The traditional neural network nonuniformity correction algorithm estimates the desired signal using four neighborhoods averaging simply and blindly, and gets unsatisfactory results when nonuniformity correction is performed with stronger nonuniformity IRFPA. Aiming at its defect, an adaptive weighting average filter is proposed. The weighted values are assigned by correcting error standard threshold, and the estimation precision of desired signal is improved. As compared with old algorithm, it has stronger correction capability. Theoretical analysis and the experiment show its superiority.


Summary The interrelations among happiness, unselfishness, and popularity were investigated in a sample of 175 men and women undergraduates and college-aged volunteers. Happiness and popularity were assessed directly by self-rating scales and unselfishness was measured covertly by reported interest in "helping people." Happiness was found to be related to self-reported popularity with the opposite sex for men and women (rs = .37 and .35, respectively) but to unselfishness for men only (r = .27). Unselfishness also correlated with popularity for men only (r = . 26). For both sexes, the partial correlations between happiness and unselfishness (popularity controlled for) were insignificant. It was suggested that unselfish men may be more popular with the opposite sex and, therefore, report greater happiness.


Objective To determine ferulate acid in the compound angelica scinensis particle by RP-HPLC method.Methods The liquid chromatography was carried out using Zorbax C_ 18 (5μm,4.6mm×250mm),with detection wavelength at 320nm.The flow rate of mobile phase[5% acetic acid-methanol(75∶25)] was 1ml/min.Results The calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.0141~0.450mg/ml(r=0.9997,n=5).The average recoveries was 94.87%(RSD=0.5%).Conclusion The method establishied in this paper can be adopt for the compound angelica scinensis particle.This method is simple,accurate,reliable and reproducible.


Objective To assess the effect of different extraction modalities on treatment outcomes in skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusions. Methods One hundred and nine skeletal Class Ⅲ patients (50 males and 59 females) with a mean age of 16.11±4.47 years were collected. The subjects were divided into four groups according to the extraction modality. They were T0 (non-extraction group), T1 (premolar extraction group), T2 (molar extraction group) and T3 (lower incisor extraction group). The PAR (peer assessment rating) index of each of the pre- and post-treatment cast was assessed. The differences of pre- and post-treatment weighed PAR score, reduction in weighed PAR score, percentage reduction in weighed PAR score and the degree of improvement between the four groups were compared. Results (1) Significant differences (P<0.001= of the reduction in weighed PAR score and percentage reduction in weighed PAR score existed between different extraction modality groups. And the order of reduction from high to low was premolar extraction group, molar extraction group, non-extraction group and lower incisor extraction group.(2) There were no "Worse-no different" cases among the four groups. 97 cases were greatly improved and accounted for 89%. There were 12 cases (11%) in improved category. (3) Greatest improvement was found in premolar extraction group and the least improvement was found in lower incisor extraction group. Conclusions Treatment outcomes of the four extraction modalities in skeletal Class Ⅲ were all satisfied. Cautions should be paid in lower incisor extraction.

Key words:
PAR index; Skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion; Extraction modality


Background: proton pump inhibitors are agents that inhibit the final step in gastric acid formation. They are available in oral forms or intravenous forms. Proton pump inhibitors can be used in case of gastric ulcer. Antiplatelet therapy is a medication that acts as cardiovascular therapy as it is used in platelet inhibition. Some antiplatelet agents may case ulcer and proton pump inhibitors may become necessary for ulcer treatment, the use of this combination may cause adverse effects for patients.
Aim of the work:  this study aimed to investigate the interaction between proton pump inhibitors and antiplatelet therapy. Materials and methods: we used the internet to obtain articles about this subject, we used  Google scholar, Pub Med and Research Gate to find the articles.
Results: we obtained 44 articles, only 11 were included and we excluded 31 articles as they have either irrelevant title or content.
Conclusion: interaction between proton pump inhibitors and antiplatelet therapy was conflicted. The data available were from randomized studies or trials, patients inclusion criteria, methods and outcome differ between the various studies, also the clinical data were limited.


Abstract : The International Conference on the Role of the Polar Regions in Global Change took place on the campus of the University of Alaska Fairbanks on June 11-15, 1990. It was cosponsored by several national and international scientific organizations, as listed on the preceding page. The host institutions were the Geophysical Institute and the Center for Global Change and Arctic System Research, both at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The goal of the conference was to define and summarize the state of knowledge on the role of the polar regions in global change, and to identify gaps in knowledge. To this purpose experts in a wide variety of relevant disciplines were invited to present papers and hold panel discussions. While them are numerous conferences on global change, this conference dealt specifically with the polar regions which occupy key positions in the global system. Conference,--Global Change, Polar Regions, Global System Over 400 scientists from 15 different countries attended and presented 200 papers on research in the Arctic and Antarctic. The papers were distributed among seven major themes and sessions, each having about three invited papers, a dozen contributed papers, and 15-20 poster papers. These papers, or their abstracts, are contained in the two proceedings volumes. In publishing the papers we did not distinguish between invited, contributed, or poster papers, but gave them all equal weight. On the final day of the conference three panels met to discuss problems and priorities in polar research. A summary of their recommendations follows the final section of papers.


Abstract In this paper, we study the large-time behavior of a numerical scheme discretizing drift–diffusion systems for semiconductors. The numerical method is finite volume in space, implicit in time, and the numerical fluxes are a generalization of the classical Scharfetter–Gummel scheme which allows to consider both linear or nonlinear pressure laws. We study the convergence of approximate solutions towards an approximation of the thermal equilibrium state as time tends to infinity, and obtain a decay rate by controlling the discrete relative entropy with the entropy production. This result is proved under assumptions of existence and uniform in time L∞-estimates for numerical solutions, which are then discussed. We conclude by presenting some numerical illustrations of the stated results.


A concept of a new type of thermal cycle system of ''heat pipe engine'' is proposed, principle of which is originated from the extending application of heat pipes. The essence of the idea is to generate a large periodical vapor pressure variation in the completely sealed container, letting the vapor expose to and shut off from the cooled condenser wall alternately with certain mechanical means called ''thermal shutter''. The generated pressure variation will move the loaded piston, and exert work to the externals. To demonstrate the feasibility of this idea, the preliminary experiment was conducted by using the conceptual model of the heat pipe engine. The results revealed a creation of appreciable pressure variation in the cylinder room of the model synchronized with the motion o /SUP i/ the thermal shutter. This implies a possibility of the future use of this engine as an effective thermal system in the medium temperature range of around 300/sup 0/C. This type of engine would be contributive to the wise use of low temperature energy source which should otherwise be wasted as useless.


By using the hanging air culture and in vitro culture with different concentrations of copper ions stress,we observed the changes of corn root border cells's shape,numbers and survival rates.The result showed that,when the corn root was 32 mm,the number of border cells reached a maximum of 4 125,but its survival rate was the lowest at this time.The number of border cells showed some changes accompany with the copper ions increased.When the copper concentration was 50 μmol.L-1,the number of dead border cells reached 758(the survival rate was 24.80%).Followed by the concentration of copper ions increased to 100 μmol.L-1,the survival rate declined 17.54%.The number of corn root border cells were showed an gradually reducing trend with the increase of the concentration of copper ions,the surviral rate decreased gradually.Thus,under the stress of the copper ions,the release of root border cells played the role of protection the rhizosphere region.


2008 28. Wasse H, Speckman RA,McClellanWM:Arteriovenous fistula use is associated with lower cardiovascular mortality compared with catheter use amongESRDpatients.SeminDial 21(5):483–489, 2008 29. Wolfe R, Hulbert-Shearon T, Ashby VB, Messana JM: Decreases in catheter use are associated with decreases in mortality for dialysis facilities during 2000-03. JAmSocNephrol 16:95A, 2005 30. Ravani P, Brunori G, Mandolfo S, Cancarini G, Imbasciati E, Marcelli D, Malberti F: Cardiovascular comorbidity and late referral impact arteriovenous fistula survival: a prospective multicenter study. J Am Soc Nephrol 15(1):204–209, 2004 31. Mendelssohn DC, Ethier J, Elder SJ, Saran R, Port FK, Pisoni RL: Haemodialysis vascular access problems in Canada: results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS II).Nephrol Dial Transplant 21(3):721–728, 2006 32. Di Benedetto A, Basci A, Cesare S, Marcelli D, Ponce P, Richards N: Increased use of catheters as vascular access: is it justified by patients' clinical conditions? JVasc Access 8(1):21–27, 2007 33. Polkinghorne KR, Seneviratne M, Kerr PG: Effect of a vascular access nurse coordinator to reduce central venous catheter use in incident hemodialysis patients: a quality improvement report.Am JKidneyDis 53(1):99–106, 2009 34. Owen JE, Walker RJ, Edgell L, Collie J, Douglas L, Hewitson TD, Becker GJ: Implementation of a pre-dialysis clinical pathway for patients with chronic kidney disease. Int JQual Health Care 18(2):145–151, 2006 35. Asif A,CherlaG,Merrill D, Cipleu CD, Briones P, Pennell P: Conversion of tunneled hemodialysis catheter-consigned patients to arteriovenous fistula. Kidney Int 67(6):2399–2406, 2005 36. Saran R, Dykstra DM, Pisoni RL, Akiba T, Akizawa T, Canaud B, Chen K, Piera L, Saito A, Young EW: Timing of first cannulation and vascular access failure in haemodialysis: an analysis of practice patterns at dialysis facilities in theDOPPS.Nephrol Dial Transplant 19(9):2334–2340, 2004 37. Saran R, Elder SJ, Goodkin DA, Akiba T, Ethier J, Rayner HC, Saito A, Young EW, Gillespie BW, Merion RM, Pisoni RL: Enhanced training in vascular access creation predicts arteriovenous fistula placement and patency in hemodialysis patients: results from the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study.Ann Surg 247(5):885–891, 2008 38. Young EW, Dykstra DM, Goodkin DA, Mapes DL, Wolfe RA, Held PJ: Hemodialysis vascular access preferences and outcomes in the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS). Kidney Int 61(6):2266–2271, 2002 39. Fissell R, Fuller D,MorgensternH, Gillespie B,MendelssohnD, Rayner H, Robinson B, Kawanishi H, Pisoni R: Hemodialysis patient preference for type of vascular access: predictors and variation across countries in the DOPPS. J AmSocNephrol abstract: in press, 2009 40. Rehman R, Schmidt RJ, Moss AH: Ethical and legal obligation to avoid long-term tunneled catheter access. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 4(2):456–460, 2009


Introduction:Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a term used for diseases such as the Crohn's Disease (CD) and Ulcerative colitis (UC), both characterized by a chronic intestinal inflammation. IBD can change the patients' quality of life and sexuality. Sexuality is an important factor concerning personal satisfaction and quality of life in general. Few professionals touch on this subject during clinical practice. It's up to nursing care the patient's reception and the opening of a wider communication channel between patients and the professionals. The objectives of this study were to study the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in IBD patients and presenting the importance of this subject's approach by the nurse. Methods:It was an observational study with 99 IBD outpatients; 118 controls were paired by gender and age. The Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) was used to assess the clinical activity of CD patients. Mayo score was used to assess the clinical activity of UC patients. The Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ) was used to measure the healthy related quality of life. The hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS) was used to measure anxiety and depression. The women's sexual response assessment was done through the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and men's sexual health was done with the International Index of Erectile Function (IIFE). Results:The mean age was 38.89 ± 10.15 years; 57% were women; 73% were in a consensual relationship; 8% were smokers; 97% heterosexual. 57% presented CD, 36% in clinic activity; 43% had UC, 16% in clinic activity; 42% undergone biological therapy. 2% were ostomates and 31% presented perianal disease. Regarding quality of life and psychological aspects, 65% presented an excellent/good quality of life; 48% were anxious (P = 0.0963); 24% were depressed (P = 0.2353) and 90% presented high self-esteem (P = 0.3137), with no statistic difference when compared to control group. Regarding sexual factors, 13% of the patients presented dyspareunia, 5% of the men reported use of medication to facilitate erection (P = 1.0), 28% presented medium to moderate erectile dysfunction (P = 0.1122), 81% were satisfied with their sexual life (P = 0.5625). 93% of the women presented sexual dysfunction (P = 0.6990), 73% reported having vaginal lubrication during the sex act (P = 0.3083), 80% were satisfied with their sexual life (P = 0.2601) and 29% were in sexual abstinence (P = 0.6843). Conclusions:There was sexual dysfunction prevalence on this target population, with no difference between the patients and the control group. Nurses have an important role during the whole assistance, since they can clarify doubts and contribute to education, comprehension regarding the disease, adherence to the treatment, improving the relationship between the medical team and the patients and their families, leading to treatment acceptance, evolving into a good and accompanied life quality.


Rationale: ICBEMP broad-scale direction is most appropriately implemented at finer scales using hierarchical ecosystem analysis. Ecosystem analysis is not a decision-making process; it is a context-setting process for management. The ICBEMP EISs generally provide broadand mid-scale ecosystem information and management direction. Scale is characterized by both resolution of detail and geographic extent; the finer the detail, the finer the scale. Detail influences the geographic extent of scale. Broad-scale includes the entire ICBEMP area, or the Eastside or Upper Columbia River Basin planning areas. Mid-scale includes Ecological Reporting Units (ERUs), or clusters (groups of 4th-field HUCs, not always contiguous) and sometimes subbasins (4th-field HUCs.) Scales are approximate and dynamic. Ideally the scale receiving analysis would be nested into the context of at least one larger and one smaller scale.


This study reports survey results of one state's county sheriffs' experiences and attitudes toward employment at will (EAW). We developed a model that tests survey respondents' attitudes concerning when political interference in the employment process is permissible and when it is prohibited. We find that sheriffs who agree on the "spoils-system" uses of EAW have stronger agreement on when political terminations are permissible and when they are not. Sheriffs who inform job applicants that their employment is at will are knowledgeable about when political appointments and terminations are appropriate and when they are not. County sheriffs who terminate employees for politically based reasons misunderstand when political appointments and terminations are prohibited under EAW principles. We conclude with recommendations for public officials who work in EAW environments to avoid liability associated with EAW.


A retrospective clinicoroentgenographic study was done on 26 patients with atlantoaxial instability, 17 traumatic and nine nontraumatic. All were treated by means of surgical C1-C2 and occipital-C2 stabilization. The traumatic instability was associated with lesions of the odontoid process and the atlas transverse ligament. Instability may be endogenous or associated with fracture of the atlas. Surgical indication was determined by the level of the fracture line, neurologic symptoms, age, and presence of multiple lesions


"Patent" is important in colleges and universities, but there are plenty of problems resulted from the existing conceptions and systems in the course of patent application. The paper points out the common problems, and therefore, puts forth the corresponding countermeasures, hoping to be helpful to the development of patent application in colleges and universities.


Based on the empirical likelihood method, an instrumental variable based testing procedure is proposed for linear regression models with instrumental variables. The proposed testing method can attenuate the effect of endogeneity of covariates. Some simulations indicate that the proposed testing method is more powerful.


The following article analyzes the concepts used in the Astronomer's Vita Hludowici imperatoris to specify the Andalusian combatants defending Tortosa from Carolingian attacks between 804/806 and 809 AD. Of all these terms, Mauri and cives stand out above the rest and, consequently, receive special treatment. After comparing them with other data provided by Latin, Muslim and archaeological sources, the study concludes that the first of these concepts makes reference to Andalusian sailors groups, which are known as baḥriyyūn in Arabic literary works, and the second to Hispano-Gothic elites from the city of Tortosa


Because ribose-5-phosphate (R-5-P) and sedoheptulose-7-phosphate (S-7-P) have been found free in cells of the axotobacter, the mechanism of synthesis of these compounds was sought. Previously, Horecker (1) and Wood and Schwerdt (2) demonstrated in yeast and Pseudomonas Jluorestens that S-7-P was produced from R-5-P by an enzyme called transketolase. The R-5-P was first converted by an isomerase to ribulosed-phosphate, which was then split into glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate (G-3-P) and a 2-carbon cocarboxylase complex of the oxidation level of glycolaldehyde. The 2-carbon fragment in turn condensed with R-5-P to produce S-7-P; the over-all reaction was the production of 1 molecule each of S-7-P and G-3-P from 2 molecules of R-5-P. Recently Horecker et al. (3) have shown that the S-7-P in turn is converted into tetrose phosphate and a dihydroxyacetone-enzyme complex that condensed with G-3-P to yield fructose-6-phosphate (F-6-P). That enzyme preparations of the azotobacter also convert R-5-P into S-7-P and G-3-P will be shown in this paper. The finding of R-5-P and S-7-P in cells of the azotobacter indicates that this reaction is significant in its metabolism. Although the conversion of 6-phosphogluconate (6-PG) into ribulosed-phosphate has been demonstrated in other organisms, it has not yet been established in this bacterium; in fact, all evidence suggests that the azotobacter splits almost quantitatively 6-PG into pyruvate and G-3-P (4). A possible source of R-5-P in this organism could be synthesis from G-3-P and acetate, as has been demonstrated in Leuconostoc mesenteroides.' This would explain the synthesis of some pentose by the azotobatter when incubated with 6-PG (5), since the products are G-3-P and pyruvate; pyruvate is readily converted to acetate by this organism.


Article history: Received 9 February 2020 Received in revised form 10 June 2020 Accepted 11 June 2020 The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats/CRISPRassociated protein (CRISPR/Cas) system is present in many Bacteria and in almost all Archaea and functions in those organisms as a defense mechanism against invading viruses and plasmids. Since the function and the working mechanism of the bacterial CRISPR/Cas system were elucidated in 2007, and researchers realized its potential as a gene-editing tool in 2012, it quickly became a widely used tool to generate mutations in cells, cell lines, and various model organisms. Applications such as improvement of disease resistance of economic plants, enhancement of muscle growth, or litter size in livestock are already becoming common practice. More recently, its application to repair genetic mutations has been explored in human cells and cell lines, and currently, the first clinical trials are underway in which the CRISPR/Cas9 system is applied to cure patients from various diseases. When looking at the timeline, it is clear that the CRISPR/Cas9 system has revolutionized genome engineering in less than a decade and may well be the most versatile genome engineering tool available. Here we review the origin and function of the CRISPR/Cas9 system, its working mechanism, and its use in various model organisms. In addition, pitfalls of the method are discussed, as well as the currently running and planned clinical trials. The objectives of this review are: first, to inform readers of the working mechanism of this new technique and how it is currently used to facilitate research in model organisms and to improve the profitability of livestock and economic plants. And second, to provide insight into the application of this technique in the treatment of disease in humans.


Background: Scabies is a contagious skin disease caused by the parasitic mite Sarcoptes scabiei. The disease is highly prevalent worldwide and known to predispose to secondary bacterial infections, in particular by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Reports of scabies patients co-infected with methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) pose a major concern for serious downstream complications. We previously reported that a range of complement inhibitors secreted by the mites promoted the growth of S. pyogenes. Here, we show that a recently characterized mite serine protease inhibitor (SMSB4) inhibits the complement-mediated blood killing of S. aureus.


The utility model relates to a filling device of an overwater natural gas filling station. The filling device is characterized by comprising a filling barge storage tank, a power vessel storage tank and a submerged pump, wherein a heat exchanger (PBC) is arranged between the filling barge storage tank and the power vessel storage tank which are connected with each other through a hose; the submerged pump conveys LNG (liquefied natural gas) into the power vessel storage tank through a filling hose; emergency shutdown valves (ESDs) with remote control and manual operation are arranged at two ends of the hose; an emergency release device (ERC) is arranged on the hose, and is often an emergency break valve; dry type quick connectors (DDC) are arranged at two ends of the filling hose so as to prevent leakage caused by breakage.


Bauman and Kropf (1979) surveyed assessment professionals who were working with persons with visual impairments (that is, those who were blind or had low vision) to quantify their use of and satisfaction with measures of, among other things, cognitive ability. Their survey revealed the dominance of the Wechsler scales and some ambivalence associated with the use of existing tests, thus pointing to the need to "develop something better" (p. 261). From their data, Bauman and Kropf concluded that "[assessors] are trying everything and satisfied with almost nothing. Research is needed!" (p. 261). This article reports on a study that was a limited replication of Bauman and Kropf's study, to determine whether and to what extent the situation has improved. Current assessment practice demands both dynamic and psychometric approaches, with norm-referenced tests requiring adequate representation of the demographic and sensory characteristics of the examinee in the norming sample (Bradley-Johnson, 1994; Bradley-Johnson & Ekstrom, 1999). These demands are empirically founded. Performance on nonverbal cognitive tasks differs as a function of visual status and history (Marmor & Zaback, 1976; Miller et al., 2000), even at the neurological level (see, for example, Buchel, Price, Frackowiak, & Friston, 1998; Cohen et al., 1997; Rosler, Roder, Heil, &


* This work is cited as: Saenz-Arroyo, A., J. Torre, L. Bourillon, and M. Kleiberg. 2005. A community-based marine reserve network in North-western Mexico. 2005 in Proceedings of the Symposium and Workshop of the North American Marine Protected Areas Network. Full documents available in Internet www.cec.org. Loreto, Baja California Sur, Mexico. March 1 3. North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation. 19 pp.


And to provide a good drawability and can steel sheet excellent in buckling strength can barrel portion against the external pressure and a manufacturing method thereof. C: 0.0030% or more 0.0100% or less, Si: 0.05% or less, Mn: 0.10% to 1.0% or less, P: 0.030% or less, S: 0.020% or less, Al: 0.010% more than 0.100% or less, N: 0.0050% or less , Nb: containing 0.010% to 0.050% or less, the content of C and Nb is 0.10 ≦ ([Nb] /92.9) / ([C] / 12) satisfies <0.60, the balance being Fe and unavoidable impurities It consists, and the HR30T hardness is 56 or more, a can steel sheet, wherein the average Young's modulus is not less than 210 GPa. The hot-rolled steel sheet was cold rolled at a reduction rate of 85% or more, obtained by annealing at a recrystallization temperature or higher.


The month of November 1951 was notable for its early cold weather in most of the United States. Chart I-B shows that average temperatures for the month were below the long-period normal in all parts of the country except for the far West and portions of New England and the Rocky Mountain States. The greatest departures from normal (over 8' F.) occurred in Wisconsin and Minnesota, while the lowest temperatures in an absolute sense were found in northern Minnesota and North Dakota, where the temperature averaged 17' F. 1 See Charts I-XV following p. 214 for analyzed climatological data for the month. Bend, Ind., and Dubuque, Iowa. November's temperature regime contrasts with the pattern observed during the preceding month, when the temperature averaged well above normal throughout most of the eastern and southern halves of the Nation [I]. Only in sections of the Southwest , Northern Plains, and Pacific Coast did October's temperature anomaly persist through November. In marly all other re,gions large changes occurred. Such pronounced differences between the temperature anomalies of adjacent months have been more frequent from October to November than between r t ~ y other pair of months during the past decade [2]. FIGURE 1.-Mean 700-mb. chart for the IO-day period October 31-November 29,1951. Contours at 200-foot intervals are shown by solid lines, intermediate contours by lines with long dashes, and 700-mb. height departure from normal at 100-foot intervals by lines with short dashes with the zero isopleth heavier. Anomaly centers and contours are labeled in tens of feet. Minimum latitude trough locations are shown by heavy solidlines.


Background: Covid-19 is an acute health emergency to human beings all over the world. This pandemic has destabilised the day-to-day life of almost everyone. It is a challenge to scientists and politicians to initiate a return to normal human life from the grip of Covid-19 so that the economies of countries do not stop growing. Objective: To study the characteristics of Covid-19 deaths in a regional hospital in Mthatha in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Method: It is a retrospective record review study of the cases of patients in Mthatha Regional Hospital (MRH) in South Africa who were not able to be saved. Results: There were 100 deaths in MRH. Of these 57 (57%) were females and 43 (43%) males. The average age was 63.3 years. Shortness of breath was the most common presenting symptom followed by weakness, a cough and fever. More than half of the Covid-19 cases had associated co-morbidity such as hypertension (50%), diabetes (37%) and HIV (15%). The mean oxygen saturation (SpO2) at the time of admission was 75.5±17 on pulse oximetry. Conclusion: The covid-19 mortality was 1.3 times higher among females in the regional hospital under study. The majority of the victims were suffering hypertension and diabetes.


The application of anti-rut technology with high-performance RA in medium repair project of Baoding-Cangzhou Line restrains the rut and prolongs the service life of pavement,meanwhile advances the comfortableness and safety of driving.It brings good economic benefit and social benefit to Cangzhou highway maintenance engineering.RA anti-rut technology has become a new technology deserving popularization because of its high cost performance.


External reference pricing (ERP), the practice of benchmarking domestic drug prices to foreign prices, generates an incentive for firms to withhold products from low-income countries. Using a novel moment inequality approach, we estimate a structural model to measure how ERP policies affect access to innovative drugs across Europe. We find that ERP increases entry delays in eight low-income European countries by up to one year per drug. The European Union could remove these delays without replacing ERP by compensating firms through lump-sum transfers at the cost of around €18 million per drug. (JEL L13, L51, L65)


Studies on erosive processes in semi-arid environments are still quite scarce in the geomorphological literature, especially, those related to linear erosion. The objective of this work was to select a representative part of the environmental group of the municipality of Belém do São Francisco, Pernambuco semi-arid, to detail the role played by the elements of the natural context on the erosion of erosion processes. For this, we performed a microscale mapping in a 30mX60m plot, through the analysis of different conditioning factors in a descriptive field form. The results pointed out that the systemic interaction of the conditioning factors promotes erosion with wider and longer elongated geometries, compared with erosive processes common in wetlands. It has also been found that linear erosion in these environments often occurs when laminar erosion has already severely degraded the soil, providing a micro-topography that favors the flow of well-developed linear erosions.


The dusty plasma sheath formed during the reentry process of hypersonic vehicle will block the propagation of electromagnetic wave, causing problem in detection. Terahertz detection is a potential solution to this problem. When terahertz wave propagate through the dusty plasma sheath, both resonance absorption and scattering would lead to attenuation of terahertz wave. In this work, the propagation characteristics of terahertz wave in dusty plasma have been studied combining scattering matrix method and Mie scattering theory. The results will help to find the optimum detection frequency for reentry vehicle.


Thank you very much for downloading handbook of neonatal infections a practical guide. Maybe you have knowledge that, people have search numerous times for their chosen novels like this handbook of neonatal infections a practical guide, but end up in harmful downloads. Rather than reading a good book with a cup of tea in the afternoon, instead they juggled with some infectious virus inside their laptop.


There is provided a chemical mechanical polishing pad containing a polishing layer having a polishing surface; and an endpoint detection window; wherein the boundary point detection window comprises a reaction product of ingredients comprising: a urethane prepolymer having isocyanate-terminated from 5.5 to 9.5% by weight of NCO groups which have not reacted, wherein the isocyanate-terminated urethane prepolymer is a reaction product of ingredients comprising: an aromatic polyfunctional isocyanate; and a prepolymer polyol; and a curing system, comprising: 0 to 90% by weight of a difunctional curing agent; and from 10 to 100% by weight of a polyol curative initiated by an amine having at least one nitrogen atom per molecule and an average of at least three hydroxyl groups per molecule. There is also provided methods of making and use of the chemical mechanical polishing pad.


A newly designed set of cervical dilators and cannula curettes for office diagnostic suction dilatation and curettage is described and its use reported in 334 procedures. The cannula curettes are made of stainless steel tubing 12 inches in length with outside diameters of 4 5 and 6 mm. The distal end is slightly curved with a straight inner opening. A vacuum control aperture and transparent tubing are provided. A vacuum of 10-15 inches of mercury is recommended. A paracervical block using 10 ml of 1% Xylocaine may be required in case of patient discomfort after dilatation. 334 office diagnostic suction curettages were performed on 312 patients 18-80 years of age. Paracervical block was used in 22% of the cases though more frequent use is recommended. No complications were reported and insufficient sample volumes were obtained in only 2 cases compared with a rate of 10.2% in a comparative study of conventional hospital D&C operations. This procedure is concluded to be highly satisfactory for early diagnosis saving time and hospital bed space and eliminating the need for general anesthesia.


CENTRIA UNIVERSITY OF APPLIED SCIENCES Unit for Technology and business, Kokkola-Pietarsaari Date October 2012 Author Sujan Rajbhandari Degree  programme Degree programme in Tourism Name  of  thesis A CANOEING PACKAGE THROUGH THE ARCHIPELAGO Product Development for 7 Bridges Archipelago Supervisor Katarina  Broman Pages 42  +  16 Working  life  instructor Gunvor  Häggman This thesis was aimed to result in a quality canoeing product for the tourism organization 7 Bridges Archipelago. The motive for the product extension was based on the geographical potential and customer demands in the Western coastal region of Finland. Therefore 7 Bridges Archipelago acted as the commissioning party for this thesis, as the organization will be provided with a completely developed tour package for canoeing. This was a practice-based thesis. The first section of this work analyzed the current situation of canoeing tourism, based on existing resources. The introduction to the theoretical framework and step for product development was presented in the later following case study. The theoretical part presented the different layers of tourism and their significance in the development process. Furthermore the stages of the product development process were explained in detail to provide a base for the development of canoeing product in the future. The case study introduced the tourism organization 7 Bridges Archipelago and the Ostrobothnia region as the location of the canoeing tour, before developing the actual product. In this section, detailed description of the product development process was provided on the foundation of theoretical framework. This provided the final canoeing tour package for 7 Bridges Archipelago which is meeting its customer demands.


We construct supersymmetric de Sitter domain wall solutions in four-and five-dimensional N = 2 gauged supergravity coupled to vector multiplets, where the gauge group is a U (1) subgroup of the R-symmetry. We show that this is achieved by a modification of the so-called attractor equations, which govern the behaviour of the scalar fields belonging to the vector mutiplets. This cosmological constant constitutes an independent quantity and is therefore not related to any of the objects appearing in the context of (very) special geometry.


Influenced by many ritual and taboo practices,women of Baima Tibetan people stay in a subordinate situation of their social status.The author's study revealed that in different situation,for example,the religious belief activities of offer sacrifices,vocal performance even in role playing,the Baima Tibetan women play a very important role on the music culture's inheritance of Baima Tibetan People.


This research article presents a novel method for achieving tunable colours (blue to red) from a single organic fluorophore. Emission tuning is associated with different self-assembled structures and aggregates size controlled by reaction time.


The real-time process algebra (RTFA) provides a new approach to the specification and refinement of real-time systems. This paper presents a study on the specification of a set of abstract data types (ADTs) by using RTPA. The objectives of this work are to demonstrate the expressiveness of the RTPA notations and specification method, and to build a fundamental ADT library for RTPA by recursively applying the RTPA notations. Eleven ADTs, such as stack, record, array, queue, sequence, list, etc., have been selected and specified in RTPA. An ADT, Queue, is adopted in this paper to shown the RTPA specification and refinement methods. The queue specification in RTPA is contrasted to a conventional logic-based specification, and the features and advantages of the RTPA notation system is demonstrated. This case study shows that with RTPA, ADTs can be described and specified not only as static data types, but also dynamic real-time components, which enables ADTs to be applied in the real-time environment as predefined or embedded special architectural components.


BACKGROUND
Elevated plasma levels of the amino acid homocysteine (hyperhomocysteinaemia) are associated with hardening or blocking of the arteries (atherosclerosis) In addition, there is a poorer prognosis, both in the progression of the disease and outcome after therapy. Treatment to lower homocysteine levels has been shown to be both effective and cheap in healthy volunteers. However, the impact of reducing homocysteine levels on the progression of atherosclerosis and patency of vessels after treatment for atherosclerosis is still unknown and forms the basis for this review.

OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of plasma homocysteine-lowering therapy on the clinical progression of disease in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and hyperhomocysteinaemia, including, as a subset, those who have undergone surgical or radiological intervention.

SEARCH STRATEGY
The reviewers (MH,GS) searched the Cochrane Peripheral Vascular Diseases Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled trials register (2002, Issue 1), MEDLINE, EMBASE and reference lists of relevant articles.

SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised trials of the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia in patients with peripheral arterial disease, before and after surgical or radiological intervention versus no treatment for hyperhomocysteinaemia.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two reviewers (MH,GS) independently assessed trial quality and extracted data. Information on adverse events was collected from the trials.

MAIN RESULTS
There are currently no randomised trials available for analysis.

REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS
Well constructed trials assessing the impact of the treatment of hyperhomocysteinaemia in patients with peripheral arterial disease are urgently required.


The aim of the study was to examine the influence of the physical form of oat grain (whole, crushed or ground grain) on the fattening results, feed conversion and carcass quality of the W-33 strain of White Kołuda (Biała Kołudzka®) geese. A total of 90 hatchlings (45 ♂♂ + 45 ♀♀) were randomly selected for the experiment. All geese were fed in the same way until the age of 14 weeks, receiving KB-1, KB-2 and KB-3 compound feeds in the amount of up to 300 g/individual/day and grass forage ad libitum. At the end of the 14th week, the geese were divided into three feeding groups (15 ♂♂ and 15 ♀♀ in each) and in the period from weeks 15 to 17, a total of 21 days, they were fed only hulled oat grain of the Rajtar cultivar. Group I received whole grain, group II crushed grain, and group III ground grain. After the fattening was completed, 5 male and 5 female geese from each of the three experimental groups were selected for slaughter analysis. The birds receiving whole oat grain had the highest body weight, weight gain from the 15th to the 17th week of life, feed conversion and dressing percentage. Male geese had higher body weight, higher muscle tissue content, and lower adipose tissue content than females (P≤0.01). The two sexes did not differ significantly in dressing percentage or content of abdominal fat.


Concrete specimens with various binders including Portland cement, fly ash, blast furnace slag and composite cement and three water-to-cement ratios were subjected to cyclic wetting with salt solution and drying. Specimens contained six mild steel bars at two cover depths and two activated titanium reference electrodes. After salt loading for half a year, they were exposed for two years in various climates (20°C 80%RH, outside, fog room). Steel potentials, corrosion rates (using LPR) and concrete resistivities were measured. At the end of the exposure period the actual corrosion loss was assessed from visual examination after taking out steel bars and the chloride distribution was measured. The results show a large influence of the cement type on resistivity and on corrosion rates. Concrete resistivities showed an increase with time in all mixes, with significant differences between Portland and blended cements and for different climates. Steel potentials do not discriminate well between negligible and significant corrosion. Corrosion loss from linear polarisation resistance and destructive analysis showed good agreement. Redistribution of chloride inside specimens is affected strongly by the wetness of the environment. The critical chloride content for Portland cement could be resolved from corrosion rate data at 0.5% of chloride ion by mass of cement


The persistence growth of Egypt's public domestic debt has raised concerns regarding its impact on economic growth and fears are being express about the debt sustainability. Utilizing data for the period 1981-2006, the results obtained from cointegration model reveal that the public domestic debt in Egypt has a robust negative impact on growth. The sustainability of debt was examined used some algebra methods. The results suggested that the recent path of debt followed in Egypt was sustainable. For debt to remain sustained in future, substantial fiscal reforms are needed and policies should be adopting to maintain an increasing growth-interest rate differential.


The paper proposes a fast online learning method for neural network structures by using genetic algorithm (GA) and dynamic back propagation algorithm (BP) jointly. GA is used in the coarse tuning process which adjusts interconnection weights of the neural network. The dynamic back propagation algorithm is subsequently applied to achieve fine adjusting of the network weights. The fitness function, based on the squared error between the teaching signal and the network output value, is redefined at every time step and the proposed GA based algorithm solves a nonstationary function optimization task. At every time step the solution with the best fitness function is used for current representation of the neural network weights and biases. It is shown through the simulations and real time temperature control of drying oven that this learning algorithm has faster convergence ability and better performance on reducing mapping error in the online learning neural network structures. This leads to an improvement of the transient response of neuro adaptive systems. The proposed method has the potential to be applied to many practical areas such as system modeling and control, signal processing and pattern recognition.


Just in time distribution (JITD) is a mode of distribution in terms of demand-pull replenishment. It can improve the customer service level and reliability of quick response, control inventory risk in the supply chain effectively. This paper applies the JIT theory into distribution network design, coordinates the whole inventory of network, considers the punctuality and stability of distribution, a model of Integrated Location Routing and Inventory Problem (ILRIP) is built on the condition that the demand is Stochastic and there are many distributions and customers from the perspective of integrated logistics, then a bi-level algorithm of Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) is designed to solve it. At the end of this paper, a numerical example is given. The conclusion will help to optimize the distribution network of supply chain, which can improve the reliability of quick response and the customer service level, as well as reduce cost.


Fr. Colman 6 Huallachain is best remembered for his application of the findings of modem linguistics to the teaching of Irish. After studying for a master's degree at Georgetown University, he was appointed adviser on linguistics to the Minister for Education on his return to Ireland in 1963. In 1967 he was appointed first director of Institiuid Teangeolaiochta Eireann. At a very early stage in the history of the Institute it became apparent that officialdom was not really interested in applying the results of 6 Huallachain's research to the teaching of Irish. Things came to a head when the renowned linguist, Joshua Fishman wrote to Fr. Colman in February 1971:


The study focuses on how the Philippine government's agricultural policies and programs have shaped the competitiveness of the hog and chicken industries in the context of liberalizing trade. The study argues that due to the
intense competition domestically and internationally, the local hog and chicken industries adopt different strategies in order to cope with increasing competition and decreasing competitiveness. The nature of politics and political dynamics of policymaking resulted to domination of certain groups of
stakeholders in the market (business) environment that influenced the government's decisions and policies. The Agricultural Competitiveness Enhancement Fund (ACEF) program illustrates an example of a government's
policy to minimize the negative effects of trade liberalization, particularly, on the small and medium-sized enterprises in the two sectors. The study found that the government's goal of improving the competitiveness of the hog and chicken industries is mainly influenced by large agribusiness. The effect of
ACEF was relatively limited as most of the projects were allocated to the biggest medium-sized players.

Relevance to Development Studies
Development objectives of countries, including the Philippines, are geared toward export-focused and market-driven growth strategies in a more liberalized trade environment. However, the different policies and program interventions provided by governments to ensure increased productivity and
competitiveness in a certain sector have mixed results. It is imperative to ensure that the greatest number of people benefit from the fruits of economic development. While assistance to small producers and micro-enterprises remains a priority to reduce poverty and increase incomes, agribusiness
development in developing countries play a major role in attaining development.


In-plane gate homojunction thin-film transistors (TFTs) with patterned channel are self-assembled on SiO2-based solid electrolytes with only one nickel shadow mask. All indium-tin oxide channel and electrodes (source, drain, and gate) are deposited simultaneously by one-step magnetron sputtering, and no alignment is necessary. Such TFTs exhibited a good performance with a low operation voltage of 2.0 V, a large field-effect mobility of 28.7 cm2/V·s, a low subthreshold swing of 125 mV/decade, and a large on-off ratio of 1.3 × 106, respectively. A two-serial-capacitor model for the low-voltage operation mechanism is proposed and discussed.


Promoting the development of farming systems towards more sustainable forms, in particular maintaining production without harming the environment, means being able to analyse these systems in their complexity and dynamic, at the same time providing the means to assess their ecological intensification. The approaches to these livestock systems have to be adapted to this aim. This is what we have done as part of a study on the diversity of goat farming systems (GFS) in Livradois-Forez, a small region of fairly low mountains in France. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 farmers, a sample selected to cover the diversity of livestock forms in this territory. We analysed the operation of livestock systems, looking at the system configurations (dimensions, buildings and equipment, labour force, combinations of farming activities, production project) and the combination of management practices (crops, herds and valorisation of products). We also analysed the place of the goat system within the family farm's long term trajectory. To assess the ecological intensification in GFS, we mobilized the five agroecology principles for the design of sustainable livestock systems proposed by Dumont et al. (2013): (i) adopting management practices aimed at improving animal health, (ii) decreasing inputs for production, (iii) decreasing pollution by optimizing the metabolic functioning of the farming system, (iv) enhancing diversity within animal production systems to strengthen their resilience and (v) preserving biological diversity in agro-ecosystems by adapting management practices. We present this approach and illustrate its application to our case study. We show the interest of understanding the diversity of livestock forms and identify what promotes or limits the development of these systems into more ecologically-intensive forms.


We have used the University of Chicago Scanning Transmission Ion Microscope to measure the yield of H+2 from beams traversing 15 Å to 40 Å carbon films. At 12.5 keV/H the measured yields were about 1 to 10%. Analysis of the yields of H+2 from this experiment and other experiments at higher energy in terms of the rms internuclear separation of the emergent particles and the dwell time in the carbon film shows that the separation is the more important factor. Graphs of yields vs. internuclear separation provide hints about the mechanism of recombination of H+2.


The maintenance of intestinal health is complex and relies on a delicate balance between the diet, the normal microflora and mucosa, including the digestive epithelium and overlying mucus layer. The colorectal mucosa is protected by a visco-elastic mucus gel formed by high molecular mass glycoproteins referred to as mucins. Abnormality of mucin have been identified with colorectal disease. Constipation increases with age, and is more common among women than men in all age groups, e.g. 10% of men and 20% of women in the USA. The aim of the present study was conducted to investigate that the effects of formulation KTG075 from edible plants on intestinal function on mucus secretion, were examined by loperamide-induced constipation method using Sprague Dawley male rats. Epithelial cells of colonic crypt contained more mucus in the KTG075 group compared with those of the control group and the thickness of the mucus layer stained with alcian blue was significantly thicker in KTG075 treated rats compared with in control rats. Mucus production of epithelial cells of crypt and mucus contents at fecal and mucosa surfaces were reduced by loperamide-induced constipation. These results indicates that a poly herbal formulation KTG075 accelerates evacuation and activated intestines.


We study frequency-dependent error bounds for approximation and truncation of linear dynamic models with uncertainty. A possible application is in model simplification relevant for control design. The uncertainty is described by quadratic constraints, and the error bounds are calculated based on solutions to linear matrix inequalities.


Background Reports suggest that asymptomatic individuals (those with no symptoms at all throughout the infection) with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are infectious, but the extent of asymptomatic transmission requires further understanding. Purpose This living review aims to critically appraise available data about secondary attack rates from people with asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Data sources Medline, EMBASE, China Academic Journals full-text database (CNKI), and pre-print servers were searched from 30 December 2019 to 3 July 2020 using relevant MESH terms. Study selection Studies that report on contact tracing of index cases with asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection, in either English or Chinese were included. Data extraction Two authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality and risk of bias. We calculated the secondary attack rate as the number of contacts with SARS-CoV-2, divided by the number of contacts tested. Data synthesis Of 928 studies identified, 19 were included. Secondary attack rates from asymptomatic index cases ranged from 0% to 2.8% (9 studies). Pre-symptomatic secondary attack rates ranged from 0.7% to 31.8% (10 studies). The highest secondary attack rates were found in contacts who lived in the same household as the index case. Other activities associated with transmission were group activities such as sharing meals or playing board games with the index case. Limitations We excluded some studies because the index case or number of contacts were unclear. Owing to the anticipated heterogeneity, we did not produce a summary estimate of the included studies. Conclusion Asymptomatic patients can transmit SARS-CoV-2 to others, but our findings indicate that such individuals are responsible for fewer secondary infections than people with symptoms in the same studies. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42020188168 Funding: No funding was received


Three dimensional (3-D) structuring elements plays a vital role in the processing of three dimensional volumetric images such as 3-D medical images. These structuring elements are used in 3-D mathematical morphological operations such as erosion, dilation etc. There is no algebraic framework as such to systematically generate the 3-D structuring elements. The work discussed in this paper is systematically generating the 3-D structuring elements by using geometric filters (G-Filters). This paper initially gives a novel concept of what we call as geometric filters (G-Filters) defined over a 3-D rectangular grid of pixels. By using these G-Filters, 256 convex Polyhedrons are generated. The 256 different structuring elements could be created by using the 256 convex polyhedrons. These G-Filters have potential applications to processing of volumetric images. In addition, the paper describes in brief the algebra of G-Filters by formulating a lattice of convex polyhedrons constructed in a 3X3X3 grid of pixels. This paper proposes a new algorithm for automatic generation of 255 convex polyhedrons from its initial set named A containing all eight corners of the 3x3x3 rectangular grid. This paper also proposes an algorithm for hierarchal path enumeration used in visualizing the relationships between convex polyhedron sets and their corresponding subsets of other convex polyhedrons. Finally, an algorithm is proposed to generate 3D structuring element from a selected convex polyhedron.


The purpose of this paper is to present a fiber- optic vibration sensor based on the monitoring of the mode distribution in a multimode optical fiber. Detection of vi- brations and their parameters is possible through obser- vation of the output speckle pattern from the multimode optical fiber. A working experimental model has been built in which all used components are widely available and cheap: a CCD camera (a simple web-cam), a multimode laser in visible range as a light source, a length of multi- mode optical fiber, and a computer for signal processing. Measurements have shown good agreement with the actual frequency of vibrations, and promising results were achieved with the amplitude measurements although they require some adaptation of the experimental model. Pro- posed sensor is cheap and lightweight and therefore pre- sents an interesting alternative for monitoring large smart structures.


In this report, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is used to fabricate the straight microchannels of uniform channel widths having rectangular cross-sections. Maskless lithography, hot embossing lithography and direct bonding are the chosen techniques to fabrication the straight PMMA microchannels. Aqueous ethanol and aqueous isopropyl alcohol (IPA) are the prepared aqueous working liquids to study the passive capillary flow characteristics. Total 8 individual straight PMMA microchannels are fabricated in this work. This work will be suitable in bioengineering applications.


Planetary scientists are in the final stretch of a first-time competition designed to get the most science for the buck from the next big planetary mission while avoiding the fiscal debacles of the past.


The invention concerns a method for operating a technical facility (2) comprising an expert system (1) for diagnosing (9) the operating state of the technical facility (2). Once the expert system (1) has identified a malfunction of the technical facility (2), the expert knowledge available in the knowledge base (WB) of the expert system (1) is also used parallel to the establishment of a diagnosis (9) to calculate a regulatory intervention (u) in the technical facility (2) with the purpose of automatically eliminating a malfunction.


The report is based on the data of seven studies (altogether 188 persons varying in gender, age, and education level) with the author's time‐sampling diary, by which the subjects record their momentary mood, the behaviour setting, other persons present, activities, causal attributions of experienced emotions, and affected motives about four times a day for a period of 30 days. For each pattern of four 16PF second‐order factors (median split), the relative frequencies of references to six classes of motives (i.e. the personal motive profiles) and for each of 16 behaviour settings, the relative frequencies by which each of those motives was satisfied in the whole sample of persons (environmental motive profiles) were derived from the diary data. The degree of motivational person–environment fit (P–E fit; correlation of personal and environmental motive profiles) was calculated for each combination of personality structure and behaviour setting. As predicted, a person's well‐being in a behaviour setting clearly depends on the motivational P–E fit which explains the intra‐individual variance of well‐being (across situations) and the intra‐situational variance (across persons) in addition to the variance explained by emotional stability and extraversion.


The most obvious distinctive feature of computer games is interactivity. The term "interactivity", however, has too many meanings and therefore is misleading. Of course, it is possible to physically manipulate the medium of the game, to have control over images and sounds, but it does not imply that other types of interactivity are always present. In a single player game, for example, there is no communication with other people. Also, there is no correlation between the number of physical actions available in a game and its openness to interpretation (Skomorokh 2014: 53–55). We definitely can interact with a game in a certain way, but the question remains open what follows from it—what kind of artistic language emerges and what it is like.


The article deals with the religious preferences of citizens influencing the electoral choice of religious citizens. Reveals some of the means and methods of influence on voters by religious organizations. The attention on the actions of the Russian Orthodox Church. Showcased religious sympathies of the citizens of Russia to some politicians.


We present in this contribution preliminary results obtained through seismic data analyses and numerical simulations of the response of the Acropolis of Athens, Greece. We use earthquake and ambient vibration data recorded by the high-quality accelerometer array operated by the Institute of Geodynamics, National Observatory of Athens (NOA-IG), in collaboration with the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA). The array consists of 10 strong-motion sensors (Guralp CMG-5TD) recording in continuous mode on 24-bit digitisers, sampling the main geological units constituting the Acropolis and including two sites devoted to monitoring monumental elements of the Parthenon. We compare the experimental amplification functions (SSRs, HVSRs, 5%-damped SRs) with those obtained from numerical simulations of the seismic response of the hill. The 3D computational mesh is designed in CUBIT while the simulations are carried out using the discontinuous Galerkin spectral element (SEM) computer program SPEED, naturally oriented to the evaluation of multi-scale wave propagation problems. Introduction and motivation Spurred by the establishment of the Acropolis Restoration Service (YSMA, http://www.ysma.gr/en/, last accessed 12.07.2015) in 1999, extensive restoration and conservation works have been carried out within the last two decades in the Acropolis of Athens, a worldwide renowned symbol of the cultural and historical heritage of Greece within the context of western civilization. The Acropolis of Athens hosts the Parthenon, one the most important surviving buildings of Classical Greece, generally considered the apotheosis of the Doric order. The restoration framework includes a permanent seismic monitoring network deployed and maintained starting from 2008 by the Institute of Geodynamics, National Observatory of Athens (NOA-IG, http://www.gein.noa.gr/en/, last accessed 12.07.2015) in collaboration with YSMA. Similar to other topographic irregularities in the Athens basin, the Acropolis is a block of late Cretaceous limestone (VS ~ 1500 ms, Eurocode 8 ground type A; CEN, 2004) resting on the Athenian Schist (VS ~ 700 ms), a slightly metamorphosed series of Cretaceous marls and shales with lenses of sandstone and limestone. Large portions of the Acropolis are covered by anthropic infill with VS ~ 350 ms and thickness exceeding 5 m (Eurocode 8 ground type E), overlaying the limestone unit (Figure 1). The foundation of the Parthenon is made of porous-stone blocks Dr, Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, email@example.com Dr, Institute of Geodynamics at National Observatory of Athens (NOA-IG), Greece, firstname.lastname@example.com Dr, Institute of Geodynamics at National Observatory of Athens (NOA-IG), Greece, email@example.com Dr, Munich RE · Geo Risks, Munich, Germany, email@example.com Dr, Lab. for Modeling and Scientific Computing (MOX) at Politecnico of Milan, Italy, email@example.com Dr, Swiss Seismological Service (SED) at ETH Zurich, Switzerland, email@example.com with dry masonry structure with average VS ~ 600 ms (Kalogeras and Egglezos, 2013). The Acropolis ridge is well approximated by an ellipse elongated in the EW direction (Figure 1) with major axis length ~ 250 m and minor axis length ~ 150 m. The hill is characterised by very steep topography on the northern, eastern and southern edges, where the geomorphology is dominated by a 30-35 m thick limestone outcrop and the average slope of the hill flanks exceeds 30 degrees. The Acropolis is therefore a complex 2D irregularity that falls within topography class T4 of the Eurocode 8 (i.e. ridges with crest width significantly less than the base width and slope > 30°). For this class, the code prescribes amplifying the design seismic actions by means of a frequency-independent amplification factor = 1.4. However the same code recommends carrying out refined ad-hoc analyses for these complex geometries, due to the uncertainties typically associated with the quantification of topographic amplification. Indeed, from an observational perspective, amplification phenomena due to topography are often difficult to segregate from the effects of structural layering and near-surface geology, unless refined tomography models are available. The most recent investigations in this direction have been recently carried out in Europe within the framework of the EC-funded project NERA (Network of European Research Infrastructures for Earthquake Risk Assessment and Mitigation; www.nera-eu.org, last accessed 12.07.2015; contract no. 262330), where a research group (JRA1) focused on "establishing scientifically solid and practically acceptable propositions to incorporate basin and surface topography effects in seismic design (building codes, microzonation studies, critical facilities)". The key results of this effort, summarized in Burjanek et al. (2014a and b), indicate that systematic large amplifications at topographic sites cannot be explained by surface geometry only and amplification – correlated with ground motion polarization and directionality is controlled in first place by the sub-surface velocity structure. Burjanek et al. (2014b) identify detailed numerical simulations as a tool that can reveal the joint effect of surface geometry and subsurface velocity structures. With this background, the main goal of the present study is a refined 3D seismic response evaluation of the Acropolis. Our study is to our knowledge the first to address the issue of the 3D site response of the Acropolis using seismic data and numerical simulations. The numerical tool used in this study will allow the inclusion of the monumental components of the Acropolis in the computational domain. Overview of the Acropolis strong-motion array The Acropolis strong-motion array presently consists of 10 high-quality broadband accelerometers (Guralp CMG-5TD) recording in continuous mode on 24-bit digitisers and transmitting data in real-time to NOA-IG and YSMA using governmental telecommunication infrastructures (Syzefxis). The geometry of the accelerometer array samples the main geological units constituting the hill of the Acropolis (e.g. Athens' Schist, limestone and anthropic backfill) and includes two station devoted to monitoring structural elements of the Parthenon. The geometry of the array is shown in Figure 1, while selected information on the installation sites are listed in Table 1. Noise monitoring tools and real-time seismic waveform plots are available at http://accelnet.gein.noa.gr/index.php?option=com_wrapper&view=wrapper&Itemid=209 (last accessed 12.07.2015). Comprehensive descriptions of the Acropolis network are also available in Kalogeras et al. (2010), Kalogeras et al. (2012), Kalogeras and Egglezos (2013) and Egglezos et al. (2013). High-quality real-time continuous accelerometer monitoring (e.g. Cauzzi and Clinton, 2013) means 100% recovery of earthquake data over a broad range of amplitudes and frequencies, from local events to teleseismic signals. Notable amongst the teleseismic events well recorded by the Acropolis array is the Tohoku (Japan) M9 earthquake that occurred on March 11, 2011, as documented by Kalogeras and Egglezos (2013). Figure 1. 5m-resolution Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the Acropolis. Elevation ranges in the picture between ~ 80 m and ~ 160 m on top of the Acropolis ridge. Bottom-left inset: geographic location of Athens. Top-left: representative NS and EW cross-sections. Top-right: simplified geological map of the Acropolis modified after Higgins and Higgins (1996) and Andronopoulos and Koukis (1976). Site response from earthquake and ambient vibration recordings In this section we discuss possible amplification effects at the Acropolis strong-motion stations based on Standard Spectral Ratios (SSRs; Borcherdt, 1970; Figure 2), H/V spectral ratios (originally by Nakamura, 1989) and ratios of 5%-damped elastic response spectra. The earthquake dataset used in this study is given in Table 2. It consists of 4 events that occurred at distances < 50 km and 11 at distance < 100 km recorded by the whole array. Magnitudes (ML) do not exceed 5.2 for regional events, while the maximum magnitude for local events is 3.4. Candidate reference stations were ACRJ and ACRF, both located at the bottom of the Acropolis limestone flanks, none on flat topography though. ACRJ was preferred to ACRF as reference station in this study due to expected better mechanical properties (less weathered) of the southern limestone outcrop. ACRJ exhibits a flat H/V ratio over the frequency range of interest for the present study and ground motions at ACRJ are generally lower than those recorded at any other Acropolis site. Table 1. List of stations presently contributing to the Acropolis strong-motion array. Station code Lat., deg. Lon., deg. Elevation, m Location Geology ACRA 37.9716 23.7277 154 free-field limestone ACRB 37.9716 23.7265 156 Parthenon basement porous stone blocks on limestone ACRC 37.9716 23.7265 174 Parthenon N colonnade (-) ACRD 37.9712 23.7272 147 free-field anthropic infill ACRE 37.9718 23.7279 155 free-field limestone ACRF 37.9723 23.7262 126 free-field limestone ACRG 37.9721 23.7249 114 free-field Athenian schist ACRH 37.9719 23.7249 134 free-field limestone ACRI 37.9714 23.7266 156 Parthenon basement porous stone blocks on limestone ACRJ 37.9711 23.7273 130 free-field limestone Figure 2. Standard spectral ratios (SSRs) for the events listed in Table 2. Note the high amplification values reached on anthropic infill (ACRD) and weathered limestone (ACRF) under low-strain seismic excitation, confirming that sub-surface velocity structure plays a significant role in the seismic response of the site, possibly dominating the geomorphological effects. All the free-field stations installed on outcropping limestone (ACRA, ACRH, and ACRE) exhibit a clear amplification peak between 5 Hz and 10 Hz. Although not dominant, this peak is also apparent at other stations


This study compares two variants of the FEM simulation model of orthogonal cutting process of C45 carbon steel with multilayer-coated tools. In particular, new data on the thermophysical properties of the substrate and coating materials, measured by means of the advanced Laser Flash and Differential Scanning Calorimeter methods, were applied. Both simulation algorithms use the Power Law constitutive model, similar to the Johnson-Cook law but the second variant, termed Power Law– Temperature Dependent (PL-TD) algorithm, takes into account the temperature-dependent thermophysical properties of the tool. In this study, the temperature distribution, heat flux intensity and tool-chip contact length were validated based on the appropriate measurements.


There have been carried out experimental studies of rheological behavior of liquid-like sludge. Were obtained flow curves of black oil sludge residue in a wide range of temperatures and shear velocity gradients. Were given graphs of the dependences of the rheological constants of the temperature and the dependence of the effective viscosity on the temperature gradient and shear rate.


Abstract Background: In order to avoid unnecessary thyroidectomies, it is important to predict the nature of thyroid nodules the more accurately possible. The size of the nodule as a predictive factor for malignancy is very controversial. Another point of debate is the accuracy of preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and frozen section (FS). The aim of our study is to correlate the nodule size with the final histological diagnosis and to estimate the accuracy of preoperative FNAC and FS. Methods: Retrospective study including 387 operated patients with ultrasound-detected solitary thyroid nodules from 01 January 2001 to 31 December 2013. The following data were collected: patient age and sex, nodule size, FNAC, FS and final histology results. Results: The odds ratio for malignancy within nodules <40 mm was 2.12 (95% CI: 1.104–4.084). The specificity of FNAC was 97.78% and the negative predictive value (NPV) was 97.78% for nodules ≥40 mm and 93.2% and 96.5% for nodules <40 mm, respectively. The observed specificity and NPV of FS ranged from 98% to 100% and from 87.4% to 98%, respectively. When combining FNAC and FS, the specificity and the NPV were 99% and 98%, respectively. Conclusions: The nodule size is not a predictive factor for thyroid cancer and therefore nodules ≥40 mm should not be routinely resected. A lege artis preparation and performance of FNAC along with an expertise on cytological interpretation can considerably diminish false-negative rate. FS can offer additional accuracy on FNAC results and should, therefore, be a part of patient treatment.


In accordance with the pattern of experimentation used during the previous year in some exploratory field studies made in Aberdeen, a site was selected in a young mixed beech woodland with a moderately dense canopy in southern England (Kings Wood, Challock Forest, Kent; Grid Ref. TR025509). The site was located near the bottom of the gently sloping side of a small valley cut into the clay-with-flints plateau. The subsoil was a colluvium of chalk head and admixed clay-with-flints with a mean pH of 4-6, under a humus top stratum. Large clumps of Dryopteris filix-mas (L.) Schott were scattered in the dense stand of Pteridium. Measurements were made of leaf relative water content (relative turgidity; Weatherley 1950) by weighing entire pinnae, allowing them to come to full turgidity by immersing the base in a little water in a closed bottle under dim illumination and then reweighing before drying to a constant weight in an oven at 90? C. All samples were made in triplicate from the second branch from the base of the rachis, only the three or four lowest pinnae being used. Evaporation rate was determined by measuring the weight loss of


This paper presents a research work on the simulation of a simultaneous gas absorption-desorption in the packed columns using computer software to obtain the maximum amount of absorbed carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water, the optimum L/G ratio for absorption, the optimum airflow rate for desorption, and make-up water for desorption. Simulations were carried out using the Aspen HYSYS program, with Sour SRK (Soave-Redlich-Kwong) 'fluid package'. A Solteq gas absorption-desorption column unit (column diameter of 80 mm, glass raschig ring packing with an effective height of 1,500 mm) were used for the analysis, with an operating pressure of 1 bar, absorption temperature of 25C, water flow rate (L) of 1.5 L/min, L/G 10-150 (kg/kg), and desorption temperature of 40C. The model successfully predicts CO2 absorption with water, including a maximum solvent capacity of 1.176 g CO2/kg H2O at an optimum L/G ratio of 50. For the simultaneous absorption-desorption process, the airflow rate needed of 0.0016 LPM but required quite a big amount of make-up water, which is 24% of the freshwater flow rate. From those results, it was concluded that CO2 absorption and desorption in packed columns utilizing water as physical absorbent is feasible.


b During the first quarter of 1979. a federal judge enjoined Zhe Progressive magazine from publishing an article on how the hydrogen bomb works (No. 277). The U.S. Supreme Court refused to review a ruling by a lower court which held that the press has no right to be forewarned when the government seeks telephone company records of long-distance calls (279). A second Carnegie Commission issued a report concerning the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and the Public Broadcasting Service, recommending more money and indcpendence for public broadcaating and less duplication of effort (249). An end-of-year report for 1978 showed that 46 of the 53 dailies sold went to groups (336). A number of afternoon dailies, concerned about sagging circulations, began adding morning editions, some calling themselves 'allday" newspapers (386). An ANPA survey found that 75 newspapcrs in 1978 were selling for 25 cents a copy compared to 36 in 1977 (387). Some criticism was leveled at how well and how impartially news from Iran had been reported before the ShaKs downfall (367DO). Joe Alex Morris, Jr., of the Los Angeles Times, was killed by a stray bullet while covering the strife in Tehran (3621)). For the first time since 1949. U.S. wire services were able to staff bureaus in Peking (381F). To help readers who arc checking the crossreferences at the ends of sections, entries with international aspects have a letter after the number: A, Europe; B, USSR, Eastern Europe; C, Latin America; D, Middle East; E. Africa; F, Asia; G, multi-area; H, Third World nations.


The research investigated the adaptation strategies to mitigate consequence of climate change on food crops farming in Oyo State. 120 respondents were for this study selected for this study using multi- stage sampling procedures. Primary data was collected through interview schedule and analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Available results indicated that 84.2% of the respondents were male, 93.3% of them were married and maize (45.8%), cassava (37.5%) are the mainly crops cultivated. Results also revealed that 70.0% of the respondents have knowledge of climate change with majority (84.17%) of them regularly accessed information on climate change through radio and 88.3% of them claimed to adopt planting crops favorable for the present weather condition as an adaptation techniques to mitigate the consequences of climate change more frequently. Chi-square and Correlation results revealed a significant relationship existed between farmers educational levels (X2= 4.861; p= 0.003); household size (r= -0.089; p=0.002); knowledge (r= -0.157; p= 0.002), and adaptation strategies to reduce the consequences of climate change on the food crops farming. It was recommended that food crop farmers should be provided with better education and sensitized in order for them to be acquainted with adaptation techniques and coping mechanisms that are currently been offered by research.


The Case Center for Policy Studies collaborated with the Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, and the Share the Vision Committee to present a forum on the question of what Barak Obama's election says about racial politics. Have we reached the point where people really are judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character? Considerations of both the black polical movements and the white political attitudes are made. The panel for this discussion includes Peniel Joseph (Associate Professor of Africana Studies at Brandeis University) and Martin Gilens (Associate Professor of Political Science at Princeton University) and moderated by Joe White (Director of Center of Policy Studies, Case Western Reserve University). Event held on January 21, 2009 in the Ford Auditorium, Case Western Reserve University)


Fertility analyzes are generally not carried out considering future fertility preferences. However, future fertility preferences should be considered in terms of both family planning and the updating of fertility policies currently in practice. In this study, fertility analysis was conducted using data from 2008 and 2013 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (DHS). Two models have been created that take into account the future fertility preferences of households and these models have been estimated with the Generalized Poisson Regression Model. It was found that the standard models that do not take into account the future fertility preferences of the households and the findings obtained from the model taking into consideration differ. In the model that takes into account the future fertility preferences of households, it is seen that the coefficient signs of age, marriage age, employment status and husband age variables change. For this reason, policy-makers should be cautious when making a policy towards fertility, because findings from standard analyzes can lead to false policy practices.


Abstract NUMEROUS investigations have been made to determine the relationship of egg characteristics to hatchability of chicken eggs, but there is not sufficient evidence to show that these findings are applicable to turkey eggs. Landauer (1951) has summarized the results of studies on egg traits and hatchability in chickens. Egg shape has very little, if any, relationship to hatchability. However, practical experience has shown that very long, narrow eggs rarely hatch. Large egg size decreases hatchability somewhat, while in some instances small egg size has a similar effect. Eggs with good shell quality as measured by specific gravity and incubation weight-loss generally hatch better than those with poor shell quality. The authors have been unable to find any report of a study on egg shape and hatchability in turkeys. Marble and Margolf (1936), Byerly and Marsden (1938), and Insko et al. (1943) agree that eggs of average size hatch better than …


The Australian legal profession, as well as the content and pedagogy of legal education across Australia, are steeped in tradition and conservatism. Indeed, the legal profession and our institutions of legal education are in a relationship of mutual influence which leaves the way we teach law resistant to change. There has traditionally been pushback against the notion that dispute resolution should have a place amongst black letter law subjects in the legal curriculum. This paper argues that this position cannot be maintained in the modern legal climate. We challenge legal education orthodoxy and promote NADRAC's position that alternative dispute resolution should be a compulsory, stand alone subject in the law degree. We put forward ten simple arguments as to why every law student should be exposed to a semester long course of DR instruction.


Abstract : The U sing of Model Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) with Media C oncrete in Improving the Science learning at The third Grade of State Elementary School . The purposes of this research are to describe the using of  model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL ) with media concrete in improving the science learning about energy at the third grade of state elementary school, to describe improving the science learning about energy the using of model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL ) with media concrete at the third grade of state elementary school , and to describe obstacle and solution the using model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) with media concrete in improving science learning about energy at the third grade of state elementary school . This research was collaborative classroom action research . The experiment was conducted in third cycles and each cycle consisted of planning , implementation , observation , and reflection . The subjects of research were students at the third grade of elementary school . The techniques collecting data used observation , interviews , and tests . The validity of the data used triangulation . The result of research could concluded that t he us ing of model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL ) with media concrete could improve the science learning at the third grade state elementary school . Keywords : C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) , media concret e, Science learning Abstrak: Penggunaan Model Contextual Teaching and Learning (CTL) dengan Media Konkret dalam Peningkatan Pembelajaran IPA Siswa Kelas III SD. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan penggunaan model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) dengan media konkret dalam peningkatan pembelajaran IPA tentang energi siswa kelas III SD, mendeskripsikan peningkatan pembelajaran IPA tentang energi dengan penggunaan model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) dengan media konkret siswa kelas III SD, dan mendeskripsikan kendala dan solusi penggunaan model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) dengan media konkret dalam peningkatan pembelajaran  IPA tentang energi siswa kelas III SD. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian tindakan kelas kolaborasi. Penelitian dilaksanakan dalam tiga siklus dan setiap siklus terdiri atas perencanaan, pelaksanaan tindakan, observasi, dan refleksi. Subjek penelitian adalah siswa kelas III SD. Teknik pengumpulan data menggunakan observasi, wawancara, dan tes. Validitas data menggunakan triangulasi sumber dan teknik. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa penggunaan model C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) dengan media konkret dapat meningkatkan pembelajaran IPA siswa  kelas III SD. Kata Kunci : C ontextual T eaching and L earning (CTL) , media konkret, IPA


The study of a possible chopping system for the Advanced Hadron Facility (AHF) and the Superconducting Super Collider (SSC) is presented. A 200 MHz RFQ (radio-frequency quadrupole accelerator) may be preferable to lower-frequency structures for the injection linacs of the AHF and SSC. To achieve a pulse frequency of 50 MHz, a chopper must be developed to eliminate three out of four bunches at the tenth of a percent level. Conventional choppers suffer from risetime limitations due to the finite separation of the deflecting plates. One alternative is a spectrometer chopper which modulates the energy of each bunch and then separates the bunches with a spectrometer transport. Initial design studies are presented for this concept.<<ETX>>


The occurrence of Tosia parva (Perrier, 1881), Marginaster pectinatus Perrier, 1884 and Ldbidiaster radiosus Liltken, 1871 in the South Atlantic region is registered for the first time. The new varieties, Phrixometra longispina brasiliensis var. n., and Holothuria (Vaneyothuria) lentiginosa brasiliensis var. n., are de scribed. The genus Calliophidiaster Tommasi, 1970 is redescribed and its differences with Linckia Nardo, 1934, are reinforced. Ophiomyxa vivipara Studer, 1886 and Ophiura fallax Cherbonnier, 1959 are de scribed for the first time from Brazil. Amphiura iraciae sp. n. and A. rosae sp. n. are described.


The aim of the present research was to investigate the influence of employees' professional ethic on their knowledge sharing in the health insurance administration of Kermanshah province. The present research from the aim viewpoint was an applied research and from the method viewpoint was a part of the descriptive researches of the correlation type. The statistical research society included the entire employees' of the health insurance administration of Kermanshah province, which in 2014 were functional in this organization and the total number of theirs was 114 people. The sample volume with the assessment of statistical society and with the use of the Korjesi and Morgan table and for the sampling the simple random method with 90 people was selected. The measurement tool of professional ethic was the Kadousire (2009) and measurement tool of knowledge sharing was the Bennett & Gabriel (2009). The statistical methods included the descriptive statistics and perceptive statistics (Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Pearson correlation and univariate and multivariate regression). The results showed that the professional ethic was effective on the employees' knowledge sharing. Moreover, the entire dimensions of professional ethic (responsibility, honesty, justice and equity, contest and competitiveness, respect to a customer, sympathy with a customer and observance and respect in relation to the values and social norms) lead to the promotion of the knowledge sharing. On the other hand the employees' responsibility had the highest influence on the knowledge sharing.


ETNA-AF (ETNA) is a multinational, prospective, observational study evaluating the experience with edoxaban in the clinical practice of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 was a randomized double-blind trial that tested the clinical benefits of edoxaban versus warfarin. The recommended dose is 60 mg, dose-reduced to 30 mg daily in patients with at least 1 of 3 label-indicated criteria (renal impairment [creatinine clearance: 15–≤50 mL/min], weight ≤60 kg, or concomitant use of potent P-glycoprotein inhibitors).

 We assessed whether the effectiveness and safety of edoxaban in clinical practice were consistent with findings from the pivotal randomized clinical trial.

 We obtained patient-level data from ETNA and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48. We initially extracted patients from similar geographic regions, and then used propensity-score matching (PSM) to adjust key baseline characteristic differences between studies. The primary effectiveness endpoint was all stroke or systemic embolism (SSE) and mortality; the safety endpoint was major bleeding (MB). We used Cox proportional hazards models to compare event rates for the clinical outcomes between ETNA and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48.

 8,615 AF patients with CHADS2 score ≥2 received the 60 mg edoxaban recommended dose (5,462 ETNA; 3,153 ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48). After PSM, key baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the studies: mean age 71.0 years (SD: 9.07); for both ETNA and ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 median CHA2DS2-VASc score and median HAS-BLED score were 4 and 2. The annualized incidence rate of SSE was 1.65% in ETNA vs 1.53% in ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 (HR 0.98; 95% CI 0.49, 1.93; p=0.94). ETNA had similar annualized mortality, 2.81%, compared with ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48, 2.34%, (HR 1.49; 95% CI 0.84, 2.63; p=0.17). MB was less frequent in ETNA vs ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 (1.10% vs 3.56%; HR 0.25; 95% CI 0.14, 0.44; p<0.05). Findings were similar for the recommended 30 mg edoxaban reduced dose.

 The effectiveness of edoxaban in clinical practice from a large registry was consistent with efficacy findings from the randomized controlled trial. We observed a lower rate of bleeding events in the ETNA observational study compared with the ENGAGE AF-TIMI 48 trial.

 Type of funding sources: Private company. Main funding source(s): This study was sponsored by Daiichi Sankyo Inc.


The authors present results of experiments comparing the performance of the ID3 symbolic learning algorithm with a higher-order neural network (HONN) in the distortion invariant object recognition domain. In this domain, the classification algorithm needs to be able to distinguish between two objects regardless of their position in the input field, their in-plane rotation, or their scale. It is shown that HONNs are superior to ID3 with respect to recognition accuracy, whereas, on a sequential machine, ID3 classifies examples faster once trained. A further advantage of HONNs is the small training set required. HONNs can be trained on just one view of each object, whereas ID3 needs an exhaustive training set.<<ETX>>


AbstractThis paper focuses on the analysis of unsteady pipe flows caused by a pump trip in a water pipeline system. Field experiments have been carried out to collect transient pressure and steady-state flow rate data in the Prado–Instituto Politecnico da Guarda (IPG) pumping system located in Guarda, Portugal. Observed transient pressures were compared with numerical results. Results obtained were excellent both in terms of damping and phase shift of the transient pressure signal, provided that unsteady friction effects were taken into account and an appropriate downstream end boundary condition was considered. The downstream end boundary condition was described by small tanks with variable level and with free discharge into the storage tank; the variation of water level in these small tanks results in the relief of extreme transient pressures (conversely to what is observed in the line-packing effect) and changes the shape of transient pressure waves. This analysis has shown that classical water hammer ...


The type of molecular packing developed within Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film assemblies of phthalocyanines is shown to be dependent upon the choice of substituents on the ring system. Phthalocyanine derivatives cited in this paper include examples which possess two features which favour self-assembly; amphi-philic character and thermotropic liquid crystal behaviour. These materials show excellent monolayer and deposition behaviour. The LB films are well ordered and undergo structural reorganization at the molecular level on heating. Preliminary data from gas sensing experiments suggest that a film of one of these compounds shows a selective response to NO2 vapour.


A system for detecting and identifying plosive sounds in Japanese words is presented. The fundamental measure employed here to detect candidates for plosive sounds is the cepstral distance between an odd pair of frames with their starting positions coincided. We may eliminate some candidates from a preliminary analysis based on short-term power, pole positions obtained by low-order analysis and relative disposition in the discrimination space. Phoneme identification or mutual discrimination among the detected candidates for plosive sounds is carried out by using a following-vowel dependent discrimination algorithm formerly developed by the authors.


The suggested study deals with the influence of professional experience on interpreting frustrating circumstances and on the most plausible (from the subject's point of view) way of dealing with them. Two occupations, more or less vulnerable to emotional exhaustion, were compared. The results show that the occupation with the higher risk of emotional exhaustion leads to a more frequent choice of particular schemes of interpreting frustrating circumstances. The author traces the differences between representatives of the two occupations in the ways they respond to frustrating situations.


For a variety of reasons, many American bioscientists will be interested to know about plans for a binational conference on college and university bioscience to be held in Bangalore, India in late June, 1971. Although only about 20 scientists of the United States will be attending the conference itself, a much larger number, including some who read this paper, have played important roles in the events leading to the meeting. To understand the significance of the 1971 conference we must first review briefly some features of education in India. One characteristic is growth: the educational system is expanding rapidly at every level. According to the University Grants Commission, the proportions of each age group attending school at the primary (77%), middle (32%), and secondary (19%) levels have doubled, tripled, and quadrupled since the time of Independence (1947). Most children now in school have parents who are unschooled and formal education is reaching new sectors of the population. During the 8 year period ending in 1969, the enrollment in college expressed as a percent of the college-age group increased from 1.5% to 2.9%. The number of college and university degrees awarded increased 10% to 13% annually, compared with a population growth rate of 2.5%. According to the UGC, 82,842 students appeared for the B.S. degree examination in 1966 and 51% passed; in the same year 10,146 appeared for the M.S. and 79% passed. Another striking feature is that the plan and terminology of higher education (except in a few agricultural universities) are somewhat different from those in the United States. Undergraduate students attend institutions called colleges (of which there are about 3000 in India) for 3 years. They receive the B.S. degree, when about 20 years of age, on taking an examination. The examination is administered and the degree conferred not by the college but y the university to which the college is affiliated. Students preparing for the M.S. degree are called "postgraduates" and may become college teachers. The Indian M.S. degree requires 2 years of study and is often compared with a very good B.S. degree in the United States. Predoctoral students are called "research scholars" and when an Indian academic uses the term "research" he means, more often than in American usage, the kind of apprenticeship training which we associate with graduate schools. Postgraduate students and research scholars study at universities or designated postgraduate colleges. Most of the 70-odd universities are less than 15 years old. Almost all universities are under the control of State governments, since in India, as in the U.S., the Constitution gives the Central Government little authority in educational matters. Each university controls a few to perhaps a hundred colleges which lie in a coherent geographic area. Often the area served is large, but sometimes it is a compact metropolis (e.g., Calcutta University and Bangalore University). In each area and for each academic subject, a Board of Studies, which includes university professors and senior teachers of the colleges, determines the syllabus and controls the examinations. For every science teacher in the universities there are at least five in the colleges. In some States, teachers are shifted about from one college to another within a university jurisdiction.


Wellens syndrome is a pre-infarct stage of coronary syndrome and a clinical condition associated with left descending proximal anterior artery stenosis. Diagnostic criteria for Wellens syndrome include clinical history, ECG changes, and laboratory results. The pathognomonic ECG of Wellens syndrome is anterior inverted T-wave in precordial leads, which can be seen during pain-free period, accompanied by isoelectric or minimally elevated ST segment (<1 mm), no precordial Q waves, and normal or slightly elevated cardiac serum markers. Early diagnosis leads to early management and a better prognosis. Early management of Wellens syndrome involves maintaining an airway, breathing, circulation, monitoring vital signs, and medical management. Still, the only definitive management is urgent cardiac angiography to prevent further myocardial ischemia. The combination of early diagnostic and appropriate management will reduce complications and mortality rates.