist blind to MMSE score. Results: Using Receiver Operator Curve analysis, the optimal cut-off score of MMSE was found to be 24.5 (Sensitivity=0.97 & Specificity=0.69). The Area under Curve was 0.837. The MMSE score, by the logistic model, correctly predicted a diagnosis of delirium in 77.9% cases. For each unit increase in MMSE score, the odds of receiving a diagnosis of delirium were reduced by 76.9%. Conclusion: MMSE is a useful tool for detection of delirium in Indian patients at an optimum cut-off score of 24.5. Even mild changes in cognitive functioning evident on MMSE are predictive of a diagnosis of delirium.


In this paper, a cooperative Secondary Network (SN) is proposed that operates under a hybrid underlay-interweave model. The narrowband sensing problem under the interweave model was formulated as a binary hypothesis problem. The Fusion Center (FC) uses learning techniques, namely the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Naive Bayes' (NB) to classify the state of the channel. An SVM kernel was chosen to best fit our hybrid network, since a nonlinear relationship exists between the energy vectors collected at the FC. Furthermore, the degree of the polynomial SVM kernel was manipulated to minimize classification errors. The multi-class SVM (MSVM) algorithm was reformulated to fit our multiple hypothesis problem in the underlay model. The performance of the hybrid network was evaluated based on the Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) and classification accuracy. In addition, the accuracy of the MSVM is improved through the cooperation of the SUs. Our results show that the proposed learning-based hybrid model is robust to low SNR environments, and yields an improved performance compared with traditional cooperative sensing techniques. Moreover, we show that the Gaussian SVM kernel surpasses other proposed learning algorithms achieving as high as an 80% detection rate with as low as 10% false alarm.


Vinegar is the product that is obtained exclusively through biotechnological process of double fermentation, alcoholic and acetic liquids or other substances of agricultural origin. This paper presents a summary of research concerning the quality of vinegar made from apples, Florina assortment, harvested from Suceava county area. Apple vinegar is obtained through double fermentation, alcoholic and acetic apple juice through the classic Orleans. In the different stages of acetic fermentation, the aroma compounds were determined via chromatographic analysis, using a gas chromatograph mass spectrometer equipped with a Shimadzu GCMS. In the apple vinegar finished product were identified aroma compounds derived from apple raw material and which are processed during the technological stages, but also new flavour compound resulting from alcoholic and acetic fermentations. All these substances determine the ultimate sensory qualities of the finished product apple vinegar. The final product was analyzed in terms of heavy metal content by atomic emission spectrometer using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer equipped with AGILENT 7500.


Cranes are mechanized industrial equipment used for a host of engineering applications that require handling and manipulation of heavy payloads. Payload oscillations are common during the normal operation of the crane. These oscillations may be due to large corrective control inputs on the part of the operator and/or external disturbances such as wind. Large undamped swing oscillations however pose a serious safety hazard to personnel and equipment. Typically, commercial cranes do not provide a feature for the automatic dampening of payload oscillations and as such operators are required to manually dampen the swing motion through input controls. This paper investigates the effectiveness of Fuzzy Logic and Gain Scheduling for the automatic control of swing oscillations inherent to boom crane operation. Fuzzy Logic and Gain Scheduling are popular non-linear control strategies that have been successfully utilized for a multitude of applications. The control strategies were implemented on a prototype boom crane and tested in order to develop preliminary conclusions and insight. The results demonstrated that both control strategies were effective in dampening the payload swing in the crane prototype. However, the Fuzzy Control method was far superior as it completely eliminated overshoot thereby aggressively minimizing hazardous crane swing. It also required significantly less design effort compared to the Gain Scheduled method. The results suggest that further work and development of Fuzzy Control for swing oscillation in Boom crane is merited, with implementation and testing on industrial and commercial boom crane as the next step in the research.


The problem of obtaining the information on ICs schematic vulnerability to local temperatures influence at early stages of design is considered. The technique of automatic-synthesis of the simplified models on the basis of the theory of design of computer simulation experiments is considered as well. The specific features of the synthesised efficient simplified models reflecting the ICs schematic vulnerability to local temperatures are analysed.


Background: Propofol is widely used for the induction of anesthesia. Sevoflurane, a popular inhalational induction agent for pediatric patients, may also be used in adults with needle phobias.

Aims and Objectives: This study was done to compare the two popular induction agents, namely, propofol and sevoflurane. The speed of achieving the conditions ideal for intubation, in the background of the synergistic action of sevoflurane with vecuronium, the non-depolarizing muscle relaxant was also studied.

Materials and Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled study, female patients between 20 and 65 years of age belonging to the American Society of Anaesthesiologists Grade I and II who underwent elective surgeries for breast cancer under general anesthesia were allocated randomly into two groups. Group 1 patients received propofol as the induction agent and in Group 2 sevoflurane was used as the induction agent. Induction with vital capacity breath technique using 8% sevoflurane was compared with standard induction with propofol.

Results: It was found that propofol caused a greater drop in blood pressure (BP), although the time for induction was marginally lower (insignificant) with propofol. Sevoflurane potentiated the effect of vecuronium. One case in the sevoflurane group developed laryngospasm and hence was excluded from the study. Three patients in the propofol group had pain on injection. One patient from each group had abnormal transient groaning sound on induction and two patients from sevoflurane group had coughing on induction.

Conclusion: Propofol and sevoflurane are equally fast in inducing anesthesia. Sevoflurane potentiates the action of non-depolarizing muscle relaxants when compared to propofol during induction and may be considered as a better option for patients in whom fall in BP is unlikely to be tolerated even for a short period.


In this study a method of measuring interfacial shear stresses from the curvatures of bimaterial dental porcelain-gold strips is described. Stresses were calculated for different porcelain thicknesses and as a function of temperature. The interfacial stresses found ranged from 1,000 psi tensile stress to 3,000 psi compressive stress on the porcelain side of the interface for porcelain thicknesses commonly used in dental restorations.


The Atomic coherence of the interaction between the N-type four level atom and the photon field is calculated theoretically.Then,this paper discusses the effects made by the level relaxation,the laser line width and the incoherence to the atcmic coherence.It concludes that the increase in N-type four level atom's relaxation,the laser line width and the incohesence will lead to the decrease in the atomic coherence.


Flipped Classroom methodology has strongly introduced in the classrooms of different educational levels, but above all in the University. This methodolo-gy could be defined as the reversal of roles in the classroom, where the stu-dent acquires theoretical knowledge outside of the classroom and becomes a space for resolving doubts and cooperative work. Thus, this paper analyzes the experience carried out at the University of Granada with students of the Master's Degree in Secondary School Training where Flipped Classroom methodology has been applied. The research methodology used is quantita-tive, so that an ad hoc questionnaire on a Likert scale was used to obtain the data. Among the obtained results, it is observed that the students perceive an improvement in their academic performance and the improvement of the dif-ferent personal and social skills. Finally, it can be concluded that this kind of experiences where the Flipped Classroom methodology is applied favors the development of skills depending of subject taught and the field of knowledge.


We investigate the unique educational benefits of 1-on-1 competitive games, arguing that such games can be just as easy to design as single-player educational games, while yielding a more diverse and sustainable learning experience. We present a study of chess and StarCraft II in order to inform the design of similar educational games and their communities. We discuss a competitive game we designed to teach Java programming. We evaluate the game by discussing its user study. Our main contributions are 1) an argument that the use of 1-on-1 competition can solve two existing problems inherent to single-player games, 2) an analysis of the features that make competitive games effective learning environments, and 3) an early but encouraging description of the emergent learning environment one can expect from designing an educational game with these features.


This book constitutes a practical service-oriented guide to large scale infrastructures. It provides a unique treatise for attacking and solving some of the most complex and intractable problems encountered in the emerging fields of transportation systems and technologies based on image and signal processing. It could serve as a valuable handbook for engineers, especially those who work on interdisciplinary topics and the integration of technologies that eventually converge.


We take a machine learning based approach to adaptive sampling for Monte Carlo Rendering, by using geometric and lighting data obtained through prior renders of scenes. Using nonlinear kernels, we trained Support Vector Machines of high accuracy, but complications arose in the labelling of our data, resulting in slightly impractical results for the sampler itself.


Commentary Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (m-TLE) is a network disease. Its manifestations extend beyond seizures that arise from a well-restricted and limited focus within the hippocampus to include a wide array of cognitive and psychiatric challenges. In patients with unilateral m-TLE, the most obvious explanation for such extensive disease implications relates to widespread structural cortical and subcortical abnormalities described within both temporal lobes and strategic extratemporal brain regions. Cortical atrophy is seen in the frontocentral, lateral temporal (mainly superior and middle temporal gyri), dorsal parietal, and mesiotemporal cortices bilaterally. Similarly, volume loss occurs in the ipsilateral mesial orbitofrontal cortex, cingulate, and thalamus in patients with drug-resistant unilateral TLE (1, 2). Many of these atrophied structures represent key components of the default mode network (DMN) (3) and the limbic network, together responsible for maintaining baseline brain activities related to cognition, self-awareness, episodic memory, and emotions. As such, it is not surprising that structural damage affecting critical components of these networks may disturb mood and cognitive function. " Space " is then a critical concept: With high-resolution structural brain imaging demonstrating, as detailed above, the extension of atrophy beyond the space of the hippocampus, we have expanded our appreciation of the space of the epilepsy to a network rather than an individual structure. Recent high-resolution functional neuroimaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (f-MRI) or EEG-triggered f-MRI— including work by Pittau et al. chosen for this commentary— PURPOSE: In mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) the epileptogenic area is confined to the mesial temporal lobe, but other cortical and subcortical areas are also affected and cognitive and psychiatric impairments are usually documented. Functional connectivity methods are based on the correlation of the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) signal between brain regions, which exhibit consistent and reproducible functional networks from resting state data. The aim of this study is to compare functional connectivity of patients with MTLE during the interictal period with healthy subjects. We hypothesize that patients show reduced functional connectivity compared to controls, the interest being to determine which regions show this reduction. METHODS: We selected electroencephalography-functional magnetic resonance imaging (EEG-fMRI) resting state data without EEG spikes from 16 patients with right and 7 patients with left MTLE. EEG-fMRI resting state data of 23 healthy subjects matched for age, sex, and manual preference were selected as controls. Four volumes of interest in the left and right amygdalae and hippocampi (LA, RA, LH, …


The proper functioning of a high-temperature superconducting (HTS) electromagnet requests a DC of 300 A supply to obtain a magnetic flux density of 5 T. The current must be applied to the HTS electromagnet through the aid of mixed chain conductors, comprising two types: a copper one and the second, an HTS conductor connected to the magnet. The copper conductor connects the outer terminal on the cryostat to one end of the HTS conductor, having a temperature of 50 K. The second (HTS conductor) has one end at 50 K and the second at 4.2 K, the magnet's temperature. The cooling of the HTS magnet is performed by a Gifford-McMahon cryocooler with two cooling stages: 50 K and 4.2 K. The work aims to design the current conductors and evaluate the heating flux towards the magnet and temperature profile of the system to comply with the cooling power of the cryocooler.