differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) method was employed to evaluate the processes occurring prior to and after curing process. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was employed to assess performance of differently pretreated powder coated aluminium alloy substrates. The DSC method allows the description of powder coating systems. The spectra showed that the curing process starts at approximately 150oC and terminates at about 250oC. According to the impedance data, relatively good performance of the powder coating is due to a high ohmic resistance of the coating prior to and after saturation with water. The data also revealed a better performance of the degreased samples compared to samples treated with polyacrylic acid (PAA). Samples treated with PAA + H2ZrF6 (PZr) have shown corrosion inhibition over 60 days of immersion time. Corrosion protection was observed for chromate/phosphate conversion coated (CPCC) samples even after completion of the test. Iranian Polymer Journal, 12 (4), 2003, 261-269 Characterization and Corrosion Performance of Powder Coated Aluminium Alloy†


In order to achieve stable economic development, improve the living standards of the population, based on the integrated approach in the economy, the problem of networking regional development projects and their phased strategizing comes to the fore, which determines the relevance of research to determine the appropriate project specialization in the areas of economic development. Consideration of the production sector comes to the fore, as it is one of the most costly for the implementation of project activities in the regions. The purpose of the study is to develop methodological tools that reveal the features of the development of project activities in the region on the basis of determining its specialization in the manufacturing sector. To achieve it, such methods of scientific research as correlation and regression analysis, economic and mathematical modeling, methods of statistical data processing were used. The presented methodology made it possible, on the basis of Fisher's F-statistics and Student's t-statistics, to determine the input, process and output indicators, which later made it possible to form a process matrix for their application to determine the specialization of the region's project activities in the manufacturing sector. The subsequent correlation analysis, carried out on the example of the regions of the Central Federal District, showed which regions dominate in the production sector in the implementation of project activities, based on the established level of specialization. The practical significance of the results obtained in determining the dominant specialization of project development for the regions lies in the possibility of using the developed methodological apparatus, as well as its specific recommendations for the regions in solving the most important socio-economic problems in the implementation of project activities in the region.


The science and technology are essential to attain the millennium objective of both the developed countries, that are close to the technological frontier, and the developing countries, that must catch up with the former ones. The sustainable economic growth implies more than the mere opening towards the technology importation or foreign financial support for the R&D, i.e., a consistent and steady technological effort made by the local companies, suported by the Government and a stable and coherent legal framework.


Aims: Focal nodular hyperplasia (FNH) has characteristic histological features which may not be seen in needle biopsy specimens. We investigate the diagnostic role of glutamine synthetase (GS) in needle biopsy specimens. Methods: Sixty-one hepatic tumours were categorised into 20 'definite' FNHs, 13 'probable' FNHs, and 28 cases without specific diagnosis. Needle biopsy specimens of 92 non-tumourous lesions, 25 well-differentiated hepatocellular carcinomas (WDHCCs), and 4 high-grade dysplastic nodules (HGDNs) and resection specimens of 10 macroregenerative nodules were also selected for immunohistochemical stain of GS for comparison. Results: All 20 'definite' FNHs, nine 'probable' FNHs, and five cases without specific diagnosis expressed typical map-like staining pattern of GS. The demographic data of these five cases were similar to those of FNH. All cases of chronic hepatitis B and C, cirrhosis, macroregenerative nodule and peritumourous liver tissue showed normal pericentral/periseptal pattern. Fifteen of 25 WDHCCs and one HGDN showed diffuse pattern. Ten WDHCCs and two HGDNs showed negative staining. One HGDN showed mosaic pattern. Conclusions: Immunohistochemical staining of GS increases the diagnostic sensitivity of FNH in needle biopsy, especially in those without typical morphology. It also helps in differentiating FNH from other tumourous and non-tumourous lesions.


Regular vines are graphical structures for picking out bivariate and conditional bivariate margins which uniquely determine a joint distribution. They enable much greater modelling flexibility than familiar families of multivariate distributions, and they easily translate into sampling algorithms. Recent work (Aas et al 2009) has focused on estimating parameters for the (conditional) bivariate copulas once a particular regular vine is chosen. Another line of research (Kurowicka and Joe 2010) has focused on optimally choosing a regular vine. Mathematical results on vines have also motivated developments in the theory of directed acyclic graphs (DAGs), or Bayesian belief nets (BBNs), leading to continuous non-parametric Bayesian belief nets (Hanea et al 2006). Whereas regular vines provide adequate tools for analysing distributions whose dimensionality runs into tens of variables, BBNs have proven adequate for distributions with several hundred variables. This capability is achieved by restricting to the normal copula; and the usefulness of the graphical representation depends on having a great deal of conditional independence. Under these restrictions, the BBNs can offer modelling advantages. Recent applications of regular vines and BBNs to multivariate data sets and multivariate spatial distributions have yielded very encouraging results (see Kurowicka and Joe (2010) for broad exposition of vines and its applications). This article is based on Cooke et al (2007). The


Mosques are one of the places of worship for Muslims, but mosques are also a means of building excellent personal formation. Inside the mosque, the beginning of the civilization of Muslims began, but in the view of the community, the mosque only functioned as a place of worship even though there was a lot that was usually done through the mosque's media. Mosques can be the center of civilization and human development, it is through mosques that we are educated by the Prophet Muhammad to become qualified human beings. The type of data collected is primary data. Primary data is a variety of data and information obtained directly from informants and recommendations in the field that are administrators of takmir and from village officials. The data collected is related to the goals and objectives of the activity, such as reports and documents regarding the empowerment of education by families and communities obtained from community leaders. Mosque-based Posdaya Thematic KKN is carried out according to a predetermined schedule with systematic stages. The stages begin in the first week and the following weeks according to schedule.


A supramolecular assembly with eight peripheral ruthenium(II) tris(bipyridine), [Ru(bpy)3]2+, units covalently linked to a carbosilane dendrimer platform has been synthesized. 1H NMR and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry confirm the target structure. Spectroscopic and electrochemical studies disclose that the identical [Ru(bpy)3]2+ units in this system interact neither in the ground state nor in the excited state. In acetonitrile solutions of identical molar concentration of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ units, both the dendrimer and reference monomeric [Ru(bpy)2(4-octoxy-2,2'-bipyridine)]2+ exhibit identical absorption and emission spectra. Cyclic voltammetry reveals that the dendrimer and monomer possess the same redox potentials of the metal-centered oxidation process [Ru(bpy)3]2+/3+ and the first ligand-centered reduction process [Ru(bpy)3]1+/2+. The abnormal redox peaks of the [Ru(bpy)3]0/1+ and [Ru(bpy)3]1-/0 transitions of the dendrimer are attributed to the accumulation of neutral dendrimer on the electrode. A prelimina...


$CoAl_2O_4$ 는 열적 및 화학적으로 매우 안정한 물질이며 독특한 광학적 특성으로 인해 도자기 제품, 유리, 페인트, 플라스틱을 장식하는 세라믹 착색제로 사용되어져 왔다. 본 연구에서는 착체중합법(Polymerized complex method)과 고상합성법(Solid state reaction)을 이용하여 단상의 $CoAl_2O_4$ 청색 무기 안료를 합성하였고, 잉크젯 프린팅용 잉크로의 응용 시 노즐 막힘 및 분산안정성과 같은 문제점을 방지하기 위해 고에너지 밀링 공정 중 하나인 어트리션밀을 이용하여 입자를 미세화하였다. 밀링 공정은 직경 1 mm의 지르코니아 볼을 이용하여 BPR(Ball to powder weight ratio) 100 : 1, 800 rpm의 조건에서 3시간 동안 진행되었다. 합성된 안료는 XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, PSA, 그리고 CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ 측정을 통하여 어트리션밀링 전후의 특성을 분석하였다. XRD 측정 결과 단상의 $CoAl_2O_4$ 청색 무기 안료가 합성되었고, 고에너지 밀링 공정을 통하여 100~200 nm의 입자 크기를 가지는 청색 나노 무기 안료를 얻었다. 【Cobalt aluminate ( $CoAl_2O_4$ ) is a highly stable pigment with excellent resistance to light, weather, etc., which has resulted in widespread use as a ceramic pigment. Due to the unique optical characteristics, $CoAl_2O_4$ is generally used as a coloring agent to decorate porcelain products, glass, paints and plastics. Here, $CoAl_2O_4$ pigments were synthesized by polymerized complex method and solid state reaction. Then $CoAl_2O_4$ pigment were grinded using the attrition milling with 1 mm size zirconia ball for 3 hours. The attrition milling process was performed at the constant speed of 800 rpm and ball to powder weight ratio (BPR) was 100 : 1. The characteristics of synthesized pigment were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), particle size analyser (PSA) and CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ . The XRD patterns of $CoAl_2O_4$ show single phase spinel structure. The particle size of $CoAl_2O_4$ measured by FE-SEM, TEM and PSA analysis was in the range of 100~200 nm. The blue color of obtained $CoAl_2O_4$ pigments could be confirmed through CIE $L^*a^*b^*$ measurement.】


In order to improve the polar components extraction yield and the mass transfer of supercritical CO_2 extraction,an ultrasonically enhanced supercritical fluids extraction device was made at home.The effects of modifier,ultrasound and reverse microemulsions on ginsenosides extraction with supercritical CO_2 were studied.The experimental conditions were selected as follows:extraction pressure 25 MPa,extraction temperature 45 ℃,extraction time 4 h,flow rate of CO_2 2.0 L/h,separate pressure 6 MPa,temperature 55 ℃,ultrasonic frequency 20 kHz,ultrasonic power density 100 W/L,and the manner of ultrasonic irradiation 6 s/6 s.The results showed that the extraction yield of ginsenosides of supercritical CO_2 reverse microemulsion extraction with ultrasound(USCRM) was 13.9,4.9,3.1 and 1.8 times that of SC,MSC,UMSC and SCRM,respectively.The ginsenosides mass percent of solid extracted by USCRM was 4.5 and 2.1 times that by SC and MSC respectively.The extraction rate order of ginsenosides from ginseng with different extraction methods was USCRMSCRMUMSCMSC.Ultrasound did not change the selectivity and structure of ginsenosides.


This thesis describes the jet smearing method, a data-driven technique for estimating
the multijet background to Supersymmetry (SUSY) searches using the ATLAS detector
at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

The final 2011 and 2012 "ATLAS jets, missing transverse energy and zero leptons
analysis" searches for SUSY are also documented. These analyses used the full ATLAS
2011 4.7 fb-1 ps = 7 TeV and 2012 20.3 fb-1 ps = 8 TeV data sets.

Finally, the ATLAS particle flow (PFlow) offline reconstruction algorithm in Z->mumu, ttbar and
Wt events using Monte Carlo simulated data and the ATLAS 2012 ps = 8 TeV data
set is documented.


The Canadian Institutes of Health Research's (CIHR) recent announcement of the winners of its $2.5-million Innovative Ebola Research Grants competition was the culmination of work undertaken since the 2003 SARS crisis to advance Canadian research on outbreaks. But Ebola made it patently obvious


The aim of the study was the evaluation of twelve forms of winter squash (Cucurbita maxima Duch.): cultivars Amazonka, Ambar and Karowita, 8 inbred lines (1235, 1236, 1243, 1245, 1249, 1307, 1309, 1310) and 1 F 1 hybrid (1311) for the content of free sugars and polysaccharides in their fruits. The entries were analyzed for dry matter, free sugars: fructose, glucose, mannose, saccharose; and polysaccharides: amylose, holocellulose, cellulose. Free sugars and amylose were analyzed by means of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and holocellulose and cellulose using the gravimetric method. The hemicellulose content was calculated as the difference between the amounts of holocellulose and cellulose. The dry matter content in the fruit ranged between 4.0% and 25.1% of fresh weight, while the total sugars in the fruit ranged between 2.29% and 8.58%. The amylose content was estimated at 0.19% to 1.36% of fresh weight. The content of cellulose in the fruit ranged between 0.29% and 4.10%, while that of hemicelluloses – from 0.18% to 7.33% of fresh weight. Line 1310 and Ambar were characterized by the highest content of dry matter, amylose, holocellulose, cellulose and hemicelluloses in the fruit. A high additive correlation was determined between dry matter content in the fruit and the respective fi gures for holocellulose (r = 0.9175), cellulose (r = 0.9234), hemicelluloses (r = 0.8876), amylose (r = 0.7198) and the total carbohydrates (r = 0.8902). key words: winter squash, polysaccharides, amylose, cellulose, hemicelluloses, HPLC.


Objective To assess the value of dedicated magnetic resonance in diagnosing knee diseases by comparing the dedicated magnetic resonance image with the arthroscopy examination of the knee.Methods The 133 cases are collected with both the arthroscopy examination and the dedicated magnetic resonance in the knee diseases,and then we review the result.Results The diagnostic sensitivity of DMR in detecting ligament maladies was maximal to 100%.However,its sensitivity was minimal to 55 88% in menisci diseases.The diagnostic accord of DMR was highest with 90 51%,but which was lowest in cartilage focuses with 80 09%.Conclusion MR is an important and reliable method in diagnosing knee diseases.MR can identify the knee joint diseases thought improving signal intensity by using special techniques so as to avoid error.


Piezoelectric bending mode elements such as bimorph and unimorph benders can be used as both actuation and sensing elements for a wide range of applications. As actuation elements, these devices convert electric input energy into output mechanical energy. As sensing elements, they convert external mechanical stimuli into electrical charge or voltage. In this article, the sensing effect of cantilever mounted piezoelectric bimorph unimorph and triple layer benders subjected to external mechanical excitations are discussed. General analytical expressions relating generated electric voltage (or charge) to the applied mechanical input excitations (moment M, tip force F, and body force p) are derived based on the constitutive equations of these bending devices. It is found that the clamping effect of each component in the bender devices decreases the dielectric constant. The bimorph bender has a higher voltage sensitivity than the unimorph or triple layer bender with the same geometrical dimensions. The depende...


In a note, published in 1934, on the currencies of East Syria under the Roman Empire, I described some clay tesserae from Palmyra which resemble coins in their shape and types, and suggested that they might have been used to supplement the regular metallic currency in emergencies. Some further examples of these tesserae have come to my notice, which add a few details to the account given, and a kindred group has been described in the reports of the excavations at Seleucia-on-Tigris. The tesserae stamped with designs borrowed from official coins, in all the cases that I have seen, are copies of the types of Sidon noted in the previous article, B.M.C. 87 of the second century B.C. (Fig. 2) and B.M.C. 217 of A.D. 116/7 (Fig. 1). There are now three specimens of the former and four of the latter in the Ashmolean Museum, all from the same dies: they seem to have been produced by a process which resembled striking from dies rather than moulding.


Structure and Application of Photosensitive Self-Assembled Pseudoisocyanine J-aggregates on Membrane Surfaces Gary Chia Hao Mo Doctor of Philosophy Graduate Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry University of Toronto 2011 Understanding the assembly of monomeric components into specific molecular motifs is a central theme in materials and surface engineering. Motif designs, specifically using a controllable template, can yield materials with desired optical or electronic properties. The objective of this thesis is to understand the aggregate size, packing, and monomer orientation for the cationic dye, pseudoisocyanine. These organic molecules assemble into crystals in solution, on planar bilayer templates, and on the membranes of living cells. Pseudoisocyanine J-aggregates were found to form on top of the heterogeneous lipid domains in a phospholipid bilayer. This behaviour is limited to a few headgroup chemistries and lateral packing motifs, allowing one to control aggregation via a combination of these two factors. These aggregates are low-dimensional and display polymorphism. Using atomic force microscopy and visible-light spectroscopy, distinct optical characteristics can be correlated to different bilayer templated J-aggregate morphologies. The molecular packing of a similar J-aggregate crystal was resolved using both atomic force microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. The infrared absorption spectra of different polymorphs also displayed distinct differences. These separate examinations enabled a perspective that clarifies the geometry, packing, orientation, and size of templated J-aggregates. Insights into the templating of J-aggregates on the molecular scale reveals that they are sensitive reporters of membrane phase in adherent cells, and are com-


Birth weight is one of the determinants of a child's physical growth and future brain development. However, babies with low birth weight (LBW) are at risk of death and other health problems. The purpose of this literature review is to systematically summarize research that analyzes the factors that influence the growth of low birth weight babies. The method used was a literature review using the PRISMA Protocol, with inclusion criteria, namely full text and original research, the research subjects were babies born with low birth weight (<2500g), articles in Indonesian and English, published in the last 5 years (2017-2022). The results showed that there are several factors that influence the growth of infants with a history of low birth weight such as gender (male), lower gestational age, postnatal health problems, nutritional intake, such as exclusive breastfeeding or enteral feeding, and maternal parenting practices such as Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC). Exclusive breastfeeding and maternal parenting practices (Kangaroo Mother Care) have an impact on increasing growth so it is good to apply especially for mothers who have low-birthweight babies to catch up with age-appropriate growth.


With the evolution of technology, the maintenance of sophisticated systems is of concern for system engineers and system designers. The maintenance cost of the system depends in general on the replacement and repair policies. The system replacement may be in a strictly periodic fashion or on a random basis depending upon the maintenance policy. At failure, the repair of the system may be performed perfectly or minimally associated with some probability. When perfect repair is done, it makes the system as good as the new one. In case of minimal repair, it returns to the working condition of the system at the time of failure. In the present paper, we study the replacement policies for the system wherein minimal or perfect repair is done at the time of failure. The expressions for s- expected cost for the system with replacement and minimal or perfect repair are evaluated. The maintenance costs are discussed for various policies. Numerical simulation is performed to validate the analytical results.


Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a clinicopathologic condition and adverse drug reaction caused by immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies directed against the heparin-platelet factor 4 complex. HIT with thrombosis (HITT) could lead to limb amputation, stroke, myocardial infarction, and death. We report on the successful management of a HITT patient with argatroban therapy.


Human sacrifice in the sixteenth-century Aztec Empire, as recorded by Spanish chroniclers, was conducted on a large scale and was usually the climactic ritual act culminating elaborate multi-day festivals. Scholars have advanced a wide range of theories explaining the underlying motivations and purposes of these abundant and regulated ritual massacres. Recent scholarship on human sacrifice in ancient Mexico has observed far more complexity, nuance, and fluidity in the nature of these rituals than earlier mono-causal explanations. Several recent examinations have concentrated their analysis on the use of sacred space, architecture, movement, and embodiment in these festivals. As an extension of these efforts, this dissertation uses a phenomenological approach to examine the "experience" of sacrificial rituals. It explores the sensory-emotive and physiological responses to the celebrations and the violence associated with human sacrifice. Using modern bio-social-psychological theory, this study reveals that the brutal treatment of captive enemy bodies in human sacrificial rituals provided physiological, psychological, and social rewards that turned these spectacular events into a form of enthralling entertainment. Several other recompenses for officiants and other spectator-participants included a sense of security, management of anxiety, and social bonding. In addition, this dissertation iii reveals that these ceremonies incorporated different shamanic elements that fostered communally experienced "altered states of consciousness" which further contributed to physiological rewards, the reduction of social anxieties, and an increase in social solidarity. The significance of this research is that it offers additional explanations for the massive scale and longevity of the practice of human sacrifice amongst the ancient Aztec. It also offers other reasons why the lower echelons of society supported these celebrations despite the possibilities that they could be demoted to slave status and become sacrificial victims themselves. This study also presents possible future explorations of ritual violence in other ancient and modern cultures.


In the paper a novel circuit structure realizing a grounded parallel nth-order synthetic immittance system is introduced. Voltage conveyors (VCs) and transadmittance amplifiers (OTAs) are used as active elements. The use of the current-controlled OTAs enables modifying simply the parameters of the synthetic element designed. A further advantage of the synthetic element presented is that all the passive elements used are grounded. The application of the controlled synthetic elements is shown on a realization of tunable 4th-order frequency filters, where the cut-off frequency can be changed in a range from 1 kHz to 1 MHz. The symbolic- analysis conclusions are supplemented by PSpice simulation results.


If first language is rational in the sense that acquisition produces an end-state model of language that is a proper reflection of input and that optimally prepares speakers for comprehension and production, second language is usually not. This paper considers the apparent irrationalities of L2 acquisition, that is the shortcomings where input fails to become intake. It describes how 'learned attention', a key concept in contemporary associative and connectionist theories of animal and human learning, explains these effects. The fragile features of L2 acquisition are those which, however available as a result of frequency, recency, or context, fall short of intake because of one of the factors of contingency, cue competition, salience, interference, overshadowing, blocking, or perceptual learning, which are all shaped by the L1. Each phenomenon is explained within associative learning theory and exemplified in language learning. Paradoxically, the successes of L1 acquisition and the limitations of L2 acquisition both derive from the same basic learning principles.


Chemical constituents reported in the recent 6 years of genus Ziziphus have been reviewed,most of them are cyclopeptide alkaloids,triterpenes,flavones,and so on.


Four rice combinations were used to study the relationship between distribution of 14C photosynthesis production of flag leaf of main crop and yield of ratooning rice.The results indicated that:(1) About 70%~75% 14C photosynthesis production of flag leaf of main crop was distributed in spikes,and about 25%~30% remained in flag leaves and pedicle sheathes.(2) About 65%~80% photosynthesis production of flag leaf was distributed mainly in the upper second and third internodes of main crop.(3) Distribution proportion of photosynthesis production in spikes was negatively correlated with yield and its components of ratooning rice.On the contrary,its proportion in pedicle sheathes,flag leaves and other leaves was positively correlated with yield and its components of ratooning rice.(4) Distribution proportion of photosynthesis production in any internode was significantly positively correlated with the yield of the same node.


Expatriate Students' Perceptions of Attendance and Persistence at a Private Malaysian Institution by Jin Deng MSc, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2010 PG-Diploma, Manchester Metropolitan University, 2008 University Center César Ritz, 2008 PG-Diploma, University Center César Ritz, 2000 Associate, Sichuan Radio & Television University, 1997 Doctoral Study Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of


The Department of Transport's core census has been operative since 1979 and is a vehicle classification census used to predict trends in national traffic and to produce the quarterly statistical bulletin "traffic in Great Britain". This census has involved manually counting and classifying traffic at approximately 180 sites by road class. The department is in the process of automating this census by installing vehicle classification equipment at 100 sites in England and Wales; an additional 20 sites are being installed in Scotland by the Scottish development department. The classified data is collected automatically by a central computer. This paper describes the equipment used to classify and retrieve the data, the progress to date, the further development of the equipment and the future incorporation of dynamic axle weighing using a piezoelectric axle sensor system for which initial trials of weighing system have been carried out. (TRRL)


Successful drug treatment of learning deficits in an animal model of Down syndrome (DS) highlights the norepinephrine-ergic system and suggests possible therapeutic options for people with DS. Down syndrome is a complex condition that results from having a third copy of human chromosome 21. People with the syndrome experience problems with learning and memory that affect many aspects of their lives. In this issue of Science Translational Medicine, Salehi et al. report on successful drug treatment of learning deficits in an animal model of Down syndrome. This study highlights the function of the norepinephrine-ergic system in Down syndrome and suggests possible treatment options for people with Down syndrome.


By analyzing the dynamical principles of origin-point anti-resonant vibrators,a variation mode,together with a dynamic model,is presented.After the system response curve of variable mass is numerically solved,the affections of mass variation upon anti-resonant vibrators are speculated.As a result,it is found from analysis that,when the mass increases linearly,the vibration from upper mass body increases,while that from lower mass body decreases.Meanwhile,the vibration amplitude,along with mass enhancement speed,increasingly varies.On the contrary,when the mass decreases linearly,the upper- and lower-body vibration amplitudes,along with mass reduction speed,increasingly vary.To sustain vibration amplitudes in a specific scope,the mass variation degree should be constricted,especially an additional control loop is demanding.


In the first part of this study, we reported our interpretations of various interpersonal aspects of admission to a psychiatric hospital. 1 Our interest in this patient group continued, and in this paper we have extended our study through the period these patients were in the hospital. The principal aim of this aspect of the study was to see if we could determine the relationships between certain distinctions we drew in various admission phenomena and some psychiatric hospital treatment concepts. Here, we examine the concepts of the importance of diagnosis, the nature and goals of treatment, length of hospital stay, and the basis for discharge. To aid the reader in understanding the points we wish to make, we shall very briefly summarize findings of that earlier investigation which have special bearing on this phase of the work. The setting of our study is an


During vocal skills training,many students pay so much attention to the pitch,volume and difficulty of the song repertoire that they tend to neglect the significance of the employment of proper techniques required by both the era and the composers.This paper tries to illustrate the techniques of how to make the "smooth sound," "fast sound" and "strengthened sound" for the reference of those interested in improving their vocal techniques.


Submonolayer coverages of perylene-tetracarboxylic-dianhydride on Ag(110) were investigated with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) at 295 and 50 K. The molecules form highly ordered rhombic islands which at 295 K coexist with molecules diffusing on the substrate terraces. At 50 K the molecular islands appear 1.4 \AA{} higher than the Ag substrate in STM images, independent of the tunneling voltages and currents. At 295 K this apparent height is observed only at high tunneling resistances. Lowering of the resistance decreases the height difference until finally the contrast between islands and the surrounding substrate is reversed. At the same time, vacancies within islands show no contrast reversal. We explain the contrast reversal by trapping of molecules below the tip apex.


We consider the problem of zero error source coding with limited feedback when side information is present at the receiver. First, we derive an achievable rate region for arbitrary joint distributions on the source and the side information. When all pairs of source and side information symbols are observed with non-zero probability, we show that this characterization gives the entire rate region. Next, we demonstrate a class of sources for which asymptotically zero feedback suffices to achieve zero-error coding at the rate promised by the Slepian-Wolf bound for asymptotically lossless coding. Finally, we illustrate these results with the aid of three simple examples.


Subject:After transient global cerebral ischemia, selective vulnerable brain areas show delayed neurodegeneration with characteristics of apoptosis. Recent data demonstrate potent neuroprotective effects of the application of endogenous growth hormones such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) after focal cerebral ischemia. To assess possible effects of the intracerebroventricular application of BDNF on cerebral recovery after global cerebral ischemia due to cardiac arrest in rats, various selective vulnerable brain areas were investigated. Interventions:Global cerebral ischemia was initiated by ventricular fibrillation in rats under general anesthesia. After 6 mins, the animals were resuscitated by external cardiac massage combined with defibrillation and divided into two groups (BDNF vs. placebo). BDNF or placebo (1 &mgr;g/hr) was applied continuously during the complete reperfusion time using an implanted osmotic minipump. After 6 hrs, 24 hrs, 3 days, and 7 days (n = 6–7 per group), coronal brain sections were analyzed by terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated d-uracil triphosphate-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) and Nissl staining and a caspase activity assay in the hippocampal cornu ammonis 1 sector, the nucleus reticularis thalami, and the striatum. At 24 hrs, 3 days, and 7 days, animals were tested according to a neurologic deficit score. Measurements and Main Results:In all groups, typical delayed neurodegeneration was observed in selective vulnerable brain areas. Neuroscore, TUNEL, and Nissl staining revealed no relevant differences between the groups (BDNF vs. placebo) with regard to neurologic recovery and the number of viable (after 7 days in cornu ammonis 1 sector: BDNF, 110 ± 32; placebo, 142 ± 53) and TUNEL-positive neurons (after 7 days in cornu ammonis 1 sector: BDNF, 360 ± 81; placebo, 253 ± 62) during the different time points. Conclusions:Despite the well-known neuroprotective properties of BDNF in ischemic-induced neuronal degeneration, the present study did not reveal any beneficial effects regarding neurologic recovery and neurohistopathologic outcome after global cerebral ischemia in rats. Future investigations should focus on intracellular signaling cascades activated by BDNF after global cerebral ischemia.


Bio-chemical changes in five varieties of barley infected with Drechslera graminea leaf stripe were determined in the present investigation. Total phenolic compounds were higher in healthy leaves of RD-2462 (highly resistant) followed by RD-2472 (resistant) and RD-2475 (moderately susceptible). Reduction in the contents of total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars were observed in diseased leaves of all five barley varieties irrespective of susceptibility towards D. graminea. The soluble protein content was significantly decreased in diseased leaves of all five varieties. Maximum decrease in soluble protein was observed in diseased leaves of RD-2035 followed by RD-2406 and RD-2475. Increase in peroxidase (PO) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activities in diseased leaves of highly susceptible variety (RD-2035) was highest followed by susceptible (RD-2406), moderately susceptible (RD-2475) resistant (RD-2472) and highly resistant variety (RD-2462). The phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) activity was highest in leaves of highly resistant (RD-2462) followed by diseased leaves of resistant (RD-2472) moderately susceptible (RD-2475) susceptible and lowest in highly susceptible variety (RD-2035).


Abstract A new species of Septentrinna Bonaldo 2000, belonging to the yucatan group, is described and illustrated based on eight males and five females. Septentrinna inecol sp. nov., is described from material obtained from shade-tree canopies located in a coffee plantation in Veracruz, Mexico. Natural history data on the new species and a distribution map of all currently known species of the genus in Central and North America are provided.


Homelessness is an economic and social crisis. In a cluster-randomized controlled trial, we address a core cause of homelessness—lack of money—by providing a one-time unconditional cash transfer of CAD$7,500 to each of 50 individuals experiencing homelessness, with another 65 as controls in Vancouver, BC. Over one year, cash recipients spent fewer days homeless, increased savings and spending with no increase in temptation goods spending, and generated societal net savings of $777 per recipient via reduced time in shelters. Additional experiments revealed public mistrust toward the ability of homeless individuals to manage money, and demonstrated interventions to increase public support for a cash transfer policy using counter-stereotypical or utilitarian messaging. Together, this research offers a potential approach to address homelessness and provides insights for homelessness reduction policies.


Actual problem in the bakery industry is prolonging the freshness of bakery products, in particular, those of special purposes, whose formulation includes bran. To solve this problem, it is recommended to use complex baking improvers. We developed the complex baking improver "Svizhist" to prolong the freshness of bakery products, which includes in its composition beer powder, carboxymethylcellulose, emulsifier, enzyme preparation of amilolitic action, and ascorbic acid. We examined technological aspects of using the complex baking improver "Svizhist". It was established that the optimal dosage of the improver to prolong freshness of bran crispbreads is 2 % by the weight of flour. We studied the processes related to staling, to the loss of organoleptic and physical-chemical quality indicators of bran crispbreads during storage. A positive effect of the complex baking improver "Svizhist" was proven on the indicators of crumbling and swelling. It was established that the use of CBI "Svizhist" reduces the content of osmotically-bound water, confirming a slow-down in the process of bran crispbread staling. We obtained a positive effect of using CBI "Svizhist" on microbiological indicators, which prolongs preservation of freshness by bran crispbreads over 72 hours. The results received prove expediency of applying the complex baking improver "Svizhist" in the technology of bran crispbreads to prolong the term of their freshness when stored unpacked to 72 hours


The present invention relates to a magnetic diesel fuel processing apparatus, comprising: a fuel supply line along the housing element is placed, having a fuel inlet and a fuel outlet corresponding to the inlet and a separator disposed offset from the inlet to the fuel, and a fuel forced by the route, in at least two opposed magnetic elements on the route. Forced along said path, the magnetic field induced in the fuel flow.


It is difficult to control and coordinate inventory of assembly manufacturing supply chain because there are multi-suppliers in control system. In order to integrate different suppliers and send parts packages to production line directly, Supply-Hub is used in practice. Queuing theory and basic inventory strategy are applied to model inventory control of assembly manufacturing supply chain with Supply-Hub mode. And optimization solution for decentralized decision and centralized decision were derived separately. Then coordination inventory strategy is obtained by comparing decentralized decision and centralized decision. Backorder and holding cost subsidy contracts are used for coordination that incites suppliers to set basic inventories in favor of whole supply chain operation cost reduction. And numerical examples of three suppliers and one manufacturer are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the coordination strategy.


In Indonesia, there is still a disparity in telecommunications access, with most rural areas experiencing "no signal" or "blank spots." In contrast, urban areas enjoy modern and societally-beneficial technologies. A comprehensive framework is needed to address the disparity in telecommunications access between "rich" and "poor" groups in urban and rural/remote areas, respectively. This paper proposes a framework, built by the mathematical model, that can be used as a reference for the Indonesian government in constructing the nation's telecommunications infrastructure. The framework categorizes Indonesian administrative regions into four grids: Grid #1: "fostered" districts; Grid #2: "developing" districts; Grid #3: "developed" districts; and Grid #4: "independent-advanced" districts. To determine where each district falls in these grids, we propose a novel statistical approach using 17 indicators involving a telecommunications network and socioeconomic factors. The proposed framework results in a grid visualization of 7232 districts in Indonesia. Finally, as this paper is replete with academic research approaches and mathematical model perspectives, it is expected that the results may be valuable input to the development of the country's telecommunications policy.


An ekphrasis refers to a poem in which works of visual art serve as the basis for poetic creation. In discussing two collections of ekphrases, Crazy About Women and Give Me Your Hand, this essay illuminates the manner in which Durcan politically appropriates hybridity in terms of the temporal and the spatial, the public and the private, and the real and the surreal. By reinterpreting and rearranging the figures and events in a specific personal or Irish situation, Durcan undermines a chronologically recognized public history, which has long defined the politics of Irish identity. In addition, his attempt to find a way out of Irish identity politics culminates in Durcanesque metamorphosis. By becoming woman, animal, art, or the imperceptible, Durcan's speakers cast doubt on any single unified human identity and can be read as radical experiments to search for alternatives to the identities typically associated with both hypermasculine Irish culture and totalitarian politics.


The action of two cardiac glycosides, digitoxin and ouabain, were studied as to their effect on the refractory period of the auricle, ventricle and auriculoventricular propagation tissue in the dog heart under different experimental conditions.

These cardiac glycosides decreased the refractory period of the auricular muscle when this tissue maintained its vagal innervation and an appropriate method of anesthesia was used. In the denervated heart or heart-lung preparation, these cardiac glycosides increased considerably the refractory period of the auricular muscle.

The refractory period of the auriculo-ventricular propagation tissue was progressively increased to the point of complete auriculo-ventricular block.

These cardiac glycosides, in doses within what is considered the therapeutic range, decreased the refractory period of the ventricular muscle. In the toxic phase, the refractory period of the ventricular muscle continued to decrease until exposed to concentrations close to those which would initiate ventricular fibrillation.

The mechanisms by which digitalis decreases the ventricular rate in auricular fibrillation are discussed.

The need is pointed out for referring to the specific action of these pharmacological agents on specific physiological properties of the different tissues of the heart, and not to generalize for the whole heart results obtained on one tissue.


Introduction (problem statement and relevance). Road transport plays one of the key roles in the Russian Federation economy. It carries 59% of passengers and 68% of cargo. At the same time, the density of the road network in the country is only 64 km per 1000 km2, of which only 70% is occupied by paved roads. The hard surface road network density of the North and North-East regions, occupying more than 60% territory of the Russian Federation, is even less. More than half of the road transport is carried out on dirt and winter roads which often become impassable for traditional cars in winter and spring-autumn time. Therefore, the task of increasing the cross-country ability of traditional wheeled vehicles arises.The purpose of the study was to determine the main directions for increasing the cross-country ability of traditional vehicles.Methodology and research methods. Based on domestic and foreign materials the system research analysis of the main ways to increase the cross-country ability of wheeled vehicles was made.Scientific novelty and results. The article provides a brief analysis of the ways to improve the cross-country ability of wheeled vehicles, as well as the suggestions to increase it.Practical significance. The article proposes the main ways to increase the cross-country ability of traditional vehicles.


In this research, ZnO nanostructure have been prepared from colloidal ZnO nanoparticles NPs utilizing chemical method. The structural, morphological and optical of ZnO thin film has been studied. XRD anaylsis assure that the ZnO thin film were of wurtzite hexagonal crystal structure. AFM investigations showed that the produced ZnO particles have ball-shape with good disposability. The optical energy band gap of ZnO thin film has been determined from optical properties and found to be in the range (3.2 eV). Al/ZnO/Si/Al photodetector heterojunction have two peaks of response located at 415 nm and 780 nm with max sensitivity of 0.6 A/W. Keywords—ZnO nanoparticle , optical properties, structural properties, 1Introduction :Significant research efforts have been made in recent years for developing highly oriented and transparent ZnO thin films, because of their potential application in transparent electrode in display, window layers of solar cells, field emitters, ultraviolet laser emission, photodetectors, piezoelectricity, bio-sensors, short wavelength light emitting diode and information technology [1-8]. II-VI group semiconductor material ZnO has wide band gap (~3.3 eV at room temperature) and large excitonic binding energy of 60 meV. Due to their unique optical, electrical and semiconducting properties, ZnO thin films are extensively used in various applications. Despite several approaches adopted for making these ZnO thin films; controlling the size, shape, crystallinity and various parameters affecting the size and shape of these materials still need to be investigated. Therefore, it is essential to investigate optimum conditions for fabrication of highly oriented and transparent ZnO thin films. The main concern of researcher is to get better quality of material stoichiometry. ZnO thin films are grown by different techniques such as pulsed laser deposition (PLD), magnetron sputtering, MOCVD, spray pyrolysis etc [9-12].. In the present work, we report the growth of nano-structure ZnO thin films on glass and silicon substrates using zinc acetate precursor in order to study their structural, morphological , optical, and photo-detector properties 2-Experimental work:Thin films of Zinc oxide were prepared using the method of chemical method by using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and (0.1M) was dissolved in (100ml) of distilled water by using mixer glass Journal of Multidisciplinary Engineering Science and Technology (JMEST) ISSN: 2458-9403 Vol. 4 Issue 5, May 2017 www.jmest.org JMESTN42352203 7288 under normal atmospheric pressure, Then the solution was centrifuged in order to maintain the collidal nanoparticle which was deposited on glass and silicon substrates using drop casting method , then the films subjected to heat at a temperature of (400 ͦ C) . Thickness of (300 ± 25) nm which was measured using ellipsometer (Angstrom sun Technologies Ins). Transmittance and absorbance spectra were recor-ded using a spectrophotometer type (Shim-adzu UV1650 PC) in the wavelength range (400900) nm . All data were recorded at room temperature. X-ray diffractometer (XRD6000, Shimadzu, Xray, diffract-ometer) with Cuka radiation at a wavelength of (λ=0.154056 nm) was used to investigate the structural properties of ZnO deposited on glass substrate. The morpholo-gy of the ZnO thin film was investigated by using AFM (AA 3000 Scanning Probe Microscope). The electrical characterization was carried out after making ohmic contacts on ZnO thin film deposited on silicon substrates by depositing a thick Al film through a special mask. 3-Results and discussion To ascertain the crystalline nature and phase identification of pure and doped ZnO nanocrystalline thin films were subjected for Xray diffraction analysis.The XRD patterns of ZnO, was compared with standard pattern from Joint Committee Powder Diffraction Standards (JCPDS) file no 36-1457. X-ray diffraction patterns of ZnO films. The XRD patterns of the samples were recorded in the 2θ range from 20 o 60 o .Figure 1 illustrates the diffraction patterns of undoped ZnO thin films .The XRD pattern shows the 2θ peaks at 32.2 o ,34.12 o , 35.83 o , and 47.24 o are corresponds to the (100), (002), (101), and (102)) crystallographic planes of the ZnO wurtzite structure. The intensity of the XRD peaks related to the crystallization quality, density and thickness of the film. The crystallite size can be determined from line broadening of the peak by Debye-Schererr's. The estimated average grain size of the ZnO is 14.41 nm . Figure 1: XRD patterns for the undoped ZnO 0 50 100 150 200 250 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 In te n si ty ( a .u .) 2 Theta (deg) (100) (002) (101)


The basic syntactic terminology in Catalan and Spanish textbooks. An introduction

This thesis aims to make a diagnosis of treatment of linguistic terminology used to refer to the basic syntactic concepts in the official languages of the Valencian region (Catalan and Spanish) during the first cycle of the secondary stage from the analysis of textbooks.

The textbook is a privileged instrument for explaining the school system. It shows what is the concept of education behind the textbook, what learning means and how it is understood and the organisation behind the teaching of a language. The corpus analysed consists of a representative sample of the textbooks used in the teaching of the official languages in the classroom published by valencian publishers or by approved valencian publishers outside the country.

The main aims are: to analyse the textbooks used in Valencian classrooms (structure, organization and content) to know how they deal with teaching grammar (selection, organization and grammar content sequencing) and above all the linguistic terminology used to refer to the basic syntactic concepts (grammatical categories), as well as basic methodological anomalies. However, curricular proposal about Valencian language and literature in compulsory secondary education have been revised, fixed in the minimum educational state and also in the Valencian decrees in order to check if what the official curriculum prescribe is what the textbook in itself show.

It has developed a terminographic work, compilation of terms used to refer to different kinds of words in textbooks in Spanish and Catalan. It analyzes the change of terminology, the variation affects the terms, but emphasizing the change affects only the names (variation of words), because the terms are often an obstacle in the construction of concepts.

However, before we review the curricular approaches the subject of language and literature in secondary education, set in the state core curriculum decrees and decrees in Valencia in order to check whether the prescribed official curriculum is what really pick up textbooks.

The descriptive analysis of the terminology used in the treatment of grammatical concepts is presented classified by subjects, courses and publications. Then they compared the data with the requirements of secondary curriculum in the subjects of Catalan and Spanish, on the blog content that refers to the knowledge of the language and integrates the contents related to the reflection on the language and the acquisition of grammatical concepts and terminology. It also contrasts the information gathered from the analysis of the different manuals.

The results confirm the hypothesis which we started: the manuals are highly inconsistent, with content offline and a separation between grammar and use of language and linguistic terminology is characterized in general by a lack consistency and excessive multiple meanings and synonyms. Therefore, we managed to generate evidence on the great inconsistency of the terminology textbooks with excessive terms that impede student learning, which highlights the need to carry out an integrated language present in the educational system and the development of a basic grammar teaching interlinguistic to guide didactic transposition, which recontextualising and sequenced content, and a unified terminology for all languages in the curriculum, in order to facilitate achieving an adequate education of students.


NEUROSCIENCE Correction for "Mania-like behavior induced by genetic dysfunction of the neuron-specific Na,K-ATPase α3 sodium pump," by Greer S. Kirshenbaum, Steven J. Clapcote, Steven Duffy, Christian R. Burgess, Janne Petersen, Karolina J. Jarowek, Yeni H. Yücel, Miguel A. Cortez, O. Carter Snead III, Bente Vilsen, John H. Peever, Martin R. Ralph, and John C. Roder, which appeared in issue 44, November 1, 2011, of Proc Natl Acad Sci USA (108:18144–18149; first published October 24, 2011; 10.1073/ pnas.1108416108). The authors note that Fig. 2 appeared incorrectly. The corrected figure and its legend appear below. This error does not affect the conclusions of the article.


The invention discloses a silver fiber knitted-fabric and polyester taffeta printing composite apron fabric which is of a three-layer composite structure. A surface layer (1) is formed by polyester taffeta printing, a coating and a calendered fabric and has waterproof, oil-proof and antifouling performances; the surface of the surface layer (1) is printed with a color pattern; a middle layer (2) is formed by an adhesive; and an inner layer (3) is made of a nano silver fiber knitted fabric, is radiation-proof and anti-static, has thermal insulation and heat preservation, is powerfully antibacterial, is all-natural and has a medical health care effect. The composite apron fabric related to by the invention is suitable for making a kitchen apron, aprons for a pregnant woman, a child and a baby and the like.


A descriptive and cross sectional study of 253 patients under 5 years of age, admitted with the diagnosis of acute respiratory infections in the District H...


High spatial resolution maps of Los Angeles, California are needed to capture the heterogeneity of urban land cover while spanning the regional domain used in carbon and water cycle models. We present a simplified framework for developing a high spatial resolution map of urban vegetation cover in the Southern California Air Basin (SoCAB) with publicly available satellite imagery. This method uses Sentinel-2 (10–60 × 10–60 m) and National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) (0.6 × 0.6 m) optical imagery to classify urban and non-urban areas of impervious surface, tree, grass, shrub, bare soil/non-photosynthetic vegetation, and water. Our approach was designed for Los Angeles, a geographically complex megacity characterized by diverse Mediterranean land cover and a mix of high-rise buildings and topographic features that produce strong shadow effects. We show that a combined NAIP and Sentinel-2 classification reduces misclassified shadow pixels and resolves spatially heterogeneous vegetation gradients across urban and non-urban regions in SoCAB at 0.6–10 m resolution with 85% overall accuracy and 88% weighted overall accuracy. Results from this study will enable the long-term monitoring of land cover change associated with urbanization and quantification of biospheric contributions to carbon and water cycling in cities.


To evaluate the course of spinal radiographic progression for up to 8 years of followup in a large cohort of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients treated with tumor necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors.


This contribution discusses the apparent paradox between the spread of the SAP-s system R/3 as a unitary model for enterprises and management, and the, in principle, endless choices to be made within the system. It elaborates on an identification of possible hard and soft dimensions of R/3, as they challenge management of technology in an enterprise setting. Some of the central variants and a number of "choices in principle" within system configurations are identified, followed by a discussion on the malleability of the system.


This phase 2 study (N = 116) evaluated single‐agent vosaroxin, a first‐in‐class anticancer quinolone derivative, in patients ≥60 years of age with previously untreated unfavourable prognosis acute myeloid leukaemia. Dose regimen optimization was explored in sequential cohorts (A: 72 mg/m2 d 1, 8, 15; B: 72 mg/m2 d 1, 8; C: 72 mg/m2 or 90 mg/m2 d 1, 4). The primary endpoint was combined complete remission rate (complete remission [CR] plus CR with incomplete platelet recovery [CRp]). Common (>20%) grade ≥3 adverse events were thrombocytopenia, febrile neutropenia, anaemia, neutropenia, sepsis, pneumonia, stomatitis and hypokalaemia. Overall CR and CR/CRp rates were 29% and 32%; median overall survival (OS) was 7·0 months; 1‐year OS was 34%. Schedule C (72 mg/m2) had the most favourable safety and efficacy profile, with faster haematological recovery (median 27 d) and lowest incidence of aggregate sepsis (24%) and 30‐d (7%) and 60‐d (17%) all‐cause mortality; at this dose and schedule, CR and CR/CRp rates were 31% and 35%, median OS was 7·7 months and 1‐year OS was 38%. Overall, vosaroxin resulted in low early mortality and an encouraging response rate; vosaroxin 72 mg/m2 d 1, 4 is recommended for further study in this population. Registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov: #NCT00607997.


ISSN: 2395-1303 http://www.ijetjournal.org Page 95 Abstract: Computer-aided inspection (CAI) is the use of computer-based software tools that assist quality engineers, machinists, and inspectors in manufacturing product components. The quality of rice is determined by physical (visual) and chemical character (laboratory test). Of the two characters, to test the quality of rice using laboratory tests is very time consuming, as for one relatively fast way of determining the quality of rice is the aspect of the shape and appearance of rice which consists of length (size) and grain shape physically. The image analysis algorithms are applied to an image in which rice grains are randomly placed and spread in one layer.In this study, image processing algorithms were developed to identify rice grains based on morphological characteristics, namely the size and shape of rice grains. After getting the values for length and breadth, the length-breadth ratio is to be calculated. From the analysis that has been done, it can be concluded that the resulting model has an accuracy rate of about 93.3%, so it has a good level of accuracy.


Background Nerve‐sparing radical hysterectomy (NSRH) was developed in an attempt to minimize complications after radical hysterectomy. Since 2008, a modified NSRH‐nerve plane‐sparing radical hysterectomy (NPSRH) has been developed at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NPSRH in improving postoperative pelvic visceral dysfunctions. Methods Eighty‐three patients with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IB1‐IIA2 cervical cancer received NPSRH (the study group) from January 2008 to October 2012. One hundred and sixty‐six patients who underwent conventional radical hysterectomy (CRH) were randomly selected as the control group. Age, pathological type and stage were matched between the two groups. The safety of surgery was assessed by duration of operation and blood transfusion rate. Postoperative short‐term bladder function was analyzed by duration of catheterization. Long‐term bladder, anorectal and sexual function were evaluated with questionnaires. Results Seventy‐eight patients (94.0%) in the NPSRH group and one hundred and sixty patients (96.4%) in the CRH group completed the study. Median follow‐up time was 31.9 months and 31.0 months respectively (P=0.708). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age, body mass index, FIGO stage, pathologic type, preoperative and postoperative therapy (P >0.05). The blood transfusion rate shared no difference between two groups (P=0.364). The operation time in the NPSRH group was significantly longer than CRH group (P <0.01). But the duration of catheterization and hospitalization in the NPSRH group was significantly reduced compared with CRH group (P <0.01). In addition, the incidence of long‐term urinary frequency, urinary incontinence, urinary retention, straining to void, constipation and diarrhea was significantly lower in the NPSRH group (P <0.05). However, there was no significant difference regarding sexual function (P >0.05). Conclusions The current evidence indicated that NPSRH improved long‐term bladder function compared to CRH. Moreover, it may improve long‐term anorectal function as well.


ABSTRACT Smallholder-based, sustainable, agricultural intensification is increasingly put forth as a development pathway that is necessary to improve farmer's livelihoods, enhance productivity and engender a surplus that can be used to feed growing urban areas across sub-Saharan Africa. The following article examines trends in yields for Africa's largest staple crop – maize – among smallholder farmers in six regions in Malawi, Tanzania and Zambia, using longitudinal quantitative data collected in 2008, 2013 and 2017 in combination with qualitative data from nine villages. Substantial increases in yields are found only in Zambia, while yields are largely stagnant in Malawi and Tanzania. In the case of Zambia, however, there is a persistent gender-based yield gap. We use the qualitative data to explain this gap and find that gender-based differences in yields need to be understood in relation to local production systems, as well as the varied positionality of women, where the biases facing women who head their own households are different than for women living in male headed households. In policy terms, technologies that can promote intensification are different depending on these factors, even within the local context of particular farming systems.


DSP chip is especially fit for digital signal processing. Its main application is realizing all kinds of digital signal processing arithmetic such as clove hitch correlation, all kinds of transforms etc. Realizing digital filters with DSP is an important application. The paper discusses the filter's software realization based on TMS320C5410 and finished the hardware systems of noise-restraining.The main works accomplished are as following: realization of FIR filter with window function, and realization on TMS320C5410 chip, the result of experiment to make clear.


The physiological aging of a person is conditioned by multiple diseases, mainly chronic degenerative diseases, which generates a situation of dependence on the elderly (AM) that affects their quality of life. It is due to this series of changes that the AM experiences progressive alterations in its coping mechanisms, which often results in problems of physical, psychological and social adaptation at this stage of its life.


Abstract This article undertakes a critical exploration of the Indian poetic responses to World War I. The most striking feature of this poetry was its uniquely diverse nature, which reflected in full the multicultural character of the Indian army at the Western Front and elsewhere in the world. The immense diversity of Indian soldiers triggered a wide range of emotions and ideas from combatants and civilians alike. While we have established writers like Rabindranath Tagore and Sarojini Naidu on the one hand, we have a poetic miscellany of lesser known creative voices on the other, some even documenting their first-hand experiences of the War. Poems, lyrical propaganda, folk-songs, epistolary verse, elegies and even verses accompanying posters make up the various modes of literary circulation during this time of unprecedented global turmoil. Making use of both original compositions and various other works in translation, this article argues that most of this poetic evidence often serves as crucial testimonies, chronicling not only the major historical events of the War years, but also assiduously recording the wide gamut of feelings and emotions associated with the conflict.


Objective To explore the prevention and control as well as the prevalence of iodine deficiency disorders in Anshun city by analyzing the result of iodine deficiency disorders surveillance since 2000. Methods by using sampling investigation, pupils' thyroids were examined by palpation. their urinary iodine and iodine salt were also detected. Results Total Goitor patients aged from 8 to 10 was 14.28% in 2004, which was significantly increased compared with those of 2000,2001,2002 and 2003(P 0.05). The qualified iodized salt covered 94.04% of the households,the qualified rate of iodized salt was 94.20% in 2004, higher than those of the four previous times(P 0.01). The range of urinary iodine was from 219.08 to 384.34 μg/L. Conclusions The iodized salt currently in use is suitable for the people of Anshun city. However, the goiter rate of the children is still high.


In this report, the issue of pitch control in a Vertical Axis Wind Turbine is tackled. By using and aerodynamic model, a theoretical optimum pitch solution is found and then a simple four-bar mechanism is adapted to that theoretical solution to achieve a simple and elegant control of the pitch in the turbine. The model used is the Actuator Cylinder model. Another aspect that is studied is the possibility of self-start of the turbine by only changing the pitch on the blades. All analyses conducted are done for a specific wind turbine.


In this paper, we propose a new antenna array configuration for smart antenna beamforming. In this new method, we displace two antenna elements of a uniform linear array (ULA) and place them at the top and bottom of the array axis. We investigate the efficacy of this method by deploying the variable step size least mean square algorithm (VSSLMS). The proposed method is compared with popular LMS and normalized LMS algorithms. Computer simulations show that the proposed method has enhanced convergence rate and high data transmission compared to the LMS and the NLMS methods. Also, the new method has the same performance for middle angles, near boresight and array endfires which is not possible for the LMS and the NLMS method using a ULA.


AbstractThe lack of college readiness skills is a national problem, particularly for underachieving high school students. One solution is to offer authentic early college coursework to build confidence and academic momentum. This case study explored a partnership between a traditional, suburban high school (600 students) and a community college to maximize college credit accumulation for students from the middle academic quartiles and asked, "How can parental support help increase college readiness skills for academically average students?" The author analyzed data from planning meeting notes, student surveys, and interviews with leaders, teachers, parents, and students. Over three years, 74 students averaged 9.4 college credits/year with a 91% success rate. Parent engagement was indispensable for recruitment and enrollment, financial support, and emotional guidance; the financial contribution actually seemed to stimulate parental involvement.Key Words: case study, college credits, readiness, high school, dual enrollment, Massachusetts, parent participation, parent-school relationships, partnerships in education, program evaluation, school support, underachievementIntroduction and Problem StatementIn recent years, there has been growing concern that high school graduates are not ready for college, despite 25 years of standards-based reform (Conley, 2005; Kirst, 2008). This is particularly true for students who are not in the top academic quartile in their high school. Increasingly, these students are headed for college, but too many fail the college placement exams and waste valuable time and money while taking non-credit-bearing remedial courses.Currently, nearly 20% of students entering four-year colleges and over 50% of those entering two-year colleges require at least one remedial course (Complete College America, 2012). Rather than increasing graduation prospects, remediation is often the first step to dropping out. For students who start in remediation, only about one third earn a bachelor's degree in six years and less than 10% graduate from community colleges within three years (Complete College America, 2012). In Massachusetts, where this study was situated, the department of education tracked 2005 public high school graduates and found that 65% of those who enrolled in community colleges required at least one remedial course, versus 22% at state colleges and 8% at state universities (Plummer & Nellhaus, 2008).College is expensive, and any approach that will reduce the cost of college is welcomed by parents and students. Dropping out of college is even more expensive, leaving many students with loan obligations, fewer job prospects, and a lifetime of lower earnings. Dropping out is also expensive for our country. Researchers estimate that college students who matriculated in 2002 but never graduated cost the nation $3.8 billion in lost income and $730 million in lost federal and state taxes for just one year (Schneider & Yin, 2011).This paper reviews various approaches to improving college readiness for all students and asks the question: How can parental support help increase college readiness skills for academically average students? The author presents a case study of a partnership between a Massachusetts high school and a nearby state community college.Agassiz High School (AHS, a pseudonym) is the sole high school in a small suburban Massachusetts town. In 2012, 7% of the 644 students in Grades 9-12 were non-white, 21% came from low-income families, 14% had individual education plans, and less than 2% were limited English proficient (Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, 2012b). On state assessments, AHS placed near the middle of suburban high schools and boasted an 85% graduation rate. In June 2010, there were 149 graduates; 62% signaled intentions to attend a four-year college, 32% declared plans for a two-year college or trade school, and 6% were headed for work or the military (Massachusetts Department of Elementary & Secondary Education, 2012a). …


iii Acknowledgements iii User's Guide to the Habitat Summary Tables Introduction  Wildlife Trees and Coarse Woody Debris  Purpose of this Report and Target Audience  Scope of the Report  Understanding the Habitat Summary Tables  The Concept of "Types"  Format and


This article discussed the nature of Chinese as a subject and its evolvement,argumentation and definition.This article also discussed the relationship between the nature of Chinese subject and the development of Chinese teaching.


This paper proposes a Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) system that teaches students how to write Japanese characters. The most important feature of the system is the usage of synthesized speech to interact with users. The CAI system has a video display tablet interface. A user traces a pattern of a character using the tablet pen, and simultaneously his tracing is shown on the display. When the trace line is outside the pattern, the system simultaneously outputs synthesized speech to correct the errors. To design strategies for generating instructions, behavior and instruction messages of a human teacher were recorded and analyzed. One of the most interesting challenges of the system is a function that changes the "personality" of the teacher, such as a strict teacher, a friendly teacher, and a short-tempered teacher. According to the experimental results, it was confirmed that the proposed system makes it possible to convey a particular impression using synthesized speech.


The Arctic implies a planetary struggle to stop the rapid change of its ecosystem caused by global climate change, with the global impact it could generate in the future. As a consequence of this first ecological challenge, the Arctic scenario is becoming more interesting for key transnational actors to develop new business opportunities related to mining exploitation, energy reserves and logistics services, where the result will tend to prioritize business and safety on the ecology, reaffirming the meta-tragedy in the Arctic region. Due to the complexity of the Arctic scenario, the preference for intergovernmental forums and the ambiguous interests and roles of its actors, the inadequate trinomial between a global ecological tragedy, an individual economic business and a collective security career will tend to subsist and increase its tragic effects about the environment.


Background: In B-CLL, the observation of interphase cells with hemizygous D13S319 deletion at 13q14 (13q-x1) as a sole anomaly in blood is widely considered a favorable prognosis. The observation of cells with 11q-, +12 or 17p- has been associated with a relatively poor prognosis. Over the past 1.5 yrs, 16.2% (174/1,076) of patients (pts) referred for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) testing for B-CLL in our clinical practice had a clone with homozygous D13S319 deletion (13q-x2), but the prognostic significance of this observation is poorly understood. Moreover, 39.3% (142/361) of pts with unfavorable FISH anomalies have 13q-x1 and/or 13q-x2 and the clinical significance of this observation is also unknown. Thus, we investigated pts with 13q- (with or without other chromosome anomalies) to establish the relative clinical significance of 13q- in B-CLL.

Methods: We studied 333 pts with B-CLL sampled between 9/1999 and 6/2004 who had FISH performed on interphase nuclei from blood. The FISH probe set was designed to detect 6q-, 11q-, +12, 13q-, 17p-, and translocations involving IgH at 14q32. We classified pts into four groups: 13q-x1 only (group 1), 13q-x1 and 13q-x2 only (group 2), 13q-x2 only (group 3) and 13q-x1 and/or 13q-x2 plus other FISH anomalies (group 4). FISH groups were compared with gender, age, Rai stage, treatment status, time to treatment, CD38 and IgVH mutation.

Results: Of the 333 pts, 171 (51.3%) had a 13q-: 71 were in group 1, 25 in group 2, 26 in group 3 and 49 in group 4. %CD38+ differed significantly across FISH groups; in pairwise analyses, the proportion of pts with >30% CD38+ was significantly greater for pts in group 4 vs. group 3 (p=0.0015) although no significant differences were observed for group 3 vs. group 1 or vs. group 2. Pts in group 3 were not significantly different from other FISH groups for Rai stage, IgVH mutation or gender. The median percentage of abnormal nuclei for pts with group 1 was 54.5% vs. 79.5% for pts in group 4 (p<0.0001). The median percent abnormal nuclei for pts in groups 3 and 2 was 72.5% and 68.5%, respectively. Median % abnormal nuclei for group 3 was not significantly different than the other FISH groups. Treatment status was available on 147 pts, where the proportion of pts who had treatment in each group was as follows: group 1, 15/66; group 2, 2/22; group 3, 4/21; and group 4, 9/38. Due to limited sample size and heavy censoring, any analysis on time to treatment is preliminary; however, these early analyses suggest group 4 pts have a lower median time to treatment (9 yrs) compared to groups 3 and 1 (12.3 and 13 yrs, respectively).

Conclusions: This study has generated new information about the 13q- anomaly in B-CLL. First, known prognostic markers for B-CLL pts with 13q-x2 are not significantly different than for pts with 13q-x1 or 13q-x1/13q-x2. Second, 13q-x1 and/or 13q-x2 occurring with other unfavorable FISH anomalies have an unfavorable prognosis; i.e. potential benefits of 13q- are trumped when it is observed with unfavorable FISH anomalies. Thus, patients with any form of 13q- alone may have indolent disease while patients with 13q- and unfavorable FISH anomalies should be considered to be in a more aggressive phase.


Driveline configuration varies between different trucks. The driveline includes cardan shafts and cardan joints. The joint angles causes disturbing loads in the joints, which might lead to vibratio ...


A modified component method introduced in Eurocode 3 was presented.The component of tensile stiffness between stiffened extended endplate and stiffened column flange was considered.The calculation of initial rotational stiffness for stiffened extended endplate connection that was most common in portal frames would be possible by this method.The simplified analytical models and calculation procedures for such kind of joint were provided in detail.Experiments were carried out to verify the method.The results show that the presented method basically coincides with the experimental results.The method can be utilized to determine the initial rotational stiffness for part of the existing joints of portal frames that does not correspond with the requirements of rigid presupposition.The determination of joint initial rotational stiffness is also the precondition of force analysis for such kind of structure.


4-tert-butyl-pyrocatechol is one of important organic substance.In this paper,progress in the synthesis process for 4-tert-butyl-pyrocatechol was introduced.Catalysts in three synthesis routes,the hydroxylation of 4-tert-butyl-phenol,the alkylation of pyrocatechol by tert-butyl alcohol and the alkylation of pyrocatechol by isobutene,were discussed in detail in terms of reaction conditions,catalysts,temperature,reaction time etc.At the same time green chemistry technique of the hydroxylation of 4-tert-butyl-pyrocatechol is the research focus in future.


Researchers analyze underground forums to study abuse and cybercrime activities. Due to the size of the forums and the domain expertise required to identify criminal discussions, most approaches employ supervised machine learning techniques to automatically classify the posts of interest. Human annotation is costly. How to select samples to annotate that account for the structure of the forum? We present a methodology to generate stratified samples based on information about the centrality properties of the population and evaluate classifier performance. We observe that by employing a sample obtained from a uniform distribution of the post degree centrality metric, we maintain the same level of precision but significantly increase the recall (+30%) compared to a sample whose distribution is respecting the population stratification. We find that classifiers trained with similar samples disagree on the classification of criminal activities up to 33% of the time when deployed on the entire forum.


https://www.morningstar.com/articles/906237/stresstesting-your-retirement-asset-allocations.html 1/4 Historically Strong Tuesday's column showcased stocks. It demonstrated that if equities continue to perform as they have since 1900, they could reasonably account for most of a retiree's initial asset allocation, assuming the retiree has a 30-year time horizon. Withdrawing money from an inconstant portfolio can be dangerous, but historically stocks have earned so much more than bonds/cash that their rewards have outweighed their drawbacks.


"This gringo is different." As I combed through the dossier sent to me by the CLAG Honors Committee to prepare my remarks about Joe Scarpaci, these four words jumped off the page. They are written, most revealingly, not by a Latin Americanist geographer but by a Latin American geographer, someone who now teaches at the Universidad Católica in Chile. He states that he first met Joe when he — the writer that is — was an undergraduate student in the early 1980s, studying geography in a Chile then ruled by that most infamous of geographers, Augusto Pinochet. Our man in Santiago continues:


The effects of dilution of Gd by Y in a series of evaporated amorphous GdxY0.33−xAl0.67 films (x from 0.33 to 0.0027) has been studied by microwave magnetic resonance and SQUID magnetometry. The SQUID measurements show a spin glass freezing temperature Tf of 13.5K for x = 0.33 and 6.5K for x = 0.16, with Tf being less than 1.6K or nonexistent for samples with x<0.04. X‐band microwave measurements reveal a line broadening ΔH and an increasing g‐shift as the temperature T is lowered. These low temperature effects are interpreted in terms of a theory by Salamon which permits determination of the spin‐spin relaxation time τ∝xm/(T−Tf)n. Contrary to earlier experimental or theoretical indications, we find m∼−0.5 and n∼1.5.


The aim of this thesis is to model fully collateralized exposures in the presence of the Margin Period of Risk, i.e., the time between the last successful collateral call to the time where the amount of the loss crystallizes. We start with introducing a closed-form expression to model fully collateralized exposures for fixed versus floating interest rate swaps. Then the Brownian bridge method is introduced and applied, which allows for improvements computational wise. Finally, fully collateralized exposures are modeled in the presence of the Margin Period of Risk, with the Least Squares Monte Carlo method in the case of one European call option under Black-Scholes assumptions.


One strategy for explaining consciousness is to locate it relative to its causes and effects. Common sense seems to tell us what the causes and effects of consciousness are; so perhaps we can identify consciousness as being whatever it is that occurs in between the two. Though superficially tempting, this idea heightens the air of mystery surrounding consciousness. As far as we can tell, the physiological causes of consciousness lead directly to its physiological effects. So how could consciousness lie anywhere along that causal path unless, as Dennett evocatively puts it, "a miracle occurs"?1 The idea that consciousness occurs at the unique interface of certain causes and effects underlies what Dennett calls the Cartesian Theater model of mind. I agree with Dennett that this model, though seldom acknowledged, tacitly underlies much that's mistaken in current thinking about mind and consciousness; his sustained, effective effort to expose and demolish that myth is an important contribution to our understanding of consciousness. I'm convinced, moreover, that a correct explanation of consciousness will share much with the alternative theory Dennett puts forth, the Multiple Drafts model (MDM). Nonetheless, I think the explanatory benefits of the MDM may be available with a model that's in one respect somewhat weaker. Perhaps the most important virtue of the MDM is its ability to accommodate the apparent temporal anomalies Dennett catalogues. In color phi a green flash occurs in the left of our visual field followed by a red flash on the right, but we seem to see a single spot that moves and changes color. Why don't we first consciously sense the initial stationary flash? Dennett believes the MDM has the answer. According to the MDM, consciousness is continuously revised, much as a text changes through successive drafts. Some features of a text undergoing revision persist through many drafts; others may be so transitory as to es-


A WIFO survey of 850 Austrian manufacturing enterprises comes to the conclusion that for the case of Austria's participation in the internal EC market Austrian firms expect to achieve significant growth in market shares within the EC countries, to suffer smaller share losses within Austria, and, on average, to experience neither losses nor gains in third countries. EC market participation is not expected to affect outward direct investment, be it within the EC or in third countries. In general, firms plan to carry out offensive strategies more frequently in case of EC participation. It seems that these firms underestimate the necessity for such strategies in case of non-participation.


This thesis provides a study of the career and works of Samuel Harsnett, one of the most senior members of the early Stuart Church. Harsnett enjoyed a distinguished career as bishop of Chichester and Norwich, and finally as archbishop of York, but earned notoriety much earlier, by virtue of preaching a controversial sermon against the then orthodox Calvinist position on predestined grace. It was this early expression of anti-Calvinism (or Arminianism as it later became termed), together with a predisposition towards tradition on the liturgy and ceremony of the Church, which has earned Harsnett, as Conrad Russell put it, a place among "the cream of the English Arminians". As the first future bishop to express openly anti-Calvinist views Harsnett's career is contemporaneous with the first forty years of what Nicholas Tyacke described as the 'Rise of Arminianism'. For that reason he is deserving of a biographical study, both to determine the nature of Arminianism in practice and his particular contribution to its 'Rise'. In seeking to determine Harsnett's contribution to the Arminian phenomenon this thesis suggests that Harsnett was, in a number of respects, hardly the archetypal Arminian that Professor Russell and most other modern historians have assumed. This raises important questions as to the actual significance of the theology of predestination to developments in the early Stuart Church. The significant areas of Harsnett's career considered in the thesis are: his formative years as a scholar and then fellow at Pembroke College, Cambridge; his early career as chaplain to Richard Bancroft when Harsnett probably developed his lifelong dislike of Puritan non-conformity; his episcopal career at Chichester and then Norwich; his parliamentary career, which was marked by major ideological differences with fellow Arminians; his final appointment as archbishop of York, senior religious adviser to the king and Privy Councillor.


With the status of aseptic surgery at the present date, the treatment of strangulated hernia has become a matter of great simplicity, and although we still try and always will try reduction by means of taxis in the early period of the strangulation, operation will be more strongly advocated, because of the low rate of mortality in early operation and also because we can and should do a radical cure when conditions allow; thereby guaranteeing the patient not only a recovery from his strangulation, but also a cure of his hernia. Taxis is never practiced by myself for more than a few moments, if no evidence of diminution in size of the hernia be manifest, and never if previously treated by physicians or if upon examination a hard small constriction can be felt at the proximal end of the protrusion, i. e., the site of strangulation. The patient is always


Interferometric laser imaging technology was studied to measure the diameter spatial distribution of two-phase flow.A pulsed laser sheet was used to illuminate the two-phase flow.A digital camera was used to record the interferometric pattern of the light scattered by particles.The spatial position and diameter of individual particle were estimated from the interferometric pattern.The precision of size measurement by the method was checked by a diffraction particle sizer.The experiment proved that the method had high precision for particle size measurement.Different planar regions of a water spray were measured.The experimental results showed that the mean diameter of particles decreases from the spray center to its edge,and that most big particles are concentrated at the spray center,while most small particles are concentrated at the spray edge.The technology is a potential tool for studying the characteristic of two-phase flow.


One of the main findings of Chaurasia (2010) is that the rate of improvement in the probability of survival in the first five years of life has declined over time in India. Its analysis further suggests that the survival probability for females in the first five years of life has decreased in recent years. This amounts to saying that the mortality for females during the first five years of life has actually increased in recent time periods. This paper is no exception in documenting this trend, observed in the recent period. There have been a number of papers arguing that the child mortality in India has increased. Even the electronic and print media have carried stories that indicate the worsening health care system in India, which is found to be true especially in studies using the Sample Registration System (SRS)-based life table data. The observed increase has immensely puzzled researchers and policy-makers. The increasing trend in child mortality is, however, highly inconsistent when we examine this finding vis-à-vis indicators of maternal and child health over time from various other sources. The literature suggests that child mortality is negatively associated with the level of child immunisation, better socio-economic status and better nutritional status (Fotso et al. 2007; Martin et al. 1983; Mishra et al. 2005; Mosley & Chen 1984). The three rounds of National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data show increasing trends in child immunisation, institutional delivery, educational attainment, standard of living and other socio-economic conditions of the people in India (International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS) 1995, 2000, 2007). Even the government of India has launched various maternal and child programmes during the last two decades, following them very rigorously. The Child Survival and Safe Motherhood (CSSM) programme in the early 1990s, and the Reproductive and Child Health Programme (RCH) in the second half of the 1990s, are some of the programmes that deserve mention. Given that there is no reason to believe in an increase in child mortality estimates over the last two decades, one is led to consider whether the recent slowdown in child mortality is real or has something to do with the quality of data or construction of life tables by the SRS. There have been attempts to examine the quality of data available in the SRS. The rigorous analyses carried out by Bhat (2002) and the Registrar General India (RGI)


A new absorber column with three measuring sections for aerosol characterization was constructed at Tiller, Norway. Sulfuric acid aerosols were introduced into a flue gas by a Topas atomizer. The flue gas came from a propane burner but was diluted with air to a CO2 composition of 4.4%. The aerosols into and out of the absorber were characterized with ELPI, CPC, and PDI for various Topas settings. The particle number concentrations measured by ELPI and CPC were comparable. The PDI could not measure particles smaller than 0.6 μm and was not suitable for characterizing the aerosols into the absorber. Out of the absorber the PDI measured a substantial number of particles larger than 0.6 μm that were not measured by the ELPI. These particles could explain the high emissions of MEA measured by the FTIR.

A new Bluefil demister was constructed and showed to be very efficient to remove aerosol particles and reduced the emissions of MEA with 97% compared to a standard knit mesh demister. The pressure drop increased with 13-20 mbar.


The vignetting field stop procedure uses a deflectometric approach to acquire big optical surfaces (DaOS) and it offers the possibility to measure nearly any shape or form by using a scanning routine. The basic physical measurement principle in DaOS is the vignettation of a quasi-parallel light beam emitted by an expanded light source in auto-collimation arrangement with a reflecting element. Thereby, nearly any curvature of the specimen is measurable. Due to the fact that even sign changes in the curvature can be detected, aspheres and freeform surfaces of any size can be evaluated. Actual results of test measurements with calculated absolute deviation with larger lateral dimensions on flat and spherical specimen with diameter of 300 mm are examined. These measurements are compared critically to reference results which are recorded by interferometry and the DFR method.


A method for determining surface tension is proposed in which vertical pull measurements are made by weighing the liquid phase, while a ring, plate, or rod is allowed to contact the surface of the solution and then pulled slowly upward. This contrasts with conventional vertical pull methods in which the ring, plate, or rod is suspended from a microbalance mounted above the solution. The utility and simplicity of the alternative approach are discussed, and procedures are given for using a top-loading analytical balance to determine the maximum vertical force exerted on either a rod or a plate.


The main objective of present research work is to propose optimal coded sequence design and efficient pulse compression techniques for different radar signals. To optimal coded sequence design for MIMO radar system and evaluate their MIMO radar characteristics. The objective function is to the improvement of autocorrelation and cross correlation sidelobe in most length of sequences with MIMO radar system. To generate pulse compression polyphase codes having lower peak sidelobes.To develop efficient sidelobe reduction structures using modified Particle Swarm Optimization (MPSO) algorithm which converges faster during the training time as well as provides the higher magnitude of peak to sidelobe ratio. To introduce and assess amplitude weighing technique for Linear Frequency Modulated (LFM) waveform and polyphase codes which are expected to provide better peak sidelobe at higher Doppler shifts. To select appropriate parameters of LFM pulse train to achieve reduced grating lobes, low peak sidelobe level and narrow mainlobe width. Then the proposed method has been performed for ML estimator and GLRT detector based on pulse compression. The various types of optimization techniques are utilized to analyze the design of optimal coded sequence for MIMO radar system such as Modified Particle Swarm Optimization (MPSO), Modified Genetic Algorithm (MGA), Hamming Scan Algorithm (HSA) Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), Decentralized Radar Networks (DRNS), Non-dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm (NSGA), and FOPSO and so on. The performance of the proposed method is compared with the existing methods PSO, PSO with hamming and ABC.To analyze the statistical analysis like autocorrelation sidelobe peak and cross correlation peak for different codes, the convergence of cost functions. The pulse compression in radar has major applications in the recent years. For better pulse compression, peak signal to sidelobe proportion ought to be as high as conceivable with the goal that the undesirable mess gets smothered and ought to be extremely tolerant under Doppler move conditions. Many pulse compression techniques have come into existence including neural networks, ABC, PSO and FOPSO. The FOPSO have an inherent memory for dynamics that make them suitable for dynamic system modeling. They provide better stability, more robust to estimation errors and good performance with more past information relevant to prediction. Hence the initial population selection in the PSO algorithm and fractional calculus is used for modifying the velocity updating equation in PSO for pulse radar detection to achieve overall better performance. We cast of autocorrelation sidelobe problems as a composite pulse compression test. which involves the ML estimator of received signal parameters, and discuss the optimality of the GLRT detector with finite signal samples in the radar system. The study of polyphase codes and their sidelobe reduction techniques are carried out since the polyphase codes have low sidelobes and are better Doppler tolerant and better tolerant to pre-compression band limiting.Although MIMO radar offers advantages over traditional radar, it also presents significant drawbacks. Firstly, because the MIMO radar radiates a target with less gain during a transmission, it requires a longer Coherent Processing Interval (CPI) to maintain the same SNR as phased array radar. During a CPI of the MIMO radar, a moving target has been inducing a Doppler return, which, if unaccounted for, can significantly degrade the performance of the MIMO radar performing the coherent integration. Secondly, because a MIMO radar uses orthogonal waveforms, it leads to increased signal processing complexity and required


The fatigue life data obtained under stress control conditions with and without mean stress are interpreted with reference to mean stress and ratcheting effects. Tests are conducted on nickel-base super-alloy Inconel 718 at 649°C and copper alloy Elbrodur-NIB at room temperature. The ratcheting strains at failure are obtained, and mean stress models such as the modified Goodman equation, the Smith-Watson-Topper parameter, and the Walker parameter are evaluated. The results are discussed in comparison for the two materials.


In the community of Human Computer Interface (HCI) researchers have been working for several years in trying to emulate a human communication system, using innovative technologies and methodologies, based on the emotion recognition in facial expressions and speech [1-3]. Speech emotion recognition (SER) [4] is a challenging framework in demanding human machine interaction systems. Standard approaches based on the categorical model of emotions reach low performance, probably due to the modelization of emotions as distinct and independent affective states. Starting from the recently investigated assumption on the dimensional circumplex model of emotions [5,6], SER systems are structured as the prediction of valence and arousal on a continuous scale in a two-dimensional domain. In this study, we propose the use of a PLS regression model, optimized according to specific features selection procedures and trained on the Italian speech corpus EMOVO, suggesting a way to automatically label the corpus in terms of arousal and valence. In order to label the dataset according to valence and arousal, the circumplex diagram was divided into angular sectors, each having a specific angular range and a central angle (ak) as shown in Fig. 1. Each emotion was also identified by the coordinates (yve, yae), e = 1, . . . ,Ne, with Ne the number of emotions.


The IEEE 802.15.4 standard specifies the physical and medium access control layers designed for low-rate wireless personal area networks (LR-WPAN) with a focus on enabling the wireless sensor networks. Its operational frequency band includes the 2.4 GHz industrial, scientific and medical (ISM) band which is also used by other IEEE 802 wireless standards. This paper analyzes the performance of IEEE 802.15.4 in a coexistence environment with IEEE 802.11b in fading channels. The threshold used to obtain the outage probability is computed based on the mean packet error probability (PEP) which satisfies the performance requirement of IEEE 802.15.4. Numerical results show that the interference from IEEE 802.11b depends primarily on the frequency offset as well as on the receive signal power.