This paper examines how Team Learning allows students to express themselves through their work. I define expression to include taking ownership of ones work, i.e. working through self-motivation rather than through the dictates of a teacher, and participating in a community of workers. This participation includes working with colleagues on projects of interest to the community, submitting ones work to the scrutiny of the team and the larger community, and evaluating colleagues work in the same manner. I present the results of my use of Team Learning in four computer programming classes.


Tomato, pepper and eggplant belong to the forty vegetable species most produced in the world (FAO, 2008). These solanaceous plants, which are sources of vitamins, serve as a source of nutritional supplements especially among low income populations, that subsist on diets of cereals and starchy foods. They are a source of income and employment for small rural and peri-urban farmers. As a result of their tolerance to various climates, they are cultivated in all agro-ecological zones of tropical and subtropical areas, throughout the year. However, their production is inhibited by many constraints, some of which are biotic involving fungi, bacteria and viruses. In May 2013, sampling of leaves of the three solanaceous plants was carried out in various zones of production in CA´te d'ivoire (Songon, Divo, Sinfra and DjA¨bonoua). On the basis of viral symptoms observed on the leaves, 117 samples were collected. Serological tests, DAS-ELISA, TAS-ELISA and ACP-ELISA, were used to detect viruses using specific antibodies. The presence of Cucumber mosaA¯c virus (CMV) and Pepper veinal mottle virus (PVMV) was confirmed in CA´te d'Ivoire. On the other hand, no sample was found positive with Tomato Yellow Leaf Curl Virus (TYLCV), using the TAS-ELISA method. With the ACP-ELISA method, a new virus which could be Potato virus Y (PVY-n) was highlighted for the first time in CA´te d'Ivoire. On the whole, the production of solanaceous plants in CA´te d'Ivoire is threatened by viral diseases. Adequate support should be given to farmers to guarantee a healthy and durable production of solanaceous food crops.


next several days, CRP decreased from 154.2 to 111.3 and finally 70.8 (normal 8.2 mg/L). This case report raises two relevant issues: 1) increased levels of PCT in a patient who had stable hemodynamics and no multiple organ dysfunction and 2) PCT may not be a reliable marker of inflammation as antibiotics were tested to be not sensitive for the organism responsible for infection. This patient had an extremely high PCT that might be associated with septic shock and multiple organ failure, neither of which was present. Furthermore, although the antibiotic treatment was inappropriate, PCT indicated adequate therapy because it decreased by half during the first 24 h of treatment. Because there was no other septic focus and the microbiological results were confirmed by the other institution, the reliability of PCT as sepsis marker remains unclear. However, our patient may not have been septic on admission to the intensive care unit and may have developed altered mental status at the rehabilitation facility due to fever for urinary tract infection and not sepsis. Furthermore, the decreasing PCT (and CRP and serum creatinine) may have been caused in part by fluid resuscitation and because PCT was not obtained after transfer, we cannot exclude the possibility that our patient developed sepsis only after transfer back to the rehabilitation facility. This report suggests that interpretation of PCT values as a diagnostic marker of sepsis should be made with some caution.


Interferon α (IFNα) has recently been introduced in the treatment of uveitis, mucocutaneous lesions, and arthritis of Behcet's disease (BD).1–6 To our knowledge, there is currently no clinical trial which has evaluated the efficacy of IFNα treatment in the vascular or neurological involvement in BD. In this open study we evaluated the efficacy, toxicity, and tolerability of IFNα in the management of BD with ocular, articular, vascular, or neurological manifestations which had previously been unsuccessfully treated conventionally.

A total of 29 patients (17 men, 12 women; mean age 33.2 months, range 16–51) who were resistant to conventional treatments were treated with systemic IFNα. Previous conventional treatments had been colchicine, aspirin, and penicillin plus sulfasalazine for patients with arthritis; or colchicine, aspirin, and penicillin plus steroids and/or immunosuppressive agents, azathioprine, cyclosporin A, or cyclophosphamide for ocular, vascular, and/or neurological involvement. The mean duration of the disease was 8.86 years (range 1–30). Four patients were excluded from the statistical analysis because of the short duration of treatment (<4 months).

Seventeen patients had ocular inflammation. Eleven patients had arthritis. Ten patients had vascular disease (aneurisms in the internal cerebral and ophthalmic arteries; thrombosis of popliteal veins and left anterior descending coronary artery causing myocardial infarction; organised thrombus in superior and inferior caval, …


research has been focusedon the use of technology in schools, and the subject of children"s artistic abilities has been extensively discussed, but there is little published information on the topic of art combined with technology and virtually none on this topic in relation to children of 7-11 years old. Until recently, the use of computers in schools was primarily focused on older students, but as the equipmenthas become less expensive,its use has spread to all schools. Now computer technology is readily available for educational purposes in many parts of the world. In addition, with the spread of home computers, children of a younger age generally have some experience of using them. Many world-famous artists are experimenting with the new technological capabilities that are currently available. Artistic creativity and development is becoming increasingly important in the modern world, where visual information is essential.When trying to collect data for the present research, ABSTRACT: This study aims to investigate how the new digital art tools can significantly improve children"s artistic ability and creative activity. This particular research tested 16 students aged 9-10 years old in art classes, with the intention of presenting a model for the development and measurement of technological creativity. It uses a modified TAM technology acceptance model to assess the usefulness of digital art tools. The children were provided with appropriate subjects and techniques to improve their performance with the tools, and the relationship between art, technology and creativity was explored. The results of the project show a general improvement in pupils" artistic ability and inventiveness through the development of their technological skills, as well as greater ability to express themselves visually.


Background: One of the health conditions that the majority of the elderly experience is hypertension. Those who cannot adjust to changes in their physical condition and health decline will experience a deterioration of their quality of life. The elderly's health conditions can be examined using traditional Chinese medicine constitution which is used for disease prevention, treatment, and health improvement. This research aimed to investigate the correlation between body constitution and quality of life in hypertensive elderly patients in Sendangtirto Village.
Methods: This research employed a quantitative approach with an analytic research type and cross-sectional design. The respondents of this research were 79 elderlies with hypertension in Sendangtirto Village, obtained by simple-random sampling technique. This research was started from February to March 2023. The instruments used were the traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) and the WHOQoL-BREF instruments. The analytical test employed was Kendall's tau correlation to investigate the correlation between the two examined variables.
Results: This research shows that 64.5% (51 respondents) can be categorized into sick category and 35.44% (28 respondents) are in non-sick category. As many as 87.34% (69 respondents) were in moderate quality of life and 12.66% (10 respondents) are in high quality of life. The final result of body constitution and the final result of quality of life did not have a significant correlation (p=0.306; r=0.116).
Conclusions: Body constitution and quality of life do not have a significant correlation in hypertensive elderly in Sendangtirto village.


Referee 1 thoroughly reviewed our manuscript and raised a couple of tough questions on investigating the evolution of microbial iron oxidation. Generally, the critical comments are helpful to improve to manuscript and meaningful for our future studies on tracing the evolution of microbial dissolution of pyrite. It seems that the referee has no doubt about the morphological evidence that we described in our paper, i.e. characteristic pitting patterns with pyrite surfaces and microbial fossils preserved as iron oxides, because the referee believes that our optical results are new and impressive. However, the referee places too great hopes on our research. The major questions raised by the


Climate change is a reality and its effects are felt differently in different regions and times. There is evidence of marked increase in mean global temperature in the 21st century and resultant increase in intensity, severity, distributions and occurrence of climate sensitive diseases in areas they never used to be. Consequently there is more change in ecosystems, productivity and lifestyles and as such impact on the human health as well as ecosystem on which human kind relies for sustenance. Infection with Human Immuno-deficiency Virus (HIV), an immune compromising virus, on the other hand has great implications on the health of individual's and that of the community. Globally more than 33 million people are living with HIV with more than two-thirds of the infected living in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Kenya, significant progress has been made in HIV interventions, with 2013 data indicating that the national HIV prevalence stands at 5.6%, 1.6 million people are living with HIV, about 98,000 new infections occur amongst adults, and 11,000 amongst children annually and the AIDS related deaths stand at about 58,465. Information on climate change and variability is inevitable in managing the overall burden of climate sensitive diseases in Kenya and dealing with challenges in opportunistic infections associated with HIV which introduce a new dynamic. This desktop research sought to investigate the implications of climate change on HIV management in Kenya. The research established that the impact of climate change on HIV management in Kenya are real, people are predisposed to infections and vulnerable to disease progression due to climate change impacts posing a risk of increased mortality rate. This research informs policy makers and implementers at all levels and recommends an HIV and AIDS response in the Country, both National and County levels, that is cognizant and responsive to climate change implications.


Explores the Maori concept of kaitiakitanga or guardianship or stewardship of the land. Examines its inclusion in the Resource Management Act 1991 and how it has been implemented since.


This paper proposes a real-time, robust and efficient 3D model-based tracking algorithm. A nonlinear minimization approach is used to register 2D and 3D cues for monocular 3D tracking. The integration of texture information in a more classical nonlinear edge-based pose computation highly increases the reliability of more conventional edge-based 3D tracker. Robustness is enforced by integrating a M-estimator into the minimization process via an iteratively re-weighted least squares implementation. The method presented in this paper has been validated on several video sequences as well as in visual servoing experiments considering various objects. Results show the method to be robust to large motions and textured environments


To investigate the effects of heat conservation materials on freeze damage and weed occurrence during overwintering in Saururus chinensis, Temperature difference was in chaff, and was lower than those ranged from 9.7 to in other materials. Heat conservation index, calculated from average temperatures below of earth's surface during the winter, was higher in chaff and lagging, respectively than in straw. Preservation of water is greater in covering than in open field, and it increased in the order of lagging > chaff > straw among heat conservation materials. The survival rate of rhizome was increased in the order of 99% in lagging > 75% in chaff > 58% in straw, 32% in open field after overwintering, budbreak began fast, and the numbers of total budbreak per unit area were greater 22 times in lagging than 35.0 units in open field. Weeds occurrence was decreased in covering, i.e., of dry weight, and of labor input compared with of dry weight, and 65.7 hours/10a of labor input in open field. Growth of top part was better in covering than in open field, and the number of tillers per unit area showed compared with 293 in open field. Marketable yields of dried stem and leaves and rhizome were higher , respectively in covering than in open field, and among heat conservation materials, those were highest in lagging.


and the plain, the traveller was warned to traverse it at speed, and to beware of loitering even a single night within its limits, at the peril of a deadly jungle fever. Referring specially to that length of the Terai which fringes the Darjeeling hills, I have 110 difficulty in understanding how it came by its bad name. The vegetation, which covers the hill-sides, runs uninterruptedly into the comparatively level ground below, and there expands into a dense tract of forest


Bacterial soft rot disease is one of the most important and widespread bacterial diseases that cause destructive losses to the crop in a matter of days. The disease causes severe many vegetable crops including potato. In this study, four isolates of Pectobacterium carotovorum the main causal of the soft rot disease were isolated from naturally rotted tubers. Then, the isolates were subjected to a new set of primer pairs designed to amplify the pel gene which distinguish the P. carotovorum strains. The results confirmed that four isolates belong to P. carotovorum by having the pel gene. Then, a pathogenicity test was performed on potato tubers which showed variability between the isolates in pathogenicity and diseases severity. Finally, a quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR) technique was used to investigate the effect of the presence of the potatoes tissues on stimulating the expression of the pathogenicity genes. The gene expression of five pathogenicity genes was studied included: polygalacturonase (Peh), pectate lyase (Pel), xylanase (Xy), protease (Prt), and cellulase (Cel). The results confirmed that the presence of potatoes tissues stimulates the expression of pathogenicity genes in both strong and weak P. carotovorum isolates.


We propose and evaluate a neural point-based graphics method that can model semi-transparent scene parts. Similarly to its predecessor pipeline, ours uses point clouds to model proxy geometry, and augments each point with a neural descriptor. Additionally, a learnable transparency value is introduced in our approach for each point.Our neural rendering procedure consists of two steps. Firstly, the point cloud is rasterized using ray marching into a multi-channel image. This is followed by the neural rendering step that "translates" the rasterized image into an RGB output using a learnable convolutional network. New scenes can be modeled using gradient-based optimization of neural descriptors and of the rendering network.We show that novel views of semi-transparent point cloud scenes can be generated after training with our approach. Our experiments demonstrate the benefit of introducing semi-transparency into the neural point-based modeling for a range of scenes with semi-transparent parts. The project materials and the code are available at http://saic-violet.github.io/transpr.


This paper presents investigation of electronic transport properties of GaAsN and InGaAsN epitaxial layers with low nitrogen content, the so called dilute nitrides, grown by liquid-phase epitaxy (LPE). The layers up to 2 microns thick have been grown from Ga- and In-rich melt at different initial epitaxy temperatures in the range 660–620 °C. Polycrystalline GaN has been used as a source for nitrogen. As grown, unintentionally doped GaAsN and InGaNAs are n-type with free carrier concentrations one order of magnitude higher than those for the reference nitrogen free undoped GaAs and InGaAs layers. Lattice matched to GaAs substrate InGaAsN layers exhibit Hall mobility values higher than 2000 V/cm2.s


Cultured hepatocytes from adult rats stimulated with combinations of growth factors enter into S phase but do not undergo multiple rounds of DNA synthesis nor mitosis. We have examined the potential of an introduced oncogene to induce alterations in the DNA synthetic activity of the cultured hepatocytes in response to epidermal growth factor (EGF). Overexpression of c‐myc did not initiate significant DNA synthesis in rat hepatocyte cultures alone, although it cooperated with added EGF to super‐induce thymidine incorporation into DNA. From our results, it is suggested that EGF is also necessary to initiate hepatocyte DNA synthesis probably by inducing a battery of cell cycle‐related genes if incubated with c‐myc transfected cultures for only 5 hours. Hepatocyte polypeptides reacting with antiMYC antisera were found to migrate between 55–67 KDa in SDS‐PAGE; only the 64–67 KDa species were found to be phosphorylated, and the observed size heterogeneity may be due to proteolytic degradation or may reflect presently unknown posttranslational modifications.


The objective of this paper was the classification of textured materials from a single image obtained under unknown viewpoint and illumination.There were a lot of papers about 2D texture,less about 3D.The author set out to develop a texture representation that was invariant to geometric transformation that can be locally approximated by an affine model.Experiments show that the algorithm has more feasibility and availability of texture classification.


Learning method can be interpreted as a way used to implement the plan that has been prepared in the form of real and practical activities to achieve learning objectives. There are several learning methods that can be used to implement learning strategies. Learning model has a broader meaning than the strategy, method or procedure of learning.

Multiple intelligences differentiates intelligence into specific 'modalities', rather than seeing intelligence as dominated by a single general ability. Howard Gardner proposed this model in his 1983 book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. According to Gardner, an intelligence must fulfill eight criteria: potential for brain isolation by brain damage, place in evolutionary history, presence of core operations, susceptibility to encoding (symbolic expression), a distinct developmental progression, the existence of savants, prodigies and other exceptional people, and support from experimental psychology and psychometric findings.


Background and Purpose: There is a high incidence of arthritis in the hand, but joint replacement technology in the wrist and other small joints is still in its infancy compared with the larger joints. The wrist is the most complex small joint and so there is a need for fundamental research into the way in which it works. At present there is no generally agreed upon satisfactory explanation for the complex movement patterns of the carpal bones. The purpose of the work was to test a new hypothesis on wrist kinematics. The basis of the hypothesis was that the bones of the wrist move in such a manner as to maximise total contact area in the joint, thereby minimising contact stress. Such a strategy would minimise the bone mass requirements, thereby minimising the biological "cost" of creating and maintaining the joint. This agrees with the minimum energy principle, which governs many natural processes. Methods: A computer model was created to test the hypothesis. A cadaveric wrist was dissected and 3D faceted models of the carpal bones were created using laser digitisation. The model contained a program to evaluate the closeness of packing of the carpal bones and an optimisation algorithm [1] to maximise this quantity by adjusting the positions of the bones. The evaluation program computed the contact area and level of intersection between nine pairs of interacting bones. Rotation in the radial-ulnar deviation plane was applied in 1.0° increments to four rigidly connected bones defining the overall posture of the wrist, and an optimisation algorithm was used to maximise the contact area by adjusting the positions and orientations of the remaining bones. Results: The results of the work are encouraging because certain known characteristics of carpal behaviour were clearly predicted by the model. The results for the scaphoid in particular were similar to the characteristic movements of this bone in both radial and ulnar deviation. During 20° of unlar deviation, the bone demonstrated 14.3° of extension, which is near to the 20.4° reported by an experimental study [2]. In 10° of radial deviation, the bone underwent 6.4° of flexion, which again is close to the 8.1° experimental result. Conclusion: Although the computer model predicted certain aspects of carpal behaviour, the initial hypothesis was not conclusively proved. This is due in part to the computational complexity of the task. Despite some simplifying assumptions, there were still a large number of degrees of freedom, and it is almost certain that the optimisation process was afflicted with local minima problems. If the technical hurdles can be overcome and the hypothesis is proved correct, then we will gain a new explanation of the laws governing the kinematics of the wrist joint, which are not fully understood at present. This will provide invaluable information for surgical applications, where a thorough understanding of normal kinematics is essential for the treatment of joint injury and instability.


The kinematic viscosities of several kraft black liquors from a two-level, four-variables, factorial-designed experiments for pulping slash pine were determined for solids concentrations from 10 to 50% and temperatures up to 80 C by glass capillary methods. The four pulping variables were cooking time, cooking temperature, sulfidity, and effective alkali. Relationships between temperature and kinematic viscosity have been developed by using free volume and absolute rate theories. The results from these two methods have been compared and discussed. A reduced variables method for dilute polymer solutions was used to correlate the viscosity with the combined effect of temperature and solids concentration. The viscosity of black liquor is an important parameter in the design and performance of kraft recovery systems. The energy efficiency will be increased by firing black liquors at higher solids concentrations. To evaporate the liquor most efficiently and to achieve higher concentrations, knowledge of viscosity over a wide range of temperatures and solids concentrations is essential. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of various fundamentally based models for correlating viscosity data of black liquors as a function of temperature and concentration of nonvolatile components in the region in which the liquors behave a Newtonianmore » fluids.« less


Seeing the reform of examination way is one important key to the whole education reform, the author in this paper summarized his own experience, suggested a new examination way,that is open-book testunder the given title on the given spot, introducing it's operating method in details,expounding all round about it's theory basis, and finally discussed the problem found in the practice and the way how to overcome them, so as to promote the development of quality education in China.


ABSTRACT We analyzed the characteristics of the VHF (63 MHz) radiation and correlated wideband electric field records for 113 cloud-to-ground (CG) flashes and 33 intracloud (IC) flashes in five different storms in South Florida during the summer of 1981. Each of the stepped leaders in the CG flashes was preceded by active VHF radiation with an average duration of 34 msec. In 28% of the CG flashes, preliminary variations in the electric field records were observed which are similar to the B,I,L pattern reported by Clarence and Malan (1957). In these cases, the VHF radiation started only a few milliseconds prior to the preliminary electric field change. The VHF pulse repetition rate increased from the beginning of the preliminary breakdown to a few milliseconds prior to the return stroke at which time it decreased. There was a variation in the VHF pulse rate at about the time of stepped leader initiation determined by the first steady electric field change. The VHF radiation started at the same time as the ...


This work aimed to evaluate the effect of mechanical injuries, impact, compression or cuts on firmness and epidermal color of fruits of two guava cultivars, harvested at mature-green ripeness stage at room temperature. Impact injury was obtained by dropping the guavas twice, from a height of 1.20 m on a hard surface. Compression injury was done with the fruits submitted to a 3 kg load for 15 minutes. Cutting fruits obtained cut injury, twice longitudinally to 30 mm in length and 2 mm depth. Injured fruits were placed on trays and stored at ambient conditions (23.4±1 °C, 62±6 % RH). The firmness of fruits submitted to impact and compression injuries was calculated by the relationship of weight (N)/injured area (m2). Epidermal color changes were determined by a Minolta CR 200b reflectometer. Daily color measurement was done to compare the color of the injured area with the non-injured area of the same fruit. The compression test indicates that there are no significant differences between the tested cultivars as for flesh firmness. However, 'Paluma' fruits had better firmness than 'Pedro Sato' fruits, when submitted to impact damages. The injured area was darker than intact areas while Hue angle was always higher in these areas, indicating retard in yellowing, typical of guava ripening. Chroma values were always lower in injured areas, for both cultivars. 'Pedro Sato' fruits were characterized as darker and more greenish than 'Paluma' along the storage period, independently of the injuries.


Many orientalists have been involved in studies and research on this heritage from different points of view. What they almost all share is unified scientific approach called the philological approach. This study examined orientalism and its methodology through the study of orientalists of the Arab Islamic heritage in the full sense of this heritage, on the basis that orientalism is an epistemological tradition established in the European institutes. In addition, it aimed to identify the research efforts of the thinker Mohammed Arkoun in his reading of the efforts of orientalist Europeans, and his critical position to the traditional approaches that study heritage, that which he considered a minor approach due to its inability to uncover the problems of Islamic thought, the historical and non-historical. This was due to the fact that they hide the living reality of Muslim societies. In addition, Arkoun considered that this approach, despite its scientific claim, remains within the framework of producing knowledge that imitates the concerns of European circles and societies rather than the concerns and preoccupations of those who possess this heritage. The study concluded that Although he does not deny that Orientalism provided some services to the Arab Islamic heritage, Mohammed Arkoun has not only criticized Orientalism, its methods, its purposes, and its functions, but exceeded to criticism and tried to offer an alternative approach based on the idea of pluralism in disciplines as in modern social sciences, starting from what he calls the alternative approach. This approach is based on applied Islam where Islamists mimic the reality of the heritage and the reality of the Arab-Islamic societies, to presents heritage in the light of modernity, This is in the sense that we need to study the heritage scientifically so that we can enter into modernity with confidence.


In terms of enhancing the mechanical properties of the com-posite material, we investigate the effect of different post-curing tem-peratures on the tensile strength, strain, and elastic modulus of carbon UD/Vinyl Ester composite. The performance of composite material can be developed by modifying the condition of manufacture to en-hance the bonding between resin and fibre. The best interlocking will occur upon the complete polymerization reactions of the resin. It was characterized by the formation of the polymer cross-link chain. These conditions are commonly called curing conditions. We did three dif-ferent post-curing treatments for this composite, they were conditioned at room temperature (approximately 25° C), 80° C, and 100 ° C, for 24 hrs, 4 hrs, and 4 hrs time respectively. The tensile properties have al-ready been tested for both composites that refer to ASTM D3039. The Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS) of three different heat treatment composites was increased by increasing the heat temperature from 25° C to 80°C and 100° C, the increment is about 1.17% and 17.46% ap-proximately. Furthermore, still comparing with the 25° C post-curing treatment, the modulus of elasticity value with heat treatment in 80 ° C is a little bit decreased to 7.29% but it decreased significantly for 47.42% in 100° C heat treatment.


From the argument between Yan and Yi in Wei dynasty, the author analyses the Yi, Xiang and Yan in product design, and open out that Yi of product design is the union of "design is want" and "design is culture"; Yan which expresses function should be definite, but that expresses value should be not. And at the view of "the argument between Yan and Yi" of Wang Bi, the author tell us how to express something that can not be expressed definitely by Xiang in product design, so as to put it forward that Xiang can be expressed from image to phenomenon to image.


Aim to study the properties of oral fluid and the concentration of 25-hydroxycalciferol in the blood serum of children with celiac disease due to their great theoretical and practical importance in assessing the resistance of teeth to caries for early diagnosis and choice of adequate preventive measures.
Material and methods. The study involved 98 children aged 6 to 12 years. In all participants, the following caries-related factors were assessed: oral fluid pH, concentration of Streptococcus mutans in the oral cavity, kinematic viscosity of the oral fluid and salivation rate, remineralizing potential of saliva, intensity of caries, oral hygiene index, concentration of 25-hydroxycalciferol in blood serum.
Results. A survey of 98 children aged 6 to 12 years showed a high risk for oral diseases in children with a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease. The main risk factors are: high titer of Streptococcus mutans in the oral fluid, high kinematic viscosity, low salivation rate, acidic pH level of the oral fluid.
Conclusion. The study showed that children with celiac disease who do not follow a diet have a low concentration of 25-hydroxycalciferol in the blood serum, probably, as the result of the specific vitamin absorption, which, in turn, reduces the remineralizing potential of saliva and the resistance of hard dental tissues to caries.


Aiming at the special management requirements for maintaining communications lines, this paper develops a remote monitoring system for managing the information regarding the maintenance by considering the condition that maintenance workers from grass-roots maneuvering affiliations are dispersed. Based on the required functions, the modular structures are designed by using a MSP430F149 microcontroller with low power, GPS positioning system and GPRS bidirectional wireless transmission technology. On this basis, real-time monitoring and management for the maintenance of communications lines in grass-roots maneuvering affiliations on the condition of scattering conditions can be realized. This system has multiple monitoring and management functions including monitoring maintenance workers and communication line statuses as well as maintaining statistics data and operation processes. The system runs well in operation and its indexes are able to live up to the expected goals.


Studies were conducted in the greenhouse to determine the relative effect of phorate, Di-Syston® ( O,O -diethyl S-2-(ethylthio)ethyl phosphorodithioate), and SB-3562 (dimethyl 1-(dimethylcarbamoyl)-l-propen-2-yl phosphate) on the germination of wheat when applied as a seed treatment. Extensive testing of phorate was carried out in a factorial experiment using rates from 0.18 to 1.5 pounds of active toxicant per 100 pounds of seed, with six fungicides and five stickers.

Both phorate and SD-3562 were seriously toxic to wheat seed, with the latter being most toxic under the test conditions. Di-Syston did not significantly reduce seed viability with rates as high as 1.5 pounds per 100 pounds of seed. The data suggest interactions between certain stickers and fungicides to reduce phytotoxicity of phorate. Another interaction between phorate and a sticker composed of 3 parts dextrin, 1.5 parts sorbitol, and 0.5 part water to lessen the toxic effect of the insecticide to the seed was apparent.

Phytotoxic effects of phorate on seed viability increased as the interval between treatment and seeding was prolonged. However, data indicate that this was largely due to the sticker used to apply the phorate. This effect was slight with the sticker mentioned above, but very severe with another sticker Posed of 1.4 parts rice oil, 2 parts sorbitol, and 0.6 part dextrin. Phytotoxic effects are apparently reduced by the interaction of phorate with the fungicide and sticker. The adverse effects of phorate when applied as a seed treatment to wheat at the rates most likely to be used in the field, and with the use of a suitable sticker and fungicide, should be greatly reduced.


The objective of this work was to evaluate the postharvest conservation of fruits of three strawberry accessions (NP4, NP9, NP15) under two storage conditions, comparing them with the fruits of cv. Oso Grande (control treatment). The fruits, with 75% of their surface with red color, were harvested, selected and placed in PET containers with lid and stored under ambient conditions (20±3 °C and 81±7% relative humidity) and under refrigeration (5± 1 ºC and 90±4% relative humidity). During the 11 days of storage, the following evaluations were carried out: total soluble solids (TSS), total titratable acidity (TTA), TSS/TTA ratio, pH and the loss of mass of fruits kept under different storage conditions. Under environmental conditions, the maximum longevity of the fruits was three days and the best preservation was observed in the fruits of the NP9 strawberry tree. Under refrigeration, the longevity of the fruits extended until the 11th day, when the fruits of the NP9 and NP15 access strawberries exhibited better characteristics when compared to the fruits of NP4 and 'Oso Grande', thus representing a new option for growing fruits for consumption in natura for producers in southern Minas Gerais.


PURPOSE: A servo pattern recording method of a hard disk drive is provided to reduce time and costs for recording a reference servo pattern on a disc of a hard disk drive. CONSTITUTION: A master pattern for recording a reference servo pattern on a disc of a hard disc drive is manufactured(S1). A reference servo pattern is recorded on a disc using a magnet for magnetizing the master pattern and the disc(S2). A final servo pattern is recorded on the disc of the hard disc drive using the reference servo pattern(S3).


Significance Recent exome sequencing studies have uncovered high-frequency histone H3 driver mutations in pediatric cancers. Previous studies have shown that lysine to methionine histone mutations are potent inhibitors of their respective lysine methyltransferases. However, an in-depth understanding of this inhibition was limited by the lack of structural and kinetic information. This study investigates the biochemical and biophysical parameters of lysine to methionine histone mutants using the methyltransferase G9a and H3K9M as a model system. Structural and functional experiments conclude that the methyltransferase cofactor S-adenosyl methionine is required for binding of G9a to the mutant histone. Lysine to methionine (K-to-M) mutations in genes encoding histone H3 are thought to drive a subset of pediatric brain and bone cancers. These high-frequency K-to-M mutations occur at sites of methylation on histone H3, and tumors containing the mutant histones exhibit a global loss of specific histone methylation marks. Previous studies showed that K-to-M mutant histones, also known as oncohistones, are potent orthosteric inhibitors of specific Su(var)3-9, Enhancer-of-zeste, Trithorax (SET) domain methyltransferases. However, the biochemical and biophysical details of the interaction between K-to-M mutant histones and the respective SET domain methyltransferases are currently unknown. Here, we use the histone H3K9-directed methyltransferase G9a as a model to explore the mechanism of inhibition by K-to-M oncohistones. X-ray cocrystal structures revealed that the K9M residue of histone H3 occupies the active site cavity of G9a, and kinetic analysis indicates competitive inhibition of G9a by histone H3K9M. Additionally, we find that the cofactor S-adenosyl methionine (SAM) is necessary for stable interaction between G9a and H3K9M histone. Consistent with the formation of a ternary complex, we find that the inhibitory peptide is uncompetitive with regard to SAM. These data and others indicate that K-to-M oncohistones promote global loss of specific lysine methylation through sequestration and inhibition of SAM-bound SET domain methyltransferases.


Patients: 68 patients (mean age, 63 years; 56% men) who had an isolated full-thickness crescent-shaped supraspinatus tear repaired arthroscopically with use of a transosseous equivalent suture-bridge technique and arthroscopic subacromial decompression in conjunction with the rotator cuff repair. Exclusion criteria were any labral or biceps procedure done at the same time as the rotator cuff repair; rotator cuff tears that were partial-thickness L-shaped pattern or reverse L-shaped pattern and that required margin convergence-type sutures or extended into the subscapularis or infraspinatus; evidence of glenohumeral arthritis; accompanying adhesive capsulitis; revision rotator cuff repairs; and Workers' Compensation cases. All patients completed follow-up.


PurposeFashion brands are under heavy criticism for often exhibiting poor working conditions and producing environmental damage. Pressure comes from initiatives such as Fashion Transparency Index (FTI) by Fashion Revolution to assess fashion brands' transparency based on information publicly disclosed. But an understanding of how such movements reflect in a Global South country characterised by institutional voids is still absent.Design/methodology/approachWhile the FTI ranks individual brands, in this study the authors have analysed 305 documents extracted from the websites of 20 Brazilian fashion brands to unpack practices and re-bundle them according to three archetypes – opaque, translucent and transparent – that display a maturity curve.FindingsThe authors show that advancement is heterogeneous, and we complement previous research exposing the limits of an NGO in driving transparency by investigating a context embedded in institutional voids. The authors show that most fashion brands restrict transparency to tier-1 suppliers. Moreover, although fashion brands increasingly demand disclosure from their suppliers, they do not clarify their own purchasing practices such as cancellation and payment policies. On the positive note, the authors show that maturity for transparent brands can include the actionability concept by engaging with consumer via surveys and educative content.Originality/valueThe authors contribute to theory by offering a maturity curve of fashion supply chain transparency. The authors contribute to practice by offering the three archetypes – opaque, translucent and transparent. This study unveils heterogeneity and asymmetry between the levels of transparency that buying firms demand from their suppliers against what they provide about their own practices.


Measurement techniques are vital for the control and operation of multiphase oil–water flow in pipes. The development of such techniques depends on laboratory experiments involving flow visualization, liquid fraction ('hold-up'), phase slip and pressure drop measurements. They provide valuable information by revealing the physics, spatial and temporal structures of complex multiphase flow phenomena. This paper presents the hold-up measurement of oil–water flow in pipelines using gamma densitometry and electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) sensors. The experiments were carried out with different pipe inclinations from  −5° to  +6° for selected mixture velocities (0.2–1.5 m s−1), and at selected watercuts (0.05–0.95). Mineral oil (Exxsol D60) and water were used as test fluids. Nine flow patterns were identified including a new pattern called stratified wavy and mixed interface flow. As a third direct method, visual observations and high-speed videos were used for the flow regime and interface identification. ECT and gamma densitometry hold-up measurements show similar trends for changes in pipeline inclinations. Changing the pipe inclination affected the flow mostly at lower mixture velocities and caused a change of flow patterns, allowing the highest change of hold-up. ECT hold-up measurements overpredict the gamma densitometry measurements at higher input water cuts and underpredict at intermediate water cuts. Gamma hold-up results showed good agreement with the literature results, having a maximum deviation of 6%, while it was as high as 22% for ECT in comparison to gamma densitometry. Uncertainty analysis of the measurement techniques was carried out with single-phase oil flow. This shows that the measurement error associated with gamma densitometry is approximately 3.2%, which includes 1.3% statistical error and 2.9% error identified as electromagnetically induced noise in electronics. Thus, gamma densitometry can predict hold-up with a higher accuracy in comparison to ECT when applied to oil–water systems at minimized electromagnetic noise.


The development of a new multiaxial testing machine is presented. The testing machine is capable of applying axial load, differential pressure, and torsion to a tubular specimen under independent servohydraulic control. Relative merits of various loading configurations are described. Stress/strain controlled, monotonic/cyclic, and in-phase/out-of-phase (nonproportional) tests under ambient temperature conditions can be performed with this system. The associated computer control hardware and software allows for a number of complex user-defined loading and acquisition schemes. Monotonic and cyclic tests on tubular specimens made of glass-fiber-reinforced epoxy with fiber orientations of ′45° and 0°, are presented. Details of the experimental apparatus and representative test results are discussed in this paper.


This paper presents a thermal circuit model to predict the behaviour of a three phase cage rotor induction motor during steady state operation under rated load. The proposed model GroCE (Gross Climatic Effect) allows the calculation of temperature distribution and thermal heat source parameters of motor including temperature variations due to different climatic conditions. A twelve months experimental study was conducted in variable climates of Indore City (India), on a 1.1 kW three phase Totally Enclosed Fan Cooled (TEFC) Induction motor. On the basis of study GroCE thermal model is developed which is helpful to design more efficient electric motorized system. Keyword-Climatic conditions, Heat source parameters, TEFC induction motor, Temperature distribution, Thermal circuit model.


Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of atorvastatin on experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in SD rats and to explore its mechanisms. Methods The rat model of EAE was established by the use of isogenic cerebrospinal neat jelly and then atorvastatin was administered for interventional treatment. The clinical symptoms and pathological alterations were observed and analyzed. The responses of microglia to the inflammatory lesions were detected using immunohistochemistry, as were the TNF-α expressions in the cerebral tissues and the peripheral blood by immunohistochemistry and ELISA, respectively. Results Atorvastatin could relieve clinical symptoms, shorten course, reduce relapse rates, and alleviate inflammatory reaction and demyelination (P 0.05). There were significant differences between the atorvastatin group and the non-treatment group in the number of the cerebral microglia and TNF-α-positive cells and the peripheral TNF-α level at the peak stage of inflammation. Conclusion Atorvastatin plays a protective role in EAE by inhibiting the activity of microglia and downregulating the expression of TNF-α.


Teachers' quality has been a hot issue concerned by American educational circles,because it directly affects students' studying achievements.As one of important ways to improve teacher quality,teacher professional development has attracted much more attention of American government.In recent years,the U.S.states have taken extensively exploration and researching on teacher professional development.Alabama puts forward the " Evidence-Based Decision Making Model " on the basis of practice and researching.Studying on the background and composing basis of the model can provide some useful reference for promoting teacher professional development in our country.


This essay explores the social, political, and economic impact of road building in Mexico during the Second World War and early Cold War years. It examines the evolution of federal road-building policy alongside regional case studies of construction efforts in the states of Veracruz and Nuevo León to highlight how local politics were influenced by broader transnational processes related to the U.S.—Mexico bilateral relationship. The author argues that road building was an essential component of Mexican economic modernisation in the 1940s and early 1950s, which facilitated new rural—urban market connections and established the development of key commercial industries in the country.


Damage probability assessment using the ground motion prediction equation (GMPE) models is paramount in seismic risk analysis. Several GMPE models have been proposed and developed worldwide. However, it has its parameters and gives different spectral acceleration results. The study aimed to investigate the impact of GMPE model selection on the estimation of building damage probability due to the scenario of Yogyakarta earthquake. In the beginning, we modeled the 3D-concrete moment frame building, followed by conducting pushover analysis to determine the building responses and calculating the building damage probability based on HAZUS method to generate fragility curve and damage probability matrix. Five GMPE models were employed in this study. The results revealed that for the modeled structure, the GMPE of Ambraseys et al. (1996) gave the highest value of the peak building response compared to the GMPE of Sadigh et al. (1997), Boore et al. (1997), Spudich et al. (1999) and Idriss (2002). The probability of moderate, extensive, and complete damage levels was also dominated by the GMPE of Ambraseys et al. (1996), which indicated that in this case, the use of this GMPE would produce the most severe damage probability value.


This paper explores the use of Visual Management in shopfloor communications boards with the aim of improving the quality of data available for shopfloor based teams and their team leaders. This research takes place in Assa Abloy, and explores the development of their communications boards using an action research methodology. Results include the level of acceptance of various visual principles and conclude that many of these principles are useful at the shopfloor level.


In many modern applications, difficulty in evaluating the posterior density makes performing even a single MCMC step slow. This difficulty can be caused by intractable likelihood functions, but also appears for routine problems with large data sets. Many researchers have responded by running approximate versions of MCMC algorithms. In this note, we develop quantitative bounds for showing the ergodicity of these approximate samplers. We then use these bounds to study the bias-variance trade-off of approximate MCMC algorithms. We apply our results to simple versions of recently proposed algorithms, including a variant of the "austerity" framework of Korratikara et al.


With the large-scale development of wind power in heating district of North China, the wind curtailment problem is getting more and more serious due to the insufficient peaking capacity of a high proportion of CHP units, especially in winter, to meet the heat load, the CHP units can't improve enough space for wind power. So the large amount of wind power is abandoned. Firstly, the new operation model of CHP units is proposed by equivalent heat drop theory, and the installation of heat storage in thermal power plant is put forward to increase the acceptance capacity of wind power. Then the model of cooperation game based on the Shapley value and its solution are introduced, according to this, the bilevel programming model of heat storage capacity is constructed. At last, the numerical example shows the validity of the planning model of heat storage capacity is verified.


Suggested is a lithium metal battery which includes: a lithium metal anode; a protective layer which is arranged on an upper side of the lithium metal anode and includes i) a polymer and ii) one or more selected from nitrogen-containing additives and metal salt including I group or II group elements; a cathode; and a liquefied electrolyte which is interposed between the cathode and the protective layer. One or more selected from nitrogen-containing additives and metal salt including I group or II group elements are insoluble in an organic solvent of the liquefied electrolyte. Accordingly, the present invention can suppress the formation of lithium dendrite on the surface of the lithium metal anode.


In this paper, we propose a system that can detect unusual sounds and directions by observing sound environment with microphone arrays. One of the attractive features of the system is to detect the unusual information through daily environmental sound measurement. Therefore the system does not require such troublesome processes that the detected sounds must be predefined, the predefined sounds must be collected, and using the collected sounds, their features must be modeled, where the conventional systems have such troublesomeness. Moreover, unlike conventional systems using video cameras, our system is not limited by video camera angles. A simple experimental result shows the validity of the proposed system.


The platinum group metals (PGM, Pd, Pt, Ir, etc.) possess unique chemical and physical properties, the properties often vary dramatically with their size, morphology, crystal structure, phase and composition. However,...


The security sector in Afghanistan has received intense international assistance and the investment of many billions of dollars in the nearly ten years since the fall of the Taliban regime, yet the country is still unable to maintain security and stability. While there are many obstacles to reform in the Afghan context itself, not the least being the present insurgency, the international community has made many mistakes that have prevented success. The police is perhaps more important than the military in peace-building, but it is the weakest of all the security forces. There have been three phases of police reform as the international community has tried to find the best approach, but the one factor that has not changed and is the greatest impediment to reform is the insistence on using a 'military model' for changing the police, and to use the police more than the army for fighting the insurgency. Now, there is another plan: to prepare the Afghan national security forces to assume leadership and responsibility for security in the country by 2014. Is this another international failure in the making?


The cerebral circulatory function and metabolism in juvenile hypertension were studied in the use of nitrous oxide technique. The remarkably increased CBF and CMRO2 and the unchanged CVR in young hypertensive patients were observed when compared with the values of the young normotensive subjects and the hypertensive patients in middle aged and old aged. The mechanism of these findings in cerebral hemodynamics and metabolism were discussed. Some correlations between elevating blood pressure and increasing CBF, CVR and CMRO2 were observed. The renal function was compared with the cerebral circulatory function in essential hypertension. A considerably increased RPF in young hypertensive patients and a definite correlation between CBF and RPF in hypertensive patients were observed.


Since ancient times, physicians have tried to establish a linkage between features of the radial pulse and body conditions. There have been many reports concerning correlation between peripheral arterial pressure waveform and central aortic blood pressure, systemic vascular stiffness, reflected waves, compliance and other features of value in the cardiovascular pharmacology1). Accessory studies on this subject have been enhanced by measurement of the radial pulse by applanation tonometry and by synthesizing the aortic pulse from the radial pulse using a generalized transfer function (GTF)23). We have studied a lumped four parameter circuit model to analyse radial pulse contour obtained from applanation tonometry4•`7). In previous reports, we used an assumed triangle waveform as aortic pressure for the calculation, however more natural aortic waveform is available when the GTF is used to calculate aortic pressure mathematically from radial pulse recorded by radial applanation tonometry1,2,3). Methods Subjects were 49 dilated cardiomyopathic caucasians (8 females and 41 males, age 52.7•}8.3, weight 77.7•} 11.9 kg, height 171.5•}6.9cm) with 24 IHD (ischemic heart disease), 17 IDCM (idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy) and other 8 cases. They signed consent forms. Pressure and flow studies were conducted at supine position by Swan-Ganz catheterization (Baxter french size 7.5) under ECG monitoring and thermodilution method, simultaneously with radial applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor. PWV medical pty ltd). GTN (glyceryl trinitrare) (5•`20ƒÊg/min) was infused intravenously for 5min•`20min in order to study the responsiveness of patients' pulmonary vasculature, observing mean pulmonary capillary wedge


A method for extracting volatile oil from peonies by using supercritical CO1 comprises the following steps: selecting half-blooming and blooming peonies in the field; cleaning with clean water; air-drying; vacuum-freezing; drying for 12 h; crushing; sieving with a 20-mesh sieve; circularly extracting; collecting translucent oil substance; dewatering and drying for 12 h; filtering; and collecting the filtrate to obtain the peony volatile oil. The peony volatile oil extracted by the invention can be added into medicines directly for treating burning and inflammation or can be used as a chemical material of a high-quality essence base material for producing cigarettes, wines, perfumes, shampoos, soaps, bath lotions, etc.


Purpose To investigate the effects of two different doses of intravitreal bevacizumab on subfoveal choroidal thickness(SFChT) in patients with branched retinal vein occlusion.


Existing regulations designed to control the costs of therapy for erectile dysfunction mean that GPs are referring men to secondary care clinics for fear of missing a qualifying condition, thus increasing the overall cost of care. Copyright © 2011 Wiley Interface Ltd


Based on input-output approach and comparative analysis method,the structure of interactive demand between producer services and manufacturing industries are analysed in this paper.It is found that the developmental level of economy and services,the property of producer services and manufacturing industries can influence the structure of interactive demand.And it can be concluded that with the development of economy and services,producer services is inclined to experience a self-enforcement and the knowledge intensive business services will be dominated.Finally,according to the present situation of China,several political suggestions on the interactive development between producer services and manufacturing industries in China are proposed.


Microstructure,corrosion morphology and polarization curves in 3.5% NaCl solution for LY12 aluminum alloy friction stir welding were investigated using OM,SEM and electrochemical workstation and the corrosion properties were studied.The results showed that the size of the second phase in BM,HAZ and TMAZ was the largest,some more than 10μm.The amount and size of the second phase in SDZ was smallest and evenly distributed.The second phase in Nugget zone was similar in size to SDZ and someone precipitated intensively.The corrosion potential of the SDZ,the Nugget zone,HAZ and TMAZ shift negatively,and the current density increases orderly.The extent of corrosion in the SDZ,the Nugget zone,HAZ and TMAZ reduced gradually.The extent of corrosion in the weld center gradually increased from top to bottom,and gradually reduced in HAZ and TMAZ from top to bottom.The corrosion resistance of HAZ and TMAZ in advancing side of the welded was smaller than the ones in retreating side.The size and distribution of the second-phase caused the difference of corrosion resistance in the various regions for the joints.


Although relapses of multiple sclerosis occur unpredictably and at odd intervals, two factors have been identified that may trigger an exacerbation: viral infections and the puerperium.1 2Viral infections probably act through a release of inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-γ (INF-γ), that stimulate the immune system and facilitate the entry of activated T lymphocytes into the CNS.1 Relapses during the puerperium are likely to be precipitated by changes in the hormonal milieu after delivery.2 We report on three patients with multiple sclerosis in whom successive exacerbations occurred exclusively during the premenstrual period.

Patient 1, a 21 year old women student sought evaluation for episodes of alternating right and left sided paraesthesias, which existed for about 4 months. She also complained of fatigue. There was a history of infectious mononucleosis 6 years earlier. She did not use an oral contraceptive. Neurological examination showed hyperreflexia and Babinski's sign in the right leg. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed multiple white matter lesions on T2 weighted sequences, mainly in the left occipital and right parietal lobe. Oligoclonal bands were present in the CSF. One month later she was admitted to hospital because of weakness in the left leg, urge incontinence, and diminished sensation below Th7. Symptoms had started 3 days before her menstruation. She was treated with 1 g/day intravenous methylprednisolone for 5 days with rapid improvement over the next …


N A SCREENING of more than one hundred I purines and purine nucleosides for differential damage to mouse-sarcoma cells in tissue culture, it was found that the purines showing the highest degree of selective toxicity toward Crocker mouse-sarcoma-1 80 cells in vitro werc certain Cz-substi tuted adenines2 2,6-Diaminopurine was outstanding,' but of even greater effectiveness was 2-chloroadenine.2 Particular importance was therefore attributed to position 2 of the purine. This conclusion is reinforced by the present results with certain imidazo-l,2,3-triazines, purine analogs in which (h of the purine skeleton is replaced with a nitrogen atom. Woolley and Shaws have described the synthesis and certain biological effects of 6hydroxyimidazo-l,2,3-triazine (2-azahypoxanthine) and 6-aminoimidazo1,2,3-triazine (2 azaadenine). While 2-azahypoxanthine did not harm the tested organisms, 2-azaadenine was a strong inhibitor of the growth of certain lactic acid bacteria and yeast but not of some other microorganisms. Hypoxanthine blocked the suppression of growth of Lactobacillus arabinosus caused by 2-azaadenine. Since proportional increases in one were needed to overcome the effect of additional amounts of the other, 2-azaadenine and hypoxanthine may be said to have exhibited competitive antagonism. The situation was different with adenine sullate, which also blocked the toxicity of 2-azaadenine. With adenine sulfate above a certain concentration, additional 2-azaadenine failed


AbstractA water distribution network is said to be under pressure-deficient condition when hydraulic-head or pressure-head at any of its nodes fall below the required level. The demands at these pressure-deficient nodes cannot be fully satisfied. To make the analysis simple, it is generally assumed that the demand is fully satisfied irrespective of the pressure-head available and this approach is referred as demand-driven analysis. For simplicity, demand-driven analysis received great attention in the past and several computer packages are readily available for the analysis of normal operational water distribution network. On the other hand, head-driven or pressure-driven analysis could be effectively used to analyze the pressure-deficient condition as these methods consider the head-discharge relationship at every node. This paper presents a pressure-deficient analysis algorithm using the widely used demand-driven analysis-based solver. The proposed algorithm is validated through benchmark water distribu...


Large-format (sub)millimeter wavelength imaging arrays are best operated in scanning observing modes rather than traditional position-switched (chopped) modes. The choice of observing mode is critical for isolating source signals from various types of noise interference, especially for ground-based instrumentation operating under a bright atmosphere. Ideal observing strategies can combat 1/f noise, resist instrumental defects, sensitively recover emission on large scales, and provide an even field coverage - all under feasible requirements of telescope movement. This work aims to guide the design of observing patterns that maximize scientific returns. It also compares some of the popular choices of observing modes for (sub)millimeter imaging, such as random, Lissajous, billiard, spiral, On-The-Fly (OTF), DREAM, chopped and stare patterns. Many of the conclusions are also applicable other imaging applications and imaging in one dimension (e.g. spectroscopic observations).


Electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) was one of the techniques which were firstly developed for process tomography (PT). Two types of capacitance measuring circuits are the most suitable for the use in ECT systems - the charge/discharge circuit and the AC-based circuit - because of their immunity to stray capacitance. Since the standing capacitances involved are relatively large and the capacitance changes to be measured are very small, the standing values need to be cancelled by DC offset compensation or AC feedback compensation. Alternatively, the capacitances can be measured by high-accuracy self-balancing circuits without standing value compensation. In this paper different designs of sensing electronics for ECT systems are presented and the advantages and disadvantages compared.


In order to make a progress in new century,and overcoming the disadvantages of the tradition,the author analyzes the application of multimedia in athletic teaching.What should we pay attention to when we use this method The Author summarized his own teaching experience and put forward his own points.


A cut and cover tunneling project on the island state of Singapore operates under tight space constraints and challenging environmental conditions. Because the surface of the island is so crowded, the government has long-range goals of undergrounding as much infrastructure as possible. The plan is called the Singapore Underground Road System (SURS), though it is years away from being implemented. A new 12-km long Kallang/Paya Lebar Expressway (KPE) link is being constructed largely underground as a cut and cover section that stretches for 9 km. Among the key challenges is managing the Geyland River crossing, where the river has to be maintained at full capacity, necessitating a changing network of coffer dams as construction proceeds. Another complication is the presence nearby of six- and eight-storey apartment blocks, sometimes only a few meters from the alignment. There is also a drainage canal which runs almost parallel to the project, which also much continue to flow even as it is repositioned three times for the work. All the work is heavily instrumented and added inspections have been ordered for temporary structures in the wake of the fatal collapse on the site of the Nicoll Highway excavation for the new Circle Line for the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system.


Coatings or coating combinations are widely used to increase operating life and running performance of engineering materials. Nevertheless, the development and choice of coatings is a very complex and costly task. This selection and optimization is thus based on a recursive procedure combining experimental tests and modeling. Numerical simulation is used to analyze coating behavior, tune the geometrical configuration and define optimal thermo-mechanical properties in relation with the applied stress. The objective of the current work is to develop a 3D thermo-elastic model for coatings with graded properties. Former models dealt with isotropic layers with constant properties adhering perfectly. These last assumptions result in discontinuities in stress and temperature fields at the interface between successive layers. The increasing use of interface layers between coatings and substrates requires theoretical models to predict the thermomechanical behavior of such graded coatings. The gradation in properties of the material reduces induced thermomechanical stress discontinuities. Multigrid techniques are used to improve solver efficiency, reduce CPU time and thus permit the use of fine grids to accurately describe the variations in elastic properties.Copyright © 2005 by ASME


This work presents an experimental demonstration of a 500μm long MZI carrier accumulation type modulator based on lateral MOS-capacitor integration on a silicon platform. A modulation efficiency (V<inf>π</inf>L<inf>π</inf>) of 1.53V-cm, moderate modulation speed of 20Gbit-s<sup>−1</sup> and extinction ratio of 3.65dB have been obtained.


An operational grid system of soil moisture prediction system with the spatial resolution of 250m based on IDL language was developed in Beijing,basing on medium-term weather forecast,real-time observed soil moisture and MODIS satellite data.The system was based on the crop-soil water balance and the non-uniformity of spatial distribution of soil,vegetation and air conditions considered by grid information using RS and GIS techniques.The system was used by Beijing Meteorological Operation Service to provide useful directions of agricultural measures to be taken against the possible harmful effects of meteorological events.The results showed that the RS and GIS techniques could acquire grid effect of soil moisture prediction information and non-uniformity of the values of the parameters.And the system had clear technical flow,full functions and operational convenience.It could serve effectively in the agricultural drought monitoring and forecasting in Beijing and also in other areas where similar types of crop are grown.


The Indian subcontinent today houses about one- third of the global population and is one of the most vulnerable regions to future climate variability. This region has seen changes in civilizations, kingdoms and more recently political regimes, that were intricately linked to changing environment over mid-late Holocene. A comparative analysis of human-environment interaction within different regions at different time scales of the Quaternary is however lacking. In this paper we discuss the human-environment interactions taking case studies from two diverse time periods and geographically different regions from the Indian sub-continent. First, we review and analyze the role of environmental change in the evolution of Indus civilization on the northwestern Indian subcontinent during the mid-late Holocene and secondly, we discuss the role of both the anthropogenic activities and environmental change during the Anthropocene in shaping up the Bengal delta. Overall, during the mid-late Holocene, Indus cultural transformations were driven by natural environmental changes, whereas the anthropogenic activities in the last few centuries modified the Bengal deltaic landscape which intensified the impacts of natural disasters - in both cases a change in socio-political scenarios occurred. Such studies can be used as benchmarks to understand the future response of societies to environmental changes.


Background Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is known to induce a wide spectrum of cutaneous manifestations, which has been widely reported in the literature. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), also known as neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, is a protein secreted mainly by activated neutrophils. Objectives To evaluate the relation between LCN2 expression in normal skin samples with clinical parameters of CKD. Patients and methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on 20 CKD patients. All patients were subjected to history taking and complete medical examination. Punch biopsy of normal skin was taken from each patient for the detection of immunohistochemical expression of LCN2 protein. Results LCN2 was positively expressed in the skin of all CKD patients, but with no significant association with the clinical data of the patients. Conclusion Despite positive expression of LCN2 in all normal skin samples of the studied CKD cases, it seems that this expression was not related to the clinical parameters of those patients.


Fractures of the mandibular condyle are account for between 26 % and 57 % of all mandibular fractures. Clinicians should decide how to treat the fractured condyle with many factors considered. Many surgical methods have been developed to reduction of fractured condyle and it's internal fixation. In open reduction of fractured condylar neck and subcondyle, retromandibular approach offers a safe and effective approach for direct fixation due to easy access and low surgical morbidity.


A conventional gravity load design philosophy for reinforced concrete (RC) structures has been slowly replaced by seismic design since the 1970s. But, till recently, capacity design and ductile detailing were not strictly implemented in practice in many developing countries which are prone to seismic hazard. In the present study, performance of exterior beam–column joints designed based on ductile and non-ductile philosophy has been studied under cyclic load. It is found that although the incorporation of ductile detailing has considerably improved the seismic behaviour of the structural component, it could not assure the damage propagation in a safe zone. Moreover, in both specimens, the main damage has been concentrated in the joint zone irrespective of ductile detailing. Further, the damaged specimens were adequately repaired and suitably retrofitted using fibre reinforced plastic and steel plate and tested again under the same cyclic load. The retrofitted 'NonDuctile' specimen, as proposed in this study, could not only be able to regain its original performance (in terms of strength deterioration, stiffness degradation, energy dissipation), but has also shown improved performance in comparison to the original ones which is ideally desirable as well. Further, the retrofitted 'Ductile' specimen has shown a promising aspect of the proposed retrofitting strategy for seismically damaged components.


The amino acids content of 15 representative famous tea samples in Hubei were analyzed.The results showed that 20 kinds of free amino acids were detected,the contens of theanine,glutamic acid,aspartic acid and arginine were relatively higher than that of the others,accounted for 59.17%~85.09% of the total free amino acids.In various amino acids,the content of the aliphatic amino acids was the highest,accounted for 88.96%~98.02% of the total free amino acids.While the contens of aromatic amino acids and heterocyclic amino acids was relatively lower.In the amino acid composition,the concentration of aspartic acid and the glutamic acid,which present umami taste and provide more contribution to the flavor of Hubei green teas,was much higher than their thresholds.While the concentration of amino acid component which present bitter and sweet taste were generally lower than their thresholds.


This article suggests a unified framework for testing Proof of Concept (PoC) and estimating a target dose for the benefit of a more comprehensive, robust and powerful analysis in phase II or similar clinical trials. From a pre‐specified set of candidate models, we choose the ones that best describe the observed dose–response. To decide which models, if any, significantly pick up a dose effect, we construct the permutation distribution of the minimum P‐value over the candidate set. This allows us to find critical values and multiplicity adjusted P‐values that control the familywise error rate of declaring any spurious effect in the candidate set as significant. Model averaging is then used to estimate a target dose. Popular single or multiple contrast tests for PoC, such as the Cochran–Armitage, Dunnett or Williams tests, are only optimal for specific dose–response shapes and do not provide target dose estimates with confidence limits. A thorough evaluation and comparison of our approach to these tests reveal that its power is as good or better in detecting a dose–response under various shapes with many more additional benefits: It incorporates model uncertainty in PoC decisions and target dose estimation, yields confidence intervals for target dose estimates and extends to more complicated data structures. We illustrate our method with the analysis of a Phase II clinical trial. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


In this thesis the function of ownership is mainly formulated on the basis of discussing connotation of ownership. It points out that the ownership contains motivation, binding condition and the rule of behavior of market bodies. Clear ownership is the precondition of all dealings and the basis of market activities operating methodically. Different structure of ownership will lead into different economic efficiency, so each of them should have a different orientation of function from others. Therefore the adjustment of ownership and enhancement of protecting the ownership should be the core of further reform.


Plans for electrical additions to the first floor of the Hamilton Hospital in Olney, Texas. It includes a large layout of the floor with notations for the current electrical system and the additions. On the left side of the sheet there is a schedule for the lighting fixtures and symbols for the electrical work.


For Kant, the contents of cosmopolitan law are to be 'limited' to non-citizens' subjective rights to hospitality. Although hospitality yields universal and far-reaching communicative rights, its limits may seem overly restrictive at first. I argue that this narrow focus is intended to fend off justifications for colonial occupation that could otherwise draw support from Kant's own doctrine of private law. Kantian hospitality is further limited in that it does not cover all forms of communicative exchange. As can be shown from his endorsement of China's and Japan's protectionist policies, Kant is not averse to limiting cosmopolitan citizens' commercial speech. In conclusion, I discuss rivalling interpretations of Kant's justification of hospitality. I argue that this justification cannot rest exclusively on the innate human right to freedom, but must draw on facts about the world as well.


This study describes the antibacterial activity of the pure isolates from Piper longum (L.) (black pepper) and Taxus baccata (L.) (Yew). Three isolates of black pepper were active against Gram-positive bacteria and moderately active against Gram-negative bacteria. Each isolate was highly active against at least one particular species of bacteria; piperlonguminine (1) against Bacillus subtilis, piperine (2) against Staphylococcus aureus, and pellitorine (3) against Bacillus sphaericus. 3-(3'-4'-5'-Trimethoxyphenyl) propionicacid (4) did not show any antibacterial activity. The isolate (--)-rhododendrol (5) of Taxus baccata (L.) inhibited Salmonella typhimurium and Pseudomonas syringae, while 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-butan-2-one (6) and 4-(4'-hydroxyphenyl)-trans-but-3-en-2-one (7) inhibited Pseudomonas syringae and Bacillus sphaericus. It is therefore evident that all the isolates of Piper longum had antibacterial activity except 3-(3'-4'-5'-trimethoxyphenyl) propionicacid (4), whereas isolates of T. baccata showed moderate activity.


This study aims to evaluate and prioritize ten different sites in Iran's Khorasan provinces for the construction of wind farm. After studying the geography of the sites, nine criteria; including wind power, topography, wind direction, population, distance from power grid, level of air pollution, land cost per square meter, rate of natural disasters, and distance from road network-are selected for the analysis. Prioritization is performed using data envelopment analysis (DEA). The developed DEA model is validated through value engineering based on the results of brainstorming sessions. The results show that the order of priority of ten assessed candidate sites for installing wind turbines is Khaf, Afriz, Ghadamgah, Fadashk, Sarakhs, Bojnoord, Nehbandan, Esfarayen, Davarzan, and Roudab. Additionally, the outcomes extracted from the value engineering method identify the city of Khaf as the best candidate site. Six different wind turbines (7.5 to 5,000 kW) are considered in this location to generate electricity. Regarding an approach to produce and store hydrogen from wind farm installed in the location, the AREVA M5000 wind turbine can produce approximately 337 ton-H2 over a year. It is an enormous amount that can be used in transportation and other industries.


After 100 years from the time of discovery of electron, we now have many applications of electron beam in science and technology. In this report, we review two important applications of electron beam: electron microscopy and pulsed-electron beam. Advanced electron microscopy techniques to investigate atomic and electronic structures, and pulsed-electron beam for investigating time-resolved structural change are described.


Through the eyes of four observers, this novel tells the story of the relationship between a mother, Bonnie, and her daughter, Flor. With Venice and Paris as a backdrop, the frailty of the emotions that connect the characters is exposed through Flor's decline into insanity.


This device is intended to be incorporated into semi-automatic jobs to the operating forces to avoid repeated manual force effort. It mainly comprises a pneumatic actuator (2), a cylinder part (3) which is connected to the operating member and forms a cylinder having an annular cross-section with a cylindrical hollow shaft (19), and a mechanical part (4). This includes pulling arms (20) which are pivotally mounted on the cylinder shaft (19), and locking pin. In use, the apparatus having a connector part (9) is connected, comprising a first terminal (11), which is to converge to a to be connected to part (6) which has a complementary to the first terminal the second terminal (8). Application on hydraulic connections for high-pressure oil circuits.


The effect of HFE inactivation on iron homeostasis during an acute phase response was investigated in mice. HFE knockout, β2‐microglobulin knockout and C57BL/6J mice were injected with Freund's Complete Adjuvant to induce an acute phase response and hepatic hepcidin expression and serum transferrin saturation was determined 16 h later. Hepcidin mRNA increased in all strains in response to an acute phase stimulus when compared with untreated control animals. Hypoferraemia also occurred in all strains, indicating that both the upregulation of hepcidin and the decrease in transferrin saturation associated with an acute phase response is not dependent on HFE function.


This paper, "The Legal Positivists' Framework For Misrule In Africa; Challenges And Solutions" is a critique of good governance in Africa vis-a-vis the legal positivists doctrine of absolute sovereignty upon which non-performing African leaders have frequently relied their justification. The particular question which led to this research was how to overcome this legal positivists' framework for misrule in Africa in order to ensure good governance and transparent leadership in Africa? To attempt this task the paper proceeded through several non-empirical and theoretical methods thereby reaching a conclusion that while the real challenge is that all past and present solutions have clearly failed because they have only tackle the problems of political misrule in Africa without bothering to tackle the corresponding philosophy(the legal positivists' doctrine of sovereignty)which provides the requisite framework for misrule in Africa. The solution according to this paper lies in adopting a civil society solution. The justification for adopting a civil society solution is that it addresses both the question of misrule in Africa as well as the philosophy(the legal positivists framework) behind the act. Thus, the work shall be significant because this is going to be the first time ever in the history of mankind where Africa is going to adopt a civil society solution to its political problems moreso its problem of misrule and good governance in the continent. Africa has never applied a civil society solution to its political problems let alone the problem of misrule; it has always depended on government. The work argues that the danger here is that, an African government, in the thinking of this research, is a 'sluggish horse' who will do nothing on his own to promote transparency in government unless 'mid-wived' or 'flogged' by civil society pressures into seeking transparency and good governance while in a position of leadership in an Africa state.


Abstract It is generally expected that the Amazon basin will experience at least two major environmental changes during the next few decades and centuries: 1) increasing areas of forest will be converted to pasture and cropland, and 2) concentrations of atmospheric CO2 will continue to rise. In this study, the authors use the National Center for Atmospheric Research GENESIS atmospheric general circulation model, coupled to the Integrated Biosphere Simulator, to determine the combined effects of large-scale deforestation and increased CO2 concentrations (including both physiological and radiative effects) on Amazonian climate. In these simulations, deforestation decreases basin-average precipitation by 0.73 mm day−1 over the basin, as a consequence of the general reduction in vertical motion above the deforested area (although there are some small regions with increased vertical motion). The overall effect of doubled CO2 concentrations in Amazonia is an increase in basin-average precipitation of 0.28 mm da...


This paper analyzes the importance of making urban public security planning in China after the SARS affair in 2003, which is followed by the introduction of the methods and contents of urban public security planning in a district in Beijing. It is hoped that in the new detailed rules for the making of general urban planning by Housing and Urban and Rural Construction Department, the comprehensive issue of preventing and reducing disaster should be promote to urban public security, and the main contents, planning rules and detailed making requirements should be clearly stated.


To define news in accordance with communication theory, it must be separated from the term information: new is comprised of messages but information results from perception and undestanding. Typologically news is descriptive statements with a low complexity about events. Its given selectivity becomes even more reinforced in the process pf mass communication; in other words, new journalism is the opposite of in-depth reporting. Anthropologically the criteria of journalistic selections can be reduced to general attention-rules, but professionally these are surimposed by economics strategies


The interfacing of an electrothermal vaporization (ETV) unit to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICPMS) produces a powerful system for ultra-low-level compositional analysis of micro-volume samples, as well as decreasing some of the molecular interferences inherent in a conventional-nebulization ICPMS. Some problems still remain with this technique in respect to signal variation, sample heating profiles, and instrument tuning parameters. Advances are presented concerning the instrumental conditions necessary for lowering signal variation. These include optimization of "dry-plasma" tuning of the spectrometer lens stack, furnace cooling/heating, and tube mounting. Novel ways of enhancing sensitivity by multiple deposition, preconcentration, and chemical modification have been investigated with particular emphasis on uranium and radium determination.


This report aims to make a comparison between the Swedish and Spanish electricity market, the design of new improvements that could achieve a better operation for both markets as well as the price ...


A uniaxial tensile test is a useful method for determination of material properties, especially longitudinal tensile strength. To accurately derive the longitudinal tensile strength, it is desired that the specimen fails in in the gauge section defined here as 'working zone'. Unidirectional (UD) composites require use of end tabs during this tensile testing to avoid damage to the specimen due to grip serrations. The grip pressure, along with sudden geometry change at the edge of end tabs leads to longitudinal stress concentrations. The conventionally used rectangular and tapered end tabs suffer from these longitudinal stress concentrations under the edge of end tabs, causing premature failure of specimen outside of the working zone. In the present paper, a simulation study is performed for comparison of conventional end tabs with hybrid specimen geometry [1] and a novel arrow-shaped end tab geometry to determine the effect of end tab geometry on longitudinal stress concentrations. The study is focused on high modulus carbon fibre HS40/epoxy UD (0°) composite. The numerical model replicates the actual set-up for uniaxial tensile testing, including contact interactions between testing machine components. The simulation results are used to further optimise the geometry and provide recommendations to eliminate or minimise longitudinal stress concentrations.


The paper analyses the impact of economies of density on the characteristics of an urban transport system under optimal pricing conditions. Optimal pricing rules are derived for a transport system where bus and car modes are available for peak and offpeak trips. Both modes contribute to congestion. Each demand level for bus trips requires a minimal supply of bus-kilometres. Optimal bus supply exceeds this minimum only when waiting time reductions due to increased service frequency, outweigh congestion costs and bus supply costs (measured at the marginal cost of public funds). An empirical analysis for Brussels and London shows that taking account of economies of density modestly increases the welfare gain from optimising transport prices. Optimal public transport prices are lower when economies of density are taken into account, while optimal car prices are not strongly affected. In case car prices are fixed at the reference level, very low or zero public transport prices produce small welfare gains in some cases.


Abstract A symmetrically conservative two-mass system with time delay is considered here. We analyse the influence of interaction coefficient and time delay on the Hopf-pitchfork bifurcation. The bifurcation diagrams and phase portraits are then obtained by computing the normal forms for the system in which, particularly, the unfolding form for case III is seldom given in delayed differential equations. Furthermore, we also find some interesting dynamical behaviours of the original system, such as the coexistence of two stable non-trivial equilibria and a pair of stable periodic orbits, which are verified both theoretically and numerically.


Abstract This article attempts a complex examination of problems pertaining to actual and potential extensions of coastal state rights and jurisdiction beyond the limit of 200 miles in the light of 1982 Law of the Sea Convention and state practice. Extension of the continental shelf regime, in the context of its outer limit beyond 200 miles, the entitlement of rocks to this limit, and the scope of coastal state rights and duties, is analyzed first. It is followed by discussion of the extension of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) or fishery zone regime, which involves extension of certain coastal state fishery rights on the one hand, and the right of intervention in cases of maritime casualties and the liability regime for oil pollution damage on the other hand. Attention is also paid to presently speculative extensions of both regimes as a consequence of sea level rise. The author concludes that, if a continuing nontreaty situation deprives recourse to compulsory dispute settlement, the worst‐case scenar...


Objective To investigate the effects of butylphthalide on the cognition and the morphology of neuron in brain tissues of chronic cerebral ischemic rats.Methods The rats were divided into four groups(n=8 in each group):sham group,model group and butylphthalide 30 and 120 mg/kg groups.Chronic cerebral ischemic rat models were induced by ligating the bilateral common carotid arteries for three months.At day 46 after operation,rats were administered with vehicle or butylphthalide once a day for 45 d consecutively.And then,the spatial cognition was determined with place navigation test and spatial probe test in the water maze.The morphology of neurons in brain tissues was observed with HE staining.Results With the increase of training days,the escape latency in model group was gradually longer than that in sham group,but the escape latencies in butylphthalide groups were shorter significantly than in model group.The time spent in the platform-quadrant in model group was less than that in sham group(P0.01),but it was longer in butylphthalide groups than in model group(P0.05).Meanwhile,HE staining showed that the brain neuron was abnormal in model rats and was improved by butylphthalide.Conclusion Butylphthalide could improve the damage of cognition and alleviate their morphological abnormalities of brain tissues in cerebral ischemic rats.


Abstract The unit cell dimensions of minerals in the smectite group, regular and random mixed-layer groups, and halloysite shown in the Mineral Powder Diffraction File (1986) have been refined by least-squares analysis in the hexagonal system with a primitive lattice with indices restricted to hk or 00l reflections. Trioctahedral minerals have larger a unit-cell dimensions than dioctahedral minerals.


We have demonstrated the validity of direct-gap photoluminescence analysis for non-destructive method to evaluate the interface electrical properties at gate dielectric films/Ge without making actual devices nor environmental control.


Considering the strong influence of distributed generation (DG) in electric distribution systems and its impact on network voltage losses and stability, a new challenge has appeared for such systems. In this study, a novel analytical algorithm is proposed to distinguish the optimal location and size of DGs in radial distribution networks based on a new combined index (CI) to reduce active power losses and improve system voltage profiles. To obtain the CI, active power losses and voltage stability indexes were used in the proposed approach. The CI index with sensitivity analysis was effective in decreasing power losses and improving voltage stability. Optimal DG size was determined based on a search algorithm to reduce active power losses. The considered scheme was examined through IEEE 12-bus and 33-bus radial distribution test systems (RDTS), and the obtained results were compared and validated in comparison with other available methods. The results and analysis verified the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in reducing power losses and improving the distribution system voltage profiles by determining the appropriate location and optimal DG size. In IEEE 12 and 33 bus networks, the minimum voltage increased from 0.9434 p.u and 0.9039 p.u to 0.9907 p.u and 0.9402 p.u, respectively. Additionally, the annual cost of energy losses decreased by 78.23% and 64.37%, respectively.


The use of technology in learning and teaching enriches engineering curricula. Most technological applications establish a user‐friendly environment based on a graphical user interface. This work proposes experimental temperature‐sensing modules based on the graphical user interface system. This system elucidates for students the principles, function and application of temperature sensor, and also learn how to use the graphical monitoring and control system. Students can design a graphical monitor program in advance to monitor and control the temperature sensor modules. Students learn, verify and acquire lectured concepts by performing sensor experiments in the laboratory. The most important part of the system is the implementation of the experimental module in laboratory sessions using the graphical user interface system. The purpose of this work is to emphasize that the graphical user interface can valuably support teaching and learning. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Comput Appl Eng Educ 19: 487–492, 2011


CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells are produced in the thymus and have anergic and immunosuppressive properties.Researchers measured the antibody level related with CD4+ CD25+ T cells,CD4+ CD25hi T cells,CD4+ CD25+ Foxp3 and CD4+ CD127 in regenerative anemia,leukemia,ITP,NHL,MDS.Then they got the conclusions that regulatory T cells decreased in the autoimmune blood diseases and increased in the neoplastic diseases.The regulatory T cells have great prospect in the treatment of autoimmune diseases,allergic diseases,transplant rejection,tumors and specific vaccination.

Key words:
CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells;  Blood diseases;  Immunomodulatory


The Scantegrity project began with a simple question: is it possible to design a voting system offering the strong security properties of cryptographic end-to-end (E2E) election verification with the intuitive look and feel of a paper optical-scan ballot? This chapter recounts a decade-long research effort toward answering this question, from the design of Scantegrity's precursor Punchscan, all the way to the first governmental election run by an E2E voting system.


Conjoint models have become an established modeling tool for geographical studies. At the core of conjoint models is experimental design, which combines attributes into profiles according to statistical principles. Orthogonal design is the widely used method of experimental design. This method, however, has the problem that task sizes rapidly increase with increasing numbers of attributes and/or levels. Efforts have been spent to overcome this problem, but all existing proposals are based on orthogonal design, providing no radical solution to the problem. In this paper, we attempt to deal with the problem using a new experimental design method that has recently attracted the attention of international statisticians--uniform design, a method that can easily deal with large numbers of attributes and/or levels. The basic idea of this method is to select experimental points (or profiles) that are uniformly scattered in the problem domain, based on the theorem that uniformly distributed experimental points will ensure that the estimated model has the minimum gap with the true model. The key of uniform design is therefore to select designs that have maximum uniformity, which indicates to what extent the experimental points provided by a design are uniformly distributed. The new method is illustrated and tested by a case of intercity transport mode choice.