In this article, the adaptive control scheme with only two controllers is applied to synchronization of the fractionalorder hyperchaotic Lü system with unknown parameters. Based on fractional stability theory of fractional-order systems, adaptive controllers and the parameter updating rule are designed. Numerical simulations confirm the effectiveness of the proposed synchronization approaches. Especially, the circuit experiment simulations also demonstrate that the experimental results are in agreement with numerical simulations. © 2012 World Academic Press, UK. All rights reserved.


The paper is a research on the Pasan chants of the Catholic communities in Doowa, Pitipana and Wahakotte in Sri Lanka. The Catholic Church has organized its worship into five different phases spread throughout the year, namely Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter and Ordinary Time. Pasan is sung during Lent. In commemorating the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Catholics observe numerous rituals. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday there is a 40 day period during which the Catholics (besides other religious rituals and practices) use prose and verse chants and prayers to deepen the Lenten spirit in homes and in churches. One of these special chants is the singing of Pasan songs by small groups of persons. It is believed that Sri Lankan Catholics inherited this tradition after the arrival of the Portuguese. At present the Catholics in Sri Lanka follow the Pasan tradition established by Jacome Gonsalves, transmitted from one generation to another orally over four centuries. In the present ethnographic research, many Pasan singing styles practiced by the Sri Lankan Catholics have been identified. There are many versions varying according to regional differences. During the Lenten season there are many prose Pasan styles and verse Pasan styles. The present research is a comparative study of the singing styles and other related variations in the Pasan singing of the Doowa (Negombo), Pitipana (Negombo) and Wahakotte (Matale) regions. Both primary and secondary sources were used in accumulating the data. The methods used were intensive field studies, indepth interviews and participant observation.


Soviet geographers have differed regarding the designation that should be given to the basic study object of general physical geography and the physical limits of that object. The author contends that the limits of the object should correspond to the sphere of operation of the law of geographic zonality, which is described as the basic law of physical geography. The impact of that law is bounded vertically, on the bottom, by the base of the weathered portion of the earth's crust and, on top, by the upper boundary of the troposphere. As for a designation of the study object, preference is expressed for the term "geographical shell (or envelope) of the earth." Although the term "geosphere" is more concise, it has not gained wide acceptance in Soviet writing. Another synonym, "landscape sphere," should be limited to investigations in which the landscape structure of the geographical shell is the object of study.


It has been discovered that bubbles can be nucleated in a metastable liquid (superheated, supersaturated with dissolved gas, or under hydrostatic tension) by gently rubbing together two solid surfaces immersed in the liquid. The mechanism of the effect is still being investigated, but some interesting results have already been obtained. These have implications in the theory of cavitation and in the parallel phenomenon of the tribonucleation of crystals.


Task-based Language Teaching emphasizes learning by applying languages and turns the basic concept of language use into practical teaching model.It is one of the most effective and meaningful language teaching approaches to English teaching in rural primary schools.It provides rural students with favorable learning environment,adequate time and opportunities for learning English.This article aims to find a better way to apply task-based model to English teaching in rural primary schools.


Morality is the faculty of the human mind that enables an individual to act according to what is "right" or stand for "truth" and exhibit moral behaviour. Moral competency is the measure of the consistency of moral behaviour and is influenced by various psycho-social, geo-political, biological and environmental factors. Metaphysical beliefs and religio-spiritual affiliation are some known psycho-social factors that play a major role in shaping the morality in course of moral development and socialization of an individual. The present study attempts to explore the influence of basic metaphysical beliefs like faith in God, Afterlife, and belief in the influence of present life on afterlife; on moral competency. The present study conducted on N=415 samples from across the world and diverse cultures reveals that metaphysical beliefs influence moral competency to a significant extent.


Denise Urcelay-Maragnes, Les Volontaires Cubains dans la Defense de la Republique Espagnol 1936-1959: La Legende Rouge (Paris: L'Harmattan, 2008) pb 288pp, ISBN: 2296053645Reviewed by Steve LudlamEven after the extensive commemorations of the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the scale of Cuban internationalism in that desperate struggle is almost entirely hidden from history, especially history written in English. Older Cuban studies are hard to access, and did not benefit from material now available in foreign archives (e.g. Ramon Nickolau Gonzalez - who led recruitment in Cuba after the Comintern's call - Cuba y la defensa de la Republica Espanol: ejemplo de internacionalismo (1936-1939), La Habana: Editora Politica, 1981; and Alberto Bello and Juan Perez Diaz, Cuba en Espana, La Habana: Ciencias Sociales, 1990). Recent research in Russian and Spanish archives by Cuban historians Enrique Cirules and Maria Mercedes Sanchez Dotres, reveals that 1,225 Cubans fought for the Republic, compared to the 734 identified in the earlier Cuban studies, reinforcing the claim that Cuba, proportionately, sent more volunteers to defend the Spanish Republic than any other country. Cirules and Sanchez Dotres are working on a new study, which hopefully will appear soon. Fortunately, Urcelay-Maragnes's recent book, published in French, already provides a full-scale analysis (since published in Spanish as La leyenda roja. Los cubanos en la guerra civil espanola, Leon: Lobo Sapiens, 2011). Urcelay-Maragnes identified 1,056 Cuban volunteers and is insistent that, 'in the historiography of the war in Spain, their absence or underestimation cannot be maintained today' (p. 120).Why did so many Cubans fight for the Spanish Republic? One suggestion has been the role of historic links with Spain. But the book notes that very few volunteers registered their origins as Spanish (p. 117). More striking, volunteering was much weaker elsewhere in Hispanic America. Urcelay-Maragnes gives maximum estimates of 3 Venezuelans, 11 from the Dominican Republic, 17 Puerto Ricans, and 464 Mexicans (p. 83). Urcelay-Maragnes points instead to changes in hostile Cuban attitudes towards the former imperial power, following heavy immigration of Spanish workers in the first decades of the twentieth century. Even more significantly, her study highlights the proximity of the revolutionary movement in Cuba itself in the period. Most of Cuba's volunteers were young veterans of the struggles against the Machado dictatorship and the first Batista regime. A table illustrates the range of such struggles in the prior histories of volunteers (p. 267). Revolutionary groups, notably Joven Cuba (Young Cuba) and the young Cuban Communist Party, dominated both these Cuban struggles and the internationalist support for Spain. The three main sources of Cuban volunteers identified by Urcelay-Maragnes demonstrate this revolutionary linkage (pp. 97ff.). Their fragmented arrivals and distribution, with Spanish names, throughout the forces of the Republic helps to explain why they have been so neglected in the general historiography of the civil war. Seven fought in the British Battalion (No. 57), according to Urcelay-Maragnes (p. 97), although British historians of the International Brigade have been unaware of them and so far have been unable to identify them.The first volunteers were revolutionary exiles already in Spain, mostly young intellectuals in Madrid's Antonio Guiteras Circle, named after the Joven Cuba leader killed fighting Batista's forces in 1935. When Franco invaded in July 1936 many immediately joined the fighting against the Francoist revolt in Madrid's Montana Barracks, and mostly entered the army's 5th Regiment. Prominent names include Maria Luisa Lafite, who fought in the Montana Barracks and many battles, alongside her husband Pedro Vizcaino Urquiaga. Policarpo Candon Guillen, became a Divisional Commander, known as the 'old man' as he was 35 years old! …


The project invested by government takes a large percentage in China's construction market;it apparently plays a significant role of controlling the cost efficiently and scientifically.The article introduces a commonly deployed model in China-the PM model,and analyzes the function in earlier stage of a project taking Beijing 2011 School building reinforced projects as an instance.


This paper applies agents to the highly dynamic and variable context of healthcare emergency decision-support domain. More specifically we advocate the use of mobile agents to support the deploymen ...


The invention discloses a mechanical arm automatically switching graspers. The mechanical arm comprises a sucker body, a suction nozzle, limiting assemblies, a driving member, a controller and a sensor, wherein the suction nozzle is arranged below the sucker body, the limiting assemblies are arranged on the sucker body, are located on two sides of the suction nozzle and can rotate, the driving member is arranged in the sucker body and connected with the limiting assemblies, the controller is connected with the driving member and used for controlling the limiting assemblies to act, and the sensor is connected with the controller and used for sensing whether parts are grasped by the large grasper; the limiting assemblies comprise a large grasper assembly and a fine grasper assembly, wherein the large grasper assembly is connected with the sucker body rotationally, and the fine grasper assembly slides in a placement groove in the large grasper. The mechanical arm can automatically identify the taken parts are heavy or fine, automatically switches the graspers, is wide in application range, avoids frequent replacement of mechanical arms, is high in efficiency, saves labor, and achieves real intelligent automation.


The Cape Town Procedure (MP) uses CPUE, gene tagging and CKMR (POP and HSP) data in three components of the Harvest Control Rule. For the CKMR component a simplified adult population model (abundance and total mortality) is fitted to the CKMR data. The log-linear trend in TRO is then used in the HCR. For the Gene-tagging and CPUE components of the HCR an upper and lower limit specifies a zone where no change is recommended to the TAC and above or below these limits there is a linearly increasing or decreasing change in TAC.


The article presents a modern view of understanding of "financial market" concept, as the development of financial technologies gradually influences the change of paradigm of its functioning, new financial institutions, institutions of market infrastructure, financial instruments are emerging, as well as the development of forms of alternative financing. On the base of the systematization, it is determined that the term "financial market" in the current scientific literature is considered from three positions, first as a mechanism of distribution of financial resources, secondly, as a system of economic relations, and thirdly as a set of markets and institutions. As a result of the research on the contrary to the popular opinion that the financial services market and the financial market are two separate markets, it has been substantiated that the financial services market is a part of the financial market, because financial instruments are formed through the provision of financial services. The financial market and the market of financial services have common subjects - financial intermediaries (banks, insurance companies, non-government pension funds, investment funds, etc.), but at the same time the objects of these two markets are different. Financial instruments are objects for financial markets, and services – for the market of financial services.
Through the process of financial services providing, financial intermediaries ensure the fulfilment of the basic function of the financial market, which is the redistribution of financial resources in the economy, thereby creating financial assets, liabilities, etc., which is the basis for the formation of financial instruments. Taking into account of the impact of fintech on the development of the financial market, author's definition was presented in this work as a system of financial institutions (market subjects), which create the conditions for transactions with financial instruments of economic agents (market objects) using appropriate infrastructure and financial technologies.
Transfer of flows of financial resources in the economy at national, subnational and global levels, adequate assess of financial risks and ability to absorb exogenous and endogenous shocks were determined as a purpose of the functioning of the financial market.
Keywords: fintech, financial instruments, financial institutions, financial services market, financial system,
financial services..


Abstract Thirteen preemergence herbicides were evaluated for phytotoxicity to container grown hosta (Hosta spp. Tratt. 'Hyacinthina') and daylily (Hemerocallis spp. L. 'Sammy Russell'). Severe injury (28 to 55%) was observed from Ronstar (oxadiazon) and Goal (oxyfluorfen) for both species. The other herbicides did not cause visual injury. Three herbicides, Surflan (oryzalin), Endurance (prodiamine) and Pennant (metolachlor), were selected to investigate plant tolerance in field plantings at 1.1, 2.2, and 4.5 kg/ha (1, 2, and 4 lb/A). None of these herbicides caused visual injury or reduced shoot or root weight for 60 or 90 days after treatment. Daylily flower number was not affected by any of the herbicide treatments.


The flood of refugees from Syria is pulling at the heart-strings of the world. Many hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing war and the death, destruction and poverty that goes with it. For many of these refugees, the physical journey out of Syria is just one stage in what will be a social journey of generations, as they assimilate into their new places of residence. The churches and other religious organisations play a significant role in that journey. Past articles in Pointers have explored the demographic dimensions of immigration to Australia (Hughes 2012). Recent research has involved conversations with members of immigrant families to understand better the roles of the church and how they can both help and hinder migrant and refugee families as they settle into Australian society.


Japanese household financial assets are likely to decline in the medium to long term as the Japanese population ages. For Japan's financial services industry, achieving higher rates of return on these assets by encouraging a "shift from savings to investments" is a major challenge. In this paper, we examine the slowdown in this shift that occurred in 2007 as a result of a decline in sales of investment trusts and JGBs for individual investors, using data from a variety of sources.


In view of the difficulty in adjusting the quantization factor and scale factor in the traditional fuzzy PID control, the paper proposes an improved fuzzy PID control method based on particle swarm optimization (PSO) searching algorithm, which optimizes the quantization factor and scale factor in the fuzzy PID controller, and improves the searching ability of PSO by using rebound strategy, to make the particle rebound instead of being limited in the boundary. The improved PSO fuzzy control method is implemented to rectify the traditional PID control parameters, and is applied in the excitation control of synchronous generator. The simulation research verifies that the proposed method has a better ability of controlling, and offers a new approach for the intelligent control to be applied in excitation control of large synchronous generator.


Abstract The chemical composition of four Thymus species essential oils (T. capitatus, T. ciliatus, T. bleicherianus and T. algeriensis) was determined by GC and GC/SM. The essential oil of T. capitatus is dominated by carvacrol (70.92%), that of T. ciliatus by thymol (44.2%), that of T. bleicherianus contains α-terpinene (42.23%) and thymol (23.95%) as major chemical constituents, while that of T. algeriensis is formed mainly by camphor (27.7%) and α-pinene (20.5%). The antioxidant activity was determined by the DPPH test. The essential oil of T. capitatus, T. ciliatus and T. bleicherianus show strong antioxidant activity with (IC50 = 69,04 μg/ml, 74,025 μg/ml and 77,8 μg/ml) respectively, compared to the essence of T. algeriensis and other species of thyme in the literature.


This paper provides insights into the initiation and early development of collaborative interorganizational relationships (IORs) for innovation and new business creation. Data were gathered from field observations of three ongoing collaborative IORs. A conceptual framework previously developed by Ring and Van de Ven served as a means of restructuring and analyzing the data. The results reveal an emergent process that is dependent on the comparative achievements in negotiation, commitment, and execution. Three organizational practices were identified: volatile agreements, continuous reevaluation and reorganization through real practice, and a process wherein "co‐participants" were challenged to work on their relationships. The limited prospects of specifying agreements ex ante, combined with continuous variation in conditions, entail active management and continuous re‐design of the relationship. This suggests that managers play the role of the architects of relational linkages.


1. Observations were made on muscular and ciliary activity and particle transport and retention in intact gills and gill fragments of the suspension-feeding, epifaunal bivalves Anomia achaeus Gray, Juxtamusium maldivense (E. A. Smith), Pteria macroptera (Lamarck), Pycnodonte hyotis (L.), P. numisma (Lamarck), Crassostrea cuccullata (von Born), Crassostrea lugubris (Sowerby), Tridacna maxima (Roding), and T. squamosa Lamarck.2. Gill contractions were especially violent in Pteria and both species of Pycnodonte. 5-HT in concentrations of 10-4-10-5 M caused relaxation of contracted gills, and reduced or abolished the response to mechanical stimulation, except in Tridacna.3. In Juxtamusium, the concertina-like movements of the gill plicae could be correlated with the functional state of the water-transporting lateral cilia. When all lateral cilia were active, and the plicae inflated, movements of the plicae were discontinued. At periods of arrest of the lateral cilia the plicae collapsed and resumed concertina...


Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is out to change our future. Its scope is not limited to tokenizing physical objects. In the case of Central Bank Digital Currencies (hereinafter, CBDCs), they can change the way we look at money, one of the earliest inventions of humanity.

As soon as digital asset trading evolved into a market, developers started releasing digital wallets for their storage. While these attempts are the recognition of users' needs, their technical level still leaves some space for improvements. Among CBDC related issues, the development of a secure wallet infrastructure is gaining recognition as one way to solve key problems like ensuring equal access to banking facilities. Also, it can offer a novel way to approach digital identity and other functional problems connected to digital assets.

Whenever we are executing a financial transaction, its consequences are not restricted to the monetary realm: issues about fair competition, ownership, and management of our personal information come into play. An infrastructure is needed to protect and support our digital rights. Technology is ready to support the development of a secure Universal Access Device (UAD), a single key tool for protecting and representing us, and the organization for supporting it from a network. This paper aims to explore the arising legal and economic issues following the adoption of UADs.


Significant progress has been made in monocular 3D detection technology, but it still faces challenges. One key challenge is accurately estimating the 3D coordinates and velocity of objects due to the lack of depth and motion information from monocular cameras. Additionally, monocular 3D detection suffers from lower accuracy caused by positioning errors, scale uncertainty, and occlusion. In this study, we propose a lightweight and enhanced monocular FCOS3D detection algorithm, called MultiBranch-Moni3D. The algorithm incorporates improvements such as the integration of the SE module EfficientNet and the replacement of the FPN structure with BiFPN for improved feature representation. Furthermore, we modify the prediction approach by adopting direct prediction instead of binary prediction, reducing the need for positive sample determination. Experimental evaluations on the NuScenes dataset demonstrate promising results. Our proposed algorithm achieves a notable reduction in inference time from 79ms to 27ms on a single NVIDIA RTX3090 video card. Although there is a slight decrease in mAP by 1.71%, other metrics, such as mATE, mASE, mAAE, mAVE, and mAOE, experience increases of 2.57%, 4.4%, 6.72%, 11.1 %, and 27.5%, respectively. Overall, our proposed enhancements aim to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of monocular 3D detection. While there is a minor trade-off in detection accuracy, the algorithm's improved processing speed makes it a promising approach for real-world applications in the field of monocular 3D detection.


A highly flexible numerical tool for power device simulation has been developed. It allows devices to be simulated microscopically on the basis of device geometry and physics, which can be specified very easily and with few limitations. This framework (known as the symbolic generation language or SGL) also allows interfacing to external circuit components to permit time-domain simulations. Anomalous behavior in p-i-n diodes and insulated-gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) has been experimentally observed and is being investigated with the microscopic model. The system is used to obtain a better understanding of an anomalous di/dt dependent voltage, referred to as conductivity modulation lag (CML). The presence of the CML effect has been confirmed by experiment and now by simulation for a p-i-n diode.<<ETX>>


Background: There exists a controversy regarding the association of subclinical hypothyroidism with lipid abnormalities .The present study was planned to determine whether lipid abnormalities is present in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism in rural South Kerala. Objective: To study the prevalence of lipid abnormalities among patients with subclinical hypothyroidism Materials & Methods: This was an observational study among 102 patients with subclinical hypothyroidism. The lipid abnormalities in the form of total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, VLDL and triglyceride levels were studied in these patients. Results: In this study, 72% were females showing a female preponderance. About 71.6% had elevated total cholesterol levels. 72.5% patients had elevated LDL levels. VLDL levels were elevated only in 46.1%. Also 60.8% had HDL levels within normal levels and only 39% had HDL levels <45mg/dl. Triglyceride levels were elevated in 56.9% patients. When the lipid abnormalities were assessed according to the severity of subclinical hypothyroidism, there was a significant increase in dyslipidemia among those who had TSH level >10 μIU/ml. Conclusions: This study showed significant increase in total cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride levels as well as not much increase in VLDL levels in patients with subclinical hypothyroidism


Quality is the lifeblood of private institutions of higher education; building a teacher base is the guarantee of teaching quality in those institutions. Although there are still some problems, teachers in private institutions of higher education in Hubei will mature and develop if they are given serious attention. A concerted effort needs to be made to develop a rational structure and ensure teacher quality, while management should be strengthened and further education for teachers should be put in place. A good external environment for teachers also needs to be created.


Recurring themes in the literature on students' experiences of their first year in college education include performance and retention, socialisation, learning and teaching methods, interaction with staff and the student's history prior to college. Methods used to collect and analyse data vary considerably and reflect differences among researchers in the philosophical positions underpinning these projects. In this paper, we analyse two studies of the first year experience (FYE) that reflect the variation in ontology, i.e. what can be known about the FYE as manifest in the questions asked, and also epistemology, i.e. how we can learn about it as manifest in the methods used. The ways in which studies are conducted and data are collected and analysed are used to categorise the philosophy driving these research projects. We describe a study carried out from the positivist perspective and highlight the difficulty these researchers have in maintaining this perspective when reporting their findings. We analyse the objectivity that is claimed to exist in such research. Phenomenology, in contrast, has very different underlying assumptions about what can be known about student learning and development and studies in this camp deliberately avoid the hypothesis testing that characterises the former. An example of how this qualitative method has been employed in studying approaches to learning is provided along with the types of findings that emerge from this work. While positivism seeks to explain and model, phenomenology only aims to describe yet both camps seek to obtain some sense of truth. While phenomenologists claim to have truth but lack certainty in a generalisable sense, the positivists are certain but do they really know the truth? What can we learn from these two approaches? We contrast the findings that emerge from both methods and discuss the relevance and importance these have for the issue at hand - improving the first year experience in a real way.


A near-isogenic line CR1815, containing three introgressed segments on chromosomes 1, 7 and 9 from 0. rufipogon into the Oryza saliva cultivar Milyang23 background was developed based on MAS (marker aided selection) and backcrossing. The introgressed segm


This article elucidates the crucial significance of cross-cultural communication in the context of religious diversity. Religious diversity is an established reality that can be attributed to the genesis of each religious tradition in a multicultural milieu. Inadequate handling of the diverse array of global religions may give rise to potential issues of instability and disharmony among heterogeneous religious communities. This article examines plausible behavioral trends that may be employed to foster amity and collective unity among religious groups that possess inherent diversity. The present article utilizes Luc Reychler's indicator formula as a novel methodology for addressing issues. As mentioned earlier, the indicators encompass a diverse range of components deemed essential for promoting peaceful outcomes. The variables mentioned above include but are not limited to, efficient communication methods, a robust conflict resolution mechanism, a conducive environment for integration (also known as bridging social capital), a sufficient number of leaders who prioritize peace, and unbiased frameworks.


and outside South Africa. Twenty years of Nationalist governments, together with the ending of colonial rule elsewhere in Africa, are, however, throwing into relief other, contradictory tendencies which stretch back into the South African past. This review is being written in the Soupansberg of the Northern Transvaal where one is forced increasingly to be conscious of the selectivity by which both black and white have checked and controlled the process of cultural borrowing; one is also particularly aware of the strength and resilience of African modes and social institutions. 'Withdrawal, neutrality, isolation, separation and survival' would here all seem to be concepts just as likely to supply keys to some of the past as 'co-operation and conflict', and one cannot help but feel that both Afrikaaner and African historians will, with equal justification, emphasise these aspects of South African history. Admittedly they may make it harder, at least at first, to present South African history within the covers of a volume, but it is misleading and dangerous to overlook these trends. The present volume performs an immense service by shattering previous perspectives and by turning attention away from the controversies of the whites to the major issue of the development and destiny of all South Africa's inhabitants. But before the full stature and complexity of the past in South Africa is understood, the early course of change must be mapped more completely and voices speaking a language other than that of English-speaking liberals must be listened to more attentively.


While having excellent air permeability performance which contributes to electric performance, and provides a laminated porous film for the separator of having a one of the shut-down characteristic of important properties in securing safety of the battery side. Poly and the A layer made of a porous layer containing as a main component a thermoplastic polymer, comprising the B layer made of a porous layer composed mainly of a polyethylene-based resin, and has the β activity, the electrical resistance at 25 ℃ less than 10 Ω, and in addition, the electrical resistance after heating between from 135 ℃ 5 sec 100 Ω, or / and an air permeability of not more than 1000 seconds / 100 ㎖ at 25 ℃ and also the air permeability after heat between from 135 ℃ 5 cho FIG 10000 cho / 100 ㎖ characterized in that at least.


The field distribution from a bifrequency focusing nonlinear source was calculated. The simple formulation of Novikov et al. [''Nonlinear underwater acoustics,'' ASA, 86–90 (1987)] for the Gaussian wavefront was adopted for simulations. Radius of aperture or beamwidth (a), radius of curvature (D), mean primary frequency (fm=(f1+f2)/2), and difference‐frequency (fd=f1−f2) are essential parameters describing the performance of a parametric focusing source. The geometrical ratio D/a and the down–shift were varied between 5 and 200 by changing fd and the resulting difference–frequency pressure wave and primary intensity distributions were plotted against the propagation axis for D/a=2. A similar calculation was repeated for fd=50 kHz by varying fm. Separate effects of D and a were also investigated where the down–shift ratio was fixed to 20. Results were plotted for D/a: 1–4. Finally, an efficiency was defined as η=(parametric pressure)/(primary intensity). It was presented that η made a peak in the prefocal ...


Discusses the results of tests to remove bark and needles from spruce and pine branchwood chips that had been previously subjected to micro-organic action in aged storage piles. Various combinations of methods were used to accomplish beneficiation.


Objective
To investigate the reproductive prognosis and its related factors in patients with endometriosis (EMS) complicated with endometrial polyps (EP) infertility treated by laparoscopy and hysteroscopy.

Methods
A retrospective analysis of 301 cases of EMS complicated with infertility treated by gynecology combined with laparoscopy in Fujian Maternity and Children Health Hospital from January 2014 to December 2014 was retrospectively analyzed. Based on whether the patient suffers from EP, the subjects were divided into EP group (n=129) and non-EP group (n=172). By comparing the efficacy of EP group with control group of 96 normally pregnant women, the effects of the operation were analyzed.

Results
The rate of contracting EP among patients suffering from EMS and infertility was 42.86% (129/301). In addition, patients with stage III and IV EMS had a higher probability of contracting EP than stage I and II patients (P=0.018). However, such significance disappeared when the comparison was drawn between stage I and stage II patients, as well as between stage III and IV patients. Patients with deep infiltrating EMS were more likely to contract EP (53.13%) than those suffering from ovarian or abdominal EMS (31.25%, P=0.014; 27.08%, P=0.003). The difference between these two types of diseases was not statistically significant. This group also had a higher embryo arrest rate (4.65%) than its negative counterpart (2.91%, P=0.028). Patients with peritoneal EMS combined with EP had a slightly higher probability of natural pregnancy than their ovarian or deep infiltrating counterparts, but the difference failed to achieve any statistical significance. The difference in the rate of pregnancy-induced complications and perinatal mortality between the EMS combined with EP group and control group was not statistically significant, yet the former did have a higher rate in receiving caesarean section, which was statistically significant (P=0.012).

Conclusion
Infertile patients suffering from EMS are likely to contract EP. Furthermore, infertile patients suffering from both EMS and EP should receive combined laparoscopic and hysteroscopic surgery as soon as possible to increase their chance of natural conception after surgery. The surgery is obviously effective in improving the reproductive prognosis of such patients, while at the same poses no risk of inducing pregnancy-related complications or affecting the neonatal outcomes.

Key words:
Endometriosis (EMS); Endometrial polyps (EP); Infertility; Surgery; Pregnancy


This IEEE signal processing magazine (SPM) forum discuses signal processing applications, technologies, requirements, and standardization of biometric systems. The forum members bring their expert insights into issues such as biometric security, privacy, and multibiometric and fusion techniques. The invited forum members are Prof. Anil K. Jain of Michigan State University, Prof. Rama Chellappa of the University of Maryland, Dr. Stark C. Draper of theUniversity of Wisconsin in Madison, Prof. Nasir Memon of Polytechnic University, and Dr. P. Jonathon Phillips of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. The moderator of the forum is Dr. Anthony Vetro of Mitsubishi Electric Research Labs, and associate editor of SPM.


Survey implementation is one of the common methods of data collection. To determine precision of survey results, it is necessary to estimate total survey variance, that is both sampling and nonsampling variances. Measurement error is a main part of nonsampling error. In this paper, interval estimation for mean of real values is studied under some circumstances. In this order, maximum likelihood estimator of measurement variance is considered and asymptotic variance of measurement variance estimator is obtained. Furthermore, asymptotic confidence interval for population mean of real values is obtained based on asymptotic properties of maximum likelihood estimators.


We carried out an experiment to measure the relationship between tensile force in the tendoachilles and plantar fascia strain, and how this relationship is affected by the metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion angle. Eight cadaver lower extremity specimens underwent biomechanical testing. Using a servo-hydraulic testing machine, a tensile force up to 500 N was applied to the tendoachilles while the strain on the plantar fascia was measured using an extensometer. The experiment was repeated at four different metatarsophalangeal joint dorsiflexion angles (0°, 5°, 30°, and 45°). Measurements and calculations showed that dorsiflexion of the toes tightens the plantar fascia (the windlass effect) and increases the effect that a tensile force in the tendoachilles has on the tensile strain and tensile force in the plantar fascia.


The rapid growth of private equity had, by the mid 2000s, provoked mixed reactions. For The Economist, 'the private equity industry has moved from the fringe to the centre of the capitalist action' and offers 'in many ways a superior model of capitalism'. A few months later, a leading German Social Democratic Party politician was less complimentary when he described private equity investors in Germany as 'locusts' who were stripping assets and destroying jobs. The metaphor was slightly different when Business Week described private equity investors as 'gluttons at the gate'. At the same time, the continued growth of private equity was making some fund managers uncomfortable about how private equity funds were using debt to overpay for assets and the chief investment officer of the CalPERS pension fund publicly expressed fears about an asset price bubble, which were quietly echoed in the analysis of risks in a British Financial Services Authority (FSA) discussion paper. Both supporters and critics consider the development of private equity to be significant, but does it represent a new business model for capitalism? The global growth of private equity has certainly been spectacular. Between 1985 and 2005, private equity funds experienced a compound annual growth of 18.5 per cent, and after 2005 growth has been more marked. According to Private Equity Intelligence, private equity funds raised US$401 billion in 2006 or nearly 25 per cent more than the US$311 billion raised in 2005. The global industry includes a relatively small number of very large American funds like Texas Pacific, Blackstone and KKR, now joined by large British funds like Apax and Permira; some of the large funds are themselves public companies, with many more, smaller unlisted private equity houses. As funds have grown, with US$10 billion funds now increasingly common, this has allowed larger deals to be done; the recent trend of syndicate or 'club deals', where several private equity houses work together and contribute finance to a deal, has allowed buyouts of over US$30 billion with enthusiasts talking up the possibility New Political Economy, Vol. 12, No. 3, September 2007


A new approach is used to define the optimal parameters for long offset acquisition in a thrust belt. The feasibility study makes use of ray-tracing, tomography, FD acoustic modelling and PSDM to determine the maximum offsets that could be used for imaging purposes and for velocity model building. The optimal acquisition parameters are then sought in terms of source spacing, maximum offset and actual coverage in the offset range that would provide the best imaging potential for the target.


ABSTRACT Human-induced climate change will be a crucial determinant of future conditions on the planet. In this essay, we explore how translation can offer a way of thinking about new forms of subjectivity in the age of the Anthropocene. In order to do this, we argue that it is necessary to challenge a deeply rooted ontological prejudice in Western culture and take seriously the demands for new forms of knowledge organisation to deal with the ecological crisis. The indigenisation of knowledge, projective citizenship and the notion of translation kinetics will be advanced as important contexts for the re-evaluation of translation in radically changing circumstances.


Pancreatic cancer (PC) is a common malignancy that is characterized by strong invasiveness and rapid development. With lack of effective treatments, patients still suffer from poor outcome. In this study, we established liposomal nanoparticles carrying microRNA-124 (Ls/miR-124) and
 detected their inhibitory effect on PC cells. Ls/miR-124 nanoparticles were prepared and co-cultured with PC cells (Ls/miR-124 group), as some PC cells were treated with pure liposome particles (Ls group), or gemcitabine (gemcitabine group) and some untreated were treated as control group.
 Flow cytometry and transwell assay were used to determine apoptosis and migration of PC cells. Bax, Bcl-2, and Caspase-3 expressions were measured. The Ls/miR-124 nanoparticles presented around 100 nm size at 3:1 molar ratio of DOTAP/Chol, with stable properties and high potential. The fluorescence
 intensity of the cells in the Ls/miR-124 group and gemcitabine group were higher than Ls and blank groups. RT-qPCR analysis confirmed the up-regulation of miR-124 with high transfection efficiency of 85%. Proliferation of cells in each group increased upon culture. Administration of either
 Ls/miR-124 nanoparticles or gemcitabine significantly decreased PC cell proliferation and increased apoptosis at similar apoptotic rate of 29.76±3.78% and 30.15±3.57. Besides, the Ls/miR-124 and gemcitabine groups had cell cycle arrest in G0/G1 phase (67.98±3.45%) and
 exhibited decreased migration of 19.78±2.97% and invaded cells (42.56±6.98%). The expression of Bax in both groups decreased, while expressions of Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 increased. In conclusion, administration of Ls/miR-124 nanoparticles decreased cell viability and migration of
 PC cells, inhibiting cell cycle progression but increasing apoptosis and restraining development of PC.


Studied are the composition series of the standard Whittaker (g,K)-modules. For a generic infinitesimal character, the structures of these modules are completely understood, but if the infinitesimal character is integral, then there are not so many cases in which the structures of them are known. In this paper, as an example of the integral case, we determine the socle filtrations of the standard Whittaker (g,K)-modules when G is the group Spin(r,1) and the infinitesimal character is regular integral.


A 2D monomode fiber connector based on monolithic integration of micromachined holes and microlenses is proposed. Combined with diffractive optics, this device shows fanout flexibility.


This research is about a study on the factors that affect individual's performance in Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Ayer Keroh Melaka. The objectives of this research are to measure the level of individual performance, to measure the level of factors that affect an individual performance, and to determine the relationship between efforts motivation, skills ability, role perceptions, and organization resources with individual's performance. 50 respondents were selected as a sample size of this research. Simple random sampling technique was used when selected the 50 respondents at Department of Natural Resources and Environment at Ayer Keroh Melaka. The respondents were required to answer questionnaire that consist of 3 sections with 62 questions. The researcher use Descriptive Statistic, Cronbach's Alpha and Peason Rank Order Correlation to analyze the data gathered by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20.0. The result indicates that the level of individual performance is good and the employees agreed that they have a good level of effort motivation, skills and ability, role perceptions, and organizational resources. In addition, there are positive correlation between all four factors which are efforts motivation, skills ability, role perceptions, and organizational resources with individual's performance. The most influential factor that affects individual performance in Department of Natural Resources and Environment at Ayer Keroh, Melaka is skills and ability with the significant value in regression test is 0.020.


A wastegate valve is provided in a connecting passage that extends so as to bypass the exhaust turbine of a turbocharger provided in the exhaust passage of an internal combustion engine. When the degree of opening of the wastegate valve is controlled so as to be fully closed (S11: YES, and S12: YES), a determination value J is calculated (S13) on the basis of the operating state of the internal combustion engine, and the turbo rotational speed NT is detected (S14). When the turbo rotational speed NT is less than the determination value J (S15: YES), the driving force in the direction of closing the wastegate valve is increased (S16).


Simple Summary Penile cancer is considered a rare disease in most developed countries, yet it represents a significant global oncology challenge. Many patients are faced with substantial psychosocial morbidity from diagnosis and treatment, which is further compounded by a lack of access to novel treatment approaches when the disease becomes resistant to upfront therapies. Proteins on the cell surface, or surfaceome, represent an accessible locale of potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study provides the first description of the surfaceome in penile cancer and evaluates if human papillomavirus infection contributes to surfaceome diversity. Abstract Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare malignancy in most parts of the world and the underlying mechanisms of this disease have not been fully investigated. About 30–50% of cases are associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which may have prognostic value. When PSCC becomes resistant to upfront therapies there are limited options, thus further research is needed in this venue. The extracellular domain-facing protein profile on the cell surface (i.e., the surfaceome) is a key area for biomarker and drug target discovery. This research employs computational methods combined with cell line translatomic (n = 5) and RNA-seq transcriptomic data from patient-derived tumors (n = 18) to characterize the PSCC surfaceome, evaluate the composition dependency on HPV infection, and explore the prognostic impact of identified surfaceome candidates. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to validate the localization of select surfaceome markers. This analysis characterized a diverse surfaceome within patient tumors with 25% and 18% of the surfaceome represented by the functional classes of receptors and transporters, respectively. Significant differences in protein classes were noted by HPV status, with the most change being seen in transporter proteins (25%). IHC confirmed the robust surface expression of select surfaceome targets in the top 85% of expression and a superfamily immunoglobulin protein called BSG/CD147 was prognostic of survival. This study provides the first description of the PSCC surfaceome and its relation to HPV infection and sets a foundation for novel biomarker and drug target discovery in this rare cancer.


We have focused on the i-layer material in our efforts to improve in the conversion efficiency of a-Si:H solar cells. Reductions in the defect density has been also investigated from the viewpoints of extrinsic (impurities) and intrinsic effects. The main incorporated impurity in a- Si:H is oxygen, which affects the conversion efficiency of a-Si:H solar cells by increasing the defect density and its donorlike behavior. A unified relationship can be observed among the properties of intrinsic (pure) a-Si:H. The film deposition rate plays an essential role in controlling the properties. A lower or higher deposition rate results in a narrower or wider bandgap, respectively. Therefore, the properties of a-Si:H can be controlled independent of the substrate temperature in a certain range by varying the film deposition rate. The controllability of the a-Si:H properties can be improved by applying vibrational / rotational energy to SiH4 molecules or related radicals by heating the source gas, and a-Si:H with the same properties as the best conventional one can be deposited at a lower substrate temperature and/or a higher film deposition rate. The highest conversion efficiency of 12% for an integrated a-Si solar cell submodule of 100 cm2 has been achieved by combining the high-quality i-layer and other technologies.


This column is the second of three that summarize major changes made in the revised third edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of MentalDisorders (DSM-IIl-R), which was published in 1987, for the forthcoming fourth edition of the manual, DSM-IV. The previous column, which appeared in the November 1993 issue, listed changes in the mood, anxiety, and personality disorders (1). This column discusses major changes in the remaining categories of primarily adult disorders. The categories are delirium, dementia, amnestic, and other cognitive disorders; substancerelated disorders; schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; somatoform disorders; dissociative disorders; factitious disorder; sleep disorders; sexual and gender identity disorders; impulse control disorders; mental disorders due to general med-


......................................................................................................... iii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................vi LIST OF FIGURES .............................................................................................. vii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ...................................................................... 1 Background ................................................................................................ 6 Problem Statement .................................................................................. 17 Objective .................................................................................................. 18 Research Questions ................................................................................ 18 Methodology ............................................................................................ 19 Organization of the Study ........................................................................ 20 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW .......................................................... 22 Case Study One ...................................................................................... 26 Case Study Two ...................................................................................... 29 Case Study Three .................................................................................... 33 CHAPTER THREE: ANALYSIS .......................................................................... 37 CHAPTER FOUR: EMISSIONS AND VEHICLES .............................................. 46 CHAPTER FIVE: SUMMARY ............................................................................. 49 Recommendation ..................................................................................... 52 Conclusion ............................................................................................... 53 REFERENCES ................................................................................................... 55


tion mantijada, performed by the neo-traditional ensemble Istronova; a new song, "Ne dirajte mi ravnicu," composed in 1991 on patterns recognized as traditional, and performed by the neo-traditional tamburica group Zlatni Dukati; and urban folk music performed by Zagreb street musicians. Being a selection of music from Croatia rather than Croatian music, this CD also includes examples of music of the national minorities: two examples of music of the Serbs and of the Roma (Gypsies). Pettan's selection is a balanced overview of different musical styles of Croatia and is also a testimony of the present social and cultural situation there. On the other hand, it also documents how Croatian ethnomusicology as a discipline changed and, embracing an anthropological approach, the research of exclusively folk music expanded to investigate all different styles of music present in our environment. ZDRAVKO BLAZEKOVIC


Most papers in this volume attest to Tom Stannage's life as a celebrated historian, discussing his teaching and research. Tributes rightfully flowed from all such quarters after his sudden death in 2012, yet the most significant obituary in the West Australian did not focus on Stannage's academic achievements.


This article introduces fuzzy mathematics and comprehensive assessment in campus architecture safety assessment, this method can help to make an effective multi-factor decision in campus architecture safety assessment, making the assessment result more objective, rational and effective. Dalian jiaotong university comprehensive teaching building which finished in Port of Lushun campus is selected at the end of the article to explain the whole process of the application of fuzzy mathematics and comprehensive assessment in campus architecture safety assessment.


T ranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has revolutionized the treatment of aortic stenosis and is the treatment of choice for patients at prohibitive and high surgical risk. Extension of indications into intermediate surgical risk has begun, and recently 2 large randomized trials demonstrated that TAVR may be superior to surgery in patients at low surgical risk and can potentially offer better results at initial follow-up. TAVR practice has evolved continuously with concomitant simplification of the procedure. If one disregards the financial considerations, predictability of the procedural outcome and certainty regarding the durability of TAVR prostheses are 2 of the main remaining restrictions to universal implementation. Transfemoral access is the preferred approach, as it has a 20% relative reduction in mortality compared with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) (hazard ratio HR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.69–0.93; P=0.024). Understanding the mechanisms that underlie complications during transfemoral TAVR is essential, and familiarity with the techniques for their prevention and treatment is mandatory. In this review, we provide a state-ofthe-art overview on the avoidable procedural complications of contemporary transfemoral TAVR practice, with a specific focus on strategies for their prevention and management. Vascular Access Complications


This case report describes the esthetic and functional recovery of a maxillary central incisor. The treatments used were dentin post (biological post) reinforcement and reattachment of the fragment. From the outcomes achieved, it can be concluded that this technique is promising and is yet another alternative method that can be used for the recovery of fractured anterior teeth.


The effect of biasing incoherent illumination has been investigated on the energy transfer in the case of co-directional and contra-directional two-wave mixing (TWM) in an absorbing photorefractive (PR) medium. Input beams are considered collinear Gaussian TEM00 in nature. Nonlinear coupled wave equations are solved analytically and numerically, respectively in the case of transmission and reflection geometries. Numerical solution is obtained by using the shooting method.


The BBP, BBP-type, Adamchik-Wagon, Chudnovsky's, and Ramanu-jan formulas of Pi are investigating by Mathematica. We point out errors of two BBP-like formulas.


The 2300 years B.P. eruption of the Yakedake volcano in central Japan consisted primarily of lava extrusion and dome growth in the summit area, and a repetitive gravitational collapse of the dome produced a series of block − and − ash flows known as the Nakao pyroclastic flow deposit (NPFD). Based on the geochemistry and mineralogy, the juvenile materials in the NPFD can be assigned to five groups: light − colored, porphyritic dacite (white dacite) showing little or no petrographic evidence of magma mixing, dark − colored hybrid andesite (black andesite) with disequilibrium phenocryst assemblages and textures, banded lava with streaks of white dacite and hybrid andesite, basaltic andesitic enclaves (hybrid enclave) having the same disequilibrium phenocryst assemblage as the hybrid andesite, and basaltic enclave (primitive enclave) lacking any evidence of magma mixing. Compositional data from the phenocrysts and whole rocks demonstrate that the juvenile materials of the NPFD preserve a magma mixing/mingling event between a basaltic magma (49.5 wt% SiO 2 , T ∼ 1075 ° C from olivine − melt geothermometry), which is compositionally similar to the primitive enclave, and a dacitic magma (64.6 wt% SiO 2 , T = 790 − 800 ° C from Fe − Ti oxide geothermometry), which is compositionally similar to the white dacite. The NPFD eruption was caused by an invasion of the basaltic magma into the preexisting, highly crystalline dacitic magma chamber. The composition of the dacitic magma remained constant throughout the eruption. However, heating by the basalt magma increased its temperature locally up to T ∼ 950 ° C. Minor disruption and consecutive quenching of the replenishing basaltic magma may have formed the primitive enclave. Simultaneously, the replenishing basaltic magma entrained small amounts of the dacitic magma, pro-ducing a hybrid basaltic andesitic magma layer at the base of the chamber. The quenched part of the hybrid layer was preserved as the hybrid enclave. Finally, the simultaneous ascent of the dacitic magma and liquid interior of the hybrid layer through a common conduit promoted the mixing/mingling of the two magmas and caused the coeruption of diverse lava types.


There is now noticeable some imbalance in the historical accounts of the implantation of the English language in the former British colonies of West Africa. Narrations and analyses deal with the interplay of interests and demands which quite early ensured the entrenchment of the language but only in the coastal or southern regions. Very brief, or no glances at all, are cast on the vicissititudes which characterized the spread of the language in the northern areas. The reasons likely for the imbalance in the geographical focus of the accounts are well known. First, the English language literally travelled overseas, came on shore and settled quickly and fairly comfortably in the coastal areas where the initial trade interests of its native-speaker importers lay. Attempts to spread their influence and establish their authority in the northern areas were not made until much later. For instance,


Objective To investigate the outcome of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty(PTCA)and stent implantation in coronary heart disease with quantitative tissue velocity imaging(QTVI). Methods Fifteen patients with isolated left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD) stenosis(≥75%) were included.QTVI was performed one day before PTCA + stent,a week and a month after successful PTCA+ stent.Peak systolic myocardial velocity(PSMV) and peak early diastolic myocardial velocity(PDMV) were measured by QTVI.All parameters were measured in longitudinal direction(basal,medial and apical segments) of septal,lateral,anterior,inferior,anteroseptal and posterior walls.Results In myocardium assigned by LAD,all regions showed a significant improvement of PSMV and PDMV a week after PTCA + stent,the above velocity parameters increased significantly a month after PTCA + stent.Conclusion The change of myocardial velocity can be quantified and the improvement of walls motion can be evaluated by QTVI in coronary heart disease after PTCA + stent.


Dept. of Didactics and Educational Organization, Faculty of Science of Education, University of Seville, C/ Camilo Jose Cela, s/n, 41018 Seville, Spain This article locates a didactic and methodological perspective which is seldom covered in the literature on online training. Most of the published studies describe the objectives of a course and basic methodological ideas, entering more in depth in the results. Only a few articles recount how this training process in research methodology courses has been carried out. To cover this necessity, we present a proposal that we have delivered in a course of postgraduate students at the University of Seville. We attempt to delve into the keys of instructional design and online tutorial strategies. Results have been very satisfactory, including an outstanding acceptance on the part of the students. The learning objectives have been completed, as completed learning tasks and students' own answers have been shown. However, many tutor hours were required for the development of this training in addition to the number of hours required for delivery and tutorials.


To get more yield farmers tend to use excessive chemical fertilizers, while current energy crisis prevailing higher prices and lack of proper supply system of fertilizers and deterioration of soil health calls for more efficient nutrient management using conjunctive use of organic manure, inorganic fertilizers and biofertilizer to sustain yield levels and agro-eco-system. Therefore, a thrice replicated 2 year field trial was conducted during 2010 and 2011 by using F test. The results revealed that combination of 100% NPK + 5 t FYM+ Azotobactor + PSB recoded higher mean growth attributes viz.,plant height (201.25 cm), dry weight/plant (267.25 g), LAI at 60 DAS (4.2), yield attributing component and yield viz., cob/plants (1.1), number of grain/cob (541.2) and test weight (245.05 g), grain yield (53.15 q/ha), quality parameters viz., protein content (8.38%) and protein yield (445.4kg/ha), total nutrients uptake and economics viz.,net return/ha (Rs 36073.5), B:C ratio (2.86), production efficiency (59.1 kg/day/ha) and economic efficiency (400.8 Rs/day/ha), besides achieved maximum nitrogen used efficiency as compared to rest of its counterparts Thus, study suggests that maize can be successfully grown under Indo-Gangetic plain zone on 100% NPK + 5 t FYM+ Azotobactor + PSB and harvest maximum productivity and profitability besides, improving used efficiency of nitrogen.


While growth and change are popular aspects of provision, there seems to be less interest in decay in the early years. Here, we explore why it is so important and how we can observe it in our settings.


The present research was meant to respond to the need of exploring the reality of Tuscan museums, and to define the framework of its systems. Our priority was to focus on the concept of museum system, on the assumption that there does not exist a theoretical background of reference to use as a model on which a single institution can give a self-assessment of its performance. In the context of our research, we drew up an ad hoc questionnaire and submitted it to the whole universe of museums and museum-like institutions of Tuscany. By this way, we managed to carry out an in-depth analysis of the region's actual situation, and to study the Tuscan museum systems, as shown in the personal interviews we asked to several operators of museum institutions.


Feng Zhi is regarded as an outstanding Chinese lyric poet. But all his writings, including his poetry, prose and philosophy, are indebted to the great German poet Rilke. The thesis gives an account of Fengzhi′s reading of Rilke′s works and points out how the latter′s style greatly influenced him.Based on this account ,the paper suggests that a writer could reform his own culture by drawing on other nation′s cultural resources.


The effects of temperature and cage floor enrichment on some behavioral activities of growing rabbits and the effect of temperature on cage floor choice were investigated. Forty-eight rabbits from the Botucatu genetic group, weaned at 35 d of age, were housed at low density (1,500 cm), four per cage, in wire net cages up to 10 weeks of age. Cages were placed either in a natural temperature chamber or in a refrigerated one. In each chamber, half of the cages had part of the floor surface covered with a wooden board enriched with litter straw such that, in enriched cages, rabbits had free choice between the straw and the wire net floor. In all cages, rabbits had free access to water and feed on both sides of the cage. In enriched cages, the number of rabbits on the wire net floor and on the litter straw was recorded by scan sampling every 5 minutes in five 24-h observation periods carried out once a week over five weeks. The behavior of animals was evaluated in the same five 24-h observation periods. The mean daily temperature and relative humidity were higher in the natural temperature chamber than in the refrigerated one (23.6oC and 78.7% vs. 20.6°C and 71.0%, respectively). In the natural temperature chamber, rabbits preferred the wire net floor over the litter straw (77.9 vs. 22.1%, P<0.01), whereas in the refrigerated chamber they did not show any preference (45.9 vs. 54.1%, P=0.41). Self-grooming was the most frequent behavioral activity observed (51.9%), whereas stereotypes were the least frequent (5.2%); exploratory and ludic activities and social interaction showed intermediate frequencies (20.6, 11.7 and 10.6%, respectively). A higher number of ludic and exploratory events were recorded in the enriched cages of both chambers, which may be associated with a higher degree of welfare. Stereotypes were less frequent in the refrigerated chamber; however, a higher incidence of stereotypic behavior was observed in non-enriched cages of both chambers. Selfgrooming was also more frequent in non-enriched cages, which may be interpreted as an expression of stereotypy. In the natural temperature chamber, social interaction was higher in non-enriched cages, whereas no differences between enriched and non-enriched cages were observed in the refrigerated chamber. Although environmental enrichment with straw showed a favorable impact on rabbit welfare, its positive effects seemed to be less intense at higher temperature. Furthermore, higher temperature substantially decreased the proportion of rabbits that chose to stay on the straw in enriched cages.


It is well accepted that the cell wall is not only a complex network of polysaccharides and other macromolecules but also an exciting dynamic structure that plays key roles in plant development, cell differentiation, and the perception of the environment (Roberts 1990, 1994; Carpita and Gibeaut 1993; Albersheim et al. 1994). As underlined by Knox (1992), the precise deposition of cell wall polymers dictates the anatomy and the form of all plants. Thus, of central importance is to elucidate the molecular arrangement of the cell wall components and to understand their roles in the wall structure and other physiological functions, describing in detail the subtle changes that occur during cell differentiation or in response to environmental stresses. This review deals with available methods to localize pectins within plant cells. We have focused our attention on pectic polymers because of their crucial importance in cell wall ontogeny and the considerable progress made in visualizing them. Our contribution does not intend to compile all the techniques for visualization of pectins. Rather, we have focused on microscopical methods that are sensitive enough to generate data at the level of a single cell and to investigate subtle changes within the pectin network.


In establishing an effective approach to player performance development, the coach must deploy multi-dimensional preparatory strategies to ensure that optimal mental, technical, tactical and physical states are reached and maintained during competition. Allowing for the enhancement of technical movement potential and the ability to cope with the demands of competitive play comprehensive physical preparation strategies that optimise overall scoring success are widely becoming an integral part of player development. Understanding the role that physiology plays in achieving optimal practice and competitive physical state, allows for implementation of preparatory strategies to achieve movement potential, and competition maintenance strategies, to minimise physical deterioration. With the emerging application of multi-disciplinary, golf-specific support teams and appropriately prescribed strategies, the objective of any physical development programme should ensure that the player not only reaches the golf course in a physically optimal state, but maintains it throughout competition


A general method for synthesis of folic acid, its conjugates and analogues.

A new and general method for the synthesis of folic acid, folic acid conjugates and folic acid analogues is described. The key step, i.e. the condensation of N(2′)-acetyl-6-formyl-pterine (I: R1 COCH3) with aminoaryl derivatives II, is achieved by refluxing in absolute ethanol to afford the azomethines III. NaBH4-reduction followed by basic hydrolysis gives pure V products in high yield, free from 7-isomers.


A number of recent papers – e.g. Brandt et al. (STOC 2016), Chang et al. (FOCS 2016), Ghaffari & Su (SODA 2017), Brandt et al. (PODC 2017), and Chang & Pettie (FOCS 2017) – have advanced our understanding of one of the most fundamental questions in theory of distributed computing: what are the possible time complexity classes of LCL problems in the LOCAL model? In essence, we have a graph problem Π in which a solution can be verified by checking all radius-O(1) neighbourhoods, and the question is what is the smallest T such that a solution can be computed so that each node chooses its own output based on its radius-T neighbourhood. Here T is the distributed time complexity of Π. The time complexity classes for deterministic algorithms in bounded-degree graphs that are known to exist by prior work are Θ(1), Θ(log* n), Θ(logn), Θ(n1/k), and Θ(n). It is also known that there are two gaps: one between ω(1) and o(loglog* n), and another between ω(log* n) and o(logn). It has been conjectured that many more gaps exist, and that the overall time hierarchy is relatively simple – indeed, this is known to be the case in restricted graph families such as cycles and grids. We show that the picture is much more diverse than previously expected. We present a general technique for engineering LCL problems with numerous different deterministic time complexities, including Θ(logα n) for any α ≥ 1, 2Θ(logα n) for any α ≤ 1, and Θ(nα) for any α < 1/2 in the high end of the complexity spectrum, and Θ(logα log* n) for any α ≥ 1, 2Θ(logα log* n) for any α ≤ 1, and Θ((log* n)α) for any α ≤ 1 in the low end of the complexity spectrum; here α is a positive rational number.


The O-C6H4-CH=N–C6H4-O dianion of the title compound, [Mn(C13H9NO2)(C7H5O2)(C2H6OS)], acts as an O,N,O′-chelate to bind to the MnIII atom, and the three atoms constitute three points [O—Mn—O = 174.43 (11)°] of an octahedron around the metal atom. The azomethine linkage is disordered over two positions in a 0.657 (13):0.343 (13) ratio. The deprotonated salicyldehyde anion acts as an O,O′-chelate; the sixth coordination site is represented by the O atom of the dimethyl sulfoxide molecule. The crystal studied was a non-merohedral twin with a minor twin component of 14.2 (3)%.


A multi-user system capable of assessing the changes induced from interventional procedures such as coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is assembled using quantitative coronary angiography coupled with the visual assessment of twenty morphological descriptors as input to a relational database, for a large epidemiology study or for use on a routine basis in a high volume clinical environment. Pre- and post-PTCA studies along with six-month follow-up studies from an initial 600 patients have been processed by this system in the initial three months of use. With the creation of the multi-user digital imaging system, quantitative coronary angiography, coupled with a library of defined qualitative lesion descriptors, can be performed rapidly on a large number of patients. Carefully performed analyses of existing patient databases and the acquisition of lesion morphology data coupled with quantitative coronary angiography will provide useful information in determining the efficacy of interventional and pharmacologic procedures in coronary artery disease. This system is suited to define detailed lesion descriptors that impact on either the progression or regression of coronary artery disease over time.<<ETX>>


The concept of hybrid mould combines the conventional techniques of mould manufacturing and Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Tooling, resorting to non-conventional materials for producing moulding blocks, e. g., epoxy resin composites. Composites based on an epoxy system with 15% weight fraction of short steel fibres (SSF) were considered adequate for improving the performance of moulding blocks. The epoxy/short steel fibre composite moulding blocks were produced by vacuum casting in silicone moulds. Polypropylene (PP) was mixed with a commercial PP masterbatch with 50% of nanoclay and injected in a hybrid mould under various processing conditions. These were chosen from a central composite design with 15 experiments. The moulding microstructure was assessed by polarized light microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. The skin-core morphology was observed and suggested that the low thermal conductivity of the epoxy composite produces a thinner skin when compared to all-steel moulds. The nanoclay concentration was the variable with the most significant effect on skin thickness and crystallinity. The addition of 1 wt% nanoclay under certain processing conditions favours the formation of β-form spherulites and the increase of crystallinity.


In this paper, the Tb4d photoelectron spectra in compounds of BaTbO3, Tb4O7 and TbFeO3 were measured, and the characteristic levels of Tb3+ and Tb4+ were found to be 149. 45 and 156.20 eV respectively. The relationship between the intensity ratio (I) of the higher binding energy peak to the lower one and the content of Tb4+/Tb(z) is obtained for the first time, I= -0. 98z2 + 2.15z(0≤z≤1), which can be used to determine the valence state of Tb ion in the "123" phase of Eu1-xTbxBa2Cu3O7-δ. By normal sintering method at atmosphere and high temperature, the pure "123" phase Can not be obtained, and it is also difficult to form Eu1-xTbxBa2Cu3O7-δ samples containing pure Tb3+. In the "123" phase of Eu1-x· TbxBa2Cu3O7-δ, the Tb ions are in a mixing valence state of Tb3+ and Tb4+, and when x = 0. 3, Tb4+/Tb=0. 61. The O2p hole number in the Cu(2)-O(2) plane is decreased because of doping Tb4+, and this may be one of the reasons of destroying the superconductivity.


During the last decade, the FORS1 instrument of the ESO Very Large Telescope has been used to obtain low resolution circular polarized spectra for about 500 stars, with the aim of measuring their mean longitudinal magnetic fields. Magnetic field estimates were obtained by different authors, using different software tools. Several interesting detections were obtained at a 3 σ level; some of them were eventually confirmed by follow-up investigations, some of them were not. This raises issues about the reliability of the stated uncertainties of some of the published field values. To investigate these problems, we have developed a semi-automatic procedure for magnetic field determination, which includes self-consistent checks for field detection reliability. We have applied our procedure to the full content of single star ("fast mode") circular spectropolarimetric measurements of the FORS1 archive, and explored the details and interagreement of various methods for data reduction. We have finally produced a catalogue of FORS1 longitudinal field measurements which includes about 1000 entries. Here we critically review the previously published FORS1 measurements, and, based on our results, we suggest that the incidence of the magnetic field in various classes of stars should be revised.


Although affirmative action in college admissions is constitutionally permissible, several states prohibit it. We investigate whether bans push black and Latino students from in-state public selective colleges to other types of postsecondary institutions, thus contributing to talent loss among these groups. Unlike most other studies, we analyze national data (the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009) so that we can follow students across state lines. We find no evidence that students from ban states shift from one type of selective college to another; that is, from in-state public flagships to in-state private ones or selective colleges in other states. However, the odds of attending a nonselective college, instead of an in-state public selective college, are almost three times higher among blacks and Latinos in ban states compared with their counterparts in states without bans. We argue that bans on affirmative action may contribute to talent loss among black and Latino students.


19 We systematically reviewed studies using wastewater for AMR surveillance in human 20 populations, to determine: (i) the strength of the evidence for a wastewater-human AMR 21 association, and (ii) methodological approaches which optimised identifying such an 22 association, and which could be recommended as standard. We used Lin's concordance 23 correlation coefficient (CCC) to quantify agreement between AMR prevalence in wastewater 24 and human compartments, and logistic regression to identify study features (e.g. sampling 25 methods) associated with high-agreement (defined as wastewater-human AMR prevalences 26 within ±10%). 27 Of 8,867 records and 232 full-text methods reviewed, 29 studies were included. AMR 28 prevalence data was extractable from 20 studies conducting phenotypic-only (n=11), 29 genotypic-only (n=1) or combined (n=8) AMR detection. Overall wastewater-human AMR 30 concordance was reasonably high for both phenotypic (CCC=0.81 [95% CI 0.74-0.87]) and 31 genotypic comparisons (CCC=0.88 (95% CI 0.85-0.91)) despite diverse species32 phenotypes/genotypes and study design. Logistic regression was limited by inconsistent 33 reporting of study features, and limited sample size; no significant relationships between 34 study features and high wastewater-human AMR agreement were identified. Based on 35 descriptive synthesis, composite/flow-proportional sampling of wastewater influent, 36 longitudinal sampling >12 months, and time/location-matched comparisons generally had 37 higher-agreement. 38 Further research and clear and consistent reporting of study methods is required to confirm 39 optimal practice. 40 Preprints (www.preprints.org) | NOT PEER-REVIEWED | Posted: 21 June 2021 doi:10.20944/preprints202010.0267.v2


1.
Completely banning fishing from coral reefs is now accepted to have significant benefits for marine biodiversity and in many cases, fisheries. However, the benefits of regulating fishing on coral reefs, by restricting the methods used, or the total amount of fishing, are less well understood, even though such regulations are much more likely to be supported by fishermen.

2.
This study assesses whether banning illegal, destructive fishing methods and reducing the numbers of fishermen visiting from outside an area benefits a coral reef fishery, despite unregulated fishing by local fishermen using non-destructive methods.

3.
The abundance, biomass, mean length, and species richness of nine commercially important fish families are compared across ten independent patch reefs inside and outside the 470 km2 Menai Bay Conservation Area in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

4.
Even after taking into account the effect of differences in habitat and the distance between reefs, 61% (±19.7%) more fish species were found in regulated than unregulated reefs. Fish abundance, biomass, and length were not affected, suggesting that banning destructive fishing may improve biodiversity, but that further regulations may be required to improve fish stocks.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


Teachers were asked to indicate whether a handicapped individual with a described characteristic was employable as an elementary school teacher. The characteristics were social, physical, or emotional, and were descriptive of level of function. The results indicated that individuals with physically disabling conditions which affect mobility or communication and which have an unpredictable prognosis are least acceptable. Behavioral and cosmetic deviations from societal norms were also unacceptable.


Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an autoimmune vasculitis involving large and medium arteries, but the relationship with other autoimmune diseases is unclear. We reported a case of an 85-year-old woman who was diagnosed with GCA, Sjogren's syndrome (SS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) simultaneously, and discussed the potential link between these diseases.
Case presentation: An 85-year-old Chinese woman was admitted to hospital with aggravation of pain in two knees with headache and blurred vision. She had a history of rheumatoid arthritis and rheumatoid heart disease for 30 years and atrial fibrillation for 1 year. On admission, she had bilateral temporal pain accompanied by blurred vision. Physical examination showed dry tongue and decreased coating on the tongue. Initial laboratory results showed that C-reactive protein (CRP) was 24.89 mg/L (normally 0-5), and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was 42.4 mm/h (normally 0-20), both of them were significantly elevated.
Results: The anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) and anti-centromere antibody (ACA) was positive in serum. Color Doppler ultrasound of temporal arteries showed thickening and hardening of bilateral temporal artery wall with varying width and narrowness of lumen. She was diagnosed with GCA, SS, and RA. At the same time, she was given antiinflammatory treatment with methylprednisolone, hydroxychloroquine and tripterygium glycosides. Her condition was controlled; the mental state and inflammatory biomarkers were significantly improved (CRP < 0.5 mg/L, ESR 13.6 mm/h). She was discharged from the hospital and outpatient review regularly.
Conclusion: GCA, SS, and RA can occur simultaneously or continuously, but were rare. The combination of CRP and ESR improved the specificity and positive rate of GCA diagnosis. We speculated that there might be common pathogenic factors involved in GCA, RA and SS through the analysis of this case. Through the analysis of this case, we speculated that there may be a common virulence factor involved in GCA, RA and SS. Further exploration is needed in the future to elucidate their relationship and provide more support for early diagnosis and treatment.


Abstract : Long range bombardment, carrier battle groups, stealth technology, submarines, nuclear deterrence (embodied in ICBMs and SLBMs), tanks, air cavalry...and the list goes on. These machines, tactics and doctrines serve as the defining elements of how we think about war in the Twentieth century. They are the instruments of our strategic ethos and the fundamental threat of commonality among them is their ability to approach the problem of war in an indirect manner. Whether a system uses mobility and maneuver, or tactical invisibility, or the psychological menace of overwhelming destruction, each avoids direct engagement B. H. Liddell Hart's book, Strategy, is the clearest baseline for understanding the indirect approach to warfare. Douglas MacArthur's Inchon landing during September 1950 is an excellent description of Liddell Hart's concept applied. This paper will examine the Inchon landings in light of the premises outlined by Liddell Hart. We begin with a brief review the situation on the ground in Korea, transition into an examination of Liddell Hart's strategy and axioms against MacArthur's strategy, and finally, draw conclusions about the applicability of Liddell Hart's theory as an approach to warfighting.


From the view of potential and field,the motion behaviors of the charged particles were discussed for the strained superlattice.By introducing the sine-squared potential,the particle motion equation was reduced to generalized pendulum equation with damping term and mixed excitation term in the framework of classical mechanics and dipole approximation.The critical nature and the chaotic behavior of the system were discussed by Melnikov method.The results show that the chaotic behavior of the system relates to its parameters,and the stability of the system can be guaranteed in principle by appropriately adjustmenting the parameters,.


BACKGROUNG: Greater involvement of patients in taking care of their health is seen as one of the elements to improve the management of chronic conditions. The face of the HIV has shifted to a chronic affection due to antiretroviral treatment (ART). Thus, according to the Chronic Care Model, activated patients are essentials to achieve optimal health outcomes. Patient activation, defined as the knowledge, the skill and the willingness of people to play a role in managing their health, has been associated with a broad range of health-related outcomes, including better clinical indicators and self-management, fewer hospitalizations, and lower health care costs. We aim to use the patient activation measure (PAM) as a tool to optimize the management of HIV-infected patients by level of activation. [...]


Turbulence enhanced momentum and energy transport is an important mechanism in shaping the flow and temperature field of low current turbulent SF6 (Sulfur-hexafluoride) arcs burning in a nozzle. It is a factor that largely determines the prediction accuracy of the interruption capability of high voltage circuit breakers. Previous study [81] has shown that for SF6 arcs the parameters in the Prandtl mixing length model and the two equation k-ε model must be adjusted to bring agreement between prediction and measurement. The experimental observation [109] of steep temperature or density gradient exists at the arc edge, where turbulence is usually strongest. The density gradient can be regarded as a result of temperature gradient when the pressure difference across the low current arc column is small. In previous studies of turbulence models, the effects of large density or temperature gradient have not been considered. In the present work the k-ε model is modified to take into account the effect of the presence of steep local temperature gradient. The model is first applied to the steady state SF6 nozzle arcs in the current range from 100 A to 1800 A. The performance of the modified turbulence model is assessed by a comparison of the predicted and measured radial temperature profiles at different currents and its behaviours with another two most commonly used turbulence models, the Prandtl mixing length model and the k-ε model. The relevant turbulence parameters of the Prandtl mixing length model are adjusted according to the different nozzle shapes with different values and it has been found that its applicability is limited. The modified k-ε model, which is modified to take into account the effect of large temperature gradient with all default coefficients, can make reasonable prediction for turbulent arcs in the Aachen nozzle [67, 108] under direct current conditions. The model is then applied to the transient nozzle arcs in a GE nozzle [86] and the Campbell nozzle [85]. Finally, a real puffer-type circuit breaker of 252 kV has been used to verify this model. The predicted arc voltage and pressure agree reasonably well with the measurements at both high and low current levels, justifying the applicability of the modified k-ε turbulence model. The auto-expansion circuit breaker is a relatively new interruption technique, which creates the required fast gas flow at current zero using the energy dissipated by the arc itself. A design study has been carried out for a prototype 245 kV auto-expansion circuit breaker at 50 Hz, in order to investigate the influence of key design parameters in terms of arcing conditions at the current zero phase and the critical RRRV (Rate of Rise of Recovery Voltage). Auxiliary nozzle with different lengths, and the severity of leakage from the expansion volume have been implemented for testing the influence of design parameters in an auto-expansion circuit breaker. PC-based arc modelling taking account the effect of nozzle ablation and the mixing process of PTFE vapour with SF6 has been made for auxiliary nozzle investigation. For the effect of leakage, various sizes of a leakage hole are specified on the valve of the expansion volume. The critical RRRV values for the Ref. Case and the its modifications are used for comparison of its interruption capability in order to estimate the influence of these key design parameters. The solution of all of the equations in the arc models is based on a commercial computational fluid dynamics package, PHOENICS. PHOENICS has been extensively used at the University of Liverpool to model the arc behaviours since 1992. Before using PHOENICS to simulate the arc behaviour in this thesis some conditions need to be resolved. These are related with the choice of turbulence model, the computational domain size for electric field, and the influence of the Lorentz force. The differential models for reported works in the thesis is implemented into PHOENICS version 3.6.1. All boundary conditions which are treated as sources terms are discussed in Section 2.3


The institutionalization of continuous improvement highlights the need for personnel across all levels of governance, to accept change in program implementations. It must be embedded in the system to sustain the data-driven approach of identifying first the main cause of the problems, then testing for the best possible strategies for the life-long benefits of the solutions. This study dwelt on determining how the CI methodology can be sustained in different CI schools in DepEd Region V. The non-experimental quantitative research mode was used to capture the data that naturally exist in the completion and utilization of projects. The descriptive-evaluative survey method was used. It was noted as findings in this study that the training and coaching to teams have influenced them to work on interventions focusing on improving the teaching and learning processes. The CI projects became useful ideas in delivering blended learning modalities by making and using its new versions in Audio Lessons, Video Lessons, Self-Learning Modules, and Learning Activity sheets. Their focus is limited to the implementation and not to the application of CI Methodology in the system operations. It is recommended that calibrated measures of sustainability practices, focusing on promising sustainability procedures and emerging practices, are structured and designed.


Many processes concerning below-ground plant performance are not fully understood, such as spatial and temporal dynamics and their relation to environmental factors. Accounting for these spatial patterns is very important as they may be used to adjust for the estimation of cassava fresh root yield masked by field heterogeneity. The yield of cassava is an important characteristic that every breeder seeks to maintain in their germplasm. Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) has proven to be an effective tool for studying the below-ground characteristics of developing plants, but it has not yet been explored with respect to its utility in normalizing spatial heterogeneity in agricultural field experiments. In this study, the use of GPR for this purpose was evaluated in a cassava field trial conducted in Momil, Colombia. Using the signal amplitude of the GPR radargram from each field plot, we constructed a spatial plot error structure using the variance of the signal amplitude and developed GPR-based autoregressive (AR) models for fresh root yield adjustment. The comparison of the models was based on the average standard error (SE) of the Best Linear Unbiased Estimator (BLUE) and through majority voting (MV) with respect to the SE of the genotype across the models. Our results show that the GPR-based AR model outperformed the other models, yielding an SE of 9.57 and an MV score of 88.33%, while the AR1 × AR1 and IID models had SEs of 10.15 and 10.56% and MV scores of 17.37 and 0.00%, respectively. Our results suggest that GPR can serve a dual purpose in non-destructive yield estimation and field spatial heterogeneity normalization in global root and tuber crop programs, presenting a great potential for adoption in many applications.


Methods and apparatuses for measuring ultrasonic velocities in materials are disclosed which, in one embodiment, include such methods and apparatuses for triaxial tests of low permeability rock samples, the apparatus including top and bottom end caps for mounting to a sample to be tested, each end cap having an ultrasonic transducer mounted therein for disposition in contact with the material to be tested for measuring the velocities of ultrasonic waves through the material. In another embodiment, at least one end cap having channels and a sensor for sensing changes in sample pore pressure is disclosed. In another aspect, a pressure generator or microaccumulator for changing the amount of a pore pressure fluid in the channels, thereby changing sample water content and making possible an efficient multistage test is disclosed. In another embodiment an end cap for such measurements is disclosed.


II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS IV TABLE OF CONTENTS VI LIST OF TABLES XII LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS XIV Chapter 1: Introduction 1. Rationale 1 2. Goals and Objectives 4 3. Dissertation Overview 4 Chapter 2: Literature Review 1. Source of PCDD/Fs 10 2. Physical-Chemical Properties 11 3. Fate and Transport of PCDD/Fs in the Environment 17 3.1 Atmosphere 17 3.2 Soil 19 3.3 Aquatic Systems ...20 4. Biotransformation of PCDD/Fs ...22 4.1 Aerobic Biotransformation 22 4.2 Anaerobic Biotransformation 28


Elements of general relativity colliding impulsive gravitational waves plane waves geometrical considerations the field equations boundary conditions singularity structure the Szekeres class of vacuum solutions other vacuum solutions with aligned polarization Ernst's equation for colliding gravitational waves solution generating techniques vacuum solutions with non-aligned polarization the initial value problem colliding electromagnetic waves: the Bell-Szekeres solution Ernst's equations for colliding electromagnetic waves colliding electromagnetic waves - exact solutions colliding electromagnetic waves - diagonal solutions electromagnetic waves colliding with gravitational waves other sources related results conclusions and prospects. Appendix: Co-ordinate systems.


Several healthcare groups are planning to stage demonstrations on May 30 over FDA's decision not to approve Provenge for prostate cancer.


Lucerne seed, whose importation is restricted in some countries, was distinguished from most annual medic seed by means of a chemical test based on the detection, by thin-layer chromatography, of two characteristic phenolic compounds, which displayed yellow fluorescence under ultra-violet light. One hundred and forty-four Medicago species and varieties, including 12 of lucerne, were tested using the relatively simple technique that was sensitive enough to locate the reference compounds in samples as small as two seeds, and could readily be adapted to the testing of large numbers of seed samples.


Retailing has undergone transformation since the last decade. There has been lot of closure of retail stores which had been successful in the past. The closure of the stores are related to low footfalls in the stores. This is due to the change in the consumer behavior in the present day. Consumers have a choice to shop in any retail store as the number of stores started to multiply. It is a matter of concern to keep the consumers loyal to a store. It is important to understand consumer behavior to design proper strategies and make crucial decisions. Understanding customer behavior and psychology helps segment the customers into segments based on their attitudes and buying behavior. Segmentation helps design proper segments for better policies for the target customers. The researcher here uses psychographic segmentation and behavioral segmentation variables to segment customers of a retail store. Attitudes of customer towards the store assortment, instore service, value added service, store environment, satisfaction level, store patronage and loyalty are used to segment the customers. Cluster analysis was used to segment the customers based on their responses.


Teff (Eragrostis tef), a cereal grain included in grass family of Poaceae, diversified and endemic to Ethiopia supports more than 70-75% of Ethiopia's population as staple and co-staple food. Teff farming and processing for food is based on traditional indigenous knowledge of farmers vary in different teff growing areas. The objective of this study was to assess and document traditional knowledge of farmer's crop rotation and soil fertility improvement for teff farming and utilization practice in east Gojam and West Gojam. Data was collected using structured, semi-structured questionnaire, personal interview, focus group discussion and key informant interview. Then a structured and semi-structured questionnaire was designed to collect information across 20 group informants (100 listed elder informants) who involved in the study from seven districts. The major Teff farming steps, selection teff variety, preparation of farming area, lost teff variety, the role of crop rotation in teff productivity, type of crop used for rotations in soil fertility, role of microbes in soil fertility through crop rotation, the traditional farming equipment, traditional storage and pile making were described. Among the respondents 75% of those in the study area were male and 25% female and almost all study participants were evolved from Amhara ethnic groups that involved in teff farming. Teff variety which were dominant and locally called and recognized by many farmers in East and west Gojm were, Magna, Dabo, Sergegna, Nech Bunign, Godashigne, kuncho, Amerach, Qeytala, Cross 37, Azene, Qomten, Lemma, Nech laba, Avola Bunign, Bose, Yilmana, Etsub, Mure, kora. 100% of respondent used cop rotation for teff farming and productivity. 92% of respondent of east Gojam mostly used, vetch (Lathyrus sativus)' niger, (Guizotia abyssinica) and 81% of respondant of west Gojam in addiion to vetch (Lathyrus sativus)' niger, (Guizotia abyssinica) also used chick pea (Cicer arietinum), Barely (Hordeum vulgare) Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), Pea (Pisum sativum), chickpea (Cicer arietinum), maiz used for crop rotation in teff farm land, 32% respondant also used rotation of different teff cultivar annually to improve their soil fertility and teff productivity. This traditional knowledge in using of legume plant for crop rotation in teff yield and productivity tells us that farmers indirectly keep the balance of soil microbial community especially that plant growth promoting Microbs (PGPR/F) involved in Nitrogen fixation, phosphate solublization, and Phytohormon production, sidrophore production and Antibiotics production.