Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, Wrexham Maelor Hospital, Wrexham, Wales, UK; Department of Radiology, Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Clydebank, Scotland, UK Contributions: (I) Conception and design: F Picard, K Shah; (II) Administrative support: J Gilchrist, F Picard, K Shah; (III) Provision of study materials or patients: J Gilchrist, K Shah; (IV) Collection and assembly of data: KK Dash, K Shah; (V) Data analysis and interpretation: KK Dash, K Shah; (VI) Manuscript writing: All authors; (VII) Final approval of manuscript: All authors. Correspondence to: Kalpesh Shah. Department of Orthopaedics, Golden Jubilee National Hospital, Agamemnon St, Clydebank G81 4DY, UK. Email: email@example.com.


Neural networks have been proposed as new computational tools for solving constrained optimization problems. In this paper the minimum cost path finding algorithm is proposed by using a Hopfield type neural network. In order to design a Hopfield type neural network, an energy function must be defined at first. To achieve this, the concept of a vector-represented network is used to describe the connected path. Through simulations, it will be shown that the proposed algorithm works very well in many cases. The local minima problem of a Hopfield type neural network is discussed.<<ETX>>


A method for washing a fabric is provided to prevent water pollution due to discharge of sewage and wastewater and improve the wash-fastness of the fabric, by washing the fabric through dry type plasma implantation. A fabric(7), water, dyes, and mordant are inputted into a dyeing tank, and the fabric is processed with high temperature and high pressure in the dyeing tank. The processed fabric is dried while the processed fabric is not washed by water. The dried fabric is positioned on a sample stage(8) within a vacuum tank(1). The vacuum tank is exhausted to a predetermined pressure. A plasma source gas is induced into the vacuum tank. Plasma is generated from the plasma source gas in the vacuum tank. Negative type high voltage pulses are applied to the fabric to implant high-energy ions, which are extracted from the plasma, into a surface of the fabric, thereby removing dyes unadsorbed on the surface of the fabric. The processed fabric is natural fiber fabric or synthetic fiber fabric.


A new multivariate inverse Polya distribution of order k, type I, is derived by means of a generalized urn scheme and by compounding the multivariate negative binomial distribution of order k, type I, of Philippou, Antzoulakos and Tripsiannis (1988) with the Dirichlet distribution. It is noted that this new distribution includes as special cases a new multivariate inverse hypergeometric distribution of order k and a new multivariate negative inverse one of the same order. The mean and variance-covariance of the multivariate inverse Polya distribution of order k, type I, are derived, and two known distributions of the same order are shown to be limiting cases of it.


Three-phase-and-spare transformer banks are used for important transmission and generator applications. Given the importance of large transformer banks to the operation of the bulk electric system and the long lead time to repair or replace these critical assets, migrating to three-phase and spare designs is one way to improve the resiliency of the grid. Often, the spare transformer cannot easily be energized or periodically substituted into the bank and therefore may sit for decades until required, at which time it may not be fit for service. Differential protection circuits often require complicated modifications to accommodate substituting the spare transformer into the bank after a failure. This paper examines two example applications and describes the use of modern protection technology to precisely identify the faulted equipment, simplify wiring, and allow easy, automatic reconfiguration of protection zones to facilitate quickly returning an important transmission facility to service.


Length-frequency data from trawl surveys of red king crab in the southeastern Bering Sea were examined for size-class modes of juveniles. Modes were compared to results from growth models to find the youngest age class consistently caught in the sampling gear. Plots of the geographical distribution of individuals in large size modes from the aggregated annual data showed that most crabs younger than four years old were caught at comparatively few stations. These catches are interpreted as encounters with podding juveniles. Crabs corresponding in size to four year olds were widely distributed, however, and in some years occurred in well-defined modes of great abundance. Four year old crabs were caught in lower proportion to abundance than older (larger) crabs, but consistent catches over broad regions of the shelf indicate that sampling data for these crabs can be used as an index of year class strength. Year class variability of four year olds is plotted with respect to year of origin for a time series dating 1970-1983, and three large year classes are identified. An index of recruitment success is calculated by comparing abundance of four year olds with size of the spawning stock producing the year class, and possible explanations for the observed variability in this index are discussed. The relative size of a year class entering the commercial fishery was sometimes, but not always, determined by age four.


In the article methods of calculation of magnetic losses and a substantiation of control laws of electromechanic modules different from sinusoidal are considered, that allows to improve specific weight and size parameters of the system. For this analysis, the shape of the phase currents in synchronous reluctance electric drives and its harmonic components; selection of the design thermal model of the electromechanic module; calculation of magnetic losses and their comparison with experimental data; development of practical recommendations for the synthesis of electromechanic modules with improved mass-size indicators for metallurgical objects. It is established that in most cases with a rectangular phase current it is sufficient to use a simplified model with the use of harmonic components and the superposition method. At the same time, the rejection of sinusoidal excitation allows us to expand the overload capability of the electric drive and improve the weight and dimensions by (20-25)%, but with an increase in losses in the magnetic system by about 10%.


Advances in specification and verification techniques, including improvements in the verification of data exchange encodings and advances in tooling, are described. These results are adaptable to the creation of static analyses for languages that do not natively support formal methods. Enterprise systems are typically distributed in nature and include data interchange based on standards for hierarchically structured data such as JSON and XML. In a languagewith value semantics that is designed to support automatic fullfunctional verification, such as Resolve, there are distinct advantages to avoiding user defined recursive datatypes that are normally used to define such standards. An alternative solution for modeling these data interchange structures without explicit recursion, based on finite partial functions, is introduced. A robust extension to Resolve for finite partial functions provides strong support for defining such models. A JSON component demonstrates how this capability can be used for specifying and implementing fully verified enterprise-style software components. Verification tools developed by multiple research groups are difficult to integrate, a problem that impedes progress in the field by limiting opportunities for more widespread adoption. A unified, adaptable, and extensible framework designed for the creation and integration of verification tools addresses this deficiency. The Modular Verification Environment (MVE) enables the integration and reuse of


Background: Poor growth in utero combined with early catch-up postnatally confers an increased relative risk of later life morbidities. These growth patterns areinfluenced by ethnic background. The mechanism for translating this early life programming into later life risk is unknown. Changes to hormonal axes have beenimplicated. This is explored in the present study.Objective and hypotheses: To study the influence of the IGF system on growth, adiposity and BP over the first 4 years among British born South Asian (SA) and WhiteEuropean (WE) children.Methods: Healthy SA (M 45, F22) and WE (M 73, F 64) infants were followed prospectively from birth to age 4 years. Mixed linear regression (MLR) modelling adjustingfor age, sex and ethnicity was used to study the effect of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels on anthropometry and systolic BP (SBP) over all time points.Results: At birth, SA were shorter and lighter than WE (P<0.05) but not significantly different in length by 1y, or in weight and BMI by 2y in girls and 4y in boys. Bothgroups had similar triceps (Tr) skinfold thickness (SFT), subscapular (Ss) SFT, IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels at birth. There was a trend for IGF-I and IGFBP-3 to be higher inSA than WE boys beyond 1y, and the difference became significant for IGF-I at 3y (P=0.046). Over the 4 years, MLR modelling showed that ethnicity was significantlyassociated with height SDS, weight SDS, BMI SDS and SBP (all P values <0.01); IGF-I with weight (P<0.001) and BMI SDS (P=0.003); IGFBP-3 (and not IGF-I) withSsSFT (P=0.001) and SBP (P=0.006); and SBP with age (P=0.009) and TrSFT (P=0.037).Conclusions: Over the first 4 years, ethnicity was significantly associated with height, weight and SBP. From a hormonal perspective, IGFBP-3 but not IGF-I wasassociated with truncal adiposity and systolic BP.


Topologically nontrivial photonic lattices can reveal topological effects inaccessible in condensed matter systems, and have promising applications including unidirectional light propagation robust against disorder. The first design scalable to optical frequencies employed the Floquet photonic topological insulator concept, in which a time periodic Floquet Hamiltonian was emulated by a helical waveguide array. While unidirectional edge modes were observed, other interesting effects associated with Floquet topological phases were inaccessible due to the lack of tunable phase transitions and high bending losses in this design. We show that the above limitations can be overcome using a class of staggered helical photonic lattices, employing a novel numerical method to compute their Floquet bandstructure. Topological phase transitions between conventional, Chern, and anomalous Floquet insulating phases can be observed via the simple tuning of a continuous lattice parameter such as its period or refractive index contrast. The anomalous Floquet phase, never before observed in an optical frequency photonic topological insulator, hosts protected edge states despite a vanishing Chern number. The low losses of this design combined with the ability to tune between different phases raises the exciting possibility of nonlinear or actively-controllable photonic lattices with topological protection. At phase boundaries the Floquet bandstructure hosts a single unpaired Dirac cone reminiscent of the surface states of 3D topological insulators and in contrast to the paired cones occurring in conventional lattices such as the honeycomb. The intrinsic chirality of an unpaired cone and the periodicity of the Floquet bandstructure enable the observation of a novel "discrete" conical diffraction. Wave propagation at Dirac cones is intrinsically robust against disorder, with backscattering and localization suppressed by weak antilocalization. Here the weak antilocalization is immune to intervalley scattering processes occurring in conventional paired Dirac bandstructures, and hence it can be observed even under short-ranged, uncorrelated disorder.


Continuing concerns on the effects of noise on health have been responded to by the UK Department of Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR), which requested the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR) to review the noise standards used within Europe for assessing the health impact of environmental noise.1 An aim of this work was to advise the DETR of the extent to which existing knowledge on potential health effects could be used to define future noise standards and targets. Studies have shown that there are a number of potential effects of noise on health, although the evidence in support of actual health effects, other than those based on reported bother or annoyance and on some indicators of sleep disturbance, is quite weak. There is evidence that thresholds exist below which it is unlikely that there is an impact on health, but these are not definitive. Standards and regulations are influenced by both the results of primary research and by those social, political and historical factors which are relevant to the problem.


Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore – 560034, Indiae-mail:email@example.com online version: March 26, 2010ABSTRACTAims. We study the mean profiles of the multi–component pulsars PSR s B1839+09, B1916+14 and B2111+46. We estimate theemission height of the core components, and hence find the abs olute emission altitudes corresponding to the conal components.Methods. By fitting Gaussians to the emission components, we determin e the phase location of the component peaks. Our findingsindicate that the emission beams of these pulsars have the nested core–cone structures. Based on the phase location of the componentpeaks, we estimate the aberration–retardation (A/R) phase shifts in the profiles. Due to the A /R phase shift, the peak of the corecomponent in the intensity profile and the inflection point of the polarization angle swing are found to be symmetrically shifted in theopposite directions with respect to the meridional plane in such a way that the core shifts towards the leading side and the polarizationangle inflection point towards the trailing side.Results. We have been able to locate the phase location of the meridional plane and to estimate the absolute emission altitude ofboth the core and the conal components relative to the neutron star center, using the exact expression for the A/R phase shift given byGangadhara (2005).Key words. pulsar–PSR B1839+09: B1916+14: B2111+46: Core emission height


Abstract In the past, preparation for the accounting profession consisted of either on-the-job training or formal education leading to the acquisition of a baccalaureate degree. In recent years, most practitioners entering the accounting field have graduated from a four-year academic program. The two-year accounting program has developed as an alternative to more traditional educational experience. Further, the literature suggests that there are employment opportunities for these two-year graduates. The purpose of this study was to determine if the two-year accounting programs offered at Virginia community colleges were relevant in terms of the accounting duties actually performed on the job by graduates of these programs. Specifically, the study was aimed at identifying the skills taught in two-year programs and their relationship to the tasks performed by graduates of these programs.


This study presents the findings conducted on the profile of respondents and the extent of quality services in selected hot spring resorts in Benguet. The study utilizes mix method approach combining quantitative and qualitative methods. There were one hundred fourteen (114) total respondents from six (6) resorts in Benguet province. The respondents were predominantly adult males with a mix of educational backgrounds, including college-level and college graduate respondents. The majority of the respondents were local tourists from various provinces in the Philippines, with a significant number being employed. The study made use of survey questionnaires and structured interview. The study revealed that the selected resorts provided high-quality services in terms of tangibles, responsiveness, assurance, and empathy, with excellent reliability. Importantly, there was no significant difference in perception between resort guests and management regarding the extent of quality services across the mentioned variables and dimensions. These findings indicate overall excellence and satisfaction in the service quality of the hot spring resorts in Benguet, as perceived by both guests and management. Inferential statistics were used to analyze and interpret the data.


The primary aim of the paper is to critically review the development of policy and practice in the area of Core Skills within both the compulsory and post- compulsory years of education. The research design is based upon an analysis of policy documents, interviews with key informants and the use of secondary data sources. An historical analysis for the period 1979-2006 is also provided of policy development in the field of Core Skills including the demand for generic foundation skills from employers. The main conclusion of the research is that policy-makers in Scotland are currently at a cross-roads with the very notion of generic Core Skills and that this, in turn, could lead to the abandonment of the policy of 'embedding' skills within the school and college curriculum.


In order to study the biological characteristics of soil quality during degraded karst vegetation restoration,soil samples were collected from different restoration stages (bare land stage,herbaceous com-munity stage,shrubby community stage and the arboreal community stage)in the Karst Plateau Ecological Synthesis Control Area in Huajiang of Guizhou. By using microbial incubation methods (with methods of dilution plate smearing and statistical analysis),the distributions of soil microbial amount in different soil layers as well as the rhizosphere and non-rhizosphere areas,and for different seasons,were studied. The results showed that with restoration of degraded karst vegetation,there was a highly significant increase(P0.01) in microbial amount (bacteria,fungi,actinomyces,and total microbes)with the arboreal community stage shrubby community stage herbaceous community stage bare land stage. Soil microbial amount significantly decreased (P0.05) in the soil profile with an increase of soil depth with layer A layer B. Also,for seasonal change,soil microbial amount(in CFU.g-1)was highest in summer (6.16 × 106 for bacteria,1.11 × 105 for fungi,3.16 × 105 for actinomyces,and 6.59 × 106 for total microbial amount) and lowest in winter(3.42 × 106 for bacteria,0.45 × 105 for fungi,1.75 × 105 for actinomyces,and 3.64 × 106 for total microbial amount). Overall,the seasons were summerautumnspringwinter,and statistical analysis showed significant differences (P0.05). Additionally,microbial amount in the rhizosphere was significantly greater (P0.05) than the non-rhizosphere. Thus,soil microbial amount increased during vegetation restoration of degraded karst lands,which indicated soil quality gradually improved.


A new series of experiments was conducted to determine the source of impurities in the process of silicon crystal growth with electron beam heating. A gas-dynamic window was placed between the electron gun and growth chamber. Also positively-charged traps were placed along the crucible to reduce the number of electrons hitting the chamber and the crucible. Five experiments were conducted: two with the window, two with charge traps, and one with both the window and charge traps. The analysis of obtained samples showed that the gas-dynamic window decreases the content of Al, Cu, Fe, Cr and O2, and the trap, used in the experiments, decreases the content of Fe, Cr and Cu in residues of the melt. The content of all impurities, except Al, is close to the goal level. Al impurities come only from the gun, but the gas-dynamic window cannot eliminate them completely. It seems that Al impurities come either as neutral atoms carried by the gas or as positively charged ions. To reduce these impurities, a separation of the Al flow from the beam by the magnetic field is proposed.


[123I]RTI‐55, an iodinated derivative of the cocaine analog 3β‐phenyltropane‐2β‐carboxylic acid methyl ester, was evaluated as an agent for in vivo labeling of the serotonin transporter. Labeling of the precursor of RTI‐55 with I‐123 was efficient and yielded a high specific activity product. After intravenous injection of [123I]RTI‐55 into rats, the tracer accumulated in regions with high densities of serotonin and dopamine uptake sites. The distribution of [123I]RTI‐55 binding in areas rich in serotonin uptake sites correlated with [3H]serotonin uptake measured in vitro in the same regions. Specific [123I]RTI‐55 binding to serotonin uptake sites was inhibited by paroxetine but not by GBR 12,909. Treatment of rats with neurotoxic doses of fenfluramine caused decreases of 66% (in the hypothalamus) to 83% (in the superior colliculi) of specific [125I]RTI‐55 binding in all areas except in the striatum and the olfactory tubercles (regions rich in dopamine transporters). These results indicate that [123/125I]RTI‐55 binds, although not selectively, to the serotonin transporter in vivo. Furthermore, they suggest that [123I]RTI‐55 holds promise as a SPECT imaging agent for the study of the serotonin transporter in humans in health and disease. Published Wiley‐Liss, Inc.


The generation of a new idea, developed at the stage of the associative phase of thinking, is carried out through a multi-stage activity of consciousness: the formulation of the problem (hereinafter abbreviated – "P"); insight into the essence of "P" (study, analysis, hypotheses, etc.); isolation from "P" unknown faces; development of an algorithm for finding a way to solve these faces; partial withdrawal from attempts solve "P" by traditional scientific methods; arbitrary transition of "P" with all the accumulated information about it to the subconscious layers of the psyche to search for its solution; search on the subconscious level for the optimal way to solve the "P" and relay the results obtained to consciousness, which has temporarily moved away from its solution; a random figure (form, image, etc.) that suddenly appeared in front of the researcher (at the mental or physical level), not related to the "P" being solved. However, its configuration and individual elements cause associative comparisons with the unresolved "P" and, as it were, prompt the putting forward of new hypotheses about the methods of its solution; maximum activation of the associative impressions that have arisen, their decoding, study, comparison, analysis, identification of connections between them and with "P"; connection of inductive thinking in order to check and streamline the resulting associative versions of the ways to solve "P"; the process of developing a clear verbal formulation of the results of inductive thinking; sudden insight – finding the best way to solve a problem. This far from complete picture of the mechanism of associative generation of correct insight suggests that insight is not at all a generous "gift" of the information field of the Earth or other mysterious forces of nature. Most likely, it is a concentrated fruit of the researcher's own reflections on the problem, over the solution of which his convolutions "fought" for a long time, which, having reached an emergent state, were transformed into a ready-made solution recipe. The problem under consideration. In other words, the knowledge accumulated by the researcher at a certain stage moves to a qualitatively different level, which, in turn, gives rise to fundamentally new cognitive abilities in him, due to which sometimes (this already depends on the genes) his "Ego" (from the subconscious mind) starts the process enlightenment, the trigger of which is the problem, on the solution of which he is working.


In this paper, I will attempt to raise some general questions on the relationship between the urban space and the writing in a precise context of the digital city. To be more specific, the aim of this question is to explore epistemological and archaeological implications of the augmented city and its digitalized urban inscriptions, which are actively being realized through diverse experimentations and continually being reconfigured by new visual and medial regimes of informational and communicative processes.


In electronic commerce protocols, atomicity and accountability are very important properties. Atomicity consists of money atomicity, goods atomicity and certified delivery, while accountability consists of money accountability and goods accountability. If an electronic commerce protocol has not these properties, the electronic commerce transactions under this protocol are prone to dispute and error. Secure Electronic Transaction (SET) is widely used electronic commerce in the world by credit card. But it neither is a protocol of goods atomicity and certified delivery nor has the properties of money accountability and goods accountability. In this paper, we propose an improved version of SET which has the properties of goods atomicity, certified delivery, money accountability and goods accountability for not only digital goods but also non-digital goods. And we analyze those properties of the improved version of SET. Key-Words: electronic commerce, atomicity, accountability, Secure Electronic Transaction


For direct composite resin restorations, the "stamp technique" aids in achieving accurate occlusal topography. Stamp is an index that mimics the structure of a natural tooth. The cavity is produced after stamp manufacture on an unprepared occlusal surface, and the resulting stamp is then applied to the last composite increment prior to final curing to create a precise duplicate of the pre-operative structure. For patients desiring pre-treatment occlusal anatomy even for posterior teeth, the aesthetic restoration has become standard practice in modern dentistry and offers an appropriate reference for replicating both aesthetic and proper function. In Class I and Class II preparations, where the occlusal surface is undisturbed prior to treatment, the stamp approach is recommended. Light-cure composites, self-cure acrylate resin, polyvinylsiloxane bite registration material, liquid dam material, clear silicon mould, and occlusal transfer devices are some of the materials utilized to make the occlusal mimics. The stamp technique is a quick process that requires less chairside time for polishing and finishing as well as for rebuilding the occlusal morphology. Because the matrix duplicates the occlusal architecture, contouring the restoration does not involve manual labor, specialized tools, or excessive amounts of material. Severely carious teeth cannot be rebuilt with this method, and examination prior to restoration is necessary to guarantee appropriate occlusion.


This article explores the ways in which cosmopolitanism is intertwined with orientalism in consumer-oriented societies as well as on academic campuses and school playgrounds in the US. Even though Bharati Mukherjee has warned against the dangers of exoticism, the book covers from editions of her novels in three separate decades indicate that her work has, if anything, been increasingly commodified as exotic. This is one effect of what is here termed "orientalist cosmopolitanism" – a phenomenon similar to Edward Said's "latent orientalism", or the European fascination with non-European peoples which Meyda Yeğenoğlu has discussed in terms of an unconscious and permanent desire for the other. Cosmopolitanism often becomes orientalist because a focus on the global can cause a culture to lose sight of local particularities which can resist orientalism. We need to pay particular attention to the local and the global without falling prey to the pull of nationalism, orientalism or imperialism. Such a stance, grounded yet exilic and detached, is the key to resisting the type of orientalism depicted in the Mukherjee book covers, and present in the American university's attempt to market "internationalization" to its students.


Plant tissues, when infected by certain pathogenic fungi, seems to require an abundant supply of ATP in order to synthesize organic materials necessary in their defence reaction. Such an abundant supply of ATP may be accomplished by increased respiration of infected tissue, and the production of ATP is, as generally accepted, most efficient in case the oxidative phosphorylation takes place in the respiratory process. In fact, the respiration of the Helicobasidium-infected sweet potato tissues are stimulated up to two times, when the tissues are resistant, while up to 3 to 10 times, when the tissues are susceptible. Here arises a question as to whether the extraordinarily stimulated respiration of the susceptible tissue can be effective for ATP production. A series of experiments were made to obtain an answer to this question. The results are summarized below.Infected sweet potato tissuesresistant susceptibleRate of respiration……increases up to 1.5 to 2 times increases up to 3 to 10 timesRate of triphenyltetrazoliumchloride reduction do. up to 1.5 times do. up to 3 timesQO2CO2/QN2CO2…… 1.2 2.7Total P…… increases by 15% increases by 20%Ba-insoluble P…… increases by 30% increases by 30%Ba-soluble, alcohol-insoluble.…… increases increases at first, decreases later on(Glucose-1-phosphate, Glucose-6-phosphate Fructose-6-phophate)Color development of section in molybdic-… ascorbic acid reagent visible after 2 or 3 days visible after 10 minutesIpomeamarone (an uncoupler)in brown-discolored tissue…… +++ ++in periphery of the above…… + ++From these results, the writers conclude that, in the resistant tissues, the oxidative phosphorylation takes place in the stimulated respiratory process, while, in the susceptibe tissues, although the respirations are stimulated to an extraordinary extent, resultig in a rapid liberation of inorganic phosphate from phosphorylated intermediates.


The wide application of monitoring has greatly enhanced the efficiency of crime striking and controlling.Monitoring not only trespasses on citizens' constitutional rights,but also safeguards the realization of those rights.Necessary restrictions have been made by nearly every country by means of legislation.However,legislation on monitoring in our country is still in vacancy.Thus,it is necessary to establish the monitoring system to accord with modern nomocracy.


The virtual banking revolution - the customer angle and your own agenda setting the virtual banking revolution in its strategic context the origins and competitive implications of the virtual banking revolution the cost issue gatecrashers at the party the cash machine comes of age debit at the point of sale banking on the telephone the card that thinks for itself the future.


Photograph of men and police officers in the City Hall basement after Lee Harvey Oswald was shot. Two men help a man down from a ledge. All of them seem to be moving in the same direction.


Meeting global goals for nutrition and sustainability will require joint solutions tailored to diverse situations. Value chain analysis provides a promising framework for understanding effective interventions to achieve better outcomes for both health and environment.


In order to solve the practical operation training problem of an optical sighting telescope in certain weapon system, the application research of simulated target technology is carried out. According to the tactical and technical characteristics of sight and battlefield target, based on the embedded simulation framework, a series of simulation target technologies, such as constructing the optical characteristic model of target, fitting the target trajectory, encapsulating the characteristic information of target in the typical scene, are used to explore the technical route of actual combat training relying on actual equipment and simulation target, and realize the training scene and its model. The application results show that the method is feasible.


The authors wrote in response to an account by Dr. E. Grant of sympt oms occurring in patients taking low-estrogen oral contraceptives (OCs). They reported a study of 60 patients enrolled in a "side effects" study of Ortho-Noven 2 mg (norethisterone 1 mg plus mestranol 100 mcg) later changed to Ortho-Novin 1/50 (norethisterone 1 mg plus mestranol 50 mcg). After 363 cycles on the low dosage 29 patients reported markedly reduced vaginal bleeding (8 had pseudoamenorrhea) 7 had slight breakthrough bleeding and 4 had premenstrual pain for the first time. It was felt that these side effects differed from those reported by Dr. Grant because she used 5 quite different formulations representing a variety of estrogen/progestogen combinations whereas in this study the ratio of estrogen to progestogen remained the same. In this study no patient found the side effects sufficient to stop taking OCs.


The objective of this study was to use constructed wetlands of surface horizontal flow for wastewater treatment of milk cooling tank, assessing their respective efficiencies depending on the removal rates of BOD and COD. All treatments reached a relatively high efficiency in the removal of BOD, but did not meet the standard established by legislation for discharge of effluents into water bodies. However, all treatments showed COD in the limit established by legislation.


This paper focused on the comfort afforded by 3 models of hearing protection devices. Devices were selected and, after being tested in a real occupational context, evaluated using a questionnaire regarding different comfort indexes. In this way, it was possible to compare the "performance" of the hearing protectors regarding the comfort indexes, and to determine which one, globally, has afforded the greatest comfort. Since that it is not likely that all the indexes contribute in the same way to the global comfort sensation, each worker was asked to score the importance of each index evaluated before. This enabled to order the indexes by the importance they have on the global comfort feeling. It is hopped that this study contributes to a greater efficacy of the hearing conservation programs implemented through the use of hearing protection.


Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine whether emotional deviance in response to customer aggression and employees' feelings of anger is likely to be influenced by perceived job autonomy. To date, studies on emotional labor have focused primarily on emotional regulation strategies. Little is known about the factors that may serve to increase emotional deviance (i.e. situations in which felt and expressed emotions match but are at odds with organizational display rules). Design/methodology/approach – Three samples of service workers were recruited from northern Israel, and data were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Research hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analyses. Findings – Study 1 revealed that under conditions of frequent exposure to customer aggression, more perceived job autonomy was associated with more frequent instances of emotional deviance. The results of Study 2 and Study 3 demonstrated that the relationship between anger and emotional deviance was s...


Masonry arch construction is considered to be structurally durable and aesthetically pleasing, especially for bridges in rural areas. This is also the finding in the Review on Roads, Bridges and Traffic in the Countryside published by the Scottish Office in 1992. Recent assessment by Acer of three hinged mass concrete arch bridges on the M1 motorway highlighted some aspects of management and technical assessment of this type of bridge. The methods available for the assessment of masonry arches are reviewed. The methods and the results of the assessment of the three hinged arch bridges are described. (A) For the covering abstract of the conference see IRRD 858602.


The CARIACO Ocean Time-Series Program (formerly known as CArbon Retention In A Colored Ocean) started on November 1995 (CAR-001) and ended on January 2017 (CAR232). Throughout the CARIACO time-series, High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) data was analyzed by four different laboratories: Bermuda Biological Research Station; Mote Marine Laboratory; Horn Point Laboratory; and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. This package contains the data analyzed at Horn Point Laboratory, covering cruises CAR-124 to CAR-175 from 2006-07-04 to 2010-12-08. Some of the parameters analyzed were different along time and along the different laboratories. To keep the continuity of the HPLC time-series analyzed by different laboratories, all the HPLC files have the same units and contain the same number and order of columns/parameters (with "nd" to indicate when a parameter was no determined). Fluorometric Chlorophyll-a and Phaeopigments (measured at Estación de Investigaciones Marinas de Margarita, Fundación La Salle, EDIMAR-FLASA) are also included. HPLC was not analyzed for cruises CAR-069 to CAR-123. A general description of the CARIACO Ocean Time-Series Program can be found at www.imars.usf.edu/cariaco.


In situ high-temperature synchrotron radiation powder diffraction patterns were taken from room temperature to T = 740� C from synthetic feldspars along the join CaAl2Si2O8-SrAl2Si2O8(An-SrF). Three samples of composition An95SrF5 ,A n 90SrF10 and An85SrF15 were investigated, and the evolution of cell parameters with T was determined by Rietveld analysis of powder X-ray diffraction patterns. The high-temper- ature PItransition, previously observed with Tc = 241� C in anorthite, was found in An95SrF5, An90SrF10 and An85SrF15 feldspars at Tc = 233(5)� , 195(2)� and 174(2)� C respectively. The transition was revealed by the disappearance of critical reflections and variations in the rate of change of cell parameters with temperature. A significant, although small (between 0.0025 and 0.0012 at room temperature), spontaneous strain could be measured, allowing the thermodynamic behaviour of the transition to be modelled. A second- order trend for An90SrF10 and An85SrF15 (b = 0.504(7) and 0.505(7) respectively) or nearly second-order for An95SrF5(b = 0.458(4)) was observed in contrast with tricritical behaviour of end member anorthite. An extrapolation of the Tc versus composition to room temperature indicates that the critical composition for the Pis An60SrF40.


Since the ASYST data acquisition and analysis software was discontinued and the old versions of ASYST do not support new computer operating systems and new data acquisition boards, old computer data acquisition (CDAQ) system is being replaced with a new data acquisition system. The new microcomputer based data acquisition system consists of an i-3 microcomputer with 3.0 GHz CPU and Windows-7 operating system, a Data Translation (DT) DT-304, 12-bit, 400 MHz data acquisition board with STP-300 screw terminal, Data Translation Measure Foundry (DT-MF) software and DT-LV link software [2], a National Instruments (NI) PCI-6250, M-series, low level, 16-bit, 1.25 MS/s board with 4-module SCC-68 I/O Connector Block, four thermocouple-input plug-in modules and NI LabVIEW (NI-LV) software [4]. Data Translation's DT-LV software links DT boards with NI-LV software. Most ASYST-based data acquisition and analysis application programs used in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) courses have been converted to NI-LV and DT-MF application programs.Purpose of this paper is to describe how our old data acquisition application programs were converted to new data acquisition application programs so that they may be used with our new data acquisition system. Descriptions of the experiments, equipment used, and experiences gained with laboratory experiments are given elsewhere [8–13]. Specifically: Reference [8] covers upgrades made to the Materials Testing Laboratory, including Tinius-Olsen [14] tensile testing machine; reference [9] covers design and development of data acquisition programs for the materials testing, including Tensile Testing of Materials experiment; references [11] and [12] cover Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) experiments and use of DAQ system in these experiments; reference [13] cover all uses of DAQ system in MET at University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES).Copyright © 2013 by ASME


Introduction Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, which begins in childhood and often persists into adulthood. ADHD has a heterogeneous expression with diversity in behavioral symptoms, cognitive deficits, and comorbidities. So, it is possible to consider it a spectrum with different losses. Objectives To describe clusters of multiple neuropsychological, attentional, and behavioral measures in adults with symptoms of ADHD. It could help to seek new directions to examine heterogeneity from a dimensional approach to ADHD. Methods 120 adults between 18 and 52 years old (m= 29.5) with ADHD symptoms participated in this study. Performance indices on computerized neuropsychological tests of attention (voluntary, automatic, temporal, and sustained), behavioral self-report scales for ADHD (ASRS-18), impulsivity (BIS-11) executive dysfunction (BDEFS), and functionality, emotional and behavioral problems (Adult Self-Report - ASR of ASEBA) were analyzed. Cluster analysis processed the data to find subgroups based on the scores of instruments. The NbClust tested the best number of clusters that converge to a solution. Results The 3 clusters solution was obtained by comparing Z scores for each indicator. In cluster 1, the ADHD symptoms were equivalent but expressed more hyperactivity than in other clusters. Also, higher levels of functional impairments and executive dysfunctions (motivation, emotional regulation, and anxiety/depression) were identified. In the attentional neuropsychological tasks, the indices express a lower level. Cluster 2 expressed a higher level of inattention and attentional, motor, and non-planning impulsivity, and functional impairments in the academic, professional, and legal risk areas. Cluster 3 was the subgroup with the lowest level of symptoms of ADHD. Conclusions This study identified differences in performances that contribute to understanding the cognitive, behavioral, and emotional expressions of ADHD. Three groups of different prejudices levels should be considered in the development of evaluative models in new studies to consider the spectrum of ADHD. Financial support: FAPESP [grant 2019/20757-5, 2019/21773-4, 2020/14800-2]; CAPES Proex [grant 0426/2021, 23038.006837/2021-73]; Mackpesquisa; CNPq [grant 307443/2019-1] Disclosure of Interest None Declared


Abstract Fecundity relationships of 156 female herring (Clupea harengus pallasi) from Prince William Sound were studied. Upon comparison with other North American populations of Pacific herring, we found a progressive decrease in fecundity at a particular body size with increasing latitude. We also found an increase in mean length and mean fecundity of spawner with latitude.


Effects of slip and induced magnetic field on the peristaltic flow of pseudoplastic fluid have been investigated. The corresponding shear stress is employed in defining the slip condition. The fluid is considered in a channel with non-conducting walls. The arising flow problem is solved in view of the assumptions of long wavelength and low Reynolds number. The stream function, pressure gradient and magnetic force function are computed. Pumping phenomenon is analyzed. Variations of pertinent involved parameters on the flow quantities of interest are described.


Gerhardus Petrus Scheepers, Ben du Toit An understanding of variations in water availability to plantation forests on a spatial and temporal scale is essential when designing risk averse and site-specific silvicultural management regimes. Various indices of site water availability were compared to each other and to an independent, unbiased estimate of stand productivity potential, namely site index, across the Tsitsikamma, Knysna and Boland forestry regions of South Africa. This was done to find the balance between water availability indices requiring intensive data inputs (that may be very accurate) and indices with lower input data requirements (but may sacrifice some accuracy). The following indices of water availability (in order from low to higher input data requirements) were tested: Mean Annual Precipitation (MAP); Aridity Index (AI), i.e., MAP as a fraction of mean annual potential evapotranspiration (Ep); Moisture Growing Season (MGS), i.e., the Julian days where long-term MAP exceeds 0.3 times Ep; Water Deficit (WD), an estimate based on a rudimentary water balance with relatively low data inputs. The first three estimates use only climatic variables while the WD incorporates soil water storage capacity to run a water balance calculation. Results showed that both regional climatic variability and soil properties significantly affected the level of water availability, and hence also the potential productivity of pine stands. The shallow and sandy soils from the Knysna and Boland regions exhibited rapid water depletion during periods of decreased precipitation and seasonal shifts, however, the large WD's (up to 345 mm year ) observed in several of these sites rapidly changed to surplus values following only one month of high precipitation. Sites from the Tsitsikamma region had significantly larger water retention capabilities and this was attributed to the regional soil properties and climatic conditions. Temporal variations in the WD were also quantified. The WD estimates correlated significantly (r = -0.80, p<0.001) to the respective site indices from sites across all regions. These results underscore the importance of soil water availability on plantation productivity, especially in moderately dry regions or in areas with either shallow soils or a seasonal rainfall pattern. We conclude that the WD is a fairly accurate estimate of site-specific water availability with relatively low data requirements. The WD estimates are far superior to currently used indices of water availability in Southern Africa and has data input requirements that are currently readily available for most plantation forest sites.


A constitutive model formulated within the multilaminate framework is described in this paper. The basic model, incorporating deviatoric and volumetric hardening, was developed for normally consolidated or slightly overconsolidated clay. This model has been extended to account for shear softening by using a nonlocal formulation. The nonlocal plasticity is based on weighted average of plastic strains taken from neighboring material points within a certain distance which is a function of an internal length parameter. This parameter is related to the mean grain size that restricts the element size. By using a softening scaling this restriction can be eliminated and the model is therefore capable of simulating geotechnical boundary value problems. The capability of the model for simulating strain softening behavior is shown by numerical simulation of biaxial tests. Finally, the ground response curve obtained from the proposed model for excavation of a tunnel in soil is discussed.


Based on a compatative study of the system of lateral line grooven on the paranmchal plate of Arctonema sp. from the Devonian of Spitsbergen and some of the holonematids and cocontents, the conclusion is reached that in these forms, one may have a pontiot "pit‐line" complex coresponding to that developing onlogenelically in Pretoptenus among the dipnoans. Observations on the lateral line system of various ptyctodontids include the following. In Chehophonus the lateral lines of the anterior part of the hend presumably possessed regularly spaced dilatation, resembling those of the corresponding lines in some recent holocephallane In cremurella, where also some new lateral line system components are put on record, the infraorbital canal was in front of the "marginal" plate enclosed in a bony tube, arisen by the fusion of ring‐like elements. In cremurella there is even reason to believe that ontogenetically, the component of the dermal bones formed as series of bony ring‐like elements, similar to they accompansing the lateral lines in fossil and recent holocephalians. In some forms as Chehophonus and Rhynchodus, a distinelly developed profundus lateral line has been identified. The holotype of "Lpipetalu" Gross is refigured and referred to n new ptyctodontid genus, Demoporella gen.n.


The mid-Volga city of Saratov, Russia, has been the location of an effective grassroots anti-drug volunteer youth movement in recent years, with similar developments in other Russian cities. This has taken place, with some support from foreign agencies, in the context of a particular official post-Soviet youth and drug policy that has been less than wholly successful in regulating drug use among young people. Establishing close working relations with local government structures was of key importance for realization of the project, rather than links to international agencies. The significance of youth and health in political discourse on both the local and national scale was also important, although it is not clear whether this helps or hinders project development and innovation in this field.


Abstract:The International Criminal Court (ICC) has been criticized as unfairly targeting African leaders. This article seeks to explain the history of the ICC, the controversies surrounding it, and the response of various Africans. Threats of and actual cases of withdrawal from the Court beg the question: how can the ICC regain legitimacy as a fair and just institution?


The characteristics of stable premixed combustion are stud ied in a heated tube with a fixed wall temperature gradient. These flames are examined experimentally and with a 1-D, volumetrically-averaged computational model with detailed chemistry. The heated tube c oncept is a simple, quasi one-dimensional burner configuration which has relevance to new burner techn ologies that utilize small channels to support stable combustion. Flames in these devices have reacti on zone thicknesses that are on the same order as the tube diameter, therefore heat transfer to and fr om the walls is an important phenomenon that governs burning rate and stabilization position.


Industrial development has provided significant impact on the environment due to inappropriate arrangement and processing of industrial waste. The burden of the environment becomes heavier and results in environmental imbalance. One of the problems is the exposure of chemical substances, which is increasingly used for industry. Therefore, controlling effort is needed to prevent more severe damage resulting from these substances. In this relation, environmental toxicology, a science on the adverse effect of environmentally-distributed chemical substances on biological system, is beneficial to predict outcomes related with toxic hazards of chemical substances in human beings and environment. This science has a wide scope, either in medicine, food industries, farming, or chemical industries. It is also divided into several subdisciplines, such as forensic toxicology and occupational toxicology. This discipline should be able to find solution for appropriately controlling the exposure of chemical substances. Since it is still recognized by a small fraction of the society, its socialization becomes imperative. Toxicology should be introduced to students ranging from those at elementary level of education to those who go to universities through their curriculum of education.


The 70th Annual Pittsburgh Diffraction Conference (PDC) was held at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory in Menlo Park, California, from September 30 to October 2, 2012, preceding the LCLS/SSRL Annual Users' Meeting. The PDC Program Committee for 2012 comprised Aina Cohen, Guillermo Calero, Michael Bogan, James Holton, Clyde Smith, Garth Williams, and Joanne Yeh. The PDC is the oldest diffraction-related conference in North America, and the goal of the meeting is to bring together researchers in all areas of fundamental and applied diffraction and crystallographic research. This was the first time in the history of the Pittsburgh Diffraction Society that the meeting was held in the West Coast of the US. The PDC attracted more than 100 participants, including a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students, and 29 speakers. The conference began on the evening of September 30 with an opening reception. The conference was divided into two broad areas of interest: Macromolecular Crystallography on the first day (October 1) and X-ray Free Electron Laser-related Research on the second day (October 2). The two days were further divided into sessions as described below.


The exclusion of evidence is the critical core in modern evidence rule.In ideal state, that evidence is excluded means the information the evidence reflected has no influence on the decision about facts. There are three ways to reach this goal in different legal systems of the world. Generally speaking, the procedure of common law meets the requirement of excluding evidence perfectly. However, continental procedural systems are not very competent to the question. To make exclusionary rule get more efficiency, those counties that have chosen litigious procedure of exofficio principle, including China, should further perfect relevant rules


Interleukin (IL)‐34 is a recently discovered pro‐inflammatory cytokine and is a vital regulator in different tumor types. However, the function of IL‐34 in thyroid carcinoma has yet to be investigated. In this study, we analyzed the expression of IL‐34 in human papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) samples and determined its effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of PTC cells.


This article uses a trip attribute approach to examine the relative passenger attractiveness of bus rapid transit (BRT) systems compared to other transit modes. It examines how passengers value trip attributes for on street bus, BRT, and light rail and heavy rail systems in passenger behavior research. Empirical data is presented which suggests that passengers value trip attributes for BRT and rail modes in a broadly similar manner. All of these transit modes are favored relative to on street bus. These findings suggest that BRT systems should be as effective as rail in generating patronage when developed to replace on street bus services. This conclusion, in association with research demonstrating lower costs for BRT systems compared to rail, may be used to claim cost effectiveness advantages for BRT. However, a number of limitations in the evidence are identified and additional research suggested. Conclusions of the research are also used to suggest ways to improve BRT system design to enhance demand performance.


Ludwig's angina is a deep neck infection of the supramylohyoid and inframylohyoid spaces. Without prompt recognition and intervention, it can progress to airway compromise with significant morbidity and mortality. Although otolaryngologists and oral surgeons are well-versed in this condition, it is vital that physicians across all specialties are knowledgeable about the presentation and basic treatment of this potentially fatal condition. Here we report a case of Ludwig's angina in a 29-year-old male that was successfully managed with both medical and surgical intervention. We also aim to describe the presentation and treatment of Ludwig's angina in order to increase awareness in non-surgical fields.


Mushrooms are neutraceuticals which contain edible fruit body. The nutritive value of mushroom is equal to that of milk and it has low calories, sodium, fats and cholesterol. In addition to this they are rich in protein, unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin B, D, C as well as minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium. Hence, the present study was undertaken to study the growth of Pleurotus florida and Calocybe indica under controlled condition using various agrowaste as substrate. The protein, carbohydrate content, and phytochemicals were studied. The yield of milky mushroom was found to be more with sugarcane bagasse waste while the oyster mushroom showed good yield with sorghum straw and the yield was low with banana leaf waste. Milky mushroom showed higher protein, carbohydrate content.


To the Editor:— InThe Journal, February 10, Dr. Emil Novak, in discussing the safe period, bottom of second column, page 452, states: "the nondangerous span being that embraced between the twelfth and nineteenth days, inclusive." This seems to be the direct opposite of his statement earlier in the same paragraph. It does not fit with the observations you make in your editorial in the same issue. If the word dangerous instead of "undangerous" were used or the word "inclusive" construed as meaning from the nineteenth day of the menstrual cycle, through to the twelfth day after, this passage would be obvious. I am pointing to this apparent error because the statement, as it stands, is in entire accord with my previous knowledge and is the teaching that the clergy in my locality are advising in regard to the "safe period." The newer knowledge of the time of ovulation, the


To overcome the shortcomings of the existing remote-control virtual experimental platform in terms of flexibility and applicability, a remote-control virtual experiment scheme based on the cloud platform and the experimental module that can be configured by the user is proposed. The Django network framework based on Python is chosen to build a remote experimental platform. The experimental modules that constitute the components of the closed-loop control system are developed. Users can configure the control system according to the experimental requirements. The experimental management system executes simulation, procedures control, online help and evaluation of the virtual experiments. The experimental system is deployed and tested in Ali Cloud. The teaching practice shows that the remote virtual control system experimental platform enables users to complete a series of motion control experiments through the browser, which is conducive to cultivating students' practical ability.


Restack Rod Process (RRP) strands with 54 and 108 sub-elements were rolled from 0.7 mm diameter to 0.45 mm thickness to simulate the deformation of strands at the edges of Rutherford cables. Various diagnoses were then applied to assess performance and stability. Transport measurements were used to assess the effect of rolling on the critical current. Magnetization measurements were used to probe superconducting pathway bridging between deformed sub-elements. The copper residual resistivity ratio was also measured to assess tin contamination due to thinned or ruptured diffusion barriers. While systematic changes were observed in all three measurements with increasing deformation, showed the strongest changes. The implications of these measurements for cable stability, and their relationship to observations of the strand cross section by light microscopy, are discussed.


The problems encountered in the career of advertising UDLA are the difficulties that students encounter when enrolling at any position within an advertising agency, during or after the process of his college career. The product of constant innovation has been marked by the advancement of technology and automation of processes, this therefore defines new parameters for the definition of competencies and skills when submitting a resume or resume next to a portfolio being presented to prospective employer. The workplace, in consequence of innovation, increasingly more competitive. Therefore it is important to develop a personal brand through Personal Branding strategy, using tools such as Job Searching and Media Training. Developing a personal brand is to make a preliminary identification process, similar to market research, the person must create their brand based on prior identification of their skills, abilities and competencies. So the characteristics that make a person stand communicates, be different and relevant in the workplace, where everything becomes homogeneous. The Job Searching is a tool that goes hand in hand with networking, whereby a building constructive relationships that determine job opportunities, from the use of contacts in related communities, managed with the new tools of information is defined to be the internet social networks, etc. On the topic of Media Training refers to the optimal management of stakeholders powered by the basic messages of personal branding, a publicist should know that the best way to sell is through the word, the advertiser must be able to defend their proposals for sell to brands, and their own brand. All these concepts have been summarized and presented in a didactic way as part of the development of a dynamic guide, a product for the benefit of students in the Advertising UDLA.


The combination of solar collectors, absorption heat pump and radiant cooling was studied in an European research project under the JOULE III-Program. This paper presents an overview of some of the results. The project was split up in several parts like floor cooling (cooling capacity, control), solar collector (new development of flat plate and an evacuated tube collector) and absorption heat pump (new prototype).


Discussed in this paper are the abilities of medical journal editors to collect and access to information,to assess and analyze information,to process information,to use and expand information,to spread and change information,and their implementation in Editorial Department of Journal of International Oncology.


This paper argues that social representations cannot be used as independent variables in causal explanations of social behaviour. It is shown that the structure of investigations often follows a causally explanatory design despite explicit statements to the contrary by the researchers. This fact is analyzed with three investigations. It is argued that verbal data used to assess the contents of a representation as independent variable are logically equivalent to data obtained from the "dependent" overt behaviour. Therefore these two kinds of data must be seen as two illustrations of the same representational contents. The researchers'preference for using verbal data to assess the independent variable and the tendency to introduce a causal relationship between representation and behaviour is shown to result from misplacing folk-beliefs. Folk-beliefs about intentional causality, it is shown, pertain to the same level as other beliefs about the world on the part of the subjects. Hence they are part of the folk-representation itself and must be treated as such; their use in scientific accounts of the belief-action relationship is not implied by data on rational belief systems. It is suggested to conceptualize social representations as integral units of beliefs and action which may be used to explain causally subsequent contingent social events. The function of folk-beliefs in intentional causality for the self-concept of rational people and for social accountability is discussed.


This paper presents a trust-management application for trust based relationships in federated identity management (FIM). It empowers discovery, technical interpretation of the meaning of trust, dynamic calculation of trust levels and afterwards static composition of trustworthy relationships between Identity and Service providers, which can be accomplished through the use of servicespecific XACML policies to enforce the required trust and privacy aspects. 1 The Problem Statement Nowadays most of the emerging approaches to digital identity management have been developed to address the distributed user data management problem, by providing the feature of the federation process while each partner service has its own privacy constraints and security policies. In addition to deciding what right each user has to access a Service Provider (SP), it is also possible to the user to decide if he wants to access this service provider without re-authentication. The condition to enable this right is that the user must authenticate at an Identity Provider (IDP) who is recognised and accepted by the SP. Therefore, providing efficient and seamless interrelationship between IDPs and SPs in inter-organization scenarios, based on FIM, requires building trust-based relationships that enable IDPs to securely distribute the user's identity information, and the SP to manage and control the access set to the services it provides. Consequently, those trust relationships, which allow identity and policy information to flow between the participating SPs, need to be formed quickly and efficiently to maximize productivity and eliminate the manual processes that often take place nowadays. In today's federations, trust between IDPs and SPs is typically established on a contractual basis and thus quite static by building the so-called trust communities. The other technical aspects of trust are limited to authenticating and authorizing users, but secure FIM systems should not only authenticate users, but also allow them to delegate their rights and beliefs to other users securely. However, we want to achieve more dynamic trust relationships and especially involve the aspects of reputation management which allow the peer to reflect its own experience as well as the experience of other known peers with the new peer; and thus building dynamic trust relationships based on recommendations of other peers, as considering the human factors beside the technical aspects is more and more becoming a crucial question. The objective of this work is to build such trust relationships between group of peers, within organizations, who meet the trust requirements through individual experience and sharing experiences with other peers with similar preferences, as most of the answers to such issues often depend on whether the peer we want to communicate with, is someone inside or outside the organization and also depends on how a set of organizations can be defined in connection with the IDP and the SP in FIM. This issue relate, more precisely, to designing an appropriate algorithm for dynamically computing and interpreting the value representing the trust level between the peers. Therefore, the algorithm will be based on a collection of attributes that are basically created, along with an identity of the peer, during a process of the interaction, as they tend to identify the other party as well as the level of trust in order to estimate carefully how it is likely to behave in a given situation depending on the rewards for being trustworthy. In the second stage of our solution, the outputs of the algorithm can be afterwards useful in the policy-based privacy rules for constructing an efficient threshold decision point, as it is the case in many FIM-Scenarios that the users' data can be only released if a certain threshold of the trust level is exceeded. The rest of the paper is organized as follows: Section 2 introduces a detailed analysis to the requirements on the IDP as well as on the SP side that may occur in our trust model. In section 3 we explain our solution based on the recursive trust algorithm, including the acquaintance graph and the different related mechanisms and aspects that may be integrated within the proposed algorithm to provide the desired trust model. Section 4 provides an analysis about the LDAP schema and the DIT definition that will help define the trust relationships among the principals. Implementation analysis as well as evidence will conclude this section. Section 5 provides an overview of the state of the art and similar approaches for estimating the value of trust. Finally Section 6 concludes the current status and discusses future research directions. 2 Requirement analysis of trust in Federated Identity Management Usually the main kinds of peers known as principals connected by those trust relationships are based on their particular identity lifetimes: people who can make assertions affiliated to their long-lived IDs; computers can make close evidence of correct operation from their IP-Addresses; and organizations are generally a set of people and computers and can benefit from this collection to build trust relationship. The Credentials describe each kind of principal, often as attributes attached to that principal and its relationships to other principals [8]. The focus of this solution is to figure out the way appropriate correspondent can be selected, when calculating the trust level according to the user's respectively the Service Provider's trust requirements. This approach for modelling trust is realised as an algorithm in defining, representing, calculating, and propagating the value of trust from which we can quantitatively read the relationship of any two entities in our Framework. While collecting all the necessary requirements for the trust calculation algorithm, it is primordial to investigate the following issues on the IDP side as well as on the SP side: The user identity mapping which allows SPs to correlate personal information about the user in a way that otherwise would not be possible. When the IDP consents to identity mapping, the SP must accept a given policy for how mapping can be used to correlate data linked to the different identities in the corresponding IDP. Consequently, the SP's failure to adhere to the privacy policy for identity mapping can cause distrust. Validation of SP's term of use, privacy policies, shipping conditions, as stated and agreed in the formal contract and service level agreements. Previous experience with the service and with other services within the same SP. Trust and confidence of other users (for example within the same IDP) in that SP. 2.1 Requirements of the Service Provider on the users and their Identity Provider On the one hand service provider provides services for end users, and on the other hand they act as a relying party to validate credentials issued by a trusted identity partner, on the basis of which they provide services to that trusted identity. Trust can be established for users and Identity Providers through assurances that they follow the recommended practices of the SP for handling authentication credentials with adequate care, and by having a history with the service provider that is free of security incidents. The SP, consequently, may require investigations, for instance on: The way credentials are issued to the users and whether the IDP has implemented adequate procedures for registering users and for issuing their credentials in a trustful way. Experience of the SP with the user, for instance experience on having a history without registration error because of unpaid bill or delivery rejections. Experience of the SP with the users' IDP. Rating and opinions of other known Service Providers about the concerned IDP.


AARISTE, Paris, France **IRBA, Boulogne, France ***RENAULT, Nanterre, France The improvement of neck protection in rear impact requires a better understanding of the interactions between occupant, seatback and headrest. A mathematical approach was developed to analyse the interactions and to quantify the influences of different design parameters on neck responses. The first phase of this development consisted of neck modelling. To begin with, the RIO-neck was compared to the Hybrid-III neck in terms of sensitivity with regards to some design parameter changes. A series of mini-sied tests showed the sensitivity of the RIO-neck to be better than that of the Hybrid-II I neck. Following this preliminary study, a numerical neck model was developed on the basis of the RIO-neck and of two existing sources of biomechanical data on the human neck behaviour in rear impact. For the second phase of this development, the interactions of the thorax and the pelvis with the seatback were modelized, as was that of the head and the headrest. Component tests were conducted to characterise these interactions. With these data, two types of seatback model were constructed. One is a global seatback modelling and the other a more detai led approach which allows the consideration of more design parameters. To evaluate the models, a series of sied tests was performed and the validation level of the above models was assessed against these tests. Finally the influences on the neck responses of four design parameters head to headrest distance, seatback joint stiffness, upper and lower seatback stiffnesses were analysed with this model. Special attention was paid to the interactions between these parameters. The results indicate that softening of the upper seatback allows reduction of all neck injury risk indicators and enhances the headrest performance. Softening of the lower seatback increases the moment force at the C7 /T1 joint and the head extension angle. Stiffening of the seatback joint aggravates, for a classical upper seatback structure, the moment loading of the neck and the head extension angle. Only the moment force at the C7/T1 joint is significantly affected by all parameter changes.


Markup Language (XML) is a simple text format which was designed to describe data using custom tags. The use of custom tags makes XML extremely flexible and enables it to not only describe structured data like information from a table of relational database but also semi-structured data. An XML document is self-describing which has made it a standard means of data exchange between applications and for use in configuration files of enterprise applications. The increasing preference to store and transmit data in the XML format has led to a need for searching these data stores for information. Query languages like Xpath and XQuery are used to retrieve information from xml document. But these query languages are complex for non expert user to learn. Keyword search allows such user to retrieve information without knowledge of complex query language. In this paper we proposed an algorithm for relevance ranking of nodes which retrieved as result by considering keyword ambiguity and intension of user. General Terms Information Retrieval.


ABSTRACT Researchers utilized a historical context of the What's Hot, What's Not expert surveys over the last 20 years to examine literacy priorities and possible impacts. The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) were recently recognized as the hottest topic in the field of literacy education. Perhaps one of the unintended consequences of this intense focus is that literacy priorities have shifted away from other important topics, particularly those involving children and youth who may fail to meet these new rigorous standards. Topics such as early intervention; literacy coaches/reading specialists; motivation/engagement; response to intervention/differentiated instruction; and struggling readers have not been as highly rated as in the past, yet perhaps should warrant more attention if all students are expected to be college or career ready. This article takes the stance that rigorous standards alone are not enough. A historical context is provided and discussed regarding how these topics related to less proficient readers gained traction in schools, what contributed to their demise, and how a reexamination of literacy priorities and a revival of these topics might contribute to productive pedagogies and subsequent literacy growth in the era of CCSS.


It is indeed a great honour to be invited to give the opening address at this Twenty-third Congress of the Grassland Society. It seems pertinent to review briefly grassland research, its impact on the farmer, and consider where we should be going in the future. Veld management research in Southern Africa has a proud history going back some 54 years, with the first research station being established at Toowoomba. By 1941, 47 years ago, there were 16 grassland research centres. Effectively then, we have had over 50 years of grassland research. What has been achieved? What are the problems? What needs to be done in the future? Keywords: congresses; grassland; grassland society of southern africa; management; research; southern africa; veld; veld management


Environmental protection is one of the major concerns these days because pollution is getting worse and worse and it has adverse effects on living organisms and humans. The contribution to environmental pollution due to glass manufacturing processes has not been studied intensively. In this paper we have presented work on dealing with emission in glass manufacturing plant by developing some useful techniques. We have provided information on the features of furnaces, the composition of raw materials, environmental indices and standards. In particular, we have focused on NOx, SOx and opacity control methods. The study reviews relevant variables that can be effectively controlled so as to reduce the emission by 10-20% in the glass manufacturing process.


A rational cropping structure is critical to improving the efficiency of cropping and the incomes of farmers in rural areas.It is suggested that to establish a rational cropping structure need to account for aspects of natural resources,social economy,ecological environment,technology development level,market requirements,and so forth.Adjustment of the cropping structure is,however,a big and difficult problem to deal with.In the present work,the authors were trying to offer a new way to adjust the cropping structure,and to figure out a more rational solution to the problem,with the aim of proposing an external advantage evaluation model of crop production development from a comprehensive point of view of ecology,economics and society.In addition,comparative advantages of current production situation of main crops over different areas were also examined in this study.Results indicated that certain crop during the course of production in a specific region would reflect different comparative advantages in the use efficiency of natural resources,the degree of impacts of the ecological environment,economic development,social demands and absorbing labor forces.This obviates the limitation in not fully considering the factors of resources and the environment in traditional comparative advantage theory.Eight crops,including wheat,rice,corn,soybean,cotton,peanut,rape and tobacco,and six provinces over eastern China,including Jiangsu,Zhejiang,Anhui,Fujian,Jiangxi and Shandong were selected to perform the evaluation.Moreover,different kinds of crops in one province and one kind of crop in different provinces were compared in detail,obtaining the advantage crops for each province and the preference provinces for developing each kind of crop.Results showed the advantage degree of crops and provinces sufficiently.The evaluation results would provide a meaningful reference for adjusting the cropping structure in a certain region.The external advantage evaluation model of crop production development developed in this study not only reflects comparative advantages of economic and social benefits,but also rationally accounts for resources and its influence on the environment.Compared with existing models for evaluating comparative advantages,the external advantage evaluation model of crop production development can offer more reliable results.


This paper considers Bayesian nonparametric estimation of conditional densities by countable mixtures of location-scale densities with covariate dependent mixing probabilities. The mixing probabilities are modeled in two ways. First, we consider finite covariate dependent mixture models, in which the mixing probabilities are proportional to a product of a constant and a kernel and a prior on the number of mixture components is specified. Second, we consider kernel stick-breaking processes for modeling the mixing probabilities. We show that the posterior in these two models is weakly and strongly consistent for a large class of data-generating processes. A simulation study conducted in the paper demonstrates that the models can perform well in small samples.


Several determinants with gamma functions as elements are evaluated. These kinds of determinants are encountered, for example, in the computation of the probability density of the determinant of random matrices. The s-shifted factorial is defined as a generalization for non-negative integers of the power function, the rising factorial (or Pochammer's symbol) and the falling factorial. It is a special case of a polynomial sequence of the binomial type studied in combinatorics theory. In terms of the gamma function, an extension is defined for negative integers and even complex values. Properties, mainly composition laws and binomial formulae, are given. They are used to evaluate families of generalized Vandermonde determinants with s-shifted factorials as elements, instead of power functions.


Aim:To study the effects of PDTC and interleukin-18(IL-18)on CO-Ⅳ secretion and the expression of TNF-α in glomerular mesangial cells(MC).Methods:MCs were randomly divided into 6 groups:normal control(group A),concentration of 25 μg/L IL-18(group B),concentration of 50 μg/L IL-18(group C);at the base of group A,B,C,adding PDTC(100 μmol/L)was group D,E,F.MCs in the 6 groups were cultured for 48 h in high glucose environment.The levels of the type Ⅳ collagen (CO-Ⅳ)and laminin(LN) were determined by ELISA. The expression of TNF-α mRNA was detected with RT-PCR.Results:At the concentration of 25 μg/L and 50 μg/L, IL-18 induced the secreting of CO-Ⅳ and LN and expression of TNF-α mRNA markedly compared with control group (P0.05). With the concentration of IL-18 increasing,the secreting of CO-Ⅳ and LN and expression of TNF-α mRNA had rising tendency.This phenomenon could be inhibited by PDTC.Conclusion:IL-18 may promote the secreting of CO-Ⅳ and LN and expression of TNF-α mRNA of MC by activation of NF-κB,which plays a role in the process of diabetic nephropathy.


To provide better customer service, NCJRS has made this Federally-funded grant final report available electronically in addition to traditional paper copies. Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Overview Columbia, South Carolina's Comprehensive Communities Program is based upon the city's philosophy of " people helping people " through close collaboration among governmental organizations, representative neighborhood groups, private agencies, and churches. Although governmental agencies are closely linked and the administrative agency for CCP is the city's Planning Department , the lead operative agency in CCP is the Columbia Police Department. At the heart of Columbia's program are three " community mobilizers. " These police officers operate out of community-based offices and link police, other city government agencies, social service agencies, and citizen volunteers with citizens who are either experiencing serious neighborhood problems or creating them—problems associated with disorder, fear, serious crime, and the quality of life in Columbia's neighborhoods. This case study of Columbia's CCP program was written as a result of site visits made to various CCP programs and interviews with CCP participants between January, 1996 and March, 1997. It also incorporates data from BOTEC's CCP Coalition Survey and Community Policing Survey, as well as information contained in federal and local documents and reports. Follow-up phone calls were made during December, 1997 and January, 1998, to key participants in order to write the epilogue.


Space is a critical and also challenging frontier in human microbiome research. It has been argued that lack of consideration of scales beyond individual and ignoring of microbe dispersal are two crucial roadblocks in preventing deep understanding of the heterogeneity of human microbiome. Assessing and interpreting the spatial distribution (dispersal) of microbes explicitly are particularly challenging, but implicit approaches such as Taylor's power law (TPL) can still be effective and offer significant insights into the heterogeneity in abundance and distribution of human microbiomes. Here, we investigate the relationship between human microbiome-associated diseases (MADs) and the inter-subject microbiome heterogeneity, or heterogeneity-disease relationship (HDR), by harnessing the power of TPL extensions and by analyzing a big dataset of 25 MAD studies covering all five major microbiome habitats and majority of the high-profile MADs including obesity and diabetes. Our HDR analysis revealed that in approximately 10%-17% of the cases, disease effects were significant—the healthy and diseased cohorts exhibited statistically significant differences. In majority of the MAD cases, the microbiome was sufficiently resilient to endure the disturbances of MADs. Furthermore, comparative analysis with traditional DDR (diversity-disease relationship) results is presented. We postulate that HDR reveals evolutionary characteristics because it utilizes the TPL parameter that implicitly characterizes spatial behavior (dispersion), which is primarily shaped by microbe-host co-evolution and is more robust against disturbances including diseases, while diversity in DDR analysis is primarily an ecological-scale characteristic and is less robust against diseases. Nevertheless, both HDR and DDR cross-verified remarkable resilience of human microbiomes against MADs. Importance It has been argued that lack of consideration of scales beyond individual and ignoring of microbe dispersal are two crucial roadblocks in preventing deep understanding of the heterogeneity of human microbiome. Assessing and interpreting the spatial distribution (dispersal) of microbes explicitly are particularly challenging, but implicit approaches such as Taylor's power law (TPL) can still be effective. Here, we investigate the relationship between human microbiome-associated diseases (MADs) and the inter-subject microbiome heterogeneity, or heterogeneity-disease relationship (HDR), by harnessing the power of TPL extensions and by analyzing a big dataset of 25 MAD studies covering all five major microbiome habitats and majority of the high-profile MADs including obesity and diabetes. We postulate that HDR reveals evolutionary characteristics because it utilizes the TPL parameter that implicitly characterizes spatial behavior (dispersion), which is primarily shaped by microbe-host co-evolution and is more robust against disturbances including diseases than the traditional diversity-disease relationship (DDR).


In the article the results of a formative experiment on the formation of the ability to understand music of primary school students in art lessons are presented. The author determines that for the effectiveness of the results of the formative experiment with primary school students it is necessary to create new forms, methods and techniques.It is proved that the educational process according to the experimental method in EG in comparison with CG, helped to increase the general results of the formation of the ability to understand music of primary school students in art lessons. An analysis of the results of the initial and final sections in the experimental group of primary school students states that there was an increase in the number of children with a high level of ability to understand music: EG (initial) from 7.5% to 28.3% EG (final). In the control groups, a significant increase in high levels was not detected: CG (initial) – from 8.3% to 13.3%, CG (final). It was found that due to the increase of high levels in the experimental group decreased their average level of formation of the ability to understand music from 53.3% EG (initial) to 20.0% in EG (final).It is established that the success of the implementation of the developed methodology was confirmed during the formative experiment, as a result of which the positive dynamics of the formation of the ability to understand music of primary school students in art lessons was revealed. It is outlined that the research materials can serve as a theoretical basis for the development of prospective models of forming the ability to understand music of primary school students in art lessons based on the use of the methods, forms and means of different types of musical activities.


Three kinds of A-type granitoids are occurred in Songshan,Niushan and Tiqiushan of the northeast areas in Jiangsu.In which,Songshan rockmass is deemed to be granite of A 1 subtype,formed in an extensional environment of Sujiao orogenic belt in Jinning stage and the orogenic Tanlu strike-slip fracture belt;Niushan rockmass is deemed to be granite of A 2 subtype,formed in an extensional environment of Sujiao orogenic belt of collision post-orogenesis in Sinian stage;Tiqiushan rockmass is deemed to be granite of A 1-A 2 transitional type,formed in an extensional environment of inter-terrigenous post-orogenesis of Sujiao orogenic belt in Yanshan stage and Tanlu fracture belt.


In advanced packaging, the demands on photosensitive material, exposure and coating equipment differ from VLSI technology. While in VLSI technology sub-micron features have to be opened in very thin resist layers, wafer bumping or wafer level chip size packaging requires only a resolution of a few microns, but in thick photo resist. Patterning (bumping and redistribution) in the very thick resist and photosensitive insulating layers are, however, challenging. In order to meet the special requirement in wafer bumping and chip size packaging on wafer level, special equipment and photosensitive materials have been developed recently.


A generalized version of the Leslie-Gower predator-prey model that incorporates the prey population structure is introduced. Our results show that the inclusion of (age) structure in the prey population does not alter the qualitative dynamics of the model; that is, we identify sufficient conditions for the ''trapping'' of the dynamics in a biological compact set—albeit the analysis is a bit more challenging. The focus is on the study of the boundedness of solutions and identification of sufficient conditions for permanence. Sufficient conditions for the local stability of the nonnegative equilibria of the model are also derived, and sufficient conditions for the global attractivity of positive equilibrium are obtained. Numerical simulations are used to illustrate our results.


The current paper explores the relationship between servant leadership and harmonious passion. Harmonious passion refers to a strong desire to freely engage in an activity and is a result of an autonomous internalization of the activity into one's identity. While passion and leadership have been generally linked, the specific relationship between servant leadership and harmonious passion is underdeveloped within the field of servant leadership research. Our paper presents a conceptual model and propositions linking servant leadership and harmonious passion through the mediating mechanisms of follower confidence, autonomy, and identification. Implications and future research are discussed.


Objective:To evaluate the incidence and determinants of diabetes in a cohort of HIV-infected adults initiated with combination antiretroviral treatment (cART) in 1997–1999 and followed up to 2009. Design:Prospective study of 1046 patients at 47 French clinical sites. Methods:Potential determinants of diabetes occurrence, defined by confirmed increased glycemia and/or initiation of antidiabetic treatment, were assessed by a proportional hazards model, including time-updated metabolic parameters and ART exposure. Results:Among the cohort, representing 7846 person-years of follow-up (PYFU), 54% received indinavir, 75% stavudine and 52% didanosine. Overall, 111 patients developed diabetes, with an incidence of 14.1/1000 PYFU (14.6 in men, 12.6 in women). Incidence peaked in 1999–2000 (23.2/1000 PYFU) and decreased thereafter. The incidence of diabetes was associated [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR), all P < 0.02] with older age (hazard ratio = 2.13 when 40–49 years, hazard ratio = 3.63 when ≥50 years), overweight (hazard ratio = 1.91 for a BMI 25–29 kg/m2, hazard ratio = 2.85 >30 kg/m2), waist-to-hip ratio (hazard ratio = 3.87 for ≥0.97 male/0.92 female), time-updated lipoatrophy (hazard ratio = 2.14) and short-term exposure to indinavir (0–1year: hazard ratio = 2.53), stavudine (0–1year: hazard ratio = 2.56, 1–2years: hazard ratio = 2.65) or didanosine (2–3years: hazard ratio = 3.16). Occurrence of diabetes was not associated with HIV-related markers, hepatitis C, hypertension or family history of diabetes. Insulin resistance was predictive for incident diabetes. Conclusions:In this nationwide cohort, followed for 10 years after cART initiation, diabetes incidence peaked in 1990–2000, was markedly higher than that reported for European uninfected or other HIV-infected populations (4–6/1000 PYFU) and linked with age and adiposity. Adiposity and glycemic markers should be monitored in aging HIV-infected patients.


Purpose of this paper is to study the HRD and the requirements of sustainable development in the Ministry of Education, YEMEN. A study of this kind would highlight the dimensions, which can be manipulated to upgrade the human resource development in Ministry of education to pace with global challenges . This may also help in planning the resources to be tapped and utilized in its optimum level. The present study aimed at identifying certain variables related to HRD and the requirements of sustainable development in the Ministry of Education, YEMEN Study determines the effect of requirements of human resource development and training needs for employees in education.


Blood supply to the diaphysis of long bones is majorly through nutrient artery, which enters the bone via nutrient foramen. The present study aims to identify morphological and morphometric variations of nutrient foramina of the femur, which is the largest long bone of the body extending from the pelvis to knee. A sample of 81 Sri Lankan adult femur were analyzed. The mean length of the femur analyzed was 436.93 mm and mean foramen index was 43.52. The majority of the bones had a single nutrient foramen. The predominant location of the nutrient foramen was on the posterior aspect of the bone in the middle third of the shaft according to the study. Majority of foramina were directed distally. The indices on nutrient foramen are important for procedures such as bone g r fts a d tumor resections, in managing trauma, orthopedic procedures and radiological interpretations.


There are many factors which affect the behaviour both of wood poles and of the foundations which support them. Because both are basically of natural material there is also a considerable coefficient of variation which can be applied to each of the properties. In normal practice a simplistic view is taken of the shape and of the properties of the poles and foundations, yet a simple study shows the wide variations which can occur. Because of this variability, much more concern needs to be given to the partial factors which need to be applied to both poles and to foundations to ensure the correct coordination of strengths. The authors discuss these factors and how they affect design of wood poles. >


For decades the natural resource soil has received less attention than its counterpart water. This is unjust since nearly all the fresh water that is used by nature and humans comes from the soil. Soil is the best storage medium for water to overcome dry spells; it takes 1 liter of water to produce 1 kcal of energy in human food and most of this water comes from green water stored in the soil. Plant production suffers because water is not available due to deteriorated physical properties of the soil. Water scarcity and drought in Africa are often an indirect result of land degradation rather than a rainfall anomaly due to climate change. Where soil productivity is low and food security at stake, Green Water Use Efficiency (GWUE) is low. In sub-Saharan Africa GWUE is very low, only 15 % of the terrestrial rainwater is used by plants for the production of food, fodder and fibre. Although a millet crop grown under traditional circumstances uses only 50 mm in transpiration, the crop frequently suffers from agricultural drought due to excessive losses of rainwater. Rainfall that meets land at the soil surface is divided over several pedo-hydrological components. Rain may be intercepted by vegetation, run off the ground surface, or infiltrate into the soil; this is reflected in the rainwater balance. Infiltrating water may be stored in the root zone or drain below the root zone to groundwater and stream base flow, contributing to what is nowadays called 'blue water'. These processes are reflected in the infiltration water balance. The maximum amount of water stored in the root zone available for plant growth is a very important soil characteristic because it determines the potential survival of plants during a dry spell. Water stored in the root zone may be lost as evaporation from the soil surface into the atmosphere, or taken up by plants and used as transpiration. This is reflected in the soil water balance. Land degradation decreases infiltration, water holding capacity and transpiration, but enhances runoff, percolation and soil evaporation. These agro-physical processes cause a decrease in GWUE. A range of land management practices is available in sub-Saharan Africa to help improve GWUE. They can be classified according to their function: for reducing runoff; for improving water availability; and for improving GWUE. A focus on soil as a water resource will address problems of land degradation and drought, thereby improving productivity and food security in semiarid Africa. Going from 1500 to 3500 kg ha−1 yr−1 in Eastern Africa is easier than going from 5500 to 8600 kg ha−1 yr−1 in Eastern Asia. It could be that in 2030 an agriculturally active Africa helps alleviate global shortages of cereal production thereby turning the standard food security paradigm on its head.


The authors show some examples of dynamic simulations of voltage phenomena using a new general purpose stability program (EUROSTAG) covering in a continuous way the classical fields of transient, mid-term and long-term stability, and also the quasi steady state conditions of a power system. The three examples show the ability of dynamic simulations to study in depth all the phenomena taking part in the voltage collapses. The first example considers the case of an infinite bus feeding a reactive load through a purely reactive line. With this simple example, it is possible to show the basics of voltage instability. The second example illustrates the operation of a system on the lower part of the V, P curve. A two bus system is considered. The third example shows transient phenomena merged with mid-term voltage dynamics. >