Background: The rise of multi-drug-resistant pathogens and nosocomial infections among hospitalized patients is partially attributed to the increased use of antibiotic therapy. A prediction model for in-hospital antibiotic treatment could be valuable to target preventive strategies. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study, including patients admitted in 2018 to medical departments and not treated with antibiotics during the first 48 h. Data available at hospital admission were used to develop a logistic model to predict the probability of antibiotic treatment during hospitalization. The performance of the model was evaluated in two independent validation cohorts. Results: In the derivation cohort, antibiotic treatment was initiated in 454 (8.1%) out of 5592 included patients. Male gender, lower functional capacity, prophylactic antibiotic treatment, medical history of atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disease, solid organ transplantation, chronic use of a central venous catheter, urinary catheter and nasogastric tube, albumin level, mental status and vital signs at presentation were identified as predictors for antibiotic use during hospitalization and were included in the prediction model. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.72 (95% CI 0.70–0.75). In the highest probability group, the percentage of antibiotic treatment was 18.2% (238/1,307). In the validation cohorts, the AUROC was 0.73 (95% CI 0.68–0.77) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.72–0.78). In the highest probability group, the percentage of antibiotic treatment was 12.5% (66/526) and 20.7% (244/1179) of patients. Conclusions: Our prediction model performed well in the validation cohorts and was able to identify a subgroup of patients at high risk for antibiotic treatment.


The ban on using lead in electronic packaging has been taken effect since the year 2006. The alternative to replacing lead (Pb) based solder has been given highly concerns by the electronic industry. Both Sn- Ag-Cu and Sn-Cu solder alloys were considered to be the most acceptable candidates to replace SnPb solder alloy. From the findings, it showed that β-Sn appears as island-liked shape and eutectic phases appear as a darker shade. The grain size is refined significantly after incorporated with a suitable amount of Al. When exorbitant amount of Al addition will cause Al-rich particles, which has high potential to acts as the heterogeneous nucleation site and result in a lower degree of undercooling. The most desired amount of Al addition is between 0.025 - 0.05 wt%. The primary intermetallic compounds found in Sn-based solder alloy are Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn. New intermetallic compouds were found after addition of Al, which are Cu-Al and Ag-Al intermetallic. The formation of new intermetallic compounds causes the formation of Cu6Sn5 and Ag3Sn to be suppressed.


Background Although there is much discussion regarding when to initiate a biological agent in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, data on when to stop these agents is scant. Disease activity outcomes after the ending of an industry sponsored clinical trials may provide useful information regarding the duration of drug-free remission for a given biological agent. Objectives To assess the length of remission and rate of relapse of disease activity after ending the open label, long-term extension study (5 yrs) using tocilizumab in RA patients enrolled in the OPTION trial. Methods Patients who no longer received tocilizumab because of the ending of the extension study (5 yrs) of the OPTION trial were analyzed. All patients were: a) in remission (DAS28 <2.6, 0 swollen joints) at the time of the last tocilizumab administration (week 260), b) followed thereafter every 8 weeks until relapse (1 or more swollen joints), c) on a stable methotrexate dose during the follow-up. Results Forty patients were analyzed, 85% females with a mean age of 53.5 yrs. During the first 12 months of follow-up, 21 (52.5%) patients continued in remission. Relapses occurred in 19 (47.5%) patients, 11 (58%) of them during the first three months after the last tocilizumab administration. No variables were identified to predict length of remission. Conclusions Long-term remission is possible in a substantial number of RA patients after suspension of tocilizumab. Additional data are required to support recommendations for discontinuing a biological agent after achieving remission. These recommendations would impact in patients' safety and the economic burden imposed by these treatments. References Smolen JS, Beaulieu A, Rubbert-Roth A, Ramos-Remus C, Rovensky J, et al. Effect of interleukin-6 receptor inhibition with tocilizumab in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (OPTION study): a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial. Lancet 2008;371:989–97. Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Thermal control system is one of the key factors for the lunar rover and the heat dissipation capability is very important for the system.This paper has calculated and analyzed the heat dissipation capabilities of five kinds of thermal control system for the lunar rover through simulation method,then some practicable and suitable systems have been chosen.


The author presents a case report on the use of a Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) system. Illustrated is a four-work station system, in addition to which there are two 70 megabyte disk drives, a check plotter and a 24-inch wide electrostatic plotter, a 300 megabyte disk for on-line storage, a tape drive for archive and backup, and a 1-megabyte network process server. It is a distributed logic system. The author states that the CAD system both inexpensive enough and powerful enough for the plant environment is relatively new on the market, made possible by the advent of super microcomputers. Also discussed is the impact the CAD system has had on productivity.


This research is about detecting operation failures or faults from RFID infrastructure and coping with them to recover its normal operation. While the traditional RFID systems have provided limited functions about monitoring its operation status, only a few have some capability to notify system alarm to its manager or user in order to request some manual recovery procedures. This research analyses the existing methods for monitoring RFID infrastructure, and then proposes a functional system for the failure management of RFID infrastructure, called RIM (RFID Infrastructure Management) which are able to diagnose RFID system status and to execute the recovery plan for coping with, if any, failure on the RFID system. RIM takes advantage of event correlation analysis to recognize the failure type from the several RFID system events information, and to find the root cause of the failure type which may consist of one or more RFID events. This research is expected to help to maintain RFID system readily and to manage its operation status autonomously.


The invention is an improvement of lifting technology on the bondbeam 0# segment of sea cable stayed bridge. (1)Build 0# steel bent of 0# beam position based on the physical dimension of beam segment. The top of steel pipe is connected by two-frame steel 1-beam. Set two temporary brackets for bondbeam and two three-dimensional controlling devices on each longitudinal two-frame steel 1-beam. (2) Adopt barge crane to sling equipped 0# segment on the sea. (3) Put the 0# segment on the temporary brackets and three-dimensional controlling devices to realize primary insertion of the beam segment. (4) Adjust rake angle and position of the beam segment using jack on level and vertical direction based on three-dimensional controlling devices to make them according to the design requirement. Adjust range is about 20cm. (5) Set fixed steel plates on four sides of the beam segment to fix satisfying beam segments for completing secondary accurate positioning of beam segments. Strike the temporary brackets. The three-dimensional controlling devices in this invention can realize the secondary accurate positioning of the bondbeam.


Objective To observe the clinical and pathological features and treatment of autoimmune hepatitis-primary biliary cirrhosis overlap syndrome(AIH-PBC).Methods A total of 42 AIH-PBC patients were screened out from 287 ATH patients in the Third People′s Hospital of Yunnan from January 2005 to January 2011,30 of whom were given UDCA combined with prednisone,12 given UDCA,prednisone and azathioprine.General data,serum biochemical and immunological indicators and liver pathological examination were analyzed retrospectively.Results In 42 ATH-PBC patients,36 females,6 males,average onset age was(58.1±6.9)years old.All patients presented with inappetence,articular muscular soreness,abdominal distension and other clinical symptoms.28.57%(12/42)patients had hypodynamia,19.05%(8/42)had itch of skin,7.14%(3/42) had alimentary tract hemorrhage;All had edema of both lower extremities,seroperitoneum,splenohepatomegalia and other clinical signs,45.24%(19/42)had jaundice.The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)and total bilirubin(TBiL)increased in different degrees in 42 AIH-PBC patients.Globulin of immunoglobulin G(IgG) increased in 83.33%(35/42),immunoglobulin M(IgM)increased in 38.10%(16/42).The positive rates of antinuclear antibody(ANA),anti-mitochondrial antibody(AMA)and anti-smooth muscle antibody(SMA)were 97.62%,92.86%,7.14%,respectively.52.38% patients combined with sicca syndrome,4.76% with pulmonary fibrosis,14.29% with nodular goiter,11.90% with fractures of lumbar vertebrae and(or)rib.42.86% patients had plasma cell infiltration of portal area,14.29% had rosette-like change,9.52% had cholangitis or granuloma,11.90% had small bile duct proliferation,interlobular bile duct disappearance,40.48% had cholestatic liver cells,35.71% had fibroplasia of portal area and pseudolobules formation.The remission rates of all patients were 61.90%,progression rate was 28.57%,incomplete response rate 28.57%,recurrence rate 11.90%,treatment failure rate 9.25%.Conclusion AIH-PBC overlap syndrome showed double features of both AIH and PBC but not absolutely overlapping.UDCA combined glucocorticoids therapy in AIH-PBC treatment can significantly improve patients′blood biochemical indexes,delay disease progression,improve survival rate and remission rate.


Biformistrobus wui gen. et sp. nov. is described from the uppermost part of the Wutung Formation (Tournaisian, Early Carboniferous) of Kongshan, Nanjing, South China, as a lycopsid bearing a stem up to 17 mm wide, spirally arranged, narrowly obovate leaf bases, and linear to lanceolate leaves. Stems are multi-dichotomously branched, bearing two different strobili on distal tips, but the anatomical features and in situ spores are unknown. In light of the single-veined microphylls, relatively thin axes, adaxially attached sporangium on the sporophylls, and dimorphic strobili, Biformistrobus probably represents either a part of a monoecious, herbaceous lycopsid or a portion of distal branching systems from a heterosporous, arborescent lycopsid. Biformistrobus is probably endemic in the Early Carboniferous flora of South China.


Suggests that development of consciousness is a fundamental causal variable underlying the complexity of behaviours and psychological qualities associated with leadership. This unified model is supported by evidence which indicates that world‐class leaders experience a silent, expanded, restfully alert, and non‐attached state of consciousness, which forms the basis of higher states of consciousness, more frequently than comparison groups. Discusses transcendental meditation, a mental technique which systematically cultivates development of consciousness, as a technology to lay the foundations for more widespread development of leadership.


This paper describes the Experimental Power Grid Centre (EPGC) microgrid test facility, which was developed to enable research, development and testing for a wide range of distributed generation and microgrid technologies. The EPGC microgrid facility comprises a integrated electrical and thermal grid with a flexible and configurable architecture, and includes various distributed energy resources and emulators, such as generators, renewable, energy storage technologies and programmable load banks. The integrated thermal grid provides an opportunity to harness waste heat produced by the generators for combined heat, power and cooling applications, and support research in optimization of combined electrical-thermal systems. Several case studies are presented to demonstrate the testing of different control and operation strategies for storage systems in grid-connected and islanded microgrids. One of the case studies also demonstrates an integrated thermal grid to convert waste heat to useful energy, which thus far resulted in a higher combined energy efficiency. Experiment results confirm that the facility enables testing and evaluation of grid technologies and practical problems that may not be apparent in a computer simulated environment.


A natural way for cooperative tasking in multi-agent systems is through a top-down design by decomposing a global task into subtasks for each individual agent such that the accomplishments of these subtasks will guarantee the achievement of the global task. In our previous work [1], we investigated the task decomposition problem from the automata theoretic point of view, and found that not all task automata are decomposable. Moreover, necessary and suffici ent conditions on the decomposability of a task automaton between two cooperative agents were presented, and it was furthermore shown that given a concurrent systems and a decomposable task automaton, the global specification is satisfied by design, if local supervisors exist to satisfy local speci fications. This paper represents a continuation of the work in [1], and deals with the issue when failures occur in sensors, actuators and possibly communication links. The main concern under failure is whether a previously decomposable task can still be achieved collectively by the agents. Please note th at no global information on failures is assumed, and each agent is only aware of failure around itself and just trying to accomplish its previously assigned subtasks (assuming that the global task is decomposable before failures, and subtasks are obtained, accordingly). An interesting question is whether these agents can achieve the original global task in spite of failures. If not, we would like to investigate that u nder what conditions the global task could be robustly accomplished. This is actually the fault-toler ance issue of the top-down design, and the results provide designers hints on which operations (sensing, actuation or communication) is fragile with respect to failures, and whether redundancies are needed. The main objective of this paper is to


In the new CET-4,there is a new change in the reading part,i.e.the appearance of faster reading comprehension.However,many students can not succeed in doing this kind of exercise due to some bad habits in reading.The essay aims to analyze these bad habits and gives some ways of correcting.


: Invariably degrading land in Nyakach Sub County despite conservation efforts can be attributed to endemic indiscriminate sand harvesting. In seeking a lasting solution this study employed mixed method (Creswell J. W., 2006) bringing together cross sectional study design employing field based observations and quasi experimental design employing stream sand budget analysis. The former enabled the researcher to collect both quantitative and qualitative data on quantities of sand extracted and extraction frequencies at particular points in time while the latter enabled empirical experiment to evaluate stream sand budget analysis. Using Sloven's formula n = N / (1 + Ne 2 ) with a confidence level of 95% giving a 0.05 margin of error, the sample size of 398 respondents, at 75% rate of return, 298 respondents were used. Employing questionnaires, observation and interviews to collect and analyzing the resultant data using Pmcc, the resultant r value of 0.95 and a coefficient r 2 value of 0.90 revealed a very strong relationship between sand extractions and Land degradation. Sand winning was responsible for over 50% of land degradation directly and indirectly. On of reference state and stream sand budget, the study recommended technically informed and sustainable sand exploitation alongside physical structures, terraces alongside reseeding for severely degraded land as suggested by (Oldeman et al. 1990). nine calibrated metal rods dug deep in to the ground at the sampled sand harvesting sites sunk deep at the middle of the harvesting sites and on the downstream end of the harvesting sites. The readings were then averaged to come up with the general deposit depth.


Eigenvalue analysis is a well-established tool for stability analysis of dynamical systems. However, there are situations where eigenvalues miss some important features of physical models. For example, in models of incompressible fluid dynamics, there are examples where linear stability analysis predicts stability but transient simulations exhibit significant growth of infinitesimal perturbations. This behavior can be predicted by pseudo-spectral analysis. In this study, we show that an approach similar to pseudo-spectral analysis can be performed inexpensively using stochastic collocation methods and the results can be used to provide quantitative information about instability. In addition, we demonstrate that the results of the perturbation analysis provide insight into the behavior of unsteady flow simulations.


A further experiment is reported on reaction times to stimuli separated by short intervals. On this occasion an auditory stimulus was followed by a visual stimulus. Results indicate that the pattern of delays at short intervals is the same as the pattern of delays when the stimuli are presented in one modality only. This suggests a model of the human operator functioning as a single channel through which information from both sense modalities has to pass before appropriate responses are organized. An attempt is also made to reconcile data with the known facts about the peripheral and central components of reaction time and the possibility that delays are the result of occupation of the channel for a central time plus a central refractory time is suggested.


images reveal more meaningful information to the human observers rather than grayscale ones. Regardless of the advantages of the existing well-known objective image quality measures, one of the common and major limitations of these measures is that they evaluate the quality of grayscale images only and don't make use of color information. In this paper we propose an improved method for image quality assessment that adds a color comparison to the criteria of the well-known Multiscale Structural Similarity index (MSSIM). We evaluated the new color image quality measure through human subjective experiments. Our human subjective evaluation data contains 25 reference images and 875 test images produced by five popular color quantization algorithms. Each of the quantized images was evaluated by twenty two subjects and more than 19200 individual human quality judgments were carried out to obtain the final mean opinion scores. We also tested the proposed method on TID2008 image database to further verify our results. These results indicate that adding color comparison improves MSSIM for many distortions in TID2008 and for assessing quantized images in our database. Keywordsquality assessment, Structural similarity index, Color quantization.


This is article is a literature review of four entrepreneurship journal published between 2000 and 2008. A content analysis of the literature review is categorized in four competencies to be included in entrepreneurship education processes. The article use Pratt (1998) teaching model to identify the teaching perspective that best fit each competency. The article elaborate teaching content from empirical research and suggest a sequence of how to present entrepreneurship content to new students.


From a total of 131 samples of raw and processed peanut commercialized in several supermarkets of Florianopolis city, the capital of Santa Catarina State, collected from December, 1998 to July, 1999 and surveyed for aflatoxin contamination, only 12% of them were contaminated (being the most contaminated the pacoquinha followed by fried peanut with testae). The levels of aflatoxin B1 and G1 in the pacoquinha samples reached up to 127.3 and 57.1 ƒÊgkg respectively which were higher than the MRL allowed by the Brazilian legislation (30 ƒÊgkg). On the other hand, no aflatoxin contamination was detected in the following peanut products : fried and roasted peanut without testae, roasted peanut covered with honey, peanut with chocolate, Japanese peanut, and peanut butter of all brands surveyed, as well as on all raw peanut samples, corresponding to 88% of the total samples.


We give a family of linear inequalities which strictly estimate relation among the coefficients of the Alexander polynomials of alternating knots of genus two. We also give such families for positive knots of genus two, and for homogeneous knots of genus two. As an application, we determine the alternating knots of genus two such that the leading coefficients of them are less than or equal to three.


Autonomous systems of multiple-agent air/ground robotic units for exploration of the surfaces of remote planets are undergoing development. Modified versions of these systems could be used on Earth to perform tasks in environments dangerous or inaccessible to humans: examples of tasks could include scientific exploration of remote regions of Antarctica, removal of land mines, cleanup of hazardous chemicals, and military reconnaissance. A basic system according to this concept (see figure) would include a unit, suspended by a balloon or a blimp, that would be in radio communication with multiple robotic ground vehicles (rovers) equipped with video cameras and possibly other sensors for scientific exploration. The airborne unit would be free-floating, controlled by thrusters, or tethered either to one of the rovers or to a stationary object in or on the ground. Each rover would contain a semi-autonomous control system for maneuvering and would function under the supervision of a control system in the airborne unit. The rover maneuvering control system would utilize imagery from the onboard camera to navigate around obstacles. Avoidance of obstacles would also be aided by readout from an onboard (e.g., ultrasonic) sensor. Together, the rover and airborne control systems would constitute an overarching closed-loop control system to coordinate scientific exploration by the rovers.


It can be said that the relation between literature and political theory is not as prolific as that established by other disciplines such as philosophy, history and psychology. Although politics has held a central role in literature it is difficult to assert the prominence of political theory. A remarkable exception to this can be found in the novel La guerra del fin del mundo by Mario Vargas Llosa, not because the author dedicates himself to political theory but because of the complicity the plot shares with some contemporary theoretical perspectives. Within this horizon, the article proposes a reading of La guerra del fin del mundo in the light of its relation with key categories from post foundational political thought such as Heterogeneity, Antagonism, constitutive outside, empty signifier, discourse and hegemony. The article thus aims to contribute to the discussion of theoretical categories whose abstraction has often turned them difficult to assimilate. It also offers some reading clues to approach Vargas Llosa?s novel in the light of present political theory


The laser interferometer technique with noise level up to 10-12 m is described. It is based on a precise interference fringe measuring servo-system with wide range displacement linearity. The r.m.s. deviation of displacement-to-voltage transform factor is below 1% in the range of plusmn105 periods of the interference pattern shifts. The dynamic range of available displacement amplitude is near of 210 dB. The system characteristics have been accurately tested and investigated. The examples of precise interferometer applications to geophysics and technological measurements are shown.


Social work has long attempted to gain public recognition and support as a profession and as a "legitimate" university program. Although efforts to improve the image of social work as a profession have been moderately successful, attempts to solve the problems within the university setting are yielding less than satisfactory results. This article carefully considers the dual roles of social work within the university as both an academic discipline and as a profession. Eight criteria are identified that clearly differentiate professional disciplines from academic disciplines. These criteria are presented in an attempt to help identify the problems with which social work educators struggle. Five guiding principles—(1) cooperation, (2) identity, (3) education, (4) leadership, and (5) fact-finding—are offered for consideration as strategies and solutions for developing a plan of action.


Within the framework of this article, an analysis will be made of the history of the development of the cassation appeal in the civil process, a comparison of the legislative provisions with the legislation of foreign countries, the factors that have influenced the development and change of the cassation appeal are analyzed. To date, assessments of judicial reform carried out in the Russian Federation over the past year are mixed. Researchers note both positive and negative aspects. Obviously, one can speak reasonably about shortcomings and positive aspects only after a certain period of functioning of the new courts and the action of the new cassation appeal procedure. However, within the framework of this article, we will cover this issue now, and the current provisions regarding the cassation appeal of the Russian civil procedural law and the procedure for the operation of the courts of cassation in foreign countries have correlated.


The understanding that natural resources are finite is leading organizations to redefine their supply chain toward sustainability. In this way, the purpose of this article is to investigate if the sustainable practices applied within the supply chain are following all the dimensions proposed by the concept of sustainable development. Therefore, a systematic review of the literature was carried out within the CAPES journal base from 2004 to 2017. From this sample, sustainable practices were segmented into economic, social and environmental, orientated by the sustainability tripod. The result shows that the economic and environmental dimensions have significant relevance regarding the adoption of sustainable practices in the supply chain whereas no significant evidence was found within the social context. New studies will be needed to understand why companies are not including the social issue in their sustainable practices within the supply chain and what can be done to reverse this situation.


Effective therapies against sepsis, which is commonly encountered in critical care units, have been long awaited. In this study, we examined the effects of pre-administered neuraminidase inhibitors, oseltamivir phosphate and zanamivir hydrate, on intestinal paralysis in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)induced endotoxicosis model in guinea pigs. Intestinal movement and body temperature of guinea pigs were measured successively. Intestinal movement was observed by telemetry using a force transducer installed on the taenia caecum. Simultaneously, body temperature was measured using a plate-type thermometer attached to the dorsum of the animal. On the 4th post-operative day, when intestinal movement was stabilized, lipopolysaccharide (LPS, E. coli, 0111:B4) was administered intraperitoneally. Oseltamivir and zanamivir were administrated orally and subcutaneously respectively, one hour prior to administration of LPS. In addition, to examine a neuraminidase activity in guinea pig, the level of free sialic acid in serum was measured using a periodate-resorcinol method. It was revealed that neuraminidase inhibitors, dosedependently prevented intestinal muscle relaxation and decreases in body temperature. Free sialic acid levels in guinea pig serum were decreased, indicating that oseltamivir effectively prevented neuraminidase activity. These results suggest that neuraminidase inhibitors can prevent LPS-induced intestinal paralysis and hypothermia inhibiting neuraminidase activity in guinea pigs, thus have a therapeutic potential for prevention of the worsening of endotoxicosis. (JJAAM 2007;18:127-34)


Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii . 1 Most human infections follow contact with parturient ruminants, although occasional infections have also been linked to contact with infected cats, dogs, wild animals, and pigeons. 1 Disease outbreaks have also been reported in towns downwind to birthing infected animals due to windborne spread of contaminated dust. 2 C. burnetii infection has been previously reported in both humans and animals from central and eastern Europe, including Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 3 − 5 Q fever has historically been considered enzootic in this region.


Two algorithms are presented: one, DALG-II, computes a test to detect a failure in acyclic logic circuits; the other, TEST-DETECT, ascertains all failures detected by a given test. Both are based upon the utilization of a ``calculus of D-cubes'' that provides the means for effectively performing the necessary computations for very large logic circuits. Strategies for combining the two algorithms into an efficient diagnostic test generation procedure are given. APL specifications of the algorithms are given in an Appendix.


The article presents the essential features of strategic-marketing management as a basis for the effective and efficient control of the processes of local (gmina) government development, and in consequence the best way of satisfying the collective needs of inhabitants. The author indicates the role of local government in the regulation, creation and stimulation of local development and moreover the need for a complex approach to local development problems. The evolution of the approach to local development management in Polish local (gmina) authority areas is also presented. Against this background the paper presents the essence, concepts, elementary features and successive stages of the management of strategic-marketing development in local authority areas. Outcomes of the analysis show that achieving success in activities for local government development depends significantly on the efficient and effective use of management methods. One of these methods, according to the author, is the strategic-marketing method. As a result of this approach the synergy effect should be generated, that is an effect of value added beyond the simple sum of results obtained as a consequence of complementary management methods. This approach shows that priorities, goals and implementation tasks are determined comprehensively, honestly and are compatible with a realistic possibility of execution and financing. In consequence the effectiveness of implementation activities is an enhanced, which translates into a higher level of satisfaction of the collective needs of the inhabitants, increase in the attractiveness of the location, an improvement of its image and increasing competitiveness of the urban communes in the surrounding area.


The purpose of this study is to examine the effect; financial leverage, profitability, underwriter reputation, company age and company size against underpricing of company shares that carried out an initial public offering on the Indonesia Stock Exchange from 2007 to 2013. The data used in this study is cross sectional data, namely prospectus data in the form of annual financial reports company, underwriter data, company age and size issued by the Indonesia Stock Exchange for the period 2007-2013. The data analysis method used is multiple linear regression. Data analysis begins with variable descriptive statistics, classic assumption tests, and hypothesis testing. The results of the research partially show that financial leverage has a positive effect on underpricing, while profitability, the reputation of the underwriter, the age of the company and the size of the company negatively affect underpricing. The results of the study indicate that together (simultaneous) financial leverage, profitability, underwriter reputation, company age and company size influence underpricing.


Since privatisation and liberalisation of the UK energy industry, domestic consumer choice has diversified. Green electricity consumer products are now offered by several energy utilities. This paper examines the extent to which low carbon housing has developed in the UK as a new product in a similar way to green electricity. Low carbon housing is defined as housing that results in a significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions (principally carbon dioxide) over the course of its lifetime. The production of housing and energy in the UK is now mainly carried out by commercial organisations. If there was significant consumer demand for green products, one would anticipate that these organisations would respond. This paper will show, however, that in contrast to the availability of green electricity in the energy sector, latent consumer demand for low carbon housing is not being met. It is argued that producers have developed green products, or not, according to the extent to which they challenge their existing mode of operation. Evidence will be presented from a study of the organisations involved in low carbon housing in one region of the UK, the East Midlands, as well as from national surveys. Commercial housing producers have not initiated low carbon housing in the East Midlands to date, but rather have responded on an ad hoc basis to public sector sustainability criteria. One exception is discussed: a commercial house builder who builds only low carbon housing.


Acetylene, C2H2, plays an important role in the photochemistry of the atmospheres of the giant planets, in part because of its strong absorption features in the 145–200 nm region where there is significant solar flux. Accurate photoabsorption cross section data at the temperatures of planetary atmospheres are required for interpretation of observations and for reliable photochemical models. We have measured the photoabsorption cross sections of acetylene at 195 and 295 K in the wavelength range 147–201 nm. (The 295 K measurements extend to 137 nm.) The high-resolution spectrometers employed had instrumental bandwidths smaller than those used in previous measurements and therefore produced cross sections that are less influenced by instrumental effects. Our results indicate that hot bands make small but significant contributions to the room temperature absorption spectrum of C2H2. Photochemical models of planetary atmospheres should employ cross sections measured at the temperatures of these atmospheres.


Debian is one of the eldest Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) distribution in existence. The project has been founded in 1993 to further Free Software distribution and is still doing so in an purely community-based way. The Debian Project and distribution are both made by volunteers who employ a dual "do-ocratic" (a form of meritocracy based on the outcome of individual work) and democratic model to make decisions and drive Debian toward the goal of creating the best possible entirely Free Software operating system. The uniqueness of Debian is manifest in its Free Software values, independence from commercial interests, and in its importance as the basis of a huge ecosystem of several hundreds derived distributions, which includes today's most popular GNU/Linux distributions.
 In this talk I will present the Debian Project and distribution, discuss its unique traits, as well as outline the communication challenges that a distribution entirely based on "geek" communities has to face...


It is a pleasure to introduce this special issue of the e-Competitions Bulletin relating to the State aid investigations of corporate tax arrangements. Since June 2013, when the European…


Purpose – The objective of this study was to investigate the placement, role, functioning, and human resource aspects of IT departments in Kuwaiti corporate companies in the banking and finance sector.Design/methodology/approach – The results of this study are based on an interview‐based survey of IT managers in 17 banking, finance and investment companies in Kuwait. Data were collected through open‐ended interviews, focused upon the profile and organizational characteristics of IT operations, including placement, reporting relationship, role of managers, human resources, and internal organization. Information was collected about employment of servers, operating environments and applications of IT systems and networks these companies were using.Findings – It has been found that most companies had elaborate IT functions where IT managers played a significant role. Large companies had built in‐house systems with little outsourcing while the majority of the other companies used turnkey systems and a great de...


This paper proposes a tag antenna for radio frequency identification (RFID) food system. The RFID tag antenna is designed and fabricated based on the rectangular loop concept used in the UHF band (Korean and Japanese standards, 916.7 923.5 MHz). The proposed tag antenna is composed of a radiation patch, sensor tag chip, temperature sensor, oscillator, and battery. We conjugated matching between the tag antenna and the sensor tag using a U-shaped stub. Details of the proposed tag antenna design and the simulated and measured results are presented and discussed.


Although rare, hyperparathyroidism during pregnancy is associated with increased fetal and maternal morbidity. This is the second reported case of co-existing parathyroid carcinoma hyperparathyroidism and pregnancy.


This paper proposes a 3D visualization method of mine monitoring data based on color gradual interpolation for solving the problems on insipidity of mine monitoring data and difficulty of incompletion of expressing monitoring data information.The monitoring data is divided into several layer levels,and the data of each layer level is changed into a gray value,then the gray value is mapped to the color space according to the color coding.Neighboring synusia in false color image is processed on smoothing transition on the basis of method of color gradual interpolation.Experimental results show that this method can make the layer level of false image color enhanced,smooth the color transition and benefit the express of the information of mine monitoring data.


Objective: The aim of this study is to determine concurrent structural and chromosomal anomalies in the cases found to have fetal urinary system anomaly. Methods: The pregnant women established with the diagnosis of fetal urinary system anomaly in our clinic between 2010 and 2015 were included in the study. Age, week of gestation, gravida, parity, number of abortion, anomaly type, presence of concurrent anomaly, prenatal diagnosis method and fetal karyotype results of the pregnant women were recorded. Urinary system anomalies were categorized in sub-groups which were renal agenesis, pyelectasis, multicystic dysplastic kidney, polycystic kidney and megacystis. Results: Pyelectasis was the most common fetal urinary system anomaly. In terms of other concurrent anomalies, the central nervous system anomaly was the most common anomaly seen in 17 (28.3%) pregnant women. The most common concurrent urinary system anomalies seen with additional anomalies were unilateral pyelectasis (91.7%), unilateral renal agenesis (75%), bilateral multicystic dysplastic kidney (66.7%), and bilateral pyelectasis (62.5%). Anhydramnios developed in 5 (8.3%) cases. When karyotype results were assessed, it was seen that one (1.7%) case had triploidy, and 16 (26.6%) cases had trisomy. Of the cases with trisomy as karyotype, 3 (17.6%) had isolated urinary system anomaly and other 14 (82.4%) had additional anomaly. The difference between the cases whose karyotype results were normal, and trisomy and the cases with additional anomaly was statistically significant (p=0.040). Conclusion: The concurrent structural and chromosomal anomalies should be determined in the management of pregnancies with fetal urinary system anomaly diagnosed during prenatal period.


Introduction: Adolescent substance misuse is increasingly being viewed as a systemic as well as individual problem and several studies have shown the benefits of increased parental involvement. Aim: To evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of a Non-Violent Resistance group parent-training programme delivered within a Young People's Specialist Substance Misuse Treatment Service. Method: Questionnaire measures were administered to 18 participants before and after the programme, and at follow-up. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with 8 participants. Results: Measures of parental self-efficacy, family functioning, and goal-based outcomes all showed significant improvement at the end the programme. Improvement in parental self-efficacy, but not family functioning, remained significant at follow-up. The interview data suggests that all parents experienced the programme as helpful, however, also highlighted some challenges. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that group NVR training is effective and acceptable for parents of adolescents misusing substances. Limitations and ideas for further research are discussed.


American Association of Teachers of German (191) American Association of Teachers of Italian (442) American Association of Teachers of Slavic and East European Languages (314, 341) American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (271) American Association of University Supervisors and Coordinators (260) American Boccaccio Association (208) American Comparative Literature Association (579) American Conference for Irish Studies (229) American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (443) American Folklore Society (463) American Humor Studies Association (483) American Literature Society (21, 583, 638) American Name Society (610) American Portuguese Studies Association (136, 510) American Psychoanalytic Association (447) American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (342) American heatre and Drama Society (168) Association des Amis d'André Gide (348) Association for Business Communication (508) Association for Computers and the Humanities (245, 487) Association for Documentary Editing (205) Association for the Study of American Indian Literatures (369) Association for the Study of Dada and Surrealism (378) Association for the Study of Literature and the Environment (246, 683) Association of Departments and Programs of Comparative Literature (230) Byron Society of America (365) Cervantes Society of America (574) Children's Literature Association (325, 739) College English Association (270) College Language Association (344) Community College Humanities Association (515) Conference on Christianity and Literature (91) Conference on College Composition and Communication (105, 470) Conseil International d'Études Francophones (280) Council of Editors of Learned Journals (99, 273) Council of Literary Magazines and Presses (324) Council of Writing Program Administrators (161, 254) D. H. Lawrence Society of North America (335) Dante Society of America (310, 559) Dickens Society (218, 747) Doris Lessing Society (240) Edith Wharton Society (244) Allied Organization Sessions


Frequency stability of oscillators implemented with SAW delay lines on statically stressed quartz substrates has been investigated for applications to sensors. These oscillators under changes of surrounding hydrostatic pressure or temperature behave quite differently from unstressed oscillators. A high sensitivity to environmental pressure variation was observed. It was measured as a function of the static stress magnitude and reaches a few I0-6/mbar. Moreover the change in temperature frequency shift versus stress for AT cut quartz substrates is reported. Then taking into account these phenomena, aging of dual stressed oscillators over a few hours, several days and months was found.


Abstract : Multibeam interference lithography is investigated as a manufacturing technique for three-dimensional photonic crystal templates. In this research, optimization of the optical setup and the photoresist initiation system leads to a significant improvement of the optical quality ofthe crystal, as characterized by normal incidence optical spectroscopy. Theoretical spectra are calculated and demonstrate close agreement with experimental values, indicating that this fabrication process achieves excellent optical quality. X-ray microscopy provides nondestructive inspection of the fabricated crystals at nano-scale resolution. A reconstructed crystal model is generated by computed tomography which allows for comparison to a predicted structures geometry and optical spectra. Using the polymer crystal as a template, electrodeposition is performed to completely infiltrate the crystal with Cu2O. After polymer removal the inverted Cu2O crystal exhibits a high peak reflectance at the predicted wavelength, indicating the structure is an exact inverse of the template. A conformal growth algorithm is developed for the commonly used chemical vapor deposition infiltration technique to explaingrowth results and verified experimentally with atomic layer deposition of oxide materials. Finally, a customized chemically amplified positive photoresist system and its processing steps are developed as a route to zero-shrinkage template material for high fidelity patterning of the designed interference patterns.


The unsteady movement of the groundwater table in an equally spaced subsurface drainage system was studied to estimate lateral drain spacing, taking evaporation from bare soil into consideration. A physical model was installed in the field and exposed to atmospheric conditions to evaluate the effect of evaporation from the soil surface on the recession of the groundwater table in different soil types. The applied soil types were clay, silty clay loam and sand. In addition, a well‐known drain discharge equation was combined with a general evaporation equation and a new formula for unsteady movement of the groundwater table was deduced. The deduced equation was used to determine the subsurface drain spacing, taking evaporation into consideration in the design process. The results showed that taking evaporation into account in the design of subsurface drain spacing leads to wider drain spacing (24, 74 and 23% for clay, silty clay loam and sand soils, respectively). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The choice of the area operator in loop quantum gravity is by no means unique. In addition to the area operator commonly used in loop quantum gravity there is also an area operator introduced by Krasnov in 1998, which gives uniformly spaced area spectra for the horizons of spacetime. Using Krasnov's area operator we consider the thermodynamics of spherically symmetric spacetimes equipped with horizons in loop quantum gravity. Among other things, our approach implies, in a pretty simple manner, that every horizon of spacetime emits thermal radiation and possesses emtropy which, in the natural units, is one-quarter of its area. When applied to the de Sitter spacetime loop quantum gravity provides an explanation both to the presence and the smallness of the cosmological constant.


This study aims to suggest macrolevel framework for the design of spectrum auction and relevant policy directions to improve the usage efficiencies of spectrum which will be secured as Korean government pushes forward with the mobile Gwangaeto plan. To develop a framework, we have selected representative European countries which have actively pursued 4G spectrum auction and analyzed decision-making process of spectrum auction and relevant factors in the decision-making. Then we have applied findings to domestic spectrum auction. Considering domestic environment, we find that integrated spectrum auction is the best option. It would bring better result if the integrated auction is implemented in twice. In addition, it would be better to follow CCA or sealed bid auction. Spectrum cap should be applied to 700MHz, 1.8GHz, and 2.6GHz bandwidth. (written in Korean)


Zong Bai-hua introduces the category of "sympathy" in his esthetic thinking,which stresses not only "connection and similarity" of the emotional state,but also the activeness of the subject main body in understanding and interacting with the object.The introduction of this category has highlighted Zong Bai-hua's value pursuit in his esthetics and expanded his esthetic notion that art is the open manifestation of the creator's personality.Meanwhile,it theoretically prepares for the combination of his personal esthetic thoughts and the search of truth in cosmos and life,thus it guarantees an improvement of his esthetics ideology system with salvation as the value foundation.


Globalization & Internationalization impacts on cross-cultural organizational change and leadership : A comparative study  between Higher education institutions in collectivistic and individualistic countries


The design of adaptive equalizers is an important topic for practical implementation of efficient digital communications. The application of a radial basis function neural network (RBF) for blind channel equalization is analysed. This architecture is well suited for equalization of finite impulse response (FIR) channels partly because the network model closely matches the data model. This allows a rather straightforward design of an optimal receiver, in a Bayesian sense. It also provides a simple framework for data classification, in which more complex nonlinear distortions can be accommodated with virtually no modifications. A clustering algorithm for dynamic creation and combination of local units is proposed, which eliminates the need for channel order estimation. An initialization procedure for the output linear layer is also presented. The network performance is illustrated with Monte Carlo simulations for a family of random channels.


Indentation by a Vicker's diamond pyramid is used to introduce flaws of controlled residual strength into the surface of silica optical fibers. The indentation sites exhibit plastic deformation with an associated residual stress field. They are considered to be a good model for abrasion damage and also model the thermal stresses around an adhering particle on the fiber surface. The indentation technique is therefore used to investigate the behavior of very weak flaws whose strength is close to the proof-stress level. At high indentation loads radial cracks that severely degrade the strength are formed. At lower loads the subthreshold indentations do not have well-defined radial cracks and are correspondingly stronger.


In this study, we characterized the potential cytotoxicity of Prodigiosa herbal tea on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cells in vitro. HepG2 were submitted to both concentration and time-dependent toxicity evaluation of the herbal tea of Prodigiosa (0–200 mg·L−1) following exposures of 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was determined with the (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and the data reported relative to the non-treated cells. Cellular toxicity was observed at concentrations greater than 100 mg·L−1 of Prodigiosa with a clear indication of time-dependent decrease in cell viability. In contrast the 100 mg·L−1 significantly stimulated cell growth over the non-treated cells. The expression data indicated that Prodigiosa alters glucose transporter (GLUT2) protein and cDNA levels in HeG2 cells. The preliminary data from this study suggest that the effects from Prodigiosa herbal tea negatively influence HepG2 cell viability, GLUT2 protein, and mRNA expression at concentrations greater than 100 mg·L−1. Ongoing work in our laboratory will characterize the specific bioactive compound that is associated with the regulatory mechanisms of Prodigiosa on GLUT2 expression and the effects of Prodigiosa in normal liver cells.


Bekele, E. 1984. Analysis of regional patterns of phenotypic diversity in the Ethiopian tetraploid and hexaploid wheats. —Hereditas 100:131–154. Lund, Sweden. ISSN 0018–0661. Received October 25, 1983

153 populations of tetraploid and 72 populations of hexaploid wheats collected in Ethiopia from 20 and 17 regions, respectively, were grown in a greenhouse, and 6331 and 2700 individuals of tetraploids and hexaploids were studied for basal spikelet fertility, awn colour, glume colour, glume hairiness, kernel colour, kernel weight, number of tillers, plant height, spike length, number of spikelets per spike, and number of seeds per spike. Analyses of regional patterns of character variation to determine the relative contribution of various regions to germplasm resources showed differences in the level of importance of useful germplasm material. Polymorphism of characters studied is higher in tetraploids. The contribution to the total variation varies among characters. In both tetraploids and hexaploids the contribution to the total phenotypic diversity is highest at the lowest level (within localities), followed by the differences among populations in a region, and among regions. Both tetraploids and hexaploids are assumed to equally rely on phenotypic plasticity in adapting to the multiplicity of environments, and TWINSPAN analysis showed differences in the frequencies of characters prefemng negative and positive groups differentially among the various regions. Combinations of characters showed dissimilarity among regions and between ploidy levels. This may mean particular adaptive strategies through the effect of correlated characters.


Cutting costs and saving resources is an issue now relevant to every link in the supply chain reports the All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group Link to Link: Driving Resource Efficiency across Supply Chains covers how each stage of the supply chain can become more resource-efficient and cut waste. The All-Party Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group has brought together industry experts and 10 case studies to examine how this can be done. The APSRG is making 12 recommendations, most notably calling for the government to conduct a call for evidence on the state of play of resource efficiency in UK companies to determine barrier preventing them from being resource efficient.


The gap functions for generalized vector quasivariational inequalities in Haus-dorff topological vector spaces are introduced, then using Fan–Knaster–Kura-towski–Mazurkiewicz (FKKM) theorem, some existence theorems for a class of generalized vector quasivariational inequalities under suitable assumptions are established. The obtained results extend and unify corresponding results in the literature.


HyTrust made generally available version 2.1 of its access control and change management applicance for VMware virtual infrastructures. This version is an update to version ...


Current lighting methods rely on static manual techniques, which require de signers to anticipate and account for all possible situations and actor actions. This research explores how 'Performing Arts' wed to 'Affective Computing' will lead to a new computational model of emotion. In this paper, we present a new interactive lighting design model based on cinematic and theatric lighting design approaches. The proposed model is designed to automatically, and in real-time, adjust lighting in a scene to accommodate the continually evolving dramatic situation, while maintaining the desired style, aesthetic function and ensuring visual continuity with respect to the desired response.


In 1966, Ian McWhinney argued that general practice should be a discipline and predicted that its research would thrive in the twilight zones where branches of knowledge converge.[1][1] In a review in this issue of Annals , Kueper et al have uncovered one such zone at the interface between computer


478 Background: Resistance invariably develops in all patients with metastatic ccRCC treated with mTOR inhibitors. Previously we demonstrated that dual inhibition of Hsp90 and the mTOR pathway in lung cancer models leads to synergistic reductions in tumor growth. Herein, we tested the efficacy of ganetespib as a single agent and in combination with mTOR inhibition using in vitro and in vivoccRCC models. Methods: For the in vitro work we utilized the following seven ccRCC cell lines: Caki-1, Caki-2, A-498, A-704, 769-P, 786-O, ACHN. For the in vivo work we used A498 xenografts. In vitro, we determined the single agent EC50 of everolimus and ganetespib at 72 hours by assessing percent viability of A498 cells compared to vehicle using the MTS assay. We then performed combinations of ganetespib and everolimus at EC20, EC30, and EC50 in A498 cells. Translating these studies in vivo, we compared the combinatorial activity of ganetespib and temsirolimus to monotherapy in mice bearing A498 tumor xenografts. Resul...


ABSTRACT: The oncogenic human papillomaviruses (HPV) are straightly associated with anogenital cancer and dysplasia. TheHPV-16 is the most common type, isolated in 87% of the HPV -positive anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Despite being a raretumor, the incidence of SCC has increased in the last decades, especially in males. Incidence is particularly high amongst menwho have sex with men (MSM) and among HIV infected men and women. For decades anogenital HPV researches have largelyfocused risk groups. Poor interest was intended to men who have sex with women (MSW). Prevalence studies of HPV infection inMSW have demonstrated that anal infection was identified in as far as 12%. Medical societies and specialists recommend analscreening with cytology for HIV infected men and women, and MSM. Until now, there is no evidence to recommend analscreening for MSW .Key words: Human Papillomavirus infections, prevalence. Men´s health. Intra-epithelial neoplasia. Cytology , anal canal. REFERENCIAS


This study by Brady et al. has an extremely laudable aim of trying to gain a deep understanding of the experience of a person with dysarthria interacting with rehabilitation services and managing their condition day-to-day in their own environment. Their stated method of using a 'constant comparative approach (grounded theory)' would be an excellent approach to exploring the topic. Unfortunately I cannot see that their methodology bears much resemblance to grounded theory or constant comparison at all. Grounded theory is a method of conducting research, not of analysing data. The goal is to formulate hypotheses based on conceptual ideas emerging from the data and to verify them by comparison. The hallmark of this type of research is that data collection should begin without forming one's own hypotheses so initial interviews should be only very loosely structured. Data analysis should take place simultaneously with data collection and further interviews should not be planned in advance of analysis and emerging theory – the process of data collection and analysis is not sequential. Selection of subjects for further interviews should be purposeful and relevant to the theories that are emerging from the data.1 By excluding in advance, people with dysarthria and depression or other conditions, the researchers have very much imposed their own ideas and beliefs on the project. By analysing the data after interviews have concluded, constant comparison has not taken place and any emergent theories cannot then be explored and compared in future interviews. We are left with ad hoc reporting of some interviews of a narrow spectrum of people with dysarthria which nevertheless give us some fascinating insight into their experiences. One cannot help wonder what might have been if the stated methodology had been followed through.


This issue of the Journal showcases the work of health services in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health care settings across Australia. The research reported provides clear indication of where funding is likely to improve the health of Indigenous peoples. It also creates an economic imperative for action, in addition to the social justice arguments made elsewhere.1 The health care gaps highlighted require policy responses and long-term fi nancial investment. However, there is uncertainty over the ongoing funding of many Closing the Gap initiatives as well as Aboriginal community controlled health services (ACCHSs) and Medicare Locals. There is also no certainty to the future of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan 2013–2023.2 Panaretto and colleagues describe outcomes achieved by ACCHSs3 among a population poorly served by the health system.4 They see the ACCHS model of comprehensive, holistic, ongoing primary care as being akin to the medical home model widely espoused in Australia and internationally.5 They also note that its benefi ts in terms of employment are an important contributor to the economic benefi ts of ACCHSs.6 Two studies from the Northern Territory show the need for increased investment in Indigenous primary health care. Using a rigorous mixed-methods approach in a remote clinic, Gador-Whyte and colleagues estimated that providing the recommended standard of care for patients with type 2 diabetes and chronic kidney disease would require a 44% increase in funding (an additional $1733 per patient per annum).7 Thomas and colleagues suggest that covering such a shortfall would be cheaper than picking up the costs in the hospital setting. Their analysis showed that for patients with type 2 diabetes, each dollar invested in primary care could save up to $12.90 in hospital costs.8 In their study of 24 "sentinel sites" around Australia, Bailie and colleagues found that despite increasing rates of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health assessments, the follow-up needed to improve health outcomes was not being consistently taken up.9 This further illustrates the importance of supporting the development of primary health systems, as does a recent systematic review showing benefi t from health checks by the patient's usual primary care doctor.10 Bailie et al call for health service support "in developing systems and organisational capability to undertake follow-up of health assessments, but more importantly to reorient to high-quality, populationbased and patient-centred chronic illness care" — the sort of care that requires increased investment in primary health care.7 The local and international evidence is unequivocal: affordable, effective and equitable health care requires well supported, comprehensive primary health care. The ACCHS model achieves these outcomes. What is required now is ongoing commitment to targeted funding by state and federal governments, starting with implementation of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan;2 commitment to ongoing long-term funding for Closing the Gap initiatives; and long-term investment in services delivering primary health care to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people — in particular, ACCHSs. This is not only required for equitable health care but also makes sound economic sense. This investment is clearly a critical issue in light of the proposed federal Budget cuts to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives.11 There is also clear evidence that out-of-pocket costs have a direct impact on access to health care.12 The GP copayment will pose a barrier to accessing the level of primary health care suggested by Thomas et al Brad Murphy MB BS, FRACGP Chair


SEPERATION OF ARSENIC, BORON AND LITHIUM FROM WATER BY USING FUNCTIONAL RESINS, FIBERS AND INORGANIC ION EXCHANGER λ-MnO2 ÖZKULA, Gülşah MSc in Chemistry Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Müşerref ARDA Co-Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Nalan KABAY (Chemical Engineering Department) June 2014, 123 pages Due to the growing of world population, water resources remain unchanged, thus, the demand for water increases every day. Therefore, finding new water resources and developing water purification methods become necessary. The utilization of geothermal water can be an alternative solution on this respect. Geothermal waters have a high mineral content. Boron which exists in geothermal water is required for some metabolic activities of plants, but if the concentration of boron is high, it leads to adverse effects. Lithium recovery from geothermal waters is important for industrial applications such as production of cell phones batteries and nuclear fusion. In this study, boron selective chelating resin Amberlite PWA-10 and composite fiber synthesized in Japan with graft polymerization were investigated and compared according to their performance for boron removal from geothermal water. Moreover, mathematical models were used to investigate the rate order and rate determining step of boron sorption for boron selective resin and composite fiber adsorbents. Also, lithium recovery studies were carried out by ion exchangemembrane filtration methods using lithium selective inorganic adsorbent λ-MnO2. Besides, poly(N-(4-vinyl benzyl)-N-metyl glucamine, P(VbNMDG) resin and poly[(Ar-vinylbenzyl) trimetyl ammonium chloride], P(ClVBTA) resin which contains quarternary ammonium group were synthesized at Concepcion University, Chile. The sorption performances of these resins for arsenic were investigated. For this, adsorption studies were carried out and the results of these studies were applied to the kinetic and adsorption isotherm models. x


We work with non-planar rooted trees which have a label set given by an arbitrary vector space $V$. By equipping $V$ with a complete locally convex topology, we show how a natural topology is induced on the tree algebra over $V$. In this context, we introduce the Grossman-Larson and Connes-Kreimer topological Hopf algebras over $V$, and prove that they form a dual pair in a certain sense. As an application we define the class of branched rough paths over a general Banach space, and propose a new definition of a solution to a rough differential equation (RDE) driven by one of these branched rough paths. We show equivalence of our definition with a Davie-Friz-Victoir-type definition, a version of which is widely used for RDEs with geometric drivers, and we comment on applications to RDEs with manifold-valued solutions.


A Hering decomposition of type t and order n is a factorization of the complete directed graph DKninto arc disjoint t -circuits for which the following conditions hold: (1) The vertices and arcs of DKnare partitioned into arc disjoint parallel classes, each containing n?1 t circuits and a single vertex. (2) Any two parallel classes have exactly one edge (undirected arc) in common. For each parallel class Pi, 1 ?i?n there corresponds a permutation?i acting on the letter set {1, 2,? , n } as follows:?i (k) =l iff (k,l ) is an arc of Pi. Let G be the group generated by?1 , ?2,? , ?n. The given configuration is inner transitive if G permutes the parallel classes transitively. In this paper we study the interaction between an inner-transitive Hering configuration and the structure of the corresponding group G. In particular, we classify all the pairs (n, t) for which an inner-transitive Hering configuration of type t and order n exists.


The"Filial piety"is one of the core idea of the Confucian ideology.The construction of the filial piety by Confucius and Mencius is based on the origin of life as emotional.But after then filial piety gradually has been ossified as moral doctrines and forgot the voluminous origin which is the emotional life.Now,if we want to rebuild the current filial piety,we must not only interpret the filial piety as moral doctrines,but rebuild it on the base of the Confucian"filial piety"in the concept of emotional origin of life.


Abstract : This study examined how key selected Department of Energy (DOE) laboratory capabilities align with Department of Defense (DoD) microelectronics requirements. DoD microelectronics, electronic materials, and electronic integration technology requirements were identified in the annual Defense Technology Area Plan (DTAP). An analysis of open information was used to select the key DOE laboratories with focused activities in the microelectronics area. The selected organizations were visited by the study team. The resulting analysis shows that the selected DOE laboratories and facilities have strong microelectronics capabilities in a wide range of areas relevant to the DTAP areas examined. A number of opportunities are identified for cooperative DoD-DOE microelectronics activities. Recommendations are made on areas of further analysis particularly in better coordinating and managing the defense interests across agencies.


Computational simulations are a popular method for testing hypotheses about the emergence of communication. This kind of research is performed in a variety of traditions including language evolution, developmental psychology, cognitive science, machine learning, robotics, etc. The motivations for the models are different, but the operationalizations and methods used are often similar. We identify the assumptions and explanatory targets of several most representative models and summarise the known results. We claim that some of the assumptions -- such as portraying meaning in terms of mapping, focusing on the descriptive function of communication, modelling signals with amodal tokens -- may hinder the success of modelling. Relaxing these assumptions and foregrounding the interactions of embodied and situated agents allows one to systematise the multiplicity of pressures under which symbolic systems evolve. In line with this perspective, we sketch the road towards modelling the emergence of meaningful symbolic communication, where symbols are simultaneously grounded in action and perception and form an abstract system.


Abstract : This work concentrated on interpreting ocean-floor geomorphology, especially by fine-scale studies of sites where relief is being actively created or modified, by tectonism and volcanism (e.g. at plate boundaries and young seamounts) or by bottom current activity. An important focus of the latter aspect was to learn how to use deep-sea bedforms (the clearest evidence of geologically effective bottom currents) to infer characteristics of the forcing flow and the benthic boundary layer, as well as for delineating rates and routes of sediment transport.


Aim:To explore the value of linkage analysis on prenatal diagnosis of non-deletion Duchenne muscle dys-trophy(DMD) pedigrees using dinucleotide repeat polymorphisms (CA)n in DMD gene as markers. Methods: Linkage a-nalysis was performed with four intragenic short tandem repeats (i44, i45, i49, i50) in DMD gene, combined with sexual determination by karyotyping analysis for fetus. Results: In prenatal diagnosis of sixteen non-deletion DMD pedigrees, four male and two female fetuses carried inherited risk X chromosome, and one female and nine male fetuses were normal. The reliability of the test was confirmed by the second test for the DNA of neonates and monitoring for the clinical symptoms of DMD. Conclusion: With strict control for normative detection procedure and effective quality control,linkage analysis combined with sexual determination is effective laboratory test in the clinical prenatal diagnosis for the risk fetus of DMD.


Aiming at demands of E-government construction of China,the paper introduced the basec axiom of the workflow and workflow refence model clefined by workflow management coatition(wfMC)on this basis,this paper puts forward the design of the architectural structure of the E-government system based on workflow.Besides,some issues are discussed,such as the realization of the Workflow Engine in the E-government system and the security authorization mechanism of Workflow.


(WIm FOUR FIGURES) During a visit to Trinidad extending from December i9, I9I2, to May i6, 19I3, made by Dr. ROLAND THAXTER of Harvard University for the purpose of collecting insects and fungi, especially Pyrenomycetes, a number of Uredinales were secured, chiefly in the latter half of the period. The island of Tobago was also visited for a day in May. This island lies about thirty miles northeast of Trinidad, and geographically is to be considered with it in a study of the flora. The two islands lie close to the northern coast of South America, and in their faunal and floral relations belong to that continent. The Uredinales, consisting of about forty-five numbers, including two from Tobago, were recently submitted to the writer for study by THAXTER. They have been found to represent thirtyseven species of rusts, and to fall into the unusually large percentage of fourteen genera. Two of the species appear to be undescribed, and one of these seems sufficiently distinctive to be the type of a new genus. Little is known of the rusts of Trinidad, and the independent publication of this interesting list of species appears to be worth while. A few numbers have been added, which were collected in 19I5 and i9i6 and sent to the writer by Mr. JAMES B. RORER, Mvcologist to the Board of Agriculture of Trinidad from i909 to i9i8, and earlier assistant in botany at Harvard University. He sent four numbers, which show the same high percentage of species and genera as those from THAXTER, there being four species, one of them a most interesting undescribed form, and three genera. All of the species and two of the genera are unrepresented in the THAXTER collection.


Despite the increasing popularity of mobile applications and the widespread adoption of encryption techniques, mobile devices are still susceptible to security and privacy risks. In this paper, we propose ActiveTracker, a new type of sniffing attack that can reveal the fine-grained trajectory of user's mobile app usage from a sniffed encrypted Internet traffic stream. It firstly adopts a sliding window based approach to divide the encrypted traffic stream into a sequence of segments corresponding to different app activities. Then each traffic segment is represented by a normalized temporal-spacial traffic matrix and a traffic spectrum vector. Based on the normalized representation, a deep neural network (DNN) classification algorithm is developed to recognize the crucial activities conducted with different apps by the user. We show by extensive experiments on real-world app usage traffic collected from volunteers that the proposed approach achieves up to 78.5% accuracy in recognizing app trajectory over encrypted traffic streams.


The current competitive environment in the banking sector aims to increase customer loyalty (CL). Therefore, this study aims to look at how transparency (TR) influences CL through the interaction of trust (TU) and customer satisfaction (CS). In this study, structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to 510 samples of public sector banks. The results showed that transparency, trust and satisfaction interact with CL. The study found that the relationships between transparency and CL are non-compensatory and nonlinear. The contribution of the study is that SEM predictors were used as a neural layer in an artificial neural network (ANN) model to predict loyalty. The results showed that the independent variables significantly influence dependent variables when the normalized significance was calculated based on the multilayered observations using the ANN method. Our study' ANN model can predict customers' loyalty with 75.5% accuracy. In addition, we have highlighted several useful theoretical implications of transparency on CL.


In preparation of the ESA demonstration mission for a tethered sample return capability from ISS, a breadboard test has been performed to validate the robust StarTrack tether dynamics control algorithms in conjunction with the constructed hardware. The proposed mission will use hardware inherited from the YES mission (Kruijff, 1999). A tether spool is holding a 7 kg, 35 km Dyneema tether. A 45 kg re-entry capsule will be ejected by springs and then deployed by gravity gradient. The dynamics are solely controlled by a barberpole type friction brake, similar to the SEDS hardware. This hardware is integrated in a test rig, based on the TMM&M stand, that has been upgraded to accommodate both a Space Part (abruptly applied initial tether deployment speed, fine tensiometer, real-time space tether simulator using the tensiometer measurements as input, take-up roller deploying the tether at a simulator-controlled speed) and a Satellite Part (infra-red beams inside the tether canister, control computer estimating ...


Introduction Cirrhosis is the most common cause of ascites, with ascites occurring in 50% of patients with cirrhosis over 10 years of follow-up1. Cirrhosis is responsible for –% of all deaths in most European countries, and is increasing in incidence in the UK and Ireland2. Ascites has a mortality rate of 48% at one year, and can have acutely life-threatening complications such as spontaneous bacterial peritonitis3. Direct observation in our unit suggested that Foundation doctors were often not confident in the management of patients with ascites. Methods 19 Foundation doctors (14 Foundation year one (F1), and 5 Foundation year two (F2)) in a district general hospital completed a 13-question survey to assess their confidence in the management of patients with ascites. Each question asked them to rate their confidence on a scale from 0 to 10. Following completion of this survey, an interactive teaching session on ascites was delivered. This included information about the causes and pathogenesis, investigations necessary, practical information about how to perform a diagnostic paracentesis and interpret the results, and treatment strategies. Following the teaching session, the Foundation doctors completed the same survey again. A paired t-test compared the average score for each Foundation doctor pre-teaching and post-teaching. Results An average pre-teaching and post-teaching confidence score was calculated for each Foundation doctor. The mean average pre-teaching score was 2.77 (2.13 for F1, 4.57 for F2), and the mean average post-teaching score was 7.68 (7.24 for F1, 8.91 for F2). The average post-teaching confidence score for each Foundation doctor was compared to the corresponding average pre-teaching confidence score using a paired t-test. There was a statistically significant improvement following the teaching session, with p < 0.0001. (See Figure 1.) The questions receiving the lowest average pre-teaching confidence score were confidence in performing a diagnostic paracentesis (2), confidence in knowing what tests to order and bottles to use for an ascitic fluid sample (1.79), and confidence in management of hyponatraemia in ascites (2.05). Conclusions A focused educational intervention improved Foundation doctors' confidence in the management of ascites. This will hopefully be reflected in an improvement in patient management and outcomes. Rapid detection and treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is crucial. Future work could incorporate similar presentations into local trust induction for the Foundation doctors.Abstract PWE-102 Figure 1 References Moore KP, Aithal GP. Guidelines on the management of ascites in cirrhosis. Gut. 2006 Oct;55Suppl 6:vi–2. European Association for the Study of the Liver. The Burden of Liver Disease in Europe. 2013. Khan J, et al. Ascites: aetiology, mortality and the prevalence of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2009;44(8):97–.


The generation of significant side forces and yawing moments on an F/A-18 fuselage through tangential slot blowing is analyzed using computational fluid dynamics. The effects of freestream Mach number, jet exit conditions, jet length, and jet location are studied. The effects of over- and underblowing on force and moment production are analyzed. Non-time-accurate solutions are obtained to determine the steady-state side forces, yawing moments, and surface pressure distributions generated by tangential slot blowing. Time-accurate solutions are obtained to study the force onset time lag of tangential slot blowing. Comparison with available experimental data from full-scale wind-tunnel and subscale wind-tunnel tests are made. This computational analysis complements the experimental results and provides a detailed understanding of the effects of tangential slot blowing on the flowfield about the isolated F/A-18 forebody. Additionally, it extends the slot-blowing database to transonic maneuvering Mach numbers.


China M&A market. Observations and motivations. Diversified strategies: some theories and practice. CNOOC's global acquisitions. Geely's acquisition of Volvo. Risk analysis of chinese outbound M&A. Opportunities for investment banks.


It is the key to realize Hubei's great-leap-forward development that a large number of key leading enterprises as a powerful support are outstanding in their main business and strong in core competitiveness,with obvious market competitive advantages.As is particularly important to shape the distinctive advanced enterprise culture of Hubei,we should scientifically understand the role of enterprise culture construction across great-leap-forward development,accelerate the building of enterprise culture and promote the great-leap-forward development.


For the first time, we report a 3D stacked sub-15 nm diameter NanoWire FinFET-like CMOS technology (3D-NWFET) with a new optional independent gate nanowire structure named PhiFET. Extremely high driving currents for 3D-NWFET (6.5 mA/mum for NMOS and 3.3 mA/mum for PMOS) are demonstrated thanks to the 3D configuration using a high-k/metal gate stack. Co-processed reference FinFETs with fin widths down to 6 nm are achieved with record aspect ratios of 23. We show experimentally that the 3D-NWFET, compared to a co-processed FinFET, relaxes by a factor of 2.5 the channel width requirement for a targeted DIBL and improves transport properties. PhiFET exhibits significant performance boosts compared to Independent-Gate FinFET (IG-FinFET): a 2-decade smaller IOFF current and a lower subthreshold slope (82 mV/dec. instead of 95 mV/dec.). This highlights the better scalability of 3D-NWFET and PhiFET compared to FinFET and IG-FinFET, respectively.


Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to discuss fundamental issues and problems with the concept of strategy in general and its various tools in particular.Design/methodology/approach – Five fundamental flaws are examined.Findings – There are many instances in which CEOs/top management/strategic consultants/professors are faced with this issue of a question mark over strategy.Originality/value – However good a strategy one may develop, if it is not implemented, it will be of no use. Research shows there are increasing business failures. Generally the fault is identified with wrong strategy. Firms are still fighting to find the right strategy.


Abstract Using purine as a scaffold, the methods for preparation of novel 2-aminopurine and purine derivatives substituted at position C 6 by the fragments of natural amino acids, short peptides, and N-heterocycles, including enantiopure ones, have been proposed. The methods for determination of the enantiomeric purity of the obtained chiral compounds have been developed. Conjugates exhibiting high antimycobacterial or anti-herpesvirus activity against both laboratory and multidrug-resistant strains were revealed among the obtained compounds.


Black walnut is an introduced species in the United Kingdom (UK) and economically one of the more productive broadleaved species. Currently it is not widely planted in the UK as there is insufficient knowledge about the species among foresters and very little, if any, improved material is available. A research programme was initiated in 2001 to address both these issues. A range-wide seed collection from plus trees 20 US provenances and 10 European provenances and 2 European populations has been undertaken with a view to establishing two provenance/progeny trials. A collection of trees grafted from 63 individual plus trees has also been planted for assessment of form, vigour and disease resistance.


Classical Swine Fever (CSF) is an important infectious disease caused by the CSF virus, which belongs to the Pestivirus genus from the family Flaviviridae. This disease has a high fatality rate in swine. Stamping out the disease and vaccinations aimed at forming and strengthening antibodies against CSF are proven to be effective ways of disease control and prevention. Several factors, including age, immune status, health status, nutrition, and the environment, are believed to influence the success of the immunization program. Furthermore, it is assumed that different pig breeds may have impacts on vaccination success. This study aimed to compare antibody responses after CSF vaccination in two different pig breeds, Landrace and local Timor pigs. A total of 26 pigs (13 pigs for each group) was occupied in this study. All of the pigs used in this study had never been vaccinated against CSF. Antibody titers were quantified using an ELISA test, then the data were compared using an independent t-test to assess the difference of antibody responses between Landrace and local Timor pigs. Finally, the study found no significant difference in antibody response between Landrace and local Timor pigs, with a significant value of 0.07 (P > 0.05). Therefore, it is feasible to conclude that breed does not influence antibody response following CSF vaccination.


Several aspects should be taken into consideration in relation to the use of active botanical extracts or compounds in parasite control: extraction, conservation, phytochemical study, determination of lethal concentration in vitro, toxicity to the host, effective dose in vivo, residual period, stability, residues/metabolites generated and costs. The in vitro tests that have been used to screen biological activity were developed to detect parasite resistance to anthelmintics. In this way, the effects of a potent plant extract can be underestimated or dismissed if the selected methods disregard some factors that can influence the results, such as solubility or an indirect effect on the nematode. Despite this, the development of strategies that are less dependent on in vivo testing is important. There is a need for fuller investigations not restricted only to indicating whether or not a phytotherapic was effective against parasites. The divergence between efficacy in vitro and inefficacy in vivo can be attributed to key factors related to bioavailability as well as pharmacology of the botanical substances in the host organism. It is important to focus studies to determinate the most appropriate adjuvants and to develop formulation models that can be adapted according to the nature of the plant extract or bioactive compound isolated, to serve as starting points for the development of semi-synthetic and synthetic substances.


In the combined heat and power system, based on the principle of "temperature matching and cascading utilization", this paper utilizes different qualities of heat energy and proposes the definition of energy efficiency to improve energy utilization efficiency. This paper analyzes the structure of the cogeneration system, establishing a cogeneration system based on different qualities of heat energy, and takes the lowest total cost and minimizes the useful power loss as the objective function. The model establishes a multi-objective function, and uses a fuzzy algorithm to solve it. The calculation example establishes a combined heat and power system, which proves that the utilization of different qualities of heat energy in the combined heat and power system reduces the loss of useful energy and achieves the optimal management of economic utilization and energy value.


[1] We have compared six Dst forecast models using 63 intense geomagnetic storms (Dst ≤ −100 nT) that occurred from 1998 to 2006. For comparison, we estimated linear correlation coefficients and RMS errors between the observed Dst data and the predicted Dst during the geomagnetic storm period as well as the difference of the value of minimum Dst (ΔDstmin) and the difference in the absolute value of Dst minimum time (ΔtDst) between the observed and the predicted. As a result, we found that the model by Temerin and Li (2002, 2006) gives the best prediction for all parameters when all 63 events are considered. The model gives the average values: the linear correlation coefficient of 0.94, the RMS error of 14.8 nT, the ΔDstmin of 7.7 nT, and the absolute value of ΔtDst of 1.5 hour. For further comparison, we classified the storm events into two groups according to the magnitude of Dst. We found that the model of Temerin and Lee (2002, 2006) is better than the other models for the events having −100 ≤ Dst < −200 nT, and three recent models (the model of Wang et al. (2003), the model of Temerin and Li (2002, 2006), and the model of Boynton et al. (2011b)) are better than the other three models for the events having Dst ≤ −200 nT.


After severe cerebral injury, a series of pathological changes occur in the cerebral circulatory system. Intracerebral hemorrhage is one of the most common brain diseases which would induce secondary cerebral ischemia. The electrical impedance tomography technique provides an alternative for continuous monitoring of brain damage. However, the reconstructed image is unsatisfactory in the reconstruction of hemorrhage accompanied by secondary ischemia. In this paper, to improve the reconstructed image, a novel superimposed imaging method is proposed for simultaneous reconstruction of hemorrhage and ischemia in the frontal lobe. Both qualitative and quantitative results indicate that the proposed method is advantageous in reconstructing simultaneous hemorrhage and secondary ischemia. The results show that the proposed method is significantly advantageous in the reconstruction of Intracerebral hemorrhage accompanied by secondary ischemia.


We study a dynamic game in which a …nancial expert seeks to optimize the utilization of her private information either by information disclosure to an investor or by self-use. The investor may be aligned or biased: an aligned investor always cooperates with the expert, whereas a biased investor may strategically betray the expert. We characterize the joint dynamics of the expert's information disclosure and the investor's type revelation and show that, by a process of gradual information disclosure, the expert can signi…cantly alleviate the hold-up e¤ect exerted by the biased investor. In particular, we show that the equilibrium dynamics of the players'interactions is unique. We also examine how the expert can further improve her utilization of information by committing to a deadline or by committing to a particular pattern of information disclosure. Key Words: Private information; Information disclosure; Hold-up e¤ect; Gradualism; Commitment. JEL Classi…cation: C73, D82, D83. I'm indebted to my advisor, David Levine, for his continuous guidance and encouragement. I thank Marcus Berliant, Philip Dybvig, Fei Li, Qingmin Liu, John Nachbar, Maher Said, seminar and conference participants for their valuable comments. All errors are mine. Department of Economics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA, 63130. E-mail: email@example.com.


The problem of blind audio source separation (BASS) in noisy and reverberant conditions is addressed by a novel approach, termed Global and LOcal Simplex Separation (GLOSS), which integrates full- and narrow-band simplex representations. We show that the eigenvectors of the correlation matrix between time frames in a certain frequency band form a simplex that organizes the frames according to the speaker activities in the corresponding band. We propose to build two simplex representations: one global based on a broad frequency band and one local based on a narrow band. In turn, the two representations are combined to determine the dominant speaker in each time-frequency (TF) bin. Using the identified dominating speakers, a spectral mask is computed and is utilized for extracting each of the speakers using spatial beamforming followed by spectral postfiltering. The performance of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated using real-life recordings in various noisy and reverberant conditions.


The genus Caupolicana, subgenus Zikanapis is recorded from Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama; these are the first records for Central America. Caupolicana cypeata (Smith) previously recorded from Mexico is found in Guatemala. Caupolicana inbio, new species, is found in Costa Rica and Panama and C. rozenorum, new species, in Costa Rica.


AbstractGenetic studies contribute to psychiatric research in two important ways. They provide information about diagnosis and classification of illness and identification of illnesses that may have a biological basis. Genetic research in psychiatry has traditionally taken an epidemiological approach because disease mechanisms at a molecular level continue to be poorly understood and few biological markers are available. Family studies have reported data on the rates of anxiety disorders in family members as well as on the patterns of transmission. Twin studies have helped determine the extent to which the familial clustering is genetic. Transmission models have been employed to investigate the genetic mechanisms underlying the familial transmission of panic disorder. Recently, with the rapid evolution in molecular genetics, linkage studies have been used as well. Panic disorder has been viewed as a biological, hence genetic disorder whereas generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has been seen as a stress-rel...


Sparse superposition codes were recently introduced by Barron and Joseph for reliable communication over the additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel at rates approaching the channel capacity. The codebook is defined in terms of a Gaussian design matrix, and codewords are sparse linear combinations of columns of the matrix. In this paper, we propose an approximate message passing decoder for sparse superposition codes, whose decoding complexity scales linearly with the size of the design matrix. The performance of the decoder is rigorously analyzed and it is shown to asymptotically achieve the AWGN capacity with an appropriate power allocation. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the decoder at finite blocklengths. We introduce a power allocation scheme to improve the empirical performance, and demonstrate how the decoding complexity can be significantly reduced by using Hadamard design matrices.


This paper presents a general architecture of adaptive digital predistorter (DPD) for stand-alone radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers (PAs). The input and output of the proposed architecture are both RF signals, which is compatible with a stand-alone PA. This DPD system consists of three parts: the RF PA for linearization, RF front-ends with two down-conversion paths and one up-conversion path, and a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) board with ADC/DACs. This architecture enjoys the cost and performance advantages of the adaptive digital baseband predistortion while extending the DPD coverage to the general PA applications with direct RF input and output. A DPD prototype for stand-alone PAs is implemented. Performance improvement of the proposed architecture is validated by measurement results on a typical base-station PA. Experimental results demonstrate the generality of the proposed DPD architecture by comparing the performance with the conventional DPD system.


In this paper, we present some new upper bounds on the size of separating hash families of type { w 1 ,w 2 } of short length, where the length N is not exceeding 2 w 2 . A new proof for tight bounds on the size of separating hash families of type { 1 , w } is also given.


There are two parts in this paper: (1) the recognition of the experience of development of botanical gardens in the world and (2) the strategy of the development of botanical gardens in China. It has been stated that the origin, course, rise and decline of the development of botanical gardens in the world occurred in the history and the relationship, such as, principal or complement as well as leading singer or harmony, among botanical gardens in various countries is changeable in different periods of times.The strategy and the comprehensive development of Chinese botanical gardens in the new century are suggested and two projects, thousands medicinal plant species ex-situ conservation and cultivation and construction of city plant environment, are considered as key projects for Chinese botanical garden network.=


The invention provides an electric connection mechanism which is arranged in a portable electronic device, wherein the electronic device comprises a circuit board, a battery and an outer cover, and the electric connection mechanism comprises a first connector, a second connector and a third connector which are respectively arranged on the circuit board, the battery and the outer cover. When the battery is installed at a preset position on the circuit board, a plurality of jacks are formed on the first connector and the second connector, the third connector is combined in the jacks so that the battery is electrically connected with the circuit board.