Al~traet--The lower Permo-Triassic sediments of the Mal~iguide Complex contain abundant dickite. Whole rocks were studied by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction. The 2-20 tzm and < 2 #m size fractions were extracted and analyzed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, differential thermal analysis, and thermogravimetry. In the coarse-grained samples, the 2-20 ~m size fraction consisted of well-crystallized dickite associated with minor quantities of kaolinite, illite, quartz, and hematite. XRD patterns of the fine-grained samples and the <2 ~m fractions showed the existence of well-crystallized minerals in which several reflections of dickite (11/, 021) were absent and the 132/132 reflections were shifted. These patterns suggest the presence of an intermediate member between well-crystallized dickite and well-crystallized kaolinite. Only locally high-order reflections are present at 10.5/~ and 18-22/~. DTA and IR data agree with those from XRD. The observed compositional and structural variations are a function of the lithology and the particle size of the sample. The sequence kaolinite ~ kaolinite/dickite ~ dickite is proposed for the development of these materials during Alpine metamorphism. Key Wortls--Crystallinity, Dickite, Differential thermal analysis, Electron microscopy, Infrared spectroscopy, Interstratified minerals, Kaolinite, Thermogravimetry, X-ray powder diffraction.


Objective:To explore the expression of glutathione S-transferase P1(GSTP1)in the tissues of different types of prostatic diseases.Methods:We used immunohistochemistry to detect GSTP1 expression in the benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)and prostate carcinoma(PC) samples.Results:GSTP1 in BPH tissue was significantly higher than that in PC tissue,with significant difference(P0.01).Conclusion:The GSTP1 expression may be closely correlated with the genesis and progress of prostate carcinoma.


Down syndrome (referenced in USA) or Down's syndrome throughout the world, the
most common genetic birth defect is a chromosomal anomaly. It affects all races and
economic levels equally throughout the world.
It has only been over the past twenty years that significant advances in human genetics
have compounded a move toward the future needs and potential of children and young
adults with Down syndrome. Henceforth, individuals with Down syndrome can now be
seen more within the confines of their neighboring schools, homes and communities. [Continues.]


In this paper, we develop a mathematical model for an inventory problem which consists of several products. Demands for these products are following Gamma distribution. Our objective is to determine the optimal ordering quantity that minimizes the total cost for each product. This is called an individual replenishment policy. The total cost consists of the purchasing cost, ordering cost, handling and shortage costs. Using the same model, we also develop a periodic review model that determines an optimal ordering time for all the products. This is called a joint replenishment policy. We then compare the total cost of the individual and the joint replenishment policy and determine a policy that gives minimum total cost. Our numerical experiments show that in general the joint replenishment policy is preferable than the individual replenishment policy. The joint replenishment policy gives higher shortage cost, but less in ordering and handling costs than the individual replenishment policy.


The human capital of young and old workers are imperfect substitutes both in production and in on-the-job training. This helps explain why capital does not flow from rich to poor countries, causing instantaneous convergence of per capita output. If each generation chooses its human capital optimally given that of the previous and succeeding generations, human capital follows a unique rational- expectations path. For moderate substitutability, human capital within each sector oscillates relative to that in other sectors, but aggregate human capital converges to the steady state monotonically, at rates consistent with those observed empirically.


Employment interview research displays a greater concern for refining employment interviews to benefit employers rather than prospective employees. The interviewee's perspective is often overlooked. Further, generally scant attention has been paid to the interview experiences of disabled interviewees. In this paper I present findings from a project that sought to understand disabled interviewees' experiences of employment interviews. My analysis suggests such experiences were dominated by feelings of anxiety and manipulation, particularly when contextualised within contemporary labour market conditions. In this context, I reflect on the need for ethical rather than technical concerns into employment interviews and how innovations in interview techniques may be having a negative affect on interviewees. I further stress the need to reject victim blaming ideologies when researching disabled interviewees' experiences of employment interviews to counter the over emphasis of past research into changing the disabled person rather than the disabling interview environment.


The Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15) is regarded as the most widely used screening tools and easy to administer. The Geriatric Depressive Scale-15 short version was translated to the Arabic language by a researcher and was assessed by psychiatric specialists, then retranslated to the English language by an English language specialist, and after acceptance of the last form, and elderly was selected (samples size was (n=279) elderly persons (138 male and 141 female) form hospitals and general community setting, each elderly was assessed by using GDS-15 and then assessed by using the ICD-10 criteria for major depressive episode to detect presence or absence of depression. The average age of study group were (71.84) years, diagnosis of major depression according to Arabic GDS-15 short version for Iraqi elderly (44.4% for positive and 55.6 for negative) and according to ICD-10 criteria for depression (38% for positive and 62% for negative). Also, the study found that Arabic GDS-15 for Iraqi elderly had high specificity and sensitivity and interrater reliability (k= 0.72). This type of Arabic version GDS-15 is valid and reliable in the assessment of depression among Iraqi elderly dwellers in Alnajaf city for different marital status, educational levels, residencies, and occupations.


This article is based on a dissertation presented at Brazilian Institute in Information in Science and Technology in 2013. It aims to research the role of information, represented in records, targeting a consensus version of the truth by social actors that act communicatively and prompt learning by doing so. It approaches as its main subject the truth commissions in Latin America, Argentina and Chile, highlighting the recently inaugurated National Truth Commission of Brazil. It employs as methodology the exploratory and descriptive research. Its theoretical standpoint is the one of a reformulated discursive version of the truth by Jurgen Habermas, in order to solve the problem of ineffectiveness of the correspondence theory of truth. In that theory, the concept of truth is faced as ideal assertiveness, as well as an attribute of statements. From the pragmatic theory of truth, within the context of the National Truth Commission, it is established that information, as in spoken language and records, works a temporary truth to be validated in the public speech.


A current challenge for many European countries is to enable forced migrants to access health and social care that meets their needs. One solution is to use paraprofessionals - that is, trained ind ...


Efficient, cost effective measures for the safe disposal of hazardous wastes have been developed to meet the needs of industries in Brisbane and the surrounding area. Liquid hazardous wastes are neutralised, oxidised, or reduced as appropriate, and fixed (solidified) by the addition of fly-ash and cement kiln dust to form a material of the consistency of coarse gravel. Fixation is performed in cells dug in solid clay, holding about 70 tonnes. Fixed material containing pesticides, paints or organic solvents is left in the clay cells, capped with clay; fixed inorganics and waste oils having no toxic contaminants are used for land contouring on the site. Leachate tests on the latter have been uniformly below 10 times USEPA Drinking Water guidelines - that is, 10 times better than the limits nominated by the EP Leach Test (1980). Bores around the site have detected no leachates during the past seven years. A simple but effective management system keeps wastes segregated and confirms the identity of each batch of waste on receipt. All costs are charged to the waste generator including costs of correcting errors.


Approximate expressions for the self‐diffusion coefficients of spherical molecules in solid, liquid, and gas phases are obtained from the relation D=(kT/m) ∫ 0∞ρ(s)ds, where D is the diffusion coefficient and ρ(s) is the velocity correlation function of the spherical molecules. The correlation function is approximated by the function cosαδs/coshαs and the parameters α and δ are expressed in terms of molecular properties for liquids and gases. The approximate diffusion coefficient is found to obey an Arrhenius relation in the solid phase and a Sutherland equation for the gas phase. The results of a crude calculation of the self‐diffusion coefficient for liquid neopentane are within a factor of two of the experimental diffusion coefficients. The temperature coefficient of the calculated diffusion coefficients is also within a factor of two of the observed temperature coefficient.


The author reports the experience in treating vulvovaginitis with satisfactory results by putting eleven kinds of traditional herbs of different amount in a gauze bag, soaking it in 1 500-2 000ml water for 30min, then boiled for 20 min.The vulvovaginal region was then fumigated with the vapor. The patient sat into the fulid when it cooled down. These procedures were practised once or twice a day,7-10 days as a course.


Dear Editor, Many techniques have been described for reconstruction of a lacerated canaliculus. Previously described methods for finding the medial cut end of a lacerated canaliculus include use of viscoelastic materials, air, and triamcinolone, or a pigtail probe [1,2]. Identification of the medial cut end of the laceration and intubation of a silicone tube into it are challenging procedures even to an experienced surgeon, especially in cases with deep medial laceration or avulsion, edematous soft tissues, or narrow canaliculi or at several days post-injury [3]. We present a new and effective method for reconstruction in challenging cases using pigtail probe-connected 6-0 Prolene that guides the bicanalicular silicone tube intubation set with a guide wire (BVI Visitec, Sydney, Australia) (Fig. 1A). A 4-year-old boy was referred to our hospital and presented with a visible inflamed mass on the left upper eyelid, near the upper punctum. He reported a cat-scratch injury 1 week prior. On initial examination, the canaliculus could not be examined because of the patient's lack of cooperation. Primarily, surgery for removal of the eyelid mass was planned at 2 weeks after injury under general anesthesia. However, during the surgery, an additional left upper canalicular laceration was observed. We planned reconstruction of the canalicular laceration with removal of the eyelid mass. Although assisted with a pigtail probe [2], locating and intubating a bicanalicular silicone tube into Korean J Ophthalmol 2019;33(6):569-570 ht tps: / /doi.org /10.3341/k jo.2019.0070


The spring-block model proposed by Olami, Feder and Christensen (OFC) has several properties that are similar to those observed in real seismicity. In this paper we propose a modification of the original model in order to take into account that in a real fault there are several regions with different properties (non-homogeneity). We define regions in the network that is reminiscent of the real seismic fault, with different sizes and elastic parameter values. We obtain the Gutenberg-Richter law for the synthetic earthquake distributions of magnitude and the stair-shaped plots for the cumulative seismicity. Again, as in the OFC-homogeneous case, we obtain the stability for the cumulative seismicity stair-shaped graphs in the long-term situation; this means that the straight line slopes that are superior bounds of the staircases have a behavior akin to the homogeneous case. We show that with this non-homogeneous OFC model it is possible to include the asperity concept to describe high-stress zones in the fault.


In this paper we present the first system in Spanish capable of answering questions about medicines for human use, called MeQA (Medicines Question Answering), a project created by the Spanish Agency for Medicines and Health Products (AEMPS, for its acronym in Spanish). Online services that offer medical help have proliferated considerably, mainly due to the current pandemic situation due to COVID-19. For example, websites such as Doctoralia, Savia, or SaludOnNet, offer Doctor Answers type consultations, in which patients or users can send questions to doctors and specialists, and receive an answer in less than 24 hours. Many of the questions received are related to medicines for human use, and most can be answered through the leaflets. Therefore, a system such as MeQA capable of answering these types of questions automatically could alleviate the burden on these websites, and it would be of great use to such patients.


This paper analyzes the function of mechanism of science and technology creativity of college park of science and technology,and then discusses mechanism of science and technology creativity in the construction of college park of science and technology.The author thinks that six innovations should be made in the construction of college park of science and technology,that is,sustainable development,administration operating mechanism,property relations and assignment mechanism,personnel training mechanism;investment of starting new business and service operating mechanism.The construction should also pay attention to three relationships,that is,the relationship with government,the relationship with institutions of higher learning and the relationship with national high-tech new district.


The invention discloses an automatic support loader for loading pneumatic strip nails. The whole pneumatic strip nail loading work is controlled by a microcomputer. The automatic support loader comprises a selection mechanism, a nail loading mechanism and a support change mechanism, wherein the selection mechanism completes selection of the pneumatic strip nails through a relative distance between two selection belts; the nail loading mechanism completes the loading of the pneumatic strip nails according to a working order through the fixation of relative positions of a centering plate, a nail pushing plate and a nail pressing plate; the support change mechanism completes the change of a strip nail support by driving a support deliver plate to reciprocate on a nail loading plate through positive and reverse rotation of a step motor; and the whole pneumatic strip nail loading production process is completed according to a program instruction order. The equipment is used for the pneumatic strip nail production industry, is a matched product for a pneumatic strip nail machine, and realizes automatic selection and support loading to completely replace manual work.


Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer. Given the improvement in the survival of patients with ALL over the last few decades, the adverse effects of treatment and disease on survivors have become a major concern. Neuropsychological functioning has been reported to be affected in long-term survivors of ALL and can impact their quality of life. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess the neuropsychological functioning of long-term survivors of pediatric ALL. Materials and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted at the Cancer Institute, Chennai, India, between March and August 2014. Pediatric patients with ALL who had survived at least 2 years after treatment and were in remission were included in the study. Various neuropsychological domains such as sustained attention, focused attention, verbal working memory, immediate memory, verbal learning, immediate recall, delayed recall, visuoconstructive ability, and visuomotor speed were assessed using age-appropriate tests. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests such as the Mann–Whitney U and Kruskal–Wallis H-tests. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 51 participants, there were 30 male and 21 female survivors. Their median ages at diagnosis and assessment were 8.6 years and 18.3 years, respectively. Adult survivors (n = 31) were found to have deficits in immediate memory, verbal learning, immediate recall, visuoconstructive ability, and visuomotor speed. Adolescent survivors (n = 20) were found to have deficits in immediate memory and verbal working memory. Survivors aged 8 years or more at diagnosis had better focused attention and verbal working memory, while those diagnosed at age <8 years had better visuoconstructive ability. Those with longer survival had better verbal working memory. Conclusions: Long-term survivors of pediatric ALL experience deficits in various neuropsychological functions. Adult survivors have deficits in immediate memory, visuoconstructive ability, verbal learning, immediate recall, and visuomotor speed, whereas adolescent survivors have deficits in immediate memory and verbal working memory.


This contribution is a transcript of a conversation that the author held with Sabah Alnasseri, Associate Professor of Political Science at York University in Toronto, in December 2022.


This paper presents a modified technique of simulated annealing, based on machine learning for effective multi-objective design space exploration in High Level Synthesis (HLS). In this work, we present a more efficient simulated annealing called Fast Simulated Annealer (FSA) which is based on a decision tree machine learning algorithm. Our proposed exploration method makes use of a standard simulated annealer to generate a training set, and uses this set to implement a decision tree. Based on the outcome of the decision tree, the algorithm fixes the synthesis directives (pragmas) which contribute to minimizing/maximizing one of the cost function objectives and continues the annealing procedure using the decision tree. Experimental results show that the average execution time of our proposed tree based simulated annealing algorithm is on average 36% faster than the standard annealer and can be up to 48% faster, while leading to similar results.


This paper addresses the problem of classification of upper airways images for endotracheal intubation verification in order to improve the safety of patients undergoing general anaesthesia. The proposed method is based on textural features utilized in a continuous probabilistic framework using parallel Gaussian mixture models (GMMs). The classification decision is made based on a maximum likelihood approach, which is insensitive to the angle at which the image was taken. Evaluation of the proposed approach is done using a dataset of 200 images that includes three classes of anatomical structures of the upper airways. The results show that the approach can be used to efficiently and reliably represent and classify medical images acquired during various procedures.


A smart grid requires the implementation of ICT technologies in order to incorporate new functions into electricity grid monitoring and control. Wide Area Monitoring Systems (WAMSs) are used to measure synchrophasor data at different locations and give operators a near-real-time picture of what is happening in the system. The measurement data is periodically collected via communication channels to monitor, predict and control the power consumption, and detect and problems in the power grid. Attacks on WAMSs can trigger wrong decisions and create dangerous failures in the smart grid system. In this paper, we investigate data integrity attacks at different attack entry points of a WAMS, their impacts on the smart grid system, and existing mitigation strategies. We conclude from our study that the existing techniques, methodologies and mechanisms are not effective enough to detect or mitigate some attacks.


Homoleptic uranium(IV) amidate complexes have been synthesized and applied as single-source molecular precursors for the chemical vapor deposition of UO2 thin films. These precursors decompose by alkene elimination to give highly crystalline phase-pure UO2 films with an unusual branched heterostructure.


Improving the accuracy and robustness of deep neural nets (DNNs) and adapting them to small training data are primary tasks in deep learning (DL) research. In this paper, we replace the output activation function of DNNs, typically the data-agnostic softmax function, with a graph Laplacian-based high-dimensional interpolating function which, in the continuum limit, converges to the solution of a Laplace–Beltrami equation on a high-dimensional manifold. Furthermore, we propose end-to-end training and testing algorithms for this new architecture. The proposed DNN with graph interpolating activation integrates the advantages of both deep learning and manifold learning. Compared to the conventional DNNs with the softmax function as output activation, the new framework demonstrates the following major advantages: First, it is better applicable to data-efficient learning in which we train high capacity DNNs without using a large number of training data. Second, it remarkably improves both natural accuracy on the clean images and robust accuracy on the adversarial images crafted by both white-box and black-box adversarial attacks. Third, it is a natural choice for semi-supervised learning. This paper is a significant extension of our earlier work published in NeurIPS, 2018. For reproducibility, the code is available at https://github.com/BaoWangMath/DNN-DataDependentActivation.


We present a new scheme for speed control of induction motors, which does not require flux measurement. Under the assumption of known motor parameters, we give a proof of closed-loop stability and provide an estimate of the region of attraction. We also present simulation results comparing the new scheme with an input-output decoupling and linearization scheme, which requires flux measurements.


In accordance with Federal law N244-"About contract system in the procurement of goods, works and services for state and municipal needs" customers are given the opportunity to consider the factors of experience and reputation in the selection of the contractor in the implementation of procurement within the "business criteria reputation "procurement participant. The normative basis for the evaluation of business entities, based on an assessment of their financial performance, resource availability, human resources potential, quality of management decisions is the standard GOST R 56002-2014 "Evaluation of experience and business reputation of the construction companies." An analysis of the practice of GOST R 56002-2014 identified a number of shortcomings, which can significantly distort the final results of rating. The article presents the results of the standard in the process of appraisal activity AS "Russian Register", registered as a certification body for voluntary certification systems in the Register Rosstandart.


Cobbs et al have reported that many gliomas contain human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) gene products.1 Mitchell et al reported that 80% of patients with diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme have HCMV DNA in their peripheral blood; seropositive normal donors and other surgical patients did not.2 However, Baumgarten et al reported that HCMV infection in tumor cells of the nervous system is not detectable with standardized pathologico-virological diagnostics,3 calling into question the etiologic role of HCMV in glioblastoma.4

In our own studies, we have collected peripheral blood in anticoagulated tubes from 14 patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme who were referred for radiation therapy.5 We used standard methods for detecting HCMV by reverse transcriptase PCR6 and peripheral blood culture.7 None of our patients had circulating HCMV detected. Mitchell et al reported that 80% of patients with newly diagnosed glioblastoma multiforme have detectable cytomegalovirus DNA in their peripheral blood.2 The chance of a single glioblastoma patient not having detectable cytomegalovirus would be 20% or 0.2. Therefore, the chance of none of 14 patients having detectable cytomegalovirus would be 0.214 or P = 1.6 × 10−10.

Moreover, HCMV seropositivity data and glioblastoma incidence data do not support a HCMV-glioblastoma association since HCMV seroprevalence rates are not consistently related to glioblastoma incidence rates.8 HCMV seroprevalence is, however, related to socioeconomic status. HCMV infection is significantly lower in whites than in blacks or Hispanics (Mexican Americans), while glioblastoma incidence is higher in whites than in blacks or Hispanics. But HCMV seroprevalence rates are significantly higher in women than in men, although glioblastoma is more common in men. Therefore, a possible HCMV-glioblastoma association cannot be readily substantiated with HCMV seropositivity rates.

Age at infection may be involved since the incidence of both glioblastoma multiforme and HCMV infection are related to socioeconomic status, as described above. HCMV infection in early childhood, which is more common in lower socioeconomic groups, may be protective against glioblastoma, whereas HCMV infection in later childhood or adulthood may be a risk factor for glioblastoma. If so, glioblastoma would be similar to paralytic polio, in which low socioeconomic status, poor hygiene, and early infection are protective.9


This work was to investigate the process of degradation of the drug Prednisolone Sodium Phosphate (FSP) in oral solution dosage form through the degradation experiments, evaluating the parameters in accordance with Resolution 899/2003 ANVISA and the degradation process of the drug. The method by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) developed for the determination of the drug was validated to demonstrate its applicability as an indicator of stability, ensuring reliability. After the method be validated to study the degradation of the drug, it was shown that drastic conditions of oxidative stress (H2O2 30%) and temperature 60 ° C, the degradation of the drug is dependent on its concentration (first order kinetics). The results were satisfactory, showing that this method is suitable to investigate the formation of degradation products in oral dosage form solution.


Three soil management treatments (cultivation, herbicide, and killed sod) were established in the drive middle of a 10-year-old apple orchard removed the year prior to planting peaches. The cultivation and herbicide treatments used preplant tillage, leaving a bare soil surface, whereas the killed-sod system was untilled. Peach trees (Prunus persica L. Batsch) were planted, and growth, yield, and soil bulk density were measured after 3 years. There were no differences in tree growth or yield for the three treatments These results were contrary to published reports that the killed-sod system increased early tree growth. The lack of growth response in the killed-sod system was attributed to the high soil bulk density remaining from the previous orchard. We concluded that truck and tractor traffic in the drive middle causes severe soil compaction, which may limit root development. The soil compaction can only be moderated by tillage.


The annual estimated total nnarine fish landings in India during 1961-'85 are given. The contributions of the four regions namely North east. South east. South wett and North west to the total landings are presented. The trends in the landings of some of the major exploited resources are depicted. Estimates of the potential yields of the major fishery resources nre also Indicated. Strategies for monitoring and rational exploitation of the fishery resources are also Indicated along with the future perspective.


School dropouts and parenting styles: A longitudinal study This study explores how parenting style – as assessed by adolescents at age 14 – is related longitudinally to their having finished secondary school at age 22. The study is part of a larger ongoing longitudinal study on risktaking behaviour; 545 young people participated in this part of the study. We examined parental involvement, their granting of psychological autonomy and behavioural control in relation to school dropout. We controlled for gender, parental SES and academic achievement on a standardized national test in Icelandic at the end of compulsory schooling (10th grade). The results indicate that parenting styles as evaluated at age 14 predicted school dropout. Those who experienced parental involvement and the granting of psychological autonomy at age 14 were more likely than their peers to have finished upper secondary school at age 22. The third style, behavioural control measured at age 14, did not seem to predict school dropout when the joint contributions of the three parenting styles were explored. These results emerged even after controlling for academic achievement, gender, and parental SES.


This thesis focuses on the Dream of the Red Chamber, suggests a theoretical approach based on Bakhtin's poetics of the novel which named 'polyphony'. The thesis is divided into three parts: 1) an analysis of translating "Герой" in different language, which is the important concept in Problems of Dostoevsky's Poetics. 2) A discussion of the basic idea 'polyphony' of Bakhtin. Comparing several literary critic's views, such as Wayne C. Booth, Liu Kang, Tzevtan Todorov, then focus more on Todorov's idea, that consider 'polyphony' as an extension concept of 'the dialogical principle'. 3) Analysis several parts of narrative in the Dream of the Red Chamber that are similar with Bakhtin's 'polyphony', by applying what Todorov argued, 'the dialogical principle'. This thesis plans to investigate the use of 'the double in Literature' and 'Dream' theme in the Dream of the Red Chamber. After these discussions, I hope to offer a similarity between what Bakhtin's idea and some narratives in the Dream of the Red Chamber.


Silicon nitride (SiNx) is a promising passivation material for Si nanocrystal (NC)-based anodes in lithium-ion batteries. We report a single-step plasma synthesis process for growing SiNx-encapsulated Si NCs. In this process, nucleation and growth of the Si NCs occurred in the upstream region of a continuous-flow tubular plasma reactor via dissociation and polymerization of SiH4 diluted in Ar. The Si NC surface was nitrided downstream via N2 injection into the plasma afterglow. Infrared spectra show a N-rich SiNx coating, with some SiSi surface bonds that remained intact with no N insertion. Photoluminescence spectra show a Si NC core with an average diameter of ∼4 nm. These SiNx-coated Si NCs remained susceptible to oxidation in the ambient, which reduced the Si core by approximately a monolayer. Optical emission spectra from the downstream glow region show that excited N2 species likely led to surface Si nitridation.


Aims to review and discuss the different varieties of macro modelling of economic policies. This book also attempts to analyze policy themes that are important in Finland and elsewhere. Its last set of papers analyze exchange rate policies in Finland and issues in European Economic Integration.


Distributed MIMO radar systems have demonstrated to offer enhanced target localization capabilities. Reasonable power allocation strategies are designed to motivate a maximal system potential. However, the existing power allocation strategies strongly depend on the accuracy of previous position estimation, which restricts the real-time applications. In this paper, we extend the existing works to a more general case of unknown previous position information. Since the Cramer-Rao lower bound is known to provide a tight lower bound on the error of any unbiased estimator, it is derived and then employed as the optimization metric. The proposed power allocation strategy is ultimately formulated as a minimax problem to minimize the maximum probability of localization estimation errors over the whole area. Numerical results demonstrate its superior performance.


The pattern in hydroelectric projects has evolved from annual purchase and installation of small units of 50 to 400 hp to installation of six major projects in sizes up to 1-million hp. The latter require hundreds of drawings, sophisticated design work, laboratory testing, lead times of casting or forging, and governmental approval, all adding up to a very time-consuming process. The changing nature of these projects require tight coordination for economical construction. It requires close coordination of the purchaser, general contractor, and manufacturer of major equipment. This in-depth coordination demands close contact and good communications. After a discussion of the many factors involved in scheduling and costing and benefits from coordination, the construction scheduling of Grand Coulee is described as a good example. (MCW)


Introduction: Exercise Induced Inspiratory Symptoms (EIIS) are often confused with symptoms of exercise induced asthma. EIIS is related to laryngeal obstruction in most patients, and was previously attributed to inappropriate adduction of the vocal cords, hence the old label VCD. However, exercise induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO) primarily involves supraglottic structures in a majority of patients with EIIS. Therefore, surgical treatment (supraglottoplasty) has been performed in highly selected and motivated patients with pronounced symptoms and severe supraglottic collapse. Aim: To investigate efficiency and safety of laser supraglottoplasty as treatment for severe supraglottic EILO by retrospective chart reviews. Method: During 2010-2015, 43 patients mean age 16.9 (range 12-25) underwent laser supraglottoplasty due to a severe supraglottic EILO verified using continuous laryngoscopy during exercise (CLE-test). The surgical procedure was performed in general anaesthesia by one of three surgeons, and outcome was evaluated by questionnaire based self-reported symptoms and a CLE test performed before and after the operation. Preliminary Results: Postoperatively, 39/43 patients reported improvements of symptoms, 41/43 had a lower CLE-score, all but 3 had improvement at the supraglottic level, and 21/43 had normal laryngeal inlet at maximum exercise (i.e. a CLE-score of 0 or 1). Complications were experienced by 2/43. Conclusion: Supraglottoplasty improve symptoms in patients with supraglottic EILO, and appears as a safe and efficient treatment in highly selected severe cases.


Isabel Quintanilla is one of the most outstanding members of the so called «Madrilenian Realism», a group that includes a number of artists who choose the reality, especially everyday reality, as a core reason of their work. Following that artistic trend which she has supported since the very beginning of her artistic life, without paying any attention to other tendencies or fashions, Isabel Quintanilla´s paintings reveal the artist's emotion facing the nature of things. Therefore, and though at first sight her work might be considered close to the American hyper realistic painting (due to the perfection of her brush stroke, some aspects on details or similar subjects), in fact the techniques used by the painter as well as the atmosphere, the lyricism covering her paintings keep her firmly away from that tendency, with which she was so wrongly related to. The following analysis is based on unknown conversations of the author of this study with the artist herself, as well as on opinions of other experts on her painting.


S OF PAPERS 235 larly and intranasally with virulent Ark virus on day 30. Necropsy was performed on day 35 and clinical signs, sera, and virus detection were analyzed. Vaccine replication was not detected in a significant number of broilers until day 24 post vaccination and SPF chickens until day 28 post vaccination. Following challenge, 14 of 20 SPF and 9 of 20 broiler chickens tested positive for virus by qRT-PCR. These data demonstrate poor vaccine virus replication resulting in poor protection from challenge, which is consistent with previous studies. This trial also shows that Ark vaccine will spread to other chickens in a flock, indicating that multiple peaks of vaccine replication seen in previous trials may be the result of multiple infections of vaccine virus.


This study aimed to reveal the lecturers and employers perceptions on the role of employers in empowering lecturers through the provision of spiritual faith incentives, material incentives (scheme of service) and maknawi (abstract) incentives (working environment). This study involves 177 lecturers as samples and six employers of Darul Quran and MTQN. In order to achieve the objectives, a set of questionnaire which contains 51 items is used as instrument to measure the perception of lecturers on the role of employers. Meanwhile semi-structured interview that contains three questions is used to obtain opinions on the role played by employers. The questionnaire were analyzed descriptively and the overall results shows employers role in empowering lecturers are at a high level with mean value at 3.58. The interview result shows that there is a difference of views between lecturers and employers on material incentives (scheme of service). This study implied that scheme of service incentive should be upgrade to make it more equitable and inclusive, while maintaining spiritual faith incentives and maknawi incentives (working environment) are to continuously empowering lecturers.


Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is associated with a poor prognosis. We reviewed the National Cancer Database (NCDB) to analyze the prognostic factors in surgically resected ACC patients and the association of surgical approaches with overall survival (OS).


Texture analysis has become an important task in image processing because it is used as a preprocessing stage in different research areas including medical image analysis, industrial inspection, segmentation of remote sensed imaginary, multimedia indexing and retrieval. In order to extract visual texture features a texture image analysis technique is presented based on the Hermite transform. Psychovisual evidence suggests that the Gaussian derivatives fit the receptive field profiles of mammalian visual systems. The Hermite transform describes locally basic texture features in terms of Gaussian derivatives. Multiresolution combined with several analysis orders provides detection of patterns that characterizes every texture class. The analysis of the local maximum energy direction and steering of the transformation coefficients increase the method robustness against the texture orientation. This method presents an advantage over classical filter bank design because in the latter a fixed number of orientations for the analysis has to be selected. During the training stage, a subset of the Hermite analysis filters is chosen in order to improve the inter-class separability, reduce dimensionality of the feature vectors and computational cost during the classification stage. We exhaustively evaluated the correct classification rate of real randomly selected training and testing texture subsets using several kinds of common used texture features. A comparison between different distance measurements is also presented. Results of the unsupervised real texture segmentation using this approach and comparison with previous approaches showed the benefits of our proposal.


Temperature drift is a nonneglig ible factor causing big biasing error in RLG.How to identify and compensate this error relates directly to the measurement accuracy.Based on temperature experiment,the temperature characteristic of mechanically dithered RLG has been studied.The RBF networks was applied to identify the temperature drift as it can achieve the global optimum evaluation and has the linear weight-combiner and fast learning.Of the different approaches of parameter learning,the OLS algorithm is prior by its simplicity,high accuracy and fast speed.The results show that the RBF network based method with the OLS learning offers a powerful and successful procedure for fitting and compensating the temperature drift.


In order to realize on-site monitoring of mixed gases of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fuel cell (FC) gases, we propose a ball surface acoustic wave (SAW) gas chromatograph (GC) that operates at room temperature, using ball SAW sensors and microelectro mechanical systems (MEMS) columns. The ball SAW GC can rapidly analyze mixed gases including wide range of molecular weights by switching two combinations of column sensor pairs from series to parallel. As the component suitable for prtable GC, we developed metal MEMS column to improve the robustness and reduce the cost of previous silicon MEMS columns. A prototype of the ball SAW GC was assembled and the performance was evaluated by the analysis of a model VOC gas and a model town gas. As a result, it was verified that this system can separate and detect each component of these mixed gases. Moreover, we succeeded in fabricating active-carbon-packed metal MEMS column for FC gas including H2. Therefore, the ball SAW GC will realize on-site monitoring of VOC and FC gases to be used at cars, home and smart grids.


The purpose of this study is to examine the effect the Nazi threat had on the swedish labour movement between 1932 and 1939 and to enrich what kind of pre-understanding they had about the fall of t ...


The study objective is to improve anti-epidemic activities through the analysis of the results of the complete epidemiological, zoological and entomological research intended to determine the environmental and epidemiological patterns of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) and Lyme borreliosis (LB) foci, as well as the role of anthropogenic factors in its epidemic manifestations. Long-term data on the abundance of ticks flagged from vegetation in a number of districts of the Komi Republic (RK) are analyzed. The prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) and Borrelia burgdorferi (agent of LB) in ticks picked from vegetation, humans and domestic animals in various districts of the RK was determined with the help of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and polymerase chain reaction (PCR-ELISA). The data on tick-bite incidence in RK in 1994 - 2017, TBE incidence in 1970 - 2017, and LB incidence in 1997 - 2017, were considered and correlated with the impact of forest transformation on the TBE incidence. The growth of tick population in the southern districts of RK and its northward expansion are noted. It is also shown that the RK territory, where tick bites are registered, expanded significantly. In 2006 - 2017 there was a fourfold increase in the average tick-bite incidence rate as to compare with that in 1994 - 2005. In those RK districts where deforestation had place the tick-bite incidence increased, and the local TBE incidence grew distinctly. In recent years, there was a rise in TBEV prevalence in ticks, collected either from vegetation or from humans and animals. In 2006 - 2017 the average annual TBE incidence rate, increased by a factor of 11 as compared to 1970 - 1981, and by a factor of 36 as compared to that in 1982 - 1993. In recent years, the most severe focal forms of TBE started to be recorded. In 1996 - 2017 the TBE mortality rate was 2,3%. The main features of LB epidemiology are similar to those of TBEV. Thus, the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi in ticks flagged from vegetation increased from 9,5% in 2010 to 34,7% in 2017. A sharp increase in the LB incidence rate and significant northward shift of its range, where this infection started to be registered only in recent years, have been noted. Both TBE and LB proved to be occupation-related. The need in task-oriented prophylaxis of tick-borne infections is argued, taking into account local peculiarities. The RK northern districts, where tick bites on humans recently started to be reported, are to be considered as potentially endemic.


The exploitation of robotic systems with more complex kinematic structures than those of conventional serial chains is widely per ceived as one of the main avenues of development for robotics. The concept encompasses systems of different scales and characteris tics, such as hybrid manipulators, multifingered hands, cooperative robotic arms, walking machines, and so on. The underlying kine matic structure of these systems is the same in the sense that they can be regarded as combinations of modules. In this paper, we aim to provide a framework for systematically identifying, classifying, and combining different modules of such manipulators. Hence, we introduce a formalism that comprises a set of definitions, a symbolic representation of modules, and a set of operations based on the kine matic structure, degree of actuation, and mobility of the modules. The proposed formalism allows us to efficiently analyze and synthe size modular manipulators according to their constituent kinematic modules. Moreover, the foregoing operations can be easily per formed in symbolic form, using commercial software, which makes their implementation generic and more useful. The information that is obtained from these operations provides a data base for either designing an inventory of modules or interchanging modules when an inventory of modules is available to the system. The application of the proposed formalism is demonstrated through a few examples, one of which pertains to a 7-DOF hybrid manipulator with parallel subchains, whose architecture is introduced here for the first time.


Background: The prevalence of Ureaplasma urealyticum in varicocele patients and healthy men was investigated. Methods: Semen samples were obtained from varicocele patients and healthy control and were subjected to routine semen analysis and PCR. DNA was extracted by the Cadieux method, and analyzed by PCR protocol with species-specific primers for U. urealyticum (urease gene). Results: Ureaplasma urealyticum was detected significantly by PCR in 17 of 81 (20.98%) semen specimens from varicocele patients and in 3 of 100 (3%) healthy men. The percentage of sperm cells with motility, volume of semen fluid, concentration of sperm cells, and sperm cells with normal morphology were significantly decreased in varicocele men. In the group of varicocele patients with PCR positive for U. urealyticum, the volume, count, and morphology of semen samples were lower than in the varicocele patients with PCR-negative results, but the differences were not significant. Conclusion: The results indicate that U. urealyticum infection may be an additional negative factor influencing varicocele status and worsening reproductive potential.


Most cases of lymph node enlargement after completing tuberculosis (TB) treatment are due to paradoxical reaction (PR), not relapse, and therefore, do not require re‐treatment. We herein report a case of a 28‐year‐old man who had developed cervical TB lymphadenitis and exhibited re‐enlargement of the same lymph nodes one month after completing effective TB chemotherapy, which was microbiologically proven as relapse. The patient noticed painful cervical lymphadenopathy one month after completion of chemotherapy for TB lymphadenitis. Combination chemotherapy with multiple anti‐TB drugs was resumed with suspicion of relapse. But, with his symptoms having worsened, surgical excision was performed. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured from the dissected lymph nodes. Early regrowth of the lymph nodes after completing treatment can derive from microbiological relapse, in addition to PR. Surgical excision was useful for the microbiological diagnosis of the relapse. We must take care of lymph node re‐enlargement in consideration of TB relapse.


To The Editor:

I read with interest "Posterior Ankle Arthroscopy. An Anatomic Study" (2002;84:763-9), by Sitler et. al. The authors recommended use of a posteromedial portal for posterior ankle arthroscopy although their dissection clearly revealed contact between the cannula and the tibial nerve in two of their cadaveric specimens.

We had the opportunity to present a paper describing our experience with use of the posteromedial portal in ankle arthroscopy at the Pan-American Congress on Medicine and Surgery of the Leg and the Foot in 2000 1. We utilized the interval between the posterior tibial tendon and the flexor digitorum longus for …


The quality of chess programs is based on tree searching; this limits computer chess development. Modern improvements are possible mainly by applying new concepts in a heuristic evaluation of a chess position. While seeking optimal partial solutions to obtain general solutions, one is led to huge programs that solve only a small part of a chess problem. It seems that an optimistic approach is to look for a conceptionally simple and general evaluation function which can be improved by using a computer.


In this paper, closed forms of the sum formulas \(\sum{^n_k{_=}{_0}}x^kW{^2_m{_k}_+{_j}}\) for generalized p-Oresme numbers are presented. As special cases, we give sum formulas of Modified p-Oresme, p-Oresme-Lucas and p-Oresme numbers. We present the proofs to indicate how these formulas, in general, were discovered. Of course, all the listed formulas may be proved by induction, but that method of proof gives no clue about their discovery.


In this paper, we consider robust stability and instability of an uncertain nonlinear system with an uncertainty-dependent equilibrium. In conventional approaches to the analysis, it is assumed that the location of the equilibrium in the nonlinear system is not shifted by the uncertainty and then the robustness is discussed. However, the assumption does not hold for general nonlinear systems. We consider nonlinear feedback systems with dynamic uncertainties and propose robust stability and instability analysis methods for such systems by treating the uncertainty-dependent equilibrium. Finally, an illustrative example for stability and instability analysis of an uncertain genetic network model is presented.


Various animal models are used to study development of obesity. Diet‐induced obesity (DIO) in animals fed high‐energy diets is comparable to development of human obesity. This study examined effect of exercise and diet energy levels on carcass energy and fat depots in DIO rats. Six‐week‐old male Sprague‐Dawley rats (185 ± 2 g, mean ± sem) had unlimited access to high‐fat diet (38% kcals from fat) for 12 weeks. Rats from greatest and least weight gain quartiles (445 ± 5 and 334 ± 4 g) were assigned to DIO and non‐obese, diet‐resistant (DR) groups, respectively. For 10 weeks, DIO and DR rats had unlimited access to high‐fat (38% of kcals) or low‐fat (12% of kcals) diet and were exercised or kept sedentary in a 2 × 2 × 2 design (obesity × diet × exercise). Exercise consisted of treadmill running with weekly increases in speed and duration to values of 15 m/min and 1 hr/day for the final 2 weeks. Exercise reduced (p<0.05) weight gain and total carcass energy (22% and 24%) but did not affect energy intake of DR rats fed low‐fat and high‐fat diets. In DIO rats, exercise and low‐fat diet reduced weight gain and energy intake (12%) but did not affect (p>0.05) carcass energy. Exercise reduced epididymal fat weight by 42% and 31% in DR (both diets) and by 25% in DIO rats fed low‐fat diet only. Moderate exercise more effectively reduced carcass energy and fat in DR rats than in DIO rats, primarily when DIO rats were fed high‐fat diet. Supported by USDA/CSREES.


The NRAS-mutant subset of melanoma represents the most aggressive and the deadliest types associated with poorer overall survival. Unfortunately, for more than 40 years, no therapeutic agent directly targeting NRAS mutations have been clinically approved yet. Herein, based on microsecond scale molecular dynamics simulations, the concept of NRAS-Q61 mutation classification was firstly proposed. NRAS Q61 positively charged mutations (Q61R and Q61K) was classified together, with a specific targetable pocket, while NRAS-Q61L classified into another category. Moreover, the isomer-sourced structure iteration (ISSI) method was developed for the in silico design of potential inhibitors (HM-516) targeting NRAS mutations. Overall, through this article, we hope to provide the academic and clinical community with new perspective and understanding of NRAS oncoproteins, and propose possible solution to this challenge.


This 'hip' attitude is a kind of ironic nihilism in which ironic distance is offered as the only reasonable relation to a reality which is no longer reasonable.


Hypoplastic left heart syndrome with intact/highly restrictive atrial septum often requires emergent creation of an atrial communication to decompress the left atrium. Transcatheter trans-septal puncture in the setting of a thickened septum and a small left atrium can be a difficult and dangerous intervention. Trans-septal puncture using the Nykanen radiofrequency (RF) perforation wire in conjunction with a coaxial catheter and the Baylis RF generator has become the standard method in most centers. This approach can be challenging due to technical difficulties related to the RF wire and the flimsy coaxial catheter. We report two patients in whom we used a novel method of perforating the atrial septum using the RF Baylis trans-septal needle. The advantages of this technique are discussed.


Background and Objective: Electro convulsion therapy (ECT) is one of the most common ways for treatment of psychiatric disorders. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Propofol, Etomidate, and Thiopental on seizure and recovery duration following ECT. Methods: In this clinical trial study, 90 patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder by a psychiatrist, who need to be treated by ECT in 5 Azar hospital, Gorgan, north Iran. The patients were randomly divided into the three groups by simple random allocation method. Interventions included standard monitoring and pre-oxygenation with 100% FiO2 for 3 minutes for all patients in three groups. Anesthesia of the patients in the first, second, and third group was done with Thiopental (1.5 mg/kg), Propofol (0.6 mg/kg), and Etomidate (0.1 mg/kg), respectively. Administration of Succinyl Colin (0.5 mg/kg) as muscle relaxant and Atropine for prevention of bradycardia was uesd in all patients. Duration of seizure and recovery; changes in hemodynamic status including heart rate (HR) and mean arterial pressure (MAP); and amount of charge for ECT were recorded for each subject. Results: Mean of seizure duration in Thiopental, Propofol, and Etomidate groups were 43.72±11.81, 35.74±10.58 and 45.81±17.26 seconds, respectively (P<0.05). Amount of charge for ECT in 3 sessions of treatment and changes of HR were not different between the 3 groups. Changes of MAP in the Propofol group was significantly less than other two groups (P<0.05). Recovery time following ECT was the least in Etomidate group in comparison with Thiopental and Propofol (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ethomidate and Thiopental had the same effect on increasing seizure duration. However, due to the significant reduction in recovery time compared with Thiopental, Ethomidate may be considered as the best choice.


Introduction At the beginning of the twentieth century, when a higher awareness for the need of hygienic living conditions arose, linoleum was increasingly applied to a wide variety of furniture and interior surfaces. For highly resistant furniture covers the so-called granite linoleum was often used. This is a patterned linoleum with a speckled top coating which may consist of different colour combinations (like a granite stone). Today, granite linoleum is not produced anymore. This leads to conservation challenges when filling losses in granite linoleum. Within the context of a study project and a seminar about putties, techniques were developed which utilise the thermoplastic material Beva 371 as a highly flexible putty to fill losses in granite linoleum.


Significance Steroids are mainly produced by animals, while bacteria are major steroid consumers in the biosphere. Anaerobic environments are major reservoirs for estrogens; however, prior to this study, biochemical mechanisms involved in anaerobic estrogen catabolism remained completely unknown. Here, we characterized anaerobic estrogen catabolic pathway in denitrifying Denitratisoma sp. strain DHT3, which includes the transformation of estrogens into androgens via a cobalamin-dependent methylation. Data presented here complete the central pathways for bacterial steroid catabolism and reveal an unprecedented role of cobalamin in microbial steroid metabolism. Sex steroids are involved in bidirectional metabolic interactions between bacteria and their eukaryotic hosts; the discovery of retroconversion of estrogens into androgens in bacteria portends unexplored microbe–host metabolic interdependencies via this cobalamin-dependent estrogen methylation reaction. Steroid estrogens modulate physiology and development of vertebrates. Conversion of C19 androgens into C18 estrogens is thought to be an irreversible reaction. Here, we report a denitrifying Denitratisoma sp. strain DHT3 capable of catabolizing estrogens or androgens anaerobically. Strain DHT3 genome contains a polycistronic gene cluster, emtABCD, differentially transcribed under estrogen-fed conditions and predicted to encode a cobalamin-dependent methyltransferase system conserved among estrogen-utilizing anaerobes; an emtA-disrupted DHT3 derivative could catabolize androgens but not estrogens. These data, along with the observed androgen production in estrogen-fed strain DHT3 cultures, suggested the occurrence of a cobalamin-dependent estrogen methylation to form androgens. Consistently, the estrogen conversion into androgens in strain DHT3 cell extracts requires methylcobalamin and is inhibited by propyl iodide, a specific inhibitor of cobalamin-dependent enzymes. The identification of the cobalamin-dependent estrogen methylation thus represents an unprecedented metabolic link between cobalamin and steroid metabolism and suggests that retroconversion of estrogens into androgens occurs in the biosphere.


According to practical conditions and based on the detailed investigation of high-capacity generators installed in North China Power Grid, whose capacities are higher than 100MW, and their excitation systems as well as the manufacturers of them, it is determined that the high-capacity generating units, which are of typical characteristics of excitation system and directly connected into 500kV power grid, are chosen to conduct the parameter test and recognition of generator excitation system. By means of on-site testing, the fitting of initial value of excitation system, verification of electromagnetic transient and system transient stability, the model parameters of generator excitation system that can satisfy actual requirement of production are finally obtained. From July, 2004 on, the on-site testing based detailed model parameters of generator excitation system are applied in annual operation modes, dynamic stability calculation of mid- and long-term. planning of North China Power Grid.


This paper introduces the character,structure and using situation of extensible drive end unit of overseas scraper conveyor which our country imported,and points at the problems in using to analyse and put forward improvement methods.


A search for the standard model Higgs boson in the \bbbar decay channel has been carried out with the CMS detector at the LHC collider. The searched production modes are the associated VH production, the VBF production and the production in association with top quark pairs (ttH). The analyses are based on pp collision data collected at centre-of-mass energies of 7 and 8 TeV, corresponding to integrated luminosities of 5 fb$^{-1}$ and 20 fb$^{-1}$, respectively. The strategy and results of the searches are reported.


It is well recognized that tumor necrosis factor receptor‐1 (TNFR1) signaling pathway (with lymphotoxin‐β receptor) is of critical importance for the development, activation, and clustering of follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) within the lymphoid follicles. However, further information on the molecular control of these processes is very sparse. Here, we show that intravenous application of lipopolysaccharide induces the clear and prominent morphological signs of FDC development and activation in vivo, which is independent of TNFR1 pathway. Anat Rec, 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


The effect of various factors on engine noises have been studied in several ways involving component simulation and product investigations. However, the solution remain exclusive and investigation may be expensive but yet to solve the engine noise issues entirely for several engine Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). Manufacturing has many factors that much to be considered and this includes the uncontrolled or 'noise 'factors that exist within the process and product operation. The main research objective is to determine the optimum combination of control factors for engine valvetrain tapping sound while robust to noise factors by using Taguchi method. The objective is also to identify the most significant factors by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) approach. In this study, the effects of seven controlled factors and two uncontrolled factors were investigated by implementing the Orthogonal Arrays (OA) of Taguchi experimental method on a DOHC gasoline engine. The Orthogonal Array design of L₈2⁷ was chosen and eight experiment runs with pre-test run were conducted at the manufacturing plant in actual engine running condition. The optimum parameters from the DOE yield the best sound pressure level of 70.34 dB SPL based on software prediction, while the most significant factor found to be considered for improvement was the camshaft exhaust waviness of minimum level (waviness curve-maximum, WCM 2.0jum and below). Based on the confirmation run result, the optimum parameters yield the actual sound pressure level of 70.4 dB SPL which equal to predicted value. This result further convince that the implemented methodology is effective to find the best combinations of the studied factor parameters and able to reduce the engine valvetrain noise level.


Large and massive rotator cuff tears can cause persistent pain and significant disability. These tears are often chronic with substantial degeneration of the involved tendons. Surgical treatment is challenging and the functional outcome after repair less predictable then for smaller tears. The aim of this study was to determine the functional outcome and rate of re-rupture after mini-open repair of symptomatic large and massive rotator cuff tears using a modified two-row technique. Twenty-four patients, who were operated on under the care of a single surgeon between 2003 and 2006, were included in this study. Patients were assessed prospectively before and at a mean of 27 months after surgery using Constant Score and Oxford Shoulder Score. This assessment was carried out by an independent physiotherapist specialising in shoulder rehabilitation. At follow-up an ultrasound was carried out by a musculoskeletal radiographer to determine the integrity of the rotator cuff repair. Patient satisfaction was assessed using a simple questionnaire. The mean Constant Score improved significantly from 36 preoperatively to 68 postoperatively (p This study shows that the two-row repair of large and massive rotator cuff tears using a mini-open approach is an effective method of repair with a comparatively low re-rupture rate. It significantly improves the functional outcome and leads to a very high patient satisfaction. We conclude that these results justify repair of large to massive rotator cuff tears when possible, irrespective of chronicity of symptoms.


Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) is a new Veterans Administration Research Program designed to offer elderly veterans day hospital and rehabilitative care to prevent nursing home placement. ADHC is the liaison between the hospital and the community with care provided by an interdisciplinary team using the case manager approach. This article reviews the program and the role of the ADHC occupational therapist. It illustrates the expanded responsibilities that are encompassed in the position of occupational therapist as case manager.


During the 1990s, the regulatory model of the Brazi li n Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) started to b e restructured with the aims to promote competition a nd to attract investments to the sector. The first marketoriented reform ran into trouble, leading to insuff icient investment in generation expansion and highe r consumer tariffs. As consequence, from June 2001 to February 2002, Brazil faced a supply crisis. The federal go vernment established the Chamber of Management of the Electr icity Crisis, with the aim to overcome short-term s upply problems, to explain its causes, and to propose urg nt corrective measures. Although the "reform of th e reform" has made structural changes to improve the model, m any problems still occurred and brought out the nee d to revise the institutional model of the Brazilian ESI . Under Lula's administration (started in 2003), th is revision was implemented and a new governance structure of the B razilian ESI was created, based on two energy tradi ng markets: a Free Contracting Environment (FCE), wher e free consumers and generators can freely negotiat e their own bilateral contracts; and a Regulated Contractin g E vironment (RCE), where a pool of distribution u tilities purchase energy contracts from generators through p blic auctions under cap prices set by government . This paper presents the main problems that occurred in t he restructuring of the Brazilian ESI since the fir st reform and gives an overview of the current model, in order to explore the possibility of implementation of marke t mechanisms especially in FCE.


T Weibel-Paladee bodies are endothelial cell-specifi c organelles , which contai n von Willebrand factorr (vWF), P-selecti n and a number of other proteins. Upon stimulation of endothelial cells. Weibel-Paladee bodies fuse with the plasma membrane and release their content s into the bloodd stream. Recently, we found that the smal GTP-binding protein RalA is present in a subcellularr fraction containing Weibel-Palad e bodies. In the present study, we investigated whetherr RalA is functionall y involved in regulated exocytosi s of Weibel-Palade bodies. Activationn of endothelial cells by thrombi n resulted in transient cycling of RalA from its inactivee GDPto its active GTP-bound state. The amount of GTP-bound RalA reached a maximumm after 2 min and returned to basal levels approximatel y 10 min following stimulationn with thrombin. Exocytosi s of Weibel-Palade bodies was initiated 30 sec following stimulationn with thrombin. In time, a gradual increase in release of vWF was observed. RalA activationn and exocytosi s of Weibel-Palade bodies was significantly reduced by incubation withh trifluoperazine, an inhibitor of calmodulin, prior to thrombin stimulation. Together , these findingss indicate that activation o( RalA coincides with exocytosi s of Weibel-Palade bodies fromm endothelial cells. Functional involvement of RalA in exocytosi s was further investigated byy expression of constitutivel y active and dominant negative RalA variants in primary endotheliall cells. Introduction of active RalA G23V resulted in disappearanc e of WeibelPaladee bodies from endothelial cells. In contrast , expression of the dominant negative RalA S28NN did not affect the distribution or amount of Weibel-Palade bodies in transfecte d cells significantly.. These results indicate that RalA serves a role in controlling exocytosi s of Weibel-Paladee bodies by endothelial cells.


The fractional Hamiltonian formulation and the fractional path integral quantization of fields are analysed. Dirac and Schrodinger fields are investigated in detail.


The concept of internal control system at an enterprise has been disclosed; works of many scientists dedicated this problem have been analyzed, it has been proved that accounting control has lost its significance.


The behavior of differently heat-treated X20Crl3 steels in 0.1 M H 2 SO 4 was studied using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Impedance spectra were recorded at constant passsive potentials of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 Vvs. SCE, respectively. At low passive potential, 0.2 V vs. SCE, impedance spectra typical for an active - passive transition were observed. The assumption has been made, that they are the result of the adsorption process, caused by bound water, which blocks the passive layer of steel and leads to corrosion rate reduction. The process is the most significant at the oil and the air-quenched, but less at the tempered steel. When more noble potentials are approached the impedance spectra become typical for passive metals and the value of resistance and capacitance differ from each other with respect to the heat treatment.


Objective:To establish a kit method for determination of urinary iodine with thermostatic sand bath digestion.Methods: To determine urinary iodine using the national standard kit after the thermostatic sand bath digestion.Results: The minimal detection limit of the method was 4.5 μg/L,while the linear correlation coefficient was-0.9994.The iodine contents of 6 parallel determinations of urinary iodine standard material were 73.0 μg/L,175 μg/L and 206 μg/L,and standard deviation values were 2.1%,1.1%,2.9% respectively and relative standard deviations were 3.1%,1.9% and 2.0% respectively;Recoveries were from 96.0% to 100%.There was no significant difference between determination of 100 urine samples and the national standard measurement method.Conclusion: The method is simple,accurate,reliable and suitable for common laboratories.


The increasing housing shortage in contemporary Poland calls for efficient ways of design and construction. In the context of time efficiency and shrinking manpower, prefabrication is considered as one of the means of introducing low and middle income housing to the market. The article presents the process of developing an experimental tool for aiding multi-family housing architectural design with the use of prefabrication. We use the potential of BIM technology as a flexible environment for comparing multiple design options and, therefore, supporting the decision-making process. The presented experiment is realized in the Autodesk Revit environment and incorporates custom generative scripts developed in Dynamo-for-Revit and Grasshopper. The prototype tool analyzes an input Revit model and simulates a prefabricated alternative based on the user-specified boundary conditions. We present our approach to the analyzing and the splitting of the input model as well as five different strategies of performing the simulation within the Revit environment.


A method for producing a connected surface area (2) of a three-dimensional component by irradiating a powder layer (3), comprising: dividing a primary processing beam (4) on at least two processing beams (4a, b), performing the at least two processing beams (4a, b) a common scanner means (5) for aligning the at least two processing beams (4a, b) to different positions (P1, P2) in a processing plane (e) of the scanner device (5) to the contiguous surface region (2), wherein the generating of the contiguous Simultaneous change of the positions (P1, P2) of the at least two processing beams (4a, b) in a partial region or in at least two different portions (T3, T4) of the contiguous surface region (2) until the powder layer (3: surface area (2) comprises ) in the partial area or in the at least two portions (T3, T4) is completely melted, as well as simultaneously changing the positions (P1, P2) of the at least two processing beams (4a, b), or of at least two additional processing beams in a further section or in at least two different other portions (T5, T6) of the contiguous surface region (2) until the powder layer (3) is fully melted in the other part area or in the at least two further portions (T5, T6).


In this paper, we discuss the half inverse problem for the Sturm-Liouville operator with boundary conditions dependent on the spectral parameter and show that if q(x) is prescribed on [\frac{p}{2},p], then one spectrum is sufficient to determine the potential q(x) on the whole interval [0,p] and coefficient function \frac{a1l+b1}{c1l+d1} of the boundary condition.


Hydrostatic vertical guideway is the key component of modern CNC equipments which is a common lubrication form of turret. In order to improve the cutting stiffness during processing, the hydrostatic vertical guideway in sliding seat during westbank ram processing. Take count different cutting force to analysis the thickness changing of hydrostatic oil film, and then the relation between cutting force and the thickness of oil film is obtained. Based on FVM, relation model between them is established and the limited condition including cutting force is T=100KN, flow flux of each inlet is 0.52L/min, pump of constant delivery type is applied, film thickness is 0.023mm and oil cavity depth is 2mm is numerical simulated. The Hydrostatic pressure field and film thickness under different condition of hydrostatic vertical guideway is obtained. The relation model between film thickness and custom forces is validated. Whats more, the regularity of cutting force influence that impacted on film thickness is revealed. The study is of vital theoretical significance for the improvement of machining accuracy of numerical control machine and the entire CNC equipment and provides valuable theoretical basis for the design of hydrostatic guide rail in engineering practice.


The aim of this study is to examine the moderating role of organisational tenure on the relationship between job crafting and job boredom. For this purpose, a sample of 315 professional accountants from 82 independent audit companies listed on the Public Disclosure Platform was used. The data were analysed using hierarchical regression in addition to slope analysis. Analysis results show the negative relationship between job crafting and job boredom is significantly stronger for short organisational tenure. Additionally, strong job crafting is more likely to disengage accountants from job boredom when they have short tenure compared to long tenure.


This article presents a description and evaluation of the Home Free Program, a multi-component trauma-sensitive family reunification intervention based in a youth empowerment framework, which provides family-based crisis intervention and free transportation home for runaway youth. A mixed-methods evaluation was conducted with 107 parents/guardians whose children (ages 14–20) had run away from home. Qualitative data revealed changes in family interactional patterns related to physical reunification, clearer expectations, increased communication, improved communication, and increased awareness of differing perspectives. Quantitative data revealed decreases in family conflict, increases in family expressiveness, improvements in family dynamics, and improvements in youths' health outcomes.


In this work we analyze the boundary value problems on a path associated with Schrödinger operators with constant ground state. These problems include the cases in which the boundary has two, one or none vertices. In addition, we study the periodic boundary value problem that corresponds to the Poisson equation in a cycle. Moreover, we obtain the Green's function for each regular problem and the eigenvalues and their corresponding eigenfunctions otherwise. In each case, the Green's functions, the eigenvalues and the eigenfunctions are given in terms of first, second and third kind Chebyshev polynomials.


A two-dimensional direction finding ambiguity resolution algorithm about millimeter wave interferometer is proposed in the paper. By means of implementing one or more times virtual transformation operation on measured phase differences between the original circular array elements and the reference array element,the unambiguous phase differences between the virtual array element and reference array element are achieved. The unambiguous phase differences are used to give rough but unambiguous estimation of direction of arrival( DOA),which are used as coarse references to disambiguate the cyclic phase ambiguities in phase differences between the original array element and the reference array element. The high-precision estimations of DOA are acquired. Simulation examples have verified that the algorithm can obtain the two-dimensional direction finding results with high accuracy in the millimeter wave frequency range.


BACKGROUND
Staphylokinase (SAK) is produced by the majority of Staphylococcus aureus strains. It is an extracellular protein that activates the conversion of human plasminogen (plg) to plasmin. The role played by SAK in staphylococcal infection is unclear.

METHODS
Wild-type S. aureus strain LS-1, which lacks the ability to produce SAK, was modified by an insertion of the sak gene into its chromosome. The sak gene was integrated in 2 forms--(1) linked to its own promoter and (2) fused to the promoter of the protein A gene--which resulted in the overexpression of SAK. SAK is highly specific for human plg and exhibits almost no activity toward murine plg. To investigate the role played by SAK in a murine infection model, human plg transgenic mice and their wild-type counterparts were inoculated intravenously with congenic S. aureus strains differing in SAK production.

RESULTS
Human plg transgenic mice inoculated with SAK-expressing strains displayed significantly reduced mortality, less weight loss, and lower bacterial loads in kidneys than did the wild-type mice. No difference in the severity of sepsis was observed between transgenic and wild-type mice infected with a SAK-deficient strain.

CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that expression of SAK followed by activation of plg alleviates the course of S. aureus sepsis.


We extend the definition of eta-weak-pseudo-Hermiticity to the class of potentials endowed with position-dependent mass. The construction of non-Hermitian Hamiltonians through some generating function are obtained. Special cases of potentials are thus deduced.


Enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) is a new technology that provides higher bit rates and better error protection for packet-switched data transmissions, compared to the traditional GPRS technology. Especially video streaming which requires higher bitrates in order to achieve sharp image quality and fluent motion. GPRS allowed the introduction of streaming service with adequate quality, but better technology is needed in order to provide a more enjoyable service. The purpose of this article is to show what new benefits EGPRS brings to packet-switched streaming service (PSS).


This article presents an overview of what Europeans think are the strengths and weakness of the U.S. Intelligent Transportation Systems ( ITS) effort. It gives a clear consensus on where the U.S. stands as it tries to make up ground in Europe's 10-year head start in ITS evolution. The article reveals that the U.S. is seen as the world leader in two specific areas: electronic toll collection (ETC) and commercial vehicle operations (CVO).


In the work is proposed methodology-theoretical analysis of the educational process didactic system in the institute of higher education which is oriented on the student's health value priority as a system-forming of their physical training. It is necessary to understand as didactic system of physical training focused on health scientifically proved and pedagogical caused integrity. It defines the purpose, problems, ways and results of activity of the teacher. They are directed on improvement of students.


This article discusses an intervention proposal to systematize the management processes of Educational Assistance Unit EAU / EAJ / UFRN, as a contribution to the improvement in management. The study theoretically based it on the assumptions of the New Public-NGP Management and Process Management. Methodologically, it uses action research and qualitative approach whose application contributed to the general knowledge of reality and guided intervention actions and changes. As a result of the research diagnosis was prepared showing the current management model of the UAE, EAU , It offered support for the preparation of proposals for actions to promote changes in the organization chart of the sector; in the preparation of the UAE duties and its subordinate sectors; in the systematization of administrative processes (routine flow and work flow standardization of documents and forms, etc.); and in the improvement of both physical; and improving the physical and technical conditions which are part of the management sector system of this study.


Government regulation no. 42 in the 1960s and no.23 year 2000 states that language indonesia was a lecture development personality.During this teachers have not realized that learning the indonesian language is the process of change knowledge or information move to the learning of languages as a communication system.If the was left, so indonesian as lecture must college could not carry the vision of the national education that have been launched by. Research and development research and development ( r amp; d & ) is research methodology used to produce certain products, and test effectiveness of the products.The application of development model formeaning response is a combination of two strategies stilistik and response readers.Through LKM and learning activities is based on the principle that system rules not all can operate but shall be construed, so that in the analysis language have to take the form of in context meaningful.Design evaluation covering the tests pertaining to were work and saw significance in a change in attitude, so that evaluas cannot be separated from a purpose and functions psikodiagnotis in general the targets were personality in a clear.This study using test personality inventory equipped with the text persuasive based multicultural marriages mathematical formula that was realized through theoretical possibilities .The assessment should not only be using the observation is not sustainable .Observation is closer to commentary , sometimes behavior is not an expression of the attitude the truth .The test in this research used to dig out needs system which created based on a list of the needs .To bore insan-insan bermatabat need hard work that indonesian language teaching material enriched the text as a device in learning system , that the vision of the national education can be reached . Keywords: Formeaning Respons, Personality Inventory


With a highlight on the challenges and exciting possibilities of James Joyce's texts, this article explores the illustrations of Jun-Pierre Shiozawa for Ulysses, a series of eighteen watercolours produced for each episode of the work in 2014 and composing one of the digital galleries on the artist's website. The focus of the investigation is to show that the (apparent) simplicity posited by watercolour as a pleasing medium (with its fragile shapes smoothly contrasting light and dark hues in fine delicate textures) reveals a complex network of connotations and cohesive layers of meaning, constructed especially by means of the scenes selected for illustration, the point of view from which each one is presented and their association with Joyce's text, captioned in short extracts below each image. The article is structured in one section and, in the analysis proper, I examine the main compositional resources employed in each illustration, the effects evoked by them and the relationships of image and text implied in the captions. Based on art and image studies, I also discuss in which sense the term "simplicity" is being used in the article, which adds a dimension to Shiozawa's art.


Extracting polysaccharide with the method of decoction and alcohol sedimentation.The different ways to removing protein from polysaccharide of Chinese yam among TCA,HCl and TPS is compared.The result shows TPS method is the best way to removing protein and can remove the protein effectively and lose polysaccharide little,the best condition is keeping the quantity of TPS 0.5 mL,decomposing time 45 min and decomposing temperature 37 ℃.The removing rate for protein is 88.7% and retaining rate for polysaccharide is 93.1%.


A few years after the coming to power of Nazism in Germany, an alliance of states and nationalistic movements formed, revolving around the German axis. Th e states involved in this alliance and the interplay between their territorial aims and those of Germany lies at the core of this volume. In other words, the volume deals with the phenomenon of territorial revisionism in the interwar period and in the Second World War. Our purpose is to show the usefulness of a historical approach which considers East Central Europe in the Second World War as a whole instead of narrowing the focus to the individual states involved. In our opinion, this perspective allows for a clearer understanding of some of the central topics in the history of the Second World War, which are still in need of illumination. Th ese include:


Metallic silicon of high purity was irradiated with thermal neutrons to analyze impurities radiochemically. As a result, it was found that the specimens contain an extremely small amount of copper. The quantities of copper were 0.25 approximates 0.32 ppm for the iodide silicon method, and 0.11 approximates 0.14 ppm for the trichlorosilane silicon method. The amihilation radiation of BETA / sup +/ from Cu/sup 64/ was counted with the single channel gamma spectrometer using the well type NaI--Tl gamma detector. The energy calibration and the counting efficiency of BETA /sup +/ were determined by the standard sample of Zn/ sup 65/. With this efficiency, the quantities of copper were determined from the activities of Cu/sup 64/. Chemical separation of copper from the matrix silicon was not carried out. There are many factors that have influence on the determination, such as fluctuations of neutron flux, uncertainty of irradiation time, and self absorption of radiation with the specimen. Consequently, the determination was not carried out by the generally used reference method for the activation analysis, but by the activity measurement method. (auth)


We examined spontaneous polyembryony in Lilium lancifolium Thunb. by determining the occur- rence of polyembryonic seeds in intraspecific crosses and open pollination, and by analyzing the genetic ori-gins of polyembryos with simple–sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Forty–one polyembryonic seeds (0.2% of total) were detected from 17,583 seeds. Of the polyembryonic seeds, 36 were duplets and five were triplets. Eighteen seedling sets (three triplets and 15 duplets) were cultured and grown to maturity. Flow cytometry revealed that all were diploids, and results of analyses with SSR markers indicated that all the multiple embryos, except for two triplet seeds, originated from a zygotic embryo through cleavage embryony. The SSR profiles confirmed that the seedlings from polyembryos resulted from cross–fertilizations and did not from unfertilized somatic embryos. Six seedlings rescued from the two triplets occurring in 2x × 3x combinations were heterozygous with respect to SSR, and thus they may have their origin in multiple embryo sacs and/or polyspermy. The occurrence of polyembryonic seeds was remarkably greater in one accession collected from Wan–do (Wan island) than the others. This suggested that the frequency of polyembryony depends on the genotypes of L. lancifolium . reaction conditions were as follows: 94°C for 2 minutes; and then 35 cycles of 94°C for 30 seconds, 55°C for 30 seconds, and 72°C for 1 minute; with a final extension at 72°C for 5 minutes. The amplified products were analyzed by electrophoresis using a 6% denaturing poly-acrylamide gel and a conventional PAGE apparatus for 2 hours at 1,800 V, or a LiCor 4300 automatic electrophoresis system for 4 hours. The DNA fragments separated by conventional PAGE were visualized by silver staining (Promega,


Sum17zur.y A kind of ray theory is developed for surface waves in a layered elastic medium in which there are gradual lateral variations in the thicknesses of the layers and in the elastic parameters characterizing each layer. An approximation equivalent to the JWKB approximation is used, and equations governing the slow variations in amplitude, frequency and wavenumber in a nearly uniform sinusoidal wavetrain are deduced. In the first approximation these equations are found to be those given by Whitham's average Lagrangian method. An equation governing the slow variation in phase is also deduced. The solution of these equations by the method of characteristics gives ray-tracing equations and an amplitude equation similar to those given by standard ray theory for body waves. The analysis also leads to a straightforward method for finding the total energy flux and energy density of the waves without performing an integration over the depth co-ordinate.


throughout. Readers have at times objected to Welty's plotlessness as obstructive of meaning and found her use of detail inundating rather than illuminating. Diana Trilling's early remarks in the Nation (1943) faulted Welty's stories for developing "technical virtuosity" rather than conventionally meaningful narrative. She accused Welty of writing "a book of ballets, not of stories" and read the stories as staying "with their narrative no more than a dance, say, stays with its argument."' Trilling's remarks are representative of a particular reaction to finding Welty's fiction not what was expected. John Fleischauer's responses in "The Focus of Mystery: Eudora Welty's Prose Style" (1973) are similar; he speaks of "vagueness contrasting with or containing delightful and colloquial concentrations of detail," arguing that "the vagueness, or sketchiness, or selection of detail is so pronounced . .. as to lead to complaints" while readers look for a "a steady progress of action."2 Teachers of Welty's fiction sometimes find similar responses in classrooms of new Welty readers. Of all Welty's collections, The Bride of The Innisfallen receives the most criticism


This study was performed to investigate the effects of inertial navigation system (INS) / global positioning system (GPS) sensor fusion for agricultural vehicle navigation. An extended Kalman filter algorithm was adopted for INS/GPS sensor fusion in an integrated mode, and the vehicle dynamic model was used instead of the navigation state error model. The INS/GPS system was consisted of a low-cost gyroscope, an odometer and a GPS receiver, and its performance was tested through computer simulations. When measurement noises of GPS receiver were 10, 1.0, 0.5, and 0.2 m (), RMS position and heading errors of INS/GPS system at 5 m/s straight path were remarkably reduced with 10%, 35%, 40%, and 60% of those obtained from the GPS receiver, respectively. The decrease of position and heading errors by using INS/GPS rather than stand-alone GPS can provide more stable steering of agricultural equipments. Therefore, the low-cost INS/GPS system using the extended Kalman filter algorithm may enable the self-autonomous navigation to meet required performance like stable steering or more less position errors even in slow-speed operation.


The limited use of the 'official' e-participation websites by the citizens, their high heterogeneity in terms of political interests, educational level and technological skills and at the same time the emergence of the new web 2.0 social media necessitate central and local administration to exploit the numerous usersdriven virtual spaces, which have been launched through citizens initiatives with dramatic success in terms of adoption and usage, in order to widen and enhance e-participation. This paper describes a methodology for the systematic exploitation of the emerging Web 2.0 social media, in combination with established simulation modelling techniques and tools, by governmental organizations in the processes of public policies formulation. It is based on the concept of 'Policy Gadget' (Padget), which is defined as a micro web application combining a policy message with underlying group knowledge in social media and interacting with citizens in popular web 2.0 locations (such as social networks, blogs, forums, news sites, etc) in order to get and convey their input to policy makers. Such 'Padgets' will be created by a central platform-toolset and then deployed in many different Web 2.0 media. Citizens input gathered through 'Padgets' will be used in various simulation modelling techniques and tools, such as the Systems Dynamics methodology), which are going to simulate different policy options and estimate their outcomes and effectiveness. Finally, a use case scenario of the proposed methodology is presented, which outlines how it can be used in 'real life' public policy design problems.


T cells infiltrate the prostates of prostate cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant androgen deprivation. These prostate‐infiltrating T cells have an oligoclonal phenotype, suggesting the development of an antigen‐specific T‐cell response. We hypothesized that androgen deprivation might elicit a prostate tissue‐specific T‐cell response that could potentially be combined with other immune‐active therapies, and consequently sought to investigate the nature and timing of this T‐cell response following castration.


Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) is a neglected crop native to Africa, with an outstanding potential to contribute to the major challenges in food and nutrition security, as well as in agricultural sustainability. Two major issues regarding cowpea research have been highlighted in recent years—the establishment of core collections and the characterization of landraces—as crucial to the implementation of environmentally resilient and nutrition-sensitive production systems. In this work, we have collected, mapped, and characterized the morphological attributes of 61 cowpea genotypes, from 10 landraces spanning across six agro-ecological zones and three provinces in Mozambique. Our results reveal that local landraces retain a high level of morphological diversity without a specific geographical pattern, suggesting the existence of gene flow. Nevertheless, accessions from one landrace, i.e., Maringué, seem to be the most promising in terms of yield and nutrition-related parameters, and could therefore be integrated into the ongoing conservation and breeding efforts in the region towards the production of elite varieties of cowpea.


The Waste Management Project within Fluor Hanford performed an initial investigation of the current and historical contents of 221-T (T Plant Canyon) process cells. This Phase I report is intended to be followed by a final, more detailed, Phase II report. This information has been gathered in order to help reduce uncertainties and future surprises regarding cell contents during future work in and around T Plant process cells. The information was obtained from available documentation and was compiled into a database that is included in the report. Resolution of any apparently conflicting information was not a part of the Phase I effort. No information has been found to date that would indicate there could be a significant unexpected hazard in any of the process cells.


Although several algorithms have been presented to solve the simultaneous pose and correspondence estimation problem, the correct solution may not be reached to with the traditional random-start initialization method. In this paper, we derive a novel method which estimates the initial value based on genetic algorithm, considering the influences of different initial guesses comprehensively. First, a set of random initial guesses is generated as candidate solutions. Second, the assignment matrix and the perspective projection error are computed for each candidate solution. And then each individual is modified (selection, crossover, and mutation) in current iterative process. Finally, the fittest individual is stochastically selected from the final population. With the presented initialization method, the proper initial guess could be first calculated and then the simultaneous pose and correspondence estimation problem could be solved easily. Simulation results with synthetic data and experiments on real images prove the effectiveness and robustness of our proposed method.


High performance computing (HPC) uses supercomputers and computing clusters to solve large computational problems. Frequently HPC resources are shared systems and access to restricted data sets or resources must be authenticated. These authentication needs can take multiple forms, both internal and external to the HPC cluster. A computational stack that uses web services among nodes in the HPC may need to perform authentication between nodes of the same job or a job may need to reach out to data sources outside the HPC. Traditional authentication mechanisms such as passwords or digital certificates encounter issues with the distributed and potentially disconnected nature of HPC systems. Distributing and storing plain-text passwords or cryptographic keys among nodes in a HPC system without special protection is a poor security practice. Systems that reach back to the user's terminal for access to the authenticator are possible, but only in fully interactive supercomputing where connectivity to the user's terminal can be guaranteed. Point solutions can be enabled for these use cases, such as software-based role or self-signed certificates, however they require significant expertise in digital certificates to configure. A more general solution is called for that is both secure and easy to use. This paper presents an overview of a solution implemented on the interactive, on-demand LLGrid computing system [1,2,3] at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and its use to solve one such authentication problem.