It has been suggested that the American pika may be present within the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Pikas are a thermal specific species usually found in high-elevation habitats. Recent research has described populations of American pika within low-elevation habitats, including in Oregon, where average temperatures are higher than expected tolerance level for pikas. Habitat within the monument has been analyzed in comparison with gathered data of current persisting pika populations in similar environments in the Southern Cascades region, as well as literature on traditionally understood habitat requirements for American pikas. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems software in order to determine suitability of habitat within the monument allowed for the identification of specific locations that may present the possibility of pika population occurrence. The results of these suitability models have suggested possible occupancy. Field surveys have been undertaken at sites suggested by the models to determine current and historical occupation. Pikas are sedentary, do not disperse over large distances, and require talus slopes for refuge and denning. Selection of survey sites was restricted to these factors. The approach to surveying for and monitoring pika populations in the study area will be based on detection of haypiles, scat, or individuals, utilizing the habitat. Field survey has concluded that a small population of American pika is currently occupying habitat within the Monument, and plentiful evidence suggests widespread occupation historically. Further field survey is necessary to make conclusive determinations about the extent of current occupation by American pika.


This study 1 presents results on the dynamic motions of piled floating pontoons resulting from boat wake and the impact on a standing person's stability. Piled floating pontoons are public access structures that provide a link between land and sea. There is limited data on the dynamic motions (acceleration and rotation) of piled floating pontoons to wave excitation. Similarly, there are no design standards specific to floating pontoons stipulating suitable motion limits to maintain the postural stability of users. This paper proposes a set of Safe Motion Limits (SMLs) in the form of lateral, vertical and rotational accelerations in order to maintain a standing person's stability. Both laboratory and prototype testing have been undertaken to obtain data on the motion response of piled floating pontoons resulting from regular boat wake conditions. The motions (accelerations and rotations) recorded via Inertial Measurement Units (IMU) are compared against the proposed SMLs to establish the potential impact on a standing person's stability. Laboratory results showed that two scaled pontoons consistently exceeded the nominated SMLs under boat wake conditions. Results revealed accelerations and roll angles were dependent on beam to wavelength (B/L). Internal mass played a secondary role, with larger mass structures resulting in overall lower accelerations for similar B/L ratios. Laboratory results revealed the complex interaction between the piles and pontoon that resulted in peak accelerations more than six times the nominated operational SML of 0.1g. Root-mean-square accelerations were observed to be more than three times greater than the nominated comfort limit (0.02g). Prototype (field) testing showed that under the relatively mild wave conditions the nominated SMLs were exceeded at three of the four sites and user discomfort was experienced at all four sites. Results from prototype testing showed peaks in acceleration for short period waves <3 seconds, similar to those reported in the laboratory. results should be given to including a set of motion limits within guidelines and standards aimed at designing these structures with consideration given to the stability and comfort of users.


This article works to find common ground in how the law configures adolescents as decision makers. Part I discusses various ways of understanding competence and decision-making capacity for adolescents. This section illustrates that the core elements of these concepts are the same when deployed by juvenile justice advocates or those debating healthcare decision-making rights for young people. Part II delineates how advocates in the healthcare arena have articulated a belief in wide adolescent decision-making competence in this realm with a specific focus on abortion. The section concludes with a discussion of Supreme Court jurisprudence. Part III shifts focus to describe how different parties have discussed issues of adolescent development and competence in the criminal context. It concludes with a discussion of how the Supreme Court has confronted this issue.Part IV queries whether there is, in fact, a divide between the two articulated positions of adolescent competence. The section describes the pros and cons of creating a unified vision of adolescents for purposes of configuring them in the law. This section then works to reconcile the two positions by acknowledging the complexity of the inquiry and exploring the possibility that contrasting views of adolescent competence in different contexts are in fact quite compatible. I argue that the milieu in which young people make decisions, i.e., in formal versus informal settings, demonstrably affects the quality of the decision-making process. As such, it is logical to conclude that the decision-making process in formal healthcare settings leads to better decisions that the law should support than is the case in the informal settings in which young people decide to participate in criminal activities. As such, any presumptions of decisional-capacity and responsibility for those decisions can and should be different in the healthcare arena versus the criminal arena.


The optimization of the extraction of metal–humic acid complexes from marine sediments has been studied. A well known procedure of extraction has been considered and a modification is proposed in order to extract the less stable metal–humate species. Humic acid extracted from marine sediments collected in Antarctica has been quantified by a spectrophotometric method, while five trace metals extracted together with the humic acids have been measured by ICP–AES.


A method of manufacturing a superconducting tape wire material, wherein a reduction in a critical current in the superconducting tape wire material is suppressed by suppressing an increase in an effective AC loss.  To manufacture the superconducting tape wire material, filaments filled with superconducting material powder and having a flat elliptic or rectangular cross section are disposed in a pipe having a shape the sides of which in a pressing direction have a smaller length than adjacent sides, and then the pipe is pressed in the short-side direction to form the pipe in a tape shape.


We investigate a new rectangular element for the Reissner-Mindlin model based on the primitive variable system. Nonconforming rotated Q1 element is used to approximate the transverse displacement and the biquadratic element is used for the rotation. Convergent error estimate is obtained which is independent of the thickness of the plate. AMS(MOS) subject classifications. 65F10, 65F30


This paper is an attempt to explain effect of knowledge management and learning culture on learning agility in a higher education institution. A cross-sectional survey and causal analysis were conducted as quantitative approach. The study has involved 256 administration staffs of a private university in Jakarta as the respondents. SmartPLS as statistical application of PLS-SEM was applied for investigating the gathered data The result concludes that knowledge management plays a mediating role. This paper recommends for developing learning agility, the organization should combine developing learning culture with knowledge management practices for a better progress.


A large number of functional hepatocytes is required for bioartificial liver therapy. Simian virus 40 T-antigen (SV40T) has been previously reported to improve the immortalized proliferation of primary hepatocytes to generate a sufficient number of cells; however, these long-term immortalized hepatocytes may induce further malignant transformation in vivo. In the present study, the SV40T immortalization gene and two suicide genes, herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) and cytosine deaminase (CD), were transducted into primary hepatocytes to construct a novel type of Cre/LoxP-mediated reversible immortalized hepatocyte line. Polymerase chain reaction analysis and western blotting confirmed that the SV40T, HSV-tk and CD genes were successfully inserted into hepatic progenitor cells and their expression was controlled by Cre/LoxP recombination. Total removal of SV40T could be achieved via the ganciclovir (GCV)/HSV-tk suicide system. Cells maintained their biosafety in vivo with CD gene expression and 5-fluoro-cytosine (5-FC) induced cell death. Following transplantation into the carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) model group, the majority of cells had survived after 14 days post-implantation and a number of the cells had transported into the liver parenchyma. When compared with the CCl4 model group, the transplanted cells repaired the liver biochemical index and pathological structure markedly. Thus, the present study reports a novel reversible immortalized hepatocyte with double suicide genes, which exhibited the cellular phenotype and recovery function of normal liver cells. This method maximally guaranteed the biological safety of immortalized hepatocytes for in vivo application, providing a reliable, safe and ideal cell material for the artificial liver technique.


on-line solid p nal-surface r silica s using a analyte w v/v)). The d d as i omolecular i Finally, the d h respect to a 00 pg ml ©


The aim of this article is to present the way of cooperation between psychologists
and people working in business. The article explains how mid-level
managers perceive them. The results of our research will show two types of psychologist
working in business – ordinary one and ideal one. Second of type is
considered as perfect image of a business psychologist which is the most coveted
by managers. The outcome will let to describe main features which are the most
required from psychologist in this specific sector of business. The research tool
was a questionnaire containing two types of questions: semantic differential and
ranking. First part of research shows that in accordance to managers, the most desirable
features are responsibility and empathy. The actual examination included
43 managers working in several Polish provinces. We reckon that the results of
the academic research will update the knowledge about the current expectations
of entrepreneurs for psychologists.


To Maude Royden , head Of the London Guild house, who (u' rlves toda)' at 1:06 pm , this evening's APpearance a.t 8 p .m marks just nn· other speaking engagement--one of tlilee In the state ot Iowa, Bu t to the univers ity audience, 1\10 ude Royden 's visit Is D, chance to hear a ptrson who Is considered the greatest woman preachel' In England and a leclul'er whose "occasional cigar ette has caused the cancellation of Innumemble engagements on her American tour, Tha.t the el'owd will prohably be the largest to Rttend u university lecture wns Indicated by Prof. BenJ. F. Shambaugh, challmnn of the senale board on untverslty Icr , turt'S, yesterday. Professor Sham· baugh ha., received numel'OUS re~uest8 (ha t the speech be given In the I'eld house or Iowu Union, hu t no special 111ans will be made for tbls lecture. CODles from Cornell AccompanlM hy a private lIeCI'e· tnry And a maid, Mls~ Royden will nrrlve from Mount Vel'non wh~re she 8Poke last night to Cornell col· leJ;e students. She wlll leave Iowa City tomorrow aftemon for arln. npll whe! e she IS scheduled to dc, liver an adtlt"cs8 in the ovenlng In n Iccent hltervlew ~nRS Roy, d~n Wits qu"stlonerl concerning hrr opinions Of clgal ettes. She smlle rl as she mentioned lost ,'ngagNnentb In Chicago, Boston, Detroit unrl Phllndclphlo, because ahe dOCR not di8llPprove Cigarettes (or women. "It Is realJy too trivial to think much about," ehe said "But I am sure smbklng Itselt Is almost un:versal In America," Five Possible Topics M'I8S Royden's subjec,t for her address has !lOt Ileen announcrd Flvo poss ible topics have been sent 10 lornl authorIties a nd it is Ilrob, able tllat one of there ,,111 be ~e· leded ror the lecture tonight. They Include: "Old Phases and New T'lltllll" "PBYCholo!'Y nnd Religion," "Puque Work a nd Public ' Vorkel's," "Amerlcn a.nd F.nglanrl-CAn They Reallv Be FJlends?" 3 nd "The Race Qu .. Uon !lnd the Future" Tit s F.ngllsh "oman preacher who nptlzed chlldrpn without pe, ele. astical sanction, a nd" ho preach, ~d at St, Rotolph'R church after Aha hnd been forbldelen to do so by tho P,1.hop of London, comes to Towa Cit)' os the flCth university lecturer of Lhe yea r.


In a vehicle that generates creep torque using an electric motor (2), a controlling means (10) that causes, on the basis of the results of the detecting by the vehicle speed detecting means (24) and the braking operation detecting means (22), the electric motor (2) to generate the creep torque, wherein if the brake is operated when the creep torque is generated, the controlling means (10) decreases the creep torque by a first level, if the brake is not operated when the creep torque is generated, the controlling means (10) increases or decrease the creep torque in a level range on the basis of the speed of the vehicle detected by the vehicle speed detecting means (24), and the first level is a decreasing level larger than a possible maximum decreasing level in the level range.


This work presents an open-source framework called systemc-clang for analyzing SystemC models that consist of a mixture of register-transfer level, and transaction-level components. The framework statically parses mixed-abstraction SystemC models, and represents them using an intermediate representation. This intermediate representation captures the structural information about the model, and certain behavioural semantics of the processes in the model. This representation can be used for multiple purposes such as static analysis of the model, code transformations, and optimizations. We describe with examples, the key details in implementing systemc-clang, and show an example of constructing a plugin that analyzes the intermediate representation to discover opportunities for parallel execution of SystemC processes. We also experimentally evaluate the capabilities of this framework with a subset of examples from the SystemC distribution including register-transfer, and transaction-level models.


In the present study the effect of micro structure has been studied on low cycle fatigue (LCF) in cross-shaped low alloy steel welded components without defect and with lack of penetration defect. For this purpose, low alloy steel has been welded in the form of cross-shaped angles with the help of shielded metal arc welding process (SMAW). Also, lifespan -nominal stress designing technique has been used for assessment of fatigue properties. From the components welded without any defect and those with lack of penetration a few samples were prepared, as per the relevant standards, for performing fatigue and tensile tests .Tensile tests, low cycle fatigue, hardness measurement as well as optical metallography microscope, fractography and micro-hardness measurement were performed on samples. The obtained results indicate that improper welding thermal cycle have caused the formation of ferrite structure big grain and Widmaneshtatenferrite in the top layer of the weld. In points with lack of penetration, the crack initiation phenomenon has intensified and the creation of Widmaneshtaten ferrite has accelerated the crack growth.


In the article we present the results of the researches of creation of methods of calculation of the acousticmagnetic devices. The technique, which allows to design devices of various sizes and types has been proposed.


This study has a purpose to develop an application to detect the ripeness of the dragon fruit with the deep learning approach using the Smaller VGGNet-like Network method. In this study, the dragon fruit are classified into two classes: ripe or ready for harvest and still raw, by using the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN). The training process utilize the hard packages in python with the backend tensorflow. The model in this research is tested using the confusion matrix and ROC method with the condition that 100 new data are tested. Based on the test conducted, the level of accuracy in classifying the ripeness of the dragon fruit is 91%, and the test using 20 epoch, 50 epoch, 100 epoch, and 500 epoch produced an AUROC value of 0,95. Keywords—Dragon Fruit, Deep Learning, Smaller VGGNet-like Network.


Although it has been the major states of China, the former Soviet Union and especially the United States that have made the major contributions to shaping the security architecture of the Asia-Pacific region since 1945, the UN system has played a useful, adjunct role. This is especially the case in the post-Cold War era when its principal bodies, together with its various specialized agencies, have provided vital support in moving warring societies into a period of relative peace and stability. The UN peace-building operations in Cambodia and East Timor were some of the most demanding ever undertaken by this universal institution. But beyond these particular examples, the United Nations has been influential in the region in other, more indirect, ways. It has set standards, its charter has been a powerful source of ideas when it comes to composing parallel documents at the state or regional levels, and it has helped with the negotiation of global arms control treaties, making up to some degree for the absence of such arrangements at the regional level. The UN has also had a legitimating function, providing an arena where Asia-Pacific states can publicize their grievances, and receive approval or reprimand for their behaviour. It has played a valuable role, too, as third-party mediator. However, the UN's political structure constrains the contribution it can make to the security order since it is reliant on major state agreement before it can act. Veto power - not its actual use but simply its anticipated use - gives China, Russia and the United States a controlling function with respect to a potential UN role in the management of conflict. Beijing and Washington would work, and have worked, to exclude the United Nations from major involvement in conflicts in which they have direct security interests: the Taiwan and Korean issues being the two most obvious in this regard. Thus, the United Nations is a useful buttress but not a central pillar of the region's security architecture.


The leisure education,aiming at promoting the physical and mental health,overall development and lifelong happiness of university students,is a new subject submitted to universities by the era.From the view point of general education,the thesis analyses the necessity of launching leisure education in universities,the predicament that leisure education is facing,on the base of such analysis,recounts the tactic of breaking thraugh such predicament.


Acanthosis Nigricans (AN) is characterized by dark, coarse, thickened skin with a velvety texture, being symmetrical distributed on the neck and flexures. This study aims to find the association of AN with serum fasting insulin levels (SFIL) and lipid profile in patients attending tertiary care hospital. 40 patients with AN attending DVL outpatient department were included in the study. Out of 40 patients, 29 were females (72.5%) and 11 were males (27.5%). Most common site involved was neck followed by flexures.60% patients were overweight and 7.5% were morbidly obese (BMI >40kg/m2). 85% had deranged lipid profile, 72.5% had high SFIL. Out of 29 females, 8 (27.39%) had PCOD. Life style and behavioural modification have proven beneficial in the prevention of disorders associated with insulin resistance(IR) and individuals with AN must be targeted to prevent the serious consequences of IR.


CSCW system that supports mutiluser to work in coordination is an integrated system of application program. As the expanding constantly of CSCW system application and the introduce of AgentOriented conceptual design, it needs to design the suitable frame mode for CSCW system based on Agent and establish the adaptable cooperation environment ACE according to the Agent's hierarchical structure inside.


This study was designed by the researcher to determine the ICT competencies required for the teaching and learning of technology and vocational education in Enugu state. To accomplish this, one research question and one researcher hypothesis were formulated based on the objectives of the study. Descriptive survey research design was used. The study convened the entire technical colleges in Enugu state. Data were collected using questionnaires administrated to 454 vocational technical teachers in the state. Data were analyzed using mean, standard deviation and t- test statistics was used to test the hypothesis. It was discovered that technical teachers require ICT competencies for teaching and learning of TVE. There were no significant different in the mean ratings of Urban and rural technical teachers in the study area. It was therefore recommended that; the national board for technical education should include the findings in the curriculum. Workshops should be organized for technical teachers to acquaint them with the ICT teaching competencies.


Abstract This work shows that angular dependent studies are possible in liquid crystals of the nematic type when good measurements of the magnetic susceptibility and dielectric anisotropies or ratios of these quantities are available. It also attempts to help clear up some of the uncertainties in the literature regarding magnetic susceptibility and dielectric constant measurements.


In high-dimensional feature spaces traditional clustering algorithms tend to break down in terms of efficiency and quality. Nevertheless, the data sets often contain clusters which are hidden in various subspaces of the original feature space. In high dimensional data, however, many of the dimensions are often irrelevant. These irrelevant dimensions confuse clustering algorithms by hiding clusters in noisy data .In this paper we propose parallel approximation algorithm localize the search for relevant dimensions allowing them to find clusters that exist in multiple, possibly overlapping subspaces. A broad evaluation based on real-world medical data sets demonstrates that is suitable to find all relevant subspaces in high dimensional, sparse data sets and produces better results than existing methods.


The rapidly changing digital technology and the pandemic have drawn people's attention to the directions and methods of exhibition space management. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of exhibition spaces at home and abroad, to study the trends of digital technology and virtual exhibitions, and the technologies, limitations, advantages, and disadvantages of offline and online exhibitions, and to collect examples of the application of various digital technologies and virtual exhibition techniques. For this purpose, a survey was conducted with chi-square tests.
The results showed strong expectations and interest in virtual exhibition spaces using digital technologies. They also showed that advances in science and technology are narrowing the gap between the real and virtual worlds, expanding the scope of exhibition content, and freeing it from temporal and spatial limitations. However, on the other hand, as offline exhibitions that favor empathy and emotional sympathy through a sense of the presence of exhibits are important, in addition to the advancement of digital technology, the exhibition producers and social engagement factors in exhibition planning should be reflected together.


The present invention aims to detect a failure of the particulate filter more suitably. Failure detection device of the particulate filter according to the present invention performs an acquisition unit that acquires the amount of PM in the exhaust gas flowing out from the particulate filter, the filter regeneration process for removing by oxidizing the PM deposited on the particulate filter a reproduction process execution unit, from the time the execution is finished filter regeneration during a predetermined period of time by the reproduction process execution unit, if the PM amount in the exhaust gas that is acquired by the acquisition unit is not reduced by more than a predetermined reference amount, and a failure determination section determines that the particulate filter is faulty.


The simulation of electrical machines at the first design stage requires efficient methods to characterize among other properties its vibrational behavior. Particularly when considering both designed and parasitic geometrical modifications, magnetic circuit calculations of large-dimensioned machines by finite-element methods (FEM) are cumbersome. Semi-analytical approaches by means of conformal mapping are therefore useful to estimate the impact of several effects, such as asymmetric stator laminations, rotor pole shapes and air gap imperfections. No-load operation is studied and the presented approach is validated by FEM simulations. The aim of this work is to study force excitations by the magnetic air gap field in salient multi-pole synchronous generators deviating from ideal and symmetrical geometrical conditions by using conformal maps.


The issue of how regional labour markets adjust to shocks has received increased attention in the context of EMu, yet relatively little is known about this aspect of the Irish economy. Using the methodology developed by Blanchard and Katz (1992) this paper explores the evolution of employment, unemployment, labour force participation rates and wage rates in the regions of the Republic.


Through establishing the numerical model of natural gas engine-driven heat pump system,the runtime characteristics of natural gas engine and heat pump in heating conditions are analyzed by changing the advance ignition angle,excess air ratio,compression ratio,and engine speed.It can provide the theory bases for the optimization of natural gas engine,and forecast the entire performance of the gas engine-driven heat pump system.It is indicated that GHP has good partial load characteristic.


Mastercam is one of common use programme software in numerical control machining, X3 is the newest edition. The new edition is great different from former edition software V9 in interface and option setting. This analyses and explains the update and settings of Post Processing (V9 and X edition) in new edition, makes the post processing that produce different machine tool code formats be chosen in agility to improve machining efficiency.


Background Epidemiologic studies have identified risk factors associated with pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure, but causative drivers of pulmonary hypertension and right heart adaptation are not well known. We sought to leverage unbiased genetic approaches to determine clinical conditions that share genetic architecture with pulmonary pressure and right ventricular dysfunction. Methods and Results We leveraged Vanderbilt University's deidentified electronic health records and DNA biobank to identify 14 861 subjects of European ancestry who underwent at least 1 echocardiogram with available estimates of pulmonary pressure and right ventricular function. Analyses of the study were performed between 2020 and 2022. The final analytical sample included 14 861 participants (mean [SD] age, 63 [15] years and mean [SD] body mass index, 29 [7] kg/m2). An unbiased phenome‐wide association study identified diabetes as the most statistically significant clinical International Classifications of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) code associated with polygenic risk for increased pulmonary pressure. We validated this finding further by finding significant associations between genetic risk for diabetes and a related condition, obesity, with pulmonary pressure estimate. We then used 2‐sample univariable Mendelian randomization and multivariable Mendelian randomization to show that diabetes, but not obesity, was independently associated with genetic risk for increased pulmonary pressure and decreased right ventricle load stress. Conclusions Our findings show that genetic risk for diabetes is the only significant independent causative driver of genetic risk for increased pulmonary pressure and decreased right ventricle load stress. These findings suggest that therapies targeting genetic risk for diabetes may also potentially be beneficial in treating pulmonary hypertension and right heart dysfunction.


Sensors networks for the health monitoring of structural systems ought to be designed to render both accurate estimations of the relevant mechanical parameters and an affordable experimental setup. Therefore, the number, type and location of the sensors have to be chosen so that the uncertainties related to the estimated health are minimized. Several deterministic methods based on the sensitivity of measures with respect to the parameters to be tuned are widely used. Despite their low computational cost, these methods do not take into account the uncertainties related to the measurement process. In former studies, a method based on the maximization of the information associated with the available measurements has been proposed and the use of approximate solutions has been extensively discussed. Here we propose a robust numerical procedure to solve the optimization problem: in order to reduce the computational cost of the overall procedure, Polynomial Chaos Expansion and a stochastic optimization method are employed. The method is applied to a flexible plate. First of all, we investigate how the information changes with the number of sensors; then we analyze the effect of choosing different types of sensors (with their relevant accuracy) on the information provided by the structural health monitoring system.


My first encounter with Sue Kippax was in a job interview at Macquarie University for a full-time research assistant position at the National Centre in HIV Social Research. It was 1992 and I had ju...


AIM: To clinically analyze the cases of TASS with severe pigment dispersion following uncomplicated cataract surgery in a tertiary care teaching hospital from January 2011 to January 2013. DESIGN: Retrospective case series study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The records of all eyes developing TASS with severe pigment dispersion following uncomplicated Cataract surgery were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes including visual acuity, intraocular pressure and complications were recorded at 1st post-operative day, 7th post-operative day and after six weeks of follow up visits. RESULTS: TASS with severe pigment dis pension was recorded in five out of 1060 patients. All cases were females. Phacoemulsification with foldable IOL was done in 2 patients and Small Incision Cataract Surgery (SICS) with in bag posterior chamber IOL was done in three patients. All patients had pain which was less severe when compared to the amount of inflammation. Visual acuity ranged from 6/36 to perception of light. All the five patients had rim to rim corneal edema which was seen from the first post-operative day and persisted at six weeks follow up. Pupils were dilated and fixed in all patients. Intraocular pressure was raised in four out of five patients who poorly responded to medical treatment. Dense pigment clumps were seen in the corneal endothelium and on the surgical wound site after one week in three out of five patients and increased at 6 weeks of follow up. Visual acuity did not improve in any of the patient even with treatment. The reduced visual acuity was due to worsening corneal edema and dense pigment clumping in corneal endothelium. CONCLUSION: TASS with severe pigment dispersion has more complication than routine TASS. The complication are due to dense pigment clumping in cornea and angle of anterior chamber causing corneal endothelial de-compensation and raised Intraocular pressure, which persisted even after the inflammation subsided. Although the incidence is less it is potentially blinding condition therefore prevention of TASS is of primary importance.


In this paper, a compact dual-band and coplanar waveguide feeding antenna based on PVDF (polyvinylidene fluoride) piezoelectric film is proposed, which is suitable for Wi-Max and C-band. Designed by a pair of L-shaped coplanar waveguide metal patches on a PVDF film, the proposed antenna covers a bandwidth range of 2.92-3.28 GHz and 6.33-7.71 GHz. The gain is 2.05 dB at 3.05 GHz and 4.88 dB at 6.75 GHz. It has a compact size of $50\times 50\ \text{mm}^{2}$ with the piezoelectric substrate thickness of 0.1 mm and dielectric constant of 9.5. The antenna exhibits omnidirectional radiation characteristics in the lower frequency band, and good directional radiation characteristics in the higher frequency band. This piezoelectric antenna can be used for the RF and vibration hybrid energy harvesting system.


The aim of the present study was to develop a tablet formulation with improved dissolution of glimepiride. Glimepiride was loaded into two types of mesoporous silica particles via solvent-incubation method. Physicochemical characterization of the particles was carried out by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and thermogravimetric analysis. Flowability and compressibility characteristics of the powder mixtures, containing pure glimepiride as well as both types of drug-loaded silica particles and excipients were evaluated by bulk and tapped density and angle of repose. Tablets were prepared by direct compression method and consequently tested for hardness, friability, disintegration and in vitro release properties. In vitro release studies demonstrated that the glimepiride dissolution rate was notably improved from tablets prepared with both types mesoporous silica particles as compared with the bulk drug.


Abstract : The battle for Trenton during the Revolutionary war has been on many Hallmark cards and in many a painting, as General Washington crossed the Delaware River. The battle turned the war and warranted study for its applications in raid operations. William McRaven studied many raids in his development of his model. He studied smaller scale raids from many nations. He didn't use any raid operations from the Revolutionary period for his model, and with the implications of Trenton on our sovereignty as a nation; I felt it warranted a detailed look. I will use McRaven's Model as the foundation in my analysis of the raid on Trenton. The analysis will begin with the background leading up to the raid on Trenton and a description of the area of operations. Identifying the forces and leaders involved and then a description of what took place on 26 December 1776 will follow it. Upon completion of the description of the raid, I will analyze the raid according to McRaven's Model to uncover the principles, which made the raid successful and where they fell short. The conclusion will provide the insight to its study by Marine Corps forces in raid application today.


The end ring leakage inductance of an induction machine is computed either by using an empirical formula or by using very complicated mathematical techniques. In this paper, an alternate method to compute this inductance using winding function approach (WFA) and three dimensional finite element (3DFE) using Maxwell is described. The method is deemed to be computationally simpler, yet more accurate than the empirical one


Let E be an ample vector bundle on a projective manifold X, with a section vanishing on a smooth subvariety Z of the expected dimension, and let H be an ample line bundle on X inducing a very ample ample line bundle HZ on Z. Triplets (X;E;H) as above are classified assuming that Z, embedded by jHZj, is a variety of small degree with respect to codimension.


Use this guide to learn how to begin the research process and start using resources from the IU Kokomo Library. To work with a librarian or just ask a quick question, see the Ask Us box on each page or visit the Research Help Desk. How to find articles at the IU Kokomo Library.


Abstract : This report describes a system developed to edit cartographic data in a raster format. The Raster Edit System consists of interfaced PDP-9/PDP-15 computers, disc storage, and 2 CRT devices. Cartographic manuscripts in digital raster form may be displayed on one CRT for selection of an area to be shown at increased scale on the other. The data displayed may then be examined and altered. The Raster Edit System can be used to great advantage to edit data in raster plotter format and to examine raster scanner data for quality. In the near future it is expected to be an important factor in the efficient use of the raster to lineal conversion process. (Author)


This paper offered a new combined approach to predict and characterize β-turns in proteins.The approach concluded two key steps,i.e.,how to represent the features of β-turns and how to develop a predictor.The first step was to use factor analysis scales of generalized amino acid information (FASGAI),involving hydrophobicity,alpha and turn propensities,bulky properties,compositional characteristics,local flexibility and electronic properties,to represent the features of β-turns in proteins.The second step was to construct a support vector machine (SVM) predictor of β-turns based on 426 training proteins by a sevenfold cross validation test.The SVM predictor thus successfully predicted β-turns on 547 and 823 proteins by an external validation test,respectively.Our results were compared with the previously best known β-turn prediction methods and were shown to give comparative performance.Most importantly,the SVM model provided some important information related to β-turn residues in proteins.Satisfying results demonstrated that the present combination approach showed great application prospect in the prediction of protein structures.


We present experimental investigations of grating mirrors with high diffraction efficiencies exceeding 99.7% in the -1st order for TE polarization. Used for chirped pulse amplification with 4 passes the total compression efficiency was 92%.


Sine pulse width modulation(SPWM) is applied to matrix converter,and SPWM strategy of matrix converter is deduced.Control switch functions of matrix converter do not need complex mathematical deduction and calculation.The control system of matrixconverter is designed by using TMS320LF2407 DSP.In this paper,the control method of the system is analyzed at length;thehardware block diagram and the software flow chart of the system are offered.The system not only meets the requirement of real-timecontrol and demonstrates high performance,but also has simplified software and hardware.


Disclosed are a method for preparing trimanganese tetroxide with low BET, a method for controlling the particle size of trimanganese tetroxide, and trimanganese tetroxide prepared thereby. The trimanganese tetroxide is in a sphere shape, has low contents of impurities, a pure crystal phase, and narrow particle diameter range to be suitable for the trimanganese tetroxide for an international lithium ion secondary battery standard. The BET specific surface area is less than 1 m2/g, and D50 is 10-12 micrometers or 14-16 micrometers. The content of Fe is less than 10 ppm, and the contents of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd are less than 0.1 ppm by calculating based on weight. [Reference numerals] (AA) Air; (BB) Pure crystal; (CC) Removing foreign substances; (DD) Spraying a diluted ammonia solution; (EE,GG,II) Separation; (FF) Oxidation; (HH) Washing; (JJ) Drying; (KK) Mn_3O_4 product


The digital echo-counting system consisted of a 200 kHz echo-sounder, cathode-ray tube, preamplifier rectifier, and digital logic. Incoming signals were gated by delayed pulses of 6.6 msec duration to represent 5 m depth shells from 5 to 25 m depth. Response to density was linear. Acoustic estimates of density ranged from 19.3/10,000 m3 to 524.0/10,000m3 and trawl estimates of density ranged from 17.4/10,000m3 to 420.0/10,000m3. A high degree of correlation (0.94) existed between densities estimated acoustically and by midwater trawl. Species differences, smelt in Lake Erie, and alewife in Lake Ontario, did not seem to affect density estimates.


The successful application of moisture simulation models to building enve lopes requires accurate values of material permeability. Unfortunately, al though the presently available database is reasonably voluminous, much of the information contained therein is of limited use in such applications. This paper describes the specification of permeability data in terms of the differ ential permeability function. Several alternative mathematical forms are com pared using experimental results from a representative range of building mate rials and the most appropriate form is identified. The use of this function allows the accurate evaluation of permeability appropriate to the humidity conditions to which a material is subjected in practice. On the basis of theoret ical analysis, it is also suggested that this function allows the separation of the total moisture flux into its vapour and liquid components. This hypothesis has been tested for two materials using a prototype experimental procedure in which permeability measurements are made under different barometric pres sures.


The invention relates to a protection circuit against electrostatic discharge (EC1) configured to be coupled to a power supply rail (PSR) and a ground rail (GSR) of an integrated circuit (IC1) and comprising at least a shunt (TN1) configured to couple the rails, and a trigger (12) configured to provide at an output (N13) a shunt control voltage (V14) to a control terminal (G) of the shunt to put the shunt in a state of coupling when electrostatic discharge event is detected on one of the rails, wherein the circuit further comprises a voltage booster means (VB) arranged between the output (N13) of the trigger (12) and the control terminal shunt (TN1) to raise the shunt control voltage (V14).


Hydroponic experiment was focused on the effect of aluminum( Al) and cadmium( Cd) single and combined treatments on the plant growth,toxic metals accumulation and physiological metabolisms for stress resistance in water spinach after cultured well for 3 weeks in p H 4. 5 solution simulating acid soil. The results showed that seedlings growth,presented as dry weight of roots and shoots,as well as chlorophyll content were enhanced by 10 μmol·L- 1Al or 0. 5μmol·L- 1Cd single treatments. However,the stress treatments of 100 μmol ·L- 1Al and 5. 0 μmol ·L- 1Cd both increased Al or Cd accumulation in plants,enhanced the activities of peroxidase( POD) and superoxide dismutase( SOD),as well as the contents of malondialdehyde( MDA) in leaves,but decreased leaf chlorophyll content and plant dry weight. Furthermore,the combined stress of Al and Cd caused more the accumulations of Al and Cd both in roots and shoots,and induced more severe growth inhibition and oxidative stress as compared with metals single treatment,indicating that Al and Cd was synergistic in inhibiting plant growth and inducing oxidative stress in water spinach.


As the Internet-of-Things (IoT) becomes more generalized in our daily lives, the number of devices operating at the edges has increased significantly, and these devices generate countless data from the physical world. These devices are irregularly interconnected, with heterogeneous characteristics and construct a large-scale IoT system. Thus, the operation of each device becomes more important, so a malfunction can be propagated along the connection and affect the whole system. In addition, IoT devices have a constraint, in that they do not receive enough power in an unstable environment operating at the edge of the environment and they operate in a variety of environments. For these reasons, it is necessary to monitor variously the IoT system, which has irregular connectivity and changes critical sections of logic every time because of various operations. In this paper, to solve this problem, we propose an optimized low-power reconfigurable Fault-Safe Processor (FSP) platform based on RISC-V for large-scale IoT-driven applications that can construct an optimized IoT system after considering numerous connectivity and operation sequences of processors. Therefore, we can reconfigure the hardware in real-time using the proposed platform as well as heterogeneous co-simulation and dynamic partial reconfiguration to stabilize the IoT system and optimize both accumulative power over time and instantaneous power.


This paper presents an integrated environment for rapid control prototyping that allows rapid realization of novel designs, from the initial design phase until the final steps of code generation. It uses a collection of tools that include both software (MATLAB/Simulink) and an off-the-shelf hardware (dSPACE DSP DS1104). The integrated environment presented in this paper has many educational advantages as compared to multi-environment settings. The main features of this environment are: 1) controller code can be generated automatically for hardware implementation; 2) different languages can be used to describe different parts of the system. In particular, Simulink block diagrams can be used to define the control structure, tune the controller parameters and reference signals online, while the experiments are in progress without having to rebuild and download a new Simulink model to the DS1104 board; and 3) ease of operation especially by means of a simple graphical user interface. The laboratory environment was used in teaching an introductory laboratory control course. The objective is to promote control-systems education with laboratory experimentation. Course assessment showed a high level of students' satisfaction with the course content and its structure. The students stated that the process helped them to apply modern design tools to a real time system. INTRODUCTION The study of control systems has been cited as a subject that is heavily based on abstract mathematical concepts 1 . This theoretical base has been considered a major problem with students unable to apply the coursework that is completed in the classroom to real-life systems. This problem has not gone unnoticed in the field of education today, and there have been great leaps in the creation of more "hands-on" teaching methods that lend themselves to industrial applications 2 . Throughout schools and universities within the United States and internationally, there has been growing interest in the use of practical control concepts in and beyond the classroom. This has been accomplished to a large extent through the use of laboratory courses, with incorporation of technology tools that enable students to work on different real-world control configurations. This adjustment to incorporate the more practical format into the classroom has taken different forms throughout the academic world. In the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven, The Netherlands, the modeling of control systems is an important part of their Bachelor's in mechanical engineering degree curriculum 3 . There is a gradual introduction to real world systems that begins with a lower level course where the students are introduced to mathematical concepts and A/D conversion and ends with a final year project that incorporates the manipulation of various feedback controllers to accomplish a specific task. In this way the students are transported from the theoretical understanding to actual applications by the end of the degree program. At the Department of Automatic Control at the Lund Institute of Technology in Sweden 4 , all disciplines in their four and a half year Master of Science degree, excluding chemical and biotechnical engineering, must complete a basic control course. The second half of this course involves the assignment of control projects in conjunction with the lectures, which is another clear indication that there is great importance placed on the practical applications of control theory. All control courses have three mandatory four-hour labs that make use of mobile desktop processes and standard computing equipment. The Institute is also P ge 14830.2 2 credited with having "pioneered the teaching of real-time programming and real-time systems," 4 . At the University of Maryland, College Park 5 , their main focus with regard to the practical application of control systems is a multidisciplinary senior-level course (in the Bachelor's degree program of computer and electrical, mechanical and aerospace engineering) that combines digital control and networks with information technology. One of the major advantages seen at Maryland is in the use of an all-digital controls lab, which allows controller-implementation using relatively cheap computers. Another article 6 promotes the control-systems laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. An appealing quality of this facility is that it is shared among several departments. At Howard University, the study of control has been accelerated by the integration of motion controls laboratory, which affords the student an opportunity to interact and utilize an "embeddable dSPACE digital signal processor (DSP)-based data acquisition and control system 7 . This is seen by Howard University as a solution to the need for a cost effective, "hands on instructional laboratory" which would "adequately provide hands on experience necessary for effective learning." Another key aspect of this laboratory is the close integration of the conventional simulation tools MATLAB and Simulink TM . These are just some examples of the manner in which the institution of education has modified itself to incorporate the need for practical applications of control concepts. With regard to the software tools that have become popular for the creation and modeling of control systems in the lab, it has been found that many commercial entities offer several products that can be used in the laboratory environment to illustrate control systems. In each lab, there exists some consistency in the tools of choice. The MATLAB software package is undoubtedly the most common and most powerful tool for creating an environment for control systems design and simulation 2-4, 7 . There are several applications under MATLAB that have been used in this design and simulation process. These applications include QadScope and Wintarget 3 . QadScope is a scope-like application for measuring purposes. It supports a wide range of inputs and outputs with built-in frequency-domain analysis, while WinTarget is "a real-time target running under Simulink/Real-Time Workshop". The two tools work together to create a real-time application that facilitates a simple method for the construction of Simulink TM models 3, 7 . Other software that is used in the experimental process is Linux 2.1.18 (with specific program extensions), and Java applications 4 . The use of MATLAB/Simulink TM overshadows all other mechanisms for control system modeling, as it is seen to generate the code independently, removing the need for Real-Time Workshop and other such software tools that were needed to facilitate coding. Another point in favor of using MATLAB/Simulink TM is in the creation of an environment similar to an ideal real-time control platform. Linux and Java are cited as incapable of producing the best real-time platform because of "the non-determinism caused by the automatic memory management in Java 3 ". While the speeds of most modern computers minimize this drawback, the Simulink TM model still offers the best real-time applications. A few other software tools that are utilized in laboratories today include RTLinux (Real-Time Linux) 2 and Simulinux-RT 5 . With regard to the types of controllers that have been utilized in the educational arena, there are a number of practical approaches being used for the illustration of the control systems concepts 812 . Regardless of the particular software being used or the specific type of controller being built, it is obvious that educational bodies worldwide have adjusted their structure to facilitate a greater exposure to the application of the abstract theory behind control systems to real-world, real-time processes. With the technology available to various laboratories and schools continuously P ge 14830.3 3 evolving, the students will soon be able to have all the required exposure and ability required to enter the work field with more than just a mere exposure to real-world applications of control theory. They will actually enter with a clear practical understanding. Underlying Educational Objectives Laboratory experiments using real-time systems are necessary in control education. Experiments help the students understand the theoretical concepts and provide important motivation. It is therefore essential for the students to have a thorough understanding of hands-on experimentation and real-time systems. Three fundamental educational objectives are: 1. To apply state-of-the-art knowledge to help students understand what they have learned. 2. To train a new cadre of graduates who value experimentation as an essential and natural part of solving engineering problems. 3. To develop good experimental skills. Hence, the controls engineering education becomes more attractive and meaningful to the students. To achieve these objectives and make it possible for the students to perform experiments, the lead author has developed six novel laboratory workstations using state-of-theart control systems technology. Student Learning Outcomes This paper describes a stimulating educational environment that emphasizes the role of hands-on experiments. The fundamental student learning outcomes of the control laboratory course are to demonstrate the following: 1) An ability to design, build, or assemble a part or product that configures control systems especially adapted to automation applications. 2) An ability to conduct experiments for measurements and analysis of feedback controls, and to write effective laboratory reports. 3) An ability to use MATLAB/ Simulink GUI to build a real-time model. 4) An ability to use dSPACE DSP ControlDesk GUI for real-time control. 5) An ability to achieve adequate learning skills in testing and debugging a prototype using appropriate engineering tools and learn how to be an experimenter. Hardware Selection Primarily, making a decision on a set of hardware to interface between the host computer and the process (system to be controlled


Abstract. To determine the effect of optically induced blur on the visual field measured with high pass spatially filtered targets, 10 normal subjects had field examinations with 0 diopter + 1.00 diopter or + 2.00 diopter of overcorrection in the cyclopleged state. All subjects showed a significant loss of sensitivity when defocussed, but not with pupil dilation. Mean thresholds for the central field rose from 4.79 ± 0.68 dB (Mean ± SD) with the image focussed and pupil dilated, to 7.16 ± 0.72 dB with two diopters of image blur (P < 0.001). The effects of defocussing did not differ significantly between the central and peripheral parts of the field. The great influence of defocussing the image on sensitivity should be considered during clinical perimetry as the 2.37 dB decline shown would place the group's mean sensitivity below die fifth percentile for age corrected normals.


ABSTRACT The study aims to establish the normal criterion of abdominal aortic diameters measured on abdominal sonography based on gender and age, and to study the variation in aortic diameters with age, sex, and height. In this cross-sectional study, a total of 110 asymptomatic adults were examined by ultrasound using 3.5 MHz probes. The diameters of the abdominal aorta were measured at three levels. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) on SPSS version 23. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the abdominal aorta were significantly higher in males than females and positively correlated with age (p-value <0.001). The diameters were significantly increased with height (p-value <0.001). The normal abdominal diameters were significantly higher in males more than females. The diameters vary significantly with age, gender, and height. Identifying the normal diameter of the abdominal aorta is essential for clinicians to detect an aneurysm at an early stage.


We examine the dependence of atomic properties on a new atomic size, rcnZ, that has been rigorously defined by the presence of an interaction without depending on the strength or nature of the interaction. We have thus related the static dielectric polarizability radius, rα, the inverse of the first ionization potential, I−1, the inverse of Pauling electronegativity scale, χ−1P and the size CR of atoms that contribute to interatomic distance involving atoms of the main group elements in the periodic table. There is a linear relationship between rcnZ and a size-dependent atomic property P of the form P = CPratom + DP, where ratom is a simple and transparent function of rcnZ and DP is simply related to the property of the hydrogen atom, except for P = I−1 when DP is a property of the occupancy of the valence s- and p-electrons. We find a strict criterion for metallicity in elements based on atomic sizes and show how this criterion can be used to account for changes in descriptions of interatomic distance for gas-phase MX compounds of metallic elements.


The report describes procedures for the calibration and control of a skid resistance measuring system, the FHWA Interim Reference System. This system employs a tow vehicle and two-wheeled skid trailer. The procedures are chosen to minimize errors, leading to an increased confidence in the measurement results. Equations of static equilibrium for the skid trailer are derived and experimentally verified. The motions of the system in response to static force are measured and shown to depend on tow vehicle as well as trailer characteristics. Variables affecting the force calibration are identified. These include hitch height, trailer weight, lateral force on the test tire, center of support of the test tire, temperature of the test tire and force transducer, and inflation pressure. The use of a force plate as a calibrator is described. It is shown that the calibrator must itself have been calibrated under conditions covering its use with the trailer. Calibration of the force plate under combined vertical and traction force is described. The procedures are adaptable to other similar skid resistance measuring systems.


Abstract : This report summarizes the major products of research on rifle marksmanship conducted by the Army Research Institute at Fort Benning, mostly between March 1978 and June 1980. It includes resarch designed to identify the problems existing in basic marksmanship training and training equipment (e.g., poor instruction, insufficient practice and inadequate knowledge of shooting results). Several experiments are reported that examined promising solutions to these problems. These solutions include simplified fundamentals, an improved zeroing target, better diagnostic check points, down-range feedback and other procedures to improve knowledge of results, improved transition to firing and steps to improve instructional quality. Based upon the research findings, a new basic rifle marksmanship program was developed and tested. It was found to improve record fire (final exam) performance by 29 percent. This new program has been put into effect in the Infantry Training Brigade at Fort Benning and is soon to be adopted Army-wide. The report also summarizes the main problems remaining to be resolved if fully adequate basic marksmanship training is to be realized. It concludes with information about the continuing research directed toward development of improved advanced individual and unit level training in marksmanship. (Author)


Objective:To detect the differences between basic indices and glucose load indices in evaluating pancreatic B-cell function and insulin sensitivity.Methods:77 non-diabetic subjects underwent oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT) allowing for the calculation of OGTT metrical parameters and indices used to evaluate pancreatic B-cell function and insulin sensitivity.Analyzing the correlation between basic ind ices and glucose load indices in evaluating pancreatic B-cell function and insulin sensitivity.And finding the differences between basic indices and glucose load indices in correlating with the OGTT metrical parameters.Results:There were correlation between the basic and glucose load indices in evaluating islet B-cells function and insulin sensitivity(P0.001).The glucose load indices used to evaluate pancreatic B-cell function and insulin sensitivity were all high correlated with the parameters derived from OGTT(P0.05).But in basic indices,the homeostasis model of assessment of B-cell(HOMA-B) was not correlated with AUCgly(r=-0.198,P=0.116);insulin sensitivity index(IAI) was not correlated with AUCins(r=-0.216,P=0.088).Conclusion:It is suggested to use the glucose load indices in evaluating the islet B-cell function and insulin sensitivity if the human body was not in the fasting state.


SUMMARY Given a set of still images taken from a hand-held camera, we present a fast method for mosaicing them into a single blended picture. We design time-and memory-efficient still image mosaicing algorithms based on geometric point feature matchings that can handle both arbitrary rotations and large zoom factors. We discuss extensions of the methodology to related problems like the recovering of the epipolar geometry for 3d reconstruction and object recognition tasks.


The ultimate aim of this paper is to eliminate the accidents occurring in the vehicle parking at the blind spot (not visible) of the vehicle at the parking area or in the basements/dark. In the existing Parking Assistance System (PAS) there is no automatic brake applying EHCU encoded is available in the market. Hence in this project, I have an idea to write coding in the EHCU for automatic braking with respect to the output from the PAS ECU to apply the brake automatically.


The result of this analysist of energy conservation activity exposes the performance generated by PT. Arun NGL in the fields of energy conservation and decrease of greenhouse emissions. The implementtion analysist activities assosieted with international initiatives in addressing climate change, and global warming as well as support the implementation of goverment programs of energy conservation programs and the reduction of greenhouse gas emmisions in the industrial sector. All the data presented in this report have been checked carefully, and all sizes are displayed also was referring to an internationally recognized measurement technique in the industry. Thus, the accurancy of the data included in this report both with regards the level of error is small. In addition, all the data loaded can be trusted because it is supported by the documents that existand can be verified by the stakeholders who want to do this. Based on the result of the assessment, energy saving opportunities and reduction of exhaust gas emmisions are available by empowering, improvise and optimize prodution units. Implementation efforts on energy conservation and the utilization of  resources has been implementaed since 1997, which was market by the implementation of the project Marine Boil off Gas (MaBOG) take back the exhaust gas at the time of shipment of LNG (800-1,000 M3 LNG). Marine Boil off Gas has recover 1000 m 3 of LNG per shipment in 2003, in installation of heat reovery unit 10 steam  generator, which utilizes the thermal energy of the stack gas turbines to generate steam, and turn off or not utilize all the conventional boilers.


was such a charm in the abandonment with which the city gave itself to the overseas warriors, that they were touched into good manners and kindness. Somehow, the Etoile and the Champs and the Concorde, and the happiness which filled them a happiness so much the more stirring since it was the happiness of obviously miserable and poor people all had their effect upon us, and instead of lounging stupidly around the street corners as we had done in murky London, we wandered about admiringly or sat in the little sidewalk cafes, trying to make French conversation with the women who frequented them. Strolling down the Rue de la Paix, I passed the house where my brother had?lived, and I decided to find out whether any of his property had been saved from the Germans. The concierge jumped up with a shout, and coming toward me with hands outstretched, smiled and sighed and talked, all at the same time.


The oxidation rate of methanol in supercritical water at 253 bar and temperatures between 673 and 773 K is investigated using an isothermal, isobaric plug-flow tubular reactor and GC/FID and GC/TCD chromatographic methods. Experiments are conducted at a nominal methanol feed concentration of 0.88 mol % (1.53 wt %) using H2O2 as an initial oxidant. In some experiments, the O2/MeOH molar ratios are varied from 1.5 to 3.0 and show that the rate of methanol oxidation is independent of the oxygen initial feed concentration. Overall first-order rate constants calculated from the data lead to Arrhenius parameters of A = 1011.8 s-1 and Ea = 178 kJ/mol (42.5 kcal/mol). The identified reaction products are mainly CO and CO2. The temporal variation of the CO yield exhibits a maximum at temperatures of 723 and 748 K, whereas the CO2 yield increases monotonically over the experimental range of residence time (3−50 s). The experimental data are consistent with a set of consecutive first-order reactions CH3OH → CO → CO2...


In the last few year scientists have advanced considerably our understanding of foot-and-mouth disease. 1ltls dissertation reviews these new findings and the potential for their application in a future FMD control programme in Bolivia is discussed. Molecular biology studies have led to the development of specific diagnostic methods and have allowed identification of field isolates of the virus, techniques that immeasurably enhance the comprehension of the epidemiology of the infection and. therefore, allow more precise control measures to be implemented. hnp,ovemcnt in vaccines, however, has not been as fruitful. Foot-and-mouth disease in Bolivia is one of the most imponant economic diseases of livestock and limits animal productivity. However, the disease in the country is uncontrolled and the national programme only covers small areas around the cities. The diffoent strategies for foot-and-mouth disease control arc described and the possibilities for their applications in Bolivia arc considered. The basis for a successful control programme in Bolivia should include non biological factors such as legisllltion and political decisions together with cWTCnt technology. These strategics arc undoubtodly tools for a successful programme of control. However it will only be possible if there is motivation and co-operation amongst the veterinarians, govcmmcnt institutions and livestock owners.


Based on the relation between landscape and urban residential area,the development trend of landscape in urban residential area was analyzed,the results of which was useful to the planning and design of landscape in residential area.


A~tract--For the past decade, many image segmentation techniques have been proposed. These segmentation techniques can be categorized into three classes, (I) characteristic feature thresholding or clustering, (2) edge detection, and (3) region extraction. This survey summarizes some of these techniques, in the area of biomedical image segmentation, most proposed techniques fall into the categories of characteristic feature thresholding or clustering and edge detection.


Introduction: the detection of gastric preneoplastic lesions (atrophic gastritis, intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia) is important regarding the patient's risk evaluation for gastric cancer. The purpose of this study consists in the pit pattern evaluation, specific to the 3 premalignant lesions by magnifying endoscopy and chromeondoscopy. Material and methods: The study has started in January 2010 and it is still in progress. The patients have been examined by conventional endoscopy, respectively selected for magnifying endoscopy and chromoendoscopy. Partial results: I have obtained pit patterns specific to gastric mucosa in precancerous lesions. Partial conclusions: 1. Several pit patterns can be identified in the same patient. 2. The stomach can be mapped more exactly, this way being identified the area of modified mucosa; thus target biopsies can be done raising the chances for an accurate diagnosis. 3. It is a resource and time-consuming method.


We describe a new genus and species of the diatom family Stephanodiscaceae with light and scanning electron microscopy from Libo Small Hole, Libo County, Guizhou Province, China. Edtheriotia guizhoiana gen. & sp. nov. has striae across the valve face of varying lengths, and are composed of fine striae towards the margin and onto the mantle. Many round to stellate siliceous nodules cover the exterior of the valve. External fultoportulae opening are short tubes; the opening of the rimportula lacks a tube. Internally a hyaline rim is positioned near the margin. Marginal fultoportulae possess two arcuate opercles. Areolae have domed cribra on the valve face. Those near the margin do not open to the interior. One to three sessile to slightly‐raised rimportulae are placed on the valve face towards the margin; they do not terminate shortened striae towards the center of the valve. This suite of features distinguishes this group from other known genera in the Stephanodicaeae. Cyclotella shanxiensis is transferred to Edtheriotia, making the new combination E. shanxiensis (Xie & Qi) Kociolek et al. comb. nov. It differs from E. guizhoiana by the presence of open pores near the margin of the valve. Features of the new genus are compared and contrasted with others in the Family Stephanodiscaceae. The two species of the genus, unlike most in the family, are known only from rivers and ponds from China and Japan.


The seeds of Vitex negundo have been used for inflammation‐related disease treatment in traditional medicine. This study focused on the anti‐osteoarthritis (OA) effects of the total lignans of V. negundo seeds (TOV) in monosodium iodoacetate‐induced osteoarthritis rats and its pharmacokinetic properties, as well as the effects and potential mechanism of its main components VN1 (6‐hydroxy‐4‐(4‐hydroxy‐3‐methoxy‐phenyl)‐3‐hydro‐xymethyl‐7‐methoxy‐3,4‐dihydro‐2‐naphthaldehydeb) and VN2 (vitedoin A) on receptor activator of NF‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclast differentiation in bone marrow macrophages (BMMs). TOV significantly attenuated osteoarthritis, leading to an increase in pain thresholds, improvement of knee articular cartilages and chondrocytes loss, and decreased total joint scores and serum levels of TNF‐α, interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in osteoarthritis rats. The half‐time (T1/2) was 2.82 h and 1.33 h, and the bioavailability was 15.34%–21.89% and 16.29%–22.11%, for VN1 and VN2, respectively. VN2, rather than VN1, remarkably inhibited tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity, reduced the number of TRAP‐positive multinuclear cells, diminished the formation of actin ring, and decreased mRNA levels of cathepsin K (CTSK), TRAP, nuclear factor of activated T cell 1 (NFATc1), and osteoclast‐associated receptor, as well as downregulated protein levels of p‐ERK (phosphorylated extracellular signal‐regulated kinase), TRAP, CTSK and NFATc1 in BMMs. These findings suggest TOV has promising therapeutic potential for OA treatment and VN2, in particular, attenuates osteoclast differentiation by suppressing ERK/NFATc1 signaling and actin ring, mainly accounting for the anti‐OA efficacy of TOV.


A solution for the future status of Jerusalem is proposed, which fulfils all claims and aspirations of the Israelis and Palestinians, and also leaves the city undivided. The division of cities has hardly ever provided peace over the course of history. It is virtually impossible to give territorial sovereignty over an undivided Jerusalem to two different nations. It might, however, be possible for two different nations to coexist in the same undivided city for the purpose of representing their respective independent sovereignty. It is therefore suggested that Jerusalem should distinguish between "representation of sovereignty" and "territorial sovereignty": Let Jerusalem become the undivided capital of both, Israelis and Palestinians, with independent representations of their sovereignty in that city, but give the territorial sovereignty over Jerusalem to the people of Jerusalem itself. The proposal is that an independent city of Jerusalem parliament be set up with two chambers: The first chamber should reflect the principle of majority rule for the citizens of Jerusalem, with the second chamber reflecting equal representation of ethnic groups residing in Jerusalem. One seat in the second chamber of Jerusalem's city parliament should be given to a representative nominated by the United Nations.


Introduction Vasectomy, a standard procedure in andrology, can be used as an experimental model to study the secretional hnctions of particular sections of the reproductive tract (Einarson, 1971). On the other hand, the prebreeding treatment of the seminal plasma from vasectomised boars, containing considerable lower estrogen concentration, significantly increased reproductive performance of sows (Mah et al., 1985, Glossop, 1992). The objective of the present experiment was to determine the effect of the vasectomy upon some biochemical properties of the boar seminal plasma.


The treatment of simulated wastewater containing phenol by electrochemical catalysis oxidation in two-dimensional electro bath is studied. Factors affecting the removal efficiency of hydroquinone are investigated by static experiment, such as electrolyte concentration, electrolysis voltage, air supply and initial pH value. The results showed, with the increasing of electrolyte concentration, the removal rate of hydroquinone first increased, then decreased, with the applied voltage increased, the removal of hydroquinone has be increased. It is helpful for hydroquinone removal in the mild acid, neutral and mild base conditions. The removal rate is highest in the mild base condition. When the electrolyte concentration of Na2SO4 is 0.04mol·L-1, the voltage is 5V, air supply is 80L·h-1, pH is 8.5, the removal rate of hydroquinone is 85.50%.


In our century have increased the use of mobile telephony and the Internet increasing interest in this issue, especially the involvement of increasingly younger population. The aim of this study was to determine the effects on the mental agility to logical reasoning produced by the dependence of consumption of cell phone and internet students in the educational unit "Sagrada Familia" in the city of Guayaquil.
This research is justified and confirms the research hypothesis about the dependence of the excessive use of cellular or internet connection with your mental agility and low achievement of their learning.
The issue focuses on having observed that broad and steadily the many changes that mobile telephony and the Internet have given on the global community, the interest arises for further information on the effects of this technological revolution in our own environment.
The emergence of new technologies produces changes at all levels of society, it is true that those who are most affected, positively or negatively depending on the nature of change, are those born at the time of its introduction into society, and subsequent generations living adapted to the new environment and developed in conjunction with these technologies.
In this research paper I make the proposal to implement a program of rounds, lectures, conferences and group dynamics for the prevention and use of cell phones and the internet in order to avoid over-dependence.
No doubt the need for teachers and students access to mobile cellular telephony and computers, which need to carefully consider the best way to take advantage of this access and monitor objectively the shortcomings caused by the dependence of cell and internet in the students of the Educational Unit "Sagrada Familia" in the city of Guayaquil.


The invention discloses a charging method, a device and a system. The method comprises the following steps of: after a mobile terminal is switched from a source base station to a target base station, receiving on-line quota update request information, wherein the information comprises the quota use information and the target position information of a source position; and carrying out source-target rate conversion according to the quota use information and the target position information of the source position and issuing a novel target quota for the mobile terminal. After the position of a user is switched, the invention immediately informs an AAA server about that the position of the user is switched by the on-line quota update request information, and applies a novel quota, thereby realizing prepayment based on regions.


The aim of this work was to discriminate periods of contraction and periods of rest during labor by implementing a random forest classifier based on time-frequency features of the fetal heart rate variability (fHRV) from term and preterm fetuses. fHRV signals from term (PT = 38) and preterm (PP = 25) fetuses were analyzed during active labor. The signals were segmented with respect to the presence or absence of uterine activity. Subsequently, time-frequency indices of fHRV such as flow (0 °, 45 ° and 90 °) and energy (very low, low and high frequency) were calculated. The classifier obtained an area under the ROC curve of 0.87 and 0.88, for PT and PP respectively. Our results suggest that for both groups (PT and PP), there is a different cardiac dynamic between periods of contraction and periods of rest. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between the two periods to adequately characterize the fetal response to labor.


The RFID reader-writer has designed based on DSP in the paper, the reader-writer is mainly composed of reception and launch antenna module, DSP control module, receiver module, A/D conversion module, the digital baseband processing module, D/A conversion module, transmitter module, the first filter module, the second filter module and the interference signal collection module. Because of the function of DSP control module and filter module, the interference is eliminated, and the sensitivity of RFID reader is improved, which solves the problem that the interference signal of transceiver and leakage is restricted to sensitivity of read and write RFID.


Single pass rolling experiments were carried out on two low caTbonsteels and an IFgrade at temperatures betweenambient and 700'C. Thesewere followed by salt bath annealing treatments. The main aim wasto investigate the effect of the transition from co[d to warmrolling on annealing behavior. Three aspects of annealing were examined: the kinetics of recrystallization, the final grain size; and the resulting texture. The sensitivity of these to the deformation temperature wasmarkedly greater in the low Cgrades than in the IF grade, In the low Cmaterial, changing the rolling temperature from cold to warmresulted in an increase in time to 50"/• recrystallization of about I ~orders of magnitude, a two-fold increase in final grain size and a remarkably different texture (i.e. one composedof a partial RDfibre instead of the typical NDfibre). By comparison, recrystallization wasonly slightly influenced by deformation temperature in the IFsteel. These observations are explained in terms of the influence on nucleation of the stored energy and the degree of in-grain banding. In particular, the present results suggest that in-grain shear bands play a larger role in the formation of NDfibre grains than previously thought. Froman industrial standpoint, IF steels clearly lend themselves more readily to the replacement of cold by warmrolled material than do low Cgrades.


This paper investigates the nonlinear vibration and stability analysis of a doubly clamped piezoelectric nanobeam, as a nano resonator actuated by a combined alternating current and direct current loadings, including surface effects and intermolecular van der Waals forces. The governing equation of motion is obtained using the extended Hamilton principle. The multiple scales method is used to solve nonlinear equations of motion. The influence of van der Waals forces, piezoelectric voltages and surface effects are investigated on the static equilibria, pull-in voltages and dynamic primary resonances of the nano resonator. It is shown that for accurate and exact investigation of the system response, it is necessary to consider the surface effects. To validate the analytical results, numerical simulation is performed. It is seen that the perturbation results are in accordance with numerical results.


The exploration and fabrication of highly effective and low cost non-precious electrocatalysts are very essential for the hydrogen production industry. Herein, for the first time we constructed and prepared Ni/CoFe hydroxide and Ni/CoSe2 electrodes with hollow nanotube array structures on conductive nickel foam by a facile two-step electrodeposition method combined with a ZnO self-template strategy. The as-prepared Ni/CoFe hydroxide and Ni/CoSe2 nanotube arrays only need a relatively low overpotential of 230 mV for OER and 89 mV for HER to achieve a current density of 20 mA cm−2 and 10 mA cm−2, respectively. Specifically, an asymmetric alkaline electrolyzer has been assembled by using Ni/CoFe hydroxide as anode and Ni/CoSe2 as cathode, which requires a low overall potential of only 1.57 V at the current density of 10 mA cm−2 and displays excellent stability for 20 h. The excellent electrocatalytic performance of the electrodes benefits from the synergistic effect of the different components and the hierarchical hollow nanotube structure with abundant active sites, fast electronic transport and sufficient diffusion channels for electrolyte and gas. The work provides a feasible way to develop highly efficient, hierarchical, hollow-structured and low-cost earth-abundant catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting applications.


Seventeen infants with nodular purpura are reported. All these infants suffered from a coagulation abnormality due to vitamin K deficiency. Contributing factors were breast-feeding, the use of milk substitutes, diarrhoea and antimicrobial therapy. The patients responded rapidly and completely to parenteral vitamin K. In the management of infantile diarrhoea use of antibiotics should be restricted to specific bacteriologically proven cases. Vitamin K administration is suggested in infants with prolonged gastroenteritis and limited milk intake and particularly those receiving antibiotics.


Vancomycin is frequently prescribed in pediatrics, especially in intensive care unit settings, to treat Gram-positive bacterial infections. This work aims to collect the top-cited articles of pediatric and infectious diseases areas to gather the current evidence and gaps of knowledge on the use of vancomycin in these populations. The most relevant journals reported in the "pediatrics" and "infectious diseases" categories of the 2019 edition of Journal Citation Reports were browsed. Articles with more than 30 citations and published over the last three decades were collected. A bibliometric analysis was performed and 115 articles were retrieved. They were published in 21 journals, with a median impact factor of 4.6 (IQR 2.9–5.4). Sixty-eight of them (59.1%) belonged to "infectious diseases" journals. The most relevant topic was "bloodstream/complicated/invasive infections", followed by "antibiotic resistance/MRSA treatment". As for population distribution, 27 articles were on children only and 27 on neonates, most of which were from intensive care unit (ICU) settings. The current literature mainly deals with vancomycin as a treatment for severe infections and antibiotic resistance, especially in neonatal ICU settings. Lately, attention to new dosing strategies in the neonatal and pediatric population has become a sensible topic.


Abstract Over the decades, corrosion has resulted in loss of lives accorded with damage costs in almost all engineering fields. Thus, it is seen as an environmental threat with catastrophic attributes, which calls for day-to-day research on its final resolution. Recent studies have proven organic green corrosion inhibitors (OGCIs) from plant extracts with biodegradable, environmentally accommodative, relatively cheap, and nonharmful features as the most perfect approach of tackling the problem. This review gives succinct discussion on the mechanisms, classifications, and active functional groups of OGCIs. Measuring ways and factors influencing their efficiency are presented. Also, various plant extracts used as OGCIs in preventing material corrosion in corrosive media coupled with their respective findings, applied characterization techniques, and future challenges are presented. The significance of values obtained from simulating presented mathematical models governing OGCI kinetics, adsorption isotherm, and adsorption thermodynamics is also included. In conclusion, recommendations that will broaden the usage of OGCIs from plant extracts for inhibiting corrosion of materials are presented for prospective researchers in the field of corrosion.


A method of compatibilizing an anionic polymeric rheology modifier with cationic ingredients, which comprises complexing a cationic ingredient with an anionic complexing agent before combining the complexed cationic ingredient with an anionic rheology modifier. A composition comprising an anionic polymeric rheology modifier and a complexed cationic ingredient and a personal care or a household composition containing an anionic rheology modifier and a cationic ingredient complexed with an anionic complexing agent.


Hitherto, research on the fluid-structure coupling of coronary stents has mostly considered the state after stent expansion following implantation. However, the factors and how they affect stent expansion are as yet, unclear. To further investigate stent expansion, this paper proposes a model combining balloon, stent, and blood using Solidworks. Thereafter, a co-simulation using ANSYS Workbench is implemented using the methods of finite element and finite volume, to analyze bidirectional fluid-structure coupling during the expansion of a balloon-expandable stent, for periodically varying blood loads. By comparing the blood flow rate in the vessel, pressure on the endovascular wall, and the pressure and stress on the stent system at different points in time, it can be seen that the higher the blood flow rate, the greater the pressure on the endovascular wall and stent system. Furthermore, the larger the volume of the implant, the greater the maximum blood flow rate and maximum pressure on the endovascular wall, and the more drastic the change along the axis. In summary, the results of the present study indicate that the stent expansion process has a significant effect on the blood flow rate and pressure on the vascular wall; however, the impact of blood load on stent stress can be ignored.


Recently, some problems related to using the Real-time Control Protocol (RTCP) in a very large dynamic group have arisen. Some of these problems are: feedback delay, increasing storage state at every member, and ineffective RTCP bandwidth usage, especially for the receivers that obtain incoming RTCP reports through low bandwidth links. More schemes are proposed to alleviate the RTCP problems. The famous and the recent one, which was introduced by EL-Marakby and was named Scalable RTCP (S-RTCP), still have some drawbacks. This paper demonstrates a brief discussion and evaluation of existing schemes and algorithms. Comments on the proposed scheme and algorithm are introduced. Consequently, we demonstrate the design of More Scalable RTCP (MS-RTCP) scheme based on hierarchical structure, distributed management, and EL-Marakby scheme. Also, we show how our scheme will alleviate all the drawbacks that found in the S-RTCP. Finally, we will highlight this scheme implementation, analysis, and its performance evaluation.


Space infrared detector is the core component of photoelectric conversion in the infrared system, the indicator of which, such as sensibility and reliability, limits the optimum performance of the detection system. In the reliability research of infrared detector, the operating life of the device is a very important index and also a significant subject in the engineering application. In the accelerated life test of space infrared detector, it was difficult to periodically measure blackbody response signal of infrared detector, due to equipment limitations for a long time. Accordingly, it was also hard to get abundant failure data of devices for statistical analysis. For this problem, we designed a novel multi-station testing system for accelerated life test of space infrared device, in which response signal as well as temperature can be measured in-situ and recorded for further analysis. Based on theoretical calculation and analysis of actual measured data, we studied and designed the mechanical structure of the equipment and the key component of the testing system, such as the displacement platform, illustrated the control algorithm and put up a system design proposal which meet the testing requirements well. This work technically supports the accelerated life test of space infrared device.


In contrast to most genes, that are expressed equally from both parental alleles, imprinted genes (as identified in flowering plants and mammals) are differentially expressed, depending on their parental origin. In flowering plants, imprinting is regulated by DNA methylation and histone methylation. During vegetative development most imprinted genes are silenced by chromatin modifications. During gametogenesis, however, the male or female allele is activated by the removal of chromatin modifications and remains active after fertilization. The other allele is inherited in a silenced state, leading to an imprinted gene expression. Imprinting mechanisms are conserved across plant species, and to a certain extent there is evidence of a convergent evolution of imprinting mechanisms between plants and mammals. The physiological significance and evolutionary origin of imprinting are still unclear. In flowering plants, imprinting may derive from global epigenetic reprogramming mechanisms that occur in female, but not in male, gametes.

Keywords:

Parental genomic imprinting;
Egg cell;
Central cell;
Double fertilization;
Endosperm;
Gametophytes;
Sporophyte;
Pollen;
Embryo sac;
Ovule integuments


Reproductive‐age women with bleeding disorders (BDs) are underdiagnosed and understudied, despite their increased risk for adverse health outcomes and pregnancy complications.


The present invention provides an immunoassay analyzer capable of discriminating between normal coloring due to a specific immunoreaction and abnormal coloring due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction in a measurement region of a sample analysis tool. An immunoassay analyzer 1 of the present invention includes an optical detection unit 4 and a determination unit 5. The optical detection unit 4 includes an optical signal measurement unit for measuring an optical signal at each of two or more different wavelengths including a main wavelength for detecting color change due to the specific immunoreaction and a sub-wavelength(s) other than the main wavelength. The determination unit 5 includes a discrimination unit for comparing the respective optical signals at the two or more different wavelengths and discriminating between the color change due to the specific immunoreaction and color change due to a cause other than the specific immunoreaction based on a comparison criterion determined previously.


One of the promising ways to increase the capacity of railways is the way to reduce the interval between trains and its packet-mode handling. This method is implemented through the introduction of technology for interval regulation of train traffic. More advanced at present is the technology of interval regulation of train operation according to the "virtual coupling" type, which organizes the operation of trains with a minimum interval between them, which is safe for motion at and between stations. This technology removes the problem of extending the receiving and departure tracks, reduces peak loads on the traction power supply system and the formation time of the virtual coupling structure, and increases the train speed to the yellow traffic signal with safety guaranteed. The technology is implemented due to the presence of an interval control system for train operation, the introduction of on-board automatic locomotive signaling devices ALS-EN and ALS-R, on-board complexes BLOK and KLUB-U (safety devices with satellite navigation and electronic route map), ISAVP-RT-M (auto-driving system for coupled trains) and radio modems for data transmission. The use of these devices in packet mode traffic schedule will reduce the time interval along the sections of the railway and reduce the loss of time when the train runs to the yellow traffic signal. The set of tasks to increase the energy efficiency of applying the technology of interval regulation of train operation according to the "virtual coupling" type should also include the tasks of developing modern rectifier-inverter converters VIP-4000M on AC electric locomotives together with the reactive current block developed in the Railway Implementing Center of the Krasnoyarsk Railway. These developments provide a high power factor of the electric locomotive in the traction and regenerative braking modes (up to 0.96), which will reduce the specific electric energy consumption by electric locomotives for train traction, which will increase the efficiency of the application of the technology of interval regulation of train operation according to the "virtual coupling" type. In July 2019 pilot operational tests of this technology were carried out on the Far Eastern Railway, which showed generally positive results. The paper also presents an analysis of the results on the specific consumption of electric energy for traction and its return to the contact network during regenerative braking by 3ES5K electric locomotives participating in the technology of interval regulation of train operation of the "virtual coupling" type in the sections Khabarovsk-2-Ruzhino and Ruzhino-Khabarovsk-2 of the Far Eastern Railway. These results show an increase in the energy efficiency of electric locomotives using this technology.


The present invention relates to a system having superconducting three-phase power transmission element, three-phase superconducting power conductors insulated from one another and arranged concentrically with each other on the transmission element, the transmission element is disposed in the insulating tubular cryostat, the cryostat has a free space for conducting a cooling medium therethrough. Said transmission element having at least two structures of the same cable (K1, K2), each cable having three electrically insulated from each another and arranged concentrically superconductive phase conductor (L1, L2, L3). The two cables (K1, K2) of the phase conductors (L1, L2, L3) in parallel so that the conductive connection, such that the phase conductor which are connected with a cable to another phase conductor of the cable.


In this paper, both In Circuit Test (ICT) and Functional Test (FT) methods in the techniques of automation test are described. Some key techniques of applications, such as active test, passive test, are put forward in detail and are analyzed in theory.


The holding voltage of the high-voltage MOSFETs in snapback condition is much smaller than the power supply voltage. Such characteristics may cause the latcup-like problems in the Smart Power ICs if these devices are directly used in the ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) power clamp. In this work, a latchup-free design based on the Drain-Extended PMOS (DEPMOS) adopting gate VDD structure is proposed. The operation region of the proposed gate-VDD DEPMOS ESD power clamp is below the onset of the snapback to avoid the danger of latch-up. From the measurement on the devices fabricated using a BCD (Bipolar-CMOS-DMOS) Process (60V), it was observed that the proposed ESD power clamp can provide 500% higher ESD robustness per silicon area as compared to the conventional clamps with gate-driven LDMOS (lateral double-diffused MOS).


Few human diseases have been described that are due to a defect in phospholipid biosynthesis. Phospholipids are required for pro-viding the essential milieu of biological membranes and are impor- tant precursors of signaling molecules. One would anticipate that a null mutation in an enzyme required for the biosynthesis of a phospholipid would not be compatible with life, particularly if that mutation resulted in complete elimination of that phospholipid. However, for several of the major mammalian phospholipids ( e.g. phosphatidylcholine (PC), 1 phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidylserine (PS)) more than one biosynthetic pathway operates (1). Consequently, the possibility exists that humans might have deficiencies in phospholipid biosynthesis that would not be detectable if alternative enzymes that catalyzed the same reaction were active or if alternative pathways were available for making that phospholipid. In the last two decades, advances in gene targeting in mice have made it possible to determine whether or not a particular enzyme or protein is essential for mammalian life. This article will summarize the current state of knowledge about induced mutations in murine genes involved in phospholipid biosynthesis and intracellular transport. To date, gene-targeting experiments have revealed that mice can survive without certain phospholipid biosynthetic enzymes; in each case, an alternative pathway or enzyme exists for making that phospholipid.Themajorbiosynthetic routes for the biosynthesis of PC, PE, and PS were elucidated in the 1950s largely by Eugene Kennedy and co-workers (2). In subsequent decades, attempts were made