Differentiation between Bursaphelenchus xylophilus and other related, non-pathogenic species can be ambiguous when based exclusively on morphological characters. The morphology of B. mucronatus and B. fraudulentus most closely resembles that of B. xylophilus . Moreover, all of these nematodes are found in both Asia and Europe and can colonise various species of pine. Therefore, for phytosanitary purposes it is necessary to identify the three species precisely and rapidly. We report the results of a multiplex PCR that utilises four primers to identify and discriminate the three Bursaphelenchus species simultaneously. The multiplex PCR yielded DNA fragments of 767, 305 and 132 bp, for B. xylophilus , B. mucronatus and B. fraudulentus , respectively. This primer combination has produced reliable results in multiplex PCR assays with a number of different populations of the listed species, and no cross-reactions were observed with other Bursaphelenchus species. The described approach is simple, reliable and cheaper than other molecular methods presently used for simultaneous identification of the above three species within the xylophilus group.


Control Technology is a particular field of engineering in which mathematical concepts play an extremely large part. Undergraduate control courses include the relation of mathematical models to practical situations. This is supported by laboratory work in which practical tests are carried out on systems and the results of these tests compared with what may be predicted by the theory taught in lectures. In order that the students' time is used effectively it is desirable that the practical and theoretically predicted results may be readily compared and that this comparison is not lost in a welter of tedious arithmetic of sometimes doubtful accuracy. By integrating a suitable computing machine into laboratory work for the analysis of results, the rate at which results can be processed can be enormously increased. This leads to two valuable consequences. First, the mathematical expressions, which students often feel completely define a system, can be appreciated in numerical terms and furthermore techniques ...


Purpose: Generally, morbid obesity has accompany with co-morbidities including dyslipidemia. Bariatric operation has shown various degree of effectiveness and different mechanism on weihgt loss. The effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy in lipid profile is not revealed until now. Therefore, we have investigated and evaluated the efficacy of sleeve gastrectomy on weight loss and serum lipid profile. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 42 patients who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy. All the patient was divided into two groups (group A (n=35): >50% excessive weight loss (EWL) in 6 months postoperatively, and group B (n=7): <50% (EWL)). Anthropometric Indices and serum lipid profile were measured before sleeve gastrectomy and postoperatively in 6 months. Results: EWL of all the patients was 74.121.9% in 6 months postoperatively, group A was 80.418.2%, group B was 39.76.4%. Waist circumference, hip circumference, percent of body fat and visceral fat area were decreased in group A than B (P<0.05). Especially the visceral fat area of group A was reduced (-38.6%). Significant reduction of atherogenic index and triglyceride was observed (P<0.001) and increment of HDL cholesterol (P<0.001) was observed in both Groups. The moderate reduction of total cholesterol was observed in group A (P<0.05) but in not group B. LDL cholesterol level was mildly decreased but not statistically significant (group A: P=0.82, group B: P=0.746). Conclusion: Isolated vertical sleeve gastrectomy in morbid obesity patients is a effective surgical procedure. It offers excellent results in weight loss, anthropometric Indices and lipid profiles in short period of time. Eventually, it reduces the risk of coronary disease.


This response to Jason Moralees' article comes from members and associates of the Êzidi (Yazidi) team working on Sinjar Lives/Shingal Lives, a community-driven oral history project funded by the UK's Arts and Humanities Research Council. They are all survivors of the Êzidi genocide committed by ISIS in 2014. They explore Moralee's themes of securitisation, imperialism and violence—especially the 'village war', its roots in imperialist thought and its consequences—from the perspective of those who call the village home. Beyond securitisation, they discuss borders both geographical and socio-cultural and the contemporary political significance of the elusive victim voice.


OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the clinical and urodynamic data of a multicenter study on female urinary stress incontinence undergoing surgical repair with the Ramírez simplified urethropexy.

METHODS
Clinical, urodynamic and videocystographic data were analyzed in a multicenter series of 340 female patients with urinary stress incontinence (mean age 51.7 +/- 9.7 years) before and after the Ramírez urethropexy technique (mean follow-up 21.7 months).

RESULTS
Post surgical urinary continence was 78.4%. Cystocele repair was demonstrated in 57.7%. Urge incontinence decreased in 17.1%. Daytime frequency statistically significantly decreased in 19%. Urinary obstructive symptoms increased in 19.3%. Bladder instability significantly decreased posturethropexy. Peak urinary flow rate and mean urinary flow rate diminished in 65% and 59%, respectively. Postvoiding residual urine increased significantly. No statistical correlation between posturethropexy continence and videocystographic bladder neck morphology was observed.

CONCLUSIONS
The clinical and urodynamic data obtained in our series indicate that the Ramírez urethropexy technique, a simple and fast procedure, may be considered an alternative treatment in female urinary stress incontinence.


Context: The Irish FET (Further Education & Training) landscape has undergone major structural changes. Demands to professionalise the sector have resulted in raised professional and academic requirements, while maintaining professional learning that supports adaptable responses to constantly changing industry practices and standards. Little is known about how FET professionals' engagement in their role at work influences their commitment to CPD, and their expectations of career progression. With this overall lack of empirical attention, the purpose of this study was to contribute to current knowledge of the experiences of FET educators with respect to role engagement, CPD and career progression. Approach: This qualitative interpretivist study used a purposive sample of twenty-three educators representing a range of roles, contexts, disciplinary backgrounds, and experience in the FET sector of southwest Ireland. Participants delivered programmes at Levels 1-6 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (Quality and Qualifications Ireland, 2018). Methods: Methods included two focus groups and twelve semi-structured interviews. The data sets were analysed using a mix of inductive coding and the constant comparative Comparisons between contexts and organisations were developed and built a multi-perspective view that informed the findings and discussion that follow in the paper. Findings: Results from the study experiences will give teachers the skills to connect their teaching to practitioner focused research that establishes a strong and professional 'voice' to emerge for the field of further education and training.


The need for increased resources to make dental quality care more accessible to the public at large are discussed. Effective public dental care is hindered by long waiting times to receive appropriate treatment.


Summary This research is a part of an ongoing apricot breeding programme. Modern apricot cultivars are distinguished by their large fruit size, intense orange skin color and red blush. However, quality attributes such as taste and aroma are often neglected. Fruit of thirtysix cultivars from different Italian growing districts were evaluated by trained panelists alongside physical (weight, firmness, measure of skin over-colour) and chemical analysis (TSS (%), total acidity (meq.100 g -1 ) and pH). According to the panel test the cultivars which scored most highly were: 'Orange Rubis', 'Pellecchiella' and 'Portici'. Fruit evaluation of diverse commercial apricot cultivars by a taste panel test was a valuable tool in order to assess overall fruit quality, that was highly dependable on texture, both in fresh fruits and after storage. The highest appreciation of both fresh fruit and after a 5-day shelf-life test was correlated to flesh overall texture, aroma, sweetness and juiciness and inversely correlated to mealiness.


This paper presents a complete microsystem micropyrometer, composed by the electronic system built in CMOS technology added by Multi-chip-module (MCM) techniques, the pyrometer subsystem and a low-loss optical lens and bandpass optical filters (1-4 µm) with inhomogeneous graded index metamaterials to simultaneously focus the light on the micropyrometer and for filtering in the desired range. The final goal is to obtain a miniaturised self-calibrated micropyrometer to detect the infrared radiation (IR) in the 1-4 µm wavelength, for measure the temperature of objects without the need of contact. The structure of micropyrometer consists of a thermally insulated absorbing area and two thermopiles with the hot junctions placed in the absorbing area and the cold junctions on the silicon bulk, which acts as heat sink. The complete microsystem is fabricated in silicon planar technology and each thermopile has a different reference temperature, which is biased by a Peltier microstructure near the cold junction of the thermopile. The ground floor of all microsystem consists on a silicon die with a passivation membrane made of silicon nitride. The absorbing area consists on a black gold strip on the silicon nitride membrane, and it is obtained by anisotropic etching of the bulk silicon from the back of wafer.


of Meetings ......................................................................................................................................................................... 2 In Memoriam ...................................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Introduction of Newly Elected Catherine Worthingham Fellows ....................................................................................................... 2 Committees of the House of Delegates .............................................................................................................................................. 3 Student House Ushers ........................................................................................................................................................................ 3 Reports................................................................................................................................................................................................ 4 A Guide to the Minutes of the 2014 House of Delegates ................................................................................................................... 4 Adoption of the Rules of the House of Delegates .............................................................................................................................. 5 Adoption of General Order of Business .............................................................................................................................................. 5 Adoption of Detailed Agenda ............................................................................................................................................................. 5 Report of Elections............................................................................................................................................................................ 18 Installation of New Officers, Directors, and Nominating Committee Members .............................................................................. 19


In this paper,smart shape-memory alloys(SMA),shape-memory ceramics(SMC)and shape-memory polymers(SMP)are reviewed,including their structures,fabrication methods,characteristics and applications.The shape-memory materials(SMM)exhibit some novel performances,such as sensitivity(to thermal,stress or field),large-stroke actuation,high lamping,self-adaptive response,shape memory and super elasticity capability,which can be utilized in smart system.The basic phenomena in the materials,the stimulus-induced phase transformations which result in the unique performances and govern the remarkable changes of properties of the materials,are described.The barriers and the challenges faced in improving the present materials system and developing more new shape-memory materials are discussed.


The objective of continual learning (CL) is to learn tasks sequentially without retraining on earlier tasks. However, when subjected to CL, traditional neural networks exhibit catastrophic forgetting and limited generalization. To overcome these problems, we introduce a novel method called 'Gate and Obstruct Network' (GateON). GateON combines learnable gating of activity and online estimation of parameter relevance to safeguard crucial knowledge from being overwritten. Our method generates partially overlapping pathways between tasks which permits forward and backward transfer during sequential learning. GateON addresses the issue of network saturation after parameter fixation by a re-activation mechanism of fixed neurons, enabling large-scale continual learning. GateON is implemented on a wide range of networks (fully-connected, CNN, Transformers), has low computational complexity, effectively learns up to 100 MNIST learning tasks, and achieves top-tier results for pre-trained BERT in CL-based NLP tasks.


A new approach to weight loss and weight loss maintenance is urgently needed, with the global epidemic of obesity leading to ever higher levels of chronic disease. This new approach should be cheap and simple, it should maintain essential nutrients and not deplete lean mass, should have minimal adverse effects and be carried out safely at home without support from the healthcare profession. This review looked at the forms of caloric restriction (CR) investigated in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and found that supervised continuous and intermittent CR was more effective than other forms of weight loss over periods from 12 weeks to 2 years and could improve cardiovascular and diabetes risk factors. CR was equally as effective as bariatric surgery, suggesting that it is the post-surgery caloric restriction that has the impact on weight, rather than the surgery itself. Intermittent CR, including alternate day fasting (ADF), was as effective as continuous CR but may show improved compliance and higher lean mass. Unsupervised weight loss maintenance presents a greater problem, since in most weight loss regimens all the weight lost is ultimately regained. Although both continuous and intermittent CR can be effective, it has been found that ADF and a higher protein intake is more likely to maintain the weight loss. These results hold for all age groups and ethnicities and both genders. These findings suggest that intermittent CR, and particularly ADF, may be a viable form of weight loss and maintenance which fulfils all the criteria above. It is therefore recommended that larger RCTs investigate intermittent CR and ADF as a viable and cost effective form of weight loss and weight loss maintenance. DOI : 10.14302/issn.2379-7835.ijn-17-1548 Corresponding author: Rachel Nicoll, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University and Heart Centre, Umeå, Sweden, Email: firstname.lastname@example.com, Phone: 0044-207 585 1443


Today computer and the internet play an important role in our daily life. We have shown highly remarkable of automated behavior that is criminal in violation of terms of services such as auto sharing or send friend request. SO, CAPTCHA is used for protecting webpages against automated programs which are called bots. It is providing challenge response tests that determine whether or not the users are human or bot. It contains various contorted letters that are difficult for attacker's bots, but easy for humans. Since there are a lot of services on the internet, for example (email, social network, search engine) which allow users to register, during registration, some attackers write malicious programs that make website resources damaged by making automated software which is called (Bots). Many research developed more techniques to prevent accessing web resources by spammers. This paper introduces a new mechanism of CAPTCHA approach using extended finite automata (XFA) for securing web pages and online social networks against a new breed of bots. The XFA CAPTCHA is a CAPTCHA based on image which generates its tests using the automata Graph technique. The result of our research evidence that the mechanism of XFA CAPTCHA is effective in terms of security and usability respectively. As a result of that, it improved the rate of efficiency by 97.8%, the time for solving is around 20 seconds, and the value the probability of success rate for speculation attack is decreased to 1.03% in average. When compared to other CAPTCHAs, the XFA CAPTCHA is a strong competitor in terms of security and usability function. Keywords—CAPTCHA, Extended finite automata, BOTS, Security, System usability scale, Effectiveness, Efficiency


The aim of this paper is to propose quasiconvexity concepts for discrete single variable functions and state some related optimality conditions. Four classes of discrete quasiconvex single variable functions are introduced, compared and characterized. Two different algorithm procedures for determining a minimum are provided.


MSMEs are the main pillars of the Indonesian economy. One of the obstacles faced by MSMEs today is the number of MSMEs opening businesses with the same type of products. The purpose of this research is to be able to analyze financial management in MSMEs in Batam City. So that it can develop and be consistent with the effort. The method used is a qualitative descriptive method with a sample of 5 MSMEs namely Toko Pakaian Cantik, Toko Gamis Taqeeya, Toko Ringan, Toko Fashion Muslim, Toko Fathia Collection are in the type of trading industry with criteria still active and willing to conduct interviews on their business. The results of the study in accordance with 4 indicators in financial management showed that the overall MSMEs studied using planning in the use of budgets, making simple recordings, and using sufficient control. However, not all MSMEs understand the reporting indicators in business financial statements.


This study utilised the critical incident technique to study service failure and recovery strategies in chain restaurants. A total of 431 incidents were collected and classified. The analytical results identified the most common categories as being service failure and recovery strategy. It also demonstrates that consumers were unable to recognise high-quality service and high-consistency products in chain restaurants. Additionally, appropriate recovery strategies were proposed to assist restaurateurs in reducing service failure. A number of conclusions and recommendations regarding practice and future research are made.


The very short S ⋯ O distance observed in analogues of thiathiophthens containing a nitroso-group is not found in those containing a nitro-group.


It is increasingly popular to suggest that knowledge is the norm of practical reasoning, or reasoning about what to do (e.g. Hawthorne 2004, Stanley 2005). This idea is central to the defence of a new version of invariantism— 'subject-sensitive invariantism'–on which whether the true belief that p is knowledge not only depends on such factors as one's evidence, and the reliability of the belief-producing process, but also the stakes or how important it is that p be true (the view is also known as 'sensitive moderate invariantism' (Hawthorne 2004) and 'interest relative invariantism' (Stanley 2005)). I will argue against the idea that knowledge is the norm of practical reasoning, whether that is understood as a necessity or sufficiency claim. Instead, I will argue that the epistemic standards for practical reasoning vary contextually.


It is a trend for robots to replace human in industrial fields with the increment of labor cost. Mobile robots are widely used for executing tasks in harsh industrial environment. It is an important problem for mobile robots to plan their path in unknown environment. The ordinary deep Q-network (DQN) which is an efficient method of reinforcement learning has been used for mobile robot path planning in unknown environment, but the DQN generally has low convergence speed. This paper presents a method based on Double DQN (DDQN) with prioritized experience replay (PER) for mobile robot path planning in unknown environment. With sensing its surrounding local information, the mobile robot plans its path with this method in unknown environment. The experiment results show that the proposed method has higher convergence speed and success rate than the normal DQN method at the same experimental environment.


During a ten year period, 175 axillary lymph node dissections were done as part of the treatment for intraductal carcinoma of the breast; 98 patients were treated with modified radical mastectomy and 77 were treated by mammary preservation, consisting of excision of the lesion, axillary dissection and radiation therapy. One of 175 axillary node dissections yielded positive nodes. Axillary dissection for intraductal carcinoma of the breast is unlikely to yield involved nodes and is not indicated for use in most instances. It should be reserved for lesions demonstrating microinvasion.


. Vacated microborings in periostracum of live mussels of the Florida Escarpment redox community (depth of 3266 m) become a habitat for a prolific secondary microbiota consisting of a variety of prokaryotic and a few eukaryotic organisms. Periostracum surface is also colonized by diverse microorganisms, dominated by presumed chemolithotrophic bacteria with stacks of intracellular lamellae. Unlike sheltered microflora within borings, the surface community is heavily grazed upon by numerous archaeogastropods and ciliates.


Carbon nanofiber (CNF)-reinforced polypropylene (CNF/PP) composites with different CNF contents were prepared by melt mixing, and the mechanical properties and crystallization behavior of the CNF/PP composites obtained were investigated. It was found that the tensile modulus of the composites was increased with the addition of CNFs, but their elongation at break and fracture strain energy were decreased, while the tensile strength of the composites was firstly increased and then decreased due to the agglomeration of CNFs at higher loading. Nonisothermal crystallization analysis showed that the CNFs played a role as nucleating agent in PP matrix, which led to increment in the crystallization rate and the degree of crystallinity of PP. Moreover, X-ray diffraction studies showed that the CNFs incorporated in the PP matrix favored the growth of (040)-oriented PP crystals. With the increase in the CNF content, the nucleating and orientation roles of the CNFs were obviously enhanced.


The data obtained showed that the polysaccharide diminished the blood levels of cholesterol, beta-lipoproteins, and triglycerides, the concentrations of cholesterol in the liver and thoracic aorta in experimental atherosclerosis. It is concluded that the polysaccharide is promising in designing a new anti-atherosclerotic drug.


Our research explores novel forms of smart spaces that support full body interaction with smart objects instrumented with audio, light, and motion sensors and actuators, virtual worlds on medium-large displays, and smart lights, and are integrated with cloud services for remote supervision and analysis of user behaviour. In this paper, we present the architecture and coordination infrastructure created in the Playful Supervised Smart Space (P3S) project, as well as initial designs for the Smart Object and Smart Space Gateway Components.


The paper presents the characteristics of L-mode detachment, together with the behavior of edge turbulent transport and plasma confinement on the HL-2A tokamak. The partial detached state and the pronounced detached state have been achieved in L-mode plasma. The stored energy has maintained before and after detachment. Edge turbulence and its transport have increased obviously in partial detached state. In pronounced detachment state, the profiles redistribution due to detachment leads to low amplitude of electron temperature and pressure, as well as very weak edge turbulence and transport. Despite the strong plasma radiation in the pronounced detached state, the reduced edge turbulent transport contributes to the maintaining of stored energy in detached L-mode plasma in HL-2A. The different detachment states play an important role on the profiles redistribution, which should be studied further.


Small and medium enterprises (SME) constitute an important part of the national economy. Therefore, to enhance the technological innovation capability of SME in an all-round manner has become an important aspect in building China into an innovation-oriented country. This article, from the aspect of integrating marketing with technological innovation, studied the technological innovationpsilas importance for SME to maintain their competitiveness, and then discussed the supporting role marketing activities play in the technological innovation activities by SME, finally proposed three ways of integrating marketing capability and technological innovation, in order to offer some advice for the enhancement of competitiveness of Chinapsilas SME.


This work was supported in part by the Korea Science and
Engineering Foundation through the Semiconductor Physics
Research Center at Jeonbuk National University and by a
grant of time on the Cray computer at the System Engineering
Research Institute.


We study the magnetic ground state in La2=3Ca1=3Mn1� xGaxO3 manganites, where a quantum critical point (QCP) has been theoretically predicted. The metallic ferromagnetic ground state for low Ga doping breaks down for x � 0:11, an insulating state being established at low temperatures. Long-range ferromagnetism coexists with short-range magnetic correlations in the concentration range 0:11 � x � 0:145 while only the short-range correlations survive for x � 0:16. We discuss the implications of such a QCP to the physics of manganites and compare to other QCP systems.


This presentation takes a look at the efforts to harness automated vehicle technology for public transport. The European CityMobil2 is the leading demonstration project in which automated shuttles were, or are planned to be, demonstrated in several cities and regions. The presentation provides a brief overview of the demonstrations at Oristano, Italy (July 2014), LaRochelle, France (Dec 2014), Lausanne, Switzerland (Apr 2015), Vantaa, Finland (July 2015), and Trikala, Greece (Sept 2015). In addition to technology exposition, the objectives included generating a legal framework for operation in each location and gaging the reaction of the public to unmanned shuttles, both of which were successfully achieved. Several such demonstrations are planned throughout the world, including efforts in North America in conjunction with the GoMentum Station in California. These early demonstration with low-speed automated shuttles provide a glimpse of the possible with a fully automated fleet of driverless vehicle providing a public transit service.


This paper presents the design and development of a ray-traced, signal-level pulsed radar simulation algorithm and a novel ray aggregation technique using the NVIDIA® OptiXTM engine for propagation modelling. This is expected to aid radar engineers and researchers in systems design, testing, and training. The program supports the short- and long-range simulation of various radar scenarios using complex target and signal models with a high degree of realism. This was achieved through raytraced radio propagation and geometry modelling, simulating realistic multipath signal interactions with mesh-based objects as opposed to the more traditional point-model approach. The designed algorithm has also been implemented as an open-source ray-tracing module and was verified against an established radar software package.


Objective To discuss the clinical significance of C-reactive protein and prealbumin detection during the acute exacerbation of COPD.Methods The leves of CRP and prealbumin in fifty-six patients at the acute exacerbation of COPD before and after treatment were detected.At the same time,fifty-four normal healthy volunteers were choosed as normal control group,and the results were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Results In acute stage of COPD,the patients plasma CRP level increased distinctly,after given therapies,and the plasma CRP level decreased,with a significant difference between the groups,(The patients had higher value than controls,P0.05)In acute stage of COPD,the patientsplasma prealbumin level decreased distinctly,after given therapies,and the plasma prealbumin level increased,with a significant difference between the groups,(The patients had lower value than the controls,P0.05).Conclusions Plasma CRP level and prealbumin were sensitive indexes to infection and curative effect judgment.


Ontologies have been shown to be a key mechanism to deal with a set of different systems. The paper proposes a model of software agents in charge of information retrieval tasks from a federation of digital libraries under the open archives initiative protocol for metadata harvesting. We have termed these assistants ontological agents because they operate with ontologies. Ontologies are used to support two main tasks: to eliminate ambiguity from a query and to enable access to the repositories. We present their model which is based on MAS-CommonKADS methodology.


For the 3D printing cementitious materials (3DPC), high rate of structural build-up is recommended to ensure the buildability and stability of printed structures, while it results in a rapidly loss of workability and plasticity and thus lead to a challenge for the interlayer bonding. This paper mainly studies the possibility of improving the interlayer bonding of 3D printed structures by adjusting the change law of rheological properties with time under the premise of buildability. Results indicate that although the initial fluidity of slump−retaining polycarboxylate superplasticizer * Corresponding authors. E-mail addresses: email@example.com (T. Pan), firstname.lastname@example.com (X. Ji).


Paper and board based products are found as packaging in numerous food industries including horticulture, dairy, meat, beverage, grain and cereal. In recent years there has been increasing concern from regulators and, to a lesser extent, the public that substances could migrate from packaging into food, where they have the potential to be ingested and to potentially form new compounds that are not tested for (or in some cases even known about). Should this be a concern?


Mass transfer from an evolved donor star to its binary companion is a standard feature of stellar evolution in binaries. In wide binaries, the companion star captures some of the mass ejected in a wind by the primary star. The captured material forms an accretion disk. Here, we study the evolution of wind-accretion disks, using a numerical approach which allows us to follow the long-term evolution. For a broad range of initial conditions, we derive the radial density and temperature profiles of the disk. In most cases, wind accretion leads to long-lived stable disks over the lifetime of the asymptotic giant branch donor star. The disks have masses of a few times 10−5–10−3 M☉, with surface density and temperature profiles that follow broken power laws. The total mass in the disk scales approximately linearly with the viscosity parameter used. Roughly, 50%–80% of the mass falling into the disk accretes onto the central star; the rest flows out through the outer edge of the disk into the stellar wind of the primary. For systems with large accretion rates, the secondary accretes as much as 0.1 M☉. When the secondary is a white dwarf, accretion naturally leads to nova and supernova eruptions. For all types of secondary star, the surface density and temperature profiles of massive disks resemble structures observed in protoplanetary disks, suggesting that coordinated observational programs might improve our understanding of uncertain disk physics.


DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS For this multicenter randomized clinical trial, 114 children ages 6 to 10 years with vocal fold nodules, PVRQOL scores less than 87.5, and dysphonia for longer than 12 weeks were recruited from outpatient voice and speech clinics. This age range was identified because these patients have not experienced pubertal changes of the larynx, tolerate stroboscopy, and cooperate with voice therapy. Participants were blinded to treatment arm.


To the editor:

Transformation of hematopoietic cells depends on the acquisition of genetic events leading to cytokine independence, typically associated with acquisition of an autocrine cytokine loop or/and increased expression or/and mutation of JAK genes.[1][1] Rearrangement of the JAK2 gene,


Descriptions in the literature of the development of Volvox aureus reveal a situation which has interesting genetic consequences. With the renewed interest in Chlamydomonas and other fresh-water algae which is apparent, it is profitable to examine some of these theoretically as a guide to experimental study. The Volvocales are a rather homogeneous group in which there is an evolutionary series leading from the unicellular Chlamydomonas type to complex colonial forms. With a few possible exceptions these organisms are haploid, the zygote representing the only diploid cell in their life cycle, Gonium pectoral is a 16-cell colonial form in which the four products of meiosis persists for a time as a free-swimming tetrad. Each cell of the tetrad later gives rise to a typical 16-cell colony. In a nice study of this organism Schreiber' showed that pairs of cells of the tetrad were always of mating type. Tetrad isolation is particularly simple in this organism and it was even possible' to get evidence as to whether segregation occurred at the first or the second meiotic division. Pandorina and Eudorina are colonies having commonly 16 and 32 cells respectively. The germinating zygote produces four cells by the two meiotic divisions as in Gonium, but here three normally perish without further division and the new colony is formed by the single surviving cell. Volvox aureus is one of the largest and most complex of the series, and its genetic system would appear to be unique. It is well known to be typically dioecious and to have a rather strict alternation of sexual and asexual reproduction; in either case the daughter colonies arise from a single cell.2 Sexual fusion results in a resistant zygote in which the first two divisions are meiotic. The four resulting haploid cells, unlike Pandorina and Eudorina, remain together and by further division give rise to a single new colony.2 This means that a Volvox individual can be made up of cells of four differ-


From the output of a current-mode gate in the low logical state a residual current of a value greater than zero flows. Connecting the outputs of several gates in node causes aggregation of residual currents and the sum can exceed the limit ½ of a current corresponding with a logical state "1". This phenomenon makes the construction of the current-mode gates working in a multi-value logic impossible. The change of the concept of building of the current-mode gate by the application of the modified key for the residual current reduction is proposed. The current switching key in a circuits of current-mode gate was developed. It was used for the construction of the new inverter output module. The new realisation of the current- mode, inverter type gate was tested in a simulation. An attempt to build the current-mode gate working in multi-value logic (MVL) was taken. The satisfactory result of simulation of the MVL current-mode gate shows, that the application of MVL gates in digital systems in practical realisations is possible. The MVL application in digital systems allows to decrease the hardware complexity of ASICs.


Ascorbic Acid 2-Glucoside (AA2G), l-ascorbic acid derivatives, is provided whitening, anti-oxidation effect and more stable in physicochemical properties. AA2G used in the cosmetic industrial area, however, it hydrophilic character caused lower ability across stratum corneum to the skin, the whitening effect was limited. A microemulsions is the best choice in the study due to the scale up easily in the cosmetic industrial. We aim to optimized microemulsion formulation which easily preparation and stabilized in the cosmetic industrial and enhance the penetration ability into skin simultaneous remain lightening effect. AA2G microemulsion was prepared archive approximately 150 nm. The results showed that the AA2G microemulsion has powerful permeation ability and high skin deposition when compared with the AA2G aqueous control solution and the commercial emulsion product (p


The measured x-ray fluxes of old, nearby pulsars are used to constrain the monopole flux times the cross section for monopole-catalyzed nucleon decay. Observations of PSR 1929+10 provide the best limit: F x sigmav/(3 x 10/sup -18/ cm/sup 3/ s/sup -1/)< or =7 x 10/sup -22/ cm/sup -2/ sr/sup -1/ s/sup -1/. When the monopoles captured by the progenitor star while it was on the main sequence are taken into account, the limit becomes F x sigmav/(3 x 10/sup -18/ cm/sup 3/ s/sup -1/)< or =2 x 10/sup -28/ cm/sup -2/ sr/sup -1/ s/sup -1/.


This Article examines "peer production," a term coined and a concept explicated by Yochai Benkler. My own interest in peer production stems from its importance as a new form of user-generated content. User-generated content is particularly interesting if Benkler is right in his claim that the positive analysis of peer-produced content may have normative implications with respect to copyright law—in particular, the implication that copyright law may play a deleterious role in the formation and maintenance of this potentially significant new form of user-generated content. We are in need of a theory of collective action for the social world that is emerging in cyberspace. Benkler's theory of peer production makes an important contribution to this project. The present Article seeks to expand on Benkler's account by demonstrating that collective-action problems are not synonymous with the tragedy of the commons. In particular, one important type of solution to a collective-action problem of a sort not countenanced by Benkler is the convention or coordination norm. This Article will show that not only would a more comprehensive theory of collective action in cyberspace need to fit conventions into its account but also that even Benkler's examples of peer production must take account of conventions


A review of Anamarija Horvat's 2021 book, Screening Queer Memory: LGBTQ Pasts in Contemporary Film and Television, in which she sets out to examine how queer memory is represented on and created by contemporary US and UK film and television. In this review, the author examines
 the claims and goals of the book, as well as its strengths and weaknesses.


Summary. Pesticides constitute a heterogeneous category of chemicals specifically designed for the control of pests, weeds or plant diseases. Biological monitoring provides a useful tool to estimate the genetic risk deriving from an integrated exposure to a complex mixture of chemicals. Studies available in scientific literature have essentially focused on cytogenetic end-points to evaluate the potential genotoxicity of pesticides in occupationally exposed populations. A positive association between occupational exposure to complex pesticide mixtures and the presence of chromosomal aberrations (CA), sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) and micronuclei (MN) has been detected in the majority of the studies. Genetic damage associated with pesticides occurs in human populations subject to high exposure levels due to intensive use, misuse or failure of control measures.


Geological work gradually developed under the planned economy system in China. Its reform has been deepened with the deepening of national economic reform. Geological investigation work has developed with social and economic development. The paper discusses investment trend of geological investigation work in China and the existing problems, analyzes the future demands of geological investigation work and its investment trend during the 12th Five-Year Plan period.


This one-day seminar was held as part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. Senior representatives from the public and private sectors gathered to discuss and debate current and emerging issues in complaint handling and ombudsman oversight of administration. Speeches and presentations from the seminar are available online. Speakers included Bruce Barbour, New South Wales Ombudsman; A. J. Brown, Socio-Legal Research Centre, Griffith Law School; Bill Dee, Director, Compliance and Complaints Advisory Services; Hank Jongen, General Manager, Communications, Centrelink; John McMillan, Commonwealth Ombudsman; Clare Petre, Energy and Water Ombudsman NSW; Brett Phillips, Executive Director, Office of Regulatory Services; Andrew Podger, IPAA National President; Peter Shergold, Secretary, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet; and John Wood, Member, Access Card, Consumer and Privacy Taskforce.


This paper focuses on the dynamic effects of flexible propellers on F2 class aircraft models. An oscillating propeller affects an engine's mechanical performance, and this combination has a huge influence on the model's flight dynamic performance. In the first and second sections of this paper, two physical tests that were performed according to the test results obtained using a CFX numerical model are discussed. The studies on flexible propellers for class F2 aircraft models performed in this paper show that, when the first resonant frequencies of the propeller are within the operating range of the aircraft, better flight parameters are achieved. This study helps to explain the effect of a glass composite's Young's modulus on the mechanical behavior of a physical propeller in operating conditions and the effect of propeller stiffness on flapping propeller dynamics and unsteady aerodynamics.


I n this Open Mind article, Dr Pryde discusses his unusual career trajectory, his perspective on the state of obstetric medicine in the United States during the past 30 years, and the ongoing attendant crisis in maternal medicine. The author's training in obstetrics began in the 1980s, when assessment of the fetus was mainly through both hands-on maternal physical exam and indirect evaluations of maternal health. In fact, he notes that before the introduction of high-resolution ultrasound imaging and other advances, an obstetrician's full attention was on the mother. Her health was paramount. However, following technological advances and establishment of routine, safe fetal intervention practices (eg, periumbilical blood sampling), a shift toward the "maternal-fetal dyad" philosophy in obstetric medicine occurred. Over time, the author observed that fetal status became elevated, from that of a passenger of secondary concern to the mother to that of an individual second patient. He notes that fetal interventions became paramount, even if such interventions entailed significant maternal risk. It was this fundamental change that prompted the author to leave maternal-fetal medicine at 47 years old, in order to retrain in anesthesiology and dedicate his work to "Maternal Medicine," or the focused care of women experiencing medically complicated pregnancies. Maternal mortality and morbidity rates in the United States have been increasing since 2003, but the author notes that it was in 2010 that a maternity-care crisis became undeniable. Even though US health care expenditures far exceed that of other nations, it still had the highest maternal mortality ratio of any resource-rich country. While changes like the rise in maternal obesity rates and the associated chronic conditions, increasing average maternal age, and changing environmental factors (opioid epidemic, racial divide, etc.) negatively influence the crisis, the author believes that these factors alone cannot fully account for these increasing rates. In fact, Dr Pryde believes that optimization of maternal in-hospital care could reverse these adverse trends. The author cites the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative project as an example. This collaborative established a statewide maternal care program in 2008, which included creation and deployment of safety bundles, establishment of standardized, evidence-based care, and hands-on training for and dissemination of specialized interdisciplinary teams. Since its implementation of the statewide program, California has seen a remarkable decrease in maternal mortality, contrary to other states in the country. Consequently, based on the results of the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative, the author believes that maternal morbidity and mortality can be substantially reduced by striving for nationwide optimization of hospital maternity care. It goes beyond simply having skilled clinicians. He proposes that, in order to achieve success, obstetric units need (1) the formation of teams capable of addressing complex medical and resuscitative aspects of peripartum events at obstetric care facilities; (2) team leaders who coordinate early recognition of maternal crises and appropriately escalate; (3) organization of life-saving treatments and delegation of tasks; (5) an interdisciplinary leadership approach to hospital maternal medicine; and (6) inclusion of the physician anesthesiologist in the care of the maternal patient, specifically an obstetric anesthesiologist. In fact, the author believes that anesthesiology training confers skills that are critical and translatable in obstetric emergencies, including but not limited to establishing emergency intravenous access, expert pharmaceutical titration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and more. Maternal medicine is a high stakes field, involving morally complex decisions and consideration of 2 lives. The interdependence within the maternal-fetal dyad is absolute, and the challenge of maternal medicine is to provide an intervention for both the maternal and fetal patient that does not endanger either party. It is impossible to eliminate all obstetric-related mortality and morbidity. However, with intensification of obstetric anesthesiology manpower, regionalization of maternal care, and proper staffing and coverage of units with maternity rescue-ready clinicians on-site, the author believes that many obstetrical-related catastrophes are avoidable.


Diabetes‐related foot ulceration (DFU) is a common limb‐threatening condition, which is complex and subsequently challenging to manage. The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of a range of clinical and social factors to the healing of diabetes‐related foot ulceration in an Australian population.


Word-of-mouth (WOM) is interpreted as inter-consumer communication regarding their personal experience of a product or service. WOM Marketing has become an important communication tool to promote brands and products. The objective of this study is to investigate the influence of WOM on purchase intention as well as to examine WOM as the mediating effect in associating the antecedents (service quality, trust, utilitarian value, and hedonic value) and purchase intention among Sarawak's hotel guests. Studies have proven that WOM to be rather persuasive compared to advertising in transferring positive or negative information and is set to be one of the most relevant and important strategies to promote hotel's products. This cross-sectional paper, using self-administered questionnaires, is one of the few papers to examine the prominent factors on word of mouth and purchase intention in the context of Sarawak hotel industry. The targeted population sample consisted of 400 respondents who stayed in the hotels in Kuching. Quantitative study, random sampling method, descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the data collection and analysis, of which SPSS version 23 and PROCESS Model 4 were utilized. The results indicated that there was a significant mediating effect between all the four antecedents and purchase intention.


PURPOSE: A railway switch monitoring system is provided to confirm the voltage of a railway switch through a terminal in real time by transmitting the voltage of the railway switch measured in a voltage measuring unit to an external terminal through a communication unit. CONSTITUTION: A voltage measurement unit(100) measures the voltage of a railway switch. A data processing unit(200) generates data according to the result measured in a voltage measuring unit. A data storage unit(300) stores data generated from the data processing unit. A data converting unit(310) converts storage data from the data storage unit. A communication unit(400) transmits the conversion value from the data converting unit to an external terminal.


Abstract— The effects of, and interaction between, noradrenaline and α,β‐methylene ATP upon polyphosphoinositide (PPI) breakdown, investigated by measuring the accumulation of inositol phosphates, and contraction, were studied in tail arteries from normo‐ (WKY) and spontaneously‐hypertensive (SHR) rats. Noradrenaline (10−7‐10−3 m) evoked a prazosin (10−6 m)‐sensitive, concentration‐dependent increase in total inositol phosphate accumulation in both WKY and SHR rats. No significant differences were observed in either the maximal response or in the concentration range over which noradrenaline evoked this response, between these two populations. Noradrenaline (5 × 10−7‐5 × 10−5 m) evoked a concentration‐dependent contraction of arteries from both SHR and WKY rats. The responses to noradrenaline were about 2‐fold greater at all effective concentrations of noradrenaline in SHR compared with WKY rats. α,β‐Methylene ATP (10−6 m) did not alter noradrenaline‐stimulated total inositol phosphate accumulation, in arteries from either SHR or WKY rats, measured either as the maximal response or as the EC50. α,β‐Methylene ATP (5 × 10−6m), by itself, evoked a contractile response, which was quantitatively similar in SHR and WKY rats, and was additive with the contractile responses to noradrenaline (5 × 10−7–5 × 10−5 m). The maximum response produced by a combination of noradrenaline and α,β‐Methylene ATP was quantitatively similar to that produced by noradrenaline alone. No evidence of synergism between α,β‐Methylene ATP and noradrenaline upon contraction was observed. Nerve stimulation (50 V, 16 Hz, 0·5 ms for 5 min) evoked a prazosin (10−6 m)‐sensitive significant (P < 0·001) increase in total inositol phosphate accumulation in arteries from WKY rats. α,β‐Methylene ATP did not modulate noradrenaline‐elicited increases in either contraction or PPI metabolism in either SHR or WKY rats. The postsynaptic modifications responsible for the previously reported enhanced contraction to sympathetic nerve stimulation in this tissue are not due to changes in purinergic influence upon either noradrenaline‐stimulated PPI metabolism or upon contraction.


Background
Mutant C57BL/6 mouse with corneal opacity (B6-Co) appears eye open at birth (EOB) phenotype, which is a good animal model in the study of developmental mechanism of eyelid. Investigating the relationship between serum response factor (SRF) and EOB phenotype can provide theoretical support for the research on the mechanism of innate defects in eyelid development in humans.

Objective
This study was to assess the dynamic expressions of SRF in eyelid of embryonic B6-Co mouse.

Methods
Total RNA was extracted from B6 and B6-Co mice eyelid tissue at embryonic day 16. 5 (E16. 5 d), E17. 5 d and E18. 5 d. The relative expression levels of SRF mRNA and protein in the eyelid tissue of B6 and B6-Co embryonic mice were assayed by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot, respectively. In situ expressions of SRF protein in eyelid of B6-Co mice and B6 mice were detected using immunofluorescence technique. The use and care of the animals complied with the Regulation for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals of Nantong University.

Results
The relative expression levels of SRF mRNA in the eyelids were 0. 41±0. 06 and 0. 24±0. 17 in E16. 5 d and E17. 5 d of B6-Co mice, showing a significant decline in comparison with 1. 03±0. 17 and 1. 01±0. 09 in the B6 mice (P=0. 025, 0. 017). The expression levels of SRF protein in the eyelids of E16. 5 d and E17. 5 d B6-Co mice were 0. 08±0. 01 and 0. 08±0. 01, which were significantly lower than 0. 12±0. 03 and 0. 13±0. 02 of B6 mice (P=0. 036, 0. 024). However, there were no significant differences in the expression levels of SRF mRNA and protein in E18. 5 d between the B6-Co mice and B6 mice (P=0. 387, 0. 774). Immunofluorescence assay displayed that SRF was expressed in the keratinocytes of eyelids in both mice, but the fluorescence intensity was weaker in the B6-Co mice.

Conclusions
SRF probably interrupts the developing process of eyelid in early embryo of B6-Co mice.

Key words:
Eyelids/growth & development; Morphogenesis; Mutation; Serum response factor; Eye abnormality/genetics; Keratinocytes; Phenotype; Mice, B6-Co


We have performed time resolved X‐ray diffraction experiments with picosecond time resolution on Si single crystal compressed by laser irradiation. From the measured diffraction profiles, temporal and spatial distribution of the strain in the sample have been estimated using the direct search of optimization method based on the dynamical X‐ray diffraction theory. The maximum compression of 1.05% was measured at the irradiation power density of 4.7X109 W/cm2. We discussed pressure distribution analyzing observed data.


A 0.25 cm3 autonomous energy harvesting micro-platform is realized to efficiently scavenge, rectify and store ambient vibration energy with batteryless cold start-up and zero sleep-mode power consumption. The fabricated compact system integrates a high-performance vacuum-packaged piezoelectric MEMS energy harvester with a power management IC and surface-mount components including an ultra-capacitor. The power management circuit incorporates a rectification stage with ~30 mV voltage drop, a bias-Ωip stage with a novel control system for increased harvesting efficiency, a trickle charger for permanent storage of harvested energy, and a low power supply-independent bias circuitry. The overall system weighs less than 0.6 grams, does not require a precharged battery, and has power consumption of 0.5 μW in active-mode and 10 pW in sleep-mode operation. While excited with 1 g vibration, the platform is tested to charge an initially depleted 70 mF ultra-capacitor to 1.85 V in 50 minutes (at 155 Hz vibration), and a 20 mF ultra-capacitor to 1.35 V in 7.5 min (at 419 Hz). The end-to-end rectification efficiency from the harvester to the ultra-capacitor is measured as 58-86%. The system can harvest from a minimum vibration level of 0.1 g.


Efficient waste heat dissipation has become increasingly challenging as transistor size has decreased to nanometers. As governed by universal Umklapp phonon scattering, the thermal conductivity of semiconductors decreases at higher temperatures and causes heat transfer deterioration under high-power conditions. In this study, we realized simultaneous electrical and thermal rectification (TR) in a monolayer MoSe2-WSe2 lateral heterostructure. The atomically thin MoSe2-WSe2 heterojunction forms an electrical diode with a high ON/OFF ratio up to 104. Meanwhile, a preferred heat dissipation channel was formed from MoSe2 to WSe2 in the ON state of the heterojunction diode at high bias voltage with a TR factor as high as 96%. Higher thermal conductivity was achieved at higher temperatures owing to the TR effect caused by the local temperature gradient. Furthermore, the TR factor could be regulated from maximum to zero by rotating the angle of the monolayer heterojunction interface. This result opens a path for designing novel nanoelectronic devices with enhanced thermal dissipation. Description A one-way street for heat For most materials, reversing the direction of the thermal gradient does not change the thermal conductivity. The difficulty in finding thermal rectifiers impedes the development of thermal diodes that would be important for managing heat flow. Y. Zhang et al. found that a heterostructure made of molybdenum diselenide and tungsten diselenide rectifies both electricity and heat. The magnitude of the effect depends on the relative geometry of the interface and the thermal gradient. The discovery provides the opportunity to develop more effective heat dissipation in highly integrated circuits. —BG A monolayer heterostructure rectifier was developed to obtain simultaneous electrical and thermal rectification.


The effect of various water cooking time on PP mechanical properties is studied.The morphology structure of PP injection mouldings is analyzed before and after water cooking through polarization microscope and scanning electron microscope(SEM).The results show that the comprehensive mechanical properties of PP are improved after 30 days cooking in 90 ℃ water,indicating that PP has better resistance to hot water.


Background Adipose tissue an active endocrine organ. In pts with RA the redistribution of body fat mass. Using BMI and WC do not allow to distinguish between fat and lean (muscle) mass. Performing dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry allows to specify the quantitative composition of the body(mass of adipose tissue and muscle) in pts with early RA. Objectives to compare the indicators of the quantitative composition of the body in groups of RApts with different disease activity before and after the appointment of therapy. Methods included 37pts with early RA(ACR/EULAR2010), 57 [46.5, 62] yrs, duration of disease 6 [5.5,15.5]mths, IgMRF seropositive antiCCP, with high RA activity(DAS285.5 [5.1,6], SDAI 32.4 [22.4, 42], CDAI 29 [19.7, 39.5]). After inclusion in the study, all pts started receiving MTX 10 [10–15 mg/week), after 12 weeks, with ineffective MTX, ADA 40 mg/2 weeks was prescribed. The quantitative composition of the body was determined initially and after 6mths by means of DXA using the apparatus HOLOGIC,analysing the following parameters:the total, of fat and lean mass. Results By the 24th week of therapy, 13 (35%)pts with earlyRA received combined therapy(ADA, MTX), 24 (65%) pts with RA monotherapy MTX. Depending on the activity of RA(DAS28)by the 24th week of therapy, pts are divided into 2groups: I(n=18) pts with remission/low activity, II(n=19)with moderate/high RA activity (table 1). Initially, the groups differed in fat mass:this index was higher in the group of pts with moderate/high activity persisting, compared with the group of pts with remission/low activity of RA:30.2 kg versus 19.4 kg. In the I group of pts before the treatment and after 6mths of therapy,a statistically significant decrease in muscle mass was observed:from 45.2 kg to 41.6 kg. A decrease in the mass of adipose tissue after 24 weeks of therapy was noted in the IIgroup of pts with RA:from 30.2 kg to 28.2 kg. The difference in the indices between the groups by the 6 month of therapy was noted for the mass of adipose tissue. This composition of the body score was also higher in pts with moderate and high RA activity, compared to the group of pts with remission/low RA activity: 28.2 kg versus 18.9 kg(p<0.05 in all cases).Abstract AB0412 – Table 1 Group I(n=18)Remission/low activity GroupII(n=19)Medium/high activity 0 24 weeks Δ,% 0 24 weeks Δ,% Fat mass, kg 19,4[15,8;25,9]** 18,9[16,4;24,3]*** -3 30,2[20,7;37,6] 28,2[22,7;40,2]* -7 Lean mass, kg 45,2[38,9;54,4] 41,6[38,6;48,4]* -8 42,9[38,9;54] 44,2[40,1;55,4] +3 Total weight, kg 70[58;80,8] 64,9[59,5;81] -7 72,8[60,;102] 74,7[64;97,9] +3 BMI, kg/m2 23,4 [21,5;27,5]** 23,8[20,2;26,5] +1 26,8[22,8;34,6] 26,0[23,3;34,3] -2 *p<0,05 reliability of differences in factors before treatment and after 6mth(Wilcoxon);**p<0.05 differences in baseline values in Groups I and II(Mann-Whitney test);***p<0.05 difference in the indices between the groups by the 6mth of therapy; Δ,% the difference between the indices between the groups by the 6mth of therapy. Conclusions pts with RA who achieved Igroup after 6 mths of therapy initially had a smaller volume of adipose tissue, compared with pts with moderate and high RA activity. Despite the achievement of remission after 6mths of therapy,a loss of lean mass(probably the development of rheumatoid cachexia) continued in some pts, but these data need confirmation in studies with a large number of pts and a longer period of follow-up. Disclosure of Interest None declared


The Carboniferous reservoirs were obviously controlled by weathered crust in Zhundong Area and lied within 100 m of the weathered crust below the unconformable surface.By analyzing the lithology,pore type and reservoir physical property,it was considered that in the carboniferous reservoirs,secondary pores were developed and were controlled and influenced by tectonics,lithology and secondary pores.The weathered crust are exposed to the surface for long time,and continuuous activity of surface water makes strong leach and zeolitize on it and the secondary pores and fractures are developed with good physical property.It is an important oil-gas bearing unit.


The second in a series of case reports where optometrist Dr Michael Crossland shows how low vision care can be provided without the need for any specialist equipment


Multiple-contour small-diameter camshafts,which are the important component of multifunctional injectable medical devices,are widely used. Combined with the actual production,traditional processing method for multiple-contour small-diameter camshafts the main problems were analyzed. The multiple-contour small-diameter camshaft is machined by multifunction compound milling machines with NC programming and the reasonable processing technology. The results show that adopting the new compound milling process to machine the camshaft,product processing accuracy,significantly improved the processing efficiency and greatly reduced costs.


In this study, we developed a multi-compartment model based method for deriving multi-parametric mapping of the heart from the MOLLI T1 mapping acquisition. The preliminary results on patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy demonstrated the feasibility of deriving 9 quantitative parametric maps from a single scan and showed its potential of providing a comprehensive assessment of the myocardial tissue composition.


The spin Seebeck effect occurs in magnetic insulators where a gradient in temperature causes a spin current to flow through the material. The prototypical material in which this effect has been studied is Yttrium Iron Garnet (YIG). This material is ferrimagnetic, where Fe moments exist in two different environments. Analytic theories concerning spin Seebeck effect have often simplified the representation of YIG to a simple ferromagnet, where the magnetization is assumed to be that which is macroscopically measured. However the spin wave spectrum of YIG is radically different to that of a simple ferromagnet, containing 20 spin wave modes [1]. Early experiments found a strong temperature dependence of some of the spin wave modes and it was observed that high frequency modes could shift to much lower frequencies [2]. Recent studies have identified that the multiband spectrum should be better understood to improve the understanding of the SSE at room temperatures [3]. We have implemented a microscopic model of YIG using the techniques of atomistic spin dynamics (ASD). This many-body numerical approach is beyond analytic theories and also a significant improvement over micromagnetic approaches for such problems. We calculate the spin wave spectrum of YIG as a function of temperature and applied magnetic field to find the characteristic changes in the frequency and amplitudes of the spin wave modes. Such effects may be important in the understanding of spin Seebeck effect, especially at short length scales such as near interfaces. References [1] V. Cherepanov, I. Kolokolov, and V. L'vov, Phys. Rep. 229, 81 (1993). [2] J. S. Plant, J. Phys. C: Solid State Phys. 10, 4805 (1977). [3] P. Yan and G. E. W. Bauer, Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 087202 (2012). F re q u en cy (T H z)


Microwave (MW) technology relies on volumetric heating. Thermal energy is transferred to the material that can absorb it at specific frequencies. The complex physics involved in this process is far from being understood and that is why a simulation tool has been developed in order to solve the electromagnetic and thermal equations in such a complex material as a multilayered composite part. The code is based on the in-plane-out-of-plane separated representation within the Proper Generalized Decomposition framework. To improve the knowledge on the process, a parameter study in carried out in this paper.


Marine drugs are extremely important in pharmacology, whether directly or indirectly. In recent years, the study of drugs derived from marine natural resources has experienced a rebirth. Based on contemporary medical theory, marine pharmacology is a novel area of pharmacy that studies marine natural substances and develops them into pharmaceuticals to treat disease. It is a distinctive course that covers pharmaceutical formulations as well as marine natural chemicals and their pharmacological effects. An array of taxonomically diverse algae, fungi, bacteria, seaweed, mangrove plants, and other planktons make up the marine ecosystem. Secondary metabolites with various structures and pharmacological activities are abundant in marine organisms. The recent increase in the number of patents published justifies the importance of this study for identifying new entities as sources of therapeutic agents. The new compounds are said to have anticancer, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. Marine pharmacology is a brand-new area of cross-disciplinary study that calls for a thorough understanding and practical application of many different fields of knowledge. Therefore, this review presents background data on recent advances in marine pharmacology and emphasizes the subjects that need further study.


Protamine–DNA complexes prepared by the method of direct and slow mixing in 2.5 × 10−4M EDTA, pH 8.0, have been studied by thermal denaturation and circular dichroism. The complexes show biphasic melting with Tm at about 50 °C corresponding to the melting of free DNA regions and Tm′ at about 92 °C corresponding to the melting of protamine‐bound regions. In protamine‐bound regions there are 1.38 amino acid residues per nucleotide, indicating a nearly completely charge neutralization. Tm is increased but Tm′ is not when the ionic strength of the buffer is raised. This also supports a full charge neutralization in protamine‐bound regions. The circular dichroism of the complexes can be decomposed into two components, Δε0 of free DNA regions in B‐form conformation and Δεb of protamine‐bound regions in a characteristic conformation neither that of B‐ nor C‐form but somewhere between them.


To solve the question of guaranteeing the safety of a system with a complex structure and tight couplings, a new method of optimal allocation exploiting the dynamical planning theory is presented. Two key factors that can affect system safety, i.e., accident loss and accident rate are analyzed. Then, to measure comprehensively requirements of system safety, accident safety level is defined based on these two factors. Subsequently, optimal allocation for complex systems' safety resource is implemented according to the network properties of the inherent structures of the systems and constraint conditions for safe investments. Finally, a case study shows that the method using dynamical planning for optimal allocation of system safety can ensure preferential allocations of the parts with high safety requirements. Besides, this optimal allocation method is feasible and valid.


Abstract Objective: Comprehensive surgical staging is the mainstay of initial treatment for most patients with endometrial cancer. This study compared hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for endometri...


All-YBa/sub 2/Cu/sub 3/O/sub 7/ (YBCO) superconductor-insulator superconductor tunnel edge junctions have been fabricated. Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ is used as the barrier material. YBCO and Y/sub 2/O/sub 3/ are deposited by electron-beam evaporation under the same deposition conditions. Special attention is paid to creating a smooth base-electrode edge by ion-mill etching. The junction width is reduced to submicron size in order to avoid defects in the junction region. The YBCO superconductive gap structure observed in dynamic conductance, measurements is very pronounced. Quasi-particle tunneling is observed with very low leakage in the subgap region. No zero-bias anomalies are present. The edge junction fabrication and the junction tunneling characteristics are discussed.<<ETX>>


Abstract Started its regular, daily operational phase in 2011, by the occasion of the Symp264 in the XXVII IAU GA at Rio de Janeiro, the results so far obtained show that the Heliometer of the Observatorio Nacional fulfilled its planed performance of single measurement to the level of few tens of milli-arcsecond, freely pivoting around the heliolatitudes without systematic deviations or error enhancement. We present and discuss the astrometric additions required on ground based astronomic programs. We also discuss instrumental and observations terms, namely the constancy of the basic heliometric angle, against which the measurements are made, and the independence to meteorological and pointing conditions.


Fitness trackers have broadened the healthcare ecosystem and made self-tracking everyday physical activities possible. Features like heart rate monitoring can help detect health ailments, yet there is little evidence that suggests tracking health indicators and physical activities leads to long-term health behavior change. This proceeding analyzes areas of Human Factors that could be used to increase long-term user engagement. Feedback, information display, and specific design principles and case studies are discussed.


As part of the Comparative Health System Performance (CHSP) Initiative, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the CHSP Coordinating Center hosted the Initiative's second annual workshop on September 14, 2017, to promote shared learning and advance the Initiative's objectives. Key staff from AHRQ, the three Centers of Excellence (CoEs), and the Coordinating Center attended the 1-day in-person workshop, along with Federal data stewards and members of the CHSP technical expert panel.


Qinglong Dachang is a large antimony(Sb)ore deposit in southwestern region of Guizhou province.Puqing exploration zone possesses good conditions for ore formation.It is possible to find out a large SbAu ore body in Puqing exploration zone when using comprehensive analyses of surface original halo anomaly,surface denudation and outcrop caused by folk mining activities.


e15160Background: Development (DV) of immune-related adverse events (IRAEs) to immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) have been associated (asso/) with (w/) favorable treatment (tx) response, but hetero...


As a language learner,if you want to have a profound experience and understanding of the language,you should be aware of its characteristics.As we know,after about 1500 years' evolution and development,English has become one of the languages which have the largest vocabulary and the strongest expression.English vocabulary has a large range of source and rich synonymous,as well as many words in analogy.English expression is flexible and diversified.These constitute some of the characteristics of English vocabulary and rhetoric.


Dear Editor-in-ChiefDisinfected water at the water treatment plant may be polluted again when the water is being transported. Hence, the water should be protected against the possible pollutions by keeping the dis- infectant residues in the transportation line. If chlorine is selected as the disinfectant, it will be added to the water in a way that its residue re- mains in the line so as to prevent any unpredicted pollution. The term free residual chlorine (FRC) is given to each one of the (HClO), (OCl-), Cl- (g) compounds .Due to the following reasons it is better to diminish or removal the concentration of residual chlorine at the point of use.I. Recent studies show the chlorine in treated water is dangerous to human health and can cause allergic symptoms ranging from skin rash to intestinal symptoms to arthri- tis. Chlorine in water destroys protective lactic acid bacteria lining the colon, which cooperates and strengthen mucosal im- mune response against foreign pathogens at the intestine (1). On the other hand, an epidemiological study entitled "chlorina- tion water hardness and serum cholesterol in forty-six Wisconsin communities", demonstrated that serum cholesterol and low density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are significantly higher in chlorinated communities than in non-chlorinated com- munities (2). In some cases, patients are prevented to consume water that contains FRC.II. People usually use tap water for daily using, often disinfected by chlorine. Disinfection by-product such as Trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed in the preparation of many foods and drinks, by reaction of FRC with organic compounds in foods and drinks (3).So, it is better that before preparing food and drink, the chlorine is removed from water.III. FRC prevents to microbial contamination in water distribution system, but when was swallowed, its disinfection effect is un- important and is considered an additive. So, it is better to remove FRC from drink- ing water.IV. The concentration of free residual chlorine at the beginning of water distribution line is higher than that in the rest of the line. In fact, those who live in the vicinity of a water treatment plant receive more FRC in their water (4). It seems that the better way to deal with FRC in the distribution line is to remove it from the delivery path before the water is being consumed by people. In addition, due to the public awareness about the formation of hazard- ous by-products in water, people are in- creasingly approaching to the consump- tion of non-chlorinated water; further- more, increasing numbers of people are using water treatment devices in their homes to minimize the FRC concentra- tion present in water.For decay of chlorine there are two methods: 1- Storage of the samples at ambience 2- Storage of the samples in refrigerator. Results indicated that if water samples contain FRC (0.2-0.8mg/l) are maintained in ambience and refrigerator, after 24 hr, FRC will decrease by 62% and 51% respec- tively. …


A 1996-1997 field study of reasons for nonparticipation in literacy programs among illiterate Mayan adults in rural western Guatemala demonstrated an emic-etic distinction within adult education. This distinction may be the critical determinant of success or failure of adult education efforts and can also explain gaps between theory, research, and the practice of adult education. Literacy programs have aimed to convert illiterate adults into literates. However, emic concepts held by illiterate adults in this study have made these attempts fail and deterred illiterate adults from participation in literacy programs. These concepts are generated and supported at four structural levels: individual-4a) literacy is not work and (b) the concept of schooling; family-(a) family obligations and moral values and (b) humiliation of the adult male; community-(a) the concept of Maya and (b) moral economy; national-4a) loss of cultural identity, (b) indigenous community, and (c) irrelevance of literacy.


In order to further promote the college English classroom teaching effect of the independent college so as to improve andpromote the development of independent institute of college English education,this paper starting from the present situation of in-dependent college English classroom teaching,analyzes the existing shortcomings,and puts forward a series of strategies to solvethese problems,in order to offer reference and improvement.This paper is supposed to find a reliable way for promoting continuousimprovement of teaching quality of college English class in independent college through the author's effort and provide some theo-retical basis for reference.


Traditional knowledge has increasingly been recognized as being of value for contemporary education. Recently, aspects of traditional knowledge are seen of considerable relevance to modern education. This recognition has arisen at the same time as debates on the concept of sustainable development. This research sets out to design, implement and evaluate an environmental education programme that benefits from Bedouin traditional knowledge in the Protected Areas of South Sinai, Egypt. It draws on Habermas' Communicative Action theory and employs action research. The research devises and employs a new framework for its implementation and analysis: Critical Participatory Educational Action Research (CPEAR). The research was implemented through three CPEAR cycles. Overall, the study concludes,1, at this stage the programme should be implemented in an out-of-school context, in part due to widespread lack of understanding of Bedouin traditional knowledge;2 Bedouins are willing to protect the environment and Traditional knowledge since these support their social and economic welfare;3 using Traditional knowledge, can serve to empower children and adults from a range of backgrounds.


P2P communities are online communities of entities which offer services to each other without a central administration. Community members that need a specific service have to choose the transaction partner which they believe that will provide them with a required service of the expected quality, thus, they need mechanisms to support trust decisions regarding who they will transact with. P2P reputation systems provide trust mechanisms for P2P communities. Due to their decentralized and social nature, they are vulnerable to various types of attacks which distort their credibility and effectiveness. In our paper we first identify the credibility factors of a P2P reputation system. Then we describe a dynamic reputation mechanism for P2P communities, which integrates some of these credibility factors and which can be used as part of a comprehensive reputation system enhancing its robustness against some types of attacks. Simulation results show the effectiveness of our mechanism in relation to other reputation mechanisms which do not integrate such factors.


The Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI‐RADS) is a comprehensive system for standardizing the terminology, technique, interpretation, reporting, and data collection of liver imaging, created specifically for patients at risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Over the past years, LI‐RADS has been progressively implemented into clinical practice, but pitfalls remain related to user error and inherent limitations of the system. User pitfalls include the inappropriate application of LI‐RADS to a low‐risk patient population, incorrect measurement techniques, inaccurate assumptions about LI‐RADS requirements, and improper usage of LI‐RADS terminology and categories. System pitfalls include areas of discordance with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) as well as pitfalls related to rare ancillary features. This article reviews common user pitfalls in applying LI‐RADS v2018 and how to avoid preventable errors and also highlights deficiencies of the current version of LI‐RADS and how it might be improved in the future.


Sandia Cave is an important latest Pleistocene(late Rancholabrean) vertebrate fauna, with more than 30 species of mammals, including 9 members of extinct Pleistocene megafauna: Nothrotheriops shastensis, 2 species of Equus, Camelops hesternus, Hemiauchenia macrocephala, Capromeryx minor, Bison antiquus, Mammut americanum, and Mammuthus columbi.When Frank Hibben excavated Sandia Cave inthe late 1930s,he used the presence of these extinct species to argue that associated archaeological materials were also Pleistocene in age. Ataphonomic study of the large mammals has not shown any instances of human modification on extinct or extralimital species, lending no support to Hibben's argument. Instead, extensive of these fauna. However, a small proportion of unidentifiable bone fragments do display human damage in the form of cut and percussion marks, and bone tools. The ages of these activities will be determined by pending radiocarbon dates. Taphonomic analysis of the lagomorphs and larger sciurids shows no positively identifiable cultural modification, indicating that these smaller mammalian species were accumulated by carnivores or raptorial birds, and then further modified by rodent gnawing. The faunal assemblage from Sandia Cave (elevation 2165 m) also has important paleoecological and paleoclimatological implications. Several cold-adapted small mammals extralimital to the modern Sandia Mountains (maximum elevation~3250 m) have been identified, including the yellow-bellied marmot, Marmota flaviventris. Radiocarbon dates of 16,290 and 24,050 yrBP on M. flaviventris bones from a neighboring cave and 11,850-13,700 yrBP on large mammal bones from Sandia Cave indicate that faunal assemblages from the Sandia Mountains sample the interval from the last glacial maximum through the latest Pleistocene. Holocene bone fragments have likely also been introduced more recently by a combination of human, carnivore, and raptor activity.


Objective A case-control study was performed to investigate the relationship between gallbladder cancer(GCA) and gallbladder stones(GS).Methods The 41 patients of combined gallbladder gallstone(Test group) and 41 patients of gallbladder stones without gallbladder(Control group),that received treatment in my hospital from January 2000 to December 2010,were retrospectively analysis.Results General character analysis showed patients of test group had higher average age(P0.05).As to Clinical symptoms,cases of test group were significantly associated with the history of chronic cholecystitis time,skin stained yellow sclera,and a longer gallstones history(all the p value were smaller than 0.05).there were no significant difference in intermittent upper abdominal pain and significant weight loss between the two groups.Conclusion Gallstones is one of the most important pathologic conditions of gallbladder carcinoma.The early diagnosis of gallbladder carcinoma is difficult and the therapeutic efficacy is still not satisfactory.Gallstone cancer patients with risk factors should be paid more attention and take active preventive cholecystectomy.


In the autumn of 2009, I arranged four murders. These were carried out in public to reactions that included titters of amused laughter, yawns of overt disinterest, and gasps of what appeared to be genuine shock, although in all cases there was applause at the end. The killings I conspired to instigate were theatrically enacted fictions presented to the public on three consecutive evenings (30 October–1 November) as part of a cabaret of performances sponsored by the Centre for Drama, Theatre, and Performance Studies (hereafter Drama Centre) at the University of Toronto. Billed as the "Hallowe'en Vaudevilles," the program distributed to audience members described the mixed bill as an opportunity for PhD students writing dissertations on nineteenth-century theatrical topics "to explore their own academic research in performance practice." My dissertation is a work of theatre history that explores how the theatrical culture of late-Victorian London became enmeshed in the press and public furor that surrounded the 1888 Whitechapel murders, providing much of the iconographic material for the creation of the mythic figure of Jack the Ripper that came to be associated with these still unsolved crimes. My contribution to the performance evening was to stage murder scenes from four popular melodramas originally performed in London and Paris in the late 1880s that are analyzed in that work. Two of the dramas from which I excerpted scenes are relatively well-known to historians of the nineteenth-century theatre: the version of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde that was dramatized by T. R. Sullivan for the American star Richard Mansfield, and the original melodrama La Tosca written by Victorien Sardou as a vehicle for Sarah Bernhardt. Both have been written about because of the importance of their lead performers and the significance of their stories in other dramatic and literary media. The other two plays—London Day By Day, written for the Adelphi stage by George Robert Sims and Henry Pettitt; and Jacques l'éventreur by Gaston Marot and Louis Pericaud as performed at the Théâtre du Château-d'Eau in Paris—are rather less remembered and written about, although the former featured one of the first star turns by George Alexander prior to his famous stint as manager of the St. James Theatre, where he was associated with Pinero and especially Wilde. So far as I have been able to ascertain, our staging of scenes from these two dramas marked the first time any portion of either play has been publicly performed since its original nineteenth-century run.


Abstract We present the first high resolution optical spectrum of the black hole candidate BG Geminorum, as well as UV spectroscopy from the Hubble Space Telescope, and X-ray data from INTEGRAL. The UV spectra suggest the presence of material in BG Gem with velocities possibly as high as ∼1000 km s−1, suggesting an origin at a distance of ∼0.7 R⊙ from a 3.5 M⊙ object; if real, this would be strong evidence that the primary in BG Gem is indeed a black hole. In contrast, the upper limit provided by the INTEGRAL data gives a maximum X-ray luminosity of only ∼0.1 of the Eddington luminosity.


Objective To investigate the operative method and clinical effect of the arthroscopic minimally invasive surgery treatment for double-bundle reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligamant. Methods February 2007 to August 2011, used of arthroscopy minimally invasive technology on 163 cases of knee torn ligament of the across before patients with double beam reconstruction surgery. The conventional arthroscopic surgery under the patellar before (AM) and anterolateral (AL) into the road, under mirror confirmed that former cross torn ligament injury and deal with the merger in tibia nodules in - side did normal oblique incision, took out half a tendon muscles and tendons of thin, trim weave, were folded in half into 3 to 4 shares, set aside. In tibia and femur bone drilling system respectively 2 way (general 4 bone way), the introduction of weaving good half sinews and strands thin muscle. The up end of the tendons were fixed with Endobutton while the tibial end was fixed by interface absorbable screws. Results Postoperative follow-ups were carried out for 12 to 30 months among the 163 cases except for the 3 cases who couldn′t be contacted for the follow-up. It adopted Lysholm Score before and after the operation. Before the operation the average Lysholm score was 50 (43-71) points, twelve months after the operation the average Lysholm score was 93 (78-99) points in the follow-up visit. The good rate was 95%. Conclusion The arthroscopic minimally invasive surgery treatment for double-bundle reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligamant imitates the nor - mal anatomical structure of anterior cruciate ligamant, effectively rebuilds the stabilization that can maintain the spin of the knee to move back and forth in the vertical and axial direction. After the operation, the stablization of the patients ′ knee is recovered very well. Compare to the single-bundle reconstruction, the clinical effect of double-bundle reconstruction of an - terior cruciate ligamant is more satisfactory.


The hereby work describes the examples of protecti n of light fighting vehicles armoured with additional reactive armours. The way of protecting of light fighting vehicles with the use of composite-reactiv e armours against penetration with HEAT projectiles (with a penetration ability of 300 mm RHA) and against small calibre (up to 14,5 mm) armour-piercing bullets are shown o n the example of the BWP-1. Technical parameters of the CERAWA-1 armour and its as embly on BWP-1 are presented. The work also presents the results of st atic tests of several variants of reactive-passive panels of light fighting vehicles against PG-7 projectiles' p erforation at the angle of 60° and 72° from normal to the cassette surface. Depending on t he surface mass of the light reactive-passive armour panels, d ifferent levels of damage to the armour witness plate were achieved.


Background: Dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) is an endemic disease in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia. The use of insecticide induce negative impact, so it required natural ingridients like soursop leaf (Annona muricata). The research was conducted to perceive the effectiveness of soursop leaf extract as larvacide, LC 50 and LT 50 values. Method: The research design is an experimental, using completely randomized design. The amount of sample used was 480 larvas, which divided into 6 groups of soursop leaf extract concentration, 0% (negative control); 0,25%; 0,5%; 0,75%; 1%; and abate 1% (positive control). Each container contained 20 larvas and was given 200 ml soursop extract solution, repeated for 4 times. Kruskal-wallis test (p<0.05), Post-Hoctest Mann-Whitney (p<0.05) and Probit analized is used to analize LC 50 and LT 50 value. Result: The research showed that the amount of dead larvae was 28,75% at a concentration of 0,25%; 58,75% at a concentration of 0,5%; 95% at a concentration of 0,75%; and 96,25% at a concentration of 1%. The effective concentration were 0,75% and 1% because the larvacide potency is almost equal as abate 1%. LC 50 value was 0,989% at at 20 th minute; 0,897% at 40 th minute; 0,777% at 60 th minute; 0,349% at 120 th minute; 0,220% at 240 th minute; 0,207% at 480 th minute; 0,165% at 1.440 th minute; 0,110% at 2.880 th minute and 0,087% at 4.320 th minute. LT50 value was 1528,747 minutes at concentration of 0,5%; 148,688 minutes at a concentration of 0,75% and 106,650 minutes at a concentration of 1%. Conclusion: Soursop leaf (Annona muricata) extract has larvacide effect against instar III Aedes aegypti larvae. [J Agromed Unila 2014; 1(1):8-15]  Keywords: aedes aegypty, annona muricata, larvacide


Objective To explore clinical effects of micro-nurosurgical treatment with small craniotomy lateral fissure approach to treat moderate or severe intraceral hemorrhage from putamen.Methods All of 51 patients with moderate or severe intracerebral hemorrhage were subjected to surgical treatment.Scalp incision was approximate the projection of lateral fissure on head,the diameter of the window of bone was about 3cm.The lateral fissure was opened by anatomizing sylvian cistern.After incising the cortex of insular,hemotoma was removed.Results 11 cases were dead,the mortality was 21 57%.The ADL was accepted as a standard means of describing outcome in these patients .2 cases,were subjected to Grade Ⅰ,6 cases for GradeⅡ,15 cases for GradeⅢ,8 cases for Grade Ⅳ,2 cases for Grade Ⅴ.Conclusions There is no significant difference of outcome between small craniotomy and craniotomy.(Lateral fissure approach) Transsylvian route is very directly for deep hemotomas,and brain injury caused by approach also is very light.


Asymmetric catalysis is one of the most important areas of organic synthetic chemistry. In recent years, with the revival of organic electrochemistry, scientists have begun to try to combine asymmetric catalysis with electrochemistry to build valuable chiral molecules. In this review, we focus on examples of organic electrochemistry catalyzed by transition metals. According to the classification of the catalyst's interaction with the substrate, we can divide them into two categories: 1) transition-metal catalysts as chiral Lewis acids; 2) transition-metal catalysts that construct chiral molecules by interacting with substrates through oxidative addition/reductive elimination.


The popularity of High-Frequency Trading (HFT) or algorithmic trading has surged in the last ten years, largely due to the exponential increase in computing power. However, while software solutions for HFT have become increasingly optimized over time, they are still plagued by network stack, and kernel-user space separation overheads. Order book construction is a crucial step in any HFT system, as it provides a market snapshot on which trading decisions must be based and executed. This paper proposes a simple linear data structure for tracking the order book and a hybrid binary-linear search algorithm to maintain the top bid and ask offers corresponding to market depth, on FPGAs. Our approach takes into account that most trading activity occurs on the top of the bid and offer sides. Through design analysis and experimentation, we demonstrate that our simple approach is scalable and practical, outperforming previous methods.


This research investigated the communication policy in five radio stations in Aparecida de Goiânia city. We aimed at comparing the theoretical and legal conc...


That data follow a Gompertz distribution is a widely used assumption in diverse fields of applied sciences, e.g., in biology or when analysing survival times. Since misspecified models may lead to false conclusions, assessing the fit of the data to an underlying model is of central importance. We propose a new family of characterisation-based weighted $L^2$-type tests of fit to the family of Gompertz distributions, hence tests for the composite hypothesis when the parameters are unknown. The characterisation is motivated by distributional transforms connected to Stein's method of distributional approximation. We provide the limit null distribution of the test statistics in a Hilbert space setting and, since the limit distribution depends on the unknown parameters, we propose a parametric bootstrap procedure. Consistency of the testing procedure is shown. An extensive simulation study as well as applications to real data examples show practical benefits of the procedures: the first data set we analyse consists of lifetimes of fruitflies, the second has been synthetically generated from life tables for women born in Germany in 1948.


Out of long familiarity with this field, Mr. Eliassen, Chairman of the Graduate Division, East Tennessee State College, was requested to prepare this important bibliography. He selected and annotated the references with a view to their value for Persons interested in problems of staffing the school systems of our nation. Recent works predominate, but a few earlier studies are included because of their unusual techniques or sig nificance. Mr. Eliassen writes that these references are typical of hundreds which are available and which are deserving of attention and study. Those listed here, however, provide a substantial nucleus both for gaining a current view of the problem and for beginning a more extended study.—Douglas E. Scates, Editor.


The harmful effects of high-energy radiation to organic matter, like cancer, are well known. While insight in the radiation-induced biochemical processes is rapidly evolving, a mechanistic understanding of the initial stages of the radiation physics/chemistry, especially for the direct radiation effect, is still lacking. The complexity of macromolecules like DNA and proteins thwarts detailed analysis of the radiation defects in these systems, so that simpler and better controllable model systems need to be used. In this context, we study radicals induced by X-rays in organic molecular solids of sugars, sugar phosphates and amino acids, using a combination of electron magnetic resonance (EMR) experiments and molecular modeling based on density functional theory (DFT). Our results are also of value for dosimetric purposes since the intensity of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrum is an excellent indicator of the radiation dose. An overview of our results within this research theme over the past few years will be presented.


The head-neck biofidelity of side-impact dummies can be assessed according to the response requirements for the head-neck system based on mid-size male human subjects as published in ISO TR9790. These criteria are largely based on volunteer tests performed at the Naval Biodynamics Laboratory (NBDL) in New Orleans. The first objective of this study is to provide a judgement on the validity of applying the scaling method developed by Irwin, Mertz, Ali, Elhagediab and Moss [Guidelines for assessing the biofidelity of side impact dummies of various sizes and ages. Stapp Car Crash J. 46 (2002)] to the head-neck system. The second objective is to develop additional scaling rules to supplement the rules developed by Irwin et al. (2002), in case the existing scaling method is not valid. In order to come to a judgement on the validity of applying Irwin et al.'s scaling method to the head-neck kinematics and dynamics, first a review was performed on Irwin's scaling method, gender related differences, and the head-neck anthropometry versus responses of the NBDL volunteers. On the basis of the review an analysis was performed to find scaling rules for the head-neck kinematics and dynamics that are most plausible. From this study it was concluded that the scaling method developed by Irwin et al. to scale the mid-size male response requirements for the NBDL test condition (ISO TR9790 Neck Test 1) to a small female is only valid for the T1 lateral displacement, but not for the other response requirements. The scale factors that were found to be invalid were updated using relationships found in literature on head-neck biomechanics, and relationships found in the NBDL volunteer analysis.