Facility layout is very significant for improving production efficiency and decreasing operational cost. Aimed at the double row layout problem commonly encountered in the context of semiconductor manufacturing, an approach combining a multi-objective immune algorithm with a linear programming is proposed to simultaneously optimize the two objectives of material flow cost and layout area. Firstly, a mix-integer programming model is established for this problem. Secondly, based on the problem′s characteristic of involving both combinatorial (machine sequence) and continuous (exact machine position) aspects, a multi-objective immune algorithm is devised to obtain a set of non-dominated machine sequences, and then a linear programming based method is proposed to construct a set of continuous non-dominated solutions for an arbitrary non-dominated machine sequence. Finally, the set of final Pareto solutions is created from all the continuous non-dominated solutions. Experimental results show that for small size problems our approach is able to obtain the optimal Pareto solutions, and for large size problems our approach can achieve Pareto solutions with good distribution, which are far better than those obtained by NSGA-II and an exact approach.


If a rough surface is illuminated by a coherent light wave of wavelength λ1 it is not possible to determine the surface profile from the phases of the speckle field formed by the scattered light. If the rough surface is illuminated, however, by an additional coherent wave of wavelength λ2, the phase differences between the two speckle fields do contain information about the macroscopic surface profile even if subject to a statistical error. We present the pertinent statistical properties of dichromatic speckle fields and show (1) that the macroscopic surface profile may be determined from the phase differences if the effective wavelength Δ = λ1λ2/|λ1-λ2| sufficiently larger than the standard deviation of the microscopic profile of the illuminated surface and (2), that the statistical error is reasonably small if the phase measurements are obtained from speckles with sufficient intensity.


This paper describes the selection process, design, and implementation of a robust state estimator on a realistic power system. The classical WLS estimator presents limitations when handling bad leverage points, and the masking effects that may arise in the presence of multiple bad data. On the other hand, robust estimators are able to handle measurement outliers and leverage points, remaining unbiased. In this paper we compare several robust state estimator methods and select the most promising one for development. We describe the implementation and interfacing aspects required to apply the robust estimator to a realistic system, and compare its performance against the WLS estimator.


The aim of the present transversal descriptive study was to determine the exposure and risk factors associated with caprine arthritis-encephalitis virus (CAEV) in southern Spain. A total of 3,312 serum samples were collected from goat belonging to three different breeds coming from 48 flocks located in different geographic areas from southern Spain. In addition, health and productive parameters were surveyed during the visit to the herds. Serum samples were analysed by INgezim Maedi Screening (Ingenasa®) ELISA kit. The total percentage of herds exposed to CAEV was 87.71% (CI95 78.42–97.00). A total of 733 goats were seropositive with overall seroprevalence of 23.22% (CI95 21.78–24.65). The intraherd seroprevalence was 20.82%±24.07. Multivariate logistic regression showed significant association between CAEV and the next variables: (i) herd size (P<0.0001; OR: 2.07; CI95: 1.73–2.50), (ii) kidding area (P<0.0020; OR: 1.38; CI95: 1.13–1.69), (iii) cleaning and disinfection program (P<0.0067; OR: 1.90; CI95: 1.43–2.53), (iv) natural mating (P<0.0026; OR: 2.22; CI95: 1.73–2.86) and (v) multiparous (P<0.0001; OR: 2.90; CI95: 2.17–3.87). The results indicate a widespread of CAEV in goat herds in southern Spain, with herd size, existence of kidding area, absence of a cleaning and disinfection programme, natural mating and multiparous goats being risk factors for exposure to CAEV.


: The Caatinga biome in Brazil comprises the largest and most continuous expanse of the seasonally dry tropical forest (SDTF) worldwide; nevertheless, it is among the most threatened and least studied, despite its ecological and biogeographical importance. The spatial distribution of volumetric wood stocks in the Caatinga and the relationship with environmental factors remain unknown. Therefore, this study intends to quantify and analyze the spatial distribution of wood volume as a function of environmental variables in Caatinga vegetation in Bahia State, Brazil. Volumetric estimates were obtained at the plot and fragment level. The multiple linear regression techniques were adopted, using environmental variables in the area as predictors. Spatial modeling was performed using the geostatistical kriging approach with the model residuals. The model developed presented a reasonable fit for the volume m 3 ha with r 2 of 0.54 and Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 10.9 m 3 ha –1 . The kriging of ordinary residuals suggested low error estimates in unsampled locations and balance in the under and overestimates of the model. The regression kriging approach provided greater detailing of the global wood volume stock map, yielding volume estimates that ranged from 0.01 to 109 m 3 ha –1 . Elevation, mean annual temperature, and precipitation of the driest month are strong environmental predictors for volume estimation. This information is necessary to development action plans for sustainable management and use of the Caatinga SDTF in Bahia State, Brazil.


We describe a coherence filtering technique in the near infrared (IR) based on degenerate four wave mixing (DFWM) in a Barium Titanate photorefractive crystal and a dye-doped liquid crystal layer. in our experiments, we used a self modelocked Ti:Sapphire laser and a Q-switched alexandrite laser as light sources. This technique can be used to provide instantaneous, single-shot, two-dimensional images ofthe internal structure ofmaterials versus depth.


Based on the optimization methods, the algorithm for solving numerically the inverse problem for nonlinear diffusion equation is developed. Various ways to calculate the gradient of the quadratic functional are presented. Based on these results, the temporal evolution of the radial water distribution in a cylinder upon sorptive water uptake is calculated. The calculations are compared with the experimental results of the NMR microimaging studies of water vapor sorption by cylindrical aluminum oxide pellets which contain hygroscopic salts. Such comparison is used to evaluate the effective diffusivity of water sorbed within the pellet. This diffusivity is shown to have a pronounced dependence on the amount of sorbed water.


The literature on instructional design argues that curricula, educational materials, and instructional strategies are best created using a 'systems approach'. Models for the systematic design of educational programmes have proliferated over the past decade. But these models are prescriptive and not based on research into how designers actually think when they approach a design task. Important theoretical and empirical studies from the fields of art, architecture, and artificial intelligence are summarized here as a prelude to presentation of findings from a study of design activities among a group of 26 novice instructional designers. Among other things, the study investigated: (1) the prevalence of initial generation of more than one possible design solution; (2) the basis on which candidate solutions were accepted or rejected; (3) the constraints encountered in proceeding with the design; and (4) the way in which designers knew that they were finished with the design. Results indicate that novice designers have difficulty entertaining multiple possible solutions, especially for more than a few steps into design work; that alternatives are eliminated very rapidly; that designers are not. proficient in representing design problems to themselves or to others; and that they have trouble saying what a reasonable stopping point is. Suggestions for further research, and for contributions that instructional design might make to the ongoing research effort on human problem-solving, are presented.


Background: The poor prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be aggravated by the concomitant presence of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and there are no guidelines for the treatment of patients affected by both conditions. Objective: To propose new therapeutic strategies for patient affected by RA and concomitant HCV chronic infection. Methods: Review of the literature on the usage of cyclosporine-A (CsA) and anti-tumour-necrosis-factor (TNF)-α agents for the treatment of patients affected by RA and HCV. Results/conclusion: CsA exerts an inhibitory effect on HCV replication and it is safe in patients affected by RA and HCV. Anti-TNF-α agents are safe and efficacious in patient with RA and HCV. Anti-TNF-α and CsA can be safely given in combination in RA patients with HCV infection.


Patients attending the Maudsley Hospital Psychotherapy Unit complete a semi‐structured questionnaire as a matter of standard procedure prior to assessment. Clinical experience suggests that this instrument reveals important aspects of a patient's internal world, regularly borne out at the assessment interview. The questionnaire may thus contribute to predicting engagement in the therapeutic relationship. To evaluate this hypothesis we conducted a qualitative analysis of 40 questionnaires, 20 of patients who attended 20 sessions or more, the other 20 of patients who discontinued at or before the sixth session. We differentially explored characteristics that may indicate the probability of patients' engagement and, hence, help to predict outcome in terms of completion of the treatment. The results indicate that there are no strong discriminating factors discernable in the questionnaires for the prediction of engagement in psychotherapy. Two themes emerged from the analysis that seemed to have a moderate bearing on completion. These are the willingness of patients to observe themselves reflectively as well as the awareness that psychotherapy might be a difficult but necessary and beneficial undertaking.


Motivation. TXA2 is an unstable metabolite of arachidonic acid and a potent inducer of platelet aggregation, vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction. TXA2 receptor antagonists are effective for the treatment of circulatory disorders, angina and stroke. Some heptenoic acids synthesized as novel TXA2 receptor antagonists were collected from the literature. For them, quantitative structure–activity relationships study were determined in order to provide a simple description of the physicochemical parameters which are involved in the (±)–(5Z)– 7–[3–endo–[(phenylsulfonyl)amino]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept–2–exo–yl]heptenoic acids TXA2 receptor site of action. Method. The analysis was done by using the C–QSAR suite of programs (Biobyte). Results. The evaluation of the quantitative structure–activity relationships (QSAR) revealed that the primary physicochemical feature influencing the in vitro TXA2 receptor antagonists is the overall molar refractivity (CMR) of the molecule. The Swain–Lupton factor F was found to be also significant. A significant parabolic correlation was observed between the CMR of the studied compounds and the in vitro inhibition of the aggregation of washed platelets. The QSAR study also demonstrated that the inhibitory activity is affected by the Sterimol minimum width B1.


In September, 1972, twenty-three scholars from the United States, Taiwan, and Canada met at Asilomar, California for a conference on "Taiwan in Chinese History." Sponsored by the ACLS' Joint Committee on Sino-American Intellectual Cooperation in the Humanities, it was intended to stimulate interest in research on Taiwan history and show what it could contribute to the field of Chinese history as a whole.


&NA; The measurement of biogenic amines and metabolites is essential for diagnosis and follow‐up of neural crest tumors. A Quality Assurance programme involving the distribution of urine specimens obtained from patients with neural crest and related tumors was conducted by the Australian Association of Clinical Biochemists' Working Party on Biogenic Amines in 1988. Fifty laboratories participated in the programme and measured a number of analytes with a variety of methods. These included high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection (HPLC‐EC), spectrophotometry, fluorescence, fluorescence polarization immunoassay (Abbott TDX) and gas chromatography — mass spectroscopy (GC‐MS). The results of this survey indicated that fluorimetric methods for catecholamines are unreliable as they are subject to interference particularly by Labetalol. Twice as many laboratories utilized catecholamines rather than metanephrines for detection of pheochromocytoma. 5‐HIAA appears to be the analyte measured with the least accuracy, particularly with spectrophotometric methods of analysis. Several laboratories would have failed to diagnose some neural crest tumors and need to improve their performance.


The relative ease by which molecular sensing and reporting elements can be fused together in microbial whole-cell biosensors to generate dose-dependent quantifiable physical (luminescent, fluorescent, colorimetric, electrochemical) responses to pre-determined conditions allows the construction of diverse classes of sensors. Over the last two decades we and others have employed this principle to design and construct microbial bioreporter strains for the sensitive detection of either (a) specific chemicals of environmental concern (e.g. trinitrotoluene), or groups of compounds sharing either (b) chemical characteristics (e.g. heavy metals, halogenated organics etc.) or (c) global biological effects on living systems (e.g. toxicity or genotoxicity). In many of these cases, additional molecular manipulations beyond the initial simplistic sensor-reporter fusion may be highly beneficial for enhancing the performance of the engineered sensor systems. We have recently described the remote detection of buried landmines using alginate-encapsulated fluorescent microbial (Escherichia coli) bioreporters (Belkin et al. 2017, Nature Biotechnol. 35: 308-310). Using this application as a case study, several of the approaches we have adopted over the years to enhance bioreporters' performance will be highlighted. These include random mutations induced in a "directed evolution" process, splitting of the lux reporter cassette, introduction of viral "amplifiers", manipulation of host permeability and the integration of quorum sensing elements.


Solid waste and resource recycling are the only sensible ways to tackle the problem of municipal solid waste (MSW). The digestive enzymes and the intestinal microflora of earthworms seem to play an important role in the digestion of soil organic matter. The present investigation was aimed to study the levels of various enzymes viz. amylase, cellulase, xylanase, cellbiase, endonuclease, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase and nitrate reductase and their activities in the gut of the two selected earthworms, Eudrilus eugeniae and Eisenia fetida . Overall, amylase, cellobiase, endoglucanase, acid phosphatase and nitrate reductase showed higher enzymatic activity.


The isocenter of the magnetic gradient fields inside a magnetic resonance imaging scanner is an important parameter in gradient non-linearity distortion correction methods for MR images. Currently there is no established method for estimating the gradient isocenter. All existing correction methods assume that the gradient isocenter coincides with the DICOM coordinate center, which is close but not exactly the same as the gradient isocenter. A difference between gradient isocenter and DICOM coordinate center could compromise the accuracy of the correction method. The goal of this research was to develop a reasonably accurate estimation method of the 3D location of the gradient isocenter that was based on the geometry of a customdesigned phantom. We present a two-step algorithm for estimating the gradient isocenter and examine some of the possible numeric methods to be used on each step.


Based on the new growth theory,the author constructs a dynamic model that analyzes the complex interaction between trust,division of labor and economic growth,and also shows the possible equilibrium.The higher level of trust will improve the division of labor and economic growth.Economic growth benefits the level of trust as well.On the other hand,if the level of trust is not satisfactory,the"vicious circle"will occur between trust and economic growth.There also exists another equilibrium in which the level of trust and economic development remains in a static state.


As the stratum survey of western Qinling went on,geologists applied tectonic analysis and tectonic-petrologic stratum method.Along with the petrological deformation and isotope age that was obtained in recent years,Xihanshui Group of Devonian period of western Qinling stratum was rerecognized.Proterozoic stratum was dismembered,and was temporarily named Wujashan Rock Group since it assumes a large and non-sequence stratum look and with a middle-deep range of deformation.The conclusion and the new cognition improved the level of basic geology study in western Qinling,especially the Xihanshui Grounp,Devonian period.The results of this research also have important geological implications in tectonic evolvement research of western Qinling area and in the study of the galena-zinc mineral characteristics in Xihe-Chengxian belt.


"Following the economic collapse in eastern Germany, in addition to the high level of unemployment, a hidden labour force of a considerable size has also developed in the new Lander. The IAB estimates the hidden labour force in the new Lander for 1997 to be more than 800,000 people. This estimation, however, is based in part on plausible assumptions for the development of labour force participation. This is because for methodical reasons the concept of the IAB labour force potential can not yet be transferred from western to eastern Germany. The aim of this paper is to develop an alternative procedure for estimating the hidden labour force. In the new Lander a considerable part of the hidden labour force is at present taking part in further training and retraining, early retirement schemes and other labour market measures run by the Federal Employment Services (Bundesanstalt fur Arbeit). The necessary data for this group is available. Thus all that is required is information concerning the remainder of the hidden labour force (the so-called hidden labour force in the stricter sense which includes, e.g., the discouraged workers and other persons not in the labour force). The model presented for the first time here uses the panel data of the labour market monitor and the socio-economic panel to attempt to estimate this group of people on the basis of their employment histories. The results for the years 1992 to 1995 show the hidden labour force in the stricter sense to include some 150,000 to 250,000 people. There is only a slight upward development trend. Thus the level and the trend deviate somewhat from the previous estimates made by the IAB. As is demonstrated, these results can also be disaggregated according to age and gender. With this estimation of the size and structure of the hidden labour force, an important basis is created for updating the forecast of the future potential labour supply in the new Lander." (Author's abstract, IAB-Doku) ((en))


Four species of mosses, all in the genus Orthotrichum; 1 species of hepatics; and 16 species of lichens compose the foliicolous bryophyte and lichen flora of Thuja plicata L. leaves in certain areas of western British Columbia. This is the first report of foliicolous mosses and hepatics for North America, north of the tropical and subtropical regions of the southeastern United States. The taxonomy of the four species of Orthotrichum is discussed and a key given differentiating the species.All of the species that have been found on Thuja leaves except perhaps Catillaria bouteillei are facultative foliicolous species and occur on leaves, only in scattered areas of northwestern North America. Two taxa of lichens, Catillaria bouteillei (Desm.) Zahlbr. and Cetrelia cetrarioides (Del. ex Duby) W. Culb. & C. Culb. (perlatolic acid strain) are reported as new to Canada.


value of the microscope being duly insisted upon. From a practical point of view much stress is laid upon the division of the urethra into an anterior and posterior part separated by the compressor urethree. All discharges appearing spontaneously at the orifice must come from the anterior part. In chapter III the disorders of micturition, and in chapters iv and v the physical, chemical, and microscopical examination of the urine are given. The older methods of distinguishing renal and vesical hlematuria and pyuria by the intimate mixture of the blood, by the reaction, etc., are rightly looked upon as not giving satisfactory information. The counting of the pus cells by the Thoma-Zeiss apparatus and the consequent estimation of the amount of pus is looked upon as being of value in determining in general the severity of the case. Chapters -vi to x deal with the physical examination of the kidneys, bladder, and urethra by means of palpation, including the bimanual methods and the investigation of the urethra and bladder with the sound including catheterisation. A chapter is given both to the endoscope and cystoscope; the former may, in the author's opinion, yield valuable information as to the condition of the urethra. In respect to the cystoscope a very full and detailed account of Nitze's instrument is given including its method of use. Several very beautiful photograms, also from Nitze, are introduced here. Time must show the exact place which the cystoscope will take in the investigation of bladder disease. It cannot be denied that it has hardly as yet obtained in this country a degree of popularity at all commensurate with its value as laid down in this book. A short account of the symptomatology of the most common diseases of the urinary passages is appended, and here again the endoscope and cystoscope figure prominently. This book contains a concise account of the diagnosis of these diseases with all the improvements due to modern advance, and is evidently written by one who is experienced and has thought out the subject.


Al_2O_3/TiC self-lubricating ceramic material with addition of CaF_2 was produced by hot pressing.Friction and wear behaviors of the self-lubricating material were investigated on an MRH-3 ring-on-block friction and wear tester under dry friction,and worn surface morphologies were observed on a scanning electron microscope.It was found that the composite with 10% CaF_2 content showed higher bend strength,fracture toughness,and hardness compared with that of the composites with 5% and 15% CaF_2 content owing itsporosity absent and finer microstructure.Friction coefficient is reduced with increasing of CaF_2 content,speed and load individually.A lubricating layer was generated on the worn surfaces under high speed and load,which accounted for the friction-reducing and antiwearability of the self-lubricating material at high speed and load.While at low speed,abrasive wear is the main wear mode and the lubricating layer is difficultly generated.But solid lubricant existing between friction surfaces can still contribute to reducing the friction coefficient.Cracks were found on the surface of the self-lubricating film under repeated frictional condition because of mechanical stress and thermal stress.


@Contents:Part One: Your English Language Learner 1.1 Orientation 1.2 The Process of English Language Learning and What to Expect 1.3 Deciding on the Best ESOL Program 1.4 Teaching for English Language Development 1.5 Not All ELLs are the Same 1.6 Culturally Responsive Pedagogy 1.7 Not All Parents are the Same: Home/School Communication 1.8 English language Learners with Special Needs Part Two: The Changing Landscape of Career and Technical Education: Implications for ELLs 2.1 From Vocational Education to Career and Technical Education 2.2 CTE: Learning About, Through, For, and At Work 2.3 Nature of Teaching and Learning in CTE Programs Part Three: Teaching English Language Learners in CTE Programs 3.1 Teaching ELLs in CTE Programs: A Starting Point 3.2 Using Interactive Instructional Strategies in the Classroom 3.3 Using Interactive Demonstration Strategies 3.4 Strategies for Work-Based Learning 3.5 Teaching ELLs in CTE Programs: A Challenging Task Part Four: Resources 4.1 Resources 4.2 Glossary


Doping Ni atoms can trigger the HER activity of inert S atoms on the 2D ZnIn2S4 surface and prolong the electron lifetime.


The nonlinearity and distribution of information processing of the artificial neural network are utilized in the identification of nonlinear static model. The identification of condensation polymerization process in the chemical industry shows that it can be practicable to adopt artificial neural netwok to identify nonlinear static models. Therefore, a new way of system identification may be feasible.


New markets are opening up to laser projection technology, providing new applications that stimulate further innovation. Thanks to recent developments, productivity and return on investment are increasing, allowing systems to find many more uses.


Mechanical properties of cast Fe-based bulk glassy alloy rods with compositions of (Fe_0.75B_0.15Si_0.1)_96Nb_4 and Fe_77Ga_3P_9.5C_4B_4Si_2.5 were examined by compression and Vickers hardness tests. The Young's modulus ( E ), yield strength (σ_y), fracture strength (σ_f), elastic strain (ε_e), fracture strain (ε_f), and Vickers hardness ( H _v) were 175 GPa, 3165 MPa, 3250 MPa, 1.8%, 2.2%, and 1060, respectively, for the former alloy and 182 GPa, 2980 MPa, 3160 MPa, 1.9%, 2.2%, and 870, respectively, for the latter alloy. The ε_f / E and H _v/3 E were 0.019–0.017 and 0.020–0.016, respectively, for the alloys, in agreement with the previous data for a number of bulk glassy alloys. The agreement suggests that these Fe-based bulk glassy alloys have an elastic–plastic deformation mode. The syntheses of high-strength Fe-based bulk glassy alloys with distinct compressive plastic strain and elastic–plastic deformation mode are encouraging for future development of Fe-based bulk glassy alloys as structural and soft magnetic materials.


Pharmacy practice is witnessing considerable changes in concept and practice in Egypt in recent years. Egypt has the highest number of pharmacists per capita and community pharmacies in the Middle East and North Africa region. Literally, all medicines are freely sold without a prescription irrespective of their status as prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs; and the pharmacist plays a key role in recommending basic medicines to the public. Community pharmacies are widely distributed throughout the country and more accessible healthcare facility to the community that offering clinical, diagnostic and public health services. The concept of pharmaceutical care has not also been acknowledged yet at community pharmacies; and most community pharmacies lack computerized systems and modern technologies, as well as lack of qualified pharmacists who could deliver clinical pharmacy services. Despite laws and regulations exist; there is a lack of enforcement of those regulations to ensure good pharmacy practice at community pharmacies. The aim of the review was to describe the current status of community pharmacy in Egypt and their preparedness to deliver clinical pharmacy services.


Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has the highest metastatic rate among head and neck cancers, with its underlying mechanism not yet fully unveiled. High- versus low-metastasis, NPC cell lines have been established. The footpad-popliteal lymph node metastasis model and other in vivo models have been stably used to study NPC metastasis. The histological appearance and the expression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers might be helpful in selecting high-risk NPC patients for developing post-treatment metastasis. Tested EMT markers and their protein expression levels that correlate with patient disease-free survival in large patient cohorts include E-cadherin, N-cadherin, CD44, Twist, Snail, and Cyclin D1. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection can trigger NPC metastasis from multiple angles via multiple signaling pathways. High endothelial venules are commonly seen in NPC tissues, with their role in NPC metastasis requiring clarification. The molecules that promote and inhibit NPC metastasis are introduced, with a focus on cytokines SPINK6, serglycin, interleukin 8 (IL8), Wnt family member 5A (WNT5A), and chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2). Two videos showing NPC cells with and without SPINK6 knocked down are presented. Future directions for studying NPC metastasis are also discussed.


Geminiviruses are a group of plant DNA viruses that occurred worldwide and cause severe diseases in many crop
plants. Recombination plays an important role in viral variation and disease epidemic. In recent years, a novel satellite
DNA molecule, DNAβ, was found to be associated with monopartite geminiviruses. DNA β is required for causing typical
symptoms in host plants. In this paper, damage of geminivirus diseases, viral recombination, discovery of DNAβ and its
role in pathogenicity, disease complexes composed by geminiviruses and associated small DNA molecules , and evolutionary
relationships among these molecules are discussed in detail.


A The probability that two right-handed people would have a left-handed child is only about 9.5 percent. The chance rises to 19.5 percent if one parent is a lefty and 26 percent if both parents are left-handed. The preference, however, could also stem from an infant's imitation of his parents. To test genetic influence, starting in the 1970s British biologist Marian Annett of the University of Leicester hypothesized that no single gene determines handedness. Rather, during fetal development, a certain molecular factor helps to strengthen the brain's left hemisphere, which increases the probability that the right hand will be dominant, because the left side of the brain controls the right side of the body, and vice versa. Among the minority of people who lack this factor, handedness develops entirely by chance. Research conducted on twins complicates the theory, however. One in fivesets of identical twins involves one right-handed and one left-handed person, despite the fact that their genetic material is the same. Genes, therefore, are not solely responsible for handedness.


Previous studies have shown that platelets are activated during atrial fibrillation (AF). However, prophylactic therapy with aspirin is not associated with a reduction of thromboembolic complications in patients with AF. Stimulation of platelet thrombin and ADP receptors causes a release of P‐selectin, which is not affected by aspirin. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of AF on platelet P‐selectin expression. Blood samples from 30 patients were studied ex vivo. Nineteen patients had chronic AF (> 3 months), 11 patients were in sinus rhythm (SR). P‐selectin expression was determined by flow cytometry (antibody binding capacity [BC]) at baseline and after platelet stimulation with adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP). To determine the effect of heart rate and atrial pressure (RAP), measurements were repeated after 10 minutes of ventricular pacing (120 beats/min) in patients with SR. P‐selectin expression was increased in patients with AF at baseline (AF: 1329 ±81 BC vs SR: 968 ± 108 BC; P < 0.05) and after stimulation with ADP (AF: 1445 ± 101 BC vs SR: 1061 ± 109 BC; P < 0.05) and TRAP (AF: 13783 ± 2442 BC vs SR: 5977 ± 800 BC; P < 0.05). RAP (2.0 ± 0.5 vs 6.0 ± 0.8 mmHg; P < 0.01) and atrial rate (75 ± 5 vs 114 ± 5 beats/min; P < 0.001) increased during ventricular pacing. However, P‐selectin levels remained stable. AF was accompanied by increased P‐selectin expression. In contrast, increased ventricular rate and elevated atrial pressure alone had no effect on platelet activity. Further studies are needed to determine if platelet ADP receptor inhibitors offer a therapeutic benefit in patients with AF.


While the disproportional application of school discipline has garnered notable attention, the relationship between trauma or adversity and school discipline is under examined. The purpose of the current scoping review was to map the state of the literature, empirical and theoretical, at the intersection of school discipline, and trauma or adversity. The findings identified a gap in our knowledge as only 14 of the 49 included articles detailed empirical studies focused on the relationship between adversity and school discipline, with very few from outside of the United States. However, this burgeoning body of knowledge points to a significant relationship between trauma/adversity and experiencing school discipline that warrants further study and contextualizes expanded adversities, including poverty and racism as adversity. We believe this is necessary to acknowledging the hidden and unaddressed trauma among students being disproportionally disciplined, leading to a greater understanding of student lives, and evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally attuned discipline.


Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC), induced by brief periods of ischemia followed by reperfusion, elicits strong cardioprotection from ischemia reperfusion injury in animal models. However, recent clinical trials in humans have yielded mixed results that may be explained by coexisting conditions and other experimental factors. Using human skin as an alternative model to study RIPC, we hypothesized that cutaneous vascular reactivity to post‐occlusive reactive hyperemia (PORH) will be increased following repeated RIPC.


Obviously, a language with no living user left is extinct. The term is also used to refer to languages gone with very little or no documentation. What qualifies the death of a language on the other hand is not as clear, but there are a couple of accepted propositions. For one, a language is dead even when there are still people who know the language but do not use it. It may continue to exist in a recorded form or archive but if it is no longer used, no longer evolving, it is dead. The same is true even though there is still one speaker left. Quoting David Crystal (2000), "as speakers cannot demonstrate their fluency if they have no one to talk to, a language is effectively dead when one speaker is left."


Compared with the 1953 and 1964 census, the census in 1982 included more items, and computer technology was used extensively in the analysis of the census data. Census results were used to provide guidance for population control and socio-economic development programs. 3 large scale conference were held on the census, and papers presented at the first conference were published in both English and Chinese. Numerous books and papers were published based on the analysis of the census data. These include "China: Population and Geography," "Population and Employment in China in the Year 2000," and a series of 32 volumes entitled "China's Population." In addition, 3 major projects were undertaken: 1) the compilation of "the Population Atlas of China," 2) development of "Regional Model Life Tables in China", and 3) the development of computer software entitled "Demographic Analysis System." The results of the projects are satisfactory, and the outcome of the first 2 projects will be published both in China and overseas. Even though there has been great improvement in the utilization of data in the 1982 census from the 2 previous censuses, something are still, left to be desired. For the fourth census in 1990, it is important to consider the analysis and utilization of data in the planning stage. More detailed data should be published. Training workshops should be undertaken, enabling more people to use computers for data analysis. International collaborations should be further developed, as needed.


In order to study the parameters affecting the dynamic response behavior of neutral-carrier-based liquid-membrane electrodes, the potential response vs time curves of Na + -, Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ -selective electrodes with different membrane compositions were recorded. The effects of the lipophilicity of ionophores and plasticizers, of the presence of incorporated mobile anionic sites and of modifications of the memrbane matrix were investigated. The experimental potential-time curves were compared to fitted functions on the basis of theoretical models


Near-resonant electronic-to-vibrational (E-V) energy transfer from excited bromine atoms to nitric oxide molecules has been investigated by an excimer laser photolysis technique. Bromine atoms were generated by photodissociation of CF/sub 3/Br, and vibrationally excited NO molecules produced by E-V transfer collisions were detected by infrared fluorescence in the 5.4-..mu..m region. The total rate coefficient for quenching of Br* by NO was determined to be (5.3 +/- 0.9) x 10/sup -12/ cm/sup 3/ molecule/sup -1/ s/sup -1/. Approximately 84% of the E-V transfer collisions excite nitric oxide to the nu = 2 level, which is nearly resonant with the electronic energy of the bromine atoms. The V-V energy-transfer rate coefficient for self-relaxation of NO(nu=2) molecules by NO was determined to be (1.2 +/- 0.4) x 10/sup -12/ cm/sup 3/ molecule/sup -1/ s/sup -1/, in good agreement with previously reported values.


A poorly performing database application not only costs users time, but also has an impact on other applications running on the same computer or the same network. The best method to manage with this problem is performing SQL tuning. There are two basic issues to focus on during tuning: how to find and interpret the execution plan of an SQL statement and how to change a SQL query to get a specific alternate execution plan. But most important is how to find the optimal execution plan for the query to use. This article describes a timesaving method developed for finding the optimum execution plan – rapidly and systematically – regardless of the complexity of the SQL query or the database platform being used. It explains how to understand and control SQL execution plan and how to diagram SQL queries to deduce the best execution plan for a query.


To produce more effective user manuals, writers can be guided by the results of user polls. The information collected can come from response forms in the back of each manual, from surveys among selected user groups, and from personal communication with members of user groups. Such polls typically point out that most users want (1) manuals with fewer words, (2) instructions that are task-oriented, not software-descriptive, and (3) more explanation on how to use a software product. The apparent contradiction between the first and third findings implies that different classes of users require different information. By reorganizing both the content and the format of a manual a writer can come closer to satisfying the needs of different users. Each manual should contain a learning section and a retrieval section; chapters should be self-contained and exercises should abound.


Multilevel marketing organizations (MLMs) are a rapidly growing organizational type enlisting nearly 10 million members and producing over 20 billion dollars in sales annually. Despite their remarkable recent growth, few studies have examined these unusual organizations, and none of these have addressed issues of transformational leadership. In MLMs, the key leadership relationships are those between individual member distributors and the members who recruited them into the organization (i.e., their 'sponsors'). Although sponsors are expected to provide leadership to the members they recruit, they possess no direct supervisory resulting—authority in an uncertain 'quasi-leadership' role. Using a sample of 736 female MLM members, the present study empirically tests an important explanatory component of transformational leadership theory: that belief in the higher purpose of one's work is a mechanism through which transformational leadership achieves its positive outcomes on cohesion, satisfaction, effort, and performance. The results offer support to the notion that transformational leadership indeed 'transforms' followers by encouraging them to see the higher purposes in their work. Additionally, the results show positive relationships between belief in a higher purpose of one's work and job satisfaction, unit cohesion, and effort. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.


The classic two-degree-of-freedom yaw-plane or 'bicycle' vehicle model is augmented with two additional states to describe lane-keeping behaviour and further augmented with an additional control input to steer the rear axle. A simple driver model is hypothesised where the driver closes a loop on a projected lateral lane position. The driver can select the preview distance to compensate driver/vehicle dynamics, consistent with the 'cross-over' model found in the literature. A rear axle steer control law is found to be a function of the front axle steering input and vehicle speed that exhibits stability similar to a positive-real system, while at the same time improving the ability of the driver/vehicle system to track a complex curved lane and improving steady-state manoeuvrability. The theoretically derived control law bears similarity to practical embodiments allowing a deeper understanding of the functional value of steering a rear axle.


This reference aims to make it easy to network Macintosh computers and link them successfully to UNIX or other environments. The book follows the development of a model network from its inception with just two devices through its maturity, when it includes some 200 devices spanning several cities and different vendors' hardware. With practical advice, examples, and easy-to-follow guidelines, the book guides readers through the choices of network cabling schemes, wiring methodologies, client/server machine and service configurations, and how to connect networks to the rest of the world and troubleshoot and manage a network as it grows. It explains step by step the requirements of doing physical network construction, including pulling cable, organizing wiring closets and backboards, and complying with standards of cable plant organization and documentation. And it discusses the uses, installation, and configuration of specific products from specific vendors. Other coverage includes network diagnostic and troubleshooting hardware and software tools; forms of network messaging short of true e-mail; methods of minimizing problems with different topologies; how to use zones to minimize network traffic; printing from UNIX to a Laser Writer and from a Mac to UNIX; the delicacies of software licensing.


The reservoir permeability in Santanghu Oilfield is very low,the flow seepage resistance is big,the viscosity of crude oil is very high,the single well production rate is very low and it is very difficult for waterflooding development.In order to improve the single well productivity,the gas injection is considered.However,the gas consumption is really huge under the condition of the ordinary gas flooding and it is easy to come with the problems of corrosion and fingering.So the nitrogen huff-puff is considered to increase oil recovery.This paper analyzed the principle for nitrogen huff-puff to increase oil recovery,designed the single well simulation experiments under the reservoir condition and studied the production disciplines and influence factors of single well.By using the crude oil from Santanghu Oilfield,we conducted series of simulation tests to study the influence of periodical injection,downhole pressure and multistage depressurization on periodical recovery degree on the long core physical model,acquiring the curves of huff-puff period-periodical recovery degree and injection-production relationship.The results show that the periodical injection and downhole pressure are the most important factors on the periodical recovery degree.Increasing the periodical nitrogen injection rate and decreasing the downhole pressure can improve the oil recovery degree.Two-stage depressurization can get better economic gain and the number of huff-puff periods can not exceed 3.This research is valuable for the program design of nitrogen huff-puff.


Soft rot symptoms were observed during the rainy season, particularly in July, in 2008 on bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L., Hybrid RPP 1216, Syngenta) cultivated under greenhouse conditions (25/18°C, 85% RH) in Sartenejas, Miranda State, Venezuela. Initial symptoms on plants consisted of watery lesions at the basal part of the stem. As the lesions progressed, the whole stem presented water-soaked and necrotic tissue, with detached cortical tissues. Infected plants showed general wilt with defoliation. Fruits showed watery lesions that progressed until complete maceration. Plant samples displaying soft rot symptoms were collected to isolate the causal agent of the disease. Tissue from the lesions was surface-disinfected by standard protocols and ground to prepare serial-dilutions that were plated on Luria Bertani-agar medium. After 48 h of incubation at 28°C, a predominant bacterium was isolated from all samples. Five strains from independent samples were subjected to biochemical and pathogenicity tests. Al...


Compression of point clouds has so far been confined to coding the positions of a discrete set of points in space and the attributes of those discrete points. We introduce an alternative approach based on volumetric functions, which are functions defined not just on a finite set of points, but throughout space. As in regression analysis, volumetric functions are continuous functions that are able to interpolate values on a finite set of points as linear combinations of continuous basis functions. Using a B-spline wavelet basis, we are able to code volumetric functions representing both geometry and attributes. Geometry is represented implicitly as the level set of a volumetric function (the signed distance function or similar). Attributes are represented by a volumetric function whose coefficients can be regarded as a critically sampled orthonormal transform that generalizes the recent successful region-adaptive hierarchical (or Haar) transform to higher orders. Experimental results show that both geometry and attribute compression using volumetric functions improve over those used in the emerging MPEG Point Cloud Compression standard.


Accounting practice teaching is an important part in developing students' practical ability.The paper argues that both hi- erarchical management and reasonable time schedule arrangement are the basic elements to enhance the efficiency of ability cultivation. Meanwhile standardized guidance to teaching practice is also emphasized in improving teachers' teaching ability and students' self-di- rected learning.


In order to characterize corrosion defects on magneto-optical (MO) disks and to observe the tendency of their growth and distribution, we have developed a defect analyzing system which can detect the address and length, and discriminate the defect types on the whole surface of a disk. These data are led to the mapping system so as to trace the growth of those micro defects.  It is revealed that there are two types of defects, bright ones and dark ones. Only the bright defects are observed to grow gradually on polycarbonate (PC) disk in a 80°C 90%RH atmosphere. The bright defects are generated and grow through corrosion around micro-dusts. Supposing that the corrosion depends on the existing quantities of low molecular weight substances in the PC resin, we have tried to improve the disk corrosion resistance by using a new PC material containing very little quantity of them. On the new disk, bright defects scarcely grow up to 1500 hours in the 80°C 90%RH atmosphere.


Muotitietoinen patriotismi : Review of Jussi Lassila: The Quest for an Ideal Youth in Putin's Russia II. The Search for Distinctive Conformism in the Political Communication of Nashi, 2005–2009. Stuttgart: ibidem-Verlag, 2012. ISBN: 978-3-8382-0415-4.


The response to family violence and homelessness in Australia and the relationship between them is discussed. The key aspects and features of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) and how it deals with the issues of family violence and homelessness are highlighted.


A hot magma chamber can ascend by melting the roof rock, a process which in turn affects the magma composition. The disaggregated mineral particles which consisted the roof rock will descend in the magma chamber to form a sedimentary cumulate. However, the fluid dynamics leading to the formation of the sediment, and how we can decipher them is unknown. Here we conducted a series of experiments modeling melting erosion of the roof with particle size consisting the roof rock as the parameter. We find that there is a critical particle size below which the melting erosion occurs rhythmically. Melting erosion stops because the disaggregated particles are suspended in the magma chamber and suppress the vertical heat transfer. The suspension then separates into an upper clear layer and a lower suspension layer. Eventually, the heated stratified layers become unstable. An overturn occurs, and melting erosion resumes. When the particles consist of two sizes such that at least one of them is smaller than the critical size, a rhythmic erosion occurs. Particles are sorted during each erosion period, and a size‐graded rhythmic layering is spontaneously generated. We estimate that rhythmic layering can be generated from melting erosion in a basaltic magma chamber when the grain size of the roof rock is ≤ 0.6 mm, assuming a vertical temperature difference of 10°C. We suggest that rhythmic roof melting coupled with particle settling is one possible mechanism for generating the rhythmic layering which is commonly observed in solidified magma chambers.


Paroxysmal nonturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) is an acquired disorder characterized by increased susceptibility of erythrocytes (E) to complement (C')-mediated hemolysis. Although patients with PNH may be treated with androgenic hormones, prednisone and iron, these agents are not always effective. Here we report the changes in the proportion of C'-sensitive E, and the C7 sensitivity of erythroblasts observed by the complement lysis sensitivity (CLS) test and erythropoietic cell culture during iron therapy in a PNH patient with iron deficiency anemia (IDA). Case: A 58-yr-old male was admitted to our hospital because of epistaxis and anemia in June, 1979. Both Ham's and sugar-water tests were positive, and the patient was diagnosed as having PNH. On 3 June, 1987, laboratory findings showed that the serum iron was 50 pg/dl, total iron binding capacity 440 kg/dl, and serum ferritin 8.6 ng/ml. Therefore, he was diagnosed as having IDA and was treated with sodium ferrous citrate 150 mg/d from July 6, 1987. Iron therapy was continued until September 9, 1987. Slight exacerbation of hemoglobinuria occurred on September 1 and 2, 1987, but it was not necessary to stop the iron therapy (Table 1). Material and methods: The CLS test of E in peripheral blood (PB) and erythroblasts from bursts in bone marrow was performed during the clinical course from June 3, 1987 to September 9, 1987. A modification (1) of the CLS test (2) developed by Rosse & Dacie


After preliminary results and definitions in Section 1, we show in Section 2 that any finite regular semigroup is saturated, in the sense of Howie and Isbell [8] (that is, the dominion of a finite regular semigroup U in a strictly containing semigroup S is never S). This is equivalent of course to showing that in the category of semigroups any epi from a finite regular semigroup is in fact onto. Note for inverse semigroups the stronger result, that any inverse semigroup is absolutely closed [11, Theorem VII. 2.14] or [8, Theorem 2.3]. Further, any inverse semigroup is in fact an amalgamation base in the class of semigroups [10], in the sense of [5]. These stronger results are known to be false for finite regular semigroups [8, Theorem 2.9] and [5, Theorem 25]. Whether or not every regular semigroup is saturated is an open problem.


A target chamber for application in the laser fusion program must satisfy some very basic requirements. (1) Provide a vacuum on the order of 10$sup -6$ torr. (2) Support a microscopically small target in a fixed point in space and verify its location within 5 micrometers. (3) Contain an adjustable beam focusing system capable of delivering a number of laser beams onto the target simultaneously, both in time and space. (4) Provide access for diagnostics to evaluate the results of target irradiation. (5) Have flexibility to allow changes in targets, focusing optics and number of beams. The ARGUS laser which is now under construction at LLL will have a target chamber which meets these requirements in a simple economic manner. The chamber and auxiliary equipment are described, with reference to two double beam focusing systems; namely, lenses and ellipsoidal mirrors. Provision is made for future operation with four beams, using ellipsoidal mirrors for two-sided illumination and lens systems for tetragonal and tetrahedral irradiation. (auth)


This paper addresses the problem of generating multi-step-ahead bandwidth prediction. Variation of bandwidth is modeled as a Nu-Support Vector Regression (Nu-SVR) procedure. A parallel procedure is proposed to hybridize constant and binary Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) together for optimizing feature selection and hyper-parameter selection. Experimental results on benchmark data set show that the Nu-SVR model optimized achieves better accuracy than BP neural network and SVR without optimization. As a combination of feature selection and hyper-parameter selection, parallel hybrid PSO achieves better convergence performance than individual ones, and it can improve the accuracy of prediction model efficiently.


The concentrations of Ti and Ca, P, K, Fe, Cu and Zn in blood samples were determined by PIXE after a single intravenous and a single oral dosing with titanium- ascorbate (Ti- Vc) in Wister rats. Following the intravenous injection with 50 mg Ti- Vc/kg body weight, the absorption, distribution a...


This paper describes a trial on the education of introductory physical mathematics for under-graduate students. A new lecture style has been introduced in a subject for freshmen at the civil engineering department of Kanazawa University. The lectures on several important concepts in physical mathematics are carefully selected and explained by using a variety of examples in civil engineering applications. The results of students'questionnaire show that the use of practical materials in the class has successfully enhanced the learning motivation of the students. In addition, it is also confirmed that through the lectures the students have well understood the effectiveness of the physical mathematics as a practical tool in various engineering processes.


This is a report of a descriptive study 1n wh1ch a random sample of f1fty out of four hundred returned questionnaires from parents with a mentally retarded child were analyzed. The foci of analysis were: (1) parental attitudes toward the child; (2) the changes experienced by the fam11y as affected by birth order and sex of the mentally ret~rded child; (3) how the diagnosis was accomplished; and (4) how in their opin ion services during this d1agnostic period could be improved. The data revealed that: (1) protectiveness toward the child is the predominant parental response; (2) negative changes are probably twice as high with an only child who is retarded; (3) male retardates are somewhat more disruptive than are female; (4) diagnosis must be individualized; however, generalizations which can be made include: understandable language, patience, empathy, and above all honesty. COUNSELING PROBLEMS THAT ACCOMPANY THE DIAGNOSIS OF MENTAL RETARDATION


The paper explores a general approach to the design of columns of metallic materials, notably aluminum and stainless steel. The stress-strain curves of these materials, and metallic materials in general, are nonlinear. In the paper, the stress-strain curves are assumed to be expressed as Ramberg-Osgood curves, defined in terms of the initial modulus (E0), the 0.2% proof stress (σ0.2) and the parameter n. It is shown that the column curve can be expressed in terms of the Ramberg-Osgood parameters by adopting a Perry curve as a basic strength curve and expressing the imperfection parameter in terms of E0, σ0.2, and n. The proposed strength curves are compared with column strengths obtained using advanced finite-element analyses of square hollow-section columns. For a wide range of material parameters, the mean of the ratio of finite-element strength to column strength is calculated using results for a range of column lengths and shown to lie between 0.98 and 1.04. The coefficient of variation of the same ra...


This letter presents the design of a new, unequal power-divider with enhanced insertion loss flatness. It also features compact and simple layout implementation. For verification, the measured results of prototypes having a center frequency of 1 GHz and power-dividing ratio of 2:1 and 4:1 are given.


Systems are error-prone. Big systems have lots of errors. The Internet-of-Things poses us one of the biggest and widespread systems, where errors directly impact people's lives. Testing and validating is how one deals with errors; but testing and validating a planetary-scale, heterogeneous, and evergrowing ecosystem has its own challenges and idiosyncrasies. As of today, the solutions available for testing these systems are insufficient and fragmentary. In this paper we provide an overview on test approaches, tools and methodologies for the Internet-of-Things, its software and its devices. Our conclusion is that we are still lagging behind on the best practices and lessons learned from the Software Engineering community in the past decades.


Our contribution tries to highlight the importance of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary,
and inter-institutional view of road safety education. In addition, other specific factors that can
modulate correctly the road behaviour, such as the assimilation of the concept of perception of
risk and the development of Parents schools.


A theory for including the effect of finite write field rise time in the calculation of written transition parameters for thin film media has been developed. Calculated dependence of transition parameter, overwrite and nonlinear transition shifts on the write field rise time are shown. Model results are compared with measured values for a thin film inductive head at different write current rise times and varying disk rotational velocity, for fixed linear density and flying height. The theory has also been used to calculate the amount of precompensation required to reduce the nonlinear shift to near zero.


The modern industries are driven by the Squirrel cage induction motors (SCIMs), and zero downtime is the need of the hour. Condition-based maintenance is pivotal for achieving zero downtime. The ability of automatic feature extraction of Deep learning has effectively used in fault diagnosis in SCIMs. This paper proposes a novel transfer learning (TL) based deep convolutional neural network (CNN) fault detection model for bearing fault and broken rotor bar detection in SCIM, both individually and jointly. The transfer learning enables the faster learning and accelerates the training of deep CNN based fault detection model. Compared with the deep CNN model trained from scratch, the developed method is meticulous and computationally efficient. This paper has used a current analysis for fault detection in SCIMs. The proposed method owing to its deep structures and inherent ability, automatically learns the features from current signals for fault detection. The proposed fault detection model has achieved a mean accuracy of 99.40%. Also, the proposed method overcomes the disadvantages of deep CNN by applying for the knowledge transfer through transfer learning.


The discovery of the M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) as a major antigen in idiopathic membranous nephropathy (iMN) was a breakthrough and established iMN as an autoimmune disease.1 Subsequent studies confirmed that antibodies against PLA2R were present in approximately 70% of incident iMN patients (reviewed by Hofstra and Wetzels2). The potential role of measuring PLA2R antibodies for clinical practice was suggested by studies showing that the presence of PLA2R antibodies supported a diagnosis of iMN,2–4 changes in antibody levels paralleled clinical disease activity,5 disappearance of antibodies preceded and predicted subsequent decrease of proteinuria,6 and high titers of antibodies were associated with a low likelihood of spontaneous remission.7

In this issue of JASN, Hoxha et al. report their findings in a large cohort of 163 patients with MN.8 PLA2R antibodies (both IgG and IgG4) were measured in serum obtained within 6 months from kidney biopsy. The authors used an ELISA assay and immunofluorescence testing (IFT) (both commercially available in Europe).9 PLA2R antibodies were detected in 133 patients (82%). The median follow-up was 12 months, and the majority of patients (101 of 133) started immunosuppressive therapy within 3 months after presentation.

Hoxha et al. show that PLA2R antibodies decreased during follow-up. The decrease in PLA2R antibodies preceded the decrease in proteinuria. The authors concluded that "there was a remarkable time lag between the rather rapid fall in antibody levels at 3 months and the protracted reduction in proteinuria."8 These data confirm earlier findings and indicate that an immunologic remission precedes clinical remission in patients with iMN.6,10 Although no PLA2R antibodies were found in patients with complete remission, PLA2R antibodies were still present in a low titer in 50% of patients with a partial remission. These data indicate that a partial remission may not always reflect the absence of disease activity.

The authors next analyzed the association between antibody levels at baseline and remission at 12 months after presentation. PLA2R antibody levels were significantly higher in 28 patients without remission than in 39 patients with remission. The median time to remission was significantly longer in patients with antibody levels above versus below the median (15 versus 9 months). The authors concluded that the PLA2R antibody level was "an independent risk factor for not achieving remission."8 Such a conclusion, if valid and applicable to untreated patients, could improve individualized patient care. However, the data from the study by Hoxha et al. do not allow to conclude that antibody levels can help to accurately identify patients who will develop a spontaneous remission because most of Hoxha's patients were treated. Moreover, because treated patients nearly all developed a remission, the antibody levels merely predicted the time to remission.

Although their patient cohort is large, the study by Hoxha et al. is limited because of the relatively short follow-up period, the use of various immunosuppressive treatment regimens, and the unnecessary early start of immunosuppressive therapy in many patients. The reported findings cannot change current guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of patients with iMN. Evidently, more rigid study protocols are needed to reliably answer the most relevant questions. Certainly, Hoxha et al. could perform additional analyses to answer some of the following unresolved questions.


Clinical pathways are useful tools in improving the quality of care of patients treated in hospitals. Gastroenteritis is a short, self-limiting, but common illness of childhood associated with significant costs to the community. The authors assessed the impact of a clinical pathway on investigation ordering in children with gastroenteritis. A retrospective analysis of 2 cohorts of children was performed before (n = 1498) and after (n = 1252) the introduction of a clinical pathway. Children admitted to hospital with a diagnosis of gastroenteritis were assessed as to the type of pathology tests ordered. Further outcomes measured were rates of admission, emergency department presentations, average length of stay, and direct costs. Subset analysis was undertaken on the initial cohort of patients who had a full blood count as part of their initial assessment. Full blood count was more likely to be performed prior to the introduction of the pathway(77.1%) than after pathway introduction (66.8%; P < .004). Urine microscopy and culture also was significantly decreased from 56.3% to 40.4% ( P < .0005). Median patient costs were reduced from $1228 to $752 following pathway introduction ( P < .0001); however, rates of admission were increased from 18.6% to 28.8% ( P < .0001). Length of stay decreased but was not statistically significant. Full blood count results in the subset analysis revealed that the measurement of a full blood count had no impact on management. Thus, a clinical pathway contributed to more rational ordering of pathology tests and lowered the costs to a hospital of caring for patients with this common illness.


Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg. Sciatica is a relatively common condition with a lifetime incidence varying from 13% to 40%. The common corresponding annual incidence of an episode of sciatica ranges from 1% to 6 %. This review assesses current knowledge of the epidemiology, pathogenesis and treatment of sciatica. Sciatica refers to pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling in the leg. Sciatica is a symptom of another medical problem, not a medical age . The prevalence of sciatic symptoms reported in the literature varies considerably ranging from 1.6% in the general population to 43% in a selected working population . Although the prognosis is good in most patients , a substantial proportion (up to 30%) continues to have pain for 1 year or longer [4, . In approximately 90% of the cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated disc involving nerve root compression. However, lumbar canal stenosis or foraminal stenosis and (less often) tumors or cysts are other possible causes [6] The most important symptom of sciatica is lumbosacral radicular leg pain that follows a dermatomal pattern radiating below the knee and into the foot and toes . [6, . The pain worsens with coughing; patients may report sensory symptoms, limited forward flexion of the lumbar spine, gait deformity and unilateral spasm of the paraspinal muscles. However, most patients present with a less clear clinical picture. In acute sciatica, diagnostic imaging may only be indicated if there are indications of underlying pathology (e.g. infections, malignancies) other than disc herniation. In patients with persistent and severe symptoms who fail to improve following 6– 8 weeks of non-surgical treatment, imaging might be useful to identify the presence or absence of a herniated disc with nerve root compression . Management of sciatica varies considerably. Patients are commonly treated in primary care but a small proportion is referred to secondary care and may eventually undergo surgery if complaints remain present for at least 6 weeks. Conservative treatment for sciatica is primarily aimed at pain reduction, either by analgesics or by reducing pressure on the nerve root. There seems to be consensus that surgery is indicated in carefully selected patients for sciatica in presence of a herniated lumbar disc , or severe sciatica with serious or progressive neurologic deficits and imaging demonstrating lumbar disc herniation at the nerve root level correlating with the patient's examination findings [3, 9] The primary rationale of surgery for sciatica is that surgery will relieve nerve root irritation or compression due to herniated disc material. The most common type of surgery is open microdiscectomy, surgical removal of part of the disc, performed with or without the use of an operating microscope or other magnifying tools. Other minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as endoscopic surgery have recently been developed . Types of Sciatica: The different types of Sciatica are summarized below: Acute Sciatica (Short-term): Acute sciatica may be foregoing between four to eight weeks. It does not typically require professional treatment, symptoms can be significantly reduced with the use of accessible over-the-counter (OTC) painkillers combined with exercise . Manish Kumar et al. / Epidemiology, Pathophysiology and Symptomatic Treatment of Sciatica: A Review


A self-consistent theory of fluctuations is developed for the {ital t}-{ital J} model within the Schwinger-boson framework. It is shown that binding of spin and charge into physical electrons helps destroy long-range magnetic order and restore the Luttinger-Fermi surface. The bound states, which appear as poles in the electron Green's function near the top and bottom of the band, begin to break up into spin and charge on approaching the Fermi surface. For low to moderate hole densities, the quasiparticles do not have a pole character near the Fermi surface and the system is not a Fermi liquid. Implications for the cuprate superconductors are discussed.


The spontaneously occurring mutation in op rats produces an animal with severe osteopetrosis due to inadequate osteoclastic bone resorption. This mutation has been localized to a 0.51 cM portion of rat chromosome 10. Lying within the genetic critical region for op is the Prss34 gene. Prss34 (PRSS29P in humans) is a serine protease that is preferentially expressed in bone marrow and spleen. In this study, we tested if a mutation in this gene could be responsible for the osteopetrosis seen in the op rat. M‐13 tailed primer sets were designed from rat genomic sequence to cover the 5 exons of the rat Prss34 gene. These primer sets were amplified by PCR against genomic DNA from affected mutant animals and the two parental strains. Mutational analysis of the Prss34 sequences from the three strains failed to reveal significant differences between the affected mutant animals and the two parental strains although single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between BN and the other two strains were identified in exons 2, 4 and 5. These data indicate that the osteopetrosis seen in the op rat is not the result of a mutation within the coding region of the Prss34 gene. Analysis of additional candidate genes will be required to identify the causative mutation in this animal model of failed bone homeostasis.


In this talk I will review the V -A theory within the context of the prevalent experimental results at the time.


A new class of localized solitary signals is investigated on a coupled nonlinear transmission line, which consists of two LC ladder lines connected by intermediary capacitors. Actually, these localized solitary excitations correspond to configurations where electric signal voltages on nearest-neighbour electric cells of each LC ladder line oscillate out of phases with each other, at the same frequency. Thus, it is found that they are stationary nonlinear asymmetric waves, whose amplitudes and widths depend on characteristic parameters of the circuit. The explicit envelope functions which are appropriate for coupled system with finite lengths are also found.


The IP plan uses the Multiple Peril Crop Insurance (MPCI) policy for yields, loss adjustments, and other underwriting procedures. IP prices are based on the average of the daily futures market closing prices for the insured crop prior to the sales closing date and during harvest. IP uses the Group Risk Plan's (GRP) county yield index to adjust IP premium rates. The insurance is provided for an enterprise unit that includes all acreage of the insured crop in the county in which the insured has an interest. By combining MPCI and GRP components, IP forms a straightforward product for the protection of a percentage of revenue.


Key messages 1. Laboratoryand field-based research benefit from strong cross-linkages. 2. Using a value chain approach enables evaluation of the impact of the work, stimulates integration of crosscutting issues such as gender and capacity development, and facilitates collaboration with other CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs). 3. Communications strategies need to enhance and sustain the flows of information between field and laboratory researchers, and to support development actors help smallholder farmers cope with this key livestock production constraint.


s of the 39th Annual Scientific Congress of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand, 10-13 July 2014, Ambassader City Jomtien Hotel, Jomtien, Pattaya, Cholburi, Thailand (Part II) The THAI Journal of SURGERY 2014; 35:143-168. Official Publication of the Royal College of Surgeons of Thailand


Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy on high dose mecobalamin and pancreatic kininogenase in the treatment of diabetic peripheral nerve damage recovery. Methods Sixty four patients with diabetic peripheral nerve damage were selected in the hospital from November 2008 to November 2011, who were randomly divided into two groups. 32 patients used Vitamin B12 (muscle injection, 0.5 mg/time, 1 time/d, course of 14 d) and pancreatic kininogenase (oral, 120 U/time, 3 times/d, course of 14 d ) in the treatment as the control group. 32 patients used mecobalamin (intravenous infusion,1 500 μg/250 mL saline, 1 time/d, course of 14 d ) and pancreatic kininogenase in the treatment as the observation group. Clinical efficacy and nerve conduction velocity were compared between two groups after the treatment. Results Total effective rate in the observation group (96.9%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (59.4%). The motor nerve conduction velocity and sensory nerve conduction velocity in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group. The difference was statistically significant (P 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the observation group (12.5%) was higher than that in control group (3.1%). The difference was not statistically significant (P 0.05). Conclusion High dose mecobalamin and pancreatic kininogenase in the treatment for diabetic peripheral nerve damage has significant clinical efficacy, which can obviously improve the nerve conduction velocity. The incidence of adverse reaction is lower. It is worthy of clinical use.


tial response) vs 80% of patients in the other groups. A median survival of 48 months was observed in patients with low-risk biomarkers vs 25 months in patients with high-risk biomarkers (P=.18). Conclusions: In our data set of advanced laryngeal cancer patients, p53 and Bcl-xL together define groups with different risk profiles. Tumor expression of low p53 and low Bcl-xL is a strong predictor of larynx preservation in patients treated with induction chemotherapy followed by radiation therapy in responding tumors.


In every organization there exist some unavoidable cost when running any business. However, these costs can be minimized by managing the factors that contribute to increased business cost and finding ways to prevent risks before they occur. This paper examines one of these factors which is loss of productivity in the workplace. The paper examines the risks of loss of productivity, what causes these risks and in what ways will the business be affected by them. This paper also present the various ways a business can manage the risks by providing ways on how the business can prepare for any incidents with regards to the risks. And because it's impossible to manage anything that you can't measure, ways in which productivity can be measured have been addressed. Finally, the paper addresses ways in which the business can improve its' workplace productivity to achieve the business goals and ensure continuity of the business.


Commen tators have repeatedly attacked the traditional view that alcoholism is a disease. Their arguments that alcoholism is a central aspect of life, a deviant life style, or a form of learned behavior are examined in the light of the history and philosophy of medicine as well as current bio-behavioral research. Our conclusion is that alcoholism, as a lawful pattern of observable signs and symptoms that deviate signifi- cantly from a norm of health, is a bio-psychosocial disease.


The nonlinear transverse RF field effects on the low energy and emittance dominated electron beams are investigated theoretically including the bunching and accelerating. Without any external magnetic focusing devices and in pursuit of high shunt impedance, the nonlinear transverse RF field effects should not be neglected. The evolution of the beam phase space distribution in asymmetric cavity is studied by taking into account the nonlinear transverse RF fields. As a result of the nonlinear transverse RF field effects, the emittance growth occurs mainly in the first cavity of bunchers and is associated with the relative position of the particles deviating from the axis, the nonlinearity of the RF fields and the synchronous state of the beam. A few formulas for energy, phase and emittance growth are derived.


Although the US Environmental Protection Agency has issued its Mercury Rule, setting limits for emissions from new power plants and placing an eventual cap on emissions from all plants, mercury control technologies offering sustainable performance and known applicability, impact, and cost are still in the future. Co-operative funding for long-term, full-scale tests of technologies in advanced stages of development, and support for emerging ones, promises to close the gap. The goal is to learn how to tailor control technologies to flue gas environments at individual power plants. In this article, the authors describe the current performance of mercury control technologies and outline the research needed to demonstrate their readiness for commercial deployment.


For solving problems of the theory of elasticity using nonlinear models, the question of the convexity of the potential used and the proof of the uniqueness of the solution are of decisive importance. The present work is devoted to the determination of conditions for the local strict convexity of the potential for the nonlinear elasticity model, which ensure the uniqueness of the solution to the problem in a sufficiently small neighborhood of the desired solution. The considered model is a generalization of a scalar nonlinear rheological model of brittle solid deformation for the case of the tensor damage parameter, the principal values of which describe the reduction in the cross-sectional area of the material in three orthogonal directions. An additional term of the second order in deformation in the elastic potential makes it possible to describe the dependence of the elastic moduli on the type of the stress-strain state, the dilatancy of the material under shear deformation, as well as the nonlinear deformation response even at low loads. The introduced damage tensor of the second rank makes it possible to describe the damage-induced anisotropy of the elastic properties of the material. Conditions of local strict convexity in the principal axes of the strain tensor are obtained in this work for the general case of misaligned strain and damage tensors. To illustrate the obtained convexity conditions, two special cases of the damage tensor type are considered: a transversely isotropic fractured medium with coaxial strain and damage tensors, and a transversely isotropic medium with obliquely oriented fracturing. For both cases, the dependence of the limiting values of damage on the parameter of the degree of anisotropy is shown. It is shown that in the case of weak damage anisotropy, the potential convexity conditions for the scalar damage parameter give a minorant estimate of the maximum allowable damage for various types of stress-strain state. For obliquely oriented fracturing, the dependences of the maximum permissible damage on the degree of anisotropy, the angle of inclination and the type of stress-strain state are plotted.


Temperature monitoring is an important component of structural health monitoring of mass concrete after pouring. This study investigates temperature measurements of mass concrete based on Brillouin optical time-domain analysis (BOTDA). First, the fundamental principle of using BOTDA-based distributed optical fiber sensing (DOFS) technology to measure temperatures is provided. Then, a temperature-measuring system is introduced. Finally, a case study on an engineering structure was conducted to explore issues relating to the practical application of BOTDA-based DOFS technology, including optical fiber cable laying and protection, measurement and results analysis. In addition, point temperature sensors and precision thermometers were used to measure the temperatures at several points along the optical fiber cable and the ambient temperature, respectively. The measurement results were compared with those measured by the optical fiber cable. Our study shows that BOTDA-based DOFS technology can be used to take accurate distributed temperature measurements of mass concrete structures. This temperature-measuring method provides an effective means for measuring the temperature of mass concrete structures.


This paper gives concrete examples to exhibit how to use the replica trick to calculate the quantum (quasi-)distances holographically. First, we consider the fidelity and relative entropy between thermal states that are dual to the Schwarzschild-AdS black holes. Then we generalize our method into the RN-AdS black holes by adding a U(1) gauge field. We also investigate the fidelity between states excited by scalar operator in probe limit. In this case, it is surprising that the fidelity in standard quantization will suffer from new UV divergence though the usual holographic renormalization has been applied. We call for deep understanding for such divergence in the future. We also discover a holographic method to check whether the density matrices of two holographic states are commutative.


"Magnetic nanoparticles and nanocomposite materials have attracted much interest due to their novel magnetic behaviour, and their potential use in a range of applications. One of the main reasons for their novel magnetism, appreciated for some time, is the high proportion of under-coordinated atoms at the surface of nanoparticles. In the case of magnetic transition metals this leads to a narrowing of the 3d bands that are responsible for magnetism in these materials, leading to size-dependent nanoparticle properties. The atomic structure adopted by nanoparticles is also a key factor in determining their magnetism. Unlike in bulk materials atomic structure in nanoparticles can be changed more readily by, for example, embedding them in suitable matrix materials. Here we describe how a high level of control over crystal structure in nanoparticles can be achieved, using EXAFS to ""fingerprint"" their crystal structure, and show how this in turn leads to a high degree of control over nanoparticle magnetism. We describe a flexible co-deposition process based around a gas aggregation source, which enables a high degree of control over structure in transition metal nanoparticles embedded in various matrices. EXAFS experiments and analysis used to probe atomic structure in embedded Fe and Co nanoparticles are described [1]. Examples presented include the system of Fe nanoparticles embedded in a CuAu alloy matrix where we show that is not only the ability to change the atomic structure of embedded nanoparticles that is important but the ability to fine-tune their structure once changed [2]. In this case, this enables the atomic magnetic Fe moment to be fine-tuned to a value higher than in the bulk Fe structure, in agreement with theory. In some systems alloying at the particle/interface can be significant. We describe how this is the case for Fe nanoparticles in Pd [3], and how such alloying could be useful in forming magnetic nanocomposites with superior properties."


Background: Family care-giving for persons with mental illness has been associated with reduced quality of life and high levels of burden. Most studies on care-giving focused on burden of caregivers in schizophrenia and to some extent on bipolar affective disorders.
Aim: The current study examined perceived burden and its influence on the Quality of Life in caregivers of persons suffering from severe and persistent psychiatric illness.
Methods: Care givers of persons suffering from mental illness of three groups viz., Schizophrenia (35subjects), Affective Disorder (36subjects), and Mental Retardation (32subjects) attending the outpatient department of a psychiatry hospital were assessed on Zarit Burden interview and World health organization Quality of Life -Bref (WHOQOL-Bref). Care receiver's functional ability was associated with care giver's perception of burden.
Results: Care givers of Schizophrenia group reported higher burden than care givers of Affective Disorder followed by Mental Retardation. Overall, care givers reported high burden and significantly reduced Quality of Life in the domains of physical health, social relationships and environment. In particular, Schizophrenia group of caregivers reported higher levels of burden and reduced quality of life in psychological and environmental domains
Conclusions: The findings from this study suggest that caregivers need social support and family intervention programmes to cope with the burden of care-giving and enhance better quality of life.


The coprophagousscarabaeidbeetlesarewell knownmainlyas feedersofmam_ malian excrements, andcalleddungbeetles. About 110speciesof dung beetlesare known fromJapan(MAsuMoTo, l985).Their feedinghabitsvarywithtypesofmam_ malian dungs,herbivorous,omnivorousandcarnivorous. It isaninterestingproblemto trace thehistorical changesof thedung beetle faunaofJapan, but fossil recordsof them arepoor fromtheJapaneseNeogene.0ntheotherhand,manyspecieshavebeen reported from the UpperPleistocene to theHolocenemainly from thearcheological sites (e.g., HARUSAwA,1994). We havestudieddungbeetle fossils fromthePleistoceneofJapan.Theresearch has proved that two fossil specimensofOnthophagusspp from the Pleistocene are identified with twoextantspecies:a fossilspecimen fromtheUonumaFormationis0. 1enzii, anda fossil specimen fromtheBushiFormation is 0. viduus. The latterwasreported byHAYAsHI(1996)asOnthl)phagussp.


Tourism in mountain regions has increased during the last decades. Tourists are attracted to the Dolomites, a mountain range located in northeastern Italy, mainly for outdoor activities. The GEOPARC Bletterbach, is one of the Dolomites UNESCO parks, that receives 60.000 tourist visits every year, that are attracted by the geological formations and spectacular landscapes. Unfortunately, the visit to the park is not without risk, as tourists expose themselves to a complex mountain-gorge terrain with the sudden occurrence of floods, rock and tree falls which may be led to dangerous incidents. Here, we propose the use of wearable Long-Range transceivers, such as ground sensors, with the support of proximal sensing techniques to monitor and track tourism activities.


The Department of Energy's (DOE's) Oil Recovery Field Demonstration Program was initiated in 1992 to maximize the economically and environmentally sound recovery of oil from known domestic reservoirs and to preserve access to this resource. Cost-shared field demonstration projects are being initiated in geology defined reservoir classes which have been prioritized by their potential for incremental recovery and their risk of abandonment. This document defines the characteristics of the fifth geological reservoir class in the series, fluvial/alluvial reservoirs. The reservoirs of Class 5 include deposits of alluvial fans, braided streams, and meandering streams. Deposit morphologies vary as a complex function of climate and tectonics and are characterized by a high degree of heterogeneity to fluid flow as a result of extreme variations in water energy as the deposits formed.


Piston compressors unit is applied widely in the field of commercial refrigeration,compressors unit can achieve good matching refrigeration system load. Due to the lack of dynamic response of the structure of product early qualitative judgment,the sets will appear in the actual use of brass fracture problems,the problem would lead to a large number of refrigerant gas leak,causing environmental pollution,economic losses,and so on. Due to this problem,through the finite element analysis method to analyze the compressors unit,calculate the compressors unit of the inherent frequency and vibration model,based on this,the analysis about impact of the compressor excitation vibration on the compressors unit,and through practical test to determine the cause of the pipeline rupture in the end.


Systems cannot simply produce outcomes without investigating their value. Certain value dimensions cannot be accessed without changing the curriculum delivery model. Quality control is not possible without having created quality in the first place. But how can we define value and quality?


The invention discloses a distributed online regulating method for splicing multiple projectors. The distributed online regulating method is based on the prior geometric correction and the color difference correction, takes a curve family (x, x, x ... x) as a substrate, utilizes a control point real-time fitting integration curve to approach an actual decay curve, adopts the way of real-time collection of an image of an integration band by a video camera to analyze brightness information of the integration band, draws an integration brightness change curve to be used as a regulation reference, continuously adjusts the coordinates and the number of adjusting points and the order of the fitting curve, further changes the integration curve and changes the integration effect in an online manner. The method abandons the integration curve with the fixed form, adopts the online regulation way of generating the integration curve by point real-time fitting and has obvious universality and rapidness, high regulation efficiency and good actual application effect.


Environmental awareness in Mexico is a very important issue since today's alterations on the environment are basically produced by anthropogenic activities either because of industrial development, consumerism, pollution, solid waste, etc.., reason why it is very important to achieve a balance between nature and man and, in order to achieve this balance, environmental education which can employ different strategies for generating feelings, developing environmental awareness and highlighting the need to develop new values from direct experiences is necessary. For this reason, this investigation has as its main objective the assessment of Emilio Portes Gil Colonia in H. Matamoros (Tamaulipas) inhabitants' Environmental Awareness, using Nuevalos' instrument called Environmental Attitudes Questionnaire (CAAM) to a population of 50 inhabitants conformed by 52% women and 48% men in an age range between 20 to 31 years, yielding a very similar environmental awareness with 32% and 30% of both the male and the female respectively.


ABSTRACT This article considers gender equality in the context of the most recent United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (CoP), CoP26. Gender equality issues are now widely recognised within global climate change governance, playing an ongoing role within it. The CoP does not function in isolation and its regime setting is significant, in particular, in the work of UNFCCC constituted bodies and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Other parts of the United Nations, such as the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW66) can also offer important contributions to gender; and civil society too plays a vital role in this aspect of climate governance. These elements and the interplay between them have shaped gender issues at CoP26, as has the global pandemic. While gender equality is a live issue in global climate governance, leveraging substantial, substantive, action by states to address it remains problematic.


Heterointerface tailoring is of importance for the catalytic activity enhancement of nanomaterials in various reactions owing to the charge polarization at the interface. We report an accurate manipulation of a replacement reaction for Pt/PtTe heteronanowire and PtTe homonanowire fabrication. Their geometric structures are controlled by using the aged K2PtCl4 in ethylene glycol (EG) as Pt precursors with self-tuned coordination state and structure. The aging process enables the slow conversion of PtCl42– to linear structured PtmCln leading to their tunable oxidation ability. The Pt–Pt bond formation during aging has been revealed by time-resolved in situ UV–vis and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopies. The coexistence of a highly active Te template, PtCl42– ions, and linear structured PtmCln complexes allows Pt nanoparticles (NPs) to grow in situ on the PtTe nanowires (NWs), forming a controllable interface structure that served as catalytic active sites and charge transfer location. In c...


Changes in the age structure of the region after the establishment of new parameters of the retirement age in the Russian Federation are considered, which will help to expand the existing strategies at the local level aimed at solving the problems of aging and demographic changes. Time series, dependency ratios, and aging ratios were used as methods for aggregating desk research data.


This article is the first in a two-part series as a follow-up from the keynote address, Capacity building the profession for the future, delivered by Karen Bonanno and June Wall at the ASLA XXIV 2015 Conference, 29-30 September 2015.


emy of Optometry. Unauthorized reproduction of Our authors found, adjusting for confounding variables, ADHD was greater among children with vision problems not correctable with glasses or contacts (15.6%) compared to those with normal vision (8.3%). Phone interviews of parents of over 17,000 children ages 4 to 17 from the 2011 to 2012National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) were conducted by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (p. 459)


The standard method of measuring rotational splitting from solar full-disc oscillation data, based on maximum-likelihood fitting of multi-Lorentzian profiles to oscillation power spectra, systematically overestimates the splitting. One of the reasons is that the maximum likelihood estimators (MLE) become unbiased only asymptotically as the number of data tends to infinity; for a finite data set they are often biased, inducing a systematic error. In this paper we assess by Monte Carlo simulations the amount of systematic error in the splitting measurement, using artificially generated power spectra. The simulations are carried out for multiplets of degree 2 and 3 with various signal-to-noise ratios, linewidths and observing times. We address the possible use of non-MLE estimators that could provide a smaller or negligible systematic error. The implication for asteroseismology is also discussed.


In order to solve the problem of high moisture content of flue gas desulfurization gypsum in coal-fired power plants, after eliminating the reasons of system equipment, chemical analysis of relevant samples was carried out by thermogravimetric analyzer, laser particle size analyzer, ICP and other instruments. Results show that the main reason for the high moisture content of desulfurization gypsum is the high magnesium content in limestone, which results in the faster nucleation rate of gypsum crystals and the difficulty of aggregation and growth of gypsum crystals. This increases the difficulty of dewatering gypsum with dewatering belt.


During the past half-century the method of model-tests has come to be applied in Europe as a powerful means of solving in the hydraulic laboratory complicated problems involved in the design of expensive hydraulic structures which could not be treated satisfactorily in any other way. A number of well-equipped hydraulic laboratories have been established for this specific purpose, particularly in Germany.


This chapter shows that electrical techniques are powerful tools for the condition monitoring of electrical machines, particularly axial leakage flux, current and power, offering the potential to provide a general condition-monitoring signal for the machine. The availability of high-quality, digitally sampled mechanical vibration and electrical terminal data from electrical machines opens the possibility for more comprehensive monitoring of the machine and prune mover or driven machine combinations. However, these signals generally require broad bandwidth (>50 kHz) and a high data rate for adequate analysis. Therefore the principal difficulty of applying these techniques is the complexity of the necessary spectral analysis and interpretation of their content. This situation is made more difficult if variable speed drives are involved because tune domain signals may no longer be stationary and will also be polluted by harmonics from the power electronic drive. Comprehensive monitoring of an electrical machine can be achieved by measuring shaft flux, current, power and electrical discharge activity. These are broad bandwidth (generally >50 kHz) signals requiring complex analysis. Shaft flux, current and power signals are capable of detecting faults in both the electrical and mechanical parts of a drive train. Shaft voltage or current is an ineffective condition monitoring technique for electrical machines. Shaft flux monitoring is non-mvasive and uses a single sensor but it is complex to analyse and untested in the field. Current monitoring is also non-mvasive, but uses existing sensors and has established itself as motor current spectral analysis, a reliable and widely accepted technique for machine monitoring. Power monitoring is also non-mvasive, uses existing sensors but requires less bandwidth (<10 kHz) and less complex spectral interpretation to detect faults but is not yet widely accepted, so it deserves investigation for future development.