Introduction: Most of postoperative patients report moderate to severe pain, possibly related to opioid underdosing or overdosing during surgery. Nociception Level (NOL) Index has been proposed for the evaluation of the nociceptionantinociception balance in the perioperative period and by that, may lead to a more appropriate analgesic regimen. NOL-index is scaled from 0 to 100; with previous studies suggesting that values >25 can indicate inadequate analgesia. We designed a NOL-guided and Observational study, 2-cohort (retrospective and prospective) trial to test the hypothesis that protocol-driven intraoperative analgesia guided by NOL during laparoscopic colorectal surgery would improve and reduce titration of intraoperative analgesics. Method: This monocentric, observational, and guided study aimed to compare perioperative data during laparoscopic colorectal surgery with or without the use of NOL monitor (NOL-guided vs. Control group). Intraoperative analgesia was provided by injection of fentanyl, which was performed according to the clinician's assessment in the Control group or to the NOL monitor in the NOL-guided group. The primary outcome was a reduction in fentanyl consumption during surgery in the NOL-guided group. Results: Between 2017 and 2019, 70 patients (i.e., 36 in the Control group and 34 patients in the NOL-guided group) were included. The mean consumption fentanyl was significantly lower in the NOL-guided group (450mg) versus 600mg in the Control group (P = 0.005). Median postoperative pain score in T0, when the patient woke up in the operation room, was2 (inter-quartile range 0-5) and 0 (0-4) in Control and NOL-guided group, respectively (p=0.132). Conclusion: The NOL index in laparoscopic colorectal surgery decreased with incremental fentanyl doses during sevoflurane anaesthesia. This reduction in the intraoperative analgesia suggests its interesting potential as a nociception monitor during general anaesthesia (GA). Future studies should employ more robust design, be appropriately powered and seek to follow longer term outcomes.


Systems of uniform recurrence equations were proposed by Karp et al.13 as a mean of automatically deriving programs for parallel architectures. Extensions of this formalism are used by many authors in systolic array synthesis. The computability of a system of recurrence equations is therefore of primary importance, and is considered as the first point to be examined when trying to implement an algorithm. This paper investigates the computability of recurrence equations and especially new results obtained in this area. We first recall the definitions of computability proposed by Karp et al.,13 Rao,31 Joinnault12 and Saouter et al.32 Then we correct and generalize those results. Finally, we give a new original proof for the undecidability of computability of non-uniform, non-conditional systems of recurrence equations.


The geometry, electronic structures and electronic spectra of trans stilbene derivatives are systematically studied by PM3 and INDO/CI methods. On the basis of correct UV Vis spectra, the position and strength of the two photon absorption cross sections can be predicted. We deviced a program of Sum Over States expression and calculated the nonlinear third order optical susceptibilities and two photon absorption cross sections by it. The influences of various substituents on two photon absorption cross sections are discussed micromechanically.


1Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100730, China 2State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Beijing 100730, China 3National Clinical Research Center for Dermatologic and Immunologic Diseases (NCRC-DID), Ministry of Science & Technology, Beijing 100730, China 4Key Laboratory of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100730, China


Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) prevents damage to the nigrostriatal system in rodents. We now report the effects of bFGF administered by intraventricular infusion to adult common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus) previously rendered parkinsonian by the administration of 1‐methy‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP). Infusion commenced 10 weeks after MPTP treatment and the animals received bFGF in low (1.8 μg/l), medium (18 μg/l), or high (180 μg/l) doses over a 28‐day period. At weekly intervals, automated activity measurements, behavioral disability scoring, and videotape analyses were made. There was no improvement in the motor deficits exhibited by MPTP‐treated common marmosets receiving bFGF infusion compared to vehicle‐treated controls. Three of five high dose animals showed neurological impairment prior to the end of the study. No significant differences were found between control and bFGF‐infused MPTP‐treated common marmosets with respect to nigral tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactive cell counts and striatal [3H]mazindol binding. All high dose animals showed hydrocephalus which was also observed in four other animals receiving bFGF. Histological examination revealed proliferation of the choroid plexus and ependyma which was most marked in the high dose animals. Adverse effects, in the form of hydrocephalus and neurological deterioration, were presumably secondary to an ependymal and choroid plexus reaction induced by bFGF. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


Objective:To investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide on antitumor lymphangiogenesis for breast cancer.Methods:Twenty four nude mices bearing transplantation tumor were randomly divived into four groups:negative control group(saline),positive control group(5-Fluorouracil 30mg/kg),experimental group 1(As2O3 1.5mg/kg) and experimental group 2(As2O3 3.0mg/kg).Immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerse chain reaction were used to detect the expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C proteins and mRNA.Results: The positive rates of expression of COX-2、VEGF-C protein and mRNA were high in negative group.The expression of COX-2、VEGF-C in experimental 1 and 2 was decreased with the increase of dosage of As2O3(P0.05),and showed a remarkable descending tendency compared with negative and positive control groups(P0.05).The expression of COX-2、VEGF-C showed positive correlation in each groups(r=0.725,r=0.915) .Conclusions:As2O3 has antitumor lymphangioigenesis activity by decreasing the expression of COX-2 and VEGF-C.


The study explores the experimental results of strengthening RC beams attached with external truss. The truss was designed and fabricated with 42 × 42 × 6 mm angle sections for tie members and 2 pieces of 180 × 3.4mm flats for strut. Two different struts with a height of 300mm and 400mm were used. The result indicates that the load carrying capacity of the retrofitted beams could be increased 2.5 times and 2.7 times respectively compared to the basic beam; the maximum crack width at the ultimate stage was in the range of 2 to 2.5 mm when compared to the basic beam (4 to 5 mm). However, the method adopted in the study has got many advantages such as enhancing the load carrying capacity, controlling the crack width, economical and easy to install.


An investigation is made of the temperature dependence of the thermal conductivity of GeTe and SnTe alloys in the homogeneous region. The phonon component of the thermal conductivity has been determined and the dependence on the tellurium content has been analysed in terms of a theory describing the influence of spot defects upon the thermal resistance of the lattice. Good agreement between experimental and theoretical isotherms of phonon heat transfer has been obtained.

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In a single-equation error correction model, two alternative formulations of a linear hypothesis on the long-run parameters and associated Wald test statistics are shown to arise from the covariance matrix estimator. A choice between the statistics is based on invariance properties and on lack of moments considerations. As a consequence, the use of asymptotic standard errors of long-run parameters is questioned. Copyright 1993 by Blackwell Publishing Ltd


Polite beliefs are a determining factor in natural conversations. People of different countries observe different politeness principles. A comparative study of the politeness maxims in English and Chinese cultures seem to indicate that people in both cultures tend to be polite to each other by being considerate and indirect. Differences mainly lie in approaches to expressing polite beliefs. Therefore, it is suggested that, for cross-cultural communication to successfully take place, speakers from both cultures should understand the similarities and differences in their politeness principles so that they will make willing efforts to adapt themselves to each other.


Submitted for the MAR11 Meeting of The American Physical Society Spin-phonon coupling and superconductivity in iron pnictides TANER YILDIRIM, UPENN & NIST, XUHUI LUO, UIC & NIST, SERDAR OGUT, UIC — Early electron-phonon (el-ph) coupling calculations for iron pnictide system based on standard non-spin-polarized perturbation theory indicate that conventional el-ph coupling cannot explain the observed high Tc in these systems. However, the experimental phonon spectrum indicates features which are not produced in the standard linear response non-magnetic phonon calculations. The magnetic phonon calculations clearly indicate that the observed phonon-DOS at room temperature is much closer to the magnetic phonon-DOS rather than non-magnetic DOS and Fe-magnetism must present in the iron-pnictide systems all the time [12]. Thus we need to calculate the magnetic el-phonon coupling with the Fe-spins included before we can rule out any type of phonon-mediated mechanism. In order to carry out such complex self-consistent magnetic el-ph coupling calculations we are developing a finite-displacement method in which both the phonon energies and the corresponding el-ph coupling constant are easily calculated. Implications of our results on the mechanism of superconductivity in iron pnictides will be discussed. Finally, we will compare our calculations with the available phonon energy and linewidth measurements. [1] T. Yildirim, Phys. Rev. Lett. 102, 037003 (2009). [2] T. Yildirim, Physica C 469, 425-441 (2009). Xuhui Luo UIC & NIST Date submitted: 30 Dec 2010 Electronic form version 1.4


The author investigates terminological units referred to various types of sociolects in Russian and Spanish linguistic traditions. The article lists main terms in both sociolinguistic schools offering a brief historical note for each of them, and makes a brief comparative analysis of the classifications.


Ambient LoRa backscatter enables battery-free wireless communication with long-range connectivity for the Internet of Things. However, current efforts mainly focus on symbol-level modulation, which trades considerable data rates for long backscatter ranges. To enhance the data rate, this paper presents and prototypes Pacim, which fully explores the potential of long-period LoRa chirps and conveys additional information by varying symbol lengths. Specifically, we propose the chirp interval modulation scheme that modulates multiple data bits in each time interval between two chirp-based anchor symbols. Moreover, we design a twin-chirp cancellation method at the receiver that eliminates the frequency discontinuity within anchor symbols, and propose a fine-grained detection algorithm to measure the arrival time of anchor symbols in the frequency domain. We further propose three reliable methods to improve transmission reliability and analyze the symbol error rate (SER) performance. We also build a hardware prototype and perform comprehensive evaluations. Our experiment results show that Pacim can achieve up to $8.6 \times $ throughput gain while keeping long-range, compared with the state-of-the-art ambient LoRa backscatter design.


The absence of cultural education for elite sportsmen,which brings about pressure for further social employment,prevents the intellectual development for the sportsmen and affects the sustainable growth of athletic sports in China,is obviously contrary to the modern world's requirement of an all-round development for a person.The incomplete sports training system should be the reason for the absence of cultural education on the sportsmen.The employment model for retired sportsmen under the country's previous planned economic system made the top-level sportsmen lack of impetus for cultural education.Therefore,the institutional reasons for this absence are the "separated" and "isolated" administrative system between the sports department and the educational department under the planned economic system and the conflict of objectives between the two departments.


Abstract A model is presented for calculating the elastic properties of sperm flagella. The moments and product of inertia of a 9 + 2 axoneme are calculated exactly, and their variation about the center axis is examined. The elastic modulus of microtubule doublets and the central microtubules are calculated from a model discussed elsewhere (Schoutens, 1992). Using these results the flexural rigidity of a 9 + 2 axoneme is calculated. Upper and lower bounds on 9 + 2 axoneme flexural rigidity are calculated, representing the condition in which doublets are connected (upper bound) or completely independent (lower bound). Results from published experimental data are discussed and compared with results obtained in this paper. The elastic modulus, moment of inertia and flexural rigidity agree well with experimentally reported values.


This paper explains Magnetic Levitation system of a train which comprises of guidance track made with magnets. The main objective is to compare the output response of the Linear Quadratic Regulators (LQR) and Observer based controller and to observe that which controller can perfectly suspend and propelled the train on a guidance track made with magnets. To perform the desired task state space model of Magnetic Levitation system is derived. The response of the system is simulated in MATLAB/SIMULINK. The open loop response showed that the derived model is unstable. The output response of Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and Observer based Controller are used to analyze the system in closed loop. Both the controllers showed improved performance for different magnetic tracks. It is observed and shown that observer based controller has better response than Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) controller. Simulink models for Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) and observer based controller are designed. Besides, different types of realization techniques (minimal realization, balanced realization, modal realization, observer canonical realization) are compared for minimum fragility in controller implementation. The difference among the different realization controllers has been analyzed in detail for rounding off error or truncation error and an optimal non fragile controller design has been presented. Different disturbances were imposed upon the simulated model. All the results are analyzed in open and closed loops. The closed loop response showed that the train is suspend and propelled on the track and the desire results were achieved successfully.


Based on the interpolation of Lagrange series and finite block method, the formulations of the boundary node Petrov-Galerkin method (BNPGM) are presented in weak form in this paper and the applications are demonstrated to the elasticity of functionally graded materials subjected to static and dynamic loads. By introducing the mapping technique, a block of quadratic type is transformed from the Cartesian coordinate to the normalized coordinate with 8 seeds for two dimensional problems. The first order partial differential matrices of boundary nodes are obtained in terms of the nodal values of boundary node, which can be utilized to determine the tractions on the boundary. Time dependent partial differential equations are analyzed in the Laplace transformed domain and the Durbin's inversion method is applied to determine physical values in the time domain. Illustrative numerical examples are given and comparison has been made with analytical solutions, boundary element method and finite element method.


In the era of information technology, human tend to develop better and more convenient lifestyle. Wireless technology has already become an important application which usually integrated to a wide range of device and other technologies. The enhancements provide by the wireless technology gives the ease of control to the users. Nowadays, almost all the electronic devices are equipped with wireless technology. This fact shows the necessity and benefits provide by this technology. This project is mainly
concern about home power consumption observation system with wireless capabilities. It is use the ZigBee as the wireless modules. The Smart Ordering System introduced
current and fast way to order food at a restaurant. The system uses a small keyboard that is placed on each table for customers to place orders. Order made by inserting the code on the keypad menu. This code comes along with the menu. The signal will be delivered to the order by the ZigBee technology, and it will automatically be displayed on the screen in the kitchen.


The purpose of this research is to provide an understanding of the in uence of outsourcing decision proces ses on the design of development policy, especially in terms of organisations' operations optimisation. The subject of this article is outsourcing, which is considered to be an important component of development policy of organisations. By including external service providers in its business activities, the organisation obtains the resources, knowledge and, most importantly, the competitive advantage. This research provides an empirical analysis from a survey of 266 representatives of Slovene organizations. More speci cally it examines the characteristics of the market of logistics services and IT solutions and by analysing statistical data  nds sector promising growth. The results of the research provide a considerable number of possibilities for judgement and guidelines which can help the organisations to ease the assessment of their own medium-term strategies and objectives set. Having included the external service providers Klemen Kav i * Klemen Bon ina ** Jana Suklan *** Franko Milost ****


This article analyses how Rousseau's First Discourse and the questions it posed about human progress and the reform of society were debated in the institutional context of the Berlin Academy by Formey and Herder. Despite some important disagreements, Formey and Herder fundamentally shared Rousseau's assumption that erudition could be detrimental both to society and to the individual. In order to limit the socially corrosive effects of the arts and the sciences, and in an attempt to realize their full beneficent potential, they called for their reform through institutional regulation and management by a meritocracy of scholarly experts. Drawing on Hume, Herder in particular developed a positive role for the modern state as an active agent of enlightenment, provided it not only promoted the arts and sciences but also guaranteed freedom and the rule of law to ensure their flourishing.


This paper relatesthe conclusions reachedand practicesdevelopedover a periodof more thanten years by personnelresponsiblefor repairsof a twelvemile longsubmarinecableacross theLong IslandSound. Insufficient restoration plansusuallyrequirethata problemof repairing submarinecablesin thehostileenvironmentsbe turnedover to a contractor or manufacturer-installer ratherthanbeingprogressedby theUtility. Such actionrelievesthe owner of maintainingthe ex- pertiseand skillsotherwiserequired;but theprice is highin both the fees and the lossof control, particularlyin scheduling,sincethe talent,world- wide,for a completerepaireffortis quitethin. Themanufacturer-installer concept was initially followedby Long IslandLightingCompanyand ConnecticutLightandPower,but a more satisfactory approachhas beendevelopedutilizinga flexible spliceloweringtechniquecombinedwith the less skillsensitiverigidsplice. Thiscombination resultedin reducedcosts and splicingtime during repairsand shouldresultin greater freedomin selectingdesigncriteriafor futureinstallations and repairof existingsystems, includingthe pro- blemsassociatedwithembeddedcable.


Nanoscaled self-assemblies with engineered architectonics are important for obtaining advanced materials with specific applications in nanotechnology. We investigated here the morphology features at the nanoscale of the assemblies of the mixed oxides obtained through the thermal transformation of Zn2+Me3+ (Me=Al/Ga) layered double hydroxides (LDHs), as their "as-synthesized" form or after they were reconstructed in the aqueous solution of Ga2(SO4)3. The characteristics of ZnMe LDHs and the derived assemblies of mixed oxides were assessed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM/EDX), N2 adsorption at −196°C and thermal analyses (TG/DTG/DSC). The results revealed the formation nanoscaled assemblies of ZnO/ZnAl2O4/ZnGa2O4 and ZnO/Ga2O3/ZnGa2O4 starting from ZnMe(Me=Al/Ga) as precursors. Results point out that both the composition of the LDHs and the calcination temperatures can be used as parameters for tuning the nanomorphology features of the studied mixed oxides.


This research contributes to discussions about social inequality in school choices in two ways. First, educational choices include the multitude of options families may consider, including choosing a home in a particular area and home-schooling. Decision-making is considered not at a single point in time, but over children's educational careers. Second, this research explores school choices across school district boundaries to include school choices in suburban and rural, as well as urban districts. I use data from a random sample of families with school-aged children living in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area (including some counties in New Jersey) and other counties throughout Pennsylvania to explore the options that families consider for their children's schooling. The data paint a picture of two constellations of families: those who are white, suburban, and middle-income (who primarily select schools based on their neighborhoods and residences), and those composed of lower-income and urban families of color (who rely more on non-neighborhood school options). The differences between these predispositions toward choice suggest that the expanded school choice policies of urban school districts will have little influence on overall school inequality because of the tendency of white, suburban middle-class families to choose public schools in their relatively privileged, suburban neighborhoods.


Background: Virtual reality-based therapy (VRBT) is a novel therapeutic approach to be used in women with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS). The aim of our study is to assess the effect of VRBT to reduce the impact of FMS in outcomes such as pain, dynamic balance, aerobic capacity, fatigue, quality of life (QoL), anxiety and depression. Methods: Systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted from a bibliographic search in PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, Web of Science and CINAHL until April 2021 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compare VRBT versus others to assess the mentioned outcomes in women with FMS. Effect size was calculated with standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Results: Eleven RCTs involving 535 women with FMS were included. Using the PEDro scale, the mean methodological quality of the included studies was moderate (6.63 ± 0.51). Our findings showed an effect of VRBT on the impact of FMS (SMD −0.62, 95% CI −0.93 to −0.31); pain (SMD −0.45, 95% CI −0.69 to −0.21); dynamic balance (SMD −0.76, 95% CI −1.12 to −0.39); aerobic capacity (SMD 0.32, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.63); fatigue (SMD −0.58, 95% CI −1.02 to −0.14); QoL (SMD 0.55, 95% CI 0.3 to 0.81); anxiety (SMD −0.47, 95% CI −0.91 to −0.03) and depression (SMD −0.46, 95% CI −0.76 to −0.16). Conclusions: VRBT is an effective therapy that reduces the impact of FMS, pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression and increases dynamic balance, aerobic capacity and quality of life in women with FMS. In addition, VRBT in combination with CTBTE showed a large effect in reducing the impact of FMS and fatigue and increasing QoL in these women.


This report describes the study of a dimer d2+ and a linear trimer t3+ of amminium radical cations coupled by 3,4'-biphenyl spin coupling units. The synthesis of the parent diamine and triamine and their optical and electrochemical properties obtained by UV-visible and cyclic voltammetry are presented. The chemical doping of the parent diamine d and triamine t was performed quantitatively to obtain samples containing the corresponding dimer d2+ and trimer t3+ in almost pure high-spin states as evidenced by pulsed EPR nutation spectroscopy. The J coupling constants of the corresponding S = 1 and S = 3/2 spin states were measured (J/k = 135 K) and compared quantitatively to DFT calculations.


In this chapter, the authors have described the methodologies to achieve the objectives of veins image enhancement, feature extractions, and matching with other veins images in the cloud IoT-based m-health environment. The initial steps to propose the algorithms for veins image enhance and feature extractions will have five parts. Once the proposed algorithm is written, the hardware architecture designs of the proposed veins image enhancements and feature extraction algorithm will be described by the authors. The hardware designs are presented in subsequent sections of this chapter. Further, the hardware designs are elaborated in detail for each of the techniques. The presented algorithms are implemented in MATLAB 11.0 software, and these algorithms are simulated and integrated with different veins sample images. The hardware designs of veins image enhancements and feature extractions are implemented using Verilog Hardware Language Description (VHLD), and these implemented results are simulated using MSA (Model-Sim-Altera) for sample images of different types of veins.


The fractal feature of underwater target echo and recognition method based on fractal algorithm are discussed and the fractal feature recognition by means of factual echo data gathered from submarine is studied. By analyzing echo time domain waveform, and applying random fractal theory and method of echo fractal dimension based on fractal Brown motion are presented, and the fractal feature vector (FFV) of echo is extracted. Furthermore, the computing method based on back propagation network is proposed. The results of simulation show that the method of underwater echo target feature vector extraction and the sorting technique satisfy the technical requirements. The method presented is applicable to target detection.


The application of EDA in the electronic teaching is a new trend in the development of modern education.Introductina EDA into modern distance education embodies the natare of modern and open of moder distance education.In this essay,the author puts forward a new teaching method of EDA technology.


Objective:To study the effects of S-adenosylmethionine on post-operative liver function and nutritional status in patients with obstructive jaundice.Methods:90 cases of obstructive jaundice admitted from August 2010 to July 2012 were selected and divided into the experimental group(with S-adenosylmethionine treatment) and control group randomly.The effect of intravenous infusion with S-adenosylmethionine on the liver function and nutrition indicators on 5 and 10 days after operation in patients with obstructive jaundice were compared and analyzed.Results:5 and 10 days postoperation,the TBIL,DBIL,ALT,γ-GT and ALP levels were significantly reduced compared with those pre-operation(P0.05),which were obviously lower in the experimental group compared with the control group(P0.05).10 days after postoperation,the levels of Alb,PA,TF of two groups both significantly improved compared with those after 5 days postoperation(P0.05);which were significantly different between the two groups 5 and 10 days after postoperation(P0.05).Conclusion:S-adenosylmethionine could promote the excretion of serum bilirubin,jaundice subsidise,recovery of liver function as well as the improvement of nutrition status of patients with obstructive jaundice.


The direct analysis of solid samples using (GFAAS) graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) has considerable potential as a method for the determination of trace metals when only small amounts of sample are available, when the highest accurracy is not necessarily required, or when sample dissolution would be difficult and/or time consuming. Whereas the complete dissolution of many plastics is very difficult and often time consuming, the analysis by solid sampling offers the potential for avoiding sample dissolution. Using the cup-in-tube technique, Cd, Cu, Mn and Rb have been determined in solid plastic samples using Zeeman-effect GFAAS. The analytical conditions used permitted the determinations to be performed using aqueous reference solutions. Acceptable agreement of the results with reference values was achieved.


In the energy sector the European Union has to face new realities. The rising threat of climate change and the uneven distribution of energy supplies among countries with its implications for energy security form challenges that require the realignment of conventional strategies. The question of who will determine the content of new objectives and the instruments being suitable to attain these arises. Existing theories on interest group activity often state that especially multinational companies have an impact on the policy outcomes. In contrast to this, here it is assumed that due to the rising importance of renewable energies in regard to both climate change and energy security, new roads for access will be opened to new actors. Based on these considerations, the conditions for access and influence of interest groups representing the renewable energy sector and environmental issues will be examined and compared to those representing fossil energies. First empirical analyses indicated that in regard to actor constellations in the European energy policy the dividing line cannot be drawn between societal and state actors, but that governmental and non-governmental actors form coalitions around shared perspectives in order to pursue a common goal. This impression is reflected in the assumptions of the Advocacy Coalition Framework developed by Sabatier and Jenkins-Smith (Sabatier/Jenkins-Smith, 1988; 1999; further: Sabatier/Weible, 2007), which serves as the theoretical foundation of this project.


1: Edwin S. Shneidman: What do suicides have in common? A summary of the psychological approach. 2: David C. Clark & Jan Fawcett: A review of empirical risk factors for the evaluation of the suicidal patient. 3: Jerome Motto: Clinical applications of biological aspects of suicide. 4: Mae Sokol & Cynthia Pfeffer: Suicidal behavior in children. 5: Allan Berman & David A. Jobes: Youth suicide. 6: John McIntosh: Suicide in the elderly. 7: James R. Eyman: Psychological testing for potentially suicidal individuals. 8: Robert Yufit & Bruce Bongar: A structured clinical assessment approach to the determination of an elevated risk of suicide in emergency room and hospital settings. 9: Christopher G. Lovett & John T. Malsberger: Psychodynamic approaches to the assessment and management of suicide. 10: Robert J. Berchick & Fred Wright: Guidelines for handling the suicidal patient: A cognitive perspective. 11: Andrew Edmund Slaby & Larry E. Dumont: Psychopharmacology of suicidal ideation and behavior. 12: Betty S. Comstock: The decision to hospitalize and alternatives to hospitalization. 13: Edward J. Dunne: Following a suicide: Postvention. 14: Ronald W. Maris: Forensic suicidology. 15: Bruce Bongar, James W. Lomax & Mort Harnatz: Training and supervisory issues in the assessment and management of the suicidal patient. 16: Bruce Bongar: Consultation and risk management in the care of the suicidal patient. Index


Today's experts believe that critical thinking is a major output in higher education and teaching thinking is a basic point to learning. The aim of this study was to explore whether a strategic thinking training program could improve student's scores on a standardized measure of critical thinking. Sixty-six students aged between 20 and 35 were tested at their college on before the program CCTST and CCTDI. Thirty-nine of these students volunteered to be randomly allocated to the strategic thinking or control group. Students in the strategic thinking group received a strategic thinking training program, but not the students in the control group. The experimental and control groups were then re-tested on CCTST and CCTDI at after the intervention. Students in the strategic thinking group significantly improved their critical thinking skill and critical thinking disposition scores compared to the control group. On average, we observed no group differences between the strategic thinking and control groups. These results have important implications for implementing a strategic thinking training program to protect students from a decrease in critical thinking skill and critical thinking disposition during the achievement of educational goals.


This study deals with the proportions of seeds, ovules and flowers-fruits aborted, and seeds formed per ovule per inflorescence, related to the weight and number (seed, ovule, flower and fruit) of reproductive strucrutes among five life forms. The study shows that ovule abortion, flower-fruit abortion and seed per ovule per infructescence were significantly higher in trees than in annual and perennial herbs. The correlations between the characteristics of reproductive structures and the abortion levels revealed an increase of ovules aborted with the weight of fruits and seeds, the number of seeds per fruit and flower, fruit weight/flower weight ratio and seed per fruit weight/flower weight ratio from annual herbs to trees (...)


Objective:To study the effects of Astragaloside IV(AS-IV) on glucose-induced apoptosis of podocytes and explore its possible mechanism. Methods:Conditionally immortalized mouse podocytes were divided into nomal glucose group (NG) ,high glucose group (HG),mannitol group (MA) and HG with 10,50 and 100 μg/mL of AS-IV for 24h. Flow cytometry and Hoechst staning were used for the quantification of apoptotic podocytes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was measured with the fluoroprobe carboxymethyl-H2-dichlorofluorescein diacetate. The activation of p38-MAPK was determined by Western blot. Results:HG induced ROS generation and apoptosis of podocytes. AS-IV inhibited HG-induced ROS generation and apoptosis of podocytes in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover,HG caused p38-MAPK activation in podocytes,while AS-IV dose-dependently inhibited p38-MAPK activation. Conclusion:Astragaloside prevented high glucose-induced podocyte apoptosis and this effect may be involved in inhibition of ROS and p38-MAPK.


The capability of sawdust for removal of Reactive Yellow (RY 1) and Acid Orange (AO2), from aqueous solutions was studied. The effect of various experimental parameters such as different treatments of sawdust, sorbent dose and pH of solution were studied. The saw dust a relatively abundant and inexpensive material was found to be effective absorbent for the removal of reactive and acid dyes from their aqueous solutions. It was found that the sawdust activated with acid have higher adsorption capacity. It has been found that at initial pH of 2 and at higher sorbent dose reactive and acid dyes were removed more effectively. Key words : Sawdust; Adsorption; Dye removal; Sorbent dose. DOI: 10.3329/bjsir.v45i1.5181 Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 45(1) , 35-38, 2010


Abstract: The VGF gene encodes a secretory protein that is expressed in a cell type‐restricted pattern in neuroendocrine cells and is up‐regulated by nerve growth factor (NGF) in the rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. Here we report the isolation and characterization of the 5′‐terminal region of the human VGF gene. In addition to a TATA box and a CCAAT box located at canonical distances from the transcription start site, the human VGF promoter contains several consensus sequences for different transcription factors, including a cyclic AMP response element and an AP‐1 element, several GC boxes, and sequences homologous to other neuronal promoters. Transient transfection analysis demonstrates that 2.3 kb of the 5′‐flanking sequence acts as a tissue‐specific promoter, efficiently used only by neuronal cells that express endogenous VGF. Deletion analysis reveals that a positive regulatory region is located between nucleotides −458 to −204. Negative cis‐acting elements that repress promoter activity in cell lines that do not normally express VGF are located between nucleotides −2,305 and −573 and between −458 and −204. The 5′‐flanking region of the human VGF gene confers responsiveness to NGF, cyclic AMP, and phorbol ester treatment.


The main propagation effect on interference between adjacent Earth-space paths is differential rain attenuation. In the present paper, a revised method to predict the rain differential attenuation statistics is proposed which is based on a model convective rain cell structure of the rainfall medium and the assumption that the point rainfall statistics follows a lognormal form. Moreover, the revised model analyzes the general problem of differential attenuation taking into account the difference of elevation angles of the slant paths under consideration. The numerical results are referred to the interference problem from an adjacent satellite located in symmetrical geostationary positions in relation to the intended satellite and examine the significance of the difference of elevation angles for various parameters of the problem.


In the present study, histological studies of the digestive system and SEM study of radula of Fusinus nicobaricus was evaluated. The digestive system contains proboscis, oesophagus, stomach, hepatopancreas, intestine, rectum and anus. The digestive tract of Fusinus nicobaricus encloses a buccal mass at the anterior region which contains a chitinous radula. The oesophagus leaved the buccal mass dorsally and passed the food into an extensible stomach. A pair of salivary gland lied with mid-oesophagus region. Digestive gland secreted digestive enzymes into the lumen of the stomach into mid region. Intestine was thin walled, usually long and possess loop through the digestive gland tissue and leaves as short rectum. Hepatopancreas was also implicated in storage and excretion of inorganic reserves, lipids and carbohydrate metabolites. Radula, a specific character and part of the appendices of digestive system of majority of molluscs. It was observed that the type of radula in F.n is rachiglossate with radular formula of 1+R+1.


The digital divide has become embroiled in discussions about technologies that range well beyond those earliest circumstances related to computer access and use, where the term first cropped up. Caught between a public discourse that espouses equality in opportunity as well as the tremendous bounty at the end of the technological rainbow and another that celebrates a marketplace distribution of technologies and services, US policy around the digital divide has waffled between unsystematic efforts to provide access to technology and to cultivate technological capabilities, and a trenchant affirmation in the ability of the market to provide the best array and distribution of technological resources.


The two main pillars of the Icelandic fishing industry are the large vertically integrated fishing companies and the SMEs, specialised in fishing, producing or marketing. In order to understand how they are able to function side by side and at the same time secure a relatively high value added for the domestic part of the Icelandic value chain of cod, a closer look at the functions and operations of the Icelandic fish-markets is needed. In the authors' recent studies on structural changes in the fisheries value chain in Iceland from 1990 to 2012, six dissimilar main operational strategies were identified. Common to all of those was the need for an efficient use of the Icelandic fish markets. Three distinctive forms of fish-markets use were identified; firstly, specialisation, where companies use fish-markets to sell off all other species usually to SME producers specializing in those species, secondly, assurance, where companies ensure raw material and fill in when there is lack of cod from the company´s own boats and, thirdly, market driven, where companies completely rely on fish-markets for the supply of cod. To further studying this facilitator of industrial success, the focus is on the importance of fish-markets from the time of their establishment in Iceland in 1987. The research is based on semi-structured and in-depth interviews with managers of a number of Icelandic fishing companies and is a part


The efficacy of anthelmintic is affected by incorrect dosage, exclusive use of drugs of the same mode of action, substandard quality drugs, and inappropriate handling. Questionnaire survey was administered to 384 farmers to assess the awareness level of farmers about practices in relation to quality and management of anthelmintic drug in Adea Berga district, Central Ethiopia. A total of 384 farmers were contacted, 69% of the respondents were males while 31% were females. The majority of interviewees were uneducated (63%) and 77.6% of the respondent had awareness about the drug store. Of the interviewees, majority of them had no enough knowledge about safe handling and its management. 59.5% of the respondent bought the drugs from veterinary clinic and 78.3% kept the drugs at room temperature that compromise the quality of the drug. Majority of the respondents (87.5%) obtained the information about drug administration from professionals and 86.5% of the respondents were consult nonprofessionals to administer the drug to animals. Majority of the farmers (93.8%) practice deworming. 72.4% of the study participants were calculate the dose of the drug by guess based on age and the size of the animal and 28.8% were given over and under dose of the drug respectively. 15.8% and 4.9% were explained about the cause of over dose as severe diarrhea and death of the treated animal but most (77.9%) of the farmers responded as there were doubtful with under dose. 70.6% and 75.8% of the participants revealed that the challenges faced when they bought the drugs from public and private shops as the distance and the cost as major issue respectively. Therefore, continuous awareness creation works to the community, training on safe veterinary drug handling and drug administration and sustainable improvement of animal health service delivery through a well-regulated private service.


Disparity of modern social science and humanity, in the term of modem education, causes ineffective communication and exchange of science and humanity, results in doctrinarism and mechanization of modem education and harms talents' cultivation. In view of present China's condition,a new tyre of educational way to integrate innovation, science and humanity must be advocated.


The study was undertaken to determine the radiographic impact of the tenotomy after the Ponseti method. We report a retrospective and prospective radiographic analysis of 37 clubfeet after the Achilles tenotomy. The talocalcaneal angle was measured on lateral and anteroposterior views; the tibiotalar and the tibiocalcaneal angles were evaluated on the lateral view. The mean age at the time the last radiographic analysis was performed was 19 months (range, 13-35 months). Both studies have the same conclusion: the Achilles tenotomy decreases the lateral tibiocalcaneal angle and increases the lateral talocalcaneal angle. Furthermore, the tenotomy effect tends to diminish with time. Level of evidence: therapeutic study, level IV.


The management of the Global Navigation Satellite Systems and of the MEO region as a whole is a subject that cannot be deferred, due to the growing exploitation and launch rate in that orbital regime. The advent of the European Galileo and the Chinese Compass constellations significantly added complexity to the system and call for as adequate global view on the four constellation presently in operation. The operation procedures, including maintenance and disposal practices, of the constellations currently deployed were analyzed in order to asses a proper reference simulation scenario. The complex dynamics of the MEO region with all the geopotential and lunisolar resonances was studied to better identify the proper end-of-life orbit for every proposed strategy, taking into account and, whenever possible, exploiting the orbital dynamics in this peculiar region of space. The possibility to exploit low thrust propulsion or non gravitational perturbations with passive de-orbiting devices (and a combination of the two) was analyzed, in view of possible applications in the design of the future generations of the constellations satellites . Several upgrades in the long term evolution softwares SDM and DAMAGE were undertaken to properly handle the constellation simulations in every aspects from constellation maintenance to orbital dynamics. A thorough approach considering the full time evolving covariance matrix associated to every object was implemented in SDM to compute the collision risk and associated maneuver rate for the constellation satellites. Once the software upgrades will be completed, the effectiveness of the different disposal strategies will be analyzed in terms of residual collision risk and avoidance maneuvers rate. This work was performed under an ESA/GSP Contract.


The utility model relates to an energy-saving fuel gas stove which comprises a gas feeding pipe, a stove head connected with the gas feeding pipe and a stove chamber covered outside the stove head. The gas feeding pipe comprises a front mixing chamber, a rear mixing chamber and an air inlet control valve which is externally connected with a fan. The front mixing chamber is respectively connected with an air inlet control valve and a fuel gas inlet valve through a tee joint. One end of the rear mixing chamber is respectively connected with the front mixing chamber and a water drain valve through a tee joint. The other end of the rear mixing chamber is connected with the stove head. The left side of the water drain valve is provided with a long open fire conduit. The long open fire conduit penetrates through the rear mixing chamber and extends into the stove head. A plurality of columnar gas guide holes are arranged in the stove head. A heat gathering layer is sleeved outside the stove end. The heat gathering layer comprises a sunken round bracket and a heat gathering plate arranged above the bracket. The energy-saving fuel gas stove has the beneficial effects that fuel gas and the air are more uniformly mixed, so that the combustion is more sufficient, and the energy-saving fuel gas stove is more energy-saving; due to the adoption of the long open fire conduit, the energy-saving fuel gas stove is more convenient and effective to ignite; and waste gas is exhausted more rapidly.


In this thesis, Ti-pillared montmorillonite was prepared by a sol-gel method. The sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results show that the crystal phase of the sample is composed of anatase and montmorillonite. The microstructure of the sample is still layered structure, in which anatase particles lie in the interlayer space. Furthermore, the XRD results indicate that the interlayer distance of crystal plane (001) of the montmorillonite left-shift obviously. In other words, its interlayer distance increases obviously. The adsorptive ability of the sample was tested with industry wastewater, which containing Pb2+. The results indicate that the adsorptive rate of the sample for lead (II) cation is 100% almost. The Ti-pillared montmorillonite absorbed Pb2+ saturatedly was impregnated into 3 mol/L nitric acid solution for 2 h to dissolve the lead cation, then it was rinsed by deionized water for three times and dried at 120 °C overnight. The sample impregnated by nitric acid solution was used to treat Pb2+ containing industry wastewater again. The results show that its adsorptive rate can still reach above 95%.


In this chapter, I will use conversation analysis to explore some themes that are central in the clinical theory and practice of psychoanalysis. These themes include interpretation (which is a central theme in classical psychoanalytic theory), and affect and intersubjectivity (which are central themes in some contemporary psychoanalytic discussions). I will discuss these themes using two kinds of empirical material: clinical notes arising from my own psychoanalytic practice, and transcribed materials coming from a corpus of fifty-eight tape recorded psychoanalytic sessions collected by Sanna Vehvilainen and myself. Clinical notes involve the traditional method of representing interaction in psychoanalysis. The aim of the chapter is to show how the conversation analysis of tape recorded material can radically expand our understanding of the key practices of psychoanalysis. In theoretical and methodological terms, this chapter draws upon the idea of "professional stocks of interactional knowledge" (SIKs). We (Perakyla & Vehvilainen, 2003) have proposed that professions dealing with clients have their specific stocks of knowledge which describe and prescribe the professional interactions. We suggested that conversation analysis should enter into dialogue with such SIKs; this chapter is one effort towards such a dialogue (see also Forrester & Reason, 2006). I should acknowledge my specific position in relation to psychoanalysis and conversation analysis. For nearly twenty years, I have been involved in doing conversation analytic research on therapeutic and medical encounters. Since 2003, I have been involved in psychoanalytic training organized by The Finnish Psychoanalytic Association.


Heavier group 2 (Mg, Ca) bis(trimethylsilyl)amides are catalysts for the formation of unsymmetrical diaminoboranes, [(R(2)N)BH(NR'(2))], by dehydrocoupling of amine boranes and protic amines; a process which is proposed to occur by a sequential metal-centred elimination-insertion-elimination mechanism.


The rubber lining used to protect the bodies of mining trucks is characterized by impact at an angle to the surface of the lining. Described experimental installation, allowing to model the impact of single solid parti-cles at an angle to the surface of the rubber. It is established that the basis of the mecha-nism of the fracture of rubbers under oblique impact is cracking. The development direc-tion of cracks is approximately equal to the angle of attack, i. e. the direction of the force of impact. The destruction is cyclical in nature and follows the scheme: the tear of the surface — rip crack — turn cracks and separation of the fragment. Factors determining the length and depth of the development of the initial crack set.


Background: Applying for a job can be a stressful experience. When a potential employer chooses to not move forward with a candidate, they can either directly tell them or cease communication altogether—known as ghosting. Ghosting has harmful consequences, such as lower basic psychological needs satisfaction than direct rejection, and there has been an apparent increase in this phenomenon by potential employers. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of being ghosted after submitting a hypothetical job application. Methods: An international sample of unemployed people (N = 554) completed an online job application task and were randomly assigned to receive no (i.e., ghosted), impersonal, or personal feedback. Results: While our manipulation was perceived as intended, there was not an effect of condition on needs satisfaction. However, exploratory analyses suggest that ghosted participants have greater self-esteem and control than those that received personal feedback. Thus, the effect of being ghosted during a job application may not be as clear cut as previously thought. Conclusions: Although the current study did not find evidence that applicants feel worse after being ghosted than being directly rejected, such an experience can still hurt, and more research is needed to understand the long-term effects of being ghosted by a potential employer.


With the design of the pneumatic clamping device for the positioning pinhole of the crankshaft case as an example, the paper presents a design method for an advanced hinge pneumatic clamping mechanism. Comprehensive discussion is made on the design method.


Defining an inverse design problem, which aims at maximizing the manufacturing tolerances while keeping a small variability of the turbomachinery performances, requires methods allowing the propagation of manufacturing uncertainties. Quantification of manufacturing uncertainties requires a large number of correlated uncertainties to represent the manufacturing process. A non-intrusive probabilistic collocation method, in combination with a sparse grid formulation, is applied for a high number of uncertainties and is coupled with a principal component analysis to treat correlated uncertainties. The method is applied to the NASA Rotor 37 with correlated uncertainties on the blade geometry. The correlations are defined by an analytical function and the influence of each parameter of this function is investigated. It is shown that the modification of the amplitude of the variability allows to define an inverse robust design problem.


The dramatic revolution in the way that we can share information has come about both through the Internet and through the dramatic increase in the use of mobile phones, especially in developing nations. Mobile phones are now found everywhere in the developing world. In 2002, the total number of mobile phones in use worldwide exceeded the number of landlines and these mobile devices are becoming increasingly sophisticated. For many people in developing countries their primary access point to the internet is a mobile device. Malicious software (malware) currently infects large numbers of mobile devices. Once infected, these mobile devices may be used to send spam SMSs. Mobile networks are now infected by malicious software such as Botnets. This paper studies the potential threat of Botnets based on mobile networks, and proposes the use of computational intelligence techniques to detect Botnets. We then simulate mobile Bot detection by use of a neural network.


This paper presents a new concept of how a service provider using any kind of Service Creation Environment (SCE) can verify that a generated service meets the requirements of a customer. This requires functional tests which are derived from a finite state machine-based behaviour model being composed from so-called modular finite state machines by a new composition method. The derivation of the tests is fulfilled by the usage of an adequate path finding algorithm. The following execution of the generated tests is done automatically within a Testing and Test Control Notation (TTCN-3) test framework.


The term "consumer sovereignty" is usually traced to William Harold Hutt and his 1936 book Economists and the Public: A Study of Competition and Opinion. Hutt paid only passing attention to the maximization of consumer welfare or the achievement of market efficiency. He was stalking different game. For him, the basic issues revolved around the exercise of power in a free society and those issues concerned sovereignty. Why should consumers be given such great power in determining the allocation of resources and the course of production? Hutt's major argument for consumer sovereignty centered on its role in promoting political and social stability. It is unlikely that Hutt's defense of consumer sovereignty will be embraced by the economics profession in the near future. It received only passing attention when first propounded and has largely disappeared from active discussion. Yet I would argue that his approach has a most interesting message.


Severe hypercalcaemia is usually due to either neoplastic disease or primary hyperparathyroidism. Rarer causes do exist, and exceptionally these may occur concomitantly. We describe the case of a 45-year-old man who presented in a debilitated state with severe hypercalcaemia (total serum calcium 3·56 mmol/L, albumin 35 g/L) and suppressed serum parathyroid hormone concentration. It was initially suspected that he had neoplastic disease, but routine thyroid function tests demonstrated evidence of thyrotoxicosis [thyroid-stimulating hormone <0·05 mU/L (0·15-3·5); free thyroxine 75 pmol/L (8-27); total tri-iodothyronine 7·0 nmol/L (1·0-2·6)], which was probably secondary to a silent or subacute thyroiditis. After extensive investigation, it was established that the patient also had isolated adrenocorticotrophic hormone deficiency, presumably secondary to lymphocytic hypophysitis. Glucocorticoid therapy resulted in a dramatic improvement in the patient's clinical state and 1 year later he remained euthyroid and normocalcaemic.


The IfA Deep Survey uncovered ∼ 130 thermonuclear supernova (TN SN, i.e., Type Ia) candidates at redshifts from z = 0.1 out to beyond z = 1. The TN SN explosion rates derived from these data have been controversial, conflicting with evidence emerging from other surveys. This work revisits the IfA Deep Survey to re-evaluate the photometric evidence. Applying the SOFT program to the light curves of all SN candidates, we derive new classification grades and redshift estimates. We find a volumetric rate for z ∼  0.5 that is substantially smaller than the originally published values, bringing the revised IfA Deep rate into good agreement with other surveys. With our improved photometric analysis techniques, we are able to confidently extend the rate measurements to higher redshifts and we find a steadily increasing TN SN rate, with no indication of a peak out to z = 1.05.


Aims There have been many studies of carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of C3 plants in China, and δ13C has been widely used as an index of water use efficiency (WUE); however, most studies focused on single sites or small regions. Therefore, our objective was to study the spatial pattern of δ13C, the relationships between δ13C and climate factors and whether δ13C can represent WUE in large regions. Methods We obtained leaf δ13C for 478 C3 species from 187 sites in China based on the literature. Important findings The range of δ13C was from –33.50‰ to –22.00‰, and the mean was –(27.10‰ ± 1.70)‰. There were significant differences among δ13C of grasses, shrubs and trees, with grasses having the highest value and trees the lowest. The result was different from studies in single sites and small regions. For different phylogenic plants, δ13C of seed plants was significantly higher than ferns, the difference between gymnosperms and angiosperms was not statistically significant and monocotyledons had significantly higher values than dicotyledons. Leaf δ13C had irregular variation with increasing longitude, but significantly increased with increasing latitude. Leaf δ13C significantly increased with mean annual temperature and decreasing mean annual precipitation. The relationship between δ13C and precipitation was similar to that of WUE and precipitation, so we conclude that δ13C of C3 plants can be used as an index of WUE in large regions as well as in single sites or small regions.


In the countries and regions featured in this book, there are more religious scientists than we might think. There are varieties of atheism that exist among scientists in these Western and Eastern contexts. In contrast to the "warfare thesis" that science and religion are inherently in conflict with one another, the conflict perspective on science and religion is primarily promulgated by those in the West. The popular notion of science and religion as "nonoverlapping magisteria"—that science and religion are domains of human experience that do not overlap, with science the realm of natural facts and religion the realm of values—is only partially true. There are many ways forward for dialogue.


The invention relates to a self-adaptive high-efficiency storage method of dynamic electrocardiogram (ECG) data, in particular to an ECG data storage scheme based on extraction in an ECG main wave position, which can self-adaptively select a data storage mode according to the cardiac rate and the characteristic information of ECG waveforms. When the cardiac rate is greater ( i.e. the distance between a main wave extreme point of a pre-stored cardiac cycle and a main wave extreme point of a former cardiac cycle is smaller than a defined cardiac cycle data length), the former ECG waveform and the latter ECG waveform which are divided can be overlapped and damage the repeatability of the ECG waveforms, and all data are stored for favorably recovering the waveforms before storage. When the distance between the main wave extreme point of the pre-stored cardiac cycle and the main wave extreme point of the former cardiac cycle is not smaller than the defined cardiac cycle data length, corresponding templates are established according to the conditions of the ECG waveforms, and the same waveforms are stored by using template codes instead so that the data storage capacity is greatly reduced, the data storage efficiency is improved, and the favorable waveform reliability is kept.


Technological advances in genomics are shifting the genetic testing paradigm, from testing targeted mutations in selected genes to testing whole genes and even whole genomes. These exciting developments raise numerous practical pitfalls and ethical issues. Two articles in this issue of the SAMJ address genetic testing for multifactorial diseases.


Suicide by firearm is a frequent mode of death and the most common mode of suicide in the United States. So typically is there but one bullet entrance wound in the suicide victim, and so often are there multiple wounds with homicide that some investigators and the public are unaware or forget that the person intending suicide may discharge his gun into himself more than once. The frequency, incidence, and other characteristics of the phenomenon deserve more recognition.The data presented are from medical examiner reports and related material from 7,895 gunshot deaths, including 3,522 suicides by firearm, that occurred in North Carolina in the 7-year period 1972–1978. The 58 multishot firearm sucides represent 0.7% of all firearm deaths (one in 136) and 1.6% of firearm suicides (one in 61). Characteristics of the individual entrance wounds such as body regions involved and muzzle distance were the same as those of single shot cases. Long gun use was not rare, but 0.22 caliber handguns predominated. Other characteristics of weapon, victim, wounds, and situations are presented.Each of the cases was assessed by forensic pathologists as it was reported and was reviewed again for the study. The type of data presented is one advantage of a structured, centrally guided, statewide medical examiner system.Greater awareness of the entity of multishot firearm suicide may reduce the number of misdirected homicide investigations and diminish unwarranted public arousal.


Pragmatic failure is one of the key reasons in language learners' cross-cultural communication. It is found in the automatic use of cultural concepts and communicative models, arbitrary use of words and structures and misuse of values. This article has discussed pragmatic failure and its main reason, as well as how to overcome and raise student's pragmatic ability, to reduce pragmatic failure in cross-cultural communication and English teaching, to strengthen the understanding and the sensitivity to the culture of target languages, and to promote linguistic practice.


Abstract. This article examines the geographical ideology of al‐Qa'ida. The central questions are to what extent al‐Qa'ida terrorism is motivated by a desire to control geographical space, and how the organization defines that space as place in its communiqués. The study also asks whether al‐Qa'ida's geographical rhetoric reveals the nature or locations of future attacks. Principal sources are statements and interviews by and with al‐Qa'ida leaders. al‐Qa'ida classifies distinctive geographical realms of legitimization, preparation, and action. Its geographical concerns and ambitions are hierarchical and based principally on perceptions of sacred space. The holy places of Mecca, Medina, and Jerusalem are the cornerstones of a greater Islamic holy land that al‐Qa'ida seeks to rid of non‐Islamic‐especially U.S. and "Zionist"‐elements and replace with a new caliphate. Terrorism directed principally against American civilians in the United States is one of the main tactics by which al‐Qa'ida says it hopes to achieve its goals in geographical space.


A mathematical model is presented that describes the squeezing of solar wind plasma out along interplanetary magnetic field lines in the region between the bow shock and the effective planetary boundary (in the case of the earth, the magnetopause). In the absence of local magnetic merging the squeezing process should create a 'depletion layer,' a region of very low plasma density just outside the magnetopause. Numerical solutions are obtained for the dimensionless magnetohydrodynamic equations describing this depletion process for the case where the solar wind magnetic field is perpendicular to the solar wind flow direction. For the case of the earth with a magnetopause standoff distance of 10 R/subE/, the theory predicts that the density should be reduced by a factor > or =2 in a layer about 700--1300 km thick if M/subA/, the Alfven Mach number in the solar wind, is equal to 8. The layer thickness should vary as M/subA/ /sup -2/ and should be approximately uniform for a large area of the magnetopause around the subsolar point. Computed layer thicknesses are somewhat smaller than those derived from Lees' axisymmetric model. Depletion layers should develop fully only where magnetic merging is locally unimportant. Scaling of the model calculationsmore » to Venus and Mars suggest layer thicknesses about 1/10 and 1/15 those of the earth, respectively, neglecting diffusion and ionospheric effects. (AIP)« less


An algebraic inequality (Theorem 2.1) is proved and used to obtain bounds on eigenvalue gaps for the Dirichlet problem on subdomains of Riemannian manifolds. The bounds depend essentially on the curvature and on the sum of the lower eigenvalues, generalizing classic work in the Euclidean setting by Payne, Polya,and Weinberger.


Small cell carcinoma of the prostate has a poor prognosis. Furthermore, treatments for small cell carcinoma of the prostate have not been established. We report a case where amrubicin was effective for second‐line chemotherapy.


Many interpolation methods are effective with regularly sampled or randomly sampled data, whereas the spatial sampling of seismic reflectivity data is typically neither regular nor random. Fourier-radial adaptive thresholding (FRAT) is a sparsity-promoting method in which the interpolated result is sparse in the frequency-wavenumber domain and is coherent in a manner consistent with that of a collection of unaliased plane waves. The sparsity and the desired pattern in the f-k domain are promoted by iterative soft thresholding and adaptive weighting; data in the f-k domain are transformed to polar coordinates and then low-pass filtered along the radial axis to generate the nonlinear weight. FRAT interpolates data that are randomly sampled and aliased; i.e., where the minimum distance between adjacent traces is greater than the Nyquist sampling interval. A conventional approach to solving this problem is to apply a cascade of two procedures: first a sparsity-based method, such as projection onto convex sets...


ABSTRACT. For acyclovir (ACV) determination in bulk and dosage forms, quick, sensitive, straightforward, and eco-friendly ultrasound-assisted dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (UA-DLLME)-based spectrophotometric method has been created and validated. ACV with 1,2-naphthoquine-4-sulfonate (NQS) react in alkaline medium to produce a yellow-colored product, which is the basis of the newly created method. Investigation and optimization were done on the crucial experimental variables influencing ACV's extraction effectiveness. At λmax = 495 nm, the minuscule organic droplets were detected. The linearity was present from 0.1 to 3.0 μg/mL under ideal circumstances, with a linear correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The detection limit was 0.03 μg/mL and quantification limit was 0.1 μg/mL. 22.50 was the enrichment factor. Relative standard deviation (RSD%) as accuracy at 2.0 μg/mL of ACV was 1.0%, with good recovery (99.30%). The developed UA-DLLME method was effectively used to determine the ACV in dosage forms, and the validation was evaluated. Results from the suggested technique for dosage forms and pure ACV were in excellent agreement with the results from the official method.

KEY WORDS: Ultrasound-assissted, Dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, Acyclovir, Spectrophotometry, Dosage forms
Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2023, 37(5), 1081-1092.
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v37i5.2


Excess molar volumes, have been measured using a dilatometric technique for binary mixtures of heptan-1-ol (n-C7H15OH) + pentane (n-C5H12), + hexane (n-C6H14), + heptane (n-C7H16), + octane (n-C8H18), and + 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (2,2,4-TMP) at T = 293.15 K. has been found to be negative throughout the entire range of composition for (x)n-C7H15OH + (1 − x)n-C5H12, + (1 − x)n-C6H14, and + (1 − x)2,2,4-TMP. has been found to be positive at lower mole fractions of n-C7H15OH and negative at higher mole fractions of n-C7H15OH for (x)n-C7H15OH + (1 − x)n-C7H16 and (x)n-C7H15OH + (1 − x)n-C8H18 with an inversion of sign from positive to negative values of occurring at x ∼ 0.18 and x ∼ 0.43, respectively, for these mixtures. has been fitted in a smoothing equation.


Enhancing the governing ability construction of CPC is an important engineering.CPC has accumulated abundant experience since governing.States the historical necessity to enhance governing ability construction of CPC,puts forward the main problems,discusses the historical experience,offers the theoretical foundation for enhancing governing ability construction of CPC under the new situation.


Dept. Electrical Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Lahore, Pakistan. Faculty of Electrical Engineering, The University of Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan. CONTACT: :email@example.com ABSTRACT: Due to diversified advancements in the field of information technology, digital data has become much important and popular in digital media. Postal mail is replaced with electronic mail, called email. digital signature become the symbol of security for digital data. So it become necessary to protect digital content. Against any illegal claim, It is an author's responsibility to provide the necessary proof that a particular content belongs to him. Watermarking of digital images is one of the techniques to provide such type of proof and protect data. In this technique, secret image, logo or information is embedded into host image which can be extracted later for identification purpose. Number of watermarking insertion techniques are proposed in spatial domain and frequency domain. In this paper a watermarking scheme in spatial domain using second least significant bit is proposed. Imperceptibility and robustness of proposed scheme is checked against different type of attacks. Results are compared with famous watermarking technique in frequency domain.


Retinoblastoma is the most common intraocular cancer of childhood. We report the case of a 3-year-old child with unilateral leucocoria noticed by parents who revealed a retinoblastoma. Leucocoria can also indicate other vision threatening conditions : Coats' disease, cataract, toxocariasis, retinopathy of prematurity for which prompt medical attention is needed.


An accurate calculation of heat load on the divertor plates in a tokamak must take into account kinetic effects, present when the electron velocity distribution function (EVDF) in the plasma column departs from a thermal distribution. In this work PARASOL‐1D, a particle‐in‐cell code with a Monte‐Carlo binary collision model, is used to find and explain the electron heat flux‐limiting factor αe and the heat transmission coefficient (HTC) γe in the complex SOL. We develop and test two simple models for these kinetic factors that take as input the temperature of the SOL and the temperature of the electrons striking the divertor plates. Both models assume a piecewise EVDF, with a symmetric bulk electron population and a high‐energy tail of electrons moving only in the direction of the nearest diverter plate. The model EVDF are fit to the simulation‐derived EVDF by allowing the variables for the densities and temperatures in the bulk and tail to vary independently. The block model, which assumes a bulk population of infinite parallel temperature in the bulk, is found to reproduce the kinetic factors for a wide range of conditions in the complex SOL much better than both the classical and Gaussian models (© 2012 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)


Wavelet image fusion is proposed for medical image pseudo coloring. Wavelet efficiently separates an image into different subspaces that preserve the features of the original images after pseudo coloring. Feature classification information can be directly applied to the coarse approximation of the wavelet decomposed image without segmenting the original image. The proposed method improves the processing speed of the pseudo coloring algorithm and is robust in processing noisy images.


Taking the follower-centric approach to charismatic leadership, this paper explores how followers construct charisma. Based on in-depth data from followers representing members of the Senior Management Team and a task force of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation project of two Sri Lankan business operations, this paper illustrates that followers construct charisma through multiple cognitive processes concurrently. The paper concludes that charisma is a constellation of meanings consisting of leader prototypes, leader archetypes, leader extraordinariness and perhaps even leader group prototypes. Consequently, this paper contributes to the follower-centric theory by showing the need and the possibility of taking an integrative approach to charisma.


PART ONE PYRIDINE COMPLEXES OF Z IN C (I I ) , CADMIUM(II), AND MERCURY(II) NITRATES PART TWO PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION OF SOME OXIDATION AND COMPLEXATION REACTIONS OF GROUP V-B METALS IN NONAQUEOUS SOLVENTS BY THOMAS JAMES OUELLETTE T h is t h e s i s I s d i v i d e d I n t o two p a r t s . P a r t I d e a l s w i th p y r i d i n e com plexes o f z l n c ( I I ) , c a d m iu m (I I ) , and m er c u ry ( I I ) , w hich were p r e p a r e d by t h e r e a c t i o n o f t h e a n h y  d ro u s m e ta l n i t r a t e s w i th p y r i d i n e i n n onaqueous s o l u t i o n . A d d i t i o n a l p y r i d i n e n i t r a t e com plexes o f t h e g ro u p I I B m e ta l n i t r a t e s were s y n t h e s i z e d by th e r m a l d e c o m p o s i t io n r e a c t i o n s . The com plexes w hich w ere c h a r a c t e r i z e d i n t h i s s tu d y i n c l u d e i [Z n (p y ) ^ (N 0 ^)2 j , [ Z n ( p y ) 2 (N03 ) 2 ] , [Z n (p y ) ^ ( N O ^ ] • 3py. [C d (p y )^ (N 0 ^ )2 ] , [Cd2 (py)^(N O ^)i4>] , [ C d ( p y ) (NO^)g ] • 3py. [H g (p y )2 (NO^)2 ] , and [H g (p y )2 (NO^Jg] • 3py. C h a r a c t e r i z a t i o n o f th e com plexes by means o f d t a , t g a , c o n d u c ta n c e , m a g n e t ic s u s c e p t i b i l i t y , m o le c u la r w e ig h t , X ra y d i f f r a c t i o n , u l t r a  v i o l e t a n d v i s i b l e s p e c t r o s c o p y , and r e g u l a r an d f a r i n f r a r e d s p e c t r o s c o p y l e d t o t e n t a t i v e s t r u c t u r a l a s s ig n m e n t s . I t was c o n c lu d e d t h a t t h e t r i s ( p y r i d i n e ) com plex o f z i n c ( I I ) had a t r i g o n a l b ip y r a m id a l o r d i s t o r t e d o c t a h e d r a l g e o m e try , t h a t t h e b i s ( p y r i d i n e ) com plexes o f z i n c ( I I ) and m e r c u r y ( I I ) had a p s e u d o t e t r a h e d r a l g e o m e try , t h a t t h e t r i s ( p y r i d i n e ) and t e t r a n i t r a t o com plexes o f c ad m iu m (II) had a p o l jn n e r ic d i s  t o r t e d o c t a h e d r a l g e o m e try , and t h a t t h e t h r e e t r i s o l v a t e s had a g e o m e try a n a lo g o u s t o t h e i r p a r e n t co m p lex es , b u t w i th a n a d d i t i o n a l t h r e e m oles o f c r y s t a l p y r i d i n e . P a r t I I o f t h i s t h e s i s d e a l s w i t h a s t u d y o f t h e o x i  d a t i o n o f t h e g ro u p V-B m e t a l s by s i l v e r n i t r a t e and brom ine i n nonaqueous s o l v e n t s , an d com plex in g o f t h e o x i d i z e d m e ta l s w i th ammonium f l u o r i d e and p y r i d i n e . I t was fo u n d t h a t th e g ro u p V-B m e ta l s c o u ld be o x i d i z e d i n 1 , 2 d im e th o x y e th a n e , d io x a n e , a n d fo rm am ide , and i n many c a s e s ammonium f l u o r i d e a n d p y r i d i n e com plexes c o u ld be i s o l a t e d . The o x i d a t i o n r e  a c t i o n s w ere g e n e r a l l y c o m p l ic a te d by s o l v e n t I n t e r a c t i o n , and t h e com plexes o b t a i n e d from t h e o x i d i z e d m e ta l s o l u t i o n s w ere m o s t ly m ix t u r e s , w h ich c o u ld n o t be a d e q u a te ly p u r i f i e d .


Bio-inspired design can be found in an increasing number of products and applications from surgical staples inspired by porcupines to bacteria inhibiting foil inspired by sharks. As a methodology, bio-inspired design studies nature, its models, systems, and processes and then imitates or takes creative inspiration from them to solve human problems often sustainably. Bio-inspired design as a methodology is applicable to multiple disciplines and has driven innovations in fields ranging from business to engineering. The increase in interest in this method of design comes directly from our search for sustainable solutions to solving problems. A recent technical elective explores this design methodology to increase a holistic view of design using project-based learning in a community context.


Iron nanoparticles (nZVI) stand out in environmental remediation due to their high reactivity. However, they have low chemical stability when exposed to oxygen and water, reducing their effectiveness. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a method to evaluate the efficiency of nZVI from synthetic lots L01 and L02, from the degradation of dyes, orange and methyl violet (MO and MV). The previous degradation tests provided the best results for MO (~100% degradation, 12 min reaction, 0.5 g L-1 dose). The optimization using Factorial Planning obtained the optimal condition, CMO = 5.98 mol L-1 and DnZVI = 0.56 g L-1. The Boltzmann model fitted the results obtained (R2 = 0.993). Finally, a mathematical relationship was obtained that provided equivalent doses of L01 and L02 in relation to the Standard. The applied mathematical adjustments presented R²> 0.99 and errors <4%.


In order to build an airfoil expert system using baysian Inferencing amp; forward chaining a method is given for converting an airfoil database into a knowledge base where the rules are represented by the conditional probabilities . Using this approach an airfoil is identified among 26 N A C A airfoils given its attributes such as t/c ratio, Reynolds no. for testing, C L max, alphamax, max, L/D amp; C L for L/D .


This paper examines the influence of electronic commerce technologies in enabling companies to pursue more collaborative relations with their suppliers. Companies are now pursuing more intensive and interactive relationships with their suppliers collaborating in areas such as new product development and joint cost analysis. This paper illustrates how electronic commerce is supporting more collaborative relations by describing a number of the key areas of collaboration where electronic commerce is having a considerable impact. It is shown how electronic commerce is radically reshaping traditional supply chain structures in many industries and reducing the costs of closely integrating buyers and suppliers. However, it is argued that electronic commerce has yet to achieve its full potential in creating a seamless integrated network of partners in the supply chain. It is argued that a culture change is required in order to establish real partnerships between buyers and suppliers in which information can be exchanged on a regular basis in an environment of trust. Also, there are significant problems associated with incompatibility of systems between trading partners.


Many health professionals, students and academics including health researchers will have grappled with the challenges of undertaking a review of the literature and choosing a suitable design or framework to structure the review. For many undergraduate and master's healthcare students their final year dissertation involves undertaking a review of the literature as a way of assessing their understanding and ability to critique and apply research findings to practice. For PhD and Master's by Research students, a rigorous summary of research is usually expected to identify the state of knowledge and gaps in the evidence related to their topic focus and to provide justification for the empirical work they subsequently undertake. From discussions with students and colleagues, there appears to be much confusion about review designs and in particular …


Cycloaliphatic epoxide-based cationic UV curable coatings containing three different hyperbranched polyols (HBPs) were systematically formulated and characterized. Polyether polyols were found to deter epoxide conversion under low UV intensity. For high UV intensity, the cycloaliphatic epoxide conversion increased with polyol content. Coatings with HBPs had better flexibility and solvent resistance than those containing a reference triol. Compared to the triol and polyester HBPs, polyether HBPs imparted lower Tg and hardness but a better flexibilizing effect to the coatings. At higher R values, the coating solvent resistance decreased except for those with one polyether HBP.

A two-peak phenomenon was discovered in the residual thermal reaction heat curve after photoDSC experiments. These two peaks were found to be related to the thermal relaxation behavior of the photocured inhomogeneous film, and the reactivation and reaction of the 'trapped living cationic species'. The capability of the polyol to lower the high-temperature-peak temperature corresponded well with the flexibilizing ability. Copyright © 2006 Society of Chemical Industry


A coordinate-wise modification of the grid method for separation of mixtures is proposed in the problem of the dynamical monitoring of the stochastic structure of information flows.


An analytical model for the power Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) including electrothermal interactions is developed. In this model the device's temperature becomes an interactive variable during the simulation. The model has been implemented in the Saber circuit simulator. Comparisons between simulation and measurement show that the steady-state as well as the transient analysis of the IGBT are accurately reproduced.


Bender element testing is the most common means to measure the shear wave velocity across soil specimens in the laboratory. There are two classes of shear wave velocity interpretations: time domain and frequency domain, and different methods of interpretation tend to give different answers. Frequency domain approaches provide a means to account for the systematic effect of frequency on the interpreted velocity. Various proposed frequency domain methods have been published, but have so far obtained values that disagreed with more common time domain interpretations. This paper demonstrates that the errors in bender element interpretations of the shear wave velocity are predominantly systematic. The source of these systematic errors is traced to the frequency content of the selected trigger signal waveform and the interpretation method. The systematic errors are demonstrated using experimental data from bender element testing on a triaxial specimen of loose saturated Fraser River Sand. The results from a suite of bender element triggers and interpretation methods found that the shear wave velocity had a range of 30.9 m/s. It is demonstrated that this range is a systematic effect of the bender element trigger signal and interpretation method, not random error. The consequence of the systematic error is that there is no scientifically justifiable reason to take the average of a suite of trigger signals and interpretation methods. The average would not be an unbiased estimate of the mean velocity due to the unaccounted for effects of trigger signal type, frequency, and interpretation method.


In present study we developed the new method of colour visualization of red blood cells without using any chemical staining. The method based on physical phenomena a white light interference on thin transparent films. It is shown that in the case of thin human blood smears colour interference contrast occurs on solid polished substrates. The best contrast shows substrates with maximal refractive index (Mo, W, Si). These materials have been selected as substrate instead of ordinary microscopic slide in reflected light microscopy. It is shown that reflection of incident white light from blood cell surface and boundary cell-substrate generate two coherent lights. The second one (object signal) after passing through red blood cell gathers additional phase and after interference interaction with reference signal (light reflected from outer cell surface) enables cell image in colour. Number of blood smears of healthy persons (control) and patients who were diagnosed with cancer are presented. It is concluded that the offered method may be used as an effective diagnostic tool to detect early stage blood cells lesion by its interference painting in white light. Offered method may be used in research laboratories, hospitals, diagnostic centres, emergency medicine and other as complementary diagnostic tool to present convenient optical and electron microscopy technique.


The primary purpose of clothing is functional; clothing performs social, protective and cultural func- tions. It gives a non-verbal communication on the social and marital status, occupation, ethnic, political or religious affiliation of an individual or group of people. Formal dress code is a term for clothing suit- able for formal events. Studies revealed that formal dress codes creates a business focused environ- ment and increases professional behaviour at office among co-workers and clients. This study was designed to investigate the societal perception on introducing formal dressing for taxi drivers in Abeo- kuta metropolis. The population of the study consists of adults who reside in Abeokuta. Purposive sampling technique was used to select a sample of 150 participants (passengers and Vehicle Inspec- tor/Road Safety/Police/Traffic/ Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corp, TRACE officials). The par- ticipants were selected from bus parks, and offices. The data was collected through the use of ques- tionnaire. The result revealed that, majority of the participants were favorably disposed to the use of formal dressing by taxi drivers, as this would boost their productivity, increase customers' patronage, improves their morals and add decorum to the profession.


A novel single stage power factor correction converter with constant power control is presented. The PFC stage operates in discontinuous current mode (DCM) to achieve low THD and high PF. A direct energy forward method and a constant power control strategy are employed to achieve low bus voltage, high efficiency and good output characteristics. It is verified by simulation and experiment results.


Tumours arising at the site of ureterosigmoidostomy are a recognized long-term complication of this operation. Three varieties of tumours have been reported in the literature; adenocarcinoma, benign adenomatous polyps and transitional cell carcinoma. Here we report a case of primary malignant lymphoma that occurred at the site of ureterosigmoidostomy five years after diversion.


In the present paper we describe results on the synthesis and lipophilicity determination of a series of biologically active compounds based on their heterocyclic structure. For synthesis of styrylquinoline-based compounds we applied microwave irradiation and solid phase techniques. The correlation between RP-HPLC retention parameter log k (the logarithm of retention factor k) and log P data calculated in various ways is discussed, as well as, the relationships between the lipophilicity and the chemical structure of the studied compounds.


The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medicated urea molasses blocks (MUMB) on sub-clinical parasitic infestations and urea molasses blocks (UMB) to replenish nutrients scarcity. Twenty four goats were divided randomly into three groups of eight animals each (n=8) according to Completely Randomized Design (CRD) a group was no supplement (control) and the other were supplemented with UMB and MUMB for 90 days. Data were recorded and statistically analyzed under CRD through one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Mean daily dry matter intake was higher (1.502 ± 0.121 kg) in MUMB supplemented group and lowest in control group (Lenovo). Mean daily weight gain of goats in control, UMB, MUMB was 64 ± 23, 71 ± 22 and 85 ± 21 grams, respectively. Body condition score (BCS) was recorded in 1-5 scale of meat goats. The mean BCS in control, UMB and MUMB was 2.741 ± 0.193b, 2.816 ± 0.185ab and 2.903 ± 0.248a respectively. Mean fecal egg count was lowest in MUMB as followed by UMB and control group. It is concluded that feeding of MUMB have significant effects for the control of sub-clinical gastrointestinal worm's infestation and replenishes nutrients deficiency by providing energy and protein.


The article examines the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Africa and the involvement of China and India in the fight against COVID-19 and its negative consequences for Africans health and the African economy.
The authors analyze various aspects of China's and India's interaction with African countries and estimate pros and cons of Chinese - African and Indian - African cooperation and their results for African countries. Cooperation with the two growing Asian countries - China and India - played an important role in economic growth of Africa in 2000s. The COVID-19 pandemic has damaged not only the health of the African population, but also the African economy.
The deterioration of the economic situation in African countries has resulted in a sharp increase in impoverishment for the population. In 2020 Africa has lost its modest achievements in reducing extreme poverty which it could succeed before. In context of the current pneumonia crisis on the continent international assistance is becoming increasingly relevant for Africa. The most important element of this assistance is the time-tested cooperation with China and India. However, despite the real achievements of China and India and the promises made by the leaders of both countries, the coronavirus pandemic has clearly identified problems in the relations of African countries, both with China and with India.
 These problems are the result of objective and subjective factors, as well as the legacy of accumulated problems over the years, which the pandemic has further exacerbated. Africans welcome economic cooperation with Asian powers. However, India's increasing willingness to engage with Western countries on an anti-Chinese basis increases the risks of using it in Africa, to confront Beijing.


Considering the importance of using nonlinear evolution equations in the investigation of many natural phenomena, in this paper, we consider the [Formula: see text]-dimensional Date–Jimbo–Kashiwara–Miwa ([Formula: see text]-dimensional DJKM) equation, we will investigate the solutions for this equation. Using the multiple exp functions method, we obtain analytical solutions for this equation, which are one-soliton, two-soliton and three-soliton solutions and these solutions include three categories of soliton wave solutions, i.e., one-wave solutions, two-wave solutions and three wave solutions. We have performed all calculations with a computer algebra system such as Maple and have also provided a graphical representation of the obtained solutions.


The present invention provides a laser-based rapid prototyping paper sheet cutting machine comprising a cutting means and spray means, spray means disposed behind the cutting means. Rapid prototyping machine according to the present invention solves the problems of the prior art, especially LOM or laminated object manufacturing technique time consuming cutting and die-cutting through each line of paper coating color ink way, three-dimensional color produced entity.


We consider a Brownian particle that switches between two different diffusion states (D 0, D 1) according to a two-state Markov chain. We further assume that the particle's position is reset to an initial value X r at a Poisson rate r, and that the discrete diffusion state is simultaneously reset according to the stationary distribution ρ n , n = 0, 1, of the Markov chain. We derive an explicit expression for the non-equilibrium steady state (NESS) on R , which is given by the sum of two decaying exponentials. In the fast switching limit the NESS reduces to the exponential distribution of pure diffusion with stochastic resetting. The effective diffusivity is given by the mean D ¯ = ρ 0 D 0 + ρ 1 D 1 . We then determine the mean first passage time (MFPT) for the particle to be absorbed by a target at the origin, having started at the reset position X r > 0. We proceed by calculating the survival probability in the absence of resetting and then use a last renewal equation to determine the survival probability with resetting. Similar to the NESS, we find that the MFPT depends on the sum of two exponentials, which reduces to a single exponential in the fast switching limit. Finally, we show that the MFPT has a unique minimum as a function of the resetting rate, and explore how the optimal resetting rate depends on other parameters of the system.


This letter presents a novel fault location algorithm for single circuit untransposed line, which is independent of transmission line parameters and unsynchronized measurement. The novelty of proposed algorithm is that it considers asymmetry in untransposed line while considering unequal angles of synchronism mismatch in pre-fault and fault conditions. Thus, in contrast to existing techniques the proposed algorithm can be applied to conductor configuration other than delta/flat configuration of untransposed line. Simulation results using EMTP-RV platform along with those obtained using field data are presented. The test results verify the accuracy and validity of the proposed method.